Cambs April 2021

VILLAGER The

Issue 144 - April 2021

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue The History of

Chess

Discovering

Cambridge 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

F co1

2

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Inside this issue...

International Jazz Day

26

Love Your Lawn................................................................................... 35 Hoe, Hoe, Hoe!....................................................................................36 RSPCA - An Interview with a Trustee.......................................... 39 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal................................................................40 Making the Switch to an Electric Vehicle.................................. 42 Seasonal Recipe - Asparagus and Salmon Frittatas...............44 Puzzle Page...........................................................................................48 90 Years of the Highway Code......................................................50 Great Gadgets for Cleaning Everything Outdoors................. 52 De-Clutter - Live with Less............................................................. 55 Villager Prize Crossword.......................................................58 Book Review - For the Love of the Sea.......................................61 Useful Numbers.................................................................................. 63

Making the switch to an electric vehicle

42

Donkey Power at St. Neots.............................................................. 4 The History of Chess........................................................................... 6 April Fool................................................................................................10 Wines Worth Locating: Kloster Eberbach.................................. 12 Fun Quiz..................................................................................................14 Discover Cambridge...........................................................................16 CAMMS Meals on Wheels...............................................................18 New Ways to Support EAAA..........................................................20 Confident Dressing Coming Out of Lockdown....................... 22 All That Jazz - International Jazz Day..........................................26 Why are Lasting Powers of Attorney so important?............29 The Bank of Mum and Dad.............................................................30 Lasting Powers of Attorney v. Deputyship Order...................32 A Different Perspective.....................................................................33

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, Tom Hancock, Trevor Langley, EAAA, Jennie Billings, Tracey Anderson, Leeds Day Solicitors, Beacon Wealth, Pippa Greenwood, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA andSarah Davey

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

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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.

3

History

By Peter Ibbett

Donkey Power at St. Neots The donkey (Equus africanus asinus) has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. There are (assuming that their census count has been accurate) over 40 million on this Earth, mainly tasked with transporting materials. There can be few who have been put to use as a lawnmower!

In about 1880, when the graveyard around St. Neots Parish Church could not accommodate any more burials, a site called Trap Close was purchased in what is now Cemetery Lane and a new burial area was laid out. The photograph was taken when it was comparatively new and shows the first cemetery keeper, John Peck, supervising grass cutting with three small boys and a Huntingdonshire donkey! Another local, Ernie Hedge, who was licensee of The Peacock public house, was a well-known figure in the town for many years and sold his own ice cream from a special hand-made cart pulled by his donkey, Molly.

Donkeys have also been used to emulate racing horses and provide great amusement to spectators at their own races. A relative of mine, John Ibbett, one time backbone of Lewes Rugby Club was once Clerk of a Donkey Race as recounted by the Sussex Express on 2nd July 1954 (in a reporting style not seen in most papers these days):-

4

3,500 See Donkey Racing At Its Jolliest Donkey Racing, which has become an established sport, with its own equivalent of the Jockey Club, was seen at its jolliest at the Lewes Donkey Racing Club Summer Meeting at the Dripping Pan at Lewis on Saturday. The riders were not to exceed 9 stone, and were children, most of them girls. The only ones who, perhaps, regarded the occasion with real levity were the donkeys themselves. They knew, it was evident, that the rules declare that no rider shall carry, whip or spur, or employ any other artificial means of inducement whatever for the purpose of increasing the speed of a donkey. Assured that they could be a law unto themselves, the donkeys consented to play, holding themselves free to stop or buck or turn aside at will, and even shed their riders, secure from any reprisals. Those donkeys that were of a mind to race went either at a spine-jarring canter or a dainty (and dead slow) trot.

The St. Neots Museum web site is looking for Local Stories. Perhaps you have an animal story, maybe even one of the ‘Bull In A China Shop’ type to add to the site.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

5

History

By Catherine Rose

The History of Chess The game of chess is nearly 1,500 years old and is as popular today as it has ever been, with more than 600 million people around the world playing. Interest in the game has only increased during the past year’s lockdowns, thanks to us having a lot more time at home and the popular Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit. But what is the history behind this ancient game?

It is believed that chess originated in India around 500AD, with a strategic military board game called chaturanga. Ivory and ebony pieces on an eight-by-eight board represented a king, an adviser (that later became the queen) and two armies of four soldier divisions: those on foot, on horse, on elephant and in chariots. All had different rules about how they could move across the board.

From India the game was taken up in Persia (now Iran) where it was known as Shatranj, and from there it spread through the Muslim empire. It is

6

thought that the Muslims changed the pieces from the animals and people depicted in the Indian game into more abstract pieces, as it is forbidden to represent images of animals and people in the Islamic religion.

From the Arab world, the game travelled across North Africa and the Moors brought it to Spain and Europe in around the twelfth century.

The oldest recorded game of this forerunner of chess is a tenth-century match played between a Baghdad historian and his pupil.

There are also very old chess sets still in existence, such as the twelfth century glazed pottery fritware shatranj set in the New York Metropolitan Museum, and the Isle of Lewis set made from walrus ivory that can be found in the National Museum of Scotland, and is also from the twelfth century.

With its move into the Christian world, chess pieces

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

7

changed to show people and horses again. The bishop and rook (or castle) appeared. The queen became the most powerful piece on the board and the rules of chess evolved to those similar to the game we play today.

The oldest book to explain these rules that is still in existence is a Spanish one: Repetición de Amores y Arte de Ajedrez (Repetition of Love and the Art of Playing Chess) by Luis Ramirez de Lucena published in 1497.

The name for chess evolved over time through the language of each country that adopted it, to finally sound something like ‘check’ in many European languages (for example, in France it was known as Échecs and in Sweden Schack). In Russia chess became known as Shakhmaty, which literally translated means ‘checkmate’. It is believed this is why we use the well-known words ‘check’ and ‘checkmate’ to signal the end of a game.

There are also those who believe another ancient game may have influenced our modern-day chess.

At the same time that chaturanga was being played in India, a strategic game called tafl – which is old Norse for ‘board’ – was being played by the ancient Nordic and Celtic people.

Tafl was played on a chequered nine-by-nine game board with two armies of uneven numbers – one side of which were the attackers and the other the defenders. There was a difference with the placement of pieces on the board to chess. Rather than facing each other, the two opposing sides were positioned in the middle and around the edge

8

of the board, and there was only one king and a castle at the centre.

Variants of the game were played under different names across Scandinavia, Lapland, and the UK until it was overtaken by chess in the twelfth century.

The Romantic Style of chess was played from the 1500s until the 1800s. It centred around short tactical manoeuvres rather than long-term strategic ones.

The modern chess set was patented in 1849 following a design by Englishman Nathaniel Cook. It was favoured by the world’s best player at the time, Howard Staunton, and following his endorsement it became known as the Staunton pattern. It was at this time that modern chess developed and to this day, only Staunton pattern sets are allowed in international competition.

In 1886 the first official World Chess Championships were held. Chess theory and chess clubs were born.

The World Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded at the beginning of the twentieth century when moves began to be analysed and named.

With the digital age, it was possible to mathematically examine all possible moves and outcomes by computer, which eventually led to a computer first beating a world chess champion in 1997.

Today, chess competitions are a recognised sport.

You can now buy all sorts of novelty chess sets with characters ranging from The Simpsons to Game of Thrones.

Chess is so respected in Russia that it has been taught in primary schools since 2017.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

9

Time of Year

April Fool!

