Alconbury March 2020

VILLAGER The

Issue 96 - March 2020

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Easy Veg Growing Win tickets to see

Mark Thomas 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...

Trends we will be wearing this spring/summer

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Spotted Flycatchers................................................... 29 Fun Quiz.................................................................... 29 Brexit and Animal Welfare......................................... 30 7 Cars you can finance for less that weekly shop....... 32 Don’t be water wasteful............................................ 35 Puzzle Page............................................................... 36 What’s On.................................................................. 38 Prize Crossword............................................ 42 Book Review............................................................. 45 Useful Numbers........................................................ 47

How the Computer Began........................................... 4 Dining: Royal Lancaster Style...................................... 8 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.................................... 10 Win Tickets to see Mark Thomas..................... 12 EAAA Update............................................................. 16 What is Freemasonry................................................ 17 The Trends we will be wearing this Spring................ 18 Join the BDCPS Team................................................. 23 Stepping Stone Investing.......................................... 24 Easy Veg Growing...................................................... 27

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Stepping Stone Investing

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, Nick Coffer, Jennie Billings, Ann Haldon, Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA, and Kate Duggan

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Front Cover Photography - jreika 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

By Catherine Rose

How the Computer Began Believe it or not, the seeds for the earliest computers were sown at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

In 1801 French weaver Joseph Jacquard invented a loom that used punched wooden cards to automatically produce fabric designs – a concept that featured in the first computer systems.

However, it is Charles Babbage who is usually credited with the invention of the computer.

Born in 1791, he conceived a steam-driven programmable engine able to work out mathematical problems. Sadly, Babbage never lived to see his computer built, but amongst his many drawings and plans he left behind such a

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Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine No 1.

detailed technical design for ‘Difference Engine No. 2’ that the Science Museum’s curator decided to undertake the project in the 1980s. Finished in 2002, it works accurately, produces printouts and weighs five tons.

Babbage’s computer was never used in anger.

However, during the late 1880s, population growth in the United States meant that the government was struggling to calculate its census figures, so in 1890 Herman Hollerith designed a punch card system to automate the task. He saved the government $5 million and in the process

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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

established the company that went on to become IBM. Alan Turing is often described as the father of modern computers. In 1936 he invented the concept of the ‘Turing Machine’ that was capable of universal calculation, a computer description now referred to as ‘Turing complete’. Theoretically, the machine had limitless memory, could read data, write results, and store a program of instructions just like a modern computer.

Although it was never built, Turing’s subsequent contribution to cracking the Enigma Code during World War II is well-documented. Turing also foresaw the use of artificial intelligence (AI), devising a test he called the ‘Imitation Game’ to measure computer intelligence.

In 1941 German engineer Konrad Zuse attempted to actualise the ‘Turing complete’ concept with the first binary programmable electro-mechanical computer – the Z1 – which read instructions from 35mm punched film.

Between 1943 and 1944, two American professors, John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, constructed the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator, known as ENIAC. Considered to be the first electronic computer, it was 1,000 times faster than its predecessors, measured 800 square feet and had 18,000 vacuum tubes. From this came UNIVAC, the first commercial computer which was launched in 1946.

COBOL was the first computer language, invented

by Grace Hopper in 1953. This was closely followed

by FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation), developed by a team of programmers at IBM. Coupled with this, in 1958 Nobel prize-winner Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce manufactured the first computer chip: an integrated electronic circuit.

Towards the end of the 1960s, design engineers at Bell Labs came up with a computer operating system known as UNIX. Written in a programming language they called C, UNIX was useable across multiple platforms. It subsequently became the standard for mainframe computers.

Up until then, computers had not been suitable for use in homes, but in 1964 Douglas Engelbart produced a single user-friendly prototype including the now ubiquitous mouse and a graphical user interface. The famous floppy disk was invented by Alan Shugart of IBM in 1971. For the first time, it easily enabled software to be plugged in and shared between

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computers. As a result, personal computers (PCs) started to become available and Computer Science became the official subject for ‘geeks’ in the school curriculum.

1975 saw the foundation of Microsoft by two such self-confessed geeks: Paul Allen and Bill Gates.

Two years later the two Steves – Jobs and Wozniak – founded Apple Computers. Surprisingly, the first IBM PC wasn’t launched until 1981. It used MS-DOS and included an Intel chip, two floppy disk drives and the option of a colour monitor.

Meanwhile, Apple was busy developing its longstanding rival, the Mackintosh.

The 1980s saw further leaps in computer development. Computer software programs for both home and business use exploded. Word processing revolutionised the typing pool with programs like Wordstar, later replaced by Word.

It was also the era that Microsoft launched their groundbreaking Windows operating system and the first one hundred dot coms were registered for the newly created ‘worldwide web’ after physicist Tim Berners-Lee developed HTML (HyperText Markup Language) on which it was based.

In the last twenty years, computer technology has smashed through the glass ceiling with its evermore fast-paced development, from computers that once filled a whole room to those we now carry in our pockets. Even the relatively new Internet has seen huge changes with dial-up modems being replaced by Wi-Fi, and connectivity speeds increasing thanks to broadband (well, for a lot of areas at least). Computer games no longer require an old-fashioned floppy disk, or even a DVD, as everything increasingly moves into virtual reality.

Could Charles Babbage have foreseen the difference his Difference Machine would make when he was giving demonstrations to his academic friends in London all those years ago? I wonder…

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Registered Charity No 307534

SHUTTLEWORTH SWISS GARDEN

Shuttleworth is delighted to announce that our Swiss Garden has been awarded Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden status. RHS members pay no admission on Thursdays*!

Explore this outstanding garden, designed in the 1820s Regency fashion for creating landscapes in a picturesque alpine style. Find 13 heritage listed structures, wide range of interesting seasonal planting and our three resident peacocks. Tree and plant trails run throughout the year, with well-being workshops during the summer.

ENHANCE YOUR VISIT WITH OUR DIGITAL GARDEN GUIDES @Swiss_Garden www.shuttleworth.org/swiss-garden-app

WWW.SHUTTLEWORTH.ORG/SWISSGARDEN Groups very welcome - ask about discounted group entry!

