Stevenage May 2022

VILLAGER The

and Town

May 2022

Life

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

Inside this issue A Joyous Jubilee

Study for Success Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

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Inside this issue...

Yoga for Beginners

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Choose a BMAS Mobility Bathroom..........................................32 Making Positive Mental Space for Gardening...........................35 Partnership Perfection.............................................................39 The Great British Spring Clean..................................................40 Gadgets That Really Suck.........................................................43 Delightful Dressing Rooms.......................................................44 Puzzle Page..............................................................................48 What’s On In May.....................................................................50 The Cars Best Suited to Longer Journeys..................................55 Villager Prize Crossword...........................................................58 The Book Nook.........................................................................61

Niagara Falls..............................................................................4 A Joyous Jubilee.........................................................................6 Yoga for Beginners.....................................................................8 Wines: Choosing a Selection....................................................10 De-Clutter... how to live with less............................................12 Car Booty! A Very British Treasure Hunt....................................15 Study for Success......................................................................16 Ahead of the Curve...................................................................18 Seasonal Recipe: Mediterranean Baked Chicken......................20 The Platinum Jubilee - It’s a Mug’s Game!................................22 A Cleaning Career.....................................................................24 Do Diets Work?.........................................................................26 Use It or Lose It! Visit You Local Library.....................................29 Trends, really?..........................................................................31

Car Booty!

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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: Solange Hando, Catherine Rose, Trevor Langley, Kate McCarthy, Tracey Anderson, Louise Addison, Katherine Sorrell, Satah Davey, Jennie Billings, Caroline Knight, Rachael Leverton, Bathing Mobility Advisory Service, RSPCA and Kate Duggan

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

Niagara Falls

By Solange Hando

Straddling the Canada-US border, Niagara is one of the ‘World’s Big Three’, alongside Iguazu and Victoria, and for sheer power and popularity it is top of the list in North America. Draining the waters of Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the river is only thirty-six miles long but awesome from end to end.

The Natives called it ‘Great Thunderer of Waters’, honouring the god dwelling in the cataract.

According to historians, the first Europeans to view the Falls were a French explorer and his priest who spoke of waters that “foam and boil in fearful manner”. There was twice as much water in those days, prior to hydro-electricity production, but as you approach the Falls Mother Nature still sends shivers down your spine.

Three falls will take your breath away. On the US side are the American Falls and beyond Luna Island the Bridal Veil with the best overall view from the Observation Tower. Then comes Goat Island with its shuddering Cave of the Winds and on the other side the Horseshoe, the biggest fall, 2,600 feet across and almost entirely on Canadian territory. It captures 90% of the water rushing over the ledge and drops 187 feet. How much water over the Falls? Almost enough to fill a million baths a minute, they say, but on March 29th 1848 it all stopped as ice blocked

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the upper river. This was the first time the Falls were completely frozen, having tumbled and roared ever since the Great Lakes were created at the end of the Ice Age and water carved its way towards the Atlantic.

The best panorama is from Canada but cruising below the Falls is stunning from either side: turbulent water, rocks, islands, spray all around, then expect to get really wet (cape provided) when you reach the Horseshoe. It’s exhilarating and a highlight worth queueing for. Other attractions (Canadian side) include a ‘Journey Behind the Falls’ – follow the tunnels and see the Horseshoe plummeting right in front of you – and the Skylon Tower for a bird’s-eye view of the Falls and the legendary Rainbow Bridge between the two countries. Then there are tales of daredevils who challenged Niagara, among them the amazing Blondin who performed myriad antics on a tightrope and sixty-three-year-old schoolteacher Annie Taylor who achieved the first successful barrel jump over the Falls.

Tourist facilities are available on both sides but ground adjacent to the Falls has been secured for permanent parkland, with flowers and trees adding their own charm according to season. There’s a State Park on the American side and, along the escarpment in Ontario, a biosphere reserve listed

by UNESCO. Meanwhile, beyond the Falls the river follows its course through a dramatic gorge, over six miles long, all rapids and whirlpool, before flowing into Lake Ontario in the pretty town of Niagara on the Lake.

Erosion has slowed down in modern times so the Niagara Falls might be with us for another 50,000 years.

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Special Report

A Joyous Jubilee!

June’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations mark an extraordinary 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne, surpassing the previous record held by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years.

Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21st April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street, London, the girl nicknamed Lilibet wasn’t destined to be Queen.

She was the eldest daughter of Prince Albert and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Duke and Duchess of York.

The Duke, a shy man with a pronounced stammer, was the younger brother of Edward who was heir to the throne, and the family of four with their two daughters were anticipating a quiet life without the heavy responsibilities of rule. However, an event that shocked the nation was to propel Elizabeth into the spotlight and take her on a quite different path.

Only twelve months after his coronation, Edward VIII’s love for a twice-divorced American woman, Wallace Simpson, led him to abdicate. It may seem strange to us now, but even into the 1960s it was strictly taboo for a sovereign, or member of the Royal family, to marry a divorcee.

As second in line to the throne, Edward’s brother Albert had to take his place. Crowned King George VI on 11th December 1936 at 40 years old, Princess Elizabeth, then ten, became heir. From that point, her education and upbringing focused on the fact she would one day be Queen.

In 1947, Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in Westminster Abbey. They settled in Clarence House and two years later Prince Charles was born. Although still only 55 years old, in the summer of 1951 King George’s health began to fail and the young Princess Elizabeth had to undertake her first official duty when she stepped in to represent her father at the Trooping of the Colour.

That autumn, Elizabeth and Philip departed for a tour of Canada and Washington DC, where the young couple was enthusiastically received.

In January 1952, they set out for another tour of Australia and New Zealand. However, on 6th February, while en route in Kenya, the King died of a coronary thrombosis at Sandringham. Elizabeth immediately flew back as Queen. She was just 25 years old.

After three months of private mourning for her beloved father, Queen Elizabeth moved into Buckingham Palace and began to start the routine

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By Catherine Rose

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Coronation portrait, June 1953, London, England. duties expected of a monarch. She took her role seriously, conducting her first state opening of Parliament in November 1952.

Her coronation was held at Westminster Abbey on 2nd June 1953. Controversially, Prince Philip was instrumental in having the ceremony televised. Both the Queen and her husband subsequently worked to modernise the monarchy while retaining its traditional sense of public duty and creed of “never complain, never explain.”

Like all of us, Queen Elizabeth has lived through difficult times, and last year lost her husband and life companion. But despite bouts of ill health herself, she has stoically continued her duties. Now, aged 96 and still head of the Commonwealth, she has lived a life of service to her country and is admired, respected and loved around the globe.

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Sport

Yoga for beginners Yoga has been practised for thousands of years.

Modern yoga mainly focuses on Asanas (postures or poses) and Pranayama (breathing).

Stressed? Achy? Stiff joints? You need some yoga in your life…

What benefits do you get from yoga?

Yoga can help to improve your flexibility, balance and muscle strength. It can also be a great stress reliever and may help to ease anxiety, lower your blood pressure and help you to get a better night’s sleep.

Who can practise yoga?

Yoga is a low-impact exercise that’s suitable for most people. No one will care that your downward dog pose isn’t perfect or that you wobble a bit doing standing balances. You’re never too old to start and there are even chair-based classes for people with limited mobility.

Are there different types of yoga?

There are several types of yoga. Hatha is the one most commonly practised in the UK. If a class just says ‘yoga’, it’s likely based on Hatha principles.

Other styles include Vinyasa, Iyengar and Sivananda.

Bikram and other forms of hot yoga takes place in a studio that’s been heated to 33-41°C. Is yoga the same as pilates?

Pilates often incorporates yoga poses, but it’s also influenced by other exercises and tends to involve more movement. Pilates is less spiritual than yoga and places more focus on improving core strength.

What should I wear for a yoga class?

You’ll want to wear comfortable clothes that won’t restrict your movement, trip you up or fall over your

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head when you’re bending down. You can invest in exercise clothes designed specifically for yoga, but a T-shirt and pair of leggings will do fine to start with.

Yoga classes often end with students lying still for a mindfulness or breathing exercise, so you might want to bring a jumper or light blanket in case you get cold.

What equipment will I need?

For most types of yoga, you won’t need any special equipment other than a yoga mat. This provides a bit of cushioning from the hard floor and helps prevent your hands and feet from slipping when you’re moving through the poses.

