VILLAGER The
Issue 115 - November 2018
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
In this issue Win a Spa Day for two at
Champneys Henlow The History of the
Remembrance Day Poppy Win £25 in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People in
Buckden, Brampton, Godmanchester, Eaton Socon, The Hemingfords, Grantchester and all surrounding villages every month
ur Yo EE FRco1py
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Inside this issue... Win Tickets to see The Overtones
10 The Home Front in 1918...................................................................4 The History of the Remembrance Day Poppy....................................6 Win Two Tickets to see The Overtones.............................................10 Win a Spa Day for Two at Champneys Henlow................................12 Britian’s Quirkiest Bonfire Night Celebrations.................................14 Time for some TLC..........................................................................16 Cambridge Tea Party Groups Looking for Volunteers......................19 Flavours of the Levant....................................................................20 Great Health, Wellbeing and Fitness Gifts......................................22 “Alexa! I’m in the Car!”....................................................................26 Tips on how to work your denim with style....................................28 Back Pain in Older Adults...............................................................31 Black Friday and Cyber Monday......................................................32 Why Wear a Poppy?........................................................................35 Can you still get a mortgage as an older borrower?........................37 How do you know if your family lawyer is up to scratch?................38 Wordsearch....................................................................................39
Leaf Matter, Leaves Matter.............................................................42 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal..............................................................44 Animal Stories................................................................................47 Thinking about getting a kitten?....................................................49 Children’s Page...............................................................................51 How to deal with pothole damage to your car...............................52 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.........................................................54 Local Tradesmen and Women Targetted by Thieves........................57 Restoration Project Regenerates Areas of Heathland.....................58 Puzzle Page....................................................................................60 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is 40...................................................63 What’s On.......................................................................................64 Making an Entrance.......................................................................66 Fun Quiz.........................................................................................69 Making Christmas Extra Special.....................................................71 Prize Crossword..............................................................................74 Book Review..................................................................................76
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is 40
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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, Catherine Rose, Kate McLelland, Kate Duggan, Trevor Langley, Alison Runham, Iain Betson, Jennie Billings, Centre for Complementary Health, Sarah Davey, Ann Haldon, Leeds Day Solicitors, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA, James Baggott, Nick Coffer, Dr Ken German and Katherine Sorrell
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Yuryy Bezrukov Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 • www.design9marketing.co.uk
Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 Email: nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com
Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.
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History
By Peter Ibbett
The Home Front in 1918
The covers and pages of the contemporary part work ‘The Great War’ feature almost exclusively the men who were caught up in the ‘War to end all wars’. Occasionally the editors found space for the contribution of women to the war effort including the Marchioness of Londonderry, who played her part in organising the Women’s Legion in support of the war effort. Part 244 (April 1919) included a section highlighting the effect of the war on ordinary women:- ‘One large body of women workers, perhaps the largest of all, should be mentioned. Undistinguished by any attractive uniform, with no prospect of high wages, or bonuses or extra pay of any kind and without a day’s rest or relaxation the housewives and mothers of Britain carried on bravely during the weary months of war. It does not seem much but they cleaned and sewed and mended, fed hungry little mouths, practiced rigorous and unwanted economies, disguised their anxieties, and suffered deprivations cheerfully to keep things
Disappointed Customer “ Bless me my good man, What have you got?” Undaunted Village Postmaster:- “We have some very nice National War Bonds, Madam. Fresh from the Treasury”
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going until their “man” came home. In 1918, especially, prices, already high, seemed to rise almost daily. Butter was 2s 6d a pound compared to 1s 3d in 1914. Bacon had risen from 10d to 2s 6d per pound. Meat and tea had doubled in price. At various times the milk shortage was acute. Children’s clothing was especially difficult. Many articles were almost unobtainable, and woollen goods in particular attained a price prohibitive to those with a slender income. Coal, and consequently gas, became scarcer and dearer. Hours were spent daily in all weathers, waiting and struggling to different shops for necessaries, and it was on the shoulders of the housewives that the chief weight of this anxiety and weariness fell as shown by the Punch cartoon from 1918. More than ever before, in view of the serious fall in the birth-rate, the lives of the children were precious, and the nation as a whole began to realise this fact. The care with which the mothers can give them is one of the nation’s assets. How unselfishly it was given during the four years of war few fully realise.”
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Our bespoke Smart Conservatory roof insulation solutions are tailored for your conservatory and can be installed with minimal disruption, making your conservatory nice and cool in the summer and cosy and warm in the winter. Within just a few days, you will be sitting back, relaxing in your new comfortable all-year-round living area. Having an insulated conservatory roof will not just add value to your property, but it will totally change the way you are using your downstairs living area. For more information or to request a quotation, visit our website or give us a call.
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History
By Catherine Rose
The History of the Remembrance Day Poppy With celebrations to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, the humble but striking poppy will once again be evident as a symbol of hope and remembrance. But what is its history? Over the four years that the Great War raged, the fields of Flanders in Belgium that saw much of the bloody trench warfare were decimated. Stumps were left in place of trees and the once lovely landscape turned into acres of bare earth, muddy craters and barbed wire. But like some miracle of life triumphing over death, out of this devastation grew hundreds of field poppies. Part of the papaver family (papaver rhoeas) and a wildflower that is as delicate as it is hardy, it is a plant that seeds best in fresh earth. The Flanders Poppy, as it came to be known, therefore thrived in the barrenness. Its poignancy was not lost on all those who saw it – its bright red colour echoed the bloodshed of all the lives lost and the fact it
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could grow in such devastation made it the perfect symbol of hope for the future. Canadian WW1 soldier and poet John McCrae wrote the now famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ about their significance in 1915. (Incredibly, this poem was rejected by The Spectator when it was first submitted.) But it was an American University Professor from Georgia, Moina Michael, who first set out to make wearing the poppy a symbol of honouring the war’s dead. After reading a copy of McCrae’s poem, she was so moved that she promptly went out to Wannamaker’s – a department store in New York – and bought all the artificial poppies they had. She then went about selling them as souvenirs of remembrance under the banner ‘keep the faith’. By the end of 1918, Moina was working with a designer to produce a poppy design that could become a national emblem. The initial drawing
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was of a poppy made up of all the colours of the Allied flags which was intertwined with the Statue of Liberty. The original design was abandoned but, due to Moina’s efforts, the National American Legion adopted the poppy as their symbol, agreeing to wear it on Armistice Day, 11th November. At this point, a French lady named Anna Guérin who was a member of the French Young Women’s Christian Association, takes over the story. While attending an American Legion Convention in 1920, she was so taken with the idea of the poppy not only as a global symbol of remembrance but also as a way of raising funds, that she decided to start mass producing artificial poppies to sell as badges in France. The funds from the sale of these poppies would be used to help war widows and orphans. After they proved a success in France, Anna took them abroad, working with Moina Michael on distribution across the US. In England, she met Field Marshall Douglas Haig, who was also the first president of the (Royal) British Legion, founded in 1921. Haig was sympathetic to her idea, knowing that there were many veterans suffering financial hardship. The first British Legion Poppy Day Appeal took place in 1921 with nine million poppies being sold. It raised over £100,000. The other allied countries soon followed suit. In 1922, Major John Howson opened the first UK poppy factory in London. Howson had received the Military Cross during the First World War and had subsequently set up The Disabled Society to help provide employment for disabled veterans.
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His initial staff were five disabled ex-soldiers. Today there are two poppy manufacturers in the UK – The Poppy Factory in Richmond (the original poppy factory that relocated) and The Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh. The Scottish poppy is slightly different to the English in that it has four petals instead of three and no leaf. Both are staffed by ex-servicemen and women and produce millions of poppies annually. The Poppy Factory also does free tours which are open to all and where you can purchase special poppy souvenirs, including china. Over the years, the paper poppy badge we all know so well has diversified and you can now buy silk and enamel versions as well as giant poppies to fix to your car. An initiative set up by the RBL also encourages communities to knit poppies for local fundraising and there is a knitting pattern on their website. Between July and November 2014, the moat at the Tower of London was filled with ceramic poppies in an art installation by Paul Cummins and Tom Piper entitled ‘Blood-swept Lands and Seas of Red’ to honour the centenary of the start of the Great War. They were a stunning sight and many thousands of visitors went to see them. Along with the crosses and wreaths that will be placed on war memorials across the country on Remembrance Sunday in this centenary year, armies of volunteers will sell millions of poppies in the run up to 11th November. The idea behind them remains the same – a non-religious, noncultural symbol of remembrance that helps to raise money for veterans and their families.
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Win 2 tickets to see The Overtones Wed 5th Dec 2018 at Cambridge Corn Exchange
The Overtones are back on the road with a 22 date UK tour starting on November 22nd at Watford Colosseum and ending with a special festive show at London’s Indigo at the O2 on December 20th 2018. Promising “a night to remember” the group will be joined on stage by their band to perform favourites from their previous Top 10 albums as well as songs from the new record. Tickets for the tour are available from gigsandtours.com with VIP packages from sjm-vip.com. The group – Lachie Chapman, Mike Crawshaw, Darren Everest and Mark Franks also announced their sixth studio album ‘The Overtones’ October 19th 2018. The first track to be shared, ‘You To Me Are Everything’, - with the group’s signature old-school cool, modern vintage vibe and trademark vocal harmonies - is a perfect teaser for the new album.
“a brilliant night out” Daily Record Since bursting onto the scene in 2010 with their debut ‘Good Ol’ Fashioned Love’, the group has sold over a million records. This self-titled album, however, will be the first release as a four piece following the passing of their bandmate and friend Timmy Matley in April. Teaming up, once again, with producer Julian Hinton and engineer Simon Bloor, the album – a collection of thoughtfully chosen covers and originals - is a tribute to Timmy, a celebration of everything that the group has achieved together, a thank you to their loyal and supportive fans and a statement of intent for the future.
Competition
THE OVERTONES COMPETITION ENTRY
Which Overtone appeared on British comedy drama series on Channel 4 ‘Crashing’? 1. Darren Everest 2. Mike Crawshaw 3. Lachie Chapman 4. Mark Franks
To enter, answer the question and complete the form below and send to: Overtones Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th November 2018.
Name: Tel: Email: Address:
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Win a Spa Day at Champneys Henlow for two Make time for some well-deserved rest and relaxation at Champneys Henlow. Set in 150 acres of beautiful Bedfordshire parkland, Henlow Grange serves as an idyllic countryside spa escape. Experience the delights of a full day of pampering with a delicious three course buffet lunch to enjoy half way through. Get comfortable in the cosy Champneys robe and flip-flops that you’ll be given for the day and try out the spa facilities, including swimming pool, steam room, sauna, and whirlpool. It really is the perfect way to unwind. Henlow in Bedfordshire, offers sumptuous accommodation in elegant surroundings, delicious cuisine, treatments and therapists focusing on both inner health and outer beauty, not to mention the latest fitness trends. Spend a day with us, and you’ll get a feel for how much we have to offer. A Day to Remember. For more information visit: champneys.com Terms and conditions apply. Valid Monday to Thursday only. Prize must be booked and taken within 6 months from the date of issue, subject to availability. Guests must be 16 years or over, non-refundable and non-transferable. Travel to the spa is not included. Prize cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Competition
To enter, answer the question and complete the form below and send to: Champneys Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th October 2018. The winner can choose which date they wish to attend.
