VILLAGER The
Issue 125 - September 2019
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
In this issue Win tickets to see
Ed Byrne The History of
Conkers Win £25
in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People Every Month in Buckden, Brampton, Godmanchester, Eaton Socon, ur E o Y The Hemingfords, Grantchester and all surrounding villages REpy
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Inside this issue... Win Tickets to see Ed Byrne
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All Change in St. Neots in the 1960s...........................................4 The History of Conkers................................................................6 Dine in Style: Great British Restaurant.....................................10 Win Tickets to see Ed Byrne......................................................12 Harvest Time............................................................................15 Tamil Nadu Top UNESCO Site in India........................................19 Top Styling Tips for New Mums................................................22 Join Huntingdonshire Philharmonic.........................................26 Balance Awareness Week - 15th-21st September....................29 Pitfalls for the Lone Litigant.....................................................31 Water Works.............................................................................33 Valuable VPN............................................................................36 Managing your Money at University........................................39 Going Green.............................................................................43 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal........................................................45
Animal Know-How...................................................................47 The Privet Hedge......................................................................48 Children's Page........................................................................50 Tech for Tweens........................................................................52 The 10 Best Electric Cars on Sale Today.....................................55 Nick Coffer's Weekend Recipe...................................................57 Puzzle Page..............................................................................60 Here's to a Dementia-Friendly Future.......................................62 What's On................................................................................64 The Debt Dilemma - How to Escape Debt.................................69 TATT - Tired all the time............................................................70 Prize Crossword........................................................................74 Book Review............................................................................77
The Privet Hedge
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Get your business off to a flying start this year
Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £35.00 +VAT per month Editorial - Peter Ibbett, Catherine Rose, Trevor Langley, Sarah Davey, Solange Hando, Jennie Billings, Tracey Anderson, Centre for Complementary Health, Leeds Day Solicitors, RSPCA, Mark O'Keefe, Ann Haldon, Pippa Greenwood, Rachael Leverton, Kate Duggan, James Baggott and Kate McLelland
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Paul Mann 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
All change in St. Neots in the 1960’s
By Peter Ibbett
Mention the 1960’s to most folk under 50 and images of Liverpool pop groups, Flower Power Hippies and the Landing on the Moon often come to mind. It was also a time when life in St. Neots probably changed more than at any time since the railway era had arrived a century before. St. Neots Station was on the list for closure under the Beeching cuts but survived with a ‘use it or loose it’ label. The Eatons were absorbed from Bedfordshire under Local Government changes creating Cambridgeshire’s largest town. In 1961 the first Middlesex families arrived from Ruslip & Northwood, Wood Green and Heston & Iselworth triggering a house building boom that saw the construction of 2000 Council Houses within a decade. A similar increase in private housing met the needs of an expanding population. New industrial areas were created to provide jobs and import new skills and work practices. The town’s traditional high street family businesses were facing competition from the dawn of the supermarket age with the arrival of the new Co-Op store which opened in February 1962 with ‘fantastic opening trading’ taking around £1000 a day. It replaced an old row of four former shops that had, back in Victorian times, been occupied by a barber & tobacconist; a greengrocer; a bootmaker (‘The Devil ruins your Souls but Ted
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Haynes mends them’) and a harness-maker and saddler. The centuries old stone town bridge gave way to a ‘modernist’ design from an architect employed to help to design the new town of Harlow. A riverside park emerged as a green ‘lung’ to help relieve the strain of the increased pace of daily life and to help families play together and enjoy the ‘Jewel of the Great Ouse Valley’. There was no local history society or museum in the ‘60’s but there were a small group of local folk who valued the heritage of the Huntingdonshire market town and their efforts are now woven into the fabric of the present day town with signage and heritage groups. The museum (free entry to locals) is always interested in the memories of those who came out of the ‘big smoke’ of London to the green fields and fresh air of Huntingdonshire. St. Neots is in the midst of another decade of major change with large housing developments bringing in a very different generation of newcomers. The Market Square and High Street are also changing, as they have always done, to adapt to national and local trends. Readers of the Villager in 2080 will probably marvel at digital images of St. Neots High Street in 2020, when they were young, and tell their grandchildren of the ‘good old days’ of Facebook, the BBC, plastics, cars, coins & notes and beef burgers!
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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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History
The History of Conkers With autumn comes the familiar sight of shiny brown conkers, the fruit of the horse chestnut tree, revealing themselves as their prickly green casings ripen and split open. These nuts’ sheen and rich colour make them irresistible to children and they are still used for playing the traditional game of Conkers. The game of Conkers has two players. Each player has a conker which has had a small hole drilled through the centre and been threaded onto a piece of string around 25cm long. The players then take turns to strike the other’s conker until it breaks, earning a point each time. Scoring is accumulative, with the victor’s conker additionally taking on the points of their opponent. A new conker is known as a noner and conkers can build up points to become sixers, tenners and beyond. The first recorded game of Conkers took place on the Isle of Wight in 1848, around 200 years after the horse chestnut tree was introduced into Britain from eastern Europe. Before this, a similar game had been played using hazelnuts (also known as cobnuts) or snail shells. It is not generally known where the name ‘conker’ – used to refer to both the game and the horse
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chestnut fruit – originates from. Some suggestions are that it comes from the French verb cogner which means ‘to bump’ or that it is perhaps a colloquial version of the word conquer (the original cobnut or snail shell game was referred to as Conquerors). However, in other regions of the UK, the game of Conkers is also known as Cheggers, Cobblers and Kingers. Often found in parks, the horse chestnut tree displays flower spikes in spring known as candles. Unlike the sweet chestnut, its starch-rich fruit is extremely bitter and not edible to humans due to its high saponin content. However, in the Balkans, horse chestnuts were traditionally fed to horses to make their coats shiny. They can also be used as food for cattle by soaking them in lime water, boiling, grinding and adding them to fodder. As well as being traditionally used as a horse food, the tree’s name may be due to the appearance of the horseshoe-shaped leaf scars that occur on its branches. Conkers become harder with age but there have always been tricks of the trade to ensure your conker is a champion. I can recall my father swearing by soaking them overnight in vinegar.
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You can also do a test first to eliminate weaker conkers by placing them in a bowl of water. Those that are less dense (and so more easily smashed) will float, while the harder, denser conkers will sink. The technique of drilling through the conker is vital too: the hole needs to be perfectly round and smooth with no cracks or fissures that could weaken the conker’s structure. Vinegar baths and other such underhand tactics are regarded as cheating and prevented in the annual World Conker Championships where all contestants are supplied with ready-threaded conkers. The World Conker Championships began in Northamptonshire in 1965. A group of regulars at the pub in Ashton, whose green had an abundance of horse chestnut trees, decided one rainy day to have a game of Conkers with a small prize for the winner and the remaining money going to RNIB Talking Books, as one of the players had a blind relative. The game grew to become an annual event with people coming from all over to take part. Today it is international with the first overseas title having been won by Mexican Jorge Ramirez in 1976 and the first ladies’ title being awarded to Selma Becker from Austria in 2000. In addition, there are now junior competitions that attract schools with sponsorship and entertainment. Money is still given to the visually impaired with hundreds of thousands of pounds raised to date. Conkers are not only interesting for their history as a playground game, it was once thought that they could help win us the war. In the autumn of 1917, the Ministry of Supply offered children money through their schools and the Scout movement to collect as many conkers as they could. Under the Official Secrets Act, they were not told why.
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In fact, Lloyd George had asked a scientist called Professor Weizman to discover a way for Britain to manufacture cordite, which was needed for ammunition. At that time the country was experiencing a shortage due a shipping blockade that prevented its import from America. To make cordite, a large supply of acetone is required, and to produce it, the professor needed a good source of starch. This was readily available in horse chestnuts. However, thanks to the enthusiasm of the children, the government ran into problems when it came to transporting and storing the huge amounts of conkers collected, which had to be taken and kept at secret factory locations. The plan was consequently abandoned. Conkers are believed to have medicinal properties, helping in the treatment of haemorrhoids, varicose veins and rheumatism. It was once thought that carrying one in your pocket was enough to reap the benefits, although these days there are tinctures and ointments available which contain its extracts. For arachnophobes, conkers are said to be a deterrent to spiders when placed around the home. Although traditionally a child’s game, many schools now ban conkers for health and safety reasons. And with the decline in the health of horse chestnut trees due to leaf miner moths and the bacterial disease bleeding canker, autumn conkers may become an increasingly rare sight.
By Catherine Rose
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Food and Drink
Dine in Style: Great British Restaurant The area of London around St James’s holds much interest, with Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, St James’s Park, Green Park and other popular locations only a short walk away. Mayfair and Knightsbridge districts, along with other shopping and designer outlets, satisfy many seeking ‘retail therapy’.
