Stevenage August 2021

VILLAGER The

August 2021

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

Camping with kids

Recalibrate

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Inside this issue...

Forest Holidays

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Own Homes - Gold Medal Winners...........................................31 A Long Hot Summer.................................................................32 Liquid Gold...............................................................................34 Wood Green: Pet Owners First Port of Call................................36 RSPCA - New Summer Campaign.............................................38 A Bit of Holiday Fun..................................................................41 Working in the Garden.............................................................42 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...................................................44 Techy Tips to Make Life Easier...................................................47 Puzzle Page..............................................................................48 Recalibrate Your Life.................................................................51 The History of the Land Rover Discovery...................................54 Villager Prize Crossword...........................................................58 Book Review............................................................................60 Useful Numbers.......................................................................63

A Long Hot Summer

Forest Holidays in North England and Scotland..........................4 Camping with Kids.....................................................................8 A Hobby a Day Keeps the Doldrums Away................................10 Five Reasons to Wear Sunspecs................................................13 Wines from Germany: Kloster Eberbach...................................15 Made in Japan - The Rise of Japanese Cuisine...........................17 In the Pink................................................................................18 The Best Tech for Healthy Living...............................................20 Make the Switch......................................................................23 What a Relief - Options for Aches and Pains.............................25 Dressing your Shape and Style.................................................27 Skin Saviours............................................................................28

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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: Kate Duggan, Louise Addison, Sarah Davey, Trevor Langley, Katherine Sorrell, Jennie Billings, Caroline Knight, Wood Green, RSPCA, Rachael Leverton, Nick Coffer, Tom Hancock and Kate McCarthy

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

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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Staycation

Glen Affric, Inverness, Scotland

Forests holidays in north

England and Scotland From the starry skies of Galloway Forest Park to the wildlife-rich woodland of Northumberland’s Kielder Forest, there’s no denying that some of our country’s most magical forests can be found in northern England and Scotland.

Forests are a vital part of our planet’s ecosystem, even giving us the oxygen we breathe. So it’s not surprising that they’re places we head to when we’re craving a sense of calm – somewhere to escape to and catch our breath.

There’s no better place to lose yourself in nature for a little while. Whether you’re into hiking, cycling, kayaking, or just drinking in the scenery, the forests in northern England and Scotland have it all. With so many to choose from, we’ve put together three of our favourites, perfect for your next day trip or staycation.

Galloway Forest, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland Where better to start than with the UK’s largest forest? At 297 square miles, Scotland’s Galloway Forest is a sprawling playground of dramatic ancient woodland, magnificent scenery and an astonishing range of local wildlife. Designated a Forest Park in 1947, it’s fondly referred to by the locals as ‘the Highlands of the Lowlands’.

Many of its 800,000 yearly visitors are drawn to

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its remoteness. Light pollution is so low here that it’s been recognised as a Dark Sky Park – meaning that its skies are on par with those hanging above Arizona’s Grand Canyon. In short, it’s perfect for stargazing.

After a night camping out under the stars, it’s time to explore. The park’s three visitor centres are good places to start. Kirroughtree is your gateway to more active adventures, including the award-winning 7stanes mountain bike trails. If wildlife spotting is more your scene, look out for roe deer and rare red squirrels. Or why not visit the park’s Red Deer Range to get close to some of Galloway’s resident deer?

Galloway isn’t just woodland either; there are around 250 lochs to discover too. No doubt you’ll stumble upon a few while you’re exploring the park’s scenic walking and cycling trails.

Kielder Forest, Northumberland, England When it comes to size, Northumberland’s Kielder Forest is also a front runner. Spanning 235 square miles, it’s the largest forest in England – and the second largest in the UK as a whole.

If that wasn’t enough, Kielder is also home to the biggest man-made lake in Northern Europe, making it a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts. Hire a pleasure boat, go fishing, or try your hand at

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water skiing or sailing. With miles of beautiful trails, including forest walks for all the family and adrenalineboosting mountain bike tracks, Kielder is perfect for anyone looking to have their own mini adventure.

The forest is a haven for wildlife too, with around 50% of England’s native red squirrels calling it home. If you’re quiet, you could also spot rare wildlife including ospreys, pipistrelle bats, roe deer, salmon otters and water voles.

Just like Galloway, Kielder is also famous for its dark skies. The forest’s remote location in Northumberland means it’s virtually unaffected by light pollution, making it a stargazer’s idea of heaven. Don’t miss a trip to Kielder Observatory, where you can book ahead to attend a number of fascinating astronomical events.

Glen Affric, Inverness, Scotland A medley of native woods, glittering lochs, snow-capped mountains and dramatic moorland, Scotland’s Glen Affric could easily have been plucked straight out of Canada.

With over 30 miles of ancient pinewoods, the forest is home to one of the largest ancient Caledonian pine woods in Scotland. In fact, the woodland is so treasured, it’s become part of the Scottish government’s regeneration project, with a target of 25% forest cover to reach by 2050.

Wander amongst the pine trees to the sound of woodland birds, looking out for ospreys, otters and

Galloway Forest, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland

red deer stags. Or tackle some of Affric’s challenging hiking trails, punctuated with thundering waterfalls and jagged canyons. This is Scotland at its most spectacular; you won’t be able to put your camera away.

Dog Falls are a must-see, and provide a good starting point for several walking trails. Climb the gradual ascent to the spectacular viewpoint overlooking Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin or picnic beneath the pine trees by Coire Loch.

What’s great about Glen Affric is that it’s also a mere hour’s drive from the famous Loch Ness. Surely it would be a crime not to tick off both in one trip?

Kielder Forest, Northumberland, England

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Parenting

Camping with kids

Top tips to making sleeping under the stars a whole lot more enjoyable…

By Kate Duggan Fly the flag - If, like me, you have the navigation skills of Nemo’s best friend Dory, you may find yourself getting lost occasionally. A telescopic flag pole and windsock is a useful marker, particularly if you’re planning to give the kids a bit more freedom.

To wee or not to wee - No one enjoys a 3am trek to the loo, so a portable toilet is your friend. A potty is fine for younger children, but you’ll need something a bit more substantial for older kids (and adults). If you have room, a bucket style loo is ideal. Otherwise, try a collapsible toilet. We recently bought the Bivvy Loo, which folds down small, supports up to 23 stone and comes with biodegradable bags and powder to transform liquid to gel.

Let there be light - You’ll need headtorches to find your way around after dark. A rechargeable camping lantern is also useful for evenings (and those 3am toilet breaks). And a string of solar fairy lights around your door will help you to identify your tent at night.

(They also look rather pretty.)

A decent night’s sleep - If you’re only planning to camp occasionally, air beds are usually fine. However, they do tend to deflate somewhat overnight and don’t exactly have the longest lifespan. While camping beds are more expensive, they can work out far better value in the long run. And you’re likely to get a much better night’s sleep.

Dress for the occasion - Even the hottest British summer’s day can turn cool at night. Close-fitting PJs (or leggings and a T-shirt) will help to keep the warmth in.

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Make sure you pack plenty of layers. You’ll appreciate a fleecy jumper when you’re huddled up sheltering from the rain. Speaking of rain, it can be difficult to get dry in a tent, so waterproofs are a good idea.

Eat, drink and be merry - A camping stove is essential for anything longer than a weekend break, even if you’re planning to mainly barbecue or eat out.

Stick to easy-to-cook meals, from breakfast fry-ups to fajitas. Don’t have an electric hook up? A cool box with ice blocks makes a useful fridge. You’ll need to refreeze the blocks each day, which you can usually do in the site shop.

My kids love ‘camping cereal’ (aka mini variety packs).

Pour the milk directly into the cereal bag. No bowl = less washing up.

Ideally, start collecting condiment sachets a few weeks before your holiday, so you have plenty of ketchup, mayonnaise, vinegar etc. to see you through.

And what camping trip would be complete without toasting marshmallows?

