Potton nov 14 by debi1977

VILLAGER The

Issue 99 - November 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

The History of Bonfire Night

Highlanders at The Higgens

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Contents The History of Bonfire Night

The History of Bonfire Night.............................................4 Local Fireworks Displays...................................................8 Dealing with Parking Tickets..........................................10 Deepdale Vets - Cost Effective Pet Care...........................13 Highlanders at The Higgens...........................................15 The RSPB at Sandy.........................................................16 Beer at Home.................................................................21 High Tech Warmth..........................................................25 P&R Bathrooms..............................................................26 Sandy Tourist Information..............................................29 Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society.......................32 Understanding Reiki......................................................35 Remembrance Day Facts................................................39 Fun Quiz.........................................................................40 Run Safe.........................................................................43 Where Am I?..................................................................44 Wordsearch....................................................................46 Ultra Mechanix...............................................................48 Editor - Catherine Rose Editorial - Catherine Rose, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Deepdale Vets, Ted Bruning, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Tom Hancock, Susan Brookes-Morris, Pippa Greenwood, Geoff Wharton, North Beds RSPCA, Melanie Ridley, Potton Vets, Beanstalk, James Baggott and Bruce Edwards

VILLAGER The

Issue 99 - November 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

The History of Bonfire Night

Highlanders at The Higgens

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

Planting Trees and Shrubs..............................................50 Rural Ramblings.............................................................53 Swimming with the Manta Rays....................................54 From City Feral to Country Bumpkin...............................56 Animal Stories................................................................59 Ask Alan.........................................................................61 Children’s Page...............................................................63 Cna yuo rade tihs?..........................................................64 Motoring........................................................................66 Seasonal Delights...........................................................71 Starlight Hikers Stride to Success...................................73 What’s On.......................................................................74 Gamlingay and District Writers Group............................76 Puzzle Page....................................................................80 Last Month’s Puzzle Solutions........................................85 Prize Crossword..............................................................86 Book Review..................................................................92 Classifieds......................................................................93

Ultra Mechanix

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. Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 3 Advertising Sales Nigel Frost - 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Bernard Ormrod, Dave Stott, Catherine Rose, Dawid Lech and Nigel Frost

History

The History of

Bonfire Night The 5th November is Bonfire Night: the annual celebration where we let off fireworks and light big fires. It perhaps seems strange when you consider that this day marks an occasion which happened over four hundred years ago - the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 when Guy Fawkes and his cohorts planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament (then known as the Palace of Westminster) in order to assassinate King James I. In fact, Guy Fawkes wasn’t the ringleader of the plot but he remains the individual who is most famous for his part in it and his effigy, traditionally trundled around by children since the 19th century with the archetypal request for a penny, is still burned on Bonfire Night although this tradition has waned in recent times. Guy Fawkes was born at York in April 1570 to Protestant parents. His maternal grandparents were Catholic however and after his father died when Guy was just eight, his mother re-married a Catholic named Dionis Baynbrigge. The young Fawkes subsequently became a staunch Catholic supporter at a time when there was conflict between Protestant and Catholicisim. When he was 21, Fawkes went to Europe to fight for Spain against the Protestant Dutch during the Eighty Years War. By 1603, he had risen

By Catherine Rose

through the ranks to become an army captain and changed his name to the more Spanishsounding Guido. By this time, Fawkes was already an enemy of King James I, who had strengthened anti-Roman Catholic laws in the wake of his predecessor Queen Elizabeth I. Fawkes openly declared the King a “heretic” and tried to persuade the Spanish monarch Philip III to help lead a rebellion to overthrow him. But although Britain and Spain were at war, King Philip refused. Then another opportunity presented itself. He was approached by Thomas Wintour who invited him to join a plot to murder King James by blowing up the Houses of Parliament. Masterminded by Robert Catesby, the other members of the team were Robert Wintour, Christopher Wright, John Wright, John Grant, Robert Percy, Thomas Percy, Ambrose Rookwood, Sir Everard Digby, Robert Keyes, Thomas Bates and Francis Tresham. The plot took 18 months to plan and involved renting the house next to the Parliament buildings that had a communal cellar which ran underneath. Due to his expertise, Fawkes was tasked with placing and lighting a huge quantity of gunpowder in the cellar directly beneath the House of Lords in order to blow up Parliament including the King, on 5th November 1605 when the State Opening was due to take place. But

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Fawkes was apprehended next to the 36 barrels of gunpowder with a trail set in the cellar at midnight on 4th November 1605. Francis Tresham has been identified as the ‘Judas’ of the group by revealing the existence of the plot through a warning letter to his cousin Lord Monteagle who had been due to sit in Parliament that day, following which the news reached King James’ spy Robert Cecil. However, there is also a theory that the group was somehow ‘framed’ by the government, who, discovering the plot early on, then secretly aided it so that the men could be caught and made an example of as the ‘evil Catholic traitors who were a threat to England’. After his arrest, Guy Fawkes was tortured for two days before he broke down and confessed the identities of his compatriots. Famously, Fawkes’ signature on the confession is hardly legible, showing that by then he was so physically broken, he was barely able to hold the quill. Along with the eight of his co-conspirators who were caught, Fawkes was condemned to be ‘hanged, drawn and quartered’ – the traditional death of a traitor. However, Fawkes managed an instant death by jumping from the gallow platform and breaking his own neck so that he did not have to endure the full agony of his grisly punishment. English Protestants held Guy Fawkes up as an example of Catholic extremism while the real ring leader, Robert Catesby, was shot along with another conspirator while evading capture. Consequently, Catesby was never actually tried and is not the one remembered as the main man behind this failed act of early terrorism. Even today, the cellars are still traditionally searched by the Yeoman of the Guard using lamps the night before the

State of Opening of Parliament. King James made a declaration that on 5th November every year, a bonfire should be lit in honour of his survival. Because the capture of Guy Fawkes and his men was seen as the overthrow of the Catholic threat to Protestantism, initially an effigy of the Pope was burnt. This later came to be replaced with one of Guy Fawkes himself. Fireworks were already in use at this time but were not incorporated into Guy Fawkes or Bonfire Night until later. Believed to have originated in China around 2,000 years ago, fireworks came to England as early as 1486 when they were used to mark the wedding of King Henry VII. Queen Elizabeth I even created the post of ‘Fire Master’ in her court to oversee displays. Today’s firework is basically gunpowder and fuse, usually housed in a paper or cardboard shell. Gunpowder is made of charcoal, sulphur and saltpetre. By combining the powders together and setting them alight in a confined area such as a tube, a resulting explosion with fire and showers of sparks occur. By mixing powdered iron with the gunpowder, it creates the bursting ‘fire flower’ effect we all love and around a century ago, the introduction of metallic salts (strontium, copper, barium and sodium) turned fireworks into the red, green, blue and yellow spectrum of the different colours we see today. For more details of Bonfire Night celebrations in your area, please visit the What’s On pages.

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FIREWORKS DISPLAYS Cambridge Wednesday 5th November Display starts at 19:30 Midsummer Common. Entry donation of £1 Kimbolton Friday 7th November Starting 19:30. Kimbolton Castle grounds. Ampthill Friday 7th November Gates open 18:00. Pre-show 19:00. Ampthill beacon lit 19:30 Main fireworks 20:00 Ampthill Park, Woburn Road. Entry: Adult £6 advance £7 on gate. Child £3 advance £4 on gate. Family £15 advance £16 on gate Potton Saturday 8th November Mary’s Playing Fields Dunstable Wednesday 5th November Creasey Park Community Centre Entry Moggerhanger Saturday 1st November Gates open 17:30–20:00 Moggerhanger Park. Shefford Saturday 8th November White Hart Hotel Gamlingay Sunday 2nd November Gates open 16:30. Fireworks at 17:50. Eco Hub, Stocks Lane. Entry £4 beforehand; £5 on gate. Blunham Saturday 1st November Gates open 18:00. Bonfire lit 18:30. Fireworks start 19:00 Blunham Playing Fields. Entry: £5 adults Godmanchester Wednesday 5 November Gates open 18:15. Fire lit 19:00 Fireworks 19:30 Judith’s field. Entry: advance Adults £4, children £1.50. On day Adults £5 Children £2.50

Yaxley Saturday 1st November Gates open 18:00. Bonfire lit 18:30. Fireworks start 19:00 Three Horseshoes Pub field. Family ticket £10. Single (adult/child) £3 Hitchin Wednesday 5th November BlueHearts Hockey Club Meppershall Saturday 1st November Winter Fair and firework display Meppershall Village Hall and Forster’s Field Milton Keynes Sunday 2nd November Starts approx 19:00. Campbell Park Baldock Saturday 25th October Halloween Party and Firework display Starts 14:00. Finishes around 22:00 Hartsfield School. Tickets: £5 per adult; £3.50 per child; Family £15 Alconbury Friday 31st October Starts approx. 19:00 Alconbury Sports and Social Club Steeple Morden Saturday 8th November Steeple Morden Primary School Leighton Buzzard Saturday 8th November Gates open 17:30. Bonfire lit 18:30 Fireworks 19:00ish Brooklands School. Entry on gate£4-5. Toddington Saturday 1st November Toddington Scouts

Olney Sunday 2nd November Gates open 17:00. Display starts 18:30 Recreation ground behind Olney Football club off East Street. Advance tickets: Family £9 Single £4. On gate Family £11 single £5

Buntingford Sunday 2nd November Gates open 17:00. Display starts 19:00 The Bury, Buntingford. Advance Tickets: Child £3; Adult £4; Family £12. On Gate child £4 Adult £5 Family £15 Harpenden Sunday 9th November Gates open 18:00 Harpenden Rugby Club Harpenden Saturday 8th November Gates open 17:30. Display18:30 Crabtree Schools, Crabtree Lane, Harpenden Wheathampsted Saturday 1st November Gates open 18:00. Display 6:45 Beech Hyde Primary school, Wheathampsted. Advance Tickets £4 Adult; £3 child. Grafham Saturday 8th November Gate open 17:30 fireworks 18:30 Grafham Village hall. Tickets: Adults £4; Children £2. Bedford Friday 7th November Bedford Blues Rugby Club. Sandy Saturday 1st November Gates open 18:30. Display19:30 Sandpit, Cambridge Road, Sandy. Advance tickets £5. On day £8. Welwyn Garden City Friday 7th November Gates open 19:00 with fireworks starting approx. 19:45 Welwyn Garden City football ground. Ely Saturday 8th November Gates open 17:30. Bonfire lit 18:15. Firework start 18:45 Ely Park. Advance prices: Adult £3; Child £1.50; Family £8. On Gate: Adult £5; Child £2

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Three Counties Radio

Dealing with Parking Tickets By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