Dukes London is a ‘hidden gem’ and located in the heart of St James’s, an area which abounds in history and historic connections. St James’s Palace was built during the reign of King Henry 8th and the area soon became home to royalty, plus writers, musicians and politicians. Dukes London (Boutique five-star Red AA hotel) offers luxurious accommodation (80+ guest rooms), plus fine cuisine, to residents and nonresidents alike. Dukes Great British Restaurant (GBR) offers all day dining, with dishes available as starters or main course options. English Burrata (Roasted onion squash, sage, toasted pumpkin seeds) is very popular, with wonderful flavours and excellent presentation. Chalk Stream Trout (Soft shell crab, roasted kohlrabi, crab sauce) is a regular choice too, from an impressive menu that has something for everyone, offering seafood, fish and meats. The ‘Daily Special’ changes each day, varying from Cumbrian Lamb Cutlets, through Salmon, to succulent, tender Rib-Eye Steak. Desserts can include Yorkshire Rhubarb and Lemon Meringue Pie. Executive Head Chef is Nigel Mendham. Nigel is passionate about great British food and ensures, with his very talented brigade of chefs and kitchen personnel, excellence at all times, with outstanding, complementing flavours. Dukes Great British Jazz Brunch will jazz up everyones Sunday. This is style and sophistication, with bubbles (free-flowing, if you wish), Cured and Roasted Meats, Lobster Thermidor Omelette and much more. Dessert of Raspberry Cranachan, Waffles, Treacle Tart or Cheese Selection finishes the leisurely ‘experience’, wonderfully. Award-winning Dukes Bar is legendary and renowned for famous martinis and cocktails. Dukes London offers the ‘Wedmin Weekend Package’, with engaged couples enjoying a two-night stay, plus champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, breakfasts and three course dinners with wine pairings. Gift vouchers are available-perhaps surprise someone special? Booking is advisable, particularly during popular times. A huge thank you to Denisa, for impeccable service throughout. A top recommendation. Dukes London 35 St James’s Place, London SW1A 1NY Tel: 44 (0) 20 7491 4840 Email: gbrlondon@dukeshotel.com Email: bookings@dukeshotel.com www.dukeshotel.com
As always, Enjoy! 10
ey Trevor Langl
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HALLOWEEN MURDER MYSTERY EVENING
SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2019
Will you find out who the murderer was, the motive and how the killing was executed? Includes a Three Course Meal - £60.00 Per Person www.shuttleworth.org/halloweenmurdermystery The House, Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, SG18 9EA
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Photo: IDIL SUKAN
WIN a PAIR of TICKETS to see ED BYRNE at the HHPAC on 12th OCTOBER 2019 Following his biggest ever tour last year in which Ed sold out his entire Edinburgh Fringe run and many of his nationwide dates, culminating in extra dates added along the way, one of the finest observational comics in the industry announces his EVEN BIGGER brand-new tour for 2019/2020. Join him as he takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has ANY traits that are worth passing on to his children. A TV household name, Ed has been seen on pretty much every TV programme in the UK including Mock The Week, Top Gear, Have I Got News For You, The Graham Norton Show, Live At The Apollo (Host), The One Show, The World’s Most Dangerous Roads, Dara & Ed’s Big Adventure, Dara and Ed’s Road to Mandalay and most recently QI and The Pilgrimage. We have a pair of tickets to give away for Ed’s Huntingdon date at the HHPAC on 12th October. All you have to do is send in the answer to the below question!
For a chance to win tickets simply answer the questions and complete the form below and send to: Ed Byrne Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th August 2019.
ED BYRNE COMPETITION ENTRY
Which comedian pal did Ed have his Big Adventure with recently?
Name: Tel: Email: Address:
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Time of Year By Sarah Davey
Harvest Time
The history of the Harvest Festival Take a look at a modern harvest festival and you’ll no doubt see many ‘urban’ offerings of prepacked cakes and tins of sweet corn. It’s so easy to pop down to the supermarket these days we forget that until relatively recently in this country, people’s lives depended upon the success or failure of their crops. Harvest festivals were a way to say thank you for a good harvest while trying to guarantee the fortune of the next one. Saxon farmers offered the first cut sheaf of corn to the gods of fertility in order to please them and ensure they were kind the following year. The last sheaf was used to make a Kern baby; a doll, dressed in white and trimmed with coloured ribbons to represent spring. Most peasants were tenant farmers who farmed for a landowner. Harvest time meant weeks of back-breaking work, so it became a tradition for the landowner to host a harvest supper as a thank you to the whole community once the harvest was brought home safely. There was no set date, but the celebrations generally took place around the time of the full Moon, known as the Harvest Moon. Harvest festivals are closely associated with the church, but actually date back to Pagan times. It was 1843 before the Church became involved. The Reverend Robert Hawker invited members of his parish to a service of harvest thanksgiving at his Cornish church. The practice spread rapidly and led to the custom of decorating churches with
harvest produce. The story of John Barleycorn You may never have heard of him, but John Barleycorn is a character in a medieval folksong. He represents barley, the most important cereal crop of the harvest, and also the alcoholic beverages beer and whisky which were made from it. In the song John Barleycorn suffers attacks, indignities and death which correspond to the various stages of the harvest such as reaping and malting. It begins… There was three kings into the east, Three kings both great and high, And they hae sworn a solemn oath, John Barleycorn should die. They took a plough and plouh’d him down, Put clods upon his head, And they hae sworn a solemn oath, John Barleycorn was dead. The song has many verses and poor old John Barleycorn suffers dreadfully throughout, particularly when he’s ground between the milling stones! But the story has a neat twist as our hero, who’s finally turned to alcohol, wreaks his revenge on everyone who drank him so merrily, and they suffer for their sins the following morning with gargantuan hangovers! It is a mark of how important the harvest was that there are more versions of this song than any other in the English language!
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DRC Blinds Bespoke Blinds, Curtains and Shutters As a small local family business supported by local customers here at DRC Blinds we feel it is important to say thank you and support our local community. Last year we launched our annual Give Back Award with our first recipient being Little Paxton Village Hall. The Give Back Award that we offer consists of either new blinds up to the value of £500.00 to be installed in your premises or a £250.00 donation for your charity or organisation. To qualify for the Give Back Award you must be a local charity, organization or scheme supporting our local community.
This is not a raffle or competition and the recipient is chosen completely at random. If you would like to put an organisation forward for this award please email us at info@drcblinds.co.uk with the details. The draw will take place on Tuesday 29th October and the recipient will be informed within a couple of days after this date. In return all we ask is to take a couple of promotional photographs to be used on our website, social media and in The Villager magazine.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Tel: 01480 582101 Web: www.drcblinds.co.uk Elsie May’s Electric Lounge Café & Bar
Café
(Monday - Sunday, 9am - 4pm)
Homemade cakes, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, special blend coffee, fresh loose leaf tea and milkshakes. Vegan and gluten free options.
Bar (Thursday - Saturday, 6.30pm - 12 midnight) Cocktails, gin, ale, craft beer, cider, wine and more. Live music - dogs welcome - outdoor seating Gift vouchers available - private room for hire 58 Market Square, St Neots PE19 2AA 01480 472683 І info@elsiemays.co.uk www.elsiemays.co.uk 16
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Open Mon to Sat 9.30 til 5.30 See our website for details about: Social Crafting Groups Craft Supplies Handmade Gifts Workshops 01480 700890 www.craftityourself.co.uk 16 St Benedicts Court, Huntingdon PE29 3PN
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The Swiss Garden at Night Friday 1 November - Saturday 2 November
As part of the Museums at Night festival, the Swiss Garden is pleased to open for the second year running to show off the garden’s lovely collection of trees, shrubberies and architectural features. See magnificent cedars, ancient oaks, ponds, bridges and rustic buildings beautifully highlighted using a variety of lights, and re-visit Lord Ongley’s lamp-lit Regency garden, which so impressed contemporary visitors that it was described as a ‘fairyland’ in the 1830s. 18:30-21:00 (last admission 20.00). £10 per adult, £3 per child and £24 per family (2 adults, 2 children)
www.shuttleworth.org/garden-at-night The Swiss Garden, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, SG18 9EP
01767 627933
18 Villager - Swiss Garden at Night FP Sept 19.indd Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding adverts 1 23/07/2019 to 12:40:59
Travel
Tamil Nadu Top UNESCO Site in India On the Bay of Bengal, south of Chennai, these enchanting temples and shrines echo a glorious past to the sound of ocean waves. Eroded by wind, time and sea, they are still an outstanding display of Dravidian architecture, bequeathed by the first Pallava kings, father and son, in the 6th-7th centuries. The site frequently changed its name but today it is best known as Mamallapuram, the place of ‘Mamallan’, the ‘wrestler’, referring to the first king. From the ocean to the hillside, this vast outdoor complex holds you spellbound, starting with the ‘Five Rathas’ glowing coppery gold on the southern side. Shaped like ‘chariots’ carrying Hindu deities at festival time, each shrine was chiselled out of one huge boulder, starting from the top. Gently fanned by casuarinas, they are all different, one guarded by lions propping up the porch and a majestic elephant nearby, others looking like a thatched hut, a covered cart or a pyramid draped in sculptures of deities,
royal couples, comic figures and wildlife. The largest and most intricate is the lofty Dharmaraja, an art gallery in its own right. Just beyond the Rathas, the hillside beckons with bas-reliefs and mysterious caves. This is a different world where carvings may send shivers down your spine, from battles against a buffalo-headed demon to boarlike Vishnu plunging into the ocean to rescue Mother Earth. The Krishna sanctuary shows gentle scenes of pastoral life as the god lifts the mountain to protect shepherds from the wrath of rain. All these amazing carvings are the legacy of Pallavan artisans, most impressive among them the ‘Descent of the Ganges’. It’s the biggest outdoor bas-relief in the world, 96 feet long and 43 feet high, carved with nearly 1,000 figures of animals, humans and gods. According to legend this is where Lord Shiva brought the Ganges from heaven down to earth, letting it trickle through his matted hair. Then the river went its own way but you can
still see the cleft in the rock. Meanwhile saris flutter across this ancient site, bright red and gold, as locals make their way to the aptly named Shore Temple, the only survivor of the ‘Seven Pagodas’ mentioned by early travellers. The 2004 tsunami uncovered some extensive foundations but the undamaged Shore Temple rises above it all, its sculpted pyramids dominating the landscape from afar, resplendent yet haunted by shadows from a distant past. Built in granite around 700 AD, it includes rock-cut shrines to Shiva and Vishnu and the ‘Mother of the Universe’ seated on a lion’s leg. Beautifully set on lush ground, away from the crowds and souvenir stalls, the compound is enclosed by a low tumbling wall where ‘Nandis’, the legendary bulls ridden by Shiva, have kept watch for over 1,000 years. It’s an inspiring backdrop for the midwinter festival but whatever the season, there is no better place to watch the sunset over the hills as ocean waves crash relentlessly on the shore.
