July 2022 On Our Doorstep by onourdoorstepbaldock

Raising awareness of what’s on & where to find things locally

Issue 93 July 2022

Baldock, Ashwell, Weston and surrounding villages

Welcome Welcome to the July issue! July marks the end of another academic year and the end of an era for our youngest, who has just finished her GCSEs and completed her secondary school journey! To celebrate, she’s packing her bags and jetting off for a week in the sun with her big sister. Meanwhile the parents seem to be just as relieved that exam season is over, so if the pub has seemed extra busy recently, you know why. After months of hard work and revising I'm sure all students are looking forward to a long summer break before moving on to their next adventure in September, whether that's college, sixth form, university or the big bad world of work! June was jam packed with events and celebrations as the Queen's Jubilee took over the country. You couldn’t walk more than 5 metres without seeing a Union Jack flag or cardboard cutout of one of the royals. Nine year old Eddie Chapman has written a piece for us, all about the jubilee celebrations on his street. You can read it on page 13. June is also home to the annual Big Lunch. Although the weather wasn't on side this year the High Street was still full of fun and delicious food supplied by local vendors. Fingers crossed next year gets a little more sun! We have an update from Cllr Michael Weeks on the

planning application for the homeless hostel at Templar's in Baldock (page 7). Summer is ﬁnally here and it's looking to be our most 'normal' summer since 2019. Looking back it's hard to believe what we've all been through in the last 2 years. It's set to be a season packed full of friends, family, festivals, postponed weddings and so much more that we've missed. Lots of people will be heading abroad for the ﬁrst time since the pandemic. Whether you're staying local, exploring the UK or sunning yourself overseas we hope you have a lovely restful and enjoyable time.

Paul & Jacqui info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk or 07973 788418

Disclaimer All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however On Our Doorstep Baldock cannot take any responsibility for the content of adverts or services provided by the advertisers. Reproduction on whole or in part of this publication without prior permission from the publishers is strictly prohibited.

JULY

2022

JULY

2022

Baldock says farewell to Parish Vicar The Reverend Canon Andrew Holford was ordained in 1990 and came to Baldock from his previous parish in Peterborough, along with his wife Helen and their four children. His first service at St Mary's Church was on 29th September 2004 and for the last 18 years he has been serving as minister in the Benefice of Baldock and Bygrave (which originally included Weston). If any of you have had significant life events at St Mary's Church in the past two decades, you will have found in Andrew a man of great faith, compassion, generosity and humour. Andrew has worked relessly and with great commitment within our town and our local schools. In par cular, throughout his tenure, he has been a tremendous support to the pupils and staff at St Mary's Infant and Junior Schools which has a strong partnership with the church. Andrew also frequently visited the local care homes to give communion to the housebound and minister to those who were less able to come to church. He is very well known amongst the community, o en visi ng his parishioners around town,

riding his bicycle dis nguishable by his flapping red coat! We were delighted that Andrew's dedica on to the Church of England was recognised in 2018 when, on the 5th May, he was made a Canon. A significant part of Andrew's legacy is the ongoing work to improve and restore the fabric of St Mary's Church and we recognise his extensive fundraising efforts over the years in order that this historic local landmark can be enjoyed by future genera ons. Andrew writes: “It has been a delight to serve the people of Baldock as Rector for the last 18 years. Much of the work of a parish priest goes largely unseen, but it has been a real privilege to stand with people in mes of joy and sorrow, as we celebrate new life, celebrate rela onships, celebrate a life well lived and comfort those who mourn. I have been concerned to keep the doors of the church open as much as possible and it has been a joy to see people coming in and out, praying, ligh ng a candle or just si ng quietly. If we have helped to provide meaning and

substance to the lives of individuals in the town I will be content! I have been very touched by the extraordinary generosity and commitment of the town in suppor ng the restora on of the church building. I may not have managed to get the church decorated internally before I leave but it will at least soon be water ght and the raising of £20,000 in our door to door appeal last September was absolutely crucial in allowing that to happen. Thank you for all your friendship to Helen and me over the years from the days when our children were small un l today when our grandchildren come to visit. Whether it is a cheery “hello” in the street or a chat on the doorstep, you help to make Baldock the compassionate and caring community that we have always found it to be.” We will hugely miss Andrew's presence in our town, our church, our community and in our lives. We wish Andrew, Helen and their family all the very best as they start this new chapter of re rement and we feel sure that we will see them all again before too long.

With 20 years experience selling homes locally Thank you to all the people that have recommended me as their personal estate agent in Baldock. I love working here and the town has always held a special place in my heart, it's just great!!

JULY

2022

PLANNING APPLICATION YOUR VIEWS ARE STILL REQUIRED Temporary Change Of Use For 3 Years Templars, 20 High Street Planning Applica ons 22/00927/FP & 22/01498. Dear Residents Following my Note in the June issue of Doorstep Magazine I would like to thank you all for your comments on the above applica on. The ma er will go before NHDC''s Planning Commi ee on a date to be fixed, likely July or August. You may be aware that the applica on will run simultaneously with another, 22/01498 /FP, seeking to extend the exis ng first and second floor accommoda on for another three years. From the comments I have received only one was in support of the applica on. There is some reluctance to oppose the applica on(s) to NHDC for fear of

names and addresses being published. This is not the case as a name and address is required simply for veriﬁca on. It is the comments which will be published in condensed format It is therefore important that objec ons or otherwise are registered with NHDC details at the foot of this email' The comments I have received can be summarised below:Ÿ Present use is a loss an amenity Ÿ Council is said o be commi ed to the well being of Town Centres. The ASB here is hardly contribu ng to that. Ÿ Building is becoming a blight on the High Street. Ÿ Aggressive Begging Ÿ Drinking & Drugs taking place from inhabitants in and around Templars. Ÿ Informed by NHDC that this was a temporary arrangement - now face with another three years with almost double the habitants. Ÿ Residents, par cularly the elderly have a fear of being abused. Ÿ Town turning into a Ghe o.