The origins of April Fools’ Day are lost way back in time but like many traditions it probably has a number of historical roots.

There was certainly a Roman festival called Hilaria which took place around the time of the spring equinox. There was also a Medieval ‘Feast of Fools’ although that took place at the beginning of the year. Throughout history there seems to be a tradition of transgressing boundaries during such celebrations: whether male and female, low class and high class, religious piety and impiety, people have enjoyed straddling society’s boundaries.

The most popular theory about the ‘modern’ April Fools’ Day is that it began to take shape in late 16th century France. At that time, there was a switch to the Gregorian Calendar under Charles IX. Prior to this there had been a New Year’s week (March 25th-April1st), and under the Gregorian system, New Year’s Day fell on January 1st.

As with any change (shhh no-one mention Brexit) there was some resistance, and many people stubbornly refused to accept the new system, continuing to celebrate New Year on April 1st.

These people were ridiculed and labelled ‘fools’ by the general populace and were often the butt of jokes and pranks. They were known as poisson d’avril, or April fish, possibly because a naïve young fish is easily caught.

Over the years the custom of prank-playing spread to the general population and eventually to Britain, where schoolboy pranks are still the order of the day, so watch out!

By Tom Hancock

10

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

!

6s

r1 de

n

tr en e Fre

u or yf

2021 sees the return of the award-winning Drive In Air Displays from the Shuttleworth Trust.

2 May – Season Premiere Drive-In 15 May – Spies and Intrigue Evening Drive-in 6 June – Flying Festival of Britain Drive-In 19 June – A Scurry of Chipmunks Evening Drive-in 4 July – Military Air Show Drive-in 17 July – Flying for Fun Evening Drive-in 1 August – Family Air Show 14 August – Flying Circus 4 & 5 September – Vintage Weekend 2 & 3 October – Race Weekend Find out more and book online at:

www.shuttleworth.org/airshows To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

11

Food & Drink

Wines Worth Locating: Kloster Eberbach

The wine productions of Germany utilise numerous grape varieties. High-quality Riesling wines are famous around the world and have wine lovers appreciating them, globally. The Association of German Pradikat Wine Estates (VDP), operating with strict guidelines, ensures cultivations of the very best varietals.

Multi award-winning Weingut Kloster Eberbach produces an excellent range of wines. Their vineyard is renowned worldwide. The Eberbach Monastery was founded during 1136 and the monks established a cabinet wine cellar (Cabinetkeller) for their finest wines. White wines, from Weingut Kloster Eberbach, have become very popular options, for many. Lesser-known red productions are now being appreciated, too.

Favourite Riesling wines include Berg Roseneck (Cabinetkeller) and Steinberg (Cabinetkeller). These are regular choices and grace many dining tables, constantly. Being able to be enjoyed by themselves, too – as can all of the wines described here – is a further big ‘plus point’. Enticing bouquets lead to the mouthfeel and further, to the palate’s sensation, perfectly.

Crescentia Premium Wines are produced using grapes from the very best vineyards. Steinberger Crescentia Riesling Trocken and Baiken Crescentia Riesling Trocken are further productions which certainly do not disappoint. Again, splendid to the mouth’s pleasures and most enjoyable, throughout. Baiken Crescentia Riesling Spätlese is also often selected. Following an intense floral and sweet bouquet, for the nasal satisfaction, the ripe, juicy fruit flavours come through, for the mouthfeel, superbly. The palate enjoys a continuing sweetness, to finish. Great with desserts and cheeses, too.

Riesling wines are widely recognised for their classic aromas and elegance, pairing perfectly with fish, seafood and numerous dishes of cuisine. Also, very worthy of note is Weingut Kloster Eberbach Spätburgunder Crescentia Trocken red wine. This Burgundian-style Pinot Noir has ripe red fruits in abundance and is fabulous with red meats.

Wine tours of the estate and tastings are extremely popular and often booked well in advance. Ordering is easy, online too, with orders dispatched quickly and efficiently. Being married at the Eberbach Monastery must certainly be very memorable, indeed. Personal arrangements can be accommodated, through receptions to banquets. For details of all wines and services offered, please visit www.kloster-eberbach.de

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl 12

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

SAFFORD’S COACHES 2021 HOLIDAYS 17-18 JUL .........WINE TASTING BREAK - SURREY ............................... £169 27-31 JUL .........ISLE OF MAN - ISLAND GETAWAY ............................. £525 2-6 AUG............THE PENNINE EXPLORER........................................... £441 9-13 AUG..........SUMMETIME IN SOMERSET ....................................... £389 12-16 AUG........A STATELY TOUR OF THE PEAK DISTRICT .................. £458 13-17 AUG........AYRSHIRE - SCOTLAND ............................................. £406 5-9 SEPT ...........LIVERPOOL & THE BEATLES STORY ........................... £411 10-14 SEPT .......WELCOME TO WEYMOUTH........................................ £409 20-24 SEPT .......WATERFORD, KILKENNY & CO WEXFORD IRELAND ... £499 26-30 SEPT .......FOLKESTONE, KENT - THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND ..... £394 2-6 OCT ............AUTUMN GETAWAY - ISLE OF WIGHT ........................ £294 8-10 OCT ..........BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS .................................. £224 15-18 OCT ........PIES, PINTS, POTS & PUDDINGS ................................ £259 22-29 OCT ........THE FRENCH RIVIERA ............................................... £722 28 OCT-1 NOV...KENDAL IN THE LAKES ............................................. £373 1-5 NOV............BIDEFORD TURKEY & TINSEL.................................... £291 7-9 NOV............1940’S REMEMBRANCE DAY SPECIAL........................ £240 15-19 NOV........CAERNARFON WINTER WARMER ............................... £300 19-22 NOV........SCARBOROUGH TURKEY &TINSEL............................. £225 27-29 NOV........JAMES BOND THEMED LAS VEGAS NIGHT ................. £239 23-27 DEC ........CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT ......................... £524 27-30 DEC ........SUSSEX BY THE SEA FOR TWIXMAS........................... £244

RING FOR YOUR FREE COLOUR BROCHURE HIGHBURY FIELDS, GT.GRANSDEN, SANDY, BEDS. SG19 3AR TEL: 01767 677395 OR 677923 www.saffordscoaches.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

13

Land & Sea 6. The Sea of Marmara separates the European and Asian parts of which country?

7. The poem The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot begins by saying that which month of the year “is the cruellest month”?

8. The Suez canal links which two seas?

9. According to the book of Genesis, which “land” was Cain exiled to by God after murdering his brother, Abel?

10. Which famous fictional bar is located directly below a restaurant called Melville’s Fine Sea Food?

1. Japan 2. Jo Brand 3. The Darkness 4. Venice 5. Switzerland 6. Turkey 7. April 8. The Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea 9. The land of nod 10. Cheers (in the TV sitcom Cheers)

1. Which country is sometimes referred to as the “land of the rising sun”?

2. Who used the stage name “the Sea Monster” when she first began her career in stand-up comedy?

3. Which act won the 2004 Brit Award for Best British Album for their debut album, Permission To Land?

4. Marked by dropping a ring into the sea inscribed with the Latin for “we wed thee, sea, as a sign of true and everlasting domination”, the Marriage of the Sea ceremony is an ancient ceremony that is still performed today in which European city?

5. What is the only landlocked country with a name ending in “land”?

!

6s

r1 de

n

tr en e Fre

u or yf

Back in the air with all your Shuttleworth favourites and the odd visiting surprise!

