VILLAGER The
Issue 152 - Dec 2021
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue Style a
Festive Table Tutoring What to Consider
Win £100 in our Christmas Prize Crossword
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Sale! Saving or Scam?
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Will the Blacksmith's Hammer Sound again?............................. 4 Setting the Scene................................................................................. 6 What Wine? Ice Wine........................................................................ 12 Puppy Proof your Christmas Tree................................................. 15 Time for a Party!..................................................................................19 Take Part in a Penguin Parade for Marie Curie......................... 21 New Year and New Year Resolutions......................................... 24 Support EAAA this Christmas........................................................29 Sale! Saving or Scam?.........................................................................32 The Season of Giving......to Nature............................................... 35 Sprouts, Stockings and Tinsel........................................................36
Wood Green - Here for every little star this Christmas......38 Tutoring - What to Consider..........................................................40 Seasonal Recipe.................................................................................. 43 The Car Industry's Most Eco-friendly Advancements..........45 Brand New Retro................................................................................ 47 Puzzle Page...........................................................................................48 What's On in December.................................................................... 51 Board Games or Bored Games?.................................................... 52 Partying in a Pandemic!.................................................................... 55 £100 Christmas Prize Crossword...................................................58 Books to Gift.......................................................................................60 Useful Numbers.................................................................................. 63
Partying in a Pandemic
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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, Katherine Sorrell, Trevor Langley, Jennie Billings, Leeds Day Solicitors, Beacon Wealth, Caroline Knight, RSPCA, Wood Green, Sarah Davey, and Kate Duggan
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Front Cover Photography: Svetlana Cherruty Design and Artwork Design 9 - Tel: 07762 969460
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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
Will the Blacksmith’s Hammer sound again in Brookside St. Neots? By Peter Ibbett Like a workaday Nelsonian ship left to decay in a once busy part of a dockyard, a row of old barns remains moored up against the well preserved upper class Brook House and the adjacent bustle of workers fitting out the new Brook Mews for its first crew.
Here was (according to Mr C F Tebbutt’s 1978 book on St. Neots) a ‘very old blacksmith’s business said to go back to the 17th century and formerly attached to the Bell Inn in South Street, whose landlord was the smith. It also formed a common back entrance to 11 and 13 South Street, and even had a doorway to the King’s Head yard. Along its east side, above the blacksmith’s shop, was a row of 10 corn shops used for storing corn in connection with the navigation by barge at Brookside wharf. They still exist almost intact. In 1881 they were sold for £78.’ Thomas Ibbett took over the smithy in 1851 in the first part of the barns and his son Arthur and grandson Cyril took ‘Ibbett’s Yard’ into the 1970’s when great-grandson Valentine moved the business out to Great Paxton where it remains today with great-great-grandson Tim.
Like a ship, a building has in its bones the sounds and aromas of those who have found a home within its walls or have passed through it on their journeys into the future. Charles Dickens created ‘A Christmas Carol’ and tormented Scrooge with the ghosts of past, present and future. The past ghost of this building is full of the spirit of a working yard and the bustle of townsfolk, while the ghost of the present finds only quietness and the sound of the wind sending shivers through its exposed bones and nature intent on devouring it. Perhaps the ghost of the future will see new residential occupants or maybe the sound of the blacksmith’s hammer will resonate around Brookside again as part of a set of craft shops for artisans joining the spirits of the three ghosts in a Christmas toast to the joy of seeing happy folk enjoying life in a renovated building.
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Interiors
By Katherine Sorrell
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Setting the Scene Style a festive table for delicious meals with family and friends Whether you eat turkey and all the trimmings at 2pm or prepare a nut roast in the evening, a lavish meal is often the centrepiece of Christmas Day – not to mention other get-togethers around the dining table before the day itself. What could be nicer than enjoying a festive meal with your family or closest friends – perhaps with seasonal music and scented candles in the background adding to those Christmassy vibes? Carefully setting and dressing the dining table for a Christmas meal can be as much a part of the ritual of Christmas Day as putting the turkey in the oven or opening gifts. To prevent it being a time-consuming chore it is best to plan ahead, consider how you will achieve the look you want and what key ingredients are required.
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First, decide on an overall theme. It could be something very simple and natural, in muted, neutral colours. Or a more sparkly feel with white and silver, frosting and tinsel. A classic look is always a good option, employing red, gold and deep green, perhaps with a touch of tartan, while for a modern effect you might choose pretty pastels or even bolder neons. The key is to stick to the theme pretty tightly so it all looks unified rather than thrown together. The basis of everything is, of course, the dining table. If yours is not up to scratch, this is the perfect occasion for a tablecloth, which will disguise all manner of ills, including scratches, stains and even separate tables butted together for extra space (just make sure they’re roughly the same heights). Crisp, plain white cotton or unbleached, slubby linen are
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both classics – the former with a smarter look, the latter having a laid-back, Nordic appeal. You might add a slightly more decorative effect with a lace, embroidered or scalloped trim, or opt for a full-on festive effect with an all-over Christmas pattern. Instead of a tablecloth (or perhaps as well as) you might add a slim runner along the length of the table. While fabric versions come ready-made, you can also improvise your own by arranging a narrow row of suitable decorations along the table – such as a garland of evergreen branches interspersed with pine cones and sprigs of berries, battery-operated micro lights, tea lights in little saucers, lanterns with candles, or seasonal floral displays. An alternative to a runner is an eye-catching centrepiece. A classic wreath with candles always looks great, as does a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers and foliage (think eucalyptus, berried holly, spruce, viburnum, mistletoe, roses, ivy, carnations and gypsophila), or containers with Christmas bulbs such as amaryllis, paperwhites and hyacinths. Other variations could include a grouping of lanterns or pillar candles, a pile of small, beautifully wrapped presents, a bowl full of vintage, coloured-glass baubles or a wooden Christmas ornament. If you are able to hang something above the table (perhaps from a pendant light – though beware of weight, and anything flammable) it is sure to make a dramatic impression. Ideas include a selection of greenery entwined around a slim metal frame, a scattering of origami stars made from metallic paper, a mobile made from baubles on ribbons hung from a foraged wooden bough, or a simple swirl of twinkly fairy lights. Delightful. Similar ingredients can also be used, if desired, to decorate the backs of chairs – especially useful to unify mismatching seating or if you want to make an extra statement. Wreaths, baubles, pine cones, even small wrapped gifts, can all be tied to or hung from the back of a wooden chair for a very pretty look.
