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Nigel
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Tel: 01767
Email: nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com
Once upon a time you could obtain almost anything you needed to sustain life within 100 yards or so of the parish church at St. Neots. If you need a new wooden door you must make a journey or order it for delivery. Living 50 yards or so from Tebbutts Timber & Builders merchant in Eynesbury I could saunter around two corners and buy a wooden door and walk back with it perched on my head with the aromas of wood shavings and decades of in-gained sweat and toil amongst the random set of sheds and buildings. The view from the church tower over Brook Street and the ATS Tyre depot shows the extent of the yard and the Kaysor-Bondor factory beyond. The site by the Hen Brook had been a wharf, probably created from a riverside meadow by 18th century dumping of building materials and other rubbish. An Eynesbury family had gained the navigation rights to the Great Ouse up to Bedford and used the site for maintaining their barges. It was also used for loading and off-loading goods for the Market. The coming of the railway in the
1850’s saw the decline of river traffic and the Hen Brook wharf. Around 1880 the area was sold to a new firm of timber merchants, Daintree and Jewson whose business did not prosper and they sold the site on to C.G Tebbutt in 1889. It became a thriving family business until the rise of the out of town ‘sheds’ in the 1970’s caused it to fade away in the early 80’s as an increasingly mobile population preferred a supermarket version against a traditional local firm where you asked for items rather than pick them off a shelf.. The site was redeveloped as a residential area.
The St. Neots Museum (free to locals) has more on the influence of the river on town life and business and the people who lived their lives in the parish. If you have memories or photographs of the woodyard and its workers do let it know. The museum also has an excellent shop with many books and items unique to the town suitable for the whole family. It includes a reprint of St. Neots (1978) by C F Tebbutt from which material in this article has been taken.
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Whether you’re an intrepid mountaineer or a family looking for a new hobby, there’s no better way to embrace the cold weather than to set off on a skiing holiday. After a scorching summer, the thought of carving through white powder snow, soaking up outstanding mountain scenery, and sipping Gluhwein in ski chalets certainly sounds appealing.
From the world-famous Rockies to the picturesque Alpine landscapes here in Europe, we’re spoilt for choice on where to ski in the winter months. To help you decide, here are a few of the world’s most popular skiing destinations, and some of the best resorts to explore while you’re there.
When you think of skiing, you probably think of the Alps first. Spanning Italy, France, Switzerland,
Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovenia and Germany, it’s here that the tradition of skiing was born. With some of the best skiing scenery in the world, pictureperfect chalets, gigantic ski circuits and a lively après-ski scene – not to mention the close proximity to the UK – the Alps are a top choice for skiers all across the country.
Some of the top resorts include Val d’Isère in France, with its reputation for challenging black pistes, offpiste terrain and buzzing après ski scene, and Italy’s Courmayeur, a sophisticated ski town renowned for its mountain restaurants and glamorous shopping. Then there’s the Swiss resorts – Zermatt with its gorgeous Matterhorn views and gourmet dining, and the more relaxed resort of Obergurgl, perfect for those looking for short ski queues and a familyinclusive après ski scene. And that’s just touching the surface! With 1,152 ski resorts to choose from in the Alps, there truly is something for everyone.
Whoever said that ski holidays are expensive hasn’t discovered Bulgaria’s ski scene yet. With excellent ski schools, cheap drinks, buzzing bars and an abundance of blue and red slopes, it’s the perfect place for beginners to learn to ski on a budget. Borovets and Bansko are the country’s largest ski areas but with only 5km and 3km of black runs, advanced skiing is limited. Borovets is the oldest of the two, located on the northern slopes of the Rila mountain range with pistes reaching 2,600m high. Easily accessible from Bulgaria’s capital, the resort’s
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scenic snow-covered pine forests, lively atmosphere and traditional Balkan pubs make it a great spot for skiers looking to ski hard – and party hard too.
Further south, at the foot of the Pirin mountains, lies Bankso, which has grown to become Bulgaria’s largest ski resort. Offering 70km of well-groomed pistes and impressive off-piste for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels, it’s popular with families looking for a more leisurely skiing holiday.
A bucket-list destination for skiers and snowboarders alike, Canada’s world-class slopes are famed for their knee-deep powder, immaculate tree-lined runs and unrivalled hospitality – not to mention their spectacular scenery and wildlife.
Surprisingly, you can ski in every single province in Canada, but the country’s biggest and most popular resorts are located in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.
Repeatedly rated as North America’s top ski resort, Whistler in British Columbia is Canada’s pride and joy.
With over 200 trails spread between the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, linked by the famous Peak2Peak gondola, the resort sits at the higher end of the price scale – but it’s worth every penny.
With an amazing snow record, fantastic beginner’s area, lively nightlife and array of off-piste activities, it’s the perfect choice if you’ve got a mixed ability group. After a day on the slopes, kick back in the town’s mountain bars, indulge in some holiday shopping or soothe your aching muscles in a topnotch spa.
Japan
Japan is often an underrated skiing destination, but one thing the 600 resorts here are renowned for are their abundance of incredible powder snow. Many
average upwards of 600 inches of snow per winter – and this isn’t just any snow. The snow in Japan is super light and extraordinarily dry, making it great fun to ski or ride.