Your instructor might suggest using other equipment, such as yoga blocks and straps, but these will usually be provided by the studio. If you’re planning to try hot yoga, you’ll need a towel and a water bottle.

How can I learn yoga?

It’s best to join a beginner’s class led by a qualified yoga instructor who can check you’re doing the moves correctly. Not only will this help you to get the most out of the poses, it’ll also reduce any risk of injury.

Can I learn yoga online?

If you can’t afford to sign up for a class right now or want to practise yoga more often, you could try a class on YouTube. Adriene Mishler is probably the best-known online yoga instructor and has hundreds of free videos on YouTube, many of which are suitable for beginners. Search for ‘Yoga with Adriene’.

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Food & Drink

Wines: Choosing a Selection

Sparkling wines are a very popular choice, for many people and make an occasion into an event and an event into a celebration. The popularity of sparkling wines increases yearly and they offer excellent value. Numerous countries, globally, have winemakers producing sparkling wines. These types of wines are widely available and I searched for a retailer, that offers a good selection of ‘sparklers’, as well as still productions.

English wine is increasing greatly, in appreciation and recognition, gaining numerous awards, both in the UK and abroad. MORRISONS THE BEST ENGLISH SPARKLING BRUT VINTAGE (11.5% vol), I found to be very impressive.

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes are utilised, to great advantage, culminating in a grand, finished product. This brut sparkling wine is stored for several years, in cool cellars, before being released.

The fine bubbles receive much admiration, from sparkling wine lovers. A very good floral and citrusy bouquet continues to the mouthfeel and sensation for the palate.

From France, I located MORRISONS THE BEST CRÉMANT de LIMOUX (12.5% vol). This brut sparkling wine is made in partnership with Sieur d’Arques. Dominant with Chardonnay and aged for a minimum of 12 months in bottle, this ‘sparkler’ is another extremely popular production, indeed, with a good ‘stream’ of bubbles, adored by many. A very good aroma of apple hints, extends to the fruity, citrusy pleasures, on the mouth.

Italy is another country with an impressive history for producing sparkling wines. MORRISONS THE BEST PROSECCO VALDOBBIADENE DOCG (11% vol) has a great number of ‘devotees’, too. This production graces dining tables regularly and is very much appreciated and respected, having a good perlage to please the eye, then a most acceptable bouquet and mouthfeel of apple sensations, plus white fruits.

I located these sparkling wines at a Morrisons store, in their ‘The Best’ range, which was developed by their wine experts. Perfect by themselves and also to accompany a lot of dishes, including fish, seafood and white meats. Dating from 1899, Morrisons have become a leading supermarket, providing a wealth of products, from everyday household essentials, through specific requirements, to an excellent range of wines, spirits and other beverages.

For all products and information, please visit www.morrisons.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

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ey Trevor Langl

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Special Report

De-Clutter…

…how to live with less If you can’t lay your hands on items quickly because they’re buried under piles of junk; if you’re constantly moving things from one pile to a new ‘temporary’ pile; if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t throw this away, it might come in useful one day,” you’re probably a clutter victim.

Californian blogger Dave Bruno set himself the yearlong experimental task of reducing his belongings to 100 items. Once his self-imposed year was up he opted to keep his new rules, citing a desire to fight American style consumerism and live a life of simplicity. Since then, minimalism has been trending continually, especially coming off the back of lockdown when we were all driven to distraction by the volume of our belongings. Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things became one of the most popular documentaries on Netflix.

Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus, who produced it call themselves The Minimalists and host a popular weekly podcast dedicated to helping us simplify our lives.

I’m not suggesting we sell all our belongings and live in the life of an ascetic but most of us put far too much time, effort, and money into acquiring, keeping, and storing possessions. Sometimes it’s good to let go.

If you’re ready to de-clutter, then we have a few simple tips. If you feel you need more professional help, there are experts in de-cluttering who will guide you through the process of letting go.

De-cluttering Tips Deal with one room at a time The task will seem less daunting. Stick with that room until it’s finished.

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Choose a nice day Take the room contents outside.

Psychologically it’s easier to sort and let go if you’re one step removed. It’s also less likely that the clutter will make it back inside.

Sort everything into three piles Label them dump, donate, and keep. Be realistic: if the item in question hasn’t been used for over a year it is unlikely you will ever use it.

Deal with the dump and donate piles Do this before anything comes back into the house. It’s much harder to mess up your good work if the stuff is physically gone.

Sort and label Place the remaining items in clearly labelled boxes. Make sure there is one temporary box to house items which really belong in another room. As each room is sorted those items can be replaced, and other misplaced items can be housed there while the de-cluttering process continues.

Replace everything that remains The maxim ‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ is a good one. House small items in clear plastic boxes and store them in cupboards or wardrobes.

Now you’re done instigate a one thing in: one thing out rule. It will make you think twice about acquiring something if you know something else has to go.

Finally, once a week, take two bags and go through your home. One bag is for rubbish, the other for items in the wrong place. When you’ve finished throw the rubbish away and replace the misplaced items.

Follow these small steps and you too can de-clutter your life.

By Kate McCarthy

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Special Report

By Tracey Anderson

Car Booty! A very British treasure hunt Late spring is the time when car boot sales pop up all over the country. There is something very British about wandering through a field full of cars, poking around in cardboard boxes of other people’s belongings hunting for treasure. We probably all harbour a secret fantasy of appearing on The Antiques Roadshow and saying brightly “I bought it at a car boot sale for 10p,” just before the expert responds, “Well it’s actually a 17th century masterpiece, very rare and if it came to auction it would sell for thousands.” Ok that’s unlikely to happen but you might be able to refurnish your home and replenish your wardrobe for just a few pounds, and if you want to make a few pounds from your own decluttering and don’t mind an early start, holding a car boot sale can be quite lucrative.

If you’re buying the best deals are usually found at the beginning and end of the sale. The best quality items are usually found at the start, while the best prices are found as proceedings are wrapping up.

It helps to know broadly what items you intend to buy before arriving because it’s easy to get carried away. Haggling is expected, but don’t insult sellers by offering too little: Items are very low-priced to begin with.

If you are going to sell at a car boot sale you need to be prepared. Decide whether you want to clear your clutter or make money: you can’t always do both. Remember no matter how cheaply you price your goods, people will haggle. You could have a ‘Rembrandt’ on sale for a pound and someone

would offer you fifty pence. Price labels are useful.

Block price some items such as “all books fifty pence, three for a pound”. Clearly mark anything not included in the block pricing system. Take lots of change with you, plenty of carrier bags and some old newspapers with which to wrap fragile items.

Going in with a friend is a good idea, both for the company and also to help out when either of you need to nip to the loo, or want to browse other stalls.

Make sure you pack your table in the car last, so it’s the first item to come out and not buried under everything else. Be warned; on arrival at the sale ground you may be mobbed by a canny crowd of experienced ‘booters’ hunting for bargains. These folk tend to be dealers and they can be intimidating.

They are after cheap buys to resell. Consider waiting in your car for a while to give them time to disappear before you unpack.

Busy stalls attract more people so pile it high and sell it cheap. Welcome everyone who approaches your table with a warm smile and a cheery greeting. As the end of the day approaches, cut your prices if you don’t want to take everything home again.

Whether selling or buying, with the current economic climate, and energy prices soaring, this could be a bumper year for car boot sales.

People are much more clued up about collectables and antiques now, so it’s harder to find ‘real treasure’.

But you never know, there’s always a chance we may see you on The Antiques Roadshow!

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Education

Study for

Success

By Louise Addison

Get the results you want with our top tips It’s been a weird couple of years when it comes to studying and exams. The 2022 cohort have had it tough, yet they will still be expected to sit external examinations in this gradual return to the ‘new normal’.

It’s all a bit of a mish mash of assessments and examinations, and queries over what will be in the papers and whether students will have covered enough. Whatever the variety of opinions of how this year’s exams have been handled certain truths about revision hold true, no matter the circumstances.

Preparation is the key to revising effectively. Make sure you know what type of exams you will have – short questions, multiple-choice or essays – and what topics they will cover. Organise your course notes and textbooks so that everything is easy to find. Work out how much time you have for each subject and don’t avoid the ones that you find particularly difficult – or easy.

Make a timetable, but don’t spend so long making it look beautiful that you’re behind before you start!

Remember to include your other commitments and try to maintain your normal routine of mealtimes, exercise and so on. Think about the time of day that you work best – some people are night owls while others get more done in the early morning. Plan a ten-minute break in every hour and don’t work for more than three hours at a time.

