Cambridge October 2018 by Villager Mag

VILLAGER The

Issue 114 - October 2018

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Win two tickets to

The Festive Gift Fair Seven Steps to the

Perfect Pumpkin Lantern 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... 14

P&R Interiors

Hot Dry Victorian Harvests...............................................................4 The History of Specs.........................................................................6 The Day of the Dead.......................................................................10 Win Two Tickets to The Festive Gift Fair...........................................12 P&R Interiors..................................................................................14 Wines: Gems of Switzerland...........................................................17 Canada - Adventure on Athabasca.................................................18 Yoga Mats - Which is the right one for you?....................................21 Tips on how to wear neutrals with style.........................................23 A Mind for Golf...............................................................................24 The Duncombe Arms, Waresley......................................................26 Barmy about the British Bulldog....................................................29 Savings Options for you Children....................................................30 What Happens to Digital Assets on Death?.....................................33 20 Years of Time Banking in the UK................................................34 Who will look after your pet?.........................................................36 Life in Retirement..........................................................................37

Beautiful Bulbs..............................................................................43 Lawn Love......................................................................................45 Teaching your dog to come back when called................................46 Indoor Games for Wet Autumn Days..............................................48 Bullying - What if your Child is the Bully?.......................................50 The most rugged cars you can Buy.................................................53 Becoming a Foster Carer.................................................................55 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.........................................................56 No Man’s Sky..................................................................................59 Puzzle Page....................................................................................60 R-E-S-P-E-C-T Is it too much to ask?..............................................62 What’s On.......................................................................................64 Reading Charity issues Back to School Volunteer Appeal................67 Fun Quiz.........................................................................................67 Avoid Tech Horrors this Halloween.................................................68 Wordsearch....................................................................................73 Prize Crossword..............................................................................74 Book Review..................................................................................77

The Duncombe Arms

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, Tracey Anderson, Trevor Langley, Solange Hando, Iris Saunders, Jennie Billings, Centre for Complementary Health, Ann Haldon, Louise Addison, Leeds Day Solicitors, Hannah Byatt, Tony Larkins, James Baggott, Pippa Greenwood, Rachael Leverton, Kate Duggan, Nick Coffer, and Kate McLelland

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Serezniy 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

Hot Dry Victorian Harvests Our farming ancestors would raise a wry eyebrow at the agricultural gloom cast over the hot dry summer of 2018 as a record breaker in these parts. The St. Neots History magazine records that hot summers were no strangers to our ancestors when ‘Old George’ would be given a free pint to talk of the days of his youth when summers were of course, always hotter than the present one:1808 1813 1818 1822 1825 1826 1834 1835 1842 1854 1863 1868 1870

Fine summer. Several deaths from sunstroke. Wheat 81s. 4d. per quarter. Great harvest. Hot, dry season. Wheat 109s. 9d. Very hot summer. 17 weeks drought, commencing May 8th. Wheat 86s. 3d. June to August 9 weeks heat, no rain. Full crop, fine quality. Wheat 44s. 7 d. Fine summer, July very hot, 97 F in shade. Good harvest. Wheat 68s. 6d. Another hot summer throughout. Fine crops. Wheat 58s 8d. Drought from June to October 27th, one of the best harvests. Wheat 46s. 2d. Very hot summer, dry from July 5th to August 25th, Wheat 39s. 4d. Dry summer, August very hot, severe drought, good harvest. Wheat 57s. 6d. One of the best crops, fine quality, yield 35½ bushels. Wheat 72s. 5d. Very hot, drought, enormous yield, 38¾ bushels. Wheat 44s 9d. May 2nd to September 21st great drought and heat. Harvest began first week in July, very large wheat crop. Wheat 63s. 9d. Bad hay crop. Drought, much heat from middle of May to August 23rd, full average yield.

More hot summers followed in the early 1890’s and in the first years of the twentieth century with long hot pre 1st WW Edwardian summers and again the early 1920’s saw high temperatures. The men, still using Victorian technology in the early 40’s to build their haystacks would have remembered the hot summers of the 30’s. Our weather has always thrown up extremes!

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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.

For more information or to request a quotation, visit our website or give us a call.

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10/05/2018 15:39

History

The History of Specs Said to be man’s fifth most important invention, many of us see our spectacles as an indispensable dispensable. And with the array of modern designs available now, they are usually a fashion statement too. It’s a far cry from the 1930s when they were described as ‘medical appliances’. Wearing glasses has often been associated with stigma and it wasn’t really until the 1960s and 70s – when figures in the public eye such as John Lennon, Michael Cane and Elton John turned their glasses into a signature style – that they began to be seen as potentially desirable accessories. But where did the idea of wearing lenses over your eyes to help correct your sight even begin? Lenses have been around for a long time. The properties of optical lenses were known as far back as the ancient Greeks. The Vikings would grind

lenses out of rock crystal, and in the 12th century in Europe, smooth-bottomed spherical magnifying lenses were called ‘reading stones’. It is generally accepted that the first actual spectacles were made in northern Italy in the late 13th century and that they were in accepted use by the 1350s, with Italy exporting large numbers of eye glasses to the Middle and Far East. The lenses were manufactured by highly skilled ‘cristalleri’ at the famous Venetian island’s Murano glassworks, to exacting criteria. One of the earliest (if not the earliest) artworks showing people wearing spectacles and using lenses is a series of frescoes by the Italian artist Tommaso da Modena, completed in 1352 at the Basilica san Nicolo in Treviso. They show Cardinal

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Eynesbury Ghost Walk

Looking north along St Mary’s Street, Eynesbury, with St Mary’s St Neots in the distance, around 1900

St Neots Museum Wednesday 17th, 24th & 31st October 2018 Meet at tower of St Marys, St Neots at 7.30pm Tickets £6.00 per person, available from the museum or on Eventbrite

www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk The Old Court, St Neots Tel: 01480 214163 Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11.00am – 4.00pm

Admission Free to Local Residents

Visitors: Adults £3.00, Seniors £2.00, Children £1.00 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Hugh, or Hugo, of Provence wearing a pair to read with, and Cardinal Nicholas of Rouen attempting to decipher a text using a monocular lens on a handle. It is no coincidence that the order from which these cardinals came, the Dominicans, were known as the ‘carriers of the sciences’. During this time, spectacles would not have had arms or earpieces but would have been made up of two magnifying lenses attached to a metal fame or holder that could be riveted to grip the nose (also known as pince nez or rivet spectacles). The spectacles would have acted like reading glasses, with convex lenses to correct long-sightedness only (hyperopia and age-related presbyopia). In 1604, the well-known scientist and astronomer Johannes Kepler explained how convex and concave lenses could correct both long and shortsightedness (myopia) and, in 1629, The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers was formed in England. Their slogan was ‘a blessing to the aged’. Although rigid rod side arms for spectacles were dreamt up as early as the beginning of the 1700s (possibly by the London optician Edward Scarlett), the innovation didn’t catch on initially, with people favouring the use of lorgnettes and scissor glasses until the late 18th century, even after optician James Ayscough improved on them by adding folding hinges. It is polymath and US founding father Benjamin Franklin who is often credited with having invented bifocals (the forerunner to today’s varifocals) to correct both short and longsightedness in the same pair of spectacles. They were invented at some point during the mid to late 1700s and this belief is based on a letter Franklin wrote to his friend George Whatley, where he states that he is ‘happy in the invention

of double spectacles, which serving for distant objects as well as near ones, make my eyes are useful to me as ever they were.’ Although Franklin does not actually say he invented them himself, his reputation as a scientist and inventor meant that many took it to mean he did. But another theory is that he bought them on a visit to England and the true inventor remains anonymous. The debate will probably never be completely settled. The first glasses for correcting astigmatism (where the eye is rugby ball shaped causing a blurred ‘double’ image) were invented in 1825 by a British astronomer named George Airy. By 1850, modern ‘temple’ glasses (with arms and a ‘temple’ that fits over the ears) were in use, and frame designs continued to evolve for comfort and practicality. In the early 19th century, under the direction of optical scientist Moritz von Rohr, the lens manufacturer Zeiss came to dominate the spectacle lens field with their spherical point-focus lens known as Punktal®, and for the first time the wearer could see clearly through the whole of the lens, not just the centre of it. Zeiss was also able to move away from the limitations of what had previously been the only lens available – the round optical lens – to create spectacles in more ergonomic shapes that better fitted the wearer. The 20th century saw a huge surge forward in spectacle technology with the introduction of polarisation, plastic frames, lightweight and photochromic lenses, specialist eyewear and, of course, contact lenses. The 1950s brought us the NHS and its now legendary NHS specs to the masses. Their iconic range of frames, typically either round wire ones or solid black plastic, is now seen as the ultimate retro chic.

By Catherine Rose

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Time of Year

The Day of the Dead Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is not a Mexican version of Halloween. The two annual events differ in traditions and tone. While Halloween is a dark night of terror and mischief, the Day of the Dead festivities honour deceased family members. Revellers don amazing makeup and costumes, hold parades and parties, sing and dance, and make offerings to lost loved ones. It actually takes place over two days: November 1st and 2nd - All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Day of the Dead originated several thousand years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people. These pre-Hispanic cultures considered death to be one part of life’s long continuum. The dead were still members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit, and during Día de los Muertos they temporarily returned to Earth. Over the years these traditions blended with Christian traditions. At the centre of the celebration is an altar, or ‘ofrenda’, built in homes and cemeteries. These are designed to welcome spirits back to the realm of the living. They are loaded with offerings: water to quench thirst after the long journey, food, family photos, and a candle for each dead relative. The altars are decorated with marigolds which are scattered in a pathway to the grave-site, to guide wandering souls back to their place of rest. The smoke from copal incense, made from tree resin, transmits praise and prayers and purifies the whole area. In the 18th Century the term Calavera (which means ‘skull’) was used to describe short, humorous poems, often sarcastic tombstone epitaphs that poked fun at the living. In the early 20th century, Mexican political cartoonist and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada illustrated a calavera by drawing ‘Death’

By Tracey Anderson

dressed in fancy French clothes. It was a social commentary about the way Mexican society copied so-called European sophistication. He captioned it, “Todos somos calaveras,” which translates as, “We are all skeletons.” He meant that underneath all our manmade finery, we are all the same. His stylised personification of Death was appropriated by the artist Diego Rivera in 1947, in his most famous piece of artwork - Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Almeda Park. He painted Death wearing a large feminine hat, and named her Catrina, slang for ‘the rich’. She was adopted as a symbol of the day of the Dead and today this elegant skull is seen everywhere during the festival, especially in the beautiful make-up and costumes worn by revellers. People of all ages have their faces artfully painted to resemble skulls, and wear fancy suits and dresses. Foods eaten included pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, which is a typical sweet bread containing anise seeds, and decorated with bones and skulls made from dough. There are also sugar skulls, in the style of the Catrina Calavera. These are part of a sugar art tradition brought by 17th-century Italian missionaries. They can be incredibly beautiful and complex. To drink there is often pulque, a sweet fermented beverage made from agave sap, the same sap from which tequila is produced. Thanks to recognition by UNESCO and the global sharing of information, Día de los Muertos is more popular than ever—in Mexico, and increasingly abroad. It’s possible to find Day of the Dead celebrations in America and even in the UK. Last year there was festivals in London, Leeds, Bristol and Bournemouth. Look around your local area and see if anything is happening near you.

