Henlow Nov 2020

VILLAGER The

Issue 144 - November 2020

and Town

Life

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

In this issue The History of

Place Names Travel

Insurance Advice

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Inside this issue...

Getting Fruity

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The History of Place Names............................................................. 4 Québec City........................................................................................... 8 St Francis Children’s Society............................................................ 12 Forever Friends..................................................................................... 15 Drinks: Gin is in.....................................................................................16 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.......................................................18 Are you eating enough fibre?.........................................................20 The Boot Edit - House of Colour.................................................. 24 That’s that Oxygen Therapy about?............................................ 27 Brain Benefits.......................................................................................28 Do try this at home............................................................................32 Life-Saving Memories....................................................................... 34 The Coding Conundrum...................................................................37 Travel Insurance Advice.................................................................... 39

Getting Fruity...................................................................................... 43 Rhubarb, Rhubarb..............................................................................44 In a pickle..............................................................................................48 Henlow Clifton Tigers Cub Pack.................................................... 51 Fireworks Phobia................................................................................ 52 Heroic Dogs with Skills that Save Lives...................................... 55 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal................................................................ 57 Another Successful Adopter..........................................................58 Puzzle Page...........................................................................................60 Age UK - It’s Great Being Back!......................................................65 First Drive: Volkswagen e-Up.........................................................66 Get a good tech deal on Black Friday..........................................71 Villager Prize Crossword.................................................................. 74 The Book Nook................................................................................... 77 Useful Numbers.................................................................................. 79

Québec City

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Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £35.00 +VAT per month Editorial - Catherine Rose, Solange Hando, Tracey Anderson, Trevor Langley, Nick Coffer, Jennie Billings, Louise Addison, Herts MS Therapy Centre, EAAA, Kevin Shen, Pippa Greenwood, Rachael Leverton, Sally Harris, Kate McLelland, RSPCA and Kate Duggan

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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

By Catherine Rose

Edinburgh

The History of Place Names The origin of our village and town names can provide a fascinating insight into their history.

Did you know that the study of place names is called toponomastics? Generally, places have earned their names from the people that founded the settlement, the surrounding landscape, or the flora and fauna that have featured there. Over time, with the evolution of language and through local dialects, place names have changed throughout generations, sometimes becoming quite different versions of what they were hundreds of years ago.

Castle Combe

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The UK has had a varied history, having been home to many conquering invaders and numerous tribes.

Consequently, our modern place names have been contributed to by the Celts, the Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings and even the French.

We often think of the Romans as having founded our major cities but their Latin names were either based on the existing Old English ones or were so radically different that their use hasn’t survived (for example, the Roman Verulamium for what is now St Albans).

Many people think the word ‘chester’ is Roman but in fact its roots are Celtic. Manchester is derived from the Celtic words mamm meaning ‘a breastshaped hill’ and ceaster – ‘a fortified city’. Most of our current city, town and village names were given to them by our most ancient ancestors.

Tre in a place name denotes a homestead or hamlet and was usually paired with the name of the person who owned it, so Tregare in Wales means ‘Gare’s home’. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given their proximity across the Bristol Channel, this prefix is seen even more widely in Cornwall.

Another common Cornish prefix is penn which is a ‘headland’. Penzance is a conjugation of penn and sans which together mean ‘holy headland’.

Like tre, a town or village name ending in by is Old Norse for ‘homestead’. The Vikings are also responsible for place names that begin or end with

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holm. In Old Norse, this meant ‘island’ and usually referred to a settlement surrounded by marsh or water.

Water, especially rivers, features widely in place name origins. For example, Luton is derived from ‘Lea’ after the river that flows through it and tun which is Anglo-Saxon for a large farm or settlement (which probably later evolved into our modern word ‘town’). Another common place name inclusion is ‘ham’. Hamm was Anglo-Saxon for ‘small village’ and is almost certainly the origin of the word ‘hamlet’.

Mor(e) or Mer referred to a ‘lake’ in Old English (mer also means ‘sea’ in French). You can find variations of it in town names such as Cromer and Swanmore.

Numerous places have the word bury in them. This did not refer to a burial plot as it might sound but is the Old English word for a large estate, known by the Anglo-Saxons as a burh. The root has also given rise to towns with ‘borough’ and ‘burgh’ in them.

Stead or sted comes from the Anglo-Saxon word stede for ‘place’ (hence the word ‘homestead’ means ‘place of home’.)

Featured in the town names of Stow, Stowmarket and Stow on the Wold (from wald or weald being the Old English for ‘forest’), a stow was somewhere holy. Less obviously, it also gave Bristol its name as the town was originally called ‘Brigg’s Stow’ meaning ‘the holy place by the bridge’.

The suffix ley signifies a forest clearing and there

are many villages and towns in the UK ending in -ley or -ly that date from a time when our island was covered in woodland. The Viking word was thwaite, seen particularly in the north today.

One interesting suffix is wick or wich. This was the Anglo-Saxon noun for ‘produce’ and was bestowed on a farm with a prefix that told you what it produced. So, for example, Greenwich is said to have originally been an arable farm some distance from London, Woolwich, a sheep farm, while Chiswick would have been a dairy farm (chis being ‘cheese’).

Other Old English words which feature in place names are cott or cote for ‘small house’ (hence our word ‘cottage’), clopp meaning ‘small hill’, combe which referred to ‘a valley’, holt for ‘a wood’, and den which was a pasture, usually for livestock like pigs (not to be confused with the suffix don which comes from the word dun meaning ‘hill’.)

Many of our county names also have ancient origins. For example, ‘Essex’ was the place where the East-Saxons settled (‘East Sax’), ‘Sussex’ the South-Saxons, and Middlesex, which has now been absorbed into Greater London, was where the Middle-Saxons lived. East Anglia was also named from the tribe that once inhabited it, the Angles.

Although today it is difficult to still see their origins, deciphering old place names can give us the strongest clue as to how the landscape must have once looked.

Penzance 6

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Travel

Québec City

By Solange Hando

In 1534 French explorer Jacques Cartier planted a cross on the shores of Gaspé Bay, claiming the land for his king. But for seventy years or so the ‘New France’ was a distant dream, until Samuel de Champlain set up a trading post along the ‘Kebec’, the ‘narrowing waters’ of the St Lawrence River. Rival settlers soon brought ongoing conflict and, on the strategic Diamond Cape high above the river, the so-called ‘Gibraltar of Canada’ fell to English rule in 1759. Today sprinkled with English traditions yet fiercely loyal to its French roots, language included, the provincial capital is hailed as one of the most attractive cities on the continent.

On the Plains of Abraham where the final battle took place, history is recalled among quiet groves and picnic spots. Just a stroll away the Grande Allée is an elegant tree-lined boulevard, nicknamed Champs-Elysées, while on Parliament Hill the National Assembly sits in an opulent building, in French Renaissance style, topped by a lofty tower.

The nearby St Louis’ gate leads into the Vieux Québec, the only remaining walled city in North America.

First there’s the Upper Town gathered around the Chateau Frontenac, bristling with tower, turrets and copper roof. Now a nostalgic century-old hotel, it welcomes royalty, leaders and stars close to the site where French governors resided. Meanwhile, visitors stroll along the Dufferin Terrace, a magical place with glorious river views and the joyful ambience of musicians and artists. You find historic buildings and

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statues, among them Champlain who founded the city in 1608, a 350-year-old cathedral, a Holy Trinity modelled on St-Martin-in-the-Fields and a UNESCO monument celebrating the title granted in 1985 to the first North American city. Ride a horse-drawn carriage or explore on foot and you discover neat stone houses with pastel frames, fleur-de-lys on the blue Québec flag and myriad treasures hidden in the lanes. Next, wander around the citadel that took over thirty years to complete. The 22nd Royal Regiment still parades on the grounds, very Englishlike in red tunics and bearskin hats.

The Lower Town beckons down steep slopes and ‘Breakneck Stairs’ or a short scenic ride in the old funicular, gazing at dormer windows and rooftops, a cruise ship or two below the cape and ferries sailing across the river. The rail track ends in the former house of Mississippi explorer, Louis Jolliet, in the delightful district of Petit-Champlain. Once the humble home of artisans and traders, it’s a bustling little place with winding lanes and pretty squares glistening with cobbles, peppered with French bakeries, outdoor cafés, restaurants and boutiques full of arts and craft. Just down the road, a lovely promenade invites walkers and cyclists to enjoy the old port and the quiet marina behind the lock. But most breathtaking is the harbour cruise with costumed guide, revealing the bucolic Orleans Island, the sparkling Montmorency Falls and the city’s historic skyline mirrored like a fairy tale in the great St Lawrence on its way to the ocean.

