Henlow October 2018

VILLAGER The

Issue 119 - October 2018

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Win two tickets to

The Festive Gift Fair

Seven Steps to the

Perfect Pumpkin Lantern Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in

Langford, Henlow, Shefford, Stanford, Hinxworth, Caldecote, Radwell, Fairfield Park, Shillington, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Gravenhurst, ur Holwell, Meppershall, Baldock, Stotfold, Arlesey & Letchworth Yo EE To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

FRco1py

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Inside this issue...

Expansion of The Car Agents is good news for Hitchin

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The Car Agents Hitchin..................................................................... 40 Beautiful Bulbs................................................................................ 43 Lawn Love........................................................................................ 44 Children’s Page................................................................................. 49 Teaching your dog to come back when called.................................. 52 The most rugged cars you can buy................................................... 55 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe........................................................... 57 Puzzle Page...................................................................................... 60 What’s On......................................................................................... 64 Seven Steps to the Perfect Pumpkin Lantern.................................... 69

The History of Specs........................................................................... 4

No Man’s Sky.................................................................................... 70

The Day of the Dead........................................................................... 8

Prize Crossword................................................................................ 74

Wines: Gems of Switzerland............................................................. 10

Book Review.................................................................................... 77

Win Two Tickets to the Festive Gift Fair............................................. 12 Canada - Adventure on Athabasca................................................... 14 Becoming a Foster Carer................................................................... 16 Barmy about the British Bulldog...................................................... 19 Tips on how to wear neutrals with style........................................... 22 Reading Charity issues Back to School Volunteer Appeal.................. 25 Beauty Bargains............................................................................... 26 Parcels, Peculiarities and the Postal Service..................................... 32

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R-E-S-P-E-C-T Is it too much to ask?................................................. 34

The History of Specs

Saving Options for your Children...................................................... 36

Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £35.00 +VAT per month

Editorial - Catherine Rose, Tracey Anderson, Trevor Langley, Solange Hando, Kate Duggan, Jennie Billings, Kate McLelland, Ann Haldon, Pippa Greenwood, Rachael Leverton, James Baggott, Nick Coffer and Sarah Davey

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

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

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

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History

The History of Specs Said to be man’s fifth most important invention, many of us see our spectacles as an indispensable dispensable. And with the array of modern designs available now, they are usually a fashion statement too. It’s a far cry from the 1930s when they were described as ‘medical appliances’.

Wearing glasses has often been associated with stigma and it wasn’t really until the 1960s and 70s – when figures in the public eye such as John Lennon, Michael Cane and Elton John turned their glasses into a signature style – that they began to be seen as potentially desirable accessories. But where did the idea of wearing lenses over your eyes to help correct your sight even begin?

Lenses have been around for a long time. The properties of optical lenses were known as far back as the ancient Greeks. The Vikings would grind

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lenses out of rock crystal, and in the 12th century in Europe, smooth-bottomed spherical magnifying lenses were called ‘reading stones’.

It is generally accepted that the first actual spectacles were made in northern Italy in the late 13th century and that they were in accepted use by the 1350s, with Italy exporting large numbers of eye glasses to the Middle and Far East. The lenses were manufactured by highly skilled ‘cristalleri’ at the famous Venetian island’s Murano glassworks, to exacting criteria.

One of the earliest (if not the earliest) artworks showing people wearing spectacles and using lenses is a series of frescoes by the Italian artist Tommaso da Modena, completed in 1352 at the Basilica san Nicolo in Treviso. They show Cardinal

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Hugh, or Hugo, of Provence wearing a pair to read with, and Cardinal Nicholas of Rouen attempting to decipher a text using a monocular lens on a handle. It is no coincidence that the order from which these cardinals came, the Dominicans, were known as the ‘carriers of the sciences’.

During this time, spectacles would not have had arms or earpieces but would have been made up of two magnifying lenses attached to a metal fame or holder that could be riveted to grip the nose (also known as pince nez or rivet spectacles). The spectacles would have acted like reading glasses, with convex lenses to correct long-sightedness only (hyperopia and age-related presbyopia).

In 1604, the well-known scientist and astronomer Johannes Kepler explained how convex and concave lenses could correct both long and shortsightedness (myopia) and, in 1629, The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers was formed in England. Their slogan was ‘a blessing to the aged’.

Although rigid rod side arms for spectacles were dreamt up as early as the beginning of the 1700s (possibly by the London optician Edward Scarlett), the innovation didn’t catch on initially, with people favouring the use of lorgnettes and scissor glasses until the late 18th century, even after optician James Ayscough improved on them by adding folding hinges.

It is polymath and US founding father Benjamin Franklin who is often credited with having invented bifocals (the forerunner to today’s varifocals) to correct both short and longsightedness in the same pair of spectacles. They were invented at some point during the mid to late 1700s and this belief is based on a letter Franklin wrote to his friend George Whatley, where he states that he is ‘happy in the invention

of double spectacles, which serving for distant objects as well as near ones, make my eyes are useful to me as ever they were.’ Although Franklin does not actually say he invented them himself, his reputation as a scientist and inventor meant that many took it to mean he did. But another theory is that he bought them on a visit to England and the true inventor remains anonymous. The debate will probably never be completely settled.

The first glasses for correcting astigmatism (where the eye is rugby ball shaped causing a blurred ‘double’ image) were invented in 1825 by a British astronomer named George Airy. By 1850, modern ‘temple’ glasses (with arms and a ‘temple’ that fits over the ears) were in use, and frame designs continued to evolve for comfort and practicality.

In the early 19th century, under the direction of optical scientist Moritz von Rohr, the lens manufacturer Zeiss came to dominate the spectacle lens field with their spherical point-focus lens known as Punktal®, and for the first time the wearer could see clearly through the whole of the lens, not just the centre of it. Zeiss was also able to move away from the limitations of what had previously been the only lens available – the round optical lens – to create spectacles in more ergonomic shapes that better fitted the wearer.

The 20th century saw a huge surge forward in spectacle technology with the introduction of polarisation, plastic frames, lightweight and photochromic lenses, specialist eyewear and, of course, contact lenses. The 1950s brought us the NHS and its now legendary NHS specs to the masses. Their iconic range of frames, typically either round wire ones or solid black plastic, is now seen as the ultimate retro chic.

By Catherine Rose

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Time of Year

The Day of the Dead Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is not a Mexican version of Halloween. The two annual events differ in traditions and tone. While Halloween is a dark night of terror and mischief, the Day of the Dead festivities honour deceased family members.

Revellers don amazing makeup and costumes, hold parades and parties, sing and dance, and make offerings to lost loved ones. It actually takes place over two days: November 1st and 2nd - All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Day of the Dead originated several thousand years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people.

These pre-Hispanic cultures considered death to be one part of life’s long continuum. The dead were still members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit, and during Día de los Muertos they temporarily returned to Earth. Over the years these traditions blended with Christian traditions.

At the centre of the celebration is an altar, or ‘ofrenda’, built in homes and cemeteries. These are designed to welcome spirits back to the realm of the living. They are loaded with offerings: water to quench thirst after the long journey, food, family photos, and a candle for each dead relative. The altars are decorated with marigolds which are scattered in a pathway to the grave-site, to guide wandering souls back to their place of rest. The smoke from copal incense, made from tree resin, transmits praise and prayers and purifies the whole area.

In the 18th Century the term Calavera (which means ‘skull’) was used to describe short, humorous poems, often sarcastic tombstone epitaphs that poked fun at the living. In the early 20th century, Mexican political cartoonist and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada illustrated a calavera by drawing ‘Death’

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By Tracey Anderson

dressed in fancy French clothes. It was a social commentary about the way Mexican society copied so-called European sophistication. He captioned it, “Todos somos calaveras,” which translates as, “We are all skeletons.” He meant that underneath all our manmade finery, we are all the same. His stylised personification of Death was appropriated by the artist Diego Rivera in 1947, in his most famous piece of artwork - Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Almeda Park. He painted Death wearing a large feminine hat, and named her Catrina, slang for ‘the rich’. She was adopted as a symbol of the day of the Dead and today this elegant skull is seen everywhere during the festival, especially in the beautiful make-up and costumes worn by revellers. People of all ages have their faces artfully painted to resemble skulls, and wear fancy suits and dresses.

Foods eaten included pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, which is a typical sweet bread containing anise seeds, and decorated with bones and skulls made from dough. There are also sugar skulls, in the style of the Catrina Calavera. These are part of a sugar art tradition brought by 17th-century Italian missionaries. They can be incredibly beautiful and complex. To drink there is often pulque, a sweet fermented beverage made from agave sap, the same sap from which tequila is produced.

Thanks to recognition by UNESCO and the global sharing of information, Día de los Muertos is more popular than ever—in Mexico, and increasingly abroad. It’s possible to find Day of the Dead celebrations in America and even in the UK. Last year there was festivals in London, Leeds, Bristol and Bournemouth. Look around your local area and see if anything is happening near you.

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Food and Drink

Wines:

Gems of Switzerland Switzerland’s residents and visitors experience and enjoy an excellent quality of life. The country has magnificent glaciers and southern Switzerland has Mediterranean climate conditions. Many grape varieties, including indigenous, regional and international types, are grown and there is viticultural history of over 2000 years. The wines, from Swiss producers, are now recognised, globally. Valais is the largest wine region of Switzerland.

Multi award-winning Germanier wines have a history dating from 1896, when Urbain Germanier produced the first vintage at Balavaud. During the following years the wines have become renowned amongst the ‘premiers crus’ of the Valais. Jean-René Germanier has a team of specialists at each stage, in the productions of their exceptional wines. From the winegrower, through the winemaker and the cellar master, for example, plus other very talented personnel, they all work tirelessly to produce authentic wines, along with the logistics and administrations, etc. Quality is paramount and shows through with the numerous prestigious awards, received from regional, national and international competitions and events.