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Fantastic food comes as standard Nelson Lodge in Eaton Socon provides person-centred residential care, specialist dementia care and short breaks. Our contemporary home offers spacious en-suite rooms and excellent facilities, all set within beautiful landscaped gardens. Fantastic food come as standard.

Nelson Lodge, Whinfell Close, Eaton Socon, St Neots, PE19 8AB To order a brochure or arrange a visit call 0808 102 5540 or visit NelsonLodge.co.uk Proudly not-for-profit. Rated March 2018

Good

WINNER Residential care provider of the year

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Christmas is just around the corner More to see, try, touch, taste, enjoy and buy at The Festive Gift Fair

15-18th November 2018 NEC, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS WILL SOON BE UPON US…. and the dynamic FESTIVE GIFT FAIR, now in its 23rd fabulous year, continues to be the BEST place to start your Christmas experience and is one of the most popular Christmas Shopping events in the UK (Birmingham NEC 15-18 November 2018) As well as finding GREAT GIFTS for your loved ones, treats for yourself and all your sparkling Christmas essentials, you’re sure to have a fun-packed day! The Fair will be bursting at the seams with a colourful eclectic mix of unusual stocking fillers and presents, traditional gifts, festive food and great home decorations. With 325+ stalls all under one roof, the variety is huge, with clever gift ideas for all ages and tastes… and lots of Special Show Offers! There’s even a Present Creche to drop off your full bags. The festive atmosphere is always fantastic, and the great live music and Christmas entertainers are sure to get you into that Christmassy mood. So, take the strain out of Christmas, enjoy a day out at the Festive Gift Fair and get your festive preparations off to a cracking start! For more information and to book your advance tickets please visit www.festivegiftfair.co.uk

We have 10 pairs of tickets to give away Simply send your name and address by 16th October 2018 to: Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random. If you are not a lucky winner, adult tickets are priced from just £9.00. Book now by calling The Ticket Factory hotline on 0844 581 0808/0809 or online at www.festivegiftfair.co.uk (£1.00 fulfilment fee for E-tickets and £2.50 for postal tickets - per transaction, not per ticket)

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14/09/2018

15:17

Coach the

A M T S I R H C MENU 2018

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Don’t leave your Christmas party until the last minute! If you’re planning a meal for 10 or more people, you can choose from our delicious festive menu. View the full menu online or get in touch to make your booking. WW

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CHH OUSEPOTTON

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Market Square Potton, SG19 2NP 01767 260221

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With a spacious working showroom in the heart of Bedford, P & R Interiors is a local family-run firm that provides inspirational modern design and cost-effective solutions for both kitchens and bathrooms.

A stylish bathroom to suit your current needs….

With our ageing population, an increasing number of us are less mobile. P & R Interiors can design, supply and fit an up-to-the-minute bath or shower room which also discretely incorporates function and practicality for the less able. The best news is that many of these features are currently right on trend - from flush-to-floor shower trays and wet rooms, to walk-in showers with fixed glass screens – and built using the latest materials. Managing Director Paul Kynoch, who has decades of experience in the trade, explains: “We believe that simplicity and ease of use are key. Less mobile people may need a higher-level toilet or a lower access bath. Our basins and toilets can be hung at a custom height to suit every need. We have baths with a door, or showers with screens that open outwards to help prevent falls. “There are 54 working bays in our showroom that are constantly being updated. So, you can come in, see

exactly what you are buying and experience firsthand how it works. We supply, and can fit, your entire bathroom.” P & R Interior’s own dedicated installation team can work on the supervised installation of your bathroom while adhering to local authority guidelines. Safety is paramount, and designs incorporate safety glass, thermostatically safe showers and non-slip floors. Such is the design quality of the bathrooms, that accessories for the less able such as a wall-mounted fold-down shower seat, work seamlessly with the installation to be barely noticeable. Fold-down grab bars beside the toilet and sturdy shower rails that double up as supports all help make daily bathing the hassle-free pleasure it should be. It’s worlds away from the disabled bathrooms found in hospitals and care homes. It is also now possible to install low level lighting under the bath that comes on automatically when you enter the bathroom at night. Hidden behind a two-way mirror that gives the illusion of flooring stretching beneath a ‘floating’ bath, the effect is as stunning as it is practical. This is the beauty of these safety and mobility features - they are so unobtrusively stylish, no one will notice you need that bit of extra help as they will simply be admiring your bathroom! Materials have moved on apace since the era of acrylic baths in ‘avocado’. Now there are high quality

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resins that produce super thin shower trays and beautiful ‘tapless’ baths. Towel rails can be colour matched to cabinets for as little as £100 extra. If you’re not a fan of wall tiles (although P & R Interiors carries a vast range), you can have waterproof panels instead. And if you have a smaller bathroom - as many of us do - then you will find P & R Interior’s wide but shallow depth basin units fit perfectly and provide spaciousness.

…and a kitchen to meet your future ones

Following customer demand, the fitted kitchen displays are now an integral part of the business meaning that when you visit P & R Interiors, you are only a step away from having your dream kitchen. Top quality German and English-style kitchens are available to suit every budget and the company offers a free 3D software design package that Paul describes as ‘photographic’. Specialising in high-tech German designed kitchens from Pronorm alongside more traditional-style English kitchens from JJO Plc, far from being out of most people’s pockets, P & R Interiors can often match trade prices and will always work to your budget. “It’s really unusual for us not be able to come up with

a solution for you” says Andrew Groom who has 20 years’ experience under his belt. Germany is the industry trendsetter in kitchen colours and design - and high street retailers eventually follow suit. Pronorm epitomises the elegance of a true ‘handleless’ kitchen. With its expansive, sleek cupboard fronts and modern electrically-operated doors - including ‘glass climbers’ that magically fold up like Venetian blinds - their kitchens are state-of-the-art. In years to come, we will all have convenient pull-down shelves and smart, hygienic ceramic or glass inserts on our cupboard fronts, but for now, Pronorm sets the bar. As with bathrooms, kitchen materials are better and more durable than ever. You can have traditional granite in a gloss or leathered finish, quartz or Corian worktops, and now there are other finishes to choose from including Hi-Macs, and Staron. One of the latest worktop materials is Dekton. Described as ‘bomb proof’, it doesn’t stain or mark, is 100% hygienic, and heat resistant. It has been described as the ‘most scratch resistant surface on the market’. Finish off your design with mood enhancing, colourchanging lights and you really will have a kitchen of the future. P & R Bathrooms provides design and full installation or supply only. There is a five-year guarantee on all AEG Premier Partner exclusive products and a 10year guarantee on all kitchens. Both trade and retail are welcome.

P & R Interiors, 9 Lurke Street, Bedford MK40 3HZ Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00 pm Saturdays 10.00am to 4.00pm Tel: 0845 434 8401 Email: sales@pandrbathrooms.co.uk www.pandrinteriors.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Food and Drink

Wines:

Gems of Switzerland Switzerland’s residents and visitors experience and enjoy an excellent quality of life. The country has magnificent glaciers and southern Switzerland has Mediterranean climate conditions. Many grape varieties, including indigenous, regional and international types, are grown and there is viticultural history of over 2000 years. The wines, from Swiss producers, are now recognised, globally. Valais is the largest wine region of Switzerland. Multi award-winning Germanier wines have a history dating from 1896, when Urbain Germanier produced the first vintage at Balavaud. During the following years the wines have become renowned amongst the ‘premiers crus’ of the Valais. Jean-René Germanier has a team of specialists at each stage, in the productions of their exceptional wines. From the winegrower, through the winemaker and the cellar master, for example, plus other very talented personnel, they all work tirelessly to produce authentic wines, along with the logistics and administrations, etc. Quality is paramount and shows through with the numerous prestigious awards, received from regional, national and international competitions and events. White wine productions include Petite Arvine and Heida Clos de la Couta, Vex, which have impressive bouquets. The mouthfeels appreciate the fullness of these wines, with fresh and excellent finishes on the palate. Wonderful with fish and seafood dishes. Red wines include Pinot Noir Balavaud, Vétroz Grand Cru and Cayas, Syrah. Expressive noses prevail and mouthfeels have a good balance, with dark fruit flavours. Perfect to accompany red meats, game and cheeses. Cornalin is powerful, elegant and rich. Popular with many connoisseurs, a superb bouquet leads, enticingly, to the splendid mouthfeel and palate sensation, which is long, with an abundance of dark fruits. Red meats, game dishes and cheeses all benefit from pairings with this wine. For a dessert wine Mitis Amigne de Vétroz Réserve will not disappoint, with its full-bodied mouthfeel and palate. The Amigne varietal is indigenous to the Valais and the wine is aged for 18 months in new oak barrels, to create the character of this exceptional production. The winery embraces the benefits of the microclimate (warm and dry summers) and tours are arranged on request. UK stockists of Swiss wines include Hedonism and Alpine Wines. E-mail: info@jrgermanier.ch www.jrgermanier.ch www.swissfinewine.ch

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Travel

Canada - Adventure on Athabasca Spreading out from the ‘Columbia’, the largest icefield in the Rockies, Athabasca is among the world’s most accessible glaciers, a popular day trip from Lake Louise, Jasper or even Banff, though this involves a longer drive. Winding along the Continental Divide, past soaring peaks, forests, waterfalls and lakes, the Icefields Parkway leads almost to the very edge, near the meeting point of the Jasper and Banff National Parks. Up there the Discovery Centre is the first point of call with exhibits on the history and movements of the ice and the area’s natural world. It is the perfect introduction before tackling the day’s adventure but one should be prepared for changing weather and high altitude, with the glacier’s average height around 3,000 metres. There are walking trails for the brave and well-organised treats in season, led by knowledgeable and highly entertaining guides. First on anyone’s list is the award-winning skywalk, just a five minute bus transfer from the centre. Built into the rock, carefully integrated into the environment with near-zero footprint, it begins along a vertiginous cliff’s edge then steps out on a semi-circular look out with a glass floor, perched 280 metres above the valley. There you are, suspended between heaven and earth, the Sunwapta river meandering far below, the red craggy rocks almost within arm’s reach, the soaring birds, mighty glaciers and snow-covered peaks rising all around.

