Village Emporium March/April 2020 - Northants Edition by The Village Emporium

March/April 2020 The

Northants Edition

illage Emporium

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Delivering local business to local people in Warwickshire and Northamptonshire

Delivering locally since 2005

New independent kitchen showroom open in Daventry Working closely together with you the customer to achieve your dream kitchen

Paul Rowles Kitchens • Unit 2 Station Close Retail Park 'DYHQWU\ ¬ 11 ) www.paulrowles.co.uk enquiries@paulrowles.co.uk

Our bespoke Smart Conservatory roof insulation solutions are tailored for your conservatory and can be installed with minimal disruption, making your conservatory nice and cool in the summer and cosy and warm in the winter. Within just a few days, you will be sitting back, relaxing in your new comfortable all-year-round living area. Having an insulated conservatory roof will not just add value to your property, but it will totally change the way you are using your downstairs living area. For more information or to request a quotation, visit our website or give us a call.

For more information or to request a quotation, visit our website or give us a call.

The

illage Emporium

Contents

Recipes

35 Homemade chocolate easter eggs

46 Hot Cross bread and butter pudding

64 Slow roasted lamb 52 Slow roasted duck leg with cabbage and gooseberry jam

Bitesize spring cleaning tips 46, 48, 55, 72 4

thevillageemporiummagazine @EmporiumVillage

Welcome to The Village Emporium

6 Look good, feel good 10 Your garden 17 Out & about 31 Your home 56 Your family 58 Whats on?

Lighter mornings, longer evenings can only mean one thing, spring has sprung. Check out local gifts to buy for Mothering Sunday and don’t forget to enter the competitions to win tickets to Rugby’s Bike Fest, a fabulous day out in the town calendar or dinner for two at Bread and Circus in Daventry. We wish you all a very happy Easter, and do send us pictures of your hand made Easter eggs if you try the recipe. PS Remember to change your clocks on 29th March

Features

Ali & Clare

8 Simple swaps for sustainable living 12 Gardening tips 16 Royal Ordnance depot, Weedon 18 LNBP community boating 21 Green is the new black 22 Mini Meadows 24 Love is like a butterfly 28 Mothering Sunday gift guide 38 A spring riddle 54 April Fool’s day 62 Crick and Yelvertoft walk 65 Moira Morriss Stonecarver 70 Red Tractor

Competitions

30 Win a family ticket to the Wall of Death at

Rugby Bikefest

36 Win a dinner for two at Bread & Circus

Brain teasers 34, 44, 48, 50, 52, 55, 68

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Look good, feel good

Are you struggling with: Specialists in foot health and lower limb conditions Including routine Chiropody treatments for nail and skin problems. Biomechanical assessments and gait analysis. Insole and orthotic therapy. We are fully insured members of the College of Podiatrists, registered members of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Accredited Practice of the Society of Chiropodist and Podiatrists. The ground floor practice has no steps and there is guaranteed free and easy car parking in front of the building.

Call 01327 700 033 for an appointment www.centralpodiatry.co.uk Central Podiatry, 2 Egerton Close, Drayton Fields Daventry, Northamptonshire NN11 8PE Jo Bricknell, BSc Hons Podiatry PGCTHE MChS HCPC

Aches & Pains? Stress & Tension? Do you feel like your body need an MOT? For a drug free, non-invasive, body balancing, supremely relaxing treatment, book an appointment with me today. Complementary health clinic in Daventry. Day & Evening Appointments. www.choosewellbeing.co.uk info@choosewellbeing.co.uk 0771 563 4767 Sue Jaycock PGCE ITEC BTPA FHT CNHC BOWEN TECHNIQUE AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

Happy Feet Registered Foot Care Specialist Fully trained Reflexologist and member of the Association of Reflexologists. Bespoke treatments tailored around your personal needs within a relaxing and comfortable setting. The route to good health is through the sole. Contact: Old Barn, The Green, Flore, NN7 4LG

07734 353843 www.redreflexology.co.uk

l Toe nail cut l Corns l Verrucas l Ingrown toe

nails

l Hard dry skin l Fungal nails

Home appointments

07842 266575 www.happyfeetmidlands.com

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Look good, feel good

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION Beautiful skin without surgery World renowned non-invasive CACI Technology, has arrived in Long Buckby! CACI has paved the way in anti-ageing, skin rejuvenation and problematic skin solutions for over two decades. CACI treatments are often described as the ‘red-carpet beauty secret’ and have attracted an impressive celebrity following. YOU:thful offers the latest in CACI Technology. The SYNERGY Dual Action system using the combined power of microcurrent muscle stimulation for face lifting and LED light therapy for skin tissue regeneration, helping in the production of collagen, which has been clinically proven to deliver faster, more effective and longer lasting results than standard microcurrent.

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At YOU:thful we offer numerous treatment options that will appeal to men and women of all ages and skin types, from Facial Toning, Skin Rejuvenation & Wrinkle Reduction. No down time, no needles, just real natural results. CACI Synergy treats: • • • • • • • •

Facial Toning Tired Hooded Eyes Lines & Wrinkles Skin Hydration Skin Cleansing Acne/Blemishes Jowl Lifting Buttock lift and cellulite

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE Bakers Lane, Long Buckby NN6 7WA e: mandy@youthfulskin.co.uk t: 07855 862658

www.youthfulskin.co.uk

www.villageemporium.co.uk • 01788 298 050

Feature

Ask Sheaf Street Health Store

Simple swaps for sustainable living At Sheaf Street Health Store, we’ve noticed more and more people coming to us because they are trying to be ‘conscious consumers’ and they know we can help. We have always felt it’s important to offer wholefoods, organic and natural products as well as cruelty-free and Fairtrade options. Our new wine range is organic and vegan (not many people realise that the ‘isinglass’ in a lot of supermarket wine and beer is actually fish guts). They are lower in sulphates and kinder to the planet than standard wine, and taste great. We also work with many local suppliers, which reduces our carbon footprint and supports the local economy: we’ve got some great local vegan cheeses, meals and sauces from around Northamptonshire; including the Yellow Bourbon coffee roasted by our vegan barista in Northampton. We also look out for exceptional local artisans, such as Izzy Loops’ vegan candles and diffusers, and the ‘Heavenly’ vegan and glutenfree food range.

The sustainable products we stock can help you take small steps that add up to a significant distance. Not everyone is ready to leap straight into a totally zero-waste lifestyle, but it doesn’t have to be a sprint to the finish-line. Make some easy swaps one room at a time.

In the kitchen: Take a look at our ‘Eco Household range’ for all your surfaces and washing up. For laundry we have a variety of options, from Refill detergent and fabric conditioners to Ecoeggs and Soapnuts (versatile all over the home). There are some great natural alternatives to plastic for pan-scrubbers and surface wipes. We even have bamboo clothes pegs, which are more sustainable than wood and plastics.

In the bathroom: Great-smelling Bodywash, Shampoo and Conditioners are all available in eco-friendly and vegan varieties, including refill versions

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Feature and bars. You can avoid nasty chemicals and pollution with Toilet cleaner, Hand sanitiser and women’s sanitary wear. Bamboo and organic cotton are used for all kinds of brushes and buds in the bathroom, and there are planet-friendly deodorants and toothpastes too. We also stock some really lovely vegan soaps, along with ceramic dishes made by a local pottery in Long Buckby.

In the dining room: Turn mealtimes into a ‘pamper night’ with vegan candles and a bottle of organic, vegan wine (the velvety-smooth Malbec gets our special recommendation!). Try one of the delicious mealpacks or sauces from our local suppliers - or raid the freezers for vegetarian and vegan foods. If you want to try the plant-based diet but aren’t sure where to start, drop in for a demonstration of our ‘Vegan Taster’ recipes.

In the workplace: Keep your cool with bamboo socks and organic undies – they wick moisture, are very soft and naturally stretchy, cutting out Lycra and the plastic microfibres that are so bad for the oceans. Wrap your lunch in plastic-free clingfilm alternatives, or pick up a lunchbox made from lightweight, sustainable rice-husks. We have sustainable Chilly’s bottles for drinks and soups, and reusable coconut cutlery: so light to carry and a pleasure to eat with. At Sheaf Street Health Store, there’s more than 3,000 healthy and eco products to choose from. We also have an upstairs yoga and Pilates studio with regular classes. Let us help you to a green and healthy lifestyle. See you soon. NEW at Sheaf Street Health Store Saturday Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness with Bee@One Yoga. Weekly themes around physical, social, emotional and intellectual wellness for children. Taking bookings now: ask in store for details.

