Great Ashby June 2019

VILLAGER The

June 2019

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Win Tickets to

Hatfield House Battle Proms Midsummer Meanings 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...

Win a Family Pass to Folk by th Oak

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Midsummer Meanings...............................................................4 Wine: Austria Sparkling Sensations............................................8 Win a Family Pass to Folk by the Oak................................10 Win Tickets for the Hatfield House Battle Prom................12 Music on the Move...................................................................15 Have Good Manners Gone for Good?........................................17 YAMA Young Person’’s Photography Competition.....................20 Mind Body and Soul Fair..........................................................23 When Your Job is a Pain............................................................24 Swimwear and Holiday-wear Tips............................................26 The Impact of Stress and Ways to Manage It............................29 Sort-term or Long-term Mortgage...........................................31

Sitting Sustainably...................................................................34 Animal Stories..........................................................................36 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal........................................................38 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...................................................40 Great Outdoors.........................................................................43 Réunion Hotspot......................................................................46 Puzzle Page..............................................................................48 What’s On.................................................................................52 Prize Crossword...............................................................58 Book Review............................................................................61 Useful Numbers.......................................................................63

YAMA Young Person’s Photography Competition

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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, Trevor Langley, Tom Hancock, Kate McLelland, Louise Addison, Jennie Billings, Ann Haldon, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA, Nick Coffer, Solange Hando and Kate Duggan

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Battle Proms 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

Midsummer Meanings The month of Wimbledon and Father’s Day; synonymous with freshly mown grass, the first Pimms and a sudden abundance of flowers, we welcome June as the beginning of summer.

In Anglo-Saxon times, June was known as midsummer month or sera monath, meaning ‘dry month’. It also brought with it the big pagan celebration of the summer solstice – the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

The longest day can occur on 20th, 21st or 22nd June, depending on when the sun is at its northernmost point in the Tropic of Cancer.

However, as is the case with this year, it most commonly falls on the 21st. Although they can happen, solstices on the other two dates are rare.

For example, the last summer solstice to occur on 22nd June was in 1975.

June’s summer solstice is also the time when the Arctic Circle experiences 24 hours of daylight, known as the midnight sun. Meanwhile in the Southern Hemisphere, 1st June is the official start of winter and the Antarctic Circle experiences 24 hours of darkness.

Photograph Andrew Dunn, www.andrewdunnphoto.com

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It was the Romans who were responsible for giving the sixth month in their Roman and our Gregorian calendar its current name. Jun(e) is believed to be a shortened version of Iunius or Junius (the capital ‘J’ only came into existence as a separate written letter from ‘I’ during the 14th century – before this they were written in the same way).

Junius is Latin for ‘sacred to Juno’. In Roman religion Juno was the wife of Jupiter and patron goddess of The Pantheon in Rome. She was also the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth.

The blessing she was said to bestow on couples who marry during this month has meant that June weddings remain popular to this day.

Juno was attended by her companion bird, a peacock, and her messenger Iris, the hem of whose colourful robe would sometimes be glimpsed in the sky as a rainbow.

In early Roman times, June had 29 days, but Emperor Julius Caesar added an extra day, making it 30 days long, but still a day shorter than most of the other months of the year.

People born in June are said to be ruled by the planet Mercury, which represents youth. They come under the zodiac signs of either vivacious, optimistic Gemini (the twins) or loyal, stabilityloving Cancer (the crab).

Summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere Scientific studies have claimed that June babies tend to be physically stronger and suffer less with mental illnesses than those born in any other month.

June has three birthstones: the pearl, said to stand for faith and purity of heart; moonstone for intuition, balance and new beginnings; and the more obscure alexandrite, which is supposed to bring health and longevity.

The birth flowers for this month are the sweetsmelling rose, which in the traditional language of flowers represents romance and love, and the honeysuckle, whose meaning is fidelity and devotion.

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There is a saying in folklore that in June, summer doesn’t begin until the elderflower is in blossom.

As well as the summer solstice, other festivals that take place in June include well-dressing, where natural springs are honoured with elaborate decorations that include intricate mosaic-like pictures made using flowers, grasses, moss, seeds, bark and berries. Well-dressing is particularly popular across Derbyshire.

The many significant historical events that have happened in the month of June include the signing of the Magna Carta on 15th June 1215, and the original Globe Theatre being destroyed by fire on 29th June 1613 after a cannon was let off to announce the arrival of the king’s entrance in Shakespeare’s Henry VIII. The infamous Battle of Waterloo took place on 18th June 1815 and just over a decade later, 10th June 1829 saw the inaugural Oxford versus Cambridge boat race (Oxford won).

In June 1946, the first BBC television licenses were issued, costing £2. The Queen’s coronation took place on 2nd June 1953. It is also the month of her official birthday and the well-known Trooping of the Colour ceremony. Coincidentally, Queen Victoria, up until recently Britain’s longest reigning monarch, was also crowned in June, on 28th in 1838.

D-Day, codenamed Operation Overlord, happened on 6th June 1944.

The month of June has long fascinated poets, artists and lyricists from Shakespeare to Rogers and Hammerstein. ‘Flaming June’ is a famous painting by Lord Frederick Leighton completed in 1895. Scottish poet Robert Burns also paid homage to the month in the first lines of his wellknown poem ‘A Red Red Rose’. And there is no end of romantic ballads out there rhyming ‘June’ with ‘moon’.

Believe it or not, June was a popular name for both boys and girls in the first part of the 20th century but over the last 40-50 years has declined in favour in the UK. However, June has enjoyed a resurgence as a favourite girls’ name in the USA during the past decade.

By Catherine Rose

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Food and Drink

Wine: Austria Sparkling Sensations The pretty alpine villages of Austria, plus the beautiful architecture of town and city buildings, are constantly admired by numerous visitors from worldwide origins. Lakes, mountains, glaciers and stunning landscapes attract many, too, as well as the history of Austria. The cuisine of Austria has become well known and appreciated, along with very impressive high quality wines the country has to offer, a great number of which are (multi) award-winning productions.

Austria grows 40 grape varieties (26 white, 14 red) that are officially approved for the production of their quality wines. International varieties include Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet, amongst numerous others. Austrian grape varieties include the much acclaimed Grüner Veltliner, which is now being planted, increasingly, in other countries.

The ‘Quality Pyramid’ of Austria’s Sparkling wines has differing requirements, that are set out in a strict set of regulations, for each level, including varying maturation periods, ranging from 9 months to 30 months.

Klassik, Reserve and Grosse (Grande) Reserve all have sparkling productions that are very popular indeed, with the latter two quality levels being known for their impressiveness, structure, elegance, bouquet, mouthfeel and palate sensation, particularly. A lot of cuisine enjoyment is enhanced by pairing with sparkling wines. Seafood, fish dishes and white meats, including poultry, plus pasta and rice, all have a great accompaniment and partnership with the ‘sparklers’ and their wonderful perlages.

Schlumberger has a network of cellars that hold many barrels and bottles of sparkling wines. Robert Alwin Schlumberger had productions in 1842 and very soon after the wines were presented and served at the Imperial Court. Klassik Brut, Chardonnay Jahrgang Brut Reserve and Blanc De Noirs Brut Reserve will not disappoint. Refreshing, intense, fresh and fruity is how I would describe these productions. www.schlumberger.at Steininger has fabulous wines, too. Grüner Veltliner Steinhaus (Stone house) shows the character of this wine, which is derived from the soils. A superb example. www. weingut-steininger.at Weingut Moser and Weingut Müller both have impressive productions, also. Pure drinking pleasure is forthcoming from these companies’ wines. Respectively, www.moserwein.at and www.weingutmueller.at have a wealth of information. Tastings and tours, of all the wineries, are very popular.

