Great Ashby Feb 2020 by Villager Mag

VILLAGER The

February 2020

and Town

Life

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

In this issue The History of

Valentine’s Day Win a pair of

Bluesky Sunglasses Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People Every Month in the Stevenage Area

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Inside this issue...

Health Service - Or Half Service?

The History of Valentine’s Day.....................................................4 Avignon.....................................................................................8 Games Without Frontiers..........................................................10 Win a Pair of Bluesky Sunglasses................................ 12 Wine: Mixed Matters................................................................14 Teen Talk..................................................................................17 Spending a Penny! The History of the Public Loo......................19 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...................................................20 Love’s Sweet Breath..................................................................23 Cancer Research UK’s Race For Life...........................................25 The Sweater Edit......................................................................26 Snoring: It’s no laughing matter...............................................29 Planning to Retire?...................................................................30

Health Service - or Half Service?...............................................32 A Game of Two Halves..............................................................35 RSPCA Hertfordshire East News................................................36 The Language of Love..............................................................39 Whatever happened to the story song?....................................42 Family Games Night.................................................................45 The Elephant in the (Tower) Room...........................................47 Puzzle Page..............................................................................48 What’s On in February..............................................................52 Gadget gifts for the one you love.............................................55 Villager Prize Crossword............................................ 58 Book Review............................................................................61

Champagne and Raspberry Possets with Shortbread Biscuits

Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £30.00 +VAT per month Editorial Catherine Rose, Trevor Langley, Solange Hando, Robert Grant, Sarah Davey,Tracey Anderson, Nick Coffer, Louise Addison, Jennie Billings, Dr Daisy Mae, Ann Haldon, Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA, Clare Becker, Kate McLelland and Kate Duggan.

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

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

Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

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History

Valentine’s Day Why do we exchange cards, flowers and gifts with our loved ones on 14th February when the day’s patron saint was a Christian martyr? The origins of St Valentine’s Day are said to have begun as early as the third century although, as is the case with many of our modern celebrations, it is also likely to have been influenced by the Romans. Their fertility feast of Lupercalia took place on 15th February and consisted of themes and rituals that were centred around coupling and new birth. But who was the original St Valentine? In fact, no one is entirely sure. Valentine or Valentinus was a popular name in Rome and there are at least three Catholic saints known as Valentine who have been venerated over the centuries. Any one of them could have been responsible for having the Feast of St Valentine named after him when, in 496 AD, Pope Gelasius replaced Lupercalia with a Christian festival held on 14th February. Probably the most attractive theory is that St Valentine was a Christian priest in the third century who defied Emperor Claudius II’s edict that no Roman soldiers could marry as it

weakened their commitment to Rome. Valentine began performing secret wedding ceremonies for young lovers and is said to have given the couple cut-out hearts made from parchment to symbolise both romantic love and agape (the love of God) – echoing the Valentine’s card. The priest was also said to have worn a purple amethyst ring, the stone being a symbol of love that later became the birthstone of February. Eventually Valentine was captured, beheaded (allegedly on 14th February) and buried under a Roman road. He was later canonised. It is also thought that St Valentine’s Day may have come to be associated with love and romance due to a Norman celebration that took place around the same time of year known as Galatin’s Day, meaning ‘a gallant’ or lover. Galatin also sounds a lot like Valentine so it’s easy to see how the two could have possibly become confused. The link between Valentine’s Day and romance was solidified in the late 1300s with Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem Parliament of Foules (Fowls), said

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to have been written in honour of King Richard II’s betrothal to Anne of Bohemia. It contains the lines: “…For this was on seynt Volantynys day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.” (For this was on St Valentine’s Day when every bird comes there to choose his mate.) Chaucer was a very influential writer of the time. Following this, a Charter of the Court of Love was allegedly issued by King Charles VI of France in 1400. It was the first time St Valentine’s Day had been officially associated with courtly love, and by the 1400s it had become traditional for noblemen to write romantic poems to their love interest or ‘Valentine’. The oldest known Valentine still in existence is a poem entitled Farewell to Love written in French by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following capture at the Battle of Agincourt. It currently resides in the British Library. The earliest surviving English example occurs in a letter written in 1477 by Margary Brewes to her future husband John Paxton, where she refers to him as ‘my right wellbeloved Valentine’. St Valentine’s Day was clearly established as a day for lovers by 1600 when Shakespeare referred to it in Hamlet during a speech by Ophelia. “…Tomorrow is St Valentine’s Day, all in the morning betime, and I a maid at your window, to be your Valentine.” By the eighteenth century, handmade Valentine’s

cards had become popular and were very elaborate with flowers, ribbons and lace. They would often feature Cupid (whose name means ‘desire’), the mischievous winged son of Venus, Roman goddess of love. He also appeared in much romantic verse as the bringer of often unrequited love – hence a missive was necessary to let the object of your desire know of your affections! With their sentimental notion of romance and the language of flowers, the Victorians elevated Valentine’s Day to the popular celebration it has become today. In 1858, The London Journal wrote of St Valentine’s Day that it was both “natural and proper that at the start of spring the predominating sentiment in the human mind should be the sentiment of love; and to this accordingly the anniversary of our saint is directed.”

By Catherine Rose 6

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Travel

Avignon By Solange Hando

Near the confluence of the Durance and the Rhône on its way to the Mediterranean, Avignon has long enjoyed a privileged location. In 1309, the Popes settled here for political reasons. They remained for almost 100 years, building the city walls and the imposing palace that dominates the skyline to this day. From the old Romanesque fortress to the new building in Gothic style, the ‘Palais des Papes’ is a dazzling display of limestone walls and turrets, guarded by the golden statue of Our Lady of the Doms atop the Mother Church. It’s a steady climb to the ‘Rochers des Doms’ above the palace but worth it for its shaded gardens and fabulous views over the city on one side and the river on the other. In Avignon, the Rhône splits to encircle the Barthelasse, one of the largest river islands in Europe. It is now a protected area – no new buildings are allowed – with recreational facilities and farmland rich in vegetables and fruit. There is a modern bridge but the free river shuttle ferries you across in minutes. You can stroll or cycle along the towpath, picnic under the trees, look out for beavers, herons or cormorants and gaze at the city across the water and the legendary Pont d’ Avignon, listed by UNESCO as part of the historic centre. The old bridge stops halfway across the river so dancing (as in the song) is not recommended but you can walk to the end past the chapel that once held the relics of St Bénezet, the shepherd inspired by divine voices to build

the first bridge, later damaged by war and floods. Today the Rhône has been tamed, inviting visitors to relax on a leisurely cruise before returning to the bustling city. There’s much to explore in town, from the old convents and churches to the museums, from the secluded squares to the popular Place de l’Horloge or the Place Pie with its vertical garden and covered market where a ‘cafetier’ will cook your own produce for lunch for the price of a drink. There are grand bourgeois houses west of the main street, hidden squares and cobbled lanes to the east, such as the picturesque dyers’ street, a favourite place to chill out during the world-famous Festival of Performing Arts held every summer. Meanwhile craft shops beckon with fragrant herbs and lavender products, while al fresco restaurants serve beef medallions and ratatouille with a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These illustrious vineyards are on the city’s doorstep, spreading luminous green below the vestiges of the Pope’s Summer Palace. Meanwhile the beautiful hills and villages of Luberon beckon just to the east, or one can head north to Orange, a pretty town with pastel-hued façades and balconies, a single nave cathedral, a Provençal market and two impressive Roman monuments. Both are world heritage sites, a 20 metre high Triumphal Arch with ornate sculptures and a Roman Theatre claiming one of the best preserved stage walls in the world.

