Stevenage May 2021

VILLAGER The

and Town

May 2021

Life

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

Inside this issue The History of the

Chimney Sweep Discovering

Pembrokeshire Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

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Inside this issue...

Time for a Picnic

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Purple Sprouting Broccoli.........................................................39 Beautiful Cat Looking for a Forever Home................................41 Why Guinea Pigs Make Perfect Pets.........................................42 Why We Love an Online Quiz....................................................44 Be Fire Safe with a Fire Safe.....................................................47 Puzzle Page..............................................................................48 What are Premium Fuels?........................................................50 Cycling with Bionic Legs...........................................................53 The Best Gadgets for Every Kitchen..........................................55 £25 Villager Prize Crossword...................................... 58 Book Review............................................................................61 Useful Numbers.......................................................................63

Make your bathroom a Relaxing Oasis

The History of the Chimney Sweep.............................................4 Drinks: The Spirit of Gin..............................................................8 Say Cheese...............................................................................12 Meeting Outside? Time for a Picnic...........................................15 Make Your Bathroom a Relaxing Oasis......................................16 Kids and Uncertainty................................................................21 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...................................................24 Stress and Anxiety....................................................................26 Summer Key Wardrobe Items...................................................29 Is Buy-to-Let Still Worthwhile?................................................30 Discover Pembrokeshire...........................................................32 Perfect Planting.......................................................................35

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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: Hannah Merry-Wade, Trevor Langley, Kate Duggan, Katherine Sorrell, Kate McCarthy, Nick Coffer, Jackie Mitchell, Jennie Billings, Pippa Greenwood, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA, Louise Addison, Tracey Anderson and Tom Hancock

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

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

Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

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History

As Lucky Can Be? The History of the Chimney Sweep Spring is here, and with it the urge to make everything clean and fresh, including the chimney. If your fireplace is clogged and sooty from use during the cold winter months, now is the time to call a chimney sweep. This skilled high-tech profession has a rich and dark history.

The profession of ‘sweep’ dates back to the 16th century. Originally the service was needed only by the wealthy with grand estates, but gradually the trend of installing chimneys in every home caught on, and the demand for sweeps grew. The houses in city streets were tightly packed and sweeps would work from house to house, sometimes roof to roof, cleaning sooty chimneys.

In the 17th century the government introduced a hearth tax, based partly on the number of chimneys a house possessed. People wanted to avoid the tax, so builders connected flues of new fireplaces with the existing chimney, creating a maze of narrow, pitch black tunnels inside homes.

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When people switched fuel from wood to coal, chimneys became coated with sticky soot deposits.

These had to be cleaned frequently; otherwise, the house filled with toxic fumes. So, chimney sweeps became associated with restoring fresh air in homes and thus became symbols of good health.

Unfortunately, the sweeps themselves did not enjoy good health. Tiny children between 4 and 11 years old became the primary ‘tools’ used for cleaning because they were small enough to squeeze through the narrow, maze-like chimneys.

It must have been a terrifying job, working without light in suffocating cramped conditions.

By Hannah Merry-Wade

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The children, known as ‘climbing boys’ were either sold by destitute parents or were chosen from orphanages. Their job was to scrape the coal deposits from the flue lining. If a young child was afraid to climb, the master would sometimes light a small fire to ‘motivate’ him to move. It’s actually where the phrase ‘to light a fire under someone’ originated.

The boys’ only official day off was May Day, and in Rochester they still commemorate this with the Sweeps Festival (sadly cancelled this year) involving three days of fun, real ale, music, and dancing across the bank holiday weekend.

These children suffered bone malformation, soot inhalation, and cancers.

Some of them became trapped and died of suffocation inside chimneys. Most didn’t make it to middle age.

After many humanitarian appeals to Government, in 1864, the English Parliament finally passed the “Act for the Regulation of Chimney Sweepers” which made it illegal to send a child up a chimney.

Today’s professional chimney sweeps are educated in the science of chimneys and fireplaces as well as in building codes. It is important to employ a qualified professionally trained sweep, from a recognised organisation, so you know they are well-trained and fully insured. Many are also skilled to carry out appliance servicing and fitting chimney cowls etc.

National Association of Chimney Sweeps: nacs.org.uk Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps: apics.org.uk Guild of Master Sweeps: guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk

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Food & Drink

Drinks: The Spirit of Gin

History is in abundance in Lincoln and Lincolnshire. Also, with this area being renowned as a prime agricultural region, numerous grains, plus vegetables, fruits and flowers, stem (excuse the pun) from here. Animals, including cattle and sheep, are another reason for Lincolnshire’s success, through to these modern times, plus events, sports, places and venues of much interest. Lincolnshire has its fair share of drinks’ producers and I searched for something that (I considered) was different and very worthwhile locating.

The Gentlemen Distillers Ltd is a small and friendly family-based company, located in the historic city of Lincoln. All the team at the Gentlemen Distillers Ltd are or have been musicians, that played in brass bands and concert bands. The production of gins has to be ‘balanced’, with each inclusion playing its part – rather like the members’ instruments of a band.

BANDSMAN GIN (40% vol) is produced using the method of cold compounding. A mix of both fresh and dried botanicals are utilised, to great advantage, to flavour the spirit in its liquid form. Smooth and silk-like, is how I would describe this gin. High-quality botanicals/inclusions used are Juniper, Dandelion Root, Tomatoes, Basil, Raisins, Rosemary, Parsley and Elderflower. Pale lemon, in colour, I found this gin crisp and with a good, fresh, juniper-led taste.

BANDMASTER LONDON DRY GIN (40% vol) came into being following a substantial development period – a ‘journey of discovery’. The Bandmaster production finally evolved and was created by redistilling through a handmade copper pot still. This gin, too, gained much interest and praise, when launched, being crisp and with the initial bouquet enticing to the impressive mouthfeel. Herbaceous notes are most acceptably evident in this production, which has a hint of fruit, for an excellent ending on the palate.

Ordering is easy (online, too). Orders are processed and dispatched quickly. These gins are perfect to enjoy on their own, over ice and with a good number of mixers, tonic, ginger ale, etc. Take time to find a favourite ‘tipple’.

For all products, merchandise, details, gift presentations and stockists, please contact The Gentlemen Distillers Ltd. Tel: 44 (0) 1522 695 893 Mob: 44 (0) 7857 629 101 E-mail: james@thegentlemendistillers.co.uk and visit: www.bandsmangin.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

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Salute the bravery of the local SOE agents who flew from local Tempsford in aircraft such as our Lysander.

2021 sees the return of the award-winning Drive-In Displays from the Shuttleworth Trust There is something to keep the whole family entertained!

Find out more and book online at: www.shuttleworth.org/spiesandintrigue

A celebration of innovation and remembering the 1951 Festival of Britain when the Collection’s Comet was suspended from the ceiling in honour of its record-breaking role.

Shuttleworth air shows are the perfect family day out, expect thrilling air displays from historic aircraft and explore the beautiful Shuttleworth Swiss Garden.

Find out more and book online at: www.shuttleworth.org/flyingfestival

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Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service With A Smile.

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

One thing is for sure though, there have also been some heart warming positives that we can take out of last year. It has often been said that we can only really get to know one another and realise what is truly important in times of crisis. I think few would argue that in this case what has proven to be important is local community spirit.