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Win a Family Pass to Folk by the Oak

Hatfield House welcomes back family friendly Folk Festival by the Oak on Sunday 14th July, for another day of exceptional wall to wall music and festival fun! Music lovers and festival fans from far and wide will once again be flocking to this stunning Hertfordshire venue for a packed day of sublime music and activities for all ages.

Main stage Acts include Frank Turner, The Staves, Seth Lakeman and The Lost Words: Spell Songs (the musical companion piece to The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris). The Acorn Stage will be headlined

by Elephant Sessions and will also welcome Robert and Jackie to talk about The Lost Words, their ‘beautiful protest’ at the loss of common nature words from the language of children.

Being a smaller, one day festival makes Folk by the Oak a truly family friendly affair. There’s a dedicated family area that’s within sight and sound of the Main Stage so grown-ups don’t have to miss out on the music while entertaining the youngsters.

While there’s plenty of delicious street food from around the world on offer, Folk by the Oak actively invite you to bring your own food and drink into the arena, so keeping the whole family fed and watered doesn’t have to break the bank or involve repeated trips back to the car!

Activities on offer include natural craft activities, longbow archery, storytelling, brilliant bubble making, circus skills, face painting and much, much more!

For more information on this fabulous family friendly festival go to www.folkbytheoak.com

FOLK BY THE OAK COMPETITION ENTRY



For a chance to win a family pass (admits 2 adults and 2 children) complete the form below and send to: Folk by the Oak Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th June 2019.

Name: Tel: Email: Address: 10

For full terms and conditions please go to www.villagermag.com

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Win Tickets for the Hatfield House Battle Proms

The Battle Proms, the UK’s premier picnic concert series returns to the historic Queen Elizabeth Oak Field in Hatfield House on Saturday 13 July, and we have 3 pairs of tickets to giveaway!

The Battle Proms is a summer celebration with a full programme of captivating classical music from the 60-piece New English Concert Orchestra, complemented by toe-tapping vintage vocals and a breathtaking Spitfire aerial display by The Grace Spitfire, which is accredited with shooting down the first enemy aircraft over the Normandy beachhead on D-Day, 75 Years ago.

There’s even a sensational freefall demonstration by The Red Devils parachute team, dramatic Napoleonic cavalry displays and groundshaking live fire from over 200 cannons!

These quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ concerts feature magnificent musical firework displays, culminating in a flag waving, sing-a-long spectacular including all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites such as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory!

Don’t want to leave it to chance?

Book online at www.battleproms.com

BATTLE PROMS COMPETITION ENTRY



For a chance to win tickets to this unforgettable night out complete the form below and send to: Battle Proms Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th June 2019.

Name: Tel: Email: Address:

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DAY TRIPS Adult 13 Jun BBC Gdnrs World Live/Gd Fd £42.50 14 Jun Downton Abbey Explorer £57.00 15 Jun Southend-on-Sea £18.00 16 Jun Broadstairs £18.00 22 Jun Blenheim Palace Flower Show £32.00 23 Jun Southwold £18.00 27 Jun Easton Wlld Gdns/Bndry Mill £31.00 29 Jun Hunstanton £18.00 30 Jun Brighton £20.00 4/5/6 Jul Hampton Court Flower Show £49.00 7 Jul Cromer £18.00 14 Jul Southend-on -Sea £18.00 15 Jul London Lunch Cruise £46.50 23 Jul Oxford £25.00 24 Jul Sandringham Flower Show £36.00 2 Aug Festival of Quilts £37.00 3 Aug Frogmore House & Windsor £35.00 5 Aug Horsedrawn Boat Trip £42.00 6 Aug Highclere Castle £38.00 7 Aug Denbies & Polesden Lacey £43.00 9 Aug Mini Plant Tour, Oxford £45.00 10 Aug Sheringham £18.00 11 Aug Southwold £18.00 16 Aug Westfield & The Orbit £39.50 17 Aug Whitstable £18.00 THEATRE SHOWS AND EVENTS 31 Jul Joseph - Palladium £70.00 1 Aug Countryfile Live Blenheim Pal £49.00 14 Aug Joseph - Palladium £70.00 29 Aug Evita, Regents Park £79.00 4 Sep Waitress £57.50 4 Sep The Lion King £65.00 31 Oct War Horse - Wembley £75.00 18 Nov Tina The Musical £65.00 24 Nov Classical Spectacular £74.00 COACH TOURS 5 Days £475 22 Jul Warner Littlecote 6 Days £595 11 Aug Lake District 2 Days 25 Aug Highgrove Gardens £175 9 Sep Lazing along Llangollen 5 Days £495 12 Sep Harrogate Flower Show 3 Days £275 6 Days £595 15 Sep Captivating Cornwall 15 Sep Bournemouth - Hilton 6 Days £545 21 Sep Sidmouth/South Devon 6 Days £595 14/28 Oct Warner Bodelwyddan 5 Days £425 5 Days £460 4 Nov Warner Nidd Hall 5 Days £385 18 Nov Sidmouth Price per person sharing a twin/double

01763 848226 richmonds-coaches.co.uk

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Music on the Move

Technology

What are the best headphones for running?

Research has shown what most of us instinctively knew - that listening to the right type and tempo of music while you run keeps you ‘in the zone’ for longer.

So what factors are important when choosing headphones for running?

Water resistance – If you run outside this is obviously important, but many of us forget that sweat is water and if you’re running, indoors or out you will sweat, and eventually this will kill your headphones.

Fit – There are headphones which wrap tightly around your head, or over and around your ears.

But the best types of running headphones are probably true wireless, or lightweight Bluetooth.

They are ‘in-ear’ designs with tips that fit into the ear and additional, curved, tapered ‘hooks’ that sit under the crater of cartilage just above the earhole, known as the anti-helix. When you’re running little things like a cable rubbing the back of your neck can feel irritating. Also, although the battery life can be irritatingly short with true wireless headphones if you use them as your main set, it’s more than long

enough for even the most enthusiastic runner.

Wireless and ‘true wireless’ headphones are different.

‘True wireless’ headphones completely lack a cable or connector between the earpieces. Wireless headphones are still connected in some way, either over the head or round the back of the neck, even if they no longer need to be connected to a phone jack.

Sound quality – This is possibly the least important feature for sports use. Mostly runners want to feel the beat and be motivated by their pumped-up playlist, while blocking out external noise. Sports headphones are not about being able to pick out the subtle nuances in a Chopin piano concerto.

They need to be reasonable sound quality and be able to cope with a bit of bass.

Ambient Sound – Some headphones are designed to let in ambient sound with good reason: situational awareness is important if you run on your own and you want to be aware of traffic or of someone approaching you. This feature is less important if you prefer to run in a gym and want to block out the world.

Running is such a great activity, and the right music will add to the experience, so pick up some headphones today and in the words of the classic from Spencer Davis Group which features on my own playlist…Keep on Running.

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

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Life Begins...

By Kate McLelland

Have good manners

gone for good?

