VILLAGER The
Issue 110 - July 2021
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue
Woodland Holidays in the UK
Eating Al Fresco
Italian Style 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
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Inside this issue... Planning an Outdoor Kitchen.................................... 24 Smart Gardening....................................................... 27 Keeping your Pets Cool.............................................. 28 Don’t let rain stop play.............................................. 31 The best summer convertibles for all budgets........... 33 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.................................... 34 Puzzle Page............................................................... 36 Sounds of Summer.................................................... 38 Villager Prize Crossword - Win £25.................. 42 Summer-Worthy Audio Books................................... 45
Planning an Outdoor Kitchen
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Sounds of Summer
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Woodland Holidays in the UK...................................... 4 Hitch a Lift from St Neots Railway Station................... 8 Eat Al Fresco Italian Style.......................................... 10 Here, for the Beer!..................................................... 12 Cambridge Summer Music........................................ 15 Warmer Weather Dressing........................................ 16 Anniversaries Late Summer 2021.............................. 18 Beginner’s Guide to Stocks and Shares...................... 22
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 - Peter Ibbett, Tom Hancock, Trevor Langley, Jennie Billings, Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA, Nick Coffer, Tracey Anderson and Kate Duggan
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Front Cover Photography - Ian Wool Design and Artwork Design 9 • Tel: 07762 969460
Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 Email: nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com
Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.
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Staycation
Forest of Dean
Woodland holidays in the UK Whether you’re looking for a secluded escape or an adrenaline-fuelled adventure, reconnect with Mother Nature with a visit to one of the UK’s most enchanting forests. If there’s one thing the UK has no shortage of, it’s unspoilt woodland. Our forests are brimming with beauty and wildlife all year round, making them perfect for nature watching, walking and mountain biking – or for just finding some peace and quiet. Look out for native ponies in the New Forest, walk in Robin Hood’s shoes amidst the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest, or live out your very own adventure in Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean. With so much of our country carpeted in thick woodland, you’ll be spoilt for choice on which forest to visit first. To get your imagination ticking, here are just three of the UK’s most impressive forests – and what not to miss when you’re there. The New Forest, Hampshire With historical roots reaching as far back as 1079, the New Forest is far from new. Once a royal hunting preserve, it’s now one of the UK’s most visited national parks, home to deer, native ponies and rare birds. Made up of unspoilt woodland, rare heathland and river valleys, there’s more to the New Forest
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than first meets the eye. Spend a long weekend in a traditional thatched cottage, gaze up at giant sequoias along the ‘Tall Trees Trail’, cycle through quaint villages, and meet the national park’s nosy wild ponies. There are plenty of activities and attractions for families too. The ‘Peppa Pig’ themed Paultons Park is a huge draw for children, while Longdown Activity Farm and the New Forest Wildlife Park are popular spots for animal lovers. The New Forest is also conveniently close to the UK’s glorious south coast. Watch the boats come and go from the harbour town of Lymington, a jumping-off point to the Isle of Wight, or walk along the beach to Hurst Castle from Milford-on-Sea. It’s this combination of woodland and coastline that make the New Forest a true holiday haven. The Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire Step inside JRR Tolkien and JK Rowling’s magical worlds with a trip to Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean. Its mysterious depths supposedly inspired Middle Earth, and key scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were also filmed here. Dean’s history stretches back to medieval times, when it was used as a royal hunting forest. A source of timber for Tudor warships, and later a Victorian hub for iron and coal mining, in 1938 it was promoted
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to England’s first National Forest Park. Today, a landscape of woodlands, rivers, hills and valleys make the Forest of Dean a playground for outdoor pursuits. Recharge your batteries from a remote forest cabin before taking a high ropes course in the treetops or exploring some of the UK’s oldest underground mine workings at Clearwell Caves. The area is also home to one of the best rivers in the country for canoeing and kayaking – the River Wye. Paddle down the river solo or join a relaxing boat cruise, learning about the landscape as you go. Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire Robin Hood’s legendary stomping ground, the ancient Sherwood Forest is entwined with myths and fairy tales. It’s hard to ignore Robin Hood while you’re here, with countless pubs, lodges, walking trails and even a festival named after him. But Sherwood Forest is much more than its most famous hero. Plenty of visitors travel here to see the forest’s gigantic oak trees, many of which have been standing for centuries. The Major Oak, believed to be 1,100 years old, is actually the biggest in Britain! Explore the hundreds of acres of ancient woodland
Sherwood Forest (John W. Schulze) here on foot or by bike, ticking off the Robin Hood statues along the way. Its history as a royal hunting forest means it’s also dotted with several grand ducal estates, many of which are open to the public. You could even time your visit around the annual Robin Hood festival, held in the forest every summer. Storytelling, sword fighting, dancing, and food, drink and craft stalls come together to create a fun atmosphere for kids and adults alike. And if that wasn’t enough, the charming village of Edwinstowe is also nearby, rumoured to be the marriage destination of Robin Hood and Maid Marian.
