Abington & Around a community magazine and business directory for local residents
February / March 2015
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Abington & Around February / March 2015 A selection of what’s in this issue of your community magazine . . . . . .
Early ZEst:
Becca McLachlan explains the benefits of a simple drink . . . .
5
QuiZ CornEr:
More coffee time puzzles for those with time to kill!
6
MuMs thE Word: Dear Readers, Welcome to our first edition of 2015. Let’s hope that this is a very good year for everyone. We would like to thank all of you who have continued to support our advertisers over the past few years - because without them, magazines like this would not be around. Local businesses play a vital part in our community and we are very proud to support them via our five popular publications. As usual, in this issue there is something for everyone, so take a break and enjoy your reading.
Bev & Dez
Abington & Around Magazine If you would like to advertise in this magazine or have an event to promote please contact us:
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An intriguing look at some famous mothers, but can you name them?
9
ChiCago shabang: Prohibition in the 1920’s and the carnage that came with it . . . .
13
robbEd again:
A look at one of the world’s most prevalent con rackets . . .
22
loCal history:
Rewinding time - an account of the 1460 Battle of Northampton . . .
35
Park lifE:
The latest update from the FoAP! New members are always welcome!
43
loCal sPort:
It’s the half way point! We follow the fortunes of three local UCL clubs . . .
49
rECiPE:
Try this low calorie treat that will keep you warm through winter!
50
What’s on:
A selection of local events, some near, some not so near!
58
This journal does not accept any responsibility for errors and omissions in this publication, or for the accuracy of claims made by advertisers. Views expressed by contributors are their own and are not necessarily shared by the publishers. This publication has no political bias. Images: Front cover - ‘Boys & their toys’ taken by Cheryl Goodman. Page 3: ‘The Monthly Meeting is about to begin’ by PSD Image.
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Kick-Start your day
with warm water and fresh lemon juice
A
n alkaline body is the key to good health, an easy way to help to alkalise your body which I recommend on my Metabolic Booster Programme is to start each day with a cup of warm water with the juice of half a lemon, trust me your body will thank you for it. Lemons are acidic on their own, but when metabolised in our bodies turn alkaline. Not only will they help to regulate your PH level they also have fantastic health benefits such as; • Boosting your immune system – Lemons are high in Vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C is great for fighting colds and potassium stimulates brain and nerve function and helps control blood pressure. • Helping with fat loss – Lemons are high in pectin fibre, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose fat faster. And, my experience is that when I start the day off right, it’s easier to make the best choices for myself the rest of the day. • Aids digestion – The warm water serves to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and peristalsis— the waves of muscle contractions within the intestinal walls that keep things moving. Lemons and limes are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen toxins, in the digestive tract. • Acts as a gentle, natural diuretic – Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy. • Clears skin – The vitamin C helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well. • Hydrates the lymph system – This cup of goodness helps start the day on a hydrated note, which helps prevent dehydration and adrenal fatigue. When your body is dehydrated it can’t perform all of it’s proper functions, which leads to toxic buildup, stress, constipation, and the list goes on. Your adrenals are two small glands that sit on top of your kidneys, and along with your thyroid, create energy. They also secrete important hormones, including aldosterone. Aldosterone is a hormone secreted by your adrenals that regulates water levels and the concentration of minerals, like sodium, in your body, helping you stay hydrated. Your adrenals are also responsible for regulating your stress response. So, the bottom line is that you really don’t want to mess with a deep state of dehydration! Adopting just this one practice of drinking a cup of warm water with fresh lemon juice in the morning can radically alter your experience of the day. Don’t be surprised if you begin to view mornings in a new light. For some extra zing you could also try adding either some grated ginger (no need to peel it) cayenne pepper or cinnamon. For more information on how to improve your health and lose weight visit www.metabolic-booster.com Becca Mclachlan Fitness Studios, Brampton Heath Golf Centre,
Church Brampton, N’pton. NN6 8AX. www.becca-mclachlan.com becca@becca-mclachlan.com tel: 07929196627
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ParklaNds, BootHvilLe & WESTOne a community magazine & business directory for local residents
June / July 2014
Visit our On-line
Business Directory & What’s On Guide
www.northamptonmagazines.com 4000 copies distributed around the Parklands, Boothville & Westone or view this magazine on our website This publication is also Smartphone friendly - just download the app. See page 5
2. Open the app and hold your phone above the selected page and tap to view. 3. Keep your phone above the page to reveal social media activities- all at the push of a button! See our website for full instructions video!
5
COFFEE TIME CROSSWORD
coffee time Mindbogglers MILD SUDOKU
Across
1. Lentil based curry. (4) 5. Physically removes. (6) 8. Outdoors with Al. (6) 9. Aristocrats. (6) 10. Contempary female singer. (4) 11. American football. (8) 13. An evergreen climbing plant of warm regions. (7,6) 16. A residential suburb of Washington, D.C. (8) 19. One of a matching pair? (4) 20. Perfect island community created by Sir Thomas More. (6) 22. Barachello, for instance (6) 23. A violation of a trust. (8) 24. Lou, writer of the song Perfect Day. (4)
Down
2. Dwelling belonging to a loner? (9) 3. Teaching sessions? (7) 4. In with the crowd? (5) 5. Alternative name for the Pope. (7) 6. Jewish leader. (5) 7. London attraction. (3) 12. Form of training for dogs. (9) 14. Type of chest or box. (7) 15. Month of the year. (7) 17. Unusually energetic. (5) 18. Girls name in Spring. (5) 21. An FA cup game? (3)
SPORTSWORD Answer questions 1-7, fill in the grid and use the initials to name a current player on the LPGA tour. Answers to all 3 puzzles are on the events page near the back of this magazine!
A 1 2 O 3 4 I 5 6 7 A
N S
1. Spanish defender formerly at Villa. N 2. Former Scottish full back who later became president of the SRU. 3. A X grand slam venue. 4. Scene of the A 1984 Olympic games. 5. A legend who starred for the Atlanta Braves in the early 90’s. 6. England batsman voted Wisden cricketer of the year in 1961. 7. Ghanian international currently at the Riverside.
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T
he annual celebration of Mothers day is just around the corner and for those of you who haven’t made your arrangements, we remind you that this year the date set is 15th of March. This ritual all began in North America in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia. After that, she vehmently campaigned for it to become a yearly ritual. It was an obsession that ended up costing mum-lovers millions of pounds every year! Every Mum is special in her own right, but here are seven famous candidates who could claim to be just that bit extra special. Can you guess who they are?
