VILLAGER The
Issue 119 - April 2022
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue Plant a Tree for the
Jubilee Easter Parades and Traditions
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in our Prize Crossword
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Inside this issue... Fostering Is it right for you?
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Plant a Tree for the Jubilee........................................ 27 Bee Nice to Bees!....................................................... 30 14 Ways to Help the RSPCA....................................... 33 There’s no such place as ‘away’.................................. 34 Puzzle Page............................................................... 36 What’s Om in April.................................................... 38 Prize Crossword......................................................... 42 Books for Well-Being................................................. 44 Useful Numbers........................................................ 47
Bee Nice to Bees!
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Palermo...................................................................... 4 Shuttleworth Season Premiere................................... 8 Fostering - Is it right for you?.................................... 10 Wines: Choosing a Selection..................................... 12 The Easter Parade and other Traditions..................... 14 Seasonal Recipe - Salmon Niçoise Salad.................... 17 Huntingdon Re-Engage Group.................................. 19 Do I Need Life Insurance?.......................................... 22 A Good Night’s Sleep................................................. 24
Get your business off to a flying start this year
Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £30.00 +VAT per month Editorial - Solange Hando, Trevor Langley, Tracey Anderson, Katherine Sorrell, Caroline Knight, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA and Kate Duggan
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Front Cover Photography - margouillat Design and Artwork Design 9 • Tel: 07762 969460
Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 Email: nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com
Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.
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Travel
Palermo By Solange Hando
On the north-west coast of Sicily, Palermo nestles around a lovely natural harbour looking out to the Tyrrhenian Sea. In this deep-water bay surrounded by mountains, myriad civilisations came and went, each golden age leaving its mark on the city. With its palaces and churches, the capital claims several UNESCO sites, starting with the medieval cathedral mirroring the city’s history over the centuries. Now in neo-classical style, the splendid interior can be complemented by a ‘rooftop walk’ with panoramic views. Other must-sees include the Baroque gem of Gesu Church and the Palatin Chapel, famous for Byzantine mosaics, in the Norman Palace. A former residence of Sicilian rulers, this has been beautifully restored and is the seat of Sicily’s Regional Assembly. Also built for royal pleasure were Cuba and Zisa, superb examples of Norman architecture in Eastern style. But most intriguing perhaps is the Chinese Pavilion, designed in 1799 for the future King of the Two Sicilies. Lord Nelson and his mistress were among the guests. Heritage aside, Palermo has a lot to offer along its tree-lined avenues. There’s luxury shopping in
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the high street but the heart of town is around Politeama, a favourite place to meet family or friends on the spacious piazzas that seem to flow into each other. Visitors gaze at the nearby theatres, Garibaldi with its circular colonnade and triumphal arch and Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy, but the locals just like to sit in the shade and watch the world go by. They call it ‘piazza culture’ and this is the time to sip a cool drink on a café terrace or feast on glorious Sicilian ice cream. Yet the prettiest square, they say, is Piazza Pretoria with its monumental fountain festooned in nude classical statues. It’s the highlight in the historic district, an enticing maze of lanes leading to the street markets of Vucciria, awash with melons, peaches, tomatoes, aubergines, herbs, walnuts and more, plus delicious orange juice squeezed on the spot. Potted plants pop up along the cobbles, washing hangs from the balconies and here and there a secret chapel might just take your breath away. One of the best is the Oratorio di Santa Cita, dripping in gleaming white stucco with angels and playful cherubs.
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Within walking distance, the Botanical Garden invites you to relax among water features, palms, shrubs and some 12,000 species of plants. Most exciting is the giant fig tree with aerial roots, and you might spot the parrots that escaped from Via Giulia, the city’s oldest park, loved for its marble sundial and alcoves in Moorish style. Now you can almost hear the waves as the promenade beckons along the sea, laced in meandering paths and grassland full of wild flowers. Boats glisten in the marina, rigging tinkles and, in the fishing harbour, men mend their nets on a flotilla of blue boats. Then just out of town you will find turquoise water, tingling sand and fragrant hills with fabulous views.
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Local News
Season Premiere Sunday 1st May sees Shuttleworth play host to its Season Premiere air show – an occasion which is always worth the wait. From the moment you arrive, you will be transported back to a bygone era, with a plethora of vintage aircraft and vehicles on display. The Collection’s hangar doors will be thrown open for you to wander around, taking in the sights and smells of vintage aeroplanes, whilst learning about some of the roles they played in their service and racing lives and other stories they can tell. Inside the hangars, you’ll also find a cornucopia of activities to keep the kids (or even the big kids!) happy, whether it’s pedal planes or an Airfix Make and Paint courtesy of IPMS Brampton – with other educational Discovery Zones dotted around the site, including a large play area. Outdoors, you’ll also be able to experience the sensations of riding on-board a 1920s bus– whether it’s the sole surviving Charabus or our Wellingborough double-decker. The buses will take you up to the Arts & Crafts gems in Shuttleworth House, which will be open to tour. You’ll be able to see first-hand the ornate gold-leafed ceilings and panelled walls, the rare Erard grand piano, and hear the stories of the Shuttleworth family who lived there and set up the Trust. Shuttleworth House is also accessible through the
Shrubbery Walk at the end of which is the Swiss Garden, 9 acres of heritage landscape designed in the popular alpine style almost 200 years ago, with framed views, ponds and several charming miniature structures. It is a rare example of a Regency garden and boasts thirteen listed features, including the charming Swiss Cottage and the domed Grotto & Fernery. The garden is also home to Shuttleworth’s resident peacocks - Snowy and Storm. If you spot them, be sure to take a photo! In the afternoon, the flying display starts – an aerial ballet in the Bedfordshire skies, consisting of Shuttleworth aircraft and vintage visitors. This year, it is hoped the Consolidated Catalina PBY-5A flying boat will be at the Season Premiere, which will provide a truly awe-inspiring spectacle as the pilots showcase this large aircraft around Old Warden Aerodrome. If the weather is suitably calm, the Edwardian aircraft – including the world’s oldest flying aeroplane, the 1909 Bleriot – may even be able to take to the skies, capping off what will be a truly memorable day. From a myriad of ground activities through to a thrilling air display, Shuttleworth’s air shows have something for everyone to enjoy. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit: shuttleworth.org/airshows
Photos: Darren Harbar Photography
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Special Report
Fostering
Is it right for you?