Owner does not live in Baldock and does not care about the situa on. Ÿ This is destroying Baldock Town Centre. Ÿ Being overun by by problem people. Ÿ Feeling unsafe in our Town Centre. Ÿ Homeless people wrong in a prime site. Ÿ Feel Baldock is being dumped on again. First 3500 house and now this. Ÿ Bussinesses suﬀering Ÿ Car window begging Ÿ Obvious and open drug dealing. Please remember these are not my comments or views but those of the community from emails and other sources that I have received. Please write to NHDC or email quo ng both reference no.’s 22/00927 and 22/01498 as a second applica on has now been submi ed. Considera ons in support or against should be sent to planning.control@north-herts.gov.uk Regards Cllr Michael Weeks Ÿ

July, August & September Availability

2022 Campervan Weekly Hire Rates Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

MAR, ARP, MAY

JUN, JULY, AUG

SEPT, OCT, NOV

DEC, JAN, FEB

£705

£885

£705

£550

JULY

2022

Baldock's Big Lunch wakes up the town!

It's 6am, on Sunday 5 June and in Baldock High Street, normally quiet and inac ve, things are not normal. A team of people are busy placing marquee frames and canvas on the ground, ready to erect seven large marquees to shelter almost 450 people who will be dining 'al fresco' in Baldock High Street to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth's Pla num Jubilee at the Big Lunch. Although the event is not due to start un l midday, site prepara ons began on Saturday, with the se ng up of fairground rides etc. We're anxiously looking at the weather forecast and adjus ng site plans so that everyone will be able to ﬁnd shelter, should the worst happen. 7am and more people arrive, se ng out to bring all the equipment needed for the event; gazebos for the musicians who will

be performing, First Aid, Food service areas and the BEF tent. Also required were sani ser for tables and onsite dispensers, and various other items, such as tables and benches, sail banners and electrical cabling. By 8am, yet a third group of volunteers arrive and begin to collect and set out the 80 tables and 450 chairs that will be needed when everyone arrives. Another group is busy decora ng the marquees and tables to provide a sense of occasion and fes vity. Table cloths, balloons and bun ng are all much in evidence, along with games & ac vi es for children, ensuring that all will have a good me today. Grateful thanks are due to Knights Templar students working for their Duke of Edinburgh awards, who were invaluable in helping decorate, sell raﬄe ckets, set up and generally do anything else that was asked of them. A great bunch of young people, always willing to help and a credit to KTS. The High Street by now is a hive of ac vity and at 10am our stalls arrive, providing souvenirs, sweets & cra and a bar, courtesy of St Mary's & St

John's PTA groups. Space is also secured and prepared for the magic show, which will be star ng at 2.30pm. G LaRoche is fran cally se ng up the music tent; he really is relentless in his posi vity! Final sweep of the area at 11.30am and all seems to be ready as the first of the townsfolk arrive, along with the act due to start the a ernoon's music, Brook William Charles. Will our VIP arrive, who is due to formally open the event? Staff Commander Alex Milne MBE arrives just as I'm having my third ki en and we get ready for the start! Alex is brilliant; she welcomes everyone and cuts the ribbon and cue music! Baldock people really are wonderful; Baldock is definitely the small town with the BIG Heart!

UNIT 12 BONDOR BUSINESS CENTRE, LONDON ROAD, BALDOCK. SG76HP

JULY

2022

Baldock's Pla num Jubilee Big Lunch gets oﬀ to a rousing start and with minor hiccups, everything goes brilliantly. The hard work done by our volunteers and the BEF Directors has really paid oﬀ. Our diners are well fed by Mal ngs Fish & Chip Shop, The White Lion PH, Luna Café, Pixies Café, The Engine PH and Dine Bangla; Chez Burton provides an adult only cocktail, specially mixed for the Pla num Jubilee (that does go down well…). Music is provided by G LaRoche, Magenta Slipperz, Becky Briar Rouge, Brook William Charles & Danny's Disco. Thanks to Abbo s Amusements, Chris for his Magic Show, Face2Face for their face pain ng skills (no I didn't…) and to Oakley Farm, for allowing us to use their hay bales (which we didn't actually use because of the weather – hopefully next year…) All too quickly 5pm came around and it was me to close the show. Many people wanted to stay on, despite the weather (which was kinder to us than it could have been), but all good things do come to an end. Our volunteers got busy again, dying up, clearing away the decora on and returning all the

gazebos, tables, chairs and other things that helped to make this event happen. The marquees finally came down around 7.30pm; special thanks to James Berry and Berry Events for going above & beyond. Our final volunteers packed up and went home to a hot bath and a s ff drink at 8.30pm. Once again, our thanks to everyone who helped to make the Big Lunch the success it was. We also have to thank our sponsors: Grange Aston Mar n, Ha ield Leysbrook Estate Agents Days of Ashwell Crouch's Funeral Directors Baldock Tesco.

