The vine Luton - February March 2014 - Online Issue 1 by The Vine Magazine

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February/March 2014 Issue 1

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Worried about asbestos? We can help! Asbestos Surveys, Consultancy and Advice To celebrate 10 years of trading we have decided that, for a limited period, we will give advice over the telephone regarding any aspect of asbestos, to any local homeowner or business worried by the possible presence of asbestos in their home, work place or clients premises COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE! Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, if we are asked to follow up our advice with a letter, site visit, survey or report on any property then we will reduce our normal fee by 25%* if given the code below: Vine013

Please call 01582 517309 info@developmentsurveyservices.co.uk Development Survey Services have been trading since March 2002 and are proud of our record, carrying out Asbestos Management, Demolition and Refurbishment Surveys and Annual Reevaluations for all types of construction from Single Houses to Housing Association Stock; Care Homes to Hospitals; Single offices to Office complexes: Garages to Motorway Service areas, Workshops to Factories and Nurseries to Schools. All of our survey personnel are P402 qualified and some are qualified to P405. No job is too large (we are currently surveying the housing stock of a large Housing Association amounting to approximately 25,000 dwellings) and no job is too small (we recently carried out a survey of a single garage in Hertfordshire and an annual reevaluation on a small amount of asbestos to a flat in Wales. We carry out surveys and reevaluations anywhere in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Registered in England No: 3582326

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Editors: Scott Nightingale Shelly Nesbitt

Editorial: 01525 222379 07852 453043 Mailthevine@yahoo.co.uk Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the content of advertising and articles published in this magazine are accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors. Neither do they reflect the opinion of this publication. The Vine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission.

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This Month...

Mother’s Day & Valentine’s Day 6 A Good Read 8 What’s Best For You 10 Consumer Clinic 12 A Travellers Tale 14 Looking Up! 18 Nutrition Coach 20 Health, Beauty & Wellbeing 22 Allergies 23 In The Garden 24 Puzzles 26 Recipe 27 Auto-biographies 28 Technology 29 Out & About 30

Hello and welcome to the first

issue of The Vine Luton, your new local bi-monthly magazine. A huge thank you to everyone for the good wishes and support that we have received. We have had a lovely time getting out and about in Luton, meeting local residents and business owners and we are looking forward to meeting many more over the coming months. The Vine has been serving the people of Dunstable and the surrounding Villages since 2007. In 2012 the Leighton Buzzard magazine was launched closely followed by the Bletchley magazine, all with great success and we hope to continue this in Luton. Our aim is to provide a link between you the reader and all that’s happening in your community. As well as delivering an interesting and enjoyable read we hope to become your useful link to local businesses and services. Each issue is packed with interesting features, articles, puzzles, and much more. We are particularly keen to develop our News, Community and “Out & About” pages, for this we‘re relying on you! If you know of any events, local groups or good causes that would benefit from some free publicity let us know, we’d love to help. First and foremost we hope you enjoy this first issue and look forward to the next dropping through your letter box. In the meantime don’t forget to let us know about all that’s going on in your community.

Shelly & Scott

Copy deadline for our next issue - 15th March

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Make Your Mother’s Day Mother’s Day is celebrated all around the world, usually in March or in May. In the UK, it is a mixture of a Christian tradition, and the celebration of motherhood that began in the USA in the early 20th century. During the 16th century, people in service would return to their home or ‘mother’ church on the fourth Sunday in Lent – Mothering Sunday. Mother’s Day as we know it became a regular event in the 1950s, largely thanks to businesses keen to exploit its commercial potential. From the day you have a baby or adopt a child, your life changes forever. People tell you this when you’re pregnant, but it’s only when it happens that you really understand what they mean. Suddenly there’s someone who depends on you entirely. Every decision you make from now on will be based on their needs or desires.

aunt, sergeant major, personal assistant, taxi driver… And it doesn’t stop when the children leave home. Now approaching 40, I still rely on my mum for advice, friendship, help with childcare, emergency loans and the occasional kick up the backside to get things done. It’s only as you get older, especially if you have children of your own, that you realise how your parents felt as you grew up – why they Being a mother can be the best made you do your homework, of jobs and the worst of jobs. For go to bed, stop fighting with your every heart-warming moment of brother, eat properly, save money pride and loveliness, there’s a and above all, be careful! blazing row or slammed door (but Mother’s Day gives us the perfect hopefully with a hug and a sorry opportunity to say thank you to afterwards). our mums for everything they have Mums have to take on every role in done and still do for us. the family – carer, teacher, agony The founder of Mother’s Day in

Valentine’s Day

February

the US, Anna Jarvis, eventually regretted campaigning to get the day recognised because it became so commercialised. She hated the fact that people would buy a card with a printed message rather than writing a letter. It’s lovely to buy or make a card and give flowers and chocolates. You can also do something special to show you care – maybe take on a job that she hates or treat her to a day of pampering. But this year, why not go beyond the message in the card and write a few personal lines of your own to tell your mother how much you love her. Make sure she knows that she really is the best mum in the world (like mine).

VALENTINES Valentines Day as we understand it now, with the sending of cards, giving of chocolates, flowers and other gifts, originated in the UK during the 18th century when the notion of celebrating romantic love on this day began, having originally been a day of celebrating early Christian saints. During the 19th century, sending a valentines card became so popular that their demand necessitated factories dedicated to producing cards with real lace and ribbons, replacing the hand crafted cards from before.

Popular valentines gifts: Flowers Chocolates Champagne Cuddly toys Heart cup cakes Jewellery 6

It is estimated that in the USA approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year and in the UK over 25 million. And that doesn’t include the ones that are now lovingly emailed! In Japan there is a custom that women only give chocolates to men and indeed it is Valentine’s day when the chocolate companies make half their revenue. Yet it is on Christmas Eve when they celebrate romantic “date night”!

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A Good Read For You

For The Kids

My Autobiography By Alex Ferguson

Everyone knows who Alex Ferguson is – controversial, yes, but without doubt the most successful football manager of modern times. On its release, this became one of the fastest selling football books of all time, with fans queuing at midnight to get their hands on a copy. Headlines were made by Ferguson’s pronouncements on the quality of his own players and those who starred for other teams. Shortly afterwards, the book hit the headlines when readers discovered a number of factual errors in the text. Bearing all of that in mind, should you buy a copy? If you are a Manchester United fan, then the answer is that you probably have one already. If not, what will you get? The book mainly focuses on Ferguson’s last seasons in charge at Old Trafford, and his final year in particular, with some detailed rundowns of key games. In between, there are chapters devoted to memorable friends and adversaries – notably Roy Keane, David Beckham, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho. 8

Ferguson tells a good story, and as you might expect, he has a huge stock of anecdotes about his time in charge. He also shows an encyclopaedic knowledge of the game and offers a real insight into the scouting and signing process at a Premier League club. However, if you have read any of the articles published at the time the book was released, chances are that you have heard the best tales already, and certainly the best lines. The chapter on Keane is a prime example – the argument in the changing room is undoubtedly dramatic, but comes as no real surprise. The now legendary boot-kicking incident with Beckham is equally familiar, and offers no great insight. I bought this hoping to learn something new about what makes Ferguson tick and how he achieved his phenomenal success. I finished it rather disappointed, feeling that I hadn’t found out a great deal – other than the general message that if Fergie is not always right, then he is 99% of the time. For the fans, a must. For the general reader, maybe not.

Mary Poppins By PL Travers Have you read Mary Poppins? I know, you've seen the film, but have you read the books on which it is based? I would have sworn that I had, but very recently discovered that it wasn't the case - and what a fabulous surprise! Admittedly, most of us new to the books will read them with Julie Andrews squarely in our minds - and why not? There will also be moments which are very familiar, such as taking tea with the table in the air and strolling through the paintings with Bert. However because the first book is really a collection of short stories tied together – some of those stories will be delightfully new. The best thing about Mary Poppins is her capacity to surprise, from her magic medicine bottle to her collection of tales for every occasion. She may be temperamental, but it is easy to see why the children in the story adore her - and young readers will too.

