Alconbury March 2022

VILLAGER The

Issue 118 - March 2022

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

Top Five

Cruise Destinations Make your

Mother’s Day Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

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Inside this issue...

Spring Clean your Kitchen......................................... 28 Amazing Animals and their Superpowers................. 31 What’s the new Range Rover up against................... 32 Outdoor Adventures.................................................. 34 Puzzle Page............................................................... 36 What’s On in March................................................... 38 Villager Prize Crossword............................................ 42 Book Review: New Starts.......................................... 45 Useful Numbers........................................................ 47

Spring Clean your Kitchen Conifer Charm

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Top Five Cruise Destinations........................................ 4 Seasonal Recipe: Seared Lamb Fillet........................... 8 Wines: A Choice Selection......................................... 10 Colour Your Room Happy........................................... 12 Make Your Mother’s Day............................................ 16 Looking for Quality?.................................................. 18 Driving Insurance Charges......................................... 23 Conifer Charm........................................................... 24 Swiss Chard............................................................... 26

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 - Trevor Langley, Faye Carter, Jennie Billings, Caroline Knight, Rachael Leverton, Kate McCarthy, RSPCA, Katherine Sorrell and Kate Duggan

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Front Cover Photography - picalotta Design and Artwork Design 9 • Tel: 07762 969460

Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 Email: nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com

Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

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Travel

Top five cruise destinations

Is there anything more idyllic than waking up on a cruise ship and drawing your blinds to reveal an endless expanse of ocean? Add in cocktails by the pool, daily entertainment, exquisite food and shopping galore, and you have all the ingredients for the perfect holiday. That’s not even touching on the destinations you stop off at along the way!

From the Greek Islands and Norwegian fjords to Egypt’s River Nile, cruises can take you all over the globe. So, if you want to tick multiple countries, cities or ports off your travel wish list, a cruise holiday should definitely be on your radar for 2022.

The cruise industry was hit hard during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic – but thankfully it’s now back up and running. To give you some inspiration, here are five of the world’s most popular destinations to visit on a cruise.

The Norwegian fjords If you’re more interested in adventure than sun, sea and sand, Norway’s dramatic fjords are sure to deliver. Carved from glaciers, these long, narrow, saltwater inlets make up the majority of the country’s northern coast and boast some of Scandinavia’s most exceptional scenery.

A cruise is undoubtedly the best way to soak up the sights. Exploring from a ship means you can get close to Norway’s tumbling waterfalls and skyscraper cliffs, looking out for rare seabirds and even a glimpse of a sperm whale if you’re lucky. Most Norwegian cruises will also stop at remote fishing villages along the

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way, where you can sample some of the freshest and most delicious seafood.

What’s more, with hotel and food prices in Norway renowned for being sky high, a cruise can also be the most affordable way to experience this part of the world.

The River Nile As far as river cruises are concerned, there aren’t many that could compare to a voyage along the Egyptian stretch of the River Nile.

Measuring about 4,160 miles in length, shared by eleven countries, the Nile is widely considered the longest river in the world. There’s no better way to put its sheer scale into perspective than to sail along a portion on a scenic river cruise. Starting in Cairo, capital city of Egypt and home to the ancient Pyramids of Giza, many Nile cruises will take you on a captivating journey through Luxor and its royal tombs, all the way to Aswan and its spectacular High Dam. Whether you’re into your history or simply want to soak up the culture, it’s impossible not to be blown away by the 7,000-year-old history you’ll witness at every turn.

The Greek Islands With more than 6,000 Greek islands peppering the Aegean and Ionian seas, it’s no surprise that islandhopping cruises around Greece are some of the most popular cruises around. This is a corner of the world made for exploring by ship.

Start in Athens and spend your first couple of

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days exploring the capital before embarking on your journey. Top cruise destinations include Mykonos with its waterside cocktail bars and white-sand beaches, Rhodes with its Old Town and uninterrupted swathes of sand, and Santorini, where the sunsets are world-renowned. Many cruises will also take you to the archipelago’s lesser known islands too, Chania and Thessaloniki being good examples.

The Caribbean The Caribbean’s wealth of white-sand beaches washed by turquoise seas make it an incredibly popular cruise destination for sun-seekers.

Thanks to the islands’ close proximity to one another, you could wake up in a new country every day. Snorkel with turtles in Tobago, enjoy the sounds of reggae and taste of jerk chicken in Jamaica and brush up on your colonial history in Barbados.

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Although equally colourful, each island has its own distinct character, meaning there’s enough to please wildlife lovers, history enthusiasts, foodies and anyone who just wants to laze on the beach.

Alaska Coined ‘The Last Frontier’, Alaska is the USA’s most sparsely populated state – and its wildest.

A cruise here will make you feel like you’ve walked straight into one of David Attenborough’s documentaries. Sail past gigantic glaciers, snap photographs of sea lions from the ship, take a shore excursion to see brown bears and witness breaching whales; the cruise itineraries around Alaska’s largely untamed landscape are hard to beat. You can also expect visits to Alaska’s state capital of Juneau, only reachable by air or by water, Glacier Bay National Park, and Skagway, a compact city saturated with history from the Gold Rush era.

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Seasonal Recipe

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy lamb. This is a light flavoursome dish that is delicious served warm or cold. Ideally, marinate the lamb the night before to enhance the flavour.

Seared Lamb Fillet

With Beans And Garlic Minted Dressing Preparation time: 15 minutes Marinate: 1 hour or overnight

Ingredients 500g lamb fillet 1 garlic clove, crushed Grated zest of 1 lemon 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tbsp olive oil plus a little extra for frying 150g green beans or sprouting broccoli, trimmed 250g mixed green leaves, baby spinach or rocket 150g cherry tomatoes, halved ½ red onion, finely diced Dressing 1 bulb of garlic Drizzle of olive oil 200g Greek yoghurt Handful of mint leaves 1 tsp honey or maple syrup 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar Pinch of cumin ½ tsp Dijon mustard

Cooking time: 50 minutes Serves 4

1. For the lamb, mix together the garlic, lemon zest, cumin and olive oil and rub over the lamb. Leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.