We’ve all been there - you return to your car to find a dreadful luminous yellow packet stuck to your windscreen. The dreaded parking ticket! When should you pay up though and when should you fight it all the way? If you have been silly and parked somewhere you shouldn’t, and as long as the company/council has made you aware of their rules on parking with clear signage, you should pay up as quickly as possible. Delaying will only mean that the bill goes up. Pay it, learn from it and move on. In many cases though, things are not so clear cut. Very often motorists are left confused as to what parking restrictions are. In these cases it is always worth appealing. If you want to appeal, then follow these simple instructions: 1. DO NOT PAY if you intend to appeal the fine. Generally paying a parking fine is an admission of liability and you will not be successful with an appeal after this. 2. If you’re going to appeal, then do so as soon as possible. Don’t leave it to the last minute. Write to the company and ask them to put the penalty on hold until they have investigated your appeal. They don’t HAVE to do this, but reputable companies and councils will do. 3. When you appeal, make sure you gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim. 4. Take photographs of your car in position, the signs or lack of them nearby. Anything to demonstrate that it was not made clear enough that you could not park your car in that place. 5. If you’re claiming exceptional circumstances (i.e. you were suddenly taken very ill and had to abandon your car in a place you shouldn’t have), then obtain supporting letters etc. 6. See if you can get any witnesses to back up your claims and provide you with a witness statement. 7. Stick to the timeline dictated by the company or council. If you are late submitting information etc, then you will lose by default. When you receive a parking penalty from a council, you need to have your wits about you. These are fully enforceable and need to be taken very seriously. Private parking company ‘fines’ are a slightly different matter and should be approached as such. Firstly, they are NOT ‘fines’. They are merely invoices and unless the company is prepared to take you to the small claims court for payment of the invoice, are non-enforceable. That is not so say you shouldn’t consider carefully how to deal with them. If you have parked on private land and broken the rules of the owner of that land, then pay the fee requested as long as you consider it reasonable. If you don’t then pay a reasonable amount based on an equivalent charge for a penalty on a public road. The company would have to sue you for the difference and explain to a judge why the extra money is necessary. If you want to appeal, then use the company’s own appeals process first. If you are unsuccessful then most private companies will be members of either the British Parking Association or the Independent Parking committee. They have their own separate appeals processes that you can use to escalate your complaint. Finally, the best way to deal with parking tickets is to avoid getting one in the first place. Always look for signs and road markings when you leave your car to see if it’s allowed there or not.

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. 10

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Deepdale Vets

Leading Bedfordshire Vet Practice opens the door to cost-effective pet care… Following the tremendous success of their Open Day earlier in October, with over 1200 visitors (not including dogs!) touring the new purpose-built vet centre, Deepdale Vets are delighted to announce that their new building will be fully operational and ready to receive patients before the end of this month. “We believe this practice has invested in the most modern facilities seen to date in a first opinion Bedfordshire vet practice”, says senior vet Charles Cullen. “We have tried to ensure the highest standards where it really matters, without any excess or luxury that would drive up treatment costs.” “For example, the walls of the practice are sealed in an antibacterial plastic coating that kills MRSA and other bugs simply on contact. The ventilation system is designed to ensure that waste heat is fully recovered to save energy and we have enough solar panels and LED lighting to be fully self-sufficient in electricity on most days, even when it’s cloudy!”

“Our xray room and surgical theatres are state of the art, and our dog, cat and rabbit kennels are fully separated and also heavily soundproofed to avoid distress.” Senior nurse and co-owner Emma Cullen adds, ”Our focus is always on the patient, not just their immediate medical or surgical needs but also their mental wellbeing. Happy pets recover and heal much more quickly, and just as importantly they still want to come and see us again!” Deepdale Vet and Aquatic Centre provides on just one site a veterinary practice, pet shop, tropical and pond fish specialist centre, dog groomers and RSPCA rehoming centre. Their philosophy remains, as always, “affordable, practical veterinary care for all”. For latest details and updates, visit www. deepdalevet.com or Facebook/deepdalevet Deepdale Vet & Aquatic Centre, Deepdale, Potton, SG19 2NH 01767 261600 deepdalevet@gmail.com

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Local News

Highlanders at The Higgins In June of last year, The Higgins, Bedford reopened following a major £5.8 million redevelopment project that unites on one site three previous cultural venues: Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford Museum and Bedford Gallery. Based around the historic buildings of the Castle Brewery and a Victorian family home, both built by the Higgins family in the mid-19th century, it is located in attractive gardens by the riverside in the centre of town, on the site once occupied by Bedford Castle. As part of a First World War Centenary Partnership, an exhibition ‘Highlanders: Billeted in Bedford’ opens on Saturday 27th September 2014 and runs until 31st May 2015 and will be accompanied by talks and special events. Led by the Imperial War Museum, the exhibition explores the little-known story of the Seaforth Highland Division that was billeted in Bedford between August 1914 and May 1915 when a staggering 22,000 soldiers from Highland regiments arrived in the local area. Given that the population of Bedford at the time was approximately 39,000, the impact was great. Alex Rule, a member of 1/4th Gordon Highlanders wrote, ‘The quiet old county town was shaken to its foundations. We doubled the population; sheer weight of numbers alone made us a disturbing factor in its civic life’. However, the Highlanders soon become a welcome and familiar sight in the town, with many local families opening their doors to welcome the soldiers. As well as lodging, the soldiers also needed space for training and recreation. The town’s parks,

Pte John Christie (seated left) and two other soldiers of the 1/5th Seaforth Highlanders photographed alongside the householders at their billet in Bedford 1914 – 1915 Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

The Seaforth Highlanders marching down De Parys Avenue, past John Bunyan’s statue, from their training ground and camp at Bedford Park 1914.

open spaces, church halls and school rooms were all given over to training. Practice trenches were established at the fields above Cemetery Hill, Clapham Park and Stagsden. Within a few months there were as many as 47 recreation centres and canteens established. The Borough Recreation Committee for the Troops organised concerts and entertainments. During Easter 1915 the Recreation Committee organised Bedford’s first Highland Games for the troops. The Games were held on Easter Monday on the Bedford School playing fields. The full range of Highland Games activities were on offer from tossing the caber to piping and dancing competitions. Over 1,400 entries were received and there were around 14,000 spectators. Sadly, the Highland troops were affected by illness such as Scarlet Fever, diphtheria and measles as many were from remote areas of Scotland and had never been exposed to these diseases. Some are buried at Foster Hill Road Cemetery. The remaining troops began the journey to France by early May 1915. Divisional Commander Major-General Allason wrote to the Mayor of Bedford as the troops prepared to leave to thank the town for its hospitality as ‘a debt they could not repay’. Local historian, Richard Galley, has assisted The Higgins Bedford with research and images for the exhibition. He was inspired by the discovery of Highlander Private Hugh MacArthur’s diary and is also in the process of writing a book about his research.

RSPB

The RSPB

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has been at The Lodge, Sandy since 1961. During that time, the wildlife charity has not only shaped the grounds but has grown. Today the RSPB is the biggest conservation organisation in Europe. Catherine Rose had a tour of the reserve with Mark Brandon, visitor and information manager, to find out more about this environmental gem on our doorstep. Around fifty thousand visitors come to Sandy Lodge every year, ranging from families keen to experience its lovely walks, wildlife and events (including the monthly Wildlife Explorers Club for children) to enthusiastic ‘twitchers’ hoping to glimpse some of the rarer birds that visit the reserve, and even stargazers from the Sandy Astronomical Society. In recent years, with expansion, the reserve now occupies 238 hectares, partly thanks to a partnership with Lafarge Tarmac who carry

at Sandy

out quarrying at Sandy Heath. When the aggregates company finishes with an area of land, it is handed over to the RSPB for wildlife management. On arriving at The Lodge, the first building you see is the gatehouse or Swiss Cottage, which was once the gardener’s home and is now the popular RSPB shop. Opposite, a new purpose-built visitor centre was opened in December 2013. As well as containing information and a welcoming wood burning stove, there is a sheltered external area where people can gather for walks or attend regular events such as the forthcoming visiting artist who will be giving a demonstration of wildlife painting. The RSPB’s focus is not just on birds but on nature in general as everything is interdependent and the recent advertising promotion ‘Give Nature a Home’ with its endearing adverts showing children making their gardens more wildlife friendly has been a great success. Thirteen years ago, the RSPB cut down the pine forest that covered much of the estate and used the sale of the wood to fund the restoration of a large area of heathland including heather that took six years to establish and was sown by hand. The matured heath is not only beautiful and varied to look at, but one day will be home to scarce heathland species such as nightjars, woodlarks and Dartford warblers.

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Some birds have already made the heath a home: ravens and hobbies have bred there for the past three years, with hobbies feeding on the abundance of dragonflies during their summer stay here. Occasional rare birds have been spotted, such as the exotic Afro-Eurasian hoopoe and the two-barred crossbill from Northern Europe (Scandinavia and Russia) whose beak is specifically designed to break open pine cones. Another unusual visitor to a heath and woodland site, the colourful kingfisher has been visiting the old swimming pool at The Lodge gardens in recent weeks, as they live on the nearby River Ivel. Natterjack toads also breed here, a rare inland species. The house itself was designed by architect Henry Clutton and built in 1870 for the Peel family. It was subsequently sold to Sir Malcolm Stewart of the London Brick Company in 1934. It has remained remarkably untouched from its original Victorian design with the RSPB doing little, if anything, to its features that include a grand staircase, tiled floors and stone fireplaces. The old stable block now appropriately houses RSPB transport. The formal gardens with their paths, pool and pergolas still flourish, managed by two gardeners, and as well as being a quiet place for those who are lucky enough to work at the RSPB, they are open to visitors to enjoy. As well as birds, the abundant cottage garden and wildflower borders attract a host of butterflies and insects, different to those that are found in other parts of the grounds. For example, Mark tells me that they have several types of bee on the reserve, including some that nest in a chimney down which honey regularly drips! Every so often, there is a bio-blitz where experts in every aspect of natural history come to survey and audit the reserve. At the last in 2012, thousands of species of flora, fauna and insect were catalogued. There is also an abundance of fungi growing around the grounds. Mark shows me a Fly Agaric (the traditional

red and white toadstool) whose peak time is September to November. There are experts who come to survey those too and run Fungi Forays for visitors. There is also a memorial garden where relatives can have a plaque in memory of a loved one who has left a legacy to the RSPB, as well as a book of remembrance. This has proved so popular that a new memorial garden has now been opened with the stunning centrepiece of a huge wooden owl carved out of an oak tree that came down at Shuttleworth and has been cut by Potton sculptor Patrick Brown. The Italianate gardens were planted when the house was built and include several champion trees. There are very old Scots Pines, cedars, a large strawberry tree and an amazing blue cedar atlas with a trailing skirt and lovely tightly-knit cones that resemble cotton spools which is beloved of goldcrests and coal tits. Management is concentrated on the existing woodland and heathland and birds nest both in boxes and within the ornithologically friendly environment itself. At a national level, the RSPB has just launched its political lobbying campaign featuring Bob, the red squirrel. With eye catching posters asking for a ‘Vote for Bob’, its aim is to put nature and the environment on the political agenda. This will hopefully mean more projects like the one at Wallasea Island reserve on the Essex coast, where soil and waste from the Crossrail development in London is being taken out for landscaping the area. You can find out more about the RSPB at rspb. org.uk. And if you have an hour or more spare to “stop and stare” in the words of poet William Davies, you couldn’t find a much better place to spend it at.