1
A blend of motherhood, talent and immense possession aptly sums up our first mystery mum. As one of the highest paid Hollywood actresses and a top global celebrity, she values her relationship and believes her children are the best thing ever happened to her. Kickstarting what would become a Hollywood trend, she adopted two children, Cambodian orphan Maddox and Ethiopian Zahara, who lost her parents to AIDS. Our star was named a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees in 2001 and five years later she gave birth to a daughter, Shiloh Nouvel, in Namibia. She loves different elements of life and knows how to manage both work and family. Together with her husband Brad, she recently adopted Pax Thien, a Vietnamese refugee. This diva is not only an icon but also a loving mother and has always created special principles for her and her daughters. As a singer, author, actor and a perfect mother, her profession in showbiz has not got in the way of her becoming a strict mother to her children. Having lost her own mother to cancer as a little girl, she hopes that her children never feel the same pains that she went through. She aims to be the perfect mother not only to her own kids Lourdes and Rocco, but also to David Banda, a motherless 13-month-old child from Malawi whom she adopted in October 2006. This Oscar winning Welsh actress was always fascinated by the notion of motherhood. In fact, such was her eagerness, that her son Dylan Michael was born three months before the wedding in 2000. She became the target of anti-tobacco groups in 2003 when she was pictured smoking whilst pregnant with her daughter, Carys Zeta. Motherhood is certainly one of the best things to have happened to her, as when she was preparing for her role in the multi-award winning “Traffic�, she was carrying Dylan, and as per her own admission, a lot of the emotions and instincts that she used in preparing for her character came from her maternal instinct of protecting her young one. Our next world famous female is perhaps well known for her devotion to her children. A wife and then a widow of a American president, she remains an American icon of high style and grace to this day. Born in 1929, she married in 1953 and became a popular First Lady, known for her elegant sophistication and her historical E
2 3
4
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interest in the White House. Tragedy struck in 1963 with the assasination of her respected husband and death of her third child, two day old, Patrick on August 9th. Despite living a life as a political wife and then a political mother, she managed to transcend her traditionally understated role to leave a distinct mark upon a generation of Americans. Unarguably one of the most famous mothers, this lady lives in London and has been at the head of her profession since 1952. She is often credited - along with her mother, Elizabeth, with being a firm backbone for her family during a century of singular upheaval. She came to the world’s attention on 6 February 1952 following the death of her father. Her husband, Philip, comes from Greece and their wedding was held on 20 November 1947. She has four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. A loving mother to all her children, her maternal image is respected and probably discussed more than any other woman in today’s world. She has holiday homes in Berkshire and Scotland and is a very competent horserider. This classy lady was the first woman to become the Prime Minister of India. Daughter of late Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, she was popularly called the ‘Iron Lady of India’ for her dominant and highly influential nature. She not only emerged as a courageous leader and a dictator but also as an ever loving mother. Being a mother of two, Sanjay and Rajiv, she always managed to perform her duties well. One cannot forget her excellent role in forming 20th century India. Even the tragic death of her younger son Sanjay Gandhi (in 1980) couldn’t come in the way of her governance. She continued to rule the nation with sincerity before being wickedly assassinated by her own bodyguards in 1984. This mother of two daughters is well known to many TV viewers. She was previously married to a cast member of Coronation Street, before becoming Mrs. Hughes, second time around. Primarily an actress, she has turned her hand to singing as well as acting, but is probably better known for her glamorous appearances in a subsequent ITV weekend show. Earlier TV work included three series of the very popular comedy “Kiss me Kate” as well as playing the part of “Miss Titley” in another three series of “The Grimleys”. In 2003, she landed the leading role in the West End musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie”. In more recent times, she has appeared in another west End musical “Shrek”, playing the part of “Princess Fiona” and won “Best Actress in a Musical” in the 2012 Women of the Year Awards, before co-presenting ITV’s “Night of Heroes” awards with Phillip Schofield for the fifth consecutive year. Despite her busy calendar, she places a high value on spending time with her family. Okay, now you’ll want to know the answers, so please go to page 58 to see how many you have got right. If you have 6 or 7 correct answers then you can class yourself as a true Diva expert. A score of 4 or 5 classes you as above average in the world of Diva worshipers, if you’ve only scored 3 or less then you could use the excuse of being either too young or too old. Whatever your score, we hope you have a great day – whether you’re a mother, a daughter or both.
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uring the late 1920’s, Chicago was the largest and most corrupt city in America. Gang warfare ruled the streets as chief gangster Al Capone, sought to consolidate control by eliminating his rivals in the illegal trades of bootlegging, gambling and prostitution. Prohibition gave a massive boost to crime and gangs made fortunes from illegal liquor and the associated protection and vice rackets. The relationships between them were uneasy and there were shifting alliances, disputes and battles over territory by ambitious leaders. In 1924, a storm of violence broke out between the Italian-Sicilian mob, led first by Johnny Torrio and then by Al Capone on the city’s South Side and the Irish-Jewish crew, under Dion O’Banion, on the North Side. The ‘Chicago Sun-Times’ talked of ‘the bootleg battle of the Marne’ and an editorial in the ‘Herald and Examiner’ declared ‘This is war’ as gang killings and gun battles shook the city. Capone was intent on taking control of Chicago! The press played a pivotal role with a strong influence over the public mentality of both the prohibition officer and bootlegger alike. The smartest of the crime bosses understood all too well how a positive public image could supply gloss to an otherwise violent reality. Chicago mobster Alphonse Gabriel “Al” Capone managed to remain a media favourite despite his clear roles in bootlegging, liquor production and murder and cleverly, he used the press like any other informant, inwardly using favours and threats against key players while outwardly acting the public servant promoting family values – “A woman’s home and her children are her real happiness” and public donations to charity. When asked of his relationship with the press, Capone apparently simply replied,“I give the public what the public wants”. The media would also help publish the new language of the gangster with colloquial terms like, “Trigger men” (gunners), “Gorillas” (big physical mobsters), “Pineapples” (hand grenades) and the popular barrel clipped machine gun known as a “Chicago Typewriter” or “Tommy Gun”. By the end of 1926 it was estimated that the annual sales from bootlegging had topped $3.6 billion, an amount almost equal to the entire federal budget that same year. Not that bootlegging wasn’t without its overheads. Crime was still a business and managing a network of staff in every stage of production, distribution and sales not to mention paying off police, judges and politicians, was an expensive operation. from Al Capone’s own bespoke armoured car came at a rumoured cost of $350,000. That said there was clearly enough left over for a bit of splashing out, such as Chicago bootlegger Terry “Machine Gun” Druggans purchasing a solid silver toilet seat (bet that was cold in winter). Bizarrely, Dion O’Banion owned a flower shop on North State Street, where he liked to serve customers and arrange attractive bouquets and window displays. He also supplied wreaths and flowers for expensive gangster funerals. One day he was greeted by four customers who shot him dead, and his was the most lavish funeral yet. Capone sent a basket of roses ‘From Al’. E
Vale ......... ntines!
