Stevenage Nov 2020

VILLAGER The

November 2020

and Town

Life

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

In this issue The History of

Place Names Travel

Insurance Advice

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Inside this issue...

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Rhubarb, Rhubarb

Rhubarb, Rhubarb..................................................24 We will remember them........................................26 Drinks: Gin is in......................................................29 Another Successful Adoptober...............................30 Fun Quiz.................................................................33 Puzzle Page............................................................36 Villager Prize Crossword.........................................42 The Book Nook.......................................................45

We Will Remember Them

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The History of Place Names......................................4 Life-Saving Memories..............................................8 St Francis Children’s Society....................................12 Age UK - It’s great being back!................................14 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.................................19 What is Thai Bodywork?.........................................21 Travel Insurance Advice..........................................23

Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £30.00 +VAT per month Editorial: Catherine Rose, EAAA, Nick Coffer, Be-Aligned, Rachael Leverton, Sarah Davey, Trevor Langley, RSPCA, and Kate Duggan

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - sborisov Design and Artwork Design 9 • Tel 07762 969460 www.design9marketing.co.uk

Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 Email: nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com

Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

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History

By Catherine Rose

Edinburgh

The History of Place Names The origin of our village and town names can provide a fascinating insight into their history.

Did you know that the study of place names is called toponomastics? Generally, places have earned their names from the people that founded the settlement, the surrounding landscape, or the flora and fauna that have featured there. Over time, with the evolution of language and through local dialects, place names have changed throughout generations, sometimes becoming quite different versions of what they were hundreds of years ago.

Castle Combe

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The UK has had a varied history, having been home to many conquering invaders and numerous tribes.

Consequently, our modern place names have been contributed to by the Celts, the Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings and even the French.

We often think of the Romans as having founded our major cities but their Latin names were either based on the existing Old English ones or were so radically different that their use hasn’t survived (for example, the Roman Verulamium for what is now St Albans).

Many people think the word ‘chester’ is Roman but in fact its roots are Celtic. Manchester is derived from the Celtic words mamm meaning ‘a breastshaped hill’ and ceaster – ‘a fortified city’. Most of our current city, town and village names were given to them by our most ancient ancestors.

Tre in a place name denotes a homestead or hamlet and was usually paired with the name of the person who owned it, so Tregare in Wales means ‘Gare’s home’. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given their proximity across the Bristol Channel, this prefix is seen even more widely in Cornwall.

Another common Cornish prefix is penn which is a ‘headland’. Penzance is a conjugation of penn and sans which together mean ‘holy headland’.

Like tre, a town or village name ending in by is Old Norse for ‘homestead’. The Vikings are also responsible for place names that begin or end with

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holm. In Old Norse, this meant ‘island’ and usually referred to a settlement surrounded by marsh or water.

Water, especially rivers, features widely in place name origins. For example, Luton is derived from ‘Lea’ after the river that flows through it and tun which is Anglo-Saxon for a large farm or settlement (which probably later evolved into our modern word ‘town’). Another common place name inclusion is ‘ham’. Hamm was Anglo-Saxon for ‘small village’ and is almost certainly the origin of the word ‘hamlet’.

Mor(e) or Mer referred to a ‘lake’ in Old English (mer also means ‘sea’ in French). You can find variations of it in town names such as Cromer and Swanmore.

Numerous places have the word bury in them. This did not refer to a burial plot as it might sound but is the Old English word for a large estate, known by the Anglo-Saxons as a burh. The root has also given rise to towns with ‘borough’ and ‘burgh’ in them.

Stead or sted comes from the Anglo-Saxon word stede for ‘place’ (hence the word ‘homestead’ means ‘place of home’.)

Featured in the town names of Stow, Stowmarket and Stow on the Wold (from wald or weald being the Old English for ‘forest’), a stow was somewhere holy. Less obviously, it also gave Bristol its name as the town was originally called ‘Brigg’s Stow’ meaning ‘the holy place by the bridge’.

The suffix ley signifies a forest clearing and there

are many villages and towns in the UK ending in -ley or -ly that date from a time when our island was covered in woodland. The Viking word was thwaite, seen particularly in the north today.

One interesting suffix is wick or wich. This was the Anglo-Saxon noun for ‘produce’ and was bestowed on a farm with a prefix that told you what it produced. So, for example, Greenwich is said to have originally been an arable farm some distance from London, Woolwich, a sheep farm, while Chiswick would have been a dairy farm (chis being ‘cheese’).

