Henlow Nov 2021

VILLAGER The

Issue 156 - Nov 2021

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue Host the Perfect

Bonfire Night Bash Best Tech to

Keep You Warm 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

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Inside this issue...

Fireworks in the Borders

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A Most Magical Time.......................................................................... 4 Host the Perfect Bonfire Night Bash............................................. 8 Seasonal Recipe: Roast Beef Fillet................................................ 12 Wine: Christmas Crackers................................................................. 15 Schools and the Pandemic..............................................................18 Raise a Glass.........................................................................................20 Under Pressure.................................................................................... 24 The New Office Workwear............................................................. 27 Beauty Bargains...................................................................................30 How much is that phone in the advert?.....................................33 The Glorious Madness of the Beaujolais Run.......................... 34 A Tiny Musical Renaissance............................................................36 Your Right to a Refund..................................................................... 39 Adorn Your Walls...............................................................................40

Fireworks in the Borders.................................................................. 42 Protect and Survive........................................................................... 47 Short Story: The Pied Piper............................................................48 Feeding the Birds during the Autumn........................................50 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal................................................................ 52 Traditional Crafts Brought Up-To-Date......................................54 The Best Tech to Keep you Warm this Winter........................ 57 Puzzle Page...........................................................................................60 What’s On in November.................................................................. 62 Wordsearch.......................................................................................... 63 If I only has a moustache!...............................................................65 Tinnitus is a Modern Epidemic......................................................66 First Drive: Vauxhall Crossland.......................................................68 Fun Quiz..................................................................................................71 Villager Prize Crossword.......................................................74 Book Review: Historical Fiction..................................................... 76

Under Pressure

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Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £35.00 +VAT per month Editorial - Trevor Langley, Jennie Billings, Kate Duggan, Tom Hancock, Sarah Davey, Charlie Broom, Katherine Sorrell, Caroline Knight, Rachel Leverton, Jackie Brewster, RSPCA, Louise Addison and Ted Welford

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Front Cover Photography: ND3000 Design and Artwork Design 9 - Tel 07762 969460

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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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Staycation

Gibside Tyne & Wear

A Most Magical Time It wouldn’t be the most magical time of the year without a twinkling Christmas light trail. With everything from enchanting fairy-lit tunnels to themed light shows, these after-dark illuminated experiences have boomed in popularity over recent years. Throw in some mulled wine and festive music, and Christmas light trails have everything you need to add some sparkle to your winter this year.

With so many to choose from, we’ve put together a list of the top Christmas light trails in the UK. Christmas at the Botanics, Edinburgh Founded all the way back in 1670, Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden’s lush landscape makes the perfect backdrop for this botany-themed trail that will be returning for the fifth year this Christmas.

Wander amongst laser lights, giant luminescent sculptures, tunnels of light, giant baubles and sparkling snowflakes. Be sure to hang around for the grand finale too; a technicolour light show cast across the garden’s Inverleith House, this spectacle is just another way Edinburgh brings this historic facade to life.

Christmas at Gibside, Tyne and Wear This spectacular light trail is what happens when lighting specialists, Ignite, partner up with one of the National Trust’s grandest Georgian estates.

These eighteenth-century gardens near Newcastle are transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland each Christmas, complete with glowing woodland mushrooms, lantern-lit trails, illuminated trees and picture-perfect tunnels filled with twinkling lights.

Don’t forget to look out for Father Christmas amidst all the action too!

Lightopia, Manchester Lighting up Heaton Park for yet another year, this award-winning annual festival of light is bringing with it fresh installations and exciting new routes this Christmas.

It’s advised to come hungry, as there’s an entire food court for your taste buds to explore. Once you’ve refuelled, an interactive music space, astronomy zone filled with space-themed installations, and synchronised light, sound and water show await.

Royal Bontanic Gardens, Edinburgh

Lightopia, Manchester

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Kew Gardens, London

Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Christmas at Kew Gardens, London Arguably the most popular and established festive light trail in the South, Christmas at Kew Gardens uses its exotic plants and beautiful botanicals to give visitors a truly magical experience.

New imaginative installations are added each year to keep the trail fresh. You can expect to see everything from treetop waterfalls and neonwrapped trees to flaming sculptures and spectacular water displays – all set against the impressive backdrop that is Kew’s gigantic greenhouse.

Christmas at Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire One of the National Trust’s most visited properties, Waddesdon Manor’s Victorian country house and gardens are a spectacle to see at any time of year.

Add in the immersive light and sound installations, twinkling fairy-tale tunnels and a show-stopping light display, and you’re left with an immersive experience that never fails to amaze.

To top it off, there’s even a Christmas fair that pops up each winter. Shop for presents while sipping mulled wine and nibbling mince pies.

Christmas at the Eden Project, Cornwall Cornwall’s Eden Project is nothing short of inspiring, but seeing its world-famous biomes light up the landscape at Christmas could fool you into thinking you’ve travelled to another planet entirely.

Mixing innovative light installations and live music with ice skating, a reindeer trail and Father Christmas himself, it’s the perfect place for the whole family to soak up the magic of Christmas.

The Eden Project, Cornwall

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Time of Year

Snap, Crackle and POP Host the Perfect Bonfire Night Bash

By Kate McCarthy

Pre Covid we hosted an annual bonfire party for friends. We’re not big on planning but we follow the four Fs – Friends, Flame, Food, Fireworks. Our little bonfire bash afforded our social group the opportunity to meet together informally to enjoy life’s simple things: food, warmth, companionship, and laughter, and we really missed it in 2020, so this year we’re planning to bring it back. If you fancy hosting your own get together I’ll share our ‘recipe for success’ here.

Let’s start with the bonfire. There is a ‘proper’ way to build a fire which affects how long it will last and the amount of heat it gives off. It’s best to arrange kindling (e.g., twigs, cardboard, and small pieces of wood) in a sort of wigwam shape over a base of tinder (e.g., paper, wood shavings or fire lighters) and then add more bulky pieces of wood and logs which ignite more slowly but burn longer. Light the fire about 20-30 minutes before the party is due to start so that it is burning merrily when your guests arrive.

Some people don’t like the idea of a Guy Fawkes, but if it appeals to you, you can hold a Guy Fawkes competition with prizes for the best or the funniest.

Our garden is small, so we don’t have room for huge effigies, so we dress up our Halloween skeleton as Guy and he gets a seat of honour at our garden table…that’s probably weird but it’s our party so you don’t get to judge!

No gathering is complete without food. November weather is traditionally cold and damp, so homemade soup, served in old mugs is always welcome.

Guests often want to contribute to the food

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table. We have no rules so this usually results in a completely random selection of goodies, though we always provide hot dogs with fried onions (is there anything on earth that can beat that smell?) and homemade parkin, mainly because parkin is easy, and I can make it when I remember.

Fireworks are a must of course. They are also expensive in large quantities so don’t be shy about asking your guests to bring along a banger or two.

Even with a substantial financial outlay, your display is unlikely to be hugely impressive, but that is absolutely not the point of a homegrown bonfire night party. It’s amazing how much enjoyment can be gleaned from the humblest box of shop-bought rockets. Invest in lots of sparklers too. Everyone loves sparklers, even adults, so be sure to have a good supply at hand, with matches to light them with and a bucket of water to extinguish them.

Always remember the firework code and stay safe at all times.

Other tips we have learned from (sometimes bitter) personal experience is to make sure that carpets are protected if people are going to be in and out of the house, especially if the ground outside is wet, and have a supply of torches on hand if your bonfire is located some distance from the back door (which to be honest it should be!)

For me, the key to hosting a successful bonfire party is similar to handling fireworks – set everything up, light the fuse, then step away and allow the magic to happen.

Happy Bonfire Night!

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Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service With A Smile.

I think we can all agree that seeing the back of 2020 was a welcome event for each and every one of us, and we can now hopefully march into 2021 with renewed positivity and optimism.

One thing is for sure though, there have also been some heart warming positives that we can take out of last year. It has often been said that we can only really get to know one another and realise what is truly important in times of crisis. I think few would argue that in this case what has proven to be important is local community spirit.

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Stephen Moon it became clear that these values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting

the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

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

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Seasonal Recipe

Roast Beef Fillet with Roasted Garlic, Tomato and Herb Sauce Succulent beef served with a delicious rich and tangy garlic and herb sauce makes a sensational feast. Any leftover meat can be served cold with salad the following day.

Preparation time: 15 minutes Marinating time: 2-3 hours or overnight Cooking time: 65 minutes Serves 4

Ingredients 500g beef fillet (one piece) 1 tbsp oil, for searing Marinade 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tbsp oil 2 garlic cloves, crushed Herb Sauce 1 bulb garlic 1 tbsp olive oil and a little for drizzling 1 shallot, diced 250g cherry tomatoes, halved 4 anchovy fillets 1 tsp caster sugar 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 25g sultanas 1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed 50g blanched almonds 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 100ml passata Sea salt and black pepper to taste Small bunch of parsley, chopped Small bunch basil, leaves picked, to garnish Bag of baby spinach leaves, to serve

1. Mix all the marinade ingredients together and rub all over the fillet. Leave to marinate for 2-3 hours or overnight.

2. Preheat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas mark 4.

3. Slice off the top quarter of the garlic bulb. Put the bulb on a piece of foil, drizzle over a little oil and season. Wrap up in the foil and roast for 40 minutes.

