VILLAGER The
Issue 95 - February 2020
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
In this issue The History of
Valentine’s Day Win a pair of
Bluesky Sunglasses 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
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Inside this issue... Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.................................... 31 Games Without Frontiers........................................... 33 Stand Aside, Standby. You Aren’t Needed!................. 34 Puzzle Page............................................................... 36 What’s On in February............................................... 38 Prize Crossword - Win £25.............................. 42 Book Review............................................................. 44 Useful Numbers........................................................ 47
East Anglian Air Ambulance
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The History of Valentine’s day...................................... 4 Avignon...................................................................... 8 Wine: Mixed Matters................................................. 10 Win a Pair of Bluesky Sunglasses.................... 12 East Anglian Air Ambulance...................................... 15 Cancer Research Race for Life.................................... 16 The Sweater Edit....................................................... 20 Planning to Retire?.................................................... 22 Garden View - The Game of Two Halves..................... 27 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal......................................... 28
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Champagne and Raspberry Possets with Shortbread Biscuits
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, Rachael Leverton, Nick Coffer, Robert Grant and Kate Duggan
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Valentina Gabdrakipova 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.
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History
Valentine’s Day Why do we exchange cards, flowers and gifts with our loved ones on 14th February when the day’s patron saint was a Christian martyr? The origins of St Valentine’s Day are said to have begun as early as the third century although, as is the case with many of our modern celebrations, it is also likely to have been influenced by the Romans. Their fertility feast of Lupercalia took place on 15th February and consisted of themes and rituals that were centred around coupling and new birth. But who was the original St Valentine? In fact, no one is entirely sure. Valentine or Valentinus was a popular name in Rome and there are at least three Catholic saints known as Valentine who have been venerated over the centuries. Any one of them could have been responsible for having the Feast of St Valentine named after him when, in 496 AD, Pope Gelasius replaced Lupercalia with a Christian festival held on 14th February. Probably the most attractive theory is that St Valentine was a Christian priest in the third century who defied Emperor Claudius II’s edict that no Roman soldiers could marry as it
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weakened their commitment to Rome. Valentine began performing secret wedding ceremonies for young lovers and is said to have given the couple cut-out hearts made from parchment to symbolise both romantic love and agape (the love of God) – echoing the Valentine’s card. The priest was also said to have worn a purple amethyst ring, the stone being a symbol of love that later became the birthstone of February. Eventually Valentine was captured, beheaded (allegedly on 14th February) and buried under a Roman road. He was later canonised. It is also thought that St Valentine’s Day may have come to be associated with love and romance due to a Norman celebration that took place around the same time of year known as Galatin’s Day, meaning ‘a gallant’ or lover. Galatin also sounds a lot like Valentine so it’s easy to see how the two could have possibly become confused. The link between Valentine’s Day and romance was solidified in the late 1300s with Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem Parliament of Foules (Fowls), said
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to have been written in honour of King Richard II’s betrothal to Anne of Bohemia. It contains the lines: “…For this was on seynt Volantynys day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.” (For this was on St Valentine’s Day when every bird comes there to choose his mate.) Chaucer was a very influential writer of the time. Following this, a Charter of the Court of Love was allegedly issued by King Charles VI of France in 1400. It was the first time St Valentine’s Day had been officially associated with courtly love, and by the 1400s it had become traditional for noblemen to write romantic poems to their love interest or ‘Valentine’. The oldest known Valentine still in existence is a poem entitled Farewell to Love written in French by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following capture at the Battle of Agincourt. It currently resides in the British Library. The earliest surviving English example occurs in a letter written in 1477 by Margary Brewes to her future husband John Paxton, where she refers to him as ‘my right wellbeloved Valentine’. St Valentine’s Day was clearly established as a day for lovers by 1600 when Shakespeare referred to it in Hamlet during a speech by Ophelia. “…Tomorrow is St Valentine’s Day, all in the morning betime, and I a maid at your window, to be your Valentine.” By the eighteenth century, handmade Valentine’s
cards had become popular and were very elaborate with flowers, ribbons and lace. They would often feature Cupid (whose name means ‘desire’), the mischievous winged son of Venus, Roman goddess of love. He also appeared in much romantic verse as the bringer of often unrequited love – hence a missive was necessary to let the object of your desire know of your affections! With their sentimental notion of romance and the language of flowers, the Victorians elevated Valentine’s Day to the popular celebration it has become today. In 1858, The London Journal wrote of St Valentine’s Day that it was both “natural and proper that at the start of spring the predominating sentiment in the human mind should be the sentiment of love; and to this accordingly the anniversary of our saint is directed.”
