VILLAGER The
Issue 74 - May 2018
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
In this issue Win a one night break for two people at
Dunston Hall RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results
Win £25
in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month
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Inside this issue... 10
Win Tickets to Battle Proms
Jewels of our Past.............................................................4 Why we love a Royal Wedding.........................................8 Win Tickets to Annual Battle Proms at Hatfield House....10 Win a One Night Break at Dunston Hall..........................12 Shuttleworth Spitfire Fires Into Life...............................14 Winning Wines: Macedonia............................................16 MAGPAS Air Ambulance.................................................18 Make Procrastination History.........................................21 Holiday Issues................................................................22 What would you do if...?................................................23 Ground Control...............................................................26
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results...............................28 Animal Stories................................................................31 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.........................................32 Wonderfully Windsor.....................................................34 Puzzle Page....................................................................36 What’s On.......................................................................38 Huntingdonshire Music School.......................................40 Fun Quiz.........................................................................40 Prize Crossword..............................................................42 British Sandwich Week...................................................45 Book Review..................................................................46
Shuttleworth Spitfire
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Get your business off to a flying start this year
Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £30.00 +VAT per month
Editorial - Catherine Rose, Tracey Anderson, Trevor Langley, Suzanne Roynon, Hannah Byatt, Tony Larkins, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA, Nick Coffer, Hannah Fenton and Kate Duggan.
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Michael Lane, Darren Harbar, John Bridges 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
Jewels of our Past By Catherine Rose
There is no doubt that antique jewellery has a fascination like no other. Worn close to the skin and often commissioned for an individual, it exudes an aura of its original wearer from across the centuries. Walking around the Victoria and Albert Museum’s jewellery section is a kleptomaniac’s paradise. On display in a darkened hall, gold and precious jewels from civilisations past are illuminated like the treasures of Aladdin’s Cave.
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Humanity’s universal desire to craft mined metals, stones, and natural treasures like shells, horn or bone into beautiful adornments dates back to primitive times. Jewellery makers have long been skilled artisans, able to work with materials at levels of delicate intricacy. In early times, jewellery was often worn in the form of amulets for power or protection against evil, and as a status symbol. Gold jewellery was buried with the dead as payment for their
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passage into the afterlife and to ensure the person’s continued importance. We are most familiar with this from the discovery of ancient Egyptian tombs, but other civilizations such as the Incas and the ancient Greeks also buried jewellery with their dead. Gold ceremonial collars have been found when unearthing Celtic Bronze Age burials. One such collar known as the Shannongrove Gorget (800-700BC), uncovered in Ireland in the 1700s, was deliberately folded in half, perhaps in a ritual to prevent someone else from wearing it. Much of the archaeological jewellery on display in museums today comes from ancient tombs. Crowns made of precious metals and stones to indicate royalty began as ceremonial wreaths in Greek and Roman times, or possibly earlier. They were made of flowers, twigs and leaves (such as laurel, oak and ivy) and would be placed on the head of someone who had been valiant in battle or excelled as an athlete. The word ‘crown’ comes from the Latin ‘corona’ meaning wreath. Alexander the Great is said to have established the crown as a symbol of royalty in 356-323BC. Over the centuries, crowns continued to become heavier, more elaborate and bejewelled, forming a key part of the monarch’s coronation ceremony. Precious stones have long been symbolic, for example, pearls once represented purity. Originally, diamonds and rubies weren’t faceted but would simply be polished as roundels or ovals – a style known as cabochon. It wasn’t until the Renaissance that the skill of cutting stones developed. These sparkling gems became popular and were at their most spectacular seen in the glow of candlelight. Sadly, little diamond jewellery from the 17th and 18th centuries survives, as diamonds had become so prized they were often removed from old jewellery and reused. During the medieval era, jewellery was very much about status and religion. Royalty and nobility wore gold, silver and precious metals while lower ranks would wear jewellery made of pewter or copper set with semi-precious stones, or translucent enamel made using melted ground glass set into metal. Centuries later, this notion was subverted by Art Nouveau, a radical movement that began in 1895 and went on to shape our modern world in many
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ways from marketing to furniture design. Art Nouveau jewellers saw no hierarchy of materials, meaning gold and diamonds were combined with base metals and enamel. Symbolism was as important as it had been in medieval times. During this time, as in the past, wearing large pieces of jewellery on the bodice continued to be popular. Today, this fashion along with the general wearing of brooches – still popular up until the mid-20th century – is now seen as dated and has largely fallen out of favour. The 17th century heralded increased importation of a variety of gems. As a result, a wider range of coloured stones such as citrine and pink topaz began to make an appearance. Jewellery was often tailored to the individual and included the use of cameos and miniature portraits of the wearer or their loved one. It is believed that during this century, opaque enamel was invented by a Frenchman, Jean Toutin de Chateaudun. The Victorians were as ostentatious in their jewellery as they were with all other forms of ornamentation, favouring flowers and birds which reflected their interest in the natural world and tied in with their ‘language of flowers’ symbolism. Jewellery became largely worn by women, whereas in previous centuries men had frequently worn it too. Although today’s jewellery makers still use ancient techniques in metalwork and stone setting, contemporary jewellers are reinventing the way we see and wear jewellery. These innovations are being led by designers like Wallace Chang who produces cameo jewellery from 3D images of the human face and has invented a new stone setting that does away with the traditional obtrusive claw technique. Prague-based jewellery designer Janja Prokic, who has showcased at London Fashion Week, designs symbolic fairy-tale jewellery that links directly back to the wearer. She often uses pearls to represent womanhood and says: “As they become polished by contact with human skin, each appears to absorb nutrients from the skin. The result is that this gives them a particular glow peculiar to the wearer.” And in the end, don’t we all want our jewellery to be a reflection of ourselves?
