Stevenage Dec 2021 by Villager Mag

VILLAGER The

and Town

Dec 2021

Life

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

Inside this issue Style a

Festive Table Island Breaks for

Winter Sun

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Inside this issue...

Snuggle Up

The Season of Giving.....to Nature............................................34 Sprouts, Stockings and Tinsel...................................................37 Wood Green: Here for Every Little Star this Christmas..............38 Island Breaks for Winter Sun....................................................40 Twelve Days of Christmas Health..............................................43 Short Story: Too Much of a Good Thing.....................................45 Board Games or Bored Games?................................................46 Fun Quiz...................................................................................46 Puzzle Page..............................................................................48 What’s On in December............................................................50 Brand New Retro......................................................................53 The Car Industry’s Most Eco-friendly Advancements................54 £100 Christmas Prize Crossword...............................................58 Books to Gift............................................................................60

Setting the Scene.......................................................................4 The Best Beauty Advent Calendars.............................................8 Partying in a Pandemic!...........................................................10 Freezer Meat Mystery...............................................................12 Seasonal Recipe.......................................................................15 Christmas Themed Everything..................................................17 Sale! Saving or Scam?..............................................................18 What Wine? Ice Wine................................................................20 Which Tumble Drier Should You Choose?..................................23 Tutoring: What to Consider.......................................................25 Time for a Party!.......................................................................26 Take Part in a Penguin Parade for Marie Curie..........................29 The Art of Scepticism. How to Think Critically...........................30 Snuggle Up..............................................................................32

Partying in a Pandemic

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: Katherine Sorrell, Kate Duggan, Debbie James, Tracey Anderson, Trevor Langley, Kate McCarthy, Jennie Billings, James Bates, Caroline Knight, RSPCA, Wood Green, Jackie Brewster and Sarah Davey

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Svetlana Cherruty 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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Interiors

By Katherine Sorrell

Setting the Scene Style a festive table for delicious meals with family and friends Whether you eat turkey and all the trimmings at 2pm or prepare a nut roast in the evening, a lavish meal is often the centrepiece of Christmas Day – not to mention other get-togethers around the dining table before the day itself. What could be nicer than enjoying a festive meal with your family or closest friends – perhaps with seasonal music and scented candles in the background adding to those Christmassy vibes? Carefully setting and dressing the dining table for a Christmas meal can be as much a part of the ritual of Christmas Day as putting the turkey in the oven or opening gifts. To prevent it being a time-consuming chore it is best to plan ahead, consider how you will achieve the look you want and what key ingredients are required.

First, decide on an overall theme. It could be something very simple and natural, in muted, neutral colours. Or a more sparkly feel with white and silver, frosting and tinsel. A classic look is always a good option, employing red, gold and deep green, perhaps with a touch of tartan, while for a modern effect you might choose pretty pastels or even bolder neons. The key is to stick to the theme pretty tightly so it all looks unified rather than thrown together. The basis of everything is, of course, the dining table. If yours is not up to scratch, this is the perfect occasion for a tablecloth, which will disguise all manner of ills, including scratches, stains and even separate tables butted together for extra space (just make sure they’re roughly the same heights). Crisp, plain white cotton or unbleached, slubby linen are

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both classics – the former with a smarter look, the latter having a laid-back, Nordic appeal. You might add a slightly more decorative effect with a lace, embroidered or scalloped trim, or opt for a full-on festive effect with an all-over Christmas pattern. Instead of a tablecloth (or perhaps as well as) you might add a slim runner along the length of the table. While fabric versions come ready-made, you can also improvise your own by arranging a narrow row of suitable decorations along the table – such as a garland of evergreen branches interspersed with pine cones and sprigs of berries, battery-operated micro lights, tea lights in little saucers, lanterns with candles, or seasonal floral displays. An alternative to a runner is an eye-catching centrepiece. A classic wreath with candles always looks great, as does a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers and foliage (think eucalyptus, berried holly, spruce, viburnum, mistletoe, roses, ivy, carnations and gypsophila), or containers with Christmas bulbs such as amaryllis, paperwhites and hyacinths. Other variations could include a grouping of lanterns or pillar candles, a pile of small, beautifully wrapped presents, a bowl full of vintage, coloured-glass baubles or a wooden Christmas ornament. If you are able to hang something above the table (perhaps from a pendant light – though beware of weight, and anything flammable) it is sure to make a dramatic impression. Ideas include a selection of greenery entwined around a slim metal frame, a scattering of origami stars made from metallic paper, a mobile made from baubles on ribbons hung from a foraged wooden bough, or a simple swirl of twinkly fairy lights. Delightful. Similar ingredients can also be used, if desired, to decorate the backs of chairs – especially useful to unify mismatching seating or if you want to make an extra statement. Wreaths, baubles, pine cones, even small wrapped gifts, can all be tied to or hung from the back of a wooden chair for a very pretty look.

2 Place mats and napkins – chosen to co-ordinate with the overall style – are important elements and, if you like, napkins can be folded or rolled and prettified with all sorts of sweet additions, such as cinnamon sticks, candy canes, mini wrapped gifts, tiny baubles, small wooden stars, velvet ribbons or coloured twine. And then, as the final components, it’s time to add crockery, cutlery and glassware. Use your best set (or sets – layering co-ordinated crockery can be so attractive), arranged super-neatly, with all extravagance possible: bowls on top of side plates on top of dinner plates; cutlery for all the different courses; glasses for water, wine and fizz, placed just so. The result? A gorgeous, welcoming Christmas table that’s full of impact.

1 Jazz up a simple wooden table with chunky crockery, golden goblets and baubles in bowls. Grey wooden micro star, £17.99; midwinter garland, £34.99; 50 warm white LED green micro fairy lights, £12.99; set of three antique gold glass baubles, £19.99; TruGlow® LED pillar candle trio, £26.99; Lights4fun: 01423 816 040; lights4fun.co.uk. Photograph: Oliver Perrott 2 Christmas-themed, red-and-white crockery for a warm and inviting table. Red and white Fair Isle 12-piece dinner set, £20; White Christmas Wreath 12-piece dinner set, £20; both George Home at Asda: 0800 952 0101; direct.asda.com. 3 Glowing reds and golds with ornaments, gifts and baubles creates a dramatic table setting. Faux-fur stocking, £5; cable-knit throw, £15; fur-trim pillow, £10; stag ornament, £8; trio of frosted tree decorations, £8; all B&M: 0330 838 9000; bmstores.co.uk.

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Beauty

The Best Beauty Advent Calendars On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… a calendar packed with beauty goodies… Beauty advent calendars are hot news right now, so there are plenty to choose from. Most of our top picks just cover the twelve days running up to Christmas Day, so if you’re reading this mid-month, it’s not too late to treat a friend (or yourself)… The best for make-up lovers Benefit’s The More the Merrier, 12 Merry Days of Makeup Calendar, £58.50 from Boots Benefit’s calendar is without a doubt one of the prettiest on the market, and highlights some of the brand’s hero products. There are four mascaras, an eyeliner and two face primers, along with an eye pencil, bronzer and other goodies. The best for men 24 Grooming Essentials in Support of Macmillan Calendar, £85 from Boots My partner is seriously impressed with this calendar. There’s a good range of products from some of Boots’ most popular brands. Behind those little blue and black doors, you’ll find everything from a No.7 Men’s Protect & Perfect Intense Serum to Ted Baker body washes. Most toiletries are a generous 50ml. There’s also a pair of nail scissors, as well as tweezers and other essentials. Plus, £2 from every calendar will be donated to Macmillan to help support people with cancer. The best for blowing the budget Bobbi Brown’s 12 Day Advent Calendar, £125 from www.bobbibrown.co.uk While the price is rather eye-watering, Bobbi Brown’s first ever advent calendar is actually pretty good value for money. If you bought the products separately, they’d cost you an extra £100.