Now divide the topics you need to learn into manageable chunks. To help memorise information, make notes and put as much as you can into your

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own words. Summarise key points and write them on index cards or sticky notes that you can put around the house. You may find that making a spider diagram or mind map is helpful.

Try inventing your own mnemonics, such as Never Eat Shredded Wheat for the points of the compass.

You can also visualise a scene that includes details you need to remember – a battlefield or mountain habitat, for example.

Make the most of revision classes offered by your school or college. You could also revise with a friend – practice explaining difficult concepts and ask each other challenging questions.

Get hold of as many old exam papers and example questions as you can. Familiarise yourself with the way questions are worded and make sure you understand exactly what they are asking you to do.

Prepare draft answers to questions that come up frequently. When the exam gets close, complete a paper within the time limit to get an idea of how quickly you need to work.

To keep motivated, reward yourself with a weekly treat such as a trip to the cinema or a favourite meal.

But if it’s not going so well, don’t give up! Adjust your timetable and focus on the areas you find most difficult, or common questions. Keep thinking about what a good grade will bring – a university place or that dream job.

The night before the exam, have a quick look through your notes, but don’t cram. Get an early night so you wake up refreshed and ready to go.

Good luck!

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Home Products

Ahead of the curve

By Katherine Sorrell Float this elegantly curved sofa in the middle of your living room to anchor an organic furniture plan, or pop it in an underused corner to make a subtle statement. Ether curved sofa in graphite velvet, £4,725, Jonathan Adler.

Welcoming, comfortable and luxurious – one of this year’s top interiors trends is for elegant schemes, striking or subtle, that feature rounded, organic, curvy shapes.

Contemporary design meets mid-century style in this cool printed cushion, available in canvas and faux suede. Thelma cushion, from £40, Gail Myerscough.

This glamorous but understated occasional side table is made from solid American walnut, with a base in blacklacquered tubular steel.

Pebble table, price on application, Ligne Roset.

Finished in toughened black glass, and with a black, polished-marble top, this statement sideboard has a distinctively curved shape and features two spacious cupboard areas and three drawers. The interior is in black stained ash.

Anastasia black glass sideboard with brass details, £1,319.99, MY Furniture.

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Round and Round

This alluring headboard is made from a lightweight velvet in a glamorous, scalloped design, creating a sophisticated focal point for an elegant bedroom.

Art Deco super-king headboard in beige linen, £1,500, Rockett St George.

This organic statement pendant is hand crafted in Stoke-onTrent from the finest bone china. Each ‘pebble’ is attached with brass slotted finials, with a matching brass ceiling rose and grey cotton braided cable.

Pebble pendant, £1,649, Original BTC.

Contrasted with the straight, square lines of the window, the curvy pieces in this living room make an intriguing statement and have a welcoming yet stylish look. Gigi six-light ceiling fitting, £125; Arlo boucle compact two-seater sofa in ivory, £399; Arlo distressed faux leather chair in grey, £249; Enzo cage coffee table, £249; Contour abstract rug; from £109; all Dunelm.

This striking vase has a sculptural, organic feel that would work equally well on its own or combined with ceramics. Galwell curved glass vase, £65, Cult Furniture.

• A circular rug makes a nice change from the usual square or rectangle. And an organic, non-symmetrical shape would be even better still.

• Organic, sculptural shapes can take centre stage in all sorts of other ways, from light fittings to mirrors and side tables, and even small accessories such as vases or candle holders. Add abstract artworks featuring fluid lines and flowing shapes to emphasise the look.

• Think about prints: introduce a few curvaceous patterns, whether striking or subtle, on wallpaper, cushions or blinds.

• Balance the look with clean, straight lines for added interest.

To allow the scheme to shine, keep colours relatively neutral and monochrome, and minimise clutter. Overall, it’s an aesthetic that’s an appealing combination of bold and soft, retro and modern.

Made in the shape of an irregular pebble, the woollen tufts of this rug are sculpted in different heights, achieving the effect of topographical curves.

Gavrinis 3 rug in beige, price on application, Ligne Roset.

STOCKISTS Cult Furniture: 020 8185 6960; cultfurniture.com Gail Myerscough: 07914 264 973; gailmyerscough.co.uk Ligne Roset: ligne-roset.com/uk Original BTC: 020 7351 2130; originalbtc.com

• Specifically designed for comfort and relaxation, upholstery is, of course, inherently soft and at least slightly rounded. If, however, you are in the market for a new chair, sofa or headboard, you may wish to up the ante and choose a style that features heavily rounded outlines and extra-squidgy shapes.

Dunelm: 0845 165 6565; dunelm.com Jonathan Adler: 020 7589 9563; jonathanadler.com MY Furniture: 0800 092 1636; my-furniture.com Rockett St George: 01444 253 391; rockettstgeorge.co.uk

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Seasonal Recipe

Full of Mediterranean flavours, this one pot dish is perfect for busy days.

Mediterranean baked chicken with new potatoes and tomatoes Ingredients 8 new potatoes, halved 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless 2 tsp Italian seasoning Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp crushed garlic 1 onion, finely chopped 1 400g can coconut milk 200g cherry tomatoes, halved 4 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped 1 tbsp cornflour 250g baby spinach leaves Handful of basil leaves or parsley to serve, optional 1. Preheat the oven to 180C / 160C fan / gas mark 4.

2. Place the new potatoes in a pan of boiling salted water and parboil for 5 minutes, then drain.

3. Rub the chicken breasts with sea salt, black pepper and Italian seasoning.

4. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a casserole dish. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes Serves 4 until starting to turn lightly golden. Flip over and cook for a further 5 minutes.

5. Remove the chicken and place on a plate.

6. Add the rest of the oil then stir in the garlic and onion and sauté for 2 minutes to soften.

7. Pour in the coconut milk. Add the chicken, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and new potatoes.

Stir well.

8. Cover and place in the oven for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

9. Remove the pan from the oven and place on the hob.

10. Mix the cornflour with a little water to slacken.

11. Stir in the spinach and cornflour mixture. Simmer for a couple of minutes over a low heat to thicken the sauce.

12. Serve with a scattering of basil or parsley (if using) and a mixed salad.

Nutrition per serving: 329kcal, fat 21g (of which saturates 16g), carbohydrates 15g (of which sugars 5.2g), protein 35g

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Special Report

The Platinum Jubilee - It’s a mug’s game!

Unless you’ve been living as a hermit it can’t have escaped your notice that a significant event takes place this month. That’s right…we all have an extra day’s holiday to look forward to. Oh, and Her Majesty celebrates her Platinum Jubilee Jubilees have always been significant events in the history of our country. Even as I type the shop shelves are groaning under the weight of commemorative mugs, and TV adverts exhort us to send off for decorative coins. I’d always assumed that Royal souvenirs were a relatively modern invention, but in fact they have been a popular way of marking royal jubilees and weddings for the last three centuries.

The earliest known English commemorative items date from the Restoration of Charles II, in 1660. They must have been a hit because more followed for his Coronation in 1661 and wedding in 1662! At first such items were purchased only by the wealthy, but as new manufacturing methods developed the ordinary general public was able to buy a little piece of Royal history too. What they bought hasn’t changed a great deal over the years: the most popular items are and have always been coins, stamps and ceramics, especially mugs. Oh us Brits do love a Royal mug.

Maybe it’s related to our love of tea!

Special issue coins were first used to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. The

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majority of jubilee coins are issued in ‘crown’ size.

This has nothing to do with a royal crown but is in fact the size of an old crown coin, which was equal in value to 5 shillings. The reason for this is that the large size of the coin allows for more detail. These special coins are not intended for general use and are almost always collected in uncirculated mint condition.

The first stamps associated with a Royal event were those issued in 1887, the year of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Interestingly they were not intended as commemorative issues and were never released as a set. Specific Jubilee sets of stamps were first issued in 1935 for George V’s Jubilee.

Ceramics have always been popular Royal souvenirs.

Commemorative jugs, vases, mugs, and plates survive in significant numbers from the reign of George III onwards.

But it seems the imaginations of the souvenir producers know no limits. Everything from wallpaper to underwear has been given some sort of a Royal twist in times past.

Because most souvenirs are now mass produced they have little commercial value long term, but they’re fun and colourful, and a nice little piece of history. I still have the Silver Jubilee coin I was given at primary school.

