VILLAGER The
September 2019
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
In this issue Win tickets to see
Ed Byrne The History of
Conkers Win £25
in our Prize Crossword
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Inside this issue...
Win Tickets to see Ed Byrne
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The History of Conkers................................................................4 Harvest Time..............................................................................8 Tamil Nadu Top UNESCO Site in India........................................10 Win Tickets to see Ed Byrne......................................................12 Dine in Style: Great British Restaurant.....................................14 Choosing a Window Treatment.................................................17 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...................................................20 TATT - Are you tired all the time?..............................................23 Top Stling Tips for New Mums..................................................24 New Safety Centre for Stevenage.............................................29 Managing your Money at University........................................30 The Privet Hedge......................................................................32
Going Green.............................................................................35 Water Works.............................................................................37 RSPCA Hertfordshire East News................................................39 Valuable VPN............................................................................42 Here’s to a Dementia-Friendly Future.......................................45 Breaking Up is Hard to do.........................................................47 Puzzle Page..............................................................................48 Technology for the New Term...................................................50 What’s On.................................................................................52 The 10 Best Electric Cars on Sale Today.....................................55 Prize Crossword........................................................................58 Book Review............................................................................60 Useful Numbers.......................................................................63
The Privet Hedge
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Get your business off to a flying start this year
Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £30.00 +VAT per month Editorial Catherine Rose, Sarah Davey, Solange Hando, Trevor Langley, Katherine Sorrell, Nick Coffer, Tracey Anderson, Jennie Billings, Ann Haldon, Pippa Greenwood, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA, Mark O’Keefe, Kate McLelland and James Baggott
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - tma09ba Design and Artwork Design 9 • Tel 07762 969460 • www.design9marketing.co.uk
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Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.
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History
The History of Conkers With autumn comes the familiar sight of shiny brown conkers, the fruit of the horse chestnut tree, revealing themselves as their prickly green casings ripen and split open. These nuts’ sheen and rich colour make them irresistible to children and they are still used for playing the traditional game of Conkers. The game of Conkers has two players. Each player has a conker which has had a small hole drilled through the centre and been threaded onto a piece of string around 25cm long. The players then take turns to strike the other’s conker until it breaks, earning a point each time. Scoring is accumulative, with the victor’s conker additionally taking on the points of their opponent. A new conker is known as a noner and conkers can build up points to become sixers, tenners and beyond. The first recorded game of Conkers took place on the Isle of Wight in 1848, around 200 years after the horse chestnut tree was introduced into Britain from eastern Europe. Before this, a similar game had been played using hazelnuts (also known as cobnuts) or snail shells. It is not generally known where the name ‘conker’ – used to refer to both the game and the horse
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chestnut fruit – originates from. Some suggestions are that it comes from the French verb cogner which means ‘to bump’ or that it is perhaps a colloquial version of the word conquer (the original cobnut or snail shell game was referred to as Conquerors). However, in other regions of the UK, the game of Conkers is also known as Cheggers, Cobblers and Kingers. Often found in parks, the horse chestnut tree displays flower spikes in spring known as candles. Unlike the sweet chestnut, its starch-rich fruit is extremely bitter and not edible to humans due to its high saponin content. However, in the Balkans, horse chestnuts were traditionally fed to horses to make their coats shiny. They can also be used as food for cattle by soaking them in lime water, boiling, grinding and adding them to fodder. As well as being traditionally used as a horse food, the tree’s name may be due to the appearance of the horseshoe-shaped leaf scars that occur on its branches. Conkers become harder with age but there have always been tricks of the trade to ensure your conker is a champion. I can recall my father swearing by soaking them overnight in vinegar.
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You can also do a test first to eliminate weaker conkers by placing them in a bowl of water. Those that are less dense (and so more easily smashed) will float, while the harder, denser conkers will sink. The technique of drilling through the conker is vital too: the hole needs to be perfectly round and smooth with no cracks or fissures that could weaken the conker’s structure. Vinegar baths and other such underhand tactics are regarded as cheating and prevented in the annual World Conker Championships where all contestants are supplied with ready-threaded conkers. The World Conker Championships began in Northamptonshire in 1965. A group of regulars at the pub in Ashton, whose green had an abundance of horse chestnut trees, decided one rainy day to have a game of Conkers with a small prize for the winner and the remaining money going to RNIB Talking Books, as one of the players had a blind relative. The game grew to become an annual event with people coming from all over to take part. Today it is international with the first overseas title having been won by Mexican Jorge Ramirez in 1976 and the first ladies’ title being awarded to Selma Becker from Austria in 2000. In addition, there are now junior competitions that attract schools with sponsorship and entertainment. Money is still given to the visually impaired with hundreds of thousands of pounds raised to date. Conkers are not only interesting for their history as a playground game, it was once thought that they could help win us the war. In the autumn of 1917, the Ministry of Supply offered children money through their schools and the Scout movement to collect as many conkers as they could. Under the Official Secrets Act, they were not told why.
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In fact, Lloyd George had asked a scientist called Professor Weizman to discover a way for Britain to manufacture cordite, which was needed for ammunition. At that time the country was experiencing a shortage due a shipping blockade that prevented its import from America. To make cordite, a large supply of acetone is required, and to produce it, the professor needed a good source of starch. This was readily available in horse chestnuts. However, thanks to the enthusiasm of the children, the government ran into problems when it came to transporting and storing the huge amounts of conkers collected, which had to be taken and kept at secret factory locations. The plan was consequently abandoned. Conkers are believed to have medicinal properties, helping in the treatment of haemorrhoids, varicose veins and rheumatism. It was once thought that carrying one in your pocket was enough to reap the benefits, although these days there are tinctures and ointments available which contain its extracts. For arachnophobes, conkers are said to be a deterrent to spiders when placed around the home. Although traditionally a child’s game, many schools now ban conkers for health and safety reasons. And with the decline in the health of horse chestnut trees due to leaf miner moths and the bacterial disease bleeding canker, autumn conkers may become an increasingly rare sight.
By Catherine Rose
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Time of Year By Sarah Davey
Harvest Time
The history of the Harvest Festival Take a look at a modern harvest festival and you’ll no doubt see many ‘urban’ offerings of prepacked cakes and tins of sweet corn. It’s so easy to pop down to the supermarket these days we forget that until relatively recently in this country, people’s lives depended upon the success or failure of their crops. Harvest festivals were a way to say thank you for a good harvest while trying to guarantee the fortune of the next one. Saxon farmers offered the first cut sheaf of corn to the gods of fertility in order to please them and ensure they were kind the following year. The last sheaf was used to make a Kern baby; a doll, dressed in white and trimmed with coloured ribbons to represent spring. Most peasants were tenant farmers who farmed for a landowner. Harvest time meant weeks of back-breaking work, so it became a tradition for the landowner to host a harvest supper as a thank you to the whole community once the harvest was brought home safely. There was no set date, but the celebrations generally took place around the time of the full Moon, known as the Harvest Moon. Harvest festivals are closely associated with the church, but actually date back to Pagan times. It was 1843 before the Church became involved. The Reverend Robert Hawker invited members of his parish to a service of harvest thanksgiving at his Cornish church. The practice spread rapidly and led to the custom of decorating churches with
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harvest produce. The story of John Barleycorn You may never have heard of him, but John Barleycorn is a character in a medieval folksong. He represents barley, the most important cereal crop of the harvest, and also the alcoholic beverages beer and whisky which were made from it. In the song John Barleycorn suffers attacks, indignities and death which correspond to the various stages of the harvest such as reaping and malting. It begins… There was three kings into the east, Three kings both great and high, And they hae sworn a solemn oath, John Barleycorn should die. They took a plough and plouh’d him down, Put clods upon his head, And they hae sworn a solemn oath, John Barleycorn was dead. The song has many verses and poor old John Barleycorn suffers dreadfully throughout, particularly when he’s ground between the milling stones! But the story has a neat twist as our hero, who’s finally turned to alcohol, wreaks his revenge on everyone who drank him so merrily, and they suffer for their sins the following morning with gargantuan hangovers! It is a mark of how important the harvest was that there are more versions of this song than any other in the English language!
