Hitchin Sept 2020

VILLAGER The

Issue 28 - September 2020

and Town

Life

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

In this issue The History of Time Back to School Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

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Inside this issue...

Autumn Show

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Autumn Show........................................................24 Spectacular Sunsets...............................................27 Puppy Problems? Wood Green are here to help......29 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal......................................30 Dolphins: The smart, sociable heroes of the sea.....32 Puzzle Page............................................................36 Second-Hand, Not Second Best..............................38 Villager Prize Crossword.........................................42 Books of Self-Discovery..........................................45 Useful Numbers.....................................................47 Second-Hand, Not Second Best

A Brief History of Time..............................................4 Back to School..........................................................8 Ramsgate - Hidden Gem on the Kent East Coast.....10 Drinks: Time for a Beer...........................................12 Fun Quiz.................................................................14 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.................................17 Does it matter what you wear?..............................18 A Lack of Interest....................................................21 How to ask for a loan to be repaid..........................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 - Catherine Rose, Kate Duggan, Solange Hando, Trevor Langley, Nick Coffer, Jennie Billings, John Lister, Tammy Adams, Pippa Greenwood, Wood Green, Kate McLelland, and Tracey Anderson

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

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

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

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History

By Catherine Rose

A Brief History of Time For thousands of years human beings have used devices invented to measure the passage of time.

As the sun moved across the sky, people were able to measure the day’s passing with obelisks and sundials, by monitoring their shadows. Some of the earliest clocks were stone obelisks built by the ancient Egyptians in 3500 BC. Sundials, which show the height of the sun using a shadow-casting rod called a gnomon attached to a marked plate, feature widely across many ancient cultures including in India. The world’s biggest sundial dates from the sixteenth century and can still be visited at Jantar Mantar in Jaipur.

Sundials remained in popular use until the nineteenth century. During Shakespeare’s time, people even carried pocket sundials, referred to by the bard in his play As You Like It:“…he drew a dial from his poke [bag].”

However, measuring time using the sun is problematic, as it only works during daylight hours when it is not cloudy. To overcome this and

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determine time at night, another method used graduated candles whose measured burn could also calculate passing hours.

In around 1400 BC the ancient Greeks built water clocks, but they were probably invented in ancient Egypt. Known as clepsydrae, they basically consisted of two containers, one placed higher than the other. Water would drip slowly from the top container to the bottom, while markers inside the lower container showed how much time had elapsed.

Subsequent developments of the water clock resulted in increasingly complex use of floats and gears that moved a hand on a face, anticipating the modern clock.

From the seventh century the Chinese not only built huge water clocks but also more accurate timepieces, based on similar principles that employed mercury. In the eleventh century an Arab engineer named Ibn Khalaf Al-Muradi built a water clock with a sophisticated gear mechanism,

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which almost certainly influenced the subsequent invention of the mechanical clock.

Another popular and iconic timepiece was the hourglass. Consisting of two blown glass bulbs joined by a narrow neck and commonly filled with sand, hourglasses work on a similar principle to the water clock. They were reasonably accurate and used to measure time at sea. Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan had eighteen hourglasses on each of his ships during a circumnavigation of the globe in 1522. Even today we still use the minute version to time the perfectly boiled egg!

It was around the fourteenth century that the first mechanical clocks with gears and escapements were invented in Europe. The old English word for a clock was daegmael meaning ‘day measure’.

It was at this time that the word ‘clock’ came into parlance, derived from the Latin word clocca meaning ‘bell’, as mechanical clocks were made to strike the hour rather than display time.

Operated by weights, these clocks were usually large and heavy so tended to feature in church towers. The clock in Salisbury Cathedral is one of the oldest surviving examples of a working mechanical clock, built in 1386 out of hand-worked iron.

In 1450 the coiled spring mechanism was invented, which heralded portable clocks and watches. The oldest pocket watch is the spherical Melanchthon Watch made in 1530.

In 1656 Christiaan Huygens invented the first pendulum clock, which kept time more accurately than anything previously. It was found that the longer the pendulum, the greater the accuracy, which is how the Grandfather clock developed.

Pendulum clocks remained the standard right up

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until the invention of quartz clocks in 1927.

Thomas Tompion is known as the Father of English Clockmaking. Born in Bedfordshire in 1639, the thatched cottage where he grew up can still be seen in the small village of Ickwell. The son of the village blacksmith, he was apprenticed to a clockmaker in London, eventually becoming renowned for his clock and watchmaking skills. His timepieces were so well made that many of them are still in operation and command very high prices.

A favourite with royalty, two of his ‘year clocks’ still reside at Buckingham Palace.

During the nineteenth century, industrialisation made it more important to keep track of time and the ownership of pocket watches expanded greatly.

