Stevenage Jan 2021

VILLAGER The

January 2021

and Town

Life

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

Happy New Year In this issue

The History of Skara Brae

Beat the January Blues Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

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Inside this issue...

Update Your Lighting

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The History of Skara Brae.................................................4 January Blues...................................................................8 How to take part in Veganuary.......................................10 Update your Lighting.....................................................12 And Breathe...................................................................16 Accessories Edit..............................................................19 Fighting the War on Plastic............................................21 Fun Quiz.........................................................................21 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.........................................22 Bring out some Leicestershire Spirit...............................24 Looking after you in 2021...............................................26 Be more Financially Secure in 2021................................29 House-Buying Jargon Explained....................................30

The Lake District.............................................................32 Don’t Forget your Feathered Friends..............................35 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal..............................................37 Help for pets and their owners.......................................38 RSPCA - Annual Review - The Best Bits (Part 2)..............40 The Winter Garden.........................................................43 Hula Fitness...................................................................45 How to pick the best running shoes...............................46 Puzzle Page....................................................................48 I was a Housekeeping Dunce..........................................50 Brilliant Buys for Bikes...................................................53 The best new SUVs for under £30,000............................55 Villager Prize Crossword.................................... 58 Book Review..................................................................60

The Lake District

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Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £30.00 +VAT per month Editorial: Catherine Rose, Jess Lodge, Katherine Sorrell, Kate Duggan, Jennie Billings, Nick Coffer, Trevor Langley, Thai Bodywork, Harry Mitchell-Davis, Solange Hando, Pippa Greenwood, Wood Green, RSPCA, Rachael Leverton, Tracey Anderson, Kath McCarthy, and Callie Connor

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History

By Catherine Rose

The History of Skara Brae Situated along the coast at the Bay of Skaill, roughly between Stromness and Birsay on the little Scottish island of Orkney, stand the ruins of a Neolithic village called Skara Brae. A UNESCO World Heritage site managed by Historic Scotland, it is the most well-preserved village of its age in Europe.

The ancient site of Skara Brae is approximately 5,000 years old and so well preserved that it is possible to get a real and rare glimpse into how our ancient ancestors lived in 3000 BC – long before even Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza were built.

Ten dwellings have been uncovered at Skara Brae, and eight of them were apparently homes.

When the village was first built, the houses would not have been on the coast as they are today, but some distance inland. Coastal erosion over the centuries means that they now overlook the beach.

The village was inhabited between 3100 BC and 2500 BC probably by successive generations of families, until it was abandoned. Although it has been dubbed the ‘Pompei of Scotland’, it is unlikely that a catastrophic event occurred which led to its abandonment and subsequent preservation, as no skeletons have been unearthed there, suggesting that the lifestyle of its people gradually changed and they eventually decided to move on elsewhere.

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It is recorded that the village was discovered after a particularly bad storm on Orkney in 1850. The storm washed away a large sand mound called Skerrabra, which was hiding a group of immaculately preserved circular stone structures complete with beds and other stone furnishings still intact inside.

William Watt, the landowner, who was living at Skail House nearby, began excavations and on realising the importance of the find contacted George Petrie, the island’s well-known antiquarian. All the finds at the site were subsequently meticulously catalogued and included beads, tools (particularly knives and scrapers) and objects that historians have only been able to speculate on but were possibly either devotional or recreational. A set of what look like dice were amongst the discoveries.

All the objects were carved or made from stone, bone, tusks, animal teeth and wood. There was also pottery.

Petrie eventually abandoned the excavations and, following looting and weather damage, the site was taken under the protection of the Ministry of Works in the 1920s.

Initially it was believed that Skara Brae was a Pictish village. However, radiocarbon dating in the 1970s identified it as being much older, confirming that it was constructed during the Neolithic Period (or New Stone Age).

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The ancient buildings are made from flat stones that have been layered on top of each other and set into the mud, drystone wall fashion. Some of the walls, which would originally have been around eight feet high, were clearly more skilfully constructed than others, suggesting different levels of ability in the builders. The spaces between the earth and the stones were filled with ‘midden’ – basically the organic rubbish produced from day-to-day living such as animal bone and shells.

The round dwellings are linked by narrow brick-lined and roofed passageways. They would have been very dark and filled with smoke but also quite warm.

One of the most remarkable things about Skara Brae is that the furnishings of the homes are still intact, including beds, dressers, and chairs.

Each circular dwelling has a similar layout, with one ‘living room’ containing a hearth for cooking and warmth, a stone dresser and built-in stone ‘box’ beds to the sides complete with headboards. These were probably lined with straw and animal skins. Floor space in each dwelling was around forty square metres.

Due to the lack of trees and scarcity of wood on the island at that time, it is possible that peat was burned in the hearths as peat ash has been found amongst the midden.

The settlement even had indoor toilets and drainage,

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which ran from each hut into a main sewer.

It is believed that the largest structure was used as a workshop due to the fact it has no hearth or beds.

The houses would have originally had a turf roof.

Today, one of the dwellings has had its roof replaced, partly to protect it and partly to show how it would have looked. There is also a mock-up of a complete dwelling next to the museum at the site.

Some of the homes are newer than others suggesting that generations of families lived here and built new houses on top of the old.

Pottery and clay fragments found here show that the people used what is known as ‘groove ware’ – straight-sided pots and bowls decorated with grooves in patterns that have become synonymous with Orkney.

The inhabitants clearly farmed and kept livestock as well as hunting and fishing. No weapons were found, suggesting the people led a relatively peaceful life.

But it is likely that we will never know what they called themselves or the language they spoke, as no written records exist.

Due to its remoteness, Orkney has a wealth of ancient sites including its famous standing stones and numerous burial mounds. This beautiful little island may yet be hiding many more ancient archaeological secrets.

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Health

By Jess Hodge

January Blues The ongoing pandemic is challenging the best of us when it comes to keeping our spirits up, but even without this the shorter daylight hours of winter can have a huge effect on how we feel.

It’s not good for us or for those around us to feel perpetually negative, so it’s time to take action.

The Great Outdoors Spending some time outdoors each day is crucial to tackling winter blues. Exercise and laughter both stimulate and boost endorphins, those wonderful feel-good chemicals in our bodies that help to lift our mood.

Furthermore, spending an hour or two away from the news will distract you from negative feelings through the rest of the day.

It’s Not All About You Our social lives have been considerably curtailed since March 2020 but contact with other people is so important.

When you are feeling down, you might feel you don’t want to bother your friends and family.

But imagine if they asked to speak to you? You’d be unlikely to say no, so flip that on its head and remember that they are likely to be glad to hear from you too!

Video calls are a real blessing for distanced interactions, but even just a phone call will cheer you.

Even better, instead of a phone call, a short walk around the block for an in-person catch-up is likely to find conversation flowing more easily. If you are on your own, go somewhere that other people are – a park, the seaside or one of the National Trust gardens.

Maybe It’s Really SAD Over two million people in the UK are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The low levels of light during the winter months can cause a range of symptoms, from slowing down and lacking energy right through to severe depression. Other symptoms include feeling gloomy, lethargic and experiencing feelings of being unable to carry out our normal routine.

Light therapy in the form of a

lightbox has been shown to be helpful for many sufferers, but any exposure to light will help: a lunchtime walk or sitting near a window when indoors.

Read All About It…Or Not Reading about ‘the blues’ can help as it’ll reassure you that you aren’t on your own. Seeing a post on a user forum from someone with a similar problem and reading the encouraging and sympathetic replies will be a comfort to you.