Shuttleworth air shows are the perfect family day out, expect thrilling air displays from historic aircraft and explore the beautiful Shuttleworth Swiss Garden.

There is something to keep the whole family entertained!

Find out more and book online at: www.shuttleworth.org/seasonpremiere

14

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

15

Staycation

Discover Cambridge It’s best known for its esteemed university, but Cambridge is also the crown jewel of UK city breaks.

If centuries of history, exquisite architecture, tranquil manicured gardens and beers by the riverside all sound like your type of holiday, the university town of Cambridge could be the perfect base. Not sure where to begin? Here’s a small snapshot of the top sights and experiences: Go punting - They say the best way to experience a city is to live like the locals do. Luckily, Cambridge’s favourite pastime is also one of the best ways to see the city.

Relax, soak up the views and watch some of Cambridge’s most famous sights sail by, including the Bridge of Sighs, Kings College Chapel and the Mathematical Bridge. You can steer the boat yourself or simply sit back and let the guides do all the hard work.

Take a university tour - Visiting Cambridge without seeing its ancient university buildings is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. After all, dating back to 1209, Cambridge University is the second oldest English-speaking university in the world.

Book a guided tour around Clare, Trinity, Christ’s and King’s Colleges, where Stephen Hawking, David Attenborough, Charles Darwin and Alan Turing once studied. Admire exquisite chapels and libraries, and marvel at the colleges’ perfectly groomed grounds.

It’s impossible not to be in awe of the sheer academic excellence soaked into every inch of the university’s walls.

Visit some museums - If all that academic brilliance

16

is making you want to learn a thing or two, you’re in luck; Cambridge is full of fantastic museums.

Trinkets and treasures from all corners of the globe are at the Fitzwilliam Museum or get a taste for polar adventures at the Scott Polar Research Institute Museum. Then there’s the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, where almost two million rocks and fossils will transport you through 4.5 billion years of history.

Drink and dine in style - Cambridge has no shortage of lovely pubs, restaurants and bars to sample.

Serious foodies should book a table at the Michelinstarred Midsummer House, or for lighter fare, head out of town slightly to The Orchard Tea Garden.

These tearooms are known for having the best cream teas around.

The Green Man is the place to go for pub grub and a pint, and the Pint Shop is also worth checking out; its Grade II-listed building was once home to EM Forster, but now houses a long list of beers from breweries all over the country.

Rent a bike to see the sights - In Cambridge, everyone cycles everywhere. Dodging bookbalancing students on bicycles is part of what makes the city so charming, but it is a great way for tourists to explore the city too. Swing by the Corpus Clock before meandering slowly through Cambridge’s Botanical Gardens. Stop off at Market Square to pick up a souvenir and satisfy your inner bookworm at Heffers bookshop. You’ll soon fall in love with how easy it is to explore this city on two wheels.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

The Parkinson’s UK Huntingdonshire Branch offers friendship and support to people with Parkinson’s, and your families and carers, in the local area.

We’re running virtual coffee mornings and online activities, including exercise classes and movement lessons. They’re a great way to stay active and social during the coronavirus pandemic.

To join or find out more, call the group on 07724 400 527 or www.huntspds.org.uk We look forward to hearing from you.

To advertise in The VillagerMembership and Town Life please call 01767 261122 is free.

17

18

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Local News

CAMMs Meals on Wheels delivers through lockdowns CAMMs Meals on Wheels is an independent not-for-profit charity based in Cambridge. We have continued delivering hot, nutritious, 2 course lunches through all three lockdowns to residents of Buckden, Brampton, Godmanchester, Eaton Socon, The Hemingfords, Grantchester and most of Cambridgeshire, enabling them to live independently.

Since 1999 we have been providing a meal service to help older and vulnerable people stay happy, healthy and independent. Meals are delivered hot and ready to eat between 11am and 2pm Monday to Friday.

Frozen meals can be delivered for the weekend if needed.

We regularly receive wonderful feedback, one of our customer’s daughter wrote: ‘Thank you so much for your wonderful service over the years. You have been utterly reliable and always with kindness and a cheerful smile. There have been days when seeing the delivery person was a highlight of my parent’s day. For myself, as their daughter, knowing they had a good nutritious meal has been a great source of reassurance and without the practical help they would have probably lost their independent living years ago.

Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts.’

CAMMs Meals on Wheels prides itself on providing delicious, nutritious meals. Our menus are varied and cater for most dietary requirements. There are high calorie, low fat, low salt, low sugar, gluten free and vegetarian choices to suit different requirements.

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Choices include dishes such as; roast beef, fisherman’s pie, shepherd’s pie and desserts; apple pie, golden syrup sponge, bakewell tart or cheesecake. There are 3 choices of main meal and dessert every day. Prices are £7.10 for the hot two course meal delivered to the door.

Our friendly drivers have been criminal records checked and ensure strict COVID-19 measures are maintained. These include regular testing, wearing PPE and ensuring they distance from customers whilst continuing to assist those who need help opening their food.

In addition to this, should a customer not come to the door when their meal is delivered, their family, friends or neighbours would be contacted to make sure they are well. Occasionally, our drivers have found a customer after they have had a fall and have called the emergency services as well as alerting family.

If you are struggling to prepare your meals or have relatives or friends that would benefit from a hot, 2 course lunch delivery, then call 01223 314288, email: cammsltduk@googlemail.com or go to www. cammsmealsonwheels.org.

Lynne Kindell CAMMs Meals on Wheels Charity Manager

19

Local News

New ways to support East Anglian Air Ambulance Get up and Grow Yellow for Get Up and Go Yellow this June To help spread a bit of yellow cheer as we exit lockdown, East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is encouraging supporters to grow sunflowers as part of its annual fundraising campaign, Get Up and Go Yellow. For anyone who is feeling competitive, there will be an online competition to see who can grow the biggest sunflower by June! To take part in the competition simply sign up online and make a donation. Thanks to a new charity partnership with a seed company called Limagrain, EAAA can also send out some sunflower seeds to help get you started (while stocks last). Visit www.eaaa.org.uk/growyellow for more information and to request your seeds.

Get trekking Trek 24, Saturday 4 September, Hexton Manor After having to cancel all community fundraising events in 2020 due to the pandemic, EAAA is looking forward to being able to safely bring people together again to help support its life-saving crews. Brand new in Bedfordshire for this September is an exciting walking event called Trek 24.

EAAA is encouraging you to put your daily lockdown walks to the test by joining the charity on Saturday 4

20

September for either a 24km or 24 mile trek. Starting and finishing within the beautiful grounds of Hexton Manor, you will be able to take in the stunning countryside views along your chosen route. All funds raised will help the charity in its mission to start flying 24/7 this year, to help even more people in their hour of need.

After trialling Trek 24 in Norfolk in 2019, raising over £100,000 for the charity, EAAA is excited to bring this walking challenge to Bedfordshire for the first time.

Refreshments are provided along the route and there will also be a hot meal and glass of fizz at the finish line, to help celebrate completing the trek. Early bird tickets cost from £20 (with a sponsorship requirement of £200) and are on sale until 31 May. You can also opt for a part funded ticket option from £80, with a £100 sponsorship requirement. For more info and to sign up, head to: www.trek-24.co.uk Would you like to volunteer instead?