Photography by Andy Hay, Mark Brandon and James Clark

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Food & Drink

Beer at Home by Ted Bruning If one of this column’s conceits is that every month has its theme, then perhaps November should be anti-terrorism month. For this is when we commemorate and celebrate the thwarting of the great plot to blow up Parliament along with the newly-installed Scottish Protestant king, James I & IV. The fate of the conspirators, personified by the crackling figure of the guy, is a warning to us all that blowing up things, however strong the temptation, is simply not on. But there’s another side to Bonfire Night and that’s the togetherness and fellowfeeling of the decent majority, symbolised by the warmth of the bonfire and cheering comfort foods such as treacle toffee and parkin. So here are two seasonal specials to match. The first is a variant on Newcastle Brown, Newcastle Nocturnal. It bills itself as “the perfect partner to the season where the clocks fall back and the evenings draw in”. It’s an attractive dark copper in colour, with a warm caramel aroma spiced up by the addition of rye malt. The body and flavour are surprisingly light and fresh and not at all sweet or cloying, while the finish is quite dry and a little sharp. Stronger and richer is Innis & Gunn’s seasonal variation on its usual oak-aged ale. This one is finished over Canadian black cherrywood and rounded off with a squirt of maple syrup to create a gorgeously toffee-ish nose; complex and sweetish flavours of spice and fruit; and a finish with a pineapple chunk fruitiness. A beautiful beer for November, but have a care: it’s 7.4% alcohol! To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Bold Imaginative Reflective Three words to define your daughter’s future. Add three more:

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The idea of giving up tobacco products is something that the vast majority of smokers would love to accomplish. Not because they don’t enjoy smoking, but because they don’t want the health implications and the financial drain. I know this because I have smoked from a young age and could easily see 40 disappear in a day. I tried most of the ‘traditional’ methods but failed at each attempt, because I wanted to give up for the wrong reasons. The reason that electronic cigarettes are becoming so popular is because you don’t give up, You simply switch to the healthy alternative that has the bonus of very impressive savings. Vaping is very personal and my shop caters for all. Some people do start vaping just to cut-down but the vast majority have no intention of ever smoking another tobacco product, and it works. There are a lot of products on the market now due to its popularity and my shop has it covered. I will happily take time to explain the products, what’s in the juices and why I only use the top names in the industry which, along with my juices, are governed by a regulatory body. Feel free to come down for some friendly advice and sample some of the 40+ flavours I stock.

22Vapertrail advert.indd

87 High St, Biggleswade SG18 0LA Monday Tuedsay Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

10-5.30 10-5 10-5.30 10-5.30 10-5 10-5.30 Closed

Office: 07515 374624 Email: keevsie@btinternet.com Web: www.vapertrail.co.uk

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

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

NOVEMBER 2014

Saturday 1st November - Maxwell Hammer Smith Saturday 8th November - Engine Room Friday 14th November - Bu-Bounce (Ska) Saturday 22nd November - Not-To-Night-Josephine Saturday 29th November - The VIPeas

DECEMBER 2014

Saturday 6th December - Heroes Journey Sunday 7th December - Members Childrens Christmas Party (apply within) Friday 12th December - Christmas Prize Bingo Saturday 11th December - Re-Covered (Christmas party band) Saturday 20th December - Huggy Flares Wednesday 24th December - Christmas Eve party night Saturday 27th December - Jinx Brothers Wednesday 31st December - New Years Eve Disco (ticket event)

All information is provided in good faith, always check the web page pottonclub.co.uk for changes/updates.

Potton CIU Club, Charities Hall, Station Road, Potton Tel: 01767 261465 (Evenings) Website: www.pottonclub.co.uk 24

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Time of Year

High Tech Warmth By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Stay warm this winter with heated clothing! From gloves to gilets, socks to sweaters and hats to jackets, there is a whole range of garments out there to keep you sizzling hot! Chemical packages which react when exposed to air or when twisted, or packets of gel which store heat after being heated in the microwave, can keep you warm for several hours when placed in a pouch inside clothing, depending on the size of the packet, thickness of insulation, and the outdoor temperature. The most effective method of heating is electrical. Clothing fitted out with heating elements and powered by rechargeable batteries can stay warm for up to five hours - and some have variable heat settings as well as an on/off switch. If on a motorbike, some clothing can be wired into the cigarette lighter or straight into the bike’s battery, and other items can even be plugged directly into the mains – for example gloves that

connect to a computer’s USB port! An alternative way to keep warm is thermal clothing, which does not produce heat itself, but prevents body heat from escaping by warming the layer of air between the skin and the clothing. New synthetic materials such as polypropylene provide excellent insulation, reduce moisture and are so lightweight that they can be worn discreetly as underwear under normal clothing.

is a boutique lunch and supper service for professionals, busy mums with hectic family lives, new mums, as well as for anyone who simply loves home-cooked food but doesn’t have the time to cook. We provide good quality, nutritious, healthy and varied meals delivered to your home when you most need it whilst ensuring everyone gets a night or two off from kitchen duty.

Services: Daily Lunch & Supper Service Shoot Lunches & Suppers

Dinner & Canape Parties Christmas Parties

I use Bee’s Pantry a couple of times a week to give me a break from having to plan and prepare meals, which can sometimes be the last thing I want to think about. It’s great as the vegetarian menu is really varied, delicious and often something I wouldn’t have thought of making myself. It really helps to have a few nights off. Rebecca Donnally, PR Director and mum of one

www.twitter.com/beespantry www.facebook.com/beespantryuk E: brionypeters@gmail.com | P: 07521 730 965 | W: www.beespantry.com

To advertise inadvert.indd The Villager1 and Town Life please call 01767 261122 Bee's pantry

25 13/10/2014 11:20

P and R Bathrooms

Here to Help as You Grow Older

Although most of us enjoy planning for the future, planning for a future with the most practical view is not always a comfortable experience. Paul Kynoch from P and R Bathrooms explains how they advise their customers:

‘No one wants to go to the trouble and expense of replacing their bathroom on a regular basis, that’s why, when it comes to planning your bathroom, it makes real sense to think of the future. As we grow older certain practical measures can make using the toilet, bathing or showering more pleasant or even possible. A slightly higher toilet, a very low shower tray, easyclean shower screens and a lower bath with a strong handrail make all the difference. And even if they are not needed straight away, our designs make these features so stylish, there’s no need to compromise your tastes.’ I would certainly agree with Paul as I wander around the large Bedford showroom and discover that it takes real effort to spot the slight modifications that he has described. Next to one bath is a grab bar which looks exactly like a chrome soap dish while next door is a wet room with a colour-matched flip-down seat that blends so seamlessly, so elegantly, it really is just a part of the furniture. ‘We have made a real effort to source not only good quality bathrooms from only the most reputable and reliable companies but we have also included features which are musts for our older customers and those planning for the future. We stock non-slip tiles in many styles

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and offer the option of single lever basin mixer taps which are brilliant for both the very young but also anyone suffering with arthritis who may struggle to grip another kind of tap. We specialize in fitting thermostatic showers which do not alter their temperature when water is used elsewhere in the house – much safer and more comfortable for all the family.’ I ask Paul more about design. ‘We offer a design service as well as the complete installation package – as much or as little as our customers need and we really listen to what they want as well as taking on board what will work in their home and with their personal tastes – now and in the future. For example, if someone has a bath installed we will always recommend that they purchase a few more tiles so that if the time comes that they feel that a shower tray would be more practical, they are able to have one installed and there are enough tiles to avoid buying new ones for the whole room. ‘Our wet rooms can be installed both downstairs

onto concrete or upstairs onto wooden floors and we can also save customers so much upheaval by using Mermaid paneling, a type of waterproof boarding that is quick to install and makes transforming your bathroom so much easier – it looks really lovely too.’ ‘Basins are not necessarily static items’ Paul continues to explain, ‘They can be set higher than usual for anyone who has difficulty bending and we can supply and fit baths which are lower and so much more easy to access. ‘None of these items, whether they are part of a complete bathroom package or modifications, need to look like medical or specialized equipment. The fact is they are not, they are just variations of the norm which make life more comfortable for so many people who like a stylish bathroom as much as they always have.’ P and R Bathrooms, with their impressive showroom and team of designers, plumbers, carpenters, electricians and installers are just a phone call away. Why not consider your future and plan a bathroom that will be not only a delight to use now but also an invaluable an investment in times to come?

P&R Bathrooms

9 Lurke Street, Bedford MK40 3HZ Tel: 0845 434 8401 Website: www.pandrbathrooms.co.uk Open 9:00am-5:00pm Mon - Fri 10:ooam-4:00pm Saturday Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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Local News

SANDY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

November 2014

To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori These lines form part of the poem’ Dulce et Decorum est’. It was written by Wilfred Owen, a serving soldier in 1917 during the Great War and was published posthumously in 1920. Owen’s poem is known for its horrific imagery and condemnation of war. The title and the Latin exhortation of the final two lines are drawn from the phrase “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” written by the Roman poet Horace ‘How sweet and honourable it is to die for one’s country’. This year marks the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War when Britain declared War on Germany on the 4th August 1914. This was the day after Germany declared war on France and invaded neutral Belgium. From the time of its commencement until the approach of World War II in 1939, it was called simply the’ World War’ or the ‘Great War’. World War I was an extremely bloody war that engulfed Europe with huge losses of life and little ground lost or won. Fought mostly by soldiers in trenches, World War I saw an estimated 10 million

military deaths and another 20 million wounded. Millions volunteered to fight a war that most believed would be over quickly and victoriously for their nation. Britain and the British Empire recruited some 9 million men, either as volunteers or later as conscripts, forced to fight for the national cause. On Tuesday, 4th November, appropriately being the month in which we commemorate the war dead, the TIC’s second annual Autumn/Winter Local History Talk is called Sandy and the Great War. We have local historian and author Steve Fuller coming to speak about different local aspects of the Great War. This will include stories about the many men who joined up and who came from Sandy and the surrounding villages and about the many that were never to return. We will also hear about the home front and the local Bedfordshire Regiment. Steve has authored books on The Bedfordshire Regiment and is the webmaster of ‘The Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War’ website, in addition to being a trustee of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment Museum. Steve also provides battlefield guide services for a variety of groups.