New Forest (Victor Ochieng)
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History
Hitch a Lift From St. Neots Railway Station Motoring gently through the streets of Eynesbury and St. Neots one passes an occasional shopper or dog walker but rarely children playing in the streets as their Victorian ancestors did. As 21st century cars in St. Neots tend to move about as fast as an old time horse & cart life on two legs seems safe enough but one needs the use of a pair of wary eye as cyclists and even e-scooter owners can behave as if they have right of way or are on a mission to break a speed record. Even in days before the motor car, the street could be a dangerous place, and children could be vulnerable to traffic or animals. At Eynesbury in April 1859 a bullock that was being driven along the street ran amok, and injured various people [some severely], and these included a number of children on their way to school. Another accident while children were on their way to school at Eynesbury occurred in February 1862. A youth was driving a horse and cart without looking where he was going, and managed to knock a small girl over, with the wheel of the cart going over her foot and crushing it.
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Other accidents in the street happened because of children at play. After a child had been knocked over in the High Street in March 1877 the local paper commented that “in view of juvenile games it is a wonder there are not more accidents.” One temptation was the Cross Keys horse bus on its journeys to and from the station, and boys would often try to jump on the back and steal a ride. At least one of these fell off in September 1876 “and was lucky to escape serious injury”. The coming of the railway had meant the end of stagecoaches. Passengers for the coaches had always boarded at the Cross Keys, so an enterprising innkeeper of the 19th century began running a horse bus from the Inn to the railway station to meet every train. Successive landlords followed suit. The Cross Keys motor bus c1930 with its driver Stanley Cambers. The bus was still running in the early ‘50’s and probably discontinued by 1960. Thanks to the St. Neots History Society Newsletter from 2001. Do check out the now reopened St. Neots Museum for more local history.
By Peter Ibbett
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Time of Year
Eat Al Fresco Italian Style During 2020 when we were all forced to stay home during that glorious first spring and summer of the pandemic, outdoor pizza oven sales soared as we all mourned our lost foreign holidays and long lazy sun-soaked lunches. The trend for al fresco Italian cooking shows no sign of letting up in 2021 so what should you look for in a pizza oven? Both wood fired pizza ovens and traditional BBQs use wood or coal to create fire for cooking on. They also cook similar foods, albeit in different ways. Wood fired ovens are designed to reach much hotter temperatures than BBQs and retain that heat for longer periods of time – a good wood fired oven reaches up to 400°C or higher, and some will stay hot throughout the day. From quick 3-minute pizzas to slow-cooked meats roasting for a few hours, outdoor ovens can do it all! It’s tempting to jump on the bandwagon but first consider what you will be cooking and how often. One of the biggest benefits of a pizza oven is that it can also barbecue grill and smoke food. But if all you want to do is grill a few burgers, you probably won’t want to have to wait for a big pizza oven to heat up! If your heart still says ‘pizza’ there are a number of options to choose from. Wood Fired Pizza Ovens - A heavy wood fired pizza oven is the classic and most authentic pizza oven. They generally feature an insulated brick dome that is ideal for reaching high temperatures over long periods.
Because they are heavy, they can’t be moved easily, and they require a strong base for support. They take time to heat up, and you need plenty of practice to get used to the various temperatures you need to cook different foods. These are for the serious al fresco chef. Portable Pizza Ovens - If you don’t want to fully commit your garden to a huge wood-fired pizza oven, a portable style is a great alternative. You can wheel them to a sunny spot and position them where the smoke won’t billow over your guests. They are obviously smaller than traditional brick ovens, and don’t retain heat for as long, but they heat up more quickly which is a plus. Tabletop Pizza Ovens - There are tabletop insulated wood fired pizza ovens available that are lightweight enough to be placed on any non-flammable surface. These compact pizza ovens are perfect for tiny gardens and even balconies and are ready to start cooking in just 25 minutes! Gas Fired Pizza Oven - If you aren’t a fan of building a wood fire, don’t want to annoy your neighbours with the smoke or just want to have better control over the heat, a gas pizza oven could be the perfect choice. They still feature high performing insulation, but don’t reach such high temperatures and can’t be used to smoke food smoker. A gas oven might also be the choice for you if you prefer a non-smoky, cleaner taste. Whatever your choice, buona pizza!