By Solange Hando
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John O’Gaunt Golf Club
Become a member, start playing today Memberships available for men, ladies and juniors Two magnificent championship courses
Impressive club house, bar and catering facilities
Well stocked shop and club fitting by Head Professional Lee Scarbrow
Excellent practice and coaching facilities
Please get in touch for more information... John O’Gaunt Golf Club, Sutton Park, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2LY Tel: Main Club - 01767 260360 Pro Shop - 01767 260094 Email: villageradvert@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk Why not visit our website for more information at www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk 20
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House of Colour
Top Styling Tips for New Mums 1) You may spend a lot of time in jeans so make sure they are the right fit in a colour or tone that’s right for your season ie warm and dark for Autumns, cool and deep for Winters, bright and blue for Springs, and soft and cool for Summers, and they will then go with all the other colours in your season in your wardrobe. 2) Try to be as environmentally aware as possible. Look out for products that are made from recycled fibres, organic cottons and quality materials. Use locally sourced renewable materials when you can. Avoid polyester or nylon because they’re non-biodegradable. Synthetic fabrics are fashion’s equivalent to single-use plastic. Having a disposable mindset is not good for the planet’s health. Be choosey and ask yourself do you REALLY love the garment you are about to buy for your child. Enjoy hand-me downs. 3) Use jewellery to lift your outfit in any situation! There will be times you won’t have time to sit and apply make-up for even 90 seconds before you need to dash out that door, but anyone can grab a necklace and earrings (unless of course your youngster is still at the ‘pretty thing, let me grab it’ stage)! 4) Don’t wear clothes that don’t fit even if you are a bit bigger than you once were. Drowning in oversized clothes is never a good look so don’t worry about your size and wear clothes that fit. Love your body and shape. Know what your best parts are and draw attention to those areas whether that means cinching in your waist or elongating a shorter mid-section for example. If you carry a bit of weight around your middle, but have shapely legs show them off in both your trouser and skirt choices. 5) Get a big bag with lots of pockets in one of your wow colours! This is a great way of adding your colours and style while out and about with your little one. There are so many designs and styles out there, you will be sure to find one that really suits you and your needs.
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6) Wearing a patterned top can hide a multitude of problems from stains to feelings of bloatedness. Choose a pattern that suits your personality and scale in colours that suit your palette. 7) If you manage to get a rare night off, take the opportunity to dress up a little to get your mojo back! Dressing for your shape is all in the detail. We all suit different hemlines, necklines, trouser lengths, lapels and sleeves, not to mention of course colours, fabrics, structure, patterns and details. 8) Wear a scarf in one of your wow colours to make your skin look brighter and fresher, it can also serve as a breastfeeding cover if needed. 9) The right lipstick can work wonders for a hardworking mum’s complexion, as can a natural blusher! Make sure you know whether you should be wearing warm or cool coloured lipsticks. 10) Whilst comfy shoes are key because you will be walking a lot when they are small and doing lots of chasing after them when they are toddlers, choose shoes that really suit your style and to add some fun – choose them in one of your brighter colours. By Jennie Billings, Colour and Style Consultant, House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings e:jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk
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Experienced Care Worker My name is David Walker. I am a care worker with over 30 years experience in caring for DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER clients I am DBS checked, (references can be supplied on request), and have a full clean driving licence and my own transport I am available for night care and respite care. Assisting with and accompanying able bodied and disabled people with daily activities and am also qualified to assist with personal and domestic needs I can offer companionship, friendship and emotional support.
For more information or to discuss your needs please call me on 07950 960649 or email walkerdavid443@gmail.com To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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Jill Dighton BSc (Hons) MBACP (Accred)., UKCP Reg.
Counselling Service Depressed? Anxious? Relationship Issues? Low Self Esteem? Have you considered Counselling sessions? Based in Grafham village, I offer a professionally qualified Counselling Service to individuals and couples in a secure, confidential & non-judgemental atmosphere. Ample parking. Concessionary rates available. For further details: Visit: www.jilldightoncounselling.co.uk Email: jill@jdighton.co.uk Tel: 07925 852 985 (Voicemail available)
your secret haven of relaxation‌
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Burwash Manor, New Road, Barton, Cambridge, CB23 7EY e. info@burwashdragonfly.com • www.burwashdragonfly.com
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Local News
Do you sing? Play a musical instrument?
We would like to hear from you! Huntingdonshire Philharmonic will start rehearsing for an exciting 2019 - 2020 season of concerts in September. On Saturday November 2nd the choir will perform Fauré’s Requiem and Dupré’s De profundis, by candlelight, in St Mary’s Church, Godmanchester, and the orchestra will perform Khachaturian’s Spartacus Suite No. 2, and Mahler’s massive Symphony No. 5 at Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre in Huntingdon on Saturday 23rd November. Then of course there will be a Family Christmas Concert with both orchestra and choir in December! We are always keen to hear from anyone in the area interested in joining the choir or orchestra, perhaps rekindling a dormant interest in practising and performing great music with enthusiastic fellow amateur musicians and singers. We are particularly keen to attract brass and strings to the orchestra, and all voice parts to the choir.
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We rehearse during school term time at Godmanchester Community Academy from 7.45 9.45pm, starting on Tuesday September 3rd [choir] and Thursday September 5th [orchestra]. Any prospective singers will be welcome to come along to an open rehearsal at the start of each term. You can find out more by contacting orchestra@ huntsphil.org.uk or choir@huntsphil.org.uk, and on our website www.huntsphil.org.uk
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Call Nadia on 07790 000256
The Mobility Physio
Helping you or a loved one regain or maintain mobility, strength, balance and independence
• • • • •
Post operative rehabilitation Orthopedic rehabilitation Post hospitalistion rehabilitation Rehabilitation for people with dementia Home visits and Care Home visits
Email nadia@themobilityphysio.co.uk or visit www.themobilityphysio.co.uk for more info
Accepting New NHS Patients Limited Spaces Available
Also Welcoming New Patients Spire Dental Practice, 18 Huntingdon Street, St Neots
Call: 01480 470570
Email: reception@spire-dental.com Visit our website: spiredental.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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ACUPUNCTURE FOR WELL-BEING
Judy obtained her Licentiate in Acupuncture, and B.A (Hons) degree in Traditional Acupuncture, from the College of Traditional Acupuncture, Warwickshire. Judy is a passionate believer in the positive benefits, on both physical and emotional levels, that may be obtained from receiving acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture originated in China and other far eastern cultures where it still features in mainstream healthcare, both as a stand-alone therapy and in combination with conventional western medicine. Judy has been trained as a classical Five Element Acupuncturist; treatment is aimed at the root cause of your condition as well as your main symptoms. This approach helps with resolving your problem and enhancing your feelings of wellbeing. You may notice other niggling problems resolve as your main health complaint improves. Judy continues to pursue her belief in excellence of care for her patients in her role as a dedicated acupuncture practitioner, and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council. Please contact Judy for a free 20 minute consultation to discuss how acupuncture treatment can help you.
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Complementary Health
Balance Awareness Week 15-21 September
Improving balance for older people with Pilates Balance is a combination of muscle movement, inner ear input, sound and vision. Everything we do on a day-to-day basis relies heavily on our balance, yet it is often neglected and is certainly underrated as a form of exercise training. Balance is something that can be lost with age. By doing Pilates you can improve or maintain your balance no matter how old or young! From early childhood, right through to our later years of life the ability to maintain a controlled body position whilst performing a certain task is essential to our every-day functioning. This is true for relatively sedentary tasks such as sitting in a chair to walking, reaching for something or more dynamic tasks such as riding a bike. Poor balance can happen to anyone and can be caused by bad posture, loss of muscle strength and not practicing exercises to improve our balance as we age. Pilates works on improving core strength, flexibility, concentration and coordination all of which contribute to balance. The more strength you have in these areas the better your balance should be. With its focus on
controlled breathing and quality of movement-not quantity of repetitions, Pilates is perfect for older adults because it does not have the impact on the body that other forms of exercise can. Many experts agree that Pilates is one of the best ways for older adults to stay fit and healthy and help to reduce the risk of falls. Pilates can also help with a variety of age-related ailments. Arthritis sufferers benefit because the gentle mid-range movements decrease the chance of joints compressing while maintaining the range of motion around them. For sufferers of osteoporosis, the simple and standing Pilates leg exercises may increase bone density in both the spine and the hip. Pilates may also help in the management of debilitating symptoms of diseases like Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis. The midrange motion of the exercises can help people overcome rigidity and become more limber. Don’t forget we offer Pilates classes at the Centre and on a nice warm day Vicky our Pilates Instructor can run them in the Centre’s garden rather than inside which has been very well received! If you would like more information on improving your balance and how the Alexander Technique can help call 01480 455221 or visit www.CentreForCompHealth.com
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Leeds Day Solicitors
Pitfalls for the lone litigant....! The last few years have seen a revolutionary change in family law cases, as divorcing couples increasingly view the use of a solicitor is an unnecessary luxury. Instead, many are choosing to act for themselves before the courts in either financial disputes or cases regarding their children. Statistics suggest almost 50% of those engaged in court actions are now representing themselves having decided the apparent financial shackles of legal representation are an expense to be avoided at all costs, to use a pun! The almost complete abolition of what was called legal aid some years ago has, to an extent, fostered this climate of self-determination, as people feel the costs of a solicitor are too high. The red top media has, to a degree, promoted such a fashion, championing the occasional case of a husband or wife acting alone, seemingly (with a small dose of spin) coming up trumps in court by raising an obscure legal argument the lawyers for the other party simply didn't notice. The truth of the matter however is that a divorce coupled with a financial dispute is most often far from straightforward, both in terms of how the law treats marital breakdown and how the courts will process a divorce and division of marital assets. If a spouse is acting for them self never seeks advice they often don't know they are making mistakes. They may only discover their error years later. Even a short meeting with a solicitor to guide them on the relevant procedure may make a huge difference. Common errors in financial cases include: Selling and dividing up assets between spouses piecemeal and prematurely, without knowing the value of all the assets, when the process should usually be done in one go, when the whole marital pot can be assessed;
Our offices: Huntingdon Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD T: 01480 454301
Securing a Decree Absolute, which legally dissolves the marriage, before consideration has been given to settling the finances. The decree should properly be postponed until money matters are agreed, as pension rights can potentially be affected; Simple procedural errors in the drafting of paperwork which, when so many are acting for themselves, can cause court delays of many months; Spouses often wrongly insisting their view of their case is correct even after the court has decided the issue. The result can be long drawn out appeals, which further clogs up the court system; Parties bringing their personal feelings into the forum of the court which may only waste valuable time; In terms of financial matters on divorce, it is vital the parties realise from the outset any settlement they reach really is likely to be final, as usually there is no going back and starting again. There is therefore only "one bite of the cherry". They must therefore ensure they get the right settlement. All of the above potential pitfalls, which are far from exhaustive, can be avoided if a solicitor is engaged to all explore opportunities for settlement which much of the time can be achieved without court involvement. It is a truism to say one has to financially speculate to accumulate and, whilst this may appear an unseemly comment in divorce cases, the reality is that from a financial perspective divorcing couples do have to adopt an approach which ensures they get a fair and reasonable financial settlement, as their future depends upon it. To find out more contact the Family Team at Leeds Day on 0844 567 2222 or send an e-mail to family@ leedsday.co.uk Quote this article when making an appointment before the end of September 2019 and your first 30 minute consultation will be free of charge.
