The Vine Luton - August & September 2015 - Issue 10 by The Vine Magazine

Local News / Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On / Local Directory

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Music Festival Special

How To Survive Boho Chic Festival Style

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Issue 10 â&#x20AC;˘ August/September 2015

Inside This Issue

Health Beauty & Wellb

24 Viva la

Brows &

WIN!

Family tickets to

Woodside Animal Farm

Surviving

Music 12 Vauxhall could have been Festivals

V Lashe

Vauxhall

Rob Auchterlonie reviews the new Vauxhall Viva

I was born with my dad’s eyebr thick, shapeless and unsightly, two caterpillars stuck to my fore NewI followed Releases twelve the fashion of handles. plucked away until they were w Including Noise from the 1.0 litre three U.N.C.L.E by Guy Ritchie totally disappearing - and I was ECOTEC engine and the latest from was very 27derfainting! Today, my eyebrows a Pegg from light subdued.Simon It’s made and unsightly and I’m resigned minium and has better runnin that way forever. Or rather I wa

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saying ‘here’s one we made earlier’ when the wraps came off the all new VIVA at the UK launch. acteristics and noise emission For alongside it was the Internet searches assure me that no matter how some four-cylinder Ann With your units. brows lookin Get the 1960s HA Viva, a car over-plucked, over-waxed or with over- the it’s time to move on vibrations that can be the trad groomed your eyebrows may be, Boho Chicsame value for money mindset of some three-pots There are nume have been there is hope still for beautiful, around promi Colour Dash gotperfectly many of us on the6 Keechwell LOOK that arched, coiffed specidamped down, m andwhich thickness News mens.all Thethose most extreme method road years ago. 8 Localthe for some ofan th VIVA a more enjoyable might be an eyebrow transplant 16 At Home ing! My daug In(yes Ricky Martin’s adapted grating car to drivelong than some really!), but there are other less lashes we Editor: Scott Nightingaledrastic options! 18 In The Garden words it was ‘Livin’ la VIVA competitors. level following t Advertising & Editorial: 20 Martin Lewis new mascara. But w Sales will be heavily weighted local’, the British motoring Shelly Nesbitt Most ofas us ladies – and the odd gent too – 22 Consumer Clinic Tel: 01525 222379 / 07852 453043 need togot lose their a few hairs from the brow line. The wards private that press hands on the Tinting is buyers an optionand if your la Email: Mailthevine@yahoo.co.uk easiest solution is tweezing away the stray 25 hairs Looking up larlybe fair,some and it’scompetitiv not just for there will new car in Luton, where the yourself, but the results are short-lived and the risk of the difference it made to my Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the 26 Puzzles plans to customers. creating theHA wrong shapefirst is high. Betterthe results can be available original Viva saw content of advertising and articles published his lashes were darkened. Cu achieved by a professional, with waxing threadOut &Interestingly About straight it’s things ar in this magazine are accurate, neither lashes appearthat longer light ofthecan day in 1963 before 28and ing methods achieving hair removal lasting around publisher or its editorial contributors illusion of wider, brighter, m included at the moment – bu accept and hereby disclaim any 4-6liability weeks. production switched to EllesLash-perming, which is best to any party to loss or damage caused by will beprofessional, early in thecan new year – make the r mere Port. errors. Neither do they reflect the or opinion of eyebrows may benefit from being Fair very thin All you need to know to get you through a festival

fashion

and...

will help VIVA a little six make weeks, the which is great for have any big events lined ent from its competitors. up Thankfully the quality has improved Like its Finally, stablemates ADAM Copy howdeadline about havingan ey immeasurably, and the revival of the for next issue: Corsa,sions? VIVAThis willisbe conn onefully of the UK’ name Vauxhall now has a trio Browsmeans which focus on shape and design and promise Septemberand involv beauty to thetreatments next generation 18th give you sleek, brows those enjoyedthanks by oftoofferings in thestylish small car like sector, synthetic eyelashes to individ the stars. A seven step process that includes a consulliLink infotainment system. Av to give a luscious, natural lo the VIVA liningbyuptinting, alongside the tation followed waxing,Issue threading, tweez10 • August/September curl, 2015 length orIntelliLink thickness can from early 2016, all ing, trimming and finishing with a pencil or brush to Corsa and Adam. your personal preference an www.thevinemagazine.co.uk seamless integration of Apple fill in any gaps, is described as more than just shaping for 8-12 weeks depending o Small, but with five doors and this publication. The Vine does not officially tinted. Like hair dye, this changes the colour and lasts endorse any advertising material included 4-6 weeks. within this publication. No part of this publication may be reproA popular look at the moment is HD (High Definition) duced without prior permission.

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Issue 10 • August/September 2015

More Than Just A Dash More than 500 runners raised an expected £25,000 and painted Wigmore Valley Park in Luton all the colours of the rainbow in aid of their local adults and children’s Hospice. With an electric atmosphere, Bedfordshire’s first ever Colour Dash saw 100 colour bandits cover participants from head to toe as they ran the 5k course in aid of Keech Hospice Care. Mark Relf, Keech’s Community and Events Fundraising Manager said the support and money raised for adults and children with end of life illnesses has been truly amazing. “What can I say, it’s a sell out, everyone’s had a brilliant time and raised an amazing amount of money for Keech,” Mark said. “Keech’s care extends to the entire family and events like today mean when it seems nothing will ever be the same again, Keech can be there to help and support the whole family whilst caring for their very sick loved ones either at the hospice, in their own home - wherever the support is needed. So thank you Bedfordshire for coming out, having fun and showing your true colours ,” he said. First to cross the finish line was 21 year old, Paul Whyman from Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire. “It was so much fun,” Paul said. “The atmosphere is amazing and I’m totally covered. I was promised I would look like I’d walked through a rainbow and I do. I signed up as Keech looked after my late Uncle. I ran this today for him and anything I can do to help Keech, I will,” he said. Lisa Zsentko from Stotfold ran whilst pushing her three year old son, Stone around the course and through all the colour bandit stations. “We had a ball,” said Lisa.” “Without Keech, my son would not be alive today. Stone was diagnosed with meningitis which left him severely brain damaged. Keech has helped and supported my whole family to come to terms with what’s happened and deal with our newly found circumstances. The doctors had given up on Stone so without Keech, Stone wouldn’t be alive today. Keech saved him,” she said. Keech Hospice provides care for children from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes and adults from Luton and south Bedfordshire with progressive, life-limiting conditions from diagnosis up until the end of their life. With only 30 percent of the funding Keech gets coming from the NHS, local authorities and the Department of Health, it relies on 70 percent of its funding to come from fundraising in the community so it can keep doing the vital work it does.

