Henlow October 2019 by Villager Mag

VILLAGER The

Issue 131 - October 2019

and Town

Life

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

In this issue The History of

Witches

Win tickets to see

We Love Little Mix Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

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Langford, Henlow, Shefford, Stanford, Hinxworth, Clifton, Radwell, Fairfield Park, Shillington, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Gravenhurst, ur Holwell, Meppershall, Baldock, Stotfold, Arlesey & Letchworth Yo EE

FRco1py

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Inside this issue... Win Tickets to the Festive Gift Fair

The History of Witches................................................................4 The Big Draw - 1st to 31st October.............................................8 Win a Family Ticket to see We Love Little Mix...........................10 Win Tickets to the Festive Gift Fair............................................12 Fireworks - How they work......................................................16 Wood Green - The Animals Charity...........................................19 Ragdale Hall Spa: The Experience.............................................21 Parents’ Evening Survival Guide...............................................22 The Jack O’Lantern...................................................................25 Skin Deep - Basal Cell Carcinoma..............................................27 How to dress well for your job..................................................28 Fast Fixes..................................................................................32 Winnepeg - Canada’s Gateway to the West..............................35 Beds and Herts Youth Organists Training Scheme.....................37 Is early repayment right for your mortgage?............................38 BMAS - Safe, High Quality, Easy Access Bathrooms..................40 The Rock Garden is Alive...........................................................42 Beautiful Blueberries...............................................................45

Chilterns Walking Festival Kicks Off..........................................48 Rats-Tales.................................................................................50 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal........................................................52 Animal Know-How...................................................................55 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...................................................56 Puzzle Page..............................................................................60 What’s On.................................................................................64 Red Hat Society - My Fair Ladies...............................................67 Going Dutch.............................................................................69 Fun Quiz...................................................................................70 Prize Crossword........................................................................74 Book Review............................................................................77 Useful Numbers.......................................................................79

Wood Green, The Animal Charity

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, Karen Campbell, Tracey Anderson, Trevor Langley, Aoife Brennan, Jennie Billings, Kate Duggan, Solange Hando, Ann Haldon, Pippa Greenwood, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA, Nick Coffer and Iain Betson

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History By Catherine Rose

The History of Witches Magical rites and rituals have long been an important part of ancient pre-Christian civilizations. The earliest witches were often respected wise women who lived by and honoured the cycles of nature and had expert knowledge of how to use plants to make potions for healing. They sometimes acted as village midwives. However, witches also came to be labelled devil worshippers and heretics and were persecuted for hundreds of years. The image of a witch as a cackling hook-nosed crone bent over a cauldron was probably cemented by Shakespeare in his depiction of the three witches in Macbeth. But it was the Bible itself that helped seal their fate with the Book of Exodus

in the Old Testament stating: “thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” (22:18). Witch hunts began in the mid-fifteenth century with witches popularly being burnt at the stake, hanged or drowned. The latter method was the result of a test devised to root out a genuine witch, which in any case proved fatal. It was believed that if a witch was bound (usually by tying the thumbs to the toes), then thrown into water and subsequently sank (which would normally result in her drowning), she was innocent; if she floated however, she was guilty and so put to death anyway. A variation of this method was the ducking stool. Prior to this, confessions were extracted by various forms of torture including the witch’s bridle – an

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iron headpiece which inserted a tongue clamp in the victim’s mouth after which they were hung against a wall, depriving them of sleep and nourishment. A book called The Malleus Maleficarium (The Hammer of Sorcery), written by Catholic Dominican monks Jacob Springer and Henrik Kramer, was published in Germany in 1486. It declared the practice of witchcraft to be heresy and explained how to identify a witch and what to do when you found one. Their belief that women were morally weaker and therefore more prone to the influence of the Devil became the basis of a gender bias that was to endure. The book sold so many copies between 1486 and 1500, it was second only in Europe to the Bible. In 1542, practising witchcraft was declared a crime in England and the post of Witchfinder General was created to rid towns of ‘troublesome and dangerous’ witches. The famous Pendle witches were three generations of one family who, in 1612, were paraded through the streets and hanged in Lancaster. Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins, who oversaw purges in East Anglia and Essex, was responsible for 300 executions. Hopkins put 68 people to death in Bury St Edmunds between 1645 and 1646 alone. From 1500 to 1660, it is believed up to 100,000 people in Europe were accused of witchcraft and more than half of these killed, with the highest number of executions taking place in Germany. Religious professor Barbara McGraw has noted that some German towns had no women left in them. The hysteria subsequently spread to America with the famous Salem Witch Trials in 1692, but over the following hundred years or so the

prevalence of witch-hunts died down, with new laws introduced to protect innocent people from being falsely accused at a time when someone could be put to death for having a hairy mole (the Devil’s mark) or owning a black cat (believed to be a supernatural entity)! Witchcraft has long been associated with evil but in fact, modern witchcraft rejects the Devil on the basis that he is a Christian concept. Witches often practice the ancient pagan religion of Wicca (or Wicce) whose root beliefs lie in revering the natural world with a creed of ‘harm none’. Wiccans also believe in the ‘Law of Three’ which means that whatever you send out into the world, whether good or evil, will come back to you threefold. Therefore, putting a hex on someone will only result in something three times worse happening to you! In Wicca, witches are considered healers, protectors and teachers. Spells, incantations and charms are taken from The Book of Shadows, which despite its sinister name is an encyclopaedia of ancient wisdom for practising witchcraft and magick. However, there have been other somewhat darker religions pertaining to magic and the occult over the last 100 years. Once described as “the wickedest man in the world”, the notorious Aleister Crowley founded the cult of Thelema at the turn of the twentieth century, which advocated “do what thou wilt” in the practice of magic. The Church of Satanism was set up by Anton LeVey in 1966. It focused on hedonistic principles and ‘sins of the flesh’, while The Temple of Set was inaugurated by Dr Michael Aquino in 1975. Although named after the ancient Egyptian god of darkness, it didn’t believe in the power of a deity but in man’s limitless potential that could be unleashed by using ‘dark’ magic to benefit the individual rather than others. Whether for good or evil, magic spells and witches continue to intrigue and fascinate us, particularly at this time of year with the coming of Samhain, or Halloween.

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Time of Year

The Big Draw October 1st -31st October is the official month of the worldwide project The Big Draw, which promotes the benefits of drawing for children and adults. I enjoyed art at school but like many kids I stopped drawing when I realised I’d never be ‘good’. Turns out you don’t need to be. The beauty of drawing is that you get all the benefits even if you make the average toddler look like Da Vinci. Drawing develops fine motor skills - Drawing provides immediate visual feedback that changes depending on the type of pencil, pen or crayon used and how its manipulated. This feedback helps to identify the best ways to produce the desired result. Fine motor skills are important for writing and typing in school, but are also great for adults with arthritis or mobility issues. Drawing improves hand-eye coordination - If you’re trying to reproduce what you see then you are exercising hand-eye co-ordination. This helps with writing but also in sport! Drawing helps you see - By drawing objects in

By Karen Campbell

proximity to each other we learn about distance, size, perspective, and texture. It makes us really look at the world in ways we may never have done so before. Drawing aids concentration - Studying an object, focussing on form and detail takes time. If we’re enjoying that process it aids concentration. This is helpful for both children in school, but also older people, particularly in early stage dementia. Drawing improves problem-solving - How do you connect body parts, convey distance or size, represent emotion or texture? These are all creative problems to be solved. Drawing boosts confidence - If you practice, you improve and feel good, whether you’re an adult or a child, that’s a confidence boost you can take into other areas of your life. Drawing is a great activity and beneficial for any age group or ability level. Look out for local activities related to The Big Draw. For more information visit https://thebigdraw.org

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WIN a FAMILY TICKET (for 4 people) to see

We Love Little Mix “The Ultimate Little Mix Experience”

We Love Little Mix The Ultimate Little Mix Party! Tuesday 22nd October 2019, show at 6pm Bedford Corn Exchange Tickets £15 If you love Little Mix, you are going to just L.O.V.E this show! Featuring four fantastic singers and dancers who really capture the look, the sound, and all the dance moves of one of the UK’s best loved Girl-Bands. Little Mix came to fame after winning X Factor back in 2011 and have gone on to release five albums and many hit singles, including four number-ones. We Love Little Mix features all-live vocals, breath-taking costumes and an impressive light and video show. This non-stop, high-energy show is packed with all your favourite Little Mix songs including DNA, Wings, Salute, Black Magic, Love Me Like You, Secret Love Song, Shout to my Ex, No More Sad songs, and many more. The perfect half term treat for all the family!

Tickets available from www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk and from the box office in Bedford Harpur Suite 01234 718044

For a chance to win a family ticket simply answer the question and complete the form below and send to: We Love Little Mix Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th October 2019.

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WE LOVE LITTLE MIX COMPETITION ENTRY

How many number one singles have Little Mix had?

