Hitchin may 18 by Villager Mag

VILLAGER The

Issue 2 - May 2018

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Win two tickets to the

Battle Proms

at Hatfield House

RSPB

Big Garden Birdwatch Results

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People Your NEW FREE local magazine covering Hitchin, Great and Little Wymondley, St Ippolyts, Charlton and surrounding areas every month To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

E E R py

u o Y

F co

The Old White Horse • 1 High Street • Biggleswade • SG18 0JE Tel: 01767 314344 www.lolineinteriors.co.uk e: dave@lolineinteriors.co.uk 2

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Inside this issue... Ground Control.........................................................................34 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results.........................................37 Mind in Mid Herts....................................................................38 Buying a Puppy........................................................................40

Win a One Night Break at Dunston Hall

Jewels of our Past.......................................................................4 Ashwell at Home........................................................................8 Win Tickets to the Battle Proms at Hatfield House....................10 Win a One Night Break For Two at Dunston Hall.......................12

Infiniti QX50.............................................................................43 Why we love a Royal Wedding.................................................44 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...................................................46 Puzzle Page..............................................................................48 What’s On.................................................................................50 Deaf Awareness week..............................................................52 Green Tech: Gadgets for your Garden........................................54 Prize Crossword........................................................................58 Local Elections..........................................................................60

Winning Wines: Macedonia......................................................14 Cusco - The Inca Capital in Peru................................................17 Shuttleworth Spitfire Fires into Life.........................................18 Sense of Summer.....................................................................22 Secrets to Successful Shopping................................................25 Morris Dancing May Day...........................................................26 It’s not only PPI that you can reclaim........................................28 Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Need Your Help..........................31 Wonderfully Windsor...............................................................32

Shuttleworth Spitfire

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, Trevor Langley, Solange Hando, Kate Duggan, Jennie Billings, Tracey Anderson, Ann Haldon, Rachael Leverton, Berry House Vets, James Baggott, Nick Coffer, Alison Runham and Hannah Fenton

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Rudmer Zwerver, Darren Harbar 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

Jewels of our Past By Catherine Rose

There is no doubt that antique jewellery has a fascination like no other. Worn close to the skin and often commissioned for an individual, it exudes an aura of its original wearer from across the centuries. Walking around the Victoria and Albert Museum’s jewellery section is a kleptomaniac’s paradise. On display in a darkened hall, gold and precious jewels from civilisations past are illuminated like the treasures of Aladdin’s Cave.

Humanity’s universal desire to craft mined metals, stones, and natural treasures like shells, horn or bone into beautiful adornments dates back to primitive times. Jewellery makers have long been skilled artisans, able to work with materials at levels of delicate intricacy. In early times, jewellery was often worn in the form of amulets for power or protection against evil, and as a status symbol. Gold jewellery was buried with the dead as payment for their

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passage into the afterlife and to ensure the person’s continued importance. We are most familiar with this from the discovery of ancient Egyptian tombs, but other civilizations such as the Incas and the ancient Greeks also buried jewellery with their dead. Gold ceremonial collars have been found when unearthing Celtic Bronze Age burials. One such collar known as the Shannongrove Gorget (800-700BC), uncovered in Ireland in the 1700s, was deliberately folded in half, perhaps in a ritual to prevent someone else from wearing it. Much of the archaeological jewellery on display in museums today comes from ancient tombs. Crowns made of precious metals and stones to indicate royalty began as ceremonial wreaths in Greek and Roman times, or possibly earlier. They were made of flowers, twigs and leaves (such as laurel, oak and ivy) and would be placed on the head of someone who had been valiant in battle or excelled as an athlete. The word ‘crown’ comes from the Latin ‘corona’ meaning wreath. Alexander the Great is said to have established the crown as a symbol of royalty in 356-323BC. Over the centuries, crowns continued to become heavier, more elaborate and bejewelled, forming a key part of the monarch’s coronation ceremony. Precious stones have long been symbolic, for example, pearls once represented purity. Originally, diamonds and rubies weren’t faceted but would simply be polished as roundels or ovals – a style known as cabochon. It wasn’t until the Renaissance that the skill of cutting stones developed. These sparkling gems became popular and were at their most spectacular seen in the glow of candlelight. Sadly, little diamond jewellery from the 17th and 18th centuries survives, as diamonds had become so prized they were often removed from old jewellery and reused. During the medieval era, jewellery was very much about status and religion. Royalty and nobility wore gold, silver and precious metals while lower ranks would wear jewellery made of pewter or copper set with semi-precious stones, or translucent enamel made using melted ground glass set into metal. Centuries later, this notion was subverted by Art Nouveau, a radical movement that began in 1895 and went on to shape our modern world in many

ways from marketing to furniture design. Art Nouveau jewellers saw no hierarchy of materials, meaning gold and diamonds were combined with base metals and enamel. Symbolism was as important as it had been in medieval times. During this time, as in the past, wearing large pieces of jewellery on the bodice continued to be popular. Today, this fashion along with the general wearing of brooches – still popular up until the mid-20th century – is now seen as dated and has largely fallen out of favour. The 17th century heralded increased importation of a variety of gems. As a result, a wider range of coloured stones such as citrine and pink topaz began to make an appearance. Jewellery was often tailored to the individual and included the use of cameos and miniature portraits of the wearer or their loved one. It is believed that during this century, opaque enamel was invented by a Frenchman, Jean Toutin de Chateaudun. The Victorians were as ostentatious in their jewellery as they were with all other forms of ornamentation, favouring flowers and birds which reflected their interest in the natural world and tied in with their ‘language of flowers’ symbolism. Jewellery became largely worn by women, whereas in previous centuries men had frequently worn it too. Although today’s jewellery makers still use ancient techniques in metalwork and stone setting, contemporary jewellers are reinventing the way we see and wear jewellery. These innovations are being led by designers like Wallace Chang who produces cameo jewellery from 3D images of the human face and has invented a new stone setting that does away with the traditional obtrusive claw technique. Prague-based jewellery designer Janja Prokic, who has showcased at London Fashion Week, designs symbolic fairy-tale jewellery that links directly back to the wearer. She often uses pearls to represent womanhood and says: “As they become polished by contact with human skin, each appears to absorb nutrients from the skin. The result is that this gives them a particular glow peculiar to the wearer.” And in the end, don’t we all want our jewellery to be a reflection of ourselves?

By Catherine Rose

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Local News

Ashwell at Home

A Fun Day Out for All the Family Sunday 13th May – 11am to 5pm The picturesque village of Ashwell welcomes visitors to its popular annual event ‘Ashwell at Home’, where you can enjoy a wide range of things to see and do, with entertainment for all the family. In addition to the traditional programme with open gardens, musical performances, craft stalls and activities for children, this year Ashwell at Home will be commemorating the centenary of two highly significant moments. Women’s Suffrage finally became law in February 1918 and on 11th November in the same year came the Armistice which ended the fighting on the Western Front in the First World War. Both events will be marked with a series of performances, events, activities and workshops during the day, many of them making particular reference to the part played by the people of Ashwell at the time. What’s On? The programme includes: • Open gardens • Fun for children including free workshops • Musical concerts and live music around the village • Morris Men and Tudor dancing • Walks and Talks • Arts and Crafts • Archaeology: bring your own garden finds • And many other attractions

With special activities around this year’s theme: • A Bagpipe Tribute to the Fallen • Poppy Walking Trail • Make and Plant Poppies • Suffragette March • Lest We Forget: poetry and readings from WW1 • Ashwell Bury as a WW1 Convalescence Hospital • Hospital Walk: following the trail the convalescing soldiers would have taken • Celebrating the Women of Ashwell A wide range of refreshments will be available throughout the day. Tickets are £7 per person, under 18’s free. Available on the day or in advance from the website www.ashwellathome.org.uk (earlybird tickets £6 when purchased online before the day) Ashwell is in north Hertfordshire, easily accessible from the A1(M) Junction 10 and the A505. For more information visit www.ashwellathome.org.uk

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Relax & Renew

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Win 2 tickets

to a Spectacular Summer Concert

We have 3 pairs of tickets worth £88 each to be won for the 18th annual Battle Proms at Hatfield House on Saturday 14th July, as the UK’s premier picnic concert series returns for a packed afternoon and evening of entertainment! Treat yourself and a friend or loved one to a full programme of captivating classical music from the 60-piece New English Concert Orchestra, complemented by toe-tapping vintage vocals, breathtaking Spitfire display to Elgar’s Nimrod, sensational freefall demonstration by The Red Devils parachute team, dramatic WWI cavalry display and groundshaking live fire from over 200 cannons! All set in the historic and leafy surrounds of the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field at Hatfield House, this quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ features magnificent musical firework displays, culminating in a flag waving, sing-a-long spectacular including all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites such as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory! Simply send your entry by 16th May 2018 to: Battle Proms Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. The winner will be drawn randomly from the correct entries.