Without them, this event would not have happened. The next event in the Baldock Events Forum calendar is the Baldock Cycle Challenge on 18 September 2022. Join us for a leisurely cycle around the beau ful Her ordshire countryside. Set oﬀ in the morning, a ernoon, or do both loops; the choice is yours. Other events in the Baldock Calendar are: Balstock 9-11 September Baldock Fireworks 6 November Charity Ball 19 November Christmas Fayre 3 December Jim McNally Chair Baldock Events Forum

‘New Summer Fab ric Collections Now In’

JULY

2022

Vehicle Accident Repair Specialists

D TIMMS & SON BUILDING SERVICES

Crash Care Centre Hitchin Ltd

Driveways Patios Fencing

Ÿ All Types of Bodywork Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Undertaken PAS125 Accredited Insurance Approved Bodyshop Restoration Project Specialists Resprays Paintless Dent Removal Smart Repairs Wheel Refurbs Collection & delivery

Ti:

01462 441 686

E: info@crashcarecentre.com W: www.crashcarecentre.com 10

JULY

2022

For all enquiries please contact us: DavidTimms@VirginMedia.com

07901602227/ 07759106803 01767 306179

Battery-Powered Luxury

New Genesis Electrified G80 Like most cars in the Genesis range, the new Electrified G80 looks stunning. The Bentley inspira on is clear to see – not just by the Genesis badge, which is indis nguishable from Bentley's at a distance – but also by the enormous front grille. The interior is invi ng, with comfortable seats that are great for motorway cruising. They are also bolstered enough to hold you in place in the bends if you dial up the thro le pedal on twisty roads. While the interior isn't as outrageous as some Genesis cars, the dashboard layout looks lovely and has a premium feel. The cabin is spacious, too, and the visibility out of the front is good, thanks to the rela vely thin pillars. However, this is not the case in the back, as the sloping roofline creates some meaty posts. But helpfully, a rear-view camera is included. There is a liberal amount of space in the rear, as well. So, unless your passengers are well over six feet tall, there shouldn't be a problem. But, boot space is only 354-litres, reduced from 424-litres in the petrol version of the G80.

The infotainment screen is crystal clear and it's one of the be er ones I've seen. It is easy to use but comprehensive enough to keep you occupied if you enjoy playing with se ngs. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connec vity are factory-ﬁ ed, while there's a DAB radio and voice ac va on, which works reasonably well. The 370PS generated by the electric motors will grab the headlines. But it's the amount of torque that's the eyebrow-raiser. Compared with the petrol-powered version, you get an extra 65PS, but torque measures 516lb/ that's over 200lb/ more than the fossilfuelled G80. As a result, the car accelerates rapidly, dealing with 062mph in just 4.9-seconds. The handling is what you'd expect for a big car. It is good, but there's the tradi onal reluctance to swing itself into a corner on entry before the weight gets thrown to the side, threatening some oversteer on exit. There is a respectable level of feedback from the steering. But the Electriﬁed G80 isn't a match for the likes of the BMW 5-Series. Ride comfort is posi ve, helped by the suspension system. There is a camera in

the front of the vehicle to scan the road ahead, so the suspension knows how to set itself up at any given millisecond. There is a trio of driving se ngs – Eco, Comfort and Sport. Eco limits the power to conserve the ba ery, while Sport does the opposite, s ffening up the suspension and adding weight to the steering simultaneously. The Electrified G80 has an 87.2kWh ba ery which is good for 323 miles of range, according to the manufacturer. It can use ultra-rapid 350kW charging sta ons, although you'll be lucky to find a charging point in the UK capable of such rapidity. If you can locate one, a 1080 per cent charge takes 22 minutes, while a 7.4kW home wall box can get from 0-100 per cent in around 11.5 hours. The Genesis Electrified G80 makes an excellent case for itself. While it doesn't match the refinement of German rivals, you need to consider whether that ma ers, given the level of extravagance you're ge ng.

Fast Facts Genesis Electriﬁed G80 (Luxury) as tested: Ÿ Max Speed: 139 mph (83mph in pure electric mode) Ÿ 0-62 mph: 4.9 seconds Ÿ Range (WLTP): 323 miles Ÿ Ba ery: 87.2kWh Ÿ Max Power: (PS): 370 Ÿ CO2: 0 g/km Ÿ Price: £65,805 JULY

2022

Weston Way Celebrations Jubilee at Weston Way Nursery Weston Way Nursery celebrated the Queen's 70 years in service to our country a er their return from the half term. Before the break, we had a light touch talking about the Jubilee and then capitalised on the children's experiences when they returned. The children's use of language was well developed due to building on their rich and varied experiences with family and friends. It was a pleasure to hear about the events they a ended and share similari es and diﬀerences with others at the nursery. Children took part in a variety of ac vi es at nursery during the week including: making crowns, crea ng bun ng, prac sing curtseys and bows, as well as crea ng their very own Buckingham Palace! Outside of nursery, the children were encouraged to take part in an I spy ac vity linking to ﬁnding Jubilee related things, even “the Queen” arrived to take part and give us a royal wave! We are looking forward to welcoming families on Saturday 2 July 9.30-11.30am to the nursery if their child is due to start nursery in September. Please come and play with us…

JULY

2022

March jewellery clinics at the Baldock Community Centre are 6th & 27th of July from 11am -2 pm

Chiltern Road Jubilee Celebrations Yesterday we had a street party and we were allowed to close the street oﬀ. First Possie and Pops and Aun e Jess came to help out. Once we had the barriers up Daddy, Pops and other people from our road helped put up the bun ng and set the tables and chairs. Everyone arrived. We ate some lunch. There were pork pies, sausage rolls,

cheese puﬀs and cucumber sandwiches A er our meal we got out some goals and had a football match in the road. Later on, I played with Xander, Susanna, Benjamin, Melodie and Pippa but Xander caught his ﬁnger in a door, so we stopped and had our faces painted and decorated cakes. Mine was a man with a moustache! Once we had eaten our cakes, we all played on the trampoline and put on a show called the Flippin' Flippers! Then it was me to pack up the street party and we all went in our houses to watch the Pla num Jubilee Party at the Palace.

