Potton April 2022

VILLAGER The

Issue 188 - April 2022

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue Plant a Tree for the

Jubilee Easter Parades and Traditions

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Inside this issue...

Fostering Is it right for you?

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Palermo...............................................................................................................4 The Easter Parade and Other Traditions................................................ 8 The Benefits of Singing...............................................................................10 All Hands to the Potton Steamer............................................................ 12 Wines: Choosing a Selection.....................................................................16 Martial Arts......................................................................................................18 Shuttleworth Season Premiere............................................................... 22 Look Back in Time........................................................................................ 24 Medicating for Mental Health.................................................................29 Soft Drinks Come of Age...........................................................................33 16 Genius Beauty Hacks............................................................................. 34 Fostering. Is it Right for You?................................................................... 39 Oxygen therapy is Rejuvenating..............................................................41 The Good Buy Guide.................................................................................. 42 How to Cope in an Uncertain World....................................................44 Is Stress Making you Sick?.........................................................................46 Is a Digital Notebook Right for You?..................................................... 51

Do I Need Life Insurance?......................................................................... 53 Sunshine Gardens - Celebrating 30 Years............................................56 Plant a Tree for the Jubilee.......................................................................59 Sourcing a Pet................................................................................................ 62 Bee Nice to Bees!.........................................................................................64 Firepit Tips and Tricks................................................................................. 67 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal..........................................................................69 14 Ways to Help the RSPCA......................................................................70 Ask Alan - Potton Vets................................................................................73 Organise Your Utility....................................................................................74 A Good Night’s Sleep.................................................................................. 78 Lexus NX Review...........................................................................................81 Seasonal Recipe: Salmon Niçoise Salad................................................85 Baking: Rhubarb and Ginger Mousse....................................................87 Puzzle Page.....................................................................................................88 What’s On in April........................................................................................ 92 The Best Coffee Machines for Every Day............................................ 97 Villager Prize Crossword.......................................................................... 100 Short Story - A Musical Feast.................................................................105 Book Review................................................................................................. 106 Useful Numbers.............................................................................................111

Bee Nice to Bees!

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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 - Solange Hando, Tracey Anderson, Shannon Express, Peter Ibbett, Trevor Langley, Samantha Joseph, Kate Duggan, Herts Therapy Centre, Jennie Billings, Kate McCarthy, Louise Addison, Caroline Knight, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA, Potton Vets and Katherine Sorrell

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Front Cover Photography - belchonock 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.

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Travel

Palermo

By Solange Hando

On the north-west coast of Sicily, Palermo nestles around a lovely natural harbour looking out to the Tyrrhenian Sea. In this deep-water bay surrounded by mountains, myriad civilisations came and went, each golden age leaving its mark on the city.

With its palaces and churches, the capital claims several UNESCO sites, starting with the medieval cathedral mirroring the city’s history over the centuries. Now in neo-classical style, the splendid interior can be complemented by a ‘rooftop walk’ with panoramic views. Other must-sees include the Baroque gem of Gesu Church and the Palatin Chapel, famous for Byzantine mosaics, in the Norman Palace. A former residence of Sicilian rulers, this has been beautifully restored and is the seat of Sicily’s Regional Assembly. Also built for royal pleasure were Cuba and Zisa, superb examples of Norman architecture in Eastern style. But most intriguing perhaps is the Chinese Pavilion, designed in 1799 for the future King of the Two Sicilies. Lord Nelson and his mistress were among the guests.

Heritage aside, Palermo has a lot to offer along its tree-lined avenues. There’s luxury shopping in

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the high street but the heart of town is around Politeama, a favourite place to meet family or friends on the spacious piazzas that seem to flow into each other. Visitors gaze at the nearby theatres, Garibaldi with its circular colonnade and triumphal arch and Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy, but the locals just like to sit in the shade and watch the world go by. They call it ‘piazza culture’ and this is the time to sip a cool drink on a café terrace or feast on glorious Sicilian ice cream. Yet the prettiest square, they say, is Piazza Pretoria with its monumental fountain festooned in nude classical statues.

It’s the highlight in the historic district, an enticing maze of lanes leading to the street markets of Vucciria, awash with melons, peaches, tomatoes, aubergines, herbs, walnuts and more, plus delicious orange juice squeezed on the spot. Potted plants pop up along the cobbles, washing hangs from the balconies and here and there a secret chapel might just take your breath away. One of the best is the Oratorio di Santa Cita, dripping in gleaming white stucco with angels and playful cherubs.

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Within walking distance, the Botanical Garden invites you to relax among water features, palms, shrubs and some 12,000 species of plants. Most exciting is the giant fig tree with aerial roots, and you might spot the parrots that escaped from Via Giulia, the city’s oldest park, loved for its marble sundial and alcoves in Moorish style. Now you can almost hear the waves as the promenade beckons along the sea, laced in meandering paths and grassland full of wild flowers. Boats glisten in the marina, rigging tinkles and, in the fishing harbour, men mend their nets on a flotilla of blue boats. Then just out of town you will find turquoise water, tingling sand and fragrant hills with fabulous views.

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Time of Year

The Easter Parade… …and other traditions

The Easter weekend is the principal religious feast of the Christian year, yet most of its traditions have no basis in Christianity at all. In fact, the Jewish festival of Passover, or Pesach which is closely linked to Easter by dates and symbolism was celebrated long before the birth of Jesus. And long before the name ‘Easter’ was used, early Christians celebrated ‘Pascha,’ a word derived from Pesach.

The word ‘Easter’ actually comes from an AngloSaxon fertility goddess called Eostre, who was associated with spring and new beginnings. Both Easter and Passover centre around re-birth, and bond neatly with the Anglo-Saxon festival of ‘Eostremonath’ – Eostre’s month.

Hot cross buns, traditionally eaten on Good Friday, are linked to Passover. Originally they were unleavened bread, an important Passover food.

Nowadays, they are leavened (which makes them light and delicious) and marked with a cross to serve as a reminder of the crucifixion.

The tradition of eating chocolate eggs derives from the fact that during Eostre, eggs were given as gifts to celebrate the end of winter and as a symbol of new life. Once again this ties in with Passover, where a traditional meal is Beitzah, a hardboiled egg. Eventually Christians began decorating the shells with colourful patterns, and later thanks to enterprising chocolatiers in France and Germany delicious chocolate Easter eggs began to appear.

But what about the Easter Bunny? Surely an Easter hen would be more logical. At least a hen lays eggs!

But if we look back at the Goddess Eostre, her scared animal was the hare, and it’s not a huge jump (see what I did there?) from a hare to a rabbit.

The Easter Bunny and egg hunts seem to originate in Germany in the 16th century. Children made nests in

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the garden and, if they were good, the Easter Bunny would leave them coloured hard-boiled eggs to find the next morning. This tradition travelled to America with early German settlers and, like many old traditions, has now returned to Britain substituting chocolate eggs for a sweeter egg hunt.