We tend to think of the wristwatch as being a relatively modern invention but in fact they have been around for a lot longer. It is recorded that a bracelet with a portable coiled spring timepiece was made for Queen Elizabeth I and given to her as a gift by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in 1571.

It was purportedly described at the time as an ‘armlet’ having: “…in the closing thearof a clocke, and in the forepart of the same a faire lozengie djamond without a foyle, hanging thearat a rounde juell fully garnished with dyamondes and a perle pendaunt.”

However, any timepieces worn on the wrist were seen as no more than ladies’ jewellery, and the first purpose-built wristwatches for men were not produced until the early 1900s.

Today, we have seen the advent of the digital watch, mechanisms that no longer need winding, and atomic clocks accurate to a second within 100 million years – more than the length of human timekeeping itself.

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Parenting

Back to School Many children are going back to school in September, some for the first time in months, and it’s natural for them to feel a bit anxious about starting a new school year.

Prepare your child If your child hasn’t gone back to school yet, find out what will be different compared to before the pandemic. Explain to your child what to expect.

Younger children may benefit from acting out some things at home, such as keeping their distance when queueing. Clinical psychologist Dr Emma Millar recommends asking if the school can “take pictures or videos of the changes so your child knows what to expect, as that will aid the transition process.”

Talk to your child It’s important children know they can talk to you about their concerns. Some like to have your full attention while others prefer it when they don’t need to make eye contact, such as when you’re driving or cooking. Recognise that you can’t ‘solve’ their concerns, but you can discuss coping strategies.

If your child doesn’t want to talk, try reading together and talking about how the character feels in different situations.

Encourage excitement Don’t forget to talk about the positives of returning to school, such as seeing friends and playtime.

Dr Emma Millar says, “Discuss what they’re excited about. Children pick up on how we’re feeling, so if you remain calm and positive about them returning back to school, then that will really help them to feel reassured.”

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Get back into a routine Most children prefer some level of routine. Your child may have been going to bed later recently, not showering as often and having more screen time.

Help them adjust to a more structured routine over a couple of weeks.

Make sure they get enough sleep Work towards returning children to an earlier bedtime, including at weekends. Children need more sleep than adults – six to thirteen year olds can need up to eleven hours of sleep a night.

Mindfulness and meditation Mindfulness and meditation can help children and adults to feel calmer and more in control. Older children might benefit from Headspace’s guided meditations. For younger children, try the ‘Sitting Still Like a Frog’ book and CD by Eline Snel.

More information ‘Helping your Child with Fears and Worries’ by Cathy Creswell and Lucy Willetts is worth reading. The book is packed with practical advice on helping children to deal with fears, worries and anxiety, and isn’t written like a medical textbook!

The following websites have useful resources: • www.camhs-resources.co.uk • www.youngminds.org.uk/blog/supporting-a-childreturning-to-school-after-lockdown Extra support All children feel anxious and worried sometimes.

However, up to 15% of children experience anxiety disorders, which can stop them enjoying day-to-day life and lead to more long-term issues. So don’t be afraid to ask for help: your child’s school may be able to offer advice, or your GP may be able to refer them for extra support.

By Kate Duggan

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Travel

Ramsgate

By Solange Hando

A Hidden Gem on the East Kent Coast Tucked away on Thanet, an ‘Isle’ only by name, Ramsgate has everything you would expect from a traditional seaside resort (without the crowds) and a few surprises to keep you on your toes.

First, Ramsgate claims the only Royal Harbour in the country, a title granted by George IV when he sailed across the Channel in 1821. The memorial obelisk is still there but on a bright sunny day you’ll be blown away by one of the largest marinas on the south coast. Rigging tinkles in the breeze, yachts in all shapes and sizes glisten along the pontoons and you can book a harbour cruise or a fishing trip, sail to see the wind farm or the seal colony on the Goodwind Sands, or just wander along the quay when the last fishermen bring in the catch.

Peep into the tiny sailor’s chapel dug in the cliff, below Jacob’s ladder, then head for the listed Clock House, home to the Maritime Museum, and enjoy the vibrant café culture all around, ice cream, cool drinks, fish and chips and more. The jetty is right there, a lovely place for fresh air and stunning views, harbour on one side, vast golden sands on the other dotted with parasols, buckets and spades, where little Victoria, the future Queen, spent many happy summers. When the tide is right, you could walk all the way to Broadstairs, the next resort, along the promenade or on the sand.