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Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service With A Smile.

I think we can all agree that the sooner we see the back of 2020 and this dreadful corona virus the better. That said, there are also some heart warming positives that we can take out of this situation. It has often been said that we can only really get to know one another and realise what is truly important in times of crisis. I think few would argue that in this case what has proven to be important is local community spirit.

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Stephen Moon it became clear that these values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of

supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

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

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Local News

St Francis Children’s Society In the UK, almost 3,000 children are in need of an adoptive family and the number of adoptions in England has fallen by a third in the last four years.

In response to this fall in numbers, Milton Keynes adoption agency St. Francis’ Children’s Society has joined the national #YouCanAdopt campaign, which aims to bust some of the myths around who is eligible to adopt.

Earlier this year, a new report revealed that 45% of adults in the UK have considered adoption or would consider it in future. But, despite this, 62% of adults feel they don’t know much about the adoption process - and this lack of knowledge may contribute to many people not taking the important first step.

With 40% of people admitting they don’t know if they’re eligible to adopt and 29% thinking they wouldn’t be able to, St. Francis’ Children’s Society (SFCS) is aiming to increase the number of people taking the first steps towards adopting a child.

You can adopt if you’re married, in a long-term relationship or single. You could be heterosexual or LGBT+, it doesn’t matter. In fact, 1 in 7 adoptions in England in 2019 were to same-sex couples. You may be hoping to adopt your first child, or you may already have birth or adopted children in your family.

Adopters can be of any or no religious faith. Children who are waiting for adoption come from many different backgrounds, cultures and religions, and SFCS accordingly welcomes adopters from all walks of life.

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You don’t need to own your own home or be ‘rich’ to adopt. Your financial stability and money-management abilities will be discussed during the adoption assessment, but being unemployed, on a low income or on benefits will not automatically rule you out from becoming an adoptive parent.

Having a disability or a mental health condition won’t automatically exclude you from adopting a child either. Any health condition, mental or physical, will be explored fully to help us understand any issues you may experience with parenting a child. But don’t rule yourself out before speaking to one of our friendly team of social workers.

St. Francis’ Children’s Society is proud to support the #YouCanAdopt campaign, which will be running until the beginning of December 2020. You can find lots more information about who can adopt by searching #YouCanAdopt on Google, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Singer Sinitta is one of several adopters who are backing the campaign. The mum of two said: “I would definitely encourage others to consider adoption.

The feeling of finally becoming a mother was almost indescribable; it’s just everything. It was everything I wanted and more. I love my children more than anything and I always say that love is thicker than blood.”

If you can provide a safe, stable, loving home for a child or children who need it, the chances are #YouCanAdopt. Visit www.sfcs.org.uk and click on I’d Like To Adopt to learn more and begin your journey towards growing your family.

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Friendship

Forever Friends

By Tracey Anderson

Making friends as an adult The world is going through uncertain times and friends have never been more important. They provide stability, comfort, and connection. The defining feature of friendship is that it’s voluntary.

We retain friendships because we want to, not because we have to.

The downside is that friendships often fall by the wayside. Our adult lives are incredibly busy with obligations to work, spouses, children and older parents, and friendships can suffer as a result. We can lose friendships so rapidly that some of us live our lives as adults essentially friendless and this has ramifications for our mental health. Studies suggest that, without friends, we’re at higher risk of depression and anxiety, and that the key difference between the happiest and unhappiest people is how socially connected they are.

Making friends as an adult takes deliberate effort, and this can be an issue if you lack confidence socially. Shy people often avoid events where they might have to interact socially. One way to get over this is to assume that people will like you. Studies show that this mindset is actually a self-fulfilling prophecy. People who assume they will be liked share more about themselves, disagree less, and have a more positive attitude, which of course makes positive social interaction more likely.

As a child friendships seem to happen organically.

As an adult we need to let go of this idea and take responsibility rather than waiting passively. We need to show up at event and say ‘hello’ when we get there. We need to introduce ourselves yourself to other people, and ask for their phone numbers, then

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follow up and arrange to meet, and we need to go through this initiation process repeatedly. It can be scary but the pay-off is worth it. In studies, people with good initiation skills tend to have more and better friendships.

Initiation doesn’t turn a person into a friend.

Some people are good at connecting but struggle to sustain relationships. Sociologists have long recognised that friendships thrive on continuous interaction. This means choosing activities carefully.

It’s a good idea to sign up for activities that provide multiple opportunities to connect, such as a language class, a writing course, or a book club a book club.

Repeated interactions capitalise on the ‘exposure effect’, our tendency to like things more, the more familiar they are. So, if we want to make friends, we should commit to showing up somewhere for a few months. At the moment this is even more difficult than usual because of pandemic restrictions, but in fact people are starting to connect more in online groups. Some studies have shown that shy people actually find online interaction easier and that people tend to open up more because they have time to think before posting. These online relationships have the capacity to become lasting friendships in the real world. If your aim is to find local friends to hang out with after the pandemic then its best to find local based groups, even if they are online for now. A quick search of my local area on Facebook threw up groups for crochet, eco-living, gardening, cooking, and a book club.

We all need friends so take a deep breath and say hello first.

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Food & Drink

Drinks: Gin is in

Gin is an extremely popular alcoholic beverage. This flavoured white spirit utilises barley, corn or rye in its distillation and dates from the Middle Ages. The base flavour comes from juniper berries. Different styles of gin are available today, including flavoured variations. Gin cocktails are a regular choice, for numerous ‘devotees’ and the world-renowned ‘Gin & Tonic’ is always a favourite, with many.

Highclere Castle is located approx 5 miles south of Newbury, Hampshire and is home to the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. A lot of very interesting history of this property and grounds is well-documented.

Highclere Castle and the Estate have been used, both internally and externally, for a good number of films and TV productions and known around the world as the fictional setting for the hugely popular production of Downton Abbey. The Estate is very impressive indeed. The Carnarvon family have resided at Highclere Castle since 1679. Royal guests, plus statesmen, famous musicians and celebrities, are all amongst numerous visitors who have been welcomed to this exceptional property and location.

Highclere Castle Gin (Alc. 43.5% Vol.) is multi award-winning and is produced from one of the oldest copper gin stills, dating back to the 19th century, in England’s oldest gin distillery. Very carefully, botanicals, grown on the Highclere Estate, were selected and then after many, many weeks and months of experimenting, finally the selections were chosen for the recipe. The botanicals include essential oils and give Highclere Gin its outstanding, unique, smooth and elegant flavour. Juniper, lavender, coriander, lime flower, citrus peels, angelica root, cassia bark, green cardamom, liquorice root and peppercorns, plus Highclere oats are all included to produce the exquisite production that is Highclere Castle Gin. A phrase I have never used before is, “Try it, to believe it!” On its Own, with Ice, Gin & Tonic, Classic Martini, Negroni, White Lady, or whatever a favourite choice is, I found this gin most certainly did not disappoint – the prestigious awards that keep coming, are testament to that!

Tel: +44 (0) 1635 253 210 E-mail:contact@highclerecastlespirits.com www.highclerecastlegin.com www.highclerecastle.co.uk Highclere Castle Spirits Estate Office, Highclere Park, Newbury, RG20 9RN

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl 16

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Food & Drink

Slow-cooked marinated baby back ribs Cards on the table, I absolutely love ribs. I also have nothing but admiration for anyone who can cook them the “hardcore” way. You know, slowly smoked for hours and hours on a perfectly heated BBQ, perfectly marinated, pulling apart as you eat them. Only problem is, you need about 24 hours notice for that and I just don’t have that kind of organisation in my life. So these are the “it’s 3pm and I fancy ribs this evening” version.

Plus they are baked in the oven, so won’t get spoiled by rain cancelling the BBQ. They are literally foolproof and work however you make the marinade.

You’ll need a large rack of baby back ribs for two people (or one rack per person if you love ribs as much as I do). Ask your butcher to remove the membrane on the back of the ribs if you can.

Store cupboard marinade: Lots of squirts of ketchup, honey, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, a couple of teaspoons garlic powder and a drizzle of xiao xing wine.

Don’t worry about the quantities, and don’t worry if you are missing an ingredient. You just want a lovely, dark and slightly sticky sauce.

1. Rub the ribs all over in the mixed sauce (save a bit of the sauce for later), pop them in a baking dish and cover with foil.

2. Bake them at 130C for 3-4 hours, basting both sides every hour (you will likely need to add a little bit of water to the pan to get the best bits off the bottom).