EAAA always needs volunteers to make these fundraising events possible. If you’d like to help but walking isn’t for you, get in touch to volunteer on the day instead. Please email volunteering@eaaa.org.uk or call 03450 669 999 if you’d like to help.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

21

House of Colour

Confident Dressing

Coming out of Lockdown

Whether you’re ready to come out of lockdown strutting your stuff or whether this is a ‘slowly does it’ operation some key ideas for you to consider when looking through your wardrobe. Here is my guide to confident re-emergence.

Comfortable We’re always going to feel more confident when we’re truly comfortable in what we’re wearing. This means different things to different people – for some this is all their accessories on at once, high heels, the works. For others this is about how clothing feels against our skin allowing us to move with ease. A little of both for others. Getting it right for the person on the inside is the key so trust some of your instincts on this. Enjoy finding something in your wardrobe that you haven’t worn in ages because you haven’t had an opportunity.

If it’s a smarter top put it with casual trousers, play round with a dress and trainers or boots.

Make getting dressed fun because you’ve found a different combination.

22

Upped style with colour The right colours under our chin are an instant confidence boost as they make us look healthy, and well. Find your local House of Colour consultant if you don’t know the range of options for you.

For a softer look you could experiment with tonal dressing – taking one colour and making an outfit from differing shades in that colour (ideally three – three colours in an outfit always works best).

Clashing brights are having a moment – try wearing a bright scarf with a ‘clashing’ top. I find if my mood needs a lift, and I may not ‘feel’ like wearing a brighter colour, it actually lifts my mood to do so.

So bring it on.

Accessories Accessories are actually a secret weapon in our wardrobe. I know some of us will not have bothered with them at all in lockdown but now is the time to get them out. Something round the neck, a scarf, a necklace has a psychologically protective effect. If you don’t feel like ‘facing the world’ but need to do so, wear something in this area.

Lipstick and Masks This is tricky one. Lipstick can make a huge difference to face, bringing back the right contrast, brightening our eyes and creating impact, so when mask not required a good layer is great and an instant boost. However, it is messy under a mask – and yes there are some options for visors and half masks with a visible layer, but the cloth mask is still here. My top tip: a more neutral shade will not end up so badly and apply using a lipliner all over the lip and then layer it up with plenty of blotting in between applications. Less mess, more success!

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

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

23

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.

24

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Jill Dighton MA Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice BSc (Hons) Integrative Counselling MBACP (Accred)., UKCP Reg.

Get your PRESCRIPTIONS and DOSSETT BOXES

DELIVERED FOR FREE ST NEOTS, EATON FORD, EYNESBURY,

EATON SOCON, GREAT PAXTON, GET YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS

DELIVERED FOR FREE Counselling Service

LITTLE PAXTON, LONGSANDS & SAWTRY

TO ALCONBURY, Depressed?

Anxious? BRAMPTON, HUNTINGDON AND SAWTRY Relationship Issues? Low Self Esteem?

Have you considered Counselling sessions?

Based in Grafham village, I offer a professionally qualified Counselling Service to individuals and couples in a secure, confidential & non-judgemental atmosphere.

CALL ALCONBURY PHARMACY ON TO ARRANGE Call01480 Loves 896630 Farm Pharmacy to arrange on Ample parking. Concessionary rates available.

1 BELL LANE (Inside NISA STORE), ALCONBURY PE28 4DU www.alconbury-pharmacy.co.uk | @alconburychemist Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am Way, - 6pmSt Neots PE19 6SL For further details: 5 Kester

01480 215665

Tel: 07925 852 985

www.lovesfarmpharmacy.co.uk @lovesfarmpharmacyuk COVID-19 Antibody Testing Service for £69 Opening Hours: Email: jill@jdighton.co.uk or visit 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, Closed for lunch 1pm-2pm, www.jilldightoncounselling.co.uk 9am-1pm Saturday (Dedicated line with voicemail)

u

ff ’ Collin l s

ke

y

M

rF

‘B

P ace’ et

e

ar

‘Po

Discover the new you at Moorhouse Lodge Buy a Churchill retirement apartment at Moorhouse Lodge and you can make yourself at home. Every apartment comes with modern, beautiful fittings that are easy to maintain, and you’ll have a Lodge Manager devoted to making sure you’ve everything you need. So you can focus on what really matters: you.

Moorhouse Lodge, Edison Bell Way HUNTINGDON

01480 809172

churchillretirement.co.uk/moorhouse-lodge To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

25

Time of Year

All That Jazz

By Tracey Anderson

International Jazz Day - April 30th International Jazz Day brings together schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz.

Jazz began in the early twentieth century in New Orleans, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The port of New Orleans meant the area was a melting pot of different nationalities and their musical influences: Spanish folk music, French military band music, Ragtime, European ballroom dance music, and Blues music all had an impact on the birth of Jazz.

Jazz wasn’t written down in the same way as classical music; the styles and tunes evolved as they were passed on by ear. Black musicians in particular, were for the most part not classically trained, and began to express themselves through jazz. These musically agile instrumentalists and singers improvised around a main melody, often the popular folk and blues tunes of the era, creating a rich and exciting new blend of sound.

Although the ‘Jazz Age’ was in the 1920s, jazz never went away, it evolved through various incarnations.

26

Talented soloists like Louis Armstrong pushed jazz in the direction of virtuosic improvisers, weaving their music around each other. Swing was a smoother, more easy-listening sound, popularised by the pianist and composer Duke Ellington. This was followed in the 40s and 50s by the Latin influences of Dizzy Gillespie, who collaborated with other musicians to bring jazz into the mainstream. Charlie Parker pioneered modern jazz (be-bop) which challenged many listeners with its complex experimentations in rhythm and harmony. Miles Davis on the other hand developed a more gentle, understated style. Free jazz ignored all the previous rules and constraints on harmony and structure which many people disliked.

During the past 50 years jazz evolution has accelerated through jazz fusion – which fuses jazz solos with other musical styles - and acid jazz, which draws on soul, funk, disco and hip-hop. Well known pioneering acid jazz groups include ‘Jamiroquai’, and ‘The Brand-New Heavies’.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

27

VIRTUAL PA / GIRL FRIDAY

DO YOU EVER WISH YOU HAD AN EXTRA PAIR OF HANDS? NO MONEY OR TIME TO EMPLOY THAT EXTRA PERSON! WHY NOT CALL ME!!

• • • • •

NVQ 3 IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ECDL QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE IN WORD, EXCEL AND OUTLOOK EXPERIENCED RECEPTIONIST EXPERIENCE IN SAGE LINE 50 AND VARIOUS IN HOUSE ACCOUNTS PACKAGES • EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS *REASONABLE RATES* TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEBSITE AND GIVE ME A CALL TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS www.helpinghandsofficeservices.com Tel: 01767 690075 / 07966 554304 Email: maureen@helpinghandsofficeservices.co.uk

28

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Leeds Day

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.

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

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

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

St. Neots Xenus House, Sandpiper Court, Eaton Socon, St. Neots PE19 8EP T: 01480 474661 29

Finance

The Bank of Mum and Dad Parents and grandparents with cash to spare will often want to help the younger generation. They have plenty of options, but it’s key to consider the tax and risk implications.

FINANCIAL GIFT - With a straightforward financial gift, the recipient won’t have to pay any income tax on it but it can affect inheritance tax. The simple principle is that any money you give as a gift will still count towards the value of your estate (and potentially attract inheritance tax) except in specific circumstances.

One exemption is time: if you live more than seven years after making the gift, it’s not counted towards your estate. If you die between three and seven years after the gift, a special lower inheritance tax rate applies depending on the precise time. If you die less than three years after the gift, it’s covered by the normal inheritance tax rate.