White wine productions include Petite Arvine and Heida Clos de la Couta, Vex, which have impressive bouquets. The mouthfeels appreciate the fullness of these wines, with fresh and excellent finishes on the palate. Wonderful with fish and seafood dishes. Red wines include Pinot Noir Balavaud, Vétroz Grand Cru and Cayas, Syrah. Expressive noses prevail and mouthfeels have a good balance, with dark fruit flavours. Perfect to accompany red meats, game and cheeses. Cornalin is powerful, elegant and rich. Popular with many connoisseurs, a superb bouquet leads, enticingly, to the splendid mouthfeel and palate sensation, which is long, with an abundance of dark fruits. Red meats, game dishes and cheeses all benefit from pairings with this wine. For a dessert wine Mitis Amigne de Vétroz Réserve will not disappoint, with its full-bodied mouthfeel and palate. The Amigne varietal is indigenous to the Valais and the wine is aged for 18 months in new oak barrels, to create the character of this exceptional production.

The winery embraces the benefits of the microclimate (warm and dry summers) and tours are arranged on request. UK stockists of Swiss wines include Hedonism and Alpine Wines.

E-mail: info@jrgermanier.ch www.jrgermanier.ch www.swissfinewine.ch

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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TCH XMAS VA 2018_ppl.pdf

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Don’t leave your Christmas party until the last minute!

If you’re planning a meal for 10 or more people, you can choose from our delicious festive menu.

View the full menu online or get in touch to make your booking.

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Market Square Potton, SG19 2NP 01767 260221

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Christmas is just around the corner More to see, try, touch, taste, enjoy and buy at The Festive Gift Fair

15-18th November 2018 NEC, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS WILL SOON BE UPON US…. and the dynamic FESTIVE GIFT FAIR, now in its 23rd fabulous year, continues to be the BEST place to start your Christmas experience and is one of the most popular Christmas Shopping events in the UK (Birmingham NEC 15-18 November 2018) As well as finding GREAT GIFTS for your loved ones, treats for yourself and all your sparkling Christmas essentials, you’re sure to have a fun-packed day!

The Fair will be bursting at the seams with a colourful eclectic mix of unusual stocking fillers and presents, traditional gifts, festive food and great home decorations. With 325+ stalls all under one roof, the variety is huge, with clever gift ideas for all ages and tastes… and lots of Special Show Offers! There’s even a Present Creche to drop off your full bags. The festive atmosphere is always fantastic, and the great live music and Christmas entertainers are sure to get you into that Christmassy mood.

So, take the strain out of Christmas, enjoy a day out at the Festive Gift Fair and get your festive preparations off to a cracking start!

For more information and to book your advance tickets please visit www.festivegiftfair.co.uk

We have 10 pairs of tickets to give away Simply send your name and address by 16th October 2018 to: Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random. If you are not a lucky winner, adult tickets are priced from just £9.00. Book now by calling The Ticket Factory hotline on 0844 581 0808/0809 or online at www.festivegiftfair.co.uk (£1.00 fulfilment fee for E-tickets and £2.50 for postal tickets - per transaction, not per ticket)

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BICKERDIKES

I believe in keeping an open mind Open Morning Saturday 13th October, 10am Telephone: 01234 361918 www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk Bedford Girls’ School is part of The Harpur Trust

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Travel

Canada - Adventure on Athabasca Spreading out from the ‘Columbia’, the largest icefield in the Rockies, Athabasca is among the world’s most accessible glaciers, a popular day trip from Lake Louise, Jasper or even Banff, though this involves a longer drive. Winding along the Continental Divide, past soaring peaks, forests, waterfalls and lakes, the Icefields Parkway leads almost to the very edge, near the meeting point of the Jasper and Banff National Parks.

Up there the Discovery Centre is the first point of call with exhibits on the history and movements of the ice and the area’s natural world. It is the perfect introduction before tackling the day’s adventure but one should be prepared for changing weather and high altitude, with the glacier’s average height around 3,000 metres. There are walking trails for the brave and well-organised treats in season, led by knowledgeable and highly entertaining guides.

First on anyone’s list is the award-winning skywalk, just a five minute bus transfer from the centre.

Built into the rock, carefully integrated into the environment with near-zero footprint, it begins along a vertiginous cliff’s edge then steps out on a semi-circular look out with a glass floor, perched 280 metres above the valley. There you are, suspended between heaven and earth, the Sunwapta river meandering far below, the red craggy rocks almost within arm’s reach, the soaring birds, mighty glaciers and snow-covered peaks rising all around.

Even more exciting is the iconic ride on one of the giant Ice Explorers. The first few minutes include a steep scary descent on a stone track until you reach the edge of the Athabasca, a tongue of ice, six km long and thicker in places than the Eiffel Tower. Glacial vistas, snowy mountains etched into the sky, it’s like the end of the world, even though the Explorer can only venture so far on the crunchy surface. The ice is pure blue in places as this is the only colour it cannot absorb. Then the ‘giant’ stops, giving you ten minutes or so to walk around the safe icy section. No one ventures beyond the danger cones for untouched snow and ice are amazingly thick, dotted with hidden crevasses and water holes where lives have been lost. Sometimes a deep rumble echoes in the thin mountain air and you might spot an avalanche tumbling down the slope just ahead of you. Don’t expect to be alone on the glacier, it is highly popular, but whatever the crowds, you can switch off and commune with the natural world, so mighty and inspiring.

Visitors leaving before dusk are likely to see bears and elks close to the road, and those on the way to Jasper might enjoy the last rays of the sun on the Athabasca waterfall. Meanwhile, high above on the edge of the glacier, the lucky ones settle down in the lodge for a starlit night. Strange noises in the dark may remind them that the Athabasca is always on the move, receding by around five metres a year.

By Solange Hando

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I believe in the value of knowledge Open Morning Saturday 13th October, 10am Telephone: 01234 361918 www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk Bedford Girls’ School is part of The Harpur Trust

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15

Parenting

Becoming a Foster Carer Tens of thousands of children enter the care system in the UK every year. If you think you could help, read on to find out more about fostering, including how to go about it and how much you could earn.

Who can foster?

Foster carers come from a range of backgrounds. You’ll need to: • Be at least 21.

• Have the right to live in the UK permanently.

• Have a spare bedroom.

• Have enough time to look after a child.

You don’t need to be in a relationship or own your own home, and you can have a job. You don’t need any qualifications, but previous experience with children is beneficial.

What types of fostering are there?

There are lots of different types of foster care. Some children only need a short-term placement.

Others need a long-term home.

You could even just offer emergency, overnight, weekend or respite care if you prefer. You could also choose to foster a young parent and their child. Both would live with you and you’d help the

parent to develop their skills until they were able to care for the child independently.

What kind of children need fostering?

Children from all backgrounds, and of all abilities and ages, find themselves in foster care. Many end up returning to their birth families or going on to be adopted. Some children have complex emotional or physical needs.

Sometimes, foster carers specialise in a particular age group, whether it’s babies and toddlers, primary school children or teenagers. Some people focus on caring for disabled children or children seeking asylum. Your case worker will talk to you about what type of placement would be best for you.

How much could I earn?

The minimum weekly allowance per foster child starts from £127.

Older children have greater allowances, as do children with special needs. So, for example, if you fostered a nine year old and a 15 year old, you’d receive at least £302 for each week you looked after them. That money would need to cover the child’s food, clothes, toys and other expenses.

Foster carers are sometimes paid a fee on top of the allowance. The amount you’ll receive will depend on the foster service you go through, and the needs of the child you foster. Many foster carers earn more than £500 a week for each child they foster.

Foster carers get considerable tax relief on the money they earn from fostering. Foster payments also don’t usually have an effect on welfare benefits.

What support would I get?

You’d attend training programmes and be matched with your own social worker, who would be there to support you. Some services also have additional support available, such as a 24-hour helpline.

How do I apply?

You can foster through your local council, or through an independent fostering service.

The application and assessment process usually takes around six to eight months.

Where can I find out more?

For more information about fostering, contact your local council or visit: www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk www.gov.uk/foster-carers

By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk 16

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Quirky Britain

Barmy about the

British Bulldog

With some puppies costing as much as £2,500, an English Bulldog Fan Club on Facebook with 154,000 followers and merchandise that includes t-shirts, fridge magnets, cushions and Christmas cards, it’s clear that we Brits are more than a little barmy about our bulldogs.

So what’s the reason for this enduring love affair?

Over the past two hundred years our perception of this popular breed has gradually changed, as its image has transformed from feisty fighting dog to everyone’s favourite family pet.

Bulldog beginnings - Nowadays, as we laugh at funny Facebook posts of bulldogs in hats, or bulldogs splayed on couches, legs outstretched in an oddly human pose, it’s hard to grasp that the ancestors of this well-loved family pet were bred to excel in vicious blood sports.

With its stocky, muscular body shape and vice-like jaw, the bulldog breed was deemed perfect for the violent sport of bull-baiting, in particular the practice of ‘pinning the bull’, where specially trained dogs were taught to bite and hold on to the captive animal’s snout. Bulldogs were selectively bred for this bloodthirsty pastime, which was finally banned by the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835.

Throughout the 19th century the phrase ‘British bulldog spirit’ – as a watchword for unrelenting courage and bravery – became embedded in the public’s consciousness, and when the First World War broke out in the early 20th century, images of plucky bulldogs accompanied by slogans such as “They can’t muzzle me!” became a staple of wartime propaganda posters.

It was a strange co-incidence that the man at the forefront of British politics during the Second World War (as the country faced the very real possibility of a Nazi invasion) bore a striking resemblance to a bulldog, and a famous poster entitled ‘Holding the Line’ showed Winston Churchill’s head superimposed onto a bulldog’s body.