As I did so I thought back on the epic day I had and how thoroughly I and everybody else had enjoyed it! THE END! Eddie Chapman, age 9

COPY DEADLINE for the AUGUST issue is 16th July

JULY

2022

JULY

2022

Screen this months new releases

Minions- The rise of Gru

thor - love & thunder

Out 1st July

Out 10th July

In the 1970s, young Gru tries to join a group of supervillains called the Vicious 6 after they oust their leader -- the legendary ﬁghter Wild Knuckles. When the interview turns disastrous, Gru and his Minions go on the run with the Vicious 6 hot on their tails. Luckily, he ﬁnds an unlikely source for guidance -- Wild Knuckles himself -- and soon discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Thor embarks on a journey unlike anything he's ever faced, a quest for inner peace. However, his retirement gets interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher, a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend, who to his surprise inexplicably wields his magical hammer. Together, they set out to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher's vengeance.

Certiﬁcate PG Running Time

Certiﬁcate PG

88 mins

Running Time 118 mins

16 Hurst Close Baldock, SG76TL

‘From

‘For all August 2021 your we arealterations, shutting the doors in Mansﬁeld repairs andRoad and will be working from 1:1 sewing classes 16 Hurst Close, please phone/text Baldock SG7 6TL Appointments to book only’ Please call 07938509672 for more details and to book

Mrs harris goes to paris

where the crawdads sing Out 24th July

Out 15th July In 1950s London, Ada Harris, a widowed cleaning lady who is so enchanted by her employer's couture wardrobe that she becomes determined to go to the House of Dior in Paris to purchase an evening gown of her own.. After working to raise the funds to pursue her dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris that will change not only her own outlook, but the very future of the House of Dior.

Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" haunted Barkley Cove, isolating the sharp and resilient Kya from her community. Drawn to two young men from town, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world; but when one of them is found dead, she is immediately cast by the community as the main suspect.

Certiﬁcate PG

Certiﬁcate 15

Running Time 92 mins

www.sewingbs.co.uk

Running Time 93 mins Answer-phone on both numbers & will return all calls

JULY

2022

JULY

2022

5 minutes with... ... Abigail Fisher from M A R S H *Tell about the Bathing Mobility Advisory Service (BMAS) We are a local mobility bathroom specialist based in Hitchin and have been designing and installing mobility bathrooms in the area for over two years, with hundreds of successful projects already completed. We ﬁt walk-in showers and walkin baths and also level access water ght wet rooms complete with safety ﬂooring, grab rails and fold-down shower seats. Our bathrooms are suitable for people with reduced mobility, perhaps due to a disability or a long-term health condi on such as arthri s. They are also suitable for use with walking frames and wheelchairs. *Do you have a showroom that your customers can visit? Yes, we have a bright and airy permanent showroom in Hitchin on Hermitage Road where you can view a selec on of bathroom displays. It's a perfect way to see the quality of our products and our workmanship for yourself, and an opportunity to try the products out. The showroom is completely dedicated to mobility bathrooms and not other mobility products. *Do I have to source the products for my bathroom? No, reassuringly, BMAS manages every aspect of the project for you including supplying the products from our high-quality range. There is no legwork or need to arrange mul ple tradespeople. This way, you can just relax and look forward to using your new bathroom.

*Why should I choose you over another company? We specialise in designing and installing mobility bathrooms which means you can be confident that we will design a bathroom that is completely bespoke to your needs rather than a generic solu on. Our aim is to work with you to provide a safe and user-friendly bathroom to make bathing and showering easy and safe now and in the future. *Do you offer free advice? Certainly, we offer a free bathroom design service with absolutely no obliga on in which we talk through your needs and make recommenda ons for how your bathroom can be adapted to best suit you. We are not a sales company and do not pressure sell, rather we take a professional but friendly approach and present the op ons we recommend for you to review in good me. *How much is it going to cost? Everyone has differing needs, bathroom sizes and exis ng plumbing systems and so costs vary. That's why we offer the free bathroom design service to assess all requirements and to produce an accurate quota on – completely without obliga on. As a mobility business, we can offer our bathrooms with 0% VAT if you're disabled or have a long-term illness, which can result in a significant saving. We also offer a range of finance op ons to spread the cost. *How quickly can you install my bathroom? It does vary depending on what products are required, but normally we can start the installa on within 4-6 weeks of the order being placed. We will confirm an installa on date with you upfront, so you have plenty of me to plan for the installa on. It is extremely rare that we need to change the date. *How long do the installa ons take? Some installa ons only take 4 days. Larger projects involving lowering the floor or building works will take longer. We always provide an es mated meline for the works based on our experience. *My bathroom is small & has an unusual shape, can you help? Yes, we are not put off by small spaces or awkward layouts and have the exper se to come up with a design that will work. We enjoy a challenge! *Will there be a lot of mess? With any project, there will be some dust and rubbish created. We work as cleanly and dily as possible, laying down shee ng to protect your home. Remember, we remove your old bathroom suite and any rubbish from your property. *How long will I be without toilet facili es? We know this can be a worry, but we will always let you know when the toilet will be unusable and in most cases, this will only be for a few hours. *Do you provide me with a full guarantee? Yes, we provide a comprehensive guarantee on all our products and installa on work. *What areas do you cover? We fit mobility bathrooms across the whole of Her ordshire including in Hitchin, Stevenage, Baldock, Letchworth, Biggleswade, but we also cover areas of Beds and Cambs.