Other Old English words which feature in place names are cott or cote for ‘small house’ (hence our word ‘cottage’), clopp meaning ‘small hill’, combe which referred to ‘a valley’, holt for ‘a wood’, and den which was a pasture, usually for livestock like pigs (not to be confused with the suffix don which comes from the word dun meaning ‘hill’.)

Many of our county names also have ancient origins. For example, ‘Essex’ was the place where the East-Saxons settled (‘East Sax’), ‘Sussex’ the South-Saxons, and Middlesex, which has now been absorbed into Greater London, was where the Middle-Saxons lived. East Anglia was also named from the tribe that once inhabited it, the Angles.

Although today it is difficult to still see their origins, deciphering old place names can give us the strongest clue as to how the landscape must have once looked.

Penzance 6

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Local News

Life-Saving Memories As East Anglian Air Ambulance continues to mark its 20th anniversary, we share with you some memories from supporters who have benefitted from its vital work.

Megan from Cambridge I used to be a fundraising intern at EAAA and loved it!

Recently they came out to my aunty who had a burst brain aneurysm and if they hadn’t of got to her as quickly as they did, she would not be alive today! She’s currently in rehab and will be for a long time but she’s making progress. I really can’t thank EAAA enough for what they do!

Sue from Cambridgeshire My memory is of the EAAA Crew from Cambridge stabilising my condition and getting me to Addenbrooke’s Hospital so that I can be here today. I might have lost part of an arm but thanks to EAAA, I am alive. This is why I support EAAA and will continue to do so for as long as I can.

Judy from Fowlmere On the 3rd February 2014 I had a cardiac arrest while at home. I was helping my eight-year-old daughter with her homework and had only just returned from work.

My husband, on calling 999, performed CPR for 12 minutes while awaiting an ambulance. The EAAA team by road attended first and without their intervention, I literally would not be here today retelling my memory.

Not forgetting how proud I am of my husband, too, he is also my hero!

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Lucy from Willingham On 8 November 2019 the crew were called out to my husband who had dislocated his hip and broken his femur. He was in considerable pain and the doctor had to administer ketamine before he could move him.

It was incredibly traumatic but also a crazy couple of hours as my husband was treated on the kitchen floor.

The crew were amazing with him and with me. Sadly, my husband passed away three weeks later from the cancer that had metastasised in his bones. I will never forget or thank enough the amazing team that helped us through that day.

Maria from Weston Colville I fell off a horse on Dec 1st 2011. I knew immediately that it was bad as I couldn’t feel anything below my neck. I will never forget the care I was given with such professionalism by the crew that day. To extract me from a ditch without moving my spine, in a lot of mud, must have been very difficult, but done so quietly and calmly. I spent a long time recovering, but I got my life back. I am eternally grateful to EAAA for all you do. I often see EAAA flying over my village and always wave!

Get involved and help EAAA save lives • Support EAAA by playing the 20th anniversary raffle, with 15 prizes up for grabs at just £1 per ticket eaaaraffle.org • Leave EAAA your memory and find out more about the history of the service at eaaa.org.uk/20years • Sign up to play in the EAAA weekly lottery, which funds 45% of EAAA’s life-saving missions at www.eaaa.org.uk/shout

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Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service With A Smile.

I think we can all agree that the sooner we see the back of 2020 and this dreadful corona virus the better. That said, there are also some heart warming positives that we can take out of this situation. It has often been said that we can only really get to know one another and realise what is truly important in times of crisis. I think few would argue that in this case what has proven to be important is local community spirit.

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Stephen Moon it became clear that these values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of

supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Stephen commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help again”.

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Local News

St Francis Children’s Society In the UK, almost 3,000 children are in need of an adoptive family and the number of adoptions in England has fallen by a third in the last four years.

In response to this fall in numbers, Milton Keynes adoption agency St. Francis’ Children’s Society has joined the national #YouCanAdopt campaign, which aims to bust some of the myths around who is eligible to adopt.

Earlier this year, a new report revealed that 45% of adults in the UK have considered adoption or would consider it in future. But, despite this, 62% of adults feel they don’t know much about the adoption process - and this lack of knowledge may contribute to many people not taking the important first step.

With 40% of people admitting they don’t know if they’re eligible to adopt and 29% thinking they wouldn’t be able to, St. Francis’ Children’s Society (SFCS) is aiming to increase the number of people taking the first steps towards adopting a child.

