Hitchin April 2022

VILLAGER The

Issue 47 - April 2022

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue Plant a Tree for the

Jubilee Easter Parades and Traditions

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

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Inside this issue...

Palermo

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Plant a Tree for the Jubilee.............................................27 14 Easy Ways to Help the RSPCA.....................................32 Puzzle Page....................................................................36 What’s On in April..........................................................38 The Easter Parade and Other Traditions..........................40 Villager Prize Crossword.................................................42 Books for Well-Being......................................................44 Useful Numbers.............................................................47

Palermo...........................................................................4 Shuttleworth Season Premiere........................................8 Ashwell at Home 2022...................................................12 Seasonal Recipe - Salmon Niçoise Salad.........................14 Wines: Choosing a Selection..........................................17 How to Cope in an Uncertain World................................19 Do I Need Life Insurance?...............................................23 Sunshine Gardens - Celebrating 30 Years........................24

Sunshine Gardens Celebrating 30 Years

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Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £25.00 +VAT per month Editorial - Solange Hando, Trevor Langley, Kate McCarthy, Caroline Knight, RSPCA, Tracey Anderson and Kate Duggan

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

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

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

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Travel

Palermo

By Solange Hando

On the north-west coast of Sicily, Palermo nestles around a lovely natural harbour looking out to the Tyrrhenian Sea. In this deep-water bay surrounded by mountains, myriad civilisations came and went, each golden age leaving its mark on the city.

With its palaces and churches, the capital claims several UNESCO sites, starting with the medieval cathedral mirroring the city’s history over the centuries. Now in neo-classical style, the splendid interior can be complemented by a ‘rooftop walk’ with panoramic views. Other must-sees include the Baroque gem of Gesu Church and the Palatin Chapel, famous for Byzantine mosaics, in the Norman Palace. A former residence of Sicilian rulers, this has been beautifully restored and is the seat of Sicily’s Regional Assembly. Also built for royal pleasure were Cuba and Zisa, superb examples of Norman architecture in Eastern style. But most intriguing perhaps is the Chinese Pavilion, designed in 1799 for the future King of the Two Sicilies. Lord Nelson and his mistress were among the guests.

Heritage aside, Palermo has a lot to offer along its tree-lined avenues. There’s luxury shopping in

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the high street but the heart of town is around Politeama, a favourite place to meet family or friends on the spacious piazzas that seem to flow into each other. Visitors gaze at the nearby theatres, Garibaldi with its circular colonnade and triumphal arch and Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy, but the locals just like to sit in the shade and watch the world go by. They call it ‘piazza culture’ and this is the time to sip a cool drink on a café terrace or feast on glorious Sicilian ice cream. Yet the prettiest square, they say, is Piazza Pretoria with its monumental fountain festooned in nude classical statues.

It’s the highlight in the historic district, an enticing maze of lanes leading to the street markets of Vucciria, awash with melons, peaches, tomatoes, aubergines, herbs, walnuts and more, plus delicious orange juice squeezed on the spot. Potted plants pop up along the cobbles, washing hangs from the balconies and here and there a secret chapel might just take your breath away. One of the best is the Oratorio di Santa Cita, dripping in gleaming white stucco with angels and playful cherubs.

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Within walking distance, the Botanical Garden invites you to relax among water features, palms, shrubs and some 12,000 species of plants. Most exciting is the giant fig tree with aerial roots, and you might spot the parrots that escaped from Via Giulia, the city’s oldest park, loved for its marble sundial and alcoves in Moorish style. Now you can almost hear the waves as the promenade beckons along the sea, laced in meandering paths and grassland full of wild flowers. Boats glisten in the marina, rigging tinkles and, in the fishing harbour, men mend their nets on a flotilla of blue boats. Then just out of town you will find turquoise water, tingling sand and fragrant hills with fabulous views.

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Local News

Season Premiere Sunday 1st May sees Shuttleworth play host to its Season Premiere air show – an occasion which is always worth the wait.

From the moment you arrive, you will be transported back to a bygone era, with a plethora of vintage aircraft and vehicles on display.

The Collection’s hangar doors will be thrown open for you to wander around, taking in the sights and smells of vintage aeroplanes, whilst learning about some of the roles they played in their service and racing lives and other stories they can tell.

Inside the hangars, you’ll also find a cornucopia of activities to keep the kids (or even the big kids!) happy, whether it’s pedal planes or an Airfix Make and Paint courtesy of IPMS Brampton – with other educational Discovery Zones dotted around the site, including a large play area.

Outdoors, you’ll also be able to experience the sensations of riding on-board a 1920s bus– whether it’s the sole surviving Charabus or our Wellingborough double-decker.

The buses will take you up to the Arts & Crafts gems in Shuttleworth House, which will be open to tour. You’ll be able to see first-hand the ornate gold-leafed ceilings and panelled walls, the rare Erard grand piano, and hear the stories of the Shuttleworth family who lived there and set up the Trust.