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Gaming

By Robert Grant

Games Without Frontiers

The future is online gaming Almost everyone plays computer games. On phones, tablets, computers and consoles the current generation tap away for hours on end. But all this comes at a cost. New games always push consoles and computers to their limits so you end up in a never-ending process of upgrading your hardware just so you can keep up with the latest titles. There are four versions of the PlayStation, endless Xboxes and a vast array of different Nintendo boxes all slowly going out of date, and eventually disappearing into the attic to gather dust. But what if you never had to buy another console again? What if all you needed was any device that could connect to the Internet with enough power to play a YouTube video? Well that’s the vision for Google’s latest cloud gaming service, Google Stadia. “Cloud gaming?” I hear you ask. Come closer my friend. Basically, you use any internet-capable device to connect to the gaming service - phone, tablet, laptop, etc. This becomes your screen for viewing and your gamepad for controlling the game. The actual game runs on the gaming service computers in a datacentre in the cloud. Your device streams a video of the game which you control using your local game controller or other input device. There’s no longer any need for you to own a high-end gaming PC. All that expense is taken care of by Google Stadia. This is not a new idea. OnLive launched a cloud-

based service about 10 years ago offering essentially the same deal. They had a good range of games and the whole system worked extremely well… if you had a reliably fast broadband connection! At the time people found that delays between pressing buttons and the game responding made the system unplayable much of the time. OnLive eventually petered out after a few years. But the concept was sound and now Google has brought its technical power to the problem. Along with far superior household broadband connections, Google’s extensive range of datacentres throughout around the world can provide up to 4K game play with almost zero lag on the controllers. The service costs a monthly subscription fee for access to the game servers on top of which you’ll need to buy your games. These games can then be played on any of your compatible devices, or you can buy one of Google’s custom controllers that will connect wirelessly to your TV to turn it into a games centre. A ‘free’ service should also be launching in the first half of this year which will probably offer a range of slightly older titles for anyone to play - note that this will be free games, not free subscription, which you’ll still need to pay! New game titles are being added all the time so check out the Stadia website for the current library. If the kids are pestering for a computer upgrade because the latest FIFA is glitching out, this service might be just what you need.

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advertorial

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Food and Drink

Wine: Mixed Matters Red, white or in between, dry, medium, sweet, sparkling, there is a wealth of numerous wines available, with something to please and satisfy all tastes and palates. I searched for wines which have wide appeal and accompany a lot of cuisine admirably, as well as having the ability to be enjoyed on their own.

Extra Special Syrah-Lolol - Colchagua Costa (Chile) is a very popular red wine. This rich production has an abundance of dark fruits to please the nasal senses and to entice the continuing pleasure of flavours on to the mouth’s delight. Fantastic to pair with red meats, roast dinners and a lot of cuisine. Feteasca Regala (Wine Atlas), from Romania, is a superb white wine that pleases many. The grape is also known as Royal Maiden and the resultant wine complements salads and stir-fry cuisine, etc. The flavours of ripe, tropical fruits, combine splendidly with the refreshing mouthfeel and palate sensation. Extra Special Chablis La Lavee (France) is a classic, dry example and with refreshing citrus fruit flavours makes a great accompaniment to fish and seafood dishes, particularly. Extra Special Sauvignon Blanc - Bordeaux (France) is another white wine classic. Again, refreshing, crisp and fruity, this is from a region renowned for powerful, high-quality, red productions. However, white wines, from the Bordeaux area, are now becoming well known. With fish, seafood and white meats, this is a great wine and a good talking point – a white from Bordeaux! Extra Special Sangiovese Rose - King Valley (Australia) is often chosen for a ‘pink’ production. Dry and refreshing is how I would describe this wine. The red fruit flavours of summer berries are delightful. Seafood and pasta are regular pairings for this wine. Pendium Moscato Spumante (Italy) is a favourite, for numerous lovers of a ‘sparkler’. Lower in alcohol content than most wines, this appeals, for that reason and also for turning a family or social gathering into an occasion. Splendid for pre dining and utilised a lot for events. I located these wines at an Asda store. Offering excellent value and award-winning productions, I found very impressive wines – something for everyone and every occasion – plus good advice on pairings with food. www.asda.com/wine

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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All this for less than £31 a week for Full Membership (which includes the Joining Fee, payable over 5 years) Here’s your chance to discover the outstanding value for money John O’Gaunt Golf Club offers golfers of all ages and ability: • Complimentary drink on arrival • Presentation and tour of our facilities • 9-hole golf competition • Prizes to be won and Special Offers to be had!

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By Sarah Davey

Teen Talk “YOU’RE RUINING MY LIFE!” <SLAM> Anyone with a teen has been there. But how do you respond? In kind by yelling back? Or by ignoring? Or is there a different way? We have some suggestions. Aim to understand - Why is why your daughter is texting her friend when she’s supposed to be studying for her maths test? Why does your son have cigarettes in his blazer pocket? You may not comprehend, but remember they live in their reality and you live in yours. Perhaps your daughter is anxious about an argument with her friend and needs to make up before she can concentrate on her maths revision. Perhaps your son wants to fit in with his friends. Aim for understanding. Try an approach like, ‘I understand how hard it is when you feel you don’t fit in. I also know that smoking increases your chance of contracting lung cancer or other diseases when you’re still quite young. It’s my job as a parent to keep you healthy and safe so let’s sit down and talk about this.” It’s important not to say, ‘I understand...BUT...’ the ‘but’ puts teens on guard. Aim for a conciliatory tone every time and they will be more inclined to listen… not always, but more often. Don’t take it personally - Mostly teens don’t set out to annoy you, but emotions on both sides quickly escalate, and emotions are the enemy when trying to communicate effectively. Teenagers are adults with training wheels and probably require more and better parenting than toddlers. Being angry at a teen for being them is futile. They may be making a poor choice, but the truth is, they might not yet have the skill set to make a better one. Our job is to help guide them to better choices so they can, in turn, develop better problem-solving skills. I repeat to myself, ‘This is the job of parenting, what’s the best approach here?’ If I catch myself quickly, it works. But it’s not easy and if I don’t catch myself in time then emotions spill over and we all end up shouting! But like any other skill, it gets easier with practice.

Parenting

Tips for successful communication with your teenager

Ask questions but make them honest, not loaded - “Why can’t you be more responsible / get up on time / pick your clothes up?” These are loaded questions which your teen can’t answer. Instead try, “You know you have problems getting up in the morning? Can you think of any solutions?” If they can’t think of one offer a couple of your own and ask which they prefer. As parents our goal is to help our teen think critically. What might be the consequences of a particular action? How would they feel if that happened? This approach helps them feel empowered and gives a greater chance of a successful resolution. Finally... Don’t Do or say Anything Until You’re Both Calm - You don’t have to respond to your teen when you and they are upset. You can choose to say nothing and take a few more minutes. When emotions have evened out, sit down and talk with them. Sometimes they will still want to fight. Stay firm and calm. Repeat in your head “I’m not being drawn in.” This self-talk does help and over time should calm the situation down. Staying calm isn’t easy. We all get pulled back into a fight occasionally. But deep down they love you, and sometimes they just need to hear that you love them too, no matter what.

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History By Tracey Anderson

Spending a Penny!

The history of the public loo We take public toilets for granted today yet for the majority of British history they didn’t exist! The first public flushing toilet was invented and created by a plumber named George Jennings, and showcased at the Great Exhibition in 1851. People were enthralled by this amazing contraption and it proved so popular that the first public loos, called ‘Public Waiting Rooms’ were opened the following year. There was a huge public desire for better sanitation to prevent the spread of diseases like cholera. In Victorian Britain, the first public toilets were designed for men only. No-one gave much thought to women. For the most part women were considered to be their husband’s property, and their place was in the home. Although many working-class women did work outside the home, most middle-class women did not, and neither were they expected to travel much. If they did want or need to travel, women from polite society had to plan their route carefully to include areas where they could relieve themselves. This meant that for the most part women travelled only to see family and friends, within the distance their bladders allowed. The fledgling feminist movement felt keenly that a lack of access to toilets was a barrier to women accessing public spaces. This led to the formation of the Ladies Sanitary Association, which campaigned from the 1850s onwards, fairly successfully, and succeeded in getting more public toilets built for females, though the numbers fell far short of those required. Other campaigns for

more female toilets were opposed vehemently by men, who either did not want the facilities located in the same place as their own toilets or didn’t want them anywhere where they might be visible to men. Society was coyer in the 19th Century and bodily functions, particularly female bodily functions were considered taboo. There were even cases of female public toilets being sabotaged by men! The First World War saw women entering the work force in huge numbers for the first time, as they entered munition factories to help with the war effort. These factories were traditionally dominated by males so had very little in the way of female facilities. But now women had the numbers to begin to campaign for female changing rooms and toilets. Many employers resisted though and there was nothing in law at the time to force their hand because there were only limited protections for workers of either sex. It actually took until 1992 before legislation was passed to dictate that men and women in a workplace must have separate toilet facilities where possible: “Employers should arrange for separate facilities for men and women. If this isn’t possible, toilets and washing facilities must have locks. These ensure privacy and security.” (The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)) So next time you spend a penny at the train station or shopping centre, spare a thought for your poor ancestors whose only options were to cross their legs and think dry thoughts!