JULY

2022

JULY

2022

Baldock Gardens By Graham Tapp

July 2022 This month's write-up is a follow-up from last month when strawberries were the subject; this time, I've been asked by several people to do raspberries. Most people with small gardens assume that they can't grow raspberries; this used to be the case, but recent varieties have been developed to be grown in pots or with single-pole techniques in the ground. In mass production, growing raspberries, especially summer types, will be planted in long rows, possibly hundreds of metres long, with a post and wire system of support. Posts and wires are not something suitable for small gardens, but a single post could be. I would suggest that a 6ft post be driven into the ground to about 12 inches ( 30 cm ). Plant 4 raspberry canes closely but evenly spaced around it so that they can be tied securely but loosely to it at various heights as the canes grow; this is a very attractive and efficient way to produce them in tiny gardens. Pots on patios are also an excellent way to grow raspberries if you have very little room; modern patio canes do not grow very high but will spread out to fill whatever pot you choose to use. For the larger garden, a two-post system is the one to go for: Giving you a supply of lovely sweet berries all summer. Two posts, as described before, are driven into the ground at a metre apart, this will be the width of the row, and another two posts will be driven into the ground up to three metres away from the other. This is the length of the row. You can use as many three-metre lengths as you choose or have room for. The canes are planted in the middle of the row and grow up supported by wires attached to the tops of the outside poles and go to the next poles at three metres the canes you want for cropping will be tied to the wires on both sides, and the new canes will be allowed to grow up into the middle. When winter takes over from autumn, and the canes are bare of leaves, you will cut off the canes that are tied to the wires at ground level and dispose of them, tying the newly grown canes that are in the

middle to the wires, these will give you a crop next summer. More extensive gardens could use traditional systems called fence systems, single poles with a tee piece on top across the row with wires attached either side down the rows; these are what hold the fruiting canes that will be tied to them, the new canes that will fruit next year grow up the centre, I should point out that this system is mainly used for summer fruiting varieties as they fruit on second-year canes when picking has finished, and the winter cold has removed the leaves it is time to cut these canes down to ground level and remove them, the new canes growing in the centre are then tied in place of them ready for the new crop; this system is very similar to the two-pole system mentioned earlier, but the rows can be closed together giving a more intensive cropping, you do need to know what you are doing to make this work, I am assuming that if you have that much room, you will be growing semiprofessionally so will have all the skills required. Here is the interesting part, autumn fruiting raspberries are easier to grow, in my view, as they don't necessarily need any supporting framework, so there are no poles or wires. One proviso is that a few varieties need support, so you will need to check. You need to arrange a suitable site for a row of canes and plant them; autumn fruiting canes produce fruit on new wood, so the canes that grow in the spring will give you fruit in the same year. Pruning requires that you remove all the old canes that have just been fruited. February is the best time to do your raspberry pruning; I would suggest that that would also be the best time to dig up any canes growing outside the desired area as they will readily spread allover the garden if you don't control them. Now some technical stuff; summer fruiting varieties are called Florocanes; they grow for one season before flowering and fruiting the following season. Autumn fruiting varieties are called

Primocanes; grown in one season and fruit in the same season, these will fruit in their first year of planting. We have some varieties that behave like both, one type in particular and one of my favourites is "Polka", which will give fruits on the old canes and then the new canes giving an extensive picking season from early to mid-July through to the first frosts of autumn. It would be best to prune the second-year canes as soon as they have finished fruiting and get rid of them, or the crop from the first-year canes will have reduced yield. Polka will provide a high overall crop weight with a high quality of berries and good disease resistance, so suitable for garden use. Feeds for maximum cropping are a balanced N P K fertiliser in the early part of the season. Depending on previous experience with your canes, you may need to add some extra nitrogen to give some additional growth. Raspberries will respond well to farm yard manure; about three inches of FYM will suffice but make sure that it is added over winter and do not allow it to touch any canes you want to keep as it will likely cause some damage, so keep about four inches away from them. In our area where a high level of chalk is found, your soil may have a high Ph you may get leaf whitening. This problem is an Iron deficiency, so a chelated iron treatment and some fertilisers containing essential trace elements will be needed. If growing in tubs or containers, use Tomerite in your watering solution at the recommended rate and timings. The main problems we will encounter will be birds that will eat all of your fruit unless covered with netting; The usual suspects that I have discussed in past writings will be trying to mess up or eat your hard-earnt fruit, so you will have to spray with the chemical of your choice or share it all with them. Whatever and however you decide to grow your raspberries, enjoy whatever you produce. Cheers,

Graham

JULY

2022

Compliant with Government guidance on managing the risk of Covid-19

I richmonds-coaches.co.uk

All Boiler Maintenance, Serving & Repairs

JULY

2022

What to do When You Sustain an Injury Sprains and strains to muscles and joints happen to all of us – a reminder to be more careful. Prompt ac on can help your body to heal faster and may prevent further injury or prolonged pain. Strained or 'pulled' muscles o en happen when we over exert muscles, train without properly warming up or try to go beyond a joint's natural flexibility. Some mes we feel the pain straight away, however some injuries might not cause pain un l later. What can you do? Remember RICE (Rela ve Rest, Ice, Compression, Eleva on), to start the healing process. Rela ve Rest: The first thing to do if you feel pain is to reduce the offending ac vity – pain is your body's way of telling you that there is something that needs your a en on. It's normal to feel a li le sore a er exercising for a day or two. However, movement s mulates the healing process so stay as mobile as

you comfortably can, without forcing it to the point of pain. This is par cularly relevant for back pain as gentle exercise, such as walking, can help. You should slowly build your ac vity levels up as soon as your symptoms begin to resolve. Ice: Use an ice pack to help to reduce swelling and pain. Apply to the injured area for 10 – 15 minutes. Repeat this several mes per day for the first 72 hours. This will help to control inflamma on, making it easier for your body to get blood flow to the area. Compression: Gently applying a compression dressing may help to temporarily support the injured joint. Eleva on: If the injury is in the lower limb (knee or ankle), eleva ng the area a li le can make it easier for your body drain fluids that might accumulate around the area, causing swelling. Seek medical a en on. If the pain or swelling fails to improve within a week, a visit to an Osteopath may be beneficial. They will be able to assess

the injury, advise you on the correct treatment and can provide some manual therapy which may help it get be er faster. The Team at Amber Health 01462 490141

