Cambs November 2022

By Peter Ibbett

From St. Neots Store to Advertising Hoarding

St. Neots High Street is facing up well to the challenges of trading post-covid and pre energy crunch. Changes will still occur as the town adapts to another ‘new normal’ with a rebalancing between commercial and residential property in our e-shopping age. The now closed Beale’s department store awaits the next phase of its life. A generation of locals will remember spending their ‘divi’ at the Co-op’s Westgate store (2009 photograph). They would not have imagined the town without its top of high street store and being reduced to clothes shopping on-line. The main building was created in the mid 1700’s by local bell founder Joseph Eayre as the George Inn. It had an assembly room on the second floor with a musician’s gallery and ornamental plaster work with a chandelier. The inn did not thrive and much of the property became residential but with the assembly room surviving into mid Victorian times. The St. Neots Co-operative Society took the building in 1913. (Tebbutt St. Neots 1978 . Still available at the museum together with many other local publications).

The property is now doing duty (hopefully on a temporary basis) as an advertising hoarding reminding folk of the attraction of shopping and leisure facilities in the town. The museum has much more about the heritage of the town and has a Christmas Craft Fair and activities as well as a shop with a family range of unique items that will make good presents. The museum is free to locals and contributing local parishes.

Best Christmas Markets in Europe

With Christmas now just around the corner, if you find yourself fantasising about mulled wine, festive coffees, mouth-watering cheeses and steaming chestnuts – you’re not alone. Christmas market season is upon us, the perfect time to wrap up warm, fill your belly and hunt for gifts you wouldn’t find anywhere else. While we have plenty of world-renowned markets to visit on our doorstep

By Solange Hando

– Winchester, Edinburgh, Bath and Cambridge to name a few – nothing quite compares to Europe’s fairy-tale, festive spirit. Wooden chalets in thirteenth-century towns, snow-capped cathedrals, powdery spiced stollen, and of course, all the mulled wine you can drink. The likes of Germany, Estonia, Hungary and Austria, to name a few, take Christmas markets to another level. From Hamburg’s regional specialities and the dazzling lights of Vienna, all the way to Tallinn’s picturesque cobblestone streets dusted with snow, you’re spoilt for choice on where to go. To make your decision easier, we’ve pulled out five of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and what makes each one so magical. Vienna, Austria - From the middle of November until Christmas Day, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into a mesmerising maze of Christmas markets, adorned with fairy lights. There are over

twenty to choose from, but wherever your feet take you, you can expect to see everything from artisanal handicrafts and traditional wooden toys to ice rinks, Ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds. This is Christmas at its most traditional. Oh, and did we mention the food? Warm the cockles of your heart with a mug of mulled wine while inhaling the smell of roasted chestnuts and freshly baked pretzels. Divine!

Tallinn, Estonia - Part of what makes Tallinn’s Christmas markets so magical is their setting.

Nestled in the heart of this beautiful, medieval city, where everything in sight is dusted with snow, each December the markets fill with sellers of local arts and crafts and delectable festive treats. And if that wasn’t enough, they’re also joined by brass bands, bell ringers and endless dance troupes – not to mention Tallinn’s very own Santa, who arrives at his winter grotto on an authentic reindeer sleigh.

The highlight, though, is its Christmas tree, which the city has been displaying in front of its town hall since 1441, making it the first Christmas tree to ever be displayed in Europe.

Budapest, Hungary - Officially hailed as Europe’s best Christmas market in 2022, Budapest’s Advent Feast at the Basilica is a delight for the senses. Centred around the impressive backdrop of St Stephen’s Basilica, the market is home to more than 160 artisan vendors. Shop for unique gifts and sample local Hungarian specialities from friendly food sellers. Goulash and flódni are must-tries!

There’s even an ice rink in the heart of all the action, circling a nine-metre-tall Christmas tree. Be sure to hang around for the real star of the show though – a

spectacular laser light show projected on the facade of the magnificent St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Nuremberg, Germany - Home to more than 150 towns and cities with established Christmas market traditions, Germany is synonymous with the festive season. Berlin and Cologne are world-renowned, and for good reason, but most visitors will agree that Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt just about comes up trumps.

One of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back to around 1530, Christkindlesmarkt is a foodie’s paradise. Grilled sausages, crackling pork, mulled wine, sweet gingerbread – every festive food fantasy can be fulfilled here. It’s also known for being one of Europe’s most environmentally friendly Christmas markets, thanks to its reusable cup system and regenerative energy power source.

Prague, Czech RepublicPostcard-worthy Prague was made for the festive season, so it’s no surprise its capital’s market is one of the favourites in Europe. This is part and parcel down to its magnificent setting. On one side, there’s the fourteenth-century spires of Our Lady Before Tyn, on the other, the city’s famous fifteenthcentury astronomical clock.

Czechs are famously heavy drinkers, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to booze too. Along with hot mulled wine, you’ll also find mead, punch and grog, a concoction of rum, lemon, sugar and hot water.

The market is family-friendly too. If you’ve got little ones, shepherd them over to the Old Town Square where you’ll find a petting zoo complete with sheep, goats and donkeys.

For the love of: Sherry

The ABV (Alcohol by Volume) of sherry is usually between 15% and 20% (perhaps a little higher, in some instances), being fortified during production. Fino and Manzanilla sherries have dry styles, as do Amontillado and Oloroso productions. Sweeter options include Pedro Ximénez, which is great to pair with many desserts, at a dining occasion.

DON LUIS FINO DEL PUERTO (16.5% vol) I found refreshing, with excellent flavour. This crisp production utilises the grape varietal to great advantage (100% Palomino grapes). Following fermentation, in stainless steel tanks, the wine then has 48 months in old American oak barrels. An impressive pre-dining drink, that also accompanies fish and paella dishes, extremely well.

EL BENITO MANZANILLA (17% vol) spends 48 months in old American oak barrels, following fermentation in stainless steel tanks (100% Palomino grapes). A most pleasant bouquet entices to the mouth’s pleasures, evoking thoughts of apple-orchard fruits. Perfect to greet guests with and to have with tapas delectations, for example.

DON GASPAR AMONTILLADO (18.5% vol) is produced with fermentation taking place in stainless steel tanks (100% Palomino grapes). Then, the wine has120 months in old American oak Jerezana barrels, to give this very impressive fortified wine its full and rich flavour. A delight for predining experiences, with friends and/or family. Also, splendid with foods, such as tapas dishes, etc.

TORRE DEL ORO PALO CORTADO (19% vol) commences its journey from a vineyard with vines having an average age of 25 years. Stainless steel tanks are used for the fermentation process (100% Palomino grapes) and, after fortification, enter into the solera system for approx 4 years, to commence their ageing element. Selections are made by the winemaker, for the Palo Cortado classification. Following a further 8 years of ageing, the sherry is then bottled and released, with flavours hinting at orange and nutty notes. This, I consider, to be a superb example.

I located these sherry productions at Waitrose, in their No.1 range, which is produced in partnership with the eminent sherry house of Lustau. I found Waitrose to have an excellent drinks section, with something for all tastes and palates. www.waitrose.com

Trevor Langley

Remember, remember, the fifth of November

Bonfire Night is an annual commemoration of a failed assassination attempt in 1605.