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2 Place mats and napkins – chosen to co-ordinate with the overall style – are important elements and, if you like, napkins can be folded or rolled and prettified with all sorts of sweet additions, such as cinnamon sticks, candy canes, mini wrapped gifts, tiny baubles, small wooden stars, velvet ribbons or coloured twine. And then, as the final components, it’s time to add crockery, cutlery and glassware. Use your best set (or sets – layering co-ordinated crockery can be so attractive), arranged super-neatly, with all extravagance possible: bowls on top of side plates on top of dinner plates; cutlery for all the different courses; glasses for water, wine and fizz, placed just so. The result? A gorgeous, welcoming Christmas table that’s full of impact.
1 Jazz up a simple wooden table with chunky crockery, golden goblets and baubles in bowls. Grey wooden micro star, £17.99; midwinter garland, £34.99; 50 warm white LED green micro fairy lights, £12.99; set of three antique gold glass baubles, £19.99; TruGlow® LED pillar candle trio, £26.99; Lights4fun: 01423 816 040; lights4fun.co.uk. Photograph: Oliver Perrott 2 Christmas-themed, red-and-white crockery for a warm and inviting table. Red and white Fair Isle 12-piece dinner set, £20; White Christmas Wreath 12-piece dinner set, £20; both George Home at Asda: 0800 952 0101; direct.asda.com. 3 Glowing reds and golds with ornaments, gifts and baubles creates a dramatic table setting. Faux-fur stocking, £5; cable-knit throw, £15; fur-trim pillow, £10; stag ornament, £8; trio of frosted tree decorations, £8; all B&M: 0330 838 9000; bmstores.co.uk.
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Food & Drink
What Wine? IceWine
Canada, located in the northern part of North America, has English and French as two of the languages that are spoken, widely. Several other languages used include German, Spanish and Chinese. The history of Canada, plus cultures, religions, literature, music, the arts and sports bring countless visitors to Canada, year round. Canadian wines have been produced for over two hundred years and are now recognised globally, with many receiving prestigious awards at competitions and events. I searched for wines ‘beyond the norm’ – to locate productions of Icewine. Icewines are actually produced by a few countries. Canadian Icewines are high on the ‘leaderboard’ for quality and presentation, utilising fruits that have been frozen while still on the vine. The water content freezes, which allows for a more concentrated juice to develop. When the time is right for picking the fruit, the pickers have to be ‘ready for action’ at the optimum time. Canada is recognised as the largest Icewine producer, globally. Lakeview Cellars is the oldest brand incorporated within the Diamond Estates family of beverages. Established during 1991, in Vineland, Lakeview Cellars continues to produce excellent wines. Splendid full-bodied red and full-flavoured white wines, from this company, are very popular and the wine productions accompany cuisine superbly, as well as being able to be enjoyed by themselves. I found the luscious aged Icewines, produced by multi award-winning Lakeview Cellars, to be of exceptional quality and very impressive. White Vidal Icewine has the bouquet of sweet fruits and honey enticing to the grand mouthfeel. A wine that is great to pair with cuisine, wonderfully, including fruit desserts and also cheeses. Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Franc Icewine is another truly fabulous production. This high-quality red Icewine is richly aromatic, with strawberry and cherry notes to please the nasal senses. The mouth’s pleasures follow on to enjoy the sensation, that include raspberries and red currants. When accompanying chocolate desserts and good cheeses, this makes them all perfect. Icewines increase in popularity every year and are a great ‘talking point’, always adding interest (and intrigue) to dining tables, plus occasions and events. Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc 1067 Niagara Stone Road Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario LOS 1JO Canada www.lakeviewwinecellars.com www.diamondestates.ca
As always, Enjoy!
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ey Trevor Langl
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Puppy-proof your Christmas tree There was a real boom in puppy sales during the Coronavirus pandemic and for many dogs this will be their first Christmas. Josh Lyle, boss of Christmas tree supplier Pines and Needles, has shared his top tips to keep your Christmas tree - and your pooch - safe.. Height - If you have a young puppy or a very excitable dog, consider getting a smaller tree and placing it on a side table. If you really want to keep your bigger tree, secure it to the wall using hooks. Start Naked- Before you decorate your Christmas tree, leave it up for a few days so that your pooch can get used to having a tree in the house. That way they’ll be less interested in it once it’s decorated. Electrical wires - You need to be really careful with any electrical wires leading from your tree to a plug socket. Not only could your pup get tangled in them but there’s a risk of electric shock if they’re a chewer. Ornaments - Any fragile or particularly sentimental ornaments should go higher up on the tree so your dog doesn’t go for them. Apart from the loss of your lovely decorations, they could be a choking hazard or cause paw or mouth injuries. Pines and Needles deliver real British-grown fir Christmas trees - Visit pinesandneedles.com
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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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Health & Wellbeing Salon FOR ALL YOUR SKIN CARE NEEDS
Red Vein • Skin Tags • Moles Hair Removal Facials • Massage • Nails
To make an appointment please call
01480 457642 Elaine’s of Brampton Brampton Park Golf Club Buckden Road, Brampton Huntingdon PE28 4NF
www.elainesofbrampton.co.uk
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House of Colour
Time for a Party! I am writing this in the confirmed hope that we will be partying in December. Time for the gladrags to finally come out of their wardrobe and into the spotlight, the dancefloor, etc. If you’ve already been looking in the shops for evening wear you will have noticed that there is not much in the shops, the odd sparkly jumper and not much more. Understandably there has been hesitation on the part of retailers to commit to bringing out a lot and indeed online options are selling fast. So, if you are keen on something don’t hesitate as it won’t be there for long. The trends are highlighting a number of options which have been around and to some degree are perennials in the evening wear department so perhaps time to dig out what might be lurking in the absolute depths of your wardrobe. Velvet - It suits everyone! The co-ord, suit option is featuring strongly this season in lots of jewel colours with something for all the seasons. I love this option as it has real flexibility, each piece can be worn separately. The blazer will look great more casually with jeans while the trousers can be worn daytime with any number of tops including knitwear chiming in with hi-low styling (adding the smarter element to something more casual in an outfit). Velvet wide leg trousers are a great addition if you need more volume in your style and are incredibly easy to wear from casual to more formal evening looks. Sequins - Evening wear is bold this season and nothing says bold more than a few million sequins. A mainstay for evening but this season it can be found on flares in a variety of colours in addition to the camisole, and statement sleeve tops and dresses. For a more casual look add a white or cream shirt over a sequin camisole. Jewellery - A statement piece of jewellery can instantly add the evening glamour to an outfit. If it suits your clothing personality go big – crystals in all their forms are being liberally added to jewellery in all its forms. Adding a new piece of jewellery can be a relatively inexpensive way of updating your look. You might be a fan of the layered necklace look which is set to continue. For evening you’ll be adding as many glittery smaller pieces as you fancy. I think it works best if there are differing lengths to ensure each piece can be seen. It’s a great option for those who need a smaller scale look. Shoe buckles - So many elegant evening shoes feature a beautiful buckle this season. You don’t