By Tom Hancock
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Food & Drink
Here, for the Beer!
There are many styles of beer around today. Porter ales originated in London, approx 1730 and by the late 1700’s became very popular in England. Stout is known for its classic style and is usually dark and heavy, being bitter, with a very good taste. Bitters came about during the latter part of the 19th century. Mild beers tend to be a little sweeter. Bottle-conditioned beers are conditioned within the bottle, having sufficient yeast and sugars to create a secondary fermentation within the bottle. Located in Nottingham, Castle Rock Brewery has been operating pubs since 1977 and brewing beers from 1998. Several award-winning ales are produced by Castle Rock Brewery, with some (very) well-established favourites. From their most impressive range I tried the following bottled productions. HARVEST PALE (4.3% vol) utilises Centennial, Cascade and Chinook hops to great advantage. This multi award-winning blonde ale exudes crispness, with citrusy overtones. Refreshing, to the last. Hailed as ‘the finest blonde beer’ – I agree! ELSIE MO (5.0% vol) uses Challenger, Bobek and Aurora hops to produce a ‘glorious’ golden ale (another flagship production). This excellent, balanced beer is a further award-winner from Castle Rock Brewery. A splendid nasal delight complements the malt and hops for the mouthfeel and palate’s sensation, perfectly. The superb bottle-conditioned version must be poured slowly (of course) and enjoyed slowly (of course). SCREECH OWL (5.5% vol) is brewed with Centennial and Cascade hops. Very wellestablished, within the ‘core range’ of beers – first brewed in 2008 – this is an extremely popular production. A classic American IPA, I found this beer both refreshing and full-bodied. An excellent finish extends the pleasure. Brewery tours, with tastings, are available and very popular. A most interesting Visitor Centre is enjoyed by many, too, which can also be hired, for some private functions. An estate of pubs stretches out to surrounding counties and Castle Rock productions are also to be located at numerous venues, plus supermarkets and off-licences. I found this company socially responsible, with committed and dedicated staff, producing excellent products and service. Castle Rock Brewery, Queensbridge Road, Nottingham, NG2 1NB. Tel: 44 (0) 115 985 1615 E-mail: admin@castlerockbrewery.co.uk www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk
As always, Enjoy!
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Local News
Cambridge Summer Music marks the return of live music in 2021 running from 17 – 31 July with an exciting programme focusing on French and British music and spanning from the Baroque to a world premiere by one of Britain’s outstanding up-and-coming composers. The festival kicks off Saturday 17 July at West Road, with the Faust Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Mark Austin playing Saint-Saëns’ whimsical Carnival of the Animals, narrated by violinist Tasmin Little, and Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings. For younger audience members, there will a special performance of Carnival of the Animals earlier that very same day, 17 July. Lovers of period instruments and historically-informed performance will be thrilled by the world-famous Chiaroscuro Quartet, playing pieces by Haydn and Mendelssohn on gut strings with historically-correct bows (Friday 23 July). Robert Max, formidable cellist and well known to Cambridge audiences for his work with the Barbican Trio, takes the stage to play all six of Bach’s Cello Suites (Sunday 18 July). The eclectic and acclaimed pianist Joanna MacGregor will treat audiences to an extraordinary kaleidoscope of compositions across several centuries. To find out more about what’s on visit cambridgesummermusic.com for more information. The entire festival is designed to attract the younger generation. We are delighted to announce a partnership with the Cavatina Chamber Music Trust, which is sponsoring free tickets for the majority of our chamber concerts for all young concertgoers aged 8 to 25. For concerts not covered by the generosity of the Cavatina Trust, the festival guarantees free tickets for all aged 16 and under.