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Food & Drink

Champagne and Raspberry Possets with Shortbread Biscuits For the heart shaped Munchy shortbread biscuits: Ingredients 200 g butter or margarine (can be dairy-free) 1 tsp vanilla essence 100 g caster sugar 300 g plain flour sifted Munchy Seeds (Honey Roasted Seeds or Warm Cinnamon Seeds) 1. Cream the butter, vanilla and sugar together. Stir in the flour and mix into a dough. Add the Munchy Seeds and blend into the dough. Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 160ºC/140ºC (fan) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. 3. Once the dough is chilled, roll out to approximately ½ cm thick and cut into hearts using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. 4. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.

For the Champagne and Raspberry Possets Ingredients 140g frozen raspberries, defrosted 2 tbsps Champagne 200ml double cream 4 tbsps golden caster sugar Freeze dried raspberries, to decorate 1. Put the raspberries and Champagne in a mini food processor or blender (or use a jug and a hand blender). Whizz until the purée is as smooth as you can get it, then use a wooden spoon or spatula to push as much of it through a sieve as you can. Discard the seeds left behind. 2. Put the cream and sugar in a saucepan and warm gently until the sugar melts. Increase the heat until just boiling, then boil vigorously for 2½ minutes, stirring constantly. 3. Turn off the heat and stir in the raspberryChampagne purée. Cool for 15 mins before dividing between 2 small pots or glasses. Chill for 30 mins, then sprinkle over the freeze-dried raspberry pieces and chill for at least 2 hours or more until set. 4. To serve, remove the possets from the fridge and serve with Munchy Seeds heart-shaped shortbread biscuits.

Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can also join Nick every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.

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WORDWHEEL

Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

Cotey’s

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Time of Year

By Louise Addison

Love’s Sweet Breath

Should you use mouthwash this Valentine’s Day? No one wants to kiss someone with poor oral hygiene and bad breath. So, what can you do to make sure your mouth is kissable on February 14th? Gum disease begins with plaque. This is a film of very sticky bacteria on the teeth which, if not removed, causes gum disease. Because it is so sticky plaque can only be removed from teeth with a brush or dental floss. Mouthwash can never replace good brushing. In 2014 a study in The Journal of Clinical Dentistry found antiseptic mouthwash used twice a day reduced the build-up of plaque and gum disease over a six-month period. Mouthwash makes teeth ‘more slippy’ so the sticky plaque finds it difficult to adhere, which in turn means your mouth feels fresher for longer. Bad breath (halitosis) is caused when excess bacteria emit excess gas. Pockets of bacteria can lurk around fillings, ill-fitting crowns and impacted

wisdom teeth. Halitosis requires treatment from a dentist or hygienist, but a mouthwash can help. Use one with ingredients such as chlorine dioxide, which kills the volatile sulphur compounds that cause foul odour. Many mouth washes contain alcohol, which has been linked to oral cancers in some studies. Alcohol can exacerbate bad breath because of its drying properties, and because it is quite harsh it may also cause stinging. Most dentists and hygienists agree that if you use mouthwash it should be alcohol-free. Finally, most of us don’t hold mouthwash in our mouths long enough for it to work. The optimal time is 30-60 seconds. As part of a good dental hygiene routine mouthwashes are helpful but they will never replace the mechanical action of a toothbrush and floss for getting teeth and gums really clean. So now you know. Happy kissing!

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Everyone is welcome at the race for life Cambridge and Stevenage This January, everyone is invited to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Cambridge and Stevenage. The charity’s much-loved events are returning but are no longer restricted to female participants. This means everybody can be part of the empowering Race for Life movement – and show support for the 35,000 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the East of England. Anyone who signs up in January can claim a special 30% off the entry fee* by using the code RFLJAN30. The Race for Life events take place at Jesus Green and Fairlands Valley Park on Sunday, July 5 and are open to people of all ages and abilities. Annie Ashwell, Cancer Research UK’s Event Manager for Hertfordshire, said: “This year, our Race for Life events are open to everyone. “We’re sending a heart-felt message to anybody who’s thought about signing up in the past but for one reason or another hasn’t got round to it. This is your year – please seize the opportunity to register in January and become part of the Race for Life community. She added: “Our events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting. Participants take part at their own pace – taking as much time as they like to complete the course. For some people, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. For others, it’s a jog or a run. “Although ‘Race’ features in the name, our events are not competitive. Instead, ‘the Race for Life’ is about

our doctors, nurses and scientists working as hard and fast as possible to help more people survive.” Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5k & 10k events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. Annie continued: “This January, we’re urging mums, dads, nans, grandpas, brothers, sisters, friends and workmates to show their support by joining the Race for Life. It’s a perfect example of everyday people doing an extraordinary thing – uniting in a common cause to beat cancer.” Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research. That’s why money raised through the Race for Life events is vital. It funds world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia. Annie said: “The Race for Life is a powerful, inspirational movement which unites participants in Cambridge and Stevenage with people across the East of England and the whole of the UK. “People get together and remember loved ones lost or celebrate the lives of those who have survived. At the same time, they are helping to make a difference to people with the disease, right now. “Please go to the Race for Life website, choose an event, and sign up today.” To enter, visit raceforlife.org

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House of Colour

The Sweater Edit

In the winter we are greeted by mother nature with ice-grey skies and frosty mornings, which means snuggling up in cosy knitwear is a must, so here are our ten top style tips for this season’s knitwear. 1) Look out for strong, distinctive colours in your seasonal palette and be colour confident. Jumpers and cardigans are a great way to give your look a colour boost and if you get it right, because the colours are close to your face, they will give you a radiant complexion and brightness to your eyes. Choose colours that don’t suit you and you will look drained. Make sure you know if you suit rich, earthy colours; warm, clear hues; cool bright colours; or cool, subtle tones. 2) Mélange knitwear is in all the shops, many with a twist of two or more colours. Look out for knitwear in one of your favourite wow colours with neutral harmonising colours, great for Autumns and summers or a bold contrasting colour from your colour palette, fantastic for Springs and Winters to really stand out. Alternatively let a scarf in your colours lift your knitwear look. 3) Know what style suits you from the length to the neckline to belted or not, from cosy shearing to wool capes to tailored belted coatigans, we have never had more choice. Check which length and style suit your body shape. Consider changing buttons as this kind of detail can make all the difference in showing our style and character. 4) Explore the huge variety of textures and materials to choose from this season from features to faux fur to cashmere and velvet. 5) Retro Fair Isle and Argyle patterns are in and look cosy and chic paired with a sleek skirt and boots or perfectly proportioned trousers if they suit your style personality. 6) Exaggerated sleeves are, excuse the pun, huge this season. Curved and billowy, feathered and textured, or chunky knit; they make a big statement, but are best for those with Natural or Dramatic in their style. Have fun standing out. 7) Jumper or cardigan - which suits you best? Belted cardigans are flattering for hourglass figures because they show off the small waist. Pear-shapes suit shorter jumpers, rather than longer ones finishing across the hips. 8) A coatigan is lovely for those milder, in-between days or to pop on in the office if you feel chilly.