“A problem shared is a problem halved” as the saying goes.

On the other hand, if the news depresses you and social media makes you feel like everyone else is living their best life, switch it off. When someone boasts about how amazing their life is right now, it’s really not going to cheer you up.

Summer’s Coming OK, admittedly that’s stretching it a bit in January. But each day has been getting a few minutes longer since the 21st December so there is – literally – light at the end of the tunnel.

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Time of Year

How to take part in Veganuary Founded in 2014, Veganuary is an initiative that encourages people across the world to try veganism in January. Here, we look at the reasons to take part and how to survive a month – or more – without meat and dairy.

Veganism has ballooned in recent years, with a record 400,000 people signing up to the Veganuary movement in 2020. Documentaries like ‘What the Health’, ‘Cowspiracy’ and David Attenborough’s ‘A Life on Our Planet’ have helped drive the trend, all of which shed light on the benefits of a vegan diet for our health and for the planet.

What is veganism and why should you try it?

A vegan diet is one that excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs and even honey in favour of plants and plant-based products. In short, a vegan lifestyle is one that tries, as much as possible, to exist without harming animals.

The benefits of adopting a more plant-based diet are numerous. David Attenborough said himself that our planet simply cannot sustain seven billion meat eaters, and scientists have claimed that eating large amounts of meat and dairy is linked to several health conditions too.

When done correctly, it’s possible to get all the nutrients you need from a totally plant-based diet.

It can also help you lose weight and introduce you to more fruits, vegetables, seeds and grains that you wouldn’t normally incorporate into your weekly shop.

Veganism may not be for everyone, but even just trying it for a month will reduce your carbon footprint and may encourage you to eat less meat and dairy in the future.

The big question: how?

Supermarkets, cafes and restaurants have been filling their shelves and kitchens with tasty meat and dairy substitutes over the last couple of years, meaning finding something you like is easier than ever. Book

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shops and the internet are packed full of tasty recipes, and if you sign up to Veganuary you’ll receive weekly tips and recipes to keep you on track.

Seitan, Quorn and tofu are fantastic substitutes for meat and can be used to create plant-based versions of your favourite dishes. They’re all easy to cook, packed with healthy plant proteins and have a very convincing meat-like texture.

Supermarkets are now filled with a huge array of plant-based milks, including soy, oat, almond and coconut, and a huge variety of vegan cheeses too.

Although they won’t taste exactly like the real deal, they’re close enough – and delicious in their own right! Eating out is also easier than ever, with more restaurants adding vegan options to their menus.

What about your health?

Contrary to popular belief, you can get all the nutrients your body needs from eating a varied and balanced vegan diet. The only vitamin that’s difficult to find is Vitamin B-12, but thankfully many cereals, soy milks – and even Marmite – are fortified with this essential vitamin.

Eat your five-a-day, pack lots of protein-rich beans and pulses into your diet, and get your calcium and iron from green, leafy vegetables and wholemeal bread. If you find it difficult to cram everything in, supplements are an option and the Veganuary website has plenty of nutrition tips for going vegan the right way. Visit uk.veganuary.com to sign up today.

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Interiors

Update your Lighting

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By Katherine Sorrell

During the dark days and long nights of winter we rely on artificial lighting for both function and a sense of comfort and vitality. Now’s the time to assess what works in your home and plan any necessary improvements.

Plan lighting as early as possible If you are redecorating, consider whether it would also be a good time to upgrade your lighting scheme.

Perhaps adding some wall lights above the seating in the living room would give greater flexibility, while wall lights mounted either side of a bed will free up space on the bedside table. How about a row of lights over the dining table? A picture light above a favourite painting or photograph? Or some spotlights to provide good working light above your home-office desk? If you are replastering anyway, the necessary wiring may not be overly difficult to incorporate and the results will be well worth the effort.

Light in layers Design your lighting so that it comes from several different sources and directions, the idea being to ‘layer’ it for both practicality and aesthetics. Think of it as painting with light, creating washes and filling in with highlights and lowlights. Professionals think of four types of lighting: general, task, accent and atmosphere, and you can mix several types in each room using a combination of ceiling lights and pendants, wall washers, floor or table lamps, and special shelf or picture lights.

If you are stuck with a dull central pendant, and structural changes are not possible, it is still easy to introduce flexibility by adding floor and table lamps for better illumination at mid and higher levels around the room. With judicious placement these will provide both improved functionality and visual variety.

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Get the best bulbs Don’t put up with energy-guzzling light bulbs that are too dazzling, too dim, too white or too yellow.

It is a simple matter to replace them with ones that are the right brightness and colour – and it may save you money in the long run, too. The old-fashioned energy-saving bulbs that we all know and hate used to take forever to turn on, but modern LED versions become bright instantly. Although expensive initially, they are cheap to run and should last for years (or even decades). For a warm, welcoming light, look for bulbs marked around 2,700K (kelvins measure the colour temperature of a bulb; the higher it is, the whiter the light). As for how bright they will be, this is undoubtedly confusing. Don’t think in watts any more (this is a measure of how much energy the bulb consumes); instead, it’s all about lumens (lm), meaning brightness. If you want the equivalent of a

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40w bulb, you’re looking for around 470lm, while a 60w equates to around 800lm. The packaging should explain it clearly. Another point to note: dimmer switches make all lightings schemes more versatile, but it can be trickier to dim LEDs, so consult your electrician before investing in any specific fittings.

The latest in lighting Lighting technology is moving fast. LED lighting has changed the game, allowing for very small, slim fittings in places that were not previously possible.

Strip lights can be placed around the home to create interesting effects, while the energy efficiency of LED means that cordless, battery-powered lights can be placed almost anywhere. Meanwhile, ‘smart’ lights that wake you up, turn on as you walk into a room or change colour in time to your music are all pretty standard these days, and you can control them via

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an app, a remote control or even voice commands.

Look out for futuristic innovations such as lighting that supports bio-rhythms via adjustable light levels (avoid that post-lunch low!) and light panels that look like skylights, incorporating a horizon effect, to bring ‘daylight’ into windowless areas. What else will new technology bring? One thing’s for sure: the future’s bright.

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Lighting regulations All electrical work in the home in the UK must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, so for anything other than the most minor works you should use an electrician who is registered as a ‘competent person’. Remember that lights fitted in bathrooms and outdoors must be specially rated.

Known as an ‘ingress protection’ rating, this is usually at least IP44, but it is essential to check with your supplier and/or electrician before installing.

1 For lighting in awkward places or even on the go, this rechargeable wireless table lamp is battery-powered for convenience but still design-savvy. ONE cordless LED table lamp in gold, £129, Lime Lace: 01423 900 522; limelace.co.uk.

2 In this home designed by Louise Bradley Interiors, Lucca uplights by John Cullen Lighting frame the doorway into the kitchen, creating a point of focus and linking the spaces. A small Polespring downlight within the panelling creates an even pool of light. 020 7371 9000; johncullenlighting.com.

3 These sleek, aluminium-profile LED strip lights can be cut to size and used imaginatively in all sorts of ways.

Recessed linear bar lights, £249.99 each, Decked Deco: 07582 800 002; deckeddeco.com.

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Beauty

By Kate Duggan

And breathe…

Aromatherapy has been used for centuries to help people de-stress, unwind and get a better night’s sleep. (All benefits that most of us could probably do with after what 2020 threw at us…)

If you’re trying to focus on well-being this year, our simple DIY bath and body oil deserves a place on your to-do list.

