Cambridge April 2020

VILLAGER The

Issue 132 - April 2020

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Easter Origins Understanding

Global Warming Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People Every Month in Buckden, Brampton, Godmanchester, Eaton Socon, ur E o Y The Hemingfords, Grantchester and all surrounding villages REpy

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Inside this issue...

Windswept Gardening

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Two Saints at St. Neots.....................................................4 Easter Origins...................................................................6 Wine: Convenience Matters. The Next Chapter...............10 Re-engage invites local residents to tea.........................16 Cambridge Gliding Centre..............................................19 Nick Coffer's Weekend Recipe.........................................20 How to give your wardrobe a make over........................22 Community Car Scheme.................................................24 Put a spring in your step this April..................................27 EAAA - Richard's Story....................................................29 Why are Lasting Powers of Attorney so important?........30 National Stop Snoring Week...........................................32 How to save money when selling your home.................36 Rechargeable Batteries..................................................39 Container-Grown Fruit...................................................43

The Friends of Paxton Pits..............................................44 Windswept Gardening...................................................47 Bring the gym to you.....................................................49 Be Prepared..... but don't panic......................................50 Fostering Animals for th RSPCA......................................52 Children's Page..............................................................54 Cars to look out for in 2020............................................56 Understanding Global Warming.....................................59 Puzzle Page....................................................................60 Don't be an April Fool.....................................................63 What's On......................................................................64 St. Neots Passion Play.....................................................66 Fun Quiz.........................................................................66 Namib Desert.................................................................69 Pun-tastic... why the British love corny one-liners.........70 Prize Crossword......................................................74 Book Review..................................................................76

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Fostering Animals for the RSPCA

Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £35.00 +VAT per month Editorial - Peter Ibbett, Catherine Rose, Trevor Langley, Nick Coffer, Jennie Billings, Centre for Complementary Health, Leeds Day Solicitors, Louise Addison, Ann Haldon, Tracey Anderson, Rachael Leverton, Pippa Greenwood, Clare Becker, Nadia Houston, RSPCA, Solange Hando and Kate Duggan

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

Two Saints at St. Neots The Becket Casket is a reliquary in Limoges enamel now in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

It is made of gilt-copper round a wooden core, decorated with champlevé enamel, and of a shape called a "chasse" (Height: 29.5 cm, Width: 34.4 cm, Depth: 12.4 cm, Weight: 5.28 kg). It was made in about 1180–90 in Limoges, France, and depicts the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket It is thought that this particular casket was made to hold some relics of the Saint that were taken to Peterborough Abbey (now the Cathedral)

by Abbot Benedict in 1177. Benedict had been Prior at Canterbury Cathedral and therefore saw Becket's assassination. Relics of St Thomas were widely dispersed in the years following his death and over 45 medieval chasses survive showing Becket's story. The V&A describe this casket as ‘the most elaborate, the largest and possibly the earliest in date of the work at Limoges, which was characterized by brilliant blues, colourful rosettes and boldly engraved figures.’ On its long and varied journey from medieval England to the 21st century this casket was once hidden at Old Hall Place, off Church Street in St. Neots, when it was re-discovered in 1742. One possibility is that it was kept at the medieval Priory of St. Neot and it may have been hidden when it was dissolved by Henry VIII. Hence there might once have been the bones

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By Peter Ibbett of two Saints in the town. The casket subsequently passed into the collections of some of the most famous English antiquaries, including Sir John Cotton, William Stukeley, Gustavus Brander and Thomas Astle, before leaving the country after its sale in 1930. It then formed part of the KoflerTruniger collection before being purchased in 1979 by the British Rail Pension Fund, and was acquired for the nation in the late 1990’s. The mural at the back of the Cross-Keys yard stands in an area which was perhaps once part of the Priory Church where it may have been kept. Our own local museum (free to locals) has plans to develop, including having the space and ability to display ‘guest’ items. Perhaps one day this much travelled piece of our heritage may be able to revisit one of its former homes.

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History

Easter Origins

By Catherine Rose

Or the reason why bunnies lay eggs

Easter is the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection but its annual tradition of a rabbit leaving chocolate eggs for children seems to be an idea out of the imagination of Lewis Carroll. So how did it come about?

Although eggs have featured symbolically in ceremonies throughout the world for hundreds of years, the tradition of eggs given at Easter seems to have been born in Europe as long ago as the twelfth century.

The Easter Bunny in particular is said to originate in Germany where it was the mystical hare, not a rabbit, who was the giver. This hare was mentioned as early as 1682 in George Franck von Frankenau’s German book About Easter Eggs. And near the turn of last century The Every Women’s Encyclopaedia wrote: “In Germany, it is the timid hare who is supposed to be responsible for the plentiful supply of brightly coloured Easter eggs so eagerly sought for by the children in all manner of hiding places. The hare, therefore, plays a very important part in German Easter observances, and representations of the gentle, long-eared little creature are immensely popular.”

Further afield, in the USA, Dutch immigrants to Pennsylvania in the eighteenth century were

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telling their children about Osterhase or the Easter Hare. By the time it was mentioned in the San Francisco Call, the hare had become a rabbit: “From Germany – rich in weird traditions – comes the quaint conceit that the week before Easter rabbits are endowed with the power to lay eggs.”

But why a hare originally? The hare was once a symbol of the sixteenth century German Lutheran Church because it was believed – perhaps due to its solitary nature – that it could reproduce itself without a mate and was therefore likened to the Virgin Birth.

There is another possibility that the idea of an Easter hare was born from the pagan worship of Eostre, the Saxon goddess of spring, who was said to have the altered shape of a hare.

The origin of the Easter egg is not certain. Some see it as a symbol of new birth and therefore the Resurrection. It can also be linked to the forty day Christian period of Lent, which represents Christ’s time in the wilderness, when people eat up their last eggs and flour as pancakes on Shrove Tuesday in preparation for the fasting that begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Easter.

During the Middle Ages eggs were forbidden to be eaten during Lent, which could also be why they

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became central to Easter celebrations. And there would have been plenty of them to use up as hens don’t stop laying because it’s Lent!

However, as spring is the time of new birth in nature generally, it is likely that the idea of giving decorated eggs at this time of year began as a pagan one.

The tradition of egg gifting has long existed throughout Europe but with different twists on the theme. For example, in Italy it was believed that angels would descend from heaven on Easter Sunday and bless the faithful with a basket of eggs, while in Switzerland Tyrolean musicians would go from house to house performing and receiving eggs as payment.

It has long been customary to serve painted or dyed hard-boiled eggs for breakfast on Easter morning. Early dyes would have been natural, made from bark, walnut shells, flowers and onion skins. The eggs were often wrapped in pieces of fabric or decorated with beeswax to provide a ‘resist’ and therefore leave a pattern on the eggshell (a bit like tie-dye).

The wealthy also gifted extravagant eggs to one another – gilded and decorated. At Easter in 1885, the Russian Tsar asked Fabergé to make one of his jewelled eggs to present to the Tsarina and there are examples of beautifully made and expensively decorated artificial eggs throughout history.

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So how did Easter eggs come to be made of chocolate? The Victorians popularised giving a decorated cardboard egg filled with sweets and chocolates at Easter. At the beginning of the twentieth century, chocolate manufacturers such as Fry’s and Cadbury began cashing in on the idea of marrying the two, the former having produced the first commercially available chocolate Easter egg in 1873.

The first eggs were solid but soon they were being manufactured to be hollow so that they could be filled with sweets or toys.

There does not seem to be much in the way of records that show how the Easter egg hunt began but as well as the traditional egg hunt, games with eggs such as egg rolling and egg tapping (a bit like conkers) also feature as community activities at Easter, even today.

And there is no doubt that they provide a lot of fun for children. Even Queen Victoria was partial to an Easter egg hunt, writing in her diary when she was fourteen: “Mama did some pretty painted and ornamented eggs, and we looked for them [in Kensington Palace gardens].” It was a tradition that she carried on with her own children, giving them moss baskets in which to collect the eggs.

There will be many hunts taking place either inside or out this Easter, thanks to the generosity of the Easter Bunny.

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WHAT’S ON AT THE MILL Easter Holiday

EGGSTRAVAGANZA Kids Activity Trail

EASTER WEEKEND

2 COURSE SPRIN TIME SPECIALS G

18th - 25th April

19th - 23rd May

ENGLISH TOURISM one get one FREE WEEK Buy on Mill tours.

GARDEN TALKS

13th - 19th May

VEGETARIAN WEEK Celebrate all things veg with our delicious daily specials.

25th May - 7th June BRITISH TOMATO FORTNIGHT

Tomato plant offers in the Mill Shop and daily specials in the Riverside Cafe.

MAY HALF TERM

E FRIEND OITRYFO TRAIL

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

KIDS ACTIV

Follow us on: /JORDANSMILL

Marking RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the best tips and advice from our head gardener. Special plant offers in the Mill Shop.

KEEPING OUR FOOD HERITAGE ALIVE @JORDANS.MILL

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

Food and Drink

Wine: Convenience Matters The Next Chapter

Various types and styles of wines are widely available in these modern times. Red, white, something in between, sparkling, dry, medium, sweet, are several of the choices to be considered, when selecting wine.

Also, organic, plus wines suitable for vegetarians and vegans are further available options.

Chile produces splendid wines and I found the Chilean Valle wines to be excellent. Valle De Casablanca Reserva Chardonnay is a white wine pleaser for many occasions. The climate of the Casablanca Valley has cooling breezes, to create perfect conditions for the growing of grapes. This Chardonnay flavour is fresh, with the mouthfeel and palate appreciating a good, balanced production. Pairs perfectly with salmon and other fish dishes, plus chicken and white meats.

Valle De Leyda Reserva Sauvignon Blanc is another white wine which is extremely popular. This is a bright, refreshing wine, tending towards floral in style and wonderful to accompany salads and seafood.

Staying with Valle De Leyda, Reserva Pinot Noir is very popular with red wine lovers. Juicy red fruits on the nose lead enticingly to the mouth’s pleasures, for this smooth, powerful production. Accompanies tuna fish and red meat dishes, particularly well.