66 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Colour

Cancer? CFS? Leg Ulcers? Diabetes? Oxygen Therapy May Help! A charity is offering three free trials of Oxygen Therapy to people with leg ulcers or diabetic foot ulcers. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is becoming popular due to media coverage of the amazing results it can achieve. Mark Boscher from the Oxygen Therapy Service (part of the Herts MS Therapy Centre) explains: “Oxygen Therapy involves the delivery of oxygen under pressure. We’ve seen some exciting results amongst people with cancer, ME / CFS / Fibromyalgia and other conditions with debilitating long term exhaustion. Oxygen Therapy can often help boost energy levels and fight stubborn infections.“ Three free places at Oxygen Therapy sessions are available – for people with leg ulcers or diabetic foot ulcers.

Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy help you? Who do you know with:

Mark Boscher standing by the oxygen chamber.

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Registered Charity 299524 Hertfordshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre 30 Campus Five, Letchworth, Herts SG6 2JF www.hertsmstherapy.org.uk

Issue 10 • August/September 2015

Luton BID Brightens Up Town Luton Business Improvement District (BID) has teamed up with Luton Borough Council to bring colour back onto the town centre streets in the first stage of a floral displays programme. Six neglected giant planters in George Street have been decked with colourful red, white and blue bedding plants to reflect the town’s official coat of arms. They will then be re-planted in the Autumn with evergreen plants and will be joined by further planters around the town centre in spring/summer 2016. The planters are part of the Luton BID objective to improve the environment in the town centre. Other objectives in the BID’s five year action plan are to promote the area; ensuring the town centre is accessible and appealing; provide a safe environment for businesses and visitors; and supporting and promote business growth, development and investment and a sense of community. Gavin O’Brien from creative agency Clearhead is chair of the Luton BID Board, which drives forward activities

under the area’s new Business Improvement District status. He explained: “Our research and surveys showed that businesses and visitors alike wanted more colour in the streets and this is the first stage of the wider environmental programme over the next five years. “Having an attractive environment in the town centre has a positive impact on a host of issues that we are planning to address under the BID programme. “A colourful and cared-for environment changes perceptions of an area and engenders pride in people’s surroundings. “It will hopefully enhance our other work to encourage more people to enjoy our town centre– creating a more welcoming environment and prompting them to return. “Research also shows that there is less litter and anti social behaviour in streets that are clean, tidy and cared for. “It is perfect that the colours reflect Luton’s coat of arms and portrays the pride that businesses in this area have to the town.” For more information about the Luton BID activities, visit www.lutonbid.org

www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Transport Minister Visits Woodside Link New Transport Minister, Andrew Jones MP, officially launched construction of the Woodside Link road t during a visit to the Sundon Road site. The Minister saw first hand how the £38.3m scheme will bring vital connectivity to new housing developments, the A5-M1 Link road, a new M1 motorway junction 11a, and the industrial areas of Houghton Regis and Dunstable. Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Regeneration, hosted the event, which celebrated the unique funding partnership that has made the road possible, with £20m of funding from SEMLEP (South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership), £5m from the Government’s Pinch Point Fund, and £1m from developers. Transport Minister, Andrew Jones MP, said: “This scheme will make it easier for people to access Luton Airport and the M1, providing better journeys for residents and businesses and supporting more housing and jobs. The Government is committed to investing in faster and more reliable transport links. This road scheme is part of our long-term economic plan to deliver benefits for everyone.”

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Issue 10 • August/September 2015

for new carers mes Valley to g parents with

opportunity to remain together. A young parent may be struggling to care for their child and require extra support, and these placements allow the parent to develop their parenting skills in a stable and caring environment whilst in the guidance of their foster carer.

Foster Care Associates (FCA) is helping young parents in Bedfordshire to develop their parenting skills by providing support in the home of a specially trained foster carer. The aim is to keep the family together and stop the children from going into care. FCA which marks its 21st anniversary of providing care and support to children and young people this year, is offer full support and guidance to carers and children alike to appealing for potential carers ensure that each relationship fulfils the children and the famacross Bedfordshire with the ily as whole” time, dedication and room to Placements can range from care for a young parent and short-term assessment periods, which generally last up to 12 their child to consider a move weeks, to more long-term ones that offer the chance to into help thefostering. parent provide care and guidA pa ance to the child. This means an re n t a n d c h i l d appropriate placement can be p l a c e ment offers the parent found to suit the foster home. Some are pre-birth placements and child the best opportunity that help parents to prepare for the birth of the child. to remain together. A young FCA provides support to parent those may be struggling undertaking parent and child to placements every step of thecare for their child and way, including training, a finanextra support, a n d cial allowance, access torequire carer support groups and organised t h e s e p l a c e m e n t s allow family activities. the parent to develop their For more information on becoming a foster carer with FCA parenting skills in a stable and call 0800 023 4561 or visit caring environment whilst in www.thefca.co.uk the guidance of their foster carer. FCA encourages parent and child placements because they allow the parent to maintain and build upon their relationship with the child, meaning a foster home can play a pivotal role in ensuring the parent and child a happy lifetime together. Karen Bolton, registered manager, from FCA Thames Valley said: "Rather than referring

FCA appeal for new carers to find room to foster young parents with their child

Associhelparents in MilAylesbury, he Thames n, to develop

skills by providhe home of a d foster carer. eep the family op the children care.

ks its 21st anoviding care and dren and young r, is appealing rers in Thames time, inclination are for a young r child to conto fostering. hild placement nt – often the hild the best

FCA encourages parent and child placements because they allow the parent to maintain and build upon their relationship with the child, meaning a foster home can play a pivotal role in ensuring the parent and child a happy lifetime together. Karen Bolton, registered manager, from FCA Thames Valley said: "Rather than referring struggling young parents to residential units to have their parenting assessed, family courts and local authorities are increasingly beginning to refer them to parent and child foster placements. “With fully trained support staff across the Thames Valley region ready to work with new carers and guide them, FCA

struggling young parents to residential units to have their parenting assessed, local authorities are increasingly beginning to refer them to parent and child foster placements. “With fully trained support staff across Bedfordshire ready to work with new carers and guide them, FCA offer full support and guidance to carers and children alike to ensure that each relationship fulfils the children and the family as whole” Placements can range from short-term assessment periods, which generally last up to 12 weeks, to more long-term ones that offer the chance to help the parent provide care and guidance to the child. This means an appropriate placement can be found to suit the foster home. Some are pre-birth placements that help parents to prepare for the birth of the child. FCA provide support to those undertaking parent and child placements every step of the way, including training, a financial allowance, access to carer support groups and organised family activities - all contributing factors as to why FCA placements are 22% more stable than the national average.