Benefit’s The More the Merrier, 12 Merry Days of Makeup Calendar, £58.50 from Boots

24 Grooming Essentials in Support of Macmillan Calendar, £85 from Boots 8

Bobbi Brown’s 12 Day Advent Calendar, £125 from www.bobbibrown.co.uk

By Kate Duggan The luxe-looking box reveals an array of Bobbi Brown’s bestsellers, including the ever-in-demand Shimmer Brick in Bronze, the Extra Lip Tint in Bare Pink, the Vitamin Enriched Face Base and the Smokey Eye Mascara. The best if you love a bargain Dove Gently Nourishing Calendar, £20 from Amazon Proving that you don’t need to splash out to make someone’s day, Dove’s new calendar includes two full-sized Dove products, plus four miniatures and six other gifts. The focus is on spa-worthy pampering, so you’ll find goodies such as Dove’s Relaxing Body Wash and Essential Nourishment Hand Cream, alongside cleansing pads, a multi-charge cable and hair bobbles. The best for tweens Disney’s Minnie Mouse 12 Days of Bath & Body, £20 from Superdrug Tween beauty queens and Disney fans alike will love this cute advent calendar. It’s full of pampering treats, including bath salts, a lip balm, body wash, body lotion and hand cream. (Plus, it’s better for their teeth than the traditional chocolate-filled calendars...) The best for personalising Can’t find anything that’s quite right? Why not create your own calendar? Individually wrap and number small gifts and pop them in a gift box or cotton shopping bag. Head to the travel toiletries aisle for gifts or look for bargain gift sets to split. You could also add non-beauty gifts, like a mini scented candle, chocolates and stationery.also add non-beauty gifts, like a mini scented candle, chocolates and stationery.

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Time of Year

Partying in a Pandemic! I love to throw a party. Every year I’d host a festive bash for our friends. Then last year COVID happened. This year I’ve been looking forwards to throwing my party again but actually the virus is still rife in the community. The kids and staff at my son’s senior school are dropping like flies, and I realised that it simply wouldn’t be sensible to gather 15-20 people I care about in a confined space. I felt a bit deflated until one of my friends asked, ‘Are you going to do your outdoor thing again? It was so much fun last year.’ I was a little taken aback, then I realised that I’d been so focussed on getting back to ‘normal’ I’d completely forgotten that amid all the darkness last year we’d actually had some great times, and one of them was my Christmas Party in the Yard. Back in 2020 when I’d realised we couldn’t host our friends in the usual way I decided to get creative. “I need to think outside the box,” I’d said to my husband…” In fact, I need to think ‘outside.’” He looked horrified, “You can’t host a Christmas party outside in the UK in December!” he said. Well, I couldn’t host a conventional party sure, but they were unconventional times. I canvassed my friends, and they were on board. We decided that we would meet up in the afternoon to go for a lovely walk, then come back and hang out on my friend’s allotment because we’d already be dressed for the weather and allotment gatherings of more than three households were actually allowed! I decided if we were going to do it, it would have to be full on magical. So, we hung outdoor fairy lights

all-round the plot for a Winter Wonderland feel. We begged and borrowed outdoor lanterns and placed candles in jars on the table. We made garlands of pinecones, spruce clippings, eucalyptus, and ivy. My husband had the brilliant idea of tying star anise and cinnamon sticks to the garlands to make a really Christmassy smell, and he dragged out the summer gazebo We fired up BBQs, Patio heaters and a firepit and put all the garden chairs in the warmest area. And we made festive sausages with apple sauce and cranberry sauce instead of ketchup. There were mince pies and popcorn and we even roasted chestnuts and toasted marshmallows. For drinks we made spiced apple cider, hot chocolate with chocolate liqueur and squirty cream and mulled wine. And there were blankets, rugs, and fleecy throws. We played music on an old battery operated CD player and laughed and talked until late. My mistake was to think of this as a poor substitute for my usual Christmas party. My friends on the other hand thought of it as something quite lovely in its own right and were keen for a repeat in 2021, only hopefully in my garden this time, with easy access to posher plumbing when nature calls! So, this year, we’re not risking an indoor party again yet, we’re going to repeat the outdoor get together, and it will be exactly what we make it, a wonderful celebration of friendship and joy, exactly as Christmas should be. By Debbie James

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Food & Drink

Freezer Meat Mastery How to freeze meat Like many people I clear out my freezer in the run up to Christmas to make room for all the festive goodies. And like many people (please tell me it’s not just me) I often end up looking at freezer bags or boxes dated several months previously wondering, ‘Is this still safe to use?’ It’s convenient to fill up our freezers with frozen meals and ingredients, since freezing food is the best way to guarantee freshness, but how long can we freeze meat before it goes off Well, the good news is that if your freezer is set to -18C (which is the recommended safe freezer temperature) then frozen meat is actually safe to eat pretty much indefinitely, because this temperature prevents the growth of microorganisms and inactivates any microbes (such as bacteria, yeasts, and moulds). But safe to eat definitely does not equate to ‘good to eat’. Meat that’s been in the freezer for a long time will begin to degrade and suffer from freezer burn. It’s safe to freeze meats in its original packaging; but if you plan to keep it in your freezer for longer than two months it’s good to overwrap the packaging with airtight heavy-duty packaging such as foil, cling film, freezer paper, or a freezer bag. Poultry - Whole chickens and turkeys can last in the freezer for 12 months and still taste good. Chicken pieces should be consumed within 9 months, and giblets for just three months. Beef, Veal, & Lamb - Steaks should be consumed

By Tracey Anderson

within 8 months. Chops, which are on the bone deteriorate faster and should be eaten within 6 months. Pork - Uncooked pork is similar to beef. Chops will last four to six months in the freezer. Sausages will last about four months and bacon will be fine for about six months. Fish & Seafood - Fish and seafood has a much shorter freezer life. Generally, two to three months is recommended for fish, three months for raw prawns and four months for cooked prawns (which have been bought frozen). Mince - I was quite surprised by the fact that the quality of mince deteriorates pretty rapidly in the freezer and shouldn’t really be kept beyond four months. Cooked & Leftover Meat - Cooked meat doesn’t maintain its quality in the freezer for as long as raw meat does. Poultry and fish dishes will keep for 4-6 months. Beef, veal, lamb, and pork dishes should only be kept for 2-3 months. Things you might not know you can freeze safely Eggs! - Break the eggs into silicone muffin cups and they will stay fresh for up to four months, though you can keep them for 12 months. Nuts - If you love nuts it’s cheaper to buy them in bigger bags. But because of their high fat content they can go rancid. So, freeze them in small portions and they will last for 6 months. Happy Freezering this festive season.

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Seasonal Recipe

Fed up with the usual turkey recipes? Try these delicious turkey burgers topped with cranberry sauce and a Brussels sprout coleslaw.

Turkey Burger with Cranberry Sauce

and Brussels Sprout Coleslaw

Burgers 250g turkey breast mince ½ red onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, grated 1 egg, beaten 1 small apple peeled and coarsely grated 1 tsp smoked paprika Salt and pepper Olive oil (to cook) Brussels Sprouts Coleslaw 125g Brussels sprouts, trimmed ½ red onion 1 carrot, peeled 50g Greek yoghurt 30g mayonnaise 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp lemon juice Salt and pepper ¼ tsp ground cumin Handful of chives, chopped Handful of parsley, chopped

Rolls, lettuce and cranberry sauce, to serve

Serves 2

1. Place the mince in a bowl with the remaining ingredients for the burger and mix well. Shape the mixture into two burgers about 3cm thick. Chill for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas mark 5. Place the burgers on a lined baking tray and brush the tops lightly with the olive oil. Bake in the oven for 20-25 mins, turning halfway through cooking, until cooked through. 3. To make the coleslaw, grate the Brussels sprouts, onion and carrot in a food processor. Place in a bowl. Mix together the yoghurt, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper and cumin. Pour the yoghurt mixture over the vegetables and coat thoroughly. Stir in the herbs. 4. Serve the burgers in buns with lettuce, a spoonful of cranberry sauce and the coleslaw.