Valle Del Maule Reserva Merlot is a further, often-selected, red wine. The Merlot grape produces exceptionally good wines, which are full and rich. Powerful and fabulous with numerous dishes, including casseroles and red meats.

Vine & Bloom offers Pinot Grigio (Italy) vegan wine. Described as ‘crisp and appley’ (agreed) I found this production refreshing and pleasantly light. An excellent white to accompany a lot of cuisine.

Vine & Bloom Merlot (Italy) vegan wine is described as ‘smooth and juicy’ (again, an accurate description, which I agree with).

Dark fruits, on the nose and mouthfeel, continue through to the palate’s sensation and enjoyment. A smooth and very popular red wine to pair with numerous dishes. Other vegan wine productions are available, too.

I located these wines at a Spar store. Founded during 1932, Spar now has shops in over 40 countries. Spar convenience stores stock numerous items, for everyday needs, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to suit all tastes and palates. www.spar.co.uk/wine www.spar.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

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ey Trevor Langl

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PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

HOSTED BY DARREN HARBAR

Swiss Garden Photography We are pleased to be running two photography training workshops in the stunning surroundings of the Shuttleworth Swiss Garden. £85.00 per person Available on two dates: Wednesday 20 May 2020 Thursday 20 August 2020

Aviation Photography

This workshop is hosted at the Shuttleworth Collection with its timeless grass airfield providing superb photographic opportunities. £175.00 per person

Available on two dates: Friday 5 June 2020 Friday 17 July 2020

Spitfire Photography

These workshops are themed around the Supermarine Spitfire Mk V (AR501), and you spend the entire day getting up close and personal to this historic airframe. £175.00 per person Available on two dates: Thursday 11 June 2020 Wednesday 5 August 2020

www.shuttleworth.org/photography-workshops Shuttleworth, Old Warden Aerodrome, Biggleswade, SG18 9EP

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01767 627970

24/02/2020 11:55:02 11

9TH TO 31ST MAY THE SUFFOLK

WALKING

FESTIVAL 2020

OVER 120WALKS AND EVENTS www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

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Elsie May’s Electric Lounge Café & Bar

Café

(Monday - Sunday, 9am - 4pm)

Homemade cakes, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, locally roasted coffee, fresh loose leaf tea and milkshakes.

Bar (Friday and Saturday, 6.30pm - midnight) Cocktails, gin, ale, craft beer and wine.

Takeaway Coffee - Dogs Welcome - Gift Vouchers Private Hire - Live Music 58 Market Square, St Neots PE19 2AA 01480 472683 info@elsiemays.co.uk

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www.elsiemays.co.uk

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Local News

Guests & volunteers invited to come to local monthly Sunday Tea Parties Re-engage is inviting local residents in Huntingdon, St Ives & surrounding villages to join a local group to enjoy an afternoon of tea, conversation and good company.

Re-engage, formerly Contact the Elderly, combats loneliness and social isolation amongst over-75s through organised social gatherings and monthly afternoon tea parties.

One Sunday every month, older guests are collected from their homes by volunteer drivers and taken to a local tea party, held at a volunteer host’s home, or local venue where friendship and companionship can form over cups of tea and slices of cake.

The regular meetings quickly transform volunteers and older guests from strangers into longlasting friends, due to the personal interactions each guest receives within their groups.

Unlike some community activities, the scheme is entirely free and ensures that even those with limited transport options are able to take part, due to the charity’s volunteer drivers.

As many older guests in later life have found themselves house-bound or with decreasing support networks due to ill-health, mobility or lack of transport, tea parties can be a fantastic opportunity to connect with other locals and the wider community, while offering a regular social engagement in your calendar.

The local Huntingdon & St Ives groups also arrange

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trips out and these are all suitable for those that have mobility issues. Trips planned this year are a boat trip along the River Ouse, a Christmas trip to a tea room, and a trip to the local theatre.

There is no cost for being one of our guests, just a willingness to be part of a friendly group that laughs and talks a lot.

We are always looking for new volunteers. If you have a couple of hours a month to spare as a host or driver, and want to be part of a fun, friendly group then please check the website for the opportunities available. https://www.reengage.org.uk/ To find out more about being a guest please contact Re-engage on 0800 716543 info@ reengage.org.uk Please say that you want to be a guest at the Huntingdon or St Ives Group tea party.

To volunteer please use the same contact details or apply online to register as a volunteer for either group.

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Platinum Tours have 17 to 53 seat coaches available for private hire.

Future Day Trips Tuesday 21st April Hever Castle celebration of tulips £35*

Sunday 10th May “Sensational 60’s” at the Milton Keynes Theatre 7:30pm £50*

Wednesdays 22nd April and 3rd June Evening at Peterborough Greyhounds, including a 2-course meal. £27

Thursday 14th May Day out in Hunstanton £15 for one, £22.50 for two!

Thursday 23rd April Highclere Castle Home of Downton Abbey £35* Thursday 30th April Morning in Ely with a stop for lunch in Upware £15 Saturday 2nd May Melton Mowbray Cheese Festival £20* Wednesday 6th May Day out in Sheringham £15 for one, £22.50 for two!

Friday 22nd May Day trip to Stamford on market day £15 Tuesday 26th May Day out in Skegness £15 for one, £22.50 for two!

Monday 15th June Day out to Milton Keynes, including a stop at Ikea £15 Wednesday 29th July Sandringham Flower Show £29* Tuesday 11th August Day trip to Cromer including ticket to the End of the Pier show £37.50*

*Price includes entry ticket Pick up points in St Neots, Great Paxton, The Offords, Godmanchester and Huntingdon

To request a brochure, private hire quote or to book online visit www.platinumluxurytours.com or call 01480 810560 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Local News

Cambridge Gliding Centre Cambridge Gliding Club (CGC) was first established in 1935. In previous years it has been based at what is now Cambridge Airport, Duxford airfield before moving to its current home at Gransden Lodge in 1991.

The Club also hosts the Cambridge University Gliding Club and it operates a motor glider for Hertfordshire Scouts and introduces many scouts to the sport of gliding.

The Club is run predominantly by its members which total over 160. In addition, the club runs a Cadet scheme which is open to children aged between 13 and 18, this totals 20 members. With the University membership of 35-45 this bring the total membership to nearly 230 members.

The club operates four two seat training gliders, four single seaters and there are about 70 privately owned gliders on site. Launching is by way of winch and aerotow. We also have a state of the art Simulator used as part of our training programme.

Membership of the club is open to the public and every year we host an Open Day to allow

the public to learn more about the sport, see our facilities including the gliders. There are opportunities to have an Introductory Flight.

Flights will be offered on a first come basis, please see website for conditions, office@camgliding.uk.

There will be club members available to talk about gliding, explaining the training, describing soaring flights and flying cross country. In the summer months it is quite common for our gliders to fly into Wales and back. Flights of over 750 kms have been flown from our site.

We look forward to seeing you on the 3 May.

Gransden Lodge Airfield, Longstowe Road, Little Gransden, Beds, SG19 3EB

OPEN DAY Sunday 3rd May 2020: 10:00–17:30

Discover the joy of gliding, introductory flights available on the day, try our state of the art simulator, refreshments available

For full details see

www.camgliding.uk

CambridgeGlidingCentre Contact the office online at office@camgliding.uk or on 01767 677077 to book an Introductory Lesson.

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Food & Drink

Quick salmon miso ramen noodles with crunchy vegetables On my Weekend Kitchen show, I often take a microphone into my own kitchen and record myself making recipes at home. They are great ways of showing how you can make lovely home-cooked food in double-quick time. This lovely broth is a great example of that. It can be on the table in barely five minutes and just feels so healthy and good for you. I cheat with the store-bought ingredients, but that makes it all the easier to make.

Ingredients 1 litre vegetable stock (use a good quality cube, powder or pot) 2 tsp Miso paste Garlic and ginger stir-fry oil Chilli sauce (to taste) Japanese soy sauce 1 pack ready cooked noodles 2 x 150g salmon fillets, cut downwards into 1 cm thick squares 1 large leek, sliced 1 pack mange tout, or similar 1. Make up your stock and stir through the miso paste. Check it for taste – you can always add a little more if you like more of the salty, nutty taste that miso paste gives.

2.

Addafewdropsofchillisaucedependingon your taste and spice levels.

Serves 2 3. Keep the stock on a gentle simmer.

4. Prepare two deep large round bowls.

5. Give the noodles a quick blitz in the microwave to heat them and soften them a little. Share them between the two bowls.

6. Heat a pan on a high heat and pour in a good glug of the stir-fry oil. Flash fry the leeks and greens for a minute. They won’t need more as they’ll continue to cook in the broth.

7. Share the veg between the two bowls, on top of the noodles.

8. Add a little oil again and chuck in the salmon.

Cook the pieces quickly on both sides. Drizzle in some soy sauce so they take on a colour.

9. Again, share the salmon between the two bowls and fill each bowl with stock.

10. Serve immediately and enjoy.

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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House of Colour

How to give your wardrobe a make over and a spring clean Is your wardrobe a mess? Lose things? Wear the same things repeatedly because you can’t see what’s there? Spring is the perfect time to have a serious wardrobe sort out and clear out. It has also never been more important to be environmentally conscious about fast fashion and how to take care of our clothes.

1. Know your colours and styles – Ok I would say this but by knowing your seasonal colour palette, what colours truly suit you, and then the styles that work with your body architecture and personality, all of your clothes should work well with each other. It is a waste of money and bad for the environment to have a wardrobe full of colours and styles that you never wear because they feel wrong somehow.

2. Have a clear out, before you go shopping for something new. This means embracing a mindset which appreciates the clothes you already have and only buying key pieces that are missing. Do you already have 19 pairs of navy trousers? Think about making your wardrobe feel inviting and organised, not troubled and cluttered! If you haven’t worn something for a year, rehome or recycle. Be ruthless so you can see what you already have and what you love so you can wear it.

3. Create a capsule wardrobe. This doesn’t mean having only ten items of clothing on rotation.

It means being conscious of every purchase you make and having clothes that coordinate well and can be worn with different separates for different occasions, rather than a top only working with one pair of trousers and only seeing the light of day once a year.

4. Only buy clothes that you really need or you can’t live without. If you need it, AND love it, it makes you feel incredible and you can re-wear it to make a satisfactory cost per wear then buy it! Also only buy it in the sale if you would have bought it at its original price because you love it that much!