Shuttleworth House is also accessible through the

Shrubbery Walk at the end of which is the Swiss Garden, 9 acres of heritage landscape designed in the popular alpine style almost 200 years ago, with framed views, ponds and several charming miniature structures. It is a rare example of a Regency garden and boasts thirteen listed features, including the charming Swiss Cottage and the domed Grotto & Fernery. The garden is also home to Shuttleworth’s resident peacocks - Snowy and Storm. If you spot them, be sure to take a photo!

In the afternoon, the flying display starts – an aerial ballet in the Bedfordshire skies, consisting of Shuttleworth aircraft and vintage visitors. This year, it is hoped the Consolidated Catalina PBY-5A flying boat will be at the Season Premiere, which will provide a truly awe-inspiring spectacle as the pilots showcase this large aircraft around Old Warden Aerodrome.

If the weather is suitably calm, the Edwardian aircraft – including the world’s oldest flying aeroplane, the 1909 Bleriot – may even be able to take to the skies, capping off what will be a truly memorable day.

From a myriad of ground activities through to a thrilling air display, Shuttleworth’s air shows have something for everyone to enjoy.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit: shuttleworth.org/airshows

Photos: Darren Harbar Photography

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Local News

Ashwell at Home 2022

A Day of Wellbeing’ - Sunday 8th May 11am-5pm Ashwell at Home is an annual event held in the village of Ashwell in north Herts, when this historic village welcomes visitors from near and far for a whole day of entertainment for all the family.

The theme for 2022 is ‘A Day of Wellbeing’ and there will be a wide range of open gardens, free workshops for adults and children, live music and entertainment around the village, talks, displays and guided walks, lunches & teas and much more.

Highlights this year include 15 open gardens of different sizes and designs, drawing & painting plants and bugs workshop, mini fit club, children’s storytelling, movement workshop, wedding dress and classic car displays, reflexology mini treatments, harp relaxation, children’s magic show, children’s junk boat modelling & racing, adult yoga workshop, adult pop and rock singing workshop, and a wide range of live music and dance all around the village from Tudor dancing and music, Morris Dancing to handbell ringing and ‘Jumba’; musical performances from classical to pop, rock and folk, vocal harmony, Spanish guitar and other accoustic instruments. Add to that a number of walks and talks on the history of Ashwell, a tree trail, basket making, spinning , art & pottery, well dressing and quilting displays - there’s so much to see and do with something for everyone!

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Visit the website to see the full programme and for advance ticket purchase www.ashwellathome.org.uk Entry by programme: £8 adults (under 18s free with accompanying paying adult) - available on the day at the event, or £7 in advance from the website. Parking is free.

This is a community fundraising event with all proceeds to Ashwell Museum, St Mary’s Church and Ashwell Primary School.

Location: Ashwell is in North Hertfordshire, near Junction 10 of the A1(M).

Ashwell, Hertfordshire SG7 5NY Website: www.ashwellathome.org.uk Email: Ashwellathome31@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/AshwellAtHome

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Seasonal Recipe

This is a delicious protein-packed salad full of beneficial omega-3 antiinflammatory fats, and using walnut oil in the dressing is an easy way to further boost your intake of these healthy fats. This creamy dressing is equally delicious drizzled over any cooked fish or seafood.

Salmon Niçoise Salad With herb, caper and walnut dressing Ingredients 2 boneless salmon or trout fillets, about 120g each, skin on

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Serves 2

Dressing 2 tbsp walnut oil 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp capers Juice of ½ lemon Zest of 1 lemon 1 tsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs e.g. parsley, basil Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Salad 6 new potatoes, halved 60g French beans, halved Bag of mixed lettuce leaves ½ cucumber, cut into ribbons 1 tbsp capers 10 cherry tomatoes, halved 30g black or green olives, pitted 1 hard-boiled egg, cut into quarters

1. Bring a large steamer to the boil, tip the potatoes into the water then lay the fish fillets, skin-side down, in the steamer basket. Cover and cook for 6-8 mins, until the fish is cooked through, then remove and set aside.

2. Blanch the beans for 1-2 minutes then drain.

3. Place the mixed leaves in a large bowl and toss in the potatoes, cucumber, capers and beans. Scatter over the olives and tomatoes.

4. Flake the fish into large chunks, discarding the skin, and add to the salad with the egg.

5. Whisk all the ingredients for the dressing together and season to taste. Drizzle over the salad just before serving.

Nutrition per serving: 567kcal, fat 36.8g (of which saturates 5.6g), carbohydrates 21.9g (of which sugars 4.7g), protein 34.2g

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Food & Drink

Wines: Choosing a Selection

When it comes to drinks and alcoholic beverages, everybody has their own preference.

White wines are extremely popular and I located ROERO ARNEIS (13% vol) from Italy. Fresh, and with a crisp sensation, a pleasant bouquet leads to the fruity mouthfeel and palate’s enjoyment, for this production.

FERNAO PIRES (12.5% vol), from South Africa, is a further well-balanced white wine. Refreshing, with floral accents and a good flavour of fruits. If a sparkling white is preferred, then PECORINO (12% vol), from Italy, will not disappoint. Known for its excellent still wine productions, the Pecorino grape is utilised, to great advantage, in this sparkling gem. Fruity, and great for welcoming guests, this is a favourite for many occasions.