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Stephen Moon it became clear that these values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting

the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Stephen commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help once again”.

All C2C employees operate a strict social distancing policy.

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

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Beauty

By Kate Duggan

Say cheese…

How to get whiter, brighter teeth whatever your budget

Many of us have spent much of the last year slobbing around in PJs. So it’s not too surprising that some of us have let our dental hygiene slip a bit. If your smile is more disturbing than dazzling, don’t panic. There’s plenty you can do to bring the whiteness back.

Dentist treatments First off, visit your dentist. A good scale and polish can work wonders at removing stains. If you need a bit more help, talk to them about teeth whitening options. A popular choice is whitening gel, which you wear in a custom-made mould for one to eight hours. The main side effect is sensitivity, so you might be advised to also use a desensitising gel. Price wise, it depends whether you want top and bottom teeth whitened, how bad the staining is and whether you need the desensitising gel. You’re likely going to be looking at £200 upwards.

Laser whitening Want lightning-fast results? Laser whitening might be the answer. A bleaching agent is applied to your teeth and activated using a special laser. It is considerably more expensive than a whitening gel, but it takes under an hour and can whiten teeth by several shades.

At-home teeth whitening Looking for a cheaper option? Teeth whitening gels are available to buy from Boots and other pharmacies. These aren’t as strong as gels provided by professionals, so you won’t achieve as noticeable a result but you may still see some benefits.

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Another option is charcoal strips, which use activated charcoal to remove stains. You stick them onto your teeth and leave them in place for around half an hour. And then repeat every day for two weeks.

Only buy whitening treatments from a reputable brand and make sure you follow the instructions, or you could end up damaging your teeth or gums. And do stop using the product immediately if you get any blisters or sore patches.

Realistically, you’ll probably get better results from a simple scale and polish at the dentist, for not much more money.

Long-term That bright new smile won’t last forever. In most cases, your teeth will start to dull again after a few months. Smoking, red wine, tea and coffee are particularly adept at discolouring teeth.

Whitening toothpastes You can help to keep your teeth bright by swapping to a whitening toothpaste. These contain active whitening agents, which are safe for daily use. Oral B 3D White Luxe Blast (£5) is a good choice. It helps to remove old stains and creates a barrier to protect against new ones. Prefer a more natural option?

Try Colgate Smile for Good Whitening Toothpaste (£4.99), which is 99.7% natural. As well as helping to keep teeth white, it’s vegan-friendly and the tube can be recycled (unlike most toothpaste tubes). So you can do your bit for the planet as well as your teeth!

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TRAVEL FROM STEVENAGE

Are you returning to higher education this year and starting a course in September or October?

Do you live in post codes SG1 or SG2?

Did you know that you can apply to the Betty Game Opportunities Trust for a grant towards the cost of books, equipment, travel etc? And the good news is that it’s a grant – not a loan!

The Trustees look forward to receiving your application – be first in the queue.

Further information about the Trust and how to apply for a grant is available on our website www.bgot.org.uk or email BGOT2015@gmail.com

DAY TRIPS Adult £19 23 May Wells-Next-The-Sea 26 May Stody Lodge Garden & Cream Tea £41 28 May Norwich £21 31 May Southwold £19 8 Jun Whitstable £19 12 Jun Sheringham £19 16 Jun RHS Wisley Gardens £36 23 Jun Broadstairs £19 24 Jun East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens £36 26 Jun Blenheim Palace Flower Show £33 26 Jun Hunstanton £19 1 Jul Norfolk Broads Mississippi Steamer £32 2 Jul Stamford & Barnsdale Gardens £35 £33 7 Jul Easton Walled Gardens 8-10 Jul Hampton Court Flower Show £50 20 Jul National Memorial Arboretum £26 22 Jul Painshill Park £35 29 Jul Kew Palace & Gardens £39 £38 30 Jul Festival of Quilts – NEC 4 Aug Cinderella – Matinee £65 4 Aug Norfolk Broads Mississippi Steamer £32 25 Aug Grease – Milton Keynes –Matinee £50 26 Aug Beth Chatto & Green Island Gardens £42 27 Aug Clacton Air Show £19 9 Sep RHS Wisley Flower Show £37 25 Sep Chelsea Flower Show £108 30 Sep Tina the Musical – Matinee £67.50 Thursford Xmas Show Dates on Sale Now HOLIDAYS Date Days PP 17 Jun Yorkshire Explorer 5 £425 5 Jul Warner’s Bodelwyddan Castle 5 £495 23 Jul Durham Historic Weekend 4 £395 24 Jul Tatton Park Flower Show 4 £335 30 Jul Settle to Carlisle Railway 5 £475 7 Aug Isle of Wight 7 £625 8 Aug North Devon 6 £595 9 Aug Welsh Borders 5 £485 16 Aug Heart of Lancashire 5 £515 20 Aug Liverpool Weekend City Break 4 £375 23 Aug Warner’s Nidd Hall 5 £535 27 Aug Sidmouth & South Devon 6 £615 29 Aug Northern Ireland 7 £795 13 Sep Wye Valley 5 £450 13 Sep Devon Rail & Sail 6 £595 17 Sep Kent: Castles, Gardens &1940’s 4 £385 17 Sep Orkneys Ancient Secrets 7 £850 20 Sep Sunny South Coast 5 £475 20 Sep Royal Historic South Coast 5 £495 27 Sep Warner’s Holme Lacey 5 £495 MORE HOLIDAYS & DAY TRIPS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE

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Time of Year

Meeting outside?

Time for a picnic We can finally meet up with other households but it’s going to be outside only for a while yet. Let’s make the most of it then with good planning and some fun accessories.

Create some evening  atmosphere with Outdoor TruGlow® Candles, £26.99 for 3 from lights4fun.co.uk

• Research your perfect picnic spot carefully. How far is it from the car park and is there a charge for parking? Are there toilets? Can you bring your dog? Is there somewhere to shelter if it’s too hot or there’s a sudden shower.

• Pack everything you need for the day: water, sunscreen, a lightweight waterproof (just in case), warmer layers and the all-important face mask and hand-santiser. A plastic bag for your rubbish will be handy too.

• Decorate your picnic area with battery-powered fairy lights, lanterns and some bunting. Get comfy with camping chairs or deck chairs, using your picnic basket as a handy side table. Music adds atmosphere so take a Bluetooth speaker.

• Bring along games that all the family can play.

Rounders and croquet are great, or organise a treasure hunt, play hide and seek, or set up an old-school egg-and-spoon or sack race.

• The best picnic food? Anything you can eat with your fingers. Sandwiches, mini pies, kebabs, chopped vegetables with dips, plus fruit and something sweet, for example.