Thousands of children enter the care system every year, through no fault of their own. If you feel you could offer a child a nurturing home, and you want a more rewarding job, it’s worth considering fostering as a career. Who can foster? If you’re over 21, care about children, have a spare bedroom and can offer a stable home environment, then you can apply to become a foster carer. You don’t need to be in a relationship or own your home, and your gender, ethnicity and sexuality don’t matter. The fostering service will want to make sure any child they place in your care is safe. They’ll therefore run a series of background checks, and you’ll need to provide references. The full assessment process can take six to eight months. How much do foster carers earn? Rates of pay vary between locations and organisations, and sometimes depend on how much experience you have and whether the child has additional needs. Most fostering services pay significantly more than the government’s minimum fostering allowance, and you’ll usually receive extra money towards holidays and presents. There are also significant tax benefits to fostering. Could I cope? Fostering can be challenging, but you’ll receive ongoing training and support. Foster children come
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from all different backgrounds. Some have had a difficult start to life and will need help to overcome that. Can I choose the children I foster? You’ll be asked for your preferences, such as the age group you’re interested in fostering. Foster services try to ensure a good match between foster carer and child, and of course you have the right to refuse to foster any child who you don’t feel able to support. As you gain more experience, you may want to put yourself forward for specialist placements, for example children who need more intensive support. You’d then receive additional training and potentially be paid a higher fee. How long would I foster each child for? Some children may come to you for just a few days. Others might end up staying for months, or even years. If you don’t feel able to foster full-time, you could offer short-term placements or respite care. Many foster children end up going back to their families, while others go forward for adoption or stay in foster care. Further information You’ll find lots of information at www.fosterline.info and there’s also a free helpline: 0800 040 7675. If you are considering fostering, the best thing to do is speak to your local authority. They’ll be able to tell you more about the fostering process and answer any questions you may have.
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Foster For Us
Please call
0800 052 0078
• Bespoke training and development • Receive generous pa y and benefits • Access to 24/7 support and training • Your own supervising social worker
Text FOSTERING to 60777
• Support group and networking opportunities You need to be over 21, have a spare bedroom, be compassionate, resilient, flexible and willing to learn.
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering fostering@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
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Food & Drink
Wines: Choosing a Selection
When it comes to drinks and alcoholic beverages, everybody has their own preference. White wines are extremely popular and I located ROERO ARNEIS (13% vol) from Italy. Fresh, and with a crisp sensation, a pleasant bouquet leads to the fruity mouthfeel and palate’s enjoyment, for this production. FERNAO PIRES (12.5% vol), from South Africa, is a further well-balanced white wine. Refreshing, with floral accents and a good flavour of fruits. If a sparkling white is preferred, then PECORINO (12% vol), from Italy, will not disappoint. Known for its excellent still wine productions, the Pecorino grape is utilised, to great advantage, in this sparkling gem. Fruity, and great for welcoming guests, this is a favourite for many occasions. If your preference is for a red wine, either light or full-bodied, then some suggestions could be for the following. CASTELAO (13.5% vol), from Portugal, is very popular and graces many dining occasions, constantly. A good richness and intensity prevailes. Wonderful ripe fruits are most evident on the bouquet and mouthfeel. Very elegant. Staying with red wines, PERRICONE (13.5% vol) has dark fruits in abundance for taste, coming through to a superb mouthfeel and the palate’s sensation, with a long finish, from Italy. Another most popular red wine is PAIS (13.5% vol). This is light-bodied, and with a juicy fruit flavour, makes for a great dining table wine. Chile produces excellent wines and this dates from the 16th century. For more ‘powerful’ beverages, 1932 PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA RISERVA (14.5% vol) from Italy, fills this spot. The vineyards are renowned globally. Old vines, rich soils and more, contribute to the productions of this spectacular red wine. Oak barrels encourage the aging process. Dark fruits are most evident, definitely! HEDONIST ORGANIC SHIRAZ (14% vol), from Australia, has numerous devotees, too. Wonderful to accompany many dishes, also. For something later, then KOPKE RESERVE TAWNY PORT (19.5% vol), will fit the bill, admirably. This aged Portuguese production satisfies the ‘end of meal’ experience, wonderfully. From the mid 17th century Tawny Ports have evolved and pleased many. These productions were located in Waitrose. Some are in their ‘Loved and Found’ range. www.waitrose.com
As always, Enjoy!
