On Our Doorstep Baldock May 2023

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

Baldock, Ashwell, Weston and surrounding villages

Welcome to our bumper May issue of the magazine! Lot’s of new businesses featuring in this issue and Nicky is back with her mumblings, as she calls them.

The sunny days are slowly starting to creep in more frequently and the lighter evenings are here to stay!

As we look forward to the summer, the next few months are jam packed with festivities in Baldock & Ashwell. We're looking forward to seeing Baldock buzzing with life, food, and festivities.

The Baldock Festival kicked off on 29th April and will span three whole weeks this year. There really will be something for everyone, we had the full programme printed in last month's issue but if you need a reminder please use the QR code printed on the front cover.

The Big Lunch will certainly be a highlight, tying in nicely with the King's Coronation weekend. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance and choose from a great selection of local food vendors that are taking part. The atmosphere on the day is always fantastic, the high street comes alive. There are also tickets still available for the wine, gin and whiskey tasting events taking place in May.

Sadly a few of Baldock’s usual events aren’t able to take place this year due to a lack of volunteers, including the crowd favourite Classic Car Show. It would be great to get the numbers up for next year so if you’re interested in

getting involved drop us an email and we’ll pass your details along.

The anticipation for the upcoming coronation is building and with street parties and afternoon teas planned, it’s set to be a day to remember. A local resident has very kindly shared some original photographs with us, taken at a street party in Chilvers Bank to celebrate the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth's in 1953. You can see a few of the photo’s on this month’s Gallery page, take a look and see if you recognise anyone and be sure to let us know if you do!

Paul & Jacqui

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.

Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, the UK's leading bespoke jewellery company has opened it's new studio and shop on Chequer Street, St Albans

Harriet herself considers St Albans very close to her heart, explaining “St Albans is where I grew up and also where my mum and sister live, so it kind of feels like coming home which is lovely.”

The bespoke jewellery specialists Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery have opened their fourth studio and shop in the heart of the historic city, bringing with them 25 years of experience and their revoluonary approach to bespoke design.

The new studio space turns the tradional dark and stuffy jewellery store format on its head, instead offering an approachable, contemporary, and handson approach to bespoke design already seen in their other premises in trendy

The UK's Leading Bespoke Jewellers Comes to St Albans

Primrose Hill and historic Cambridge. Both studios have won a number of awards for their store design, merchandising, and customer service.

Customers of HK Bespoke feel empowered to join in with the bespoke design process, as the expert designers capture the unique story of every customer, with many one-off designs reflecng the stories and personal experiences of the people who commission them.

Unique engagement rings, wedding rings, eternity rings, and dress jewellery designed by the team are showcased, as well as extensive displays that explain the ease of commissioning a one-of-akind piece of jewellery. Gemstones dazzle and past designs inspire you to start your own bespoke journey and bring your unique story to life in the form of beauful jewellery.

The jewellery designed with you at the studio-cum-shop will all be made locally at the mul-award-winning Jewellery

Centre & Workshop, less than an hour away in rural Herordshire. At 3,500 square feet, it's an impressive space that houses a newly extended and refurbished workshop. Here a team of master goldsmiths, stone seers, and polishers are on-hand to bring your piece of jewellery from sketch to reality. From redesigns to commissions, and repairs to fied wedding rings to perfectly match your engagement ring, HK Bespoke's unparalleled bespoke service will work within your budget.

As well as designing bespoke jewellery, the team at the new St Albans studio will also be hosng interacve workshops for visitors in their newly refurbished events room. The St Albans Studio & Shop is open six days a week with the opon to schedule a consultaon with one of the company's designers. To book a consultaon simply call the studio on 01727 221160 or email stalbans@hkjewellery.co.uk

Time to get into the Garden! …Top tips for Gardening Safely

Gardening is a great form of exercise, and like any exercise having the right equipment and good technique can help to prevent injuries from occurring. With so many jobs to do in the garden at the moment consider our ps before venturing out there.

Start slowly

Start with lighter jobs before gradually moving onto the more strenuous jobs, to warm up your joints and muscles.

Take regular breaks

Always remember to listen to your body, if you start to feel red or experience any pain STOP and have a break. Even beer, if you can set a mer and have a break every 20-30 minutes.

Check your tools

Gardening tools have changed a lot

over the years. Lighter and longer handled weeders, shovels and rakes with angled handles help you avoid poor posture and reduce the stress on your joints. Make sure you try equipment in the shop before you buy it.

Watch how you li

When liing make sure you keep your back straight and bend from your knees, ensure the object is close to you before liing it. If the object is heavy or an awkward size get some help before trying to move it. Let your tools do the work

When digging ensure that you use your foot to push down on the spade or fork and instead of bending over to bring the fork or spade out of the ground, pull the handle back using it

like a leaver, then bend your knees as you li it out of the ground. Don't let your knees take all the strain!

When you are kneeling, be mindful of your posion, using knee pads or a cushion can help reduce the pressure going through your knees. Or try kneeling with one knee on the ground and the other up, and switch knees as needed to alleviate the pressure.