The most popular ski areas are split across two regions – Hakuba on the southern main island and Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano in the northern island of Hokkaido. The resorts in Japan are worlds apart from the usual European and North American resorts. Sample incredible food, from sushi and ramen to fried chicken and potatoes, and hop between Japanese onsens, natural hot springs that offer a soothing and traditional après-ski experience. However you look at it, Japan offers a skiing holiday that you just won’t find anywhere else.
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Austria produces most excellent wines of all types, many of which are award-winning. Zweigelt is the mostplanted red wine grape variety in Austria and the high-quality wines produced are now recognised around the world. The Zweigelt grape varietal is very capable of creating wines from dry to sweet, easy-drinking, to more complex, full-bodied productions, with grand notes of Morello cherry. Zweigelt ice wines are increasing in popularity worldwide, too.
INGRID and MARKUS IRO have a very well-established winery. Zweigelt wines account for approx 20% of their total productions at this time and are appreciated by many ‘devotees’. Neusiedlersee DAC Zweigelt (13.5% vol) and Zweigelt ried Ungerberg (14% vol) are extremely popular, from Iro’s ranges.
E-mail: wein@markusiro.at www.markusiro.at
HANS MICHAEL and ANDREAS NITTNAUS produce wines to an exceptional standard, too. Zweigelt is some 35% of total productions, currently. Neusiedlersee DAC Blauer Zweigelt (13.0% vol) and ried Goldberg Neusiedlersee DAC Reserve (13.5% vol) are regular choices for many lovers of Zweigelt and Nittnaus family wines.
E-mail: weingut@nittnaus.net www.nittnaus.net
HANNES REEH produces Zweigelt wines that are very much respected. The Zweigelt varietal occupies around 60% of their total wine productions today. Neusiedlersee DAC Zweigelt (13.o% vol) I found to be another splendid example of this varietal and, if a sparkling Zweigelt is required (great for welcoming guests with and for parties) then Reehbellion (13.0% vol) certainly will not disappoint – A sparkling delight!
E-mail: wein@hannesreeh.at www.hannesreeh.at Zweigelt-based wines offer several trocken preferences. Created by Dr. Fritz Zweigelt, during 1922, the splendid productions continue to gain more popularity each year, globally. Zweigelt grapes are now grown in numerous winegrowing regions of Austria. From the enticing bouquet of the wine, through the elegant, fruity mouthfeel, leading on to the palate’s pleasure, Zweigelt wines carry on pleasing. Wonderful to accompany pasta dishes, meat dishes, casseroles and also cheeses. These are just a selection of Austria’s wine producing companies, some of which have a history of several centuries. Take time and pleasure to locate your favourites. For more information of each company’s productions, please contact and/or visit their respective websites.
E-mail: management@neusiedlersee-dac.com www.neusiedlersee-dac.wine
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By Kate McCarthy
There are few people who don’t enjoy carving a Halloween lantern. Over the years it’s somehow become a tradition in our family to host a friendly pumpkin carving competition involving my sons and their teenage friends and quite a few of the parents!
There are also hotdogs, sticky toffee pudding and wine, so something for everyone and all participants seems to enjoy the occasion, especially the judging. We have categories such as ‘best in show’, ‘ugliest, ‘most creative’ etc.
Ghoulish pumpkins are iconic of Halloween season. I’ve always thought of them as an American import but in fact the practice of decorating jack-o’-lanterns originated across a much smaller expanse of water, in Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes were the vegetables being carved. The name, Jack-o’lantern, originates from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to hollow out a turnip (I have…it resulted in a trip to A&E), but I can only imagine the delight of Irish immigrants, newly arrived in America, home of the pumpkin, on discovering this easily carved gourd. No wonder it became an integral part of Halloween festivities.
In case you were wondering about Stingy Jack, well he rather rashly invited the Devil to have a drink with him, but true to his name, didn’t want to pay for the
beverages, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. However as soon as the Devil did so, Jack popped the coin into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form.
Jack did eventually free the Devil, but only on the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. It seems the Devil didn’t learn his lesson and the following year Jack tricked him again, this time into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree’s bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised not to bother Jack for ten more years.
Jack thought he was being very clever, but it all backfired on him because when he did finally die God refused him entry into heaven while the Devil, keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and is said to have been roaming the Earth his home-made lamp ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern,” and then, simply “Jack O’Lantern.”
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If you want to keep your energy bills low (who doesn’t?) and reduce your carbon emissions, you need to review just how much of your precious heat is escaping. Even little fixes around the home can accrue significant savings and bigger fixes will save more still.
Start at the top
If you’ve lived in your house for a while, chances are you already have loft insulation and think it’s good enough. But compared to a new home, even a twenty-year-old property will have room for improvement.
If you can see the floor joists in the loft or if you’ve managed to install decking straight onto the joists, it means you don’t have sufficient padding underneath. In a new build you can’t even see the joists for insulation, and any loft flooring will be on specially designed ‘legs’ to leave an airgap above the thick material.
While loft insulation isn’t expensive to buy, it is not a pleasant material to handle, and you’ll need skin, eye and breathing protection for the job. Unless you have good access to your attic and don’t mind a weekend’s hard work, calling in a professional is going to be a good decision.
Windows
If you have double glazing, ensure it’s performing as it should. If you have any condensation between the panes, it means the air gap has failed and it’s not much better than single glazing. You don’t always have to replace though, as a window repairer
can often effect a fix at a fraction of the cost of replacement windows.
