Alconbury August 2019

VILLAGER The

Issue 89 - August 2019

and Town

Life

LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

In this issue Win tickets to see

Nathan Carter Medieval Shopping Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People Every Month in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, The Stukeleys ur and all surrounding areas Yo EE R py

F co

2

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Inside this issue...

Win Tickets to see Nathan Carter

12

Medieval Shopping..................................................... 4 São Miguel, Top Hot Spot in the Azores....................... 8 Worthy Wines - Romania.......................................... 10 Win Tickets to see Nathan Carter............................... 12 Bedfordshire Walking Festival 2019.......................... 15 Top Style Tips for Crafters.......................................... 16 Make Exercise a Real HIIT.......................................... 18 International Left Handers Day................................. 21 Quick Ways to Save Money on your Holiday............... 24 Add Some Vertical Interest........................................ 27

Animal Know-How.................................................... 28 Nick Coffers’s Weekend Recipe................................... 31 The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials........................ 32 ‘Dogs Die in Cars’ Campaign...................................... 34 Puzzle Page............................................................... 36 What’s On.................................................................. 38 Prize Crossword......................................................... 42 Book Review............................................................. 44 Useful Numbers........................................................ 47

Make Exercise a Real HIIT

18

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 - Catherine Rose, Solange Hando, Trevor Langley, Jennie Billings, Ann Haldon, Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA, Nick Coffer and Kate Duggan.

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Chris Elwell Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel: 07762 969460 • www.design9marketing.co.uk

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.

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

3

History

Medieval Shopping

Shopping in medieval times would certainly have been an assault on the senses.

The medieval town was a very different place to our shopping centres today. Although the problem of litter is a current (and valid) environmental concern thanks to our overuse of packaging, crowded medieval streets would have habitually run with sewage, blood from slaughtered animals, rats and loose livestock.

Couple this with the fact most people didn’t wash very often, and one can only imagine the smell and noise (or hue and cry) of which you would have run the gauntlet, by popping out for a loaf of bread!

There were two types of shop owner in medieval England: merchants and craftsmen, and both were commonly governed by guilds.

Merchant or craft guilds consisted of members who traded in a certain commodity such as wool, or who were specifically skilled artisans, respectively. By grouping together as a guild, they were able to set standards and prices for their trade. Paying for membership of the guild also provided traders with protection.

4

Craft guilds would offer apprenticeships with the opportunity of learning a skill through a master craftsman and earning the resulting qualifications or papers.

An apprenticeship was unwaged; sometimes families would even pay for their son to learn a respected trade. This payment would include food and lodging although it usually meant sleeping on the shop floor.

Once a young man had completed his apprenticeship, he became a journeyman and would be paid for his services. A journeyman would have to produce his ‘masterwork’ to be given the title of master craftsman.

There were punishments for those who broke the rules of the guild, often favouring the medieval penchant for humiliation (think of the popularity of the town and village stocks).

For example, in those days bread was unleavened and sold by weight. A baker caught adding weights to his dough to make a heavier loaf would be made to walk through the town with the loaves tied around his neck. Likewise, a brewer who produced bad or adulterated beer would be forced

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

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.

32 Smart Conservatory Solutions Ad (update).indd 1

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

5

10/05/2018 15:39

to publicly drink it and then have the rest poured over his head.

Banishment from a guild meant the merchant or artisan was unlikely to work in the town again.

Most medieval trade premises were workshops as well, with the merchant or craftsman living above.

Wealthier merchants would have larger houses built on the outskirts of the town.

The shop front would generally have no glass windows but instead would be open to the street, with wooden shutters put up when it was closed.

It was common for tradespeople to group their shops together, possibly because it was easier for the guilds to oversee, so streets became dedicated to one commodity or craft, for example, a street of bakeries or a lane of cobblers. We can still see this reflected in some old street names today.

Because most people couldn’t read, medieval shop signs were symbols made of painted wood or wrought iron, sometimes partially gilded.

These large signs were hung on brackets and chains attached to the building and were made obvious to the medieval customer. The sign for an apothecary was a pestle and mortar. A blacksmith had an anvil and hammer, while a farrier, who looked after horses’ hooves, might have had a simple horseshoe.

In those days, barbers were also surgeons and dentists hence their sign: a red and white striped pole signified blood and bandages.

It is thought that the ‘three balls’ sign for a pawnbroker (who lent money in exchange for the collateral of valuable goods) may have evolved from the symbol for three gold coins.

A butcher’s sign was usually a bull’s head coupled with butchery tools. Most butchers would have a barn and slaughterhouse attached to the back of their shop and animals were killed on the premises.

Carcasses would be hung outside on hooks, and meat laid out on slabs or special sills attached to the building known as ‘shammels’. These were a common feature of medieval shop fronts.

The typical overhangs of medieval buildings would have served to protect the goods on display below, both from the weather and things being thrown out of the windows above.

As with the shop signs, instead of written notices shop owners would hang symbolic objects outside their premises to keep customers informed of what was going on. For example, if a brewer’s beer was ready, he would hang a green branch outside.

Other examples of craftsmen or ‘mongers’ (tradespeople selling a certain type of goods) who might have a shop in a medieval town were: stonemason; draper (who sold cloth); tailor; carpenter; cobbler (who repaired old shoes) and cordwainer (who made new ones); grocer; furrier; fishmonger; baker; weaver; cheesemonger; cooper (barrel maker); cartwright; ironmonger; bowyer (who made archer’s bows); fletcher (who made the arrows); and chandler (who originally made candles).

Many of these skills were passed down through families to become common surnames.

As well as blacksmiths who forged iron, there were other metalsmiths including goldsmiths and silversmiths. Not only did goldsmiths make jewellery and other objects from gold but they also produced gold leaf to adorn the beautiful handwritten medieval manuscripts of the day.

Most shops closed around 3pm, having been open as early as 6am. A curfew bell would be rung between 8pm and 9pm and everyone was then expected to vacate the streets or else have a very good excuse for being there. We could probably learn a lot from our medieval ancestors.

By Catherine Rose 6

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

7

Travel

By Solange Hando

São Miguel, Top Hot Spot in the Azores Out in the Atlantic Ocean, this is the largest island in the Azores, a colourful place blooming year round but set precariously at the meeting point of three tectonic plates: Eurasian, African and North American. Bristling with dormant craters and cones, laced in waterfalls, hot springs and lakes, it’s truly awesome but these volcanic wonders hold every visitor spellbound.

North-west of Ponta Delgada, the capital, a road winds up into the hills fringed in wild gladioli, hydrangea and agapanthus. The coastal scenery is delightful but turning inland you soon reach the ‘Royal Belvedere’, where in 1901 Dom Carlos looked down on the twin lakes of Sete Cidades. Framed by verdant slopes, connected by a narrow strait, they spread across the crater of a dormant volcano, their lovely colours reflecting the ever-changing light, one lake as blue as the sky, the other turquoise and green. Meadows shimmer along the shore and beyond the slender bridge, the pretty town greets you with

cottage gardens, bandstand and church. According to legend, the lakes were created by rivers of tears when a shepherd and his beloved princess parted on the hilltop.

