Stevenage October 2022

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By Solange Hando

Best skiing holiday destinations

Whether you’re an intrepid mountaineer or a family looking for a new hobby, there’s no better way to embrace the cold weather than to set off on a skiing holiday. After a scorching summer, the thought of carving through white powder snow, soaking up outstanding mountain scenery, and sipping Gluhwein in ski chalets certainly sounds appealing.

From the world-famous Rockies to the picturesque Alpine landscapes here in Europe, we’re spoilt for choice on where to ski in the winter months. To help you decide, here are a few of the world’s most popular skiing destinations, and some of the best resorts to explore while you’re there.

The Alps

When you think of skiing, you probably think of the Alps first. Spanning Italy, France, Switzerland,

Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovenia and Germany, it’s here that the tradition of skiing was born. With some of the best skiing scenery in the world, pictureperfect chalets, gigantic ski circuits and a lively après-ski scene – not to mention the close proximity to the UK – the Alps are a top choice for skiers all across the country.

Some of the top resorts include Val d’Isère in France, with its reputation for challenging black pistes, offpiste terrain and buzzing après ski scene, and Italy’s Courmayeur, a sophisticated ski town renowned for its mountain restaurants and glamorous shopping. Then there’s the Swiss resorts – Zermatt with its gorgeous Matterhorn views and gourmet dining, and the more relaxed resort of Obergurgl, perfect for those looking for short ski queues and a familyinclusive après ski scene. And that’s just touching the surface! With 1,152 ski resorts to choose from in the Alps, there truly is something for everyone.

Bulgaria

Whoever said that ski holidays are expensive hasn’t discovered Bulgaria’s ski scene yet. With excellent ski schools, cheap drinks, buzzing bars and an abundance of blue and red slopes, it’s the perfect place for beginners to learn to ski on a budget. Borovets and Bansko are the country’s largest ski areas but with only 5km and 3km of black runs, advanced skiing is limited. Borovets is the oldest of the two, located on the northern slopes of the Rila mountain range with pistes reaching 2,600m high. Easily accessible from Bulgaria’s capital, the resort’s

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scenic snow-covered pine forests, lively atmosphere and traditional Balkan pubs make it a great spot for skiers looking to ski hard – and party hard too.

Further south, at the foot of the Pirin mountains, lies Bankso, which has grown to become Bulgaria’s largest ski resort. Offering 70km of well-groomed pistes and impressive off-piste for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels, it’s popular with families looking for a more leisurely skiing holiday.

Canada

A bucket-list destination for skiers and snowboarders alike, Canada’s world-class slopes are famed for their knee-deep powder, immaculate tree-lined runs and unrivalled hospitality – not to mention their spectacular scenery and wildlife.

Surprisingly, you can ski in every single province in Canada, but the country’s biggest and most popular resorts are located in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.

Repeatedly rated as North America’s top ski resort, Whistler in British Columbia is Canada’s pride and joy.

With over 200 trails spread between the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, linked by the famous Peak2Peak gondola, the resort sits at the higher end of the price scale – but it’s worth every penny.

With an amazing snow record, fantastic beginner’s area, lively nightlife and array of off-piste activities, it’s the perfect choice if you’ve got a mixed ability group. After a day on the slopes, kick back in the town’s mountain bars, indulge in some holiday shopping or soothe your aching muscles in a topnotch spa.

Japan

Japan is often an underrated skiing destination, but one thing the 600 resorts here are renowned for are their abundance of incredible powder snow. Many

average upwards of 600 inches of snow per winter – and this isn’t just any snow. The snow in Japan is super light and extraordinarily dry, making it great fun to ski or ride.

The most popular ski areas are split across two regions – Hakuba on the southern main island and Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano in the northern island of Hokkaido. The resorts in Japan are worlds apart from the usual European and North American resorts. Sample incredible food, from sushi and ramen to fried chicken and potatoes, and hop between Japanese onsens, natural hot springs that offer a soothing and traditional après-ski experience. However you look at it, Japan offers a skiing holiday that you just won’t find anywhere else.

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Warm falafel and lentil salad

Super-scrumptious Middle Eastern street food falafels take the starring role in this warm autumnal salad

Serves 2 as a main. Takes 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 red onion, peeled and cut into 8 wedges

• 150g baby carrots, trimmed and rinsed

• 1 x 280g packet GoodLife Falafel

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 250g cooked Puy lentils

• Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

• Salt and freshly ground black

• 1 red chilli, finely

• ½ small bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely

• ½ small bunch fresh mint, finely chopped

• ½ small bunch fresh chives, finely chopped

• 50g feta

For the dressing

1 tbsp rose harissa

4 tbsp plain yoghurt, plant-based if you prefer

½ tsp easy garlic

½ tbsp red wine vinegar

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C / 200°C fan / gas mark 7.