If your preference is for a red wine, either light or full-bodied, then some suggestions could be for the following.

CASTELAO (13.5% vol), from Portugal, is very popular and graces many dining occasions, constantly. A good richness and intensity prevailes. Wonderful ripe fruits are most evident on the bouquet and mouthfeel. Very elegant. Staying with red wines, PERRICONE (13.5% vol) has dark fruits in abundance for taste, coming through to a superb mouthfeel and the palate’s sensation, with a long finish, from Italy. Another most popular red wine is PAIS (13.5% vol). This is light-bodied, and with a juicy fruit flavour, makes for a great dining table wine. Chile produces excellent wines and this dates from the 16th century.

For more ‘powerful’ beverages, 1932 PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA RISERVA (14.5% vol) from Italy, fills this spot.

The vineyards are renowned globally. Old vines, rich soils and more, contribute to the productions of this spectacular red wine. Oak barrels encourage the aging process. Dark fruits are most evident, definitely! HEDONIST ORGANIC SHIRAZ (14% vol), from Australia, has numerous devotees, too. Wonderful to accompany many dishes, also.

For something later, then KOPKE RESERVE TAWNY PORT (19.5% vol), will fit the bill, admirably. This aged Portuguese production satisfies the ‘end of meal’ experience, wonderfully. From the mid 17th century Tawny Ports have evolved and pleased many.

These productions were located in Waitrose. Some are in their ‘Loved and Found’ range. www.waitrose.com

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Well-Being

How to Cope in an Uncertain World Over the past couple of years, we’ve had to cope with a pandemic, political uprisings and now war in the Ukraine. Life is constantly changing so you’d think we’d be better at dealing with uncertainty. But humans crave stability, and we crave it most when life is unpredictable.

This is where coping strategies come in to play. There are unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or junk food and there are also healthy coping strategies.

What is coping? Coping is an active process where you pause, appraise the situation, target the problem, and then choose a set of interventions.

Stay grounded - Create a safe space for you and your family. Structure your home so that you and your family feel grounded. Reduce the sadness and stress of uncertainty by keeping News to a minimum. Don’t talk endlessly about sensational stories. Think of your home as a sanctuary from the uncertainty of life.

Use routines - Keep scheduled mealtimes and bedtimes, and daily chores, including the kids’ homework. Also make sure there are regular periods of relaxation and fun, like a family games night or a walk. Routines provide a steady rhythm and research

shows that when your day has an organised framework, you develop a greater tolerance for unpredictability.

Choose information sources carefully - During uncertain times be guardedly curious and try not to accept sensational stories as factual.

Embrace uncertainty - Ultimately we have to live with uncertainty. Cultivating hope and possibility during uncertain times is important. Instead of focusing on sadness or anxiety, shift the focus to wonder or curiosity. Confronting what we don’t know can trigger creative thinking and problem solving and help you and your family feel empowered in the face of the unpredictable.

Practice gratitude - Make time to notice and reflect on the good and meaningful things and people in your life and encourage your children or grandchildren to do the same. Studies show that gratitude generates feel-good neurochemicals serotonin and dopamine in your brain which help to reduce worry.

By Kate McCarthy

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Finance

Do I need life insurance?

Life insurance may feel both baffling and daunting, but it’s a key step towards financial security for many people. These are the most important things to know when deciding whether it’s right for you and which policy to choose.

The most important question is what you want the life insurance to achieve. With most forms of insurance, it’s simply a case of covering costs or replacing something that’s lost, stolen or damaged.

With life insurance, you’re commonly looking to replace your income.

That means it matters whether you are the sole ‘breadwinner’ in your household, you share financial responsibilities, or you have no dependents (in which case life insurance usually makes little sense).

It also matters whether you simply want to maintain an income for your family after you die or if you are concerned with specific expenses, such as a mortgage or university costs for your children.

Those factors will help you make the biggest decision: whether to get a whole-of-life policy or a term policy. The former means that, as long as you keep up the payments, the policy pays out when you die.

These policies tend to work out more expensive, both through higher payments and because you’ll be paying in for longer. It’s usually taken out by people who want to be sure to cover funeral costs, or want their heirs to be able to pay an inheritance tax bill without having to sell the family home.

With term policies you pay premiums and are eligible for payouts during a fixed period. Depending on your financial goals, this could be a set number of years, the remaining term of your mortgage or until your planned retirement date. These policies are usually cheaper that whole-of-life policies. Once the term ends, you stop making payments and the policy will never pay out.

If you go for a term policy, you need to decide how the payout level changes over time. The most basic option is a ‘level’ policy that simply pays a fixed lump sum on your death. A variation of this means the payout amount goes up each year during the term, in line with inflation.

In contrast, a decreasing policy means the payout amount falls each year during the term. That makes premiums lower and is most suitable when you want the life insurance to clear your mortgage if you die.

The falling payout reflects the fact your outstanding mortgage debt will also fall over time.

Whether you get whole-of-life or term insurance, you need to decide whether to get a single or joint policy, for example with your spouse or partner. A single policy is straightforward: the payout goes into your estate and is distributed in line with your will.