By Catherine Rose
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Time of Year
By Tracey Anderson
Why We Love A Royal Wedding Unless you have been living on a desert Island with no Wi-Fi for the past 12 months it cannot have escaped your notice that a wedding is scheduled for this month. Now whether you are a flag-waving Royalist or consider them to be a bunch of elitist parasites, you can’t avoid the discussions over the dress, the guest list and the entertainment booked for the reception. It was when I heard a colleague (who I know is anti-Royal) gleefully speculating over the dressdesigner Meghan may or may not have chosen that it occurred to me to wonder why even the least sympathetic among us somehow get sucked into the celebrations. The fairy tale: Children’s stories where the handsome prince marries the beautiful princess are perennially popular, and the big white wedding is still the way many women imagine their big day. In this instance the prince in question is a real-life action hero too! A Royal wedding is the chance for us to live it vicariously, or conversely marvel at the spectacle of it all while muttering darkly about the cost to the public purse. Being part of something bigger: There is a strong drive among humans to want to feel part of something important or monumental. We want to weave historic events into our own personal history. It’s why we bought tickets to The London
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Olympics, fly out to World Cup Finals, and lay flowers at the sites of tragic events. Shared History: The celebrations surrounding the Silver Jubilee, or the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana may have been part of our childhood. Maybe we attended a street party or received a commemorative coin. The desire to recreate and share these memories with our own children is strong. We love a party: Go on...who doesn’t love an excuse for a party? I have friends who throw Eurovision parties, and Strictly Come Dancing parties and X Factor parties, so why not a Royal Wedding party, complete with champagne and Union Jack cupcakes? They are not like us…or are they? We feel we know the Royals. We’re there for the births, the engagements, the weddings, the divorces. We know lots about them, but there’s always more we don’t know. It’s human nature to be hungry for more information or gossip about the rich, famous and (preferably) scandalous. A Royal wedding feeds into this, from the venue – the smaller St George’s Chapel rather than Westminster Abbey – to the guest list – who made the cut and who was snubbed. It’s like our own family but lived large… on our TV screens. And just as if they were members of our own family…we wish them well.
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TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP. BOOK A TEST DRIVE AT T.C.HARRISON FORD For more information please visit www.tch.co.uk
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Win 2 tickets
to a Spectacular Summer Concert
We have 3 pairs of tickets worth £88 each to be won for the 18th annual Battle Proms at Hatfield House on Saturday 14th July, as the UK’s premier picnic concert series returns for a packed afternoon and evening of entertainment! Treat yourself and a friend or loved one to a full programme of captivating classical music from the 60-piece New English Concert Orchestra, complemented by toe-tapping vintage vocals, breathtaking Spitfire display to Elgar’s Nimrod, sensational freefall demonstration by The Red Devils parachute team, dramatic WWI cavalry display and groundshaking live fire from over 200 cannons! All set in the historic and leafy surrounds of the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field at Hatfield House, this quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ features magnificent musical firework displays, culminating in a flag waving, sing-a-long spectacular including all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites such as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory! Simply send your entry by 16th May 2018 to: Battle Proms Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. The winner will be drawn randomly from the correct entries.
BATTLE PROMS COMPETITION ENTRY
For a chance to win 2 tickets simply complete your details below and post your response by 16th May 2018 to: Battle Proms Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. Name:
Don’t want to leave it to chance? Simply order online at www.battleproms.com. Order by 30th April and enjoy the Early bird price of just £36 per adult for an afternoon and evening of sublime music and dramatic displays!
Address:
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GARDEN WALK & TALK
The cost of your tour includes a hot beverage, scone, cream and jam for just £12.50
5TH JUNE 2018, 2 - 3.30PM
Come and learn more about our gardens and how you can create the perfect outdoor space
SEE HOW WE GROW CEREALS, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN GROW YOUR VERY OWN VEG OR FLOWER PATCH IDEAS ON HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT WILDLIFE IN YOUR OWN GARDENS
TO BOOK:
Email: dawn.walton@jordansmill.com or online at www.jordansmill.com/events
WHY NOT FOLLOW US ON: /JORDANSMILL @JORDANSMILL
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WWW.JORDANSMILL.COM
Jordans Mill, Holme Mills, Langford Road Broom, Nr Biggleswade SG18 9JY Call: 01767 603940
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Win a One Night Break for Two including dinner, bed and breakfast and 36 holes of golf The four-star Dunston Hall, in Norwich – managed by Redefine|BDL Hotels (RBH), the UK’s leading hotel management company – offers guests a firstclass, all-round golf experience in fabulous surroundings. Its 6,275 yard, par-71 USGA-rated course is beautifully contoured around the estate and features magnificent parkland fairways dotted with trees and strategically placed bunkers. With its other golf facilities also including a 22-bay floodlit driving range, an undulating pitching green with bunkers, and even a nine-hole Footgolf course, this is golf at its best. Dunston Hall’s Elizabethan-style mansion, dating from 1859, has been lovingly restored to all its former glory as a four-star hotel. Built against 150 acres of stunning wooded Norfolk parkland, the setting is just as unique as its history. The hotel boasts spacious bedrooms and a well-equipped health club with a cardio gym and recently refurbished pool, sauna, and spa, as well as a choice of eating and drinking options. Dunston Hall is located just four miles from Norwich city centre and train station, and eight miles from Norwich Airport.
www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/dunston-hall Villager Magazines has partnered with Dunston Hall to offer its readers the chance to win a one night, dinner, bed and breakfast break for two at the four-star resort, with 36 holes of golf included. The winner will be drawn at random from all the correct answers.
DUNSTON HALL COMPETITION ENTRY
For a chance to win simply correctly answer the following question and post your response by 16th May 2018 to Dunston Hall Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. Dunston Hall is in Norwich. For which reason is the city well known? A: Its coal mines B: The home of Colman’s mustard C: The birthplace of actress Jenna Coleman, star of TV drama Victoria
If you’re not lucky enough to be the winner, a two-night DB&B break at Dunston Hall, with 36 holes of golf, costs from just £159 per person, based on two sharing. Call 01508 470444 for more details or to book.
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Local News
AR501 with pilot Stu Goldspink Wednesday 21 March 2018 © Darren Harbar
Shuttleworth Spitfire fires into life The Shuttleworth Collection’s Spitfire AR501 soared successfully into the skies for its maiden flight, following a full restoration project, at 15.47 on Tuesday 20 March 2018, in the hands of experienced warbird pilot Stu Goldspink. The pilot reported that the aircraft is handling beautifully and all systems functioning correctly with just a couple of minor adjustments required. A second, longer, test flight was carried out the next morning confirming the aircraft is behaving well. The flight test programme will continue over the next few weeks. This Spitfire is an original aircraft that saw active service in the Second World War and is wearing the livery of No 310 (Czech) Squadron, where it served in operations in 1942-1943. Sporting its original ‘clipped’ wing tips that gave Spitfires a better roll rate rather than the standard elliptical tips most are familiar with. The painstaking restoration which took over 10 years to complete by the Collection’s fulltime engineering team and skilled volunteers, involved completely dismantling the airframe into its smallest components to inspect and refurbish all the parts. The project included the complete overhaul of the 1,440hp Rolls Royce Merlin V12 engine, also carried out ‘in house’, and a new propeller and spinner. Chief Engineer Jean-Michel Munn said, “This is a very original aircraft, and one that served in combat during the Second World War. It’s a privilege for The
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Collection to be able to return it to airworthy status and have it back flying for visitors to experience the sight and sound of this iconic type.” AR501 is intending to display for the first time since restoration at The Collection’s Season Premiere and RAF 100 airshow on Sunday 6th May. Stu Goldspink will be giving the pilot chat with the aircraft at 11.00 before the air display begins at 14.00. Veterans over 85 have free entry to this show. For more details see www.shuttleworth.org/premiere The Shuttleworth Collection is based at Old Warden aerodrome is just off the A1 at Biggleswade, postcode SG18 9EP. AR501 can also be seen onscreen (static) in the RAF at 100 with Ewan and Colin McGregor on BBC One, screening Sunday 25 March at 20.30!