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ey Trevor Langl
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Time of Year
The Easter Parade… …and other traditions
The Easter weekend is the principal religious feast of the Christian year, yet most of its traditions have no basis in Christianity at all. In fact, the Jewish festival of Passover, or Pesach which is closely linked to Easter by dates and symbolism was celebrated long before the birth of Jesus. And long before the name ‘Easter’ was used, early Christians celebrated ‘Pascha,’ a word derived from Pesach. The word ‘Easter’ actually comes from an AngloSaxon fertility goddess called Eostre, who was associated with spring and new beginnings. Both Easter and Passover centre around re-birth, and bond neatly with the Anglo-Saxon festival of ‘Eostremonath’ – Eostre’s month. Hot cross buns, traditionally eaten on Good Friday, are linked to Passover. Originally they were unleavened bread, an important Passover food. Nowadays, they are leavened (which makes them light and delicious) and marked with a cross to serve as a reminder of the crucifixion. The tradition of eating chocolate eggs derives from the fact that during Eostre, eggs were given as gifts to celebrate the end of winter and as a symbol of new life. Once again this ties in with Passover, where a traditional meal is Beitzah, a hardboiled egg. Eventually Christians began decorating the shells with colourful patterns, and later thanks to enterprising chocolatiers in France and Germany delicious chocolate Easter eggs began to appear. But what about the Easter Bunny? Surely an Easter hen would be more logical. At least a hen lays eggs! But if we look back at the Goddess Eostre, her scared animal was the hare, and it’s not a huge jump (see what I did there?) from a hare to a rabbit. The Easter Bunny and egg hunts seem to originate in Germany in the 16th century. Children made nests in
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the garden and, if they were good, the Easter Bunny would leave them coloured hard-boiled eggs to find the next morning. This tradition travelled to America with early German settlers and, like many old traditions, has now returned to Britain substituting chocolate eggs for a sweeter egg hunt. Egg rolling on Easter Monday is one of the strangest traditions. Some sources say that it represents the rolling away of the stone blocking Jesus’ tomb. It’s also known as Pace-Egging, which derives once again from the word Pesach. It’s centuries old but no-one is entirely sure of the origins, though it might have originated as a way of getting everyone out of the house for some much-needed exercise after a long weekend of feasting! On Palm Sunday it is said that Jesus was welcomed to Jerusalem by an adoring throng. This and the procession which followed Jesus carrying the cross are often seen as the earliest predecessors of the modern Easter parade. During the Dark Ages, Christians in Eastern Europe would gather in a designated spot before Easter church services, then walk solemnly to the church. Afterwards they would retrace their steps while singing songs of praise. Participants usually wore their finest attire to show respect for the occasion. Eventually the Easter parade transformed into a large American cultural event consisting of a festive strolling procession on Easter Sunday. Participants dress up and there is a particular emphasis on ladies’ hats...the Easter bonnets made famous by the song from the 1948 film Easter Parade. And speaking of traditions…it’s our family tradition to watch that musical while we tuck into our Easter Eggs. Happy Easter. By Tracey Anderson
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Seasonal Recipe
This is a delicious protein-packed salad full of beneficial omega-3 antiinflammatory fats, and using walnut oil in the dressing is an easy way to further boost your intake of these healthy fats. This creamy dressing is equally delicious drizzled over any cooked fish or seafood.
Salmon Niçoise Salad With herb, caper and walnut dressing Ingredients 2 boneless salmon or trout fillets, about 120g each, skin on
Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Serves 2
Dressing 2 tbsp walnut oil 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp capers Juice of ½ lemon Zest of 1 lemon 1 tsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs e.g. parsley, basil Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salad 6 new potatoes, halved 60g French beans, halved Bag of mixed lettuce leaves ½ cucumber, cut into ribbons 1 tbsp capers 10 cherry tomatoes, halved 30g black or green olives, pitted 1 hard-boiled egg, cut into quarters
1. Bring a large steamer to the boil, tip the potatoes into the water then lay the fish fillets, skin-side down, in the steamer basket. Cover and cook for 6-8 mins, until the fish is cooked through, then remove and set aside. 2. Blanch the beans for 1-2 minutes then drain. 3. Place the mixed leaves in a large bowl and toss in the potatoes, cucumber, capers and beans. Scatter over the olives and tomatoes. 4. Flake the fish into large chunks, discarding the skin, and add to the salad with the egg. 5. Whisk all the ingredients for the dressing together and season to taste. Drizzle over the salad just before serving.
Nutrition per serving: 567kcal, fat 36.8g (of which saturates 5.6g), carbohydrates 21.9g (of which sugars 4.7g), protein 34.2g
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Local News
Monthly Sunday Afternoon Tea Party creating lasting companionships
We are inviting elderly residents in Huntingdon, St Ives & surrounding villages to join a local group to enjoy an afternoon of tea, conversation and good company, all made possible by the charity Reengage. Re-engage works to combat loneliness and social isolation amongst over-75s through organised social gatherings and monthly afternoon tea parties. One Sunday a month, elderly guests are collected from their homes by volunteer drivers and taken to a local tea party, held at a volunteer host’s home, or local venue where friendship and companionship can form over cups of tea and cake. The regular meetings quickly transform volunteers and guests from strangers into longlasting friends, due to the personal interactions each guest receives within their groups. The scheme is entirely free and ensures that even those with limited transport options are able to take part, due to the charity’s volunteer drivers. As many older guests in later life have found themselves house-bound or with decreasing support networks due to ill-health, mobility or lack of transport, the tea parties can be a fantastic opportunity to connect with other locals and the wider community, while offering a regular social engagement in your calendar. The Huntingdon & St Ives groups also arrange trips out, all suitable for those that have mobility issues. Previous trips have included boat trips along the River Ouse, a Christmas outing to a tearoom, a
cinema trip and a visit to the bird sanctuary. There is no cost for being one of our guests, just a willingness to be part of a friendly group that laughs and talks a lot. One of our guests, Maureen, has been attending our tea parties for several years says “the tea parties provide good company for someone who is completely housebound as I get collected and dropped off from my house. It’s a lovely chance to chat with other people.” We are looking for new guests to join us at our tea parties as we re-start them this year after taking a break due to Covid19. If you are interested, or you know family or friends that would benefit from joining our monthly tea parties then please get in touch via the details below. We are also looking for new volunteers. If you have a few hours a month to spare as a host for a tea party, or as a driver, and want to be part of a fun, friendly group then we’d love to hear from you. Volunteer Gillian says “A monthly tea party to give carers/family members a break and for older people to meet up with their contemporaries for chat and some laughs. They have vast experience and very wise insights. It is a privilege to be involved in such an interesting and rewarding activity.” To find out more about being a guest or volunteer please contact Re-engage on 0800 716 543 info@reengage.org.uk and make sure to say that you are contacting with interest in the Huntingdon or St Ives group.