With a joint policy, the default set-up is that when (or if) one of the two policyholders dies, the payout goes to the other policyholder. The policy then ends with no further premiums or payouts.

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Celebrating 30 Years (And still going strong!)

I cannot believe we have reached our 30th year in maintaining gardens in the North Herts/Beds area. In that time, we have maintained and landscaped 1000’s of gardens, big and small.

It all started in 1992 when my full time Insurance job allowed me plenty of time during the day which helped with childcare for our two children, but still left spare time that I didn’t know how to fill. I loved maintaining our 100ft garden in Baldock, so I thought why not maintain and tidy other gardens too for extra income for my family. Back then we didn’t have internet and google so the only way to put our name out there was placing adverts in the local paper, Yellow Pages and Thompsons Directories.

Although, if you missed the cut off point for the Directories then you had to wait for a whole year to get in!

Our first job came in and off I trotted to quote, it was to dig up a small apple tree stump and roots Easy job!?? (Or so I thought). The quote of £25 was accepted and I went round a day later with all my home DIY tools (How naive was I?). It was June, very hot and 5 hours later I managed to cut away the last of the roots. 5 hours!! I thought it would be a couple of hours at the most - welcome to the real world of professional gardening Dave. It didn’t put me off too much and I soon realised there was more to this gardening lark than I first thought.

The adverts were working and soon had a steady stream of accepted quotes, which was great!

However, after a month or two, it became apparent how many times the customers said, “I’m so glad you have actually turned up.” The gardening and landscaping industry was renowned for letting clients down, I was so shocked, and it dawned on me there was a huge gap in the market for reliable and regular gardeners. I made it my mantra, if I said I was coming to give you a quote, I would turn up and meet you!

(Regardless of what happens) and I have remained steadfast to that ethos.

One of earlier landscaping project was for The Hertfordshire Football Association in Letchworth Garden City. They had built a new stand, changing rooms and clubhouse and wanted their frontage completely landscaped. After planting a new 100ft hawthorn hedge along the perimeter, we commissioned bespoke double metal entry gates.

We finished with a beautiful new lawn, eye-catching shrubs and trees to complete the project. That was 25 years ago and to this day I still get a buzz seeing it every time I go pass.

The years have flown by since those early days and we’ve had some highs and lows on the way, our premises have been broken into three times – it was heart-breaking. We have also met some wonderful customers, some who have now sadly passed away.

We now maintain over 300 client’s gardens/grounds (residential and commercial) on a regular weekly or fortnightly basis. I have a strong team of 7 gardeners who love their job ensuring our customers gardens are looking their best. We also have 2 landscapers who carry out all our fencing, patio, decking and artificial lawn projects and we are fortunate to be fully booked until the end of April 2022.

A YOUNG ME OUTSIDE THE HERTS FA GROUND IN LETCHWORTH AFTER LANDSCAPING THEIR GROUNDS.

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I feel very grateful to be in this situation when other companies have unfortunately suffered during the past 2 years. Of course, it’s not just about the gardening aspect which keeps us successful. We now have a great office team running everything behind the scenes, with Office Manager Stella Piper and Assistant Sarah Henderson, ensuring phones are answered in a timely manner and quotes are sent out within 48 hours of my quotation appointment, along with many other important and vital activities ensuring the business runs smoothly.

Our regular clients receive a bi-annual Newsletter which keeps them informed of their schedule, what work we will be carrying out in the coming seasons amongst other articles. They also receive an automated email two days prior to a planned visit, keeping them informed all the way. Our teams are super friendly and amenable and use only the top of the range commercial machinery to carry out the work.

We also take away all the green waste after the completion of each visit so no need to use brown bins. We invoice once per month and accept a whole range of payment methods including our new automated payments, credit/debit card, cheque, and BACS transfers. We make it as easy as we possibly can.

What do you want from your garden?

You are just one call or email away from sitting back, relaxing and letting us do all your hard work for you, so you can enjoy a lovely looking garden at the weekend. As well as garden maintenance, we also carry out one off tidy-ups, we love tackling garden nightmares and getting your outdoor space back into shape so you can utilise it again. Now is the best time to book your visit in readiness for Spring and Summer. Just Google “Sunshine Gardens Baldock” and see our 50 plus genuine 5-star reviews and testimonials for your peace of mind.

Do you have a garden that needs transforming?

Can we help you with your landscaping project?

We can transform your tired and neglected gardens using our imagination and skills enabling you to enjoy your outdoor space. Book early though as we are already fully booked until the end of April/May 2022. Contact us for a free written quotation which will be sent to you within 48 hours.

We are proud to be one of the most long standing and trusted garden maintenance and landscaping companies in your area.

Dave and his teams are ready and raring to go in 2022. To help celebrate our 30th year in business, we are offering the first 10 new clients 12 months garden maintenance for the price of just 9 months.

Contact us on 01462 262200 office@sunshinegardensbaldock.co.uk PLEASE SEE OUR MAIN ADVERT IN THIS MAGAZINE FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON PAGE 31.