AR501 first test flight flown by pilot Stu Goldspink © Darren Harbar
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WORDWHEEL
Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.
TARGET Excellent: 80 or more words Good: 68 words Fair: 55 words
V E
S D
A A L
N I
VANDALISE
Fo r
health, fitness, r
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Food and Drink
Winning Wines: Macedonia
Macedonia has a lot to offer. This republic, in south eastern Europe and successor state of former Yugoslavia, has a very interesting history, boasting beautiful architecture, amongst many attributes. The climate is hot and dry, during the summer months. Skopje is the capital of Macedonia and tourism brings many visitors to the country, every year.
The region of Tikveš is recognised and famous for the production of high-quality grapes, which, along with much knowledge and expertise, produce excellent wines. Numerous grape varietals are grown, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Merlot and Pinot Noir, plus many others. The Stobi winery enjoys perfect conditions and produces multi award-winning wines utilising modern technology. The Stobi Winery continually seeks to create new vineyards and expand, as their splendid wines become known and available worldwide, including the UK, with an excellent distribution and delivery organisation. Stobi Žilavka, is produced using a local grape variety. A pleasant bouquet and very good mouthfeel, with a peppery finish, make this a popular light to medium-bodied, dry white wine. Stobi Chardonnay, is unoaked, dry and medium-bodied. Elegant and intense, again, this is another extremely popular choice, for many. Stobi Muscat Ottonel, is aromatic on the bouquet, which leads, enticingly, to the very acceptable mouthfeel and floral palate sensation, of this intense, dry, white production, with a fresh finish. Stobi Cuvée, I found as a medium-bodied, dry, white wine. This is produced using a blend of local grapes and delivers a very good bouquet. Elegant and intense on the palate, a crisp finish adds to the pleasures of this wine. These wines accompany many dishes, including white meats, fish, seafood, salads and antipasti, perfectly. These selections are just some of the wines available in a splendid range from the Stobi Winery, which has something for everyone’s palate, including exceptional red wines that are aged in oak. Stobi multi award-winning wines are available in the UK. Tel: 0845 370 2255 Email: sales@signature-wines.co.uk www.signature-wines.co.uk www.stobi.co.uk
As always, Enjoy!
ey Trevor Langl
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Local News
“I never thought I’d become a volunteer, but it turned out to be the best thing I’ve ever done!” Magpas Air Ambulance is a charity which brings crucial lifesaving care, by land and air, to patients in life-threatening emergencies across the East of England and beyond. The charity is not a statefunded service and relies on generous public donations and committed volunteers to continue saving lives. Sandy based Emily, 22, is a truly dedicated volunteer at the Magpas Air Ambulance charity shop in the Bedfordshire town. However, this wasn’t always what she wanted to do. “I had lots of plans but life gets in the way sometimes. I was in a really bad place last October, I was just sitting at home feeling sorry for myself, my anxiety had got the better of me and I didn’t feel like I could do anything. I knew I had to get out of the house and in the end it was my auntie that helped me do that. “She’d been volunteering for Magpas Air Ambulance in their Sandy charity shop for a while and just persuaded me to go along one day. I was really nervous at first, but I soon got into it and started to really enjoy my time there. I did a lot of work on the shop floor such as helping customers, sorting donations and being on the till. One of my favourite things about volunteering is getting to know new people, especially the customers. You come to know the regulars so you can build up a relationship with them and get to know what they’re after. “A little while had passed when I heard that Magpas were looking to hire a part-time Assistant Shop Manager. After doing the voluntary work, my confidence had already been boosted and
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I knew what I could bring to the shop, so I just went for it – and got the job! “Despite securing a paid role, I still volunteer with Magpas Air Ambulance regularly. I have a 16 hour position but volunteer for another 16 hours a week on top of that. Volunteering with Magpas Air Ambulance has helped me both in and out of the workplace; other people should definitely get involved if they can. It looks good on your CV, you can learn new skills and you’re helping a really worthy cause. “Ultimately, volunteering with Magpas Air Ambulance has massively boosted my confidence. I now have a job and independence and I feel good about myself. All my friends and family say I’ve completely changed now, and that’s all down to volunteering here.” As a volunteer at Magpas Air Ambulance, any time you can donate will help save lives 24/7. If Emily has inspired you to start volunteering, get in touch at fundraising@magpas.org.uk or call 01480 371060 (option 2).