By Catherine Rose 6
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Travel
Avignon By Solange Hando
Near the confluence of the Durance and the Rhône on its way to the Mediterranean, Avignon has long enjoyed a privileged location. In 1309, the Popes settled here for political reasons. They remained for almost 100 years, building the city walls and the imposing palace that dominates the skyline to this day. From the old Romanesque fortress to the new building in Gothic style, the ‘Palais des Papes’ is a dazzling display of limestone walls and turrets, guarded by the golden statue of Our Lady of the Doms atop the Mother Church. It’s a steady climb to the ‘Rochers des Doms’ above the palace but worth it for its shaded gardens and fabulous views over the city on one side and the river on the other. In Avignon, the Rhône splits to encircle the Barthelasse, one of the largest river islands in Europe. It is now a protected area – no new buildings are allowed – with recreational facilities and farmland rich in vegetables and fruit. There is a modern bridge but the free river shuttle ferries you across in minutes. You can stroll or cycle along the towpath, picnic under the trees, look out for beavers, herons or cormorants and gaze at the city across the water and the legendary Pont d’ Avignon, listed by UNESCO as part of the historic centre. The old bridge stops halfway across the river so dancing (as in the song) is not recommended but you can walk to the end past the chapel that once held the relics of St Bénezet, the shepherd inspired by divine voices to build
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the first bridge, later damaged by war and floods. Today the Rhône has been tamed, inviting visitors to relax on a leisurely cruise before returning to the bustling city. There’s much to explore in town, from the old convents and churches to the museums, from the secluded squares to the popular Place de l’Horloge or the Place Pie with its vertical garden and covered market where a ‘cafetier’ will cook your own produce for lunch for the price of a drink. There are grand bourgeois houses west of the main street, hidden squares and cobbled lanes to the east, such as the picturesque dyers’ street, a favourite place to chill out during the world-famous Festival of Performing Arts held every summer. Meanwhile craft shops beckon with fragrant herbs and lavender products, while al fresco restaurants serve beef medallions and ratatouille with a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These illustrious vineyards are on the city’s doorstep, spreading luminous green below the vestiges of the Pope’s Summer Palace. Meanwhile the beautiful hills and villages of Luberon beckon just to the east, or one can head north to Orange, a pretty town with pastel-hued façades and balconies, a single nave cathedral, a Provençal market and two impressive Roman monuments. Both are world heritage sites, a 20 metre high Triumphal Arch with ornate sculptures and a Roman Theatre claiming one of the best preserved stage walls in the world.
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Food and Drink
Wine: Mixed Matters Red, white or in between, dry, medium, sweet, sparkling, there is a wealth of numerous wines available, with something to please and satisfy all tastes and palates. I searched for wines which have wide appeal and accompany a lot of cuisine admirably, as well as having the ability to be enjoyed on their own.
Extra Special Syrah-Lolol - Colchagua Costa (Chile) is a very popular red wine. This rich production has an abundance of dark fruits to please the nasal senses and to entice the continuing pleasure of flavours on to the mouth’s delight. Fantastic to pair with red meats, roast dinners and a lot of cuisine. Feteasca Regala (Wine Atlas), from Romania, is a superb white wine that pleases many. The grape is also known as Royal Maiden and the resultant wine complements salads and stir-fry cuisine, etc. The flavours of ripe, tropical fruits, combine splendidly with the refreshing mouthfeel and palate sensation. Extra Special Chablis La Lavee (France) is a classic, dry example and with refreshing citrus fruit flavours makes a great accompaniment to fish and seafood dishes, particularly. Extra Special Sauvignon Blanc - Bordeaux (France) is another white wine classic. Again, refreshing, crisp and fruity, this is from a region renowned for powerful, high-quality, red productions. However, white wines, from the Bordeaux area, are now becoming well known. With fish, seafood and white meats, this is a great wine and a good talking point – a white from Bordeaux! Extra Special Sangiovese Rose - King Valley (Australia) is often chosen for a ‘pink’ production. Dry and refreshing is how I would describe this wine. The red fruit flavours of summer berries are delightful. Seafood and pasta are regular pairings for this wine. Pendium Moscato Spumante (Italy) is a favourite, for numerous lovers of a ‘sparkler’. Lower in alcohol content than most wines, this appeals, for that reason and also for turning a family or social gathering into an occasion. Splendid for pre dining and utilised a lot for events. I located these wines at an Asda store. Offering excellent value and award-winning productions, I found very impressive wines – something for everyone and every occasion – plus good advice on pairings with food. www.asda.com/wine
As always, Enjoy!
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ey Trevor Langl
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Looking for a new golfing challenge?
John O’Gaunt Golf Club Join us at our Membership Open Day
on Saturday 29th February 2020 Try John O’Gaunt Golf Club – you will be surprised! Come along to our Membership Open Day on Saturday 29 February and see what we have to offer: • 2 magnificent courses ranked 1st & 8th in the County • England Golf Championship Venue • Excellent practice and coaching facilities and opportunities led by Lee Scarbrow, one of the country’s top coaches • Wonderful clubhouse with first class Food and Beverage offerings
All this for less than £31 a week for Full Membership (which includes the Joining Fee, payable over 5 years) Here’s your chance to discover the outstanding value for money John O’Gaunt Golf Club offers golfers of all ages and ability: • Complimentary drink on arrival • Presentation and tour of our facilities • 9-hole golf competition • Prizes to be won and Special Offers to be had!
Spaces are limited – please book in advance by emailing: gordon@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk Can’t make our Open Day…don’t panic! Email gordon@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk to receive a voucher for a round at the members guest rate of £30 weekday/£35 weekend to be used by the end of February 2020.
Sutton Park, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2LY Tel: 01767 260360 www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk 14
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Local News
East Anglian Air Ambulance East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is an incredible community-funded service in Cambridgeshire and here at The Villager, we are proud to announce that we have chosen to support this lifesaving charity as our charity of the year in 2020. We will be bringing you regular features to learn more about the team at EAAA and all the amazing work they do, as well all the different ways that you can get involved and support the air ambulance. You may not be aware, but over the last year (2018 / 2019), between its two bases and two helicopters (Norwich and Cambridge) the East Anglian Air Ambulance was tasked 1,798 times by helicopter, 1,023 times by rapid response vehicle and attended 1,664 patients in total. Of these patients there were 480 cardiac arrests, 355 road traffic collisions, 256 accidental injuries, 340 medical emergencies, 73 intentional self-harm incidents, 70 sporting incidents and 54 assault patients in the region. On top of this, the charity is striving ahead to become the first air ambulance in the East of England to fly 24/7. EAAA is already incredibly well equipped to fly in the hours of darkness, landing at unlit sites, however they currently only fly until 1:30am in the morning, coming back online by helicopter at 7am. This means there is a five and a half hour gap in the region where there is no helicopter coverage if needed. EAAA Strongly believe the time of day should not dictate the type of emergency medical care available to you, and are passionate about raising an additional £1 million a year in order to fund the extra flying hours to provide a 24/7 helicopter emergency medical service.