The Stani Gallery & Tea Rooms There is lots of new and original art in The Stani Gallery including this new work from Susi Whittaker - Artist in Residence - just in time for Valentines Day ! If you are looking for something different and unique then pop down to see the gallery which has a wide range of artwork from over 50 local artists and is open every day, including Sundays.

Creativi-Tea! A real treat for a Sunday afternoon and particularly Mothers Day is this new monthly programme of 1.5 hour art classes at The Stani Studios followed by Tea & Scones at The Stani Tea Rooms. You can enjoy making cards, jewellery, polymer clay gifts or try creative drawing, for an all inclusive £ 25 per person. Perfect for groups of 4 - 10 people and of course, a very nice surprise for Mothers ! The Stani Gallery, The Stani Studios, The Stani Art House and The Stani Tea Rooms are part of The Stani Art Company in Stony Stratford. For more information see www.staniart.co.uk

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LEWIS

Tackle your bills

By Martin Lewis

Avoid The Red Letters

Tackle Your Bills

comparison on any Ofgem-approved comparison Winter is coming. Don’tWinter wait until in until isyou’re here.knee-deep Don’t wait you’re knee-deep in the white stuff to site – just search for The Confidence Code at the white stuff to sort your bills. Here, prevention truly bills. Here, truly beats cureto- see tackling www.ofgem.gov.uk the fullyour list. bills now beats cure – tacklingsort youryour bills now means youprevention can take the financial bite out of winter chills… means you can take the financial bite out of winter chills… If you're not online, use a comparison with a phone Free loft insulation and even boilers (for some). service,www.ofgem.gov.uk such as Energyhelpline 074 0745, or to seeon the0800 full list. Free loft insulation and even boilers (for some) While the loft insulation free-for-all's ended, some will uSwitch on 0800 051 5493. If you're not online, use a comparison with a phone the loft insulation free-for-all's ended, some still be entitledWhile to some serious free energy-saving service, such as Energyhelpline on 0800 074 0745, or will still be entitled to some serious free energy-saving Paying energy bills by monthly direct debit’s up to 6% measures. uSwitch on 0800 051 5493. measures. cheaper. Most of the big six energy firms offer free boilers, typiIf you can, do, as it’ll usually mean discounted bills of up Most of the big six worth energy£2,000, firms offer freeinsulation, boilers, usually worth cally and free Paying energy bills by monthly direct debit’s 6% less, so contact your provider to check. Though typically worthabout £2,000, and free insulation, usually worth £300. Crucially, you don't need to be withtothe up to 6% cheaper always Ifdoyou regular meter readings accuracy, as your about £300. Crucially, you don't need to be with the energy provider to get it, but you do generally need can, do, as it’ll usuallyfor mean discounted bills If it’s high, you have a righttotocheck. ask an to income £16,000, and to be on an income-bill is estimated. energy provider get it,under but you do generally need of up to 6% less,too so contact your provider benefits orbe pension credit. I can’t definitely forsay it toThough be lowered. income underrelated £16,000, and to on income-related always do regular meter readings for acyou’ll qualify, it isdefinitely worth checking. Alternatively, curacy, as your bill is estimated. If it’s too high, you benefits or pension credit. Ibut can’t say you’ll Got electricity only? canit still the well-meaning but stuttering Green Deal initiative have a right to You ask for to besave. lowered. qualify, but it is worth checking. Alternatively, the wellWith electricity only, only? you can still cheap fix to save is designed to let you pay for things like underfloor Got electricity You canget stilla save. meaning but stuttering Green Deal initiative is designed heating, double glazing and solid wall insulation,just follow info above. onget Economy Withthe electricity only, For youthose can still a cheap7,fix to let you pay from for things like underfloor double the 'savings' you makeheating, on energy bills. Deciding assessing is trickier. It’s only a boonFor forthose thoseon who to save - just follow thereally info above. glazing and solid wall insulation, 'savings' whether it’s right forfrom you isthe complex, soyou for full help Economy is trickier. It’s If only a use at least 40% 7, of assessing their energy at night. notreally – don’t read make on energy bills. Deciding whether it’s right for you for those who use at least 40% of their energy bother.boon Full help to decide at www.mse.me/eco7 is complex, sowww.moneysavingexpert.com/greendeal for full help read at night. If not – don’t bother. Full help to decide at Can youwww.mse.me/eco7 find your stopcock? www.moneysavingexpert.com/greendeal Save £100s and beat the hikes No sniggering - winter frozen pipe bursts can create an Rather in Can you find your stopcock? Save £100s and beatsurprisingly, the hikes. fixing energy, where you lockaverage £7,000 of damage, often worsened as many a set rate, is now cheaper than a normal No sniggering - winter pipe bursts canmains create Rather surprisingly, fixing energy, where you lock in aswitch. set Five scrabble round searching for frozen their stopcock - the of the big six aenergy providers now an average £7,000 of damage, often worsened as rate, is now cheaper than normal switch. have Five of theannounced big water off switch - for ages as their home floods. hikes, and their best new prices are costlier than the many scrabble round searching for their stopcock six energy providers have now announced hikes, and cheapest fixed tariffs. So right now you can get the the mains switch - forisages as their home Take the time to water find itoff now – mine under the kitchen their best newvery prices are costlier than the cheapest fixed cheapest deals available, and it comes with no- floods. sink. Others find theirs in the bathroom or inside a tariffs. So righthike nowcertainty. you can get the very cheapest deals Take the time to find it now – mine is under the cupboard. If yours isn’t working, you may want to call a available, andThe it comes with no-hike certainty. only exception to this is a variable (ie, subject to kitchen sink. Others find theirs in the bathroom or innow, before it’s a problem. hikes) tariff from minnow Spark Energy – though plumber it side a cupboard. If yours isn’t working, you may want hasn'tto hiked needs paying upfront, The only exception this (yet?), is a variable (ie, subject to and feedto call a plumber now, before it’s a problem. Choosing between heating and eating? backminnow ain't great, so I’m ignoring it. it hasn't hikes) tariff from Spark Energy – though seriously behind, or in general financial hardship The cheapest fix comesand from E.on for aain't year, butIf you're Choosing between heating and eating? hiked (yet?), needs paying upfront, feedback - as far Iftoo many are after the hikes you may be eligible slightly longer and only a touch more are deals from you're seriously behind, or in- general financial great, so I’m ignoring it. EDF or Npower. Crucially, these two have no exit for special help.-Call thetoo Home Helpline on 0800 hardship as far manyHeat are after the hikes - you33 on E.on the off-chance Prime Minister 66de99 tomay check. Plus if anyone in your was bornHeat on be eligible for special help. home Call the Home The cheapest penalties. fix comes So from for a year,the but slightly livers the price cuts he’s promised, and the even or more Helpline on 0800 66 99due to check. anyone before 5 January 1952,33you're up to Plus £300ifin taxlonger and only a touch more are deals from EDF or unlikely event that they’ll be so substantial that other in your was born on or before 5 January 1952, free winter fuelhome payments. Payments should be made Npower. Crucially, two have no exit you'll penalties. Soto leave. tariffsthese elsewhere are cheaper, be free you're due to £300never in tax-free fuel payautomatically, butup if you’ve had itwinter before then you on the off-chance the Prime Minister delivers the price However, always do the numbers for your own ments. Payments should be made automatically, but may need to register - see www.gov.uk. cuts he’s promised, and the even moreif unlikely circumstances. To check you can event save (you may if you’ve never had it before then you may need to that they’ll bebe soon substantial other tariffs an older, that cheaper deal), andelsewhere who your winner register www.gov.uk. Plus anyone on- see specific income support, jobseekers' is, youbecan use Cheap Energy Club top fixes are cheaper, you'll free tomy leave. Plus anyone on specific income jobseekallowances or pension credit gets £25 support, in cold weather comparison at www.cheapenergyclub.com, or do a ers' allowances or pension credit gets £25 in cold payments for every 7 days it's sub-0 C. However, always do the numbers for yourOfgem-approved own standard comparison on any com- weather payments for every 7 days it's sub-0 C. circumstances.parison To check can save may be on Code at site if– you just search for(you The Confidence an older, 10 cheaper deal), and who your winner is, you can use my Cheap Energy Club top fixes comparison at

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Consumer Clinic

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

Knowing when to go to court! Thankfully most consumer disputes can be settled through effective and firm dialogue. If not, there are programmes such as mine that offer additional assistance for people who are finding it difficult to resolve their consumer complaint. However, some cases just cannot be resolved, no matter how hard one or both parties try. It is for these cases that the small claims court can be very helpful.