5. Get Organised. Store coats in a separate area as they can be bulky and heavy. Use specialist hangers for belts, ties and scarves and recycle any you aren’t going to wear or if you have too many similar ones. If you have room keep similar coloured or type of shoes together so you can make quick choices. Keep dust-bags in special handbags in particular so they keep their shape.

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6. Host a swap party. Organise a party with your friends to swap clothes, scarves and necklaces that you just don’t wear for whatever reason.

Make sure the heating is turned up so people are comfortable to try clothes on, have some delicious bites to eat and some chilled wine and hopefully you too will enjoy picking up a few new pieces for free.

7. Find a tailor! So the colour is right, and the fit seems right but for some reason you never wear that pair of trousers or that dress. Sometimes a piece may just need a small alteration to make them perfect for you such as the length of a hemline, sleeve or neckline. It really can make all the difference and give a lease of life to something you always wanted to wear.

8. Dye clothes and shoes. Dyeing shoes is much easier than it might seem. Canvas and silk type shoes dye particularly well but search online to see if those brown boots can actually be made into lizard grey or whatever suits your colour palette. Just make sure they are as clean as possible before you dye them, so you don’t dye any obvious stains or marks.

9. Buy matching, wooden hangers so your clothes hang evenly, and it will be easier to move around and therefore see what you have.

Hang your trousers full-length from the hem if you have the vertical space using hanger clamps. Keep knitwear folded on shelves, never hang on hangers to avoid the horrible little stretched shoulders they can create.

By Jennie Billings, Colour and Style Consultant, House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings e:jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk

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Jill Dighton BSc (Hons) MBACP (Accred)., UKCP Reg.

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Local News

Community Car Scheme

‘Supporting Huntingdonshire Communities through volunteering’ The Scheme works by matching passengers with volunteer drivers who use their own cars to take them to hospital appointments and shopping .

Passengers pay the drivers 40p a mile based on the driver’s mileage, to cover the drivers expenses, plus a £1 booking fee which the driver passes on to the office to cover administration costs.

The Scheme is primarily there for essential journeys to the doctors and hospitals and these will always be acted on first however, we will also look at social drives, to the shops, hairdressers etc.

The more drivers we have the more we can help your community. Could you become a volunteer driver and help your neighbours in this way? We understand that as a volunteer you may be concerned about how much time you can commit. Even if you can only offer one drive per week, this would be a help, and there is no obligation to accept a drive. No experience is necessary, just common sense and a sympathetic attitude.

Support and guidance is always available from our friendly office. Please note that all applicants will be subject to a DBS check and satisfactory references will be required.

In addition other volunteer opportunities are available via www.do-it.org.uk or call into any of the offices for a chat.

For more information, please contact St Neots Volunteer Office on 01480 476047 or email stneots@huntsvc.org.uk.

"Supporting Volunteering Across Huntingdonshire" www.huntsvc.org.uk Registered Charity: 1126811 Company Number: 6726114

ACUPUNCTURE FOR WELL-BEING

Judy obtained her Licentiate in Acupuncture, and B.A (Hons) degree in Traditional Acupuncture, from the College of Traditional Acupuncture, Warwickshire. Judy is a passionate believer in the positive benefits, on both physical and emotional levels, that may be obtained from receiving acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture originated in China and other far eastern cultures where it still features in mainstream healthcare, both as a stand-alone therapy and in combination with conventional western medicine. Judy has been trained as a classical Five Element Acupuncturist; treatment is aimed at the root cause of your condition as well as your main symptoms. This approach helps with resolving your problem and enhancing your feelings of wellbeing. You may notice other niggling problems resolve as your main health complaint improves. Judy continues to pursue her belief in excellence of care for her patients in her role as a dedicated acupuncture practitioner, and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.

Please contact Judy for a free 20 minute consultation to discuss how acupuncture treatment can help you.

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Osteopathy

effective and gentle treatment for aches and pains such as: • neck & back pain • fibromyalgia • joint pain • headaches • sports injuries and much more...

Tel: 01480 455221

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Circle Only use blue and/or white.

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Complementary Health

Put a spring in your step this April It is not to be underestimated how heavenly healthy feet can feel with a bit of extra tender loving care.

Podiatrists are keen to encourage people not to ignore common foot complaints, such as fungal nail infections, corns and hard skin.

People of all ages may suffer from various foot disorders. Some health problems (such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or poor circulation) can make deterioration of the feet more likely.

If you suffer from one of these conditions, it is important that you visit a chiropodist regularly.

Children may also experience lower limb disorders.

These tend to be of a mechanical nature, such as in-toeing and flat feet.

Our chiropodists here at The Centre For Complementary Health can help you get your feet back in tip top condition, offering treatments and foot health advice in the following areas: • calluses and corns • nail care management, including nail surgery • verruca care • sports injury rehabilitation • footwear advice and modification • rheumatology • diabetes • biomechanics • childhood mechanical foot problems • orthotic therapy Treatments commonly include: • Stretching and strengthening exercises • Specific shoe and trainer recommendations • Mobilisation techniques • Dry needling (acupuncture) and steroid injections for pain relief • Off the shelf orthoses (the term used to describe a foot or insole support - see below) • Prescription / custom made orthoses

A regular podiatry appointment can give feet a whole new lease of life. To book an appointment with one of our chiropodists/podiatrists, please give us a call on 01480 455221 or visit www.

CentreForCompHealth.com for more details.

Website: www.CentreForCompHealth.com Email: info@CentreForCompHealth.com Phone: 01480 455221

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Local News

Richard’s Story The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) treats almost 2,000 patients a year. In 2018, Richard Woolmer, a young car enthusiast from north Bedfordshire, needed urgent critical care when he suddenly became very unwell.

Richard had been at his local climbing centre when he starting to struggle, felt extremely cold and noticed his joints were aching to the point he had to stop. He started shivering and went home and collapsed in bed, thinking it was the flu. A few hours later his dad went to check on him and found Richard was completely unresponsive.

Richard’s dad called 111 and an ambulance was immediately dispatched. The first responder recorded Richard’s temperature at 42 degrees C. Richard was seriously ill. An additional ambulance was dispatched and the paramedics managed to bring his temperature down slightly, however Richard then became agitated and uncooperative.

He refused to get into the ambulance. The only way to get Richard into a hospital quickly was if a doctor sedated him.

With the situation quickly escalating, the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) was dispatched from Cambridge. Pilots Matt Sandbach and Elliot Haines landed the Anglia Two helicopter in the field next to the family’s car restoration business. Dr Sarah Hazelman and Critical Care Paramedic Neil Flowers immediately recognised that Richard was suffering from some sort of brain injury. They administered antibiotics and an anaesthetic and escorted Richard to Bedford Hospital by road ambulance. His condition was too unstable to be taken by air.

Richard was admitted to the intensive care unit and quickly underwent a CT scan, so that doctors could see what was going on inside, and a lumbar puncture. These tests confirmed that he was

suffering from the most severe form of bacterial meningitis.

Without treatment, bacterial meningitis can cause vision, hearing and memory loss, seizures, sepsis, and even death.

Richard needed the highest level of critical care to fight the infection.

Luckily, Richard responded very well to the treatment and was allowed home a week later, once he could prove that he could walk and feed himself.

Initially, he was too weak to even hold a spoon and standing up was incredibly painful, but, with characteristic determination, he soon went home.

It took six months before Richard felt fully recovered.

The near-death experience made him reassess the important things in life and he proposed to Amy a few months later; with an Austin A30 rather than the traditional engagement ring.

Richard has now returned to his beloved racing and both he and Amy believe that the intervention of the EAAA team - in particular the antibiotics Dr Sarah Hazelman administered on scene - made a huge contribution to his very positive outcome. They are both very grateful to EAAA. To read about more patients EAAA have helped with your vital support, go to www.eaaa.org.uk/stories

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Leeds Day Solicitors

Why are Lasting Powers of Attorney so important?

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a document in which one person, known as ‘the donor’, gives another person or persons, known as the ‘the attorney(s)’, the power to act on his or her behalf.

What is significant about Lasting Powers of Attorney is that the attorney can continue to act on the donor’s behalf even if the donor loses mental capacity. This is not that case with most other forms of authority.

There are two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney – one for property and financial affairs and one for health and welfare matters. Both types give the attorney legal power to deal with third parties on the donor’s behalf.

In order to make a Lasting Power of Attorney the donor must have the mental capacity to make decisions for him or herself and so it cannot be created by a person who is no longer mentally able to deal with these matters.

Why would I need a Lasting Power of Attorney?

In the event that a person loses their mental capacity or otherwise becomes unable to conduct their own affairs, a Lasting Power of Attorney gives legal power to another person to conduct such affairs on their behalf. Appointing an attorney whilst still capable of making decisions allows a person to select someone they feel comfortable with to take charge and protect their assets should this be necessary in the future.

Our offices: Huntingdon Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD T: 01480 454301 30

What does a Lasting Power of Attorney do?

Depending on the powers given to the attorney, their duties may include the following tasks: Looking after bank accounts and financial affairs, including investments.

Deciding where the donor may live.

Having access to personal information.

Making decisions about day-to-day personal care or healthcare.

Can someone take away your Lasting Power of Attorney?

A donor can revoke their Lasting Power of Attorney if they wish as long as they are mentally competent. Alternatively, if the donor has lost mental capacity and a court determines that an attorney is abusing his or her authority as an attorney, a Court can revoke the Lasting Power of Attorney and appoint someone else in their place.

What happens if the donor dies?

When the donor dies the attorney’s power ends. This means, if you have been acting as an attorney under that Lasting Power of Attorney, you will no longer have the authority to manage the late donor’s affairs. After death, the executor of the estate handles all financial and legal matters, according to the provisions of the donor’s will.

For further advice on preparing a Lasting Power of Attorney, please contact Leeds Day on 0844 567 2222 by email at wills@leedsday. co.uk or visit our website www.leedsday.co.uk

St. Ives 11 Station Road, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5BH T: 01480 464600

St. Neots Xenus House, Sandpiper Court, Eaton Socon, St. Neots PE19 8EP T: 01480 474661

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Snoring

By Louise Addison

Snoring!