If pain is stopping you from enjoying your gardening then please call us on 01462 490141 to see one of our Osteopaths, who can help get you back in the garden pain free again.

The Amber Health Team

ROGERSONS REMOVALS

DRIVERS

REQUIRED

The Baldock Community Minibus is a facility provided for the benefit of residents in Baldock and the surrounding area.

At present we are seeking drivers to provide transport for various charitable organisaons such as AgeUK.

In recent mes we have lost several drivers due to confusion over the need for a driving licence for minibuses. We would like to hear from any persons who are able to offer to spend one or two days a month driving typically for the aged and disabled. We are looking for anybody who passed their driving test before 1997 and thus has 'grandparents rights' for a Class D1 licence. If persons are over the age of 70years we can help them with licence issues.

The minibus is based upon a standard long wheelbase Peugeot Boxer van and is as easy to drive as a normal manual car; taking into account the larger dimensions. The minibus is also equipped with features including an hydraulic tail-li to ease access for disabled clients. Full instrucon on driving the vehicle and the routes required will be given. We would like interested people to first contact Marn Luker on vfrmanblue@gmail.com

For and on behalf of Baldock Community Minibus

LAWN CUTTING HEDGE CUTTING LANDSCAPING PATIOS

ASHWELL WESTON

Screen this months new releases

Our beloved band of misfits are settling into life on Knowhere. But it isn’t long before their lives are upended by the echoes of Rocket’s turbulent past. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life, a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians.

Over many missions and against impossible odds, DomToretto and his family have outsmarted and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they must confront the most lethal opponent they've ever faced. Fueled by revenge, a terrifying threat emerges from the shadows of the past to shatter Dom's world and destroy everything, and everyone he loves.

the little mermaid

The youngest of King Triton's daughters,Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Longing to find out more about the world beyond the sea,Ariel visits the surface and falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Following her heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to experience life on land.

about my father

The film centers around Sebastian (Maniscalco) who is encouraged by his fiance (Leslie Bibb) to bring his immigrant, hairdresser father, Salvo (De Niro), to a weekend get-together with her super-rich and exceedingly eccentric family.The weekend develops into what can only be described as a culture clash, leaving Sebastian and Salvo to discover that the great thing about family is everything about family.

16

16

‘For all your alterations, repairs and

1:1 sewing classes please phone/text to book

‘From August 2021 we are shutting the doors in Mansfield Road and will be working from 16 Hurst Close, Baldock SG7 6TL Appointments only’

Please call 07938509672 for more details and to book www.sewingbs.co.uk

Please

Guardians of The Galaxy fast x

Hurst Close Baldock, SG76TL

Hurst Close Baldock, SG76TL

Baldock,

Discover New Horizons

The UX connues that tradion in the subcompact crossover segment of the market, providing a classy alternave to the German premium brands.

It features the signature goatee beard grille, mean front end and a chiselled rear that expresses some personality.

The model is based on the same plaorm as Toyota's Prius and C-HR. There is an all-electric version, but it's the hybrid UX 250h I drove. It houses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit with a small electric motor offering 184PS.

The Lexus comes with a CVT gearbox, meaning there's only one variable gear, and it's available with front and allwheel drive. The UX is a full hybrid, too (self-charging), which helps improve fuel economy, especially as you can drive a short distance without the engine.

Several trims are offered, with the entry-level UX featuring 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control and electric windows, plus an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigaon. The F-Sport Design adds 18-inch alloys, while the F-Sport gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats and adapve suspension.

The top-of-the-range Takumi boasts a glass sliding sunroof, a head-up display and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system.

An oponal Premium Plus pack adds a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry, and a wireless phone charger.

It is the Takumi trim reviewed here. There is an all-wheel drive version, but the model tested is front-wheel drive, geng from 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds. That figure is nothing flash, but it does the job adequately and is enough to match its adversaries for pace.

Many cars with CVT gearboxes sound shrill at higher revs. Lexus' isn't perfect, but it's more refined than most I've used.

Ride comfort is reasonably good, but it doesn't absorb bumps and jolts as well as some rivals, such as the Range Rover Evoque. That said, the UX's lower centre of gravity means it seems more planted. As a result, body lean in the bends is well-controlled, although there isn't a tremendous amount of grip, so you find it's prone to understeer on corner entry.

Regenerave braking, which helps recharge the baeries, is also reasonably good, while the UX is noceably less adept at reducing wind and tyre noise compared with some competors.

Lexus UX

Inside, the driving posion is prey low, despite the UX's SUV-leaning credenals as a crossover. However, the vehicle is pleasant to sit in, and there are plenty of plush surfaces.

Space-wise, the UX is beer suited to front-seat occupants. The back isn't woeful, but there's a lack of headroom and legroom if you're on the tall side. In the boot, you get 438 litres of space, increasing to 1,231 litres with the rear seats folded down in a 60/40 split.

The UX earned a top five-star safety rang from Euro NCAP. Kit consists of the Lexus Safety System+ featuring automac emergency braking, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing, and road sign assist.