Sunshine Gardens

1992

1995

2021

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2022

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Gardening

Plant a tree for the jubilee: the Queen’s Green Canopy The joys of spring Early spring in the garden is probably the most longed-for time of the year for most. The weather is naturally unpredictable and the wise gardener will be prepared for just about anything. There could be a heatwave, snow, frost, drought and April showers.

Be prepared to protect tender young shoots with a covering of horticultural fleece, which can be used as a warm blanket until the cold snap has passed.

This is the perfect time for pruning a variety of shrubs, depending on the weather. If fairly mild, Hydrangea macrophylla can be pruned down to a pair of buds and old, woody growth can be removed. Buddleja davidii can have a good tidy up, ready for new growth, Lavender can be gently

trimmed and Cornus, which is grown for winter stem colour, can be pruned hard if you haven’t already done so. Deciduous ornamental grasses should also be cut down to make way for new growth.

Plant a tree for the jubilee Make the most of the coming growing season by planting trees and shrubs as soon as possible so that their roots can romp away as the soil warms.

Her Majesty the Queen has been on the throne for 70 years this year and we are all urged to ‘plant a tree for the jubilee’. This national tree initiative is encouraging everyone to plant trees, whether it’s a single specimen in a garden or an entire woodland.

It is hoped that individuals, community groups, schools, businesses and councils will all take part in a bid to green up the UK. This, of course, will help to fight the climate crisis. Trees, after all, are our friends when it comes to absorbing pollution, storing carbon, producing oxygen, stabilising the soil, helping to prevent flooding, improving biodiversity and providing shelter.

But did you know that some trees are better than others when it comes to eco credentials? Oak, beech, London plane, black walnut, many larger maples and eucalyptus are some of the best when it comes to carbon storage. Larger trees are generally better than smaller varieties, but anything is better than none at all! Broadleaved species have a larger surface area of leaves, which enables them to carry

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out photosynthesis. They absorb water, sunlight and carbon dioxide in order to produce oxygen.

When it comes to wildlife, oaks are kings of the habitat providers, but smaller trees, including a wide range of birch, are excellent too. Some of the woodland edge smaller trees and shrubs excel at this particular role, including elder, spindle, blackthorn, wild cherry, crab apple, hawthorn and holly. The key lies in planting a diverse mix of species in order to provide as many benefits as possible to wildlife.

Think in terms of food sources as well as cute, furry and feathery creatures. Insects are just as important when you consider the food chain.

Pests and diseases It is wise to avoid planting a monoculture using just one species of tree. If disease strikes, you are likely to lose the entire group. This applies to street trees as much as it does to garden hedges, copses and woodland. Far better to include a mix of species, which will be less likely to pass on disease to each other. For this reason, it is sensible to extend the range of trees in the UK to include non-native, hardy trees as well as natives. Always source trees from reliable, ‘plant-healthy’ suppliers.

Be aware of the general health of trees, including disease that causes limbs to be lost, thus posing a safety risk in public places.

• Ash dieback is likely to cause the loss of up to 80 per cent of this tree in the UK. Affected trees near public areas should be removed.

• Phytophthora ramorum is an organism that is sometimes called a water mould. It causes

bleeding canker symptoms on trees, including larch and sweet chestnut in addition to conifers such as Douglas fir. It can also cause sudden oak death.

• Phytophthora pluvialis has recently been discovered in western hemlock and Douglas fir in the West Country. It causes needles to turn brown and drop, eventually resulting in dieback.

• Oak processionary moth is an insect pest that is currently present in London and surrounding counties. There are silken nests and processions of caterpillars that defoliate oak trees, thus leaving them vulnerable and unable to carry out photosynthesis.

• A fungal disease called massaria is spreading amongst London plane trees, including those at Buckingham Palace and some of the Royal parks.

It causes lesions on branches, which die back and are eventually shed.

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

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Pets

14 Easy Ways to Help The RSPCA We all know there are fabulous RSPCA shops all over the country that we can buy lovely things from and take our unwanted clothes and bric-a-brac to. We also know if we want a new pet we could approach the RSPCA. But how many of the other 12 ways were you already aware of?

Smile Amazon - Amazon have recently set up ‘Smile Amazon’, meaning each time you buy something via Smile Amazon, they donate money to your chosen charity. The ‘Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Bedfordshire North Branch’ have registered with this scheme so you can select our charity when you are shopping.

Donate Nectar Points - Your Nectar points can now be used to support our charity. If this is something you’d like to do, you will need to link your Nectar account to a Crowdfunder account.

You can then donate converted points via our charity page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ rspca-bedsnorthbranch... All money donated will go towards the vet bills and boarding costs of the animals that come into our care.

Enter the Spring Superdraw - Competitions are still very popular and this one is no different. You could win up to £5,000. Simply head over to our website to buy a ticket!

Payroll Giving - Payroll giving (also known as Give As You Earn) is a simple way to make regular donations to the RSPCA straight from your salary. You can donate as much or as little you like and you can stop your donation at any time. Plus, it’s tax free! It is very quick and easy to set up. All you would need to do is fill in an online form.

Legacy Payment - Leaving a gift for the RSPCA in your Will is another way people can support us. Did you know over half of our work is funded by people who have left us a gift in their Will? So, these gifts are extremely important to us. Is it something you have considered?