Nutrition per burger with coleslaw: 340kcal, fat 14g (of which saturates 2.9g), carbohydrates 15g (of which sugars 13g), protein 36g, fibre 3.8g

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Finance

Sale! Saving or Scam? You might think looking at a price tag would be simple enough, but it’s not always as clear as it seems. When you see a special offer or a sales reduction, you have the right to certain information to help you make a informed decision about whether it’s good value. The main law covering sales prices is the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, which says any price promoted as a ‘sale’ or ‘special offer’ must also list the original price. Usually this should be the price charged immediately before the sale started. The seller must have charged this price for a ‘meaningful’ period, usually at least as long as the sale lasts. This means shops can’t simply put a dress on sale for £200 for one day, then sell it at £50 and bill it as being 75% off. One thing to watch out for is when the seller compares the sales price with a ‘recommended retail price’ (RRP). This is usually allowed as long as it’s clear this is the case, even when the seller concerned has never charged that price themselves. VAT INCLUDED When sellers offer goods to consumers, they must always list prices including any VAT that applies. Sellers can only list prices excluding VAT when marketing directly to businesses and even then they must make it very clear they have done so. Listed prices must always include any charge that

is compulsory rather than an optional extra: for example, car dealers can’t add on a ‘hidden’ fee for number plates. HAGGLING With all prices, there’s no legal reason you can’t offer a lower price. You have the same rights to haggle in Harrods as you do at a car-boot sale, though not always with the same likelihood of succeeding! If you negotiate a discount, you still have the same consumer rights to return a faulty product or one that’s not as advertised. The seller might exclude the deal from their normal returns policies if you change your mind, though they’ll need to agree this with you before you buy. DISTANCE SELLING Whatever price you pay, whether ‘on sale’ or not, your consumer rights are unaffected. You still have a legal right to a refund if goods are faulty, not as described or not fit for their stated purpose. You can also ask for a repair or replacement, but that’s entirely your choice. The only exception is if the price reduction was because of a flaw the seller told you about, such as a scuff mark or missing instructions. Where sales can come into play is the retailer’s own policies that go beyond your legal rights. Many sellers will offer you store credit or a refund when the goods are fine and you’ve simply changed your mind. Sellers can exclude sale goods from this policy, though they should make this clear in advance.

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Food & Drink

What Wine? IceWine

Canada, located in the northern part of North America, has English and French as two of the languages that are spoken, widely. Several other languages used include German, Spanish and Chinese. The history of Canada, plus cultures, religions, literature, music, the arts and sports bring countless visitors to Canada, year round. Canadian wines have been produced for over two hundred years and are now recognised globally, with many receiving prestigious awards at competitions and events. I searched for wines ‘beyond the norm’ – to locate productions of Icewine. Icewines are actually produced by a few countries. Canadian Icewines are high on the ‘leaderboard’ for quality and presentation, utilising fruits that have been frozen while still on the vine. The water content freezes, which allows for a more concentrated juice to develop. When the time is right for picking the fruit, the pickers have to be ‘ready for action’ at the optimum time. Canada is recognised as the largest Icewine producer, globally. Lakeview Cellars is the oldest brand incorporated within the Diamond Estates family of beverages. Established during 1991, in Vineland, Lakeview Cellars continues to produce excellent wines. Splendid full-bodied red and full-flavoured white wines, from this company, are very popular and the wine productions accompany cuisine superbly, as well as being able to be enjoyed by themselves. I found the luscious aged Icewines, produced by multi award-winning Lakeview Cellars, to be of exceptional quality and very impressive. White Vidal Icewine has the bouquet of sweet fruits and honey enticing to the grand mouthfeel. A wine that is great to pair with cuisine, wonderfully, including fruit desserts and also cheeses. Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Franc Icewine is another truly fabulous production. This high-quality red Icewine is richly aromatic, with strawberry and cherry notes to please the nasal senses. The mouth’s pleasures follow on to enjoy the sensation, that include raspberries and red currants. When accompanying chocolate desserts and good cheeses, this makes them all perfect. Icewines increase in popularity every year and are a great ‘talking point’, always adding interest (and intrigue) to dining tables, plus occasions and events. Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc 1067 Niagara Stone Road Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario LOS 1JO Canada www.lakeviewwinecellars.com www.diamondestates.ca

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Special Report

By Kate McCarthy

Drying to be Environmentally Friendly Which tumble drier should you choose? I try to be eco-friendly. I make only intentional purchases, recycle, repurpose, and use a washing line rather than a tumble dryer as much as possible. But when it’s drizzling and cold outside and there are two loads of washing to dry, a tumble dryer is sometimes the only reasonable option. Our ancient tumble dryer died recently. It was fifteen years old so lasted way beyond our expectations, but now we were in the market for a new one. Ecofriendliness was top of the agenda. No tumble drier is actually eco-friendly, but I wanted one that at least wasn’t openly hostile for the days when line-drying wasn’t an option. There are two types of tumble dryer: condenser and vented. Condensers work by separating moisture from the air and storing it in a water container. The container needs to be emptied after each cycle. Vented models have a large hose designed to transfer the moist air outside. While this saves you emptying a container, it may require some installation if you want to vent it through a wall. Bigger drums provide more room for clothes to tumble, allowing for thorough drying and fewer creases. Drum capacity is measured in kilograms. If you want to dry substantial amounts of clothes, look at models above 9kg. Tumble dryers with sensors work out the ideal drying time for clothes. They remove the guesswork by automatically assessing the weight and moisture levels in the clothes. The machine then calculates how long the cycle should be, saving energy and money. And, because it knows when to stop, it prevents damage to clothes caused by over-drying. Tumble dryer energy ratings range from A+++ which is super-efficient, to D which…erm…isn’t. Even current models are not always terribly environmentally friendly. The most energy efficient models use a heat pump. A heat pump tumble dryer absorbs the water from

the wet laundry by passing hot air through the drum. This air is then passed through an evaporator which removes the water and stores it in the tumble dryers’ reservoir. The air is then reheated and sent back through the drum multiple times until your laundry is dry. This is different to normal vented and condenser tumble dryers, as neither of those models take advantage of the air they have already warmed. So, heat pump tumble dryers use up to 50% less energy as they are reheating the air which is already warm from the previous cycle. This means they are better for the environment. Also, because heat pump tumble dryers operate at a lower temperature, clothes last longer, which is also an eco-win. The two disadvantages are price, and a longer running time. Costs have fallen recently but they are still more expensive than conventional driers. The longer running time is because of the lower running temperatures. We thought about it carefully and on balance felt that with energy prices set to keep rising, it was better to invest a little extra cash up front when buying our new tumble dryer rather than paying extra to use it over the long term. If you don’t have to replace your drier immediately it might be worth waiting a little longer to see whether prices drop any more as heat pump models become more the norm.

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Education

Tutoring

What to consider After-school tutoring can be an invaluable part of a child’s education. A tutor can offer support in areas that your child might struggle with, such as maths or English, or help your child to further improve in subjects that they already excel at. Tutoring is also available in subjects that your child’s school might not offer, e.g. Mandarin and philosophy. You can appoint a tutor at any time in your child’s education, but tutoring can be particularly valuable in the run-up to exams, such as GCSEs or the 11-plus. As well as helping with subject-specific knowledge, tutoring can be useful if your child suffers from exam-related anxiety or if they’re not used to sitting tests. The one-to-one basis of tutoring means your child can learn at their own speed, rather than being led by the wider needs of the class. It also allows extra time for questions or diving deeper into a subject. Tutors usually come to your home, although some operate out of an education centre. Many also offer video tutoring, which is helpful if you’re searching for a tutor in a less common subject. Choosing a tutor After-school tutoring can feel like a punishment. Few children want to add more studying to their weekly timetable. So look for a tutor who will be able to build a good rapport with your child. Not only is your child likely to learn more, they’ll also be happier and will put more effort into their learning. A good tutor should help to increase your child’s confidence in a subject and, ideally, boost their enjoyment for learning. Before committing to a tutor, you’ll want to check references, qualifications and ID.

Finding the right tutor Ask your child’s school if they have any recommendations, and put the word out in your friendship circle that you’re looking for a tutor. You may also want to register with sites such as www.firsttutors.com, which helps to connect private tutors with parents. Some of these sites check the IDs and references of the tutors they promote, which gives you additional peace of mind. The cost of tutoring A tutor’s hourly rate will depend on a number of factors, including their experience, location and what subject your child needs help with. In most cases, you’ll pay between £20 and £40 an hour for an experienced tutor. If your child is at primary school, a tutoring session will generally last for no more than an hour. An A-level tutoring session might be as long as 2.5 hours. Safety Tutors don’t have to be DBS checked, but it’s wise to choose one who has been. A parent or guardian should also be present during every tutoring session.