2. For the dressing, place the garlic bulb in a piece of foil and drizzle over a little oil. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes. Cool slightly then squeeze out the garlic pulp into a blender. Add the remaining ingredients for the dressing and blend together. Season to taste.

3. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas mark 7.

Sear the lamb in a frying pan with a little olive oil so that it is brown all over. Place in the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes. Slice thinly.

4. Blanch the beans or broccoli in boiling water until al dente, drain and refresh under cold water. Pile the green leaves on a platter and top with the beans, tomatoes and onion. Arrange the lamb on top and drizzle over the dressing to serve.

Nutrition per serving: 437kcal, fat 33g (of which saturates 15g), carbohydrates 6.7g (of which sugars 5.7g), protein 28g, fibre 1.9g

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Food & Drink

Wines: A Choice Selection

Certainly, there are many retailers, independents, supermarkets and other outlets, that offer numerous wines. A good number of which are of excellent and superb quality. Whether a preference is for red, white or something ‘pink’, there are beverages to choose from. For this quest I searched for a range of wines, that are widely available and decided to go for the red and white options. Of course, sparkling wines are available – perhaps for a later time!

VINHO VERDE LOUREIRO (12% vol), from Portugal, is a most acceptable white wine production. I found this wine to be fresh, fruity and, although great on its own, to pair with white fish dishes, plus salads, perfectly.

ALBARINO ADELANTE (12.5% vol) is from Spain. This white wine is extremely popular. Grapes are handpicked, from the Galacia region. Fruits, on the nose, are then enticed to the mouth’s pleasures and sensation on the palate. Great with seafood dishes, particularly.

For red wines I chose TOSCANA (13% vol) from Italy. This wine has many ‘devotees’, being handcrafted, in collaboration with one of the oldest and most highly-regarded wine estates, in Tuscany. This very impressive, aged production, has dark fruit flavours in abundance, which follow from the nasal pleasures. Wonderful to pair with red meats and casseroles. Another ‘famous’ red wine is BAROLO (14% vol). This ‘King of Wines’ and ‘Wine of Kings’ is renowned for its distinctive high-quality, being produced by utilising Nebbiolo grapes, to great advantage. Again, from Italy, this wine, which is also aged, has connoisseurs who regularly enjoy the bouquet, pronounced flavours and long finish. Perfect to accompany steak, beef and red meat dishes.

I located these wines (just some of their range) at a Morrisons store. Trading from 1899, Morrisons now has a range of wines and drinks, that are very acceptable, indeed. The wines described are within the ‘the Best’ range. This range of wines, from Morrisons, comes from their wine experts, who constantly search for exceptional quality wines, from around the world, which are produced by some of the very best wine producers, globally. Take time and pleasure, to locate some favourites. www.morrisons.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

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ey Trevor Langl

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Home Products

Colour your Home Happy

By Katherine Sorrell

Use colour in unexpected places – such as on a staircase, dado rails or skirting boards. This cheering yellow makes a great contrast to a grey sofa that’s adorned with fun cushions.

Harlow grey L-shaped sofa, £999.99, Furniture And Choice.

Lift your spirits and freshen up your space by introducing bold, clear shades This cool lamp, in a ‘mootard’ glaze, would liven up any desk, table or shelf. Nellie table lamp, £112, with 35cm straight empire shade in Heraldic Ikat, £79, Pooky.

Bold colour probably won’t work all around the room, but used on a small section can create an eye-catching feature. Out of the Blue paint by COAT, £42 per 2.5l, coatpaints.com.

A sofa, chair or – in this case – loveseat can make a good focal point in a room, especially in a warming, bold colour such as this. The Rebel 1.5 Snuggler in marmalade velvet, £899, Snug sofa.

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Choosing and using bright colours

Go for a tropical vibe with a bright and breezy accent lampshade, featuring abstract palm trees, a gold lining and looped fringing.

Ravenala lampshade, £180, Mindthegap.

Replacing some cushions is one of the easiest ways to introduce personality and pops of colour. Combine plains with bold patterns for variety and interest. Jonathan Adler Milano Concentric Loops cushion in emerald/ navy, £134, Sweetpea & Willow.

Nothing beats a blanket or throw as an easy way to introduce fresh new colour, texture and pattern, whether over a sofa, chair or bed.

Manhattan reversible supersoft merino lambswool blanket, from £150, The Fine Cotton Company.

The smallest accessory in the right combination of colour and pattern can make all the difference, and a distinctive piece such as this terracotta vase, hand made in Portugal, is a great example. Tangerine Bold pitcher, £42.99, softstore.co.

Coloured glass is one of the prettiest things – and this delightful vase is very ontrend, since Pantone’s colour of the year 2022 is Very Peri, a dynamic violet-blue. Small cushion vase in amethyst, £27, Dartington Crystal.

STOCKISTS Dartington Crystal: dartington.co.uk Furniture And Choice: 03330 150 000; furniturechoice.co.uk Pooky: 020 7351 3003; pooky.com softstore.co: softstore.co

• Choose shades that are fresh and clear rather than muted or muddy, and neither too pale nor too dark. Mid-spectrum brights such as sunny yellow, fuchsia pink, emerald green and brilliant blue will make your home sing.

• For this look, keep things simple with a backdrop of white or a pale neutral, which will allow you to experiment with adding pops of bold colour here and there as you wish. Some say it’s best to keep the area that’s covered by bold colours to around a quarter of the room at most, so as to let the eyes rest and not be overwhelmed.

• Choose two, or maybe three, bold colours and add them in gradually – an accent sofa or chair, a cushion or throw, a vase or candlestick, and so on. Alternatively, make bold colour part of the architecture by painting or papering a feature wall, or even sections of woodwork. See how things look together, and move them around (or even take them out again) as necessary.

• Lovers of pattern may feel confident enough to mix pattern-on-pattern with brights; most of us, however, will prefer to play a little safer and stick to plain colours plus the occasional minimal pattern. Simple geometrics look great with this look, and have a mid-century style that works really well.