Egg rolling on Easter Monday is one of the strangest traditions. Some sources say that it represents the rolling away of the stone blocking Jesus’ tomb. It’s also known as Pace-Egging, which derives once again from the word Pesach. It’s centuries old but no-one is entirely sure of the origins, though it might have originated as a way of getting everyone out of the house for some much-needed exercise after a long weekend of feasting!

On Palm Sunday it is said that Jesus was welcomed to Jerusalem by an adoring throng. This and the procession which followed Jesus carrying the cross are often seen as the earliest predecessors of the modern Easter parade.

During the Dark Ages, Christians in Eastern Europe would gather in a designated spot before Easter church services, then walk solemnly to the church.

Afterwards they would retrace their steps while singing songs of praise. Participants usually wore their finest attire to show respect for the occasion.

Eventually the Easter parade transformed into a large American cultural event consisting of a festive strolling procession on Easter Sunday. Participants dress up and there is a particular emphasis on ladies’ hats...the Easter bonnets made famous by the song from the 1948 film Easter Parade.

And speaking of traditions…it’s our family tradition to watch that musical while we tuck into our Easter Eggs.

Happy Easter.

By Tracey Anderson

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Local News

The Benefits of Singing Have you ever sung along to the radio on a sunny day or in the car as you travel alone? Do you sing in the bathroom and enjoy the way the sound echoes off the tiled surfaces? Have you ever sung a child to sleep?

Our voice is a marvellous instrument which all of us can enjoy.

Karaoke nights at bars are enormously popular and some people love the limelight, but for others the comfort of a group can be more pleasurable. Some hardy souls sing in a quartet with each member having a differing voice part. This is not for the faint-hearted but very rewarding to achieve.

Singing releases endorphins, feel-good hormones for pleasure. It uses the full capacity of our lungs, which exercises the body. It requires concentration and memory to get it right, which exercises the little grey cells in our brain.

Singers learn to use their voices to produce different effects, they learn to blend with others or stand out by altering their mouth shape and breathing. They need to memorise words and project to an audience.

Some groups learn from sheet music, some from teach tracks and some have several voice parts to suit men

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and women or for high and low voices.

There are many openings in choirs or choruses and much fun to be had on a dark winter or summer evening – joining in and getting to know new people whilst enjoying a rewarding hobby. Singing for others is fun and giving concerts can be a highlight. Look around and find somewhere to join in today!

Shirley Course for Shannon Express Chorus www.shannonexpress.org.uk/lts

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History

All Hands to the Potton Steamer Victorian Potton suffered from several bad fires causing a Volunteer Fire Brigade to be set up in 1878. Local donations funded the purchase of the ‘Steamer’ to combat local fires. Great pride was taken in the machine and the uniforms of the firemen as the c1926 photograph shows. Present in the back row are Reg & Wally Kitchener, Walter Charter, Bill Larkins, J.W. Bird, Bert Payne, Harry Gravestock and Fred Banes, 2nd Engineer. In the front row are S.A. Oliver, Captain, Walter Kitchener 2nd Captain, Harry Roberts Secretary, Albert Theobalds, Albert Kitchener and John Richardson 1st Engineer. The ‘Steamer’ was finally replaced in 1932 with a second hand Dennis motor engine with an extended ladder. Visit the Potton History Web site to find out more about Potton Fires and the history of the Potton Fire Brigade.

By Peter Ibbett

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Food & Drink

Wines: Choosing a Selection

When it comes to drinks and alcoholic beverages, everybody has their own preference.

White wines are extremely popular and I located ROERO ARNEIS (13% vol) from Italy. Fresh, and with a crisp sensation, a pleasant bouquet leads to the fruity mouthfeel and palate’s enjoyment, for this production.

FERNAO PIRES (12.5% vol), from South Africa, is a further well-balanced white wine. Refreshing, with floral accents and a good flavour of fruits. If a sparkling white is preferred, then PECORINO (12% vol), from Italy, will not disappoint. Known for its excellent still wine productions, the Pecorino grape is utilised, to great advantage, in this sparkling gem. Fruity, and great for welcoming guests, this is a favourite for many occasions.

If your preference is for a red wine, either light or full-bodied, then some suggestions could be for the following.

CASTELAO (13.5% vol), from Portugal, is very popular and graces many dining occasions, constantly. A good richness and intensity prevailes. Wonderful ripe fruits are most evident on the bouquet and mouthfeel. Very elegant. Staying with red wines, PERRICONE (13.5% vol) has dark fruits in abundance for taste, coming through to a superb mouthfeel and the palate’s sensation, with a long finish, from Italy. Another most popular red wine is PAIS (13.5% vol). This is light-bodied, and with a juicy fruit flavour, makes for a great dining table wine. Chile produces excellent wines and this dates from the 16th century.

For more ‘powerful’ beverages, 1932 PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA RISERVA (14.5% vol) from Italy, fills this spot.

The vineyards are renowned globally. Old vines, rich soils and more, contribute to the productions of this spectacular red wine. Oak barrels encourage the aging process. Dark fruits are most evident, definitely! HEDONIST ORGANIC SHIRAZ (14% vol), from Australia, has numerous devotees, too. Wonderful to accompany many dishes, also.

For something later, then KOPKE RESERVE TAWNY PORT (19.5% vol), will fit the bill, admirably. This aged Portuguese production satisfies the ‘end of meal’ experience, wonderfully. From the mid 17th century Tawny Ports have evolved and pleased many.

These productions were located in Waitrose. Some are in their ‘Loved and Found’ range. www.waitrose.com

As always, Enjoy!

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ey Trevor Langl

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Sport

Try Something New

Martial Arts If you’re looking for a fun way to get fit, why not try martial arts? You’ll improve your coordination and flexibility, it’s a great way to meet people, and it can really boost your confidence. And you’re never too old to learn. Many clubs offer adult or mixed classes.

Which martial art to choose There are several types of martial art to choose from. It’s worth finding out a bit more about all the different ones that are offered in your local area. Are you mainly looking for a way to keep fit or do you want to learn self-defence? Do you want to take part in competitions? Do you want to learn to fight with weapon such as swords or sticks, or would you rather focus on unarmed combat?

Clubs usually offer taster sessions for free or at a reduced rate, so you could try a few types to see which one most appeals.

How to learn You’ll want to join a club that’s registered with a governing body, such as the Tae Kwon-Do Association of Great Britain or The British Karate Association. Make sure that the club is fully insured and check the senior instructor’s credentials.

If you’re hoping to compete, you may want to choose a larger club that has been successful in tournaments. If you’re just looking for a fun activity, you might prefer a smaller club with a family atmosphere.

It’s worth asking for recommendations on social

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media and within your friendship group.