You can adopt if you’re married, in a long-term relationship or single. You could be heterosexual or LGBT+, it doesn’t matter. In fact, 1 in 7 adoptions in England in 2019 were to same-sex couples. You may be hoping to adopt your first child, or you may already have birth or adopted children in your family.

Adopters can be of any or no religious faith. Children who are waiting for adoption come from many different backgrounds, cultures and religions, and SFCS accordingly welcomes adopters from all walks of life.

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You don’t need to own your own home or be ‘rich’ to adopt. Your financial stability and money-management abilities will be discussed during the adoption assessment, but being unemployed, on a low income or on benefits will not automatically rule you out from becoming an adoptive parent.

Having a disability or a mental health condition won’t automatically exclude you from adopting a child either. Any health condition, mental or physical, will be explored fully to help us understand any issues you may experience with parenting a child. But don’t rule yourself out before speaking to one of our friendly team of social workers.

St. Francis’ Children’s Society is proud to support the #YouCanAdopt campaign, which will be running until the beginning of December 2020. You can find lots more information about who can adopt by searching #YouCanAdopt on Google, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Singer Sinitta is one of several adopters who are backing the campaign. The mum of two said: “I would definitely encourage others to consider adoption.

The feeling of finally becoming a mother was almost indescribable; it’s just everything. It was everything I wanted and more. I love my children more than anything and I always say that love is thicker than blood.”

If you can provide a safe, stable, loving home for a child or children who need it, the chances are #YouCanAdopt. Visit www.sfcs.org.uk and click on I’d Like To Adopt to learn more and begin your journey towards growing your family.

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Local News

It’s great being back!

Age UK Hertfordshire’s Help in the Home Service had to be suspended in late March, due to lockdown. This bought new challenges for both clients and the local charity.

With many of their clients relying on their helpers, not just for the cleaning but also for the company, they had to re-imagine how they could provide this vital and much loved service.

“We quickly identified the clients who urgently needed our help and did all we could to support them,” says Mark Hanna, Director of Operations.

“For some of our clients their Helper is much more than just a cleaner, so we’re trying to get the service back up and running as quickly as we can, whilst following government guidelines and prioritising everyone’s safety.”

Age UK Hertfordshire’s Help in the Home Service have prepared PPE safe packs ready for their re-opening, and are already providing essential support, such as collecting prescriptions, food shopping and socially distanced visits for many of their clients.

Their Home Helpers are ecstatic to be starting back at work with one Home Helper saying: “It’s great being back cleaning for my client. My lovely client took this photo of me on my first day back in over 4 months! She said ‘give us a twirl’, which I did then she snapped up their crazy photo, and we both collapsed in hysterics.”

If you would like to find out more information on how you could join their team of Friendly Home Helpers, you can visit them at: www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire/get-involved/work-for-us/ or call 01707 386 066.

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Food & Drink

Slow-cooked marinated baby back ribs Cards on the table, I absolutely love ribs. I also have nothing but admiration for anyone who can cook them the “hardcore” way. You know, slowly smoked for hours and hours on a perfectly heated BBQ, perfectly marinated, pulling apart as you eat them. Only problem is, you need about 24 hours notice for that and I just don’t have that kind of organisation in my life. So these are the “it’s 3pm and I fancy ribs this evening” version.

Plus they are baked in the oven, so won’t get spoiled by rain cancelling the BBQ. They are literally foolproof and work however you make the marinade.

You’ll need a large rack of baby back ribs for two people (or one rack per person if you love ribs as much as I do). Ask your butcher to remove the membrane on the back of the ribs if you can.

Store cupboard marinade: Lots of squirts of ketchup, honey, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, a couple of teaspoons garlic powder and a drizzle of xiao xing wine.

Don’t worry about the quantities, and don’t worry if you are missing an ingredient. You just want a lovely, dark and slightly sticky sauce.

1. Rub the ribs all over in the mixed sauce (save a bit of the sauce for later), pop them in a baking dish and cover with foil.

2. Bake them at 130C for 3-4 hours, basting both sides every hour (you will likely need to add a little bit of water to the pan to get the best bits off the bottom).

3. Uncover the ribs for the last 15 minutes and baste with the leftover sauce from earlier.

4. Once cooked, remove and leave to rest, wrapped in foil, for 15 minutes.

5. Cut up and serve. The meat will be falling off the bone.

These are lovely served with a simple coleslaw and corn on the cob.