 With compartments for dippy sauce & sections so the peas don’t touch the carrots this little car is perfect for turning fussy eaters into foodies. £32.99 at bluebrontide.com

 Giant picnic blanket means plenty of room for social distancing! £59.95 annabeljames.co.uk  This pirate themed kit allows children to build their very own pirate’s hideaway. £45 at thedenkitco.com

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Interiors

12 Ways to Make your Bathroom a Relaxing Oasis

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By Katherine Sorrell

Recharge and Revive in a Bathroom that Makes you Feel Great Functionality comes first in the bathroom, but once past those basics, what else do we really want from this sometimes overlooked room? Somewhere to luxuriate in a spacious, powerful shower before the daily commute? A place where you can light a candle and soak in the bath with a good book and a glass of wine? A quiet spot in which to enjoy the preparations for a special party? There’s no reason why you can’t combine efficiency with aesthetics – and gain all the benefits of a space that looks good and feels good at the same time. Just like the best hotel bathrooms, you can make this room in your house a blissful escape from humdrum reality. Here are a dozen ideas to start you off: • Lighting is vital. Check that the bulbs in your light fittings are giving off the right light. It’s down to what you prefer, though try not to mix different light temperatures (warm or cool) in the same room. Choose smart bulbs and you can switch them on and off, change the colour temperature and dim them as you wish, using a remote control or an app. Or, if you have a light switch outside

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the bathroom door, consider swapping it for a dimmer.

• Sort out your storage. A room full of clutter is never going to be relaxing. Slim wall cupboards, shelves, ladders, caddies, peg rails and over-door hooks are options to consider, while small storage items – such as wicker baskets, pretty ceramics or bright plastic tubs – bring texture, colour and interest.

• Plumbing can be confusing and is not always straightforward, but if your shower is pathetic it’s well worth investigating whether you can add a pump to turn a weak shower into a power shower.

• Get rid of the grunge and scrape out the old grout and silicone between and around your tiles, especially if there are any mouldy areas. It’s not much work to redo them, but the difference will be extraordinary.

• Replace a flappy, mouldy shower curtain with a shiny glass shower screen – the look is clean and minimally efficient (and won’t need replacing regularly).

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• Jazz up your windows. Options include decorative window film, a beautiful blind (Roman or roller) or some minimal wooden louvres.

• Add a large mirror – it’s not only useful but also helps to increase the feeling of light and space in the room, and can become a focal point.

• Buy a new set of coordinating towels. The fluffier the better, in clean, bright, hotel-white or a fabulously colourful pattern.

• Pop in some plants, large and small, high and low – they usually love the humid atmosphere in a bathroom and should thrive, adding a lovely, natural feel. Choose pots that complement your overall scheme.

• Lay a woven cotton or ‘outdoor’ rug on the floor – it can easily be washed or wiped down and will introduce a softer feel, adding colour, pattern and texture, too.

• It’s much easier than you think to change a dated pair of taps for some good-looking, modern ones.

Check that they will suit your water pressure, and make sure the new spout extends the correct amount over the bath or basin – the rule is to look for ones that reach about as far as the plug hole.

• A chair or stool is always useful in a bathroom, if you have the space – even if it’s just to throw clothes over or to hold soap and books next to the bath.

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2 Longer-term changes If you are rethinking your entire room, decide on basic layout issues at the start. Should the WC be in a separate room, for example? Do you need to knock down or add partition walls? Or would you like a walk-in shower, extensive fitted storage or perhaps a pair of his and hers basins? Avoid moving existing plumbing, if possible, as it will save money and effort. However, if the floorplan of your current bathroom really isn’t working for you, this one-off plumbing cost could be worth it in the long run.

When thinking about the overall room design, it makes sense to build shallow false walls within which to hide cables and pipework, while installing underfloor heating allows you to remove a radiator, thus freeing up some wall space for a statement towel warmer as well as providing cosy, constant heat.

A brand new lighting scheme can provide a real upgrade and, if you’re renovating the whole bathroom, it may be possible to install two lighting circuits: one for working lights and the other, on a dimmer switch, for soothing, ambient lights.

Some gorgeous new flooring is a must: for the look of luxurious stone or marble on a lower budget, lookalike porcelain tiles are a great option, while vinyl flooring comes in a huge range of colours and patterns.

1 Wooden blinds are elegant and practical, and come in a range of natural colours, or brighter, painted shades. Luxury Clay Brown wooden Venetian blinds with tapes, price depends on size, English Blinds.

2 Incredibly glamorous, these pink wall tiles have a glossy, crackle-glazed finish, and fit right into this luxurious bathroom, which features huge amounts of built-in storage. Bella Pink wall tiles, £35.99 per square metre, Tile Mountain.

3 This hybrid bath is designed with the smaller room in mind, allowing luxury, comfort and choice to fit into even a modest space. Mini Ebb shower bath, £1,495, Waters Baths of Ashbourne.

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Parenting

Kids and Uncertainty Helping young people cope in uncertain times The COVID-19 pandemic turned out lives upside down. As adults we’ve had too many questions and too few answers, and many of us felt overwhelmed in the face of so much uncertainty.

Now imagine what it’s like to be a child or teenager in this environment.

Young people don’t have the cognitive development, life experience, and coping skills to deal with all the uncertainties we face. So even though we may be struggling, it’s up to us as the adults to help them manage these feelings.

It’s not unusual for young people to be anxious about the future, especially as they near the end of school, or transition from one school to another. They might be stressed about the uncertainty surrounding exams, or what might happen about their university place. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created more uncertainty than usual. As a parent, it’s hard not to have answers and reassurances.

If your child or teen is anxious it can help give them the sense of some control.

Help them to develop a plan A and a Plan B Plan A - The ideal plan they would have followed in normal times.

Plan B - An alternative if plan A isn’t viable right now.

Plan A may have involved taking a year out to travel overseas.

Plan B may be to complete some online training then volunteer for a charity, with the intention of switching to Plan A several months down the line.

The idea of Plan B is NOT to give up on Plan A, but rather to postpone it, while still moving forward in other areas.

Show your child how to be okay with uncertainty Tolerating uncertainty is a skill that can be learned by practising how to respond in the best way we can to what’s happening in the present. Try doing small things together differently, such as preparing a meal without a recipe using only what’s in the cupboard or picking a random film to watch or podcast to listen to without knowing anything about it.

Validate your child’s feelings and concerns Accept how they feel and resist the urge to “fix” them by minimizing their worries or making promises that are not within your control to keep. Instead encourage them to be kind to themselves and realistic in their thinking. Listen to them and remind them that this is a very unusual situation; it would be weirder if they weren’t anxious!

Talk about the things they value It’s usually possible to find something, even a small thing that they value or appreciate. Help them to refocus on the good things in their life. Share some of the things you are grateful for.

It’s difficult for most of us to remain calm and focused at the moment, and we all have to accept that we can’t predict the future. It helps our kids to see us focus on the things we can control. We can model strategies and show them that whatever happens, we can cope with it together.

By Kate McCarthy

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Food & Drink

All the Quesadillas

Time to talk about one of the staples in my house. We are a bit quesadilla “crazy”.

They are so versatile, so quick and so cheap that I just keep serving them up in different ways to my children.

They are also a brilliant way of using up leftovers and, perhaps surprisingly, hold up pretty well in a packed lunch box too to be eaten cold at school.

Once you have got the basics mastered, there is no looking back.

For each quesadilla, you’ll need two large flour tortillas, the filling, a hot large pan and some olive oil.

The filings will usually always need something melty, just to glue it all together - not to mention that the translation of quesadilla is apparently “Cheesy-Dude”!

Simply build the quesadilla by placing one tortilla on your worktop, cover it with your choice of filling and leave a border of a couple of centimetre.

Top the filling with the other tortilla and heat up your pan to a medium-high temperature.

Pour in a good glug of oil.