Up on the cliffs, the town is well worth exploring

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for its Georgian and Regency buildings and superb esplanades looking out to sea. On the beach side, the Marina Esplanade leads to the bandstand (a musical treat in summer), the historic War Tunnels and George VI Memorial Park, which is part of the Viking Coastal Trail. Take a break in the restored Italianate Glasshouse and look out for the mysterious parakeets squawking in the trees, having escaped, some say, from an Indian ship. In the other direction, red-bricked Victorian arches climb above the harbour to the Royal Esplanade, lush lawns, rose garden, boating lake and a ‘wild’ sandy beach meandering below white cliffs.

Any more surprises? Indeed: a fair walk or a quick drive and as you reach Pegwell Bay, would you expect a Viking ship glowing in the summer light?

‘Hugin’ sailed from Denmark in 1949, a life-sized replica manned by fifty-three men whose only instrument was a sextant, a heroic deed even today, marking 1,500 years since the invasion and the betrothal of the Viking princess to the King of Kent. Continue along the coastal trail and you will find a country park laced in cycling and walking trails, an enticing spot to watch the birds (hide provided) and gaze at myriad species of flowering plants, including wild orchids. Meanwhile a tiny spark of history beckons just inland, a lonely Celtic cross dedicated to St Augustine who landed long ago on this glorious stretch of the Sunrise Coast.

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Food & Drink

Drinks: Time for a Beer Wild Card Brewery was established during 2012. Today, this brewery can boast much deserved recognition, having award-winning productions amongst their beers. Delivering throughout the UK, Wild Card ales can also be located at numerous bars, pubs, restaurants, supermarkets and retail outlets.

TABLE BEER (2.7% vol) was developed for beer drinkers who require or prefer an ale with a low ABV. This production does not compromise on taste, with its tropical fruit flavours pleasing the tastebuds.

PALE ALE (4.3% vol) utilises Citra, Ekuanot and Cascade hops to great advantage. Hugely popular with pale ale lovers, I found this easy-drinking beer, refreshing.

RASPBERRY GOSE (4.6% vol) has been created with the sour beers of Northern Germany in mind. It is fruity, having raspberry added towards the end of the fermentation process. Again refreshing, this is classed as a sour, salted, wheat beer and regularly chosen by ‘devotees’ of this type of ale.

For IPA drinkers there are several excellent selections available from the Wild Card Brewery. UNITE TRIBUTE IPA (5.4% vol) is brewed with Citra and Simcoe hops and dedicated to Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician and writer. This beer delights the nasal senses and entices the mouth’s pleasures to follow.

NEIPA (5.4% vol), INDIA PALE ALE (5.5%vol) and ELLA (5.7% vol) are three further IPA beers that are enjoyed, constantly. Good aromas are evident and tropical fruits hold the interest for the mouthfeel, continuing through to the finish.

For a higher ABV and still with IPA productions, CASHMERE (5.8% vol) has Mosaic, Citra, Ella, plus Cashmere hops and IPA (6.1% vol), which is classed as West Coast, are great for nose appeal, with the latter using Citra and Simcoe hops. I would describe both of these smooth productions as being big on flavour – to the last, very enjoyable, drop!

These are just a selection from the most impressive ranges of beers produced by the Wild Card Brewery Company. Brewery tours and experiences are offered too and have become increasingly popular.

Information and advice is always available, along with party hire, arrangements and attractive merchandise.

Wild Card Brewery, Lockwood Way, Walthamstow, London, E17 5RB. www.wildcardbrewery.co.uk E-mail: info@wildcardbrewery.co.uk Tel: 44 (0) 208 935 5560

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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1. In 2019, what became the first superhero film to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination?

2. Also known as Doctor Eggman, Doctor Ivo Robotnik is the main villain in which video game series?

3. The thickest and strongest tendon in the human body is named after which hero from Greek mythology?

4. What line of toys is divided into the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons?

5. Since its revival in 2005, which Doctor Who villain has been played by Derek Jacobi, John Simm and Michelle Gomez?

6. Bonnie Tyler’s hit single Holding Out For A Hero was originally recorded for the soundtrack of which 1984 film?

1. Black Panther 2. Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Achilles 4. Transformers 5. The Master 6. Footloose 7. Svengali 8. Batman And Robin 9. King Edward 10. Bambi

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Heroes and Villans

7. The name of which villain from George du Maurier’s 1894 novel Trilby is now used as a word for someone who has a controlling or mesmeric influence on another, especially for sinister purposes?

8. In an episode of Only Fools And Horses called Heroes And Villains, who did Del and Rodney dress up as to attend a party, but when their van broke down, had to run the rest of the way and ended up scaring off thieves?

9. Which popular type of potato was originally called Fellside Hero before being renamed in 1902 to coincide with a coronation?

10. Which film had an off-screen character known as “Man”, who was named by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest villains from the first 100 years of American cinema?