Coat: 07368 870 097; coatpaints.com The Fine Cotton Company: 0345 602 9050; thefinecottoncompany.com Mindthegap: +40 265 264 121; mindtheg.com Snug: 020 3095 6555; snugsofa.com Sweetpea & Willow: 0345 257 2627; sweetpeaandwillow.com

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Time of Year

By Faye Carter

Make your Mother’s Day Your life changes forever the day you bring home your little bundle of joy. Whether you give birth naturally, adopt or foster, this little person now depends on you for everything. From now on they come first, you come second, and a poor second at that.

Being a mother is fabulous, and funny, and frightening. It’s the best and worst of jobs. There are cuddles and giggles, sports days and parents’ evenings, Nativities, and music recitals…there are also blazing rows with slammed doors, sleepless nights and more vomit than you ever realised one small human could produce.

Mums are multi-tasking maestros. Carer, teacher, agony aunt, tour guide, drill sergeant, PA, and chauffeur… Even when they leave home it doesn’t stop. I still rely on my mother for advice, help with childcare, and a shoulder to cry on when things go pear-shaped.

It’s only now as with children of my own, that I realise what my own mother went through – why she made me do my homework, go to bed early, stop beating my sister up, eat my broccoli, save my pocket money, don’t talk to strangers, and say please and thank you.

Mother’s Day might have become a cliché, but it does give us the perfect opportunity to say thank you to our mums for everything they have done and still do for us.

Anna Jarvis, who founded Mothers’ Day in the US

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said she came to regret campaigning to get the day recognised, because it became commercialised. She hated that people sent cards with a pre-printed message rather than writing a letter.

So, although it’s a nice gesture to buy a card and give flowers and chocolates, it’s even nicer to do something special to show you care – maybe valet her car or treat her to a pamper session, or just visit and spend the afternoon chatting. Time is the most precious gift of all.

And go beyond the message in the card. Write a few personal lines of your own to tell your mother what she means to you. Make sure she knows that she’s loved and appreciated all year round.

FACTS Mother’s Day is celebrated all around the world, usually in March or in May. In the UK, it is a mixture of a Christian tradition, and the celebration of motherhood that began in the USA in the early 20th century. During the 16th century, people in service would return to their home or ‘mother’ church on the fourth Sunday in Lent – Mothering Sunday.

The modern version of Mothers’ Day we know today became a regular event in the 1950s, largely thanks to businesses keen to exploit its commercial potential!

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House of Colour

Looking for Quality?

Quality clothing should look, last and feel good for longer. Deciding what is quality and what isn’t is not necessarily so easy. In simplistic terms it should feel good to the touch and have some weight to it.

For many years the mantra is ‘you get what you pay for’, but it isn’t always so straightforward. Yes, the very cheap end of the market will not last well. But higher end clothing does not always mean quality or quality that will last. Designer clothes can still use cheaper fabrics and not last in the way you might expect of the pricetag.

• Jackets, and coats’ shoulder seams should finish at the outer edge of your shoulder.

• Patterns should match at the seams – particularly in stripes or checks!

• Lining – does it give you enough space to move easily? Linings are expensive to replace if they get damaged through being too tight or poorly fitting.

• Zips – double check that a zip fastens easily.

It’s infuriating when it repeatedly jams. If this does happen try a lubricant but you need to be mindful which to choose as they can damage the fabric. Your options could be; a graphite pencil, talc powder, lip balm, vaseline, bar soap, glass cleaner and even wax paper. Apply your chosen lubricant along the teeth of the zip to help it slide.

• Enough fabric? Cheaper items tend to skimp on the amount of fabric that is used so consider going a size up. Hems should have a generous amount of fabric (1.5”) to add weight which means it should hang well.

• Knitwear – natural fibres will generally last better and look better in the long term than acrylic options, so choose those whenever you can.

If you find a jumper has pilled then invest in a knitwear comb and gently use it to remove the loose fibres, wash and then press and your jumper can look as good as new.

• Consider your own needs in terms of durability.

Silk is still a beautiful fabric and can be extremely good quality but it isn’t necessarily the most robust so think about what the item of clothing is going to be used for.

• Seams. Looking at seams can be revealing. Good quality items tend to have more generous seams and are well finished, neat and don’t have threads loose.

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• Alterations can make a difference to the fit and durability of an item. Make sure that the alteration is as good as or better than the original work on the garment.

• Lighter colours need to be good quality as they look cheaper faster so be prepared to look carefully and potentially spend more.

• Looking after your clothes means they will last longer too!

Enjoy the new Spring season!

Article by Jennie Billings – House of Colour House of Colour has a network of stylists to help you update your look – find your nearest at houseofcolour.co.uk/find-a-stylist

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Foster For Us

Please call

0800 052 0078

• Bespoke training and development • Receive generous pa y and benefits • Access to 24/7 support and training • Your own supervising social worker

Text FOSTERING to 60777

• Support group and networking opportunities You need to be over 21, have a spare bedroom, be compassionate, resilient, flexible and willing to learn.

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering fostering@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

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Finance

Driving Insurance Charges Shopping around for motor insurance is a great way to save cash, but you could also cut costs with a range of alternative insurance models.

Several companies now offer a pay-as-you-go or payby-mile policy. This means that rather than paying a set premium for the year, customers pay a varying amount depending on how much they actually drive. It’s certainly an approach many would have appreciated in 2020, when car use slumped during lockdown.

Such policies aren’t quite as simple as they seem. The per-mile rate will still take into account risk factors such as car model and driving experience. There’s also a fixed fee that applies even if you don’t drive at all, designed to cover such risks as your car being stolen.

Whether such policies work out cheaper depends on individual circumstances. As a rough rule, they are most likely to suit people driving less than around 6,000-7,000 miles a year.

Customers of pay-per-mile policies must fit a device (sometimes dubbed a black box) to their car, which simply measures distance. However, some specialist policies offer cheaper deals that use more extensive data to assess risk.

These telematics policies usually offer discounts, either at annual renewal time or on monthly payments, based on the way the customer drives.

Factors that can reduce premiums include shorter journeys, keeping to speed limits and avoiding sudden braking, and driving at safer times such as during daylight but outside of rush hour.

Telematics deals are most suitable for young drivers who’d normally be charged extremely high premiums

based on industry assumptions about their risk level.