By Sarah Davey

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Special Report

A Cleaning Career Houses, offices, factories, shops and public areas all have one thing in common: they need to be regularly cleaned and that needs people to do it.

Although most people do clean their own homes, there’s a significant demand for domestic cleaners.

WHY BECOME A CLEANER? The work has flexible hours and offers a premium rate of pay. For a job which may be viewed as relatively unskilled – there’s no such thing as a cleaning degree - pay rates are well over the minimum wage. Provided you are trustworthy, reliable and good at what you do, you’ll always be able to find work.

SELF-EMPLOYMENT At first glance this seems ideal. You set your own pay rate and you choose when to work. But anyone who’s self-employed knows it’s not quite as simple as that.

You will have to visit each potential customer to see what their requirement is and come up with a mutually acceptable amount of time to do the job.

You need to agree what your duties do and don’t include and you need to be prepared to accept short notice changes to your cleaning day, criticism of your work, cancellations, finding new customers and dealing with your own tax and national insurance. Your clients can usually terminate the agreement with no notice.

WORKING FOR A COMPANY This option removes all the self-employment hassles although it may be a bit less flexible in that you are

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likely to be asked to commit to regular shifts. But you’ll have full employment rights including sick pay, holiday and pension. If you want to do commercial cleaning – shops and offices for example – you’ll almost certainly need to be with a company.

THE CASH ECONOMY Let’s not pretend otherwise; many cleaners don’t declare their income. They expect to be paid cash means they don’t have to pay tax and reduces the cost to their clients.

But if you do this, the benefit is all with the person you are cleaning for. That is, if your rate is high enough to cover the tax bill, the take home pay is the same amount.

Furthermore if you’re being serious about this as a way to earn a living, ‘cash only’ means you could ultimately lose out. The lockdowns of the last couple of years really highlighted this. People who had been operating in the cash economy suddenly found themselves with no income and with no tax records to be able to claim furlough pay.

ARE YOU GOOD AT THIS? If you see cleaning as a quick way to make a bit of money but you aren’t that good at it, you really won’t last. A householder may overlook dust and a few cobwebs when they do their own cleaning, but if they are paying for it, you can bet they’ll expect much higher standards.

Again if you are working for a company, you’ll have the benefit of training which will stand you in good stead for a long satisfying career.

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Health

Do diets work?

Keto, the Atkins, intermittent fasting, Noom; there’s no shortage of weight-loss diets fighting for our attention. It’s no wonder the dieting industry in the UK is worth a staggering £2 billion a year.

But do diets even work? And which, if any, can you trust?

Dieting is something the vast majority of us will have experienced at one point or another. Research has even suggested that over two-thirds of the UK are on some sort of diet at any given time.

Whether you’re looking to lose weight or just be a little healthier, new and creative ways to change your eating habits continue to crop up left, right and centre. From diets that eliminate all carbs to programmes that promise to change your entire attitude towards food, there’s no shortage of diets to try – and try we have.

However, as anyone who’s been on a diet will tell you, they’re not as simple as they seem. Not only are they notoriously hard to stick to (because let’s

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face it, cutting out carbs for the rest of your life just isn’t sustainable), it can be equally hard to maintain a healthy weight once you’ve reached your goal.

However, the really hard pill to swallow is that some diets aren’t even that good for you in the first place.

After all, just because a diet makes you lose weight, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s conducive to a healthy lifestyle.

So how can you tell the good diets from the bad ones, and how effective are the good ones anyway?

Good diets versus bad diets When you’re on a mission to shed pounds for an upcoming wedding or long-awaited holiday, it is often counterintuitive to stop and think: “Is this diet actually good for me?” Often we become so focused on the number on the scales, we forget to give our bodies what they need to function and thrive.

Juice diets are a good example. These ultra-low calorie fads lure people in with fast results and buzz words such as ‘detoxifying’ and ‘cleansing’. First off,

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your body is designed to detoxify itself. In fact, liquid diets such as these have been known to cause fatigue, headaches and poor concentration, which isn’t surprising given that they don’t provide your body with the sustenance it needs. What’s more, any weight you lose probably won’t last, as superrestrictive diets such as these are virtually impossible to stick to.

Diets aren’t all bad, however. Long-term programmes such as Weight Watchers promote a sustainable approach to dieting without restricting you to a single food group. It instead uses a points-based system that assigns different foods and beverages a value depending on their calorie, fat and fibre content. Newer diet programmes are also entering the sphere, such as app-based Noom, which focuses on education, healthy habits and behavioural changes to help dieters lose weight – and keep it off.

The key to an effective diet While not every diet will work for everyone, the most important word to consider when dieting is balance. Anything extreme and restrictive simply won’t last, and has the potential to lead to an endless cycle of what’s known as ‘yo-yo dieting’.

It’s also important to consider your activity levels when choosing a diet. We often assume that every woman can consume 2,000 calories a day, and every man 2,500 without gaining weight – but this isn’t necessarily true. Someone who exercises five times a week will need far more calories than someone who lives a sedentary lifestyle. Getting a wearable fitness device is an accurate way of working out how much energy you burn, and thus how many calories you can eat per day to reach your end goal.

But how do you keep the weight off? After all, calorie counting is a time-consuming and tedious task to maintain in the long run. Planning your meals in advance can be a huge help. Stocking your kitchen with healthy, nutritious foods and creating structured meal plans will help you stick to your new healthy diet, and keep any unwanted weight gain at bay.

Regular exercise, whether that’s a 30-minute walk or a 10k run, also has numerous benefits for both your physical and mental health. Moving more can increase your metabolism, which in turn can help you burn more calories. This is because the more lean muscle tissue you have, the more calories you burn daily. All in all, however, if a diet is to work long-term, it has to be a complete lifestyle change, not just a quick fix. So take it slowly, eat mindfully and be kind to yourself.

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Local Services

Use It or Lose It! Visit your local library With libraries shortening their hours and even closing in some areas, it’s time to make use of these wonderful institutions. Here are 5 reasons why.

Save money! Book lending is free. You can read today’s newspaper, or the latest magazine. Just watch out for the fines if you return items late...

Community Libraries are great community centres. They hold parent and toddler groups, knitting groups, senior citizen coffee mornings and local councillor surgeries. Have a look at what your local library does and meet new people or learn new skills!

The Internet Most libraries provide free internet access for members, although you may need to book in advance. This gives you the chance to shop, email, work or just mooch about on social networks if you don’t have the internet at home.

Education Libraries are brilliant for academic research. They have everything you need in one place. And if your local library doesn’t have what you need, they can order it in for you. Increasingly, your library membership gives you free access to thousands of online articles and journals too.

Finally The books! Books are expensive. At a library you have access to your favourite author’s complete works at no cost! It’s also a great way to try before you buy!

By Tracey Anderson

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Trends, really?

I love the fashion update we produce twice a year for our clients. This is a great way we stylists can help our clients keep up to date while still honouring their own personality, individuality and body shape. We all go through phases of thinking perhaps that we can’t be bothered, can’t face the shops and frankly don’t know where to begin when it comes to trends and whether any of them are worth being part of or even suit us. But, there is a saying that by keeping our look contemporary we give the impression that our thinking is contemporary – worth considering..? This isn’t about wearing the latest fads or spending a lot on a new wardrobe every season but the odd item that suits us and has a nod to the newer looks.

To give you some inspiration: • Joyful brights – you may have heard the term ‘dopamine dressing’. The brighter shades around now are certainly intended for that! Lots of brights for all the seasons, stunning apple green and tangerine for Springs, seagreens for Summers, vibrant fuschia pinks for Winters and rich grass greens for Autumns to name a few.

• Anorak – never thought I’d be writing this but yes the anorak is having a moment. Look out for feminine cagoules and longer length parkers with zip detailing. You can wear with pride. Handy at the very least!

• Hyper texture – this is texture that is exaggerated.

Style into details, add it in accessories. Too much can look messy if it’s not in your clothing personality.

• Cargo pants – harking back to a little 90’s nostalgia the cargo is revamped with sleeker lines and different fabrics. Consider the pocket placement and detailing to ensure they are in a flattering position for you. A silk option as an event dressing also an option.

House of Colour

• Wider legged trousers – more volume is definitely more! Many options around often with elasticated waist and draping fabrics. Versatile with a jacket more formally or dressed down with a knit top informally.