If you have only single glazing, then you will either need to replace it or go for secondary glazing. The latter isn’t very attractive, although for some listed properties may be the only option
Regardless of which type of windows you have, install blinds for both a bit of extra heatproofing and daytime privacy, and thick curtains for the evening.
Is it worth it? New double glazing will be extremely effective at cutting your bills and will definitely add value to your home. Smaller measures are more affordable though, and still worthwhile.
Wasted water
Your heating bill covers your hot water too, so don’t heat water for longer than you need to. If you shower in the morning, try heating it for an hour before you get up and just keep adding fifteen minutes until you get enough to last. In the evening, if you only rinse off a few plates before switching on the dishwasher (which uses cold water), managing with cooler water will be better than heating a full tank.
Small improvements
• Check your water tank has an extra thick jacket and that pipes coming out have lagging.
• Thermostatic radiator valves should be added in all rooms and in a spare bedroom just turn the radiator off completely and close the door.
• Chimneys can be a real heat loss offender, so research what you can do to according to your type of fireplace.
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Alison is one of our Visitor Centre Volunteers. 'I volunteer at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve because it helps me make a difference to the environment, meet people, become part of the community in which I live, and best of all I have fun.
It is also a wonderful place to meet and chat with different people and helps with loneliness, reduces stress and anxiety helping to keep me young.
When you invest the time and energy to volunteer, you are investing in yourself just as much as in the Nature Reserve.'
The practical volunteers have the chance to do a range of roles. One day they are making a hide for wildlife watching, the next they might be maintaining boat moorings. Every one of those tasks makes a difference to parts of the community and the wildlife. All of which make a difference.
We have open spaces in Huntingdon, Little Paxton, St Neots and St Ives
We are very short of volunteers to carry out site checks. It is our responsibility to make sure that our spaces are safe. We need people who like walking to check the marked walks to make sure they are safe for visitors.
Could you volunteer to help our community. Contact russell. taylor@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
Running is one of the best ways to get fit. There are no gym fees, no opening times to fit in around and no complicated rules to learn. It’s great for your heart, lungs, stamina and mental health. And you can start with just one minute of running at a time. Useful apps
• NHS Couch to 5k builds your fitness up gradually over nine weeks. You’ll start by alternating one-minute bursts of running or jogging with 90 seconds of walking.
• If you don’t fancy Couch to 5k, track your progress with Strava instead.
• Zombies, Run! puts you in the role of a survivor in a zombie apocalypse. There are numerous missions to complete, and when zombies are near you’ll need to run (or walk) faster to stop them catching you and stealing all the virtual supplies you’ve collected.
What you’ll need Decent, supportive trainers are essential. Ideally, head to a sports shop to get a gait analysis and recommendations. Trainers can be pricey though, so look out for sales and check online stores like www.sportsshoes.com. In most cases, you’ll want to size up from your usual shoe size to avoid bruised toenails!
You might also want to add the following to your kit list (Christmas is approaching after all):
• Running leggings or shorts (look for ones with a pocket for your keys)
• Sports bra (a must for most women)
• Sports T-shirt
• Easy grip running water bottle or hydration backpack
• Head torch if you’re planning to run in the dark
• Something hi-vis (essential if you’re planning to run on a road), e.g. a vest, jacket or sports T-shirt
• Running belt or armband for your phone
If you’re on a tight budget, there are several Facebook selling groups for second-hand sports gear. One of the best is ‘Sh*t Kit That Dunt Fit’ (replace the asterisk), where people offer items for free. You just pay the postage costs. The expectation is that you’ll then offer items in the future when you’re able to. Keep going… An injury can put you out of action for months, so make sure to warm up, cool down and stretch properly. You’ll find lots of useful videos on YouTube and guidance to essential stretches on www.runnersworld.co.uk.
One way to reduce injury and fatigue is to ‘Jeff’. This is where you have short, timed bursts of running and walking and stick to the same ratio, e.g. run for two minutes/walk for 30 seconds. Search online for ‘jeffing training plan’.
It can be difficult to keep your motivation up through the colder months. One of the best solutions is to find a running buddy or join a club. While some clubs are for experienced runners, others are very welcoming to newbies and won’t mind if you need to run/walk and take regular breaks.
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The St Neots Man Cave is a new space for men to come and meet like-minded people and take part in the activities offered there. Launching on October 9th 14:00-17:00, at the Steve van de Kerkhove Building (Cemetery Road, St Neots PE19 2BX), we will then be open to men from all walks of life on Tuesday mornings (9:00-13:00), and Thursday afternoons (13:00-16:00).
The St Neots Man Cave is affiliated with the UK Men’s Shed Association and aims to bring men together from St Neots and surrounds to meet, chat, and create. Men’s sheds help reduce loneliness and isolation, but most importantly, they’re fun. Amongst the activities we will have available shortly after launch will be:
Woodworking
Bicycle maintenance and upcycling
Computer surgery/maintenance
At the launch event, you will be able to speak with committee members and learn more about our plans for the St Neots Man Cave. You will be able to sign up to receive regular communications regarding news and activities, and we will have refreshments available for all visitors. We look forward to seeing you on the day.