BBC Three Counties Radio presenter and cook, Nick Coffer To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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What is Thai Bodywork?

Thai Bodywork is a form of massage and energy work. It uses conscious touch, stretches, range of motion and other techniques to affect the whole energy system to relieve pain and restore balance.

What are some benefits of Thai Bodywork?

1. Reduced Stress levels Too much stress can negatively affect mental and physical health. Chronic, or long-lasting, stress can lead to serious illnesses, including depression and cardiovascular disease.

2. Boosts energy Research has shown that Thai massage can increase people’s physical energy levels. One examined the effects of Thai massages in people who were experiencing fatigue. The results revealed that Thai massage increased energy and mental stimulation.

The theory suggests that tight muscles cause blockages within different Sen. These blockages reduce the flow of life energy, which results in stiffness, pain, and illness. Thai massage uses different techniques that either open or constrict different Sen to correct the flow of life energy.

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3. Relieves headaches One 2015 study found Thai massage is an effective treatment for people who have chronic tension headaches.

4. Stimulates circulation Thai massage can promote the circulation of both blood and lymph through the use of gentle stretches. These yoga-like stretches increase blood circulation, which fills the body’s tissues with oxygen. This helps promote cell growth and heart health.

5. Improves range of motion Thai massage incorporates stretches to reduce stress and improve circulation. The gradual, gentle stretching will enhance the person’s flexibility over time, allowing a greater range of motion.

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Web: www.be-aligned.co.uk 21

Are you returning to higher education this year and starting a course in September or October?

Do you live in post codes SG1 or SG2?

Did you know that you can apply to the Betty Game Opportunities Trust for a grant towards the cost of books, equipment, travel etc? And the good news is that it’s a grant – not a loan!

The Trustees look forward to receiving your application – be first in the queue.

Further information about the Trust and how to apply for a grant is available on our website www.bgot.org.uk or email BGOT2015@gmail.com

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Travel Insurance Advice

As thoughts turn to holidays in 2021, the issue of travel insurance has never been more complicated.

The disruption from COVID-19 led many travellers to discover their policy wasn’t quite as comprehensive as they assumed.

With local lockdowns, travel bans and quarantine an ever-changing situation in recent months, all too many people have found planned trips either impossible or no longer quite what they expected.

If you’ve got an annual policy, your first step should be checking the date the policy began. The precise details will vary between insurers, but as a general rule any ordinary policy taken out after the start of April 2020 will almost certainly exclude any claims related to COVID-19.

Instead, you’ll need to look for a policy that specifically covers coronavirus. Most such policies will only cover the medical effects, though a few policies will also cover cancellation.

Whether you are relying on a pre-April 2020 policy or take out a new one that includes COVID-19 cancellation, check the conditions that will trigger a payout. Some policies will only cover you getting COVID-19 while some will pay out if a family member gets it. Some will only cover a positive diagnosis while others will cover cases where you are told to self-isolate, for example because you’ve been in close contact with somebody who has tested positive.

Coronavirus has also brought much greater attention to Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advisories, something that’s normally only been an issue for people travelling to far-off war-torn nations.

At the time of writing, the FCO still had a default position advising against any non-essential travel to any country that wasn’t specifically exempted.

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If you do travel to a country that’s under such an advisory, your insurance is automatically invalid.

However, a travel insurance policy almost certainly won’t cover you cancelling a trip because the FCO advice has changed.

If you decide against travel altogether, you can usually cancel an ongoing annual policy and get a refund in proportion to the remaining time, minus any administrative fee. This won’t be allowed if you’ve already made a claim on the policy during the cover period, for example from a previous trip.

Despite the increased limitations, travel insurance may soon be even more important in Europe. At the time of writing, the UK and the European Union had yet to agree an extension of the UK’s participation in the European Health Identity Card program beyond the end of 2020.

The EHIC isn’t insurance, but rather a mutual agreement that covers European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Anyone with an EHIC is entitled to medical treatment on the same basis as residents of the country where they fall ill.

EHIC has never been a substitute for travel insurance, as it doesn’t cover disruption from illness or injury such as having to rebook flights home. However, if the UK does leave EHIC, travelling to the continent without travel insurance could lead to hefty medical bills even for basic treatment.

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

Rhubarb Rhubarb Rhubarb is a reasonably easy trouble-free plant to grow. It is also a handsome plant, with large leaves and striking red stems, and who doesn’t love a rhubarb crumble?