3. Uncover the ribs for the last 15 minutes and baste with the leftover sauce from earlier.

4. Once cooked, remove and leave to rest, wrapped in foil, for 15 minutes.

5. Cut up and serve. The meat will be falling off the bone.

These are lovely served with a simple coleslaw and corn on the cob.

BBC Three Counties Radio presenter and cook, Nick Coffer 18

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Health

Are you eating enough fibre?

Discover the benefits of increasing your fibre intake – by Guts UK charity Fibre is the indigestible part of plant-based foods that does not get absorbed into our body. Many of us are aware of fibre and know it’s an important component of any healthy diet, yet most of us don’t eat enough of it.

We used to believe that fibre didn’t do much at all, assuming that because the human body couldn’t digest it, it just ‘travelled’ through our digestive system. In fact, fibre is absolutely vital for gut health, helping to prevent constipation and even bowel cancer.

Perhaps most importantly, fibre is the food for over 100 trillion microorganisms that live in your gut. This ‘good gut bacteria’ is vital to your wellbeing, defending against harmful microorganisms and easing absorption of some essential

vitamins. Therefore, it’s important that we feed it!

“The average person in the UK eats less than 20g of fibre per day, or less than two-thirds of the recommended 30g amount.

Through recent research, we know that additional fibre in the diet reduces the risk of chronic common conditions, such as bowel cancer, cardiovascular disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes,” says Julie Thompson, specialist dietician and information manager at Guts UK charity.

Foods that are rich in fibre include wholegrain cereals, wholewheat pasta, oats and wholegrain bread.

Fruit and vegetables such as berries, pears, melon, oranges, broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn are also rich in fibre, as are peas, beans, pulses, nuts, seeds and potatoes.

There are a number of simple steps you can take to increase your fibre intake, like swapping

to wholegrain bread, opting for wholewheat pasta or choosing potatoes with skins, such as baked potatoes, wedges or boiled new potatoes. Think about adding beans, lentils or chickpeas to stews, curries and salads.

“If you are planning to increase the amount of fibre in your diet, you should do this gradually,” Julie continued. “Increasing your fibre intake suddenly can cause symptoms such as wind and bloating”.

The science never lies. A paper published in the Lancet medical journal that analysed 185 studies and 58 clinical trials discovered just how important fibre can be in contributing to a long and healthy life. “The paper suggests that if you shifted 1,000 people from a low fibre diet (less than 15g) to a high-fibre one (25-29g), it would prevent thirteen deaths and six cases of heart disease,” Julie explained. “It’s simple – the more fibre we eat, the better!”

Guts UK is the charity for the digestive system. The digestive system is truly fascinating, but it is very complex. Millions are affected by digestive diseases, yet our guts have been underfunded and misunderstood for decades. With new knowledge and research, we can diagnose earlier, develop kinder treatments and ultimately, a cure.

Learn more at gutscharity.org.uk, call 01484 483 123 or email info@gutscharity.org.uk – we’re here to help.

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House of Colour

The Boot Edit The shops are full of a real range of boots this season – sleek and sophisticated to heavy and chunky options. You may even already have something at home which will is still really current. Here’s my guide to your options this season – what to look out for and how you might wear them.

Chunky soled heavy boot – form the hiking inspired to the Dr Martin and clog, there is a wide variety of heavier options out there. This is very much carrying through the utility trend we’ve seen last season.

They can work with the cut off jean, wide legged and the Mom jean options but for some people they’re going to work really well with a midi dress. If you’re drawn to clothes with a natural distressed look some chunky soled boots could be your thing.

Sleek sharp and pointed – The cowboy boot has been given a sleeker upgrade this season. They have retained their point but have added angles at the heel often with a shiner finish to the leather. Marks and Spencer and Zara have options. The low heeled ankle boot with block heel (quite a sixties feel to it) continues into this season from last again with patent finish. All these work well with the clean lines in comfort tailoring trends we’re seeing but also act as a nice contrast with softer fabrics.

Heeled knee – high - Continuing some seventies inspired looks the heeled knee high is definitely making an entrance this season. Some with a slouchy suede and some with rich leather, cone heel and a vintage feel. Works well with the just below the knee lengths and longer looks in hems we’re seeing.

The look doesn’t always require a close fit to the calf making them an easier option for those who struggle to get the right leg fit. If you need clothes the flow and movement these will work well for you. Check out Clarks and Dune.

Luxurious fabrics – some patterns, kitten heels in velours are also to be found, even with embellishments. A great way to update an existing look and will add the glamour to some clothing personalities.

N.B. Tights – some interesting colours in Heist and Snag. If you already have a lot of colour in your wardrobe opt for your best neutrals.

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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Local News

What’s That Oxygen Therapy About?

It is amazing how many people feel better through breathing pure oxygen. At Hertfordshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, in Letchworth, we have been doing Oxygen Therapy for 32 years. We have helped thousands of people with MS, Parkinson’s, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, leg ulcers, bedsores, and cancer. People visit us from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire... and Europe!

Oxygen Therapy means breathing pure oxygen under gentle pressure enabling our bodies to absorb a higher proportion of the oxygen we breath. (Normal air has about 21% oxygen.) During Oxygen Therapy, people breathe in almost five times as much oxygen as usual, so oxygen levels carried around their bodies should be higher too. Often that extra oxygen helps the body to reduce pain, fight infection, increase energy levels and speed up the body’s natural healing processes.

It can accelerate recovery from an operation and is used by athletes to improve performance.

We have the only Oxygen Chamber in Hertfordshire. It seats up to seven people and is like a small tube train carriage. Each person wears a mask that supplies the medical grade oxygen. Our team shows you everything you need to know.

All sessions are run by two staff following strict safety procedures (including keeping everyone Covid-safe). Many of our oxygen sessions are run by trained volunteers. If you know someone who can help us for 2 hours a week ask them to contact us at volunteering@hmstc.net We are delighted to see oxygen helping so many people… and are very clear that it does not work for everyone.

It is a natural therapy, without the side effects of prescription drugs. Talk to us about what you hope Oxygen Therapy might help you with by emailing oxygen@hmstc.net. Or call us on 01462 684 214.

Would you like more energy and less pain?

Try Oxygen Therapy Visit The Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth WE ARE OPEN EXTRA SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE

www.hertsmstherapy.org.uk Registered Charity 299524

Company Number 2215165

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Call us on

07743 172 393 or email: oxygen@hmstc.net 27

Brain Health

Brain Benefits Brain health is as important as physical health Over the past few decades neuroscientists have discovered that the grey blancmange-like structure between our ears is capable of adapting, healing, rewiring and even renewing itself. What’s more, we can make changes which positively impact the health of our brain, and science has given us some interesting ways to do this.

Juggling Various studies found that volunteers who participated in a juggling exercise improved connections in areas of their brains involved in visual and motor activity. Furthermore, the changes were still present several weeks after they stopped.

The researchers chose juggling becasue it’s a complex skill, but other complex activities would also work, for example: salsa dancing, life-drawing or learning a musical instrument. The key is that the new skill you choose to learn should be unrelated to what you normally do. It should take you out of your comfort zone.

Tasks which involve genuine concentration, such as studying a musical instrument, playing chess, juggling, and dancing, are associated with a lower risk for dementia. Dancing, it turns out is particularly good as it is both physically and mentally challenging.

Learning a new language is also good for a brain

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By Louise Addison

workout, causing an increase in grey matter in the areas related to the use of language.

Sleep For those of us who love our beds it’s good news; sleep is necessary for brain health. It’s not such good news for people who struggle with insomnia and disrupted sleep though. Poor sleep is linked to rapid reductions in brain volume, so your brain actually shrinks. Areas of the brain dealing with language, balance, maths and decision-making were the most affected. Poor sleep causes protein build-up in the brain, which negatively impacts brain cells. Sleep repairs and restores brain function, so improving sleep habits is important for brain health. Experts suggest between 7–8 hours per night as optimal. If you feel you aren’t sleeping well it’s important to talk to your doctor as underlying issues such as snoring, or high levels of anxiety, may need to be addressed.

Exercise It’s not only good for your body but it helps memory, motor skills, and learning ability.

It doesn’t need to be anything fancy; simply running on a treadmill or pedalling a stationary bike for 30 minutes has benefits. Exercise increases heart rate, so more oxygen is pumped to the brain, and it releases beneficial hormones too, improving mood and sleep, while reducing stress levels and anxiety.

See why dancing is so brain-friendly? It ticks ALL the boxes.