St. Ives 11 Station Road, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5BH T: 01480 464600
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St. Neots Xenus House, Sandpiper Court, Eaton Socon, St. Neots PE19 8EP T: 01480 474661 31
A FREE WILL for Homeowners Protect your home and legacy for your children • • • • • •
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DON’T PUT IT OFF – Don’t let your home and money disappear, make sure your estate goes to your family… leaving “what you want” to “who you want”. CALL 01767 660250 for more information or to book a free meeting with one of our Will and Estate Planners either in your own home or at our offices. Baystrait Ltd t/a Will & Estate Planning, Baystrait House, Station Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8AL
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Health
Water Works
By Tracey Anderson
Why we should all drink more water Ask most people how much fluid they are supposed to drink in a day, and they will reply “Eight glasses of water.” This number has seeped into the public consciousness over the past couple of decades so it might surprise you to know that it has very little basis in science! However, it is important to stay properly hydrated. Fewer people know that if you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated, and this has a real impact on how your body and brain function. Dehydration leads to a decrease in our physical performance. Losing just 2% of your body’s water contact can cause fatigue, problems with temperature control, and make exercise feel more difficult, physically and mentally, and it’s not uncommon for people to lose 6-10% of their body’s total water content through sweat during a workout, and as muscle is 80% water this increases muscle stress. Our brains are also strongly influenced by hydration. Studies have shown that even mild dehydration impacts brain function. In separate studies of men and women it was found that about 1.5% fluid loss impaired mood and concentration, decreased working memory, and increased feeling of anxiety, fatigue and the frequency of headaches. 1.5% fluid loss can easily occur during normal daily activities, never mind during exercise or hot weather. Worryingly the effects of dehydration are shown to be worse in children and the elderly. There has been some scientific interest in the effect
of increasing hydration on migraine sufferers. So far, some studies have shown that while keeping hydrated doesn’t stop migraines completely, sufferers in the studies reported that the frequency and intensity of the migraines decreased when they were properly hydrated. Constipation is a common health problem and can be serious in children and the elderly. Low water consumption does appear to be a risk factor in these cases. Some studies have shown that carbonated water seems to help the situation more than still water though scientists haven’t yet explained why. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, so it makes you lose more water than you take in. The dehydration effects of alcohol are responsible for the thirst, fatigue, and headache which inevitably accompany a hangover. It’s a good idea to alternated alcoholic drinks with water and to drink a large glass of water before going to sleep, after a night out on the town. Finally, water both increases satiety and boost metabolism so is great if you’re trying to lose weight. Studies show that dieters who drank half a litre of water before each meal lost 44% more weight over a period of 12 weeks. Try it. Make a real attempt to stay properly hydrated for a week and monitor the results. You may be surprised.
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Technology
Valuable VPN!
By Mark O’Keefe
Use a virtual private network to protect your data In a coffee shop the other day I took my phone out to catch up on some emails. The customer Wi-Fi was free so of course I connected and started browsing the web. I glanced up at one point and all around me a number of people were busy doing the same thing. It suddenly struck me that everyone was on the same network, so how safe was my information? Then I wondered whether my home was really any safer. Any time we use the Internet for browsing, watching videos, answering email, or any of our apps, our phone or computer has a digital conversation with other computers. If someone monitors this conversation, they will see what we’re looking at, who we’re talking to and, if the computer we’re talking to isn’t secure, our account details and passwords are vulnerable. Organisations make a lot of money from gathering this sort of information. It’s called Big Data. Think of those pop-up ads that seem to know exactly the sorts of things we like. So how can we stop the snoopers? Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a great solution. This works by using our Internet connection to securely connect us to a VPN server. Hackers can see we’ve made the connection but can’t see anything we’re doing. Our device tells the VPN server what we want to do, and it goes on to the Internet to do it for us. It then sends that
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information back to our device using this secure connection. This technique has a number of advantages. All our browsing is carried out by the VPN server. No one can track our activity back to our computer. Governments, hackers and websites can only see the VPN server, and these don’t keep any records of who was using the system. Everything we do online instantly becomes fully encrypted. We can connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots without worrying about somebody stealing our information. Most VPN systems allow connection to servers in different countries. It’s then possible to access websites and services as if you were based in that country. However big organisations like Netflix invest a lot of money trying to stop people using VPN connections to get US shows from the UK. In countries where the Internet is censored, using a VPN can bypass the censorship and allow access the information from forbidden sites. VPN services cost a few pounds per month to rent. Sometimes internet security software offers the service as part of their package. So, if you do use lots of public Wi-Fi networks it’s well worth the investment. If you’re worried about people tracking your online activity and building up a personal profile of your likes and dislikes, then VPN is the easy solution.
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VIRTUAL PA / GIRL FRIDAY
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Finance
By Ann Haldon
Managing Your Money at University Newfound independence can be exhilarating when you go away to university for the first time, but starting life in a new city also has its challenges. Worries about studying and making new friends can creep in as the new term nears, but managing money is also a significant issue. The good news is that it’s not difficult to control your finances and live within your means at university, so where do you start as a new student? Make a budget every month Once you’re set up, budgeting only takes a few minutes every month, and is a fundamental part of managing money. Initially, you need to establish how much money is coming in and the amount you’re likely to spend. Your income could consist of a maintenance loan, a grant or scholarship, wages from a job or financial contributions from parents, and outgoings can be divided into essential living costs and variable expenses. Essential living costs typically include food, rent, heating, council tax, contents insurance, mobile phone, broadband and TV licence, with variable expenses including items such as clothes, entertainment, course materials, travel and savings. Choose the best student bank account A student bank account should offer easily accessible support and services specifically designed for undergraduates. An interest-free overdraft is commonly offered when you open a student bank account, but a credit card may also be available subject to eligibility. Banks often advertise free gifts to entice students
to open an account, but don’t be swayed unless the gift is of particular use to you. A student rail card can be extremely helpful if you’re living a long distance from home, for example, as it saves onethird on the cost of rail travel in the UK. Nationwide FlexStudent¹ • Fee-free overdraft facility of £1,000 in the first year, £2,000 in the second, and £3,000 in the third year if you pay in at least £500 per term, subject to status. • UK-only call centres. Santander 123 Student² • Interest-free arranged overdraft of up to £1,500 per year subject to status. • A free four-year 16-25 Railcard that saves you one-third on the price of rail travel in the UK. • Cash back of up to 15% at major retailers. Take advantage of all student discounts The National Union of Students (NUS) offers a TOTUM³ card for one, two, or three years, with over 200 discounts available in the UK and more than 42,000 discounts worldwide. Cards cost £12, £22, and £32 for one year, two years and three years respectively, and at the time of writing discounts include: • 10% at Co-op • 25% at Odeon cinemas • 30% at Lonely Planet Managing your money at university doesn’t need to be difficult – you just have to be aware of how much is coming into your account and the amount you’re spending. Budgeting is the best way to stay in control and it’s well worth the extra time to keep an eye on your finances.