Barbara McGee, Fundraising Manager for Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, said: “The level of care our medical teams provide is absolutely outstanding and with the helicopter they can reach anywhere in East Anglia in 25 mins, taking the hospital to the patient and getting that patient the care they need as quickly as possible. “We’re passionate about being able to provide this service, by helicopter, 24 hours a day and estimate that by doing so we could help hundreds more patients each year, which would be amazing. But we can only do this by raising more money, so we’re incredibly grateful to all of the support we get from the community – and to Charity of the Year partnerships such as this one – which help us to be there for our patients. So please come to one of our events, play our lottery, play our raffle, volunteer for us - anything at all that you can do to help us will make a huge difference to our work.” Find out more at www.eaaa.org.uk/get-invovled
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Local News
30% OFF ENTRY in January with CODE RFLJAN30
Everyone is welcome at the race for life Cambridge and Stevenage This January, everyone is invited to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Cambridge and Stevenage. The charity’s much-loved events are returning but are no longer restricted to female participants. This means everybody can be part of the empowering Race for Life movement – and show support for the 35,000 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the East of England. Anyone who signs up in January can claim a special 30% off the entry fee* by using the code RFLJAN30. The Race for Life events take place at Jesus Green and Fairlands Valley Park on Sunday, July 5 and are open to people of all ages and abilities. Annie Ashwell, Cancer Research UK’s Event Manager for Hertfordshire, said: “This year, our Race for Life events are open to everyone. “We’re sending a heart-felt message to anybody who’s thought about signing up in the past but for one reason or another hasn’t got round to it. This is your year – please seize the opportunity to register in January and become part of the Race for Life community. She added: “Our events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting. Participants take part at their own pace – taking as much time as they like to complete the course. For some people, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. For others, it’s a jog or a run. “Although ‘Race’ features in the name, our events are not competitive. Instead, ‘the Race for Life’ is about
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our doctors, nurses and scientists working as hard and fast as possible to help more people survive.” Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5k & 10k events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. Annie continued: “This January, we’re urging mums, dads, nans, grandpas, brothers, sisters, friends and workmates to show their support by joining the Race for Life. It’s a perfect example of everyday people doing an extraordinary thing – uniting in a common cause to beat cancer.” Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research. That’s why money raised through the Race for Life events is vital. It funds world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia. Annie said: “The Race for Life is a powerful, inspirational movement which unites participants in Cambridge and Stevenage with people across the East of England and the whole of the UK. “People get together and remember loved ones lost or celebrate the lives of those who have survived. At the same time, they are helping to make a difference to people with the disease, right now. “Please go to the Race for Life website, choose an event, and sign up today.” To enter, visit raceforlife.org
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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
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Local News
Volunteers Needed to Listen to Children Read in Local Primary Schools Can you spare an hour or two a week to listen to children read in a local primary school? Schoolreaders is looking for more volunteers in Cambridgeshire to carry out this important role. Reading time for many children at home and at school is often insufficient and one in four children are now leaving primary school unable to read to the required standard. This can have a lifelong consequence. No qualifications are necessary, just a good command of spoken and written English. Schoolreaders is flexible and will match your availability to an appropriate, local school. Our volunteers find the scheme incredibly rewarding, knowing that a few hours helping a child learn to read each week can have such a great impact on their life chances. Please visit the website www.schoolreaders.org to join or call 01234 924111 for further information. Charity Number: 1159157
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House of Colour
The Sweater Edit
In the winter we are greeted by mother nature with ice-grey skies and frosty mornings, which means snuggling up in cosy knitwear is a must, so here are our ten top style tips for this season’s knitwear. 1) Look out for strong, distinctive colours in your seasonal palette and be colour confident. Jumpers and cardigans are a great way to give your look a colour boost and if you get it right, because the colours are close to your face, they will give you a radiant complexion and brightness to your eyes. Choose colours that don’t suit you and you will look drained. Make sure you know if you suit rich, earthy colours; warm, clear hues; cool bright colours; or cool, subtle tones. 2) Mélange knitwear is in all the shops, many with a twist of two or more colours. Look out for knitwear in one of your favourite wow colours with neutral harmonising colours, great for Autumns and summers or a bold contrasting colour from your colour palette, fantastic for Springs and Winters to really stand out. Alternatively let a scarf in your colours lift your knitwear look. 3) Know what style suits you from the length to the neckline to belted or not, from cosy shearing to wool capes to tailored belted coatigans, we have never had more choice. Check which length and style suit your body shape. Consider changing buttons as this kind of detail can make all the difference in showing our style and character. 4) Explore the huge variety of textures and materials to choose from this season from features to faux fur to cashmere and velvet. 5) Retro Fair Isle and Argyle patterns are in and look cosy and chic paired with a sleek skirt and boots or perfectly proportioned trousers if they suit your style personality. 6) Exaggerated sleeves are, excuse the pun, huge this season. Curved and billowy, feathered and textured, or chunky knit; they make a big statement, but are best for those with Natural or Dramatic in their style. Have fun standing out. 7) Jumper or cardigan - which suits you best? Belted cardigans are flattering for hourglass figures because they show off the small waist. Pear-shapes suit shorter jumpers, rather than longer ones finishing across the hips. 8) A coatigan is lovely for those milder, in-between days or to pop on in the office if you feel chilly.