Cool slightly then squeeze out the garlic bulb into a food processor.

4. For the sauce, heat the oil and sauté the shallot, tomatoes, anchovy fillets with the caster sugar and vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes. Add to the food processor with the remaining sauce ingredients except the herbs and blend to form a thick sauce.

Add a little water, if needed, to thin the sauce slightly. Place in a pan and add the parsley.

5. Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas mark 6.

6. Remove the beef from the marinade. Heat the oil in a heavy based frying pan and sear the beef on all sides. Place in an ovenproof roasting tin and roast for 20 minutes until cooked through. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before carving.

7. Heat the sauce and spoon over the beef to serve.

Accompany with spinach and basil leaves.

Nutrition per serving: 442kcal, fat 31g (of which saturates 6.4g), carbohydrate 9.6g (of which sugars 8.6g), protein 31.3g.

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Food & Drink

Wine: Christmas Crackers

For Christmas festivities wines always find general favour. Which wines, what with and when, need not be so complex. I selected some popular choices, that satisfy many situations and also pair with food, admirably. Not forgetting Santa (and his grown-up helpers!), when he does his rounds, a joyful sherry is always welcome!

For Christmas morning Bucks Fizz has become a regular, traditional, option, for many. A mix of two parts orange juice and one part champagne, can incorporate your favourite champagne. I like a champagne that is powerful, elegant and crisp. Bucks Fizz can also be purchased ready mixed, in bottles.

To accompany turkey, Merlot can be classed as a lighter wine option. Chilean Merlot is wonderful and Clos Apalta Casa Lapostolle is excellent. This dark-coloured production is bold and voluptuous. A great recommendation for a wine to enjoy around the Christmas table.

Goose has a stronger flavour than turkey and Pinot Noir makes a splendid accompaniment. Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough, from New Zealand, pairs well with the rich flavours of goose. The complex palate is well-balanced for this wine, which is regularly chosen as a pairing for this dish.

Cherry Brandy Liqueur, having grand notes of maraschino cherries and fresh morella, is also splendid by itself.

The Grant’s production (a favourite tipple of Queen Victoria, I am informed), makes a brilliant tasting addition to a rich and fruity Christmas punch, as well as being a fabulous pairing with Christmas pudding.

Port is a trusted favourite, for ending a meal, particularly with cheeses. A favourite of mine is Graham’s. The deep ruby-red colour entices to the dark, fruity bouquet, which furthers the enjoyment for the mouthfeel and palate, with a long finish.

We cannot forget Santa, of course! A good idea (in my opinion) is to leave a very acceptable sherry for Santa – and his grown-up helpers! Fernando de Castilla Classic Pedro Ximenez I find to be a sherry that goes on pleasing. Big on flavour and sweetness, this is very good and elegant.

I know, I know, it’s that time of year again. But, if it works, it works!

I hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy the drinks (if you wish to) that suit you. Merry Christmas!

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Education

Schools and the Pandemic

The pandemic has been incredibly challenging for the education sector. There was no blueprint for schools to follow, no guide telling head teachers how to provide remote learning. Some schools were at a digital disadvantage, unable to deliver lessons to pupils remotely, either because the school did not have the resources, or because pupils did not have the right devices or reliable internet access.

Those schools that were able to deliver remote learning successfully still faced challenges. Laura Castree, a secondary school teacher, told us, “A huge part of teaching is deciphering what your pupil needs and planning accordingly; this became incredibly difficult when teaching remotely, and we had to overhaul resources, teaching styles and priorities practically overnight.”

Many children fell behind with their schoolwork during the lockdowns. When pupils returned to school, teachers were then faced with classrooms of children all at different stages of their learning.

Disadvantaged children fell even further behind their peers.

Even more worrying was the effect of the pandemic on children’s mental health. When surveyed, most schools said that some of their pupils were suffering from Covid-related anxiety. OFSTED found that some children had lost physical fitness, others showed signs of mental distress, and there was an increase in eating disorders and self-harm.

It hasn’t just been pupils who have struggled with mental health. The pandemic came on the back of years of per-pupil spending cuts, increased class sizes and numerous curriculum changes, so thousands of teachers were already suffering from work-related stress. A 2019 survey by the teachers’

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union NASUWT found that 70% of teachers felt their job had adversely affected their mental health.

By September 2020, more than half of teachers said that their mental health had declined further. By April 2021, 43% of teachers were experiencing all four of the main symptoms of burnout.

It’s hardly surprising that teachers struggled, considering the additional pressures they were under. Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, commented, “Our teachers have had to rapidly adapt to changing circumstances on many occasions. They have: rapidly become experts in delivering remote learning; run on-site provision for the children of key workers and vulnerable children during lockdowns; managed complex Covid safety measures; set up testing stations to enable pupils to return to classrooms; and, most recently, taken responsibility for assessing students following the cancellation of public exams.”

It may take years before we understand the longterm effects of the pandemic on children. However, there is a sense of optimism in the education sector.

Both pupils and teachers experienced a much more normal return to school this year. Extra-curricular clubs have restarted and children have more freedom to socialise again.

As Laura Castree explains, “It has been apparent that some pupils fared better than others during lockdowns, but it was wonderful to see them back in the classroom, and actually the majority returned with a new and positive attitude towards school and their teachers that endured throughout the year and made the catch-up process much easier.”

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Special Report

Raise a Glass Tumblers, flutes, coupes and stems – glasses are functional objects with a fascinating history. Here are ten facts to liven up your next session at the pub.

1. Glass making dates back to the ancient civilizations of Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia.

Glass wine vessels first appeared in Egypt sometime around 1500 BC, but it wasn’t until the Romans discovered the technique of glass blowing that glass became both functional and highly sought after.

2. In early seventeenth century England, the Royal Navy needed oak trees for shipbuilding, so glassmakers turned to using coal in their furnaces.

This burned to much higher temperatures and produced stronger glass. This was also a major turning point for the champagne producers of France, as they now had a bottle much better suited to the high pressure of their brewing method.

3. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, the size of the average wine glass increased by 700% between 1700 and 2017, with the greatest increase in size coming in the last few decades.

4. The stem on a wine glass has a practical purpose.

By keeping your warm hand away from the bowl, wine maintains the correct temperature and

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furthermore ensures that you only smell the wine when drinking, not your skin.

5. Conversely, the short stem on a brandy bowl is designed to make it easy to hold the glass in the palm of your hand, so warming the spirit.

6. Sparkling wine doesn’t need the bowl-shaped glass used for still whites and reds, as the bubbles release the aroma without any swirling.

7. Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled again and again without losing any quality. But if it’s not recycled it can take up to a million years to decompose.

8. Drinking glasses containing crystal are stronger and therefore can be made thinner, making for an aesthetically more pleasing drinking experience.

9. The most popular type of glass in which beer is served in a pub is the straight glass, with a bulge about an inch from the top. The bulge is there to stop the glasses chipping near the rim when being washed together.

10. The custom of clinking glasses may have originated from fears of poisoning. If a host wanted to prove that the wine wasn’t poisoned, he would pour part of the guest’s wine into his glass and drink it first. If the guest trusted his host, he would just ‘clink’ when the host offered his glass for a sample.

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Shires

Funeral Directors At Shires we understand that no two lives are the same, which is why every funeral we arrange is completely individual too. Whether you’re making the arrangements for a loved one or prudently planning your own, we’re here for you in every way.

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If you or someone close to you is dying, you can talk to us We know that facing the end of life can leave you feeling isolated and alone. The Anne Robson Trust helpline volunteers are here to listen and support you.

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Health

Under Pressure It’s responsible for 60% of strokes and half of all heart attacks, yet because it typically has no symptoms, most people with high blood pressure have no idea they are at risk – hence why it is sometimes referred to as a silent killer. The British Heart Foundation estimates that up to 4.8 million people live with undiagnosed high blood pressure in the UK, and the only way to find out whether it affects you is by having a blood pressure check.

The good news, however, is that every NHS pharmacy in England will offer free blood pressure checks to people aged 40 and over as part of a new deal between pharmacies and the NHS. This will undoubtedly help to increase detection of undiagnosed hypertension.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a level that’s consistently at or above 140/90 and it affects one in three adults in the UK. Usually the cause is not clear but there are factors that can increase your risk of getting it, including: • Being overweight • Eating too much salt and not eating enough fruit and vegetables • Not doing enough exercise • Drinking too much alcohol or coffee • Smoking • Being a poor sleeper • Being aged 65 and over • Family history of high blood pressure or heart disease • Ethnicity – being of black African or black Caribbean descent • Living in a deprived area Speaking about the new high street pharmacy blood pressure check scheme, the charity’s director of

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policy and influencing, John Maringay, added: “This breakthrough programme will also help with the devastating burden of backlog of care left by the Covid-19 pandemic, which could see the number of people waiting for heart care and diagnosis peak at around 550,385 in January 2024, according to our latest report.