Brexit bulldogs - During the final decades of the 20th century the bulldog breed fell out of fashion, but in 1994 a string of popular TV ads featuring Churchill (aka ‘Churchie’) – a nodding-head car mascot with a cheerful “Ooooh yes!”/”Oooh no!” catchphrase – helped the bulldog reclaim its place in the nation’s hearts. And it was, perhaps, inevitable that as soon as the referendum vote was cast back in June 2016, the British Bulldog would be summoned out of its kennel to do battle once more, with pundits from both sides using the image to support their arguments.

The last word - According to a survey conducted in 2017 and 2018, one in four of us owns a dog, but despite the enduring popularity of the English Bulldog breed, it seems that it has only managed to reach number six in the nation’s poll of most popular dogs, while –Sacre Bleu! – the French Bulldog has recently been tipped to replace the Labrador as Britain’s best-loved canine pet. As our withdrawal from the EU draws ever closer, could we be preparing to swap our 250-year-old icon of British identity for something a little more … um …

European in style?

We can guess what Churchie would say: “Ooooh no!”

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House of Colour

Tips on how to wear neutrals with style 1. When thinking about which neutrals suit us it all depends on our skin tone. Autumn colour palettes suit rich, warm earthy colours such as dark brown, tan, oyster, coffee, khaki, lizard grey, dark olive and marine navy, whilst Springs suit warm, clear colour choices like chocolate, beige, dove grey, bright navy, tan, honey and cream.

Winters look gorgeous in deep, cool colours such as silver, greys, charcoal, indigo, black, mole and stone. Summers suit cool, subtle neutrals such as pink beige, mushroom, rose brown, dark blue grey, light blue grey, soft navy and burgundy.

2. When it comes to shopping for neutrals, quality is the most important factor to consider. The better the quality of neutral, the more chic you will look.

3. Neutral colours can provide you with a solid base on which to build your outfit so invest in quality neutral trousers, jackets and blouses. If you want to make a statement, wear one of your wow colours against a neutral background to really make that colour pop! Think raspberry on French navy if you are a summer for example.

4. Know what whites suit your skin tones.

Generally, Springs suit creams, Autumns should choose oyster, Summers should opt for a soft white and Winters look gorgeous in pure white.

5. Many of us think that black should be worn because it is slimming, but the truth is black only suits people in the Winter palette and it will make everyone else appear tired with a dull looking complexion. Instead opt for a different dark neutral such as grey, brown or navy from your season’s palette which will make you look radiant.

6. Two neutrals are enough in one outfit, but try pairing darker neutrals that are often more authoritative with a lighter neutral, such as a dark olive jacket with a simple cream tee

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7.

8.

9.

10.

if you are an Autumn, or a pure white shirt with a charcoal skirt if you are a Winter. Enjoy experimenting a little.

Red tends to go well with all neutrals, with primary red being the only colour that suits all skin types. Black, navy, grey and whites go particularly well with red for cool skins whilst brown, beige, camel and cream set off red for warm skins. An outfit made up of neutral colours will often look incredible with a pop of red lipstick as long as it is a red that suits your skin tone. Summer palettes glow in cherry and coral red, Autumns beguile in rust or brick reds, Winters captivate in scarlet and carmine, Springs look gorgeous in geranium and poppy red.

Don’t be afraid to add statement jewellery to jazz up a more neutral outfit, making sure the scale of the jewellery suits your style.

Alternatively layer neutrals on neutrals for a fresh look. Powder pink and mushroom are an irresistible combination for a Summer.

Add a statement coat, handbag or shoes to an all neutral outfit. What could look better than someone with a Spring palette wearing a bright navy outfit with a pop of coral in their accessories?

Metallics are also considered neutrals in fashion whether that is gold, silver, copper, bronze, gunmetal, rose gold or pewter but your metallic is dependent on your season. Make sure you wear the right metals for your skin tones ie Autumns and Springs should choose warm golds whilst Winters and Summers look good in cool silvers.

By Jennie Billings Style and Colour Consultant at House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk

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Local News

Reading charity issues ‘Back to School’ volunteer appeal across Hertfordshire

As the new academic year gets well underway, national reading charity Beanstalk is stepping up its search for volunteers across Hertfordshire to help reach more children than ever before with its potentially lifechanging reading support programmes.

Beanstalk helps transform children’s life chances by recruiting and supporting volunteers and placing them in schools and pre-schools. These volunteers work with children to enable them to have the skills to become ready to read and prevent them from falling further behind in their language and communication skills.

In order to achieve this, Beanstalk needs members of the community who can volunteer a few hours a week to help local children become more confident readers through its range of programmes.

These programmes include Beanstalk’s 321 programme which sees trained reading helpers supporting three primary school children each for two 30 minute sessions a week, during term-time, for at least one academic year. Through this regular, consistent support the child’s approach to learning and enjoyment of reading is transformed.

Volunteers are also needed for its Story Starters early years programme. Story Starters volunteers work one-to-one with children in a nursey or pre-school setting for two 20-minute sessions a week. All volunteers receive professional training and support to ensure that they are best able to support young children.

If you would like to become a Beanstalk reading helper or a Story Starter volunteer in Hertfordshire, please visit the website at www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk or call Beanstalk on 0845 450 0301.

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25

Health & Beauty

Beauty Bargains Everyone loves a bargain. Check out our top finds, from supermarket own-brands to discounted goodies…

Beauty Pie’s products are made by the same laboratories that supply lots of high-end brands, but they’re a whopping 85% cheaper. Bestsellers include the Wide Eyes Mascara (members’ price £3.92), Futurelipstick Luxe Shine (members’ price £3.50) and Plantastic Micropeeling Super Drops (members’ price £6.80). There is a £10 monthly membership fee, but you’ll easily save that with just one or two products. Why not club together with friends and split the fee and postage costs?

See www.beautypie.com.

Your kitchen cupboard could be a treasure trove of DIY beauty ingredients, such as olive oil, brown sugar and coconut oil. For softer skin, cut the foot out of an old pair of tights, pop a handful of porridge oats into it and tie a knot to secure them in place. Add the oat bundle to the bath as it’s running and enjoy a long, relaxing soak. Oats are a real multi-tasker – they cleanse, moisturise, exfoliate and soothe irritation. They can even help to treat eczema and other itchy skin conditions.

And, as a bag of organic porridge oats costs less than £2 in Tesco, each oat bundle will cost you just a few pence.

Have a walk down the beauty aisle when you’re doing the weekly shop.

Take George at Asda’s Long Lasting Nail Polish in Rich List. It’s a delicious nude metallic and costs just £2 – see www.asda.com.

Discount stores are handy for essentials such as shower gel and nail files, as well as budget makeup brands and fragrances. I found Dolce & Gabbana’s The One Essence in Home Bargains for £24.99 (RRP £68.50), www. homebargains.co.uk.

High-street clothes stores

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often sell reasonably priced own-brand cosmetics.

Sets tend to offer the best value (as long as you’re likely to use all the products). Next’s All In One Makeup Palette is a great buy. It’s available in two colourways – Natural and Glamour. For £12 you get a bronzer, highlighter, two blushers and three eyeshadows. They’re housed in an expensivelooking gold compact, complete with mirror. See www.next.co.uk.

There’s often very little difference between baby wipes and makeup wipes, aside from the cost.

Look for natural, biodegradable, unperfumed baby wipes, such as Earth Friendly Baby Gentle Aloe Vera Wipes. You get 72 wipes for £3.20, compared to 50 Clinique Take the Day Off Wipes for £13.40.

Luxury aspirations but budget bank balance?

Try TK Maxx. You never know what brands are going to be in stock, but when I browsed I found a fair few bargains. Particular highlights were an Aromatherapy Associates Moisturiser for £16.99 (RRP £50), a Bellapierre Extreme Concealing Kit for £14.99 (RRP £65) and a L’Oreal Lumino Contrast Mask for £16.99 (RRP £54). Other brands on sale included Crabtree & Evelyn, Rodial, Guerlain and Miller Harris. If you get a kick from saving big, try searching the beauty category on the www. tkmaxx.com website and sort by ‘RRP saving’.

By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

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Local News

Fight Fatigue & Pain – Free Event People who are experiencing exhaustion and chronic pain are invited to a free drop-in event on Saturday 27th October.

Between 12pm and 2pm anyone is welcome to find out more about Fighting Fatigue & Pain, a project run by Letchworth charity Herts MS Therapy Centre.

Extreme fatigue and chronic pain can result from many conditions, including Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and ME – and many others.

The Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth helps anyone with a long term condition, not just Multiple Sclerosis. It offers Physiotherapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, APS Pain Reduction Therapy and specialist exercise sessions to help people improve their quality of life.

Oxygen Therapy helps some people recover faster after injury, surgery and cancer treatments. It’s also great for increasing energy. Some people find it reduces pain, especially people with Fibromyalgia and CFS. On 27th October, free test sessions are available.

Rachel B says: “Without my Oxygen Treatment in Letchworth I would still be in agony from Fibromyalgia

and probably jobless and depressed. I can’t even begin to explain what a difference it has made for me.”

Nicki H has MS. She adds: “Also, it’s great to meet other people who have an idea of what you’re going through.

It’s nice to have a chat with other people at the Centre.”

Mark Boscher, the Chief Executive of Herts MS Therapy Centre added: “If you, or someone you know, lives with long term pain or fatigue – from any condition - maybe we can help them to gain more energy and feel less pain. Please come on Saturday 27th October.”

To book your free test session, call Claire on 01462 684214 or email openday@hmstc.net.

Fighting Fatigue & Pain: Free Event Saturday 27th October 2018, 12pm – 2pm Visit to find out about:

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

(may accelerate healing, boost energy, reduce pain)

• APS Pain Reduction Therapy • Specialist physio and group exercise sessions (tailored to people with medical conditions)

Free test sessions available – book your place now!

Fighting Fatigue & Pain

We’re at Herts MS Therapy Centre, 30 Campus Five, Letchworth, SG6 2JF. Just turn up! For more details call Claire on 01462 684 214.

www.hertsmstherapy.org.uk

Hertfordshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre is Charity 299524 and Company 2215165 Registered Office 30 Campus Five, Letchworth, Herts SG6 2JF

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29

Food & Drink

Chocolush Kalhua Espresso Martini

Vanillalicious Fudge Whip up this delicious, crumbly fudge using Shaken Udder milkshake. A perfect gift or treat!