Shuttleworth, Old Warden, Bedfordshire, SG18 9EP | 01767 627927 | enquiries@shuttleworth.org *Excludes ticketed event days

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14/02/2020 09:10:26

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Food and Drink

Dining: Royal Lancaster Style London holds much allure, for many. The different areas – be it East End, West End, North or South Bank of the River Thames and whether ancient, historical, pageantry or more modern is of interest, there is something for all ages. Culture, entertainment and sports are further attractions of the capital, which inspires all year through.

Always good, is a break in the time, if a day visit is planned. If a short trip (maybe romantic) is envisaged, a recommended restaurant could be welcoming. The area around Lancaster Gate, a mid-19th century development, has Kensington Palace and Gardens, plus Hyde Park. Also, Mayfair and Knightsbridge are in the vicinity, so thoughts of some ‘retail therapy’ may arise! I found the 5 star Royal Lancaster London Hotel, with its restaurants and bars, opened during 1967, to be a venue that has great attraction. This multi million pound renovated, 411 bedroom hotel, has views of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, plus the immediate area.

Different, outstanding restaurants, are located within the hotel and, depending on cuisine preferences and requirements, each is equally inviting. The Afternoon Tea can be an ‘invitation’, too.

The Island Grill Restaurant is very popular and offers dishes for all tastes. From the menu, starters include Crab Salad (Endive, seaweed crisp, oyster mayonnaise) and Wild Mushroom options. Royal Lancaster Smoked Salmon (Horseradish cream, beetroot, sourdough) has excellent presentation and, with complementing accompaniments, is very flavoursome, making a superb commencement to the dining occasion. Main courses have an array of meats, plus fish choices and more. All beef is organic, British and aged for 35 days. Grilled Free-Range Chicken (seasoned with English mustard and tarragon) is perfect with French fries and choice of sauces. With grilled tenderstembrocolli, suggested to accompany, this warrants, ‘Compliments to Chef’ – absolutely!

Desserts impress too and Dark Chocolate Fondant (Salted caramel ice cream) does not disappoint, oozing chocolate, with great flavour.

High-quality wines/drinks, from worldwide origins have something to satisfy all palates, including some fabulous pairings with cuisine. Gift vouchers are available.

Island Grill Restaurant and Bar Royal Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, Bayswater, London W2 2TY Tel: 44 (0) 207 551 6000 Tel: Island Grill: 44 (0) 207 551 6070 Email: info@royallancaster.com www.royallancaster.com

As always, Enjoy!

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ey Trevor Langl

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WHAT’S ON AT THE MILL 14th & 15th March THE BIG BREAKFAST WEEKEND

10% off breakfasts with our all new menu, served 9:00-11:30.

From Full English to Pancake Stack. The choice is yours.

2 2 ND M A R C H

2nd - 8th March

BRITISH PIE WEEK

Help us celebrate the pie and try our “Holme-made” daily specials.

from

22nd March

AFTERNOON TEAS

Easter holiday

EGGSTRAVAGANZA Kids Activity Trail

18th - 25th April

Our traditional afternoon teas are back and even more delicious than before.

EASTER WEEKEND

2 COURSE SPRING TIME SPECIALS Follow us on: /JORDANSMILL

MOTHER’S DAY MEAL FWOITR HMAUMGIFT ENGLISH TOURISM one get one FREE WEEK Buy on all Mill tours.

For full details of all our events please visit our website, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

KEEPING OUR FOOD HERITAGE ALIVE @JORDANS.MILL

www.jordansmill.com Jordans Mill, Holme Mills, Southill Road, Broom, Nr Biggleswade SG18 9JY

Food & Drink

Vegan BBQ pulled jackfruit kebab with spicy slaw and vegan tzatziki Over recent years on my Weekend Kitchen show, it’s been really interesting to watch the way our perceptions of vegan food have developed. Initially met with a lot of scepticism, vegan food on my show would usually have been met with “that’s better than I expected” or “you wouldn’t know it’s vegan”. Now we no longer need to make excuses – vegan food is just food, which happens to be vegan. This wonderful vegan kebab stands on its own as a brilliant meal. It was created by a vibrant and clever chef, Paul Nicholls (@ chefpaulnicholls on Insta), who runs the kitchen at Woburn Golf Course and his own catering company, Olive and Basil, named after his grandparents. Packed with flavour, fun and texture, it’s absolutely delicious, and so easy to make too.

Ingredients 1 tin jackfruit 1 tsp smoked paprika 4 tbsp BBQ sauce 1 large carrot, grated 1 small red onion, finely sliced 1 handful shredded cabbage 1 handful grated celeriac 1 tsp harissa paste 2 limes, zested and juiced 4 tbsp vegan cream cheese 1/2 cucumber grated 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 4 mint leaves, finely chopped 4 large pita breads

1. Firstly make the zesty slaw. Mix the cabbage, carrots, onion and celeriac in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then add a little lime zest and juice and finish with the harissa.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the vegan cheese with the garlic, mint, cucumber and a little lime juice to taste.

3. Fully drain the jackfruit from the tin and fry it, with the paprika, in a little oil in a pan. You want it to start to pull apart and caramelise a little.

Finish by mixing in the BBQ sauce.

4. Warm up your pittas and fill them with the pulled jackfruit and the coleslaw and drizzle over some of the tzatziki. Serve immediately.

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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Photo: Steve Ullathorne

WIN a PAIR of TICKETS to see MARK THOMAS at CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION, on 30th MARCH 2020 In his new show 50 Things About Us, Mark Thomas combines his trademark mix of storytelling, stand-up, mischief and really, really well researched material to examine how we have come to inhabit this divided wasteland that some of us call the United Kingdom.

Mark picks through the myths, facts and figures of our national identities to ask how we have so much feeling for such a hollow land. Who do we think we are? It is a show about money, history, songs, gongs, wigs, unicorns, guns, bungs, sods of soil and rich people* in the vein of The Manifesto-meets-sweary history channel.