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Finance
Do I need life insurance? Life insurance may feel both baffling and daunting, but it’s a key step towards financial security for many people. These are the most important things to know when deciding whether it’s right for you and which policy to choose. The most important question is what you want the life insurance to achieve. With most forms of insurance, it’s simply a case of covering costs or replacing something that’s lost, stolen or damaged. With life insurance, you’re commonly looking to replace your income. That means it matters whether you are the sole ‘breadwinner’ in your household, you share financial responsibilities, or you have no dependents (in which case life insurance usually makes little sense). It also matters whether you simply want to maintain an income for your family after you die or if you are concerned with specific expenses, such as a mortgage or university costs for your children. Those factors will help you make the biggest decision: whether to get a whole-of-life policy or a term policy. The former means that, as long as you keep up the payments, the policy pays out when you die. These policies tend to work out more expensive, both through higher payments and because you’ll be paying in for longer. It’s usually taken out by people who want to be sure to cover funeral costs, or want their heirs to be able to pay an inheritance tax bill without having to sell the family home.
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With term policies you pay premiums and are eligible for payouts during a fixed period. Depending on your financial goals, this could be a set number of years, the remaining term of your mortgage or until your planned retirement date. These policies are usually cheaper that whole-of-life policies. Once the term ends, you stop making payments and the policy will never pay out. If you go for a term policy, you need to decide how the payout level changes over time. The most basic option is a ‘level’ policy that simply pays a fixed lump sum on your death. A variation of this means the payout amount goes up each year during the term, in line with inflation. In contrast, a decreasing policy means the payout amount falls each year during the term. That makes premiums lower and is most suitable when you want the life insurance to clear your mortgage if you die. The falling payout reflects the fact your outstanding mortgage debt will also fall over time. Whether you get whole-of-life or term insurance, you need to decide whether to get a single or joint policy, for example with your spouse or partner. A single policy is straightforward: the payout goes into your estate and is distributed in line with your will. With a joint policy, the default set-up is that when (or if) one of the two policyholders dies, the payout goes to the other policyholder. The policy then ends with no further premiums or payouts.
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Interiors
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By Katherine Sorrell
A good night’s sleep
Create the perfect restful retreat by combining a great bed with the ideal mattress and sumptuous, stylish linens. We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so it’s worth investing in the different elements that will help ensure the best possible night’s sleep – from a good-looking bed frame to lovely, layered bedlinen, a well-chosen mattress and a set of quality pillows. Choosing a bed The most popular choice of bed base is a simple divan frame, which usually sit on castors, but are sometimes elevated on legs. Look for examples with useful side drawers, or ‘ottoman’ divans in which the entire mattress can be lifted up to access storage beneath. The alternative is a bedstead, generally made from wood or metal (though rattan elements are fashionable these days), which may be modern and minimal, but are more often traditional in appearance, such as a four-poster, a ‘sleigh’ bed or Victorian-style cast iron. The choice is largely aesthetic, but do bear in mind that not all mattresses and bases are compatible with each other. Size matters when it comes to beds. Disturbance from a partner (or children) is one of the most common causes of sleeping complaints, so buy as big
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a bed as you can afford and that will fit comfortably into the room – remembering to leave enough space around it. You will need to allow about 450mm at the foot and sides of a bed in order to be able to make it comfortably, and at least 700mm of floor space between the side of a bed and the wardrobe, if this is where you are going to dress. All about mattresses If you prefer a sprung mattress, the best are ‘pocket’ sprung, in which a large number of small springs work independently from each other, adjusting to the body and eliminating ‘roll-together’. Look for springs encased in calico pockets, hand nested in a honeycomb pattern and centre tied with linen cord. Other signs of a high standard are quality ticking (the mattress’s fabric cover), hand side stitching, which keeps the mattress in good condition for longer, and sturdy handles to enable easy turning. Fillings include cotton, wool, coir, foam and horsehair, with added mohair, cashmere and silk at the luxury end of the market. Tufted construction is considered better than quilting, as it prevents loose fillings from
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being dislodged. And, if you and your partner prefer different mattresses, or are very different in weight, zip and link mattresses – two singles that can be attached together – could be the answer. The relatively new market in non-sprung mattresses includes latex, foam or gel mattresses that can be delivered straight to your door and are often inexpensive. Warmer than sprung mattresses, they mould to the sleeper’s shape and are said to be good for sufferers of allergies and joint pain. Perhaps the ultimate solution is a combination mattress, which offers the support and comfort of springs with a non-sprung top layer. Consider, too, adding a mattress topper, which will add another layer of comfort and should help extend the life of your mattress. Comfortable pillows If you want to wake up feeling refreshed, you’ll need to choose the right pillow. Down, feather, wool, latex, memory foam, synthetic down and hybrid are all options – as are cooling pillows, antisnoring pillows, sleep apnoea pillows, pregnancy pillows and adjustable pillows. There’s no simple recommendation; it’s a case of personal preference, provided your pillow supports your neck and keeps your spine aligned in a neutral position. Experts recommend replacing pillows every one to two years. Why? Because over time they start to lose their support – and become less and less hygienic. Using a good quality pillow protector may help with longevity, and you should launder pillows regularly, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
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3 Gorgeous bedlinens Quality bed linen feels comfortable next to the skin, and will also wash well and last for years. What type should it be? Pure linen has excellent breathability, a cool, crisp touch and gets softer as it gets older – but does require ironing. Silk is also highly breathable, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer – it’s even said to reduce wrinkles and keep your hair glossy. It needs gentle handling but can go in the washing machine. Cotton, though, is by far the most popular choice, of which pure Egyptian cotton is generally considered the finest. Look for a thread count of more than 200, and up to 600 for real luxury. And finally there’s easy-care, a 50:50 mix of cotton and polyester, which has obvious advantages. A set of white bed linen is a classic choice and complements any and every scheme. Even pure white, however, need not be completely plain, as all but the most basic duvet covers and pillows offer interesting design details, from pin tucks, cording and scalloped edging to hemstitch, embroidery and lace. Add an eye-catching bed cover, perhaps also a throw and some bed cushions, selecting luscious textures and interesting trims, and you have a gorgeous layered style with a comfortable feel and eternally appealing look.
