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VILLAGER The

April 2018

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Win tickets to

Harpenden Blues Liberate your

Wardrobe

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in the Stevenage Area every month

ur Yo EE FRco1 py

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Inside this issue...

Listening Volunteers from Samaritans...........................22 Plant a Butterfly Garden.................................................26 Animal Queries...............................................................29 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.........................................31 Puzzle Page....................................................................36 What’s On.......................................................................38 Prize Crossword..............................................................42 Book Review..................................................................44

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Plant a Butterfly Garden

Win Tickets to Classic Ibiza

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A Memorial to Post...........................................................4 Casanova: World’s First Museum & Experience.................8 Win Tickets to Classic Ibiza with Ministry of Sound.........10 Win Tickets to Harpenden Blues Festival........................12 2018 A Centenary Celebration - The WI..........................14 Schoolreaders Launches Book Club Quiz Challenge........17 Liberate Your Wardrobe..................................................18 Helping Save Lives One Cake at a Time...........................21

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, Trevor Langley, Suzanne Roynon, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA, Nick Coffer and Kate Duggan Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 • nigel@villagermag.com Photography Elnur Amikishiyev 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

A Memorial

By Catherine Rose

to Post

In the era of email and smartphones, many believe the art of letter writing is declining. So, what of the history of our postal system, once the only way people could communicate across long distances?

During medieval times, letters were usually handwritten on velum and sealed with wax (there were no envelopes in those days), after which they were sent via messenger on horseback, or even by trained hawk or carrier pigeon.

In 1507, Cardinal Wolsey decided to make post more official and appointed a Master of the Posts (later to become the Postmaster General). His job was to manage a postmaster in each major town who would keep a team of horses and post boys – often a hazardous task for these riders thanks to highway robbers.

In 1635, the Royal Mail was founded and the first official post or ‘letter’ offices were set up. By 1660 letters were being inked to show the date they were mailed using a hand-held stamp, also known as a ‘Bishop stamp’ after its inventor, Henry Bishop.

The cost of postage wasn’t rationalised, however.

There was corruption and widely varying charges applied to different areas and routes, for example over bridges with tolls. As it was the recipient who had to pay, post was often refused on the grounds of cost, resulting in losses and an inefficient system.

In 1837, polymath Sir Rowland Hill wrote a pamphlet – Post Office Reform, its Importance and Practicability – which outlined suggestions to revolutionise the postal system.

At that time there was a postal charge for distance and an additional one for each sheet of paper sent which resulted in many people writing ‘between the lines’, i.e. turning the paper around 180 degrees and writing the second page in the spaces between the lines of the first. (There is a wonderful example of this in a letter on display at Jane Austen’s House Museum in Alton, Hampshire.)

Hill made a case for abolishing the existing complicated and expensive postal tariffs. He

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suggested introducing a penny post across the board for standard letters of an ounce or less, paid for by the sender, with higher rates of postage for packets and parcels dependent on weight.

This idea proved popular with the public and together with the Postmaster General Lord Lichfield, they came up with the idea of using a small label “covered at the back with a glutinous wash” that could be stuck to an envelope to show that the sender had paid the required postage.

Named after the original hand stamp method used for postmarking, the postage stamp was born. However, it was perhaps not as novel as it is claimed for similar pieces of paper, attached to documents using lead staples, had already been in use to denote paid taxes for several hundred years.

It was decided to place the postage stamp in the top right-hand corner of the envelope to speed up postmarking (also known as cancellation), because postal workers would be using their right hand.

In 1839, Hill ran a competition to design the first postage stamp with a prize of £200. There were nearly 3,000 entries. In the end, it was R. A. William Wyon’s depiction of a young Queen Victoria’s profile that was chosen, based on a bust he had modelled of her when she was just fifteen and which was subsequently used for a commemorative medal on her first visit to London as Queen. Another artist, Henry Corbould, drew the head and embellished the background. The whole design was then line engraved for printing.

The Penny Black was officially launched in May 1840, followed two days later by the Tuppeny Blue.

More than 70 million letters were sent annually over the next two years, a figure that had more

than quadrupled by 1850. Along with the demand for post came the production of folded envelopes.

The initial stamps were printed onto sheets of paper and then manually cut using scissors.

Perforated sheets to facilitate tearing were introduced in 1854 after Henry Archer invented a perforating machine. The Penny Red was the first to appear with the characteristic edge we now associate with stamps.

Other countries soon followed suit with their own postage, but the UK remained the only country that did not geographically identify itself on its stamps, the reigning monarch’s head being deemed sufficient.

The explosion in letter sending necessitated another invention – the post box. Surprisingly, it was the Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope who introduced the iconic pillar box in 1853.

Initially, it was designed in green to blend with the surroundings, but it soon became clear that people needed to be able to spot it and green was replaced with the now familiar and famous ‘pillar box red’.

Postcodes were phased in between 1959 and 1974 to help with the sorting and delivery of letters. It is interesting to note that when looking back prior to Hill’s founding of our modern postal system, rural addresses often only consisted of a number and the name of the village – fine for a messenger on horseback searching through a handful of houses.

Today, we can sit at our laptops and send a message in the blink of an eye. And with companies increasingly going ‘paperless’, who knows what the future will be for our postal system?

By Catherine Rose

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Food and Drink

Casanova: World’s First Museum & Experience Italy is known for producing numerous products of high-quality. Italian designer fashions and cars are very much recognised and sought-after, globally. Many visitors return regularly to Italy, for the enjoyment of beautiful landscapes and coastal areas, plus explorations of Italy’s history and cultural heritage. There are many more attractions and qualities the country has to offer, including very impressive glassware, porcelain, lace and furniture, plus wonderful cuisine and wines, for example.