In 1603, Protestant James I became King of England. Despite being the son of the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots, he carried out persecutions against those of the faith, much as his predecessor Queen Elizabeth had done.

This lead one unhappy citizen – Robert Catesby – to devise a plot to kill the king and his establishment. With the help of a team of other sympathisers, including soldier Guy Fawkes, barrels of gunpowder were placed in a cellar under the House of Lords with a plan to ignite them on the opening day of Parliament – the fifth of November.

Fawkes was given the job of guarding the vault on the previous evening, but the plot was rumbled and just after midnight Fawkes and the gunpowder were found.

As news spread of the incident, Londoners began lighting bonfires in celebration of the fact James I was still alive and in 1606 the Observance of Fifth of November Act was passed, enforcing an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot’s failure. The Act was repealed in 1859.

As for Fawkes, tried and found guilty of his crime, he was to be executed opposite the Parliament building in January 1606, but he fell or jumped from the gallows ladder and died of a broken neck.

The commemoration eventually lost its religious and political undertones and is now more likely to be an organised bonfire and fireworks display, just for fun.

Dental care: looking after your teeth and gums

We all know that regular dentist appointments are a key component of healthy teeth and gums. However, with the NHS still catching up with its backlog of appointments post-pandemic, not to mention the cost-of-living crisis making private dentistry unaffordable for many, there’s never been a better time to prioritise preventative dental care. So what are the different measures you can take to protect your teeth?

Brush daily

Brushing your teeth daily is simultaneously the easiest and most important element of preventative dentistry.

The NHS recommends brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about two minutes to stop plaque build-up. Most of us will have got into the habit of brushing our teeth morning and evening since childhood. But did you know that the best time to brush in the morning is before you eat breakfast? This is because plaque-causing bacteria multiply in our mouths while we sleep.

What about the toothbrushes themselves? Contrary to popular belief, manual toothbrushes are just as effective as their electric counterparts – when used properly. However, many people find electric toothbrushes easier to use, which is why they’re often recommended by dentists. Remember to replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) three to four times per year to keep the bristles rough.

Floss regularly

In addition to brushing daily, dentists also recommend flossing regularly to clean areas of your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing is also believed to reduce the risks of gum disease, by

removing plaque that forms along the gum line. If you have gaps between your teeth, swap floss or dental tape for interdental brushes; they come in sizes to suit everyone.

Use mouthwash

Commonly used to keep our breath minty fresh, mouthwash can also reduce the amount of acid in the mouth, clean hard-to-brush areas in and around the gums and even remineralise teeth. With so many brands on the market, from products made for children to mouthwashes designed for those with sensitive teeth, speak to your dentist to find the perfect mouthwash for you.

Reduce your sugar intake Sugar is your teeth’s arch nemesis. This is because it causes tooth decay by reacting with the bacteria found in plaque. Every time you consume sugary food or drinks, the enamel in your teeth is softened and your teeth become exposed to decay-causing acids.

Thankfully, this damage is somewhat reversed by minerals from the enamel of your teeth and your saliva. Saliva generates minerals like calcium and phosphates, both of which are beneficial for strengthening teeth. It’s an important process, but it can only do so much. To keep your teeth healthy, you’ll still need to limit your sugar intake. Sugary drinks are the main culprit, but what about sugar-free drinks? Surprisingly, even your favourite sugar-free fizzy drinks can be bad for your teeth due to their acidity levels. To be on the safe side, stick to water, unsweetened tea, milk, plain sparkling water and diluted juice – with sugary drinks as an occasional treat.

Style and Warmth?

I know on my own account that it’s easy to pile on layers and find yourself feeling and looking like a giant ball of wool (on me, beginning to unravel) when it becomes seriously cold. We can easily lose any sense of style in the effort to stay warm. However, there are some tweaks we can add into our look and prevent us looking too trussed up. Plus some elements that are on trend to factor in too.

Necklines – a high neckline roll neck can foreshorten you adding to a ‘bunched up’ effect so find layers including jumpers that sit lower if this applies to you (if you’re not sure talk to your House of Colour consultant to find out). Us a softly draped scarf to fill in the area if you feel the cold and then you can adjust where it sits to be the most flattering. It’s better if we can avoid cluttering shorter areas. Scarf – a great place to add a pop of WOW colour particularly if your coat is a dark neutral. This will also break up silhouette and add interest. Try not to be a sea of neutrals, use your palette of colours.

Those who struggle to wear a larger woollier scarf (not all of us can take the larger scale or sometimes the slightly messier look that accompanies it) try rolling it in half (so not as bulky) and creating a neater tie such as a ‘no knot’ tie. Sparkly embellishments – this is a trend were seeing across most accessories in some form. Think sequins, details with sparkle, and embroidery. Think about gloves, adding brooches/embroidery to hats. There are shapes and details that suit every individual look whether sharp and angular or small and pretty. Add those into your accessories to update your look and draw the eye to your best features!

Proportion Play – if you have a large puffer coat or

a giant scarf think about using it with some smaller scale elements. Let that one bigger piece be you ‘hero’ and allow the other elements to play second fiddle.

Footwear – there are lots of funky walking and winter boots around with waterproofing and style to them. Check out Clarks and look online. Lots of colour around too in a traditionally limited space. Layers – it’s not news but lighter layers add up to great warmth. So if you struggle in this colder weather add in your base layers – silk and merino wool (not the super itchy variety but the base layer engineered) seem to perform very well. I love Patra Selections silk thermals. Natural fibres do seem to perform best but M&S ‘heatgen’ range which is a blend gets great reviews so is worth trying.

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

The Poignant Poppy

Why do we wear the poppy? - Scarlet poppies grow wild all over western Europe wherever the soil has been disturbed. The battles of the First World War churned up such vast areas of earth that millions of poppies germinated and bloomed, often around the bodies of the fallen soldiers. A Canadian surgeon called John McRae wrote the poem In Flanders Fields, which many of us study in school. The poem is a haunting memorial to those soldiers who have died in any war and the imagery of the poppies is used to symbolise the deaths of those who fought.

Why do we hold a two-minute silence? - On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the guns of World War I fell silent. Four years of fighting and devastation finally ended. The following year ceremonies of remembrance took place on what was known as Armistice Day. An armistice is an agreement for the cessation of active hostilities between two sides in a war.

An Australian journalist, Edward George Honey first proposed a respectful silence to remember the dead. He wrote a letter to the London Evening News which was brought to the attention of King George V. The king issued a proclamation which called for a two-minute silence. These days Armistice Day is more usually known as Remembrance Sunday and is a chance to honour the fallen soldiers of all conflicts.

In the light of the atrocities going on Ukraine this year, I hope you’ll think even more about your poppy and all it stands for.

By Nicky Gray

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.

Grey is the New BlackGoing grey gracefully

A few years ago, I noticed that younger women were dying their hair grey. As a 45-year-old woman the irony was not lost on me. There I was paying to dye my hair back to its original chestnut while the 23-year-old sitting at the next basin was paying the same to achieve my silver locks. WHY was I doing this?