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O’Banion was eventually succeeded as leader of the North Side gang by George ‘Bugs’ Moran, an Irish gangster known more for muscle than brain power, who had no intention of submitting to ‘them Sicilians’. On February 13th, 1929, a tempting phone call to Moran told him that a truckload of bargain price whisky had just arrived from Detroit. He ordered the whisky to be delivered at 10.30 the next morning at the garage of the S.M.C. Cartage Company at 2122 North Clark Street, where he kept his bootlegging trucks. It happened to be St Valentine’s Day, the day for delivering tender tokens of affection, when a Cadillac, ostensibly a police car, drove up to the building at around 10.50 am and five men got out. Witness statements varied over details, but it seems likely that two of the men were in police uniforms and the other three in ordinary civilian clothes. They went into the garage. Eight minutes later, after loud rattling noises and what sounded like trucks backfiring, two of the civilians came out with their hands up, shepherded by the third, and the two ‘police officers’ with guns in their hands, described by a witness as ‘walking slow and easy-like’. The men drove away in the unmarked black Cadillac, neighbours cautiously investigated and found a scene which would make headlines all over the country. Six dead men and another who was dying were lying on the concrete floor among scattered tyres, pools of blood, chairs and shell casings at the foot of a wall. Five of them were members of Moran’s gang, including Frank and Peter Gusenberg (hired killers), Al Weinshank (a club owner), James Clark (a hit man), and Adey Heyer (a bent financial expert). Another was a Moran hanger-on and the last was an unfortunate mechanic. His dog was the only survivor. The police investigation showed that the men had been lined up against the wall and mowed down by machine-gun bullets sprayed efficiently across first their heads, then their chests and finally their stomachs. Two of them had been finished off with a shotgun. One of the Gusenbergs was taken to hospital where police quizzed him. He died a few hours later, refusing to say anything, leaving the police to summise whether he knew his killers or if he was just keeping to the gangster code? Capone was away from Chicago at the time but few doubted who had ordered the massacre. Certainly Moran had not. The assailants had presumably intended to kill Moran himself, but he arrived late at the scene. One of the dead men who looked and dressed rather like Moran may have been taken for him by the gunmen. They may have been a mixture of Capone’s men and hitmen brought in from outside. After long and complicated investigations, two Capone gunmen were accused of the killings and sent for trial, but one of them was murdered and the other, Jack McGurn, was given an alibi by his girlfriend. He too was murdered later on. Moran’s operation slowly disintegrated and was taken over by an operation called the Chicago Outfit. The massacre concentrated the federal authorities’ attention on Capone. He was convicted of income tax evasion in 1931 and sent to Alcatraz for 11 years. He died in 1947. Moran died in prison ten years later. To this day, the St Valentine’s Day Massacre is considered to be one of the most famous dates in American history!
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Bridgewater Residents Association.... The above Association was formed in April 2010 in response to concerns about illegal encampments on the field opposite Milverton Crescent. As a result of some great collaboration, fundraising, community spirit and some sheer determination, 302 green metal posts were erected around the green to prevent vehicles being towed on to the field. Since then, two benches have been purchased and placed in the field for the benefit of the community to enjoy. There is currently work underway by the Association to install some new activity equipment there. Back in September, £425 was raised towards the equipment. There was also a very successful Christmas Fayre on the 13th December which culminated in a profit of £498. The Fayre was organised by the young people of the Association and supported by the Committee members. A big thank you goes out to Steve and Lou Marsh of the Road to Morocco for the use of their premises, Stephen Legg for delivering (hiding) the tables and everyone who donated items to the tombola and slaes stalls . . . and of course, to all who attended. Thank you! Why join the Association? If you live in the vicinity, you are most welcome to join us for an annual fee of £10 per household. The benefits of joining are that you can meet your neighbours, make new friends, effect change in your neighbourhood, and if you have any ideas or concerns, the Association will listen, support and help you wherever possible. We hold a coffee morning at the Road to Morocco Pub every second Wednesday of the month at 10.30am. Everyone is welcome. There is a quiz and our local Councillors and Police Community Support Officers frequently attend. Sometimes key community leaders attend to seek our views on local matters. Our thanks go to Lin Reeve who has stepped down as chairman as she is due to have orthopaedic surgery early in the new year. If you would like to get in touch about membership, please do not hesitate to contact Dave Hanks, who has taken over as chairman via email: davank@ talktalk.net
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19
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Moulton College Management Centre Moulton College has a highly skilled Hotel Services team that is able to offer a wide range of catering and accommodation solutions for your event. These are categorised into three main sections: Management Centre College Social Centre Additional facilities Located within easy reach of Northampton, Moulton College Management Centre is set literally amongst a working farm. The Management Centre has been tastefully converted from former farm buildings and accommodation. There is a wide range of rooms available, accommodating up to 50 in theatre style, to small meeting rooms for 12. Most rooms have built in data projectors. Televisions, DVD, flip charts and overhead projectors are all available. Catering is prepared and served by our own staff, enabling us to provide a wide range of buffets. Vegetarian and special diets are easily accommodated. To discuss any aspect of these facilities please email: thevenue@moulton.ac.uk or contact one of our Hotel Services Managers on: 01604 491131 Moulton College, West Street, Moulton, Northampton, NN3 7RR www. thevenue.moulton.ac.uk 21for us on www.venuefinder.com Search
Out of ink . . .
H
ere’s a common message that’s seem in almost every home “Printer cartridge empty”. . . .“Out of ink”! So off we go to an outlet of our choice to get ripped off by the big manufacturers! Companies who make printer cartridges are clearly laughing . . . all the way to the bank . . . and once again, it’s us, the poor man on the street who gets smashed in the pocket! It’s an absolute disgrace!! As everyone has discovered to their horror, ink refills are so exorbitantly expensive that printer ink costs far more drop for drop than fine champagne, vintage port or Chanel No 5. . . . how ridiculous is that!!! Perhaps it’s a message to the rich and famous! . . . next time you want to buy something lavish for your wife, buy her some ink cartridges!! A typical family running a busy printer can easily spend £200 a year on ink alone. But that is just the start of it. Those annoying messages have become much more prevalent in recent times as over the past decade manufacturers have actually reduced the amount of ink inside each cartridge. It’s a bit like those round tubs of Celebrations / Roses / Quality Street chocs, which look to be the same price as last year, only this year the tub is a lot smaller! Isn’t it about time these companies were investigated by ‘Fair Trading’! The evidence of Cartel trading is there for all to see – like it or not, ink cartridges are a complete and utter rip off. At the same time the manufacturers are making it as hard as possible for us to buy cheaper second hand, recycled and refilled cartridges. In today’s world of scams, dodgy deals and consumer stitch ups, surely the great computer ink rip-off is one of the most cynical. I’m sorry to admit that years ago I rarely experienced any trouble with typewriters. The ribbon in my old Olivetti lasted years. Okay, the days when companies sold long-lasting products that rarely needed replacing are gone but the 21st century business model is to initially lure the customer with a cheap printer and then force them to come back again and again for outrageously priced accessories. I’ve seen many half decent printers priced at £30 or even less – what a bargain! That is until a few months time when you will have spent twice as much as the cost of the printer on ink . . . a right, royal con racket!! The price of these inks is truly astronomical – I swear the ink that I have to buy is 14 carat! A cartridge costs me £13 and contains a measly 4ml of ink — that’s more than £3,000 a litre. I can buy a bottle of 1995 Dom Perignon champagne for £150! Manufacturers claim that a cartridge is a sophisticated device but the contents is being sold in ever tinier quantities. I checked an old printer in my loft and in 2004, my cartridges had 42ml of ink and cost about £20. Today, it’s 5ml and sells for £13. so what’s going on? If you’re buying a printer, check the cost of the refills. And avoid printers that have ‘threein-one’ colour cartridges — it’s cheaper to buy the three colours, cyan, magenta and yellow, as separate refills. When some printers are turned on, they clean the cartridge’s nozzles by running ink through them and splattering it on to an absorbent pad within the printer. The cycle is supposed to keep the tiny nozzles free of dirt.But it means that people who leave their printer on, or who print masses of documents in one go, use less ink than people who turn their printer off and on and who print the same number of documents over several weeks.
out of money!