An unstoppable force both on and off-stage, Mark has stopped arms deals, created a manifesto and brought the winning policy to parliament, walked the entire length of the Israeli wall in the West Bank, set up a comedy club in Jenin, had six series on Channel 4 alongside several television documentaries and radio series, written some books, grabbed a Guinness World Record, toured sell-out tours, won numerous awards, nabbed himself a Medal of Honour and succeeded in changing some laws along the way.

50 Things About Us is also a podcast. *(not the adjective Mark has chosen) We have a pair of tickets to give away for Mark’s Cambridge Junction tour date on Monday 30th March. All you have to do is send in the answer to the below question!

MARK THOMAS COMPETITION ENTRY

How many Channel 4 series did Mark have?



For a chance to win tickets simply answer the question and complete the form below and send to: Mark Thomas Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th March 2020

Name: Tel: Email: Address:

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Local News

Help to save lives by donating your time to East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) It’s just not donations that keep the East Anglian Air Ambulance flying and saving lives, the charity also rely on an army of helpful and passionate volunteers too, who can give us much or as little time as they like.

From volunteering to be an EAAA ambassador in your area to an occasional volunteer at one-off events, there is a lot you can do to help raise funds and awareness for this lifesaving charity.

From giving talks to local groups, representing the charity at cheque presentations, monitoring collection tins in local pubs and centres and banking the monies, there are lots of different ways you can help to save lives on a regular basis, and this can be completely flexible to you and your schedule.

EAAA are currently looking for a volunteer collection tin coordinator in Biggleswade, could you help?

Or, if you’d like to help out but not so often, EAAA has several fundraising events throughout the year where occasional volunteers are needed to lend a hand on the day and help with things like car parking, marshalling, cheering on participants at the finish line, handing out refreshments or helping to pack goody bags ahead of an event, there are so many different ways to help!

There are also periodic events, such as National Air Ambulance Week in September, when EAAA try to organise as many different bucket collections across the region as possible, and this is a time when volunteers really do make all the difference.

If you’d like to learn more about the charity and join a friendly, fun loving team of people that take pride in knowing they make a difference by volunteering their time to EAAA, contact Debbie Howland in the Volunteering team for an informal chat about how you might be able to help.

Call Debbie on 07703 684 599 or email debbie.howland@eaaa.org.uk

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CHEESE & WINE NIGHT TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2020

Join us for an open house evening while you enjoy some cheese and wine. The House will be open from 17:00 – 20.00 explore the rooms, the grounds and see areas not normally open to the public. £10.00 per person Pre-book via: www.shuttleworth.org/cheese-and-wine Shuttleworth House, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, SG18 9EA

01767 627970

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What is Freemasonry?

Local News

With a membership of more than 200,000 people drawn from communities across the UK, Freemasonry brings people together irrespective of their race, religion or any other perceived differences that can divide us as a society.

It is one of the oldest social organisations in the world, Freemasonry is not defined by an ideology. It’s open to people from all religions and political persuasions, and provides the common foundation for friendships between members. Rather than working on buildings like the masons of old, today’s Freemasons focus on building themselves as people of integrity.

What are its guiding principles? Freemasons use four important guiding principles to help define their path through life: integrity, friendship, respect and charity.

Kindness and charitable giving are deeply ingrained within the principles of Freemasonry. It provides a support structure that helps members make positive contributions to communities and worthwhile causes through fundraising events or volunteer work. For example, local Freemasons have been heavily involved in setting up and running the Three Pillars Feeding The Homeless Trust in Peterborough and St Neots where volunteers feed and support the homeless twice a week.

A Freemasonry Information Evening is being held in Huntingdon on Thursday 26th March 2020.

If you would be interested in attending so that you can find out a little more about Freemasonry then please e-mail pmo@northants-huntsmasons.org.uk or visit www.northants-huntsmasons.org.uk

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House of Colour

The trends we will be wearing this Spring/Summer 1. Minimal Futurist is a clear trend for the season with clean lines, block colours, minimal details, fluid movement and drape. Think layering simple blazers and sheath dresses with wide and slim leg trousers, finish the look with architectural accessories.

2. Elegance as Staple – Classic wardrobe staples have added feminine elegance for a balance between fluidity and structure. Tailored suits are worn with soft bow blouses, city shorts, and feminine dresses in simple and elegant shapes.

3. Modern Utility – Safari, shirt dresses, utility jackets, and trousers with utility style pockets and details continue to update modern silhouettes especially with waist definition.

4. Paradise Island – Perfect for your holiday wardrobe, blend exotic prints and textures with your safari colours and utility details.

Alternatively choose voluminous maxi dresses, crochet details, palm prints and handcrafted accessories.

5. Neo Victoriana’s fanciful ruffles and volume are underpinned by decadent florals. Puff and bishop sleeves on dresses and blouses, peplum jackets, refined ruffles and Victorian style accessories give a nod to historical influences.

On trend styles to keep in mind on shopping trips: • Short suits – for a contemporary look consider high waisted and longer length shorts teamed with a blazer.

• Texture is increasingly important. From soft buttery leather to light chiffons and crochet, layering is key. Satin continues as a must have fabric, reworked for SS20 in blazers and summer dresses in pastel shades.

• Environmental influence - Focus on investment pieces and trans-seasonal dressing for wardrobe staples so you can wear again and again appealing to those who want to buy less and wear more. Especially important when considering overcoats, blazers, classic shirts and trench coats.

• Versatile enough to be worn casually with sports shoes or dressed up with heels, the patterned midi remains the go-to dress shape. Puff sleeves, deep V and corset necklines or off the shoulder designs offer something different.

• Romantic puff sleeves and elasticated balloon shapes are still very in vogue as simple strings

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and long sweeping ties replace buttons as fastenings for a more natural feel.

• Layering midi dresses and longline shirts over trousers taps into the mood for seasonal dressing so you can wear your favourite dresses earlier in the season.

• Cardigans become a fashion favourite with matching cardigan and knitwear top sets in tight fitting to oversized options.