Champneys Henlow Grange is set in or how many acres of parkland a) 200 b)150 c) 300
CHAMPNEYS HENLOW COMPETITION ENTRY
Name: Tel: Email: Address: Please tick this box if you wish to receive further information from Champneys 12
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Quirky Britain
Britain’s quirkiest
Bonfire Night Celebrations
November is the month for firework displays, when adults and children gather together on a chilly field to spend half an hour ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ as fiery fountains erupt, Catherine wheels spin and rockets light up the night sky. It’s a fun family event, but our 21st century firework displays seem like pretty tame stuff when compared to the bonfire festivities enjoyed in times gone by. Fire festivals have been held for thousands of years but the practice of marking 5th November with bonfires and fireworks began as a rowdy celebration to mark the deaths of the conspirators who tried to blow up England’s parliament in 1605, with activities calculated to make any modern-day health and safety officer run for cover. While it’s no bad thing that firework displays are now controlled and regulated to avoid accidents, some of the devil-may-care spirit that was once the hallmark of November 5th seems to have been lost. However, there are certain parts of the UK where risk and excitement are an essential part of the enjoyment. Anarchic fun in Sussex Welcome to Bonfire Night in Lewes, Sussex, where the smell of burnt gunpowder is always accompanied by a faint whiff of anarchy. It’s a night of celebration that promises activities that are – to quote the website lewesbonfirecelebrations.com – “not suitable for very young children … the frail or if you have breathing problems.” Each year this bonfire event turns the normally sleepy town of Lewes into a heady combination of raucous street bands, rowdy processions, heaving crowds and huge effigies – usually in the form of
hated public figures of the day – made for the sole purpose of being consigned to the flames amidst cheers, jeers and cat-calls. The town uses Bonfire Night as an opportunity to uphold the traditions of free speech and to remember the dead, particularly the seventeen Protestant martyrs who were burned at the stake in Lewes between 1555 and 1557 under the reign of ‘Bloody Mary’ (Queen Mary I). Their martyrdom is marked annually by a procession of 17 burning crosses. Tar Barrel Racing in Devon Another place you might prefer to avoid on Bonfire Night if you are of a nervous disposition is Ottery St. Mary, in Devon. This tranquil West Country town changes character on the night of 5th November, becoming the stage for a perilous and fiery race through the streets. This exhilarating and risky spectacle involves setting light to huge wood and iron barrels soaked in tar. The barrels are then carried through the town at great speed. Some families have been taking part in the races for many generations and almost 10,000 people turn up each year to cheer them on. Another quirky and high-spirited bonfire event is Shetland’s Viking fest Up Helly Aa, which takes place at the end of January. These celebrations – tapping into our primitive feelings about fire as something to be loved, feared and respected – are a powerful way of bringing communities together. Although no-one would want to return to the days when members of the public could be injured when activities got out of hand, it’s good to know that some UK communities are still prepared go to such lengths to let their hair down and celebrate together.
By Kate McLelland
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Health & Beauty
By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk
Time for some TLC Central heating and cold weather can take their toll on your skin, so make the most of the darker evenings by indulging in a well-deserved pampering session.
Relaxing in a warm bath with music, candles and a glass of wine is one of my favourite winter experiences. If you’re the same, check out Tisserand Aromatherapy’s Ascot Bath Oils Collection (£35). As you’d expect from Tisserand, each of the five bath oils is fragranced with pure essential oils, so they smell lovely but aren’t overpowering. Choose between Misty Mellow, Sweet Solace, Hope & Cheer, Blissful Joy and Happy Elation, depending on which mood you want to create. My personal favourite is Hope & Cheer with its uplifting blend of ginger, lemongrass and rosemary. The Ascot range launched earlier this year and also includes a body wash, hand lotion and more. See www.tisserand.com/ascot-collection. Many of us suffer from dry skin patches, chapped lips and sore hands in the winter. A multi-purpose balm can work wonders. Weleda’s Skin Food (£12.50) is my usual go-to balm, but I’ve been reaching for ESPA’s Skin Rescue Balm (£29) lately. It’s made from beeswax and a long list of plant and seed oils, including castor, orange peel and blackcurrant. The balm
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is incredibly moisturising and a little goes a long way, see www.espaskincare.com. I generally prefer a wash-off cleanser in the summer and a wipe-off one in colder months. I’ve switched to Odylique’s Creamy Coconut Cleanser (£18) for winter. The cleanser has won multiple awards and for good reason. The blend of extra-virgin olive oil and coconut oil do a great job of removing makeup (even waterproof mascara), and they also nourish the skin as they cleanse. Rose extracts help to soothe inflammation, while lemon detoxifies. The cleanser is suitable for all skin types, even those prone to eczema, rosacea or other skin complaints. It’s very light so won’t clog pores, but it’s still rich enough to leave skin feeling pampered, softer and more hydrated. Massage the cleanser in and then remove it with a damp muslin cloth for a daily cleanse and exfoliation session in one. See www.odylique.co.uk. Fancy a full spa experience? If a weekend away is out of the question, why not look into a day spa experience with a friend? Spas often offer 2 for 1 deals that work out at around £20 a person. You’ll usually get use of the pool and other facilities, as well as a dressing gown and slippers. Or why not splash out on a package that includes a treatment and lunch? Try searching for offers on www. spaseekers.com as you’ll often get a better deal than going direct to the spa itself. Buying a gift for someone who deserves a bit of pampering? Spa Seekers offers vouchers, or try www.buyagift. co.uk for gift experiences. The Smartbox Indulgent Pamper Treat costs £39.99 and gives the recipient the choice of a wide range of treatments at venues across the UK. So whether they fancy a spa day in Berkshire or a massage in Manchester, they’ll have you to thank for the experience.
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Everyone is involved At Nelson Lodge care home, we embrace wellness. We support each of our residents as individuals, with their own rich history, skills and abilities and likes and dislikes. Our home is our community and it is your lifestory, combined with our unique expertise in caring for older people, that ensure our residents can express themselves, maintain their identity and dignity and live a full and meaningful life.
Pr�u��� ��-f��-�r�fi�. Nelson Lodge care home Eaton Socon, St Neots, PE19 8AB If you’d like to find out more about the choices Anchor care homes offer our residents call 0808 102 4537 or visit NelsonLodge.co.uk Rated March 2018
Good
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Local News
Cambridge Tea Party Groups For Isolated Older People Looking for New Volunteers Come and join us for a cuppa and cake! Contact the Elderly is a national charity dedicated to tackling loneliness and isolation among older people. There are five Contact the Elderly ‘tea party’ groups in Cambridge, which meet one Sunday afternoon each month for tea, cake and companionship. In order for this to be possible, the charity is appealing for volunteers who could spare a few hours each month to drive one or two older guests to their tea, or help with the running of local tea parties – and enjoy a cuppa themselves! The charity aims to relieve loneliness amongst older people, aged 75 and above, who live alone. Each older guest is collected from their home by a volunteer driver and taken to a volunteer host’s home, where they meet with a small group for tea, chat and friendship. The group is warmly
welcomed by a different host each month, but the drivers remain the same which means that over the months and years, acquaintances turn into friends and loneliness is replaced by companionship. Contact the Elderly’s Support Officer, Georgina Sells, said: “Activities for people aged 75 and above are normally limited to weekdays, so Sunday can be a particularly long and difficult day. Our tea parties are sometimes the only social outing our guests have in a month, so they can make a real difference. However, there’s a shortage of volunteers in the area. Anyone who can spare a couple of hours one Sunday a month, has a driving licence, a car and a capacity for drinking tea, is eligible! We are also looking for coordinators to help with the running of the groups. It’s not a big commitment, and our volunteers genuinely get as much out of the experience as our older guests, so I’m calling for anyone who is interested in giving something back to their community to please get in touch with me as soon as possible.”
Residents in the Cambridge area, who are interested in volunteering for Contact the Elderly once a month as a driver, or as a group coordinator, or in hosting the group once or twice a year can contact Georgina Sells georgina.sells@contact-the-elderly.org.uk 0207 078 8998 or Freephone 0800 716543 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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Food and Drink
Favours of the Levant
The Levant, located in the eastern Mediterranean, has a very long and interesting history. The traditional, flavoursome cuisine of the Levant is enjoyed a lot and widely available in a number of countries in that area, including Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Cyprus, for example.
The Ceru restaurant opened during December 2016, in South Kensington, London and its popularity grew from the outset. The much-anticipated second Ceru restaurant opened in February 2018, within easy walking distance of Oxford Street and Regent Street, in London. Utilising authentic ingredients and cooking methods and cleverly blending spices, Patricia and Barry Hilton, plus their brigade of talented chefs and kitchen personnel have a lot of knowledge and experience of Levantine cuisine. All dishes are freshly prepared and Ceru is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, every day. The All-Day Menu is available daily, from 12 noon. An array of dips and salads has something for everyone, to start. Pancar (Roasted beetroot, yoghurt, garlic, crushed pistachio) and The Sultan (Ottoman-inspired salad of dried fruits, wholegrain rice, toasted almonds and olives) are popular selections, for many. Mains seafood dishes include Sea Bream, Cod and Prawns. Meat and poultry dishes have perfectly cooked slow-roasted Lamb Shoulder and Beef, plus Chicken variations and gain regular ‘devotees’. Often-selected side orders have Orez Ceru (Arabic scented fried rice, crispy onions, sultanas, parsley) and Spiced Polenta & Feta Fries, with coriander and chilli. If time is pressing, then ‘Express’ (served weekdays 12 noon – 3pm) is no problem. Desserts offer tempting Dark Chocolate Mousse and Flavours of Baklava – good choices – amongst a selection. The wines/drinks list has something for all and includes superb, high-quality wines, champagnes and craft-brewed beers. All dietary requirements can be catered for, plus parties, celebrations and occasions arranged and accommodated. The Ceru restaurants offer diners the opportunity to ‘explore’ and enjoy very impressive cuisine, with rich, vibrant flavours of the Levant. Booking is advisable, particularly at popular times. Ceru Soho 11 D’Arblay Street, London W1F 8DT Tel: 44(0)20 3195 3002 Email: soho@cerurestaurants.com www.cerurestaurants.com Ceru South Kensington 7-9 Bute Street, London SW7 3EY Tel: 44(0)20 3195 3001 Email: southken@cerurestaurants.com
As always, Enjoy!