You also have an annual exemption that means the first £3,000 you give away each year isn’t counted as part of your estate. A separate one-off exemption covers a gift for a wedding or civil ceremony: £5,000 for a gift to your child, £2,500 to your grandchild and £1,000 to anyone else.

SCHOOL FEES - School fees for a grandchild are also exempt, though this only applies if you make regular payments and it’s clear you can afford them. Finally you can give up to £250 a year to any individual who isn’t covered by any other exemptions.

SAVINGS PLAN - One alternative to an immediate gift is to put money into a savings plan, for example

30

with the aim of helping the child with university costs when they turn eighteen. A Junior ISA is a way to do this without attracting tax on the savings or growth. It comes in both cash and stocks-and-shares versions.

Only a parent or guardian can open a Junior ISA, but anyone can put money into the Junior ISA once it’s open. Legally the money belongs to the child, though they can’t withdraw it until they turn eighteen.

FIRST HOME - Perhaps the most common way to financially help a child or grandchild is with their first home purchase. If you provide the money for a deposit, it has the same rules regarding inheritance tax as any other gift. You’ll have to confirm you are not claiming any financial interest and you may have to provide bank statements for money-laundering checks.

You can act as a mortgage guarantor in which you become responsible for the payments if your children or grandchildren fall behind. That’s a risky proposition and you should never consider it without expert advice. That’s also true of a family deposit mortgage where you put the deposit money up front. If the borrower makes all the scheduled payments for a set period (often five years), you’ll get the money back, sometimes with interest as well.

It’s also worth exploring a family offset mortgage.

This lets you put savings into a special account, temporarily lowering the figure used to calculate interest charges.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Established :: Trusted :: Local Geeng I.T. right the first me, every me.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) - I can ssll help you, even without visiing. Contact me for advice.

• WINDOWS 10 UPGRADES & NEW PC’s / LAPTOP’s • FAULTS, REPAIRS & INSTALLATION • NETWORKING & BROADBAND • UPGRADES & UPDATES • APPLE IPHONE, IPAD & MAC • VIRUS REMOVAL & PROTECTION • DATA RECOVERY & BACKUPS • HOME AND SMALL BUSINESS • FIXED THERE AND THEN

Contact Stuart on: Tel: 01480 354 937 Mob: 07734 652 239

E-mail: stuart@shconsultancy.co.uk Whether your computer is not working at all or just needs a boost, I can help.

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

31

32

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

33

SB TURF • Turf supplied and laid • All overgrown gardens rotivated • Cleared, levelled and laid with cultivated lawn turf • Grass seeding • Block paving and patio service All work carried out by experienced staff Recommendations and portfolios available Free Estimates

Call 07494 583532 or 07966 523239

34

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

By Pippa Greenwood

Gardening

Love your lawn Your lawn will probably be growing rapidly now, and with temperatures in most areas having evened up and the soil hopefully being less soggy, it is the perfect time for some spring maintenance.

Grass needs regular mowing from now on; in some areas this may mean once a week, so make sure that the mower blades are good and sharp. On so-called utility lawns you will need to cut to about 2.5cm or 1”, while on higher grade smart lawns cut to about 1-1.5cm.

Lawns benefit from a specially formulated spring feed at this time of year to encourage good strong growth.

If you use a granular formulation, make sure that you water it in well if you cannot time the job so that the rain does this for you!

Scarify the lawn with a spring-tined rake to pull out any accumulated debris or thatch from the base of the grasses. This allows for a better flow of moisture and air, thus ensuring that the grass grows stronger and more healthily.

If your lawn has developed a lot of moss then apply a proprietary moss killer before scarifying. Use a combined feed and moss killer to save yourself time if you like, but whichever product you choose, make sure that you leave the specified time between applying the treatment and raking the dead moss out.

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

If you don’t, the moss problem could get worse, as you’ll spread living moss as you rake.

Worm casts may be there in abundance now too, so if necessary simply use a besom or brush to brush them away or distribute them over the lawn.

Humps and bumps in the lawn or indeed any other sort of uneven surface can be dealt with now, but get this done promptly in case the weather gets hot and dry soon. A minor problem can be dealt with using a sandy top-dressing mixture, but if there are some prominent problems then use a sharp spade to cut an ‘H’ shape over the bump or hollow. Now carefully peel back the turf and then remove or add soil as necessary before replacing the turf flaps, firming well and providing a good drink.

It is also worth sorting out any stepping stones that have sunk too low or become uneven. Use a spade to ease them out of the lawn and lift and readjust the level beneath before replacing them.

It may sound as if there’s a lot to do, but remember that every hour spent now will make a huge difference to how the lawn looks for the rest of the year!

At www.pippagreenwood.com you’ll find stylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, signed books and the ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa’ system.

35

Garden View

Hoe! Hoe! Hoe! Following on from last month’s list of essential garden tools for beginners I thought I’d explain about the humble hoe. When I first started gardening, I didn’t really understand how to use one. There are a couple of varieties of hoe and they are used in different ways, and they really are your friend at this time of year.

The hoe is actually one of the most ancient garden tools and came before the plough. It’s mentioned in Egyptian art, the Code of Hammurabi and in the Bible.

The reason spring is a great time to put your hoe to good use is because right now is when the annual weeds (the ones that self-seed freely and pop up all over the place every year) have started to germinate.

The aim when hoeing, aim to sever the top growth from the roots, just below the soil surface, then leave it in the sun to dry out and die. Hoeing is best done when the soil is dry as this creates a ‘dust mulch’ which inhibits the germination of new weeds.

I prefer a hoe with a long handle because it’s better for preventing back pain. I also have a short-handled hoe known as an ‘onion hoe’ for closely planted

areas. A shorted handle gives more control, so you don’t damage your prized plants.

It’s important to note that hoeing only kills the annual weeds, not the deep-rooted perennial weeds, those need to be dug up by hand.

There is also a tool called a Dutch hoe. This is used by sweeping it smoothly over the soil so that the surface is just ‘brushed’. If used correctly it slices the tops from the weeds. It’s actually simple to use but you do need to practice your technique. Slice the tops of weeds by bringing the hoe towards you, altering the angle to accommodate slopes. When you turn over a Dutch hoe you can use it to make a shallow trench called a seed drill to sow larger seeds, like peas into. Larger seeds are better because they need to be covered well.

Your hoes need to be kept sharp and well maintained for maximum effectiveness. I use a metal file to both clean and sharpen, but you can buy sharpening stones reasonably cheaply and they are easy to use.

Happy Gardening

By Rachael Leverton

36

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

37

Greens up and thickens the lawn

Locally owned & operated business

Removes weeds & minimises moss

Regular personalised treatments

Completely safe for children & pets

No contract - Direct Debit available

www.greensleeves-uk.com • Email: hunts@greensleeves-uk.com

huntingdon_95_128.indd 1

09/03/2018 11:06

FOUR SEASONS TREE SERVICES Qualified & Professional Tree and Client Care

PRUNING • LOPPING • FELLING PLANTING • REDUCING & RESHAPING CROWN RAISING • HEDGE TRIMMING THINNING • POLLARDING • STUMP REMOVALS OVERGROWN GARDENS PUT BACK INTO SHAPE FRUIT TREES TREATED • LOG & WOODCHIP SALES FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE WITH NO OBLIGATION For quality jobs at a competitive price call:

Home: 01353 721665 - Mob: 07771 707921 All work carried out to BS 3998 Standard

A genuine family managed business est. for over 30 years - fully insured

Registered Waste Carrier This company offers a 7 day cooling off period

38

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Pets

An Interview with a Trustee RSPCA branches are run by a committee of volunteer trustees who are responsible for managing the affairs of the branch. Committees vary from branch to branch depending upon the type of animal welfare work that is being carried out in the area and whether the branch operates any charity shops, or an animal centre or clinic. Committees meet monthly and the work is shared between the branch officers (the chairperson, treasurer and secretary) plus the other committee members.