Unveiling of Sandy War Memorial 4th August 1921

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Recruiting in Sandy - Town Hall steps

During the Great War, the Bedfordshire Regiment was engaged on The Western Front, Italy, Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. The regiment’s 2 ‘Regular’ infantry battalions, its single ‘Territorial’ battalion and 2 ‘Reserve’ battalions were supplemented by many ‘New Army’ battalions when War broke out in 1914. The regiment’s soldiers achieved incredible feats during the war and were awarded many hundreds of gallantry and bravery medals including seven Victoria Crosses. The Talk starts at 7.30pm and will cost £5.50 per person. Refreshments will be available for which donations are asked for the Sandy Christmas Lights. Please book in advance. This and the third Talk will be held in a new venue this year, the Sandy Baptist Church Hall, which is on the junction of the Bedford Road/Market Square. With regard to parking we suggest that you park in the Town Car Park in the High Street. The third TIC Talk takes place on Tuesday, 2nd December at 7.30pm when we will again welcome David Fowler who will speak about the Rise and Fall of the Cardington Airships’. David gave this Talk last November, but such was the great interest that we had to turn down over 50 people and so as promised we are holding this Talk again this year. David will speak about the history of airships and Cardington through two World Wars to the present day. The massive hangars at Cardington were built during World War 1 to accommodate the construction of airships by Shorts. David will

speak about this industry and the famous Airships including the R31, R100 and the R101 bringing the story to modern times. This Talk also starts at 7.30pm and will cost £5.50 per person. Refreshments will be available for which donations are asked for the Sandy Branch of The Leprosy Mission. Please book in advance. WHAT’S ON Local events in the area are now published in the Tourist Information Centre section of the Sandy Town Council website (www.sandytowncouncil. gov.uk) . If you are looking for something to do or have guests staying, etc and would like to see what is going on in the area please have a look at the website. If you would like us to include information about your event please forward us details. Also please forward us a poster to display in the TIC SANDY CALENDAR 2015 For the fifth year, Sandy Tourist Information Centre has published a Sandy Calendar. The Sandy TIC Calendar for 2015 has various colour views of Sandy, including Winter at The Lodge, Sandy horse riders, autumn woods, St Swithun’s Church, Stone Lodge on the Everton Road, Sandye Place, etc Please call into the Centre to see the Calendar and purchase copies either for yourself or for that special gift. For further details about any of the Talks and any of the above items please contact the Tourist Information Centre.

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

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THE CUTTING MILL

HAIR AND BEAUTY SALON MILL STREET, GAMLINGAY • Tel: 01767 650 250

Is Celebrating 17 Years of Business A big thank you to all our loyal customers from Jane, Ami, Jacqui, Deb & Jayne Our ever expanding services now include a full range of hair and beauty Treatments • Beauty Treatments - Hair Extensions, Eyelash Extensions, Universal Contour Wraps & Tanning. Using Paul Mitchell, Juvexin The Best - Defrizzes and strengthens hair for up to 3 months, Dermalogica & O.P.I.

New! Vibro Plate - Available for Inch Loss and Strong Bones New! “Beyond” Hypnotherapy - Live Beyond Your Mind,

Therapy for Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Ask for Consultation

Value! Personalised Packages of services always available with 10% off! To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Photograph: By Dave Scott

Local News

Shuttleworth

Veteran Aeroplane Society

This year’s prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service has been presented by HM LordLieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis to the working volunteer members of the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society (SVAS) at Old Warden aerodrome. The society was among five groups selected for the award from over 300 nominated by the public. The award is given to those who have made a difference to the lives of others, or whose work has benefited their community. The SVAS’ works to educate the public in the science, practice and history of aviation and motoring by supporting the charitable work of the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden. Collection Trust Chairman Edmund Wood said, “The collection is an independent unsubsidised trust and operates a world leading collection of

vintage and veteran aeroplanes, automobiles motorcycles and bicycles which are maintained in working condition and regularly displayed to the public. Without the support of the working volunteers, who contribute in excess of 25,000 hours a year, it would probably be impossible to maintain”. The UK national honour, the highest for volunteer groups, was created over a decade ago by Her Majesty the Queen to recognise the outstanding contribution that volunteers make to their local communities. It has the same status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals. The Shuttleworth Trust is a charitable organisation created in 1940 by Dorothy Shuttleworth in memory of her son Richard, after his tragic death in a flying accident aged 31. www.svasweb.org

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PrivateCounselling Struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, trauma, bereavement, or maybe excessive drinking? Looking for someone to talk to someone to support and help you? Call Eeva on 07852 801 283 eeva@private-counselling.co.uk www.private-counselling.co.uk Counselling rooms in Gamlingay (SG19), Graveley, near Stevenage (SG4), and North London (N11)

FREE initial 30-minute session

APampering ROM ATICS & Beauty Holistics Welcome to Aromatics – a haven of peace, pampering and relaxation in the heart of Potton. Why not come to our pamper Christmas event (19th November), £10 per ticket, 2 mini treatments available, products to purchase, chritsmas cakes, hand bags and mince pieces, mulled wine and much more...

check out our naughty November deals

Senior citizens discounts available every week day! We have now moved to 58 King Street, Potton SG19 2QZ

Treatments include: • • • • •

Facial & Body Treatments Holistic Treatments Waxing Eye Care Lash Perfect Eyelash Extensions

• • • • • • • •

Teen treatments Manicures & Pedicures Pregnancy Massage Spa Packages Hen & Bridal Packages Bio-Sculpture Sports Massage Pedicures

Tel: 07711 204409

www.aromaticspotton.co.uk

Aromatics Villager advert November.indd 1

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Just £5 for 2 classes. With this ad. New customers only.

Total body workout including dance-based cardio, strength training & stretching. Our exercise classes are suitable for every size, shape and fitness level and use a variety of modern music.

Come and have fun with us in Sandy, St Neots, Cambourne, and other areas.

Schedule for Sandye Place Academy, Park Road Visit www.jazzfitness.co.uk for classes in St Neots or Cambourne.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

7.30pm Regular

8pm Regular

7.30pm Regular

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No need to book, just turn up 5 - 10 mins before class. Check our website for any cancellations before you leave. For more info go to www.jazzfitness.co.uk jazzercise@btinternet.com | 01480 216090

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Gift certiﬁcateblse are availal for al treatments

Sandy Sports Massage Therapist Vanessa Fielding (DipPT, IHHT, FHT) Sports Massage Deep Tissue Massage Swedish Massage Indian Head Massage Pregnancy Massage Hot Stone Massage Evenings and weekends appointments available

Half Price Hot Stone

Massage in November

07714 462652 sandysportstherapist@live.co.uk

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14/10/2014 10:23

Bedfordshire Foot Clinic Podiatry/Chiropody Yvonne Siudak

BSc (Hons.) in Podiatry, MChs, HCPC Reg

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

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

Bedfordshire Foot Clinic

2 Belfry Court, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 1JR T: 01767 692 822 M: 07841 033 014 E: yvonne@bedfordshirefootclinic.co.uk

www.yourfootclinic.co.uk

Also Cambridge Foot Clinic Tel: 01223 358 431

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Health

Understanding Reiki By Catherine Rose

The art of Reiki, or energy healing, originated in Japan and the way it is practised today was invented by Dr Mikao around a century ago, although its roots, based on the chakras or energy centres of the body, go back at least 2,000 years. Reiki or ‘rey-ki’ literally translated means ‘universal energy’ and is based on the belief that we are surrounded by and made of energy that flows through us all. If the energy within us is flowing freely (ie. in balance) then we are well. However, if the energy flow becomes blocked in some way, it can cause us to become unwell, both physically and mentally. It is based on the belief that energy flows through us via our chakras. The concept of chakras in the body is an ancient Eastern one and the positions of the chakras actually correspond to the endocrine gland system. To try and understand what a chakra is, imagine a spinning wheel of energy throughout various points in your body that keep your life force flowing in balance: physically, emotionally and spiritually. There are seven major chakras in the body and each one is associated with a specific area of health and wellbeing. The main chakras are situated on the crown of the head, at the throat, the heart, the stomach and the abdomen. Each chakra also vibrates to a different colour of the spectrum - like a rainbow. By placing their hands over or onto specific areas of your body (no intimate areas are ever touched),

a trained or ‘attuned’ Reiki practitioner will be able to sense which of your chakras is blocked and by channelling healing energy, will help clear these imbalances, giving you a sense of deep relaxation and wellbeing. Reiki is not meant to be a ‘miracle cure’ but rather it is aimed at putting the body and mind back into balance to promote wellbeing or so that it is able to better heal itself. When having a Reiki treatment, you will usually be asked to relax on a treatment couch fully clothed although Reiki can also be administered seated or standing and in fact can be given anywhere. However, a warm and comfortable room with soothing music and candles burning provides the best experience. Reiki treatments usually last about an hour and are a very healing, happy and relaxing experience but people vary as to what they feel. Most will sense a pleasant heat coming from the practitioner’s hands, but sometimes this energy can feel cold or there may even be a mild tingling sensation. It is perfectly normal to feel a bit emotional afterwards as blocked energy is released but Reiki has benefits on emotional wellbeing as well as physical and even animals are known to respond to it. Reiki will continue to flow following a treatment and your body will be benefitting no matter how you feel. To locate a recognised practitioner near you, the International Association of Reiki Professionals can be found at www.Iarp.org

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YOU ARE SOMBODY'S REASON TO

Let us at Ballard & Tucker Dental Surgery, Biggleswade Look after it Join our MEMBERSHIP PLAN today from as little as 33p a day (ÂŁ9.95/month) including 2 checkups, 2 hygiene visits per annum, 10% discount of routine treatment, worldwide emergency cover. Terms and conditions apply

Email enquiries@toothfairys.co.uk Phone 0844 576 9888 www.ballardandtucker.co.uk 38

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Time of Year

Remembrance Day Facts By Tom Hancock

Remembrance Day takes place on November 11 to mark the moment the guns of the First World War fell silent, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The first Armistice Day was held in 1919 throughout the Commonwealth. The name changed to Remembrance Day after the Second World War. Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday in November each year, with services at war memorials and churches. The poem â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In Flanders Fieldsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Canadian surgeon John McCrae, inspired the use of the symbolic poppy. The opening lines of the poem refer to the thousands of scarlet poppies that were the first flowers to grow over the churnedup earth of the battlefields.

The Queen lays the first wreath during the national ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. Money raised by the sale of poppies is used by the Royal British Legion to support servicemen and women.