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Stevenage airport taxiS TRAVEL FROM STEVENAGE DAY TRIPS 10
Stevenage Airport Taxis offer the most reliable and professional airport transfer service in and around the Stevenage area. We have several licensed vehicles that can cater for up to 8 passengers. We also provide a transport service for weddings, long distance journeys and any occasion day or night leisure trips. Please visit our website for any bookings or quotations
www.stevenageairporttaxis.co.uk
Sep Kew Gardens & Palace
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14/15 Sep Sheringham 1940s Weekend
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Sep Leeds Castle & Festival of Flowers
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Sep Whitstable
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Sep Peterborough Antiques Fair
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Sep Southend-on-Sea
£18.00
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Sep Southwold
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10/12 Oct Knitting and Stitching Show
£34.00
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Oct Bruges
£53.00
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Nov Simply Christmas – Craft Show
£37.50
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Nov Lakeside or Bluewater Shopping
£19.50
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Nov Westminster Abbey – Guided Tour £59.00
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Nov Norwich
£19.50
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Nov Duxford Imperial War Museum
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or call
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Nov Ely Cathedral Christmas Fair
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Nov Birmingham Frankfurt Xmas Mrkt £26.00
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Nov Melton Mowbray (optnl ChocFest) £22.50
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Nov Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre £19.50
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Nov Bruges Christmas Market
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Nov Boundary Mills Shopping
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Nov Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
£24.00
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Dec St Albans Christmas Market
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Dec Stratford-upon-Avon Xmas Market £25.00
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Dec Lincoln Christmas Market
£26.00
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Dec Rochester Dickensian Xmas Mrkt
£22.50
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Dec London Christmas Lunch Cruise
£57.50
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Dec Wisley Gardens Glow
£28.00
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Dec Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
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Dec Christmas at Kew Gardens
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Dec Thursford Matinee
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Oct War Horse - Wembley - Matinee
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Oct Warners Bodelwyddan
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Oct Autumn Colours Wye Valley 5 Days
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Nov Warners Nidd Hall
5 Days
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Nov Sidmouth Festive Break
5 Days
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Nov Thursford Overnight Break 2 Days
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Travel
By Solange Hando
Tamil Nadu Top UNESCO Site in India On the Bay of Bengal, south of Chennai, these enchanting temples and shrines echo a glorious past to the sound of ocean waves. Eroded by wind, time and sea, they are still an outstanding display of Dravidian architecture, bequeathed by the first Pallava kings, father and son, in the 6th-7th centuries. The site frequently changed its name but today it is best known as Mamallapuram, the place of ‘Mamallan’, the ‘wrestler’, referring to the first king. From the ocean to the hillside, this vast outdoor complex holds you spellbound, starting with the ‘Five Rathas’ glowing coppery gold on the southern side. Shaped like ‘chariots’ carrying Hindu deities at festival time, each shrine was chiselled out of one huge boulder, starting from the top. Gently fanned by casuarinas, they are all different, one guarded by lions propping up the porch and a majestic elephant nearby, others looking like a thatched hut, a covered cart or a pyramid draped in sculptures of deities,
royal couples, comic figures and wildlife. The largest and most intricate is the lofty Dharmaraja, an art gallery in its own right. Just beyond the Rathas, the hillside beckons with bas-reliefs and mysterious caves. This is a different world where carvings may send shivers down your spine, from battles against a buffalo-headed demon to boarlike Vishnu plunging into the ocean to rescue Mother Earth. The Krishna sanctuary shows gentle scenes of pastoral life as the god lifts the mountain to protect shepherds from the wrath of rain. All these amazing carvings are the legacy of Pallavan artisans, most impressive among them the ‘Descent of the Ganges’. It’s the biggest outdoor bas-relief in the world, 96 feet long and 43 feet high, carved with nearly 1,000 figures of animals, humans and gods. According to legend this is where Lord Shiva brought the Ganges from heaven down to earth, letting it trickle through his matted hair. Then the river went its own way but you can
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still see the cleft in the rock. Meanwhile saris flutter across this ancient site, bright red and gold, as locals make their way to the aptly named Shore Temple, the only survivor of the ‘Seven Pagodas’ mentioned by early travellers. The 2004 tsunami uncovered some extensive foundations but the undamaged Shore Temple rises above it all, its sculpted pyramids dominating the landscape from afar, resplendent yet haunted by shadows from a distant past. Built in granite around 700 AD, it includes rock-cut shrines to Shiva and Vishnu and the ‘Mother of the Universe’ seated on a lion’s leg. Beautifully set on lush ground, away from the crowds and souvenir stalls, the compound is enclosed by a low tumbling wall where ‘Nandis’, the legendary bulls ridden by Shiva, have kept watch for over 1,000 years. It’s an inspiring backdrop for the midwinter festival but whatever the season, there is no better place to watch the sunset over the hills as ocean waves crash relentlessly on the shore.
advertorial
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Photo: IDIL SUKAN
WIN a PAIR of TICKETS to see ED BYRNE at the GORDON CRAIG THEATRE on 16th OCTOBER 2019 Following his biggest ever tour last year in which Ed sold out his entire Edinburgh Fringe run and many of his nationwide dates, culminating in extra dates added along the way, one of the finest observational comics in the industry announces his EVEN BIGGER brand-new tour for 2019/2020. Join him as he takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has ANY traits that are worth passing on to his children. A TV household name, Ed has been seen on pretty much every TV programme in the UK including Mock The Week, Top Gear, Have I Got News For You, The Graham Norton Show, Live At The Apollo (Host), The One Show, The World’s Most Dangerous Roads, Dara & Ed’s Big Adventure, Dara and Ed’s Road to Mandalay and most recently QI and The Pilgrimage. We have a pair of tickets to give away for Ed’s Stevenage date at the Gordon Craig Theatre on 16th October. All you have to do is send in the answer to the below question!
For a chance to win tickets simply answer the questions and complete the form below and send to: Ed Byrne Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th August 2019.
ED BYRNE COMPETITION ENTRY
Which comedian pal did Ed have his Big Adventure with recently?
Name: Tel: Email: Address:
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The Swiss Garden at Night Friday 1 November - Saturday 2 November
As part of the Museums at Night festival, the Swiss Garden is pleased to open for the second year running to show off the garden’s lovely collection of trees, shrubberies and architectural features. See magnificent cedars, ancient oaks, ponds, bridges and rustic buildings beautifully highlighted using a variety of lights, and re-visit Lord Ongley’s lamp-lit Regency garden, which so impressed contemporary visitors that it was described as a ‘fairyland’ in the 1830s. 18:30-21:00 (last admission 20.00). £10 per adult, £3 per child and £24 per family (2 adults, 2 children)
www.shuttleworth.org/garden-at-night The Swiss Garden, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, SG18 9EP To advertise inGarden The Villager and Villager - Swiss at Night FP SeptTown 19.indd Life 1 please call 01767 261122
01767 627933 23/07/2019 12:40:59 13
Food and Drink
Dine in Style: Great British Restaurant The area of London around St James’s holds much interest, with Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, St James’s Park, Green Park and other popular locations only a short walk away. Mayfair and Knightsbridge districts, along with other shopping and designer outlets, satisfy many seeking ‘retail therapy’.
Dukes London is a ‘hidden gem’ and located in the heart of St James’s, an area which abounds in history and historic connections. St James’s Palace was built during the reign of King Henry 8th and the area soon became home to royalty, plus writers, musicians and politicians. Dukes London (Boutique five-star Red AA hotel) offers luxurious accommodation (80+ guest rooms), plus fine cuisine, to residents and nonresidents alike. Dukes Great British Restaurant (GBR) offers all day dining, with dishes available as starters or main course options. English Burrata (Roasted onion squash, sage, toasted pumpkin seeds) is very popular, with wonderful flavours and excellent presentation. Chalk Stream Trout (Soft shell crab, roasted kohlrabi, crab sauce) is a regular choice too, from an impressive menu that has something for everyone, offering seafood, fish and meats. The ‘Daily Special’ changes each day, varying from Cumbrian Lamb Cutlets, through Salmon, to succulent, tender Rib-Eye Steak. Desserts can include Yorkshire Rhubarb and Lemon Meringue Pie. Executive Head Chef is Nigel Mendham. Nigel is passionate about great British food and ensures, with his very talented brigade of chefs and kitchen personnel, excellence at all times, with outstanding, complementing flavours. Dukes Great British Jazz Brunch will jazz up everyones Sunday. This is style and sophistication, with bubbles (free-flowing, if you wish), Cured and Roasted Meats, Lobster Thermidor Omelette and much more. Dessert of Raspberry Cranachan, Waffles, Treacle Tart or Cheese Selection finishes the leisurely ‘experience’, wonderfully. Award-winning Dukes Bar is legendary and renowned for famous martinis and cocktails. Dukes London offers the ‘Wedmin Weekend Package’, with engaged couples enjoying a two-night stay, plus champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, breakfasts and three course dinners with wine pairings. Gift vouchers are available-perhaps surprise someone special? Booking is advisable, particularly during popular times. A huge thank you to Denisa, for impeccable service throughout. A top recommendation. Dukes London 35 St James’s Place, London SW1A 1NY Tel: 44 (0) 20 7491 4840 Email: gbrlondon@dukeshotel.com Email: bookings@dukeshotel.com www.dukeshotel.com
As always, Enjoy! 14
ey Trevor Langl
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104 Ampthill Road, Shefford, Beds SG17 5BB 16
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Interiors
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Choosing a Window Treatment
By Katherine Sorrell
Curtains, blinds or even shutters – the right window treatment can make or break a room. We look at how to choose the best option for your home. While maintaining privacy and blocking early-morning light may be their primary functions, window treatments are also a key part of an interior design scheme, adding colour, pattern, texture and an essential element of sophistication. They can also correct a badly proportioned window, disguise an unattractive
view, filter bright light and provide a visual link between inside and out. But where should one start? While aesthetics are important, practicality should come first. Is the window overlooked? What does it look onto? Is it an unusual size or shape? Is there room for curtains to ‘stack back’ on each side? What is below the window? Is complete blackout in the room necessary? Does the window treatment need to be splashproof? Once you have considered
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all the basics, think about the overall style of your home and what else is in the room, and start to narrow down the options.