2. Place the onion wedges and baby carrots on a baking tray along with the falafels, drizzle over the olive oil and cook in the oven for 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, mix the dressing ingredients together and set aside.

4. In a small saucepan, heat the lentils with the lemon zest and a good squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper, and then stir the chopped chilli and herbs through the warm lentils.

5. Spoon the lentils onto a serving platter with the roasted onions, carrots and falafel. Crumble over the feta and a drizzle of the dressing with the rest served on the side.

Cooked from frozen, 280g boxes of GoodLife Foods’ falafels are available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Ocado, RRP £1.80. Visit www.goodlife.co.uk.

Wine Selection: Choosing Zweigelt

Austria produces most excellent wines of all types, many of which are award-winning. Zweigelt is the mostplanted red wine grape variety in Austria and the high-quality wines produced are now recognised around the world. The Zweigelt grape varietal is very capable of creating wines from dry to sweet, easy-drinking, to more complex, full-bodied productions, with grand notes of Morello cherry. Zweigelt ice wines are increasing in popularity worldwide, too.

INGRID and MARKUS IRO have a very well-established winery. Zweigelt wines account for approx 20% of their total productions at this time and are appreciated by many ‘devotees’. Neusiedlersee DAC Zweigelt (13.5% vol) and Zweigelt ried Ungerberg (14% vol) are extremely popular, from Iro’s ranges.

E-mail: wein@markusiro.at www.markusiro.at

HANS MICHAEL and ANDREAS NITTNAUS produce wines to an exceptional standard, too. Zweigelt is some 35% of total productions, currently. Neusiedlersee DAC Blauer Zweigelt (13.0% vol) and ried Goldberg Neusiedlersee DAC Reserve (13.5% vol) are regular choices for many lovers of Zweigelt and Nittnaus family wines.

E-mail: weingut@nittnaus.net www.nittnaus.net

HANNES REEH produces Zweigelt wines that are very much respected. The Zweigelt varietal occupies around 60% of their total wine productions today. Neusiedlersee DAC Zweigelt (13.o% vol) I found to be another splendid example of this varietal and, if a sparkling Zweigelt is required (great for welcoming guests with and for parties) then Reehbellion (13.0% vol) certainly will not disappoint – A sparkling delight!

E-mail: wein@hannesreeh.at www.hannesreeh.at Zweigelt-based wines offer several trocken preferences. Created by Dr. Fritz Zweigelt, during 1922, the splendid productions continue to gain more popularity each year, globally. Zweigelt grapes are now grown in numerous winegrowing regions of Austria. From the enticing bouquet of the wine, through the elegant, fruity mouthfeel, leading on to the palate’s pleasure, Zweigelt wines carry on pleasing. Wonderful to accompany pasta dishes, meat dishes, casseroles and also cheeses. These are just a selection of Austria’s wine producing companies, some of which have a history of several centuries. Take time and pleasure to locate your favourites. For more information of each company’s productions, please contact and/or visit their respective websites.

E-mail: management@neusiedlersee-dac.com www.neusiedlersee-dac.wine

Run your way to fitness

Running is one of the best ways to get fit. There are no gym fees, no opening times to fit in around and no complicated rules to learn. It’s great for your heart, lungs, stamina and mental health. And you can start with just one minute of running at a time. Useful apps

• NHS Couch to 5k builds your fitness up gradually over nine weeks. You’ll start by alternating one-minute bursts of running or jogging with 90 seconds of walking.

• If you don’t fancy Couch to 5k, track your progress with Strava instead.

• Zombies, Run! puts you in the role of a survivor in a zombie apocalypse. There are numerous missions to complete, and when zombies are near you’ll need to run (or walk) faster to stop them catching you and stealing all the virtual supplies you’ve collected.

What you’ll need Decent, supportive trainers are essential. Ideally, head to a sports shop to get a gait analysis and recommendations. Trainers can be pricey though, so look out for sales and check online stores like www.sportsshoes.com. In most cases, you’ll want to size up from your usual shoe size to avoid bruised toenails!