Snug yet stylish coatigans on the right body architecture are extremely flattering. They can be worn oversized for the tall and pulled in at the waist to flatter an hourglass figure. 9) Invest in sumptuous cashmere because it is now the modern autumn and winter musthaves; sustainable, wearable and durable, and an excellent investment with longevity in mind. Cashmere is around eight times warmer than sheep’s wool. Cashmere comes in a much wider choice of styles, sizes, patterns and beautiful colour selections than ever before. Look out for cashmere blends for smaller budgets. 10) Buy a blanket scarf or wrap to update your winter wardrobe – Update a classic or neutral jumper with a chunky wrap with a fur collar or soft blanket scarf in a striking wow colour. There is something for everyone from tiger orange, sleek pistachio green to burgundy or vibrant pinks. Capes are a big style trend this season for a bourgeois French look. Perfect, if you are tall, with a rectangle frame, plus capes are so comfortable. By Jennie Billings, Colour and Style Consultant, House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings e:jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk

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Health

By Dr Daisy Mae

Snoring: It’s no laughing matter Forget ‘unreasonable behaviour’ – snoring is now recognised to be a top reason for divorce – along with fishing and becoming vegetarian! (Daily Express, January 2018) 20 million Brits claim they are sleep deprived by their partner’s snoring, reported The Sun in 2017. We may think snoring is funny, but this is hardly the case. Usually, the partner suffers the most. Sleeping on the sofa every night takes its toll, with ruined relationships and broken marriages. So what causes snoring? Is it bad for our health? What can be done about it? What Causes Snoring? Snoring is caused by something partially blocking your mouth and the back of your throat. While you are sleeping, and when you breathe in, this blockage causes that noise – a snore. What can cause such a blockage? Excess mucus/ catarrh from smoking, alcohol, which causes the muscles and tissues of the palate to become floppy, and fat, in people who are overweight or obese, when pads of fatty tissue accumulate in these areas and literally wobble in the breeze! Allergies are also sometimes responsible. House dust mite, animal dander, pollens, yeasts and moulds are common allergens. Snoring is associated with sleeping flat on your back and breathing in through your mouth, not your nose. Lying on your side and nasal breathing helps reduce snoring. Sleep Apnoea Snoring is dangerous if it causes ‘sleep apnoea’. In this condition, a severe blockage to airflow temporarily starves your brain of oxygen. You briefly stop breathing altogether, but then your breathing starts up again. This causes a strain on your heart, makes you feel constantly tired and can have life-threatening consequences. What Can Be Done to Reduce Snoring? Making lifestyle changes is the best long-term treatment. Stopping smoking, moderating or stopping drinking alcohol and losing weight are strongly recommended. Reduce the risk of allergy by regular vacuuming, damp dusting and keeping the bedroom pet-free. Use hypoallergenic bedding. Products for Snorers and Snoring Sufferers First step? A pair of foam rubber earplugs for your partner! Anti-snoring products are readily available. For

example, nasal strips to hold the airways open or a ‘Neti pot’, which uses salt water to flush the airways before bedtime. Best results are likely with a mandibular device –a special type of gum shield that holds the tongue and jaw forward, keeping the airway open while you sleep. The Antisnoor device is an adhesive patch you wear on your forehead that detects snoring and vibrates to prompt you to turn over. Smart Nora is an anti-snoring pillow that listens out for snoring and inflates to encourage you to change your head position. The Importance of Sleep Getting adequate and good quality sleep is vital. Lack of sleep is associated with strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, cancer, and shortens our lifespan. Adults are recommended to sleep for seven to nine hours per night. Snoring it seems, is a serious business! References Reasons for divorce: Snoring, Fishing and Going Vegetarian top the list. www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/906621/divorcereasons-UK-snoring-fishing-vegetarians-marriagerelationships Snore wars – couple reveal how snoring runs their relationships www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/4639767/snoringrelationship-partner-dating-ruined/ 75% of snorers have sleep apnoea www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/easysnoring-remedies#1 Lack of sleep affects health healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/need-sleep/whats-init-for-you/health

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Finance

Planning to retire?

Here’s a checklist of the essentials If you’re thinking of retiring in the next few years it’s a good idea to organise your finances well ahead of time, so you can consider some of the big issues without feeling too much pressure. So what steps can you take to prepare? Here are a few questions to think about and issues to consider that could help you enter retirement with greater financially stability, ready to enjoy this new and exciting stage of life. How much income will you have? When calculating your potential income you should include your state pension, occupational pension(s), and any savings and investments you hold. You can request the latest figures in writing from your pension provider, bank, building society, and investment companies with which you have an interest. Find out about the state pension As far as your state pension is concerned, you can request a pension forecast from the gov.uk website. When the time comes to retire you’ll need to proactively claim your state pension as it’s not paid automatically unless you receive certain benefits. Check your workplace pension Your workplace pension provider should have sent annual statements over the years showing your accrued pension at the time, plus a forecast of how much your pension might be when you retire. If you can’t find your latest statement, you’ll be able to obtain one by contacting your pension provider. Check for old and forgotten pensions If you’ve changed employers a few times during your career, you might have one or more ‘forgotten’ pensions. You can find out by contacting the Pension Tracing Service – it’s government-run and free to use.

Will you have enough money to support your desired lifestyle in retirement? When you are still working it can be difficult to envisage life in retirement, and easy to underestimate how much you will need. Online pension calculators can help you get an idea of whether you’ll have enough money, however – you’ll just need a few facts and figures to hand. What to do with your pension Depending on your provider you may be able to use your pension in different ways, including: • Taking some or all as a cash lump sum (this has significant tax implications). • Purchasing an annuity. • Using income drawdown, which allows you to withdraw a sum from your pension and invest it in a different product for an income. • A combination of these options. • Leaving your pension alone, and not withdrawing any money for now. The pension freedoms that were introduced by the government in 2015 mean you now have far more choice in how you use your pension. It’s even more important, therefore, to obtain reliable professional advice before deciding how to proceed. With so many people falling foul of pension scams these days, finding specialist advice you can trust is vital – it ensures you don’t lose your hard-earned money, and helps you enjoy a fulfilling and active life in retirement. www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/ checklist-things-to-do-as-retirement-approaches www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/worklearning/retirement/ www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/aboutpensions/the-state-pension/claiming-statepension

By Ann Haldon

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Are you returning to higher education and need some help with university costs? Do you live in post codes SG1 or SG2? Then the Betty Game Opportunities Trust may be able to help you with a small grant towards the cost of books, equipment, travel etc. 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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Special Report

By Dr Daisy Mae

Health Service – or Half Service? The 17 Treatments the NHS Will No Longer Provide From 1st April 2019, the NHS stopped funding a range of treatments it regards as ineffective, possibly harmful and poor value for money. Moles (benign), simple cysts, warts, verrucas and varicose veins – to name but a few – are all on the list of treatments no longer covered. Now, however unsightly, embarrassing or irritating, the NHS is no longer responsible. So how did this come about? Which conditions are on the list? Inappropriate Treatments Cash-strapped, and hard-pressed, the NHS is continually struggling to maintain an excellent quality of service and to balance the books.

Consequently, NHS management teams are regularly analysing the numbers and type of medical procedures, their success and complication rates. They consider carefully whether these interventions are beneficial for patients and whether they offer value for money. How Does the NHS Decide Which Treatments It Will or Won’t Fund? On behalf of the NHS, The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is a robust body that reviews all the available medical evidence about the safety, efficacy and value for money of NHS treatments and interventions. By law, if NICE recommends it, the NHS must provide it. If NICE doesn’t recommend it, the NHS has no obligation. What are ‘Inappropriate Interventions’? Inappropriate interventions are procedures that NICE has concluded have not been shown to be effective and may be associated with harm. For example, surgery to improve snoring carries risks: bleeding, infection, voice changes and

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swallowing problems. The cure rate from surgery is only 46%. However, similar improvements in snoring can be achieved by non-surgical health interventions such as losing weight and stopping smoking. A Bitter Response Nobody wants any harm, risk or wasteful spending, but are we being hoodwinked? What can a parent now do for a child with glue ear? It’s hard to believe that those with recurrent tonsillitis will no longer be offered surgery. These interventions are only the first phase of treatments cuts, with a second phase involving a list of other, more specialised procedures, set to follow. Doctors themselves are concerned. In a recent BMA survey, 75% of doctors said they believed that financial targets were overriding patient care. The BMA also views this NHS bureaucracy with disdain, saying “Rather than cut services, the government’s priority should be to stop the scandalous waste of billions of taxpayer money on the damaging NHS market in England, pointless fragmentation of NHS services and outsourcing deals that disrupt patient care,” to quote BMA chair and GP, Dr Chaand Nagpaul. The Negative Consequences These conditions may be benign, but they still cause misery and this negatively affects our wellbeing, self-esteem and self-confidence. Other treatments may be effective, but these can be expensive and hard to access. Vulnerable people who can’t speak up for themselves or engage fully in their own care may suffer. Some patients may choose not consult the doctor, and serious diagnoses may be missed. Lifestyle interventions such as weight loss are beneficial for numerous medical conditions. However, weight loss is difficult and takes time. The Royal College of Physicians has recently declared obesity a disease, not just a lifestyle factor. There are long waiting lists for physiotherapy, and the other suggested treatment options such as endothermal ablation and sclerotherapy. Will more funding be allocated for these treatments? Has the ‘National Half Service’ really got this right?