Curtains When choosing curtains, the
colour, pattern and weight of the fabric are the important factors, as is the style of hanging. Generally, grander curtains tend to suit larger, period rooms (pelmets, swags and tails may also be an option in this case), while simple curtains are more
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suited to modern properties. Check the heading, as this determines the way the curtain will hang: usually, a tape sewn to the top of the fabric is pulled to form either loose gathers or more formal pleats, and is hooked onto curtain rings. Other styles include tab, tie, eyelet or hemmed tops, which look decorative but can sometimes be harder to draw. Curtain poles are designed to be on show and come in a variety of materials, with finials at each end that are either simple or ornamental. Sometimes, however, a curtain track is more suitable than a pole: they can be mounted either on the wall or the ceiling, can be bent around bays, and need less clearance above a window. To gain maximum natural light, fit a pole or track that hangs far enough from each side of the window to allow the curtains to be drawn right away from it. Floor-length curtains are generally better than sill-length, though shorter curtains may be more appropriate when
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radiators, window seats or furnishings are in the way. Linings are essential on all but sheers; they help curtains hang neatly and protect them from fading, dirt and condensation. Blackout linings are ideal in a bedroom, while thermal linings can be as effective an insulator as double glazing.
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Blinds Perfect for smaller rooms,
blinds are also great for modern homes and in bathrooms and kitchens – and they tend to be a lot cheaper than curtains. Roller blinds are the most basic style, while roll-up versions, tied with tape or ribbon, have a pretty yet still simple look. Roman blinds are smart and versatile, suiting almost every room. Choose fabric that is mid-weight and not too textured, as blinds need to roll or fold easily against themselves. There is nothing to stop you combining more than one colour or pattern, in the form of smart, contrast borders down the sides or along the bottom of the blind. And sometimes it is a good idea to combine a plain and a sheer fabric, to allow light through at the top of the window while giving privacy beneath. Plain blinds can be boosted with a good-looking pull (think leather, glass, raffia, stone or rope) or trim (such as ribbon, pom poms, ric rac, stitching, fringing, shells or buttons). If you want a dressier look, add curtains as well.
Shutters Good-looking in an unfussy way, shutters suit both old and new properties. They are expensive
but are good at blocking out sound and light, and can even provide extra security. The plainest shutters feature a timber frame and solid centre panel (a local joiner should be able to make them for you), while louvred versions (from specialist shutter companies) offer privacy while also controlling light. Both types can be left as natural wood or painted whatever colour you like. They can be made as a pair, bi-fold, tri-fold or more, either full-height, half-height or one set above another, and fitted within a reveal or to fold back against the walls.
Budget options One of the least expensive
options is frosted window film, which you can cut to any size and shape as you wish and stick on yourself. It’s easy – provided you follow the instructions carefully. Alternatively, a muslin panel hung from hooks or a slender pole will provide instant privacy, as will a simple roller blind or unlined, ready-made curtains.
1. Faux Wood Impressions Urban Grey venetian blind with Anthracite tapes, fully made to measure Blinds 2go: 0800 862 0464; www.blinds-2go.co.uk 2. Solid Shaker panels made from classic hardwood, from £156 per square metre California Shutters: 0800 195 0196; www.californiashutters.co.uk 3. Made to measure Corvus patterned window film, £67.20 per square metre Purlfrost: 020 8992 4024; www.purlfrost.com To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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Food & Drink
Polpettone
Italian Rolled Meatloaf
Make no mistake, this polpettone is pretty epic. It’s like a traditional meatloaf, only bigger, fuller, more dramatic and with more ingredients. It was created by Valentina Mamusa, who runs the delightful Valentina’s Café in Chiswell Green near St Albans. She runs it with her husband, Alberto. They always come on my show together and I call them Albertina! They moved to the UK with their young son for a new experience, opened their café and are now very much part of their local community. Italy’s loss is our gain, and this rolled meatloaf is magnificent. Ingredients: 500g minced beef 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1 tbsp chopped parsley 6 eggs 100g grated parmesan 100g smoked cheese or Provolone 1 glove of garlic, crushed 200g spinach 1 pack thinly sliced bacon 1. Hard boil four of the eggs and let them cool. Pierce the spinach bag and pop it in the microwave for about a minute to wilt it. Alternatively you can pop the spinach in a pan with a little butter. 2. Mix the beef in a bowl with the remaining two eggs, nutmeg, salt and pepper, the parsley and the cheeses.
3. Lay a sheet of baking paper out on the worktop. Lay the bacon out on the paper and then flatten the beef mix out into a rectangle around 8-10mm in thickness on top of the bacon. 4. Add the spinach and top with the boiled eggs. 5. Tightly roll the mix up, using the baking paper as you go, in the same way as you would roll up a Swiss roll. 6. Pop this in a baking dish and leave it to chill for around an hour. 7. Heat your oven to 200C/ Gas Mark 5 and roast the polpettone for around 20-30 minutes. You want the bacon to have taken on lots of colour and the roll needs to be hot in the middle. 8. When it’s cooked, take it out of the oven and leave it to rest for 30 minutes. 9. Serve it in thick slices with mashed potato drizzled with the cooking liquor.
Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can also join Nick every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.
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We’re passionate about
fulfilling residents’
lives
At Knebworth, we offer residential, nursing and respite care, and all-round support to make things easier. To find out more about living at Knebworth, call us on 01438 893557 or visit careuk.com/knebworth
Fulfilling lives
Knebworth care home 59 London Road, Woolmer Green, Knebworth, Hertfordshire SG3 6JE careuk.com/knebworth 22
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Health
TATT - Are you tired all the time? How do you feel when you wake up? Are you refreshed and ready for the day? Or do you feel drained, like you’ve hardly slept. GPs report that more patients are complaining of lack of energy. The syndrome even has its own name, TATT - which means tired all the time. If you constantly feel lethargic it is important not to ignore it. TATT is common but there are steps you can take to help yourself. There are many different causes of fatigue, and a good place to start is a chat with your GP. If you feel overwhelming exhaustion, which gets worse rather than better with activity, and does not improve with rest, you might be suffering from myalgic encephalopathy (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). There is not a definitive cure for these conditions but there are treatments and self-help measures that can help to ease the symptoms. A GP will test for other medical problems that can cause tiredness, such as anaemia, thyroid issues, food intolerances or diabetes. Many cases of TATT are related to mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Traumatic life events, stress and money worries can also cause fatigue. Talking therapies can help in these cases, and your doctor may be able to
refer you to a counselling service. If a GP has ruled out more serious underlying causes but you still feel tired, there are lifestyle changes that will help. First make sure you’re getting enough good quality sleep. Make it a priority for a few weeks to see how much better you feel. The Royal College of Psychologists’ advice is to have both a regular bedtime and wake time, and avoid napping. If you struggle to drop off try a soak in a warm bath before you go to bed because this will make you feel calm, and the drop in body temperature when you exit the bath fools the body to start to prepare for sleep. Reduce your stress levels by scheduling relaxation time into your day. This could be something as simple as listening to your favourite music or meeting friends for a chat. A good diet also plays a role in increasing your energy levels. Try eating small snacks throughout the day, rather than one large meal in the evening. Avoid alcohol and drink more water. Cutting caffeine will also help but cut down gradually to minimise the risk of headaches. Finally, a little light exercise is another proven way to fight fatigue. Even a quick 15-minute walk around the block will give boost your energy.