At the heart of the island, at 575 metres, Fire Lake claims the purest water. In clear weather, vantage points along the road reveal some stunning views, but in its pristine nature reserve the lake can only be reached down a steep trail. The hike along the shore is challenging at times but gorgeous, with luminous water, sandy coves, scrubland and forest, cliffs and the crater rim rising towards the sky.

Meanwhile on the northern slope, the hot springs of Caldeira Velha nestle among giant ferns and towering trees, nature in the raw almost like a Jurassic Park draped in red rocks and steaming water. An iron-rich waterfall tumbles down into the upper pool, pleasantly warm, but the lower pool reaches a tingling 360 C. It’s the perfect way to relax after exploring the nearby trails.

8

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

In the luxuriant hills in the south-east, Furnas has its own geothermal gems. Down by the village, a stream meanders orangy-red through mud springs and bubbling pools where you hear the ‘Devil’s Heartbeat’ while mini-geysers pop all around.

Then head for the landscaped gardens of Terra Nostra with its walking trails and bathing pools of different temperatures, most amazing the circular lagoon near the entrance, so large it rarely feels crowded. The orange water is likely to colour your skin but before you shower, take time to enjoy its health-giving minerals.

A short drive away, the crater lake boasts a romantic beach with glistening water and a few pedal boats but you soon smell the fumaroles puffing relentlessly at the foot of the hill. The locals love them: want to cook your Sunday lunch or a festival feast? No problem; just set your pot in the ground, cover it up, and a few hours later the tasty ‘cozido’ stew is ready to share with family and friends.

20 F 19 OR !

N EW

Vintage Airshow Sunday 1 September 2019

Celebrating the best of lovely old aircraft, artisan crafts, and steam punk/vintage outfits. There will also be live music, activities for children, a pilot chat on the BlĂŠriot, vintage bus rides, Swiss Garden tours, vehicle parades and a variety of traders.

Book now: www.shuttleworth.org/vintageairshow Shuttleworth, Old Warden Aerodrome, Bedfordshire, SG18 9EP Registered Charity No. 307534

To Villager advertise in The Villager Town - Vintage Airshow FP Augand 19.indd 1 Life please call 01767 261122

03/07/2019 14:55:55

9

Food and Drink

Worthy Wines - Romania

Romania has borders with several countries, that include Bulgaria,Ukraine and Hungary, as well as bordering the Black Sea. Tourism plays a big role in the economy of the country, with many visitors enjoying sites, including Black Sea resorts, plus preserved cities and also castles. The cuisine of Romania has both Austrian and German influences. Excellent Romanian wines are produced, utilising numerous native, local and international grape varieties, with viticulture having a history of 6000+ years, making it one of the oldest in the world. Many wines constantly receive prestigious awards, at events and competitions, globally.

The Prince Stirbey vineyard has been family-owned for 300 years. Today, the vineyard is owned and managed by Baroness Ileana Kripp, whose ancestors were the founders, and her husband Jakob. At the turn of this century a new winery was constructed, incorporating modern technology, with wines produced by Oliver Bauer. The winery now produces natural wines, to an exceptional standard, which are available in many countries, including the UK. Prince Stirbey Cramposie is a sparkling wine, made with the indigenous white grape, Cramposie and by the traditional method. This extra brut, pale-yellow production is both fruity and fresh. The very pleasant bouquet leads to the fruit pleasures on the mouth and extends for a long finish. Prince Stirbey Tamaioasa Romanesca is a very popular dry white wine and uses the grape of the same name, to great advantage.

An intense bouquet greets the nasal senses, which continues on to the mouthfeel. Prince Stirbey Novac is made using Novac grapes. Extremely popular, this red wine pleases many. The bouquet has plenty of fruits, that follow to the mouthfeel, which is ripe and juicy. Prince Stirbey Negru de Dragasani (and the Rezerva production) are both further splendid red wines, selected for quality, with intense bouquets and abundances of dark fruits, for the mouth and palate, being very evident. Medium, to full-bodied, smooth and velvet-like, they are perfect to accompany a lot of cuisine, including red meats, superbly.

For all details, information and availability, please visit www.stirbey.com

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

10

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

11

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS

to watch Ireland’s No. 1 Entertainer

NATHAN CARTER

live at the GORDON CRAIG THEATRE

We are giving you the chance to win a pair of tickets to watch Irish Country-Pop sensation Nathan Carter live in concert at the Gordon Craig Theatre on 1st October.

One of the UK’s most exciting live performers, his energetic showmanship is proving irresistible for fans, even scoring him a prestigious slot performing for Pope Francis in Croke Park in Dublin, as well as shows in Ireland at the 3Arena Dublin and SSE Arena Belfast. This year, he marked St Patricks day with his very own show on BBC Radio Ulster, joined by fellow Country stars Catherine McGrath and Chloe Agnew.

With tracks such as ‘Wagon Wheel’ and ‘I Wanna Dance’ receiving hit status, he is one of Ireland’s biggest artists, and with an incredible 7 top 10 albums under his belt, he is well on his way to becoming a household name. Most recently, the 2018 ‘Born for the Road’ shot straight into the top 5 at number 3.

Growing up in a house where Country and Western music filled the air, Nathan was exposed to classic songs of Johnny Cash, Don Williams and Dolly Parton. From the tender age of 4 years old, not only learning to play guitar, piano and accordion, which plays a vital part in his live show, Nathan quickly became head chorister in the Liverpool Boys choir where he toured the world and even performed in front of the Pope in Rome.

For tickets, visit the venue box office or www.ticketline.co.uk

NATHAN CRAIG COMPETITION ENTRY



For a chance to win tickets complete the form below and send to: Nathan Craig Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th August 2019.

Terms & Conditions: No cash alternative available. Standard tickets only.

Name: Tel: Email: Address:

12

For full terms and conditions please go to www.villagermag.com

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

13

John O’Gaunt Golf Club

Become a member, start playing today Memberships available for men, ladies and juniors Two magnificent championship courses

Impressive club house, bar and catering facilities

Well stocked shop and club fitting by Head Professional Lee Scarbrow

Excellent practice and coaching facilities

Please get in touch for more information...

John O’Gaunt Golf Club, Sutton Park, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2LY Tel: Main Club - 01767 260360 Pro Shop - 01767 260094 Email: villageradvert@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk Why not visit our website for more information at www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk 14

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Local News

Photo: Barry Ingram

Bedfordshire Walking Festival This September sees the 10th anniversary of what has become an annual and increasingly popular event, The Bedfordshire Walking Festival. From humble beginnings in 2009 the festival has grown and grown as more and more people are walking for leisure and fitness. Despite council cutbacks the range of urban and countryside paths are still generally well maintained and being used more often.