Giacomo Casanova lived during the 18th century. Born 2nd April 1725, in Venice, he lived for 73 years.

During his life, the legendary Giacomo Casanova was an adventurer, poet, musician, writer and spy, amongst his many attributes, as well as being renowned for his encounters with females. Entering the University of Padua, at twelve years of age, Casanova graduated at age seventeen with a degree in law and constantly searched to satisfy his desires for love and lust.

During the early part of the 21st century Carlo Parodi envisaged the creation of a Museum & Experience, to offer everyone the opportunity to learn and discover about the life of Giacomo Casanova. Carlo Parodi, founder of Giacomo Casanova Limited and the Giacomo Casanova Foundation works tirelessly, along with professionals, that include university professors, plus many other knowledgeable and skilled personnel and has created the Museum & Experience, for all to enjoy. The first Giacomo Casanova Museum is located in Venice. As well as the very interesting memorabilia, which includes paintings and artefacts from Casanova’s life and times, modern technology and multimedia inclusions allow visitors, of all ages, to engage in - and discover – the world of this charismatic man. The romances of Giacomo Casanova, plus the styles and ways of life, of that era, hold much interest and fascination, evoking and satisfying curiosity and intrigue.

From Mr Carlo Parodi: “I’ve decided to offer a tribute to Casanova, a man of love, poetry, music and adventure, giving evidence of the educated, cultivated, learned and refined gentleman - Giacomo Casanova.”

Other Giacomo Casanova Museum & Experience venues, permanent and temporary, are planned to be located in several cities, including Prague, Saint Petersburg, London, Paris, New York, Tokyo and Beijing. Standard and VIP tickets are available, plus many very memorable additional features, including Romantic Days (and Nights) Packages – Perhaps surprise someone special? For all information and more details, https://igg.me/at/casanovaexperience/x Facebook, Instagram and YouTube: @giacomocasanovafoundation

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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In association with

Win 2 tickets to Classic Ibiza

with Ministry of Sound at Hatfield House Classic Ibiza with Ministry of Sound is returning to Hertfordshire on 1 September. The concert sees the Urban Soul Orchestra (USO), DJ Goldierocks and a host of live vocalists perform some of dance music’s most iconic tracks in the delightful grounds of Hatfield House. Here’s what to expect: 1. Dance music A-listers: USO have performed with a veritable who’s-who of dance music, including Nightmares On Wax, Groove Armada and Robert Miles.

2. Superstar DJ: Goldierocks has performed exclusively for Kate Moss, Madonna, The Rolling Stones, Giorgio Armani and the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.

3. Get set to select: The set-list includes some of the biggest dance-tracks dating back to the 90s. At Easter you can vote for your favourite track to be added to the set on Classic Ibiza’s Facebook page (@ClassicIbiza).

4. Family friendly: Classic Ibiza is a concert for all

the family, so whether you’re six or 60 you are assured of having a fantastic evening.

5. Food for thought: You can bring your own picnic and refreshments or take advantage of the local street-food vendors and bars on site.

6. A night of two halves: Classic Ibiza starts with a chill-out set, where you can relax over a glass of bubbly, or dance along as the sun fades.

The music gets ramped up in the second half and you’ll be transported to a magical, alfresco celebration, with accompanying lasers.

Visit: www.classicibiza.co.uk or call 01630 674342.

Tickets: Adults: £39.50, Children (5 –16): £17.50, Under 5’s: free, Car-parking: free.

Simply send or email your entry by 16th April 2018 to: Classic Ibiza Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. Email: nigel@villagermag.com The winner will be drawn randomly.



CLASSIC IBIZA TICKET COMPETITION ENTRY

To win 2 free tickets to Classic Ibiza answer the question below and email or post your response by 16th April 2018.

Classic Ibiza sees the Urban Soul Orchestra, DJ Goldierocks and a host of live vocalists perform which kind of music?

A: France music  B: Prance music  C: Dance music  Name: Address: Tel: Email: 10

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advertorial

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Win 2 tickets to

Harpenden Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival “Bringing great sounds to Hertfordshire” Showcasing the quality of live music in the UK; with The Pretty Things headlining and five other very different but striking bands in the line-up, this will undoubtedly be another a great festival and an occasion not to miss!

No need to worry about searching for food and drinks on the day either, there will be a range of alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages, real ales available and a varied menu that should meet everyone’s taste!

Through their entire career, The Pretty Things have written, performed, and created informed, intelligent, groundbreaking, and original music, enabled by powerful, melodic writing that has kept this incredible band alive for nearly half a century. Sadly, this iconic British band is calling it a day this year and after an incredible career spanning 55 years, they intend to go out with a bang exactly the same way they came in!

So don’t miss this opportunity to experience The Pretty Things live one last time and get your tickets now at only £25, by calling 01472 349 222 or online at www.solidentertainments.com/blues/harpenden/ tickets.html.

Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 1PD

HARPENDEN BLUES FESTIVAL COMPETITION ENTRY To win 2 free tickets to The Harpenden Blues Festival simply answer the question below and send your entry by 16th April 2018 to the address above. Name The Pretty Things first three singles that appeared in the UK Singles Chart in 1964 and 1965?



Simply send or email your entry by 16th April 2018 to: Harpenden Blues Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. The winner will be drawn randomly from the correct entries.