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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 Oakleigh Residential half page.indd 1 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
05/12/2016 11:03 19
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Life Coaching
By Suzanne Roynond
Make Procrastination History
When you distract yourself with almost anything to avoid what you ‘should’ be doing, procrastination is making itself at home in your life. Cleaning a cupboard rather than dealing with your finances or spending all day watching TV when you promised to finish something for your partner might seem harmless, but each time you put something off, you drain your energy and damage your self-esteem. Low level procrastination is easy to combat with a little determination, a list and a sense of achievement for each accomplishment. However, a skilled procrastinator can always find a reason not to do something. Procrastination becomes a habit and broken
promises cause hurt, arguments, disappointment and resentment. It’s frustrating for friends and family and ultimately the procrastinator loses the respect of those closest to them. What the procrastinator doesn’t realise is each tiny avoidance strategy damages them too. The knowledge they are letting themselves and others down chips away at their emotional and physical wellbeing. The outcome can be lethargy, stress headaches and even depression. Life Coaching can make a difference for a habitual procrastinator. The client takes responsibility for their own actions and by working with a coach to set and commit to achievable goals, excuses and procrastination can
EBAY COLLECTIONS
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become a thing of the past. Of course, if getting around to calling a coach is another subject of procrastination – read a little book called “Eat That Frog” by Brian Tracy, then pick out the biggest and ugliest frog you can find and have it for breakfast! Suzanne Roynon is a personal performance life coach www.yoursuccess.coach
Local & Reliable
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Garden View
By Rachael Leverton
Ground Control You can’t go wrong with a geranium. They grow well where other plants struggle, particularly those shady areas, or parts of the garden with poor soil. And they are so useful - they provide hundreds of pretty flowers and also smother the ground with a welter of leaves that prevent weeds from taking hold. Don’t confuse these hardy geraniums with the tender bedding plants with the horseshoe leaf-markings. They may be commonly called geraniums but they are in fact pelargoniums and not hardy so would perish in a hard frost. True geraniums are as tough as old boots. There are loads to choose from offering a wide range of colours and habits. If you want a carpet of tiny pale pink saucer flowers try Geranium sanguineum striatum. It’s great for growing in the crevices of a garden path, or even in a shallow tub or sink where its finely cut leaves show of the flowers to their best advantage. Geranium macrorrhizum is probably the most reliable ground cover of them all. It creates a low dense mass of aromatic hairy leaves about 30cm /
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12 inches high. The flowers open in late spring and there are varieties in white, pale pink or magenta. These are followed by bright red seedheads providing interest well into the autumn. Propagation is ridiculously easy. Simply rip up a clump of the thick creeping stems and push them into the ground where you want them to establish. Make sure they don’t dry out and you can be assured of success. If you’d like a plant with a bit of height go for Geranium psilostemon. This grows to about 1.5m / 5 feet. It has deep magent flowers with a black eye, and is a great self-seeder. If you struggle with a patch of denser shade I can recommend the blue-flowered Geranium himalayense, and also ‘Johnson’s Blue’. Both will form clumps about 30cm / 12 inches high. Whether you have a new garden which needs to be filled with colour, or an established garden with a few bald patches, plant hardy geraniums and you won’t be disappointed.
Happy Gardening
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Wildlife
John Bridges (rspb-images.com)
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results reveal a golden year for the goldfinch • Favourable conditions lead to a surge in sightings of goldfinch, long-tailed tit and coal tit, along with many other smaller garden birds. • The results revealed a dip in sightings of our more solitary species like blackbird and robin as the mild winter meant they spent more time foraging for food away from our gardens. • Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK, including over 5,200 people in Bedfordshire, spent an hour watching the birds that visit their garden or outdoor space as a part of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. • Over 1 million birds were counted in the East, contributing to an impressive 6.7 million birds counted nationally. The latest results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch have revealed a golden year for the goldfinch along with a number of other small birds after a surge in sightings in gardens across the country. Now in its 39th year, the Birdwatch is a chance for people of all ages to count the number of birds that visit their garden helping the RSPB build up a picture of how they are doing. This year, over 5,200 people across Bedfordshire, joined nearly half-amillion people nationally in counting an impressive 6.7 million birds. The event held over the last weekend in January revealed an increase in sightings of smaller birds, such as goldfinch, long-tailed tit and coal tit that can usually be seen visiting gardens and outside spaces in mixed flocks. In Bedfordshire, recorded sightings of the brightly coloured, sociable finch rose by 12% on 2017 figures and its bright red face was seen in 35% of the county’s gardens. Other small birds that are thought to have benefited from the mild January weather include long-tailed tit (+26%), coal tit (+24%), and blue tit (+9%). It also proved to be a good year for the greenfinch after an 18% rise in sightings regionally, a welcome sign for a species that has undergone a 60% decline in UK sightings since the first survey in 1979. The influx of these species to our gardens is thought to be linked to the favourable conditions during their successful breeding season in 2017. This, combined with the kind autumn and winter weather in the run up to the Birdwatch, will have contributed to the rise in sightings. Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientist, said: “Our garden birds are a part of our everyday life, whether it’s the robin perched on the garden fence or
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the flock of starlings you see on your way to work. To have hundreds of thousands of people spend an hour watching the wildlife in their garden isn’t only great to see, but it also helps us build up a picture of how our garden birds are doing, which is really helpful. “Last summer was a really good year for many breeding birds with warm weather creating great conditions for many smaller birds to raise their young to adulthood. The rise in sightings of goldfinch, long-tailed tit and coal tit, along with chaffinches and greenfinches, goes to show that in the absence of cold weather they can survive the winter months in good numbers. Looking at the results it is likely that across the UK this is what people are seeing in their garden.” It is likely that the warmer temperatures during the autumn and winter will have made it easier for these birds to find food, like insects, in our gardens, which in previous colder winters would have been harder to come by because of frosts and snow. The survey also highlighted a county-wide dip in the number of recorded sightings of blackbirds (-26%), robins (-18%) and wren (-21%) on last year’s figures. Dr Hayhow explained: “We all will have noticed that the weather earlier in the winter was slightly warmer than we’re used to, and our garden birds have felt this too. It’s usual for there to be more food available in the wider countryside during a mild winter meaning birds are less reliant on the treats we put out on the garden feeders. However, unlike the finches and tits, robins and wrens did not have a good breeding season in 2017 and data from other surveys indicate that their numbers may be down overall this year.” In Bedfordshire, the house sparrow remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings in the region. Starling held onto the second spot once more, and the woodpigeon moved up one rank from 2017 to round off the top three. Throughout the first half of the spring term the nation’s school children took part in the RSPB’s Big Schools Birdwatch. The UK-wide survey of birds in school grounds saw over 1,200 school children in Bedfordshire spend an hour in nature counting the birds. Despite a drop in Big Garden Birdwatch sightings, the blackbird remained top of the Big Schools Birdwatch rankings with one being spotted in 88% of schools – a 22% increase on 2017. For a full round up of all the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results and to see which birds were visiting gardens where you live, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
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Pets
Animal Stories An amazing story In the last edition, our letters article highlighted the importance of micro-chipping cats. Our vet wrote about how adventurous cats can be and the dangers this can lead to. Only weeks later, we’ve been involved in an amazing story which should have every loving pet owner booking their own fur baby in for microchipping. Recently, we received a message from a member of the public about a stray white cat who had been visiting her Aunt’s house for about 2 weeks. They lived in Scotland. The cat was friendly and in good condition – but these lovely ladies were concerned about the cat and where she had suddenly appeared from. As a result, one of our volunteers went to scan the wee cat in the hope that she was microchipped. Amazingly, they found that she had been registered as missing since 5th February 2018. Even more amazing was that she had gone missing from Bedford, England. She was found in Hamilton, Scotland! After a very tearful phone call to the cat’s relieved owner, arrangements were made to get the wee girl home. This amazing story goes to show that you should never rule out distance when looking for your lost cat. We will never know how this gorgeous cat travelled over 350 miles to end up where she did. It’s highly likely that her curiosity led her to being trapped in a delivery van. This isn’t as unusual a situation as you might think. However, the likelihood of cat and owner being re-united is made infinitely more possible if they are microchipped. Microchipping most animals is easy and relatively cheap. It simply involves a vet injecting a tiny microchip (the same size as a grain of rice) into the loose skin on their neck. Most animals don’t even notice.