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House of Colour
A UK holiday or just some tips for warmer weather dressing! I am hoping that by the time you read this we may be in a small heatwave or at least a little local break away is on the cards! A little reminder of some good packing tips plus guidance on how to cope with hotter weather dressing. 1. Hats, essential. If you are buying a new hat, before you choose try on lots different colours and styles from a floppy straw hat to a panama to a baseball cap. Find a style and colour that really suits you. A good rule of thumb is to keep the brim no wider than your hair! (Although if you know your style you can stretch that as you will know what scale suits you). 2. Packing. If you are managing a break away roll your clothes into three sausages for packing to avoid creased clothes. Lay out your tops and dresses, one inside the other, with the most crushable fabrics on the outside and roll them into a sausage. Trousers and skirts go in the second sausage. Everything else goes in the third from swimwear, and pashminas in your wow colours of course! Turning jackets inside out will help avoid creases. Stuff sleeves with underwear and fill your clutch bag with socks, chargers and belts. Essentially leave no space unfilled! 3. Neutral shades on your bottom half will mean that they go with more items and you can pack less. 4. A holiday is a great chance to wear some different jewellery. Try brighter colours from your season palette and different styles and materials. Consider rings, earrings, belts, necklaces, bracelets when packing! Have fun with your holiday jewellery. I always go for the cheaper end of the spectrum in my accessories while travelling as I am prone to losing/dropping/leaving things. 5. Sunglasses are a must – we need the eye protection but also they are a stylish addition to your look. Black frames and even grey lenses can be too harsh for some so consider what will work best with your palette. 6. If you are venturing into the countryside you will need longer trousers to avoid insect bites etc. or
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even just to cope with our variable weather. There are some stylish options out there (Acai outdoor wear offer some interesting alternatives for serious adventuring). Robell have a lightweight and versatile range of trousers in lots of colours which suit a number of different looks and travel really well. 7. Layers – for a holiday in the UK we definitely need to accommodate varying temperatures! Lightweight knits, a gilet (essential I find as it works on its own and with waterproofs if needed!) as well as shawls/pashminas are essential. 8. A skort? I know this might sound odd and immediately get you thinking about golf or clothing for toddlers but this is quite a helpful item in hot weather – lightweight and copes with a few adventures it’s a useful piece of clothing. There are even versions that can be used for swimming! Have a look at some golf clothing outfitters to find your perfect option. Article by Jennie Billings House of Colour House of Colour has a network of stylists to help you update your look. Find your nearest at houseofcolour.co.uk/ find-a-stylist
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Finance
Beginner’s Guide to Stocks and Shares
If you have some spare money to invest, shares often seem like a good starting point. They’re among the more straightforward financial assets, though you do need to take into account risks, administrative costs and taxes. The most important thing to understand about shares is that all the money you put in is at risk. You could lose some of your money if the price has fallen when you choose to sell. You could lose all of your money if the company goes into liquidation. Buy Online The simplest way to buy shares is through one of many online platforms that take care of the administrative and legal work for you, in return for fees. The fee structure varies across platforms but can include a regular charge for holding an account, a fixed or percentage fee each time you buy and sell, and in some cases an ‘inactivity’ fee. Which fee structure works best for you may depend on how often you intend to buy and sell shares. Make sure any platform you use is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Dividends One thing that’s easy to forget is that shareholders may get regular payments from the company known as dividends. These often depend on the company’s profits and are a way to encourage people to buy and hold shares, i.e. to keep them for longer rather than sell. If you compare the dividend payments across a
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year to the money you paid for the share, it can be a favourable ‘interest rate’ on your investment. You do need to check why a company is paying big dividends, however. Sometimes it’s because profits are rising and it has more cash to spare. Sometimes, though, it’s because revenue and profits are falling and the business offers bigger dividends to try to attract investors who’d otherwise be put off. Tax Implications Buying and selling shares does have tax implications. Each time you buy shares through an online platform in the UK, you have to pay 0.5% of the purchase price as stamp duty. If you make more than £12,300 profit in a year from selling shares, you’ll need to pay capital gains tax of either 10% or 20% of the profit above the £12,300, depending on your other income. The first £2,000 you receive in dividends each year is tax free. After that you’ll pay a special dividend tax of 7.5%, 32.5% or 38.1%, depending on whether you pay the basic rate, higher rate or additional rate for income tax. Stocks & Shares ISA You can reduce the tax costs by investing through a ‘stocks and shares ISA’. The money you put into this counts towards the annual £20,000 limit for all money you put into ISAs. You don’t have to pay capital gains tax or dividend tax for shares that you hold (or sell) through a stocks and shares ISA. How much benefit this brings will depend on your overall financial position.
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Interiors
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By Katherine Sorrell
Planning an outdoor kitchen We know the Australians have outdoor cooking down to a ‘T’, and in many parts of the USA garden kitchens are a popular feature, too. In the last few years, however, demand for al fresco kitchens in the UK has increased markedly. Despite our somewhat dodgy weather, it seems we’d all love to spend a little more time cooking, eating and socialising in the fresh air. So what are the key points to consider when planning an outdoor kitchen? Before you start You shouldn’t need planning permission for an outdoor kitchen, as it’s not considered a permanent structure, but if you live in a listed building or a conservation area, it is worth checking with your local authority. Another point to bear in mind is that your neighbours may be affected – by smoke, for example, or additional lighting – and it’s never a bad idea to talk your plans through with them and avoid any potential future problems.