Name: Tel: Email: Address:

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The biggest and most lively indoor Christmas Shopping Fair in the Midlands is back!..... with so much choice, fabulous bargains and great musical entertainment The Festive Gift Fair 14-17th November 2019 NEC, Birmingham From the moment you arrive, you’ll be caught up in the fabulous atmosphere, anticipation rising as you browse 300+ stalls overflowing with thousands upon thousands of unusual gifts, stocking fillers, decorations and artisan food & drink at prices worth celebrating! It’s an Aladdin’s cave of sparkling stalls offering more choice, more variety and more fun than the High Street, and it’s all under one roof. The run up to Christmas Day involves a lot of planning and most of us have so much to do and so little time to do it! Take the pressure out of Christmas shopping and find all the presents you want at the one-stop shop Festive Gift Fair. When your bags are full, just drop them off at the Present Creche and continue to shop some more! No other Christmas fair in the UK has as much entertainment in one hall to get you into the Christmas spirit… The Grinch will be up to his usual menacing antics! • Father Christmas will be mingling The Stilt Jazz Band will be legging it up the aisles! • The UK’s largest snowman will be amazing the children The outrageous Panto Dame will be causing havoc around the hall The fabulous CHRISTMAS BAND will be performing throughout the day. THE BASETONES will have you toe-tapping as you shop, with their Motown-style Christmas harmonies For more information and how to book your advance tickets please visit www.festivegiftfair.co.uk

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Time of Year

Fireworks

By Tracey Anderson

How they work!

Most of us love watching fireworks, but have you ever thought about how rockets work? It’s a fascinating science and if you read on, you’ll be able to amaze your friends in the pub after attending your local display. Fireworks are essentially small missiles designed to explode in a controlled and colourful way. The word ‘firework’ originates from the Greek word pyrotechnics, which means, ‘fire art’ or ‘fire skill’; and modern rocket designs require both in huge amounts. Rockets mostly consist of five main parts. The tail or the stick – This protrudes from the bottom and ensures the firework shoots in a straight line, which is important for two reasons: first, so that the rocket doesn’t fly off in a random direction, and injure someone; and second, because it aids accuracy and precision when creating complex displays. Fuse - This is the part that allows the firework to be ignited safely. It allows a time delay before the main part of the firework (the charge) begins to burn. This charge ignites other, smaller fuses that make the interesting, colourful parts of the firework (the effects) explode a little later. In a basic rocket, the main fuse consists of a piece of paper or fabric that you light with a match. In a complex public firework display, fuses are lit by electrical contacts known as wirebridge fuseheads. When the firework technician pushes a button, an electric current flows along a wire into the fusehead, which ignites the main fuse. Electrical ignition has the advantage it can be done at a very safe distance. Charge - This is actually a fairly crude explosive designed to blast the rocket up into the sky. Some rockets travel at speeds as fast as a fighter jet. The charge is usually made up of tightly packed, coarse explosive gunpowder (known as black powder) and simply sends the firework high into the air, clear of spectators; it’s not responsible for the spectacular colours. Effect - This is the business end of the firework. A single firework may have just one effect, or several, packed into separate compartments which fire off in sequence, ignited by a timedelay fuse. Effects are explosives too, but different from the main charge. Each effect is made up of more loosely packed, finer explosive material, often fashioned into separate ‘stars’, which make up the small, individual, colourful explosions from a larger firework. The arrangement of patterns and colours depend on how each effect is made and packed. Head - This is the top part of the firework which contains the effect or effects. Sometimes the head has a pointed nosecone to make the firework faster and more aerodynamic and improve the chance of it going in a straight line. However, you choose to enjoy the fireworks this year remember safety should always be paramount. Follow the firework code.

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Local News

Wood Green, The Animals Charity Wood Green’s aim is to help every pet and pet owner that comes to them. Wood Green, The Animal Charity’s aim is to bring pets and people closer together, providing pets with loving homes that they deserve whilst empowering owners with the knowledge to take the very best care of their beloved pets. Wood Green offers free pet advice to anyone who needs it, whether you are considering having a pet in the future and need guidance on pet choice, or you already have a pet and need some general advice or intensive support. In a year, Wood Green found loving homes for more than 4,000 pets and reunited 164 pets with their owners. Their dedicated team gave one-to-one care and support to 2,343 pets and their owners, with more than 10,000 veterinary consultations and around 3,200 operations carried out. Sponsoring a pet pen is a meaningful way to be part of rescue pets’ journeys at Wood Green and help the financial effort in providing the best quality treatment and care possible – from shelter, regular nutritious meals and veterinary care to training, love and affection. Pets at Wood Green stay for an average of 30-35 days, meaning you will play a vital role in giving a number of adorable pets the happy ending they deserve. You will receive regular updates from your dog, cat or small animal pen and follow pets’ amazing journeys, seeing first-hand how your support is making a difference. Find out more at woodgreen.org.uk

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Food and Drink

Ragdale Hall Spa: The Experience Ragdale Hall Spa has won numerous awards, over many years. This world-class spa can boast awards and commendations, including Best UK Spa, UK’s Best Destination Spa, plus Best All-Round Health Spa. The different areas, within this venue, have parts which capture inspirations from global destinations.

Having six pools (including a rooftop infinity pool, aqua gym and candle pool) and with a river of warm water, leading to an outside paradise, all is very calming. The gymnasium and exercise studios are stateof–the-art and extensive daily programmes have regular ‘devotees’. A wealth of thermal experiences have steam rooms and saunas appealing to many, including the volcanic salt bath. Numerous treatment rooms (100+ qualified, experienced therapists), beauty express areas, the pavilion and impressive shops, all have something to occupy, continually. Indeed, from manicure to makeover! Included in several packages and deals is the fabulous buffet lunch. Starters are served or help yourself from the buffet. The buffet offers a lot of different foods that include seafood, fish and meat choices. Stir fry, honey-glazed roast gammon and a good deal more are very popular, too. Mohamed Bardouz is the Dining Room Manager and ensures all guests have a memorable, most enjoyable dining experience. All cuisine is cooked and presented to perfection by the brigade of very talented chefs, kitchen personnel and carvers. Desserts can be served and are also help yourself from the buffet, that includes yoghurts and chilled options. Complimentary mineral water and tea or coffee are included, also. With several packages being available – from a short visit to an extended stay – there is always time to take the opportunity for a treatment (or three!). From a few minutes, to deep massages, it is very worthwhile including this aspect in a visit to Ragdale Hall Spa. Mountain bikes, tennis courts, plus croquet and more, are all available, too. For evenings the dining room is transformed, with pristine, candle-lit table settings adding to the ambience. All courses are served, to table. The 90+ beautiful, inviting bedrooms offer wonderful, comfortable accommodation. Gift vouchers are available – perhaps surprise someone special? Ragdale Hall Spa, Ragdale Village, Nr Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 3PB General Enquiries. Tel: 44 (0) 1664 434831 Reservations. Tel: 44 (0) 1664 433000 E-mail: enquiries@ragdalehall.co.uk E-mail: reservations@ragdalehall.co.uk www.ragdalehall.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Parenting

The Parents’ Evening Survival Guide Top five tips for a successful meeting Talk to your child - Children are often apprehensive about parents’ evenings. Even a quiet, well-behaved child may worry a teacher will complain about them. Ask your child if they have any issues with their lessons or with classmates. Make them understand that the meeting is held for their benefit. Let them know you’re on their side and that you’ll help sort things out. Prepare – Write down important questions. You have a limited time with teachers. A list of questions prevents you from missing important points in the discussion. Discuss any problems – Share insights about your child in the By Karen Campbell meeting. Let the teacher know if they are upset about things like a grandparent being poorly, or their dog dying. These insights may help a teacher understand why your child might be acting differently and let them know they need to be more sensitive. Listen to the teacher - They spend hours observing your child. Be aware that your child may behave differently in a school environment. If the teacher points out any negative qualities in your child don’t lose your temper. Take the suggestions on board for consideration and rebook another longer meeting for another day if you feel the situation merits it. Be on time – There will be other parents scheduled after you so make sure you are punctual; it will help with the general flow of the evening and you’ll have more time to talk.

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The Jack O’ Lantern

Time of Year By Aoife Brennan

Why we carve pumpkins at Halloween We think of the Halloween pumpkin lantern as an American invention but in fact it was the Irish who took the tradition of carving pumpkins to America, except the original Jack O’ Lantern was not a pumpkin because they didn’t exist in Ireland. Celtic cultures actually carved turnips on All Hallows’ Eve and placed a glowing piece of coal or a candle in them, to ward off evil spirits. There are many stories behind these turnip lanterns but one of the most popular comes from The Tale of Stingy Jack. Stingy Jack was a grumpy old drunkard who liked to play malicious tricks on just about everyone including his family, friends and his mother. He was proud of his antics and boasted that he could trick the Devil himself. The Devil heard about Jack and paid him a visit. Jack was as good as his word and tricked the Devil into climbing up an apple tree. Once the Devil was in the tree, Stingy Jack hurriedly placed crosses around the base of its trunk. The Devil couldn’t touch the crosses, so he was stuck in the tree. Stingy Jack made the Devil promise him not to take his soul when he died. Reluctantly the Devil agreed, and Stingy Jack removed the crosses, and allowed the Devil to climb back down. Many years later, when Jack died, he found his way to the pearly gates of Heaven. Saint Peter told him that because he’d been mean and cruel and

had led a miserable, worthless life he could not let him enter Heaven. Stingy Jack then went down to Hell. The Devil smiled mischievously and said he was bound by the promise he’d made in the apple tree and would not allow him to enter Hell. Stingy Jack became really scared. He had nowhere to go and was doomed to wander about forever in the dark Netherworld between heaven and hell. He protested to the Devil that there was no light, so the Devil tossed him a piece of coal from the flames of Hell. Jack always carried a turnip with him because it was one of his favourite foods. He hollowed out the turnip and placed the glowing coal the Devil had given him inside. From that day onward, Stingy Jack roamed the earth without a resting place, lighting his way as he went with his ‘Jack O’ Lantern’. On all Hallows’ eve, it became the tradition for Irish people to hollow out Turnips, swedes, potatoes and beets. They placed a little light in them to ward off evil spirits and keep Stingy Jack away. These were the original Jack O’ Lanterns. In the 1800’s waves of Irish people travelled to America in search of better lives. These Irish immigrants quickly discovered that American Pumpkins were bigger and much easier to carve, so they began to use pumpkins for Jack O’ Lanterns. Eventually this new trend found its way back across the Atlantic to Ireland and the UK.

