VILLAGER The
Issue 87 - June 2019
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
In this issue Win Tickets to
Hatfield House Battle Proms Midsummer Meanings 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... Win a Family Pass to Folk by th Oak
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Midsummer Meanings................................................ 4 Wine: Austria Sparkling Sensations............................. 8 Win a Family Pass to Folk by the Oak...................10 Win Tickets for the Hatfield House Battle Proms..12 The Impact of Stress and Ways to Manage it............. 15 Swimwear and Holiday-Wear Tips............................. 17 The Highwayman Car Scheme................................... 18 Huntingdonshire History Festival.............................. 20 Short-term or Long-term Mortgage.......................... 23 Houseplant Heaven................................................... 27
Animal Stories........................................................... 28 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.................................... 31 Riverside Miniature Railway...................................... 33 South Beds Country Show......................................... 34 Puzzle Page............................................................... 36 What’s On.................................................................. 38 Fun Quiz.................................................................... 41 Prize Crossword..................................................42 Book Review............................................................. 44 Useful Numbers........................................................ 47
Riverside Miniature Railway
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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, Trevor Langley, Jennie Billings, Ann Haldon, Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA, Nick Coffer and Kate Duggan.
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Lee Hellwig & Stamford Mercury 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
Midsummer Meanings The month of Wimbledon and Father’s Day; synonymous with freshly mown grass, the first Pimms and a sudden abundance of flowers, we welcome June as the beginning of summer. In Anglo-Saxon times, June was known as midsummer month or sera monath, meaning ‘dry month’. It also brought with it the big pagan celebration of the summer solstice – the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The longest day can occur on 20th, 21st or 22nd June, depending on when the sun is at its northernmost point in the Tropic of Cancer.
However, as is the case with this year, it most commonly falls on the 21st. Although they can happen, solstices on the other two dates are rare. For example, the last summer solstice to occur on 22nd June was in 1975. June’s summer solstice is also the time when the Arctic Circle experiences 24 hours of daylight, known as the midnight sun. Meanwhile in the Southern Hemisphere, 1st June is the official start of winter and the Antarctic Circle experiences 24 hours of darkness.
Photograph Andrew Dunn, www.andrewdunnphoto.com
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Our bespoke Smart Conservatory roof insulation solutions are tailored for your conservatory and can be installed with minimal disruption, making your conservatory nice and cool in the summer and cosy and warm in the winter. Within just a few days, you will be sitting back, relaxing in your new comfortable all-year-round living area. Having an insulated conservatory roof will not just add value to your property, but it will totally change the way you are using your downstairs living area. For more information or to request a quotation, visit our website or give us a call.
For more information or to request a quotation, visit our website or give us a call.
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10/05/2018 15:39
It was the Romans who were responsible for giving the sixth month in their Roman and our Gregorian calendar its current name. Jun(e) is believed to be a shortened version of Iunius or Junius (the capital ‘J’ only came into existence as a separate written letter from ‘I’ during the 14th century – before this they were written in the same way). Junius is Latin for ‘sacred to Juno’. In Roman religion Juno was the wife of Jupiter and patron goddess of The Pantheon in Rome. She was also the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth. The blessing she was said to bestow on couples who marry during this month has meant that June weddings remain popular to this day. Juno was attended by her companion bird, a peacock, and her messenger Iris, the hem of whose colourful robe would sometimes be glimpsed in the sky as a rainbow. In early Roman times, June had 29 days, but Emperor Julius Caesar added an extra day, making it 30 days long, but still a day shorter than most of the other months of the year. People born in June are said to be ruled by the planet Mercury, which represents youth. They come under the zodiac signs of either vivacious, optimistic Gemini (the twins) or loyal, stabilityloving Cancer (the crab).
Summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere Scientific studies have claimed that June babies tend to be physically stronger and suffer less with mental illnesses than those born in any other month. June has three birthstones: the pearl, said to stand for faith and purity of heart; moonstone for intuition, balance and new beginnings; and the more obscure alexandrite, which is supposed to bring health and longevity. The birth flowers for this month are the sweetsmelling rose, which in the traditional language of flowers represents romance and love, and the honeysuckle, whose meaning is fidelity and devotion.
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There is a saying in folklore that in June, summer doesn’t begin until the elderflower is in blossom. As well as the summer solstice, other festivals that take place in June include well-dressing, where natural springs are honoured with elaborate decorations that include intricate mosaic-like pictures made using flowers, grasses, moss, seeds, bark and berries. Well-dressing is particularly popular across Derbyshire. The many significant historical events that have happened in the month of June include the signing of the Magna Carta on 15th June 1215, and the original Globe Theatre being destroyed by fire on 29th June 1613 after a cannon was let off to announce the arrival of the king’s entrance in Shakespeare’s Henry VIII. The infamous Battle of Waterloo took place on 18th June 1815 and just over a decade later, 10th June 1829 saw the inaugural Oxford versus Cambridge boat race (Oxford won). In June 1946, the first BBC television licenses were issued, costing £2. The Queen’s coronation took place on 2nd June 1953. It is also the month of her official birthday and the well-known Trooping of the Colour ceremony. Coincidentally, Queen Victoria, up until recently Britain’s longest reigning monarch, was also crowned in June, on 28th in 1838. D-Day, codenamed Operation Overlord, happened on 6th June 1944. The month of June has long fascinated poets, artists and lyricists from Shakespeare to Rogers and Hammerstein. ‘Flaming June’ is a famous painting by Lord Frederick Leighton completed in 1895. Scottish poet Robert Burns also paid homage to the month in the first lines of his wellknown poem ‘A Red Red Rose’. And there is no end of romantic ballads out there rhyming ‘June’ with ‘moon’. Believe it or not, June was a popular name for both boys and girls in the first part of the 20th century but over the last 40-50 years has declined in favour in the UK. However, June has enjoyed a resurgence as a favourite girls’ name in the USA during the past decade.