For more information please contact us: shey@stneotsmancave.co.uk https://stneotsmancave.org.uk
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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Huntingdonshire Aphasia Support (H.A.S.) meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 2.00 - 4.00pm at The Coneygear Centre in Huntingdon. Aphasia is caused by damage to the part of the brain which is responsible for the understanding and production of language. Common causes include stroke, severe head injury, brain tumour and other neurological conditions. It can leave those afflicted with very little or no language. H.A.S. offers people living with aphasia (whatever the cause), and their family, friends or carers, an active, social and fun get together. Each meeting consists of different activities from music to art, speakers or games, and quizzes. This year has also seen the return of H.A.S. and its members to holding regular afternoon teas and meals in local garden centres and restaurants. Recent visits have included Dobbie’s and Hartford Mill in Huntingdon. Christmas for the group is a particular highlight, with many members getting together for a festive meal and raffle at a local pub. Previous Christmas meals have been at The Windmill in Somersham and the Black Bull in Godmanchester.
Next year we are hoping to restart our annual boat trip on the Ladybird Boat Cruise along the River Great Ouse. The boat accommodates wheelchairs as well as foot passengers and is a thoroughly enjoyable, relaxing excursion.
If you would like further information about the group, please contact: Anna Bratby, Secretary, 01480 891977, Email: cambsanna@hotmail.com
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He’s the UK’s leading money saving expert - a journalist and presenter who has kept millions of pounds in people’s pockets as well as lifting the lid on the threats and dangers we need to be aware of as consumers.
In this month’s column, Martin Lewis looks at whether it’s possible to still be green at times of real economic restraint.
None of us need reminding how tough this year has been, and while we’re all looking for the green shoots of recovery, that greenness has become another sticking point of late, with environmental campaigners looking to keep their own eco priorities live and real.
As consumers, we’re all pretty aware that products and services that are more organic, or better ethically sourced, or that contain a strong environmental edge, are typically more expensive, so that leads us to a potential conflict of choice – do we look after our planet, or do we prioritise the money in our pockets?
The answer – from research I have been doing on part of my website, and a collection of other polls that pool data on this subject – is very much that green issues take a massive backseat when our backs are against the wall.
Now that’s not to say I don’t have a green conscience, or the average Joe in the street doesn’t work hard to preserve the planet, but the absolute truth is that in the vast, vast majority of cases – both at times of struggle and even when things are less
chaotic – individuals are not willing to make big sacrifices.
What I think is important though is that, in future, it would be nice if people are being incentivised to go green, and doing so means we are given all the support we expect from government. We expect tax cuts on fuel and a decrease in oil price to be reflected at the pump; we expect utility providers to play by the rules with clear billing and fair price schemes; we expect home insulation initiatives to really add up in the short-term, not 25 years down the line; and we expect new customer incentives to be accompanied by rewards for existing ones. What’s more, the days of us feeling guilt-tripped into buying a green product over one that isn’t, are probably and hopefully over. Of course, we all want to get back to a place of economic and environmental prosperity, and I’m sure that will come, but our conscience to feed our families has been proven, time and again, to be stronger than anything else.
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www.helpinghandso ceservices.com
Tel: 01767 690075 / 07966 554304
Email: maureen@helpinghandso ceservices.co.uk
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney
- LPA; one covering decisions concerning your Property and Financial Affairs, and one covering decisions regarding your Health and Welfare. Both documents allow you to appoint a person or people (known as your ‘attorneys’) to make decisions on your behalf should you become incapable of making decisions yourself. These not only cover you if you were to develop a degenerative condition such as dementia, but also if you were rendered temporarily incapable through an accident or after a medical procedure. What does a Lasting Power of Attorney do? Depending on the powers given to the attorney, their duties may include the following tasks:
• Look after bank accounts and financial affairs, including investments.
• Decide where you may live.
• Pay your care home fees or other expenses
• Make decisions about day-to-day care or healthcare.
If you do not have LPAs in place and you become incapable of making your own decisions, your family may be faced with having to deal with the more complex, lengthy and costly application for a Court of Protection Deputyship Order. Lasting Powers of Attorney are just as important as your Will when you are looking to ensure your affairs are in order. Not having them in place can result in additional stress and financial difficulty for your loved ones at what will likely already be a trying time for them.
If you do not have one and you become mentally incapable of managing your affairs your family will
need to apply for a Court of Protection Deputyship Order. This will take approximately 12-18 months to be granted and will cost at least £1,500 in court and legal fees. During the application process while your family wait for the Court of Protection order nobody will be able to make payments on your behalf for your care fees or other expenses. Appointment of a Deputy is subject to the court’s discretion, and they may deem that your family are not suitable to manage your finances, or to make decisions on your behalf. This will then mean that a Panel Deputy (i.e. a Court of Protection specialist solicitor) will be making decisions on your behalf, and charging you estate for that work accordingly. Lasting Power of Attorney LPA is effective once signed and witnessed and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. You can appoint who you like as your attorney, you can include instructions or preferences regarding how your affairs will be managed, and your attorneys will not have to provide annual reports to the Court of Protection, or pay an annual administrative fee. If you lose your mental capacity, your family will already be dealing with enough without having to also find the time and funds for a lengthy court application (they cannot access your funds until the Court Order is granted).
We offer a personal, friendly and sympathetic approach, to assist you in planning and managing your affairs most effectively in a wide range of situations. If you need any advice in relation to any will, estate planning or bereavement matter then please contact Leeds Day on 0844 567 2222 or email wills@leedsday.co.uk
Huntingdon
Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD
T: 01480 454301
St. Ives
11 Station Road, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5BH
T: 01480 464600
St. Neots Xenus House, Sandpiper Court, Eaton Socon, St. Neots PE19 8EP
T: 01480 474661
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As we dip into the mellow days of autumn, there’s a lot to celebrate outside. Firstly, the light levels are often perfect for photography in the garden. Capture those glistening spiders’ webs and moisture droplets that decorate leaves. Soak up every moment of the golden times when long shadows make great shots. There is generally less pollution in autumn due to cooler weather, and skies tend to be clearer.