Recommended Reads by Shaun Higgs: How to Own Your Life by Jean-Pierre De Villiers

We’re delighted to share an inspiring evening’s conversation and book signing with the legendary Jean-Pierre De Villiers – known by friends as ‘JP’. A Daventry resident, JP is a global motivational speaker, coach and endurance athlete. JP has very personal insights into overcoming life’s challenges as well as an incredible career as a Success Coach working with actors, celebrities and Olympic athletes. All this experience has been distilled into his book ‘How to Own Your Life’, which he will be signing during the event on Thursday 2nd April between 7 and 9pm. Save the date – tickets available from Sheaf Street Health Store.

www.villageemporium.co.uk • 01788 298 050

For over 12 months, The Health Pod in St Johns Square, Daventry have been helping their local community to feel better, sleep better, have more energy and ease their aches and pains. Their unique service is easy and quick. No clothes are removed and no hands on with this 100% natural therapy!Â Clients who have used BEMER Physical Vascular Therapy have had relief from back problems, shoulder and tennis elbow complaints, neck stiffness, arthritis in hands, aching/tingly feet, achilles tendon injury, aching knee/sports injury, muscles strains, post surgery, broken bones etc. It also helps many clients with improved energy levels, mental focus, better sleep,Â digestive concerns and more. Many Pro Athletes use this therapy to improve stamina and performance while also helping with rest, repair and recovery after work outs.

Here's what some of The Health Pod clients say about BEMER My arthritic hands were able to move without pain & my hip felt better

After the session I was surprised as I could lift my leg & walk better

I certainly noticed significant pain relief which was wonderful

My energy levels increased & my back pain was better

Chrissie, Barby

Gillian, Daventry

Sam, Daventry

Tim, Daventry

It feels easier to breathe during my training sessions

By the 2nd week I was moving better & reduced my pain meds & morphine

I use my BEMER as preparation & recovery after cycling events

I feel energised & it really helps relieve stiffness in my muscles & joints

Daniel, Daventry

Marc, Lancashire

Ian, Crick

Brian, Daventry

CALL OR TEXT 07533 361 421 TO BOOK

thehealthpoddaventry

Feature

Gardening tips for March/April Spring usually arrives by mid-March and more sunny days provide the opportunity for an increasing range of gardening tasks. It’s time to get busy preparing seed beds, sowing seed, cutting back winter shrubs and generally tidying up around the garden. Spring is finally in evidence as daffodils and flowering trees start to bloom. Expect the inevitable April showers this month but with sunny days too, when you can turn your attention to the lawn. It’s an exciting month, with indoor-sown seeds well into growth, and it’s also time to start sowing outdoors. Just watch out for frosts.

New turf can be laid if the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Install lawn edging to make future maintenance easier. Prepare soil for growing new lawn from seed. Doing this now allows it time to settle before sowing. Cut back Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) grown for colourful winter stems Hoe and mulch weeds to keep them under control early Protect new spring shoots from slugs Start feeding fish and using the pond fountain; remove pond heaters Continue to deadhead winter pansies to stop them setting seed. This will encourage flushes of new flowers throughout the spring.

Sunshine and showers Protect fruit blossom from late frosts

Planting and preparation Fertilise your vegetable beds when soil is workable, dig a layer of compost or well-rotted manure into your beds to prepare for the growing season ahead. You can now plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes, also plant summer-flowering bulbs in borders.

Tie in climbing and rambling roses Sow hardy annuals, herbs and wild flower seed outdoors Increase the water given to houseplants

Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials such as sedums, daisies and monbretia. Move deciduous trees or shrubs as long as the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Put fresh compost in containers Put supports in if any garden plants need it this year, so they can grow up through them. Adding supports afterwards is trickier and often looks unattractive. Mow your lawn if it needs it on a dry day and set blades higher than usual.

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Your garden

www.villageemporium.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ 01788 298 050

Your garden

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Skilled, Qualified, Insured Arborists

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to your needs • Regular garden maintenance packages tailored • Hanging basket and plant supply to your needs • Planting projects undertaken

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• Planting projects undertaken E: admin@beoutiful-borders.co.uk W: www.beoutiful-borders.co.uk

Contact Us • Fully IJ insured and reliable Find us on Facebook /beoutifulbordersnorthompton M: 07449 678489 E: admin@beoutiful-borders.co.uk W: www.beoutiful-borders.co.uk

IJ Find us on Facebook /beoutifulbordersnorthompton

GET YOUR FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE TODAY www.timbertechtreeservices.com 07703 781422 / 07528 332959 timber_tech@outlook.com

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Your garden

LANDSCAPING For Drives, Patios, Landscaping and inspiring Outdoor Spaces We are a well-established and financially sound, groundwork and civil engineering company, based in Northamptonshire and serving the Midlands and Home Counties.

We are specialists in: • Patios and Paving • Drives and Kerbing • Landscaping • Foundations and Drainage • Eco-Friendly Development If you are planning a new drive, a garden restoration, a new build or a self build then please contact us. We are always happy to provide advice and our on-staff engineers can assist with design, planning and building control.

Call 01604 740939 david.pitt@gbkcontracting.co.uk

www.gbkcontracting.co.uk

www.villageemporium.co.uk • 01788 298 050

Feature

The Royal Ordnance Depot at Weedon If you have an interest in History, Architecture, Canals, Railways, Military or local history then you should take the time to visit the Ordnance Depot at Weedon Bec. Shortly after the Grand Junction Canal (now the Grand Union) was routed through Weedon in 1793, surveys began to find a location to safely store ordnance in a central location. Europe was in turmoil and Napoleon was making threatening noises across the Channel. As most of Englands ordnance (arms and military equipment) was either made or stored near to the Channel coast it was deemed prudent to find a location somewhere better protected but still with access to all areas. In modern times we call such a place a logistics centre. After procuring land, work commenced at Weedon in 1803, starting with a spur from the Canal that would run into the Depot. Narrowboats could carry many more tons of goods than horse and carts. First cargoes were the bricks and other materials to build the storehouses and other buildings. By 1806 canal access was functioning and the building was under way. An extension to the canal was then added that continued to the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;magazinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, to the west of the site. This enabled large quantities of gunpowder to be brought in from the Royal Gunpowder Mills and safely handled and stored. At peak times there was upwards of 2000 tons of gunpowder on site!

In 1816 the Depot was completed along with many other facilities on the large 200 acre site. Barracks, a hospital and officers houses were also built and the ordnance began to flood in. Napoleon never did invade Britain but arms, uniforms ammunition and other equipment was allocated to the Army and shipped around the country and the world to support battles in Europe and at sea. Of course, wars did not stop with the demise of Napoleon and the Ordnance Depot continued to support our forces through many subsequent wars and campaigns including, the Crimean War, The First World War and the Second World War. If you would like to learn more about how the Depot operated, see the incredible architecture or view artefacts from the time, then visit our Visitor Centre - in fact, if you are even more interested, why not volunteer as a guide / host at the Visitor Centre and help to inspire others with the story of our local military history. Training and supervision will be given and just a few hours per week can lead you into a whole different period of time when the world was at war and sleepy Weedon Bec had the power to support our forces around the world.

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A stunning boutique independent Jewellery business in a Village location. A discreet setting for your journey into finding the perfect gift.

01604 267927 â&#x20AC;˘ Jb@infinityfinejewellery.com www.infinityfinejewellery.com Infinity Fine Jewellery Ltd, 1a Kennel Terrace, Brixworth, Northamptonshire, NN6 9DL

Feature

Explore and experience the beauty and unique life of our region’s canals with LNBP Community Boating. For nearly 40 years LNBP Community Boating at Braunston has been welcoming community groups and organisations of all ages and interests to experience the beauty and heritage of our local canals. And they invite you to come and do the same this summer and autumn.

well-equipped galley complete with refrigerator and microwave, two toilets, central heating plus sleeping accommodation for residential breaks. Both boats are operated by experienced and fully-qualified skippers who take responsibility for the running of the boat during all trips, as well as providing guests with an insight into the boats, the history of the canals and local area. There is opportunity for boat guests to try their hand at many activities including steering the boats through open countryside, photography, countryside walks, team building and route planning. Or simply sit back, relax and take in the views and the peace and quiet, and enjoy watching the world go by at a slower pace.