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Food & Drink

Summer king prawn, squid and chilli spaghetti

Serves 4 people

Of course this pasta can be eaten all year round, but for me it screams summer. Holidays spent on the coasts of southern Europe, enjoying exactly this kind of sunshine dish, usually accompanied by a crisp glass of white wine. Extremely quick to put together and so colourful on the plate, this is one of my absolute favourites.

Ingredients 450g spaghetti 1 small onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped 2 red chillis, finely sliced 1 bag frozen raw king prawns, shelled 4 fresh squid (or frozen), sliced into rings 1 glass white wine 10-12 small cherry tomatoes, quartered Large handful parsley, finely chopped Olive oil, salt and pepper

1. Cook the pasta in a large bowl of well salted water as per the packet instructions.

2. Meanwhile, heat a glug of oil in a large pan and gently fry off the onions for 3-4 minutes.

3. Chuck in the garlic and chilli and cook for a further couple of minutes.

4. Stir through the prawns and the squid and cook for a minute.

The prawns will start to turn pink.

5. Add in the wine and the tomatoes and let the sauce simmer fairly vigorously for a couple of minutes to reduce the wine.

6. Add in the chopped parsley and season to taste.

7. Drain the pasta and stir it well into the sauce. Leave it sit for a couple of minutes so that the pasta takes on all the flavours of the sauce.

8. Serve immediately (with parmesan if, like me, you don’t mind going against tradition and always eat parmesan with your pastas, even seafood ones!)

BBC Three Counties Radio presenter and cook, Nick Coffer To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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House of Colour

Does it matter what you wear?

Why I do care…

As part of a style consultation one of the questions in the personality quiz we ask is whether you are interested or not interested in clothing/shopping.

This might seem an odd question as you must surely be, to be in the room in the first place? Well, not entirely. You may hate clothes shopping, have no desire to wander about shops at all but you still want to look and feel good. It still matters to us, whether that’s because we have a role that means we are under the spotlight and want to look right or because for our own sense of wellbeing we want to feel good in what we wear.

I have always cared, always been interested in shopping and clothing and fashion. My parents have always believed in dressing smartly to demonstrate that you care about yourself and the work you do. It’s a sign of appreciation to a host that you have dressed for the occasion, marking the effort that they too have made in their hospitality. Thus clothing is and has been a signifier to others. We may not like that view, not subscribe to it and yet it might be hard for us to iron out the way we judge others internally based on what they’re wearing. We can’t really help ourselves.

My driver has always been how clothes made me feel. I have always liked to think that I looked my best, although on many occasions struggled to understand whether that really was the case. I’ve sat uncomfortably in offices, pulled at clothes, left things that I thought were lovely sitting in a wardrobe for ever thinking that one day I would find the perfect occasion to pull them out. I have saved lots of things ‘for best’, which never came, only to realise years later that they were now never going to be used.

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I’ve been to parties feeling incredibly self-conscious and unable to fully enjoy the occasion feeling uncomfortable in my chosen outfit.

How I’ve winced at photographs… The money wasted, the time lost, the anxiety created.

It’s incredible the effect clothing can have on us, yet when we shop it can all be lost on ‘that’ll do’.

We’re overwhelmed, unsure, limited on time and lack clarity as to what is right, then we’re making snap decisions just to get it done. Soon we have a wardrobe of clothes that give us a slight (or even severe) sinking feeling.

My own revelation was to understand the why.

Why, though I loved the tweed jacket on lots of people it wasn’t ‘doing it’ for me when I put it on.

Oh the joy to know that I needn’t worry about it any longer, a classic jacket was never going to work. Of course not. I can walk away, enjoy looking at it on others. There are other things out there for me and they definitely make me feel good, whatever the occasion. I know what will do and what won’t – so could you.

By Jennie Billings, Colour and Style Consultant, House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings e:jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk

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Finance

A Lack of Interest With the Bank of England’s base rate at a historic low of 0.1%, you might think it couldn’t possibly go any lower. The economic challenge of COVID-19 could change that, with speculation that the rate could actually drop below zero. It brings to mind a topsy-turvy world of banks paying people to borrow money and savings shrinking away, but what would actually happen?

Between the 2007-8 financial crash and the economic uncertainty of Brexit, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has had plenty of reason to use low rates to ease economic concerns. The idea is to deter saving and promote consumer spending by making borrowing cheaper.

The Bank of England confirmed in May that it is considering using the rate cut tool again and having negative rates for the first time ever in this country.

It’s a highly unusual tactic but has been used in the Nordic region and Japan in the past decade.

The effects are still an unknown quantity, however.

With mortgages, many tracker rates have a minimum floor so homeowners wouldn’t get negative rates.