For more information on becoming a foster carer with FCA call 0800 022 4012 or visit www.thefca.co.uk

10 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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Issue 10 • August/September 2015 11

A Guide To

Music Festivals < Survival

With the Summer holidays in full flow, August sees many of the big music festivals. V Festival in Chelmsford and Staffordshire on 22nd - 23rd August, Reading Festival between 28th - 30th August, Creamfields in Cheshire, Leeds Festival both on 28th August; and

Step

that’s just naming the well known ones! In almost every area of the UK, there will be a music festival going on and thousands upon

:H ave Fun!

thousands of us are heading to them. So whether you’re packing your camping gear for your own trip, or helping your teenager prepare for their first music festival whilst reminiscing about Woodstock; find my top tips for attending an event this Summer!

Nothing ruins a selfie like glaring sunburn! And on a serious note, not looking after yourself in the sun can have serious affects on your health. So make sure you pack AND USE your sunscreen.

You may not feel like you want to on that first exciting day; regardless of the weather, of the queues for the perfect toilets, you’re excited and want to make the most of your trip. However, get some sleep when you can! Night time at a festival is never likely to be particularly quiet, and getting a suitable amount of rest will keep you healthy and energetic enough to really enjoy your time. If there’s some space in the day where there’s no band you HAVE to check out, try and get forty winks to make sure that even if you are then up all night or kept up all night, you don’t miss the one band you MUST see because you’ve passed out!

Go back to basics! If it rains, EVERYTHING will get muddy and wet, if you leave your tent unattended…you know..to actually attend the festival(!), you may come back to find some items missing. A music festival is not the place to show off your fancy gadgets and new pieces of technology, unless you want to show off how quickly they can get damaged and/or stolen! If you really want to show off, pick yourself up an early 2000’s Nokia, there is NO breaking those things!

Anti bacterial handgel, GET SOME! You will very rarely find yourself at a festival with luxury showering facilities so hand gel is your friend, as are baby wipes, which can be used for almost anything! Quick tip for contact lense wearers, rinse your hands with water before putting your contacts in, antibacterial gel is great but will sting your eyes!

12 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Danielle Lade

You are not attending a fashion show, put the Laboutins away, re-hang that delicate silk dress. Remember you’re likely to get muddy, hot and bothered, excessively sweaty, spilt on…and the rest! You’ll be able to wash your clothes when you get home but in the meantime make sure you pack light, pack sturdy (or throwaway!) and pack practical!

There are no bed and breakfast options and in the morning you’ll need something (other than a bucket of caffeine!). Cereal bars are perfect to get you started and don’t require any cleaning. Meal replacement shakes are also a handy alternative although not enough to fully sustain you. Other winning options are apples, and the healthier fast food options; baked potato, falafel

and the like. You can live off burgers and chips but your skin and energy levels are not likely to thank you for it!

At nighttime, the field becomes a sea of tents (and straggling revellers!) if you need to find your way back to base, or head out to a toilet, have a flashlight handy. One you can clip to your belt or clothes is ideal so you can easily find your way without trampling through someone else's tent whilst losing your own! Another good option is a head torch, and both can be picked up these days from a pound store or budget shop.

If there’s a certain band you just HAVE to see from the front, be prepared to watch the previous couple of line up acts, and it might be worth knowing what they’ll be so you don’t stand right at the front completely clueless! But don’t panic if you feel overwhelmed at the front, festivals can be daunting and the crowds become very large. If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable, don’t worry, just make your way slowly out towards more open space.

n ’t f o r g

y o u r w ell

mark@plumbingandgas.org.uk

Enjoy yourself! If you’ve never been to a music festival before, you’re in for quite the experience! The best piece of advice I could give is to embrace it! And enjoy that feeling of a fresh shower and your own bed when you get home!

mark@plumbingandgas.org.uk

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mark@plumbingandgas.org.uk

Speaking of not panicking, you WILL get muddy, it WILL get crowded, you WILL have drinks spilled on you. Festivals are almost like another world. If you didn’t shower and were covered in mud from the knees down in the office, you would get some funny looks. But at a festival you’re all in the same boat and none of you will be properly clean until Sunday night. So relax, don’t worry about it, and keep those baby wipes handy for damage control!

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Issue 10 • August/September 2015 13

14 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Fashion & Shopping

Issue 10 â&#x20AC;˘ August/September 2015 15

At Home Among the advantages of building a conservatory is that in addition to creating a suntrap, you will be adding an extension to the house in the same way as you would a loft conversion - and with only one set of expenses. Indeed, many people find that when it is complete that they wish they had gone for a larger size, and therefore itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always worth regarding it as an additional room right from the outset. So, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to add value to both your life and your home, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a few top tips about achieving this best of both worlds.

The

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Direction You're unlikely to have much choice about where to site your conservatory, but the direction it faces is an important factor to take into consideration - it will have a big effect on temperature for one thing. If it faces south it will get sun all the year round - this can be fine in winter and on chilly days, but bear in mind it can get uncomfortably hot in midsummer. There are various ways of controlling this. Ventilation is essential, as are shades or blinds on the roof and walls. Other options also include fitting solar control glass or low emissivity glass (known as E-glass) which both substantially reduce the power of the sun. Alternatively there are some very effective transparent films, virtually invisible, which can be applied to the glass by the installer. A central ceiling fan can be an advantage, and if you get one that combines a multiple light fitting you will be able to use the conservatory in the evenings. If the siting of your house allows for a west-facing conservatory you will get good sunlight on summer afternoons and evenings while plants will enjoy the indirect light during much of the day. One that faces east is ideal for those who like to use the conservatory as a breakfast room, or maybe for coffee mornings. In an easterly wind, however, it might prove a little chilly. And if your conservatory will be north facing, it will call for insulation and heating in winter, although it can be warm and bright in summer. Consider whether there's a case for double-glazing in this instance.