Some insurers will only cover young drivers on such a policy.

If you take out a telematic or ‘black box’ insurance policy, you need to read the conditions carefully.

Some will simply offer discounts when you drive in a less risky way. Others use the data to enforce conditions such as only driving a certain amount or not driving after a ‘curfew’ time. Breaching these conditions won’t usually invalidate the policy but will instead make you liable for higher premiums.

Another option to save on premiums is to take and pass an advanced driving course. These cover topics such as driving in extremely busy traffic or coping with adverse weather such as heavy rain or wind.

They often put more emphasis on observation and anticipation of potential hazards.

In theory, passing such a course qualifies you for lower premiums, particularly where you’d otherwise face steep charges based on age or experience. The problem is that there are several different courses and qualifications available and not all insurers recognise all qualifications. The IAM Roadsmart and Pass Pluss qualifications are the most commonly accepted, but you will need to check with each insurer.

Another limitation is that the cost of taking an advanced driving course may outweigh or limit the savings on insurance premiums. For this reason, experts advise that you shouldn’t consider such courses solely as a money-saving exercise and instead take into account the inherent benefits of becoming a more skilled and confident driver.

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Gardening

Conifer Charm If there’s one particular group of plants that people love to despise, it tends to be conifers. Could it be that many of us dismiss the huge variety among conifers with just one word – leylandii? The Leyland cypress, Cupressocyparis leylandii, seems to fire up a lot of hatred. It is believed that there could be around 55 million of these trees within the UK – that’s more than one for every adult. The problem is all about size. The trees can grow up to 90cm per year and people have a habit of planting them

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inappropriately, then failing to keep them under control.

The citrus-scented foliage of leylandii actually makes a magnificent, dense hedge, which acts as a perfect screen or windbreak. It also provides noise reduction, which can be very valuable for those living next to a main road. When clipped regularly, it’s a perfect garden friend. But nobody knows exactly how tall the tree can grow because there are no ancient leylandii, though estimates suggest they could reach heights of 61 metres (200ft) or even more. These are relatively new plants that originated from a cross created in the late nineteenth century in Wales. The parent species are the Monterey cypress and the Nootka cypress, both from the USA. One parent brings its hardiness to the mix, whilst the other provides a pretty amazing growth rate. The tree is unable to reproduce without human help and all existing leylandii therefore come from cuttings.

Whilst legal disputes involving neighbours and leylandii run into thousands, others celebrate the beauty and grandeur of a rather spectacular tree, which can take pride of place in a suitable setting.

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It grows into an impressive specimen and also plays host to many birds and other wildlife. Indeed, the National Pinetum in Bedgebury, Kent, is rightly proud of what is believed to be the tallest and oldest leylandii hedge in Britain, measuring over 40 metres.

Conifers possess many charms that should never be overlooked. These cone-bearing trees are hugely diverse and they hold impressive carbon-capturing statistics. The largest tree in the world, measured by volume, is a giant sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum, in California, measuring 83m tall with a diameter of 11m at the base. It is considered to be middle-aged, being around 2,000 years old. The magnificent cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani, can easily grow to 35m high and almost as wide. This is the oldest cedar of all and there are some situated on the slopes of Mount Lebanon that are said to be 2,500 years old.

At the other end of the scale, many miniature conifers will not reach even 100cm tall at maturity.

Pinus mugo is the dwarf mountain pine and it sits comfortably within a mixed border or can even be grown in a large pot. There are hundreds of different shapes, colours, contrasting textures and forms of conifers that can provide colour and interest throughout the year. The pencil-slim Italian cypress is widely used in Mediterranean-style gardens here in the UK, creating vertical impact and drama all year

round. In contrast, prostrate, spreading junipers, such as Juniperus horizontalis, provide excellent ground cover and colour-changing foliage from summer through to winter.

Juniperus is known for its dark berry-like cones, which can be used in food dishes such as casseroles and stuffing. They are also the main flavouring for gin. However, the red, fleshy berries produced by Taxus baccata, the English yew, are highly toxic.

Some conifers, such as yew, respond extremely well to clipping, whilst others, including leylandii, go brown and won’t re-grow if you cut back into old wood.

Not all conifers are evergreen. The beautiful, native larch tree loses its soft, needle-shaped leaves in winter. Others change colour throughout the seasons, including Cryptomeria japonica which is coloured blue-green in spring, turns green during summer and rusty-red in winter. This conifer has soft, tactile foliage, whereas the monkey puzzle tree, Araucaria araucana, has sharp foliage that can cut like a razor blade.

The dwarf conifer beds of the 1970s era have now been largely usurped by more naturalistic planting.

Island beds filled with rocks and conifers fell out of fashion during the late 1980s, although there are still examples to be found in public parks and larger estate gardens. Conifers are, however, back! They can be used with spectacular success as specimens and can be blended within planting schemes to bring year-round colour and interest. Never underestimate this amazing family of trees – there is something suitable to lend a touch of unique magic to any outdoor space.

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

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Garden View

Swiss Chard March means the start of outdoor sowing season in the UK, as the days begin to lengthen and become warmer. I discovered Swiss Chard several years ago when I was looking for something more interesting than spinach. It’s rarely found in the supermarkets for some reason and is quite delicious. It’s also easy to grow and doesn’t require much maintenance.

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens is sometimes called Rainbow Chard because of its ornamental stems. The fact it’s so decorative, with its large fleshy dark green leaves and bright stalks in shades of red, purple, gold and white make it a good choice for a small garden. It looks attractive in containers or borders.

To grow it, choose a sunny (but not sun-baked) spot, prepare the soil well (or use compost in a large container), make shallow drills about 40cm apart and sow the chard seeds thinly, approximately 1.5cm deep. Cover the seeds with soil and water well. You can start sowing in March, then every few weeks you can repeat sow, until September for a continuous crop that will even see you through the winter if you give it a little protection. I move my pots to the greenhouse.

As the seedlings begin to grow, thin out the plants

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By Rachael Leverton

so that they’re 25-30cm apart. Water well after thinning. Chard is an easy vegetable to look after but keep an eye open for slugs and snails. Birds also seem to like the little seedlings (at least in my garden) so you might need to protect them.