1 Combining sustainably sourced wood and natural rattan, this French-style bed features cabriole legs and hard-carved motifs. Montgomery rattan bed, £2,650, The French Bedroom Company: 01444 415 430; frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk. 2 Grand yet lightweight and modern, this slender canopy bed makes a statement without seeming overbearing. Luna Canopy king-size bed, £1,195, Cox & Cox: 0330 333 2123; coxandcox.co.uk. 3 This sumptuous upholstered bed features a large hidden storage compartment. Roman ottoman bed frame, £1,399, Furniture Village: 0800 804 8879; furniturevillage. co.uk.
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Gardening
Plant a tree for the jubilee: the Queen’s Green Canopy The joys of spring Early spring in the garden is probably the most longed-for time of the year for most. The weather is naturally unpredictable and the wise gardener will be prepared for just about anything. There could be a heatwave, snow, frost, drought and April showers. Be prepared to protect tender young shoots with a covering of horticultural fleece, which can be used as a warm blanket until the cold snap has passed. This is the perfect time for pruning a variety of shrubs, depending on the weather. If fairly mild, Hydrangea macrophylla can be pruned down to a pair of buds and old, woody growth can be removed. Buddleja davidii can have a good tidy up, ready for new growth, Lavender can be gently
trimmed and Cornus, which is grown for winter stem colour, can be pruned hard if you haven’t already done so. Deciduous ornamental grasses should also be cut down to make way for new growth. Plant a tree for the jubilee Make the most of the coming growing season by planting trees and shrubs as soon as possible so that their roots can romp away as the soil warms. Her Majesty the Queen has been on the throne for 70 years this year and we are all urged to ‘plant a tree for the jubilee’. This national tree initiative is encouraging everyone to plant trees, whether it’s a single specimen in a garden or an entire woodland. It is hoped that individuals, community groups, schools, businesses and councils will all take part in a bid to green up the UK. This, of course, will help to fight the climate crisis. Trees, after all, are our friends when it comes to absorbing pollution, storing carbon, producing oxygen, stabilising the soil, helping to prevent flooding, improving biodiversity and providing shelter. But did you know that some trees are better than others when it comes to eco credentials? Oak, beech, London plane, black walnut, many larger maples and eucalyptus are some of the best when it comes to carbon storage. Larger trees are generally better than smaller varieties, but anything is better than none at all! Broadleaved species have a larger surface area of leaves, which enables them to carry
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out photosynthesis. They absorb water, sunlight and carbon dioxide in order to produce oxygen. When it comes to wildlife, oaks are kings of the habitat providers, but smaller trees, including a wide range of birch, are excellent too. Some of the woodland edge smaller trees and shrubs excel at this particular role, including elder, spindle, blackthorn, wild cherry, crab apple, hawthorn and holly. The key lies in planting a diverse mix of species in order to provide as many benefits as possible to wildlife. Think in terms of food sources as well as cute, furry and feathery creatures. Insects are just as important when you consider the food chain. Pests and diseases It is wise to avoid planting a monoculture using just one species of tree. If disease strikes, you are likely to lose the entire group. This applies to street trees as much as it does to garden hedges, copses and woodland. Far better to include a mix of species, which will be less likely to pass on disease to each other. For this reason, it is sensible to extend the range of trees in the UK to include non-native, hardy trees as well as natives. Always source trees from reliable, ‘plant-healthy’ suppliers. Be aware of the general health of trees, including disease that causes limbs to be lost, thus posing a safety risk in public places. • Ash dieback is likely to cause the loss of up to 80 per cent of this tree in the UK. Affected trees near public areas should be removed. • Phytophthora ramorum is an organism that is sometimes called a water mould. It causes
bleeding canker symptoms on trees, including larch and sweet chestnut in addition to conifers such as Douglas fir. It can also cause sudden oak death. • Phytophthora pluvialis has recently been discovered in western hemlock and Douglas fir in the West Country. It causes needles to turn brown and drop, eventually resulting in dieback. • Oak processionary moth is an insect pest that is currently present in London and surrounding counties. There are silken nests and processions of caterpillars that defoliate oak trees, thus leaving them vulnerable and unable to carry out photosynthesis. • A fungal disease called massaria is spreading amongst London plane trees, including those at Buckingham Palace and some of the Royal parks. It causes lesions on branches, which die back and are eventually shed.
Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk
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Garden View
Bee nice to bees! Albert Einstein supposedly declared that, “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left.” There is much debate over whether the great man actually did make such an assertion as he was a physicist after all, not an entomologist, but whether he did or not, it’s a scary thought. There’s no doubt about it, honey bees and bumble bees are of enormous agricultural importance. It is estimated that more than a third of the world’s crop production relies on these bees. Without them we’re in trouble and they are in decline. Pesticides, loss of habitat and disease are thought to be playing a part. Bees are fascinating and beautiful creatures and as gardeners we can play our part in their continued survival. It’s simple: bees need flowers for sustenance, flowers need bees for survival and gardeners need flowers to garden! First it’s important to think ahead and provide flowers for bees throughout their lifecycle, which runs from March to September. Spring – Bluebells, bugle, flowering cherry, forgetme-not (Myosotis), hellebore and rosemary are all good spring plants. Summer – Aquilegia, sweet peas, fennel, foxgloves, potentilla, roses, stachys, teasel, thyme and verbascum
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Late summer / early autumn – Aster, buddleia, dahlia, eryngium, fuchsia, heather, lavender and sedum. Second, unfortunately not all flowers are created equal. Frilly double flowers, for example, are too elaborate. They have so many petals that the bees struggle to get to the nectar and pollen. This is the reason that single dahlias attract lots of bees, whilst double varieties are generally ignored. Single flowered rose varieties are also good, such as the rambler Seagull, with its flat open white blooms, large yellow stamens and heady scent. Any similar rambler grown over a fence or wall will do. Some, like the pale pink Little Rambler, will even repeat flower. Ramblers are terrific roses. They are vigorous, disease resistant and great for covering bare fences, unsightly sheds and walls. Best of all they need next to no pruning! The main thing is to keep it simple: a few flowers for each part of the bee life cycle and no overly fancy varieties. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t grow double flowered dahlias if that’s what floats your boat, it’s just that Mr Bee would appreciate a few single flowered varieties thrown into the mix. Let’s make this the year we all be nice to bees: our future may depend on it!
By Rachael Leverton
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Pets
14 Easy Ways to Help The RSPCA We all know there are fabulous RSPCA shops all over the country that we can buy lovely things from and take our unwanted clothes and bric-a-brac to. We also know if we want a new pet we could approach the RSPCA. But how many of the other 12 ways were you already aware of? Smile Amazon - Amazon have recently set up ‘Smile Amazon’, meaning each time you buy something via Smile Amazon, they donate money to your chosen charity. The ‘Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Bedfordshire North Branch’ have registered with this scheme so you can select our charity when you are shopping. Donate Nectar Points - Your Nectar points can now be used to support our charity. If this is something you’d like to do, you will need to link your Nectar account to a Crowdfunder account. You can then donate converted points via our charity page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ rspca-bedsnorthbranch... All money donated will go towards the vet bills and boarding costs of the animals that come into our care. Enter the Spring Superdraw - Competitions are still very popular and this one is no different. You could win up to £5,000. Simply head over to our website to buy a ticket! Payroll Giving - Payroll giving (also known as Give As You Earn) is a simple way to make regular donations to the RSPCA straight from your salary. You can donate as much or as little you like and you can stop your donation at any time. Plus, it’s tax free! It is very quick and easy to set up. All you would need to do is fill in an online form. Legacy Payment - Leaving a gift for the RSPCA in your Will is another way people can support us. Did you know over half of our work is funded by people who have left us a gift in their Will? So, these gifts are extremely important to us. Is it something you have considered?
Generation Kind - You may recall reading about ‘Generation Kind’ in a previous edition, in essence it is an education program that we have created for schools. Through Generation Kind we’re ramping up our efforts to inspire kindness in the classroom - helping to shape a kinder future for animals. Ask your local school if they are involved. Adopt/rehome/sponsor/foster - These are the four main ways that you can care for an animal through the RSPCA. All of which are important, valuable and rewarding. Check out our FaceBook page for more details. Donate online - If you visit the RSPCA website, you can make a one off donation payment or set up a more permanent regular amount. It’s up to you. Your gift helps support long term projects, veterinary care, rehabilitation, and our rescue teams. You could also visit one of our fabulous charity shops, become a member or why not organise a fundraising. There are now many ways in which you can support your local RSPCA, and we are very grateful and appreciative of it. If you need to contact our Branch (North Bedfordshire) for any reason we can be reached by the details below, or for an animal welfare issue or emergency, contact 0300 1234 999. Lines are open 7 days a week 24/7. info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk 01234 266965 / 01234 930304
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Reducing Waste
There is no such place as ‘away’ We all have to buy things. We all produce waste in doing so. We all have the power to reduce the impact this has on our planet. The expression ‘throw it away’ has become so common place in our society, that it is often forgotten that there is no such place as away. When we have finished with an item, we have the ability to dispose of it into our bins and it is taken away and dealt with, and we do not need to think about it again. However, if we all did start to think about it, we might all start to change where we decide to put it, or if we create it at all. The majority of the ‘waste’ we create can be recycled. We may not be able to recycle it all at the kerbside, but there is usually a lot of valuable resource within products at the end of their life. It is also worth noting, that if a lot of energy went into making a product that is subsequently sent to landfill, a lot more energy will have to go into making the new replacement product, increasing the emissions created. With a little forethought and a little planning, we can reduce the amount of ‘waste’ that we waste, as well as the emissions we cause when buying products. Textiles (clothing and fabric) should never be sent to landfill, so should not be placed in your kerbside collections. Textiles are a very energy intensive product. In other words, they use a lot of energy and emit a lot of carbon during the process of being made. This is from growing or mining for the materials, to dying processes and transporting it around the world for the different stages of production. When they are no longer wanted, they should be sent on for reuse by either being sold or donated. Even when textiles become worn out, they can still be sent for recycling if taken to the right places. You can recycle textiles at any of the ASTCO clothing banks across the district (find your local one here: www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins-waste/ recycling-centres/#RecyclingBanks) as well as some charity shops, just remember to clearly mark the bag as rags.