You also benefit from a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and auto brake on all but the entry-level model, where it's available as an oponal extra.

Overall, the UX has a lot going for it, and the cherry on the cake is that Lexus's reliability is excellent.

Fast Facts

Lexus UX (Takumi trim) as tested:

Ÿ Max Speed: 110mph

Ÿ 0-62 mph: 8.5 seconds

Ÿ Combined mpg: 53.3mpg (WLTP)

Ÿ Engine layout: 2.0-litre four-cylinder with electric motor and front-wheel drive

Ÿ Max Power: (PS): 184PS

Ÿ CO2: 120g/km

Ÿ Price: £46,750

Lexus has always been an understated marque.

Too much choice out there? Spend more time deciding what to watch than actually watching something? LET BALDOCK'S RESiDENT TV GLUTTON HELP YOU ON YOUR MiSSiON!

Ted Lasso – Apple +

Being a Spurs fan I've seen enough comedy on the pitch to put me right off football this season. However, this Emmy award winning comedy on Apple + is now in it's third season and I caved in aer needing some cheering up aer another dismal performance by my team. I'm glad I did. Jason Sudeikis has created a real gem of a comedy, strong at heart and crucially it doenst maer whether you like football or not. The premise is simple - Ted Lasso, an American college football coach, is unexpectedly recruited to coach a ficonal English Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond,depite having no experience coach soccer. The team's owner, Rebecca Welton, hires Lasso hoping he will fail as a means of exacng revenge on the team's previous owner, her unfaithful ex-husband. However, Ted's charm, personality, and humor begin to win over Rebecca, the team, and those who had been skepcal about his appointment. There are strong performances all round parcularly from Juno Temple, as the team's PR rep and Hannah Waddingham as the Richmond owner. There are life lesson's abound from Ted Lasso from his commied opmism, loyalty and steadfast dedicaon, sprinkled with genuine laughs, I'm sure him and team will push you into extra me. All 3 seasons are available now.

The Night Agent - Nelix

Its been a while since I'd come across a real bingeable thriller that permits me to leave my brain at the door and just watch and engage with something. For those of us who remember DVD's ( silence at the back) I remember watching Prison Break as the first bingeable box set and I have to say, this does recall that 'ooooh shall we watch one more' feeling.

FBI agent Peter Sutherland (played by Gabriel Basso from Super 8), one year on from prevenng a metro line bombing, sits in the basement of the White House waing for a secret phone to ring that never does. Then you guessed it, one day it does ring with an emergency message. Cue a ght spy thriller that takes you on a bit of a rollercoaster through the classis Presidenal conspiracy theories, espionage and agent betrayal. It never takes itself too seriously, which I like, however the dialogue is ght, the acon engaging and like the best thrillers one minute you're on episode 1, the next you're on the season finale. All 10 episodes are on Nelix now, with I'm sure a second season to come.

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!!

With 20 years experience selling homes locally

ogre?

I've been hearing quite a lot about this new app, ChatGPT. In case you didn't know, it's a new thing that uses Arficial Intelligence to write arcles, answer quesons and have conversaons with. I'm not sure how I feel about the need for this. Aerall, there are a plethora of ways to hold a conversaon with someone, the best of course is down the pub with a pint in your hand. I, like many of you have had the most profound and wide ranging conversaons with people I've met over a good glass of red (even a bad glass of red for that maer). I've discussed the life expectancy of and ant, what alternave use there could be for many inanimate objects as well as world peace and what the inventor of the pogo sck was actually trying to invent. My life has been enhanced by inane and serious conversaons with real people from all sorts of back grounds and so I find it difficult to understand how typing in silence to an AI robot could aid anyone. Surely, the whole point of having a conversaon is to use voice. In fact, there is so much more to a conversaon than speaking. We watch the other person for signs of pleasure or anger in what we are saying. We hear tone that helps us understand, and we react instantly to what is being said. We don't get up halfway through a meeng to get a cuppa so we can think of our reply.

I understand that some people don't have anyone to talk to, but there are a million and one chat rooms that they can join so it sort of negates the need for this on the conversaon front.

Google has all the answers to every queson I could possibly think of asking. While I do accept that the internet is full of lies and conspiracies, I'm prey sure that if I asked Google to tell me the Kings of England in order of appearance, I can prey much rely on the answer to be truthful. Incidentally, I have asked ChatGPT what some alternave uses for a cucumber might be, and the six answers it gave didn't have the one I thought about, I need to have a serious conversaon with myself.

You would be right in thinking that my interest in this was pricked by its ability to dra arcles, mainly because I am at heart a lazy bugger and thought I might be able to get it to do this for me. Everything I asked it to write about lacked something. I said write me a funny arcle about ChatGPT, it wasn't funny. I asked it to write an arcle about rugby, it was meh. By the me I'd put my forth request in I realised the problem.

It wasn't me, this bot has no personality, it's been programmed to learn, so I suspect that the more I play with it, the more it will know me, but how can it?

