Potton April 2021 by Villager Mag

VILLAGER The

Issue 176 - April 2021

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue The History of

Chess

Discovering

Cambridge Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People Every Month in Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Gamlingay and all surrounding villages

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Inside this issue...

Solutions4Gardens

The History of Chess......................................................................................4 Give Your Home Office an Uplift............................................................. 8 Potton’s Mystery Photographs - Can You Help?................................ 12 Discover Cambridge..................................................................................... 15 Wines Worth Locating: Kloster Eberbach............................................19 Free Online Resources for Kids...............................................................20 April Fool!........................................................................................................ 22 Seasonal Recipe - Asparagus and Salmon Frittatas......................... 25 What is an Ingrown Toenail?....................................................................26 A Water Softener Might Change Your Life.........................................28 Beauty Boxes................................................................................................... 31 Confident Dressing Coming Out of Lockdown..................................32 Should You Be Taking Supplements?.................................................... 34 Do You Suffer from Hayfever?................................................................ 36 New Ways to Support EAAA....................................................................38 Are Eggs Good for Us?.................................................................................41 All That Jazz - International Jazz Day.................................................... 42 The Bank of Mum and Dad....................................................................... 45 How Safe Are Your Online Interactions?............................................. 47

Fun Quiz........................................................................................................... 47 Solutions4Gardens.......................................................................................48 Love Your Lawn.............................................................................................. 51 Hoe! Hoe! Hoe!............................................................................................. 52 Even Cats Get Lonely.................................................................................. 55 Great Gadgets for Cleaning Everything Outdoors........................... 57 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal..........................................................................59 RSPCA - An Interview with a Trustee....................................................60 Ask Alan - Potton Vets............................................................................... 63 Making the Switch to an Electric Vehicle............................................65 90 Years if the Highway Code.................................................................66 A Guide to Natural Flooring.....................................................................68 Biggleswade Sandy Lions Club................................................................. 71 Book Review - Moving Forwards.............................................................73 Anniversaries in Early Summer 2021........................................................74 De-Clutter - Live With Less...................................................................... 77 Baking - Rhubarb Sponge Slice................................................................ 79 Puzzle Page.....................................................................................................80 Short Story - Apples for Alpacas............................................................ 82 Villager Prize Crossword...............................................................86 Book Review - For the Love of the Sea................................................90

A Guide to Natural Flooring

Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £37.50 +VAT per month Editorial - Catherine Rose, Peter Ibbett, Trevor Langley, Kate Duggan, Tom Hancock, Louise Addison, Kath McCarthy, Jennie Billings, Herts MS Therapy Centre, EAAA, Tracey Anderson, Pippa Greenwood, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA, Potton Vets, Jackie Brewster, Katherine Sorrell and Sarah Davey,

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

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Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 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. 3

History

By Catherine Rose

The History of Chess The game of chess is nearly 1,500 years old and is as popular today as it has ever been, with more than 600 million people around the world playing. Interest in the game has only increased during the past year’s lockdowns, thanks to us having a lot more time at home and the popular Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit. But what is the history behind this ancient game? It is believed that chess originated in India around 500AD, with a strategic military board game called chaturanga. Ivory and ebony pieces on an eight-by-eight board represented a king, an adviser (that later became the queen) and two armies of four soldier divisions: those on foot, on horse, on elephant and in chariots. All had different rules about how they could move across the board. From India the game was taken up in Persia (now Iran) where it was known as Shatranj, and from there it spread through the Muslim empire. It is

thought that the Muslims changed the pieces from the animals and people depicted in the Indian game into more abstract pieces, as it is forbidden to represent images of animals and people in the Islamic religion. From the Arab world, the game travelled across North Africa and the Moors brought it to Spain and Europe in around the twelfth century. The oldest recorded game of this forerunner of chess is a tenth-century match played between a Baghdad historian and his pupil. There are also very old chess sets still in existence, such as the twelfth century glazed pottery fritware shatranj set in the New York Metropolitan Museum, and the Isle of Lewis set made from walrus ivory that can be found in the National Museum of Scotland, and is also from the twelfth century. With its move into the Christian world, chess pieces

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changed to show people and horses again. The bishop and rook (or castle) appeared. The queen became the most powerful piece on the board and the rules of chess evolved to those similar to the game we play today. The oldest book to explain these rules that is still in existence is a Spanish one: Repetición de Amores y Arte de Ajedrez (Repetition of Love and the Art of Playing Chess) by Luis Ramirez de Lucena published in 1497. The name for chess evolved over time through the language of each country that adopted it, to finally sound something like ‘check’ in many European languages (for example, in France it was known as Échecs and in Sweden Schack). In Russia chess became known as Shakhmaty, which literally translated means ‘checkmate’. It is believed this is why we use the well-known words ‘check’ and ‘checkmate’ to signal the end of a game. There are also those who believe another ancient game may have influenced our modern-day chess. At the same time that chaturanga was being played in India, a strategic game called tafl – which is old Norse for ‘board’ – was being played by the ancient Nordic and Celtic people. Tafl was played on a chequered nine-by-nine game board with two armies of uneven numbers – one side of which were the attackers and the other the defenders. There was a difference with the placement of pieces on the board to chess. Rather than facing each other, the two opposing sides were positioned in the middle and around the edge

of the board, and there was only one king and a castle at the centre. Variants of the game were played under different names across Scandinavia, Lapland, and the UK until it was overtaken by chess in the twelfth century. The Romantic Style of chess was played from the 1500s until the 1800s. It centred around short tactical manoeuvres rather than long-term strategic ones. The modern chess set was patented in 1849 following a design by Englishman Nathaniel Cook. It was favoured by the world’s best player at the time, Howard Staunton, and following his endorsement it became known as the Staunton pattern. It was at this time that modern chess developed and to this day, only Staunton pattern sets are allowed in international competition. In 1886 the first official World Chess Championships were held. Chess theory and chess clubs were born. The World Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded at the beginning of the twentieth century when moves began to be analysed and named. With the digital age, it was possible to mathematically examine all possible moves and outcomes by computer, which eventually led to a computer first beating a world chess champion in 1997. Today, chess competitions are a recognised sport. You can now buy all sorts of novelty chess sets with characters ranging from The Simpsons to Game of Thrones. Chess is so respected in Russia that it has been taught in primary schools since 2017.

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Rooms from

Potton View Care Home can accommodate up to 31 residents, all on the ground floor. The Home has been completely refurbished in 2018 when it was purchased by Black Swan. It has high quality lounges, dining room and bathroom facilities as well as a salon. Outside there is are extensive enclosed gardens as well as internal courtyards. The property is a detached, purpose built care home with a car park at the front. The Home is situated between the villages of Potton and Gamlingay in easy access of local amenities.

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Home Products

WFH? Give your Home Office an Uplift Working from home may not be all fun and games, but there is no reason why your home office has to be dull. Add some personal touches and transform it into a space in which you actually enjoy spending time.

A home office need never be drab. Add some colour with well-chosen shades of paint. Shown here: Greek Blue, Louis Blue, Giverny, Napoleonic Blue and Athenian Black, all £5.95 per 120ml, Annie Sloan.

To take your home office to the next level, add some abstract art, with prints featuring organic shapes and complementary monochrome colours. Selection of framed prints, all Desenio.

Working from home at least gives you more time to tend to your plant collection. If you haven’t got one, now’s the time to start. Terracotta plant pots, from £2 each, Scaramanga. Add a spot of cheerful colour in the form of an adjustable desk lamp. Ginaz table lamp, £25, B&Q.

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A home office ‘glow up’

Start with a white background and add dashes of your favourite colour everywhere, from furniture to desk accessories. Milton white 120cm dining table, £149.99, Furniture And Choice.

• Colour is important. If a particular colour makes you feel happy – add it! If you don’t want to go as far as painting the whole room, just refresh the wall behind the desk (that you spend the majority of your time looking at) with a small pot of emulsion.

Combine support and style with an office chair that raises and lowers to a comfortable position, swivels easily and looks good enough to fit into your overall room scheme. Calgary office chair in faux leather, £164.99, Lakeland Furniture. Cosy up with a warm, soft throw in a colour that complements your room. Easy Knit throw in yellow, £135, Loaf. Hold your papers down or keep your books upright with a glamorous, weighty chunk of glass. Arch amber glass bookend, £62, Rose & Grey. Hang it all with a peg board – it will soon become indispensable. Choose one that suits your room – perhaps in a cool, mid-century modern colour. Large wooden peg board (includes 12 large pegs and 6 small pegs), £65, Block Design.

• Personalise the walls with your favourite prints, posters, paintings and photographs. For a formal look, frame them identically and hang them symmetrically. Alternatively, you could peg small pictures to a string, stick postcards to a corkboard with coloured drawing pins or prop them, facing outwards, on a narrow shelf. • It’s all about comfort, so make sure you’re working at the right temperature. A small desk fan for the summer may be useful, while in the winter a heater can be an essential. For an even cosier feel, choose a woolly throw that looks pretty and feels soft.

Cater to all your senses by adding a scented candle. This one, appropriately enough, smells of cedarwood, patchouli, amber and… pencil sharpenings. Pencil Sharpenings scented candle, £40, Loaf.

• You can also add colour in the form of furniture and accessories, from an office chair to the essential adjustable desk lamp, as well as pen holders, clocks or paperweights.

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• A few plants dotted here and there go a long way to making an office feel more homely. Increase the sensory experience with a vase of fresh flowers, scented candles or an aromatic diffuser.

Annie Sloan: 01865 713 080; anniesloan.com B&Q: 0333 014 3357; www.diy.com Furniture And Choice; 0333 015 0000; furniturechoice.co.uk Rose & Grey: 0161 926 8763; roseandgrey.co.uk Lakeland Furniture: 0161 694 2790; lakeland-furniture.co.uk

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History

Potton’s Mystery Photographs Can YOU help?

Potton History Society have an archive of nearly 200 photographic albums containing over 2700 pages, all of which have been researched with dates and information.

By Peter Ibbett

We also have a large in-tray with around 10,000 mainly digital items awaiting formal addition to our collection. Most have dates and details attached but some are still a mystery to us. Potton has since at least Victorian times, been a musical place so it was not surprising to find the photograph above tucked away in an dusty file. But we do not know (and probably never will) if this was taken in Potton and which group it was. PLEASE always attach information to your (now) digital photographs for it will help future historians! The Society is always happy to add new material to its archives, both ancient and modern. Do look on the Society web site for a ‘Mystery Photographs of Potton’ presentation and for details of how you can help the society. You will also find out what the mystery object in the colour photograph is and where you can find it in the town. Perhaps, as you regain your lockdown freedoms you can compile your own ‘What and where is it? photographs for our facebook site and future archives.

