VILLAGER The
Issue 135 - February 2020
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
In this issue The History of
Valentine’s Day Win a pair of
Bluesky Sunglasses Win £25
in our Prize Crossword
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Langford, Henlow, Shefford, Stanford, Hinxworth, Clifton, Radwell, Fairfield Park, Shillington, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Gravenhurst, ur Holwell, Meppershall, Baldock, Stotfold, Arlesey & Letchworth Yo EE
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Inside this issue... East Anglian Air Ambulance
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The History of Valentine’s Day.....................................................4 Spending a Penny! The History of the Public Loo........................8 Win a Pair of Bluesky Sunglasses................................ 12 Wine: Mixed Matters................................................................14 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...................................................16 East Anglian Air Ambulance.....................................................21 Avignon...................................................................................22 The Sweater Edit......................................................................25 Snoring: It’s no laughing matter...............................................28 Winter Saviours........................................................................31 Right to the Core......................................................................32 Teen Talk..................................................................................37 Planning to Retire?...................................................................38 Garden View: A Game of Two Halves.........................................42 Perfect Potatoes.......................................................................45 Whatever happened to the story song?....................................48
Gadget gifts for the one you love.............................................51 Choosing a small family pet.....................................................53 A Quick History Lesson.............................................................55 The Language of Love..............................................................56 Games Without Frontiers..........................................................58 Puzzle Page..............................................................................60 What’s On.................................................................................64 Smooth Car Control..................................................................68 Wordsearch..............................................................................68 Children’s Page.........................................................................71 Villager Prize Crossword............................................ 74 Book Review............................................................................77 Useful Numbers.......................................................................79
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Champagne and Raspberry Possets with Shortbread Biscuits
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, Tracey Anderson, Trevor Langley, Nick Coffer, Solange Hando, Jennie Billings, Dr Daisy Mae, Kate Duggan, Louise Addison, Sarah Davey, Ann Haldon, Rachael Leverton, Pippa Greenwood, Kate McLelland, RSPCA, Clare Becker, Robert Grant and Iain Betson
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History
Valentine’s Day Why do we exchange cards, flowers and gifts with our loved ones on 14th February when the day’s patron saint was a Christian martyr? The origins of St Valentine’s Day are said to have begun as early as the third century although, as is the case with many of our modern celebrations, it is also likely to have been influenced by the Romans. Their fertility feast of Lupercalia took place on 15th February and consisted of themes and rituals that were centred around coupling and new birth. But who was the original St Valentine? In fact, no one is entirely sure. Valentine or Valentinus was a popular name in Rome and there are at least three Catholic saints known as Valentine who have been venerated over the centuries. Any one of them could have been responsible for having the Feast of St Valentine named after him when, in 496 AD, Pope Gelasius replaced Lupercalia with a Christian festival held on 14th February. Probably the most attractive theory is that St Valentine was a Christian priest in the third century who defied Emperor Claudius II’s edict that no Roman soldiers could marry as it
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weakened their commitment to Rome. Valentine began performing secret wedding ceremonies for young lovers and is said to have given the couple cut-out hearts made from parchment to symbolise both romantic love and agape (the love of God) – echoing the Valentine’s card. The priest was also said to have worn a purple amethyst ring, the stone being a symbol of love that later became the birthstone of February. Eventually Valentine was captured, beheaded (allegedly on 14th February) and buried under a Roman road. He was later canonised. It is also thought that St Valentine’s Day may have come to be associated with love and romance due to a Norman celebration that took place around the same time of year known as Galatin’s Day, meaning ‘a gallant’ or lover. Galatin also sounds a lot like Valentine so it’s easy to see how the two could have possibly become confused. The link between Valentine’s Day and romance was solidified in the late 1300s with Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem Parliament of Foules (Fowls), said
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to have been written in honour of King Richard II’s betrothal to Anne of Bohemia. It contains the lines: “…For this was on seynt Volantynys day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.” (For this was on St Valentine’s Day when every bird comes there to choose his mate.) Chaucer was a very influential writer of the time. Following this, a Charter of the Court of Love was allegedly issued by King Charles VI of France in 1400. It was the first time St Valentine’s Day had been officially associated with courtly love, and by the 1400s it had become traditional for noblemen to write romantic poems to their love interest or ‘Valentine’. The oldest known Valentine still in existence is a poem entitled Farewell to Love written in French by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following capture at the Battle of Agincourt. It currently resides in the British Library. The earliest surviving English example occurs in a letter written in 1477 by Margary Brewes to her future husband John Paxton, where she refers to him as ‘my right wellbeloved Valentine’. St Valentine’s Day was clearly established as a day for lovers by 1600 when Shakespeare referred to it in Hamlet during a speech by Ophelia. “…Tomorrow is St Valentine’s Day, all in the morning betime, and I a maid at your window, to be your Valentine.” By the eighteenth century, handmade Valentine’s
cards had become popular and were very elaborate with flowers, ribbons and lace. They would often feature Cupid (whose name means ‘desire’), the mischievous winged son of Venus, Roman goddess of love. He also appeared in much romantic verse as the bringer of often unrequited love – hence a missive was necessary to let the object of your desire know of your affections! With their sentimental notion of romance and the language of flowers, the Victorians elevated Valentine’s Day to the popular celebration it has become today. In 1858, The London Journal wrote of St Valentine’s Day that it was both “natural and proper that at the start of spring the predominating sentiment in the human mind should be the sentiment of love; and to this accordingly the anniversary of our saint is directed.”
By Catherine Rose 6
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History
By Tracey Anderson
Spending a Penny!
The history of the public loo We take public toilets for granted today yet for the majority of British history they didn’t exist! The first public flushing toilet was invented and created by a plumber named George Jennings, and showcased at the Great Exhibition in 1851. People were enthralled by this amazing contraption and it proved so popular that the first public loos, called ‘Public Waiting Rooms’ were opened the following year. There was a huge public desire for better sanitation to prevent the spread of diseases like cholera. In Victorian Britain, the first public toilets were designed for men only. No-one gave much thought to women. For the most part women were considered to be their husband’s property, and their place was in the home. Although many working-class women did work outside the home, most middle-class women did not, and neither were they expected to travel much. If they did want or need to travel, women from polite society had to plan their route carefully to include areas where they could relieve themselves. This meant that for the most part women travelled only to see family and friends, within the distance their bladders allowed. The fledgling feminist movement felt keenly that a lack of access to toilets was a barrier to women accessing public spaces. This led to the formation of the Ladies Sanitary Association, which campaigned from the 1850s onwards, fairly successfully, and succeeded in getting more public toilets built for females, though the numbers fell far short of those required. Other campaigns for
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more female toilets were opposed vehemently by men, who either did not want the facilities located in the same place as their own toilets or didn’t want them anywhere where they might be visible to men. Society was coyer in the 19th Century and bodily functions, particularly female bodily functions were considered taboo. There were even cases of female public toilets being sabotaged by men! The First World War saw women entering the work force in huge numbers for the first time, as they entered munition factories to help with the war effort. These factories were traditionally dominated by males so had very little in the way of female facilities. But now women had the numbers to begin to campaign for female changing rooms and toilets. Many employers resisted though and there was nothing in law at the time to force their hand because there were only limited protections for workers of either sex. It actually took until 1992 before legislation was passed to dictate that men and women in a workplace must have separate toilet facilities where possible: “Employers should arrange for separate facilities for men and women. If this isn’t possible, toilets and washing facilities must have locks. These ensure privacy and security.” (The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)) So next time you spend a penny at the train station or shopping centre, spare a thought for your poor ancestors whose only options were to cross their legs and think dry thoughts!
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advertorial
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I believe in the value of knowledge Open Morning Wednesday 4th March, 10am Telephone: 01234 361918 | www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk
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Bedford Girls’ School is part of The Harpur Trust
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Food and Drink
Wine: Mixed Matters Red, white or in between, dry, medium, sweet, sparkling, there is a wealth of numerous wines available, with something to please and satisfy all tastes and palates. I searched for wines which have wide appeal and accompany a lot of cuisine admirably, as well as having the ability to be enjoyed on their own.
Extra Special Syrah-Lolol - Colchagua Costa (Chile) is a very popular red wine. This rich production has an abundance of dark fruits to please the nasal senses and to entice the continuing pleasure of flavours on to the mouth’s delight. Fantastic to pair with red meats, roast dinners and a lot of cuisine. Feteasca Regala (Wine Atlas), from Romania, is a superb white wine that pleases many. The grape is also known as Royal Maiden and the resultant wine complements salads and stir-fry cuisine, etc. The flavours of ripe, tropical fruits, combine splendidly with the refreshing mouthfeel and palate sensation. Extra Special Chablis La Lavee (France) is a classic, dry example and with refreshing citrus fruit flavours makes a great accompaniment to fish and seafood dishes, particularly. Extra Special Sauvignon Blanc - Bordeaux (France) is another white wine classic. Again, refreshing, crisp and fruity, this is from a region renowned for powerful, high-quality, red productions. However, white wines, from the Bordeaux area, are now becoming well known. With fish, seafood and white meats, this is a great wine and a good talking point – a white from Bordeaux! Extra Special Sangiovese Rose - King Valley (Australia) is often chosen for a ‘pink’ production. Dry and refreshing is how I would describe this wine. The red fruit flavours of summer berries are delightful. Seafood and pasta are regular pairings for this wine. Pendium Moscato Spumante (Italy) is a favourite, for numerous lovers of a ‘sparkler’. Lower in alcohol content than most wines, this appeals, for that reason and also for turning a family or social gathering into an occasion. Splendid for pre dining and utilised a lot for events. I located these wines at an Asda store. Offering excellent value and award-winning productions, I found very impressive wines – something for everyone and every occasion – plus good advice on pairings with food. www.asda.com/wine
As always, Enjoy!