Even more exciting is the iconic ride on one of the giant Ice Explorers. The first few minutes include a steep scary descent on a stone track until you reach the edge of the Athabasca, a tongue of ice, six km long and thicker in places than the Eiffel Tower. Glacial vistas, snowy mountains etched into the sky, it’s like the end of the world, even though the Explorer can only venture so far on the crunchy surface. The ice is pure blue in places as this is the only colour it cannot absorb. Then the ‘giant’ stops, giving you ten minutes or so to walk around the safe icy section. No one ventures beyond the danger cones for untouched snow and ice are amazingly thick, dotted with hidden crevasses and water holes where lives have been lost. Sometimes a deep rumble echoes in the thin mountain air and you might spot an avalanche tumbling down the slope just ahead of you. Don’t expect to be alone on the glacier, it is highly popular, but whatever the crowds, you can switch off and commune with the natural world, so mighty and inspiring. Visitors leaving before dusk are likely to see bears and elks close to the road, and those on the way to Jasper might enjoy the last rays of the sun on the Athabasca waterfall. Meanwhile, high above on the edge of the glacier, the lucky ones settle down in the lodge for a starlit night. Strange noises in the dark may remind them that the Athabasca is always on the move, receding by around five metres a year.

By Solange Hando

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Fitness

Yoga Mats

Which is the right one for you?

Yoga is hugely popular now, with classes and YouTube tutorials dedicated to making our cores stronger and our bodies more flexible. Yoga doesn’t require a lot of equipment or space, which means it’s easy to practice between sessions on your own. But if you’re going to do this you will need a mat. There are all manner of different mats with prices ranging from £5-£100! Your choice should be based on the following: Thickness: Thickness equates to comfort, but thicker is not necessarily better. While thicker mats are more comfortable to kneel on they can make it harder to balance and your tree pose may topple. A standard mat is 3-4mm thick. I find 5mm is a good compromise, that extra 1mm makes all the difference to comfort, yet allows me to feel the floor for good balance. Material: This dictates the texture, stickiness, ecofriendliness, and sponginess (how much it yields to body-pressure), and how it wears over time. Most standard yoga mats are made of PVC. However newer, more earth-friendly options include natural and recycled rubber (avoid these if you are allergic to latex), jute, and organic cotton. Sponginess can vary widely with different blends of materials, but in general, PVC has the most “give” of any yoga mat material, while jute and cotton have the least. Texture: The texture of your mat dictates how much traction it provides. Some people can’t tolerate certain textures so it’s as well to find one you like. I had a jute mat once which made me feel queasy

when my skin rubbed against it. I prefer smooth bumps. My partner on the other hand loves the rough stuff and happily adopted my cast-off mat as his own! Eco-friendliness: Practising yoga has connected me more to my body, the air I breath, the food I eat and the world in which I live. Many people who are drawn to yoga care about their environment so practicing on a yoga mat that will ultimately end up as landfill can feel wrong. Earth-friendly yoga mats are typically made from natural or recycled rubber. They may incorporate natural materials, such as jute or organic cotton. If eco-friendliness is important to you avoid PVC mats. Price: A basic 3-4mm plain solid-colour PVC yoga mat will be toward the low end of the price range. From there you may pay more for patterns, logos; extra thickness; antimicrobial treatments; and textures, especially raised tactile patterns. Ecofriendly yoga mats tend to be toward the higher end of the price range. Size and style: These are personal choices. If you’re tall you might need a longer mat. If you’re a larger build you might prefer a wider one. As for style, I rather like a complex geometric pattern in soft colours as it allows me to see at a glance whether my feet are aligned, and gives me something nice to focus on in longer holds. But you can choose your favourite colour, or one that matches your decor, or even your yoga outfit!

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By Iris Saunders 21

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)

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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House of Colour

Tips on how to wear neutrals with style 1. When thinking about which neutrals suit us it all depends on our skin tone. Autumn colour palettes suit rich, warm earthy colours such as dark brown, tan, oyster, coffee, khaki, lizard grey, dark olive and marine navy, whilst Springs suit warm, clear colour choices like chocolate, beige, dove grey, bright navy, tan, honey and cream. Winters look gorgeous in deep, cool colours such as silver, greys, charcoal, indigo, black, mole and stone. Summers suit cool, subtle neutrals such as pink beige, mushroom, rose brown, dark blue grey, light blue grey, soft navy and burgundy. 2. When it comes to shopping for neutrals, quality is the most important factor to consider. The better the quality of neutral, the more chic you will look. 3. Neutral colours can provide you with a solid base on which to build your outfit so invest in quality neutral trousers, jackets and blouses. If you want to make a statement, wear one of your wow colours against a neutral background to really make that colour pop! Think raspberry on French navy if you are a summer for example. 4. Know what whites suit your skin tones. Generally, Springs suit creams, Autumns should choose oyster, Summers should opt for a soft white and Winters look gorgeous in pure white. 5. Many of us think that black should be worn because it is slimming, but the truth is black only suits people in the Winter palette and it will make everyone else appear tired with a dull looking complexion. Instead opt for a different dark neutral such as grey, brown or navy from your seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s palette which will make you look radiant. 6. Two neutrals are enough in one outfit, but try pairing darker neutrals that are often more authoritative with a lighter neutral, such as a dark olive jacket with a simple cream tee

10.

if you are an Autumn, or a pure white shirt with a charcoal skirt if you are a Winter. Enjoy experimenting a little. Red tends to go well with all neutrals, with primary red being the only colour that suits all skin types. Black, navy, grey and whites go particularly well with red for cool skins whilst brown, beige, camel and cream set off red for warm skins. An outfit made up of neutral colours will often look incredible with a pop of red lipstick as long as it is a red that suits your skin tone. Summer palettes glow in cherry and coral red, Autumns beguile in rust or brick reds, Winters captivate in scarlet and carmine, Springs look gorgeous in geranium and poppy red. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to add statement jewellery to jazz up a more neutral outfit, making sure the scale of the jewellery suits your style. Alternatively layer neutrals on neutrals for a fresh look. Powder pink and mushroom are an irresistible combination for a Summer. Add a statement coat, handbag or shoes to an all neutral outfit. What could look better than someone with a Spring palette wearing a bright navy outfit with a pop of coral in their accessories? Metallics are also considered neutrals in fashion whether that is gold, silver, copper, bronze, gunmetal, rose gold or pewter but your metallic is dependent on your season. Make sure you wear the right metals for your skin tones ie Autumns and Springs should choose warm golds whilst Winters and Summers look good in cool silvers.

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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Complementary Health

A Mind for Golf We hear a lot about the benefits of mindfulness for our health and well-being these days, and as every golfer knows – it’s pretty useful on the course as well. But does it require months of study and practice to be able to apply it to your game? The good news is… no. Of course, the more you practice any skill, the better you will get, but it’s possible to become mindful in a second, or as I prefer, the old-fashioned term, to get into the ‘here and now’ or ‘the moment’. And do you know what? Golfers are usually pretty good at being in the moment... with a little practice. Here’s an example of a simple procedure you can apply for every shot you play, whether driving, chipping or putting. It’s about breaking the shot down into individual parts so you don’t have to think about a thing that isn’t relevant at each particular moment in time. Let’s imagine you’re around 80 yards from the green. What needs to happen to get the ball into the hole? 1. So first you need to select the club most appropriate to the shot - you’re not playing the shot yet, only playing it through in your head. 2. Next you need to line up the shot, obviously taking into account the conditions of the day but remember, you’re not playing the shot for real yet, you’re just assessing up the situation. 3. Then you take your position over the ball, all nicely lined up as you worked out in step 2. Some like to maintain a visual of where they want the ball to land, and as long as this helps you stay in the moment without it being a distraction, then this is fine. 4. Now you’re ready to swing the club. You don’t have to think about the choice of club because

that’s already done in Step 1. You don’t have to think about the direction you’re aiming, as you’ve already done that and in the right line, a la Step 2. 5. Now just swing! The key to being in the moment (or mindful if you prefer) is to focus only on the current task in hand. By not getting ahead of yourself, or by not worrying if you’ve got the right club once you’ve made the decision, keeps things simple. From a physical point of view, it also reduces inappropriate muscular activity and therefore minimizes the chances of miss-hitting. If you’ve got unnecessary thoughts going through your head, you’ll have corresponding muscular responses. For instance, if you’re worried you’re going to fluff the shot, your neck and shoulders will tighten and your shot WILL suffer. When you’re over the ball, you don’t need to be distracted by thoughts of what might happen next - this isn’t being in the moment and WILL have a negative impact on your shot. By taking your time and focusing ONLY on what you’re doing at that moment, can bring about a stillness, reducing the traffic firing up and down your spinal cord that will only interfere in your thoughts and movement. Go on, give it a go and see if this simple technique makes a difference for you. By Roy Palmer, Alexander Technique Teacher and author of Golf Sense.