The trick is to choose the right spot. Ideally it needs to be planted in full sun but if your garden is very sheltered it will tolerate partial shade. Don’t plant it anywhere where it might be in the way, disturbed, or need to be moved from. Rhubarb has an extensive root system and prefers to stay put, for at least a decade, so give careful thought to the spot.

Rhubarb dislikes wet soil, so make sure it’s welldrained. Dig in plenty of organic matter a month or so before planting. It’s generally easier and more productive to grow rhubarb from crowns (divided plants) rather than seed, and from now until Christmas is the perfect time to plant.

Dig a hole a little wider than the rhubarb crown in your prepared ground. Plant so that the growing tip is about an inch /2.5 cm below the surface. Firm the soil well around the roots to removed air pockets.

Water well and mulch with organic matter, avoiding the growing tip.

During the growing season keep the area around the plant free of weeds and give an occasional good soaking in prolonged dry periods. Remove any flower heads that appear in the spring. Flowering will

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weaken the stems. If the crown rots, your soil was too wet, but following all the advice I’ve given earlier should prevent this happening! Harvest time is May until July, but rhubarb is a long-term investment so don’t harvest it during the first year. It needs that full first year of growth to establish a strong root system.

Second year leave at least five strong stems when you harvest. After that you can leave three or four stems each time. You should get 2-3 crops per season.

Remove only the largest stems when picking and wait till the leaves have fully opened. Pull gently from the base with a slight twist. The leaves are poisonous but can be safely composted.

Once your rhubarb is established you might want to try a forced crop for sweeter more tender stems.

Rhubarb is forced by growing it in the absence of light in a microclimate slightly warmer than the outside temperature. You can start forcing in January for best results. Remove dead leaves and weeds from around the crown and add a layer of straw or shredded paper to warm the emerging shoots and to protect them from frost. Then cover the crown with an upturned dustbin or large crock pot to cut out all the light. The rhubarb should be ready for harvesting 8 weeks later.

Happy Gardening!

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Time of Year

By Sarah Davey

We will remember them

Why do we wear a poppy? Scarlet poppies grow wild all over Western Europe wherever the soil has been disturbed. The battles of the First World War churned up such vast areas of earth that millions of poppies germinated and bloomed, often around the bodies of the fallen soldiers.

A Canadian surgeon called John McRae wrote the poem In Flanders Fields in which the poppies symbolise the deaths of those who fought. It is a haunting memorial to those soldiers who have died in any war.

Why do we have a two-minute silence?

It was on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month that the guns of World War I fell silent. Four years of fighting and devastation finally ended. The following year ceremonies of remembrance took place on what was known as Armistice Day. An Australian journalist, Edward George Honey first proposed a respectful silence to remember the dead. He wrote a letter to the London Evening News which was brought to the attention of King George V. The king then issued a proclamation which called for a two-minute silence.

These days Armistice Day is known as Remembrance Sunday and is a chance to honour the fallen soldiers of all conflicts.

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Food & Drink

Drinks: Gin is in

Gin is an extremely popular alcoholic beverage. This flavoured white spirit utilises barley, corn or rye in its distillation and dates from the Middle Ages. The base flavour comes from juniper berries. Different styles of gin are available today, including flavoured variations. Gin cocktails are a regular choice, for numerous ‘devotees’ and the world-renowned ‘Gin & Tonic’ is always a favourite, with many.

Highclere Castle is located approx 5 miles south of Newbury, Hampshire and is home to the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. A lot of very interesting history of this property and grounds is well-documented.

Highclere Castle and the Estate have been used, both internally and externally, for a good number of films and TV productions and known around the world as the fictional setting for the hugely popular production of Downton Abbey. The Estate is very impressive indeed. The Carnarvon family have resided at Highclere Castle since 1679. Royal guests, plus statesmen, famous musicians and celebrities, are all amongst numerous visitors who have been welcomed to this exceptional property and location.

Highclere Castle Gin (Alc. 43.5% Vol.) is multi award-winning and is produced from one of the oldest copper gin stills, dating back to the 19th century, in England’s oldest gin distillery. Very carefully, botanicals, grown on the Highclere Estate, were selected and then after many, many weeks and months of experimenting, finally the selections were chosen for the recipe. The botanicals include essential oils and give Highclere Gin its outstanding, unique, smooth and elegant flavour. Juniper, lavender, coriander, lime flower, citrus peels, angelica root, cassia bark, green cardamom, liquorice root and peppercorns, plus Highclere oats are all included to produce the exquisite production that is Highclere Castle Gin. A phrase I have never used before is, “Try it, to believe it!” On its Own, with Ice, Gin & Tonic, Classic Martini, Negroni, White Lady, or whatever a favourite choice is, I found this gin most certainly did not disappoint – the prestigious awards that keep coming, are testament to that!