One of the many downsides of colouring hair is that you have to repeat the process every 3-8 weeks. I was closer to three weekly and was planning my life around my roots. Then there was the expense. In spite of Davina McCall’s exhortations home dying did not look professional and my bathroom needed a deep clean afterwards. Finally, I was beginning to notice that dyed hair just didn’t look authentic on me. My skin looked just a little bit ‘off’ next to my hair colour. So, I decided to embrace the grey. Why do we go grey anyway?

Each hair grows from a follicle which contains cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce two types of pigments: eumelanin (dark brown or black), and pheomelanin (reddish yellow). In combination they are responsible for our hair colour. As we age the melanocytes in the hair follicle start to die and the hair becomes more transparent. Gray hair still has some melanin, but not enough to give us back our youthful hue. White hair has no melanin. The process of going grey Lots of people opt for a shorter haircut but it’s not essential. I didn’t. I decided I’d grow mine to shoulder length and brazen it out. My hair is still fairly thick, so I wanted to make the most of it. My hairdresser recommend a textured cut to give it volume and movement. I still hated it for the first three months, as my roots came in, and I wore hats a lot. I nearly caved at one point but my wonderful

hairdresser talked me off the ledge. By six months I was loving the changes. My hairdresser recommended that I used products with a bit of shine. Grey hair loses its natural shine and can look less healthy. I love to use a hair oil from about halfway down my hair, which softens and moisturizes it. I don’t use it all the way up the roots because it does weigh the hair down a little.

One bonus of being grey is that I have to wash my hair less. Grey hair is naturally drier so whereas before I was washing it every day or every other day, now I usually wash it every three or four days.

Another good recommendation was a specialist ‘purple’ shampoo and conditioner. ‘Don’t freak out when you first see it,’ my hairdresser warned me. ‘It’s very purple, but it will brighten your grey hair and remove yellow tones.’ Then she added, ‘Only use it once a week though or you’ll end up lilac!’ It works like a charm. I love how silver my hair looks when I use it but I’m mindful of her warning.

My biggest concern was about looking ‘old.’ It didn’t take me long to realise that if I didn’t embrace more colour in my wardrobe that is exactly what would happen. I switched to a brighter lipstick and added some jewel-coloured tops and statement earrings to my previously all black wardrobe. I even updated my spectacles to a bright coloured frame. In addition, I keep my hair in a modern, more youthful cut and I love the fact that the colour now compliments rather than competes with my skin tone.

Four years on I’m nearly fifty but I no longer worry about my roots, and I’m saving a fortune at the hairdresser. It’s not for everyone but I’d definitely recommend going grey because of the freedom it brings.

By Charlotte Harris

A gift that keeps giving

For many of us, our Will is the final message we send to our families, friends and wider community about who we are and how we want to be remembered.

After taking care of loved ones, consider leaving a gift to charity in your Will. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, now more than ever charities rely on income from legacies. In fact, many charities would not survive without such donations and a gift in your Will costs you nothing and ensures the good work of your chosen charity lives on.

Where to start

The pandemic has helped many of us to realise the importance of charities to our lives and the willingness of so many to help in a crisis.

• First decide to whom you’d like to leave a legacy. It can be a cause close to your heart, such as a local hospice, youth organisation or branch of an animal welfare charity, or one of the national/ international organisations such as Save The Children, UNICEF or Cancer Research UK.

• You do not need to write a new Will to include a gift to a charity. A codicil allows for you to make minor alterations to your Will without the need to rewrite the original document. However, if you have more than one or two minor changes, it’s generally recommended that you write a new Will. A codicil follows a certain format and has the same strict execution requirements as a Will – it will need to be witnessed and signed in the same way as a Will.

It pays to remember a charity Legacies can reduce the amount of inheritance tax that will need to be paid on an estate. For example, those giving away 10 per cent of their net estate can benefit from a discounted inheritance tax rate of 36 per cent (from 40 per cent) across the remainder of their estate.

• Another option could be to consider creating a charitable trust, which would ensure your money is dispensed over an extended period of time. The trust will be registered with the Charity Commission, and the trustees will distribute income and also capital to charities following your directions, by way of a ‘letter of wishes’. There will be fees involved in setting up a trust. Contact a law firm/solicitor that specialises in this area for more information.

How your gift is used

Your gift could help your chosen charity in many ways, but if there is a specific way you would like it to be used it is best to talk to them about it first, as it might not always be possible for the charity to use it in the way you wish.

• You are under no obligation to tell your chosen charity you are leaving them a legacy – in fact, many people prefer not to say anything.

For more information, visit the Charities Aid Foundation (www.cafonline.org) and Remember a Charity (www.rememberacharity.org.uk).

The no-fault divorce and the impact victims of domestic abuse

The biggest change to divorce laws in the past 15 years took place in April 2022 allowing married and civil partnership couples to obtain a divorce without having to ‘blame’ the other. Among the hopes for the new law were the benefits it would bring for victims of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse and divorce

Previously, in order to divorce you had to wait for a period of two or five years before a divorce could be granted. The only other option was to rely on grounds of unreasonable behaviour or adultery, fault-based facts which often led to increased hostility between the parties and risk of further abuse, especially when couples continued to live together. This protracted divorce process gave perpetrators additional time and avenues to continue to control their partner.

Research has highlighted that the fault-based system created barriers to divorce that trapped victims of domestic abuse in unsafe and unhappy marriages, and caused them to stay for longer than they would have if there been an alternative way to divorce.

Unnecessary trauma

When using the ground of unreasonable behaviour in a fault-based petition, petitioners had to give the reasons for the breakdown of the marriage. Victims of domestic abuse would have to choose whether or not to state the abuse as a ‘reason’ for divorce knowing that voicing this could risk their safety.

If they did decide to use abuse as their grounds for divorce, perpetrators previously had the

opportunity to contest and defend the divorce, resulting in the victim having to attend court to face their abuser and share their personal experiences, placing immense and unnecessary pressure on them. To avoid the trauma of court, a significant amount of domestic abuse victims would accept facts about themselves that were untrue, to speed the divorce up and escape their abuser at the earliest opportunity.

Removing the outdated divorce law

It is hoped that the introduction of no-fault divorce in April 2022 would benefit victims of domestic abuse by removing the legal requirement to evidence their justification for divorce against outdated and arbitrary criteria, as well as removing the right for respondents to contest a divorce. No-fault divorce has brought a welcome end to the ‘blame game’ lowering the overall impact of divorce by enabling victims of domestic abuse to seek a divorce simply because they believe that their marriage has broken down, without the need for lengthy separation periods, airing painful details, and without the fear that their divorce may be contested.

Family Law Advice

If you are in an unhappy or abusive relationship and would like advice on your legal situation, our experienced team of family solicitors at Leeds Day LLP can help. Contact the team by sending an email to: family@leedsday.co.uk, telephone: 01480 474661 or for more information generally, visit our website: www.leedsday.co.uk/family.