Name: Tel: Address: 12

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Women’s Institute

May Parker Federation Trustee

2018 A Centenary Celebration

By Catherine Rose

Many early leaders of the WI were active in the women’s suffrage movement and to them an important part of the new organisation was to encourage the fuller participation of women in public life. WI’s were considered the rural counterpart of the banding together of women in the urban areas for the common fight for freedom and independence of both thought and action.

Suffragist groups existed all over the country and under many different names, their aim being to achieve the right for women to vote through constitutional and peaceful means. As early as 1832, a Suffragist named Mary Smith presented the first women’s suffrage petition to Parliament.

As we know, nothing came of that petition or many others which followed, and the blatant lack of consideration to the women’s formal requests for suffrage caused women to believe more pressure was needed to validate their cause, culminating in the Women’s Social & Political Union (WSPU) being formed in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and two of her daughters. However, when WW1 broke out in 1914 she encouraged Suffragettes to help with the war effort so, for a while, their campaigns ceased, but success followed when, in 1918, the Representation of People Act gave (some) women the right to vote.

The WI movement was closely linked with the campaign for suffrage, and many of the early members were some of the most resolute women in the country, realising that women working together could effect change. One of those women, WI member Margaret Winteringham, was elected Member of Parliament for Louth in 1921, and she was both the first English born female MP and only the second woman to take up her seat. She worked with the WI on some of its earliest campaigns in raising the age of consent from 13, and ensuring fathers supported their children born out of marriage. The achievement of the women’s movement has seen maternity leave rights, equal pay, and domestic violence legislation.

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At the end of the First World War, in 1918, there were 700 WIs and by the end of 1919 there were 1,405. Today the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) is the largest women’s organisation in the UK with around 212,000 members in more than 6,000 WI’s across England, Wales and the Islands.

2018 also marks the centenary of the first WI opening in what is now the Huntingdon & Peterborough Federation of WIs, the Federation setting an amazing array of very interesting and exciting events for its members throughout this celebratory year.

The Federation consists of a Board of Trustees overseeing all of its WI’s within the Huntingdon & Peterborough area, having WI advisers, health & safety, data protection, finance and property officers, with sub-committees relating to public affairs, creative crafts and cookery, events and leisure and membership. We also have a Denman ambassador - Denman being the WI’s centre for learning for women (and for men), members and non-members, with residential courses including accommodation, set in the picturesque village of Marcham near Oxford.

In this year of celebration let us not forget that many rights and privileges we take for granted were fought for through campaigns and petitions by pioneering women of the past.

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Local News Schoolreaders Launches Book Club Quiz Challenge on World Book Day – 1st March 2018 Schoolreaders, the charity aiming to improve literacy amongst primary school children in the UK, is launching the Schoolreaders Book Club Quiz Challenge on the 1st March 2018 to coincide with World Book Day. The Challenge runs until May 24th. Book Clubs across the UK are invited to sign up to the challenge and enjoy a quiz at one of their meetings plus raise important funds for Schoolreaders, which matches and provides volunteers to listen to children read in primary schools.

Upon registering for the challenge, Book Club members are sent a pack of materials to host a fun literary-based quiz evening at one of their Book Club meetings. Completed quiz forms can be returned to Schoolreaders and the correct entrants will be entered into a draw to win either a case of Prosecco or book tokens for each member.

Jane Whitbread, Founder of Schoolreaders, comments: “One in four children are leaving

primary school not being able to read to the required standard and this can put limitations on their life chances. On average, it costs Schoolreaders just £15 to provide a child with a weekly one-to-one reading session with a volunteer for a whole academic year, a small sum for a major benefit for each child. We hope that we can encourage lots of Book Clubs to sign up to this fun challenge and join us in reaching more children, helping improve their literacy and increasing their life opportunities.”

To register your club for the Schoolreaders Book Club Challenge, please visit www.schoolreaders. org, and you will then be sent the quiz pack along with advice on how to make the most of the challenge.

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Life Coaching

By Suzanne Roynond

Liberate your wardrobe Wardrobes can be scary places!

They hide clothes you never wear, sale bargains which were unflattering when you got them home and clothes you kept in case you lost weight but in the meantime went out of fashion.

These clothes clutter your space and energy. If your wardrobe is crammed then often the clothes you wear regularly end up thrown over a door or stacked on a chair.

They get crumpled and spoiled.

When you learn to manage clutter, taking care of your clothes and getting dressed in the morning will be significantly easier.

So grab a coffee or glass of wine and head for the bedroom. Put all your clothes on the bed and survey them with a critical eye.

Anything you adore and wear regularly goes straight back into your wardrobe provided it doesn’t need repairing. (Put it to one side and fix it!) ‘Occasion outfits’, evening dresses or tuxedos get to go back for another year provided you love them and they still fit.

If you work on the principle that

you wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time you now have a significant pile of clothes you don’t wear – perhaps they are the wrong size, remind you of sad times, missing buttons or are tatty.

There will also be items you had forgotten you own.

Anything you are never going to wear again goes straight into a recycling bag.

For clothes you aren’t sure about, try each item on – how does it feel? If it’s unflattering, too large, too small, triggers unhappy thoughts or is damaged, ditch it straightaway.

Note: It’s never a good idea to hang onto something in case you drop a dress size. If you lose weight you deserve to celebrate with new clothes. Don’t give these unworthy outfits a second more of your time – they have no place in your life.

On the other hand, if you try on the item and it feels amazing, put it in the wardrobe and make a point of showing it off at the first opportunity.