Maharajah of Sandy 01767 689743/680475

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Fun Quiz - Theatre 1. Why was a performance of Our American Cousin not performed in full on April 14th 1865 at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.? 2. Corpsing is a word used in the world of British theatre when an actor or actress unintentionally does what? 3. Which play do many people in the world of theatre believe to be cursed, referring to it simply as “the Scottish play”? 4. Which TV show is set in a theatre that was originally known as the Benny Vandergast Memorial Theatre? 5. What name is given to the sides of a stage in a theatre that are hidden from the audience? 6. Which Agatha Christie play has been running continuously in London’s West End since it opened in 1952, giving it the record of having the longest initial run of any play in history? 7. Which famous theatre was burned to the ground in 1613 when a cannon set off during a performance misfired and set fire to its wooden beams and thatching? 8. Derived from a word referring to a particular amount of money and a Greek word meaning “theatre”, what 11 letter word was commonly used at the start of the 20th century to refer to small neighbourhood cinemas? 9. Due to a superstition in the theatre industry that says wishing someone good luck is actually bad luck, what three word phrase is traditionally said to an actor who is about to go on stage to perform as a message of good luck? 10. Which famous London theatre has the same name as the chemical element with atomic number 46? 1. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated (while watching it) 2. Laugh 3. Macbeth 4. The Muppet Show (it was later known as The Muppet Theatre) 5. Wings 6. The Mousetrap 7. The Globe Theatre 8. Nickelodeon (from “nickel” and “odeon”) 9. Break a leg 10. The Palladium

Before

After

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

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Anstee Gorst

Friendly, Independent, expert advice on your personal and

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www.waynebacon.2plan.com 2plan wealth management Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is entered on the Financial Services Register (www.fca.org.uk) under reference 461598. Registered office: 2plan Wealth Management Ltd. Bridgewater Place, Water Lane, Leeds, LS11 5BZ. Registered in England Number: 05998270 VAT Registered: 894679251

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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Health and Fitness

Run Safe

By Susan Brookes-Morris As the nights get darker you may feel a little worried about venturing out. Here are some ideas to keep you safe: Wear white clothing with reflective panels and have reflective strips on your shoes to help you be seen. You could also wear a head torch. Face oncoming traffic when running on a road with no pavement, except on a blind corner when you should move to the opposite side. Or avoid roads with no pavements completely. Vary your route as always running in the same place at the same time can make you vulnerable to assailants, and note road names as you pass. Choose a well lit route with an even surface. Consider running with a friend or friends, this will keep you motivated and help you to stay safer. Always tell someone where you are going and approximately what time you will be back. Consider taking a mobile phone and personal alarm. You could also try free apps such as

Glympse which allow you to share your location with people so they can track you. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t listen to music while you are running as you need to be able to hear oncoming cars, bikes and dogs. Or if you have one locally, you could try running on a floodlit athletics track.

EBAY COLLECTIONS

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Local & Reliable

Where AM I?

Do You Know?

3 Do you know where these pictures were taken? Last month’s answer

Last month’s images were taken in Bedford. Our Where Am I photography is by Adam Bent.

Where Are we? The Villager and Town Life magazine is delivered door to door throughout:

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

goodwin@ashtree.uk.com www.ashtree.uk.com

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

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

The Gadget Guy Phone: 01767 641680 Mobile: 07776 497004 Email: sales@thegadgetguy.co.uk Web: www.thegadgetguy.co.uk Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

Ultra Mechanix

Many Happy Returns

for an Ultra Special Garage

A year ago, we featured Sandy-based Ultra Mechanix – a local, reliable family run business for all your car servicing needs. As the garage celebrates its first birthday, Catherine Rose returned to talk to owner Rino Cucchiara about his initial year and latest exciting new customer offer. Tucked away on Sandlane Business Park, which is based over the Sandy railway bridge to the left hand side of the Sand Hills (accessed via Swaden), Ultra Mechanix has been open for business for a year, having grown from zero to over 150 loyal customers in those 12 months. It is still very much a family-run concern with the same values as when it opened and Rino says: “It’s been a learning curve but we are definitely going in the right direction. We are slowly growing but more importantly getting loads of repeat business”. So far, the company has grown by reputation. Consequently, in celebration of the fact that the company has reached its first milestone mainly through word of mouth recommendation, Rino wants to reward his customers by initiating a loyalty referral scheme. When a customer recommends Ultra Mechanix to someone who then buys something from him, no matter how

small, the customer who referred them will receive a £15 voucher towards labour costs for any of their car maintenance. There is no date limit on the vouchers. “So if a customer recommends ten new people who then buy from us, that customer will receive £150 worth of vouchers” says Rino, which seems like an offer that’s too good to be true, but as Rino explains: “I want this business to be about quality and recommendation”. Rino is a Volkswagen specialist while still continuing to offer the whole range of car maintenance services across all other makes and models. He had eight to nine years’ experience in a VW dealership prior to setting up his company. He has attended courses and is particularly up-to-date with modern car engineering and its complex technology. Ultra Mechanix offers everything from recommending a bodywork specialist to arranging MOTs by appointment. Although Rino doesn’t do MOTs on site, a customer can drop their car off at the garage, safe in the knowledge that he will take care of the test, any repairs that may be required, and any re-testing, so that the customer can simply pick their car up at the end. He ensures that

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the customer is kept informed of progress at all times. “My boys are at Everton Pre-School” Rino explains “and many of the parents come in here for their car maintenance. People have commented that they like it here as it is a friendly family environment”. Having often felt as though I am walking into the lions’ den when visiting a car garage on my own, I have to agree that the atmosphere here is different and the whole place is unbelievably clean with a friendly vibe. One of the benefits of running his own business is that Rino can be flexible. Although the garage is open from 8am to 6pm every weekday and from 8am until 1pm on Saturdays, he will often be able to fit in with a customer’s work pattern, either coming in earlier or even arranging for a customer to drop their car off to his home address in Everton. He has two courtesy cars for customer use if necessary. Rino will undertake even the smallest jobs like changing a headlight and customers can have work done while they wait, either sitting in the cosy reception area that is decorated with his children’s artwork, taking a breath of fresh air in the Sand Hills or walking down to Sandy town centre for a bit of shopping or coffee and a cake. A year on and the Ultra Mechanix secret seems to be spreading. The garage may be a little off the beaten track but it is certainly worth finding and keeping, especially with Rino’s latest customer referral deal.

Ultra Mechanix is RMI (Retail Motor Industry) approved. You can contact them at: Ultra Mechanix, Unit 15, Sand Lane Business Park, Sandy Beds SG19 2DQ Tel: 01767 682204 Mon-Fri 8am-6pm or 07974 422626 anytime out of hours Email: rino@ultramechanix.com

Customer Recommendations “Ultra Mechanix maintains both our personal and company cars and the service is absolutely first class. I used to use main dealerships but I have been extremely happy with Ultra Mechanix’ quality and competitiveness.” Darren Chambers.

“Rino was amazing from the moment I telephoned. He was able to see me straight away, then spent a long time with me as he worked out what the problem with my car was - and it turned out to be a pretty complex problem! Rino then spent several days researching the best, most cost-effective way to fix what was wrong with my car, calling in additional resources where necessary, and kept in touch at all times, keeping me informed about what was going on. When the work was finally completed, to a fantastically high standard, Rino dropped the car round to my house, and the bill was extremely reasonable given how much time and effort he’d spent. “ Felicity Evans.

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Garden

Planting Trees and Shrubs By Pippa Greenwood

This is a great time of year to get planting – the soil is still holding a bit of warmth from the late summer and is now more moist and provides good conditions for roots to develop, spread and establish. Furthermore trees, shrubs and woody climbers in particular are often a very good buy at this time of year. A good planting hole or pit is essential, and you should sure that it is at least several inches larger than the current spread of the roots of the tree or shrub that you are about to plant. For years the advice has been that plenty of bulky organic matter should be incorporated in to the hole and the mixture with which you back fill it. Investigations now suggest that this may not necessarily be ideal: make the planting hole too ‘cosy’ and the tree’s roots may be inclined to stay in the hole. In a heavy clay soil a planting hole full of compost may also end up acting as a sump, so when the soil is wet the compost draws more moisture in to the hole, resulting in waterlogged roots. All very logical, but then I would also suggest that if you garden on a very sandy, poor soil, a wellprepared planting pit which includes bulky organic matter such as garden compost will help to reduce the risk of drying out. Similarly, provided the organic matter is incorporated over a good enough sized area on a heavy soil, I think it does help to improve aeration and drainage around tree roots, especially if you incorporate some grit too. Well-rotted manure, garden compost and proprietary bagged compost are all useful in planting holes and if it is largely an improvement in soil texture which you are after, then home-made leafmould is great too.

Next, to tease or not to tease the roots? I’m a teaser every time, having seen thousands of trees fail because their pot-bound roots never moved out in to the soil properly, if at all. Planting depth is important too, so do make sure that you cover the roots, and only the roots, with soil. Even the compost level in the pot is often too deep, so start from scratch if necessary. Laying a straight cane over the top of the planting hole will help you to gauge the correct depth more easily. Then of course there is staking. I suggest only doing this with large trees, apples on very dwarfing rootstocks or if the site is extremely windy as a tree will get tougher and more resilient if given a chance to move around slightly and so form a strong trunk. If you do stake, short stakes at an angle are now regarded as best, and do use a good quality tree tie, properly fitted so that the tree’s bark is not chaffed. Finally, remember that aftercare is essential, regular thorough waterings will be needed during dry weather, especially for the first couple of years after planting. If you don’t get the aftercare right, the plant and all that time and effort can easily be lost. Visit www.pippagreenwood.com for a great range of gardeningrelated gifts including stylish ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ Gift Card, handmade pottery herb planters, Pippa’s favourite weeding tool, signed books and lots of useful garden items for your friends & family…or for yourself.

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Pottons Specialist Welding and Fabricating Company

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

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

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

GARDEN MACHINERY AND TRAILER CENTRE

 Personal customer service, collection and delivery available.  Assessment of individual requirements.  Full after sales backup and parts service.

SGS SERVICES Seasoned Logs For Sale Great Quality Available in 1 Ton Sacks Or Bigger Loads Negotiable! £55 p/ton sack or 2 sacks for £100 including delivery £45 p/ton sack collected from yard

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

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Contact Richard for more details 01767691115 or 07810820523 email sandygrabservices@outlook.com Longacre Farm, Moggerhanger Road Sandy, Beds SG19 1ND

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Garden

Banking on Bulbs Rural Ramblings. By Geoff Wharton The humble onion is an indispensable crop in any vegetable garden. The crop can be grown from either seed or sets (small immature bulbs) but I find it much more economical to grow them from seed as the initial cost is much lower, the choice of varieties is much greater and the final yield is excellent. When growing from seed, the plants seem to make up for the fact they are initially much smaller than the sets and their growth rate is consequently faster. A bulb is basically a compressed plant living for at least two years. In the first year it grows by sending up new leaves which make food and this is sent down into the food storing part which consists of below-ground colourless scale leaves which start to swell as more food accumulates. It is important therefore that the plants are not grown in the shade and have as much light as possible and the leaves are retained for as long as possible in order to make as much food as they can. In the Autumn, the foliage starts to die down and then we harvest our crop. With ornamentals such as daffodils, the food reserves are used the following spring to enable rapid growth and eventual flowering. The flower bud has been made the previous year and remains dormant inside the bulb surrounded by the scale leaves containing the food. It is interesting to make a vertical cut through a large daffodil bulb and it can be seen that it consists of three main parts - a ring of scale leaves, an embryo-like flower bud and a basal disc from which the roots develop. If a small bulb is sectioned in this way, it is unusual to find any flower buds and such “blind” bulbs are often produced when the previous year’s growing conditions were unfavourable such as dry shady locations or if the foliage is cut down too early in the growing season or if the bulbs have not had time to accumulate enough food reserves because they are young. Big bulbs usually result in lots of flowers, but they also are grown in poor conditions they will not be able to make enough food and although they will take a long time to finally die, the numbers of flowers will slowly decrease. So the main points are - big bulbs are more expensive but will produce a better display of flowering especially in the first year. Grow your

bulbs in a sunny spot with the weeds controlled to reduce shading. Make sure soilwater content is adequate especially during the growing season and don’t be too keen to cut down the leaves off until as late as possible preferably after they have died and turned yellow. If your bulbs have been grown well during the year and have a good produced a good surplus of food stored in their bulging bulb “bank,” they will be able to afford the luxury of flowering the next spring and produce a glorious show, which tells us that winter is finally over and we can finally start to look forward to warmer times. Let’s get planting!

