Hitchin July 2020

VILLAGER The

Issue 26 - July 2020

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Paddling Pool Safety

Get Moving for

Mental Health Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People Every Month in Hitchin, Great and Little Wymondley, St Ippolyts, ur Charlton and surrounding areas Yo EE y

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Inside this issue...

What’s happened to our love of antiques?

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The History of the Pandemic....................................4 Paddling Pool Safety................................................8 Get Moving for Mental Health................................10 Wines Worth Locating: The Winebarn.....................12 What’s happened to our love of antiques?..............14 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.................................17 Summer Dressing to Keep Cool..............................19 Hearing Loss and Brain Health...............................21 Lasting Power of Attorney and a Will.....................23

Silver Splendour.....................................................24 Lockdown Musings.................................................27 What do our national animals say about us?..........29 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal......................................30 The Good Pet Owner’s Guide to Summer................32 Puzzle Page............................................................36 Villager Prize Crossword.........................................42 Book Review..........................................................46 Useful Numbers.....................................................47

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The Good Pet Owner’s Guide to Summer

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 - Catherine Rose, Tracey Anderson, Kate McLelland, Trevor Langley, Nick Coffer, Jennie Billings, Ann Haldon, Pippa Greenwood, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA and Kate Duggan

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

Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 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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History

By Catherine Rose

The History of the Pandemic Despite our increased global mobility meaning pandemics are potentially more likely, diseases have been crossing country borders for centuries.

One of the earliest pandemics, the Justinian plague, began in 500 AD, spreading from Egypt into Palestine, the Byzantine Empire and then Europe.

Similar to bubonic plague, it killed twenty-six per cent of the world’s population – around five hundred million – thwarting Roman Emperor Justinian’s plans to revitalise the Roman Empire.

1347 saw the first wave of the Black Death, a pneumonic form of bubonic plague – one of the most devastating pandemics in human history.

Originating in Asia, it is likely to have travelled along the Silk Route and then by ship into Europe. It is believed, as with later outbreaks, that it was spread via fleas contaminated with the yersinia pestis bacteria.

The disease is estimated to have killed hundreds of millions of people worldwide and up to sixty per cent of the population in Europe. Characterised

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by a fever and buboes, the Black Death could kill within hours. Whole villages were wiped out and in cities people were confined to their homes, a cross marking the door to indicate if they had the plague within. Carts were piled high with bodies as people were ordered to ‘bring out their dead’.

It wasn’t until the nineteenth century that the bacteria were discovered. At the time, it was believed that the plague was caused by miasma or ‘bad air’. It was even thought that the illness could jump out of a dead man’s eyes and infect a healthy person.

Many believed that sinners were being punished.

Groups of flagellants took to the streets, whipping themselves to appease an angry God. What a strange sight that would be to us today!

The Black Death lasted until 1352 and had huge economic and social repercussions.

Instances of bubonic plague returned over the following centuries. In 1665, the Great Plague of London spread from ports along the Thames and

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killed twenty per cent of its population. As has happened more recently in China, it was believed that cats and dogs were spreading the disease and many were slaughtered.

The term ‘quarantine’ was coined in Venice referring to a period of forty days – the optimum time necessary for the spread of an epidemic to be contained. Cities that implemented quarantines were found to be less affected by fast-transmitting diseases.

The first of several cholera pandemics began in Russia in 1815. Acquired through contaminated water and food, the British Army unwittingly spread this serious bacterial illness across the British Empire.

Eventually India, China, Indonesia, Japan, Spain, Italy, Germany and America all succumbed to the pandemic. Millions of people died from the rapidly fatal effects of the disease which causes severe diahorreah and dehydration.

Another outbreak occurred during the Crimean War between 1853 and 1856. Nurse Florence Nightingale became famous at this time for her tireless efforts to improve unsanitary conditions.

A vaccine was created in 1885.

Smallpox, caused by the variola virus, is one of the most devastating diseases. Various outbreaks have occurred over the centuries with the earliest believed to have been as far back as 10,000 BC. During the twentieth century alone, smallpox was responsible for up to five hundred million deaths worldwide. It was finally declared by WHO to be eradicated in 1980.

The fact that COVID-19 originated in animals is one of the reasons it has been taken so seriously.

However, it is not the first pandemic virus to do so. The Spanish flu, which struck worldwide during

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1918/19, is believed to have started in birds.

Unlike regular flu, the illness targeted healthy young people more than it struck the old. With this particular strain, it is thought to be due to older people having built up more immunity over the course of their life.

Although nicknamed the Spanish flu, it first appeared in Kansas, America in 1918. Due to World War I, many European countries had news blackouts and initial announcements of the disease came from Madrid, which led to people believing it had begun in Spain.

Its arrival towards the end of the war meant it spread rapidly in the unsanitary and confined conditions of the trenches. And it came at a devastating time when populations had already been decimated.

This particularly deadly flu primarily attacked the lungs, leading to severe bronchial pneumonia. It infected a third of the world’s population and resulted in around fifty to one hundred million deaths.

During its year-long reign, public places were closed and people told to wear masks, self-isolate and not shake hands. At the time it was believed to be caused by bacteria; much smaller viruses were only discovered later.

India was one of the worst affected countries due to the high number of people living in close proximity there. Tasmania closed its borders early and implemented a strict quarantine period – as a result the pandemic was mildest by comparison.