• Consumers still want comfort and style in their clothes but SS20 is the season of the blazer as the key item perfect for a smart/casual look. A wardrobe staple item that can be layered and worn between seasons. Adapt to suit your personality from simple tailoring to exaggerated shoulders or peplum details, there is a blazer for everyone.

• The Pantone Colour Institute has announced their colour of 2020 is the beautiful ‘Classic Blue’ so expect to see it all over the shops. Here are some other key colour trends:  Soft green – from autumn light sage to moss green  Bold red – the vibrant reds for all season  Yellow – yellow ochre, canary yellow and corn yellow, saffron and tangerine.  Pastel shades – the summer pinks, purples and greens  White – across all seasons from cream to bright white  Aqua  Lilac

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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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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05/12/2016 11:03 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Local News

BDCPS are looking for people to join the team BDCPS are looking for people to join our award winning organisation and dynamic team, for an exciting, fun and life changing experience you will never forget! We are a small, local charity who provide holiday schemes and clubs for young people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

At BDCPS we ensure that we have a 1:1 support for our young people, ensuring that all of their care needs are met, meaning that we rely heavily on bank staff and volunteers to be able to offer out the services to our families.

Genevieve, now 18 and a paid member of staff, was just 14 when she began volunteering with BDCPS. “Working with BDCPS is the thing I am most proud of. My confidence has improved, I have met so many amazing people and I always leave with a smile on my face. You are making a difference, no matter how big or small, in someone’s life. Worth every moment’.

What we offer: •Excellent training and induction • Reward Scheme • Room for progression • DBS check You will gain: • Valuable life skills • Experience for future careers • A new perspective on life • New friendships Location: Bedford. Scheme weeks: 22nd July - 16th August (including training) Hourly rate (inc. holiday pay) starts from £6.61- £9.90 (depending on age and experience) Find out more information and apply today by calling 01234 351759, emailing cp.enquiries@bdcps.org.uk or visiting our website www.bdcps.org.uk to download an application pack.

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Finance

Stepping stone investing and other ways to get more from your money If you don’t have much money left for saving or investing once your essential bills have been paid, it’s important to make sure you get the most out of your money and make good use of compound interest.

The stepping stone method can bring huge rewards even if you only have small amounts to invest each month, but there’s a whole range of other financial products and strategies you could also use to seriously improve your financial situation over time.

Saving and investing using the stepping stone method The stepping stone method involves increasing the amount you save or invest by 10% each year. Whether you start off with £100 or £10, exponentially you could achieve a considerable increase in your return with minimal effect on your monthly finances.

If you’re reluctant to invest, finding a good savings account or current account that pays credit interest can reap serious rewards, even for smaller amounts. This is what makes the stepping stone method so accessible, and one of the best ways to get the most from your money.

If you do decide to invest, be aware that investments can go down as well as up and past performance is no guarantee of future growth, so you’d need to take professional advice before going ahead.

Current accounts for credit interest If you pay a regular sum into your current account, such as your wages, you may be entitled to credit interest on your balance. Some current

accounts offer higher rates of interest than savings accounts, but you’ll need to meet each bank’s eligibility criteria.

Consider locking in a fixed rate If you’re sure you won’t need access to the funds, you can get more from your money by locking in a fixed rate. Fixed rate savings accounts and ISAs are typically available from one to five years, and the longer your money is tied up the higher the rate you’ll get.

Move your money around It doesn’t pay to be loyal to companies these days as the best deals are typically offered to new customers. From the banks’ perspective, a higher interest rate does attract new business but, again, these offers are often time-limited.

Tracker accounts Tracker accounts track the Bank of England base rate and offer a specific percentage figure above this rate for a defined period of time. They help to ensure you benefit from any interest rate rises, as some financial institutions are slow to pass these on to their customers.

What about a monthly saver?

Regular savings accounts can be a good way to maximise your savings. You gain access to a higher interest rate for a fixed timescale, but there are limits on how much you can put away each month.

Finding the right financial products takes a little time and effort but the rewards can be high as compound interest takes effect. Whether you try the stepping stone method or take advantage of specific deals, making the most of your money offers financial stability and peace of mind for the future.

By Ann Haldon

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Gardening

Easy Veg Growing

By Pippa Greenwood

Growing your own vegetables is easier than you might think, and this is the perfect time to start.

Salads, herbs and classic main meal vegetables can all be planted to be picked fresh from your garden in the coming year.

Some vegetables are best grown from seed – the classics are carrots, so plant a row or two as soon as the soil is not too wet. Consider coloured varieties such as ‘Purple Haze’ or ‘Purple Dragon’ to ring the changes.

Sow some salad leaves and within a few weeks they’ll be growing strongly enough to harvest.

Small sowings made every two weeks or so will give supply of salad throughout the summer and well into autumn.

Grow tomatoes in a warm, sunny spot in your garden, or better still in a greenhouse or frame.

It’s often better value (and a lot easier) to buy some small garden-ready plants. Greenhouse and outdoor varieties are available so check catalogues or labels to make sure you choose correctly.

Cucumbers are best grown from plants, and in the garden ‘ridge’ cucumbers are best as they perform better outside.

If time is short then vegetable plants are a great choice for most crops. Send off for them now and avoid time-consuming potting on and pricking out. Why not share with friends and save cash if the packs come in quantities too large for the available space?

Choose garden-ready mail order plants so you can plant them out straight away, or only have to grow them on in pots for a couple of weeks.

Unwrap as soon as they arrive and if you can’t

plant them immediately, water the compost if necessary and pot each root ball into some compost.

At this time of year the soil is often really wet, so try covering it with a polythene sheet or a polythene covered pull-out tunnel for a couple of weeks before your plants are due to arrive or you are due to plant out vegetables sown from seed, removing it just before planting out. This keeps off excessive rain and allows the soil to warm up a little beforehand.

Small plants may still be tender, so make sure frosts are past before planting out and give them a chance to gradually acclimatise to their new surroundings by covering them with cloches or fleece for a few days.

