Hitchin October 2021

VILLAGER The

Issue 41 - Oct 2021

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue A Guide to

Wooden Floors Cosy Autumn

Getaways Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

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

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Inside this issue...

Fan the Flames...............................................................24 Garden Trends - What’s hot and what’s not....................27 Pets: Halloween and Bonfire Night.................................28 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal..............................................31 A Guide to Wooden Floors..............................................32 Puzzle Page....................................................................36 What’s On in October......................................................39 Prize Crossword..............................................................42 Book Review : Chilling Reads.........................................44 Useful Numbers.............................................................47

Fan the Flames

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Cosy Autumn Getaways in the UK....................................4 Could you offer a second chance to a cat in need?............8 St Francis’ Children’s Society...........................................12 Drinks Time: Gin O’Clock.................................................15 New Season, Update your Look......................................16 Salt Watch......................................................................20

The End of Cash?

The End of Cash?............................................................22

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Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £25.00 +VAT per month Editorial - Wood Green, Trevor Langley, Jennie Billings, Caroline Knight, RSPCA, Katherine Sorrell and Kate Duggan

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - kesu87 Design and Artwork - Design 9 • Tel 07762 969460

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

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

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Staycation

Holkham Beach

Cosy autumn getaways

in the UK

Our summers can be temperamental, but there’s no doubt that the UK excels when it comes to cosy autumn staycations.

As autumn rolls in and the leaves on the trees turn golden, as a nation we collectively roll up our polo necks, dust off our welly boots and prepare for a season of cosy campfires and walking in the woods.

It’s hard not to love autumn; a lovely transitory period between summer and winter, it’s the perfect time to explore the great outdoors without worrying about getting too hot or too cold.

With ongoing uncertainty about holidays abroad, campfires under the stars, crisp forest air and cosy

Arrowe Park, Wirral 4

log cabins sound like an appealing alternative.

Tempted? Here are just a few ideas for autumn getaways to get you started.

Get lost in the woods It goes without saying, one of the best places to find – and lose – yourself in autumn is inside our country’s dense woodland. Admire the ever-changing hues of the leaves, varying from rich gold and fiery red to forest green, while foraging for mushrooms and searching for signs of wildlife.

The New Forest National Park, covering parts of Hampshire and Dorset, is one of the best forests to experience this. The red, orange and yellow leaves contrast beautifully against the backdrop of open heath and moorland. While you’re there, hunt for the Queen of the Forest, the largest oak to grace the woodland with a girth of 7.4 metres! The icing on the cake, top it all off with a stay at a cosy cottage in one of the New Forest’s local villages, complete with a wood stove fire.

Stroll along empty beaches Anyone who argues that our beaches are just for summer hasn’t been to the right beach in the UK’s shoulder season. Swap swimming shorts for jeans and jumpers, and amble along a blustery beach that – if you’re lucky – you could have almost entirely to yourself.

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Holkham beach in Norfolk was made for autumn strolls. This striking expanse of sand still manages to feel stark and unspoilt, despite being a worldrenowned filming destination. Watch the waves crash against the shoreline before warming up afterwards with lunch at the Victoria Inn, known for its locally grown ingredients, or get your seafood fix at Gurneys Fish Shop in Burnham Market.

Book a city break Often too stiflingly hot and busy in warmer seasons, the UK’s cities are much more suited to autumn staycations than summer breaks. The best part is, you can be inside as much or as little as you like. If it’s raining, dive into a museum or shop ‘til you drop.

Sun shining? Spend the morning strolling the city streets before picnicking in a local park.

Bath’s famous spa culture makes it perfect for this kind of holiday. You can wallow in the city’s outdoor, naturally heated Thermae Spa, whatever the weather.

In fact, the colder it is outside, the cosier you feel!

Get the best of both worlds Can’t decide whether you want to spend your autumn staycation strolling city streets or retreating into nature? Luckily, you don’t have to choose.

Many cities in the UK are perfectly positioned next to national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty, offering the perfect fusion of rural and urban. Take Sheffield, for example. Swimming in history and with a developing arts and culture scene, it also sits on the doorstep of the Peak District, inviting you to spend your days hiking a portion of the Pennine Way, soaking up the beautiful scenery.

Enjoy lunch in a cosy rural pub before returning to Sheffield to sample some of the city’s famous ale.

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Treat yourself to a little luxury Sometimes, it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, it just matters where you call home. And what better place to call home for a week than a gorgeous log cabin, complete with a firepit, king-size bed and steaming hot tub?

From luxury lochside lodges in the Scottish Highlands to gorgeous beach cabins right on Cornwall’s world-famous sands, there’s nowhere better to escape the daily grind. Spend the day exploring your surroundings before retreating to your luxury lodge for board games, drinks around the fire and a late-night dip in the Jacuzzi.