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Staycation

Discover Cambridge

It’s best known for its esteemed university, but Cambridge is also the crown jewel of UK city breaks. In fact, many would argue that it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world. With holidays abroad looking like an unlikely prospect this summer, many of you will be looking a little closer to home when planning your next breaks. If centuries of history, exquisite architecture, tranquil manicured gardens and beers by the riverside all sound like your type of holiday, the university town of Cambridge could be the perfect base. No more than ninety minutes from London, it’s easy to reach from the Midlands too. Meander the charming, cobbled streets, hop between worldclass museums, discover the city’s fantastic drinking and dining scene, and tick off the sights on a lazy punting tour; there’s so much to do, a long weekend probably won’t be enough. Not sure where to begin? Here’s a small snapshot of the top sights and experiences: Go punting They say the best way to experience a new city is to live like the locals do. Luckily, Cambridge’s favourite pastime is also one of the best ways to see the city. Relax, soak up the views and watch some of Cambridge’s most famous sights sail by, including

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the Bridge of Sighs, Kings College Chapel and the Mathematical Bridge. On many punting tours you don’t even need to steer the boat yourself; simply sit back and let the guides do all the hard work. Take a university tour Visiting Cambridge without seeing its ancient university buildings is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. They draw tourists in from around the world – plus they’re hard to ignore. After all, dating back to 1209, Cambridge University is one of the oldest English-speaking universities in the world, second only to Oxford. Dominating the city centre, the university is easy to explore on foot. Naturally, the best people to show you around are the students themselves. Book a guided tour around Clare, Trinity, Christ’s and King’s Colleges, where Stephen Hawking, David Attenborough, Charles Darwin and Alan Turing once studied. Photograph famous chapels and libraries, drinking in the exquisite architecture, and marvel at the colleges’ perfectly groomed grounds. Whether you’re into history or not, it’s impossible not to be in awe of the sheer academic excellence soaked into every inch of this university’s walls. Visit some museums If all that academic brilliance is making you want to learn a thing or two, you’re in luck. Cambridge is full

to the brim with fantastic museums – many of them free to see. Marvel at trinkets and treasures from all corners of the globe at the Fitzwilliam Museum or get a taste for the thrilling polar adventures of explorers at the Scott Polar Research Institute Museum. Then there’s the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, where almost two million rocks and fossils are waiting to transport you through 4.5 billion years of history. The Imperial War Museum is also not to be missed. As the largest aviation museum in Europe, it’s the place to go if you’re interested in vintage aircraft. Drink and dine in style Cambridge has no shortage of lovely pubs, restaurants and bars to sample. After a long day seeing the sights, serious foodies should book a table at the Michelin-starred Midsummer House, which serves up excellent British-French dishes next to the river. For something a little lighter, head out of town to the charming village of Grantchester for lunch at The Orchard Tea Garden. An old stomping ground for academics including Alan Turing and Stephen Fry, these tearooms are known for having the best cream teas around. The Green Man, also in Grantchester, is the place to go for pub grub and a pint, and the appropriately

named Pint Shop is also worth checking out. Its Grade II-listed building was once home to EM Forster, but now houses a long list of beers from breweries all over the country. Rent a bike to see the sights The first thing you’ll notice about Cambridge is that everyone cycles everywhere. Dodging bookbalancing students on bicycles is part of what makes navigating this compact city so charming. Cycling is a great way for tourists to explore the city too. Be sure to swing by the Corpus Clock, an art piece on the front of the Taylor Library, before meandering slowly through Cambridge’s Botanical Gardens. Stop off at Market Square to pick up a souvenir or two and satisfy your inner bookworm at Heffers bookshop. You’ll soon fall in love with how easy it is to explore this city on two wheels.

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2021 sees the return of the award-winning Drive In Air Displays from the Shuttleworth Trust. 2 May – Season Premiere Drive-In 15 May – Spies and Intrigue Evening Drive-in 6 June – Flying Festival of Britain Drive-In 19 June – A Scurry of Chipmunks Evening Drive-in 4 July – Military Air Show Drive-in 17 July – Flying for Fun Evening Drive-in 1 August – Family Air Show 14 August – Flying Circus 4 & 5 September – Vintage Weekend 2 & 3 October – Race Weekend Find out more and book online at:

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Food & Drink

Wines Worth Locating: Kloster Eberbach

The wine productions of Germany utilise numerous grape varieties. High-quality Riesling wines are famous around the world and have wine lovers appreciating them, globally. The Association of German Pradikat Wine Estates (VDP), operating with strict guidelines, ensures cultivations of the very best varietals. Multi award-winning Weingut Kloster Eberbach produces an excellent range of wines. Their vineyard is renowned worldwide. The Eberbach Monastery was founded during 1136 and the monks established a cabinet wine cellar (Cabinetkeller) for their finest wines. White wines, from Weingut Kloster Eberbach, have become very popular options, for many. Lesser-known red productions are now being appreciated, too. Favourite Riesling wines include Berg Roseneck (Cabinetkeller) and Steinberg (Cabinetkeller). These are regular choices and grace many dining tables, constantly. Being able to be enjoyed by themselves, too – as can all of the wines described here – is a further big ‘plus point’. Enticing bouquets lead to the mouthfeel and further, to the palate’s sensation, perfectly. Crescentia Premium Wines are produced using grapes from the very best vineyards. Steinberger Crescentia Riesling Trocken and Baiken Crescentia Riesling Trocken are further productions which certainly do not disappoint. Again, splendid to the mouth’s pleasures and most enjoyable, throughout. Baiken Crescentia Riesling Spätlese is also often selected. Following an intense floral and sweet bouquet, for the nasal satisfaction, the ripe, juicy fruit flavours come through, for the mouthfeel, superbly. The palate enjoys a continuing sweetness, to finish. Great with desserts and cheeses, too. Riesling wines are widely recognised for their classic aromas and elegance, pairing perfectly with fish, seafood and numerous dishes of cuisine. Also, very worthy of note is Weingut Kloster Eberbach Spätburgunder Crescentia Trocken red wine. This Burgundian-style Pinot Noir has ripe red fruits in abundance and is fabulous with red meats. Wine tours of the estate and tastings are extremely popular and often booked well in advance. Ordering is easy, online too, with orders dispatched quickly and efficiently. Being married at the Eberbach Monastery must certainly be very memorable, indeed. Personal arrangements can be accommodated, through receptions to banquets. For details of all wines and services offered, please visit www.kloster-eberbach.de

As always, Enjoy!

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

Parenting

By Kate Duggan

Free online resources to educate and entertain your kids The education technology (edtech) sector is booming. Many of the sites and apps are a tad pricey, but if you dig deep enough, there is a ton of free resources to explore. Don’t forget the oldies - It’s easy to forget about BBC Bitesize in the days of Twinkl and The Maths Factor, but it’s still going strong. In fact, BBC Bitesize now offers online lessons, including videos, games, stories, short cartoons to explain complex subjects and a whole heap more (www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize). Check out CBBC too (www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc) as many of the online games have an educational twist. Make the most of free printables - Your child has probably played an Orchard Toys game before, either at home or school. But you might not know that the brand also has loads of free activities on its website (www.orchardtoys.com), all aimed at younger children. There are simple jigsaw puzzles to print out, along with word games, activity sheets, recipes and so on. Basically, if you have a child aged three to six and a printer, this site should provide hours of entertainment. Oxford University Press also has lots of free printable activities for primary-aged children at home.oxfordowl.co.uk. Virtually visit attractions - When they were forced to close their doors, many major attractions decided to offer virtual visits. Some also created extra resources for parents to use at home. Paignton Zoo (www.paigntonzoo.org.uk), for example, runs live video lessons covering subjects such as habitats. It also offers almost forty downloadable activities on its website, including ones focusing on science, art, literacy and history.

The National History Museum (www.nhm.ac.uk) has numerous resources on offer, including a virtual tour, videos, games, quizzes, science experiments and step-by-step craft activities. It’s also worth checking: • The Eden Project: www.edenproject.com • Longleat Safari Park: www.longleat.co.uk/ education/resources/teachers-resources • The Science Museum Group: learning. sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/resources. (My nineyear-old absolutely loved the Total Darkness game.) • The V&A: www.vam.ac.uk Look for free incentives - Subscription sites often offer a free trial or try to lure you in with sample resources. Make the most of ‘try before you buy’ offers and set a reminder to cancel the subscription before the offer ends. Do check reviews first though – some companies make it as difficult as possible to cancel. Direct debits and standing orders are usually easiest to manage, as you can cancel them through your bank. Children’s magazines also tend to have free activities on their websites. National Geographic Kids’ site (www.natgeokids.com/uk/primary-resource) is particularly worth a visit. Plan lessons - If you want to take home-learning to the next level, STEM Learning (www.stem.org.uk/ resources) is a hub for literally tens of thousands of teaching resources linked to the National Curriculum. It’s aimed at teachers rather than parents, but you’ll find downloadable worksheets and activities, videos, games and pretty much everything else you might need. You can filter by age, subject and the type of resources you’re looking for.

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Time of Year

April Fool!

The origins of April Fools’ Day are lost way back in time but like many traditions it probably has a number of historical roots. There was certainly a Roman festival called Hilaria which took place around the time of the spring equinox. There was also a Medieval ‘Feast of Fools’ although that took place at the beginning of the year. Throughout history there seems to be a tradition of transgressing boundaries during such celebrations: whether male and female, low class and high class, religious piety and impiety, people have enjoyed straddling society’s boundaries. The most popular theory about the ‘modern’ April Fools’ Day is that it began to take shape in late 16th century France. At that time, there was a switch to the Gregorian Calendar under Charles IX. Prior to this there had been a New Year’s week (March 25th-April1st), and under the Gregorian system, New Year’s Day fell on January 1st. As with any change (shhh no-one mention Brexit) there was some resistance, and many people stubbornly refused to accept the new system, continuing to celebrate New Year on April 1st. These people were ridiculed and labelled ‘fools’ by the general populace and were often the butt of jokes and pranks. They were known as poisson d’avril, or April fish, possibly because a naïve young fish is easily caught. Over the years the custom of prank-playing spread to the general population and eventually to Britain, where schoolboy pranks are still the order of the day, so watch out! By Tom Hancock

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Back in the air with all your Shuttleworth favourites and the odd visiting surprise!

Shuttleworth air shows are the perfect family day out, expect thrilling air displays from historic aircraft and explore the beautiful Shuttleworth Swiss Garden.

There is something to keep the whole family entertained! Find out more and book online at: www.shuttleworth.org/seasonpremiere

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Seasonal Recipe

Asparagus & Salmon Mini Frittatas

These colourful savoury muffins are easy to make and are delicious served warm for breakfast or cold for lunch with a salad. Asparagus is a fabulous healthy seasonal food to include, being rich in B vitamins and antioxidants like vitamin A, C and E. For a vegetarian option swap the salmon for some feta cheese. Gluten Free, Dairy Free Serves 4 - Preparation time: 15 minutes - Cooking time: 23 minutes, plus cooling Ingredients 125g/4½ oz asparagus 1 handful of frozen peas (30g) 2 spring onions, chopped 60g/2¼ oz smoked salmon, cut into small strips 4 eggs, beaten Sea salt and ground black pepper 1. Preheat oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6 and grease and line 8 cups of a muffin tray with paper muffin cases.

