Henlow May 2019 by Villager Mag

VILLAGER The

Issue 126 - May 2019

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Win Tickets to a

Ballet Central Performance Exam Stress

How to come out on top

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People Every Month in

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

FRco1py

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Inside this issue... Win Tickets to the Ballet Central Performance

The History of the Mayflower.....................................................4 Exam Stress - How to come out on top.......................................8 Win Tickets to a Ballet Central Performance.............................12 Bank Holiday Bonanza.............................................................14 Too old to be behind the wheel?..............................................16 Loving Liqueurs........................................................................19 Fun Quiz...................................................................................20 National Vegetarian Week........................................................22 Hertfordshire MS Therapy Centre..............................................25 Spring into Summer.................................................................26 How to dress for your figure.....................................................28 Macmillan Cancer Support.......................................................31 Green-fingered Gadgets...........................................................33 Could debt snowballing be the quickest way out of debt?.......36 Wordsearch..............................................................................39

Scaling the Wall - Clematis.......................................................40 Make it Minimal.......................................................................43 The steady rise of the ‘Silver Splicers’........................................46 Albery Dog Rescue...................................................................49 Animal Stories..........................................................................51 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal........................................................53 National Smile Month..............................................................54 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...................................................56 Puzzle Page..............................................................................60 What’s On.................................................................................64 Mad About Morris....................................................................67 Astana, Kazakhstan in Central Asia..........................................68 Prize Crossword........................................................................74 Book Review............................................................................76 Useful Numbers.......................................................................79

Scaling the Wall Clematis

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, Louise Addison, Sarah Davey, Iain Betson, Trevor Langley, Kate Duggan, Jennie Billings, Ann Haldon, Rachael Leverton, Pippa Greenwood, Kate McLelland, RSPCA, Nick Coffer and Solange Hando

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Maciej Olszewski Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 • www.design9marketing.co.uk

Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com

Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

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History “Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor” by William Halsall, 1882

The History of the Mayflower

By Catherine Rose

The famous ship that carried the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World is celebrating its 400th anniversary from November this year, with a programme of over 400 events planned along the Mayflower Trail. Most people have heard of the Mayflower, but what was its history? In England, hawthorn is often referred to as the May flower but the Mayflower or Epigaea Repens (also known as the gravel plant after its ability to survive in dry, sandy soil) is a trailing arbutus native to North America. Now rare due to the destruction of its habitat, it has white or pale pink star-shaped flowers that are one of the first to bloom in spring. Since 1919 it has been the official state flower of

Massachusetts, USA, after its namesake, a ship called the Mayflower, made history by landing there almost exactly 400 years ago on 27th November 1620. The Mayflower carried a group of passengers who were Puritans, now known as Pilgrims or the Pilgrim Fathers. They had embarked at Plymouth, England to sail to what became Plymouth, New England in America for a new life. Puritans were a specific sect of English Protestants who were disillusioned with the Church of England. They wanted to ‘purify’ Christianity according to the teachings of John Calvin, a Swiss Protestant reformer. Many of these Puritans had already left England

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to start a congregation in Holland. After some had been arrested in Amsterdam, the remainder set up a community in Leiden but were alarmed at what they saw as a decadent Dutch society. Among them was William Bradford who later became a leading figure on the Mayflower. He collaborated with the English Puritans and together they decided to seek a new life and found a community in the USA – the ‘New Worlde’ – which they saw as the ‘promised land’. The Mayflower was a 17th century English merchant ship that had seen service in Europe. With a square rig and a beakhead bow, it was a working ship built to withstand sea storms and is estimated to have been the size of a blue whale. The ship had a cargo capacity of 180 tons, ideal for all the Pilgrims’ belongings, livestock and the food and drink they needed at sea. It could also hold 180 multi-gallon casks designed for wine trading.

The voyage took more than two months and was beset by severe storms The Mayflower was part-owned and captained by Christopher Jones Jr., believed to have been born in Harwich in around 1570 to a seafaring family. After Jones agreed to set sail, the Puritan elders William Bradford and William Brewster led the Pilgrims. The Mayflower’s voyage was delayed, however, after the Speedwell – a ship from Holland originally set to accompany them and filled with Leiden settlers – developed a series of leaks and had to return twice for repairs. There is a theory that the captain of this vessel had reservations about voyaging to the New World and so the crew made the leaks deliberately in an act of sabotage. Eventually, the Mayflower was forced to abandon the Speedwell and set sail on its own on 16th September 1620, taking some of the Dutch passengers. In total there were 102 passengers on board with a crew of around 30. The voyage took more than two months and was

beset by severe storms. The prevailing seasonal westerly winds forced them to land at Cape Cod rather than their original destination of Virginia, where they had been granted a plantation settlement by the Virginia Company. The delay and the bad weather meant that the ship arrived in the dead of a bitterly cold New England winter, which the passengers weren’t prepared for. In the end, only half survived, the rest dying of malnutrition, exposure and disease. But despite being forced to steal food from the natives on arrival (which it is said they paid back six months later), they were helped by the local Wampanoag tribe who taught them how to hunt, gather shellfish and grow corn and vegetables. Eventually, the Pilgrims established a colony at what they named Plymouth in Massachusetts with every member contributing to the community through the Mayflower Compact – a 200-word document that was drafted on their arrival by the elders and described by them as a ‘civil body politick’ with ‘just and equal laws’ that swore allegiance to the King of England. It formed the framework for democratic government in the USA. The granite slab upon which it is said the Pilgrim Fathers first set foot is now protected and commemorated as Plymouth Rock (although it is smaller than it once was due to previous souvenir hunters). A replica of the Mayflower (Mayflower II) that sailed the same route is now permanently on display in Plymouth Harbour, Massachusetts. Today, it is believed that 30 million US citizens are descended from the Pilgrim Fathers.

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Time of Year

By Louise Addison

Exam Stress

How to come out on top It used to be thought that being a child meant living through the happiest days of your life. How times change. Now, with league tables, SATS, and GCSEs, many children are falling victim to stress. So, if you (or your children, if you’re a parent reading this) are feeling pressured, with no-where to turn, we have some great tips to help you get through exam season relatively unscathed. First a few words about stress. Stress is caused by the way our body responds to outside events, not necessarily by the events themselves. Some stress is good: adaptive stress releases adrenaline and helps us to rise to a challenge. It’s a temporary state and the body returns to normal very quickly. Problem stress occurs when the body stays in a heightened state for a prolonged period of time. It’s this type of stress which is causing problems for today’s children. Unlike when we were young and exams were end-of-term or even end-of year events, today’s child has seemingly relentless pressure to perform all year round with the result that they get very little down-time in which their body can recover from all that adrenaline. Not everyone suffers in the same way from stress. Some children seem to cope with it well. Research

has shown that these children are generally more positive, have a good sense of humour and have parents who themselves deal well with potentially stressful situations. Finally, it’s useful to understand that while exams are important, they are not worth making yourself ill over. You can always sit them again. Exam Busting Tips! Get plenty of rest - sleep is important Take regular breaks - you’ll stay fresher Leave time for some fun - when you’ve reached your revision goal reward yourself with an activity you enjoy Be realistic - Don’t overdo it Eat properly - avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee or coke. Exercise - It’s a great stress buster and improves your mood Be nice to yourself - Don’t beat yourself up about the things you haven’t done, be positive about all you’ve achieved Relax - When it all gets too much just chill for a while. You’ll feel much better. Useful Web Addresses www.studentminds.org.uk/examstress.html https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxietydepression/coping-with-exam-stress/

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advertorial

Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up? Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter. A failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed double glazing? If you act now you can avoid these problems. Now, you may think you need to replace

the whole window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solutionâ&#x20AC;Ś Just replace the glass!! If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118. We will send out our highly experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you

how we can fix it. With years of experience Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee. Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors. Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Stephen Moon and he services Henlow and surrounding villages. So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Stephen a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.