“Having your blood pressure checked by your local pharmacist is a simple and quick test that will only take about five minutes to complete. Knowing your blood pressure levels will also mean you can discuss the risks with a healthcare professional, who will signpost you to the most effective source of treatment and onward management of your condition. Prevention is always better than cure, so it’s important that you know your numbers and check your blood pressure.”

It’s also possible to diagnose hypotension or low blood pressure with a blood pressure check. A low blood pressure reading is one that’s less than 90/60.

Symptoms that might indicate your blood pressure is too low include light-headedness, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, generally feeling weak, confusion and fainting.

Our blood pressure can vary depending on what time it is, as it gradually increases throughout the day. What we’re doing and how we’re feeling can also affect it. There’s a number of possible causes of low blood pressure. For example, it can be low because you’re fit and healthy or be inherited hypotension from your parents. Some people naturally develop low blood pressure as they age. In addition, being pregnant, having certain medical conditions such as diabetes and some medications can cause low blood pressure too.

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L&F Care Services Ltd

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Respite Services Social Support/Companionship 24 hour Live-in Care Collecting medication Continence management Palliative and End of Life Care Rehabilitation Care

Visit our website www.lfcareservices.com for more information 26

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House of Colour

The New Office Workwear You may be venturing into the office, you may be starting a new position or looking at what you have an what you need this season to go to work.

The office environment has had dramatic shift for obvious reasons and office workwear has been shifting to a more casual phase. This movement is not altogether new but has been speeded up in the recent year. Over history our formal wear has always given way to the casual/sports options. The fashion trends are also reflecting this move. I know though that it’s not always going to work well for us if we relinquish all elements of formality – offices of people in tracksuits and dressing gowns aren’t going to work well!

• If you love your casual wear there are some looks at the moment that elevate your casual. This trend is about looks that can be taken to the office but retain their comfort level. Hi-lo styling is the key – taking a casual piece and adding something more structured. A more structured blazer with looser fitting trousers. The key here is a more relaxed silhouette with knitwear that skims your shape. Lots of knit waistcoats, and practical detailing, quilting and elasticated fabrics are key elements you will see this season. This is particularly useful look on clothing personalities that need some texture.

• Colours that match and or tone (tonal dressing) is a great way to bring this to life. Neutrals are wonderful here, as they are the most useful colours in your wardrobe and often convey the higher levels of authority and we could still do with retaining some of that! Use one of your best neutrals and add in other tones of the same colour to create the look. This is a fabulous look on Autumns and Summers.

• Accessories can add to the formality where casual has been the focus in the clothing choices. You can add in some structure with a tote bag, useful shape too. Heels in either slingbacks or boots also add some structure to the looser silhouettes.

• Ultra-wide leg trousers paired with cable knit is a fab way to tie together this relaxed working style.

Look out for the chequerboard and jacquard design on knitwear too. You might also pair this with blanket-like shawls and scarves – an easy way to add the texture in. This is an ultra-relaxed look and not necessarily right for all office environments but a great way to smarten up from the tracksuit!

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• If texture is not your best friend then opt for sleeker look. The minimalist looks at the moment feature clean-cut asymmetric lines in both tops and skirts, cut out detailing, and refined knitwear. Look out for the cleaner lines. Straight leg trousers and jeans are key pieces here (you probably already have some…), add minimal jewellery, sleeker shapes. You might add a leather blazer here.

• If you need a prettier look opt for the fuller rounded statement sleeve tops that we have been seeing over the last few seasons which continue into this. Pair it with a pencil or midi skirt, cinching in your waist – definitely use a belt here. The bow and lace, ruffles are all still very current so take a top from your summer wardrobe with longer sleeves and see if it won’t work with skirt from your winter wardrobe? Play around and don’t confine your self necessarily to ‘winter’ and ‘summer’ wardrobes but try combining some items. Add some heeled knee high boots to a midi skirt for your autumn work look.

Article by Jennie Billings House of Colour House of Colour has a network of stylists to help you update your look – find your nearest at houseofcolour.co.uk/find-astylist

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Local News

Exclusive ‘Black Friday’ Offer for Villager Readers The Herts MS Therapy Centre is offering a special November discount for ‘Black Friday’.

The Letchworth charity welcomes people with any challenging health condition. They’re offering a special offer exclusively to readers of The Villager… that’s you!

Extreme fatigue and chronic pain can result from many conditions, including Cancer, Stroke, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ME, Multiple Sclerosis – and more. Oxygen Therapy gives lots of people: • Faster healing • Energy boosts • Reduced pain • Decreased swelling and inflammation How does it work? Pure oxygen is breathed through a mask under pressure in a specially constructed chamber. It’s very safe with almost no side effects, unlike much medication.

“I was struggling to cope with my fatigue, and it was weighing me down mentally. The treatment was a ray of hope that resulted in new friends and a better quality of life.” Charlotte D Would this therapy help you? Call 01462 684 214 to book your session.

Exclusive Offer Worth Up To £50 To celebrate Black Friday, Villager readers can enjoy a 10% discount, worth up to £50.

Simply mention ‘The Villager’ when you book your initial trial session of Oxygen Therapy and enjoy a 10% discount. Then – if you choose to book a block of further sessions - enjoy a further 10% discount. You just need to pay for your sessions by 31 December 2021. You could save up to £50.

For more details or to book your first session call 01462 684 214. Remember to say that you’re a Villager reader!

01462 684 214

Would you like more energy and less pain?

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

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Call us on

01462 684 214 or email: oxygen@hmstc.net 29

Beauty

Beauty Bargains Luxe doesn’t have to mean eye-wateringly expensive.

Here’s how to find a few beauty bargains this winter…

Go for own-brand Supermarkets and fashion brands often have their own beauty ranges. Aldi’s Lacura range (www.aldi. co.uk) has a legion of loyal fans and you can pick up an eye palette for just £5.99. And H&M’s nail polishes are amongst the best I’ve tried, and an absolute bargain at just £3.99. My nails stayed chip-free for weeks.

Scour discount sites Check out stores like TK Maxx and B&M. You’ll often find heavily discounted skincare, cosmetics, electricals and toiletries from top brands. A quick search on www.tkmaxx.com uncovered a Calvin Klein perfume at 70% off, a Rodial moisturiser at 76% off and an Eve Lom gift set at 49% off.

Try something new We often stick to products we know, but it’s worth trying cheaper brands now and then. Inecto, for example, gets great reviews. All products are vegan, made in the UK and up to 98% natural. Plus, prices start at under £2. Try the Argan range for super-shiny hair. A full-size bottle of shampoo is just £1.49. Find your nearest stockist at www.inecto.com.

Consider memberships Memberships like those offered by Beauty Pie give you the chance to buy luxury products at a fraction of the price. Beauty Pie’s memberships start from £5 a month. You can then purchase products ranging from moisturisers (priced from £8.48) to fragrance (priced from £18.67). They’re created in some of the world’s top labs but are a heck of a lot cheaper than you could buy them for in store. I took out a £10-a-month plan (three-month minimum) and saved more than £150 in my first month. My favourite product so far is the Plantastic Apricot Butter

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By Kate Duggan Cleansing Balm, which leaves skin feeling incredibly soft and hydrated. At the time of publishing, BEAUTYPIE10 will get you an extra £10 off at www. beautypie.com.

Buy in bulk Products usually come down in price as they go up in volume. So, if you’re treating yourself to a favourite product, it usually pays to buy the biggest size you can afford. For example, a 400ml bottle of Faith in Nature’s Grapefruit & Orange Shampoo is £5.79 (£14.48 a litre), but you can get a 5 litre bottle from Amazon for £35 (£7 a litre). Don’t want to use the same product for a whole year? Look out for refill shops where you take your own container to stock up on food and toiletries, or consider sharing products (and costs) with friends and family.

Sign up for sales Sign up for Money Saving Expert’s newsletter to find out when your favourite shops’ sales start. It’s also worth checking whether you can get a discount as a reward for signing up to brands’ own newsletters.

And check sites like www.vouchercodes.co.uk before you buy anything at full price.

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Technology

How Much Is That Phone in the Advert?

By Tom Hancock

Mobile phones are expensive. I mean really expensive.

The latest iPhones and top of the range Android phones cost upwards of £1000 so they are a big financial commitment. But are they value for money?

Is £1000 phone any better than one which costs £200?

When you watch a phone advert it’s easy to believe that owning the latest model will make your life infinitely better. With ultrahigh resolution screens, multiple professional quality cameras and massively powerful computing engines, you could easily use your phone to replace your laptop, camera, TV and, at a push, your spouse!

But how many of these fantastic features will you actually use?

Most of use our phones for fairly mundane, lowpower tasks. We text, check our social media, post selfies or snapshots, watch YouTube videos, make quick videos to post on social media, play a game, and some of us even use them to make phone calls.