Day and evening trips for local groups

LNBP Community Boating is a registered not-for-profit charity run by volunteers who each year provide the opportunity for community groups, clubs and associations to enjoy inexpensive canal boating trips and short break holidays on the Grand Union and Oxford Canals in Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and the Midlands. LNBP welcome a wide variety of community groups of all ages and varying interests which include: •

uniformed organisations and associations such as Scouts, Guides, Cadets

•

senior and veteran clubs and associations

•

church groups

•

social and retirement groups such as The Women’s Institute (WI), U3A

•

mental health and wellbeing groups

•

organisations working with those with special needs

LNBP will once again be running a series of full or half day trips on selected midweek days during June, July and September (subject to availability) this summer specifically for local and regionally based community groups and organisations. So why not think about bringing your group aboard Lancelot and Guinevere for a day trip or even a short break to experience the unique beauty and heritage of our local canals. For further details regarding bookings or an information pack about LNBP Community Boating at Braunston, contact Bookings Officer, Nigel Smith, on 07967 406 875, or via email at: bookings@lnbp.co.uk. Alternatively visit LNBP at Braunston’s website at www.lnbp.co.uk to check on current availability and make a booking online Mention you saw us in The VillageEmporium when contacting and booking to receive a discount

LNBP Community Boating have two boats - called Lancelot and Guinevere - moored at the historic junction of the Oxford and Grand Union canals at Braunston in Northamptonshire. Each is fitted with a modern

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Out and about

www.villageemporium.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ 01788 298 050

Out and about

Menu available Mother’s Day & Easter Sunday 2 courses £18 and 3 courses £23 Starters

Homemade soup of the day, with warm breads Watermelon salad with feta cheese mint and pomegranate dressing Homemade liver parfait, chutneys leaves and toast Smoked mackerel pate, orange and fennel salad, croutes Vegetarian plaza, fried halloumi, smoked cheese balls oils seeds and breads

Mains

Roast treacle beef Roast Loin of pork Half roast chicken Vegetarian roast All roast served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, braised red cabbage, green vegetables Baked loin of cod, gnocchi, shampire roast lemon, pea and parsley sauce Aubergine lasagne garlic ciabatta

Desserts

Sticky toffee pudding, salted caramel sauce Vanilla ice cream popcorn Baked apple and blackberry crumble, ice cream or custard Homemade lemon meringue pie Selection of cheeses chutney grapes and biscuits

10 Middle Street Nether Heyford NN7 3LL

01327 340164

Good Friday Spring Music Night with the Missing Links all welcome

Food served Wednesday to Saturday 12 noon-2.30pm and 6pm-9pm Sundays 12noon-5pm. Pre-bookings only.

Meetings just became a little bit better... Make the most of your team meetings or away days at Brampton Heath. Get away from the office so you can focus on the business in hand. Located in the picturesque village of Church Brampton, in one of the most scenic locations in Northamptonshire & overlooking the beautiful Brampton Valley Way.

Introducing... The Heath Suite Half and Day Delegate rates on application. Maximum 12 people. Projector available free of charge. Or book The Fairway Suite, maximum 16

Call us on 01604 84 39 39 | e: info@bhgc.o.uk | www.bhgc.co.uk

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Feature

Green is the new black Mama B

Green is the new black. Kindness is the new cool. We as retailers love fashion but we love our planet too. On the subject of sustainable fashion we begin by talking about what’s in store little more.

This Continental label again is original in it’s understated minimalist handwriting hence the garments have a long life span. The fabric quality gives real longevity to your purchases. These fabrics are milled locally, the business is ran by the family and made with love from Italy.

Wired Angel

Tribe and Fable A fair trade product, these delightful colourful tassel necklaces are made by Balinese women who carefully thread and securely knot each bead. The necklaces are then channelled with good energy. The beads are made from lovely natural materials such as semi-precious stones, water pearls, volcanic rock and wood. No plastic!

An exciting new label on the scene that again offers quality and beauty. The collection is manufactured and produced in the UK. Then it is delivered from a very local source, so local it’s on the Leicestershire/ Warwickshire border. On our door step so the logistical carbon emissions are low indeed.

Chillys

Global fashion

These uber-cool drinking bottles come in every colour imaginable as well as some really captivating and colourful surface pattern design. The chrome edition is the shiny metallic colours. They keep your cold drinks chilly for 24hrs and keep up the heat of your tea/coffee or preferred hot drink for 12 yrs. Ditch the plastic!

Where we do stock from other countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands they have implemented strategies where they have researched and are executing the use of new fibres and new production techniques. Some of the neo textiles are being made from recycled plastic bottles, polyester is recyclable as are many other fibres. Also our American jeans brand Liverpool are constructed of such good denim it goes on and on. They are the kind of jeans that could go on five years or probably more with regular wear too. Not just a one season wonder! So on balance the eco-conscious consumer can feel a little more relieved.

A Postcard From Brighton brand On a few different levels, this brand delivers on an ecological matter. The first reason being the clothing items are original and of an individual concept. These clothing pieces are timeless. They are not faddy fashion articles. We have customers expressing they have had items from APCFB for years and years. For those of you lucky enough to meet Lainey Poulson the designer at an in-store event you may recall her saying “reuse as pyjama wear or pool side garments if you can once your items start to look a bit jaded and when they do!” Another point is that the brand hasn’t left a huge carbon foot print due to UK manufacture and production. Sustainable fabrics are also being utilized within the brand.

I hope that explained a few things on such an important issue. Look out for more green in up and coming issues. Anna xx

13 Bank Street Rugby CV21 2QE or on our website www.terracotta-boutique.co.uk

www.villageemporium.co.uk • 01788 298 050

Out and about

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Lamb Bottle Feeding

24th Feb - April

Mother’s Day Crafts and Cream Teas

22nd March

Easter Egg-Stravaganza

10th-13th April

Meet and bottle feed our lambs and watch little faces light up.

Let Mum enjoy a yummy cream tea while little ones craft away.

Bunny hunt, chick and duckling handling, and child size rabbit warren.

Normal farm entry plus £1 a bottle for feeding. Call 07824 393517 to pre-book on the day.

Normal farm entry plus £1 tokens for crafts. Cream tea £5.95. See website for more info.

Normal farm entry plus £1 tokens for activities. See our website for more info.

Naseby Road, Welford, Northants, NN6 6HZ Tel: 07824 393517 Find us on Facebook: /minimeadowsfarm www.minimeadowsfarm.com

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Out and about

Open every day 10am - 5pm Only ÂŁ5 entry (under-twos free)

www.minimeadowsfarm.com

Brilliant farm park, whatever the weather! Farm animals Treetops indoor play area Giant indoor sandpit

ntry e e c i r p Half m! p Cafe and picnic areas 3 r e t f a

Outdoor fort and swings

Naseby Road, Welford, Northants, NN6 6HZ Tel: 07824 393517 Find us on Facebook: /minimeadowsfarm

www.villageemporium.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ 01788 298 050

The Travel Locker…. Local to you

Love is like a butterfly A tropical rainforest in the centre of Stratford Upon Avon? Not quite, but the closest you can get to the tropical experience in Stratford is to visit the Stratford Butterfly Farm.

There is also a huge selection of tropical plants to feed the butterflies as well as several birds including two colourful Indian Ring-Necked Parakeets and the African Mousebirds with their distinctive spikey hairstyles and long feathers. There are also diamond doves from Australia, yellow kakrakis, from New Zealand, a pair of rosy bourkes, java sparrows and several small but loud zebra finches. Fortunately, all the birds are noninsectivorous preferring to eat seeds and fruit, not the butterflies! Try and spot the resident Iguana! Prudence is a green Iguana, originating from South America. She was donated to the Butterfly Farm about 8 years ago. She likes to hide up in the trees and bask in the warmth on top of the heaters.

When I walked into the flight area, I was overwhelmed by the number of butterflies fluttering around me. The landscaped tropical greenhouse comes complete with gushing waterfalls, a pond full of enormous fish and a huge range of tropical plants. It also has over 1,500 free flying butterflies feeding, resting and breeding. Be prepared because this is a tropical environment so it very humid. It is very hot and sticky so remember to leave your coats in the cloakroom. The Stratford Butterfly Farm is the largest tropical butterfly display in the UK with over 250 different species of tropical butterfly from 20 different countries. Many of the butterflies are bred within the Butterfly Farm and the rest are imported from the tropics.

Look out for the two small ground dwelling birds called the Chinese Painted Quail in the Mini beast Metropolis, which is home to a fantastic range of spiders, including the Goliath bird eater, one of the world’s largest spiders. There are also two Amazing Leafcutter Ant Colonies. I loved the ants – there were millions of them all being very industrious. There were millions of ants carrying tiny pieces of leaf and twig slowly making their way backwards and forwards along a tightly twisted rope above my head. I was a little wary that some of the ants may fall from the rope. In the Discovery Zone visitors can marvel at the butterfly’s life cycle and see some of the world’s largest, spikiest, hairiest and most camouflaged caterpillars. You may even be fortunate to catch a butterfly hatching from its chrysalis.

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The Travel Locker…. Local to you

The farm is just a short walk over the river Avon foot bridge, opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There is plenty of car parking right outside their doors. I really enjoyed my short visit to the butterfly farm and would highly recommend a visit next time you are in the Stratford Upon Avon. For an enjoyable and educational morning or afternoon the Butterfly farm is a wonderful place to spend a few hours.