16 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Design Conservatories come in three basic designs: Victorian, recognisable by a multi-faceted bay, Edwardian, which has a square end and makes good use of space, and the lean-to which is useful for fitting into corners and awkward spaces. Most contractors can devise combinations of these to suit clients' individual requirements. You'll also have a choice of full-length glass walls or glass with dwarf walls, preferably using bricks that match the house. A good base is essential for a stable unit, so make sure the contractor keeps you informed about this. It needs to be level and damp-proofed and insulated to recognised building standards. The depth of the base will depend on local conditions. A good contractor should be able to advise you about this too. Otherwise your local planning office will help - although planning permission is not required for constructions occupying less than 30 square metres of floor space. The conservatory does, however, have to conform to relevant building regulations - your contractor will be aware of this.

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Dodgy Deals It goes without saying that you'll need a good contractor - as well as providing the conservatory you want, they should be able to advise on a variety of practical and legal matters. Some firms can be a bit highpressure with their sales routine, so make sure you shop around for different quotes and stick to your guns to get exactly what you want. Choosing a reputable organisation such as Network VEKA - an organisation made up of 140 independent companies - is a good place to start. Network VEKA offers a hassle-free guide to buying for all interested customers, and promises that all its members meet very stringent standards. (Visit www.networkveka.com). Remember the cheapest deal may not be the best if it ends up as an unsuitable space for you to use. One thing's for sure, once your conservatory is in place, you'll wonder

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PC Help Centre

LEATHER

RESTORATION SERVICE Before

Before

After

CAR SEAT & FURNITURE REPAIRS Most repairs can be undertaken in your home by our qualified leather technicians, or larger jobs brought into our fully equipped

• Rips • Cigarette Burns • Holes • Cat Scratches • Re-colouring • Colour Matching • Cleaning • Cracking • Stain Removal • Re-Padding • Spring Replacement.

workshop.

Repairing leather is approximately 20% of the cost of re-upholstering Unit 26 Acacia Close, Cherrycourt Way, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4QE Luton:01582

Website:

380 750

Leighton Buzzard:01525

888 250

www.furnitureclinic.co.uk

By Michael Stewart

Issue 10 • August/September 2015 17

By Hannah Stephenson

In Theen Gard Going On Holiday?

WHAT ABOUT THE GARDEN? You may have packed your suitcases and sorted out your flight tickets in preparation for your two-week summer holiday - but what about the garden? So many gardeners see all their work go to pot when they are away from home in the summer, as containers dry out, lawns go brown and many plants run to seed in their absence. However, there are ways to minimise the suffering your plants endure if you are away during a prolonged spell of warm, dry weather, so that you can return home to a garden which doesn't look like it's been in a fullscale drought. Your first port of call is your neighbours and family. Ask if they can water your plants while you're away and harvest crops such as tomatoes and green beans before they go over, keeping what they want for themselves. Cluster your patio pots together in a sheltered, shady place that is open to the rain, feeding and watering them thoroughly just before leaving. Hav-

ing them close together will make watering easier, if you have someone to do it for you, and will help conserve moisture if you don't. If you don't have anyone to water your containers, take down hanging baskets and sit them directly into a depression in the soil surface in a cool, shady spot and drench them with water so the soil underneath is also wet. If you don't have an automatic watering system, use an upturned bottle full of water set into the container, which should release the water as the soil dries. Alternatively, invest in some strips of capillary matting tucked into the compost at one end and a bucket of water at the other, which should provide enough moisture for the fortnight you're away. Before you go, remove all the blooms from your containers, not just the faded ones. This should conserve the plants' energy and hopefully will mean that new blooms will have emerged by the time you return home.

18 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk www.thevinemagazine.co.uk 18

Don't worry about your lawn. You can choose to leave it long, to conserve moisture and protect the roots. Don't feed it to encourage it to grow fast while you're away. If it has gone the colour of straw on your return, don't worry because it will pick up again in autumn when the rain comes. Well-established plants in borders shouldn't suffer too much, as their roots will be deep enough to find some moisture in the soil. Fruit shouldn't suffer if you're away in August, as soft fruit will have been picked before you go and apples and pears won't be ready for harvesting until autumn. Give veg a really good soaking before you go, pick as much as you can just before you leave, blanching and freezing what you can't use, or give it to a kindly neighbour who may return the favour with a bit of watering in your absence. If you do rely on your friends and neighbours to do the watering for you while you're away, make sure you bring them back a present and always offer to return the favour.

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There’s so much to do this summer at Woodside Animal Farm

and we’ve 2 sets of Family Day Tickets to give away!

To win all you have to do is :

You can get up close and personal with our animals at Woodside Animal Farm. Feed them, pet them and even cuddle them during our ‘Cuddly Encounters’ hands on sessions. As well as our wide range of farm, zoo and exotic animals there are tractor and trailer rides, animal demonstrations, a mini fun fair, crazy golf and lots of outdoor play fun. For rainy days and when the kids just want to run wild there’s the heated indoor soft play centre and cafe serving hot meals and snacks, a selection of rich and warming coffees and a tempting range of delicious cakes and treats. Our well stocked gift shop has a good range of gifts, toys and pocket money treats. Our award winning poultry centre stocks a vast range of livestock, feed and accessories, and our friendly helpful staff are on hand to give you all the advice you need!

1 - LIKE The Vine Magazine Facebook page 2 - Find the Woodside Animal Farm Competition post and leave the comment #woodsideanimalfarm OR Send an email titled Woodside Animal Farm, including your name to mailthevine@yahoo.co.uk

Winners will be picked at random and notified on 21st August 2015. The Vine Magazine

Issue 10 • August/September 2015 19

Money Matters By Martin Lewis

First Time Buyers It’s perhaps the cheapest time in history to get a first time buyers’ mortgage - with rates at historic lows and the new Help to Buy ISA due. Yet that’s not the same as saying it’s the best time to buy a house. Property is an ‘asset class’ that means prices move - so never assume buying a home is as safe as houses.

@moneysavingexpert

It’s far more important to examine your own reasons for buying. If it’s a long term place to live, to give you security of tenure, and the repayments are affordable (possibly even cheaper than renting) it’s a reasonable aim. Here’s what you need to know…

an 80% LTV. The lower the LTV, the better deal you can get. To help with this I’ve a totally free 60 page First-Time Buyers mortgage booklet you can download from www.mse.me/FTB which takes you through everything in more detail.