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House of Colour

Time for a Party! I am writing this in the confirmed hope that we will be partying in December. Time for the gladrags to finally come out of their wardrobe and into the spotlight, the dancefloor, etc. If you’ve already been looking in the shops for evening wear you will have noticed that there is not much in the shops, the odd sparkly jumper and not much more. Understandably there has been hesitation on the part of retailers to commit to bringing out a lot and indeed online options are selling fast. So, if you are keen on something don’t hesitate as it won’t be there for long. The trends are highlighting a number of options which have been around and to some degree are perennials in the evening wear department so perhaps time to dig out what might be lurking in the absolute depths of your wardrobe. Velvet - It suits everyone! The co-ord, suit option is featuring strongly this season in lots of jewel colours with something for all the seasons. I love this option as it has real flexibility, each piece can be worn separately. The blazer will look great more casually with jeans while the trousers can be worn daytime with any number of tops including knitwear chiming in with hi-low styling (adding the smarter element to something more casual in an outfit). Velvet wide leg trousers are a great addition if you need more volume in your style and are incredibly easy to wear from casual to more formal evening looks. Sequins - Evening wear is bold this season and nothing says bold more than a few million sequins. A mainstay for evening but this season it can be found on flares in a variety of colours in addition to the camisole, and statement sleeve tops and dresses. For a more casual look add a white or cream shirt over a sequin camisole. Jewellery - A statement piece of jewellery can instantly add the evening glamour to an outfit. If it suits your clothing personality go big – crystals in all their forms are being liberally added to jewellery in all its forms. Adding a new piece of jewellery can be a relatively inexpensive way of updating your look. You might be a fan of the layered necklace look which is set to continue. For evening you’ll be adding as many glittery smaller pieces as you fancy. I think it works best if there are differing lengths to ensure each piece can be seen. It’s a great option for those who need a smaller scale look. Shoe buckles - So many elegant evening shoes feature a beautiful buckle this season. You don’t

necessarily need to buy a new pair of shoes but add a buckle to an existing pair of court shoes. Look on etsy for lots of options. Relaxed styling For the ultimate in easy styling a feather hemmed pyjama style silk cropped trouser is a really fun option. Paired with a rib knit and jewelled heels for easy glamour. Check out Kitri. I spent a few months in Paris as a student and a friend and I used to marvel at the style and glamour of the Parisian women. When analysing this closely we noticed that they didn’t restrict in any way the number of accessories they put on. No British restraint there. It became our mantra, ‘when in doubt, put it all on’. I think we need it this season, if it sparkles, shines and dazzles put it on! 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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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

Take part in a Penguin Parade for Marie Curie

A PP N OI NO EC N ES TM SA EN RY T

Marie Curie is calling on flipping fabulous young fundraisers to step out this festive season and take part in a penguin parade for families affected by terminal illness. The newly launched Penguin Parade will see young children go for a waddle of any distance at their nursery or primary school, to raise money and light up the festive season for local families affected by terminal illness. The cute fundraiser is fronted by Penelope the Penguin, who will make an appearance in plush toy form at nurseries and schools taking part. Peter Sara, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser in the East of England said: “We’re so excited to be launching this brand-new fundraising event and hope our young supporters enjoy stretching their legs and going for a little waddle with Penelope. “Christmas can be a difficult time for those who are bereaved, living with a terminal illness or caring for a loved one at the end of life. By taking part in the Penguin Parade, you can help us continue to be there for everyone who will need us now and in the future. “Penelope hopes to join in on all the fun, but a little birdie tells us that stocks of Penelope the Penguin are limited, so pull your flipper out, and sign up now!” The Penguin Parade is aimed at children aged 1-6 and the charity recommends taking part in small groups, such as nurseries or primary schools. Once signed up, participating nurseries and schools will get everything they need for the perfect Penguin Parade, including Penelope the Penguin a soft cuddly toy. Then all that’s left to do is raise as much as possible! For more information on Penguin Parade and to sign up visit: mariecurie.org.uk/penguin-parade or contact your local Community Fundraiser, Peter Sara: peter.sara@mariecurie.org.uk or alternatively: 07887 625 449.

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Special Report

The Art of Scepticism How to think critically By James Bates

Over a year after the losing the US presidential election Donald Trump still maintains he won - by a ‘landslide’. Even after multiple recounts, audits and ‘forensic’ testing all proved him wrong. But why do tens of millions of Americans still think he’s telling the truth? Critical thinking and scepticism are dying skills. You read a post on Twitter and because other people agree with it you assume it’s true. We don’t ask the important questions. Who made the initial post? What expertise do they have? What facts do they have to back up their claims? Where do those facts come from? Can they be trusted? Do they have something to gain? Without applying some critical thought, we end up falling down the rabbit hole and starting to believe all sorts of nonsensical conspiracy theories from the Earth being flat (yes, there is a growing Flat Earth movement), all the way up to the world being run by an elite race of child eating vampires (the basic QAnon premise!!). So how do you combat the deluge of misinformation, misunderstanding and barefaced lies surrounding us in today’s permanently connected life? Use Carl Sagan’s Baloney Detector. Carl Sagan was a leading scientist, philosopher and astronomer who saw how society was losing touch with reality in the 80’s and 90’s. He predicted our current situation and tried hard to combat the rejection of facts and truths.

The baloney (or BS) detector is a set of rules you should follow to validate any argument people present to you. There are a number of steps, but I’ll take you through the main ones you should apply to claims you hear. 1. Check the facts There must be facts to back up the claim. These must be independently confirmed by a trusted source. 2. Don’t trust someone just because they are in authority. 3. Explore other explanations. Can you disprove them? Explanations that survive disproval stand a better chance of being correct. 4. Don’t believe something just because you like the sound of it. 5. If something can be measured, measure it, or get reliable data from an expert source. 6. If one argument relies on another and another, they all must work or the whole chain fails. 7. Occam’s Razor - if two arguments work, the simplest is usually the best. 8. Can you falsify the argument? If there’s no possible way you can test an argument to see if it’s true, it’s not a good argument. So, when you next read about aliens from Jupiter replacing members of the Government with robot clones, think to yourself. Is this true? How many have been replaced? Can we test this theory? Who is saying this? Can they be trusted? Is this the likeliest explanation? I leave you to ponder that one!

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Home Products By Katherine Sorrell

Snuggle up Perfect for those special small gifts. Faux-fur stockings, £25 each, John Lewis.

Pull on your PJs and make a mug of hot chocolate: it’s time to get cosy. And for that extra-inviting touch, just add a few irresistible items made from sumptuous fake fur. To appreciate the tactile quality of fake fur, the bedroom is a great place to start. Faux-fur throw, £20; fur-trim cushions, £8; bedding set, from £20; all B&M. The gorgeously shaggy pile of these faux-fur Mongolian cushions will add texture, trend and a pop of colour to your room. Mongolian faux-fur cushions, £14 each, Julian Charles.

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Using faux fur in your home

Who needs glass baubles when you can add fluffy ones? Faux-fur hanging bauble, £2, Habitat.

Lift your interior with a brightly coloured, snuggly cushion. Burnt orange faux-fur cushion cover, £26, Audenza.

Sink into a sumptuous faux sheepskin bean bag and you’ll never want to get up again. icon® Yeanling faux-sheepskin bean bag, £99.99, BeanBagBazaar.

A graphic pattern makes this cushion as eye-catching as it is tactile. Madison faux-fur cushion in rust, £10, B&M. Boasting a luxe-glam style straight out of old-school Hollywood, these pieces are handmade in the UK. Oyster Bay accent chair, £695; Oyster Bay fabric bench; £495; both Furniture Village.

Affordable and ethical, this fauxsheepskin rug will also be cosy on your toes. Faux-fur rug, £34.99, Homesense.

STOCKISTS Audenza: audenza.com Bean Bag Bazaar: 01670 330 499; beanbagbazaar.co.uk Habitat : 0345 640 2020 ; habitat.co.uk John Lewis: 03456 100 336; johnlewis.com

• Faux fur adds a sense of luxury and opulence without concerns about animal cruelty. Add it to any space that is lacking in texture for an instant feeling of cosiness and richness. • Fake fur in interiors can take various forms, from small rugs to inviting throws, cushion covers to bean bags – and even entire stools or chairs. A little tends to go a long way, however. Just a couple of furry accents is probably the ideal number, though at Christmas you may want to go a little more over the top and add in some fluffy baubles, stockings or even a furry tree ‘skirt’. • If realism is an important consideration, look for longer hair and a variety of tones within the fur. Natural shades are, obviously, the ones to choose, bearing in mind that creams and ivories look more lifelike than bright white. Faux furs also come in a wide range of interesting artificial colours and, in winter, brighter, jewellike tones can add welcome notes of warmth. • To make sure your faux-fur rugs, cushions, throws and other items last as long as possible, always follow the instructions on the care label. Usually, you’ll be able to put them in the machine on a cold, low-spin, delicates cycle, with mild detergent, then press excess water out and air dry to ensure they remain the right shape. You can detangle and tease the pile back into fluffy softness, either before or after washing, by using a wide-tooth comb or brush.