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Location, location, location Where do you want to site your outdoor kitchen? You may already have a favourite spot in which to barbecue and eat, but if you’re starting from scratch there are a few major considerations. In a very large outdoor space, for example, you probably won’t want to stray too far from the house but, if you do, there will be a greater need for more facilities, such as a sink and tap, waste bin, storage and cooling. If you are linking your outdoor kitchen to water and power, exactly how will they connect? Bear in mind that the further you go from the source the more expensive it will be to install them. Your kitchen needs to sit on level ground, safely far from flammable materials, and preferably in a spot that’s away from wind and not fully exposed to the sun. Avoid frequently used walkways, steps, trip hazards and slippery ground, too. Finally, allow enough floor area for all the different elements you wish to
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include, as well as space to walk around them and comfortably open any doors and drawers, plus seating/eating space nearby for the maximum number of guests you plan to entertain. A choice of features The simplest outdoor kitchen could just be a barbecue with a fold-out table or wheeled trolley next to it for food preparation – maybe with a rubbish bin beneath, some sturdy lidded boxes and a few hooks on the side for implements. You might add a rotisserie or a pizza oven, and perhaps a storage shelf or cupboard. At the other end of the spectrum the fanciest outdoor kitchens are carefully planned, built-in extravaganzas – not dissimilar from an indoor kitchen – and will include a plumbed-in sink and a fridge, as well as a spacious, durable and easily cleaned countertop – perhaps made of stone for a natural look, or stainless steel for a modern, streamlined effect. Go top-of-therange and you could even include a dishwasher! Comfort and weather-proofing You may want to build your garden kitchen with some form of protection from rain showers – but do bear in mind that a grill needs to be properly ventilated if it’s sited under a permanent, solid cover. Roll-away awnings are a good solution for changeable British weather. Although the cooking will provide an element of warmth in itself, consider adding another form of heating near the dining area, such as a fire pit or an electric heater. It makes a nice focal point for gatherings, too. Lighting is an absolutely essential element, enabling you to safely continue cooking after dusk and adding ambience to the entertaining area. Design bright lighting near the barbecue, grill or oven, and decorative lighting near the dining table – perhaps rows of low-level lights or strings of pretty fairy lights.
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Finishing touches An outdoor kitchen can be a plain and simple, functional affair, but to make it more fun and personal, add some carefully designed, individual elements. How about patterned tiles on the wall behind the cooking area? A variety of cushions and throws on the seating? Colourful storage containers or textural floor tiles? Incorporate beautiful planting nearby – a herb garden would be handy – and you have the best of both worlds: a garden in which to relax and your own delightful outdoor eatery. 1 This sleek, built-in covered kitchen features timber, brick and a distressed, cement-effect porcelain floor paving. PorcelPave Cuba outdoor porcelain paving tiles, from £43.39 per square metre, The London Tile Company. 2 Personalise your outdoor kitchen with some decorative wall art. These tropical-inspired pieces are made from high-grade, brushed stainless steel and UV-resistant electrocoating, by New Zealand designer Lisa Turley of LisaSarah. 3 Stylish, hard-wearing and functional, WWOO kitchens are low maintenance and come in anthracite dark grey or light grey concrete. There are options to personalise: add a pizza oven, or a gas or charcoal barbecue. Choose a style and add extra shelves, wooden boxes, lights and even a kitchen sink. WWOO outdoor kitchen, £5,500, Garden House Design. STOCKISTS Garden House Design: 01903 774 774; gardenhousedesign.co.uk LisaSarah: lisasarah.com The London Tile Company: 0333 320 8048; londontile.co.uk
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Gardening
By Pippa Greenwood
Smart Gardening If you want more time to enjoy your garden, there’s plenty you can do to reduce the maintenance work. Soil Condition Get your soil in good condition before planting, by digging in bulky organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure or leaf mould. This improves soil fertility and moisture retention. Mulch flower beds and borders, and vegetable and fruit areas too. This hugely reduces the time you need to spend watering, weeding and generally titivating your plants. Make sure the soil is moist before you apply the mulch, to help it retain moisture during dry conditions. Remove big or deep-rooted weeds such as dandelions before you mulch; once in place the mulch will help prevent smaller and annual weeds from appearing. Big Containers Containers make for a lot more work than flowerbeds, as plants in a container are totally dependent on you for food and water. Grow as much as you can in the soil and choose pots and planters that are as big as possible and incorporate controlled-release fertiliser and moisture-retaining granules at planting time. Grow lots of bulbs; they are great labour-saving plants, as once planted they reappear every year with little need for care. In the current warmer climate even those plants like dahlias, gladioli and tulips – which traditionally were lifted and replanted each year – often seem able to withstand the winter without this effort. Perennials Grow lots of relatively short herbaceous perennials i.e.