Today, we are better informed about the spread of disease, our lives are more sanitary and scientists can more easily predict outcomes and implement strategies that contain it.

Stay safe and well.

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Parenting

Paddling Pool Safety With more of us staying at home this summer many of us will be tempted to buy paddling pools and bathing pools (if we’re lucky enough to have a large enough space). Most parents are hypervigilant when near a hotel or campsite pool, but it’s easy to become more complacent when we’re at home in our own ‘safe’ environment.

It’s possible for a young child to drown in just a few inches of water. That’s why it’s important not to overfill your paddling pool: 5-10cm of water is enough for lots of splashy toddler fun.

Just as you’d supervise a child while playing in a hotel pool or on the beach so it’s important to supervise them while they are playing in a paddling pool. If you need to step away for a moment to answer the phone, switch the kettle on or check on dinner – be sure to take the kids out of the pool while you’re away. It might be a bit of a faff but so much better to be safe not sorry.

I’m betting you check that baths are not too hot when you run them. How many of us check our pools are not too cold? Water from outdoor taps tends to be very chilly. Adding a kettle or two of boiling water to the pool to take the chill off before the kids use it is kinder to tiny bodies.

The area around your paddling pool tends to become very slippery very quickly. A couple of old towels for them to stand on as they climb out helps

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By Tracey Anderson

to prevent accidents.

If you’re re-using a pool from previous years make sure you give it a thorough clean to get rid of cobwebs, bird and mouse droppings and general muck before filling it with water. Children ingest a surprising amount of paddling pool water and you really don’t want any nasty tummy bugs. A tablespoon of bleach when cleaning and rinsing it AFTER use will help keep it spotless and safe.

Gardens are full of sharps things, like twigs and stones. To avoid puncturing the pool, or inflicting any nasty cuts and grazes, check it for sharp objects before filling and keep an eye out for new debris whilst the kids are leaping in and out. If you do spot a puncture, tear, or rip, you’ll need to fix it before letting your kids play in it. Once filled with water a damaged pool can collapse or deflate depositing water and bathers all over the lawn!

The bright colours and sparkly water in paddling pools means they are a magnet for insects! You may need to fish a few out of the pool now and then. A small net, or an old sieve is great. It might also be a good idea to apply plenty of insect-repellent to your children to help ward off things that bite and sting!

Sun protection is important. Beachwear with a high SPF is perfect paddling pool attire. And don’t forget to slather on lashings of high SPF waterproof sunscreen and keep reapplying throughout the day.

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Health

By Kate McLelland

Get Moving for Mental Health During the lockdown, with so little choice of things to do, it may well be that a walk round the block became part of your daily routine. That should have reminded you of the physical and mental benefits of fresh air and moving around.

But as lockdown eases, if you find you have reverted to form and even the very word ‘exercise’ makes you want to retreat to the sofa to binge watch Netflix, we hear you!

It really doesn’t have to be a chore though. Any type of exercise is useful, as long as it suits you and you do enough of it. It should be something you enjoy or it will be hard to find the motivation to do it regularly.

As the saying goes: necessity is the mother of invention and the last couple of months have been amazing for introducing exercise that doesn’t involve being in a gym. From martial arts in the garden, online yoga and cycling to just that brisk walk round the block.

Exercise to boost your mood Aerobic exercises, where your heart rate is elevated, have been shown to help depression. They reduce your levels of cortisol (AKA the ‘stress hormone’).

You could try jogging (using the Couch to 5K app to keep yourself motivated), a virtual exercise class or just dancing in your kitchen.

Exercise to ease anxiety Yoga and pilates can have a direct impact on your nervous system, helping to calm it down and ease anxiety. Some studies have shown that yoga can also be beneficial for tackling depression, alleviating stress and even reducing pain and blood pressure.

Exercise in nature According to a study by the University of Exeter, spending two hours a week in nature is good for both your mental and physical wellbeing. This could mean your local park, a field or even doing an outdoor

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circuits session in your garden.

Virtual exercise classes Joe Wicks runs weekday PE classes at 9am on his YouTube channel and you don’t need to have children to take part. If the family classes are too energetic, try some of his other workouts, such as the ones aimed at seniors.

Don’t fancy PE? You’ll find dance, martial arts and more online. The dance troupe Diversity teaches regular classes on www.20dv.co.uk. And you can take part in Oti Mabuse’s free dance classes on her YouTube channel whenever you want.

Exercising with a health condition If you’re worried that exercise might make an existing health condition worse, do speak to your GP. Finally the NHS offers more than 20 instructor-led workouts at www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitnessstudio, starting from just 10 minutes long. There’s even a 30 minute workout using your sofa!

Keep motivated Make a note of how you feel before and after your workout. Try rating your anxiety and mood and see whether the workout has had a positive effect.

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Food & Drink

Wines Worth Locating The Winebarn Germany utilises Riesling grapes to great advantage and the resulting wines have a range from Trocken (dry), Kabinett (medium-dry), through medium and sweet, to Beerenauslese (very sweet) and Eiswein (even sweeter).