Huntingdon

Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD

T: 01480 454301

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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Money on my Mind

The Martin Lewis column

He’s the UK’s leading money saving expert - a journalist and presenter who has kept millions of pounds in people’s pockets as well as lifting the lid on the threats and dangers we need to be aware of as consumers.

In this month’s column, Martin Lewis looks at the current energy crisis, and the fact no real solution appears close.

Our energy sector is in a mess, and there is little doubt about that. For too long we have experienced this continual up and down shift of prices and supply and tariffs and everything else that, as consumers, drives us bonkers.

The reality of what we have and what’s going on right now has been brewing for a long time. A perfect storm of situations, from Brexit to covid to the conflict in Russia, effectively means we are being throttled in our desire to heat and light our homes, ensure water comes through our taps and more.

You may say we have been unlucky to find these factors all colliding in together at one time, yet it is the job of the government – and any sort of decent opposition – to put fail safes in place so that when something catastrophic like this happens, the end result isn’t the sort of bewildering increase in bills that really may move a greater quantity of people into poverty than we have ever seen before. It’s a disastrous combination and we are praying for short- and medium-term solutions that will see not just the most vulnerable through the winter, but

everyone else besides, because this is a national problem coming at a time of huge inflation and cost of living emergency.

Let’s just go to a basic summary of what we have here – in the UK we’re talking about having privatised energy firms, but we effectively now have restricted competition and regulated prices in the form of a price cap. You have to ask yourself, what is the benefit of privatisation if you work in that marketplace?

The next price caps – they’re going to be in January and April – will reveal where we go from here. All I can say right now is energy bills will go down – they will be lower in April than they will be in January, but higher than they are now. And while we wait for a solution, we will need to ride this out – we have no choice. Yet rest assured the consumer has been sold down the river and the lessons of this will resonate with both current and future governments, as they should.

www.helpinghandso ceservices.com Tel: 01767 690075 / 07966 554304 Email: maureen@helpinghandso ceservices.co.uk

Choosing the right radiators for your home

By Katherine Sorrell

1An upgrade to your central heating radiators will not only improve the comfort of your home, but also its looks.

Radiators are one of those often-overlooked essentials of the home, conveniently forgotten about for as long as they do their job. However, over time, rust, corrosion and blockages can build up, resulting in cold spots or an inefficient system.

Chemical ‘flushing’ and regular bleeding will help but, unfortunately, central heating radiators won’t stay in perfect condition forever. Sometimes they need replacing because a new boiler, with increased pressure, causes leaks, or you may even be installing an entirely new home heating system. A heat pump, for example, may require larger radiators in order to heat your home efficiently.

Extra efficiency

The good news is that, thanks to improvements in technology and manufacturing, modern radiators heat up more quickly and can be 50% more energyefficient than old models – especially if yours were installed before 2000. What’s more, today’s radiators are no longer a necessary-but-boring feature; in an array of sizes, shapes, materials and colours, they can

be a good-looking as well as functional focal point of a room. This is your chance to complement your design scheme and even add a dash of style.

Where to start Start by calculating the heat output required for each room. This is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units); you can use an online calculator or ask your plumber to work it out for you. You can achieve the same heat output with a long, low radiator (horizontal) as with a tall, thin one (vertical), or increase the heat with a double panel rather than single (though it will stick out from the wall more) – so the next task is to look at each space and work out what size and shape of radiator you want to install. You may even like the look of the traditional column radiator, while in a bathroom a heated towel rail is a great choice – though bear in mind that it gives off less heat than a panel radiator.

A choice of materials While older radiators were made from cast iron (slow to heat and cool down, and very heavy), the vast majority of modern radiators are made from mild steel. Other options include stainless steel

(more expensive, but less prone to rust build-up) and aluminium, which is the most expensive option but also the best in terms of efficiency, and the greenest to manufacture. Stone, glass and brass radiators are also available, and offer opportunities for unusual and eye-catching designs.

Positioning your radiators

In terms of where to position each radiator, unless you are replacing an existing system like-for-like, there are options. They are best placed in the coldest part of the room, which always used to be under a single-glazed window, where the incoming cold air creates a circulation of warm air within the room. In modern, well-insulated homes, however, this principle is less important, and you can put radiators wherever you wish, depending on the positions of your furnishings, and on whether your aim is for them to blend in and be almost unnoticed, or to stand out as designer features. Just don’t block them with long curtains or bulky furniture, and in period houses it’s a good idea to aim for symmetry, with radiators placed centrally on a wall.

Design possibilities

Once you have worked out your required heat output and decided where each radiator will go, you’ll know how the size of radiator required corresponds to the floor footprint and wall space available. In many cases it’s then a simple case of choosing the material you prefer and deciding on a style and colour, though where space is limited or awkward you may need to research a few different solutions. It could be a corner radiator (around the outside or inside), a curved one for under a bay

window, one that’s completely flat, one with a mirror finish, or one that includes a bench seat. Where you wish to make a statement, there is an intriguing range of radiators that are shaped like abstract wall art and, increasingly, radiators are available in a wide variety of powder-coated colours, both off the shelf and bespoke. No longer do radiators have to be an unseen necessity – both attractive and efficient, they may well be the new heroes of your home.

1 This steel radiator incorporates a wooden seat and is made to order in a choice of four, five and six columns and 218 colours. Ancona Bench Seat Vertical, from £1,312.80, The Radiator Company.

2 A copper finish gives this mild steel towel radiator a luxurious and timeless look. Terma Jade curved heated towel rail in True Copper, from £154.99, Only Radiators.

3 Patented horseshoe-shaped tubes are designed to provide a high heat output from this steel radiator, available in white, dark grey or your own colour. Cirque horizontal, from £305.76 in a colour, Feature Radiators.

STOCKISTS

Feature Radiators: 01274 567 789; featureradiators.co.uk Only Radiators: onlyradiators.co.uk

The Radiator Company: 01342 302 250; theradiatorcompany.co.uk

Gardening

Filling the garden with golden light

Even on an overcast November day, the garden can be bathed in light. But it doesn’t need to come from the sky: plants can provide a golden glow that looks as warm as sunshine.

The stars of the autumn garden are not only spectacular leaves, turning shades of crimson, orange and yellow before they fall from deciduous trees, but ornamental grasses that send spirits soaring. They quietly grow in stature throughout the summer, then burst forth in full glory during autumn and winter, filling borders with joy once most other plants have faded. Grasses soften the understorey in a cloud of luxuriant waves. These are plants to excite and stimulate the senses. The sound of rustling in the autumn breeze cuts through the stillness in the air, evoking memories of the turning tide and of passing time.

The secret of successful planting lies in repeating forms and patterns throughout the space. One or two specimen grasses are certainly worth having, but it’s not until you repeat the theme across the garden that you create an unforgettable sea of beauty.

Top tips for using ornamental grasses in the garden

• Aim for contrast. Think about the backdrop against which your grasses will be seen. An evergreen yew hedge, for example, will make your golden autumn grasses look brighter and bolder than a background of mixed deciduous shrubs. A black wall or fence will provide a similar effect.