BATTLE PROMS COMPETITION ENTRY

For a chance to win 2 tickets simply complete your details below and post your response by 16th May 2018 to: Battle Proms Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. Name:



Don’t want to leave it to chance? Simply order online at www.battleproms.com. Order by 30th April and enjoy the Early bird price of just £36 per adult for an afternoon and evening of sublime music and dramatic displays!

Address:

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Win a One Night Break for Two including dinner, bed and breakfast and 36 holes of golf The four-star Dunston Hall, in Norwich – managed by Redefine|BDL Hotels (RBH), the UK’s leading hotel management company – offers guests a firstclass, all-round golf experience in fabulous surroundings. Its 6,275 yard, par-71 USGA-rated course is beautifully contoured around the estate and features magnificent parkland fairways dotted with trees and strategically placed bunkers. With its other golf facilities also including a 22-bay floodlit driving range, an undulating pitching green with bunkers, and even a nine-hole Footgolf course, this is golf at its best. Dunston Hall’s Elizabethan-style mansion, dating from 1859, has been lovingly restored to all its former glory as a four-star hotel. Built against 150 acres of stunning wooded Norfolk parkland, the setting is just as unique as its history. The hotel boasts spacious bedrooms and a well-equipped health club with a cardio gym and recently refurbished pool, sauna, and spa, as well as a choice of eating and drinking options. Dunston Hall is located just four miles from Norwich city centre and train station, and eight miles from Norwich Airport.

www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/dunston-hall Villager Magazines has partnered with Dunston Hall to offer its readers the chance to win a one night, dinner, bed and breakfast break for two at the four-star resort, with 36 holes of golf included. The winner will be drawn at random from all the correct answers.

DUNSTON HALL COMPETITION ENTRY

For a chance to win simply correctly answer the following question and post your response by 16th May 2018 to Dunston Hall Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. Dunston Hall is in Norwich. For which reason is the city well known? A: Its coal mines  B: The home of Colman’s mustard  C: The birthplace of actress Jenna Coleman, star of TV drama Victoria 



If you’re not lucky enough to be the winner, a two-night DB&B break at Dunston Hall, with 36 holes of golf, costs from just £159 per person, based on two sharing. Call 01508 470444 for more details or to book.

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Food and Drink

Winning Wines: Macedonia

Macedonia has a lot to offer. This republic, in south eastern Europe and successor state of former Yugoslavia, has a very interesting history, boasting beautiful architecture, amongst many attributes. The climate is hot and dry, during the summer months. Skopje is the capital of Macedonia and tourism brings many visitors to the country, every year.

The region of Tikveš is recognised and famous for the production of high-quality grapes, which, along with much knowledge and expertise, produce excellent wines. Numerous grape varietals are grown, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Merlot and Pinot Noir, plus many others. The Stobi winery enjoys perfect conditions and produces multi award-winning wines utilising modern technology. The Stobi Winery continually seeks to create new vineyards and expand, as their splendid wines become known and available worldwide, including the UK, with an excellent distribution and delivery organisation. Stobi Žilavka, is produced using a local grape variety. A pleasant bouquet and very good mouthfeel, with a peppery finish, make this a popular light to medium-bodied, dry white wine. Stobi Chardonnay, is unoaked, dry and medium-bodied. Elegant and intense, again, this is another extremely popular choice, for many. Stobi Muscat Ottonel, is aromatic on the bouquet, which leads, enticingly, to the very acceptable mouthfeel and floral palate sensation, of this intense, dry, white production, with a fresh finish. Stobi Cuvée, I found as a medium-bodied, dry, white wine. This is produced using a blend of local grapes and delivers a very good bouquet. Elegant and intense on the palate, a crisp finish adds to the pleasures of this wine. These wines accompany many dishes, including white meats, fish, seafood, salads and antipasti, perfectly. These selections are just some of the wines available in a splendid range from the Stobi Winery, which has something for everyone’s palate, including exceptional red wines that are aged in oak. Stobi multi award-winning wines are available in the UK. Tel: 0845 370 2255 Email: sales@signature-wines.co.uk www.signature-wines.co.uk www.stobi.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Travel

By Solange Hando

Cusco The Inca Capital in Peru The Incas got it right. Up in the Andes, this was a great location for their capital, a remote plateau ringed by mountains and blessed by fertile valleys. Even today Cusco appears almost unreal, a hidden city basking in subtropical highlands at 3,400 metres. Eucalyptus rise in the thin mountain air, redroofed houses clamber up the lower slopes and the sound of Andean flutes echoes along the streets. Little is known about the early Killke settlers but the first Incas arrived in the 1200s, led by Manco Capac whose origins remain shrouded in legend. The city reached its apogee from 1438 onwards when, after defeating the Chacas, Pachacuti came to power. Ninth ruler and ‘world shaker’, he transformed the Inca kingdom into one of the world’s greatest empires and rebuilt the capital with highways, irrigation channels, terraced gardens, ceremonial plaza with a gold-covered altar, magnificent Temple of the Sun and other major buildings near the Saphi stream, the mythical origins of Cusco. That’s where the Spanish conquistadors entered the heart of the city in 1533, described by their leader Francisco Pizarro as ‘very noble and great’ with palaces, regular streets and a temple studded with gold, ‘fabulous beyond belief’. The Incas attempted to regain control in 1536 but failed after a ten months siege. Now the time had come to build churches, convent, cathedral and more, using the old Inca walls as foundations. Earthquakes have often damaged the Spanish buildings but Inca walls survived and in 1983 Cusco became a Unesco site for its combined Inca and colonial heritage. The Santo Domingo Convent and Church is a striking example, built originally on the sacred site

of Coricancha and the most important Temple of the Sun. Today one can still sense the haunting presence of the Incas drifting along the pre-Hispanic walls. Other popular churches include La Merced and the Jesuits’, both famous for their Cusco Baroque style, while in the cathedral the Quechua builders, descendants of the Incas, made sure they left their mark. Guides will point out the suggestive phallic symbols, dear to the Incas, carved on the choir stalls but most surprising of all is the 18th century painting of the Last Supper. Forget bread and wine, here Jesus and the apostles are sharing Andean cheese, local fruit and a guinea pig, the traditional Peruvian dish. The cathedral opens on the Plaza de Armas, the colourful central square, which hosts two stunning festivals in June, the religious Feast of Corpus Christi and on the 24th - the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere - the Inca Festival of the Sun. A gentle stroll from the plaza, the artisans’ district of San Blas is a different world, winding through a maze of steps and alleyways where a mysterious twelve-angled stone holds pride of place in one of the bestpreserved Inca walls. But on the hilltop above town, the largest stones of any Inca archaeological site are found in the Saksayhuman fortress, built by the Killke then massively extended by Pachacuti. Meanwhile, just along the path, a giant statue of Christ looks down on the old capital still shaped like a puma, the sacred animal of the Incas. With its rich heritage and vibrant colours, Cusco is indeed a lovely place to explore before heading to Machu Picchu on the scenic rail journey or one of the high altitude treks for the truly adventurous.