B & M: 0330 838 9000; bmstores.co.uk Furniture Village : 0800 804 8879 ; furniturevillage.co.uk Homesense: 01923 473561; homesense.com Julian Charles: 0330 053 7501; juliancharles.co.uk

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Gardening

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

The season of giving… to nature The gift that keeps on giving There’s no better time to start giving to nature on a permanent basis. Most of us could improve our habits, so that we give more than we take. Within around two years, new developments in England will be expected to demonstrate that their projects will increase biodiversity by at least ten per cent. Known as Biodiversity Net Gain, this is a big change from what happens at the moment. The new Environment Bill will make it necessary for developers to use ecological features and environmental enhancements to protect and improve existing natural habitat and green infrastructure. Anyone with a garden can start right away, as we should all be nurturing nature so that biodiversity can triumph. You need to select plants with ample benefits for insects, allow wood piles and untidy areas to become part of the border, and use vertical fences and walls for further planting. Best plants for wildlife Most gardens have room for a tree, if only a small one. Trees and shrubs can support a remarkable number of living things, so if you only have time to plant just one thing in your garden, make it a tree, a shrub or something that provides positive benefits for small creatures. If you have a little more time, a mixed hedge is just about the best you can offer wildlife. • Betula: there are 521 species of invertebrates that are known to feed on birch trees and more than 100 of these are exclusive to that particular type of tree. • Sorbus, the rowan tree: provides food for at least 160 species of insect and, of course, birds and small mammals love the berries. • Malus, the native crab apple: provides homes for at

least 90 insect species. Many different insects visit the spring blossom, then birds and other creatures eat the fruits. Even ornamental varieties of this delightful tree provide rich biodiversity benefits. • Amelanchier, the June berry or serviceberry tree: has something to offer wildlife during several seasons. Early spring flowers for pollinators make this small tree look like a white cloud. It also provides multiple nesting opportunities for birds and juicy berries during the late summer. • Conifers: really are worth having! Some have earned negative press over the years but this doesn’t detract from their value to wildlife. There’s probably no better tree for providing nesting sites and protection for a wide range of creatures. • Flowering shrubs and perennials: choose single flowers over double, every time. They have an open shape that allows access for the pollinators and nectar-drinkers. Look for yellow stamens within a flower; these will support insects. • Purple and blue flowers are best for bees! buddleia, catmint, lavender, pulmonaria, penstemon, allium and purple-flowering hardy geraniums can all be seen clearly. Ensure there is something flowering from early spring through to autumn and winter. • Butterflies love hebes, sedum (Hylotelephium varieties), Verbena bonariensis, Origanum, Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’, buddleia, scabious and many wild flowers such as knapweed.

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Pets

Sprouts, Stockings and Tinsel

How to Have a Pet Friendly Christmas We all love Christmas! But, whilst we’re busy getting wrapped up in the festive fun, we may forget to think about the effect Christmas can have on our pets and other animals too. This month we are sharing popular gift ideas, along with tips on how to keep your pets safe and calm during the holiday season. Gifts For Dogs If you find yourself in a pet shop during the month of December, the chances are you will be greeted with a vast array of festive fun and edible treats. From flashing snowballs to squeaky sprouts. The range of dog toys at Christmas is tree-mendous. Why not treat your dog to some new toys this Christmas? Do a quick audit before you leave for the shops to see what needs mending, washing or throwing away. Coats and jumpers for dogs are a great investment and definitely something they will appreciate on their Christmas Day walk. Designs range from Christmas trees to fur lined tartan ones. Edible treats are popular all year round, but at Christmas the selection is incredible. Dog friendly advent calendars, rawhide reindeers, stockings and specially formulated mince pies. Gifts For Cats Cats can sometimes be hard to buy for. However, if you spend some time in your local pet shop, you will discover the variety is actually much more abundant than originally thought. Why not a festive collar, new bedding or a scratching post? Toys with a Christmassy theme will sneak into most cat owners homes this year, along with a selection of treats.

Alternative Gifts If your furry friend has plenty of toys, jumpers and festive bedding, then perhaps a less traditional gift is what you need this year. Why not treat your dog to a spa treatment for Christmas this year, or pamper them at home with a massage. Specially formulated bath oils can be purchased and added to their bath water if your dog has a dry coat or dry skin. Indoor floor to ceiling cat trees have made an appearance on this years wish list, along with portable pet teepees that provide your small pet with the personal space to either sleep or hide in. Pet Friendly Christmas Christmas can be stressful for pets. The change in routine, visitors, loud music and decorations can all cause distress. Planning ahead can help reduce stress for pets and ensure they have a happy home at Christmas too. Try to find somewhere in your home that your pets can escape to if they need some time out. Lastly, don’t forget there are some foods that dogs mustn’t be given because they are either toxic or very unhealthy for them – chocolate, dried fruit, gravy, stuffing, pigs in blankets and some nut varieties. 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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Local News

Wood Green: Here for every

little star this Christmas

For many homeless pets, kindness goes a long way in restoring their trust in humans. For Nora, a 10-yearold Terrier cross who was brought to Wood Green, The Animals Charity’s centre in Cambridgeshire after she was abandoned and tied to a farm gate, it was lifesaving. She was cold, wet, and in a very vulnerable condition. Worse still, Nora was almost completely blind, so the whole experience must have been terrifying. Clarissa Luck, a Dog Carer at Wood Green, was one of the first to meet Nora. She recalls: “Her skin was infected, causing it to be painful and itchy. Her coat was matted all over, even on her paws, causing her discomfort with every step”. Nora had entered a state known as ‘emotional shut down’, where a dog’s needs have been neglected for so long that they won’t eat, walk or play. Nora was a little star throughout her treatments Despite having a list of problems that ran from nose to tail, Nora was incredibly gentle while Wood Green worked tirelessly to bring her comfort and relief. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the charity was able to dedicate time, effort and resources to cut away the mats in Nora’s coat, clip her overgrown nails and give her regular medicated baths to soothe her itchy skin. Experts at Wood Green attended to Nora’s infected ears, removed seven rotten teeth and treated her severely dry eyes. Unfortunately, the severe glaucoma that caused her to go blind was creating a build-up of pressure in her eyes, and the only way to

Nora before surgery

ensure a pain-free future for Nora was to surgically remove both eyes. As she was already blind, this would at least prevent any further discomfort. A whole new chapter was about to begin With daily checks, ongoing medication and a lot of patience and love, Nora quickly bounced back from her surgeries and was ready for rehoming. Despite her ordeal, Nora soon began to take pleasure in human company – and she always loved a fuss. While taking on a blind dog isn’t as hard as some people imagine, Nora had some special requirements for her retirement home. Thankfully, patient owners Chris and Karen ticked all of Nora’s wish list and told Wood Green: “Nora has taken us on as her people. She doesn’t let anything that has happened in the past affect her and she really seems to enjoy life; her tail is always wagging and she even looks like she is smiling a lot of the time.” Will you help more little stars like Nora to shine again? Nora’s transformation is a wonderful turnaround and shows what the charity can achieve, thanks to the kindness of supporters. Gifts to Wood Green really do make such an impact so, if you can, please support the Little Stars Appeal this Christmas. Your donation will enable the charity to continue caring for abandoned strays who need urgent care in the months ahead. To support Wood Green, and make a real difference to pets like Nora, please visit www.woodgreen.org.uk/littlestar