By Tracey Anderson
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House of Colour
Top Styling Tips for New Mums 1) You may spend a lot of time in jeans so make sure they are the right fit in a colour or tone that’s right for your season ie warm and dark for Autumns, cool and deep for Winters, bright and blue for Springs, and soft and cool for Summers, and they will then go with all the other colours in your season in your wardrobe. 2) Try to be as environmentally aware as possible. Look out for products that are made from recycled fibres, organic cottons and quality materials. Use locally sourced renewable materials when you can. Avoid polyester or nylon because they’re non-biodegradable. Synthetic fabrics are fashion’s equivalent to single-use plastic. Having a disposable mindset is not good for the planet’s health. Be choosey and ask yourself do you REALLY love the garment you are about to buy for your child. Enjoy hand-me downs. 3) Use jewellery to lift your outfit in any situation! There will be times you won’t have time to sit and apply make-up for even 90 seconds before you need to dash out that door, but anyone can grab a necklace and earrings (unless of course your youngster is still at the ‘pretty thing, let me grab it’ stage)! 4) Don’t wear clothes that don’t fit even if you are a bit bigger than you once were. Drowning in oversized clothes is never a good look so don’t worry about your size and wear clothes that fit. Love your body and shape. Know what your best parts are and draw attention to those areas whether that means cinching in your waist or elongating a shorter mid-section for example. If you carry a bit of weight around your middle, but have shapely legs show them off in both your trouser and skirt choices. 5) Get a big bag with lots of pockets in one of your wow colours! This is a great way of adding your colours and style while out and about with your little one. There are so many designs and styles out there, you will be sure to find one that really suits you and your needs.
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6) Wearing a patterned top can hide a multitude of problems from stains to feelings of bloatedness. Choose a pattern that suits your personality and scale in colours that suit your palette. 7) If you manage to get a rare night off, take the opportunity to dress up a little to get your mojo back! Dressing for your shape is all in the detail. We all suit different hemlines, necklines, trouser lengths, lapels and sleeves, not to mention of course colours, fabrics, structure, patterns and details. 8) Wear a scarf in one of your wow colours to make your skin look brighter and fresher, it can also serve as a breastfeeding cover if needed. 9) The right lipstick can work wonders for a hardworking mum’s complexion, as can a natural blusher! Make sure you know whether you should be wearing warm or cool coloured lipsticks. 10) Whilst comfy shoes are key because you will be walking a lot when they are small and doing lots of chasing after them when they are toddlers, choose shoes that really suit your style and to add some fun – choose them in one of your brighter colours. By Jennie Billings, Colour and Style Consultant, House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings e:jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk
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W O EN N P O TATTOO STUDIO
KNEBWORTH
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Monday to Saturday 10am til 6pm
* CUSTOM DESIGNS * COVER UPS * * WALK INS * UNIQUE FLASH * Viva City Ink is a local authority ( NHDC ) HSE registered studio ( No; LC/8775) and a unique, bright, hygienic studio environment. We pride ourselves on our high standards of creativity and customer service.
We now have a private room offering PMU by our fully trained therapist providing a large selection of treatments including: • PMU Brows, Eyeliner and Lips • Microblading • • Tattoo Removal • Threading • Eyelashes • Peeling • Mesotherapy • • BB Glow • Fibroblast • Call or visit for a free consultation.
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John O’Gaunt Golf Club
Become a member, start playing today Memberships available for men, ladies and juniors Two magnificent championship courses
Impressive club house, bar and catering facilities
Well stocked shop and club fitting by Head Professional Lee Scarbrow
Excellent practice and coaching facilities
Please get in touch for more information... John O’Gaunt Golf Club, Sutton Park, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2LY Tel: Main Club - 01767 260360 Pro Shop - 01767 260094 Email: villageradvert@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk Why not visit our website for more information at www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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Local News
A New Safety Centre
is planned for Stevenage, Hertfordshire Currently there are eight local ‘Crucial Crew’ schemes in Hertfordshire - these are both Organisation and Service intensive - also, they are limited to an audience of Year 6 children (10 and 11 year olds) - of whom, around 10,500 attend each year. At the moment, schemes exist in Hertford/Ware, St Albans, Bishops Stortford, Welwyn GC/Hatfield, Hitchin/N. Herts., Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Broxbourne/Cheshunt. There is no scheme in Watford or Three Rivers. Stevenage was the first of the eight schemes, and has now run for 28 years. During this time over 42,000 local children have attended this scheme alone. In total, over 250,000 Yr6 children have visited a Crucial Crew scheme from Hertfordshire’s junior schools. Each child is given a Workbook containing follow-up work to their visit. A visit is of two hours duration, and fits in with the school day, lunchtime, and afternoon collection time from their school. A new, permanent Safety Centre, will be able to deliver many more scenarios to all age groups - our intended market is 3yrs to 103yrs. This will be a multipurpose Centre that is available to other agencies and organisations, all with the intention to deliver safety messages, and to thereby make individuals, and thus Hertfordshire, a safer place. The Centre will be on two floors - the Ground Floor will accommodate the majority of Crucial Crew scenarios - the first floor will offer training rooms, a small tieredseating auditorium, larger Conference/Training Rooms that may be hired - the income from which
will help to support the Centre’s maintenance costs, and ensure sustainability. To assist with this, it is intended to install solar and wind-power sources, rainwater harvesting, and to utilise eco-friendly building materials, etc. Funding for the internal fit-out costs is anticipated to come from a variety of sources - primarily Central Government, European Government, National Lottery, major Corporate industries, Philanthropists, local Authorities, Grants, Trusts, the PCC - and many other sources. Not all sponsorship is through financial donations - e.g. some will come as Volunteer time and skills, students, corporate staff secondment, also the donation of materials and labour. Are you able to support our endeavours with the process of providing, for the residents of Hertfordshire and beyond, a permanent interactive Safety Education Centre, based in Stevenage? If you or your organisation would like to be involved, then please contact Alex Lang by e mail info@hertfordshirecrucialcrew.org.uk - to discuss in further detail.
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Finance
By Ann Haldon
Managing Your Money at University Newfound independence can be exhilarating when you go away to university for the first time, but starting life in a new city also has its challenges. Worries about studying and making new friends can creep in as the new term nears, but managing money is also a significant issue. The good news is that it’s not difficult to control your finances and live within your means at university, so where do you start as a new student? Make a budget every month Once you’re set up, budgeting only takes a few minutes every month, and is a fundamental part of managing money. Initially, you need to establish how much money is coming in and the amount you’re likely to spend. Your income could consist of a maintenance loan, a grant or scholarship, wages from a job or financial contributions from parents, and outgoings can be divided into essential living costs and variable expenses. Essential living costs typically include food, rent, heating, council tax, contents insurance, mobile phone, broadband and TV licence, with variable expenses including items such as clothes, entertainment, course materials, travel and savings. Choose the best student bank account A student bank account should offer easily accessible support and services specifically designed for undergraduates. An interest-free overdraft is commonly offered when you open a student bank account, but a credit card may also be available subject to eligibility. Banks often advertise free gifts to entice students
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to open an account, but don’t be swayed unless the gift is of particular use to you. A student rail card can be extremely helpful if you’re living a long distance from home, for example, as it saves onethird on the cost of rail travel in the UK. Nationwide FlexStudent¹ • Fee-free overdraft facility of £1,000 in the first year, £2,000 in the second, and £3,000 in the third year if you pay in at least £500 per term, subject to status. • UK-only call centres. Santander 123 Student² • Interest-free arranged overdraft of up to £1,500 per year subject to status. • A free four-year 16-25 Railcard that saves you one-third on the price of rail travel in the UK. • Cash back of up to 15% at major retailers. Take advantage of all student discounts The National Union of Students (NUS) offers a TOTUM³ card for one, two, or three years, with over 200 discounts available in the UK and more than 42,000 discounts worldwide. Cards cost £12, £22, and £32 for one year, two years and three years respectively, and at the time of writing discounts include: • 10% at Co-op • 25% at Odeon cinemas • 30% at Lonely Planet Managing your money at university doesn’t need to be difficult – you just have to be aware of how much is coming into your account and the amount you’re spending. Budgeting is the best way to stay in control and it’s well worth the extra time to keep an eye on your finances.