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Local News

AR501 with pilot Stu Goldspink Wednesday 21 March 2018 © Darren Harbar

Shuttleworth Spitfire fires into life The Shuttleworth Collection’s Spitfire AR501 soared successfully into the skies for its maiden flight, following a full restoration project, at 15.47 on Tuesday 20 March 2018, in the hands of experienced warbird pilot Stu Goldspink. The pilot reported that the aircraft is handling beautifully and all systems functioning correctly with just a couple of minor adjustments required. A second, longer, test flight was carried out the next morning confirming the aircraft is behaving well. The flight test programme will continue over the next few weeks. This Spitfire is an original aircraft that saw active service in the Second World War and is wearing the livery of No 310 (Czech) Squadron, where it served in operations in 1942-1943. Sporting its original ‘clipped’ wing tips that gave Spitfires a better roll rate rather than the standard elliptical tips most are familiar with. The painstaking restoration which took over 10 years to complete by the Collection’s fulltime engineering team and skilled volunteers, involved completely dismantling the airframe into its smallest components to inspect and refurbish all the parts. The project included the complete overhaul of the 1,440hp Rolls Royce Merlin V12 engine, also carried out ‘in house’, and a new propeller and spinner. Chief Engineer Jean-Michel Munn said, “This is a very original aircraft, and one that served in combat during the Second World War. It’s a privilege for The

Collection to be able to return it to airworthy status and have it back flying for visitors to experience the sight and sound of this iconic type.” AR501 is intending to display for the first time since restoration at The Collection’s Season Premiere and RAF 100 airshow on Sunday 6th May. Stu Goldspink will be giving the pilot chat with the aircraft at 11.00 before the air display begins at 14.00. Veterans over 85 have free entry to this show. For more details see www.shuttleworth.org/premiere The Shuttleworth Collection is based at Old Warden aerodrome is just off the A1 at Biggleswade, postcode SG18 9EP. AR501 can also be seen onscreen (static) in the RAF at 100 with Ewan and Colin McGregor on BBC One, screening Sunday 25 March at 20.30!

AR501 first test flight flown by pilot Stu Goldspink © Darren Harbar

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Health & Beauty

By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

Sense of Summer Say hello to your summer beauty essentials, from the perfect tinted moisturiser to your new favourite lip balm. While most of us are pretty good at slapping on the sun cream these days, it’s all too easy to forget about protecting our hair. Sun damage can make hair frizzy, dry and hard to manage, as Anabel Kingsley, Trichologist at Philip Kingsley, explains, “UV rays act on hair in a similar way to bleach; they degrade its protein structure, leaving strands weaker and more vulnerable to breakage and further damage.” Philip Kingsley’s Sun Shield, £22, can help to keep your hair healthier. As well as offering sun protection, this lightweight spray also helps to prevent damage caused by chlorine and salt water. And, as an extra bonus, it reduces colour fade, and smooths and conditions to boot. See www.philipkingsley.co.uk Skin does a pretty good job of renewing cells but a helping hand is always appreciated. Green People’s Age Defy+ Soft Buff Skin Exfoliator, £22 from www.greenpeople.co.uk, uses pineapple extract and finely ground bamboo stems to gently remove old, dead skin cells and stimulate cell renewal. The exfoliating cream also includes bentonite clay to unblock your pores. In all, there are a whopping 24 beauty-enhancing active ingredients, including orange peel oil and extracts of rosemary leaf and hibiscus flower. Use it two to three times a week for softer, smoother skin that looks and feels healthier. If you’re looking for a new tinted lip balm, Bobbi Brown’s Extra Lip Tint (www. bobbibrown.co.uk) should be on your wish list. It’s super nourishing and works wonders on dry, chapped lips. There are four shades to choose

from, all of which work to accentuate your own natural lip colour. So Bare Pink, for example, gives your lips a flushed glow, while Bare Popsicle adds a hint of deeper red. Think moisturising lip balm combined with a lightweight gloss. At £25.50, this is certainly not a budget buy, but it does feel like a real treat so is well worth splurging on. It can feel like there’s a new super-ingredient being touted in the beauty world every week. However, sometimes the old, tried and tested ingredients really are the best. Retinol, for instance, is probably the best ingredient for stimulating collagen production. It’s pretty potent, so most creams only include 1% or less of retinol, to avoid irritation. However, IMAGE skincare have found a way to formulate an overnight mask which includes 3% retinol, without any of the usual side effects. The results of regular use are impressive – firmer, softer skin, with fewer visible lines. Ageless Total Overnight Retinol Masque retails at £80. Call 0345 504 0461 to find your nearest stockist. If you’re ready to swap your foundation for a tinted moisturiser, check out Weleda’s new Beauty Balm Tinted Day Cream, £18.95. It’s packed with botanical goodness, including shea butter, jojoba oil, organic iris and cucumber extract, so is really nourishing. You won’t get the full coverage of a foundation, but the balm is lightly tinted and does a good job of covering imperfections and evening out skin tone. All in all, it’s perfect for summer, as it’s lightweight, doesn’t clog pores, and saves you time in the morning. What’s not to like? See www.weleda.co.uk

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House of Colour

Secrets to Successful Shopping 1. Most major shopping mistakes come from buying outfits. That’s how clothes are displayed in the shop so that’s what we think we should buy, but that way we end up with loads of clothes and only ever have a few outfits. Buy individual items that are the perfect colour and style for you and they will all work together to build an amazing wardrobe that really works for you and your lifestyle. 2. Before you go shopping be ruthless! Keep garments only if you feel good wearing them and remove those that you never wear, especially ones you haven’t worn for over a year, or that you have several similar versions of. Your clothes should accentuate you and your personality, not cover you up. By reviewing your wardrobe and removing rogue garments you can identify what is required pre-shopping. 3. When shopping online always choose by colour, size, style and the detail. Read the reviews, be clear on the return policy, check the size chart and look at the detailed photos. Vitally always edit your basket and only buy what you need, and what will fit and suit you! Remember that the colours you see on screen, may not be accurate to what arrives in the post – if it’s wrong, send it back! 4. Buy smart: a bargain is only a bargain if you actually wear it. Many people make the common mistake of buying an item just because it is on ‘sale’. Don’t buy on impulse. Never buy anything in the sale you wouldn’t pay full price for! Similarly buying the season’s latest fashion could be a waste of money if it doesn’t suit you! There is nothing wrong with being interested in the latest trends but only if they suit your shape, colour and clothing personality. 5. Be colour confident by knowing what colours truly suit you. Learn which colours brighten your eyes, make your skin look radiant and

8. 9.

10.

create a glowing, healthy and confident you. These may not be the colours that you have been wearing for the last 10 years! You will be amazed at how many compliments you get when you wear the right colours! Always bear in mind if a new piece you are considering buying needs dry cleaning or hand washing. Does it fit with your lifestyle? Will you wear it enough times? A Capsule Wardrobe is a timeless clothing collection which you can use to make unlimited combinations to suit any occasion and stops those moments of panic about what to wear! Before you decide to keep or buy any garment, think does this make me look and feel fabulous? Does it flatter my shape and colouring? Does it work with my lifestyle – will I actually wear it? Is the price acceptable? Make your clothes work hard for you by investing in some timeless pieces that will last for years, such as coats, handbags and shoes. Choose some accessories that will transform an outfit. Be aware of what accessories really suit you. Is gold better for you than silver? Chunky or dainty bracelets? Big or small earrings? Many people buy the wrong size. Buy for the size that you are now and resist the urge to buy for the shape you think or hope you might be in the future! If you don’t like the number on the size label – cut it out!