Carefully slide the quesadilla in and let the base crisp up nicely.

Using a flat spatula, gently turn the quesadilla over and crisp up the other tortilla. Serve immediately, cut into segments like a pizza.

There are no limits to the filling combinations you can use. Here are some of the ones I use at home: Leftover chilli con carne and cheddar Leftover bolognese sauce and parmesan Leftover Sunday roast and veg, topped with a little cheese (I love using brie with chicken) Thinly spread tomato puree and grated mozzarella Grated cheddar, sweetcorn and cherry tomatoes Sliced cooked chorizo and feta Lightly mashed butternut squash or sweet potato with feta French mustard, crispy bacon and grated Emmental cheese Camembert with red onion chutney

BBC Three Counties Radio presenter and cook, Nick Coffer 24

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Health

By Jackie Mitchell

Stress and Anxiety into a relaxed state and leave the day behind,” says Lorraine.

“Watch your diet, as excessive caffeine and refined sugars will only stimulate an already stimulated body and mind.”

• Learning to relax: relaxation techniques can include exercises to release the tension in your body by easing your muscles.

The Mind web site lists plenty of options.

• Connecting with other people: “Plan to have regular chats with friends and family over the phone,” says Stephen Buckley from Mind. “This is a vital way of maintaining wellbeing.”

• Sharing the problem: talking to someone you trust about what is making you stressed can be helpful. If this isn’t possible, you could call a confidential helpline such as Mind’s Infoline or those run by Anxiety UK and the Samaritans.

If these self-care techniques don’t work, it’s best to talk to your GP about treatment options. This can include talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). www.lccounselling.com www.mind.org.uk www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Are you feeling stressed and anxious about the future? During the pandemic, we are experiencing more stress and anxiety than ever before. This is caused by uncertainty and ever-changing information. According to the mental health charity Mind, 60% of adults said their mental health became worse during lockdown.

Stress and anxiety can manifest itself in many different ways.

Physical symptoms can include an increased heart rate or muscle tension, ‘jelly’ legs or tingling in the hands and feet, breathing too heavily or dizziness. You may experience feelings that you might lose control, faint, think people are looking at you and noticing your anxiety. Dave Smithson from Anxiety UK says “Those who are usually outgoing may become withdrawn or those who are reserved may become erratic.

Everyone is different and anxiety can be triggered by a range of things.”

Other symptoms can include lack of concentration, catastrophic thoughts, poor memory, excessive alcohol intake, under or overeating, a short temper and tearfulness. A key indicator is blowing things out of proportion.

As Lorraine Collins, psychodynamic counsellor, psychotherapist, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), says “If you’re stressed, how you view situations can become altered and distorted due to the brain not being able to process information in a more balanced way. It can also be a cry for help in communicating distress that can be difficult to put into words, so is ‘acted out’ by slamming doors, banging around, road rage and so on.”

How To Manage Stress & Anxiety The good news is there are plenty of practical and useful tools to manage anxiety and reduce stress: • Getting back into nature is a great way of calming your anxiety. This can be a local park, woodland, nature reserve or your garden. Lorraine says “You can practice naming what’s around you, the things you see and hear, and this will interrupt the constant looping of anxious thoughts.”

• Looking after mind and body: “Go to bed at a reasonable time without screens and mobiles that will decrease the winding down time we need to settle

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House of Colour

Summer Key Wardrobe Items Whether you are looking to completely revamp your wardrobe this season or just hunting a few key pieces to update your look this is my take on those items that will see you through the summer. As there is never a ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to style, not all these items are going to work for everyone. I know there are lots of articles promising you a ‘this is all you need’ approach. (And indeed I used to lap them up, quite mistakenly as it turns out). This is not one of them. This is a range of items which you can either dig out from your existing wardrobe or find afresh which may work for you depending on your clothing personality (if you need help on finding that then please contact your local consultant, it’s a game changer!).

The Shirt – yes the humble shirt is really having a moment. For some it’s never gone away, but the shapes and styles have diversified recently. The ‘boyfriend’ shirt, oversized crisp cotton cut in masculine style is featuring quite strongly. And while it can be limited in terms of colour ways, think men’s shirting, it’s a fresh look tucked in or out which would work well on those with classic and drama in their clothing personality. Softer fabrics lyocell and cupro (new natural based fibre mixes) form the bases of less structured options, with a more relaxed feel, still oversized. Short sleeved versions take this into the warmer weather. Delicate printed puffed sleeve options and ruffled blouses are still very contemporary and perfect for those who need pretty detail.

The Jacket – Be it blazer, denim or safari the jacket is a staple for the season. Blazers take the more classic theme but are updated in lighter and brighter colours and team with the shirt classic or floral. The denim jacket, a long serving staple is back too. It chimes in with the utility feel which is very current but it also works so well with the delicate dresses and skirts we’re still seeing this season. Look out for cream or coloured versions.

Taking this a step further safari styles are also prominent and a great investment as they rarely seem to date.

The Midi Skirt – the midi dress has been around for a number of seasons now and while still current the skirt at this length is featuring more strongly. Often using floaty fabrics with movement or taking a slit/wrap skirt style it features pretty patterns as an update on the pleated versions. Details can include some embroidery or craftwork options – great for those who need some texture in their look. Longer lengths are also coming in this season so if you can wear that length then embrace it. Pair it with a matching top or a slimmer fitting top to complement it.

The Mule or Toe Post Sandal – There are a huge variety of options around for both of these. If you need a chunky heavy soled option, a sporty style or a delicate strappy look there is a toe post style for you. The heeled mule is also featuring strongly this season with closed or open toe. Flatter versions including the flatform chunky sole and the more delicate squared slider style are also key options this season.

Key Accessories – the smaller structured or softer cross body bag with chain or metal detailing is a great option for those who need smaller scale, continuing from previous seasons. Raffia and natural detailing in larger styles are great for those with natural in their clothing personality. Chunky chains, seashell, craft beading, woven details will all feature on bags, and jewellery this season.

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

Find your nearest at houseofcolour.co.uk/find-a-stylist

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Finance

Is Buy-To-Let Still Worthwhile?

Buy-to-let remains an attractive investment vehicle for many, but it’s an ever-changing market. The key is understanding the risks and responsibilities rather than thinking of it as a sure-fire route to riches.

The appeal is obvious. The respective market conditions mean rents on a property commonly exceed mortgage costs, leaving headroom for a healthy profit even after maintenance costs. Buyto-let landlords also have the potential profit from long-term house price rises if and when they sell.

The rental market varies greatly between regions.

In the most recent annual figures, English rents rose nearly three times as much as those in Scotland.

London makes a big difference: as a rough rule over the past decade, swings in the rate of increase have been more dramatic in the city than across the country as a whole. The long-term effects of changes to work and study locations on rental markets remains uncertain.

Legal changes both effective and planned may also make buy-to-let less attractive. During the pandemic renters received extra protection against eviction when falling into arrears. Meanwhile the right of landlords to end rolling tenancies (those without fixed terms) on two months’ notice may be under threat.

The tax situation is also changing. From the 2020-21 tax year, landlords can no longer claim mortgage interest as a taxable expense against rental income.