The 17 inappropriate interventions no longer funded by the NHS - Snoring surgery (in the absence of sleep apnoea). - Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) for heavy menstrual bleeding – the agreed treatment is hysteroscopy and biopsy. - Knee arthroscopy for osteoarthritis – flushing out the joint is no longer recommended. - Breast reduction. - Removal of benign skin conditions. - Grommets for glue ear in children. - Tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis. - Haemorrhoid surgery. - Hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding – women should be offered medical treatment or a progesterone releasing IUS. - Chalazia removal. - Arthroscopic shoulder decompression for shoulder pain. - Carpal tunnel release. - Dupuytren’s contracture release. - Ganglion excision. - Trigger finger release. - Varicose vein surgery – endothermal ablation and sclerotherapy should be tried first.

www.nhs.england/uk

References Evidence-based interventions: response to the public consultation and next steps November 2018, updated January 2019 Prepared by: NHS England Medical directorate and Strategy and Innovation directorate www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebi-consultation-response-document-v2.pdf

NHS England to save £200m on 17 ‘ineffective’ procedures including tonsillectomy 2 July 2018 Elisabeth Mahase www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/hot-topics/nhs-finances/nhs-england-to-save-200m-on-17-ineffectiveprocedures-including-tonsillectomy/20036998.article

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

A game of two halves For me February is where the gardening year begins...twice! First - Reaping last year’s rewards: If you were industrious in the autumn, you could now be benefiting from a lovely display of snowdrops (Gallanthus) and Irises. My favourite snowdrops are G ‘Atkinsii’, which are tall with long, graceful flowers and G. nivalis ‘Viridapicis’ with sweet, green tipped flowers. It’s said they’re best planted ‘in the green’ in Spring but I’ve had lots of success with packaged bulbs planted in the autumn so they’re definitely worth trying. As for irises, the deep blue Iris ‘Joyce’ is hard to beat especially on my poor, free draining soil. I planted a witch hazel as soon as we moved into our present house; Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’. I can’t live without fragrance in my garden and at this bare, drab time of year the wonderfully scented pale-yellow flowers lift my spirits. I discovered we’d inherited an evergreen Clematis (C. armandii). I’d never grown it before but it’s worth seeking out. It needs a warm wall or fence and well-drained soil then rewards you by being

frost-hardy and producing lovely creamy, scented flowers at this time of year. Second - Planning this year’s display Perhaps you didn’t manage to plan ahead last year. But don’t panic; the beauty of gardening is that the seasons keep rolling round so make sure you use February to ensure your summer display is top notch. February is definitely the month to start sowing seeds. Fill pots or seed trays with seed compost then firm and level the surface. Sprinkle seeds on to the surface of the compost then cover with a layer of fine grit. Water well with a fine spray. Cover with clear plastic (a polythene bag will do nicely) and remove it once the seeds germinate. Learn from my mistake one year and don’t forget to label the pots! Potting up summer bulbs is generally left until late spring, but I always pot up one or two pots in February. It allows them to get established and provides a nice early display for my patio.

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Happy Gardening! 35

Pets

RSPCA Hertfordshire East News

We have many cats looking for their new homes. These cats are often overlooked as we do not have an animal centre to the public. Please look at our website www.rspcs/local/hertfordshire-east-branch/ findpet to find your perfect match today. Caesar came into our care following a change of circumstances, which meant his owners could no longer keep him. He is an adult tabby cat, approximately 5-8 years old, a chunky boy with lots of character. He loves people, cuddles and food and enjoys lots of fuss and attention. He is confident, and has a lovely purr. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a friend for life. Kitty came into our care through no fault of her own. She is 2 years old, black and has been living outside, but we think she would like a garden, ideally in a quiet location, as we are not sure about her road sense. When the photos were taken, Kitty had just been spayed, hence wearing a cone to prevent her chewing her stitches. Kitty is lovely, enjoys being stroked and her head rubbed. She uses a cat scratching post and enjoys being brushed. Advice on adopting a rescue cat or kitten All the cats and kittens in our care will have been inspected, inoculated, treated for fleas and worms, spayed and micro-chipped. Once you have found your perfect furry friend, completed the adoption application form, the fosterer will arrange for your first visit, so that you can decide if the cat is right for you and allow you time to decide. If this is the cat for you, a Home Visitor will arrange to call at your house

so that advice can be given regarding environment, food, toys, beds, and a snug place to hide while settling in. Once you have taken your cat or kitten home, provide it with toys, wet and dry food and a bowl of water in a quiet room to get accustomed to the sights, smells and noises. Quietly check on your cat often and encourage it to relax with play and stroking. When you feel your cat is confident, allow it to investigate the rest of the house to settle in. To begin with, when you allow your cat into the garden, accompany it using treats to encourage it to return and not to wander off too far. In the event of any problems, contact the Home Visitor who can advise you. A happy cat has tail and ears erect and when laying down exposes its belly. A worried cat crouches, muscles tense, tail tucked under, ears swivelled sideways, and pupils dilated. An angry cat lays flattened with ears back, mouth open, teeth showing. When standing its back is arched, body held sideways, hair raised, paw ready to swipe, teeth showing and tail tense.

In the event of an emergency or cruelty, please call 0300 1234 999 Branch Office: 01462 672278 Why not follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/hertfordshireeastbranch or on our website:www.rspca-hertfordshireeast.org.uk

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Time of Year

By Clare Becker

The Language of Love

I love you. Three little words, which have been responsible for so much happiness...and so much angst and heartache. Did she mean it? Did he say it back? Who said it first? Does it matter? But here’s a dilemma you may not have considered, which language is the best in which to express your devotion? French - Je t’aime - It has associations with Paris, the city of love and all it has to offer: the food, the wine, the Eiffel Tower. How could your paramour not be swept off their feet? Spanish - Te amo - I once dated a guy from Madrid. When he said, “Te amo,” I almost melted, though his sexy accent and the fact we were on a yacht enjoying a Mediterranean sunset may have had much to do with it. Sadly, our relationship did not survive winter in Walsall! Russian - Я тебя люблю (Ya tebya liubliu) - Say it in a Russian accent and it sounds wonderfully seductive. You’ll feel like a spy from a James Bond movie! German - Ich liebe Dich - I confess I’m torn about this one. My husband is a blonde, blue-eyed, gorgeous German yet my silly British seaside sense of humour means ‘Ich liebe Dich’ makes me giggle. But laughter is good, and he has been the love of my life for the past ten years, so I included it to be fair. So, what’s the strangest language in which to declare your love. How about Dothraki? Should you wish to declare your love Game of Thrones stylie this Valentine’s Day, simply breath these words, “Anha zhilak yera norethaan.”

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Life Begins...