Young chard leaves can be eaten fresh so use the early thinned leaves for salads. The adult chard leaves are ready to harvest about 10-12 weeks after sowing, though later in the year it will take a little longer. It’s a wonderful cut-and-come-again plant.

Cut individual leaves as you need them, and the plant will keep producing new growth.

Swiss chard varieties to try My favourite variety is ‘Bright Lights’ which has rainbow-coloured stems. It’s particularly good for autumn crops. ‘Fantasy’ has pretty red stems and is good if your garden tends to be damp as it’s resistant to mildew. As its name suggests ‘Bright Yellow’ has yellow stalks and is very striking.

All three of these varieties can be over-wintered with a little protection and provide you with an early crop the following spring.

Happy Indoor Gardening

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Time of Year

By Kate McCarthy

Spring Clean Your Kitchen If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of springcleaning, the kitchen is a great place to start.

First throw away obvious rubbish. Then empty the bin and take out the recycling. Do the washing up (or load the dishwasher) and then wash out the bin and recycling containers with warm soapy water. Leave them upside down outside to dry.

Remove everything from the kitchen cupboards.

Throw away empty containers, consolidate halfempty duplicates, and get rid of products you’ll never use. Check ‘use by’ dates and get rid of embarrassingly ancient jars.

For pots, pans, cutlery, and crockery, be honest about what you use regularly and what you will use over the coming months. No-one really needs 29 mugs, surely.

Wipe down cabinets and put everything you’re keeping back inside. Take stock of your kitchen gadgets. Those you use on a regular basis need to be within easy reach. Those you use less frequently can go on a higher shelf. If you know you haven’t used a gadget in the last year, donate it or dispose of it. I realised this time that I will never use a milk-frother or a stand-alone steamer.

Fetch a step ladder or stool and wipe the tops of all kitchen cabinets. Then wipe the handles, walls, and light switches. Wipe down windowsills and polish windows with glass cleaner or white vinegar. Clean the countertops. Most can be cleaned with soapy water, but some require specialist cleaning products Wipe down any small appliances that live on the countertop — like the toaster or coffee machine.

Scrub the sink and faucet. You can use a specialist drain-cleaning product, but I use couple of tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda and a cup of white vinegar poured down afterward. Let it sit for

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30 minutes, and then pour a couple of kettles of hot water down to rinse it through.

Vacuum behind the fridge because dust can interfere with its efficiency. Then empty everything out and throw away expired food. Remove drawers and shelves and wash them in the sink with mild soapy water. Wipe everything down, paying special attention to the rubber seals that tend to collect crumbs. If your fridge is stainless steel, use either a specialty cleaner or a tiny amount of oil on a clean cloth to polish away fingerprints.

To clean a microwave, fill a glass bowl a cup of water and a tablespoon of white vinegar and microwave it for three minutes until it’s boiling. This steam-clean will help soften caked-on food inside making it easier to wipe down.

Clean the stove top (and grates if you have a gas stove), with warm soapy water. You might need a degreaser on the hood, stovetop, and backsplash.

If you have a dishwasher check the filter for any food that might be stuck and rinse it. Run the empty dishwasher on hot using a specialty cleaning product.

If you have a waste disposal unit, Run the tap with it on, then grind up some ice cubes and finally half a lemon to freshen it up.

Vacuum the floor thoroughly, paying attention to the gaps between the countertop appliances. Wipe down baseboards with warm soapy water, then mop or scrub the floor.

Finally deep clean and descale clean any regularly used items like the kettle and coffee pot. Rinse thoroughly.

Stand back and enjoy your kitchen. Then feel totally vindicated in buying a takeaway tonight so you don’t mess it up again!

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Pets

Amazing Animals and their Superpowers I always marvel at the sight of a cat walking along the narrowest of fences as though it were a tightrope.

Elegant and skillful. Perfectly balanced. It makes me wonder what other superpowers cats and other animals have.

Cats Let’s start with an impressive fact, that a cat’s genome is 95% tiger. They share many behaviours with their jungle ancestors including scent marking by scratching, pouncing, urine marking and prey stalking.

As we know cats claws all point downwards. Did you know it is for this reason that a cat cannot come down a tree forwards, and they must back down the trunk?

Incredible.

Each cats nose print is unique much like a humans finger print!

Cats walk like giraffes and camels. They move both of their right feet first, then they move both of their left feet. No other animals walk this way. Some cats are ambidextrous, but 40% are either left or right pawed.

Male cats are more likely to be left pawed, while female cats are more likely to be right pawed.

In 1963 a cat went into space! We are all aware that a monkeys and dogs have been sent into space, but did you know that a cat braved the great unknown too? On 18th October 1963, ‘Astrocat’, also known as Felicette, was the first and only cat to go into space.

Dogs Dogs can detect one drop of liquid in 20 Olympic sized swimming pools. For this reason, dogs are trained to sniff out people, drugs and even money.

Remarkably, dogs are now being trained to detect diseases such as malaria, diabetes, tuberculosis, and Covid-19. It was during one of The Royal Institution Christmas lectures last December that Professor Jonathan Van-Tam demonstrated how dogs can detect the Covid-19 virus.

Greyhounds can reach a top speed of 45mph within seconds of starting to run, compared to a cheetah that

can reach 70mph. However, cheetahs can only keep this going for around 30 seconds meaning a greyhound would actually outrun a cheetah! Greyhounds can easily run at speeds in excess of 35mph for seven miles. Despite the cheetah’s head start, they’d soon be overtaken.

Did you know that dogs have 3 eyelids? Their third eyelids is called the nictitating membrane and helps to protect and clean the eye. If you have a dog, you may have noticed that they move their ears a lot. A dog has an incredible 18 muscles that are responsible for moving their ears! Their ears are vital in helping them communicate with us and other dogs. They can hear over 4 times the distance of a human.

So, next time you come across a cat or dog, stop to marvel at how amazing they are.

If you need to contact our Branch (North Bedfordshire) for any reason we can be reached by the details below, or for an animal welfare issue or emergency, contact; 0300 1234 999.