JULY

2022

HELPING TO KEEP BALDOCK TIDY

Since I commenced li er picking in September 2021, my 4 teams and myself, all volunteers, have collected 16 bags of rubbish in both Letchworth and Baldock. However for a number of reasons the two Baldock teams who operate monthly on Wednesday and Sunday are short of volunteers. Whenever we are out li er picking we receive very nice comments thanking us for our efforts trying to keep the streets of Baldock dy and li er free, but none of them have offered to help.. My teams and I can only do so much in small areas of the town but we need help to expand and tackle wider areas. If anyone can find an hour and half a month to help please let me know (Brian Noble) by email brian.noble80@gmail.com or by text on 07773671487. Many thanks Brian Noble

Advertising from £20 per Issue info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk

Raising awareness of what’s on & where to find things locally

www.onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk villages Baldock, Ashwell, Weston and surrounding

JULY

Raising awarenes of what s ’s on & to find where things locally

of what’s on & where to find things locally

Issue 74 December 2020

www.onourdoorstepbaldock .co.uk

Baldock, Ashwell, Weston and

2022

surrounding villages

Curtains, Duvets & bedding

4 Sun Street, Baldock. Sg7 6QA 2c St Francis Way, Shefford. Sg17 5DZ

Grupmy Middle-Aged Woman I have decided that I am now officially, a Grumpy Middle-Aged Woman. Whilst the tle of Grumpy Old Man can be bestowed upon the male species at the age of forty, I refuse to believe that the fairer sex can inherit the tle before they are at least fi y and in no way does that age merit the adverb 'old.' I have suspected that I have been turning into a GMAW for a li le while now. My distaste for all things morning put to one side as it's been a lifelong afflic on, I am increasingly intolerant of stuff. I say stuff because it's a wide ranging and ever-growing intolerance. Almost weekly now I am finding more stuff to grumble about. Other people's children, call centres, people, the cold, the heat, people, shopping, the list is almost infinite. I said people twice because they really are becoming the bane of my grumpy life. As a single person (not surprising really) I spend most of my me in my own company and I really do enjoy it. The few dalliances I've encountered with online da ng have been, you may recall, somewhat farcical. Men wearing red berets, men with fish obsessions, car obsessions, self-obsessions. The few rela onships I've had just reminded me that I have absolutely no tolerance for mind games and shenanigans. While it's true that I would love to be in a meaningful partnership with someone, I just don't

ALLSHEDS

& More

ANY SIZE TIMBER BUILDING MADE TO ORDER

Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm Saturday 10am-4pm

01462 682414

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

have the pa ence to house train a poten al suiter (or be house trained). If someone were to bring him to me clean, stripped, and oiled ready to go, then I might manage. I realise that that a tude is frowned upon these days, but I'm too old and intolerant to care much. There are days when I feel more in need of company and when these come around, I can just put on my boots and find that company. Invariably I find that within a few hours, I'm craving for solitude again. I spent my weekend helping out at the Tryfest, which with the benefit of hindsight is not a promising idea for a GMAW who has declared a dislike of being around crowds. I must just say that it was a fabulous fun filled weekend and the staff that worked so hard to make it such a success were absolutely amazing. Some things did not go so smoothly, but the staff quickly fought that fire and put it right. It wasn't Glastonbury, it was the first me that these people have a empted such a vast endeavour, and praise should be given where its due. People came, brought their kids, parents, and grandparents, and had a fun me drinking, dancing, and singing in the summer sun. I do s ll enjoy a good amount of people watching and the fes val was for me, a wonderful opportunity to hone my skills. Call centres are just hideous. When I

was young and phones came wired to the wall, you rang a business and if they were busy, you got an engaged tone. You were then able to hang up the phone and get on with your day. These days you go through five different sets of instruc ons to press one for…, two for… and so on. If you are lucky, a er 5 mins of this inane game, you hear a voice telling you that your call is important, this gives you a false sense of achievement and you start to think that you will shortly be talking to a human. When they finally answer (I've honestly hung a pair of curtains whilst being on hold) you have either gone to the wrong department, and they transfer you (once again you start the wai ng game) or you are cut off. I do appreciate the fact that my grumpiness is my own personal thing, there really is nothing wrong with people as such. Some are indeed stupid, ignorant, and rude, but most are decent people just trying to live their best lives. It's just as I grow older, I seem to find more of the sooner and less of the la er. But I have earned my grumpy status and intend to end up as a fully-fledged Grumpy Old Woman running folk over on her mobility scooter. And no, I don't just need to get out more.