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ey Trevor Langl
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Food & Drink
Champagne and Raspberry Possets with Shortbread Biscuits For the heart shaped Munchy shortbread biscuits: Ingredients 200 g butter or margarine (can be dairy-free) 1 tsp vanilla essence 100 g caster sugar 300 g plain flour sifted Munchy Seeds (Honey Roasted Seeds or Warm Cinnamon Seeds) 1. Cream the butter, vanilla and sugar together. Stir in the flour and mix into a dough. Add the Munchy Seeds and blend into the dough. Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 160ºC/140ºC (fan) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. 3. Once the dough is chilled, roll out to approximately ½ cm thick and cut into hearts using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. 4. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
For the Champagne and Raspberry Possets Ingredients 140g frozen raspberries, defrosted 2 tbsps Champagne 200ml double cream 4 tbsps golden caster sugar Freeze dried raspberries, to decorate 1. Put the raspberries and Champagne in a mini food processor or blender (or use a jug and a hand blender). Whizz until the purée is as smooth as you can get it, then use a wooden spoon or spatula to push as much of it through a sieve as you can. Discard the seeds left behind. 2. Put the cream and sugar in a saucepan and warm gently until the sugar melts. Increase the heat until just boiling, then boil vigorously for 2½ minutes, stirring constantly. 3. Turn off the heat and stir in the raspberryChampagne purée. Cool for 15 mins before dividing between 2 small pots or glasses. Chill for 30 mins, then sprinkle over the freeze-dried raspberry pieces and chill for at least 2 hours or more until set. 4. To serve, remove the possets from the fridge and serve with Munchy Seeds heart-shaped shortbread biscuits.
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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Looking for a new golfing challenge?
John O’Gaunt Golf Club Join us at our Membership Open Day
on Saturday 29th February 2020 Try John O’Gaunt Golf Club – you will be surprised! Come along to our Membership Open Day on Saturday 29 February and see what we have to offer: • 2 magnificent courses ranked 1st & 8th in the County • England Golf Championship Venue • Excellent practice and coaching facilities and opportunities led by Lee Scarbrow, one of the country’s top coaches • Wonderful clubhouse with first class Food and Beverage offerings
All this for less than £31 a week for Full Membership (which includes the Joining Fee, payable over 5 years) Here’s your chance to discover the outstanding value for money John O’Gaunt Golf Club offers golfers of all ages and ability: • Complimentary drink on arrival • Presentation and tour of our facilities • 9-hole golf competition • Prizes to be won and Special Offers to be had!
Spaces are limited – please book in advance by emailing: gordon@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk Can’t make our Open Day…don’t panic! Email gordon@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk to receive a voucher for a round at the members guest rate of £30 weekday/£35 weekend to be used by the end of February 2020.
Sutton Park, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2LY Tel: 01767 260360 www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk 20
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Local News
East Anglian Air Ambulance East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is an incredible community-funded service in Cambridgeshire and here at The Villager, we are proud to announce that we have chosen to support this lifesaving charity as our charity of the year in 2020. We will be bringing you regular features to learn more about the team at EAAA and all the amazing work they do, as well all the different ways that you can get involved and support the air ambulance. You may not be aware, but over the last year (2018 / 2019), between its two bases and two helicopters (Norwich and Cambridge) the East Anglian Air Ambulance was tasked 1,798 times by helicopter, 1,023 times by rapid response vehicle and attended 1,664 patients in total. Of these patients there were 480 cardiac arrests, 355 road traffic collisions, 256 accidental injuries, 340 medical emergencies, 73 intentional self-harm incidents, 70 sporting incidents and 54 assault patients in the region. On top of this, the charity is striving ahead to become the first air ambulance in the East of England to fly 24/7. EAAA is already incredibly well equipped to fly in the hours of darkness, landing at unlit sites, however they currently only fly until 1:30am in the morning, coming back online by helicopter at 7am. This means there is a five and a half hour gap in the region where there is no helicopter coverage if needed. EAAA Strongly believe the time of day should not dictate the type of emergency medical care available to you, and are passionate about raising an additional £1 million a year in order to fund the extra flying hours to provide a 24/7 helicopter emergency medical service.
Barbara McGee, Fundraising Manager for Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, said: “The level of care our medical teams provide is absolutely outstanding and with the helicopter they can reach anywhere in East Anglia in 25 mins, taking the hospital to the patient and getting that patient the care they need as quickly as possible. “We’re passionate about being able to provide this service, by helicopter, 24 hours a day and estimate that by doing so we could help hundreds more patients each year, which would be amazing. But we can only do this by raising more money, so we’re incredibly grateful to all of the support we get from the community – and to Charity of the Year partnerships such as this one – which help us to be there for our patients. So please come to one of our events, play our lottery, play our raffle, volunteer for us - anything at all that you can do to help us will make a huge difference to our work.” Find out more at www.eaaa.org.uk/get-invovled
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Travel
Avignon By Solange Hando
Near the confluence of the Durance and the Rhône on its way to the Mediterranean, Avignon has long enjoyed a privileged location. In 1309, the Popes settled here for political reasons. They remained for almost 100 years, building the city walls and the imposing palace that dominates the skyline to this day. From the old Romanesque fortress to the new building in Gothic style, the ‘Palais des Papes’ is a dazzling display of limestone walls and turrets, guarded by the golden statue of Our Lady of the Doms atop the Mother Church. It’s a steady climb to the ‘Rochers des Doms’ above the palace but worth it for its shaded gardens and fabulous views over the city on one side and the river on the other. In Avignon, the Rhône splits to encircle the Barthelasse, one of the largest river islands in Europe. It is now a protected area – no new buildings are allowed – with recreational facilities and farmland rich in vegetables and fruit. There is a modern bridge but the free river shuttle ferries you across in minutes. You can stroll or cycle along the towpath, picnic under the trees, look out for beavers, herons or cormorants and gaze at the city across the water and the legendary Pont d’ Avignon, listed by UNESCO as part of the historic centre. The old bridge stops halfway across the river so dancing (as in the song) is not recommended but you can walk to the end past the chapel that once held the relics of St Bénezet, the shepherd inspired by divine voices to build
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the first bridge, later damaged by war and floods. Today the Rhône has been tamed, inviting visitors to relax on a leisurely cruise before returning to the bustling city. There’s much to explore in town, from the old convents and churches to the museums, from the secluded squares to the popular Place de l’Horloge or the Place Pie with its vertical garden and covered market where a ‘cafetier’ will cook your own produce for lunch for the price of a drink. There are grand bourgeois houses west of the main street, hidden squares and cobbled lanes to the east, such as the picturesque dyers’ street, a favourite place to chill out during the world-famous Festival of Performing Arts held every summer. Meanwhile craft shops beckon with fragrant herbs and lavender products, while al fresco restaurants serve beef medallions and ratatouille with a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These illustrious vineyards are on the city’s doorstep, spreading luminous green below the vestiges of the Pope’s Summer Palace. Meanwhile the beautiful hills and villages of Luberon beckon just to the east, or one can head north to Orange, a pretty town with pastel-hued façades and balconies, a single nave cathedral, a Provençal market and two impressive Roman monuments. Both are world heritage sites, a 20 metre high Triumphal Arch with ornate sculptures and a Roman Theatre claiming one of the best preserved stage walls in the world.
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Treatment Studio We offer:
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A caring companion service for the
elderly
After my Mum died of Alzheimer’s, with five caring daughters wanting to give her the time she needed and deserved, it was heart breaking we couldn’t give her that time due to our commitments. We are now at the stage in our lives where we would like to help the elderly, having the time to care that I wish we could have found for my Mum.
Trustworthy Friendship with a Caring Approach Days out: Shopping, Cinema, Bowls, Garden Centres, Visiting Friends etc We provide wheelchair access and transport. Fees are applicable to individual needs and requirements.