Mindfulness It’s not just a fad. Science says meditation is beneficial for mental health. Our brains often function on auto-pilot. Being in the moment while going about your day and noticing any tension or preoccupations without judging is effective in combating stress. Meditation rewires your brain, leading to: raised happiness levels, stress reduction, increased concentration, improved working memory, decreased emotional outbursts, and better problem-solving.

By taking care of your brain you can increase white and grey matter, improve mental health, and slow down cognitive decline. It’s time to be brainy!

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Mobile Foot Health Practitioner

Lucy E. Hobbs-Morris BA (hons), MCFHP, MAFHP telephone: 01462 641113 mobile: 07795 030774 email: hobbs_lucy@hotmail.com

Some of the problems I can help you with Toenail Cutting Thick nails Ingrown nails Corns Callous Cracked Heels Fungal Nails Diabetic Footcare Fully registered and insured 12 years experience

COVID-19 precautions and PPE compliant

Facials • Siennax Spray Tans • High Definition Brows • Henna Brows • Brow Lamination Eye Lash Extensions • Lash Lift • Microdermabrasion Semi-Permanent Eye Brow Microblading (carried out at The Therapy Lounge in Biggleswade)

Special Offer for November Eyebrow Microblading £150.00 Model discounted rate Book two treatments together £10 discount

Book on line www.ldmobilebeautyandspmakeup.co.uk

Tel:07850282302 Email: lesleydownspmakeup@outlook.com To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Parenting

Do try this at home…

Fun science experiments that the whole family will enjoy

A homemade lava lamp This lava lamp is short-lived, but pretty magical.

You’ll need • A glass • Vegetable oil • Water • A bright food colouring (e.g. red or green) • An Alka-Seltzer tablet What to do Fill the glass to about halfway with vegetable oil.

Add around a fifth of a glass of water.

Add around 10 drops of food colouring.

Drop in the Alka-Seltzer tablet and watch the marvel unfold.

Why it works The oil floats on the water. When you drop the tablet in, it reacts with the water to make carbon dioxide bubbles. They carry the coloured water to the top, before popping and sinking back down.

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Iceberg For this experiment, you probably have everything you need already.

You’ll need • A glass • Ice cubes • Salt • String What to do Dangle a piece of string in the glass with one hand.

Pop ice cubes into the glass so that it’s at least half-full.

Can you pull the ice-cubes out of the glass using the string?

Repeat the first two steps.

Pour a couple of tablespoons of salt over the ice cubes and the string.

Wait 10 seconds and pull the string out.

This time, the ice cubes should come out with the string.

Why it works The salt makes the edges of the ice cubes start to melt but then they partially refreeze, sticking to the string as they do.

Runaway milk Don’t worry, this is a lot less messy than it sounds.

You’ll need • A plate or wide, shallow bowl • Full fat milk • Food colouring (ideally three different colours) • Washing-up liquid What to do Pour some milk into the plate.

(You only need it to be around a centimetre deep.)

Add a few drops of food colouring in different areas. Not too many, there should be large gaps between each one.

Dip a finger in the washing-up liquid and then touch one of the spots of food colouring.

Repeat with other spots of food colouring.

The colour will swirl away from your touch.

Why it works The milk and washing-up liquid can’t mix. What you’re seeing is the fat particles swirling away from the washing-up liquid. Don’t have food colouring? Try touching a felt tip pen to the milk instead.

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Local News

Life-Saving Memories As East Anglian Air Ambulance continues to mark its 20th anniversary, we share with you some memories from supporters who have benefitted from its vital work.

Megan from Cambridge I used to be a fundraising intern at EAAA and loved it!

Recently they came out to my aunty who had a burst brain aneurysm and if they hadn’t of got to her as quickly as they did, she would not be alive today! She’s currently in rehab and will be for a long time but she’s making progress. I really can’t thank EAAA enough for what they do!

Sue from Cambridgeshire My memory is of the EAAA Crew from Cambridge stabilising my condition and getting me to Addenbrooke’s Hospital so that I can be here today. I might have lost part of an arm but thanks to EAAA, I am alive. This is why I support EAAA and will continue to do so for as long as I can.

Judy from Fowlmere On the 3rd February 2014 I had a cardiac arrest while at home. I was helping my eight-year-old daughter with her homework and had only just returned from work.

My husband, on calling 999, performed CPR for 12 minutes while awaiting an ambulance. The EAAA team by road attended first and without their intervention, I literally would not be here today retelling my memory.

Not forgetting how proud I am of my husband, too, he is also my hero!

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Lucy from Willingham On 8 November 2019 the crew were called out to my husband who had dislocated his hip and broken his femur. He was in considerable pain and the doctor had to administer ketamine before he could move him.

It was incredibly traumatic but also a crazy couple of hours as my husband was treated on the kitchen floor.

The crew were amazing with him and with me. Sadly, my husband passed away three weeks later from the cancer that had metastasised in his bones. I will never forget or thank enough the amazing team that helped us through that day.

Maria from Weston Colville I fell off a horse on Dec 1st 2011. I knew immediately that it was bad as I couldn’t feel anything below my neck. I will never forget the care I was given with such professionalism by the crew that day. To extract me from a ditch without moving my spine, in a lot of mud, must have been very difficult, but done so quietly and calmly. I spent a long time recovering, but I got my life back. I am eternally grateful to EAAA for all you do. I often see EAAA flying over my village and always wave!

Get involved and help EAAA save lives • Support EAAA by playing the 20th anniversary raffle, with 15 prizes up for grabs at just £1 per ticket eaaaraffle.org • Leave EAAA your memory and find out more about the history of the service at eaaa.org.uk/20years • Sign up to play in the EAAA weekly lottery, which funds 45% of EAAA’s life-saving missions at www.eaaa.org.uk/shout

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TEMPLARS CROSS LODGE www.templarscrosslodge.co.uk Close to Baldock town centre in spacious surroundings this motel style Bed & Breakfast offers off road parking.

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Tel: 07970 162753

Email: ami@amcofm.co.uk or sally@amcofm.co.uk North Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire SG7 5DN

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Technology

By Kevin Shen https://www.udemy.com/course/ learn-python-by-coding-games

The Coding Conundrum How to get kids learning to code When my son Lee started secondary school this year, the subject he was most looking forward to studying was computer science. He wants to learn to code and create his own programs. But a few weeks in and he was starting to lose enthusiasm.

The problem is that he hasn’t yet touched a computer, only partly because of COVID safety procedures. They learn about programming and how computers work, but it’s all on paper without a single line of code. I looked at his syllabus and frankly it’s not going to get much better for several months!

Computer science courses at school talk about computers much more than they talk about programming. Kids desperate to code become frustrated and switch off from the subject. Fewer children in the UK are now progressing to become computer programmers. That’s unfortunate when it’s one of the most sought after skills in today’s workforce.

There is a shortage of specialist computer science teachers. Most computer programmers work in industry, where salaries are higher. So children are taught by non-specialists who mostly do not have a software engineering background. Hence the syllabus becomes weighted to teaching general computing rather than coding.

How do we turn kids on to coding?

Most want to create the next top selling computer games, or a killer app for their phone. How do we harness that and create the next generation of coders?

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Learning is currently going through big changes thanks to the pandemic. We can’t rely on having kids in a classroom with their teacher for the whole of a term at the moment because of various year groups or members of a bubble needing to self-isolate. But online learning opens up an almost infinite number of options for students. Web sites like Udemy or Coursera offer high-quality, well-taught courses in a vast range of topics.

For Lee I found a Udemy course, tailored to his age range that taught coding through designing and building games (I’ve included the web address below). It teaches Python, the same programming language that he’ll use at school, and indeed the one most schools use. All the lessons are video, so there’s no reading long documents. Coding starts as soon as the programming software (which is free!) is installed.

He can go at his own pace, take lessons whenever he wants, and replay explanations as many times as he wants until he fully understands. Personal help is just a few clicks away. Send a message and an answer comes back in about a day or so from the actual tutor. It’s just like having a private computer science teacher at a fraction of the cost - less than the cost of a single tutor session in fact!

So how’s he doing?

The enthusiasm is back. He’s blasting through the lessons and loving it. At this rate he’ll finish the course this term which will take him to GCSE coding standard in just a few months. After that the sky’s the limit.

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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 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

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Travel Insurance Advice

As thoughts turn to holidays in 2021, the issue of travel insurance has never been more complicated.

The disruption from COVID-19 led many travellers to discover their policy wasn’t quite as comprehensive as they assumed.

With local lockdowns, travel bans and quarantine an ever-changing situation in recent months, all too many people have found planned trips either impossible or no longer quite what they expected.