The WineBarn Ltd company specialises in finding, importing and offering German wines of superb quality and elegance. Their MD is Iris Ellmann. Iris is very much acknowledged and respected. One of the UK’s first Fellows (The Riesling Fellowship), Iris is an expert in German wines. The team are extremely proud of having been recognised as The IWC Best German Wine Merchant. Advice includes recommendations for food pairings, any occasions and events. The WineBarn also offers a Rare and Antique Wines Service, sourcing elusive investment wines from hidden German cellars. For this ‘quest’ I searched for dry Riesling wines.

The Allendorf family have a history of over 700 years, living and working in the Rheingau region, which is home to the famed Riesling white wine grape. Their estate is recognised as one of the largest family-owned wineries in the Rheingau. Allendorf Save Water Drink Riesling (dry) has a primary fruity sensation, including apricot and crisp apple, for the nasal senses. Continuing to the mouthfeel and palate’s enjoyment, this is a very popular, refreshing wine. www.thewinebarn.co.uk/collections/allendorf Since the latter part of the 15th century the Aldinger family have worked the land in the town of Fellbach.

Committed and dedicated to their productions, the wines produced have exceptional quality. Aldinger Rebhuhn Riesling Trocken I found to have very acceptable orchard fruits on the bouquet. Certainly crisp and fresh, with a good finish on the palate. Ideal to grace many dining tables, this is another popular production. www. thewinebarn.co.uk/collections/aldinger Riesling wines are great to accompany numerous dishes of cuisine, as well as having the ability to be enjoyed on their own. These and many more excellent wines with a passion - a good number of which are (multi) award-winning - are available from The WineBarn Ltd. Ordering is easy and available online, too. Orders are dealt with quickly and efficiently, dispatching to all types of properties, including hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, retailers, private clients, homes and offices.

The WineBarn is delivering now.

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As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Life Begins...

What’s happened to our love of antiques?

If you’re a fan of daytime television you can’t fail to have noticed the vast array of programmes themed around buying, selling and refurbishing antiques.

There’s Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Trip, David Dickinson’s Real Deal and The Repair Shop, to name but a few. These shows, mainly developed for an older audience, compete to help us identify, value and care for antiques.

It’s either about the thrill of the chase (Antiques Road Trip, Bargain Hunt) or our emotional connection with items we once treasured. Programmes like Money for Nothing show the journey of an item destined for landfill as it is transformed from tip fodder to statement piece. In The Repair Shop, anxious customers hope their Grandad’s mantle clock or a childhood toy will be restored to its former glory.

TV dreams versus reality Given the huge popularity of these programmes, you might expect everyone over fifty to have a home cluttered with brass candlesticks, chaise longues and oversized mahogany wardrobes. But somewhere along the line, modern lifestyles seem to have got in the way. We may be happy to dream about buying and selling antiques, but it seems we’re unwilling to turn that dream into reality.

Downsizing decisions People belonging to the Baby Boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964) are more likely to have inherited their antique possessions. When the time comes to downsize, the first things to go are usually large pieces of family furniture that don’t transfer easily to smaller spaces. It also happens at this time that the children of the family, starting out in their own flats or smaller houses, don’t want to be burdened with family heirlooms either.

By Kate McLelland

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The current trend for open-plan living has also changed the way people furnish their homes. An open-plan design with well-designed fitted storage calls for a minimal approach, which is why individual pieces such as wardrobes or chests of drawers are no longer required.

Mix, mix, mix If you’d like to bring antique pieces into a contemporary setting but aren’t sure how to do it, there’s plenty of advice to be found online.

Speaking to the Elle Décor website, interior designer Benjamin Johnson says: “Mix, mix, mix. Don’t recreate a room from the past. Create a room that speaks to today by mixing in both contemporary and vintage pieces.” Maria Haidamus of Maria Haidamus Design says: “Choosing the right antique is more alchemy than science. I think it is great to mix and match periods, shapes, forms, and colour as long as the rules of scale and proportions are respected.”

In these times where recycling is encouraged and many items of antique or vintage furniture are sold at bargain basement prices, it makes sense to snap them up. Provided the pieces are in good condition they will often have many years of service left in them.

So next time you switch on the TV to watch Flog It! or The Antiques Roadshow, turn that passive enjoyment into positive action. Visit your local auction room online, and search sites such as Ebay, Gumtree and Facebook marketplace. It won’t be long before you find your own ‘real deal’ to bring a little heritage to your home.

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Food & Drink

Vietnamese Duck Salad Serves 4 people I used to live in East London and we had some wonderful Vietnamese restaurants there. I fell in love with this cuisine. It’s often light, fragrant, crunchy and healthy. And those four words perfectly describe this duck salad.

The star here is the dressing, which is so versatile. It was made for my show by Anne Harvey, who launched her catering and cookery course company, Taste of Vietnam, in St Albans to showcase all that is great about her country’s food. This is simple food, executed to perfection.

Ingredients 2 duck breasts 1 onion 1/2 red cabbage (shredded) 2 green mangos (peeled and julienned) 2 carrots (peeled and julienned) 15 mint leaves (roughly sliced) 10g piece of ginger 2 shallots For the dressing: 1 tbsp fish sauce 1 tbsp lemon/ lime juice 1/2 tbsp sugar 2 tbsp hot water 1 tsp garlic (finely chopped) 1 tsp chilli (finely chopped) 1 tsp ginger (finely chopped or grated) 1 tbsp crushed roasted peanuts

1. Bruise the ginger with a meat tenderiser or rolling pin. The ginger should remain in one piece.

2. Place the duck breasts in a saucepan and cover it with boiling water.

3. Add the ginger, 2 shallots and a pinch of salt to the pan. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes on a medium heat.