Relaxing bath and body oil First off, you’re going to need a base or carrier oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond oil. These are suitable for all skin types, very moisturising and packed with antioxidants.

Pour the carrier oil into a bottle. Ideally use an amber coloured, rather than clear, bottle. The oil will then stay fresh for longer as it’ll have greater protection from light.

Add a few drops of lavender essential oil and geranium essential oil to the bottle. As a rough guide, you’ll need around fifteen drops of essential oil for each 30ml of carrier oil. Lavender and geranium are a match made in heaven. Together, they can help to promote a feeling of calm and relaxation.

Ideally, leave your bath and body oil to ‘brew’ for forty-eight hours before using it. Then just add a splash of the oil to your bath, or massage it into your skin. It should keep fresh for a few months as long as you store it out of direct sunlight. If you’re making it for a gift, don’t forget to write the ingredients and directions on a sticky label or tag.

Fragrance combinations Not keen on lavender? Other scents that promote relaxation include bergamot, nutmeg, palmarosa, ylang-ylang and frankincense.

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Or if you want an energy boost, try citrusy aromas such as grapefruit, lemon, sweet orange, lemongrass and lime, or warm, spicy ones such as cinnamon, clove and cypress.

Why not experiment with a few different essential oils to see which combinations you like best? (Try the blends out in an oil burner by adding a few drops to water and lighting a candle underneath.)

Comforting face mask While the following recipe from Green People doesn’t include aromatherapy oils, the fragrance from the honey and lemon is both comforting and refreshing. The mask helps to nourish and soften dry skin. It won’t keep for long, so use it as soon as you’ve made it. It should prove a welcome treat after a stressful day.

Mash half a medium-sized avocado, and mix it with one tablespoon of Manuka honey and one teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Massage the mixture into your face and neck. Then lie back and relax for fifteen to twenty minutes, before rinsing the mask off with warm water.

Safety tips To avoid irritation and other side effects, don’t apply undiluted essential oils directly to your skin.

When you’re diluting them in oil, keep them under 3% of the total mix. Some essential oils are not recommended during pregnancy, so do check the bottle.

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104 Ampthill Road, Shefford, Beds SG17 5BB 18

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House of Colour

Accessories

Edit

Accessories are the single most transformative items in our wardrobe. It’s a bold statement I know but honestly if there is anything that is worth investing in and most importantly wearing, it’s accessories. They can enliven the most basic of clothing into something that has style and panache. They singularly can take the plain jumper and trousers and make them an outfit that reflects our personality, adds interest, and lifts the spirits!

From jewellery to hats, belts, scarves, hairclips even shoe clips the range on offer and the areas to which one can add something different and defining is great. So dig them out. Have a look through them all and let’s get them on: • How often are elements lurking at the back of drawers, cupboards, bottom of jewellery boxes that don’t see the light of day? Are you wearing the same pieces that happen to be handy on your dressing table? Lay them all out, look at what you’re wearing and what you’re not wearing. If you’re seriously not going to wear that item again then move it on to a new home. Rotate them invest in a jewellery tree so you see more on your dressing table and are inspired therefore to wear it.

• Brooches – how often do you wear one? They have been having a renaissance recently and they instantly add oomph to coats, jackets and knitwear.

Wear on the upper left side. Try it on a hat.

• Could the item be reinvigorated? We often have items particularly jewellery that we have been given but which don’t necessarily suit us and haven’t therefore been worn. So, could they be remodelled? There are jewellery designers who will remodel items and I include costume jewellery, into something more useful. It could be as simple as changing the length of a necklace. Gemstones are often redesigned and is a lovely way to take the spirit of the item into a new era. There are lots of good jewellers locally – ask your consultant for details.

• Everyone needs a good quality belt. Where there are beltloops there needs to be a belt. At a style consultation we go into this in more detail in terms of style and positioning because it’s really important for a number of reasons. They give us proportions, and I know it’s counter-intuitive as many of us are really nervous of highlighting that area but defining it in the right place makes us look slimmer! Try taking a photograph of yourself full length with a top tucked in, with a belt, and one without and see the difference it can make. Belts give us authority – think about military uniforms, they all define this area and this translates into contemporary clothing.

• Add pop of colour. Scarves are a fabulous way of bringing colour and style to an outfit (I’m sure you have a fair few lurking in a box, drawer somewhere).

Wearing a wow colour next to the face brings an instant lift. Try switching up the way you tie it to make it more interesting. Check out a few youtube videos for a new way of tying them or ask your consultant.

If I could exhort you to do one thing it would be to wear them; rock that post office queue, dazzle the supermarket, uplevel the kitchen disco. Let’s not leave them in the box, the drawer, for that ‘special’ occasion. Everyday is special enough.

Article by Jennie Billings House of Colour House of Colour has a network of stylists to help you update your look.

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Green Issue

Fighting the war on plastic We all know the damage single-use plastics inflict upon our planet’s oceans and communities, but what can we, as consumers, do to make a difference?

With so many single-use plastics still used on our high streets, it’s easy to feel helpless. Governments and large corporations have a huge responsibility to reduce our plastic consumption, but there are several things that we can do to help.

Buying your own reusable shopping bags, water bottles and coffee cups is a simple way to reduce your plastic intake. Plastic straws and cutlery are also a no go. Replace them with metal or bamboo versions that can simply be popped into your handbag before you leave the house.

Food packaging is more difficult, as there’s so much of it! Shockingly, UK supermarkets still generate 900,000 tonnes of plastic packaging every year.

Try to avoid food that’s wrapped in non-recyclable packaging, buy loose fruit and vegetables, and ditch the pointless – and fiddly – plastic bags. Put your fruit and vegetables straight in your trolley instead and just remember to wash it before eating.

Making packed lunches, instead of buying lunches out, is also a great way to help the planet – and your wallet. You could also make a conscious effort to store leftovers in glass containers or use beeswax wrap instead of cling film. Small changes can make a big difference!

Review of th e Year

6. Broadcast in January and February, in which country was the villa located that was the setting for the first winter edition of the TV show Love Island?

7. In February, who did Rishi Sunak succeed as Chancellor of the Exchequer?

8. In the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing, which former boxer competed as part of the show’s first same-sex couple?

9. The UK left the European Union at 11 p.m. on what exact date?

10. In September, Donald Fear became the first person in 14 years, and only the sixth person overall to do what?

1. Tokyo 2. The Joker 3. Bristol 4. Billie Eilish 5. a) the Grand National 6. South Africa 7. Sajid Javid 8. Nicola Adams 9. January 31st 10. Win one million pounds on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

1. Which city was due to host the Summer Olympics in 2020 before it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic?

2. In 1974, Vito Corleone became the first character to have had Oscar-winning portrayals by two different actors. In 2020, who became the second character to achieve this?

3. In June, a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was toppled and pushed into the harbour in which British city?

4. In February, who became the first artist born in the 21st century to top the UK singles chart?

5. Which of the following horse races did not take place in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic?... a) the Grand National; b) the Epsom Derby; or c) the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

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Food & Drink

“ No cook” salmon, cherry tomato and garlic spaghetti Okay, I should apologise. The title is maybe a bit misleading! But bear with me. What you have here is a pasta which is just bursting with flavour, but which requires no skill whatsoever to prepare. It involves no pans. Just an oven. I’ve been creating recipes for over a decade now and this is by far the most foolproof I have ever done. Because of the way you cook the tomatoes and garlic low and slow, the flavours here are just brilliant.