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Win 2 Tickets to the Ballet Central Performance

at The Broadway Theatre, Letchworth on Friday 28th June 2019 Ballet Central brings its exceptional range of dance repertoire to The Broadway Theatre, Letchworth on Friday 28th June and we are delighted to offer you the chance to win two tickets to the performance. This is a chance to see young dance graduates on the cusp of their professional careers perform a varied programme of classical ballet and contemporary dance theatre. An exciting evening of theatricality, technical excellence and drama choreographed by top dance industry influencers is promised, with stunning costumes enhanced by powerful music. Highlights include Christopher Marney’s Carousel Dances, inspired by the 1945 musical Carousel by Rodgers and Hammerstein, a unique version of the Dying Swan Solo created by Calvin Richardson, and the Company is delighted to present an extract from Frederick Ashton’s acclaimed Valses Nobles et Sentimentales performed to Maurice Ravel’s suite of waltzes. For more information, visit www.broadway-letchworth.com/theatre/whats-on/ballet-central

Competition

BALLET CENTRAL COMPETITION ENTRY

Who wrote the 1945 musical “Carousel”?

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To enter, answer the question and complete the form below and send to: Ballet Central Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th May 2019.

Name: Tel: Email: Address: 12

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Time of Year

By Sarah Davey

Bank Holiday Bonanza It’s that time of year when there seems to be a bank holiday bonanza. We’ve just had Easter Monday, and now we have two bank holidays in May. Us Brits certainly like to celebrate the arrival of spring. But as a nation we’re a funny old bunch (and that’s without mentioning Brexit!) and we tend to panic at all this extra time off. What on earth will we do with it? So here is my Brits guide to Bank Holidays... We ask everyone else what they’re doing, kind of like Christmas! As a nation we get excited about the prospect of a longer than usual weekend. We make vague plans about weekends away. According to my immediate circle of friends The Cotswolds / Paris / Ironbridge / The Lake District (delete as applicable) are all ‘lovely at this time of year...’ But we will always leave it too late, or won’t agree on a destination, or discover every hotel has suddenly doubled its prices, so we never actually go. At least one friend will remind you in bitter tones that they are a nurse / barperson / taxi driver (delete as applicable) and they will be working while you are relaxing. Sympathise with them, and maybe buy them a bottle of wine. Without these people the country would grind to a halt. Every teacher friend you possess will make a huge deal about them not actually having a holiday weekend, because they will be marking...again! Teachers do this every holiday though, because they suspect we secretly think they are all part-timers. We check the weather forecast repeatedly and

rejoice equally in headlines which read IT’S GOING TO BE A SCORCHER or IT’S GOING TO BE A WASHOUT...because Brits love weather…all weather! We buy paint in anticipation of giving a room a facelift. Bank holidays were absolutely designed for repainting the sitting room! We buy bedding out plants, compost and ‘garden features’, because Bank holidays were absolutely designed for prettying our little plot of land. We tentatively suggest a barbecue to family and friends because as well as being obsessed by weather we are also eternal optimists about it. And if it rains, we still barbecue because that’s what you do on a bank holiday in May, and well...it gives the guests something to talk about while they sip their beer, ‘Looks like it might brighten up later...’ as the hail slams into the awning. We plan a film night. When we finally face the reality that there isn’t going to be a heatwave, and the weather is more barmy than balmy we hit Netflix or Sky Movies and dial a pizza with extra pepperoni and a large garlic bread. Because Bank holidays and carbs were made for each other. Finally, we have the Sunday blues on a Monday night. Bank holidays are gone in the blink of an eye and all too soon it’s back to work. But cheer up, it’s only four days until the weekend. Unless you’re a teacher... they’ll be marking all weekend...again!

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Motoring

Too Old to Be Behind the Wheel? restricted movement. But, as a counterbalance, older drivers take fewer risks, don’t tend to speed and have more experience. So, a one-size-fits-all cap to holding a licence will not be a universally accepted solution. My stance is that there should not be a statutory age-limit to holding a driving licence, but there should be a system in place that, when you reach 70, requires you to do more than ‘self-certify’ every three years, that you are okay to drive. Of course, with the imminent arrival of driverless cars on our roads, this debate could well be nulland-void – at least until the annual London-toBrighton vintage car run…

At what age should you stop driving? The recent accident involving the 97-year-old Duke of Edinburgh brought this question into sharp focus. Royalty or commoner, it must be a wrench to give up your licence, not just because of the loss of independence, but because it’s a sure sign age is catching up on you. Every time there is an incident involving an elderly driver there are calls for an age cap to be placed on holding a driving licence. Equally, stories are trotted out by those wishing freedom of the road claiming that they have an aged 90+ relative who regularly drives and is safer on the road than many 20-somethings. What can’t be ignored is that, with age, our reactions slow down, our eyesight and hearing are impaired and we are prone to

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Loving Liqueurs

Food and Drink

Liqueurs are widely acknowledged to have been produced by monks, during the 13th century. Derived from the Latin ‘liquifacere’, which means to liquify, liqueurs have evolved, over the centuries, to become very popular alcoholic beverages, today. Liqueurs can be flavoured with fruits, herbs and spices etc. They are usually quite sweet and regularly have a lower alcohol content than spirits, although some liqueurs can have an ABV which is high. Liqueurs are great by themselves, over ice and/or used in cocktails-with fabulous results! Some liqueurs have recipes which are only known to a small number of people.

Numerous countries, globally, produce liqueurs, a good number of which are award-winning productions and for this quest I searched for a well-established company that has been producing an extremely popular liqueur for many years. Licor 43 (Cuarenta y Tres) is a true taste of Spain and has a unique blend of 43 ingredients. The Zamora family, some 70 years ago, became the custodians of a secret recipe for this very fine liqueur. Renowned as Spain’s No. 1 liqueur and for exporting too, Licor 43 is recognised globally and the popularity increases yearly. Vanilla, Mediterranean citrus, spice, sugars and alcohol are amongst the ingredients for this yellow, gold-coloured production. The taste, which follows the appearance and enticing bouquet, is unmistakable. Superb on its own, with ice and for making great cocktails. Licor 43 Orochata is another production from the same company. Light, silky, delicate and with a creamy texture, this is infused with original Licor 43. Tiger nuts, spices and citrus are utilised, to great advantage, for this liqueur. The mouthfeel is complemented by the aroma, bringing together another combination of ingredients to achieve a most splendid liqueur. Licor 43 Baristo combines the essence of Licor 43 original with rare and exotic coffee from the Canary Islands. The freshly-roasted coffee, mature fruit, plus citrus and vanilla combine to produce this delightful, elegant liqueur, with its complex flavours. I found this Licor 43 Baristo production wonderful for an end of meal experience. A perfect ending to any dining occasion. For more information and details, please visit www.licor43.com Also available online.

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Questions Questions 1. Each edition of the long-running BBC radio show Listen With Mother would begin with which question? 2. In 1994, who did David Dimbleby take over from as host of the TV show Question Time? 3. What is the first question asked in the lyrics of the song Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade? 4. If This Is The Answer, What Is The Question is a regular round on which TV panel show? 5. Prime Minister’s Questions takes place on which day of the week? 6. What three-word question followed the title character’s name to give the full title of the first TV show to feature Scooby Doo?

7. “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?” is a question asked by the title character in which William Shakespeare play? 8. What question did Lonnie Donegan ask as the title of his 1959 hit single, with the word “Spearmint” being replaced from its original title as the BBC would not play songs that mentioned trademarks? 9. On the children’s TV show Crackerjack, what were contestants given to hold every time they got a question wrong on the game called Double Or Drop? 10. The title of which 1980s film is a question to which Judge Doom is the answer?