4. Take the duck out, leave it to rest and thinly slice it just before serving it.

5. While waiting for the duck to be poached, prepare the sauce.

6. In a small bowl, add the fish sauce, lime or lemon juice, sugar and hot water. Mix well until the sugar has dissolved. Add the ginger, garlic and chilli.

7. In a mixing bowl, combine the mango, carrot, red cabbage and mint. Add a tablespoon of dressing and toss well.

8. Transfer to a plate, add the duck breast slices on the top, and garnish with crushed peanuts and more of the dressing.

(NOTE: Duck breast can be replaced here with chicken breast or tiger prawns.)

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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House of Colour

Summer dressing to keep cool Whether you love summer clothes or find hot weather dressing frustrating here’s my guide to keeping your cool in the warmer months.

Summer Dressing • We’re very good at wearing very little as soon as it gets hot in this country (often little opportunity I know!) but it’s not always doing us a favour. The more flesh we expose the less authority we hold.

If you’re in a professional setting, and even on a zoom call, keep your shoulders covered. A light weight jacket or even a fine knit cardigan at work is great to have on call.

• In warmer weather we can lose our own style in an effort to keep cool – anything will do! Think a little bit about your lifestyle and have a few items that serve you, give you style and shape, in really warm weather (it does still happen here!). Not all of us can work a linen peasant dress but all of us have some styles that we can use in really hot weather to keep cooler. For example I can’t do the maxi or midi dress (look like a small child lost in a grownup outfit!) but I can do a neat halterneck.

• Quality – buy less buy better. I think as our summer months can be so erratic we splurge when its warm on cheap clothing to get us by.

Investing in a summer wardrobe can seem a waste when our weather is so unreliable. But, our summers have been getting warmer and it looks like that will continue. Look for those quality items that you will wear every year in versatile colours, and the ones you absolutely love. A neutral item on the bottom half will always be more useful that a bright shade. Also, be critical of your clothes. Are they still looking good? Have they seen better days? Remember your clothes are speaking for you.

• Sales – tempting I know to go for the bargain options around but if you wouldn’t have bought it at full price then why are you buying it now?

It won’t be a bargain if it sits clogging up your wardrobe.

• Grooming, grooming, grooming. So this is a challenging one currently but it is really key to looking good in the summer months! It’s tempting to give up on make up too but a light dusting of foundation and some lipstick will help to define your look.

• Invest in good underwear for the summer.

Underwear should not be visible! Generally it needs to be a nude shade and smooth to avoid lines. If you’re stuck or hate underwear shopping

there is a virtual solution from BraSense. She’s a miracle worker.

• Accessories – again we can forget about our accessories in warmer weather. They’re a quick way to update our look if we aren’t into investing in clothes. More importantly they complete our look, making us look finished and put together.

Think about that cameo area in your online call too, you’ll look the part with your jewellery on.

They aren’t just a piece of fun, they’re important!

• If you’ve had to have a massive clearout recently because you’ve not been wearing most of your wardrobe and are worried you might make the same mistakes again, find your local stylist for free no-obligation chat.

Enjoy your clothes this summer!

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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Discreet Hearing

Hearing loss and brain health There are many different causes of hearing loss but in this article we’ll focus on Presbycusis, ‘age-related hearing loss’, as this type of hearing loss has such a significant impact on brain health if left untreated.

When it comes to hearing loss most of us think it’s our ears that aren’t working very well but the problem actually lies deeper than that. Soundwaves are funnelled through our outer ear creating a vibration on the ear drum and middle ear. This vibration moves the fluid in the inner ear which stimulates our hearing nerves and sends signals to the brain where this sound information can be processed and made sense of.

Presbycusis, age-related hearing loss, is caused by damage to the hearing nerves in the inner ear, mainly affecting the nerves that pick up high pitch sounds, or treble, which gives clarity to speech. This is why most people say they can hear something is being said but they can’t understand it clearly as the meaningful information is missing. In most cases this damage happens very slowly over many years and we expect to see some level of loss from the age of 60 onwards. This slow deterioration means that the brain is gradually deprived of sound information for a long period of time and, like a muscle, this brain tissue can waste away from lack of stimulation.

Statistics show that the majority of people wait at least 7 years from the time they begin having hearing difficulties to seeking help with the use of hearing aids. Not only has the brain been deprived of sound information for at least 7 years, but it has also aged during this time, so the natural ageing of the brain is further compounded by lack of hearing.

The consequence of these physical changes in the brain can lead to reduced concentration and

mental fatigue, decreased ability to process complex sentences, memory loss, depression, cognitive impairment, and ultimately, an increased risk of preventable dementia. Even a mild hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia A study published by the Lancet looking at lifestyle and dementia, identified 9 modifiable risk factors linked to a third of dementia cases. Untreated hearing loss accounted for the largest proportion of these risk factors. The other two thirds of dementia risk are due to factors that cannot be controlled.