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Snug yet stylish coatigans on the right body architecture are extremely flattering. They can be worn oversized for the tall and pulled in at the waist to flatter an hourglass figure. 9) Invest in sumptuous cashmere because it is now the modern autumn and winter musthaves; sustainable, wearable and durable, and an excellent investment with longevity in mind. Cashmere is around eight times warmer than sheep’s wool. Cashmere comes in a much wider choice of styles, sizes, patterns and beautiful colour selections than ever before. Look out for cashmere blends for smaller budgets. 10) Buy a blanket scarf or wrap to update your winter wardrobe – Update a classic or neutral jumper with a chunky wrap with a fur collar or soft blanket scarf in a striking wow colour. There is something for everyone from tiger orange, sleek pistachio green to burgundy or vibrant pinks. Capes are a big style trend this season for a bourgeois French look. Perfect, if you are tall, with a rectangle frame, plus capes are so comfortable. By Jennie Billings, Colour and Style Consultant, House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings e:jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk
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Bliss Beauty Salon
65 High Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3DN (01480) 456223
SPECIAL OFFER
3 for 2 on all treatments throughout January
OPENING TIMES Monday: 9am – 6pm Tuesday: 9am – 8pm Wednesday: 9am – 8pm Thursday: 9am – 8pm Friday: 9am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 3pm Sunday: Closed
www.blissbeautysalonltd.co.uk See our Facebook page for all our special offers! CANCELLATION NOTICE Please note we require 24 hours notice for cancellation on all treatments.
We’re passionate about
fulfilling residents’
lives
At Field Lodge, we offer residential, nursing and respite care, and all-round support to make things easier.
To find out more about living at Field Lodge, call us on 01480 878405 or visit careuk.com/field-lodge
Field Lodge care home London Road, St Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5EX (Sat nav. PE27 5EZ) careuk.com/field-lodge To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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Finance
Planning to retire?
Here’s a checklist of the essentials If you’re thinking of retiring in the next few years it’s a good idea to organise your finances well ahead of time, so you can consider some of the big issues without feeling too much pressure. So what steps can you take to prepare? Here are a few questions to think about and issues to consider that could help you enter retirement with greater financially stability, ready to enjoy this new and exciting stage of life. How much income will you have? When calculating your potential income you should include your state pension, occupational pension(s), and any savings and investments you hold. You can request the latest figures in writing from your pension provider, bank, building society, and investment companies with which you have an interest. Find out about the state pension As far as your state pension is concerned, you can request a pension forecast from the gov.uk website. When the time comes to retire you’ll need to proactively claim your state pension as it’s not paid automatically unless you receive certain benefits. Check your workplace pension Your workplace pension provider should have sent annual statements over the years showing your accrued pension at the time, plus a forecast of how much your pension might be when you retire. If you can’t find your latest statement, you’ll be able to obtain one by contacting your pension provider. Check for old and forgotten pensions If you’ve changed employers a few times during your career, you might have one or more ‘forgotten’ pensions. You can find out by contacting the Pension Tracing Service – it’s government-run and free to use.
Will you have enough money to support your desired lifestyle in retirement? When you are still working it can be difficult to envisage life in retirement, and easy to underestimate how much you will need. Online pension calculators can help you get an idea of whether you’ll have enough money, however – you’ll just need a few facts and figures to hand. What to do with your pension Depending on your provider you may be able to use your pension in different ways, including: • Taking some or all as a cash lump sum (this has significant tax implications). • Purchasing an annuity. • Using income drawdown, which allows you to withdraw a sum from your pension and invest it in a different product for an income. • A combination of these options. • Leaving your pension alone, and not withdrawing any money for now. The pension freedoms that were introduced by the government in 2015 mean you now have far more choice in how you use your pension. It’s even more important, therefore, to obtain reliable professional advice before deciding how to proceed. With so many people falling foul of pension scams these days, finding specialist advice you can trust is vital – it ensures you don’t lose your hard-earned money, and helps you enjoy a fulfilling and active life in retirement. www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/ checklist-things-to-do-as-retirement-approaches www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/worklearning/retirement/ www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/aboutpensions/the-state-pension/claiming-statepension
By Ann Haldon
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h TecT ip
Too Good To Be True
If you use social media, particularly Facebook, you’re probably seeing lots of adverts for things that seem incredibly cheap: dresses at a fraction of the high street cost, mountain bikes for much less than local retailers charge, guitars going for a song. Are the deals too good to be true?
Some are very obvious scams: you won’t get a £500 product for £50 from any reputable retailer, let alone an unknown with an amateurish website. But even reputable advertisers should be approached with caution if they’re outside the EU. If they are, your purchase isn’t covered by consumer protection legislation such as the Distance Selling regulations. Always check the small print, be sure who you’re buying from, pay with your credit card and trust your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t spend your money.