October can catch you out. There are days that feel like an Indian summer, with bright blue skies and sun that warms, but also unexpected frosts. It’s not unusual in northerly regions to experience freezing weather right at the beginning of the month. Protect vulnerable plants by moving them to sheltered sites, or cover them in horticultural fleece.
During this magical month, which ends in All Hallows’ Eve, don’t miss the petrichor! It’s a real treat, and is the scent of rain that arises from damp earth after it falls on dry soil. The word comes from the Ancient Greek for ‘stone’ and fluid that was the ‘blood of the Gods’! This is a time to savour the daylight, knowing it will be seeping gradually away. But rather than mourn the loss of longer days, there’s work to be done outdoors as you need to get your garden in order to make it winter-ready.
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Before leaves are filling up every crevice and corner, remember to cover ponds using fine mesh. It will stop the debris from falling to the bottom of the water where it will rot. Leaves release toxic gases as they break down and this replaces valuable oxygen in the pond. A pond needs to be balanced. A little decomposition is perfectly healthy and in fact, leaves release a tiny amount of phosphorus that is valuable in terms of nutrients.
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When you are ready to turn your attention to the borders, stop and think before you cut things back. Many autumn plants have high feed value for garden birds. The seeds provide food and the leaves and stems offer shelter for birds, small mammals and mini-beasts. Leave them in situ if you can.
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This is an ideal time to collect seeds for propagation. Many of them can be sown right away, but some can be scattered later. Check the preferences of each type of seed, as some require ‘cold stratification’, where they need to undergo a cold period before they are likely to germinate. A fridge or freezer could do the trick.
Alternatively, you can chip away at part of the outer coating, as this should perform a similar function. They include many acer trees, most shrubs such as cornus (dogwood) and forsythia, clematis and many other climbing plants and perennials including lavender, nepeta, sedum and rudbeckia. For seeds contained within fleshy fruits, such as elderberries and rosehips, be sure to squeeze them out of the soft fruit before sowing. They would naturally be digested by birds and mammals, which would remove the fruits.
• This is a perfect pruning time, including climbing plants such as clematis, lavender and rosemary, but take care not to cut back into old wood. You can also prune shrub roses and soft fruit bushes. Cut hedges without too much fear of disturbing bird nests and consider giving your hedge a mulch around the base. Always check before adding fresh wood chippings, however. Some newly shredded wood can change the pH value of the soil and others might deplete nitrogen levels in the ground underneath.
• Lawn lovers will be in their element during October, as this is a good time to rake out the thatch and apply autumn lawn fertiliser. This contains high levels of potash and phosphates, which will help to make the grass resilient to cold weather. But at this time of year, you need to avoid nitrogen. It will encourage too much soft
growth, which will be easily damaged during frost. Trim the lawn edges to give it a crisp shape that should last until spring.
• Last, but certainly not least, it’s time to plant some underground flower power while there is still warmth in the soil. This is the best bulbplanting month for spring-flowering beauties such as daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops, alliums and hyacinths. They can all go in the ground, ready for a burst of colour when you need it the most. Tulips can wait until November, or even later if the weather is mild. This helps to avoid the dreaded tulip fire virus.
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He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses the changing seasons, and why he ventures out into his garden in any weather.
I’ve been talking to a number of people over these summer months and it’s always a pleasure. Naturally, it feels like the part of the year where we all come out and celebrate what it is to have a space that is all ours – we all share in the successes and, okay, some of the failures too!
Yet what’s interesting is the fact the longer the summer goes on, the more the chat seems to evolve. There is an unspoken devil in the air, and it goes by the name of winter, though I encourage people to look at winter as a lot more than just a time when we feel like stepping off the gardening carousel.
Certainly, my routine in those quieter months never changes. Whether rain, hail, sleet or snow, I will always potter around the garden. Okay, so in the
winter months it’s a lot more difficult to sit still in a garden anyway, but just getting out there, soaking up the air and feeling the natural goodness around you, is really inspiring.
Ultimately, what it’s all about is being out there, and believing you are making a difference. I've always thought however tiny a patch of ground you have, if you look after it well when you shuffle off your mortal coil you've paid your rent for your life on Earth.
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...and mellow fruitfulness, states the first line of the famous Keats poem. There is something rather lovely about autumn. The days are cooler but often sunny, yet the ground is more moist and so easier to dig. It’s the perfect time of year for gardening.
It’s tempting to tidy up all the browning plant stems but try not to get carried away. Leave some standing because they provide important habitats for wildlife. I do harvest a few seedheads each year: poppies, nigella, and alliums are my favourites. I cut them, leaving their long stems intact and put the heads inside a paper bag, then hang the bunches inside to dry. The ripe seeds fall into the bag and can be labelled and kept for sowing next year’s free plants! The decorative heads look nice in a vase too. My neighbour (who is retired) makes fabulous leaf mould in meshed cages he’s constructed himself. I take a ‘busy mum’ approach to fallen leaves. I run them over with a mower then rake the resulting con fetti off my lawn into the flower beds and borders and let them rot naturally. They soon break down and are incorporated into the soil by worms. I still hanker after my own leaf mould crates though.