I’ve also got a great solution: ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’, perfect if you need a bit of help and advice. Visit my website www. pippagreenwood.com for great quality, UK-grown garden-ready vegetable plants. Once delivered you’ll get weekly emails explaining how best to prepare the ground, plant out and look after your growing vegetables. To save you time, the emails are only for the plants you’ve bought and include timely reminders, hints and tips to make it easier to get a tasty crop.

At Pippa’s website (www.pippagreenwood.com) you’ll find stylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and the ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa’ system. Or book Pippa for a talk at your gardening club.

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Appointed dealers for:

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Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm

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Local News

Spotted Flycatchers Spotted Flycatchers – have you got this increasingly rare bird breeding in your garden? Let us know!

In recent years many Cambridgeshire community and parish newsletters, magazines and websites have helped with a County-wide survey of Spotted Flycatchers. These are attractive migrant birds, about the size of a Robin, which are summer visitors to village gardens and churchyards.

Although they breed with us, they spend up to nine months of the year travelling as much as 16,000 miles a year between here and their wintering grounds in Southern Africa – Angola and Namibia. This is an increasingly dangerous journey for them, and sadly they are in deep decline.

Widespread losses amounted to a 50% decline during 1995-2010, continuing an 90% decline since 1970.

Only a few hundred pairs remain breeding in Cambridgeshire, but most villages still have a pair or two; they rarely breed out in the wider countryside. We are continuing our work to find and monitor nesting pairs. It’s almost certain that there are many additional pairs out there of which

Photo credit: Tom Reynolds

we are not aware.

Do you have flycatchers in your garden? Will you see one this year, or have you in recent years?

The few that remain are here from mid-May to September. And there’s lots more to read about our project and Spotted Flycatchers in general at bit.ly/SpotFly Please email: spofl@cambridgebirdclub.org.uk with any sightings.

Islands 1. Which group of 12 large islands and numerous small islands has a name that literally means “twelve islands”?

2. Who sings the first line of the 1983 hit single Islands In The Stream?... Kenny Rogers or Dolly Parton?

3. Which American state was named after the largest of the Channel Islands?

4. In the book Gulliver’s Travels, there are two islands in which the inhabitants are about onetwelfth of the height of a normal human. One of these is called Blefuscu. What is the other island called?

5. On each episode of the radio show Desert Island Discs, how many recordings is a guest allowed to choose when deciding what they would take if they were to be cast away on a desert island?

6. Found in a number of Indonesian islands, including the island it is named after, what is the world’s largest living species of lizard?

7. Behind Great Britain and Ireland, what is name of the third largest island in the British Isles?

8. True or False… the official International Bartenders Association recipe for a Long Island Iced Tea cocktail contains tea?

9. A villa on which island was used as the setting for the TV show Love Island when the show was revived in 2015?

10. What term, that was first created by Sir Thomas More to refer to a fictional island society off the coast of Australia, is now used as a general term for an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect?

1. The Dodecanese . Kenny Rogers 3. New Jersey 4. Lilliput 5. Eight 6. The Komodo dragon 7. Lewis and Harris 8. False 9. Majorca 10. Utopia

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Pets

Brexit and Animal Welfare It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Every day, with the help of our people and our generous supporters, we take steps to achieve our mission. From rescuing a stranded deer to changing the law, we’ve already achieved so much and come so far.

Animal welfare has been in the news a lot recently with regards Brexit, and has become a hot topic of debate. We’re campaigning to ensure animal welfare isn’t compromised when we leave the EU on 31 January, and that our high standards are protected.

We’d like to see the process of leaving the EU as an opportunity to improve animal welfare.

Our Concerns Around 80 percent of current animal welfare legislation comes from EU law (with over 40 animal welfare laws) EU animal welfare laws cover four key areas - there are 17 laws relevant to farm animals, 11 laws for wildlife, eight laws covering animals used in research, and four laws about companion animals Current EU law, known as the Lisbon Treaty (a binding agreement between EU member countries), recognises animals as sentient beings, this means they’re understood as having the capacity to feel pain and suffering.

Depending on which trade framework is agreed post-Brexit, there’s a possibility that new trade agreements will be made with countries which have lower animal welfare standards. For example, the USA gives growth hormones to their cows, still uses conventional battery cages (in most states), don’t have species specific slaughter regulations and still uses sow stalls in most pig production.

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The UK farming industry currently receives over €3 billion in EU subsidies and the UK Government will now be exploring a new support system for farms.

Our Recommendations In the lead up to Brexit, the UK government will decide which EU laws we’ll keep and carry out all trade negotiations, then the devolved governments will implement across the UK. During this process, we’d like to ensure the following is maintained or improved upon.

• All current animal welfare laws, at the very least, to be kept to the same standard • All animals to still be recognised as sentient beings • A new system of farm subsidies - rewarding the farming industry for higher welfare standards • Free trade agreements that prohibit products being imported with lower welfare standards • Improvement in key areas of animal welfare, such as long distance transport, food labelling, trade of endangered species and puppy imports.

Interesting documents There are a number of key reports and documents regarding Brexit and animal welfare that can be found on our website. You can find a more detailed summary of animal welfare laws in the UK before and after Brexit in a report entitled ‘Brexit - Getting The Best For Animals.’ A second document ‘Into The Fold; Targeted Financial Support To Improve Farm Animal Welfare’, another very worthwhile read.

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Motoring

7 cars you can finance

for less than a weekly shop The average weekly shop is about £60, so what cars are available for less than £240 per month?

To give some context to car finance deals we look at cars that are available for £240 per month, the monthly amount that figures suggest the average family spends on food and drink.

Each of these deals is based on a personal contract hire (PCH) deal, where you pay an initial rental or deposit plus your monthly fee, which usually includes servicing. At the end of the agreement you return the car at no extra cost, assuming it’s in good condition and below the pre-agreed annual mileage limit.

The prices here are just a guide, as monthly payments vary depending on the deposit amount.

Volvo S90 £229.55 per month x 47 Initial rental: £2,065.95 Additional fees: £360 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 48 months: £13,214.80 The S90 is an ideal, fairly large, good-looking executive saloon that drives well and has a sophisticated road presence and excellent on-board technology.