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By Jennie Billings www.houseofcolour.co.uk/ jenniebillings jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk 25

Time of Year

Morris Dancing MayDay Morris dancing is a part of the May Revels, or May Day celebrations. It dates back to late mediaeval times and the earliest mention is from 1458. The origins of the name are unknown. There is speculation that it has Spanish Arab roots and comes from ‘Moorish Dancing’ but this is not provable. Many of the earliest known records relate to the early 16th century English Royal Court, so it is possible that there may be some connections with the courtly Morisco dances seen in continental Europe at that time. The church had been a great supporter of the Morris traditions until the Reformation. After this it was considered frivolous and frowned upon by the authorities for many decades until the restoration of Charles II in 1660. ‘Merrie Englande’ saw traditional festivities experience a renaissance and the dances we see today are believed to have

By Tracey Anderson

mostly developed in the hundred years or so after this date. Changes in social patterns, social mobility, and types of recreation in the Victorian era meant that by the end of the 19th century the Morris had become rather unfashionable. It came very close to dying out completely, then by chance, the folk song and dance collector Cecil Sharp saw the Morris at Headington on Boxing Day 1899, and started a revival which continues to this day.

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DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A WILL OR REVISE YOUR EXISTING WILL? If so, please take advantage of our reduced rate wills offer.Please note that reduced rate wills will be available every week day from 8.00am until 6.00pm, and on Tuesday evenings until 8.00pm, by appointment only. Also on the Saturday morning of 5TH MAY, again by appointment only: Reduced rates are:Double Wills - £280.00 plus VAT Single Will - £150.00 plus VAT HOME VISITS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT NO EXTRA CHARGE WITHIN A 20 MILE RADIUS OF ROYSTON. For more information please contact:THE WALKERS PARTNERSHIP Fish Hill Chambers, 2-3 Fish Hill, Royston SG8 9JY Tel: 01763 241121 Email: t.donnellan@walkerspartnership.co.uk

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Finance

By Ann Haldon

It’s not only PPI that you can reclaim

The Payment Protection Insurance mis-selling scandal has resulted in billions of pounds being repaid to customers by the banks and other large financial institutions. But it’s not just PPI that can be reclaimed from organisations failing to follow stringent selling guidelines designed to protect the public. So what other reclaims could you potentially make? From bank charges to student loan repayments, here are a few other reclaim opportunities you might want to look into. Packaged bank accounts Although packaged bank accounts are very useful in many cases, it’s possible that the product may have been mis-sold in a similar way to PPI. So what could constitute mis-selling in this instance? • You weren’t told that you had to pay a monthly fee. • The account was sold to you by an overbearing or overenthusiastic salesperson. • You don’t qualify for the insurance policies included in the package – on age or health-related grounds, for example. • The bank told you your credit rating would improve if you opened this type of account. Whatever the reason, you can claim a refund of the fees, plus interest, from the bank. Money Saving Expert and other websites offer free resources in this respect, to help you make your claim. If the bank refuses to repay, you can take your claim to the Financial Ombudsman Service – an independent and free service set up to resolve disputes between financial institutions and their customers. Furthermore, the Ombudsman ultimately has the power to enforce their decision if it differs from that of the financial institution concerned.

Bank charges Despite the banks winning a 2009 Supreme Court Ruling on the fairness of their charges, you may be able to reclaim bank charges that you believe are unfair, particularly if you’re facing financial hardship. Being charged high fees when you’re experiencing financial difficulty can exacerbate an already distressing situation. If you’re in this position and have exceeded a pre-arranged overdraft limit, or cheques or direct debits have been returned on your account, you can write to your bank explaining the situation and requesting a refund. Council tax payments If your property was placed in the wrong council tax band, you may be able to reclaim the overpayments made – potentially for decades – as well as reducing your ongoing monthly costs. When properties were valued in preparation for the new Council Tax system, the process became known as ‘second gear valuations.’ It was said that those given the task of valuation didn’t move out of second gear when driving past the properties, leading to inaccurate results. Student loan overpayments Student loan repayments are deducted from your earnings by the Student Loans Company (SLC), rather than from your bank account. As the SLC only receives earnings and employment updates annually, the information they hold can be sometimes be outdated. This means that it’s easy to overpay on your student loan if your income reduces, or when the loan has been paid off. If you think you’ve overpaid for any reason, you can call the Student Loans Company to check, and verify your bank details should a refund be due. Claiming your right to a refund as a consumer is important, and should be pursued if you believe that you’ve been wrongly charged. Reclaiming this money can help your financial situation, and sends a strong message to financial and other institutions that they must comply with the regulations and take care of their customers. www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk www.moneysavingexpert.com/the-big-reclaims/ www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/reclaimpackaged-bank-accounts www.uswitch.com/current-accounts/guides/claimingback-bank-charges/

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We build our mortgages around you All homes are different. The same applies to the need for home financing. Therefore we offer individual and flexible solutions for all your mortgage needs and requirements. We can find a financial solution to suit your needs whether buying a new home or remortgaging. Julie Donnelly - Individual Banking Manager Tel: 01462 441488, email: judo01@handelsbanken.co.uk

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

handelsbanken.co.uk/hitchin Handelsbanken is the trading name of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ). Registered Office: Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ), 3 Thomas More Square, London, E1W 1WY. Registered in England and Wales No, BR 000589. Incorporated in Sweden with limited liability. Registered in Sweden No, 502007-7862. Head Office in Stockholm. Authorised by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) and the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available from us on request.

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Local News

Want to support a local charity? Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MSC) need your help A local charity are looking for a room to carry on their work helping people locally and nationally with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). The charity is the only one in the UK that offers support to people suffering from chemical, electrical and food sensitivity. MCS-Aware was set up by Nicki Greenham, a former local primary school teacher, who suffered a reaction to having a vaccination back in 2000, she then found she was sensitive to many everyday household products and toiletries. She became incredibly ill and was bed-bound and only able to eat certain foods. She started the charity initially as a support group and found she was inundated with people who could relate to her condition. So the charity began.

Nicki (CEO) said: ‘MCS-Aware has helped support thousands of people since it started, and we are keen to continue its’ vital work’ The small charity needs a room in north Herts/ Beds to work from one day per week. If anyone, local business or other charity can help at all please contact Nicki at info@mcs-aware.org

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09/03/2018 13:03 31

Travel

Wonderfully Windsor With a variety of attractions, activities and a vibrant history, The Royal borough of Windsor is the prime location for a weekend retreat.

A Classic Castle The first notion that comes to mind when thinking of Windsor is of course, its famous castle. The oldest castle in the world, Windsor Castle has been home to 39 monarchs, including our current royal family. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly recommendable to take the Precinct Tour, which explores the outside areas of the castle and is absolutely free. The tour briefs visitors on the history of the castle, its role in contemporary society and has stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Every Saturday throughout the year and during school holidays, special drop-in family activities are included in the price of admission to the castle and there is also a free family trail for children aged 5-11 which educates them on the marvellous history of

the castle. At the end of their visit, families can ask a warden to stamp their ticket (if bought directly from Royal Collection Trust) and convert it into a 1-Year Pass, which allows them to enjoy free re-admission for 12 months. For more information, visit: www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle

Historical Hotels Forty acres of stunning parkland span across the De Vere Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor. The estate consists of an 18th century mansion, a chapel, a Georgian White House and 75 event spaces. Following a recent renovation, the hotel itself offers a unique blend of original features reflecting its rich heritage perfectly mixed with a contemporary style. The 1705 Restaurant and Bar is great for wining and dining during a stay, the restaurant promises

Photos: Royal Collection Trust ÂŠ Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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only the freshest of ingredients produced by the finest British suppliers. Many rooms have been recently refurbished with a modern style, and the White House itself offers 400 luxury suites including spacious family rooms with ample sleeping quarters for two adults and two children. For more information, visit: www.phcompany.com/de-vere/beaumont-estate/