This month, I will outline how to use the small claims court system to obtain the best results. You can listen to The JVS Show every weekday morning from 9am on BBC Three Counties Radio Firstly, DO NOT RUSH TO COURT. In my experience, judges often look unfavourably at customers who are seen to take a company to court too quickly. It makes the consumer look unreasonable which never bodes well. Therefore always try as hard as you can to resolve the complaint between yourselves first. Consider the small claims court your last resort and it is essential that you have kept a record of your conversations and correspondence.

When you reach the conclusion that (within 6 years of the dispute and for amounts up to £10,000) the company or tradesman is not prepared to resolve the problem, you must write a letter of intention. Make it clear in the letter that you have tried hard to offer them opportunities to resolve the problem and that you would like to offer them one final opportunity. Allow them one month from receipt of the letter to respond, and make it clear that if you do not hear from them, you will lodge papers with the small claims court. Send the letter recorded delivery and ensure they have received it and signed for it.

If they still show no interest in resolving the dispute, then you have an important decision to make. Will you go through with your threat of court action or not? If you decide on the former, you must go into it with your eyes open. You can always lose as well as win, however it may not cost you as much as you may think. The fee is dependent on how much you are suing for, but this will be outlined when you proceed with the action. If you are successful, the defendant will have to pay your costs as well as the amount you are claiming for. It is also worth noting that you do not need a lawyer to take someone to the small claims court. It’s relatively straight forward, and as long as you’ve been reasonable and sensible in your dealings with the company or tradesman, you stand a good chance of getting a favourable judgement. In many cases, mediation is offered as a way of agreeing a course of action. The result of this is not legally binding, and most often I would advise you to proceed with this where offered. It doesn’t prevent you progressing

a case to a judge if unsuccessful. However, turning it down can made you look unreasonable. If things go your way, the judge will award in your favour and will request that the defendant pays you a sum of money (either the whole of the amount you’re seeking, or a proportion of it). They will be given instructions as to how to pay it, and if they fail to do so, you can instruct county court bailiffs to recover the money. You can also escalate the case to the high court for a further fee and instruct the high court enforcement officers to chase your money. Taking a company to court can be a daunting prospect, and I would always suggest obtaining advice from your local citizens advice bureau who will give you tailormade advice on your specific case. Good luck!

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A Travellers Tale A Brief Trip To Poland Part I By Paul Heley

or some time I'd had a wish to go to Poland - but for very different reasons from the usual wishes to see a place. I'd seen pictures of Krakow which showed it to be an attractive city with a medieval history and many old buildings; the sort of things I enjoy. But Krakow wasn't the main reason for my wanting to go; there were two others. One appealed to the geologist in me and the other to the fact that, as someone who'd been a boy during WW2, many of the stories and pictures of Nazi atrocities which emerged afterwards both horrified and appalled me. I refer, of course, to the Wieliczka salt mines and Auschwitz/Birkenau death camps respectively. Consequently, I found a tour which was centred on Krakow but which also had trips to the other two places. But because of Auschwitz, Val didn't want to go, so I went alone. Let's take the trip as it happened :Having arrived in Krakow following a 2 hour flight from Gatwick, our party went on a preliminary guided tour of the Old Town concentrating on the very large 200 by 200 metres Market Square with its medieval Cloth Market and the magnificent St Mary's Basilica. St Mary's is a splendid building with two spires, one noticeably higher than the other. At certain times, and from a tiny opening at the top of the higher spire, a bugler might be seen, and heard, playing a few mournful notes which stop very abruptly. This unchanging tune is played every 14

hour, on the hour, every day of the year and is a reminder that something like 600 years ago a fireman would keep watch from this high point. He was looking out for fire the city was made of wood in those days - but also for any other threat. On one occasion, centuries ago, Krakow was about to be attacked. The fireman saw the threat, blew his bugle in warning but was shot in the throat by an arrow thereby suddenly ending his rendition. And so this strange melody is played in memory of that event from so many years ago. Going inside the church, one is bombarded with the usual riot of colour and gilt figures which typify a Roman Catholic church. The spectacle almost hurts the eye. Above the high altar there is the Veit Stoss, an elaborately carved triptych whose side panels fold over the central piece (supposedly) to reveal yet more fabulous carvings on the back. This happens at 6pm each day - apart from the days when it doesn't ; such as when I was there! On another occasion, we were guided around the Wawel Hill area where the castle and the cathedral can be found along with the barbican, city gates and parts of the original city walls. The whole place is dripping with history but, although the gate and walls are fine, I'm afraid I wasn't impressed with the castle - nothing like our castles! - even though it was where kings resided when Krakow was the Polish capital (there is tremendous rivalry

between Krakow and Warsaw). Neither was the cathedral so interesting as St Mary's in my opinion. I've seen better. At the more mundane level, I had to exchange my currency into Polish Zloty. This was very easy - "kantors" are found everywhere - and conversion was simple, ie ÂŁ1 = 5Zl (approx). I was also keen to try Polish food and experienced something called Kotlet which turned out to be similar to Wiener Snitzel; something (unpronounceable) which was basically chicken and chips with salad; and pork goulash with dumplings (nothing like our idea of dumplings). I found Polish beer to be very acceptable and also came home with a bottle of cherry vodka (very moreish!) The trip to the Wieliczka salt mine was a mind-blowing experience. It is absolutely enormous and extends down to nine levels (1000 feet). We only ventured down to the third level (400+ feet) by walking down at least 600 steps before, finally, enough was enough. Very tiring when you're knocking on a bit. The mine has been in existence since the middle ages and is full of statues and effigies, many on a religious theme, carved out of the salt rock by some of the early miners. There are also models depicting working practices of bygone days and show that life underground must have been very tough indeed, eg when combating the effects of methane gas or water seepage at depth.

A Travellers Tale

(Continued)

There is one cavern of staggering proportions which has been hewn straight from the rock. When viewed from above, people below look like ants and when one gets down to base level, one finds a number of religious/biblical frescos carved in the salt walls, eg a version of the famous "Last supper". This enormous chamber is illuminated by chandeliers made from pure and transparent salt crystals - halite - in place of the usual glass. With a casual glance, one can't tell the difference. Mercifully, our return to the surface was courtesy of a small miners' cage holding 10 people at a time in a very cosy embrace! I don't think I could have climbed all the way back to the surface: had it been necessary to do so, I'd still be there! The mine was in production for many centuries but ceased in 1996 when the owners clearly realised there was a much greater profit to be made from tourists than from salt! But, all in all, it had been a most interesting and informative trip. To be continued.

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“To have such an efficient personalised service accompanied by a drop in the premium quoted is a most refreshing change from the usual standards offered these days,” said Mrs S Whiting of Newport Pagnell. A-Plan have been trading for 50 years so they understand a need for a personal service. Calls are answered in three rings and you will always be able to speak to the person dealing with your policy. A-Plan also know that sometimes circumstances change and problems arise, so they are happy to offer a degree of flexibility with payments. Whether it’s home car, van or motorcycle insurance, give A-Plan a call.