The Danish have a good word for this: hygge. It’s that feeling of comfort and cosiness that arises when it’s stormy outside and you’re wrapped up warm and dry with the ones you love. Hygge and autumn truly are a match made in heaven.

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Local News

Could you offer a second chance to a cat in need?

Wood Green, The Animals Charity rehabilitates and rehomes around 1,800 cats every year from their centre in Cambridgeshire. The majority of these cats are matched with loving new homes in around 30 days, but those with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) can stay in the charity’s care for many months.

Wood Green are now seeking people who live in rural areas, or are able to create an enclosed garden, to offer a second chance to a cat with FIV. What is FIV? Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a viral infection that affects cats worldwide. Although FIV-positive cats will remain infected for the rest of their lives, it only affects cats and there is no risk of passing FIV to people or other species. Infected cats who receive supportive medical care, eat a good diet and are kept in a stress-free environment can live comfortable lives with a normal lifespan.

What are the symptoms?

FIV is slow acting, meaning infected cats may not show any obvious symptoms for many years – but their immune system will be weakened. As a result, cats will be susceptible to secondary infections and will take longer to recover from minor injuries.

Depending on a cat’s medical history, there may be some pet insurance exclusions, which is a factor to consider before rehoming a cat with FIV. How is FIV transmitted?

FIV is usually passed through bite wounds during fights, or through mating. Once a cat has contracted FIV, they can pass the disease to other cats and need

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to live somewhere they won’t come into contact with many other cats – either in a rural location, or in a house with an enclosed, cat-proof garden.

This allows them to enjoy the outside, and carry out natural hunting behaviours, without posing a risk to themselves or other cats.

How can I create an enclosed garden?

Depending on your space, and the budget you have available, there are a number of options. The first is to install a cat fence around the perimeter of your garden, either with an off-the-shelf product or by building one using strong mesh and brackets.

Another option is to create a ‘catio’ – a large, screened-off section like an aviary, which your cat can access via a window or cat flap. The team can help you choose the right set-up for your garden, and for the individual cat you are interested in rehoming.

By rehoming a cat with FIV, you’ll be giving them the happy ending they deserve – as well as helping Wood Green to be there for even more pets.

To find out which cats with FIV are looking for new homes, or to learn more, please visit woodgreen.org.uk/find-a-cat or contact the team on 0300 303 9333.

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Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service With A Smile.

I think we can all agree that seeing the back of 2020 was a welcome event for each and every one of us, and we can now hopefully march into 2021 with renewed positivity and optimism.

One thing is for sure though, there have also been some heart warming positives that we can take out of last year. It has often been said that we can only really get to know one another and realise what is truly important in times of crisis. I think few would argue that in this case what has proven to be important is local community spirit.

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Stephen Moon it became clear that these values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting

the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Stephen commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help once again”.

All C2C employees operate a strict social distancing policy.

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Local News

St. Francis’ Children’s Society In the UK, almost 3,000 children are in need of an adoptive family. National Adoption Week begins on Monday 18th October, and Milton Keynes adoption agency St. Francis’ Children’s Society is taking the opportunity to encourage people from all walks of life to consider whether they could adopt a vulnerable child.

There are very few circumstances which will completely rule you out from becoming an adoptive parent. In the UK, you can adopt if you are: • childless or already have children • married or in an enduring heterosexual or same sex relationship • single • heterosexual or LGBTQ+ • under or over 40 • of any or no religious faith • of any race or cultural background • employed or not • a homeowner or renting You can adopt if you’re married, in a long-term relationship or single. Caroline is a single, black adopter who became a mum with the help of SFCS. “I always knew I wanted children. It didn’t happen for me naturally, so I decided to adopt. I’m divorced, but I work as a social worker, so was aware that you can be single and still adopt. Being a single parent is the hardest thing that I ever did, but it’s also the best!”

Adopters can be of any or no religious faith.

Children who are waiting for adoption come from many different backgrounds, cultures and religions, and SFCS accordingly welcomes adopters from all

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walks of life. Mahmood and Parveen are Muslim adopters whose faith was particularly important when it came to their decision to adopt with SFCS. “One of the reasons for us deciding to adopt was our religion,” says Mahmood. “Islam puts a lot of emphasis on helping other people and the Holy Quran specifically mentions helping orphans or those who do not have parents for any reason.

Adoption was something that we discussed when we first met many years ago, even before we tried for natural children of our own.”

You don’t need to own your own home or be ‘rich’ to adopt, either. Your financial stability and moneymanagement abilities will be discussed during your assessment, but being on a low income will not automatically rule you out from adopting.

You can also adopt whether you’re heterosexual or LGBTQ+. Emma and Zoe are a same sex couple who adopted siblings with the help of SFCS. Emma says: “If adoption is something that you feel is right for you, then go for it. Being LGBTQ is not something that should ever hold you back from adopting. What is important is that you have enough space physically and emotionally for a child. Our boys really don’t care that they have a Mummy and a Mama; they are safe and they are loved.”