By Catherine Rose
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Food and Drink
Wine: Austria Sparkling Sensations The pretty alpine villages of Austria, plus the beautiful architecture of town and city buildings, are constantly admired by numerous visitors from worldwide origins. Lakes, mountains, glaciers and stunning landscapes attract many, too, as well as the history of Austria. The cuisine of Austria has become well known and appreciated, along with very impressive high quality wines the country has to offer, a great number of which are (multi) award-winning productions.
Austria grows 40 grape varieties (26 white, 14 red) that are officially approved for the production of their quality wines. International varieties include Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet, amongst numerous others. Austrian grape varieties include the much acclaimed Grüner Veltliner, which is now being planted, increasingly, in other countries. The ‘Quality Pyramid’ of Austria’s Sparkling wines has differing requirements, that are set out in a strict set of regulations, for each level, including varying maturation periods, ranging from 9 months to 30 months. Klassik, Reserve and Grosse (Grande) Reserve all have sparkling productions that are very popular indeed, with the latter two quality levels being known for their impressiveness, structure, elegance, bouquet, mouthfeel and palate sensation, particularly. A lot of cuisine enjoyment is enhanced by pairing with sparkling wines. Seafood, fish dishes and white meats, including poultry, plus pasta and rice, all have a great accompaniment and partnership with the ‘sparklers’ and their wonderful perlages. Schlumberger has a network of cellars that hold many barrels and bottles of sparkling wines. Robert Alwin Schlumberger had productions in 1842 and very soon after the wines were presented and served at the Imperial Court. Klassik Brut, Chardonnay Jahrgang Brut Reserve and Blanc De Noirs Brut Reserve will not disappoint. Refreshing, intense, fresh and fruity is how I would describe these productions. www.schlumberger.at Steininger has fabulous wines, too. Grüner Veltliner Steinhaus (Stone house) shows the character of this wine, which is derived from the soils. A superb example. www. weingut-steininger.at Weingut Moser and Weingut Müller both have impressive productions, also. Pure drinking pleasure is forthcoming from these companies’ wines. Respectively, www.moserwein.at and www.weingutmueller.at have a wealth of information. Tastings and tours, of all the wineries, are very popular.
As always, Enjoy!
ey Trevor Langl
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Win a Family Pass to Folk by the Oak
Hatfield House welcomes back family friendly Folk Festival by the Oak on Sunday 14th July, for another day of exceptional wall to wall music and festival fun! Music lovers and festival fans from far and wide will once again be flocking to this stunning Hertfordshire venue for a packed day of sublime music and activities for all ages. Main stage Acts include Frank Turner, The Staves, Seth Lakeman and The Lost Words: Spell Songs (the musical companion piece to The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris). The Acorn Stage will be headlined by Elephant Sessions and will also welcome Robert and Jackie to talk about The Lost Words, their ‘beautiful protest’ at the loss of common nature words from the language of children. Being a smaller, one day festival makes Folk by the Oak a truly family friendly affair. There’s a dedicated family area that’s within sight and sound of the Main Stage so grown-ups don’t have to miss out on the music while entertaining the youngsters. While there’s plenty of delicious street food from around the world on offer, Folk by the Oak actively invite you to bring your own food and drink into the arena, so keeping the whole family fed and watered doesn’t have to break the bank or involve repeated trips back to the car! Activities on offer include natural craft activities, longbow archery, storytelling, brilliant bubble making, circus skills, face painting and much, much more! For more information on this fabulous family friendly festival go to www.folkbytheoak.com
FOLK BY THE OAK COMPETITION ENTRY
For a chance to win a family pass (admits 2 adults and 2 children) complete the form below and send to: Folk by the Oak Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th June 2019.
Name: Tel: Email: Address: 10
For full terms and conditions please go to www.villagermag.com
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Win Tickets for the Hatfield House Battle Proms
The Battle Proms, the UK’s premier picnic concert series returns to the historic Queen Elizabeth Oak Field in Hatfield House on Saturday 13 July, and we have 3 pairs of tickets to giveaway! The Battle Proms is a summer celebration with a full programme of captivating classical music from the 60-piece New English Concert Orchestra, complemented by toe-tapping vintage vocals and a breathtaking Spitfire aerial display by The Grace Spitfire, which is accredited with shooting down the first enemy aircraft over the Normandy beachhead on D-Day, 75 Years ago. There’s even a sensational freefall demonstration by The Red Devils parachute team, dramatic Napoleonic cavalry displays and groundshaking live fire from over 200 cannons! These quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ concerts feature magnificent musical firework displays, culminating in a flag waving, sing-a-long spectacular including all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites such as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory!
Don’t want to leave it to chance? Book online at www.battleproms.com
BATTLE PROMS COMPETITION ENTRY
For a chance to win tickets to this unforgettable night out complete the form below and send to: Battle Proms Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th June 2019.