1. Are You Sitting Comfortably? 2. Peter Sissons 3. Are you hanging up your stocking on the wall? 4. Mock The Week 5. Wednesday 6. Where Are You? 7. Macbeth 8. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour On the Bedpost Overnight? 9. A cabbage 10. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

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Time of Year

National Vegetarian Week May 13th – 19th

This month plays host to National Vegetarian Week. More of us are turning to vegetarianism thanks to an abundance of scientific research that demonstrates both the health and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet. An estimated 70 percent of all diseases, including one-third of all cancers, are related to diet. A vegetarian diet reduces the risk for chronic degenerative diseases such as obesity, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer including colon, breast, prostate, stomach, lung and oesophageal cancer. A vegetarian diet tends to increase bone strength. When there isn’t enough calcium in the bloodstream, our bodies leach it from existing bone. This results in our skeletons gradually becoming porous and losing strength. Although you can take supplements, it’s better to obtain calcium from your diet because food also supplies other nutrients such as phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D, that are necessary for the body to be able to absorb and make use of calcium. Even if you have to avoid dairy, calcium-rich foods include beans, tofu, plant-based milks like soy, oat, rice or almond, and dark green vegetables such as broccoli, and kale. For those of us going through the menopause many vegetables and fruits are rich in phytoestrogens, the plant-based chemical compounds that mimic the behaviour of oestrogen. Maintaining a balance of these in your

diet helps ensure a more comfortable passage through menopause. Soy is by far the most abundant natural source of phytoestrogens, but they are also found in apples, beets, cherries, dates, garlic, olives, plums, raspberries, squash and sweet potatoes. Vegetarians tend to have more energy. Whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables are high in complex carbohydrates, so they supply the body with plenty of energizing fuel. Vegetarians also suffer less with constipation, haemorrhoids and diverticulitis! Eating a lot of vegetables necessarily means consuming more fibre, which absorbs water and bulks up, helping your stools stay soft, so waste can be easily pushed out of the body. A vegetarian diet is more environmentally friendly. Much of the grain we grow is fed to animals raised for slaughter. As a rough guide it takes 2,500 gallons of water, 5.5Kg / 12lbs of grain, nearly 16Kg /35lbs of topsoil and the energy equivalent of 4.5L /1 gallon of petrol, to produce one pound of beef! A vegetarian diet can sustain many more people, so is a more efficient use of resources. Finally, a vegetarian diet is cheaper. Eating vegetables, grains and fruits in place of beef, chicken and fish would cut individual food bills by an average of £500 per year. If you are thinking about becoming vegetarian, or even just incorporating more vegetarian meals into your normal diet, there is lots of information and some great recipes on the website www.nationalvegetarianweek.org

By Sarah Davey

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Local News

Would you like more energy, mobility or independence after stroke? Physiotherapy can help enormously to recover from stroke. As May is Action On Stroke Month, we invite you to come for a free assessment and two free physio appointments to see how you can recover faster and further from your stroke. Even years after your stroke. Our dedicated team of friendly, qualified physios and exercise therapists are specifically trained to help people after a stroke. At Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth, we understand the physical and psychological effects people can experience after a stroke. You will usually be seen within 48 hours of calling us. Chris visited our Centre five years after his stroke. He felt that he was “stuck”, not making any further progress. Chris says: “I was getting spasticity which was slowing me down. Whilst I was working with a physio, I could ask him lots of questions. Now, a few weeks later, I can do things that I hadn’t been able to do since I had a stroke.” Chris says “If you’re stuck, give Herts MS Therapy Centre a try. I’ve found that rapid improvements are certainly possible. It worked for me after five years.” Improvements can often be achieved LONG AFTER a stroke – and can be life-changing. To book your free assessment and enjoy two physio sessions – all for free – call us on 01462 684 214 by 31 May 2019. (Simply book your assessment to qualify and remember to mention the ‘Action On Stroke’ offer.) You’ll also find lots of information on our website: www.hertsmstherapy.org.uk

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Health & Beauty

By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

Spring into summer From a bargain day cream to a luxe fragrance, there’s plenty to tempt you this month, whatever your budget. British luxury fragrance brand Tom Daxon has a new fragrance out – Midnight Saffron (from £105). Lavender, saffron, jasmine and amber combine to create a warm, spicy, unisex cologne that’s really quite distinctive. See www.tomdaxon.com. Itchy, dry scalp or supersensitive skin? You’ll want to check out the award-winning Dermikelp range. As the name suggests, the key ingredient in all Dermikelp products is an extract taken from sustainably sourced brown sea kelp (Ecklonia maxima). Not only is it extremely gentle, this type of kelp is a powerhouse of nutrients that have been shown to benefit skin and hair. The shampoo and conditioner in the Hair Essentials Starter Kit (£24.99) are designed to soothe itchy, dry scalps and boost hydration. Together, they leave hair feeling softer and healthier. The Body Essentials Starter Kit (£38.99) includes a body wash, lotion and soothing cream to treat sensitive, irritated or dry skin. See www. dermikelp.co.uk. I get offered some eye-wateringly expensive beauty products to try but can honestly say you don’t need to pay megabucks for decent skin. I’m currently loving the Botanics Organic Hydrating Day Cream (£9.99) and Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm (£10.99). They’re packed with active natural ingredients, such as cocoa butter, jojoba oil and organic rosehip extract. A little goes a long way, so I reckon each one will last four to six months. By my reckoning, that’s less than 18p a day for instantly softer, smoother, plumper skin. How’s

that for a bargain? See www.boots.com. A new season seems like a good time to sort through your makeup bag and bathroom cupboards. For a start, ditch anything that’s been open for way longer than its recommended Period After Opening (PAO) date. (Check for a little icon showing an open tub or bottle and a number of months.) It may seem like a waste to throw products out, but the PAO is there for a reason. Not only do products become less effective as they degrade, they can also go ‘off’ and harbour bacteria, leading to irritation. Some products, such as perfume, can last for years, but do always check for changes in colour, texture and fragrance. If you do need to get rid of anything, empty the contents into the bin and check whether the bottle or tub can be recycled – most can. You might want to give your makeup bag a clean with a squirt of hand soap before repacking it. If the time has come to treat yourself to a new bag, there are some fabulous ones on the market at the moment. Just take a look at this little lot:

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Jungle Decorative Make Up Bag, White Stuff, £15 Gold Honeycomb Make Up Bag, John Lewis, £18 Folk Doves Make Up Bag, Rex London, £7.95 Alphabet Wash Bag, Oliver Bonas, £24 Slogan Clear Pouch, A Gift From The Gods, £7 Floral Love Wash Bag, Oliver Bonas, £25 ‘Wake up Nice’ Conscious Living Organic Cotton Pouch, Paperchase, £8 • Ariba Palm Pouch, White Stuff, £15 • Plant Lady Cosmetic Bag from Primark (Price TBC)

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House of Colour

How to dress for your figure 1. When you are dressing for your individual figure, the most important things to bear in mind are your body architecture and your style personality. For example, if an asymmetric hem doesn’t suit your body shape and style personality then it will always look wrong, no matter how gorgeous the dress or skirt might look on another person. 2. Dressing for your shape is all in the detail. We all suit different hemlines, necklines, trouser lengths, lapels and sleeves, not to mention of course colours, fabrics, structure, patterns and details. 3. If you suit classic, dramatic, sporty or natural clothing, then choose items to fill your capsule wardrobe along those lines. For example, tailoring continues to gain momentum offering the ultimate smart casual look particularly for classic and gamine style personalities. Natural style personalities should choose relaxed skirts with movement. Structured or asymmetric outfits can add edginess for the dramatics amongst us. 4. It may seem obvious but wear clothes that fit you. Overly baggy or clothes that are too tight can really undermine you. Did you know that if your clothes really fit you, you should hardly know you are wearing them? 5. Love your body and shape. Know what your best parts are and draw attention to those areas whether that means cinching in your waist or

elongating a shorter mid-section for example., If you carry a bit of weight around your middle, but have shapely legs show them off in both your trouser and skirt choices. If the widest part of your body is your hips, you can bring balance by focussing detail to your top half. The extra detail could be adding pattern or ruffles or lovely statement jewellery on your top half. Women with an hourglass figure often try to hide their curves with shapeless styles and forget they have a smaller waist. To compliment your killer curves, avoid bulky and boxy styles, choose cuts of clothes and fabrics which follow your curves, and accentuate your narrower waist. An athletic figure looks best when they’re drawing attention to their toned physique, with clothes that skim the surface of their silhouette rather than high tailoring or very structured looks. Don’t sabotage your look by getting your style right but wearing colours that don’t suit you. The colours that suit us are determined by the pigments in our skin and eye colour. Primary red is the only colour we can all wear. 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