This microchip gives your pet their own unique code. They can then be scanned and matched to your contact details, which are kept on a database. Make sure you update these details every time you move. If you do lose your pet you can also help by registering them with www.petslocated.com. This wonderful website continually, automatically matches lost dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, snakes/reptiles (or any other lost pet) with animals which are listed on the site as ‘found’ and e-mails registered owners as soon as a potential match is made. They cover the whole of the UK. So, thankfully, this story has a very happy ending. But it does highlight the importance of microchipping your beloved pet. Heartbreakingly, thousands of pets are lost every year, and many are never reunited with their owners. Microchipping can change that. The RSPCA also run regular microchipping events – so keep an eye out for one in your area.
ANIMAL STORIES is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk
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Three Counties Radio
GUVEC
TURKISH CHICKEN COOKED IN A CLAY POT Sometimes someone walks into the Weekend Kitchen studio and one of their dishes just brings with it all the aroma and flavour of its country of origin. This Chicken Guvec (pronounced ‘Goo-Vetch’) has all of the evocative elements of classic Turkish cooking. The meltingly tender meat and the unmistakable flavour of sweet peppers. The recipe was created by Yuksel Couling, who set up her catering company in Wilstead near Bedford (http://www.pomegranatesumac.com) when friends and family made it clear to her that her talents were being wasted just cooking for them! She uses the exact same principles her Turkish upbringing gave her - cook generously, simply and deliciously with fresh ingredients. Don’t worry if you don’t have a clay pot to use. Any form of oven proof dish will be fine. If you can get to a Turkish shop, buy proper Turkish pepper paste for this. If not, supermarkets have plenty of acceptable variants. To serve 4, you’ll need 500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into slightly smaller pieces 1 large onion, thickly sliced 2 large green peppers thickly sliced. You can use any peppers you like here but the long green Turkish peppers are the most authentic 1 tbsp hot pepper paste 1 tbsp tomato purée 2 tomatoes, sliced 1 tsp dried thyme or oregano 1 tsp salt 50 ml sunflower oil 100 ml water
1 Place the chicken and the rest of ingredients (except for the oil and sliced tomatoes) into a mixing bowl. Mix everything well. 2 Pour the oil into your pot (it doesn’t have to be a clay pot). Add the chicken mixture and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the water and stir. 3 Place the sliced tomatoes on top of the chicken mixture in the pot, and cover. Cook in the oven at 180C/ Gas Mark 4 for 30 minutes. To cook on the hob, simmer it for 30 minutes. 4 Serve with plain rice and salad.
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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Travel
Wonderfully Windsor With a variety of attractions, activities and a vibrant history, The Royal borough of Windsor is the prime location for a weekend retreat.
A Classic Castle The first notion that comes to mind when thinking of Windsor is of course, its famous castle. The oldest castle in the world, Windsor Castle has been home to 39 monarchs, including our current royal family. It’s highly recommendable to take the Precinct Tour, which explores the outside areas of the castle and is absolutely free. The tour briefs visitors on the history of the castle, its role in contemporary society and has stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Every Saturday throughout the year and during school holidays, special drop-in family activities are included in the price of admission to the castle and there is also a free family trail for children aged 5-11 which educates them on the marvellous history of
the castle. At the end of their visit, families can ask a warden to stamp their ticket (if bought directly from Royal Collection Trust) and convert it into a 1-Year Pass, which allows them to enjoy free re-admission for 12 months. For more information, visit: www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle
Historical Hotels Forty acres of stunning parkland span across the De Vere Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor. The estate consists of an 18th century mansion, a chapel, a Georgian White House and 75 event spaces. Following a recent renovation, the hotel itself offers a unique blend of original features reflecting its rich heritage perfectly mixed with a contemporary style. The 1705 Restaurant and Bar is great for wining and dining during a stay, the restaurant promises
Photos: Royal Collection Trust Š Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
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only the freshest of ingredients produced by the finest British suppliers. Many rooms have been recently refurbished with a modern style, and the White House itself offers 400 luxury suites including spacious family rooms with ample sleeping quarters for two adults and two children. For more information, visit: www.phcompany.com/de-vere/beaumont-estate/
Family Fun A Quacking Day Out Take a one hour Duck Tour through the heart of Windsor, exploring all of the famous landmarks. There are two types of tours- Swan and Mallard, which vary in time spent on the road and water. Starting by road, the “Duck” incredibly travels down the slipway and splashes into the River Thames, a real excitement for small children and offering
unforgettable views of Windsor Castle and Eton. The amphibious tour comes with live entertainment and a knowledgable guide on hand. For more information, visit: www.windsorducktours.co.uk A Treasure Trail The Windsor Mystery Treasure Trail is targeted at children as young as six and as it’s self-guided, they can take as long as they like to amble through the two mile walking route. The trail is downloaded via PDF and is great for getting youngsters active. Every signpost, building and statue potentially hides a clue- explore the Bachelor’s Acre and see Windsor on foot all the while cracking clues, solving mysteries and best of all, having fun. For more information and download a PDF map, visit: ww.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/the-windsormystery-treasure-trail
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Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles. 36
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n O s ’ t Wha To 7 May Lambing Time 10.30am-5pm Wimpole Home Farm Normal admission applies Celebrate the arrival of spring as newborn lambs frolic in the fields. Head to Home Farm to meet our rare breed ewes and lambs and if you’re lucky you may see a live birth. Learn more about lambing from our farm staff. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 May Roxton Bridge Circle 7.15-10pm Roxton Parish Hall Small friendly group playing Bridge every Tuesday evening. Just come along or call/email for more information. Tel: Phyllis 01480 374327 Email: mary@jackpike.co.uk 2 May Black Cat WI 7.30pm Wyboston Village Hall The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098 2 May Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club Coffee Morning & Raffle 10am-12 noon Godmanchester Town Hall Monthly coffee morning and raffle. Annual membership fee is £10. Tel: Geoff 01480 434697 2 May St Mary’s Afternoon WI St Neots 2pm St Mary’s Church Room, St Neots First Wednesday of the month. Speaker travelling from France. Tel: May Parker 07724 043941 Email: mayp.at.home@gmail.com 2 May Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Members £1, Guests £2. Members meeting. A social time for members to gather, ask the questions or find out the answers and more. Refreshments provided. Plant donations and time support for the joint Plant Sale with Friends of Paxton Pits on Saturday 5 May are welcomed.