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Food is another product that should be carefully considered. We can reduce the amount of emissions linked to our food by changing our diets. But other ways to reduce emissions is to minimise food waste as much as possible and then sending any food waste created to be composted. For example, due to the 20 million slices of bread thrown away in UK homes every day, 318,000 tonnes of CO2 is unnecessarily generated every year. Not only should we be thinking about this at the end of the life of an item, we should be thinking about it when we buy new items. Are we buying a product we simply do not need? Are we buying an item we know will not last? Could we buy a better quality item that would last longer? Could we buy a product that can be easily recycled over one that is much more difficult to recycle? Could we buy a product that can be reused time and time again, rather than a single use item? If you are looking to reduce your waste, and would like some support, please do get in touch WasteMinimisation@Huntingdonshire.gov.uk or via our social media Facebook – @Huntingdonshire Recycles Twitter – @HDC Recycles Instagram – @Recycle For Huntingdonshire.
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Easy Sudoku
Hard Sudoku
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles. 36
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What's On
WHAT'S ON IN APRIL 1 APRIL St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm Eynesbury Primary School SNLHS members free, visitors £4 ‘Huntingdonshire Cyclists Battalion’ by Martyn Smith. Web: http://stneotslhs.org.uk 1, 22 & 29 APRIL Great Fen Little Bugs 10.30am-12pm Great Fen Countryside Centre, Ramsey Heights Wildlife Trust BCN child member £5, non-member £7 A fun and sociable morning of exploration and discovery for preschool children and their guardians. Web: wildlifebcn.org 2 APRIL Huntingdon Comedy Club 7.30pm Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon Tickets £13 + booking fee With Tez Ilyas, Jessica Fostekew, Joe Hobbs and Jon Long. * Line up may be subject to change. Web: www.chuckl.co.uk/ huntingdon-april 3 APRIL Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society 2pm Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade ‘Derelict Hill Farm to Garden in a year or two or Twenty’ with Derry Watkins., well-known nursery owner. Plants for sale. Visitors welcome – small charge. Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk 4 APRIL St Neots Astronomical Association 7.30-9.30pm Paxton Pits Visitor Centre Meets first Monday of the month (second if bank holiday). Regular presentations with expert speakers. Regular observing nights. Library of books to borrow. Advice on buying your first telescope. Support and advice for setting up your new telescope. Non-members welcome - first visit free. Web: snaa.co.uk
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5 APRIL Hail Weston Wildlife and Gardening Group 7.15pm for 7.30pm Hail Weston Village Hall Members £1, non-members £3, under 18s free Burghley House Gardens Head Gardener, Joe Whitehead, talks about his background and his role in maintaining and developing the gardens which were originally designed largely by Capability Brown. Raffle. Email: hwwgg@yahoo.com for more info/to book
6 & 13 APRIL Children’s Multi Sports Activities 2-4pm QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton Free event Organised by Little Paxton Parish Council. For children aged 5-11 years. Bring a water bottle. Limited numbers so booking essential. Contact the Clerk to book - include full name of child, parent/carer’s name and contact telephone number on emails. Tel: 01480 470193 Email: clerk@ littlepaxtonparishcouncil.gov.uk
5-8 APRIL AND 11-14 APRIL Holiday Bushcraft for 5-12 years 8.30am-4pm Wandlebury Country Park £38 per child/day Experienced qualified teachers from Wild Thyme & Embers will inspire children and share their knowledge and skills of surviving in the wild. Focus on practical bushcraft and survival skills and follow a forest school approach encouraging self-confidence and sense of achievement. Web: wildthymeandembers.co.uk
7 & 8 APRIL Curious Creatures 11am-3pm St Neots Museum Children £4 Create your own curious creature to take home. What incredible creature will you create? See website for specific booking information. Web: stneotsmuseum.org.uk
5 & 12 APRIL St Neots & District Camera Club 7.15pm for 7.30pm Bowls Club Regular talks and competitions. www.stneots-camera-club.org.uk 6 APRIL Brampton Flower Club 7.30pm Community Centre, Brampton High Street Meets the first Wednesday of the month. Visitors welcome. 6, 13, 20 & 27 APRIL Kimbolton Bridge Club 10am-12pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Meets every Wednesday for friendly, social bridge. Players of all standards are welcome with or without a partner. Just turn up!
7, 14, 21 & 28 APRIL Bingo 7.30pm Alconbury Sports & Social Club Eyes down for the weekly Bingo session! Web: www.assc.org.uk 19 APRIL Wild Flowers of Wandlebury 10am-12pm Wandlebury Country Park Free event – suggested donation £3 Gentle guided walk to learn about spring wild flowers at Wandlebury Country Park. Led by a knowledgeable CambridgePPF Warden. Meet at the large noticeboard in the car park. Booking not required. Web: www.cambridgeppf.org/ 19 APRIL 10am-12pm Dementia Café St Ives Free Church, St Ives £2.50 per person. For people with dementia and their carers. Tel: George 07725 588145 Web: facebook/ stivesdementiafriendlycommunity
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What's On
WHAT'S ON IN APRIL 19 & 26 APRIL St Neots Sinfonia 7.45-9.30pm Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury Rehearsals are every Tuesday in term time. Tel: 01480 212298 for membership enquiries Web: www.stneotssinfonia.org.uk 20 APRIL Godmanchester WI 7.30pm Church Hall, Chadley Lane, Godmanchester Meets the third Wednesday of the month. Regular speakers and activities. New members welcome. 20 & 27 APRIL St Neots Choral Society 7.30-9.30pm Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury Rehearsals are every Wednesday in term time. Tel: 01480 212298 for membership enquiries Web: www.stneotschoral.org.uk 21 APRIL Little Paxton Annual Parish Meeting 7pm Little Paxton Village Hall Meeting Room The Parish Councillors welcomes Little Paxton residents to the Annual Parish meeting to hear the Parish Council activities during the past 12 months and the plans for the future.