Nora after surgery

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Travel

Mallorca

Island breaks for winter sun With summer well and truly behind us, many of us will already be missing the feeling of sun on our skin and sand between our toes. Sigh. You don’t need to wait until summer to get your fix of sun, sea and sand though. While this time last year we were all stuck indoors watching Netflix and making banana bread, now that the world’s starting to open up again there are a handful of destinations across Europe that are welcoming British tourists with open arms. And is there anywhere dreamier to escape to than an island? From the Mediterranean paradise of Greece’s sparkling shores to the sun-drenched Canaries off the west coast of Africa, here are some of the best islands to escape to this winter. The Canary Islands, Spain If you’re searching for guaranteed winter sun close to home, the Canary Islands should be on your radar. This cluster of islands off the coast of northern Africa are famous for their volcanic landscape and year-round sunshine. Lanzarote, Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria are the archipelago’s most popular islands, but the tiny isles of La Palma,

La Gomera and El Hierro are also packed full of charm. A favourite amongst British tourists, and for good reason, Lanzarote is so much more than a beach holiday. Although it doesn’t fall short on its selection of pristine, white and black-sand beaches, the island’s otherworldly landscape is signposted with walking and cycling trails to guide the more adventurous visitor. Head to Timanfaya National Park and feel the heat of the island’s most famous volcano, or simply relax on the beach and soak up the spectacular scenery: the choice is yours! Just a few miles south of here lies Fuertenventura, the archipelago’s second largest island. Like Lanzarote, the island was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2009, and has some of the biggest and best beaches in the Canaries. The Balearic Islands, Spain Made up of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, Spain’s Balearic Islands are synonymous with sun, sea and sand. In the winter months you can still expect averages of around 14-16°C and plenty of sunshine.

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Mallorca is by far the largest of the four, and also the most popular. With its postcard-worthy beaches washed by turquoise sea and strewn with hidden coves, it’s easy to see why! Although best known for its coastline, hordes of cyclists and hikers also flock here to conquer the island’s many mountains. Its capital and historical heart, Palma, is definitely worth a visit; filled with markets, pretty churches and galleries, it’s also known for its up-and-coming drinking and dining scene. Then there’s Ibiza. Although there’s more to this gorgeous island than first meets the eye, the party scene here is legendary, beckoning thousands of tourists each year. Menorca sits on the other end of the spectrum. Mallorca’s teeny neighbour, this distinctly rural island is perfect if you’re looking to escape the crowds. Its endless beaches are some of the loveliest in the Mediterranean and the beautiful green countryside makes it perfect for cool afternoon strolls in the sunshine. The Greek Islands, Greece A cocktail of history, sun-bleached beaches and aquamarine shores, Greece’s islands are nothing

short of paradise. From the gorgeous whitewashed houses of Santorini and historic remains in Corfu to the deep gorges, mountain peaks and turquoise lagoons of Crete, there’s a Greek Island for everyone. Summer can be busy in Greece but you can expect a quieter vibe in the winter. Bars and restaurants will still be lively in the more popular islands, often with a more local scene, and you’ll have more personal space to explore safely and at your own pace. With over 200 islands to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice of where to stay. Santorini is easily one of the most popular, thanks to its spectacular scenery and array of glamorous hotels. Zakynthos, or Zante for short, is hot on its heels. This is an island for beach lovers, home to one of the world’s most famous beaches – Smuggler’s Cove. Only accessible by boat, and surrounded by impossibly clear waters, its remoteness draws people in. Then there’s Crete with its tapestry of ancient treasures, vibrant cities, dreamy villages and splendid beaches. Oh, and did we mention the food? Crete also has some of the warmest temperatures during the winter months due to its southerly position.

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Short Story

Too Much of a Good Thing By Jackie Brewster “Happy Christmas, Dad.” Molly, laden with bags of gifts, gave her father a hug. “Before we go in, I need a quiet word with you about your mother.” Her father glanced nervously over his shoulder. “Why?” Molly frowned. Then she heard it, a low mournful braying. “That’s funny,” she said, “I thought I heard a donkey.” “You did.” He grimaced. “It’s under the carport.” There, next to the bins, was an old grey donkey regarding them balefully. “Are you alright there fella?” Molly approached the animal cautiously. “What’s it doing here?” “It just appeared here.” He shrugged helplessly. “And now I’m stuck with it.” “You can’t keep a stray donkey.” Molly was horrified. “It’s probably escaped from the donkey sanctuary in the village, have you called them?” “I was about to,” he said, shivering in his Christmas jumper. “But then your mother saw it.” “And?” Molly had an awful feeling she knew where this was going. Molly’s mum loved donkeys. Over the years they’d bought her donkey tea towels, a donkey charm for her bracelet and a donkey teapot. Molly had even bought her, yet to be unwrapped, a donkey-shaped cushion for her armchair. “Mum thinks this is her Christmas present,” Molly said flatly. “Doesn’t she?” “She might have got that impression,” her father said sulkily. “And she seemed so thrilled, I didn’t want to disappoint her.” “You’ll have to tell her sometime,” Molly insisted. “There’ll be people looking for it.” The donkey brayed softly as though in agreement. “How can I?” he protested weakly. “She said it’s just what she’s always wanted.” “Why don’t you just give her your real Christmas

present instead?” Molly suggested. “What have you bought her?” “A set of donkey mugs,” he replied, “to match her teapot.” “That might work,” Molly nodded, though she doubted it. She noticed movement through the kitchen window. “Don’t look now but she’s watching us.” “Is she coming out?” he asked in alarm, just as Molly’s mum appeared on the back doorstep. “Happy Christmas, darling.” She hugged her daughter warmly. “How do you like my present from your dad?” “He’s very chatty,” Molly said brightly. “I’m going to call him Gabriel.” Her mother stroked the donkey’s ears. “After the angel.” “Very festive,” Molly agreed. “He does look hungry though.” “There’s carrots in the shed.” Her mother was forever practical. “Be a love Jim, nip and fetch them?” Molly’s father sloped off up the garden path, no doubt glad to get away. “Don’t tell your dad, but I’ve called the donkey sanctuary,” her mother confided quietly. “They’re sending someone to fetch him now.” “You knew it wasn’t your Christmas gift?” Molly felt lost. “Why pretend?” “I saw your father wrapping those awful mugs.” Her mother laughed. “So I thought I’d wind him up a bit.” “Awful?” Molly was shocked. “But you love donkeys!” “You know, you can have too much of a good thing.” Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Hopefully no one will dare buy me another donkey-themed present after this.”

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Games

Board Games or Bored Games? There are two types of families; those that love a game of Monopoly, Trivial By Sarah Davey Pursuit or Scrabble, and families like mine. Our little festive hearts sink when guests suggest breaking out the Cluedo. We always thought we were odd until a few years ago when we befriended new neighbours. They invited us round for festive drinks and about halfway through the evening they suggested we play some games. They must have seen our collective look of horror. Oh no, they laughed, not BORED games...and with that they whipped out Dobble, Q-Bitz and Genius Square. These were games I had never heard of, although admittedly I hadn’t really researched the subject. What ensued were a couple of fast-paced fun-filled hours, which resulted in us buying the same games and few more besides. That evening our neighbours showed us that we didn’t hate board games, we’d just been playing the wrong ones. My family is very kinaesthetic. We like to touch and manipulate things. We have a dozen different Rubik cubes and enjoy solving them. Traditional board games just aren’t engaging enough for us. Dobble is a ‘spot-it’ style game. There is a deck of circular cards covered in images and each card shares just one image in common with each other card. The idea is to spot the match quicker than your neighbour in a series of lightning rounds. Like snap but way more challenging and far more entertaining. Q-Bitz is a match-it game, where you race against other players to reproduce the pattern on a card, using sixteen cubes, which all have different pattern-parts on each face. There are speed and memory variations, and children tend to be better than adults...at least in our house. If you love Tetris you’ll probably like Genius Square. The blocks are the same shapes and colours, and by throwing special dice you block out various co-ordinates on your square, then race to fit all the blocks into the remaining spaces. These three games have become our family staples and we’ve discovered that lots of our friends prefer them to traditional board games too. So, if you’re ‘bored with board games’ try these and see if they convert you.

Christmas Literature 1. In which fictional land is it always snowing, but never Christmas? 2. According to the famous nursery rhyme, when Little Jack Horner put his thumb into a Christmas pie, what did he pull out? 3. The first ever Royal Christmas Message was delivered by King George V, but which famous author wrote it? 4. In a famous novel set around Christmas time, who lived on Mount Crumpit with his pet dog Max? 5. Who wrote the 1997 novel The Hogfather, where the Santa Claus-like title character would grant children’s wishes and bring them presents on December 32nd? 6. Who wrote and illustrated the 1984 children’s book Mr Christmas?