For low-mileage drivers, just over £13,000 across four years for a Volvo S90 is good value.

Skoda Superb £212.31 per month x 35 Initial rental: £1,910.79 Additional fees: £298.80 Mileage limit: 8,000p/a Total over 36 months: £9,640.44 The Skoda Superb is a fantastic alternative to the Volvo as it’s almost £3,000 cheaper and has less restriction on distance travelled. It’s well-equipped, spacious and has a decent interior, making it perfectly practical for most families.

DS 3 Crossback £134.79 per month x 17 Initial rental: £1,213.11 Additional fees: £99 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 18 months: £3,603.54 The DS 3 Crossback is a new crossover from the premium French brand, sporting quirky styling and efficient powertrains, but priced lower than rivals.

Great deals are available, even paying just one month up front. The lower mileage limit is less of a concern because smaller car buyers usually travel lesser distances.

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DS 3 Crossback

Hyundai Ioniq Electric £237.03 per month x 23 Initial rental: £1,422.18 Additional fees: £199 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 24 months: £7,072.87 This deal proves you can get a good, practical EV with a decent range at an affordable price.

The up-front cost isn’t prohibitive, and it’s reasonably priced over the two years. When you factor in fuel savings, it makes a lot of sense.

Honda Civic £171.45 per month x 47 Initial rental: £1,028.70 Additional fees: £360 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 48 months: £9,446.85 The Honda Civic is a great-to-drive small family car for those who don’t want full EV ownership.

This price is for the 1.0-litre petrol, but performance is reasonable and it’s one of the best handling cars in this segment.

Nissan Qashqai £181.55 per month x 47 Initial rental: £1,089.30 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 36 months: £9,622.15 The original crossover from Nissan is available with some enticing finance deals right now, with a respectable mileage limit and well-specified versions coming in below £200.

Seat Ibiza £135.41 per month x 47 Initial payment: £1,218.69 Mileage limit: 8,000p/a Total over 48 months: £7,582.96 The popular Seat Ibiza supermini stands out, sporting Volkswagen Group build quality in a fun and stylish package. It’s an excellent alternative to the Fiesta.

Offers correct at time of writing and are subject to change.

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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

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

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Environment

Don’t be Water Wasteful

When you’ve been through a British winter, it’s sometimes difficult to appreciate the need to save water. However, cutting your consumption will bring both environmental and financial benefits.

PLASTIC IS NOT FANTASTIC Let’s be realistic about this. Not everywhere has pleasanttasting tap water and saying it tastes the same as bottled water simply isn’t true. But those plastic bottles have to go.

A water filter jug goes a long way to achieving a bottled water taste. A company called Phox have recently released what they claim is ‘The World’s Most Eco-Friendly Water Filter’, which uses refillable filters.

A sparkling water maker such as a Sodastream, whilst not eco-neutral, is still better and cheaper over time than all those plastic shrink-wrapped fizzy water multipacks.

CONSERVATION IS WORTH IT Water has to be processed before it arrives at your house and cutting back on energy is something we all know we should do. Besides, most of us have water meters these days so you are paying for every last drop.

Surprisingly a dishwasher is better than washing by hand provided you don’t put it on until it’s full. But don’t pre-wash your dishes – it’s not necessary.

Don’t run a tap unless you are actually using it at that moment – this includes shaving and brushing your teeth. Even with a shower, give it the shortest time possible to warm up before jumping in. And if your taps or cisterns are dripping, you are literally throwing money down the drain.

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

Covering Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

01438 211302 info@eastanglianloftladders.co.uk eastanglianloftladders.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Call now for a free, no obligation quotation 35

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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.

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

WALL COATING

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

Before After

0800 046 1080 hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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n O s ’ t Wha In March

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

What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

2 March NIA (Non-Impact Aerobic) Dance 7-9pm Tesco Community Room £5. Come and try this mindful, dance, fitness practice. For anybody seeking a gentler movement class to complement and facilitate healing of mind, body, emotions and spirit. No floor work involved.

Tel: 07590 909057 www.stneotstimebank.org.uk

4 March Brampton Flower Club 7.15pm Community Centre, High Street, Brampton Visitors £6 on the door. ‘A Life of Flowers’ with Emma Remington. ‘Working with Nature’ with Tim Meakin.

Tel: Jan Dobie 01480 531822 Web: www.bramptonflowerclub.com

2, 9 & 16 March Singing Shed 1.30-2.30pm Arthur’s Shed, Arthur Rank Hospice, Cherry Hinton Road, Shelford Bottom Free - £5 suggested donation. An informal drop in choir, no experience required. Tel: 01223 675777 www.arhc.org.uk/arthurs-shed.asp

4 March Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Members £1, Non-members £2. ‘A History of Gardening in 100 Objects’ by Michael Brown, garden historian, researcher, horticulturist and lecturer, who is well-known to our club. Tel: Jane 01480 218805 Email: lpgardeningclub@hotmail.com

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 March Osprey Judo Club Juniors 6.30-7.30pm, Seniors 7.30-9.30pm Ellington Village Hall, The Green, Ellington Sessions every Monday night. Tel: Sensei Paul Aston on 07747630361. Web: ospreyjudo.com

4, 11, 18 & 25 March Kimbolton Bridge Club 9.30am-12 noon Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Meets every Wednesday morning to play friendly, social bridge. No partner needed.

Tel: Vanessa 01480 453929

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 March Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 Email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com

5, 12, 19 & 26 March Yelling Art Group 10am-12.30pm Yelling Village Hall Meets on Thursdays during term-time. We are a friendly group seeking new members of any art ability. Tel: 07580 470166

3 March Hail Weston Wildlife and Gardening Group 7.30pm Hail Weston Village Hall Members £1, Non-members £2. ‘Chelsea exhibits and the gardens of Grenada’. An informative talk by Suzanne Gaywood MBE, RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal Winner. New members/visitors welcome.