Lines are open 7 days a week 24/7.

Email: info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk Tel: 01234 266965 / 01234 930304

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Motoring

What is the new Range Rover up against?

The new Range Rover has arrived, bringing with it a predictably luxurious take on the SUV recipe.

Packed with technological advancements, the new Range Rover looks set to be the most futuristic to date, while a series of plug-in hybrid powertrains – alongside traditional petrol and diesel options – means that it’s more electrified than ever.

But the Range Rover’s job isn’t an easy one. There are more rivals for it than ever, so let’s dive in and check out what this latest Range Rover is up against.

Bentley Bentayga The Bentayga has proved to be a real hit for Bentley, encapsulating the luxury feel of the firm’s saloon and coupe models but in a high-riding SUV body style.

Much like the new Range Rover, it’s available with a traditional petrol engine but also a plug-in hybrid option, giving zero-emissions running at lower speeds.

Bentley recently added a more sporty ‘S’ version too, kitted out with a powerful 4.0-litre twinturbocharged V8.

BMW X7 The X7 sits at the top of BMW’s SUV range, effectively sitting as a high-riding version of the firm’s luxurious 7 Series saloon. It’s a hard car to miss, too, with its ultra-large front kidney grilles giving it a whole lot of presence out on the road.

It’s also got space for seven, so it does have a focus on practicality, too. With a huge amount of interior space, it’s a really comfortable choice for longer journeys.

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Mercedes-Benz GLS The GLS is the largest SUV Mercedes offer and is, in fact, one of the largest SUVs on sale today. It’s fitted with some of the firm’s latest technology, too, including a superb MBUX infotainment operating system, accessed via a pair of 12.3-inch screens set underneath one single piece of glass to create a full widescreen effect.

It’s also supremely comfortable, while the option of a range-topping GLS63 adds a performance variant for those who want it.

Audi Q8 Though we could opt for the popular Q7 in this list, it’s the Q8 that stands out in Audi’s range of SUVs. Bringing a coupe-like design, the Q8 looks truly futuristic on the road, with its full-width rear light bar giving the car a really cool appearance at night.

It’s just as futuristic inside, too, with a good range of materials ensuring that the Q8 feels particularly upmarket.

Aston Martin DBX Aston’s first SUV – the DBX – has really made waves, delivering a sporting driving experience alongside a level of quality that you’d expect from the firm. Both comfortable and involving, the DBX is a car capable of making a twisty road fun while also taking the backache out of longer journeys.

It’s also got a design in keeping with the rest of the Aston Martin range, while a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine means it’s got the performance to match, too.

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Special Report

Outdoor Adventures SPRING CLEANING YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR In your home, you’ll realise when maintenance jobs need doing and rooms need cleaning.

But particularly during the winter months, any deterioration to the outside of your property is likely to go unnoticed until the brighter spring days.

THE ROOF If any part of your roof is north facing, near trees or both, you are very likely to see a build-up of moss.

Not only is this unsightly, but moss absorbs water meaning your roof is constantly wet. If this moisture travels underneath the tiles, it could rot the wooden components of the roof.

What to do? If your roof is at a low level or can be accessed from an upper window, gently brush the surface to loosen the build-up. Of course, this is likely to brush the moss into the gutters, which is another job to be dealt with.

Generally though, unless you happen to own the specialist equipment to ensure you are safe on a roof, this really is a job for the professionals.

THE GUTTERS Even if you don’t live particularly close to trees, somehow leaves and twigs will get blown into your gutters and as mentioned above, some moss is likely

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to accumulate too. Some debris will get washed away and will mulch down, but more often it’ll just build up. If your gutters are overflowing every time it rains, it’s time to address the problem.

Having a quick look into your gutter to locate the blockage is going to need a really long ladder and a pair of thick rubber gloves to clear the slimy mess.

A professional will have a camera on a pole to see where the worst spots are and to help them clear out all the winter debris. Ask about having gutter guards fitted too, to help prevent future build-ups.

FACIAS AND SOFFITS If you still have original facias and soffits on your house it’s likely they are made of wood. There are two choices if yours look tatty and the paint is peeling. Repainting is the lower-cost option but it won’t last that long and is fiddly to do. Replacement facias and soffits are made of uPVC and will last for years. It’s well worth considering replacing the guttering at the same time.

PATHWAYS Clearing paths is one outside job that doesn’t involve you risking life and limb by climbing a ladder. The inexpensive method is a bucket of water and a stiff brush, although it won’t give you the best results.

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A jet washer is very thorough and is reasonably affordable, although of course you need to store it, which is a nuisance given you only need to use it once or twice a year.

So yes, you can do this yourself, but it’s blooming hard work! Your arms will get quite a workout controlling the pressure washer hose or sweeping a brush. You also need to take care not to dislodge the mortar between paving slabs.

WINDOWS Methods of cleaning glass have been around for years. Vinegar is said to be very effective, if rather unpleasant smelling, and of course proprietary cleaning fluids are very affordable. This is another one of those jobs that is hard work though, and while it’s easy to access the inside of your windows, the upper floor of the outside is much more difficult.

Furthermore, a one-off clean is not enough. Where other parts of your house won’t notice if it’s been a year since they were cleaned, you are looking at your windows all the time. It’s better to set up a regular arrangement – typically every six to twelve weeks – then you can just ‘set and forget’. A window cleaning company will usually have a pole system and they use purified water, meaning that the windows dry sparkling clean.

IN SUMMARY There are many jobs around the home that you are probably capable of doing yourself to save the pennies. But when it comes to the outside, it’s going to need specialist tools, it can be dangerous and it’s physically taxing.

These external tasks don’t need to be done very often and a specialist will have the equipment, the safety training and the insurance to do the job efficiently and quickly.