Treating hearing loss as early as possible with hearing aids is key to slowing down further hearing loss and maintaining healthy processing within the brain. The good news is that studies have proven that restoring hearing has a positive impact on people’s cognitive abilities as well as improved social lives, more productive work lives, and increased well-being.

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

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

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Finance

How Can You Protect Your Money with a Lasting Power of Attorney and a Will?

By Ann Haldon

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are legal documents that help to protect your money if you’re unable to manage your own finances for any reason. Wills contain instructions on how your money should be distributed when you die.

So why should you make a Lasting Power of Attorney and a Will, and how do you do it? Let’s start by looking at Lasting Powers of Attorney.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney and why do you need one?

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a document that appoints one or more individuals (attorneys) to make decisions and act on your behalf (the donor) in relation to your property, finances, health and welfare.

Should you suffer a stroke, lose mental capacity or experience a debilitating ailment, a Lasting Power of Attorney ensures important aspects of your life are taken care of by one or more individuals you trust.

Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney You can ask a solicitor to draw up these documents for you or set them up yourself. If you decide to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney yourself, you must be over eighteen and have the mental capacity to do so.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney: • Property and financial affairs • Health and welfare You can download the forms from the gov.uk website or complete them online. They must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can become effective, which currently costs £82 per document.

What is a Will and why do you need one?

A Will documents your wishes regarding what happens to your money, property and possessions

when you die. This may be a straightforward instruction to pass your entire estate to your spouse, for example, but some situations are more complex.

A Will allows you to decide in advance who will inherit your money and possessions. Making a Will helps you avoid inheritance tax, or reduce it – inheritance tax currently stands at 40% and applies to some deceased estates over £325,000.¹ How do you make a Will?

As with a Lasting Power of Attorney you can ask a solicitor or professional Will writer to make your Will or you can do it yourself. Some charities also offer free or reduced cost Will-writing services in return for a donation, so this may be worth considering.

It’s sensible to seek professional assistance in drawing up your Will if your circumstances aren’t straightforward. If you do decide to write your own Will, you can buy ‘blank’ templates that provide simple guidance and example wording at stationery stores and online. You’ll need to consider who to appoint as your Trustee(s) and who will inherit your money and possessions.

Drawing up a Lasting Power of Attorney and a Will protects your money if you fall ill or lose mental capacity, and in the event of your death. Writing these documents is an important consideration at any age, but it becomes more so as you get older – a time when your health may be more likely to fail. ¹www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney www.which.co.uk/money www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/ planning-what-to-leave-in-your-will

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23

Gardening

Silver Splendour

By Pippa Greenwood

Why not add some sensational silvery plants to your garden?

If you are partial to aromatic plants then there are several, such as the cotton lavender and the curry plant, that have both a pungent aroma and striking silvery foliage. They look gorgeous and need not take up much space.

Hostas are herbaceous perennials suited to shady and somewhat damp spots. Their large, showy leaves come in a range of colours including some smart, silvery blues. Pair them with the somewhat silvery and densely hairy Alchemilla mollis for a great ground cover display.

Lavenders are a good ingredient for any garden where silver foliage can play a part. They smell gorgeous and have a naturally relaxing quality for most people. Bees adore the flowers too.

There are several silver-foliaged plants with a naturally trailing or cascading effect, such as Helichrysum petiolare with its long trailing stems edged with small, rounded leaves, each so densely covered with hairs that they are like silver coins. Ideal for hanging baskets, they create a waterfall effect within weeks of planting. For a year-round effect grow a variegated ivy, perhaps Hedera helix ‘Glacier’ with silvery-white edged grey-green leaves.

Many of the small Artemisias have elegant silvery foliage, not least Artemisia ‘Powys Castle’, whose finely divided foliage looks like silver filigree lace.

They are best grown in a fairly sheltered, sunny spot and will provide a fabulous display for many years.

Sometimes that touch of silver comes in the form of seed heads. Those of the lovely purple or white

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flowered alpines called Pulsatilla are a delight, with a wispy silver plume on each seed. Some clematis have fluffy seed heads, with the silvery furry seed heads of the wild clematis aptly called old man’s beard.

For shrubs, take a look at the Cotinus – most have wonderful autumn colour and the seed heads explain its common name of smoke bush!

Many plants appear silvery due to a dense matt of short hairs on the leaves, some of which will become studded with water droplets after rain or a heavy dew.

In a tiny space, for example a small window box, grow some silver with the houseleek Sempervivum arachnoideum with its evergreen, fleshy rosette of red-tipped leaves covered with a web of silvery white hairs.

Many silvery foliaged plants have Mediterranean origins, where their dense hairs and pale colour help them withstand dry or hot conditions, making them ideal for a sunny and dry spot.

Conversely, use a few silvery foliaged plants in a slightly shaded spot, ideally combined with some plants with large, pale-coloured flowers, and see how they make a dull spot look brighter.

Combine silver foliage plants with some with very dark-coloured leaves or rich blue or purple hues for a magical effect, as the rich dark colours are brought to life with the sparkle of the silvery foliage. Plant silver foliage close to, say, Cotinus ‘Royal Purple’ with darkest purple leaves, and you’ll see what I mean.

Visit Pippa’s website (www.pippagreenwood.com) to book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club or as an after-dinner speaker.