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Bedfordshire’s Night Sky Looking Up! in February and March 2014 Image: Orion Nebula by Dave Eagle

Jupiter’s Winter Spectacular… Continues:

February and March is a great time to track down Jupiter. It is easy to see in the constellation of Gemini, outshining all of the stars in the night sky. Look high up towards the south midevening to see its bright white light. Jupiter is so large that 10x50 binoculars are all that is needed to reveal the planet’s disc along with its four brightest moons. With a small telescope you can see dark bands in Jupiter’s atmosphere, while bigger telescopes gain you spectacular views of the 300-year old storm system affectionately known as the Great Red Spot. Dark Sky Telescope Hire www.darkskytelescopehire.co.uk

By Seb Jay

Discover a Stellar Nursery:

Moonless nights this time of year give us the best opportunity to seek out the haunting Orion Nebula. In small telescopes this gigantic star factory, where new stars are being born over many millions of years, appears as a ghostly claw of grey-green light. Darker filaments twist through the nebula, which itself surrounds a small cluster of newborn stars. It is a fantastic sight in a telescope from the darker locations across Bedfordshire.

Catch Mars at Midnight:

Mars becomes more conspicuous in the night sky during February and March. The Red Planet is found in the ESE during February about 10-15 degrees above the horizon at midnight. During March it is further across in the SE sky between 20-25 degrees above the horizon at midnight. You’ll notice it close to the bluewhite star Spica in the constellation of Virgo. seb@darkskytelescopehire.co.uk

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The Nutrition Coach

Sugar Addiction

I remember a friend telling me years ago that she couldn’t walk past a sweet shop without becoming shaky and breaking into a cold, clammy sweat. The only cure was to enter the shop and buy a bar of chocolate which she would gobble immediately. My friend Sandy was displaying symptoms typical of a sugar addict – a condition that may not have been recognised twenty or thirty years ago, but which is certainly gaining more attention in today’s world of ever-increasing convenience and sugary foods. Sugar is essential to the proper function of the body. Glucose in particular is important to the brain, as it provides the only source of fuel to its one hundred billion nerve cells. But it is the ready availability of refined sugar and its use as a mood-booster to give an instant ‘lift’ that is prompting some health experts to consider sugar addiction. One 20

senior Dutch health official has even described sugar as “the most dangerous drug of the times” and has called for health warnings to be carried on sweets and soft drinks packaging. Research has shown that sugar can affect the same ‘feel good’ brain hormones as street drugs like cocaine, and that sugar withdrawal may create the same symptoms as withdrawal from nicotine, morphine and alcohol. Eating sugar prompts the body to release the 'happy hormone' serotonin into the blood stream. However, this pleasant sugar rush triggers an increase in insulin as the body strives to bring blood glucose levels back to normal, which has the knock-on effect of causing a 'sugar crash' and makes many crave yet more sugar, leading to binge eating. This cycle of ‘surge’ followed by ‘crash’ is even more pronounced when the sugar comes from foods rich in simple sugars,

like chocolate, sweets and fizzy drinks. They are absorbed much more quickly into the blood stream, causing a faster and more frequent cycle. Eating more complex sugars or carbohydrates such as whole wheat bread, cereal and pasta, or simple carbohydrates like fruit, vegetables and dairy products which also contain fibre and protein, slows down the process. According to the NHS, addedsugars shouldn't make up more than 10% of the energy we get from food and drink each day, which is about 70g for men and 50g for women. By cutting down the amount of sugar we consume each day, we can reduce the risk of becoming addicts like my friend Sandy. Always remember to check food labels, and bear in mind that food products containing more than 15% sugar are considered high in sugar and low if they have less than 5g per 100g.

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Health Beauty & Wellbeing Wash Your Mouth Out! Opinion is a divided even among members of the dental profession about the usefulness of mouthwash. Gum disease begins with plaque. This is a film of very sticky bacteria on the teeth which, if not removed, causes gum disease. Because it is so sticky plaque can only be removed from teeth with a brush or dental floss. Mouthwash can never replace good brushing. A study in The Journal of Clinical Dentistry this year found antiseptic mouthwash used twice a day reduced the build-up of plaque and gum disease over a six month period. Mouthwash makes teeth 'more slippy' so the sticky plaque finds it difficult to adhere, which in turn means your mouth feels fresher for longer. Bad breath (halitosis) is caused when excess bacteria emit excess

gas. Pockets of bacteria can lurk around fillings, ill-fitting crowns and impacted wisdom teeth. Halitosis requires treatment from a dentist or hygienist but a mouthwash can help. Use one with ingredients such as chlorine dioxide, which kills the volatile sulphur compounds that cause foul odour. Many mouth washes contain alcohol, which has been linked to oral cancers in some studies. Alcohol can exacerbate bad breath because of its drying properties, and because it is quite harsh it may also cause stinging. Most dentists and hygienists agree that if you use mouthwash it should be alcohol-free. Finally, most of us don't hold mouthwash in our mouths long enough for it to work. The optimal time is 30-60 seconds.

As part of a good dental hygiene routine mouthwashes are helpful but they will never replace the mechanical action of a toothbrush and floss for getting teeth and gums really clean.

Splinters

Splinters are painful and tricky to remove. I remember my mother digging around in the tender ball of my thumb with a darning needle one evening when I was ten. The splinter on that occasion had lodged itself firmly and resisted all attempts to prise it out while I resisted all attempts to have it prised out! Years later a friend training to be nurse taught me how to remove splinters safely and I pass on the knowledge here. First clean the area with soap and water. Inspect the splinter; use a magnifying glass if you have one. Look at the angle of entry and how deeply embedded the splinter is. If the splinter protrudes from the skin itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s can be removed with tweezers. Sterilise the tweezers first using surgical spirit (neat Vodka also works) and if you need a magnifier get someone else to hold it; then grip the splinter gently and pull it out along the same angle it entered the skin. Small, fine splinters can be trickier, especially if they are more deeply embedded. In this instance cover the affected the area with Magnesium Sulphate paste (cheap and available from all pharmacies) and then bandage it. Leave over night and in the morning the splinter will have 22

surfaced. If it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, reapply and bandage again. The Magnesium sulphate is anhydrous and draws moisture out of the wound and with it the splinter. Once the end of the splinter pokes out you can use tweezers to remove it completely. Remember: If you use a needle to break the skin prior to applying the paste make sure the needle is sterile. Never try to squeeze a splinter out; you may drive it in further.

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In The Garden

Gardens For Playing

y February Christmas can seem like a distant memory: toys and games which were desired for months beforehand, are now no longer new. I’m sure I’m not alone in remembering how the excitement of a new toy soon faded, but for me the big box in which it was wrapped provided entertainment for a much greater length of time because it could be turned into a car, a bus, a den or a robot. Recently I was asked to apply this theory when designing a family garden: a fun outdoor space, with no obvious pieces of play equipment such as a big blue climbing frame; a bright red slide, or a plastic swing. Instead fun is designed into the garden space much more subtly, the key being to introduce elements which children can ‘accidentally’ find, and which stimulate thought and exercise their creative minds. Children love pretending, and creative play can include play sand, water and of course mud (surely you must have made mud pies or sloppy dosh when you were a child – for those who didn’t its mud and water mixed in a bucket or bowl with a stick then left to harden in the sun). Elements such as a mud kitchen, logs to jump off and a tree to climb are all much more fun (and cheaper) than modern play equipment. I love to see a garden which on first inspection looks like an adult space, but has elements for initiating play. Stepping stones through a border; a self contained water feature; bark areas under trees for den making; grass mounds for climbing up and rolling back down; paths to race bikes on; washing line poles to climb, and a small bridge to cross when escaping from trolls…the usual thing! Parents also often ask about child-friendly plants, and

it’s a tricky question to provide a quick answer for. There are basically two ways in which children could be adversely affected by garden plants: ingestion, or contact. The majority of ornamental plants, roots, seeds and berries range from slightly to very toxic, but statistically (research shows) that the number of deaths is tiny. The vast majority taste so disgusting that your child probably would spit most of it out, and if poisonous then vomiting would most likely occur because it is the body’s natural defence mechanism (apple pips must surely be the most commonly eaten poisonous seeds!). Foxgloves, fungi and Delphinium seeds are the most commonly known plant poisons, but others less well known include Daffodils, which are planted in most gardens and public places without a second thought. The leaves of Rhubarb, green parts on tomatoes and potatoes are all harmful, but we still grow them in schools. I think garden education at a young age is the key, and given most under 3’s won’t be outside alone in the garden it shouldn’t be a problem … anyway, they’ll be too busy playing to eat the plants!