Tel: +44 (0) 1635 253 210 E-mail:contact@highclerecastlespirits.com www.highclerecastlegin.com www.highclerecastle.co.uk Highclere Castle Spirits Estate Office, Highclere Park, Newbury, RG20 9RN

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Pets

Another Successful Adoptober As Adoptober draws to a close we reflect upon the true magic of this service. With online searches for puppies tripling, adoption is an amazing solution.

Adopting a dog or cat as a family pet is becoming much more common as people are finding out the many advantages it has over buying a kitten or puppy.

New owners are becoming much more scrupulous about the history and background of the animals they welcome into their lives. The large majority of cats and dogs that are part of the adoption scheme are there as a result of a house move, death or divorce. Not because they have behaviour problems or were stray.

Many people are attracted to adoption for this reason, and the idea of giving the animals a second chance.

Why Adopt?

1) A second chance – you are giving a second chance to a much loved pet by adopting one rather than buying one. RSPCA shelters are bursting with happy and healthy pets, ready for their next new home.

2) Happy and healthy pets – you would be rehoming a happy and healthy pet that is already house trained and used to living with a family.

3) The cost – getting a new pet can be more expensive than you had originally anticipated. The prices of kittens and puppies are still on the rise, with popular dog breeds fetching £3000 each. Not only is the animal cheaper from a shelter, other expenses are often free. Most shelters spay, neuter and vaccinate all animals reducing the cost of having a pet even further.

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4) Having an older pet through the adoption service has plenty of advantages. It does eliminate the need to go to puppy training classes each week, paying for microchipping, training them to go to the toilet in the correct way.

5) You are helping more than one animal. By giving money to the rehoming centre you are giving help to all of the animals within the centre. Also, by adopting an animal you are making room for another animal to come into the centre.

Advantages of Having a Pet Where to begin. There are numerous benefits to having a pet, whatever the age, shape or size. Having a pet can be an exciting adventure, be it a cat, dog, hamster or rabbit. They have several health benefits including; reducing stress, decreasing loneliness, helping to raise activity levels and improving ones immune system. According to studies spending time with your pet can increase levels of oxytocin in your body, as well as lowering your blood pressure.

Pets can help you to find and make friends. It’s amazing how many people you can end up talking to as you take your dog for a walk. Or even while you are in the pet shop buying hamster bedding. Pets are always such a great talking point at work and in turn help you to socialise.

Pets are great for children. They can boost their confidence and skills of empathy. Pets are wonderful listeners and can help children to feel safe. Animals teach children how to be responsible, as they can help to feed, clean and walk their pets.

So, if you, a friend or family member are considering making the decision to be a pet owner – consider adoption – consider the RSPCA. If you need to contact our Branch (North Bedfordshire) for any reason we can be reached by the details below, or for an animal welfare issue or emergency, contact; 0300 1234 999.

Lines are open 7 days a week 24/7.

Email: info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk Tel: 01234 266965 / 01234 930304

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N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y

WALL COATING

ALL REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN BREATHABLE COATINGS WEATHER PROOF SMOOTH OR TEXTURED SELF CLEANING PROTECTS YOUR WALLS CLEAN & TIDY INSTALLATION SUITABLE FOR MASONRY OR RENDER • COLOUR MATCH AVAILABLE • 10 YEAR GUARANTEE • • • • • • • •

Before After

0800 046 1080 hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk

www.acs-aggregates.com

Collection & Delivery of Loose Aggregates Building Sand • Sharp Sand • Ballast • MOT Type 1 • 10 & 20mm shingle Top Soil • Granite Dust • Cements • Drainage • EASYjoint • Sleepers

Open six days a week

Monday – Friday 7.00am – 4.30pm Saturday 8.00am – 12.00pm

Tel: 01438 311699 Mob: 07788 446635 Email: info@acs-aggregates.com Shangri-La Farm, Todds Green, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2JE To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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1. In 2018, Winona Ryder revealed that she might have married Keanu Reeves due to the authenticity of a wedding scene in which film?