Please contact Teresa on 07967 685 995 24
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House of Colour
The Sweater Edit
In the winter we are greeted by mother nature with ice-grey skies and frosty mornings, which means snuggling up in cosy knitwear is a must, so here are our ten top style tips for this season’s knitwear. 1) Look out for strong, distinctive colours in your seasonal palette and be colour confident. Jumpers and cardigans are a great way to give your look a colour boost and if you get it right, because the colours are close to your face, they will give you a radiant complexion and brightness to your eyes. Choose colours that don’t suit you and you will look drained. Make sure you know if you suit rich, earthy colours; warm, clear hues; cool bright colours; or cool, subtle tones. 2) Mélange knitwear is in all the shops, many with a twist of two or more colours. Look out for knitwear in one of your favourite wow colours with neutral harmonising colours, great for Autumns and summers or a bold contrasting colour from your colour palette, fantastic for Springs and Winters to really stand out. Alternatively let a scarf in your colours lift your knitwear look. 3) Know what style suits you from the length to the neckline to belted or not, from cosy shearing to wool capes to tailored belted coatigans, we have never had more choice. Check which length and style suit your body shape. Consider changing buttons as this kind of detail can make all the difference in showing our style and character. 4) Explore the huge variety of textures and materials to choose from this season from features to faux fur to cashmere and velvet. 5) Retro Fair Isle and Argyle patterns are in and look cosy and chic paired with a sleek skirt and boots or perfectly proportioned trousers if they suit your style personality. 6) Exaggerated sleeves are, excuse the pun, huge this season. Curved and billowy, feathered and textured, or chunky knit; they make a big statement, but are best for those with Natural or Dramatic in their style. Have fun standing out. 7) Jumper or cardigan - which suits you best? Belted cardigans are flattering for hourglass figures because they show off the small waist. Pear-shapes suit shorter jumpers, rather than longer ones finishing across the hips. 8) A coatigan is lovely for those milder, in-between days or to pop on in the office if you feel chilly.
Snug yet stylish coatigans on the right body architecture are extremely flattering. They can be worn oversized for the tall and pulled in at the waist to flatter an hourglass figure. 9) Invest in sumptuous cashmere because it is now the modern autumn and winter musthaves; sustainable, wearable and durable, and an excellent investment with longevity in mind. Cashmere is around eight times warmer than sheep’s wool. Cashmere comes in a much wider choice of styles, sizes, patterns and beautiful colour selections than ever before. Look out for cashmere blends for smaller budgets. 10) Buy a blanket scarf or wrap to update your winter wardrobe – Update a classic or neutral jumper with a chunky wrap with a fur collar or soft blanket scarf in a striking wow colour. There is something for everyone from tiger orange, sleek pistachio green to burgundy or vibrant pinks. Capes are a big style trend this season for a bourgeois French look. Perfect, if you are tall, with a rectangle frame, plus capes are so comfortable. 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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Local News
Would you like more energy?
Are you in pain? Is your brain foggy? Oxygen Therapy may help you. It helps people with a wide range of conditions – and is also used by many professional sports people, including worldfamous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo! The Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth has the only Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber in Herts. The Centre welcomes people with any neurological or long-term condition. In fact, anyone is welcome to come along to try Oxygen Therapy. Many people find that Oxygen Therapy gives them: • More energy • Reduced pain • Clearer thinking • Faster healing • Decreased swelling and inflammation Oxygen Therapy means the delivery of pure oxygen under gentle pressure. It can help people with neurological conditions including MS, Fibromyalgia and CFS/ME, also Cancer, Diabetes and stubborn infections and ulcers. Inflammatory conditions like Arthritis, Autism and Cerebral Palsy can also respond well to Oxygen Therapy.
“The day after my treatment I feel so much better. I’m walking faster and I can think more clearly. Plus – I’ve met some great people.” Sharon H Try Oxygen Therapy for FREE You are welcome to try your first Oxygen Therapy for free. Call Claire on 01462 684214 to book your session. We offer evening and weekend sessions for maximum flexibility. Our Oxygen Therapy sessions are for up to six people and last around an hour. You will be looked after by our highly trained team. You are welcome to use our Wi-Fi during your treatment. Call Claire to find out more and book your free session: 01462 684214. Or visit the charity’s website HertsMSTherapy. org.uk for information 01462 684 214 about Oxygen Therapy.
Would you like more energy and less pain? • Oxygen Therapy • APS Pain Reduction
Therapy • Specialist Exercise and Fitness Training Visit The Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth
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Health
By Dr Daisy Mae
Snoring: It’s no laughing matter Forget ‘unreasonable behaviour’ – snoring is now recognised to be a top reason for divorce – along with fishing and becoming vegetarian! (Daily Express, January 2018) 20 million Brits claim they are sleep deprived by their partner’s snoring, reported The Sun in 2017. We may think snoring is funny, but this is hardly the case. Usually, the partner suffers the most. Sleeping on the sofa every night takes its toll, with ruined relationships and broken marriages. So what causes snoring? Is it bad for our health? What can be done about it? What Causes Snoring? Snoring is caused by something partially blocking your mouth and the back of your throat. While you are sleeping, and when you breathe in, this blockage causes that noise – a snore. What can cause such a blockage? Excess mucus/ catarrh from smoking, alcohol, which causes the muscles and tissues of the palate to become floppy, and fat, in people who are overweight or obese, when pads of fatty tissue accumulate in these areas and literally wobble in the breeze! Allergies are also sometimes responsible. House dust mite, animal dander, pollens, yeasts and moulds are common allergens. Snoring is associated with sleeping flat on your back and breathing in through your mouth, not your nose. Lying on your side and nasal breathing helps reduce snoring. Sleep Apnoea Snoring is dangerous if it causes ‘sleep apnoea’. In this condition, a severe blockage to airflow temporarily starves your brain of oxygen. You briefly stop breathing altogether, but then your breathing starts up again. This causes a strain on your heart, makes you feel constantly tired and can have life-threatening consequences. What Can Be Done to Reduce Snoring? Making lifestyle changes is the best long-term treatment. Stopping smoking, moderating or stopping drinking alcohol and losing weight are strongly recommended. Reduce the risk of allergy by regular vacuuming, damp dusting and keeping the bedroom pet-free. Use hypoallergenic bedding. Products for Snorers and Snoring Sufferers First step? A pair of foam rubber earplugs for your partner! Anti-snoring products are readily available. For
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example, nasal strips to hold the airways open or a ‘Neti pot’, which uses salt water to flush the airways before bedtime. Best results are likely with a mandibular device –a special type of gum shield that holds the tongue and jaw forward, keeping the airway open while you sleep. The Antisnoor device is an adhesive patch you wear on your forehead that detects snoring and vibrates to prompt you to turn over. Smart Nora is an anti-snoring pillow that listens out for snoring and inflates to encourage you to change your head position. The Importance of Sleep Getting adequate and good quality sleep is vital. Lack of sleep is associated with strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, cancer, and shortens our lifespan. Adults are recommended to sleep for seven to nine hours per night. Snoring it seems, is a serious business! References Reasons for divorce: Snoring, Fishing and Going Vegetarian top the list. www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/906621/divorcereasons-UK-snoring-fishing-vegetarians-marriagerelationships Snore wars – couple reveal how snoring runs their relationships www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/4639767/snoringrelationship-partner-dating-ruined/ 75% of snorers have sleep apnoea www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/easysnoring-remedies#1 Lack of sleep affects health healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/need-sleep/whats-init-for-you/health
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Winter Saviours
Beauty By Kate Duggan
When it’s wet, cold and miserable outside, you might be tempted to hibernate indoors with a cuppa. We say indulge that temptation and use the time to treat your skin and hair to a bit of TLC.
If (like me), you’re the wash and go type who rarely has time to dry their hair, let alone style it, or you’re the opposite and have styled your hair to the max until it’s little more than a crispy mess, Bondi Boost’s Hair Growth could prove very welcome. The Australian luxury haircare range has attracted a bit of a cult following in recent years and it’s now available at Boots. I’m a recent convert. I won’t bore you with the science – it’s enough to say that the products are packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to ‘feed’ your hair from scalp to tip, leaving it stronger, sleeker and definitely swishier. From £19.50 at www.boots.com. Skin looking a bit ‘meh’? Winter is a good time to do a gentle athome acid peel. Murad’s new Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel (£48) is a good
choice as it’s enriched with extra ingredients to help you avoid irritation and dryness. Sweep a little across your face each day to boost cell renewal by a third within a week. The end result is skin that looks fresher, brighter and healthier. 96% of testers felt their skin looked smoother after four weeks and I have to say that I agree with them. Do wear sunscreen each day that you’re doing an at-home peel and for a few days afterwards, as your skin might be a bit more sensitive. See www.murad.co.uk. When your skin is feeling dry and lacklustre, it can be tempting to slather on an extra thick moisturiser. While that’s fine for some skin types, others may prefer an easier to absorb serum. Alteya Organics’ Rose Jasminium Illuminating Perfecting Serum (£39) is lightweight and non-greasy – skin just drinks it up. It’s packed with nourishing natural ingredients, from aloe vera and jojoba oil to rose flower oil, jasmine extracts and evening primrose oil. Together, they work to hydrate, repair and protect,
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and just generally leave skin feeling more ‘spring-like’. See www.alteya.co.uk. If your hands are feeling dry and sore this winter, the first thing to do is switch to a gentler soap or handwash that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulphate. (It dries my skin to the point where my hands end up bleeding when I move them.) Next, try an intensive hand cream. Don’t worry about the fragrance or pretty packaging – go for a workhorse that’s going to get the job done. Goldfaden MD’s Hands to Heart cream is one such workhorse. It boosts hydration, fades age spots, soothes cracked skin and protects the skin from further damage. Now that’s what I call a good all-rounder. It’s £35 from www.spaceNK.com.