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              Answers on   page 31             2        9 7    8    2 9   3

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9 2 6

8 4 3

                                           

                   CANDY   

5 6

FOUNDED ON TRADITION. LOOKING TO THE FUTUR Founded on tradition. Looking to the fu

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!

Crossword

WINKS

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Tastes good... Tastes so so Tastes sogood... good...

ROAST SEA BASS WITH AWITH LEMON & GARLIC CRUST PARSNIP QUICHE BLUE CHEESE

PARSNIP QUICHE WITH BLUE CHEESE Tastes so good... PARSNIP QUICHE WITH BLUE CHEESE

This dish for cana simple be eaten cold party and it’s forthis lunch can crowd use uppleaser, leftover Perfect lunchhot or aordinner withgreat friends, mainboxes. course isYou an easy This dish can bethe eaten hot and or cold and it’sofgreat for lunch boxes. Youorcan use up leftover looks great on the plate is ainstead wonderful dish tofreshly serve with vegetables salad alike. cooked veg from Sunday roast the cooked parsnip. Sweet potato or This dish can be eaten hot or cold and it’s great for lunch boxes. You can use up leftover cookedcooked veg from the Sunday roast instead of the freshly cooked parsnip. Sweet potato or carrot can be exchanged for the parsnip. veg from the Sunday roast instead of the freshly cooked parsnip. Sweet potato or carrot can parsnip. carrot canbe beexchanged exchanged forfor thethe parsnip. Equipment: Small processor or mortar and pestle

Equipment: 23cm / 9 inch buttered/greased loose bottomed flan dish. Rolling Ingredients: Equipment: 23cm inchMark buttered/greased loose bottomed flan dish. Rolling Ingredients Oven: 5, 190°c Ingredients:: Equipment: 23cm //99Gas inch buttered/greased loose bottomed flan dish. Rolling pin Ingredients: pin Shortcrust pastry: pin Shortcrust pastry: Method: Make the pastry by rubbing the butter into the flour 4 skinned fillets sea bass, Method: Brush with olive oil andflour season all it Shortcrust pastry: Method: Make the pastry by undersides rubbing the butter into the untilfish ituntil 100g salted 100gbutter salted butter washed under running water over with salt andrubbing pepper. water Zest one of the lemons and squeeze Method: Make the pastry by the butter into the flour until it resembles bread crumbs. Add sufficient water to bring the pastry together resembles bread crumbs. Add sufficient to bring the pastry together 100g salted butter 200g plain flour 200g plain flour 3 unwaxed lemonsinto juice. Wedge the other lemon for garnish. Whizz garlic withcovered resembles bread crumbs. Add sufficient water to bring the pastry together into a ball without it being sticky and leave to rest for half an hour covered in a ball without it being sticky and leave to rest for half an hour in 200g plain flour 4-5 tbps cold water 4-5 tbps 4cold water cloves garlic lemon juice and zest.and Onceleave no more largefor pieces seen,covered in the fridge. intofridge. a ball without it being sticky to rest halfcan anbehour the 4-5 tbpsSmall cold water fresh add the parsley, bread and butter to the processor. Filing: Filing:bunch of washed the fridge. Cook the parsnip in boiling water until soft. Leave to cool. Fry off the shallot parsley 200g parsnip, peeled Cook the parsnip in boiling water until 9soft. Leave toflan cool. Fry off the shallot Filing: 200g parsnip, peeled until soft. Set Quite to onequickly side toyou cool. Line aproduce inch greased dish 25g butter should a moistto andcool. verywith tastythe & sliced Cookrested theSet parsnip in side boiling water until soft. Leave Fry off thethe shallot until soft. to one to cool. Line a 9 inch greased flan dish with pastry. Prick the bottom of the base gently with a fork to stop air 200g parsnip, peeled & sliced 30g wholemeal mixture. Press this mixture firmly onto the upper 1 shallot, diced bread untilbubbles soft. Set tobreadcrumb one side to cool. Line a 9the inch greased flan dish with the rested pastry. Prick the bottom of the base gently with a fork to stop air forming. Bake blind (this will avoid famous "soggy bottom"!) by & sliced extra virgin olive oil side of the fillets. 3diced eggs 1 shallot,50ml rested pastry. Prick the bottom of the base gently with a fork to stop air by crumpling baking parchment and placing it in the pastry case being careful not bubbles forming. Bake blind (this will avoid the famous "soggy bottom"!) Salt & pepper 175ml crème fraiche shallot, diced 31eggs to tear the pastry. Then fill with ceramic baking beans spreading them out bubbles forming. Bake blind (this will avoid the famous "soggy bottom"!) for approximately 20 minutes, or pastry until thecase crustbeing is brown. 290ml milk bakingRoast parchment and placing it in the carefulby not 3 eggscrème 175ml fraiche crumpling evenly. Cook at 450º F for 20 minutes until lightly brown and a case little crisp. 1/2 tsp mixed spice crumpling baking parchment and placing it in the pastry being careful not to tear the pastry. Then fill with ceramic baking beans spreading them out 175ml crème fraiche 290ml milk Serve withbeans. whatever takes your fancy! or korma curry evenly. Remove the paper and Whilst the pastry case is cooking beat the eggs to tear the pastry. Then fill with ceramic baking beans spreading them out Cook at 450º F for 20 minutes until lightly brown and a little crisp. 290ml milk Diane Johnson 1/2 tsp mixed spice powder together theFcreme and milk, all together withcrisp. a evenly. Cookand atadd 450º for 20fraiche minutes untilincorporating lightly brown and a little tsp mixed spice 50g good blue Remove or1/2 korma curry whisk. Puree or mash the parsnip with the the spice or korma gradually addthe eggs the paper and beans. Whilst pastry case isand cooking beat cheese or korma curry to theand egg add mixture until thoroughly mixed. Once the pastry has outthewith Remove the paper beans. Whilst the pastry case iscase cooking beat eggsa powder together theand creme fraiche and milk, incorporating allcome together ham or cookedtogether of Puree the and oven dot the withfraiche the blue cheese, onion ham. Pour egg powder thebase creme incorporating together with a 50g good50g blue whisk. oradd mash the parsnip withand themilk, spice orand korma andallthe gradually add bacon mixture into the pastry case and bake on 180ºC for 45 minutes, or until the 50g good blue Puree or mash parsnip with theOnce spicethe or korma cheese towhisk. thecentre egg mixture untilthe thoroughly mixed. pastry and casegradually has comeadd out doesn’t wobble. Diane Johnson cheese theoven egg mixture until with thoroughly mixed. Once the and pastry case hasthe come 50g ham or cooked oftothe dot the base the blue cheese, onion ham. Pour eggout 50g ham or cooked mixture of the oven dot pastry the base with blueoncheese, onion ham.or Pour the egg bacon into the case andthe bake 180ºC for 45 and minutes, until the 27 www.thevinemagazine.com bacon mixture into the pastry case and bake on 180ºC for 45 minutes, or until the centre doesn’t wobble. Diane Johnson

SEAT Alhambra SE 2.0 By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Writer

www.carwriteups.co.uk

auto Biographies

@carwriteups

PEOPLE CARRIERS just aren’t sexy. That’s a fact. But SEAT’s Alhambra is a perennially popular one – for a very good reason. As an authentic Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), the almighty Alhambra’s adaptability fits just as well to family necessities as it does to the needs of the milemunching business driver. The sizable SEAT’s sporting spirit and driving enjoyment certainly go hand-in-hand with common sense and originality. And thanks to its unexpectedly lively handling and hi-tech equipment, you can look forward to every mile behind the wheel. With a combined fuel consumption figure of around 50 mpg, the Alhambra SE 2.0 TDI CR Ecomotive 140 PS won’t rob you at the pumps either.

powerful presence, but its slightly overstuffed looks won’t be to everyone’s taste. Beneath its so-so skin, the Alhambra’s TDI engine, on test here, generates 138bhp. It produces good, low down pulling power for such a large vehicle, and efficiency measures such as a Start-Stop system and brake energy recovery technology come as standard.