Centre for Complimentary Health Web: www.CentreForCompHealth.com Email: info@CentreForCompHealth.com Phone: 01480 455221

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THE DUNCOMBE ARMS

If you turn off the A428 onto the B1040 (signposted Eltisley, the Gransdens and Waresley) and follow the road straight down into Waresley, you will arrive at The Duncombe Arms. This hidden gem of a free house was refurbished and re-opened under new family management just over a year ago with fabulous food and a warm welcome. The first thing you notice when entering The Duncombe Arms is the wallpaper. The striking design has been a talking point since the pub reopened in July 2017. “Everybody seems to like it” says Jamie Rose, front of house manager and brother to landlord and head chef Daniel Rose. “Customers often have a discussion about whether they are leopards or cheetahs.” The wallpaper is only part of décor that has been described as “cosy” and “welcoming”. With two restaurants - the Old Reading Room and the smaller Snug - and a large dog-friendly lounge bar that has an open fire in winter, the pub has plenty of space to accommodate both diners and drinkers. And this summer, customers have fully enjoyed the pretty beer garden overlooking Waresley Church. Groups can book either of the restaurants for private functions and this year the pub has hosted everything from christenings, wakes and wedding receptions to parties, special occasion dinners and corporate fine dining. Dan can serve guests anything from a hot or cold buffet to a full three-course

WARESLEY

dinner and will always aim to work to your budget. With over ten years’ experience chefing in local kitchens and pubs, Dan is passionate about cooking. His aim is to create menus that include not only popular pub fayre (burgers, steaks, fish and chips) but meals that are also imaginative and creative, with combinations and flavours you may not have tried before. Menus include Sunday brunch and roasts, a children’s menu (with highchairs available) and a fixed price weekday lunch menu which at £10 for two courses and £15 for three is great value for money. Unlike other pubs, this prix fixe menu does not use cheaper quality ingredients - all the dishes will have been featured on the main menu. A traditional and individual village pub, The Duncombe Arms prides itself in cooking everything fresh from local produce. Dan also enjoys creating weekly specials which are listed on a board at the bar. “I couldn’t cook with ingredients that were anything less than top quality and fresh” explains Dan. “Sometimes this means more wastage for us, but I would rather have that than serve up cheap pub grub

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and say ‘ok, that’ll do’. It’s not who we are.” As well as preparing more traditional fayre, Dan particularly enjoys creating gourmet menus. Last month the pub hosted a wellattended Gin, Cider and Sausage festival and as part of that, Dan had a fully-booked gin-tasting dinner. A speaker from Cambridge Distillery came in to give a presentation that included a sweet digestif gin made with Italian truffles and their Japanese gin - the basis for the most expensive gin in the world. Dan carefully paired his dishes with each gin, all of which were very well received by diners. He hopes to host more of these gourmet evenings in the future. “Customers will say that a dish is the best they have ever tasted” says Jamie who manages the restaurant, helped by team leader Lauren Neale. At the other end of the spectrum to fine dining, Dan has just introduced takeaway fish and chips as there were no takeaways very nearby. Fish is delivered fresh straight from the Norfolk coast. Because everything is cooked from scratch in a fivestar hygiene rated kitchen, the team can cater for any dietary requirement or allergy and are happy to adapt dishes on the menu or even create a bespoke dinner within a chosen price bracket with notice. The Christmas menu is available from the beginning of December and can be viewed on the website. There will also be a New Year’s Eve party.

Bookings for both are being taken now. With plenty of parking at the rear and newlyinstalled chargers for customers’ electric vehicles, Dan, Jamie, Lauren and the team look forward to seeing you soon!

For more information or to book please contact: The Duncombe Arms Eltisley Road, Waresely, Cambs. SG19 3BS Tel: 01767 650764 Email: info@duncombe-arms.com For opening times and booking requests visit: www.duncombe-arms.com The Duncombe Arms

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Aisling Lodge Residential Care Home St Neots

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Quirky Britain

Barmy about the

British Bulldog

With some puppies costing as much as £2,500, an English Bulldog Fan Club on Facebook with 154,000 followers and merchandise that includes t-shirts, fridge magnets, cushions and Christmas cards, it’s clear that we Brits are more than a little barmy about our bulldogs. So what’s the reason for this enduring love affair? Over the past two hundred years our perception of this popular breed has gradually changed, as its image has transformed from feisty fighting dog to everyone’s favourite family pet. Bulldog beginnings - Nowadays, as we laugh at funny Facebook posts of bulldogs in hats, or bulldogs splayed on couches, legs outstretched in an oddly human pose, it’s hard to grasp that the ancestors of this well-loved family pet were bred to excel in vicious blood sports. With its stocky, muscular body shape and vice-like jaw, the bulldog breed was deemed perfect for the violent sport of bull-baiting, in particular the practice of ‘pinning the bull’, where specially trained dogs were taught to bite and hold on to the captive animal’s snout. Bulldogs were selectively bred for this bloodthirsty pastime, which was finally banned by the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835. Throughout the 19th century the phrase ‘British bulldog spirit’ – as a watchword for unrelenting courage and bravery – became embedded in the public’s consciousness, and when the First World War broke out in the early 20th century, images of plucky bulldogs accompanied by slogans such as “They can’t muzzle me!” became a staple of wartime propaganda posters.

It was a strange co-incidence that the man at the forefront of British politics during the Second World War (as the country faced the very real possibility of a Nazi invasion) bore a striking resemblance to a bulldog, and a famous poster entitled ‘Holding the Line’ showed Winston Churchill’s head superimposed onto a bulldog’s body. Brexit bulldogs - During the final decades of the 20th century the bulldog breed fell out of fashion, but in 1994 a string of popular TV ads featuring Churchill (aka ‘Churchie’) – a nodding-head car mascot with a cheerful “Ooooh yes!”/”Oooh no!” catchphrase – helped the bulldog reclaim its place in the nation’s hearts. And it was, perhaps, inevitable that as soon as the referendum vote was cast back in June 2016, the British Bulldog would be summoned out of its kennel to do battle once more, with pundits from both sides using the image to support their arguments. The last word - According to a survey conducted in 2017 and 2018, one in four of us owns a dog, but despite the enduring popularity of the English Bulldog breed, it seems that it has only managed to reach number six in the nation’s poll of most popular dogs, while –Sacre Bleu! – the French Bulldog has recently been tipped to replace the Labrador as Britain’s best-loved canine pet. As our withdrawal from the EU draws ever closer, could we be preparing to swap our 250-year-old icon of British identity for something a little more … um … European in style? We can guess what Churchie would say: “Ooooh no!”

By Kate McLella

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Finance

By Ann Haldon

Want to save for your children?

What are the options? Putting money aside for your children is a great way to offer them a little security as they get older. You do not need to save a huge amount – even a few pounds each week adds up to a nice little nest egg over time. You can teach younger children good money management skills by offering a little more pocket money as long as they save the extra amount. If they are old enough, get them involved in choosing a savings account and physically putting the money into it each month. Junior ISA There are two types of ISA for children – a Cash Junior ISA, and a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA. They are available if your child is under-18 and living in the UK. The money in a Junior ISA belongs to your child and is locked away until their 18th birthday, when the account upgrades to an adult ISA. Unlike other savings accounts aimed at children, you will not have access to the money once it has been deposited. • This tax year (2018/19) the savings limit is £4,260 for each account. • There is no tax to pay on the interest or investment returns in a Junior ISA. Friendly Society tax-exempt plan A child tax-exempt savings plan offers a guaranteed minimum tax-free lump sum at the

end of the term from a share-based investment fund. This type of account is designed for saving over a relatively long period of time – usually 10-25 years. • You can currently save £270 a year if you make ad hoc deposits, or £25 a month if it is on a regular basis. • Charges vary between Friendly Societies so it is worth shopping around. NS&I Premium Bonds Premium Bonds are an easy and very popular way to save money for a child. Instead of earning interest, each £1 bond you purchase has its own number that is entered into a prize draw each month and could win between £25 and £1 million. You need to buy a minimum of £100 in Premium Bonds, with the maximum amount that can be held being £50,000. • Prizes totalling more than £2million are paid out each month. Child pension You can set up a pension fund for your child and transfer it to them when they reach the age of 18. Starting a child pension offers a little stability when they become an adult, and gives them a valuable head start in their retirement savings. • The government tops up each contribution you make into a pension by 25% (up to a total of £2,880 in 2018/19), which considerably increases its overall value over time. • You can still contribute more than £2,880, but it will not attract the government’s top-up. However you decide to put money aside for your child, your attitude to risk may guide the decision as to whether to save or invest. You will also need to consider any fees and charges if you decide that investing is the preferable option. www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/ childrens-savings-options www.gov.uk/junior-individual-savings-accounts www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/national-savings-andinvestment-products#toc-2

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Leeds Day Solicitors

What happens to digital assets on death? We now live in an era where social media, digital technology and information stored online affect most of us. Many of us now have online accounts and may not have paperwork confirming the assets we hold. After death your executors may not be able to gain access to your computer, phone, online accounts or e-mails as they will not know your login details and passwords or be able to access your bank accounts via thumbprint recognition. What is a Digital Asset? Common types of digital assets include – • Online bank accounts and Paypal accounts • Photographs, videos and music stored online

• Some digital content may be owned by online service providers so store your photos on a disc or USB stick or print out hard copies. • Review what assets and information you hold digitally in online accounts and make hard copies of the records for those assets. • Keep a list of assets with your Will so that your executors will know what assets you have. • If you own a business, make sure that your business contacts and clients’ information is stored properly and you have printed a hard copy of the business information. • Make a Will. If you have particular wishes regarding your digital assets you may wish to consider including a separate clause in your Will to specifically provide for those assets.

• Blogs, Facebook and Twitter accounts • E-mail accounts • E-books • Online gaming accounts You need to consider how you can ensure that these digital assets are protected. • Your digital assets are part of your estate on death and it is still therefore important to leave clear instructions to your executors about what should happen to these assets when you die.

It is important that a Will ensures that all assets, including digital assets, are left to those loved ones intended to benefit. If you have not made a Will before and wish to do so or if you wish to update your existing Will please contact us at Leeds Day on

0844 567 2222

or by email at wills@leedsday.co.uk or visit our website www.leedsday.co.uk.