If you’ve got an annual policy, your first step should be checking the date the policy began. The precise details will vary between insurers, but as a general rule any ordinary policy taken out after the start of April 2020 will almost certainly exclude any claims related to COVID-19.

Instead, you’ll need to look for a policy that specifically covers coronavirus. Most such policies will only cover the medical effects, though a few policies will also cover cancellation.

Whether you are relying on a pre-April 2020 policy or take out a new one that includes COVID-19 cancellation, check the conditions that will trigger a payout. Some policies will only cover you getting COVID-19 while some will pay out if a family member gets it. Some will only cover a positive diagnosis while others will cover cases where you are told to self-isolate, for example because you’ve been in close contact with somebody who has tested positive.

Coronavirus has also brought much greater attention to Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advisories, something that’s normally only been an issue for people travelling to far-off war-torn nations.

At the time of writing, the FCO still had a default position advising against any non-essential travel to any country that wasn’t specifically exempted.

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Finance

If you do travel to a country that’s under such an advisory, your insurance is automatically invalid.

However, a travel insurance policy almost certainly won’t cover you cancelling a trip because the FCO advice has changed.

If you decide against travel altogether, you can usually cancel an ongoing annual policy and get a refund in proportion to the remaining time, minus any administrative fee. This won’t be allowed if you’ve already made a claim on the policy during the cover period, for example from a previous trip.

Despite the increased limitations, travel insurance may soon be even more important in Europe. At the time of writing, the UK and the European Union had yet to agree an extension of the UK’s participation in the European Health Identity Card program beyond the end of 2020.

The EHIC isn’t insurance, but rather a mutual agreement that covers European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Anyone with an EHIC is entitled to medical treatment on the same basis as residents of the country where they fall ill.

EHIC has never been a substitute for travel insurance, as it doesn’t cover disruption from illness or injury such as having to rebook flights home. However, if the UK does leave EHIC, travelling to the continent without travel insurance could lead to hefty medical bills even for basic treatment.

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Gardening

By Pippa Greenwood

Getting Fruity You can grow fruit in your garden even when short on space, by making the fruit work in more ways than one and making the best use of their good looks. At this time of year the widest selection of fruit plants is available from specialist fruit nurseries as ‘bare root’ plants, and this is also the perfect time to plant fruit.

A simple metal arch can be used to train tree fruit such as apples or pears up the sides and over the top. For perfect pollination (and maximum crops), plant two different apples in the same pollination group on each side of the arch. You can use cordon apples or simple ‘whips’ (straight stems). A good fruit tree nursery will be able to advise on the best combinations.

Cherries can do surprisingly well in a large pots, planters or a wooden half-barrel. The combination of their lovely white spring blossom and tasty summer fruit makes then an attractive plant for a sunny, sheltered patio or back yard. Choose a cherry on a ‘dwarfing rootstock’ such as Gisela 5 to ensure it does not get too big.

There are many types of fruit that take up extremely little space, such as Ballerina apples; alternatively, train cordon apples or pears vertically and spaced 6090cm (2-3ft) apart to form columnar trees. Prune the fruiting laterals in summer and restrict the tree height to 1.8-2.4m (6-8ft).

Ideal for the front of a vegetable plot or a flower border, a stepover is trained to form one ‘arm’ of fruit to the left and one to the right, generally about

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45cm (18ins) above ground level (hence the name); you can buy these ready-trained.

Vines can produce a good crop in the UK in a sheltered, sunny spot. They can be trained up walls or over a pergola to create shade. Many have fabulous autumnal colours.

There are peach varieties nowadays that grow well and produce a worthwhile crop. Avalon is recommended for its ability to crop if you have space, but there are several varieties available on sufficiently dwarfing root stocks that do well in good-sized containers. Peach Bonanza grafted on to a St Julien rootstock is compact, has attractive pink blossom and, despite its dwarf size, produces fullsized fruit.

Hybrid berries can also be trained over arches to form shade and a delicious crop – I recommend loosely tying them to a chunky wooden arch. You can then enjoy the flowers followed by the rich good looks of the fruit.

Strawberries in pots can crop heavily if kept well fed and watered. Either plant them into a large pot or container full of good quality compost, or use a strawberry planter with individual planting holes into each of which a strawberry plant is placed. It looks good and makes it harder for slugs and snails to get to the fruit!

Visit Pippa’s website (www.pippagreenwood.com) to book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club or as an after-dinner speaker.

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

Rhubarb Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a reasonably easy trouble-free plant to grow. It is also a handsome plant, with large leaves and striking red stems, and who doesn’t love a rhubarb crumble?

The trick is to choose the right spot. Ideally it needs to be planted in full sun but if your garden is very sheltered it will tolerate partial shade. Don’t plant it anywhere where it might be in the way, disturbed, or need to be moved from. Rhubarb has an extensive root system and prefers to stay put, for at least a decade, so give careful thought to the spot.

Rhubarb dislikes wet soil, so make sure it’s welldrained. Dig in plenty of organic matter a month or so before planting. It’s generally easier and more productive to grow rhubarb from crowns (divided plants) rather than seed, and from now until Christmas is the perfect time to plant.

Dig a hole a little wider than the rhubarb crown in your prepared ground. Plant so that the growing tip is about an inch /2.5 cm below the surface. Firm the soil well around the roots to removed air pockets.

Water well and mulch with organic matter, avoiding the growing tip.

During the growing season keep the area around the plant free of weeds and give an occasional good soaking in prolonged dry periods. Remove any flower heads that appear in the spring. Flowering will

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weaken the stems. If the crown rots, your soil was too wet, but following all the advice I’ve given earlier should prevent this happening! Harvest time is May until July, but rhubarb is a long-term investment so don’t harvest it during the first year. It needs that full first year of growth to establish a strong root system.

Second year leave at least five strong stems when you harvest. After that you can leave three or four stems each time. You should get 2-3 crops per season.

Remove only the largest stems when picking and wait till the leaves have fully opened. Pull gently from the base with a slight twist. The leaves are poisonous but can be safely composted.

Once your rhubarb is established you might want to try a forced crop for sweeter more tender stems.

Rhubarb is forced by growing it in the absence of light in a microclimate slightly warmer than the outside temperature. You can start forcing in January for best results. Remove dead leaves and weeds from around the crown and add a layer of straw or shredded paper to warm the emerging shoots and to protect them from frost. Then cover the crown with an upturned dustbin or large crock pot to cut out all the light. The rhubarb should be ready for harvesting 8 weeks later.

Happy Gardening!

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A professional, friendly, local gardening service making your garden somewhere for you to enjoy • • • •

Seasonal pruning & maintenance Lawn care and weeding Planting for seasonal interest Composting and mulching for garden health • Gardening to encourage wildlife Claudia McCullough mulberrygardening.co.uk 07907 303130

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0800 046 1080 hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Food & Drink

By Sally Harris

In a Pickle Quick pickling is the new big thing in the kitchen When I was a child, family get-togethers involved buffet lunches. One of the highlights were the big jars of ‘quick pickles’ that my father, aunts, and uncles had been taught to make by my grandmother.

Quick pickles are vegetables pickled in a solution of vinegar, water, salt and sometimes sugar, then kept in the fridge. These are not deeply pickled onions, nor fermentation. Quick pickles taste light, fresh and crunchy.

My Grandmother pickled fresh veg from her garden during the Second World War. Veg needs to be super-fresh and undamaged. It can be cut to any shape. I like to boil green veg such as green beans and asparagus for two or three minutes then plunge them into ice cold water to preserve their bright colour, but it’s optional.

To make the basic brine use equal parts light vinegar and water. By light vinegar I mean white, apple cider, white wine, or rice vinegar. Don’t use pickling vinegars or balsamic. To the brine add whatever spices you like. Dill seed, chilli flakes and garlic are nice. Coriander, ginger, turmeric, and thyme work with carrots. Classic combinations include green beans with garlic and fresh dill, and cherry tomatoes with black peppercorns and garlic. We grew some squash this year and quick pickled some of the little ones with onion and garlic.

Wide-mouth large jars are the best containers. Wash them and their lids, and rings in warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Allow to dry completely.

Wash and dry the vegetables then prep them.

Peel any carrots, trim the end of beans etc. Cut vegetables into evenly sized pieces.

Add any flavourings to the jars. You can choose

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different flavours for each vegetable jar.

Pack the vegetables as tightly into the jars as you can without damaging them, leaving a couple of centimetres space at the top.

To make the brine, place the vinegar, water, salt, and any sugar into a small saucepan. Heat on high to bring to the boil. Stir to dissolve the salt and sugar.