Step 1. Learn the lingo. A mortgage is likely to be the

Step 2. Deposit, deposit, deposit. Every 5% bigger

biggest financial transaction you’ll make, so arm yourself with knowledge to understand the terms commonly used. Here are the key facts you’ll need to understand about any mortgage.

deposit up to 40% cuts the rate - so a little more can have a big impact.

a. The Rate: This is the interest you are charged, and it dictates the amount you repay each month. b. The Type: Most mortgages have rate reductions for the first two to five years. These come in a few types. Fixes are where the rate is locked in. Trackers are where it can only move in relation to UK base rate moves. And variable rate, where they tend to move with UK base rates, but can also move at the lenders whim. c. Length of the deal: If it’s a short-term deal (eg, a 2yr fix), when does it end? d. Term: How long is the entire mortgage borrowing length - eg, 25yrs, and when will it be fully repaid? e. Penalties: Are there any early-repayment penalties if you try and pay it off or move, before the deal ends? f. Can you overpay? Are you allowed to pay more off without any penalties? This can be very useful as it means you pay less interest over the mortgage terms and clear the debt more quickly. g. Your loan-to-value (LTV): The proportion of your home’s current value you are borrowing. eg, a £20,000 deposit on a £100,000 means you’re borrowing £80,000 – so it’s

20 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Imagine you’ve a £150,000 home, and want a £136,000 mortgage. That’s a 90.7% LTV, the top 2 year fix is 3.98%. Yet if you use £1,100 of savings to reduce the borrowing needed, you’d cross a threshold and be at just under 90%, where the top 2yr fix is 2.69%. This would save over £700/year in mortgage payments alone. Of course saving for a deposit is often a struggle. From autumn you’ll also be given the chance of a cash boost towards buying your first home if you save into a new type of Help to Buy ISA. You can save up to £200 every month and the Government will add 25% on top (so £50 on £200). You can also save an additional £1,000 when you first open it, meaning you can save £1,200 in the first month (that will have £300 added on top of it). The minimum you need to have saved to get the bonus is £1,600 (so a £400 bonus), and the maximum the Government will contribute is £3,000 (so that means you will have saved £12,000). For full information see www.mse.me/helptobuyisa.

Money Matters By Martin Lewis Step 3. Speedily compare to benchmark your cheapest. It’s important to start to work out the exact cost you’re likely to pay as soon as possible. Mortgage rates are currently the lowest they have ever been, with even 5 year fixes below 2% (if you’ve a big enough deposit). While there is always the chance that they could sneak even cheaper, there’s not that much room to fall, yet there’s far more room for them to rise in future. To find a mortgage you want to look across the whole market if possible. There are a number of lenders like Yorkshire BS, Tesco Bank and HSBC who only offer their mortgages direct, and these may be missed by mortgage brokers. So it’s important to start by doing a comparison that includes all deals. My own www.mse.me/mortgagebestbuys comparison tool does, as does www.moneyfacts.co.uk and Googles mortgage tables.

Step 4. Two things that can kibosh your application. The days when lenders flung out deals to all and sundry are long gone. Getting accepted is now a challenge – I would suggest you start preparing and you position yourself at least a year in advance, or failing that as soon as possible. a) The credit check. It’s crucial to manage your credit score, preferably months in advance, eg, never make late payments, minimise other applications and put a landline not a mobile on applications. See my 35 credit score boosting tips at www.mse.me/creditscore to make sure that you’re in good financial shape. b) Affordability checks. Lenders must stress-test if your mortgage is affordable, even if rates were 6-7%. They’ll want evidence of income, big bills, expenses, even eating out. So being frugal in advance helps. One way to navigate through these checks, is to use a top mortgage broker, you can search for one using www.vouchedfor.co.uk or www.unbiased.co.uk - they have info on how harsh each lender’s checks are, and can help ease acceptance. You’ll generally pay a fee for face to face advise though brokers like www.lcplc.co.uk operate fee free via the phone (they get a fee from the lender).

Step 5. Don’t fall for ‘Help to Buy Mortgage’ branding. While much hyped, the main Help to Buy scheme (ie, not the original only for new builds) is about the Government giving LENDERS a guarantee to enable them to offer more 5% deposit mortgages, meaning more are available. If

First Time Buyers you’re looking for a 5% deal, it makes no difference to you whether it’s a Help2Buy or not. Just go for the best available.

Step 6. Fixed or variable? With a fixed mortgage, the amount you repay is, er, fixed so it’s like buying an insurance policy against possible rate rises. Variable deals move with UK interest rates (sometimes just at the provider’s whim). Currently you only pay a touch more to fix. It’s very difficult to predict future interest rate moves. Even top economists are singing a different tune now from a year ago, and there’s even the possibility they may fall before that. So focus on your own situation. The more crucial the security of knowing exactly what you’ll pay, the more you should edge towards fixing (& fixing longer). If cracking the rock-bottom deal’s your driver, edge to short-term trackers.

Sell your houseSel Sell your house fast for cash Sell your house fast for cash Sell your house fa Attention fast for cash Sell your house LD SO fast for cash AllSO Landlords LD fast for cash LD SO Play the codeshare trick - where two airlines sell the same flight. Airlines don’t shout that their partners often sell their flights too, sometimes for less. If you’re going on popular long-haul routes this can be a way to save.

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CAL Issue 10 • August/September 2015 21

Consumer Clinic

Are Extended Warranties Worth the Money? It doesn’t seem to matter what product you’re buying, there’s now an extended warranty available for everything. The question people often ask me on my radio show is whether it’s a good idea to pay the extra and take one out? By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

You can listen to The JVS Show every weekday morning from 9am on BBC Three Counties Radio

you may consider buying the failed after a couple of years I y answer is generextended warranty just to give would simply purchase a new ally a big, fat NO! you hassle free piece of mind, Under your statutory one at another cost of £15.99. and you know what? I wouldn’t The shop assistant seemed rights you are protected for a blame you. amazed that I was so hostile to ‘reasonable’ amount of time if the idea. Sadly I would imagine a manufacturing defect occurs many people go ahead and pay The rule of thumb is always think with a product. Depending on long and hard before you hand an additional £20 that’s totally the item and the initial cost, over your money for something pointless. this is generally as long as an you probably don’t need. extended warranty would last anyway. Remember It is also worth looking into when the retailer says that Under your statutory rights the idea of purchasing inafter 12 months there’s you are protected for a surance policies that cover nothing they can do, ‘reasonable’ amount of time if a all of your white goods for they’re fobbing you off. manufacturing defect occurs mechanical failure. For The extended warranty is with a product consumers looking for normally a way of charging hassle free piece of mind you for something you at a lower cost these can really don’t need. be a good alternative to the You should however remember ‘extended warranty. Please that often when claiming under Sadly some consumers are so your statutory rights that a battle read the terms and conditions trusting of retailers that they though beforehand and underwill probably ensue. A battle believe the company’s advice that will require you to hold your stand exactly what the policy to be sound. I went to a well will cover. nerve. For most things I would known shop once and bought urge you to fight that battle (and a radio for £15.99. The retailer call me if you need help), but for tried very hard to sell me a 3 year extended warranty for £20. other essential products (stairlifts / electric wheelchairs etc) I explained that if the radio