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necessarily need to buy a new pair of shoes but add a buckle to an existing pair of court shoes. Look on etsy for lots of options. Relaxed styling For the ultimate in easy styling a feather hemmed pyjama style silk cropped trouser is a really fun option. Paired with a rib knit and jewelled heels for easy glamour. Check out Kitri. I spent a few months in Paris as a student and a friend and I used to marvel at the style and glamour of the Parisian women. When analysing this closely we noticed that they didn’t restrict in any way the number of accessories they put on. No British restraint there. It became our mantra, ‘when in doubt, put it all on’. I think we need it this season, if it sparkles, shines and dazzles put it on! 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
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Local News
Take part in a Penguin Parade for Marie Curie Marie Curie is calling on flipping fabulous young fundraisers to step out this festive season and take part in a penguin parade for families affected by terminal illness. The newly launched Penguin Parade will see young children go for a waddle of any distance at their nursery or primary school, to raise money and light up the festive season for local families affected by terminal illness. The cute fundraiser is fronted by Penelope the Penguin, who will make an appearance in plush toy form at nurseries and schools taking part. Peter Sara, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser in the East of England said: “We’re so excited to be launching this brand-new fundraising event and hope our young supporters enjoy stretching their legs and going for a little waddle with Penelope. “Christmas can be a difficult time for those who are bereaved, living with a terminal illness or caring for a loved one at the end of life. By taking part in the Penguin Parade, you can help us continue to be there for everyone who will need us now and in the future. “Penelope hopes to join in on all the fun, but a little birdie tells us that stocks of Penelope the Penguin are limited, so pull your flipper out, and sign up now!” The Penguin Parade is aimed at children aged 1-6 and the charity recommends taking part in small groups, such as nurseries or primary schools. Once signed up, participating nurseries and schools will get everything they need for the perfect Penguin Parade, including Penelope the Penguin a soft cuddly toy. Then all that’s left to do is raise as much as possible! For more information on Penguin Parade and to sign up visit: mariecurie.org.uk/penguin-parade or contact your local Community Fundraiser, Peter Sara: peter.sara@mariecurie.org.uk or alternatively: 07887 625 449.
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Leeds Day
New Year and New Year Resolutions It will be soon again the time of year many for many people to make New Year’s resolutions in the hope of adopting a healthier lifestyle. However, have you thought about making a resolution to ensure that your legal affairs are in order? Making a Will is something that most people put off for another day. However, a Will is one of the most important documents you can put in place as it deals with your entire estate when you have died. There are many advantages to drawing up a Will including ensuring that your loved ones are looked after and well provided for, avoiding disputes after your death, saving your loved ones the worry at an already stressful time, detailing your funeral wishes and inheritance tax planning. Even if you believe that your wishes are very simple it is better to seek legal advice to ensure your wishes are followed. Without a Will the rules of intestacy will apply. There is a statutory list of relatives who will inherit your estate and so your assets may not pass to the people that you intended. It is also important to consider the issue of Lasting Powers of Attorney. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney, to deal with property and finances and health and welfare matters. Under the Lasting Power of Attorney
Huntingdon Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD T: 01480 454301 24
for property and financial affairs, your attorney(s) can help manage financial matters including managing bank accounts, paying bills, making investments and selling and purchasing property. Under the Lasting Power of Attorney for health and welfare your attorney(s) can make decisions about your medical treatment, what type of care you receive and where you live if you become unable to make these decisions yourself due to mental incapacity. You should also review your assets and how they are held to ensure you are making full use of any exemptions for income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax. You may also consider making small but regular gifts to individuals to reduce your tax liability upon death. If you hold life insurance policies or your pension will pay out a lump sum on death it is important to review these and ensure the money passes to the correct beneficiary in the most tax efficient way. At Leeds Day we are dedicated to offering clients a simple, clear and effective service and we offer a personal, friendly and sympathetic approach. If you need any advice in relation to a will, lasting powers of attorney, estate planning or bereavement matters then contact Leeds Day on 0844 567 2222 or email wills@leedsday.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
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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Jill Dighton MA Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice BSc (Hons) Integrative Counselling MBACP (Accred)., UKCP Reg. VIRTUAL PA / GIRL FRIDAY
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Counselling Service Depressed? Anxious? 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. Ample parking. Concessionary rates available.
For further details:
Tel: 07925 852 985 (Dedicated line with voicemail)
Email: jill@jdighton.co.uk or visit www.jilldightoncounselling.co.uk
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Ever stopped to think about equity release? NOW COULD BE A GOOD TIME TO TALK! Equity Release Lifetime Mortgages, allow over 55’s to release tax-free cash tied up in the value of your home. You don’t have to move house or downsize. It’s a popular way to get the money you need, to enjoy the retirement you deserve. Releasing Equity from your home is a big decision, which is why we’ll make sure you understand the benefits, costs and risks. We’ll be happy to set up a meeting, where we can talk you through the eligibility requirements that apply. The initial meeting is completely FREE!