Trusteeship is a distinct and more responsible position than other voluntary roles within the RSPCA. Trustees receive no financial benefit in carrying out the role and must manage conflicts of interest.

Trustees are collectively responsible for governing the branch. They must be able to devote sufficient time and commitment.

Six Main Duties of a Trustee 1) Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.

2) Comply with the charity’s governing documents and the law 3) To ensure the branch is accountable 4) Act in the best interests of the branch and the RSPCA 5) Manage your charity’s resources responsibly 6) To act with reasonable care and skill Being a trustee is a great way to meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare. You have the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals in your home area.

Let’s meet one!

What first attracted you to the role of trustee within the RSPCA? I’ve always loved animals. When I was growing up, as a family we had rescue cats from the RSPCA. When I

Hugo

Mr Brightside To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

discovered the Bedford branch were looking for new trustees, I jumped at the chance.

What do you enjoy about the role?

I enjoy being part of a lovely team of people, that make a real difference. I love the variety of work as well. One day I might be fundraising outside a pet shop, the next I am making leaflets to hand out in the shop.

Do you have any pets yourself?

Yes! I have a cat called Mr Brightside and a black Labrador called Hugo. I’ve always been around cats, so Hugo was my first ever dog. They get on very well with each other which is really sweet. They often curl up next to each other when they have naps.

How could the people in the local area help the RSPCA North Branch.

We are very lucky to have regular donations of good quality items to sell in our shop – so if that could continue we would be very grateful. Amazon have just launched a new scheme to help charities, whereby each time you buy something through ‘Smile Amazon’ they donate money to your chosen charity. People could sign up for that and choose RSPCA North Branch as their charity. Also come and visit the shop when lockdown is lifted, to see all of our brand new stock!

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

Lines are open 7 days a week 24/7.

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

39

Pets

Rehoming Appeal Wanted! A special owner for our very special cat Tommy.

They say that every cat has nine lives, and this certainly seems to be the case for our beloved Tommy. When he was just nine months old, his back legs were crushed in a devastating accident. Although there initially seemed no option but to have him put to sleep, this amazing boy truly overcame the odds and today lives a happy life as a double amputee.

Tommy doesn’t seem to realise that he’s different to other cats, and he moves and acts like a normal four-legged feline. This cheeky, mischievous little chap is very friendly with other cats and loves cuddles.

Due to his disability, Tommy needs an experienced owner and he must be kept indoors (although he does love sunning himself on the patio on a summers day). He is house trained and has been flown over to the UK from Cyprus to find his ‘furever’ family.

To find out more about him, please contact Liz on 01767 681157 or Julie on 01763 289827.

Alternatively, please e-mail Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry on to the team.

View the dogs, cats and small mammals currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity.

40

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

41

Motoring

Making the switch to an electric vehicle

Government announcements mean more EVs will be on our roads, but what do you need to know about them?

Last year’s announcement by Boris Johnson that sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be phased out by 2030 means that electric vehicles will become an important part of our driving lives.

To dispel some of the mystery, here are some of the key things to know about making the leap to an EV. How much range do you need?

If you only make short trips around town and do fewer than 100 miles a week, for instance, then a car with a shorter range is fine. Drivers who travel further afield should consider a car with a bigger battery.

Note that cars with shorter ranges will still offer more than most people do on average each week, and cars with smaller batteries offer quicker charge times.

How do I add charge when I get home?

Home charging is a crucial aspect of owning and running an electric car and there are incentives in place for charging at home. Government grants and even manufacturer schemes will make installing a home wall box much cheaper.

Will it actually be cheaper to buy and run an electric car?

Although the initial upfront cost for an EV is often more than an equivalent internal combustionengined car, this is becoming less common as the technology progresses. Plus, there are government grants available to help lower the cost.

Charging is where cost savings are really made.

Although prices do vary between chargers, around 100 miles of additional charge will cost about £6-7.

42

Charging at home depends on your energy tariff and there are companies offering EV-friendly plans that take advantage of lower-priced charging times, such as overnight. For an average EV with around 200 miles of range and a 60kWh battery, you’ll be looking at around £8.40 for a full charge – good value compared with petrol and diesel.

Are there any benefits that aren’t as obvious?

As well as cost saving, one positive is refinement – EVs are quiet and, therefore, relaxing to drive compared with a petrol or diesel car.

Another positive is performance, with even lowerpowered EVs offering rapid acceleration.

But isn’t the UK lacking in charge points?

The number of charging stations in the UK has grown enormously. According to ZapMap, there are over 35,000 connectors across the country, made up of around 20,000 charge points in about 13,000 locations.

26 per cent are in central London alone, with 13.5 per cent in the south east and 12.3 per cent in Scotland.

Government funding will make fast chargers more widespread and improve the country’s charging structure to make charging easier.

Doesn’t the energy for electric cars only come from fossil fuels anyway?

Energy and charger unit suppliers are working to ensure their energy is green. BP Chargemaster’s charging stations, for example, all provide renewable energy, while home energy providers like Octopus Energy provide completely green power.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

43

Seasonal Recipe

Asparagus & Salmon Mini Frittatas

These colourful savoury muffins are easy to make and are delicious served warm for breakfast or cold for lunch with a salad. Asparagus is a fabulous healthy seasonal food to include, being rich in B vitamins and antioxidants like vitamin A, C and E. For a vegetarian option swap the salmon for some feta cheese.

Gluten Free, Dairy Free Serves 4 - Preparation time: 15 minutes - Cooking time: 23 minutes, plus cooling Ingredients 125g/4½ oz asparagus 1 handful of frozen peas (30g) 2 spring onions, chopped 60g/2¼ oz smoked salmon, cut into small strips 4 eggs, beaten Sea salt and ground black pepper 1. Preheat oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6 and grease and line 8 cups of a muffin tray with paper muffin cases.

2. Blanch the asparagus in a saucepan of boiling salted water for 2–3 minutes until just soft. Drain, then cut into 1 cm/½ in pieces using scissors.

3. Divide the asparagus, peas, spring onions and smoked salmon among the paper cases – they should be three-quarters full. Beat the eggs in a jug with some salt and pepper, then pour into the paper cases.

4. Bake in the centre of the oven for 20 minutes or until the muffins are golden and just firm in the centre. Leave to cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the tray. Serve hot or cold.

Nutrition per serving (2 frittatas) 110kcal, fat 6.3g carbohydrates 1.6g, protein 11.2g

44

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

45

G.B.BUILDERS NO JOB TOO SMALL FOR ALL MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS AND DIY WORK All general building repairs and odd jobs Specialist in Painting and Decorating & Groundwork and Grass cutting • Brickwork & Plastering Tiling Driveways • Paths & Patios Slabbing • Concreting Blockpaving • Fencing, Carpentry • Roofing Guttering • Drainage Plumbing

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

46

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

47

Codeword 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

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

48

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

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

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

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

49

Anniversaries

90 Years of the Highway Code Ninety years ago, in April 1931, the first edition of the Highway Code was published. It’s changed a lot over the years and here are just a few of the many newer rules that you may not be aware of.