The East Bedfordshire Macmillan Committee is launching a new recruitment drive for fundraising volunteers. There are a variety of volunteer roles available spanning a range of activities including supermarket collections, quiz nights and Christmas fairs. So, whatever your age, experience or availability you can find something to suit you. The Committee is looking for individuals who are willing to bring their creativity, energy and enthusiasm for fundraising to the team to support the growing number of people living with cancer in Bedfordshire. Receiving a cancer diagnosis can turn life upside down in a single moment. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thanks to support from groups like the East Bedfordshire Macmillan Committee that Macmillan is able to be there to provide physical, financial and emotional support at a time when people need it most. Volunteering is a great way to meet other people with similar interests within your community. Whether you can give minutes, hours, or days, our

volunteer roles are designed to fit around your available time. The East Bedfordshire Macmillan Committee has been raising vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support to ensure people with cancer are able to live life as fully as they can. The group encourage anyone with a passion for fundraising to get in touch. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested in volunteering for Macmillan with the East Bedfordshire Macmillan Committee, please contact Eve Newbury on 07811 908888.

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Technology

Green-fingered Gadgets

Technology to help get ready for summer

As your garden begins to bloom once more, it’s time to let technology give Mother Nature a helping hand. If you’re a keen gardener and you’re going on holiday, an electronic timer can keep your hydrangeas hydrated while you’re away. We like Hozelock’s Automatic Watering System, which is a modular collection of automatic timers, hoses, connectors and even an Apple/ Android-compatible Cloud Controller, which enables you to control the water from your phone or tablet. You can adjust the watering according to the actual weather conditions, ensuring you don’t under- or over-water everything, and you can also create much more complex schedules than you can with a traditional timer. The original RRP of £160 for the Cloud Controller was a lot of money, but it’s widely available now for less than £90. Every year we ask ourselves the same question: can we afford

a robot lawnmower yet? Prices continue to fall – robot mowers were over £2,500 a few years back but had fallen to around £550 last year. Prices are starting to level out but you can pick up the Worx Landroid for around £410 on Amazon. That’s nearly a third off the RRP. We wouldn’t recommend a robo-mower for really complicated gardens, but for straightforward ones they’re really useful. If that’s still a bit too much for a mower, cordless lawnmowers are getting cheaper too, and their batteries are more than up to the job of even fairly large lawns. Flymo’s Mighti-Mo has dropped from £234 to around £170, and it won’t run out of puff until you’ve cut almost 250 square metres. Cordless power isn’t just convenient, although not having to run cables to the very corners of the garden is certainly a boon. It’s also safer, because there’s no danger of accidentally cutting an electric cable. And electric motors have improved to the

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point where they can be taken just as seriously as petrol ones, so you can get decently powerful electric trimmers, saws, loppers and chainsaws. The higher the voltage, the more power – so a 36V model such as Black and Decker’s Lithium-ion chainsaw, currently £235, is considerably more powerful than the more common and slightly cheaper 18V models. Some of the biggest names in power tools have embraced cordless, so for example you’ll find a range of tools from the likes of Makita, Stihl and DeWalt as well as budget brands such as Worx. If you’re considering a cordless device, it might be worth investing in a second battery: there are few things as annoying as running out of charge when a job is nine-tenths done. Just make sure you actually charge it in advance, because it’s even more annoying to plug in a spare only to discover that it’s completely flat.

DO YOU NEED TO MAKE OR UPDATE YOUR WILL? We offer a FREE initial appointment to discuss your circumstances, offering advice on Wills including ring-fencing your home from care and guidance regarding Inheritance Tax Nil Rate Bands. HOME VISITS are available at NO EXTRA CHARGE within a 20-mile Radius of Royston. SATURDAY MORNING appointments available on the following dates:* 11TH and 25TH MAY 2019 FREE WILL SERVICE for the over 55â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s through the Cancer Research Free Will Scheme. For more information please contact:Fish Hill Chambers, 2-3 Fish Hill, Royston, Herts. SG8 9JY Tel: 01763 241 121 t.pilcher@walkerspartnership.co.uk Wills | Probate | Lasting Powers of Attorney | Conveyancing | Commercial Property *Home visit appointments are subject to availability. Saturdays by appointment only.

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Finance

By Ann Haldon

Could debt snowballing be the quickest way to get out of debt? Debt snowballing is a term used to describe a particular method of dealing with debt, which in some ways goes against ‘traditional’ thinking. It’s commonly advised to deal with the most expensive debt first in terms of interest rates and charges, which is a natural and effective approach to paying down debt. But one issue that isn’t taken into account when repaying debt in this way is the psychology that can sometimes influence a successful outcome. Here’s how to debt snowball • Make a list of all your debts – the one with the smallest balance at the top. • Pay off the minimum amount on all your credit cards and other debts, apart from the one with the smallest balance. • Pay as much as you can off this debt and repeat each month until you’ve paid it off in full. • Cross it off your list of debts and use the money released towards the next debt. • Continue in the same way down your list (the second smallest next), making the minimum payment on all other borrowing. • If you’re able to earn more money, putting it towards the debt you’re currently repaying increases the snowball effect and reduces your overall level of borrowing. • When the debt you’re focusing on has been paid off, cross it off your list – rinse and repeat until you’re debt-free. Human psychology when paying off debt Debt snowballing is a system that applies a little human psychology to paying down debt, and

acknowledges that we all lack motivation at times. The method only works if you have sufficient funds to make the minimum payments on all your debts, however, so if you don’t, you would need to look at alternatives. The sense of accomplishment when you can cross a debt off your list is invaluable in encouraging you to carry on, and could in fact be one of the main reasons for the success of debt snowballing. Advantages of debt snowballing • It offers vital motivation. • It’s a simple and straightforward system that’s easy to maintain. • You’re forced to focus on one debt at a time, and as long as you keep up the minimum payments on other debts you can forget about them for a while. • It helps you manage your money for the long term and introduces good money habits. Are there any downsides to debt snowballing? The main downside of debt snowballing is the extra interest you pay on your debts when compared with the debt avalanche method, and when considered only from a mathematical point of view it clearly isn’t the most obvious option. Repaying debt is a little like dieting, however – small wins offer the motivation that many people need to continue and succeed. One important issue is to make sure you dedicate any money released when a debt is repaid to paying off the next one. Without this, the ‘snowball’ effect of increasing amounts being available to tackle your next debt doesn’t materialise, and the system will stall.

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

Scaling the Wall - Clematis What do you think of if I say ‘clematis’? I think most of us would think of the large, purple-flowered, “Jackmanii” or the rampant, bronze-leafed, pinkflowered montana rubens. They are both terrific plants, but I think they are a little over-used. My husband teases me that I tend to give my ‘clematis lecture’ when visiting friends’ houses and see one scrambling over a trellis. For your benefit I’ve written it down here. Clematis is known as the ‘Queen of Climbers’. It can be utterly spectacular and should definitely not be relegated to trellis. It can used for covering fences and arbours, old tree stumps, sheds and even in beds and borders. Choose wisely and you can have flowers from early spring until late autumn. For beds and borders you don’t want anything as vigorous as montana, which will smother everything it touches. Instead choose a daintier one such as a variety of texensis or viticella. The flowers of the texensis hybrids look like finely cut bells. “Etoile Rose” is a beautiful dark pink edged with paler pink and “Princess of Wales” is a beautiful rosy red. Both of these will scramble through shrubs and flower all summer. They die back in winter so can be tidied up then. Viticella hybrids produce flowers which look like little pixie hats as they open. “Minuet” has purple and white flowers suspended on fine stems while “Purpurea Plena Elegans” produces double blooms

which open into little purple rosettes. One of the most difficult sites to find climbers for is an east or north facing site. My absolute favourite clematis thrives in this situation and flowers in early spring. Clematis alpina “Pink Flamingo” produces nodding, semi-double, creamy flowers veined with deep pink. It has the added bonus of producing beautiful fluffy seed heads after the flowers fade. Clematis prefers its feet in the shade and its head in the sun. Make sure the plant’s roots are shaded: pieces of broken flagstone are ideal, or an old cracked upside-down terracotta pot with the bottom knocked out. When clematis is happy it will flower prolifically. Large-flowered clematis tend to produce a second flush in the autumn, but others like tangutica and orientalis wait to flower until then. Both of these are very vigorous and are great for covering unsightly sheds or old trees. Finally, if you have a sheltered spot against a wall try cirrhosa balearica. This is a beautiful, winterflowering variety with ferny foliage and pale-green flowers spotted with crimson. So, there it is…my clematis lecture. Hopefully you took notes and are ready to branch out into a whole new world of climbers.