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Health

Skin Deep - Basal Cell Carcinoma It began with an insect bite on my right cheek. At least I thought it was a bite though I didn’t remember being bitten. I dabbed it with tea tree oil and waited for it to heal up. It sort of did, but then grew a little and flaked a little. It was tiny, maybe 2-3mm across but something about it bothered me. I told myself that if it hadn’t gone in a month, I’d see the GP. It didn’t change much over that time, but neither did it go away so, listening to my gut feelings, I went to see my GP feeling a little foolish (I wasn’t sick after all) and fully expected to be dismissed as one of the worried well, but after inspecting it the GP looked thoughtful. “I think it might be a BCC. A basal cell carcinoma.” I was shocked. Carcinoma was cancer, right? I was only 50. Was I going to die? A basal cell carcinoma is indeed a type of skin cancer. There are two main types of skin cancer: melanoma and non-melanoma. BCC is a nonmelanoma type, and accounts for more than 80% of skin cancers in the UK. As with most skin cancers, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or from sunbeds is the cause, which is why they often appear most often on the face or head of fair skinned people like me. I am not a sunbather, nor have I ever used sunbeds. I do like to be outdoors, cycling and kayaking but I always wear sun protection and a hat. I’m a natural redhead though, with freckles so I am in a higher risk group. BCCs vary in appearance, from small red flaky areas; scabs that bleed but don’t heal, or pearly

little lumps, often with a central depression. They are generally painless, although sometimes they can be itchy or bleed a little if you catch them with your nail. I had to undergo a skin biopsy under local anaesthetic to confirm the diagnosis. The dermatologist was at pains to reassure me that BCCs rarely spread to other areas of the body and can be cured in almost every case, although treatment can be more complicated if the BCC has been present for a long time, or if it occurs in an awkward place, such as close to the eye or on the nose or ear. The commonest treatment for BCC is surgery under local anaesthesia. The BCC is cut away, along with some surrounding skin. There are generally just a few stitches but sometimes a skin graft is needed. Sometimes radiotherapy, curettage (scraping), cautery (heat treatment), cryotherapy (freezing treatment), photodynamic therapy (PTD), or creams may be used instead. My BCC was removed surgically. I was worried I would have a large scar as the wound seemed very large in comparison to the size of the lesion but six months later it’s faded so much that you can barely see it. Treatment is easier if a BCC is detected early. So, if you notice a new lesion on your face (or anywhere on your body) which is growing, or which bleeds and never really heals, or if your skin appearance has changed in any way don’t wait, consult your GP. It’s worth it.

By Aoife Brennan

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House of Colour

How to Dress Well for your Job

Whether your work place is really casual or quite formal what we wear does affect how we are viewed at work. What we need are some hard and fast ways to look professional, dress well for our job and feel good so we can leave home for the day with confidence (and not spend ages in the morning fretting over it!):1. Knowing what suits you means you can spend a little longer in bed, with your kids or at the fym in the morning. If your capsule wardrobe is full of clothes that fit you, are the right style for you and in the best colours for you then you can save a huge amount of time (and money) and eliminate wardrobe stress first thing. 2. The Corporate Look – Only one in 10 employees are thought to wear a suit to work. It may be that in very formal or conservative jobs a suit still signals professionalism but what’s wrong with adding some flare? If you dress like everyone else then you may feel like you fit in more easily, but you are less likely to get noticed. If tailored jackets don’t suit you go for a more unstructured jacket or a cashmere or a good quality cotton cardigan in a colour that makes you look radiant. 3. Take Pride - Being well groomed and wearing the right size and style can make or break your professional look. Wearing shoes that make you walk badly or being unkempt is a poor start to you entering the room for an important meeting. Taking care of yourself sends a message that you take care with your work and also your colleagues. 4. It is all in the detail - We all suit different hemlines, necklines, trouser lengths, lapels and sleeves, not to mention of course colours etc. Know what suits you rather than necessarily opt for the latest trend. 5. Wearing quality – it says we are successful because we have investment power. Quality is always better than quantity for your look, not to mention your wallet and the environment too. Cost per wear is a great philosophy for life.

6. Colour – Only 1 in 4 of us can look good in black whether that be a suit or other workwear and that includes the gents. Choose the colours that makes you look fresh and dynamic not drained, but in your mind professional. 7. Personalise your work attire with easy-update, ready to grab accessories such as gorgeous bags, scarves and quality jewellery to add oomph. Perfectly pair with a fabulous pair of shoes that can boost your confidence and empower neutral smart attire in particular. Use a pattern shoe such as snakeskin, a bold colour or detail depending on what suits your personality. 8. Be authentic - Know who you are. Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Melinda Gates and Richard Branson all have a clear work look that makes them themselves. If you have a bubbly and bright personality, then try a gorgeous funpatterned blouse with cigarette trousers. If you are a classic dresser then ooze timeless style with a gorgeous shift dress. Add a ruffle or two if you have some gorgeous curves. Being and dressing true to yourself actually leads to stronger bonds with your peers and removes barriers in the workplace. 9. Confidence bags the job – It is important not just how you are perceived by others but how you feel about yourself. Have a bit of variety in your wardrobe so you can feel confident if you need to be authoritative and chic because you have a big meeting, or more relaxed and creative because you are writing an important document. Always be authentically you but dress for the day ahead to be confident. 10. Understand Smart Casual – If your job role is more casual still always opt for a smart-casual to give the best impression. Be on your boss’s radar for all the right reasons. The old adage still stands - dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Over half of workers believe a casual dress code is more affordable and takes less upkeep, and more than one fifth say they felt more able to express their personality, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look good at work. By Jennie Billings, Colour and Style Consultant, House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings e:jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk

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The Foot Health Specialist C

CMY

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Local News

Let’s Fight Fatigue & Pain!

If you or someone you know would like more energy and less pain, come along to a free drop-in event on Saturday 19th 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 people with any serious health challenge, not just those with Multiple Sclerosis. It offers Physiotherapy, 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 19th 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 19th October.” To book your free test session, call Claire on 01462 684214 or email openday@hmstc.net

Fighting Fatigue & Pain: Free Event Saturday 19th October 2019, 12pm – 2pm Visit to find out about:

• 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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Beauty

Fast Fixes From chapped lips and dry skin to acne, tackle your skin or hair dilemma quickly with one of these problem-solving, wallet-friendly mini-marvels. Puffy eyes or chapped lips? Try Nature’s Kitchen Skin Nourishing Eye and Lip Treatment. This little multitasking genius is packed with nature’s finest skincare ingredients, from aloe vera, jojoba oil and avocado to cocoa butter. It even includes hyaluronic acid to boost hydration. It’s very rich so you only need a small amount to tackle fine lines, puffy bags, dark circles and dry lips. Use it as a night-time treatment, or as and when needed. It’s £10.99 at www.lovelula.com. Tackle spots with Tisserand Aromatherapy’s Tea Tree & Aloe Skin Rescue Stick, £4.50. The blend of antibacterial tea tree oil and witch hazel treats blemishes, while the aloe vera moisturises skin to prevent peeling. Super dry skin or mild eczema? Try an oat bath. Pop a handful of organic porridge oats into the foot of an old pair of tights and tie a knot. Drop your oat bomb into the bath while the water is running. It’ll send the water all milky and you can use it like a sponge. It’s a simple treatment, but incredibly effective. If you don’t have an old pair of tights, put the oats in a sieve and hold it under the tap. Feeling a bit meh now the days are closing in and the sun has decided to hang up its hat? Try adding a splash of colour with a bright nail

By Kate Duggan

polish. Peacci nail varnishes are vegan, cruelty-free and available in a range of shades. They’re not gloopy (unlike some polishes), so are easy to apply and mistakes can be wiped off with a tissue if you’re quick. You’ll need two coats for a flawless finish. It’s £10 at www.peacci.com. If your hands feel dry and cream isn’t helping, the answer may lie with your hand wash. Liquid hand soaps usually contain sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), which some people can find very drying. I try to avoid it completely as it makes my hands so dry the skin starts cracking. Thankfully, there are plenty of SLS-free handwashes and bars of soap out there – www.faithinnature.co.uk, www.naturisimo. com and www. biggreensmile.co.uk have lots to choose from. Or just pop into your nearest Holland & Barrett. Hair feeling dry and parched after the summer? Coconut oil could be your saviour. You can find it in some supermarkets and health-stores, or buy it online. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature so scoop up around a tablespoon of it and use the warmth of your hands to melt it. Then just smooth it through your hair (avoiding the roots), leave for half an hour and rinse out. Coconut oil is packed with fatty acids and minerals so works like an intensive conditioner. You can also use it as a body oil and cleanser. (And for cooking of course.)