2. Blanch the asparagus in a saucepan of boiling salted water for 2–3 minutes until just soft. Drain, then cut into 1 cm/½ in pieces using scissors. 3. Divide the asparagus, peas, spring onions and smoked salmon among the paper cases – they should be three-quarters full. Beat the eggs in a jug with some salt and pepper, then pour into the paper cases. 4. Bake in the centre of the oven for 20 minutes or until the muffins are golden and just firm in the centre. Leave to cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the tray. Serve hot or cold.

Nutrition per serving (2 frittatas) 110kcal, fat 6.3g carbohydrates 1.6g, protein 11.2g

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Health

Tips for Toes - What is an ingrown toenail? An ingrown toenail occurs when the toenail grows into the skin next to the nail. It’s a condition which primarily affects the big toe. Ingrown toenails are common and mostly affect adolescents and young adults, who tend to experience increased perspiration. This can lead to the nail fold becoming soft. This age group are also more likely to participate in sport, and females in particular are more likely to wear ‘fashion’ footwear which puts pressure on the toes. The pressure from sporting activity or caused by wearing ill-fitting footwear can lead to a small piece of the nail embedding itself in the skin. Senior citizens may also be more likely to develop ingrown toenails, especially if they have impaired vision or reduced mobility, which makes it more difficult to care for their toenails, which also tend to become thicker and more challenging with age. The most common causes of an ingrown toenail include: Poorly fitting shoes - Too-tight footwear or an overly narrow shoe forces the big toe and the second toe together, putting pressure on the nail wall. Poor toenail trimming technique - toenails should be cut straight across, above the level of the nail bed. If trimmed too short, inflammation can occur. Excessive sweating - perspiration causes the nail bed to soften, so the nail penetrates the skin easily. Injury - Stubbing the toe or dropping something on it can cause swelling and distort the natural nail architecture.

Sport - Repetitive sports such as running, or dancing, or activities that involve kicking a ball, may damage the toenails. Infection - Fungal infections in particular can be a problem. Genetics - Some people inherit a predisposition for ingrown toenails. These people need to be particularly careful about choosing suitable footwear. The symptoms of an ingrown toenail are: • Redness around the toenail • Tenderness or pain along the sides of the nail • Swelling or harden skin around the nail. • Fluid build-up in the toe area • Pain when putting pressure on the toe • Pus discharge • Bleeding If you think you have an ingrown toenail: • Soak the foot in warm salty water 3 times a day • Keep the foot clean and dry at all other times • Wear comfortable shoes that have enough room for the toes to move freely • Take ibuprofen if there is pain. • If there is no improvement after 2-3 days, consult a doctor. IMPORTANT: People with and underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, nerve damage in the feet, or poor circulation, should see a doctor as soon as they notice an ingrown toenail. Medical treatment may involve antibiotics if there is an infection, or even a minor surgical procedure, usually performed under local anaesthetic.

By Louise Addison

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Special Report

Hard Times

A water softener might change your life You probably know that water can be rated ‘hard’ or ‘soft’, but do you know what those terms actually mean? Water has varying levels of hardness based on calcium carbonate concentration. Water with less than 60 mg/L of calcium carbonate is considered soft, 61-120 mg/L is moderately hard, 121-180 mg/L is hard, and above 180 mg/L is deemed very hard. The water from your tap is safe to drink whether it’s hard or soft. Hard water may even have a few health benefits by fulfilling your dietary needs of essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. But while hard water is safe to ingest, the effect of hard water on hair and skin can be s different story. Hard water can leave behind a slight film making skin and hair feel less clean to the touch. It might cause dandruff in your hair and irritate skin problems such as eczema. Washing clothes with hard water can cause the clothing fabric to break down more quickly over time, leave spots on dishes, and residue on your work surfaces and shower screens. Over time mineral build-up in your pipes may cause them to clog, and you’ll likely see build-up on shower heads and taps. A water softener solves these problems by processing the hard water to turn it into soft water. Water enters the softener and passes into the resin or media tank where it goes through a simple process that removes calcium, magnesium carbonate

By Kath McCarthy

and manganese, leaving only soft water to exit the softener and be used around your home. Plumbing a good water softener into your household supply is an investment for your home. It will eliminate the limescale caused by minerals which build up and leave that white powdery residue which clogs shower heads and pipework, makes surfaces appear dirty and reduces the efficiency of your appliances. Often, we don’t think about our appliances until they break down. The most common reason for early appliance failure is limescale build-up which corrodes the heating elements of your kettle, washing machine, dishwasher, coffee machine and heating system. By removing the limescale, you start to protect your appliances, they work better, live longer, and cost you less money over time. Another benefit is no stains and marks on dishes, glasses, and pans. Your bathroom remains clean and shiny too with less scrubbing and harsh chemicals. You need less detergent in your washing machine and less salt in your dishwasher. Shampoo, soap, and conditioners will also last longer. Finally, over a period of time, your softened water will remove scale from the inside of your water pipes, hot water cylinders and shower heads…we all know how expensive an emergency plumber is, so arrange for a non-emergency plumber to fit a water softener instead and start enjoying the benefits.

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Air-Co

nditio and fr ned Salon ee WiFi

Over 19 years of successful hairdressing We are looking forward to opening our doors again and welcoming back our clients, old and new. Our telephone line will open on 1st April 2021 for new bookings. All pre booked appointments will still be valid and any missed appointments due to closure will be contacted to reschedule. We are also excited to unveil our fresh, new look, new feel salon.

Thank you for your continued support OPENING HOURS Monday - Closed, Tuesday 9.00am - 5.00pm Wednesday 9.00am - 8.00pm, Thursday 9.00am - 8.00pm Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm, Saturday 8.30am - 4.00pm 1 Station Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8AH Tel: 01767 600510 Web: www.lavidahair.co.uk Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our current offers 30

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Beauty Boxes

Beauty

By Kate Duggan

Subscription boxes have really taken off in recent years. Who doesn’t love receiving a goodie bag through the door now and then, even if the person treating yourself is you? But with so many boxes to choose from, how do you decide which one to pick?

Here’s a few things to consider before you hand over your card details… What are you looking for? First off, consider your budget and what you want to get out of the subscription. Are you signing up to discover new products, or do you just want a treat delivered to your door every now and then? Do you prefer big brands or would you rather support smaller businesses? Do you want natural, vegan-friendly products, more skincare than makeup, extra treats like cosmetic bags…and so on. Browse the boxes Most subscription sites share the contents of previous boxes. It can be difficult to see which products are full-sized and which are mini from a photo, so check the description. Read reviews Check reviews on different sites. Remember that brands do sometimes pay people to write reviews and they often sponsor influencer content. Look at ratings on Trustpilot, where the brand will likely have thousands of reviews and can’t delete the bad ones, rather than just relying on the comments on a socialmedia ad. Don’t get locked in Generally with these boxes, the longer you subscribe for, the lower the price of each box. However, you don’t want to lock yourself into a commitment that doesn’t work for you. So it might be worth trying one

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box before you commit, or making sure you can cancel without penalties if you sign up to a monthly payment. Boxes to consider Glossybox (www.glossybox.co.uk) is one of the most reasonably priced boxes on the market and scores well on Trustpilot. Each box contains five or more products with a combined value of at least £50. Usually, you’ll get a mix of skincare and makeup, mainly from lesserknown (but good-quality) brands. From £11.75 a box. FabFitFun’s boxes (www.fabfitfun.com) treat you to a mix of health and beauty and lifestyle products. My first box contained a dressing gown (which I’ve been living in recently), a hair mask, a couple of mugs, a mascara (which is awesome and by a brand I’d never heard of) and various other items. Truthfully, a couple of the products have gone straight in the charity box. However, overall, I’ve been impressed. At $59.99 (approximately £45), it’s not cheap, but you do get to customise the contents and definitely get that ‘ooh’ factor when it arrives at your door. If you prefer natural, vegan brands, LoveLula (www. lovelula.com) is worth a look. For £14.95 you’ll receive at least four products a month, from brands such as Green People, Balm Balm and Madara. Other boxes to consider include: • Birchbox: www.birchbox.co.uk • Cohorted: www.cohorted.co.uk • Little Known Box: www.littleknownbox.com • Look Fantastic: www.lookfantastic.com

House of Colour

Confident Dressing

Coming out of Lockdown

Whether you’re ready to come out of lockdown strutting your stuff or whether this is a ‘slowly does it’ operation some key ideas for you to consider when looking through your wardrobe. Here is my guide to confident re-emergence. Comfortable We’re always going to feel more confident when we’re truly comfortable in what we’re wearing. This means different things to different people – for some this is all their accessories on at once, high heels, the works. For others this is about how clothing feels against our skin allowing us to move with ease. A little of both for others. Getting it right for the person on the inside is the key so trust some of your instincts on this. Enjoy finding something in your wardrobe that you haven’t worn in ages because you haven’t had an opportunity. If it’s a smarter top put it with casual trousers, play round with a dress and trainers or boots. Make getting dressed fun because you’ve found a different combination.

Upped style with colour The right colours under our chin are an instant confidence boost as they make us look healthy, and well. Find your local House of Colour consultant if you don’t know the range of options for you. For a softer look you could experiment with tonal dressing – taking one colour and making an outfit from differing shades in that colour (ideally three – three colours in an outfit always works best). Clashing brights are having a moment – try wearing a bright scarf with a ‘clashing’ top. I find if my mood needs a lift, and I may not ‘feel’ like wearing a brighter colour, it actually lifts my mood to do so. So bring it on. Accessories Accessories are actually a secret weapon in our wardrobe. I know some of us will not have bothered with them at all in lockdown but now is the time to get them out. Something round the neck, a scarf, a necklace has a psychologically protective effect. If you don’t feel like ‘facing the world’ but need to do so, wear something in this area. Lipstick and Masks This is tricky one. Lipstick can make a huge difference to face, bringing back the right contrast, brightening our eyes and creating impact, so when mask not required a good layer is great and an instant boost. However, it is messy under a mask – and yes there are some options for visors and half masks with a visible layer, but the cloth mask is still here. My top tip: a more neutral shade will not end up so badly and apply using a lipliner all over the lip and then layer it up with plenty of blotting in between applications. Less mess, more success! 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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April is the time to put yourself first Come to see me at my Garden Room Studio, Moggerhanger

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Health

Should you be taking supplements? We should be able to get all the vitamins and minerals our bodies need from the food we eat. However, modern day life is making it increasingly difficult to achieve a balanced diet. That’s where supplements come in. Supplements are considered ‘top-ups’ for the vital vitamins and minerals our bodies requiren. They can take the form of vitamins, probiotics, herbal products, powders, drinks – and more. There is still much debate surrounding their effectiveness, with few studies directly linking supplements to improved health. However, although medical professionals insist that supplements aren’t a substitute for a healthy diet, it’s been proven that some could have a positive effect on your health. For example, many vegetarians and vegans will benefit from iron and vitamin B-12 supplements, while those trying for a baby are advised to take folic acid supplements until twelve weeks into their pregnancy. It’s also recommended that children aged between six months and five years take vitamin A, C and D supplements every day. Other supplements, however, could be a waste of money.