April 20th marks the start of National Stop Snoring Week Snoring is the distinctive sound made by vibrations of the soft palate and other tissue in the mouth, nose and throat. It is caused by turbulence which occurs due to a partial blockage that may be located anywhere from the tip of the nose to the vocal cords.

During waking hours muscle tone keeps the airway in good shape. When we sleep our throat muscles relax and this decrease in tone can cause airways to narrow and vibrate.

Though it can certainly feel like your partner is doing it to annoy you, no-one snores deliberately, and unfortunately it can’t be cured. But it can be controlled. The key to control is to find out the cause of your particular snoring. Snoring can be related to the tongue, nose, mouth, or it can be multi-factorial.

Historically it was considered to be a male problem, but it actually affects males to females in the ratio of 2:1. Women tend to under-report and fail to seek help due to embarrassment because even in the 21st century it’s considered ‘unladylike’ to snore! The risk factors for snoring are similar in women to men: being overweight, smoking, and alcohol are common factors, but women also snore more following the menopause and it’s one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Snoring is often considered a joke, but it can have a devastating effect on people. Sleep deprivation (both the snorer and their partner) is physically and mentally debilitating and can lead to illness as well as relationship breakdown.

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Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a particularly dangerous side-effect of snoring, defined as the cessation of airflow during sleep, preventing air from entering the lungs caused by an obstruction.

It is considered clinically significant if a person stops breathing for more than 10 seconds each time and if occurs more than 5 times every hour. OSA only happens during sleep. When you experience an episode of apnoea during sleep your brain will automatically wake you up, usually with a very loud snore or snort, in order to breathe again. People with OSA can experience wakening episodes many times during the night and consequently feel very sleepy during the day.

If you are excessively sleepy during the day and feel irritable or restless, you may be suffering from OSA. Your partner may point out that your snoring is loud, often interrupted by pauses and gasps. You might fall asleep at work, whilst driving, or during conversations. You might be forgetful and irritable and suffer with morning headaches. Not everyone who has these symptoms will have sleep apnoea but if you suffer with them a lot, you should seek advice from a medical professional.

The British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association (BSSAA) has a very helpful website packed with advice and useful questionnaires and information about all aspects of snoring. They even sell approved anti-snoring devices.

The web address is britishsnoring.co.uk Here’s to a peaceful night’s sleep!

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35

Finance

How to save money when selling your home Selling your home can sometimes entail eyewatering costs that considerably reduce any profit you make from the sale, but saving money throughout the process is possible if you’re prepared and understand the various fee systems involved.

So what fees might you face in your efforts to move up or down the property ladder and how can you save money at each step?

Estate agency fees How do estate agency fees work?

Estate agency fees are typically expressed as a percentage of the final selling price, and this fee is known as commission. ‘No sale, no fee’ is a common method used by ‘traditional’ estate agents to charge commission, whereas online agencies typically charge their fees upfront or by way of a deferred credit agreement.

How to save money on estate agency fees • Negotiate Fee negotiations don’t just have to be downwards, although this is always a good first option. They can also be creative in the sense that they increase the agent’s motivation to achieve a sale.

• Don’t use an agency You can save thousands of pounds if you don’t use an estate agency, but you also need to factor in the time and effort needed to sell your own home Legal fees How do legal fees work?

In a similar way to estate agents, some solicitors and conveyancers base their fees on your home’s value. Others use a fixed fee structure that

provides more certainty to both parties.

The final cost in legal fees when selling your home will depend on the complexity of the transaction.

How to save money on legal fees • Obtain several quotes Shop around for a few quotes or approach those referred to you by trusted friends.

• Buying and selling?

If you’re both buying and selling a property, you can save money on legal fees by using the same solicitor for both transactions.

Removal fees How do removal fees work?

There are many factors that determine a removal firm’s fees, including whether or not you pack your boxes yourself, how many belongings you need to move, the proximity of your moving date and the distance to your new home.

How to save money on removal fees • Book well ahead of moving day You could secure a significant discount by booking a removal firm well in advance of your move, and don’t forget to negotiate them down if appropriate.

• Move yourself If you don’t have many belongings to move, you could hire a van and move yourself. You’ll need to factor in the cost of hiring the van, the fuel needed to travel to and from the properties (potentially several times), insurance for ‘goods in transit’ and the packaging materials.

Planning ahead is key to saving money when selling your home. It’s definitely possible to secure some good deals with removal firms if you approach them early, and if you shop around and negotiate you can even save money with the estate agent and solicitor.

By Ann Haldon

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Batteries

By Tracey Anderson

Rechargeable Batteries Do you have a laptop and a smartphone? How about cordless power tools, or even an electric car? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you will be dependent on rechargeable batteries. I was surprised to learn that rechargeables have been around since 1859! French physicist Gaston Plante developed the lead acid cell. This had a lead anode (the positive bit), a lead dioxide cathode (the negative bit) and a sulphuric acid electrolyte (the chemical connector). The Plante battery was actually the precursor to our modern-day car batteries.

Regular non-rechargeable batteries and rechargeables generate current in exactly the same way: through an electrochemical reaction involving the anode, cathode and electrolyte. In a rechargeable battery though the reaction is reversible. So, when electrical energy from an outside source is applied to the battery (i.e. it’s plugged into a charger), the negative-to-positive electron flow that occurs during battery use is reversed, and its charge is restored.

The most common rechargeable batteries on the market today are lithium-ion (Li-ion). Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickelcadmium (NiCd) batteries are also used.

Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) have been around a long time and are pretty rugged, so they are used where long service life, high discharge current and extreme temperatures are required. They allow very fast charging with

minimal stress so tend to be used in power tools, medical devices, and aviation.

Nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) were developed as a replacement for NiCd. They are used for medical instruments, hybrid cars and industrial applications. NiMH is also available in AA and AAA sized rechargeables for consumer use.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are being used in applications that were previously served by lead and nickel-based batteries.

Li-ion batteries have a long life, hold a charge better, operate at higher voltages, and can be made smaller and lighter so they are very popular for phones and laptops etc. But Li-ion batteries

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are not currently available in popular standard sizes such as AAA, AA, C or D, and they’re considerably more expensive.

All rechargeable batteries (and the single use variety) contain metals such as cadmium, cobalt and lead that are harmful to the environmental if not disposed of properly. Hence when they reach the end of their life it’s better to keep them out of landfills because these metals can taint the surrounding air, topsoil and groundwater.

Remember, even rechargeable batteries will eventually die, though it may take hundreds of charges before that happens.

Make sure to dispose of them responsibly at a recycling facility.

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

Container-Grown Fruit April is the perfect month for planting containergrown fruit trees and bushes.

Even if your garden space is limited you can still grow fruit trees and bushes. You can even grow them in containers on a balcony.

The trick is to read the label. Look for dwarf varieties that won’t grow too large for your pot or garden. It’s a good idea to buy self-fertile plants too, especially if you don’t live in an area where lots of people grow their own fruit.

Even on a small plot buy the biggest pot you can fit into the available space. Bigger pots hold more compost, so they contain more food, more water and more space for strong root growth.

Make sure the pot has drainage holes and cover the base with drainage material. Handy hint – if wind is a problem on your site use heavy material like broken crockery or stones to add weight, whereas if you will need to be able to move the pot easily use polystyrene chunks, which are very lightweight.

Fill the container with a loam-based potting compost. Remove the tree or shrub from its original pot, spread the roots a little and plant it in the new container to the same depth. Water the compost well initially and then whenever the surface is dry.

If you want to plant your fruit tree in the garden dig a hole as deep as the root system, and about three times the width. Place the plant into the hole and refill it. Then firming the soil with your foot. If the tree is in an exposed area you might need to stake it.

Fruit is very easy to grow, and there are a huge variety of fruit trees or bushes to suit every garden size and aspect, so you’re bound to find the perfect plant for your space.

Try: Dwarf apple trees, which provide interest all year round as well as fruit in the autumn.

Any of the currants. Blackcurrants are particularly nice. They are low maintenance and great in jams and pies. They like a sunny spot and plenty of water.

Raspberries are lovely. They fruit in summer and like a sheltered sunny spot. You buy raspberry canes rather than bushes. Look for a thorn-free variety.

Blueberries grow really well and are great for growing in a container because they like acid soil and in a container, this is easy to provide. Look for ericaceous compost which you should keep moist because like most soft fruits they are quite thirsty plants. Collect rainwater for the purpose as blueberries are not keen on tap water.

I like to grow strawberries in large hanging baskets to make the most of the space. They are easy to grow this way but make sure you keep them well fed with a high potash fertiliser as nutrients leach away from hanging baskets very easily.

I protect all my container-grown soft fruit with netting my garden birds tend to view my patio display as a rolling all-season buffet laid on especially for their benefit.

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Happy Gardening!

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Local News

The Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve invite you to come and meet some very special visitors at the reserve who are due to arrive in April.

The Willow Warbler is one of an amazing group of birds that travel back and forth between Africa and Europe each year.

This small 10 gram bird will have successfully negotiated without any GPS devices - a journey of some 2500 miles from West Africa surviving challenging conditions including the Sahara Desert to reach Europe to breed.

Volunteers at the reserve will be pleased to introduce you to the Whitethroat along with other long distance travellers such as the Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

At the Kingfisher Hide we will see Common Terns arriving from West Africa to start their breeding season on the four tern rafts.

Spring Watch on the Reserve • Sunday 26th April Come and visit our Reserve and talk to local guides who can advise you on what might be around. The Visitor Centre will be open for refreshments.

Dawn Chorus Walk • Sunday 17th May 5.30 am - meet at the Visitor Centre for a guided walk with our local guides to hear the dawn chorus. £2.50 per person, pay at the door. The Visitor Centre will be open later, after the walk for refreshments.

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Tern Courtship

Whitethroat

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Gardening

Windswept Gardening

By Pippa Greenwood

Creating a garden in a windswept spot is possible by making it easier for plants to survive, but there are also plants that are tougher than you might think. So what should you do, and what should you grow?

If possible, choose miniature or dwarf varieties of plants – as they are closer to the ground, they enjoy some protection from the prevailing winds and so have the chance to put on a decent show.