SEAT Alhambra

The stock safety equipment is, like much of the Alhambra, impressive. It involves seven airbags, including a driver-side knee airbag, and electric child locks on the rear doors. Also standard is electronic braking assist, tyre pressure monitoring, and stability aids.

powerful presence, but its slightly overstuffed looks Indeed, the award-winning SEAT Alhambra is an MPV won’t be to everyone’s taste. Beneath its so-sodecent skin,features. So it's no shocker it just with some truly ThePeople present incarnationcarriers of the motor, launched in late s named an authentic Multiwas not only Best MPV by Diesel Car, but 2010,Alhambra’s is longer thanTDI its engine, forerunner on - and the test here, generates Purpose Vehicle (MPV), aren’t sexy. voted Best MPV in WhatCar? Car of the Year 2011, wider. There’s plenty of breathing space for adults to 138bhp. It produces good, low down power for 2012 and 2013! sit happily, even in the third row of fold-away seats, pulling the almighty Alhambra’s whilst the big sliding doors allow fantastically easy That’s aand fact! such a large vehicle, efficiency measures such asfits a just as well to adaptability Such a good vehicle comes at a cost though. This car, access. Start-Stop systemAlhambra and brake energy bought new,recovery isn’t that far off the mark.to That’s family necessities as£30,000 it does But SEAT’s an awful lot of cash to splash for room and versatility. The load area is charitable, too. When configured as a technology come as standard. the of the mile-munching But, let’sneeds face it, when it comes to transporting your five-seater the Alhambra has 885 litres of luggage is a perennially family around, safety is priceless. space available, which swells to a vast maximum of business driver. 2,297 litres if only the front two seats are in use. In The stock safety equipment popular one – for a other words, this car could help clear out a is, large like much of the swathe of a whiteimpressive. goods department! It involves seven The sizable SEAT’s sporting spirit Alhambra, airbags, FAST FACTS PROS ‘N’ CONS very good reason. and driving enjoyment certainly including a driver-side knee airbag, and electric child Max speed: 120 mph Roomy √ Aesthetically, the MPV has an undeniably broad,  go hand-in-hand with comSafe and sound √ 10.9 secs  0-62 locks on the rear doors. Also standard is mph: electronic sense and originality.Efficient And√ Combined mpg: 50.4 mon braking assist, tyre pressure monitoring, and stability Questionable looks X thanks to its unexpectedly lively Engine: 1968cc, 4  Pricey X aids. cylinder, 16 valve, diesel handling andturbo hi-tech equipment, Max. power (bhp): you can look forward to every 138 at 4,200 rpm Indeed, the award-winning SEAT Alhambra is an MPV Max. behind torque (lb/ft):the wheel. With mile 240 atshocker 1,750 rpm fuel with some truly decent features. So it'sa no it consumption combined CO2: 146 g/km was not only named Best MPV by Diesel Car, but 50 mpg, the figure of around Price: £26,910 on the road Alhambra SE 2.0 TDI CR Ecomovoted Best MPV in WhatCar? Car of the Year 2011, tive 140 PS won’t rob you at the 2012 and 2013! pumps either. FAST FACTS Such a good vehicle comes at a cost though. This car, Themark. present incarnation of the Max speed: mph bought new, isn’t that 120 far off the £30,000 That’s motor, launched in late 2010, 0-62 mph: 10.9 secs an awful lot of cash to splash for room and versatility. is longer than its forerunner But, Combined let’s face it,mpg: when50.4 it comes to transporting and wider.your There’s plenty of Engine: 1968cc, 4 is cylinder family around, safety priceless. breathing space for adults to sit 16 valve, turbo diesel happily, even in the third row of Max. power (bhp): fold-away seats, whilst the big 138 at 4,200rpm sliding doors allow fantastically Max. torque (lb/ft): FAST FACTS PROSeasy ‘N’access. CONS at 1.750 rpm Max 240 speed: 120 mph Roomy √  CO2: 146 g/km The load area Safe and sound √ is charitable, 0-62 mph: 10.9 secs  Price: £26,910 on the road too. When configured as a fiveEfficient √ seater the Alhambra has 885 Combined mpg: 50.4  PROS Questionable X space available, & CONS litres oflooks luggage Engine:  Roomy √ 1968cc, 4 which Pricey swellsXto a vast maximum cylinder, 16 valve, of 2,297 litres if only the front Safe and sound √ turbo diesel two seats are in use. In other Max. power (bhp): Efficient √  words, this car could help clear 138 at 4,200looks rpm X Questionable out a large swathe of a white Pricey X Max. torque (lb/ft):  goods department! 240 at 1,750 rpm



CO2: 146 g/km

SE 2.0

By Tim Barnes-Clay www.carwriteups.co.uk Aesthetically, the MPV has an undeniably broad, powerful presence, but its slightly overstuffed looks won’t be to everyone’s taste. Beneath its so-so skin, the Alhambra’s TDI engine, on test here, generates 138bhp. It produces good, low down pulling power for such a large vehicle, and efficiency measures such as a Start-Stop system and brake energy recovery technology come as standard. The stock safety equipment is, like much of the Alhambra, impressive. It involves seven airbags, including a driver-side knee airbag, and electric child locks on the rear doors. Also standard is electronic braking assist, tyre pressure monitoring, and stability aids. Indeed, the award-winning SEAT Alhambra is an MPV with some truly decent features. So it's no shocker it was not only named Best MPV by Diesel Car, but voted Best MPV in WhatCar? Car of the Year 2011, 2012 and 2013! Such a good vehicle comes at a cost though. This car, bought new, isn’t that far off the £30,000 mark. That’s an awful lot of cash to splash for room and versatility. But, let’s face it, when it comes to transporting your family around, safety is priceless.

TECHNOLOGY

Parking Sensors

For over three decades I have happily manoeuvred an assortment of vehicles through a variety of traffic situations, and have safely reversed into a multitude of parking spaces - but I still bless the day I took possession of my latest car! For the first time ever I am experiencing the benefits of having parking sensors fitted – and as happens with many things, now I’ve got them, I wonder how I ever managed without them! Just this week, the warning bleep I receive whilst reversing towards another object prevented a potential collision. The driver of the other car and I were parked across from each other and we both started to reverse out of our parking spaces at the same time – which meant that even though I had checked all was clear before starting the manoeuvre, we ended up on a direct collision course! The insistent and increasingly frantic bleep of my reversing sensors alerted me to the danger and I was able to pull forward out of harm’s way. It’s not all about avoiding collisions though. Having parking sensors means that I am able to fit my car into smaller spaces because the job of judging distance and space has been taken from me, to a degree. I now find I have much more confidence about parking and am able to do it with greater ease.