Follow the same principles with t-shirts, gym gear, underwear, socks, out of season clothes, handbags, make up, jewellery, scarves and coats. Anything baggy, saggy, discoloured, missing a mate, broken or moth-eaten won’t do your appearance or your self esteem any favours – say goodbye to it now. Oh, and that swimsuit – you know the one with the dodgy elastic? Out! Making space in your wardrobe is incredibly liberating. You make better use of the clothes you love to wear and save valuable time and effort every day.

Most people choose to bag their clothes and take them straight to the charity shop. The sooner clutter of any kind is out of your house, the better you will feel. If however you have the time and inclination to Ebay your stuff or it’s suitable for a dress exchange then go for it and enjoy the new space you have created in your life.

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Local News

Helping to save lives… ...one cake at a time Are you a star baker, precise with icing, or just love an excuse for a get together? Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) are looking for people like you.

The Charity is asking its supporters, and cake lovers, to host their own A Very British Afternoon Tea throughout June.

Whether you’re looking to host Afternoon Tea in your back garden, or entice the office with a cake showdown, the Charity’s free fundraising pack has tips and recipes for you! Within your pack you will find some fun activities including a tea-tasting competition, your own Great Bake, fun games and how to create your own Crew using gingerbread men.

This year’s campaign features a former airlifted patient of the Charity, Kate Oliver. Eight years after a road traffic collision, which left her in a coma with life changing injuries, Kate has made a good recovery and

now runs a successful tearoom. She shared her story and some of her top baking tips for the Charity’s A Very British Afternoon Tea fundraising pack, and will be hosting her own tea party in June.

Maria Alexander, EHAAT’s Head of Fundraising, said: “We are appealing to individuals, community groups and businesses who love cake to gather their friends and colleagues, put on an apron, and get baking! Last year’s A Very British Afternoon Tea was an extraordinary success, and we hope that this year’s initiative will continue to raise much-needed funds for our life-saving service.”

A Very British Afternoon Tea is sponsored by Berryworld.

For more information and to receive your free fundraising pack you can visit www.ehaat.org, call the Fundraising Team on 0345 5040 055 or email afternoontea@ehaat.org

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Local News Listening Volunteers from Samaritans of North Herts and Stevenage answered over 28,000 calls last year and need your help to do more Samaritans of North Herts and Stevenage are proud to have a brilliant team of volunteers who help keep the branch open and answer the phones to anyone who needs to talk. Talking doesn’t have to just be done over the phone; our volunteers also respond to emails and SMS messages that can be sent in anonymously to Samaritans.

In 2017 alone, our volunteers: • Answered 28,246 calls • Spent 5,991 hours on the phone listening to callers • Replied to 1,876 emails • Responded to 4,300 texts Gill McLearnon, Director of Samaritans of North Herts and Stevenage said: “Our volunteers are all very different and come from different walks of life but all are valuable and I am very proud of the contribution that each and every volunteer makes in enabling us to be there to help those who need our service. Of course, we’re always looking for additional people to join us and help us to do more in 2018.”

The North Herts and Stevenage branch of Samaritans is one of more than 200 branches throughout the UK and is based in Hitchin.

Samaritans has over 20,000 volunteers who give their time to listen to people struggling to cope.

The vision of Samaritans is that fewer people die by suicide. Volunteers work to achieve this vision by making it their mission to alleviate emotional distress and reduce suicidal throughs and behaviours through the power of listening.

In order to maintain a round-the-clock service, we rely on our listening volunteers to answer calls, fundraising volunteers to help raise the c.£20,000 a year required for branch running costs, and our support volunteers to help with administration,

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publicity and IT tasks. Our brilliant team of outreach volunteers also give talks, attend events and get out into the community to spread the message that Samaritans are here to listen, any time, free from any phone.

If anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer with the local branch they can find out more about the different volunteering roles and how to apply: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritansnorth-herts-and-stevenage/volunteering-northherts-stevenage Upcoming information evenings will take place on Tuesday 20 February and Monday 19 March – call 01462 455333 or email north-herts.volunteering@samaritanseast.org.uk to register your interest.

For more information about the Samaritans of North Herts and Stevenage please contact Karys, Publicity Officer at nh.sams.karys@gmail.com

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hearing loss, both Peter and Joma have a unique insight into the problems faced by the patient, their family, friends and colleagues.

Because of our family history we fully understand and empathise with the hard of hearing and look after all of our patients like we do our own family.

T: 01438 517 306 or 07887 567 978 E: info@discreet-hearing.com 24

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That’s why we offer a range of super discreet, In-the-Ear solutions. Our custom made hearing aids are virtually invisible so no-one needs to see how well you hear.

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/DiscreetHearingLtd Like our page

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Garden View

Plant a

By Rachael Leverton

Butterfly Garden

Fascinating fact…Winston Churchill loved butterflies so much he had a garden designed specifically to attract them.

His family home was the beautiful Chartwell, but you really don’t need a grand estate to attract butterflies because they will happily flock to the tiniest plot if the planting is right.

When planting for butterflies we need to consider their life-cycle, and of course they start life as caterpillars.

Butterflies choose to lay their eggs where there is a good food supply for their hungry offspring. A patch of nettles in a sunny spot is all you need to attract the red admiral, the small tortoiseshell, the painted lady and the peacock.

If you want the common blue (though sadly these are not that common now) plant some birdsfoot trefoil, also known as lady’s fingers and properly named lotus corniculatus.