2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May St Neots Choral Society 7.30-9.30pm Eynesbury C of E Primary School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury New members are very welcome to join and there are no auditions to frighten you but an ability to read a little music is helpful! Tel: 01480 212298 www.stneotschoral.org.uk 4 May St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm Eynesbury Junior School ‘St Neots 1949: A Snapshot in Time’ by Rodney Todman. 5 May Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church Hall, St Ives Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola. 5 May Plant Sale 10.30am-3.30pm Visitor Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Joint event between The Friends of Paxton Pits and the Little Paxton Gardening Club. 5 May Simply Saturday 12-2pm St James Church, Little Paxton A new venture for adults of all ages at Little Paxton Church, with lunch and various activities available. Tel: Leisa Hunt 01480 471748 Email: young_paxton@ntlworld.com 5 May Handbells in Concert 3pm The Priory Centre, St Neots Tickets £12, Concessions £10, Under 18s free The East Anglian Regional Team. Experience 40 musicians with over 360 instruments playing a selection of classical, popular and original handbell music. Tickets available on the door or from the Priory Centre. Tel: 01480 388922
5 May Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Choir 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Godmanchester 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 & 30 May Tickets £14/£12, Student concession £7/£6 St Neots Badminton Club Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Choir present Choral 8-10pm One Leisure, St Neots Music by Candlelight. John Rutter’s Requiem, Play badminton to a good standard and interested in Tavener’s Svyati and Dan Forrest’s in paradisum joining a club? St Neots badminton club play at One provide a varied and entrancing programme in Leisure Mondays and Wednesdays. this latest concert by Hunts Phil. Conductor Lee Email: Committee@stneotsbadminton.org Dunleavy. Tickets available on the door. Web: www.stneotsbadminton.org Web: Tickets www.huntsphil.org.uk 2, 9, 16 & 23 May Little Fishes 10am-11.20am Grafham Village Hall Stay and Play Tots Session during term-time. Babies welcome too. Just turn up. Sessions include free play and craft activities, bible story and sing along. Tel: Jean Clark 01480 890033 for more information Email: robnjeanclark@tiscali.co.uk
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Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com
In May
6 May Wildlife Trust 2.30pm Brampton Wood The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust invites you to experience the delights of a carpet of bluebells in this ancient woodland. You are welcome to share this enchanting scene by participating in a guided walk. George Cottam, Warden of Brampton Wood, will lead us through this woodland where a rich variety of flora can be seen. Please meet at Brampton Wood Car Park, Grafham Road, Brampton. GR TL 184698. Park in the Trust car park. Tel: George 01480 450809 7, 14, 21 & 28 May Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club 1.30pm Afternoon Bingo 6.30pm Whist Drive Godmanchester Town Hall £1 for Whist drive inc. tea & biscuits If you are feeling lonely and over 55 years of age, then you will find a warm welcome waiting for you in the Senior Citizens Club. The club has a lively atmosphere and a wide range of activities. Friday afternoons is another opportunity to play Whist. Members also meet on a Saturday morning for games, chat, tea and biscuits for 50p. Tel: Geoff 01480 434697 or 07515 881209 8 May St Ives Sugarcraft Guild 7.30-9pm Reading Room, Hemingford Grey Visitors £6. Monthly meetings where you can learn, hands-on, various cake decorating techniques and/or sugarcraft. The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Tel: Shirley 01480 454616 9 May Cambridgeshire Rural M.E. Tea & Chat Second Wednesday of every month. Monthly meetup for adults with M.E. and partners/friends. All details and latest meet-up information available on website. Web: www.crmetea.org 9 May Brampton Flower Club 7.30pm Community Centre, High Street, Brampton Visitors welcome £6 inc. refreshments Flower arranging demo by qualified demonstrator, raffle, sales table and tea or coffee. Tel: Jan Dobie 01480531822 Web: www.bramptonflowerclub.com
12 May Waterbeach Running Festival A fun way of fundraising, and encourages children 6, 13, 20 & 27 May to keep fit and active. The course is on the disused Kingfisher Church barracks so flat and traffic free. There are 10km and 10.30am 5km races, a 2km fun run and even a 100m toddle Little Paxton Primary School for under fives. Runners can register on the day but Tel: 01480 476811 pre-registration by 7 May is encouraged to guarantee Every Sunday - all welcome! Services include a finishers medal. In aid of Waterbeach Toddler children’s groups and a crèche. Refreshments served. Playgroup. Web: www.waterbeachrunningfestival. Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk co.uk
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n O s ’ t Wha
12 May Jumble Sale 10am-12 noon Keysoe Village Hall To raise funds to finance The Village Show at Keysoe in September. Tel: Penny 01234 378878 for more info 12 May Mammoth Plant Sale 10am-2pm Offord Village Hall Free entry. Refreshments. Free car parking. 12 May Baby & Children’s Market Nearly New Sale 2.30pm-4pm Cambourne Village College, Sheepfold Lane Adults £1, Children free. Lots of stalls bursting with top quality like new and new baby and children’s items. Web: www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk 12 & 13 May Hemingford Art Club Spring Exhibition Daily 10am-4.30pm Hemingford Abbots Village Hall, PE28 9AH Original framed and unframed paintings. Also handmade cards. Excellent refreshments available.