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The consequences
F
orgetting about all the trials and tribulations in our lives, in this truly amazing world we live in, it’s been said by many that the main threat to mankind is from man himself! Take the possible idiosyncrasy associated with the super powers of this world and their obsessions with strategic defence. Just one nuclear explosion can instantly obliterate any city in this world – a sombre fact that was demonstrated twice back in 1945. A nuclear explosion is horrendously powerful, destroying and killing by means of blast wave, wind, heat, fire and radiation. Radiation also contaminates food and water. Nuclear detonations within urban and industrial areas would ignite immense firestorms which would burn everything imaginable and create millions of tons of thick, black smoke. Much of this smoke would rapidly be lofted above cloud level, into the stratosphere, where it would block warming sunlight from reaching the lower atmosphere and surface of the Earth. Sunlight would then markedly heat the upper atmosphere and cause massive destruction of the protective ozone layer, while darkness below would reduce average surface temperatures on our planet characteristic to those experienced during the Ice Age. Food crops and other plants would die. Without food to eat, humans and animals would die of starvation. Consider the reliance that the United States of America has on the wheatfields of Canada. Past history shows us how a dip in annual temperatures and rainfall can drastically affect harvest yields, so just imagine the effects that would be created by nuclear conflict. Some nine countries are said to have the capacity to launch nuclear attacks and the sad fact is that even a nuclear war fought between two of the smaller nations would produce enough smoke to make the blue skies of Earth appear grey. Although the amount of sunlight blocked by this smoke would not produce the profound darkening of the Earth, it is widely considered that the deadly climate change created by this conflict would be likely to have devastating effects, globally upon all human populations through its negative influence upon agriculture. To complicate matters further, a few other nations appear to be in the process of developing their own nuclear weapons. Terrorist organisations are also only too eager to get hold of them. Like it or not, nuclear weapons remain the gravest and most immediate threat to human civilisation. There are still some 25,000 nuclear weapons worldwide, weapons that one day, terrorists may gain access too. Although it is plainly clear that the environmental consequences of nuclear war threaten the continued survival of the human race, neither the U.S., nor Russia, nor any other nuclear weapons state has ever officially evaluated what effects a war fought with their weapons would have upon the Earth’s climate and ecosystems. The unalterable conclusion is that in a nuclear war there are no winners. Nuclear weapons must be seen not only as instruments of mass murder, but as instruments of global annihilation.
of conflict
23 27
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BRITAINS FAVOURITE
T
hink of chips and a lot of us think that they are part of English tradition! It might surprise you to know they actually originated in Belgium!! Undoubtably, they are the delicacy that took over the world. Even if aliens invaded our planet, I reckon they’d keep most of the chip shops open! So what makes the perfect chip? Some like them thick and soggy, some like them thin and crispy, some like them crinkle cut. This delicacy has been delighting palates all around the world for a very long time with the Belgians getting very little credit from anyone for coming up with this simple but very likeable meal. The first documented consumption of the humble chip was in 1802 when American president Thomas Jefferson entertained some guests at a White House dinner. The menu shamefully described them as ‘potatoes served in the French manner’ and it is thought that the French muscled in by later renaming them French fries - as they were probably in awe of the Belgians superiority in the manufacture of chocolate fondants. Recently a well known chef outlined the criteria for perfection. The choice of potato variety was very important as they should be high in starch. The perfect chip should be fried in oil at 130°C for around 11 minutes and then left to rest for around 10 minutes before being thrown back into the oil at 180° for 5 minutes. Personally, I don’t think I’ve ever sampled chips cooked in that manner, so if this is the way you cook your chips, an invite would be most welcome - I’ll even bring me own sauce!!
FOOD!
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a
spice
L
ike it or loathe it, you may be interested to know that mustard is incredibly versatile. Essentially a winter crop, the plant can reach 4-5 feet in height and bears golden yellow coloured flowers. Its tiny, round seeds measure about one millimetre in diameter and are encased inside a fruit pod in a similar fashion to a green pea pod. A simple, but well favoured use of mustard is in its mix with honey. Try stirring mustard seeds into clear runny honey for a pot of pure sugar and spice. Then use it to glaze meat or stir into vinaigrette. Alternatively, mix equal parts of wholegrain mustard with honey and spread onto toast for a mean addition to Welsh rarebit or if you want some unique nutty nibbles for a party that are dangerously addictive, mix in some whole cashew nuts. It’s wonderfully simple, but very tasty, although you may need to experiment before you get the right blend! Mustard popcorn is pretty moreish too. Toss some thin, crispy snips of fried bacon in there too for the ultimate savoury snack. Alternatively, just give some chicken, beef or pork a drymustard marinade and it’ll make your usual Sunday lunch mouthwateringly different. In summer mustard seed sprouts can pack a spicy punch in a salad and they’re also a good way to shake up a standard egg sarnie. When it comes to sweets, it may surprise you to know that a teaspoon of mustard powder can turn a complex chocolate cake into something rather special and it’s said to be pretty wonderful in a carrot cake too. In general, three main varieties of mustard are grown for use worldwide. White mustard (Brassica alba) has light straw coloured seeds that are slightly larger than the other two varieties and are mildly pungent. Black mustard (Brassica nigra) is commonly seen in South Asia (pictured right). The seeds are sharp and more pungent than other two varieties. Brown mustard (Brassica juncea) is native to sub-Himalayan plains of Northern India. Medicinally, mustard offers cures for very sore throats as well as being an additive to bathwater that’s said to soothe muscles, aches and pains. Unlike a mud bath, this doesn’t involve rubbing hot mustard all over your skin. Instead make your own mustardy bath salts and take a long, hot soak - traditionally mustard seeds and its oil have been used to relieve rheumatism and arthritic pain, so don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! In India, mustard oil is applied over the scalp and is believed to stimulate hair growth and its ground seeds act as a laxative stimulant to gastric mucosa and increase intestinal secretion. Generally perceived as a health benefiting spice, mustard seeds are indeed very rich in phyto-nutrients, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants. Being one of the chief oil seeds, mustards are indeed very high in calories; 100g of seeds provide 508 calories. Nonetheless, the seeds are made of quality proteins, essential oils, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. In general mustard seeds and its oil are considered being safe for human consumption when used in small amounts. However, large quantities of mustard may cause gastric irritation, bleeding from the stomach and intestinal mucosa. It may cause skin burn when applied over skin for a prolonged time. Erucic acid in mustards has been found to have possible genotoxic and carcinogenic effects in laboratory studies.
of life . . .
30
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25/07/2011 09:30
Delapre T
he second Battle of Northampton was fought during the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485) and in the wake of their defeat at the Battle of Ludford Bridge in October 1459, several of the Yorkist commanders, including the Earl of Warwick (Richard Neville), Earl of Salisbury, and the Earl of March (Edward Plantagenet), retreated across the Channel to Calais. Other Yorkist leaders, including the Duke of York, backed off across the water to the relative safety of Ireland. Despite their efforts, the Lancastrians failed to gain control over Calais and Ireland after encountering a formidible Yorkist presence. As a result, preparations were made to cross the Channel with reinforcements to take Calais by force and construction soon began on a transport fleet near Sandwich in Kent.