Name: Tel: Email: Address:
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For full terms and conditions please go to www.villagermag.com
Let us take care of your catering needs Many years of experience in the hospitality business Menus created to suit your requirements
Call Caroline for a chat on 07411064960 or email carolineandnickbenson@gmail.com
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John O’Gaunt Golf Club
Become a member, start playing today Memberships available for men, ladies and juniors Two magnificent championship courses
Impressive club house, bar and catering facilities
Well stocked shop and club fitting by Head Professional Lee Scarbrow
Excellent practice and coaching facilities
Please get in touch for more information... John O’Gaunt Golf Club, Sutton Park, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2LY Tel: Main Club - 01767 260360 Pro Shop - 01767 260094 Email: villageradvert@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk Why not visit our website for more information at www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk 14
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Health
The Impact of Stress and Ways to Manage it A UK-wide survey, carried out in 2018, found that almost three-quarters of adults (73%) had, at some point over the year before, felt so stressed that they were overwhelmed or unable to cope. The study was commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation and is believed to be the largest and most comprehensive stress survey ever carried out across the UK with 4,619 people taking part. Sometimes stress can be a positive force, motivating you to perform well at a given time, on a critical work task, for example. But more often than not stress is a negative force. When we feel stressed adrenaline kicks in immediately to help prepare you for a physical response – your heart pumps faster, your breathing rate picks up and more blood flows to your muscles. You are primed for action. About ten minutes later, cortisol is released. Cortisol helps to maintain those high energy levels by turning stored fat and carbohydrates into simple fats and sugars to use as fuel to deal with the ‘crisis’. It also sharpens our senses before assisting with the physiological ‘return to normal’ process. You are primed for action but then there is no action. If your stress response doesn’t stop firing, and these stress levels stay elevated far longer than is necessary for survival, it can take a toll on your health. Chronic stress can cause a variety of symptoms
and can affect your overall well-being. Symptoms of chronic stress include: • Irritability • Anxiety • Depression • Headaches • Insomnia Women who are stressed are more likely than men who are stressed to experience depression and anxiety. What can we do to help ourselves? We can try and take more control by understanding the impact our lifestyle is having on our health. The following wellness changes can help: • Deep breathing exercises. • Meditation or mindfulness. • Take time for yourself. • Get enough sleep. • Eat the right foods – eat foods with B vitamins, such as bananas, fish, avocados, chicken, and dark green, leafy vegetables. Studies show that B vitamins can help relieve stress by regulating nerves and brain cells. • Get moving, even just moving away form your desk and outside for a few minutes can help. • Talk to friends or family. • Get professional help. For more tips and advice go to http://www.womenshealthhub.co.uk
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House of Colour
Swimwear and
Holiday-Wear Tips
Holiday season is nearly amongst us which means it’s time to think about this year’s holiday outfits. Everyone wants to feel fabulous on holiday but there are so many things to consider that sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. So, we’ve done the hard bit for you… 1. Cut – When choosing the right swimwear cut think beyond whether it should be a tankini, bikini, or one piece. For those of us who like to show off our shoulders opt for a bandeau style top; a high waisted bikini bottom with a classic ruched middle helps to cover any wobbly areas. Take your time to find the right swimwear. 2. One piece - No longer the boring choice, one pieces now feature a host of cut-outs, zips, belts, knots and bang on trend patterns. One shouldered swimsuits, bows and retro patterns have all recently made a comeback. Just know what suits your style and wear what makes you feel fabulous on your poolside deckchair whilst sipping a spritzer! 3. Mixy matchy – Pairing patterns and block colours in bikini tops and bottoms can provide an interesting but not overstated look but bear in mind that a darker bikini bottom and more interesting bikini top usually gives better balance. If you are feeling daring mismatch two patterns to express a more rule breaking nature.
4. Pop Goes the Colour – Know your colours before you go holiday shopping because your skin tone is even more vital when you are revealing more of it on the beach! Autumns will suit gorgeous rust, corals and olives whilst Springs will wow in leafy greens, flamingo pink and turquoise. Winters will look amazing in jewel colours like emerald, electric blue and magenta whilst Summers will suit beautiful muted rose, dusty pink and cornflower for example. 5. Sustainable – Sustainability is gaining incredible momentum and swimwear is no exception. More swim labels are launching sustainable and ethical swim lines than ever before as more of us prioritise sustainability as a key shopping factor. 6. Sunnies – Don’t be tempted to do an online search to scrawl through the thousands of colours, styles and patterns (and variation on quality) on offer. Understanding your face architecture is crucial to knowing what really suits you and most of us need to try lots of pairs on to see what works. You will invariably end up sending them back if you buy online. 7. Rocking your Shoes – This is the perfect time of year to add a pop of colour to your outfit through your footwear. The shops are adorned with yellow, green, leopard print and reds at the moment. 8. Arm Candy – Avoid large leather or plastic bags in hotter climates. If you rock the boho vibe try a linen sling bag with some tassels or texture, or if you like something a bit more dramatic perhaps try a metallic look. 9. Sarongs & Hats – Be playful and colourful in your choices especially if you are wearing block colour swimwear. The options are endless. When choosing your holiday hat, remember that dark colours like black and dark blue actually absorb heat. Oversized hats were on many of the catwalks but wear a size and shape that is right for your own scale and express your personality through design and detail. 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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Local News
The Highwayman Car Scheme Do you know what it is?
It’s a scheme to help provide transport for people who are not able to make essential journeys by public transport or any other means. A team of volunteer drivers take you to appointments at the Doctors, Hospital, Dentist etc alongside social drives such as visiting relatives or friends and even shopping. The scheme is aimed at helping people get out and about. Passengers pay the driver on the day of travel to contribute towards fuel expenses. This is at a rate of 30p per mile with a minimum charge of £3.00 To arrange a journey or for more information please call
07786 520540
If the phone is not manned at the time of your call leave a message on the answerphone and the coordinator of the drivers will get back to you. We are also always looking out for volunteer drivers so if you want to help your community give us a call. We would love to hear from you. The scheme is supported and advised by Cambridgeshire County Council and Care Network, Cambridgeshire
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
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Local News
Huntingdonshire History Festival By Gillian Rayment, Chair, Publicity Group
The idea of a Huntingdon History Festival was first thought of in early 2017, which in turn led to the first meeting in September and the ideas where thoughts and suggestions were outlined. The original idea was to have 10 shop displays around town for a month, showing different parts of Huntingdon history. However, the Festival soon expanded into something much more than this and culminated in 44 events being run throughout the month of July 2018, all being free to the public. The best attended events were the opening (Civil war re-enactment and children’s art event) and closing events (A14 finds exhibition and children’s art event) with around 2000 people at each event. The decision was taken this year to expand the Festival and make it into Huntingdonshire History Festival and it is proving to be even bigger and better with Ramsey and St Neots taking an active part. The events begin in Huntingdon on 29th June with the Opening Ceremony, a Mediaeval Re-enactment, Georgia Manning’s children’s workshop and a Civil War and armour exhibition in the Cromwell Museum. A full calendar of events can be found on the Festival website: https://huntshistoryfest.com/ or email us on hunts.hist.festival@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page.
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A FREE WILL for Homeowners Protect your home and legacy for your children • • • • • •
Keep your hard-earned wealth within the family Stop your home from being sold to pay for long term Care Fees. Prevent the courts from making your financial and healthcare decisions. If you already have a Will … Is it up to date? Several thousand outdated wills are legally challenged every year. Ensure your parents’ home and property is also protected.