How can it understand the nuances of Nicky's mind. How I think, what I feel, how I convey my thoughts and feelings in the way that I write. Only I have lived my life so only I can write the arcles I write.

I know a few teachers who are concerned that a some kids will use this tool rather than pung in the work themselves, it's an absolute certainty that a few will try, but I would say that the difference would be obvious in many cases, there is nothing human about it, If lile Jonny used this, I feel the teacher who knows him will be able to tell it wasn't him.

I also think that anyone who offers this as there own would be crossing the lines of plagiarism; if I offered the work done by this bot as my own, surely it would be classed as such. I have recently read that there are some folk out there that have fallen in love with this thing, much like the peeps that have married their cats or the Eiffel Tower. Whilst it does have a bit more to it than half the men on most dang apps but I really can't see the aracon myself. Perhaps I should grab a bole of red and sck with it.

WestonWayNurserySchool -Alifetimeofdedication

We would like to dedicate this arcle to our long serving member of staff, Sue Dymoke, who aer 21 years has le the nursery and become a new nanna recently.

Sue has had many hats at the nursery over the years from working directly with the children to managing the life of the school in her role on the Senior Leadership Team. Her love for the nursery shone through her passion to provide the best educaon for the children and she was oen the first to find soluons to overcome any challenges.

This Christmas, she was a massive catalyst in reigning our Weston Way Christmas pudding making for our families following the recent covid restricons.

Sue always loved a dressing up day and would fully commit to taking on the character's role. Her most recent being transforming into Peter Rabbit with her many vegetables from Mr McGregor's garden!

Sue took great care of our families and would always support those in need in a wide variety of ways. She always made

sure that we collected items to contribute to the community Reverse Advent each year and she is connuing to support our 80 year celebraon on Friday 30 June as lead of our planning commiee. Sue has a heart of gold.

Warm Regards, Kelly Nichol

Break the rules day at St Mary's Junior School, Baldock

On 30th March, St Mary's Junior school held a 'BREAK THE RULES' day to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund. We worked together with Miss Boyle, one of our teachers, and produced a list of rules that could be broken in school, with a fine of 50p for each rule broken.

Some examples of the rules to be broken were:

Ÿ have an unhealthy snack

Ÿ wear your hood up in class

Ÿ wear non-school uniform

Ÿ wear temporary taoos/make up

Coming in on the day was strange because everyone was dressed up differently, instead of in our matching blue uniform. Some people even changed their hair by dyeing it! We really enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere in school on that day –there was such a buzz of excitement!

In the end, St Mary's managed to raise £402 for WWF, which means that each class will get to adopt an animal through the charity. It was an amazing day and all in such e wonderful cause.

By Raymond Bruce & Eddie Chapman (Year 5)

Baldock Gardens

May - The most exciting time of the year for me as an ex-fruit farmer.

Growing top fruit (Apples and Pears ) the end of April into the start of May was like waiting for Christmas morning to come. Will Santa bring me something nice, or will his sleigh slip off the roof and end up in the garden, and everything gets ruined? Don't let the kids see that bit. What I mean is that we would have spent from October, when the harvest is completed and put away into cold storage, then through to March grading and packing, then sending them to the supermarkets, as well as pruning the thousands and thousands of trees in the orchards. From March onwards, we would be weed killing, fertilising and spraying for pests and diseases. Depending on the season's start, warm or cold, we would see the trees break dormancy around mid-April, plus or minus a week. The buds would open, starting with what is called bud burst when they swell, and the scales slowly slide apart to reveal the green new leaves inside. The next stage is called mouse ear; this is when the leaves uncurl from the tip of the bud, forcing their way out into the new world; they look just how they are described, mouse ears. Next, the trees push a steady stream of sap up to the buds forcing them to open more and more. As the temperature rises, the little flower buds push out into the open, away from the protection of the main bud. At this stage, they still are pretty hardy and can tolerate a slight frost.

Now it starts to get scary, and we watch the weather forecast all day; the little stalks holding the precious flowers extend, pushing the flower buds out into the open; this is called the green bud stage.

The next stage is the pink bud stage; this is when the green buds swell and reveal the pink petals within the bud. If we have got our timings correct, we will have had hundreds of Bee hives brought into the orchards to pollinate the flowers by then. At pink bud, the petals are still closed like a ball and will

By Graham Tapp

slowly open to become a beautiful pink flower.

At full flower, they have no protection against cold weather or frosts.

We then have a nervous wait to see if the Bees have done their job, and we get excellent pollination; it will show itself in the petals dropping quickly called shatter: that's the exciting part. If the pollination is poor due to the cold weather, the petals will stick on the trees much longer and become a slimy mess.

This is the time I refer to as the Santa's Sleigh crash or a present under the Christmas tree.

In the next week to ten days, we will see what crop level we can expect, will the little Apples drop or stay? Some of the little Apples will drop, but most, if set, will remain attached to the tree; we don't count our chickens quite yet as there is a weird freak of nature that happens in early July, strangely called the June drop. Who called it that no one I have ever spoken to knows, but that's what it is called.