If you’re wondering whether supplements could benefit your diet, it’s worth speaking to your doctor or nutritionist first. But to start you off, we’ve put together a list of the top five supplements people take in the UK, and what they are taken for. Vitamin D - A vital vitamin for regulating our bodies’ calcium and phosphate content, vitamin D is a key contributor to healthy bones, teeth and muscles. We get most of our vitamin D from the sun, but living in the UK means we have limited daylight hours during the autumn and winter. For this reason, many people in the UK choose to take vitamin D supplements between late September and early April, when the sunlight is weaker. Magnesium - Found naturally in foods such as pumpkin, spinach, soy beans and brown rice, magnesium is important for bone health and energy production. It’s a known stress-reliever too, and studies have proven that it can even help sleeping problems. Zinc - Best known for its ability to boost immunity and fight off bacteria and viruses, zinc is another vital mineral our bodies need to function.

Red meat, shellfish and dairy foods all have high levels of zinc, as do chickpeas, lentils and beans. In supplement form, you can top up your zinc levels with overthe-counter capsules, tablets and lozenges. Omega 3 - Swallowing fish oil first thing in the morning might not sound appetising. But, there’s solid evidence to suggest that omega 3 fatty acids can help contribute towards a healthy heart and brain, while also reducing inflammation. That’s why omega 3 supplements, often in the shape of fish oil capsules, are so popular. Vegans and vegetarians can also top up their intake with algae oil supplements. Iron - Iron is responsible for making red blood cells, which transport oxygen around the body. It’s particularly important in younger women, but according to the 2018 National Diet and Nutrition Survey, 27% of women are deficient. It’s predominantly found in red meat, which is why many vegans and vegetarians take iron supplements to make up for any potential deficiencies. However, smaller amounts can be found in beans, nuts and fortified cereals.

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Local News

Do you suffer from Hay Fever? Hay Fever is an allergic reaction to pollen which affects up to one in five people. If you suffer from Hay Fever, you know what to expect as the pollen count increases: sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes. Many people find they have increased fatigue with Hay Fever. Hay Fever Treatment There is no current cure for Hay Fever, although symptoms generally improve which age. 10% - 20% of people find that their symptoms completely disappear over time. In America, Dr Elena Eustache is successfully treating hay fever with Oxygen Therapy. “At the Eustache Institute, we feel it’s important to raise awareness about hyperbaric oxygen treatment for those who have been diagnosed with Hay Fever because it’s the perfect treatment to help relieve symptoms associated with this particular allergy,” says Dr. Eustache. Oxygen Treatment involves breathing in pure oxygen through a mask under pressure. Many people find that Oxygen Therapy helps them with: • Reduced pain • Increased energy • Faster healing • Decreased inflammation Good news! If you would like to try Oxygen Treatment for your Hay Fever symptoms, you don’t need to travel to America! The Herts MS Therapy Centre is conveniently located in Letchworth and welcomes anyone with any long term condition or serious health challenge. Try Oxygen Therapy Hay Fever sufferers are welcome to book a session of Oxygen Therapy. Our Centre remains open as a key health service. For more details or to arrange your appointment, please contact us on 01462 684 214 or email oxygen@hmstc.net.

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Local News

New ways to support East Anglian Air Ambulance Get up and Grow Yellow for Get Up and Go Yellow this June To help spread a bit of yellow cheer as we exit lockdown, East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is encouraging supporters to grow sunflowers as part of its annual fundraising campaign, Get Up and Go Yellow. For anyone who is feeling competitive, there will be an online competition to see who can grow the biggest sunflower by June! To take part in the competition simply sign up online and make a donation. Thanks to a new charity partnership with a seed company called Limagrain, EAAA can also send out some sunflower seeds to help get you started (while stocks last). Visit www.eaaa.org.uk/growyellow for more information and to request your seeds. Get trekking Trek 24, Saturday 4 September, Hexton Manor After having to cancel all community fundraising events in 2020 due to the pandemic, EAAA is looking forward to being able to safely bring people together again to help support its life-saving crews. Brand new in Bedfordshire for this September is an exciting walking event called Trek 24. EAAA is encouraging you to put your daily lockdown walks to the test by joining the charity on Saturday 4

September for either a 24km or 24 mile trek. Starting and finishing within the beautiful grounds of Hexton Manor, you will be able to take in the stunning countryside views along your chosen route. All funds raised will help the charity in its mission to start flying 24/7 this year, to help even more people in their hour of need. After trialling Trek 24 in Norfolk in 2019, raising over £100,000 for the charity, EAAA is excited to bring this walking challenge to Bedfordshire for the first time. Refreshments are provided along the route and there will also be a hot meal and glass of fizz at the finish line, to help celebrate completing the trek. Early bird tickets cost from £20 (with a sponsorship requirement of £200) and are on sale until 31 May. You can also opt for a part funded ticket option from £80, with a £100 sponsorship requirement. For more info and to sign up, head to: www.trek-24.co.uk Would you like to volunteer instead? EAAA always needs volunteers to make these fundraising events possible. If you’d like to help but walking isn’t for you, get in touch to volunteer on the day instead. Please email volunteering@eaaa.org.uk or call 03450 669 999 if you’d like to help.

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IVEL BEREAVEMENT

SUPPORT CENTRE Are you recently bereaved? Have you been struggling with coming to terms with your loss? Would it help to talk to someone? For more information telephone

07704 734225

(Monday - Friday 9-6pm) and speak to one of our

Bereavement Support Volunteers

Sharing your loss can make the burden of grief easier to manage. Please don’t grieve alone.

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

Keep your hard-earned wealth within the family Stop your home from being sold to pay for long term Care Fees. Prevent the courts from making your financial and healthcare decisions. If you already have a Will … Is it up to date? Several thousand outdated wills are legally challenged every year. Ensure your parents’ home and property is also protected.

DON’T PUT IT OFF – Don’t let your home and money disappear, make sure your estate goes to your family… leaving “what you want” to “who you want”. CALL 01767 660250 for more information or to book a free meeting with one of our Will and Estate Planners either in your own home or at our offices. Baystrait Ltd t/a Will & Estate Planning, Baystrait House, Station Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8AL

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Time of Year

Lay a Little Egg for Me Are eggs good for us? Easter is all about rebirth which is the reason that eggs feature large. They are pretty amazing things, from the way they’re constructed to the way they taste, and this is doubly true when they are constructed from chocolate! But joking aside, an egg is something that has all the ingredients to grow a chick, so it’s nutrient dense. If there was such a thing as a perfect food, the egg would be a candidate. Eggs are readily available, easy to cook, affordable, versatile, and packed with protein. They also have the effect of helping our bodies absorb nutrients from other foods better, so eating an egg with a salad, for instance, increases the vitamin E we absorb from the meal. Eggs have a controversial past because they contain cholesterol. The yolk contains around 185 milligrams of it, which is more than half of the 300mg which until recently was the recommended maximum. Cholesterol is a yellowish fat produced in our liver and intestines and found in every cell in our body. It’s actually a crucial building block in cell membranes, and the body needs it to make vitamin D, testosterone, and oestrogen.

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By Louise Addison

Humans produce all the cholesterol we need on our own, but it’s also found in animal produce such as beef, prawns, eggs, cheese, and butter. It’s transported around our body by lipoprotein molecules in the blood. Every person has a different combination of lipoproteins, which play a role in determining our risk of developing heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol – is often referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol. It’s responsible for clogging up blood vessels and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. LDL cholesterol is found in some animal products, but the majority of LDL cholesterol in our diets is made artificially and found in foods like margarines, snacks, and some deep-fried and baked foods, such as pastries, doughnuts, and cakes. Meanwhile, along with prawns, eggs are the only high cholesterol food which is correspondingly low in saturated fat. Studies have repeatedly found that saturated fat increases blood cholesterol, and that there is no link between egg consumption and cardiovascular disease. Some cholesterol may actually be good for us. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (also known as ‘good’ cholesterol) travels to the liver, where it’s broken down and removed from the body. HDL is thought to have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease by preventing cholesterol from building up in the blood. Cholesterol circulating in the blood contributes to heart disease but having a higher ratio of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol reduces the risk. Healthy humans regulate their own cholesterol, so if they consume dietary cholesterol, they make less cholesterol themselves. But some people struggle to regulate, and they might be wise to limit their egg intake...as well as their intake of other foods high in LDL. But it’s not all about cholesterol. Eggs have some great health benefits. They contain choline, which may help protect us against Alzheimer’s disease. Egg yolks are also one of the best sources of lutein, a pigment that has been linked to a lower risk of developing the eye disease macular degeneration. Lutein acts like a blue light filter, protecting the delicate retinal tissue So do indulge in an egg for Easter, maybe don’t eat lots of them every day though...especially the chocolate ones!

Time of Year

All That Jazz

By Tracey Anderson

International Jazz Day - April 30th International Jazz Day brings together schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz. Jazz began in the early twentieth century in New Orleans, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The port of New Orleans meant the area was a melting pot of different nationalities and their musical influences: Spanish folk music, French military band music, Ragtime, European ballroom dance music, and Blues music all had an impact on the birth of Jazz. Jazz wasn’t written down in the same way as classical music; the styles and tunes evolved as they were passed on by ear. Black musicians in particular, were for the most part not classically trained, and began to express themselves through jazz. These musically agile instrumentalists and singers improvised around a main melody, often the popular folk and blues tunes of the era, creating a rich and exciting new blend of sound. Although the ‘Jazz Age’ was in the 1920s, jazz never went away, it evolved through various incarnations.

Talented soloists like Louis Armstrong pushed jazz in the direction of virtuosic improvisers, weaving their music around each other. Swing was a smoother, more easy-listening sound, popularised by the pianist and composer Duke Ellington. This was followed in the 40s and 50s by the Latin influences of Dizzy Gillespie, who collaborated with other musicians to bring jazz into the mainstream. Charlie Parker pioneered modern jazz (be-bop) which challenged many listeners with its complex experimentations in rhythm and harmony. Miles Davis on the other hand developed a more gentle, understated style. Free jazz ignored all the previous rules and constraints on harmony and structure which many people disliked. During the past 50 years jazz evolution has accelerated through jazz fusion – which fuses jazz solos with other musical styles - and acid jazz, which draws on soul, funk, disco and hip-hop. Well known pioneering acid jazz groups include ‘Jamiroquai’, and ‘The Brand-New Heavies’.