Prepare: 15 minutes Cook: 25 minutes Ingredients Butter, for greasing 300ml Shaken Udder Vanillalicious milkshake 350g caster sugar 100g unsalted butter

This chocolatey take on an espresso Martini is so delicious you’ll want more than one!

Method 1. Grease an 18cm square cake tin with butter.

2. Put the Shaken Udder milkshake, sugar and butter in a heavy-based saucepan. Heat slowly, stirring all the time, until the sugar has dissolved and the butter melted.

3. Bring to the boil and boil for 15-20 minutes, stirring all the time.

4. When the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage (115°C on a sugar thermometer), remove from the heat and leave to cool for 5 minutes.

5. Beat the mixture with a spoon for a few minutes until it starts to thicken and the gloss disappears.

6. Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared tin and leave it to set at room temperature.

Ingredients 100ml Shaken Udder Chocolush milkshake 25ml Kalhua coffee liqueur 25ml Vodka 25ml espresso shot Ice Single Cream Chocolate, for dusting Method 1. In a cocktail shaker add all the liquid ingredients along with some ice.

2. Shake well to mix.

3. Pour into a martini glass and swirl with single cream and a dusting of chocolate.

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Special

Parcels, Peculiarities and the Postal Service

Photo: Royal Mail Coach at The Science Museum. Credit Martinvl, Wikimedia Commons.

It’s World Post Day on 9th October, but how was our own postal service created?

Non-Humble Beginnings A royal dispatch system existed even in Edward IV’s reign, but it was Henry VIII who created the Master of the Posts role and Brian Tuke who truly founded the service.

Tuke, who became a knight and Master of the Posts in 1516, used his experience of continental postal services and his influence to create a formal postal network. In each key town he nominated, three horses were used to transport mail. Their stable was called a post, hence our mail system’s nickname.

But this service was truly Royal Mail, solely for the King and court. Common folk had to wait for Charles I to open up the King’s Posts to everyone in 1635. Cromwell’s more formal Office of Postage covered the whole Commonwealth, but once the monarchy was restored this was replaced by the General Post Office, a genuinely public service.

By this time, senders rather than recipients were paying the postage, and by 1661 letters were also being date-stamped – to mitigate complaints about delays.

Royal Mail was privatised in 2011 and the UK government sold its remaining shares in 2015, ending 499 years of public ownership.

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Privacy and Peculiarity Long before the internet, retaining privacy in communication while ensuring security was problematic.

Oliver Cromwell’s Principal Secretary of State, John Thurloe, regularly intercepted mail for intelligence purposes, but if he hadn’t, Sexby’s plot to assassinate Cromwell may never have been discovered. As for scam emails, they’re merely descendants of scam letters. In the 1870s, many US citizens received letters from someone claiming they had been given their name by a friend and offering $1,500 of ‘the best and safest’ counterfeit money for $75 of genuine cash (or a bargain $30,000 for $400).

On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, whom you might have expected to value his privacy given the times he lived in, is rumoured to have thrown his stamped letters into the street, relying on the good nature of passers-by to pick them up and post them.

Far more peculiar were the antics of Willie Reginald Bray, who was inspired to test the limits of the postal service by its own 1898 guide. Among other things, it promised to send creatures through the post, including a live bee, ‘if confined in a suitable receptacle’. Bray took a dog to the post office, which was ‘posted’ via a walk with an obliging postman, and even posted himself once. It’s also believed that in December 1899, he became the first person to send a postcard to Santa Claus Esq. Finally, while Lewis Carroll is now viewed as something of a dubious character by many, some of the advice in his letter-writing guide is still relevant today. He advised always placing a cheque or document in the envelope before you finish writing the letter, lest you forget to put it in.

Wise words indeed.

Further reading To the Letter, Simon Garfield, Canongate Letter of Note and More Letters of Note, Shaun Usher, Canongate Unbound

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33

Life Begins...

R-E-S-P-E-C-T Is it too much to ask?

By Kate McLelland

“All I’m askin’ for is a little respect.”

The words of Aretha Franklin’s song, first released in 1967, may be about a cheating boyfriend, but so powerful is the emotion behind the music that these days it has become an anthem for individuals and groups who feel disrespected by society. If you were young at the time when Aretha’s single reached No. 1 in the charts, and are now in your sixties or seventies, you may find yourself wondering where the respect for old age has gone.

Once upon a time, according to Pulitzer-prize winning author Jared Diamond, respecting your elders and betters was a matter of survival. During his life-long study of traditional societies and their attitudes towards older people, Diamond – an award-winning professor from ULCA in America – has observed that elders who are no longer able to contribute fully to community life still command respect because of their ability to recall information that is important to the tribe.

“Older people in traditional societies have a huge significance that would never occur to us in our modern, literate societies,” Diamond has claimed. “In traditional societies

without writing, older people are the repositories of information. It’s their knowledge that spells the difference between survival and death for their whole society.”

Nowadays – in an age of information overload – it seems that older voices are neither heeded nor needed. Sadly, at a time when healthcare advances are allowing people to live longer and the world has more wise and experienced senior citizens than ever before, older people are having to fight for the respect they believe is their due.

According to the Oxford Dictionaries, respect is “A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements”. But if older people have lost their status as guardians of our communal knowledge, can they demand respect on the grounds of age and experience alone? Twentysomething Lifestyle blogger Michael Tawiah expresses the views of many young people today when he says: “Respect should be a choice and not a forced thing ... personally, I’m not going to respect someone just because they tell me to.”

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Angie Jardine, a commentator on the website Soapboxie.com, believes that young people can still benefit from listening to the stories of parents and grandparents: “Would we have learnt anything about how a civilised society should be run if the survivors of two world wars and, in particular the Holocaust, had not told their stories to someone who listened?

There is usually some tantalising nugget of information in the reminiscences of old folk from which something can be learned about the past and where we came from.”

Today it’s not just warm words of wisdom that older people bring to the table. In 2010 the charity WRVS estimated that over-65s contributed over £40bn to the UK economy through taxes, spending power, volunteering and caring, and this figure is predicted to reach £77bn by 2030.

So maybe, if we’re looking for respect, we simply need to be more proactive in flagging up the good things that our caring and committed older citizens already contribute to society.

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35

Finance

By Ann Haldon

Want to save for your children?

What are the options?

Putting money aside for your children is a great way to offer them a little security as they get older. You do not need to save a huge amount – even a few pounds each week adds up to a nice little nest egg over time.

You can teach younger children good money management skills by offering a little more pocket money as long as they save the extra amount. If they are old enough, get them involved in choosing a savings account and physically putting the money into it each month.

Junior ISA There are two types of ISA for children – a Cash Junior ISA, and a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA. They are available if your child is under-18 and living in the UK. The money in a Junior ISA belongs to your child and is locked away until their 18th birthday, when the account upgrades to an adult ISA. Unlike other savings accounts aimed at children, you will not have access to the money once it has been deposited.

• This tax year (2018/19) the savings limit is £4,260 for each account.

• There is no tax to pay on the interest or investment returns in a Junior ISA. Friendly Society tax-exempt plan A child tax-exempt savings plan offers a guaranteed minimum tax-free lump sum at the

end of the term from a share-based investment fund. This type of account is designed for saving over a relatively long period of time – usually 10-25 years.

• You can currently save £270 a year if you make ad hoc deposits, or £25 a month if it is on a regular basis.

• Charges vary between Friendly Societies so it is worth shopping around.

NS&I Premium Bonds Premium Bonds are an easy and very popular way to save money for a child. Instead of earning interest, each £1 bond you purchase has its own number that is entered into a prize draw each month and could win between £25 and £1 million.

You need to buy a minimum of £100 in Premium Bonds, with the maximum amount that can be held being £50,000.

• Prizes totalling more than £2million are paid out each month.

Child pension You can set up a pension fund for your child and transfer it to them when they reach the age of 18. Starting a child pension offers a little stability when they become an adult, and gives them a valuable head start in their retirement savings.

• The government tops up each contribution you make into a pension by 25% (up to a total of £2,880 in 2018/19), which considerably increases its overall value over time.

• You can still contribute more than £2,880, but it will not attract the government’s top-up.

However you decide to put money aside for your child, your attitude to risk may guide the decision as to whether to save or invest. You will also need to consider any fees and charges if you decide that investing is the preferable option. www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/ childrens-savings-options www.gov.uk/junior-individual-savings-accounts www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/national-savings-andinvestment-products#toc-2

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TRY IDNET BROADBAND, FREE FOR ONE MONTH Discover what it’s like to be an IDNet customer. We regularly top national polls for speed, reliability and customer service.

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We take time to listen and find the best way forward Contact us to arrange your free initial 30 minute visit (We are happy to come to you for a small extra charge)

Wills Our staff have successfully drafted Wills for many years; truly we are experts.

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£350 inc. Plus Court fees to draft & register with Public Guardian Office Contact us for some friendly advice: 01462 674767 Abbeyhill 507 Broadway Letchworth SG6 3PT mhprobateservices@gmail.com

www.rgharchitects.co.uk Tel 01462 790808

RGH Architects QP.indd 1

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09/01/2018 15:32

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Do you love nature?

Could you give some of your time to help us with our visitor operations at your local RSPB nature reserve?

The RSPB is holding a volunteer recruitment day at The Lodge nature reserve at Sandy on Saturday 20 October between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm.

The RSPB is the largest conservation charity in Europe. We have over 13,000 fantastic volunteers across the country, and they come from all walks of life. Between them, they contribute over a million hours each year.

We would like more volunteers to join us to work in our visitor centre and to help manage traffic and meet and greet in the car-park. If you are friendly, confident talking to the public and able to inspire our visitors about the work of the RSPB and supporting us as a charity, then we want to hear from you!