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Local News
Support EAAA this Christmas East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has launched the Gift of Life campaign to help its crews be there for someone in their darkest hour this Christmas. To date, the charity has treated over 20,000 patients and needs support from the public to keep flying and keep saving lives. Like their emergency services colleagues, the EAAA teams will be working around the clock over the festive period to provide critical care pre-hospital, 24 hours day. At the heart of the Gift of Life campaign is fifty-oneyear-old Mark Drury who needed the advanced care of the air ambulance team last year when he suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of the night. Mark had no prior health concerns or warning signs, but at about 1:30am that night his wife, Melanie, sensed
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him stirring unusually in his sleep. She turned on the bedside light to see Mark’s ears and lips turning blue. His heart had stopped and he was in cardiac arrest. Melanie called 999 and pulled Mark off the bed – using strength she didn’t know she had – to start CPR on their bedroom floor. An ambulance quickly arrived and were able to restart Mark’s heart with a shock from a defibrillator, but he became extremely agitated. The ambulance team requested support from EAAA as Mark was in a difficult and combative state, needing enhanced care in order to transport him safely to hospital and prevent another cardiac arrest. EAAA provide life-saving critical care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and need to raise 15 million a year to deliver and develop the service. Ways to support EAAA this Christmas • Order your EAAA Christmas cards by 10 December • Send a message for the crew to read on Christmas Day • Buy a virtual gift, such as a blizzard blanket, to help keep EAAA’s patients warm • Light up your house in aid of EAAA • Donate to the Gift of Life campaign • Join the EAAA weekly lottery A donation of £42 to the Gift of Life campaign could help to buy a breathing mask used to treat Mark during his cardiac arrest and help EAAA to save more lives. For more info go to www.eaaa.org.uk/giftoflife
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Finance
Sale! Saving or Scam? You might think looking at a price tag would be simple enough, but it’s not always as clear as it seems. When you see a special offer or a sales reduction, you have the right to certain information to help you make a informed decision about whether it’s good value. The main law covering sales prices is the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, which says any price promoted as a ‘sale’ or ‘special offer’ must also list the original price. Usually this should be the price charged immediately before the sale started. The seller must have charged this price for a ‘meaningful’ period, usually at least as long as the sale lasts. This means shops can’t simply put a dress on sale for £200 for one day, then sell it at £50 and bill it as being 75% off. One thing to watch out for is when the seller compares the sales price with a ‘recommended retail price’ (RRP). This is usually allowed as long as it’s clear this is the case, even when the seller concerned has never charged that price themselves. VAT INCLUDED When sellers offer goods to consumers, they must always list prices including any VAT that applies. Sellers can only list prices excluding VAT when marketing directly to businesses and even then they must make it very clear they have done so. Listed prices must always include any charge that
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is compulsory rather than an optional extra: for example, car dealers can’t add on a ‘hidden’ fee for number plates. HAGGLING With all prices, there’s no legal reason you can’t offer a lower price. You have the same rights to haggle in Harrods as you do at a car-boot sale, though not always with the same likelihood of succeeding! If you negotiate a discount, you still have the same consumer rights to return a faulty product or one that’s not as advertised. The seller might exclude the deal from their normal returns policies if you change your mind, though they’ll need to agree this with you before you buy. DISTANCE SELLING Whatever price you pay, whether ‘on sale’ or not, your consumer rights are unaffected. You still have a legal right to a refund if goods are faulty, not as described or not fit for their stated purpose. You can also ask for a repair or replacement, but that’s entirely your choice. The only exception is if the price reduction was because of a flaw the seller told you about, such as a scuff mark or missing instructions. Where sales can come into play is the retailer’s own policies that go beyond your legal rights. Many sellers will offer you store credit or a refund when the goods are fine and you’ve simply changed your mind. Sellers can exclude sale goods from this policy, though they should make this clear in advance.
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Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk
Gardening
The season of giving… to nature The gift that keeps on giving There’s no better time to start giving to nature on a permanent basis. Most of us could improve our habits, so that we give more than we take. Within around two years, new developments in England will be expected to demonstrate that their projects will increase biodiversity by at least ten per cent. Known as Biodiversity Net Gain, this is a big change from what happens at the moment. The new Environment Bill will make it necessary for developers to use ecological features and environmental enhancements to protect and improve existing natural habitat and green infrastructure. Anyone with a garden can start right away, as we should all be nurturing nature so that biodiversity can triumph. You need to select plants with ample benefits for insects, allow wood piles and untidy areas to become part of the border, and use vertical fences and walls for further planting. Best plants for wildlife Most gardens have room for a tree, if only a small one. Trees and shrubs can support a remarkable number of living things, so if you only have time to plant just one thing in your garden, make it a tree, a shrub or something that provides positive benefits for small creatures. If you have a little more time, a mixed hedge is just about the best you can offer wildlife. • Betula: there are 521 species of invertebrates that are known to feed on birch trees and more than 100 of these are exclusive to that particular type of tree. • Sorbus, the rowan tree: provides food for at least 160 species of insect and, of course, birds and small mammals love the berries. • Malus, the native crab apple: provides homes for at
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least 90 insect species. Many different insects visit the spring blossom, then birds and other creatures eat the fruits. Even ornamental varieties of this delightful tree provide rich biodiversity benefits. • Amelanchier, the June berry or serviceberry tree: has something to offer wildlife during several seasons. Early spring flowers for pollinators make this small tree look like a white cloud. It also provides multiple nesting opportunities for birds and juicy berries during the late summer. • Conifers: really are worth having! Some have earned negative press over the years but this doesn’t detract from their value to wildlife. There’s probably no better tree for providing nesting sites and protection for a wide range of creatures. • Flowering shrubs and perennials: choose single flowers over double, every time. They have an open shape that allows access for the pollinators and nectar-drinkers. Look for yellow stamens within a flower; these will support insects. • Purple and blue flowers are best for bees! buddleia, catmint, lavender, pulmonaria, penstemon, allium and purple-flowering hardy geraniums can all be seen clearly. Ensure there is something flowering from early spring through to autumn and winter. • Butterflies love hebes, sedum (Hylotelephium varieties), Verbena bonariensis, Origanum, Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’, buddleia, scabious and many wild flowers such as knapweed.