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Generation Kind - You may recall reading about ‘Generation Kind’ in a previous edition, in essence it is an education program that we have created for schools. Through Generation Kind we’re ramping up our efforts to inspire kindness in the classroom - helping to shape a kinder future for animals. Ask your local school if they are involved.

Adopt/rehome/sponsor/foster - These are the four main ways that you can care for an animal through the RSPCA. All of which are important, valuable and rewarding. Check out our FaceBook page for more details.

Donate online - If you visit the RSPCA website, you can make a one off donation payment or set up a more permanent regular amount. It’s up to you. Your gift helps support long term projects, veterinary care, rehabilitation, and our rescue teams.

You could also visit one of our fabulous charity shops, become a member or why not organise a fundraising. There are now many ways in which you can support your local RSPCA, and we are very grateful and appreciative of it.

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

Lines are open 7 days a week 24/7. info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk 01234 266965 / 01234 930304

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

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

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What's On

WHAT'S ON IN APRIL 1 APRIL Bedford Art Society 7.15 for 7.30pm Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford Members free, visitors £5 Tony Jackson talks about the work of the Glasgow School of Art, the Glasgow Boys and later works produced in Glasgow.

Tel: Jean Paterson 01234 307210 for info Web: www.bedsartsociety.co.uk 1 & 2 APRIL Sweet Charity Doors open 7.15pm for 7.45pm Pirton Village Hall Tickets: Wednesday £10, other days £12 Pirton Players perform the terrific musical Sweet Charity. Tickets available from Pirton Village Shop or online. Bar available.

Web: pirtonplayers.org 1, 8, 22 & 29 APRIL Storytime 10.30-11am Letchworth Library Free - donations welcome Interactive story sessions, perfect for pre-school children. No need to book.

Web: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk 1, 8, 22 & 29 APRIL Bridge Club 1.30-4.30pm Springfield House, Old Stevenage Community Centre Play social cut-in Chicago Bridge.

Play is informal and friendly.

Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517 2 APRIL The Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pm RAF Henlow, SG16 6DN The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open to the public. Entry is free but official photo ID required to get an entry ticket from the Guardroom. See website for full information. Call on the day if information is needed.

Tel: 07778 837263 Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk

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2 APRIL Fairfield Lawn Bowls Club 10am-5pm Kingsley Avenue, Fairfield Park, SG5 4YG Come and try lawn bowls for free. All equipment and coaching provided. All ages. Just bring flat shoes. No obligation to join our friendly club but new members only £15 for the whole year.

2 APRIL Weston Concerts Spring Season 2022 7.30pm. Weston Village Hall Tickets 315, under 19s £5 Clive Carroll - guitar. Pay bar.

Tickets: www.trybooking.co.uk/BLIU Web: www.westonmusicsociety. org.uk 3 APRIL Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society 2pm. Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade ‘Derelict Hill Farm to Garden in a year or two or Twenty’ with Derry Watkins., well-known nursery owner. Plants for sale.

Visitors welcome – small charge.

Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk 4, 7, 11, 14, 21, 25 & 28 APRIL Retired Persons Table Tennis Club Mondays 11am-1.30pm. Thursday 1.30-4pm Memorial Hall, Stotfold The club plays both doubles and singles. Monthly subscription payable. Sadly, we are not a club for beginners at this time, but we do have vacancies for new members.

Please email Terry for further details.

Email: terrygriffiths50@gmail.com 4, 11, 18 & 25 APRIL Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-10.30pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Medium-sized social club for single people aged 40 upwards. Meets every Monday night.

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

4, 11 & 25 APRIL Baby Rhyme Time 10.30-11am Letchworth Library Free - donations welcome Fun half hour sessions of songs and rhymes are perfect for helping your child to learn language skills and are an opportunity for you to meet other families too. Booking essential.

Web: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk 6 APRIL Pic-n-Mix Social Group 10.30am-12pm Letchworth Library Meets the first Wednesday of every month. Each session has a theme or activity, and suggestions are made attendees. Drop in for a cuppa, a chat and make some new friends!

6, 13, 20 & 27 APRIL Storytime 10.30-11am Stevenage Library Free - donations welcome Interactive story sessions, perfect for pre-school children. No need to book.

Web: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk 7 APRIL The Arts Society North Herts Doors open 10.15am, 11am-12.15pm Broadway Cinema and Theatre, Eastcheap, Letchworth ‘Bandstands: Decline and Revival’

by Paul Rabbitts. Visitors welcome.

Lift access.

Web: theartssocietynorthherts. org.uk 7, 14, 21 & 28 APRIL Baby Rhyme Time 10.15-10.45am & 11.15-11.45am Hitchin Library Free - donations welcome Fun half hour sessions of songs and rhymes are perfect for helping your child to learn language skills and are an opportunity for you to meet other families too. Booking essential.

Web: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

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What's On

WHAT'S ON IN APRIL 7, 14, 21 & 28 APRIL Sapphire Social Singles Club 8pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin Meet every Thursday. A friendly social group for single people to meet and make new friends generally 50+ age group.