We are looking for the following help with these volunteering roles; Visitor Information Centre Assistants; Working in our visitor centre, where you will give a warm welcome to our visitors and introduce them to the reserve.

You will be able to enthuse people to support the RSPB as new members, and talk about the birds and

Local News

wildlife found here at The Lodge. For this role we are especially looking for help at weekends and people who can cover at busy periods, such as school holidays, but some weekday roles are also available.

Car-park meet and greet and traffic management weekend roles.

Garden guides. In 2019, we are planning to have guides in the garden, informing visitors of the work the head gardener and his team carry out.

We also have weekend opportunities for flexible part time volunteering in our busy and friendly shop.

Full training will be given and a uniform supplied for all of these roles.

Pop in and meet us at the shop, near the reserve entrance, anytime between 11:30 and 1:00 and have a chat with us over a cuppa and biscuit to find out more.

If you can’t make this date but are interested in volunteering for one of these roles at The Lodge, please contact Mark Brandon, Visitor Experience Manager, The Lodge nature reserve; mark.brandon@rspb.org.uk 01767 693253.

RSPB The Lodge nature reserve and gardens Potton Road, Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL 01767 693333

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39

Expansion of The Car Agents

is good news for Hitchin With local high streets under tremendous pressure these days it’s great to have a good news story! The Car Agents in Hitchin has bucked the trend by announcing the expansion of its Queen Street Service Centre.

The expansion of the servicing arm of the business is the latest stage in the evolution of The Car Agents, which moved from Brand Street to its current premises in 2013. Managing Director Simon Michell said: “Now, more than ever before, businesses have to keep evolving, to make sure they continue to meet customers’ changing needs.

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“A lot of people aren’t aware that behind our Queen Street showroom we actually have a large workshop with cutting-edge equipment and diagnostic technologies – and we’re adding a new building where we’ll carry out our detailing and storage business.

“Until now, we have concentrated on our core business: buying and selling Sports, Prestige and Classic Cars. But the expansion of our Queen Street Service Centre has enabled us to take the next evolutionary step by extending our servicing and maintenance offer to the local community.

“We’re now able to work on all vehicle makes and models. Under the expert eye of newly appointed Service Centre Manager Ben Fox, we provide the high level of service you’d expect from a main dealer, but without the hefty price tag. For example, we offer collection and delivery or a service loan car, and customers who prefer to wait while their vehicle is being serviced can relax on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a freshly brewed coffee in our funky, retro-style Car Bar. It’s certainly very different from sitting on a plastic chair in a garage waiting room!”

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Retaining a visible high-street presence remains an absolute must for Simon. “With so many business transactions now carried out online, it would have been easy for us to opt for working out of a unit located in a sterile industrial area or a farm in the middle of nowhere. But we made a conscious decision to remain in the heart of Hitchin instead, to continue our involvement with the local community.”

Hitchin’s long-standing campaigner Keith Hoskins appreciates Simon’s investment in the local community. He said: “Cars and community are both at the heart of Simon Michell’s business. A long-time supporter of Hitchin Initiative, The Car Agents has been a presence in the town centre for many years, so it’s great to see Simon expanding the servicing side of his business to cater for all makes of vehicle.

“Simon supports Hitchin BID [Business Improvement District] too, by providing storage and maintenance for the exhibition trailer that gives local community groups a platform at Hitchin Market Place.

Simon is excited about embarking on the next stage in The Car Agents’ journey. He said: “Longterm customer relationships and community involvement are the cornerstone of our business.

I’m very excited about expanding our car servicing operations to cover all makes and models, because it will enable us to help even more people from the local area.”

PS: Our new Service Centre is now open! Enjoy main dealer facilities without the price tag, including collection & delivery or a loan car. We can keep your manufacturers warranty intact, also supply and fit tyres, carry out MOT’s and service all makes and models.

34 Queen Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 9TS Tel: 01462 441460 Email: info@thecaragents.com Web: www.thecaragents.com We are currently recruiting for a Service Technician, Service Advisor and Service Apprentice.

Please apply with a covering letter and your CV to the above address.

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Garden

Beautiful Bulbs

By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com

Why not make your house all the more special this winter with some colourful bowls of bulbs, perhaps with some gorgeous perfume too? You can buy ready-planted bowls of bulbs later in the year, but act now for a stunning display at a fraction of the price.

The best bulbs are those described as ‘prepared’, which means they will flower well, reliably and uniformly indoors. Although often pricier they are still great value, as results with standard bulbs may be unpredictable. I like to use prepared hyacinths, but I have bowls of non-prepared bulbs too.

Visit your local garden centre now and you should see a good array of bulbs for sale, plus all the other things you need. Special bulb bowls are a good buy, and are available in many colours. They’re like huge soup bowls, but in plastic or china, and have no drainage holes. You can use normal flower pots, but put a fully waterproof container or saucer beneath each pot to protect your furniture.

Bulb fibre or special compost formulated for indoor bulb planting performs better in containers without drainage, but is more expensive, and you can use standard multi-purpose compost if you wish.

Hyacinths for forcing are available in many shades, but use a single colour in any one container as there is often some variation in flowering times between the colours, and ideally you want all the flowers out simultaneously. Specially prepared crocus, paperwhite narcissus and some other daffodil types are also available. You can create a low-cost bowl with a large bag of inexpensive

dwarf narcissus, such as ‘Tete-a-Tete’. Crocuses also work well.

Fill your bowl about one third full of compost for larger bulbs to one half full for smaller bulbs.

Firm the compost gently and position the bulbs pointed end uppermost. They can be quite closely packed, but not so they touch each other or the sides of the bowl. Nestle the bulbs gently into the compost and then top up with compost so that just the noses are poking out. Water the compost lightly until moist but not waterlogged. Cover the bowls loosely with a black bin liner and put them in a cool, dark place so that the bulbs can form good root systems.

Check the bowls every week or so and apply a little more water if necessary. Bring the bowls out into the daylight once the shoots are about 2-3cm tall, which usually takes 3-5 weeks. Put them in a cool spot with plenty of natural daylight, where the shoots will continue to grow and develop a healthy green colour; they will now need a little more water.

Put your bulb bowl in a warmer room once the flower buds start to colour up. For a really smart look, cover the compost with some moss or tie a seasonal ribbon around the bowl.

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and you’ll find some great gardening items: stylish cloches, tunnels, the fantastic SpeedHoe, plant supports, raised bed kits, Easy-Tunnels, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club?

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Garden View

Lawn Love

There are times I threaten to astro-turf my entire garden, but then I remember the smell of freshly mown grass and how lovely it is to walk through the dew with the dogs in the morning, and I relent.

Of all garden tasks I find lawn-care the most tedious. I am not a lawn enthusiast, preferring plants. For me lawns are a necessary evil. I like sitting on them, walking on them, and they make my flowers look good, in much the way a frame enhances a picture. So, I feel I do have to give my lawn at least a little love and care.

By October lawn growth has slowed so you can raise your mowing height by at least one setting until mid-spring next year. If like mine your lawn sprouts moss the moment it rains, raise the mowing height even more so that at least 1 to 2cm of grass shows above the moss after grasscutting.

Damp grass builds up inside the mower so give the mower a good brush, scrape or hose down after every use. This necessary housekeeping prolongs the life of your mower.

After the middle of October there is no point applying weed-killer, so if you haven’t been diligent in weed control the only option will be hand-pulling them. I am rarely diligent about weed-killing, so you are in good company here!

Moss becomes more evident as the weather cools but you’re too late for raking by now. Probably best to embrace the lush greenness: moss lawns

By Rachael Leverton are all the rage in Japan anyway. On the other hand, if the weather is still warm and the ground is dry, apply moss killers, rake it out, reseed and water. You’ll thank me next year.

October is the best time for aerating the lawn. I used a fork for years until I bought a hollow-tine aerator three years ago, and now I’m a convert.

You can’t overdo it, insert them every few inches until you’re fed-up. It’s a great work-out. The hollow tines pull out little cores that look like fat worms. Leave them in place to recycle the nutrients. Aerating improves drainage and allows air, nutrients and rain to move down to the roots rather than sitting at the surface. Normally by now there has been enough rain to allow the tines to penetrate the soil making the job easier but who knows what the crazy UK weather will be doing when this article is published.

It’s best to fertilise the lawn after aerating if possible. This month is quite a good month for fertilising the lawn if you haven’t already got around to it. Not only does fertilisation give you a fantastic lawn ready for the winter but also offers some protection from the ravages of winter temperatures and diseases.

Make sure you collect fallen leaves weekly to discourage moss and disease.

I know some gardeners like to discourage leatherjackets and worm-activity but frankly I like watching starlings poke around for leather-jackets, and I like worms, they are my little garden friends, so if the odd worm cast is the price I must pay for their help then I’m happy to put up with them.

Happy Gardening

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Pets

Teaching your dog to come back when called Does your dog know how to come back when called? Most dogs love running around off the lead, but before you give your dog their ‘freedom’ it’s vital for their safety that you know they will come back when called.

The more your dog learns that they will get lots of praise and a reward whenever they come back, the more they will make the connection that you are more fun to be with than anything else. Choose a word or sound as your recall cue that you use ONLY when you want your dog to return. It should be short and sharp, like ‘come’, or a whistle. Gradually increase the distance between you and your dog and the level of distractions you call them away from. You want your dog to learn that coming back to you is much more rewarding than ignoring you! Keep it fun and use a reward they really enjoy; this could be a treat they like or a game with their favourite toy.

For more ways to make life for you and your dog a walk in the park, visit Dogs Trust Dog School.

This national network of experienced trainers provides fun, educational training courses for all dog owners. Based on up-to-date scientific research, our trainers use only reward-based training methods to help you enhance the bond between you and your dog. Small classes of six dogs and two trainers mean you get the one-on-one time you need to learn effectively and most importantly, have fun!