Happy Gardening

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Garden

Make it Minimal By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com

There is increasing enthusiasm for a more minimalist garden style, where fewer plants have greater individual impact in a more designed situation with straight lines aplenty, so here are some suggestions for achieving the effect you want. Decide on the plants you like and that will suit your garden but keep to as few different types as possible. The biggest impact will be achieved if you are selective, for example concentrating on ornamental grasses. Also key is clever use of straight lines, ideally with a few right angles too. Edges must be sharply defined, perhaps using sleepers, other timber or angled metal. Keep plants well back from the border edging so these lines are not interfered with. Colours should fit your preferences and the surroundings but restrict the number of colours for a calmer and simpler effect. Existing features such as sheds or fences can be recoloured or painted to fit in with the colour scheme – otherwise, their current colour will have to be included in that scheme.

Edges need to be sharply defined, perhaps using sleepers or other timber A stunning minimalist effect can be achieved by using a single type of plant and container – for example, conifers in terracotta containers. The only variation is in the size of the conifer: all colours, textures and plants are the same. Buy different sizes of the same conifer type and clip regularly to maintain the size difference or buy one size and trim lightly to achieve the desired look.

Green, in the form of foliage, helps add a feeling of tranquillity to a minimalist garden so include it, perhaps as a neatly clipped box hedging or as a few bay lollipops in angular containers. Containers must be very plain, ideally straightsided angular styles in a single colour. An evenly spaced trio of pots, each with a single central plant, provides a perfect choice of container planting. If you like topiary stick to simple tightly clipped spheres or ‘lollipops’, cubes or at most spirals; there is no space for a fantastically sculptured creature if you’re going minimalist! Plants with simple or angular shapes such as iris, alliums, conifers, clipped box, canna or palms are an excellent choice, but opt for personal (but simple) favourites available locally. Grass alternatives such as gravel may feature highly. Gravel needs less maintenance than grass, but keep it weed-free and easy-care by installing a weed-membrane (rather like woven, plastic hessian) on to the soil before putting down the gravel. Thoroughly weed the area then firm and compact well before putting the fabric down. Don’t use cheaper plastic sheeting as rain won’t penetrate. Opt for simple, classically styled garden furniture with as few colours and textures as possible and it won’t detract from the minimalist environment and look – now sit back and enjoy! Visit www.pippagreenwood.com for advice, natural pest controls, stylish cloches, pretty plant supports, gardening tools and more. Or book Pippa for a gardening talk at your club.

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Life Begins...

By Kate McLelland

The steady rise of the ‘Silver Splicers’ There are around 3.3 million unmarried couples in England and Wales. Despite the fact that they are usually referred to as ‘common law partners,’ none have any legal partnership rights. With no automatic right of inheritance, a common law partner could lose everything if their life-long companion dies without leaving a will. Love or money? According to figures recently released by the Office for National Statistics, marriage rates amongst older people have been steadily increasing for the past few years. Nowadays later-life marriages are proving so popular that a catchy name – ‘Silver Splicers’ – has been coined to describe the phenomenon. It may sound romantic, but it’s hard to tell from statistics alone whether couples are marrying for love or for financial reasons. When it comes to tax matters, most couples are better off in a legal partnership. In his popular Money Saving Expert blog, personal finance expert Martin Lewis has

listed “Seven main financial rights of marriage”. These include: a £900 tax break (which applies where one individual in a married couple or civil partnership pays basic 20% tax rate and the other is a non-taxpayer); automatic exemption from inheritance tax; ISA allowances that can be passed on when your spouse dies; and the opportunity to inherit some of your husband or wife’s state pension. Changing minds on marriage While these tax breaks may tempt some marriage-averse couples into tying the knot, others are not so easily persuaded. For some people a wedding, with all its associations of convention, tradition and religion, feels more like an imposition than a celebration of love. Visual artist Martin Bayliss has lived with his partner Katya for the past 27 years. He sums up the couple’s feelings when he says: “In the past, Katya and I have discussed getting married for financial reasons, but have been put off by all the cultural baggage surrounding weddings. We’d prefer a really low-key

occasion but we know that as soon as we mention it to friends and family, we’ll be under pressure to meet their expectations.” A civil partnership ceremony would probably be closer to the sort of ‘low-key’ event favoured by Martin and Katya, but at present this option is only available to same-sex couples. Civil partnerships provide an opportunity to remove some of the ‘cultural baggage’ by stripping away much of the ritual associated with weddings, and after Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan won a legal battle to gain the right to form a civil partnership late last year, Prime Minister Theresa May promised to end the ban on heterosexual couples entering civil partnerships. Currently there is no definite timeline for the new legislation to come into force, but once civil partnership becomes an option for marriage-averse couples like Martin and Katya, it’s possible that even more ‘Silver Splicers’ will commit to a legal partnership, with the aim of securing some peace of mind for the future.

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Local News

Albery Dog Rescue Albery Dog Rescue is a local non profit making Dog Rescue which was set up by its founder Beryl Griffiths on 1st October 2004. Beryl has spent a life time rescuing animals from rabbits to horses. Since 2004 she has concentrated on Dogs, and can proudly say she has rehomed over 1500 dogs in the last 15years. If you find you can no longer keep your dog for any reason we are here to help, with a list of loving homes waiting for all breeds of dogs. Not all rescue dogs have problems, sometimes it is the wrong type of dog for the owner, or situation. That is where we come in to help the dog and the owner. It can be a traumatic time for both, but sadly circumstances can change all too quickly. We are very proud to say we have had 3 rescue dogs qualify for PAT dogs, the latest Archie a Retriever and Poppy a Chihuahua, as pictured. Albery have to continuously work hard to raise funds for the dogs well being. One way we do this is to hold shows each year where everyone is welcome to come along to a fun day out, and possibly win a rosette and prize for your dog. Companion and Novelty classes, Stalls, cakes, tombolas, raffle, and refreshments. Call Beryl on 01234356612 or e-mail alberydogrescue1@gmail. com wwwalberydogrescue.co.uk

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Pets

Animal Stories At RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch a large majority of the animals that come into our care are cats, but occasionally we will receive a rabbit or small furry in need of a new home. This month this beautiful little rabbit, Ratty, arrived in our care after his owner could sadly no longer keep him. He is approximately ten months old and had previously been kept as an indoor bunny. He is currently in foster care and has settled in very well, but we are now looking to find Ratty his new forever home. Although used to living indoors, since arriving at his foster home he has loved running around the garden, exploring his surroundings and having a good nibble on the grass, so we would love to find him a home where he can carry on enjoying spending some of his time outside. He is a very friendly rabbit, always running up for a fuss and some nose rubs when he sees someone to play with. All rabbitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need lots of enrichment and Ratty is no exception, he absolutely loves playing with his tunnels and toys which will go with him to his new home. Rabbits are naturally very social animals and are happiest when they have a companion, the best combination being a neutered male and female pair. When bonded with a suitable rabbit it prevents them from becoming lonely and they can play together, groom each other and look out for one another. With that in mind, we would like to find Ratty a female friend to go and live with. Another animal we have in our care at the

moment, with a very similar story to Rattyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, is a cat called Sixpence. Approximately two years old, Sixpence came into our care after his owner could also no longer keep him. Like Ratty, he was also kept as an indoor pet, but his young and super friendly personality would suit being able to have a good explore outside. When Sixpence first arrived in our care he was quite shy but soon settled into our cattery. He loves a fuss and likes nothing more than to roly poly around to show off his lovely spotty tummy. Although friendly, he would prefer to be an only cat in an adult only household as this is what he has been used to. All animals that are adopted are neutered and fully vaccinated before they go to their new homes. For more information about Ratty or Sixpence, as well as other animals in our care, please visit our website www.rspca.org.uk/local/bedfordshirenorth-branch. To enquire about adopting one of these friendly fellows, please email our Branch at adopt@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk, or contact us by phone on 01234 266965. For all up to date information about the animals in our care, adopted success stories, or what our Branch is up to visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/rspcabedsnorthbranch.