Other essentials worth packing include: • Washing line – string it between your tent and a tree to dry swimming costumes on • Baby wipes – handy no matter how old the kids are • Dustpan and brush • Doormat • First aid kit • Extra-thick thermal socks (Heat Holders are ideal) • Gaffer tape for tackling leaks • Travel games, a ball and a frisbee

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R FO Y R s!

NT 16 E R E EE FR UND

VINTAGE WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 & SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2021

Enjoy our first Heritage Steam event at the Shuttleworth Collection immersed in the atmosphere from a bygone age!

The weekend will encompass a full day of vintage steam and working vehicles and entertainment on both days, accompanied by a Flying Display at our annual Vintage Air Show on the Sunday.

Enjoy working demonstrations, steam engines, agricultural exhibits including the Shuttleworth Collection’s Clayton & Shuttleworth exhibits, vintage vehicle parades, and try & buy traditional crafts.

Saturday just £15! Kids go free! See website for Air Show prices

ALL RIDES FREE!

WWW.SHUTTLEWORTH.ORG/VINTAGEWEEKEND Shuttleworth, Old Warden, Bedfordshire, SG18 9EP | 01767 627933

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Hobbies

A Hobby a Day…

Keeps the doldrums away During a busy working week do you manage to carve out any time just for you? Or maybe you’re recently retired after a busy working life and finding it difficult to fill those empty hours. It’s time to invoke the power of the hobby.

My dictionary defines ‘hobby’ as ‘an activity or interest pursued for leisure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.’

There have been many scientific studies over the years which show that people who participate regularly in hobbies live longer, healthier lives. This beneficial effect seems to be independent of other factors such as general health or how wealthy you are.

In psychology-speak, hobbies are, a modern expression of suppressed primordial instincts!

What this means is that we are essentially pack animals and that we like to belong to a group or a tribe, even those of us who consider ourselves loners. Think about it for a second. Many hobbies do involve belonging to a specific social group or club, with rules and structure: golf, football, train spotters etc. Even anti-social people often spend hours gaming on their pc with other gamers or blogging to other like-minded folk.

However, there’s more to a hobby than belonging.

Hobbies allow us to tap into two qualities which are fundamentally human. The first is our capacity for imagination. Whether we’re creating something

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By Louise Addison

beautiful, like a quilt, or painting, or designing a new layout for our train set, or planning a route for a hill-walking weekend, it’s our imagination which is key to the final outcome. The second quality is our need to drive forward or push boundaries. Whatever our hobby, we’re always striving for improvement: can we obtain that particularly rare stamp; can we climb a higher mountain; can we take a better photograph?

While we’re using our imaginations or pushing ourselves that bit further, our hobby acts as a release valve for the stresses of modern life. It’s difficult to worry about your boss or the household bills while you knit, play guitar or swim.

So where do you start when choosing a hobby? There is an old saying that everyone ought to have three hobbies: an intellectual one; a physical one and a spiritual one.

Modern life doesn’t leave much time for three hobbies but it’s still a good starting point and some hobbies can combine two or even all three of those desirable attributes. Bird watching, for instance combines intellectual and physical, as you’ll learn about birds and get out and about to find them. Yoga combines physical and spiritual attributes. Get creative: make a list of things which interest you and design your hobby to fit your lifestyle. You never know what you might achieve.

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Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service With A Smile.

I think we can all agree that seeing the back of 2020 was a welcome event for each and every one of us, and we can now hopefully march into 2021 with renewed positivity and optimism.

One thing is for sure though, there have also been some heart warming positives that we can take out of last year. 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 once again”.

All C2C employees operate a strict social distancing policy.

For a free quotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit www. cloudy2clear.com

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Bathing Mobility Advisory Service, 67 Hermitage Road, Hitchin SG5 1DB

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Time of Year

Five Reasons to Wear Sunspecs

Sunglasses protect your eyes from the elements - Sunbathing, skiing, or biking on a dirt track, sunglasses can protect your eyes from sand, wind, and dust, all of which can irritate or scratch the delicate cornea.

Sunglasses help prevent certain eye diseases related to the sun Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can lead to early onset cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium. Cataracts involves a clouding of the eye’s lens that requires an operation to correct; macular degeneration results from deterioration of the macula of the retina which permanently destroys central vision; and pterygium involves tissue growth on the eyeball.

Wearing sunglasses that have good UV protection helps keep your eyes healthier, longer.

See more clearly! - Polarised sunspecs help you see better in bright light. They cut glare and improve your perception of colours and contrast. Even on somewhat cloudy days, wearing sunglasses while driving can improve your vision and cut down on glare. If you’re a fisherman, you’ll also be able to see past the surface of water more easily without all that bright, reflective glare.

Avoid headaches and migraines - For many people who regularly get migraines or bad headaches, bright sunlight can be a major trigger. Wearing sunglasses (particularly those with polarised lenses) allows you to get out and about without triggering an attack.

You’ll look cool - It’s almost impossible not to look cool in good sunspecs. They hide dark circles on a no make-up day and a touch of mystery. You can ring the changes with different styles, from rock chick edginess to Parisian chic.

Wherever you’re going this summer (and let’s face it, in 2021 for most of us it will be the local park!). be sun-safe and be stylish!

By Sarah Davey

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... another completed project near you Kitchen | Bedroom | Home Study For all your design, supply and installation needs Family run business

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Visit our showroom: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm Unit E, Gateway 1000, Whittle Way, Arlington Business Park, Stevenage SG1 2FP

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Food & Drink

Wines from Germany: Kloster Eberbach

Weingut Kloster Eberbach is a multi award-winning wine producer, located in the Rheingau district and has global recognition, for their high-quality wine productions. Very attractively furnished, comfortable accommodations, are also offered, plus regular, on-site events. The monastery at Eberbach dates from 1136 and was founded by Cistercian monks. The monks had a wine cellar (Cabinetkeller) where they kept their very best wines. Weingut Kloster Eberbach produces exceptional white and red wines and has an excellent range.

Riesling wines are aromatic and grace countless dining tables often, pairing with fish, seafood and white meats superbly, as well as being enjoyed on their own regularly, too. Crescentia Premium Wines are produced utilising grapes from the very best vineyards. Kloster Eberbach Crescentia Steinberger Riesling trocken (12.0% vol) and Kloster Eberbach Crescentia Rauenthaler Baiken Riesling trocken (12.0% vol) are both extremely popular, dry white wines. The respective bouquets have the typical riesling aroma of apples and other fruits, being displayed for the nasal pleasures. The anticipation and further enjoyments are continued, for the mouthfeel and palate.

The Kloster Eberbach range of wines also has Cabinetkeller productions. Highly praised and very much appreciated for their fine qualities, this section includes Kloster Eberbach Cabinetkeller Berg Roseneck Riesling feinherb (11.5 vol). Again, superb quality prevails and this production is regularly found to be on ‘top’ dining tables. Certainly, a popular selection, for many. Kloster Eberbach Cabinetkeller Steinberg Riesling (13% vol) is a further choice, favoured by numerous lovers of white wines. The bouquet can, again, be classed as elegant, with citrus fruits enticing to the following delights. Welcoming and expressive, the sensations of fruits continue throughout, with an excellent, lengthy palate.

Other Kloster Eberbach Cabinetkeller productions include Berg Schlossberg Spätburgunder trocken (13.5% vol). This splendid, very impressive dry red wine has a ‘wealth’ of dark fruits and pairs with red meat dishes, wonderfully.

If visiting the Eberbach area there are wine tours of the estate available and tastings. The Kloster Eberbach wines can be ordered easily online, also. The Eberbach Monastery regularly has the most memorable weddings, with personal requirements, including banquets and receptions, being meticulously planned.

Please visit the website for all details. www.kloster-eberbach.de joy!

As always, En

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

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Made in Japan

Food & Drink

By Sarah Davey

The rise of Japanese cuisine The British have developed a taste for lighter, healthier food over the past decade. Japanese cuisine, with its emphasis on quality and presentation rather than quantity, has become increasingly popular. As restaurants open again now is a great time to explore new tastes and cultures.