Courses are five weeks long, with a free introductory session and are available in Harpenden, Stevenage and Letchworth Garden City. Visit www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk for more details and take your first step to making the most of your relationship your four-legged friend now.

Providing exceptional compassionate veterinary care for over 50 years Open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4pm Saturday at Hitchin Laparoscopic (key-hole) surgery In-house laboratory Surgical and Medical Veterinary Certificate Holders Extensive range of nurse clinics Experienced local team Veterinary Acupuncture Puppy Parties

HITCHIN (01462) 451500

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Puppy and Dog Training Classes various locations around Hertfordshire www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk 07774 374 686 hertsdogschool@dogstrust.org.uk @dogschoolhertfordshire

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Local & Reliable

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The most rugged cars you can buy

Motoring Ariel Nomad

By James Baggott

We’ve rounded up nine of the most hard-wearing and brawny cars you can buy today, ideal for surviving a nuclear war – or the muddy car boot sale in Sandford, Gloucestershire.

Jeep Wrangler

The latest Jeep Wrangler is more refined, luxurious and car-like than ever, but still retains the DNA of the original Willys Jeep – one of the most iconic off-roaders of all time.

Solid axles ensure simplicity, allowing Wranglers to be modified for almost any purpose. For traversing sand dunes or mudplugging in a deep forest, the Wrangler is as tough as they come.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Originally known as the G-Wagen, this military-spec beast has morphed into the ideal transport for those who want to be seen.

With glitzy chrome atop the blocky body, and optional AMG-tuned engines, it’s often seen in London’s most glamorous districts.

However, it’s also one of the most serious off-roaders you can buy, thanks to a super-sophisticated 4WD system plus three locking differentials. When fitted with chunky tyres, the G-Class is near unstoppable.

Toyota Land Cruiser

The legendary Land Cruiser is the vehicle that pushed Land Rover out of Australia and showed the world that the Japanese could build offroaders that never broke down.

Though the Land Cruiser isn’t as luxurious as a Range Rover, treat it properly and it’ll probably outlast you. There’s no compromise to be made off-road either.

Isuzu D-Max AT35 Arctic Trucks Isuzu’s D-Max pickup is already a pretty rugged vehicle, with a beefy diesel engine and four-wheel drive.

The specialists at Arctic Trucks, however, have given it enormous tyres and widened arches, giving the car a more purposeful stance, while custom Fox suspension lets it deal with terrain that would trouble a mountain goat.

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is typically used as a taxi in London rather than for blasting through sand dunes. But that’s where the ruggedness lies.

Nobody expected the Prius to be as reliable as it is – but even daily abuse as Uber cabs can’t break them. Many of these cars have done over 500,000 miles and still have their original battery packs.

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

Most off-roaders are designed to traverse rough terrain at about 5mph. The Ariel Nomad is designed to do it at 50.

With an engine and body from the Atom road car, the rear-wheel-drive Nomad bounces across the terrain rather than ploughing through it.

It’s hardcore, open to the elements and great fun.

Subaru Forester

Subaru has a reputation for producing reliable, rugged cars, and the Forester is no exception.

Loved by farmers, Subaru owners tend to keep their cars for longer than any other. The brand’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system is legendary for its simplicity and reliability, while boxer engines lower the centre of gravity and make for a reassuring drive.

Toyota Hilux Our third Toyota is perhaps the most legendary – the Hilux, notably the ‘unkillable car’. On BBC’s Top Gear, a 1994 Hilux survived being left at sea, falling off a building, being crashed into a tree and crushed with a wrecking ball – and still started up afterwards.

Today’s rather plusher Hilux still retains a well-earned reputation for serious reliability.

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Three Counties Radio

Chilli and Ginger

Baked Camembert (and three other variants) The main theme of my Weekend Kitchen programme is that food needn’t be complicated. Great flavours, fresh produce, cooked simply - that’s what it’s all about. And what could be simpler than bunging a camembert in the oven and eating it, hot and melting, with crusty French bread? This month’s recipe is actually four recipes in one - four original takes on the classic baked camembert. All created by a talented young chef, Jake Moxham, who co-owns the Oliver and Hare in Leighton Buzzard and the Axe and Compass in Heath And Reach.

My personal favourite is the chilli and ginger, just because it is so surprising, but all of these are lovely.

Ingredients (Serves 2) 250g Camembert 15g root Ginger 1 tsp chilli puree or sauce 1⁄2 fresh chilli 1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/ Gas Mark 4

6. Place the camembert into a camembert baking dish (a round clay ramekin is perfect).

7. Place on the middle shelf of the oven and allow to cook for around 25-30 minutes, or until the camembert appears oozy. Leave to cool slightly and serve with lots of crusty bread.

2. Make 2 parallel cuts into the top of the camembert, approximately 4 centimetres long and 3 centimetres apart.

Variations:

3. Glaze the top of the camembert with chilli puree or chilli sauce.

Garlic and rosemary. As above with the rosemary one, but add two peeled garlic cloves into the slits as well.

4. Grate the ginger root evenly over the top of the camembert using a fine grater and allow any juice to drip onto the camembert.

5. Slice the fresh chilli into small pieces and spread evenly over the top of the camembert. For extra heat you can also insert pieces into the cuts already made.

Rosemary (the classic one). Simply insert two sprigs of rosemary into the slits and bake as above.

White wine and pear. Make the slits in the camembert. Glaze the top of the cheese generously with wine. Very thinly slice a 1/4 of a pear and place the slices on top of the cheese. Glaze with extra wine and bake as above.

Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can also join Nick every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.

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Codeword 1

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

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

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n O s ’ t Wha In October

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month.

What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Moo Music Sandy, Biggleswade & Shefford 10-10.40am Shefford Baptist Church Music & movement classes for 0-5 year olds in Shefford, Sandy & Sutton. First session free.

Email: Heather sandymoo@moo-music.co.uk Web: www.moo-music.co.uk/sbs Facebook: www.facebook.com/moomusicsandy 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Baby Rhyme Time 10.30-11am Baldock Library Free event – voluntary contribution of £1 per family welcomed. Baby Rhyme times are a fun half hour session of songs and rhymes suitable for babies and toddlers of all age.

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Baby Rhyme Time 10.30-11am Letchworth Library Free event Baby Rhyme Times are a fun half hour session of songs and rhymes suitable for babies and toddlers of all ages.

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Café Connect 1-4pm Arlesey Resource Centre, High Street, Arlesey We want to bring the community together. Come along to Meet new people, Share your skills, Explore your interests, Learn something new, Develop your community and all with free tea, coffee and cakes!

This project is delivered by Community Action Bedfordshire and NOAH Enterprise, and funded by Central Bedfordshire Council and Public Health.

Tel: Priya 07814 704203 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Staplers Country Dance Club 8-10pm St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin Staplers is a social folk dance club. It’s easy to start as all the dances are walked through first then called and you don’t need to come with a partner.

We are a friendly group and you will be made very welcome. Car parking is available next to the hall.

We meet every Monday apart from Bank Holidays and the school summer holidays.

Tel. 01462 895567 or 01462 624144 Web: www.staplers.org.uk 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-11pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Branch Out meets every Monday night and is a medium-sized Social Club for single people. It was formed in 1995 to bring together single, divorced, widowed and separated people, aged 40 upwards, from the Herts, Beds and Bucks area, to socialise and enjoy one another’s company. The club organises regular events, such as dinners, discos, meals, parties, Sunday walks, theatre and concert visits, day and weekend trips and holidays.

Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk

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2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 October Stevenage Bridge Club 7.30pm Priory Nursery, Stanmore Road, Old Stevenage To play Duplicate Bridge. A host system is run to find partners, if required. A wide level of ability play at the club. Tel: Phil Cooper 07957 813434 3 October North Herts Association of the National Trust 7.30pm Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Non-members £2 on the door. Talk on ‘Hitchin beneath your feet’ by Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews, renowned archaeologist and Heritage Access Officer at North Herts Museum. Non-members welcome.

Membership of the National Trust not necessary. Tea and coffee served during the evening. Second-hand books and homemade preserves are on sale.

Tel: Secretary Mrs Colette House 01462 815585 Email: colettehouse@gmail.com 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 October Toddler Tales 2.15-2.45pm Letchworth Library Free event. Toddler Tales is a mix of lively stories and rhymes. The stories chosen are aimed at toddlers and preschool children.

3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 October Vivace Choir 7.30-9.30pm Edgeworth House, 121 High Street, Arlesey We are looking for keen singers to join our fun and friendly choir. Web: www.vivacechoir.co.uk 4 October The Arts Society North Herts Talk 11am & 2pm Spirella Ballroom, Bridge Road, Letchworth Tickets £7 on the door. Talk on Claude Lorrain by Hilary Williams. Come and hear about how the magical ethereal way in which Claude evoked the pastoral landscape made him hugely popular with 17th and 18th century collectors.

Email: theartssociety.nh@gmail.com Web: www.theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk 4, 11, 18 & 25 October Toddler Tales 2.15-2.45pm Baldock Library Free event. Toddler Tales is a mix of lively stories and rhymes.

4, 11, 18 & 25 October Baldock Community Orchestra 7.15pm Knights Templar School (Room CS1), Baldock £7 per week or 10 week term £50. A friendly group of musicians. Come and give us a try, first session free! Tel: Rachel Dawson 07818 480332 4, 11, 18 & 25 October Roundabouters Country Dance Club 8-10pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage Friendly club for English country dancing. We welcome new members All dances walked through; club and guest callers ensure a varied programme.

Tel: 01438 727 239 Email: roundabouters@live.co.uk Web: www.roundabouters.org.uk

4, 11, 18 & 25 October Sapphire Social Club 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin We are a small and friendly group for single people generally aged 50 and above. We offer a variety of social events during the month and the opportunity to meet and make new friends. .

Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 or Ian 07900 890583 for info Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 5 October Grand Jumble Sale 7pm Clophill Village Hall Adults 30p, Accompanied children free. Clophill Friends of the Leonard Cheshire Disability Home at Ampthill. Refreshments available. All profits are donated for the direct benefit of the residents at the Leonard Cheshire Disability Home in Ampthill. If you have any good quality jumble for us or would like to help at the event please call. Tel: 01525 861110 5 October Charity Quiz Night 7pm for 8pm start The Broadhall Suite, Stevenage FC £10 per person. Teams of 6-8 people. Choice of meal included. Bring along your pen, brain and change for raffle and games with lots of prizes to be won.

Organised by Wrights of Stevenage in aid of Willow Foundation. To book your team place contact Natalie or pop into Wrights, 19 Market Place, Stevenage.

Tel: Natalie 01438 312312 Email: natalie.lane@wrightsof.com 5 & 6 October ‘Panic Stations’ - A Hilarious Farce Doors/Bar open 6.45pm, Curtain up 7.30pm Henlow Theatre, Hitchin Road, Henlow Camp Tickets £9, Concessions £7 Chester Dreadnought has bought a lovely country cottage, dreaming of idyllic peace, but is he able to enjoy it? Not with Abel Bounty, the local unhandyman, always around, and not with Carol, an attractive girl who seems to have mysteriously moved in. First night tickets sales will be donated to The Downs Syndrome Association.

Tel: Tickets 01462 700785 or 07876 353677 Web: www.henlowtheatre.org.uk 5, 12, 19 & 26 October Baldock Health Walk 11am Tesco car park, 58 High Street, Baldock Mind in Herts Health Walk every Friday. .

Tel: Stephanie Flint 01438 369215 Email: stephanie.flint@mindinherts.org.uk Web: www.mindinherts.org.uk 5, 12, 19 & 26 October Springfield House Friday Bridge Club 1.30pm Springfield House (the home of the Old Stevenage Community Centre) To play cut-in Chicago Bridge. Play is informal and friendly.

Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517

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n O s ’ t Wha In October

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

5, 12, 19 & 26 October Rainmakers International Folk Dance Club 8-10pm The Parish Hall, Broadway, Letchworth We enjoy folk dances of all styles from many countries around the world and meet most Fridays. Our Anniversary Dance is on 19 October, with extra dancing, a band and food.

Tel: Roger 01438 812766 or Jill 01462 457791 Web: www.rainmakers.org.uk 6 October Weekend Stories 10.30-11am Baldock Library Free event. Stories chosen are aimed at toddlers and preschool children.

6 October Jazz Concert 7.30pm Knights Templar School, Baldock Tickets £16 - buy 5 get 6th free. Baldock Rotary Club invites you to a Jazz Concert with Apex Jazz Band featuring Peter Chapman- clarinet, Andy Moran - trumpet, Adrian Cosker - tenor sax, Martin Ley - trombone, Mike O’Neill - piano, Ken Baillie - drums, Tommy Hunt – bass and Dave Guinane - guitar. Proceeds to the Garden House Hospice. Fish & Chip Supper is included in the ticket price. Bar available. Tickets available from the Community Centre or Keith Britter.

Tel: Keith 01462 896189 or 07866 739248 6 & 7 October 19th Ashwell Book Weekend Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm St. Mary’s Church, Ashwell Adults £1, Children under 16 free. Come and browse and buy from the hundreds of books for sale at bargain prices.

7 October Charity Fun Quiz Night 8pm Five Bells, Henlow Village £2 per person. In aid of the Garden House Hospice Care. Teams of up to 8 members are invited to take part. Cash prize for the winning team and a suitable prize for last place.

Tel: John 01767 680974 Email: quizzesforcharity@outlook.com 8 October Icknield Quilters 7.30pm for 7.45pm start Baldock Community Centre Visitors £4. Sewing Evening. Bring along your Heritage Quilt works in progress. www.icknieldquilters.co.uk for more info 9 & 23 October Hitchin & District Probus Club 12 noon for 1pm Priory Hotel, Hitchin Social club for retired and semi-retired professional and business-men which meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. .

Tel: Roger Burt 01438 351891 Email: roger@mazda20.plus.com

10 October Slipper Swap Social 10-12am Letchworth Library No booking needed just come along!

Tel: 0300 123 4049 Web: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/slipperswap 10 October Letchworth Chamber Music Concert 7.45 pm Howgills Friends Meeting House, 42 South View, SG6 3JJ Tickets £12, Under 18s and students £6 for children under 18 and students. Come to the opening concert of the Wednesday night winter series of chamber music concerts to welcome the return of the well-known Archaeus Quartet – Ann Hooley and Rosemary Lock (violins), Elizabeth Turnbull, (viola) and Martin Bradshaw (cello).

Tickets available on the door.

Web: www.letchworthmusicclub.co.uk 11 October Baldock & Clothall WI 7.30pm United Reformed Church, Whitehorse Street, Baldock Visitors £3 including refreshment and raffle ticket Facebook: www.facebook.com/baldockclothallwi 11 October Stevenage Floral Art Society 7.45pm High Street Methodist Hall Visitors very welcome.

11 October Stevenage Plus Social Group New Member’s Night 8.15pm Stevenage Plus Social Group is a fun and friendly social group with members in their 30s and 40s from Stevenage, North Herts and surrounding areas. We have a varied programme of events on Thursday and Saturday evenings as well as day trips and weekends away. You can join us on any Thursday at 8.15pm to find out more about us or come along to the special New Member’s Night.

Please call or visit the website to find out more.

Tel: 01438 231550 Web www.stevenageplus.co.uk 12 October Unicorn Ceilidh 7.30-11pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Baldock Adults £10, Concessions and family tickets available Unicorn Ceilidh with Melobo and caller Jane Bird.

Kerry’s Cloggers play the interval slot. Ceilidh dances are great fun, easy to learn - and addictive!

Clear instructions from the caller before and during each dance. Our combination of the finest live bands, top callers and a bar serving local Real Ale and Cider plus wine and soft drinks guarantee an excellent, fun-filled evening. Tickets are available on the door but advance purchase is recommended.

Email: enquiries@unicornceilidhs.org.uk Web: www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/unicorn-ceilidhs

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16 October Stevenage RSPB Local Group 7.30pm The Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage RSPB Members £3, Non-members £3.50, Under 16s 50p. Chris Ward presents a talk about Northumberland and the Farne Islands, which may even stray into Yorkshire.

20 October Weston Music Society Concert 7.30pm Weston Parish Church, SG4 7DJ Tickets £16. Andrey Lebedev & Iosif Purits - Guitar and Accordion. Bach, Vivaldi, Rodrigo and surprises!

Last Autumn concerts is 17 November.

Tel: 01462 790214. Email: felicitylowe@yahoo.co.uk Web: www.westonmusicsociety.org.uk 21 October Hitchin & Letchworth Local Group RSPB Coach Trip Coach fare Adults £15.50, Under 18s £7.75 Coach Trip to RSPB Dungeness and Dungeness NNR (Joint Trip with RSPB Stevenage Local Group). The unique shingle landscape of the RSPB’s oldest reserve and Dungeness village should provide some exciting bird watching during a period of migrant passage. Coach pick-up times: Letchworth 7.30am, Hitchin 7.45am and Stevenage: 7.55am.

Booking essential. Extra fee at RSPB Reserve for non-members. Tel: 01462 451320 Email: martinrjspc@hotmail.com Web: rspb.org.uk/groups/hitchinandletchworth 25 October Stevenage RSPB Local Group Morning Walk 9.30am Stanstead Innings, SG12 8HL A morning walk round this area of lakes, scrub and meadows, on the edge of Stanstead Abbots. Meet in the car park at 9.30am. OS Map Ref: 166/TL386115.

Tel: Leader Graham Beevor 01438 23205 27 October Table Top Sale 10am St. Mary’s Church Hall, Stotfold Tables £5. Refreshments and raffle. Proceeds for church restoration projects.

Tel: Chris Webster 01462 834108 for tables 30 October Supporting Children & Young People with Loss & Bereavement 6.30-8.30pm Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living £8. The aim of this session is to discuss the impact of bereavement and loss, including divorce and separation. The session will include an overview of the psychological stages of loss and will explore strategies and ways of supporting children and young people who are going through this process.

Book online or call the Centre. Tel 01462 678804 Web: www.letchworthcentre.org/classes/ lunchtime-talks-and-workshops/

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advertorial

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

If you act now you can avoid these problems.

Now, you may think you need to replace the whole

window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solution‌ Just replace the glass!!

If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118. We will send out our highly experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote.

A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it.

With years of experience

Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee. Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors.

Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Stephen Moon and he services the Henlow, Stotfold & Langford areas.

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Stephen a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

Cloudy2Clear Windows...

Service With A Smile!

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

67

Electrician

www.hertsandbedselectrical.co.uk

BICKERDIKES

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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Time of Year

Seven Steps to the Perfect Pumpkin Lantern 1. Choose a decent sized, rounded pumpkin. Fresh unblemished ones are best. Work on newspaper as pumpkin carving is messy!

2. Use a serrated blade to cut a lid. Make sure the hole is big enough so that you can scoop out the flesh inside.

3. Use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to remove the pulp and seeds. Thin the walls a little too by scraping away some of the flesh. This makes carving easier and allows more light through.

4. It’s best to draw your design in marker first. Bold shapes are easiest. For a professional finish use a paper template. You can draw your own or download one; tape it to the pumpkin then use a sharp pointed tool, like a knitting needle or nail, to poke holes around the design. when you remove the paper, the design will be left on the pumpkin.

5. A sharp, serrated knife will work best to cut out your design. Start at the centre and work outwards using short saw-like strokes for better control.

6. Rub some petroleum jelly on to the exposed parts of the pumpkin. This stops those areas turning brown.

7. If you’re using a real candle, put it in a small glass. Cut holes in the lid to allow heat and smoke to escape.

Fairy lights and battery-operated candles are the safest and best options for lighting.