Stratford Butterfly Farm Swan’s Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7LS Jim Davis is a retired Northamptonshire secondary school teacher. Having worked as a freelance journalist for many years, he now writes a travel blog. He is available to write blog reviews for attractions, hotels and restaurants. Please contact him directly at thetravellocker@outlook.com

T H E Little W O R K H O U S E

OPEN FOR TAKEAWAY ONLY

SMALL COLD ROLLS from £2.00 SMALL HOT ROLLS from £2.15 SALADS from £2.90 BURGERS from £2.95 PIES from £1.20 Contact: 01604 882 533 office@theworkhousebrixworth.com

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7am-2pm Saturday 7:30am-1pm

105b Northampton Road, Brixworth, NN6 9DX

www.villageemporium.co.uk • 01788 298 050

Out and about

THE WORKHOUSE

35 Spratton Road, Brixworth, NN6 9DS Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:30pm / Saturday 8:30am-3pm / Sunday 9am - 1pm 01604 378 787

RUGBY TOWN CENTRE

SUNDAY 17th MAY 2020 10am to 4pm

BIKEFEST

2020

RUGBY BIKEFEST

RUGBY

The amazing Wall of Death appearing for the first time ever at Rugby Bikefest

A family friendly bike festival Bikes l Ride-In l Stalls l Family entertainment l Music l Food

www.therugbytown.co.uk/bikefest

@therugbytown

Rugby Bike Fest 2020 Official Page

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RugbyFirstLtd

Out and about

O N T H E S Q UA R E

daventryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boutiQue JewelleRs

50% off all diamond rings throughout March only

n n n

We buy used gold 4 Market Square, Daventry, NN11 4BH Near the Church (opposite Howkins & Harrison) RepairS Servicing Tel 01327 700060 www.jewelonthesquare.co.uk

Gorgeous gifts for Mothers Day and Easter Bags and accessories from Radley and our fabulous new collections from Kipling, Masai Clothing and Jellycat

Gifts for all at Etcetera

We gift wrap FREE of charge.

31 Regent Street, Rugby Tel: 01788 570444 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5.30pm www.etceterarugby.co.uk

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Feature

Mothering Sunday 22nd March Have you turned into your mum? When you were young you probably said that when you have kids you wouldn’t do or say the things your mum did. Years later, when you have your own children, you realise it’s just part of our culture and, without them, you wouldn’t be a mum! Sayings are passed down through generations, they are little snippets of wisdom…small mantras that mean a lot. Can you remember thinking that when you have children you couldn’t wait to say the following:

A selection of gins from Gallachers of Rugby

Terramundi Money Pots from Etcetera, Rugby

Planters, baskets and bowls from Barby Nurseries

“Because I said so” “Just you wait and see” “No pudding unless you finish your dinner” “If someone asked you to jump off a cliff would you?” “Say pardon, not what” “You’ll take someone’s eye out with that” “I want, never gets” “Close the door, you weren’t born in a barn” “There is no such word as can’t “Carrots make you see in the dark” “Money doesn’t grow on trees you know” “You’ll live” “Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall” “You’ll understand when you’re a parent” “I wasn’t born yesterday you know”

Belgium chocolates, pick your own or pre selected. The Sweet Shop, Heart of the Shires

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Feature

Local gift guide Things mums do at home Call you for dinner 15 minutes before it’s ready Have a drawer full of mismatched tupperware, none of which they’ve bought but just kept from a chinese takeaway. Look over your shoulder when you’re on the computer and ask who everyone you scroll past is. Tell you “only boring people get bored” Wait until you’ve accidentally left a light on to tell you “it’s like Blackpool illuminations in here”. Don’t worry dads it will be your turn in June!!!!!

One Hundred Stars latest collection at Terracotta, Rugby

A selection of Lily Flame candles from Etcetera, Rugby

Stunning and quality range of jewellery, hand made in Germany with a great range of different colours and styles.

Jewel on the Square, Daventry

Handmade home accessories from Bees Cottage At Simply Salvaged, Heart of the Shires

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Out and about

Now available for the season Fruit Trees & Bushes Colourful Primroses Seed Potatoes Bird Food Gifts and Cards Vegetable plants Propagation & compost

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Your home advertorial

Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up? Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter. A failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed double glazing? If you act now you can avoid these problems. Now, you may think you need to replace the

whole window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solutionâ&#x20AC;Ś Just replace the glass!! If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118. We will send out our highly experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it. With

years of experience Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee. Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors. Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Trevor Skidmore and he services the Northampton area. So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Trevor a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.

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Your home

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Your home Local family business established for over 25 years

Restorations Renovations Extensions

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Recipe

Homemade chocolate Easter eggs

Forget big plastic boxes and cheap chocolate - make your own homemade Easter eggs for maximum taste (and fun!).

hot, not boiling, water. Place the thermometer into the chocolate and heat until it reaches 43C/110F. Take off the heat and cool to 35C/95F. Now it is ready to use.

Equipment and preparation: You will need 8 x small egg moulds - (available from specialist kitchen shops).

Pour spoonfuls of the chocolate into each mould. Swirl around until coated, use the pastry brush if necessary and then remove excess chocolate. Leave to set, flat side down on a surface, like a large tray, covered in greaseproof paper. Fill each mould in the same way. You will have to repeat the process another two or three times to build up a good layer of chocolate in each mould. Wait for about 20 minutes for the chocolate to set in between layers. Draw a clean ruler or the flat edge of a knife across the chocolate to ensure a clean edge every time you add a layer. This is important so that the two sides of the egg stick together evenly. Leave to chill in a larder or cool place until set.

Makes 6-8 eggs

Ingredients

300g/10Â˝oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) or milk chocolate icing for piping Easter eggs

Method

Polish the inside of each mould with a piece of paper kitchen towel. Then dampen a piece of kitchen towel with a little flavourless oil, sunflower will do, and polish the inside of each mould with the oil. This ensures a highly polished finish to the chocolate and also helps to release the set chocolate from the mould. It is essential to temper the chocolate - this is a method of heating and cooling chocolate for coating or moulding. The heating and cooling separates the cocoa solids and ensures the set chocolate will have a high gloss and smooth finish. To temper the chocolate you will need a cooking thermometer, a heat-proof bowl and saucepan of hot water. Break the chocolate into small, even pieces and melt gently in a bowl over a saucepan of

Carefully un-mould the egg halves and place on a clean surface taking care not to handle the chocolate too much as it will start to melt from the heat of your hands. To stick the two edges of an egg together, heat a baking sheet and then place the edges of two halves on it for a few seconds, then gently push the edges together. To decorate the eggs, sit an egg in a glass or small cup and use as a stand while you pipe your desired message on the egg. You can wrap your eggs in cellophane wrap and label them to give away or place them in a basket and offer them to guests.

www.villageemporium.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ 01788 298 050

Competition

Win a dinner for two at Bread & Circus Bread & Circus, in 28 Sheaf Street Daventry, is a family business based on three key values - fresh, exceptional and artisan: an artisan bakery and patisserie by day, it transforms in the evening into a specialist pizzeria. The fresh sourdough pizzas are made on site in the open-plan kitchen. Why sourdough pizza? Many people who are intolerant to gluten, protein or food sugars have a much better reaction to sourdough, which has a special fermentation process. Our name is based on Roman phrase, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;panem et circensesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, for a time when the public were tired of politics and just wanted a nice meal and some fun.

How to enter For your chance to win a dinner for two in the Pizzeria, including a starter, main course, dessert and one alcoholic or soft drink for each person answer the following question:

What pizza base is used for the vegetarian and vegan pizzas at Bread & Circus? Deadline for entries April 12th 2020. By email to takepart@ villageemporium.co.uk and pop your answer in the subject box, providing telephone number and home address in the body of the email, or by post Suite 4, Wayside House, Braunston, NN11 7HB.

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Feature

A Spring riddle! What’s green and hairy all over, Grows everywhere in March and April, Can give you muscles like Popeye, Is the perfect des-res for hundreds of residents, But can leave you red and itchy? Yep…you’ve got it…the common stinging nettle!!

developed as a defence against grazing animals. It is so effective that few grazers, apart from goats and very hungry sheep, will touch nettles. When harvesting nettles at this time of year we need to be on the lookout for butterfly larvae nesting. Nettles are home to the Small tortoiseshell, Red Admirals and Peacock butterflies, so if you see curled-up leaves – beware – a hungry caterpillar may be munching away inside, so don’t pick these!! Many nettle patches support overwintering aphids and the fresh spring growth is the perfect food source for emerging ladybirds, which in turn provide a tasty lunch for Blue Tits! Leaving patches of nettles will ensure that they flower and seed thus supply summer snacks for many seed-eating birds. Once you’ve foraged for this fabulous free resource, you can happily head home to make a yummy bowl of bright green soup. Alternatively, you could cook up a dye bath as nettles can dye natural fibres a beautiful shade of grey/green and guess what… nettle fibres can be spun into fabric!