What you’ll need For most martial arts, you’ll need to buy an outfit, such as a dobok (tae kwon-do) or gi (karate, judo, aikido, and jiujitsu). However, clubs will usually let you wear normal sports clothes for your first few sessions.

It’s a good idea to wait to buy the outfit until you’ve spoken to your instructor, as they may need you to wear a uniform that’s branded with the club logo or that’s been approved by their parent association.

Branded outfits tend to cost around £30 to £40, but non-branded gis are often a lot cheaper. You can also pick up second-hand outfits on eBay and dedicated Facebook selling groups.

As you progress, you may need more equipment, such as a sparring kit. Again, these can often be picked up second-hand.

How much it costs Costs vary depending on the type of martial art.

You’ll likely need to pay an annual membership fee of £20 to £40, plus a monthly payment for classes.

Some clubs do offer a ‘pay as you go’ membership, however. Gradings (where you move onto the next level or belt) cost extra, as do tournaments.

If you’re worried about the cost, the best thing to do is speak to the club’s senior instructor. They’ll be able to give you a good idea of how much you can expect to spend over the year.

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Puzzled!

Games

Unless you’ve been living as a hermit in a cave in the Himalayas you will have encountered Wordle, the simple word game, created by Josh Wardle, which took the internet by storm and was sold to the New York Times for a seven-figure sum.

This fun little game has generated a whole host of similar timewasters. Here are some of the best.

Nerdle - A number version of Wordle. Players have to work out a six- to eight-character calculation, for example 7+6/3=9, in six guesses.

There are 17,723 valid solutions for an eight-digit Nerdle. Played in combination with Wordle, it makes for some serious daily brain training.

Worldle - This one is a geography-based puzzle. A silhouette of a country or territory is presented, and users have six chances to work out the answer.

Byrdle - One for Classical musicians. Byrdle uses only composers and musical terms. Other than that, it’s the same as Wordle. It’s also completely fiendish!

Crosswordle - There are several games that go by this name but a particularly good one is the one created by Robert Flack, which requires users to guess two intersecting words.

And it was only a matter of time before Lordle of the Rings and Wizarding Wordle (for Harry Potter fans) appeared.

Finally, there’s Sweardle - Popular among my son’s teenage friends!

By Tracey Anderson It’s pretty self-explanatory. Like Wordle...but naughtier.

Fruit 1. Which famous person, who was born in 1642 in Lincolnshire, featured on the original version of the technology company Apple?

2. The Clockwork Orange is a nickname given to the underground railway system in which British city?

3. Which fictional character had his own production company called Pear Tree Productions?

4. Which Beatles song opens with the line “Picture yourself in a boat on a river with tangerine trees and marmalade skies”?

5. Miss Felicity Lemon is the secretary of which famous literary character?

6. In which James Bond film does actress Gemma Arterton play an MI6 agent called Strawberry Fields?

7. Which two other two female singers featured with Neneh Cherry on the 1995 number one hit single Love Can Build A Bridge?

8. Which well known cocktail has a name that means “strained pineapple” in Spanish?

9. Which 1967 top ten hit single by Donovan was rumoured to be about the mistaken belief that someone could get high from smoking dried banana skins?

10. Which cartoon character first appeared on screen in 1958 and was known for singing an out of tune version of the song Oh My Darling Clementine?

1. Isaac Newton (who was said to have come up with his theory of gravitation by watching an apple fall from a tree) 2. Glasgow 3. Alan Partridge 4. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds 5. Hercule Poirot 6. Quantum Of Solace 7. Cher and Chrissie Hynde 8. Pina colada 9. Mellow Yellow 10. Huckleberry Hound

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Local News

Season Premiere Sunday 1st May sees Shuttleworth play host to its Season Premiere air show – an occasion which is always worth the wait.

From the moment you arrive, you will be transported back to a bygone era, with a plethora of vintage aircraft and vehicles on display.

The Collection’s hangar doors will be thrown open for you to wander around, taking in the sights and smells of vintage aeroplanes, whilst learning about some of the roles they played in their service and racing lives and other stories they can tell.

Inside the hangars, you’ll also find a cornucopia of activities to keep the kids (or even the big kids!) happy, whether it’s pedal planes or an Airfix Make and Paint courtesy of IPMS Brampton – with other educational Discovery Zones dotted around the site, including a large play area.

Outdoors, you’ll also be able to experience the sensations of riding on-board a 1920s bus– whether it’s the sole surviving Charabus or our Wellingborough double-decker.

The buses will take you up to the Arts & Crafts gems in Shuttleworth House, which will be open to tour. You’ll be able to see first-hand the ornate gold-leafed ceilings and panelled walls, the rare Erard grand piano, and hear the stories of the Shuttleworth family who lived there and set up the Trust.

Shuttleworth House is also accessible through the

Shrubbery Walk at the end of which is the Swiss Garden, 9 acres of heritage landscape designed in the popular alpine style almost 200 years ago, with framed views, ponds and several charming miniature structures. It is a rare example of a Regency garden and boasts thirteen listed features, including the charming Swiss Cottage and the domed Grotto & Fernery. The garden is also home to Shuttleworth’s resident peacocks - Snowy and Storm. If you spot them, be sure to take a photo!

In the afternoon, the flying display starts – an aerial ballet in the Bedfordshire skies, consisting of Shuttleworth aircraft and vintage visitors. This year, it is hoped the Consolidated Catalina PBY-5A flying boat will be at the Season Premiere, which will provide a truly awe-inspiring spectacle as the pilots showcase this large aircraft around Old Warden Aerodrome.

If the weather is suitably calm, the Edwardian aircraft – including the world’s oldest flying aeroplane, the 1909 Bleriot – may even be able to take to the skies, capping off what will be a truly memorable day.

From a myriad of ground activities through to a thrilling air display, Shuttleworth’s air shows have something for everyone to enjoy.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit: shuttleworth.org/airshows

Photos: Darren Harbar Photography

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Countrywear

www.lodgeway-countrywear.co.uk 01462 816122 OPEN: MON-FRI 9:30am-5pm SAT 9:30am-4pm

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Chicksands, Shefford, Beds SG17 5QB

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Health

Medicating for mental health Given the uncertainty, stress and grief we’ve all experienced in various measures over the last couple of years, it will come as no surprise to hear that mental health issues are on the rise.

Two of the most common conditions in the UK are depression and anxiety. While people suffering from depression may experience feelings of extreme sadness, helplessness, fatigue, insomnia or low selfesteem, anxiety manifests itself through symptoms of panic, nausea, shortness of breath and excessing sweating. It’s possible to be diagnosed with both an anxiety disorder and clinical depression.

While self-care practices such as exercise, a good diet and counselling can be effective in treating depression and anxiety, it’s recommended that you speak to a medical professional if your symptoms don’t improve or worsen.