Japan is famous for sushi. Ask many people what sushi is, and they’ll say, ‘raw fish’, so let’s clear up the myth. Sushi is not raw fish. Sushi in fact refers to the seasoned, vinegared rice and therefore is the name given to anything served on, or in, a block of this rice; this may include raw fish but also includes vegetables and cooked items. Sashimi is the name for slices of raw fresh fish and shellfish and is a dish in its own right.

Many people have visited a sushi conveyor belt restaurant. These are great fun. The dishes trundle past and you choose whichever appeals. You can add your preferred condiments, which include soy sauce and wasabi – a hot, green Japanese horseradish – and slices of pink, vinegared ginger. Plates are generally colour-coded according to the price so at the end of the meal it’s easy to add everything up for the bill.

‘Yaki’ refers to grilling or cooking over direct heat.

Yakizakana is grilled fish and Yakitori are grilled chicken pieces on skewers.

Tempura refers to food (usually seafood or vegetables) dipped in a light batter and deep-fried.

Noodles are common side dishes and come in eight varieties. Ramen are made with wheat and are often served in soup; Udon are also made with wheat, are very thick, and often enjoyed cold. Soba

noodles are made from buckwheat flour so are suitable for coeliacs and gluten intolerant people (be sure they are 100% buckwheat); Yakisoba are stir-fried wheat noodles; Somen are thin white wheat noodles, usually served cold. Hiyamugi might as well be termed ‘medium-sized’ noodles as they fall between Udon and Somen in size; Shirataki are thin, translucent noodles made from konjac yam; and finally, Harusami (glass) noodles are made from potato starch and often served in salads.

A bowl of plain cooked rice is served with most Japanese meals. This is special ‘sticky’ rice and easy to pick up with pointed Japanese chopsticks. Another staple of all Japanese meals is miso, a thin, tasty soup usually containing tofu and seaweed.

Hot pots are good dishes to order for a group.

They are usually prepared at your table. Sukiyaki is a pot of boiling liquid into which thinly sliced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and noodles are cooked. Then you dip pieces of the cooked food into beaten raw egg and savour. Shabu-shabu is similar but the liquor is more like a fondue. Dip your food briefly into the pot then into another sauce before eating.

Teppanyaki is a style of cooking requiring a highly skilled chef who cooks various items of food in front of you on a huge iron hotplate. This provides visual entertainment as well as delicious and healthy food.

Very few of us will be able travel abroad this year so eating out is a great way to experience a different culture. A Japanese restaurant is a treat for all the senses…and don’t you deserve a treat?

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Home Products

In the Pink

By Katherine Sorrell

This bath has embraced bold colour in the form of a pretty pink. There are 193 other colours available.

River BacktoWall bath in custom colour ‘Pink Blush’, £2,290, Waters Baths of Ashbourne.

Bright and breezy, fun and summery, bubblegum pink will add a ‘pop’ of colour to any home, both indoors and outside.

This garden furniture set is made from sturdy steel frames and PE pink rattan. Three-piece String bistro set, £149.99, Sue Ryder.

Classic style meets modern colour in this comfortable armchair. Oakham pink velvet chair, £1,200, Jo&Co Home.

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Using accents of bright pink

Polish craftsmen hand-finish these glass pendant lamps so that each has a unique colour and shape.

Pastels 1 light globe pendant, £235.99, Wayfair.

This cotton blanket is woven in a herringbone style and edged with pom poms. Sass and Belle pink herringbone blanket throw, £23, The Joy Edit.

• There’s no denying that vivid pink has vigour, vim and vivacity. It’s a great colour to introduce in small doses, in almost any room of the house, or even in the garden.

With a lovely feel of Oriental style, this art print is available to buy unframed in A4, A3 and A2 sizes, or as part of a set of three prints. Dark Pink Ginkgo Leaves botanical art print, from £22, Claude & Leighton.

A traditional portrait with an ironic modern twist, this art print has a touch of mischief.

Bubblegum Portrait 1, £261 (framed), Mineheart.

Made from linen, pompoms and ‘60s-style typography, this cushion adds a dash of fun and colour. ‘Love’ cushion, £39.50, Red Candy.

Add a touch of paradise with this tropical wallpaper.

Under The Banana Tree wallpaper in hot pink, £38, Lust Home.

STOCKISTS

Jo&Co: Home 01208 895 058; joandcohome.com

Lust Home: 01429 803 930; lusthome.com

Red Candy 0121 224 7728; redcandy.co.uk Waters Baths of Ashbourne: 01332 824 166; watersbaths.co.uk

• True bubblegum pink is quite artificial, but if you prefer something softer and more natural, opt for rose-pink tones.

What colours to team it with?

Touches of fuchsia, orange or turquoise would be bold and full of impact, while black is sophisticated and dramatic. For a more subtle effect, try dove grey, lilac or soft blue.

• Covering a single wall with pink paint or wallpaper can lift the spirits. Try a wall of your living room, hallway or even home office. In the bedroom, an understated pink will be restful and romantic.

• Bringing in a single item of furniture, rug, light fitting, throw, cushion or framed art work in your chosen shade of pink can offer an instant refresh to a room. The tiniest of additions can cost very little – perhaps adding a pompom trim to a plain cushion, painting a picture frame or placing a small vase or ornament on a shelf. You may then decide that a whole burst of bubblegum is the way to go.

Claude & Leighton: 0118 979 3989; claudeandleighton.com The Joy Edit: thejoyedit.co.uk Mineheart 01487 831 034; mineheart.com Sue Ryder: 07768 354 044; sueryder.org/shop Wayfair: 0800 756 4583; wayfair.co.uk

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Technology

The best tech for healthy living From fitness to fat monitoring, smart trackers and smart tape Health technology is big business: we all want to live healthier, happier lives, and gadgets range from the relatively simple, such as smart scales, to all-singing devices such as the Apple Watch with its built-in heart rate monitor, blood oxygen monitoring and fitness tracking – tracking that can include dancing as well as more traditional forms of workout. There’s a wide range of stand-alone health devices too, such as Omron’s blood pressure monitor, and a whole host of infrared thermometers that give you instant results.

You don’t need to be an athlete in training to benefit from a fitness tracker: a dedicated tracker such as a Fitbit is a great way to motivate yourself to walk more, and the kid-focused Fitbit Ace 3 has our young ones charging around the garden trying to beat each others’ step counts. More advanced models for the grown-ups, such as the gorgeous Fitbit Luxe, include a wide range of healthtracking features including sleep tracking, menstrual cycle tracking, GPS route recording and blood oxygen saturation monitoring.

Smart scales can be a useful way to monitor your progress, because weight alone is a terrible indicator: if you start working out you’ll often find you put on weight because muscle is heavier than fat. Eufy’s Smart Scale C1 connects to your phone and to fitness apps, enabling you to measure and track your body composition over time – and with support for sixteen different users you can use it for the entire family. And you can team it up with a smart measuring tape such as Bagel Labs’ Pie, which you can use to measure and track the size of biceps, bust, calves, hips, thighs, waist and shoulders. It’s not cheap – it’s around £70 – but it’s clever and there are similar, cheaper alternatives that do much the same thing. As with smart scales, smart tapes connect via Bluetooth to an app on your phone, so you can track changes over time as you become more buff.

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Anker Eufy Smart Scale C1 Eufy comes from electronics giant Anker and the C1 is a typically wellmade product that does exactly what you’d expect and does it really well. It’s great for tracking body composition. £29, shop.bt.com

Apple Watch Series 6 The Apple Watch has evolved into an elegant, powerful and very useful health tracking device thanks to its mix of sensors and a world of health-related apps. It looks great too. £379, apple.com

Fitbit Luxe Not all Fitbits are plasticky: the Luxe is gorgeous and looks great with a formal outfit as well as when you’re in activewear. It’s a superb fitness tracker. £169, fitbit.com

Pie Smart Tape The Pie is no ordinary tape. It’s a Bluetooth tape with an app designed to track changes in specific bits of your body, such as your biceps or your thighs. £70, amazon.co.uk

Omron H4 Blood Pressure Monitor If you need to monitor your blood pressure at home, Omron’s products are affordable, easy to use and deliver accurate results very quickly. £66, currys.co.uk

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Crematorium and memorial gardens created and managed by the Austin family in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.