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Codeword 1

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

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

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What's On

WHAT'S ON IN MARCH 1 MARCH Huntingdonshire Health & Care Forum 2-4pm online Organised by Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Healthwatch Peterborough. Share your ideas and experiences, ask questions and get involved. www.healthwatchpeterborough. co.uk/event/2022-03-24/ peterborough-health-and-careforum

3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 MARCH Riverport Singers 10.15-11.15am The Corn Exchange, St Ives Community choir for people living with dementia, their carers, family and friends. Come along and sing a range of songs (folk, pop, musicals) in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

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

1 MARCH Hail Weston Wildlife and Gardening Group 7.15pm for 7.30pm Hail Weston Village Hall Members £1, non-members £3, under 18s free Nature friendly farming with Martin Lines. Martin farms in Cambridgeshire and has a passion for the preservation for the countryside. He champions a way of sustainable farming that is good for nature.

Email: hwwgg@yahoo.com for more info/to book

3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 MARCH Bingo 7.30pm Alconbury Sports & Social Club Eyes down for the weekly Bingo session!

Web: www.assc.org.uk

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 MARCH St Neots & District Camera Club Via Zoom Regular talks and competitions.

Web: www.stneots-camera-club. org.uk 2 MARCH Brampton Flower Club 7.30pm Community Centre, Brampton High Street Meets the first Wednesday of the month. Visitors welcome.

4 MARCH St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm Eynesbury Primary School SNLHS members free, visitors £4 ‘Pirates and De-Frocked Vicars - more tales from Bedfordshire Churches’ by David Longman, Ecclesiographer.

Web: http://stneotslhs.org.uk 4, 11, 18 & 25 MARCH Great Fen Little Bugs 10.30am-12pm Great Fen Countryside Centre, Ramsey Heights Wildlife Trust BCN child member £5, non-member £7 A fun and sociable morning of exploration and discovery for preschool children and their guardians.

Web: wildlifebcn.org

5 MARCH Huntingdon Comedy Club 7pm Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon Tickets £15 + booking fee With TikTok sensation President Obonjo. Support from Paul Thorne, Adam Riley and Jenny Collier.

Web: www.chuckl.co.uk/ huntingdon-march 5 MARCH St Neots Sinfonia Spring Concert 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Eaton Socon Tickets £10 Tickets available by telephone or on the door.

Tel: 01480 213884 12 MARCH Spring Craft and Gift Fair 10am-3pm.The Village Hall, Fishers Close, Great Barford Entry £1, accompanied children under 10 free Craft and gift stalls, tombola, homemade cakes, raffle.

Refreshments available all day. In aid of All Saints’ Church and Great Barford Women’s Institute.

Tel: Maureen Munnelly 01234 870633 or Ann Lovesey 01234 870693 for more info 12 MARCH Meet the Romans 11am-4pm St Neots Museum Adults £2, children and Friends of the Museum free Come face-to-face with the Longshore Legion and join the curator on 15-minute museum ‘micro tours’ at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, and 3pm. No need to book a tour but please book a one-hour timeslot.

Web: stneotsmuseum.org.uk

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 MARCH St Neots Choral Society 7.30-9.30pm Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury New members. Rehearsals are every Wednesday in term time.

Tel: 01480 212298 for membership enquiries Web: www.stneotschoral.org.uk

5 MARCH Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society 2pm Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade ‘Hostas – Little and Large’ by Colin Ward. Colin is a well-known nursery owner and a member of our group.

Plants for sale.

Visitors welcome – small charge.

Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk

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15 MARCH 10am-12 noon Dementia Café St Ives Free Church, St Ives £2.50 per person For people with dementia and their carers.

Tel: George 07725 588145 Web: facebook/ stivesdementiafriendlycommunity

What's On

WHAT'S ON IN MARCH 16 MARCH Godmanchester WI 7.30pm Church Hall, Chadley Lane, Godmanchester Meets the third Wednesday of the month. Regular speakers and activities. New members welcome.

18 MARCH Kimbolton Community Cinema 7pm for 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Tickets £5, concessions £4 + booking fee for online tickets Spencer (12A). Bar, ice cream and free popcorn. Tickets from Bytes Café, online or on the door if available.

Email: kimbolton.cinema@gmail. com Web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ mandeville-hall-kimbolton 19 MARCH Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Choir Concert 7.30-9.30pm St Mary’s Church, Godmanchester Tickets £15, students/children £5 With instrumental and vocal soloists. Dvorák Mass in D, Janáek Otenáš, Eben Pražské Te Deum, Smetana Vltava from Má Vlast, Andrew Parnell - organ and Lee Dunleavy - conductor. Tickets available on the door (cash) from 7pm or online - no booking fee.

Web: huntsphil.org.uk 23 MARCH Lunchtime Talk 10.30am-12.30pm Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade ‘The House: The Shuttleworth Peacock’, this engaging presentation covers the story behind the Shuttleworth Minton Peacock and the Wreck of the Loch Ard. Web: shuttleworth.org/talksprogramme

23 MARCH Crime & Punishment Walk 7.30-9pm St Neots Museum £6 Shocking murders, bank robberies, drunk and disorderly – hear about local historical crimes and the punishments issued, from the birch to the death penalty. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start. Walks take place whatever the weather.

Web: stneotsmuseum.org.uk 24 MARCH St Neots & District Gardening Club Meetings 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Members £2, Non-members £2.50 A talk on self-sufficiency in your garden by Nigel Start. Visitors welcome. www.stneotsgardenclub.org.uk 25 MARCH Knit, Lit and Natter 3pm Huntingdon Library Do you love to knit, crochet or sew? Do you also love to read? Get together with other crafters to work on projects and chat about books.

Tel: 0345 045 5225 25 MARCH Uncle Funk’s Disco Inferno Comes to St Neots 7.30pm for 8pm The Priory Centre Tickets £17 ‘Greatest Hits Of Disco’ show, a special two-hour set split into two one-hour sections with interval.

Tickets available from the box office or online (booking fee applies). 18+.

Tel: 01480 388922 Web: www.wegottickets.com 25 MARCH Quiz Night 8pm Alconbury Sports & Social Club Web: www.assc.org.uk

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26 MARCH Little Paxton Community Litter Pick 2-4pm Start and finish QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton High Viz jackets, litter grabbers and bin bags provided. Please bring own gloves.

Tel: Jenny Gellatly, Parish Clerk 01480 470193 26 MARCH Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Orchestra Concert 7.30-9.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Tickets £15, students/children £5. Brahms Symphony No.4, Sibelius Karelia Suite and Stravinsky The Firebird.