Whether or not you’re offered medication for your mental health will depend on your diagnosis, your symptoms and how severely they’re affecting your

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daily life. Side effects are common during the first few months of taking any mental health medication, but many will wear off over time. The key is finding a balance between treating your symptoms while managing any potential side effects.

To help you understand the different options, we’ve broken down the key treatments prescribed by doctors in the UK. Antidepressants Antidepressants are by far the most well-known and popular medicine group for treating mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Between January to March 2021 alone, 20.2 million antidepressant drugs were prescribed in the UK, a 3% increase from the same quarter in the previous year.

Although not fully understood, it’s believed that they work by increasing levels of certain chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin, that help improve your mood and emotions. However, exactly how much you should take, and for how long, will vary from

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person to person.

There are several different types of antidepressants, each with various potential side effects – including problems sleeping, flu-like symptoms, irritability, dizziness and headaches – amongst others. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are believed to have the fewest, while older medicines such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and mono-amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) sit on the opposite end of the scale.

Antipsychotics Antipsychotic medications are generally used to treat psychotic disorders, but they can also be used to treat bipolar disorder or severe cases of anxiety and depression. So, how do they work?

High levels of dopamine – a chemical that carries messages from one part of your brain to another – has been known to cause symptoms often associated with psychosis and other mental illnesses.

Antipsychotics work by blocking the effect of dopamine.

It’s impossible to predict which one will work best for you, so you may have to try a few before you find the right fit. There are two types; typical or ‘first-generation’ medications have been used since the 1950s, while atypical or ‘second-generation’ antipsychotics are newer, having been introduced in the 1990s.

Although both can cause changes to your body, firstgeneration antipsychotics are known to cause more side effects than newer antipsychotics. These could include shakiness, drowsiness, weight gain and dry

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mouth, to name just a few.

Mood stabilisers Mood stabilisers are a type of medication that can help with mood swings caused by mania, hypomania and depression. They help to control and ‘even out’ these mood swings.

There are three main types: lithium, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics. These are often used to treat depression as part of bipolar disorder. This is because, although antidepressant medications can be effective, using them on someone with bipolar disorder could turn a depressive episode into mania. This risk is lower if the person is also taking a mood stabiliser.

Benzodiazepines Usually prescribed for more severe cases of anxiety, benzodiazepines – or ‘benzos’ as they’re often called – are a type of sedative. They’re typically prescribed on a short-term basis because they can become addictive if taken for longer than a month.

Benzodiazepines can be particularly helpful for people with panic disorders, but are also used to treat insomnia and alcohol withdrawal. There are two types: hypnotics and anxiolytics. If you suffer from sleep problems, you’re more likely to be prescribed hypnotics, whereas anxiolytics are used to treat those with anxiety. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, confusion and numbed emotions, amongst others.

The key thing to remember is that there is no shame in asking for help. Putting up with prolonged negative feelings and thinking you just need to pull yourself together, is just ignoring the problem.

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Food & Drink

Soft Drinks Come of Age

By Samantha Joseph

If ever you’ve wanted to cut down on alcohol but can’t stomach sickly cordials, coke or fruit juice then try a grown-up non-alcoholic beverage.

Seedlip Spice 94 - This is neither fruity, nor sweet. Seedlip was in fact the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit. It combines six individually distilled barks, allspice berries & Cardamom. The distillation process is similar to that used for gin. It’s a wonderfully complex flavour and is delicious mixed with tonic over ice.

Double Dutch Pomegranate & Basil - I discovered this when I bought some as a mixer. It was created by Dutch twins Raissa & Joyce de Hass’ and is an award-winning recipe. It’s made with 100 per cent natural ingredients and contains just 66 calories a bottle. The flavours are refreshing basil, with warm undertones of aniseed and sweet but tart pomegranate. It’s so nice on its own poured over ice that I rarely add gin...though it does go amazingly well with Hendricks (shhh...this is supposed to be an alcohol-free article) Daylesford Sparkling Apple & Bilberry Juice – This comes in a chic champagne-style bottle. It’s lightly sparkling and would make the ideal aperitif for non-alcohol drinkers when celebrating with friends. It’s produced in Nantes in northwest France from all organic ingredients. They let the fruits ripen on the trees and bushes for the fullest flavour possible. They are harvested using traditional methods.

Belvoir Ginger Cordial - This is a family favourite. You don’t need much (because it’s quite sweet). I like it mixed with half sparkling and half still water, over lots of ice and fresh mint. It might lack the sophistication of the previous three drinks, but it transports me to an Enid Blyton childhood filled with lashings and lashings of ginger beer! Cheers!

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Beauty

16 Genius Beauty Hacks

From make-up tips to haircare advice, these tips could make your life easier 1. When you paint your nails, start from your little finger rather than your thumb. You’ll lower the risk of smudging your freshly painted nails.

2. Matte lipstick is on-trend but very unforgiving.

Before using it, mix a dash of olive oil with half a teaspoon of brown sugar to treat your lips to a DIY lip scrub.

3. Clean your make-up brushes regularly with facial cleanser or a mild shampoo. Rinse thoroughly and leave to air dry.

4. Don’t test foundation on your hand – you won’t get a good colour match. Instead, try it on your jawline.

5. Wrap a small scoop of porridge oats up in a muslin cloth and tie the ends to secure. Drop it in your bath while the water is running. The oat oils work wonders on dry skin.

6. Leave at least a day between shaving/waxing and applying fake tan. Otherwise, you risk causing irritation and ending up with a patchy tan.

7. Not keen on heavily fragranced body oils? Switch to pure almond oil. Add a few drops of essential oil if you want a hint of natural fragrance.

8. Leave your facial cleanser to soak in for a few minutes before wiping it off. It’ll act as a mini face pack. This works particularly well with balm cleansers.

9. Appy eye cream with your ring finger. It’s the weakest so you’re less likely to pull at the skin.

Dab (rather than rub) the cream in.

10. If you often forget to apply SPF in the cooler months, try swapping your foundation for a tinted SPF cream.

11. Hair feeling lank or lacklustre? Try switching to a shampoo that’s free from sulphates and silicones.

Sulphates can strip hair of its natural, healthy oils, while silicones can build up over time and weigh hair down.

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12. Put wet hair in multiple plaits before bed for easy curls the next day. Brush through if you want looser waves.

13. Freshly washed hair is harder to style. So if you have a big night out coming up, wash your hair the day before. It’ll then hold its style better for your evening out.

14. Rather than splashing out on expensive travelsized products (they can be more than double the price per ml), decant your usual products into small reusable containers.

15. Do you subscribe to Birchbox or a similar subscription box? Save the products you don’t fancy throughout the year. By Christmas, you’ll have a stack of cracker prizes and stocking fillers.

You could even use them to fill a personalised advent calendar for a friend.