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Call Nadia on 07790 000256

The Mobility Physio

Helping you or a loved one regain or maintain mobility, strength, balance and independence

• • • • •

Post operative rehabilitation Orthopedic rehabilitation Post hospitalistion rehabilitation Rehabilitation for people with dementia Home visits and Care Home visits

Email nadia@themobilityphysio.co.uk or visit www.themobilityphysio.co.uk for more info

Countrywear

FREE Postage & packing until Christmas

www.lodgeway-countrywear.co.uk 01462 816122 OPEN: MON-FRI 9:30am-5pm SAT 9:30am-4pm

Chicksands, Shefford, Beds SG17 5QB

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DO YOU NEED TO MAKE OR UPDATE YOUR WILL? We offer a FREE initial appointment to discuss your circumstances, offering advice on Wills including ring-fencing your home from care and guidance regarding Inheritance Tax Nil Rate Bands. HOME VISITS are available at NO EXTRA CHARGE within a 20-mile Radius of Royston. SATURDAY MORNING appointments available on the following dates:* 12th and 26th OCTOBER 2019 FREE WILL SERVICE for the over 55â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s through the Cancer Research Free Will Scheme. For more information please contact:Fish Hill Chambers, 2-3 Fish Hill, Royston, Herts. SG8 9JY Tel: 01763 241 121 t.pilcher@walkerspartnership.co.uk Wills | Probate | Lasting Powers of Attorney | Conveyancing | Commercial Property *Home visit appointments are subject to availability. Saturdays by appointment only.

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Winnipeg

Travel By Solange Hando

Canada’s Gateway to the West On the edge of the prairies, Winnipeg is one of the sunniest cities in Canada, multicultural, vibrant and the capital of Manitoba. Named ‘Muddy Waters’ after the big lake out of town, it is located at the confluence of the Red River and the smaller Assiniboine where, before the Europeans arrived, the First Nations had been trading for thousands of years. Times have changed but set in acres of greenery, the ‘Forks’ remain a popular meeting place. In this National Historic Site, converted warehouses and new buildings beckon with craft shops and gleaming stores, al fresco cafés and a convivial market hall serving food from all over the world. Here’s the Old Spaghetti Factory, there a rail carriage full of Victorian candy, an art exhibition or the observation tower for stunning city views. Down by the water, wild flowers wave in the breeze, Canadian geese peck undisturbed and locals stroll quietly along the river or meditate under the trees, inspired by a painting or a poem on the back of a lonely seat. There’s bright sunshine in summer, dazzling ice in winter for skating on a rink or on the river trails used by commuters on their way to work. On the northern bank of the Assiniboine, the grand Legislative Building is topped by a golden statue of Hermes, the god of trade, while around the corner, close to the Forks, Winnipeg claims the only museum in the world fully dedicated to human rights. In an innovative spiralling building inspired by mountains, clouds and prairies, twelve galleries lead up to the Tower of Hope, rising high above the city and the Red River spanned by the Esplanade Riel. Honouring Manitoba’s founder and Métis leader, this iconic pedestrian bridge connects the Forks to the French Quarter,

a lovely relaxing place with early 1900s facades, restaurants, pastry shops and the rebuilt St Boniface cathedral, Mother Church of Western Canada. Equally enticing are Little Italy, Chinatown and the cool Osborne Village, well known for street art and ethnic eateries. Meanwhile, in the south-west, the Assiniboine Park Zoo is a treat for animal lovers, its highly praised conservation project caring for almost 200 species on 80 acres of ground from pools and enclosures to dens and rugged areas. Spot a rare snow leopard or red panda, look out for reindeer, Arctic fox, yak, tiger, camels, snakes, poisoned dart frogs, butterflies and birds such as the colourful scarlet ibis, and much more. But most breathtaking is the ‘Journey to Churchill’, exhibiting the different habitats of North Manitoba and – in the best natural environment – looking after polar bears whose life would otherwise be threatened. Some are orphaned cubs, others fully-grown creatures who acquired a taste for human flesh. Also loved by everyone in the park area is the statue of Lieutenant Harry Colebourn and the young bear he rescued, calling her Winnie after Winnipeg, his Canadian home, and who was the inspiration for the legendary character of Winnie-the-Pooh.

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

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST LARGE LUXURY EN-SUITE ROOMS FREE WIFI INTERNET ACCESS DIGITAL /SATELLITE TV WITH SPORT & FILMS FRIDGE IN ROOM PRIVATE LOCATION CLOSE TO TRAIN STATION MAJOR CREDIT CARDS TAKEN

Tel: 07970 162753

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

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Local News

Beds and Herts Youth Organists Training Scheme Whenever you visit the Royal Albert Hall you can’t but help notice the impressive array of pipe in the huge organ at the back of the stage. If you’ve been to one of the Proms concerts where it has featured, you would surely have been amazed by the way it can dominate a whole orchestra playing at full blast. Have you ever thought about what it is like to play that organ - or, indeed, the organ at your local parish church? Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire have some of the finest organs in the country, including the wonderful instrument at St Albans Cathedral. And now Beds and Herts Organists’ Association is calling upon budding musicians to take up the organ by offering free lessons - yes free lessons! The association has secured funds to offer a year’s free tuition to young musicians up to the age of 25 who are interested in learning the instrument. Prospective players will no doubt already have some keyboard skills, but the scheme is open to anyone who has a particular musical aptitude and who would be interested in playing at their local church, whatever denomination. David Warner, president of the association said: “The Young Organists’ Training Scheme provides a truly unique chance to learn to play the organ - the king of all instruments.” Anyone who is interested, or who knows of someone who might benefit from the scheme, should contact johnwitchell73@gmail.com and visit the website www.bedsandherts.org where there is an online application form.

A FREE WILL for Homeowners Protect your home and legacy for your children • • • • • •

Keep your hard-earned wealth within the family Stop your home from being sold to pay for long term Care Fees. Prevent the courts from making your financial and healthcare decisions. If you already have a Will … Is it up to date? Several thousand outdated wills are legally challenged every year. Ensure your parents’ home and property is also protected.

DON’T PUT IT OFF – Don’t let your home and money disappear, make sure your estate goes to your family… leaving “what you want” to “who you want”. CALL 01767 660250 for more information or to book a free meeting with one of our Will and Estate Planners either in your own home or at our offices. Baystrait Ltd t/a Will & Estate Planning, Baystrait House, Station Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8AL

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Finance By Ann Haldon

Is early repayment right for your mortgage? If you have money left over at the end of each month, or have received an unexpected lump sum, you may be thinking about paying off your mortgage early. You can save large amounts in interest and potentially cut your mortgage term by years but it’s not always the best option. So what factors do you need to consider before deciding whether to clear your mortgage early? Does your mortgage allow for overpayments? Not all mortgage products let you overpay and some will charge you for doing so, but many allow borrowers to overpay up to 10% of the outstanding mortgage with no penalties. If you’re not sure about the terms and conditions of your mortgage, get in touch with your lender or check the original documentation. Are you enrolled in any pension schemes? If you’re currently paying into a pension scheme it could be more beneficial in the long run to increase your contributions because of the tax relief offered by the government. If not, consider using the extra money to start saving taxefficiently for your retirement. What are the current savings rates? Although savings rates have been extremely low in recent years, there may be a fixed rate or longer term savings account that offers a higher rate of interest than that charged by your mortgage lender. Do you have significant unsecured debt? Paying off more expensive debt such as credit card and store card balances, and unsecured loans, is always a good idea if you have residual income

and should be prioritised over paying extra sums to your mortgage. Once this type of debt is paid off you’ll automatically increase the amount of money you have available each month and can then consider overpaying your mortgage, which is a lower cost debt. Do you need extra life insurance? You probably had to take out a life insurance policy to cover your mortgage loan amount, but it might only cover death rather than illness or disability. It’s a good idea to review your insurance needs from time to time – you may want to change from a fixed period that covers your mortgage term to a ‘whole-of-life’ policy where the timing of a payout isn’t restricted, for example. Do you have an emergency fund? If you lost your job, could you pay the bills for at least six months? If not, it would be worthwhile building an emergency fund with your residual income rather than paying down the mortgage. A mortgage is typically the largest debt that people take on. It represents a huge financial commitment whatever your stage of life, and paying it off early always seems a very attractive option at first glance. Before you do, though, consider some of the other areas where the money could be put to better use, at least for a while – then you can go ahead with confidence and potentially shave years off your mortgage term. www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/shouldyou-pay-off-your-mortgage-early

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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.

£135 inc. Single Will

£199 inc. Mirror Wills

Probate

Helping you prove a Will after death.

£545 inc. Plus Court fees [unless it is a huge estate] to obtain a Grant of Probate from the Court

Lasting Power of Attorney Arranging for a relative/friend to act on your behalf if you lose mental capacity.

£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

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Choose BMAS for safe, high-quality

easy-access bathrooms Are you struggling to get in or out of the bath or to manage the step up into the shower? You may even be worried about slipping or falling. If you or a loved one are experiencing bathing difﬁculties, it makes sense to speak with a specialist before making any adaptations to your bathroom. Trust the mobility bathing experts

When using the Bathing Mobility Advisory Service, you really are in expert hands. Unlike some bathroom companies, we specialise in mobility bathing and are passionate about helping people bathe safely in their own home. With over a decade of experience, BMAS have installed hundreds of wet rooms, walk-in showers and walk-in baths. Built on family values, we put you at the heart of everything we do and pride ourselves on the personal service we offer.