If you can provide a safe, stable, loving home for a child or children who need it, the chances are you can adopt. Visit www.sfcs.org.uk and click on I’d Like To Adopt to learn more and begin your journey towards growing your family.

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Food & Drink

Drinks Time: Gin O’Clock

The South Ormsby Estate is located in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Classed as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, this region can justifiably boast history and tradition. The Estate spans some 3000 acres, with Jon and Jan Thornes being the current custodians.

Tristan Jorgensen is the Head Distiller at South Ormsby Estate. Tristan gained distillery experiences in Scotland and is now utilising that knowledge and those experiences to great advantage, having created a multi awardwinning brand for South Ormsby Estate’s own craft gins, with several of the botanicals used coming from the estate.

History dictates that Charles Burrell Massingberd (1749 – 1835) became the squire of South Ormsby Estate during 1802. I found Burrell’s Dry Gin (43% vol) superb. This elegant, refined production is classic and fresh. Burrell’s Dry Gin has botanicals that include juniper, angelica root, coriander seeds, lemon peel, apple and almonds, plus some more, that make this gin the very worthy and excellent quality production that it is. Fragrant, smooth and crisp is how I would describe this gin. The mouthfeel and palate’s sensation enjoy the fruitiness. I found that with an added tonic, this production came into its own., having delights of citrusy overtones and really great for a G&T mix, garnishing with citrus fruits.

Marie Jeanne Rapigeon of Versailles (1764 - 1863) refurbished and transformed South Ormsby Estate, bringing further elegance and glamour. Marie Jeanne became the second wife of the squire and the gin created by Tristan Jorgensen pays a great tribute to this lady. Red fruit aromas and flavours are evident, in this splendid, pink gin (43% vol) production. Also, fabulous for adding colour, to any occasion. The botanicals used for this gin include juniper, angelica root, coriander seeds, cassia bark, pink peppercorns, strawberries, raspberries and cranberries. Again, I found this to be another extremely well-balanced production. Certainly, the bouquet is fruity and, with the palate following through, having further highlights of complexity and depth, this much appreciated and respected delectation is a ‘pink gin’ lover’s delight.

South Ormsby Estate, South Ormsby, Lincolnshire LN11 8QS. Contact details, information and ordering: www.southormsbyestate.co.uk/gin

As always, Enjoy!

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

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House of Colour

New Season, Update your Look I love the new season and seeing what the shops have in store for us. Some new elements and some continuing themes as ever. I will repeat my mantra that we don’t need to go out and buy a lot of stuff each season to keep contemporary, sometimes a new accessory is enough (could be preloved) or putting items together in a new way can fit the bill.

Often I want to play around with my style, there are always classic pieces that I know suit me but sometimes you want to branch out and see what else might work. At House of Colour we produce a Fashion Update which gives the lowdown on the key trends coming up all broken down into the perfect trends for your clothing personality (if you’ve had a style consultation you’ll know what that means), so you can pick out some key pieces that will add a new twist to your existing wardrobe.

Here are some themes and looks to keep an eye out for this season, regardless of whether you know your clothing personality.

• Cable knits – Adding texture to the look and warmth on chunkier knits. Also in knitwear look out for the knitted waistcoat, great for layering over shirts.

• 90’s/2000 trends, graphic prints and strappy details are continuing into this season. Try adding one piece with a graphic style print – easier to manage on the top half and more limiting on the bottom half.

• Tailoring and particularly the blazer is continuing this season, with options in relaxed fabrics, harking to the comfort theme but also in luxe looks with leather versions. Tonal dressing, using the same colour in separates is also a key trend this season and one that allows of cost per wear when separates are worn with other pieces. A great place for classics to indulge their love of tailoring.

• Knee high boots – so warm, look out for the sleeker versions this season to top off your look.

• Cut out, and cut away details with ruching are also featuring. Look for the detail on tops and dresses.

• Faux fur – fancy working from home in a little faux fur? Surely a great way to feel uplifted and on point. No saving it for another occasion, wear it now.

• Chains – oh yes they are here to stay and a favourite of mine; on shoes in oversized proportions to strappy details, a variety of colours and in angular or rounded detail. A fun way to accessorise this season.

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• Colour? Well, violet is making a welcome return this season as is olive green and gold, (metallics in accessories are a great way to uplift your look and still very much contemporary too).

Off-white, tan, oatmeal and truffle brown are all very visible this season too and are great neutrals for those with warmer skintones. Fuchsia and magenta are also on trend and could be paired with red if you wanted to liven things up!

Guidance on the best trends for you to embrace is always here when you need it.

Article by Jennie Billings House of Colour House of Colour has a network of stylists to help you update your look – find your nearest at houseofcolour.co.uk/find-astylist

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Retired Inspired Ready for life’s greatest reward?

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02/09/2021 08:56

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Wellness Coaching is for everyone!