In countries which have had a negative rate, a few lenders have dropped the variable interest rate charged to borrowers below zero.

Usually in those cases, the customer would continue to make the same monthly payment but more of it would go toward paying off the capital rather than the interest, so eventually the mortgage would be paid off earlier.

Risk-free savings accounts are already paying miserly

By John Lister

interest thanks to the low base rate, so there’s unlikely to be much change there. A reduction to zero interest on such accounts is possible, at which point they’d mainly be a way of balancing risk.

Credit cards and personal loans shouldn’t see much difference as there’s already a lot of variation among different lenders and customers, so the base rate has less influence. The ‘standard’ rate on a card may drop a little, but that shouldn’t make much difference to people who make savvy use of introductory offers and balance transfers.

Perhaps the biggest question mark is the effect on current accounts, which could be a game of chicken.

Most high street banks theoretically have the power to apply negative rates. However, it’s questionable if any would really want the bad publicity of being the first bank to start ‘taking people’s money’. The more likely options are that the major banks all do so at the same time, or that they instead introduce fixed monthly fees to use a bank account.

Overall then, if the base rate did go below zero, it’s unlikely banks would pass on the effects to customers in a way that undermined the basic principles of saving and borrowing and produced ‘illogical’ effects. Instead it’s more likely banks would simply be a bit more willing to lend more money to more people and to be a bit less enthusiastic about trying to attract new savers.

John Lister (www.johnlisterwriting.com) is a freelance writer based in Bristol, specialising in technology and personal finance.

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21

Money Talks

By Tammy Adams

How to ask for a loan to be repaid Neither a borrower nor a lender be! There’s a lot of truth in that old saying. Have you ever loaned a friend or family member some money and then waited and waited for them to return it, feeling increasingly resentful? If unresolved the situation can fester to the point at which the relationship breaks down for good.

If a few months have passed since you lent someone some money, and they’ve not mentioned returning it yet what should you do?

The lender sometimes worries it would be rude or inappropriate to ask for it back, or that they might jeopardise the friendship. If this is you then you ned to realise that your friend asked you for money in the first place; money, which you lent to them!

So, worrying about asking for its return is not your problem; your problem is why you are anxious.

Maybe that’s a red flag for this relationship whether or not the loan is eventually repaid.

Be polite but clear - ‘When do you think you’ll be able to repay the money I loaned you?’ is fine. You don’t need to invent a whole convoluted back story about how you need the money to pay for pay for your kitten’s operation. If you feel you want to soften the blow, you could add, ‘...as I’m a little short of funds right now.’

Could they work it off? - If it’s less that you need actual cash and more the principle of the repayment you could find a way for them to repay in kind.

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Perhaps you need childcare, help moving house, or some clothing alterations done. Most people have some kind of talent or skill they can provide as repayment.

Bartering – Does your friend have something you would like which is equivalent value to the cash you loaned them? This is a way for your friend to settle up without having to give you cash.

Payment plan – Consider a flexible payment plan so they can pay you back in instalments over a few months. If you aren’t sure they will honour a verbal agreement, get something down on paper.

Ask someone to remind them - If you’re nervous about asking, perhaps consider why this person is your friend! But you could ask their partner, a mutual friend, or a family member to remind them. They may be able to drop hints on your behalf or tackle them directly about taking advantage of your friendship.

Consider a credit card repayment - Times have changed. You don’t need to be a business with an Electronic Funds Transfer console and a merchant account in order to be paid by credit card. They can use PayPal or a similar service to send you the money.

You can even prompt them to send money to you with the ‘request money’ feature.

Lending money to friends and family is a minefield so consider very carefully whether you want to do it. If you do, make sure you talk about the when and how of repayment before you part with the cash.

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Gardening

By Pippa Greenwood

Autumn Show Now that autumn is upon us, leaves, shrubs and climbers grab our attention with their change of colours, transforming to scarlets, reds and golds. So why not include some in your garden?

Climbing plants with spectacular autumn colour include Parthenocissus quniquefolia, or Virginia creeper, a sizeable climber that can be used to clothe walls without a support system. In autumn the leaves are numerous shades of scarlet, orange and red.

For less extensive covering, consider Parthenocissus henryana. Its divided leaves are a dark green to bronzy colour with pretty silvery white veins that turn to rich red in autumn.

Another autumn climber, Vitis coignetiae, grows rapidly and has huge heart-shaped leaves with splendid scarlet and crimson colours come the autumn. It can be grown through large trees and over sturdier supports, and the colours often improve in poor soil!

Amelanchier lamarckii (snowy mespilus or serviceberry) is a large shrub covered with lovely whitish blossom in spring. The emerging leaves change from a coppery colour to bright green, but in autumn the entire shrub almost appears to be on fire.