We take care of everything from design to completion

We don’t believe in hard sell and our advice is provided without any obligation. Your bathroom will be meticulously designed and our products are of the highest quality. All work is completed on time by our own tradespeople who will respect you and your home.

Introducing our Hitchin showroom

The BMAS showroom in Hitchin will be open soon. Here you will be able to see the quality of our products and workmanship for yourself. You will also receive free advice from our experts.

We manage every aspect related to creating your perfect bathroom. We start by listening to you and ﬁnding out about your needs whilst assessing your current facilities during a free in-home visit. 40

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Showroom Coming Soon Bathing Mobility Specialist

Helping you bathe independently again Wet Rooms • Walk-In Showers • Walk-In Baths

67 Hermitage Road, Hitchin • Tel: 01462 889 097 herts@bathingmobility.co.uk • www.bathingmobility.co.uk

Free In-Home Design Consultations Available Now To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Gardening

By Pippa Greenwood

The Rock Garden is Alive… If you have ever dreamed of Sound of Music landscapes, then create your own! A garden mountain range might not be possible, but you may have space for your very own rock garden. So what do you need to do? You’ll need to choose a fairly sunny spot, ideally away from overhanging deciduous trees – most alpine plants like a fair bit of light and detest becoming clogged up with deteriorating leaves. Even if space is limited, make the rock garden on as large a scale as possible, for more impact and planting opportunities, and a more realistic feel. If possible include gullies running down the rock garden, perhaps ending in a pond or pool, by arranging rocks so that water can over or between them. Where the water runs beneath rocks (rather the over them) you should use guttering or drainage pipes that are hidden by soil or rock outcrops. Get yourself a good selection of rock from local or mail-order suppliers and don’t be tempted to use old chunks of concrete – the end result will look like a rubble pile with plants! Use a pile of rubble or broken bricks to create the classic mound shape – this will be hidden by the good-looking rocks. The rubble pile also ensures good drainage; alpines typically hate being too wet. Use upturned turves on top of the mound, laid grassy side down. Then add a layer of sandy soil, to a depth of about 30cm (12in), over the top of the turves; these prevent the soil from slipping down amongst the rocks. Then, using string and pegs,

mark out where you want each outcrop of rock. Once the soil is well-firmed, use a spade or a trowel to dig out a hole for each rock; this keeps the rocks securely embedded so they won’t shift even in heavy rain. Use smaller bits of stone beneath the rocks to wedge them firmly. Add more soil over these bits of stone and then more soil between the rocks when they are in position. Water well to settle the soil, topping up if necessary. Alpine plants are available in nurseries and garden centres now, but just choose a few – buying more throughout next spring and summer will give you an array of alpines to provide flowers and interest throughout most of the year. Arrange your plants, still in their pots, on the surface of the soil. When you are happy with how they look, use a trowel to make a planting hole, then remove the pot, pop the plant in the hole, and fill in around it with some compost. When you have finished planting you can top-dress the soil surface with good-looking horticultural grit or gravel. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com and you’ll find some great gardening items: Nemaslug and controls to sort out lawn infestations and other great natural pest controls, stylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, planters, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club?

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Hot Tubs & Swimming Pools

Inground & above ground pools servicing & maintenance Pool toys & chemicals | Hot tubs & Spas Steam showers & gazebos

Visit our showroom: Unit 1C, St Francis Way, Shefford Ind Estate, Beds SG17 5DZ Tel: 01462 819003 | www.crystalleisurepools.com

THE GARDEN ROBIN

• • • • • •

Driveways For a free quotation or advice Paving call Robin on Patios 01462 815968 07785 530558 Fencing Decking Garden Design & Build

Email: robinsandler@yahoo. co. uk Web: w w w. t h e g a rd e n ro b i n . c o. u k To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Garden View

Beautiful blueberries

By Rachael Leverton

I love blueberries and they are not only incredibly good for you but also quite simple to grow. They thrive in a sunny border or in a pot on a balcony or patio, so there’s no excuse for not harvesting a crop of your own. In addition, they are a generous plant. All varieties produce pretty white flowers in the spring, followed by delicate green fruits which ripen to deep blue. If that wasn’t enough, the foliage then turns pink and peach for Autumn. Blueberry bushes do require an acid soil to thrive but if you don’t have that (I don’t!) then use pots of well-drained ericaceous compost. When you need to re-pot, choose a pot just a few inches larger because they fruit better in a snug pot! Ensure it has adequate drainage holes and put some stones or crocks in the bottom and keep it raised so it doesn’t become waterlogged. Water with rainwater from your water butt, especially if you live in a hardwater area. Make sure they are watered well while they become established and also while the fruit is ripening. Feeding with tomato food helps too. Poor or erratic watering causes the blueberries to shrivel or split, and noone likes a shrivelled blueberry! If you have acid soil you can plant blueberry

bushes at any time of year when the ground is soft. Dig a hole twice the size of the root-ball and spread the roots as you refill the hole to the base of the stem. Press the soil down with the heel of your boot. Blueberries are sun-lovers and will fruit most abundantly in full sun. They are better grown in pairs to allow for cross-pollination. If you can bear it, remove the flower buds in the first year after planting because it encourages strong stem growth better fruiting for the following year. They don’t require any pruning for a few years. After that thin overcrowded or unproductive branches in winter after the leaves have fallen. Remember blueberries fruit on branches produced the previous year, so each year remove one or two of the oldest canes to make space for the more productive younger stems. In the winter move pots to a sheltered area or the shed for protection. NOTE – Our feathered friends love blueberries as much as we do so make sure you protect you harvest with netting!

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Happy Gardening 45

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Local News

Chilterns Walking Festival kicks off Photo Credit: Chiltern Conservation Board

The Chilterns Autumn Walking Festival runs from Saturday 5 – 20 October 2019 with over 80 guided walks in the beautiful Chilterns View details and book your walk online at: www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest Now in its third year the Chilterns Walking Festival has established itself as one of the main contenders in the region’s bountiful events calendar. With more walks, more activities, more crafts and more dates, this October’s Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever. The walks provide opportunities to meet artists, craftspeople, farmers, archaeologists, historians, countryside rangers, food producers and storytellers of the Chilterns, and each walk is guided by an experienced walk leader who will bring their story to life. Whether you’re interested in sampling local drinks and produce, finding out about the history of the Chilterns heritage, or trying out a new activity or experience with your family, there is something for everyone at the Chilterns Walking Festival. Here’s just a sample of the types of walks on offer: • Family Friendly: From Iron Age time travelling and stunning autumnal walks with breathtaking views, to ghostly tales from the riverbank, there are many walks perfect for getting outdoors and spending quality time with the family • Explore and Discover: The Chilterns is brimming with history and heritage and with so many places to explore it is no surprise that there are many walks offering the chance to discover more about our rich heritage and precious ancient landscapes. Why not take a ride on a heritage steam railway from Princes Risborough to Chinnor, explore and discover Grims Ditch or hear the story of the 1830 machine breakers’ riot

Saturday 5 October!

• Learn and Do: Whether it’s mastering tree identification, practicing map and compass navigation, or trying Nordic walking or a watercolour workshop, there are opportunities to get involved and try something new • Food & Drink: What better way to end a scenic walk than by sampling some of the fabulous food and drinks by local producers. Why not try a gentle guided walk around Wilstone Reservoir Nature Reserve followed by a distillery tour and gin sampling? Or sample the famous “Bedfordshire clangers” on a ranger-led walk around the beautiful Barton Hills National Nature Reserve and Farm • Storytelling: For those looking to escape the everyday and immerse themselves into something a bit different, why not try one of our storytelling walks such as Ghostly tales from the Riverbank: complete with hooded monks, phantoms & headless horsemen • Health & Wellbeing: Focussed on sharing techniques and tips to increase health and improve general wellbeing, we have developed a number of walks from yoga and mindfulness to a visit to Amaravati Buddhist monastery Chilterns Conservation Board People & Society Officer Annette Venters said “We are delighted to be offering lots of new walks to spark interest and add to the mix. There are still plenty of challenging hikes, but we’ve included a greater number of shorter walks too, with the emphasis on learning and discovery, meeting the people and producers of the Chilterns, and spending time in inspiring landscapes.’ With over 80 guided walks, activities and events, the 16-day Chilterns Walking Festival has been designed to appeal to different age groups, interests and levels of fitness. There will be walks for young families, for people with limited mobility or with canine companions. Details of all guided walks, events and activities available in the autumn programme can be found on the website www.visitchilterns.co.uk/ walkingfest. Most are free of charge though some require a small fee which is clearly shown. To assist walk leaders with expected numbers, most events must be pre-booked. There’s already been lots of interest, so please do book early to avoid disappointment.