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Pets
Sprouts, Stockings and Tinsel
How to Have a Pet Friendly Christmas We all love Christmas! But, whilst we’re busy getting wrapped up in the festive fun, we may forget to think about the effect Christmas can have on our pets and other animals too. This month we are sharing popular gift ideas, along with tips on how to keep your pets safe and calm during the holiday season. Gifts For Dogs If you find yourself in a pet shop during the month of December, the chances are you will be greeted with a vast array of festive fun and edible treats. From flashing snowballs to squeaky sprouts. The range of dog toys at Christmas is tree-mendous. Why not treat your dog to some new toys this Christmas? Do a quick audit before you leave for the shops to see what needs mending, washing or throwing away. Coats and jumpers for dogs are a great investment and definitely something they will appreciate on their Christmas Day walk. Designs range from Christmas trees to fur lined tartan ones. Edible treats are popular all year round, but at Christmas the selection is incredible. Dog friendly advent calendars, rawhide reindeers, stockings and specially formulated mince pies. Gifts For Cats Cats can sometimes be hard to buy for. However, if you spend some time in your local pet shop, you will discover the variety is actually much more abundant than originally thought. Why not a festive collar, new bedding or a scratching post? Toys with a Christmassy theme will sneak into most cat owners homes this year, along with a selection of treats.
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Alternative Gifts If your furry friend has plenty of toys, jumpers and festive bedding, then perhaps a less traditional gift is what you need this year. Why not treat your dog to a spa treatment for Christmas this year, or pamper them at home with a massage. Specially formulated bath oils can be purchased and added to their bath water if your dog has a dry coat or dry skin. Indoor floor to ceiling cat trees have made an appearance on this years wish list, along with portable pet teepees that provide your small pet with the personal space to either sleep or hide in. Pet Friendly Christmas Christmas can be stressful for pets. The change in routine, visitors, loud music and decorations can all cause distress. Planning ahead can help reduce stress for pets and ensure they have a happy home at Christmas too. Try to find somewhere in your home that your pets can escape to if they need some time out. Lastly, don’t forget there are some foods that dogs mustn’t be given because they are either toxic or very unhealthy for them – chocolate, dried fruit, gravy, stuffing, pigs in blankets and some nut varieties. If you need to contact our Branch (North Bedfordshire) for any reason we can be reached by the details below, or for an animal welfare issue or emergency, contact; 0300 1234 999. Lines are open 7 days a week 24/7. Email: info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk Tel: 01234 266965 / 01234 930304
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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:
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Local News
Wood Green: Here for every
little star this Christmas
For many homeless pets, kindness goes a long way in restoring their trust in humans. For Nora, a 10-yearold Terrier cross who was brought to Wood Green, The Animals Charity’s centre in Cambridgeshire after she was abandoned and tied to a farm gate, it was lifesaving. She was cold, wet, and in a very vulnerable condition. Worse still, Nora was almost completely blind, so the whole experience must have been terrifying. Clarissa Luck, a Dog Carer at Wood Green, was one of the first to meet Nora. She recalls: “Her skin was infected, causing it to be painful and itchy. Her coat was matted all over, even on her paws, causing her discomfort with every step”. Nora had entered a state known as ‘emotional shut down’, where a dog’s needs have been neglected for so long that they won’t eat, walk or play. Nora was a little star throughout her treatments Despite having a list of problems that ran from nose to tail, Nora was incredibly gentle while Wood Green worked tirelessly to bring her comfort and relief. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the charity was able to dedicate time, effort and resources to cut away the mats in Nora’s coat, clip her overgrown nails and give her regular medicated baths to soothe her itchy skin. Experts at Wood Green attended to Nora’s infected ears, removed seven rotten teeth and treated her severely dry eyes. Unfortunately, the severe glaucoma that caused her to go blind was creating a build-up of pressure in her eyes, and the only way to
Nora before surgery
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ensure a pain-free future for Nora was to surgically remove both eyes. As she was already blind, this would at least prevent any further discomfort. A whole new chapter was about to begin With daily checks, ongoing medication and a lot of patience and love, Nora quickly bounced back from her surgeries and was ready for rehoming. Despite her ordeal, Nora soon began to take pleasure in human company – and she always loved a fuss. While taking on a blind dog isn’t as hard as some people imagine, Nora had some special requirements for her retirement home. Thankfully, patient owners Chris and Karen ticked all of Nora’s wish list and told Wood Green: “Nora has taken us on as her people. She doesn’t let anything that has happened in the past affect her and she really seems to enjoy life; her tail is always wagging and she even looks like she is smiling a lot of the time.” Will you help more little stars like Nora to shine again? Nora’s transformation is a wonderful turnaround and shows what the charity can achieve, thanks to the kindness of supporters. Gifts to Wood Green really do make such an impact so, if you can, please support the Little Stars Appeal this Christmas. Your donation will enable the charity to continue caring for abandoned strays who need urgent care in the months ahead. To support Wood Green, and make a real difference to pets like Nora, please visit www.woodgreen.org.uk/littlestar
Nora after surgery
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WO PINEE CAOD RE TRE
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09/03/2018 11:06
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Education
Tutoring
What to consider After-school tutoring can be an invaluable part of a child’s education. A tutor can offer support in areas that your child might struggle with, such as maths or English, or help your child to further improve in subjects that they already excel at. Tutoring is also available in subjects that your child’s school might not offer, e.g. Mandarin and philosophy. You can appoint a tutor at any time in your child’s education, but tutoring can be particularly valuable in the run-up to exams, such as GCSEs or the 11-plus. As well as helping with subject-specific knowledge, tutoring can be useful if your child suffers from exam-related anxiety or if they’re not used to sitting tests. The one-to-one basis of tutoring means your child can learn at their own speed, rather than being led by the wider needs of the class. It also allows extra time for questions or diving deeper into a subject. Tutors usually come to your home, although some operate out of an education centre. Many also offer video tutoring, which is helpful if you’re searching for a tutor in a less common subject. Choosing a tutor After-school tutoring can feel like a punishment. Few children want to add more studying to their weekly timetable. So look for a tutor who will be able to build a good rapport with your child. Not only is your child likely to learn more, they’ll also be happier and will put more effort into their learning. A good tutor should help to increase your child’s confidence in a subject and, ideally, boost their enjoyment for learning. Before committing to a tutor, you’ll want to check references, qualifications and ID.