ey Trevor Langl
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TCH XMAS VA 2018_ppl.pdf
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Health
Alison Runham ww.alison.runham.co.uk
Great Health, Wellbeing and Fitness Gifts
If you’re stuck for gift ideas for your nearest and dearest, here are some suggestions for presents that could bring them a happier, healthier new year. Mindfulness Gifts Mindfulness has gone mainstream and NHS doctors are now recommending it as a useful technique to help in the management of mental health issues and long-term pain. • The Introduction to Mindfulness Gift Box breaks down mindfulness techniques to create simple task cards and a week-long challenge that helps users integrate mindfulness into their day simply but effectively. It includes four token gifts to help them celebrate their successes. Available from Amazon, priced at £4.95. • Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams and Danny Penman is on the NHS ‘Books on Prescription’ list. It’s based on MindfulnessBased Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which can deliver great benefits when practised for just
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a few minutes a day. It’s a powerful path to wellbeing and better mental health, not just for those struggling with mental health issues but for anyone wanting to improve their wellbeing amid the demands of hectic modern life. Available as a book, eBook, audio CD and CDROM from various retailers including Amazon and WHSmith. Weight Loss Gifts Warning: Only to be given to someone who has stated they need, want and plan to lose weight! • Slimming World offer gift vouchers. A 6-week gift card for a new member is £34.75 while a 12-week card is £59.50. Prices are lower if your recipient is an existing member or over 60 years old. Available on www.slimmingworld.co.uk/ downloads/gift_vouchers.pdf. • Weight Watchers don’t offer gift cards or subscriptions, but you can purchase a gift subscription for their magazine, starting from £8.25 for three issues. They also sell accessories,
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Open Mon to Sat 9.30 til 5.30 See our website for details about: Social Crafting Groups Craft Supplies Handmade Gifts Workshops 01480 700890 www.craftityourself.co.uk 16 St Benedicts Court, Huntingdon PE29 3PN
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various Weight Watchers cookbooks and their handy SmartPoints Kitchen Scales, priced at £39.95, which automatically calculate the SmartPoints in food. Available from www.weightwatchersshop. co.uk. • LighterLife don’t offer gift vouchers either, but you can buy various food packs for a friend interested in trying the plan, starting from around £15. A larger starter pack costs £75. Available from www.lighterlife.com/shop/ foodpacks/bundles.html. Wellbeing Gifts • Spa Days Red Letter Days have spa days starting at around £39 for one person and £50 for two. While these lower-budget options include full use of spa facilities, they only include 25 minutes of treatment. Or what about a floatation tank experience for one for just £25? If you want to splash the cash, though, there are more expensive options and you could even treat a special couple to a spa break. The cheapest at the time of writing is a two-night break in a luxury Mongolian yurt in Suffolk, including a light lunch and one-day passes to the nearby Atlantic Spa, for £390. Available from www.redletterdays.co.uk, who promise to refund 150% of the difference if you see the identical experience cheaper within 14 days of purchase. • The Positive Planner This luxury, hardback 12-week planner and journal describes itself as “the mindful gratitude journal that inspires you daily and encourages mental wellbeing.” It features original artwork, inspirational quotes, art therapy, mindfulness activities and tools and a mood tracker; by noting what they do each day and how they feel, your recipient can connect cause and effect and make positive changes. There are also meal planners, shopping lists and monthly diary spreads to organise daily life and reduce mental clutter. Available from www.thepositiveplanner.co.uk and www.notonthehighstreet.com at £23 plus p&p. Fitness Gifts • Gaiam Beginners’ Pilates Kit This kit includes a body-sculpting ball, resistance band and an instructional workout DVD – everything a first-timer or improver needs. Available from John Lewis, Amazon and other stores, priced at around £26.49.
• Weight Training Equipment We don’t have to harbour a desperate desire to be a bodybuilder to use weights as part of our fitness regime. Fitness and health experts recommend weight training for those who are physically able, as it’s scientifically proven that muscle burns more calories, even when you’re at rest, than body fat – and even active people can begin to lose muscle tone as they age. For beginners, some light dumbbells and/or wrist and ankle weights are a good gift, while kettlebells are a good choice for improvers. For more serious weight lifters, weight sets with a bar included (‘barbell sets’), which allow the user to add or remove weights to suit them, might be ideal. Dumbbells, kettlebells, wrist and ankle weights and barbell sets are available from many major retailers such as Argos, Amazon and John Lewis, although for more sophisticated or weighty equipment, consider a fitness specialist store or website. Pairs of low weight vinyl dumbbells, 2 kg kettlebells and pairs of wrist and ankle weights all start from around £5. Dumbbell ‘tree sets’, which usually consist of tree-shaped stand and three or more pairs of dumbbells, start at around £19.99. Expect to pay at least £28 for a barbell set but do check reviews, as some poorer quality sets have issues with their fixtures, meaning weights may slip off. Who knows? Your gift-buying might inspire you to make a purchase for a happier, healthier new year too.
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Motoring
“Alexa! I’m In The Car” A virtual reality presentation of being in a car crash left me feeling sickened recently. Picture this: you’re the front seat passenger in a hatch-back, whizzing down a lane. To your right the driver is laughing with the two back-seat passengers, who are passing him a phone. He shows the phone to you and looks at the screen. As we round a corner to see a tractor across the road, there’s a scream and it goes black. You come ‘around’ to the screaming of the injured driver. The legs of one of the back-seaters are across the dashboard, the rest of them is through the windscreen. You look down to see your virtual legs smashed against the glovebox. Outside, the emergency services are tending to the injured as the roof is being cut off. It’s very realistic. I discussed the many in-car distractions that go towards creating conditions for a crash with the policeman running the demo. This chimed
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with a news piece that Amazon are aiming to put Alexa in-car. I note its hands-free operation, to request traffic information etc., but I am also aware of the distraction chatting to ‘her’ will create: two friends of mine nearly rear-ended a car because they had been talking to Siri on a phone and weren’t paying attention to what was happening outside. I know it’s the responsibility of drivers and passengers as to how these devices are used in-car, but daily I see drivers still using phones, undeterred by fines and points. There is enough happening on our roads already, so yet another distraction within a driver’s reach seems insane.
By Iain Betson
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House of Colour
Tips on how to work your denim with style Denim suits everyone, it is universal, genderless, ageless and adaptable, but we definitely don’t all suit the same colours, lengths, cut or styles. Add to that that sizes and styles differ hugely from brand to brand, so it is hard to stick to any hard and fast rules. Here are my top tips on how to choose the best denim to suit you. 1. Firstly, don’t expect finding the perfect jeans to be easy. Cropped, ankle grazers, wideleg, low-risers, mid-risers, high-waisted, slim, skinny, super-skinny, straight, boot-cut, relaxed, boyfriend, girlfriend jeans – it is literally a minefield out there. Be prepared to try lots of different jeans on. 2. Don’t just choose whatever seems to be in current vogue, always consider your body shape and flaunt your best assets. Straight, skinny or slim silhouettes will look better on straighter body shapes, whereas, straight, bootcut or wide leg jeans look better on curvy body shapes. Badly fitted jeans will ruin your entire look. 3. It is essential that you know which colour denim suits you. Spring and Autumns should stick to warmer colours e.g. Spring a brighter blue, and Autumns a warm navy. Summers can wear cooler denim blue such as a French navy or an airforce blue and Winters should opt for a deep cool navy. Go beyond blue and try coloured jeans from your palette. Be careful with white jeans; they will only look great if they are crisp, clean and well-fitting and for the right body shape and season. 4. You may have a pair of jeans in the right colour and style, but they just never seem quite right. Sound familiar? The stitching could be the missing link. Spring and Autumns suit warm stitching (yellow) and Winter and Summers suit cool coloured stitching (white or grey). If your jeans have faded into a colour you don’t like you can dye them but bear in mind the stitching will also be dyed and this may change their look. 5. Speaking of washing denim. Always turn denim inside out when popping it in the washing machine to help preserve the colour for as long as possible. 6. It is all in the detail. Ripped or deconstructed denim looks better on naturals whilst classic finishes suit those who like well-cut timeless styles. Dramatic personalities could try shiny or coated textures and gamines can have great fun with coloured jeans from their palette. Ingenues
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7.
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are those who love detail like pretty embellishments, and romantics will like fitted jeans to show off their curves. Even the pockets, stretch and fastening make a huge difference. Elastic waist, zipper or buttons all alter the overall look of the jeans. Generally smaller pockets make your bum look rounder and bigger pockets are more slimming. Choose high, mid or low waists carefully. Get it wrong and you could create a small muffin top but get it right and you could look in perfect proportion. Make sure you know your inside leg length when choosing a new pair of jeans. There is nothing worse than wearing jeans that are too short or too long for you. Think about what shoes you normally wear with your jeans and try them on together. I can’t stress it enough. The jeans and shoe or boot combination is key. Turn-up jeans add a different dimension to this. If skinny jeans are your thing - pair with knee high boots for style points. Think beyond the strides! Denim looks fantastic as a shirt, jacket, skirt, shorts, dress or jumpsuit, as long as the look is really YOU. Do you suit hard or soft denim? If soft denim is your thing, stand out from the crowd by sewing on some embellishments to make it more you. This might also be a great thing for younger children to enjoy doing. Buy some jewels and let them get creative with clothes glue. Harder denim is less versatile but more structured. If you are fashion forward thinking you might want to try head to toe, double-denim. Keep to the denim shades that suit you and blend denim together rather than two sharply contrasting colours or styles.
By Jennie Billings Style and Colour Consultant at House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk
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Jill Dighton BSc (Hons) MBACP (Accred)., UKCP Reg.
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: Visit: www.jilldightoncounselling.co.uk Email: j.dighton@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07925 852 985 (Voicemail available)
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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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Complementary Health
Back Pain in Older Adults Back pain is one of the major disabling health conditions among older adults aged 60 years and older. Many causes of lower back pain are agerelated with physical and psychosocial changes. Back pain for the older adult is often associated with ‘wear and tear, or what is medically known as degeneration. For us two-footed creatures it is quite normal, and happens often earlier than you might think but there are steps you can take to offset the degeneration that comes with ageing. It can often start in late 20’s early 30’s with acute discal problems or ‘slipped disc’ as they are commonly known and very debilitating, but as we get older back pain is often less acute but troublesome on a lower grade level. However, what is seen on MRI and X Ray does not always correlate with the amount of pain versus the degree of wear and tear. The causes of degenerative back pain are many and varied, often involving multiple factors such as family history, posture, and particularly the movement patterns that we do at work, home and including interest, sports hobbies that we have. In essence, ‘we are what we do.’ Sometimes in older adults as they retire their movement patterns change, with some becoming more sedentary, whilst others take on different repetitive work such as DIY which their body is not accustomed to. Both ends of the spectrum can cause problems. Similarly, older adults are more likely to develop osteoporosis, leading to fractures of the vertebrae affecting both men and women. Of course, there are other problems such as lumbar spinal stenosis tumours, spinal infection. However, whilst they exist, they are less common. So how can we help ourselves. Well for the likes of degeneration and osteoporosis the golden rule is always activity, ‘use it or lose it.’ BUT activity as long as it’s not extreme can help. This doesn’t have to mean extreme activities, it may be just walking regularly every day, with the dog, a
friend etc also maybe explore hobbies like cycling it doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon! Similarly doing large amounts of DIY over a short period may well cause some problems, so this is where people need to pace themselves and change the activity regularly. Give the body chance to become adjusted to the change of activity and movement pattern. Another factor to take into consideration for older people is balance and coordination. As mobility in joints can become restricted due to sedentary lifestyles, our ability to cope with sudden movements or upsets to balance deteriorates. This can lead to falls with the inevitable breaks and fractures bringing further limitations to activities and impacts on well-being. Again, staying mobile and even trying new activities will help to offset the degeneration that comes with ageing. Doing simple balance exercises such as one-leg balance or taking up yoga or tai-chi can lead to big improvements in movement. Better coordination can reduce tension in the body and the resultant wear and tear on joints and muscles. Just remember to follow the basic rule: Move well, and move often. If you would like more advice give us a call on 01480 455221 or email info@centreforcomphealth.co.uk. We have plenty of practitioners ready to help you manage your back pain. Follow us of Facebook and Twitter
More info: Website: www.CentreForCompHealth.com Email: info@CentreForCompHealth.com Phone: 01480 455221
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Technology
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Are the deals really real?