You might also want to add the following to your kit list (Christmas is approaching after all):

• Running leggings or shorts (look for ones with a pocket for your keys)

• Sports bra (a must for most women)

• Sports T-shirt

• Easy grip running water bottle or hydration backpack

• Head torch if you’re planning to run in the dark

• Something hi-vis (essential if you’re planning to run on a road), e.g. a vest, jacket or sports T-shirt

• Running belt or armband for your phone

If you’re on a tight budget, there are several Facebook selling groups for second-hand sports gear. One of the best is ‘Sh*t Kit That Dunt Fit’ (replace the asterisk), where people offer items for free. You just pay the postage costs. The expectation is that you’ll then offer items in the future when you’re able to. Keep going… An injury can put you out of action for months, so make sure to warm up, cool down and stretch properly. You’ll find lots of useful videos on YouTube and guidance to essential stretches on www.runnersworld.co.uk.

One way to reduce injury and fatigue is to ‘Jeff’. This is where you have short, timed bursts of running and walking and stick to the same ratio, e.g. run for two minutes/walk for 30 seconds. Search online for ‘jeffing training plan’.

It can be difficult to keep your motivation up through the colder months. One of the best solutions is to find a running buddy or join a club. While some clubs are for experienced runners, others are very welcoming to newbies and won’t mind if you need to run/walk and take regular breaks.

The heat is on!

If you want to keep your energy bills low (who doesn’t?) and reduce your carbon emissions, you need to review just how much of your precious heat is escaping. Even little fixes around the home can accrue significant savings and bigger fixes will save more still.

Start at the top

If you’ve lived in your house for a while, chances are you already have loft insulation and think it’s good enough. But compared to a new home, even a twenty-year-old property will have room for improvement.

If you can see the floor joists in the loft or if you’ve managed to install decking straight onto the joists, it means you don’t have sufficient padding underneath. In a new build you can’t even see the joists for insulation, and any loft flooring will be on specially designed ‘legs’ to leave an airgap above the thick material.

While loft insulation isn’t expensive to buy, it is not a pleasant material to handle, and you’ll need skin, eye and breathing protection for the job. Unless you have good access to your attic and don’t mind a weekend’s hard work, calling in a professional is going to be a good decision.

Windows

If you have double glazing, ensure it’s performing as it should. If you have any condensation between the panes, it means the air gap has failed and it’s not much better than single glazing. You don’t always have to replace though, as a window repairer

can often effect a fix at a fraction of the cost of replacement windows.

If you have only single glazing, then you will either need to replace it or go for secondary glazing. The latter isn’t very attractive, although for some listed properties may be the only option

Regardless of which type of windows you have, install blinds for both a bit of extra heatproofing and daytime privacy, and thick curtains for the evening.

Is it worth it? New double glazing will be extremely effective at cutting your bills and will definitely add value to your home. Smaller measures are more affordable though, and still worthwhile.

Wasted water

Your heating bill covers your hot water too, so don’t heat water for longer than you need to. If you shower in the morning, try heating it for an hour before you get up and just keep adding fifteen minutes until you get enough to last. In the evening, if you only rinse off a few plates before switching on the dishwasher (which uses cold water), managing with cooler water will be better than heating a full tank.

Small improvements

• Check your water tank has an extra thick jacket and that pipes coming out have lagging.

• Thermostatic radiator valves should be added in all rooms and in a spare bedroom just turn the radiator off completely and close the door.

• Chimneys can be a real heat loss offender, so research what you can do to according to your type of fireplace.

House of Colour

Buying a Winter Coat

An investment piece, such a coat, is a considered purchase. This is going to need to last you several seasons so it needs to be right.

Colour – it needs to be a neutral in one of your key shades (or a WOW colour if you feel more daring!). This means you can easily wear it with every other colour in your palette. Winters have black and deep navy plus charcoal grey while Summers can use their rose browns, French navy and blue greys. Autumns and Springs can use their tan and camel colours which are still very on trend this season. The paler creams can also work for Springs and Autumns but such a light colour can clearly be limiting – this won’t be an everyday wear option!

Length – longer length coats are having a moment which is great for some clothing personalities but can be swamping on others. Three-quarter length coats are a great alternative and suit most people (easily found this season too). One factor to consider though is how much time you spend in a car. If you are driving regularly anything longer than hip length is going to become creased and potentially annoying after a while meaning you won’t want to wear it so much. A shorter length will be a better option if this is your lifestyle.