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Are you returning to higher education and need some help with university costs? Do you live in post codes SG1 or SG2? Then the Betty Game Opportunities Trust may be able to help you with a small grant towards the cost of books, equipment, travel etc. Further information about the Trust and how to apply for a grant is available on our website www.bgot.org.uk or email BGPT2015@gmail.com
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Garden View
The Privet Hedge
By Rachael Leverton
Privet is one of our most popular hedging plants. It has dense foliage which is green all year round, and it’s hardy which means it’s suited to a wide range of planting sites. It’s also available in a selection of varieties and root types, so there’s a Privet hedge to suit most gardens. Autumn is a good time to trim them because there’s little chance of disturbing any birds who might be nesting in them. Nesting season generally runs from March to early August. If you have a small hedge like those outside terraced town houses, then hand-held hedge shears are fine, but for large hedges an electric or even a petrol hedge-trimmer is definitely easier. If you have one, give it a check over and make sure it’s sharp and well lubricated. Safety should be paramount. Wear safety goggles and sturdy gloves. It’s not overkill. Before starting, remove any potential obstacles on the ground which might prove to be a trip hazard. Avoid using powered tools above shoulder height; instead use a sturdy step ladder set on stable ground. If your hedge trimmer is electric use a residual current device (RCD) for safety purposes, and don’t use it in damp conditions. One little trick I learned at a hedge-cutting course a few years ago is to cut hedges so that they are slightly tapered on both sides. This will mean the base is wider than the top and light can reach the bottom of the hedge, which means the hedge will be greener and look healthier. Top tips to ensure an even, symmetrical hedge: Straight edges are difficult to cut by eye. Use a taut horizontal string tied between two stout canes to act as a guide so you can cut the top of the hedge level. For vertical lines use canes or stakes pushed into the ground. When using shears, ensure that the top of the hedge is cut level and flat by keeping the blades of the shears parallel to the line of the hedge. When using a hedge trimmer, keep the blade parallel to the hedge and use a wide, sweeping action working from the bottom of the hedge upwards, so that the cut foliage falls away.
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Our Pride - Your Joy • Conservatories • Orangeries • Sunrooms • Porches • Composite Entrance Doors • Bi-Folding Doors • Energy Rated Glazing • Garage Conversions • Tiled Roof Garden Rooms • Re-Furbish Your Existing Conservatory Your specialist local company, who build with care and dedication from design to completion
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Gardening
Going Green With the ground still warm from the summer sun and moisture levels in the soil increasing, September is the perfect time to create a new lawn. Using grass seed is cheaper than buying turf, plus you can choose a suitable grass mixture and the lawn can be shaped without having to cut pieces of turf. First, examine the site and calculate the total area to be seeded, then study the grass seed packs in your local garden centre. Your choice will be between various grades of utility lawn (usually containing some rye grass for toughness), finer lawns that need more care and mixtures suitable for partial shade. It will be about three weeks before the seedlings emerge and then about ten weeks before the lawn can be cut, so bear this in mind when choosing your start time. Remove all weeds (including roots), old grass and debris. Perennial weeds should be dug out or killed off with weedkiller – those containing glyphosate allow grass seed to be sown straight away. Dig over and examine the area – ideally you want a light, free-draining loam that does not become too dry in summer, or waterlogged or compacted in winter. Add horticultural sand and some bulky organic matter to heavy soil to improve drainage, and dig plenty of well-rotted organic matter into light soil for better moisture retention. Rake the soil repeatedly to achieve a level surface free from large stones, plant remains or other debris. Gauge the level by eye or use a system of
By Pippa Greenwood
pegs and a spirit level if necessary. Spread some granular general fertilizer evenly over the prepared area. Firm by treading it over evenly in flat-soled shoes or boots, paying particular attention to the edges – this prevents subsidence later. Lawn seed germinates best in warm, moist conditions so avoid hot, dry weather and wait until just before rain is forecast. Using pack directions, weigh out the quantity of grass seed needed for one square metre. Mark the corners of a one metre square plot and distribute the seed evenly over it – this shows you how correctly sown seed should look, thus acting as a guide for sowing the remainder. Sowing too thinly encourages weeds; sowing too thickly means poor-quality seedlings that are less likely to thrive. For most gardens hand sowing is perfect; for larger lawns borrowing or hiring a machine may be worthwhile. Sow the entire area with the lawn seed and lightly rake over a thin layer of soil to partially incorporate the seed into the soil. Water regularly with a fine sprinkler or watering can. Use twigs or cane with taut cotton tied between them, or netting stretched taut, to deter birds. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com and you’ll find Pippa’s September-dispatch vegetable plant collection along with other gardening items: Nemaslug, atylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, planters, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk?
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Health
Water Works
By Tracey Anderson
Why we should all drink more water Ask most people how much fluid they are supposed to drink in a day, and they will reply “Eight glasses of water.” This number has seeped into the public consciousness over the past couple of decades so it might surprise you to know that it has very little basis in science! However, it is important to stay properly hydrated. Fewer people know that if you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated, and this has a real impact on how your body and brain function. Dehydration leads to a decrease in our physical performance. Losing just 2% of your body’s water contact can cause fatigue, problems with temperature control, and make exercise feel more difficult, physically and mentally, and it’s not uncommon for people to lose 6-10% of their body’s total water content through sweat during a workout, and as muscle is 80% water this increases muscle stress. Our brains are also strongly influenced by hydration. Studies have shown that even mild dehydration impacts brain function. In separate studies of men and women it was found that about 1.5% fluid loss impaired mood and concentration, decreased working memory, and increased feeling of anxiety, fatigue and the frequency of headaches. 1.5% fluid loss can easily occur during normal daily activities, never mind during exercise or hot weather. Worryingly the effects of dehydration are shown to be worse in children and the elderly. There has been some scientific interest in the effect
of increasing hydration on migraine sufferers. So far, some studies have shown that while keeping hydrated doesn’t stop migraines completely, sufferers in the studies reported that the frequency and intensity of the migraines decreased when they were properly hydrated. Constipation is a common health problem and can be serious in children and the elderly. Low water consumption does appear to be a risk factor in these cases. Some studies have shown that carbonated water seems to help the situation more than still water though scientists haven’t yet explained why. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, so it makes you lose more water than you take in. The dehydration effects of alcohol are responsible for the thirst, fatigue, and headache which inevitably accompany a hangover. It’s a good idea to alternated alcoholic drinks with water and to drink a large glass of water before going to sleep, after a night out on the town. Finally, water both increases satiety and boost metabolism so is great if you’re trying to lose weight. Studies show that dieters who drank half a litre of water before each meal lost 44% more weight over a period of 12 weeks. Try it. Make a real attempt to stay properly hydrated for a week and monitor the results. You may be surprised.
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Pets
RSPCA Hertfordshire East News
Meet Ziggy, who is of Tonkinese/Siamese heritage! This beautiful cat came into our care after being mis-sold through a pet selling website. Sadly he was not the lap cat his new owner was looking for and after just a few days RSPCA Hertfordshire East branch were asked to rehome him. Ziggy is looking for a home which meets his specific needs. His new home should be with experienced Siamese or Tonkinese owners, no children, a quiet home without too many visitors where he is the only pet. Ziggy finds too many changes to his day very stressful and requires patient owners who will allow him to take all the time and space he needs to settle, due to his sensitive and shy nature. Once settled, Ziggy will require access to a secure garden to keep him safe, as he has no road sense. As Ziggy is not your average moggy, he demonstrates characteristics typical of the breed, such as being very vocal and will call loudly whenever he wants attention. Our fosterer has done a marvellous job caring for Ziggy; she has found that by forming a bond with him through patience and gentle handling his lovely personality comes to the fore, giving an idea of what he will be like when he finds his forever home. Micro-chipping your cherished pet is incredibly important. According to Pet-Log, more than 70,000 pets are currently missing in the UK. One of
our adopted cats went to a loving home, but after two years went missing during a very cold winter for five months. Had it not been for his micro-chip, he would never have been re-united with his owner, who was very grateful to the local vets who called her to collect him. If you love animals and have spare time, why not join our friendly team and volunteer in our Hitchin Charity Shop, or become a fosterer, fund raiser, Committee Member or in any other capacity. To find out more contact our office 01462 672278 or 07500967145. To help raise funds for the branch and the welfare of animals in our care, we hold at our charity shop, ‘pre-loved’ book and cuddly toy sales every second and last Sunday of the month, 10.30 – 2.30. There are no set prices. All we ask for is a donation of your choice to take as many books and cuddly toys as you like. The shop, at 19 Churchyard, Hitchin SG5 1HP, will also be open for bargains. The Ashwell Show is always a very popular annual event, where we set up our RSPCA stall for you to take as many books as you want for a donation of your choice. There will also be games and prizes for the family. Please come along and join us for a fun day out. In the event of an emergency or cruelty, please call 0300 1234 999 Why not follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/hertfordshireeastbranch or on our website:www.rspca-hertfordshireeast.org.uk
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HERTS OVEN CLEAN Herts Oven Clean is a domestic oven cleaning specialist in Hertfordshire. Non-caustic, fume-free solution individually prepared for each customer. Ovens, Hobs, Grills, Extractors, Agas, Microwaves and Gas Barbeques. Call Richard on 01438 813492 Bring a sparkle to your kitchen today.
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Technology
Valuable VPN!