Whenever the subject of bad manners crops up, the finger of blame is nearly always pointed at the younger generation, and it would certainly appear that complaints about lack of manners in the young are nothing new.

In the 4th century BC the Greek scientist and philosopher Aristotle observed that young people “think they know everything, and are always quite sure about it,” while in the year 1624, British writer Thomas Barnes commented: “Youth were never more saucie, yea never more savagely saucie … the ancient are scorned, the honourable are contemned, the magistrate is not dreaded.”

Does that mean we should blame the youth of today for our lack of good manners? Take a closer look at the various examples appearing in the media, and you’ll find that many of the offenders are people of middle age, or even older.

Jane10, commenting on the forum Gransnet.com, says: “I was horrified at our extended family lunch when several people placed their mobile

phones on the table as if it was quite the done thing. This was a 40+ year old and her 60+ mother.”

Journalist Rachel Moore was moved to write about her experience of a restaurant meal with friends where “a table of people in their fifties and sixties were causing an almighty din.”

Writing in the Eastern Daily Press, she went on to describe how “a polite request” to keep the noise down turned into an ugly shouting match.

Etiquette errors According to a 2017 study commissioned by Mentos sweets, 85 per cent of people feel hurt by the lack of courtesy extended to them in everyday life. We may feel indifferent about offering courtesy to strangers, but when it comes to our friends, we ignore social etiquette at our peril.

Michael John, posting on the website silversurfers.com, was pleased to get a 60th birthday invitation from an old friend, but shocked to find that she had asked for cash as a birthday gift.

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“I’ve always valued being given a present and take time choosing presents for others,” he says. “To ask for money instead leaves a bit of a bad taste in the mouth.”

KatyK, posting on Gransnet.com, describes a night out with her husband at a local pub, when an acquaintance came to sit at their table, uninvited. Having listened sympathetically to the woman’s account of “the terrible life she had had and all her troubles” for twenty minutes, Katy got very little in return when she started to recount her own experience: “She stood up and said ‘Yes, terrible isn’t it?’ picked up her drink and went back to her own table.”

So the next time you hear an older person complain about lack of manners in the younger generation, you might suggest they take a look in the mirror. The old saying “Manners maketh man” can also apply to a nation. Fortunately there’s still time to rebuild Britain’s reputation for courtesy and good manners, particularly if our older citizens lead by example.

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104 Ampthill Road, Shefford, Beds SG17 5BB 18

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Local News

YAMA Young Person’s

Photography Competition A passion for photography often starts at a young age. The YAMA (Youth Activity Music & Arts) Young Person’s Photography Competition, for all young people aged 5-19 living in Hertfordshire, recognises this next generation of talented young people who may have an interest in or enjoy taking photos, on their phones, tablets or even using traditional cameras!

The Brief: Culture & My Community The judges want to view the world as seen through the eyes of young people.

Culture is defined as ‘the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time’ by the Cambridge Dictionary.

Brittanica Kids, describes the term as ‘Many different things make up a society’s culture. These things include food, language, clothing, tools,

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music, arts, customs, beliefs, and religion’ For this year’s competition, in one single image, the judges would like you to photograph your view or perception of culture, within your community or around your community.

This could be a celebration, an object, a building, or even people (with their permission). Please photograph something that reflects culture where you live or within your community.

Winners Finalists will be selected and invited to our ProAction Annual Awards Evening at the Fielder Centre, Hatfield on Thursday 27 June 2019.

Winners in each age category will receive an £100 Amazon gift card.

The deadline for submissions is 2 June 2019.

Please visit here for information on last year’s competition and submissions and winners.

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John O’Gaunt Golf Club

Become a member, start playing today Memberships available for men, ladies and juniors Two magnificent championship courses

Impressive club house, bar and catering facilities

Well stocked shop and club fitting by Head Professional Lee Scarbrow

Excellent practice and coaching facilities

Please get in touch for more information...

John O’Gaunt Golf Club, Sutton Park, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2LY Tel: Main Club - 01767 260360 Pro Shop - 01767 260094 Email: villageradvert@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk Why not visit our website for more information at www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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FRESH ELDERFLOWER BLOSSOMS REQUIRED Ransom Naturals Ltd are seeking Fresh Elderflower Blossoms.

If you are interested in collecting you must register with us by either contacting us or visit the Company and speak to a member of staff for bags and picking instructions.

Ransom Naturals Ltd 51-53 Bury Mead Road, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1RT Tel: 01462 437615

Our next event at Knebworth

Vintage reminiscence event Wednesday 19th June 2019, 2pm - 4pm Come along to Knebworth care home for a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment and vintage reminiscence.

For more information or to book your free place at this event, call us on 01438 893557 or email paula.brown@careuk.com

Fulfilling lives

Knebworth care home 59 London Road, Woolmer Green, Knebworth, Hertfordshire SG3 6JE careuk.com/knebworth 22

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Local News

Mind Body & Soul Fair Mind Body & Soul fair on Sunday 30th June 2019, 10am-5pm at Ibis Hotel, The Forum, Stevenage, SG1 1EJ (organised by White Feather Events), will be raising funds for Cancer Wellness Support Group, by means of a raffle. There are circa 70 stands at the fair, mediums, various therapists offering Reiki, Massage, Crystal Healing, Reflexology and more, as well as there being exhibitors, candles, crystals, Himalayan salt lamps jewellery, skincare, general wellbeing, crafters selling gifts and much more! There are talks and refreshments throughout the day and local parking.

Cancer Wellness Support Group for North Herts area, was founded by my dear friend Debbie Hudson, who was fighting for her life against cancer. She started the Cancer Wellness Support Group as she herself was struggling to find groups that offered her what she felt she needed. Sadly, Debbie passed away last year, but the Support Group is growing strong offering support to other ladies with cancer.

There are five committee members, and we all give some of our spare time to the group. The Group meets once a month, held last Thursday of every month 7-9pm at Garden House Hospice Letchworth. We often have a guest speaker in to talk about a particular subject with cancer patients in mind. The group also get solace from speaking with other cancer patients and form friendships to support each other. In order to keep this Cancer Wellness Support Group going, we fundraise to help fund the Group to enable us to provide speakers and also take our ladies out for a treat every now and then. For further information about the group please see the contact details below.

It would be lovely to see you at the fair! There is plenty for everyone, the energy will be fabulous and you are sure to have a lovely day out! *On presentation of this article you will get £1 off your entry fee. (no photocopies – one person only) Contact via facebook : Cancer Wellness Support Group Contact White Feather Events: karen@whitefeatherevents.com Tel: 07865281879

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Health

When Your Job is a Pain

How to minimise work-induced injury Whether we work at a desk or in manual job, we can often develop pain or injury relating to our work.

Two of the most common are neck and lower back pain.

Back pain is the UK’s leading cause of long-term sickness and is responsible for over 15 million sick days per year. Many aches and niggles can be related to repetitive strain, caused by doing a task over and over, or from prolonged and incorrect posture. In most cases it is a combination of factors which lead to pain, and symptoms can be hugely improved through the right exercise, physiotherapy and some simple lifestyle changes.

If you’re regularly in a position which is not good for your body, it can start to wear down and cause injury. But you don’t have to accept this as an inevitable consequence of work. Simple changes like obtaining a new chair, or setting up your work station correctly can have a positive impact.