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Garden View
By Rachael Leverton
A game of two halves For me February is where the gardening year begins...twice! First - Reaping last year’s rewards: If you were industrious in the autumn, you could now be benefiting from a lovely display of snowdrops (Gallanthus) and Irises. My favourite snowdrops are G ‘Atkinsii’, which are tall with long, graceful flowers and G. nivalis ‘Viridapicis’ with sweet, green tipped flowers. It’s said they’re best planted ‘in the green’ in Spring but I’ve had lots of success with packaged bulbs planted in the autumn so they’re definitely worth trying. As for irises, the deep blue Iris ‘Joyce’ is hard to beat especially on my poor, free draining soil. I planted a witch hazel as soon as we moved into our present house; Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’. I can’t live without fragrance in my garden and at this bare, drab time of year the wonderfully scented pale-yellow flowers lift my spirits. I discovered we’d inherited an evergreen Clematis (C. armandii). I’d never grown it before but it’s worth seeking out. It needs a warm wall or fence and well-drained soil then rewards you by being
frost-hardy and producing lovely creamy, scented flowers at this time of year. Second - Planning this year’s display Perhaps you didn’t manage to plan ahead last year. But don’t panic; the beauty of gardening is that the seasons keep rolling round so make sure you use February to ensure your summer display is top notch. February is definitely the month to start sowing seeds. Fill pots or seed trays with seed compost then firm and level the surface. Sprinkle seeds on to the surface of the compost then cover with a layer of fine grit. Water well with a fine spray. Cover with clear plastic (a polythene bag will do nicely) and remove it once the seeds germinate. Learn from my mistake one year and don’t forget to label the pots! Potting up summer bulbs is generally left until late spring, but I always pot up one or two pots in February. It allows them to get established and provides a nice early display for my patio.
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Happy Gardening! 27
Pets
Rehoming Appeal Bobbi
Bobbi is a 19 month old cross-breed boy who is looking for his forever home. He is a very loving dog who can be very wary of strangers and will try to protect his owners from anybody he does not know, so we think a quiet home with few visitors would be ideal for him. We also think an adult only home with no children would be preferable, but Bobbi would be able to live with another dog. If you can offer this lovely boy a home, please contact Julie on 01763 289827. View other dogs, cats and small mammals currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity. You can also see photographs and details of the animals in our care in our charity shop in Hitchin Street, Biggleswade SG18 8AX. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.
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Food & Drink
Champagne and Raspberry Possets with Shortbread Biscuits For the heart shaped Munchy shortbread biscuits: Ingredients 200 g butter or margarine (can be dairy-free) 1 tsp vanilla essence 100 g caster sugar 300 g plain flour sifted Munchy Seeds (Honey Roasted Seeds or Warm Cinnamon Seeds) 1. Cream the butter, vanilla and sugar together. Stir in the flour and mix into a dough. Add the Munchy Seeds and blend into the dough. Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 160ºC/140ºC (fan) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. 3. Once the dough is chilled, roll out to approximately ½ cm thick and cut into hearts using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. 4. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
For the Champagne and Raspberry Possets Ingredients 140g frozen raspberries, defrosted 2 tbsps Champagne 200ml double cream 4 tbsps golden caster sugar Freeze dried raspberries, to decorate 1. Put the raspberries and Champagne in a mini food processor or blender (or use a jug and a hand blender). Whizz until the purée is as smooth as you can get it, then use a wooden spoon or spatula to push as much of it through a sieve as you can. Discard the seeds left behind. 2. Put the cream and sugar in a saucepan and warm gently until the sugar melts. Increase the heat until just boiling, then boil vigorously for 2½ minutes, stirring constantly. 3. Turn off the heat and stir in the raspberryChampagne purée. Cool for 15 mins before dividing between 2 small pots or glasses. Chill for 30 mins, then sprinkle over the freeze-dried raspberry pieces and chill for at least 2 hours or more until set. 4. To serve, remove the possets from the fridge and serve with Munchy Seeds heart-shaped shortbread biscuits.
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.
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Gaming
By Robert Grant
Games Without Frontiers
The future is online gaming Almost everyone plays computer games. On phones, tablets, computers and consoles the current generation tap away for hours on end. But all this comes at a cost. New games always push consoles and computers to their limits so you end up in a never-ending process of upgrading your hardware just so you can keep up with the latest titles. There are four versions of the PlayStation, endless Xboxes and a vast array of different Nintendo boxes all slowly going out of date, and eventually disappearing into the attic to gather dust. But what if you never had to buy another console again? What if all you needed was any device that could connect to the Internet with enough power to play a YouTube video? Well that’s the vision for Google’s latest cloud gaming service, Google Stadia. “Cloud gaming?” I hear you ask. Come closer my friend. Basically, you use any internet-capable device to connect to the gaming service - phone, tablet, laptop, etc. This becomes your screen for viewing and your gamepad for controlling the game. The actual game runs on the gaming service computers in a datacentre in the cloud. Your device streams a video of the game which you control using your local game controller or other input device. There’s no longer any need for you to own a high-end gaming PC. All that expense is taken care of by Google Stadia. This is not a new idea. OnLive launched a cloud-
based service about 10 years ago offering essentially the same deal. They had a good range of games and the whole system worked extremely well… if you had a reliably fast broadband connection! At the time people found that delays between pressing buttons and the game responding made the system unplayable much of the time. OnLive eventually petered out after a few years. But the concept was sound and now Google has brought its technical power to the problem. Along with far superior household broadband connections, Google’s extensive range of datacentres throughout around the world can provide up to 4K game play with almost zero lag on the controllers. The service costs a monthly subscription fee for access to the game servers on top of which you’ll need to buy your games. These games can then be played on any of your compatible devices, or you can buy one of Google’s custom controllers that will connect wirelessly to your TV to turn it into a games centre. A ‘free’ service should also be launching in the first half of this year which will probably offer a range of slightly older titles for anyone to play - note that this will be free games, not free subscription, which you’ll still need to pay! New game titles are being added all the time so check out the Stadia website for the current library. If the kids are pestering for a computer upgrade because the latest FIFA is glitching out, this service might be just what you need.