By Mark O’Keefe
Use a virtual private network to protect your data In a coffee shop the other day I took my phone out to catch up on some emails. The customer Wi-Fi was free so of course I connected and started browsing the web. I glanced up at one point and all around me a number of people were busy doing the same thing. It suddenly struck me that everyone was on the same network, so how safe was my information? Then I wondered whether my home was really any safer. Any time we use the Internet for browsing, watching videos, answering email, or any of our apps, our phone or computer has a digital conversation with other computers. If someone monitors this conversation, they will see what we’re looking at, who we’re talking to and, if the computer we’re talking to isn’t secure, our account details and passwords are vulnerable. Organisations make a lot of money from gathering this sort of information. It’s called Big Data. Think of those pop-up ads that seem to know exactly the sorts of things we like. So how can we stop the snoopers? Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a great solution. This works by using our Internet connection to securely connect us to a VPN server. Hackers can see we’ve made the connection but can’t see anything we’re doing. Our device tells the VPN server what we want to do, and it goes on to the Internet to do it for us. It then sends that
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information back to our device using this secure connection. This technique has a number of advantages. All our browsing is carried out by the VPN server. No one can track our activity back to our computer. Governments, hackers and websites can only see the VPN server, and these don’t keep any records of who was using the system. Everything we do online instantly becomes fully encrypted. We can connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots without worrying about somebody stealing our information. Most VPN systems allow connection to servers in different countries. It’s then possible to access websites and services as if you were based in that country. However big organisations like Netflix invest a lot of money trying to stop people using VPN connections to get US shows from the UK. In countries where the Internet is censored, using a VPN can bypass the censorship and allow access the information from forbidden sites. VPN services cost a few pounds per month to rent. Sometimes internet security software offers the service as part of their package. So, if you do use lots of public Wi-Fi networks it’s well worth the investment. If you’re worried about people tracking your online activity and building up a personal profile of your likes and dislikes, then VPN is the easy solution.
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Life Begins...
By Kate McLelland
Here’s to a dementiafriendly future “We want to make Knaresborough a town where people living with dementia feel understood, respected, supported and confident so that they can contribute to life in the community.” So says Alison Wrigglesworth, Services Manager for Harrogate and Knaresborough Alzheimer’s Society. The Yorkshire town of Knaresborough is one of the latest in a long line of UK towns to declare themselves a ‘dementiafriendly Community’ (DFC). Dementia is not, as many people believe, a natural consequence of old age (although the older you are, the more likely you are to be affected) and it is predicted that the number of UK residents with the condition will increase to over one million by 2025. That figure is set to double by 2051. Given these statistics, it’s seems likely that in future our public health and social care services could struggle to care for people who develop the condition. Dementia-friendly initiatives therefore serve a dual purpose: helping people stay at home for as long as possible and relieving some of the burden that would otherwise be placed on our public care providers.
What are the issues? Things we all take for granted, such as using technology, getting served in shops and banks, going on holiday or enjoying hobbies are difficult when you have dementia, but they can become even harder when the individuals around you don’t know how to respond appropriately. For this reason it’s not uncommon for people to shut themselves away as their condition progresses, even though this can make them feel isolated and depressed. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, over two-thirds of those polled have reported feeling lonely. What is a ‘dementia-friendly community’? A dementia-friendly community is a place where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. It can be a street, village, town, city or region, an organisation, a group or even a virtual community. There are no hard and fast rules to follow when setting up a community of your own. Instead, local people are encouraged to decide what works best for them. While flexibility is encouraged, there are certain measures that are regularly adopted by towns and cities who want to become
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DFCs. Businesses that regularly come into contact with older people, such as banks and taxi firms, are asked to provide extra support for customers with dementia, while museums and art galleries are encouraged to offer dementia-friendly activities. Other initiatives include ‘dementia cafes’ and drop-in centres. In the public realm planners use clear signage, creating well-defined open spaces with public toilets, seats, shelters and good lighting. Most DFCs are keen to engage local people as ‘Dementia Friends’. These are individuals willing to promote the aims of the DFC, from spreading awareness about the condition to spending time with people with dementia. Currently almost three million have signed up to this initiative on the Dementia Friends website (dementiafriends.org.uk). The Alzheimer’s Society has estimated that one in six people aged over 80 in the United Kingdom currently has dementia, and a further 225,000 people will be diagnosed this year. There’s clearly no time to lose, so it’s reassuring to see that new dementia-friendly communities, just like the one in Knaresborough, are appearing every day.
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ROGERSONS
REMOVALS
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Removals • Clearances • Deliveries Pick-Ups • Items disposed of Flat pack assembly Anything Considered Friendly and reliable at a cost you can afford
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Your Perfect Loft Access and Storage Solution Our services include: Loft Ladders Loft Hatches Insulation Loft Boarding Loft Lighting Balustrades We are a family run business who comply to building regulations, where our fitters are fully insured and all of our work is guaranteed. Covering Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.
01438 211302 info@eastanglianloftladders.co.uk eastanglianloftladders.co.uk 46
Call now for a free, no obligation quotation
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Relationships
Breaking Up is Hard to Do
How to move on when a relationship ends It’s painful when a relationship ends, whether the ending is mutual or one-sided. How do you deal with the emotional rollercoaster that inevitably follows a break-up? Ignore them – Ignore all attempts to Tweet, email, text or otherwise attract your attention. Likewise resist the urge to Tweet, text or email them. Often, we fall back into a bad relationship because it’s convenient, and we’re too set in a pattern to try something different. Break the cycle. ‘Disappear’ them – Hide away the stuffed toys, gifts and photos that remind you of them. In the early stages of a break-up it’s too easy to cling on to the nice memories and persuade yourself that you need them back in your life. Don’t stalk them! – Don’t drive past their house or haunt places special to both of you. Even if you can’t bring yourself to ‘unfriend’ them on Facebook, at least hide them from your news feed so you won’t be tempted to check on them every time you log-on. Get out – It might be tempting to lie in bed, eating Dairy Milk and listening to Heartbreak FM, but what you really need is company. Ring your most sociable friends and arrange a fun night out. Make a list – Write down all the reasons you split. Then read them back to yourself whenever you start romanticising the past. Remember, they’re your ex for a reason...probably several!
By Sarah Davey
n i t l ham F e o J Plasterers
Female Plasterer specialising in: Plastering, Plasterboarding, Making Good and Painting
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Easy Suduko
Hard Suduko
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles. 48
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Premier Painters and Decorators
Premier Painters and Decorators are a professional, punctual and hard working company delivering outstanding quality of work to our clients in and around Stevenage From wallpaper hanging, feature walls, coving and cornice work. We even clean facias, soffits and guttering. (PVC or Wood) If you would like to take advantage of our services, require a quote or advise please do not hesitate to contact us. Be assured when Premier quote a job there are NO HIDDEN EXTRAS. Private and commercial, exterior and interior painting services.