Geoff Wharton Gardening Services

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Reliable, experienced, well qualified. General and specialist garden work: Jungle clearing, Pruning, Hedge and grass cutting, Regular maintenance, Licensed waste disposal. Full public liability cover. Geoff Wharton - BSC honours Hort.Science Email:geoffwharton@hotmail.com

Tel: 01767 261727 53

Travelogue

Swimming with the

Manta Rays By Melanie Ridley After spending two wonderful weeks walking along white sandy beaches, taking naps in the swinging hammocks and scuba diving with the sharks in the Yasawas Islands of Fiji, I was able to swim with another amazing and breathtaking fish. This was to be my last venture in Fiji and took place on the appropriately named Manta Ray Island. Manta rays are mystical and graceful inhabitants of the sea. They are filter feeders and have a similar feeding mechanism to whales, although where whales use the baleen in the roof of their mouth as a sieve, manta rays use their gills to push water through and trap the food inside their mouths. Plankton and fish larvae are a favourite on the menu and a full grown adult can eat up to 60 pounds of food a day! I was lucky enough to be in Fiji at peak season for manta ray sightings, between May and October. Every day, a school could be spotted in a channel between two islands where they would congregate to feed. This was a perfect opportunity to experience these enchanting creatures up close. Once the manta rays were spotted, a member of the Fijian Island community sounded a drum. This told us the boat would be leaving shortly, so it was time for everyone to collect their snorkel gear and hop aboard! Once in the channel we were all told to keep an

eye out for any disturbances in the water and when they had been spotted amongst the current, we were then carefully positioned to be in line with their swimming path so that they would be coming right towards us! Before descending, we were advised not to swim to save our energy and allow the strong current to carry us through the channel at a steady rate. The visibility below the surface that day was unfortunately poor, about 10-15 metres so it was like looking into an abyss, but this didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t discourage my excitement. As our guide sighted a manta ray, he pointed in its direction. At first we could see nothing until a shadow began to emerge out of the murky horizon. As it got closer this beautiful creature became more and more visible. The almost effortless way the manta ray glided through the water reminded me of how a bird flies through the sky. Even though they seemed to be moving with as little energy as possible, to try and keep up with them was an impossible feat. Once we had floated to the opposite end of the channel, we were met by our boat and skipper, who took us right back to the start, ready to float back down all over again! As we headed back to the island, the sun was setting in the distance. The captivating colours of orange, yellow and red reflecting off the ocean was a perfect way to end the holiday of a lifetime.

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Pets

From city feral

to country bumpkin As well as dealing with the huge rise in the number of pet abandoned cats and kittens, the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch has experienced an explosion in the number of feral cats coming into its care. A feral cat is the not the same as a true ‘wild’ cat. Feral, and semi-feral, cats exist because unneutered adult pets are abandoned and go on to produce litters of kittens in hidden ‘nests’ outside. These kittens grow up without human contact and became nervous, and they then go on to have more kittens that grow to be feral. Just one unneutered female cat can produce 18 kittens in a year and can end up with 20,000 descendants in just five years! Unneutered male cats wander and fight for territory and food and soon deteriorate due to starvation, infected wounds and disease. Feral cats avoid humans wherever possible, but still rely on them for food – often scavenging around dustbins, back alleys and gardens, mainly at night. Calls for help with feral cats often only surface when a litter of kittens is found in a garden or outbuilding – or if the number is so large that the colony of cats starts becoming a problem to householders. In an ideal world, with huge amounts of patience and kindness, many of these feral cats could revert back to the domestic cat they once were, or learn to trust and show affection to their feeder. However, as the RSPCA is unable even to find enough loving homes for the socialized cats and kittens it has in it care – the more difficult feral cats need a more

creative approach. So, we are looking for kind-hearted country dwellers needing some ‘eco friendly pest control’. Over recent months we have taken feral cats from around the county, including Bedford’s Queens Park estates, and successfully re-sited them at farms and smallholdings all over the country. Once we have determined that the cats are feral, they are humanely trapped, health checked, neutered, vaccinated, chipped and taken out in resiting pens. We now have cats living in some of the most beautiful locations in the country, from Wales to the Cotswolds and Kent. Both the cats, and their new guardians, are very happy with this mutually convenient arrangement. Because there are so many unwanted animals, the branch is also campaigning to get more people to neuter their cats at 4 months old. Neutering is the best way to ensure a healthy, happy cat that doesn’t want to wander too far from home. But in the meantime, the branch always has feral cats suitable for homing as mousers on farms, yards and smallholdings. All we ask is that you have a nice comfy shelter for them, and are able to provide food and fresh water daily – they will do the rest! The branch urgently needs donations for its Charity Shops in Bedford. Any clothing, bric-a-brac, DVDs, CDs, toys, jewellery or small furniture will be gratefully received and the money raised from their sale will go directly to help these feral cats – and other local animals – that are abandoned, neglected and in need of a new home. Call 01234 266965 or go to www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk

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SURECLEAN DRIVEWAY AND PATIO CLEANING SPECIALISTS ROOF MOSS REMOVAL AND GUTTER CLEANING We use a revolutionary industrial pressure rotary cleaning system to restore exterior hard surfaces to as new condition.

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happychaps doggydaycare See what you can do We offer day care all across Biggleswade and surronding villages All qualified dog trainers/handlers and have been trading 14 years and are fully insured We are just launching new day care centre in Upper Caldecote Biggleswade Road Fees start as little as ÂŁ10 a day including pick up and drop off service.

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Pets

Animal Stories Not every story has a happy ending….. The RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch is currently inundated with unwanted kittens looking for homes. Our wonderful volunteer foster carers dedicate their time, care and love to these kittens to give them a future. But, unfortunately, sometimes – this just isn’t enough. Little Tyra was born to a feral cat – one of a number of cats living wild at an address in Bedford. The RSPCA became involved as the colony of cats was becoming a problem and many were ill. These cats probably originated from an unneutered pet cat that was abandoned. Two unneutered cats can quickly become a whole colony. Family members interbreed which can lead to deformities and sickly young. And as these cats are often underfed, are not vaccinated, wormed or treated for fleas; they’re often living unhealthy, miserable lives. Tyra was about 6 weeks old when she came into our care. It was difficult to give an exact age as she was extremely small, malnourished, cold and weak. We heated her back up, used rehydration packs and managed to tempt her with little bits Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

of food offered at regular intervals. Tyra made it though the first night and we hoped she would survive her ordeal – but sadly, two days later, her health suddenly deteriorated and, despite emergency vet care, she couldn’t be saved and died. Poor little Tyra was unusual in that she died. Unfortunately she was not unusual in the poor state of health in which she was found. Caring for Tyra was not only time-consuming for her volunteer foster family, but also more expensive for our charity than caring for a healthy kitten (which still costs us around £5 a day). Please consider neutering your pets so that you are not adding to this problem of too many unwanted kittens. If you think you can give a kitten a loving forever home, please contact us. We’re also looking for volunteer foster carers who can give cats, and kittens like Tyra, a future. ANIMAL STORIES is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch. www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk

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

Can I go to the Paddocks for my Holiday please?

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. 60

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Ask Alan My dog, Toby, is very scared of fireworks and gets very upset this time of year. What can I do?

Dear Pete, This is a common, distressing problem. Close windows to reduce the noise and draw the curtains to cut out the lights. Have a radio or television on in the background to try to disguise the noise. Try not to leave him alone when fireworks are expected. Make sure he is secure as he can escape when he is frightened. Make a den, well in advance. This should be an enclosed space where he can feel safe, with his own bedding and toys. If possible, feed him a large, carbohydrate rich meal before the expected event as this can be calming. Do not punish him when he starts to act fearfully as this will make it worse. Also, do not fuss or cuddle him as this can signal that his fearful behaviour is

Pets

appropriate and reinforce it. Stay calm yourself and be present with him but try to ignore his unusual behaviour. This can be hard but is the best response for him. Pheromone plug-ins or collars are available, as is a range of liquids or tablets with L-tryptophan that may help to calm him without sedating him. Strong sedatives are often unhelpful as they make him feel odd without reducing the fear. If this is not helping, then Toby may be phobic and may need behavioural intervention and desensitisation. Desensitisation is a long process and needs to be started many months in advance and you will need help from your vet and a behavioural therapist. If you have any questions you would like answered, please email them to villager@pottonvets.co.uk For more information visit www.pottonvets.co.uk or pop into the clinic in Potton Market Square.

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A flexible day nursery for children from 6 weeks to 5 years with extensive and well resourced grounds. ur o y f f o Excellent links to s onthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1st m es the A1, St Neots and fe Sandy railway station.

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Beanstalk

Cna yuo rade tihs? What’s your earliest memory of reading? Did you read by torchlight after your parents put you to bed? Which author makes you think of your childhood? These are the memories every child deserves but unfortunately one in three homes in the UK does not even have a book in, meaning that many children lose out on the love and passion for reading and books. Beanstalk aims to develop the love and enjoyment of books in children who are behind or struggling with their reading. Beanstalk has been working with schools for almost 40 years to help raise literacy standards across the country. Beanstalk is now launching in Bedfordshire in September and urgently requires Volunteer Reading Helpers to support children across the County with their reading. Why are we needed? • Almost one in eight children leaves primary school behind in their reading in England. • Research has shown that literacy leads to low employment prospects, disengagement and is closely linked with poverty, educational underachievement, crime and long

term unemployment. • Around 1,300 children left primary school in Bedfordshire last year behind where they should be for their age. Beanstalk helps by providing sustained one-to-one reading support to children who are falling behind the expected reading level for their age. Through sharing dedicated reading time with a trusted adult on a weekly basis, a child can build their confidence around literacy. What is the impact of the service? Children are selected for a variety of reasons: • They may have lack of support at home • They may have low confidence in reading • They may have English as a second language • Their reading may be below the expected national curriculum level • They may have insufficient reading opportunities What does the Beanstalk reading helper do? As a reading helper you will work with 3 children and spend 30 minutes with each child twice a week, you will chat, read and play games. You will have the chance to build up a great rapport with

the children and tailor the sessions to their individual needs. We provide training to our reading helpers before they start and ensure they have resources for their sessions, which are suited to the children they are helping by providing them with Beanstalk book boxes. How can you help? At Beanstalk we look for people with a passion for reading who can give their time to help inspire the next generation of readers. To share a quote from one of our existing reading helpers, he commented that: ‘The children give me immense joy and pride, in seeing children develop during the course of the school year is amazing. I enjoy their smiles, the fun, the stories and their humour’. What to do now if you may be able to help? Contact the Northampton office on 01604 720969 or email northamptonshire@ beanstalkcharity.org.uk or apply online straight away http://www. beanstalkcharity.org.uk/readinghelpers/how-to-apply.