Family Fun A Quacking Day Out Take a one hour Duck Tour through the heart of Windsor, exploring all of the famous landmarks. There are two types of tours- Swan and Mallard, which vary in time spent on the road and water. Starting by road, the “Duck” incredibly travels down the slipway and splashes into the River Thames, a real excitement for small children and offering

unforgettable views of Windsor Castle and Eton. The amphibious tour comes with live entertainment and a knowledgable guide on hand. For more information, visit: www.windsorducktours.co.uk A Treasure Trail The Windsor Mystery Treasure Trail is targeted at children as young as six and as it’s self-guided, they can take as long as they like to amble through the two mile walking route. The trail is downloaded via PDF and is great for getting youngsters active. Every signpost, building and statue potentially hides a clue- explore the Bachelor’s Acre and see Windsor on foot all the while cracking clues, solving mysteries and best of all, having fun. For more information and download a PDF map, visit: ww.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/the-windsormystery-treasure-trail

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

Ground Control You can’t go wrong with a geranium. They grow well where other plants struggle, particularly those shady areas, or parts of the garden with poor soil. And they are so useful - they provide hundreds of pretty flowers and also smother the ground with a welter of leaves that prevent weeds from taking hold. Don’t confuse these hardy geraniums with the tender bedding plants with the horseshoe leaf-markings. They may be commonly called geraniums but they are in fact pelargoniums and not hardy so would perish in a hard frost. True geraniums are as tough as old boots. There are loads to choose from offering a wide range of colours and habits. If you want a carpet of tiny pale pink saucer flowers try Geranium sanguineum striatum. It’s great for growing in the crevices of a garden path, or even in a shallow tub or sink where its finely cut leaves show of the flowers to their best advantage. Geranium macrorrhizum is probably the most reliable ground cover of them all. It creates a low dense mass of aromatic hairy leaves about 30cm /

12 inches high. The flowers open in late spring and there are varieties in white, pale pink or magenta. These are followed by bright red seedheads providing interest well into the autumn. Propagation is ridiculously easy. Simply rip up a clump of the thick creeping stems and push them into the ground where you want them to establish. Make sure they don’t dry out and you can be assured of success. If you’d like a plant with a bit of height go for Geranium psilostemon. This grows to about 1.5m / 5 feet. It has deep magent flowers with a black eye, and is a great self-seeder. If you struggle with a patch of denser shade I can recommend the blue-flowered Geranium himalayense, and also ‘Johnson’s Blue’. Both will form clumps about 30cm / 12 inches high. Whether you have a new garden which needs to be filled with colour, or an established garden with a few bald patches, plant hardy geraniums and you won’t be disappointed.

Happy Gardening

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BICKERDIKES

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Wildlife

John Bridges (rspb-images.com)

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results reveal a golden year for the goldfinch

• Favourable conditions lead to a surge in sightings of goldfinch, long-tailed tit and coal tit, along with many other smaller garden birds. • The results revealed a dip in sightings of our more solitary species like blackbird and robin as the mild winter meant they spent more time foraging for food away from our gardens. • Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK, including over 5,200 people in Bedfordshire, spent an hour watching the birds that visit their garden or outdoor space as a part of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. • Over 1 million birds were counted in the East, contributing to an impressive 6.7 million birds counted nationally. The latest results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch have revealed a golden year for the goldfinch along with a number of other small birds after a surge in sightings in gardens across the country. Now in its 39th year, the Birdwatch is a chance for people of all ages to count the number of birds that visit their garden helping the RSPB build up a picture of how they are doing. This year, over 5,200 people across Bedfordshire, joined nearly half-amillion people nationally in counting an impressive 6.7 million birds. The event held over the last weekend in January revealed an increase in sightings of smaller birds, such as goldfinch, long-tailed tit and coal tit that can usually be seen visiting gardens and outside spaces in mixed flocks. In Bedfordshire, recorded sightings of the brightly coloured, sociable finch rose by 12% on 2017 figures and its bright red face was seen in 35% of the county’s gardens. Other small birds that are thought to have benefited from the mild January weather include long-tailed tit (+26%), coal tit (+24%), and blue tit (+9%). It also proved to be a good year for the greenfinch after an 18% rise in sightings regionally, a welcome sign for a species that has undergone a 60% decline in UK sightings since the first survey in 1979. The influx of these species to our gardens is thought to be linked to the favourable conditions during their successful breeding season in 2017. This, combined with the kind autumn and winter weather in the run up to the Birdwatch, will have contributed to the rise in sightings. Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientist, said: “Our garden birds are a part of our everyday life, whether it’s the robin perched on the garden fence or

the flock of starlings you see on your way to work. To have hundreds of thousands of people spend an hour watching the wildlife in their garden isn’t only great to see, but it also helps us build up a picture of how our garden birds are doing, which is really helpful. “Last summer was a really good year for many breeding birds with warm weather creating great conditions for many smaller birds to raise their young to adulthood. The rise in sightings of goldfinch, long-tailed tit and coal tit, along with chaffinches and greenfinches, goes to show that in the absence of cold weather they can survive the winter months in good numbers. Looking at the results it is likely that across the UK this is what people are seeing in their garden.” It is likely that the warmer temperatures during the autumn and winter will have made it easier for these birds to find food, like insects, in our gardens, which in previous colder winters would have been harder to come by because of frosts and snow. The survey also highlighted a county-wide dip in the number of recorded sightings of blackbirds (-26%), robins (-18%) and wren (-21%) on last year’s figures. Dr Hayhow explained: “We all will have noticed that the weather earlier in the winter was slightly warmer than we’re used to, and our garden birds have felt this too. It’s usual for there to be more food available in the wider countryside during a mild winter meaning birds are less reliant on the treats we put out on the garden feeders. However, unlike the finches and tits, robins and wrens did not have a good breeding season in 2017 and data from other surveys indicate that their numbers may be down overall this year.” In Bedfordshire, the house sparrow remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings in the region. Starling held onto the second spot once more, and the woodpigeon moved up one rank from 2017 to round off the top three. Throughout the first half of the spring term the nation’s school children took part in the RSPB’s Big Schools Birdwatch. The UK-wide survey of birds in school grounds saw over 1,200 school children in Bedfordshire spend an hour in nature counting the birds. Despite a drop in Big Garden Birdwatch sightings, the blackbird remained top of the Big Schools Birdwatch rankings with one being spotted in 88% of schools – a 22% increase on 2017. For a full round up of all the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results and to see which birds were visiting gardens where you live, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

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Local News

Mind in Mid Herts Mind in Mid Herts is inviting you for a gentle walk every Friday morning. Admire beautiful scenery, socialise and keep active! The walks usually last for forty minutes and we finish off with a cup of tea at a local cafĂŠ. We meet by the main Tesco entrance and stroll down through the woods near Weston Hills. The walk is run in a partnership with Hertfordshire Health Walks scheme. Please contact Ian Rees for more information: ian.rees@mindinmidherts.org.uk call 01438369216 or text 07562187160 General information about Mind in Mid Herts charity can be found on www.mindinmidherts.org.uk Health Walks, Baldock, Fridays, 11am

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Berry House Vets

Buying a Puppy

Deciding to get a canine addition to your family is exciting. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes and it is important to choose the right breed for you, your family and your home. You need to consider the size of the breed or crossbreed, also the size of your car, house, and garden. Choose a puppy to suit your lifestyle, the hours you work, the ability to provide exercise and grooming. Will you need a dog walker during the day or holiday care? Cost is also an important factor too. Dogs require feeding, routine preventative healthcare and treatment if unwell, so pet insurance is strongly advised. Once you have made the decision as to type of dog (After deciding which breed or crossbreed will suit), you should find a responsible breeder (these can be found on the Kennel Club website or through personal recommendation). Responsible breeders will meet all the needs of their puppies and start socialising them.