The small-scale blueberry is an acid-loving, boggysoil-needing plant that turns into a miniature ball of fire once it takes on its autumn colour, and two or more plants will provide a crop of delicious fruit.

Fothergilla major or Witch Alder is a smallish to medium-sized shrub whose bare stems will be covered with scented creamy-white spiky flower clusters early in the year. The foliage changes from

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pale green to shades of yellow and orange in the autumn. It needs a lime-free or acidic soil and does not do so well in a tub.

Cotinus or smoke bush also has fantastic autumn colours, and is a shrub with attractively rounded leaves in shades of green, pinkish-orange or purple.

The fluffy seed heads look just like little clouds or plumes of smoke.

For smaller gardens it’s hard to beat one of the Japanese maples with their stunning divided leaves turning rich purples, reds, oranges and yellows, depending on which one you have planted. They do well in large tubs and are perfect for a sheltered back yard or patio, and look great in a bed or border.

Making the Best of Autumn Colour Potential • To help choose plants for autumn colour, why not visit local garden centres or an arboretum? If possible, buy autumn colour plants now so you can see the precise shades that the various plants have to offer.

• Check the ultimate height and spread of trees or shrubs you’re considering – there’s no use planting something that will outgrow its space in a couple of years’ time.

• Planting at this time of year works well but wait for better conditions if your garden soil is very wet. In dry soil plants still need watering well, and the soil around the roots must be kept moist once the plants are in the ground.

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

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Photography

Spectacular Sunsets Autumn is the best time of year for beautiful sunsets. Have you ever tried to capture one and been disappointed with the result? Sunsets can be devilishly tricky to capture well, but we have a few tips.

Choose the time and place – If you’re serious about sunsets make a note of places where they are particularly good then head there before the sunset to give you time to set your camera up. There are websites which tell you what time the sun will set on a particular day.

Try www.timeanddate.com/sun/ Foreground is important – The best sunset photos tend to have something of interest in the foreground, generally silhouetted. This provides a focal point. Look for an attractive tree, or a wind farm, and even pylons can look impressive in front of a sunset.

Patience is also important – Sunset actually goes on for quite a long time. As the sun dips beneath the horizon it can produce some spectacular shots, but afterwards, the colours of the sky can become even more rich and beautiful, so hang around.

So is a tripod! The best shots are often longer exposures, so they will look shaky unless you secure your camera to a tripod.

Ignore ‘the rule of thirds’ – The sunset is the star so place your horizon really low down in the shot. This fills the image with colour.

Remember reflections - If you are near water take full advantage of doubling the impact of your sunset. In this instance try placing the horizon at exactly halfway or shoot only the reflections. Experiment and have fun.

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Local News

Puppy problems? Wood Green are here to help

Puppies welcomed into new homes during lockdown have missed key learning experiences and will soon be reaching adolescence, a time when they typically display more challenging behaviours.

Wood Green, The Animals Charity has services to support puppy owners in need of advice, behavioural support and if they are no longer able to care for their pet.

Wood Green’s Pet Support team has begun to see an increase in enquiries about puppies like Trinity the Lurcher, who was purchased at the beginning of lockdown. The new owners were led to believe that she was eight weeks old, but the vet confirmed that she was only six weeks old and too young to be separated from her mother. Trinity’s owners described her as sweet and well-behaved most of the time, but she began mouthing which caused the children in the home to be afraid of her.

When advice from a paid behaviourist didn’t help, Trinity’s owners contacted Wood Green in July and made the hard decision to hand her over.

They said: “We decided to bring Trinity to Wood Green because we realised that simply selling her may result in her being resold again due to her mouthing issues and, in the long term, she may end up at a rescue centre with even more behavioural problems.

“We believe that Wood Green can provide the training she needs and have the experience to find her the best home. Giving Trinity away was a heartbreaking experience, but all we want is for her to be healthy and happy.”

Specialists at Wood Green are available to pet owners facing difficulty with a puppy, or any other pet. The team has decades of experience in dog behaviour and training, offering free one-to-one behavioural support and a range of training classes for a nominal fee. With a dramatic increase in puppy scams over the past few months, the charity can also advise anyone looking to get a new pet and guide them through the process.

Sue Ketland, Dog Behaviour & Training Specialist at Wood Green, said: “We understand that puppies can be hard work at the best of times, and even more so given the current circumstances. Social distancing has made it more difficult to socialise puppies with other dogs and people, face-to-face training classes haven’t been possible and with everyone spending more time at home, puppies may struggle to cope when left alone. It’s not too late to resolve any issues, like Trinity’s puppy mouthing, and we are here for every pet owner.”

Life can be unpredictable and some puppy owners may no longer be able to look after their pets.