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Serving the local community for ten generations

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Finance

Make the Switch

We’re increasingly comfortable with switching insurers or energy suppliers to get the best deal, yet many of us stick with the same bank for decades.

Switching isn’t as tricky as it used to be and it can be well worth your time.

Nearly all major banks are part of a programme called Current Account Switch Service, launched in 2013, that guarantees a simple switch. It works in a similar way to switching energy suppliers but is much smoother and quicker.

To use it you simply open a new account, tell your new bank that you want to use the service, sign a couple of forms, and choose the date you want to switch. This must be at least seven days after you open the new account and can’t be a weekend or bank holiday.

The new bank will switch over your regular payments, standing orders and direct debits automatically from that date. Any manual payments made to your old account are automatically ‘redirected’ to the new one for at least three years, and your new bank will tell the sender you’ve moved.

The only thing you need to change manually is any continuous payment authorities for subscriptions where you’ve given a seller your card number, rather than your account number and sort codes. Credit cards aren’t affected by a bank account switch and any direct debit you have to pay the minimum or full amount each month will transfer over.

Glitches with the transfer are rare, but the Current Account Switch Guarantee means that your new bank will refund any charges or interest caused by problems with the switch.

So why bother switching anyway? You could get higher interest rates on your balance, lower overdraft fees and interest, or better offers such as discounts on some purchases. Check whether it’s a ‘permanent’ rate or a time-limited introductory offer.

Often the main reason to switch is a cash bonus, with some banks offering £100 or more. Check for any conditions though: you may have to pay in a certain amount to qualify. Amounts vary, but usually the idea is to make sure you’re using it as your main bank account.

Remember that when you apply for an account, the bank will usually run a credit check. This is only likely to be a problem if you have a very poor credit history, and even then some banks will offer an account with a low overdraft or no overdraft at all.

The credit check itself will appear on your record but this is only likely to raise eyebrows if you have a lot of checks in a short period. It may be safer to hold off switching accounts just before a big loan or mortgage application.

One big myth is that you can’t switch accounts if you are in your overdraft. This isn’t the case, as the new bank can transfer over a negative balance when you switch, though it’ll need to be inside any limit on the new account.

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Health

What a Relief!

Options for aches and pains When you need pain relief fast, pharmacists can provide helpful advice on the best over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for you.

“Choosing the right over-the-counter option depends on your individual needs and requires a closer look at your symptoms,” says Brian Deal, a community pharmacist. “You also need to take into account contraindication factors that could make a specific drug unsuitable for you, such as allergies, any other medical conditions and medication you’re already on.”

Headaches - Analgesics such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin are good pain-relief options for headaches, says Zartasha Arshid, a locum community pharmacist. “Paracetamol is very effective in treating mild to moderate pain caused by headaches. If this fails to ease the pain, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen can be taken. If the pain continues, you can safely take both types together, although it is better to stagger the doses.”

How they work: paracetamol helps to block the nerves that transmit the pain impulse to the brain.

NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin work by reducing the level of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that irritate the nerve endings and cause the feeling of pain.

Period pain - “NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are the best option, as they have the anti-inflammatory action that can often ease period pain,” Deal says. “This group of drugs works on reducing the production of prostaglandins and there is evidence to show that they help to reduce the heaviness of a period.”

Arshid adds: “If pain persists, ibuprofen can be combined with paracetamol by staggering the doses.

Hyoscine can also be taken to ease cramps.”

How they work: ibuprofen and paracetamol are effective against mild to moderate pain. NSAIDs also help to control the body’s temperature.

Joint pain - “NSAIDs – for example, ibuprofen or diclofenac, available as a cream, spray or oral painkiller – are the best option for treating joint pain,” Arshid says. “Applying a topical preparation to the skin will help to increase blood flow and stimulate nerves in the affected joint.”

How they work: NSAIDs can help to ease musculoskeletal pain and reduce inflammation in affected joints by speeding up the healing process.

Stomach upsets - Options: “Simeticone is an OTC anti-flatulent that helps to relieve the symptoms associated with trapped wind,” Arshid says.

“Loperamide can help to reduce the duration of diarrhoea. Antacids or alginates can help to relieve indigestion symptoms. H2 receptor antagonists such as ranitidine and proton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole also help to ease indigestion discomfort by suppressing acid secretion in the stomach.”

How they work: simeticone is an anti-foaming agent that enables trapped gas to be expelled more easily.

It is not absorbed by the body and can be taken by infants and adults. Alginates form a ‘raft’ in the stomach to prevent acid reflux and heartburn.

Seasonal aches and pains Sunburn: if you find your skin going pinker than planned, taking paracetamol or one of the NSAIDs can help to minimise any mild discomfort. If there are associated signs of heatstroke or burns, especially in babies and children, seek medical help.

Insect bites: applying a topical antihistamine cream can relieve their redness and itchiness. For additional pain relief, paracetamol is the best option.

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House of Colour

Dressing your Shape and Style •

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• Hourglass figures look best when they show off their waist. Those curves look better in pieces that follow their waist and add in their natural curve. There is often a desire to hide shape by wearing straighter clothes that cover up but this doesn’t flatter curves.

• Use fabrics that have some weight, ie that aren’t too flimsy and clingy but naturally drape across the figure are the most flattering. Know your style to understand the best fabrics that are going to work for your shape and look.

• Wearing great colours that suit your complexion is flattering. The urban myth that black is slimming is only going to work on those for whom black is actually a good colour. On the wrong person it dominates and draws attention.

Primary red suits us all…

• If you suit classic, dramatic, sporty or natural clothing, then choose items to fill your capsule wardrobe along those lines. For example, tailoring continues to gain momentum offering the ultimate smart casual look particularly for classic and gamine style personalities. Natural style personalities should choose relaxed skirts

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with movement. Structured or asymmetric outfits can add edginess for the dramatics amongst us.

Professional bra fitting is a must. Clothes look much better when our underwear is giving us the right support, and is invisible. It is a worthwhile investment if you are in doubt.

Wear clothes that fit you – I know this sounds obvious but we can sometimes get it wrong.

Check in with someone you trust or your stylist to understand if your clothes fit you properly.

Baggy and poorly fitting clothes are never doing us a favour. It can be tempting to buy clothes is a different size for a ‘future you’. This only adds pressure to be something else and sits in your wardrobe reminding you.

When shopping always try on. Now that we can try clothes on again in shops take advantage of it. Try on a few things you wouldn’t always pick up and try a few brands you haven’t to understand what might suit you.

Dressing for your shape is all in the details. We all suit different hemlines, necklines, trouser lengths, lapels and sleeves, not to mention of course colours, fabrics, structure, patterns and details.

Your best style is the one that looks right on you regardless of size. Knowing your proportions (not size!) means you can understand how to flatter your shape. Clothes are made in a standard metric while our bodies are all going to differ but the secret is to understand how they differ so we can understand which areas to emphasise. If you aren’t sure contact your nearest stylist for advice.

Article by Jennie Billings House of Colour House of Colour has a network of stylists to help you update your look – find your nearest at houseofcolour.co.uk/find-astylist

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Beauty

By Kate Duggan

Skin Saviours Whether you’re suffering from dry hands, cracked heels or sunburn, we might just have the solution…

Help, my hands are really dry and sore!

First off, switch to a gentler soap. Look for a more natural one that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulphate. Generally, bars of soap tend to be kinder to skin than liquid ones. You may also want to swap your hand sanitiser for one with added botanicals.

(It’ll still need to be at least 60% alcohol to work.)

I like Bramley’s Hand Sanitiser Gel, which includes rosemary, spearmint and peppermint essential oils.

It’s kinder to skin and smells gorgeous (£4, www. bramleyproducts.co.uk).