One weekend in November is one of the most significant dates in the retail calendar. It’s Black Friday, an American import that’s become a big deal. On Black Friday, retailers – especially internet ones – promise incredible deals to save you a fortune. Do the deals live up to the hype? That really depends on what you want to buy. Black Friday used to be a single day, and this year it’s Friday the 23rd of November. But it became too big for one day, and soon spread to include the following Monday, dubbed Cyber Monday. It’s since outgrown that too, so for example, in 2017 Amazon ran a series of sales over what it called Black Friday Deals Week. For many retailers, most of November now means some kind of discounting. Some of the deals are genuine and many aren’t. If you use a site such as PriceSpy.co.uk or CamelCamelCamel.com to research the price of things, you’ll often find that a Black Friday deal only appears to be good value because the
retailers put the price up in the weeks before. Others quote manufacturers’ recommended retail prices that nobody has ever actually paid: a saving of 50% off the RRP is only a saving if the product was actually on sale for the higher price for a long time. In many cases it wasn’t. However, there are good deals to be had across Super Mega Black Friday Fortnight Of Sales, or whatever your favourite retailer calls it this year. They include: • Video game console bundles. There’s a lot of profit in bundles that combine a console with some games, and as a result they’re often discounted heavily during Black Friday sales. Bundles for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 should attract big discounts this year. Expect discounts on memberships for gaming services such as PlayStation Plus too. • Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cookers. For some reason Amazon cuts their price every Black Friday. If you haven’t joined the Instant Pot cult, Black Friday’s a good time to start.
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• Amazon devices. Amazon slashes the price of its Kindles, Kindle Fire tablets, Fire TV sticks and Echo smart home devices every time it has a sale and Black Friday will be no different. • Older stock. As ever, sales are a great way for retailers to shift old stock to make room for new lines. The longer something’s been around the more likely it will be discounted. • Big-screen TVs. These plummet in price very quickly and retailers use big discounts on them to attract customers. The trick to bagging bargains on Black Friday is to know what you want but not to be too picky. For example, if you want a Sony 65-inch TV you can probably get a deal, but if you only want a very specific model there’s every chance you’ll be out of luck. Research the market so you know what things are actually worth and stick to a budget. It’s not a bargain if you don’t need or want it. Last but not least, use the price checking services on the day to make sure you really are getting the best price.
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Extensions & newbuilds Design & Planning Approvals Building Regulations Project Management Professional service Fully insured as featured in Channel 4’s The Best Laid Plans
www.rgharchitects.co.uk Tel 01462 790808 34
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Time of Year By Sarah Davey
Why wear a Poppy? It’s over a century since more than nine million soldiers were killed during the First World War. The last of the veterans from that era are dead and many young people know little about the causes and devastating aftermath of the conflict. Many refuse to wear a poppy because they think it glorifies war. Perhaps it’s more important than ever that we discuss the poppy’s place in history. Much of the worst fighting in World War 1 took place in Flanders, the western part of Belgium. The area suffered terribly, with homes, farms, roads and trees all completely destroyed. The land became a bleak, muddy graveyard for the thousands of soldiers who fell there. One plant, however, thrived in the disturbed soil and that was the poppy. Year after year, as the warm weather arrived, the poppies bloomed and turned the grim bare ground into a sea of red. At that time, fighting in Flanders was a young Lieutenant, Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician. In May 1915, his close friend and fellow soldier was killed in action. Seeing the poppies growing alongside his grave moved McCrae to write the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, which was later published in Punch magazine. The idea to use the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for dead soldiers came from an American professor and YWCA worker, Moina Michael, in 1918. She wrote a poem in reply to McCrae’s called ‘We Shall Keep the Faith’ and
started to sell silk poppies. The idea was adopted by the American Legion in 1920 and she became known as ‘The Poppy Lady’. In 1921, Anna E Guerin started making artificial poppies in France and gained the support of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, founder of the Royal British Legion. The first poppy appeal was held on Armistice Day 1921. It was hugely popular and, despite a recommended selling price of threepence per poppy, single petals sold for £5. In all, the appeal raised £106,000 – that’s nearly £30 million in today’s terms! In recent years some people have chosen to wear a white poppy, either instead of or alongside a traditional red one. White poppies symbolise pacifism and also remember the civilians killed in conflicts past and present, as well as the soldiers. The idea is not a modern one as I originally assumed; it was initially put forward in 1926 by the No More War Movement, and the first white poppies were sold by the Cooperative Women’s Guild in 1933. They are now distributed by the Peace Pledge Union, a British pacifist nongovernmental organisation that works for a world without war. However you choose to wear your poppy this year I hope you now have a greater understanding of the interesting and complex story behind this iconic flower.
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Finance
By Ann Haldon
Can you still get a mortgage if you are an older borrower? Whether you are moving house or remortgaging an existing property, you may find it difficult to secure a mortgage as you get older. Some mortgage lenders are reluctant to take pension income into account, which means you could be refused if you have already retired, or want a mortgage term that continues past your retirement date. Is there an age limit for getting a mortgage? Officially there is no upper age limit for a mortgage, but providers use their own in-house criteria when assessing a mortgage application. They may apply an age limit for older people taking out new mortgages, and another for when the mortgage must be paid off. These limits are typically 65-70 years of age, and 70-85 years old respectively. This means that if you are aged 60, for example, and looking for a mortgage term of 25 years, your options may be limited. Is there anything you can do to increase your chances of securing a mortgage? • Reduce your outgoings By reducing your spending, and paying down debt over six months or so prior to your mortgage application, you stand a better chance of success and may be able to access a wider choice of products that offer better terms. • Use a mortgage broker Obtaining the services of a mortgage broker who understands this particular market is a good idea. If too many mortgage applications are rejected, it can adversely affect your credit status, which then has a knock-on effect to any future applications you make. Mortgage affordability checks New regulations introduced following the 2008 recession, known as the Mortgage Market Review rules, mean that lenders must make more stringent affordability checks prior to lending. As a result, all regular payments leaving your bank account will affect the affordability calculation, and reduce the amount you are able to borrow. Acknowledging longer life expectancies There has been a trend in recent years for longer life expectancies to be acknowledged, along with the fact that, for a variety of reasons, people need
to borrow money later in life. The higher cost of housing, helping children onto the property ladder, or late entry into the housing market, can all result in the need for a mortgage after you have reached 50 years of age. Mortgages for older people It is often smaller building societies that offer flexibility with regard to age, with high street banks remaining steadfast in their cautionary approach to mortgages in retirement. • The Family Building Society offers mortgage terms of up to 25 years for a 70 year old, and up to a five-year term for someone aged 90 years old.¹ • Aldermore Bank is a specialist mortgage lender that allows repayments to continue up to the age of 99.² According to the Building Societies Association (BSA), some building societies operate with no upper age limit at all for mortgages. These include, but are not limited to, Cumberland, Bath, Chorley, Cambridge, Ipswich, and Buckinghamshire Building Societies.³ ¹ familybuildingsociety.co.uk/Mortgages/Later_Life_ Lending.aspx ² www.aldermore.co.uk/mortgages/later-lifelending-mortgages ³ www.bsa.org.uk/information/consumer-factsheets/ mortgages/building-societies-lending-age-limits
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Leeds Day Solicitors
How do you know if your family lawyer is really up to scratch? There are many solicitors who practice family law, which includes handling divorce cases, financial matters arising on marital breakdown, as well as disputes over children. However, the old adage that “You pay for what you get� is not always true. What really matters is not, for example, how much you are paying your solicitor but, instead, having a way to gauge or measure their experience and legal knowledge, as you, the client, sift through the minefield of legal services available today. One way of verifying whether your family solicitor is both experienced and up to date on legal matters, is to check whether he or she is Accredited by Resolution within the family laws area they practice in. Resolution is an independent body comprising over six thousand family lawyers and other professionals who are its members, committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Resolution members follow a Code of Practice promoting a nonconfrontational approach to family problems. They encourage solutions that consider the needs of the whole family, and in particular the best interest of children. Aside from Resolution’s main aims, it offers its solicitor members the ability to gain Resolution Accreditation within their chosen area of family law. Accreditation essentially means the solicitor has achieved and has maintained the highest professional standards and can demonstrate experience in their chosen fields, as well as a detailed knowledge of the law and legal remedies available to their clients. Accreditation can be granted in, for example, financial disputes arising from relationship breakdown, disputes over children or in domestic violence cases. Accordingly, some family law solicitors are not members of Resolution at all, whilst some are members of Resolution but are not accredited in this
way. In general family law solicitors are not required to seek accreditation in order to be able to handle family law cases and those that seek this mark of competence do so voluntarily. The accreditation process is demanding and requires the family solicitor candidate to undertake an examination which can take several months to complete. Each candidate will be required to submit detailed case accounts of specific cases they have dealt with over the last 12 months which illustrates the level and depth of their experience. In addition, the solicitor will be examined on their knowledge of the law and will be required to answer detailed legal questions which are likely to be encountered by the lawyer in the legal office when acting for family law clients. Only upon passing the entire course will they be declared an Accredited Member of Resolution. Such recognition is therefore a clear indication the solicitor is competent, experienced and up to date in the relevant law. Our family lawyers at Leeds Day include Resolution Accredited solicitors specialising in financial matters on relationship breakdown, including complex financial cases, as well as disputes over children. The family team comprises Simon Thomas, Lisa Leader and Lee Bailham and all are highly experienced solicitors exclusively practising family law. In addition Simon Thomas also specialises in collaborative family law. To find out more, contact the family team at Leeds Day on 0844 567 2222, or send an email to family@leedsday.co.uk. Our team is able to offer a full range of dispute resolution options, all of which can be found on our website at www.leedsday.co.uk. Quote this article before the end of November 2018 and your first 30 minute consultation will be free of charge.
Our offices: Huntingdon Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD T: 01480 454301
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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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Jeffrey Mills Solicitors + Winters Legal = Beacon Wealth Legal October 1st saw the coming together of Jeffrey Mills Solicitors and Winters Legal, both well respected companies, and a subsequent change of name to Beacon Wealth Legal. Both companies are now owned by the Beacon Wealth Group which also owns Beacon Wealth Management Ltd and are the same company responsible for helping to save the Royal Oak in Hail Weston. Both solicitors’ practices have the same family values and desire to provide good affordable advice. Clients will see little or no difference – apart from the stationery, because all the staff will remain in both companies and the solicitors will keep their existing clients. The changes that will occur are mainly in-house as a sharing of best practice ideas will inevitably result in improved systems and client services. Just bringing together the collective brains of so many experienced solicitors is exciting and challenging. If you are an existing client of either company we hope you will be very pleased about the improved service you will receive. If you’re not a client but would like to be, please do not delay in contacting us.
St Neots (Head Office) 26 Market Square St Neots PE19 2PJ 01480 219699
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The only minor change is in St Ives where, due to size and location, it has been decided to combine all the staff in the much larger Winters office in the High Street near Barclays. All existing files new and old will be kept as before. Both management teams will also join forces to become one. Jeffrey Mills Practice Manager, Linda Eaton, said; “This will be a great fit and we welcome the partners of Winters to the management team.” “Winters Legal Partners both said they are really excited about joining the Beacon Group given their vibrant approach to business strategies.” “Personally, I am really pleased we have been able to pull this off; both teams include great individuals and being that much larger, new ideas will lead to improvements all round.” Further acquisitions will not be ruled out, but it would need to be a well-respected company with good current working practices and ethics, before they would even be considered. Family Values are paramount. A separate part of the Beacon Wealth Group has on the same day acquired two buildings on Market Square, St Neots, and Fishers Yard, St Neots after a developer threatened to acquire the buildings and close the shops in favour of development into housing. I have no intention of making changes, as St Neots needs all the shops it has and more.
BIG ENOUGH TO BE EXPERTS... SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE!
St Ives 3 The Sheep Market St Ives PE27 5AJ 01480 377377
Sawtry The Green Sawtry PE28 5ST 01480 832404
Kimbolton The Old Chapel Thrapston Road Kimbolton PE28 0HW 01480 869466
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We have expanded our family Jeffrey Mills Solicitors and Winters Legal are now called Beacon Wealth Legal. Part of the Beacon Wealth Group.