We can all learn to live happier and healthier by setting realistic goals.

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Health

Salt Watch

We all need a little salt as it helps to keep our body fluids at the right concentration and it’s also necessary for muscle and nerve activity. Yet, as a nation we’re eating too much.

The recommended salt amount is no more than 6g a day – that’s around one teaspoon. However, on average in the UK, we’re consuming closer to 8.1g.

This might not sound like much but the everyday accumulative effect of consuming too much salt can lead to raised or high blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke or heart disease.

Cutting back on salt Even if you don’t usually add salt to your meals, you may still be consuming more than you realise.

That’s because around three-quarters of the salt we eat is hidden in ready-prepared, processed or manufactured foods.

Some foods are almost always high in salt because of the way they are made, so cutting back on these will really help to lower your salt intake. These include: anchovies, bacon, cheese, gravy granules, ham, olives, pickles, prawns, salami, salted and dry-roasted nuts, salt fish, smoked meat and fish, soy sauce, stock cubes and yeast extract.

In addition, there are processed foods that can contribute a lot of salt to our diets, particularly when they are eaten too often. These include: biscuits, bread products, breakfast cereals, crisps, flapjacks, pizza, pasta sauces, ready meals, soup, sandwiches, sausages plus sauces such as tomato ketchup and mayonnaise.

Reducing your salt intake is easier than you might think. Many of us add salt to our meals out of habit and soon realise food tastes just as good without

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it. Around three weeks after reducing the amount of salt you add to meals, your tastebuds will adapt and become more sensitive. This means you’ll get the same flavour from the foods you love, only with less salt.

Herbs are a great alternative to salt and can be used both for seasoning and to provide flavour. Black pepper, spices, garlic, lemon and lime juice can also be used to season food and enhance flavour.

Making informed choices Although convenient, ready meals often contain high amounts of salt. Most pre-packed foods will have a nutritional label on the back or side of the packaging. Look out for the salt content in the everyday foods you buy and try to choose lower salt options. Traffic-light labelling on food packaging is designed to help you to make more informed, healthier choices. The colour-coded information shows whether a product is green (low in salt), amber (medium) or red (high). Aim to eat mainly foods that are amber or green.

Easy food swaps • Swap crisps and salted nut snacks for unsalted nuts or seeds, or choose fresh fruit or vegetables such as carrot or celery sticks.

• Swap bacon, ham, sausage and cheese-based pizzas, pastas and sandwiches for tomato, mozzarella, chicken, egg, salad or vegetablebased versions.

• Swap processed foods such as ready meals for low-salt varieties or try cooking from scratch.

• Swap cheesy pasta sauces for tomato-based sauces as these are often lower in salt.

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

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21

Finance

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The End of Cash?

If you’ve had the same £5 note in your wallet or purse for months on end, you are not alone.

The pandemic has sped up an ongoing trend of people using cash less often. The decline could be permanent, with significant implications for the way we spend.

The Bank of England reported that the amount of cash withdrawn from cash machines in March 2020 was 60 percent lower than March 2019. By October 2020, with shops back to normal, the total withdrawal amount was still down nearly a third year-on-year.

The scale of the decline was partly a lasting shift to online shopping, even after the time that was the only option, and partly an initial fear (later disproven) that banknotes could be a vector for surface transmission of Covid-19. Even now, some shops prefer card payments as they are easier to process while keeping a distance or barrier between staff and shoppers.

Cash was already on the slide, however. It was used for around three quarters of payments in 2000 and that had dropped to just one quarter before the pandemic began. While cash may make something of a comeback as life becomes more normal, it’s also likely many consumers will have changed their habits permanently.

For example, some shoppers may have overcome a previous stigma of not wanting to use cards for small payments, perhaps remembering a time when minimum spends were common or shops charged an extra fee for accepting card payments (which is no longer allowed). That’s no longer necessary

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as most banks and other businesses handling card payments now charge either on a percentage basis or a subscription model covering a set number of transactions. This means it can be viable to accept even very small card payments without facing disproportionate costs.

These trends aren’t without their problems as they may speed up the decline in the availability of cash machines, particularly those without fees. This can be a serious problem for people on lower incomes who rely on cash as a way to manage budgets, older people who are more comfortable with cash, and those with physical disabilities who struggle with card readers and other technologies.

One way round this problem is shops, particularly supermarkets, offering cashback. Until this year, European rules meant shops were only allowed to do this when somebody made a purchase, otherwise they would have to be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority for effectively offering a banking service. This could deter some customers who felt embarrassed by making a small purchase and then asking for cashback.

The UK government has now removed this requirement and shops are entitled (though certainly not obliged) to offer cashback without a purchase.

For now the limit remains between £50 and £100, depending on the size of the business. You certainly shouldn’t feel awkward about using the facility where available, as small shops in particular often prefer to reduce the amount of cash they need to keep on hand before securely depositing it in the bank.