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Local News

Rehoming Appeal Humphrey & Dougal This pair of male guinea pigs are Humphrey (tri-colour) and Dougal (brown). They are a really nice pair of guinea pigs. Dougal is very friendly, Humphrey a little shyer but they will make great pets for any family. They have come to R.A.T.S. as their previous owners no longer had the time for them. If you can offer these boys a home, please contact Hazel on 01234 357788 Alternatively, please email Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry onto the team. View other dogs, cats and small mammals currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity. You can also see photographs and details of the animals in our care in our charity shop in Hitchin Street, Biggleswade SG18 8AX. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

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Time of Year

National Smile Month

By Louise Addison

National Smile Month is the largest and longest-running campaign to promote good oral health. Between 13th May and 13th June 2019, National Smile Month will promote positive messages and to engage people with maintaining a healthy mouth. For the best oral hygiene: Brush your teeth - At least two minutes twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. Make sure you clean your teeth before bed, as your mouth doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the same salivary protection during the night as it does during the day. Floss - Each tooth has five sides; a toothbrush only cleans three sides. The other two sides are where most decay and foul odours originate. To clean between the teeth requires dental floss or tiny inter-dental brushes. Clean your tongue - This is an important part of oral hygiene and works wonders with stale, smelly breath. You can use a tongue scraper or a toothbrush Give up smoking - Smoking dries the mouth, depleting the protective saliva. It also exposes your gums, soft palate and tongue to harmful and cancer-causing toxins, and it makes your breath smell. Use a mouthwash - This freshens breath and coats the teeth with a protective layer, helping to prevent plaque build-up. Avoid those which contain alcohol though. Cut out sugary foods and drinks - Sugary snacks feeds the bacteria in your mouth which ultimately break down your enamel and cause decay. Visit your dentist regularly! http://www.nationalsmilemonth.org/

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Food & Drink

Red Velvet

Cake

I find the science of baking fascinating. What makes the texture of one cake different to the texture of another one? How can seemingly similar ingredients create totally different effects? With this Red Velvet Cake, it is the addition of the buttermilk and the acids which contribute to a tighter, slightly denser crumb, somewhere between a Victoria Sponge and a brownie. It was made for my Weekend Kitchen show by a very talented young baker called Victoria Chidgey. Throughout her appearances on my show, I have watched her Little Tring Cake company grow through hard work and creativity. Seeing skilled young people take risks, open businesses and watching them grow is probably one of the biggest pleasures I get from being on the radio… Ingredients: 125g butter 325g caster sugar 40g cocoa powder 2 eggs 1 tsp red extra colour paste (you will need to buy the proper stuff, not the small bottles of red liquid) 1 tsp vanilla extract 250g buttermilk 325g self-raising flour 15g bicarbonate of soda 30g white wine vinegar 1. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Meanwhile add all the dry ingredients to a bowl and set aside. 2. Slowly beat the eggs into the butter and sugar mixture. Add the red colouring and the vanilla

too, followed by half of the dry ingredients and half the buttermilk. 3. Repeat until everything has just come together. 4. Pour in the vinegar and beat until throughly mixed. Split between 3 x 6” cake tins or 2 x 8” cake tins. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 160C/ Gas Mark 3 for 27 minutes. The cakes are baked when a skewer comes out clean. For the icing: 150g butter 150g cream cheese 450g icing sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1. Beat the butter, icing sugar and vanilla until it’s very light in colour. Add the cream cheese one spoonful at a time, mixing well each time. Once all the cream cheese has been added beat on a high speed for 3 minutes. 2. Level off the cakes with a knife and put any off-cuts into a food processor to blitz into a fine powder. 3. Assemble the cake by putting a layer of cream cheese icing between each cake. Cover the rest of the cake with icing, smoothing the top and sides with a pallet knife. 4. Gently push the cake crumbs into the side of the cake to get an even layer.

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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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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n O s ’ t Wha 1 May North Herts Association of the National Trust 7.30pm Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Visitors £2 on the door. AGM followed by ‘A Brief History of Tailoring from 1100 to 2018 AD’ by Alan Canon Jones. Alan will share his own journey through tailoring from an apprentice in the 1960s to his current work as consultant in Fashion Design Technology. The talk includes the history of the Merchant Taylors’ Company and its link to John the Baptist, Saville Row Bespoke Tailoring and finest quality ready to wear tailoring that is manufactured today. Non-members welcome. Tel: Secretary Mrs Colette House 01462 815585 Email: colettehouse@gmail.com 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 May Baby Rhyme Time 10.30-11am Baldock Library Free event – voluntary contribution of £1. Fun half hour session of songs and rhymes. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 May Toddler Tales 2.15-2.45pm Letchworth Library Free event – voluntary contribution of £1. A mix of lively stories and rhymes aimed at toddlers. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 May 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 2 May The Arts Society North Herts Talk 11am & 2pm The Spirella Ballroom, Letchworth £7 on the door. Talk on ‘Churchill – The Artist’ by Claire Walsh. Email: theartssociety.nh@gmail.com Web: www.theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk 2 May Stevenage RSPB Local Group 4pm An afternoon and evening visit by car to Paxton Pits looking for wildfowl and summer migrant birds. Meet in the reserve car park at 4pm. Postcode PE19 6ET. OS Map Ref: 153/TL195629. Tel: Leaders Janet & Barry 01438 223789 2 May Baldock Floral Society 7.15pm The Community Centre, Baldock £6. An evening of flower arrangement demonstrations with Jo Poulter, with the theme ‘Over the Rainbow’. Everyone welcome. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May 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. Refreshments, including fresh homemade cakes, are available every week. The club warmly invites visits from prospective new members - please call John for more info. Tel: John Biggs on 01462 433393

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May Toddler Tales 2.15-2.45pm Baldock Library Free event – voluntary contribution of £1. A mix of lively stories and rhymes aimed at toddlers.

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May Baldock Community Orchestra 7.15pm Knights Templar School (Room CS1), Baldock £7 per week or 10 week term £50. A friendly group of musicians. Come and give us a try, first session free! Tel: Rachel Dawson 07818 480332 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May Roundabouters Country Dance Club 8-10pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage We welcome new members, both beginners and experienced. All dances walked through. Tel: 01438 727239 Email: roundabouters@live.co.uk Web: www.roundabouters.org.uk 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May 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 and North Herts areas. We have a varied programme of events on Thursday and Saturday evenings. New members always welcome. Tel: 01438 231550. Email: welcome@stevenage.plus Web: www.stevenageplus.co.uk 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May Sapphire Social Club 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin A small and friendly group for single people generally aged 50 and above. We offer a variety of social events during the month. New members welcome. Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 3 May RSPB Hitchin & Letchworth Local Group 7.30pm ‘The Settlement’, Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City Local group members free, Visitors £3. ‘The Search for the Bengal Tiger’ with Martin Johnson. Tel: 01763 249459 Email: martinrjspc@hotmail.com 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 May 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 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 May 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