A packet of sweet rocket seeds (hesperis matronalis) is a good investment. One pack produces flowers in all shades of lilac. They have a sweet scent, which is more powerful in the evening, and as a bonus they attract the orange tip butterfly.

So, having satiated the caterpillars, we need to address the feeding requirements of the adult butterfly.

The most famous butterfly-attracting plant is

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probably Buddleia davidii, hence its other name, the butterfly bush. It grows well in most soils but needs to be pruned back hard every year so the flowers, and hence the butterflies, are kept at eye level.

Don’t worry too much if you know very little about pruning, Buddleias are hard to kill!

Sedum spectabile must be one of the easiest plants ever to grow and even thrives in my poor soil. Its dusky pink flowers are always smothered in butterflies and bees when they open in late summer.

Caryopteris clandonensis, or to use its more romantic name, blue mist spirea is also a wonderful butterfly magnet and very easy to grow.

You can now buy packets of wild flower seeds and butterfly mixes. Try some among your borders and you’ll be rewarded with fluttering, jewel-like visitors all summer.

Butterfly Essentials Sunshine - plant butterfly-attracting plants in the sunniest spots Shelter - the site needs to be out of the wind Roosting spots - Butterflies need somewhere to sleep. They prefer to be high so plant climbers like honeysuckles and clematis.

Nettles and wildflowers - if space is at a premium try growing them in pots. It works really well.

Happy Gardening

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Covering Herts, Beds & North London areas

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GARDEN CONSTRUCTION & FENCING Complete Patio Design • Landscaping • Decking Gazebos • Fencing & Gates Ponds • Turfing & Seeding Walls • Hedging • Driveways • Block Paving Rockeries • Gardening • Lawn Mowing • Tree Pruning

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Pets

Animal Queries Dear RSPCA vet, I have two gorgeous 6-month-old kittens – Stanley and Mabel. My husband says I should get them micro-chipped, but is it really necessary and will it hurt them?

Cath, Kempston Dear Cath, Your husband has given you excellent advice.

You’ll have discovered by now how adventurous cats can be! Even if your kittens wear a good quality safety collar and tag (which we suggest at all times, ideally with a bell to warn your local birdlife) these can get lost or removed.

Microchipping your kittens will give them the best chance of being identified and returned to you if they become lost or stolen. Heartbreakingly, thousands of pets are lost every year, and many are never reunited with their owners. Microchipping can change that.

A microchip will give both Stanley and Mabel their own unique code. They can then be scanned and matched to your contact details, which are kept on a database. Make sure you update these details every time you move.

Please don’t worry that this will hurt them. If you saw them being carried around by their mother, you’ll have noticed that each kitten has a loose fold of skin on the back of their neck. This is where your vet will inject a tiny microchip. Most animals

don’t even notice – it’s certainly no worse than an injection that we all expect human babies to have!

You obviously love your kittens. For the cost of a few take-away coffees, microchipping is a great investment and the best way of protecting them.

It’s also recommended for all other animals and birds.

The RSPCA run regular microchipping events – so keep an eye out for one in your area.

ANIMAL QUERIES is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk

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29

SHIRON

Domestic Appliances Repairs of

Washing Machines Tumble Dryers Dishwashers Electric Ovens Electric Cookers Microwaves Vacuum Cleaners and all domestic appliances.

VAT Registered.

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

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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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Three Counties Radio

TRADITIONAL HOME-MADE JERK CHICKEN One of my greatest pleasures on the Weekend Kitchen is how the food we feature directly reflects the wonderful diversity of the three counties we broadcast to. We can have British classics, great curries, Turkish and Middle Eastern treats, traditional pastas, fiery stir fries and much much more. Recently I welcomed Sacha Ojo on to the programme. She launched her catering company, Sacha’s Kitchen, in Bedford when it became clear that her friends’ love of her Jamaican cooking suggested she deserved a much wider audience. Jamaican food is all about warmth, generosity and family –three words which describe Sacha perfectly. Obviously she had to give us her Jerk Chicken recipe. Apparently there are more Jerk Chicken recipes than there are days in a lifetime – Sacha’s family recipe is absolutely wonderful.

Jerk sauce ingredients: 2 bunches spring onion, chopped 2 tbsp thyme 1 tsp fresh ginger, chopped 4-6 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tsp cinnamon powder 1 tbsp Pimento (Allspice) 1 tbsp coarse black pepper ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg 2 tbsp dark brown sugar 2 tbsp soy sauce 2-4 Scotch Bonnet chillis, chopped (adjust to taste) 6 tbsp water Chopped parsley to serve You can use whatever cuts of chicken you want – leg, thigh or even breast. Allow a couple of pieces per person.

This is plenty of marinade to serve four people.

It goes without saying that you can also cook this chicken on the barbecue!

1. Place all the sauce ingredients into a food processor and blend until you get a smooth consistency.

2. Adjust for taste and heat, by using more or less chilli.

3. Wash the chicken pieces (skin on), in water mixed with a really good squirt of lemon.

4. Slash small slits onto the chicken. Massage all the marinade into the chicken and leave in the fridge overnight.

5. Place in a tray and cover with foil. Bake at 160C/ Gas Mark 3 for 30 minutes then remove the foil, turn the oven up to 200C/ Gas Mark 5 and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and a lovely deep colour.