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Fitness
Right to the Core Why core exercises are important We know that getting fit is important for a healthy life. Often, we equate fitness with running, cycling, walking or some other form of exercise. But there’s one aspect of fitness that is almost always overlooked; our core muscles. Whenever I talk about building muscle everyone pictures someone at a weight bench pumping iron until their biceps bulge out of their shirts. But strengthening and toning your muscles can be much more subtle. And even a small amount of work on your core strength can dramatically improve your overall fitness and well-being. What Are Your Core Muscles? Your core muscles form a ring around the middle of your body. Most people think of the six pack muscles in the abdomen, but the core includes a range of muscles in your sides and back as well. Their job is to keep the top and bottom halves of your body connected together whilst allowing them to move independently. They form a strong foundation that the majority of your other muscles depend upon when you move your body. When Do I Use My Core Muscles? Practically every movement you make and every position you put your body into involves your core muscles. They are really important. Bending over to pick something up, twisting to look behind you and sitting up in bed are more obvious moments your core is activated. But running, walking, sitting in a chair and even standing still all rely on core strength. Without it the top half of your body would simply flop over.
By Louise Addison
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What Are the Benefits of Core Strength? Building a strong core provides a firm and flexible support for every activity your body performs. The stability provided gives you better balance and better posture which in turn helps prevent falls and injuries in your day-to-day life. The support from your core muscles takes the strain away from your skeleton and helps hold it in place alleviating some forms of back pain, stiffness and soreness when you move your body. Any time you move whether it’s for exercise or doing the housework or gardening, a strong core will help you perform better and reduce muscle fatigue in the other parts of your body by giving them a firm base to attach to. How Can I Build My Core Strength? One of the best things about core strength is that you don’t need a gym or expensive equipment to improve it. There are lots of exercises you can do at home. Make sure you seek medical advice before attempting any new exercise regime. Most people think of sit ups as the prime core exercise. I advise people not to do sit ups as they are not particularly effective and the continual flexing of the base of your spine can lead to lower back injuries. My top tips are planks, leg raises and mountain climbers. If you’re not sure what these are have a chat with your local personal trainer or gym instructor, or search on YouTube for easy-to-follow tutorials. Take your core strength seriously and it will improve every aspect of your fitness as well as provide the central support essential for your body.
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Local News
‘Happy New Partnership’ for the Swiss Garden and the RHS as 2020 rolls in! The Shuttleworth Trust is delighted to announce that its Swiss Garden has been awarded Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden status and will offer free entry to RHS members every Thursday* from 2nd January 2020. Following a large-scale restoration, completed in 2014, this charming 9-acre site, complete with quirky follies and thirteen listed buildings and artefacts, was removed from the Heritage at Risk register. The garden team have since been busy building on these very positive foundations – refreshing borders and seasonal planting schemes, developing a varied events schedule and, most recently, introducing a programme of activities promoting the relationship between outdoor spaces and wellbeing. A team of five, including one apprentice gardener, and a lively and dedicated volunteer group maintain this historic late Regency landscape on a daily basis, led by Head Gardener Sissel Dahl. Views and vistas are a key element of the garden’s design, and there is something to see all year round. There is plenty of seating throughout, and a warm welcome is guaranteed from the team and three resident peacocks! Garden Manager Corinne Price is thrilled at the news: “This is a fantastic accolade to the Swiss Garden and the hard work put in by the team to make it such a lovely space to visit. Credit must also be given to the generous investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and others who made the recent restoration happen. We look forward to welcoming RHS members to the Swiss Garden and to a successful working partnership with the society.” *Excludes ticketed event days Photo credit D. Harbar
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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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By Sarah Davey
Teen Talk “YOU’RE RUINING MY LIFE!” <SLAM> Anyone with a teen has been there. But how do you respond? In kind by yelling back? Or by ignoring? Or is there a different way? We have some suggestions. Aim to understand - Why is why your daughter is texting her friend when she’s supposed to be studying for her maths test? Why does your son have cigarettes in his blazer pocket? You may not comprehend, but remember they live in their reality and you live in yours. Perhaps your daughter is anxious about an argument with her friend and needs to make up before she can concentrate on her maths revision. Perhaps your son wants to fit in with his friends. Aim for understanding. Try an approach like, ‘I understand how hard it is when you feel you don’t fit in. I also know that smoking increases your chance of contracting lung cancer or other diseases when you’re still quite young. It’s my job as a parent to keep you healthy and safe so let’s sit down and talk about this.” It’s important not to say, ‘I understand...BUT...’ the ‘but’ puts teens on guard. Aim for a conciliatory tone every time and they will be more inclined to listen… not always, but more often. Don’t take it personally - Mostly teens don’t set out to annoy you, but emotions on both sides quickly escalate, and emotions are the enemy when trying to communicate effectively. Teenagers are adults with training wheels and probably require more and better parenting than toddlers. Being angry at a teen for being them is futile. They may be making a poor choice, but the truth is, they might not yet have the skill set to make a better one. Our job is to help guide them to better choices so they can, in turn, develop better problem-solving skills. I repeat to myself, ‘This is the job of parenting, what’s the best approach here?’ If I catch myself quickly, it works. But it’s not easy and if I don’t catch myself in time then emotions spill over and we all end up shouting! But like any other skill, it gets easier with practice.
Parenting
Tips for successful communication with your teenager
Ask questions but make them honest, not loaded - “Why can’t you be more responsible / get up on time / pick your clothes up?” These are loaded questions which your teen can’t answer. Instead try, “You know you have problems getting up in the morning? Can you think of any solutions?” If they can’t think of one offer a couple of your own and ask which they prefer. As parents our goal is to help our teen think critically. What might be the consequences of a particular action? How would they feel if that happened? This approach helps them feel empowered and gives a greater chance of a successful resolution. Finally... Don’t Do or say Anything Until You’re Both Calm - You don’t have to respond to your teen when you and they are upset. You can choose to say nothing and take a few more minutes. When emotions have evened out, sit down and talk with them. Sometimes they will still want to fight. Stay firm and calm. Repeat in your head “I’m not being drawn in.” This self-talk does help and over time should calm the situation down. Staying calm isn’t easy. We all get pulled back into a fight occasionally. But deep down they love you, and sometimes they just need to hear that you love them too, no matter what.
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Finance
Planning to retire?
Here’s a checklist of the essentials If you’re thinking of retiring in the next few years it’s a good idea to organise your finances well ahead of time, so you can consider some of the big issues without feeling too much pressure. So what steps can you take to prepare? Here are a few questions to think about and issues to consider that could help you enter retirement with greater financially stability, ready to enjoy this new and exciting stage of life. How much income will you have? When calculating your potential income you should include your state pension, occupational pension(s), and any savings and investments you hold. You can request the latest figures in writing from your pension provider, bank, building society, and investment companies with which you have an interest. Find out about the state pension As far as your state pension is concerned, you can request a pension forecast from the gov.uk website. When the time comes to retire you’ll need to proactively claim your state pension as it’s not paid automatically unless you receive certain benefits. Check your workplace pension Your workplace pension provider should have sent annual statements over the years showing your accrued pension at the time, plus a forecast of how much your pension might be when you retire. If you can’t find your latest statement, you’ll be able to obtain one by contacting your pension provider. Check for old and forgotten pensions If you’ve changed employers a few times during your career, you might have one or more ‘forgotten’ pensions. You can find out by contacting the Pension Tracing Service – it’s government-run and free to use.