Tel/text: Ian 07900 890583 for info sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 8 APRIL Unicorn Ceilidh Doors open 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Baldock With The Tonic, caller Chris Rose and Golden Hare in the interval spot. Ceilidh dances are fun, easy to learn - and addictive! Book online.

Alan Creamer 07946 439095 Web: www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk 11 APRIL Singing, African Drumming and Percussion Workshop 9-11am Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin £9 per child. A relaxed children’s music workshop offering an introduction to a diverse range of musical styles including singing, percussion and African drumming.

Parents welcome to join in.

Web: https://benslowmusic.org 13 APRIL Spring Open Day 11am-3pm. Luton Hoo Estate Walled Garden, LU1 4LE Entry £5. Free children’s activities.

Tel: 01582 721443 19 APRIL Stevenage RSPB Local Group 7.30pm The Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage £3, under 18s 50p ‘Where in the World’, the fascinating subject of bird migration with Richard Pople. Please bring your own refreshments. Masks to be worn. COVID-friendly raffle.

Tel: 01438 236310 Email: carole.sparrow@ntlworld.com

21 APRIL Hitchin Friendship Club 2.15-4.15pm. St Michaels Mount Community Centre Speaker from Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. Meets third Thursday of the month. Interesting talks, pub lunches, day trips, coffee mornings, holidays and much more. Email: hfcinfo885@googlemail.com 23 APRIL Annual Quiz. pm for 7.30pm Grange Community Centre, Middlefields, Letchworth £36 per team of 6. Letchworth Arts and Leisure Group’s annual quiz returns in-person! Light-hearted general knowledge quiz hosted

by Ann and Andrew. Bring your own drink and glasses, plus snacks to eat in the interval if you wish.

Individuals or pairs please email to be included in a team.

Email: SocialTeam@lalg.org.uk Web: lalg.org.uk/aprilquiz 24 APRIL Stevenage RSPB Local Group Trip to Lakenheath Reserve Meet 10am. No charge for RSPSB members. All-day car trip to Lakenheath Fen RSPB reserve on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, with the possibility of breeding Cranes, Bitterns and Bearded Tits plus early arriving migrants. Meet in reserve car park just North of Lakenheath level crossing. Postcode IP27 9AD. Grid Ref 143/TL 724 865. Leader Graham Beevor. Tel: 01438 232055 24 APRIL Afternoon Tea 4pm Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin £19.95pp/£24.95pp with a glass of Prosecco. Enjoy afternoon tea at Benslow Music complemented with live music. Booking required.

Tel: 01462 459446 Web: https://benslowmusic.org

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25 APRIL Stevenage Choral Society 7.45pm Stevenage Music Centre, Mobbsbury, Stevenage 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, from the classics to show songs. Tel: 01438 365769 Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk 27 APRIL Lunchtime Talk 10.30am-12.30pm Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade Warden Abbey Vineyard. Nestled between the picturesque villages of Old Warden and Cardington, hear the fascinating story of how a vineyard came to be planted on this beautiful Bedfordshire site in medieval times.

Web: shuttleworth.org/talksprogramme 28 APRIL Stevenage RSPB Local Group Trip to Wendover Woods Meet 9.30am No charge for RSPSB members Car trip to Wendover Woods.

Morning visit to large mixed woodland near Tring which holds breeding Firecrests and Crossbills, although they are elusive. Meet in car park off the apparently unnamed lane at grid ref 165/SP 890090. Postcode HP22 5NQ. Car park charge £4.80. Leader Graham Beevor. Tel: 01438 232055 29 APRIL Concert by Consone Quartet 8pm. Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Tickets £20, under 27s free, livestream tickets £10, under 27s free Concert by BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists, Consone Quartet. Pre-concert dining available.

Web: https://benslowmusic.org

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Time of Year

The Easter Parade… …and other traditions

The Easter weekend is the principal religious feast of the Christian year, yet most of its traditions have no basis in Christianity at all. In fact, the Jewish festival of Passover, or Pesach which is closely linked to Easter by dates and symbolism was celebrated long before the birth of Jesus. And long before the name ‘Easter’ was used, early Christians celebrated ‘Pascha,’ a word derived from Pesach.

The word ‘Easter’ actually comes from an AngloSaxon fertility goddess called Eostre, who was associated with spring and new beginnings. Both Easter and Passover centre around re-birth, and bond neatly with the Anglo-Saxon festival of ‘Eostremonath’ – Eostre’s month.

Hot cross buns, traditionally eaten on Good Friday, are linked to Passover. Originally they were unleavened bread, an important Passover food.

Nowadays, they are leavened (which makes them light and delicious) and marked with a cross to serve as a reminder of the crucifixion.

The tradition of eating chocolate eggs derives from the fact that during Eostre, eggs were given as gifts to celebrate the end of winter and as a symbol of new life. Once again this ties in with Passover, where a traditional meal is Beitzah, a hardboiled egg. Eventually Christians began decorating the shells with colourful patterns, and later thanks to enterprising chocolatiers in France and Germany delicious chocolate Easter eggs began to appear.

But what about the Easter Bunny? Surely an Easter hen would be more logical. At least a hen lays eggs!