Email: Liz Bacon lizbacon187@gmail.com 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 March Men’s Shed 1.30-2.30pm Arthur’s Shed, Arthur Rank Hospice, Cherry Hinton Road, Shelford Bottom Free - £5 suggested donation. An informal drop in choir, no experience required. Open to all.

Tel: 01223 675777 Web: www.arhc.org.uk/arthurs-shed.asp 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 March St Ives Photographic Club 8-10pm Winter programme - see website for full details.

Email: events@stives-photoclub.org.uk Web: www.stives-photoclub.org.uk 4 March Friends of Paxton Pits Talk 2.30pm Visitor Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve £2.50 on the day. The Insects of Paxton Pits’, an illustrated talk by Keith Porter. Keith is an entomologist who has recently retired from Natural England. He will talk about the last 25 years of recording insects on the Reserve, and explore which habitats are most important.

Tel: 01480 406795

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6 March St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm Eynesbury Junior School Members free, non-members £3 ‘Love and Toil’, a talk by Grace Richards.

Web: http://stneotslhs.org.uk 7 March Saturday Workshops Adult Learning & Skills, St Ives Beekeeping, Breadmaking, Dowsing, First Aid, Indian Head Massage, Indian Street Food, Art: Watercolour Pen and Wash, Wedding Flowers and Windows 10.

Web: www.aclearning.org.uk 7 March Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church Hall, St Ives Free entry. Quality handmade art and craft stalls.

7 March Quiz Night 7.30pm Offord Village Hall Tickets £5 each. Teams of up to 6 can be made on the night. Bring your own food and drink.

Tel: John 01480 810049 for info/tickets 8 March Farrington Scents - Beginners Soap Making Workshop 10am-12.30pm & 1.30-4pm Ferry Meadows, Peterborough £25. Each person will make at least three soaps, using all natural ingredients and make unique packaging for the bar. Age 18+. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk

9 March Wild Home Educator Session 1.15-3.15pm Ferry Meadows, Peterborough £5.50. 2 hour sessions on the second Monday of every month for home schooled children. Each session will have curriculum and nature focused activities, with a different theme each month. Theme for March is pirates. Aimed at KS1. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk 9 & 23 March Cambridge Backgammon Club 7.30pm The River Mill, Eaton Socon Join us to play the world’s oldest game! We meet to play casual games and informal tournaments depending on numbers, and for more serious players we have a league that runs throughout the year.

Players of all standards welcomed.

10 March 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 March Local Police Surgery 6-8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Meeting Room St. Neots Community Policing Team’s Police Surgery.

A great opportunity for residents to meet the local Police team and to raise any concerns.

13 March Prize Bingo 7.30pm Offord Village Hall Raffle. Refreshments are provided.

14 March Hemingford Village Market 9am-1pm Parish Centre, Hemingford Grey Second Saturday of the month. Food, crafts, plants and flowers from small local businesses. Hemingford Grey Parish Council surgery should you wish to meet councillors to discuss local issues. Refreshments.

14 March St. Mary’s Church Charity Auction Viewing 10-11am, auction begins 11am prompt Buckden Village Hall.

All proceeds to St. Mary’s Church Repair Fund.

Tel: Patsy Gray 01480 810041 for further details 15 March Spring Clean Litter Pick 10am or 10.30am-11am CambridgePPF event. Do your bit to keep the stunning Coton countryside reserve looking beautiful by lending a hand to help pick litter from footpaths and hedgerows in the reserve and surrounding village. Part of the Great British Spring Clean – with the aim of inspiring half a million people nationwide to join forces and collect, dispose of and recycle single-use plastic litter. Meet outside The Plough pub in Coton village. Tel: 01223 243830 extension 207 Email: bookings@cambridgeppf.org Web: www.cambridgeppf.org/whats-on

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n O s ’ t Wha In March

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

16 March 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 16 March Little Paxton W I 7.45pm St James’ Church Meets every third Monday of the month, except December when it meets on the second Monday.

Email: evans-margaret@sky.com

17 March Kimbolton Flower Club 7 for 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Visitors £7.50. Flower arranging demonstration by Stephanie Laing entitled ‘On the Move’. Raffle of the arrangement and refreshments. Visitors welcome.

19 March Friends of Paxton Pits Guided Walk 10am-12.30pm Visitor Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve £2.50 on the day. Explore Paxton Pits Nature Reserve with experienced local experts. The route will depend on the time of year and conditions underfoot, but will be designed to show you the best of what the Reserve has to offer. Don’t forget your binoculars. Walks start at the Visitor Centre and last approximately two hours. No need to book.

Tel: 01480 406795 19 March St Ives & District Flower Club 2.15pm Visitors £7, annual subscription £43 Hemingford Pavilion, Manor Road, Hemingford Grey Demonstration by Vicki Hease titled ‘Treasured Moments Part 2’. Meets third Thursday of the month except August and December.

19 March Love’s Farm Women’s Institute 8-10pm St Neots Football Club Meets on the third Thursday of the month. Come to make friends and do something new.

Tel: Nikki Jackson 07563 715043 Email: lovesfarmladieswi@gmail.com 20 March Baby Clothes swap 10am-1pm St Neots Library Come along to our baby clothes swap. Donate your unwanted baby clothes (0-3) and get one of our bags to fill up with clothes your baby needs. If you don’t have any clothes to donate, you can buy one of our bags to fill for only £1.

21 March Lego Club 2-3.30pm 50p per child. Come along to our monthly Lego club and see what you can build. Suitable for children aged 5 and above.

21 March Be Part of the Pick 2-4pm QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton Come along and take part in the village Community Litter Pick. All equipment provided. Several litter routes around the village to choose from. Little Paxton Parish Council event.

21 March Simply Saturday Quiz Night 7.30pm St. James Church, High Street, Little Paxton 6 people per team. Bring your own food and drinks.

Closing date for tickets 19 March.

Tel: Lee Duncan 07931 315648 Email: lm.duncan@ntlworld.com 22 March Wandlebury Wildlife 10am or 10.30am-11am Wandlebury Country Park, Cambridge Free event, parking £3. CambridgePPF event.