1460
Learning that the ships were virtually built, the Yorkist leader, the Earl of Warwick launched an audacious raid on the port near Sandwich and captured the ships and took them back to Calais where he and his fellow commanders began planning a fresh raid on England. Soon afterwards, Warwick got wind of a Lancastrian rebuilding programme planned for the yards at Sandwich, so in May 1460, Warwick attacked again and seized occupancy of the town. Leaving a small Yorkist force in Sandwich, he returned to Calais to prepare his army for an onslaught and on June 26, he returned with around 2,000 men. While marching on London, the Yorkist ranks dramatically increased to a reported 20,000 men – indeed some reports suggest it was 30,000 strong! Alerted to Warwick’s arrival in England, King Henry VI elected to move his regiments, estimated at between 10,000 and 15,000, away from Coventry to Northampton. Commanded by the Duke of Buckingham, the King’s army took up a formidible defensive position along the River Nene, not far from Delapre Abbey. Placing the river at their back, they dug a water-filled ditch across their front and topped it with pointed stakes. Though the bulk of Henry’s army consisted of men-at-arms as well as some field artillery as back up, such was the protection offered by their superior position, the Lancastrians regarded themselves almost impregnable. Informed that Henry’s army had shifted, Warwick moved north from London towards Northampton. While his army were marching towards the Rose of the Shires, Warwick dispatched a messenger requesting a meeting with the King, but on his arrival, Buckingham refused the messenger access and told him that “The Earl of Warwick shall not come to the King’s presence and if he comes he shall die.” Not to be denied, Warwick sent two more messengers before reaching the battlefield. On July 10, as his army arrived opposite the Lancastrian position, Warwick sent a final message stating “At 2 o’clock I will speak with the King or I will die.” As 2pm approached, Warwick’s men formed into columns and prepared for the carnage that lay ahead. E
35
Castle
Yorkist Attack Hunsbury Hill Yorkists under: Earl of Warwick Earl of March Lord Fauconberg
Warwick March Fauconberg
Delapre Abbey
Lancastrians 1. Lord Gray 2. Duke of Buckingham 3. Earl of Shrewsbury 4. Henry VI C = Cannons
Moving forward, the Yorkist troops were forced to endure a shower of arrows from the Lancastrians as well as some fierce driving rain. Although the rain slowed the advance, it prevented the Lancastrians from effectively using their artillery. Focusing his attack on the Lancastrian right, commanded by Lord Grey of Ruthin, the battle took a very unusual turn as Warwick was stunned to see his immediate enemy laying down their weapons. Deciding his fortunes would be best served by the Yorkists, Lord Grey and his command effectively defected in mid-battle - a totally unexpected twist that centred on a Yorkist promise, made to Lord Grey in wake of a property dispute he was having!! Grey’s treachery left the Lancastrians high and dry! Warwick’s men swarmed into the Lancastrian camp and Buckingham was unable to manoeuvre troops to block the Yorkist advance. Driving forward their attack, the Yorkists completely routed the Lancastrians after about 30 minutes of hand to hand fighting with a minimal number of losses. The Lancastrians fought valiantly to save their King but their efforts proved fruitless as Yorkist troops quickly seized the King from his tent and once again placed Henry VI under the control of the Yorkists. The Lancastrians suffered badly with around 300 killed or wounded and many foot soldiers drowned attempting to escape the overrun encampment by swimming the rain-swollen River Nene. However, their fortunes changed at the Battle of Wakefield the following December. As well as the King, only Lord Hungerford and John Lord Lovel were taken prisoner. The Duke of Buckingham (Humphrey Stafford), Lord Egremont (Thomas Percy), Viscount John Beaumont, Sir William Lucy and the Earl of Shrewsbury (Sir John Talbot) all met their deaths. Jean de la Foix, the Earl of Kendal and Lord de la Warre all defected to the Yorkists.
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The art of When something goes wrong with complaining a purchase most people like to air their grievances face to face, but now we are in the age of the On-line internet this has become more difficult. So what can we do? Complaining on Twitter is like going into the centre of the offending store with a megaphone. If you don’t use Twitter, here’s what to do: Go to Twitter. com and sign up by registering your name and email address then create a password. Choose a Twitter name or handle as it’s called - this could be your name – @DaveBloggs, for example. However, it can’t be the same as anyone else’s name. To find the Twitter handle of the company you want to complain to use the search box and choose from the suggestions. Press the follow button so they will see your gripe. If it’s a large company, look for a small blue circled tick – this indicates it’s a ‘bona fida’ account for that company. Then compose your tweet of complaint, but remember that you only have 140 characters per tweet, so keep it short and to the point. Mention the company’s Twitter name midway through your comment so that everyone on Twitter can easily see it, for example: very unhappy with @poortradesman – poor service. Finally don’t forget to add #complaint at the end of your tweet to flag up that you have a gripe that needs sorting out. When complaining be prepared and know your rights in advance. Sending your complaint via email doesn’t mean the tone should be less formal. If you feel your complaint has not been answered, take it to the top. You can go beyond the company’s website to find more contact details at companieshouse.gov.uk where information is either free or available for a minimal charge. If you’re complaining by phone, always keep notes about your complaint, who you’ve just spoken to, what they’ve said and when, just in case you need to follow it up. Don’t lose your temper. If you’re abusive to Call Centre staff you will almost certainly be disconnected. If you’re not satisfied ask to speak with a manager. Should this not be possible then ask for the email address that handles complaints. Counter arguments: Always have an answer: if the seller says ‘no receipt no refund’ then you say ‘I have another proof of purchase, my bank or card statement.’ If the seller says ‘you need to take your complaint up with the manufacturer’ you say ‘no, under the Sale of Goods Act, I have a right to return faulty goods to the retailer.’ If the seller says ‘you bought in the sale, you can’t return it,’ you say ‘yes I can. Even if the item is in a sale, it doesn’t affect my statutory right to return the faulty goods if this wasn’t pointed out to me when I bought it.’ If the seller says ‘is a credit note alright?’ You say ‘no, I’d rather have a refund’ - always push for this to ensure you’re not held hostage should the company run into financial problems. Also be aware that some retailers have different refund and complaint period than others i.e. John E E
39
Lewis who stretch limits to 90 days, whereas Currys return period is only 21 days. This really is something you need to check for yourself with your vendor. Never pay for returns. Ring customer services and asked them to arrange collection or send you a freepost sticker. John Lewis, M&S, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Boots, Curry’s, BHS, Jaeger and Laura Ashley will all pick up the tab. Argos offers free collection on large items. It’s also worth knowing that if you are buying items online by mail order and over the phone you have an extra level of protection over and above the Sale of Goods Act. You can cancel the purchase from the moment you order it up to 7 working days after you receive it. It doesn’t matter whether it’s faulty or you have simply changed your mind. This rule doesn’t apply to personalised goods, unsealed or sealed CDs and DVDs, food, flowers, newspapers and magazines. If the item doesn’t turn up within 30 days you can also ask the vendor for a refund. Finally when all other complaint routes have failed. reach out for section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. It’s a brilliant fallback! If you’re having trouble getting your money back from a retailer on the high street or online and you’ve paid by credit card having spent at least £100 and less than £30,000 you can claim your money back through the card provider.