There are also exercises that we can do throughout the day which can help increase mobility and prevent injury. These exercises concentrate on ensuring a strong mobile thoracic spine, which promotes good posture while minimising the chance of injury. The thoracic spine is at the centre of our ability to move freely. If it

becomes stiff then this impacts on our lower back, our neck and our shoulders and arms.

Shoulder rolls are excellent. Roll one at a time forward and then backward, then both together.

Spinal rotation is also good. Lift your arms in front of you to shoulder height, bent at the elbows fingertips almost touching, then twist gently to the right and the left several times, trying to turn a little further each time without straining. Try some pectoral stretches by placing your hands behind your head and lacing your fingers together.

Draw both elbows back to open the shoulders and ribcage. Hold the position for fifteen seconds.

These exercises can be done easily while sitting or standing at your desk so do them three or four times per day. At home you can try a pelvic tilt. Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent.

Flatten your back against the floor by tightening your abdominal muscles and bending your pelvis up slightly. Hold for up to 10 seconds.

This about optimising your work place. Flexible sit/stand desks are becoming more popular. A sit/ stand desk is one that allows the user to alternate between sitting and standing by being able to lower or raise the work surface. By being able to alternate sitting and standing, users can vary their body position more often which is better for spine health.

Small adjustments to both your work space and your approach to posture can help ensure that you remain pain-free and productive for longer.

By Louise Addison

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House of Colour

Swimwear and

Holiday-Wear Tips Holiday season is nearly amongst us which means it’s time to think about this year’s holiday outfits.

Everyone wants to feel fabulous on holiday but there are so many things to consider that sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. So, we’ve done the hard bit for you…

1. Cut – When choosing the right swimwear cut think beyond whether it should be a tankini, bikini, or one piece. For those of us who like to show off our shoulders opt for a bandeau style top; a high waisted bikini bottom with a classic ruched middle helps to cover any wobbly areas.

Take your time to find the right swimwear.

2. One piece - No longer the boring choice, one pieces now feature a host of cut-outs, zips, belts, knots and bang on trend patterns. One shouldered swimsuits, bows and retro patterns have all recently made a comeback. Just know what suits your style and wear what makes you feel fabulous on your poolside deckchair whilst sipping a spritzer!

3. Mixy matchy – Pairing patterns and block colours in bikini tops and bottoms can provide an interesting but not overstated look but bear in mind that a darker bikini bottom and more interesting bikini top usually gives better balance. If you are feeling daring mismatch two patterns to express a more rule breaking nature.

4. Pop Goes the Colour – Know your colours before you go holiday shopping because your skin tone is even more vital when you are revealing more of it on the beach! Autumns will suit gorgeous rust, corals and olives whilst Springs will wow in leafy greens, flamingo pink and turquoise.

Winters will look amazing in jewel colours like emerald, electric blue and magenta whilst Summers will suit beautiful muted rose, dusty pink and cornflower for example.

5. Sustainable – Sustainability is gaining incredible momentum and swimwear is no exception.

More swim labels are launching sustainable and ethical swim lines than ever before as more of us prioritise sustainability as a key shopping factor.

6. Sunnies – Don’t be tempted to do an online search to scrawl through the thousands of colours, styles and patterns (and variation on quality) on offer. Understanding your face

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architecture is crucial to knowing what really suits you and most of us need to try lots of pairs on to see what works. You will invariably end up sending them back if you buy online.

7. Rocking your Shoes – This is the perfect time of year to add a pop of colour to your outfit through your footwear. The shops are adorned with yellow, green, leopard print and reds at the moment.

8. Arm Candy – Avoid large leather or plastic bags in hotter climates. If you rock the boho vibe try a linen sling bag with some tassels or texture, or if you like something a bit more dramatic perhaps try a metallic look.

9. Sarongs & Hats – Be playful and colourful in your choices especially if you are wearing block colour swimwear. The options are endless. When choosing your holiday hat, remember that dark colours like black and dark blue actually absorb heat. Oversized hats were on many of the catwalks but wear a size and shape that is right for your own scale and express your personality through design and detail.

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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Some of the problems I can help you with Toenail Cutting Thick nails Ingrown nails Corns Callous Cracked Heels Fungal Nails Diabetic Footcare

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Health

The Impact of Stress

and Ways to Manage it A UK-wide survey, carried out in 2018, found that almost three-quarters of adults (73%) had, at some point over the year before, felt so stressed that they were overwhelmed or unable to cope.

The study was commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation and is believed to be the largest and most comprehensive stress survey ever carried out across the UK with 4,619 people taking part.

Sometimes stress can be a positive force, motivating you to perform well at a given time, on a critical work task, for example. But more often than not stress is a negative force. When we feel stressed adrenaline kicks in immediately to help prepare you for a physical response – your heart pumps faster, your breathing rate picks up and more blood flows to your muscles. You are primed for action.

About ten minutes later, cortisol is released.

Cortisol helps to maintain those high energy levels by turning stored fat and carbohydrates into simple fats and sugars to use as fuel to deal with the ‘crisis’. It also sharpens our senses before assisting with the physiological ‘return to normal’ process. You are primed for action but then there is no action.

If your stress response doesn’t stop firing, and these stress levels stay elevated far longer than is necessary for survival, it can take a toll on your health.

Chronic stress can cause a variety of symptoms

and can affect your overall well-being. Symptoms of chronic stress include: • Irritability • Anxiety • Depression • Headaches • Insomnia Women who are stressed are more likely than men who are stressed to experience depression and anxiety.

What can we do to help ourselves?

We can try and take more control by understanding the impact our lifestyle is having on our health. The following wellness changes can help: • Deep breathing exercises.

• Meditation or mindfulness.

• Take time for yourself.

• Get enough sleep.

• Eat the right foods – eat foods with B vitamins, such as bananas, fish, avocados, chicken, and dark green, leafy vegetables. Studies show that B vitamins can help relieve stress by regulating nerves and brain cells.

• Get moving, even just moving away form your desk and outside for a few minutes can help.

• Talk to friends or family.

• Get professional help.

For more tips and advice go to http://www.womenshealthhub.co.uk

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DO YOU NEED TO MAKE OR UPDATE YOUR WILL? We offer a FREE initial appointment to discuss your circumstances, offering advice on Wills including ring-fencing your home from care and guidance regarding Inheritance Tax Nil Rate Bands.

HOME VISITS are available at NO EXTRA CHARGE within a 20-mile Radius of Royston.

SATURDAY MORNING appointments available on the following dates:* 8th and 22nd JUNE 2019 FREE WILL SERVICE for the over 55’s through the Cancer Research Free Will Scheme.

For more information please contact:Fish Hill Chambers, 2-3 Fish Hill, Royston, Herts. SG8 9JY Tel: 01763 241 121 t.pilcher@walkerspartnership.co.uk Wills | Probate | Lasting Powers of Attorney | Conveyancing | Commercial Property *Home visit appointments are subject to availability.

Saturdays by appointment only.

A FREE WILL for Homeowners Protect your home and legacy for your children • • • • • •

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If you already have a Will … Is it up to date?

Several thousand outdated wills are legally challenged every year.

Ensure your parents’ home and property is also protected.

DON’T PUT IT OFF – Don’t let your home and money disappear, make sure your estate goes to your family… leaving “what you want” to “who you want”.

CALL 01767 660250 for more information or to book a free meeting with one of our Will and Estate Planners either in your own home or at our offices.