Creating a windbreak – such as hedge – gives a great improvement. Native hedging plants including hawthorn, blackthorn, guelder rose, wild rose and some field maple are available for planting bare root at a very reasonable price. It will take a few years for a small, new hedge to get established, so in the meantime erect a man-made barrier such as some hurdles.

If you don’t want a hedge, erect something like a fence, which allows some wind through. Avoid solid windbreaks like walls, as they can cause turbulence and worsen the wind and cold on the garden side of the barrier.

Make the most of those areas of your garden that are less exposed, and don’t ‘waste’ those prized positions on tougher plants.

Many bulbs are hardy or low to the ground, so consider crocus, chinodoxa, anemone, Iris reticulata, cyclamen (hardy forms only) or dwarf narcissus such as Tete-a-Tete and Peeping Tom. A number of rock plants do well in exposed gardens. Try Campanula portenschlagiana (a creeping form of the pretty bellflower), Sempervivum (the rosette-forming house leeks), low-growing hebes, Erigeron daisies,

Helianthemum and Veronica spicata.

Some annual flowers with delicate colourful blooms are tougher than they look, and many of these are easy and inexpensive to grow from seed.

Consider wallflowers, petunias, evening primrose, Echium, flax, calendulas, sweet William, clarkia, Californian poppies, Lavatera trimestris and candy tuft.

Sow or plant perennials for colour that will return year after year. There are often some bargains to be had at this time of year when small pots of perennials are available from most garden centres for only a few pounds each. The stately hardier form of Yucca filiamentosa (related to the popular houseplant) adds structure and impact; also consider the New Zealand flax (Phormium), Sedum spectabile (the ice plants), Phlomis, Lavatera maritima, Kniphofia caulescens (a form of red-hot poker), Centranthus ruber, Japanese anemones, Eryngium, Agapanthus and Euphorbia characias.

For a little more height and longer-term structure then a few shrubs are a welcome addition to a windy or exposed garden. Many of the delicate flowered Cistus do well: Fuchsia magellanica, Euonymus fortunei, Escallonia, Elaeagnus and the dwarf species of Cotoneaster such as Cotoneaster horizontalis should fit the bill.

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

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Fitness

Don’t go to the Gym! Bring the Gym to you!

Every new health or cancer scare that doctors uncover seems to come with the standard, “…keep fit, lose weight and eat healthy foods to minimise the risk…” statement. We know it’s true but finding time to get to the gym is difficult when our lives are so busy.

So why not bring the gym to your home?

If you have an area that’s big enough for you to lie down in, with your arms stretched out to either side, with a few extra inches for good measure you’ve got enough space to do a workout at home. No matter what your initial fitness level, aims and budget are you can start to exercise in the comfort of your own home.

Basic Fitness - If you’re after basic fitness you can try a home HIIT session. All you need is a timer or smartphone app and a workout program - there are loads of videos on YouTube for every fitness level. HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training works on short bursts of exercise, up to about 1 minute, with rests of maybe 30 seconds in between. It gets your heart rate up and gives you a great workout in a very short space of time. Exercises range from simple marching on the spot, squats, and leg raises right through to advanced press-ups and handstands, but all doable in the space we mentioned earlier. An exercise mat might help for any lying-down exercises and a resistance band or small set of weights is a useful addition, but that’s about all you’ll need.

Three, twenty-minute sessions per week and you’ll really start to see some results. Do it in the morning before breakfast for maximum fatburning efficiency, and to set you up for the day.

Strength - Building your strength can also be done at home. Calisthenics is a form of training

that uses your body weight instead of freestanding weights. Each exercise has a series of progressions from easy to very hard. Take the simple press up as an example. Start doing them whilst standing and leaning against a wall. As you move your feet further from the wall it gets harder.

Eventually you’ll be able to do a full press up on the ground. Then try positioning your hands closer to your waistline so you are leaning forwards as you press up - it’s getting harder now. Then try leaning so far forwards your feet leave the floor and you’re into a planche position - not for the faint hearted!

Other calisthenics exercises need some basic equipment. Dips will need a set of dip bars. Pull ups will need some pull up bars. But all of these are relatively cheap to purchase and take up minimal space when not in use.

What about exercise machines? If you’re starting out my advice is to avoid machines until you know what you like. You’ll probably only have enough space and cash for one, and they are not portable so once you’ve got it you’re stuck with it. Build up your basic fitness and strength first and then decide what you want to do. Once your body starts to show some results you might even be tempted to venture down to the gym to take advantage of a wider range of equipment!

Be sensible - Always be careful with your body.

Seek professional advice before starting any exercise regime. Make sure you’re working safely and within your capabilities. Start easy and work up to the harder progressions. If you have any signs of pain or discomfort, STOP! Rest, recover and assess the situation.

Above all have fun getting fit and staying healthy.

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Be Prepared

By Clare Becker

Be Prepared…

but don’t panic!

Zombie apocalypse movies are perennially popular.

Human beings love to imagine how we might survive after a global disaster.

Recent flooding and the coronavirus have prompted an interest in ‘prepping’, as in ‘prepping for disaster’.

Preppers have historically been cast alongside conspiracy theorists, and American survivalists, who build bunkers, live ‘off-grid’ and are scarier than any imaginary zombie.

As flooding and extreme weather become ‘normal’ events in the UK, and every year seems to bring a new pandemic threat it’s easy to see why people feel helpless, and why ‘prepping’ becomes seductive.

Should we prepare for imminent disaster?

The answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no. In this country we are fortunate that food is plentiful.

However, food is supplied on a ‘just-in-time’ basis, using predictions based on the public’s past shopping habits. If everyone shops normally, supply and demand remain balanced, but if large numbers of people suddenly panic-buy more than usual to stockpile food, shelves are stripped bare pretty quickly.

It makes sense to be aware of this and to think about how we might manage if there was a temporary hiccup in our own food supply chain, perhaps because poor weather or flooding prevents us from accessing shops, or because we’re confined to our home through illness or quarantine.

It does no harm to plan how we might be more self-reliant for a week or so, and to make sure that we have a basic emergency store cupboard. I would advise against specialist emergency food packs you see advertised. They are expensive, and freeze-dried food tastes like garden mulch. A few extra tins in

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your weekly shop is easy for most people to achieve.

Remember, in most instances you will already have food in, which can be used up first.

Useful items for an emergency store cupboard: tinned meats, tinned vegetables, tinned beans, pulses and chickpeas, tinned soups and packet soups, tinned fruit, a large bag of rice, a large bag of porridge oats, cooking oil, salt, honey, long-life milk, long-life orange juice, packs of cereal, cereal and protein bars, dried fruit. If you live in an area where flooding and therefore water contamination is likely allow 2 litres of bottled water per person per day for drinking and cooking.

A simple emergency store cupboard can be built up over a couple of months quite easily by adding a few extras into your weekly shop.

A can opener is essential. Torches, batteries, and a camping stove insure against loss of electricity, and loo roll, bleach, hand sanitiser, paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters and disinfectant are useful health and medical items.

If you live in a flood zone, make sure your supplies are stored high up. Use a vermin-proof storage box in the coolest place possible, and every so often move items out into your regular cupboards, and replace them, to make sure that nothing goes beyond its sell-by date.

One last thing. We all have important documents filed away such as birth certificates, passports, insurance documents and house deeds. Ideally these should be stored in a fire and waterproof deed box to protect them.

A little thought and preparation goes a long way. No bunker required!

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Pets

Fostering Animals for The RSPCA Being a foster carer is extremely rewarding. The RSPCA are always on the look out for new volunteer foster carers who can provide a safe, calm and loving environment for the cats and dogs our inspectors rescue each year. Fostering an animal can help them recover from neglect, abuse, illness or injury - taking the first steps towards finding a new, loving forever home.

Why do we need foster carers at the RSPCA? The volunteer role of a foster carer is both a crucial and a rewarding one, giving people the opportunity to make a huge difference to animal welfare. Our foster carers aim to help rehabilitate animals which then increases their chances of finding a forever home.

Naturally, we try to rehome our animals as quickly as possible, but if they are involved in a prosecution case we could have them in our care for long periods.

Some animals need one-to-one care or perhaps don’t cope well in an animal centre environment.

This is where our team of fantastic foster carers comes in.

When an animal is fostered space in our centres then become free, so that we can rescue more animals in desperate need.

What does the role involve?

There are two types of fostering roles at the RSPCA: 1) Foster carers for animals ready to be rehomed.

2) Foster carers for case animals whilst the legal proceedings take place.

All carers are responsible for the welfare of the animal in their care and are a crucial part in the rehabilitation of the animal. You would be required to provide the care the animal needs; feeding, exercising, cleaning, socialising, giving medication

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and grooming. Many animals that we take in have either suffered or are not used to the care and affection that they deserved. Living with a foster family helps to provide them with oneto-one care, allowing them to build up their confidence and get used to a normal lifestyle.

You may even be asked to foster an animal that is convalescing following illness or injury while they prepare for the adoption process.

Providing stable futures Did you know that you could also foster a horse or a pony? You can foster a horse or a pony as a companion for your own horse. Or if you don’t currently own one and you are able, you can foster two horses as company for each other. If you fit the criteria for an equine foster carer why not find out more and apply online.

How can I get involved?

If you are interested in the role of an animal fosterer, use our volunteer search on our national website to find opportunities near you.

If there is nothing listed in your area, then it’s always worth checking with your nearest RSPCA branch or animal centre.

The RSPCA is always delighted to hear about people’s positive fostering experiences. Get in touch if you have a story you’d like to share.

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• • • • • •

Swimming Lessons

Private pool - Tadlow ASA qualified teachers Beginners & stroke technique classes 1-3 pupils per class 10 week courses (term time only) Mother and Toddler classes

Call Heather on Tel: 01767 631053 Mob: 07511168499

Email: tadlowswimming@btinternet.com

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55

Motoring

These are the cars to look out for

We take a look at the most exciting cars by class due to arrive this year…

in 2020

As attention continues to be focused squarely on electrification, autonomy and tech-heavy cars, there’s a lot of fresh metal arriving on the market. Here, we take a look at the cars in each class that have us most intrigued.