Nettles leaves are surprisingly versatile and a great superfood rich in iron and packed full of vitamins and minerals. We start to see new growth in March, and it is these fresh bright tender green leaves that are particularly nutritious and taste a bit like spinach. It is an unmistakable plant which is familiar to almost everyone and grows pretty much everywhere. If you are collecting nettles to eat avoid any growing along a roadside but for whatever purpose you are collecting leaves - please cut/collect sustainably. Don’t cut whole clumps. Just pick a few from different places and leave plenty for insects. Obviously always wear protection on your hands (and ankles!) when picking or cutting. I usually pinch out the growing tips with my finger and thumb, but you could use scissors too. Lay the nettles out on a tray or wash in hot water to wilt. Once wilted they can no longer sting you because the sting relies on erect hairs to penetrate the skin and inject formic acid. Strip off the leaves from the tough stems. Always cook nettles or infuse in boiling water - they are not suitable for salads. Stinging nettles are one of our most important native plants for wildlife supporting over 40 species including some of our most colourful butterflies. The super stinging power of nettles present in the ‘hairs’ are

Here are some useful links to whet you digestive and/or creative juices! www.countryfile.com/how-to/food-recipes/nettleguide-where-to-find-how-to-pick-nettles-safely-andrecipe-ideas/ www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/nettle-soup www.rebeccadesnos.com/blogs/journal/dyeing-withnettles Of course, if you don’t fancy eating or dyeing with nettles, you could make the perfect plant food. Top up a bucket of nettles with water and leave covered - in 10 days you’ll have a thick dark brown nitrogen rich liquid which once diluted 10 -1 with water, is the most amazing fertilizer, but be warned, it stinks!!! Have fun and don’t get stung! Sue x Garden Gate Flowers Tel: 07933736988 E-mail: sue@gardengaterugby.co.uk www.gardengaterugby.co.uk gardengaterugby

gardengaterugby

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Even more choice at Soft Furnishings by Mickie Designs that are as individual as your home

extensive range of fabrics including:

Bespoke curtains, pelmets and roman blinds, fitted if required. Wood, metal and venetian blinds. Cushions, loose covers, beautiful home accessories and lots more... Visit our studio at: 61 The Square, Dunchurch CV22 6NU Open Tuesday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday 9am -4pm & Saturday 9am -2.30pm lots of parking outside 01788 813334 Email: mickiecurtains@hotmail.co.uk Appointments always available after opening hours

Feature

The Great British Spring Clean 2020

The Great British Spring Clean 2020 is coming... Sign up now and get ready! In 2019, over 560,000 people, including 175,000 students, volunteered their time to take part in the spring clean campaign - the biggest ever! Cleaning up streets, parks and beaches, #LitterHeroes across the country have been making big improvements to the environment on their doorstep. •

Over 17,000 clean-ups were held and nearly 1 million bags of litter collected - that’s nearly 240,000 wheelie bins full of rubbish or 4,308 tonnes worth.

•

Around 61% of the litter collected was ‘general waste’ and approximately 39% has been recycled (18% plastic, 21% aluminium).

•

Over 1.1 million hours have been dedicated to the campaign - equivalent in time to 128.5 years (24/7).

Litter pollution, including single-use plastic – which

degrades the beauty of our environment and threatens to harm wildlife – is not acceptable. You can continue to care for your local environment year-round through the #LitterHeroes programme, join a Keep Britain Tidy volunteer project near you, or considering becoming a #LitterHeroes Ambassador and help to inspire even more people to join in. Save the date: The next Great British Spring Clean will be held from 20 March - 13 April 2020. The huge strides we need, to create the clean parks, beaches and streets we all want to see, will be made up of small individual steps - picking up a single piece of litter could be your first step. #LitterHeroes is our way of supporting everyone who wants to do their bit to create a better environment on their doorstep and anyone who is already making a difference. Why not get your community involved. Find out more visit www.keepbritaintidy.org

Local Radio for the Daventry District Listen to us at www.daventryradio.co.uk Facebook: daventryradio | Twitter: @daventryradio

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Your home

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Your home

Paul King HOUSE

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UP TO 40% OFF KITCHENS & BATHROOMS THE HEART OF YOUR HOME!

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The roofline area is the most exposed and vulnerable feature of any property. It is ravaged by all weathers and is susceptible to hazards such as blocked gutters which Profe11ion.alroofingaccasorie1 can cause timber fascias to rot quickly. There is, thank goodness, an answer to this problem in the form of a permanent cure. Not only will it alleviate the worry of expensive replacement of rotten timbers, but alsoBuilding eliminate the need for repainting Products every few years.

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Kitchens | Bedrooms | Panelling | Libraries | Studies We all have a vision of our perfect kitchen; traditional or modern, rustic or minimalist. No matter where you are, Fraser James Furniture is the natural choice. At Fraser James, we can make your vision a reality. Everything is hand finished and checked, doing that little extra to ensure the highest quality product. Est. 1999

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WE HAVE MOVED!

2 Low March, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 4SD

Recipe

Hot cross bread & lemon pudding

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01604 930390 â&#x20AC;˘ 07921 957774 Serves 4

Ingredients

www.plasterr.co.uk

knob of butter, for the dish 4 stale hot cross buns 200g lemon curd 2 large eggs 200ml double cream 200ml milk Â˝ tsp vanilla extract 4 tbsp caster sugar little lemon zest cream or vanilla ice cream, to serve (optional)

Method

Butter a 1-litre baking dish that will quite snugly fit the buns. Cut each bun into 3 slices, and sandwich back together with a generous spreading of curd. Arrange buns in the dish. Whisk egg, cream, milk and remaining curd, then sieve into a jug with the vanilla and 3 tbsp of the sugar. Pour over the buns and stand at room temperature for 30 mins for the custard to soak in. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3. Scatter the remaining sugar and lemon zest over the pudding. Bake for 30-40 mins until the top is golden and the custard gently set. Stand for 5 mins, then serve with cream or vanilla ice cream, if you like.

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bathrooms, heating & plumbing, free cad design service

Showroom now open off the A45 near Cogenhoe. Please ring for an appointment on 01604 372672 or 07764 578812

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Crossword

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Crossword Clues Across

Republic between Iran and Syria (4) 3 Largest Samoan island (6) 8 Former Portuguese territory in S China (5) 9 Acute (5) 10 Unity (3) 11 Speak in a slow manner (5) 13 Lute of India (5) 15 Got up (5) 18 Japanese dish (5) 20 Decay (3) 21 In addition (5) 22 Corpulent (5)

23 Union soldier in the US Civil War (6) 24 Is not (4) Down 1 At once (11) 2 Capital of Ghana (5) 4 Donkeys (5) 5 Look for (5) 6 Rude (11) 7 In (4) 12 Used to be (3) 14 Acknowledgement of debt (1,1,1) 16 Many times (5) 17 Efface (5) 18 Cease (4) 19 Prophets (5)

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Your home

Ideal Tanks & Pumps Ltd. Supply & Installation of all types of oil storage tanks for domestic & commercial use. • OFTEC registered engineers advise and install • All Aspects of the work undertaken as required Tanks, Plastic or Steel, Single skin or bunded Tank Cleaning Pipework to boiler Fittings & Ancillary equipment Bases & Plinths for tanks Removal of old tanks & oil Transfer of oil Testing of tanks and oil pipes Extra long tank fill points for those difficult to reach tanks Over 50 years of experience and expertise

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Your home

Bespoke Pic ture Framing Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 10 am - 2pm

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Recipe

Slow roasted duck leg with cabbage & gooseberry jam Building Carpentry Renovations Crown Building offers a friendly, professional service, with pride taken in every job.

Serves 4

Shopping List

4 large duck legs a few sprigs of rosemary a few sprigs of thyme Salt & pepper 200g gooseberries 100g demerara Sugar ¼ tsp grain mustard ½ thumb fresh ginger finely chopped 1 savoy cabbage Knob of butter

James: 07794 234596 or 01604 847440 Email: info@crownbuildingcarpentry.co.uk

Web: crownbuildingcarpentry.co.uk

Pre heat oven to 200˚C/400˚F/GM6. Place the duck legs in a roasting pan on top of the herbs. Season and roast for 30 minutes. Turn the oven down to 150˚C/300˚F/GM2 and carefully cover with foil. Cook the duck for another 90 minutes basting occasionally. Leave to rest, saving the juices from the tin. Place the gooseberries and sugar in a pan with 3 tablespoons of water. Slowly bring to the boil, add the ginger, cover with a lid and simmer for 20 minutes, removing the lid for the last 10 minutes and stirring occasionally. The gooseberries will form a sticky jam. Add the mustard. Steam or cook the cabbage in boiling salted water for 5 minutes until tender. Drain and toss in the butter. Serve with the pan juices and creamy mash or roasted potatoes. Recipe provided by Marc Eyres @ The Countryman, Staverton www.thecountrymanstaverton.co.uk

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Your home

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Feature

April Fools’ Day footage of people harvesting noodles from trees; numerous viewers were fooled. In 1985, Sports Illustrated tricked many of its readers when it ran a made-up article about a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a fastball over 168 miles per hour.