Fabric – Check the fibre content when looking at coats. Natural fibres are going to be warmer in coating so looking for a higher wool content is the aim. The exception to this comes with padded synthetic options. They can be beautifully warm but their lasting power is limited. Given that padded options eventually go to landfill as they aren’t biodegradable I think we need to seriously consider whether this is a viable option. They are often difficult to wash and in my experience have begun to clump and wear badly in a shorter period of time, than traditional coating.

Lining – give the lining in any coat a good check as if this fails it’s expensive to replace and uncomfortable if it isn’t sitting well.

Style – With a curvy frame you need a curvier coat! Sounds simple I know but can be a little challenging to find. Curves needn’t just be in the overall shape but also in the lapels, with perhaps layers in the sleeves. There are a lot of straighter styles around currently which is absolutely great if that’s your shape, but beware if you need to show some waist in your look. Better to leave it than find yourself with something unflattering that you need to justify wearing having spent serious money on it. Shorter

neater styles such as the pea coat are also in this season and are particularly good for smaller framed figures who need neater shapes. Your stylist will be able to guide you given your specific body proportions and style personality so if in doubt get in touch.

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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A FREE WILL for Homeowners

Protect your home and legacy for your children

• Keep your hard-earned wealth within the family

• Stop your home from being sold to pay for long term Care Fees.

• Prevent the courts from making your financial and healthcare decisions.

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

• Several thousand outdated wills are legally challenged every year.

• Ensure your parents’ home and property is also protected.

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

CALL 01767 660250 or email info@willandestateplanning.com for more information or to book a free meeting with one of our Will and Estate Planners either in your own home or at our offices. Baystrait Ltd t/a Will & Estate Planning, Baystrait House, Station Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8AL

Design a home office that works for you

By Katherine Sorrell

1Even in a small home office or a shared space, it is possible to create a working environment that functions efficiently and effectively – while also being a pleasure to spend time in.

Desk decisions

Your desk is likely to be the most important element, and should be at least 50cm deep, though 75cm is better, and wide enough for a computer and some paperwork, perhaps with storage drawers on one or both sides. Depending on the configuration of your room, an L-shaped or corner desk may be the most convenient. Style-wise, there are endless choices, from modern and minimal to grand antiques; your choice will come down to budget and the style of the room in which it will be sited (but do ensure that an antique desk is stable and has a reasonably smooth surface). One option is to commission a built-in work area, taking advantage of awkward features such as sloping ceilings, changes of level, tall skirting boards, niches and so on, while

a middle ground would be to opt for a modular system where elements can be customised according to the set-up that suits you best.

Sitting comfortably

While a spare dining chair may be fine for the odd bit of admin, if your work involves sitting for long periods of time a good chair is essential for preventing back problems and muscle strain. For some, a kneeling chair is a good solution, while others may like a saddle chair or even a balance ball. However, for most people an ergonomic chair is the ideal. Experts recommend choosing a chair on wheels with a five-castor base, that is adjustable to your height, with a seat depth that supports your legs adequately and a back rest that gives good support to your lower and middle back. You may also appreciate having adjustable arm rests and the ability to recline (it’s best not to spend too long sitting in one position).

Storage solutions

Storage is, of course, vital, and if working from home looks like it will be a long-term option, should be designed with room for expansion. Despite cloud

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storage cutting down on physical paperwork in many ways, for some, a filing cabinet may still be the best solution, for others, perhaps stacking boxes, a shelf full of folders or plenty of shallow drawers. In shared rooms, such as an office in a bedroom or dining room, concealing the less attractive elements of office life may be important, and it could be an idea to appropriate part of a wardrobe or cupboard so that work can be physically separated and shut away at the end of the day. If that’s not possible, choose storage that suits the overall decor of the room and that can be seamlessly integrated as much as possible.

Heat and light

A comfortable working temperature is important in any home office, and if the room is likely to suffer from extremes of temperature (lofts, for example, can vary considerably between summer and winter, while a converted shed or garage may be chilly) consider whether you’ll need a plug-in heater and/ or fan or air conditioning. Meanwhile, good task and general lighting is vital to avoid eye strain. The more natural light the better – though beware glare from direct sun on a sunny day. For working on dim days and in the evenings, desk lamps should ideally be bright and easily adjustable, so as to highlight different areas as required.