BIG ENOUGH TO BE EXPERTS.... SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE!
St Neots | St Ives | Sawtry | Kimbolton enquiries@beaconwealth.co.uk | www.beaconwealthlegal.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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Garden View
By Rachael Leverton
Leaf Matter. Leaves Matter!
Oh, those autumn leaves. So pretty on the trees but they can be rather inconvenient in the garden. If they drift too deep on the lawn the grass underneath will die so there’s nothing to do but rake them up. However, these fallen leaves are a little autumn gift from nature and with them you can create leaf mould. Leaf mould is free garden nourishment, and it’s it’s like feeding your soil with the finest fillet steak. Leaf mould is what’s left when the dead, fallen leaves from deciduous trees and shrubs are heaped up and allowed to rot down. As they slowly decompose, only the toughest bits remain, eventually forming crumbly, dark brown crumbs, a bit like chocolate sprinkles. Leaf mould is easy to make, a delight to handle, and you can’t possibly overfeed your soil with it. Micro-organisms are the driving factor, performing an alchemy that gives the finished product an almost magical quality. Its fibrous nature retains moisture and enables free drainage, which means it also makes a great mulch for trilliums or wood anemones, whose natural habitat is woodland. I adhere to a policy of only collecting leaves where necessary. Where they have fallen and are not obscuring the grass I leave them for the
earthworms to pull into their burrows (I wrote last month about how I think of earthworms as my friends and so do nothing to discourage them). Simply sweeping leaves off paths and decking or patios will keep the garden looking cared for. I also remove any that have drifted around my herb garden because herbs like to be able to breathe. These tasks alone give me enough leaves to create plenty of lovely leaf mould. If you have enough room, create a separate leaf heap rather than simply adding leaves to compost. It’s quite simple to construct a leaf cage using chicken wire and posts. You can even bag your leaves in punctured black bin bags and put them in an out-of-the-way corner. The puncturing is necessary to allow air to circulate. A leaf heap made this autumn will be ready by next autumn. While you’re tidying up the leaves it can be tempting to cut down faded perennials. But if you leave them, in a month or so you will find they have turned into wonderful sculptural winter skeletons which look incredibly beautiful in the frosts. It’s all down to personal taste of course, but I often leave perennials standing until February or March simply to provide a bit of interest over the winter.
Happy Gardening
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ALL SEASONS GArdEN & PrOPErty MAiNtENANcE
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Main dealer for Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Kohler, Kawasaki & Mountfield engines.
Honeydon Road, Colmworth, Bedfordshire MK44 2LY
01234 376513 www.bri-ag.co.uk
Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm
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
FREE Lawn Analysis: 01767 651 639
www.greensleeves-uk.com • Email: hunts@greensleeves-uk.com
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09/03/2018 11:06
Pets
Rehoming Appeal Eric
Eric is an 10 year old Jack Russel Terrier but despite being an older dog, he is still very active and enjoys his walks and is house-trained. He is a sweet, gentle dog. A thorough vet check has shown that Eric has no physical problems and is very healthy for his age. He does, however, have some night-time issues caused by canine cognitive disfunction (often known as Sundowners Syndrome). This means that in the evenings he can begin to pace and become restless, sometimes barking. Because of this, he follows a night-time routine which involves him being crated with plenty of soft bedding which helps him to feel secure. With the aid of some herbal supplements he will relax and fall asleep. Eric just wants to be with someone all the time, so is looking perhaps for an older couple who are at home all day or can take him with them when going out. He loves nothing more than to sit on someone’s lap and be stroked. Eric is not a fan of cats and although he gets on well with other dogs, he prefers the attention he gets being an only dog. If you could offer this lovely boy a home, please contact 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. Website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity
GILKS FENCING LTD
All Types of Fencing, Gates & Railings, SUPPLIED & INSTALLED
Call for a FREE Survey & Quotation Visit our Display Area at:
Gilks Fencing
Drove Road, Gamlingay, Sandy, Beds SG19 2HX Tel:
01767 650 615
Email:
gilksfencing@hotmail.com
www.gilksfencing.co.uk 44
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SURECLEAN DRIVEWAY AND PATIO CLEANING SPECIALISTS ROOF MOSS REMOVAL AND GUTTER CLEANING We use a revolutionary industrial pressure rotary cleaning system to restore exterior hard surfaces to as new condition.
Block Paving, Pathways, Patios Garden Wall and Stone Ornaments Ponds and Pools Also Re-sanding and Sealing Local Company
01480 468965/07870 338074 www.surecleancarpetcleaning.co.uk
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
Borderstyle & Landscaping We offer all aspects of soft or hard landscaping Driveways, Patios, Fencing Garden Design and Renovation Border and Garden Clearance Family Run Business Ten year warranty contract given. We are fully insured. Portfolios & references available.
Call Norm or Martin 01480477 040 / 07522661156 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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Puppy and Dog Training Classes various locations around Cambridgeshire www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk 07388 377371 cambridgeshiredogschool@dogstrust.org.uk @dogschoolcambridgeshire
fb.com/dogstrustdogschool
dogstrustdogschool
Tim Brown 01767 627532 bedford@bartlettuk.com www.bartlett.com
BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS A Very Brown Hedge Indeed Aphids are one of the most common and troublesome of all garden insect pests. They attack a large number of garden plants throughout the country and are recently causing much disfigurement to ornamental conifer hedges. Commonly known as Greenfly and Blackfly, these aphids feed on hedges, sucking the sap of the plant and can spread several viruses, causing severe dieback. Cypress Aphid is currently troublesome and pre-dominantly affects conifer hedging. Damage inflicted on conifer hedges by the aphid Cinara cupressi is severe and can lead to large brown patches on the hedge. This leads to localised foliage death, reducing the aesthetic look of the hedge. As the aphid is active from May to October it is important to catch this problem early and apply treatments to stop its spread. At the first sign of brown patches call us for a free consultation and professional advice.
Tree & Shrub Pruning l Planting l Tree Removal l Stump Grinding l Hedge Cutting Health & Safety Reports l Disease & Insect Control
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Pets
Animal Stories We would like you to meet Amy. Amy came into our care back in January earlier this year, after she was found abandoned in a cardboard box in Bedford’s Priory Country Park. She was advertised in the hope of finding a previous owner, but sadly no one came forward which made it apparent that Amy had been dumped. Unlike most of our neglect or abandonment cases, who come in to us weak and underweight, Amy was a fat cat weighing over 6kg! She had obviously been over-loved and was in need of a diet. Since she has been in our care she has done incredibly well on her diet and is now a healthy weight. Amy, 8 years old, is a loving girl who likes nothing more than a cat nap. She enjoys a fuss as long as it is on her terms and you have made friends first. Over the 10 months Amy has been in our care she has had only one enquiry, which unfortunately quickly fizzled out. She is getting fed up in the cattery, seeing all the other cats come and go, leaving her to patiently wait for her chance at finding a happy home. We would love to find her a loving new home before the year is over, so she doesn’t have to celebrate her year anniversary! Bedfordshire North Branch is an independent, selffunded RSPCA charity and our main aim is to take in, rehabilitate and rehome cats and small furries from RSPCA Inspectorate. Our charity shop is the biggest and most important source of income to fund this, and after sadly losing our beloved Bus Station shop back in spring this year due to lease
expiration, we are delighted to announce we have opened a new shop, and only three doors down from the old one! Our 6 Thurlow Street, Bedford Bus Station shop used to be a café, so after a month of hard work and determination, with an incredible team of carpenters, plumbers and volunteers, the renovation was complete and we have now opened our doors. Although the new shop is slightly smaller than our last, it has been fitted out beautifully with a more modern and up to date look, but still with plenty of room. We have so far received an amazing amount of donations and public support, and we’re so pleased to be back up and running, raising vital funds for our animal welfare work. If you would like to enquire about rehoming our beautiful Amy, or would like some more information on how you could support our new charity shop, whether by donating or volunteering, we would love to hear from you. You can call our office on 01234 266965 or email us at info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk. To keep up to date with our Branch animals or fundraising, visit our website www.rspca.org.uk/ local/bedfordshire-north-branch.
ANIMAL STORIES is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk
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Pets
Thinking about getting a kitten? Three things you need to think about Getting a kitten is an exciting prospect – they’re fun and entertaining, not to mention adorable and cute. But before you bring home your new furry friend, it’s important to check whether you’re fully prepared and that your home is kitten-friendly. So what do you need to think about before you bring your kitten home? 1. Providing a safe and welcoming home environment A kitten’s early experiences in your home can influence their behaviour in the long-term. If they’re to settle in quickly you’ll need to provide a safe environment, plenty of love and attention, and a warm and comfortable place to sleep. 2. What to feed your kitten Kittens have specific nutritional needs that develop as they grow. High quality food
formulated specifically for kittens provides the protein, minerals, amino acids, and vitamins they need – your vet will be able to advise on different brands and ranges. 3. Fun and games Your kitten will need a scratching post, as well as toys to keep them entertained and use up some of that boundless energy. It doesn’t need to cost a fortune – a simple cardboard box can amuse them for hours, along with a ball or mouse toy they can chase. Kittens provide endless entertainment with their antics and quirky behaviour. Giving careful thought to their surroundings and providing a safe, comfortable, and loving environment in which they can thrive, is the greatest gift you can give them. www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-afteryour-pet/kittens-cats/the-cost-of-owning-a-cat
By Ann Haldon
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Motoring
By James Baggott
How to deal with pothole damage to your car Winter is the season of snow, woolly clothes and — at least on poorly-kept UK roads — potholes. All motorists will know the struggles of trying to avoid potholes, but sometimes they’re either impossible to get around or go unnoticed. This can result in a little discomfort at best, and plenty of damage to your car at worst. We look at how you can report a pothole and, should you pick up damage, how you can claim money to cover repair costs. Why do potholes form? Potholes are most commonly created when water creeps into the cracks in the roads and freezes. The expansion and contraction of water moves the asphalt around, weakening it as a result. The stress of vehicle movement over the road eventually causes the asphalt to give way, thus forming a hole. Although potholes can form at any time, colder winter temperatures make them much more likely. What can a pothole do to my car? The uneven, sudden drop of a pothole puts significant stress on a vehicle’s tyres and suspension. As tough as modern cars are, there’s a chance a pothole could damage a tyre to the point of puncture,
add excess wear to suspension components or break them entirely. Extreme holes could even damage alloy wheels and components underneath a vehicle. How can I report a pothole? To report a pothole on a local road, you should contact the relevant council and inform them of the location of the hole. As for A-roads and motorways, the Highways Agency must be notified by calling 0300 123 5000. How can I claim for damage costs? At the risk of sounding like an insurance advert, you could be entitled to compensation should your car be damaged due to going over a pothole. If the pothole has been previously reported, you’re more likely to receive some compensation that if it has not. Councils have a statutory defence that they cannot be held liable for defects they’re unaware of. There are some steps you can take before making a claim to increase your chances of a payout: • Make notes — write down key details, such as location, time of the incident, and the size and depth of the pothole if
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possible. You should also take a photograph as evidence. • Witnesses — if anyone else has seen the incident, get details from them. It could help your claim. • Get repair quotes — having accurate quotes for repair bills could help to ensure you get as much of the damage repairs covered as possible in a claim. • Research — before making a claim, you should check to see what your council is and isn’t liable for. To make a claim for pothole damage, contact the local council for local roads and the Highways Agency for A-roads and motorways Can I claim pothole damage on my insurance? Your insurer may provide cover for pothole damage, and this is more likely if you have a comprehensive policy. It’s worth checking your policy documents and contacting your insurer before making a claim.