• Place taller grasses at the back of the border, such as Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ (Chinese silver grass), which can reach heights

of 1.5m, and mounded forms of slightly lower grasses in the middle. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Silberspinne’ (another variation of Chinese silver grass) is a particularly easy grass to grow and it changes colour as winter progresses. Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ (fountain grass) is a rather beautiful smaller grass, and the evergreen or semievergreen Anemanthele lessoniana (pheasant’s tail grass) looks magnificent when placed towards the front of the border, spilling slender foliage and airy flowerheads onto paths.

• Plant most grasses in multiples of odd numbers, if possible. It creates a balanced composition that feels harmonious.

• Consider incorporating structural elements amongst grasses to provide an anchor. Topiary such as tall cones of evergreens, pillars of hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), cloud-pruned trees or multi-stemmed trees can look highly effective.

• Don’t expect all grasses to stay where you put them! Some tend to seed themselves around and the parent plant might eventually fade away. Aim for an informal look that allows this natural transition to take place.

• Research your grasses so that you know how to care for them. Deciduous grasses should be cut down to the ground in very early spring or late winter. Evergreen and semi-evergreen grasses generally need a comb through with a gloved hand in order to remove dead stems. The harder-leafed evergreens sometimes benefit from a very light pruning, just removing damaged stems.

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

Feeling Fruity

Autumn is well advanced and following some brilliant colour, the trees and shrubs have shed most of their leaves. Many of us will have been busy tidying our plots in preparation for winter. However, if you’ve ever fancied growing your own fruit then now is the perfect time to put in a little extra effort. From now until spring is the best window to plant fruit trees because now is the time that nurseries are selling bare-root trees. ‘Bare-root’ simply means without pots or soil. Bare root trees are cheaper than those grown in pots, but they are quick to establish providing you follow a few simple steps. Before you plant the tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for at least two hours, so it gets a good drink.

Prepare a large enough area, at least 1 metre diameter. This means that if you are planting in a lawn you’ll need to remove an area of turf to the same diameter to stop the grass competing with the new tree for nutrients and water. Wherever you plant, make sure you dig in lots of organic matter, this could be garden compost, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure. Make sure you dig it all around the area where the hole will be, rather than just into the hole itself, because this will encourage the new tree to put roots out into the surrounding soil, helping it to establish quickly. The hole for the new tree needs to be roomy enough so that the roots will not be crammed together.

Drive a stake into the ground to a depth of at least 60cm. This will provide support for your fledgling tree.

If you are planting a grafted tree, there will be a clear join where it was grafted on to the rootstock This join should remain above the soil level when planted. It’s easier if there are two of you; one to hold the tree at the correct level, and one to backfill the hole around the roots. The person holding the tree should shake the trunk gently as the hole is filled, so

By Rachael Leverton

that soil gets in between all the roots.

Once you’ve filled the hole, firm the soil gently with your foot. Don’t compact the soil too much. The drag more soil over the compressed area.

Use a soft rubber tie to secure the tree to the stake at a height of 60cm. Too low and the tree won’t be secure; too high and the tree won’t flex enough in the wind. Allowing the tree to flex a little encourages more root growth and results in a stronger tree.

Finally, water in well and apply a 5cm layer of organic mulch over the area but NOT touching the trunk, because it might rot. The mulch helps to suppress weeds, provide insulation, and retain moisture.

Your tree should now be fine until spring when we’ll talk about ongoing care.

Happy Gardening

GreenFingers

The Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses the next generation of green-fingered gardeners. You’ll find me talking quite a bit about the new breed of gardener coming through. For me, it’s a natural evolution that presents to me two different things – firstly, the art of gardening is much more interesting and much cooler than it ever was in my day; and secondly, it seems as though I am becoming more and more aware of my own mortality!

Percy Thrower was the one who inspired me most when I was a kid. I watched him on Gardening Club on the box, and as the years have gone by, I have been lucky enough to work with a number of the horticultural greats. Christopher Lloyd was a friend, Beth Chatto is a friend who I really value and whose work I really admire.

After a while you realise you have progressed from the student to the teacher, and I’ve always been very proud to be that person. Ultimately, I want to inspire

everybody to get into the garden, because I think there are so many benefits.

And I do admit, the likes of James Swift, James Wong, Annemarie Powell, Katie Rushworth and Frances Tophill all have a knack of conversing to young audiences that I probably don’t have… and that’s great.

I want to see our gardens and our outside spaces continue to flourish over the decades to come, despite the noise and appeal of doing other things elsewhere; and you know what, I’m sure they will.

Rabbits in Rescue Care

In recent years the number of rabbits coming into rescue has been increasing, with last year alone seeing a jump in rabbit intake of 28 percent. This year is already superseding that with all local and national rabbit rescues full and with waiting lists. Rabbits come into rescue care for all kinds of reasons. They may come in as stray rabbits, have been abandoned or dumped by previous owners, or owners can simply no longer care for them. Rabbits are incredibly social creatures and should mostly be homed with as a pair, so commonly if one half of that partnership passes away, the other often ends up in rescue due to single rabbits needing much more care and attention.

A pair of rabbits we have at RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch at the moment are Scooby and Scrappy. They came into our care after they were taken to a local vet by a member of the public who found them as strays. They were advertised as found and the owners were eventually tracked down, only to advise the vet practice they no longer wanted the rabbits. They have now been with our foster carer for almost two months, in which time both boys have been neutered, vaccinated and litter trained. They are beautiful little rabbits with very big personalities, and although a bonded pair are very much chalk and cheese! Scooby is the bigger of the two with a shiny, soft coat and black markings on his face. He is definitely the more timid of the pair and relies on Scrappy’s confidence, preferring to let him have the attention than get any himself, however he absolutely loves to run around the garden and is

Scooby

often caught doing his big binky’s across the lawn. Scrappy is just as his names suggests! He is much smaller than Scooby and always has a scruffy, fluffy looking coat. He is a very cheeky little rabbit that has to explore every tiny nook and cranny he can find, and also likes to dig. He generally doesn’t have any fear and unlike Scooby, is quite happy to be picked up, hand fed treats or the odd head rubs. One thing they do have in common though is their love of food. They come running to the door each morning to get their breakfast and love nothing more than getting their daily veggies.

Scooby and Scrappy are looking for a new loving home to go to where they have secure shelter and plenty of outdoor space to enjoy. They are currently living as outdoor rabbits, but could also easily be rehomed as house rabbits. Please be aware the minimum size requirement for a sheltered enclosure is 6ft x 2ft x 2ft with additional, accessible exercise space of 8ft x 4ft.

For more information about adopting Scooby and Scrappy or any other animals in our care, please contact our Branch by emailing adopt@rspcabedfordshirenorth.org.uk or phoning 01234 266965. We are a local Branch of the RSPCA working within North Bedfordshire.