• Relaxed knits – wider silhouettes and relaxed styling make these an easy addition to your wardrobe. Perfect for layering on cooler days sleeveless options abound!

• Bold prints – in maxis for holiday wear, shirting and flowing fabrics. Also to be found in co-ord sets (top and bottom in same print) are a great option in the warmer weather.

Needless to say not all trends are our friends, and not all seasons make it easy, but we can all find something that lifts our look and our spirits! This season has some real shifts in it that have given a wider variety of clothing personalities something to go for. Pick up a copy of your fashion update from your stylist.

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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Bathing Mobility

Choose a BMAS mobility bathroom for independent living in the home you love

Wet Room

Walk in shower

Are you thinking about renovating your bathroom?

Your current bathroom may be tired and in need of updating, or you may be planning for when getting around the house becomes more difficult. Or you may have an immediate need, unable to get in and out of your traditional bath or finding the shower difficult to use.

Whatever the reason, it makes sense to speak with a bathing mobility specialist who has the expert experience to design and install your bathroom.

When using the Bathing Mobility Advisory Service (BMAS), you really are in safe hands - their sole focus is designing and installing mobility bathrooms.

Managed by Lee Brand with 26 years’ experience in the adaptation industry, they have been installing safe, easy access bathrooms locally for over two years, with over 200 bathroom projects already completed.

Regain your bathroom and your independence Their passion is to provide you with a safe bathroom environment that will improve your everyday life and indeed, your quality of life. BMAS listen to you so that the bathroom they create will meet your individual requirements exactly. Even though a new bathroom may seem an extravagance, it can mean someone has more years of independent living and brings peace of mind to the whole family.

Wet rooms are the ultimate accessibility solution, offering total level access, but BMAS also install bathrooms with low level shower trays and walk in baths. Combined with specialist slip-resistant flooring, easy-clean hygienic wallboards, safety grab

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rails and fold down shower seating, your bathroom can become fully usable again.

A complete service for your convenience BMAS provides an end-to-end service, starting with the initial free consultation to providing a well thought-out, accessible bathroom design and a comprehensive quote. They supply all the products and carry out all the necessary works themselves, including removing the old bathroom and any building adaptations and electrical works.

Importantly, they manage the whole process for you, so you won’t have to arrange multiple tradespeople and payments and they will be there to answer your questions every step of the way. Works can be completed in as little as four days and your home will be kept clean and tidy throughout.

To find out how BMAS could help you visit the BMAS showroom at 67 Hermitage Road, Hitchin SG5 1DB, call 01462 889 097, email them at herts@bathingmobility.co.uk or see bathingmobility.co.uk

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Gardening

Making positive mental space for gardening Make mental space for gardening Phrases come and phrases go and ‘cancel culture’ is one of the current expressions thst tends to arouse passion. Within the gardening community we prefer to think in terms of ‘subtraction satisfaction’.

What is this and how can it help improve mental health (another well-used phrase that uses loaded language)?

Simply put, most of us need to do less. Many people seem to have too much going on. The digital age and our comparatively luxurious lifestyles mean there are multiple demands on our time. There’s always another gadget to buy, ‘life-enhancing’ changes to make to the home or that ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ holiday to save for (these things always happen more than once). We work more in order to play more and often give in to peer pressure urging us to join in with a greater number of things.

This lifestyle suits a wide range of people, but very rarely is it perfect for gardening folk. So, this wonderful time in spring is the very best time to

make space for gardening. Subtracting commitments from the diary will help you to do it. Gardening cannot be rushed! A garden is a healing, nurturing place where mental health is soothed and the soul is fed with contentment.

Tend to your green carpet in glorious spring This is the month of plenty, so it’s vital to allow yourself time to enjoy it. Garden tasks can feel overwhelming because everything is growing so fast. Prioritise the lawn, if you have one, because it will provide a visual feature during the months to come. Cut and reshape the edges, it’s amazing what a difference this makes. Gradually lower the cutting blade each mowing time, aiming for grass length of around 6cm – don’t be tempted to take it too low. Most importantly, leave some patches of longer grass for wildlife. At least one square metre is recommended.

Joyful garden tasks for late spring The long days mean that summer is almost here and early spring growth in the garden can be tidied up to

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make way for the glorious summer show. Springflowering shrubs often benefit from being pruned back to healthy buds, but take time to check the most effective method for each species. In the case of forsythia, for example, best results are achieved by taking out some of the older stems, right down to the ground. This thins the shrub whilst still allowing it to adopt its natural form. What you don’t want is a ‘mechanical massacre’ whereby everything is rounded into a blob. Take a walk around your local modern housing estate to see it! Abelia, choisya, helichrysum and chaenomeles can also be pruned now.

Climbers such as clematis need you to be wise.

Some of them can have a light clip at this time of year, but not those that are about to flower! The easy-to-remember advice “if it flowers before June, don’t prune” will tell you what type of pruning group your clematis falls into. The early-flowering clematis only need a very light clip after flowering, whereas those that flower after June will mostly benefit from a harder prune next February. This will encourage the plant to produce flowers all the way down the stems rather than purely on the newer top growth.

Celebrate the season by planting out your annuals towards the end of the month, when all danger of frost has passed. Hanging baskets and bedding will provide vibrant colour and interest right through until October.

Jobs in the kitchen garden • If you are growing strawberries, lay straw between the plants and the soil. It will lessen the chance of mould spoiling the crop and will keep those luscious red fruits clean, too.

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• Did you know that you can achieve greater yields from your vegetable beds if you plant in triangles rather than rows or squares?

Stagger your plants, but don’t plant too closely. The crop is far better when there’s a bit more space in between.

• It’s time to make supports for runner beans. Allow about 2.5m of height and plant just one bean per support.

These can go in the ground at the end of the month.

• Chit and plant potatoes, if you haven’t done so already. They like soft, crumbly soil. Always avoid planting them in boggy sites.

• Get weeds under control this month and it will make the rest of the growing season much easier.

Hoe when the weather is dry, as this stops weeds in their tracks.

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

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Collection & Delivery of Loose Aggregates Building Sand • Sharp Sand • Ballast • MOT Type 1 • 10 & 20mm shingle Top Soil • Granite Dust • Cements • Drainage • EASYjoint • Sleepers

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Garden View

Partnership Perfection When we think about climbing plants, we most often think about growing them to cover a wall or a fence. We might think about growing them over a dead tree stump too, but one of the nicest ways to grow them is through a living tree or a shrub. It’s an excellent way of providing more interest in the same space, either by timing each plant’s display so they follow on from each other, or by timing the flowering so they bloom at the same time, thus doubling the impact of the display.

There are a few rules you need to follow when you plant a climber with the intention of growing it up a living host. First, the host shrub or tree should be established, woody, and strong enough to hold up the climber’s weight when it’s fully grown and flowering. Second you don’t want to use too vigorous a climber, otherwise it might swamp the host. Finally, avoid fast-growing evergreen climbers because they prevent light getting to the host, and may cause it to develop disease and die. You can certainly use less aggressive evergreens such as the ivy Hedera ‘pedata’ or Hedera ‘Curlylocks’ around the base of wellestablished trees. These will look beautiful without overwhelming the structure and flowering of the host plant.

Climbers that look good over trees and shrubs are typically, clematis, honeysuckle, and roses. Look for

species that grow to 3m or less as these are ideal for growing up most garden trees. Species that are cut back to 15-20cm every winter are also ideal. Clematis ‘Abundance’, ‘Etoile Violette’ and ‘Little Nell’ are all good choices.

Honeysuckle can often be seen (and smelled) growing through trees in the wild. For your garden look for cultivars of the common honeysuckle, such as Lonicera periclymenum.

Rambling roses can grow to monstrous proportions, so look for smaller varieties such as ‘City of York’ and ‘Parade’, which also have a long season of interest.

If you have a cool moist area try growing the perennial nasturtium, Tropaeolum speciosum. The jewelcoloured flowers will brighten a darker space.

Tips for successful pairing Don’t plant the climber too close to the base of the host or they will be competing for the same water and nutrients.

Counterintuitively plant the climber on the shadier side of the host. That way the climber will be forced to grow towards the light.

If you plant the climber in a large plastic pot with the bottom cut out, it helps contain the plant and reduces competition.