Instead they can claim a 20 per cent tax credit on the value of mortgage interest payments. That rate is fixed regardless of the landlord’s tax bracket, leading some higher-tax and additional-tax payers to explore setting up a limited company to buy and

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rent property and benefit from lower corporation tax rates.

You’ll also need to take professional advice on the effects of capital gains tax if and when you sell the property. Rates and allowances are both under ongoing reviews, while the rules on what happens if you lived in the property before renting (or had a lodger) are changing.

You’ll also need to pay attention to ever-increasing safety regulations. From April 2021 all electrical installations must be tested and inspected at least once every five years.

None of this really matters if you can’t afford to buy a property for rental purposes in the first place.

Much of the application and assessment process is the same as for getting a mortgage on your own home, though a buy-to-let mortgage is normally on an interest-only basis. Rates tend to be significantly higher than for residential mortgages, with 3 per cent a rough average at the end of 2020.

You’ll need a high deposit, often at least 25 per cent of the purchase value. You’ll also need to show that the property can reasonably be expected to command a rent that’s at least 25 per cent higher than the mortgage payment. If you own more than three buy-to-let properties you’re considered a ‘portfolio landlord’ and government rules mean lenders have to apply stricter criteria to new applications.

Remember also that you’ll have to pay any applicable stamp duty on each purchase (as and when the current coronavirus stamp duty holiday ends). The exemption for first-time buyers only applies when buying a property to live in yourself.

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31

Staycation

Tenby

Discover Pembrokeshire

If you’re craving sandy beaches and coastal scenery, but aren’t pinning much hope on travelling abroad this summer, the Welsh county of Pembrokeshire could be the staycation you’re searching for.

Nestled into the tip of Wales’ most westerly point, Pembrokeshire’s dramatic cliff faces, horseshoe bays and sandy beaches could fool you into thinking you travelled abroad after all. The county’s coastline is so beautiful, in fact, that it’s a national park in its own right.

Then there are its Celtic and pre-Celtic sites, stunning castles and offshore islands, not to mention Britain’s smallest – and probably most charming – city. Whether you’re a rambler, birdwatcher or historian, or simply want to feel the sand between your toes, Pembrokeshire has something for Aroth Beach

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everyone. And to top it off, it’s no more than half a day’s drive from much of the South-East and Midlands, and is easily accessible by train too.

Before you get packing, check out these top things to do during your stay.

Spend a day in St Davids The tiny city of St Davids is really no bigger than a village, but is full to the brim with history, religious significance and Welsh charm.

Its star attraction is the twelfth century cathedral, which is also the birthplace and burial site of Wales’ patron saint, St David. A pilgrimage site for centuries, the cathedral still draws in thousands of religious and non-religious visitors each year.

After a tour of the cathedral, pay a visit to the medieval ruins of Bishop’s Palace on the opposite side of the river. And don’t leave without stopping for ice cream or coffee in one of the city’s cosy little eateries!

Walk the Pembrokeshire Coast Path 186 glorious miles of sheer coastal beauty, Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of the most spectacular long-distance trails in Britain.

Established in 1970, the path runs from Amroth in the south all the way to St Dogmaels in the north.

Serious hikers take on the whole trail over two or three weeks, but you only have to walk a small section to get a taste of the coastline’s sublime scenery.

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Drink in Pembrokeshire’s dramatic cliff tops and stunning ocean views, looking out for rare birds, and stop for a rest on one of the gloriously wide, sandy beaches that are peppered across the trail.

Hop from beach to beach If you miss collapsing onto a soft, sandy beach, Pembrokeshire could be the answer. The beaches here are renowned for being some of the best in the UK. And with 50 to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice.

Barafundle Bay is a must-visit – a pocket of semitropical paradise on Pembrokeshire’s south coast.

Home to the magnificent North and South beaches, Castle Beach and Harbour Beach, the seaside town of Tenby is also a fantastic place to stay if you’re a fan of sea and sand.

Then there are the water sports. Adventure companies have been cropping up all over the peninsular, giving visitors the chance to try water skiing, sailing, surfing, kitesurfing, kayaking and coasteering.

Born and bred on these very shores, coasteering is a Pembrokeshire speciality. Try this thrill-seeking combination of adventure swimming, rock climbing and cliff jumping to get up close and personal with Pembrokeshire’s wonderful wildlife.

Visit a Celtic village If you’ve ever wondered how things might have looked thousands of years ago, Pembrokeshire’s very own Iron Age settlement can paint a pretty accurate picture. Evidence of numerous Iron Age roundhouses has been excavated at the treasured historical site

of Castell Henllys, dating back to between 500 and 100 BC. The Celtic village has now been reconstructed for visitors to experience. Take a tour of the four roundhouses and old granary, and stroll across the site’s beautiful woodland and riverside paths, learning about Celtic life, myths and legends.

Take a boat to Pembrokeshire’s islands Pembrokeshire’s rocky offshore islands are known for their rich and diverse wildlife, with puffins, grey seals and thousands of rare birds all calling the islands home.

Skomer and Skockholm are by far the most visited.

Take a boat trip there during nesting season to sight millions of seabirds, including razorbills, puffins, storm petrels and guillemots, and stay overnight to witness the islands at their most peaceful.

Ramsey Island is another popular visit for wildlife enthusiasts. This RSPB bird reserve is an important breeding site for endangered species such as the chough and peregrine, and is open during the summer months for day trips.

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Gardening

Perfect Planting

By Pippa Greenwood

With the warmer weather and more time being spent in your garden, you may be considering additions, such as something to bring more architecture or structure, to clothe a wall or fence, or add perfume or perhaps colour at an ‘off’ time of year. It’s important to plant correctly, so what are the top tips for tremendous planting?

Make sure the plant is properly suited to the space you have available and dig the planting hole bigger than the current root ball. Use a fork on clay soils, as this is less likely to impede drainage, and make sure the hole is large enough to incorporate some bulky organic matter plus some grit. Fork over the sides of the planting hole. Use garden compost, well-rotted manure or proprietary planting mix to improve the soil texture and add nutrients. If the soil is really poor, use some general fertiliser.

Tease the roots out well before planting. If necessary, soak the root ball in water for a couple of hours first, to loosen it up and make it easier for the roots to spread.

Lower the plant into the hole and gradually add the soil mixed with planting compost. Check that only the roots are buried, not the stem, as planting too deep can kill and will make the plant perform poorly. (The only exception to this is clematis.) Place a cane over the top of the planting hole to judge the correct soil level. Firm the soil around the roots. The surface of the compost on the existing root ball needs to be level

with the soil surface.

Re-check the planting depth, water in well and apply a 7.5cm (3”) deep mulch all over the root area. This reduces moisture loss and helps keep weeds in check.

Very lanky or large tress should be staked. Make sure that the stake goes in so that root damage is minimised, holding it in place with a tree-tie and buffer.

Short stakes are generally believed to be best.

Keep the new tree or shrub really well watered and don’t let the soil become dry – watering is key to success in this establishment phase.

It’s good to have a garden that’s productive and pretty, so save some space for growing some vegetables.

At this time of year, you can still raise some plants from seed yourself, but you may want to buy some garden-ready plants to get things moving even more quickly and ensure they crop before the season ends.

For a selection of my favourite varieties of tomatoes, sweetcorn, broccoli, runner beans, climbing French beans, lettuces, beetroot, peppers, chillies, courgettes, squash, onions and more, accompanied by my weekly tips and advice, take a look at my new website and select what you want to grow from the UK-grown range!