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Finance

The Bank of Mum and Dad Parents and grandparents with cash to spare will often want to help the younger generation. They have plenty of options, but it’s key to consider the tax and risk implications. FINANCIAL GIFT - With a straightforward financial gift, the recipient won’t have to pay any income tax on it but it can affect inheritance tax. The simple principle is that any money you give as a gift will still count towards the value of your estate (and potentially attract inheritance tax) except in specific circumstances. One exemption is time: if you live more than seven years after making the gift, it’s not counted towards your estate. If you die between three and seven years after the gift, a special lower inheritance tax rate applies depending on the precise time. If you die less than three years after the gift, it’s covered by the normal inheritance tax rate. You also have an annual exemption that means the first £3,000 you give away each year isn’t counted as part of your estate. A separate one-off exemption covers a gift for a wedding or civil ceremony: £5,000 for a gift to your child, £2,500 to your grandchild and £1,000 to anyone else. SCHOOL FEES - School fees for a grandchild are also exempt, though this only applies if you make regular payments and it’s clear you can afford them. Finally you can give up to £250 a year to any individual who isn’t covered by any other exemptions. SAVINGS PLAN - One alternative to an immediate gift is to put money into a savings plan, for example

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with the aim of helping the child with university costs when they turn eighteen. A Junior ISA is a way to do this without attracting tax on the savings or growth. It comes in both cash and stocks-and-shares versions. Only a parent or guardian can open a Junior ISA, but anyone can put money into the Junior ISA once it’s open. Legally the money belongs to the child, though they can’t withdraw it until they turn eighteen. FIRST HOME - Perhaps the most common way to financially help a child or grandchild is with their first home purchase. If you provide the money for a deposit, it has the same rules regarding inheritance tax as any other gift. You’ll have to confirm you are not claiming any financial interest and you may have to provide bank statements for money-laundering checks. You can act as a mortgage guarantor in which you become responsible for the payments if your children or grandchildren fall behind. That’s a risky proposition and you should never consider it without expert advice. That’s also true of a family deposit mortgage where you put the deposit money up front. If the borrower makes all the scheduled payments for a set period (often five years), you’ll get the money back, sometimes with interest as well. It’s also worth exploring a family offset mortgage. This lets you put savings into a special account, temporarily lowering the figure used to calculate interest charges.

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Be Social, Be Safe

Technology By Kate McCarthy

How safe are your online interactions?

It’s easy to share our lives with the world today. It only takes a few clicks to share those special moments with family and friends. Social media has been a lifeline for many during the pandemic. But the Information we share may end up being available to a far wider group than our immediate social circle, and with hundreds of millions of users online, unfortunately some of these people may have sinister agendas. By sharing information about our lives, we offer potential criminals the opportunity to gather useful information about us. Even information which seems harmless may be a useful to criminals looking to perpetrate a scam. Remember these five tips: Friendships - When accepting friend requests be cautious. Is their profile is real, or could it be fake? Manage your privacy settings – Only share information with people in your network. Check the settings regularly in case there are any changes. Never divulge personal information - Be suspicious of anyone who asks you for your information that may be used to identify you, such as a social security number. Change your passwords frequently - Choose a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s best to use different passwords for each account. Close old accounts - Don’t risk leaving personal data in an old account. Close accounts that you don’t use and delete as much personal information from them as possible.

Land & Sea

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6. The Sea of Marmara separates the European and Asian parts of which country? 7. The poem The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot begins by saying that which month of the year “is the cruellest month”? 8. The Suez canal links which two seas? 9. According to the book of Genesis, which “land” was Cain exiled to by God after murdering his brother, Abel? 10. Which famous fictional bar is located directly below a restaurant called Melville’s Fine Sea Food? 1. Japan 2. Jo Brand 3. The Darkness 4. Venice 5. Switzerland 6. Turkey 7. April 8. The Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea 9. The land of nod 10. Cheers (in the TV sitcom Cheers)

1. Which country is sometimes referred to as the “land of the rising sun”? 2. Who used the stage name “the Sea Monster” when she first began her career in stand-up comedy? 3. Which act won the 2004 Brit Award for Best British Album for their debut album, Permission To Land? 4. Marked by dropping a ring into the sea inscribed with the Latin for “we wed thee, sea, as a sign of true and everlasting domination”, the Marriage of the Sea ceremony is an ancient ceremony that is still performed today in which European city? 5. What is the only landlocked country with a name ending in “land”?

SOLUTIONS4GARDENS Over the past year, the government’s ‘Stay at Home’ directive has made many homeowners keen to improve their living spaces. Gardens have never been more important as people come to appreciate the healing power of nature. The trend for extending the home with a beautiful ‘outdoor room’ has meant local garden landscaping company Solutions4Gardens has been busy. The Villager talked to owner Mark Woodman about the impact the past year has had on the company, trends, and future projects. “In March 2020, we didn’t know what was going to happen” says Mark “but in the end the past year has actually seen us do lots of new things. With so many people confined to their home, they want to be able to make full use of their outdoor space so we have seen a lot of investment in gardens.”

Part of the reason for the company’s demand is that as well as being able to take a customer’s ideas and turn them into an attractive, practical design, Solutions4Gardens can undertake all the necessary work using the highest quality products to a professional standard. With nearly ten years’ experience, they are Marshalls Accredited Landscape Contractors for installing paving and patios, and Accredited Trex-Pro Decking specialists. Trex, a recycled composite decking material which is both attractive and hard-wearing, has seen a surge in popularity over the past year. Much of the wooden decking which was installed around a decade or more ago is now coming to the end of its natural life and Mark is seeing customers replace this with Trex as it is easy to maintain, doesn’t rot, is non-slip and comes in a range of mix-and-match natural-looking colours.

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“Customers increasingly see the garden as an extra room and Trex goes particularly well with the current bifold door trend because we can use it to seamlessly blend the outdoors with indoors, making your deck an extension of the house” explains Mark. “We can also do matching balustrades or modern balconies, complete with lighting. We saw a considerable increase in the number of decks we installed last year.” Garden design remains an important part of the business. The company has recently begun a collaboration with a local graphic designer who can turn their designs into a video walk-though for the customer. It’s a new service Solutions4Gardens offer that helps customers who find it difficult to visualise a 3D design on paper. With this new service, the client can be taken on a walk through their new garden to fully appreciate the look and flow. It is especially good for larger, garden transformation projects. Solutions4Gardens usually has short term availability for small garden landscaping jobs, but typically works on larger projects that need booking in well ahead. The company currently has projects lined up until autumn of this year. However, Mark advises people who are thinking about having work done on their garden to obtain quotes and start the consultation and design process now. “It can be a long process” says Mark. “For example, we spent months on a large project in Hitchin where we started consultation in January, began the project last summer and finished in September. It’s important to get yourself onto our books now if you are considering a garden project in the next couple of years.” Available throughout the winter months, Solutions4Gardens is unusual in that the company

never works on more than one project at a time, so a customer can be confident of having their full attention until the job is finished. They are a single point of contact, meaning that they undertake and manage the whole project from start to finish, from product sourcing to legal environmental waste disposal. The customer is therefore not left with any extra responsibilities or additional charges. The past year has also seen Solutions4Gardens become well acquainted with COVID-19-secure practice. Working outside, Mark concedes that the risk is small. Nevertheless, current practices mean they cannot go into people’s houses or accept refreshments at the moment, and if they are going to be on site for long periods of time, they will hire a Portaloo if necessary. “Hopefully we have played our part during the national COVID effort. We don’t do anything to cause unnecessary potential risk” assures Mark “including suspending our operations during lockdown periods.” Despite the company’s opportunities for growth, Mark is keen for Solutions4Gardens to remain small and retain the personal relationship with its customers that it has become known for. “I like having a small team of trusted people that work well together and share common values” Mark explains. “We are completely in control of the product quality and build that way.” If you are interested in any aspect of improving your garden, please contact Solutions4Gardens using the details below or visit their website for more information.

Tel: 01767 348 028 Email: info@solutions4gardens.com Web: www.solutions4gardens.com To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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By Pippa Greenwood

Gardening

Love your lawn Your lawn will probably be growing rapidly now, and with temperatures in most areas having evened up and the soil hopefully being less soggy, it is the perfect time for some spring maintenance. Grass needs regular mowing from now on; in some areas this may mean once a week, so make sure that the mower blades are good and sharp. On so-called utility lawns you will need to cut to about 2.5cm or 1”, while on higher grade smart lawns cut to about 1-1.5cm. Lawns benefit from a specially formulated spring feed at this time of year to encourage good strong growth. If you use a granular formulation, make sure that you water it in well if you cannot time the job so that the rain does this for you! Scarify the lawn with a spring-tined rake to pull out any accumulated debris or thatch from the base of the grasses. This allows for a better flow of moisture and air, thus ensuring that the grass grows stronger and more healthily. If your lawn has developed a lot of moss then apply a proprietary moss killer before scarifying. Use a combined feed and moss killer to save yourself time if you like, but whichever product you choose, make sure that you leave the specified time between applying the treatment and raking the dead moss out.

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If you don’t, the moss problem could get worse, as you’ll spread living moss as you rake. Worm casts may be there in abundance now too, so if necessary simply use a besom or brush to brush them away or distribute them over the lawn. Humps and bumps in the lawn or indeed any other sort of uneven surface can be dealt with now, but get this done promptly in case the weather gets hot and dry soon. A minor problem can be dealt with using a sandy top-dressing mixture, but if there are some prominent problems then use a sharp spade to cut an ‘H’ shape over the bump or hollow. Now carefully peel back the turf and then remove or add soil as necessary before replacing the turf flaps, firming well and providing a good drink. It is also worth sorting out any stepping stones that have sunk too low or become uneven. Use a spade to ease them out of the lawn and lift and readjust the level beneath before replacing them. It may sound as if there’s a lot to do, but remember that every hour spent now will make a huge difference to how the lawn looks for the rest of the year! At www.pippagreenwood.com you’ll find stylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, signed books and the ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa’ system.

Garden View

Hoe! Hoe! Hoe! Following on from last month’s list of essential garden tools for beginners I thought I’d explain about the humble hoe. When I first started gardening, I didn’t really understand how to use one. There are a couple of varieties of hoe and they are used in different ways, and they really are your friend at this time of year. The hoe is actually one of the most ancient garden tools and came before the plough. It’s mentioned in Egyptian art, the Code of Hammurabi and in the Bible. The reason spring is a great time to put your hoe to good use is because right now is when the annual weeds (the ones that self-seed freely and pop up all over the place every year) have started to germinate. The aim when hoeing, aim to sever the top growth from the roots, just below the soil surface, then leave it in the sun to dry out and die. Hoeing is best done when the soil is dry as this creates a ‘dust mulch’ which inhibits the germination of new weeds. I prefer a hoe with a long handle because it’s better for preventing back pain. I also have a short-handled hoe known as an ‘onion hoe’ for closely planted

areas. A shorted handle gives more control, so you don’t damage your prized plants. It’s important to note that hoeing only kills the annual weeds, not the deep-rooted perennial weeds, those need to be dug up by hand. There is also a tool called a Dutch hoe. This is used by sweeping it smoothly over the soil so that the surface is just ‘brushed’. If used correctly it slices the tops from the weeds. It’s actually simple to use but you do need to practice your technique. Slice the tops of weeds by bringing the hoe towards you, altering the angle to accommodate slopes. When you turn over a Dutch hoe you can use it to make a shallow trench called a seed drill to sow larger seeds, like peas into. Larger seeds are better because they need to be covered well. Your hoes need to be kept sharp and well maintained for maximum effectiveness. I use a metal file to both clean and sharpen, but you can buy sharpening stones reasonably cheaply and they are easy to use.