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Swimming Lessons • • • • • •

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

C a l l He ather on Tel: 01767 631053 Mob: 07885 516561 Next to Potton Lower School, Everton Road, Potton, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2QF Telephone: 01767 262807 Email: enquiries@thenestpotton.co.uk

‘Open Week’ starting Monday 10th November We offer fun, stimulating and structured before and after school care for children aged 4 to 11 years. We provide a balanced breakfast and a home cooked evening meal from our purpose built setting.

Monday to Friday: 7.45am to 8.40am and 3.20pm to 6.00pm Come along to our Open Week to find out more and to taste the new menu. Alternatively, contact us to book an appointment for a guided tour. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Motoring

by James Baggott, Car Dealer Magazine The recent announcement about driverless cars heading to the UK got me thinking. Not about how nice it would be to have a snooze in the back of a long-termer as it cruised up the A34, dodging lorries as we go, but more about the incredible advances in technology the car industry has made over the years… and, more importantly, the not so incredible. Few would doubt there have been some amazing leaps forward. Hybrid power plants, cars that you charge by plugging into your house, night vision, automatic braking, airbags, Bluetooth, the list of helpful gadgets goes on and on. However, having spent a few weeks in my trusty 1987 Fiesta XR2, I’m starting to wish that list could be made a little shorter by un-inventing a few things. My rusty Ford is pretty basic – the radio offers a choice of Five Live, or no Five Live, the heater settings consist of hot, warm or a little less warm and the lowering of the windows exercises your entire arm. Jumping from that into a modern test car makes you realise there are many new gimmicks that should be consigned to Room 101. First, the electronic handbrake. Name one good reason why the electronically engaged anchor, which seems to take minutes to engage, should replace the good old-fashioned tug of a manual parking brake. It’s impossible to know whether you need to push the button to engage it, or pull it, whether you need your foot on the brake or not, and that’s after you’ve found where the manufacturer has hidden the blooming switch in the first place. Electronic assistance is often the root cause of the problem. Manufacturers seem intent on

adding a charge to a function that really didn’t need it in the first place. Tailgates for example. Why do I need help shutting the boot – 10 seconds more slowly than I could do it by hand – when I’ve managed perfectly adequately for years? Then there are the cars that don’t open all the doors when you press the keyfob. Remote central locking was a godsend when it arrived, all doors popping open at the touch of a button. Why then, did a manufacturer decide that this wasn’t actually a good idea and that one press should open the driver’s door only? Don’t worry, there are more. Onetouch windows, for one that go all the way down when you hit the button. They’re brilliant. But why does it sometimes only work on the driver’s side? How much more would it cost to offer that on all windows? Pennies? And don’t get me started on fuel gauges. The number of times I’ve brimmed a modern car only to travel 50 miles and for it to still show full beggars belief. That is a gauge that is quite clearly failing at its primary objective. As soon as I leave a petrol station with the engine running I am, by the laws of science, using fuel – that usage, no matter how small, should register on the gauge. It’s either full or it’s not, right? And that’s not to mention the manufacturers that have done away with a gauge altogether and decided a few digital blobs are a fair representation of the fuel contained in the car’s bladder. Voice control that never works, or takes five times as long to execute a simple task that your finger could have done moments ago needs removing. I’d understand if the

buttons that do the thing you’re trying to command with your voice were located in the boot, but they’re not, they’re less than an arm bend away. So, here’s an idea: Use your arm. Automatic lights that illuminate at inappropriate times? They can go. Rain-sensitive wipers that come on too late or not strong enough – get rid of them. My point is (and yes, there is one) we’ve made some incredible progress over the years but in an attempt to get one over the competition, car firm tech departments have been let loose to engineer things that don’t need engineering. There’s a lot to be said for simplicity. That’s why I’m just a little bit worried about self-driving cars. You only have to picture a supermarket car park of the future – yummy mummies engaging self-park and edging ever so slowly into a bay by the power of divine car brain intervention – to see the problems that may lie ahead. Yes, those cars may be finally parallel in the space, but judging by the time it takes to apply an electronic handbrake, how long do you think it’ll take to execute a reverse park? Whatever happens with driverless tech, I can see one good thing for dealers – and that’s the fillip it’ll offer servicing departments. I don’t think the government, or insurers for that matter, will take too kindly to owners who miss annual services when the car is driving itself around. That’ll be great news for dealers who currently rarely see owners once the warranty period has expired. Maybe that’s why all this new tech is invented in the first place… to keep technicians busy. Once a cynic, always a cynic, eh?

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Food and Drink

Seasonal Delights Italian Lamb Shanks

Serves 4 Ready in 2 ½ hours Lamb shanks are perfect for long slow cooking as they become meltingly tender and the meat just falls off the bone. Here they are braised with all the flavours of Italy – red wine, smoked cured bacon and tomatoes. Serve with creamy mash or boiled ribbon pasta such as tagliatelle or pappardelle. INGREDIENTS 4 small lamb shanks 2 tbsp olive oil 350g shallots, peeled 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped 150g cubed pancetta (Italian dry cured bacon) 300ml red wine 400g can chopped tomatoes 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato puree 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus extra sprigs to garnish 5ml (1tsp) sugar Creamy mashed potato, to serve

Add the shallots, garlic and pancetta to the frying pan and cook over a medium heat for 6-7 minutes until lightly browned. Pour in the red wine and bring to the boil. Add the tomatoes, sun-dried tomato puree, rosemary sprigs and sugar and pour over the lamb. Cover the casserole and cook in the preheated oven for about 2 hours, or until the lamb shanks are very tender and the sauce has thickened slightly. Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve with creamy mashed potato and garnished with fresh rosemary. TIP - Why not double up the quantities and freeze away half for another day? Allow to cool completely then transfer to a freezer-proof container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost thoroughly then reheat gently on the hob for 2025 minutes until piping hot.

Preheat the oven to 170°C/150°C fan/gas 3. Season the lamb shanks with freshly ground black pepper. Heat the oil in a frying pan and brown the lamb shanks over a high heat for 4-5 minutes, turning frequently. Transfer to a shallow casserole dish. Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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Starlight Hikers

Local News

Stride To Success!

Nearly 900 walkers took part in Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice Starlight Hike this year. Kicking off at 9pm, the route was in and around the hospice grounds with eager hikers arriving as early as 6pm to take advantage of the buzzing atmosphere, bar, refreshments and entertainment including young band Bass x Height and local line dancing legend Mike del Boyer. Around 80 walkers signed up on the night itself. Many people were undertaking the 10k challenge in memory of loved ones, some of whom had been cared for at the hospice. Walkers were able to reflect in the ‘memory garden’ that had been created in the hospice grounds, beautifully lit with fairy lights while a harpist played in the background. Fay Boissieux, Starlight Hike organiser, said: “The feedback from walkers has been amazing. Everything from car parking, registration, entertainment and the route marshalling has been

highly praised. It was a magical night and we are so grateful to all those who took part and supported us.” Walkers were on cheered and rewarded with a bbq refreshments, a goody bag, and above all, the knowledge they had all done something incredible for incurable illness. The hospice hopes to have raised £100,000 in sponsorship. Anyone wishing to make a donation can still do so by sending cheques into the Fundraising Team, Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, St John’s Rd, Moggerhanger, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 3RJ. For further information please contact Fay Boissieux on 01767 642424, 07891125464 or fay.boissieux@sueryder.org

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n O s ’ t Wha 31 October & 1 November Family Halloween Event 5.30pm Adults £6, Children £8.50 The Friends of the Swiss Garden Family Halloween Event returns this year. Spooky tours of The Swiss Garden and woodland start at allocated times from 5.30pm onwards and are followed by games and activities on the Terrace Lawn and in the new Garden Room. Ticket price includes £4 refreshment ticket for the restaurant. Max. 2 children per adult. Please bring a torch. Book online or telephone. Tel: 01767 627924 Web: www.shuttleworth.org 1 November Cambs and Bed Hardy Plant Society 2pm Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Speaker will be Don Witton ‘‘AGM – A Glorious Medley of plants’. Don is the former chairman of the South Pennine HPS Group and holder of national collection of Euphorbias. May be plants for sale. Visitors welcome - small charge which includes refreshments. 4 & 11 November Potton Ladies Club 7.30pm The Pavilion, Mill Lane, Potton Guests £3 including light refreshment Unfortunately Pam Rhodes is unable to make this meeting as she will be travelling abroad. There will still be a meeting as usual on the 4th and we are pleased to have arranged for M & Co to hold a fashion show. 11th November 7.30pm - Additional meeting with Pam Rhodes “My Life Travelling with the BBC”. There will not be a charge for the extra meeting. 5 November Sir Cuthbert Headlam and the First World War 7pm for 7.30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester A talk by Dr Jim Beach examining Lt Col Headlam who served in intelligence posts before becoming a successful politician. His letters and diary entries provide an informative, acidic, and entertaining insight into the Great War. Successful politician, his letters and diary entries provide an informative, acidic, and entertaining insight into the Great War. Non-members most welcome. Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com

5 November Folk Evening 7pm Moggerhanger Village Hall First Wednesday every month. Open floor folk session evening. Tel: Chris 01767 640242 6 & 20 November Biggleswade Cancer Support Group 1-3pm Meeting Room, Biggleswade Baptist Church Sessions free – donations welcome Informal, confidential group for cancer patients, families and friends in the Biggleswade area. A place to meet with others and provide mutual support. The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Tel: 07812 796581 Email: csgbiggleswade@gmail.com Facebook: Biggleswade Cancer Support Group 7 November Bingo Night 7.30pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Monthly Bingo Friday night with cash prizes, raffle and licensed bar. Also open the box. Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727 7 November Coull Quartet Concert 8pm Benslow Music, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9RB Tickets £12, Free admission for 8-25 year olds and carers accompanying disabled ticket holder Works will include Mozart, Tippett and Smetana. Licensed Bar and free ample parking. Tel: Box Office 01462 459446 8 November Performers & Pints 25 “Winter Warmer” 8pm for 8.30pm start til 11pm (ish!) The Rising Sun, 11 Everton Road, Potton in the Main Bar downstairs. Free admission Big artists in little Potton. A great community night out of fresh live music for all. Four exceptional performers x 30 minutes each Web: www.facebook.com/performersandpints Twitter: @PerformersPints 8 November Hitchin Town Band Concert 7.30pm Trinity Methodist Church, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade Tickets: Advance £7, On the door £8 includes light refreshments Tickets available from Biggleswade Express Shop, Shortmead Street.