This is a great pasta!

Ingredients 450g spaghetti 2 x punnets cherry tomatoes (I prefer on the vine) 1 large head garlic 2 x 170g salmon fillets Handful basil leaves Salt, pepper Olive oil Chilli flakes

Serves 4

1. Preheat your oven to 150C/ Gas Mark 2.

2. Lay the tomatoes on a baking tray. Put the garlic head, whole, on the tray too. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and add a pinch of chilli flakes if you wish.

3. Let the tomatoes and garlic cook down slowly. You don’t want the tomatoes to burn. You just want them to slowly shrivel up. Keep a close eye on them.

4. After about an hour, they should be just right. Cube up the salmon (skin off) and chuck it in the oven for the last 10 minutes to cook through. Scatter the basil leaves at the same time.

5. Cook the pasta at the same point you put the salmon in.

6. When the pasta is cooked and drained, take the baking tray out of the oven. Squeeze all of the garlic out on to the tomatoes. Gently stir everything through, lapping up all the good bits which might have got stuck to the baking tray.

7. Pop the cooked pasta back into its saucepan and pour in the tomato/garlic/salmon mix.

8. Give it all a good stir over a low heat, drizzle a little extra olive oil, and you are good to go.

9. Serve immediately.

BBC Three Counties Radio presenter and cook, Nick Coffer 22

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Food & Drink

Drinks: Bring out some Leicestershire Spirit The county of Leicestershire has a lot going for it. Amongst the many attractions, that residents, locals and visitors enjoy, are numerous wonderful delights of cuisines and beverages. The county is renowned for producing food and drinks, a good number of which are award-winning. For this quest I searched for a wellestablished company that produces alcoholic beverages, covering a good range of flavours, with outstanding qualities, including aromas, tastes and presentations.

Sloeberry Spirits Ltd produces very impressive liqueurs. Bordering Leicestershire and Rutland, Sloeberry Spirits Ltd utilises the finest spirits to great advantage and, together with the additions of various fruits, creates finished products that are most excellent, having many ‘devotees’ to their brand. Following several months of natural infusion, this traditional method of production has the spirits and fruit flavours combining, producing liqueurs to an exceptional standard. A good amount of fruit is picked by hand.

SLOE GIN (25% vol) is superb, with excellent flavour. If GIN & RASPBERRY (25% vol) is a favourite, then the production by Sloeberry Spirits Ltd will certainly not disappoint. Again, a good alcoholic content and with the flavour of raspberries coming through, perfectly. If vodka is preferred, then VODKA & BLACKBERRY (25% vol) has that ‘dark fruit effect’, which is most pleasing, from first sight, through mouthfeel and palate sensation, to the finish. Other vodka presentations include VODKA & STRAWBERRY and VODKA & BLACKCURRANT. WHISKY & WILD DAMSON (25% vol) is (in my opinion) another superb production. Very popular with whisky lovers, this, again, has a great combination of alcoholic content and, with the wild damsons infused, makes for a splendid liqueur.

These are just a selection from the full range of liqueurs offered

by Sloeberry Spirits Ltd. The liqueurs are available to order online and can also be located at numerous events, attended by the company, throughout the year, too. The website has all details, plus stockists, etc. Additionally, worthwhile noting, are the current offers, such as free delivery on qualifying purchases.

Orders are processed and dispatched quickly and efficiently.

Gift sets are available, too – Now, there’s a thought!

Sloeberry Spirits Ltd, Northfield Farm, Whissendine Lane, Cold Overton, Leicestershire LE15 7QF Tel: 01664 738 088 E-mail: info@sloeberryspirits.co.uk www.sloeberryspirits.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

24

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Local News

Looking after you in 2021 If there is one thing 2020 highlighted it’s that we shouldn’t take our health and wellbeing for granted.

As it’s the New Year we thought we would share some of our top healthy tips with you as we have over 10 years’ experience in the health and fitness sector; Move – your body is designed to move and living a sedentary life where you move from the car to the desk to the sofa will lead to movement limitations in the future. Find something you enjoy, it could be the gym / classes / yoga / dancing / running / walking – if you enjoy it you will do it.

Drink – your body is over 80% water, it is important that you drink water to keep you topped up as a 1% reduction in hydration leads to a 10% reduction in performance. Carry a bottle with you and have it where you can see it to keep it in the front of your mind.

Food – however you decide to eat, limit processed foods which have additives and make sure you ‘eat the rainbow’ so you get the nutrients your body requires. We all know what we should and shouldn’t have, its about balance, remember putting the wrong fuel in your car is expensive, the same applies to your body.

Laughter – it’s one of the most underestimated medicines we have, it reduces stress hormones / increases endorphins / diffuses anger - why not make laughing more a New Year Resolution.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year from Be-Aligned

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Time of Year

Be more financially secure in 2021

By Harry Mitchell-Davis

2020 was rough year for most of us. One thing it did do though is make a lot of us take stock of where we are in life, and many of us re-evaluated our jobs and our finances. 2021 will hopefully be a better year, but we can’t live on hope so let’s look at how we can make ourselves more financially secure this year.

Learn to budget Create your own budget in five simple steps.

The basics – Work out your income and expenses and see how much cash flow you have right now.

Remember A.T.E. – Automate, Track spending and build an Emergency fund.

Identify your values - Choose budgeting principles that make sense for you.

Set up a Frequent Outgoings Budget – You should know exactly where the money for your bills will come from, then on payday automatically sweep that money into a Frequent Outgoings account.

Set a Goal What do you want to accomplish in 2021?

Do you want to earn more money?

Do you want to spend less on frivolous purchases?

Do you want to go on a big holiday as soon as we can travel again?

Do you want to learn how to invest?

Set a specific goal for whatever you want to accomplish.

Goal setting is good because even if you don’t attain the goal, the fact you were motivated to act

means you will be closer than you would have been otherwise.

Set Milestones Milestones are simply smaller goals that help you get to your larger goal. They serve to keep you on track. For example – paying off debt the milestones might be: Set up a budget to work out much money you have Calculate out how much money you need to set aside per month to get all your debt paid off in 12 months (or 18, 24 etc).

Celebrate after each credit card is paid off.

Increase your income Easier said than done but there are four ways you can do this: - Apply for promotion at work.

- Ask for a raise.

- Find a new, better paid job.

- Start a side hustle.

These might not be immediate solutions, or even possible ones, but they are worth thinking about very seriously. Employers can say no to promotion or a pay rise, but they might say yes if you can persuade them you are worth it. Despite 2020 being a pretty rubbish year there are jobs available and one of them might have your name on it. And many of us have a skill we could monetise if we had to.

The best part of the above plan is that you can implement all or part of it no matter how 2020 went for you! I wish you all a more financially secure 2021.

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29

Finance

House-buying jargon explained

Lovely as it would be for estate agent sites to have an Amazon-style ‘Buy It Now’ button by the listed price, working out how much you’ll actually pay for a house can be a confusing process. Let’s break down some of the unfamiliar abbreviations and explore what actually determines the price.

‘Offers in the region of’ (or ‘OIRO’) is usually an indication there’s a bit more flexibility than with a listing which just has a price. The seller would like to get the listed amount (or ideally more) but might well be open to a lower offer, so don’t be afraid to try.

‘Guide price’ is sometimes used in the same way as ‘OIRO’, though you’ll need to check the listing as this could also mean the property is being sold at auction.