Happy Gardening

By Rachael Leverton

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Pets

Even Cats Get Lonely For longer trips away, it’s more likely you’ll need to opt for a cattery. Cats can be sensitive to the preholiday stress though, so rather than dropping them off last minute, build in an extra day to give them chance to settle – plus you’ll have one less thing to worry about as you rush out the door.

Many people buy or adopt a cat as company and but forget that it works both ways. If you’d miss your cat if they aren’t there, remember they’ll miss you too. However, unlike dogs you don’t usually take a cat with you, so prepare well in advance for times when you are away from home. For short breaks – whether a day at work or a weekend away – our feline friends are quite independent, especially when given access to a cat flap and timed feeders. However, some animals will express feeling lonely by behaving out of character. For example, they could start urinating in the house or spending long periods of time away from home. The easiest way to address this is to find a friendly neighbour to pop in once a day. Even five minutes fussing and attention can be enough to make your pet feel calmer. But if you are often away, a professional pet sitter might be a better option. Either way, do make sure you have introduced them several times before they attend to your cat without you being present.

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Technology

Great gadgets for cleaning everything outdoors The return of brighter days means you’ll notice the windows need a good clean, and there are plenty of gadgets to help. We love the Karcher WV5 handheld window washer (£83; other models are cheaper), which sucks up the washing liquid and squeegees the glass clean, while for difficult to reach windows Lakeland has a long Window Trigger Spray Mop for £19.99. If you really hate cleaning outside windows and have £200 to spare, the Gladwell Gecko Robot Window Cleaner is exactly what it sounds like. It uses suction to attach itself to your window and while it’s fairly slow it’s safer than perching on a ladder. For tougher cleaning tasks consider a handheld steam cleaner such as Hoover’s Steamjet Handy (£49), which gives you 20 minutes of steam from a single tank. It’s great for cleaning everything from textiles to tiles, and is particularly useful for refreshing metal garden furniture and for gently removing stains from painted surfaces a pressure washer might be too harsh for. Pressure washers can be handy, of course and are a powerful way to clean everything from muddy bikes to muddy boots. But even those with long cables need to be plugged in, which limits where they can go. Wouldn’t it be great – and better for the environment – to have a pressure washer that didn’t need plugging in at all? The award-winning £45 Mud Daddy does uses water pressure instead of a motor so is silent and portable, and is perfect for bikes, muddy dogs and outdoor cleaning. It uses much less water than a hose or pressure washer too. What about drying? Things like bikes and motorbikes are fiddly to dry, and car fanatics need a scratch-free way to dry their newly cleaned paintwork. Step forward the £99 BigBoi Buddy, a portable dryer delivering warm air that is twentyfive degrees warmer than the surrounding environment, and it filters the air to prevent blasting any dust or dirt. Sadly it isn’t portable, but with a 1,000W motor it makes quick work of any drying task.

Gecko Robot Window Cleaner The Gecko sticks to the outside of your window and slowly works its way around the glass, cleaning every inch of it while you do something more interesting. £199 from Amazon.co.uk

Mud Daddy Portable Washing Brush With a 5 litre capacity the Mud Daddy is great for even the muddiest pets or bikes. No motor means no noise and no need to plug it in. £44.99 from Amazon.co.uk BigBoi Buddy Professional valets use air dryers to deliver a perfect finish to washed vehicles, and the Buddy’s powerful motor does a brilliant job of drying bikes and motorbikes. £99 from theultimatefinish.co.uk

Karcher WV5 Karcher’s window washers are essentially a squeegee and a vacuum cleaner joined together, so as you wipe the window clean it automatically catches the dirty water. £83 from Halfords.com

Window Trigger Mop Lakeland’s clever 2-in-1 enables you to squirt, wipe and squeegee windows that would normally be too high to reach without a ladder. £19.99 from Lakeland.co.uk

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Pets

Rehoming Appeal Wanted! A special owner for our very special cat Tommy. They say that every cat has nine lives, and this certainly seems to be the case for our beloved Tommy. When he was just nine months old, his back legs were crushed in a devastating accident. Although there initially seemed no option but to have him put to sleep, this amazing boy truly overcame the odds and today lives a happy life as a double amputee. Tommy doesn’t seem to realise that he’s different to other cats, and he moves and acts like a normal four-legged feline. This cheeky, mischievous little chap is very friendly with other cats and loves cuddles. Due to his disability, Tommy needs an experienced owner and he must be kept indoors (although he does love sunning himself on the patio on a summers day). He is house trained and has been flown over to the UK from Cyprus to find his ‘furever’ family. To find out more about him, please contact Liz on 01767 681157 or Julie on 01763 289827. Alternatively, please e-mail Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry on to the team. View the 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.

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Pets

An Interview with a Trustee RSPCA branches are run by a committee of volunteer trustees who are responsible for managing the affairs of the branch. Committees vary from branch to branch depending upon the type of animal welfare work that is being carried out in the area and whether the branch operates any charity shops, or an animal centre or clinic. Committees meet monthly and the work is shared between the branch officers (the chairperson, treasurer and secretary) plus the other committee members. Trusteeship is a distinct and more responsible position than other voluntary roles within the RSPCA. Trustees receive no financial benefit in carrying out the role and must manage conflicts of interest. Trustees are collectively responsible for governing the branch. They must be able to devote sufficient time and commitment. Six Main Duties of a Trustee 1) Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit. 2) Comply with the charity’s governing documents and the law 3) To ensure the branch is accountable 4) Act in the best interests of the branch and the RSPCA 5) Manage your charity’s resources responsibly 6) To act with reasonable care and skill Being a trustee is a great way to meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare. You have the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals in your home area. Let’s meet one! What first attracted you to the role of trustee within the RSPCA? I’ve always loved animals. When I was growing up, as a family we had rescue cats from the RSPCA. When I

Hugo

Mr Brightside 60

discovered the Bedford branch were looking for new trustees, I jumped at the chance. What do you enjoy about the role? I enjoy being part of a lovely team of people, that make a real difference. I love the variety of work as well. One day I might be fundraising outside a pet shop, the next I am making leaflets to hand out in the shop. Do you have any pets yourself? Yes! I have a cat called Mr Brightside and a black Labrador called Hugo. I’ve always been around cats, so Hugo was my first ever dog. They get on very well with each other which is really sweet. They often curl up next to each other when they have naps. How could the people in the local area help the RSPCA North Branch. We are very lucky to have regular donations of good quality items to sell in our shop – so if that could continue we would be very grateful. Amazon have just launched a new scheme to help charities, whereby each time you buy something through ‘Smile Amazon’ they donate money to your chosen charity. People could sign up for that and choose RSPCA North Branch as their charity. Also come and visit the shop when lockdown is lifted, to see all of our brand new stock! 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 Tel: 01234 266965 / 01234 930304

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Pets

Ask Alan

It’s that time of year again when skin allergies start to flare up. The symptoms we show when we’re exposed to pollen is hay-fever and asthma. In dogs and cats, the same (pollen, house dust mites, etc.) cause a different set of symptoms like scratching, ear infections, hair loss, licking feet or change of skin colour. As far as dogs licking their feet goes there are many causes (e.g. wounds, foreign bodies, infection or mange) but allergic skin disease is the most common cause. Flea saliva is the most common cause of itchy skin. So, the first step is to look for fleas, if there is the slightest suspicion of fleas – eliminate them first. There are very many causes of itchy skin (mange, infection, yeasts, etc). These have to be ruled out first by doing a thorough skin work up. If all negative, we then try to figure out what they are allergic to by doing a dietary trial and allergy testing. Allergy treatment is about reducing the symptoms, as it is seldom curable. • Immunotherapy is the gold standard treatment, but it is not effective in all dogs. • Remove the source (especially dietary causes).

• Medicines to suppress the itch. • Essential fatty acid supplements and special shampoos can help. • Aggressive flea control is always important. So, we hope the spring brings good weather and an enjoyable time outdoors for you and your pets. If you or your pets suffer from allergies – there is treatment available. Best wishes,

Alan

If you have any questions you would like answered, please email them to villager@pottonvets.co.uk For more information visit www.pottonvets.co.uk or pop into the clinic in Potton Market Square.

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Motoring

Making the switch to an electric vehicle

Government announcements mean more EVs will be on our roads, but what do you need to know about them? Last year’s announcement by Boris Johnson that sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be phased out by 2030 means that electric vehicles will become an important part of our driving lives. To dispel some of the mystery, here are some of the key things to know about making the leap to an EV. How much range do you need? If you only make short trips around town and do fewer than 100 miles a week, for instance, then a car with a shorter range is fine. Drivers who travel further afield should consider a car with a bigger battery. Note that cars with shorter ranges will still offer more than most people do on average each week, and cars with smaller batteries offer quicker charge times. How do I add charge when I get home? Home charging is a crucial aspect of owning and running an electric car and there are incentives in place for charging at home. Government grants and even manufacturer schemes will make installing a home wall box much cheaper. Will it actually be cheaper to buy and run an electric car? Although the initial upfront cost for an EV is often more than an equivalent internal combustionengined car, this is becoming less common as the technology progresses. Plus, there are government grants available to help lower the cost. Charging is where cost savings are really made. Although prices do vary between chargers, around 100 miles of additional charge will cost about £6-7.

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Charging at home depends on your energy tariff and there are companies offering EV-friendly plans that take advantage of lower-priced charging times, such as overnight. For an average EV with around 200 miles of range and a 60kWh battery, you’ll be looking at around £8.40 for a full charge – good value compared with petrol and diesel. Are there any benefits that aren’t as obvious? As well as cost saving, one positive is refinement – EVs are quiet and, therefore, relaxing to drive compared with a petrol or diesel car. Another positive is performance, with even lowerpowered EVs offering rapid acceleration. But isn’t the UK lacking in charge points? The number of charging stations in the UK has grown enormously. According to ZapMap, there are over 35,000 connectors across the country, made up of around 20,000 charge points in about 13,000 locations. 26 per cent are in central London alone, with 13.5 per cent in the south east and 12.3 per cent in Scotland. Government funding will make fast chargers more widespread and improve the country’s charging structure to make charging easier. Doesn’t the energy for electric cars only come from fossil fuels anyway? Energy and charger unit suppliers are working to ensure their energy is green. BP Chargemaster’s charging stations, for example, all provide renewable energy, while home energy providers like Octopus Energy provide completely green power.