6. Scatter with the chopped parsley and serve with chips, mash or rice.

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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Emergency Call Outs Full & Partial Rewires Electrical Safety Reports CCTV Installation Security Lights Garden Lighting

Tel: 07854 738740 Email: info@dotelectrical.co.uk Web: www.dotelectrical.co.uk Find us on Facebook - Dot Electrical Dot ElectricalJune 16.indd 1

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Premier Painters and Decorators

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

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12/03/2018 13:35 35

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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.

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GAS SAFE REGISTERED

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n O s ’ t Wha In April

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month.

What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 April Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-11pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Branch Out meets every Monday night and is a medium-sized Social Club for single people. It was formed in 1995 to bring together single, divorced, widowed and separated people, aged 40 upwards, from the Herts, Beds and Bucks area, to socialise and enjoy one another’s company. The club organises regular events, such as dinners, discos, meals, parties, Sunday walks, theatre and concert visits, day and weekend trips and holidays.

Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk 3, 10, 17 & 24 April Stevenage Bridge Club 7.30pm Priory Nursery, Stanmore Road, Stevenage To play Duplicate Bridge. A host system is run to find partners, if required.

Tel: Phil Cooper 07957 813434 4 April Stevenage Family History Society 7.15pm for 7.30pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage Visitors £3 inc. refreshments A talk by Meryl Catty titled ‘Masters of the Seas’ about the life and career of a 19th century Merchant Seaman.

Web: stevenagefhs.site88.net 4 April North Herts Association of the National Trust 7.30pm Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Non-members £2 on the door Talk on ‘Roads Were Not Built for Cars’ by Clifton Hughes. Non-members welcome. Membership of the National Trust not necessary. Tea and coffee served during the evening. Second-hand books and homemade preserves are on sale at every meeting.Tel: Colin Cropley 01462 713391 Email: colinecropley@gmail.com 4, 11, 18 & 25 April Baby Rhyme Time 10.30-11am Baldock Library Free event 4, 11, 18 & 25 April Toddler Tales 2.15-2.45pm Letchworth Library Free event

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4, 11, 18 & 25 April Vivace Choir 7.30-9.30pm Edgeworth House, 121 High Street, Arlesey We are looking for keen singers to join our fun and friendly choir. Find out more about the choir and its concerts online.

Web: www.vivacechoir.co.uk 5 April Arts Society North Hertfordshire Lecture 11am or 2pm Spirella Ballroom, Bridge Road Letchworth £7 - pay on the door The Arts Society North Hertfordshire presents a lecture by Caroline Rayman on ‘Three Great Families and their gardens’ - a talk on the gardens of the Astors, The Sackville-Wests and the Rothschilds. Visitors welcome. Free parking.

Email: theartssociety.nh@gmail.com 5, 12, 19 & 26 April Roundabouters Country Dance Club 8-10pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage £3 per week inc. refreshments, Annual subscription £5 Friendly club for English country dancing. We welcome new members, both beginners and experienced. All dances walked through; club and guest callers ensure a varied programme.

First week free. Tel. 01438 727239 Web: www.roundabouters.org.uk 5, 12, 19 & 26 April Sapphire Social Club 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin We are a small and friendly group for single people generally aged 50 and above. We offer a variety of social events during the month and the opportunity to meet and make new friends.

Potential new members are warmly welcome to come along and meet us with no joining fee for the first two months.

Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 or Ian 07900 890583 Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 6 April Hitchin & Letchworth RSPB 7.30pm The Settlement, Letchworth, SG6 4UB Mark Thomas talks about ‘Life of a Bird Detective’. What is it like to investigate crimes against wild birds? What goes on behind the scenes? How do you catch the killers? All will be revealed!

6, 13, 20 & 27 April Springfield House Friday Bridge Club 1.30pm Old Stevenage Community Centre To play cut-in Chicago Bridge. Play is informal and friendly. Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517 7 April The Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pm The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open to the public. Entry is free but official photo ID such as a driving licence, passport or over 60s Bus Pass is required to get an entry ticket from the Guardroom. www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 8 April Radwell Spring Open Day 2-4.30pm Radwell Mill Come along to see the grounds of Radwell mill open to the public including the petting farm, duck race, hot and cold food, craft stalls, raffle, fire engine, tractor rides, Morris Men performing and lots more to see and do. Well-behaved dogs welcome. Parking on site.

Tel: Linda 01462 835428 for craft stall enquiries 9 April Icknield Quilters 7.30pm for 7.45pm start Baldock Community Centre Visitors £4. Speaker will be Julia Gahagan who is giving a talk on miniature quilts. Visitors welcome. Web: www.icknieldquilters.co.uk 9, 16, 23 & 30 April Staplers Country Dance Club 8-10pm St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin Staplers is your local social folk dance club. It’s easy to start as all the dances are walked through first then called and you don’t need to bring a partner, lots of people go on their own. It is a friendly group and you will be made very welcome. Car parking available next to the hall.

Tel. 01462 895567 or 01462 624144 Web: www.staplers.org.uk 10 April Zoolab 2pm Baldock Library £2 per person An action-packed adventure meeting tree frogs, snakes and tarantulas!! Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Tel: Baldock Library phone 01707 281533 for tickets Web: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/litfest

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n O s ’ t Wha In April

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

11 April Henlow Branch R N A 7.30pm Community Centre, The Gardens, Henlow The Henlow Branch of The Royal Naval Association meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Tel: Jack Stafford 01462 850618 12 April Stevenage Floral Art Society ‘Spring Workshop’ Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start High Street Methodist Church Hall, Stevenage Old Town Visitors £7. An evening for you to make your own arrangement. Entry fee includes refreshments and tuition. Beginners very welcome. Tel: Margaret 01438 880086 to book & find out what you need to bring 12 April Baldock & Clothall WI 7.30pm United Reformed Church, Whitehorse Street, Baldock Visitors £3 including refreshment and raffle ticket Facebook: www.facebook.com/ baldockclothallwi 12 April Stevenage Floral Art Society 7.45pm High Street Methodist Hall Visitors very welcome.