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

In May

3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 May Rainmakers International Folk Dance Club 8-10pm The Parish Hall, Broadway, Letchworth Rainmakers enjoy folk dances of all styles from many countries and meet most Fridays. Tel: Roger 01438 812766 www.rainmakers.org.uk 3, 17 & 31 May Stevenage Survivors Poetry Group 7.30pm Quaker Friends Meeting House £2 inc. drink & biscuits 4 May The Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pm The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open to the public. Entry is free but official photo ID is required to get an entry ticket from the Guardroom. Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 4 May Weekend Stories 10.30-11am Baldock Library Free event – voluntary contribution of £1. Stories chosen are aimed at toddlers and preschool children. 5 May Sunday Samba Dancing 10am-1pm Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Road, Letchworth £30 - early bird discounts available. All ages, abilities, body shapes and levels of fitness welcome. Please wear dance shoes or light trainers. Please contact Marcia to book. Tel: Marcia 07799 578962 Email: marciamagliari@sky.com 5 May Flook - ‘Ancora’ Album Release Tour 2019 Doors open 7pm Hitchin Folk Club, The Sun Hotel, Sun Street, Hitchin Members £14(members, Non-members £16. Formed over 20 years ago by four friends, Flook burst onto the international music scene with their debut studio album, ‘Flatfish’. The band had a remarkably successful performing and recording career. Their live performances really captured the hearts of those who watched and listened. After a break of 14 years, they return with a 17-date tour to launch Tel: Box Office 01462 812391 6, 13, 20 & 27 May Baby Rhyme Time 10.30-11am Letchworth Library Free event – voluntary contribution of £1. A fun half hour session of songs and rhymes suitable for babies and toddlers of all ages. 6, 13, 20 & 27 May Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-11pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Branch Out meets every Monday night and is a medium-sized Social Club for single people, aged 40 upwards, from the Herts, Beds and Bucks area. The club organises regular events, day and weekend trips and holidays. Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk

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n O s ’ t Wha

7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 & 30 May Willian Bowls Club Every Tues 2pm & Thurs 6pm Lower Green, Norton Common, Icknield Way, Letchworth Celebrating 100 years with “Come and Try Bowls” events throughout the season. All equipment and tuition is free, as is the first year’s membership to new bowlers. Tel: David on 01462 642790 Web: www.willianbowlsclub.org

7, 14, 21 & 28 May Stevenage Bridge Club 7.30pm Priory Nursery, Stanmore Road, Old Stevenage To play Duplicate Bridge. A host system is run to find partners, if required. A wide level of ability play at the club. Tel: Phil Cooper 07957 813434 8 May Over 60s Lunch Club 12.45pm for 1pm lunch Garden City Court, Whiteway, off Radburn Way, Letchworth Garden City £5. Second Wednesday of every month. Stay for our afternoon quiz. Lunch will be a two course hot lunch with a soft drink. Please advise any dietary requirements when booking. Call on a Monday to book your place for the Wednesday. Tel: 01462 473100 Email: garden@quantumcare.co.uk 8 May Letchworth Chamber Music Concert 7.45 pm Howgills Friends Meeting House, 42 South View Tickets £15, Students & Under 18s £7.50 inc. refreshments. The last concert of the season at the later time of 8 pm follows the AGM at 7.45 pm with a recital by local flautist, Adelaide Starling, accompanied by President of the Club, Simon Marlow. Tickets available on the door. Web: www.letchworthmusicclub.co.uk 9 May Baldock & Clothall WI 7.30pm United Reformed Church, Whitehorse Street, Baldock Visitors £3. Visitors always welcome. Tel: Lucy 01462 742609 for more info Email: Baldockclothallwi@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/baldockclothallwi 9 May Stevenage Floral Art Society 7.45pm High Street, Methodist Church Hall Visitors very welcome. 10 May Unicorn Ceilidh 7.30-11pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Baldock Adults £10, Concessions and family tickets available. With The Old Chapel Band and Will Hall. Ceilidh dances are great fun, easy to learn. Our combination of the finest live bands, top callers and a bar guarantee an excellent, evening for all. Web: www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk Email: enquiries@unicornceilidhs.org.uk Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/unicorn-ceilidhs

10-18 May Letchworth Art Society Annual Spring Exhibition 10am-4.45pm (not open Sunday) “Community Museum Gallery”, The Arcade, Letchworth Free admission 10-19 May Ashwell Music Festival Ashwell Music Festival is now in its 66th year, having begun in 1953 by Canon Jack Catterick and mainly takes place in The Church of St Mary’s, a Grade One listed building from the 14th and 15th centuries well known for its striking spire and medieval graffiti*. The Festival raises money to develop the Festival and support the Church’s restoration fund. Festival highlights this year include brass, jazz, classic euro pop and contributions from the village’s own talented musicians and singers. There’s something for everyone in the wide repertoire. Web: http://www.ashwellmusicfestival.org.uk/ 11-18 May Annual Photographic Exhibition 30a Leys Avenue, Letchworth (next to Cultivo Lounge) Free entry Letchworth Garden City Camera Club annual exhibition of photographic prints. All welcome. Please see website for opening hours. Web: www.letchworthcameraclub.org.uk 12 May Ashwell at Home 2019 11am-5pm Adults £7 on the day, Under 18s free with accompanying paying adult. Open gardens, free workshop for children and adults, live music and a wide range of street and indoor entertainment. Entry by programme - available on the day or £6 in advance from the website. Free parking. Web: www.ashwellathome.org.uk 13 & 20 May 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 13 & 20 May Stevenage New Pathways 1-4pm Friends Meeting House Cuttys Lane, Stevenage £2 inc. hot drink & biscuits. Counselling support group. A friendly place to meet and talk over issues in a positive way. Tel: 07429 831060 13 & 20 May Stevenage Choral Society 7.45-9.45pm Stevenage Music Centre, Nobel School, Stevenage The society meets every Monday during term time. No auditions or ability to read music required. New members welcome - come and try us out.

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This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com

In May

13 & 20 May Staplers Country Dance Club 8-10pm St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin Staplers is a social folk dance club. All the dances are walked through first then called and you don’t need to come with a partner. Car parking is available next to the hall. We meet every Monday apart from bank holidays and some school holiday dates. Tel. 01462 624144 or 01462 680995 (note new telephone number) Web: www.staplers.org.uk 14 May Transition Tuesday: How will Climate Change Impact Letchworth? 7.30-9.30pm Mrs Howard Memorial Hall, Norton Way South, Letchworth Free admission. What will be the effects of global warming on Letchworth - its harvest, food supplies, wildlife, population, health and housing? All welcome. Admission free but a £2 donation to help cover room hire and refreshments is welcome. 14 & 28 May 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 18 May-2 June Chilterns Walking Festival The programme includes over 70 guided walks, events and activities covering the whole of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which stretches from Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire into Hertfordshire. To assist walk leaders with expected numbers, most events must be pre-booked. www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest 19 May Langford Garage Sale Trail 10am-2pm Tables £5. Buyers should visit Sale Trail HQ on the Church Hall car park for maps and refreshments. Sellers can book a table by contacting Jo by 10 May. Fundraising for Langford Brownies and Cubs. Email: jo.smith@langfordscouts.org.uk 21 May Stevenage RSPB Local Group 7.30pm The Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage RSPB Members £3, Non-members £3.50, Under 16s 50p. Short AGM followed by a members’ slide show. Tel: Trevor Store 01438 226014 Web: www.rspb.org/groups/Stevenage 25 May Celebration of Disability Sports Activities 10am-4pm Riverside Square, Bedford Come and try a different sport with demonstrations, a chance to meet Paralympic athletes. Everyone welcome.

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Quirky Britain

Mad about Morris A brief history of Britain’s quirkiest dance tradition. The tinkle of bells, the rhythmic thump of feet hitting the ground and the click of sticks struck together, all in time to the rousing music of an accordion. It’s the sound of the UK’s most ancient dance tradition. However, while many enthusiasts see Morris dancing as a touchstone of Britain’s ancient rural culture, a little research into the history of the dance reveals some surprising theories about its origins. Some historians believe the name ‘Morris’ is derived from the word Moorish, the name given to a group of North African Muslims who ruled Spain from 711 to 1492. During the 15th century their culture inspired a fashion for exotic spectacle amongst the royal courts of Europe, when each country came up with its own unique version of a ‘Moorish’ dance. In England the earliest written record of the Morris dance was set down in 1448 when London’s Goldsmiths Company made a payment of seven shillings to the troupe of dancers who had entertained them, and documents from the court of Henry VII show that a ‘mourice dance’ was performed at Christmas in the year 1484. Taking ‘sides’ Morris dancing went in and out of fashion during the 17th and 18th centuries but enjoyed a revival during the Victorian era. In 1934 an organisation called The Morris Ring was established to promote Morris traditions, but the group caused controversy by not allowing females to join.