‘Offers in excess of’ (or ‘OIEO’) can work in a couple of ways. Sometimes it really is the lowest amount the seller is willing to accept. That said, if you aren’t taking the mickey and you’re in a strong buying position, it won’t do any harm to offer less and see what happens.

Sometimes, though, ‘OIEO’ is estate agent code for “The seller thinks this house is worth more than I do.”

In that case, if you’re happy to risk somebody else beating you to it, you may want to keep an eye on the listing.

‘Price on application’ or ‘POA’ usually sparks the old joke about “If you have to ask how much, you can’t afford it.” With houses, though, it’s usually a sign that the seller is concerned about time-wasters

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just interested in nosing round the house. Don’t be surprised if you are ‘vetted’ before you can arrange a viewing.

In all cases, the key is to remember that the listed price just tells you about the seller’s perspective and it takes two sides to make a deal. Before making an offer, you should look at listings for similar properties in the area (and recent prices for sold properties) along with your own finances and mortgage options.

You’ll come across all manner of theories about how much to offer and how to deal with counteroffers. Perhaps the best guideline is that when you make your initial offer, you should be uncertain about whether it will be accepted. If you ‘know’ it’s definitely going to be rejected, you could risk being seen as a time-waster and lose out to a more realistic buyer. If you ‘know’ it’s going to be accepted, you risk being left with a niggling feeling you’ve overpaid.

Once you’ve agreed a price, the seller will need to fill in a Property Information Form that details exactly what fixtures and fittings are included in the sale price and which they are offering to sell for an additional fee. Avoid any suggestion of paying a clearly inflated price return for keeping the house sale price under the stamp duty threshold. This is an outdated ‘dodge’ that will now attract the unwelcome attention of HMRC.

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Travel

The Lake District One of the most beautiful areas of the UK, the Lake District is of course all about the stunning scenery and fabulous walking. But can you really make a trip a complete holiday, suitable for all ages? Solange Hando gives us a tour of some of the highlights based around the area’s largest lake, Windermere.

Lake Windermere is a long ribbon of water that is the largest natural lake in England. Fed by rivers as it stretches south, it is no more than a mile across but over ten miles long and about 220 feet deep.

It is home to Atlantic salmon, arctic char, brown trout and more. But equally magical for visitors are quaint villages and mountain peaks rising all around, mirrored in its glistening waters.

On the water Dozing around the nineteenth century rail station, the small town of Windermere is a mile or so from the lake. But Bowness-on-Windermere, its older neighbour, is the tourists’ honeypot, with a ferry

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across the water and fabulous cruises on modern or traditional boats, providing allocated seating and commentary. Sail north to Ambleside or south to Lakeside, or book the circular Island Cruise for stunning views of the isles, the mountains, wooded shores and bays. There are aquatic plants and wintering birds, swans gliding here and there and pretty sails flapping in the breeze. It’s a lovely way to relax and some cruises allow you to stop and return on a later boat.

Back on land Perhaps visit a museum or two, maybe the Lakeland Motor Museum or the Jetty Museum of ‘Boats, Steam and Stories’, look around the Bobbin Mill or the Blackwell Arts & Crafts House. For families, the World of Beatrix Potter is a must. Character displays, storytelling, all sounds and smells and a fairylike gift shop, it fires anyone’s imagination. Beatrix loved her holidays in Windermere and later bought a house, ‘Hill Top’ in Near Sawrey, which inspired many of her books. Both the house and the cottage garden are open to the public. Meanwhile in Ambleside, the mock-Gothic Wray Castle is a great place for children to roam around with a chance to dress up and build their own foam castle.

Historic Homes Then there are historic houses, such as Holker Hall, home of the Cavendish family, and delightful gardens, among them Ryder Hall and its 500-yearold sweet chestnut tree, or in the spring Stagshaw, ablaze with azaleas and rhododendrons or the quiet Dora’s Field full of daffodils, just like the originals planted by Wordsworth in memory of his beloved daughter. The poet, who wrote over 70,000 lines, spent much of his life around Grasmere and you can visit Dove Cottage and its museum and Rydal Mount,

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the final home near his humble grave in St Oswald’s churchyard.

On the rails Railway enthusiast? Let’s face it, who isn’t when it’s nothing like a commute, so don’t miss the steam train from Haverthwaite to Lakeside and soak up the scenery along the lake and the river Leven near Fell Foot Park. It’s a short trip but can be combined with a visit to the Lakes Aquarium.

For the more adventurous For an adrenaline buzz try mountain biking, treetop walking, kayaking, abseiling or trekking in the hills.

Horse riding is another option – previous experience not required – which is very popular with families.

Of course, there’s a lot of water around so sailing,

swimming. paddleboarding and other water activities are great fun as the weather warms up.

Winding down When evening comes, take time to wander, ‘lonely as a cloud’, as the sun sets all purple and gold over quiet waters.

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Gardening

By Pippa Greenwood

Don’t forget your feathered friends A very Happy New Year to you all, and may 2021 be better than 2020! At this time of year many of us are regretting the excesses of the last few weeks, especially overindulging in food and drink. However, spare a thought for the garden birds: they won’t be overindulging and, if temperatures are low, they’ll need lots of energy to keep warm and stay alive. They are often in need of food and clean, fresh water.

Most food scraps are suitable, but avoid anything which is spicy or salted and ensure it will not encourage vermin. Bread, cake or plain biscuits all make welcome treats, as do apples, which are a great source of fresh food and moisture for many birds, such as blackbirds, thrushes, sparrows and the various tits.

Peanuts are very popular and the peanut feeders I have are constantly covered with nuthatches, blue tits, great tits, coal tits and even the occasional longtailed tit or very agile sparrow. A good quality bird feeder is essential unless your garden happens to be a squirrel-free zone. I also have a small Perspex feeder for seed or peanuts that attaches to the dining room window with a sucker, which is a wonderful way to watch the birds from inside the house.

General bird seed mixes are perfect for those birds preferring seeds or finding aerial acrobatics from a peanut feeder impossible. Sprinkle the mix on a bird table, the top of a wall or perhaps a garage or shed roof and you should see it being consumed by a selection of smaller wild birds. A seed feeder with a

special thistle seed mixture is said to be a favourite amongst many of the finches.

Fat balls and fat blocks, either plain or containing additional seed, peanuts, fruit etc. also provide an easily accessible form of much-needed calories, and can either be placed on your bird table or in special holders.

Nowadays the thinking is that birds should be fed throughout the year (but if you do, it is essential to keep on doing it). Consider using some meatier live bird foods in the form of grubs and larvae, such as mealworms especially bred to be high-protein snacks for birds.

Research reveals that both E.coli and salmonella can be found on bird tables and bird feeders if they are not cleaned regularly, and it is possible that birds could be threatened by these and other pathogens.

So remember to scrub down and rinse out any bird feeding areas from time to time. Any bird foods you buy must be of good quality, preferably from a wellrespected supplier or bearing the logo of the RSPB, BTO or similar respected authority.

At Pippa’s website (www.pippagreenwood.com) you’ll find stylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and the ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa’ system. Or book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club.

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Pets

Rehoming Appeal

Luna

This sweet little cat is Luna. We think she is abut 2-3 years old and she has a very nice, friendly nature. She loves to be fussed and to play with her toys.

When Luna’s original owners moved away and left her behind, a kind neighbour took her in but was unable to keep her permanently.

We would now like to find Luna her forever home and think an adult only home or one with older children would be preferable for her.