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Pets

Rats-tales

By Tracey Anderson

Why you should consider a rat as your next pet Rats suffer from bad press, but these intelligent little rodents actually make delightful pets, as celebrities from Paris Hilton to John Cleese can testify. Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films fell in love with the two rats who played Scabbers and asked to adopt them when filming ended. They are clean creatures and groom themselves frequently and diligently. They can even be trained to use a litter tray! They’re smart and empathetic too. Rats are intelligent, highly social and inquisitive little animals. They spend lots of time exploring and playing, and form life-long bonds They recognise their owners and respond to their voice. They will choose to hang out with their human family members on the couch or riding on their shoulders. They have an uncomplicated diet. Commercial ‘rat blocks’, which are nutritionally-complete pellets available at pet stores can be supplemented with vegetables from your kitchen. The only thing better than one rat is two rats! They do better in pairs because they keep each other amused.

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Pets

Rehoming Appeal Kiera & Narla Kiera and Narla are two tortoiseshell coloured cats that came to RATS from the same home. Kiera, is the dark tortoiseshell and she is 3 years old. She is a lively, outgoing cat who is playful and loves attention. Narla is 4 years old. She is quite shy and not as confident and outgoing as Kiera. Once she gets to know you, she is really a very sweet, gentle little cat who likes to be fussed. Both cats are neutered, microchipped and vaccinated and they can be homed together or separately, but a home without young children would be preferable for them. If you would like to find out more about either or both of these pretty cats, please contact Liz on 01767 681157. Alternatively, please email Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry onto the team. View other dogs, cats and small mammals currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity. You can also see photographs and details of the animals in our care in our charity shop in Hitchin Street, Biggleswade SG18 8AX. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

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Animal

Pets

Know-How

As Bonfire Night approaches, lots of people start getting excited about watching fireworks and going to bonfire displays. However, the excitement is not shared by all. Many animals find fireworks scary. Did you know that approximately 45 percent of dogs in the UK show signs of fear when they hear fireworks? So, what can we do to help our pets during the Bonfire Night celebrations? There are a lot of straight forward things you can do to help your pet cope with fireworks. By preparing in advance before all the fireworks start, your pet will be able to cope better with the sudden loud bangs and bright lights. Ask your neighbours whether they are planning to have a firework display in their back garden or if they are going to attend an organised one. Read our top tips and find out how you can keep your pets safe and happy during the celebrations. f you have a dog, talk them for a walk during daylight hours, thus avoiding times when fireworks are being set off. Make sure all windows and curtains are closed as this will cushion and muffle the noises outside. You could always play some music or put the television on to mask the sound of the fireworks. This will help to create a calm atmosphere. If your dog is particularly nervous and frightened, we would suggest making a quiet hiding place where your dog can go to feel safe and in control. It is important to follow their lead, as different pets cope with fireworks in different ways. Providing a safe place to hide is really sensible but be aware some dogs might

prefer to be near their owners. Keep a close eye on them and try to gauge how they are feeling. Have plenty of toys to hand to distract them, if there are any sudden noises. Cats would also benefit from having places to hide. Perhaps make two or three around your home, for them to retreat to if they start to feel stressed. Cats often feel safest when they are high up, so they may prefer a space on a shelf or a cupboard. Avoid picking up cats or restraining them as cats prefer to control how they cope. Like dogs, cats respond to the soothing voice of their owner, and can often mimic the emotions of their owners. For example â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if their owner is frightened or becomes startled that will unsettle the animal. Many of us have outdoor pets living in hutches and cages. These small animals are particularly vulnerable by being outside. Some owners of small animals prefer to bring them indoors during the Bonfire Night celebrations. If that is not practical, you could partially cover outdoor cages and pens with blankets. This acts as soundproofing and will provide your pets with an area to take shelter and hide. Other animals may benefit from being given extra bedding so they can burrow and hide from the loud noises and bright lights. Garages and sheds can also be used as a temporary homes for your outdoor pets. So, whatever you are doing on Bonfire Night, have fun, stay safe and think carefully about how to keep your pets safe and happy.

Brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Food & Drink

Pineapple Teriyaki Grains with In the ten years since I started hosting the Weekend Kitchen on BBC Three Counties Radio, the rise in popularity of vegetarian and vegan dishes has been phenomenal. We’ve come a long way from the days where guests would say “it tastes good for a vegan dish”. Chefs are now creating fantastic food, standing alone for quality in its own right. First comes the taste, second comes whether it happens to be vegan or not. One such very creative young chef is Greg Owen, who runs the funky Monstera Canteen in Luton. His food is fabulous, and this lovely vegan dish was a big hit on my show. Don’t be concerned by the list of ingredients. You can sub in and out any grains, and just use any vegetables which you have to hand. Ingredients: Serves 4 Grains 100g brown rice 100g pearl barley 100g freekeh 80g wild rice 80g oats Sauce 4 tbsp soy sauce 1 can pineapple slices or chunks 2 tbsp Mirin 1 tbsp garlic 2 tbsp brown sugar (or maple syrup) 1 tsp ginger (optional) 1 tsp garlic powder (optional) 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar (optional) Vegetables 50g edamame beans 50g carrot, chopped 50g courgette, chopped 1 small Leek, sliced 1 Red onion, chopped 1/4 chilli (optional) Handful of Rocket (optional) Coriander leaves (optional) Sesame seeds (optional) For the Crispy Mushrooms 4 large flat mushrooms Plain flour Panko breadcrumbs Unsweetened soya milk (or any similar milk) 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Crispy Mushrooms

1. Cook all the grains as per the packet instructions. You can cook them all in the same pan, or, better still, in a pressure cooker. 2. Chuck all the sauce ingredients in a blender, blitz and set aside. 3. Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a smallish bowl of milk and whisk with a work for a few seconds. The acidity will naturally thicken the milk into a butter milk style. 4. Prepare a bowl of plain flour and a separate bowl of breadcrumbs. 5. Remove the stalk and slice the jumbo mushrooms horizontally into two discs. 6. Dust in flour, then dip in the milk, then into breadcrumbs to coat. You can shallow fry them, deep fry them, or spray with oil and bake in the oven too. 7. Sauté all the veg until they are cooked but still with a nice bite. 8. Mix in the sauce, then add the cooked grains, stir for another 2 minutes and plate up! 9. You can garnish the top of this dish with rocket, chopped chillis, coriander and sesame seeds. 10. Finally slice the cooked crispy breaded mushrooms and arrange on top to serve.

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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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 October Parent Career Coaching Workshop 10-11.30am Symonds Green Community Centre, Stevenage £12.50 per session. Four Tuesday sessions with Jessica Cox, accredited career coach and recruitment professional, who will help you if you are a parent returning to work, looking for a new job or considering a career change. You will gain the tools to get you noticed, write a CV that stands out and much more. Tel: Jessica Cox 07388 537435 Web: https://peakperformancehr.co.uk/contact/ 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Willian Bowls Club 2pm Lower Green, Norton Common, Icknield Way, Letchworth Come and have a bowl with us one Tuesday afternoon if you are free. Tel: David on 01462 642790 Web: www.willianbowlsclub.org

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Rosehill Community Singing Group 2-3pm Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Road, Letchworth £4, A new group for the over 50s that meets every Tuesday with refreshments and time to chat after each session! The Monday group is now full. Drop-in session, no need to book. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 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 2 October North Herts Association of National Trust 7.30pm Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Visitors £2. ‘The Capable Mister Brown’ by garden historian Russell Bowes, who takes a look at the life and work of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Born into poverty and obscurity, he became renowned across the world as the father of the English landscape garden movement. Visitors welcome. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 October Baby Rhyme Time 10.30-11am Baldock Library Free event - voluntary contribution of £1 welcomed. Fun half hour session of songs and rhymes suitable for babies and toddlers of all age. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 October Toddler Tales 2.15-2.45pm Letchworth Library Free event - voluntary contribution of £1 welcomed. A mix of lively stories and rhymes aimed at toddlers and preschool children. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 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

3 October The Arts Society North Herts 11am & 2pm Spirella Ballroom Letchworth Visitors £7 on the door. Talk by Anne Sebba entitled ‘That Woman or The Duchess of Style’ a reassessment of Wallis Simpson. Visitors welcome. Web: theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk

3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 October Letchworth Corner Bridge Club 1.15pm The Cloisters Masonic Lodge, Letchworth Plays duplicate Bridge every Thursday afternoon. We usually play 27 boards which takes just over 3 hours. Refreshments available. New members welcome. Tel: John Biggs 01462 433393 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 October Toddler Tales 2.15-2.45pm Baldock Library Free event - voluntary contribution of £1 welcomed. A mix of lively stories and rhymes aimed at toddlers and preschool children. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 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 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 October Roundabouters Country Dance Club 8-10pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage Friendly club for English country dancing. New members welcomed. All dances walked through; club and guest callers ensure a varied programme. Tel: 01438 727239 Email: roundabouters@live.co.uk Web: www.roundabouters.org.uk 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 October Stevenage Plus Social Group 8.15pm for 8.30pm Holiday Inn Express, Stevenage £2 - first night free. A fun and friendly social group with members in their 30s and 40s from Stevenage, North Herts and surrounding areas. We have a varied programme of events on Thursday and Saturday evenings. New members always welcome. Tel: 01438 231550. Email: welcome@stevenage.plus Web: www.stevenageplus.co.uk 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 October Sapphire Social Club 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin A friendly group for single people aged 50 and above, offering a variety of social events during the month. New members welcome. Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 4 October Grand Jumble Sale 7pm Clophill Village Hall Adults 40p, accompanied children free. Clophill Friends of the Leonard Cheshire Disability Home at Ampthill. Refreshments available. If you have any good quality jumble for us or would like to help at the event please give us a call. Tel: 01525 861110