Sat Nav If you are using your mobile phone as a sat nav, it must be mounted in the car, not just lying on your lap or the passenger seat. Maximum penalty: £200 fine and 6 points.

Drive Through Payment if you use a drive through eatery and want to pay for your food using your mobile, your engine needs to be switched off and handbrake on, otherwise it could be considered that you are using a mobile whilst in charge of a vehicle.

Warning of Speed Traps You might think you are being a good Samaritan by indicating to other drivers of a speed trap, but the law won’t look on it so favourably. Maximum penalty: £1000.

Unrestrained Pets For both your pet’s safety and to prevent your distraction, your pet must be harnessed or kept in a pet carrier when you are driving.

Maximum penalty: £5000 and 9 points.

Splashing Pedestrians If you drive through a puddle and splash pedestrians you can be prosecuted for “driving without reasonable consideration for other persons”.

Maximum penalty: £100 and 3 points.

 All building work  Property maintenance  Kitchens and Bathrooms  Painting and Decorating  Carpentry and Joinery  Plumbing and Tiling  Electrics  Fencing and Landscaping

Contact: 07463 004120 Email: steve@preferredplumbingandheatingltd.co.uk Website: preferredplumbingandheatingltd.co.uk 50

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

PREFERRED PLUMBING AND HEATING

 24 Hour Plumbing and Heating Call Out Service  Oil and Gas Boiler Installation, Repair and Servicing  Heating Controls Installation and Upgrades  Bathroom Installations  Underfloor Heating  Landlord Certificates  Plumbing and Heating Inspections

20% Off

Oil Boiler Servicing

Gas Safe & Oftec Registered

for new clients with this advert

We undertake all plumbing and heating work No job is too small

Contact: 07463 004120 Email: steve@preferredplumbingandheatingltd.co.uk Website: preferredplumbingandheatingltd.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

51

Technology

Great gadgets for cleaning everything outdoors The return of brighter days means you’ll notice the windows need a good clean, and there are plenty of gadgets to help.

We love the Karcher WV5 handheld window washer (£83; other models are cheaper), which sucks up the washing liquid and squeegees the glass clean, while for difficult to reach windows Lakeland has a long Window Trigger Spray Mop for £19.99.

If you really hate cleaning outside windows and have £200 to spare, the Gladwell Gecko Robot Window Cleaner is exactly what it sounds like. It uses suction to attach itself to your window and while it’s fairly slow it’s safer than perching on a ladder.

For tougher cleaning tasks consider a handheld steam cleaner such as Hoover’s Steamjet Handy (£49), which gives you 20 minutes of steam from a single tank.

It’s great for cleaning everything from textiles to tiles, and is particularly useful for refreshing metal garden furniture and for gently removing stains from painted surfaces a pressure washer might be too harsh for.

Pressure washers can be handy, of course and are a powerful way to clean everything from muddy bikes to muddy boots. But even those with long cables need to be plugged in, which limits where they can go. Wouldn’t it be great – and better for the environment – to have a pressure washer that didn’t need plugging in at all? The award-winning £45 Mud Daddy does uses water pressure instead of a motor so is silent and portable, and is perfect for bikes, muddy dogs and outdoor cleaning. It uses much less water than a hose or pressure washer too.

What about drying? Things like bikes and motorbikes are fiddly to dry, and car fanatics need a scratch-free way to dry their newly cleaned paintwork. Step forward the £99 BigBoi Buddy, a portable dryer delivering warm air that is twentyfive degrees warmer than the surrounding environment, and it filters the air to prevent blasting any dust or dirt. Sadly it isn’t portable, but with a 1,000W motor it makes quick work of any drying task.

52

Gecko Robot Window Cleaner The Gecko sticks to the outside of your window and slowly works its way around the glass, cleaning every inch of it while you do something more interesting. £199 from Amazon.co.uk

Mud Daddy Portable Washing Brush With a 5 litre capacity the Mud Daddy is great for even the muddiest pets or bikes. No motor means no noise and no need to plug it in. £44.99 from Amazon.co.uk BigBoi Buddy Professional valets use air dryers to deliver a perfect finish to washed vehicles, and the Buddy’s powerful motor does a brilliant job of drying bikes and motorbikes. £99 from theultimatefinish.co.uk

Karcher WV5 Karcher’s window washers are essentially a squeegee and a vacuum cleaner joined together, so as you wipe the window clean it automatically catches the dirty water. £83 from Halfords.com

Window Trigger Mop Lakeland’s clever 2-in-1 enables you to squirt, wipe and squeegee windows that would normally be too high to reach without a ladder. £19.99 from Lakeland.co.uk

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

COVID-19 - SAFEGUARDING CUSTOMERS & COLLEAGUES

FREE*

Georgia toilet & basin with every bathroom order

Bathing a problem? – we can help • Wet rooms • Walk in showers and baths • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety flooring • Grab rails & shower seats • Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms • Discounts for over 60s SSAFA and Ex Service personnel • Disabled Facilities Grants • Charity work and grants Call for friendly advice and free survey and quote

01480 275559

info@ahminstallations.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk Terms and conditions apply, visit our website for more details.

*

Village 62 x 93 .indd 3

05/02/2021 09:21

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

53

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

se youU r local glazier

01480 896678

www.brookviewglaziers.com email: info@brookviewglaziers.com

CALL FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION QUOTE

WE’RE HIRING!

Contact us for permanen or subcontract vacanciest

we’ve got your home improvements covered PLUMBING & HEATING

BUILDING SERVICES

fit a new boiler

bathroom & kitchen installation

upgrade your heating system

new build

annual service for your boiler

home renovation

call: 01954 782920 or visit: www.ijcbuildingservices.co.uk IJC is a family run Cambridgeshire business with over 30 years’ experience. We offer a comprehensive range of domestic and small commercial works across all forms of building, plumbing, heating and renewable services.

45 Viking Way, Bar Hill, Cambridge, CB23 8EL 54

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

De-Clutter

De-Clutter - Live with Less If you can’t lay your hands-on items quickly because they’re buried under piles of junk; if you’re constantly ‘stuff-shifting’ - moving things from one pile to a new ‘temporary’ pile; if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t throw this away, it might come in useful one day,” you’re probably a clutter victim.

One of the side-effects of the events of 2020 was that many of us had more time and less money. We embraced a simpler, slower, less covetous lifestyle and many of us feel we’d like to keep something of that as we move towards a post-pandemic world. There was a collective realisation that possessions are less important than the people we missed.

A decade ago, Californian blogger Dave Bruno set himself the year-long experimental task of reducing his belongings to just 100 items. When his experiment concluded he found he wanted to keep living by his new rules, preferring simplicity to consumerism. His book is worth seeking out.

Since then, whole movement has developed around the aim of a simpler, more minimalistic lifestyle.

There are some great blogs and podcasts available: The Practical Minimalists, and The Minimalists are two worth listening to. Listen to them for inspiration while you declutter. I’m not recommending a sparse monastic lifestyle, but most of us put far too much time, effort, and money into acquiring, keeping, and storing possessions. Sometimes it’s good to let go.

If you’re ready to de-clutter, then we have a few simple tips. If you feel you need help, there are experts in de-cluttering who will guide you through the process of letting go.

De-cluttering Tips Deal with one room at a time - The task will seem less daunting. Stick with that room until it’s finished.

Choose a nice day - Take the room contents outside.