Make it your own

While ensuring that your desk and chair are comfortable, seek out furnishings that suit your home and your personality. Plenty of chain stores and independent shops sell home office furniture at a range of prices, but you could also consider hunting for interesting alternatives, such as old

school lockers, a trestle resting on a pair of metal filing cabinets or a desktop made from blackboard. Add accessories that will brighten up your day, whether colourful waste bins and quirky pen holders or a sophisticated leather desk set. Finally, decorate as you would any other room with finishing touches such as plants, family photographs and scented reed diffusers, making sure that this becomes a space where you actually want to spend time.

1. A desk with a view is always nice, and this home office has plenty of storage as well as a stylish vibe. Eames desk unit EDU, £1,320; Eames storage unit ESU, from £1,449 for a one-tier shelf; both Nest.

2. Any small table can become informal desk space for some quick home admin, blending prettily into its surroundings. This image showcases the autumn range of home office accessories from Dunelm.

3. A modular system can be the answer when fitting a desk into an awkward space. It’s especially helpful when it has adjustable shelves. Modular home office desk with storage, £1,274.45, Shelved.

STOCKISTS

Dunelm: dunelm.com Nest: 0114 243 3000; nest.co.uk

Shelved: shelved.co.uk

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Garden tasks and treats for October

As we dip into the mellow days of autumn, it’s a good time to reach for the camera. The light levels are often perfect for photography in the garden.

Capture those glistening spiders’ webs and moisture droplets that decorate leaves. Soak up every moment of the golden times when long shadows make great shots. There is generally less pollution in autumn due to cooler weather, and skies tend to be clearer.

October can catch you out. There are days that feel like an Indian summer, with bright blue skies and sun that warms, but also unexpected frosts. Protect vulnerable plants by moving them to sheltered sites, or cover them in horticultural fleece.

During this magical month, don’t miss the petrichor! It’s a real treat, and is the scent of rain that arises from damp earth after it falls on dry soil. This is a time to savour the daylight, knowing it will be seeping gradually away. But rather than mourn the loss of longer days, there’s work to be done outdoors as you need to get your garden in order to make it winter-ready.

• Before leaves are filling up every crevice and corner, remember to cover ponds using fine mesh. It will stop the debris from falling to the bottom of the water where it will rot.

• Stop and think before you cut things back during autumn pruning. Many plants have high feed value for garden birds. The seeds provide food and the leaves and stems offer shelter for birds, small mammals and mini-beasts. Leave them in situ if you can.

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Collect seeds for propagation. Many of them can be sown right away, but some can be scattered later. Check the preferences of each type of seed, as some require ‘cold stratification’, where they need to undergo a cold period before they are likely to germinate. They include many acer trees, most shrubs such as cornus (dogwood) and forsythia, clematis and perennials including lavender, nepeta, sedum and rudbeckia.

• This is a perfect pruning time for certain climbers and shrubs. Beware of cutting into old wood on lavender and rosemary, however. You can prune shrub roses and soft fruit bushes. Cut hedges without too much fear of disturbing bird nests and consider giving your hedge a mulch around the base. Always check before adding fresh wood chippings, however. Some newly shredded wood can change the pH value of the soil and others might deplete nitrogen levels in the ground underneath.

• Lawn lovers will be in their element during October, as this is a good time to rake out the thatch and apply autumn lawn fertiliser. Trim the lawn edges to give it a crisp shape that should last until spring.

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It’s time to plant some underground flower power while there is still warmth in the soil. This is the best bulb-planting month for spring-flowering beauties such as daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops, alliums and hyacinths. Tulips can wait until November, or even later if the weather is mild. This helps to avoid the dreaded tulip fire virus.

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

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GreenFingers

The Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses the changing seasons, and why he ventures out into his garden in any weather.

I’ve been talking to a number of people over these summer months and it’s always a pleasure. Naturally, it feels like the part of the year where we all come out and celebrate what it is to have a space that is all ours – we all share in the successes and, okay, some of the failures too!

Yet what’s interesting is the fact the longer the summer goes on, the more the chat seems to evolve. There is an unspoken devil in the air, and it goes by the name of winter, where gardeners all across the UK dread not just the hibernation of some of the creatures in their garden, but their own removal or withdrawal from service as the skies grow darker and rain threatens.

Of course, I can see why so many of us sink into this mindset of what is effectively a subconscious filling of time before things start to pick up again in early spring. Though as I have said on many occasions, there are still so many plants that flourish across the winter months that we can take real pleasure from, so I would be firm in encouraging people to look at winter as a lot more than just a time when we feel like stepping off the gardening carousel. Certainly, my routine in those quieter months never

changes. Whether rain, hail, sleet or snow, I will always potter around the garden. Okay, so in the winter months it’s a lot more difficult to sit still in a garden anyway, but just getting out there, soaking up the air and feeling the natural goodness around you, is really inspiring.