4 October RSPB Hitchin & Letchworth Local Group 7.30pm ‘The Settlement’, Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City Local group members free, Visitors £3. ‘Titchwell: the Future’ by Lizzie Bruce. One of the RSPB’s most famous nature reserves, Titchwell attracts over 200 bird species per year, including breeding marsh harriers and avocets. Discover how it has developed since purchased by the RSPB and what is in store for the future. Tel: 01763 249459 Email: martinrjspc@hotmail.com 4 & 5 October HATS present Seasons Greetings 7.30pm Meppershall Village Hall Adults £10, Children £5. HATS present their very first theatre production at the new hall, the much acclaimed popular comedy by Alan Ayckbourn ‘Seasons Greetings’. Tel: Tickets Clare 01462 700785 4, 11, 18 & 25 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 4, 11, 18 & 25 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 4, 11, 18 & 25 October Rainmakers International Folk Dance Club 8-10pm The Parish Hall, Broadway, Letchworth Rainmakers is a friendly club for all. We enjoy folk dances of all styles from many countries around the world and meet most Fridays. Tel: Roger 01438 812766 or Jill 01462 457791 Web: www.rainmakers.org.uk 5 October The Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pm The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open to the public. Entry is free but official photo ID s is required to get an entry ticket from the Guardroom. Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 5 October Weekend Stories 10.30-11am Baldock Library Free event - voluntary contribution of £1 welcomed Aaimed at toddlers and preschool children. 5 October & 2 November Mid Beds Cancer Support Group 11am-1pm Village Hall, Walnut Tree Way, Meppershall Informal cancer group for patients, families, friends and carers who wish to meet others for support and information. Tel: 01462 813943 or 07961 377526 Email: daksha.trivedi@btconnect.com

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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 October East Bedfordshire Youth Choir 7pm St Andrew’s Church, Langford Tickets £10 inc. interval refreshments. An evening of songs from Carousel, Jesus Christ Superstar and more. Raising funds to modernise St Andrew’s Church. Tel: Sheila Vidler 01462 701750

7, 14, 21 & 28 October Stevenage New Pathways 1-4pm Friends Meeting House Cuttys Lane, Stevenage £2 inc. hot drink & biscuits. A friendly place to meet and talk over issues in a positive way. Maybe go for walks, bring in speakers, form a craft group. Email: katiewilsonmind@gmail.com

5 October Rotary Club of Baldock Annual Jazz Concert 7.30pm The Knights Templar School, Park Street, Baldock Tickets £16 - buy 5 and get the 6th free. With the Apex Jazz Band. Proceeds to Mercy Ships. Fish and Chip Supper is included in the price. A bar will be available. Tickets available from Baldock Community Centre or by telephone. Tel: Keith Britter 01462 896189 or 07866 739248

7, 14 & 21 October Stevenage Choral Society 7.45-9.45pm Stevenage Music Centre, Nobel School, Stevenage The society meets every Monday during term time. No audition necessary. Meet like-minded people of all ages and abilities. Try out a wide range of music, and be part of a friendly and supportive team, putting on excellent performances whilst having fun. Tel: 01438 365769 Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk

5 & 6 October The 20th Ashwell Book Weekend Sat 10am-5pm Sun 2-5pm Admission £1, Under 16s free. A great selection of books to browse and buy for children and adults both fiction and non-fiction. Refreshments. 6, 13, 20 & 27 October Hare & Hounds Hash House Harriers 11am H5 are a social running and walking club for mixed abilities, meeting every week in the Bedfordshire area. The trail is set by our hare from a local pub and typically lasts 1 hour covering between 3 and 4 miles. Family and dog friendly. Email: info@h5hashers.org.uk Web: www.H5hashers.org.uk 7 October Drop-In Session 10.30am-12 noon Baldock Library Come and join us in the library for a monthly dropin session. Make new friends. Jigsaws. Colouring. Tea/coffee/biscuits. No need to book. 7, 14, 21 & 28 October Moo Music Sandy, Biggleswade & Shefford 10-10.40am Shefford Baptist Church Music and movement classes for 0-5 year olds. Original moosic, lots of moovement, dancing, sensory and role play. Tel: 07981 825654 Email: Heather sandymoo@moo-music.co.uk Web: www.moo-music.co.uk/sbs Facebook: www.facebook.com/moomusicsandy 7, 14, 21 & 28 October Café Connect 1-4pm Arlesey Resource Centre, High Street, Arlesey We want to bring the community together with a series of events chosen by YOU. Come along to meet new people, share your skills, 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 for more info

7, 14, 21 & 28 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. The club organises regular events, day and weekend trips and holidays. Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk 8 October Transition Tuesday: Lessons from the Fungal Kingdom 7.30-9.15pm Mrs Howard Memorial Hall, Norton Way South, Letchworth Fungi are nature’s decomposers, and for decades we have known that many fungi possess the remarkable ability to decompose industrial pollutants and toxic waste. Could part of the solution to the world’s pollution lie in the fungal kingdom? Join us as we explore the world of fungal ecology and to ask ourselves the question: what can fungi teach us about living more sustainably on planet Earth? All welcome, admission free, but a £2 donation to help cover room hire and refreshments. 8 & 22 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 for lunch. New members welcome. Tel: Roger Burt 01438 351891 Email: roger@mazda20.plus.com 9 October Over 60s Lunch Club 12.45pm for 1pm lunch Garden City Court, Whiteway, off Radburn Way, Letchworth Garden City £5. Second Wednesday of every month. Stay for the afternoon quiz. Two-course hot lunch with soft drink. Please advise any dietary requirements when booking. First lunch is free. Please call on a Monday to book your place for the Wednesday. Tel: 01462 473100 Email: garden@quantumcare.co.uk

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9 October Letchworth Chamber Music Concert 7.45 pm Howgills Friends Meeting House, 42 South View Tickets £15, Under 18s & students £7.50. Opening concert welcomes the return of the well-established Quartet Camerata - Peter Bussereau and Anna DryerBeers (violins), Judeth Kelemen (viola) and Peter Randall (cello). Performing Three Idylls by Frank Bridge and quartets by Mendelssohn (Opus 13 in A minor) and Ravel (in F major). Tickets on the door. Web: www.letchworthmusicclub.co.uk. 15 October Stevenage RSPB Local Group 7.30pm The Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage RSPB Members £3, Non-members £4, Under 18s 50p Peter Holden MBE will present his talk ‘Birds: Their Hidden World’. Tel: Trevor Store 01438 226014 Web: www.rspb.org/groups/Stevenage 17 October Annual POhWER Shout About It 10.30am-2.30pm Ibis Forum, Conference & Banqueting Suites, Danestrete, Stevenage Free event. Information stalls held by local support service providers, activities and performances. A great way to find out about the local services and how to get help and support when needed. Sponsored by our local Charity Partner - Chilli Lounge Baldock. 19 October Baldock & Clothall WI Autumn Coffee & Cake 10.30am-12.30pm United Reformed Church, Whitehorse Street, Baldock £4.50 - pay on the door. Tel: Lucy 01462 742609 for more info Email: baldockclothallwi@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/baldockclothallwi 19 October Weston Music Society Concert 7.30pm Weston Parish Church, SG4 7DJ Tickets £16 inc. programme & interval drink, 19-25 years £5, Under 19s free. Cavendish Winds - Mary Tyler, Clarinet; Katy Ovens, Flute; Alice Quale, Bassoon; Henry Clay, Oboe; Charlie Ransley, Horn. Call or email to reserve tickets Tel: 01462 790573 Email: felicitylowe@yahoo.co.uk Web: www.westonmusicsociety.org.uk or https:// www.wegottickets.com 26 October Halloween Fun Stall, Letchworth Town Centre, opposite Garden House Hospice Shop Tombola, spooky cake sales, games and prizes for the children and 50% off all Halloween decorations and makeup kits. All proceeds to Garden House Hospice. 31 October Stevenage Locomotive Society 7.30pm Community Arts Centre, Roaring Meg Retail Park Members free, Visitors £2. Derek Huntriss ‘West Riding Steam’. Light refreshment break mid-way through evening. www.stevenagelocosociety.co.uk

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Tel: 01462 627074 Mob: 07867 531368

Speak to Matt • No job too big or small

Visit our beautiful

Bathroom Showroom ...With more than 50 displays of bathrooms, furniture & fittings Free in-house 3D design service Quality products from leading manufacturers Experienced staff offering impartial advice Free delivery within a 20 mile radius of our showroom

01438 725309

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Caxton House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2XS 66