plants that reappear every spring and die back late in the season, as they are more low-effort than annuals, which need planting and removing every year. Varieties that are relatively short and sturdy are less likely to flop and should not require support. If plants do need staking or supporting, the quickest, easiest way to do this is to drive a few 45-60cm twiggy sticks, taken when you’ve had to cut back shrubs or trees, into the soil around the base of the plant. Twiggy sticks are unobtrusive and attractive enough to be left in place all year round, with no need for you to keep replacing them. Shrubs Shrubs are great plants, as once established they need little effort and often provide colour and interest for more than one season. If you want to minimise your input even further, go for shrubs such as Chaenomeles, rhododendrons and azaleas, deciduous cotoneasters and Magnolia stellate, which need little, if any, pruning. Grow ground cover plants – either herbaceous perennials or low-growing shrubby plants. These don’t need a lot of maintenance and will soon cover bare soil, meaning less weeding will be needed. Dense groundcover reduces evaporation from the soil and so also makes for less watering time. Plants such as Cistus x hybridus, lavenders and rosemaries work well on a dry site. Other good choices include hypericum, Euonymus fortune and Cotoneaster dammeri. At www.pippagreenwood.com you’ll find a range of pet-and-wildlife-friendly bio-controls, Speedweeders, the fantastic SpeedHoe, signed books and more.
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Pets
Keeping Your Pets Cool Now that we are in the full swing of a very hot season, it is important pets are not forgotten about during these 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. If you need to contact our Branch (North Bedfordshire) for any reason we can be reached by the details below, or for an animal welfare issue or emergency, contact; 0300 1234 999. Lines are open 7 days a week 24/7. Email: info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk Tel: 01234 266965 / 01234 930304
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Technology
Don’t let rain stop play Waterproof tech for outdoor entertaining The British summer is famous for its unpredictability, playing havoc with outdoor entertaining. But with the right gadgets, rain needn’t stop play. Lots of gadgets are either water resistant or waterproof, so for example you’ll often find smart speakers and smartphones described as IPX7, IP67, IPX8 or IP68. Those numbers are important because they tell you exactly how protected the device is: IPX7 can survive being dunked in up to 1m of water for up to 30 minutes; IP67 is the same but also dust-proof. IPX8 and IP68 can go slightly deeper (1.5m) for the same amount of time. Either rating should ensure that your gadget can cope with an unexpected shower or spill. If you’re a barbecue fan, you don’t need to stop cooking just because the weather’s turned: all you need to do to keep your food safe is to keep the lid down. If you know in advance that the forecast is bad you can pre-cook most of your food in the oven for a quick sear in the barbecue at the end, or you can use a Bluetooth thermometer such as the Meater+ to remotely monitor your barbecue, so you don’t get wet or have to open the lid to check on your progress. Just be aware that persistent rain will lower the temperature of a traditional kettle barbecue, so you’ll need more charcoal than on drier days. Don’t bring a charcoal barbecue into an enclosed area such as a garage: the fumes are dangerous and continue even after the fire is out. Fancy a waterproof TV? You can get a fully weatherproof enclosure for TVs up to 43 inches for £891 from TheTVShield. co.uk, rising to just over £3,000 for an enclosure big enough for a 70 to 80-inch display. These enclosures can survive a full hour of being sprayed with a hose, and by having a separate enclosure you can replace the TV with a similar-sized one any time.