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Finance

Short-term or long-term mortgage It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of mortgage products available, and the trend towards offering non-traditional mortgage terms doesn’t help when you’re trying to decide which loan is best.

Banks and building societies are increasingly offering longer-term mortgages lasting 30 or 40 years alongside the ‘standard’ 25-year term with which many of us are familiar. Shorter-term mortgages of 15 years or so are also available, so what are the pros and cons of short-term and long-term mortgages, and which might be better for you?

Why choose a short-term mortgage?

Short-term mortgages have higher monthly repayments, but you’ll pay considerably less interest overall. If you’re able to put down a large deposit, you don’t need to borrow as much money, which is just one instance where short-term mortgages might be a good idea.

An additional advantage is that, if you’ve been able to repay your mortgage sooner than later, the equity in your property will also grow faster.

The initial consideration if you’re thinking about a short-term mortgage, however, is whether you can keep up repayments over this period.

Can you afford a short-term mortgage?

Your monthly budget will dictate whether it’s possible to repay your mortgage over a shorter period of time than the standard term, but you need to be very careful not to overstretch yourself financially.

Also bear in mind the potential interest rate rises in the future, particularly considering the low rates we’ve enjoyed for more than a decade. In other words, the only direction interest rates are likely

to go is up, so it might be worthwhile considering mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) to cover your repayments if you fall ill or lose your job.

Why choose a long-term mortgage?

You might choose a long-term mortgage to benefit from lower monthly payments. Perhaps you’re more at ease knowing you can comfortably afford the repayments on your biggest asset, and feel it’s worthwhile despite the extra interest you’ll pay over the course of the loan term. It’s also beneficial if you need a high loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage.

Another consideration with long-term mortgages is your age, as although long-term mortgages are becoming more mainstream, some lenders still don’t offer this type of mortgage term if it means it will take the borrower into their retirement years.

On the other hand, younger applicants looking for their first property might have no problem in obtaining a mortgage with a duration of upwards of 35 years. So what are the main benefits and drawbacks of lengthier mortgages?

Pros of a long-term mortgage • Monthly repayments are lower.

• Interest rate rises will have less impact.

• You may be able to secure a higher loan-to-value ratio.

Cons of a long-term mortgage • It takes longer to repay.

• You pay more interest overall.

• You may be refused on age grounds.

Affordability is the keyword when thinking about mortgages – hopefully between you and your lender, you’ll be able to find the right length of mortgage term and feel able to repay every month without too much difficulty.

By Ann Haldon

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33

Garden View

Sitting Sustainably One of the great pleasures in life has to be sitting outside on a summer evening, glass of wine in hand, gazing in reverie at your precious plot.

But what are you sitting on? Is your furniture environmentally friendly? What about that lovely decking, or your garden shed?

As gardeners we have a responsibility which extends far beyond our boundary.

Trees are vital to the planet. They convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and act as environmental filters, offsetting the effects of pollution. They also provide a habitat for birds and animals.

Like many gardeners I take a keen interest in environmental matters so it came as a shock when I read recently that that every year our tiny island imports more unsustainably produced wood than anywhere else in the world!

A good proportion of this wood is used to make garden buildings, furniture, fencing and decking.

I was thrilled, therefore, to read about the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and their certification programme for sustainable produced and sourced wood?

The FSC was founded in 1993, in response to public concern about deforestation. The council devised a wood-labelling scheme which allows a product to be traced right back down the supply chain from the consumer to its source.

Any product bearing the FSC logo is guaranteed

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By Rachael Leverton

to be from forests which are carefully managed to conserve biodiversity and support local communities.

Unfortunately not all garden suppliers stock products which are FSC approved. So we need to demand that they do.

The world’s forests are in decline. Some tropical hardwoods are already on the verge of extinction, and temperate forests in the northern hemisphere are also suffering because of unregulated treefelling.

As a gardener and lover of our environment I feel more comfortable knowing that I’m not contributing to the destruction of our planet. If you’re replacing your garden furniture this year, ask to see the FSC certified label.

Happy Gardening Q. Is it possible to be environmentally friendly when buying PVC furniture?

A. Yes it is. Many companies are now producing furniture made from recycled PVCs. You’re no longer limited to the standard flimsy offerings either. It’s now possible to find sturdy benches and picnic tables. Of course, the advantage of PVC is that it’s completely weatherproof; maintenance-free, and won’t rot, corrode or splinter!

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Pets

Animal Stories The large majority of the animals that come into our care at RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch come from National RSPCA Inspectorate from within our area. These animals are always our main priority, however we will always try and help members of the public wherever and however we can.

Mocha and Biscuit came into our care back in April after the Branch was contacted by a member of the public asking for help. Their previous owners could no longer keep them due to a change in family circumstances, therefore had made the difficult decision to rehome the tabby duo.

Both approximately five years old, this beautiful pair were previously kept as indoor cats where they had the run of the home, however they are quite inquisitive, so we fell they could go to a new home where they are able to explore a secure garden. They are both very friendly and would suit almost any family.

Mocha, the male of the pair, will however need slightly more special treatment than Biscuit due to a urinary problem he had back in 2017. Although this causes him no issues and the problem has never reoccurred, he will need to stay on his special diet and supplements. He is a big boy weighing 6.7kg but is an absolute teddy bear!

For more information about Mocha and Biscuit, or to enquire about rehoming these lovely tabbies, contact the Branch by emailing adopt@ rspcabedsnorth.org.uk or phoning 01234 266965.

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RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch will always try and help members of the public with their pets in the best way that we can, but something that is always readily available is help for cat neutering.

It is so important for cats, male and female, to be spayed or castrated. For females, apart from the most obvious, preventing pregnancies, spaying can also avoid females coming into season and therefore attracting unwanted make attention. It also prevents the risk of uterus infections.

For males castration can significantly reduce urine marking and roaming, but can also prevent the risk of testicular cancer.

Despite these health benefits, neutering isn’t always the most affordable procedure, so Bedfordshire North Branch can help. We can offer neutering vouchers to use at participating local vets in the area, to be put towards the cost of a cat spay or castration. The vouchers are worth £30 and any remaining veterinary costs are to be covered by the applicant. Applicants must be in receipt of benefits or on a low income to qualify for neutering help.

To request help, or for further information including eligibility for the scheme, contact the Branch by emailing info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk or phoning 01234 226965.

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Our Pride - Your Joy • Conservatories • Orangeries • Sunrooms • Porches • Composite Entrance Doors • Bi-Folding Doors • Energy Rated Glazing • Garage Conversions • Tiled Roof Garden Rooms • Re-Furbish Your Existing Conservatory Your specialist local company, who build with care and dedication from design to completion

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Local News

Rehoming Appeal

Jinx

Can you help find a new home for this lovely young cat? A safe home on a farm or stable yard is needed for this little girl.

Jinx is approx. 6-8 months old. She has been neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

She is very nervous with people would benefit from a home where she can have some freedom and develop her mouse hunting skills!

If you would like to find out more about Jinx please contact Liz on 01767 681157.

Alternatively, please email Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry onto the team.