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The
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Park Life
T
he past year saw so many achievements in the park and much to be proud about, and the Friends will continue to work with everyone who uses and loves the park to create an ever improving place to visit, play and enjoy whatever your age. One huge step forward that is already in place is the increased opening hours of the Museum. It is a wonderful old manor house that families and individuals love to visit and we know from our members that it holds long memories for many of you of childhood as well as of more recent times. We are delighted that the Museum is now open during the winter months as follows: April - October: Thursday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays between 1pm - 5pm November - March: Saturday and Sundays between 12pm - 4pm Whilst the doors are shut, all is not quiet in there – the Leathercraft Museum Curator and volunteers have been busy cataloguing their extensive archive. Philip Warner, the Curator is among our guest speakers for 2015, but don’t worry if you cannot be there, we send round resumes of talks to all members in our newsletters. We also await the publication of the first plans for the wider developments in Abington Museum – promised for early in 2015. All in all then 2015 looks like being another momentous year for Abington and its park! A Happy New Year to all our members and to the readers of this magazine! Anne Stevens, Secretary Friends of Abington Park, Chair, Abington Park Management Committee. To find out more about the Friends contact: friendsofabingtonpark@gmail.com or Tel: 01604 631890
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Introducing
he KPD Groups motto is: “We move people and products in the UK and beyond.“ Formed in the 1999, they have become one of the most respected airport travel companies in the area. Their modern fleet of vehicles is proof enough that the company has been designed around its customers needs. Going on holiday is a very stressful time, and you may be thinking “Will they turn up at 3 o’clock in the morning?” Well rest assured! Like most of their customers, you will soon realise that you are dealing with someone quite different, someone extremely reliable! As soon as you speak to one of their staff in Brixworth, they will put you at ease. Over the last 15 years they have built up a reliable, professional team. Their accounts department will open a credit account for business users (subject to conditions). They are extremely lucky to have some of Northampton’s blue chip companies among their clients as their transport and courier business operates all over the UK and Europe. They are entrusted with items of immense importance and part of their group handles Motor Sport Logistics that involves working with some of the top teams in Formula 1 racing. Take a look at their website at www.kpdgroup.com. You can also join them on twitter and like their page @kpdgroup or get the best from their facebook page /thekpdgroup. Whether you need Private or Executive Hire, Courier Services or Corporate Logistics, call them on 01604 882798. (They also have vacancies on their driving team, see website for info).
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Lock it ..... or lose it! T
he crime rate relating to the theft of cycles and accessories is definitely on the increase, in certain areas of Northamptonshire there have been thefts from people’s rear gardens, sheds and garages. Every cyclist should be vigilant in how and where they store their pride and joy. Its thought that being regular bike users, commuting, training etc that they have been observed and thus targeted!! If your best bikes can be kept inside also well and good, however this isn’t always an option and if the choice has to be the garden or shed, at least make sure that your bike is secure. It’s fair to say that if someone has targeted you as a known bike owner they will probably turn up prepared to some degree, but why make it easy for them? Keep the shed well locked, and keep your bike even better locked, if possible not only locked but also secured to your shed structure or other more permanent fixture. When out and about it pays to carry a couple of good quality locks if you know that you will be leaving your bike for even just a short period of time, whether quickly popping into the bank or shop or maybe to leave the bike for a longer period ie in a cycle rack at the station or your place of work for the day. Lock your wheels to the frame and your frame/wheels to the stand or other fixed structure. Money spent on good locks is money well spent. Check out our selection at www.mintcycles.co.uk Check your insurance, with bike insurance it is always worth reading the small print as to the value to which you will be covered and under what circumstances! by Steve@MintCycles.co.uk
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46
Moulton College Social Centre The College Social Centre is a state-of-the-art, fully licensed facility, comprising the Barn Bar, the Chris Alderson-Smith Dining Suite and the Loft Bar. The Barn Bar is a large, open plan area accommodating up to 200 people that can be used for a variety of different events, including trade fairs, birthday parties, Christmas parties, Christening receptions, dance classes, group meetings and training events. Tarifs
The Chris Alderson-Smith Dining Suite is the main College catering facility. This can seat up to 250 people and can be used for a variety of different formal or informal lunch or evening events. The Loft Bar is a smaller, more intimate venue that can be used as part of a larger event or on its own for smaller events. Search for us on www.venuefinder.com
Charges
College Social Centre Chris AldersonSmith Dining Suite
No charge if a full meal is booked
The Barn
£100 per day Friday - Sunday / £30 Monday - Thursday evening. Additional charges during December
The Loft
£60 per day Friday - Sunday / £20 Monday - Thursday evening
Bedrooms Single en-suite bedroom
£33 per night bed and breakfast / £9 for a two course lunch or dinner with soft drinks
Twin en-suite bedroom
£28 per night, per person bed and breakfast / £9 for a two course lunch or dinner with soft drinks
To discuss any aspect of these facilities please email: thevenue@moulton.ac.uk or contact one of our Hotel Services Managers on: 01604 491131 Moulton College, West Street, Moulton, Northampton, NN3 7RR www.moulton.ac.uk
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Quinton House School Independent, co-educational 2 – 18 years
Considering options for your child’s future education? Our doors are always open – come and visit us. Our dedicated team can offer support and guidance to help you make an informed decision. We offer: • Nurturing, supportive school with a family atmosphere • Traditional values and academic challenge for every child • Excellent Sport, Drama and Art facilities, as well as fully equipped Science laboratories, sports hall and Food Technology suite • Wrap around care from 8am to 6pm included in the fees • Transport to school and home at end of school day and after clubs
For further information, help or advice, please contact us on 01604 684828 or visit our website www.quintonhouseschool.co.uk please mention abington & around when responding to adverts
Local Football Update
A
s we enter 2015, the United Counties League is at the midway stage of it’s current campaign. In particular, by Andy Goldsmith Northampton Spencer are enjoying an excellent run, but it’s not all doom and gloom for our other two local clubs. Here’s a progress report on how all three clubs have faired so far . . . Northampton Sileby Rangers – Premier Division (based at Fernie Fields near Parklands). The men from NN3 have found it tough going in the top flight and presently sit in the relegation places, three points from safety, having accrued only 11 points from their opening 18 games. However, on a positive note they do have up to 6 games in hand on the clubs directly above them and there’s good news on the injury front. Manager Daren Youngs options have been boosted by the welcome news of the return of a host of injured players for the start of the New Year. Defenders Randy Bondjanga and Dan Dineen, midfielder Sam Maude and front men Richard Moore and Dominic Okanu are all available for selection. Sileby have also added two new faces to their squad; Goalkeeper Shaun Edwards has signed from Midland League Studley while winger Sam Gyasi was previously with Bedford Town. Northampton Spencer - Division One (based in Studland Road, Kingsthorpe). Northampton Spencer ended 2014 on top of the Division One table with games in hand on their promotion rivals. The Millers signed off the year with eleven successive league victories, starting in October. Their 3-1 Boxing Day derby victory at ON Chenecks lifted them to the top of the table for the first time this term. A recent addition to the Spencer squad is wide man Deanio Bailey-Browne from Division One rivals Olney. Further good news for the Millers saw manager Ben Stone pick up the UCL Division One Manager of the Month award for December. Spencer collected maximum points from six matches, defeating Buckingham, Raunds and Lutterworth at home and Peterborough Sports, Woodford and ON Chenecks away from Kingsthorpe Mill, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three. Impressive stuff!! Northampton ON Chenecks - Division One (based in Billing Road, Abington). ON Chenecks saw their long unbeaten run ended on 20th December when going down 3-2 at Irchester. They had picked up 33 points from their previous thirteen Division One matches, winning ten and drawing three since a home defeat by Lutterworth Athletic early in September. The Boxing Day clash with Spencer saw a near three figure crowd witness the local derby at Billing Road. The two sides have been kept apart in the Junior Cup, with Chenecks hosting Raunds and Spencer hosting Weldon the Quarter Finals. Meanwhile, in the Les Underwood Northants Junior Cup, both teams were due to be in action on the 10th January in the Quarter finals. Holders Chenecks were clearly in no mood to surrender their trophy after the demolition of division one rivals Raunds took them into the last four of the competition. Chenecks were quick out of the blocks with Ben Lewington scoring twice, after twelve and fifteen minutes. Elliott Muddiman added a 21st minute third to tighten the holders’ grip on the tie before ‘man of the match’ Lewington completed his hat trick after 74 minutes. Adam Hancock had the last word four minutes later. Disappointingly, Spencers game against Northants Combination leaders, Weldon fell foul of the bad weather, due to a waterlogged pitch at the Mill. The Semi-Final draw potentially sees the two town clubs kept apart, with ON Chenecks hosting Harpole and Spencer away at Blisworth if they can overcome Weldon.