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25

GARDEN DESIGNERS

Hot Tubs & Swimming Pools

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

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Professional Paving & Landscaping Groundwork • Driveways • Concreting • Patios Turfing • Fencing • Re-pointing • Brickwork All work guaranteed and finished to a very high standard Free quotations

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

Lockdown Musings Back in May garden centres became some of the first businesses allowed to reopen to the public.

For gardeners stuck at home (even though we understood and supported the lockdown), it’s been a frustrating time. We’ve been unable to plant during one of the best springs I can ever remember.

And for many of the UK’s growers it has been devastating. Millions of lost plants nurtured to be at their best by Easter were lost. The scale of the issue was mind-boggling. Garden centres and nurseries usually make the bulk of their income during the early growing season as people prepare their plots for the summer but instead they’ve been forced to compost or recycle millions of plants, leaving one in three growers in serious financial difficulties, with little possibility of recouping their losses later in the year.

I was glad to see nurseries and garden centres reopening and in spite of my own apprehension about venturing out, I decided to go to my local garden centre reasoning that the open outdoor spaces meant transmission of coronavirus was less likely and it would be easier to maintain social distancing.

There were staff in the car park and the queue markings were 2m apart. The trolleys were cleaned before being handed to the customers and social distancing was observed throughout the one-way system. There were fewer plants on display which puzzled me for a second until I realised that growers couldn’t take the risk of planting a few weeks before when they had no idea whether they would have to destroy those plants too. Such a heart-breaking decision for them to have to make.

My own garden has been a source of solace

throughout lockdown, but what has been particularly nice is the number of people who have discovered gardening during this period. There is a lot of psychological research which concludes that nurturing plants and flowers diverts our attention away from stresses and anxieties in our lives and goodness knows there’s been way too much stress and anxiety recently.

So, as we hit July is there anything easy which you can still plant? The good news is yes.

Nasturtiums can be sown throughout this month.

They are known for their brightly coloured flowers and attractive foliage. There are trailing, climbing, and dwarf varieties. The showy flowers can be single or double and come in fiery shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. Leaves are pale green and umbrella-shaped with long stems. They are the perfect flowers for beginner gardeners so if the kids have been dying to have a go at gardening these are your go-to plant.

Sow the seeds and within 7-10 days, you should see sprouting. They are drought tolerant and ideal for hanging baskets and containers. Even better, you can add the flowers, buds and young leaves to salads, and they have the most wonderful peppery taste.

Love-in-the-mist are easy to grow and have distinctive seed heads. These can be sown until early July and also again in September so they will get a head start for next year.

And of course, you can still plant sunflowers. Who doesn’t love a sunflower? Plant one for each member of the family and see whose grows the most. You could give prizes for the tallest, the prettiest or the largest flower.

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Happy Gardening!

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Quirky Britain

What do our national animals say about us?

By Kate McLelland

Australia has the barn swallow, Belarus has the European bison, Canada has the beaver and, famously, China has the giant panda. Almost every country in the world has its national bird or beast, and some have more than one.

In most cases, countries select their national animal or bird based on the creature’s characteristics. In order to qualify for ‘national’ status, the animal – whether a living thing or an imaginary beast – must share the same qualities, values and spirit as its home nation.

England: the lion The lion symbolises courage, nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness and valour. Lions were first used as royal emblems by Danish Vikings and later by Saxon leaders. In the late twelfth century Plantagenet kings decided to use three lions on their heraldic shields and the symbol endures to this day, on coins, and, of course, on those iconic English football shirts.

Scotland: the unicorn In Celtic mythology this fabled beast represents innocence and purity. It is also believed to be a symbol of masculinity and power, which is perhaps why it was favoured by Scottish kings. The unicorn first appeared on a Scottish royal coat of arms in the twelfth century reign of King William I, and when King James VI took over the English throne in 1603, he combined the unicorn with the English lion in a royal crest that is still used today.

Wales: the dragon More of a heraldic beast than a living creature, Wales’ national animal is the ‘Red Dragon of Cadwaladr’.

Legend has it that the magician Myrddin (or Merlin) prophesied an epic fight between the red dragon (representing the Welsh people) and a white dragon

(representing the English).

Northern Ireland: centaur or elk?

Wikipedia lists Northern Ireland’s national animal as a centaur, although there’s no explanation as to why this mythical half-man, half-horse was chosen to represent the six counties of Northern Ireland. A 1924 coat of arms showed a red lion (for the Ulster Scots) standing opposite an Irish elk (representing what officials of the time jarringly referred to as ‘the native element’). Unsurprisingly, this highly controversial badge is no longer used.

Spirited symbol: the bulldog While the bulldog doesn’t carry the same official weight as the lion, unicorn or dragon, it would probably win any poll in which voters were asked which creature best represented the nation’s character. Despite being famously used in WW2 propaganda, the well-known expression ‘British Bulldog Spirit’ actually dates from the eighteenth century, when bulldogs developed a fearsome reputation as fighting dogs in the popular sport of bull-baiting.

The British may be great animal lovers but it’s clear that we don’t let our hearts rule our heads when picking creatures to represent our nation. Those animals are not chosen for their fluffy, endearing qualities but for their strength, endurance and power.

They have stood us in good stead for many hundreds of years and will doubtless continue to represent our nation well into the future.