Nicky

SHEDS SUMMER HOUSES GARDEN OFFICES WORKSHOPS POTTING SHEDS PLAYHOUSE LOG CABIN RE-ROOFING RE-FELTING SHED BASES FENCING GATES TAKE DOWN & DISPOSE OF OLD SHEDS

email allshedsandmore@yahoo.com Saunders Close, Green Lane, Letchworth

JULY

2022

happy birthday

will tapp Lots of Love Louise & doodle 22nd of July

Happy 7th Birthday to our bouncy fun loving crazy

Francesca Haydon We all love you very much love Mummy, Isabella, Otto, Nanny's, Grandads and Daddy

NOAH COWELL

15 JULY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

6th July

Lots ofy, LoLuvecyM_mumaymy&, Sophixxe Dadd

Happy 3rd Birthday

Peter Auburn

love from Mummy & Daddy X 4th July Happy 61st Birthday

raymond chapman Love Janet & the family

JULY

2022

Summer’s Here The summer is here and like me you are probably looking forward to a busy couple of months ahead. However, with be er weather, extra social engagements and a holiday or special occasion planned, it's easy for health goals to take a back seat. Yet, summer is the perfect me to try out and ins l new habits. When the weather is good people tend to enjoy be er moods and higher energy levels, this coupled with longer days, make for the perfect combina on when looking to make posi ve changes in your life. So how can you use summer to your advantage and ensure that when autumn rolls around you have a new healthy founda on on which to build; rather than spending autumn comba ng the eﬀects of increased drinking and endless barbeque feasts?

Step 1: Choose just 1 simple ac on to focus on at a me. This might be drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up, adding a por on of vegetables to your dinner or going for a 15-minute walk on your lunch break. Try this every day for 2-weeks and then add something new on top, if you want. Step 2: Focus on adding posi ve behaviours and not avoiding nega ve ones. The brain responds much be er to achieving rather than restric ng, so this helps increase mo va on and subsequently success. Step 3: Don't aim for perfec on! Just 'doing the thing' a few days a week is be er than not doing it at all and research supports that people who make the most progress towards their

goals are those who keep going, even if they have a day or two when things don't go to plan. Se ng the inten on and carrying out the ac on as o en as is possible, without making yourself feel bad when you don't is enough to see progress. Step 4: Reflect on and make a note of any difference in how you feel. This powerful step is o en neglected, and is why healthy habits easily fall by the wayside. Taking a moment to consider how the new habit impacted you or your day helps you recognise the benefit of doing it and helps make future resistance easier to overcome. Wishing you all the very happiest and healthiest of summers, Sophie

JULY

2022

Chiropodist

Karen Perry 'Custom Fit Supportive Orthotics’ Home Visits or Baldock Surgery

ACCSLtd

Window Cleaning 20 years experience Reliable and eﬃcient Fully Insured & Uniformed staﬀ

01462 629302 07970 406926 152 Hitchin Road, Stotfold

LAWN CUTTING HEDGE CUTTING LANDSCAPING PATIOS

ASHWELL

ROGERSONS REMOVALS

IAN SIMPSON Carpentry and Joinery All aspects of carpentry work undertaken Kitchen, Bedrooms, Doors, Windows 25 years experience Free estimates Please call 01462 851695 or 07967162448 E-mail ij_simpson@hotmail.com

JULY

2022

WESTON

NeoBuds Pro True Wireless Stereo Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation When it comes to consuming audio, the go-to gadget is wireless earbuds, so when I received a set of NeoBuds Pro from Edifier, I was intrigued to find out what they offered? The NeoBuds Pro are true wireless stereo earbuds that deliver highresolu on sound. With Knowles Balanced Armature driver, dynamic driver, and electronic crossover technology, these earbuds provide natural and balanced sound. Bluetooth 5 along with hybrid ANC technology reduces noise by up to 42dB, while the three-microphone noise cancella on ensures clear phone calls. The NeoBuds Pro also have a quick charge func on – a ten-minute charge gives you one hour of listening me, and the low-latency game mode ensures you won't miss a beat in your favourite games. The IP54-rated dust and water resistance means you can take these earbuds anywhere, and the variety of ear p sizes ensures a perfect fit for your ears.

The earbuds have tap-touch controls which allow you to do a mul tude of tasks you didn't know you could, such as changing the noise-cancelling modes of which there are 4. When used in conjunc on with the Edifier Connect App, you can adjust the sound se ngs using presets or the customisable equaliser. Aside from audio consump on, phone calls are also a breeze. With a total of six built-in microphones, three per earbud, the NeoBuds Pro use four microphones to direct your voice when you're on the phone, filtering it out of surrounding noise. The two addi onal microphones are specifically designed to suppress wind noise. The NeoBuds Pro earphones feature unique wireless technology that offers up to 24 hours of playback me. The earphones are perfect for everyday use, and thanks to the comfortable design, you can wear them all day without any issues. You also get an ultra- reac ve gaming experience. Gaming Mode reduces

latency to as li le as 80ms, so you can hear what you see as fast as the real thing - giving you the compe ve edge you need to take your game to the next level! The charging case also has an onboard light which helps when fiddling around in the dark and also doubles as a charging indicator. The charging case takes around an hour to fully charge, and the earbuds charge from the case, so once everything is charged up, you get 5 hours of playback me, but can charge 4 mes via the case! I'm a big fan of Edifier and these earbuds didn't disappoint me. Available for around £119, these buds sound superb and I highly recommend them. Scan the link below to find them on Amazon. See you next month

Matt WWW.THEGADGETMAN.ORG.UK

07572 532618 www.bb-carpentry.co.uk

Sunday 18 September 2022 www.baldockeventsforum.org.uk/cycle-challenge JULY

2022

Bouncy Castle Hire

M. 07884 430741 E. claire@goodridgeaccountants.co.uk W. www.goodridgeaccountants.co.uk

07860 950 957

JULY

2022

On Yer Bike

Herts Disability Sports Founda on (HDSF) were in touch with St Marys earlier this year to give us the opportunity to try and close the gap in cycling. You may have seen some of the publicity around the bike dona ons at Standalone Farm over Christmas, that was us ge ng ready for local schools,following our sessions in