Visit www.pumpkinpile.com for some great stencils and ideas.

By Sarah Davey

51455

Paul Donald

Gas Plumbing & Central Heating

Boiler Changes | Boiler repairs | Boiler servicing Power flushing | Unvented cylinders | Underfloor heating Central heating installations | Bathroom installations Landlords certificates

Free estimates No job to big or small 35 years experience

07973 410957 | 07415 100610 | 01462 815386 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

69

Gaming

No Man’s Sky This game was originally released in 2016. Much to the dismay of the players it felt unfinished and did not deliver on the developers’ promises. With the ‘Next’ update everything has changed, all for the better.

This game is huge. It will take you 500 billion years to explore it all as most of its content is procedurally generated.

There isn’t a story as such, its more a voyage of discovery about the meaning of and the birth of life. It’s like Interstellar meets Bargain Hunt. You start on a planet next to a crashed drop pod and you go from there. The game does a decent job of guiding you through the means to survive then as you learn the basics you’ll know what is needed to progress.

However don’t expect to be shooting aliens all the time, it’s just not the point.

It’s a beautiful game with stunning cosmic backgrounds, beautiful landscapes and lush vegetation. You can build bases and farms, sell starships, command gigantic space fleets and send them on missions.

Explore the cosmos, destroy pirates, trade on markets. What you do is up to you.

The inventory system is cumbersome, but you’ll soon learn the ingredients needed to create items that will improve your game overall.

No Man’s Sky is spectacular, and it is improving all the time. Relax and discover space on a scale like never before.

WHY HIRE A SKIP? RUBBISH CLEARANCE HERTFORDSHIRE 24 HOURS

7 DAYS FULLY INSURED & LICENCED DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL SERVICE

GARAGE - LOFT - OFFICE - HOUSE - GARDEN WASTE - APPLIANCES PROBATE CLEARANCE | DE CLUTTERING SERVICE

BEFORE

AFTER

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01438 215 018 | www.rubbishclearanceherts.co.uk | 07960 98 32 98 70 HRC half page.indd

1

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71

Alan George Painter & Decorator

Up to 50% Off Furniture moved Old carpets removed if required

FREE ESTIMATES We call with samples and measure Carpets fitted in about a week

01462 733203 / 07748 532632

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

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September’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Miss C Swepstone from Buckden Winner of the Southlake Aqua Park Competition Holly Webb from Letchworth

Winner of the Cambridge Youth Ballet Competition Maxine Hendry from Wilstead

Easy

Hard

UP TO 40% OFF IN OCTOBER NOT YOUR AVERAGE HOME IMPROVEMENT COMPANY

RESINBOUND DRIVEWAYS • MAINTENANCE FREE • WEED FREE • HARD WEARING • QUICK INSTALLATION • CAN BE USED AS OVERLAY

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DRIVEWAYS, PATHS AND PATIOS 10 YEAR GUARANTEE

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

73

The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

£25

Across 7 Moscow’s country (6) 8 Clears throat (6) 9 Continent (4) 10 Extra (8) 11 Picture houses (7) 13 Head organ (5) 15 Wooden barrier (5) 17 Go backwards (7) 20 Fell (8) 21 Limit, boundary (4) 23 Event, incident (6) 24 Idea (6)

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



16th October 2018 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Down 1 Pet name for cat (4) 2 Property, manor (6) 3 Yellow fruits (7) 4 Corrosive liquids (5) 5 Six-string (6) 6 Explanations, hypotheses (8) 12 Recognize (8) 14 Title (7) 16 Fighting (6) 18 Occurrences (6) 19 Warn (5) 22 Enlarge, develop (4)

Name: Tel: Address:

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PLUMBING & HEATING LTD FULLY QUALIFIED — 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

INSTALLATION Boiler installation with 7 - 10 year warranty Boiler breakdown & power flushing Frozen condense pipe rectified Boiler service and landlord certification

PLUMBING Bathroom installation Wetroom installation Mains pressure upgrade General plumbing work & maintenance

BOILER INSTALLATION Combi and system boiler’s upgrade Underfloor heating Warm air and powermax upgrade Boiler breakdown repair

218627

CALL: 01462 292247 / 07753 817469 Email: info@dhplumbinglimited.co.uk

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

75

ROY HARE PLUMBING AND HEATING Est. 1972

Gas Safe Registered

40640

Gas Boilers

Installed, serviced and repaired.

Boilers, Water Heaters, Cookers, Fires, Landlords CertiďŹ cates.

Complete Oil Boiler Service Installed, Serviced, Repaired and Commissioned.

All Plumbing and Heating Work

Showers (Electric & Pumped), Cylinders, Pumps, Radiators, Zone Valves, Programmers, Heating Controls, System Upgrades.

Wiring for heating control systems

FREE ESTIMATES Call Roy on

01462 711809 or 07774 645925

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Books

Book Review

By Kate Duggan

Accountants

Twisted Fairy Tales

If you like your fairy tales more Brothers Grimm than Disney, you’re in for a treat with this lot…

Nightjar

by Paul Jameson

‘Nightjar’ is the first novel of local author Paul Jameson, and it’s been described as ‘a fairy tale for grownups’. Set in the countryside around Sandy and Everton, two boys escape the strict boundaries of a feudal future to explore an old Roman Way. There they meet with Nightjar, a strange being who introduces them to the magick of Man and Nature.

As a search hurries to find the boys, adventure beckons. Only Nightjar is not all he seems...

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel

by Louise Murphy

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

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

Tel: 01462 732 628 • Mob: 07860 436 217

In Nazi-occupied Poland, two Jewish children take on new identities – Hansel and Gretel.

Pursued by soldiers, the children’s father and stepmother urge the children to seek safety in the forest while they try to draw the danger away. Deep in the woods lives an old woman who may be the children’s only hope. A harrowing read, but a memorable one.

Grimm Tales for Old and Young

by Philip Pullman

Pullman has reworked 50 of the Grimm brothers’ tales. He’s kept most of the content the same, but updated the language and ‘tidied them up’. The collection includes well-known tales, such as Rapunzel, Cinderella and Rumpelstiltskin, along with lesser-known stories such as Hans-MyHedgehog and The Musicians of Bremen.

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

77

Classifieds Carpentry and Joinery

Plumbing and Heating

Tim Jordon

Carpentry and Joinery Made to measure quality timber products supply and fit.

Doors, Windows, Stairs, Gates, Kitchen Worktops, Wood staining, painting and varnishing Station Road, Lower Stondon, Beds.

Tel: 01462 850363 or 07544 790071

Decorators

Property Maintenance R. CHAPMAN

Simon & Neil Johnston PAINTING & DECORATING

Home & Garden Services

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

Electrical Contractor Electrical Contractor

N A Bush

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

Experienced Qualified and Insured All work guaranteed

Patio’s Driveways Fencing Brickwork Painting & Decorating Tiling 20 Years Experience - No Job Too Small!

01462 850575 or 07950 311881

Removals

MUSCLE & MOTOR

Jumbo van with up to 3 men.

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

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

n.bush744@btinternet.com

Roofing

Plastering Services

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

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USEFUL NUMBERS

VILLAGER The

and Town

Life

Alcoholics Anonymous...................... 0845 769 7555 Anglian Water................................... 08457 145 145 Bedford Hospital................................01234 355122 Lister Hospital....................................01438 314333 Addenbrooks Hospital........................01223 245151 Benefits for people with Disabilities.... 0800 882 200 Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue.............01234 351081 Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue............01438 729041 Carers Line........................................ 0808 808 7777 ChildLine..................................................0800 1111 Citizens Advice.................................. 0344 245 1292 Cocaine Anonymous................................0800 689 4732

Bringing Local Business to Local People Your local full colour A5 monthly magazine delivered free of charge to 1000s of homes and businesses in your local area.

The Villager and Town Life is dedicated to promoting local businesses, charities, community groups and everything else in your local area.

Crimestoppers..................................... 0800 555 111 Cruse Bereavement Care................... 0333 252 9152 Floodline........................................... 0845 988 1188 Frank-Drug Advisory........................... 0800 776 600 National Debt Line............................ 0808 808 4000 Gas Emergency.................................... 0800 111 999 NHS Direct................................................0845 4647 National Rail Enquiries..................... 03457 48 49 50 Non Emergency Police Line.................................101 NSPCC............................................... 0808 800 5000 Relate................................................. 0845 48 49 50 RSPCA Cruelty Line............................ 0300 1234 999 Samaritans...................................................116 123 Tax Credit Helpline............................ 0345 300 3900 Victim Support................................. 0845 30 30 900

For more information or to reserve your space please contact Nigel on:

Tel: 01767 261122

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

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79

STOTFOLD MILL

WORKING

STEAM WEEKEND

SAT 13TH & SUN 14TH OCTOBER 2018

The Attractions Include...

Ploughing Displays by: - Heavy Horses - Steam Engines - Vintage Tractors

Also Featuring: - Threshing Machine - Saw Milling Machine - Stationary Engines - Commercial Vehicles - Vintage Cider Press - Traditional Crafts

Fun Stuff For Kids:

NEW!

- Vintage Swing Boats - Archery - Steam Train Rides

13th YEAR!

Mill Open Both Days: - Stotfold Mill Flour for Sale - Randall’s Tea Room - Kingfisher Gift Shop - Milling Demonstrations - Hot/Cold Food & Drink - Licensed Bar in the Marquee For more information please visit www.stotfoldmill.com

SHOW OPEN DAILY: 10.30AM - 5.00PM

www.stotfoldmill.com Mill Lane, Stotfold, Bedfordshire SG5 4NU This event is sponsored by Saunders Garage.

Daily Admission Prices: Adults: £6.00 Senior Citizens: £5.00 Children: £4.00 (Under 4 are free)

FOR NEWS ON THE STEAM WEEKEND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK OR TWITTER Registered Charity No: 1086392