For some, the benefit of joining a walk enables them to explore of new places and new paths, whilst for others it is the socialising. Whatever the reason there is a good walk in Bedfordshire not far from your door.

Over the nine days from 7th to 15th September, there is a range of walks from one hour to nine hours duration, plus a range of informative walks of around 2-3 hours. Most are free and no booking is required.

In this part of the county there are two walks from Shuttleworth, on Monday 9th a three hour circular intriguingly entitled “Its time to see the past, present and future” whilst on Tuesday a 2.5 hour informative walk “The hidden gems of Shuttleworth and Old Warden” both starting at 10-15. On Sunday 15th a two hour informative circular walk from Stotfold Mill entitled “The Mills of Etonbury Greenwheel” starting at 10-30.

2019

However if longer walks appeal why come to Sandy station on Saturday 7th for a 12 mile circular starting at 10-30 or sign up for the Greensand Ridge Path Challenge 40 miles over the weekend of 14th & 15th, if you cant do both days you could always come for one.

Other walks in the area include a Health walk on Monday at 9-00 in Beeston, and on Friday an Informative walk in Willington and a linear bus walk from Haynes to Bedford.

Further afield and celebrating our 10th anniversary, three walks based of the theme of 10 at Woburn on Saturday 7th. Sunday 8th at Priory Country Park Bedford. Sunday 15th at Ampthill Park. Plus walks around the county.

If you are baffled by maps, confused by compasses, daunted by digital devices why not join a one day course on Sunday 8th at Maulden Village Hall. Cost £10 booking via web site.

For full details of the walks visit www.bedswalkfest.co.uk Contact Organiser@bedswalkfest.co.uk or pick up a programme

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

15

House of Colour

Top Style Tips For Crafters Whether you love flower arranging, sewing, knitting, gardening, jewellery-making, or cake decorating. Do you absolutely love a sequin or 20, or do you prefer a floral print or something more classic? We all suit different colours and have different style personalities that will not only be reflected in what we wear, but in our homes, our belongings, hobbies and treasured items. Let’s look at the importance of style in crafting.

1. How do we know our style? When thinking about our clothes our body architecture and proportions will partly determine what styles suit us, but the other vital factor is our style personality and this is just as important when it comes to our homes and crafts. You may like classic, dramatic, bohemian, quirky or natural looks. If for example something you are crafting doesn’t feel quite right, it most probably clashes with your style personality.

2. Garments - When you are creating clothes of any sort, whether that be sewing, crocheting, or knitting, there is so much to consider! The shape of a sleeve, the length of a hemline or trouser length, the type of neckline, the lapels, the weight and type of fabric, embellishments and detail, and of course the colours all need to be considered to make sure they are perfect for the wearer.

3. Fabrics and texture are important to any crafter, but carefully consider whether you prefer and suit a soft fabric such as a silk, velvet or mohair or something less willowy like cotton or hemp?

Softer fabrics can produce more movement – consider how the piece is going to be used.

4. Structure is again important regardless of your crafting project. If you are using paper you may

16

notice you choose either asymmetric or precise cuts.

Consider the importance of layering or movement and polished versus relaxed styles.

5. Patterns - Maybe you suit large, bold, geometrics patterns, or perhaps you love a gorgeous floral, or a traditional herringbone or paisley. Different size and density of patterns is also key here.

6. Details are the cornerstone to any crafting.

Buttons, embellishments, sparkly sequins, strong calligraphy are all representative of your style.

Accessorising any crafty masterpiece is also an easy way to update an existing piece.

7. Know what matters to you - Whether you are a traditional crafter, or prefer more contemporary styles, knowing who you really are and what you want your message to be really helps you celebrate your creativity. Try organic touches, be seasonal, use unexpected add-ons, think practical and beautiful, re-purpose and be eco-proud if you can. Be unique and make it authentically you.

After all this is the joy of crafting!

By Jennie Billings, Colour and Style Consultant, House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings e:jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

At Oakleigh Residential Home we take great pride in maintaining the highest standards of care for our residents. Our home is set out in large gardens with easy access, 24 bright and comfortable, single-occupancy rooms and in-house cooks who create appetising and varied menu’s.

01480 890248 stonnell.oakleigh@outlook.com 22 North Road, Alconbury Weston, Huntingdon, PE28 4JR.

We provide 24 hour care and can accommodate clients who require dementia care.

www.oakleighresidentailhome.co.uk ESTABLISHED AND TRUSTED SINCE 1988 Oakleigh Residential half page.indd 1 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

05/12/2016 11:03 17

Health & Fitness

Make Exercise a Real HIIT Add some variety to your fitness regime When we think of the gym we usually picture ourselves jogging on a treadmill, or pounding a cross-trainer, non-stop for 45 minutes. Some people love it, and get a real buzz from a session, but if you’re like me you’ll count every single second as you wait for the torture to stop. What if you could get more health benefits by doing just half the exercise? When I heard this was a possibility at the gym I attend I couldn’t sign-up fast enough.

Enter HIIT, High Intensity Interval Training (pronounced ‘hit’).

HIIT involves short periods, 30 seconds or so, of high intensity exercise followed by equally short rest periods which you repeat for around 20 to 30 minutes. The idea is to work as hard as you possibly can during each work session, then catch your breath, then repeat. At the end of the whole work out you should be totally exhausted.

At this point you might be thinking that the 45-minute gentle jog isn’t sounding so bad after all, but HIIT has a number of real advantages.

Each work period can be a different exercise. Some can be cardio; some can be strength exercises.

This keeps the workout interesting (good if like me you are easily bored) and also gives you the twin benefits of improving fitness and building muscle.

High intensity exercise burns more calories and

more fat. Because you are working flat out your body needs to expend a lot more energy. It can’t keep pace with your needs by simply burning easily accessible temporary carbohydrate stores, so it has to start burning fat. It also needs a lot more oxygen which is why you get out of breath. But this raises your body’s metabolism to a much higher level than simply jogging. So, when you finish exercise your body stays in this high-energy state for much longer burning even more calories.

Your whole body has to work a lot harder to keep up with the exercise, especially your heart. In fact HIIT strengthens your whole cardiovascular system. It’s also very good at reducing insulin resistance (one of the precursors to type ll diabetes) which makes it much easier for your body to regulate your blood sugar, as well as helping to high blood pressure, the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and more.

HIIT is easily tailored to any fitness level. If you pop to your local gym, you’ll usually find beginner, intermediate and advanced level sessions. But if the gym really isn’t your thing, it’s easy to do a HIIT work out at home. There are lots of apps and videos to help you out.

Spending just 20 minutes, three times a week on HIIT will kick your health drive into top gear, so why not give High Intensity Interval Training a try?

By Mark O’Keefe 18

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

19

20

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Time of Year

International Left Handers Day August 13th is International Left-handers’ Day. As a leftie myself I’m always intrigued by the slew of articles that appear at this time of year with titles like, ‘Seven Facts You Never Knew About LeftHanders!’ The ‘facts’ are nearly always about how creative we are versus how clumsy we are, and one of the ‘facts’ which nearly always features in these lists is that those of us who are left-handed will die on average nine years earlier than our right-handed counterparts. Yikes! But is it actually true? Has anyone really checked this out?