December at Garden City Academy. We decided to target our Year 6 children to make sure everyone could cycle, as when they go into secondary schools, they become much harder to reach. Many of our children didn't own their own bike. Some who did have a bike didn't have a helmet or their bike was too small, and some children had never even ridden a bike before! HDSF came into school to teach our children how to cycle, inspiring them with the conﬁdence to all leave Year 6 knowing how to ride a bike. HDSF then gave every child a bike that they could keep! Helmets were issued to children who were without, and some bikes were traded in for correct sized bikes. In total, 28 of our children have gone home having learned how to cycle and/or with a new bike and helmet. The scheme worked wonders and all of our children were absolutely thrilled. Thank you HDSF. Sco Hagland

WE NEED YOUR HELP Photo Laurence Browne

Are you a local business that want to help us with your company here.. Baldock Town FC Under 11’s are desperately looking for help with sponsorship. 3 teams of amazing kids are looking for new shirt sponsors. Any help would be much appreciated. We are so incredibly lucky in Baldock to have such an amazing football club, giving these kids such wonderful opportuni es.. ️ Imagine having your company name here and being seen by hundreds of people each month. You know you want to help out these amazing kids whilst promo ng your company too. Please contact Kelly on 07837169756 or email the.academy@hotmail.co.uk

JULY

2022

Baldock’s favourite for 30 years Summer Holidays

‘WE GUARANTEE TO BEAT* your existing home insurance renewal quote in the SG postcode.’ For most people their home is the biggest investment they will ever make and the things they keep in it are their most prized possessions. As your local broker our role is to select the policy most suited to your individual needs. Ensuring peace of mind for our customers is at the heart of what we do. To make sure your most treasured possessions are properly covered contact the Emperor of insurance. QUOTE REF: DOORSTEP

I saw on the News a horror report, about a family's two day queue at the airport. My wife said, “Hell! That looks like a bummer, where can we take the kids this summer?” I had an idea when out and about, saw a 'Hire-Inspiration' on a roundabout! For spending money (no old wives tale!) took a family pitch at the Baldock boot sale. Pulling together, not pulling apart, the kids really enjoyed played their part. For us the 'best ever' holiday plan: We hired a week away in a camper van! Baldock Bard We're back 6.30 sellers, 7 am buyers See you there!

* T&C APPLY

Your Local Home Improvement Specialists

07572 532618 www.bb-carpentry.co.uk

JULY

2022

HAPPY

07957 544054

100

BIRTHDAY 07957 544054

Rose Street is 100 on the 29th of July One of 10 siblings, Rose grew up in Hitchin, where her family owned a ﬁsh n chip shop and then a pub. She wants to do the cancan on her 100th birthday, as her mum used to do it in the street to boost moral in the war and never forgets how much fun it was. Lots of love her daughter Linda, Grandaughter Lisa and Great Grandchildren Jadie, Amber and Scarle

Call now 07821 406265 Ÿ Specialising in UPVC locks

and handles Ÿ All Lock and handle

repairs and replacements Ÿ Window

hinges/handles/locks Ÿ Door alignments

Excellent & professional service 10% off when quoting “On Our Doorstep” JULY

2022

Did you know we can deliver your leaﬂets inside this magazine Prices from £35 per 1000

JULY

2022

Useful numbers Advice Citizen’s Advice Bureau Trading Standards Advice Samaritans

03444 111444 0300 300 8136 116 123

Councils North Hertfordshire District

01462 474000

Doctors Baldock Surgery

01462 892458

Dentist Victoria Place Dental Surgery

01763 313869

Emergency Utilities Gas Emergency Electric power cut

0800 111 999 0800 7838838

Hospitals Lister Hospital Queen Elizabeth 2 EMERGENCY HEALTH

01438 314333 01707 328111 111

Library Baldock Library

0300 123 4049

Police Police

01707 354000

Schools Knights Templar Hartseld St Johns St Marys Infants St Marys Juniors Brandles

01462 620700 01462 895267 01462 892478 01462 892347 01462 892156 01462 892189

chrismead-roofing@outlook.com

Travel Arriva Buses National Rail Enquires National Bus line

08701 201088 03457 484950 0870 6082608

Vets Baldock Veterinary Centre

01462 895579

Nurseries Weston Way Nursery Merry Go Round Peanuts Preschool

01462 892172 01462 896322 07736 124327

Play Groups Magic Moments Merry Go Round

07709 618434 01462 896322

Plumbers Maben PE James

07949 120911 07816 586777

Window & Door repairs JML Windows Repairs Warrens Windows

01438 906300 01462 261401

Travel Agent Amenity Holidays Ltd

07452 832840

Locksmith Lock and Glaze

01462 338676

Mobile Hair Dresser Hair By Jacqui

07973 788418

Funeral Directors Shires - CPJ Field Baldock

01462 491149

JULY

2022

July Gallery

Please send your local snaps new or old to our facebook page or email info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk

Gunner in the Daffs

Great ariel shot of TryFest

Birthday Boy ‘Mr Christmas Lights’ Stuart Matthews

Full Moon on the High Street Thomas Pedersen

King Jack

local rock band Electric Black Kevin Thompson

Beau & Freya

Taken by Andrew Beswick

Byrd Walk celebrations

Sunset on the bypass footbridge Chris Squires Allison Fox

Weston Woods Drew Harrington

Festival Ladies in Green

Bonnie-Rose enjoying TryFest 34 JULY 2022

The Hoy Family, some over from Czech