View other 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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39

Food & Drink

BBQ Buffalo Chicken Wings

with a Blue Cheese Dip It’s amazing how many careers in food come about as a result of a big career change. People leave the rat race and set up a café, a cake making business, a food truck or a restaurant, making quality of life their key criteria. Although most say they’ve never worked harder than they now do in their new food career, they’ll also say they’ve never had more fun. One such man is Harp Gill, who left a stressful career in recruitment in the City to set up a BBQ and smoking catering company in Milton Keynes called The Rub BBQ. He is passionate about smoking and cooking meats perfectly. These Buffalo wings are a true classic – tangy, sharp, spicy and devilishly moreish.

Ingredients: 1kg chicken wings (prepared how you like, in 3, 2 or 1 wing configuration).

For the dry rub 2 tbsp paprika powder 2 tbsp garlic powder 2 tbsp sea salt 2 tbsp ground pepper For the buffalo sauce 250ml apple cider vinegar 100ml distilled white vinegar 2 tbsp ground cayenne powder 3 tbsp cayenne pepper powder 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tbsp salt 150g salted butter For the blue cheese dip 500g of your desired blue cheese crumbled as fine as possible 500g Greek yoghurt A dash of lemon juice 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp milk salt and pepper to taste

1. Place the chicken wings in a bowl and add the dry rub ingredients. Mix everything together well to ensure all the pieces are equally covered.

2. Cover with cling film and place in a fridge overnight (or for at least for 2 hours).

3. Place all of the sauce ingredients except the butter into a saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat.

4. Reduce to a simmer for between 20-25 minutes stirring occasionally.

5. Add the butter and simmer gently for a further 15 minutes. Place to the side once done.

6. To make the blue cheese dip, place all ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Pop it in the fridge until ready to serve.

7. Now it is time to grill the wings. Place them skin side down over a hot BBQ and cook until the skin starts bubbling (5-8 minutes) and then turn them over for a further 1-2 minutes or until done.

8. Pop the buffalo sauce in a bowl and roll the wings in it, giving it a good coating.

9. Return them to the grill for a further minute to crisp up the sauce and then give them one final coating of the sauce (without grilling them again). They are ready to serve now.

10. Serve with the blue cheese dip and a stick of celery. These give a real wow factor at any family BBQ and make a perfect starter or lunch snack.

NB: This recipe can also be done in the oven should you not have access to a BBQ. Cook the wings for an hour at 180C/ Gas Mark 4, covered with foil. The final glazing process can be done under a hot grill.

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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41

Your Perfect Loft Access and Storage Solution Our services include: Loft Ladders Loft Hatches Insulation Loft Boarding Loft Lighting Balustrades We are a family run business who comply to building regulations, where our fitters are fully insured and all of our work is guaranteed.

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Great Outdoors

Technology

Technology for long summer nights

The combination of long nights and nice weather means it’s time to head outdoors – and technology can help make the outdoors even greater and the light nights even brighter.

Thanks to Bluetooth speakers, your music can go outside with you, but it’s wise to get a waterproof one just in case. We really like Denon’s DSB-250BT, which has really high-quality music streaming and great sound. It’s pricier than some rival devices at around £129, but it looks good indoors as well as out. For something a bit more portable to take to the beach or hotel pool, the UE Wonderboom goes for around £55 and includes something most Bluetooth speakers don’t: an inflatable ring so you can listen to it in the water.

Another great gadget for outdoor entertaining is the solar LED light. LEDs use tiny amounts of energy so it doesn’t take much sunlight to give them enough charge for hours of illumination.

We’d recommend looking for warm white LEDs, which have a more yellow cast than the traditional blue ones: the light is warmer-looking and closer to incandescent bulbs, whereas bright white ones look a bit like car headlights. Expect to pay around £2 for a single LED post, rising to around £20 for a nice string of lights and £30 for a solar lamppost.

If you’d rather have something brighter and more flexible, Philips has added garden lighting to its iPhone/Android-controlled Hue system, which also works with smart home devices such as Amazon Echo. The lights enable you to create ‘recipes’ for different effects as well as control each light individually, and while they’re still quite expensive – a coloured wall light is currently £100 on Amazon – they’re very well made and work brilliantly.

In the UK no matter how nice the day, the nights can get cold very quickly. If you’re considering garden heating, don’t go for a

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gas heater: they’re incredibly wasteful because they heat the air around them whether there are people there or not.

It’s a much better idea to get an infra-red heater, which costs a lot less to run. Expect to pay around £70 for a wall-mounted model and around £120 for a tabletop model such as Charles Bentley’s 2000W electric outdoor patio heater.

If you’re heating food rather than people, technology can even help with the humble barbecue: clip-on LED lights enable you to cook in the dark, while Bluetooth thermometers enable you to check on the food temperature without opening the lid and letting heat escape. You can get a no-name version for around £20, but if brand names are important then Weber’s basic iGrill is currently £56. The all-singing, alldancing iGrill 3 has two probes instead of one, enabling you to check on two things at once, and retails at just under £100.

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Premier Painters and Decorators

Premier Painters and Decorators are a professional, punctual and hard working company delivering outstanding quality of work to our clients in and around Stevenage From wallpaper hanging, feature walls, coving and cornice work. We even clean facias, soffits and guttering. (PVC or Wood) If you would like to take advantage of our services, require a quote or advise please do not hesitate to contact us. Be assured when Premier quote a job there are NO HIDDEN EXTRAS. Private and commercial, exterior and interior painting services.

For a free quotation please contact Gary on Tel: 01438 353793 Mob: 07733 227961 Email: info@premierpd.co.uk

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WALL COATING

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0800 046 1080 UP TO 30% OFF IN JUNE hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk 44

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

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Travel

Réunion Hotspot Deep in the southern Indian Ocean, between Mauritius and Madagascar, Réunion island is an overseas French department and one of the most dramatic hotspots on earth.

Heading west from St Denis the capital, the coastal road follows the new highway, now in its final stages, built on pylons above the ocean to protect the traffic from rock falls and swelling seas. On this remote island blooming with tropical flowers and fruit, the residents take it all in their stride, over 800,000 of them but no native tribes. This was a desert island when the Europeans arrived.

Just 45 kilometres by 63 kilometres, it has much to offer along the shore with sheltered beaches and lagoons in the west, coral reefs, dolphins and whales out at sea, trade winds on the east coast and the awesome ‘Wild South’, strewn with lava rocks and battered by the waves crashing through eroded basalt cliffs. Ravines from the mountainous interior come right down to the water,

slicing the land with precipitous slopes, as ominous as the calderas and peaks spreading across the highlands.

The Réunion National Park covers roughly 75% of the island, from a sizeable buffer area to the large central zone protected by UNESCO. At the heart of it all are three calderas framed by rugged ridges and rocks but draped in luxuriant vegetation. With over 1,000 species of native plants, it’s a haven for butterflies and birds, such as the slender cuckoo shrike or the white-tailed tropic bird, and myriad lizards including the brightly-coloured diurnal gecko. Trekkers make their way along the trails – an amazing 900 kilometres on this tiny island – while others take the ‘road of 400 bends’ climbing through gorge and tunnels to the Cilaos caldera and its pretty little resort at 1,200 metres.

This is the ‘land of lentils and wine’ with fabulous views of the mountains, within reach of the Piton des Neiges, Réunion’s highest point at 3,070 metres.

By Solange Hando Hugging it to the north is the verdant Salazie caldera known for its thermal springs, waterfalls and record-breaking rain. It’s the green lung of the island, growing citrus fruit, bananas and peaches and the famous ‘chouchou’, a pear-shaped gourd eaten in many different ways.