Will you have enough money to support your desired lifestyle in retirement? When you are still working it can be difficult to envisage life in retirement, and easy to underestimate how much you will need. Online pension calculators can help you get an idea of whether you’ll have enough money, however – you’ll just need a few facts and figures to hand. What to do with your pension Depending on your provider you may be able to use your pension in different ways, including: • Taking some or all as a cash lump sum (this has significant tax implications). • Purchasing an annuity. • Using income drawdown, which allows you to withdraw a sum from your pension and invest it in a different product for an income. • A combination of these options. • Leaving your pension alone, and not withdrawing any money for now. The pension freedoms that were introduced by the government in 2015 mean you now have far more choice in how you use your pension. It’s even more important, therefore, to obtain reliable professional advice before deciding how to proceed. With so many people falling foul of pension scams these days, finding specialist advice you can trust is vital – it ensures you don’t lose your hard-earned money, and helps you enjoy a fulfilling and active life in retirement. www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/ checklist-things-to-do-as-retirement-approaches www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/worklearning/retirement/ www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/aboutpensions/the-state-pension/claiming-statepension
By Ann Haldon
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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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Garden View
By Rachael Leverton
A game of two halves For me February is where the gardening year begins...twice! First - Reaping last year’s rewards: If you were industrious in the autumn, you could now be benefiting from a lovely display of snowdrops (Gallanthus) and Irises. My favourite snowdrops are G ‘Atkinsii’, which are tall with long, graceful flowers and G. nivalis ‘Viridapicis’ with sweet, green tipped flowers. It’s said they’re best planted ‘in the green’ in Spring but I’ve had lots of success with packaged bulbs planted in the autumn so they’re definitely worth trying. As for irises, the deep blue Iris ‘Joyce’ is hard to beat especially on my poor, free draining soil. I planted a witch hazel as soon as we moved into our present house; Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’. I can’t live without fragrance in my garden and at this bare, drab time of year the wonderfully scented pale-yellow flowers lift my spirits. I discovered we’d inherited an evergreen Clematis (C. armandii). I’d never grown it before but it’s worth seeking out. It needs a warm wall or fence and well-drained soil then rewards you by being
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frost-hardy and producing lovely creamy, scented flowers at this time of year. Second - Planning this year’s display Perhaps you didn’t manage to plan ahead last year. But don’t panic; the beauty of gardening is that the seasons keep rolling round so make sure you use February to ensure your summer display is top notch. February is definitely the month to start sowing seeds. Fill pots or seed trays with seed compost then firm and level the surface. Sprinkle seeds on to the surface of the compost then cover with a layer of fine grit. Water well with a fine spray. Cover with clear plastic (a polythene bag will do nicely) and remove it once the seeds germinate. Learn from my mistake one year and don’t forget to label the pots! Potting up summer bulbs is generally left until late spring, but I always pot up one or two pots in February. It allows them to get established and provides a nice early display for my patio.
Happy Gardening!
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THE GARDEN ROBIN
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Perfect Potatoes
Gardening
By Pippa Greenwood
Mid to late February is ideal for planting seed potatoes, an incredibly good-value crop. The socalled humble spud is a versatile vegetable with a flavour and texture that will make you want to grow them year after year. On a patio, balcony or in a backyard, a special potato-planting ‘bag’ or a 45cm (18in) diameter pot can produce a useful crop of spuds from a single tuber. Make sure the container is welldrained, fill it about half to two-thirds full of compost, pop a tuber in the centre and add a further 5cm (2in) of compost. As the foliage appears, add more compost to cover and repeat until no more can be added. Keep the container well-watered and wait! Most potatoes produce a slightly earlier and somewhat heavier crop if the seed potatoes are allowed to ‘chit’ or produce small but sturdy sprouts before planting. Stand the tubers, widest end uppermost, in a seed tray or old egg cartons placed in a cool, frost-free spot with plenty of natural light. They are ready for planting in a few weeks, when the sprouts are about 1cm (½in) tall. To help you decide what varieties to buy, think about how you most enjoy eating potatoes and follow my recommendations below: • Steamed potatoes: Vanessa, Dunluce, Edzell Blue or Lady Christl. • New potatoes: Lady Christl, Charlotte, Juliette, Nadine or Nicola. • Mash: Dunluce, Valour, Maris Bard, Lady Balfour or King Edward. • Jacket potatoes: Cara, Lady Balfour, Picasso, Kestrel, King Edward, Desiree or Valor.
• Roast potatoes: Kestrel, Maris Piper, Desiree, Lady Balfour, Vivaldi or Edzell Blue. • Chips: Kestrel, King Edward, Maris Peer, Accord, Rooster or Edzell Blue. Choose early varieties for a newly created vegetable plot, especially if the soil has not been cultivated for several years. Earlies will be in the ground for less time than main crops and are less likely to suffer from wireworm attack. To avoid the fungus-like organism responsible for potato blight (the cause of the Irish Famine in the 1840s) early varieties are better, but varieties with resistance to the infection are available. These include Valor, Lady Balfour or Colleen but Sarpo Mira and Sarpo Axona have the best resistance in my experience. Consider varieties such as Cara, Desiree or Sante if your garden is infested with slugs – again, earlies are likely to suffer less damage as they are not in the soil for so long. The biological control nematode Nemaslug can be used as a drench and, as it works under the soil surface, it has a brilliant effect and poses no threat to wildlife. Earlies are also ideal if space is at a premium and, as they are in the ground for less time, give you the opportunity to grow another fast-maturing crop such as lettuce or salad leaves in the soil after the potatoes have been lifted. At Pippa’s website (www.pippagreenwood.com) you’ll find stylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and the ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa’ system. Or book Pippa for a talk at your gardening club.
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Word Ladder
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Life Begins...
By Kate McLelland
Whatever happened to the story song?
small town America. The next decade would focus on wider social issues, such as Harry Chapin’s 1974 hit The Cat’s in the Cradle (about an absent father) and Rod Stewart’s The Killing of Georgie, (1976), which described a homophobic street killing. By the end of the Seventies, story songwriters had ditched social issues in favour of unashamed glamour: in 1978 Barry Manilow’s Copacabana told the story of a showgirl who loses her lover in a jealous brawl, while the Human League’s Don’t You Want Me Baby stormed the charts in 1981 with a tale of a successful singer who dumps the manager/boyfriend who discovered her. During the Eighties story song hits may have been thin on the ground, but Tracy Chapman’s wistful ballad Fast Car was enough to make up for almost a whole a decade without them. Another gritty narrative number reached number one in 2000: Eminem’s Stan was a modern American gothic tale of a crazed fan who murders his pregnant girlfriend because he feels rejected by his idol. Nowadays rap and hip hop artists have largely taken over as pop music’s storytellers: the lyrics might be X-rated, but it’s good to know that the story song has found another home. While the songs mentioned above are now sadly out of fashion, we can still enjoy them online. So get comfortable with your laptop, smartphone or tablet, enter a search for your favourite song titles and prepare to enjoy a feast of musical storytelling.
When an equity release company recently made a TV advert featuring a song called Right Said Fred, it introduced at least two new generations to a popular hit from almost sixty years ago. The song may have been given new lyrics for advertising purposes, but for anyone who grew up in the Fifties and Sixties, the tune was instantly recognisable. Originally sung by the actor Bernard Cribbins, Right Said Fred conjures memories of a slightly odd but highly entertaining episode in our cultural history, when narrative songs were all the rage. Right Said Fred is a simple but very catchy ditty, typical of others like Little White Bull, sung by Tommy Steele (1959), and Hole in the Ground, also sung by Bernard Cribbins and released the same year as Right Said Fred. However, while 1962 was clearly a peak year for these cheery Cockney
narrative hits, it also proved to be their swansong: a distinctly darker tone was soon to emerge from across the Atlantic. Narrative songs go gothic American songs that focus on the darker side of life are known as ‘Southern Gothic’ or ‘Gothic Americana’. Think Bobby Goldsboro’s Honey (about a wife who dies tragically young) and Jeannie C Riley’s Harper Valley PTA (single mum confronts small town hypocrites). Perhaps the best example is Ode to Billie Joe, a compelling tale about a young man’s suicide, released in 1968 by Bobby Gentry. Songs with a social conscience The Sixties ended with another narrative hit. A Boy Named Sue, sung by Johnny Cash, was an upbeat, quirky tale that concluded with an unexpected father/son reunion. It was a fitting end to a decade of songs that referenced life in rural or
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Technology
Gadget gifts for the one you love Smart buys for the love of your life
As if flowers, champagne and dinners weren’t expensive enough, retailers would really like you to buy your beloved some technology for Valentine’s Day. That’s not necessarily a bad idea, but there are a few traps to avoid. We wouldn’t recommend anything overly practical unless the recipient really wants it and would be happy to get it as a Valentine’s Day gift: no matter how powerful the Dyson or scientific the scales, don’t give the gift of hoovering or weightwatching to someone who won’t appreciate it. Online gadget guides suggest power banks for smartphones and even charging cables, and while those are perfectly decent products they’re hardly going to make your partner’s heart sing. The second trap is the “pinkification” of products: even if your beloved likes pink they might not appreciate a perfectly good product that’s pink for no good reason. If your beloved is really into DIY then they’ll care much more about the quality of the product than its colour. So what presents do we suggest
for Valentine’s day? Consider accessories – for example, if your beloved has an Apple Watch or an iPad you could buy good-quality straps or cases. The Apple Watch can be made sportier with a bright Sport Band or more formal with a genuine leather band (just avoid the faux leather bands from some bigname shopping sites, which don’t wear like genuine leather does). And of course if your partner doesn’t have an Apple Watch or an iPad and you’ve got the cash to spare, those items make really great gifts. Another good tactic is to think about what your beloved does. So if they have a long commute or travel a lot, a set of noisecancelling headphones will make their travels much more pleasant; if they’re always at the gym or jogging around town then exercise-friendly earbuds or a reliable fitness tracker will be a boon. For readers there are Amazon’s excellent Kindle e-readers (or a subscription to Audible, the audiobook service) or subscriptions to Readly or Apple News+, both of which are like
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Netflix for magazines; for coffee lovers there are some really great high-tech coffee makers ranging from the excellent Aeropress (around £20) to cute and compact capsule machines such as Krups’ or Magimix’s Nespresso makers. And if they’re arty, they might love an Apple Pencil for their iPad (check compatibility first, though – not all iPads work with it) or a digital notepad that looks and feels like pencil on paper but can transfer drawings to their Mac or PC. If you’re still stuck for ideas, it’s time to remember the old joke: what do you get the person who has everything? A box to put it in. But instead of boxes, think bags. There are lots of backpacks, messenger bags and handbags designed specifically for people who carry gadgets around, and they’re available everywhere at every conceivable price point. For example, if you can’t afford several hundred pounds for Osprey London’s laptop bags, Marks & Spencer does some really nice laptop backpacks for around £45, laptop bags for under £30 and faux-leather folio bags for just £25.