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Monday 9.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm EATON SOCON Eaton's Community Centre (Behind Coop Superstore) Tel: Julie 01480 210115
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Wednesday 9.30am ST. NEOTS Bowling Club St. Anselm Place (Near Waitrose) Tel: Oly 07342 651243
Tuesday 9.30am ST. NEOTS The Priory Centre Priory Lane Tel: Oly 07342 651243
Wednesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm ST. NEOTS The Priory Centre, Priory Lane Tel: Oly 07342 651243
Tuesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm EYNESBURY Middlefield Academy Off Andrew Road Tel: Oly 07342 651243
Thursday 5.30pm & 7.30pm BUCKDEN C of E Primary School School Lane Tel: Helen 07720 773782
Thursday 5.30pm & 7.30pm LITTLE PAXTON The Hub Tel: Pam 07859 793779 Saturday 8.30am & 10.30am ST. NEOTS St. Neots Conservative Club 12 New Street Tel: Jennie 07754 210479 Saturday 8.30am ST. IVES The Crossways Centre Ramsey Road Becs 07887 573336
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Monday 9.30am GODMANCHESTER The Comrades Club Tel: Kelly 07711 949 380
Tuesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm BRAMPTON Brampton Memorial Hall Tel: Heather 07877 034055
Thursday 5.30pm & 7.30pm HARTFORD St. John Ambulance Tel: Nicky 07860 375095
Monday 5.30pm & 7.30pm GODMANCHESTER The Comrades Club New Consultant Tel: Emily 07305 460 626
Tuesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm FENSTANTON United Reform Church Tel: Kathie 07772 868472
Thursday 5.30pm & 7.30pm SOMERSHAM The Victory Hall Parkhall Road Becs 07887 573336
NEW VENUE
Tuesday 8.30am ST IVES The Crossways Centre Ramsey Road Tel: Kathie 07772 868472 Tuesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm HUNTINGDON Stukeley Meadows Primary School Tel: Kelly 07711 949 380
Wednesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm HUNTINGDON St. Peters School Tel: Vikki 07955 155215 Thursday 9.30am HUNTINGDON The Medway Centre Tel: Sarah 07306 750609
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Friday 9.30am SOMERSHAM The Victory Hall Parkhall Road Becs 07887 573336
NEW Saturday E VENU8.30am & 10.30am
HUNTINGDON Huntingdon Methodist Church 17 High Street Tel: Sarah 07306 750609 41
SB TURF
ALL SEASONS GArdEN & PrOPErty MAiNtENANcE
• Turf supplied and laid • All overgrown gardens rotivated • Cleared, levelled and laid with cultivated lawn turf • Grass seeding • Block paving and patio service All work carried out by experienced staff Recommendations and portfolios available Free Estimates
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St.NeotS baSed compaNy eStabLiShed SiNce 2011 domeStic & commerciaL FuLLy iNSured certiFied waSte carrierS grass/Hedge-cutting turFing | patios | decking ground preparation | Fencing sHeds/conservatory bases repair Work & painting pressure WasHing gutter clearing/cleaning clearances Nick Leadbeater
Mob: 07896668976 / HoMe: 01480 383605 eMail: all_seasons123@HotMail.co.uk Web: WWW.allseasonsgpM.co.uk : Find us on Facebook
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Gardening
Going Green With the ground still warm from the summer sun and moisture levels in the soil increasing, September is the perfect time to create a new lawn. Using grass seed is cheaper than buying turf, plus you can choose a suitable grass mixture and the lawn can be shaped without having to cut pieces of turf. First, examine the site and calculate the total area to be seeded, then study the grass seed packs in your local garden centre. Your choice will be between various grades of utility lawn (usually containing some rye grass for toughness), finer lawns that need more care and mixtures suitable for partial shade. It will be about three weeks before the seedlings emerge and then about ten weeks before the lawn can be cut, so bear this in mind when choosing your start time. Remove all weeds (including roots), old grass and debris. Perennial weeds should be dug out or killed off with weedkiller – those containing glyphosate allow grass seed to be sown straight away. Dig over and examine the area – ideally you want a light, free-draining loam that does not become too dry in summer, or waterlogged or compacted in winter. Add horticultural sand and some bulky organic matter to heavy soil to improve drainage, and dig plenty of well-rotted organic matter into light soil for better moisture retention. Rake the soil repeatedly to achieve a level surface free from large stones, plant remains or other debris. Gauge the level by eye or use a system of
By Pippa Greenwood
pegs and a spirit level if necessary. Spread some granular general fertilizer evenly over the prepared area. Firm by treading it over evenly in flat-soled shoes or boots, paying particular attention to the edges – this prevents subsidence later. Lawn seed germinates best in warm, moist conditions so avoid hot, dry weather and wait until just before rain is forecast. Using pack directions, weigh out the quantity of grass seed needed for one square metre. Mark the corners of a one metre square plot and distribute the seed evenly over it – this shows you how correctly sown seed should look, thus acting as a guide for sowing the remainder. Sowing too thinly encourages weeds; sowing too thickly means poor-quality seedlings that are less likely to thrive. For most gardens hand sowing is perfect; for larger lawns borrowing or hiring a machine may be worthwhile. Sow the entire area with the lawn seed and lightly rake over a thin layer of soil to partially incorporate the seed into the soil. Water regularly with a fine sprinkler or watering can. Use twigs or cane with taut cotton tied between them, or netting stretched taut, to deter birds. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com and you’ll find Pippa’s September-dispatch vegetable plant collection along with other gardening items: Nemaslug, atylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, planters, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk?
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Pets
Rehoming Appeal Dusty Dusty is a Netherland Dwarf doe rabbit. She has previously been a house rabbit although she is happy in a hutch. She loves to jump and run around both in the house, hutch and run, and is also very happy to sit on your lap and watch tv! Dusty likes a lot of attention. She is litter trained, vaccinated, neutered and is ready to go to her special home. For more information please contact Hazel on 01234 357788. Alternatively, please email Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry onto the team. View other dogs, cats and small mammals currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity. You can also see photographs and details of the animals in our care in our charity shop in Hitchin Street, Biggleswade SG18 8AX. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.
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0800 046 1080 UP TO 30% OFF IN SEPTEMBER hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk 44
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GARDEN MACHINERY AND TRAILER CENTRE
Personal customer service, collection and delivery available. Assessment of individual requirements. Full after sales backup and parts service. NEW Oregon, the world's only unique battery operated, self-sharpening s In stock. chain saw. Ride-on and pedestrian mowers, chainsaws, strimmers, hedge trimmers, cultivators, estate and equestrian equipment. Trailers - sales, hire, service. Accessories, oils, Aspen fuel, batteries, spares, security locks for garden/ horticultural machinery and trailers. horticultu
Appointed dealers for:
Main dealer for Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Kohler, Kawasaki & Mountfield engines.
Honeydon Road, Colmworth, Bedfordshire MK44 2LY
01234 376513 www.bri-ag.co.uk
Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm
GILKS FENCING LTD
All Types of Fencing, Gates & Railings, SUPPLIED & INSTALLED
Call for a FREE Survey & Quotation Visit our Display Area at:
Gilks Fencing
Drove Road, Gamlingay, Sandy, Beds SG19 2HX Tel:
01767 650 615
Email:
gilksfencing@hotmail.com
www.gilksfencing.co.uk 46
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Animal
Pets
Know-How
We have a very special appeal this month for a lovely cat, Sally, who is in need of a long term foster home. Foster carer’s play such an important role in our animal welfare work, which can help care for special animals on behalf of our Branch, in a comfortable home environment. Sally is a special cat indeed, sadly found as a stray but nobody claimed her. She was in a poor way when she was picked up, so was taken straight to our vets. Her mouth was full of rotten teeth and she was very weak and frail. Under our vets’ advice, Sally had an emergency dental and it was also discovered she had a thyroid problem. On closer inspection, our vet suspected her age to be around 14 years old! Once recovered from her dental she was moved to our private boarding cattery, where she took refuge in her igloo cat bed. Her first few days were touch and go, hardly leaving her hiding spot and refusing to eat. However, it turned out she was just biding her time, as once she was tempted with some lovely fresh fish she soon got her appetite back! Two months later she is doing much better, dinner time is now her favourite time of day and she has even moved out of her igloo and into another cosy cat bed. Sally is a very sweet and friendly lady, who likes the occasional fuss but will also happily tell you when she’s not in the mood. Now we are looking for a foster home for Sally to retire. Any potential
Sally
Felix foster carer’s will care for Sally in the comfort of their own home, whilst still officially being under our care. This will also include taking her to any potential vet appointments she may have at our vets in Sandy. For more information about coming a long tern foster carer for Sally, please contact us by calling our office on 01234 266965. Another cat we have in our care is Felix, who is waiting for his second chance in a loving new home. Also found as a stray with nobody to claim him. He was found limping with an injured leg, which our vet believes is an old injury causing him a bit of grief. We believe he is approximately 4 years old, a friendly cat, but very independent! He doesn’t like cattery life, so we are keen to find him his perfect new home. Ideally this would be somewhere he can be an only cat, given plenty of time to settle in and keep himself amused. Felix loves nothing more than to be outside, which is where he is likely to spend most of his time, but he is also happy to come indoors when he fancies it. A home where he can come and go as he pleases would be perfect! To adopt Felix, or for information about any other cats waiting for new homes, please visit our website www.rspca.org.uk/local/bedfordshirenorth-branch
Brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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Garden View
The Privet Hedge By Rachael Leverton
One of the questions I’m often asked as a gardener is ‘How do I trim my privet hedge?’ Privet hedges aren’t a particularly sexy subject for a gardening article, but hedge-trimming seems to cause a lot of angst so let me tackle it here. Privet is one of our most popular hedging plants. It has dense foliage which is green all year round, and it’s hardy which means it’s suited to a wide range of planting sites. It’s also available in a selection of varieties and root types, so there’s a Privet hedge to suit most gardens. Autumn is a good time to trim them because there’s little chance of disturbing any birds who might be nesting in them. Nesting season generally runs from March to early August. If you have a small hedge like those outside terraced town houses, then hand-held hedge shears are fine, but for large hedges an electric or even a petrol hedge-trimmer is definitely easier. If you have one, give it a check over and make sure it’s sharp and well lubricated. Safety should be paramount. Wear safety goggles and sturdy gloves. It’s not overkill. I once spent Saturday afternoon in eye casualty because a small sharp twig flew into my eye while I was trimming a hedge. It hurt and took ages to heal properly so be warned. Before starting, remove any potential obstacles on the ground which might
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prove to be a trip hazard. Avoid using powered tools above shoulder height; instead use a sturdy step ladder set on stable ground. If your hedge trimmer is electric use a residual current device (RCD) for safety purposes, and don’t use it in damp conditions. One little trick I learned at a hedge-cutting course a few years ago is to cut hedges so that they are slightly tapered on both sides. This will mean the base is wider than the top and light can reach the bottom of the hedge, which means the hedge will be greener and look healthier. Top tips to ensure an even, symmetrical hedge: Straight edges are difficult to cut by eye. Use a taut horizontal string tied between two stout canes to act as a guide so you can cut the top of the hedge level. For vertical lines use canes or stakes pushed into the ground. When using shears, ensure that the top of the hedge is cut level and flat by keeping the blades of the shears parallel to the line of the hedge. When using a hedge trimmer, keep the blade parallel to the hedge and use a wide, sweeping action working from the bottom of the hedge upwards, so that the cut foliage falls away
Happy Gardening
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FOUR SEASONS TREE SERVICES Qualified & Professional Tree and Client Care
PRUNING • LOPPING • FELLING PLANTING • REDUCING & RESHAPING CROWN RAISING • HEDGE TRIMMING THINNING • POLLARDING • STUMP REMOVALS OVERGROWN GARDENS PUT BACK INTO SHAPE FRUIT TREES TREATED • LOG & WOODCHIP SALES
FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE WITH NO OBLIGATION For quality jobs at a competitive price call:
Home: 01353 721665 - Mob: 07771 707921 All work carried out to BS 3998 Standard
Greens up and thickens the lawn
Locally owned & operated business
Removes weeds & minimises moss
Regular personalised treatments
Completely safe for children & pets
No contract - Direct Debit available
A genuine family managed business est. for over 30 years - fully insured
Registered Waste Carrier This company offers a 7 day cooling off period
www.greensleeves-uk.com • Email: hunts@greensleeves-uk.com
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1 - 30 SEPTEMBER Help your child to achieve beyond expectations. Book now!