I did a little research and discovered that this ‘fact’ is based on two articles written by psychologists - one published in the 80s and one in the 90s. The articles were published in respected scientific journals, which gave them some gravitas. But why are lefties dying up to a decade earlier than everyone else?

Are we slipping while using right-handed scissors and knives then bleeding out on the way to A&E? It seems pretty unlikely. Some 10-11% of the population are left-handed. If this were the case the streets would surely be awash with blood! Someone would have noticed, and ‘handedness’ would be the largest single predictor of life-expectancy!

According to modern psychologists, who reexamined these studies, the previous researchers had made a small error. The original studies were carried out in Southern California, where lists are published of everyone who has died. The researchers used the lists to contact the relatives of 2000 of the deceased to ask whether they had been

left or right-handed. Clearly data protection was less of an issue in the late 20th Century! They found the oft-quoted figure that the left-handers died on average nine years earlier than their right-handed neighbours. But crucially the original researchers ONLY looked at the age at death, not when they died. Left handers are actually more common now than previously...or at least it appears we are. In fact, from the 1800s until the 1950s many left-handers were forced to live as right-handers, by teachers, or parents, or simply by the fact that most machinery in factories was designed for right-handers to use.

Certainly, I can remember even as a child of the 70s being forced to write with my right hand by certain less enlightened staff at my village primary school.

So, it’s probable that some of the dead people on those Californian lists may have been born lefthanded but spent most of their lives living as righthanders, and their families would have described them as such when the researchers called. Because of this historical discrimination many of those on the lists who were ‘out’ as left handers at least at the time the research was published would have been on average younger than right-handers and this would have skewed the results.

So fellow lefties, the idea that we will die nine years earlier than the righties is a myth. PHEW! It’s true we may appear a little clumsier than right-handers but that is probably due to living in a world not designed for us. It does not affect our mortality...though I might just leave carving the Sunday joint to my right-handed husband!

By Kate Hammond

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

21

22

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

23

Finance

Quick and Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Summer Holiday

By Ann Haldon

Summer holidays provide much-needed rest and relaxation in the middle of our often-busy year, and may even be considered essential to our health and wellbeing. They do not need to cost the earth, but how can you save money without detracting from the enjoyment of this precious time away?

Here are a few tips to free up some extra spending money for this year’s holiday, or cash to put towards your getaway next year.

Negotiate on price - It is possible to negotiate down your holiday price, particularly if it’s last minute. Tour and hotel operators are likely to be open to negotiation if it means they can fill the last few places on a tour, or the remaining empty airline seats.

Choose your travel times carefully - The times you travel can directly influence price so if you are able to fly during the night, for example, you may be able to save some money. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are said to be less popular for travelling when compared with Fridays and over the weekend, so if you can go midweek it might be worth it.

Do you need to fly direct? - If you don’t need to fly directly to your ultimate destination, taking an indirect flight can save you money, particularly in the case of long-haul journeys. It does cost you more in time, however, so this may not appeal to everyone.

Avoid the added flight extras - Flight extras such as extra legroom, on-board meal, and additional

24

luggage allowances, add a considerable sum to your ‘cheap’ flight if you’re not careful. Some airlines include these elements in the advertised price but beware if you are using a budget operator, as they may be added extras.

Combine airport hotel and parking - If you are travelling early in the morning or from an airport a long way from home, you may need to stay in an airport hotel the night before. If so, you can save money by combining the accommodation costs with car parking for the duration of your holiday.

Travel while you sleep - Travelling while you sleep is a great way to make savings on the cost of your holiday. Whether you are starting your journey by train, coach or cross-channel ferry, overnight travel using these methods can be considerably cheaper than booking a hotel for the night.

Independent excursions - The cost of excursions can be eye-watering, especially for a family, so try organising your own days out to save money. You may be able to buy admission tickets to attractions and events before you go on holiday, and by booking transport locally you will have a truly authentic experience.

Going to different places and enjoying new experiences are life-affirming, and can be more affordable than you think. Save money on your summer holiday by driving down prices across the board, whether that is for an all-inclusive package deal or an independently created journey of a lifetime.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

25

N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y

RESINBOUND DRIVEWAYS

MAINTENANCE AND WEED FREE HARD WEARING QUICK INSTALLATION CAN BE USED AS OVERLAY BESPOKE DESIGNS SUITABLE FOR DRIVEWAYS, PATHS AND PATIOS • 10 YEAR GUARANTEE • • • • • •

0800 046 1080 UP TO 30% OFF IN AUGUST hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk 26

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Gardening

By Pippa Greenwood

Add Some Vertical Interest Whatever the size or shape of your garden, it will benefit from having some height added to it – and what better way to do this than with an arch or arbour? And, of course, any vertical structure you install in your garden makes for a new planting opportunity too…

Position an arbour to overlook a good view or attractive part of the garden and you instantly create a fabulous place to sit and relax. An arch or an arbour can divide your garden into one or more rooms, a trick that makes your garden seem larger and more interesting.

Chosen carefully, arches and arbours are good looking and a feature in their own right, and if you clothe them with climbers you are adding to their appeal. Plus, those climbers with the added ingredient of scent, like some of the rambling or climbing roses, or honeysuckle or jasmine, can totally transform the whole garden with their wafting perfume.

The area around an arbour in a sunny spot with fairly free-draining soil can be planted with lavenders, so you can enjoy both the way it looks and the perfume and aromatic leaves after a stressful day.

In sunny positions, plant thymes or camomile as a lawn on the approach to your archway or arbour; a fantastic aroma will be released when your feet gently crush the plants.

Arches and arbours are available in a range of materials, with wood and metal being the most popular, both of which I find fit in with my gardening style. In these materials you can

transform them with wood stains or paints to a bright blue, rich red or any colour you fancy!

An arch or an arbour can be constructed from scratch, but there is a wide range of ready-made arbours and kits for both arches and arbours available. If you choose wood, do ensure that it is a wood which is either naturally going to resist decay – western red cedar or a hardwood such as oak would be my preference, followed by Douglas fir or larch. Alternatively you can choose a softwood which has been tanalised or pressuretreated with a wood preservative, which will usually be somewhat cheaper.

By choosing a wooden arch, perhaps with a rounded top and trellis up the sides, you ensure a really good planting space, and this more rustic look fits well in an informal garden. Many wooden arches are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

To find out what’s available, visit several local garden centres or take a look at mail-order products from the numerous arch and arbour websites, which make window shopping even easier!

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com and you’ll find some great gardening items: Nemaslug, ladybirds and other great natural pest controls, stylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, planters, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club?

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

27

Pets

Animal

Know-How Now that we are in the full swing of summer, it is important pets are not forgotten about during hot spells. It can be fatal for animals to overheat and suffer from heatstroke, yet there are many ways it can be avoided by keeping our fury friends cool.