13 May Cheeki Monkeys BIG Baby & Children’s Market 2-4pm Memorial Centre, Thrapston Road, Brampton Entry £1, Under 12s free. Pop-up Baby & Children’s Market. Save up to 90% on quality pre-loved goods! Pre-loved stalls from £9 (Craft & Business stalls also available). Email: alison1cheekimonkeys@gmail.com Web: www.cheekimonkeys.co.uk 13 May Red Cross Open Gardens 2-5pm Kingston Wood Manor, Arrington, SG8 0AP £5, Under 12 free. Approximately 4 acres of mature garden surrounding a beautiful 15th Century moated manor house (not open). Large lawns with topiary and mature trees plus mixed borders of shrubs and herbaceous plants. Ample parking. No dogs. By kind permission of Mr & Mrs Julian Metherell. 13 May The St Neots Jewels WI Choir 4pm St James Church, Little Paxton The ladies WI Choir ‘The St Neots Jewels’ were formed to take part in the 100 year celebration of the WI. The Choir has a wide repertoire including classical, music from the shows along with traditional British country music. Tickets available from St James Church or Alison Rogers - 01480 215607 14 & 21 May West Hunts Friendship Club 9.30am-3pm Great Staughton Village Hall Meets every Monday except Bank Holidays. Members can participate in a range of activities as well as enjoying a hot meal at lunch time. Transport can be arranged for those who live within a six miles radius of Great Staughton. Tel: Andrea 07808 184894
This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com
In May
14 & 21 May Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Mondays from September to May. Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 Email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com
27 & 28 May St Ives Antiques Fair 10am-4pm Burgess Hall (One Leisure Centre), Westwood Road, St Ives Adults £2, Concessions £1.50. This friendly Antiques Fair has around 50 dealers each time offering affordable quality antiques and vintage pieces 14 & 28 May including ceramics, glass, maps, small items of Nature Tots 10-11.30am furniture, silver, china, jewellery, paperweights, Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough postcards and other interesting pieces. Ample free £3 per child. A fun outdoor parent and toddler group. parking, wheelchair access from street level, on-site Each session has a nature theme and will include a catering and licensed bar. Dealers welcome from messy craft activity, time to explore the beautiful 9am upon production of business card. outdoors, story and songtime. Meet at Discovery Tel: 01480 896866 Den. Booking essential. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: parkhousepr@aol.com Web: www.stivesantiquesfair.co.uk 16 May Facebook: www/facebook.com/stivesantiquesfair Huntingdonshire Family History Society Twitter: www.twitter.com/StIvesAntiques 7.30pm Women’s Institute Centre, Waldon Road, Huntingdon 27 May-1 June AGM followed by a talk by Hannah Vandridge on Nature Kids 9.30am-3pm ‘Shopping Through The Ages’. Non-members most Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough welcome - contact the Secretary to attend. £15 per day or £60 for all 5 days Tel: Caroline Kesseler 01480 390476 for more details Fun nature inspired activity days for children aged Email: secretary@huntsfhs.org.uk 7-11years in May half-term. Learn how to build Website: www.huntsfhs.org.uk a shelter, light a fire and use natural materials in woodlands crafts. Different activities each day. 17 May Activities will take place in a wooded area and Love’s Farm Women’s Institute surrounding grassland. Adults do not stay with 8-10pm St Neots Football Club children. Please bring own lunches and drinks for Meeting on the third Thursday of the month. the day. Booking essential. Meet at Lakeside Car Tel: Nikki Jackson 07563 715043 Park. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: lovesfarmladieswi@gmail.com 29 May 19 May Adult Sailing Taster 10am-12 noon Summer Song - Huntingdon Male Voice Choir Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough 7.30pm St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton £25. A taster designed for beginners, this session Tickets £12, Concessions £10. Special guests Kate introduces the basic concepts of sailing. Learn about Woolf, soprano accompanied by Paul Bryan, piano. personal preparation, balancing and turning the Tel: Tickets Kevin 01480 890128 boat through the wind. Taster sessions are suitable Web: http://www.hmvc.org.uk/ for anyone aged 16years+. Meet at Nene Outdoors. This course may not be suitable for all abilities, 21 May please call to talk to our instructors about your St Neots Royal Naval Association 8pm particular needs. Booking essential. Many other The RAFA Club, 44 Huntingdon Street, St Neots sailing courses are taking place – see the website. Meeting on the third Monday of every month. Tel: 01733 234193 Web: www.neneparktrust.org.uk Tel: Tony Webley 01480 215218 Email: jj.awebley@btinternet.com 30 May Free Children’s Activity Sessions 24 May 10am-12 noon QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton St Neots & District Gardening Club Free event. Children’s activities during the school 8pm St Mary’s Church Hall, St Neots holidays. Lots of fun activities such as football, short Members £2, Non-members £2.50 tennis and crazy golf. The games are organised by Talk by Carole Adams on Perennial Plants - how to Huntingdonshire District Council’s Roadshow team. select and cultivate these plants. This is a Little Paxton Parish Council event and is Web: www.stneotscardenclub.org.uk aimed at children 7-11 years. No need to book. 26 May-3 June Holiday Trail 10am-3.30pm Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough £1. Collect a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre then hunt for clues as you walk around Ferry Meadows. Return to the Information Centre to claim your prize. Booking not required.
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30 May Wild Wednesday 10am-2pm Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough £1 per person. Children and adults are welcome to come and join in some seasonal and wild crafts. Meet at Discovery Den. This event takes place indoors and is suitable for all abilities.