Could you give Luna the special home she deserves? If you would like to find out more about her, please contact Liz on 01767 681157.

Alternatively, please e-mail Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry on to the team.

View the dogs, cats and small mammals currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity You can also see photographs and details of the animals in our care in our charity shop in Hitchin Street, Biggleswade SG18 8AX. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

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37

Local News

Help for pets and their owners - at every step of the way

Wood Green, The Animals Charity cares for thousands of homeless pets every year from its centres in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, as well as providing free support to thousands of pet owners. From choosing the right pets to ongoing care and, where necessary, helping people find new homes for their pets, Wood Green’s friendly team is available.

Supporting pets in need Despite the restrictions that we all faced in 2020, Wood Green continued to be a safe haven for homeless pets. One of these is 10-year-old Tabs, a stray cat found on the streets of London. When a concerned member of the public alerted Wood Green about a poorly looking cat, Wood Green quickly collected him and brought him to their Godmanchester centre. It was clear that Tabs had been living outdoors for a long time – he was shaking in fear and had an incredibly swollen face.

Urgent tests revealed that Tabs had severe dental disease, and so the charity’s veterinary team removed most of his teeth during emergency surgery. A devoted staff member took him home for lots of TLC as he had a tough time recovering, with months of further complications and reoccurring infections. Alongside his medical needs, Tabs was very under-socialised so needed patience and understanding to reassure him that people are friends.

After 112 days in Wood Green’s care, Tabs was given the all clear to be rehomed. At his age, and with his traumatic past, it could have been tricky to match him with a new home – but a brilliant new owner came forwards. Tabs’ outlook was bleak but with

38

the help of the compassionate finder, Wood Green’s quick intervention and dedication, and the kindness of his new owner, he is now safe, healthy and happy.

Supporting pet owners Wood Green’s work doesn’t stop there. The charity also offers a lifeline to pet owners through the provision of free pet advice to resolve behavioural problems, feeding hundreds of pets through local food bank partnerships and helping owners to give their pets the care they desperately need. With millions of people welcoming a new pet into their home during lockdown, Wood Green’s services have been needed more than ever.

If you’re looking for guidance about any aspect of pet care, Wood Green has a range of free online resources. For anyone requiring more hands-on support, Wood Green’s team of Behaviour & Training Specialists are available, over the phone or by email, to give tailored one-to-one advice about dogs, cats and small pets - no enquiry is too big or too small!

Not only that, Wood Green can also offer financial support towards essentials such as pet food and veterinary care (subject to assessment).

Life can be unpredictable and some owners may no longer be able to look after their pets. Whatever the reason, Wood Green can help. The team will listen, advise and can take the animal into their care to find them a loving new home.

Talk to Wood Green’s team on 0300 303 9333 or visit woodgreen.org.uk to find out more.

Tabs in new home

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Pets

Our Annual Review – The Best Bits (Part 2) As you may recall in last month’s article, I shared some of my favourite stories, events, facts and figures from 2019 with you. The Annual Review publication is always jam-packed with heart-warming stories detailing the incredible work the staff and volunteers have carried out. I learned about some of the education programmes that have taken place within schools and about the projects that the RSPCA Science team are involved in. So, as promised, here is part 2 – just as wonderful, just as amazing!

“Generation Kind” – Education plays a key role in teaching children and young people about the importance of being kind to animals. Generation Kind is made up of nine projects that are delivered to schools around the country, designed to inspire empathy and compassion. The teacher training programmes are delivered to more than 600 trainee/new teachers.

“Circus Ban” – Banning the use of wild animals in travelling circuses has taken a century of campaigning.

The parliamentary bill finally came into force in January 2020 that ensures animals like; zebras, camels, elephants and tigers will not have to be subjected to cruel conditions and treatment.

“Science and Policy Team” – All the policies, activities and approaches to promoting animal welfare that the RSPCA develop are informed by the scientific evidence

gathered and analysed by our in-house experts. Our scientists are organised into four team; companion animals, farmed animals, animals used in research and animals used in research. It is so important for us to be engaged with and influencing policy and the decisionmakers in government, industry and media.

“Big Walkies Live” – for those of you who didn’t know, the Big Walkies Live is an annual mass dog walk!

Around 400 walkers and their dogs took part last year in Cardiff. Refreshments, stalls and entertainment were enjoyed by all, as well as the 2 scenic walks that attendees were able to go on. Our campaign team was on hand to discuss their calls for an annual dog registration scheme.

“RSPCA Assured” – This is our farm assurance scheme and ethical food label. The desire to improve the lives of animals farmed for food and to give shoppers a higher welfare choice, were the two main reasons for creating the scheme. The animals currently covered by the scheme are; beef cattle, chickens reared for meat, dairy cattle, egg-laying hens, pigs, sheep, salmon, trout and turkeys.

“Our Research For Research Animals” – Many significant developments have taken place within this area of protecting animals from cruelty. We are engaging with the next generation of scientists, ensuring that ethics and animal welfare are covered by all students on the relevant university courses. Training events have been held in order to continue to educate others ensuring that the use of animals is challenged both ethically and scientifically.

I cannot wait to find out about the wonderful work that has taken place during 2020.

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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Business gone slow?

Let us help!

Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

The Winter Garden If I say ‘winter garden’ what do you imagine? A stately home? Evergreen shrubs? Topiary maybe?

It dawned on me a few years ago when I was out walking the dog on a frosty morning that winter gardens are really all about the light. From late autumn through the winter there is a pink-gold low slanting light in the morning and afternoon which makes frost and raindrops sparkle, casts interesting shadows and makes everything look magical.

Watch your garden throughout the day from the rooms you where you see it best. Watch where and when the sunlight falls and plan accordingly.

Grasses look beautiful when they are covered in frost and backlit. The red or yellow winter stems of Cornus (or dogwood) however seem to glow when winter sunshine illuminates them directly.

Most suburban houses have smaller gardens, easily visible from the house so it’s important to choose plants which look good in more than one season.

As well as shrubs with good stem colour, look for smaller trees with pretty bark. There are plenty of small Japanese Maples which can be grown in tubs.

If you have a little more space a silver birch can look stunning, or even my favourite, the paper-bark maple, Acer griseum, which is a slow-growing small

tree, pretty all year round with crimson leaves in the autumn then a characteristic chestnut bark which peels naturally to reveal bright orange red bark underneath.

Look for plants with architectural shapes such as one of the sculptural eryngiums (sea holly), salvias or sedums. All look beautiful in the summer and autumn but gain a second lease of life when covered with frosted cobwebs.

Plants like these will make you want to get out in your garden even in winter, so add a little scent with a winter jasmine or a sarcococca confusa (Christmas box) which has tiny white highly scented flowers.

These late flowering plants provide a source of nectar for early pollinators.

I no longer tidy my flower beds. I leave piles of fallen leaves and debris in beds to provide shelter for wildlife. The leaves to rot down in the end which is good for the soil too. But I do spend time neatening the edge of the lawn and sharpening the edges of my borders. It’s amazing how much smarter my garden looks with minimal effort.

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I wish you a Happy New Year and happy gardening.

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Health/Fitness

By Tracey Anderson

Hula Fitness

The perfect lockdown exercise During the first lockdown I rather enjoyed the enforced laziness. I am a gym member, but I don’t really love it. After a while though I noticed that while I didn’t miss weights and running on the treadmill, I did miss the classes, and the rush of endorphins that followed. Then one day while idly flicking through YouTube videos I came across a ‘hula-fitness’ workout. It looked fun. I grabbed one of my daughter’s neon hula hoops and had a go.