I get mucky every day when I’m at home, and if I’ve got a day of work or filming that will take me away from the house, I’ll always make sure I step out and spend some peaceful time alone before I leave – it sort of sets me up for the day.

Ultimately, what it’s all about is being out there, and believing you are making a difference. I’ve always thought however tiny a patch of ground you have, if you look after it well when you shuffle off your mortal coil you’ve paid your rent for your life on Earth.

To leave that space just a little bit better than how it was previously is a very special thing, and no wintry rainstorm should stop us from wanting to achieve that!

By Kate McCarthy

Jack O’ Lantern

Pumpkin carving is steeped in folklore

There are few people who don’t enjoy carving a Halloween lantern. Over the years it’s somehow become a tradition in our family to host a friendly pumpkin carving competition involving my sons and their teenage friends and quite a few of the parents!

There are also hotdogs, sticky toffee pudding and wine, so something for everyone and all participants seems to enjoy the occasion, especially the judging. We have categories such as ‘best in show’, ‘ugliest, ‘most creative’ etc.

Ghoulish pumpkins are iconic of Halloween season. I’ve always thought of them as an American import but in fact the practice of decorating jack-o’-lanterns originated across a much smaller expanse of water, in Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes were the vegetables being carved. The name, Jack-o’lantern, originates from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to hollow out a turnip (I have…it resulted in a trip to A&E), but I can only imagine the delight of Irish immigrants, newly arrived in America, home of the pumpkin, on discovering this easily carved gourd. No wonder it became an integral part of Halloween festivities.

In case you were wondering about Stingy Jack, well he rather rashly invited the Devil to have a drink with him, but true to his name, didn’t want to pay for the

beverages, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. However as soon as the Devil did so, Jack popped the coin into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form.

Jack did eventually free the Devil, but only on the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. It seems the Devil didn’t learn his lesson and the following year Jack tricked him again, this time into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree’s bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised not to bother Jack for ten more years.

Jack thought he was being very clever, but it all backfired on him because when he did finally die God refused him entry into heaven while the Devil, keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and is said to have been roaming the Earth his home-made lamp ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern,” and then, simply “Jack O’Lantern.”

Fuel Fright!

The price of everything is soaring right now and petrol is still at astronomical levels. Who hasn’t inwardly winced (or openly wept) when they’ve filled their petrol tank recently? So, it makes financial sense to conserve as much of the liquid gold as possible. Try our five fuelsaving tips.

Don’t floor it! Hard acceleration dramatically increases fuel consumption. Accelerate gently and even larger cars will use much less petrol or diesel.

Don’t speed Fuel consumption increases substantially once you drive at speeds above 60mph.

Set the pressure Correct tyre pressure provides optimum road traction and more economical fuel use. Under-inflated tyres ratchet up fuel costs (and are also dangerous) so know your pressures and check them regularly.

Services make sense Skipping a service is false economy. A serviced engine will run more efficiently, saving more fuel (and avoiding major mechanical problems) in the long run.

Lose Weight! Well not you exactly, though saving money might be a good incentive to start that diet if you’re a little on the hefty side. Remove all extra weight from your car. Don’t leave golf clubs or large tool kits in the boot if they’re not being used. Remove roof racks and top boxes too, as they cause drag and increase fuel consumption.

Try driving normally for a month, keeping a note of how much fuel you use. Then follow our tips for a month and compare the difference.

By Andy Harrison

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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.

What's On WHAT’S ON IN OCTOBER

1 & 2 OCTOBER

The 22nd Ashwell Book Weekend Sat 10am-5pm Sun 1.30pm-4.30pm

St Mary’s Church, Ashwell Entry £1, under 16s free

A great selection of books to browse and buy for children and adults, both fiction and non-fiction. Tea, coffee and cakes available.

1, 7 & 8 OCTOBER

Ladies’ Day 7.30pm

Meppershall Village Hall, Shefford Tickets £12. HATS Drama Group presents the award-winning comedy ‘Ladies’ Day’ by Amanda Whittington. Bar opens 7.00pm. www.ticketsource.co.uk/hats-drama

2 OCTOBER

Fun Charity Quiz

8pm Five Bells, Henlow Village £2.50 per person. Teams of up to 6 members. Prizes for the first two teams and last place. Raffle. In aid of Guide Dogs (Bedfordshire Branch). T: John 07511 631045

E: quizzesforcharity@outlook.com

3 OCTOBER

Monday Meet Up Social Group

10.30am-12pm Baldock Library

Meets first Monday of the month with a different theme every month. Theme for October is ‘Spoken Word Artist’. Drop in for a cuppa, a chat and make new friends.