2. Donald Trump is only the second only US President to have been divorced before taking office. Who was the first?

3. In the nursery rhyme Solomon Grundy, on what day did Solomon Grundy get married?

4. Whose marriages to James Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller all ended in divorce?

5. Who wrote the 1983 novel Hollywood Wives, the 1986 novel Hollywood Husbands and the 2003 novel Hollywood Divorces?

6. Which of the following comes first in the Church of England’s traditional wedding vows?... a) in sickness and in health; b) to love and to cherish; or c) for richer, for poorer?

Marriage & Di vorce

7. After divoricing Alana Stewart in 1984 and Rachel Hunter in 2006, who said “instead of getting married again, I’m going to find a woman I don’t like and just give her a house”?

8. Who meets his future wife Jo Jo in a 1993 book that has the sub-title The Wilderness Years, but in the next book in the series, released in 1999 with the sub-title The Cappuccino Years, has separated from her and is going through a divorce?

9. In a 1995 interview with Martin Bashir for the TV show Panorama, who famously said “Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded”?

10. By the end of the TV series Friends, which of the main characters had been divorced three times?

1. Bram Stoker’s Dracula 2. Ronald Reagan 3. Wednesday 4. Marilyn Monroe’s 5. Jackie Collins 6. c) for richer, for poorer 7. Rod Stewart 8. Adrian Mole 9. Princess Diana 10. Ross

HERTS OVEN CLEAN Herts Oven Clean is a domestic oven cleaning specialist in Hertfordshire.

Non-caustic, fume-free solution individually prepared for each customer.

Ovens, Hobs, Grills, Extractors, Agas, Microwaves and Gas Barbeques.

Call Richard on 01438 813492 Bring a sparkle to your kitchen today.

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N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y

INSULATING SPRAYFOAM • BBA APPROVED SPRAYFOAM • CAN GREATLY REDUCE ENERGY BILLS • UPGRADE YOUR PROPERTIES ‘U’ VALUE • ELIMINATES DRAFTS OR ‘DRAW’ FROM THE ROOF SPACE • MESS & HASSLE FREE • QUALIFIES AS AN ESM • FIRE SAFE • SUITABLE FOR MOBILE HOMES

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Codeword 1

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

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.

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GT Plastering Services are a plastering company based in Stevenage. At GT Plastering Services we offer a broad range of plastering services and with seven years in the business you can be assured that we deliver high standards every time.

Our services include: • Plastering & Screeding • Removing & Replacing Damaged Ceilings • Plastering Over Artex • Dot & Dab • Dry Wall Tape & Jointing • Dry Lining • Rendering (Interior & Exterior) • General Renovation • Painting & Decorating • We are an accredited member of Trustatrader, where all members are checked and vetted.

Telephone:- 07791 298765

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New Builds Extensions Home Improvements Conversions Architecture Windows and Doors Roofing Electrics

Providing all aspects of building works from new builds, house extensions to rewires within Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire

Before After

T: 07456 222664

www.amyselectricalandbuilding.co.uk E: info@amyselectricalandbuilding.com 38

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I D Decorating Painting & Decorating Services Painting – Interior & Exterior Decorating Coving No Job Too Big Or Too Small Fully Insured & Free Estimates Telephone: Ian Dunklin 0790 508 3799

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Mansfield Bathrooms Ltd

SHIRON

Domestic Appliances Repairs of

Washing Machines Tumble Dryers Dishwashers Electric Ovens Electric Cookers Electric Hobs

A family run business, based in Great Ashby, offering a comprehensive bathroom fitting service

Plumbing 路 Tiling 路 Electrics Plastering 路 Carpentry 路 Decorating We can supply and fit all sanitaryware or fit only.

Tel: Aven on 07973 489527 Email: avenmansfield@btinternet.com Web: mansfieldbathrooms.wixsite.com/home

VAT Registered Specialist in Hotpoint, Indesit, Ariston, Creda and Whirlpool appliances.

Contact RONNIE Tel: 01438 720 304 Mobile: 07396 579717

Email: rohintoncooper@hotmail.com

Visit our beautiful

Bathroom Showroom ...With more than 50 displays of bathrooms, furniture & fittings Free in-house 3D design service Quality products from leading manufacturers Experienced staff offering impartial advice Free delivery within a 20 mile radius of our showroom

01438 725309

bathrooms@stevenageplumbing.co.uk www.stevenageplumbing.co.uk

Caxton House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2XS 40

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October’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Martin Cooper - Biggleswade Easy

Hard

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.