By Kate McLelland

Whatever happened to the story song?

small town America. The next decade would focus on wider social issues, such as Harry Chapin’s 1974 hit The Cat’s in the Cradle (about an absent father) and Rod Stewart’s The Killing of Georgie, (1976), which described a homophobic street killing. By the end of the Seventies, story songwriters had ditched social issues in favour of unashamed glamour: in 1978 Barry Manilow’s Copacabana told the story of a showgirl who loses her lover in a jealous brawl, while the Human League’s Don’t You Want Me Baby stormed the charts in 1981 with a tale of a successful singer who dumps the manager/boyfriend who discovered her. During the Eighties story song hits may have been thin on the ground, but Tracy Chapman’s wistful ballad Fast Car was enough to make up for almost a whole a decade without them. Another gritty narrative number reached number one in 2000: Eminem’s Stan was a modern American gothic tale of a crazed fan who murders his pregnant girlfriend because he feels rejected by his idol. Nowadays rap and hip hop artists have largely taken over as pop music’s storytellers: the lyrics might be X-rated, but it’s good to know that the story song has found another home. While the songs mentioned above are now sadly out of fashion, we can still enjoy them online. So get comfortable with your laptop, smartphone or tablet, enter a search for your favourite song titles and prepare to enjoy a feast of musical storytelling.

When an equity release company recently made a TV advert featuring a song called Right Said Fred, it introduced at least two new generations to a popular hit from almost sixty years ago. The song may have been given new lyrics for advertising purposes, but for anyone who grew up in the Fifties and Sixties, the tune was instantly recognisable. Originally sung by the actor Bernard Cribbins, Right Said Fred conjures memories of a slightly odd but highly entertaining episode in our cultural history, when narrative songs were all the rage. Right Said Fred is a simple but very catchy ditty, typical of others like Little White Bull, sung by Tommy Steele (1959), and Hole in the Ground, also sung by Bernard Cribbins and released the same year as Right Said Fred. However, while 1962 was clearly a peak year for these cheery Cockney

narrative hits, it also proved to be their swansong: a distinctly darker tone was soon to emerge from across the Atlantic. Narrative songs go gothic American songs that focus on the darker side of life are known as ‘Southern Gothic’ or ‘Gothic Americana’. Think Bobby Goldsboro’s Honey (about a wife who dies tragically young) and Jeannie C Riley’s Harper Valley PTA (single mum confronts small town hypocrites). Perhaps the best example is Ode to Billie Joe, a compelling tale about a young man’s suicide, released in 1968 by Bobby Gentry. Songs with a social conscience The Sixties ended with another narrative hit. A Boy Named Sue, sung by Johnny Cash, was an upbeat, quirky tale that concluded with an unexpected father/son reunion. It was a fitting end to a decade of songs that referenced life in rural or

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Parenting

By Kate Duggan - www.kateduggan.co.uk

Family Games Night Fed up of Monopoly? Bored to tears of Snakes and Ladders? If you’re in need of a new game to keep the kids occupied on a wet winter’s day, check out this little lot… Exploding Kittens, ages 7+, 2-5 players A card game of strategy, luck and vendettas, Exploding Kittens is easy to learn and a whole heap of fun to play. It’s a bit like Uno, but with humorous illustrations and cards like ‘Deploy the thousand year back hair’ and ‘Don a portable cheetah butt’. It only takes 20 minutes to play so makes a great post-dinner, pre-homework treat. Find it at www.amazon.co.uk. Atlantis Escape, ages 8+, single player This puzzle game sees the player trying to find the quickest way to the boat before Atlantis sinks. There are 60 challenges to complete, which should keep the kids occupied for a little while at least. It’s single player and compact, so perfect for long journeys – see www.smarttoysandgames.co.uk. Asteroid Escape, ages 8+, single player As with Atlantis Escape, the player needs to navigate their way through the board in this travel puzzle game. Again, there are 60 challenges to complete. It’s ideal for problem-solving space lovers. Also available from www.smarttoysandgames.co.uk. Pointing Fingers, ages 12+, 3-6 players With this game, it pays to know your opponents. Who is most likely to have done, or consider doing, the action on the card? Pointing Fingers is a bit like Never Have I Ever, but with points instead of

alcoholic shots. While it’s aimed at ages 12 and up, my eight year old loves it (we just skip the questions he doesn’t understand). Dobble, ages 6+, 2-8 players Dobble is a card game with a difference. To win a hand, you have to find the matching symbol on two cards. Simple, but fast-moving, ultracompetitive and a lot of fun, Dobble is a firm favourite with families across the globe. There are five ways to play, and a new Harry Potter themed spin-off was released last year. See www.asmodee.co.uk. Bears versus Zombies, ages 10+, 2-5 players Players build monsters using cards to defend themselves against the marauding babies. The better the monster, the more likely it is to defeat the baby army and score the player some points. This quick-to-learn, quick-to-play game is bizarre but a lot of fun. While it’s recommended for players aged 10 and up, younger children should be able to master it with a little extra help. It’s available from www.amazon.co.uk. Ticket to Ride, ages 8+, 2-5 players Ticket to Ride first came out in 2004 and has since released several spin-offs, including Ticket to Ride Europe. Players compete to claim train routes across the board. (It’s a lot more fun than it sounds.) Great for strategic thinkers, Ticket to Ride takes a few minutes to learn and can be played in around an hour. See www.amazon.co.uk.

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By Kate McLelland

Quirky Britain

The Elephant in the (Tower) Room A brief history of Britain’s love affair with the elephant

Last autumn there was huge excitement in Diss, Norfolk, when a ground-penetrating radar search of common land at Fair Green revealed the remains of an elephant buried deep under the ground. It must have been a fairly earth-shattering discovery for local residents to learn that the animal’s remains had been found in a spot better known for craft fairs and dog shows, but the news didn’t come as a surprise to everyone. The archaeological survey was carried out because some locals claimed the animal died there in the 1940s, while a touring circus was in town. Nowadays we might, with some justification, condemn people who made their living by exploiting elephants, but it was the nation’s insatiable interest in these gentle giants that made them such a big box-office attraction. Invasion of the elephants The first elephants to arrive in the UK were brought over by the Roman Emperor Claudius when he invaded England in AD 43. A Greek author called Polyaenus, writing in the second century AD, tells an intriguing story about terrified Britons fleeing at the sight of an elephant sent to cross a river into their territory. Twelve centuries later in 1256, King Henry III received an elephant as a gift from Louis IX of France and ordered his sheriffs to build a pen measuring 40 foot long and 20 foot wide in the Tower of London. Around the same period, an ancient Latin manuscript called the Physiologus Theobaldi – containing some wildly inaccurate elephant ‘facts’ – was translated into English. Some time later Shakespeare borrowed from the Physiologus when he wrote: “The elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy; his legs are legs for necessity, not for flexure”, endorsing a commonly-held belief that the elephant was unable to bend its legs. Tall tales Thanks to the Physiologus, elephants were revered as semi-mythical beings in Tudor times. No wonder, then, that they became the stuff of legend. An elephant-inspired folk tale from Queenborough on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent has been passed down from generation to generation. It’s the story of a small town nervously preparing to receive an elephant as a gift from Queen Elizabeth I. The residents get to work creating a state-of-the art pen for the royal gift, but it turns out that in reading the queen’s letter, the semi-literate mayor of the town has mistaken the word ‘equivalent’ for ‘elephant’, and the long-anticipated creature never arrives. Sheppey’s story certainly bears all the hallmarks of myth. However unlikely the story may sound, Elizabeth I did actually visit Queenborough Castle (now demolished) in 1582, and to this day there is a small public park, the size of a horse paddock, which locals still call ‘the Elephant Park’. The British have known about elephants for over 2,000 years. We may fear them for their size and strength, but thanks to touchingly human characteristics such as dignity, patience and family loyalty, it’s easy to see why the nation has taken these magnificent beasts to its heart.