7. Although originally published anonymously in 1823, Clement Clarke Moore is generally thought to have written the poem called A Visit From Saint Nicholas. Also used as an alternative title for this poem, what are its first five words? 8. Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, who wrote the 2012 book The Dinosaur That Pooped Christmas, are best known as members of which pop band? 9. Which famous author recalled his Christmas memories as a child in Swansea in the 1954 book A Child’s Christmas In Wales? 10. “God bless us, every one”, the final line of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, is said by which character?

1. Narnia 2. A plum (“he put in his thumb and pulled out a plum”) 3. Rudyard Kipling 4. The Grinch 5. Terry Pratchett 6. Roger Hargreaves (as part of his Mr Men series) 7. ‘Twas the night befoe Christmas 8. McFly 9. Dylan Thomas 10. Tiny Tim

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Codeword 1

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. 48

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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

www.premierpd.co.uk

GAS SAFE REGISTERED

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What's On

WHAT'S ON IN DECEMBER 1 DECEMBER Pic-n-Mix Social Group 10.30am-12noon. Letchworth Library Meets the first Wednesday of every month. Each session has a theme or activity, and suggestions are made attendees. Drop in for a cuppa, a chat and make some new friends!

3 DECEMBER Bedfordshire Family History Society 7pm on Zoom. Members free, Visitors £1. ‘A plague upon all your houses: Epidemic disease and our ancestors’ by Dr Janet Few. Web: www.bfhs.org.uk

1, 8 & 15 DECEMBER BookTrust Storytime 2.15-2.45pm. Letchworth Library Free - donations welcome Explore and share a BookTrust Storytime book with your little one. Suitable for children under 5. Web: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

3, 10, 17 & 24 DECEMBER Baby Rhyme Time 10.15-10.45am & 11.30-12.00 noon Stevenage Library Free - donations welcome Fun, half hour sessions of songs and rhymes are perfect for helping your child to learn language skills and are an opportunity for you to meet other families too. Booking essential. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

2 DECEMBER The Arts Society North Herts 11am-12.15pm Broadway Cinema and Theatre, Eastcheap, Letchworth ‘The Christmas Story in Renaissance Art’ by Paula Nuttal. Visitors welcome. Lift access. Web: theartssocietynorthherts. org.uk 2, 9, 16 & 23 DECEMBER Baby Rhyme Time 10.15-10.45am and 11.15-11.45am Hitchin Library Free - donations welcome Fun, half hour sessions of songs and rhymes are perfect for helping your child to learn language skills and are an opportunity for you to meet other families too. Booking essential. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

3, 10 & 17 DECEMBER Bridge Club 1.30-4.30pm. Springfield House, Old Stevenage Community Centre Play social cut-in Chicago Bridge. Play is informal and friendly. Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517 4 DECEMBER Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society 2pm. Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Talk by Timothy Walker, retired Head of Oxford Botanic Gardens and well-known speaker. Visitors welcome – small charge. Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk

6 & 13 DECEMBER Stevenage Choral Society 7.45pm. Stevenage Music Centre, Mobbsbury, Stevenage Meets every Monday during term time. No audition necessary. Meet like-minded people of all ages and abilities. Try out a wide range of music, from the classics to show songs. Tel: 01438 365769 Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk 6, 13, 20 & 27 DECEMBER Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-10.30pm. Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Medium-sized social club for single people aged 40 upwards. Meets every Monday night. Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk 8 DECEMBER Walking Reading Event 10.30-11.30am. Letchworth Library Free event. Join us for a walk, read and talk, discussing ‘Christmas at the beach hut’ by Veronica Henry. Copies available from the library. Walk takes approximately one hour. Booking essential. Web: www.eventbrite.co.uk 10 & 31 DECEMBER Unicorn Ceilidh Doors open 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Baldock 10 Dec - Junction 24, caller Andy Rouse and Riseley Roughshod in the interval spot. 31 Dec - Oxford NAGS and caller Barry Goodman. Ceilidh dances are great fun, easy to learn and addictive! Book online. Tel: Alan Creamer 07946 439095 or 01582 724261 Web: www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk

2, 9, 16, & 30 DECEMBER Sapphire Social Singles Club 8pm. The Orange Tree, Hitchin Meet every Thursday. A friendly social group for single people to meet and make new friends generally 50+ age group. Tel/text: Ian 07900 890583 for info www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk

5 DECEMBER Warden Abbey Vineyard Christmas Wine Sale 11am-4pm. The Garden Suite, Shuttleworth House, Old Warden Free entry. Local food and crafts. Free tasting, mince pies (while stocks last) and parking. Tel: 07981 113714 Web: www.wardenvineyard.org.uk

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What's On

WHAT'S ON IN DECEMBER 11 & 12 DECEMBER Herts Winter Wonderland Christmas Market 11am-4pm. The Crown, 56 Long Lane, Aston End, Stevenage Adults £2, Under 18s free A great family day out, including a Santa’s grotto, a live singer and visits from some Disney characters. Instagram: @hertswinterwonderland 14 DECEMBER Caroline Taylor and Julian Perkins 8pm. Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Tickets £20, free entry for under 27s, livestream tickets £10, free virtual tickets for under 27s An evening with Caroline Taylor (soprano) and Julian Perkins (harpsichord). Web: https://benslowmusic.org 18 DECEMBER Offley Christmas Market 2pm-8pm. Offley Village Hall Free entry. Santa’s Grotto, face painting and raffle.

21 DECEMBER Christmas at Benslow 6.30pm. Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Experience a unique and elegant Christmas with friends and colleagues in true Benslow Music style set in our beautiful Victorian house within four-acre garden. Tel: 01462 459446 Web: https://benslowmusic.org UNTIL 23 JANUARY Aladdin Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage It’s a magic carpet ride worth waiting for! Widow Twankey wants a husband, evil Abanazaar wants the lamp, Aladdin wants adventure and Wishee Washee wants some Spiderman Pants! - can the Genie grant their wishes? Web: www.gordon-craig.co.uk

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EVERY WEEKDAY Clifton Walking Group Meets on weekdays at 8.30am and in the afternoon for an hour. A friendly bunch of people of various ages and abilities. Monthly weekend walk of 6-8 miles. No pressure to walk, just turn up as often or as seldom as you prefer. The group also meets for a coffee once a month and holds other social events. Tel: Suzanne I’ons 07933 709006 for more info Email: ionssuzanne@gmail.com Letchworth Arts & Leisure Group Annual membership £10 per household Many groups and activities including wine appreciation, film, gardening, theatre, art design, books, discussions, games, sports, outings, walking and much, much more. New groups are starting all the time. Online talks every month. Nonmembers can try activities before joining. Web: LALG.org.uk

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

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. 52

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Brand New Retro

Technology

Classic devices given a high-tech reboot We love our digital devices, our smart bulbs and our personal digital assistants. But sometimes we wish our various gadgets and gizmos had a bit more personality. In the future, few of us are likely to look back on our Amazon Echos with the nostalgia we have for the Sony Walkman, and digital timekeeping is never going to be as exciting as watching something pop out of a cuckoo clock. So we’re delighted to see some firms embracing modern technology with a distinctly retro twist. Roberts is a great example of that. The £229 Revival iStream 3 looks like a proper old-school AM radio, complete with fauxleather covering and a distinctive golden grille. It’s beautiful and wonderfully oldfashioned, but it’s packed with the latest digital radio tech: it can play DAB radio and stream from the likes of Spotify and TIDAL. It even works with Alexa. Vinyl has been making a comeback for some years now and there are some very retro-looking turntables available, but it might be sensible to stick with something less tacky, such as the Sony PS-LX310BT Bluetooth Turntable. This £194 turntable has proper hi-fi heritage, looks like it was made in 1970 and streams wirelessly to compatible audio systems and smart speakers. Cassette tapes are back too, and you can pick up Bluetooth tape players for as little as £24. Some include USB drives you can copy your music onto; others simply connect to your Bluetooth headphones. If you would like a rotary phone, Amazon’s virtual shelves include classic rotary models such as the GPO 746, which is a loving homage to the enormous phones of the pre-digital era. Expect to pay around £40. If you miss the warm glow of filament bulbs, technology can help: Philips’ Hue smart bulb range now includes long-life, low-energy LED filaments that look ancient. And as for the cuckoo clock mentioned earlier? John Lewis currently sells a ‘Tweeting’ cuckoo clock for £74. Don’t worry, the tweeting refers to its sound: it doesn’t post things to your Twitter account.