Anniversaries

90 Years of the Highway Code Ninety years ago, in April 1931, the first edition of the Highway Code was published. It’s changed a lot over the years and here are just a few of the many newer rules that you may not be aware of. Sat Nav If you are using your mobile phone as a sat nav, it must be mounted in the car, not just lying on your lap or the passenger seat. Maximum penalty: £200 fine and 6 points. Drive Through Payment if you use a drive through eatery and want to pay for your food using your mobile, your engine needs to be switched off and handbrake on, otherwise it could be considered that you are using a mobile whilst in charge of a vehicle.

Warning of Speed Traps You might think you are being a good Samaritan by indicating to other drivers of a speed trap, but the law won’t look on it so favourably. Maximum penalty: £1000. Unrestrained Pets For both your pet’s safety and to prevent your distraction, your pet must be harnessed or kept in a pet carrier when you are driving. Maximum penalty: £5000 and 9 points. Splashing Pedestrians If you drive through a puddle and splash pedestrians you can be prosecuted for “driving without reasonable consideration for other persons”. Maximum penalty: £100 and 3 points.

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Interiors By Katherine Sorrell

A Guide to Natural Flooring

1 Why not give ‘alternative’ flooring a try? Practical and attractive, carpets made from natural fibres look great in both modern and traditional interiors – and have strong eco-credentials, too. An intriguing alternative to conventional carpets, natural fibre floorcoverings are highly sustainable and offer good insulating and soundproofing qualities – plus oodles of personality. As you would expect, the rougher the surface, the more hard-wearing the flooring ,so there is an inevitable trade-off between durability and comfort unless, as is sometimes the case, the fibres are blended with wool for softness. That said, many people come to rather enjoy the ‘scrunchy’ feeling underfoot, and there is no doubt that natural fibres really can look fantastic in the right setting, bringing unique character and richness. As well as an intrinsically appealing texture, these floorings come in a variety of natural (and sometimes specially dyed) shades, and their interesting weaves range from simple ribs to bouclés, basketweaves, herringbones and more, which only adds to their striking appeal.

All natural floorings benefit from specialist, professional fitting, with a good quality underlay, and a stain-protection treatment. Regular vacuuming (just suction, no beater bar) will keep them in good shape, though some types can be susceptible to water-staining, so it is worth checking with your retailer and purchasing an aftercare kit to help deal with any problems. Bear in mind that slight variations of colour and weave are all part of their natural charm, and that they will lighten in colour slightly over time. Sisal Hard-wearing and good-looking, sisal is derived from a succulent called Agave Sisalana, which is farmed sustainably around the world, and was traditionally used in rope-making. it is anti-static, non-toxic and biodegradable, and a popular choice for its combination of durability and broad range of colours

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– from the usual natural shades to dyed brights and even metallics. It is a versatile option that can be used in pretty much every room in the house, whether high or low traffic, with a variety of weaves from tiny to very chunky. Seagrass Seagrass is an interesting option, the main thing to note about it the fact that its shiny surface makes it a tiny bit slippery, so it’s not suitable for use on stairs. Its hard fibres repel dust and are easy to clean, making it a good choice for homes with pets or allergy sufferers. It is also durable, wear-resistant and less susceptible to water-marking than other natural carpets. Colours are natural and textures organic and variable, with weaves including basketweave and herringbone, sometimes with a coloured weft for extra interest. A seagrass carpet will undoubtedly add inviting character to living rooms, hallways and dining rooms. Coir Used as an extremely tough and insulating floorcovering for centuries, coir flooring is made in India from the fibres of coconut husks that are

2 removed, washed and softened, then woven and backed with latex. Coir is ideal for high-traffic areas that suffer a lot of high wear and tear. If comfort is a priority, however, coir will probably be too coarse, and it should not be used in kitchens, bathrooms or other rooms where it could be vulnerable to water and humidity. Rustic and hearty in appearance, coir flooring is limited in colour to a range of warm, golden tones, but is available in a few different weaves, and creates a striking look for a hall, staircase or reception room, or can be made into a durable, protective rug. Jute Jute flooring is made from the fibrous inner bark of a giant tropical herb that is closely related to hemp; in Europe it’s also called hessian. To make flooring, the fibres are pounded to soften them, then spun into a silky, golden yarn that comes in a range of natural shades. It can be woven in a variety of styles from chunky to delicate. Both anti-static and fire-resistant, jute is the softest underfoot of all the natural fibre floorings, and thus ideal for bedrooms and snugs. It is best kept to areas of low traffic, however, as it is prone to wear, and is very much to be avoided in any space that might suffer from moisture or humidity, where it would mark and deteriorate.

1 Achieve a rugged, rural look that is practical as well as attractive with a sisal carpet. Country Living at Carpetright Sisal Pentel, £39.99 per square metre, Carpetright: 0330 333 3444; carpetright.co.uk. 2 A jute rug makes a gorgeous textural contrast against this concrete-effect kitchen floor. Impressive Concrete Wood Light Grey Laminate, £27.99 per square metre; Jute Natural Circle Rug, from £59.99; both Carpetright: 0330 333 3444; carpetright.co.uk. 3 The chevron lines of this herringbone-weave carpet are perfect for a classic/contemporary look. Seagrass Herringbone, £26 per square metre, Alternative Flooring.

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Local News

Biggleswade Sandy Lions Club (CIO) With the end of lockdown in sight we are planning for the future. As soon as details are available we will let you know. In the meantime we are continuing to provide our services to the community we serve. Message in a Bottle is a very simple idea for anybody who is living at home and who may be vulnerable due to age or illness. It is a plastic canister approx 4” high and just over an inch in diameter which contains all the medical and next of kin details of the resident. It is suggested that this canister is kept in the fridge and there are labels to stick on the outside of the fridge door and the inside of the front door. The emergency services are aware of this scheme and will look for the canister if they have to call in an emergency which helps speed treatment. Similarly Message in a

• • • • • • • • • •

Wallet covers much of the same information and is carried in a wallet or purse. This is a document the size of a credit card which contains your name, details of any medication, name of your doctor and of your next of kin. This is so important for anyone involved in an accident or who is unexpectedly taken ill in the street helping the emergency services to provide the right treatment quickly. Our website at bslions.org.uk gives details of where to obtain the bottles and wallets under Projects. This is currently being updated so do keep watch for any new outlets.

Potton Windows is the only Commercial & Domestic local company to be awarded Vertical Sliding Sash Windows the Secured By Design Casement Windows accreditation, to all products Residential & French Doors manufactured at its Potton Factory, this is a Police Patio Doors Preferred specification for ‘A’ Rated Windows greater security. Misted up double glazed units replaced Discounts for pensioners available on windows FENSA Certification 10 Year Insurance Backed Guarantee

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Moving Forwards By Kate Duggan

Books

Books to uplift, inspire and help you to move forwards.

Where Hope Comes From By Nikita Gill

Nikita Gill’s poems take the reader on a journey through the stages of grief, onwards to hope. Gill is at high risk from Covid-19 and lives thousands of miles away from her family. Her poems helped her to find a way forward. As she explained on Instagram, “When I realised that I needed to honour my grief and anger, I finally began to work my way through them.” The result is a truly beautiful collection of short poems to help the reader “… come away with a little more joy and hope than before.”

One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot By Marianne Cronin

A book about two terminally ill friends may not seem like the most uplifting of reads, yet somehow One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot manages to be just that. seventeen-year-old Lenni and eighty-three-year-old Margot meet in hospital. They set themselves a challenge of painting a hundred pictures, one for every year of their lives. As they grow closer, they reveal the stories behind the paintings. While the original focus in on Lenni, it’s Margot’s life, with all its ups, downs and loves lost, that ends up taking centre stage.

The Atlas of Happiness by Helen Russell

Helen Russell explores traditions, practices and beliefs from around the world, from the Italian ‘dolce far niente’ (the joy of doing nothing) to Japan’s ‘wabi-sabi’ (appreciating things as they are, with all their imperfections). She also offers advice for embracing some of these practices in everyday life. An enjoyable read to dip in an out of, The Atlas of Happiness might just help you to see life a little differently.

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The Shift By Sam Baker

Whether you’re just approaching the perimenopause or have reached the other side, Shift is a must read. It covers everything from common symptoms to the media’s treatment of ‘invisible women’. You won’t find a list of all the different types of HRT or discover a magic cure-all for hot flushes. Instead, as the subtitle says, it’s the story of how Baker lost (and found) herself after 40 – and how you can too. I loved the author’s wry humour and admission that she doesn’t have all the answers. Interspersed with her writing are quotes from hundreds of women, revealing differing views to the menopause, ageing and life in general.

Do Pause By Robert Poynton

Poynton discusses how pausing (whether to reconsider, question yourself, appreciate your surroundings or just rest) can help us to take back control, become more creative and, ultimately, be happier. If you’re struggling to find a balance in life, or find your brain is always ‘on’, this little book could be the coffee break read you’re looking for.

Homebody By Joanna Gaines

Whether you’re decorating your first home or just want to refresh a room, it’s always a good idea to seek a bit of inspiration. But ultimately, you don’t want a show house; you want a home that reflects your personality. In Homebody, Joanna Gaines explains how to do just that. She talks the reader through different design styles, gives solutions to common problems (e.g. small dark rooms) and goes through what to consider for every room in the house. And, of course, there are plenty of photos to lust over too.

Special Report

Anniversaries in Early Summer 2021

125 YEARS The world’s first car theft: Baron de Zuylen’s Peugeot was stolen by a mechanic when he took it back to the manufacturer in Paris, France for repairs. It was found in a nearby town. The UK alone now sees around 300 cars a day stolen, with only a tiny percentage ever recovered. 100 YEARS • Chanel No 5 perfume was launched. • London’s Southwark Bridge was opened. • Birth of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. • Ireland was divided into Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland (now the Republic of Ireland). • The Royal British Legion was founded. • The Chinese Communist Party was founded.