Happy Gardening

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By Rachael Leverton

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Pets

The Great British Spring Clean

Between 2020 and 2021 we received a staggering 7, 500 calls about animals that were injured or caught up in litter. This equates to an average of 10 incidents per day! And this is only the ones that we actually know about. The RSPCA have therefore launched a national campaign to help address this upsetting statistic and to raise awareness of litter’s impact on our environment, ecosystems and wildlife. Our plea to prevent animals from suffering is simply to join us in the Great British Spring Clean and to help us Keep Britain Tidy.

Our team of inspectors on the frontline are regularly responding to wildlife emergencies. They are rarely surprised by the entanglements and litter traps that they release our wildlife from. We are heavily reliant upon on the eyes and ears of the general public, and for them to report such cases. As a result, many will go unseen and the only way the suffering will stop is if we are more mindful about our litter and how we dispose of it.

Litter is still an ongoing issue across the country.

We are now seeing a new menace on our streets.

We are all used to wearing face masks to help us all keep safe but the disposable face masks are not always being disposed of responsibly. They are being seen far too often discarded as litter and not placed in bins. This worrying new trend that is emerging requires a swift response. We are advising that you must ‘snip the straps’ before disposing of the face mask, to reduce any likelihood of it causing distress to an animal.

Similarly, animals can also get entangled in the plastic hooped packaging around tins and cans.

They can suffer deep wounds or even choke. Help prevent suffering by always cutting the loops before recycling. Animals looking for food can get trapped in cans or injured by sharp edges. To help prevent harm to animals, clean and empty containers after use, pinch cans shut and cut containers in half

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before recycling whenever possible.

Balloons. While a nice touch at a party, animals can actually try to eat balloons and then choke or become impacted by discarded decorations. You can help protect animals by cutting up balloons before putting them safely into your bin. It’s really that simple! Balloon releases are also very threatening to wildlife. Always deflate balloons and bin them once the party’s over. Sadly, even balloons marked as degradable may take a number of weeks to degrade - yet it only takes a second for an animal to swallow a balloon.

Everyday objects that seem perfectly safe can sadly become hazardous when found by animals. By disposing of our rubbish safely instead of littering, we’re making choices that could save many lives.

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. info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk 01234 266965 / 01234 930304

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QUALITY HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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Technology

Gadgets that really suck The best high-tech vacuum cleaners The humble upright cleaner has undergone quite the transformation in recent years.

Bagless cylinders have become more powerful and less noisy, while more efficient motors enable you to clean better without using too much energy. Some double as handheld cleaners, which is really handy if you need to get rid of crumbs from the car seats or vacuum spaces where a normal vacuum can’t reach or won’t fit.

The biggest change in vacuum cleaners since the arrival of bagless models is the improvements in both motor technology and battery technology: where until fairly recently a cordless model couldn’t hope to deliver anything close to the suction of a corded model, today’s top cordless vacuums are both powerful and long lasting. They’re not cheap – the Dyson V11 Absolute is just under £600 – but they’re very impressive.

Robot vacuums have come a long way, too.

It’s not a great idea to buy the very cheapest models but robot cleaners from the likes of Eufy do a good job for around £200 upwards; if money’s no object the iRobot Roomba range just gets better, with the Roomba J7+ delivering spectacular cleaning – albeit for nearly £800. Samsung’s Jet Bot vacuums are superb too, and some models even enable you to watch on your phone through their camera as they scoot around your floors.

Some vacuum cleaners are masters of multiple tasks. For example, the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog can be used as an upright vacuum or a handheld one, and it has a pet-hair tool to shift even the most stubborn hairs from your furniture, carpets and rugs. Many Shark vacuums are similarly flexible.

If money is no object then the Dyson V15 Detect Animal may be the best vacuum cleaner you can buy right now. It automatically increases the suction power when it detects larger or more numerous dust particles, it detangles hair from the brush bar and it runs for up to an hour of constant use without losing any suction. At around £500 it’s hardly cheap but it’s superbly well-made and cleans very effectively; it also includes tools for getting into awkward corners and for cleaning pet hair from upholstery.

Dyson V15 Detect Animal The V15 Detect range includes multiple models; this is the one that’s best for pet owners. Whichever one you go for you’re getting very powerful suction from a very flexible and lightweight cleaner with useful attachments included. £529, johnlewis.com Samsung Jet Bot Samsung’s Jet Bot range uses similar detection technology to self-driving cars and enables you to set no-go areas so they only clean where and when you want them to. The large capacity bin means you’re not constantly having to empty it. £449, samsung.com Shark NZ850UK The Anti Hair Wrap system in this cleaner prevents long hairs from clogging the brush. It’s an odd-looking thing but it’s incredibly flexible: the main unit detaches so you can clean up high or underneath the sofa. £219, johnlewis.com

Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog Miele is probably best known for its cylinder cleaners, but its bagless stick vacuums are really impressive: this 3-in-1 convertible is a handheld, an upright and a stick vacuum with up to an hour between charges. £479, amazon.co.uk Eufy RoboVac 30C Eufy is part of Anker, one of the world’s biggest tech accessory makers, and its RoboVac range offers surprisingly good cleaning performance for a very low price: with up to 1,500Pa of suction power it makes short work of everyday dust and dirt. £209, amazon.co.uk

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Interiors

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By Katherine Sorrell

Delightful dressing rooms Elevate clothes storage to the next level with either a walk-in wardrobe or a dedicated dressing room.

If you yearn for a tranquil, well-organised and spacious bedroom, the solution may be radical: create an entirely different space for storing clothes.

Without wardrobes and chests of drawers cluttering up the room, it leaves a calm and attractive environment – essential for relaxation and healthy sleep.

If your home’s floorplan allows, you could opt for the ultimate luxury: a large, separate dressing room, containing conventional clothes storage with hanging space and drawers plus a dressing table and mirror, and perhaps island storage, display shelves and comfortable seating. However, even when space is restricted it may be possible to convert a small bedroom, part of a large landing or one end of a bathroom or the master bedroom into a walk-in wardrobe packed with efficiently designed storage.

Planning the space The best place to site a dressing room or walk-in wardrobe is adjoining the bedroom or bathroom; perhaps leading conveniently from one to the other (provided your clothes storage is protected from

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steam and damp). Size-wise, one convention says that each person needs a 60cm-deep hanging space that’s 2m high and at least 1.1m wide, plus a 55cm run of drawers – and adjacent floor space of at least 1.2m in which to get dressed. This does depends on what clothes you own and how you wish to store them, and whether or not you’d like to keep things like bedlinens, coats, suitcases, hats and blankets here, too. It’s best to measure everything that you’re planning to put in the dressing room, then draw up plans and elevations on squared paper of where and how it could be built, allowing for doors, windows and radiators.

In terms of fitting the room out, it’s mainly a case of hanging versus folding. Most people opt for a combination of the two. There is a plethora of options, including rails for full-, half- and three-quarter-length hanging, deep, shallow and compartmentalised drawers, and useful fittings such as tie holders, pull-out shelves, boxes, trouser hangers and laundry bins. The hard-to-reach top parts of the space can be employed for items that

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you don’t use frequently, and shoes can be kept in racks or on trees at the bottom. If you own any particularly valuable jewellery, consider also installing a small safe, perhaps in the floor or behind a false back section of the hanging space.

Consider lighting Good lighting is vital, especially where there is no window, or the fittings are dark in colour. Wall lights, pendants and floor lamps may intrude into a compact space, so inset ceiling spotlights are a good option, perhaps fitted with a dimmer switch so you can control the atmosphere. If you decide to screen off your clothes with doors (not always necessary in a separate room), it may be wise to illuminate the insides of the wardrobes, preferably with sensoroperated lights that switch on when you open the doors.

Where to buy There are various ways to achieve your dream: commission a company or individual tradesperson to make you an utterly bespoke room; use a specialist fitted-furniture firm and choose one of their pre-designed, adaptable ranges; or use offthe-shelf elements, readily available from DIY sheds or storage specialists, and make it up yourself. The latter option, though undeniably the cheapest, has the disadvantage of being less flexible, because all the parts will have been made to standard measurements. A hybrid method that can work well is to buy ready-made interior elements and add

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more expensive doors, either from a replacementdoor specialist or made for you by a local joiner.

Beautiful finishes While the organisation of storage is essentially utilitarian, there is always an element of aesthetics.

Even plain, open-fronted storage comes in a choice of finishes, while bespoke versions with luxury doors could incorporate exotic woods, leather, antique mirror, lacquer or rattan. In an ideal world, you would match the style of the dressing room to that of your bedroom, picking out colours, finishes and details such as knobs, handles and light switches to blend seamlessly from one room to the other.