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Pets

Rehoming Appeal

Buddy and Bailey

Buddy and Bailey are nice little crossbreed boys and both around 9 years old. They have sadly spent their entire lives in shelter. We would therefore love to find them a home together as they are very close friends and devoted to one another and do not do well if separated.

They can be a little nervous on first meeting new people, but soon settle once they get to know them.

They are undemanding dogs who just need a quiet home, preferably an adult only home or with older children. They would make an older person or couple ideal companions.

We will not consider rehoming them separately so please do not apply unless you can offer them both a home.

If you would like to find out more about these lovely boys, please contact Julie on 01763 289827 You can register your interest in any of our animals by phoning the appropriate number or emailing Philippa on info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry on to the team. The enquiries will be dealt with as soon as we are able to do so safely. You can 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.

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

RESINBOUND DRIVEWAYS

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www.acs-aggregates.com

Collection & Delivery of Loose Aggregates Building Sand • Sharp Sand • Ballast • MOT Type 1 • 10 & 20mm shingle Top Soil • Granite Dust • Cements • Drainage • EASYjoint • Sleepers

Open six days a week

Monday – Friday 7.00am – 4.30pm Saturday 8.00am – 12.00pm

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Pets

The Good Pet Owner’s Guide to Summer The weather over the last few months has on the whole been glorious. May was particularly warm – being the sunniest and driest calendar month on record. 626 hours of bright sunshine were recorded in Spring 2020 for the UK. With this in mind as we approach the Summer, one cannot help but wonder what is in store. If we do have a warm, sunny summer as many are predicting, pet owners need to start making the appropriate preparations.

Use our easy to follow checklist to make sure the animals you love and care for have a safe and enjoyable summer.

• Check the temperature of the pavement before you take your dog out for a walk. If it is too hot to touch with your hand, it will certainly be too hot for your dog’s paws.

• Exercise your animals in the cooler parts of the day.

This may mean that your routines change slightly to accommodate this. But going out in the cooler mornings and evenings will be much better for your dog or horse.

• Think carefully about the environment your pet is in, more specifically the temperature of it. Vehicles, caravans, tents and conservatories can become extremely hot places during warm weather. Never leave pets in these places, as they can easily overheat and die.

• Pet-safe sun cream can now be purchased from a range of shops and online. Consider apply to exposed skin during the warm weather.

• Shade and fresh water are essential for the health and safety of humans during sunny days. Animals are no different. Ensure your pets have access to a shady

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area with plenty of fresh drinking water available.

• Check that any hutches or enclosures you have in your garden are not in any direct sunlight. Also make sure they have good ventilation.

• If you keep rabbits or guinea pigs, it is recommended that they are checked regularly for ‘flystrike’. The RSPCA suggest checking twice a day during the summer months.

• Water can heat up quickly in the summer, so be mindful of any fish you have as pets. Keep fish tanks out of direct sunlight and top up the water levels in ponds.

• Damp towels are perfect for pets to lie on when it is hot. Ice packs can be wrapped in towels if temperatures begin to increase, and the damp towels aren’t enough of a coolant.

• Most dogs treats can be kept in the fridge and will therefore provide your dog with a great way of cooling down. You could always make ice lollies using dog friendly ingredients.

• Adding ice cubes to a pet’s water bowl is a quick and easy way of keeping them cool. Don’t forget Kongs can be put in the freezer • Why not fill a paddling pool or spray a hose for your dog to play in (always supervised) If you need to contact our Branch (North Bedfordshire) for any reason we can be reached by the details below, or for an animal welfare issue or emergency, contact 0300 1234 999.

Lines are open 7 days a week 24/7.

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

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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

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ROGERSONS

REMOVALS

Man with Van

Removals • Clearances • Deliveries Pick-Ups • Items disposed of Flat pack assembly Anything Considered Friendly and reliable at a cost you can afford

Tel: 01462 627074 Mob: 07867 531368

Speak to Matt • No job too big or small

RELIABLE ROOFING COMPANY ESTABLISHED FOR OVER 35 YEARS BUILT UP FELT ROOFING SPECIALISTS & GENERAL ROOF REPAIRS • SLATE & TILE • REPLACEMENT FASCIAS/ SOFFITS, UPVC OR TIMBER • GUTTERING MAINTENANCE & REPLACEMENT • GUARANTEED WORKMANSHIP AT REALISTIC PRICES PROPRIETOR R.S. CROW F.I.O.R. • FREE ESTIMATES

01767 312914 • 01707 272532 07973 844240 www.reliableroofing-herts.co.uk reliableroofing@btinternet.com

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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

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WALL COATING

ALL REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN BREATHABLE COATINGS WEATHER PROOF SMOOTH OR TEXTURED SELF CLEANING PROTECTS YOUR WALLS CLEAN & TIDY INSTALLATION SUITABLE FOR MASONRY OR RENDER • COLOUR MATCH AVAILABLE • 10 YEAR GUARANTEE • • • • • • • •

Before After

0800 046 1080 hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk

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Codeword 1

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

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

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“Quality is not expensive, it’s priceless”

Extensions, Refurbishments, Loft and Garage Conversions, Landscaping and General Building Internal and external work with many local references View our testimonials at www.hertfordshirebuilders.co.uk