Buckden Private Hire
Local and Long Distance Airport Specialist Business Contracts Welcome
01480 812929 www.buckdenprivatehire.co.uk
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Three Counties Radio
Guinea Fowl stuffed with curry leaf butter with corn and coconut puree and chilli popcorn One of the things I love most about my Weekend Kitchen show is the colorful character of my guests. To put it bluntly, you don’t get to be a top chef by being a shrinking violet. You need charisma, creativity, passion – and eyes wide open to the world around you. Cat Ashton fits this bill. She is originally from Australia and has travelled extensively honing her craft at Michelin starred restaurants. She is also a brilliant character and her vibrant and comforting food reflects her personality. She has just landed in St Albans as the head chef at the new Abbey Restaurant and this fancy looking – but easy to execute – dinner party dish is her creation. You will need (Serves 4) 4 large Guinea fowl or chicken supremes (skin on) Curry leaf butter 250g butter, softened 1 clove garlic, finely grated 1 tablespoon fried curry leaves ½ teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon sea salt 1. Place all the butter ingredients into a food processor. Whip until light and fluffy (note: this recipe makes much more than needed but can last in the fridge for a few weeks and be used for all sorts of dishes). 2. Stuffing the breast: Using your finger, create an air pocket between the skin of the fowl and the breast meat. Evenly pipe about 2 tablespoons worth of butter inside the cavity and place in it the fridge to set for 1 hour. 3. Season the supremes and heat a little oil in a pan. Cook them skin side down for 2-3 minutes, to get a golden skin. Flip them over and pop them in an oven at 180C/ Gas Mark 4 to finish them off for 6-8 minutes. You want them to feel moist and slightly bouncy, not rock hard.
Corn and coconut puree 1 shallot, diced 1 clove garlic, chopped 25ml olive oil 250g corn kernels (tinned or fresh) 200ml coconut milk 1. Heat the oil in a pan and sweat off the shallots for 2 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and a pinch of salt and continue to cook for a further minute. 2. Add the corn and mix well. Fry for 2 minutes and add the coconut milk. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until softened. Puree in a blender until smooth. Serve warm Popcorn 50g corn kernels 10ml rapeseed oil Salt Garlic powder Chilli powder 1. Cook the popcorn as per the packet instructions. Then dust with salt, garlic powder and chilli powder to your desired spice level. To serve; Serve the puree on the plate, topped with the guinea fowl and finish off with the popcorn around the plate. This goes particularly well with spiralised raw yellow courgette, served just between the meat and the puree. Add a few final corn kernels on the plate for decoration
Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can also join Nick every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.
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We clean your oven…. ....so you don’t have to. Call today to have your oven, hob, extractor or Aga professionally cleaned
Rob Radford contact details Tel: 01767 640594 Mobile: 07960 467805 www.ovenwizards.com
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Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts 09/04/2018 15:24
Crime
By Dr Ken German
Local Tradesmen and Women Targeted by Thieves
Tradesmen and women are currently under attack from criminals who are destroying their vehicles to gain access and steal the tools necessary for them to carry on with their businesses. Our local services including builders, mechanics, engineers and many others who help with house improvements, car repairs, deliveries and emergencies have all been affected at some time many losing all their working tools and equipment and often being left with vehicles so badly damaged that they are subsequently ‘written off’ by their insurance companies. Every town and city across the country appears to have their own plague of ’tool thieves’ responsible for causing hardship and havoc to van owners with reports posted on social media almost every day of at least 6 tradesmen’s vehicles being damaged with contents stolen often culminating in the demise of sole operators and small businesses being forced into bankruptcy. Ironically the police who of course are initially blamed on various social media sites for not arresting those responsible or recovering this stolen equipment have rightly responded offering their own pictures depicting large quantities of identical stolen property they have collected from various searches and raids they have conducted all of which they cannot identify and desperately want to restore to their rightful owners. Indeed as one local officer suggested ‘a suspect who is often unemployed and found in possession of 93 electric drills, saws and hammers, 14 Jet washers, 17 MIG/spot welders, 19 compressors and thousands of tools all stacked in his living room offering no good account to his possession of the items might reasonably expect us to assume he had stolen them. ‘ This ‘Catch 22’ conundrum does appear to have a simple solution however. Owners must mark their tools and equipment with their own individual identification (Initials/post code) that would establish enough information to allow the police to search crime reports and national databases and identify and restore items to their rightful owners whilst at the same time giving them the opportunity to charge those responsible and obtain a conviction for theft. The sad irony is that should the police fail to find owners for any of their acquired stolen property they could be forced to return all of it back to the thieves who could boast that it was returned to them by the police having been through their identification process and they are therefore entitled to declare they are legitimate owners.
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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 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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Local News
Restoration Project Regenerates Areas of Heathland across Greensand Country A project funded by the Greensand Country Landscape Partnership is working with the RSPB, The Greensand Trust and The Wildlife Trust to create better habitats and improve the chances of colonisation on heathlands across the landscape. Greensand Country, an area of distinct, beautiful and loved countryside stretching from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay, has already seen some exciting results from the landscape partnership’s Living Heathlands project. Last month, The RSPB announced that, thanks to the restoration of heathland on the reserve, nightjars are breeding at The Lodge in Sandy for the first time in 45 years. In partnership with the Wildlife Trust, the Greensand Country Landscape Partnership is restoring the largest surviving area of heathland in Bedfordshire, at Coopers Hill, by removing scrub, bracken and trees so that underlying heather can thrive. Meanwhile at Rushmere Country Park, The Greensand Trust is introducing grazing cattle to help manage the heath, as well as creating guided walks to help people explore the new heathland. In addition to the three sites identified for regeneration at the beginning of the project, the Greensand Country Landscape Partnership, has supported The Greensand Trust in acquiring an additional 17acre site, Shire Oak Heath, adjacent to Rushmere Country Park, which has almost reached its £50,000 fundraising target, in order for it to begin restoration work. Claire Poulton, Programme Manager at the Greensand Country Landscape Partnership explains: “We are thrilled with the huge successes that the Living Heathlands project has seen so far. The objective of this project is to create better habitats for wildlife, which provide sustainable homes for a number of species and improve the chances of retention across Greensand Country. “This outcome is important nationally as well as on a local level, as our landscape creates a stepping stone between habitats in the south and north of Great Britain.
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“As well as continuing to work with partner organisations, we are keen to engage farmers and landowners to create islands and corridors between habitats, in order to establish strong ecological networks that will ensure the long term growth and success of these sites.” The Greensand Country Landscape Partnership has grants of between £500 to £15,000 to help communities and landowners improve the natural and community heritage of the Greensand Country. We can cover up to 70% of a project’s total cost. Living Heaths & Working Woodlands Projects could include: • Small woodland/hedgerow planting • Creating wildflower meadows • Creating nature corridors • Restoring heathland or acid grassland • Managing woodlands • Introducing conservation grazing For further information and to apply for a grant email: team@greensandcountry.com with a brief description (no more than 200 words) of your project and location. To find out more about Greensand Country visit greensandcountry.com, and for regular updates follow @greensandsocial on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Greensand Country Landscape Partnership is led by the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity and the Greensand Trust and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It is made possible by National Lottery players. Without them we couldn’t fund the project.
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LESTER O’DRISCOLL CARPENTRY Door Hanging, Skirting, Flooring, Fitted Kitchens, Fencing, Decking, General Carpentry, Extensions
07842 195152 01480 811629
TELEVISION MOBILE SERVICE ST NEOTS, ST IVES, HUNTINGDON AREA REPAIR TV,VCR, DVD, FREEVIEW DIGITAL BOXES TUNING & DEMONSTRATION OF EQUIPMENT DIGITAL LOFT AERIALS SUPPLIED & FITTED EXTENSION AERIAL POINTS DAY OR EVENING CALL OUTS 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE PHONE JOHN FABISZ FOR ESTIMATE
01480 495408 OR 07887887319
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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Easy Suduko
Hard Suduko
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles. 60
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PREFERRED PLUMBING AND HEATING
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Contact: 07463 004120 Email: steve@preferredplumbingandheatingltd.co.uk Website: preferredplumbingandheatingltd.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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G.B.BUILDERS NO JOB TOO SMALL FOR ALL MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS AND DIY WORK All general building repairs and odd jobs Specialist in Painting and Decorating & Groundwork and Grass cutting • Brickwork & Plastering Tiling Driveways • Paths & Patios Slabbing • Concreting Blockpaving • Fencing, Carpentry • Roofing Guttering • Drainage Plumbing
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Seasoned Firewood Locally sourced hardwood Split and fully seasoned
£65 a Dumpy Bag Including delivery (Builders Bag)
Simon Gurry 07734 159501 Don’t shiver, we deliver 62
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Local News
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is 40! (26-28 January 2019) Celebrating 40 Years of Counting Garden Birds in Bedfordshire • The RSPB is celebrating 40 years of its’ famous Big Garden Birdwatch. • Over 8 million hours have been spent watching garden birds since the Birdwatch began in 1979 with more than 130 million birds counted in the UK. • Taking part in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey takes just one hour and provides the RSPB with an annual snapshot into how our wildlife is faring. • To mark the event, the RSPB is asking participants ‘How will you #BigGardenBirdWatch?’ and share their stories of how they take part. The RSPB is eagerly anticipating who will be top of the pecking order for a very special anniversary of its’ world famous Big Garden Birdwatch in January. Just one hour every year, for the last 40 years, has made the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch the largest garden wildlife citizen science project. During that time, hundreds of thousands of people have volunteered their time providing the RSPB with over 8 million hours of monitoring garden birds around the UK. To mark the event, the RSPB is encouraging participants to share their Big Garden Birdwatch stories. How will you #BigGardenBirdWatch? will showcase some of the best examples of how people take part from building their own birdwatching den, baking birdseed cakes and dressing up as Batman to see Robin. This year’s event takes place on 26, 27 and 28 January 2019. The public is asked to spend just one hour watching and recording the birds in their garden or local green space, then send their results to the RSPB. Close to half-a-million people join in the Birdwatch every year, around 5,000 of whom, are in Bedfordshire. Over the last 40 years, 130 million birds have been counted giving the RSPB an astonishing amount of insight into how our wildlife is faring. For four decades, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world. It was first to alert the RSPB to the decline in song thrush numbers. The song thrush was a firm fixture in the top 10 in 1979. By 2009, its numbers were less than half those recorded in 1979, plummeting to 20th in the rankings. In Bedfordshire, the house sparrow was top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings in 2018, with starling and woodpigeon rounding off the top three. Mike Clarke, RSPB Chief Executive, said: “Everyone has a role to play in saving nature and protecting our wildlife. Big Garden Birdwatch participants have made
Photo: Louise Greenhorn
a significant contribution to monitoring garden bird numbers over the past four decades. Those taking part work together as part of a community with thousands of other Big Garden Birdwatchers to help the RSPB’s work to protect birds, other wildlife and the places they live. Reaching 40 years is a huge achievement and shows just how passionate people across the UK are about their wildlife. The survey started as a winter activity for our youth members. It’s now the largest garden wildlife survey in the world and appeals to both children and adults because it’s an enjoyable, easy, inclusive activity that anyone can do and a great opportunity to connect with nature.” The survey has also shown the increases in collared dove and wood pigeon numbers and the alarming declines of the house sparrow and starling. While the overall decline in house sparrow numbers, reported by participants, since the Big Garden Birdwatch began is 57% (1979 – 2018), in the most recent decade (2009-2018) numbers appear to have increased by 17%. As well as counting birds, the RSPB is once again asking participants to log some of the other wildlife they have seen throughout the year. This year, people are being asked to look out for badger, fox, grey squirrel, red squirrel, muntjac deer, roe deer, frog and toad. To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2019, watch the birds in your garden or local park for one hour at some point over the three days. Only count the birds that land, not those flying over. Tell us the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour. The parallel event, RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch takes place during the first half of spring term (2 January – 22 February 2019). More than 60,000 schoolchildren spent an hour in nature counting birds in 2018. Further information can be found at www.rspb.org. uk/schoolswatch For your FREE 40th anniversary Big Garden Birdwatch pack, which includes a bird identification chart, plus RSPB shop voucher and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden, text BIRD to 70030 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch Registration for Big Garden Birdwatch 2019 opens 12 December 2018.