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Special Report

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Fan the Flames Even though 95% of UK homes are centrallyheated and a fire isn’t necessary, there is something mesmerising and cosy about a flickering flame.

An open fire or a wood burner will give the best aesthetic, but both options come with a number of

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downsides: wood-burning is the single biggest source of small-particle air pollution in the UK, you need to store wood and coal, there’s the mess and you will need to do a certain amount of maintenance e.g. chimney sweeping.

Modern technology to the rescue then!

Traditional If you have a fireplace and chimney breast, the fire surround is going to be an important feature in your room. This should reflect the style of your house, with Victorian and Georgian styles best suited to homes from that period, and less fussy contemporary styles better in more recently built homes.

There are many homes with chimneys in the UK so the corresponding large number of fireplace buyers means there’s a plethora of options. You can certainly gain inspiration from looking at choices on the internet, but for such a prominent feature in your living room, a visit to a fireplace retailer is a must.

For the fire itself, both gas and electric options are available to replicate the real fire look and many are incredibly realistic, with some even making crackling sounds and emitting steam to replicate smoke.

Modern The beauty of modern electric fires is that you don’t

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have to have a chimney at all. They don’t create any emissions and therefore do not need to be vented like gas and wood fireplaces.

These modern designs aren’t intended to pass for a real fire at all and many are sleek and minimalist. It’ll be very obvious that you haven’t been piling up logs and coal, but you will still have a similar ambience and they are very effective. Particularly in wellinsulated modern homes, a real fire can overheat the room and it’s only the flame that you want.

A further benefit has to be the safety aspect. If the flame is just an effect and isn’t emitting significant heat, there are no concerns about young children touching the fire or a spark setting the carpet alight.

Media Walls Media walls are very ‘on-trend’. This is where you have a television and speakers installed above an electric fire. One advantage of this design is that you will just have one focal point in the room. If you are very cost-conscious you can buy predesigned media walls, but if you have one built for your room you will then have complete freedom in the size of TV and style of fire you can install.

Look, No Walls One further idea is to move your fire away from the wall completely. With a bioethanol option you won’t need an electric connection, so you can have flames on your coffee table or in a corner of the garden, and even have more than one.

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1. Mix 850 Bioethanol Fire Pit: £,1495, www.limelace.co.uk 2. Deco Fireplace: £1,395, www.haddonstone.com 3. Luxury Home Media Cabinet & Display: www.brayerdesign.co.uk 4. E NEO3C Electric Stove: £,1135, www.acrstoves.com

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Gardening

Garden trends What’s hot and what’s not Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

Passion for gardens has probably never been greater.

Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions that we were all obliged to follow, outside spaces have taken on a whole new vibe. The trend for utilising even the tiniest of outdoor areas is probably here to stay – at least for the next few years.

Many of us have created garden ‘rooms’, where the inside flows into an outdoor kitchen and dining area.

The lines between indoors and out have blurred. It is no longer unusual for people to install outdoor fridges, cookers, storage, food-preparation surfaces and, of course, seating. The latter will probably include a dining table with chairs but also an outdoor lounge with comfortable furniture. Sometimes this can take up most of the garden, but hopefully there will be some attractive planting to provide screening, perhaps a soothing water feature and definitely a firepit so that everyone can stay outside during the evening.

Gardens need life But is this impressive display of luxury any good for gardens? Paving over lawns and restricting planting to very limited zones isn’t great for biodiversity. Beware of creating a desolate, cheerless space with little life to be found. Most people love the softness that plants bring to hard landscaping, therefore every opportunity should be taken for prioritising plants over paving.

Ideally, we should aspire to create a garden that can perform many functions. A seating place amongst the planting enables us to enjoy it to the full. Above all else we should make provision for wonderful plants that will attract pollinators, provide structure, movement, scent, colour and soak up the excesses that the sky deposits. Plants absorb pollution, they

clean the air and produce oxygen. Just relax by some lush planting and see how it makes you feel – plants really are good for us.

What’s been trending in gardens over the last two years?

• Al fresco dining, often with built-in appliances and heating and even a retractable canopy.

• The concept of extending interior decor into the garden, decorating gardens with lanterns, ornaments, colourful accessories, rugs and cushions. Some even sacrifice kitchen dressers, sofas and throws in a bid to make a bold outdoor statement that creates a cosy space.

• Grow-your-own. At least fourteen per cent of adults in the UK are following a meat-free diet. Almost half the population now grows fruit and vegetables at home. Not only is it fun and rewarding, but it can be completely chemical-free too.

• Dry stone walling, gabion walls using wire baskets filled with stones, rocks and boulders are all increasing in popularity. These contemporary features combine style with function and they provide wonderful nooks and crannies that are valuable for wildlife.