3 OCTOBER

Soft Toy Sleepover

4-4.30pm Baldock library Settle your toy to bed with a story. Toys to sleep at the library and be picked up on 4 October.

3, 6, 9, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27 & 31

OCTOBER

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. Vacancies for new members (but not beginners). Please email Terry for further details. Email: terrygriffiths50@gmail.com

3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 OCTOBER

Monday Painting Group

9am-12pm. Letchworth Corner Sports Club, Whitethorn Lane Meets every Monday. Each term we choose a selection of subjects to paint.

Tel: Valerie Williams 01462 624439 Email: mondaypainting@lalg.org.uk

3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 OCTOBER

Stevenage Singers

7.30pm for 7.45pm

The Music Centre, The Nobel School, Mobbsbury Way, Stevenage Stevenage Singers are ready to welcome new voices! They are so confident that you will enjoy it that they are giving you the first month FREE. Tel: Heather 01438 365769 Email: Info@stevenagesingers.org.uk Web: www.stevenagesingers.org.uk

3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 OCTOBER

Staplers Folk Dance Club

8.00-10.00pm. St Johns Community Hall, St John’s Road, Hitchin Members £3, guests £4. Meets Monday evenings. Dance a wide variety of styles from dances written in the 1600s to modern American Contras and Squares. Web: www.staplers.org.uk

3, 10, 17 & 31 OCTOBER

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. Tel: 01438 365769

Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk

4 OCTOBER

Black and White Bookmaking

10.30-11.30am Baldock Library Free – donations welcome Even newborn babies enjoy books. Come and find out more and make a special book to share with baby. Spaces limited so booking essential – call into the library or phone. Tel: 0300 123 4049

4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 & 28 OCTOBER

Bridge Club 1pm Howgills, South View, Letchworth £3. Tuesdays and Fridays. Play from 1pm. Beginners and improvers – we play very friendly Rubber Bridge. Tel: Gill Cheaney 01462 686806 Email: bridgeclub@lalg.org.uk

5 OCTOBER

Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Group

1pm Shuttleworth

‘Women Pilots of the ATA’ by Ted Martin. Meets first Wednesday of every month. Entry to Shuttleworth £19.50 or email to book free entry ticket. Email: 99aegr@gmail.com Web: www.a-e-g.org.uk

5 OCTOBER

North Herts Association of the National Trust 7.30pm. Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Non-members £3 on the door

‘Secret London Virtual Walking Tour’ with Diane Burstein, one of London’s best-known and versatile tour guides. Tel: 07831 111062 Email: colettehouse@gmail.com www.facebook.com/nhertsant/

5, 12, 19 & 26 OCTOBER

Hinxworth Art Society

10am-12pm Hinxworth Village Hall Drawing, painting, coffee and chat. No need to book. Email: 99aegr@gmail.com

5 & 19 OCTOBER

Meet and Compete

2-3.30pm Stevenage Library

The group meets every other week in the front area of the library to play scrabble and other board games. All ages welcome.

6 OCTOBER

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

‘John Singer Sargent – Much More than a Modern van Dyck’ by Frank Woodgate. Visitors welcome. Lift access. Web: theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk

WHAT’S ON IN OCTOBER

6 OCTOBER

Poetry In Its Environment

3.30pm Baldock Library

Tickets £1. Poetry reading by local poets J.S. Watts and Chris Burleigh. Spaces limited so booking essential - call into the library or phone. Tel: 0300 123 4049

6 OCTOBER

Celebrate National Poetry Day

7-10pm Hitchin Library

Entry £2. All about ‘The Environment,’ with local poets from North Herts and Central Beds. (Poetry ID). Hear personal interpretations of classic and contemporary poems. Book an open mic. slot on arrival. No advance booking needed.