Origin

Although April Fools’ Day, also called All Fools’ Day, has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures, its exact origins remain a mystery. Some historians speculate that April Fools’ Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1st and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1st became the butt of jokes and hoaxes. These pranks included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as “poisson d’avril” (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish and a gullible person. There’s also speculation that April Fools’ Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather.

Modern pranks

In modern times, people have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April Fools’ Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations and Web sites have participated in the April 1 tradition of reporting outrageous fictional claims that have fooled their audiences. In 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss farmers were experiencing a record spaghetti crop and showed

In 2019 The Sun, claimed there would be a Royal Mint collection of coin designs based on emojis, including a poo emoji 50p, while the Daily Star reckoned we’ll now be able to get beer on the NHS. Apparently “Guinness is good for you” after all.

In the UK, an April Fool prank is sometimes later revealed by shouting “April fool!” at the recipient, who becomes the “April fool”. A study in the 1950s, found that in the UK, and in countries whose traditions derived from the UK, the joking ceased at midday. This continues is still current practice, with the custom ceasing at noon, after which time it is no longer acceptable to play pranks. Therefore a person playing a prank after midday is considered the “April fool” themselves

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What’s on

What’s on?

A full list of events over the forthcoming months is available on our website www.villageemporium.co.uk/events/ Regular events

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday Tudor Rose Woodturners

The Community Centre, Ashby Road, Daventry, NN11 OQE www.tudor-rose-turners.co.uk

2nd Tuesday and 4th Tuesday of month Daventry and District Dementia Cafe (DemCafe) Supports people living with dementia and their carers. We are a community group and meet at Daventry Methodist Church rooms 1pm - 3pm on. For more information please contact Demcafe on 07747349843 or email: theteam@demcafe.co.uk

March/April Buckby Village Market Dates

5th March - £1 stall, 12th & 19th March Mother’s Day gifts 26th March & 2nd April - Easter gifts, cards and flowers 9th & 16th April - Children’ s Easter activities, 23rd April - Spring special, 30th April – Homeware. Long Buckby Community Centre NN67QB

March/April Green Acres Rural Enterprises Staverton

Pottery courses, willow weaving courses which include a homemade lunch, refreshments and materials. Gift vouchers available for course bookings . Call 01327 703313 or email info@ greenacresfarm.org.uk

16th March and 20th April Crick Village Market

Crick Primary School, 10am-12pm. 20 plus stalls, home produced breads, cakes, meats, jams & chutneys, gifts & cards, knitted hats & clothing. Coffee & teas.

March Events 1st March until 24th April Daventry Museum

Every Tuesday Daventry Photographic Society

Monthly competitions, presentations, guest speakers and field trips. Suitable for any adult with an interest in photography, regardless of level of expertise or type of equipment. Meet at 7:30pm on Tuesday evenings at Mayfield Park Sports Club, Royal Star Drive, Daventry NN11 9FZ Contact Roland on 07818 252498 for more details or look at the calendar on our website www. daventryphotographicsociety.co.uk to see what we do each week or find us on Facebook.

1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month Sept to June Badby and District Photo Club

Join us to engage in all things photographic Badby Village Hall, The Green, Badby at 7.30 pm see www.badbyphotoclub.org.uk for details

Commemorating the battle of Naseby: 375 years Daventrys place in the conflict. Exhibits include articles such as swords, musket balls and cannon balls found on the battlefield, plus contemporary paintings of soldiers and views of the battle itself. Open Tues - Fri 9.30- 13.30. First Sat of month 10-4pm Sat open days: 11 Jan, 1 Feb, 7 Mar , 4 Apr. Free Entry 01327 301246 Museum@daventrytowncouncil.gov.uk

Wednesday 18th March Heart of The Stitch

Daventry, Rugby and District Embroiders Guild - The Joy of SAORI Weaving - Amanda Edney. 7pm – 9pm. Methodist Church, Daventry. Amanda will talk about, explain the philosophy, show samples and demonstrate this Japanese form of free style hand weaving on a SAORI loom. This form of weaving has been developed to make it accessible to all abilities and ages. See Free for members £5 for visitors. Contact: gosling456@btinternet.com www.beautifulcloth.co.uk

Thursday 19th March Daventry & District U3A

Open Afternoon. Come and meet the group leaders and see the displays of our various interest groups. Daventry & District U3a meet on the third Thursday of every month 2pm 4pm at Daventry Community Centre, Ashby Road. For people who are no longer in full time employment who want to keep on learning and socialising. Monthly meetings with speakers.

Saturday 21st March Barby Twinning Association Barn Dance

Barby Village Hall 7.30pm until late. 3 AROUND 3 CEILIDH Band. Tickets £12.50. Bar and Refreshments available. Contact Mary 01788890114 or Jackie 07956361833

Tuesday 3rd March Daventry Townswomen’s Guild

7.30pm. St Augustine’s Church Hall, London Road, Daventry NN11 4BZ. Daventry Community Choir, formed in 2016 now has 60 members. They’ve performed at many local events including the Daventry Christmas lights switch on.

Saturday 7th March Jumble Sale

Newnham Village Hall NN11 3ET. 2pm 3.30pm. Entrance 20p. Lots of varied stalls including bargains of top quality bric-a-brac, children’s and nearly new clothes, books, toys, cakes and much more! Come and enjoy tea with cake too.’

Saturday 21st March Woofwalkies Dog Walk

2K walk throughout Delapre Abbey Park NN48AR, includes fancy dog dress competition, kids tombola, raffle, refreshments 12pm-4pm. Wheelchair and mobility scooter access. In aid of Cancer Research Email woofwalkiesnorthampton@yahoo.com Instagram @woofwalkies20

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What’s on Thursday 16th April Daventry & District U3A

Thursday 26th March Daventry and District Flower Club

Practise evening ‘ Flowers in a basket as a gift’ .Come and try your hand at flower Arranging, 7.15 pm at St Augustine ‘s Church hall , London Rd, Daventry ,NN11 4BZ .Members free Visitors £5 on door . Contact Sue to book free transport to and from the evening by 12th March (Space may still be available on bus after this date ]. Please contact Sue 07772432310 or Linda 07990992088 for information on resources you need to bring.

Saturday 28th March Daventry Choral Society

Brahms Requiem – Musical director Nicholas Scott-Burt at Holy Cross church, Daventry. Tickets £15, friends of DCS £12, Students £2, incl glass of wine. 7.30pm start. 01327 843165 / 01327 877923

April Events Tuesday, 7th April Daventry Townswomen’s Guild

7.30pm. St Augustines Church Hall, London Road, Daventry NN11 4BZ. Guest speaker, Sue Newby, from NDAS services. Domestic Abuse and the Women’s Refuge

Speaker: Martin Lloyd - Passports, Assassins Traitors & Spies Thrill to a dramatic account of how the actions of a group of assassins brought about a change in the passport regulations; how the unmasking of a spy caused a modification in passport design and how, for one man, the passport itself turned into a killer. 2pm - 4pm at Daventry Community Centre, Ashby Road. For people who are no longer in full time employment who want to keep on learning and socialising. Monthly meetings with speakers.

Saturday 25th April The 2Tone All Ska’s

Thursday 23rd April Daventry and District Flower Club

Sunday 26th April Harpole Bowls Club Open Day

‘My world of Flowers’ Come and watch a flower arranging demonstration by Sue Smithson ( nafas local area qualified demonstrator.7.15pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall , London Rd Daventry NN11 4BZ.Members Free Visitors £5 on door . To book free transport to and from the event contact Sue 07772432310 by 9th April (space may still be available on bus after this date ]

Thursday 23rd April Sulby Gardens

Open for 2020 under the National Gardens Scheme! Featuring snakeshead fritillaries, cowslips and bluebells, from 2 pm - 5pm. Entry £4, plants and homemade teas available, also beautiful cards from Katy Dynes. Stout footwear recommended. Sulby Gardens, Sulby, NN6 6EZ

Daventry Working Mens Club. 8pm-12pm, £8, 07951 025601

10-30am - 4pm. Free coaching sessions Tuesday evenings in May 7pm. Come along and “Give Bowls a Try”. Bowls & coaching provided; Bring flat soled footwear please; Refreshments available; Ample Parking; Outdoor green & indoor short mat. New members welcome. Harpole Bowls Club, Larkhall Lane, Harpole, NN7 4DP 01604 766058 or 592071 for more details.