Whatever the reason, be it work or financial pressures, health, or simply not having enough time to dedicate to a pet, Wood Green can help. Their friendly team will listen, advise and, if someone needs to hand over their pet, will take the animal into their care to find them a loving new home.

Talk to Wood Green’s team on 0300 303 9333 or visit www.woodgreen.org.uk

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Pets

Rehoming Appeal

Tia

This mature little lady is Tia who is looking for a new loving home.

She is neutered, microchipped and her vaccinations are up to date.

For the last few months, Tia’s elderly owner has been in hospital and has now moved into permanent residential care and can no longer look after her.

She has been used to a quiet, calm home previously and has not lived with other cats, dogs or children. A quiet new home where she is the only pet and without young children would be preferable for Tia. She is a very sweet natured, affectionate girl who likes people and plenty of attention. She is long haired, enjoys being brushed and will make a wonderful companion for someone.

Tia really deserves to find her forever home, so if you would like to find out more about her please contact Liz on 01767 681157.

View other dogs, cats and small mammals currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity.

You can also see photographs and details of the animals in our care in our charity shop in Hitchin Street, Biggleswade SG18 8AX. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

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Animal Tales

Dolphins: the smart, sociable heroes of the sea At the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Mississippi, USA, Kelly the Dolphin has been causing quite a splash.

As part of the institute’s training programme, these much-loved marine mammals have been taught to pick up any litter that drops in their pool in order to swap it for a fish reward. The system was working well until one dolphin, known as Kelly, had other ideas. After finding a large piece of paper floating on the water, she hid it under a rock at the bottom of the pool instead of giving it to her trainer. She then tore off bits of the paper, getting a fish for each new piece she presented and thus maximising her fish quota.

By hiding the paper in the first place, Kelly showed that she was able to delay gratification, and researchers have admitted that her scheme to split the paper into separate pieces shows quite sophisticated thinking on her part.

The shell trick A recent study published in the scientific journal Current Biology shows just how resourceful dolphins can be. In Shark Bay, Western Australia, a whole pod of dolphins has been observed using empty shells as spoons. This activity, which has become known as ‘shelling’, involves a dolphin chasing a fish into a giant shell then trapping it by pushing its nose into the opening.

After that, the dolphin will take the shell up to the surface and shake it to release the excess water. When the water has poured out of the shell, the dolphin tips the trapped fish into its open mouth.

By Kate McLelland 32

Dolphins in legend Our relationship with dolphins goes back as long as people have fished and travelled the seas. They were familiar in Greek and Roman art, where illustrations on coins, pottery and mosaic floors show leaping dolphins ridden by gods and demigods.

The ancient Greeks believed them to be messengers of the sea god, Poseidon, and they were also sacred to the gods Aphrodite and Apollo. Killing a dolphin was considered a sacrilegious act. The Romans took their spiritual connection with dolphins one step further by imagining them to be guides who led the souls of the dead to the Islands of the Blessed. There have also been many stories that describe dolphins as rescuers of ships and drowning humans.

A dolphin hero One such dolphin, nicknamed ‘Pelorus Jack,’ was famous for helping ships pass through the dangerous waters of Cook Strait, New Zealand, between 1888 and 1912. Despite the rocks and strong currents, no shipwrecks were ever recorded when Jack was present as a guide.

Named after a nearby coastal area called Pelorus Sound, he was so important to shipping that he became the only individual sea creature to be protected by law in any country in the world.

Mankind has long believed that dolphins are gifted with a rare intelligence and studies such as those carried out in the USA and Australia are helping us understand just how brainy they really are. No wonder we feel such a strong bond and sense of kinship with these lively, graceful and resourceful sea creatures.

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

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

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Second Hand

Second-Hand, Not Second Best There has never been a better time to buy second hand for your home. During lockdown lots of people indulged in some major decluttering and many lovely items have ended up on eBay, Facebook, and similar sites, not to mention charity shops and vintage stores.

Nowadays we can buy anything we like new online or in department stores. So why purchase anything second-hand? Well, the problem with everyone shopping in the same stores is that everyone’s home begins to look a bit like identikit furnishing or ‘home-design-by-numbers’. Then there’s the issue of landfill. Buying second-hand means you’re not contributing to a ‘wasteful’ society. Finally, second-hand means you get to choose something different, quirky, and unique to you.

Take paintings. It’s easy to pop into IKEA and buy a nice printed canvas but buying an original vintage oil painting is significantly more worth it.

Most people think ‘Rembrandt’ or ‘Monet’ if you mention oil paintings but there are many lovely affordable original works of art or vintage prints on offer, and who knows, you might even happen upon an undiscovered old master!