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Lancashire Hotpot Serves: 4 Cook time: Ready in 2 hours. Total time: Over 60 Minutes Ingredients: Low calorie cooking spray; 8 lamb leg steaks, all visible fat removed, cut into bite-size pieces; 3 large onions, roughly chopped; 4 celery sticks, roughly chopped; 4 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped; 1 level tbsp plain flour; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 4 tbsp tomato purée; 500ml lamb stock; 2 bay leaves; 800g potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced; A handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, to garnish. Method: Preheat your oven to 160°C/140°C Fan/Gas 3. Place a large casserole dish sprayed with low calorie cooking spray over a high heat. Cook the lamb in 2 batches for 3-4 minutes each, or until browned. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon, cover and set aside. Add the onions, celery and carrots to the dish and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle over the flour and cook for a further 2 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato purée and stock, and bring to the boil. Return the lamb to the dish, stir in the bay leaves and remove from the heat. Arrange the sliced potatoes on top of the meat and veg, cover and cook in the oven for 1½ hours, or until the potatoes and lamb are tender. Turn up the heat to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6, spray the potato slices with low calorie cooking spray and cook the hotpot for a further 10 minutes, uncovered, until golden. Garnish with the parsley and serve. Tip: Make it a beef hotpot by using 800g beef stewing steak (all visible fat removed) instead.
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Culinar y habits
I
f you’ve travelled to places afar, how many times have you seen local delacies that have turned your stomach? Or, on the other hand, how many times have you craved an English condiment that would usually brighten up your meal back home? The chances are that both have been banned by someone, somewhere! Take tomato ketchup for instance. Our beloved tomato sauce which makes that bacon sarnie complete is totally banned in French primary schools as it’s seen as a cultural threat to French cooking among children and, apparently, masks the taste of whatever they’re eating. Personally speaking, the only way you’d get me eating frogs legs is if they were swimming in ketchup . . . . . [actually, thinking again, I’ve changed my mind]! Another case is Marmite. Whether you love it or hate it, over here that black spreadable stuff is a national institution. However, it’s a different story in Denmark because apparently, the yeast extract defies a 2004 law that restricts food products fortified with vitamins. Rumour has it that a Danish foreign minister had an affair with his Marmite loving, English au pair and soon after she was deported and a Marmite prohibition came into force. Another myth claims that had it not been for Marmite, the Vikings would still be ruling England! Meanwhile, across the pond, if you’re Scottish, don’t bother looking for your favourite meal, haggis. This Scottish sausage made from sheep’s stomach stuffed with diced sheep’s liver, lungs, heart, oatmeal, onion and seasoning is an absolute non-starter in America. Some trumped up stateside law states there’s a law against sheep’s lungs in food products in the States! - possibly designed to cut obesity rates? So don’t let any of your mates eat haggis in the states, to add to obesity rates! Foie gras is a French delicacy made from the liver of a duck or goose that has been specially fattened. Over 14 countries have reacted to this act of cruelty as they object to force feeding birds to swell their livers to 10 times the normal size. So next time you’re in France and served foie gras get your own back - ask for some ketchup! Ever tried pufferfish? This freshwater fish puffs up like a balloon when threatened, so don’t annoy or fry it. Anyway, it’s been banned by the European Union because if prepared wrongly, it’s said to be deadly poisonous. Since the ban, death rates among married men have dropped dramatically! Now, what about a nice cream cracker with a hunk of Casu Marzu? This isn’t your average cheese. It’s made in Sardinia with fly larvae [yes, you read that right]. Naturally those wimps in America and the EU say that it doesn’t comply with hygiene standards and can have side effects including allergic reactions. I have to admit that I don’t fancy trying it . . . not even with some Branston on it! Finally, if you’re feeling peckish on the flight home, don’t go asking the steward for a helping of surstromming as they may think you’re a terrorist! This Swedish delicacy of fermented herring smells like rotting rubbish and is banned on many airlines who claim it can be explosive and that it falls into the category of being a dangerous weapon. We did ask whether this phenomenon occurred before or after eating it!
from around the world!
52
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night T sky The
he bright winter constellations are now getting lower in the western sky and will soon be gone from view and the onset of spring brings Feb/March with it much lighter nights with the Sun setting later each evening. Look towards the western sky as dusk fades into night and you will see an extremely bright “star” - the planet Venus. Shrouded in reflective white clouds, despite being the same size as the Earth, isn’t a very nice place to visit. Sulphuric acid rain, high winds and a surface temperature hot enough to melt lead. Very high in the Southern sky another very bright planet, Jupiter, is visible. Use binoculars to see the four bright Galilean Moons as they jostle around the planet. Look almost overhead to see the seven bright stars of The Plough. This is a distinct saucepan shaped pattern. Look at the second star from the end of the handle. Can you see it as two stars very close together? This is a good eyesight test. Look at the two stars at the other end. These are called the Pointers as they guide you onto one of the most important stars in our sky; Polaris, or the North Star. Draw a line between these two stars and extend it northwards, you will eventually come to Polaris. It’s not overly bright, but is located almost directly above Earth’s North Pole. Everything in the sky appears to rotate around this star. Draw the line in the opposite direction and you come to the constellation of Leo. Part of the constellation, The Sickle of Leo, looks like a back-to-front question mark. In this constellation and Virgo lower in the east we are looking out of our own Milky Way galaxy. An observer with a small telescope will be able to pick out many faint fuzzy objects in this region. Each one of these hazy patches is a Milky Way sized galaxy in itself, containing at least 100 billion stars. Light from the galaxies in this region takes almost 54 million years to reach us. We find distances like this very difficult to comprehend, so it’s humbling to think that these are some of our very closest neighbours. By Dave Eagle, Northampton Natural History Society. http://nnhs.info/
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he Northampton Breast Cancer Support Group was started over 25 years ago; by a lady who found that after undergoing her treatment, there was no one to share her experience with and support her recovery. The group is based in East Hunsbury and meets once a month on a Monday evening. We are all ladies of varying ages, who have experienced this dreadful disease and feel that it is important to share and talk with others who have perhaps received the bad news, or are coming to the end of their treatments. We can offer practical advice and helpful tips, but not medical advice. All that attend the sessions find it good to chat to others that understand, and at times it can bring comfort and relief. So if you feel you could benefit from a little extra help come and have a cup of tea and a cake, and join in; everyone is welcome. For more info call: Regi on 07887390971 or Julie on 01604 763485 e-mail: northamptonbreastcancergroup@gmail.com