Email: djsapt@gmail.com

6, 13, 20 & 27 OCTOBER

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. We are a friendly group who enjoy art and chatting. Tel: Mike 07977 347707

7, 14, 21 & 28 OCTOBER

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

8 OCTOBER

The Ultimate Decades Disco

Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm-11.30pm

Tickets £5 + booking fee

STMA Digswell Hall, 10, Hitchin Road, Shefford

The Players at STMA present all the best sounds from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Tel: 01462 816336

Web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ themeppershallplayers

The

8 & 28 OCTOBER

Sabbath Service 11am & 7pm Stevenage Liberal Synagogue welcomes members and visitors to their sabbath services on the second Saturday morning and fourth Friday evening of the month. Tel: 01438 300222 stevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail. com

Web: www. stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk

10 OCTOBER

Icknield Quilters

7.45pm Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock Meets second Monday of the month. Visitors welcome.

12 OCTOBER

Letchworth Music Concert

7.45pm. Howgills, 42 South View, Letchworth

Tickets £15, under 18/students £7.50 Quartet Camerata will be playing music by Haydn, Beethoven, Piazzola and Verdi to open the first concert of the new season. Tickets available at the door.

14 OCTOBER

Unicorn Ceilidh Doors open 7.30pm

St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Baldock

With 3 Sticks and caller Sheena Masson. Red Cuthbert Morris TBC 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

15 OCTOBER-16 APRIL

Changing Times: A Century of Modern British Art Exhibition

The Higgins, Bedford Free entry. Visitors will find sculpture, paintings and works on paper by some of the best-known and well-loved names in British art. Web: www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk

16 OCTOBER

Not Strictly Jazz 5-7pm. Tickets £20, 10-18 years £10 Fairfield House & Studio, Fairfield Road, Biggleswade Live music performed by exceptional musicians. Tel: 01767 312176 Email: sarahwiggs@hotmail.co.uk

18 OCTOBER

Stevenage RSPB Local Group 7.30pm. The Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage Members £3, non-members £4, accompanied under 16s 50p Talk by Ann Scott entitled ‘The Silk Road’. Tel: 01438 236310

Email: trevorstorey54@gmail.com

19 OCTOBER

Hitchin Flower Club

7.30pm Church House, next to St Mary’s Church Churchyard, Hitchin Visitors £8. ‘Loosely Round the Solar System’ a floral demonstration by Christine Long.

20 OCTOBER

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. Tel: 07974 374106

27 OCTOBER

Stevenage RSPB Local Group Trip to Fowlmere. Meet 10.00am No charge for RSPSB members Morning walk around the RSPB Reserve in Cambridgeshire to look for resident birds and arriving winter visitors., plus trout and crayfish in the spring waters. Meet in the car park at grid ref 54/TL 408458. Postcode SG8 7SH. Leader Trevor Storey.

Email: trevorstorey54@gmail.com

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

September’s

Last

Georgina Howson

Caldecote

Across

1 Cars, vans, buses etc (7)

5 Type of sailing boat (5)

8 Enhance (7)

9 Perfect (5)

10 Severe (5)

11 Playhouse (7)

12 Reliable (6)

14 Shovels (6)

17 Extremely old (7)

19 Endangered species (5)

22 Tracks (5)

23 Sportsman (7)

24 Father (5)

25 Female relations (7)

Down

1 Works hard (5)

2 Type of fruit (5)

3 Grimaced (7)

4 Crates (6)

5 Dagger (5)

6 Given medical care (7)

7 Assistants (7)

12 Exchanged (7)

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15 Throws (7)

16 Used for drinking (6)

18 Assignment (5)

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Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to

A step back in time Books

Journey to the River Sea

Eva Ibbotson

It’s been 21 years since Journey to the River Sea was published, but it still captivates readers (old and young alike) across the globe. The main character, Maia, is an orphan who is sent to live with distant relatives in Brazil in the early twentieth century. The relatives are interested in little but Maia’s money. However, Maia finds loyal companions in her governess, a young actor and a local boy.

The Key in The Lock Beth Underdown

Secrets, lies and deception abound in this gothic thriller. Ivy Boscawen is mourning the death of her son in the Great War. She’s also still haunted by memories of a child’s death 30 years before. Ivy believes the boy was murdered and now she needs to find out what really happened. But will anyone be prepared to let the full truth come to light, even Ivy herself?

Take My Hand

Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Civil Townsend embarks on a career in family planning. It’s 1973 and she has high hopes of helping women to take control of their lives. But amongst her first patients are two young girls – eleven and thirteen. The girls live in virtual squalor and Civil does what she can to help them. Soon it becomes clear that people in power are intent are making life-changing decisions for girls like these two. A saddening insight into a dark period of American history.

By Kate Duggan

and

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

Who needs a time machine when you have historical fiction?

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