1 This Italian range offers an extensive range of options, including shelves, pull out rails, shoe cupboards, drawers, tie racks and LED lights, with different finishes and accessories, in a multitude of sizes. Novamobili Ben walk-in wardrobe, Go Modern Furniture.

2 These luxury bespoke wardrobes, dressing rooms and studies are designed and crafted in London by are a family-run business. Shadow oak dressing room with Castille Luna hinged doors in mink, and an island unit with Nouvel handles, Neatsmith. Castille Luna doors cost from £2,600 per linear metre.

3 This his-and-hers dressing room by Martin Moore was hand-built in the roof space of a fourteenth-century home using American walnut. Each unit is backlit and the central island unit has glass insets that look down into accessory bays, sectioned to store and display watches, cufflinks, earrings and other small treasures.

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STOCKISTS Go Modern Furniture: 020 773 19540; gomodern.co.uk Martin Moore: 0845 180 0015; martinmoore.com Neatsmith: 0800 195 6595; neatsmith.co.uk

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H&M Rubbish Clearance Est. 10 years in Hitchin.

Support local business Call us for a free no obligation quote House and Garden Clearance Helping to keep Hertfordshire Cleaner and Greener Waste carrier no. CBDU172513 We have Public Liability Insurance

Call 01462 431284 or 07557 527416 / 07368 374811 H & M Clearance @clearance_h

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Codeword 1

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Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

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

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What's On

WHAT'S ON IN MAY 1 MAY

4 MAY

£2.50 per person Teams of up to 6. Prizes for first and last places, plus spot prizes and raffle. In aid of SERV (Service by Emergency Response Volunteers) who provide emergency bloodrunning and human milk deliveries in Herts and Beds.

T: John 07511 631045 E: quizzesforcharity@outlook.com

Guests £5. ‘The Wooden Wonder – the Mosquito’ with Rod Dean.

Meets on the first Wednesday of every month. Entry to Shuttleworth £15 (valid for one month).

Email: 99aegr@gmail.com Web: www.a-e-g.org.uk

Fun Charity Quiz Night 8pm. Five Bells, Henlow Village

2, 9, 16 & 23 MAY

Stevenage Choral Society 7.45pm. Stevenage Music Centre, Mobbsbury, Stevenage

Meets every Monday during term time. No audition necessary. Meet like-minded people of all ages and abilities. Try out a wide range of music, from the classics to show songs. Tel: 01438 365769 Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 MAY

Baby Rhyme Time 10.30-11am Letchworth Library

Free - donations welcome Fun half hour sessions of songs and rhymes are perfect for helping your child to learn language skills and are an opportunity for you to meet other families too. Booking essential. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 MAY

Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-10.30pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin

Medium-sized social club for single people aged 40 upwards. Meets every Monday night.

Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk 4 MAY

Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Group 1pm Shuttleworth

4, 11, 18 & 25 MAY

Storytime 10.30-11am Stevenage Library

Free - donations welcome Interactive story sessions, perfect for pre-school children. No need to book. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk 4, 11, 18 & 25 MAY

Hinxworth Art Society 10am-12pm. Hinxworth Village Hall

5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26 & 30 MAY

Retired Persons Table Tennis Club Mondays 11am-1.30pm.

Thursdays 1.30-4pm Memorial Hall, Stotfold

The club plays both doubles and singles. Monthly subscription payable. Sadly, we are not a club for beginners at this time, but we do have vacancies for new members.

Email Terry for further details.

Email: terrygriffiths50@gmail.com 5, 12, 19 & 26 MAY

Hitchin Thursday Art Club 9.30am-12pm St. John’s Community Centre, St. John’s Road, Hitchin

We meet every Thursday for painting and drawing, etc.

Tel: Mike 07977 347707

Drawing, painting, coffee and chat.

No need to book. Occasional oneday courses and demonstrations.

Email: 99aegr@gmail.com

6 MAY

5 MAY

‘Cholera in Bedford’ with Maurice Nicholson. Web: www.bfhs.org.uk

The Arts Society North Herts Doors open 10.15am, 11am-12.15pm Broadway Cinema and Theatre, Eastcheap, Letchworth

‘Embroidery’ by Susan Kay-Williams.

Visitors welcome. Lift access.

W: theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk 5, 12, 19 & 26 MAY

Baby Rhyme Time 10.15-10.45am & 11.15-11.45am Hitchin Library

Free - donations welcome Fun half hour sessions of songs and rhymes are perfect for helping your child to learn language skills.

Booking essential. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk 5, 12, 19 & 26 MAY

Sapphire Social Singles Club 8pm. The Orange Tree, Hitchin

Bedfordshire Family History Society 7pm and 7.30pm on Zoom Drama Theatre, Mark Rutherford School, Bedford

6 MAY

Bedford Art Society. 7.15 for 7.30pm Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford Members free, visitors £5

Keith Hornblower paints architecture in watercolour. His approach is dynamic, applying paint at speed creating a spontaneous effect. His subject this evening is Venice. T: Jean 01234 307210 Web: www.bedsartsociety.co.uk 6, 13, 20 & 27 MAY

Storytime 10.30-11am Letchworth Library

Free - donations welcome Interactive story sessions, perfect for pre-school children. No need to book. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

Meets the first Wednesday of every month. Each session has a theme or activity, and suggestions are made attendees. Drop in for a cuppa, a chat and make some new friends!

Meet every Thursday. A friendly social group for single people to meet and make new friends generally 50+ age group.

Tel/text: Ian 07900 890583 for info Web: sapphiresocialsinglesclub. co.uk

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Pic-n-Mix Social Group 10.30am-12pm Letchworth Library

6, 13, 20 & 27 MAY

Bridge Club 1.30-4.30pm. Springfield House, Old Stevenage Community Centre

Play social cut-in Chicago Bridge.

Play is informal and friendly.

Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517

What's On

WHAT'S ON IN MAY 7 MAY

The Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pm. RAF Henlow, SG16 6DN

The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open to the public. Entry is free but official photo ID required to get an entry ticket from the Guardroom. Tel: 07778 837263 Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 9 MAY

Icknield Quilters 7.45pm Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock

Meets second Monday of the month. Speaker Evening - Sandie Lush ‘Baltimore Quilts’. Joint meeting with Mimram. (Baldock).

10 MAY

Lego Club 3.30-4.30pm. Baldock Library

Second Tuesday of the month.

Suitable for children aged 5 to 12 years old. Places are limited so please book at the library.

13 MAY

Unicorn Ceilidh Doors open 7.30pm. St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Baldock

With Frog on a Bike, caller Andy Rouse and Granta Blue Morris in the interval spot. Ceilidh dances are great fun, easy to learn - and addictive! Book online.

Tel: Alan Creamer 07946 439095 Web: www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk 14 MAY

Weston Concerts. 7.30pm St Nicholas Church, Stevenage

Tickets £18, under 25s £5 Ben Goldscheider (horn) and Richard Uttley (piano).

Tickets: www.trybooking.co.uk/BLIU W: www.westonmusicsociety.org.uk 16 MAY

Stevenage RSPB Local Group Coach Trip to Minsmere. 7.20am

Minsmere is the RSPB’s flagship reserve on the Suffolk coast which boasts in excess of 100 breeding species of birds plus mammals, butterflies and orchids.

Tel: Graham Beevor 01438 232055

19 MAY

Hitchin Friendship Club 2.15-4.15pm. St Michaels Mount Community Centre

Meets third Thursday of the month.

Interesting talks, pub lunches, day trips, coffee mornings, holidays and much more. Refreshments, book exchange, raffle and quiz.

Email: hfcinfo885@googlemail.com 21 MAY

Exhibition Celebrating 30 years of Icknield Quilters. 10am-4pm Letchworth Free Church, Norton Road South, Letchworth Garden City

Entry £3.50. Exhibition of members’ work, quilt supplies by The Crafty Quilter, sales table, pre-loved books and equipment, raffle and light refreshments. Raffle supporting two local charities- Stand by Me and Feed Up Warm Up. 21 & 22 MAY

Swiss Garden Plant Fair. 10am-5pm Swiss Garden, Shuttleworth

Browse a range of plants grown by the in-house garden team and volunteers during your visit to Shuttleworth on this late spring weekend. Admission charge may apply.