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n O s ’ t Wha In November
Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com
1 November Toddler Time - Trains & Tracks 10.30-11.30am St Neots Museum, The Old Court, 8 New Street, St Neots £3.50 per child. Join us for fun, history activities, explore the museum and take home a messy art. Drop-in event. www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 November Healthy Walking 10am or 10.30am-11am Wandlebury Country Park, Cambridge Free event. Every Thursday. Meet at the Stable Rooms at 10am for a longer walk or 10.30am for a shorter stroll. No need to book. Please arrive 10 minutes early to register if it’s your first session.
2 November St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm Guest Hall, Priory Centre, St Neots Tickets £5. “Doc Rowlett” by Liz Davies. Members of the St Neots Local History Society meet monthly for talks of local and historical interest. Tickets available from St Neots Museum. Tel: Tickets 01480 217492 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 November Friday Night Lights 7.30-8.30pm Longsands Academy Astro, Longsands Road, St Neots St Neots Hockey Club. Friday Night Lights aims to provide the local community of St Neots with the opportunity to experience hockey in a casual, relaxed and family orientated environment. Tel: Chris (Club Development Officer) 07792 044878 Email: cjbryden08@hotmail.co.uk 3 November Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church Hall, St Ives Free admission. Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola. 3 November Meditation Course in Huntingdon: 10.30am-1pm Huntingdon Library, Princes St, Huntingdon £15. Meditate, Relax and Reflect. Treat yourself to a morning away from it all with this light and inspiring course. Enjoy meditations, guided by our Resident Teacher and Buddhist nun Kelsang Rak-ma, designed to bring about an experience of peace and wellbeing from within. Everyone is warmly welcome and no experience of meditation is needed. This half-day course comprises two one-hour sessions with a coffee/tea break with a chance to ask questions and browse our book shop. Tel: 01733 755444 Web: www.drolmacentre.org.uk Email: info@drolmacentre.org.uk 3 November Simply Saturday 12.30-2.30pm St James Church, Little Paxton For adults of all ages with lunch and various activities available. Tel: Leisa Hunt 01480 471748 Email: young_paxton@ntlworld.com
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3 November Cambourne Fireworks, Great Cambourne Sports Pitches, Back Lane. Fun fair opens 6pm, firework display c. 7.30pm (weather dependent). Free admission - donations welcome Free mulled wine whilst stock lasts - get down early! Licensed bar, hot food, drinks and sparklers area. No parking. Please park at Morrisons or the Hub car park.
6, 13, 20 & 27 November Roxton Bridge Circle 7.15-10pm Roxton Parish Hall Small friendly group playing Bridge every Tuesday evening. Tel: Phyllis 01480 374327 Email: mary@jackpike.co.uk
7 November Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club Coffee Morning & Raffle 3 November 10am-12 noon Godmanchester Town Hall Paintbox Art Exhibition 10am-4pm Monthly coffee morning and raffle. Annual The Scout Hut, Mill Hill Road, Eaton Ford, St Neots membership fee is £10. Tel: Geoff 07515 881209 Free admission. Refreshments. 7 November 3 November St Mary’s Afternoon WI St Neots Ghost Stories at the Leper Chapel with in situ: 2pm St Mary’s Church Room, St Neots 8-10pm First Wednesday of the month. Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge Tel: May Parker 07724 043941 Tickets £12, Concessions £10. CambridgePPF event. Email: mayp.at.home@gmail.com For one night only in the haunting Leper Chapel, Ghost Stories with in situ. Please note the chapel 7 November is not heated so wear suitable clothing. Tickets Black Cat WI 7.30pm Wyboston Village Hall available in advance. Web: www.insitutheatre.co.uk The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098 3, 10, 17 & 24 November Huntingdon Music School 7 November 8.30am-1pm Hinchingbrooke School Brampton Flower Club 7.30pm The music school operates lessons and ensemble Community Centre, High Street, Brampton groups on Saturday mornings during term-time. AGM followed by a presentation from Philip Waites, Tel: 01480 584867 or 07719 835472 the head gardener at the Wimpole Estate. Members’ Email: enquiries@huntsmusicschool.org.uk competition: Flower arrangement using an everyday Web: www.huntsmusicschool.org.uk household object. Tel: Jan Dobie 01480 531822 Email: jandobie1946@googlemail.com 4 November Web: www.bramptonflowerclub.com Cambridge Voices 4.30-6.30pm Holy Trinity Church, Great Paxton 9 November Tickets £10 inc. programme & interval refreshments, Wonder - Meal 6 for 6.30pm, Film 7 for 7.30pm Under 13s free. Holy Trinity Church, Great Paxton Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton presents Cambridge Voices under the direction of Kimbolton Community Cinema. Based on the 2012 Ian De Massini with music appropriate to 100 year novel of the same name, it tells the inspiring and commemoration of the Great War. Tickets available heart-warming story of August Pullman, a boy with from Great Paxton Community Shop or Diane James. facial differences. Meal is Chicken & Mushroom Tel: Diane James 07522 449535 Pie, Roast New Potatoes and Vegetables, Mixed Email: diane.james42@outlook.com Berry Pavlova. Tickets available from Oliver’s, Swan Pharmacy, Courtyard Kitchens, Bytes Café or by email. 5, 12, 19 & 26 November Email: jrstratford@hotmail.com West Hunts Friendship Club Web: http://e-voice.org.uk/ 9.30am-3pm Great Staughton Village Hall themandevillehallkimbolton/community-cinema Meets every Monday except Bank Holidays. We are looking for new members who are retired to join our 10 November happy team. Members can participate in a range Hemingford Village Market of activities as well as enjoying a hot meal at lunch 9am-1pm Parish Centre, Hemingford Grey time. Transport can be arranged for those who live Second Saturday of the month. An opportunity to within a six miles radius of Great Staughton. Tel: buy food, crafts, plants and flowers from small local Annabelle Blackham 07527741495 businesses. Hemingford Grey Parish Council hold a surgery at the market should you wish to meet 5, 12, 19 & 26 November councillors to discuss local issues. Refreshments Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm available all day in the Hemingford Garden Room. Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 10 November Email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com Autumn Fayre 10am-2pm Berkley Street Methodist Church, Eynesbury Morning coffee, lunches from 12 noon. Cake stall, crafts, plants, bric-a brac, gifts, toys and puzzles.
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n O s ’ t Wha In November
This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com
10 November Xmas Fair 10am-3pm Abbots Ripton Village Hall Free admission. Many stalls and chance to sample some festive treats. Visit Father Christmas, ride on a “reindeer” and have fun doing Christmas crafts!
10 November Come and Sing Day Rehearsal 1-5pm, Performance 6pm St. Mary the Virgin Church, Titchmarsh Registration £10 with score, £12 score provided, Audience tickets £5. To celebrate 100 years since the end of WWI. Come and Sing Day - The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins. Conductor: Bjorn Bantock. With members of Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Orchestra. Email: titchmarsharmedman@gmail.com 10 & 11 November Hemingford Art Club Winter Exhibition 10am-4pm Hemingford Abbots Village Hall Original paintings framed and unframed also handmade cards. 11 November Little Paxton Remembers 3pm St. James Church Commemorating 100 years since the end of WW1. Little Paxton Parish Council invites all residents to a special Church Service to remember residents who fought in World War 1 and contributed to the war effort. “When you go Home, tell them of us and say, For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today” John Maxwell Edmunds 1916. Refreshments will be provided by the Parish Council after the service. 11 November The Mariner 7.30 pm Little Gransden Village Hall £12, Under 21s £10. Based on episodes from the extraordinary life of Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the context of his most famous poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. A gripping fusion of drama, song, puppetry and film! Tel: 01767 677906 Email: ssulledit@aol.com 12 November Godmanchester Trefoil Guild 7.30-9pm Godmanchester Football Ground Trefoil Guild is a branch of Girlguiding for Adults aged 18+. They meet on the second Monday of the month. Email: jeanmking@outlook.com 13 November Police Surgery 5-7pm Brampton Community Centre, High Street, Brampton Residents are invited to meet John Carter, Brampton Police Community Support Officer, to ask advice on home security, raise issues concerning their neighbourhood or simply meet their local officer. 13 November St Ives Sugarcraft Guild 7.30-9pm Reading Room, Hemingford Grey Visitors £6. Monthly meetings where you can learn, hands-on, various cake decorating techniques and/or sugarcraft. The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Tel: Shirley 01480 454616
14 November Fundraising Coffee Morning 10am-1pm All Saints Church, Market Square, Huntingdon The Hunts Society for the Blind Fundraising Coffee Morning. Delicious homemade cakes, accompanied by a cup of tea or coffee. Lots craft stalls, Tombola and a Raffle. The coffee morning is on every second Wednesday of the month from March-November. 15 November St Ives & District Flower Club 2.15pm Visitors £7 Burgess Hall, St Ives Demonstration by Alan Smith from Ipswich entitled “Christmas All Wrapped Up”
16 November Christmas Shopping Evening 7-9pm Alconbury Primary School Free admission. Enjoy festive nibbles, hot beverages and a glass of Prosecco. Browse our many stalls, packed full of lovely Christmas treats. Stalls include jewellery, wooden signs, candles, cards, decorations, henna, various handmade crafts, soaps and children’s clothes, skincare, personalised frames, homewares, etc.. 16 & 17 November Candlelit Tour of Island Hall 3pm Island Hall, Godmanchester £18.50 per person. Special Candlelit Tours are a magical opportunity to experience Island Hall’s lovingly restored Georgian rooms by glittering candlelight. Join award-winning interior designer, owner Christopher Vane Percy for an atmospheric afternoon tour. Listen to the intriguing stories of Island Hall’s history and tales of its residents past and present, then enjoy a delicious full homemade tea with fresh, finger sandwiches and a slice of rich, festive cake. Places are limited to just 18 for these tours. Web: www.islandhall.com 17 November Christmas Fayre 10am-2pm St. Mary’s Church, Eaton Socon Fun for all ages. Stalls include crafts, books and puzzles, gifts and cards, homemade cakes and produce. Plus children’s games, letters to Santa and family photography sessions. Refreshments. 17 & 18 November Foxton Art Exhibition 11am-4pm Foxton Primary School Award winning art exhibition. An exciting event showcasing an array of work across a range of disciplines from local artists in order to raise money for artistic material, facilities and activities for the children of Foxton Primary School. The Exhibition has been running successfully for a number of years. 19 November Little Paxton W I 7.45pm St. James’ Church Meets every third Monday of the month, except December when it meets on the second Monday. Email: evans-margaret@sky.com
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19 November St Neots Royal Naval Association 8pm The RAFA Club, 44 Huntingdon Street, St Neots St Neots & District Branch of the Royal Naval Association meet on the third Monday of every month. Tel: Tony Webley 01480 215218 Email: jj.awebley@btinternet.com 21 November Carers Coffee Club 2.30-4pm The Royal Oak, Hail Weston Are you caring for a loved one with a memory loss? Come along and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee whilst chatting with others in a similar situation. Our informal group meets on every third Wednesday of the month. No need to book, just turn up. Tel: Neil Silby 07889 319888 for further details Email: kimpigfarmer@tiscali.co.uk 24 November Christmas Fair 10am-5pm Ferry Meadows Country Park, Nene Park, Peterborough Free admission. Stalls and activities - everything Christmas related. Charge applies for some activities. 24 November Cambourne Christmas Market 11am-3pm The Hub Community Centre, High St, Cambourne Free admission. A variety of Christmas stalls such as craft, baking, confectionary, festive plants and wreaths and unique Christmas gifts. Mulled wine and mince pies available Email:christmas@cambourneparishcouncil.gov.uk 24 November Cambourne Christmas Lights Switch On 5-7pm Market Square, Broad Street, Cambourne Free event – donations welcome. Lights will be switched on between 6.15-6.30pm. Entertainment by JezO’s events, Santa’s grotto, face painting, food stalls, live music. Free mulled wine and mince pies. Email: lightupcambourne@hotmail.com 24 November Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Orchestral Concert 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Tickets: £14/£12, Student Concession £7/£6 Wagner: Tannhäuser Overture. Schumann: Cello Concerto (Julian Metzger, Cello). Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F minor. Conductor: Bjorn Bantock. Tickets are available online or on the door. Web: www.huntsphil.org.uk 24 & 25 November Christmas Tree Festival and Christmas Fayre 12 noon-4pm All Saints Church, Offord Cluny Free admission Free car parking. Tel: 01480 810764 Email: johnlstorey35@hotmail.com