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

Local News

20 years of TimeBanking in the UK It all started in the USA with Edgar S Cahn, the creator of Timebanking, who is a distinguished legal professor, former counsel and speech writer to Robert F Kennedy. There are now Timebanks in 22 countries throughout the world. Martin Simon founder of the first TimeBank in England in 1998 and became the chief Executive of TimeBanking UK (the mother organisation of 250 timebanks throughout the country). The 20 years were celebrated at a conference at the Brunel University, Uxbridge. Attending was Edgar Cahn (aged 83) with Christine Gray who came over from the USA especially to celebrate the occasion, along with TimeBank Coordinators from Italy, Spain, Japan, Portugal and of course England. Patron of TBUK, Lord Colin Low of Dalston opened the Event with a key note address, and David Boyle TB Author and co- founder of the London TB along with Robert Buckland MP QC addressed the meeting. TimeBanking is based on the principle that a person gives one hour which = one hour of help in return. Help is repaid when a skill you have is requested. To work well people, need to ask for assistance as well as to offer. The two days of workshops and celebrations included the launching of a new Data Base Timeonline2 and a ‘Home from Hospital’ project which with the help of volunteers will free up hospital beds. St Neots TimeBank’s coordinator Georgina was invited to the Brunel University in Uxbridge

where the Event was taking place. This was a great opportunity to display the successes and achievements of the St Neots Group, and learn about other Timebanks progress. The story of one of our members, who suffered from deep dark periods of depression, was chosen to be featured in the Event booklet as an example of the benefit and power of Timebanking. Georgina gave a talk briefly describing how the St Neots TimeBank started in March 2012. This was well received and led to Edgar Cahn requesting the full story of what inspired the formation of the St Neots TimeBank and how it all started, for inclusion in a book that he is writing on the subject. This is a great compliment for Georgina and the Team. The final surprise for Georgina the coordinator (now aged 73) was to be recognised as the founder of one of Timebanking UK’s top Timebanks. The St Neots TimeBank has an Advisory Team that helps with all the events, so this award was also recognition for the help they have given to make the TimeBank what it is today. It has reached a total of 214 members with 7,380 recorded hours of exchanges given. The aim is to help those who either can’t or don’t know how to or are just too busy. In other words, making people’s lives less stressful also alleviating loneliness by having someone available at a time of need. St Neots TimeBank holds regular Coffee mornings on the first Saturday of the month each with a different theme, held at St Mary’s Church Rooms 11am till 1.30pm. Also drop in for a chat and meet members at the New Friends group at the Priory Centre on the third Friday of the month 11am till 12.30pm. For further details subscribe to the free monthly Newsletter. For more information www.stneotstimebank.org. uk or email time.volunteers@outlook.com

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Local News

Do you love nature? Could you give some of your time to help us with our visitor operations at your local RSPB nature reserve? The RSPB is holding a volunteer recruitment day at The Lodge nature reserve at Sandy on Saturday 20 October between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. The RSPB is the largest conservation charity in Europe. We have over 13,000 fantastic volunteers across the country, and they come from all walks of life. Between them, they contribute over a million hours each year. We would like more volunteers to join us to work in our visitor centre and to help manage traffic and meet and greet in the car-park. If you are friendly, confident talking to the public and able to inspire our visitors about the work of the RSPB and supporting us as a charity, then we want to hear from you! We are looking for the following help with these volunteering roles; Visitor Information Centre Assistants; Working in our visitor centre, where you will give a warm welcome to our visitors and introduce them to the reserve. You will be able to enthuse people to support the RSPB as new members, and talk about the birds and

wildlife found here at The Lodge. For this role we are especially looking for help at weekends and people who can cover at busy periods, such as school holidays, but some weekday roles are also available. Car-park meet and greet and traffic management weekend roles. Garden guides. In 2019, we are planning to have guides in the garden, informing visitors of the work the head gardener and his team carry out. We also have weekend opportunities for flexible part time volunteering in our busy and friendly shop. Full training will be given and a uniform supplied for all of these roles. Pop in and meet us at the shop, near the reserve entrance, anytime between 11:30 and 1:00 and have a chat with us over a cuppa and biscuit to find out more. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make this date but are interested in volunteering for one of these roles at The Lodge, please contact Mark Brandon, Visitor Experience Manager, The Lodge nature reserve; mark.brandon@rspb.org.uk 01767 693253. RSPB The Lodge nature reserve and gardens Potton Road, Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL 01767 693333

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Garden

Beautiful Bulbs By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com

Why not make your house all the more special this winter with some colourful bowls of bulbs, perhaps with some gorgeous perfume too? You can buy ready-planted bowls of bulbs later in the year, but act now for a stunning display at a fraction of the price. The best bulbs are those described as ‘prepared’, which means they will flower well, reliably and uniformly indoors. Although often pricier they are still great value, as results with standard bulbs may be unpredictable. I like to use prepared hyacinths, but I have bowls of non-prepared bulbs too. Visit your local garden centre now and you should see a good array of bulbs for sale, plus all the other things you need. Special bulb bowls are a good buy, and are available in many colours. They’re like huge soup bowls, but in plastic or china, and have no drainage holes. You can use normal flower pots, but put a fully waterproof container or saucer beneath each pot to protect your furniture. Bulb fibre or special compost formulated for indoor bulb planting performs better in containers without drainage, but is more expensive, and you can use standard multi-purpose compost if you wish. Hyacinths for forcing are available in many shades, but use a single colour in any one container as there is often some variation in flowering times between the colours, and ideally you want all the flowers out simultaneously. Specially prepared crocus, paperwhite narcissus and some other daffodil types are also available. You can create a low-cost bowl with a large bag of inexpensive

dwarf narcissus, such as ‘Tete-a-Tete’. Crocuses also work well. Fill your bowl about one third full of compost for larger bulbs to one half full for smaller bulbs. Firm the compost gently and position the bulbs pointed end uppermost. They can be quite closely packed, but not so they touch each other or the sides of the bowl. Nestle the bulbs gently into the compost and then top up with compost so that just the noses are poking out. Water the compost lightly until moist but not waterlogged. Cover the bowls loosely with a black bin liner and put them in a cool, dark place so that the bulbs can form good root systems. Check the bowls every week or so and apply a little more water if necessary. Bring the bowls out into the daylight once the shoots are about 2-3cm tall, which usually takes 3-5 weeks. Put them in a cool spot with plenty of natural daylight, where the shoots will continue to grow and develop a healthy green colour; they will now need a little more water. Put your bulb bowl in a warmer room once the flower buds start to colour up. For a really smart look, cover the compost with some moss or tie a seasonal ribbon around the bowl. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and you’ll find some great gardening items: stylish cloches, tunnels, the fantastic SpeedHoe, plant supports, raised bed kits, Easy-Tunnels, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club?

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

Lawn Love

There are times I threaten to astro-turf my entire garden, but then I remember the smell of freshly mown grass and how lovely it is to walk through the dew with the dogs in the morning, and I relent. Of all garden tasks I find lawn-care the most tedious. I am not a lawn enthusiast, preferring plants. For me lawns are a necessary evil. I like sitting on them, walking on them, and they make my flowers look good, in much the way a frame enhances a picture. So, I feel I do have to give my lawn at least a little love and care. By October lawn growth has slowed so you can raise your mowing height by at least one setting until mid-spring next year. If like mine your lawn sprouts moss the moment it rains, raise the mowing height even more so that at least 1 to 2cm of grass shows above the moss after grasscutting. Damp grass builds up inside the mower so give the mower a good brush, scrape or hose down after every use. This necessary housekeeping prolongs the life of your mower. After the middle of October there is no point applying weed-killer, so if you haven’t been diligent in weed control the only option will be hand-pulling them. I am rarely diligent about weed-killing, so you are in good company here! Moss becomes more evident as the weather cools but you’re too late for raking by now. Probably best to embrace the lush greenness: moss lawns

are all the rage in Japan anyway. On the other hand, if the weather is still warm and the ground is dry, apply moss killers, rake it out, reseed and water. You’ll thank me next year. October is the best time for aerating the lawn. I used a fork for years until I bought a hollow-tine aerator three years ago, and now I’m a convert. You can’t overdo it, insert them every few inches until you’re fed-up. It’s a great work-out. The hollow tines pull out little cores that look like fat worms. Leave them in place to recycle the nutrients. Aerating improves drainage and allows air, nutrients and rain to move down to the roots rather than sitting at the surface. Normally by now there has been enough rain to allow the tines to penetrate the soil making the job easier but who knows what the crazy UK weather will be doing when this article is published. It’s best to fertilise the lawn after aerating if possible. This month is quite a good month for fertilising the lawn if you haven’t already got around to it. Not only does fertilisation give you a fantastic lawn ready for the winter but also offers some protection from the ravages of winter temperatures and diseases. Make sure you collect fallen leaves weekly to discourage moss and disease. I know some gardeners like to discourage leatherjackets and worm-activity but frankly I like watching starlings poke around for leather-jackets, and I like worms, they are my little garden friends, so if the odd worm cast is the price I must pay for their help then I’m happy to put up with them.

Happy Gardening

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Pets

Teaching your dog to come back when called Does your dog know how to come back when called? Most dogs love running around off the lead, but before you give your dog their ‘freedom’ it’s vital for their safety that you know they will come back when called. The more your dog learns that they will get lots of praise and a reward whenever they come back, the more they will make the connection that you are more fun to be with than anything else. Choose a word or sound as your recall cue that you use ONLY when you want your dog to return. It should be short and sharp, like ‘come’, or a whistle. Gradually increase the distance between you and your dog and the level of distractions you call them away from. You want your dog to learn that coming back to you is much more rewarding than ignoring you! Keep it fun and use a reward they really enjoy; this could be a treat they like or a game with their favourite toy. For more ways to make life for you and your dog a walk in the park, visit Dogs Trust Dog School. This national network of experienced trainers provides fun, educational training courses for all dog owners. Based on up-to-date scientific research, our trainers use only reward-based training methods to help you enhance the bond between you and your dog. Small classes of six dogs and two trainers mean you get the one-on-one time you need to learn effectively and most importantly, have fun! Courses are five weeks long, with a free introductory session and are available in Yaxley, Buckden, Hinchingbrooke and Eaton Socon. Visit www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk for more details and take your first step to making the most of your relationship your four-legged friend now.

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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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.

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Pets

Indoor games

for wet autumn days

When the summer has gone and you’re not able to get out as much with your dog, it’s important to keep them active even if they’re in the house. Try these indoor games to stimulate mind and body, prevent boredom, and let your dog thrive through the wetter autumn months. Treasure Hunt It’s a good idea to play this game in a room that has carpet or other non-slip flooring so your dog doesn’t injure itself in the excitement. Hide some of their favourite treats in one or more areas of your home, and let them hunt for the ‘treasure’. If your dog is more tempted by toys, you could always replace the treats with their favourite ones. This is also a good game if you make people they know the ‘treasure’ – especially when children are involved as it keeps them entertained too.