• Porcelain garden paving is the surface of choice for a growing number of householders. Porcelain can look like stone but is less porous, therefore it doesn’t turn green quite so easily. It’s long-lasting, tough, slipresistant and contemporary.

• Sowing seeds and planting for wildlife. There has been a record demand for wildflower and other seeds over the last eighteen months, with sales increasing more than 600 per cent.

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Pets

Halloween & Bonfire Night

As Halloween and Bonfire Night season lingers on the horizon, lots of people will start to get excited about watching fireworks and spending time with family and friends. With Covid still within our communities, these festivities may look very different this year. But one thing that remains the same, is what our furry friends think about the celebrations. Many animals find fireworks really frightening. Did you know that approximately 45 percent of dogs in the UK show signs of fear when they hear fireworks? That’s nearly half of all dogs So, what can we do to help our pets during these times? There are a lot of straight forward things you can do to help your pet cope with fireworks. By preparing in advance before all the fireworks start, your pet will be able to cope better with the sudden loud bangs and bright lights.

First, ask your neighbours whether they are planning to have a firework display in their back garden or if they are going to attend an organised one. Read our top tips and find out how you can keep your pets safe and happy during the celebrations.

1) An early walk - If you have a dog, take them for a walk during daylight hours, thus avoiding times when fireworks are being set off.

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2) Noise reduction - Make sure all windows and curtains are closed as this will cushion and muffle the noises outside. You could always play some music or put the television on to mask the sound of the fireworks. If your dog is particularly nervous and frightened, we would suggest making a quiet hiding place where your dog can go and feel safe and in control. Follow their lead, as different pets cope with fireworks in different ways.

3) Provide a safe place to hide - this is a really sensible idea but be aware some dogs might prefer to be near their owners. Cats would also benefit from having places to hide. Perhaps make two or three around your home, for them to retreat to if they start to feel stressed. Cats often feel safest when they are high up, so they may prefer a space on a shelf or cupboard. Avoid picking up cats or restraining them as cats prefer to control how they cope.

4) Bring them in - Many of us have outdoor pets living in hutches and cages. These small animals are particularly vulnerable by being outside. Some owners of small animals prefer to bring them indoors during the Bonfire Night celebrations.

If that is not practical, you could partially cover outdoor cages and pens with blankets. This acts as soundproofing and will provide your pets with an area to take shelter and hide. Other animals may benefit from being given extra bedding so they can burrow and hide from the loud noises and bright lights. Garages and sheds can also be used as a temporary homes for your outdoor pets.

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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Pets

Rehoming Appeal Mr G or Georgie as he is affectionately known

This handsome boy was handed in as a stray and we think he is about 3 years old.

He is desperate for affection and loves to rub round your legs and head butts for strokes but is still a little nervous of people.

We are looking for an owner who will be patient with him and happy to let him to settle into home life gradually.

As we do not know very much about his background, a home where he is the only pet and without young children would be preferable for him.

He has now been neutered, microchipped and has started his course of vaccinations.

If you would like to find out more about Mr G, please contact Liz on 01767 681157 or alternatively email Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry on to the team.

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Interiors

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By Katherine Sorrell

A Guide to Wooden Floors Laminate or solid, engineered or reclaimed, timber flooring is a classic choice that works in every room of the house. It’s less cold and hard on the feet than stone or tiles, better at repelling stains than carpet and is endlessly good-looking, whether in a period property or a new home.

Preparing for a new timber floor Timber floors can be fitted anywhere in the house, on solid or suspended floors, although – because wood expands and contracts according to humidity – they’re often not advised for bathrooms or other wet areas. In this case, it’s best to stick to highquality engineered wood. Insulate the sub-floor before you start, and consider what effect the new flooring will have on your final floor level – which may affect thresholds and require doors to be cut across the bottom so they will open and close.

When fixing the boards down, make sure to avoid any pipes and wires that run beneath the existing floor. To keep your final floorcovering pristine, avoid fitting it until all the ‘wet’ or dirty building work is complete.

What type of timber floor?

Laminate floorboards are usually made from a resin-impregnated decorative paper surface layer

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(with photographs of real wood), bonded to a thin MDF or chipboard core. With cheap versions it can be easy to spot the pattern repeat , and they’re not especially durable, but more expensive brands are very tough and come with long guarantees.

Solid wood is exactly that – whatever type of wood it is composed of goes all the way through the board, so it looks and feels entirely natural and can be sanded again and again.

Engineered wood (sometimes called multi-layer or, confusingly, laminated) is made from layers of solid timber or a veneer of solid timber on top of MDF, plywood, chipboard or softwood, with a balancing veneer beneath. Most are made up of either three or five layers, cross-bonded for greater stability. A top layer of at least 5mm allows for limited sanding if necessary. The advantage of engineered boards over solid ones is that they shouldn’t warp, gap, cup or bow.