Turkey Tikka Masala

Turkey’s not just for Christmas

a great

it’s a

Ingredients

500g leftover cooked turkey meat, cut into chunks

200g thick natural yoghurt

1 green chilli, chopped

Juice of 1 lime, plus extra wedges to serve

2 tbsp tikka masala paste

Sea salt flakes

Freshly ground black pepper

3 tbsp vegetable oil

50g butter

5 green cardamom pods

1 cinnamon stick

2 onions, peeled and chopped

2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated

4 large garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp ground coriander

½ tsp ground turmeric

1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp tomato puree

125ml single cream

200ml water

1 tsp fenugreek leaves, crushed in a pestle and mortar (optional)

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp sugar

To serve

A small bunch of coriander, chopped Naan bread

Steamed rice

yoghurt

1. Put the turkey into a large bowl with the yoghurt, chilli, lime juice, tikka masala paste, some salt, pepper and 1 tbsp of vegetable oil, tossing well to coat. Set aside for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

2. Meanwhile, make the curry sauce. Heat the remaining oil and butter in a deep frying pan, then add the cardamom and cinnamon and cook for 20 seconds until you can start to smell the spices. Add the onions with a pinch of salt and cook for 6-8 minutes until they start to colour. Add the ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chopped tomatoes and tomato puree and stir well. Simmer for 15 minutes until the oil starts to separate from the sauce. Use a stick blender to puree until smooth or leave a little chunky if you like.

3. Heat the grill to high. Transfer the meat from the marinade to a baking tray lined with foil, reserving the marinade.

4. Grill the marinated cooked turkey for 5 minutes on each side until heated through and the marinade is charring in places.

5. Slowly stir the reserved marinade mixture into the curry sauce, along with the cream and water. Add the fenugreek (if using), garam masala and sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in the grilled turkey. Taste and season, adding salt, sugar or lime juice as needed.

6. Serve sprinkled with some chopped coriander, plus extra lime wedges, naan bread, steamed rice and Greek yoghurt.

Football Crazy

Get your World Cup footie facts here

It can’t have escaped your notice that we are in the midst of the World Cup Fever! So here are a few World Cup facts for footie novices and experts alike.

The first World Cup took place back in 1930. Jules Rimet, a French football administrator who was the third and longest serving President of FIFA, wanted to create an international competition between men’s football teams. The first World Cup tournament consisted of thirteen invited teams and took place in Uruguay, who won the competition.

The World Cup has been played every 4 years since this inaugural tournament except in 1942 and 1946 when it was suspended because of World War II. Hence it has been held 21 times and 2022 will coincidentally be the 22nd World cup.

In 2018 Russia automatically qualified as the host country, with the remaining 210 nations competing for the remaining 31 places during 872 matches.

Following the international condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russians were banned from the 2022 World Cup. Their scheduled opponents in the playoffs at the time of the ban were Poland, who were given a bye through to the final — where they beat Sweden to book their ticket to Qatar 2022.

The Russian football authorities did appeal the decision, but their case was thrown out by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Brazil has won the most World Cups with five, while Italy and Germany are close behind with four each.

The World Cup is usually held in June and July but the host this year are Qatar. The subtropical desert climate there results in extremely hot summers, with highs averaging between 32-27 degrees. As the temperature often exceeds these averages, the authorities felt it would be too dangerous to play soccer. So as part of their winning bid for hosting the World Cup, Qatar agreed to stage the tournament in November and December, where typical temperatures are a more comfortable 21-26 degrees. The winning team is awarded the World Cup Trophy. Although team gets to enjoy celebrating and being photographed with the trophy after the final, they don’t get to take it away with them. They are sent home with a replica. The current Jules Rimet trophy has been presented to winning teams since 1970. It is made of 18-carat gold and weighs in at 13.5 pounds (just over 6Kg). At the inception of the tournament in 1930 FIFA decided that if any nation won three finals, they would be given the trophy to keep. In 1970 Brazil achieved this feat when they defeated Italy in the final in Mexico, so the trophy was presented to the Brazilian Sports Confederation. It was placed on display on the third floor of the CBF offices in Rio. 13 years later on the night of 19th of December, the security guard was overpowered by a group of thieves and the trophy disappeared. It has never been found.

By Nicky Gray

Take a Tumble

What to look for in a new tumble dryer

The problem with a British winter is that its damp, which makes clothes-drying difficult outdoors. It isn’t always practical to air dry indoors, especially if your household generates a lot of washing, so we often resort to a tumble dryer. The problem with tumble driers is that they use energy and energy is super expensive right now. Hence choosing a new tumble dryer is not a decision to be taken lightly. Here are some feature to look out for.

By Matthew Carter

Capacity - How much laundry you typically do on a weekly basis? A large family generates a lot of dirty clothes so it’s worth investing in a bigger tumble dryer as not only will this cut down on time spent doing laundry, one larger load will typically cost you much less than three smaller loads.

Smart sensors - Sensor dryers can cut your energy use in half. They actually sense when moisture has been removed from clothes and automatically stop at that point rather than wasting electricity by needlessly completing the cycle. Some appliances allow you to choose your level of dryness, from dry enough to store or wear straight away, to iron dry which leaves clothes just slightly damp. Quiet operation – Useful if your tumble dryer will be sited in an open plan area. Some modern dryers are virtually silent, no louder than a fridge!

Stainless steel interior - This prevents the drum of the machine from rusting. Air fluff/low heat setting – This protects materials that are sensitive to heat.

Energy rating - Modern dryers are more energy-efficient than older models. Upgrading will give you more hightech features for a reduced electricity bill. Look for an A or B rating for maximum efficiency.

WHAT'S ON IN NOVEMBER

1 NOVEMBER

Hail Weston Wildlife and Gardening Group

7.15pm for 7.30pm

Hail Weston Village Hall Members £1, non-members £3 ‘Hampton Court Palace Gardens’ with Andrew Sankey. Hear about the 500-year-old gardens which include 60 acres of spectacular formal gardens. hwwgg@yahoo.com

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 NOVEMBER

St Neots & District Camera Club

7.15pm for 7.30pm Bowls Club, St Neots Regular talks and competitions. www.stneots-camera-club.org.uk

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 NOVEMBER

St Neots Sinfonia

7.45-9.30pm Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury Rehearsals are every Tuesday in term time. Tel: 01480 212298 Web: www.stneotssinfonia.org.uk

2 NOVEMBER

Brampton Flower Club

7pm for 7.30pm Lady Olivia Hall, Central Drive, Brampton AGM followed by a talk by David Hart on Hinchingbrooke Hospital Gardens. Meets the first Wednesday of the month. Visitors welcome. www.bramptonflowerclub.com

2 NOVEMBER

Buckden Local History Society

7.30pm Millard Suite, Village Hall

Visitors £4, children free ‘Life, Death and Magic in Cambridgeshire: Stories From The Later Prehistoric and Roman Artefacts Found on The A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Excavations’ by Owen Humphrey, Museum of London Archaeology. Meets first Wednesday of month. www.buckdenhistory.co.uk

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 NOVEMBER

Kimbolton Bridge Club 10am-12pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Meets every Wednesday for friendly, social bridge. Players of all standards are welcome with or without a partner. Just turn up!