22 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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psovenvaleting@outlook.com Issue 10 • August/September 2015 23 All areas covered

auto Biographies Vauxhall VIVA By Rob Auchterlonie Copyright Wheelwrite

Vauxhall could have been saying ‘here’s one we made earlier’ when the wraps came off the all new VIVA at the UK launch. For alongside it was the 1960s HA Viva, a car with the same value for money mindset that got many of us on the road all those years ago. In Ricky Martin’s adapted words it was ‘Livin’ la VIVA local’, as the British motoring press got their hands on the new car in Luton, where the original HA Viva first saw the light of day in 1963 before production switched to Ellesmere Port. Thankfully the quality has improved immeasurably, and the revival of the name means Vauxhall now has a trio of offerings in the small car sector, the VIVA lining up alongside the Corsa and Adam. Small, but with five doors and easy to park, the new car has been specifically tuned in the chassis department to deal with UK roads, and it’s fair to say it did a decent job of coping with the route on the UK launch last week. VIVA is only available in two trim levels – SE and SL – with the former starting at £7995 and the SL weighing in at £9495 for what is a pretty well equipped small car. And a stylish one too. The bonnet has a distinctive shape, and there are stand out sharp crease lines down the flanks that followed the door

handles. Noise from the 1.0 litre three cylinder ECOTEC engine was very well subdued. It’s made from light aluminium and has better running characteristics and noise emission than some four-cylinder units. Annoying vibrations that can be the trademark of some three-pots have been pretty well damped down, which makes the VIVA a more enjoyable and less grating car to drive than some of its competitors. Sales will be heavily weighted towards private buyers and that means there will be some competitive PCP plans available to customers. Interestingly it’s things that aren’t included at the moment – but which will be early in the new year – that will help make the VIVA a little different from its competitors. Like its stablemates ADAM and Corsa, VIVA will be fully connected thanks to the next generation IntelliLink infotainment system. Available from early 2016, IntelliLink allows seamless integration of Apple iOS and Android devices, including full compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also available from January 2016, as standard on SL trim and as an option on SE, will be the personal connectivity and service assistant OnStar. Customers will be able to use a wide gammut of services provided by Vauxhall OnStar such as emergency services, roadside recovery and smartphone remote control. In addition, when equipped with OnStar, VIVA will become a Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling up to seven devices to be connected to the car network.

24 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

OnStar is also there in case of an emergency – whether you can ask for it yourself or not. For example, if an airbag deploys, OnStar will be alerted automatically. An advisor will then contact the subscriber to determine whether help is required. If there is no response, emergency responders will immediately be sent to the exact location of the vehicle. OnStar Advisors located at the hightech Contact Centre in Luton will be available 24/7 and 365 days a year. At a push of the SOS button, OnStar users can request assistance whenever they deem it necessary, for example if they witness an accident. Via the Smartphone App, subscribers will be able to call OnStar from anywhere, access important vehicle data such as oil life and tyre pressure, remotely lock or unlock the car and (if their car has been stolen) locate it with Stolen Vehicle Assistance which can also remotely block the ignition.

FAST FACTS Vauxhall viva 5 door sl £9495 1999Cc three cylinder Ecotec, 75ps, 95nm Five speed manual gearbox Top speed 106mph 0-60Mph 13.1Secs Fuel – Urban 50.4 Extra Urban 72.4 Combined 62.8 Co2 104g/km Will it fit the garage? Quite easily!

Bedfordshire’s Night Sky

By Seb Jay

Looking Up! August & September 2015

Find Saturn in the Late Summer Sky:

Saturn is the brightest planet visible in the evening sky over Bedfordshire in August and September this year. Look to the south-west after dark for a pale yellow star-like object hanging above the horizon slightly to the right of an almost vertical line of three dimmer white stars. A small telescope is all that is needed to see Saturn’s rings and some of the planet’s moons.

Catch a Falling Star this August:

The Perseids Meteor Shower is well underway as August begins. Shooting star activity builds through the first two weeks of the month to a peak on the nights of August 12th and August 13th. Look out to your north-east after dark for fast moving streaks

of light flashing across the sky. These aren’t real stars falling to Earth. If they were we’d all be in a severe amount of difficulty! Instead what we see are tiny particles of comet debris burning up in Earth’s atmosphere.

See a Rare Supermoon Eclipse:

In the early hours of September 28th the full moon is set to turn blood-red as we experience a total lunar eclipse. From 2am to 5am the moon enters Earth’s shadow. At 356,876 kilometres distance it’ll be the closest total lunar eclipse visible from the UK so far this century. In fact we’ll have to wait until October 2051 to see a ‘supermoon’ eclipse that is any closer. Image: A total eclipse of the moon by Neal Simpson seb@darkskytelescopehire.co.uk Dark Sky Telescope Hire www.darkskytelescopehire.

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Issue 10 • August/September 2015 25

Puzzles

Answers on page 30

Crossword

Across

Down

1. Comprehensible (12) 1. Heart-broken (12) 2. Garland (3) 7. Sorrow (5) 8. Father (5)

3. Flowing in (6)

9. Born (3)

4. Powerlessness (9)

10. Innumerable (9)

5. Metric unit (5)

11. Production (6)

6. Arrogant (12) 7. Welcome (5)

12. Tell (6) 15. Determine (9)

10. Wooing (9)

17. Entrap (3)

13. Proprietor (5)

18. Bloodsucker (5)

14. Trouble (6)

19. Change (5)

16. Dim (5)

21. Absurd (12)

20. Part of foot (3)

Sudoku 数独 1 6 CLIPS

2 9 7

2 4 3 7

8 2 9 3 8 5 4 6

9 2 6 SHOES

www.thevinemagazine.co.uk 26 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9 just once. This can be done by applying logic -you don’t have to guess!