Godmanchester 07368 501667 Ability development for any child at any age Terms and conditions apply.
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kumon.co.uk
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Parenting
Tech for Tweens
By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk
Kid-friendly technology that keeps you in control Child-friendly tablets With Amazon’s Kindle Fire, you can activate parental controls to limit how much screen time your child has, when they can use their tablet and what they can do on it. It’s also worth adding the YouTube Kids app, which filters out unsuitable content and allows you to cherry-pick the channels you’re happy for your child to watch. Have an accident-prone child or just want extra peace of mind? It might be worth paying extra for the Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablet. It’s priced around £100 to £200 depending on the screen size and memory, but comes with a robust case and a two year quibble-free warranty. You also get a year’s subscription to Fire for Kids Unlimited (normally £3.99 a month), which gives your child access to thousands of age-appropriate apps, game, videos and books – see www.amazon.co.uk. Smart watches Most children’s smart watches allow kids to take photos and play games. The Moochies watch also allows children to text and call people, but only those who’ve been approved by the parent. So, your child can call you to ask if they can go to a friend’s house after school, send a text message to their cousin and video call their granny, but they can’t call or text anyone you haven’t approved. The Moochies watch is ideal for children who are old enough for a bit more
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independence, but not quite old enough for their own phone. (It’s proven an absolute hit with my seven and ten year old.) The watch itself costs £69.99 and you’ll need to choose a rolling network plan, which costs from £10 a month. You can also customise the watch with different straps, which cost £7.50 each. See www. moochies.com. Pocket money apps If your child is old enough to go shopping on their own, you might want to look at getting them a prepaid debit card. There are several pocket money apps and cards on the market, including Go Henry, which allows you to transfer money to the card, decide how much your child can spend, and keep an eye on what they’re spending their money on. You can also set them chores to earn extra money. So, for instance, you might set them the task of hoovering once a week to earn £2. Once they complete the task, you mark it as done on the parent app and the money is transferred from your account to theirs. You can also set up savings goals and kids can choose to give a percentage of their pocket money to charity. Go Henry costs £2.99 per child, per month at www. gohenry.com/uk. Similar schemes include Nimbl (£2.49 a month) and Osper (£2.50 a month).
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Motoring
The 10 best electric cars on sale today Each manufacturer is rushing their own electric car to market, and demand is increasing. But which ones are best? We’ve put together some of the ideal all-electric cars currently on sale. Hyundai Kona Electric - Capable of travelling up to 279 miles on a single charge, the new Kona Electric has one of the most impressive ranges of any new electric car available, and comes with funky styling and plenty of in-car technology too. As a compact package, it’s just as well suited to urban driving as it is to longer distance motoring. Jaguar I-Pace - The British firm has customers queuing up to buy its all-electric SUV, and it’s easy to see why – the I-Pace is both fast and a comfortable cruiser, plus has almost 300 miles of range. It’s not cheap at £64,495, but that’s good value compared with the Tesla Model X, its biggest rival. Nissan Leaf - Nissan’s Leaf was one of the very first all-electric cars to become popular, and it has retained that popularity. The Leaf still holds its own. It’ll crack 239 miles on a single charge, and is spacious and comfortable too. BMW i3s - BMW has taken time to refine its i3 allelectric city car, ditching its petrol range extender thanks to better range. The i3s model gives the car a little added performance, and comes with a tuned stability system and a slightly more dynamic look. Kia e-Niro - Journalists have praised the e-Niro crossover for being good to drive and offering a battery capacity that gives an excellent range. Unfortunately, Kia hasn’t been able to source batteries quickly enough to meet demand, so wait times are about twelve months.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric - The Ioniq Electric is an appealing electric car that’s practical, good to drive and surprisingly quick. The interior feels a little on the cheap side, but it’s far from disappointing. However, due to the same battery shortage as has hit Kia, wait times can be up to a year. Audi E-tron - Audi’s E-Tron is its first all-electric model, bringing a premium look and feel as well as impressive electric technology and plenty of space and practicality. Audi claims it’ll do 248 miles on a single charge. Renault Zoe - The Renault Zoe offers one of the cheapest entry points to EV ownership and is a great little supermini. The big battery version gives 186 miles of range, so most inner-city commuters will only have to charge it once or twice a week. Prices start at just over £17,000 with the plug-in grant. Tesla Model 3 - Tesla’s Model S, its saloon car, has been successful, but for many is too expensive. The new Model 3 is a bit more affordable, but still capable of delivering plenty of range and high technology levels too. Volkswagen e-Golf - The Volkswagen e-Golf is a safe bet for an electric vehicle purchase, with the build quality and dependability you’d expect from one of the UK’s best-selling models. Its range of 144 miles is far from the best in the segment, but is perfectly acceptable for the typical commuter. With plug-in car grant applied, prices hover around the £30,000 mark.
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By James Baggott
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Food & Drink
Polpettone
Italian Rolled Meatloaf
Make no mistake, this polpettone is pretty epic. It’s like a traditional meatloaf, only bigger, fuller, more dramatic and with more ingredients. It was created by Valentina Mamusa, who runs the delightful Valentina’s Café in Chiswell Green near St Albans. She runs it with her husband, Alberto. They always come on my show together and I call them Albertina! They moved to the UK with their young son for a new experience, opened their café and are now very much part of their local community. Italy’s loss is our gain, and this rolled meatloaf is magnificent. Ingredients: 500g minced beef 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1 tbsp chopped parsley 6 eggs 100g grated parmesan 100g smoked cheese or Provolone 1 glove of garlic, crushed 200g spinach 1 pack thinly sliced bacon 1. Hard boil four of the eggs and let them cool. Pierce the spinach bag and pop it in the microwave for about a minute to wilt it. Alternatively you can pop the spinach in a pan with a little butter. 2. Mix the beef in a bowl with the remaining two eggs, nutmeg, salt and pepper, the parsley and the cheeses.
3. Lay a sheet of baking paper out on the worktop. Lay the bacon out on the paper and then flatten the beef mix out into a rectangle around 8-10mm in thickness on top of the bacon. 4. Add the spinach and top with the boiled eggs. 5. Tightly roll the mix up, using the baking paper as you go, in the same way as you would roll up a Swiss roll. 6. Pop this in a baking dish and leave it to chill for around an hour. 7. Heat your oven to 200C/ Gas Mark 5 and roast the polpettone for around 20-30 minutes. You want the bacon to have taken on lots of colour and the roll needs to be hot in the middle. 8. When it’s cooked, take it out of the oven and leave it to rest for 30 minutes. 9. Serve it in thick slices with mashed potato drizzled with the cooking liquor.
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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Your Perfect Loft Access and Storage Solution Our services include: Loft Ladders Loft Hatches Insulation Loft Boarding Loft Lighting Balustrades We are a family run business who comply to building regulations, where our fitters are fully insured and all of our work is guaranteed. Covering Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.
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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Easy Suduko
Hard Suduko
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles. 60
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Life Begins...
By Kate McLelland
Here’s to a dementiafriendly future “We want to make Knaresborough a town where people living with dementia feel understood, respected, supported and confident so that they can contribute to life in the community.” So says Alison Wrigglesworth, Services Manager for Harrogate and Knaresborough Alzheimer’s Society. The Yorkshire town of Knaresborough is one of the latest in a long line of UK towns to declare themselves a ‘dementiafriendly Community’ (DFC). Dementia is not, as many people believe, a natural consequence of old age (although the older you are, the more likely you are to be affected) and it is predicted that the number of UK residents with the condition will increase to over one million by 2025. That figure is set to double by 2051. Given these statistics, it’s seems likely that in future our public health and social care services could struggle to care for people who develop the condition. Dementia-friendly initiatives therefore serve a dual purpose: helping people stay at home for as long as possible and relieving some of the burden that would otherwise be placed on our public care providers.