16. Skin and hair changes as we age, so what worked for you a few years ago may not be as effective today. Embrace the chance to try something new!

By Kate Duggan

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Jill Dighton MA Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice BSc (Hons) Integrative Counselling MBACP (Accred)., UKCP Reg.

Counselling Service Depressed? Anxious?

Relationship Issues? Low Self Esteem?

Have you considered Counselling sessions?

Based in Grafham village, I offer a professionally qualified Counselling Service to individuals and couples in a secure, confidential & non-judgemental atmosphere.

Ample parking. Concessionary rates available.

For further details:

Tel: 07925 852 985 (Dedicated line with voicemail)

Email: jill@jdighton.co.uk or visit www.jilldightoncounselling.co.uk

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A D V E R T O R I A L

POTTON PLAYHOUSE IS BACK

And just like that......we’re back!! Potton Playhouse are thrilled and delighted to present Out Of Focus. A hilarious play about what goes wrong when the Church Hall is booked by five groups on the same night! Performances are at St Mary’s Church Hall, Potton on Friday 27th May 7.30pm and by popular demand, a matinee at 2.30pm and another evening performance at 7.30pm on Saturday 28th May. Doors and importantly the bar, will be open from 2pm and 7pm respectively.

Here is the ticket link https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/potton-playhouse Just prior to that on the 1st April (I know – seriously?!) we’re having our AGM at the Community Centre in Potton from 7pm. All are welcome to come and meet us and have a drink and some nibbles.

We’ve kept out of mischief over the last few months…well nearly. In November last year, we put on another very popular and well received Murder Mystery over two nights, raising funds for local charities in Potton. And we’ve got a busy year ahead too. Plans are afoot for future productions. You can also catch up with us at the Jubilee Celebration Weekend at the Henry Smith playing field in June where we have a musical slot planned and also a youth/children’s acting workshop – like us on Facebook to follow what we’re up to!

We’re always very keen to hear from anyone who is looking for a new interest or hobby, so if you wanted to join our happy band either on the stage or behind the scenes, our door is wide open!!

Call 07736 060719 for further information.

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Special Report

Fostering

Is it right for you?

Thousands of children enter the care system every year, through no fault of their own. If you feel you could offer a child a nurturing home, and you want a more rewarding job, it’s worth considering fostering as a career.

Who can foster?

If you’re over 21, care about children, have a spare bedroom and can offer a stable home environment, then you can apply to become a foster carer. You don’t need to be in a relationship or own your home, and your gender, ethnicity and sexuality don’t matter.

The fostering service will want to make sure any child they place in your care is safe. They’ll therefore run a series of background checks, and you’ll need to provide references. The full assessment process can take six to eight months.

How much do foster carers earn?

Rates of pay vary between locations and organisations, and sometimes depend on how much experience you have and whether the child has additional needs. Most fostering services pay significantly more than the government’s minimum fostering allowance, and you’ll usually receive extra money towards holidays and presents. There are also significant tax benefits to fostering.

Could I cope?

Fostering can be challenging, but you’ll receive ongoing training and support. Foster children come

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from all different backgrounds. Some have had a difficult start to life and will need help to overcome that.

Can I choose the children I foster?

You’ll be asked for your preferences, such as the age group you’re interested in fostering. Foster services try to ensure a good match between foster carer and child, and of course you have the right to refuse to foster any child who you don’t feel able to support.

As you gain more experience, you may want to put yourself forward for specialist placements, for example children who need more intensive support.

You’d then receive additional training and potentially be paid a higher fee.

How long would I foster each child for?

Some children may come to you for just a few days.

Others might end up staying for months, or even years. If you don’t feel able to foster full-time, you could offer short-term placements or respite care.

Many foster children end up going back to their families, while others go forward for adoption or stay in foster care.

Further information You’ll find lots of information at www.fosterline.info and there’s also a free helpline: 0800 040 7675.

If you are considering fostering, the best thing to do is speak to your local authority. They’ll be able to tell you more about the fostering process and answer any questions you may have.

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• • • • • •

Swimming Lessons

Private pool - Tadlow ASA qualified teachers Beginners & stroke technique classes 1-3 pupils per class 10 week courses (term time only) Mother and Toddler classes

Call Heather on Tel: 01767 631053 Mob: 07511168499

Email: tadlowswimming@btinternet.com

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Local News

Oxygen Therapy Is Rejuvenating!

Ground-breaking research confirms that breathing pure oxygen may help to reverse the ageing process.

The study involved 35 healthy adults aged 64 years and over. They breathed in 100% pure oxygen through a mask whilst sitting in a pressurised chamber. That’s exactly how Oxygen Therapy works at Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth.

The people involved gained significant benefits, including the regrowth of telomeres by more than 20%. Telomeres are the protective caps which form part of our DNA structure. As we age, they become shorter. This can lead to illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Study researcher Dr Amir Hadanny, of Tel Aviv’s Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, said: “In just three months of therapy, we were able to achieve such significant telomere elongation - at rates far beyond any of the current available interventions or lifestyle modifications.”

Dr Hadanny and Professor Shai Efrati conducted the study together. Professor Efrati said their findings prove that “the aging process can in fact be reversed at the basic cellular-molecular level”.

Oxygen Therapy helps people with many long-term conditions, cancer and Long Covid.

Dr Amir Hadanny also pioneered Oxygen Therapy for Fibromyalgia, demonstrating great success in helping people to reduce the symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

We are proud to have the only Oxygen Therapy chamber in Herts. People come to us from Herts, Beds, Northants and even Europe to attend our sessions.

Would you like to know more? Please call our Centre on 01462 684 214.

01462 684 214

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House of Colour

The Good Buy Guide How many of us find an item in a shop, while we’re in a rush and think ‘that’ll do’? It seems to fit, kind of does the job we wanted, and it might even be on sale too. Home it comes and there it stays. Wardrobes are full of those ‘that’ll do’s’ that quite frankly won’t do. They’re the ones that we shove to the back while we continue to wear the 15% of our wardrobe that we actually like and properly seems to fit the bill. It’s costing us though. And I don’t mean in terms of the till price we paid which we won’t necessarily see again but it will cost us to have it sitting doing nothing in our wardrobe. It will be adding to the stress in the morning as we run our eyes frantically through our clothing deciding what to wear, as well as preventing us seeing the items that might in fact be useful!

So have a careful think before you rush to the till with these thoughts: • If you’re in the market for an investment item, higher price like a coat, boots, handbag buy it in a neutral colour or a WOW colour. This will mean it will be able to work with everything else in your wardrobe easily and you are much more likely to get serious wear from it. (Find your WOW colours in a House of Colour colour consultation) • Buy quality. I’ve recently written about it but it’s worth mentioning as clothing will look better for longer.