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07/03/2017 16:21 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Infiniti QX50 What is it? Launched in the UK less than 10 years ago, Japanese luxury brand Infiniti is still attempting to establish itself as an alternative to the German trio and struggling to top 3,500 sales a year. The firm’s latest attempt to change that is a mid-size SUV to tempt buyers away from the BMW X3 or Audi Q5. With smart technology, a distinctive design and a clever new engine, Infiniti is hoping the QX50 will rapidly become the brand’s best-selling car. What’s new? The QX50 debuts a number of world-first gadgets. These include dynamic noise-cancelling technology in the engine, seats designed in conjunction with NASA, and a petrol engine that promises sports performance with the economy of a diesel. What’s under the bonnet? That clever new VC-Turbo engine is a world-first variable compression ratio engine, offering the power of a 2.0-litre turbo petrol with the torque and efficiency of a four-cylinder diesel. Currently there are no plans to offer a diesel engine.

The 2.0-litre engine produces 268bhp and 380Nm of torque, whereas a petrol-powered BMW X3 20i offers 184bhp and 290Nm – thus apparently giving the QX50 the upper hand. What’s it like to drive? The engine generates impressive performance, hitting 60mph in 6.3 seconds – two seconds faster than the equivalent BMW – and gives a top speed of 143mph. Much of the noise it makes is synthetically generated, teetering on the edge of deeply satisfying and incredibly annoying. There’s also a CVT automatic gearbox, which becomes very audible at higher revs. Although Infiniti’s drive-by-wire steering allows the car to do clever things – like independently steer individual wheels, hundreds of time a second – it lacks feel, particularly at slow speeds. Whether that’ll bother the average buyer remains to be seen. The QX50’s new chassis and groundup design has certainly resulted in a quiet and comfortable ride, and a dynamic noise-cancelling engine mount, which stops noise entering the cabin, means it’s calm inside too.

Motoring Hit the car’s ProPilot button and it’ll steer for you (but you’ll need to keep a hand on the wheel), speeding up and slowing down with traffic. The Forward Collision Warning system uses radar to spot traffic slowing down and Infiniti says it can even detect a slowing motorbike hidden in front of an HGV. How does it look? The QX50 has a welcome and genuinely different design, and the quite hard-on-the-eye look of Infiniti SUVs of past has been toned down. What’s it like inside? Inside is where the QX50 really shines. Hand-stitched leather panels, alcantara and a swooping dash give it a luxury feel, and it’s far better packaged than early Infiniti models. What’s the spec like? The QX50 is slated to arrive either late this year or very early in 2019, so as such Infiniti is remaining tight lipped about specification and pricing. Executives did tell us that it would undercut BMW and Audi rivals and it’s likely much of the new technology will be included as standard. Verdict Infiniti believes the QX50 is the best car it has ever made – and we’d find it hard to argue with them. The clever new VC-Turbo engine is impressive, the ride quality and interior finish excellent and we even like the looks. Quite how Brits will react to a petrol-powered SUV with no diesel option remains to be seen, though, and its success will hinge on just how much it undercuts established rivals from the German brands.

By James Baggott

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Time of Year

By Tracey Anderson

Why We Love A Royal Wedding Unless you have been living on a desert Island with no Wi-Fi for the past 12 months it cannot have escaped your notice that a wedding is scheduled for this month. Now whether you are a flag-waving Royalist or consider them to be a bunch of elitist parasites, you can’t avoid the discussions over the dress, the guest list and the entertainment booked for the reception. It was when I heard a colleague (who I know is anti-Royal) gleefully speculating over the dressdesigner Meghan may or may not have chosen that it occurred to me to wonder why even the least sympathetic among us somehow get sucked into the celebrations. The fairy tale: Children’s stories where the handsome prince marries the beautiful princess are perennially popular, and the big white wedding is still the way many women imagine their big day. In this instance the prince in question is a real-life action hero too! A Royal wedding is the chance for us to live it vicariously, or conversely marvel at the spectacle of it all while muttering darkly about the cost to the public purse. Being part of something bigger: There is a strong drive among humans to want to feel part of something important or monumental. We want to weave historic events into our own personal history. It’s why we bought tickets to The London

Olympics, fly out to World Cup Finals, and lay flowers at the sites of tragic events. Shared History: The celebrations surrounding the Silver Jubilee, or the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana may have been part of our childhood. Maybe we attended a street party or received a commemorative coin. The desire to recreate and share these memories with our own children is strong. We love a party: Go on...who doesn’t love an excuse for a party? I have friends who throw Eurovision parties, and Strictly Come Dancing parties and X Factor parties, so why not a Royal Wedding party, complete with champagne and Union Jack cupcakes? They are not like us…or are they? We feel we know the Royals. We’re there for the births, the engagements, the weddings, the divorces. We know lots about them, but there’s always more we don’t know. It’s human nature to be hungry for more information or gossip about the rich, famous and (preferably) scandalous. A Royal wedding feeds into this, from the venue – the smaller St George’s Chapel rather than Westminster Abbey – to the guest list – who made the cut and who was snubbed. It’s like our own family but lived large… on our TV screens. And just as if they were members of our own family…we wish them well.

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Three Counties Radio

GUVEC

TURKISH CHICKEN COOKED IN A CLAY POT Sometimes someone walks into the Weekend Kitchen studio and one of their dishes just brings with it all the aroma and flavour of its country of origin. This Chicken Guvec (pronounced ‘Goo-Vetch’) has all of the evocative elements of classic Turkish cooking. The meltingly tender meat and the unmistakable flavour of sweet peppers. The recipe was created by Yuksel Couling, who set up her catering company in Wilstead near Bedford (http://www.pomegranatesumac.com) when friends and family made it clear to her that her talents were being wasted just cooking for them! She uses the exact same principles her Turkish upbringing gave her - cook generously, simply and deliciously with fresh ingredients. Don’t worry if you don’t have a clay pot to use. Any form of oven proof dish will be fine. If you can get to a Turkish shop, buy proper Turkish pepper paste for this. If not, supermarkets have plenty of acceptable variants. To serve 4, you’ll need 500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into slightly smaller pieces 1 large onion, thickly sliced 2 large green peppers thickly sliced. You can use any peppers you like here but the long green Turkish peppers are the most authentic 1 tbsp hot pepper paste 1 tbsp tomato purée 2 tomatoes, sliced 1 tsp dried thyme or oregano 1 tsp salt 50 ml sunflower oil 100 ml water

1 Place the chicken and the rest of ingredients (except for the oil and sliced tomatoes) into a mixing bowl. Mix everything well. 2 Pour the oil into your pot (it doesn’t have to be a clay pot). Add the chicken mixture and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the water and stir. 3 Place the sliced tomatoes on top of the chicken mixture in the pot, and cover. Cook in the oven at 180C/ Gas Mark 4 for 30 minutes. To cook on the hob, simmer it for 30 minutes. 4 Serve with plain rice and salad.