Cinema New Releases THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E RELEASE DATE: 14th August 2015 CAST: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Jared Harris, Hugh Grant, Luca Calvani Director Guy Ritchie’s “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” is a fresh take on the hugely popular 1960s television series. Set against the backdrop of the early 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” centers on CIA agent Solo and KGB agent Kuryakin. Forced to put aside longstanding hostilities, the two team up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization, which is bent on destabilizing the fragile balance of power through the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology. The duo’s only lead is the daughter of a vanished German scientist, who is the key to infiltrating the criminal organization, and they must race against time to find him and prevent a worldwide catastrophe.

ABSOLUTLY ANYTHING RELEASE DATE: 14th August 2015 CAST: Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley, Meera Syal and Rob RIggle. A voice cast line up of: John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Robin Williams

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON RELEASE DATE: 28th August 2015 CAST: O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Aldis Hodge, Neil Brown Jr. In the mid-1980’s, the streets of Compton, California, were some of the most dangerous in the country. When five young men translated their experiences of growing up into brutally honest music that rebelled against abusive authority, they gave an explosive voice to a silenced generation. Following the meteoric rise and fall of N.W.A., Straight Outta Compton tells the astonishing story of how these youngsters revolutionized music and pop culture forever the moment they told the world about life in the hood and ignited a cultural war.

Absolutely Anything follows a disillusioned school teacher, Neil Clarke (Pegg) who suddenly finds he has the ability to do anything he wishes, a challenge bestowed upon him by a group of power-crazed aliens (voiced by Cleese, Gillam, Jones, Palin and Idle), watching him from space. As he struggles to deal with these new found powers and the events that subsequently arise, he calls upon his loyal canine companion Dennis (voiced by Robin Williams) to help him along the way. Mishap after mishap finally leads him to the ultimate conundrum that all men dread and at which many have failed...should he choose the girl... or the dog...?

Issue 10 • August/September 2015 27

Out & About SAPPHIRE SOCIAL CLUB Sapphire Social Club - this social club caters for the unattached aged 50+. We meet weekly in Hitchin and organize a variety of social events every month. No joining fee for the first two months. Come along and meet new friends. Tel Joyce 07960 440417 or Ian 07900 890583 for details www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk THE PARKSIDE SINGERS Do you enjoy singing? The Parkside Singers is a lively mixed choir, singing fourpart harmony music including pop, songs from musicals and some choral favourites such as Ave Verum and The Lords Prayer. Call Claire on 01525 753110. LUTON POETRY SOCIETY Last Saturday of every month, 2-4pm Luton Central Library £3, free for Poetry Society member (£20 annual membership) Our meetings usually take place on the last Saturday of each month at Luton Central Library (3rd Floor) June’s theme is ‘Sorry, Please and Thank You’. July’s theme is ‘Summer’ For more information visit www.lutonculture.com/lutonlibraries or call 01582 547 418 BREAKOUT SOCIAL CLUB We are a club for the over forty fives, not a singles club but a social club for people who enjoy going out but are on their own, where they can meet like-minded people, with a varied monthly programme covering Disco’s, Pub lunch’s, walks, parties and much, much more, we meet once a week in the front bar at the Conservative Club, High street North Dunstable For more information please contact Sandy on 07813 262556 WARDEN AFTERNOON CLUB Meets every Tuesday 2 - 4pm Warden Hill Community Centre (rear of the Warden Tavern) We are a recently established group of friendly ladies and gentlemen who meet weekly for companionship, activities and refreshments. If you would like some

28 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

company, or know someone who would benefit from joining us, please come along any Tuesday - everyone is very welcome. For more information contact Sue on 07706895444 or email sueblee@hotmail.co.uk 5TH STOPSLEY GUIDES Guides is our section for girls aged 10 to 14. By becoming part of a worldwide community of girls who learn together and share skills and experiences, Guides have the chance to get out there and do something really different. Members take part in a wide range of exciting activities at their regular meetings, and at special events or holidays. Girls can get involved in anything from adventure sports to performing arts, travel and taking part in community action projects. Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK. By volunteering with us, you can help us create amazing opportunities for thousands of girls around the UK. Guiding happens thanks to more than 100,000 amazing volunteers – men and women like you who give their time to ensure that we are active all over the UK, and beyond. Girlguiding welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, faiths and abilities. We are flexible and volunteering can be arranged to fit around a busy lifestyle. If you are interested in finding out more please visit www.girlguiding.ork.uk/joinus

Luton Library Theatre 01582 878 100 Joe Giltrap – Irish Folk Troubadour 5th September, 7.30pm £12, £10 concessions This Kildare-born singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has a prestigious career spanning over four decades and his wide repertoire of songs range from the traditional to the contemporary, all performed in his own distinctive style. Joe was a founder member of Irish Mist and is one of the few people ever to have recorded with American folk legend Tom Paxton. Purple Penguin Productions present Belfast Boy 12th September, 7.30pm £12.50 / £10 concs The hilarious hard hitting and emotionally compelling true story of the life of Martin Hall. We follow him through the destruction of the troubles in Northern Ireland to the drug crazed parties of 90s London and a

August / September 2015 Lewsey Library 01582 547 418 Knit and Natter Group Every Tuesday, 10am-12pm Join our friendly Knit and Natter group every Tuesday at Lewsey Library. Come and share your experience, or get some great hints and tips, and meet new people. Tea and biscuits provided. The group is always looking for donations of wool, knitting needles etc, so if you have anything you no longer need, just drop it off at the library. Free M.infoMayling-Brown For more 01582 696094 Online Magazine and Newspaper Workshop 8th August 10am-12noon. Free Luton Central Library, 2-4pm. Free Mitchell Mayling-Brown Get help to access our free online newspapers and Carpenter magazines. All you will need to take&part is your tablet or smart phone and will need a library card and an email address. Joiner

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Issue 10 • August/September 2015 29

01582 412 636

A SUMMER OF OF FUNFUN AT AT THETHE A SUMMER A SUMMER OF FUN AT THE LUTON! MALL, MALL, LUTON! MALL, LUTON!