Crossover - Ford Puma This funky-looking machine packs some clever technology under its skin. Mild-hybrid powertrains feature in a bid to improve efficiency, while a ‘MegaBox’ compartment in the boot is on hand to maximise practicality.

Convertible Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet This T-Roc brings a soft-top experience to the car. It remains to be seen if it can carry over the impressive driving dynamics of the vehicle underpinning it, though there is no doubt its canvas roof brings a new element of appeal to the car.

Estate Skoda Superb iV Building on the supremely practical Czech estate, this has a 1.4-litre petrol engine linked up to an 85kW motor, allowing for a claimed electric-only range of 34 miles.

Hatchback Volkswagen Golf Mk8 The MK8 comes to market with a fresh new look and more interior tech. There’s a cleaner, more efficient range of engines, too.

Though we’ve yet to see it in full, expect a go-faster GTI to arrive in 2020 as well.

MPV - Mercedes EQV Moving forward from the EQC SUV, the EQV is an electric van,

likely to be one of a number of electrified Mercedes vehicles due to arrive in 2020.

Pick-up Jeep Gladiator Essentially a five-seater pickup version of the Wrangler, it’s expected that the Gladiator will factor into Jeep’s European strategy during 2020.

Saloon BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe A four-door version of BMW’s two-door 2 Series. Expect a range of petrol and diesel engines, and there’s a chance of a hybrid powertrain too although nothing has been confirmed as yet.

SUV Land Rover Defender The Defender will have a variety of specifications and wheelbase choices, as well as engines.

There’s going to be a hybrid version too – so there’s an option for those people who want the cleanest version of the Defender available.

Van - Volkswagen Caddy Compact, easy to drive and extremely practical, this boasts

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more technology than before without forsaking any of the practicality and spaciousness that the older Caddy was known for.

Performance Car Audi RS6 The new RS6 is more powerful than before while being sharper and more engaging to drive. It’s no less practical, however, and it looks great.

Luxury car Mercedes-Maybach GLS The GLS boasts a plethora of high-end features and materials for the ultimate in comfort. Along with distinctive looks, it brings a powerful V8 engine, a 27-speaker audio setup and reclining rear seats among a plethora of other features to the GLS. Electric car Volkswagen ID.3 This year, Volkswagen will launch a battery-powered vehicle — the ID.3. Similar in size to a Golf, the German hatch will come in a variety of powertrain configurations, the largest of which promises a range of 261 miles between charges.

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Special Report

Understanding Global Warming

By Nadia Houston

The ten-year anniversary of the volcanic ash cloud is nothing to celebrate. All flights in and out of the UK and several other European countries were suspended while ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland moved south. Up to 4,000 flights were cancelled with no flights allowed into UK airspace for days amid fears of engine damage. Lives were thrown upside down whilst the volcano continued to spew its ash and people waited with bated breath to see in what direction the wind blew.

Fast forward to this year’s disaster in the southern hemisphere where record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought have fuelled a series of massive bushfires across Australia and burned their way through New South Wales and Victoria. Bush, forest and parks were decimated and people (including firefighters) lost their lives.

Here we have two situations which have consequences in terms of global warming. Cause or effect? Chicken or egg?

During major explosive eruptions, huge amounts of volcanic gas are injected into the stratosphere and greenhouse gases have the potential to promote global warming. It’s ironic that glaciers act like a protective layer and when the ice melts away from the top of a volcanic mountain, it is then free to erupt.

The Earth’s climate has changed throughout history and in the last 650,000 years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, with the abrupt end of the last ice age about 11,700 years ago marking the beginning of human civilisation.

The evidence is compelling, the current trend having particular significance because most of it is the result of human activity since the mid-20th century. Furthermore it is proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented, roughly ten times faster than the average rate of ice-age recovery.

Ancient evidence plus modern earth-orbiting satellites have enabled scientists to see the big picture on a global scale.

There were once six trillion trees on the planet, yet now there are only three trillion, leading not only to a changing climate but a shrinking habitat for wildlife and harder lives for billions of people.

Now, the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) is hoping to restore a trillion trees by 2050, to reverse these trends and create a world where forests are expanding, not shrinking.

It can be depressing to hear that glaciers are melting, seas are rising and many species are on the move, migrating to higher, cooler areas.

The good news is many of us have become informed. We are travelling responsibly, eating sustainably, reducing our waste, watching what we buy, donating, pledging and volunteering. Our efforts are important.

In the UK, we’re getting more energy than ever from renewable sources. Last year, for the first time since the industrial revolution, more energy was generated from zero-carbon electricity than from fossil fuels. And in summer, we went for more than two weeks without using coal to generate electricity at all – the longest period since 1882.

While there is still much to be done, it just shows what can be achieved.

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

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

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Sales Service Repair Call Outs Automation of Existing Gates Residential Commercial

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Don’t be an April Fool

Technology

The tech scams to watch out for this spring

We all know the rules around April fools: once the clock strikes noon, the pranks stop.

Unfortunately that isn’t the case for the online villains that try to fool us with fake emails, fake virus warnings and other issues – and some of those scams can leave the victims seriously out of pocket. So how can you keep yourself safe from the scammers?

Step one is to trust nobody. One of the most common kinds of scams is called ‘phishing’, which is when fraudsters create a convincing-looking fake email purportedly from your bank, from PayPal, from eBay and so on. They’re traps: the sites they link to are also fake, and they’re designed to trick you into entering your username and password. If you do, the villains can use those details and start spending your money – and because so many people use the same details on multiple sites, the fraudsters can often access multiple sites too. Many security packages can detect phishing emails, but they’re not 100% reliable so it’s important to stay cynical.

A new and worrying kind of scam

centres around bank transfer payments. Fraudsters pose as genuine tradespeople or service providers and send a convincinglooking invoice with the bank details they want you to transfer money to. According to payment processing firm ShieldPay, in the UK alone such frauds cost UK bank customers a whopping £207.5 million in 2019 – and on average, victims were only able to get back 48% in compensation from their banks. 15% didn’t get any compensation at all because the banks found they hadn’t taken ‘reasonable care’ to avoid being tricked.

Whether it’s fake emails or fake invoices, it’s a good idea to assume that anything unsolicited that appears in your email inbox is a fraud: if in doubt, call your bank or tradesperson on the phone (and don’t use any numbers listed in the suspicious emails – they can be faked too).

Never, ever transfer money if there’s the slightest possibility that the recipient is a scammer.

Some of the oldest scams have been reborn on the internet too: snake oil salesmen selling dodgy products that promise to cure

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all ills; auction scammers who sell fake or broken items without disclosing their status; get-richquick schemes, dodgy lotteries and other dubious supposed moneymakers. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Trying to fool people can be big business. In late 2019, Indian police shut down two call centres that were targeting UK residents by pretending to be Microsoft technical support staff. One victim, retired businessman Richard Varey, lost £4,000 – and City of London Police say they’re contacted by 2,000 people like Richard every month.

The police have made four smart suggestions that can help you prevent being sucked in by such scams. One, don’t assume a cold caller is who they say they are; two, call the organisation back on a published phone number to check whether the call is real; three, don’t trust Caller ID on your phone because it’s easy to fake; and four, never call phone numbers listed on pop-up messages telling you there’s a problem with your computer.

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n O s ’ t Wha In April

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

What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

1 April Brampton Flower Club 7 for 7.30pm Community Centre, High Street, Brampton Visitors £6 on the door. ‘Country Life’ with Lesley Beeton. Tel: Jan Dobie 01480 531822 Web: www.bramptonflowerclub.com

6 & 20 April Cambridge Backgammon Club 7.30pm The River Mill, Eaton Socon We meet to play casual games and informal tournaments depending on numbers, and for more serious players we have a league. Players of all standards welcomed from complete beginner through to expert.

8 April Coffee Morning & Craft Stalls 10am-1pm All Saints Church, Market Square, Huntingdon Hunts Society for the Blind fundraising coffee morning and craft stalls with tombola and raffle.

9, 14 & 16 April Free Children’s Activity Sessions 2-4pm QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton 6, 20 & 27 April Free children’s activities during the Easter holidays West Hunts Friendship Club for ages 7-11. Lots of fun activities such as football, 9.30am-3pm. Great Staughton Village Hall short tennis, multi sports and games. Little Paxton 1 April Meets every Monday except Bank Holidays. Members Parish Council event with sessions organised by Little Paxton Gardening Club can participate in a range of activities as well as Huntingdonshire District Council Roadshow team.

8pm Little Paxton Village Hall enjoying a hot meal at lunch time. Transport can be Please bring a water bottle. No need to book.

Members £1, Non-members £2. ‘How to Grow arranged for those who live within a six miles radius Peonies’ with Caron Saunders from RHS Gold winning of Great Staughton. Tel: Annabelle 07527741495 10 & 12 April nursery, Primrose Hall in Bedfordshire, specialising in Easter Egg Hunt 10.30am-12pm & 1.30-3pm Peonies. Tel: Jane 01480 218805 6, 20 & 27 April Ferry Meadows, Peterborough Email: lpgardeningclub@hotmail.com Osprey Judo Club £5.50. Oh no, the Easter Bunny has misplaced all of Juniors 6.30-7.30pm, Seniors 7.30-8.30pm his Easter eggs, can you and your family help him 2-19 April Ellington Village Hall, The Green, Ellington find them in time to for Easter! Begin with some Easter Holiday Trail 10am-4pm Sessions every Monday night. Tel: Sensei Paul Aston seasonal spring craft, explore the park, hunt for eggs Ferry Meadows, Peterborough 07747 630361. Web: ospreyjudo.com and collect your prize and the end (1 prize per child £1 per child. Collect a trail sheet from the Visitor booked). Tel: 01733 234193 Centre and then hunt for clues as you walk around 7 April Ferry Meadows. Return to the Visitor Centre to claim Hail Weston Wildlife and Gardening Group 11 April your prize. Tel: 01733 234193 7.30pm Hail Weston Village Hall Hemingford Village Market Members £1, Non-members £2. The Animal 9am-1pm Parish Centre, Hemingford Grey 2, 23 & 30 April Experience. A one-hour talk and hands-on Second Saturday of the month. Food, crafts, plants Yelling Art Group experience with a variety of animals including and flowers from small local businesses.