DON’T PUT IT OFF – Don’t let your home and money disappear, make sure your estate goes to your family… leaving “what you want” to “who you want”. CALL 01767 660250 for more information or to book a free meeting with one of our Will and Estate Planners either in your own home or at our offices. Baystrait Ltd t/a Will & Estate Planning, Baystrait House, Station Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8AL
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Finance
Short-term or long-term mortgage It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of mortgage products available, and the trend towards offering non-traditional mortgage terms doesn’t help when you’re trying to decide which loan is best. Banks and building societies are increasingly offering longer-term mortgages lasting 30 or 40 years alongside the ‘standard’ 25-year term with which many of us are familiar. Shorter-term mortgages of 15 years or so are also available, so what are the pros and cons of short-term and long-term mortgages, and which might be better for you? Why choose a short-term mortgage? Short-term mortgages have higher monthly repayments, but you’ll pay considerably less interest overall. If you’re able to put down a large deposit, you don’t need to borrow as much money, which is just one instance where short-term mortgages might be a good idea. An additional advantage is that, if you’ve been able to repay your mortgage sooner than later, the equity in your property will also grow faster. The initial consideration if you’re thinking about a short-term mortgage, however, is whether you can keep up repayments over this period. Can you afford a short-term mortgage? Your monthly budget will dictate whether it’s possible to repay your mortgage over a shorter period of time than the standard term, but you need to be very careful not to overstretch yourself financially. Also bear in mind the potential interest rate rises in the future, particularly considering the low rates we’ve enjoyed for more than a decade. In other words, the only direction interest rates are likely
to go is up, so it might be worthwhile considering mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) to cover your repayments if you fall ill or lose your job. Why choose a long-term mortgage? You might choose a long-term mortgage to benefit from lower monthly payments. Perhaps you’re more at ease knowing you can comfortably afford the repayments on your biggest asset, and feel it’s worthwhile despite the extra interest you’ll pay over the course of the loan term. It’s also beneficial if you need a high loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage. Another consideration with long-term mortgages is your age, as although long-term mortgages are becoming more mainstream, some lenders still don’t offer this type of mortgage term if it means it will take the borrower into their retirement years. On the other hand, younger applicants looking for their first property might have no problem in obtaining a mortgage with a duration of upwards of 35 years. So what are the main benefits and drawbacks of lengthier mortgages? Pros of a long-term mortgage • Monthly repayments are lower. • Interest rate rises will have less impact. • You may be able to secure a higher loan-to-value ratio. Cons of a long-term mortgage • It takes longer to repay. • You pay more interest overall. • You may be refused on age grounds. Affordability is the keyword when thinking about mortgages – hopefully between you and your lender, you’ll be able to find the right length of mortgage term and feel able to repay every month without too much difficulty.
By Ann Haldon
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Borderstyle & Landscaping We offer all aspects of soft or hard landscaping Driveways, Patios, Fencing Garden Design and Renovation Border and Garden Clearance Family Run Business Ten year warranty contract given. We are fully insured. Portfolios & references available.
Call Norm or Martin 01480477 040 / 07522661156
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Garden
Houseplant Heaven By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com Now is the time to give houseplants some TLC as they could do with some pampering! Check them over thoroughly and remove and dispose of any that are heavily infested with pests or infected by diseases. Once done, continue as follows… • Pick over remaining plants removing dead, damaged or discoloured leaves. Use sharp scissors, special ‘snips’ or miniature secateurs on tough leaf stems. • Houseplants usually respond well if repotted in late spring or very early summer, so if yours are pot-bound do this now. Check by carefully removing the plant from its pot – if the root system is quite congested, it’s usually time to move house. • When repotting, only move the plants up one pot size and use compost as similar as possible to their current compost. If in doubt, seek advice from your compost supplier. Ensure the compost is free-draining and that there are crocks at the base of the pot. Consider adding additional grit or perlite to improve drainage. • Once repotted, place plants in a cool, relatively stress-free environment for a week or two, away from hot or direct bright sunlight. Keep them adequately watered and the roots will move into the new compost. • Next, give them a bit of a bath, using wellmoistened kitchen roll or cotton wool to wipe the leaves clean. Many of the more glossy-leaved houseplants respond well to an application of leaf shine, but not all, so check before you start.
• Feed houseplants regularly – good fertilisers are available in garden centres. Choose those formulated specifically for the plants where possible, or those suitable for foliageor flowering houseplants. Specialist fertilisers are also available for cacti and African violets. • Plants that have just been potted on will not require feeding for a couple of months, but both recently replanted and more established houseplants need regular watering, particularly as they start to grow and if they are in a fairly warm or sunny position. • Don’t place plants in too sunny a spot – they can get too hot or suffer from leaf scorching if placed too close to a south- or west-facing window. Use an east- or north-facing windowsill where possible, or at least move them further back from the glass. Most houseplants benefit from being placed in dappled shade in the garden, and they should thrive provided you keep them fed and watered. • If treating yourself to new houseplants, make sure that the plant is well-suited to the position that you have lined up for it – it’s tempting to buy those that do well in really sunny situations, but if you only have a fairly shady windowsill it will suffer immensely over the winter months. Visit www.pippagreenwood.com for advice, natural pest controls, stylish cloches, pretty plant supports, gardening tools and more. Or book Pippa for a gardening talk at your club.
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Pets
Animal Stories The large majority of the animals that come into our care at RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch come from National RSPCA Inspectorate from within our area. These animals are always our main priority, however we will always try and help members of the public wherever and however we can. Mocha and Biscuit came into our care back in April after the Branch was contacted by a member of the public asking for help. Their previous owners could no longer keep them due to a change in family circumstances, therefore had made the difficult decision to rehome the tabby duo. Both approximately five years old, this beautiful pair were previously kept as indoor cats where they had the run of the home, however they are quite inquisitive, so we fell they could go to a new home where they are able to explore a secure garden. They are both very friendly and would suit almost any family. Mocha, the male of the pair, will however need slightly more special treatment than Biscuit due to a urinary problem he had back in 2017. Although this causes him no issues and the problem has never reoccurred, he will need to stay on his special diet and supplements. He is a big boy weighing 6.7kg but is an absolute teddy bear! For more information about Mocha and Biscuit, or to enquire about rehoming these lovely tabbies, contact the Branch by emailing adopt@ rspcabedsnorth.org.uk or phoning 01234 266965.