But none of these tasks require any of the high-end features that are pushing the cost of your phone through the roof.

Budget phones summon up the image of a piece of sad plastic that struggles to turn on, let alone do anything useful. But there’s a big difference between ‘budget’ and ‘great value for money.’

Big brand names such as Apple and Samsung market their phones as status symbols. Pulling out the latest iPhone or flipping open your foldable Samsung is the

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same as wearing a Rolex watch or rocking up in your sports car. If you enjoy that feeling and are happy with the cost then these are the phones for you.

If you want a phone that has almost all the features of the top brands; screen, cameras, powerful processor etc., there are a range of less well-known brands that will deliver all this for a lower cost. Many of these from Chinese manufacturers where components and labour costs are lower. You’ll still get a high-quality product, and the phone will power through all of your day-to-day tasks with room to spare, but people won’t recognise the logo on the back.

For example, my 12-year-old needed a new phone and we wanted to get one that would be fun to use rather than the low powered basic model he’d started out with. I came across a phone from Xiaomi, the Redmi Note 9. This has a powerful octa core processor, loads of memory, 64 GB of storage space, ultrahigh resolution screen, three high resolution specialist cameras, fast charge, and long battery life and all for the very pocket friendly cost of £150. From a preteenage point of view, he’s pleased as punch with the power and quality of the phone. Form a parent point of view, I’m delighted with the price.

So, when buying a new phone my advice is to be honest about what you’re going to use it for. If you feel a premium phone is worth the money go for it. If you want a phone that does everything and is a pleasure to use but is easy on your pocket, shop around.

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Food & Drink

The Glorious Madness of The Beaujolais Run At one minute past midnight on the third Sunday in November, villages and towns in a region in France release cases of wine for immediate delivery across the world.

“Le Beaujolais est arrivé!” This rousing call signals the introduction of the year’s new wine, the famous Beaujolais Nouveau. Originally, pitchers of the wine were taken straight from the producers’ barrels to the towns amid much fanfare and celebration. Then in 1972 an enterprising soul saw a fabulous marketing opportunity: a race to distribute the first bottles of the new vintage.

The Beaujolais Run involves teams competing to be the first to get the first case of Nouveau from Paris to London. It’s a 500mile race to south-eastern France to collect the first bottles of the new wine, and then 500 miles back again. Beaujolais is described by wine sellers as ‘…a light fruity red burgundy wine made from the Gamay grape.’ It’s described by almost everyone else as ‘awful’, and by French standards it’s pretty rubbish if we’re honest, so you’d have to be utterly bonkers to undertake a round trip of 1000 miles to get your hands on a bottle. Well, us Brits have elevated being bonkers to an artform. The more ridiculous or pointless the challenge, the more likely we are to bounce enthusiastically into action. And so it proved with the Beaujolais Run. In its early years the event was purely about speed.

Any mode of transport could be used. The glorious madness peaked in the 1980s when the RAF touched down in Beaujeu with a Harrier Jump-Jet at midnight, picked up the wine and then landed 32 minutes later in London. At that point the organisers had to rethink the rules! So now the mission is to get

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By Sarah Davey

from southern England to Mâcon by covering the shortest distance. The Beaujolais Run has become a treasure hunt through the French countryside, following a series of cryptic navigational clues through six checkpoints. Competitors must take a photograph of themselves at an obscure landmark at each checkpoint to prove they were there. You can use maps, sat-navs or even ask the locals! Handy Hint: Map readers tend to succeed over tech-users because some countryside back routes thwart the sat-navs.

The Beaujolais Run is a popular event in the amateur motor sport year, and anything goes - vintage cars family saloons, motorcycles and even supercars.

Dress code is fancy dress! There is a new theme every year and locals have learned to be quite blasé about being stopped and asked for directions by someone dressed as a gorilla, or a WWII German Officer, driving a Morris Minor! The entry fee is £1995 per car which includes the Eurotunnel fees, accommodation, and organised dinners and drinks events along the way. In addition, participants are required to raise a minimum of £1,250 per car for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

If you fancy taking part, take a look at www. beaujolaisrun.com for further information. You need a minimum of two team members, a vehicle, an entry fee, and the intention to raise a lot of money via sponsorship. A sense of humour and a love of scavenger hunts, cryptic clues and / or escape rooms is advantageous.

The French say, ‘La vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin’, which translates as Life is too short to drink poor wine, however it would appear that Brits will happily drive very long distances for it!

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Special Report

A Tiny Musical Renaissance There’s so much to love about the ukulele In September while staying with friends in the countryside, I attended a late summer fete. It was a low budget cliche involving hay bale seats, a hog roast, young performers from the local school and a smattering of stalls selling jams and random craft items. It amused my friends to drag a cynical Londoner to an event which included the ‘Most Creative Vegetable Sculpture’ award.

They insisted I stayed to listen to the village ukulele ‘orchestra’, which comprised an enthusiastic group of players who took the stage wearing amusing hats, and wielding kazoos. They chink-a-chinked their way through hits from the sixties to the nineties with an occasional nod to timing and tuning. They were joyous in their performance, and clearly loved every minute of their local celebrity. During their twentyminute set they embodied everything that music should be: accessible, enjoyable, and inclusive. The audience (and I) loved them, to the amusement of my friends.

Back at home I googled ukuleles. There are at least 300 groups in the UK and a number of ukulele festivals, which occur throughout the year. Local events in churches and school halls nearly always play host to a home-grown group of enthusiasts.

The ukulele arrived here from Hawaii over a century ago. Contrary to popular belief it was not born in Hawaii but originated in Europe and was originally known as a branguinha, or machete. It was introduced to Hawaii in 1879 by a Portuguese immigrant named Joao Fernandez. The Hawaiians were so impressed by his fingerboard gymnastics that they called the instrument “ukulele,” (pronounced oo-ko-lay-lay) which translates to “jumping flea.” Fernandez became a local sensation and the popularity of the little instrument spread across the islands.

When it arrived in the UK it was initially considered an exotic instrument but was quickly snubbed by

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By Charlie Broom

both the pop and classical music scenes; even folk groups didn’t want a ukulele! But with the help of the hipsters (who play their ukes ironically) and armies of mainly senior citizens up and down the land (who play them sincerely and with gusto), and schools, where they’ve replaced the previously ubiquitous recorder as training instruments, the little ukulele has become the musical comeback kid.

This can be traced in large part to its accessibility, affordability, and YouTube popularity. While festivals offer live workshops on fingerpicking, playing by ear, and even song writing, most people do seem to learn their uke skills from YouTube.

Well, dear reader I bought myself a uke and I have discovered the joy of learning an instrument in my fifties. There are no uke police, so unlike the music lessons of my early years, there are no disapproving teachers dripping sarcasm and heaving sighs. I am responsible for my own progress and even though I have not yet plucked up the courage to join my local uke orchestra, thanks to Professor YouTube I can bash out a few chords and simple tunes.

And that’s the joy of the ukulele. Unlike the piano it doesn’t demand virtuosity, and unlike the violin there’s no painful induction period, even absolute beginners can make a pretty sound. This cheerful unintimidating little instrument is enjoying a welldeserved renaissance, so why not join the fun?

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Finance

Your Right to a Refund When you buy something and you want your money back, it’s key to know your rights. Your legal position depends not just on how you bought a product and what, if anything, is wrong with it. It also depends on how you paid for it.

Faulty, false or fake You have the legal right to a refund in three cases: the item is faulty, the item isn’t as described, or the item doesn’t do something the seller said it would. In each case you have the right to a full refund and you don’t have to accept a credit note or voucher.

There’s no time limit as such for exercising the legal refund right. However, the more time passes, the less scope you have for getting a refund when something breaks. It becomes a question of whether you should reasonably have expected it to last as long.

Changed your mind?

For goods that don’t meet first three rules return rights are dependent on the seller’s policy. They may offer a refund or a credit note, and they may impose a time limit.

If you bought something online, by mail or over the phone, you have an extra ‘distance selling’ right. With such purchases you have the right to change your mind and cancel your purchase without a reason, even if the products are not faulty.

This right has three time limits. You have 14 days after receiving the goods to tell the seller you want the refund. You then have 14 days to return the goods,

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at your own expense. The seller than has 14 days to refund you.

Card cover If you use a card, the card provider may also be liable. For example, the ‘Section 75’ rule applies if you make a purchase between £100 and £30,000 and use a credit card to pay any or all of the cost. The rule applies even if you pay just £1 on the credit card and the balance by cash or debit card.

Section 75 simply means your card provider has the same legal responsibility as the seller. This can mean issuing refunds for faulty goods, but also making things right if the seller doesn’t deliver the goods at all.

Chargeback If you used a debit card or the purchase cost was less than £100, you can use an alternative claiming method called chargeback. This involves your card provider claiming the money back from the seller’s bank.

Chargeback isn’t a legal right but rather a scheme operated by most major card providers. The rules are a bit tighter than Section 75. You’ve normally got 120 days after discovering a problem to make a claim.