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Environment
Stand Aside, Standby. You aren’t needed
Comedian Michael McIntyre made fun of us all by pointing out that we often shut down appliances before going on holiday for safety reasons. Except the fridge because “we trust the fridge”. He has a point on the safety aspect, but we should also be considering the environmental one, and not just when we are on holiday. Leaving your devices on standby means you are spending good money warming the planet. Whilst switching a fridge off doesn’t make sense, here are a few things that do: According to MoneySuperMarket, the biggest standby power users are TVs, TV boxes (e.g. Sky/Virgin) and multiroom speakers. Chances are you only actually use them evening and weekends so waiting 60 seconds for them to restart isn’t much of a sacrifice. When you unplug your mobile phone after charging it, the charger is still using tiny amounts. When you multiply that by the number of people in the house, it’s not so tiny. So switch it off at the wall when you aren’t using it. Your router is something you want to have available pretty much all the time. But if you are going on two weeks holiday, a little holiday of its own won’t hurt. It’s quicker to put your PC on standby than to shut it down, but we are only saving seconds here. And we all know that it sometimes your PC wakes up, all by itself. There’s a device not to be trusted!
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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
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n O s ’ t Wha In February
Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com
1 February Saturday Workshops St Ives Adult Learning workshops including baking, Malaysian/Indian cookery, art, reflexology, calligraphy, digital photography, dieting mindset and fused glass jewellery. Tel: 01480 495717 Web: www.aclearning.org.uk 1 February Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church Hall, St Ives Free entry. Quality handmade art and craft stalls.
4 February Hail Weston Wildlife and Gardening Group 7.30pm Hail Weston Village Hall Members £1, Non-members £2. Informative talk about the National Trust’s garden at Wimpole. New members and visitors are welcome to join us. The cost of membership is just £7 per year. Raffle. Email: Liz Bacon lizbacon187@gmail.com
4, 11, 18 & 25 February Men’s Shed 1.30-2.30pm Arthur’s Shed, Arthur Rank Hospice, Cherry Hinton Road, Shelford Bottom Free - £5 suggested donation. An informal drop in choir, no previous experience required. Open to all. Tel: 01223 675777 Web: www.arhc.org.uk/arthurs-shed.asp
1 February St Neots Timebank Coffee Morning 11am-1pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Walk, St Neots Table top sale. Refreshments provided and a very warm welcome. Come and find out more about what St Neots Timebank can do for you. 4, 11, 18 & 25 February Tel: Table bookings 07590 909057 St Neots & District Camera Club 7.15 for 7.30pm Web: www.stneotstimebank.org.uk St Neots Bowling Club (beside the tennis courts) Free entry. Come along and join us. Everyone is 1 February welcome, no experience is necessary. All you need is Simply Saturday an interest in photography. 12.30-2.30pm St James Church, Little Paxton Web: www.stneots-camera-club.org.uk ‘Essential Oils & Massage’ with Sarah Symonds. Bring and share lunch followed by activities from 4, 11, 18 & 25 February 1.30pm. Suggested donation £1. Roxton Bridge Circle Tel: Helen Young 01480 216255 7.15-10pm Roxton Parish Hall Email: young_paxton@ntlworld.com Small friendly group playing Bridge every Tuesday evening. Tel: Mary 01480 212552 3 February Email: mary@jackpike.co.uk NIA Dancing 7-9pm Tesco Community Room 4, 11, 18 & 25 February £5. NIA dance with tutor Ildiko Miklos certified St Neots Folk Club Brown Belt Nia Technique Teacher. Nia is a mindful 8pm The Priory Centre, St Neots dance fitness practice. It is for anybody seeking 4 Feb - Camus; 11 Feb - Terence Blacker; 18 Feb - Eric a gentler movement class to complement and Sedge; 25 Feb - Round the Room with Club AGM. facilitate healing of body, mind, emotions and spirit. Tickets: 01234 37278 www.stneotsfolkclub.co.uk Suitable for all ages and abilities. No need to book. Tel: 07590 909057 www.stneotstimebank.org.uk 5 February Brampton Flower Club 7.15pm 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 & 28 February Community Centre, High Street, Brampton Computing problems? Visitors £6 on the door 10am-12.30pm Bytes Café, Kimbolton ‘Working with Nature’ with Tim Meakin. Bytes Café is open in the small hall behind the Tel: Jan Dobie 01480 531822 Mandeville Hall. Volunteers can help with your Web: www.bramptonflowerclub.com computing problems. Colour and black and white printing, enlarging A4 to A3 and laminating at a 5 February reasonable price. Drop by and see what is available. Black Cat WI 7.30pm Wyboston Village Hall 3, 10, 17 & 24 February Local author Alison Morgan will be talking about Sister’s Shed 1.30-2.30pm ‘Nurse to Crime Writer’. The group usually meets on Arthur’s Shed, Arthur Rank Hospice, the first Wednesday of each month. Cherry Hinton Road, Shelford Bottom Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098 Free - £5 suggested donation. A space for people to connect, converse and create! Open to all. 5 February Tel: 01223 675777 Little Paxton Gardening Club Web: www.arhc.org.uk/arthurs-shed.asp 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Members £1, Non-members £2. ‘Funny Garden 3, 10, 17 & 24 February Features’ by Andrew Sankey, nurseryman and Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm lecturer based in Cambridgeshire. All welcome. Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Tel: Jane 01480 218805 or Margaret 01480 383989 Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 Email: lpgardeningclub@hotmail.com Email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com