22 APRIL Kimbolton Community Cinema 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Tickets £5, £4 + booking fee online West Side Story (PG-13). Tickets from Bytes Café Mondays and Fridays 10am-12.30pm, online or on the door if available. kimbolton.cinema@gmail.com Web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ mandeville-hall-kimbolton 24 APRIL The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust Walk 10.30am. Free event – donations welcome. Portholme Meadow is a haven for breeding birds such as corn bunting and skylark and supports a rich variety of flora. Led by Dr Pat Doody. Meet at Godmanchester Bridge (TL2446570594). What3Words will.payback.butternut. For those parking elsewhere, meet at Godmanchester Lock (TL2410070413). Tel: Pat Doody 01480 392706 27 APRIL Lunchtime Talk 10.30am-12.30pm. Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade Warden Abbey Vineyard. Nestled between the picturesque villages of Old Warden and Cardington, hear the fascinating story of how a vineyard came to be planted on this beautiful Bedfordshire site in medieval times. shuttleworth.org/talks-programme
28 APRIL St Neots & District Gardening Club Meetings 7.30pm St Mary's Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Members £2, Non-members £2.50. ‘All about roses’ by Jacqueline Aviolet. www.stneotsgardenclub.org.uk 29 APRIL Knit, Lit and Natter 2pm Huntingdon Library Do you love to knit, crochet or sew? Do you also love to read? Get together with other crafters to work on projects and chat about books. Call or pop into the library to join up. Tel: 0345 045 5225 29 APRIL Quiz Night. 8pm. Alconbury Sports & Social Club £3 each. Teams of six. Prize for the winner. www.assc.org.uk 1 MAY The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust Walk. 10.30am Free event – donations welcome. Experience the sight and scent of a carpet of bluebells in the ancient Brampton Wood. Meet at Visitors Barn, Brampton Wood (TL184698). What3Words plates. plodding.photocopy. Park in the Trust car park. Tel: George 01480 450809
21 & 28 APRIL Riverport Singers 10.15-11.15am The Corn Exchange, St Ives Community choir for people living with dementia, their carers, family and friends. Come along and sing a range of songs (folk, pop, musicals) in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Tel: Agi 07757 811802 Email: agipeach@icloud.com Web: Facebook.com/ riverportsingers
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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our March Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Fraser Hayden from Gamlingay
March’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions
Easy
Hard
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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize
£25
Across 1 Denied (7) 5 Not ours (5) 8 Amazing (9) 9 Spot (3) 10 Nap (5) 12 Replies (7) 13 Nearly (13) 15 Mum’s mother (7) 17 Healed (5) 19 Lodging house (3) 20 Ethereal (9) 22 Dizzy (5) 23 Convent (7)
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before
16th April 2022 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.
Down 1 Disagreements (5) 2 Supporter (3) 3 Used for cleaning (7) 4 Insistence (13) 5 Sailboat (5) 6 Vests, boxers (9) 7 Fulfil (7) 11 Made clear (9) 13 Fishing (7) 14 Sale by bidding (7) 16 Covered with fine powder (5) 18 Hold up (5) 21 Employ (3)
Name:
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Books
Books for wellbeing The Comfort Book Matt Haig
Author Matt Haig has been very open about his struggles with depression. His latest book is a collection of sayings, thoughts and recollections that offer comfort when times are hard. Many of us find it difficult to focus when we’re feeling down, anxious or burnt out. With The Comfort Book, you can just flick through and read the quote that catches your eye. That might be a story snippet, a list, music recommendations or a recipe.
Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention Johann Hari
We often berate ourselves for spending too much time scrolling through social media or getting distracted when we should be concentrating. Johann Hari explains why the inability to focus is not a personal failing – it’s an alltoo-common side effect of modern life. Crucially, he also shares science-backed advice to help you reclaim your ability to focus.
Good Vibes, Good Life Vex King
Stuck in a rut and not sure how to move forward? In Good Vibes, Good Life, Vex King gives practical and inspirational tips for tackling negative thoughts, improving self-esteem and finding the motivation to make positive changes. Ultimately, his goal is to help you to both love yourself for who you are now and to make the changes that will improve your life for the better.
Broken (in the best possible way) Jenny Lawson
We all need a good belly laugh sometimes. Broken gives you that, plus so much more. As the blurb says, it’s a book about ‘living, surviving and thriving with anxiety’. It’s written like a stream of consciousness in parts, as Lawson shares anecdotes and lessons from her life. Raw, honest, relatable.
The Sleep Book Dr Guy Meadows
Anyone who struggles to sleep knows the impact it can have on daily life. The Sleep Book isn’t a recent release, but it’s one of the most wellresearched – Dr Meadows has worked with more than 2,000 insomniacs. The result is a five-week plan to solve insomnia, mainly focusing on mindfulness and ACT (‘act and commitment’) therapy. It’s not a magic cure, but the advice is practical and easy to follow.
Reflections Holly Willoughby
In Reflections, TV presenter Holly Willoughby shares her ‘toolkit’ for living a happier, more connected life. She talks of the rituals, techniques and positive habits that have helped her to reconnect, tackle anxiety and feel more grounded. It’s a deeply personal book – she discusses body image, burnout and other challenges – but it’s not an autobiography. While most of us don’t lead a celebrity lifestyle, there are still many nuggets of wisdom that readers will find useful.
By Kate Duggan
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G.B.BUILDERS NO JOB TOO SMALL FOR ALL MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS AND DIY WORK All general building repairs and odd jobs Specialist in Painting and Decorating & Groundwork and Grass cutting • Brickwork & Plastering Tiling Driveways • Paths & Patios Slabbing • Concreting Blockpaving • Fencing, Carpentry • Roofing Guttering • Drainage Plumbing
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