If you planted any perennials a few years ago they
By Rachael Levertonmight need to be divided. Take a look at your plants. If they are dying off in the middle but have good growth around the edges, it’s time to lift and divide. Dig up the root ball of the plant, brush and pull off excess soil and set on to a plastic ground sheet. Pull (or use a garden fork to prise) apart the football into three or four clumps, each with a section of healthy shoots and roots. Replant the ’new’ plants elsewhere in the garden or try swapping plants with friends.
Don’t forget to keep them well-watered until they have become established.
If you feel that your garden needs a little more colour heading into winter add a couple of dogwood shrubs into your borders. There are striking red and yellow varieties available. You can also plant sedum, Japanese anemones (Liriope) and Michaelmas daises (Aster). These flower well into late autumn and early winter.
Finally, a little planning for next year goes a long way. October is the perfect time to plant daffodil, crocus, hyacinth and allium bulbs for next spring.
Though there’s a real push toward full-electric vehicles, for many people a hybrid vehicle is a great fit. Combining an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery means a traditional engine to fall back on, but with the opportunity to benefit from the lower running costs that electrification brings. Fortunately, hybrids have been on sale for a little while now, so there is a reasonable number available in the used market. Let’s take a look.
The CR-Z arrived in 2010 as a sporty hybrid and thus featured an eye-catching exterior design and a relatively compact body. It combined a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery and, strangely for a hybrid, had a six-speed manual gearbox. But today, with prices hovering around £5,000, the CR-Z makes for an inexpensive left-field hybrid choice. It’ll return over 52mpg and cost just £20 to tax.
Lexus CT
Lexus has been using electrical assistance in its cars for quite some time now and has the technology down to a fine art. The CT, a slightly elongated hatchback with a typically sharp Lexus design, is a ‘regular’ hybrid with a 1.8-litre engine and an electric motor and battery. It’s exempt from London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone charge, too. Early, highmileage examples can be had for around £5,500, but reasonable-mileage versions with plenty of equipment are around the £10,000 mark.
Toyota Prius
There are few better-known names in the hybrid world than Prius and it’s now a very tried-and-tested option. There are plenty of used examples, too, with
prices starting from around £2,000 – though these will be earlier models with seriously high mileage.
Later models use a 1.8-litre engine – compared with the older 1.5-litre version – but you’ll still get a very respectable 70.6mpg combined, so it’s ideal for reducing fuel bills.
Mitsubishi Outlander
The Outlander was one of the groundbreaking hybrid models, and the plug-in hybrid is the go-to choice as it offers super-efficient motoring and the chance of seeing up to 156mpg providing you keep it topped up with electricity.
Prices are competitive, with second-generation cars built around 2015 standing at around £17,000. It’s a big, practical car for the money.
Fancy something a little sportier? The Golf GTE aimed to combine Golf GTi driver involvement with the efficient running of a hybrid. With a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor with a battery, this plug-in hybrid can slot into everyday life easily.
First-generation cars – built around 2015 – can be had for as little as £12,000, though expect to pay slightly more for lower-mileage, higher-spec versions.
BMW 530e
The BMW 530e could be a great more-refined option. It’s as comfortable and spacious as the regular 5, but has that efficient petrol-electric hybrid setup to help reduce fuel bills.
Early 2018 models of the spacious 530e can be had for under £20,000, so it’s definitely at the top end of our price list. Push that budget higher and you’ll find lower-mileage versions, of course.
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Serves 2 as a main. Takes 15 minutes
• 1 red onion, peeled and cut into 8 wedges
• 150g baby carrots, trimmed and rinsed
• 1 x 280g packet GoodLife Falafel
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 250g cooked Puy lentils
• Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• ½ small bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• ½ small bunch fresh mint, finely chopped
• ½ small bunch fresh chives, finely chopped
• 50g feta
For the dressing
1 tbsp rose harissa
4 tbsp plain yoghurt, plant-based if you prefer
½ tsp easy garlic
½ tbsp red wine vinegar
1. Preheat the oven to 220°C / 200°C fan / gas mark 7.
2. Place the onion wedges and baby carrots on a baking tray along with the falafels, drizzle over the olive oil and cook in the oven for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, mix the dressing ingredients together and set aside.
4. In a small saucepan, heat the lentils with the lemon zest and a good squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper, and then stir the chopped chilli and herbs through the warm lentils.
5. Spoon the lentils onto a serving platter with the roasted onions, carrots and falafel. Crumble over the feta and a drizzle of the dressing with the rest served on the side.
Cooked from frozen, 280g boxes of GoodLife Foods’ falafels are available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Ocado, RRP £1.80. Visit www.goodlife.co.uk.
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Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles.
1 OCTOBER
Saints Crafters
9.30-3.30pm
Free Church Hall, Market Hill, St Ives
Art and craft fair. Buy original and handmade items direct from the crafter.
Email: saintscrafters.gmail.com
1 OCTOBER
Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire
Hardy Plant Society
2pm
Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade
‘Biodiversity Audit at Great Dixter (How a garden can support wildlife)’ with Fergus Garrett. Fergus is head gardener and steward of Great Dixter Gardens. Plants for sale.
Visitors welcome – small charge.
Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk
1-8 OCTOBER
Crazy Lego!