But the adjoining Mafate caldera is only accessible by donkey or helicopter. That’s the way the people like it, 700 or so scattered in remote hamlets, among them a handful of artists seeking inspiration away from it all.

Idyllic, peaceful, this is Réunion in many ways but down in the south east the mighty Furnace Peak never rests. At 2,632 metres, it erupts several times a year, spouting its liquid lava for weeks or even months at a time. Fortunately there are no villages around and when it is safe, forestry road and microlights can take you right there, sending incredible shivers down your spine. Only the tip of the Furnace rises above the land and if the volcano collapses one day, the whole island will sink into the ocean.

The mighty Furnace Peak erupts several times a year

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

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

48

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www.tbrooker.co.uk

Rethink Your Waste

Brookers on Bucklersbury has a great range of eco-friendly products in store Available at: 39 Bucklersbury, Hitchin, SG5 1BQ, 01462 434501 A bamboo drinks mug could help you cut down on single use plastic These are fully reusable and environmentally friendly

We have Brabantia compost bins and recycling sorters. Eco made easy!

Brabantia support a number of sustainability programs and are dedicated to helping the planet

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

We also stock durable, gorgeous rugs made from recycled plastics

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N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y

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51

n O s ’ t Wha June 2019 Celebrating 25 Years of Stevenage Festival Throughout the month of June there will be performances and events across Stevenage involving thousands of local people, particularly our talented youngsters. From music, drama and dancing at the Gordon Craig Theatre, to art exhibitions, writing workshops, ceilidhs and ‘Rock in the Park’ headlined by tribute band ‘Wrong Jovi’.

Web: www.stevenage-festival.co.uk Until 2 June Chilterns Walking Festival The programme includes over 70 guided walks, events and activities covering the whole of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which stretches from Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire into Hertfordshire. Details of all guided walks can be found online. Most are free though some require a small fee. To assist walk leaders with expected numbers, most events must be pre-booked.

Web: www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest 3, 10, 17 & 24 June 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.

Email: katiewilsonmind@gmail.com 3, 10, 17 & 24 June Hare & Hounds Hash House Harriers 7.30pm A social running and walking club for mixed abilities, meeting every week in the Bedfordshire area. The trail is set from a local pub and typically lasts 1 hour covering between 3 and 4 miles. Family and dog friendly. Email: info@h5hashers.org.uk Web: www.H5hashers.org.uk 3, 10, 17 & 24 June Stevenage Choral Society 7.45-9.45pmStevenage Music Centre, Nobel School, Stevenage No audition necessary. Meet like-minded people of all ages and abilities. Try out a wide range of music and put on excellent performances.

Tel: 01438 365769 E: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk 3, 10, 17 & 24 June Staplers Country Dance Club 8-10pm St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin Staplers is a social folk dance club. All dances are walked through first then called. You don’t need to come with a partner; lots of us come on our own.

Car parking is available next to the hall.

Tel. 01462 624144 or 01462 680995 Web: www.staplers.org.uk

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3, 10, 17 & 24 June 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 from the Herts, Beds and Bucks area. The club organises regular events, day and weekend trips and holidays.

Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 www.branch-out.org.uk 4 June Tuesday Talk: Traditional Treasures 7pm for 7.30pm The British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin Tickets £5 inc. tea/coffee. A handful of quirky English customs in story, song and pictures with Gill & Barry Goodman. Tel: 01462420144 Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk 4, 11, 18 & 25 June 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 June The Arts Society North Herts Talk 11am & 2pm The Spirella Ballroom, Letchworth £7 on the door. Talk by Gavin Plumley on Gustav Klimt ‘imperial muralist turned radical painter’.

Email: theartssociety.nh@gmail.com Web: www.theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk 6-8 June Hitchin Beer & Cider Festival Thurs 5-11pm, Fri & Sat midday-11pm Hitchin Rugby Club, Old Hale Way, Hitchin Admission £4, free for members of CAMRA, Hitchin Round Table & Hitchin RFC. 100+ real ales, international beers and key keg plus over 50 ciders.

Food available at all sessions from Hitchin Street Food Monthly. Web: hitchinbeerfestival.org.uk 6, 13, 20 & 27 June 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..

Still Life and raffle every month.

Tel: Pauline 01767 315553 6, 13, 20 & 27 June Roundabouters Country Dance Club 8-10pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage Friendly club for English country dancing. 13 June is a garden evening – check with the club for details.

27 June is live music with a guest caller.

Tel: 01438 727239 Email: roundabouters@live.co.uk Web: www.roundabouters.org.uk

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

In June

6, 13, 20 & 27 June 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. A varied programme of events on Thursday and Saturday evenings. Tel: 01438 231550.

Email: welcome@stevenage.plus Web: www.stevenageplus.co.uk 6, 13, 20 & 27 June Sapphire Social Club 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin We are a small and friendly group for single people generally aged 50 and above. We offer a variety of social events during the month. Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 or Ian 07900 890583 Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 7, 14, 21 & 28 June 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 7 & 21 June Stevenage Survivors Poetry Group 7.30pm Quaker Friends Meeting House £2 inc. drink & biscuits 8 June Around the World Summer Fête 11am-4pm William Ransom School, Stuart Drive, Hitchin Entry £1, Under 16s & senior citizens free Cakes, BBQ, Thai and Indian food, Face and Nail painting, Bouncy Castle, Swing Boats, Tombola, Display Acts, Plant Stall and Raffle with some amazing prizes! www.wransom.co.uk Tel: 01462 624777 8 June Weston Music Society Concert 7.30pm Weston Parish Church, SG4 7DJ Tickets £16 inc. programme & interval drink, Under 19s free, 19-25 years £5. A4 Brass Quartet, a fantastic young quartet with an eclectic repertoire, wonderful techniques and great stage presence. Formed in 2013 at the Royal Northern College of Music, A4 Brass Quartet comprises of principal players from some of the UK’s top brass bands, including Grimethorpe Colliery, Brighouse and Rastrick and Foden’s. Tel: 01462 790573 Email: felicitylowe@yahoo.co.uk Web: www.westonmusicsociety.org.uk or https:// www.wegottickets.com

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n O s ’ t Wha In June

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

What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

8 & 9 June ‘Celebrate’ Festival of Flowers Sat 10am-5pm, Sunday 12-3.30pm Walsworth Road Baptist Church Free admission. ‘Celebrate’ is a flower festival with over 25 displays held as part of the church’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Refreshments available donations going to Phase Hitchin.

Web: www.wrbchitchin.org.uk/wrbc150 10 June RSPB Hitchin & Letchworth Local Group Spring Walk 7.15pm Free. A return visit to Martin’s local patch, Therfield Heath, near Royston. Meet at the car park off the Therfield Road (O/S 154: TL 337 403).

Tel: 01763 249459 E: martinrjspc@hotmail.com 11 & 25 June 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. Tel: Roger Burt 01438 351891 Email: roger@mazda20.plus.com 14 June Monthly Walking Tour of Hitchin 10.30am-12 noon The British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin £5. Meet at the Museum then head into the centre of Hitchin town. Please call or go online to book.