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

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Codeword 1

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. 48

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n O s ’ t Wha 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 & 31 May “Come and Try Bowls” Days Tues 2pm, Thurs 6pm Willian Bowls Club, Lower Green, Norton Common, Letchworth Every Tuesday and Thursday. New for our 2018 Outdoor season. Free tuition and all equipment provided. Any new bowler wanting to join after a session will be offered free 2018 Membership. Tel: 01462 642790 Web: www.willianbowlsclub.org 2 May North Herts Association of the National Trust 7.30pm Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Non-members £2 on the door AGM and talk on ‘All the King’s Horses and All The King’s Men’ by Keith Baldwin. Non-members welcome. Membership of the National Trust not necessary. Tea and coffee served during the evening. Second-hand books and homemade preserves are on sale. Tel: Colin Cropley 01462 713391 Email: colinecropley@gmail.com 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 May Sapphire Social Club 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin We are a small and friendly group for single people generally aged 50 and above. We offer a variety of social events during the month and the opportunity to meet and make new friends. Potential new members are warmly welcome to come along with no joining fee for the first two months. Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 4 May Hitchin & Letchworth RSPB 7.30pm The Settlement, Letchworth, SG6 4UB John Dingemans talks about a quest to see and photograph the three species of hummingbirds in Texas

5 May The Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pm The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open to the public. Entry is free but official photo ID is required to get an entry ticket from the Guardroom. www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 5-12 May Annual Camera Club Exhibition Sat 10am-4pms Community Museum, The Arcade, LGC Free entry. Letchworth Garden City Camera Club are holding their annual exhibition showing the best photographic images from members of the club. All welcome. Web: www.letchworthcameraclub.org.uk 6 May Season Premiere and RAF Centenary 9am-6pm Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Aerodrome Shuttleworth’s Season Premiere this year is proud to be part of the RAF 100 celebrations marking the Centenary of the Royal Air Force (RAF) throughout 2018. Enjoy a thrilling air display, and ground activities with a STEM focus, engaging for the next generation of innovators as well as entertainment for the whole family. The Collection’s own aircraft span 1909 to 1950, and is home to some of the last remaining airworthy aircraft of their type. Our newly restored Spitfire is the subject of the pilot chat - don’t miss it! Follow the Richard Shuttleworth trail (download the app), enjoy live music, explore the activities in our children’s discovery zone, take a free ride on vintage buses, explore the Swiss Garden and The House, and enjoy craft activities for children in the Swiss Garden. Great food on sale and Souvenir programmes available from the gate and Visitor centre. Tickets available online. Veterans aged 85 or over have free entry to the event. Please let us know you are coming via email enquiries@ shuttleworth.org or call 01767 627933. Web: www.shuttleworth.org

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

In May

7 May May Day Celebrations 10.30am-12.30pm British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin Free entry. Family fun for the Bank Holiday. Maypole & Country Dancing, plus a visit by Ramrugge Clog Dancers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please note this event will be on whatever the weather as we can set the pole up in our Monitorial classroom. Tel: 01462 420144 Web: https://britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk/ 7, 14, 21 & 28 May Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-11pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Branch Out meets every Monday night and is a medium-sized Social Club for single people. It was formed in 1995 to bring together single, divorced, widowed and separated people, aged 40 upwards, from the Herts, Beds and Bucks area, to socialise and enjoy one another’s company. The club organises regular events, such as dinners, discos, meals, parties, Sunday walks, theatre and concert visits, day and weekend trips and holidays. Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk 10, 17, 24 & 31 May Roundabouters Country Dance Club 8-10pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage £3 per week inc. refreshments, Annual subscription £5 Friendly club for English country dancing. We welcome new members, both beginners and experienced. All dances walked through; club and guest callers ensure a varied programme. First week free. Tel. 01438 727239 Email: roundabouters@live.co.uk Web: www.roundabouters.org.uk

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n O s ’ t Wha 11-20 May Ashwell Music Festival St Mary’s Church Ashwell The 65th Ashwell Music Festival promises to be as entertaining as ever, with a range of musical genres to suit all ages and tastes! Please call or visit the website for further information and tickets. 11 May 6pm - Widdershins Puppet Theatre - ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff & Other Furry Tails’ free event 12 May 8pm - Motown Tribute Act – Mission Blue 17 May 7pm - Young Musicians’ Concert 18 May 8pm - Darius Brubeck Quartet 19 May 8pm - An Evening with Ben Goldscheider Horn & Piano recital 20 May 6pm - Festal Evensong Tel: 01462 743289 Web: www.ashwellmusicfestival.org 14 & 21 May Staplers Country Dance Club 8-10pm St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin Staplers is your local social folk dance club. It’s easy to start as all the dances are walked through first then called and you don’t need to bring a partner, lots of people go on their

own. It is a friendly group and you will be made very welcome. Car parking available next to the hall. Tel. 01462 895567 or 01462 624144 Web: www.staplers.org.uk 17-19 May Henlow Amateur Theatrical Society Annual Evening of One Act Plays Doors open 6.45pm, Curtain up 7.30pm Henlow Theatre, Hitchin Road, Henlow Camp Tickets £9, Concessions £7 This year has a cracking line up which promises to be a very entertaining evening. The three plays are Womberang by Sue Townsend; Cream Cracker Under the Settee by Alan Bennett and Two Women and a Chair by Michael Olsen. This great theatre on your doorstep has 100 very comfortable tiered seats, licensed bar and disabled access. Tickets available by telephone or online. Proceeds from the first nights’ performance will be donated to the local charity ‘Stondon Good Neighbours’. Web: www.henlowtheatre.org.uk Tel: Box Office 01462 700785 or 07876 353677

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

In May

20 May Knebworth Open Gardens 12 noon-5pm Tickets £5, Under 12s free. 14 gardens of varying styles will be open to visitors, including smaller cottage gardens, larger landscaped or natural gardens, as well as the recently re-opened environmental garden in Knebworth Primary School and the Knebworth allotments. The Woolmer Green band will be playing in one of the gardens and visitors will be able to see a working pottery studio in another. The local gardening charity ‘Waste Not Want Not’ will have a stall with plants for sale on the village green. Refreshments will be available in several gardens, including homemade cakes, tea and coffee and soft drinks. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and relax in any garden. We have had a huge amount of positive feedback and we hope you will have an enjoyable time, discovering some of the village’s horticultural ‘surprises’. Sponsored by Knebworth Twinning Association. Tickets available from Knebworth Village News, Station Road from 6 May, via email and from the ticket stall on the green in front of St Martin’s Church from 11am until 3pm on the day of the event. Email: knebworthtwinning@gmail.com

Health

Deaf Awareness Week 14th- 20th May

According to the charity Action on Hearing Loss (AOHL), in the UK 11 million of us (that’s 1 in 6) have hearing loss. That’s why Deaf Awareness Week, organised by the UK Council on Deafness, is so vital. Hearing loss can cause employment issues, social withdrawal, loneliness and depression, and it increases dementia risk by up to five times. Unfortunately, on average, people wait 10 years before seeking help for hearing loss and only 40% of people who need hearing aids have them. Yet today, hearing aids are much smaller and more discreet, and are free on the NHS. Wearing one can reduce that increased dementia risk and tinnitus, which can cause depression. We need to ensure that we seek help (and urge others to) when hearing problems occur, and do everything we can to make life easier for those with hearing loss. Make Life Easier for People with Hearing Loss Hearing aids are great, but don’t recreate perfect hearing, so whether your listener has a hearing aid or not: • Ask them how they prefer to communicate Lip reading, a sign language such as British Sign Language (BSL) or a mixture of both? • Reduce background noise and consider acoustics Background noise (TVs, kettles, white goods, low-level chatter) makes hearing more difficult for those with and without hearing aids and cochlear implants (both of which can amplify background noise), so reduce it where possible. 90% of respondents to an AOHL survey said background noise was their biggest problem when eating out. Choose meeting venues or restaurants with soft floor coverings, in quiet locations. • Make sure they know you’re talking to them Get their attention first by making eye contact, waving, or touching them on the shoulder (from the front or side). Again, you could ask which they prefer.