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM This small speaker delivers surprisingly big sound, and its IPX7 water resistance means you don’t need to panic if the clouds open above your party. £59.99, John Lewis
The TV Shield Weatherproof any TV with this complete enclosure, which can withstand constant hosing for up to an hour. Sizes range from about 30 inches to 80 inches. From £891, TheTVShield.co.uk Meater+ This Bluetooth thermometer with a 50m range means you can stay dry without losing track of your barbecue’s progress, and it’s as useful indoors in the kitchen as it is in a barbecue. £99, meater.com
GoPro HERO6 Black This action camera is waterproof down to 33 feet, so it’s the perfect way to film outdoor fun without worrying about the camera getting dropped. It’s great for extreme sports too. £329, GoPro.com
Sonos Roam If you’re already part of the Sonos multi-room music family, the Roam is a great way to expand your system to the great outdoors. It sounds great and is IP67 rated for dust and water. £159, sonos.com
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Motoring
The best summer convertibles for all budgets With road trips on the cards this summer, what drop-tops should be on your shopping list? Though restrictions may remain in place, there’s hope that the pandemic might begin to ease in the coming months, with greater freedom to enjoy summer weather. And though question marks may remain over foreign travel, British roads trips will hopefully be allowed. One of the best ways to enjoy such trips is with a convertible, allowing you that open-air freedom to explore. Here are eight fantastic options for all budgets. Up to £5,000 – Volvo C70 Though better known for its estate cars and SUVs, Volvo has sold convertibles in the past, the result being the C70. So while this modest budget may allow access to a range of convertibles, the Volvo wins thanks to its mix of comfort, style and practicality. Up to £15,000 – BMW M3 There is no shortage of options in the used market for a convertible for less than £15,000. The BMW M3 Convertible is our pick for performance, comfort, sporty thrills and dramatic styling. This budget will get you a tidy E45 generation from the early 2000s. Up to £25,000 – Mazda MX-5 £25,000 could get you a brand new drop-top. Though options are still limited, our choice would be the truly brilliant Mazda MX-5, which in entrylevel form and with the peppy 1.5-litre petrol engine just fits this budget. Though Mazda does offer more powerful MX-5s, many reckon the less powerful option is the sweet spot in this roadster’s range. Up to £40,000 – Audi TT Roadster £40,000 provides access to more upmarket new convertibles, including the excellent Audi TT Roadster that perfectly combines quality with fun. Coming in at £38,530, you can even afford to upgrade to the mid-spec Sport Edition version, with larger 19-inch alloy wheels and a black styling pack. Up to £50,000 – Porsche 718 Boxster Porsche’s 718 Boxster is a convertible that’s as sharp to drive as a model with a fixed roof. Though the ‘entry-level’ Porsche, this roadster is a truly brilliant sports car in its own right, offering a fabulous drive, strong performance and sleek and stylish looks. Up to £100,000 – Porsche 911 Cabriolet A budget this large can get you behind the wheel of a drop-top version of Porsche’s most iconic model – the 911. Though it’s all too easy to push the 911’s price into six digits, £100,000 can get you a Carrera or four-wheel-drive Carrera 4 version, which you can happily use every day rather than just saving it for the occasional weekend in summer. Over £100,000 – Bentley Continental GT There really isn’t any finer luxurious convertible than the Bentley Continental GT – a car for those with seemingly unlimited funds to splash out. Though it’s not as sporty as other drop-top supercars that this budget can get you, the Bentley’s focus on ultimate quality and comfort truly puts it into a league of its own. The price is a rather sizable £173,000, and that’s before you’ve even thought about options.
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Food & Drink
Traditional home-made Jerk Chicken One of my greatest pleasures over the years has been how the food we feature directly reflects the wonderful diversity of the three counties we broadcast to. We can have British classics, great curries, Turkish and Middle Eastern treats, traditional pastas, fiery stir fries and much much more. A couple of years back I met up with Sacha Ojo in the studio. She launched her catering company, Sacha’s Kitchen, in Bedford when it became clear that her friends’ love of her Jamaican cooking suggested she deserved a much wider audience. Jamaican food is all about warmth, generosity and family –three words which describe Sacha perfectly. Obviously she had to give us her Jerk Chicken recipe. Apparently there are more Jerk Chicken recipes than there are days in a lifetime – Sacha’s family recipe is absolutely wonderful. Jerk sauce ingredients: 2 bunches spring onion, chopped 2 tbsp thyme 1 tsp fresh ginger, chopped 4-6 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tsp cinnamon powder 1 tbsp Pimento (Allspice) 1 tbsp coarse black pepper ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg 2 tbsp dark brown sugar 2 tbsp soy sauce 2-4 Scotch Bonnet chillis, chopped (adjust to taste) 6 tbsp water Chopped parsley to serve • You can use whatever cuts of chicken you want – leg, thigh or even breast. Allow a couple of pieces per person.
• This is plenty of marinade to serve four people. • It goes without saying that you can also cook this chicken on the barbecue! 1. Place all the sauce ingredients into a food processor and blend until you get a smooth consistency. 2. Adjust for taste and heat, using more or less chilli. 3. Wash the chicken pieces (skin on), in water mixed with a really good squirt of lemon. 4. Slash small slits onto the chicken. Massage all the marinade into the chicken and leave in the fridge overnight. 5. Place in a tray and cover with foil. Bake at 160C/ Gas Mark 3 for 30 minutes then remove the foil, turn the oven up to 200C/ Gas Mark 5 and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and a lovely deep colour. 6. Scatter with the chopped parsley and serve with chips, mash or rice.