Reclaimed boards have a beautiful patina that simply can’t be replicated, and are the environmentally friendly option. They don’t come cheap, as they often require work to remedy problems such as woodworm, ingrained dirt and stains, dents and splits, variations in thickness or colour, broken

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tongue and groove, and lots of old nails. When buying, always ask where the wood came from and how it’s been stored since it was reclaimed – timber that has stood outside for any length of time may be useless, and would need to dry out considerably before it could be used again. As a rule of thumb, pine is cheaper than oak, and narrower boards are cheaper than wider ones.

Style and finish Most timber floors sold in the UK are made from European oak, which has a lovely grain and is very long-lasting. There are, however, many other choices, including beech, maple, ash, walnut, merbau, cherry and, of course, pine. As for finishes, options include stains, waxes, oils, varnishes and limewashes, each of which can subtly change the appearance of the final floor.

An important consideration is the form and laying pattern of the boards. Both solid and engineered wood flooring is available as boards (in varying widths), strips (less than 10cm wide), smallish blocks (extremely strong) and parquet (like blocks, but thinner). While boards are traditionally laid parallel to one another, designers are increasingly turning to the contemporary effect of chevron and herringbone styles, while parquet has had something of a renaissance in recent years, with intricately patterned squares that look glamorous and dramatic.

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LOOKING AFTER A WOODEN FLOOR Wood floors don’t need a great deal of special treatment. The main thing to remember is not to let them get too wet, to install a good doormat and take off stilettos, which will punch small holes everywhere. Remove dust and grit regularly by vacuuming or cleaning with a soft broom. Mop occasionally, but don’t soak the wood or leave water sitting on it – wring the mop head as much as possible, then wipe over again with a dry mop. Using a proprietary cleaning product will make your floor look better and last longer – ask your retailer for advice. And don’t forget that a new wooden floor will naturally become darker or lighter as it matures.

1 Floorboards laid in a chevron pattern create a stylish base for a sophisticated room scheme.

Lottie grand sofa in Isla Kingfisher with darkened oak legs, £2,425; Brompton reading floor lamp in brass, £350; Matilda armchair in Imogen Holkham Sand with pale oak legs, £795; Keswick square coffee table, £500; all Neptune: www.neptune.com.

2 This reclaimed teak, available in randomwidth planks, has been repaired and stained.

Woodworks by Ted Todd Rare Finds Dark Colonial Teak, £POA, Ted Todd: 01925 284 496; tedtodd.co.uk.

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3 A white-oil finish creates a clean, fresh look in this bright entrance hall. Oak White oiled brushed wood flooring, £72 per square metre, The Natural Wood Floor Company: 020 8871 9771; naturalwoodfloor.co.uk.

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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

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MUSCLE

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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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Codeword 1

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

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

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Shire Roofing

Quality above all

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What's On

WHAT'S ON ON IN OCTOBER 1 OCTOBER

Bedfordshire Family History Society 7pm on Zoom Members free, Visitors £1 ‘The Dangers of DNA: Who’s the Father?’ with Dr Nick Barratt.

Web: www.bfhs.org.uk

4, 11, 18 & 25 OCTOBER

Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-11pm.

Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Meets every Monday night and is a medium-sized social club for single people.

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

6 NOVEMBER

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 OCTOBER

Bridge Club 1.30-4.30pm. Springfield House, Old Stevenage Community Centre Play social cut-in Chicago Bridge. Play is informal and friendly.

Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517

2 OCTOBER

Weston Music Society Concert 7.30pm. Holy Trinity Church Weston Tickets £20, 25 years and under £5 The Piatti Quartet Purcell: Chacony in G minor; Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 6 in F Minor; Dvorak: String Quartet ‘American’.

Bookings: https://www.trybooking. co.uk/BFGF

2 & 3 OCTOBER

21st Ashwell Book Weekend Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1.30pm-4.30pm Admission £1, children under 16 free Great selection of books to browse and buy for children and adults both fiction and non-fiction. Tea, coffee and home-made cakes.

Craft Fair 9.30am-4.00pm. Pirton Village Hall, High Street, Pirton Admission £1, under 16s free if accompanying an adult A variety of stalls selling high quality handmade crafts. Light refreshments.

Email: pirtoncraft2021@gmail.com

7 OCTOBER

9 OCTOBER

Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society 2pm.Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade ‘Award Winners’ with Tim Fuller, the owner of Plantsmans Preference Nursery. Plants for sale. AGM will be held before the talk.

Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk

9 OCTOBER

Quiz Night 7pm for prompt 7.30pm start The Letchworth Educational Settlement Ticket £15 Teams of six or individuals welcome.

Tickets available from the Settlement office and include fish and chip supper. Licensed bar.

Tel: 01462 682828 Web: www.letchworthsettlement.org. uk for info/booking

The Arts Society North Herts 11am-12.15pm Broadway Cinema and Theatre, Eastcheap, Letchworth ‘Coventry Cathedral: Icon & Inspiration’ by Alexandra Epps. Visitors welcome. Lift access.