For a free quotation please contact Gary on Tel: 01438 353793 Mob: 07733 227961 Email: info@premierpd.co.uk
www.premierpd.co.uk
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Technology
Technology for the new term You don’t need to pay full price for your child’s computing
If your child needs a computer for schoolwork, don’t get downhearted by the high prices you’ll see in your local Apple Store or electronics emporium. You don’t need to spend a lot to get a good computer. There are three main types of computer. Windows ones, which run Windows 10 (don’t get ones with older versions; that usually means the hardware’s really old too); Chromebooks, which run Google’s Chrome operating system; and Apple ones. For most places the choice is entirely up to you, but some specialist courses at college or university may require specialist software. If you’re looking for a Windows or Chromebook laptop, there’s good news: those kinds of laptops are almost always on sale, so you can expect a wide range of bargains. Sites such as Techradar. com have monthly round-ups of the best deals, organised into price bands: at the time of writing there’s a really nice Asus laptop for just £159, while more expensive laptops are available with discounts ranging from £175
to over £400. Sites often provide reviews of the products, so you can be sure you’re not buying something that won’t be up to the job. Another way to save cash is to buy a refurbished computer. This means it’s been used by somebody else and then returned to as-new condition. A number of firms specialise in such computers and the discounts can be enormous: for example, Laptops Direct currently has a perfectly decent Windows 10 laptop for just £109. If your child wants Apple kit, you’ll know it’s often very expensive. Shopping around doesn’t usually uncover much in the way of discounts but you can still save money if you know where to look. Apple has a refurbished Mac store on Apple.com. and at the time of writing it’s offering Mac minis with a typical saving of £140, alongside MacBooks, MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros and iMacs with £160 to £190 off. Third party refurbished sellers can offer even bigger discounts but check the age of the product: may
third-party computers are a few years old, which isn’t necessarily a problem but does affect how big a bargain you’re getting: don’t compare the price of a threeyear-old Mac with what Apple’s charging for a new one. End of line stock can be good too. Every time Apple updates its product range, the previous models are often sold at a discount. Keep an eye on eBay and you can save stacks – we’re writing this on an iMac we got brand new for two-thirds of the list price by looking for end of line stock – but make sure you stick to business sellers with solid, positive feedback going back years. Last but not least, there are second-hand computers. Many ‘power users’ replace their computers regularly, and those computers are still more than powerful enough for the rest of us. eBay and classified advertising sites such as Gumtree can be great sources of good secondhand computers, but be wary. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
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n O s ’ t Wha In September
This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com
1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 September Hare & Hounds Hash House Harriers 11am H5 are a social running and walking club for mixed abilities, meeting every week in the Bedfordshire area. The trail is set by our hare from a local pub and typically lasts 1 hour covering between 3 and 4 miles. Family and dog friendly. Email: info@h5hashers.org.uk Web: www.H5hashers.org.uk 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 September Stevenage New Pathways 1-4pm Friends Meeting House Cuttys Lane, Stevenage £2 inc. hot drink & biscuits. A friendly place to meet and talk over issues in a positive way. Maybe go for walks, bring in speakers, form a craft group. Email: katiewilsonmind@gmail.com 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 September Stevenage Choral Society 7.45-9.45pm Stevenage Music Centre, Nobel School, Stevenage The society meets every Monday during term time. Free the friendly choir with a free session. 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 and be part of a friendly and supportive team, putting on excellent performances whilst having fun. Tel: 01438 365769 Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 September Staplers Country Dance Club 8-10pm St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin Staplers is a social folk dance club. It’s easy to start as all the dances are walked through first then called and you don’t need to come with a partner; lots of us come on our own. We are a friendly group and you will be made very welcome. Car parking is available next to the hall. Meets every Monday apart from bank holidays and some school holiday dates. Tel. 01462 624144 or 01462 680995 Web: www.staplers.org.uk 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 September Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-11pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Branch Out meets every Monday night and is a medium-sized Social Club for single people. The club organises regular events, such as dinners, discos, meals, parties, Sunday walks, theatre and concert visits, day and weekend trips and holidays. Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk
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3, 10, 17 & 24 September Stevenage Bridge Club 7.30pm Priory Nursery, Stanmore Road, Old Stevenage To play Duplicate Bridge. A host system is run to find partners, if required. A wide level of ability play at the club. Tel: Phil Cooper 07957 813434 5, 12, 19 & 26 September The Hitchin Thursday Club 9.30am-12 noon St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin A friendly group which meets every Thursday morning for recreational painting, drawing, etc. The group is very easy going in its attitude to art - only doing your own thing. Still Life and raffle every month. No qualifications required - just come along with your drawing gear and you’ll receive a very warm welcome. Tel: Pauline 01767 315553 5, 12, 19 & 26 September Roundabouters Country Dance Club 8-10pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage Friendly club for English country dancing. We welcome new members, both beginners and experienced. All dances walked through; club and guest callers ensure a varied programme. Tel: 01438 727239 Email: roundabouters@live.co.uk Web: www.roundabouters.org.uk 5, 12, 19 & 26 September Stevenage Plus Social Group 8.15pm for 8.30pm Holiday Inn Express (opposite Matalan), Stevenage £2 - first night free. Stevenage Plus Social Group is a fun and friendly social group with members in their 30s and 40s from Stevenage, North Herts and surrounding areas. We have a varied programme of events on Thursday and Saturday evenings as well as day trips and weekends away. New members always welcome. Tel: 01438 231550. Email: welcome@stevenage.plus Web: www.stevenageplus.co.uk 5, 12, 19 & 26 September Sapphire Social Club 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin A small and friendly group for single people generally aged 50 and above, offering a variety of social events during the month and the opportunity to meet and make new friends. Potential new members are warmly welcome to come along with no joining fee for the first two months. Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 or Ian 07900 890583 Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk
6 September RSPB Hitchin & Letchworth Local Group 7.30pm ‘The Settlement’, Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City Local group members free, Visitors £3. ‘A Plague of Mice: Gough Island and the Tristan Albatross’ with Andrew Callender and Laura Beesley. Gough Island is a remote island in the South Atlantic. Two of its endemic species are threatened with extinction. We will hear about the challenge of removing invasive non-native species to save these birds. Tel: 01763 249459 Email: martinrjspc@hotmail.com 6, 13, 20 & 27 September Springfield House Friday Bridge Club 1.30pm Springfield House (the home of the Old Stevenage Community Centre) To play cut-in Chicago Bridge. Play is informal and friendly. Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517 7 September The Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pm The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open to the public. Entry is free but official photo ID is required to get an entry ticket from the Guardroom. Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 7 September Party in the Paddock Family Festival 12 noon-10pm The Robin Hood and Little John Country Pub, Rabley Heath, Welwyn AL6 9UB Adults £7, Children £3, Family £17, Under 3s free Live music, dance, circus acts, magic and more to raise funds for disadvantaged children. Web: Tickets www.danceaid.org/PITP Facebook: www.facebook.com/danceaid 7 September Weston Garden Tea Party 3-5pm The Manor Gardens, Maiden Street, Weston Adults £1, Children 50p. Delicious tea and cakes for everyone. Bring a teddy bear for a free activity ticket and enjoy tea with your teddy. Book stall. Activities include Treasure Hunt, Scavenger Hunt, Storytelling, Large Garden Games and Decorate a Cupcake. 10 & 24 September Hitchin & District Probus Club 12 noon for 1pm Priory Hotel, Hitchin Social club for retired and semi-retired professional and business men which meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month for lunch. Organised visits and events throughout the year. New members welcome. Tel: Roger Burt 01438 351891 Email: roger@mazda20.plus.com
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n O s ’ t Wha In September
Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com
10 September Hitchin & District Domino League 8pm Bar 85, Hitchin AGM to plan the 2019/20 season. Extra domino teams from pubs or clubs in Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock and surrounding villages are welcome to join. Matches are played on Thursdays from October to April. Tel: Paul Coard 07904 309638 Email: paul.coard@gmail.com
18 September Hitchin Flower Club 7 for 7.30pm Church House, Church Yard, Hitchin Visitors £6.50. ‘Autumn Flower Tower’ a hands-on workshop led by Claire Nellis of Heaven Flowers. To sign up and for information contact Michelle by 12 September. Tel: Michelle 01462 637874 Facebook: Hitchin Flower Club-NAFAS
12 September Baldock & Clothall WI 7.30pm United Reformed Church, Whitehorse Street, Baldock Visitors £3. Visitors always welcome. Tel: Lucy 01462 742609 for more info Email: baldockclothallwi@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/baldockclothallwi
21 September Join the Dots Forest School Great Wymondley Village, near Hitchin Sessions every third Saturday of the month for children 2+ years, with additional dates in school holidays. Come and join our fun filled sessions involving games, den building, flora and fauna identification and much more. 2-5 years, 10.30am12.30pm £16, siblings £12. 6-11 years, 1.15-4pm £20, siblings £18. Everyone welcome. Email: alison@jointhedotsforestschool.co.uk Website: www.jointhedotsforestschool.co.uk
15 September RSPB Hitchin & Letchworth Local Group Coach Trip Coach fare Adult £16, Under 18s £8 Joint trip with RPSB Stevenage Local Group. We will explore the varied habitats of Rye Harbour on the East Sussex coast looking for departing summer visitors, coastal and woodland birds and other wildlife. Coach departs from Hitchin at 7.45am, Letchworth at 8.00am and Stevenage at 8.15am. Reserve entry charges may apply. Tel: 01462 451320 Email: martinrjspc@hotmail.com 17 September Stevenage RSPB Local Group 7.30pm The Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage RSPB Members £3, Non-members £4, Under 18s 50p. Michael Hooper talks about his Experiences in Uganda. Tel: Trevor Store 01438 226014 Web: www.rspb.org/groups/Stevenage 17 & 24 September, 1 & 8 October Parent Career Coaching Workshop 10-11.30am Symonds Green Community Centre, Stevenage £12.50 per session Four Tuesday sessions with Jessica Cox, accredited career coach and recruitment professional, who will help you if you are a parent returning to work, looking for a new job or considering a career change. You will gain the tools to get you noticed, write a CV that stands out and much more. To book please call or visit the website. Tel: Jessica Cox 07388 537435 Web: https://peakperformancehr.co.uk/contact/