It can be tempting to pile on the hand cream, but some lotions can end up irritating your skin even more. Look for an unscented cream designed for sensitive skin, or just reach for a natural seed or fruit oil. Almond oil is ideal, but olive oil will also do the job and we’re guessing you may already have a bottle in the kitchen. Just massage a few drops of it into your hands before bed.

I was aiming for bronzed goddess, but I got cooked lobster…

Ouch! Have a cool bath with a handful of porridge oats tied up in a thin cloth. The water will help to cool your skin and the oats will soothe irritation.

Then apply aloe vera gel. It’s sticky, but effective.

Don’t have any aloe vera or aftersun to hand? Use a gentle moisturiser, such as unscented baby lotion.

Avoid Vaseline and other petroleum jelly, as it’ll lock the heat in. You’ll want to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and cover up outdoors until the burn has gone.

When you’re ready to brave the sun again, arm yourself with a decent sunscreen and make sure you

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reapply it regularly, even if it’s waterresistant.

Sunscreen gives me spots Sunscreens are often too rich for facial skin so can lead to breakouts, redness and irritation. Try switching to a lighter face cream with a high SPF. Hello Sunday’s The One That’s a Serum (£20, www.hellosundayspf.com) is SPF 45, lightweight, non-greasy and enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to boost hydration.

My cracked heels look awful in sandals Soak your feet in warm water for fifteen minutes before gently exfoliating. You can use a loofah or a homemade foot scrub (mix a handful of brown sugar with a tablespoon of olive oil). Avoid any areas with open wounds.

Rinse and pat dry, then apply a thick moisturiser or balm. Lyonsleaf’s Calendula and Marshmallow Balm (£10.95, www.lyonsleaf.co.uk) is a good choice, as it’s designed to soothe and repair dry, cracked and irritated skin. It can also help skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis. Pull on some thin cotton or bamboo socks to keep the balm from greasing up your bed sheets. Do this every night and you should see an improvement pretty quickly.

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Wellness Coaching is for everyone!

We can all learn to live happier and healthier by setting realistic goals.

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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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Local News

Gold medal winners!

Local Estate Agent Own Homes have just been announced as ‘Gold Winners’ in the British Property Awards 2021, which is recognition for their work as a highly successful and independent estate agent.

Own Homes are based in Middle Row and High Street, Stevenage Old Town, with lettings and sales serviced from separate offices. Since its establishment in 2008, the company has gone from strength to strength and is regarded as a leading estate agent for home buyers and tenants in Stevenage and the surrounding areas.

The award is a result of the Own Homes team performing outstandingly well throughout the extensive judging period, which predominately focused on customer service levels.

One of the directors of Own Homes, Stephen Harris was very pleased with the award and said that ‘Receiving recognition for the hard work my team puts in to every viewing or valuation is fantastic to accept. In what has been a tricky 18 months, where we’ve had to regularly adjust how we work and interact, it justifies us going the extra mile’.

The British Property Awards provide agents throughout the UK with an invaluable opportunity to compare the service that they provide against the service provided by their local, regional and national competition. Agents who go the extra mile and provide outstanding levels of customer service are rewarded with the accolade, which acts as a beacon to highlight these attributes to their local marketplace.

Michael Notschild, Director commented ‘We are passionate in all we do and pride ourselves on delivering the highest level of service. Selling and letting a property can be a stressful time, which is why we make the extra effort to ensure your sale, purchase or rental goes smoothly, something that has been acknowledged in receiving this award.’

Stevenage house prices The price of property in Stevenage has increased significantly over recent years as many people have taken advantage of the transport links and amenities of the town. In April 2021 the average house price in Stevenage was £316,000, well above the national average of around £250,000.

This has led to a surge in people asking for valuations and Own Homes are selling properties quickly as demand continues to be very high. Michael Notschild added that ‘Many people think that this is a great time to sell, people are often surprised by the growth in their property value and are keen to cash-in on the Stevenage property boom. We’re also seeing an impact in people moving from cities to the villages around Stevenage, which has driven up prices in more remote Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire locations.

Best time to sell?

This could be a great time to get a valuation on your property and as a celebration of winning gold, Own Homes are discounting their sales fees this summer, plus offering free valuations.

The company can be contacted on 01438 367753 or visit www.own-homes.com for more information.

Tel: 01438 367753 Web: www.own-homes.com To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Special Report

A Long Hot Summer

Soothe aching limbs or just relax with family or friends in your very own hot tub Hot tubs are brilliant things. They’re great for massages, hydrotherapy and relaxation; they can help ease aches and pains after exercise or from conditions such as arthritis; they’re fantastic stress busters and sleep helpers; and big ones are brilliant for socialising with friends and family.

How much do they cost?

The cheapest hot tubs are inflatable ones, running from around £300 to £1,500. Inflatables are usually but not always circular and they have a padded base and a fairly basic heating and inflation system.

Like hard-shell hot tubs you’ll need a solid, level place to put them. Inflatables are a great option for occasional use but they’re not designed to be used constantly or left outside all year round.

Hard-shell tubs cost more but are much tougher and generally bigger too. Prices start at around

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£3,000 and go up depending on the materials you prefer and the features you want: some have more entertainment technology in them than the average house. Hard-shell tubs are usually insulated, making them more energy efficient, and you’ll generally get a better selection of jets, lights and other features. Hard-shell tubs are permanent structures designed to sit outside all year long and aren’t easily moved or stored.

Should you rent or buy?

This question is rather like asking whether you should rent or buy a car: it depends on how often you’ll use it. Renting means you’re only paying for the time you’ll actually be using the hot tub, so if you only think you’ll need it for a few weeks in the summer that’s obviously much cheaper than buying the hot tub outright. Many hire places

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will hire you a hot tub for periods as short as a weekend. But longer term hire starts getting expensive. For example, a six-seater hot tub that’s £4,200 to buy may be around £900 a month to hire. You’ll find many rental firms offer repeat customer discounts but if you and your family or friends are water babies, buying is often the more cost-effective option.

You’ll find that some retailers offer hire before you buy schemes, particularly for more expensive models. It’s effectively a hot tub test drive, enabling you and your family to put a particular tub through its paces before you commit to buy.

How do I make a hot tub safe for kids?

Hot tubs are perfectly safe for kids over 5 – experts strongly advise against letting under-5s use hot tubs, even for a short time – but there are a few things to remember. First of all, don’t leave young children without adult supervision, even for a moment, and if any children have long hair tie it back or up so it can’t get caught by the filter system. Secondly, turn the temperature down and don’t let them stay in too long: little bodies can’t tolerate hot water as well or for as long as grownups, so don’t go beyond 35ºC and 15 minutes at a time. And thirdly, make sure the cover is secure when the hot tub isn’t in use, so that younger children can’t open it when you’re not around.

The single most important thing you can do for safety is to ensure that you use the correct amount of chlorine and clean it regularly in accordance with the manufacturer’s or supplier’s instructions.

What maintenance is involved?

Generally speaking, permanent hot tubs with automatic filtration need very little maintenance; if the filtration isn’t automatic you should run it a couple of times a day to keep the water circulating. If it’s covered you should open the cover daily to let gases escape, and you’ll want to use pH strips weekly to ensure the water isn’t getting too acidic or alkaline. If your hot tub is in regular use you should rinse the filter(s) weekly and clean them monthly with a hot tub filter solution, and the water should be fully drained and the lines flushed several times a year. None of these things are particularly time-consuming but it is important that you do them to keep bacteria at bay.

I’m sold. What do I do now?

To find out what’s available in your area, Hot Tub Chooser (www.hottubchooser.co.uk) is a comparison site specifically for hot tubs. Tell it what you’re looking for and it’ll show the available options from retailers near you.

Miami Spas Excalibur 7 Seater Hot Tub, £6,999 from miamispas.co.uk

Lay-Z-Spa Vegas inflatable hot tub. £830 from amazon.co.uk

Cambridge 6-person 34 jet hot tub, £5,995 from therange.co.uk

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Gardening

Liquid Gold

Water conservation and management in the garden Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk As you swivel the magic turnkey that releases a gushing stream of clean and sparkling water into your can, pause for a moment. Marvel at the luck of the draw that finds us living in a part of the world where water is available for us to use and to misuse. The water that you pour into summer hanging baskets and sprinkle liberally on your beds and borders was once excreted by huge reptiles. Your café latte contains dinosaur pee.