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5, 12, 19 & 26 February Kimbolton Bridge Club 9.30am-12 noon Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Meets every Wednesday morning to play friendly, social bridge. No partner needed. Tel: Vanessa 01480 453929 5, 12, 19 & 26 February Hemingford Ladies Choir 10-11.30am St Ives Free Church A small choir who sing a wide range of music in support of local charities. Tel: 01480 417925 Email: vivienneoxley64@gmail.com 5, 12, 19 & 26 February Wednesday Walk 11am-12.30pm Wimpole Estate Join us for a different walk each week. Walks range from 3-5 miles and are often muddy. Experienced Walk Leaders will guide you. 6, 13 & 27 February Yelling Art Group 10am-12.30pm Yelling Village Hall Meets on Thursdays during term-time. We are a friendly group seeking new members of any art ability for painting and drawing in a variety of media. Tel: 07580 470166 7 February St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm Eynesbury Junior School, PE19 2TD Members free, non-members £3. AGM followed by ‘St Neots - Famous for who and what?’ by Sue Jarrett. Web: http://stneotslhs.org.uk 7, 14, 21 & 28 February 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 relax. www.buckworthcricketclub.co.uk 8 February Hemingford Village Market 9am-1pm Parish Centre, Hemingford Grey Second Saturday of the month. Food, crafts, plants and flowers from small local businesses. Hemingford Grey Parish Council surgery should you wish to meet councillors to discuss local issues. Refreshments available in the Hemingford Garden Room. 10 February Godmanchester Trefoil Guild 7.30-9pm Judith’s Field Room, London Rd, Godmanchester Trefoil Guild is a branch of Girlguiding for Adults aged 18+. Meets on the second Monday of the month. Email: jeanmking@outlook.com for more info 11 February St Ives Sugarcraft Guild 7.30pm Reading Room, Hemingford Grey Monthly meetings where you can learn, hands on, various cake decorating techniques and/or sugar modelling. Tel: Shirley 01480 454616 for more info
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n O s ’ t Wha In February
This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com
12 February Wildlife Trust 7.30pm Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, Brampton £5 per person. Professor Helen Roy is an Ecologist with a particular interest in insects, environmental change and citizen science. Over the last ten years Helen has led the UK Ladybird survey, and will summarise the methods and findings to provide a very interesting talk. Everyone welcome. Tel: Alistair Grant 07775 365507 Email: alistairrgrant@hotmail.com
14 February Elsie May’s Electric Lounge 58 Market Square, St Neots A fantastic group called the Jazz Apples is coming to play at Elsie May’s. Tel: 01480 472683 www.elsiemays.co.uk 15 February Farming, Food and Forgotten Folk 11am-12 noon Wimpole Estate A one hour walk which takes you out into the arable landscape at Wimpole. Discover past histories, buildings, archaeology, wildlife and nature as well as our current farming practices and crops we're growing today. Meet outside the Stable Block.
18 February Little Paxton Pictures Doors open 1.45pm St James Church, Little Paxton Free admission. Trolls (U). Refreshments available.
19 February Wild Wood Adventures 10am-12 noon Cambourne £5 per person, Wildlife Trust members £4. Explore Cambourne Nature Reserve, then head indoors to investigate what owls eat for breakfast by studying the bones they leave behind. Ideal for children aged 7-11. Tel: 07894 599020 Email: rebecca.neal@wildlifebcn.org Web: www.wildlifebcn.org/events/2020-02-19wild-woods-cambourne-trees-and-bones 19 February Wild Wednesday 10am-2pm Ferry Meadows, Peterborough Donations welcome. Children and adults are welcome to come and join in some seasonal and wild crafts. Any age. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk
19 February Carers Coffee Club 2-3.30pm The Royal Oak, Hail Weston 15 February Are you caring for a loved one with a memory loss? St Neots Bowls Club Quiz Night Come along and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee whilst 7.30pm chatting with others in a similar situation. Just turn St Neots Bowling Club, St. Anselm Place, St Neots up. Tel: Neil Silby 07889 319888 for further details Tickets £7 inc. Ploughman's Supper. 6 people per Email: kimpigfarmer@tiscali.co.uk team. Licensed bar. Closing date for tickets 12 February. Tel: Lee Duncan 07931 315648 20 February Email: lm.duncan@ntlworld.com Friends of Paxton Pits Guided Walk 10am-12.30pm 17 February Visitor Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve St Neots Royal Naval Association 7.30pm £2.50 on the day. Explore Paxton Pits Nature Reserve The RAFA Club, 44 Huntingdon Street, St Neots with experienced local experts. Walks start at the St Neots & District Branch of the Royal Naval Visitor Centre and last approximately two hours. No Association meet on the third Monday of every need to book. Tel: 01480 406795 month. Tel: Tony Webley 01480 215218 Email: jj.awebley@btinternet.com 20 February St Ives & District Flower Club 17 February 2.15pm Burgess Hall, St Ives Little Paxton W I 7.45pm St James' Church Visitors £7 Meets every third Monday of the month, except December when it meets on the second Monday. 20 February Email: evans-margaret@sky.com Huntingdonshire Fauna & Flora Society 7.30pm Countryside Centre, 17-19 February Hinchingbrooke Country Park Holiday Bushcraft 8.30am-4pm Members free, Visitors £2. Hedgehogs’ with Judith Wandlebury Country Park, Cambridge Large, Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital. The talk will be £38 per child. Holiday Bushcraft for children ages about the conservation work done at the hedgehog 5-12 run by experienced, qualified teachers from the hospital and how everyone can help with the outdoor learning experience group, Wild Thyme & preservation and support of the local hedgehog Embers. Booking essential. population. Web: www.hffs.org.uk Web: wildthymeandembers.co.uk/holidaybushcraft-club 20 February Love’s Farm Women’s Institute 18 February 8-10pm St Neots Football Club Coffee Morning 10.30-11.30am St Neots Library Meets on the third Thursday of the month. £1 per person. Join us for a slice of cake, some Tel: Nikki Jackson 07563 715043 conversation and a cup of coffee or tea. Email: lovesfarmladieswi@gmail.com