At www.pippagreenwood.com you’ll find stylish cloches, Nemaslug, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, Grower Frames and the ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa’ system.

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Garden View

Purple sprouting broccoli Purple Sprouting Broccoli is a beautiful, tasty addition to the dinner table, and the garden. It has a great flavour, a long harvesting season and is nutritionally beneficial. A single portion provides half your daily requirement of carotenoids, plus high levels of folic acid and vitamins A and C. It’s definitely a ‘planahead’ crop though. If you start planting now you will give yourself something to look forward to next January, and as it is a ‘cut and come again’ crop, that long season should keep you going until April or May! Purple-sprouting broccoli is extremely hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as -12°C. You can actually start raising seeds in March, for even earlier crops. I usually start the new year with good intentions of staggering my planting like this (because it is one of my favourites veg), then forget and end up planting in April or May. One of the reasons I love it is that I garden on fairly alkaline soil, in which it thrives. It prefers a heavier soil than mine ideally but seems to do well enough in my garden. I dig in a fair amount of leaf mould and well-rotted manure to bulk it up. Purple sprouting broccoli doesn’t like exposed sites, because the wind buffets the stems, so if your garden is more open it will need a bit of protection.

Sow seeds into small pots or multi-cell trays, using a good quality multi-purpose seed and cuttings compost. When the little plants are large enough to

handle, prick the seedlings out and transplant them into single 9cm pots. Watering them in well.

Once the plants have matured, fork the soil over.

Remove large stones and perennial weeds. Even if your soil is heavier it’s worth digging in some organic matter to improve texture and moisture retention. I don’t need to add lime to my soil but if you garden on neutral or acid soil, you’d be advised to work some in. Transplant when the broccoli plants are 7-9cm tall. Water them well before removing from their pots, and plant them 50-60cm apart, with a similar distance between the rows. Brassicas dislike loose soil, so make sure you firm around the plants lightly with your foot. Water again after planting. Six plants will produce enough broccoli to feed a family of four. I grow more because I love it.

Harvest when the flower shoots are well developed but before the flowers have actually opened. Cut the central spears with a sharp knife first, as this encourages the side shoots to develop quickly. Then crop the side shoots regularly to extend the cropping time.

January seems a long way away right now, but a little planning and preparation will ensure that deliciousness will await when we get there.

Happy Gardening

By Rachael Leverton

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Pets

Beautiful Cat Looking for a Forever Home We have a lovely cat that is looking for a forever home. A lovely cat who we will all dearly miss.

His name is Max, and he joined us in October last year via the RSPCA Inspectorate. Very often when the national RSPCA pick up sick and injured animals, they are given to their local Branch to care for and rehome. Unfortunately, Max came in with horrendous wounds. It was not clear to the team whether his injuries had been caused by a bad collar injury, a burn, or another type of injury. But it was clear that he would need to be in our care for quite some time.

Some animals such as Max, spend much longer in our care for rehabilitation purposes. It is essential that we make sure that each animal is fit, well and healthy before being rehomed. Our Vet advised that it would take time and some medical intervention to help him heal. Progress has been very slow, but very rewarding. We now feel we are nearly there, and Max is ready for the next stage, and to find a loving home.

Max has spent a lot of time in our cattery facilities and also with one of our dedicated foster carers. He would make such a lovely pet. We believe he used to be somebody’s pet, but when he was found he was as a stray. Despite our best efforts, nobody has come forward to claim him.

Max is an extremely friendly cat. He has shown everybody a lot of love and affection. Max loves to play - his favourite toy is currently a walnut!! He is often seen with it bopping it around the room. Max is definitely a ‘lap-sitter’, and loves being cosy and warm. You will be pleased to know that he is a very clean cat and is very good at using his litter tray. Max loves going outside, so he will need access to a quiet garden. We think that Max is approximately 4 years old.

If Max sounds like your ideal pet, then please contact the team using the contact details below. All of our dogs and cats will come spayed or snipped, vaccinated and microchipped. And, to help your pet in their time of need why not consider getting RSPCA Pet Insurance?

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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Pets

Why guinea pigs make perfect pets When I was twelve I begged my dad for a pet. He vetoed a dog or a cat but one night he arrived home with a large cage which housed two chubby balls of cuteness. It was my introduction to guinea pigs.

I christened them Siouxsie Sioux and Roxy (which gives away my teenage musical tastes). They became my characterful and vocal companions for the next six or so years.

Guinea pigs, or ‘cavies’, are short-tailed, rough-haired South American rodents. They are longer-lived and friendlier than hamsters, and more socially acceptable than rats (disclaimer…I love rats, but many people don’t).

Guinea pigs are pretty hardy and healthy if fed properly. They can be prone to dental issues and bladder stones, but proper nutrition and regular medical check-ups help prevent this. They originate from cool climates and don’t do well in hot, humid, or freezing conditions, so avoid positioning the cage next to a radiator or keeping them outside unless you have a very sheltered warm shed.

The warnings in the previous paragraph notwithstanding guinea pigs are actually easy to care for. They require hay, fresh water, fresh vegetables, a small quantity of specialist guinea pig pellets, and a vitamin C supplement each day. Their cage should be as large as possible and lined with paper-based bedding. It needs to be spot cleaned daily and thoroughly cleaned weekly. They are very sociable and highly fertile so don’t keep a male and female together unless you want baby guinea pigs! They are great pets for younger children under parental

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supervision. They can be short or long-haired and come in a variety of colours. The long-haired ones are very pretty but do require frequent grooming.

The fact that they can live up to 7-8 years (average around 5-6) is both a bonus but also something to consider if your child requests a guinea pig aged fifteen but plans to move out to attend university at 18!

Guinea pigs are rodents with definite personalities so take the time to interact with a few before taking one home. Some are shy and quiet; others are bold and vocal. You need to choose one (or two) that suit your personality and expectations.

One of the most delightful characteristics of guinea pigs is the sounds they make. They purr like a cat when they are happy and relaxed. They make soft squeaks and squeals to communicate and chatter their teeth when disgruntled. They also exhibit a behaviour called ‘popcorning’ - they jump up and down when happy or excited). My son (who has two guinea pigs) calls it their ‘happy dance’. It’s cute to watch; and they really do like people. They bond with their owners and are as interactive and friendly as cats or dogs. The flip side of this is that if they are ignored they can become depressed.

Guinea pigs make amazing companion. If you’re considering a pet then check out these cute little creatures.

By Louise Addison

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Special Report

Why We Love an Online Quiz My friend Sally looked up from her phone and chuckled. ‘Look…this is me as a dog!’ She proffered her phone. The pic was of a Chihuahua, wearing RayBans, lying on a sunbed next to a cocktail…actually pretty representative of Sal, with her diminutive stature and love of beach holidays.

Why do we find these online quizzes irresistible?

Why do we have the urge to know what we will look like as an old lady, a man, or a biscuit?

Most of us are more than a little self-obsessed. We like to talk about ourselves and we like to learn about ourselves. 40% of the words we utter in life are about us!