Another big difference is that you must have tried and failed to get a refund from the seller before you can make a chargeback claim. Unlike with Section 75, you can only get back the money you actually spent on the card, not necessarily the entire purchase price.

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Interiors

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By Katherine Sorrell

Adorn your Walls Transform bland and boring into bold and beautiful with gorgeous wallpaper While painted walls are undoubtedly quick, cheap and easy to achieve, there are times when only something more elaborate will properly enhance your home’s interior scheme. Wallpaper is fashionable, fun and creates a fabulously individual effect, whether in a boldly coloured, modern, abstract design or a pretty, chintzy, traditional style.

A World of Choice There is a huge amount of wallpaper choice out there, including not only conventional, machineprinted designs, but also natural woven fibres, light-reflecting metallics and waterproof vinyls.

For something a little out of the ordinary, you could look for hand-finished papers that feature cutwork, stitching or appliqué, interactive papers that you can colour in or add stickers to, traditionally hand-blocked papers (pricey but stunning), threedimensional designs incorporating crystals, beading, sequins or tiny LED lights, digitally printed papers made to your own design and even magnetic wallpapers that work as a noticeboard.

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Choosing Pattern and Style The usual advice is to pick a wallpaper pattern that suits the size of the room. On the other hand, it’s possible to play with scale and create a dramatic effect by using an oversized pattern in a small space.

When choosing a small pattern, try standing back and looking at it from a distance – you may find that it blends into one overall colour.

Textured wallpapers – such as flock or natural fibres – add a lovely, tactile element, while metallic papers are sophisticated and great for reflecting light, but are best used only where the wall beneath is very smooth and flat. For bathrooms and kitchens, choose a moisture-resistant, wipe-clean wallpaper, and avoid using papers directly around the bath, shower or sink – though it may be possible to use wallpaper as a splashback, protected with a wellsealed sheet of acrylic or glass.

If you’re worried about wallpaper becoming overwhelming, just cover one wall (this saves money, too) as a ‘feature wall’ – usually this is the wall that

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most draws the eye in a room, perhaps the one with the fireplace or behind the head of the bed.

Alternatively, you could paper either above or below the dado rail, or into niches or panelled areas, or behind the shelves of a dresser or cupboard.

Something Different Convention has it that you hang the same type of wallpaper vertically all around a room. But who wants to follow convention? Create a feature by using either different colourways of the same pattern or contrasting papers in the same colourway.

Alternatively, you could hang your wallpaper horizontally, or else mix up the designs to create a handcrafted, bohemian effect. A recent trend has been for wallpapered ceilings – drawing the eye upwards and adding another level of drama and interest.

The Practicalities Before papering over new plaster, allow it to dry out thoroughly and then prepare it with either sizing solution or watered-down wallpaper paste. Decorate the ceiling and all the woodwork first. To disguise lumpy walls, first hang lining paper horizontally (this is known as cross-lining). When calculating how much wallpaper to buy, remember to allow for pattern repeats and wastage (most online retailers have a helpful calculator, or ask your retailer for advice). It’s important to buy enough to complete your project, as different batches may have very slight variations in colour (check the batch numbers are the same on all the rolls). It’s best to use the paste recommended by the manufacturer.

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2 Standard decorative wallpapers are ideal for areas that don’t suffer from moisture or severe wear and tear.

Vinyls are durable and easy to apply (they often come pre-pasted). All-purpose, but especially suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. Some are textured.

Washable wallpapers have a transparent coating, which means they can be wiped down.

Embossed wallpapers feature a raised, textured pattern and are meant to be painted. Blown vinyls are similar.

Flock wallpapers feature stencil-like designs with a velvety texture.

Woodchip wallpaper contains tiny chips of wood and is usually painted.

Foils are metallic wallcoverings that can vary from a gentle sheen to almost mirror-like.

Natural wallcoverings include materials such as woven grass, silk, wood veneer, hessian and cork, backed with paper. They are often delicate and hard to clean.

1 Wallpaper can highlight strong features, such as a double-height space. Tulip wallpaper in Blue Black, £78 per roll, Little Greene: 020 7935 8844; littlegreene.com.

2 This digitally printed wallpaper adds sophisticated colour and pattern to a glamorous cloakroom. Rainbow Ginkgo Blue wallpaper, £130 per roll, Tatie Lou: tatielou.co.uk.

3 This kitsch design is bold and elegant, with a twist of retro ’70s that’s perfect for a granny-chic bedroom.

Pondering Peonies wallpaper in Duck Egg, £99 per roll, Woodchip & Magnolia x Fearne Cotton: 01254 241 100; woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk.

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Gardening

Fireworks in the Borders

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

Seize the opportunity for planting As winter begins to wrap its chilly fingers around the garden, it’s hardly surprising that many people turn inwards and gardening activities gradually slow down or even cease. But there’s plenty of opportunity to create a visual feast that will carry you through the colder months of the year. The garden can be enjoyed from both indoors and out, and November is the perfect planting time while there is still warmth in the soil. What’s more, bare-rooted plants are often available at this time of year, making them much easier to transport – and less expensive too.

Consider planting shrubs that will give you colourful berries, trees for fiery autumn foliage, those that provide winter stem colour and structural plants that will make your garden look appealing throughout every season. Aim to have a few plants that give you something beautiful every month, so that your garden is set alight during dull days.

Be sure to invite birds into your garden too. They will love most autumn and winter berries and will also appreciate supplementary food from bird feeders. In return they’ll provide a continually changing picture to brighten up the season.

Five shrubs to provide fireworks for the season Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ looks fairly inconspicuous for most of the year, but then comes its awe-inspiring bead-like berries that are violetpurple in colour. They stay on the shrub after the leaves have dropped, when the display of pom-pom berries is as vibrant as any firework in the sky. It’s easy

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to see why this plant is known as the beautyberry.

The spindle tree, Euonymus europaeus, is a great little shrub at any time of year. But autumn is when it excels. Choose the variety E. ‘Red Cascade’ for maximum impact. The autumn leaf colour is wonderful, then the generous display of fruits needs to be seen in order to be believed. Each one is a vibrant red but when it splits open it reveals delightfully clashing colours from bright orange seeds.

Viburnum opulus, the guelder rose, is a shrub that provides interest during three seasons. There are clusters of creamy white flowers in spring, then it is smothered in hanging bunches of luscious red berries in autumn that are loved by birds. The rich red autumn foliage colour is also a sight to behold.

We are spoilt for choice when it comes to autumn leaf colour. Acers are well known for their incredible display of red, yellow and orange leaves. But it’s Amelanchier that wins the autumn show. Also known as snowy mespilus, this small tree sets the borders alight with scarlet, orange and crimson leaves.

Shrubs really do steal the show at this time of year, but not only because of their leaves and berries.

Cornus, or dogwood, has vibrant stem colour once the leaves have dropped. There are varieties with lime-green stems, some with flaming orange and red stems and others with dark purple tones. Plant en masse for maximum effect and cut the stems down each year in late winter, so that next year’s show is equally as vibrant.

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

Protect and Survive No…not the 1970s public information campaign exhorting us to hide under a table in case of nuclear attack. This is far more useful. It’s my public information campaign about protecting tender perennials and taking cuttings to over winter so your plants survive and even multiply. First the protection: to protect tender perennials such as Salvias and Pelargoniums, lift them and bring them into a greenhouse. If you have a heater, set it to the frost setting (around 5C). You can use bubble wrap to insulate the greenhouse for additional heat conservation. If you do this the heater will only need to kick in on extremely cold days and nights.

For tender bulbs and tubers such as dahlias, wait until the foliage has been blackened by the frost, then lift them and place in a box of sand in a dry, dark, frost-free location.

Plants like Agapanthus, which are generally happy to be left in the ground with a little protection, are best left undisturbed. Cover the top with a generous quantity of well-rotted compost or bark mulch. This can be removed from around the crown of the plant in spring and will help retain moisture throughout the spring growing season.

November is the start of the bare root planting season. Plant roses, hedging and trees, and it’s also

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a good time to move any of these plants which you think are in the wrong area of the garden. They are more likely to survive this treatment if moved at this time of year.

So, what else can we do in November?

• Ideally your spring bulbs should already be planted but if you haven’t done it yet, just put some in this month. November is actually the perfect month to plant tulip bulbs are because the less time they are in the ground the less likelihood of them developing a virus called tulip fire blight.

• Plant garlic cloves if you have an area with free draining soil.

• Dig over the vegetable plot, leaving clods to break down over winter • Rake the fallen leaves regularly from lawn areas because if you leave them they deprive the lawn of light.

• Bring in garden tools for the winter. Clean, sharpen, and oil them first.

• Keep removing weeds. It is easier to see them once garden plants have died back. November is a great time to get rid of persistent perennial weeds.

Happy Gardening 47

Short Story

The Pied Piper

By Jackie Brewster

“Do me a favour,” Aunty June squeezed Claire’s hand after giving her a hug, “when your Uncle Derek comes back from the bar, don’t say a word about his jacket.”