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 NOVEMBER

St Neots Choral Society

7.30-9.30pm Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury Rehearsals are every Wednesday in term time. Tel: 01480 212298 Web: www.stneotschoral.org.uk

2 & 16 NOVEMBER

St Neots Art Group

7.30pm Roxton Village Hall Members £5, non-members £8 2 Nov - Charcoal painting. Competition title ‘Tea Time’. 16 Nov - Painting with two complimentary colours, any subject of your choice. Art material sale. www. stneotsartgroup.com

3 NOVEMBER

Toddler Time! Boats and the river 10.30-11.30am St Neots Museum Free entry. Join us for fun history activities for children and take home an art creation too! Aimed at 3- and 4-year-olds. Booking essential. stneotsmuseum.org.uk

3 NOVEMBER

Roxton & District Local History Group. 7.15pm for 7.30pm Roxton Village Hall Members free, visitors £4 ‘The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Its History and Archives’ by Sophie Newton. Email: mariascreen1@gmail.com Web: roxtonhistory.org.uk

3, 10, 17 & 24 NOVEMBER

Riverport Singers 10.15-11.15am The Corn Exchange, St Ives Community choir for people living with dementia, their carers, family and friends. Tel: Agi 07757 811802 Email: agipeach@icloud.com Web: facebook.com/ riverportsingers

3, 10, 17 & 24 NOVEMBER Bingo 7.30pm Alconbury Sports & Social Club Eyes down for the weekly Bingo session! Web: www.assc.org.uk

3, 10, 17 & 24 NOVEMBER

Huntingdon Male Voice Choir 7.30pm Abbots Ripton Village Hall

Huntingdon Male Voice Choir is always pleased to see new singers. No formal audition and you do not need to be able to read music; all you need to do is sing a few notes so the musical director can determine which part of the choir suits you best. www.hmvc.org.uk

3 NOVEMBER-1 DECEMBER

19th Century Russian Music

2-3.45pm Pilgrim Hall, St Neots United Reformed Church

Cost £35. A five-week course with Marina Burrell. Call or email to book. Tel: 01480 217492 stneotslearninggroup@gmail.com

4 NOVEMBER

St Neots Local History Society

7.30pm Eynesbury Primary School

SNLHS members free, visitors £4 ‘Gransden Windmill and other local Windmills -their history, restoration and future’ by Martin Davies of Cambridgeshire Windmills Consultancy. www.stneotslhs.org.uk

4, 11, 18 & 25 NOVEMBER

Great Fen Little Bugs 10.30am-12pm. Great Fen Countryside Centre, Ramsey Heights Wildlife Trust BCN child member £5, non-member £7. A fun and sociable morning of exploration and discovery for pre-school children and their guardians. Web: wildlifebcn.org

5 NOVEMBER

Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society

2pm Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade

‘The Salutation – Reviving a Lutyens Classic’ with Steve Edney, Head Gardener at Canterbury Cathedral and nursery owner. Plants for sale. Visitors welcome – small charge. Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk

WHAT'S ON IN NOVEMBER What's On

5 NOVEMBER

Saints Crafters

9.30-3.30pm Free Church Hall, Market Hill, St Ives

Art and craft fair. Buy original and handmade items direct from the crafter. saintscrafters@gmail.com

7 NOVEMBER

Roman St Neots Revealed

2pm & 7pm St Neots Museum

Tickets £10, Friends of the Museum free. Come and hear a fascinating talk from the Curator about St Neots in Roman times! Book online, by phone, email or visit the museum. Tel: 01480 214163 curators@stneotsmuseum.org.uk Web: stneotsmuseum.org.uk

9 NOVEMBER

The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust Meeting

7.30pm. Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, Brampton Entry £3.50. ‘Rivers, Catchments and Biodiversity; Anglian Water’s Environment Plan’ with Chris Gerrard. Tel: George 01480 450809 george.cottam@virginmedia.com

11 NOVEMBER

Christmas Shopping Evening 7-9pm

Alconbury C of E Primary School

Free entry. Browse the wide variety of stalls. Refreshments available. E: faces@alconbury.cambs.sch.uk

12 NOVEMBER

Community Led Plan- Coffee, Cakes & Chat. 12-1.30pm Community Pavilion, QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton

The Community Led Plan results for the next 5 years will be displayed. The survey results will be on display at a coffee and chat session.

12 NOVEMBER

Jubilee Time Capsule 1.15pm

QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton

Many village organisations have contributed to the Jubilee Time Capsule. The capsule will be buried on the QEII Playing Field and opened in 70 years. All welcome. Tel: Jenny Gellatly 01480 47019

12 NOVEMBER

Little Paxton Community Litter Pick 1.30-3.30pm

QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton. High Viz jackets, litter grabbers and bin bags provided. Please bring own gloves. Tel: Jenny 01480 470193

12 & 26 NOVEMBER

St Neots Farmers & Craft Market 8am-1.30pm Products from local food producers and craft makers.

14 NOVEMBER

Perry WI. 7.30pm

Sailability Club House, Grafham Water Centre Tel: Jakki Spall 07703 431900

16 NOVEMBER

Godmanchester WI 7.30pm

Church Hall, Chadley Lane, Godmanchester Meets the third Wednesday of the month. Regular speakers and activities. New members welcome.

17 NOVEMBER

Crime and Punishment Walk 7.30pm St Neots Museum Tickets £7 Discover the shocking murders, bank robberies, crimes and punishments from whipping to the death penalty in our crime and punishment walks! Book online, by phone, email or visit the museum. Tel: 01480 214163

Email: curators@stneotsmuseum. org.uk Web: stneotsmuseum.org.uk

18 NOVEMBER

Kimbolton Community Cinema Doors open 7, film 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Colin Firth in ‘Operation Mincemeat’ based on the extraordinary true story. Tickets available online or on the door.

Email: kimbolton.cinema@gmail. com

Web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ mandeville-hall-kimbolton

19 NOVEMBER

St Neots Local History Society

2.15pm Priory Centre Guest Hall

SNLHS members free, visitors £4 ‘Oats and Beans and Barley Grow’ a talk by Kate Roberts Archeobotanist from the Museum of London Archaeology Team, about the 9,000+ botanical samples that were collected during the excavations on the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon road improvement scheme. All welcome. www.stneotslhs.org.uk

19 NOVEMBER

Big Deal Comedy - Stand-up Comedy Night 7.30pm

The Hub, High Street, Cambourne Tickets £10. Reg D Hunter headlines the final comedy night of the year. Advanced booking advised. Web: www.bigdealcomedy.co.uk

19 & 20 NOVEMBER

Hemingford Art Club 2022 Winter Exhibition 10am-4pm

High Street, Hemingford Abbots Free entry

A diverse range of original framed artwork, from a group of very talented artists, as well as art cards, will be on sale. Refreshments. Parking. Wheelchair accessible.

24 NOVEMBER

St Neots & District Gardening Club Meeting 7.30pm

St Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots

Members free, Non-members £2.50 End of year social with seasonal snacks, drinks and entertainment. Competition is a table decoration in a 3 inch/75 mm flowerpot. www.stneotsgardenclub.org.uk

26 NOVEMBER

St Neots Choral Society Concert 7.30pm

St Mary’s Church, Eaton Socon Tickets £15

Celebrating Vaughan Williams. Professional orchestra and soloists. Tickets from choir members or on the door.