Researchers in psychology at Harvard University ran a series of studies comparing how people felt when talking about themselves, compared to how they felt when talking about other people. The researchers found that, no matter how the studies were set up the results indicated that the reward centres in human brains were stimulated most during self-disclosure. We actually get a brain buzz from talking about ourselves!

Online quizzes and surveys tend to ask questions such as, ‘What is your favourite colour from this selection?’ or ‘Would your ideal Saturday evening be spent a) dancing in a nightclub? b) camping in the Cairngorms? c) curled up with a good book in front of a fire?’ etc.

The quiz allows self-expression based on personal preferences. We disclose something about ourselves which releases the shot of dopamine which makes us feel good.

But we also like to learn about ourselves.

Have you or any of your friends every taken part in an online quiz or survey which starts off by declaring, ‘Every woman has her own Eighties anthem. Which is yours?’ or ‘Which celebrity would play you in the movie of your life?’.

You click the link, answer a couple of questions

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By Tracey Anderson

and the song title or photo of the celeb pops up, along with, ‘Tracey is a hardworking woman.

She’s been through some tough times but always keeps smiling. She is fiercely loyal and will stand by her friends through thick and thin. If you hurt her, she may not show her feelings outwardly but rest assured, she’ll never forgive you.’ We could all probably be described like that, and even though we know it’s hokum, like horoscopes, we lap it up precisely because these online quiz results are relentlessly positive, and while we love learning things about ourselves, we love learning good things about ourselves even more. We share it with friends because it validates the positive things we feel about who we are.

Learning about ourselves is a national pastime. The self-help industry is a £7.5 billion per year business worldwide. Its entire premise is that understanding yourself is the key to a happier, more fulfilled life.

People pay serious money to go on retreats, courses or to see a therapist to learn about themselves, which probably explains why a free quiz claiming to reveal our personality type based on which Avengers character we prefer is so alluring.

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Security

Be Fire Safe with a Fire Safe

If your house caught fire, would your important documents be safe?

By Tom Hancock

We should be proactive about protecting critical information in case of a fire.

Although lots of us have gone digital when it comes to storage of personal information, certain items still need to come in hard copies. And some things, other than papers, also need to be stored in a safe place.

Ask yourself what you need easy access to when you’re in an emergency fire crisis?

Original birth certificate • Wills • Business documents • Property deeds National Insurance details • Insurance documents • Car documents Other original documents • Spare keys for house and car • Passports Heirloom jewellery • Emergency cash A file containing information: emergency numbers of insurance companies, bank, lawyer, family members, medical prescriptions, GP, and vet details.

A fire safe is a box designed to protect valuables from heat damage and smoke caused by fire. The level of protection is determined by the type of fire safe and its fire rating.

Not all fire safe boxes are alike. Standard fireproof safes protect valuables against intense heat and smoke damage for periods of up to 120 minutes. But it depends on what you want to store.

The fire test standards require that the critical maximum temperature of the following media cannot be exceeded: Digital media: 120˚C; Computer data: 52˚C because electronic media melts at a lower temperature than paper combusts. A fire safe rated suitable for paper documents is NOT suitable for digital media.

Most homes don’t have a fire safe…but can you afford to be without one?

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Sudoku

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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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Motoring

What are premium fuels and are they worth it?

You’ve probably seen premium fuels on offer when filling up. They’re often more expensive than ‘regular’ petrol and diesel, commanding more pence per litre with the promise of better efficiency – among other things.

So, are premium fuels really worth it and what do they do?

What are premium fuels?

So-called premium fuels promise better engine response, smoother running, lower emissions and improved fuel economy. Premium petrol options deliver a higher octane rating – whereas regular unleaded has an octane rating of 95 in the UK, super unleaded increases this to between 98 and 100. This higher rating unlocks the engine’s full potential and allows it to run more effectively.

Many petrol retailers offer premium fuels, such as Shell V-Power, BP Ultimate and Esso Synergy Supreme.

Diesel, meanwhile, features a higher cetane rating in premium versions compared to standard ones. It means that the fuel ignites quicker when subjected to pressure in the engine.

What do they promise?

Premium unleaded is said to have an effect on throttle response, engine smoothness and emissions.

They’re mostly pitched towards performance cars, as more highly tuned engines react more favourably to higher-octane fuels. You’ll probably notice that the powertrain responds more keenly to throttle inputs when it’s using premium fuel.

Premium diesel, meanwhile, won’t affect engine

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response much but promises cleaner running with fewer exhaust particulates being emitted.

Should I run my car on premium fuels all the time?

You’ll likely notice the switch to premium fuel if you have a high-end sports or performance car, particularly when it comes to longer trips where the fuel can better work through the engine’s system.

Diesel owners will most likely benefit from premium fuel if they have a sooty engine, as these fuels can ‘clean’ the engine of any leftover deposits and hence rid your car of sooty emissions from the exhaust.

What is the price difference?

The difference between regular and super unleaded is quite large. At the time of writing it was 15p per litre on average – quite an increase that will certainly make a difference for a full tank of fuel.

For example, a regular family-sized car with a 55-litre tank that cost £62.70 to fill with regular fuel would cost to £70.95 to fill with premium fuel.

Should I use premium fuels as a way of maintaining my car instead?

It’s a good idea. Rather than using a premium fuel each time you fill up, look at it instead as a way of preserving the life of your engine. Perhaps prior to undertaking a longer journey fill up with super unleaded or premium diesel and allow it to effectively work through the engine.

By doing this, you allow these fuels to clean your engine. Over longer trips, your engine can properly warm up and clear any deposits. It’s a good technique to use prior to an MOT, too, when engines have to be at their cleanest in order to meet emissions tests.

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Special Report

Cycling With Bionic Legs!

Cyrusher XF690 folding fat bike, £1,799 from Cyrusher.co.uk

An introduction to e-bikes E-bikes are like normal bikes given super powers: you still pedal them, but they have an electric motor that gives you some extra help.

It feels rather like having bionic legs: you can pull away from traffic lights quickly and easily tackle steep hills.

That makes them brilliant for commuting and urban cycling, and a great choice for people who want to improve their fitness and haven’t been on a bike for years.

What kind of e-bikes are there?

Commuter bikes are all-rounders while MTBs are mountain bikes and road bikes are racing bikes.

The former have big tyres and great suspension, while the latter use super-light materials and aggressive geometry to achieve high speeds. Cargo bikes are for carrying loads that are too big for panniers or a backpack, and usually have bigger tyres and better brakes.

Cube Cargo 2021, £4,599 from Cube.eu

How do I get the right e-bike size?

E-bike sizes are usually expressed as S, M, L and XL. Small bikes are generally suitable for riders up to 5’5” while XL bikes are designed for six footers and above. Some e-bikes have very adjustable seats and handlebars that enable them to skip between sizes.

Is there more than one kind of e-bike motor?

Crank drives connect directly to the bike chain, while hub drives sit in the wheel hub – usually the rear wheel. Crank drives are more energy efficient and feel more natural when pedalling but hub drives are usually much cheaper.

What about gears?

E-bikes come with the same kind of gear systems as ordinary bikes and the gears adjust how much pedalling is needed – in higher gears you pedal less because Volt Metro Folding Commuter Bike, £1,599 from Voltbikes.co.uk

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you’re going faster.

With e-bikes you’ll usually be able to control the assistance level the motor gives you. You might choose Turbo for fast pulling away from traffic lights but Eco (or equivalent) when on a relaxing country ride.