Much harder than it looked but I enjoyed it. The next afternoon I had another go and my teenage daughter joined in. We laughed a lot (which was a bonus as anyone who has a teenage daughter will acknowledge) and afterwards we investigated hulafitness a bit more.

Hula hooping is inexpensive, and you can do it practically anywhere, which was kind of the point back in lockdown. All you need to get started is a hoop and room to move.

Standard hula hoops are cheap as chips but after a few sessions we invested in weighted ones. Even they didn’t break the bank. Ours cost about £15 each but even the more expensive ones were only £40.

It is important to find the right-sized hoop. Larger hoops are a little easier as a beginner because you spin more slowly. If using a weighted hoop, begin with a lighter one (around 0.5-1Kg) and increase the weight as you get more proficient. Correct form is more important than weight, and I did have a little accident where I pulled a muscle in my back for a

few days because in my enthusiasm the first hoop I bought was too heavy.

There are a few online tutorials that talk you through how to hula hoop with proper form. To my delight I found our gym offered a beginner’s online hula fitness class, so we signed up for that.

With hula hooping, you teach your body how to move the right way with the hoop while working your cardiovascular system. Shorter workouts are better at the start. We started with two ten-minute sessions a day and worked up from there.

Basic form and posture Feet should be a little more than shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly in front of the other.

Your back should be straight, and your core engaged to protect your back.

Hold each side of the hoop around your waist, resting against your back.

With the hoop against your back, start spinning the hoop in whichever direction you find easiest. As the hoop starts to spin, move your waist in a circular motion to keep the hoop moving. Push your hips slightly forward as the hoop moves across your stomach and push back when the hoop moves across your back. KEEP THE CORE MUSCLES ENGAGED – TUMMY TIGHT. If the hoop drops just pick it up and get going again.

Finally - If you have a back injury or chronic back pain, check with your doctor or physical therapist before trying hula hooping to make sure it’s safe for you.

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Fitness

How to Pick the Best Running Shoes Many of us will start the New Year with a resolution to start (or restart) Couch to 5K and may be in the market for new running shoes. No single design of running shoe is perfect for everyone follow our tips and you should find one that’s perfect for you.

Choose a specialist running shoe Running shoes are a type of trainer, but not all trainers are running shoes. Running shoes utilise specialized shock-absorbing technology to prevent injury from the repetitive striking motion of the foot on the ground, and extra design features to support the foot while it moves through the running motion.

Get the Right Fit Feet tend to swell when you run. They also tend to swell throughout the day, so going for a fitting in the afternoon or evening is more likely to provide an accurate fit. To accommodate foot spread when you run, and to prevent your toes hitting the end of the shoe on a downhill run, there should be roughly one thumb width between the end of your foot and the end of the shoe. The foot should be centred on the platform of the shoe, which should wrap securely round, not pinch or feel sloppy.

Which type?

General running shoe - Designed to handle the running that most people do and perfect for Couch to 5K.

Trail running shoe – Choose these if you plan to run over rough terrain on uneven surfaces. They provide better grip on loose dirt and rocky paths.

Lightweight running shoes - Good for competitive races but are less durable and less cushioned than general running shoes.

Price?

A higher price tag usually correlates with more advanced technology and comfort features. But you don’t have to re-mortgage the house to enjoy a comfortable run. Just be aware that cheap trainers are almost certainly not designed with running in mind, won’t withstand the demands that running places on them, and may cause injury.

Terminology Stack Height - the amount of material between foot and ground.

Heel-toe offset / drop - describes the difference between the amount of material under the heel and the amount of material under the ball of a running shoe. Most running shoes have a higher heel-toe offset with more material under the heel as most runners’ stride means the heel is the first part of the foot to hit the ground.

Pronation Control - Running shoes can be classified as either neutral or stability shoes. Neutral running shoes make up about 80% of running shoes. Stability running shoes contain technology that is designed to correct overpronation. Overpronation occurs when the ankle rolls excessively inward with each step, which can increase your chance of injury.

By Kath McCarthy

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Codeword 1

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles.

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Home

I was a Housekeeping Dunce Here’s what I did about it As a busy working young mum, I have been ashamed to admit that I fall behind with my housework. In the past our home has resembled a particularly squalid student flat rather than the pristine minimalist apartment I envisaged when my boyfriend Jamie and I first moved in together. A baby did not improve either of our housekeeping skills. I grew up in a chaotic home and Jamie grew up in care. It was clear that neither of us ever learned how to ‘keep house’ from our parents!

So last January as our friends made weight loss and fitness resolutions, we vowed to get on top of our housekeeping once and for all. We decided to commit to cleaning for 15 - 20 minutes every evening from Sunday to Thursday, no matter how tired we were, then we’d be free to welcome the weekend come Friday. That was the theory anyway.

We split the tasks into two categories: Daily, and weekly. We hoped the daily tasks would become habits while the weekly ones would allow us to go a little deeper. This was the theory.

Daily tasks: • A quick tidy up, returning stray items to their proper home.

• Wash dishes after each meal. We hand wash as we don’t have a dishwasher, but you could substitute ‘load dishwasher’ for this task.

• Wipe down kitchen counters.

• Wipe the table after each meal.

• Swiff or sweep the kitchen floor and hall.

• Wipe bathroom counters.

• Squeegee the shower doors, walls, and floors after every shower.

By Callie Connor (Not my real name) 50

Weekly tasks: • Laundry – Complete the cycle of washing, drying, folding and putting away.

• Tackle clutter hot spots (our hall table and my bedside table drive me crazy).

• Vacuum carpets and rugs.

• Mop hard floors.

• Clean bathroom sinks, showers, toilets etc.

• Dust.

• Wipe glass and mirrors throughout the house.

• Clean out the fridge.

• Deep clean kitchen appliances.

Did it work?

Well yes it did, amazingly even through lockdown.

But we made a couple of changes: We found we needed to allocate the daily tasks their own 5-10-minute slot. We set a timer for this!

When the timer went off, we stopped and started again the next night.

When tidying up, if something didn’t have an obvious home, we had to decide then and there where it was going to live. If there was no room in the allocated area, then it or something else from that area had to go. We decluttered a lot doing this, without even realising we were decluttering.

The best thing was learning to work as a team and play to our strengths. We shared tasks to begin with but in the end we accepted that I am better at tackling clutter and cleaning the fridge and Jamie is a dab hand at bathrooms so those became ‘our’ tasks and the rest we split.

I’ve written this anonymously (and changed my boyfriend’s name) as some people are quite judgemental about young parents, but I wrote this in case it helps someone else.

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Premier Painters and Decorators

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Technology

Brilliant buys for bikes Technology is doing amazing things for cyclists right now, so if your plans for 2021 including spending more time on two wheels there are all kinds of devices to help you.

The important consideration is safety.

Many modern bike helmets have integrated MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) to help protect against certain kinds of impacts, and many also have integrated LED lights to make you more visible to other road users. Safety shouldn’t mean sacrificing comfort, though, and good helmets are precision designed to be as light as possible while delivering serious protection. Some even direct airflow to keep your sunglasses fog-free.

If you’ve ever suffered from a flat in the middle of nowhere you’ll be delighted to discover that a manual pump isn’t your only option. Portable air compressors can inflate even road bikes’ tyres without any effort and they’re small enough and affordable enough to be a really worthwhile purchase.