There are two types of parking sensors

1 Ultrasonic sensors bounce sound waves off obstacles, using the ‘echo’ time to indicate how far away they are. A speaker in the car bleeps – with increasing urgency – as the obstacles get closer. They work even when the car is stationary, but may miss smaller or narrow objects and inclines. Fitting usually requires drilling the bumper and they may not be suitable for use with a tow bar. 2 Electromagnetic sensors create an invisible electromagnetic field around the car’s bumper and any objects entering it trigger a warning sound. Mounted inside the bumper so that there is no need for drilling, they are suitable for use with tow bars, cycle racks etc. but only detect objects once the once the car is in motion. Parking sensors can be fitted to the rear or front of a vehicle – or both. Reverse sensors activate once reverse gear is selected and switch off automatically when the gear is changed. Front sensors are activated manually and usually deactivate once a pre-determined speed is reached by the vehicle. In my opinion, parking sensors are an absolute MUST - but if your car doesn’t have them, don’t despair! They can be fitted post manufacture, with prices starting at around £30 for the ultrasonic version, and £70 for the electromagnetic sensors.

www.thevinemagazine.com

By Alex Albrighton

Out&About OSTEOPOROSIS SUPPORT GROUP Meeting 3rd Wednesday of the month 2pm - 3.30pm The Meeting Room (Access door near bus stop) ASDA Superstore Dunstable Court Drive, Dunstable LU5 4JD · Diagnosed with Osteoporosis/ Osteopenia · Find out ways to prevent further damage · Learn about foods that help build strong bones · February 26th a chance to meet others with the condition · March 26th Pilates Physiotherapist Guest Speaker (If conditions are Icy or snow we will rearrange for a better time) For more information: Contact Deborah Bird 01582 – 661914 or Email: Deborah.nos@btinternet.com HOMESTART Have you got just 2 to 3 hours to spare each week to support a local young family who are struggling to cope? The charity Home-Start is looking for caring parents and grandparents. All training and support is given and expenses paid. It’s a great way to gain new skills, make friends and really make a difference to your community. Tel: 01582 660061 office@home-startcentralbeds.org.uk www.home-startcentralbeds.org.uk BREATHEASY Do you suffer from a lung condition? Then why not come and join our local Support group - breatheasy - Part of the British lung foundation. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month at peter newton pavilion (Behind tesco) 2 - 4pm carers also welcome As well as supporting each other we have a variety of speakers and also arrange day trips out. New members most welcome More info phone michael on 01582 602348

• Clubs • Groups • Events • Community

BEDFORDSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY The BNHS was formed in 1946 and its main function is to record Priory House of Heritage Centre It the natural history the county. Dunstable has numerous who Tel:active 01582recorders 890270 cover many Local branches ofTalks natural hisHistory with Tea/Coffee tory, as well as Geology, PalaeonThursday Afternoons For details of events and demonstrations tology and Meteorology, and whose 2.30p, - 4.00pm throughout the year please contact the Chiltern Gateway Centre Shop, reports are published in the annual Visitor Centre on 01582 500920 £4.50 per person Spring Craft Fair journal, Bedfordshire Naturalist. 01582 500925 Tel: 01582 9th-10th April Members also receive890270 a quar11am - 4pm 7th terly, less formal,April newsletter, Wild 50Craft things Activities Marvellous Fair showcasing our local Boudicca Warrior Queen the Britons. About Beds and there areofnumercraftsmen. 2nd February & 2nd March Was she a maraunding barbaric rebel, or Come and browse our craft fair with lots of ous meetings held throughout the 2 - 3 pm FREE a C1 patriotic freedom fighter? new spring and summer products from local year. These include field meetings, Bring the Enjoy kids the andbeautiful join usview onover thethe first craftsmen. mainly during the summer, to CLUB vale of Aylesbury a coffee lunch in our THE DUNSTABLE ORBIT Sunday of the with month getorinvolve Bedfordshire sites of natural history cafe. withChildren’s National Trusts 50 thing to do “The more you put in, the more you get out” Cake Decorating Workshop interest andtrue sometimes to sites out is certainly for the members of Dunstable before your 11 and13¾. Wednesday, April 2011 Orbit Some Club. of Since its inception ofand theDistrict county. these are over 20 years ago, the club has raised thousands 10am - 11am Each Sunday you’ll get to cross particularly families withfrom of pounds for aimed local andat national charities 11am - 12pm another fantastic activity off you events children. such as quizzes, race nights, stalls at young During the winter 12pm - 1pm Carnivals etc. list andhere! get Why outdoors and by discover Easters not celebrate creating However,there there is more to Orbit than the commonths are illustrated talks some yummy treats. radeship and teamwork involved in organising something new! We’ll be taking the held in theevents. countyThe and the society Decorate cup cakes as Easter bunnies, Easter fundraising emphasis is very much eggs and more, withoutdoors Hayley fromso Crafty Creakids to explore rememon having fun in all of their activities including a has a collection natural history wide range of social pursuits such as archery, tions. Price includes tuition and all ingredients ber dressAllfor the£6weather. artifacts that itcinema/theatres, lends to schools. 10-pin bowling, guided walks, and to 4 cakes. tickets progressive meals etc. The club plan events to Easter Trail and Activities The Society, a registered charity, suit all budgets and many of them are free or at April depends annual subscriptions to Half Term22nd-25th Crafty Creative Fun a low cost.onMembership is only £10 annually. 11am - 3pm The club keen to expand itsofficers social andare charity carry outisits work, as all 21st February Come and17th follow -the Easter Egg Trail. events and hopes newcomers will bring fresh Solveus thethis puzzle andterm claim your ideas along with them. honorary. Membership is open to Join half andchocolate get makprize. Decorate an egg and have your face Meetings are on the first and third Tuesdays anyone, and at is the freeDunstable to junior meming! of each month Rugby Club, painted. Enter a competition to design your Bedford Road , Houghtondo Regis 6JWto from 8 own Egghead. All Tickets £2 bers. You certainly not, LU5 need We’ll be having a Chorus different activity pm. You’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome. Dawn beForanmore expert to join, andMark we on are01582 a information contact happening Sunday, every 01 day Mayfrom 2011 Kite to 539379, Julie on 01582 535761 or the website at friendly bunch! 4:30 am -plenty 6:30 amof other mask making and www.orbitclub.org.uk/dunstable Listen to the Songbirds singing at the start of a creative new day. craft fun. Please see the STREET CLUB If youWATLING would like to join please International Dawn Chorus Day is an-annual time table below. Monday kite celebration of the world’s oldest wake-up call contact Mary Sheridan, Hon. MemWe are an independent social club for ex-Rotarians and simi&- the flag making, Tuesday - mask dawn chorus- and the beauty of bird song. larly minded people and have in existenceHill, for nearly 3 bership Secretary, 28,been Chestnut Join us on the Dunstable Downs and listen to years. We are named ‘The Watling Street Club’ as our memmaking, Wednesday Cress head Linslade, Leighton LU7 the song birds singing at the start of a new day. bers form a link along the Buzzard Watling Street. We meet every Enjoy a breakfast bap and coffeemaking, or tea in the making, Thursday - clay Thursday evening at the ‘Old Hunter’s Lodge’ Whipsnade for 2TR Tel: 01525378245. cafe after the walk. All Tickets £8 a meal and speaker. Friday - puppet making. All details on theFor website, New membersare are welcome. more information contact John Stevens 01582 668033 YounGnats, for including a section, We are also holding a ‘Bridge Evening’ at Eaton Bray Village DUNSTABLE BRIDGE CLUB THE BOGTROTTERS younger members. Hall on 5th February, 7pm until 10.30pm. The tables will be set for 4 players per team and entries are for a complete The Bogtrotters (Dunstable www.bnhs.org.uk We meet every Monday (except bankand holidays) in Website: team at £10 per person. Chews HouseWalking in High Street Dunstable, from The format is competitive, in a fun way, with prizes. Supper District andSouth, Hostelling is included, but bring your own drinks and glasses please. 1pm to 5pm. We would welcome new members of Forthcoming a group about 90 There will also be meetings a raffle with some nice prizes. All proallGroup) standards are and you do not of need a partner. ceeds support charitiesmeetings and good causes. February &local March At hikers and hostellers. We If walkers, anyone is interested please call: 01582 664485 For tickets contact Verna & John Dent 01582 704642 Maulden Village Hall, TL048380, 45 run a surprisingly diverse range of www.thevinemagazine.co.uk activities, including half and full day TUESDAY 18th FEBRUARY, 7.45pm - Maulden Update on the walks, hostelling trips, meals and Bedfordshire Orchid project, and evening activities. New members are always welcome. where effort is needed for the coming seaProspective members are invited to son’ by Richard Revels, Chris Boon, get in touch via the website, give and Graham Bellamy. us a ring or just turn up to an event TUESDAY 18th MARCH, 7.30pm or walk. Maulden Annual General Meeting. Enquiries@dunstablebogtrotters. Officers and Recorders will present co.uk their annual reports. www.dunstablebogtrotters.co.uk 01582 865966 Sue or Julian