10am-12.30pm Yelling Village Hall owls, meerkat, pygmy hedgehog, sugar glider and Meets on Thursdays during term-time. We are a chinchilla. New members/visitors welcome.

12 & 13 April friendly group seeking new members of any art Annual membership £7.

St Ives Antiques Fair ability for painting and drawing. Tel: 07580 470166 Email: Liz Bacon lizbacon187@gmail.com 10am-4pm Burgess Hall (One Leisure Centre), Westwood Road, St Ives 3 April 7-8 April Adults £2.50, Concessions £2, Under 16s free St Neots Local History Society Easter Holiday Bushcraft 8.30am-4pm Ample free parking, wheelchair access from street 7.30pm Eynesbury Junior School Wandlebury Country Park, Cambridge level and on-site catering. Enjoy a 10-minute café Members free, non-members £3 For children ages 5-12. Run by experienced, chats. Dealers welcome from 9am upon production ‘Hunts Cyclist Battalion’ with Martyn Smith. qualified teachers. Booking essential. of business card. Tel: 01480 896866 Web: http://stneotslhs.org.uk Web: wildthymeandembers.co.uk Email: parkhousepr@aol.com Web: www.stivesantiquesfair.co.uk 4 April 7 & 14 April Art & Craft Fair St Neots & District Camera Club 13 April 9.30am-4pm Free Church Hall, St Ives 7.15 for 7.30pm St Neots Bowling Club Wild Home Educator Session Free entry. Quality handmade art and craft stalls.

Free entry. Everyone is welcome, no experience is 1.15-3.15pm Ferry Meadows, Peterborough necessary. Web: www.stneots-camera-club.org.uk £5.50. 2 hour sessions on the second Monday of every 4 April month for home schooled children. Each session Simply Saturday 7, 14, 21 & 28 April will have curriculum and nature focused activities, 12.30-2.30pm St James Church, Little Paxton Roxton Bridge Circle with a different theme each month. Theme for April Ivor Singing. Bring and share lunch followed by 7.15-10pm Roxton Parish Hall is Romans, aimed at KS2. Activities include willow activities from 1.30pm. Suggested donation £1.

Small friendly group playing Bridge every Tuesday weaving and making catapults. Tel: 01733 234193 Tel: Helen Young 01480 216255 evening. Tel: Mary 01480 212552 Email: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk Email: young_paxton@ntlworld.com Email: mary@jackpike.co.uk 13 April 6 April 8 April Godmanchester Trefoil Guild NIA (Non-Impact Aerobic) Dance Ice Queen Storytime and Songs 7.30-9pm Judith’s Field Room. London Road.

7-9pm Tesco Community Room 10am & 11.15am St Neots Library Godmanchester £5. Come and try this mindful, dance, fitness £5 per child. Find out how to be a Queen and learn a Trefoil Guild is a branch of Girlguiding for Adults aged practice. For anybody seeking a gentler movement special dance, listen to stories and songs, and have 18+. Meets on the second Monday of the month. class to complement and facilitate healing of mind, your photo taken with the Ice Queen herself! Book in Email: jeanmking@outlook.com for more info body, emotions and spirit. No floor work involved. advance to avoid disappointment.

Tel: 07590 909057 Suitable for 2-8 years.

Web: www.stneotstimebank.org.uk Tel: 0345 045 5225 1 April Black Cat WI 7.30pm Wyboston Village Hall The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098

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n O s ’ t Wha In April

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

14 April St Ives Sugarcraft Guild 7.30pm Reading Room, Hemingford Grey Monthly meetings where you can learn, hands on, various cake decorating techniques and/or sugar modelling. Tel: Shirley 01480 454616 for more info

16 April Doodle Pups Easter Fun Drop In 12pm & 1pm Tesco Community Space, Tesco Extra, Barford Road, St Neots Two sessions of messy play, arts, crafts and Easter egg hunt for parents, babies and children up to 5yrs.

Parent and 0-2 years 12-12.45pm £3.50 per child.

Parent and 18 months-5 years 1-1.45pm £5.50 per child. Email for more information/bookings.

Email: doodlepupsart@yahoo.com 16 April Annual Parish Meeting 7pm Little Paxton Village Hall Meeting Room Hear the Parish Council’s activities from last year and plans for the future.

22 April Wandlebury Wild Flowers in Spring 10am-12 noon Wandlebury Country Park, Cambridge Free event, parking £3. CambridgePPF event. Join our gentle guided walk around the woods and meadows of Wandlebury Country Park with one of our knowledgeable warden.

Tel: 01223 243830 extension 207 Email: bookings@cambridgeppf.org Web: www.cambridgeppf.org/walking

23 April St Neots & District Gardening Club 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Members £2, Non-members £2.50 inc. refreshments & raffle ticket. ‘Herbaceous Perennials’ by Joe Sharman of Monksilver Nurseries.

Web: www.stneotsgardenclub.org.uk

23 & 30 April New Doodle Pups Arts & Crafts Baby & Toddler Group 10am & 11am Southoe Village Hall, St Neots 16, 23 & 30 April Get creative and messy whilst making friends. 10Life Drawing Classes 2-4pm 10.45am 0-2 years sensory dome, messy play, meet Queen Elizabeth School Hall, Godmanchester Doodle the Puppet, bubble time and ball pit £3.50 £15 per session. Classes run every week from 16 April per child. 11-11.45am 18 months-5 years arts to until 26 June, except 28 May. encourage development, meet Doodle the puppet, Web: www.huntslifedraw.co.uk bubble time and messy play £5.50 per child. Tea and coffee provided. Email: doodlepupsart@yahoo.com 18 April Facebook: Doodle Pups LEGO Club 2-3.30pm St Neots Library 50p per child. Suitable for children aged 5 and above. 24 April Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Family Film Night Toy Story 4 5pm Offord Village Hall 18 & 19 April Tickets £5 each. Ticket includes pizza, popcorn and Hemingford Art Club Spring Exhibition drink for children. Tel: John 01480 810049 or Alan 10am-4.30pm Hemingford Abbots Village Hall 01480 811126 for info/tickets Free entry. Original art works and art cards on sale.

Refreshments. Parking available. Wheelchair access. 25 April Huntingdon Music School 20 April 8.30am-1pm Hinchingbrooke School Little Paxton W I 7.45pm St James’ Church The music school offers lessons and ensemble groups Meets every third Monday of the month. on Saturday mornings during term-time.

Email: evans-margaret@sky.com Tel: 01480 584867 or 07719 835472 Email: enquiries@huntsmusicschool.org.uk 21 April Web: www.huntsmusicschool.org.uk Creative Mixed Media Course Art and Soul Cafe, St Neots 25 April 10 week course excluding half-term. Learn to LEGO Club 10am-12.45pm Buckden Library develop your creative skills and artistic handwriting. 50p per child. Come along to our monthly LEGO Web: www.artandsoul.cafe club and see what you can build. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

21 April Kimbolton Flower Club 25 April 7 for 7.30pm Harmonia Singers & Slideways Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Trombone Quartet Concert Visitors £7.50 inc. light refreshments 7.30pm St Ives Free Church Short AGM followed by demonstration by Minh Tickets £8, Under 18s £6. This year Harmonia Music Lane with the intriguing title ‘LAT 17 deg to LAT is celebrating 20 years of community music making 52 deg’. Sadly, after 65 years, this will be our last and we have raised over £2,000 for Dementia UK. meeting, please join us for this occasion. Raffle of Come along and help with our fundraising. All the arrangement and light refreshments. Visitors welcome! Tickets available online or on the door. welcome.

Web: harmoniamusic.com

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25 April St Neots Art Group Spring Exhibition 10am-4.30pm United Reformed Church, High Street, St Neots Over 100 art works on display and for sale at affordable prices. Quality raffle in aid of Parkinson’s UK. 25 April Spring Concert 7.30pm St James’ Church, Little Paxton Tickets £8 inc. glass of wine & light buffet Stewartby Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society perform songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gilbert & Sullivan. Tel: 01480 877215 Email: admin@thepaxtonsbenefice.org 25 April-10 May Lambing at Wimpole 11am-12 noon Wimpole Estate Learn about of the life of sheep and you may witness the live birth of one of Wimpole’s rare breed lambs.

Discover more about lambing from the farm team.

26 April Friends of Paxton Pits Visitor Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Springwatch on the Reserve. Visit the Reserve and talk to local guides who can advise you on what might be around. The Reserve is a rich haven for many species of birds, insects, mammals, flora and fauna. Whatever your interests in the natural world it can be found on the Reserve. Tel: 01480 406795 26 April Wildlife Trust Spring Walk 10.30am & 2.30pm Brampton Wood and Portholme Meadow 10.30am annual bluebell walk at Brampton Wood.

Meet in the shelter adjacent to Brampton Wood car park, Grafham Road, Brampton GR TL 184698.

2.30pm visit Portholme Meadow with the Hunts Fauna and Flora Society. Meet at Chinese bridge car park, Godmanchester, PE29 2NB. Paths at both sites are very uneven and likely to be muddy. Limited parking available. Everyone most welcome to attend - no charge, but donations are welcome.

Tel: Alistair Grant 07775 365507 Email: alistairrgrant@hotmail.com 29 April Roxtonettes Music Evenings 7.30pm Roxton Village Hall, High Street, Roxton £2.50 inc. refreshments Do you enjoy singing or playing a musical instrument? We meet twice a month – dates can be found on our Facebook page. 7.30pm onwards for instrumentalists and 8pm onwards for singers.

Under the guidance of Eamonn Nicholson-Clinch, we are an informal community singing group. You do not need to read music!

Tel: Eamonn 07422 501131 Email: eamonnnc@googlemail.com

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Local News

St Neots Passion Play This Easter sees the 3rd performance of the St Neots Passion Play on the streets of St Neots. First produced in 2010, this festival of drama, dance and song was produced by the churches of the town, with support from local councils, as well as using the skills of many talented actors, dancers, singers, musicians and support staff from across the area. The show was repeated in 2015 and now – 5 years further on – the show will come to St Neots this coming Easter Sunday afternoon, taking place in the Market Square, St Anselm’s Place and Riverside Park.