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Finding the right tutor Ask your child’s school if they have any recommendations, and put the word out in your friendship circle that you’re looking for a tutor. You may also want to register with sites such as www.firsttutors.com, which helps to connect private tutors with parents. Some of these sites check the IDs and references of the tutors they promote, which gives you additional peace of mind. The cost of tutoring A tutor’s hourly rate will depend on a number of factors, including their experience, location and what subject your child needs help with. In most cases, you’ll pay between £20 and £40 an hour for an experienced tutor. If your child is at primary school, a tutoring session will generally last for no more than an hour. An A-level tutoring session might be as long as 2.5 hours. Safety Tutors don’t have to be DBS checked, but it’s wise to choose one who has been. A parent or guardian should also be present during every tutoring session.
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Foster For Us
Please call
0800 052 0078
• Bespoke training and development • Receive generous pa y and benefits • Access to 24/7 support and training • Your own supervising social worker
Text FOSTERING to 60777
• Support group and networking opportunities You need to be over 21, have a spare bedroom, be compassionate, resilient, flexible and willing to learn.
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering fostering@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
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Seasonal Recipe
Fed up with the usual turkey recipes? Try these delicious turkey burgers topped with cranberry sauce and a Brussels sprout coleslaw.
Turkey Burger with Cranberry Sauce
and Brussels Sprout Coleslaw Burgers 250g turkey breast mince ½ red onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, grated 1 egg, beaten 1 small apple peeled and coarsely grated 1 tsp smoked paprika Salt and pepper Olive oil (to cook) Brussels Sprouts Coleslaw 125g Brussels sprouts, trimmed ½ red onion 1 carrot, peeled 50g Greek yoghurt 30g mayonnaise 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp lemon juice Salt and pepper ¼ tsp ground cumin Handful of chives, chopped Handful of parsley, chopped
Rolls, lettuce and cranberry sauce, to serve
Serves 2
1. Place the mince in a bowl with the remaining ingredients for the burger and mix well. Shape the mixture into two burgers about 3cm thick. Chill for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas mark 5. Place the burgers on a lined baking tray and brush the tops lightly with the olive oil. Bake in the oven for 20-25 mins, turning halfway through cooking, until cooked through. 3. To make the coleslaw, grate the Brussels sprouts, onion and carrot in a food processor. Place in a bowl. Mix together the yoghurt, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper and cumin. Pour the yoghurt mixture over the vegetables and coat thoroughly. Stir in the herbs. 4. Serve the burgers in buns with lettuce, a spoonful of cranberry sauce and the coleslaw.
Nutrition per burger with coleslaw: 340kcal, fat 14g (of which saturates 2.9g), carbohydrates 15g (of which sugars 13g), protein 36g, fibre 3.8g
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Motoring
The car industry’s most
eco-friendly advancements Climate change is a hot topic in the car industry, but it’s not just the powertrain that’s the focus. Manufacturers have been working to make the whole car-building process more eco-friendly. Here, we take a look at some of the ways cars are getting greener. Mini Strip The Mini Strip is a one-off concept car that prioritises sustainability above all else. Features include an unpainted body with just a film to protect it from corrosion, recycled Perspex for the panoramic roof, all but the necessary interior trim removed, and cork used throughout. Despite remaining a concept, the British firm says it can be used as a “catalyst for more sustainable use of resources in automotive design”. Synthetic fuel Alternatives to electric vehicles are being considered, with a less talked-about option being synthetic fuels or e-Fuels. Essentially no different from the petrol and diesel that comes from crude oil, they are instead produced from carbon dioxide and hydrogen using renewable energy. Porsche and Siemens are two big companies working together on this technology. Although it is currently more efficient to use that renewable energy to charge an electric vehicle, e-Fuels are a sustainable way to fuel the millions of existing petrol and diesel vehicles. Volvo’s wool interiors Volvo has been one of the manufacturers most committed to electrifying its line-up, but it’s also focused on sustainability elsewhere, offering a unique wool upholstery. It’s a blend that’s 30 per cent wool and 70 per cent recycled polyester,
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available at no extra cost on some vehicles. Seaqual Yarn Last year, Fiat became the first manufacturer to use Seaqual yarn for its seat upholstery, with the Cupra Born’s bucket seats also using the material. Seaqual is an initiative based in Italy focussed on fighting plastic pollution in the ocean. Its ‘Yarn’ product is made from 100 per cent recycled materials, with about 10 per cent coming from upcycled marine litter. Eco-friendly production Most major car manufacturers have announced plans to electrify their range and set targets for carbon neutral production at their factories. This is being achieved in various ways, such as powering factories with renewable energy. Toyota uses water-based paints on cars, removes pollutants before they are released through smokestacks, cleans wastewater on-site before it is released, and grows forests inside its factory sites. Last year, the Japanese company announced plans to build a “prototype city of the future” at the base of Mount Fuji. It will be fully connected and powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Bentley of the future Bentley is a luxury car firm, with a mission to make sure it builds more sustainable cars. In 2019 it revealed the EXP 100 GT concept car, an autonomous electric vehicle. Everything about its construction had sustainability in mind. For example, some of the furnishings used a dyeing process that strives to achieve zero discharge of chemicals into the environment, while others come from a material called Vegea, which uses the by-products of winemaking. It also uses wood from naturally felled trees.
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Brand New Retro
Technology
Classic devices given a high-tech reboot We love our digital devices, our smart bulbs and our personal digital assistants. But sometimes we wish our various gadgets and gizmos had a bit more personality. In the future, few of us are likely to look back on our Amazon Echos with the nostalgia we have for the Sony Walkman, and digital timekeeping is never going to be as exciting as watching something pop out of a cuckoo clock. So we’re delighted to see some firms embracing modern technology with a distinctly retro twist. Roberts is a great example of that. The £229 Revival iStream 3 looks like a proper old-school AM radio, complete with fauxleather covering and a distinctive golden grille. It’s beautiful and wonderfully oldfashioned, but it’s packed with the latest digital radio tech: it can play DAB radio and stream from the likes of Spotify and TIDAL. It even works with Alexa. Vinyl has been making a comeback for some years now and there are some very retro-looking turntables available, but it might be sensible to stick with something less tacky, such as the Sony PS-LX310BT Bluetooth Turntable. This £194 turntable has proper hi-fi heritage, looks like it was made in 1970 and streams wirelessly to compatible audio systems and smart speakers. Cassette tapes are back too, and you can pick up Bluetooth tape players for as little as £24. Some include USB drives you can copy your music onto; others simply connect to your Bluetooth headphones. If you would like a rotary phone, Amazon’s virtual shelves include classic rotary models such as the GPO 746, which is a loving homage to the enormous phones of the pre-digital era. Expect to pay around £40. If you miss the warm glow of filament bulbs, technology can help: Philips’ Hue smart bulb range now includes long-life, low-energy LED filaments that look ancient. And as for the cuckoo clock mentioned earlier? John Lewis currently sells a ‘Tweeting’ cuckoo clock for £74. Don’t worry, the tweeting refers to its sound: it doesn’t post things to your Twitter account.