“Why?” Claire took off her coat and settled down next to her. “What about his jacket?”

“You’ll know when you see it.” June lowered her voice. “It really is the most hideous garment you’ll ever lay eyes on.”

Claire laughed. Uncle Derek was known by everyone as a keen ornithologist and not for his fashion choices. He was rarely seen sporting anything other than his anorak and binoculars.

“Thanks for warning me,” Claire said. “Has he bought himself a new camouflage jacket?”

“Quite the opposite.” June pulled a face. “It’s sort of a blouson-style bomber jacket and a patchwork of different coloured leather, like it’s been made from all the remnants at the bottom of the barrel. I call it Derek’s coat of many colours – though not to his face, mind you.”

“Where did he get that from?” Claire pulled a face, unable to imagine her uncle in such a thing.

“That’s why you’re not to mention it, he’ll just go on about how he haggled a poor chap down on a stall at the Sunday market,” she said. “He thinks it’s the bargain of the century, but I’m sure the bloke would have happily given it away just to see the back of it.”

“And speaking of the back of it,” June continued, “that’s where the horrors really lie.”

“What do you mean?” Claire was intrigued.

“On the back, in diamante studs,” June checked over her shoulder to make sure Derek was not returning, “it says ‘Sparkle’, only some of the studs have fallen off so it actually says ‘Spurkie’. All his

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mates at the rambling club have started calling him Spurkie.” June shook her head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “And he has no idea why.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me?” Claire giggled.

“I wish I was. I tried to give it to the charity shop, but they wouldn’t take it,” June whispered. “Rolled their eyes and said they didn’t have space on their ladieswear rack for it.”

“Ladieswear?” Claire snorted. “Have you told Derek this?”

“Course not!” June gasped. “Can you imagine the sulking? My life wouldn’t be worth living.”

“Why is he so fond of it?” Claire couldn’t understand Uncle Derek’s sudden interest in garish fashion. Everyone knew he was only interested in the great outdoors, never the catwalks of Milan.

June dropped her voice even lower. “What if I told you he said it was to attract the birds?”

“Oh June, I had no idea!” Claire’s mouth fell open.

“You and Derek have always seemed so happy together.”

“Don’t be daft, it’s Derek we’re talking about!” June snorted. “Not women! I’m talking the feathered variety – magpies, jackdaws, jays.”

“They are his favourite birds.” Claire nodded, still unable to make sense of it.

“He says it attracts them, you know with all the diamante.” June grimaced. “They follow him about.

He’s like the pied piper of crows. Quick, here he comes now…” She gave Claire her hardest stare.

“Not a word.”

Claire looked up as Uncle Derek, gaily adorned in his jacket, approached the table with a tray of drinks, and wondered how she was ever going to talk about anything else.

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Pets

Feeding Garden Birds During the Autumn

It is that beautiful time of year again, when everything in nature looks stunning. The leaves have turned shades of orange and brown and some of our birds start migrating south to warmer climates. For the birds that do stick around, it is important to feed them the correct foods to get them ready for the colder months ahead. For the birds that are migrating, such as the fieldfare and redwing, they will need to stock up on plenty of energy for their trip.

Why should you feed birds in the autumn?

It isn’t just during the cold winter months that we need to be thinking about the birds in our gardens.

For many birds Autumn is a time when getting enough to eat is very important. Migrating birds need a lot of calories to fly the thousands of miles that they do.

There may be birds that pass by your area that are migrating and need a high energy food source to help them gather more calories during their trip. Some birds may even return to your garden in the Spring as they will see it as a reliable food source. You never know, you may even end up attracting new species into your garden by replenishing food stocks.

What should we be feeding our feathery friends?

• Provide appropriate seeds and grains (like Nyjer, millet, oats, and sunflower seeds).

• Only feed peanuts if they’re unsalted, fresh and

sold for human consumption or by a reputable feed shop.

• Why not try cooked pasta or rice, boiled potatoes, cheese, uncooked and unsalted bacon rind, raisins and sultanas.

• Net-free fat or suet balls attract a wide range of species and provide a great boost of calories.

• Apples, pears and soft fruits are popular and are a great autumn food.

• Insects such as mealworms or waxworms.

It is best to place feeders up high, above the height at which a cat can reach. Avoid leaving food on the ground, as any small mammals and birds eating it will become vulnerable to cats. Keep water bowls full of clean water. Check them regularly especially during frosty or snowy periods.

Once you start putting food out for the birds, try to keep it up. Try to keep regularly topping up the feeders. The birds you are feeding will get used to visiting your garden and may struggle to find alternative sources of food should you suddenly stop.

Scrub your feeders regularly in hot soapy water and give them a good rinse. Clear away any accumulations of droppings or spilled seeds. Keep feeders free of wet or mouldy foods.

Have you entered our exciting Autumn raffle?

With every £1 ticket you buy, you are increasing your chances of winning a whopping £10,000 AND you are also helping us to cancel out cruelty.

Visit our website for more details, and to enter.

If you need to contact our Branch (North Bedfordshire) for any reason we can be reached by the details below, or for an animal welfare issue or emergency, contact; 0300 1234 999.

Lines are open 7 days a week 24/7.

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

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Pets

Rehoming Appeal Java

This handsome boy is Java. He is 12 years old and has a lovely gentle nature. He can be nervous with people he doesn’t know and new situations but once he gets to know people, he is a friendly boy who is quite “talkative”, likes to be fussed and to play with his toys.

Unfortunately, his previous owner is unable to care for him due to ill health and has asked RATS to find him a quiet, loving home.

Java would be most suited to an adult only home or one with older children and no other pets.

He is neutered and microchipped and his vaccinations are up to date.

Could you give Java the special home he deserves? He may be an older boy but he has a lot to give and will make a wonderful companion.

If you would like to find out more about him, please contact, please contact Liz on 01767 681157. Alternatively email Philippa at info. rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry on to the team.

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

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

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53

Home Products

Traditional crafts brought right up to date

By Katherine Sorrell Team pretty florals with chunky knits, a woven rug and soft colours. Chunky knit throw in cream, £15; Meadow Ditsy duvet set, from £22; Clio jute cotton rug, £119; all Dunelm.

For cosy appeal that’s right on trend, introduce the intriguing textures of knitting, weaving and crochet to your home.

Made with love by Rachel Castle for Castle & Things, this colourful cushion includes a plump European feather insert. Castle Darling knit cushion, £65, Antipodream.

Add a little pattern and texture while maintaining a pared-back, Scandinavianinspired aesthetic. Liv knitted cushion, £50, Cox & Cox.

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Knit One, Love One!

Knitted from a super-soft 100% cotton, this cushion will add striking colour and bold pattern.

Mustard-yellow geometric cotton knitted cushion cover, £10.99, Homescapes Online.

Pick a colour to go with more or less any sofa, armchair or bed.

Easy Knit throw range in pink, teal, grey, yellow, sage and blue, £135 each, Loaf.

Adorn your wall with a unique piece of handmade, contemporary crochet art.

Navy ‘Maggie’, £115, Pineapple Fibre Art.

Add some snuggle with an updated classic in the form of this statement cushion. Sophie Allport Highland Stag knitted cushion, £54, Sophie Allport.

Woven from vegetable fibres, these rugs add a boho-natural feel to any room. Large round jute mat, £79.50, oval jute mat, £34, both Oliver Bonas.

What home could be without a hanging plant pot? Make yours a unique, made-to-order crochet version in recycled cotton. Crochet plant hanger, £18, Wearth London.

STOCKISTS Cox & Cox: 0330 333 2123; coxandcox.co.uk Homescapes Online: 0121 368 0051; homescapesonline.com Oliver Bonas: 020 8059 2414; oliverbonas.com Sophie Allport: 01778 560 256; sophieallport.com

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• Colours and patterns are often the first things you notice when you walk into a room, but textures are equally significant, adding visual interest and tactile appeal, even in a monochrome scheme.

Introducing elements of weaving, crochet and knitting will provide gorgeous, nubbly textures that are especially welcoming in the cooler months.

• Knitted and crocheted accessories bring a welcome sense of softness, warmth and comfort, vital for that feeling of hygge in midwinter – in other words, a feeling of cosiness and contentment in an inviting atmosphere.

• In bathrooms, kitchens and other rooms that feature lots of smooth, shiny surfaces, woven accessories such as rugs, baskets, plant pots and wall hangings add character and help alleviate the flat, sterile feeling.

• From Fair Isle to moss stitch, accent rugs to chunky throws, textures can be mixed and contrasted for an overall feel that is layered, vibrant and embracing.

Antipodream: 07391 514 622; antipodream.co.uk Dunelm: 0845 165 6565; dunelm.com Loaf: 020 3141 8300; loaf.com Pineapple Fibre Art: pineapplefibreart.com Wearth London: wearthlondon.com

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Ovens, Hobs, Grills, Extractors, Agas, Microwaves and Gas Barbeques.