Roberts Revival iStream 3 It looks like it should only play you the shipping forecast but Roberts’ digital radio can stream from Spotify and play tunes from TIDAL. £229, Roberts.com

Sony PS-LX310BT Bluetooth Turntable Classic looks meet cutting-edge technology in this very clever turntable for vinyl records old or new. £194, sony.co.uk GPO 746 retro phone Phones like this are widely available and tick all the boxes: curly cords, just the right amount of finger resistance and, of course, a range of eye-popping colours. £40, Amazon.co.uk Philips Hue Filament light bulb Old-fashioned lighting meets modern LED technology. Like the rest of the Hue range these bulbs are controllable via phone, tablet or smart speaker if you have a Hue Bridge. £20, meethue.com

RED5 Retro mini arcade machine We hate to break it to you, but the arcade cabinets this little console looks like are over 50 years old. It comes pre-installed with over 200 arcade games. £20, Argos.co.uk

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Motoring

The car industry’s most

eco-friendly advancements Climate change is a hot topic in the car industry, but it’s not just the powertrain that’s the focus. Manufacturers have been working to make the whole car-building process more eco-friendly. Here, we take a look at some of the ways cars are getting greener. Mini Strip The Mini Strip is a one-off concept car that prioritises sustainability above all else. Features include an unpainted body with just a film to protect it from corrosion, recycled Perspex for the panoramic roof, all but the necessary interior trim removed, and cork used throughout. Despite remaining a concept, the British firm says it can be used as a “catalyst for more sustainable use of resources in automotive design”. Synthetic fuel Alternatives to electric vehicles are being considered, with a less talked-about option being synthetic fuels or e-Fuels. Essentially no different from the petrol and diesel that comes from crude oil, they are instead produced from carbon dioxide and hydrogen using renewable energy. Porsche and Siemens are two big companies working together on this technology. Although it is currently more efficient to use that renewable energy to charge an electric vehicle, e-Fuels are a sustainable way to fuel the millions of existing petrol and diesel vehicles. Volvo’s wool interiors Volvo has been one of the manufacturers most committed to electrifying its line-up, but it’s also focused on sustainability elsewhere, offering a unique wool upholstery. It’s a blend that’s 30 per cent wool and 70 per cent recycled polyester,

available at no extra cost on some vehicles. Seaqual Yarn Last year, Fiat became the first manufacturer to use Seaqual yarn for its seat upholstery, with the Cupra Born’s bucket seats also using the material. Seaqual is an initiative based in Italy focussed on fighting plastic pollution in the ocean. Its ‘Yarn’ product is made from 100 per cent recycled materials, with about 10 per cent coming from upcycled marine litter. Eco-friendly production Most major car manufacturers have announced plans to electrify their range and set targets for carbon neutral production at their factories. This is being achieved in various ways, such as powering factories with renewable energy. Toyota uses water-based paints on cars, removes pollutants before they are released through smokestacks, cleans wastewater on-site before it is released, and grows forests inside its factory sites. Last year, the Japanese company announced plans to build a “prototype city of the future” at the base of Mount Fuji. It will be fully connected and powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Bentley of the future Bentley is a luxury car firm, with a mission to make sure it builds more sustainable cars. In 2019 it revealed the EXP 100 GT concept car, an autonomous electric vehicle. Everything about its construction had sustainability in mind. For example, some of the furnishings used a dyeing process that strives to achieve zero discharge of chemicals into the environment, while others come from a material called Vegea, which uses the by-products of winemaking. It also uses wood from naturally felled trees.

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Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year to all our readers and advertisers. From the team at The Villager x

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our November Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mike Read, Meppershall

November’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

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Win £100 in our The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.

Christmas Crossword

ACROSS 1 Harbour (4) 3 Precious stones (8) 9 Implement (7) 10 Concur (5) 11 Produced (12) 14 Short sleep (3) 16 Coarse (5) 17 Pronoun (3) 18 Despite (12) 21 Modify (5) 22 Design (7) 23 Daily (8) 24 Musical instrument (4)

DOWN 1 Imagining (8) 2 Wash (5) 4 Frozen water (3) 5 Sizes (12) 6 Créche (7) 7 Vomit (4)

8 Adequately (12) 12 Enumerate (5) 13 Pest (8) 15 Make ready (7) 19 All (5) 20 Imitation (4) 22 Vegetable (3)

Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, and send your entry to: Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Closing date: 16th December 2021 Name: Address: 58

Tel:

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Books

Books to Gift Books make great presents, especially when you can borrow them back in January… Big Panda and Tiny Dragon James Norbury

Fans of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, and other illustrated books will love this new offering by James Norbury. Each of the hand-drawn illustrations is accompanied by a short conversation between a panda and a dragon, offering words of wisdom we can all learn from. A book to treasure and to dip into time and time again.

Freckles Cecilia Ahern

Allegra has made a life for herself in Dublin, working as a traffic warden with a sideline as an artist’s model. She enjoys the routine and the rules, but she’s in Dublin for a reason and needs to pluck up the courage to see her mission through. A chance encounter with an angry driver makes Allegra re-evaluate her life and gives her a new purpose. A light-hearted, humorous tale with some darker undertones, Freckles is sure to appeal to a range of readers.

The Exiles Christina Baker Kline

Buying for a fan of historical fiction? Exiles is a solid choice. Several characters’ lives become entwined when pregnant Evangeline is sentenced to hard labour in Australia in 1840. On the ship, she meets teenage Hazel. Meanwhile, Mathinna is faced with losing her family and indigenous community when the governor and his wife decide she needs ‘refining’. A rich, multilayered story with some shocking plot twists, The Exiles is the perfect book for curling up with on Boxing Day.

By Kate Duggan

All In Billy Jean King

Former tennis pro Billy Jean King famously defeated Bobby Riggs in what would become known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’. Since then, King has fought many more battles, from striving to be taken seriously as a female athlete to campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights. Her long-awaited autobiography also reveals the more personal challenges King has overcome, from an eating disorder to near-bankruptcy. A must for tennis fans and autobiography lovers.

Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love Yotam Ottolenghi and Noor Murad

If you’re buying for someone who loves poring over recipe books, you can’t go wrong with Ottolenghi. For his latest book, Ottolenghi has partnered with head chef Noor Murad. The result is a book packed with recipes to help home cooks to impress with less stress. The recipes are also adaptable, so the reader can bring their own twist to a dish or use up leftovers. Just make sure the person you’re buying for promises to make you the Upside-Down Lemon, Maple and Vanilla Pudding…

The Replacement Melanie Golding

A delicious thriller for a reader to sink their teeth into on a cold winter’s night, The Replacement centres on Ruby and her sister, Joanna. The book starts as Ruby claims a seemingly abandoned child as her own. Soon after, police detective Joanna is called to investigate the attempted murder of Ruby’s neighbour. Elements of folk lore and mythology are woven into the story, adding a unique twist to a familiar genre.

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SHIRON

Domestic Appliances Repairs of

Washing Machines Tumble Dryers Dishwashers Electric Ovens Electric Cookers Electric Hobs VAT Registered Specialist in Hotpoint, Indesit, Ariston, Creda and Whirlpool appliances.

Contact RONNIE Tel: 01438 720 304 Mobile: 07396 579717

Email: rohintoncooper@hotmail.com

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Stevenage Dec 2021

Articles inside

£100 Christmas Prize Crossword

The Car Industry’s Most Eco-friendly Advancements

Brand New Retro

Island Breaks for Winter Sun

Snuggle Up

Sprouts, Stockings and Tinsel

What’s On in December

Short Story: Too Much of a Good Thing

The Art of Scepticism. How to Think Critically

Sale! Saving or Scam?

Setting the Scene

Seasonal Recipe

Tutoring: What to Consider

Time for a Party

Take Part in a Penguin Parade for Marie Curie

Partying in a Pandemic

The Best Beauty Advent Calendars