Sadly the most common complaint the RSPCA receives during a heat wave is dogs being left in hot cars. When it is a hot day outside the temperature inside a parked car is almost doubled, and a dog can die of heatstroke within 15 short minutes. If a dog has been spotted left inside a parked car and is in obvious distress, call 999 immediately. The police have the correct authority to free the dog, potentially saving its life.

Another common cause of dogs suffering from heatstroke or heat exhaustion is dog walking during the hottest parts of the day. This, again, can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal, yet easily avoided. On hot summer days, it is best to take dogs on their walks either early morning or late evening, outside the hours of 8am and 8pm when it is coolest, therefore preventing a dog from becoming overheated. A simple test before heading out on a dog walk is feeling the pavement outside. If it is too hot for a bare hand being held for 5 seconds, it is too hot for a dog. It is also best to remember, if it really is too hot, a dog will not die from missing just one dog walk.

There are six main things to look for if a dog is suffering from heatstroke; BRAIN – are they having a seizure; EYES – are they glazed over; BODY – do

they have an extremely high temperature; LEGS – are they staggering or have they collapsed; MOUTH – are they panting or drooling excessively or have they vomited.

If a dog has suspected heatstroke and any of these symptoms have been spotted move the dog somewhere cool, offer small amounts of tepid water, douse with cool (not cold) water and most importantly, contact a vet immediately.

It is not only dogs who suffer in summer heat waves, another common complaint is rabbits in hot hutches. If a rabbit hutch is not properly protected from the sun, just like a dog in a hot car, rabbits can overheat and suffer from heatstroke which can be potentially fatal. Signs of heatstroke in bunnies are reddening of the ears, panting or salivating, slow moving, weak or convulsing. If a rabbit has suspected heatstroke and any of these symptoms are apparent, contact a vet immediately. However there are simple ways to keep rabbits cool to prevent them from overheating. Provide ample shade using sheets or parasols; place cold damp towels over hutch or run roofs; make sure they have plenty of cool, clean water which is replenished regularly; keep ice packs or frozen water bottles inside the hutch or run.

Remember, if you see an animal in distress during hot weather, contact a vet immediately or the RSPCA animal helpline on 0300 1234 999.

Brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk 28

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

III SHIRES PEST CONTROL Call Matthew 07836 754014 / 01480 811330 Control of Wasps, Ants, Bees, Fleas, Bedbugs, Moths, Carpet Beetles, Cockroaches, Rats, Mice, Squirrels and Birds Suppliers of UV Fly Killers CRB Checked and Fully Insured Prompt and Discreet Professional Service Residential - Commercial - Industrial - Agricultural

E: enquiries@3shirespestcontrol.co.uk W: 3shirespestcontrol.co.uk

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

29

30

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Food & Drink

Harissa spiced lamb fillet with

zesty herby couscous All my chefs on the Weekend Kitchen have discerning customers to please. They’ll all say it’s what keeps them on their toes. Happy customers make for successful businesses. Paul Nicholls is one such top chef, and he runs the restaurant at Woburn Golf Club. Feeding hungry golfers who have just shot 15 over par and whose swing has gone to pieces cannot be easy! Luckily Paul is one of life’s chilled-out chefs and he just takes it in his stride. Here’s a lovely, comforting and simple meal – perfect for forgetting about those golfing blues. If your butcher hasn’t got lamb fillets, any cuts will do – you can even use chops, although you won’t be thinning them out with a rolling pin!

Ingredients: 8 lamb fillets, trimmed 2 tbsp harissa paste 250g cous cous 1 lemon, zested and juiced 1 lime, zested and juiced 3 tomatoes, finely diced 1/2 cucumber, finely diced 3 spring onions, chopped 1/2 bunch basil, finely chopped 1/2 bunch coriander, finely chopped 1/2 bunch mint, finely chopped 3 tbsp crème fraiche Salt and pepper Olive oil

Serves 4

1. Take your lamb fillets, pop them between two sheets of greaseproof paper and bash them with a rolling pin or hammer. Spoon over the harissa, mix well and leave to marinade in the fridge overnight.

2. The couscous will benefit from being made the night before too. Take a bowl, pour in the couscous and mix in the lemon and lime zests. Add in a little drizzle of oil and some salt and pepper. Give it all a good mix.

3. Pour in enough boiling water just to cover the couscous and immediately tightly cover the bowl with cling film.

4. Leave the couscous to steam for ten minutes, then gently fork it so it fluffs up. Let it cool a little, then mix through the remaining ingredients and pop it into the fridge to chill.

5. When you are ready to serve, heat a non-stick pan and add in a little oil on a medium heat.

6. Chuck in the fillets and flash fry them for two minutes on either side.

7. Take the fillets out and leave them to rest for a few minutes. Because they are thin, they will be perfectly pink.

8. Slice up the lamb on the diagonal, top the couscous with it and finish with a dollop of crème fraiche.

9. You can finish with some micro herbs or edible flowers for decorative effect.

Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can also join Nick every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

31

Local News

Coming Up...

The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Burghley House, near Stamford, Lincolnshire, is a most grand property of the Elizabethan period. The gardens, too, are superb. The house was built by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, during the mid to late 16th Century. Queen Victoria visited in 1844, as many other noble visitors have, to this day, enjoying the House and the wonderful gardens.

The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials take place, in the grounds of Burghley House, each year. This annual event is one of the six leading events of its kind in the world. Burghley has been holding horse trials here since 1961, when the 6th Marquess of Exeter arranged an event that proved so popular, and grew year on year, to what is now, the very best of international eventing. Thousands of visitors attend the venue, during the days of the horse trials, with much ‘retail therapy’ to be had, too. Clothing, footwear, leather goods, gifts, food and beverages, glassware, sculptures, paintings and beauty products, are just some, from the range of items available. I always allow myself time to visit these very interesting retail exhibitors.

Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country attract a lot of interest, during the days of the event, with intense competition between those taking part. Olympic mounts of the future are judged at these events. The Stallion Parade makes quite a show and the Concours d’ Elégance is very grand. With the presentation of horses and riders, the display rings and the whole site, a lot of praise must go to the ground crew and all involved, as months of planning go into this event, to make it the success it always is.

Different displays and competitions take place on each of the days. It is not necessary to be a complete equine expert to enjoy this event. There is something for everyone and every age, to be found at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. This year’s event is Thursday 05 September to Sunday 08 September 2019.

www.burghley-horse.co.uk www.burghley.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

32

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

33

Pets

District Council Supports

‘Dogs Die in Hot Cars’ Campaign With temperatures set to continue to soar this summer, Huntingdonshire District Council is supporting pet charities’ campaigns to stop owners leaving their dogs in cars with the temporary message ‘Dogs Die in Hot Cars’ appearing in car parks across the district.

The Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign stresses the dangers of leaving dogs alone in vehicles. A threedegree rise in the animal’s body temperature could prove fatal.