We do know that it's a numbers game; each little apple flower that is pollinated will give one apple, and each apple will contain a number of seeds; if there are a high number of seeds, they will produce a hormone that will cause the tree to abort some apples until the hormone is reduced to a sustainable level.

Apple trees produce many, many more flowers than they could ever support if they were all pollinated and had fruit. I very much doubt if ten per cent will produce fruit and maybe fewer than five per cent actually go to full term and are harvested.

There are many other causes of fruit drop, from pests and diseases to the weather and nutrient imbalances. It is crucial in a garden scenario not to get hung up over the constant but small amount of apple drop from flower set through to harvesting.

Natural drop will occur when the fruit becomes overripe and past its prime picking time. A natural

hydrocarbon gas called ethylene, a ripening hormone, is produced, causing an abscission layer to form; it's very similar to a scab between the fruit stalk and the branch; this is why sometimes you will experience fruit that will come off with just a light touch and another time will have to be picked off with some force.

This gas is also what is used to ripen other crops artificially. Tomato, avocado, apple, melon peach, kiwi, and banana are some of the crops that are ripened this way.

In Marden Kent in the early eighties, an incident concerning the ripening of avocados caused us fruit farmers to resurrect the old Micheal Cain phrase"your only supposed to blow the Bl**dy doors off." what had happened was that the inflammable gas level got to the critical concentration and a source of ignition caused the store to explode doing just what we all joked about and blew avocados all over the place, as far as I'm aware no one but their pride was hurt, so we all got a laugh. I'm told that avocado stones flew like cannonballs all over the town. Seriously though, we all went back to our own stores and checked our levels; I have no idea how I would have explained to my Boss how four hundred tons of apples got to be spread all over the village if ours had exploded. Free cider for everyone rather than guacamole.

Don't worry too much; a few pieces of fruit in your fridge won't cause anything like that.

I hope spring is good for you all, if you garden or not.

Cheers

Graham

FEAR OR PHOBIA

So, what is the difference between fear and phobia? For starters, feelings of fear are very common, diagnosable phobias are not.

Almost all of us experience fear at some point in our lives. It is very common to feel a lile anxious the evening before a flight or feel a lile dizzy when looking down from a great height. For most of us, these feelings are temporary and manageable.

However, when these feelings are not temporary and starts to impact your quality of life a fear becomes a phobia. Phobias are a form of anxiety disorder and are characterised by intense excessive and persistent worry and fear

about everyday situaons. Oen, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic aacks).

These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily acvies, are difficult to control, are out of proporon to the actual danger and can last a long me. You may avoid places or situaons to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and connue into adulthood.

Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separaon anxiety

disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Somemes anxiety results from a medical condion that needs treatment. Phobias come in three different forms:

1. Specific phobias, known as simple phobias. These are the most common type of phobias. These phobias can be of animals (such as dogs and cats), people (such as clownsand healthcare providers), enviroments (such as dark or high places), and situaons (such as flying or taking a train).

2. Social Phobia, now called social anxiety disorder, is where people unreasonably fear being humiliated, embarrassed, or judged by others in social situaons.

Unfamiliar people and groups can be parcularly distressing.

3. Agoraphobia refers to an intense and debilitang fear of public places and situaons where it is difficult to escape or embarrassing to exit. This may include enclosed and/or open spaces. Many people with agoraphobia also have panic symptoms or panic disorder, which involves intense fear plus uncomfortable physical symptoms, such as trembling, heart

palpitaons, and sweang

These phobias go further than general fear, causing phobic people to constantly worry that they will encounter the object/situaon that they fear. Time and energy are oen used to acvely avoid the object of fear and if they do come across it, they endure high levels of distress, experiencing nausea, shortness of breath which in some cases lead to panic aacks. Being diagnosed with a phobia can lead the way for treatment. There are several approaches that can help, including hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and medicaon.

Hypnotherapy uses the power of suggeson to encourage posive change using relaxaon techniques to help you reach a state where the conscious part of your mind is relaxed and your subconscious part is more open to suggeson, a suggesve technique of talking to your subconscious to help encourage the change you're looking for.

Kim Holloway www.total-therapy.co.uk

Maureens Retirement

An aernoon tea party, at the end of March, celebrated the rerement of Maureen West from the Baldock Sewing Club.

The group wished to thank for the many years she had contributed to the club. Always a keen dressmaker Maureen decided, some sixty years ago, to pursue a qualificaon.

Having a young family, she made childcare arrangements and enrolled on a course at Luton College of Higher Educaon, now University of Bedfordshire. As a non-driver a bus journey was required which added to the me away from home.

Having qualified with a City and Guilds in Dressmaking she began teaching the subject. Inially evening classes for adults at Knights Templar school in Baldock, funded by Hitchin College. When funding ceased for classes deemed to be recreaonal, the class members decided they could

fund it themselves. They formed a commiee and sought premises they could use during an aernoon. The Baldock Guide Headquarters proved to be an ideal venue, where they sll meet and the Guide Associaon also benefit from the rent.