Loft Conversions

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Architect drawings and planning applications catered for Estimates and ideas FREE

www.hertfordshirebuilders.co.uk Call Richard on 07818 061505 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Automated Gate Systems & Ancillary Components Remote Access Intercoms Commercial Automated Barriers Swing & Sliding Gate Automation

01234 709271 07789 714464

email: info@smpgateautomations.co.uk

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Sales Service Repair Call Outs Automation of Existing Gates Residential Commercial

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WINDOW REPAIRS

Serving all of Herts - Based in Stevenage Specialising in replacing misted units

BEFORE AFTER email: info@jmlwindows.co.uk website: www.jmlwindows.co.uk 07977 911 926 / 01438 906300 • Misted/broken double glazed units • Sticking doors or windows adjusted • Broken/loose handles • Leaded or Georgian units replaced • Hinges for gapping windows • Leaks fixed • All types of locks replaced • Energy saving Planitherm glass • Cat/dog flaps in glass or panels • Door re-alignments Visit our website for over 30 customer reviews 40

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Puzzle Solutions for The Villager June Edition Easy

Hard

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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 • SUITABLE FOR MOBILE HOMES

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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 July 2020 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Written announcement (6) 4 Film regulator (6) 9 Fan (7) 10 Subject (5) 11 Type of hat (5) 12 Closest to (7) 13 Sound transmitters (11) 18 Ruler (7) 20 Edition (5) 22 Tale (5) 23 Easily seen (7) 24 Lower down (6) 25 Helpful (6) Down 1 Close to (6) 2 Stopwatch (5) 3 Custodian of museum (7) 5 Surplus (5) 6 Most important (7) 7 Repeat aloud (6) 8 Carried along (11) 14 Make better (7) 15 Beginnings (7) 16 Stopped (6) 17 Relating to teeth (6) 19 Type of poem (5) 21 Horizontal board (5))

Name: Tel:

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Deals The Best Online

Are you getting the best prices when you shop online? Even during sales, what might look like a great deal often isn’t.

Sometimes online shops offer supposed savings that are based on recommended prices nobody’s ever paid. The best example of that is with big TVs where you’ll often see apparently massive discounts, but it does apply to all kinds of online items.

A price-checking search engine can help you ensure you’re getting the best price on anything you buy online. We particularly like Pricespy. co.uk, which enables you to see not just who is offering the best price but whether they actually have it in stock. And if you’re looking at an Amazon deal, camelcamelcamel.com enables you to see the item’s price history, so you know whether this is a good time to buy.

Electrician

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Do you find it difficult to get someone to come and do a small job?

Fault finding/repairs Extra lights and sockets New fuse boards Electrical testing and certificates Qualified electrician  Fully insured Reliable service  Tidy work Free quote  Satisfaction guaranteed

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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.

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01438 211302 info@eastanglianloftladders.co.uk eastanglianloftladders.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Call now for a free, no obligation quotation 45

Books

Books to keep you busy Dream Big! Heroes Who Dared to Be Bold

by Sally Morgan

Dream Big! comprises a hundred bite-size biographies, each accompanied by an illustration.

My ten-year old and I have both enjoyed learning more about some well-known names (e.g. David Attenborough and Maya Angelou) and discovering other inspirational people neither of us had heard of. As well as being a great read, it’s opened up conversations about racism, sexism, LGBTQ+ rights and having the courage to stand up for what’s right.

Highly recommended.

01525 753547 or 07836 242122 G.J. WATKINSON

Property Maintenance

Dave Mortby Plastering, Decorating & Refurbishment

Free Estimates Given

07722 128189

The Sin Eater

By Megan Campisi

14 year old May Owens expects to be sentenced to death for stealing a loaf of bread. But her sentence is much worse. She’s to become a Sin Eater – responsible for taking on the sins of others so that their soul is cleansed. The role means she’s to be forever shunned. So when she discovers someone is trying to blame dead women for sins they didn’t commit, no one will listen. Intriguing setting, believable characters and a great story. Pre-order it now for delivery at the end of July.

Email: David.mortby@live.co.uk

Rubbish Clearance Helping to keep Hertfordshire Cleaner and Greener Waste carrier no. CBDU172513 We have Public Liability Insurance

H&M Rubbish Clearance

Est. 10 years in Hitchin. Support local business Call us for a free no obligation quote House and Garden Clearance

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This beautifully illustrated book takes the story of Sleeping Beauty and adds a dollop of darkness and a few ‘what ifs’. What if the sleeping sickness spread? What if there was a queen with hair as dark as a raven’s wing, lips as red as blood and several dwarves by her side, who could set out on a quest to rescue the princess? Yes, The Sleeper and the Spindle is aimed at young adults and takes under an hour to read, but don’t let that stop you from adding it to your wish list.

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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

By Kate Duggan

The Sleeper and the Spindle

by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddle

Appliance and Electrical Repairs

Wheelie Bin Cleaning Scrubbish ad Feb 2018.pdf

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23/02/2018

16:31

Prices from £5 5.00 per bin, cleaned every 4 weeks To book visit our website

www.scrubbish.co.uk or call our office on

01462 416565

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

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 Benefits for people with Disabilities..... 0800 882 200 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

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.

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.....................................845 30 30 900

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

Tel: 01767 261122

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

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

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