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21 February Bird Box Making 10.30am-12 noon & 1.30-3pm Ferry Meadows, Peterborough £7 per box. Make a nest box for our feathered friends. All materials and tools provided. Parental supervision required. Max. 2 children per adult. Involves use of tools. Age 8+. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk 23 February Wildlife Trust Mindful Wintry Wander 10.30am-midday Trumpington Meadows, Grantchester Road CB2 9LH £5 per person. Mindful walking and nature connection have the power to revive on cold dark days. Tea/biscuits /available to warm up at the end! Email: clairethompson@mindfulness-of-nature.com Web www.wildlifebcn.org/events/2020-01-11mindful-winter-wanders 25 February Little Paxton Pictures Doors open 1.45pm, film starts 2pm St James Church, Little Paxton Free admission. The English Patient (15). World War II Drama starring Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas and Juliette Binoche. All films have subtitles. Refreshments available. All donations welcomed. 25 February Huntingdonshire Diabetes Group 7.30pm Millennium Centre, Burberry Road, Buckden Monthly meetings on the last Tuesday of each month (except June). All welcome. Email: hunts.diabetesuk@gmail.com Web: huntingdonshire.diabetesukgroup.org 26 February Roxtonettes 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 twice a 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: 07422 501131 Email: eamonnnc@googlemail.com 27 February St Neots & District Gardening Club 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Members £2, Non-members £2.50 inc. refreshments & raffle ticket. ‘Beautiful Bulbs’ by Simon White. Web: www.stneotsgardenclub.org.uk 28 February The Hinchingbrooke Bösendorfer Piano Concerts 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Adults £15, Groups 20+ £10 each, Under 21s £5 The Fitzwilliam Quartet (Lucy Russell, violin; Marcus Barcham-Stevens, violin; Alan George, viola; Sally Pendlebury, cello) with Anna Tilbrook, piano. Tel: 01480 375678 (9am-3pm) Web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/hinchingbrookepac
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Crossword Solution for The Villager January Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Rachel McEwan from St Ippolyts Josie Long Competition Winner - Alison Fitt from Gamlingay
January’s Codeword and Suduko Solutions
Easy
Hard
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The Villager Prize Crossword
Prize
ÂŁ25
Across 1 Mail (4) 3 Smallest in length (8) 9 Rested (7) 10 Line of people (5) 11 To do with sums (12) 14 Early morning moisture (3) 16 Very angry (5) 17 Neckwear (3) 18 Despite (12) 21 Deal with (5) 22 Washing (7) 23 Interfering (8) 24 Enquires (4)
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before
16th February 2020 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
Down 1 Egyptian structures (8) 2 Divide (5) 4 Tool for carrying bricks (3) 5 Specific needs (12) 6 Graceful (7) 7 Long walk (4) 8 Still being tested (12) 12 Modify (5) 13 Letters or texts (8) 15 Saturday and Sunday (7) 19 Leaves (5) 20 Part of a flower (4) 22 Prohibit (3)
Name: Tel:

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Books
Book Review His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
If you loved the BBC series but haven’t yet delved into the original books, what on earth is stopping you? Starting with the Northern Lights, this trilogy takes the reader on a journey with Lyra Belacqua. With her daemon Pantalaimon by her side, Lyra sets out on a quest to rescue her best friend and discover the secret of Dust. Along the way, she’ll befriend witches, Gyptians, an armoured bear and a boy from another world, while pitting her wits against the all-powerful Magisterium.
Heroes and Villains by Angela Carter
In a post-apocalyptic world, Marianne looks down from her ivory tower as her brother is murdered in the streets below. Years later, she helps the murderer to hide, runs away with him to his Barbarian tribe and is forced to become his bride. Dream-like, disquieting and beautiful, Heroes and Villains is one of Carter’s lesser-known books but my personal favourite.
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
This series of nine books starts in the late seventies and centres around the inhabitants of 28 Barbary Lane, including the naive but ambitious Mary Ann Singleton, the matriarchal Anna Madrigal and the best-friend-you-wishyou-had Michael Tolliver (AKA Mouse). Maupin is a skilled storyteller and skilfully weaves together numerous plotlines and character arcs to create a stonkingly good series you’ll want to binge read your way through.
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By Kate Duggan
The Choice by Edith Eger
Edith Eger was on the brink of death when she was freed from Auschwitz. This is her story. It’s certainly harrowing in parts, but also uplifting, reaffirming and full of hope. Edith realised that burying her past doesn’t make it easier to live with. Instead, she learnt how to move past her trauma, build the life she deserves and help thousands of other survivors to do the same.
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
Would-be witch Tiffany Aching sets out to rescue her brother from the fairies and stop them from invading her home. She’s only armed with a frying pan, but luckily she has help in the form of the Nac Mac Feegle – they may be tiny, but they’re fierce, fast and loyal. Technically, this was written as a children’s book, but don’t let that put you off – it’ll appeal to fantasy lovers of all ages.
The Clan of the Cave Bear By Jean M. Auel
The first book in the Earth’s Children series, The Clan of the Cave Bear centres around Ayla, a young girl raised by Neanderthals in prehistoric Europe. Ayla faces prejudice and suspicion but, with the help of her adopted mother Iza, is eventually accepted by most of the clan. A powerful, well-researched, epic tale. You don’t even need to wait for the next instalment to come out as all six are just waiting for you to find them.
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Cleaning Services
Electrician
Frank Plater Electrical Extra sockets - Lighting - Extensions - Re-wires Security Lighting - Showers - Inspections No job too small. Free estimates Established in 1996 Tel: 01480 432154 Mob: 07976 797111
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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
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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
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