Although some sll sew, the range of needle cras enjoyed by the group has broadened and includes, kning, crochet, embroidery, cross stch and of course no club meeng would be complete without tea, biscuits and chat.

Lamb Moussaka

With 2 young children and a restaurant, I have found myself doing more batch cooking than ever. Many people ask "how do you do it?" and this is my secret. Cook a meal where the leftovers can sit in the fridge to have again in 2 days' time and will require very little effort to reheat! Stews & curries always taste better when they have been in the fridge for a few days and moussaka is no different. For a cheaper alternative to lamb, ask your butcher for mutton. It'll taste just as good. Here's my recipe for a knockout lamb moussaka.

Ingredients

Ÿ 1 lb ground lamb

Ÿ 2 medium aubergines

Ÿ 2 medium potatoes

Ÿ 1 large onion, diced

Ÿ 3 cloves garlic, minced

Ÿ 60ml cup rapeseed oil

Ÿ 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Ÿ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Ÿ 1 teaspoon ground allspice

Ÿ 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Ÿ 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Ÿ Salt and pepper to taste

Ÿ 1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Ÿ 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Ÿ 2 tablespoons butter

Ÿ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Ÿ 2 cups whole milk

Ÿ 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Ÿ 1 egg, beaten

Ÿ Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 190°C.

2. Peel and slice the aubergine and potatoes into 1/4inch-thick rounds. Lightly salt and place them in a colander for about 30 minutes to draw out the excess moisture.

3. In a large pan, heat the rapeseed oil over mediumhigh heat. Add the ground lamb and cook until browned, stirring occasionally.

4. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook until softened this will take about 7 to 8 minutes.

5. Stir in the tomato paste, cinnamon, allspice, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper and cook for another 5 minutes.

6. In a separate frying pan, toast the breadcrumbs until golden brown, then mix in the grated Parmesan cheese. Set aside.

7. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens. Stir in the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.8. Rinse the eggplant and potatoes and pat dry. Arrange them in a single layer in a baking dish. Spoon the lamb mixture on top, then pour the béchamel sauce over everything.

9. Brush the beaten egg over the top of the moussaka, then sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over it.

10. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving, garnished with fresh parsley.

Enjoy your delicious lamb moussaka!

Supplied by Chef Krish from Eight.

Supplied by Chef Krish from Eight.

MeetStella

Stella is 76 years old, and she joined our Pilates classes 6 years ago aer she rered, and started to feel her body sffening up.

She had never done Pilates before and had avoided it because she thought it was “posh” and it would be full of slim, young, fit people that she wouldn't feel comfortable aending.

She came along to a class with her sisterin-law to try a class and has never looked back! Since aending our classes she can now touch her toes (which she had never been able to do before). Her bowls game has improved and so has her swimming. She is more flexible. “Relaxaon is my favourite part, for the rest of the day I'm really relaxed”.

So if like Stella you are feeling sff, and inflexible, but are feeling nervous about aending a class, we offer an inducon before you begin to come along and try us out before comming to a membership.

We have a variety of classes on offer, Stella aends our regular classes but we also offer a Low Intensity class which is a slower pace with less levels offered to make it even more accessible if you're new to exercise. Our members are all shapes, sizes, age and ability, no discriminaon,

no judgement, just friendly, welcoming and encouraging classes where you get to work at your own level.

Pilates increases your stamina, energy, strength, flexibility, and self-confidence, improves your posture and reduces anxiety, not to menon the social aspect of group classes, you are sure to make new friends too! We specialise in helping women (and men) just like you feel great, let us see if we can help you too.

If you're sll unsure if Pilates is for you, get in touch and we can have a chat about how we can help you. You never know you might find your new favourite thing! Call Emma on 07984 817 230 or email info@thepilatescorner.co.uk

Watch Stella's video by scanning the code below and to find out more about the classes we offer visit www.thepilatescorner.co.uk/60plus

Martial Arts at St Marys

A word from our Maral Arts Coach: During my trip to St Mary's Junior School, I had the pleasure to teach one of the most enthusiasc bunch of children I've ever taught.

I was parcularly impressed with their capacity to simply absorb everything I showed them and respect of the highest level, both for myself and each other. It was truly an amazing week and I'd be delighted to welcome every single student into my academy if they so desire.

Lastly, thank you to all of the students and teachers for seng a very high bar for my next school visit. Thank you and see you soon.

Chris - FMA Head Coach

YOUR BRITISH LEGION NEEDS YOU!

Dear people of Baldock, you may not have been aware but for the past few years 3 amazing people have kept the Baldock branch of the Brish Legion running. These fantasc 3 are called Peter Cherry, Joan Howard and Al Hazlehurst.

Together they have organised the Remembrance Day service which I'm sure, if you aend will agree it has gone from strength to strength over the years. They also have the momentous task of the Poppy Appeal. Each year you will have seen one or all of them outside Tescos doing what they do and making sure we do not forget what the Service men and women have done for us.