What are the issues? Things we all take for granted, such as using technology, getting served in shops and banks, going on holiday or enjoying hobbies are difficult when you have dementia, but they can become even harder when the individuals around you don’t know how to respond appropriately. For this reason it’s not uncommon for people to shut themselves away as their condition progresses, even though this can make them feel isolated and depressed. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, over two-thirds of those polled have reported feeling lonely. What is a ‘dementia-friendly community’? A dementia-friendly community is a place where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. It can be a street, village, town, city or region, an organisation, a group or even a virtual community. There are no hard and fast rules to follow when setting up a community of your own. Instead, local people are encouraged to decide what works best for them. While flexibility is encouraged, there are certain measures that are regularly adopted by towns and cities who want to become
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DFCs. Businesses that regularly come into contact with older people, such as banks and taxi firms, are asked to provide extra support for customers with dementia, while museums and art galleries are encouraged to offer dementia-friendly activities. Other initiatives include ‘dementia cafes’ and drop-in centres. In the public realm planners use clear signage, creating well-defined open spaces with public toilets, seats, shelters and good lighting. Most DFCs are keen to engage local people as ‘Dementia Friends’. These are individuals willing to promote the aims of the DFC, from spreading awareness about the condition to spending time with people with dementia. Currently almost three million have signed up to this initiative on the Dementia Friends website (dementiafriends.org.uk). The Alzheimer’s Society has estimated that one in six people aged over 80 in the United Kingdom currently has dementia, and a further 225,000 people will be diagnosed this year. There’s clearly no time to lose, so it’s reassuring to see that new dementia-friendly communities, just like the one in Knaresborough, are appearing every day.
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n O s ’ t Wha In September
Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com
1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 September Jubilee Junior Parkrun 9am Jubilee Park, Huntingdon Free, weekly, timed 2k run for 4-14 year olds. Email: jubileejuniors@parkrun.com 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 September Junior Parkrun 9am Wimpole Estate Weekly free 2k timed run for 4-14 year olds. Web: parkrun.org.uk/wimpoleestate-juniors 2 September St Neots Timebank Evening 7-9pm Tesco Community Room Tel: 07590 909057 Web: www.stneotstimebank.org.uk
2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 & 30 September Computing Problems? 10am-12.30pm Bytes Café, Kimbolton Bytes Café is open in the small hall behind the Mandeville Hall. Volunteers can help with your computing problems from the simplest to the more challenging. Also offering colour and black and white printing, enlarging A4 to A3 and laminating at a reasonable price. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 September Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Godmanchester Monday evenings. Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 Email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com 3, 10, 17 & 24 September St Ives Photographic Club 7pm Winter programme of talks - see website for details. Email: events@stives-photoclub.org.uk Web: www.stives-photoclub.org.uk 3, 10, 17 & 24 September St Neots Folk Club 8pm The Priory Centre, St Neots Special guest on 17 September - Phil Beer. Call or pay on the door (£14.00 members & £16.00 nonmembers). Tickets: 01234 37278 Web: www.stneotsfolkclub.co.uk
4 September Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Monthly meetings and trips out in the summer months. Please contact us about membership. Tel: Jane Hill 01480 218805 Email: lpgardeningclub@hotmail.com
4, 11, 18 & 25 September 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 4, 11, 18 & 25 September 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, 12, 19 & 26 September Painting and Drawing in Autumn 12.15-4pm Wandlebury Country Park £170 per person. Celebrate the changing autumn hues of Wandlebury’s flora on this five-week drawing and painting course with treescape artist Debbie Baxter. Please email for more information and booking. Email: debbiebaxterart@yahoo.co.uk 6 September St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm Eynesbury Junior School ‘The Great North Road and Eaton Socon’ with Sue Jarrett. Web: http://stneotslhs.org.uk 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 September Last call for Wildlife Trust Bat Punts September sees the last few remaining bat punts on the river Cam, until May next year. Join a Wildlife Trust bat expert on board the punt, drift down the river at dusk for a thrilling journey into darkness. An echolacatory extravaganza. Booking essential. Web: www.wildlifebcn.org/bat-punts
6, 13, 20 & 27 September Friday Night Lights 4 September 7.30-8.30pm Longsands Academy Astro, St Mary's Afternoon WI St Neots Longsands Road, St Neots 2pm St Neots Hockey Club. Friday Night Lights aims to St Mary's Church Rooms, St Neots provide the local community of St Neots with the First Wednesday of the month. opportunity to experience hockey in a casual, relaxed Tel: May Parker 07724 043941 and family orientated environment. Email: mayp.at.home@gmail.com Tel: Chris (Club Development Officer) 07792 044878 Facebook: www.facebook.com/St-Marys-Afternoon- Email: cjbryden08@hotmail.co.uk St-Neots-Womens-Institute-238190076940278/ 6, 13, 20 & 27 September 4 September Friday Night Drinks Brampton Flower Club 7.30pm 7.30-11pm Buckworth Cricket Club, Church Road, Community Centre, High Street, Brampton Buckworth, Huntingdon Jo Poulter presenting ‘All Shapes and Sizes’. Join us at the Club to celebrate the end of the week, Tel: Jan Dobie 01480 531822 have a drink with friends, play pool, darts and Web: www.bramptonflowerclub.com skittles and relax. www.buckworthcricketclub.co.uk
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7 September The Village Show at Keysoe Free entry. Exhibitors’ entry forms must be submitted before 1 September and must arrive at the hall before 10.45 ready for judging. Exhibits will be on display along with local and national organisations, teas and entertainment for the children. Tel: 01234 378878 7 September Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church Hall, St Ives Free admission. Quality handmade art and craft stalls. Tombola. 7 September St Neots Timebank Coffee Morning 11am-1.30pm St Mary’s Church Rooms, St Neots Come and join us for a cuppa and cake (only £1.50!) also get a 'Taste of Thai' with our cooking demonstration. You can also sample the dishes prepared. Tel: 07590 909057 Web: www.stneotstimebank.org.uk 7 September Simply Saturday 12.30-2.30pm St James Church, Little Paxton Jazz with Ruth Applin. For adults of all ages with lunch and various activities available. Tel: Helen Young 01480 216255 Email: young_paxton@ntlworld.com 7 September Tempsford Show 2-5.30pm Stuart Memorial Hall, Tempsford Dog show, craft stalls, afternoon tea, children's fancy dress competition and bouncy castle plus tombola. Email: Geoff Phipps andorranred@hotmail.com 7 September The Alconbury and District Show Doors open 2.15pm Memorial Hall, Alconbury Fruit, vegetables, flowers, home produce, children's section, crafts, photos and group creative classes. Presentation of prizes 3.45pm. Cream teas and raffle. 7 September ‘Songs for a late Summer Evening’ 7.30pm St Peter’s Church, Offord Darcy Tickets £9 inc. pre-concert complimentary drink Tapestry Singers are a local mixed voice a cappella choir of very able singers. They will perform a rich and varied programme comprising of an eclectic mix of secular and sacred music, period to contemporary, in the excellent acoustics of Peter's Church. Free parking on adjacent archery field. Tel: Jenny Griffiths 01480 811126/07776 426103 Email: ticketoffice.stpeters@gmail.com 9 September 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
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n O s ’ t Wha In September
This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com
10 September Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Neots Library £1 per person. Join us for a slice of cake, some conversation and a cup of coffee or tea.