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Local News
Huntingdonshire Music School Music for everyone, all ages, all abilities Huntingdonshire Music School (HuMS) opens its doors for another exciting term this April, having celebrated their 50th anniversary just last year. HuMS is a not-for-profit organisation which runs during term time on Saturday mornings at Hinchingbrooke School. Their aim is to bring individual lessons and ensemble participation together in an environment that offers their students a rewarding and inspiring musical life. They have a team of skilled and experienced tutors
all dedicated to making the learning experience both valuable and fun. One of the unique things about HuMS is the way it brings different generations together to make music. As well as individual lessons, their offering ranges from music-making sessions for preschoolers, to a family and community choir and even a ‘gigging’ big band. They also organise regular public performances for students to show off their talents, offer specialist workshops and music theory lessons, and even coordinate cultural trips abroad. Everyone involved in HuMS recognises the importance of music in a child’s development, honing skills such as concentration, team-working, co-ordination and even maths! Learning an instrument is also a fantastic way of keeping your brain active later in life, and playing music with others is very sociable and a great stress-buster. Want to get involved? Why not arrange a visit, or even book a free taster session? Visit www.huntsmusicschool.org.uk or call 07719 835472
Fun Quiz - Dancing 1. Which dance has a name that means “two step” in Spanish? 2. The title characters in which famous poem went “hand in hand on the edge of the sand” and “danced by the light of the moon”? 3. In 1996, which song gave Los Del Rio their biggest hit and led to a new dance craze? 4. Name the two dances that feature in the NATO phonetic alphabet 5. In which 1980s film does a teenager called Ren McCormack move to a small town where dancing has been banned? 6. Who created and choreographed the original Riverdance? 7. Which 1980 hit single by the Gap Band is typically danced to by sitting on the floor in rows and performing a rhythmic rowing action? 8. With over 1,000 complaints, an advert featuring “Gary the bodyguard” was the most complained about TV advert in the UK in 2016, with viewers saying Gary’s dance moves were overtly sexual and not suitable to be seen by children. What website was this advertising? 9. Which Spanish dance features in the lyrics to the number one hit singles A Whiter Shader Of Pale by Procul Harem and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen? 10. The Infernal Galop from Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus In The Underworld is a tune that is most associated with which dance? 1. Paso Doble 2. The Owl And The Pussycat (by Edward Lear) 3. Macarena 4. Foxtrot and Tango 5. Footloose 6. Michael Flatley 7. Oops Up Side Your Head 8. MoneySuperMarket.com 9. Fandango 10. The can-can
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April’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mr T Blunt from St Neots Winner of the Classic Ibiza Competition Andrea Rawlings from Hitchin
Winner of the Harpenden Blues Competition Kathy Cox from Biggleswade
Easy
Hard
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The Villager Prize Crossword
Prize
£25
Across 7 Starchy vegetable (6) 8 Keep hold of (6) 9 Dish (4) 10 Quickly (8) 11 Modified (7) 13 Shell (5) 15 Swivel round (5) 17 Type of sword (7) 20 Semi-darkness (8) 21 Serene (4) 23 Jail (6) 24 Idea (6)
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before
16th May 2018 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
Down 1 Single handed (4) 2 Hit very hard (6) 3 Bragged (7) 4 Star sign (5) 5 Artist’s workroom (6) 6 Local languages (8) 12 Toward a lower place (8) 14 Fastenings (7) 16 Dash of liquid (6) 18 Find (6) 19 Extreme pain (5) 22 Stolen valuables (4)
Name: Tel: Address:
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TELEVISION MOBILE SERVICE • Wood Burning Stoves • Multi Fuel Stoves • Chimney Lining • Twin Wall Flue Systems • Installation and Supply • Fireplace Renovations • Stove Accessories • Trade sales welcome
ST NEOTS, ST IVES, HUNTINGDON AREA REPAIR TV,VCR, DVD, FREEVIEW DIGITAL BOXES TUNING & DEMONSTRATION OF EQUIPMENT DIGITAL LOFT AERIALS SUPPLIED & FITTED
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Monday & Wednesday to Saturday – 10am – 5pm Other Days/Out of hours by prior arrangement
Unit 2 Home Farm Court, The Street, Diddington, St Neots, PE19 5XT
info@cromwellstoves.co.uk 01480 812281
www.cromwellstoves.co.uk
EXTENSION AERIAL POINTS DAY OR EVENING CALL OUTS 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE PHONE JOHN FABISZ FOR ESTIMATE
01480 495408 OR 07887887319
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Time of Year
By Hannah Fenton
British Sandwich Week May 14th–20th
Ever since John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich ordered cold beef between slices of toast, to avoid getting up from his card game, his name has become synonymous with our favourite lunchtime choice. But what makes a good sandwich? Start with good bread. Any bread you’re using for a sandwich should be delicious enough to eat on its own. Make your own or buy a high-quality artisan loaf. If you only have supermarket bread, try toasting it or charring it on a griddle. It should be crisp enough to provide some structure to the foundation of the sandwich but yield in the centre. Rolls are good for sloppy fillings if you carve out a little bread from the dome of the roll to create a little space for them. This stops the filling sliding out when you take a bite. When it comes to selecting the right bread for your sandwich it comes down to personal preference. A good place to start is balance of texture. A soft roll complements crisp lettuce or crunchy coleslaw, or hot chips. A thick-crusted toasted bread is great with pulled pork or roasted veg. But these are guidelines only - a soft rolled filled with mashed egg and mayonnaise is a joy and yet has almost no contrast in textures. Soggy sandwiches divide people. I think it’s down to intention. Consider the deliciousness of a sloppy stewed steak and onion filling where the gravy soaks into the bread. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Then consider a soggy
cheese and tomato sandwich from a bad buffet. I think you’ll see where I’m going with that. Yet nearly everyone I spoke to while researching this article said a dry sandwich is unacceptable. Lack of butter, or filling is a sandwich crime. To avoid sandwich sogginess...or dryness, a good layer of fat such as butter or an olive oil spread will resist moisture and keep it in the sandwich rather than letting it soak into the bread. On to the vegetables. Wash and dry them then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. This extra step is small but makes sure the veggies pack a flavourful punch with every bite. Creamy but sharp coleslaw, or tangy pickles add a vivid brightness to the ensemble. A nutritionally well-balance sandwich will probably contain protein. From ham to egg to tofu the protein is better if it’s well flavoured and thinly sliced, diced or mashed. Too thick and it becomes difficult to bite through and chew. Think about the position of the individual elements within your sandwich too. Would the meat be better placed in the centre or on the bottom? would cold elements be better layered on top of hot elements? My personal bugbear is thick slippery slices of tomato in the middle of a sandwich, so when you bite into it there is a tectonic plate shift and one slice of tomato shoots out of the far side and lands in your lap! We take the humble sandwich for granted yet we know when we’ve had a great one. So, let’s hear it for National Sandwich Week. Smell the bread, admire the layers, season the filling and take a bite.
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Books
Book Review By Kate Duggan
Removals, Delivery & Storage For All Your Storage, Delivery and Removal Requirements Based in Alconbury Weston
Curl up with a book Make the most of the longer evenings by curling up with one of this month’s top reads.
Freephone - 0800 689 0894
Use your local removal company
Tony Webb - 07850 293540 Lee Eastlake - 07906 072096 www.move-plus-safe.co.uk
The Witchfinder’s Sister by Beth Underdown
Alice Hopkins finds herself caught up in her brother Matthew’s war against witches in 17th century England. How far will she go to draw suspicion away from herself and those she loves? When a birthmark can be seen as evidence of witchcraft, no one is safe. Tense, atmospheric and chilling in its reimagining of historical events, The Witchfinder’s Sister makes for a gripping read.
Only Child
by Rhiannon Navin Seven year old Zach Taylor’s world changes forever when his brother is killed in a mass shooting. As his parents struggle to cope with their grief, Zach finds his own ways of dealing with his loss. A beautiful story that is as much about forgiveness and family as it is about loss. We can’t guarantee you won’t cry, but you certainly won’t forget Only Child in a hurry.
From just £35.00 per month plus VAT
Call Nigel on 01767 261122 for more information
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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