13 November Mid. Beds. Floral Society 7.45pm Flitwick Village Hall Visitors £5 Christmas Demonstration by Susie Barwick. Visitors welcome. Tel: Marion 01234 742396 14 November An evening with Medium Iddi Eiriksson Doors open 7pm W I Hall, Gamlingay Tickets £10 Tea/Coffee and cake. Tickets: Anne 01767 651932 14 & 28 November Whist Drive 7.30pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Fortnightly Friday Whist Drive. All welcome. Refreshments included. Tel: 01767 640727

16 November Biggleswade Antiques Fair 9.30am-4pm The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Admission £1.50 Diverse range of antiques and collectables. Café serving breakfast, lunches and afternoon tea. Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346 Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk 16 November Moggerhanger Music Hall 7pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Tickets £12 Live entertainment, 2 course hot supper raffle and licensed bar. Tel: Dorothy 01767 640242 18 November Bedford National Trust Association 2.30pm Addison Centre, Kempston Talk “The Archaeology of Gardens” by Sue Oosthuizen. Everyone welcome. Tel: 01480 860439 for further details 18 November Gamlingay W I 7.30pm Gamlingay W I Hall Demonstration is ‘Various way of Icing Cakes’. 19 November Sandy Horticultural Association 7.30pm Sandy Village Hall Annexe Members £2.50, Visitors £3.50 Talk on ‘Astronomy’ by Terry Watson. Optional hot supper with dessert for £7. Tel: 01767 691055 to book

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month.

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29 November Christmas Coffee Morning 10am-2pm St Swithun’s Church, Sandy Donated gifts, books, crafts, preserves and Yuletide refreshments.

21 November Gamlingay Photographic Society 8-10pm Gamlingay Village College, Station Road, Gamlingay Lecture Evening on ‘The Falkland Islands - a Nature Photographer’s paradise’ with Liz Cutting ARPS DPAGB. Non-members welcome free of charge. Refreshments and optional raffle. Tel: Nick or Jackie 01767 651025 for more info about the evening/the Society Email: Jackie on nickbruce7@btinternet.com

29 November Christmas Fayre 10am-2pm Wyboston, Chawston & Colesden Village Hall Adults 50p, Children under 14 free Father Christmas will arrive at 11am.

22 November Winter Fayre with just a hint of Christmas 10am-12.30pm Everton Village Hall In aid of St Mary’s Church, Everton. Homemade cakes, Books, Crafts and gifts, Children’s stall, Guessing Games, Tombola and Raffle.

29 November Christmas Bazaar and Craft Fair 10am-5pm Biggleswade Baptist Church Hall, London Road, Biggleswade Free admission. Biggleswade WI. Lots of Craft and Christmas Stalls. Café all day.

22 November Craft and Gift Fair 12-3pm Dunton Village Hall Free admission - donations welcome Organised by Dunton Youth Club. Lots of crafts and gifts on offer, plus refreshments will be on sale and a raffle to raise money for the youth club. Email: duntonyouthclub@hotmail.com

29 November Christmas Fayre 11am St Mary Magdalene Church, Dunton Free admission Something for all the family to enjoy and have fun. A variety of stalls and games as well as drinks, mince pies, soups and sausage rolls. 29 November Christmas Fayre 12noon-3pm Southill Lower School, School Lane, Southill Free admission Great selection of retail stalls, Santa’s Grotto, children’s stalls, craft activity, festive refreshments, raffle and more. Supporting the Friends of Southill Lower School. Stalls still available - please contact Kath Dilley 07715 641204 or email dilley.dog@virgin.net.

25 November 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 always very welcome so why not come and join us.

3-7 December Christmas Tree Festival Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm St Paul’s Church, Bedford, MK40 1SQ Admission £2.50, Children free Over 60 trees will be decorated to the theme ‘Friendship thru Sport’. Includes two Trees of Remembrance. Proceeds shared between St Paul’s and the Bedford Hospitals Charity. This must see annual festival has raised over £100,000 since 2001. Refreshments served. Tel: 01234 340163 for further details

27 November Potton History Society AGM & Monthly Meeting 7.30pm The Community Centre, Brook End, Potton AGM followed by ‘The Great Fire of Potton’ An updated presentation of the events and aftermath of a fire that shaped the Potton that we know today. Visitors are always welcome. Light refreshments provided. Web: www.pottonhistorysociety.com 27 November Biggleswade Flower Club 7.30pm, doors open 6.45pm Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade £9 including wine and mince pie “Christmas Cheer” by Mrs Tan Strong. 28 November Christmas Market 7-10pm Tickets: £2.50 in advance, £3 on the night includes mulled wine and mince pie Many stalls for Christmas shopping. To raise funds for Ickwell Pre School. Tel: 07921 811077

5 December Bedfordshire Family History Society 7.15pm Mark Rutherford School Drama Hall, Bedford, MK42 9RX Members free, Visitors £2 Illustrated talk is “Behind The Scenes Of ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ TV Programme” by Dr .Nick Barratt. Bedfordshire Family History Society welcomes new members to its talks. Library and bookstall are available at meetings. Next meeting will be 9 January 2015. Web: www.bfhs.org.uk

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5 December ‘Classics at Christmas’ Concert 7.30pm St Paul’s Church, Bedford Tickets £15 including glass of wine As part of the Christmas Tree Festival, once again The Ensemble of London will be presenting a ‘Classics at Christmas’ Concert at St Paul’s Church. Tickets available by telephone or online. Tel: Tickets 01234 783181 or St. Paul’s Church 01234 34016 Web: www.bedfordhospitalcharity.org.uk 6 December Annual Christmas Bazaar 11am-3pm All Saints’ Church, Sutton Many stalls, Father Christmas, singing by Sutton Lower School Choir, demonstration of Holly Wreath making, chocolate tombola, light refreshments and a raffle, amongst other attractions. There will also be organ music and demonstration of the ancient barrel organ - a rarity in Bedfordshire. 6 & 7 December Christmas Tree Festival Sat 12-8pm, Sun 12-6pm St Swithun’s Church, Sandy Adults £1, Children free A display of beautifully decorated trees created by the community of Sandy. Christmas music. Refreshments available. 7 December Lights of Love Service 4pm/6.30pm Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger Annual Lights of Love service to celebrate the lives of those near and dear to us that we have lost. It is an opportunity to remember loved ones at either a 4pm or 6.30pm carol service at the hospice. There will be a Christmas remembrance tree with the opportunity to fill out a memory bauble in their name which can be then hung on the tree. Please let the hospice know if you would like to attend by Friday 28th November for light refreshment catering. This is an outside event so wrap up warm and bring your wellies! Tel: 01767 642424 13 December Huntingdonshire Philharmonic: A Christmas Feast 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Tickets: £14 / £12 (Student Concession £7 / £6) Hunts Phil’s well-loved Family Christmas Concert with a mix of old and new carols, excerpts from Haydn’s Creation and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet, and much, much more… Tickets available via telephone, email or on the door. Tel: 01832 274834 Email: tickets@huntsphil.org.uk Web: www.huntsphil.org.uk

Local News

Gamlingay and District Writers Group

As the days shorten, and we head towards Autumn and Winter, we will all be spending more time indoors watching television or catching up on emails etc. on our computers, that we’ve been meaning to attend to on the last few days of our late Summer. Maybe you have always thought about writing, there is a saying that we all have a book or story to tell within us, so now in those dark evenings , it could be the time to put fingers to the keyboard to get started , or join a local writers group for inspiration. The Gamlingay and District Writers Group meet at 7pm every third Tuesday of the month , on the first floor of the Potton Community Centre, and those attending pay £3 each towards the hire of the room . We are a friendly informal group, and our aim is to improve our writing skills by encouraging each other, and entering completions.

Each month we set a theme , and a week before the meeting email our work to other members and prepare comments etc. At the meeting we discuss the work in a friendly and constructive manner, so we can all learn from each other. Don,t worry if you prefer not to submit work for a couple of meetings, you are most welcome to just come along and listen. Maybe you are working on a project which doesn’t fit in, please bring it along to share it with the group, you be assured of a positive and friendly reception. We welcome people of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to published novelists. We have a break for light refreshments during the meeting, which gives us all a chance to chat and catch up on what others are doing. For further details contact Tracey Dawson on 01767 654830 Email gamlingaywriters@gmail.com We look forward to meeting you.

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Julian Biggs Plumbing OCT Advert:Layout 1 10/09/201

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Codeword 1

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. 80

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J. Jenkins

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

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D.S. LEWIS CARPENTRY & BUILDING

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Crossword Solution for The Villager October Edition Last Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword Winner - Phillip George from Little Gransden

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Codeword and Suduko Solutions

Easy

Hard

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The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 7 Attentiveness (13) 8 Speaking (8) 9 Simple (4) 10 Breaks (7) 12 Prophecies (5) 14 Sound of a bell (5) 16 Happier (7) 19 Exhibit (4) 20 Approximate calculation (8) 22 Enquiry (13)

19th November 2014

ď&#x20AC;˘

Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before

Down 1 Young male horse (4) 2 Way in (6) 3 Lures (7) 4 Boasts (5) 5 A narrow river (6) 6 Absurd talk (8) 11 Eating (8) 13 Held for ransom (7) 15 Solicitor (6) 17 Boundaries (6) 18 Large and heavy (5) 21 Implement (4)

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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

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• Supply & fit at competitive prices • Free home calls to estimate & advise • Friendly reliable service For all enquiries, please call or email:

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ROOFLINE PRODUCTS INSTALLED BY THE PROFESSIONALS

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24/01/2014 14:19

Books

BOOK REVIEW

By Bruce Edwards Effie Gray

Suzanne Fagence Cooper Pub: Duckworth Overlook p/b £8.99 A very topical title - for the film was released on October 10th. The original hardback was published in 2010, this paperback version issued to compliment the film. What does one do, read the book or see the film first? The book is a wellworked and very readable biography, with all the elegant detail of a Victorian epic in the era of the Pre-Raphaelites. Effie - Euphemia - was a honeymoon child born in Perthshire who grew up to be an extremely pretty girl and, it was rumoured, had ‘twenty seven offers of marriage’ by the time she was nineteen. But it was John Ruskin who first married her - and we discover just what a sham marriage it turned out to be. Poor Ruskin! He could not appreciate her, perhaps overly satiated by the arts, and they drifted apart. By the time she was twenty five her marriage still hadn’t been consummated - and logically for such a woman, she’s loses interest in him. The connection with Everett Millais - the painter and a protégé of Ruskin’s -blossomed instead; Effie became his model, his muse, and eventually, after traumatic divorce proceedings which of necessity in those days were accompanied by medical inspection of her virginity, she married him. Her life with Everett gave her all she needed - though she never had the full blooming health which would have so suited the couple. She died a widow in 1897. Suggestion and queries to: writerselect@gmail. com. We’re always happy to consider specific titles for review, though without obligation. Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll try to help.”

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