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Local News

Red Hat Society - My Fair Ladies The Herts/Beds branch of the Red Hat Society is celebrating its 10 year Anniversary. The chapter called My Fair Ladies recently enjoyed a get together over a meal at the Three Horseshoes, Norton. There was much laughter over the tales of how our ladies had heard about and joined up with the RHS and some sadness about absent friends. The Red Hat Society is a growing “disorganization” of women who meet middle age with humour and enthusiasm. The inspiration behind the Society lies in the poem “Warning” by Jenny Joseph, about a woman who decides that when she grows old she will wear purple with a red hat and do lot of other things she never could as a 'sensible adult'. In November 1997, a California woman named Sue Ellen Cooper, inspired by the poem, began giving vintage red hats with a copy of the poem as gifts to her friends when they had their 50th birthdays. The friends passed on more hats to their friends, and soon the group found themselves going out to tea and lunch together dressed in their beautiful red hats complete with purple dresses. Eventually the group became large enough to form a Society, and

once the newspapers carried articles about them, the idea spread like wildfire. Ladies everywhere wanted to prove there could be fun after fifty for women of all walks of life. Today, there are about 100 chapters in the UK including My Fair Ladies based on the Herts/Beds border ! So if you are a local lady wanting to improve your social life and fancy some fun, friendship and a little frivolity, you may want to know more about the Redhatters. If so, please contact Pam via email myfairladies2@gmail.com of see the website http:// myfairladies-redhatters.weebly.co

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Going Dutch

First introduced in the Netherlands, where it is now part of their driving test, road safety bodies in the UK are promoting the technique of using your LEFT hand to open the driver’s door. This action means you will naturally turn your head to the right and thus look back over your shoulder for oncoming, or passing, cyclists. The Dutch Reach, as it’s called, has been endorsed by a major UK private-hire firm, who now incorporate it into their driver training, and Olympic cycling gold-medallist Laura Kenny. And I can see why Laura would lend her name to this door-opening method: last year a survey of 2,000 cyclists found that over 60% either had personal experience of a car door being opened in their path, or knew someone who had. Just over half of those surveyed had sustained an injury as a result, some requiring hospital attention. In the last couple of years there have been changes to the Driving Test in order, it’s said, “to bring it into line with today’s road conditions”.

Motoring By Iain Betson

Perhaps, with the increase in cycling, which is no bad thing, the Government should consider introducing this door-opening technique into the driving test? It may seem trivial, but we are taught to look over our right shoulder before entering the carriageway, so why not do the same for when we exit the vehicle? In the meantime, incorporating the Dutch Reach into your driving might just save a cyclist?

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Ghosts 1. Which famous literary character is haunted by a ghost called Banquo? 2. Named after Ghostface Killah from the hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan, which social networking app has a ghost called Ghostface Chillah as its logo and mascot? 3. Ghostface is the name given to the killer or killers in which film series? 4. How is the ghost of Jennet Humfrye known in the title of a 1983 book by Susan Hill? 5. In the Harry Pottery novels, what is the nickname of the ghost that haunts the first floor girls’ lavatory at Hogwarts, with author J.K. Rowling saying she was inspired by “the frequent presence of a crying girl in communal

bathrooms, especially at the parties and discos” of her youth? 6. Which famous song is played on a jukebox in the famous pottery scene from the film Ghost? 7. In the video game Pac-Man, what colour do the ghosts turn when Pac-Man eats a power pellet? 8. Who had a hit single in 1984 with the theme song from the film Ghostbusters? 9. How many ghosts visit Ebenezer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens novella A Christmas Carol? 10. Which famous person won a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor for a cameo role as himself in the 1989 film Ghosts Can’t Do It?

1. Macbeth 2. Snapchat 3. Scream 4. The Woman In Black 5. Moaning Myrtle 6. Unchained Melody (by the Righteous Brothrs) 7. Blue 8. Ray Parker Junior 9. Four 10. Donald Trump

HERTS OVEN CLEAN Herts Oven Clean is a domestic oven cleaning specialist in Hertfordshire. Non-caustic, fume-free solution individually prepared for each customer. Ovens, Hobs, Grills, Extractors, Agas, Microwaves and Gas Barbeques. Call Richard on 01438 813492 Bring a sparkle to your kitchen today. 70

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

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

KEN SEABY CARPETS 01462 733203 07748 532632

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

PAT ELDIN

CARPENTRY, JOINERY

BUILDING SERVICES

Carpentry • Joinery • Kitchens Bathrooms • Showers • Guttering Roof Repairs • Painting Decorating • Garage Conversions NO JOB TOO SMALL COMPETITIVE QUOTES Tel: 01462 812242 or 07768 008951 Email: pateldinbarbel@hotmail.co.uk

N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y

INSULATING SPRAYFOAM • BBA APPROVED SPRAYFOAM • CAN GREATLY REDUCE ENERGY BILLS • UPGRADE YOUR PROPERTIES ‘U’ VALUE • ELIMINATES DRAFTS OR ‘DRAW’ FROM THE ROOF SPACE • MESS & HASSLE FREE • QUALIFIES AS AN ESM • FIRE SAFE

0800 046 1080 30% OFF ORDERS PLACED IN OCTOBER hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Septemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword Winner Mr T James from Huntingdon Ed Byrne Competition Winner Cloe Turnbull from Hitchin

Easy

Hard

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The Villager Prize Crossword

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

16th October 2019 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Actors in a play (4) 3 Grow or enlarge (8) 9 At rest (7) 10 Odd (5) 11 Numerical (12) 14 Short sleep (3) 16 Very angry (5) 17 Epoch (3) 18 However (12) 21 Call in (5) 22 Spiciest (7) 23 Agitated (8) 24 Classification (4) Down 1 Ritual (8) 2 Divided (5) 4 Head movement (3) 5 Necessities (12) 6 The mean value (7) 7 Beige (4) 8 Exploratory (12) 12 Adjust (5) 13 Tape container (8) 15 Crushes (7) 19 Foe (5) 20 Above (4) 22 Owns (3)

24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Name: Tel:

ď&#x20AC;˘

Address:

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

01438 211302 info@eastanglianloftladders.co.uk eastanglianloftladders.co.uk 76

Call now for a free, no obligation quotation

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Book Review By Kate Duggan

Classifieds Accountants

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

This is a book about the bond between siblings, the repercussions of past events that echo down the years and the attachment people can feel for a place. In this case, the place is a big, grand house, and the siblings are Danny and his big sister, Maeve. Their mother flees when Danny is just a toddler, leaving Maeve to step into her shoes. When the children gain a stepmother, they soon learn they’re not welcome in their own home and the future they had planned comes tumbling down. A beautifully written, gentle book, The Dutch House is one to savour.

Tall Tales and Wee Stories by Billy Connolly

Tall Tales and Wee Stories brings together some of the most popular sketches from Billy Connolly’s 50 year career in comedy, including Jojoba Shampoo, The Last Supper, Shouting at Wildebeest and more. Dip in when you need an instant pick-me-up after a bad day. (Just don’t read it on the train, unless you don’t mind snorting with laughter in public.)

Time to Cook by Nadiya Hussain

Like to eat home-cooked food but often struggle to find the time? This book is for you. From batch-cooking to making the most of leftovers, plus plenty of quick and simple recipes, Time to Cook is a treasure trove of ideas. Enjoy Harissa Bean Pizza for brunch (with just ten minutes hands-on time), followed by One Tray Peanut Chicken for dinner and Caramelized Biscuit Traybake for pudding.

Appliance & Electrical Repairs Appliance and Electrical Repairs All makes of washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, hobs and hoods repaired, serviced and sold. No call out charges on accepted quotes Member of DASA 30 years 35 years local work experience Used as expert on BBC Watchdog

01525 753547 or 07836 242122 G.J. WATKINSON

Carpentry and Joinery

Tim Jordon

Carpentry and Joinery Made to measure quality timber products supply and fit. Doors, Windows, Stairs, Gates, Kitchen Worktops, Wood staining, painting and varnishing Station Road, Lower Stondon, Beds. Tel: 01462 850363 or 07544 790071

From just £35.00 per month plus VAT

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Classifieds Property Maintenance

Locksmith Services

Dave Mortby Plastering, Decorating & Refurbishment

Free Estimates Given

07722 128189

Email: David.mortby@live.co.uk

Plastering Services

Removals

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

MUSCLE & MOTOR

Jumbo van with up to 3 men. Helpful, efficient and friendly service for all your moving, carrying, and domestic disposal needs, including house and garage clearance.

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

Plumbing and Heating

Roofing

Property Maintenance

Wood Suppliers

R. CHAPMAN

Home & Garden Services

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

01462 850575 or 07950 311881 78

FOR SALE

Seasoned Hardwood Logs Any size load Telephone: 01438 355489 Mobile: 07721 508383

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USEFUL NUMBERS

VILLAGER The

and Town

Life

Alcoholics Anonymous...................... 0845 769 7555 Al-Anon Family Groups..................... 0800 008 6811 Anglian Water................................... 08457 145 145 Bedford Hospital................................01234 355122 Lister Hospital....................................01438 314333 Addenbrooks Hospital........................01223 245151 Benefits for people with Disabilities.... 0800 882 200 Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue.............01234 351081 Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue............01438 729041 Carers Line........................................ 0808 808 7777 ChildLine..................................................0800 1111 Citizens Advice.................................. 0344 245 1292

Bringing Local Business to Local People Your local full colour A5 monthly magazine delivered free of charge to 1000s of homes and businesses in your local area. The Villager and Town Life is dedicated to promoting local businesses, charities, community groups and everything else in your local area.

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

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STOTFOLD MILL

WORKING

STEAM WEEKEND

SAT 5TH & SUN 6TH OCTOBER 2019

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

Farming Past and Present:

See farming equipment - supplied by Oliver’s, founded - in the 19th Century

14th YEAR!

Fun Stuff For Kids:

NEW!

- Vintage Swing Boats - Fair Rides

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

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: £7.00 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