Treat puzzles Stimulate your dog’s mind with chewable toys, puzzles, and activity balls in which you hide food treats. It will take some time to work out how to get to the treats, and the activity balls keep them physically active too. Ball games If you have a long hallway, you can roll the ball along and get them to bring it back. Throwing a ball up the stairs is also a great way to give them the exercise they need without setting foot outside. You’ll have a very tired friend on your hands before long, ready to play again the next rainy day. www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/indoor-games-dogs barkpost.com/life/12-rainy-day-entertainment-ideas-fordogs

By Ann Haldon

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Puppy and Dog Training Classes various locations around Cambridgeshire www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk 07388 377371 cambridgeshiredogschool@dogstrust.org.uk @dogschoolcambridgeshire

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Parenting

By Louise Addison

Bullying

What if your child is the bully? My daughter’s teacher sounded embarrassed, “Tess is bullying another little girl,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it!” said Amy, “Tess wasn’t the bullying type!” Her teacher explained that the girl had complained of being ostracised. This was upsetting but fairly normal behaviour among eight-year-old girls. Then her property started to go missing and was found stuffed in toilets or left outside in the rain. Finally, the teacher caught Tess red-handed cutting holes in the other girl’s coat with scissors she’d smuggled in from home! Amy felt terrible. “I was horrified. This is not the way she was brought up. Worse, I hadn’t got a clue how to deal with it.” Amy told her husband, who was naturally furious with Tess, but they decided that simply going off at the deep-end might prove counter-productive. Fortunately, Amy’s sister Sarah is a childpsychologist, so she rang her for advice. Sarah was great. She told us that while it’s never pleasant to realise your child might be bullying others, it’s behaviour which needs to be confronted or it can escalate. What shocked Amy and her husband most was that Tess would not initially admit she’d done wrong. She was what Sarah called ‘a controlling bully’. She was bright, pretty, good at reading social situations, charming to adults and popular with her peers. ‘Victim bullies’, the other type tend to lack self-control and fly off the handle using aggressive behaviour. ‘Controlling bullies’ like Tess often see little downside to their behaviour because adults don’t see the evidence or find it hard to believe.

“We realised this probably started around the time her brother was born. Tess suddenly lost most of our attention and was expected to be the perfect older sister, help out and put her needs on hold much of the time. We’d kind of forgotten she was still a little girl, who needed us.” Sarah’s solution was simple. “Admit, atone, apologise.” Tess needed to acknowledge what happened, to understand that her actions were hurtful and harmful, and to say sorry. “In the end we sat her down and apologised for our behaviour, demonstrating that we accepted we had not behaved as well as we could. Then we asked her gently what the other girl had done to offend her so much that destroying her belongings seemed appropriate.” At that point Tess broke down. She quite liked the other girl she said, but she was angry with her and sad because every Friday the other girl’s mum collected her, and they went for tea and cake at the local cafe and talked about their day. There were other things too; this girl had great outfits for school dress-up days and brought in cakes that she and her mum had baked and iced together. “On the surface these were superficial silly things,” says Amy, “But it became clear Tess wanted more time with me. She didn’t feel she could ask so all her feelings of anger towards me were being directed towards this other poor child.” In the end Tess made a card for the girl and apologised to her and her mother. “We replaced her coat and invited her for tea. Incredibly she accepted,” says Amy, “And they’ve become friends. I am much more aware now of how my own behaviour can affect the behaviour of my children.”

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The most rugged cars you can buy

Motoring Ariel Nomad

By James Baggott

We’ve rounded up nine of the most hard-wearing and brawny cars you can buy today, ideal for surviving a nuclear war – or the muddy car boot sale in Sandford, Gloucestershire. Jeep Wrangler

The latest Jeep Wrangler is more refined, luxurious and car-like than ever, but still retains the DNA of the original Willys Jeep – one of the most iconic off-roaders of all time. Solid axles ensure simplicity, allowing Wranglers to be modified for almost any purpose. For traversing sand dunes or mudplugging in a deep forest, the Wrangler is as tough as they come. Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Originally known as the G-Wagen, this military-spec beast has morphed into the ideal transport for those who want to be seen. With glitzy chrome atop the blocky body, and optional AMG-tuned engines, it’s often seen in London’s most glamorous districts. However, it’s also one of the most serious off-roaders you can buy, thanks to a super-sophisticated 4WD system plus three locking differentials. When fitted with chunky tyres, the G-Class is near unstoppable.

Toyota Land Cruiser

The legendary Land Cruiser is the vehicle that pushed Land Rover out of Australia and showed the world that the Japanese could build offroaders that never broke down. Though the Land Cruiser isn’t as luxurious as a Range Rover, treat it properly and it’ll probably outlast you. There’s no compromise to be made off-road either. Isuzu D-Max AT35 Arctic Trucks Isuzu’s D-Max pickup is already a pretty rugged vehicle, with a beefy diesel engine and four-wheel drive. The specialists at Arctic Trucks, however, have given it enormous tyres and widened arches, giving the car a more purposeful stance, while custom Fox suspension lets it deal with terrain that would trouble a mountain goat. Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is typically used as a taxi in London rather than for blasting through sand dunes. But that’s where the ruggedness lies. Nobody expected the Prius to be as reliable as it is – but even daily abuse as Uber cabs can’t break them. Many of these cars have done over 500,000 miles and still have their original battery packs.

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Most off-roaders are designed to traverse rough terrain at about 5mph. The Ariel Nomad is designed to do it at 50. With an engine and body from the Atom road car, the rear-wheel-drive Nomad bounces across the terrain rather than ploughing through it. It’s hardcore, open to the elements and great fun. Subaru Forester

Subaru has a reputation for producing reliable, rugged cars, and the Forester is no exception. Loved by farmers, Subaru owners tend to keep their cars for longer than any other. The brand’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system is legendary for its simplicity and reliability, while boxer engines lower the centre of gravity and make for a reassuring drive. Toyota Hilux Our third Toyota is perhaps the most legendary – the Hilux, notably the ‘unkillable car’. On BBC’s Top Gear, a 1994 Hilux survived being left at sea, falling off a building, being crashed into a tree and crushed with a wrecking ball – and still started up afterwards. Today’s rather plusher Hilux still retains a well-earned reputation for serious reliability.

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Parenting

Becoming a Foster Carer Tens of thousands of children enter the care system in the UK every year. If you think you could help, read on to find out more about fostering, including how to go about it and how much you could earn. Who can foster? Foster carers come from a range of backgrounds. You’ll need to: • Be at least 21. • Have the right to live in the UK permanently. • Have a spare bedroom. • Have enough time to look after a child. You don’t need to be in a relationship or own your own home, and you can have a job. You don’t need any qualifications, but previous experience with children is beneficial. What types of fostering are there? There are lots of different types of foster care. Some children only need a short-term placement. Others need a long-term home. You could even just offer emergency, overnight, weekend or respite care if you prefer. You could also choose to foster a young parent and their child. Both would live with you and you’d help the

parent to develop their skills until they were able to care for the child independently. What kind of children need fostering? Children from all backgrounds, and of all abilities and ages, find themselves in foster care. Many end up returning to their birth families or going on to be adopted. Some children have complex emotional or physical needs. Sometimes, foster carers specialise in a particular age group, whether it’s babies and toddlers, primary school children or teenagers. Some people focus on caring for disabled children or children seeking asylum. Your case worker will talk to you about what type of placement would be best for you. How much could I earn? The minimum weekly allowance per foster child starts from £127. Older children have greater allowances, as do children with special needs. So, for example, if you fostered a nine year old and a 15 year old, you’d receive at least £302 for each week you looked after them. That money would need to cover the child’s food, clothes, toys and other expenses.

Foster carers are sometimes paid a fee on top of the allowance. The amount you’ll receive will depend on the foster service you go through, and the needs of the child you foster. Many foster carers earn more than £500 a week for each child they foster. Foster carers get considerable tax relief on the money they earn from fostering. Foster payments also don’t usually have an effect on welfare benefits. What support would I get? You’d attend training programmes and be matched with your own social worker, who would be there to support you. Some services also have additional support available, such as a 24-hour helpline. How do I apply? You can foster through your local council, or through an independent fostering service. The application and assessment process usually takes around six to eight months. Where can I find out more? For more information about fostering, contact your local council or visit: www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk www.gov.uk/foster-carers

By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Three Counties Radio

Chilli and Ginger

Baked Camembert (and three other variants) The main theme of my Weekend Kitchen programme is that food needn’t be complicated. Great flavours, fresh produce, cooked simply - that’s what it’s all about. And what could be simpler than bunging a camembert in the oven and eating it, hot and melting, with crusty French bread? This month’s recipe is actually four recipes in one - four original takes on the classic baked camembert. All created by a talented young chef, Jake Moxham, who co-owns the Oliver and Hare in Leighton Buzzard and the Axe and Compass in Heath And Reach. My personal favourite is the chilli and ginger, just because it is so surprising, but all of these are lovely. Ingredients (Serves 2) 250g Camembert 15g root Ginger 1 tsp chilli puree or sauce 1⁄2 fresh chilli

6. Place the camembert into a camembert baking dish (a round clay ramekin is perfect). 7. Place on the middle shelf of the oven and allow to cook for around 25-30 minutes, or until the camembert appears oozy. Leave to cool slightly and serve with lots of crusty bread.

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/ Gas Mark 4 2. Make 2 parallel cuts into the top of the camembert, approximately 4 centimetres long and 3 centimetres apart.

Variations:

3. Glaze the top of the camembert with chilli puree or chilli sauce.

Garlic and rosemary. As above with the rosemary one, but add two peeled garlic cloves into the slits as well.

4. Grate the ginger root evenly over the top of the camembert using a fine grater and allow any juice to drip onto the camembert. 5. Slice the fresh chilli into small pieces and spread evenly over the top of the camembert. For extra heat you can also insert pieces into the cuts already made.

Rosemary (the classic one). Simply insert two sprigs of rosemary into the slits and bake as above.

White wine and pear. Make the slits in the camembert. Glaze the top of the cheese generously with wine. Very thinly slice a 1/4 of a pear and place the slices on top of the cheese. Glaze with extra wine and bake as above.

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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No Man’s Sky

Gaming

This game was originally released in 2016. Much to the dismay of the players it felt unfinished and did not deliver on the developers’ promises. With the ‘Next’ update everything has changed, all for the better. This game is huge. It will take you 500 billion years to explore it all as most of its content is procedurally generated. There isn’t a story as such, its more a voyage of discovery about the meaning of and the birth of life. It’s like Interstellar meets Bargain Hunt. You start on a planet next to a crashed drop pod and you go from there. The game does a decent job of guiding you through the means to survive then as you learn the basics you’ll know what is needed to progress. However don’t expect to be shooting aliens all the time, it’s just not the point. It’s a beautiful game with stunning cosmic backgrounds, beautiful landscapes and lush vegetation. You can build bases and farms, sell starships, command gigantic space fleets and send them on missions. Explore the cosmos, destroy pirates, trade on markets. What you do is up to you. The inventory system is cumbersome, but you’ll soon learn the ingredients needed to create items that will improve your game overall. No Man’s Sky is spectacular, and it is improving all the time. Relax and discover space on a scale like never before.