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RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch will always try and help members of the public with their pets in the best way that we can, but something that is always readily available is help for cat neutering. It is so important for cats, male and female, to be spayed or castrated. For females, apart from the most obvious, preventing pregnancies, spaying can also avoid females coming into season and therefore attracting unwanted make attention. It also prevents the risk of uterus infections. For males castration can significantly reduce urine marking and roaming, but can also prevent the risk of testicular cancer. Despite these health benefits, neutering isn’t always the most affordable procedure, so Bedfordshire North Branch can help. We can offer neutering vouchers to use at participating local vets in the area, to be put towards the cost of a cat spay or castration. The vouchers are worth £30 and any remaining veterinary costs are to be covered by the applicant. Applicants must be in receipt of benefits or on a low income to qualify for neutering help. To request help, or for further information including eligibility for the scheme, contact the Branch by emailing info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk or phoning 01234 226965.
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Food & Drink
BBQ Buffalo Chicken Wings
with a Blue Cheese Dip It’s amazing how many careers in food come about as a result of a big career change. People leave the rat race and set up a café, a cake making business, a food truck or a restaurant, making quality of life their key criteria. Although most say they’ve never worked harder than they now do in their new food career, they’ll also say they’ve never had more fun. One such man is Harp Gill, who left a stressful career in recruitment in the City to set up a BBQ and smoking catering company in Milton Keynes called The Rub BBQ. He is passionate about smoking and cooking meats perfectly. These Buffalo wings are a true classic – tangy, sharp, spicy and devilishly moreish. Ingredients: 1kg chicken wings (prepared how you like, in 3, 2 or 1 wing configuration). For the dry rub 2 tbsp paprika powder 2 tbsp garlic powder 2 tbsp sea salt 2 tbsp ground pepper For the buffalo sauce 250ml apple cider vinegar 100ml distilled white vinegar 2 tbsp ground cayenne powder 3 tbsp cayenne pepper powder 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tbsp salt 150g salted butter For the blue cheese dip 500g of your desired blue cheese crumbled as fine as possible 500g Greek yoghurt A dash of lemon juice 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp milk salt and pepper to taste
1. Place the chicken wings in a bowl and add the dry rub ingredients. Mix everything together well to ensure all the pieces are equally covered. 2. Cover with cling film and place in a fridge overnight (or for at least for 2 hours). 3. Place all of the sauce ingredients except the butter into a saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat. 4. Reduce to a simmer for between 20-25 minutes stirring occasionally. 5. Add the butter and simmer gently for a further 15 minutes. Place to the side once done. 6. To make the blue cheese dip, place all ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Pop it in the fridge until ready to serve. 7. Now it is time to grill the wings. Place them skin side down over a hot BBQ and cook until the skin starts bubbling (5-8 minutes) and then turn them over for a further 1-2 minutes or until done. 8. Pop the buffalo sauce in a bowl and roll the wings in it, giving it a good coating. 9. Return them to the grill for a further minute to crisp up the sauce and then give them one final coating of the sauce (without grilling them again). They are ready to serve now. 10. Serve with the blue cheese dip and a stick of celery. These give a real wow factor at any family BBQ and make a perfect starter or lunch snack. NB: This recipe can also be done in the oven should you not have access to a BBQ. Cook the wings for an hour at 180C/ Gas Mark 4, covered with foil. The final glazing process can be done under a hot grill.
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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Local News
Riverside Miniature Railway Founded by Ivan Hewlett in 2016, Riverside Miniature Railway Club (RMRC) is developing a 7 ¼” and 5” gauge ground level miniature railway in the beautiful surroundings of Riverside Park, St Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 7SD. RMRC is a community railway with a fast growing membership of volunteers of diverse ages and backgrounds, but with a common aim of creating an attractive miniature railway for the benefit of St Neots and surrounding areas. Despite only receiving formal planning permission to construct on the council owned land in November 2016, the volunteers have already completed a 310m circuit of dual gauge track, a passing loop and a period station/stores building. Since opening for public running last June, the railway has carried over 20,000 passengers. The eventual track plan will be a figure of 8 layout with triangular junctions to permit varied running routes over what will be a final line length of around 700 metres. We work closely with other community groups and are extremely proud to have already been the recipients of two local community awards. Our core values are Community, Sustainability and Inclusivity. The club plan to make donations to local charities each year and have already supported Switch Now, Barnardo’s, The Upside Down Swimming Club and a local infant school. Wherever possible we use reuseable or recycled building materials. Our station is a recycled shipping container and our fencing has been made from pallets. We welcome volunteers and passengers of all capabilities and have recently
taken delivery of a carriage to allow wheelchair users and accompanying passengers to ride our trains. Also new for the 2019 season, Lady in Red our club steam locomotive, a petrol-hydrostatic loco named David Gosling and three new guards trucks have joined our fleet of railway vehicles. The railway operates 11.00 to 4.00 on Sundays, although if we have enough volunteers, we hope to extend our opening days to Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the school summer holiday. RMRC are always looking for volunteers. If you would like to know more about our project, or come along for a look or even a run with your own engine, then please visit: Website: www.riversiderailway.co.uk Facebook: Riverside Miniature Railway E-mail: riversideminiaturerailway@gmail.com
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Local News
South Beds Country Show Back for a 3rd year at New Manor Farm, Harlington, the South Beds Country Show just gets bigger and better. Come and see the actionpacked arena, busy throughout the day with sheepdog and falconry displays, heavy horse turnouts and parades of vintage vehicles, with headline act the Wye Valley Axemen. Visit the food and craft marquees and browse the market stalls for that unique birthday gift and stop for refreshment in the bar or eat from one of the
catering stalls within the show. Everywhere you look there is something to see from farm animals to steam engines, vintage tractors to working craft demonstrations! Bring the family along, and don’t forget under 16’s accompanied by paying adult get in free! Come and join us on the 29th & 30th June and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
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G.B.BUILDERS NO JOB TOO SMALL FOR ALL MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS AND DIY WORK All general building repairs and odd jobs Specialist in Painting and Decorating & Groundwork and Grass cutting • Brickwork & Plastering Tiling Driveways • Paths & Patios Slabbing • Concreting Blockpaving • Fencing, Carpentry • Roofing Guttering • Drainage Plumbing
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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 1 June Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church Hall, St Ives Quality handmade art and craft stalls. Tombola.