Stencilled messages will continue to be added in busy car parks across Huntingdon, St Ives and St Neots reminding people not to gamble with their pet’s life.

Executive Councillor for Operations and Regulation, Marge Beuttell said: “That split-second decision

to leave a dog in the car even for a short while could prove fatal. A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly which is a very dangerous situation for a dog.”

If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, dial 999.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs include: panting heavily, drooling excessively, appearing lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated, vomiting and if the dog has collapsed.

Top tips from the RSPCA for keeping your dogs cool include: • Walk your dog in the early morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler • Tarmac can get very hot in the sun. Try the ‘seven-second test’, if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws

• Make sure your dog has access to shade and plenty of fresh water throughout the day For more information visit the RSPCA’s website for helping a dog in a hot car: https://www.rspca.org. uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/ health/dogsinhotcars

Your Perfect Loft Access and Storage Solution Our services include: Loft Ladders Loft Hatches Insulation Loft Boarding Loft Lighting Balustrades We are a family run business who comply to building regulations, where our fitters are fully insured and all of our work is guaranteed.

Covering Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

01438 211302 info@eastanglianloftladders.co.uk eastanglianloftladders.co.uk 34

Call now for a free, no obligation quotation

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y

EPDM RUBBER ROOFING

• FIRESTONE RUBBER-BOND • 20 YEAR MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY • SUPERIOR DURABILITY • ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY • QUICK INSTALLATION • MAINTENANCE FREE • FLEXIBLE • LICENSED FIRESTONE INSTALLER

0800 046 1080 UP TO 30% OFF IN AUGUST hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

35

Codeword 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

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

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

37

n O s ’ t Wha In August

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month.

What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 August Introduction to Running 9.30-10.30am Wimpole Estate If you would like to have a go at running then come along where we will work together following the Couch to 5K programme. New members are always welcome and there’s no booking required, but if it’s your first time please arrive 10 minutes before the start to register.

4 August Hinxton Watermill Open Day 2.30-5.30pm Mill Lane, Hinxton CambridgePPF Members free, Non-members £3, Children £1. See the mill in action, riverside walk and ‘Where’s Ratty’ game for children. No need to book.

4 & 14 August Comberton Ramblers 10.15am 4 August - BBQ. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 August 10.15am 14 August - Barrington, 4.7 miles.

Connections Bus Meet at Riverside Car Park, Shepreth Road with a 7-9pm Little Paxton Village Hall Car Park visit to the Royal Oak PH in Barrington after the Thursday evenings during the school summer walk. Walks are 5-7 miles, usually ending near a holidays. The bus is a free youth club and is aimed public house. New walkers are welcome to join us at school year 7 and above. Internet access, games with up to 2 free walks. Annual membership £8.50 consoles, Xbox, craft activities, tuck shop and advice. per person. Tel: Stella (Secretary) 01954 210049 The bus is supported by two youth volunteers.

Email: stella.ramblers@hotmail.com Providing facilities for young people is important and Web: www.combertonramblers.org.uk the bus is brought to the village with the financial support of the Parish Council.

5 August Kimbolton WI Open Meeting - Jeepers Creepers 3 August 2.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Art & Craft Fair Tony Hewitt returns bringing his pet reptiles and 9.30am-4pm Free Church Hall, St Ives spiders. Everyone invited but children must be Free admission. Quality handmade art and craft stalls. accompanied by an adult.

3 August St Neots Timebank Coffee Morning 11am-1.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, St Neots Theme will be Strawberries and Cream plus we are holding a table top sale. If interested in having a stall to sell your goods (just £5), please register your name and type of stall with our Coordinator.

Tel: 07590 909057 www.stneotstimebank.org.uk 3 August Simply Saturday 12.30-2.30pm St James Church, Little Paxton For adults of all ages with lunch and various activities available. Tel: Helen Young 01480 216255 Email: young_paxton@ntlworld.com 3 August Roxton Flower Show 3pm Roxton Village Hall Adults £1 Children 50p. Display of vegetables, fruit, flowers, flower arrangements, craft and photography. Prize giving at 4.30pm followed by sale of produce. Email: mary@jackpike.co.uk

5-23 August M.A.D Multi Activity Days Weekdays 9am-5pm Ferry Meadows, Peterborough £37 or £170 for the week. For 8-16 years.

Tel: 01733 234193 Email: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 & 21 August Holiday Bushcraft 8.30am-4pm Wandlebury Country Park Holiday Bushcraft at Wandlebury is designed for children ages 5-12 and is run by experienced, qualified teachers from the outdoor learning experience group, Wild Thyme & Embers. All basic bushcraft techniques suitable for this age range will be taught. Booking essential.

Web: wildthymeandembers.co.uk

5, 12 & 19 August West Hunts Friendship Club 9.30am-3pm Great Staughton Village Hall Meets every Monday except Bank Holidays. We are looking for new members who are retired to join our happy team. Members can participate in a range 3 August of activities, such as music and singing exercises, Bingo -Bar open 7.30, eyes down 8pm quizzes, card and board games as well as enjoying a Buckworth Cricket Club, Church Road, Buckworth, hot meal at lunch time. Transport can be arranged Huntingdon for those who live within a six miles radius of Great Light refreshments and raffle.

Staughton. Tel: Annabelle Blackham 07527741495 Web: www.buckworthcricketclub.co.uk 5, 12 & 19 August 3, 10 & 17 August Oakington Singers Painting and Drawing En Plein Air 7.45-9.30pm Oakington Parish Church 9am-2pm Wandlebury Country Park Oakington Singers invite new Tenors and Basses £60 per day. Connect with the natural beauty of the to join them on Mondays. Their accompanied and local landscape on this unique drawing and painting unaccompanied repertoire includes Rutter Anthems, workshop hosted by professional treescape artist Queen, Folk Songs, Spirituals, international songs Debbie Baxter.Email: debbiebaxterart@yahoo.co.uk and much more! Email: paul.tann@btinternet.com

38

5, 12 & 19 August Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club 6.30-9pm Godmanchester Town Hall £1 for Whist drive inc. tea & biscuits. The club has a lively atmosphere and a wide range of activities.

Monday 6.30-9pm is Whist Drive, Tuesday 2-4pm is Bingo and Friday 1.30-4pm is another opportunity to play Whist. Members also meet on a Saturday morning at 10am for games, chat, tea and biscuits.

Email: johnseal25@virginmedia.com Web: www.godmanchesterseniors.weebly.com 6 August Bingo 7.30 for 8pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Bar, raffle, cake and good prizes.

6, 13 & 20 August St Ives Photographic Club 7pm Free events for budding photographers. Meet club members, practice your photography and ask advice from our experienced club members.

Email: events@stives-photoclub.org.uk Web: www.stives-photoclub.org.uk 7 August Huntingdon and District Branch of the Royal Air Force Association 7.30pm for 8pm First Wednesday of the month.