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Pets
Choosing a small family pet If you’re thinking of buying a small pet, how do you know which one would be best for your family? Some love human interaction and will happily play for hours, but others prefer to stay in their own environment where they feel safe. Rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters are all very popular as small family pets – here are a few pointers to help you decide. Rabbits Rabbits can make great family pets but they’re easily startled by loud noises and sudden movement. They’re very entertaining to watch and can have charming personalities, but owning a rabbit is a long-term commitment as they can live for up to 12 years¹. Hamsters Hamsters are nocturnal creatures, and although very playful when awake they may not be the best pet if you and your family are expecting lots of daytime interaction and entertainment.
Guinea pigs Guinea pigs are very gentle creatures by nature and they thrive if they’re with others of their own kind. Buying more than one guinea pig may be a good idea, therefore, but you need to make sure that you either buy two females or a pair where the males are neutered. Buying a pet is a huge responsibility regardless of size. One of the most important considerations is to go to a trustworthy breeder who takes time to explain the care that’s required and makes sure you understand the commitment you’re making. ¹www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/how-long-dorabbits-live www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/choosing-rightsmall-pet www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/ guineapigs/company
By Ann Haldon
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N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y
RESINBOUND DRIVEWAYS
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Pets
A Quick History Lesson Brief Background This month we are shining the spotlight on the history of the RSPCA, and discovering for exactly how long the well known and well loved charity has been a force for good, and a force for change. Did you know the RSPCA is the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation in the world? Founded in 1824, it is one of the largest charities in the UK. It is incredible to think we have been protecting and saving animals for almost 200 years. The men who created the RSPCA will have understood that they were creating something special, but perhaps did not fully appreciated the size and shape the charity would become today. Nor that the Patron would become Queen Elizabeth II! Significant Dates In 1822 the first animal welfare law was passed. The legislation had the title of ‘The Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act’. It protected not only cattle, but horses and sheep as well from cruel and improper treatment. It was known as Martin’s Act, after the MP and animal rights campaigner Richard Martin. In 1835 the Pease Act was brought into law which prohibited cruelty to dogs and other domestic animals. We also helped to abolish bear baiting and bull baiting. It wasn’t until 1840 that Queen Victoria granted permission for us to use the royal prefix. Previously we had been known as the SPCA. We then became known as the RSPCA. In 1866 we inspired America to create its own animal protection society, along with Australia in 1872. Ten years later New Zealand in 1882 created their own society to protect the welfare of animals. In 1911 the protection of animals act was passed tackling every for of cruelty to animals. In 1914 the RSPCA set up a ‘Sick and wounded
horses fund’. This provided 13 animal hospitals, 180 horse drawn ambulances and 26 motor ambulances to use by the Veterinary Corps during the First World War. In 1952 the first two women patrol officers were trained. The 1970’s saw the first female inspectors being introduced. In 2005 the Hunting Act came into force to protect foxes, deer and hare from being hunted with dogs. In 2006 Parliament passed the Animal Welfare Act allowing the RSPCA to help protect animals from cruelty. The main aim of the act was to improve the welfare of animals and impose greater responsibility on their carers. In 2017, the RSPCA rescued and collected 114,584 animals, carried out 222,664 micro chippings and rehomed 44,611 animals. Our Patrons and Ambassadors We are very fortunate to have such a large group of dedicated and passionate patrons, vice presidents, celebrity supporters and ambassadors. Alongside our royal patron Queen Elizabeth II, some of our vice presidents include; Chris Packham, Bill Oddie OBE, Brian Blessed, Dr Brian May and Peter Egan to name but a few. The actress Amber Anderson, Bella Lack a 16 year old conservationist, Matt Johnson the welsh broadcaster and Victoria Stilwell the world renowned dog trainer from the television program ”It’s Me or The Dog” are amongst our valued ambassadors.
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Time of Year
By Clare Becker
The Language of Love
I love you. Three little words, which have been responsible for so much happiness...and so much angst and heartache. Did she mean it? Did he say it back? Who said it first? Does it matter? But here’s a dilemma you may not have considered, which language is the best in which to express your devotion? French - Je t’aime - It has associations with Paris, the city of love and all it has to offer: the food, the wine, the Eiffel Tower. How could your paramour not be swept off their feet? Spanish - Te amo - I once dated a guy from Madrid. When he said, “Te amo,” I almost melted, though his sexy accent and the fact we were on a yacht enjoying a Mediterranean sunset may have had much to do with it. Sadly, our relationship did not survive winter in Walsall! Russian - Я тебя люблю (Ya tebya liubliu) - Say it in a Russian accent and it sounds wonderfully seductive. You’ll feel like a spy from a James Bond movie! German - Ich liebe Dich - I confess I’m torn about this one. My husband is a blonde, blue-eyed, gorgeous German yet my silly British seaside sense of humour means ‘Ich liebe Dich’ makes me giggle. But laughter is good, and he has been the love of my life for the past ten years, so I included it to be fair. So, what’s the strangest language in which to declare your love. How about Dothraki? Should you wish to declare your love Game of Thrones stylie this Valentine’s Day, simply breath these words, “Anha zhilak yera norethaan.”
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WORDWHEEL
Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.
TARGET Excellent: 41 or more words Good: 36 words Fair: 32 words
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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. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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Gaming
By Robert Grant
Games Without Frontiers
The future is online gaming Almost everyone plays computer games. On phones, tablets, computers and consoles the current generation tap away for hours on end. But all this comes at a cost. New games always push consoles and computers to their limits so you end up in a never-ending process of upgrading your hardware just so you can keep up with the latest titles. There are four versions of the PlayStation, endless Xboxes and a vast array of different Nintendo boxes all slowly going out of date, and eventually disappearing into the attic to gather dust. But what if you never had to buy another console again? What if all you needed was any device that could connect to the Internet with enough power to play a YouTube video? Well that’s the vision for Google’s latest cloud gaming service, Google Stadia. “Cloud gaming?” I hear you ask. Come closer my friend. Basically, you use any internet-capable device to connect to the gaming service - phone, tablet, laptop, etc. This becomes your screen for viewing and your gamepad for controlling the game. The actual game runs on the gaming service computers in a datacentre in the cloud. Your device streams a video of the game which you control using your local game controller or other input device. There’s no longer any need for you to own a high-end gaming PC. All that expense is taken care of by Google Stadia. This is not a new idea. OnLive launched a cloud-
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based service about 10 years ago offering essentially the same deal. They had a good range of games and the whole system worked extremely well… if you had a reliably fast broadband connection! At the time people found that delays between pressing buttons and the game responding made the system unplayable much of the time. OnLive eventually petered out after a few years. But the concept was sound and now Google has brought its technical power to the problem. Along with far superior household broadband connections, Google’s extensive range of datacentres throughout around the world can provide up to 4K game play with almost zero lag on the controllers. The service costs a monthly subscription fee for access to the game servers on top of which you’ll need to buy your games. These games can then be played on any of your compatible devices, or you can buy one of Google’s custom controllers that will connect wirelessly to your TV to turn it into a games centre. A ‘free’ service should also be launching in the first half of this year which will probably offer a range of slightly older titles for anyone to play - note that this will be free games, not free subscription, which you’ll still need to pay! New game titles are being added all the time so check out the Stadia website for the current library. If the kids are pestering for a computer upgrade because the latest FIFA is glitching out, this service might be just what you need.