1 June Coton Countryside Walk 10am-3pm Meet Martin Car Park, Coton Reserve, Grantchester Road Free event. CambridgePPF. Coton ReserveMadingley Rise-American Cemetery. Join us for a sociable 7.5 mile long countryside walk around picturesque Coton village and its beautiful surroundings. Donations welcome. 1 June St Neots Timebank Coffee Morning 11am-1.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, St Neots Please come along and join us for a cuppa and cake (only £1.50!) any maybe pick up some bedding plants and flowers to brighten your garden. Tel: 07590 909057 www.stneotstimebank.org.uk
4 June Bingo 7.30 for 8pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Meet/bring friends, bar, cake, prizes, a fun night out. 4, 11, 18 & 25 June St Ives Photographic Club 7pm 4 June - RSPB Reserve and Needingworth; 11 June - Holywell Riverside Walk; 18 June - Holme Fen & Great Fen and 25 June - Raptor Foundation. Email: events@stives-photoclub.org.uk Web: www.stives-photoclub.org.uk 4, 11, 18 & 25 June Roxton Bridge Circle 7.15-10pm Roxton Parish Hall Small friendly group playing Bridge every Tuesday evening. Tel: Mary 01480 212552 Email: mary@jackpike.co.uk 5 June Little Paxton Gardening Club Little Paxton Village Hall Tickets Members £4, Guests £6. Garden visit in Buckden. An evening visit to this one-acre garden with Japanese theme. A large selection of acers, pines and rare and unusual shrubs. Admission by ticket only. Tel: Jane 01480 218805 Email: lpgardeningclub@hotmail.com
1 June Bingo 7.30pm Buckworth Cricket Club, Church Road, Buckworth, Huntingdon Come and join us for the clubs regular bingo evening. Eyes down 8pm. Light refreshments and a raffle. 5 June Web: www.buckworthcricketclub.co.uk Local Police Surgery 10am-12pm Little Paxton Village Hall Meeting Room 2 June The St Neots Community Policing Team will be St Neots & District Gardening Club holding a Police Surgery which is a great opportunity Visit to Little Bentley Hall Garden Show. for residents to meet the local Police team and to Web: www.stneotsgardenclub.org.uk raise any concerns they may have with officers. Organised by Little Paxton Parish Council. 2 June Red Cross Open Garden 2-5pm 5 June The Old Vicarage, Great Staughton PE19 5BF St Mary’s Afternoon WI St Neots Adults £5. Lovely old garden with variety of areas to 2pm St Mary’s Church Rooms, St Neots see. Treasure Hunt for children. Wheelchair access. First Wednesday of the month. Handmade Millinery & Jewellery. Tel: May Parker 07724 043941 2 June Email: mayp.at.home@gmail.com Hinxton Watermill Open Day Facebook: www.facebook.com/St-Marys-Afternoon2.30-5.30pm Mill Lane, Hinxton CB10 1RD St-Neots-Womens-Institute-238190076940278/ CambridgePPF Members free, Non-members £3, Children £1. See the mill in action, riverside walk and 7 June ‘Where’s Ratty’ game for children. No need to book. Hail Weston Wildlife and Gardening Group 6.30pm until late. Members £6, Non-members £8 3 June Open Garden Safari. Cost includes glass of Pimm’s Kimbolton WI Visit to Blenheim Palace and Prosecco. Tel: Rod Scuffle 07706 198807 9am. £28. A limited number of places are available Email: rodscuffle@yahoo.co.uk on Kimbolton WI’s outing to Blenheim Palace. The coach will leave Robinson’s Car Park at 9am and 7 June return between 5.30-6.00pm. Cost includes travel St Neots Local History Society and entry to the grounds and the house. 7.30pm Eynesbury Junior School Tel: Mavis Campion 01480 860477 ‘Great Northern Railway through St Neots’ with George Howe. Web: http://stneotslhs.org.uk 3 & 10 June St Neots Timebank Members Evening 7-9 June 7-9pm Tesco Community Room St Neots 37th Folk Festival, The Priory Centre Two-part Life Support Awareness Course on Concerts and Day of Dance. Full details on website. consecutive weeks. Booking required. Tickets from the Club, The Priory Centre or download Tel: 07590 909057 www.stneotstimebank.org.uk a form. Web: www.stneotsfolkclub.co.uk
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Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com
In June
7, 14, 21 & 28 June Friday Night Lights 7.30-8.30pm. Longsands Academy Astro, Longsands Road, St Neots St Neots Hockey Club aims to provide the local community of St Neots with the opportunity to experience hockey in a casual, relaxed and family orientated environment. Tel: Chris 07792 044878 Email: cjbryden08@hotmail.co.uk 8 June Hemingford Village Market 9am-1pm Parish Centre, Hemingford Grey Second Saturday of the month. An opportunity to buy food, crafts, plants and flowers from small local businesses. Hemingford Grey Parish Council hold a surgery at the market should you wish to meet councillors to discuss local issues. 8 June Buckden Open Gardens 11am-6pm Early bird Adults £4, Adults £5 16 glorious gardens will be open including The Knot Garden at Buckden Towers. Garden Passports for entry to all gardens are available from Nisa, Hunts End and Days of Buckden from 18-31 May at £4, thereafter £5. On the day, Passports will be available from all open gardens and St Mary’s Church. 8 June Family Fun Day 12.30-4.30pm St Mary’s Church Buckden Free admission. Traditional stalls, small and cuddly animal farm, classic cars, live music. Lots for children to do and enjoy. Refreshments from 10am including lunches, cream teas, BBQ and Licensed Bar. 8 June Music Quiz 7.30pm Offord Village Hall Tickets £5. Teams up to 6 can be made on the night. Bring your own food and drink. Tel: John 01480 810049 or Alan 01480 811126 8 June Together in Concert: Buckden Handbell Ringers and The Aragon Singers of Buckden 7.30pm United Reformed Church, Moore’s Walk, St. Neots Tickets £10, Concessions £8 concessions Tickets from United Reformed Church or Box Office. Tel: Box Office 01480 812777 8 & 9 June Grafham Flower Festival Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm Free admission. This years’ theme is Hobbies. The church will be open both days with refreshments available after lunch. At 4.30pm on Sunday there will be a Songs of Praise service. All very welcome - yes that includes children (and dogs on leads)! 10 June Godmanchester Trefoil Guild 7.30-9pm Godmanchester Football Ground Trefoil Guild is a branch of Girlguiding for Adults aged 18+. They meet on the second Monday of the month. Email: jeanmking@outlook.com