01438 211302 info@eastanglianloftladders.co.uk eastanglianloftladders.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Call now for a free, no obligation quotation 41

The Villager Prize Crossword

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

16th November 2020 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Ten years (6) 4 Pictures (6) 9 Level high land (7) 10 Tag (5) 11 Poem (5) 12 Selections (7) 13 Demolition (11) 18 Pharmacist (7) 20 Perfect (5) 22 Spoils (5) 23 Against (7) 24 Scale (6) 25 Grown ups (6) Down 1 Leave (6) 2 Absurd (5) 3 Lowest (7) 5 Greeting (5) 6 Used for smoking (7) 7 Spatter (6) 8 Commas, colons. (11) 14 Dusk (7) 15 Stumbled (7) 16 Afraid (6) 17 Play equipment (6) 19 Edition (5) 21 Artists frame (5)

Name:

Address:

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

Tel:

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“Quality is not expensive, it’s priceless”

Extensions, Refurbishments, Loft and Garage Conversions, Landscaping and General Building Internal and external work with many local references View our testimonials at www.hertfordshirebuilders.co.uk

Loft Conversions

Extensions Open Plan Living

Garage Conversions

Garden Rooms & Landscaping

Refurbishments

Architect drawings and planning applications catered for Estimates and ideas FREE

www.hertfordshirebuilders.co.uk Call Richard on 07818 061505 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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ROGERSONS

REMOVALS

Premier Painters and Decorators

Man with Van

Removals • Clearances • Deliveries Pick-Ups • Items disposed of Flat pack assembly Anything Considered Friendly and reliable at a cost you can afford

Tel: 01462 627074 Mob: 07867 531368

Speak to Matt • No job too big or small

Premier Painters and Decorators are a professional, punctual and hard working company delivering outstanding quality of work to our clients in and around Stevenage From wallpaper hanging, feature walls, coving and cornice work. We even clean facias, soffits and guttering. (PVC or Wood) If you would like to take advantage of our services, require a quote or advise please do not hesitate to contact us. Be assured when Premier quote a job there are NO HIDDEN EXTRAS. Private and commercial, exterior and interior painting services.

For a free quotation please contact Gary on Tel: 01438 353793 Mob: 07733 227961 Email: info@premierpd.co.uk

www.premierpd.co.uk

GAS SAFE REGISTERED

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The Book Nook From historical fiction to dystopian literature plus new releases to older books that deserve more attention, there’s plenty to get your teeth stuck into this month.

The Midnight Library

By Matt Haig

Nora’s overdose doesn’t result in, as she’d hoped, nothingness.

Instead, she’s transported to the Midnight Library, where she gets the chance to try the other lives she could have led if she’d made different choices. As she faces her regrets (from not marrying to not becoming an Olympic swimmer), Nora discovers that the path not taken isn’t always the panacea she thinks it is.

A Room Made of Leaves

By Kate Grenville

A Room Made of Leaves is the fictionalised account of a real woman’s life – Elizabeth Macarthur. It’s set in the late eighteenth century. Women had few prospects beyond marriage, so when Elizabeth marries the cold, ambitious John Macarthur she has little choice but to follow him wherever he decides to go, even if that’s to the other side of the world to live in a new settlement in Australia. A must for historical fiction fans.

A Song for the Dark Times

By Ian Rankin

Rebus is back, but this time it’s personal: his son-in-law is missing. Rebus heads out to solve the mystery. His daughter seems to be the obvious main suspect, so which role will Rebus prioritise – detective or father? Meanwhile, back in Edinburgh, DI Siobhan Clarke is on her own case, that of the murder of a wealthy Saudi student. These two very different cases may turn out to be part of the same tangled web. A Song for the Dark Times is a gripping crime thriller with plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages.

By Kate Duggan To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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WINDOW REPAIRS

Serving all of Herts - Based in Stevenage Specialising in replacing misted units

BEFORE AFTER email: info@jmlwindows.co.uk website: www.jmlwindows.co.uk 07977 911 926 / 01438 906300 • Misted/broken double glazed units • Sticking doors or windows adjusted • Broken/loose handles • Leaded or Georgian units replaced • Hinges for gapping windows • Leaks fixed • All types of locks replaced • Energy saving Planitherm glass • Cat/dog flaps in glass or panels • Door re-alignments Visit our website for over 30 customer reviews 46

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VILLAGER The

and Town

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