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Codeword 1

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Easy Suduko

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n O s ’ t Wha In February

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

1 February The Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pm The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open to the public. Entry is free but official photo ID such as a driving licence, passport or over 60s Bus Pass is required to get an entry ticket from the Guardroom. Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 1, 2, 7 & 8 Feb Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves 31 Jan, 7 & 8 Feb 7.30pm; 1, 2 & 8 Feb 2.30pm The Oak Hall at Meppershall Village Hall, Walnut Tree Way Adults £10, Children £7, Family (2a + 2c) £30 HATS Drama Group present Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, a hilarious family pantomime by Ben Crocker. Doors open 30 mins before performances. Licensed bar. www.ticketsource.co.uk/hats-drama 2, 9, 16 & 23 February Hare & Hounds Hash House Harriers 11am H5 are a social running and walking club for mixed abilities, meeting every week in the Bedfordshire area. The trail is set by our hare from a local pub and typically lasts 1 hour covering between 3 and 4 miles. Family and dog friendly. Full details of the trails can be found online or via email. Email: info@h5hashers.org.uk Web: www.H5hashers.org.uk

3, 10, 17 & 24 February Stevenage New Pathways 1-4pm Friends Meeting House Cuttys Lane, Stevenage £2 inc. hot drink & biscuits A friendly place to meet and talk over issues in a positive way. Maybe go for walks, bring in speakers, form a craft group. Email: katiewilsonmind@gmail.com 3, 10, 17 & 24 February Stevenage Choral Society 7.45-9.45pm Stevenage Music Centre, Nobel School, Stevenage The society meets every Monday during term time. Free the friendly choir with a free session. 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 and be part of a friendly and supportive team, putting on excellent performances whilst having fun. Tel: 01438 365769 Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk

3, 10, 17 & 24 February Staplers Country Dance Club 8-10pm St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin Staplers is a social folk dance club. It’s easy to start as all the dances are walked through first then called and you don’t need to come with a partner; lots of us come on our own. Car parking is available next to the hall. Meets every Monday apart from bank holidays and some school holiday dates. Tel. 01462 624144 or 01462 680995 Web: www.staplers.org.uk

3, 10, 17 & 24 February Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-11pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Branch Out meets every Monday night and is a medium-sized social club for single people. The club organises regular events, day and weekend trips and holidays. Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk 5 February North Herts Association of National Trust 7.30pm Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Visitors £2. ‘Women’s Roles and Achievements in Aviation’ by David Taylor. David will also bring some memorabilia to the meeting. Visitors welcome. Membership of National Trust not necessary. Second hand books and homemade preserves on sale. Tel: Secretary Mrs Colette House 01462 815585 Email: colettehouse@gmail.com 6 February The Arts Society North Herts 11am & 2pm Spirella Ballroom Letchworth Visitors £7 on the door. ‘Lapis Lazuli: Pursuit of a Celestial Stone’ with Sarah Searight. This follows the travels of this precious stone from Afghanistan through burials in the ancient world, in wall paintings in medieval Byzantine churches, ending with early Renaissance Madonnas robed in ultramarine, ground as pigment from lapis lazull. Visitors welcome. Lift access. Web: theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk 6, 13, 20 & 27 February The Hitchin Thursday Club 9.30am-12 noon St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin A friendly group which meets every Thursday morning for recreational painting, drawing, etc. The group is very easy going in its attitude to art - only doing your own thing. Still Life and raffle every month. No qualifications required - just come along with your drawing gear and you’ll receive a very warm welcome. Tel: Pauline 01767 315553

6, 13, 20 & 27 February Stevenage Bridge Club 7.30pm Priory Nursery, Stanmore Road, Old Stevenage To play Duplicate Bridge. A host system is run to find partners, if required. A wide level of ability play at the club. Tel: Phil Cooper 07957 813434 6, 13, 20 & 27 February Roundabouters Country Dance Club 8-10pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage £3, annual membership £5. Friendly club for English country dancing – enjoyable, easy to learn and very sociable. We welcome new members, both beginners and experienced, couples and individuals. All dances walked through; club and guest callers ensure a varied programme. AGM on 27 February. Tel: 01438 727239 Email: roundabouters@live.co.uk Web: www.roundabouters.org.uk 6, 13, 20 & 27 February Stevenage Plus Social Group 8.15pm for 8.30pm Holiday Inn Express (opposite Matalan), Stevenage £2 - first night free. Stevenage Plus Social Group is a fun and friendly social group with members in their 30s and 40s from Stevenage, North Herts and surrounding areas. We have a varied programme of events on Thursday and Saturday evenings as well as day trips and weekends away. Tel: 01438 231550. Email: welcome@stevenage.plus Web: www.stevenageplus.co.uk 6, 13, 20 & 27 February Sapphire Social Club 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin A small and friendly group for single people generally aged 50 and above, offering a variety of social events during the month and the opportunity to meet and make new friends. Potential new members are warmly welcome to come along with no joining fee for the first two months. Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 or Ian 07900 890583 for info Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 7 February RSPB Hitchin & Letchworth Local Group 7.30pm ‘The Settlement’, Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City Local group members free, Visitors £3 ‘Nightjar Migration and Movements’ with Greg Conway. Greg is a Research Ecologist at the BTO and tells us about the use of tracking technology to reveal nightjar migration and foraging movements during the breeding season. Tel: 01763 249459 Email: martinrjspc@hotmail.com

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n O s ’ t Wha In February

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

7, 14, 21 & 28 February Springfield House Friday Bridge Club 1.30pm Springfield House (the home of the Old Stevenage Community Centre) To play cut-in Chicago Bridge. Play is informal and friendly. Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517

11 & 25 February Hitchin & District Probus Club 12 noon for 1pm Priory Hotel, Hitchin Social club for retired and semi-retired professional and business men which meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month for lunch. Organised visits and events throughout the year. New members welcome. Tel: Roger Burt 01438 351891 Email: roger@mazda20.plus.com From 14 February The British Schools Museum 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin Adults £5.50, Children 5-17 £3, Under 5s free The British Schools Museum re-opens for public visits. Normally open on Fridays 10am–4pm, Saturdays 10am–4pm and Sundays 2pm–5pm but please check website for any changes to regular opening hours and special activities and extra opening times during school holidays. Last entry time for the museum is 30 minutes before closing time, but the shop and cafe (free entry) will be open until the published closing times. Discounts available for family groups. It is recommended that allow at least two hours for your visit. On the first Sunday of each month enjoy a Victorian lesson at no extra charge. Lessons start at 2.30 and 3.30pm - don’t be late! These sessions are very popular and advance booking is recommended. Tel: 01462 420144 Website: www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk 15 February Join the Dots Forest School Great Wymondley Village, near Hitchin For children 2+ years, with additional dates in school holidays. Come and join our fun filled sessions involving games, den building, flora and fauna identification and much more. 2-5 years, 10.30am-12.30pm £12, siblings £10. 6-9 years, 1.15-4pm £20, siblings £18. Everyone welcome. Email: alison@jointhedotsforestschool.co.uk Website: www.jointhedotsforestschool.co.uk

16 February RSPB Hitchin & Letchworth Local Group Trip Coach trip to RSPB Titchwell Marsh (joint trip with RSPB Stevenage LG). Titchwell is a fantastic place to visit in winter, housing woodland birds, gulls and waders and rare ducks and grebes on the sea. Pick-ups Stevenage 7.35am, Hitchin 7.45am, Letchworth 8.00am and Royston: 8.20am. Leader Malcolm Ingram Tel: 01763 249459 Email: martinrjspc@hotmail.com 18 February Dancing for Fun 10am-12 noon The British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin £3 per child inc. light refreshments, Adults free Come and enjoy our regular half-term Maypole Dancing and English Country Dancing for children 6+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Limited numbers – book in advance. Tel: 01462 420144 Website: www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk 18 February Stevenage RSPB Local Group 7.30pm The Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage RSPB Members £3, Non-members £4, Under 18s 50p. Jonathan Forgham returns to give us his talk on ‘Birds of the North Norfolk Coastal Path’. Tel: 01438 226014 Web: www.rspb.org/groups/Stevenage

19 February Hitchin Flower Club 7pm for 7.30pm Church House, Church Yard, Hitchin Visitors £6.50. Short AGM followed by a talk by the Head Gardener of Wrest Park, the English Heritage property in Bedfordshire. Tel: Michelle 01462 637874 Facebook: Hitchin Flower Club-NAFAS