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What’s on in February & March 2 Feb Rachmaninov Remembered at Derngate 3 Feb Simon Anstell at the Royal 4 Feb Singalong Sound of Music at Derngate 5 Feb Omid Djalili at Derngate 5 Feb Sarah Pascoe at the Royal 6 Feb Johann Strauss Gala at Derngate 7 February Morning Boost with Janine Thomas ‘Making positive changes’ 11-12.30 FREE at Abington Library 7 Feb Cobblers v Morecambe at Sixfields 7 Feb Antiques & Collectors Fayre (10am to 4pm) at Abington Church Rooms, Park Ave North (refreshments) 8 Feb Upfront Comedy Slam at Derngate 8 Feb Book signing with local author James McInverney 1.30 -3pm at Abington Library 11-12 Feb Ross Noble at the Derngate 13 Feb Saints v London Irish at Franklins Grdns (19.45) 18 Feb Mark Watson at the Royal 19-28 Feb Oklahoma! At Derngate 19 Feb Andy Parsons at the Royal 21 Feb Cobblers v York City at Sixfields 23-28 Feb Peter Pan goes wrong at the Royal 27 Feb Saints v Harlequins at Franklins Gardens (19.45) 28 Feb Morning Boost with Janine 11.30 - 12.30 at Abington Library 28 Feb O.N’s 1st XV v Paviors at Billing Road Echoes of Northampton Castle at Hazelrigg House in Marefair, Northampton: runs every Friday & Saturday 10-4pm , Sundays 12-4pm Ends Feb 28th. Brownies Centenary Exhibition at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery (runs till 1st March 2015)
1 Mar Chinese New Year Parade Abington St 11-3pm 3 Mar Cobblers v Portsmouth at Sixfields 3 Mar The Boy in the striped Pyjamas at the Royal 7 Mar Antiques & Collectors Fayre (10am to 4pm) at Abington Church Rooms, Park Ave North (refreshments) 10 Mar Rumours of Fleetwood Mac at Derngate 11 Mar Brendan Cole at Derngate 12 Mar Madama Butterfly at Derngate 12-14 Mar A Clockwork Orange at the Royal 14 Mar Cobblers v Tranmere at Sixfields 16-21 Mar Jesus Christ Superstar at Derngate 16-21 Mar The Mikado at the Royal 21 Mar Festival of Rugby in Town Centre 24 Mar James Hornsby ‘Dracula’ 7 pm Tickets £6.50 including drinks. Book at Abington Library 24-26 Mar The Secret Adverary at the Royal 27 Mar Stiff Little Fingers at the Roadmender 7.30pm 28 Mar Saints v Wasps at Franklins Gardens (3pm) 28 Mar Cobblers v Luton Town at Sixfields 29 Mar The Essence of Ireland at Derngate Parklands Art Society has vacancies - Call Jenny on 01604 405923 Northamptonshire Philatelic Society. Meetings at Northampton & County Club Georges Row: 5 Feb, 5 March, 3 April, 7 May, 5 June. Northamptonshire Family History Society Meetings at Weston Favell Parish Hall Booth Lane: 16 Feb, 16 March, 20 April, 18 May, 15 June. Weekly Saturday 11 - 11.30 Story time for the under 5’s at Abington Library
QUIZ ANSWERS from pages 6 & 9 CROSSWORD: ACROSS 1. Dhal. 5. Purges. 8. Fresco. 9. Nobles. 10. Dido. 11. Gridiron. 13. Passion Flower. 16. Bethesda. 19. Twin. 20. Utopia. 22. Rubens. 23. Betrayal. 24. Reed. DOWN: 2. Hermitage. 3. Lessons. 4. Among. 5. Pontiff. 6. Rabbi. 7. Eye. 12. Obedience. 14. Ossuary. 15. October. 17. Hyper. 18. April. 21. Tie. SPORTSWORD: 1. Carlos Cuellar 2. Andy Irvine 3. Roland Garros 4. Los Angeles 5. Otis Nixon 6. Ted Dexter 7. Albert Adomah. The LPGA Golfer is Carlotta Ciganda.
MOTHERS DAY QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. Angelina Jolie, 2. Madonna, 3. Catherine Zeta-Jones, 4. Jackie Kennedy Onassis, 5. The Queen, 6. Indira Ghandi, 7. Amanda Holden.
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...to this!
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Call Phil on 07743 319751 / 01604 821717 philip.wood23@ntlworld.com 16 Northfield Way, Kingsthorpe, Northampton NN2 8AN please mention abington & around when responding to adverts
ollowing on from CCTV, the outcome of some legal disputes could now become simplified after the recent launch of a new company, Air and Space Evidence Limited of London. The company directors intend to use their combined experience of space based photographic databases and Earth Observation Privacy Law to ensure that people can now present authentic imagery that stands up in a court of law. This new form of legitimate evidence could help homeowners resolve garden boundary disputes or businesses to fight vehicle theft. Insurers could also find it useful in investigating fraud and councils in tackling environmental issues such as illegal waste incineration, logging and quarrying! The cost is said to be less than having your house surveyed and could save a significant amount of money in terms of shortening time spent in a courtroom. It may strike you that you could easily use Google Earth or Microsoft Bing images to obtain the same evidence but satellite images need to have a verified audit trail before they will be accepted in a law court. As it is always possible to modify a digital image, strong archiving procedures plus information on when an image was captured are an essential part of any audit trial. Space Detectives use their expertise in commissioning space images to order and their familiarity with databases from major suppliers like Digital Globe in Colorado, Planet Labs or Skybox Imaging and are exploring the drones market when higher resolution images become necessary. The company already boasts a track record of providing expert witness information and has been involved in a wide range of legal cases including murder!
Well, I never knew that!...
To ADVERTISE in ABINGTON & AROUND magazine call BEV on 07747 632918 or EMAIL: admin@northamptonmagazines.com Deadline for our APRIL issue is 10th of MARCH 2015
School Term Dates Term 3 (2014/15)
Tuesday 6 January to Friday 13 February 2015
Term 4 (2014/15)
Monday 23 February 2015 to Friday 27 March 2015
Term 5 (2014/15) Tuesday 14 April 2015 to Friday 22 May 2015
Term 6 (2014/15)
Monday 1 June 2015 to Tuesday 21 July 2015 (dates taken from N.C.C. website & may vary)
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made not to infringe copyright or image ownerships where applicable.
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Abington Medical Centre 01604 723420 Abington Park Surgery 01604 630396 Al-Anon Family Groups 0207 403 0888 Citizens Advice Bureau 0870 1202433 Electricity (power loss) 0800 056 8090 Gas (emergency) 0800 111 999 King Edward Medical Centre (Ardington Road) 01604 611600 Neighbour Watch 08453 700700 ext.7536 National Assoc Blind 01604 719193 Northampton General Hospital Main 01604 634700 A & E 01604 545601 Outpatients 01604 545485 Police Emergency 101 New Landcross Post Office 01604 621377 Samaritans 08457 909090 Water (emergency) 08457 145 145
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image is everything... If you have never visited us before use this £10 discount voucher to try a new salon experience
£10 off with this voucher at Jungle Red Voucher terms and conditions for new customers only. not to be used with any other offer. minimum spend £20 to claim offer. (cannot be used on retail products). voucher expires MARCH 31st 2015.
Jungle Red | 330 Wellingborough Road, Northampton NN1 4EP | 01604 633220 | www.junglered.co.uk please mention abington & around when responding to adverts
St.Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sHome
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Finished with this magazine? Then pass it onto a friend - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too good to throw away!
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Unit 18, JBJ Business Park, Northampton Road, Blisworth NN7 3DW 01604 702774/07860 497949