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n O s ’ t Wha In June
This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com
10 & 24 June Nature Tots 10-11.30am Ferry Meadows, Peterborough £3.50. A fun outdoor parent and toddler group. Each session has a nature theme and will include a messy craft activity, time to explore the beautiful outdoors, story and songtime. Age 2+. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk 11 June 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 12 June Fundraising Coffee Morning 10am-1pm All Saints Church, Market Square, Huntingdon The Hunts Society for the Blind Fundraising Coffee Morning. All welcome to come along and try our delicious homemade cakes, accompanied by a cup of tea and coffee. 14 June The Aragon Singers of Buckden Charity Concert 7.30pm All Saints Church Huntingdon Tickets £10 inc. glass of wine. In aid of Huntingdon Rotary. Tickets available by telephone and on the door. Tel: Deborah Napier-Reynolds 01480-390152 14 June Film Night 7.30pm Offord Village Hall Tickets £5. ‘Finding Your Feet’ (12) starring Imelda Staunton and Celia Imrie. Tel: John 01480 810049
15 June Adult Learning and Skills, St Ivo School, St Ives Saturday Workshops. A wide range of courses including; Watercolour Roses, Watercolour Boats, Buildings and Water, Car Maintenance, Danish Pastries, Macaroons, Indian Stuffed Breads, Dog First Aid, Dowsing, Families Screen Printing, Tropical Flower Arranging, Indian Dance and Sewing Machine Embroidery. Tel: 01480 495717 Web: www.aclearning.org.uk 15 June Paintbox Art Group Summer Exhibition 10.30am-4.30pm The Scout Hut, Mill Hill Road, Eaton Ford Free admission Refreshments. 15 June Red Cross Open Garden 2-5pm Mill River Nature Reserve, Shingay cum Wendy SG8 0HJ Adults £5. Rare opportunity to visit this newly created nature reserve. Wander or join a guided tour. Treasure Hunt and “Things to look for” for children. Teas, plant stall, dogs on leads. 15 & 16 June Abbots Ripton & Wennington Open Gardens 12-5pm Adults £7, Children free’
15 & 16 June Bolnhurst Vintage & Country Fayre Gates open 10am Adults £6, OAPs & 12-15 years £5, Under 12s free Vintage vehicles of all kinds, Auto jumble, market stalls, Art & Craft Tent, WI Tea Tent, Children’s Entertainer, Ring Events, Pacesetters Dog Display Team, Saturday Dog & Ducks display, Sunday Falconry Display and Horse & Carriage Turn out. Real Ale in Bar Tent, live music Friday & Saturday evening. Tel: 01234 376577 Web: www.bolnhurstrally.co.uk
26 June Roxtonettes Monthly Music Evenings 7.30pm Roxton Village Hall, High Street, Roxton £2.50 inc. refreshments. Do you enjoy singing or playing a musical instrument? We meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month. 7.30pm onwards for Instrumentalists and 8pm onwards for Singers. Under the guidance of Eamonn Nicholson-Clinch, we are an informal community singing group. You do not need to read music! Tel: Eamonn 07780 954314 or Susie 01234 376098
16 June Little Staughton Open Gardens 1-5pm Admission £5 by programme, Under 12s free Starts at the Village Hall. Stalls, Raffle, teas and toilets. All proceeds to Little Staughton Village Hall.
27 June Huntingdonshire Guitar Ensemble Concert 7.30pm St Peter’s Church, Offord Darcy Tickets £9 inc. complimentary drink Mixed programme of music to suit all tastes, including flute. Free parking on adjacent archery field.Tel: Jenny Griffiths 01480 811126Email: ticketoffice.stpeters@gmail.com
17 June St Neots Royal Naval Association 7.30pm The RAFA Club, 44 Huntingdon Street, St Neots St Neots & District Branch of the Royal Naval Association meet on the third Monday of every month. For further details contact the Secretary Tel: Tony Webley 01480 215218 Email: jj.awebley@btinternet.com 20 June St Ives & District Flower Club 2.15pm Visitors £7 Burgess Hall, St Ives Demonstration by Clarissa Harris ‘These are Some of my Favourite Things’. 22 June Eynesbury Church Strawberry Teas & Art Exhibition 2-5pm Enjoy Strawberry Teas in the grounds of the Church (weather permitting) and an Art Exhibition by local artists. Plus Summer Prize Draw. 22 June Blues in the Pews 7pm St James Church, Little Paxton Tickets £10 inc. glass of wine & canapes With Stella Hensley and Chris Newman. Tickets by telephone or email. Tel: 01480 877215 Email: admin@thepaxtonsbenefice.org 23 June Red Cross Open Garden 2-5pm Merton House, Grantchester CB3 9NQ Adults £5. Five-acre garden owned by same family for over 90 years. Wide variety of areas to see. Most wheelchair accessible. Teas and plant stall. 25 June Little Paxton Pictures Doors open 1.45pm, starts 2pm St James Church, Little Paxton Free admission Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance Kid (PG). Hot drinks, ice cream, popcorn and refreshments available.