Web: theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk

8 OCTOBER

Unicorn Ceilidh Doors open 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Baldock With Geckoes, caller Alan Simpson and Wicket Brood in the interval spot.

Ceilidh dances are great fun, easy to learn - and addictive! Book online.

Tel: Alan Creamer 07946 439095 or 01582 724261 Web: www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk

4, 11 & 18 OCTOBER

Stevenage Choral Society 7.45pm. Stevenage Music Centre, Mobbsbury, Stevenage Meets every Monday during term time. No audition necessary. Meet like-minded people of all ages and abilities. Try out a wide range of music. Tel: 01438 365769 Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk

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16 & 17 OCTOBER

Antiques Fair 10am-4pm. Burgess Hall, Westwood Road, St Ives, PE27 6WU Around 40 stalls. Free parking, wheelchair access, refreshments and licensed bar. Tel: 01480 896866 Email: parkhousepr@aol.com Letchworth Arts & Leisure Group Annual membership £10 per household Many groups and activities including wine appreciation, film, gardening, theatre, art design, books, discussions, games, sports, outings, walking and much, much more. New groups are starting all the time. Online talks every month. Non-members can try activities before joining.

Web: LALG.org.uk

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our September Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Roger Bygraves – Eynesbury, St Neots

September’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Across 1 Employed (4) 3 Loyal (8) 9 Whirlwind (7) 10 Big (5) 11 Ceremonial leader (5) 12 Save (6) 14 Twist together (6) 16 Thick oil (6) 19 Steps (6) 21 Friends (5) 24 Not dead (5) 25 Beginning (7) 26 In company (8) 27 Small insect (4)

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

16th October 2021 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.

Down 1 Utmost (8) 2 Not late (5) 4 On a ship (6) 5 Relates (5) 6 List of ingredients (7) 7 Vegetable (4) 8 Round container (6) 13 Communications (8) 15 Zero (7) 17 Wealthier (6) 18 On land (6) 20 Distinguished (5) 22 Alliance (5) 23 Silly (4)

Name:

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

Tel:

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43

Books

Chilling Reads Triflers Need Not Apply Camilla Bruce

This is a fictionalised account of the life of mass murderer Belle Gunness, who started her killing spree back in 1900. In the novel, a horrific attack as a young woman sets Belle on a very different path to that of her peers. She realises that while women may not have legal power, they can be just as ruthless as men.

As the bodies pile up, so too do Belle’s finances.

But how long can her appetite for murder go unnoticed? You’ll veer between pity and loathing for the main character, with perhaps a touch of horrified admiration at times.

The Rising Tide Sam Lloyd

Lucy seems to have it all, until one day her family’s yacht is found drifting at sea, empty.

She soon realises her husband is missing, and with him her children. A storm is brewing that threatens to wipe away any clues and any hope of finding survivors. Atmospheric and with twists galore, The Rising Tide will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World Elif Shafak

Sequels rarely live up to the hype, but boy does this one deliver. The Thursday Murder Club has another crime to solve (which is lucky as the pensioners were getting a bit bored). Elizabeth has received a cry for help from an old flame – one she neither likes nor trusts. But he’s in danger and she’d rather he didn’t end up dead. As you’d expect, there are plenty of red herrings to throw them (and you) off the scent. Cosy crime at its best.

The Haunting Season Various authors

There’s a time-honoured tradition of curling up on a cold winter’s night to devour a ghost story. You might not be reading the tales in The Haunting Season by candlelight, but they’re sure to delight nonetheless. Eight leading authors have contributed, including Laura Purcell, Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Andrew Michael Hurley. While each story is set in winter, the similarity ends there. Some verge on horror while others are more deliciously spooky.

A Slow Fire Burning Paula Hawkins

If you didn’t read this book back when everyone was talking about it two years ago, don’t let it slip through your fingers again. The central character is Leila, who lies murdered and dumped in a rubbish bin in Istanbul. As her brain shuts down, we’re taken through her life up until that point. Not the happiest life to be sure, but one rich in friendship. And those friends will stop at nothing to make sure Leila isn’t just another victim in an unmarked grave. A startlingly unique, vivid read.

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The Man Who Died Twice Richard Osman

A multi-layered mystery with unreliable characters, A Slow Fire Burning is certain to appeal to domestic noir fans. Daniel is found dead on his houseboat.

Laura is the last known person to see him alive and was seen leaving with blood on her clothes. And then there’s Carla, Daniel’s aunt, who’s still grieving for her son and sister. And Miriam, the woman who says she found the body. Plus several other characters, all with their own stories to tell and secrets to hide…

By Kate Duggan

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45

Plumbing

Gary’s Plumbing H&M Rubbish Clearance Est. 10 years in Hitchin.

Support local business Call us for a free no obligation quote House and Garden Clearance Helping to keep Hertfordshire Cleaner and Greener

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