Conductor Andrew Morris.

Tickets available on the door (cash) or online.

Web: huntsphil.org.uk 27 MARCH The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust Talk 10.30am Free event Guided walk at Godmanchester Nature Reserve, consisting of four lakes which were former gravel pits and attract a wide range of birds. Meet at the reserve entrance at the end of Cow Lane, PE29 2EJ, GR TL2639 7149. Limited parking available.

Everyone is welcome. No charge, but donations welcome.

Email: George Cottam georgecottam@virginmedia. com for info 28 MARCH Wild Babies at Paxton Pits 9.45-11.30am Paxton Pits Education Centre, Little Paxton Bring your pre-walking aged baby along in a buggy, pram or sling for a gentle relaxing stroll with plenty of chance to chat to other ‘wild baby’ parents.

Web: www.wildlifebcn.org

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Local News

Lions Help to Keep the Wheels Turning at ShopMobility Huntingdon Grafham Water Lions Club recently supported Hunt’s Shopmobility with a donation of £250 to help towards the maintenance of their fleet of mobility scooters and wheelchairs When presenting the cheque Lion President Bernard Dable said he hoped this would help the Charity to continue providing a much needed service to the Community of Huntingdon. He added that the funds were raised at local events including the Christmas Market and thanked the people who attended for their support and generosity.

Celia Barden, Manager of Hunt’s Shopmobility thanked the Lions Club and said “every penny really

does count towards us being able to continue with our service to the people of Huntingdon and beyond”.

The Huntingdon Grafham Water Lions Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at 8pm in the Falcon in the town centre. Lions clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfil those needs.

We need more like-minded people to join and help us achieve these aims. For more information or to get involved with the Club, please contact Lion Bernard on 0345 833 7516 or hgwlions@gmail.com Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have made a strong commitment to community service in their local area and throughout the world. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit the website at

www.lionsclubs.co.uk

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our February Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Nathalie Powers, Lower Stondon

February’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

Advertising in The Villager is easy.

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Across 1 Money (4) 3 Used in board game (5,3) 9 Scold severely (7) 10 Electronic post (5) 11 Young cabbage plants (6,6) 14 To allow (3) 16 Type of drum (5) 17 Joint (3) 18 Seen in a rink (6-6) 21 Violent disturbances (5) 22 Stabbing weapon (7) 23 Supporting column (8) 24 Popular sport (4)

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

16th March 2022 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.

Down 1 Advises (8) 2 Serious (5) 4 Stowed away (3) 5 Lock picks (8,4) 6 Loyal (7) 7 Story (4) 8 Eats its own kind (12) 12 Doomed (5) 13 Alcoholic appetiser (8) 15 Twice as much (7) 19 South American dance (5) 20 Hold tightly (4) 22 Type of snake (3)

Name:

Address:

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

Tel:

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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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New Starts

Books Forget January, there’s no better time for a new beginning than spring…

The Meaningful Money Handbook Pete Matthew

Consumed Aja Barber

Atomic Habits James Clear

Decluttering at the Speed of Life Dana K. White

If you need to get your finances in order (that’s most of us then), The Meaningful Money Handbook could prove invaluable. It’ll help you to cut through the confusion, figure out how to get out of debt, create a personal financial plan and grow your savings. If you’re already starting to wince at the thought of reading a book about finances, rest assured that there’s no jargon or judgement – just plenty of straightforward advice and useful tips.

All too often, major change feels so daunting that we don’t act, or we give up after a few days. Instead, James Clear recommends making tiny tweaks to your daily routines. Atomic Habits shows the reader how to break bad habits and start new ones. James Clear sets out, step-by-step, how to make small improvements that, over time, become life-altering. His advice is backed by psychologists, but as Clear says, this book is “not an academic research paper; it’s an operating manual.”

Survival Skills for Freelancers Sarah Townsend

At some point, everyone dreams of quitting their job and becoming their own boss. Whether you’ve already made the move or you’re just thinking of taking the plunge, this book can help you to ride the roller coaster that is self-employment. It’s full of helpful advice, from how to avoid burnout and look after your mental health to how to tackle imposter syndrome.

Feel like you shop to fill a void? Uncomfortable with your role in fast fashion? Or do you just want to learn how to enjoy fashion sustainably and ethically? Whatever your motivation, this book is well worth a read. Aja Barber shares her story of how she came to understand the systemic injustices in the fashion industry. You’ll learn about the history of the textile industry, the growing issue of fast fashion and, crucially, what you can do to bring about change.

Clutter can be overwhelming.

The more possessions you have, the more time it usually takes to organise, tidy and clean your home. Unlike other decluttering books, this one isn’t just a ‘how to’ guide; it also addresses the emotional challenges that make it difficult to let go of unnecessary possessions. It’s also packed with practical advice and tips. Plus, it’s funny.

30 Day Kick Start Plan Joe Wicks

It’s hard to make healthier choices in the depths of winter, but lighter evenings and warmer days are just around the corner. 30 Day Kick Start Plan can help you eat better, move more and stay motivated. You’ll find 100 recipes to try, along with six workouts and weekly plans to help you stay on track. There’s also advice on everything from sleep and meditation to goal setting. In short, it’s far more than just another healthy-eating cookbook.

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By Kate Duggan 45

FOR ALL YOUR GLAZING NEEDS: • SINGLE & DOUBLE GLAZING • SEALED UNITS GONE ‘FOGGY’ • MIRRORS • SHELVES • WINDOWS & DOORS • LOCKS, WINDOW & DOOR ACCESSORIES

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A RELIABLE, QUALITY SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST • Gas Boiler Installation, Servicing and Repairs • Landlord Gas Safety Certificates • Central Heating System Installation and Upgrades • Radiator Flushing • All General Plumbing Based in St. Neots Covering All Surrounding Areas

FREE QUOTES ALL WORK GUARANTEED FULLY INSURED Tel: 07502 253276 Web: www.meltonheating.co.uk Email: info.meltonheating@gmail.com meltonplumbingandheating

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USEFUL NUMBERS

VILLAGER The

and Town

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