Alison Runham ww.alison.runham.co.uk

• Make lip reading easier for them Whatever other strategies they use, lip reading can assist people with hearing problems. Make it easier for them by: - Facing them when you’re talking. - Avoiding covering your mouth or chewing. - Speaking clearly but naturally at a normal pace and volume. Overexaggerating your mouth movements hinders rather than helps. - Avoiding standing somewhere that’s shadowy or overly-bright. • Use body language, pictures and subtitles Gestures and pointing can help. Even if you don’t know any signs, you can gesture to indicate directions and intentions, e.g. miming drinking and raising an eyebrow to ask if they want a drink. If you’re giving a talk, diagrams, pictures and video (with subtitles) can all help to explain and elaborate what you’re saying. Visual stimulus helps to attract attention and aid learning whether we’re hard of hearing or not. • Be considerate in a group situation Try to get out of those bad habits of interrupting and talking over each other. Take turns talking and raise a hand to indicate you’re about to speak. Finally: Have patience. However frustrating it is to be unable to make yourself heard or understood by someone hard of hearing, it’s many times more frustrating for them to be unable to hear or understand you – so be patient. Find other ways to communicate, even if that means writing it down (or tapping it out on your phone). Whatever you do, don’t give up. Useful Links: Action on Hearing Loss: www.actiononhearingloss. org.uk UK Council on Deafness: deafcouncil.org.uk. A useful list of member organisations: deafcouncil.org.uk/ about-us/member-organisations National Deaf Children’s Society: www.ndcs.org.uk Ear Foundation: www.earfoundation.org.uk

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ANDY LEONARD

Painter & Decorator Fully insured quality workmanship Interior & Exterior For a free, friendly, no obligation quotation

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Technology

Green tech: gadgets for your garden

The technology that can get your garden ready for summer It’s nearly that time of year again: the short period when we stop complaining about the cold and complain about the heat instead. But while the British summer might not be totally tropical, it does mean we can enjoy our gardens, allotments or anywhere else Mother Nature does her stuff. And increasingly, technology can give her a helping hand. One of the most important summer tasks is to keep everything hydrated, which isn’t always possible if you’re spending time away. Enter the Hozelock 20 Pot Watering Kit, a watering kit for up to 20 pots courtesy of an electronic timer. It’ll water patio pots or greenhouse plants, baskets or borders, and it’s 90% more efficient than a spray or sprinkler. That’s important when your water costs money. If that isn’t high-tech enough, the same firm offers a Cloud Connection Kit that enables you to control your watering system – whether it’s a single sprinkler or a 20-pot pourer – from your phone, and it works from anywhere you can get a data connection. It’s expensive

(around £88) but if you’ve valuable plants it might be a wise investment. Technology can also help with more furry threats. An ultrasonic cat repeller has a motion detector so it only works when needed, and it uses ultrasonic sound that annoys cats but not people. It also works with other visitors: squirrels, foxes and even some insects. Expect to pay £25 for two. We’re still waiting for really affordable robot gardeners, but in the meantime we can make do with a robot lawnmower. They’re still pricey, but prices are plummeting: what cost £2,500 or more two years ago is now around £550. For example the £549 (on special offer) Worx Landroid is smartphonecontrolled, suitable for lawns of up to 450 square metres and can cope with gradients of up to 19 degrees. If someone could also invent a robot to pick up after the dog we’d be delighted. Cordless mowers have been getting cheaper and better too. Flymo’s Mighti Mo has a whopping 40V 2Ah Li-ion battery and at £189 it’s comparable with good quality corded or petrolpowered models. It should cope with up to 250 square metres

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before needing a recharge. The same kind of power is now available in chainsaws too, such as the Greenworks 40V cordless chainsaw. For £179 it offers a 12” cutting area and promises ‘ferocious’ performance – and despite the battery pack it weighs a very reasonable 3.4kg. There’s a larger sixteen-inch version on Amazon for £139, but you’ll need to buy the battery and charger separately. Advances in battery technology and power management means that pretty much anything that used to need a cable doesn’t any more, which is great news for those of us prone to accidentally cutting through live electrical cables. It’s particularly handy for tools such as hedge trimmers and branch loppers (or ‘jawsaws’ as they’re sometimes called), as those jobs tend to be at the very edges of your property – usually as far away from your power point as you can get. Just make sure you remember to charge them in advance: sadly it takes a lot longer to charge the battery for a chainsaw than it does to charge your phone, and the last thing you want is a power tool that runs out of power just when you need it most.

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Painting and Decorating Free advice and free quotations. Give Rob a call 07866 631386 Office: 01462 700396 Mobile: 07866 631386 Email: info@rmsdecoration.co.uk Web: rmsdecoration.co.uk

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Electrician

www.hertsandbedselectrical.co.uk

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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Aprilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword Winner Mr T Blunt from St Neots Winner of the Classic Ibiza Competition Andrea Rawlings from Hitchin

Winner of the Harpenden Blues Competition Kathy Cox from Biggleswade

Easy

Hard

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The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

£25

Across 7 Starchy vegetable (6) 8 Keep hold of (6) 9 Dish (4) 10 Quickly (8) 11 Modified (7) 13 Shell (5) 15 Swivel round (5) 17 Type of sword (7) 20 Semi-darkness (8) 21 Serene (4) 23 Jail (6) 24 Idea (6)

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



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

Down 1 Single handed (4) 2 Hit very hard (6) 3 Bragged (7) 4 Star sign (5) 5 Artist’s workroom (6) 6 Local languages (8) 12 Toward a lower place (8) 14 Fastenings (7) 16 Dash of liquid (6) 18 Find (6) 19 Extreme pain (5) 22 Stolen valuables (4)

Name: Tel: Address:

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

Time of Year

By Hannah Fenton

Local Elections On May 3rd the first local elections will take place since the dramatic General Election last year. Voting in local elections is almost more important than voting in a general election because the decisions local councillors make have a greater impact on our day-to-day lives. Here are some frequently asked questions. What are local elections for? To elect the people who run our local services. What do they mean to me? Local councillors are consulted on everything which happens in your area and thus everything which affects you directly. Like what? Things like parks, footpaths, street lights, public toilets, car parks, allotments, bus shelters, community centres and the future of local schools. They also have a hand in road improvements, street signs, planning applications and deciding what sort of facilities your area has access to. Yes but the Government controls 80% of the money spent by local councils so their vote doesn’t count for much does it? It counts for a lot. Councillors elected now will affect your life and the life of your family and neighbours for the next four years.

I don’t even know who’s standing in our local elections. The information is generally displayed on parish notice boards and in local post offices and newspapers. They won’t do anything for me Have you asked them? Local councillors live in your community, are easily contactable and are directly answerable to you. I don’t like any of them. I could do better. How do I become a councillor and what would my responsibilities be? Good question. Most councillors work around three to six hours a week in their post depending on their other commitments. The duties include: attending meetings of organisations, taking up issues on behalf of the general public, and running surgeries so that residents may bring up any issues bothering them. It’s a largely unpaid post but is a rewarding way to become involved in your local community. A good place to begin if you’d like to be a councillor is the NALC website www.nalc.gov.uk/ becomeacouncillor/howtobecomeacllr.html It might be said that ‘people get the local council they deserve’. If you don’t vote, those who do are making decisions which may change your life. Think about it!

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Classifieds Removals and Storage

Cleaning Services DUSTING DAISY DOMESTIC CLEANING

Award Winning Cleaning Company Domestic and commercial cleaning services. Friendly, reliable and uniformed staff. Weekly, Fortnightly Cleaning or to suit. Spring Cleans, Ironing and more. References available on request

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removals, storage, archive and shipping • House and office moves • Large and small vehicles • Local/long distance and overseas removals • Containerised storage • Extremely high quality customer service Call for a no obligation quotation

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Roofing

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USEFUL NUMBERS

VILLAGER The

and Town

Life

Alcoholics Anonymous....................... 0845 769 7555 Anglian Water.................................... 08457 145 145 Bedford Hospital................................. 01234 355122

Bringing Local Business to Local People

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................................... 0844 245 1290 Crimestoppers...................................... 0800 555 111 Cruse Bereavement Care.................... 0333 252 9152

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.

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 50000 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

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Personal, caring and independent. The complete funeral service 24 2 4 hhour our sservice ervice

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