Tel: 01462420144 Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk 15-17 June The Ayot St Lawrence Art Show Sat & Sun 10am-5pm, Mon 11am-2pm The Ayot St Lawrence Art Show, AL6 9BZ Adults £2, Children free. Now in its 45th Year, the Ayot St Lawrence Art Show attracts hundreds of visitors each year. There will be over 90 very talented artists exhibiting their work in a variety of mediums and in a wide range of styles and prices to suit all tastes and budgets. This year the Art Show will have more of a festival feel as a separate art and craft tent has been introduced that will run on Saturday and Sunday alongside the exhibition, offering opportunities for all ages to try watercolour, pastel relief, linoprint and to make handmade crafts - perhaps as gifts for Fathers’ Day. There will also be a treasure hunt and cake decorating competition. Come early as the first 50 participants each day will receive a free Childs Farm gift. Having worked up a thirst and an appetite, enjoy refreshments in our cake tent.

15 June Join the Dots Forest School Great Wymondley Village, near Hitchin Sessions every third Saturday of the month for children 2+ years. Fun filled sessions involving games, den building, flora and fauna identification and much more. 2-5 years, 10.30am-12.30pm £16, siblings £12. 6-11 years, 1.15-4pm £20, siblings £18. Email: alison@jointhedotsforestschool.co.uk Website: www.jointhedotsforestschool.co.uk 16 June Hitchin & Letchworth RSPB Local Group trip to Minsmere Adults £15.50, Under 18s £7.75. A coach trip with Stevenage Group to this flagship RSPB Reserve on the Suffolk coast. Coach pick-ups Stevenage 7.05am, Hitchin 7.15am, Letchworth 7.30am and Royston 7.50am. Extra fee at Reserve for non-RSPB members. Tel: 01462 451320 Email: martinrjspc@hotmail.com 19 June Hitchin Flower Club 7 for 7.30pm Church House, Church Yard, Hitchin Visitors £6.50. ‘Going Dutch’ a Demonstration by Fiona Harrison. Tel: Michelle 01462 637874 Facebook: Hitchin Flower Club - NAFAS 22 June Coffee Morning 11am-2pm Graveley Village Hall Coffee Morning in aid of DiPPs Charitable Trust (Defibrillators in Public Places), celebrating Graveley’s new defibrillator which had kindly been donated to the Village Hall by the DiPPS Trust. All proceeds will go to the Trust. Refreshments Web: www.graveley.org.uk 22 June Orpheus Choir of North Herts 50th Anniversary Concert 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Walkern Tickets £10, Children £5. A selection of the choir’s favourite music to mark its Golden Jubilee, including Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus, Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium, Byrd’s Four Part Mass and Bruckner’s Locus Iste. Tel: Box Office 07881 588662 www.orpheusnorthherts.com/future-concerts 28 June Hitchin Book Club 5pm Orange tree, Hitchin Admission £2.50. A friendly group who meets the last Friday of each month. No pressure to read books just turn up for a drink and chat.

Web: https://hitchinbookclub.simdif.com or https://www.meetup.com/Hitchin-Book-Club/

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

6 July Stevenage Therapy Day Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage Free event. Creative writing meditation, art, etc.

Tel: 07513 913185 13 July A Tapestry of Treasured Musical Moments 4pm Woolmer Green Village Hall, Woolmer Green Adults £14 (Advance £12), Under 16s £5 Stevenage Choral Society Concert. Tallis to Taverner.

Pimms (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and nibbles for sale. Tickets available by email, online or on the door. Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.wegottickets.com/StevenageChoral Until 24 November 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 the website for details of temporary changes to regular opening hours and of 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 you can 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 Hitchin & Surrounding Areas Fun & Social Stuff A welcoming social group based in Hitchin, but, also includes the surrounding areas. 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 Web: https://www.meetup.com/meetup-groupHVrvZZiQ 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. For further information Tel: Margaret 01462 623447 Email: mee.hitchin@ntlworld.com Web: hitchinbridgeclub.org.uk

53

SHIRON

Domestic Appliances Repairs of

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

Contact RONNIE Tel: 01438 720 304 Mobile: 07396 579717

Email: rohintoncooper@hotmail.com

54

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“Quality is not expensive, it’s priceless”

Extensions, Refurbishments, Loft and Garage Conversions, Landscaping and General Building Internal and external work with many local references View our testimonials at www.hertfordshirebuilders.co.uk

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Architect drawings and planning applications catered for Estimates and ideas FREE

www.hertfordshirebuilders.co.uk Call Richard on 07818 061505 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

55

n i t l h F e o J Plasterersam

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

A FRIENDLY FAMILY FIRM. FREE QUOTATIONS

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

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May’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mr P Hughes from Hitchin Winner of the Ballet Competition Mrs P Stevens from Biggleswade

Easy

Hard

GAS SAFE REGISTERED

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57

The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 7. Manage, rule over (6) 8. Outfitter (6) 9. Information (4) 10. Set sail (8) 11. Most simple (7) 13. Vacant (5) 15. Caper, amazing feat (5) 16. Protection (7) 18. Stress, accent (8) 19. Otherwise (4) 21. Foolish (6) 22. 5 cent coin (6)

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

16th June 2019 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd

Down 1. Settee (4) 2. Connections, alliances (13) 3. Examine, study in detail (7) 4. Plump, rotund (5) 5. Outside edge of circle (13) 6. Household (8) 12. Tries (8) 14. Taunting, goading (7) 17. Separate, detached (5) 20. Trunk of plant (4)

24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Name: Tel:



Address:

58

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ROGERSONS

REMOVALS

ELECTRICAL & SECURITY SYSTEMS

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15/05/2019 17:14

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Book Review By Kate Duggan

Books

The Wych Elm by Tana French One horrific night changes Toby’s life for ever. He retreats to the place he feels safest – Ivy House, to look after his terminally ill uncle. But then a skull is discovered in the garden and Toby has to question everything he believes to be true. Are his cousins hiding something from him?

Is his uncle a killer? And, with his own memory damaged, how can Toby be sure he’s not the murderer?

Stepsister By Jennifer Donnelly Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, but who stops to consider her stepsisters? Isabelle is neither pretty nor demure. But if she’s brave enough to cut off her own toe to fit her foot in a glass slipper, what else is she capable of?

While Stepsister is aimed at young adults, this imaginative story is also likely to appeal to older readers who fancy losing themselves in a twisted fairy tale for a few hours.

Weber’s Greatest Hits

By Jamie Purviance Over the years, Weber has released a series of books to accompany its bestselling barbeques. This has over 100 recipes for starters, mains (beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish and shellfish), sides and desserts. Dishes include Chicken Tacos, Salmon Skewers, Zesty Garlic Prawns, Chilli-Rubbed Chicken and, for the traditionalist, Texas Burgers.

Property by Lionel Shriver Looking for a book to dip in and out of, rather than devote whole sunny afternoons to? This collection of short stories and novellas might be the answer. If you want fast-paced action and loathe long passages of description, it’s probably not for you. If you enjoy wry humour, detailed characterisation and stories that you’re still pondering about hours later, it’s well worth a look.

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

61

Appliance and Electrical Repairs Appliance and Electrical Repairs All makes of washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, hobs and hoods repaired, serviced and sold.

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Call Nigel on 01767 261122 for more information

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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USEFUL NUMBERS

VILLAGER The

and Town

Life

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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.

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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63

BEFORE AFTER

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Tel: 01438 222929 www.kitchenergonomics.co.uk Visit our showroom: Unit E, Gateway 1000, Whittle Way, Arlington Business Park, Stevenage SG1 2FP Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm