Alconbury January 2023

Best destinations in Europe for a walking holiday

Let’s face it, there’s nothing quite like soaking up the views from a mountain summit, or stumbling upon a hidden waterfall when you least expect it – and it’s all the more rewarding when you’ve got there on your own two feet.

Walking holidays are a fantastic opportunity to venture off the beaten track and see a different side to the country you’re visiting. But with so many to choose from, where do you start? From world famous pilgrimages to secluded alpine mountain trails, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best walking holiday destinations in Europe, so you can start planning your next adventure.

Albania

With a rich heritage that can trace its influences back to the Macedonians, the Greeks and the Ottoman Turks, Albania is an often overlooked

corner of Europe that’s perfect for trekkers who want to escape the typical tourist trails. Boasting alpine mountain valleys, emerald-green lakes, rustic highland villages and snow-capped peaks, this is a land of pure, untouched beauty. Mountains make up 70% of Albania’s terrain, so it’s no surprise that they form the basis for most of the walking tours here. Book a tour within the Albanian Alps, the country’s star attraction, to discover towering waterfalls, meadows of wildflowers and charming mountain villages. Or venture into the south to soak up the coastal charms of the ‘Albanian Riviera’ – home to some of the best beaches in Europe.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

If you’re looking for drop-dead gorgeous scenery, a combination of sun, sea and sand, and a seemingly endless number of walking trails to choose from, Italy’s Amalfi Coast is the answer to all your prayers. Covering a stretch of coastline from Punta Campanella to Salerno, taking in the hilltop towns of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, the trails here are truly out of this world. Carved out by Greek settlers as early as the eighth century BC, the mythical Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) is perhaps the coastline’s most famous. You’ll truly feel as though you’re walking in the heavens as you explore this skyhigh coastal path, drinking in the far-reaching ocean views. Stretching for five miles from start to finish, the walk culminates in a breathtaking 1,500-step staircase that leads to the village of Arienzo.

Camino de Santiago, Spain

Culminating in a visit to the spectacular Santiago Cathedral, this 155km pilgrimage in northern Spain is a unique journey of holy significance that dates back over 1,000 years.

Travelling through undulating countryside, rural farmland and medieval villages, what makes the Camino de Santiago so popular is its variety. There are at least seven verified routes, running through multiple different countries, but the beauty is that you can walk as much or as little as you like. Spend weeks walking from Le Puy to Santiago, one month walking from St Jean Pied de Port, or just a few days trekking the final stretch. If you commit to walking the last 100km, you’ll even receive your very own Compostela pilgrim certificate.

Madeira, Portugal

Hiking Madeira’s levadas is an experience not to be missed, with thousands of people lacing up their hiking boots here each year. These irrigation canals were built to bring water from the northern slopes to the south side of the island. Although still in use, they now have another purpose, giving hikers a way to explore the island’s secret interior and dramatic landscapes.

With more than 2,000km to explore at heights reaching 1,861m, this Portuguese island has trails to suit all experience levels. Whichever you choose, you can expect spectacular scenery at every turn. If you’re up for a challenge, why not take on the island’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo?

La Gomera, Canary Islands

The Canary Island that time forgot, La Gomera is a hiker’s paradise. This volcanic land is shaped by cloud forests, steep-sided valleys and ancient hiking paths

Albania

Camino de Santiago

– the most famous of which wind their way through the UNESCO-listed Garajonay National Park. Ascend to the summit of Garajonay, the highest point on the island, or follow the island’s network of stunning footpaths and historic mule trails. Around 25% of the flora and fauna found here are endemic to the island, but what makes La Gomera all the more fascinating is its very own whistling language, ‘el silbo gomero’, which dates back over 500 years.

By Solange Hando

Amalfi Coast

By Jamie Maxfield

Win While You Save

Do you own any Premium Bonds? More than 21 million of us own at least one, and their history dates back to the 19th century.

By 1861 the British Empire was wealthy but ordinary citizens were not. They had little opportunity to save. A Huddersfield banker called Charles Sikes wanted to change this. He proposed a scheme to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, William Gladstone. Gladstone approved and decided there should be a savings bank within, “...an hour’s walk of every working man’s fireside.”.

The Post Office Savings Bank was established to provide cheap funding to the Government, and the Ordinary Savings Account was born. Because the funds were secured by the Government people felt it was a safe way to invest so the project was a success with 2500 branches opening within two years.

During the First World War, the Government needed to borrow more money, so in 1916 it launched War Savings Certificates in 1916 and followed those with National War Bonds in 1917. These raised £433m (around £24 billion based on today’s values).

During the Second World War there was a similar National Savings campaign and deposits rose from £509m to £1,982m between 1939 and 1946.

After the war the Government wanted to encourage people to save again and on November 1st 1956, Premium Savings Bonds went on sale. These didn’t earn interest, instead each £1 bond received a unique number and had an equal chance to win a prize in a monthly draw. £5 million worth of bonds were sold on the first day (about £121 million today).

So that each £1 bond had an equal chance of winning a prize, the draw needed to be truly random. Because of the complexity of the task, the Government used the team behind the Second World War code breaker, Colossus, to build a piece of Electronic

Random Number Indicator Equipment, dubbed ERNIE. This machine generated bond numbers based on the signal noise created by gas neon diodes. The original ERNIE was the size of a van and took 10 days to complete a draw. Over the past several decades ERNIE has been through several iterations the current machine is ERNIE 5, which was introduced in 2019. ERNIE 5 is powered by quantum technology which uses light rather than thermal noise to generate random numbers and takes just 12 minutes to complete a draw.

Back in 1956 you had to own a bond for six months to be entered into the draw, now it’s one full calendar month. Initially you could only invest £500 maximum, and the biggest prize was £1000. In a time when the average weekly pay was £10 per week, and average house prices were just under £2000, it must have seemed like a huge sum.

Today, you can hold up to £50,000 worth of Premium Bonds, and the maximum prize is £1 million with two chances to win the jackpot each month. There are also many smaller prizes down to a modest £25. 82 billion bonds go into the draw each month so the odds of any individual bond winning a prize (no matter how small) is 24500 to 1. More than £350 000 of bonds from 1956 are still active today and eligible for entry into the monthly draw.

Believe it or not, even in the present economic climate there are currently over 1.6 million prizes worth more than £63 million which have not been claimed. Perhaps now might be a good time to check to see whether you have any old Premium Bonds in your name, which have been forgotten about. You might get lucky!

NOTE: Before making any financial decisions you are advised to consult a professional. financial adviser.

Do something to make a difference

Got some spare time on your hands? Becoming a volunteer could be the perfect option for you. From being a tour guide at a National Trust property to fostering an animal that had a difficult start to life, there’s a volunteer’s role out there for everyone. You may have more time on your hands now you’re retired, the children have gone off to university, or your working routine has changed since the pandemic – whatever the reason, before you commit to volunteering think about what you want to do, why you want to do it and realistically how much time you can give. Would you be able to commit regularly, say a few hours every week, or is it more likely to be on an ad hoc basis?

There are a wide range of volunteering opportunities, which include:

• Abroad

• Online

• With animals

• Helping the elderly

Or it may be that you are inspired by a cause and want to get involved with a charity. Some ideas to get you started…

• Crisis response charities

• Nature and the environment

• Faith-based charities

• Homeless and hunger charities

• Women’s charities

• Military charities

Close to home - Volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time, as well as give you an opportunity to use your skills and experience to support a cause or organisation close to your heart. If you’re keen to volunteer locally, contact your parish council or check

out the notice board in the local library or community centre.

• Read your local newspaper or check online for upcoming events. At certain times of the year councils often appeal for volunteers to help clean up beaches or river banks. If you have a National Trust or English Heritage site close to you, you will find a huge range of volunteer roles available.

• Is there a ‘be a friend’ or ‘buddy’ scheme, where you can visit a neighbour who is housebound for a cuppa and a chat or do some shopping?

• Check out your local charity shops too – they are always keen to welcome new volunteers in a variety of roles.

Further afield - From aid projects in Africa to teaching English in Nepal, there are a multitude of opportunities to do worthy and rewarding voluntary work overseas.

Don’t be put off from getting involved because you’re not the classic gap-year student volunteer. According to Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), for instance, around two fifths of its volunteers are in their fifties or sixties, with two per cent in their seventies. Organisations value older people for their calm, problem-solving skills, empathy and experience. Visit vsointernational.org. For more information

• do-it.org.uk is a website that makes volunteering easy.

• The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, visit www.ncvo.org.uk.

• Volunteering Matters, volunteeringmatters.co.uk.

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

Longer days are coming

Beautiful bloomers and bark

The shortest day has passed, so don’t assume that everything in the soil is dormant. Winters are generally warmer than they used to be and you will find glorious snowdrops, winter aconites, crocuses, tiny irises and even early narcissi. These are plants with short stems, protecting their flowers from chilling winds. Look above the ground level and you’ll be delighted to find winter honeysuckle, Viburnum bodnantense and witch hazel with its spidery flowers, all blooming in January. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in a heavenly intake of sweet fragrance.

It’s also the very best time of year to appreciate tree bark. You need look no further than the popular cherry family to find one of the best displays imaginable. Prunus serrula, or the ‘birch-barked cherry’, looks as if it is on fire during winter when its horizontally striped, mahogany-red bark shines like a beacon. Notice, also, beautiful members of the silver birch family with stunning white stems. Betula utilis var. jacquemontii and various cultivars provide ghostly, atmospheric charm. Some people actually wash the bark in order to obtain the best display. Not only are birch trees the source for traditional witches’ brooms, but bark oil can be used to treat skin conditions.

Acer griseum, the paperbark maple, is also showing its true splendour this month. The cinnamoncoloured bark peels, or exfoliates, as it grows. The thin, papery layers shed to reveal smooth, orange bark underneath. This winter interest is highlighted

at a time of year when there is little undergrowth competing for attention.

Protect tender plants

We all know that January weather can bring snow, heavy frosts, rain, strong winds and very low temperatures. Tender garden specimens will therefore benefit from protection. It’s often the chilling winds that do the most damage. If you wrap horticultural fleece around their shivering forms, it will help to prevent serious damage. Shake off snow from limbs of shrubs and trees in order to release the heavy burden. You will notice the shape begins to splay as the boughs bend, and this is the moment to act.

There are few plants than can tolerate vigorous pruning at this point in the year, so leave the matted hydrangeas and fuchsias but turn instead to the tough climbing roses, wisteria and definitely the grape or ornamental vine such as Vitis coignetiae. All new vine growth can be cut back to within two buds of the main woody framework from which it sprouted. You can be pretty ruthless – it will be sprouting again as soon as the sap starts rising.

Longer days

Rumour has it that January 12th is the magical date when the day length becomes noticeably longer and outdoor plants soon recognise the subtle change. Nature’s force is truly remarkable and it seems that however cold above the soil, there are always things happening beneath. Most plants are poised ready for action, their buds just awaiting a silent signal before a new dawn.

Help Woodgreen provide miracles for homeless pets

Woodgreen rehomes thousands of pets every year. With more and more being handed in due to the cost of living crisis, the charity is appealing for local volunteers who can offer their hearts and homes to a temporary furry friend.

Fostering is a hugely rewarding way to help pets in need – meaning you can enjoy their company without the long-term commitment and without the price tag. It doesn’t cost you a penny! When you become a volunteer foster carer, Woodgreen will provide everything you need and cover all expenses, as well as providing you with full training and round-the-clock support. You’ll make friends with the volunteers that are already enjoying fostering too. You can apply to foster dogs, cats and/or small pets (like rabbits and guinea pigs), and take care of them until they find a loving new home. This could take weeks or months, but Woodgreen are flexible around holidays and any commitments you have. Some pets might be recovering from operations, be pregnant or too young to rehome, need further training and support, or just feel happier in a home environment. By opening your door to a homeless pet, it will make space for Woodgreen to help another pet who needs them.

The pets looking for fosterers are best suited to homes without any other animals or small children, but anyone can volunteer – whether you’re an experienced pet owner or you’ve never had a pet. All Woodgreen asks is that you’re aged over 18, you live within 40 minutes of the charity’s centre in Cambridgeshire, and you have the time and love to give to pets like help pets like Midge and Nutcracker (pictured above). To find out more and to apply, please visit woodgreen.org.uk/foster

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Easy Sudoku Hard Sudoku

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles.

What's On

WHAT'S ON IN JANUARY

4 JANUARY

Buckden Local History Society 7.30pm Millard Suite, Village Hall Visitors £4, children free ‘What’s Glorious about a Revolution?’ by Linda Upham. Linda looks at the power politics struggle of the late 17th century and how we lost a king and gained a parliament, culminating with William of Orange. Meets first Wednesday of each month. New members/visitors welcome. Annual membership £16. Web: www.buckdenhistory.co.uk

4,

11, 18 & 25 JANUARY

Kimbolton Bridge Club 10am-12pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Meets every Wednesday for friendly, social bridge. Players of all standards are welcome with or without a partner. Just turn up!

5, 12, 19 & 26 JANUARY

RIVERPORT SINGERS 10.15-11.15AM

THE CORN EXCHANGE, ST IVES

Community choir for people living with dementia, their carers, family and friends.

Tel: Agi 07757 811802 Email: agipeach@icloud.com Web: facebook.com/ riverportsingers

5,

12, 19 & 26 JANUARY

Huntingdon Male Voice Choir 7.30pm

Abbots Ripton Village Hall

Huntingdon Male Voice Choir is always pleased to see new singers. No formal audition and you do not need to be able to read music; all you need to do is sing a few notes so the musical director can determine which part of the choir suits you best. Web: www.hmvc.org.uk

6 JANUARY

St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm Eynesbury Primary School SNLHS members free, visitors £4 ‘The Golden Age of Fen Skating’ by Guy Hussey of the Norris Museum. Web: www.stneotslhs.org.uk

9 JANUARY

Perry WI

7.30pm Sailability Club House, Grafham Water Centre Tel: Jakki Spall 07703 431900

9 JANUARY-13 MARCH

Huntingdon Area Lifelong Learners 10.15am-12.15pm

Huntingdon Library

£45. Nine-week course ‘Hollywood - the golden age of the studio system’ with Christopher Budd. Tel: 01480 457631 Email: huntingdonarealifelonglearners@ gmail.com

10, 17, 24 & 31 JANUARY

St Neots & District Camera Club 7.15pm for 7.30pm Bowls Club, St Neots Regular talks and competitions. www.stneots-camera-club.org.uk

10, 17 24 & 31 JANUARY

St Neots Sinfonia 7.45-9.30pm

Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury Rehearsals are every Tuesday in term time. Tel: 01480 212298 Web: www.stneotssinfonia.org.uk

11 JANUARY

Brampton Flower Club 7pm for 7.30pm

Lady Olivia Hall, Central Drive, Brampton Winter social supper and quiz. Meets the first Wednesday of the month. Visitors welcome. www.bramptonflowerclub.com

11, 18 & 25 JANUARY

St Neots Choral Society 7.30-9.30pm

Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury Rehearsals are every Wednesday in term time. Tel: 01480 212298 for membership enquiries Web: www.stneotschoral.org.uk

12 JANUARY

Comedy Night: ‘Up and Coming Comedians’ 7.30pm

Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Tickets £6.50 + booking fee Come and support the stars of tomorrow! Web: https://www.ticketsource. co.uk/booking/select/ RdiEJKhzXNnT

UNTIL 14 JANUARY Superstition and Tradition Exhibition

Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm Norris Museum, St Ives Step into the folklore of Huntingdonshire and experience the county’s history in a new light. Web: www.norrismuseum.org.uk

14 JANUARY

Community Led Plan - Coffee, Cakes & Chat 10am-12 noon

Little Paxton Village Hall

The Community Led Plan survey results will be on display. To help make Little Paxton better - come along to see the key areas for action.

Prizes for the Best Kept Allotment Competition 2022 will be presented at 10.30am.

Tel: Parish Clerk Tel 01480 470193

WHAT'S ON IN JANUARY

14 & 28 JANUARY

St Neots Farmers & Craft Market 8am-1.30pm Products from local food producers and craft makers.

17 JANUARY

Dementia Café 10am-12pm. St Ives Free Church, St Ives £2.50 per person. For people with dementia and their carers. Tel: George 07725 588145 Web: facebook.com/ stivesdementiafriendlycommunity

17 JANUARY

Greensands Writers' Group 7-9pm

Free event. Enjoy writing? Join Greensands Writers' Group for a monthly Zoom meeting. Wgreensandswriters.wixsite.com/

20 JANUARY

16th Bösendorfer Piano Concerts 7.30pm

Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Charles Owen, piano. Web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/pac

26 JANUARY

St Neots & District Gardening Club 7.30pm. St Mary's Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Members £2, Visitors £2.50 ‘History of Easton Lodge - the countess gardens’ with Gary Matthews. www.stneotsgardenclub.org.uk

31 JANUARY

An afternoon with author Elly Griffiths 2pm. The Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon Tickets £7.50. A chance to buy personally signed copies of newly published ‘The Last Remains’ as well as Elly’s other books, including the Brighton mysteries and the Justice series for younger readers.