Now its me to give back. Two of the three are extremely 'wise' now so have decided to take a lile step back from the organising, however, thankfully they are sll willing to be involved with the Legion locally, so they can keep us on track. So we need your help. Thanks to the appeal that was put out in November we now have a new commiee, but we would sll welcome more. If you are interested in joining the RBL or even just assisng during the Poppy Appeal then please contact me on 07901 821403 or email me on BaldockChairman@RBL.Community and I will happily talk through things with you. Alternavely you can are more than . welcome to come along to our next meeng which takes place on the 3rd of May at 7.30pm at the Orange Tree Pub. We will also have a stall at the Street fair during the fesval. I do hope you will join me in thanking Peter, Joan and Al for all their hard work. It is testament to the kind of people they are as to why we sll have a Royal Brish Legion in Baldock. I look forward to seeing some of you soon.

Karen - Chair Baldock RBL

07572 532618

www.bb-carpentry.co.uk

About your acupuncturist

Lianne Aquilina is a highly qualied acupuncturist, with over 18 years' experience providing high-quality acupuncture treatment for health and care in the community. Lianne graduated with a First Class Bachelor of Science Degree in Acupuncture and holds Certication in Advanced Acupuncture. Lianne was recently honourably elected as the Executive Council Member of the 4th Board of Speciality Committee of Sub-Health of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies. Lianne is a visiting guest lecturer on health research, fertility care, and coauthor of the textbook Acupuncture for IVF: An integrated approach to treatment management. She obtained a Master of Science in Health Research from the University of York. Lianne is a registrant of the British Acupuncture Council which holds the Professional Standards Authority Quality Mark. Lianne is also member of the British Medical Society for Acupuncture.

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence recommends acupuncture for the treatment management of migraine and chronic pain. High quality research from the National Institute for Health Research established that acupuncture works for musculoskeletal conditions, knee arthritis, and chronic headache. A high quality randomised controlled trial of acupuncture and counselling for patients presenting with depression after having consulted their general practitioner in primary care found that both interventions were associated with signicantly reduced depression at 3 months when compared to usual care alone. Acupuncture is a treatment choice and option. If you would like to learn more about acupuncture, please visit www.aquiliaacupuncture.com

Bsc Hons MBAcC MSc 54 Church Street, Baldock

‘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.

07860 950 957

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5 minutes with... ... Eric Knappett from

*TellusabitaboutConservatech

Conservatech are a house extension and double glazing company based in Stevenage. We build house extensions, conservatories, and orangeries throughout Herordshire, BedfordshireandCambridgeshire.

WealsoinstallaseleconofuPVCandaluminiumwindowsand doorsinourcoverageareas.WeareapprovedUltraandWhich? TrustedTraderinstallerssoyouknowyoucanrelyonusforyour homeextensionsandimprovements.

*WhoareConservatech

Conservatech is owned and managed by myself Eric Knappe. With a wealth of experience within the conservatory construcon industry, I have always been convinced that the key to the success of Conservatech is customer focus on aenontodetailandsasfacon.

Alongside myself is Kim Holloway who manages all the finance andadministraonacviesofthecompany,shehasbeenwith thecompanysinceitsinceponin2007.

I employ my own building and installaon teams providing connuity of service during the project, the installers and myself are MTC qualified and are experts within the home extensionanddoubleglazingindustry.

*WhattypeofServicesdoyouprovide?

We provide a bespoke service of building new Home Extensions,Orangeries,Conservatories,GarageConversions

and Garden Buildings we carry out every aspect of the build from digging the foundaons to the installaon of the building and finishing with electrics, plastering, flooring and skirng boards. If planning permission is required, we can take care of that along with any building regulaons and SAP calculaons thatmightberequired.

With our Solid Roof House Extensions, you'll be able to bring a beauful 'room-like' feel to your home. When this factor is combinedwiththefactthatyoucanremoveanyinternaldoors, you'll be able to enjoy a seamless transion between your homeandyournewextension.

We also specialise in refurbing exisng conservatories turning red old rooms into modern contemporary living spaces bringing a focussed focal point or a balanced bright and spacious feel to your home, whether you are changing to a warmsolidrooforglassrooftheyareallenergyefficient. WealsofitArateddoubleglazingwindows,doors,Bi-folddoors andFrenchdoors.

Arethereanynewproductscomingtothemarket?

Yes we are proud to offer a brand new construcon innovaon known as HUP, which replaces the convenonal use of brick walls,mber,andslateroofswithhighlyenergyefficientpanels and a choice of four roof systems. These ground breaking panels make hup! extensions five mes more energy efficient than the typical home in the UK, which means that even if your hup!projecthasalotofwindows,itwillfeeljustaswarmasthe restofyourhouse,evenifyouhavealotofglass.Becauseofthis cungedgetechnology,HUP!extensionscanbeconstructedin minimalmerequiredtoconstructabrickextension.

Whereisthecompanybased?