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27 June St Neots & District Gardening Club 8pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Members £2, Non-members £2.50 inc. refreshments & raffle ticket ‘Colour in the Garden’ by Andrew Sankey. Web: www.stneotsgardenclub.org.uk 28 & 29 June Williams Antiques & Restoration Showroom Open Days & Tea Room 10am-4pm Tythe Farm, School Lane, Colmworth Free admission. Free parking. Web: www.williamsantiques.co.uk 29 June Hail Weston Village Fete & Dog Show 1-5pm Hail Weston Playing Fields Free admission. A family friendly afternoon with stalls, refreshments, games, beer tent and a flying display from the Raptor Foundation. All welcome. 29 June St Neots Choral Society & St Neots Sinfonia Joint Concert 7.30pm The Priory Centre, St Neots Adults £12, Concessions £10, Accompanied children free. ‘Last Night of the Proms’. Tickets available from choir members, on the door or by telephone. Tel: 01480 392322 29 & 30 June Hemingford Abbots Flower Festival 12-6pm Day programme £8, Weekend programme £13, Accompanied under 16s free. Over 20 open gardens and displays in the church. In addition to the church and gardens, visitors can enjoy a display of historic cars, motorcycles and bicycles, Morris Dancers outside the thatched village pub, river trips and much, much more. Free car parking. www.hemingfordabbots.org.uk Facebook: /haflowerfestival Twitter: @haflowerfest
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May’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mr P Hughes from Hitchin Winner of the Ballet Competition Mrs P Stevens from Biggleswade
Easy
Hard
Last Lines 1. “It was beauty killed the beast” is the last line of which famous film? 2. What are the two main traditions associated with the last lines that are delivered in a pantomime? 3. Which 2001 novel ends with the line “Very few castaways can claim to have survived so long at sea as Mr. Patel, and none in the company of an adult Bengal tiger”? 4. What is the last word in the Bible? 5. In which 1967 film do the title characters recite a chant to remember their roles in a mission, the final lines of which are “Fifteen: Franko goes in where the others have been, Sixteen: we all come out like it’s Halloween”?
6. “Thus, with a kiss, I die” are the last words of which Shakespearean character? 7. “They danced by the light of the moon” is the last line in which famous poem? 8. Every verse of which well known nursery rhyme ends with the line “my fair lady”? 9. Playing the Cook County Assessor’s Office Clerk, which film director is involved in the last lines of dialogue in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers? 10. In a famous poem by Rudyard Kipling, complete the last line of the verse that begins “Man’s timid heart is bursting with the things he must not say, for the Woman that God gave him isn’t his to give away, but when hunter meets with husbands, each confirms the other’s tale”...
1. King Kong 2. They should be in rhyming couplets, and they should not be performed in rehearsal 3. The Life Of Pi 4. Amen 5. The Dirty Dozen 6. Romeo (from Romeo and Juliet) 7. The Owl And The Pussycat 8. London Bridge Is Falling Down 9. Steven Spielberg 10. The female of the species is more deadly than the male
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The Villager Prize Crossword
Prize
ÂŁ25
Across 7. Manage, rule over (6) 8. Outfitter (6) 9. Information (4) 10. Set sail (8) 11. Most simple (7) 13. Vacant (5) 15. Caper, amazing feat (5) 16. Protection (7) 18. Stress, accent (8) 19. Otherwise (4) 21. Foolish (6) 22. 5 cent coin (6)
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before
16th June 2019 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd
Down 1. Settee (4) 2. Connections, alliances (13) 3. Examine, study in detail (7) 4. Plump, rotund (5) 5. Outside edge of circle (13) 6. Household (8) 12. Tries (8) 14. Taunting, goading (7) 17. Separate, detached (5) 20. Trunk of plant (4)
24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Name: Tel:

Address:
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Books
Book Review The Wych Elm by Tana French
One horrific night changes Toby’s life for ever. He retreats to the place he feels safest – Ivy House, to look after his terminally ill uncle. But then a skull is discovered in the garden and Toby has to question everything he believes to be true. Are his cousins hiding something from him? Is his uncle a killer? And, with his own memory damaged, how can Toby be sure he’s not the murderer? While The Wych Elm is a slow-burner, it’s well worth sticking with.
Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet edited by Chauney Dunford
When it comes to food, few things beat picking your own vegetables straight from the garden. And you don’t need a large plot to do it. Whether you have a balcony, a courtyard or just a windowsill, you can grow your own vegetables, fruit and herbs. This book offers plenty of advice for would-be growers, from which plants thrive in shady gardens to which flowers can help to protect your crops. You’ll soon be creating your own bicycle wheel trellis, balcony saddlebag or strawberry colander.
Weber’s Greatest Hits By Jamie Purviance
Over the years, Weber has released a series of books to accompany its bestselling barbeques. The latest, Weber’s Greatest Hits, has more than 100 recipes for starters, mains (beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish and shellfish), sides and desserts. Dishes include Chicken Tacos, Salmon Skewers, Zesty Garlic Prawns, Chilli-Rubbed Chicken and, for the traditionalist, Texas Burgers.
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By Kate Duggan
Stepsister By Jennifer Donnelly
Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, but who stops to consider her stepsisters? Isabelle is neither pretty nor demure. But if she’s brave enough to cut off her own toe to fit her foot in a glass slipper, what else is she capable of? While Stepsister is aimed at young adults, this imaginative story is also likely to appeal to older readers who fancy losing themselves in a twisted fairy tale for a few hours.
Property by Lionel Shriver
Looking for a book to dip in and out of, rather than devote whole sunny afternoons to? This collection of short stories and novellas might be the answer. If you want fast-paced action and loathe long passages of description, it’s probably not for you. If you enjoy wry humour, detailed characterisation and stories that you’re still pondering about hours later, it’s well worth a look.
The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion
Professor Don Tillman is back, more than a decade after we first met him in The Rosie Project. This time, he has a new project – helping his son Hudson to settle into school (and neurotypical society). Hudson’s teacher thinks Hudson may be autistic. Don and Rosie need to decide whether to seek a formal diagnosis. And, while they’re at it, whether Don should be classed as autistic himself. While The Rosie Result is the third in the trilogy, it can be read as a standalone novel. A warm, humorous, thought-provoking read.
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Email: nigel@villagermag.com Web: www.villagermag.com
To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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