St Neots Museum
Free entry
A fun and family friendly exhibition featuring mountains of Lego and Duplo that visitors can use to create buildings, animals, vehicles –anything that can be made from the standard bricks. A Lego model of a Roman Villa discovered in Eynesbury in the 1960s will be on display. Book online.
Web: stneotsmuseum.org.uk
2 OCTOBER
Hinxton Watermill Open Day
2.30-5pm
CambridgePPF members free, nonmembers - adult £3, child £1
This stunning working watermill dates to the seventeenth century. See the mill working and hear the history of this incredible building. No need to book.
Web: www.cambridgeppf.org
4 OCTOBER
Hail Weston Wildlife and Gardening Group
7.15pm for 7.30pm
Hail Weston Village Hall Members £1, non-members £3 AGM followed by a talk on ‘Winter
Colour’ beating the winter blues with garden colour by Geoff Hodge. Tea/Coffee/glass of wine/ biscuits will be available at the meeting for a voluntary donation.
Email: hwwgg@yahoo.com for more info
4, 11 & 18 OCTOBER
St Neots Sinfonia
7.45-9.30pm
Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury Rehearsals are every Tuesday in term time.
Tel: 01480 212298 Web: www.stneotssinfonia.org.uk
4, 11, 18 & 25 OCTOBER
St Neots & District Camera Club
7.15pm for 7.30pm
Bowls Club, St Neots Regular talks and competitions. Web: www.stneots-camera-club. org.uk
5 OCTOBER
Brampton Flower Club 7.30pm
Community Centre, Brampton High Street
‘Autumn Delight’ with Gill McGregor. Meets the first Wednesday of the month. Visitors welcome.
5 OCTOBER
Buckden Local History Society
7.30pm
Millard Suite, Village Hall
Visitors £4, children free
‘Religion in 18th Century Huntingdonshire’ by Simon Clemmow. Meets first Wednesday of each month. New members/ visitors welcome. Annual membership £16. Web: www.buckdenhistory.co.uk
5, 12 & 19 OCTOBER
St Neots Choral Society
7.30-9.30pm
Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury Rehearsals are every Wednesday in term time. Tel: 01480 212298 for membership enquiries Web: www.stneotschoral.org.uk
5, 12, 19 & 26 OCTOBER
Kimbolton Bridge Club
10am-12pm
Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton
Meets every Wednesday for friendly, social bridge. Players of all standards are welcome with or without a partner. Just turn up!
6 OCTOBER
Roxton & District Local History Group
7.15pm for 7.30pm
Roxton Village Hall
Members free, visitors £4
‘From Erik the Bald to Nigel de Albini: the Domesday Book in Bedfordshire’. Annual membership £20.
Email: mariascreen1@gmail.com Web: roxtonhistory.org.uk
6, 13, 20 & 27 OCTOBER
Riverport Singers
10.15-11.15am
The Corn Exchange, St Ives Community choir for people living with dementia, their carers, family and friends.
Tel: Agi 07757 811802
Email: agipeach@icloud.com Web: facebook.com/ riverportsingers
6, 13, 20 & 27 OCTOBER
Bingo
7.30pm
Alconbury Sports & Social Club Eyes down for the weekly Bingo session!
Web: www.assc.org.uk
6, 13, 20 & 27 OCTOBER
Huntingdon Male Voice Choir
7.30pm
Abbots Ripton Village Hall
Huntingdon Male Voice Choir is always pleased to see new singers. No formal audition and you do not need to be able to read music; all you need to do is sing a few notes so the musical director can determine which part of the choir suits you best.
Web: www.hmvc.org.uk
7 OCTOBER
St Neots Local History Society
7.30pm
Eynesbury Primary School
SNLHS members free, visitors £4
‘One of Our Own: Victor Ekins MBE DFC’ by David Duker of The Tally Ho Project.
Web: www.stneotslhs.org.uk
7, 14 & 21 OCTOBER
Great Fen Little Bugs
10.30am-12pm
Great Fen Countryside Centre, Ramsey Heights
Wildlife Trust BCN child member £5, non-member £7
A fun and sociable morning of exploration and discovery for preschool children and their guardians.
Web: wildlifebcn.org
8 & 22 OCTOBER
St Neots Farmers & Craft Market
8am-1.30pm
Products from local food producers and craft makers.
10 OCTOBER
Perry WI
7.30pm
Sailability Club House, Grafham Water Centre
Mary’s Meals, an international charity which provides one daily meal in a place of education to some of the world’s poorest children
Tel: Jakki Spall 07703 431900
12 OCTOBER
6.30pm
Little Paxton Village Hall
Little Paxton Parish Council invite residents to come along to a defibrillator awareness session to demonstrate how the defibrillators work and how to use them. Refreshments.
12 OCTOBER
The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust Meeting
7.30pm Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, Brampton Entry £3.50. ‘Gardening With Wildlife in Mind’ by Iain Webb who enjoys nothing more than sharing his love of local wildlife, and how to nurture it, with others.
Tel: George 01480 450809
Email: george.cottam@virginmedia. com
18 OCTOBER
Dementia Café
10am-12pm
St Ives Free Church, St Ives £2.50 per person
For people with dementia and their carers. Tel: George 07725 588145 Web: facebook.com/ stivesdementiafriendlycommunity
19 OCTOBER
Godmanchester WI
7.30pm Church Hall, Chadley Lane, Godmanchester
Meets the third Wednesday of the month. Regular speakers and activities. New members welcome.