26 MAY

Stevenage RSPB Local Group Trip to Waterford Heath. Meet 9.30am

Morning car trip to Waterford Heath in the Beane valley with its heathland and former quarry.

Meet in the car park at the top of Vicarage Lane, postcode SG14 3LU. Grid ref 166/TL 318150. Leader Graham Beevor. Tel: 01438 232055 27 MAY

Concert by Bingham String Quartet 8pm Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin

Tickets £20, under 27s free, livestream tickets £10, under 27s free The Bingham String Quartet has gained an international reputation for its interpretation of the classical repertoire. Pre-concert dining available.

Web: https://benslowmusic.org

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29 MAY

Afternoon Tea 4pm Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin

£19.95pp/£24.95pp with a glass of Prosecco. Enjoy afternoon tea at Benslow Music complemented with live music. Booking required.

Tel: 01462 459446 Web: https://benslowmusic.org 5 JUNE

Jubilee Flying Circus Air Show 9.30am-5pm. Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade

From the moment you arrive, circus performers on the ground and in the air will leave you with wide eyes and open mouths, whilst a circus skills workshop will teach your children the ropes.

Web: www.shuttleworth.org/ jubileeflyingcircus UNTIL 2 OCTOBER

Body & Soul Exhibition The Higgins, Bedford

Free entry. Body & Soul is a new exhibition exploring how women have been represented in art over the past two centuries.

Web: www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk EVERY WEEKDAY

Clifton Walking Group

Meets on weekdays at 8.30am and in the afternoon for an hour. A friendly bunch of people of various ages and abilities. Monthly weekend walk of 6-8 miles. Group meets for coffee once a month and holds other social events.

Tel: Suzanne I’ons 07933 709006 Email: ionssuzanne@gmail.com Letchworth Arts & Leisure Group

Annual membership £10 per household. Many groups and activities including wine appreciation, film, gardening, theatre, art design, books, discussions, games, sports, outings, walking and much, much more. New groups are starting all the time.

Online talks every month. Nonmembers can try activities before joining.

Web: LALG.org.uk

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SHIRON

Domestic Appliances Repairs of

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

Contact RONNIE Tel: 01438 720 304 Mobile: 07396 579717

Email: rohintoncooper@hotmail.com

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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 Visit our beautiful

Bathroom Showroom ...With more than 50 displays of bathrooms, furniture & fittings Free in-house 3D design service Quality products from leading manufacturers Experienced staff offering impartial advice Free delivery within a 20 mile radius of our showroom

01438 725309

bathrooms@stevenageplumbing.co.uk www.stevenageplumbing.co.uk

Caxton House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2XS 54

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Motoring

The cars best suited to longer journeys For many people, long-distance driving is a common occurrence. Be that for work or personal reasons, sometimes doing big miles is a part of daily life – and a car that’ll conquer big trips without breaking a sweat can make a real difference.

So here, we’re going to be looking at the cars that’ll take the backache out of long-distance journeys.

Citroen C4 If you’re after all-out comfort then Citroen has historically been one of the best options. Its latest C4, despite its distinctive design, has kept this time-honoured tradition to heart, maintaining high levels of comfort and refinement.

There’s also an electric version that, with its 217-mile range and rapid charging capabilities, isn’t just restricted to local drives.

Mercedes S-Class We’re starting with a car that is famed for its comfort and refinement. The S-Class – which was recently revised – has always brought a sumptuous quality to driving and this latest version is no different.

Thanks to air suspension and armchair-like seats, the S-Class is a car with which the hours will fly by – be that for passengers or drivers.

BMW 8 Series BMW has a fine history when it comes to making comfortable yet involving grand tourers and the 8 Series is a great extension of this. It’s superb to drive and will monster even the longest stints with no hesitation.

There’s also an excellent diesel that, though not the most sporting of options, gives the 8 Series excellent long-range abilities.

Skoda Fabia Cars don’t need to be large in order to be comfortable. The Fabia is a great example of this, packing big-car refinement into a compact set-up. It’s surprisingly spacious, too, while a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines means it’s not expensive to run, either.

Skoda has also kitted the Fabia out with loads of features, ensuring that those long journeys remain as comfortable as possible.

Audi Q5 Audi’s extensive line-up of SUVs might mean it’s tricky to choose, but we’d still opt for the Q5 given the choice. A mainstay of the firm’s range for many years now, the Q5 is a great option for families or those who need a little extra space.

But if you’re after the best possible ride comfort, don’t be tempted to opt for a Q5 on larger alloy wheels – they tend to upset the suspension somewhat.

Peugeot 3008 Peugeot, much like Citroen, has many years’ worth of experience when it comes to creating cars that are comfortable over long distances. The new 3008 is no different, with well-sorted suspension combined with comfortable chairs in one refined package.

Many drivers will appreciate the somewhat raised-up driving position it offers, too.

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GAS SAFE REGISTERED

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our April Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Jane Grumball from Great Ashby, Stevenage

April’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

Advertising in The Villager is easy.

To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Across 1 Stove (4) 3 Confessed (8) 9 Remove (7) 10 Tall structure (5) 11 Current (12) 14 Married woman (3) 16 Smooth surface (5) 17 Perceive (3) 18 Clarifications (12) 21 Fine porcelain (5) 22 Passion (7) 23 Calamity (8) 24 Small room (4)

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

16th May 2022 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 Conquer (8) 2 Devoured (5) 4 Small spot (3) 5 Road junction (12) 6 Defeats (7) 7 Terrible (4) 8 Butterfly larva (12) 12 Simple (5) 13 Private (8) 15 A swinging time? (7) 19 Small fruit (5) 20 Not alkali (4) 22 Female sheep (3)

Name:

Address:

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Tel:

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The Book Nook

Books

Stories of bravery, determination and resilience…

Nightcrawling Leila Mottley

17-year-old Kiara’s mother is in prison and her brother looks set to follow. When their landlord puts the rent up, it’s down to Kiara to find the extra money. With no qualifications or work experience to her name, she has little choice other than prostitution. And when she’s picked up by the police, things look even bleaker. A harrowing book, but one with glimpses of light and hope, Nightcrawling is a masterpiece.

Bravely Being Me Sam Langley-Swain, Nicci Martin

Bravely Being Me celebrates the stories of people who have been adopted, including chef Lorraine Pascale, presenter Toby Anstis and comedian Dara Ó Briain.

It’s aimed at children who have been adopted and each story is beautifully illustrated. Bravely Being Me is only available from www.adoptionuk.org and all proceeds help to support the Adoption UK charity.

The Return of Faraz Ali Aamina Ahmad

As a small boy, Faraz was ripped from his home in Lahore’s red-light district.

Many years later, he’s sent back to cover up the murder of a young girl. Corruption is rife and the life of a prostitute is seen as having little value, but Faraz can’t bring himself to obey orders. Meanwhile, Faraz’s sister is trying to escape their birthplace with her young daughter before it’s too late. An epic, historically rich story that will sweep you away.

The Girl with the Louding Voice Abi Daré

Fourteen-year-old Adunni dreams of going back to school.

But her father has other ideas – selling her as a third wife to a local man in his fifties. Adunni flees her small Nigerian village but with no money and no protection, her future looks uncertain. The Girl with the Louding Voice is lyrically beautiful and one of those rare books that will haunt your thoughts for weeks after you’ve turned the last page.

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

Dr Julie Smith

Clinical psychologist Dr Julie Smith has created a handbook packed with straightforward advice to build resilience. She shares simple tools to help you cope with whatever life throws your way. From dealing with criticism to battling anxiety and overcoming a lack of motivation, these are skills that anyone can benefit from.

On Bloody Sunday Julieann Campbell

Fourteen people were killed by the Bloody Sunday massacre, half of whom were teenagers.

All were unarmed. Most of the people who were shot were running away or helping other victims. Campbell’s On Bloody Sunday includes 110 first-hand accounts of the atrocity, from witnesses, survivors and relatives. It examines both the lead-up to the tragedy and the long-fought campaign for justice.

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By Kate Duggan 61

I D Decorating Painting & Decorating Services Painting – Interior & Exterior Decorating

Plumbing

Gary’s Plumbing Over 40 years experience No job too small!

Please call Gary on

07530 728091 Wheelie Bin Cleaning

Coving No Job Too Big Or Too Small Fully Insured & Free Estimates Telephone: Ian Dunklin 0790 508 3799

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VILLAGER The

and Town

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