• Is it going to work with other items in your wardrobe. If it’s in the right colour and right style for you it’s highly likely that it will work with lots of other things. When you buy something new try making it into 10 different outfits as soon as you bring it home.

• Buy less buy better. Be choosy about what you buy. Try and avoid ‘hobby shopping’ and end up buying for the sake of it and avoid shopping with those you know who might pressure you in the wrong direction.

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• Don’t sacrifice on comfort. We wear uncomfortable items about three times before we give up. When trying on clothes sit down in them, really move about. If it’s not working in the changing room it’s going to be worse when you’re out at dinner.

• No more ‘that’ll do’. Does it not only fit you properly, but is it your style? Be honest with yourself and walk away if not. If you feel you aren’t sure enough about what really does work for you, and gives you a real boost then embrace a style session and remove the doubt.

• Do you love it?

Have a wonderful Easter break!

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-a-stylist

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Well-Being

How to Cope in an Uncertain World Over the past couple of years, we’ve had to cope with a pandemic, political uprisings and now war in the Ukraine. Life is constantly changing so you’d think we’d be better at dealing with uncertainty. But humans crave stability, and we crave it most when life is unpredictable.

This is where coping strategies come in to play. There are unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or junk food and there are also healthy coping strategies.

What is coping? Coping is an active process where you pause, appraise the situation, target the problem, and then choose a set of interventions.

Stay grounded - Create a safe space for you and your family. Structure your home so that you and your family feel grounded. Reduce the sadness and stress of uncertainty by keeping News to a minimum. Don’t talk endlessly about sensational stories. Think of your home as a sanctuary from the uncertainty of life.

Use routines - Keep scheduled mealtimes and bedtimes, and daily chores, including the kids’ homework. Also make sure there are regular periods of relaxation and fun, like a family games night or a walk. Routines provide a steady rhythm and research

shows that when your day has an organised framework, you develop a greater tolerance for unpredictability.

Choose information sources carefully - During uncertain times be guardedly curious and try not to accept sensational stories as factual.

Embrace uncertainty - Ultimately we have to live with uncertainty. Cultivating hope and possibility during uncertain times is important. Instead of focusing on sadness or anxiety, shift the focus to wonder or curiosity. Confronting what we don’t know can trigger creative thinking and problem solving and help you and your family feel empowered in the face of the unpredictable.

Practice gratitude - Make time to notice and reflect on the good and meaningful things and people in your life and encourage your children or grandchildren to do the same. Studies show that gratitude generates feel-good neurochemicals serotonin and dopamine in your brain which help to reduce worry.

By Kate McCarthy

Shires

Funeral Directors At Shires we understand that no two lives are the same, which is why every funeral we arrange is completely individual too. Whether you’re making the arrangements for a loved one or prudently planning your own, we’re here for you in every way.

3 Belfry Court, Sandy SG19 1JR 01767 683 600 shires.sandy@cpjfield.co.uk Also at Bedford, Baldock, Dunstable, Letchworth & Luton

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Special Report

A New Epidemic Is stress making you sick?

By Louise Addison

We all know about coronavirus but in fact one of the major health risks today is stress.

Workdays lost to stress, depression, and anxiety, are estimated to cost the British economy in excess of about £35 billion a year in lost output.

But what exactly is stress? Stress is a natural, short term, response to danger. It floods our bodies with the hormones, adrenalin, and cortisol.

In combination these hormones activate our heart and cardiovascular system. They raise our blood pressure and set us in a heightened state of alertness. They affect our liver and increase our blood sugar. During a stressful event all nonessential body functions, e.g., cell repair and ovulation, cease.

If we’re under immediate threat from say, a mugger, or a life-threatening accident, a strong stress response is good, it may even help to save our lives. But long-term stress is bad for us. Exposure to large quantities of adrenalin and cortisol over a long period compromise our immune systems and increase our risk of suffering from high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and Diabetes.

The most common form of long-term stress reported to GPs is work-related and specifically it is reported by those people who feel they have little or no control over their working environment.

A healthy working environment includes choices; some control over what you do and an element of appreciation for the effort you put in. Unfortunately, many working environments fall short of this.

Alarmingly, The Whitehall Experiment, which monitored 10,000 civil servants over a long period, found that those at bottom of the hierarchy

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experienced 4 times the mortality rate of those at the top, even when poor diet and smoking were factored into the calculations! It seems that some of us quite literally, are working ourselves to death.

If you feel this is you and a change of job isn’t possible, then advice has been to try to balance stress levels both at and away from work. Yet recently the pandemic has meant that for many of us home and work have become inseparable, and this has added to wider stress in the world, including soaring food and energy prices and the war in Ukraine.

Take a few minutes and see if you can articulate in a few words what the major sources of stress are in your working environment: unrealistic deadlines or targets, obstructive colleagues, interfering management etc. Then do the same for stress triggers away from work. If you feel you can tackle any of the issues, then do that. This isn’t always possible, but sometimes just knowing exactly why you are feeling stressed is enough to help you cope and see a way forward. Perhaps you need to restrict the time you spend answering work emails out of hours or cut down on the amount of news you consume or make time to go for a walk in the fresh air. Exercise is actually an excellent stress reducer, along with yoga. A well-balanced diet also helps and drinking lots of water is a great way to help the body rid itself of toxins.

In addition, it has been shown that therapies such as massage also have potent stress-reducing properties.

Bringing down your stress levels in 2022 may not be easy but your body will thank you for trying.

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VIRTUAL PA / GIRL FRIDAY

DO YOU EVER WISH YOU HAD AN EXTRA PAIR OF HANDS? NO MONEY OR TIME TO EMPLOY THAT EXTRA PERSON! WHY NOT CALL ME!!

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NVQ 3 IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ECDL QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE IN WORD, EXCEL AND OUTLOOK EXPERIENCED RECEPTIONIST EXPERIENCE IN SAGE LINE 50 AND VARIOUS IN HOUSE ACCOUNTS PACKAGES • EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS *REASONABLE RATES* TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEBSITE AND GIVE ME A CALL TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS www.helpinghandsofficeservices.com Tel: 01767 690075 / 07966 554304 Email: maureen@helpinghandsofficeservices.co.uk

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Take Note!

Technology

By Louise Addison

Is a digital notebook right for you?

I love a notebook, to the point that my husband has actually staged an intervention in Paperchase before now!

Enter digital notepads. In the past I’ve tried to take notes on an iPad, but the slippery feeling of pen on glass felt wrong. So decided to look at the current iteration of digital offerings designed specifically to appeal to a hardcore pen and paper note taker, like me.

Moleskine Pen + Ellipse Smart Writing Set. This is a hybrid product — part digital, part analogue — designed for those of us who prefer to take notes the old-fashioned way but still want to save those notes in a searchable format. Searchable notebooks...words that sing to my scribble-loving soul.