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Interiors By Katherine Sorrell
Making an Entrance Your hallway is an introduction to your home, the first thing you and your visitors see when entering. A well thought-out design, combining good looks with functionality, will help make the best impression. Hallways can often be an overlooked space but, in fact, they are crucial to the look and feel of a house, acting as a ‘welcome home’, a connection between rooms and – unless you are fortunate enough to have a separate boot room where everything can be kept neatly out of the way – a vital storage area for all sorts of necessary gear, from shoes, boots and umbrellas to coats, hats, gloves and scarves. Sometimes the entrance way is the best place to keep other items, too: maybe bottles of sun lotion for putting on just before you leave the house, a first aid kit, torches, dog leads, tennis rackets or other sports equipment… all kinds of things, in fact, that may not really have a specific place elsewhere. A carefully designed hallway, then, should be as much of a priority as a beautiful living room, kitchen or bedroom, and it is worth giving consideration to all the usual elements of interior design, including walls and floors, lighting and furniture, as well as finishing touches such as soft furnishings, books and art. On the wall In a narrow hallway (which, let’s face it, most of us are stuck with), using pale colours is a good idea in order to emphasise a sense of space. Specialist light-reflecting paints, now available in a range of
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colours, may help, or look for patterned wallpaper with a metallic sheen. Add large mirrors (ideal for checking your reflection just before you leave the house, too) in a style that complements your overall look. For halls that see a lot of wear and tear, choose an extra-tough paint, or add a dado rail and clad the walls below it with tongueand-groove panelling, tiles or hard-wearing vinyl wallpaper. Period-style tiles or embossed wallpapers look particularly good in older properties with period features; their patterns could echo other elements of the house such as cornices or fireplace surrounds. Durable floors When choosing flooring for this high-traffic area bear in mind that it should be non-slip, durable, dirt-resistant and as easy as possible to maintain. While a good doormat will help, darker colours are generally a better choice than anything too pale, especially if you have pets and children. Stone, ceramic or quarry tiles, or Victorian encaustic tiles, are all easy to care for, while solid wooden boards or parquet simply require regular polishing or waxing (wood laminates, though cheaper, may not last long in such a well-used space). Linoleum or vinyl can look impressive, especially when laid in patterns. Carpet is more problematic. Choose a colour or pattern that won’t show the dirt, and make sure that the composition is suitable for a hallway: an 80:20 twist classified for heavy domestic use is often the best.
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Lovely lighting A welcoming light in the hallway is ideal and, while it doesn’t have to be bright enough to read by, it should illuminate any steps, stairs and thresholds clearly and help provide an even flow of light through your home. If your hallway has a high ceiling, a beautiful chandelier, or a series of interesting pendants, makes a great statement; if not, a row of downlights set into the ceiling will do the trick. Wall lights look great, too, but unless very flush-fitting they are best avoided in a narrow hall where they will simply act as obstacles. Sensible storage For hallway furniture, built-in storage makes the most of every inch of space. Shallow, floor-toceiling cupboards with doors painted the same colour as the walls, or mirrored to maximise light, will hold masses yet be barely noticeable. On the other hand, you could make a statement with a choice of free-standing cupboards, sideboards, tables, benches, hooks or racks, chosen to suit your floor layout and your style. Urban cyclists might want to install a high-up hook for their bikes, while spacious country hallways suit umbrella stands, boot racks and dog beds. Whatever your style, somewhere to keep post and keys is always a good idea: perhaps a bowl and rack on a console table,
radiator cover or shelf, or a small, wall-mounted cupboard and set of hooks. Finishing touches Not all halls have windows, but those that do will benefit from shutters, blinds or curtains that complement the rest of the space. When selecting fabric, co-ordinate with cushions or upholstery on seating. A long, thin floor runner works beautifully on hard flooring, adding softness, pattern and texture. If you have lots of books, or delicate items you wish to show off, you could fit shelving above doorways or run a slim shelf along the length of the hall above head height. And, finally, add a personal touch with paintings, photographs or other artworks, arranging them so as to create a display that adds an extra touch of interest and flair to your practical, versatile space.
Fun Quiz - Shops 1. What type of shop is the Little Shop Of Horrors in a 1960 film of this name, the 1982 musical based on this, and the 1986 film based on this musical? 2. Situated on Regent Street in London, what is the name of the world’s largest toy shop? 3. In the Harry Potter novels, what does the shop called Ollivanders sell? 4. In which British city would you find Pulteney Bridge, one of only four bridges in the world to have shops built across the full span on both sides? 5. Which Greek city was Richard Tompkins, founder of the Green Shield Stamps company, on holiday in when came up with the idea for a new shop? 6. In what decade did the act of parliament known as the Sunday Trading Act allow shops in England and Wales to open on a Sunday? 7. In a game of bingo, what number is referred to as “top of the shop”? 8. Formed in 1982, which duo named themselves after the slogan of a furniture shop in Hull that boasted of selling almost anything newlyweds would need? 9. Together with her sister, which famous person opened a vintage clothing shop in London in 2010 called Lucy In Disguise? 10. Now with over 3,000 stores worldwide, which shop first opened in Brighton in 1976 and was soon threatened with court action by a nearby undertaker who objected to its name? 1. A florist 2. Hamleys 3. Magic wands 4. Bath 5. Argos 6. 1990s (1994) 7. 90 8. Everything But The Girl 9. Lily Allen 10. The Body Shop
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Parenting
Making Christmas Extra Special Elf on a Shelf The original idea behind Elf on a Shelf was that an elf would arrive at the start of Christmas to watch over children and report back to Father Christmas. However, the trend has changed in recent years to become a bit more fun (and a bit less creepy). Now the craze is for the elf to get up to mischief overnight, whether it’s making snow angels in flour, tying the children’s shoelaces together or wrapping the loo in Christmas paper. (Search Pinterest for inspiration.) Kindness elves Not keen on the idea of a pint-sized prankster? Kindness elves have become a popular alternative. They still move each night but rather than tricks, they leave notes praising the child for a good deed or suggesting a kind act the child could do, such as visiting an elderly neighbour or making a card for a relative. Advent calendars Looking for an alternative to a chocolate advent calendar? If you have the time, you could make or buy a reusable calendar to fill with trinkets and second-hand
small toys. A bundle of Shopkins characters, for example, can be picked up relatively cheaply on eBay. The calendar can then be brought out again each year, so becoming part of your family’s festive traditions. If you don’t have the time (or energy) to find 24 gifts, the advent calendars from Lego, Smiggle, Playmobil and the Early Learning Centre offer a decent selection of goodies for £20-£30. You can also sometimes find a previous year’s calendar for £10 or less on eBay. Digital calendars have different activities, images, videos or other features to unlock each day. The best one I’ve found is by Jacquie Lawson. It costs just £3 and will work on most computers, smartphones and tablets. Activities include making a snowflake, decorating a Christmas tree and solving puzzles. Each activity can be played as many times as you like. (Grown-ups tend to enjoy this calendar just as much as the kids.) See www.jacquielawson.com. If your child loves crafts, the Mini Makes Christmas papercraft book
by Half Pint Home will provide hours of entertainment. There’s an activity for each day leading up to Christmas, including mini-bunting, finger puppets, decorations and more. Mini Makes Christmas costs £12.99 from www.etsy.co.uk. Video messages from Father Christmas Surprise your child with a personalised video message from Father Christmas, thanks to Portable North Pole (PNP). You can get a short video for free or unlock lots of different personalised videos, phone calls and stories for around £11. The videos are very well made and will keep your child believing for that little bit longer, see www.portablenorthpole.com. Santa Spy Cam With the Santa Spy Cam app, you can capture video evidence of elves and Father Christmas visiting your home. My daughter caught an elf on camera last year using the app and the experience made her a believer again. The app is available for Apple and Android phones. One video is free, the rest cost a few pounds, see www. santaspycam.com.
By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk
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October’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mr Paul Hobbs from Godmanchester Easy
Hard
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The Villager Prize Crossword
Prize
ÂŁ25
Across 7. Companies, corporations (13) 8. Thin layer, film (8) 9. Large stringed instrument (4) 10. Places of education (7) 12. Cinders (5) 14. Crustaceans (5) 16. Roads (7) 19. Chemical element, Zn (4) 20. Courteously (8) 22. Relaying of messages (13)
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before

16th November 2018 Name: Tel: Address:
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Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
Down 1. Vacant (4) 2. Strong Asian grass (6) 3. At last (7) 4. Enclosed (5) 5. Desires (6) 6. Most furious (8) 11. Passageway (8) 13. Slanted letters (7) 15. Turn into (6) 17. Manor (6) 18. Unlocks (5) 21. King of the beasts (4)
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Books
Book Review By Kate Duggan Stuck for the perfect present? Our literary gift guide might help…
For crime lovers Girl On Fire by Tony Parsons
A terrorist attack on a shopping centre sees DC Max Wolfe on the hunt for the culprits before they can strike again. He also has battles closer to home to deal with in the form of his ex-wife, who wants custody of their daughter. A gripping story with plenty of twists to keep you guessing.
For family saga fans The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
A long-lost letter sets Edie on a quest to uncover more about her mother Meredith’s experiences as an evacuee. Meredith was taken in by the three Blythe sisters, including the enigmatic Juniper. As Edie soon discovers, her mother isn’t the only one who’s been keeping secrets. An enjoyable, atmospheric novel that treads the line between family saga, gothic mystery and historical fiction.
For young readers Alice Dent and the Incredible Germs by Gwen Lowe
In Alice’s world, cleanliness is crucial, illness is not tolerated and laughter is strictly forbidden. So when Alice gets a cold and a case of the giggles, she’s in big trouble. She manages to escape the clutches of the Best Minister for Everything Nicely Perfect, but for how long? Alice Dent and the Incredible Germs is very funny and perfect for sharing at bedtime.
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