70 YEARS The Peak District National Park was established in England in April 1951, being Britain’s first national park. It was another 51 years (2002) before Scotland established Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The Talyllyn Railway in Wales reopened after ceasing operations in October 1950. It was the first railway in the world to be preserved as a heritage railway operated by volunteers. There are now around 130 heritage railways in the UK and Ireland. Collectively, that’s enough track to cover the route from London to Inverness 50 YEARS The then British Secretary of State for Education and Science, Margaret Thatcher, announced that free school milk for children over the age of seven would end from the beginning of the new school year in September. The British press dubbed the future Prime Minister “Thatcher, Thatcher, milk snatcher”. 40 YEARS British pop group Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Making Your Mind Up. 20 YEARS Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs returned to the UK from Brazil where he had lived as a fugitive for 36 years. He was immediately

arrested and sent to prison to complete his sentence. He was released on compassionate grounds in 2009 and died in 2013. British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott punched a man who threw an egg at him while he was campaigning in Rhyl, north Wales. He is noted as stating afterwards: “[…] when Tony [Blair] asked me, er, what happened I said I was carrying out his orders; he told us to connect with the electorate, so I did.” 10 YEARS Portugal became the third European country (after Greece and Ireland) to request a bailout from the International Monetary Fund because of its financial crisis. Its request for a €78 billion bailout package was approved on 16th May, and it received the money in June. (It had fully recovered by June 2014 and made its final repayment to the IMF in November.) The wedding of Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London. They were given the titles the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

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De-Clutter

De-Clutter - Live with Less If you can’t lay your hands-on items quickly because they’re buried under piles of junk; if you’re constantly ‘stuff-shifting’ - moving things from one pile to a new ‘temporary’ pile; if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t throw this away, it might come in useful one day,” you’re probably a clutter victim. One of the side-effects of the events of 2020 was that many of us had more time and less money. We embraced a simpler, slower, less covetous lifestyle and many of us feel we’d like to keep something of that as we move towards a post-pandemic world. There was a collective realisation that possessions are less important than the people we missed. A decade ago, Californian blogger Dave Bruno set himself the year-long experimental task of reducing his belongings to just 100 items. When his experiment concluded he found he wanted to keep living by his new rules, preferring simplicity to consumerism. His book is worth seeking out. Since then, whole movement has developed around the aim of a simpler, more minimalistic lifestyle. There are some great blogs and podcasts available: The Practical Minimalists, and The Minimalists are two worth listening to. Listen to them for inspiration while you declutter. I’m not recommending a sparse monastic lifestyle, but most of us put far too much time, effort, and money into acquiring, keeping, and storing possessions. Sometimes it’s good to let go. If you’re ready to de-clutter, then we have a few simple tips. If you feel you need help, there are experts in de-cluttering who will guide you through the process of letting go.

De-cluttering Tips Deal with one room at a time - The task will seem less daunting. Stick with that room until it’s finished. Choose a nice day - Take the room contents outside. Psychologically it’s easier to sort and let go if you’re one step removed. It’s also less likely that the clutter will make it back inside. Sort everything into three piles - Label them dump, donate, and keep. Be realistic: if an item hasn’t been used for over a year it is unlikely you will ever use it. Deal with the dump and donate piles - Do this before anything comes back into the house. It’s much harder to mess up your good work if the stuff is physically gone. Sort and label - Place the remaining items in clearly labelled boxes. Make sure there is one temporary box to house items which really belong in another room. As each room is sorted those items can be replaced, and other misplaced items can be housed there while the de-cluttering process continues. Replace everything that remains - The maxim ‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ is a good one. House small items in clear plastic boxes and store them in cupboards or wardrobes. Now you’re done instigate a one thing in: one thing out rule. It will make you think twice about acquiring something if you know something else has to go. Finally, once a week, take two bags and go through your home. One bag is for rubbish, the other for items in the wrong place. When you’ve finished throw the rubbish away and replace the misplaced items. Follow these small steps and you too can de-clutter your life.

By Sarah Davey

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Baking

Rhubarb Sponge Slice This easy all-in-one almond-flavoured sponge with a sweet and tangy rhubarb topping can be served warm with cream or custard or enjoy a slice with a cup of tea or coffee. Ingredients 300g rhubarb, trimmed and chopped (see Tips) 25g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting 175g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 175g caster sugar 3 large eggs 175g self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 50g ground almonds 1 tbsp milk 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4. Grease a 23cm square shallow cake tin and line the base and sides with baking paper. Toss the rhubarb and icing sugar together in a bowl and set aside.

Makes 12 slices Ready in 1 hour 10 minutes, plus cooling 2 Place the butter, caster sugar and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Sift over the flour and baking powder. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Fold in the ground almonds and milk. 3 Turn the mixture into the prepared tin and gently level the surface with a palette knife. Scatter the rhubarb evenly over the top. 4 Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the cake is risen and springy to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin for 10-15 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or cold dusted with icing sugar.

TIP - Choose thin stems of pink forced rhubarb for this recipe and chop into small even-sized pieces. Add 1-2 tbsp drained and chopped stem ginger to the sponge mixture, if liked.

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Codeword 1

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. 80

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Short Story

Apples for Alpacas

By Jackie Brewster

“Leave some for the rest of us,” Joyce called shrilly at the woman outside the rectory gate. Joyce had walked past the basket of windfall apples every day that week. How kind of Reverend Tiller to offer the apples for free. They’d clearly been stored in a shed over winter and looked a little worse for wear but she took the best of the bunch just to display in a bowl. She was not fond of eating apples, they were too much work. The young woman paused when she heard Joyce, “They’re not for me,” she laughed. Joyce saw that she’d nearly filled a whole bucket. “They’re for the alpacas.” “I beg your pardon?” Joyce had never heard anything like it. These apples were for people, not animals. “But they’ve not been put out for that purpose.” “I’m sorry,” the woman blushed. “The sign said “Free apples, help yourself”- I didn’t realise they were yours”. “They’re not mine; I’m at number 42.” Joyce felt she could speak for the vicar. “But they’re not for animal consumption.” “Don’t worry, it won’t do them any harm,” the woman assured her. “Alpacas love apples.” “That’s not the point.” Joyce felt quite exasperated. “When a sign says help yourself, it means only for people, not animals.” “But that’s just your interpretation.” The woman continued filling the bucket. “These apples have been here for days, so clearly I’m not taking them away from anyone who wants them.” “Well, I might want them,” Joyce said. She didn’t, but she couldn’t bear to see them wasted on alpacas. “I’ve

decided to make an apple crumble for every house on the street.” The words slipped out before she had chance to stop them. The woman sighed. “Really?” She gave Joyce a rueful glare before handing her the bucket. “In that case, they’re all yours.” Joyce took the bucket, confident in her victory. When she glanced at its contents, she realised most of the apples were only fit for the compost heap. Reverend Tiller waved as he crunched down the drive towards them. “Hello ladies!” he said heartily. “Nice to see you helping yourselves to the apples.” “Yes.” The woman grinned. “This lady has volunteered to make crumble for the whole street.” Joyce could have kicked her. “What a lovely gesture.” Reverend Tiller smiled. “You’ll have your work cut out for you; these apples are quite bruised.” “But they’re far too good for animal feed aren’t they?” Joyce looked slyly at the other woman. “Animals?” He shook his head. “What animals?” “She wanted to feed them to alpacas!” Joyce said. She liked to think that the vicar and her saw eye to eye on most things. “Alpacas?” the vicar cried. “That will never do.” “That’s just what I said.” Joyce nodded emphatically. “I’ve got some far nicer apples for the alpacas.” He turned and trotted back up the drive. “Come with me, Madam, we’ll fetch the barrow.” “I’m at number 54,” the woman called back to Joyce, “so you’ll know where to bring my crumble.”

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our March Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mrs Margaret Jones, Langford

March’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Across 1 Jewels (4) 3 Allowed in (8) 9 Worried (7) 10 Annoy (5) 11 Fading away (12) 13 Deny (6) 15 Interfere (6) 17 Directions (12) 20 Ships load (5) 21 Vital part of healthy diet (7) 22 Enjoyed (8) 23 Repair (4)

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

16th April 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 Protecting (8) 2 Blends (5) 4 Dismiss (6) 5 Crossroad (12) 6 Taught (7) 7 Deceased (4) 8 Contests (12) 12 Flavoured (8) 14 Army rank (7) 16 Flexible (6) 18 Overweight (5) 19 Mark left by wound (4)

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Books

For The Love of the Sea A cook book to celebrate the British seafood community and their food Published by Meze Publishing 12th April 2021

Following the success of For The Love of the Land in summer 2020, which celebrated farmers and their food through a collection of recipes and stories from all over the British Isles, this second cook book compiled by Jenny Jefferies and produced by Meze Publishing showcases the incredible seafood community in the UK alongside their favourite fish and seafood. For The Love of the Sea highlights the hard work and dedication of the men and women who work in the British fishing industry, as well as those who support them including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Marine Stewardship Council. Among the businesses and individuals featured are Dee Caffari MBE, a British sailor and the first woman to sail solo and non-stop in both directions around the globe; Ashton Fishmongers, one of the largest fish retailers in the country; L. Robson & Sons, producers of the legendary traditional oak-smoked Craster Kippers in Northumberland; Cornwall’s National Lobster Hatchery; and Kames Fish Farming, the oldest family-run fish farm in Scotland famous for its Scottish Steelhead Trout. The book also features a foreword by Marcus Coleman, the Chief Executive of Seafish which works with businesses and the government to support the UK seafood sector. Recipes include luxurious roast turbot with samphire and clams, a classic cod fish and chip supper, Morrocan spiced langoustines, mussels with seaweed, a crispy homemade whiting burger, salmon en croute and lots more. From the kitchen novice to the keen home cook, there’s a dish for everyone and a wonderful range of fish and seafood that takes in popular British staples alongside hidden gems brought to light by experienced and knowledgeable fishermen. In recent years the brilliant variety of our native species has been overshadowed by imports and exotic fish on the supermarket shelves. This book aims to encourage everyone to fall in love with British fish and seafood again, making the most of our rich coastal waters and highlighting the skills and passion of those in the industry. It also champions sustainability and shines a light on women who take

Front cover by: www.paulgregoryphotography.co.uk

up this dangerous profession but whose voices are not always heard. For The Love of the Sea is a 192 page hardback and retails at £22. It will be available to purchase from Amazon, bookshops including Waterstones and online from www.mezepublishing.co.uk & www. jennyjefferies.co.uk .The author, Jenny Jefferies, has also become a Food Hero with Love British Food www.lovebritishfood.co.uk For further information please contact: Jenny Jefferies, Phil Turner or Emma Toogood 07840 137775 / 07979 498034 / 07845 696102 jenniferlouisejefferies@yahoo.com / phil@mezepublishing.co.uk / emma@ mezepublishing.co.uk Follow us on social media: Twitter @j_l_jefferies Instagram @fortheloveoftheland&sea Facebook For The Love Of The Land & Sea

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Electrician

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Painter & Decorator

14/04/2015 21:23

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RE-OPENING IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES If you haven’t made your hair appointment with us yet, then book today we offer our clients: Covid secure working environment - to the highest level Late evenings until 9pm • Award winning colour & styling products Educated stylists even during lockdown with online colour and styling courses Beauty therapy room, to have all treatments done under one roof Sunbed available with some great value for money packages Treat point loyalty scheme

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Friends Five Star Hairdressing 1 Market Square, Sandy, Beds SG19 1HT

Potton April 2021

Articles inside

Villager Prize Crossword

Baking - Rhubarb Sponge Slice

De-Clutter - Live With Less

Anniversaries in Early Summer 2021

Book Review - Moving Forwards

Biggleswade Sandy Lions Club

90 Years if the Highway Code

RSPCA - An Interview with a Trustee

The Bank of Mum and Dad

Great Gadgets for Cleaning Everything Outdoors

Love Your Lawn

Solutions4Gardens

Are Eggs Good for Us?

New Ways to Support EAAA

Should You Be Taking Supplements?

April Fool

Beauty Boxes

Confident Dressing Coming Out of Lockdown

What is an Ingrown Toenail?

Discover Cambridge

Seasonal Recipe - Asparagus and Salmon Frittatas

Free Online Resources for Kids

Wines Worth Locating: Kloster Eberbach