21 September Weston Music Society Concert 7.30pm Weston Parish Church, SG4 7DJ Tickets £16 inc. programme & interval drink, Under 19s free, 19-25 years £5. Paul Galbraith guitarist. He is well known internationally for his unique 8-stringed ‘Brahms’ guitar, for his many acclaimed recordings and frequent world-wide performances. Call or email to reserve tickets Tel: 01462 790573 Email: felicitylowe@yahoo.co.uk Web: www.westonmusicsociety.org.uk or https:// www.wegottickets.com 26 September Stevenage RSPB Local Group Car Trip 9.30am Walk around Broom Gravel Pits. These old workings, now water filled, attract a good variety of species. Meet in the car park of The Cock PH at 9.30am where we can order lunch for our return if required. Leader Graham Beevor. Grid Ref 153/TL 172430. Postcode SG18 9NA. 27 September Hitchin Book Club 5pm Orange tree, Hitchin Admission £2.50 A friendly group who meets the last Friday of each month. No pressure to read books just turn up for a drink and chat. Web: https://hitchinbookclub.simdif.com or https://www.meetup.com/Hitchin-Book-Club/
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Until 24 November The British Schools Museum 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin Adults £5.50, Children 5-17 £3, Under 5s free The British Schools Museum re-opens for public visits. Normally open on Fridays 10am–4pm, Saturdays 10am–4pm and Sundays 2pm–5pm but please check the website for details of temporary changes to regular opening hours and of special activities and extra opening times during school holidays. Last entry time for the museum is 30 minutes before closing time, but the shop and cafe (free entry) will be open until the published closing times. Discounts available for family groups. It is recommended that allow at least two hours for your visit. On the first Sunday of each month you can enjoy a Victorian lesson at no extra charge. Lessons start at 2.30 and 3.30pm - don’t be late! These sessions are very popular and advance booking is recommended. Tel: 01462 420144 Website: www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk Until 15 December* First Threads: Preparing girls for life? Fri & Sat 10am & 4pm, Sun 2-5pm The British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin A new British Schools’ Museum Exhibition on girls’ early education featuring needlework samplers and the stories of the girls who sewed them. * Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk Hitchin & Surrounding Areas Fun & Social Stuff A welcoming social group based in Hitchin, but, also includes the surrounding areas. We arrange monthly socials, drinks socials, live music, pub quizzes, cinema, etc.. The group is a variety of people over 18 getting to know others in a social and friendly setting whilst also enjoying themselves. Email: meetup3@outlook.com Web: https://www.meetup.com/meetup-groupHVrvZZiQ Hitchin Bridge Club Hitchin Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge several times each week. All levels of experience welcomed, hosts are available at some sessions for players without a partner. Workshops each month on topics for improving players. Beginners courses are run every year starting in October. For further information please contact Margaret or visit the website. Tel: Margaret 01462 623447 Email: mee.hitchin@ntlworld.com Web: hitchinbridgeclub.org.uk
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Caxton House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2XS 54
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Motoring
The 10 best electric cars on sale today Each manufacturer is rushing their own electric car to market, and demand is increasing. But which ones are best? We’ve put together some of the ideal all-electric cars currently on sale. Hyundai Kona Electric - Capable of travelling up to 279 miles on a single charge, the new Kona Electric has one of the most impressive ranges of any new electric car available, and comes with funky styling and plenty of in-car technology too. As a compact package, it’s just as well suited to urban driving as it is to longer distance motoring. Jaguar I-Pace - The British firm has customers queuing up to buy its all-electric SUV, and it’s easy to see why – the I-Pace is both fast and a comfortable cruiser, plus has almost 300 miles of range. It’s not cheap at £64,495, but that’s good value compared with the Tesla Model X, its biggest rival. Nissan Leaf - Nissan’s Leaf was one of the very first all-electric cars to become popular, and it has retained that popularity. The Leaf still holds its own. It’ll crack 239 miles on a single charge, and is spacious and comfortable too. BMW i3s - BMW has taken time to refine its i3 allelectric city car, ditching its petrol range extender thanks to better range. The i3s model gives the car a little added performance, and comes with a tuned stability system and a slightly more dynamic look. Kia e-Niro - Journalists have praised the e-Niro crossover for being good to drive and offering a battery capacity that gives an excellent range. Unfortunately, Kia hasn’t been able to source batteries quickly enough to meet demand, so wait times are about twelve months.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric - The Ioniq Electric is an appealing electric car that’s practical, good to drive and surprisingly quick. The interior feels a little on the cheap side, but it’s far from disappointing. However, due to the same battery shortage as has hit Kia, wait times can be up to a year. Audi E-tron - Audi’s E-Tron is its first all-electric model, bringing a premium look and feel as well as impressive electric technology and plenty of space and practicality. Audi claims it’ll do 248 miles on a single charge. Renault Zoe - The Renault Zoe offers one of the cheapest entry points to EV ownership and is a great little supermini. The big battery version gives 186 miles of range, so most inner-city commuters will only have to charge it once or twice a week. Prices start at just over £17,000 with the plug-in grant. Tesla Model 3 - Tesla’s Model S, its saloon car, has been successful, but for many is too expensive. The new Model 3 is a bit more affordable, but still capable of delivering plenty of range and high technology levels too. Volkswagen e-Golf - The Volkswagen e-Golf is a safe bet for an electric vehicle purchase, with the build quality and dependability you’d expect from one of the UK’s best-selling models. Its range of 144 miles is far from the best in the segment, but is perfectly acceptable for the typical commuter. With plug-in car grant applied, prices hover around the £30,000 mark.
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By James Baggott
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0800 046 1080 UP TO 30% OFF IN SEPTEMBER hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk 56
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Crossword Solution for The Villager August Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mr P Baker from Stevenage Nathan Craig Competition Winner - Mr J Clements from Potton
August’s Codeword and Suduko Solutions
Easy
Hard
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The Villager Prize Crossword
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before
16th September 2019 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
Prize
£25
Across 1 Hairy and unkempt (6) 4 Detector (6) 9 Make comprehensible (7) 10 Vagabond (5) 11 Fear greatly (5) 12 Empowered (7) 13 Sections (11) 18 Replicating (7) 20 Ransack (5) 22 Presses (5) 23 Where plays are performed (7) 24 Required (6) 25 Remained (6) Down 1 Firm (6) 2 Round fleshy fruit (5) 3 Your parent’s mother (7) 5 Surplus (5) 6 Type of onion (7) 7 Fast running waterways (6) 8 Make inquiries (11) 14 Detonate (7) 15 Sincere (7) 16 Activity (6) 17 Rely upon (6) 19 Publication (5) 21 Not lean (5)
Name: Tel:
Address:
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GAS SAFE REGISTERED
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Books
Book Review
By Kate Duggan
Vox by Christina Dalcher
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
Tin Can Cook: 75 Simple Store-Cupboard Recipes by Jack Monroe
There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years by Mike Berners-Lee
In this dystopian tale, women are only allowed to speak 100 words a day. They’re also not allowed to read, have a job or, in fact, do very much at all other than look after their husband and children. But Dr Jean McClellan is given the chance to resume her research job and have the word limit lifted for both herself and her daughter, if she collaborates with the government. A real page-turner of a book that will appeal to fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Power.
Simple, wallet-friendly dishes that are delicious and nutritious? It seems too good to be true, but Jack Monroe seems to have succeeded. Her latest book puts canned food at the heart of every dish. Recipes include Rhubarb & Custard Pancakes, Sunshine Soup, Red Lentil and Mandarin Curry, and Creamy Crabby Pasta. Most only contain a handful of ingredients and only take a few minutes to prepare, using ingredients you can pick up from the local shop.
Somebody I Used to Know: A Memoir by Wendy Mitchell
Wendy Mitchell was diagnosed with early-onset dementia at the age of 58. In her memoir, she talks about the reasons she sought a diagnosis, how she came to terms with it and the changes she’s made to her life. Somebody I Used to Know gives us an eye-opening insight into an illness that’s all too often whispered about behind closed doors. Perhaps surprisingly, the memoir is also brimming with optimism, hope and humour.
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The TV series has proven a hit, but it would be criminal to watch it without also reading the book. Crowley is a demon. Aziraphale is an angel. They’ve been good friends for a few thousand years. When they find out the apocalypse is coming and neither of the sides they represent want to stop it, the duo take it upon themselves to intervene. Hugely original, incredibly funny and, most of all, a truly entertaining story.
Want to play your part in protecting the planet? This book can help you decide which actions to take to make the most impact. (The answers may surprise you.) Topics range from food, energy and travel to wealth distribution. It’s presented in bite-sized chunks and written in plain English.
Diary of a Somebody by Brian Bilston
It’s difficult to describe this book. It’s part poetry, part diary, part love story, part crime novel. Somehow, it all adds up to a very funny take on suburban life. If you struggle to find time to read, this could be the book for you, as it’s written as a series of short diary entries – perfect for dipping into each day when you have a few minutes to spare.
Whether it’s a new release or an old classic, fact or fiction, there’s always time for a good book.
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Appliance and Electrical Repairs Appliance and Electrical Repairs All makes of washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, hobs and hoods repaired, serviced and sold. No call out charges on accepted quotes Member of DASA 30 years 35 years local work experience Used as expert on BBC Watchdog
01525 753547 or 07836 242122 G.J. WATKINSON
From just ÂŁ35.00 per month plus VAT
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