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Technology

The best tech to keep you warm this winter From toasty toes to remote-controlled radiators We love winter, but sometimes it gets so cold that the central heating just isn’t enough. Not to worry: there’s tons of tech designed to keep you toasty.

There are lots of heaters for your home in a range of prices. If money is no object, Dyson’s Purifier Hot+Cool uses Dyson’s bladeless fan technology to deliver winter warmth or summer cool without the buffering or noise of traditional fan heaters.

Now might be a good time to invest in a smart heating system. Systems such as British Gas’s Hive enable you to make your thermostat smart, so you can control it from your phone, tablet, smartwatch or smart speaker. You can get it to turn on automatically when you’re coming home and off when you’re going out, so you’re not paying to heat an empty home. You can also get smart radiator valves that only heat the room(s) you’re currently using.

Many free-standing heaters and radiators have built-in timers, but you can also add a smart timer to existing plug-in heaters by fitting a £10 smart plug.

If you have frosty feet an electric foot warmer could be a brilliant buy. We like the ones that look like a single oversized slipper – although they’re not ideal when you have to get up and answer the door.

Technology has the answer when we venture outside too. In addition to smart fabrics that retain body heat, which you’ll find in products such as Columbia Sportswear’s Omni-Heat jackets and fleeces, you can even take an electric blanket under your coat: lots of different firms make heated body warmers, which look like normal body warmers but include heating elements and batteries that recharge just like phones. Expect around ten hours of warmth at the lowest setting and three on high. To just warm up your hands, you can get a rechargeable hand warmer, or there’s a rechargeable heated scarf for less than £10 – and if your car doesn’t have heated seats, you can add a heated cushion for less than £40.

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Keep cool in summer, warm in winter and breathe nicer air all year round with this typically clever Dyson appliance. £549, Dyson.com

Hive Smart Thermostat Make any heating system into a smart heating system with the Hive Smart Thermostat. You can control it with your phone, tablet, smart watch or smart speaker. £249 including installation, Hive.com

Conqueco Heated Vest There are many heated vests on sites such as Amazon and this is one of the more expensive models, but it has hundreds of positive reviews. £102, Amazon.co.uk

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Columbia Omni-Heat Jacket There’s a whole range of Omni-Heat products from this famous sportswear brand, including fleeces, lightweight coats and heavy jackets. From around £200, Columbia.com

Zippo Heat Bank 9s Hand Warmer Zippo are famous for their lighters, but there’s a whole range of hand warmers too.

The 9s is the latest model, and it not only heats your hands but charges your gadgets too. £44, zippo.co.uk

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

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

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What's On

WHAT'S ON IN NOVEMBER 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 NOVEMBER

Stevenage Choral Society 7.45pm. Stevenage Music Centre, Mobbsbury, Stevenage Meets every Monday during term time. No audition necessary. Try out a wide range of music, from the classics to show songs. Tel: 01438 365769 Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 NOVEMBER

Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-10.30pm. Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Medium-sized social club for single people aged 40 upwards. Meets every Monday night. Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk

4 NOVEMBER

The Arts Society North Herts 11am-12.15pm. Broadway Cinema and Theatre, Eastcheap, Letchworth ‘Romance and ruins’ by Sue Rollin.

Visitors welcome. Lift access.

Web: theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk

4, 11, 18 & 25 NOVEMBER

Baby Rhyme Time 10.15-10.45am. Hitchin Library Fun, half hour sessions of songs and rhymes, perfect for helping your child to learn language skills.

Booking essential.

Web: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

5 NOVEMBER

Bedfordshire Family History Society 7pm on Zoom.

Members free, Visitors £1 ‘The History of Ickwell Bury including The Harvey Family 1680–1924’ with Felicity Brimblecombe.

Web: www.bfhs.org.uk

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5 NOVEMBER

Coull String Quartet 8pm. Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Tickets £20, free entry for under 27s, pre-concert dining £25, livestream tickets £10, free virtual tickets for under 27s Enjoy an evening with the Coull String Quartet which was formed in 1974 by students at the Royal Academy of Music and still includes two founder members.

Web: https://benslowmusic.org

5, 12, 19 & 26 NOVEMBER

Baby Rhyme Time 10.15-10.45am and 11.30am-12 noon Stevenage Library Fun, half hour sessions of songs and rhymes, perfect for helping your child to learn language skills.

Booking essential.

Web: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

5, 12, 19 & 26 NOVEMBER

Bridge Club 1.30-4.30pm. Springfield House, Old Stevenage Community Centre Play social cut-in Chicago Bridge.

Play is informal and friendly.

Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517

6 NOVEMBER

Pirton Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm. Pirton Village Hall Adults £1, under 16s free if accompanied by an adult A variety of stalls selling high quality handmade crafts. Light refreshments.

Masks advised. One-way system in operation.

Email: pirtoncraft2021@gmail.com

6 NOVEMBER

Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society 2pm. Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade ‘Plant hunting in Vietnam’ with Andrew Luke who is the head gardener at Wrest Park. Visitors welcome – small charge.

Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk

12 NOVEMBER

Unicorn Ceilidh Doors open 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Baldock With Bosun Higgs, caller Ian Nichols and Rockhopper Morris in the interval spot. Ceilidh dances are great fun, easy to learn - and addictive! Book online.

Tel: Alan Creamer 07946 439095 or 01582 724261 Web: www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk

12 NOVEMBER

The Magic of Motown 7.30pm. Tickets £30 Celebrating 60 magical years of Motown, immerse yourself in the sound of a generation as The Magic of Motown returns to the stage!

Web: www.gordon-craig.co.uk

19 NOVEMBER

Celebration of Local Authors 7.30-9.30pm.

220 Nevells Road, Letchworth.

Free entry.

Celebrating local authors across a variety of genres. Donations to The Settlement welcome.

Tel: 01462 682828 Web: www.letchworthsettlement. org.uk

20 NOVEMBER

Men in Mind 2-5pm 27 Sun Street, Hitchin Informal coffee afternoon to promote men’s mental health awareness.

21 NOVEMBER

Charity Quiz 8pm The Five Bells in Henlow Village £2.50 per person In aid of Asthma UK, in memory of Carl Couzens. Teams of up to 6. Prizes for first and second plus some ‘spot prizes’. Raffle.

Tel: John Burlison 07511 631045 info/ to book Email: j.burlison@outlook.com

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What's On

WHAT'S ON IN NOVEMBER 26-28 NOVEMBER

Knebworth Christmas Fair 10am-4pm Knebworth House Packed with Christmas gifts, presents for everyone and delicious festive food and drink to buy, this really is a festive event for everyone.

Web: www.knebworthchristmasfair. co.uk

27 NOVEMBER

Weston Music Society Concert 7.30pm. Holy Trinity Church Weston Tickets £20, 25 years and under £5 Rachel Podger – violin. Kristian Bezuidenhout – Fortepiano. Two of Europe’s greatest Baroque musicians will perform music by JS Bach and CPE Bach. Tel: 01462 790214 Web: www.westonmusicsociety.org. uk/

26 NOVEMBER-23 JANUARY

Aladdin Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage It’s a magic carpet ride worth waiting for! Widow Twankey wants a husband, evil Abanazaar wants the lamp, Aladdin wants adventure and Wishee Washee wants some Spiderman Pants!

- can the Genie grant their wishes?

Web: www.gordon-craig.co.uk

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28 NOVEMBER

Afternoon Tea 4pm Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Indulge in one of the finest British traditions at Benslow Music complemented with live music.

Tel: 01462 45944 Web: https://benslowmusic.org Letchworth Arts & Leisure Group Annual membership £10 per household Many groups and activities including wine appreciation, film, gardening, theatre, art design, books, discussions, games, sports, outings, walking and much, much more. New groups are starting all the time. Online talks every month. Non-members can try activities before joining.

Web: LALG.org.uk

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Time of Year

If I Only Had a Moustache! It’s Movember!

So sings the character Marcus Thornton in the film A Million Ways to Die in the West. If you haven’t seen the clip on YouTube, watch it and give yourself an ear worm for the whole of Movember! You’re welcome.

The Movember movement started in Australia in 2003.

Travis Garone and Luke Slattery came up with the idea (over a beer of course). It began as a jokey way of trying to bring the moustache back into fashion.

Inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer, they decided to make generate a campaign for men’s health and prostate cancer.

They designed the rules of Movember, which remain unchanged today, and agreed to charge ten dollars to ‘Grow a Mo’. Trav designed the first Movember logo, and they sent out an email, subject: ‘Are you man enough to be my man?’ and found 30 volunteers.

In 2004 they formalised the idea, registered a company and created a website.

They researched men’s health issues and agreed to formally support prostate cancer as their cause. By 2006 the Movember Foundation was established as an official Australian charity. They also started to branch out into supporting male mental health.

The following year Movember started to grow internationally.

There are now official campaigns in 21 countries and together they have raised around 350 million pounds and supported more than 1,000 men’s health programs. They focus on the four key men’s health issues: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health, and physical inactivity.

So, what are the rules.

The first step is simply registering on Movember.com.