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ROGERSONS
REMOVALS
James Cullip
Painting & Decorating
• interior/exterior - all aspects • wallpaper hanging • coving • general household maintenance • plastering services available • free estimates
Man with Van
Removals • Clearances • Deliveries Pick-Ups • Items disposed of Flat pack assembly Anything Considered Friendly and reliable at a cost you can afford
Tel: 01462 627074 Mob: 07867 531368
Speak to Matt • No job too big or small
• 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
N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y
WALL COATING
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Before After
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Easy Suduko
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Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles. 60
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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 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
Call now for a free, no obligation quotation 61
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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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n O s ’ t Wha In February
Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com
1 February Saturday Stories 10.30-11am Baldock Library Free event – voluntary contribution of £1 per family welcomed. Stories aimed at preschool children. 1 February Mid Beds Cancer Support Group 11am-1pm Village Hall, Walnut Tree Way, Meppershall Informal cancer group for patients, families, friends and carers who wish to meet others for support and information. Tel: 01462 813943 or 07961 377526 Email: daksha.trivedi@btconnect.com 1, 2, 7 & 8 Feb Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves 31 Jan, 7 & 8 Feb 7.30pm; 1, 2 & 8 Feb 2.30pm The Oak Hall at Meppershall Village Hall, Walnut Tree Way Adults £10, Children £7, Family (2a + 2c) £30 HATS Drama Group present a hilarious family pantomime by Ben Crocker. Doors open 30 mins before performances. Licensed bar. www.ticketsource.co.uk/hats-drama 2, 9, 16 & 23 February Hare & Hounds Hash House Harriers 11am A social running and walking club for mixed abilities, meeting every week in the Bedfordshire area. The trail is set from a local pub and typically lasts 1 hour covering between 3 and 4 miles. E: info@h5hashers.org.uk www.H5hashers.org.uk 3 February Monday Meet Up 10.30am-12 noon Baldock Library Drop in for a chat; make new friends over tea, biscuits and various activities. No need to book. 3 February From Pitch to Print 7.30-9pm The Settlement, Letchworth £10. Paul Walker will recount his journey from tentative scribbler to published author (but still learning at The Settlement). Web: www. letchworthsettlement.org.uk for info/booking 3, 10, 17 & 24 February Moo Music Sandy, Biggleswade & Shefford 10-10.40am Shefford Baptist Church Music and movement classes for 0-5 year olds. First session free. Tel: 07981 825654 Email: Heather sandymoo@moo-music.co.uk Web: www.moo-music.co.uk/sbs 3, 10, 17 & 24 February Baby Rhyme Time 10.30-11am Letchworth Library Free event – voluntary contribution of £1 per family welcomed. Suitable for babies and toddlers of all ages.
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3, 10, 17 & 24 February Café Connect 1-4pm Arlesey Resource Centre, High Street, Arlesey We want to bring the community together with a series of events chosen by YOU. Come along to meet new people. This project is delivered by Community Action Bedfordshire and NOAH Enterprise, and funded by Central Bedfordshire Council and Public Health. Tel: Priya 07814 704203 for more info 3, 10, 17 & 24 February 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. Email: katiewilsonmind@gmail.com
3, 10, 17 & 24 February Weston Bridge Group 2.45-5.30pm Reading Room, Weston Village Hall Meets every Monday. The emphasis of play is informal, friendly and social Bridge. Mid-session hot drink and biscuit for £2.50. All levels welcome. No partners required. Table numbers are drawn at the start of play. Free car park. Tel: Bob Findlay (Chairman) 01462 790211 3, 10, 17 & 24 February Staplers Country Dance Club 8-10pm St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin All the dances are walked through first then called and you don’t need to come with a partner. 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 4 February Langford Gardening Club 7pm Visit to North Herts Museum, Brand St, Hitchin ‘A Nice Cup of Tea’ with Cas Sanders. Web: www.langford-gardening-club.co.uk 4, 11, 18 & 25 February Willian Bowls Club 2pm Lower Green, Norton Common, Icknield Way, Letchworth Come and have a bowl one Tuesday afternoo. Tel: David on 01462 642790 Web: www.willianbowlsclub.org 4, 11, 18 & 25 February Rosehill Community Singing Group 2-3pm Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Road, Letchworth £4. A new group for the over 50s that meets every Tuesday with refreshments and time to chat after each session! The Monday group is now full. Dropin session, no need to book.
4, 11, 18 & 25 February 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: Andy Ward 01438 353846 5 February North Herts Association of National Trust 7.30pm Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Visitors £2. ‘Women’s Roles and Achievements in Aviation’ by David Taylor. David will also bring some memorabilia to the meeting. Visitors welcome. Membership of National Trust not necessary. Tel: Secretary Mrs Colette House 01462 815585 Email: colettehouse@gmail.com 5, 12, 19 & 26 February Baby Rhyme Time 10.30-11am Baldock Library Free event – voluntary contribution of £1 per family welcomed. Baby Rhyme times are fun half hour sessions of songs and rhymes suitable for babies and toddlers. 5, 12, 19 & 26 February Toddler Tales 2.15-2.45pm Letchworth Library Free event – voluntary contribution of £1 per family welcomed. Toddler Tales is a mix of lively stories and rhymes. The stories chosen are aimed at toddlers. 5, 12, 19 & 26 February Vivace Choir 7.30-9.30pm Edgeworth House, 121 High Street, Arlesey We are looking for keen singers to join our fun and friendly choir. Web: www.vivacechoir.co.uk 6 February The Arts Society North Herts 11am & 2pm Spirella Ballroom Letchworth Visitors £7 on the door. ‘Lapis Lazuli: Pursuit of a Celestial Stone’ with Sarah Searight. This follows the travels of this precious stone from Afghanistan through burials in the ancient world, in wall paintings in medieval Byzantine churches, ending with early Renaissance Madonnas robed in ultramarine, ground as pigment from lapis lazull. Visitors welcome. Lift access. Web: theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk 6 February Baldock Floral Society 7.15pm Community Centre, Baldock 6 February Baldock & Clothall WI 7.30pm United Reformed Church, Whitehorse Street, Baldock Visitors £3. Tel: Lucy 01462 742609 for more info Email: Baldockclothallwi@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/baldockclothallwi
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n O s ’ t Wha In February
This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com
6, 13, 20 & 27 February Letchworth Corner Bridge Club 1.15pm The Cloisters Masonic Lodge, Letchworth Letchworth Corner Bridge Club plays duplicate Bridge every Thursday afternoon. We usually play 27 boards which takes just over 3 hours. Tel: John Biggs 01462 433393
6, 13, 20 & 27 February Baldock Community Orchestra 7.15pm Knights Templar School (Room CS1), Baldock £7 per week or 10 week term £50. A friendly group of musicians. Give us a try, first session free! Tel: Rachel Dawson 07818 480332 6, 13, 20 & 27 February Roundabouters Country Dance Club 8-10pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage £3, annual membership £5. Friendly club for English country dancing. We welcome all new members. All dances walked through AGM on 27 February. Tel: 01438 727239 Email: roundabouters@live.co.uk Web: www.roundabouters.org.uk 6, 13, 20 & 27 February Stevenage Plus Social Group 8.15pm for 8.30pm Holiday Inn Express (opposite Matalan), Stevenage £2 - first night free. 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 as well as day trips and weekends away. New members always welcome. Tel: 01438 231550. Email: welcome@stevenage.plus Web: www.stevenageplus.co.uk 6, 13, 20 & 27 February 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. Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 or Ian 07900 890583 Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 7 February Write it Right Self-editing with Elizabeth Barber 10am-3pm The Settlement, Letchworth £27. During the day you will consider published works, try some editing exercises and work in small groups on your own writing. New and experienced writers are welcome. Tel: ebarbersherriff@gmail.com for more info Web: www.letchworthsettlement.org.uk for info/ booking
7 February RSPB Hitchin & Letchworth Local Group 7.30pm ‘The Settlement’, Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City Local group members free, Visitors £3. ‘Nightjar Migration and Movements’ with Greg Conway. Greg is a Research Ecologist at the BTO and tells us about the use of tracking technology to reveal nightjar migration and foraging movements during the breeding season. Tel: 01763 249459 Email: martinrjspc@hotmail.com 7, 14, 21 & 28 February Baldock Health Walk 11am Tesco car park, 58 High Street, Baldock Mind in Herts Health Walk every Friday. Tel: Stephanie Flint 01438 369215 Email: stephanie.flint@mindinherts.org.uk Web: www.mindinherts.org.uk 7, 14, 21 & 28 February 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, 14, 21 & 28 February Rainmakers International Folk Dance Club 8-10pm The Parish Hall, Broadway, Letchworth Rainmakers is a friendly club for all. We enjoy folk dances of all styles from many countries around the world and meet most Fridays. Tel: Roger 01438 812766 or Jill 01462 457791 Web: www.rainmakers.org.uk 11 February Transition Tuesday: Imagining a Letchworth Open Street Event and AGM 7.30-9.15pm Mrs Howard Memorial Hall, Norton Way South, Letchworth Join us to watch a short film on how communities across the world are temporarily closing streets to motor traffic and opening up the space for local communities. We shall then try out a ‘Transitional Imagining’ technique to create a plan for a Letchworth Open Street event. The event will start with the Transition Town Letchworth AGM, highlighting last years’ achievements and plans for 2020. All welcome, admission free, a £2 donation to cover room hire and refreshments is welcome. 11 & 25 February 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. New members welcome. Tel: Roger Burt 01438 351891 Email: roger@mazda20.plus.com