This set comes with a paper notebook, digital smart pen, USB recharging cable, one pen-tip ink refill, and a manual. The notepad is a proper notepad except the paper is encoded in a dotted layout which works with the pen to capture each stroke and recognize exactly where it is. The paper thus becomes a ‘tablet’. The Moleskine Notes app transfers the words and drawings from page to screen in real time, so you can digitize text, edit, organize, and share content. The companion app (available for iOS and Android) digitizes your notes and transfers them to your device, allowing you to annotate, share, search, edit, and organize notes. The pen doesn’t even need to be connected to the app, meaning you can jot notes then sync your pen with the app at a later time.

If you write a lot of notes you still end up with lots of physical notebooks, but your work is saved on your PC and searchable for future reference.

Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook Unlike the Moleskine, the Rocketbook saves on trees while still letting you write on ‘paper’. The Rocketbook is a 42-page notebook with seven different page styles allowing notes, sketches and plans etc. The dot-grid and lined pages also act as a paper ‘tablet’ and you use the free Rocketbook app

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(available for iOS and Android) to save your work to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote etc. The Rocketbook works with any Pilot Frixion pen, marker, or highlighter. When you’ve finished you wipe clean with a damp cloth to start over. For people who like to use colour in their note-taking the Rocket book works well. For those of us who like to go back and re-annotate our original notes, the wipe-clean approach can seem a bit final.

The ReMarkable 2 The ReMarkable 2 bills itself as “the world’s thinnest tablet”. It’s just 4.7mm thick and stylish, especially if you choose the leather cover option. It captures all the best attributes of notetaking on paper including sound, sensation, and the ability to erase with the other end of the pen, yet you can create as many notebooks as you like, revisit them, edit them, copy and paste from them into new notebooks, and save them within the device. This last one is a gamechanger for someone who wishes they could take ALL their notebooks with them everywhere!

You can then sync your notes to phone and laptop using the app. You can easily import templates such as a diary, or household budget planner. Its more expensive than the previous two options (starting at around £400), but in my opinion, vastly superior.

The only disadvantage is no colour, but that’s a small concession for notebook Nirvana!

Happy scribbling.

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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 or email info@willandestateplanning.com 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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Finance

Do I need life insurance?

Life insurance may feel both baffling and daunting, but it’s a key step towards financial security for many people. These are the most important things to know when deciding whether it’s right for you and which policy to choose.

The most important question is what you want the life insurance to achieve. With most forms of insurance, it’s simply a case of covering costs or replacing something that’s lost, stolen or damaged.

With life insurance, you’re commonly looking to replace your income.

That means it matters whether you are the sole ‘breadwinner’ in your household, you share financial responsibilities, or you have no dependents (in which case life insurance usually makes little sense).

It also matters whether you simply want to maintain an income for your family after you die or if you are concerned with specific expenses, such as a mortgage or university costs for your children.

Those factors will help you make the biggest decision: whether to get a whole-of-life policy or a term policy. The former means that, as long as you keep up the payments, the policy pays out when you die.

These policies tend to work out more expensive, both through higher payments and because you’ll be paying in for longer. It’s usually taken out by people who want to be sure to cover funeral costs, or want their heirs to be able to pay an inheritance tax bill without having to sell the family home.

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With term policies you pay premiums and are eligible for payouts during a fixed period. Depending on your financial goals, this could be a set number of years, the remaining term of your mortgage or until your planned retirement date. These policies are usually cheaper that whole-of-life policies. Once the term ends, you stop making payments and the policy will never pay out.

If you go for a term policy, you need to decide how the payout level changes over time. The most basic option is a ‘level’ policy that simply pays a fixed lump sum on your death. A variation of this means the payout amount goes up each year during the term, in line with inflation.

In contrast, a decreasing policy means the payout amount falls each year during the term. That makes premiums lower and is most suitable when you want the life insurance to clear your mortgage if you die.

The falling payout reflects the fact your outstanding mortgage debt will also fall over time.

Whether you get whole-of-life or term insurance, you need to decide whether to get a single or joint policy, for example with your spouse or partner. A single policy is straightforward: the payout goes into your estate and is distributed in line with your will.

With a joint policy, the default set-up is that when (or if) one of the two policyholders dies, the payout goes to the other policyholder. The policy then ends with no further premiums or payouts.

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Celebrating 30 Years (And still going strong!)

I cannot believe we have reached our 30th year in maintaining gardens in the North Herts/Beds area. In that time, we have maintained and landscaped 1000’s of gardens, big and small.

It all started in 1992 when my full time Insurance job allowed me plenty of time during the day which helped with childcare for our two children, but still left spare time that I didn’t know how to fill. I loved maintaining our 100ft garden in Baldock, so I thought why not maintain and tidy other gardens too for extra income for my family. Back then we didn’t have internet and google so the only way to put our name out there was placing adverts in the local paper, Yellow Pages and Thompsons Directories.

Although, if you missed the cut off point for the Directories then you had to wait for a whole year to get in!

Our first job came in and off I trotted to quote, it was to dig up a small apple tree stump and roots Easy job!?? (Or so I thought). The quote of £25 was accepted and I went round a day later with all my home DIY tools (How naive was I?). It was June, very hot and 5 hours later I managed to cut away the last of the roots. 5 hours!! I thought it would be a couple of hours at the most - welcome to the real world of professional gardening Dave. It didn’t put me off too much and I soon realised there was more to this gardening lark than I first thought.

The adverts were working and soon had a steady stream of accepted quotes, which was great!

However, after a month or two, it became apparent how many times the customers said, “I’m so glad you have actually turned up.” The gardening and landscaping industry was renowned for letting clients down, I was so shocked, and it dawned on me there was a huge gap in the market for reliable and regular gardeners. I made it my mantra, if I said I was coming to give you a quote, I would turn up and meet you!

(Regardless of what happens) and I have remained steadfast to that ethos.

One of earlier landscaping project was for The Hertfordshire Football Association in Letchworth Garden City. They had built a new stand, changing rooms and clubhouse and wanted their frontage completely landscaped. After planting a new 100ft hawthorn hedge along the perimeter, we commissioned bespoke double metal entry gates.

We finished with a beautiful new lawn, eye-catching shrubs and trees to complete the project. That was 25 years ago and to this day I still get a buzz seeing it every time I go pass.

The years have flown by since those early days and we’ve had some highs and lows on the way, our premises have been broken into three times – it was heart-breaking. We have also met some wonderful customers, some who have now sadly passed away.

We now maintain over 300 client’s gardens/grounds (residential and commercial) on a regular weekly or fortnightly basis. I have a strong team of 7 gardeners who love their job ensuring our customers gardens are looking their best. We also have 2 landscapers who carry out all our fencing, patio, decking and artificial lawn projects and we are fortunate to be fully booked until the end of April 2022.