1 Start with a clean-shaven, including your upper lip, sideburns, and handlebar zones.

2 For the entire month of Movember, you must grow and groom a moustache 3 Beards, goatees and fake moustaches don’t count 4 Use the power of the moustache to create conversation and raise funds for men’s health 5 Each Mo Bro must conduct himself like a true gentleman

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Health

Tinnitus is a modern epidemic

By Louise Addison

Tinnitus is the name given to the perception of persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whistling sounds in the head or the ears without an external sound source. The word ‘tinnitus’ derives from the Latin for ‘ringing’. It can be intermittent or continuous; low, medium, or high pitched and can be a single noise or many. In can be heard in one or both ears, or may feel like it is in the head. For some people it’s a minor annoyance, but for others it can be debilitating.

It is not a disease or illness; it is a symptom generated within the auditory system which may be due to an underlying condition or may be idiopathic (a medical term which means ‘unknown cause’).

The British Tinnitus Association estimate that 1 in 8 people suffer from the condition. Tinnitus in older people is mostly a function of wear and tear, so as people live longer, the number of people with tinnitus will increase. But the rise in numbers over the past two decades is only partially explained this way. A

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study from Statistics Canada revealed that 80% of adults aged 19 to 29 reported using headphones or earbuds connected to audio devices in the past year, significantly more than adults aged 30 to 49 (53%) or 50 to 79 (28%), and those adults aged 19 to 29 had rates of tinnitus over one third higher than for older adults.

This could further inflate the numbers.

If you suffer with tinnitus there are some strategies for managing the condition.

Correcting any hearing loss can help reduce the symptoms of Tinnitus. Seek a hearing test from an audiologist.

If your tinnitus is preventing you getting to sleep, it may be that the shift from a relatively noisy daytime environment to the quietness of the bedroom makes the tinnitus noises more noticeable. Some people find having some low-level sound can help mask tinnitus.

For more information go to www.tinnitus.org.uk

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Motoring

First Drive: Vauxhall Crossland

Vauxhall has tweaked its popular crossover, but is it for the better? Ted Welford finds out.

What is it? The Crossland X is the most affordable high-riding Vauxhall crossover model, but despite the impressive sales, a poor driving experience and low-quality cabin let the side down. Can this facelift improve it?

What’s new? It’s now just called the Crossland and most notable is the updated design, with the front end getting Vauxhall’s new ‘Vizor’ design that wraps the badge and headlights behind one main panel.

Steering and damping changes aim to improve the way the Crossland drives.

What’s under the bonnet? The engine choice remains the same as before, with an option of naturally-aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines, plus a turbo diesel.

Our test car uses a turbocharged three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 128bhp and 230Nm of torque. Front wheel drive via a six-speed manual gearbox gives a 0-60mph time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 125mph.

This model still offers decent efficiency – Vauxhall claims almost 50mpg, with CO2 emissions of 132g/km.

What’s it like to drive? The driving experience over the previous Crossland X is improved, with a more comfortable ride and more refined driving manners at speed, while around town it has good visibility and light steering. This turbocharged petrol engine delivers decent acceleration.

However, despite some improvements, the Crossland’s steering is lifeless and handling is poor.

How does it look? The appealing Vizor gives a more bold, modern design, and new LED headlights and a silver-effect front bumper give a more rugged look.

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At the rear, the ‘Crossland’ name across the boot and gloss-black panel around the badge and lights gives a more stylish look.

What’s it like inside? Inside, Vauxhall has added extra flair with new trim; however, nothing else has really changed, with the same familiar layout and displays as before. Ultimately it continues to lag behind rivals.

The Crossland is practical - adults can sit comfortably in the rear and the rear seat slides. The boot measures up to 520 litres.

What’s the spec like? All Crosslands have decent equipment levels – entry-level SE models have a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control and 16-inch alloy wheels, while the mid-spec SRi Nav adds a larger eight-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, rear parking sensors and dual-zone climate control, along with styling changes.

There are notable safety omissions, with even autonomous emergency braking being optional across the range.

The Crossland starts from £19,355, or £21,705 for the SRi Nav. However, avoid the lethargic 83bhp engine – our test car being available from £24,040.

Verdict - This Crossland looks better and is improved behind the wheel. A relatively low starting price and plenty of cabin space will appeal, especially to families. But despite these changes, it still doesn’t excel in any real area and remains a middle-of-theroad choice, with far better options out there – the Ford Puma and Skoda Kamiq being two far more accomplished choices.

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Electrician

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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

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1. What was the surname of the Vietnam War veteran who was the main character in 1982 film First Blood?

2. The Last Frontier is the official nickname of which US state?

3. The 2017 Christmas special of Doctor Who saw actor David Bradley play “the First Doctor”. Which other actor originally played this role when the TV show was first broadcast?

4. The Last Night of the Proms normally takes place on the second Saturday in which month?

5. Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters To The First Pets was a children’s book written in 1998 by which famous woman?

First & Last

6. Published in 1956, The Last Battle was the seventh and final novel in a series set in which fictional land?

7. The 2018 film First Man starred Ryan Gosling as which real life person?

8. In which European city would you find Leonardo Da Vinci’s mural painting “The Last Supper”?

9. What was the surname of the Vietnam War veteran who was the main character in 1982 film First Blood?

10. The TV comedy show The Last Leg was originally broadcast during which event of 2012, with each episode looking back at the day’s events from this?

1. Rambo 2. Alaska 3. William Hartnell 4. September 5. Hillary Clinton (referring to the two pets that lived in the White House when she was First Lady) 6. Narnia 7. Malaysia 8. Milan 9. Neil Armstrong 10. The Summer Paralympic Games

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our October Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mrs Carol Peters, Letchworth

October’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

Advertising in The Villager is easy.

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Across 1 Nearest (7) 5 Inexpensive (5) 8 Type of cattle (7) 9 A slight fever (5) 10 Sweet, thick liquid (5) 11 Flat area of high land (7) 12 Form of dance (6) 14 In good condition (6) 17 Family member (7) 19 Trimmed (5) 22 Enclosed within (5) 23 Non-professional (7) 24 Dizzy (5) 25 Painters (7)

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

16th November 2021 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.

Down 1 3D squares (5) 2 To give or volunteer (5) 3 Prototype (7) 4 Soldiers (6) 5 Bedtime drink (5) 6 Obvious (7) 7 Contaminate (7) 12 Imploring (7) 13 Highly intelligent (7) 15 Graceful (7) 16 Type of fruit (6) 18 Unclean (5) 20 Conjecture (5) 21 Risks (5)

Name:

Address:

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

Tel:

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75

Books

Historical Fiction Orphan Train Christina Baker Kline

Foster child Molly steals a book from the local library. As retribution, she’s told to help an elderly lady clean out her loft.

While they sort through her childhood belongings, Vivian reveals the stories behind them.

As one of 250,000 destitute children sent from New York to rural states, Vivian was at the mercy of strangers, some of whom would see her as little more than free labour. A hauntingly evocative novel about a little-known practice, Orphan Train is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter’s night.

Eleanor seems to have it all, including a devoted, successful husband – Edward – and a delightful four-year-old daughter – Mabel. But when Mabel starts having seizures, life takes a drastic turn. For Edward is a passionate advocate of the eugenics movement and is pushing for the forced sterilisation of those the movement sees as defective – people like Mabel. How far will the family go to keep their secrets hidden?

The author of Wonder is back.

This time, the book is set in 1860s America. When Silas’s father is abducted by outlaws, Silas sets out to find him.

He’s accompanied by a pony belonging to one of the outlaws and his friend Mittenwool, who’s a ghost. Twists and turns abound. Part adventure, part Wild West coming of age, Pony has been marketed as a children’s book, but will no doubt be enjoyed by a wide range of readers.

A Net for Small Fishes Lucy Jago

This multi-layered story starts in 1950s Afghanistan when a beloved sister, Pari, is sold into a ‘better life’. Over the years, numerous characters reveal their tales, from the girl’s brother, Abdullah, and their stepmother to a seemingly unconnected expat. While Pari forgets her past, she cannot escape the feeling that something is missing. And The Mountains Echoed reads like a series of connected short stories, all of which are beautifully written, tender and rich in detail.

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Marie-Laure huddles in a Saint-Malo house as WWII bombs rain down around her.

Blind, alone, with just a small stone to protect her. A few streets away, a German boy – Werner – works alongside his comrades as they make a last stand against the Americans.

The lyrical writing of All The Light We Cannot See makes you want to savour every page. The characters make you want to race from one page to the next. Stunning.

Pony R. J. Palacio

Hidden Child Louise Fein

And the Mountains Echoed Khalid Hosseini

All The Light We Cannot See Anthony Doerr

Set in the early 1600s, A Net for Small Fishes is based on the true story of Frances Howard and Anne Turner. Here, Frances has wealth and beauty, but is married to an abusive husband and is deeply unhappy. Anne has talent and charm, but little power. The pair form an unlikely friendship. But their attempt to break away from conventions and seek some small happiness could lead to their downfall.

By Kate Duggan

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James Cullip

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

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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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