May Events Friday 8th, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May The Home, Food & Garden Fair

Holdenby House, NN6 8DJ. The fair includes a good range of Plant Stalls organised by the Hardy Plant Society. 10.00am to 5.00pm each day. For more info see www.holdenby.com

Wednesday 15th April Heart of The Stitch

Daventry, Rugby and District Embroiders Guild present Theatre & Costume Design. 7pm – 9pm at the Methodist Church, Golding Close, Daventry NN11 4FB. This promises to be an exciting evening with Abi Jackson, who is a designer and maker of custom garments. Over the past 30 years she has built up a client base throughout the UK from her Northampton studio. Her talk will be illustrated with examples of her innovative creations. Free for members £5 for visitors. Contact: gosling456@btinternet.com See www.abijackson.com and be inspired.

Get in touch...

If you are organising a charity or community event, then let us know so we can publicise it for you. Just email info@villageemporium.co.uk by April 3rd for events in May/June 2020.

www.villageemporium.co.uk • 01788 298 050

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DAY HOUSE OPEN EVENING, 28 APRIL NEW SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE MEANS-TESTED BURSARY FUNDING UP TO 100%

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We warmly invite you to our

OPEN MORNING Friday 1st May | Arrival 10am • Meet the Headmaster and Teaching Staff • Experience a typical school day • Explore our 50 acres of fantastic facilities on a personal tour • See our acclaimed academic, sporting and extra-curricular offering

Discover our NEW Forest School

Our NEW Forest School gives all our pupils the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors as they learn. Pre-Prep children can enjoy the freedom of hunting bugs, building dens, dipping in ponds and climbing trees; while children in the Prep School enhance their learning with practical and experimental tasks in the bespoke inspiring outdoor classroom.

More than just a school About us Spratton Hall is an exceptional independent prep school in Spratton, Northamptonshire, that welcomes girls and boys aged 4-13. We have an outstanding academic record, extensive facilities and a vast array of sporting and extra-curricular activities, and of course, a Forest School!

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Best foot forward

Best foot forward - Crick and Yelvertoft walk Northamptonshire offers a surprising variety of landscapes from the rolling hills in the north, to the scenic vistas and amazing woodlands in the south. If you add the Grand Union Canal with its many towpaths, quaint little villages that are secreted in history it is no wonder that they call this county the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hidden Cotswoldsâ&#x20AC;?. CRICK AND YELVERTOFT CIRCULAR WALK Distance: 4.6 miles / 10K steps Duration: Approx 1hr 45mins Difficulty: Easy to moderate Dog friendly Download this walk, complete with turn by turn photos at: https://www.adventuregeek.co.uk/product/ ag03/ Crick village is set on the Grand Union Canal and has a large marina where the famous annual Crick Boat Show is held. The church also houses a very rare organ.

THE ROUTE: Starts at Crick Community Sports Centre car park, Yelvertoft Rd, Crick, Northants NN6 7TF . This walk is full of surprises and adventure. There are mystery plaques under your feet as you cross the bridge, before working up a sweat as you climb up and over Cracks Hill. Release that inner child and have a go on the rope swing and perhaps have a quick chat with the sheep. Check out the famous beacon and take photos of the views before making your way down the hill and onto the footpath that leads to Yelvertoft. Spot herons as you walk along the canal and admire the boats as you pass the marina. If you have time to visit All Saints church in Yelvertoft then please do so. On your way back to Crick, the walk takes you through the magic of Millennium Wood, where you can spot an array of wild flowers, fauna and animals (there is an information board telling you what to look out for). As you exit the woods, head over the bridge and back through Jubilee Woods to collect your car.

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“DIY” Wedding & Event Flowers Our buckets of flowers and foliage are perfect for anyone wishing to source exquisite, seasonal blooms to decorate their wedding or event. With our wide range of flowers, you are sure to find blooms to complement the style and colour palette of your occasion and to truly impress your guests! Flower & Farmer, Coton Lodge, Guilsborough, Northants, NN6 8QE www.flowerandfarmer.com Email: info@flowerandfarmer.com

PHOTO CHALLENGE! Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to capture a selfie with the Beacon. For each Adventure Geek walk we will challenge you to take a photo and upload to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #AGPhoto-Challenge Check out our latest self-guided walks: https://www. adventuregeek.co.uk/shop-online/ Adventure is a way of life. Get outside, Get Inspired and go and take a hike. Instagram: @The_Adventure_Geek Facebook: TheAdventureGeek

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SMA Tuition SMA Tuition Tuition Slow-roasted lamb SMA SMA Tuition SMA Tuition Experienced private tutors available with wild oregano Experienced private private tutors tutors available available Experienced

Experienced private private tutors tutors available Experienced available •Primary subjects •Primary subjects subjects •Primary •Primary subjects •Primary subjects •Entrance exams •Entrance•Entrance exams exams •Entrance exams •Entrance exams •Secondary English •Secondary EnglishEnglish •Secondary •Secondary •Secondary English English

Call ScottCall Adnitt 01327 844940 Scotton Adnitt on 01327 844940 Call Scott Scott Adnitt Adnitt on 01327 844940 Call on 01327 844940 Call Scott Adnitt on 01327 844940 Email smatuition@yahoo.co.uk Email smatuition@yahoo.co.uk Email smatuition@yahoo.co.uk Email Email smatuition@yahoo.co.uk smatuition@yahoo.co.uk

M. MORRISS M. MORRISS MORRISS M. Moira Morriss M. MORRISS STONECARVERS STONECARVERS STONECARVERS Memorials STONECARVERS monumental monumental Masons Masons

monumental Masons monumental Masons monumental Masons memorials memorials memorials memorials in york,portland portland in york, memorials in york, portland stone, slate && in york, portland stone, slate in york, portland stone, slate & graniteslate stone, granite stone, slate & & granite granite granite Home visits with no obligation.

Home visits no obligation. Please telephone for with brochures or further details Home visits with no obligation.

Home visits with no Memorial cleaning andbrochures renovation Home visits with no obligation. obligation. Please telephone for or service further available details Please telephone brochures or CV23 further8XY details 6 Smarts Estate,for Kilsby. Rugby. Please telephone for brochures or further details Please Tel telephone for brochures or further 01788 824129 or 07752 987649 details

6 info@stonecarvers.co.uk Smarts Estate, Kilsby. Rugby. CV23 8XY www.stonecarvers.co.uk 6 Smarts Estate, Kilsby. Rugby. CV23 8XY 66 Smarts Estate, Kilsby. Tel 01788 824129 orRugby. 07752 CV23 9876498XY Smarts Estate, Kilsby. Tel 01788 824129 orRugby. 07752 CV23 9876498XY info@stonecarvers.co.uk www.stonecarvers.co.uk Tel 01788 824129 or 07752 987649 Tel 01788 824129 or 07752 987649 www.moiramorrissmemorials.co.uk info@stonecarvers.co.uk www.stonecarvers.co.uk info@stonecarvers.co.uk www.stonecarvers.co.uk info@s rs.co.uk moira@moiramorrissmemorials.com

Ingredients

6 lamb shanks 2 large onions, each cut into 4 thick slices Wild dried oregano or dried oregano 2 tbsp 3-4 bay leaves 6 medium desiree potatoes, peeled and cut in 1/2 (see notes below) 6 carrots, cut in 1/2 lengthways 3 tomatoes, each cut into 3 thick slices Mild red pepper paste 1 heaped tbsp

Method

Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Put the lamb, onions, oregano, bay leaves, potatoes, carrots and tomatoes into a large, deep roasting tray with plenty of seasoning, mix well then spread evenly. Whisk the pepper paste into 480ml of hot water and pour into the tray. You want just enough liquid to cover the bottom of10the tray so add a little extra if necessary. Cover the tray with foil and roast for 2 hours. Remove the foil and put back into the oven for 30-40 minutes to colour and crisp the top of the lamb a little.