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Hard Suduko

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Life Begins...

R-E-S-P-E-C-T Is it too much to ask? By Kate McLelland

“All I’m askin’ for is a little respect.” The words of Aretha Franklin’s song, first released in 1967, may be about a cheating boyfriend, but so powerful is the emotion behind the music that these days it has become an anthem for individuals and groups who feel disrespected by society. If you were young at the time when Aretha’s single reached No. 1 in the charts, and are now in your sixties or seventies, you may find yourself wondering where the respect for old age has gone. Once upon a time, according to Pulitzer-prize winning author Jared Diamond, respecting your elders and betters was a matter of survival. During his life-long study of traditional societies and their attitudes towards older people, Diamond – an award-winning professor from ULCA in America – has observed that elders who are no longer able to contribute fully to community life still command respect because of their ability to recall information that is important to the tribe. “Older people in traditional societies have a huge significance that would never occur to us in our modern, literate societies,” Diamond has claimed. “In traditional societies

without writing, older people are the repositories of information. It’s their knowledge that spells the difference between survival and death for their whole society.” Nowadays – in an age of information overload – it seems that older voices are neither heeded nor needed. Sadly, at a time when healthcare advances are allowing people to live longer and the world has more wise and experienced senior citizens than ever before, older people are having to fight for the respect they believe is their due. According to the Oxford Dictionaries, respect is “A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements”. But if older people have lost their status as guardians of our communal knowledge, can they demand respect on the grounds of age and experience alone? Twentysomething Lifestyle blogger Michael Tawiah expresses the views of many young people today when he says: “Respect should be a choice and not a forced thing ... personally, I’m not going to respect someone just because they tell me to.”

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Angie Jardine, a commentator on the website Soapboxie.com, believes that young people can still benefit from listening to the stories of parents and grandparents: “Would we have learnt anything about how a civilised society should be run if the survivors of two world wars and, in particular the Holocaust, had not told their stories to someone who listened? There is usually some tantalising nugget of information in the reminiscences of old folk from which something can be learned about the past and where we came from.” Today it’s not just warm words of wisdom that older people bring to the table. In 2010 the charity WRVS estimated that over-65s contributed over £40bn to the UK economy through taxes, spending power, volunteering and caring, and this figure is predicted to reach £77bn by 2030. So maybe, if we’re looking for respect, we simply need to be more proactive in flagging up the good things that our caring and committed older citizens already contribute to society.

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n O s ’ t Wha In October

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

Until 13 October Art Exhibition - Paul Todd, Trees Tues-Sat 11am-4pm St Neots Museum Adults £3, Seniors £2, Children £1, Local residents free. A stunning new exhibition by well-known local artist Paul Todd. Many works will be for sale and make ideal Christmas presents, either for a friend or for yourself!Tel: 01480 214163 Web: www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk

1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 & 31 October St Neots Badminton Club 8-10pm One Leisure, St Neots Play badminton to a good standard and interested in joining a club? St Neots badminton club play at One Leisure Mondays and Wednesdays. Email: Committee@stneotsbadminton.org Web: www.stneotsbadminton.org 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October West Hunts Friendship Club 9.30am-3pm Great Staughton Village Hall Meets every Monday except Bank Holidays. We are looking for new members who are retired to join our happy team. Members can participate in a range of activities, such as music and singing exercises, quizzes, card and board games as well as enjoying a hot meal at lunch time. Transport can be arranged for those who live within a six miles radius of Great Staughton. Tel: Annabelle Blackham 07527741495 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club 1.30pm Afternoon Bingo 6.30pm Whist Drive Godmanchester Town Hall £1 for Whist drive inc. tea & biscuits If you are feeling lonely and over 55 years of age, then you will find a warm welcome waiting for you in the Senior Citizens Club. The club has a lively atmosphere and a wide range of activities. Friday afternoons is another opportunity to play Whist. Members also meet on a Saturday morning for games, chat, tea and biscuits for 50p. Non-members are welcome to visit on Saturday mornings to find out more. Tel: Geoff 01480 434697 or 07515 881209 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Comrades Chess Club 7.30pm Comrades Club, Godmanchester Keep your mind active and play chess. Over 18s only as it’s a licensed premises. Every Monday except Bank Holidays. Seeking new members – novice or experienced. Ozzie: 01480 414623 Email: ozzie.day5@gmail.com 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Oakington Singers 7.45-9.30pm Oakington Parish Church Oakington Singers invite new Tenors and Basses to join them on Mondays. Their repertoire includes Rutter Anthems, Queen, Folk Songs, Spirituals, international songs and much more! They are a friendly and experienced group and the choir is free! Email: paul.tann@btinternet.com

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 Email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 October 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 3 October Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club Coffee Morning & Raffle 10am-12 noon Godmanchester Town Hall Monthly coffee morning and raffle. Annual membership fee is £10. Tel: Geoff 01480 434697 3 October St Mary’s Afternoon WI St Neots 2pm St Mary’s Church Room, St Neots First Wednesday of the month. Ray Bylett & Companion - Canine Partners Assistance Dogs. Tel: May Parker 07724 043941 Email: mayp.at.home@gmail.com 3 October Brampton Flower Club 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Hinchingbrooke Park Road, Huntingdon Tickets £14. An evening with the great Mig Kimpton presenting “Into the Woods”. Raffle, refreshments available. Sales table. Tel: Jan Dobie 01480 531822 Email: jandobie1946@googlemail.com Web: www.bramptonflowerclub.com 3 October Black Cat WI 7.30pm Wyboston Village Hall The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098 3 October Huntingdon and District Branch of the Royal Air Force Association 7.30pm for 8pm First Wednesday of the month. Tel: Tony Perryman, Secretary 01480 465395 Email: rafa.huntingdon1@btinternet.com 3 October Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Members £1, Guests £3. Special guest speaker Mike Biggs of BBC Radio 4 Gardeners Question Time will be visiting, telling us about his latest book and taking us on a journey through the world of gardening. Mike’s books will be on sale. Admission by ticket only - please call or email to book. Tel: Jane Hill 01480 218805 Email: lpgardeningclub@hotmail.com

3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 October Kimbolton Bridge Club 9.30am-12 noon Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Meets every Wednesday morning to play friendly, social bridge. No partner needed. Just come along or call Vanessa. Tel: Vanessa 01480 453929 3, 10, 17 & 31 October Little Fishes 10-11.20am Grafham Village Hall All welcome on Wednesdays in term time. Just turn up for free play time, followed by a short bible story, action songs and simple craft. Email: robnjeanclark@tiscali.co.uk 5 October Film Night – Paddington 2 7.30pm Offord Village Hall Tickets £5 5, 12, 19 & 26 October 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 6 October Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church Hall, St Ives Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola. 6 October 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 8 October 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 for more info 9 October 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 10 October World Mental Health Day Cake Bake Sale 10am-1pm The Workstation, Bellingham House, Huntingdon Street, St Neots Tea or coffee and cake £1.50. All proceeds to Mind. All welcome, bring your friends.

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n O s ’ t Wha In October

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

10 October Fundraising Coffee Morning 10am-1pm All Saints Church, Market Square, Huntingdon The Hunts Society for the Blind Fundraising Coffee Morning. All welcome to come along and try our 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. 11 October St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm Guest Hall, Priory Centre, St Neots Tickets £5. Royal Palaces in Cromwell’s England. Come to this fascinating illustrated talk to be given by Simon Thurley, former head of English Heritage, and expect to be surprised. Members of the St Neots Local History Society meet monthly for talks of local and historical interest but this talk is open to all who would like to come. Tickets available from St Neots Museum. Tel: Tickets 01480 217492 12 October Gilbert & Sullivan Concert 7.30pm St James Church, Little Paxton Adults £7, Children £5. Stewartby Operatic and Drama Society will be presenting an evening of Gilbert and Sullivan music. This concert should be a memorable evenings’ entertainment. Booking advisable. Tel: Alison Rogers 01480 215607

12-14 October 27th Cambridge Open Art Exhibition Swavesey Village College Fri £5, free admission Sat & Sun Traditional and contemporary paintings, prints, crafts and cards to buy, creative activities for children and a “win-a-picture” competition with donations going to local charity Headway Cambridgeshire. Preview Reception on Friday evening at 6.30pm, with the exhibition being opened by Jeremy Newsum. Jeremy is Deputy Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire. Sales of artworks are commission free giving better value to both artist and buyer. Ample parking. The café will be open on Saturday and Sunday and all proceeds will be going to the Johabetto Orphanage, Kitale, Kenya. Web: https://coax.org.uk/ 13 October Hemingford Village Market 9am-1pm Parish Centre, Hemingford Grey Second Saturday of the month. An opportunity to buy food, crafts, plants and flowers from small local businesses. Hemingford Grey Parish Council hold a surgery at the market should you wish to meet councillors to discuss local issues. Refreshments available all day in the Hemingford Garden Room. 13 October Kimbolton Royal British Legion Autumn Luncheon 12.30 for 1pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Tickets £15. Featuring music by The Caverners.