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Caritas Harmony Luton Ladies Voices Charity, Friendship & Compassion

2012 AUGUST - 10pm Noon

Needs You!

attrac ary soul the closin c, is going to classics ned by legend range of Love mer of Musievent is headli s for a wide r Knew This FREE O’Neal, famou ‘Fake’, ‘NeveLovers’. Alexander es ‘Cri tic ise’, ‘Secret Love’ and which includ view‘Saturday a prime to grab dly the Like This’, you want l is repute

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SATUR Gardens 12 ROCKS, House STABLE Grove is that DUN Council’s Sum-s. on the street table Town menal crowd The word g event for Duns t pheno singer

ing that if early. O’Nea era, releas mended It is recomyou should arrivefrom the 80s soulradio playlists on ing spot, singer to come that are still ts’. This ‘radio reques and on best pure memorable hits regular n to perform of ated a string UK to satisfy g passio his celebr across the has an undyin you can enjoy soul legend18 August 2012 . Saturday, LUTELY FREE with local at 12 noon Up and act ABSO S will open t, The Call a very LE ROCK bands Subse d, after DUNSTAB s along withby popular demanband ‘Leech’ cover singperformanceDelta. Back exceptional of popular, Gardens Gin House last year, is r a string House set popular once again delivegetting Grove who will Black, the a -along tunes Back to with along, dance party feet. phere going, up the reins up on its the party atmos ence will take the mannerisms n g Keepin house Experisulates the look,A Secret?’ Natha Keep Amy Whine that encap to the stage ‘Can You d, takes der O’ performance of Amy. r Beyon Alexan voice of Brothe y-awaited and the Try’ made lead singer the eagerl ‘The Harder I fans Moore, female act before first hit, t lots of as the final r Beyond’s expec we sale charts and Neal. Brothe food on 2 in the ! to quality number be there 80s hottie! a variety of good rx, will are you BarWo for this bar, also be . So what August in outside There will 18 wonderful lic and soft drinks secure Saturday, and our Rocks, arrive early to both alcoho able to Dunst supply for? Put And don’t forget waiting now. your diary so to ensure position. tic time, be permita prime a fantas l will to have nt of alcoho s expected at everyone amou crowd os or We want a reasonable the enormous to erect gazeb to only ssible due this; site and be permi space. ted on it will not of lack of this event, because picnic tables

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Trained Staff

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We can help! Grow food,. magic. places simple pure and and do it in public r of Incredmagic, co founde friend Discover and share food her Mary Clear 2007 withtheir commucook food the words of set up in of ide These are Todmorden with the help a worldw ible into ible Edible rst. Together is for being Incred the world. of my work Pam Warhu have grown all over nity they with 300 IE’s business and mostfolk can be when no revolutionown gardening lonely some to do and ourhow my seen has stuff I run to . I have d my neighb everyone the elderlyis out at work, other. I wante to do this than each better way us all to share, everyone for their what t time food for one has d so I thoughthat grows writhood restore ful garden started by they beauti ’s day I make a ! help, winter you has can so I began2013 on a snowyand asking ner and il landow willing February able Counc dshire is our some ing to DunstCentral BedforSo together with have 5 raised 8 off with We now said ‘Yes’.huge support. garden. manure topped The beds provided we built this of horse ted for free. volunteers with 40 bags d and collec coriander, mint, , , filled leaves fennel all donate beds top soil tomatoes, ge, mixed salad free. tonne of strawberries, s, cabba donated for produced Brussels sprout , swede all this year and Mr J kale, radish thyme, in Bloombeen visited by rt spring onion, Anglia lettuce, involved with . We have he is in full suppo rry We were bring home GOLDMayor and e raspbe fruit to Town a massiv 30 helped Dunstable . We had planted over Chatterley unity garden y and term holida from of our comm the half students chippings plant overdonated for free. be used for the their Enrichment some free for deposit gardener has extrahas canes all the garden will as the garden all about comn could ape us if he Next year Vale Academy teaching them ction, in a way a tree surgeo or a landsc remember e Maybe these thingsbe ld produ see the involv to our garden driver could use all of Barnfie This will sustainable foode the box and directly or a grab lorry could We would Option. e of. We next year. look outsidt. nature and for supplies l to dispos to make garden munity, inspire them to this projec area in the after dosome topsoi spiral we want that will for expanding a seating their lunch talk for our herb l. tea to share potential hoping to havesit and have take the time to be and nice to truly gratefu Edible Dunfruit. and We will take the time . Meet vegetables and dona- Big love, smiles Syra) Incredible to garden page unced people work in our the free Facebook volunteer’sals Sahira (prono harvesting we rely on share our ing some other after by anyone; of plants and materi Like and me on to each contact 3 in stable g ation not fundedand donations local community. are inform 07905 11662 We t by workin and the their time For more 2 or tions of local businesses support our projecroles of weed few tiny 01582 51913 to from the you are able of a plant or a mulch every bags of If you feel or a donation and a fewarms. the garden membrane open suppressantis received with help bit of

FOU ND ED ON Fo unded onTRA traDIT . LOO ditION ion . LoKIN TO THE okiGng FUT URE to the . 46 High future St. Leig . hton Buz zard

SPOT THE ADVERT

Formerly known as the award winning Pasque Harmony, Caritas Harmony, is looking for:-

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Wildlife Trust

Second Sopranos and Altos

There is a whole world to doorstepwi discov Here are th your local Wildl er on your some of ife Trust your up for Febru in 2013 and ary and March this coming events year·

To join our choir as we embark on rehearsing for our 3rd CD. A chance to experience the joy of making wonderful music, forging friendships for life, and also raising money to help our chosen charity Macmillan. All ages are welcome and the ability to read music is not essential, so why not come along and see for yourself? We rehearse predominately on a Monday evening at Stopsley Baptist Church Luton from 7.30 -10.00pm.

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Meet Blows Downs Nature aerobatics community for scooterin folyou are ng mechan and bein near to the up thisa few of theFollowing ngst the ting the ters Price: the larges and vintage glidincross-country, mee ing bori es culture amo Half Moon Reserve, Dunst have t gliding hello." created nd major on 60 scooline Audience: and sixti le.” Donations Lane entrance aa clubs in g, and is one of and say meeting ps seco people with the the world Children Dunstab Everyone gratefully accep 4 the first , the grou over 100ort the club ching halfly . must be ted Welcome. For inform accompanied fraternitymonth sawn to suppVespa's strete absolute ation Tel by an adult. Email: ruth.sn Ruth lowing in the tow ta's and "We wer eath@wildlifSneath: 01525 turn upsic Lambret t South. 874317 ebcn.org of clas of High Stree length

An Experienced Rehearsal Pianist

And it’s Free! to non-profit organisations Tel: 01525 222379 07852 453043 Email: mailthevine@yahoo.co.uk

www.thev

inemagaz

ine.co.uk

Our repertoire is extremely varied and our sense of humour second to none, so we are looking for an accompanist who appreciates good music whilst having fun along the way with the 45 lovely ladies that are Caritas Harmony! Regular rehearsal commitments would be either a Monday or Thursday evening from 7.30 – 10.00pm at £40 a session at Stopsley Baptist Church, Luton 5

Please contact our Musical Director Margaret Blenkin on 07802 675942 for further details

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