Pour the hot brine over the vegetables, filling each jar to within 2cm of the top. You’ll get better at judging how much brine to make as you repeat the process. Gently tap the jars against the counter a few times to remove all the air bubbles. Top up with more brine if needed. Seal the jars tightly. Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 48 hours. The pickles improve with flavour as they age.

They can be stored in the fridge for about 2 months.

Flavours for Quick Pickles Fresh herbs: dill, thyme, oregano, and rosemary hold up well Dried herbs: thyme, dill, rosemary, oregano, or marjoram Garlic cloves: smashed for mild garlic flavour, or sliced for stronger garlic flavour Fresh ginger: peeled and thinly sliced Whole spices: mustard seed, coriander, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, chilli flakes Ground spices: turmeric or smoked paprika are great for both colour and flavour Vegetables for Pickling Cucumbers, summer squash, ginger, red onion thinly sliced Carrots- Peel - cut into batons or rounds Green beans, asparagus - blanch to preserve colour Cherry tomatoes - pickle whole

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Local News

Henlow Clifton Tigers Cub Pack

70th Birthday Celebrations

On 10th October 1950, Henlow Clifton Scout Group opened its first Cub section called Tigers. The Group (originally known as 13th Bedfordshire Scout Group) originally were only for older Scouts and Senior Scouts.

This year Henlow Clifton Tigers Cub Pack will be celebrating our 70th birthday.

The Pack has run continuously since first opening with a string of volunteers filling the role of Akela (Leader of the Pack) and numerous Assistant Cub Leaders taking the various names from the original Jungle Book such as Baloo, Bagheera, Rikki Tikki Tavi and Mor the Peacock.

Even during the Covid lockdown, still continued to run weekly Pack meetings via the online Zoom. We have had guest speakers join us on our Zoom meetings as well as having ‘virtual’ camps at home in dens and tents and completing several badges at home.

The Scout Association gave us clearance to restart very limited face to face Cub Pack meetings in September.

To celebrate our amazing 70th birthday, we held socially distanced parties for the Cubs, playing games as well as getting a camp fire going. Cubs bought along their own party food and drink to have during the evening.

They also brought along their own mug from home for hot chocolate we heated over the campfire.

History of Cubs - The concept of Cubs was based on the Seonnee wolf pack from Jungle Book written by Rudyard Kipling. This is why our leaders have names like Akela and Bagheera taken from the book. When a new Cub Scout joins the Pack, he is like Mowgli entering the Seonnee wolf pack. In 1990 girls started being allowed to join some UK Cub Packs and, from 1 January 2007, all Scout Groups allowed girls to join.

More about Tigers - Tigers has always been a very active Cub Pack. We have a wide programme of activities that vary from cycle rides, hikes and astronomy to fire lighting, camping and pioneering. Each Cub has the opportunity to complete numerous badges and we hope that they want to challenge themselves to achieve the highest award in the Cub section, the Chief Scout Silver Award.

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Pets

Fireworks Phobia If your pet becomes really distressed during bonfire season, it could be that they have ‘firework phobia’.

RSPCA animal behaviour expert Dr Samantha Gaines says: “Firework phobia in pets is a treatable condition and we recommend planning ahead to help your pet cope. For example, if your dog really seems to suffer, your vet may suggest referral to a clinical animal behaviourist to teach him/her to deal with the sounds, or suggest the use of diffusers which disperse calming chemicals into the room.”

It is also a good idea to provide your dog with a safe haven – perhaps under some furniture or in a cupboard – and it is best to get them used to this before the season starts. Choose somewhere quiet

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and help him to learn that being there is positive and that no harm will come to him. You can do this by giving him toys or a variety of chew toys.

Small animals that live outside should have lots of extra bedding so they can burrow. Some of their enclosure could be covered by a blanket for extra insulation and soundproofing. If you are planning to bring them indoors just before the fireworks are likely to start, then introduce this a week or two in advance.

Finally if you are using fireworks yourself, try to stick to traditional celebration dates like Bonfire Night, when most animal owners will be expecting fireworks and will hopefully have made preparations to help their animals cope.

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Animal Tales

Heroic dogs with skills that save lives While technology offers some amazing new ways of tracking down lost people and animals, there are many rescue scenarios where dogs’ natural skills have proven infinitely superior to high-tech gadgets. Here we look at the way their unique abilities are being harnessed to save lives.

‘Newfies’, superdogs of the sea Possessed of unusual strength and resilience, Newfoundland dogs were highly valued by Canadian fishermen, who also prized their calm and loyal nature.

With their muscular build, thick coats and webbed paws, Newfoundlands are completely at home in the water. At Portishead Marina near Bristol, a charity called Newfound Friends makes the most of the Newfies’ remarkable talents. The dogs not only work in children’s hospices as therapy dogs, they also take part in sea rescues and rescue training, showing off their skills at festivals across the UK. Ellie Bedford, a volunteer and trainer with the charity, told the TV channel Beastly: “No human can do what these dogs can do. I’m a lifeguard myself and I would struggle to tow two people, whereas these guys can pull in ten people.”

A bad start for Bear Today many different breeds are used in search and rescue operations, but the victims they search for are not always human. This year’s terrible bushfires in Australia displaced and killed up to three billion wild animals, including thousands of koala bears. During an epic rescue mission in some of the areas worst hit by the bushfires, a very special Australian Koolie dog – aptly named ‘Bear’ – was brought in to search for surviving koalas.

Bear was brought up in a domestic setting, but with

his high energy levels and obsessive/compulsive behaviours it quickly became clear that he was never going to be a family pet. Fortunately an animal conservation charity spotted his potential after he was abandoned by his owners.

“He was a very high-energy young adult and apparently ate the whole flat he was living in,” his trainer Romane Cristescu told the Australian Geographic magazine. Ironically the qualities that made him unsuitable as a pet have made him the perfect rescue dog.

Romane puts Bear’s previous bad behaviour down to boredom, commenting: “his worst nightmare is to be left behind when you go to work.” However, once the dog started his koala detection training, he showed an outstanding ability to locate suffering animals.

Raising rescuers’ spirits Bear rescued a hundred koalas that would have otherwise have died in the blackened and burnedout landscape of the Australian bush. In addition to this impressive record, he has also played an important role in keeping his human team-mates’ spirits up.

It seems that hero animals such as Newfound Friends’ therapy dogs and Aussie koala tracker Bear not only protect humans and animals, they also have a profound effect on our mental health. Australian travel presenter and wildlife campaigner Tyson Mayr told the News.com.au website: “I quickly saw just how much of an impact [Bear] was having, not just with the koalas he was saving, but also the smiles he was bringing to the already tired and exhausted wildlife carers, rescuers and vets from around the country.”

By Kate McLelland

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Matts Gardening & Handyman Services

A range of Gardening and Handyman Services undertaken by a friendly and reliable company

THE GARDEN ROBIN

Gardening Services

Grass cutting (one off or regular cuts) Hedge cutting Planting Weeding & Pruning Pressure washing Leaf clearance

Handyman Services

Painting (interior & exterior) Furniture building Odd jobs To enquire about a job please contact us via: Tel: 07825 261773 Email: mattsgardenservices@icloud.com Find us on Facebook

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Complete Garden Design & Landscape Service Driveways, Patios and Paving Porcelain & Natural Stone Paving Wood and Composite Decking Pond Construction & Water Features Artificial Grass, Fencing and Screening Irrigation Systems Installed

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Pets

Rehoming Appeal Fifi

This pretty little cat is Fifi. She is a year old and although a little shy when she first meets people, she soon comes out of her shell and has a very sweet nature. She likes to play with her toys and be fussed.

She is neutered, microchipped and vaccinated and would be suitable for a home without young children (older children/ teenagers would be fine).

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

Alternatively, please e-mail Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry on to the team.

View the dogs, cats and small mammals currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity.

You can also see photographs and details of the animals in our care in our charity shop in Hitchin Street, Biggleswade SG18 8AX. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

www.acs-aggregates.com

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

Open six days a week

Monday – Friday 7.00am – 4.30pm Saturday 8.00am – 12.00pm

Tel: 01438 311699 Mob: 07788 446635 Email: info@acs-aggregates.com Shangri-La Farm, Todds Green, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2JE To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Pets

Another Successful Adoptober As Adoptober draws to a close we reflect upon the true magic of this service. With online searches for puppies tripling, adoption is an amazing solution.

Adopting a dog or cat as a family pet is becoming much more common as people are finding out the many advantages it has over buying a kitten or puppy.