How do I know what battery to choose?

Most manufacturers provide a battery range estimate, or you can calculate the range by dividing the battery’s power by 20 – a battery with a 400Wh rating should give about 20 miles on full assist, which is when the electric motor is operating at full power. Most e-bikes have a little bike computer that shows battery charge and the range remaining before recharging is needed. When the battery runs out of power, your e-bike behaves like a normal bike, albeit a heavier one. Typical recharge time is three to four hours and batteries typically last for two to four years.

How much should I spend?

You can get perfectly decent e-bikes for around £500, or you can spend over £4,000 on a carbon road bike. The more you spend the lighter the bikes become and the better the hardware: where cheaper e-bikes are designed for everyday use, the most expensive e-bikes are serious bits of sporting equipment with matching price tags. Whatever you buy, make sure you also acquire a very good U-lock: sadly, all e-bikes are targets for bike thieves.

Swifty E-Mountain Bike, £799 from Amazon.co.uk

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Premier Painters and Decorators

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

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

www.premierpd.co.uk

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Technology

The best gadgets for every kitchen Now that many of us are cooking so much more at home, there are lots of gadgets that promise to make our kitchen time better. Some of them enable you to do much more with much less washing up; others ensure brilliant results for every meal; and still others enable you to cook like the pros.

One of our favourite kitchen gadgets is the electric pressure cooker. The most famous one is the Instant Pot, but there are lots of rivals. It’s a one-pot machine that you can use to make soup, stews, casseroles and even yogurt, and unlike many multi-cook devices it’s good at all of them. One of the best things about it is that it enables you to slow cook quickly: pressure cooking means you get all the flavour and tenderness of slow cooking in less than an hour.

And when you’re done, there’s only one dishwasher-safe pot to clean.

Another firm favourite in our kitchen is the air fryer, which gives you deep fried taste without the mess, smell or unhealthiness. They’ve come a very long way in just a few years and they’re brilliant for fantastic fried chicken, amazing chips and quickly reheating takeaways: the only thing they’re not great at is food with lots of runny batter, which just falls off.

If you’re feeling really fancy, a Thermomix can do pretty much everything: it can vacuum cook meat, fish and vegetables for sous vide cooking; it can slow cook; it can caramelise, brown, blend, boil, knead, emulsify and more. It even has a display to show you video tutorials. It’s very expensive but it’s an incredible device.

If you prefer to cook manually we’d thoroughly recommend the Thermapen, an instant thermometer that enables you to test the temperature of things like large roasts. It takes the guesswork out of cooking times, ensuring that every roast is perfectly done, and it’s also really useful in barbecue season when you don’t want to risk giving people undercooked meat.

Thermomix TM6 The TM6 is incredibly expensive but it’s a truly extraordinary intelligent cooking machine that’ll replace many of your existing appliances. £1,145, Vorwerk.co.uk

Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus This isn’t the cheapest Instant Pot – the Duo is half the price – but this is more flexible and has a brilliant display that makes it even easier to use. £129.99, Amazon.co.uk

Philips Avance Collection Air Fryer Philips’ air fryers are easy to use, easy to clean and deliver excellent results. This is one of the larger models, with a 1.2kg capacity that makes it ideal for families. £250, Amazon.co.uk Thermapen This instant-read digital thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking meat, fish and bread, and while clones are cheaper they’re not as accurate. £51, Thermapen.co.uk Anova Precision Cooker Nano Sous Vide – gently cooking food for hours in warm water – delivers incredible tenderness and flavour, and the Anova enables you to do it in any big pot. It’s app-controlled, easy to use and produces amazing results. £129, Anovaculinary.com

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our April Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mrs Anne Goodger, Gamlingay

April’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Across 1 Choose (6) 4 Bends (6) 9 Latest style (7) 10 Work out (5) 11 Scour (5) 12 Remove (7) 13 Arguing (11) 18 Changed (7) 20 Used to steer a car (5) 22 Attempted (5) 23 Kindergarten (7) 24 Area, district (6) 25 Head of newspaper (6)

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

16th May 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 Least risk (6) 2 Not the winner (5) 3 Type of plant (7) 5 Overturn (5) 6 Rogue (7) 7 Bedding (6) 8 Unconnected (11) 14 Loosening (7) 15 Taken down (7) 16 Haggle (6) 17 Participant (6) 19 Wireless (5) 21 Expel (5)

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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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Call Kevin: 0800 79 99 269 or 07729 490 651 www.drycleanyourdrive.co.uk Email: info@drycleanyourdrive.co.uk 60

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Books

Coming-of-age Tales Stories of grit, determination, friendship and hope Where the Crawdads Sing

By Delia Owens

When her mother walks out, Kya is left to fend for herself – her father too drunk or disinterested to care for a young child. Kya finds her own way in her beloved marshlands. Many years later, popular Chase Andrews is found dead. Fingers start pointing at the reclusive ‘Marsh Girl’, whose shack Chase is known to have regularly visited. Can Kya receive a fair trial by the town that turned its back on her? A powerful, lyrical read that will leave you wanting more.

Girl A

By Abigail Dean

By Kate Duggan

We Need New Names

By NoViolet Bulawayo

In some ways, Darling is like any other ten-year-old – running around with her friends, chatting about pop stars and creating mischief. But Darling is living in a poverty-stricken area of Zimbabwe called Paradise. Her friends are dressed in rags, her school has been closed and there are few opportunities to break out. But when Darling gets the chance to move to the USA, it’s far from the paradise she hopes for.

King of Rabbits

By Karla Neblett

Lex Gracie is Girl A. The girl that survived the house of horrors.

The girl that escaped and freed her siblings. Now in her twenties with a successful career, Lex is tasked with executing her dead mother’s will. She wants to turn her former home into a community centre. But to do so, she’ll need her siblings’ agreement and to confront her own past.

This is far from an easy read, but it’s even harder to put down.

King of Rabbits is a story of a child brought up in a family ravaged by drug addiction, poverty and crime. The story is revealed by both five-year-old Kai and his teenage self. One is full of optimism; his main concern is whether he can become the fastest runner in his primary school. Fifteen-year-old Kai, however, is defined by a past tragedy and seems set to follow his parents’ mistakes. At times heart-breaking, at others hopeful, King of Rabbits is a stunningly wellexecuted debut novel.

Body of Stars

by Laura Maylene Walter

Careless

By Kirsty Capes

Like all the other girls she knows, Celeste was born with a pattern of birthmarks setting out her future, and with it, the future of her family. At some point, those birthmarks will become fixed and Celeste will enter a transition to adulthood. But this transition is a dangerous time. Can Celeste forge her own path, or is she bound to follow the road set out by her birthmarks? A unique, dystopian story, with relatable characters, Body of Stars is a must read for fans of A Handmaid’s Tale, Vox and The Power.

Bess is fifteen, a foster child and pregnant by an older teenager who isn’t interested in a full-time relationship. But this book is about so much more. Above all, it’s about friendship, resilience and that tricky time of being a teenager and feeling like the world is against you.

In Bess’s case, she has more obstacles to overcome than most teenagers, but she faces them with wry humour, bucketloads of grit and her best friend by her side. The author was in care herself and keen to widen the narrative around children in care. She’s succeeded.

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