Indeed, water on Planet Earth has been here for almost five billion years and the total amount is just about the same as ever. It represents the ultimate success story in terms of recycling. So, what’s the problem?

Portability is the problem. Gardeners will be familiar with the weight of a big can of water – bringing in water where it’s needed isn’t always easy. And when crops fail in Africa, knowing there’s ample water in the world for everyone is no help.

Climate change is causing a warmer atmosphere. We either have too much water or too little; Goldilocks would rarely judge things to be ‘just right’. What we all need to do is our bit, so what ‘bit’ is best in a garden, and how can gardeners help?

• Creating space for water within a garden can be life-enhancing. Aim to slow rainfall down – allow some of it to be absorbed in vegetation, then catch and retain some more. Provide a pond that collects water run-off, then enjoy watching the biodiverse-rich habitats that develop. Surround your pond with plants that can cope with flooding and drought. They will help to absorb some of the

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• •

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excess during times-a-plenty, but they won’t die of heat exhaustion during a prolonged dry spell.

Some examples are: Acanthus, Astilbe, Brunnera, Cornus, Eupatorium, Hemerocallis, Iris, Kniphofia, Miscanthus, Persicaria, Rudbeckia, Scabious and many more. Experimentation is all part of your gardening fun.

In places that require hard materials, choose porous options through which the rain can drain.

Divert your downpipes into water butts – these can be surprisingly beautiful if you shop around. It means you capture some of the rainwater for use when you need it the most.

Choose drought-tolerant planting for the driest parts of your garden. These plants will generally have silvery-coloured leaves or foliage that is covered in fine hair, which reduces evaporation.

Once established, they should survive the hottest, driest weather that they are ever likely to get, without needing to be watered. Surround them with gravel, pebbles or boulders as this will conserve what little moisture there is in the soil, plus it looks great too.

Use plants to help your plants. One species can prop up another and provide shade if they are planted close together. Avoid bare patches of soil that will dry out in hot weather.

Consider adding structural reinforcement to your shed roof so that you can add plants. It’s such a great look and captures water as it falls. Sedums and wildflowers will give you butterflies and bees all spring and summer long.

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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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Local News

Wood Green: Pet owners’ first port of call Have you ever had difficulty with a pet? If so, you’re not alone. Each month, around 500 people contact Wood Green, The Animals Charity seeking guidance about their pet. The charity can help at every step of the way, with a range of services available: Access online advice and workshops - As a pet owner, you’ve probably turned to Google about their diet, health or behaviour. For trusted advice on all aspects of pet care, at any time of day, visit Wood Green’s website to browse informative articles, how-to videos and a regularly updated schedule of workshops.

Speak to a behaviourist for free - Pets are individuals, which means training isn’t one-size-fits-all. The charity’s qualified behaviourists are available to provide free support that’s bespoke to you and your pet, with a proven and force-free approach. With more than 100 years’ combined experience in cat, dog and small pet welfare, the team have seen it all before and will never judge your situation.

Get help covering the cost of pet care - Sometimes, the unexpected happens.

If you’re faced with a veterinary bill you can’t afford or find yourself unable to access the basics for your pet, Wood Green can help by contributing towards veterinary care or supplying essentials like pet food and flea treatment*.

Don’t wait to ask for help - If you are struggling or feel unable to continue caring for a pet, for any reason, the charity will work with you to discuss your options and find the right solution for your pet. Whatever you’re going through, talk to Wood Green first.

Simply call the team on 0300 303 9333 or visit woodgreen.org.uk. * Subject to assessment.

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Pets

Our New Summer Campaign The RSPCA are launching a new Summer campaign.

Now that the tennis and football have finished, this is something that the whole country can get behind. #CancelOutCruelty Did you know, summer sees animal cruelty at its absolute worse? This year we are shining a light on cruelty and what we can all do to help stop it.

So what is animal cruelty?

Most of us can’t imagine how anyone could be cruel to animals. Here at the RSPCA, we believe that animals, from crustaceans to cows, are sentient beings with feeling and emotions. Animal cruelty is when someone causes harm to an animal, whether it’s intentional or not. Since cruelty is on the rise in the summer, we are calling on EVERYONE to take a stand. Last year, between June and August, we received 2,053 reports of cruelty to dogs. That’s almost one dog every hour beaten, neglected or deliberately harmed - often by the person meant to protect them.

How can you help?

1) Join our campaign – many supermarkets including Aldi, Tesco, Morrison’s, Coop, Sainsbury’s and Lidl have all launched a line of RSPCA assured chicken in response to our campaign. M+S have recently announced that they will switch ALL of their fresh chicken to RSPCA assured. This means meeting the commitment next year – four years ahead of time.

We are also campaigning to: • Raise awareness for the welfare needs of our nation’s pets and helping pet owners to ensure the welfare needs of their pets are being met.

• Improve the welfare of as many farm animals as possible, at every stage of their lives.

• Ensure wild animals are protected from human activity and unnecessary suffering.

• Reduce the use of animals in experiments and reduce their suffering with a constructive and practical approach.

2) Sign our petition – We currently have a petition for animal welfare to be taught in schools. Prevention is the most important word in our name. Educational experts believe that teaching children to care for and respect animals from an early age can bring about positive change. Encouraging empathy and compassion for living being is important for young.

3) Be part of an event - If you’re into challenging yourself and want to raise money for a good cause, why not take your pick of one of our running events?

There are around 15 charity races this year that you can choose from including; the London Marathon, Great North Run and the Bournemouth Half Marathon.

Should you choose to be a charity runner for us you’ll be helping to make a difference to the lives of thousands of animals around England and Wales.

4) Become a volunteer – as you may be aware from our previous articles, volunteers make a huge contribution to the work we do to prevent cruelty, promote kindness to and alleviate the suffering of animals. There is now such a wide range of volunteer roles available that there is bound to be a suitable opportunity near you.

5) Buy a t-shirt – our online shop has a wide range of items for men, women and children like t-shirts and tote bags.

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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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

A bit of holiday fun In August many of us just go into the garden to relax, drink and glass of wine and watch the kids in the paddling pool. We might cut the grass, but for most of us August is about last days and chilled summer evenings.

So, this month I’m taking a pause from work to pass on a few interesting garden facts you can pass on over a gin and tonic.

A sunflower is not one flower Believe it or not each individual peal and the brown centre comprise 1,000 – 2,000 individual flowers, held together on a single stalk. Every “petal” is actually an individual flower, comprising of a single floret with male and female parts!

There are more microorganisms in one teaspoon of soil than there are people on earth Seriously…microbes are important for keeping the soil full of nutrients. There are at least 7.5 billion people on earth so that teaspoon of soil is aliiiiiiive.

Plants really do respond to sound The Myth Busters published a video comparing a silent greenhouse to one where they piped in a voice soundtrack and found that plants in the latter grew more. So, speak sweetly to your plants…or maybe sing to them.

A little bicarbonate of soda can help you grow sweeter tomatoes I have tested this theory after reading it in a magazine and it works! A regular light sprinkling of bicarb your plant’s soil helps reduce acidity and produces a sweeter crop.

The Rose Family is the largest contributor of ornamental plants Trees in the rose family that bear fruit: apples, pears, plums, cherries, apricots, and peaches. Also, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are all members of the Rosacea Family.

There is an orchid that smells of chocolate This is because the vanilla bean derives comes from the orchid family. The Oncidum hybrid called Sharry Baby has a rich chocolate smell…like baking choc chip cookies, and is also exceptionally beautiful.

If you haven’t got room for a composter…cheat!

Used coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, and chopped-up banana peels, can be applied direct to the soil and offer plants nutrients as they decompose. You can bury them a few inches under the earth in already planted beds, so they don’t spoil the look of your plot.

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Happy Gardening

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Interiors

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By Katherine Sorrell

Working in the garden Setting up an office or studio in the garden may be the ideal solution to pressure on space inside the house. Here we outline some points to consider before you start.

If the future of work is at least partially at home, many of us are going to have to think long and hard about where to set up permanently. Sharing the dining table with the kids or perching on the end of the bed are not going to suffice long term, and although using a spare room as an office can be a great solution, it’s not ideal if you have regular guests to stay, or simply need the storage space. The answer may be a garden building that’s set up as a fully functioning work area – with the bonus of some welcome separation from domestic distractions, but an enjoyably short commute.

The first place to start is with an assessment of how you’ll use the building. While a tiny office with not much more than a desk, chair and shelf will suit some, others may require a lot more floor space, specially designed storage, larger-than-average windows or additional security, for example. Most

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people will want electricity in their new outdoor office, but will you also need a landline, a sink with running water, a kitchenette or a WC? Next come decisions about quality, size and position. For comfortable working, and to add value to your property, a garden office should be built using good quality materials and to a high standard.

Ideally, its style will complement that of the house and garden, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal.

On a practical level, insulation is vital. Think walls, floors and roof if the space is going to be used beyond the summer months, with double glazing and draught proofing around doors and windows.

Heating is important, too. Many owners of garden studios use electric convention heaters, which can be thermostatically controlled on 24-hour timers.

Electric radiators are great, while wood burners look gorgeous and are super-cosy (but must be professionally installed). Considerations of security are equally important. If anything valuable is going to be stored in the space, glass windows (perhaps even double glazed) are infinitely better than plastic, and a

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sturdy door with a proper lock will be necessary.

Size-wise, your garden office must be big enough for your needs but not so large that it decreases your outside space to a problematic degree. A very modest example might not be much over 4m square, while the grander types could be 15 to 20m square or even more. In many scenarios, there will be a maximum size possible, and also an obvious location. Where there is a choice of position, however, think about how close you want the room to be to your home, whether the ground is sloping, where there are trees or other potential obstructions, how the sun falls at certain times of the day, and which way you want the windows and door to face. Unless you’re opting for solar or wind power, and have your own bore hole, consider how you will connect utilities. The closer you are to the house, the cheaper it will be to lay pipework and cables, whether for lights and plug sockets or a flushing loo. If using the internet is essential, you may be able to access your usual router wirelessly, or extend its signal relatively easily; if not, you may need to lay a wired connection across the garden. And don’t forget how you’ll get from your back door to the new structure. You might need a new path, because it’s no fun trekking across a squelchy lawn in the middle of a rainy winter’s day.

Whether you’ll need planning permission is another thing to consider. Most garden buildings are deemed ‘permitted development’, but it’s vital to check with your local authority. If the structure is going to be

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larger than 15 square metres, or used for sleeping in, then it will have to pass building regulations, too.

Bear in mind that, unless you have been granted planning permission to do so, you can’t put an outbuilding in your front garden; nor are you allowed to take up more than 50% of the area of land around the original house.

Design-wise, a garden office could take the form of a glorified shed, a futuristic dome, a traditional shepherd’s hut, an all-singing, all-dancing structure that offers every conceivable luxury – or anything in-between. Whatever you decide, whether it be off the shelf, customised or entirely bespoke, your new garden office is limited only by your imagination and your budget.

1 This high-quality garden building is one of four designs, each customisable in terms of size, style and budget. TGO4 Garden Room, 5m x 4m, £25,245, Green Retreats.

2 Garden office painted in Cuprinol Garden Shades Honey Mango and Black Ash, £19.99 for 2.5l, Brewers.

3 This unique garden room has a removable desk top. Medium summerhouse garden pod, £18,995, Lime Lace.

STOCKISTS Brewers: 01323 576 555; brewers.co.uk

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Green Retreats: 01296 325 777; greenretreats.co.uk Lime Lace: 01423 900 522; limelace.co.uk

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Food & Drink

Guinea fowl stuffed with curry leaf butter

with corn and coconut puree and chilli popcorn Serves 4

• Stuffing the breast: Using your finger, create an air pocket between the skin of the fowl and the breast meat. Evenly pipe about 2 tablespoons worth of butter inside the cavity and place in it the fridge to set for 1 hour.

• Season the supremes and heat a little oil in a pan.

Cook them skin side down for 2-3 minutes, to get a golden skin. Flip them over and pop them in an oven at 180C/ Gas Mark 4 to finish them off for 6-8 minutes. You want them to feel moist and slightly bouncy, not rock hard.

One of the things I love most about the cooking I’ve done on the radio is the colorful character of my guests. To put it bluntly, you don’t get to be a top chef by being a shrinking violet. You need charisma, creativity, passion – and eyes wide open to the world around you. Cat Ashton fits this bill.

She is originally from Australia and has travelled extensively honing her craft at Michelin starred restaurants. She is also a brilliant character and her vibrant and comforting food reflects her personality and this fancy looking – but easy to execute – dinner party dish is her creation.

You’ll need: 4 large Guinea fowl or chicken supremes (skin on) Curry leaf butter 250g butter, softened 1 clove garlic, finely grated 1 tablespoon fried curry leaves ½ teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon sea salt • Place all the butter ingredients into a food processor.

Whip until light and fluffy (note: this recipe makes much more than needed but can last in the fridge for a few weeks and be used for all sorts of dishes).

Corn and coconut puree 1 shallot, diced 1 clove garlic, chopped 25ml olive oil 250g corn kernels (tinned or fresh) 200ml coconut milk • Heat the oil in a pan and sweat off the shallots for 2 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and a pinch of salt and continue to cook for a further minute.

• Add the corn and mix well. Fry for 2 minutes and add the coconut milk. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until softened. Puree in a blender until smooth. Serve warm Popcorn 50g corn kernels 10ml rapeseed oil Salt Garlic powder Chilli powder • Cook the popcorn as per the packet instructions.

Then dust with salt, garlic powder and chilli powder to your desired spice level.

To serve; Serve the puree on the plate, topped with the guinea fowl and finish off with the popcorn around the plate.

This goes particularly well with spiralised raw yellow courgette, served just between the meat and the puree.

Add a few final corn kernels on the plate for decoration.

BBC Three Counties Radio presenter and cook, Nick Coffer 44

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Technology

Techy Tips to Make Life Easier

1. Put your USB drive in the right way the first time Why do we get it wrong on the first try so often? Get it right first time, every time. Here’s the secret: Grab any USB cable sitting around your house. Find the symbol on one side? It’s not just for decoration.

That symbol will point up if you’re plugging in horizontally and if you’re plugging a cable vertically, the USB symbol will face you. Now you know.

2. Reopen a closed browser tab It happens all the time. You have a dozen tabs open in your browser and accidentally close the wrong one. I know you can open up your browser’s history and reopen the tab from there, but did you know you can do it with a couple of keystrokes.

Hit Ctrl+Shift+T on your PC or Command+Shift+T on your Mac to automatically reopen the tab you just closed.

Simples.

3 Share a YouTube video at a precise point You find a brilliant YouTube video but the bit you really want to share is 3 minutes and 24 seconds in. If you want to share it at that exact point, you can get a link that takes people directly to the moment. Simply click the Share button below the video. Look for a little box below the link. This automatically displays the time at which you currently have the video stopped. You can stick with this time or pick any time you like. Then when you copy the link and share it, whoever views the link will view it from point you chose.

4 Search WhatsApp chats WhatsApp chats can be fast-moving, and messages accumulate over time. When you want to find the address of the party, or the joke someone told you two weeks ago, you don’t have to scan back through every conversation, you can search for it. On IOS there’s a search bar, and on android device there’s a search icon.

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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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Time of Year

By Kate McCarthy

Recalibrate Your Life

What will your new normal look like?

Be honest, before the pandemic did you ever think, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to start over? If I had a fresh start I’d do things so differently.’?

As we exit the 18-month period during which life’s ordinary patterns paused, it’s a good time to ask, before a more ‘normal’ life kicks back in, what would I like ‘normal’ to look like for me?

My friends and I often talk about pre-pandemic life in a pretty sentimental way. We speak in general terms: we miss visiting family, hanging out, travelling.

More recently I’ve been trying to work out what specifically my friends and I don’t miss: toxic friendships, endless commutes, arrogant bosses, rude customers, and irritating co-workers came top.

Pre-pandemic life how often did you hang out with that friend who makes you feel bad about yourself?

How often did you avoid conflict at work, even when you knew your boss or co-worker was being unreasonable? How often did you feel ‘guilted’ into attending a family dinner? It’s a human trait to avoid rocking the boat...then COVID came along and rudely capsized everyone’s boats!

I’m not making light of the past year. I lost my grandfather to COVID. It was a truly awful time, and no-one ever wants to return to the huge death counts of last summer. But most of us have been looking forward to a relaxation of the restrictions on our lives while at the same time secretly dreading a few things about ‘the return to normal’.

So how can we make some permanent positive changes.

Write these two specific questions down and underneath, write your answers.

What did I dislike from my life before the pandemic and haven’t missed?

What do I like from the pandemic times that I will miss when normality fully returns?

Be particularly honest about the first question. Be specific about toxic friendships, and unproductive habits and behaviours.

Make a list of things to leave in the pre-pandemic era Some things you may feel you can’t change, like a commute, a job, or a friendship/relationship. But if you examine them closely you might find you have more control than you think. If the pandemic has been a welcome break from any of the answers you wrote, ask yourself whether you could make that break permanent. What would it take?

Make a list of what you want to keep Did you find you liked spending more time at home and discovered a love of gardening or reading? Did you take up running, cooking, painting, or singing?

Think about how about how you might be able to re-engineer your life to include fewer business trips, fewer meetings, and more time for your hobbies.

I’m not suggesting that you abandon your family and run off to a retreat in the Outer Hebrides or resign from your job and announce you’re a writer, with no thought for how you’ll support yourself. This is an exercise in recalibrating and making a few adjustments to your course through life.

2020 and 2021 have been unrelentingly grim, but human beings are amazingly resilient and most of us have experienced glimpses of ‘happy’ here and there.

The trick going forward will be to scrape of the grim while holding on tight to the happy.

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Motoring

This is the history of the Land Rover Discovery

The Discovery has been a popular and core part of Land Rover’s line-up for decades, incorporating premium touches and a comfortable interior while retaining off-road prowess. Let’s take a look at the history of the Land Rover Discovery.

1989: The Discovery arrives SUVs started gaining in popularity in the late ‘80s, and although Land Rover had offerings in this segment with both the Defender and Range Rover, the firm didn’t have an option between them.

To address this, Land Rover introduced the Discovery at the 1989 Paris Motor Show, and it was offered as a three- or five-door model. It was facelifted in 1994, and a stripped-back Commercial version was also launched.

1998: The three-door version gets dropped After almost a decade, the second-generation Discovery arrived looking more like a mid-life refresh.

However, with a comprehensively new chassis and a five-door-only layout, it was substantially changed.

This new model was more practical, with a more spacious interior. Again, Land Rover introduced a facelifted version later on in 2002.

2004: A whole new look Despite still being square and boxy, the look of the Discovery 3 was a more radical departure from earlier models, and every single component was new.

Incorporating a wheelbase that ran close to three metres long, it offered plenty of space for seven people yet was packed with high-end features. Land Rover also fitted it with its most advanced terrain response system to date, which meant that the Discovery was no less capable off-road.

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2009: Slicker than ever The fourth Discovery arrived in 2009 but was more of a facelifted ‘3’. The looks remained largely unchanged, though the headlights were more a modern design while the grille was more complex – subtle updates that ensured the Discovery continued to look fresh.

Land Rover made some big changes to the Discovery’s powertrains, while a range of special editions was launched, such as the XXV, released to celebrate the car’s 25th anniversary.

2014: Discovery becomes a sub-brand The start of the 2010s represented a turning point for SUVs. Gaining in popularity, off-roaders and four-wheel-drive were being snapped up quickly, with many manufacturers producing high-riding options.

Land Rover decided to scrap its Freelander, replacing it with the Discovery Sport – a more compact 4x4 that used the Discovery name to capture some of the premium appeal of the larger model.

2016: The fifth generation arrives Land Rover revealed its striking fifth-generation Discovery at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, unveiling a car that was substantially different to the car it replaced. Sales kicked off from the start of 2017.

The interior made another shift upmarket, while the latest range of Ingenium engines provided more than enough performance. The level of technology on offer was considerably improved, yet the Discovery’s off-road abilities were retained, thanks to even more complex terrain assistance systems.

Today, the 2021 Discovery update has brought electrified powertrains to the seven-seater, in the form of mild-hybrid petrols and diesels.

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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.

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our July Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Rose Hunt from Stevenage

July’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Across 7 Take away (6) 8 Irish lochs (6) 9 Couch (4) 10 Wraps around (8) 11 Disregarded (7) 13 Hard, strong alloy (5) 15 Hints (5) 17 Supply (7) 20 Easy going (8) 21 Ashen (4) 23 Heavy mass (6) 24 Woken up (6)

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

16th August 2021 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.

Down 1 Nothing (4) 2 Vegetable (6) 3 Umpire (7) 4 Drudge (5) 5 Type of fish (6) 6 Tends sheep (8) 12 Ran very fast (8) 14 Authors (7) 16 Power, stamina (6) 18 Gas (6) 19 Prickly plants (5) 22 Untruths (4)

Name:

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59

Books

Views on Life

Biographies, memoirs and life lessons…

Who the Hell is….?

Various Authors

Academic books aren’t always the easiest of reads. They can feel inaccessible to anyone without a degree in the subject.

This series aims to put that right – each book is written in plain, jargon-free English. The series covers key historical intellectuals such as Plato, Rousseau, Marx and Nietzsche. You’ll learn about the events that shaped each person and where they got their ideas from, and take a closer look at three of their key theories.

Slug Hollie McNish

As you’d expect from this hugely popular poet, there’s plenty of humour, honesty and straight talking in Slug.

No subject in McNish’s life is out of bounds it seems – she covers everything from birth, periods and motherhood to sex and death. Slug is not a typical poetry book – it’s sprinkled with prose and short stories. If you offend easily, it may not be for you, but if you want to dip into a book that feels like a private conversation with your best friend, Slug is out now.

More Than a Woman Caitlin Moran

Caitlin Moran’s second memoir picks up where the first left off.

Moran brings her trademark wit as she explores what it means to be a middle-aged woman in modern Britain. She also lets us in on some of the most difficult challenges she’s had to face over the past few years, including helping her teenage daughter battle an eating disorder. It can feel a little smug at times, but on the whole More Than a Woman is well worth a read.

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By Kate Duggan

Choose Your Own Autobiography Neil Patrick Harris

The clue to this one is in the title – rather than a straightforward ‘the whole truth and nothing but the truth’ memoir, this one gives the reader the chance to choose what to read about next and, in some cases, in which direction Harris should have headed. Will you end up starring in Doogie Howser MD or eaten by piranhas? Only you can choose. Hilarious, insightful and original, this is a great holiday read.

Captain Tom’s Life Lessons Captain Tom Moore and Wendy Holden

In 2020, Captain Tom set out to raise money for the NHS. He soon became a household name. A number one single followed, as did his bestselling autobiography, Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day. In Captain Tom’s Life Lessons, he shares some of the things he learned over his 100 years.

There’s no preaching or lecturing, just bucketloads of warmth, humility and quiet humour.

Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet Kate Pankhurst

Kate Pankhurst has written several children’s books about fantastic women in history. This one focuses on environmental heroes. You’ll read about Jane Goodall and Anita Roddick, alongside lesser-known figures such as Wangari Maathai and Ingebord Beling. Each minibio is accompanied by full-colour illustrations.

Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet may be aimed at young children, but parents, grandparents and teachers are sure to enjoy it just as much.

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