New owners are becoming much more scrupulous about the history and background of the animals they welcome into their lives. The large majority of cats and dogs that are part of the adoption scheme are there as a result of a house move, death or divorce. Not because they have behaviour problems or were stray.

Many people are attracted to adoption for this reason, and the idea of giving the animals a second chance.

Why Adopt?

1) A second chance – you are giving a second chance to a much loved pet by adopting one rather than buying one. RSPCA shelters are bursting with happy and healthy pets, ready for their next new home.

2) Happy and healthy pets – you would be rehoming a happy and healthy pet that is already house trained and used to living with a family.

3) The cost – getting a new pet can be more expensive than you had originally anticipated. The prices of kittens and puppies are still on the rise, with popular dog breeds fetching £3000 each. Not only is the animal cheaper from a shelter, other expenses are often free. Most shelters spay, neuter and vaccinate all animals reducing the cost of having a pet even further.

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4) Having an older pet through the adoption service has plenty of advantages. It does eliminate the need to go to puppy training classes each week, paying for microchipping, training them to go to the toilet in the correct way.

5) You are helping more than one animal. By giving money to the rehoming centre you are giving help to all of the animals within the centre. Also, by adopting an animal you are making room for another animal to come into the centre.

Advantages of Having a Pet Where to begin. There are numerous benefits to having a pet, whatever the age, shape or size. Having a pet can be an exciting adventure, be it a cat, dog, hamster or rabbit. They have several health benefits including; reducing stress, decreasing loneliness, helping to raise activity levels and improving ones immune system. According to studies spending time with your pet can increase levels of oxytocin in your body, as well as lowering your blood pressure.

Pets can help you to find and make friends. It’s amazing how many people you can end up talking to as you take your dog for a walk. Or even while you are in the pet shop buying hamster bedding. Pets are always such a great talking point at work and in turn help you to socialise.

Pets are great for children. They can boost their confidence and skills of empathy. Pets are wonderful listeners and can help children to feel safe. Animals teach children how to be responsible, as they can help to feed, clean and walk their pets.

So, if you, a friend or family member are considering making the decision to be a pet owner – consider adoption – consider the RSPCA. If you need to contact our Branch (North Bedfordshire) for any reason we can be reached by the details below, or for an animal welfare issue or emergency, contact; 0300 1234 999.

Lines are open 7 days a week 24/7.

Email: info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk Tel: 01234 266965 / 01234 930304

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RYAN’S LGC

LANDSCAPING • GROUNDWORK • CONSTRUCTION 0.8 to 21 ton machines for any size job • Fully Licensed and Insured Levelling • Footings (New Builds, Extensions, Conservatories and Walls) Clearance (Ground, Jungle Clearance) • Drainage Garden Design (Patios, Levelling, Retaining Walls, Retaining Sleeper Walls) Driveways (Block Paving, Tarmac, Concrete)

Call Darren on 07414 581984 or email darrenryan1@live.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

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

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Domestic & Commercial Professional carpet & upholstery cleaning at an affordable price Pubs & Restaurants • End of Tenancy • Offices & Venues Fogging Sanitation Services Fully Insured • Children and pet friendly chemicals

Call for a free, no hassle quotation on 07715 393073 or email eliteklean.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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WINDOW REPAIRS

Serving all of Herts - Based in Stevenage Specialising in replacing misted units

BEFORE AFTER email: info@jmlwindows.co.uk website: www.jmlwindows.co.uk 07977 911 926 / 01438 906300 • Misted/broken double glazed units • Sticking doors or windows adjusted • Broken/loose handles • Leaded or Georgian units replaced • Hinges for gapping windows • Leaks fixed • All types of locks replaced • Energy saving Planitherm glass • Cat/dog flaps in glass or panels • Door re-alignments Visit our website for over 30 customer reviews To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Alan George Painter & Decorator Interior and Exterior Work Wallpapering and Coving Reliable and Local Specialist City & Guilds trained with 30 years experience Sole trader No VAT Free estimates Call Alan on 01582 454604 Mob:07760198256 or E-Mail: george-a6@sky.com

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It’s great being back!

Local News

Age UK Hertfordshire’s Help in the Home Service had to be suspended in late March, due to lockdown. This bought new challenges for both clients and the local charity.

With many of their clients relying on their helpers, not just for the cleaning but also for the company, they had to re-imagine how they could provide this vital and much loved service.

“We quickly identified the clients who urgently needed our help and did all we could to support them,” says Mark Hanna, Director of Operations.

“For some of our clients their Helper is much more than just a cleaner, so we’re trying to get the service back up and running as quickly as we can, whilst following government guidelines and prioritising everyone’s safety.”

Age UK Hertfordshire’s Help in the Home Service have prepared PPE safe packs ready for their re-opening, and are already providing essential support, such as collecting prescriptions, food shopping and socially distanced visits for many of their clients.

Their Home Helpers are ecstatic to be starting back at work with one Home Helper saying: “It’s great being back cleaning for my client. My lovely client took this photo of me on my first day back in over 4 months! She said ‘give us a twirl’, which I did then she snapped up their crazy photo, and we both collapsed in hysterics.”

If you would like to find out more information on how you could join their team of Friendly Home Helpers, you can visit them at: www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire/get-involved/work-for-us/ or call 01707 386 066.

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Motoring

First Drive: Volkswagen e-Up!

Volkswagen has improved its electric e-Up! Jack Evans finds out how.

What is it?

In the race to gain EV supremacy, it seems that many manufacturers have forgotten that often the best application of electric technology is in smaller city cars – such as Volkswagen’s new e-Up! EV, which has been given bigger batteries to improve that allimportant range.

What’s new?

The exterior of the e-Up! doesn’t look particularly different from the car it replaces, with the bulk of the changes being under the skin. As well as boosting the battery count to improve range, VW has added the ability to fast-charge the car.

What’s under the bonnet?

The e-Up! has an electric motor linked to a 32.3kWh battery. Power reaches the front wheels through a single-speed gearbox, and in total it pushes out 80.5bhp and a healthy 210Nm of torque.

The e-Up takes 11.6 seconds from 0-60mph with a maximum speed of 81mph, with a claimed 159 miles between charges. Combined charging system technology gives an 80 per cent charge in just an hour from zero, via a 40kW DC charger. A standard domestic wall box takes four hours, while using a three-pin plug needs around 16 hours for a full charge.

What’s it like to drive?

The e-Up! is fun to drive, with the zippy acceleration you only get from an EV. The steering and the ride are good too.

It’s nimble around town and unflustered even at higher motorway speeds.

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How does it look?

We like the undercover looks of the e-Up! Slim LED running lights up front help differentiate it, while the charging port is where you’d usually find the filler cap.

The compact proportions lend the Up! to town driving and it’s a doddle to park. It’s conservatively styled for an electric vehicle but this should appeal to many.

What’s it like inside?

The cabin of the e-Up! is business as usual. The forward part of the interior feels uncluttered, the steering wheel has plenty of adjustment, the seats are comfortable and forward visibility is good.

Our five-door model granted easy access to the rear of the car and had adequate rear legroom, though headroom is limited for very tall passengers.

What’s the spec like?

Our test car came in at a reasonable £20,555 after the government’s plug-in car grant. Cruise control, parking sensors at both front and rear and a rear-view camera are standard, while a five-inch colour touchscreen system houses Bluetooth connectivity and DAB radio.

Volkswagen includes a 16amp charging cable for use at wall boxes and charge points, and a 10amp cable for mains charging.

Verdict The plucky e-Up! has hit the nail on the head, and with around 150 miles per charge offers a genuinely usable range. The ability to fast charge means much shorter wait times if you do need to plug in.

Most importantly, however, the e-Up! is fun, and that’s certainly an aspect that many EVs have missed from the process of driving.

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CARPET SALE UP TO 50% OFF PLUS FREE FITTING, FREE GRIPPERS When carpet purchased with underlay FURNITURE MOVED, OLD CARPETS REMOVED IF REQUIRED

FREE ESTIMATES WE CALL WITH SAMPLES AND MEASURE CARPETS FITTED IN ABOUT A WEEK

KEN SEABY CARPETS 01462 733203 07748 532632

KEN’S CARPET CARE, CARPET CLEANING, RE-FITS & REPAIRS

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James Cullip

Painting & Decorating

• interior/exterior - all aspects • wallpaper hanging • coving • general household maintenance • plastering services available • free estimates • fully insured

References available t: 01462 817 122 m: 07899 888 545 e: go_on_james@hotmail.com www.cullippaintinganddecorating.co.uk 10 Mill Lane, Campton, Shefford, Beds

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Mansfield Bathrooms Ltd

A family run business, based in Great Ashby, offering a comprehensive bathroom fitting service

Plumbing · Tiling · Electrics Plastering · Carpentry · Decorating We can supply and fit all sanitaryware or fit only.