The advent of apps such as Strava means that many cyclists want to log their trip and performance data to track their own progress and to compete with others. There are several devices that can help you with that. Cycle computers track your distance and key stats, while power meters measure the strength that’s going to your pedals. More affordable models tend to go without connectivity, so you’ll need to enter the results into your chosen app yourself, but higher up the product range you’ll get fully connected computers that automatically sync with your phone.

You could also use your phone – there are plenty of cycling apps designed to do just that – but cycling computers are designed to put up with conditions that smartphones aren’t. For example your smartphone may be splash proof, but is it crash proof? And of course, smartphones can be very expensive. Even a high-end cycling computer is a fraction of what you’d pay for an iPhone.

Xiaomi Mi Portable Tyre Inflator The tiny Mi is a portable electric air compressor that delivers up to 150psi, so it’s suitable for all kinds of bikes. There’s even an integrated light to help you sort out your tyres at night. £39, amazon.co.uk

Cateye Quick Wireless Cycle Computer According to Cycling Weekly, the Cateye mirrors the more expensive Garmin Edge 530 in terms of speed and accuracy; it’s easy to read and the battery life is huge. £44.99, tweekscycles.com

Bell Formula LED MIPS This helmet provides a superb combination of safety features including built-in LED lighting and Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) to protect you from serious impacts. £109.99, bellbikehelmets.co.uk

Livall BH60SE Smart Helmet Helmets don’t come much more high-tech than this. The Livall’s has a rear LED strip, LED indicators, and smartphone integration with built-in speakers for hands-free phone calls. £99, halfords.co.uk

4iiii Precision Power Meter If you’re really serious about cycling, a power meter can log not just your power, but how much power you’re pushing to each pedal. It lasts for about four days on a single coin battery. £269, halfords.co.uk

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Motoring

The best new SUVs for under £30,000

After an SUV but don’t want to break the bank? Why not try these options?

The SUV segment is extremely popular, thanks to good practicality levels and that all-important high driving position.Although often not cheap, there are still new SUVs available for those with a budget capped at £30,000.

Let’s see what’s on offer.

Skoda Kodiaq The Skoda Kodiaq is one of the go-to choices when it comes to budget SUVs. It’s spacious, practical, looks good and comes loaded with equipment.

Prices start at just over £25,000, which seems reasonable given that the Kodiaq offers a refined driving experience and seven-seater flexibility.

Honda CR-V Honda’s CR-V is a space-age looking SUV with plenty of quirky design touches, such as wraparound LED headlights and funky chrome sections. However, it ticks the traditional SUV boxes well; it’s practical, well-made and spacious too. Like the Kodiaq, there’s also a seven-seater option. Only available with either a petrol or hybrid setup, the CR-V does lack the diesel option that is often preferred in this segment, but it counters with a great driving experience and frugal around-town motoring.

Mazda CX-5 An SUV is not often a true ‘drivers’ car; they can be heavy, a little detached and not overly involving. The CX-5, however, is a car that goes against the grain – somehow Mazda has made this big SUV a genuinely good car to drive.

It’s smart to look at and smart inside too, while all of the materials feel of a high quality. It’s also well put together and standard equipment levels are good – all for well under £30,000.

Peugeot 5008 The Peugeot 5008 is arguably one of the most distinctive cars of its type on the market today. Prices start from just over £28,000, and for that you’re getting plenty of standard equipment and an interior that really does feel a class above the rest in terms of styling.

It too has seven seats, which adds another string to the 5008’s already well-strung bow.

Renault Kadjar Renault’s Kadjar is one of the best cars on this list in terms of budget, thanks to a starting price of just under £22,000. It’s a good-looking SUV with smart styling and a well-appointed interior, along with the choice of efficient petrol or diesel engines.

It recently had a refresh too, only helping to sharpen the way it looks, and is packed with technology and assistance systems.

Nissan Qashqai The Nissan Qashqai is one of the go-to cars in this segment – it’s been one of the most popular SUVs in the UK for some time now, where its excellent value and good practicality levels have won many drivers over.

The most recent Qashqai has been around for some time now – and it’s due to be replaced soon – but it still represents a real bargain considering prices start at £23,450.

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our December Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Faye Barlow from Stevenage

December’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

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Prize The Villager Prize Crossword

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Argument (7) 5 Engine (5) 8 Certain (9) 9 Rodent (3) 10 Nightclub (5) 12 Oblivious (7) 13 Musical backing (13) 15 Operating room (7) 17 Edition (5) 19 Ocean (3) 20 Young adults (9) 22 Fashion (5) 23 Weekday (7)

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

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

Down 1 Chopped up (5) 2 Male child (3) 3 Alike (7) 4 Incentive (13) 5 TV, radio (5) 6 Intimidates (9) 7 Draw back (7) 11 Personal Assistant (9) 13 Painters (7) 14 Copy (7) 16 Heading (5) 18 Thesis (5) 21 Finish (3)

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WINDOW REPAIRS

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Books

New Discoveries It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to reading. We tend to choose genres that we know we’ll enjoy. But it can be good to try something new once in a while…

Quite

By Claudia Winkleman

Can’t stand books by celebrity authors? Try Quite. Reading it is a bit like putting the world to rights with your best mate over a glass of wine (or three). You’ll find out about everything from Claudia’s views on relationships and parenting to her thoughts on naps (essential) and brightly coloured clothes (to be avoided at all costs).

Still turning your nose up at reading children’s fiction as an adult? You’re seriously missing out. Start with The Girl Who Drank the Moon. A baby is left in the woods as a sacrifice to a witch. But rather than kill her, the witch raises the child as her own. Meanwhile, the mother is left to go mad in the tower, where the real threat lies. Storytelling at its best.

If you haven’t read any ghost stories since your teenage years, Reality and Other Stories is a good place to start. From traditional ghost stories to Black Mirror-esque tales, each story is deliciously creepy and focuses on an aspect of modern life, from a twisted reality show to a possessed selfie stick. As you’d expect, some stories are stronger than others, but overall, it’s a decent collection to keep you occupied through these long winter nights.

Ever read a book with an unlikable protagonist? Tenyear-old Hector is a bully. He can generally be found causing trouble or picking on someone smaller. But when he mistakenly accuses an innocent man of a crime, Hector has to decide whether to continue on his path or become the hero for once. Strictly speaking, this is another children’s book, but it’s likely to be enjoyed by anyone aged ten up.

A Single Thread

By Tracy Chevalier

Never bought a ‘coffee table book’ before? Humans won’t disappoint. It’s a difficult book to describe in a way that does it justice. Let’s just say that it’ll give you a glimpse of people’s lives across the globe. You’ll hear from people with differing viewpoints, discussing everything from the worst and best moments of their lives to everyday concerns. You’ll be uplifted, saddened and inspired and end up feeling just a little bit more connected to the rest of humanity.

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Reality and Other Stories

by John Lanchester

The Night Bus Hero

By Onjali Q. Raúf

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

By Kelly Barnhill

Humans

By Brandon Stanton

By Kate Duggan

As a genre, historical fiction is incredibly varied, covering as it does every period in the last few thousand years. A Single Thread focuses on the period between the two world wars.

At thirty-eight, unmarried Violet is a ‘surplus woman’, with no real place in society. However, she also has what many married women at the time did not – freedom. When she starts embroidering kneelers for Winchester Cathedral, Violet finds a way to both connect with the world and make her mark on it.

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Mansfield Bathrooms Ltd

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