Web: www.stneotschoral.org.uk

Hard Flooring Made Easy

For many years, carpet reigned as the favourite flooring throughout our homes. It is still the most popular choice for stairs and bedrooms, but homeowners are much more likely to opt for hard floors in ground-level rooms, although some still prefer carpet in the living room.

The practicality of a hard floor makes it an obvious choice. Furthermore, as the climate heats up, hard floors help to keep the house cooler. This is a guide to the most popular options available.

Sheet vinyl flooring - This has been around for years. It is sold on fixed-width rolls and you just order the length you need.

Pros: Easy to fit, inexpensive, water and stain resistant, warm, vast range of colours and styles available.

Cons: Doesn’t look or feel ‘real’, difficult to repair if you scratch it, colours will fade so not suitable for sunny rooms.

Laminate flooring - A fibreboard base is overlaid with a photograph of the finished surface (for example woodgrain or stone) and then finished with a clear protective layer. Typically designed for each plank or tile to click together.

Pros: Suitable for DIY, inexpensive, forgiving of floors that aren’t completely smooth, durable.

Cons: Often not waterproof, won’t pass for the real thing, easy to damage while fitting, you may need to trim doors to allow for the extra height.

Solid hardwood - The 100% natural flooring option, this is supplied as planks of wood, each one being unique. Fairly obviously you can only have a wood finish, although with different grains and stains.

By Sarah Davey

Pros: The most aesthetically pleasing, has a lovely feeling underfoot, can be sanded down and refinished many times so will really last, environmentally friendly.

Cons: Swells in damp conditions and shrinks in dry ones, requires regular maintenance, needs an expert for installation, expensive.

Engineered hardwood - Layers of inexpensive wood are glued together to form a plank base, then it’s finished with a final layer of real wood.

Pros: Looks like hardwood but more resistant to heat and moisture, durable and long-lasting.

Cons: It can be every bit as expensive as solid hardwood, needs a professional to fit it.

LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) - One of the most popular choices for hard flooring. There are two main options: loose-lay click system, which is rigid planks similar to laminate flooring, and glue-down systems requiring specialist LVT glues. Although this doesn’t really pass for real wood, the finish is close and still aesthetically pleasing.

Pros: Endless choices of style – wood, tiles, stone, concrete, waterproof, warm underfoot, very durable.

Cons: The subfloor must be completely level, which may mean having a floor levelling compound installed first.

Ceramic tiles - Yes, the same as you put on the walls – ceramic tiles can also be used on the floor.

Pros: Withstands the heaviest household traffic, waterproof, easy to clean, a high-gloss finish available.

Cons: Cold (underfloor heating can overcome this but adds to the cost), anything dropped will break easily, not a DIY install.

Technology

The best e-book readers for every kind of reader

Why e-readers are perfect presents – and great gadgets too

E-readers are brilliant things, especially for avid readers or travellers: they can store hundreds of books in a single slim case, they run for weeks without needing recharging, they’re much easier to read in sunlight than shinyscreened phones or tablets, and they can read e-books from all kinds of places, not just their manufacturers’ online shops. Some are made for kids; others for book-obsessed adults.

The most popular e-reader is Amazon’s Kindle, which is available in multiple versions for different kinds of user. Amazon regularly updates and replaces different models in the range, and it often offers huge discounts on the RRP: we wouldn’t recommend paying full price for any Kindle because Amazon cuts their prices so frequently. For example, at the time of writing Amazon has dropped the price of its Kindle Kids from £99.99 to £54.99.

The current Kindle range starts with the most basic Kindle, at £69. It’s a nice little device with a decent screen and weeks of battery life between charges, and the Kids edition is the same but with a kid-friendly protective case and a year’s free access to Amazon’s Kindle Kids subscription service.

The pick of the range is the Kindle Paperwhite (RRP £129 or £99 for the Kids edition). That has a larger, much higher resolution screen for paper-like print quality, it’s waterproof for beach or bath reading, and it has a warm light that’s much easier on the eyes when you’re reading after dark. An extra £50 gets you the Signature edition, which has wireless charging. The top of the range Kindle is the Kindle Oasis, which is bigger still and has more storage. However it’s also the most expensive option, at £229.

The main UK rival to Amazon is Kobo, with options ranging from £89 to £249. The flagship is the Sage, which is great for notetaking, but all models have good displays, plenty of storage and excellent battery life. It’s worth pointing out that you don’t need a Kindle to read e-books: the Kindle and Kobo apps are available for all kinds of phones, computers and tablets. Apple has a rival service, Books, and Google Play offers e-books. But reading on a computer isn’t as nice as on a dedicated e-reader.

Apple Books

You can turn any smartphone, tablet or computer into an e-book reader with apps such as Apple Books, Kindle or Kobo – although reading on a screen isn’t as comfortable as on the e-ink display of a dedicated e-reader. But it’s handy for occasional reading. Free, apple.com

Kobo Sage

Kobo’s e-readers start at £89 but the money-no-object option is the excellent Kobo Sage (£249), which enables you to annotate books with a stylus. If you’re a margin scribbler and phrase underliner that alone makes the Sage a must-buy. £249, uk.kobobooks.com

Amazon Paperwhite Kids

If your kids are bookworms, this slightly more expensive Kindle Paperwhite Kids (£99 compared to £54.99 for the basic Kindle Kids) has a warm white display that’s much less tiring for latenight reading sessions when they’re supposed to be sleeping. £99, amazon.co.uk

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

This is the best Kindle for most people. It’s a nice size, it’s waterproof, it has a really nice warm white light that won’t tire your eyes and it lasts for weeks between charges. As with all Kindles, keep an eye out for discounts and don’t pay full price. £129, amazon.co.uk

Amazon Kindle Oasis

The Kindle Oasis is Amazon’s biggest and most powerful Kindle, but for most people we think the Paperwhite is the better buy: that model is £100 cheaper before any discounting and isn’t significantly smaller or less powerful. £229, amazon.co.uk

Books to Gift

It’s

Hannah Barnaby and João Fazenda

Looking

it. This

to

from stencilling apples in China to

paper boats in Greece.

its brightly coloured

simple

countdown, this is sure to become a new family favourite.

Get Changed Kat Farmer

Kat Farmer (who you may know better as @doesmybumlook40) is on a mission to help people express their identity through their clothes. This book is for people who’ve fallen out of love with their wardrobe. For people who loathe clothes shopping but want to look good again. And for those who just want some helpful tips for creating outfits and accessorising.

illustrations, down-to-earth

straightforward advice make Get Changed

Do Earth Tamsin Omond

The

in the

series aims to empower people to take action on the climate crisis. Tamsin Omond talks through her own relationship with climate activism and offers advice on the small steps we can collectively take to heal the planet. It’s easy to feel paralysed by the scale of the climate crisis, but this book is hopeful and uplifting.

perfect antidote to climate anxiety.

Coins Bought

Crafts - Homemade Products

Electrician

Frank Plater

Villager

in

local area.