Tel: Aven on 07973 489527 Email: avenmansfield@btinternet.com Web: mansfieldbathrooms.wixsite.com/home

ROGERSONS

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Tel: 01462 627074 Mob: 07867 531368

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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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IAN SIMPSON Carpentry and Joinery All aspects of carpentry work undertaken Kitchens, Bedrooms, Doors, Windows 25 years experience Free estimates Please call 01462 851695 or 07967162448 E-mail ij_simpson@hotmail.com

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Technology

Get a good tech deal on Black Friday For tech shoppers, November is Gadget Christmas. That’s because the last Friday of the month, the 27th of November, is Black Friday. Black Friday is when online shops and many high street retailers offer amazing discounts on all kinds of products. And the discounts can be massive, with hundreds of pounds off high-end laptops, big TVs and other bigticket purchases.

The name Black Friday is a little misleading because many of the retailers now run deals the week leading up to Black Friday and/or the week after.

Many of the deals are genuine, but it’s important to do a little homework because some of them are a little creative.

Some deals are rather like the supermarket wine promotions where the price of a £6 bottle of wine is briefly raised to £9; the shop then goes back to the original price and sticks a ‘Save £3.00!’ sticker on it. In tech, the same thing can happen with prices going up just before Black Friday to create a discount that isn’t really a discount.

Another common trick is to quote a recommended retail price that nobody sensible ever paid. For example, a TV supposedly reduced from £1,799 to £999 may well have been on sale for £1,099 for the last six months. You’re still getting a saving, but it’s not as exciting as the shop wants you to think.

Technology can help here. Use Pricespy. co.uk to see what other retailers are charging for the same product, and for Amazon deals use CamelCamelCamel. com to look at a product’s Amazon price history to see if a deal is good or just too good to be true.

As with any sale, don’t let the prospect of a big discount persuade you to buy something you don’t want or need, and if you pay by credit card make sure you pay it off as soon as you can. The interest on some cards can easily wipe out your Black Friday savings.

Xbox One X Expect big discounts on Microsoft’s superb console and Sony’s PS4 too: as their replacements are imminent there will be big savings to be had, especially on bundles with included games.

Usually £395, www.xbox.com Instant Pot We love the Instant Pot, a programmable electric pressure cooker that’s brilliant for soups, stews, chilli, curries, rice and pretty much anything else you can cook in a pot. It’s usually Amazon’s Black Friday bestseller.

Usually £84, www.amazon.co.uk

Philips Ambilight TV There are always great Black Friday discounts on smart TVs, and some of the biggest we’ve seen were on Philips’ clever Ambilight range, which uses coloured light to make the room match what’s on screen.

Various prices, www.philips.co.uk Amazon Echo Amazon’s smart speakers get discounted for every Amazon sale event and Black Friday is no exception. The third-generation Echo delivers surprisingly great sound despite its compact dimensions.

Usually £89, www.amazon.co.uk Big-name laptops If you’ve been looking for a new laptop, you’ll see some great deals on laptops from big names such as Microsoft, ASUS and Lenovo.

Some of the best discounts are on the most expensive models but you’ll find good budget deals too.

Various prices, www.currys.co.uk

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MUSCLE

RELIABLE ROOFING COMPANY

& MOTOR Jumbo van with up to 3 men.

Helpful, efficient and friendly service for all your moving, carrying, and domestic disposal needs, including house and garage clearance.

Call Richard on: 01767 317387 or 07968 787496 Email: muscleandmotor@gmail.com www.muscleandmotor.co.uk

ESTABLISHED FOR OVER 35 YEARS BUILT UP FELT ROOFING SPECIALISTS & GENERAL ROOF REPAIRS • SLATE & TILE • REPLACEMENT FASCIAS/ SOFFITS, UPVC OR TIMBER • GUTTERING MAINTENANCE & REPLACEMENT • GUARANTEED WORKMANSHIP AT REALISTIC PRICES PROPRIETOR R.S. CROW F.I.O.R. • FREE ESTIMATES

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WALL COATING

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October’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Martin Cooper - Biggleswade Easy

Hard

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

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Call now for a free, no obligation quotation 73

The Villager Prize Crossword

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

16th November 2020 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Ten years (6) 4 Pictures (6) 9 Level high land (7) 10 Tag (5) 11 Poem (5) 12 Selections (7) 13 Demolition (11) 18 Pharmacist (7) 20 Perfect (5) 22 Spoils (5) 23 Against (7) 24 Scale (6) 25 Grown ups (6) Down 1 Leave (6) 2 Absurd (5) 3 Lowest (7) 5 Greeting (5) 6 Used for smoking (7) 7 Spatter (6) 8 Commas, colons. (11) 14 Dusk (7) 15 Stumbled (7) 16 Afraid (6) 17 Play equipment (6) 19 Edition (5) 21 Artists frame (5)

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Electrician

www.hertsandbedselectrical.co.uk

Do you find it difficult to get someone to come and do a small job?

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Books

The Book Nook

From historical fiction to dystopian literature plus new releases to older books that deserve more attention, there’s plenty to get your teeth stuck into this month.

By Kate Duggan

The Midnight Library

By Matt Haig

Nora’s overdose doesn’t result in, as she’d hoped, nothingness.

Instead, she’s transported to the Midnight Library, where she gets the chance to try the other lives she could have led if she’d made different choices. As she faces her regrets (from not marrying to not becoming an Olympic swimmer), Nora discovers that the path not taken isn’t always the panacea she thinks it is.

A Room Made of Leaves

By Kate Grenville

A Room Made of Leaves is the fictionalised account of a real woman’s life – Elizabeth Macarthur. It’s set in the late eighteenth century. Women had few prospects beyond marriage, so when Elizabeth marries the cold, ambitious John Macarthur she has little choice but to follow him wherever he decides to go, even if that’s to the other side of the world to live in a new settlement in Australia. A must for historical fiction fans.

A Song for the Dark Times

By Ian Rankin

Rebus is back, but this time it’s personal: his son-in-law is missing. Rebus heads out to solve the mystery. His daughter seems to be the obvious main suspect, so which role will Rebus prioritise – detective or father? Meanwhile, back in Edinburgh, DI Siobhan Clarke is on her own case, that of the murder of a wealthy Saudi student. These two very different cases may turn out to be part of the same tangled web. A Song for the Dark Times is a gripping crime thriller with plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages.

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Classifieds Accountants

Plumbing and Heating

Domestic Appliance Repairs

Property Maintenance

Domestic Appliance Repairs Guaranteed Repairs To:

Washing Machines • Tumble Dryers Electric Ovens/Cookers • Dishwashers No Call Out Charge!

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Oven Cleaning

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Property Maintenance

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Email: David.mortby@live.co.uk

Plastering Services

James Geekie Plastering All types of plastering - big or small Interior/Exterior Work Undertaken Re-skim Rooms, Walls, Artex & Ceilings Dry Lining and Screeding Tel: 07792 415356 or 01462 490598 Email: james.geekie@hotmail.co.uk

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From just £35.00 per month plus VAT

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Alcoholics Anonymous...................... 0845 769 7555 Al-Anon Family Groups..................... 0800 008 6811 Anglian Water................................... 08457 145 145 Bedford Hospital................................01234 355122 Lister Hospital....................................01438 314333 Addenbrooks Hospital........................01223 245151 Benefits for people with Disabilities.... 0800 882 200 Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue.............01234 845000 Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue............01438 729041 Carers Line........................................ 0808 808 7777 ChildLine..................................................0800 1111 Citizens Advice.................................. 0344 245 1292

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Cocaine Anonymous................................0800 689 4732 Crimestoppers..................................... 0800 555 111 Cruse Bereavement Care................... 0333 252 9152 Floodline........................................... 0845 988 1188 Frank-Drug Advisory........................... 0800 776 600 National Debt Line............................ 0808 808 4000 Gas Emergency.................................... 0800 111 999 NHS Direct................................................0845 4647 National Rail Enquiries..................... 03457 48 49 50 Non Emergency Police Line.................................101 NSPCC............................................... 0808 800 5000 Relate................................................. 0845 48 49 50 RSPCA Cruelty Line............................ 0300 1234 999 Samaritans...................................................116 123 Tax Credit Helpline............................ 0345 300 3900 Victim Support................................. 0845 30 30 900 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Email: nigel@villagermag.com Web: www.villagermag.com 79