Explore the habitats of Wandlebury and the wildlife that calls it home. Learn from interactive displays and talks from our conservation partners, and meet the team that works to protect and safeguard Wandlebury’s wildlife. Fun and learning for all ages!

Donations welcome. Tel: 01223 243830 Email: bookings@cambridgeppf.org Web: www.cambridgeppf.org/walking 25 March David Brown Art Workshop 10.30am-1pm St Neots Library Tickets £10. Join David Brown for the next in his series of art workshops. This month’s class will be focussing on drawing in pen and ink. All materials provided. Tickets available from the library.

25 March Roxtonettes Music Evenings 7.30pm Roxton Village Hall, High Street, Roxton £2.50 inc. refreshments. Do you enjoy singing or playing a musical instrument? We meet twice a month – dates can be found on our Facebook page.

7.30pm onwards for instrumentalists and 8pm onwards for singers. Under the guidance of Eamonn Nicholson-Clinch. You do not need to read music!

Tel: Eamonn 07422 501131 Email: eamonnnc@googlemail.com 26 March RNLI Ouse River Bridge Drive 10.15 for 10.45am Roxton Village Hall £16 inc. fork luncheon. Book by 14 March.

Tel: 01767 225341 Email: netmcnair@hotmail.co.uk 27 March A Polish Heart in a Feldgrau Uniform 2-4pm St Neots Library Free event. By May 1945 almost every third man who wore a battledress with ‘Poland’ on his shoulder titles at some point in the past wore a feldgrau uniform. Magda Kowalska-Cheffey will talk about the often complicated journeys those soldiers had to undertake to find a place for themselves in the Polish Army. Tickets available from the library.

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27 March The Hinchingbrooke Bösendorfer Piano Concerts 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Adults £15, Groups 20+ £10 each, Under 21s £5 Marina Nadiradze and Grace Mo, piano duo. Both performers come with an impressive history of international prizewinning and will include in their programme music by Schubert, Debussy and Ravel.

Tel: 01480 375678 (9am-3pm) Web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/hinchingbrookepac 27 March Downton Abbey (U) 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Adults £5, Over 60s £4, Children £2.50 Kimbolton Community Cinema. Tickets available from Oliver’s, Old Swan Pharmacy, Bytes Café or on the door. Bar, ice creams and free popcorn.

Email: jrstratford@hotmail.com Web: http://e-voice.org.uk/ themandevillehallkimbolton/community-cinema 28 March Polish Evening Offord Village Hall Food and drink tasters.

Tel: Sarah Cutworth 01480 811888 for info/tickets Email: sarahcutworth@yahoo.co.uk 28 March Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Choral and Orchestral Concert 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Adults £15, Children/students £5. Brahms , Symphony No 4 in E minor. Schumann , Missa Sacra.

Conductor, Bjorn Bantock This moving work deserves to be heard, appreciated, and enjoyed so much more widely. Tickets available online or on the door.

Web: www.huntsphil.org.uk 29 March Friends & Family Volunteering Session 10am-12 noon & 1-3pm Ferry Meadows, Peterborough Children, couples, grandparents, friends - everybody welcome. All tools and training provided, just bring along lots of enthusiasm. Free car parking for all.

Age 5+. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk 30 March Wildlife Trust Talk: Innovative Conservation 6.45-8.30pm David Attenborough Building, Cambridge £2.50. John Comont, Conservation Director Wildlife Trust in Cambridgeshire, will talk about some of the exciting new conservation projects which are taking place across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Tel: Edgar Turner 07738 243676 Email: ect23@cam.ac.uk Web: www.wildlifebcn.org/events/2020-03-30innovative-wildlife-projects-three-counties

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Crossword Solution for The Villager February Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Donald Brightley from Hitchin Bluesky Competition Winner - Peter Jennison (Hitchin), Adam Brookman (Sandy), Cheryl Jeffrey (Shefford), Carol Clapham (St Neots), Suzanne Kay (Stevenage) and Yvonne Sowerby (Bedford)

February’s Codeword and Suduko Solutions

Easy

Hard

Advertising in The Villager is easy.

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

The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1. Bewitched (7) 5. Trimmed (5) 8. Loosens (5) 9. Evil (7) 10. Vertical (13) 11. Without trouble (6) 12. Teeth (6) 15. Display (13) 18. Detonate (7) 19. Business transactions (5) 20. Stairs (5) 21. Destroys hearing (7)

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

16th March 2020 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Down 1. Crawl (5) 2. Soaks up (7) 3. Sundry items (13) 4. Split (6) 5. Book of facts (13) 6. Guttural noise (5) 7. Arid regions (7) 11. Perpetual (7) 13. Shake briskly (7) 14. To be present at (6) 16. Type of syrup (5) 17. Facial features (5)

Name: Tel:



Address:

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Books

Book Review

By Kate Duggan The Binding

by Bridget Collins

In Emmett Farmer’s world, it’s possible to forget the pain of your past. All you have to do is tell your story to a binder, who’ll lock it away in a book.

But as apprentice-binder Emmett soon discovers, not all stories are meant to be forgotten.

A highly original book that deftly combines fantasy, historical fiction and romance into one captivating tale.

Grandmothers

by Salley Vickers

Three different women find their paths crossing. Wealthy Blanche has developed a compulsion for shoplifting after being banned from seeing her grandchildren. Poet Nan is planning her funeral and isn’t afraid to speak her mind, but she has a blind spot when it comes to her grandson. And then finally there’s shy Minna, who’s in danger of losing the only person she really cares about. A beautiful, quiet book that looks at family life in all its complexities.

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Our Planet: The One Place We Call Home

by Matt Whyman and Richard Jones

This children’s companion to last year’s Netflix hit is sure to prove popular with young nature buffs. Stunning photography and illustrations accompany short, easily digestible paragraphs of text. Our Planet educates and inspires in equal measure. As Sir David Attenborough says, ‘You will be among the next characters who can, if they wish, tell the most extraordinary story of all – how human beings in the twenty-first century came to their senses and started to protect Planet Earth.’

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