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12 February Letchworth Chamber Music Concert 7.45pm Howgills Friends Meeting House, 42 South View Tickets £15, Under 18s & students £7.50. Harmoniemusik is an acclaimed ensemble of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn and piano/harpsichord well-known for its enterprising, eclectic and entertaining programmes of chamber music. Tickets available on the door. Web: www.letchworthmusicclub.co.uk 14 February Unicorn Ceilidh Doors open 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Baldock Adults £11 on the door, Concessions available With The Bristol Ceilidh Quartet and Jethro Anderson. Ceilidh dances are great fun and easy to learn. Clear instructions from the caller before. The combination of the finest live bands, top callers and a bar guarantee an excellent, fun-filled evening for all. Tel: Alan Creamer 07946 439095 or 01582 724261 Web: www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk 18 February Stevenage RSPB Local Group 7.30pm The Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage RSPB Members £3, Non-members £4, Under 18s 50p Jonathan Forgham returns to give us his talk on ‘Birds of the North Norfolk Coastal Path’. Tel: 01438 226014 www.rspb.org/groups/Stevenage 22 February Langford Gardening Club 7pm Outing to Stamford & Easton Walled Garden. Web: www.langford-gardening-club.co.uk 27 February Stevenage Locomotive Society 7.30pm Community Arts Centre, Roaring Meg Retail Park Members free, Visitors £3 on the door John Hunt ‘Steam Scottish Steam in the 1960s’. Web: www.stevenagelocosociety.co.uk 28 February The lonely sea and the sky – Sir Francis Chichester, supreme navigator 7.45pm The Settlement, Letchworth £10 inc. glass of wine. Ex-Concorde pilot John Hutchinson returns to give a talk ‘The lonely sea and the sky – Sir Francis Chichester, supreme navigator’. Web: www.letchworthsettlement.org.uk 29 February Building Beautifully in Concrete with Tim Parrott 10.30am-3.30pm The Settlement, Letchworth £30. This course focuses on some of the buildings and bridges we love today, and which could not have been built in any other material. Web: www.letchworthsettlement.org.uk
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T J Lee
Alan George Painter & Decorator
Chimney Builders (Hitchin)
Interior and Exterior Work Wallpapering and Coving Reliable and Local Specialist
Tel: 01462 234717 Mob: 07966 404469 Email: terryjleebuilding@gmail.com T J Lee Chimney Builders
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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Motoring
Smooth Car
Control
Being smooth The essence of a smooth drive is thinking ahead. Take in road conditions, terrain, hazards etc. and use the information to ensure you are in the correct gear, at the right speed for the conditions and are anticipating the actions of other drivers. Don’t Drive with the Brakes Sometimes, you have to go slower to go faster. ‘Driving with the brakes’ is a great example of this. Use your brakes to stop at traffic lights, but if you see brake lights come on ahead of you on the motorway, don’t go straight for the middle pedal. If you’ve maintained an adequate gap between you and the car in front, you have thinking distance. If the developing situation requires application of
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the brakes then, provided you’ve maintained an adequate gap between you and the car in front, you have time to apply the brakes gently. What you won’t have done is contributed to the ‘pogo’ effect by instantly hitting the brakes when the lights in front come on. The first car may only apply them for two seconds but the ‘pogo’, working its way back down the queue of bunched-up traffic, means that the driver ten cars back has braked for five seconds and slowed to a crawl. The result is everyone is now going slower than if they had maintained an adequate gap and just lifted off a little.
By Iain Betson
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Painting & Decorating Property Maintenance Quality Workmanship Papering, Coving etc. Interior and Exterior Work Free Quotations Call W Firkins & Partners Ltd 01462 814117 or 07939 267083 Est 1981 20 Clifton Road, Shefford, Beds
We’ve got you covered for all your
plumbing and heating needs Which Trusted Traders Gas Safe Registered OFTEC Registered to work on Oil Boilers Qualified to work on LPG gas
Contact us on 01462 820094
Special Offer: Quote ‘Villager’ for £5 off
@lcaplumbingheatingltd @lca_plumbing @LCAmaintenance
www.lcamaintenance.co.uk
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Astrology
Electrician
www.hertsandbedselectrical.co.uk
Do you find it difficult to get someone to come and do a small job? Fault finding/repairs Extra lights and sockets New fuse boards Electrical testing and certificates Qualified electrician Fully insured Reliable service Tidy work Free quote Satisfaction guaranteed
Call Nigel on: 01462 506076 / 07941295883 Email: nigelrooney@hotmail.co.uk
Visit our beautiful
Bathroom Showroom ...With more than 50 displays of bathrooms, furniture & fittings Free in-house 3D design service Quality products from leading manufacturers Experienced staff offering impartial advice Free delivery within a 20 mile radius of our showroom
01438 725309
bathrooms@stevenageplumbing.co.uk www.stevenageplumbing.co.uk
Caxton House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2XS 70
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January’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Rachel McEwan from St Ippolyts Josie Long Competition Winner Alison Fitt from Gamlingay Easy
Hard
N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y
INSULATING SPRAYFOAM • BBA APPROVED SPRAYFOAM • CAN GREATLY REDUCE ENERGY BILLS • UPGRADE YOUR PROPERTIES ‘U’ VALUE • ELIMINATES DRAFTS OR ‘DRAW’ FROM THE ROOF SPACE • MESS & HASSLE FREE • QUALIFIES AS AN ESM • FIRE SAFE • SUITABLE FOR MOBILE HOMES
0800 046 1080 30% OFF ORDERS PLACED IN FEBRUARY hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
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The Villager Prize Crossword
Prize
ÂŁ25
Across 1 Mail (4) 3 Smallest in length (8) 9 Rested (7) 10 Line of people (5) 11 To do with sums (12) 14 Early morning moisture (3) 16 Very angry (5) 17 Neckwear (3) 18 Despite (12) 21 Deal with (5) 22 Washing (7) 23 Interfering (8) 24 Enquires (4)
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before
16th February 2020 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
Down 1 Egyptian structures (8) 2 Divide (5) 4 Tool for carrying bricks (3) 5 Specific needs (12) 6 Graceful (7) 7 Long walk (4) 8 Still being tested (12) 12 Modify (5) 13 Letters or texts (8) 15 Saturday and Sunday (7) 19 Leaves (5) 20 Part of a flower (4) 22 Prohibit (3)
Name: Tel:
ď&#x20AC;˘
Address:
74
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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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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
KENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CARPET CARE, CARPET CLEANING, RE-FITS & REPAIRS
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Book Review By Kate Duggan
Classifieds Accountants
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
If you loved the BBC series but haven’t yet delved into the original books, what on earth is stopping you? Starting with the Northern Lights, this trilogy takes the reader on a journey with Lyra Belacqua. With her daemon Pantalaimon by her side, Lyra sets out on a quest to rescue her best friend and discover the secret of Dust. Along the way, she’ll befriend witches, Gyptians, an armoured bear and a boy from another world, while pitting her wits against the all-powerful Magisterium.
Heroes and Villains by Angela Carter
In a post-apocalyptic world, Marianne looks down from her ivory tower as her brother is murdered in the streets below. Years later, she helps the murderer to hide, runs away with him to his Barbarian tribe and is forced to become his bride. Dream-like, disquieting and beautiful, Heroes and Villains is one of Carter’s lesser-known books but my personal favourite.
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
This series of nine books starts in the late seventies and centres around the inhabitants of 28 Barbary Lane, including the naive but ambitious Mary Ann Singleton, the matriarchal Anna Madrigal and the best-friend-you-wishyou-had Michael Tolliver (AKA Mouse). Maupin is a skilled storyteller and skilfully weaves together numerous plotlines and character arcs to create a stonkingly good series you’ll want to binge read your way through.
Appliance & 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
Carpentry and Joinery
Tim Jordon
Carpentry and Joinery Made to measure quality timber products supply and fit. Doors, Windows, Stairs, Gates, Kitchen Worktops, Wood staining, painting and varnishing Station Road, Lower Stondon, Beds. Tel: 01462 850363 or 07544 790071
Locksmith Services
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Classifieds Plastering Services
Removals
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
MUSCLE & 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
Plumbing and Heating
Roofing
Property Maintenance
Wood Suppliers
R. CHAPMAN
Home & Garden Services
Patio’s Driveways Fencing Brickwork Painting & Decorating Tiling 20 Years Experience - No Job Too Small!
01462 850575 or 07950 311881
FOR SALE
Seasoned Hardwood Logs Any size load Telephone: 01438 355489 Mobile: 07721 508383
Property Maintenance
Dave Mortby Plastering, Decorating & Refurbishment
Free Estimates Given
07722 128189
Email: David.mortby@live.co.uk 78
From just £35.00 per month plus VAT
Call Nigel on 01767 261122 for more information
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USEFUL NUMBERS
VILLAGER The
and Town
Life
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 351081 Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue............01438 729041 Carers Line........................................ 0808 808 7777 ChildLine..................................................0800 1111 Citizens Advice.................................. 0344 245 1292
Bringing Local Business to Local People Your local full colour A5 monthly magazine delivered free of charge to 1000s of homes and businesses in your local area. The Villager and Town Life is dedicated to promoting local businesses, charities, community groups and everything else in your local area.
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
For more information or to reserve your space please contact Nigel on:
Tel: 01767 261122
Email: nigel@villagermag.com Web: www.villagermag.com
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