13 October Apple Day at Burwash Manor 10am-4pm Adults £4, Under 12s free Join in the fun, and help raise money for the Sick Children’s Trust. Bring your apples down to be identified by the EEAOP. Cam Valley Orchards will be selling and discussing their heritage apple varieties, and there will be all sorts of appley games, stalls and crafts to enjoy. Cider and craft beer bars. Burwash’s unique shops and tea room will be open as usual and joining in the Apple day fun. 16 October 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 to meet their local officer. 19 October The Hinchingbrooke Bösendorfer Piano Concerts 2018-2019 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Hinchingbrooke Park Road, Huntingdon Adults £15, all 5 concerts £60, Groups of 20+ £10 each, Students under 21 £5 Frédéric Aguessy, piano. Since winning the very prestigious ‘Concours Marguerite Long-Jacques Tibaud’ in Paris, French pianist Frédéric Aguessy has become firmly established as an outstanding solo and concerto player worldwide. His programme will include music by Debussy and Chopin. Tel: Box Office 01480 375678 (9am-3pm) Web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/hinchingbrookepac 20 October Jumble Sale 10am-12 noon Keysoe Village Hall In aid of St. Mary’s Church, Keysoe Fabric Fund. 20 October October Half Term Trail 10am-3pm Ferry Meadows, Peterborough £1 per child. Collect a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre and then hunt for clues as you walk around Ferry Meadows. Return to the Visitor Centre to claim your prize. All ages. Web: www.nenepark.org.uk 20 October Quiz night 7.30 for 7.45pm Offord Village Hall Tickets £5 per person Teams up to 6. Bring your own drink and picnic. 21 October Autumn Craft Fair 12-4pm St Peter’s Church, Offord Darcy Free admission. Local crafts people will be selling their wares in time for some early Christmas shopping. There will be hot soup, cakes and hot drinks available. Free parking. Tel: 01480 811126 Email: jennygriffiths908@btinternet.com

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22-26 October Wildlife Trust Wild in the Garden Daily 10am-2pm Paxton Pits Environmental Education Centre, Little Paxton Half term fun at Paxton Pits. Lots of great wild ideas, activities and fun things to do over the half term holiday with the Trust’s knowledgeable and enthusiastic team. Tel: 01480 473161 Email: Debbie.mckenzie@wildlifebcn.org 25 October St Ives & District Flower Club 2.15pm Visitors £7 Burgess Hall, St Ives Demonstration by Linda Seabrook from Daventry entitled “Seasons Greetings”. 25-27 October Die Fledermaus 7.30pm Queen Victoria Hall, Oundle Adults £15, Under 19s £10 Peterborough Opera invites you to have a ball with a bat! Following their recent successful performances of Verdi’s A Masked Ball and Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet, Peterborough Opera invites you to attend their production of Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. Tel: Box Office 01832 274734 Web: www.oundleboxoffice.com 26 October Charming Worms 10.30am-12 noon & 1.30-3pm Ferry Meadows, Peterborough £3. Come along to find out more about these amazing creatures and have a go at charming them to the surface. Then make a wormery to take home with you. Age 3+. Web: www.nenepark.org.uk 26 October Peter Pan 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Inspired by J. M. Barrie’s novel and produced by the professional Peterborough-based Lamphouse Theatre. “Jam packed with live music, humour, adventure and energy.” Tickets on sale from Olivers, Swan Pharmacy, Courtyard Kitchens and Bytes Café in Kimbolton. Tel: 01480 860297 27 October St Neots Art Group Autumn Exhibition 10am-4.30pm United Reformed Church, High Street, St Neots An array of art by local artists at an affordable price. 27 October Black Tie Charity Ball Reception 6.45pm, carriages 1am Marriot Hotel, Huntingdon Tickets £50 inc. three course meal Featuring live band Ignition. In aid of Breast Cancer Support Group/Woodlands at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. Tickets available by telephone or email. Tel: Lorraine Walker 01480 363516 Email: mel.scholes@nhs.net

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Local News

Reading charity issues ‘Back to School’ volunteer appeal across Cambridgeshire

As the new academic year gets well underway, national reading charity Beanstalk is stepping up its search for volunteers across Cambridgeshire to help reach more children than ever before with its potentially lifechanging reading support programmes. Beanstalk helps transform children’s life chances by recruiting and supporting volunteers and placing them in schools and pre-schools. These volunteers work with children to enable them to have the skills to become ready to read and prevent them from falling further behind in their language and communication skills. In order to achieve this, Beanstalk needs members of the community who can volunteer a few hours a week to help local children become more confident readers through its range of programmes. These programmes include Beanstalk’s 321 programme which sees trained reading helpers supporting three primary school children each for two 30 minute sessions a week, during term-time, for at least one academic year. Through this regular, consistent support the child’s approach to learning and enjoyment of reading is transformed. Volunteers are also needed for its Story Starters early years programme. Story Starters volunteers work one-to-one with children in a nursey or pre-school setting for two 20-minute sessions a week. All volunteers receive professional training and support to ensure that they are best able to support young children. If you would like to become a Beanstalk reading helper or a Story Starter volunteer in Cambridgeshire, please visit the website at www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk or call Beanstalk on 0845 450 0301.

Fun Quiz - Fruit and Veg 1. What fruit is the main ingredient of the dip guacamole? 2. À la crécy is a French cooking term that refers to a dish that is cooked with or served with which vegetable? 3. What commonly used two-word phrase originated in one of Aesop’s fables about a fox who couldn’t reach some fruit, so decided that the fruit was probably not ripe anyway? 4. What vegetable has a name that means “eat all” in French? 5. The phrase “forbidden fruit” originates in the Bible when Adam and Eve eat fruit despite God having commanded them not to. Which of Adam and Eve was the first to eat the fruit? 6. In an Indian restaurant, what is the main vegetable ingredient in a saag dish? 7. According to its packaging, the standard flavouring of the soft drink Lilt combines which two fruits? 8. What variety of lettuce is named after the Greek island where it originated? 9. Which 1967 hit single by Donovan was rumoured to be about the mistaken belief that someone could get high from smoking dried banana skins? 10. The vegetable the swede originated as a cross between which two other vegetables? 1. Avocado 2. Carrots 3. Sour Grapes 4. Mangetout 5. Eve 6. Spinach 7. Pineapple and Grapefruit 8. Cos (named after Kos) 9. Mellow Yellow 10. The turnip and the cabbage

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Technology

Avoid tech horrors this Halloween

What to do with a watery phone and how to protect your photos…

Not everything that goes bump in the night is a ghost or a ghoul. Sometimes it’s a crucial bit of kit getting damaged. Unfortunately no piece of technology lasts forever, any device can be stolen or damaged and any digital file can be deleted or corrupted. If it contains something that really matters to you – your priceless family photos or home videos, perhaps, or your university dissertation, or the book that’s going to make you a superstar – then any problems could be catastrophic. So how do you prevent problems from becoming Halloween horrors? The first thing to do is to ensure that you have more than one copy of anything important. For example, if you store all your photos on your phone you should make sure you have copies of all of them on your PC too: if your phone was to be stolen and you didn’t have backups of your photos, they’d be gone forever. You can also use online services such as Apple’s

iCloud or Google Photos to store your snaps on Apple or Google’s computers. Other services from the likes of Flickr and DropBox can do the same. That means if you lose your phone or PC, you can still download the photos to a different phone or PC later. Those services aren’t just limited to photos, either. You can use them to store and share documents of any kind. A really good way to have backups is to get an external hard disk. If you have a recent PC or Mac you have USB 3.0 ports, which are much faster than the USB 2.0 ports in older computers. That means you can take advantage of super-speedy USB 3.0 drives. You don’t need to spend much to get a good one: for example, Toshiba’s Canvio Basics is currently £44.99 for 1TB of space, more than enough for even the biggest photo library. Even a massive drive such as the 4TB WD My Passport is less than £100. There are other ways to copy files, such as USB sticks and DVD

discs (if your computer has a DVD burner), but we wouldn’t recommend them. USB sticks aren’t really made to last and they’re easy to lose, while DVD discs take ages to burn, don’t have much storage capacity and aren’t particularly well-suited to long term storage. So far we’ve talked about prevention. What about cure? One of the most common computer, tablet or phone disasters is a liquid spill. If that happens to you, turn the device off immediately and if it’s a laptop, turn it upside down so the keyboard is facing down. Whatever you do, don’t turn it back on until you’re sure it’s completely dry inside. If it isn’t, you could cause a short-circuit that’ll ruin the computer. Have you heard the one about putting a phone in a sealed bag of rice? That works, because the rice draws out the moisture – but it takes at least two days to work. As with laptops, keep the phone off until it’s completely dry.

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Food & Drink

Chocolush Kalhua Espresso Martini

Vanillalicious Fudge Whip up this delicious, crumbly fudge using Shaken Udder milkshake. A perfect gift or treat! Prepare: 15 minutes Cook: 25 minutes Ingredients Butter, for greasing 300ml Shaken Udder Vanillalicious milkshake 350g caster sugar 100g unsalted butter

This chocolatey take on an espresso Martini is so delicious youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want more than one!

Method 1. Grease an 18cm square cake tin with butter. 2. Put the Shaken Udder milkshake, sugar and butter in a heavy-based saucepan. Heat slowly, stirring all the time, until the sugar has dissolved and the butter melted. 3. Bring to the boil and boil for 15-20 minutes, stirring all the time. 4. When the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage (115Â°C on a sugar thermometer), remove from the heat and leave to cool for 5 minutes. 5. Beat the mixture with a spoon for a few minutes until it starts to thicken and the gloss disappears. 6. Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared tin and leave it to set at room temperature.

Ingredients 100ml Shaken Udder Chocolush milkshake 25ml Kalhua coffee liqueur 25ml Vodka 25ml espresso shot Ice Single Cream Chocolate, for dusting Method 1. In a cocktail shaker add all the liquid ingredients along with some ice. 2. Shake well to mix. 3. Pour into a martini glass and swirl with single cream and a dusting of chocolate.

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Sureclean

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Septemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword Winner Miss C Swepstone from Buckden Winner of the Southlake Aqua Park Competition Holly Webb from Letchworth

Winner of the Cambridge Youth Ballet Competition Maxine Hendry from Wilstead

Easy

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The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

£25

Across 7 Moscow’s country (6) 8 Clears throat (6) 9 Continent (4) 10 Extra (8) 11 Picture houses (7) 13 Head organ (5) 15 Wooden barrier (5) 17 Go backwards (7) 20 Fell (8) 21 Limit, boundary (4) 23 Event, incident (6) 24 Idea (6)

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



16th October 2018 Name: Tel: Address:

Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Down 1 Pet name for cat (4) 2 Property, manor (6) 3 Yellow fruits (7) 4 Corrosive liquids (5) 5 Six-string (6) 6 Explanations, hypotheses (8) 12 Recognize (8) 14 Title (7) 16 Fighting (6) 18 Occurrences (6) 19 Warn (5) 22 Enlarge, develop (4)

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Books

Book Review By Kate Duggan Twisted Fairy Tales

If you like your fairy tales more Brothers Grimm than Disney, you’re in for a treat with this lot…

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Nightjar by Paul Jameson

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The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy

In Nazi-occupied Poland, two Jewish children take on new identities – Hansel and Gretel. Pursued by soldiers, the children’s father and stepmother urge the children to seek safety in the forest while they try to draw the danger away. Deep in the woods lives an old woman who may be the children’s only hope. A harrowing read, but a memorable one.

Grimm Tales for Old and Young by Philip Pullman

Pullman has reworked 50 of the Grimm brothers’ tales. He’s kept most of the content the same, but updated the language and ‘tidied them up’. The collection includes well-known tales, such as Rapunzel, Cinderella and Rumpelstiltskin, along with lesser-known stories such as Hans-MyHedgehog and The Musicians of Bremen.

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Electrician

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