Antiques rugs are another good purchase and can set the tone of an entire space. Look in antique markets for Oushaks and Serapis style rugs. They use higher-quality wool, have a softer texture and blend with modern or antique furniture. They also tend to appreciate in value with age. Look for quality craftmanship, no sun damage, and no smoke and pet odours.

An older rug should be worn evenly.

Leather club chairs will always be a good purchase. Look for original leather or one recovered with vintage leather.

Distressed leather is lovely and adds character but avoid chairs

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with a lot of peeling or cracking, and (unless it is for decorative purposes only) check the support it offers!

I break plates and cups with alarming regularity. So much so that I gave up on matching dinner services many years ago. Instead I buy pretty individual vintage pieces I like. The mix ‘n’ match look is eclectic but works for me and my family. Vintage doesn’t necessarily mean expensive, but if you are more careful than I am go for it. Look for patina, shape, and design to indicate whether an article is genuine.

Mirrors are some of the best items to buy vintage or antique. There are a wide range of styles in good condition that can add a touch of history or character to a room. says Brown. An original mirror edged with silver or gold, even if it is distressed, is it’s so much more interesting than anything bought new. Old mirrors may have distortions or bubbles in the glass so are best placed where ‘decorative’ or ‘increasing light and space’ is more important than ‘functional mirror’!

Buying second hand can be fun, let you express your individual personality, save money and the planet. What could be better?

By Tracey Anderson

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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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MUSCLE

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August’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mrs B Primett - Hitchin Easy

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The Villager Prize Crossword

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

16th September 2020 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The winner will be drawn at random from the correct completed entries.

Prize

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Across 1 Demand (6) 4 Smaller (6) 9 Hair cleanser (7) 10 Spin (5) 11 Freight (5) 12 Advantage (7) 13 Always (11) 18 Tolerant (7) 20 Arrive at (5) 22 Expel (5) 23 Apparent (7) 24 Dismal (6) 25 Floats (6) Down 1 Bug (6) 2 Step (5) 3 Prop up (7) 5 Consumed (5) 6 Accomplished (7) 7 Tell (6) 8 Mixture (11) 14 Exterior (7) 15 Appearance (7) 16 Scatter (6) 17 Phantoms (6) 19 Insert (5) 21 Bypass (5)

Name:

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“Quality is not expensive, it’s priceless”

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

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WINDOW REPAIRS

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Books

Books of self-discovery The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

by Charlie Mackesy

These illustrations of conversations between a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse have been shared across the world. As the author says, the characters “are all different, like us, and each has their own weaknesses. I can see myself in all four of them, perhaps you can too.”

Personally, I challenge anyone to read it and not feel at least a tiny bit lighter, more hopeful and more connected to those around us.

A Street Cat Named Bob

By James Bowen

James had very little to give when he found an injured stray cat. A recovering drug-addict, James was living in sheltered accommodation and busking to earn enough money to eat.

But it turned out that taking in the ginger cat, which he named Bob, would change James’ life. This true story is a few years old now, and you could just choose to watch the film adaptation. But if you want to curl up with a feel-good story full of hope, resilience and friendship, it won’t disappoint.

Staying Alive: real poems for unreal times

by Neil Astley

The five hundred poems in this anthology cover a wide range of subjects, from depression and death to joy, personal quests and self-discoveries.

As the synopsis says, these are poems that are “fired by belief in the human and the spiritual at a time when much in the world feels unreal, inhuman and hollow.”

You’ll rediscover poems you’ve likely heard many times before, such as Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’, and also have your eyes opened to a whole new legion of poets.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

By Jessica Townsend

Morrigan Crow is cursed to die on her eleventh birthday.

And it seems that for those around her, her death can’t come soon enough. But then Morrigan is whisked away by the mysterious Jupiter Crow. She has the chance of a new life as a member of the Wundrous Society, but only if she can pass a series of trials. A fantastic book for children and adults alike, Nevermoor is a great reminder that we can be so much more than society expects us to be.

The Secrets of Sunshine

By Phaedra Patrick

After losing his wife a few years ago, Mitchell has withdrawn into his own small world – focusing on work and raising his daughter. But then an incident on a bridge leads Mitchell on a journey of self-discovery. Warm and light-hearted, without ever straying into saccharine-sweet territory, The Secrets of Sunshine is a cosy hug of a book.

Stories for Kids Who Dare to be Different

By Ben Brooks While this book is aimed at children, there are plenty of adults who will enjoy dipping into it. If you do, you’ll discover mini-bios of ordinary people who tend not to make it into the history books.

And you might also learn a little bit more about well-known figures, including Dr Seuss, Andy Warhol, Whoopi Goldberg and John Boyega.

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By Kate Duggan 45

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