BBC Three Counties Radio presenter and cook, Nick Coffer 34
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Codeword 1
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Easy Sudoku
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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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Time of Year
Sounds of Summer
By Tracey Anderson
2020 deprived us of concerts and festivals, so get that summer vibe on 2021 will be the year of the outdoor concert. With masking and social distancing still in place at time of writing many people may still not feel safe to attend indoor venues. But whether your tastes extend to the classics, jazz, pop, or folk there will definitely be an outdoor event to suit your family this summer. Most outdoor concerts tend to take place in large fields so there’s plenty of room for running around and even outdoor games such as frisbees and football, providing they’re played well away from the main crowd. These are mostly family affairs and providing children are versed in general good manners, and they’re not throwing food or punches, even young children can enjoy them. Evening concerts are even more special as the day fades and people light candles and lanterns. It can be magical…and we need a bit of magic this year. If you have young children consider sitting further back to allow more room to stretch out and wander around.
Take small amounts of lots of different foods. Everyone loves nibbles. Take folding chairs, sunscreen, hats, insect repellent or those citronella candles and lots of rugs. Comfort is important, especially as the sun disappears. A flask of hot chocolate will keep everyone happy as the evening air takes on a chill. Some glowsticks or lanterns will make the event extra special. Enjoy.
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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our June Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Trudy Allan from Godmanchester
June’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions
Easy
Hard
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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize
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Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before
16th July 2021 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.
Across 1 French castle (7) 5 Competed (5) 8 Very alike (9) 9 Poem (3) 10 Consumed (5) 12 Reflects (7) 13 Friendships (13) 15 Immediate (7) 17 In front (5) 19 A pronoun (3) 20 Emergency vehicle (9) 22 Concede (5) 23 Captivate (7) Down 1 Illegal act (5) 2 Beer (3) 3 Died out (7) 4 Embarrassed (13) 5 Person in power (5) 6 Large reptile (9) 7 Frocks (7) 11 Magnifies distant objects (9) 13 Form of travel (7) 14 Bright red (7) 16 Prize (5) 18 Reside (5) 21 And not (3)
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Books
Summer-worthy audiobooks The right story in the hands of the right narrator makes for a perfect afternoon lounging in the garden. By Kate Duggan Klara and the Sun By Kazuo Ishiguro (narrated by Sura Siu)
As an artificial friend, Klara’s job is to be a companion for a human child. When she’s chosen by Josie, Klara’s world starts to open up. She can now see much more than just the view from the shop window. The darkness of this dystopian world is revealed through Klara’s naive viewpoint. While Josie is clearly very ill, it’s her friend Rick who is seen by society as disadvantaged, as he’s not a ‘lifted’ child. A quietly beautiful, thought-provoking story.
The Stranger Times C.K. McDonnell (narrated by Brendan McDonald)
The Stranger Times newspaper reports on weird and wonderful tales from around the world – a dog eaten by a child’s drawing, a toilet possessed by the devil. While most of the tales are somewhat far-fetched, a very real supernatural danger could be a lot closer than the newspaper staff realise. If you love dry humour and urban fantasy, this audiobook will appeal.
Cunning Women Elizabeth Lee (narrated by Taj Atwal)
People rely on Sarah’s family for healing balms, protection and the odd curse, but it’s the seventeenth century and whispers of witchcraft are never far away. Sarah is used to being an outcast, but a forbidden relationship with a farmer’s son gives her a glimpse of how different her life could be. A gripping story and talented narrator make this a must-read for historical fiction fans.
Night Watch Terry Pratchett (narrated by Stephen Briggs)
Audiobooks might be having their heyday now, but it’s still worth delving into the back catalogue to discover gems like this one. Commander Sam Vimes is accidentally sent back in time, where he discovers he has the important job of stopping a rebellion from turning into a slaughter. He also needs to close down a torture chamber, clean up the city watch and keep his younger self from dying. Oh, and stop a murderous villain who travelled back with him. Easy…
Early Morning Riser Katherine Heiny (narrated by Kate Rudd)
Jane meets Duncan soon after arriving in Boyne City. Falling for him is easy, but Duncan isn’t the settling down type. Everywhere Jane looks, there’s an ex with a prior claim to him. She does her best to move on, but a tragic accident sees Jane and Duncan taking on responsibilities neither of them planned for. An enjoyable taste of small-town American life by the author of Standard Deviation, Early Morning Riser is ideal for lazy summer afternoons.
Runaway Girls Jacqueline Wilson (narrated by Mandeep Dhillon)
One for the kids… Lucy lives a financially privileged life in Victorian England but has little in the way of emotional comfort, so she runs away from home. Luckily for Lucy, she meets a street performer called Kitty, who has the wits to survive on London’s dangerous streets. The narrator does a skilful job of bringing an already engaging story to life. My twelve-year-old was hooked.
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