But if we look back at the Goddess Eostre, her scared animal was the hare, and it’s not a huge jump (see what I did there?) from a hare to a rabbit.

The Easter Bunny and egg hunts seem to originate in Germany in the 16th century. Children made nests in

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the garden and, if they were good, the Easter Bunny would leave them coloured hard-boiled eggs to find the next morning. This tradition travelled to America with early German settlers and, like many old traditions, has now returned to Britain substituting chocolate eggs for a sweeter egg hunt.

Egg rolling on Easter Monday is one of the strangest traditions. Some sources say that it represents the rolling away of the stone blocking Jesus’ tomb. It’s also known as Pace-Egging, which derives once again from the word Pesach. It’s centuries old but no-one is entirely sure of the origins, though it might have originated as a way of getting everyone out of the house for some much-needed exercise after a long weekend of feasting!

On Palm Sunday it is said that Jesus was welcomed to Jerusalem by an adoring throng. This and the procession which followed Jesus carrying the cross are often seen as the earliest predecessors of the modern Easter parade.

During the Dark Ages, Christians in Eastern Europe would gather in a designated spot before Easter church services, then walk solemnly to the church.

Afterwards they would retrace their steps while singing songs of praise. Participants usually wore their finest attire to show respect for the occasion.

Eventually the Easter parade transformed into a large American cultural event consisting of a festive strolling procession on Easter Sunday. Participants dress up and there is a particular emphasis on ladies’ hats...the Easter bonnets made famous by the song from the 1948 film Easter Parade.

And speaking of traditions…it’s our family tradition to watch that musical while we tuck into our Easter Eggs.

Happy Easter.

By Tracey Anderson

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our March Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Fraser Hayden from Gamlingay

March’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Across 1 Denied (7) 5 Not ours (5) 8 Amazing (9) 9 Spot (3) 10 Nap (5) 12 Replies (7) 13 Nearly (13) 15 Mum’s mother (7) 17 Healed (5) 19 Lodging house (3) 20 Ethereal (9) 22 Dizzy (5) 23 Convent (7)

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

16th April 2022 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.

Down 1 Disagreements (5) 2 Supporter (3) 3 Used for cleaning (7) 4 Insistence (13) 5 Sailboat (5) 6 Vests, boxers (9) 7 Fulfil (7) 11 Made clear (9) 13 Fishing (7) 14 Sale by bidding (7) 16 Covered with fine powder (5) 18 Hold up (5) 21 Employ (3)

Name:

Address:

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

Tel:

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Books

Books for wellbeing The Comfort Book Matt Haig

Author Matt Haig has been very open about his struggles with depression. His latest book is a collection of sayings, thoughts and recollections that offer comfort when times are hard. Many of us find it difficult to focus when we’re feeling down, anxious or burnt out. With The Comfort Book, you can just flick through and read the quote that catches your eye. That might be a story snippet, a list, music recommendations or a recipe.

Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention Johann Hari

We often berate ourselves for spending too much time scrolling through social media or getting distracted when we should be concentrating.

Johann Hari explains why the inability to focus is not a personal failing – it’s an alltoo-common side effect of modern life. Crucially, he also shares science-backed advice to help you reclaim your ability to focus.

Good Vibes, Good Life Vex King

Stuck in a rut and not sure how to move forward? In Good Vibes, Good Life, Vex King gives practical and inspirational tips for tackling negative thoughts, improving self-esteem and finding the motivation to make positive changes. Ultimately, his goal is to help you to both love yourself for who you are now and to make the changes that will improve your life for the better.

Broken (in the best possible way) Jenny Lawson

We all need a good belly laugh sometimes. Broken gives you that, plus so much more. As the blurb says, it’s a book about ‘living, surviving and thriving with anxiety’. It’s written like a stream of consciousness in parts, as Lawson shares anecdotes and lessons from her life. Raw, honest, relatable.

The Sleep Book Dr Guy Meadows

Anyone who struggles to sleep knows the impact it can have on daily life. The Sleep Book isn’t a recent release, but it’s one of the most wellresearched – Dr Meadows has worked with more than 2,000 insomniacs. The result is a five-week plan to solve insomnia, mainly focusing on mindfulness and ACT (‘act and commitment’) therapy. It’s not a magic cure, but the advice is practical and easy to follow.

Reflections Holly Willoughby

In Reflections, TV presenter Holly Willoughby shares her ‘toolkit’ for living a happier, more connected life. She talks of the rituals, techniques and positive habits that have helped her to reconnect, tackle anxiety and feel more grounded. It’s a deeply personal book – she discusses body image, burnout and other challenges – but it’s not an autobiography. While most of us don’t lead a celebrity lifestyle, there are still many nuggets of wisdom that readers will find useful.

By Kate Duggan

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Plumbing

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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 Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue............. 01438 729041 Carers Line......................................... 0808 808 7777 ChildLine................................................... 0800 1111 Citizens Advice................................... 0344 245 1292 Cocaine Anonymous..................................0800 689 4732 Crimestoppers...................................... 0800 555 111 Cruse Bereavement Care.................... 0333 252 9152

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.

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