Tel: Tony Perryman Secretary 01480 465395 Email: rafa.huntingdon1@btinternet.com 7, 14, 21 & 28 August Kimbolton Bridge Club 9.30am-12 noon Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Meets every Wednesday morning to play friendly, social bridge. No partner needed. Just come along or call Vanessa. Tel: Vanessa 01480 453929 7, 14, 21 & 28 August Wednesday Walk 11am-12.30pm Wimpole Estate Join us for a different walk each week, showing off some of the best views, woodland paths and secret seats in and around Wimpole’s parkland. Walks range from 3-5 miles and are often muddy. Experienced Walk Leaders will guide you through the estate, pointing out interesting features in the landscape, wildlife and tantalising snippets of Wimpole’s history.

Guided walk is free but there is a parking charge for non-members.

7, 14, 21 & 28 August Games Club 2-4pm St Neots Library Friendly games afternoon for adults. Make new friends over a board game and a cup of tea!

Donations welcome.

9 August Local Police Surgery 6-8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Held by the St. Neots Community Policing Team. A great opportunity for residents to meet the local Police team and to raise any concerns they may have with officers. Organised by Little Paxton Parish Council.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

n O s ’ t Wha In August

This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com

9 August Friday Night Drinks 7.30-11pm Buckworth Cricket Club, Church Road, Buckworth, Huntingdon Join us at the Club to celebrate the end of the week, have a drink with friends, play pool, darts and skittles and generally relax.

Web: www.buckworthcricketclub.co.uk

14 August Fundraising Coffee Morning 10am-1pm All Saints Church, Market Square, Huntingdon The Hunts Society for the Blind Fundraising Coffee Morning. All welcome to come along and try our delicious homemade cakes, accompanied by a cup of tea and coffee. Craft stalls, tombola and raffle. Every second Wednesday from March-November.

9 August Go Bats at Wandlebury 8.30-10pm Wandlebury Country Park Free entry. A guided walk at dusk to look for bats, use a bat detector and learn more about these fascinating creatures. For ages 9+. Bring a torch and remember it gets cooler after dark. Meet at the noticeboard in the car park.

14 August Acrylic Painting Demonstration by Hashim Akib 7.30-9.30pm Roxton Village Hall £8 inc. complimentary tea and coffee Raffle. Tel: Tickets 01234 870540 Email: margaret.gale@hotmail.com

9 & 10 August WestFest Fri 7.30-11pm, Sat 1-11pm The Royal Oak, Hail Weston Free entry. Music and beer festival held in the pub garden/marquee at The Royal Oak. Web: www.royaloakhailweston.com/westfest 10 August Hemingford Village Market 9am-1pm Parish Centre, Hemingford Grey Second Saturday of the month. An opportunity to buy food, crafts, plants and flowers from small local businesses. Hemingford Grey Parish Council hold a surgery at the market should you wish to meet councillors to discuss local issues.

10 August St Neots & District Gardening Club Golden Jubilee Show Eaton Socon Community Hall Visitors 2pm Members £2, Non-members £2.50 inc. refreshments & raffle ticket. Open to members and non-members of all ages. Schedules and details via email.

Email: peter.walker@stneotsgardenclub.org.uk Web: www.stneotsgardenclub.org.uk 10 & 11 August Grafham and Ellington Art Group Annual Exhibition 10am-5pm Grafham Village Hall Lots of new work, handmade art cards and refreshments available. Refreshments available.

12 & 26 August Nature Tots 10-11.30am Ferry Meadows, Peterborough £3.50. A fun outdoor parent and toddler group. Each session has a nature theme and will include a messy craft activity, time to explore the beautiful outdoors, story and songtime. Age 2+. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk 13 August Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Neots Library £1 per person. Join us for a slice of cake, some conversation and a cup of coffee or tea.

16 August Wild Bedtime Stories with Vital Spark 5-6.30pm Stable Rooms, Wandlebury Country Park £6 per child inc. hot chocolate Wear your pyjamas, dressing gowns, onesies (and probably wellies!); bring your favourite teddy if you wish. Dress for the weather. Booking essential.

Children must be accompanied.

Email: katherine@vitalsparktheatre.org 16 August Mary Poppins Returns (U) 7 for 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Adults £4, Over 60 £3, Under 16 £2 Kimbolton Community Cinema. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets available from Oliver’s, Old Swan Pharmacy, Bytes Café or on the door. Email: jrstratford@hotmail.com Web: http://e-voice.org.uk/ themandevillehallkimbolton/community-cinema 16 August Screen St Ives Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm The Corn Exchange, St Ives A Star Is Born. 2hr 16min, 2018. Cert 15. The timeless story of love, fame and tragedy. It’s a fresh look at a film that’s been remade on three occasions now, each version speaking to its own age. Bring your heart and your tissues, it’s going to be a bumpy ride! Web: www.screenstives.org.uk 17 August St Neots Charity Dragon Boat Race 10am-5pm St Neots Regatta Meadow 18 August Bourn Windmill Open Day and Teas 2-4pm CambridgePPF Members free, Adults £3, Children £1 One of the oldest mills in the country. Guides will show you how the mill works, tell you the history and you can have a go at turning the whole mill on its post. The mill is owned by CambridgePPF and run by dedicated volunteers. Teas and cakes available.

Accessible by car or on footpaths from Bourn. OS grid reference TL 312 580.

Tel: 01223 243830 extension 207 Email: bookings@cambridgeppf.org Web: www.cambridgeppf.org/whats-on

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

20 August Tea & Tablets 2-4pm St Neots Library Need help with your iPad or Android tablet? Join us for a cup of tea and we’ll help you with your device. We can show you how to download books, newspapers, audio books and other useful things!

21 August Free Children’s Activity Sessions 2-4pm QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton Free children’s activities during the school holiday.

Lots of fun activities such as football, short tennis and games. Organised by Huntingdonshire District Council’s Roadshow team. For children aged 7-11.

25 August Open Air Screening: Bohemian Rhapsody 8.15pm The Royal Oak, Hail Weston A free screening of the hit 2018 movie telling the story of the legendary rock band Queen and lead singer Freddy Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid in 1985. The film is a 12A. www. Royaloakhailweston.com/events-new 25 & 26 August St Ives Antiques Fair 10am-4pm Burgess Hall (One Leisure Centre), Westwood Road, St Ives Adults £2.50, Concessions £2, Under 16s free A fun and friendly Antiques Fair with over 50 dealers offering affordable quality antiques and vintage pieces with ample free parking, wheelchair access from street level and on-site catering. Dealers welcome from 9am upon production of business card. Tel: 01480 896866 Email: parkhousepr@aol.com Web: www.stivesantiquesfair.co.uk 28 August Roxtonettes Monthly Music Evenings 7.30pm Roxton Village Hall, High Street, Roxton £2.50 inc. refreshments. Do you enjoy singing or playing a musical instrument? We meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month. 7.30pm onwards for Instrumentalists and 8pm onwards for Singers.