10 September St Ives Sugarcraft Guild 7.30pm Reading Room, Hemingford Grey Monthly meetings where you can learn, hands on, various cake decorating techniques and/or sugar modelling. Tel: Shirley 01480 454616 for more info 11 September 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 and coffee. Craft stalls, tombola and raffle. Every second Wednesday from March-November. 11 September Author Talk: Claire McGlasson 7-8.30pm St Neots Library £3. Meet Claire McGlasson, ITV journalist and debut author, who will be discussing her new book The Rapture. Set in Bedford the story uncovers the world of The Panacea Society from the eyes of devoted member Dilys. Books will be available to buy on the night. Refreshments provided by Friends of St Neots Library. Tickets available from St Neots Library or St Neots Waterstones. Tel: 0345 045 5225 Email: stneots.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 13 September Free English lessons 9.30am Chesterton Community College, Gilbert Road, Cambridge Contact Sarah Adams to book your free place. Email: sadams@chesterton.cambs.sch.uk Web: www.esolcafe.co.uk
15 September Bourn Windmill Open Day and Teas 2-4pm CambridgePPF Members free, Adults £3, Children £1 One of the oldest mills in the country. Guides will show you how the mill works, tell you the history. Teas and cakes. Accessible by car or on footpaths from Bourn. OS grid reference TL 312 580. Tel: 01223 243830 extension 207 Email: bookings@cambridgeppf.org Web: www.cambridgeppf.org/whats-on 17 September St. Neots & District Camera Club Open Evening 7.30pm St. Neots Bowling Club Free entry. Everyone is welcome, no experience is necessary. Web: www.stneots-camera-club.org.uk 19 September Trumpington Meadows Wildlife Trust Monthly Meander 9.30am-12 noon £5 per person. Join the Trust’s knowledgeable rangers for a stroll around the meadows. Email: trumpingtonmeadows@wildlifebcn.org Web: www.wildlifebcn.org/events/2019-09-19monthly-meander
19 September St Ives & District Flower Club 2.15pm Burgess Hall, St Ives Visitors £7. Demonstration by Bernard Collingsworth ‘Village Life’. 19 September Graham Short Miniaturist 7pm Roxton Village Hall Tickets £8. Graham is the world famous micro-artist who engraved The Lord’s Prayer on the head of a pin. Hear his amazing story. Tickets available by telephone or email. Tel: 01234 870540 Email: margaret.gale@hotmail.co.uk or
camera settings and the more creative side such as lighting and composition. The emphasis will be on natural history photography. There will be plenty of assistance to help you get most from your day. Please book in advance. Tel: Steve 07786 443802 24 September Little Paxton Pictures 2pm St James Church, Little Paxton Free admission. ‘Darkest Hour’ (PG). Hot drinks, ice cream, popcorn and refreshments available. All films have subtitles. All donations welcomed. 24 September Huntingdonshire Diabetes Group 7.30pm Millennium Hall, Burberry Road, Buckden With Nigel Sutton, Economic and Cyber Security Advisor. Email: hunts.diabetesuk@gmail.com Web: huntingdonshire.diabetesukgroup.org 25 September Roxtonettes Monthly Music Evenings 7.30pm Roxton Village Hall, High Street, Roxton £2.50 inc. refreshments. Do you enjoy singing or playing a musical instrument? We meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month. 7.30pm onwards for instrumentalists and 8pm onwards for singers. Under the guidance of Eamonn Nicholson-Clinch, we are an informal community singing group. You do not need to read music! Tel: Eamonn 07780 954314 26 September St Neots & District Gardening Club 8pm St Mary’s Church Hall, St Neots Members £2, Non-members £2.50 inc. refreshments & raffle ticket. AGM and suggestions of topics for open meetings and places to visit for next year. Web: www.stneotsgardenclub.org.uk
27 September KSPA Macmillan Coffee & Shopping Morning 20 September 8.30am-12pm Lewis Hall, Kimbolton School 13 September An evening with David Fletcher from BBC TVs Join us for coffee, tea, lots of stalls, raffle and plenty Prize bingo 7.30pm Offord Village Hall ‘Flog it!’ 7.30-9pm St James’ Church, Little Paxton of cake. All welcome. Raffle. Refreshments provided. Tickets £5. Featuring a talk, some mystery objects and ending with a mock auction, discussion and 27 September 14 September refreshments. Raising funds for Cambridge Historic Engage: Tom Bryans 5th Annual Godmanchester Town Show Churches Trust and St James’ Church. Tickets 2-4pm St Neots Library Public from 2pm St Mary's Church, Chadley Lane available on the door or book in advance. Free admission. Professional classical guitarist and Entry £1. Traditional Town Show exhibits of Email: admin@thepaxtonsbenefice.org recording artist Tom Bryans will be performing. home produced vegetables, flowers, fruit, Tel: 01480 87721 Donations welcome. Refreshments provided by the handicrafts, art work, children's entries and Friends of St Neots Library. Call or email to book a photography. Presentation of prizes by the Mayor of 21 September place. Tel: 0345 045 5225 Godmanchester at 4.30pm. Mike Grice 07773 401853 Beer festival Offord Village Hall Email: stneots.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk Please call or email for details and tickets. 14 September Tel: Sarah Cutworth 01480 811888 Until 29 September Have A Field Day Email: sarahcutworth@yahoo.co.uk ‘Whole Stitch, Half stitch, Twist’ 2-5pm QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm Come along to an afternoon of free taster outdoor 21 September The Norris Museum, St Ives activity sessions on the QEII Playing Field. Activities Introduction to Photography Free entry. The Fenland Lace Makers’ exhibition include cricket, pétanque, netball, baby wearing 10.30am-3.30pm Warboys showcases the intricate work of lace making with boogie, Batch Body Fitness bootcamp, children’s £35 per person. Suitable for beginners and those examples of both traditional and modern lace. extravaganza activities. Refreshments in the village wishing to move off the automatic settings, learn Members of the group will be demonstrating on 2 hall. Little Paxton Parish Council event. about composition and increase their confidence and 16 September 11am-3pm. Tel: 01480 497314 to improve their photography. It will cover the Web: www.norrismuseum.org.uk
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We clean your oven‌. ....so you don’t have to. Call today to have your oven, hob, extractor or Aga professionally cleaned
Rob Radford contact details Tel: 01767 640594 Mobile: 07960 467805 www.ovenwizards.com
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Finance
By Sarah Davey
The Debt Dilemma - How to escape debt Being in debt is stressful and it’s easier to get into debt than out of it. Help yourself with these five top tips. Budget – It sounds obvious, but an astonishing number of us don’t know what we actually spend each month. For two months write down every outgoing and you might be surprised at how much of cash you fritter away. Make a list of regular commitments - utility bills, mortgage, outstanding loans etc.; a list of necessary evils - petrol, train tickets etc; a list of desirables - holidays, salon trips etc.; and a list of non-essentials. Boost your cash – This can be done in two ways: Cut all unnecessary expenditure or increase your income. It might not be a good time economically to ask for a pay-rise, but could you take on some extra work in return for a little more in your pay packet? What about selling your unwanted items on eBay, or even starting your own little business using a skill or hobby you already have, such as sewing, baking, computer or language skills? Use credit cards – Yes, you read that correctly. If used wisely they can be a helpful cash-management tool. With some cards you get cash back for spending. So, by putting your regular expenditure, such as groceries, on your card you can earn money. Only do this if you are prepared to pay the balance off in full after the grace period (generally 30 days). Save don’t spend – Any surplus cash should be saved. Allocate some for holidays or other desirable items, and some for emergencies. If any is left over it can be put into a longer-term savings account. DIY – Often we pay people for services we could easily manage ourselves. Try washing your own car or making your own packed lunch for a month and see how much you save.
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Health
TATT - Are you tired all the time? How do you feel when you wake up? Are you refreshed and ready for the day? Or do you feel drained, like you’ve hardly slept. GPs report that more patients are complaining of lack of energy. The syndrome even has its own name, TATT - which means tired all the time. If you constantly feel lethargic it is important not to ignore it. TATT is common but there are steps you can take to help yourself. There are many different causes of fatigue, and a good place to start is a chat with your GP. If you feel overwhelming exhaustion, which gets worse rather than better with activity, and does not improve with rest, you might be suffering from myalgic encephalopathy (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). There is not a definitive cure for these conditions but there are treatments and self-help measures that can help to ease the symptoms. A GP will test for other medical problems that can cause tiredness, such as anaemia, thyroid issues, food intolerances or diabetes. Many cases of TATT are related to mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Traumatic life events, stress and money worries can also cause fatigue. Talking therapies can help in these cases, and your doctor may be able to
refer you to a counselling service. If a GP has ruled out more serious underlying causes but you still feel tired, there are lifestyle changes that will help. First make sure you’re getting enough good quality sleep. Make it a priority for a few weeks to see how much better you feel. The Royal College of Psychologists’ advice is to have both a regular bedtime and wake time, and avoid napping. If you struggle to drop off try a soak in a warm bath before you go to bed because this will make you feel calm, and the drop in body temperature when you exit the bath fools the body to start to prepare for sleep. Reduce your stress levels by scheduling relaxation time into your day. This could be something as simple as listening to your favourite music or meeting friends for a chat. A good diet also plays a role in increasing your energy levels. Try eating small snacks throughout the day, rather than one large meal in the evening. Avoid alcohol and drink more water. Cutting caffeine will also help but cut down gradually to minimise the risk of headaches. Finally, a little light exercise is another proven way to fight fatigue. Even a quick 15-minute walk around the block will give boost your energy.
By Tracey Anderson
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August’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mr P Baker from Stevenage Nathan Craig Competition Winner Mr J Clements from Potton
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The Villager Prize Crossword
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before
16th September 2019 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
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Across 1 Hairy and unkempt (6) 4 Detector (6) 9 Make comprehensible (7) 10 Vagabond (5) 11 Fear greatly (5) 12 Empowered (7) 13 Sections (11) 18 Replicating (7) 20 Ransack (5) 22 Presses (5) 23 Where plays are performed (7) 24 Required (6) 25 Remained (6) Down 1 Firm (6) 2 Round fleshy fruit (5) 3 Your parent’s mother (7) 5 Surplus (5) 6 Type of onion (7) 7 Fast running waterways (6) 8 Make inquiries (11) 14 Detonate (7) 15 Sincere (7) 16 Activity (6) 17 Rely upon (6) 19 Publication (5) 21 Not lean (5)
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Books
Book Review By Kate Duggan Vox by Christina Dalcher
In this dystopian tale, women are only allowed to speak 100 words a day. They’re also not allowed to read, have a job or, in fact, do very much at all other than look after their husband and children. But Dr Jean McClellan is given the chance to resume her research job and have the word limit lifted for both herself and her daughter, if she collaborates with the government. A real page-turner of a book that will appeal to fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Power.
Tin Can Cook: 75 Simple Store-Cupboard Recipes by Jack Monroe
Simple, wallet-friendly dishes that are delicious and nutritious? It seems too good to be true, but Jack Monroe seems to have succeeded. Her latest book puts canned food at the heart of every dish. Recipes include Rhubarb & Custard Pancakes, Sunshine Soup, Red Lentil and Mandarin Curry, and Creamy Crabby Pasta. Most only contain a handful of ingredients and only take a few minutes to prepare, using ingredients you can pick up from the local shop.
Somebody I Used to Know: A Memoir by Wendy Mitchell
Wendy Mitchell was diagnosed with early-onset dementia at the age of 58. In her memoir, she talks about the reasons she sought a diagnosis, how she came to terms with it and the changes she’s made to her life. Somebody I Used to Know gives us an eye-opening insight into an illness that’s all too often whispered about behind closed doors. Perhaps surprisingly, the memoir is also brimming with optimism, hope and humour.
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