Psychologically it’s easier to sort and let go if you’re one step removed. It’s also less likely that the clutter will make it back inside.

Sort everything into three piles - Label them dump, donate, and keep. Be realistic: if an item hasn’t been used for over a year it is unlikely you will ever use it.

Deal with the dump and donate piles - Do this before anything comes back into the house. It’s much harder to mess up your good work if the stuff is physically gone.

Sort and label - Place the remaining items in clearly labelled boxes. Make sure there is one temporary box to house items which really belong in another room.

As each room is sorted those items can be replaced, and other misplaced items can be housed there while the de-cluttering process continues.

Replace everything that remains - The maxim ‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ is a good one. House small items in clear plastic boxes and store them in cupboards or wardrobes.

Now you’re done instigate a one thing in: one thing out rule. It will make you think twice about acquiring something if you know something else has to go.

Finally, once a week, take two bags and go through your home. One bag is for rubbish, the other for items in the wrong place. When you’ve finished throw the rubbish away and replace the misplaced items.

Follow these small steps and you too can de-clutter your life.

By Sarah Davey

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

55

56

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Crossword Puzzle Solution from our March Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mrs Margaret Jones, Langford

March’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

Advertising in The Villager is easy.

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

57

The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Across 1 Jewels (4) 3 Allowed in (8) 9 Worried (7) 10 Annoy (5) 11 Fading away (12) 13 Deny (6) 15 Interfere (6) 17 Directions (12) 20 Ships load (5) 21 Vital part of healthy diet (7) 22 Enjoyed (8) 23 Repair (4)

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

16th April 2021 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.

Down 1 Protecting (8) 2 Blends (5) 4 Dismiss (6) 5 Crossroad (12) 6 Taught (7) 7 Deceased (4) 8 Contests (12) 12 Flavoured (8) 14 Army rank (7) 16 Flexible (6) 18 Overweight (5) 19 Mark left by wound (4)

Name:

Address:

58



Tel:

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Shire Roofing

Quality above all

Family Run Roof Design and Costing • Slate and Tiled Roofing • Specialist Lead Roofing Installations Mineral Felt & GRP Roofing • Maintenance and Repairs • Property Maintenance

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 07778 634900 or email: russ@shireroofing.com To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

59

LESTER O’DRISCOLL CARPENTRY Door Hanging, Skirting, Flooring, Fitted Kitchens, Fencing, Decking, General Carpentry, Bespoke Timber Garden Offices, Workshops & Garden Sheds

07842 195152 01480 811629

60

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Books

For The Love of the Sea A cook book to celebrate the British seafood community and their food Published by Meze Publishing 12th April 2021

Following the success of For The Love of the Land in summer 2020, which celebrated farmers and their food through a collection of recipes and stories from all over the British Isles, this second cook book compiled by Jenny Jefferies and produced by Meze Publishing showcases the incredible seafood community in the UK alongside their favourite fish and seafood.

For The Love of the Sea highlights the hard work and dedication of the men and women who work in the British fishing industry, as well as those who support them including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Marine Stewardship Council. Among the businesses and individuals featured are Dee Caffari MBE, a British sailor and the first woman to sail solo and non-stop in both directions around the globe; Ashton Fishmongers, one of the largest fish retailers in the country; L. Robson & Sons, producers of the legendary traditional oak-smoked Craster Kippers in Northumberland; Cornwall’s National Lobster Hatchery; and Kames Fish Farming, the oldest family-run fish farm in Scotland famous for its Scottish Steelhead Trout. The book also features a foreword by Marcus Coleman, the Chief Executive of Seafish which works with businesses and the government to support the UK seafood sector.

Recipes include luxurious roast turbot with samphire and clams, a classic cod fish and chip supper, Morrocan spiced langoustines, mussels with seaweed, a crispy homemade whiting burger, salmon en croute and lots more. From the kitchen novice to the keen home cook, there’s a dish for everyone and a wonderful range of fish and seafood that takes in popular British staples alongside hidden gems brought to light by experienced and knowledgeable fishermen.

In recent years the brilliant variety of our native species has been overshadowed by imports and exotic fish on the supermarket shelves. This book aims to encourage everyone to fall in love with British fish and seafood again, making the most of our rich coastal waters and highlighting the skills and passion of those in the industry. It also champions sustainability and shines a light on women who take

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Front cover by: www.paulgregoryphotography.co.uk

up this dangerous profession but whose voices are not always heard.

For The Love of the Sea is a 192 page hardback and retails at £22. It will be available to purchase from Amazon, bookshops including Waterstones and online from www.mezepublishing.co.uk & www. jennyjefferies.co.uk .The author, Jenny Jefferies, has also become a Food Hero with Love British Food www.lovebritishfood.co.uk For further information please contact: Jenny Jefferies, Phil Turner or Emma Toogood 07840 137775 / 07979 498034 / 07845 696102 jenniferlouisejefferies@yahoo.com / phil@mezepublishing.co.uk / emma@ mezepublishing.co.uk Follow us on social media: Twitter @j_l_jefferies Instagram @fortheloveoftheland&sea Facebook For The Love Of The Land & Sea

61

Classifieds Plumbing

Electrician

Gary’s Plumbing

Frank Plater Electrical Extra sockets - Lighting - Extensions - Re-wires Security Lighting - Showers - Inspections

Over 40 years experience No job too small!

No job too small. Free estimates Established in 1996 Tel: 01480 432154 Mob: 07976 797111

Please call Gary on

07530 728091

Heating and Plumbing Services

Property Maintenance

Motorhome and Caravan Servicing

Business gone slow?

Let us help!

Pest Services

Reliable Local Pest Control Services.

We provide fast and effective control of WASPS, RATS, MICE, COCKROACHES, BEDBUGS and FLEAS. ULV residential and commercial disinfection services.

Jobs and service contracts catered for.

Call today 01480 369802 / 07969753267 Please note: we are currently using unmarked vans

62

Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

USEFUL NUMBERS

VILLAGER The

and Town

Life

Alcoholics Anonymous..............................0845 769 7555 Al-Anon Family Groups..............................0800 008 6811 Anglian Water............................................08457 145 145 Addenbrooks Hospital............................... 01223 245151 Papworth Hospital..................................... 01223 638000 Benefits for people with Disabilities...........0800 882 200 Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue............... 01480 444500 Carers Line..................................................0808 808 7777 ChildLine...........................................................0800 1111 Citizens Advice...........................................0344 245 1292 Cocaine Anonymous..................................0800 689 4732 Crimestoppers..............................................0800 555 111

Bringing Local Business to Local People Your local full colour A5 monthly magazine delivered free of charge to 1000s of homes and businesses in your local area.

The Villager and Town Life is dedicated to promoting local businesses, charities, community groups and everything else in your local area.

Cruse Bereavement Care............................0333 252 9152 Floodline....................................................0845 988 1188 Frank—Drug Advisory................................0800 776 600 National Debt Line.....................................0808 808 4000 Gas Emergency............................................0800 111 999 NHS..............................................................................111 National Rail Enquiries..............................03457 48 49 50 Non Emergency Police Line.........................................101 NSPCC.........................................................0808 800 5000 Relate..........................................................0845 48 49 50 RSPCA Cruelty Line....................................0300 1234 999 Samaritans............................................................116 123 Tax Credit Helpline.....................................0345 300 3900 Victim Support..........................................0845 30 30 900 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

For more information or to reserve your space please contact Nigel on:

Tel: 01767 261122

Email: nigel@villagermag.com Web: www.villagermag.com 63