Roberts Revival iStream 3 It looks like it should only play you the shipping forecast but Roberts’ digital radio can stream from Spotify and play tunes from TIDAL. £229, Roberts.com
Sony PS-LX310BT Bluetooth Turntable Classic looks meet cutting-edge technology in this very clever turntable for vinyl records old or new. £194, sony.co.uk GPO 746 retro phone Phones like this are widely available and tick all the boxes: curly cords, just the right amount of finger resistance and, of course, a range of eye-popping colours. £40, Amazon.co.uk Philips Hue Filament light bulb Old-fashioned lighting meets modern LED technology. Like the rest of the Hue range these bulbs are controllable via phone, tablet or smart speaker if you have a Hue Bridge. £20, meethue.com
RED5 Retro mini arcade machine We hate to break it to you, but the arcade cabinets this little console looks like are over 50 years old. It comes pre-installed with over 200 arcade games. £20, Argos.co.uk
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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
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Healeys Stoves Ltd www.healeysstovesltd.co.uk (M) 07596 996039 (T) 01480 510161 50
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What's On
WHAT'S ON IN DECEMBER 1, 8 & 15 DECEMBER
St Neots Choral Society 7.30-9.30pm Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury New members. Rehearsals are every Wednesday in term time. Tel: 01480 212298 for enquiries Web: www.stneotschoral.org.uk
UNTIL 4 DECEMBER
Bring It On The Musical 2.30pm and 7.30pm New Theatre, Peterborough Tickets from £18 Amber Davies and Louis Smith are ready to BRING IT ON as the smashhit Broadway Musical backflips into the UK.
5 DECEMBER
10 DECEMBER
5 & 11 DECEMBER
10 & 11 DECEMBER
Warden Abbey Vineyard Christmas Wine Sale 11am-4pm. The Garden Suite, Shuttleworth House, Old Warden Free entry. Local food and crafts. Tel: 07981 113714 Web: www.wardenvineyard.org.uk Winter Wreath Making Wandlebury Country Park, Gog Magog Hills, Cambridge £18 per family. Cambridge Past, Present & Future event. Web: www.cambridgeppf.org
7 DECEMBER
Aladdin Cambridge Arts Theatre Suitable for ages 1-101! Tel: 01223 503333 Web: www.cambridgeartstheatre.com
Hail Weston Wildlife and Gardening Group 7.15pm for 7.30pm Hail Weston Village Hall Members £1, non-members £3 ‘The 12-Month Garden - Colour All Year Round’ with Geoff Hodge. Email: hwwgg@yahoo.com for info
3 DECEMBER
7, 14 & 21 DECEMBER
2 DECEMBER-29 JANUARY
St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm. Eynesbury Primary School SNLHS members free, visitors £4 ‘Hereward of the Fens’ by Mark Steinhardt, story teller. The surviving text of our most important regional story is interesting because of the way it moves back and forth between verifiable history and legend. But Hereward valued above all the hope of surviving in legend, so does it matter which bits are true? Web: http://stneotslhs.org.uk
3-5 DECEMBER
Christmas Tree Festival St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Grand opening Friday evening. Seasonal refreshments available throughout. www.kymchurch.org.uk
4 DECEMBER
Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society 2pm Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Talk by Timothy Walker, retired Head of Oxford Botanic Gardens and wellknown speaker. Visitors welcome Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk
St Neots & District Camera Club Via Zoom. Regular talks and competitions. Web: www.stneots-camera-club.org.uk
8 DECEMBER
The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust Talk 7.30pm on Zoom. Free event Fascinating talk on the more unusual aspects of wildlife that we may sometimes overlook by Brian Eversham, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Email: jp.doody@ntlworld.com
8, 12 & 17 DECEMBER
Willow Wreath Making 10am-12 noon or 1-3pm The Wildlife Trust Countryside Centre, 2 Chapel Road, Ramsey Heights Wildlife Trust BCN members £10, non-members £15. Enjoy a guided walk around the Ramsey Heights nature reserve collecting natural materials to make your own festive wreath decoration. Booking essential. Web: eventbrite.co.uk/e/willowwreath-making-tickets-177239065817
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Kimbolton Community Cinema 7pm. Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Tickets £5, concessions £4 The Man Who Invented Christmas (PG). Bar, ice cream and free popcorn. Tickets from The Flower Shop, Bytes Café, Old Swan Pharmacy, or on door. A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens) at the Leper Chapel 7.30pm. Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge Adults £14, Under 18s £10 Cambridge Past, Present & Future event. Festive play as Dicken’s performed it himself. One man, one stage. Web: www.cambridgeppf.org
11 DECEMBER
Open Mic Poetry Event 2-4pm. All welcome Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon Come along to enjoy a wide selection of poems. Share a poem or join the audience and listen to the poems.