10 10 10 10

Flower pickers wanted! This is seasonal work over the summer months. Picking takes place early in the morning or in the evening, depending on the weather. The farm is situated just outside Guilsborough. No prior experience is needed. The only requisites are an appreciation of the great outdoors and a love of beautiful flowers! For further details, please contact Milly. Tel: 07977 329550 Email: info@flowerandfarmer.com www.flowerandfarmer.com

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Feature

Moira Morriss Stonecarver In the second of our features on inspiring women we would like to introduce you to Moira Morriss. Moira runs a stonemasons and monumental masonry company based in Kilsby who specialise in supplying and installing individually designed memorials, headstones and cremation plaques. She prides herself on a caring personal service to make the choosing of a memorial for a loved one easier.

a contracts manager and ran many restoration projects including Woburn Abbey, Basildon Park and many local churches. However, I was missing the â&#x20AC;&#x153;hands onâ&#x20AC;? working with stone. I have always made memorials and headstones in addition to working full time and two years ago, I was lucky enough to take the plunge and become self employed and now carve and letter cut full time. I have a workshop where I balance my time between memorial work and sculpture projects. My aim to making memorials is a very client focused approach. From initial meetings with the family in the comfort of their home, through the design process, completing the application forms for the cemetery and the fitting, I try to make the process as comfortable as possible. I take my time with the clients to interpret their wishes and my aim is that the result is very much part of their last gift to their loved one. I also present slide talks covering my life in the stone trade to interested groups from WI to local history groups. These cover all aspects of the stone trade from restoration work on cathedrals to memorial design and artistic carving. I am lucky to now be carving free hand in the workshops again and working in a variety of stones and exhibiting in galleries and art fairs. If you would like to contact me please find me at www.moiramorrissmemorials.com Certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist

I have been working in the stone industry for the last 30 years. I studied Fine Art at Wolverhampton Polytechnic, completed a City and Guilds in Stone Masonry at Weymouth College and was employed as a stone carver for 20 years from 1986. I have worked as an architectural stone carver on many prestigious buildings including Liverpool Street Station, Westminster Abbey, Ely Cathedral, Cambridge Colleges and many others around the country. As my career progressed, I moved from the workshop into managerial positions with masonry companies as

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Feature

Spratton Hall Open Their New Forest School • Encouraging children to be active. • Developing both fine and gross motor skills. • Helping children to assess, appreciate and take risks. • Enhancing self-sufficiency and self-care. • Boosting confidence and self-esteem. • Increasing resilience and drive. The school’s headmaster, Mr. Simon Clarke thinks that the purpose-built Forest School will complement their educational ethos: ‘outdoor learning has always been part of our curriculum, and our new Forest School will provide all our children with the perfect space to learn, create and explore, in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside ’.

In an increasingly digital and demanding world, where British children can spend an average of 44 hours a week looking at screens*, it is becoming increasingly important to step back and appreciate our natural world. To help their children enjoy a regular ‘digital detox’, Spratton Hall has opened a new Forest School, nestled within their 50 acres of grounds.

Visit www.sprattonhall.com to find out more about Spratton Hall and their new Forest School, or to book a place at their Open Morning on Friday 1st May arrival 10am.

Forest Schools are reputed to have originated in Scandinavia in the 1980’s, eventually arriving in the UK in the 2000’s. Their locations can vary, but the majority are situated in lush green outdoor spaces, with relatively few actually located in a forest. However, they all share a common goal which is to enable children to develop emotional and physical skills in a relaxing and natural environment. The Spratton Hall Forest School will be incorporated into the school’s curriculum, and all children will enjoy using it at least once a week. The younger children in Pre-Prep will be have the freedom to hunt for bugs, build dens, dip for wildlife in the ponds and climb trees, while older children in the Prep School can enhance their learning with practical and experimental tasks in the outdoor classroom. The physical and emotional benefits of taking part in regular Forest School lessons are well documented and include:

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Crossword

PUBLIC BIBLE TALKS DAVENTRY CHRISTADELPHIANS

Sunday 6:00PM Watford Village Hall | NN6 7UY

01 08 15 22 29 Crossword Clues Across 1 Psalm book (7) 5 Shelter (3) 8 Reflecting surface (6) 9 Test (4) 10 Manufacture in large quantities (4-7) 14 Fragments (4,3,4) 17 Couch (4) 19 Non meat-eater (6) 21 Pigpen (3) 22 Disrobe (7)

Down 2 Snow runner (3) 3 Songbirds (5) 4 Spike of corn (3) 6 Period of history (3) 7 Alcoholic drink of fermented honey (4) 11 Help (3) 12 Hurried (3) 13 Fish (3) 15 Smack (4) 16 Enthusiastic (5) 18 Plump (3) 19 Covered vehicle (3) 20 Belongs to it (3)

05 12 19 26

MARCH

Religion: Its Beginning and Ending

Predestination: What does the Bible say? The Resurrection of Jesus: The Evidence

Is Death the End? The Old Testament in the New APRIL

Deciding what is Right and Wrong How Christianity Disrupted the World The Man who went to Hell and Back Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of the Image www.daventrychristadelphians.org

NORTHAMPTON CHRISTADELPHIANS

Sunday 2:00PM 68 St Michaels Rd Northampton NN1 3JU Go to the ‘What’s On’ section on our website to ﬁnd our talk titles. www.northamptonchristadelphians.co.uk

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Feature

Standards front and centre as Red Tractor turns 20 In our regular look at the work of Red Tractor Assurance, chief executive Jim Moseley says two decades of progress on food standards must not be overlooked. After nearly three years of debate, confusion and conjecture, the UK has left the EU. It is a major milestone which – one way or another – will have major impact on businesses, consumers, families and individuals. All eyes are now on the trade terms under which goods will move in and out of the UK, and for Red Tractor’s CEO Jim Moseley, it’s an area of huge importance when it comes to food. It seems fitting that at a time when the public is deeply concerned about the standards of British food being undermined in a trade deal, Red Tractor – the body responsible for driving the UK’s world-leading standards of food production – is celebrating its 20th anniversary. “The spotlight has well and truly turned on food, led partly by fears over the inferior standards of animal welfare and food in countries that want to access the UK, but also because we are rightly proud of how food is produced here,” Jim said. “The standards we set that farmers attain have not been set overnight; they are the result of two decades of constant improvement. To give all that up would be criminal.” Protecting consumers from food scares is one of Red Tractor’s reasons for being. Jim explained: “Established in 2000 after a spate of scares which included BSE and outbreaks of salmonella, Red Tractor was created to transform and rebuild trust in British farming and food by improving standards of safety and quality for UK-farmed food. “What we have created is the largest food and farming standards scheme in the UK – we are the industry

benchmark, with all major supermarkets using our standards as part of their food sourcing and supplier specifications.” The UK is one of the most regulated in the world yet for the past 20 years Red Tractor’s standards have sat even higher than the legal minimum, pushing forward on the issues consumers care about. Responsible use of antibiotics in livestock farming, a fully traceable supply chain and a set of protocols which ensure food safety from farm to plate are three examples. Jim said: “Most consumers would be appalled if the UK’s chicken industry accepted chlorine-washed meat rather than adopting a disease prevention approach to salmonella on farm. The same can be said about permitting growthpromoting hormone injections in beef cattle.” And there is a huge body of evidence to show that the safeguards put in place by Red Tractor really work. YouGov found that eight out of 10 UK adults admit to taking food safety for granted and the latest figures for foodborne illnesses in the UK are currently as low as 1.5%, compared with figures from the US Centre for Disease control and Prevention which show that 17% of people in the USA suffer from foodborne illnesses each year. Jim said: “Time-pressured and price-sensitive consumers will be attracted to cheaper products to save pennies at the checkout, often without realising that someone or something has to pay the price further down the supply chain. This might be a farmer or one of their employees, or an animal. It might even be the environment. “As Red Tractor enters its 20th year we want to show that we hold ourselves to a higher standard and urge all shoppers to do the same by looking for the Red Tractor logo when they buy their food.”

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Win a family ticket to the amazing Wall of Death at Rugby Bikefest A free family friendly bike festival organised by Rugby First and Rugby Borough Council in conjunction with local motorcycling groups, businesses and organisations – a wheelie great day out for all the family in Rugby town centre. This year the amazing Wall of Death will be appearing for the first time. With vintage Indian Scouts and a 20ft high vertical wall it is a show that needs to be seen to be believed! The noise, the speed, the smell, the proximity of the bikes ridden to the top of the wall, barely 6 inches from the audience - an experience never to be forgotten!

Deadline for entries 11th April 2020. By email to takepart@ villageemporium.co.uk and pop your answer in the subject box, providing telephone number and home address in the body of the email, or by post Suite 4, Wayside House, Braunston, NN11 7HB.

Rugby Town Centre Sunday 17 May 2020 10am To 4pm. Find out more at www.therugbytown.co.uk/bikefest

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To be in with a chance of winning one family ticket for two adults and three children answer the following question: What type of motorcyle is used by the riders on the Wall of Death?

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Village Emporium March/April 2020 - Northants Edition

Articles inside

Red Tractor

Crick and Yelvertoft walk

Moira Morriss Stonecarver

April Fool’s day

Green is the new black

Gardening tips

Mothering Sunday gift guide

A spring riddle

LNBP community boating

Love is like a butterfly

Royal Ordnance depot, Weedon

Simple swaps for sustainable living