When the Equality Act was introduced in 2010, the Morris Ring was forced to admit women to its ranks, but still refused to accept them as dancers. Nowadays attitudes have changed, and the organisation’s website currently states: “At our 2018 Annual Representatives Meeting there was overwhelming support for a proposal to enable any Morris team, whatever its gender make up, to become a member of The Morris Ring if they support the founding principles of the organisation.” Unfortunately, gender discrimination is not the only controversy to have dogged the world of Morris dancing. The tradition in which some sides paint their faces black is thought to have originated when dancers tried to disguise themselves whilst ‘begging’ for tips (public begging was illegal at the time). Whatever the roots of this practice, it’s not hard to understand why it might cause offence in the multicultural Britain of today. Although the debates surrounding Morris traditions continue to rumble on, they appear to have had little impact on the May Day revival that is currently being enjoyed in the UK. Given the British public’s desire to reconnect with its ancient cultural traditions, it seems that the number of Morris sides in the UK – presently around 13,000 – will continue to grow. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to tie on those silver bells, put flowers round your hat and get ready to welcome in the summer.

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By Kate McLelland 67

Travel

Astana, Kazakhstan

By Solange Hando

in Central Asia

In 1998, barely seven years after independence, a new capital rose in Kazakhstan in the middle of the steppes on the banks of the Ishim River. Planned by the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, it grew into a futuristic dream, replacing Almaty, the former capital enclosed by mountains with little room for expansion and prone to natural disasters. Today, with over one million people sharing 100 nationalities, Astana is the northernmost capital in Asia and the second coldest in the world. Although much of the old town still spreads along the right bank, the new capital across the water dazzles everyone with innovative architecture, wide avenues and open spaces and parks. Day or night, the central Nurzhol Boulevard is a wonderful place for a stroll, a wide traffic-free oasis full of greenery, fountains and flowers

and traditional sculptures, here a shaman, there a dancer or a nomad. Stretching for over two kilometres towards the riverside presidential headquarters, it is dominated by the Bayterek Tower, the top attraction in Astana. It’s easy to see why: rising to 97 metres, this lofty monument is crowned by a 300 tonne glass ball where colours change according to the natural light. Bayterek, they say, is a ‘tree of life’, clutching an ‘egg’ between its branches to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future. It is truly enticing and up on the top, inspired no doubt by the wonderful views, many visitors make a wish, eyes closed as they place their hand in the president’s golden print. Away from the river, the boulevard opens onto a vast circular space leading to fine

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outdoor restaurants and flower shops and an archway framing the Khan Shatyr centre, an indoor place for souvenir and other stores, as well as family amusements – including a beach covered with sand from the Maldives. But most exciting is the actual building, moulded like a giant steel yurt, gleaming white, slightly topsy-turvy, and one of Norman Foster’s landmarks. Bold and dynamic, the new Astana also pays tribute to its roots, be it in the museums, the stark blue Palace of Independence or the Central Concert Hall, where the main room is shaped like a dombyra lute, Kazakhstan’s national instrument. Sculptures of Samruk, the mythical bird, pop up here and there to protect the country. In 1999, UNESCO declared Astana a ‘City of Peace’, a theme upheld in the newly-erected Peace Wall, inscribed with the word ‘peace’ in 51 languages, and the glass pyramid, known as the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. There a stained glass painting displays 130 doves symbolising cultural and religious tolerance. Islam is the main religion, open and relaxed for most followers, and with its white minarets and domes, the iconic Hazrat Sultan mosque claims the largest complex of its kind in Central Asia. Inaugurated in 2012, it was named after a 12th century poet and mystic, linking past and present in one of the youngest capitals in the world.

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April’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Isobel Dunkley from Stotfold Winner of the Classic Ibiza Competition Lisa Pullen from Eynesbury

Winner of the Ragdale Hall Spa Competition Mrs Jean Charter from Biggleswade

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The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

£25

Across 7. UK’s continent (6) 8. Waldorf salad nut (6) 9. Utilised (4) 10. Valuable, highly admired (8) 11. Repairs, mends (7) 13. Midriff (5) 15. Publish, issue (5) 17. Freedom (7) 20. Added extra (8) 21. Poisonous metal (4) 22. Cut into pieces (6) 23. More wealthy (6)

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

16th May 2019 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Down 1. Largest country (6) 2. Timber (4) 3. Tribes, nationalities (7) 4. Clean with broom (5) 5. Last, final (8) 6. Lines of people (6) 12. Persuade (8) 14. Meals (7) 16. Puzzle, enigma (6) 18. Bartered (6) 19. Ditzy, light-headed (5) 21. Ornate fabric (4)

Name: Tel:

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Books

Book Review By Kate Duggan The Energy Plan By James Collins

Nutritionist James Collins is a world leader in the field of performance nutrition. He’s guided the eating habits of Olympic athletes and premier sports stars. His first book, The Energy Plan, is not about cutting out food groups, quick fix diets or denial. Instead, it’s about fuelling your body so it performs better and you feel fitter, have more energy and can fight off illnesses. The Energy Plan is well worth a read, whether you’re training for a marathon or just want to avoid the 3pm energy slump.

Voices of Powerful Women by Zoe Sallis

When Maya Angelou calls something a ‘fascinating collection’, you know you’re in for a treat and Voices of Powerful Women certainly doesn’t disappoint. Zoe Sallis interviewed 40 women for her book, including Judi Dench, Tracey Emin, Benazir Bhutto and Mariane Pearl. Each one gives us a glimpse into what made her who she is today. You’ll learn what inspires these women, what angers them, who they admire and what advice they want to pass on to the next generation.

James Cullip

Painting & Decorating

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

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

Micro Living Derek ‘Deek’ Diedricksen

This book takes the concept of downsizing to the extreme. Many of the 40 homes featured are smaller than 150 square feet. From a refurbished Airstream to a treehouse, what these homes lack in space, they more than make up for in character. The book includes floorplans, advice and lots of lust-worthy photographs. Whether you’re thinking of building your own tiny home, want some tips to make the most of smaller rooms or just fancy taking a peek into how other people live, Micro Living is for you.

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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

Aerials and Satellites AERIALS & SATELLITES T/A Broadband Communications Established 1993

Aerials & Satellites • Digital Aerials Freesat & Satellite Installations Commercial IRS Systems All Work Guaranteed • CAI Approved C.1616 Based in Stotfold www.broadbandcommunications.co.uk

Tel: 01462 732 628 • Mob: 07860 436 217

Decorators Simon & Neil Johnston PAINTING & DECORATING

30 Years Experience Simon 07778 861115 Neil 07879 292411 Email: simon.johnston57@ntlworld.com

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

From just £35.00 per month plus VAT

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Classifieds Electrical Contractor Electrical Contractor

N A Bush

• Domestic & Commercial • Extra Lights / Sockets • New Circuits • Full or Partial Rewires • Test Inspection Certificates • Consumer Unit Upgrades Neil 07981 310939

Experienced Qualified and Insured All work guaranteed

n.bush744@btinternet.com

Property Maintenance 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

Property Maintenance

Plastering Services

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

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RP HOME IMPROVEMENTS Painter, Decorator & General Handyman for Home and Garden Jobs 30 Years Experience • Reliable • Professional Competitively Priced Work

Call Rob on 07918 707354

Removals

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

Property Maintenance

Roofing

Dave Mortby Plastering, Decorating & Refurbishment

Free Estimates Given

07722 128189

Email: David.mortby@live.co.uk 78

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