15 April Stevenage RSPB Trip 7.55am Titchfield Haven A coach trip with the Hitchin and Letchworth Group to this NNR on the Solent. Reserve admission £4.25, Concessions £4. Meet at the rear of Waitrose store on Primett Road at 7.55 am. Please call Paul Collis to book and confirm cost. Tel: Paul Collis 01438 861547 15 April Biggleswade Antiques Fair 9.30am-4pm The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Entrance £1.50 This antiques fair offers a diverse range of antiques and collectables so whether you are a professional dealer, an avid collector or just looking for something special, this monthly fair is the place to visit. Café serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346 Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk

17 April Stevenage RSPB 7.30pm Friends’ Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage Members £3, Non-members £4, Under 16s 50p Jonathan Forgham will present a talk entitled ‘A Walk to Hel, on a peninsular in Poland!’. There will be a Plant and Flower Bring-and-Buy stall.

19 April Letchworth District Gardeners Association 7.45pm Talk by Robert Brett on ‘Developments at Hyde Hall’. Web: www.ldga.org.uk 19 & 26 April Moo Music Sandy, Biggleswade & Shefford 10-10.40am Shefford Baptist Church Moosical fun for your little one! Music & movement classes for 0-5 year olds in Sandy & Sutton. New sessions in Shefford! Come and join in the fun with your little moover.

Email: Heather sandymoo@moo-music.co.uk Web: www.moo-music.co.uk/sbs Facebook: www.facebook.com/moomusicsandy 19 & 26 April Baldock Community Orchestra 7.15pm Knights Templar School (Room CS1), Baldock £7 per week or 10 week term £50 A friendly group of musicians... Come and give us a try, first session free!

Tel: Rachel Dawson 07818 480332 20-28 April Spring Exhibition 2018 Daily 10am-4.45pm Community Museum Gallery, The Arcade, Letchworth Free admission 21 April Langford Garage Sale Trail 10am-1pm £5. Raising funds for TRACKS Autism, 1st Langford Brownies and 1st Langford Cubs. Have a table top sale at your home and support our local good causes. Households taking part will be listed on a map which will be made available on the day at key points around the village. Any proceeds from the stall are yours to keep. Please come along to Langford and bag a bargain in our village wide Garage Sale.

Tel: 07905 667427 Email: jo.smith@langfordscouts.org.uk to book your stall

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21 April Weston Music Society Spring Season 7.30pm Weston Church Tickets £15 inc. programme and interval drink, Under 19s free. Gary Ryan (classical guitar). A Fellow of the Royal College of Music, Gary is well known to all guitar enthusiasts both as player and composer and as examiner and competition adjudicator. Tickets can be reserved by telephone or email. Tel: 01462 790573 Email: felicitylowe@yahoo.co.uk Web: www.westonmusicsociety.org.uk 22 April A day in the woods Bottoms Corner Wood, Gravenhurst £65 inc. course fee, all materials, tea, coffee, fruit and cake. Make a willow obelisk plant support.

Learn how to create something beautiful for your climbing plants. Booking essential.

Tel: Wassledine 01462 711815 Web: www.wassledine.co.uk/a day in the woods/ courses and events 22 April Willian Bowls Club Open Day 11am-4pm Norton Common, Lower Bowls Green, Letchworth New Bowlers welcome, free tuition plus tea and cake! All equipment provided.

Also any Tuesday at 2pm or Thursday at 6pm. (24 April onwards). Tel: David 01462 642790 Web: www.willianbowlsclub.org 28 April A day in the woods Bottoms Corner Wood, Gravenhurst £75 inc. course fee, all materials, tea, coffee, fruit and cake. Make a willow hurdle. Have a go an at ancient craft. Booking essential.

Tel: Wassledine 01462 711815 Web: www.wassledine.co.uk/a day in the woods/ courses and events 29 April A day in the woods Bottoms Corner Wood, Gravenhurst £70 inc. course fee, all materials, tea, coffee, fruit and cake. Make a willow ball. Create something decorative for your home or garden. Booking essential. Tel: Wassledine 01462 711815 Web: www.wassledine.co.uk/a day in the woods/ courses and events

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March’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mrs Maureen Ratcliffe from Huntingdon Winner of the Blockheads Competition Glen Axford from Biggleswade

Winner of the Twelfth Day Competition Roger Dilley from Henlow

Easy

Hard

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41

The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 7 Buff up (6) 8 Equality (6) 9 Throw (4) 10 Used by trains (8) 11 Tangled (7) 13 Dizzy (5) 15 Frighten (5) 17 Laughed (7) 20 Fuel (8) 21 Applaud (4) 22 Light wind (6) 23 Hug (6)

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



16th April 2018 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Down 1 Pillar (6) 2 Cash register (4) 3 Agitated (7) 4 Ruin (5) 5 Fighting (8) 6 Remained (6) 12 Revenue (8) 14 Without sound (7) 16 Seats (6) 18 Authorise (6) 19 Repaired (5) 21 Surrender (4)

Name: Tel: Address:

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C

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CHASEHOUSE DEVELOPMENTS LTD All aspects of general building and landscaping undertaken.