11 DECEMBER
Family Christmas Concert 4pm. Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Adults £15, Children/concessions £5 An enchanting children’s concert by Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir who will bring to life the adventures of Paddington Bear as he leaves home, meets his new family and enjoys his first concert. Tickets available on the door (cash only) or online. www.huntsphil.org.uk
21 DECEMBER
Dementia Café 10am-12 noon. St Ives Free Church, St Ives. £2.50 per person For people with dementia and carers. Tel: George Smerdon 07725 588145 Web: facebook/stivesdementia friendlycommunity u3a Bridge Group Guest Hall, Priory Centre, St. Neots. Mondays & Thursdays. 2pm - 4.30pm. With a cup of tea/ coffee and biscuit thrown in. All for £1.50. Interested? Contact Jenny O’Dell 01480860339 Email jennyodell@mypostoffice.co.uk
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Games
Board Games or Bored Games? There are two types of families; those that love a game of Monopoly, Trivial By Sarah Davey Pursuit or Scrabble, and families like mine. Our little festive hearts sink when guests suggest breaking out the Cluedo. We always thought we were odd until a few years ago when we befriended new neighbours. They invited us round for festive drinks and about halfway through the evening they suggested we play some games. They must have seen our collective look of horror. Oh no, they laughed, not BORED games...and with that they whipped out Dobble, Q-Bitz and Genius Square. These were games I had never heard of, although admittedly I hadn’t really researched the subject. What ensued were a couple of fast-paced fun-filled hours, which resulted in us buying the same games and few more besides. That evening our neighbours showed us that we didn’t hate board games, we’d just been playing the wrong ones. My family is very kinaesthetic. We like to touch and manipulate things. We have a dozen different Rubik cubes and enjoy solving them. Traditional board games just aren’t engaging enough for us. Dobble is a ‘spot-it’ style game. There is a deck of circular cards covered in images and each card shares just one image in common with each other card. The idea is to spot the match quicker than your neighbour in a series of lightning rounds. Like snap but way more challenging and far more entertaining. Q-Bitz is a match-it game, where you race against other players to reproduce the pattern on a card, using sixteen cubes, which all have different pattern-parts on each face. There are speed and memory variations, and children tend to be better than adults...at least in our house. If you love Tetris you’ll probably like Genius Square. The blocks are the same shapes and colours, and by throwing special dice you block out various co-ordinates on your square, then race to fit all the blocks into the remaining spaces. These three games have become our family staples and we’ve discovered that lots of our friends prefer them to traditional board games too. So, if you’re ‘bored with board games’ try these and see if they convert you.
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 52
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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
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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
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CALL FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION QUOTE 54
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Time of Year
Partying in a Pandemic! I love to throw a party. Every year I’d host a festive bash for our friends. Then last year COVID happened. This year I’ve been looking forwards to throwing my party again but actually the virus is still rife in the community. The kids and staff at my son’s senior school are dropping like flies, and I realised that it simply wouldn’t be sensible to gather 15-20 people I care about in a confined space. I felt a bit deflated until one of my friends asked, ‘Are you going to do your outdoor thing again? It was so much fun last year.’ I was a little taken aback, then I realised that I’d been so focussed on getting back to ‘normal’ I’d completely forgotten that amid all the darkness last year we’d actually had some great times, and one of them was my Christmas Party in the Yard. Back in 2020 when I’d realised we couldn’t host our friends in the usual way I decided to get creative. “I need to think outside the box,” I’d said to my husband…” In fact, I need to think ‘outside.’” He looked horrified, “You can’t host a Christmas party outside in the UK in December!” he said. Well, I couldn’t host a conventional party sure, but they were unconventional times. I canvassed my friends, and they were on board. We decided that we would meet up in the afternoon to go for a lovely walk, then come back and hang out on my friend’s allotment because we’d already be dressed for the weather and allotment gatherings of more than three households were actually allowed! I decided if we were going to do it, it would have to be full on magical. So, we hung outdoor fairy lights
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all-round the plot for a Winter Wonderland feel. We begged and borrowed outdoor lanterns and placed candles in jars on the table. We made garlands of pinecones, spruce clippings, eucalyptus, and ivy. My husband had the brilliant idea of tying star anise and cinnamon sticks to the garlands to make a really Christmassy smell, and he dragged out the summer gazebo We fired up BBQs, Patio heaters and a firepit and put all the garden chairs in the warmest area. And we made festive sausages with apple sauce and cranberry sauce instead of ketchup. There were mince pies and popcorn and we even roasted chestnuts and toasted marshmallows. For drinks we made spiced apple cider, hot chocolate with chocolate liqueur and squirty cream and mulled wine. And there were blankets, rugs, and fleecy throws. We played music on an old battery operated CD player and laughed and talked until late. My mistake was to think of this as a poor substitute for my usual Christmas party. My friends on the other hand thought of it as something quite lovely in its own right and were keen for a repeat in 2021, only hopefully in my garden this time, with easy access to posher plumbing when nature calls! So, this year, we’re not risking an indoor party again yet, we’re going to repeat the outdoor get together, and it will be exactly what we make it, a wonderful celebration of friendship and joy, exactly as Christmas should be.
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Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year to all our readers and advertisers. From the team at The Villager x
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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our November Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mike Read, Meppershall
November’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions
Easy
Hard
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Win £100 in our The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.
Christmas Crossword
ACROSS 1 Harbour (4) 3 Precious stones (8) 9 Implement (7) 10 Concur (5) 11 Produced (12) 14 Short sleep (3) 16 Coarse (5) 17 Pronoun (3) 18 Despite (12) 21 Modify (5) 22 Design (7) 23 Daily (8) 24 Musical instrument (4)
DOWN 1 Imagining (8) 2 Wash (5) 4 Frozen water (3) 5 Sizes (12) 6 Créche (7) 7 Vomit (4)
8 Adequately (12) 12 Enumerate (5) 13 Pest (8) 15 Make ready (7) 19 All (5) 20 Imitation (4) 22 Vegetable (3)
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, and send your entry to: Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Closing date: 16th December 2021 Name: Address: 58
Tel:
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Books
Books to Gift Books make great presents, especially when you can borrow them back in January… Big Panda and Tiny Dragon James Norbury
Fans of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, and other illustrated books will love this new offering by James Norbury. Each of the hand-drawn illustrations is accompanied by a short conversation between a panda and a dragon, offering words of wisdom we can all learn from. A book to treasure and to dip into time and time again.
Freckles Cecilia Ahern
Allegra has made a life for herself in Dublin, working as a traffic warden with a sideline as an artist’s model. She enjoys the routine and the rules, but she’s in Dublin for a reason and needs to pluck up the courage to see her mission through. A chance encounter with an angry driver makes Allegra re-evaluate her life and gives her a new purpose. A light-hearted, humorous tale with some darker undertones, Freckles is sure to appeal to a range of readers.
The Exiles Christina Baker Kline
Buying for a fan of historical fiction? Exiles is a solid choice. Several characters’ lives become entwined when pregnant Evangeline is sentenced to hard labour in Australia in 1840. On the ship, she meets teenage Hazel. Meanwhile, Mathinna is faced with losing her family and indigenous community when the governor and his wife decide she needs ‘refining’. A rich, multilayered story with some shocking plot twists, The Exiles is the perfect book for curling up with on Boxing Day.
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