Both previous plays have attracted over 1000 people, and generous contributions from churches, supporters and the Town Council have meant that the event is totally free. It starts at 2.30pm on Sunday 12th April with the triumphal procession over the Town Bridge into the Market Square; from there, the story moves on to St Anselms’s Place (by the Rowing Club) for the moving scenes of Gethsemane; returns to the Market Square for the trial and crucifixion of Jesus; and then concludes with the events of the first Easter Sunday in Riverside Park. The play attempts to be a faithful re-enactment of the biblical accounts of the first Easter, but it’s not a ‘religious’ event for Christians; rather an event to which the whole community is welcome, whether you have Christian beliefs or not.

Further information can be had from info@stneotscpa.org.uk

Jack & Jill 1. In the 1997 film Titanic, Jack wins a game of what to get him and his friend tickets to travel on the Titanic?

2. How is Mildred Hubble better known in a series of children’s books written and illustrated by Jill Murphy?

3. Who was shot dead by Jack Ruby live on television?

4. In which 1996 video game could you take control of Jill Valentine to fight against zombies?

5. How many people are depicted on artist Jack Vettriano’s painting The Singing Butler, reproductions of which made it the best-selling art print in the UK?

6. The 2011 film Jack And Jill won a record 10 awards at the Golden Raspberry Awards, including both Worst Actor and Worst Actress for which actor, who played both title roles?

7. In which film does the character of Jill Masterson die from skin asphyxiation?

8. In which US state is Jack Daniel’s whisky produced?

9. Which Oscar-winning actress played Rachel’s younger sister, Jill, in the TV show “Friends”?

10. Which three actors have played Jack Ryan in the four films based on books by Tom Clancy?

1. Poker 2. The Worst Witch 3. Lee Harvey Oswald 4. Resident Evil 5. Four (ouple dancing on a beach as a maid and butler hold umbrellas) 6. Adam Sandler 7. Goldfinger (her entire body is painted gold) 8. Tennessee 9. Reese Witherspoon 10. Alec Baldwin (The Hunt for Red October), Harrison Ford (Patriot Games and Clear And Present Danger) and Ben Affleck (The Sum Of All Fears)

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Travel

Namib Desert

By Solange Hando

West of the Kalahari and the Great Escarpment, the Namib stretches 1,500 km along Namibia’s Atlantic coast and 80 to 160 km inland. This is the oldest desert in the world (some say over 55 million years old), an ‘open space’ that gave its name to Namibia. It’s nature in the raw, a mythical land claiming some of the highest dunes on the planet and laced with river beds, briefly flooded every five or six years but usually bone dry.

Hot and arid, it may seem a desolate place, yet about a hundred days a year the ocean fog drifts in, bringing life-giving moisture to a few acacia trees. Plants pop up here and there: spiky melon, dollar bush – so called for its shape – and the resilient mirabilis with just two very long leaves, which can live for over 2,000 years. Fauna includes small geckos and lizards, white ants found nowhere else on earth, rodents, a few springbok and the amazing desert elephants able to survive four to five days without water. Equally well-adapted is the beautiful Oryx gazelle, often wandering on its own with long straight horns silhouetted against sand and sky.

In the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the ‘Sea of Sand’ is a world heritage site and for nature lovers the most spectacular attraction, just beyond the dramatic canyon of Sesriem. The park opens in time for sunrise and as you start the 60 km drive across the legendary Sossusvlei area the desert takes your breath away, dazzling colours from

orange and gold to red and pink, spooky shadows, blinding light and clumps of wild sage glowing luminous green. Crowds climb up the iconic Dune 45, seen on every postcard but close to the tarmac and a mere 170 metres high. Number 45 refers to the distance from the park’s entrance, but for real adventurers it all begins at the end of the road.

First it’s a 4x4 safari ride, 5 km or so bouncing on a track, then shuffling through the sand to the base of ‘Big Daddy’, the highest dune in the area beckoning at a whopping 325 metres. Ready to climb? Not easy as you crawl up the narrow ridge, no track, only footprints ahead of you, shifting precariously as you attempt to anchor your heels.

It’s blazing hot but the views are gorgeous all along the crest, even if you don’t get to the top. For without the slightest warning, a mighty sandstorm might arise, forcing you to slide down to safety as fast as you can on the steepest side. You land in the Deadvlei, a long-dried up marsh now a white clay pan, dotted with the skeletons of camelthorn trees, dead for hundreds of years, never decomposed but scorched by the sun.

Yet just as awesome are the mighty dunes rolling along the Skeleton Coast, scattered with shipwrecks and mostly inaccessible – though wonderful views can be enjoyed on a propeller flight, skimming right across the desert in a vast surreal landscape of ever-changing shapes and colours.

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Quirky Britain

By Kate McLelland

Pun-tastic… why the British love corny one-liners At last year’s Edinburgh Festival the prize for ‘Dave’s Funniest Joke of The Fringe’ was awarded to a Swedish comedian known as Olaf Falafel, who triumphed with his quip: “I keep randomly shouting out ‘Broccoli’ and ‘Cauliflower’ – I think I might have florets.”

Back in 2017 Chinese comedian Ken Cheng won the award for his gag: “I’m not a fan of the new pound coin, but then again, I hate all change.”

Turn back the clock even further to 2015 and the funniest joke award went to Darren Walsh for the simple but ingenious: “I just deleted all the German names off my phone. It’s Hans-free.”

Whether you love or loathe them, the jokes that have the biggest impact on British audiences are puns.

What is a pun?

A pun is a play on two or more words that sound the same (or almost the same) but have different meanings. In Britain we have a long and distinguished history of punning, with the first recorded use of the term dating back to 1643, but the practice of pun-making is even older than that.

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle considered puns to be a kind of literary deception because they are open to different meanings.

Although this kind of comic wordplay is undoubtedly popular, puns are often considered to be a low form of humour. We talk about ‘terrible’ puns and ‘bad jokes’, as if puns are a cheap laugh, easily understood by an audience. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth, as brain studies reveal it requires a degree of mental gymnastics to appreciate a pun.

Getting to the punchline Humans organise their knowledge into memory structures known as schemas, so when we see, think or hear of something, the schema containing the relevant stored information is activated. When

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we hear Darren Walsh’s joke about deleting German names from his phone, our immediate response is to create a mental picture of a mobile phone with the help of our phone-related schema. But Darren is also talking about German names, so we call on another schema to remember how these names sound.

It may take us a moment to process the difference between ‘Hans-free’ (a phone with no records of people with the name Hans) and ‘hands-free’ (a way of using a phone without having to hold it), but when we do, the surprising and unexpected juxtaposition between these two schemas makes us laugh.

Popular punsters Some of our best known comedians have built their careers on delivering carefully crafted puns.

Described as ‘The King of the One-liner’, Tim Vine’s jokes are legendary. Milton Jones is another high profile comedian who bases much of his comic material on puns. Speaking to The Scotsman newspaper in 2017, he claimed his successful style grew out of the “British tradition of nonsense.”

So next time you hear a pun, don’t groan: consider the comic genius it took to think it up and appreciate the steps your brain goes through to enjoy it. You might also consider how much the humble pun has contributed to British culture, from William Chaucer to today’s celebrated stand-up comedians.

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March’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Susan King – Biggleswade

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The Villager Prize Crossword

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

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

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Not private (6) 4 One belonging to a club (6) 9 Endure (7) 10 Book of maps (5) 11 Surplus (5) 12 Design (7) 13 Discontinued (11) 18 Withdraw (7) 20 Living (5) 22 Concerning (5) 23 Outside light (7) 24 Removing (6) 25 Two wheeled vehicles (6) Down 1 Mailed (6) 2 Destroyed by fire (5) 3 Copy (7) 5 Precise (5) 6 Accept as true (7) 7 Climbing up (6) 8 Frantically (11) 14 Interconnected system (7) 15 Clearly (7) 16 Chicken meat (6) 17 Racket game (6) 19 Consumed (5) 21 Perfect (5)

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Books

Book Review Alice

by Christina Henry

If you enjoy twisted fairy tales, this book (and its sequel, Red Queen) needs to be on your reading list. The story begins with Alice, who’s been locked up in an asylum for a decade after encountering the Rabbit. She escapes with her neighbouring cellmate and they set off on a journey that sees them encountering various characters from the beloved children’s tale.

This is definitely not a story for children however; it’s horrifying, gruesome and as dark as they come. .

Three Hours

by Rosamund Lupton

Masked gunmen attack a school in Somerset. They shoot the headmaster but make no demands. Who’s behind the attack; who’s safe; who’s the target? A heart-racingly tense thriller with characters you’ll be desperate to protect. Three Hours will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading ‘just one more page’ long into the night.

On the Up

by Alice O’ Keeffe

Sylvia dreams of a better life, away from her council flat. A home with wisteria around the door, a garden and no noisy neighbours. Meanwhile, her financial situation and the challenges of parenthood are putting a strain on her relationship with her partner, Obe. While Sylvia is desperate to leave her estate behind, when it’s threatened she finds herself ready to defend it. A warm humorous book about family, community and modern life.

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By Kate Duggan

Peaky Blinders: The Real Story of Birmingham’s most notorious gangs

by Carl Chinn

If you love the TV series, you might enjoy reading about some of the real peaky blinders who lived, fought and evaded the law in Birmingham a century ago. Amongst them was the author’s own greatgrandfather. Unlike the show, the book doesn’t glamourise the men or the deeds. As Chinn states, the peaky blinders were often “unsavoury, unglamorous and unworthy of respect”. Instead, the book provides a well-researched, fascinating insight into historical gang violence.

How to Plant a Garden

by Matt James

Itching to get back out in your garden now spring is here? Or perhaps you’re somewhat reluctantly determined to tackle the weeds? Either way, this book might help to inspire you.

There’s advice on choosing the right plants for different situations and plenty of guidance on soil conditions, shady areas, plant combinations and more. It’s not a new release, so you might even be able to order a copy from your local library.

The Mercies

By Kiran Millwood Hargrave

The tiny Norwegian community of Vardø is devastated when most of its men are killed at sea in one night.

The women have to come together to survive. But this is the seventeenth century, and independent women are viewed with suspicion and distaste, particularly by new commissioner Absalom Cornet. Based on real events, The Mercies is a gripping, thought-provoking read.

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