15th July Theth2015 school holidays are on the way, and so is free summer 15 July 2015 fun as there’s plenty of activities to keep the kids enterth 15 July 2015 tained this August Luton. The school holidays areatonThe theMall way, and so is free The school holidays are on the13th way, and so is free From Monday 3rd to Thursday August The Mall summer fun as there’s plenty activities to keep the kids The school holidays arefree onofactivities the way,inand so is Square free issummer home tofun a variety of Central as there’s plenty of activities to keep the kids including the getMall creative in arts to & crafts entertained this August at to The summer fun aschance there’s plenty ofLuton. activities keep the kids entertainedsuch thisasAugust The Mall workshops ‘Paint aatgnome andLuton. take it home’, th August at13 The Malland Luton. face painting, summer games much Fromentertained Monday 3rdthis togiant Thursday August The Mallmore. is One rd has the low down on all the events. lucky will 3also the chance see the new East Fromvisitor Monday toget Thursday 13th to August The Mall is home to aMonday variety of3rdfree activities in with Central Square including the chance to get creative in Manager arts & crafts workshops th Lavinia Douglass, Marketing at The Mall Luton, Anglian Air Ambulance in action a colouring compeFrom to Thursday 13 August The Mall is home to a variety of free activities in Central Square including the achance to get creative in centre, arts & crafts workshops said “As family friendly shopping we love to tition throughout the activities. suchhome as ‘Paint a gnome and take it home’, face painting, giant summer games and much more. One lucky visitor will to a variety of free activities in Central Square including the chance to get creative in arts & crafts workshops keepsummer our shoppers all ages entertained There’s funafor grown-ups anditchildren such asalso ‘Paint gnome and take home’,alike facewith painting, giant gamesofand much more. Onethroughout lucky visitor will also such get the see the new East Anglianarriving Air painting, Ambulance in with a colouring competition theaction school holidays – and this summer isthroughout set to be one of Europe’s largest indoor caving experience at The giant as chance ‘Paint ato gnome and take it home’, face summer games and much more. One lucky visitor will also get the chance to see the new East Anglian Air Ambulance in action a colouringexcited competition the best yet! Wewith are particularly about throughout offering Mall from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th August, with 90ft of the activities. also get the chance to see the new East Anglian Air Ambulance in action with a colouring competition throughout shoppers the chance to have a go in the unique caving tunnels including two levels with twists and turns, sumps the activities. experience. We hope that visitors from Luton and beyond andactivities. stalagmites. the There’s also fun for grown-ups andfree children alike with Europe’s can come and join in the fun this August.” Shoppers can also pick up a free kids magazine from There’s also fun for grown-ups and children alike with Europe’s Activities take place between 11am andMall 4pm each day, the new Ask Me Point, now located in Central Square. largest indoor caving experience arriving at The There’s also fun for grown-ups and children alikefrom with Europe’s caving experience arriving Mall from andindoor are suitable for children aged 3 toat 10The years. Children Packed with puzzles, stickers, discount vouchers and thelargest th th Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August, with 90ft of tunnels including must at indoor caving experience arriving at The Mall from thbe supervised th all times. chance to win a scooter and £200 Mall gift card, it alsolargest Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August, with 90ft of tunnels including more information www.themall.co.uk/Luton. th visit two Friday levels For with twists and 16 turns, sumps and90ft stalagmites. 14th to Sunday August, with of tunnels including two levels with twists and turns, sumps and stalagmites. What’s on at The Mall Luton this August: two levels withpick twists sumps andfrom stalagmites. can also up aand freeturns, kids magazine the new Monday 3rd Arts & Crafts:Shoppers Design a Suncatcher Shoppers can also pick up a free kids magazine from the new Tuesday 4th Arts & Crafts:Ask Paint a Gnome & take it home Me Point, can nowalso located Square. Packedfrom withthe new Shoppers pick in upCentral a free kids magazine th Wednesday 5 Arts & Crafts: Make & Me decorate a glider Ask Point, now located in Central Square. Packed with discount vouchers and the chancePacked to winwith a Thursday 6th Face paintingpuzzles, & colouring competition Ask stickers, Me Point, now located in Central Square. puzzles, stickers, discount vouchers and the chance to win a 7th to Sunday 9th it also has Giant scooterFriday and £200 Mall gift card, thesummer low downgames on all the events. puzzles, stickers, discount vouchers and the chance to win a th Saturday Airdown Ambulance scooter and8£200 Mall gift card, itEast also Anglian has the low on all theSimulator events. th Monday 10 Artshas & Crafts: Design a Suncatcher scooter and £200 Mall gift card, it also the low down on all the events. Lavinia Douglass, Marketing Manager at The Mall Luton, said “As a family friendly shopping centre, we love to keep Tuesday 11th Arts at & Crafts: a Gnome take itfriendly home shopping centre, we love to keep Lavinia Douglass, Marketing Manager The MallPaint Luton, said “As & a family th our shoppers of all ages entertained throughout the school holidays – and this summer is set to be one of best Wednesday 12 Arts & Crafts: Make & decorate a glider Lavinia Douglass,th Marketing Manager at The Mall Luton, said “As a family friendly shopping centre, wethe love to keep our shoppers all ages entertained throughout school holidays – and this summer is set to be one of the best Thursday 13of Face painting the & colouring competition yet! our We shoppers are particularly excited about offering shoppers the chance to have a go in the unique caving experience. thof all ages entertained th throughout the school holidays – and this summer is set to be one of the best Friday 14 particularly to Sunday excited 16 about Replica caving experience for children yet! We are offering shoppers the chance to have aand go inadults! the unique caving experience. We hope that visitors from Luton and beyond can come and join in the free fun this August.” yet! We are particularly excited about offering shoppers the chance to have a go in the unique caving experience. We hope that visitors from Luton and beyond can come and join in the free fun this August.” We from Luton and beyond andsuitable join in the free fun this Activitieshope takethat placevisitors between 11am and 4pm each can day,come and are for children agedAugust.” 3 to 10 years. Children Activities take place between 11am and 4pm each day, and are suitable for children aged 3 to 10 years. Children mustActivities be supervised at allbetween times. 11am and 4pm each day, and are suitable for children aged 3 to 10 years. Children take place must be supervised at all times. Across: 1 Intelligible 7 Grief 8 Pater must information be supervised all times. For more onatactivities at The Mall Luton this10 summer, simply visit www.themall.co.uk/Luton. CLICK 9 Nee Countless 11 Output 12 For more information on activities at The Mall Luton this summer, simply visit www.themall.co.uk/Luton. Inform 15 Arbitrate 17 Net 18 Leech SLICK For more information on activities at The Mall Luton this summer, simply visit www.themall.co.uk/Luton.

Answers

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Down: 1 Inconsolable 2 Lei 3 Influx 4 Impotence 5 Litre 6 Presumptuous 7 Greet 10 Courtship 13 Owner 14 Harass 16 Blear 20 Toe

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Issue 10 • August/September 2015 31