Driveways | Patios | Fencing Garden walls | Block paving Turf | Artificial grass | Decking Please contact Dan for more information and for a free estimate Chasehousedevelopments@outlook.com

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43

Books

Book Review

By Kate Duggan Be Happy With a Book Whether you love curling up with a psychological thriller or prefer biographies, enjoy flicking through a cookbook or need business advice, we’ve got just the book to keep you and your e-reader happy.

Premier

Property Maintenance Premier Property Maintenance is a multiple trade company operating in and around Hertfordshire and north London.

We are a well organized management team with a professional approach to Client Liaison, Supervision and Health and Safety.

We operate with a versatile in-house work force with various specialist trades, which results in our ability to provide our Client’s with an ‘all-trades’ service.

We pride ourselves on delivering a competitive quality service to new and existing Clients.

Premier Property Maintenance offers a comprehensive range of services including;

Anything You Do Say

by Gillian McAllister

A split second decision has lasting implications for the protagonist in this tense psychological thriller. Late at night, believing that she’s being followed, Joanna lashes out, pushing her pursuer down a set of concrete steps. Does she call an ambulance, or walk away? Both scenarios are then explored.

Ingenious, original and fast-paced, this is perfect for fans of Gone Girl and Girl on a Train.

 Fully managed bathroom and kitchen installation  Electrical and plumbing certificates for landlords  All aspects of electrical work covered by NIC installers  Plumbing and heating engineer  All aspects of carpentry work covered  Wall and floor tiling  Plastering and cornice work

 Painting and decorating including wallpaper  Roofing - slate and tiled  Brickwork  Laying of laminate and wooden flooring  Conservatory project manage and installation  Fully project managed garden landscaping  Window and conservatory cleaning

www.premierpm.co.uk info@premierpm.co.uk 01438 353793 / 07531 229067

The Paying Guests

by Sarah Waters

It’s 1922, but the roaring twenties have yet to reach the quiet corner of London where Frances and her mother live.

Frances has resigned herself to a life spent looking after the family home, but the arrival of lodgers Lilian and Leonard Barber reawakens her life, energy and passions. Paying Guests was published in 2014 and was named ‘Fiction Book of the Year’ by The Sunday Times, for good reason. A modern classic, it’s beautifully written, with believably flawed characters, plot twists and a building tension that’ll keep you reading ‘just one more chapter’ until late into the night.

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Electrician

www.hertsandbedselectrical.co.uk

Do you find it difficult to get someone to come and do a small job?

Fault finding/repairs Extra lights and sockets New fuse boards Rewires P.A.T testing Landlord inspections Qualified electrician  Fully insured Reliable service  Tidy work Free quote  Satisfaction guaranteed

Call Nigel on: 01438 553083 / 07941295883

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45

Stevenage airport taxiS

I D Decorating Painting & Decorating Services

Stevenage Airport Taxis offer the most reliable and professional airport transfer service in and around the Stevenage area. We have several licensed vehicles that can cater for up to 8 passengers. We also provide a transport service for weddings, long distance journeys and any occasion day or night leisure trips.

Please visit our website for any bookings or quotations

www.stevenageairporttaxis.co.uk or call

01438 420420 Online Bookings • Credit Cards Accepted

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

n i t l h F e o J Plasterersam

Female Plasterer specialising in: Plastering, Plasterboarding, Making Good and Painting

A FRIENDLY FAMILY FIRM. FREE QUOTATIONS

Tel. 07951 362335 / 07836 768670 Email: joeflinthamplasterers@googlemail.com

46

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

VILLAGER

VILLAGER The

The

and Town

April 2018

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Win tickets to

Harpenden Blues Liberate your

Life

Wardrobe Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in the Stevenage Area every month

ur Yo EE FRco1 py

Bringing Local Business to Local People

Your local full colour A5 monthly magazine delivered free of charge to 1000s of homes and businesses in your local area. The Villager and Town Life is dedicated to promoting local businesses, charities, community groups and everything else in your local area.

For more information or to reserve your space please contact Nigel on:

Tel: 01767 261122

Email: nigel@villagermag.com Web: www.villagermag.com

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS  Alcoholics Anonymous........................0845 769 7555 Anglian Water......................................08457 145 145 Bedford Hospital...................................01234 355122 Lister Hospital.......................................01438 314333 Benefits for people with Disabilities.....0800 882 200 Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue..............01438 729041 Carers Line............................................0808 808 7777 ChildLine.....................................................0800 1111

Citizens Advice.....................................0844 245 1290 Crimestoppers........................................0800 555 111 Cruse Bereavement Care......................0333 252 9152 Floodline..............................................0845 988 1188 Frank—Drug Advisory..........................0800 776 600 National Debt Line...............................0808 808 4000 Gas Emergency......................................0800 111 999 NHS Direct...................................................0845 4647

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

National Rail Enquiries........................03457 48 49 50 Non Emergency Police Line................................... 101 NSPCC.................................................0808 800 50000 Relate.................................................... 0845 48 49 50 RSPCA Cruelty Line..............................0300 1234 999 Samaritans...................................................... 116 123 Tax Credit Helpline...............................0345 300 3900 Victim Support...................................... 845 30 30 900

47

Utility Room

Kitchen | Bedroom | Home Study For all your design, supply and installation needs Family run business Visit our showroom: Unit E, Gateway 1000, Whittle Way, Arlington Business Park, Stevenage SG1 2FP Monday to Friday 10.00am to 5.00pm, Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm

Tel: 01438 222929

www.kitchenergonomics.co.uk