We have an online showroom www.conservatech.co.uk where youcanfindallourdifferentranges,VRtoursandifyourequire financethereisatabwhichdirectsyoutothefinancecompany. OurofficeisbasedinStevenage,however,weofferourservices tocustomerswithintheHerts,Beds,BucksandCambsarea.

HowDoIgetintouch?

If you would like a quotaon or need advice, you can contact eithermyselforKimon01438728485or07379125253, email: info@conservatech.co.ukorvisitourwebsitewherethereisan online quote engine that will give you a guide price www.conservatech.co.uk.

As you read this the Baldock Fesval will be in full swing, but this year the Independent Baldock Beer Fesval won't be the opening event. There are however two beer fesvals that you can support, The Orange Tree is having a 'Rock, Beer and Sausage' beer fesval over the Bank holiday weekend 28April -1 May and The Cock is having a Beer Fesval with music on the 12-14 May.

We are sad that aer 15 years at the Brandles School site we will be moving on. We want to say a big thank you to our Brandles friends who have been massive supporters of our events. However, with Brandles school going from strength to strength to support local children with special educaonal needs and the fact they have doubled their children on roll over the 15 years we have been there, we have to move on. To meet the growing numbers of children aending Brandles, the school have to expand into the space

that we need to run the beer fesval events safely. On top of that the beer fesval takes a solid week of set up and was starng to be very disrupve to children with emoonal, behavioural and mental health needs.

Do not worry though, we are acvely searching for a new venue and have a couple of opons, so will update you all very soon on the plan. In the meanme, we wanted to share some excing news. We have now got a new venue for the Baldock Oktoberfest, that will be running over the weekend of 20 - 21October 2023, with the same format of a top class Oompah Band and Balstock's own G La Roche to compere the sessions.

A massive thanks to the Baldock Community Centre who have agreed that we can hold the event with them this year. Watch out for news on how to buy your ckets in the summer.

We know the commiee have said this many mes, but we want to again thank everyone who has supported us to raise money (a massive £110,000 to date) for our great community. You are all amazing.

We wish everyone a Happy Baldock fesval and look forward to seeing you all soon,

Love the Baldock Beer Fesval Commiee x

Well it had to happen at some stage and maybe no beer me than at this stage of the season - far enough off from a potenal Twickenham showdown but following one of if not the greatest season for the first fieen in the clubs 99 year history.

The Letchworth express hit the buffers and there was no more coal le to carry them through the challenge of this most accomplished Horsham ouit who had no weak links and some exceponally strong ones!!

Despite having a significant number of players unavailable for the trip to West Sussex, and a fair few others playing out of posion, Letchworth made an encouraging start, with centres Rick Streets and Sonny Ma’asi to the fore. But with just 10 minutes on the clock Letchworth were further depleted when powerful hooker

Rambo Hughes had to leave the field – or rather the AGP! – with a leg injury.

Horsham competed ferociously at the breakdown, and aer 25 minutes Letchworth were three converted tries down.

Letchworth knew that if they could score before half me they were sll in with a fighng chance, and they went through phase aer phase deep in Horsham’s 22. But as they got closer to the Horsham try line the game was stopped because of a head injury to a Horsham prop, and with it went the momentum that Letchworth were building, and the half me whistle was blown.

At 31 – 0 Letchworth had a mountain to climb. But their heads didn’t drop and they put together a sustained period of pressure in the Horsham half but excellent defence kept them out. Then a breakaway try by Horsham’s other wing, Max Paterson, was brilliantly converted to make it 38 – 0.

Then came Letchworth’s best period of play, going through the phases for flanker Luke Mongston to crash over and then fly half Josh Sharp did the same. Sharp converted both to bring the scoreline to 38 – 14. But the next score was Horsham’s, scrum half Aaron Linfield it 45 – 14.

Letchworth connued to press and it was they who looked most likely to score next, but the final whistle blew with no further score. Perhaps a disappoinng way to end the season – albeit against a very good Horsham side – but nothing should take away from the fact that this has been an outstanding year for this Letchworth side.

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

Curtains, Duvets & bedding

Crash Care Centre Hitchin Ltd

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

May Gallery

Buddy doing a bit of modelling Mark Kitchener

Coco playing in the leaves-Judi smith

FurBaby Coco, enjoying reading the Easter issue Lucy

Little Lyla found a rainbow in Ivel Springs - Kelly Sadler

Baldock & Clothall WI team ready for their litter pick

A visitor to my garden Sarojini Ellis

Looking towards Clothall - Mark Hardman

This is team RAMPS (Ricky, Arren, Mark, Phil and Simon) competing in the Ashwell Banger challenge

Baldock Ladies do ABBA

A baby squirrel - Margaret Smith

Useful numbers

Advice

Citizen’s Advice Bureau

Trading Standards Advice

Samaritans Councils

North Hertfordshire District

Doctors

Baldock Surgery

Dentist

Victoria Place Dental Surgery

Emergency Utilities

Gas Emergency

Electric power cut

Lister Hospital

Queen Elizabeth 2 EMERGENCY HEALTH