Under the guidance of Eamonn Nicholson-Clinch, we are an informal community singing group.

Tel: Eamonn 07780 954314 or Susie 01234 376098 30 August Engage: Scam Awareness 2-4pm St Neots Library Karen Reid, Community Protection officer, will be discussing the different scams used by criminals and how to protect yourself. Places are limited so please collect a free ticket from the library or call to reserve a place Tel: 0345 045 5225 31 August Live Music & BBQ 3pm-12am Buckden Village Club Tickets £5, children free. Family fun, ice cream, dancing, glitter and music. Maximum 200 tickets. In aid of Parkinson’s UK. Email: lucie.clough@hotmail.co.uk

39

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

Call today 07877742420 or 01480 437511 Email: g.bbuilders@yahoo.co.uk

40

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Crossword Solution for The Villager July Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mr T Bolton from Alconbury Bickerdikes Competition Winner - Mrs Jean Charter from Biggleswade

July’s Codeword and Suduko Solutions

Easy

Hard

Advertising in The Villager is easy.

To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

41

The Villager Prize Crossword

Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before

16th Aug 2019 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Cut short (4) 3 Adversary (8) 9 Error (7) 10 Board game (5) 11 Very eager (12) 13 Informal (6) 15 Small piece of food (6) 17 Books giving meanings of words (12) 20 Relating to the moon (5) 21 Absence of sound (7) 22 Moving very fast (8) 23 Spheres (4) Down 1 Business (8) 2 Start of (5) 4 Written in rhyme (6) 5 Now and then (12) 6 Protect the eyes (7) 7 Throw (4) 8 Produced (12) 12 Small bunches or groups (8) 14 Physics or chemistry (7) 16 Untie (6) 18 Lying within (5) 19 Add to (4)

Name: Tel:



Address:

42

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

43

Books

Book Review

By Kate Duggan

Little Darlings

by Melanie Golding

The Perfect Wife

by JP Delaney

Vegan One Pound Meals

by Miguel Barclay

Cleaning the Gold

by Karin Slaughter and Lee Child

Lauren is convinced someone is planning to abduct her newborn twins, so when they go missing it seems her fears were justified. But when the twins are found, Lauren is convinced they’re not hers. Have they been swapped for changelings like she believes, or is Lauren suffering from post-partum psychosis? Is she the only one who can save the babies, or is she the one who’s putting them in danger? A chilling page-turner that keeps you guessing.

This book proves that vegan food can be as delicious, easy and inexpensive as it is healthy. There are twists on classic dishes, such as ‘artichoke paella’, ‘cashew pesto pasta’ and ‘tomato tarte tatin’, along with plenty of original dishes, such as ‘kimchi tacos’ and ‘sticky aubergine bao’. Most only use a handful of ingredients and all work out at around £1 per portion. Recipes are easy to follow and each is accompanied by a mouth-watering image.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

by Heather Morris

Looking for a quick read? This collaboration between bestselling writers Karin Slaughter and Lee Child is just 80 pages long. It brings together two of their best-known characters – Jack Reacher and Will Trent. Will is undercover investigating Jack when they realise there are bigger fish to fry. A perfect slice of fast-paced action to enjoy while you’re waiting for your flight.

The Farm

by Joanne Ramos

If you haven’t yet read the biography of Lale Sokolov, summer could be the perfect time as you’ll want the time to digest this book in peace. Lale was imprisoned in Auschwitz from 1942 and put to work tattooing the other prisoners. During his time at Auschwitz, Lale witnessed both the brutality of the human race, and its appetite for kindness, self-sacrifice and hope. While The Tattooist of Auschwitz is at times harrowing, it is also a love story. A must-read.

44

Abbie wakes in a hospital bed to discover everything she thinks she knows to be true is wrong. She’s an AI who’s been created by her tech genius husband using memories of the real Abbie, who died five years before. As she struggles to come to terms with her life, Abbie starts to question everything she’s been told. But when she has no rights, who can she trust? Suspense, twists and moral quandaries abound in this skilful thriller.

Golden Oaks farm doesn’t grow tomatoes, wheat or potatoes. It grows babies. The surrogate mothers (Hosts) are paid to incubate their rich clients’ embryos. While at Golden Oaks, they have to adhere to strict rules, from giving up their phones to following a diet. The Farm is told from the viewpoint of four women: Jane and Reagan are two of the hosts, while Mae is the brains behind the lucrative business. Ate is Jane’s cousin. The Farm is thoughtprovoking and topical, and a fantastic page-turner.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

45

Removals, Delivery & Storage For All Your Storage, Delivery and Removal Requirements Based in Alconbury Weston Freephone - 0800 689 0894

Use your local removal company

Tony Webb - 07850 293540 Lee Eastlake - 07906 072096 www.move-plus-safe.co.uk

From just £35.00 per month plus VAT

Call Nigel on 01767 261122 for more information

N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y

WALL COATING

ALL REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN BREATHABLE COATINGS WEATHER PROOF SMOOTH OR TEXTURED SELF CLEANING PROTECTS YOUR WALLS CLEAN & TIDY INSTALLATION SUITABLE FOR MASONRY OR RENDER • COLOUR MATCH AVAILABLE • 10 YEAR GUARANTEE • • • • • • • •

Before After

0800 046 1080 UP TO 30% OFF IN AUGUST hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk 46

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

USEFUL NUMBERS

VILLAGER The

and Town

Life

Alcoholics Anonymous..............................0845 769 7555 Al-Anon Family Groups..............................0800 008 6811 Anglian Water............................................08457 145 145 Addenbrooks Hospital............................... 01223 245151 Papworth Hospital..................................... 01480 830541 Benefits for people with Disabilities...........0800 882 200 Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue............... 01480 444500 Carers Line..................................................0808 808 7777 ChildLine...........................................................0800 1111 Citizens Advice...........................................0344 245 1292 Cocaine Anonymous..................................0800 689 4732 Crimestoppers..............................................0800 555 111

Bringing Local Business to Local People Your local full colour A5 monthly magazine delivered free of charge to 1000s of homes and businesses in your local area.

The Villager and Town Life is dedicated to promoting local businesses, charities, community groups and everything else in your local area.

Cruse Bereavement Care............................0333 252 9152 Floodline....................................................0845 988 1188 Frank—Drug Advisory................................0800 776 600 National Debt Line.....................................0808 808 4000 Gas Emergency............................................0800 111 999 NHS Direct.........................................................0845 4647 National Rail Enquiries..............................03457 48 49 50 Non Emergency Police Line.........................................101 NSPCC.........................................................0808 800 5000 Relate..........................................................0845 48 49 50 RSPCA Cruelty Line....................................0300 1234 999 Samaritans............................................................116 123 Tax Credit Helpline.....................................0345 300 3900 Victim Support..........................................0845 30 30 900

For more information or to reserve your space please contact Nigel on:

Tel: 01767 261122

Email: nigel@villagermag.com Web: www.villagermag.com

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

47