19 OCTOBER
St Neots Art Group
7.30pm Roxton Village Hall
Members £5, non-members £8 Demonstration by Carole Massey ‘A portrait in pastels’.
21 OCTOBER
Kimbolton Community Cinema
Doors open 7, film 7.30pm
Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton
Tickets £5, concessions £4, children £2.50 (subject to classification)
Downton Abbey – A New Era. Tickets from Bytes Café Monday and Friday mornings, online or on the door if available. Small booking fee applies online.
Email: kimbolton.cinema@gmail. com
Web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ mandeville-hall-kimbolton
23 OCTOBER Autumn Craft Fair
12-4pm
St Peter’s Church, High Street, Offord Darcy
Free entry
Local crafts people will be selling their wares in time for some early Christmas shopping. Huge variety of stalls including the well-known ‘Yelling Pig’ with spinning demonstrations and a talk. Refreshments available. Free parking on adjacent archery field. Tel: 07776 426103
Email: jennygriffiths908@btinternet. com
27 OCTOBER
St Neots & District Gardening Club
Meeting
7.30pm
St Mary's Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Members £2, Non-members £2.50
‘My Life In Horticulture’ by Phyllis Hooper. Competition - A photo of your garden, allotment, etc. Raffle and refreshments.
Web: www.stneotsgardenclub.org. uk
30 OCTOBER
St Neots Art Group Autumn Exhibition
10.30am-4.30pm
Roxton Village Hall
Free entry
A chance to buy art from local artists. Refreshments.
30 OCTOBER
Autumn Concert
6pm
Holy Trinity Church, Church Lane, Great Paxton
Tickets £10
Concert by the renowned Cambridge Voices Choir. From 5pm tasting and sales of heritage apples and juices. Supper available afterwards for £2.50.
Email: diane.james42@outlook.com for tickets
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The four most sustainable tech companies in the world.
1. Fairphone - Fairphone have been striving for a fairer and more sustainable electronics industry since their inception in 2013, with the Amsterdam-based manufacturer having achieved an enormous amount in a short period of time, selling over 400,000 devices globally. Part of this includes extending the average life of a device from 2.7 years to around five: this reduces greenhouse gas emissions per year of use by around 30%. In addition, the back of the phone is made from 100% recycled plastics.
2. Apple - Under CEO Tim Cook, not only have Apple decreased their overall carbon footprint by 40% since 2015, but using incentives throughout their supply chain means they have also made a concerted effort to use recycled plastic across their products. Most impressive though is their pledge to become a closed-loop supply chain, meaning every single device would be made entirely from recycled material.
3. Dell - Dell aims to use 75% renewable source electricity by 2030 and 100% by 2040; and this tech stalwart publishes a detailed breakdown of its major suppliers along with transparency over product
components, citing which parts are recycled (and which aren’t!).
They also use closed-loop materials in over 91 products, with materials sourced from their own takeback schemes.
4. HP - Not only have the Palo Alto innovators shown a great willingness and transparency regarding their carbon output, they have also led the way in sustainable innovation, including tablets that are easier to repair and upgrade. Inevitably, such steps lead to lower profit margins, but such are the expectations from household brands such as HP.
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Across
1 Cars, vans, buses etc (7)
5 Type of sailing boat (5)
8 Enhance (7)
9 Perfect (5)
10 Severe (5)
11 Playhouse (7)
12 Reliable (6)
14 Shovels (6)
17 Extremely old (7)
19 Endangered species (5)
22 Tracks (5)
23 Sportsman (7)
24 Father (5)
25 Female relations (7)
Down
1 Works hard (5)
2 Type of fruit (5)
3 Grimaced (7)
4 Crates (6)
5 Dagger (5)
6 Given medical care (7)
7 Assistants (7)
12 Exchanged (7)
13 Elated (7)
15 Throws (7)
16 Used for drinking (6)
18 Assignment (5)
20 Waterfowl (5)
21 Scottish dances (5)
Eva Ibbotson
It’s been 21 years since Journey to the River Sea was published, but it still captivates readers (old and young alike) across the globe. The main character, Maia, is an orphan who is sent to live with distant relatives in Brazil in the early twentieth century. The relatives are interested in little but Maia’s money. However, Maia finds loyal companions in her governess, a young actor and a local boy.
The Key in The Lock Beth Underdown Secrets, lies and deception abound in this gothic thriller. Ivy Boscawen is mourning the death of her son in the Great War. She’s also still haunted by memories of a child’s death 30 years before. Ivy believes the boy was murdered and now she needs to find out what really happened. But will anyone be prepared to let the full truth come to light, even Ivy herself?
Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Civil Townsend embarks on a career in family planning. It’s 1973 and she has high hopes of helping women to take control of their lives. But amongst her first patients are two young girls – eleven and thirteen. The girls live in virtual squalor and Civil does what she can to help them. Soon it becomes clear that people in power are intent are making life-changing decisions for girls like these two. A saddening insight into a dark period of American history.
By Kate DugganWho needs a time machine when you have historical fiction?
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Al-Anon Family Groups
Anglian Water
Addenbrooks Hospital
Papworth Hospital
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue
Carers Line
ChildLine
Citizens Advice
Cocaine Anonymous
Crimestoppers
Cruse Bereavement Care
Floodline
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Non Emergency Police Line
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