27 February Stevenage RSPB Local Group car trip to Hope Farm 10am The group last visited the RSPB’s farm conservation project in Cambridgeshire in 2005. It now supports large winter feeding flocks of passerines. Meet in the farmyard (it is still signed as Grange Farm) for our guided tour at 10am. (Donation £3 per head). Grid Ref. 154/TL 333625. Postcode CB23 4NR. An afternoon visit to Fen Drayton (6 miles away) will be led by Graham Beevor for those who wish to participate. Tel: 01438 226014. Web: ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/stevenage 28 February Hitchin Book Club 5pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin £2.50. A friendly group who meets the last Friday of each month. No pressure to read books just turn up. Web: https://www.meetup.com/Hitchin-Book-Club/ Hitchin & Surrounding Areas Fun & Social Stuff A welcoming social group based in Hitchin. We arrange monthly socials, drinks socials, live music, pub quizzes, cinema, etc.. The group is a variety of people over 18 getting to know others in a social and friendly setting whilst also enjoying themselves. Email: meetup3@outlook.com www.meetup.com/meetup-group-HVrvZZiQ Hitchin Bridge Club Hitchin Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge several times each week. All levels of experience welcomed, hosts are available at some sessions for players without a partner. Workshops each month on topics for improving players. Beginners courses are run every year starting in October. Tel: Margaret 01462 623447 Email: mee.hitchin@ntlworld.com Web: hitchinbridgeclub.org.uk

19 & 20 February Children’s Half-Term Activities 10am-12 noon The British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin £5. ‘Once upon a time...’ Join us at and let the kids get creative, making things which they can take away with them. For children age 4+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tel: 01462 420144 Website: www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk

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HERTS OVEN CLEAN Herts Oven Clean is a domestic oven cleaning specialist in Hertfordshire. Non-caustic, fume-free solution individually prepared for each customer. Ovens, Hobs, Grills, Extractors, Agas, Microwaves and Gas Barbeques. Call Richard on 01438 813492 Bring a sparkle to your kitchen today.

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Technology

Gadget gifts for the one you love Smart buys for the love of your life

As if flowers, champagne and dinners weren’t expensive enough, retailers would really like you to buy your beloved some technology for Valentine’s Day. That’s not necessarily a bad idea, but there are a few traps to avoid. We wouldn’t recommend anything overly practical unless the recipient really wants it and would be happy to get it as a Valentine’s Day gift: no matter how powerful the Dyson or scientific the scales, don’t give the gift of hoovering or weightwatching to someone who won’t appreciate it. Online gadget guides suggest power banks for smartphones and even charging cables, and while those are perfectly decent products they’re hardly going to make your partner’s heart sing. The second trap is the “pinkification” of products: even if your beloved likes pink they might not appreciate a perfectly good product that’s pink for no good reason. If your beloved is really into DIY then they’ll care much more about the quality of the product than its colour. So what presents do we suggest

for Valentine’s day? Consider accessories – for example, if your beloved has an Apple Watch or an iPad you could buy good-quality straps or cases. The Apple Watch can be made sportier with a bright Sport Band or more formal with a genuine leather band (just avoid the faux leather bands from some bigname shopping sites, which don’t wear like genuine leather does). And of course if your partner doesn’t have an Apple Watch or an iPad and you’ve got the cash to spare, those items make really great gifts. Another good tactic is to think about what your beloved does. So if they have a long commute or travel a lot, a set of noisecancelling headphones will make their travels much more pleasant; if they’re always at the gym or jogging around town then exercise-friendly earbuds or a reliable fitness tracker will be a boon. For readers there are Amazon’s excellent Kindle e-readers (or a subscription to Audible, the audiobook service) or subscriptions to Readly or Apple News+, both of which are like

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Netflix for magazines; for coffee lovers there are some really great high-tech coffee makers ranging from the excellent Aeropress (around £20) to cute and compact capsule machines such as Krups’ or Magimix’s Nespresso makers. And if they’re arty, they might love an Apple Pencil for their iPad (check compatibility first, though – not all iPads work with it) or a digital notepad that looks and feels like pencil on paper but can transfer drawings to their Mac or PC. If you’re still stuck for ideas, it’s time to remember the old joke: what do you get the person who has everything? A box to put it in. But instead of boxes, think bags. There are lots of backpacks, messenger bags and handbags designed specifically for people who carry gadgets around, and they’re available everywhere at every conceivable price point. For example, if you can’t afford several hundred pounds for Osprey London’s laptop bags, Marks & Spencer does some really nice laptop backpacks for around £45, laptop bags for under £30 and faux-leather folio bags for just £25.

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Januaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword Winner Rachel McEwan from St Ippolyts Josie Long Competition Winner Alison Fitt from Gamlingay Easy

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16th February 2020 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

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Book Review His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman

If you loved the BBC series but haven’t yet delved into the original books, what on earth is stopping you? Starting with the Northern Lights, this trilogy takes the reader on a journey with Lyra Belacqua. With her daemon Pantalaimon by her side, Lyra sets out on a quest to rescue her best friend and discover the secret of Dust. Along the way, she’ll befriend witches, Gyptians, an armoured bear and a boy from another world, while pitting her wits against the all-powerful Magisterium.

Heroes and Villains by Angela Carter

In a post-apocalyptic world, Marianne looks down from her ivory tower as her brother is murdered in the streets below. Years later, she helps the murderer to hide, runs away with him to his Barbarian tribe and is forced to become his bride. Dream-like, disquieting and beautiful, Heroes and Villains is one of Carter’s lesser-known books but my personal favourite.

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin

This series of nine books starts in the late seventies and centres around the inhabitants of 28 Barbary Lane, including the naive but ambitious Mary Ann Singleton, the matriarchal Anna Madrigal and the best-friend-you-wishyou-had Michael Tolliver (AKA Mouse). Maupin is a skilled storyteller and skilfully weaves together numerous plotlines and character arcs to create a stonkingly good series you’ll want to binge read your way through.

Books By Kate Duggan

The Choice by Edith Eger

Edith Eger was on the brink of death when she was freed from Auschwitz. This is her story. It’s certainly harrowing in parts, but also uplifting, reaffirming and full of hope. Edith realised that burying her past doesn’t make it easier to live with. Instead, she learnt how to move past her trauma, build the life she deserves and help thousands of other survivors to do the same.

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

Would-be witch Tiffany Aching sets out to rescue her brother from the fairies and stop them from invading her home. She’s only armed with a frying pan, but luckily she has help in the form of the Nac Mac Feegle – they may be tiny, but they’re fierce, fast and loyal. Technically, this was written as a children’s book, but don’t let that put you off – it’ll appeal to fantasy lovers of all ages.

The Clan of the Cave Bear By Jean M. Auel

The first book in the Earth’s Children series, The Clan of the Cave Bear centres around Ayla, a young girl raised by Neanderthals in prehistoric Europe. Ayla faces prejudice and suspicion but, with the help of her adopted mother Iza, is eventually accepted by most of the clan. A powerful, well-researched, epic tale. You don’t even need to wait for the next instalment to come out as all six are just waiting for you to find them.

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Alcoholics Anonymous..............................0845 769 7555 Al-Anon Family Groups..............................0800 008 6811 Anglian Water............................................08457 145 145 Bedford Hospital........................................ 01234 355122 Lister Hospital............................................ 01438 314333 Benefits for people with Disabilities...........0800 882 200 Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue................... 01438 729041 Carers Line..................................................0808 808 7777 ChildLine...........................................................0800 1111 Citizens Advice...........................................03444 111 444 Cocaine Anonymous..................................0800 689 4732

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

Crimestoppers..............................................0800 555 111 Cruse Bereavement Care............................0333 252 9152 Floodline....................................................0845 988 1188 Frank-Drug Advisory....................................0800 776 600 National Debt Line.....................................0808 808 4000 Gas Emergency............................................0800 111 999 NHS Direct.........................................................0845 4647 National Rail Enquiries..............................03457 48 49 50 Non Emergency Police Line.........................................101 NSPCC.........................................................0808 800 5000 Relate..........................................................0845 48 49 50 RSPCA Cruelty Line....................................0300 1234 999 Samaritans............................................................116 123 Tax Credit Helpline.....................................0345 300 3900 Victim Support............................................845 30 30 900

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Tel: 01767 261122

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

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