A YOUNG ME OUTSIDE THE HERTS FA GROUND IN LETCHWORTH AFTER LANDSCAPING THEIR GROUNDS.

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I feel very grateful to be in this situation when other companies have unfortunately suffered during the past 2 years. Of course, it’s not just about the gardening aspect which keeps us successful. We now have a great office team running everything behind the scenes, with Office Manager Stella Piper and Assistant Sarah Henderson, ensuring phones are answered in a timely manner and quotes are sent out within 48 hours of my quotation appointment, along with many other important and vital activities ensuring the business runs smoothly.

Our regular clients receive a bi-annual Newsletter which keeps them informed of their schedule, what work we will be carrying out in the coming seasons amongst other articles. They also receive an automated email two days prior to a planned visit, keeping them informed all the way. Our teams are super friendly and amenable and use only the top of the range commercial machinery to carry out the work.

We also take away all the green waste after the completion of each visit so no need to use brown bins. We invoice once per month and accept a whole range of payment methods including our new automated payments, credit/debit card, cheque, and BACS transfers. We make it as easy as we possibly can.

What do you want from your garden?

You are just one call or email away from sitting back, relaxing and letting us do all your hard work for you, so you can enjoy a lovely looking garden at the weekend. As well as garden maintenance, we also carry out one off tidy-ups, we love tackling garden nightmares and getting your outdoor space back into shape so you can utilise it again. Now is the best time to book your visit in readiness for Spring and Summer. Just Google “Sunshine Gardens Baldock” and see our 50 plus genuine 5-star reviews and testimonials for your peace of mind.

Do you have a garden that needs transforming?

Can we help you with your landscaping project?

We can transform your tired and neglected gardens using our imagination and skills enabling you to enjoy your outdoor space. Book early though as we are already fully booked until the end of April/May 2022. Contact us for a free written quotation which will be sent to you within 48 hours.

We are proud to be one of the most long standing and trusted garden maintenance and landscaping companies in your area.

Dave and his teams are ready and raring to go in 2022. To help celebrate our 30th year in business, we are offering the first 10 new clients 12 months garden maintenance for the price of just 9 months.

Contact us on 01462 262200 office@sunshinegardensbaldock.co.uk PLEASE SEE OUR MAIN ADVERT IN THIS MAGAZINE FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON PAGE 65.

Sunshine Gardens

1992

1995

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2021

2022

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Gardening

Plant a tree for the jubilee: the Queen’s Green Canopy The joys of spring Early spring in the garden is probably the most longed-for time of the year for most. The weather is naturally unpredictable and the wise gardener will be prepared for just about anything. There could be a heatwave, snow, frost, drought and April showers.

Be prepared to protect tender young shoots with a covering of horticultural fleece, which can be used as a warm blanket until the cold snap has passed.

This is the perfect time for pruning a variety of shrubs, depending on the weather. If fairly mild, Hydrangea macrophylla can be pruned down to a pair of buds and old, woody growth can be removed. Buddleja davidii can have a good tidy up, ready for new growth, Lavender can be gently

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trimmed and Cornus, which is grown for winter stem colour, can be pruned hard if you haven’t already done so. Deciduous ornamental grasses should also be cut down to make way for new growth.

Plant a tree for the jubilee Make the most of the coming growing season by planting trees and shrubs as soon as possible so that their roots can romp away as the soil warms.

Her Majesty the Queen has been on the throne for 70 years this year and we are all urged to ‘plant a tree for the jubilee’. This national tree initiative is encouraging everyone to plant trees, whether it’s a single specimen in a garden or an entire woodland.

It is hoped that individuals, community groups, schools, businesses and councils will all take part in a bid to green up the UK. This, of course, will help to fight the climate crisis. Trees, after all, are our friends when it comes to absorbing pollution, storing carbon, producing oxygen, stabilising the soil, helping to prevent flooding, improving biodiversity and providing shelter.

But did you know that some trees are better than others when it comes to eco credentials? Oak, beech, London plane, black walnut, many larger maples and eucalyptus are some of the best when it comes to carbon storage. Larger trees are generally better than smaller varieties, but anything is better than none at all! Broadleaved species have a larger surface area of leaves, which enables them to carry

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out photosynthesis. They absorb water, sunlight and carbon dioxide in order to produce oxygen.

When it comes to wildlife, oaks are kings of the habitat providers, but smaller trees, including a wide range of birch, are excellent too. Some of the woodland edge smaller trees and shrubs excel at this particular role, including elder, spindle, blackthorn, wild cherry, crab apple, hawthorn and holly. The key lies in planting a diverse mix of species in order to provide as many benefits as possible to wildlife.

Think in terms of food sources as well as cute, furry and feathery creatures. Insects are just as important when you consider the food chain.

Pests and diseases It is wise to avoid planting a monoculture using just one species of tree. If disease strikes, you are likely to lose the entire group. This applies to street trees as much as it does to garden hedges, copses and woodland. Far better to include a mix of species, which will be less likely to pass on disease to each other. For this reason, it is sensible to extend the range of trees in the UK to include non-native, hardy trees as well as natives. Always source trees from reliable, ‘plant-healthy’ suppliers.

Be aware of the general health of trees, including disease that causes limbs to be lost, thus posing a safety risk in public places.

• Ash dieback is likely to cause the loss of up to 80 per cent of this tree in the UK. Affected trees near public areas should be removed.

• Phytophthora ramorum is an organism that is sometimes called a water mould. It causes

bleeding canker symptoms on trees, including larch and sweet chestnut in addition to conifers such as Douglas fir. It can also cause sudden oak death.

• Phytophthora pluvialis has recently been discovered in western hemlock and Douglas fir in the West Country. It causes needles to turn brown and drop, eventually resulting in dieback.

• Oak processionary moth is an insect pest that is currently present in London and surrounding counties. There are silken nests and processions of caterpillars that defoliate oak trees, thus leaving them vulnerable and unable to carry out photosynthesis.

• A fungal disease called massaria is spreading amongst London plane trees, including those at Buckingham Palace and some of the Royal parks.

It causes lesions on branches, which die back and are eventually shed.

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

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Pets

Sourcing a Pet

By Caroline Knight

Where to source a pet is an essential consideration if you want to buy an animal.

Licensed puppy farms, for example, are not illegal, but might not provide the ideal start for a dog. Unlicensed farms are illegal, as are third-party commercial puppy dealers.

Any young animal coming from a breeder needs to be healthy and to have had care, attention and socialisation during its first few weeks of life. We should all be aware that what you see on the internet isn’t necessarily a true-life picture of the animal that you are buying.

Animal rescue organisations report that over 80 per cent of calls regarding young pets concern those found online. Health issues can result from mass breeding and rearing within inhumane conditions, including lack of space, light, warmth and inappropriate feeding.

Although the internet is an excellent place to learn about animals of all descriptions, word of mouth is generally the best way to actually find a pet. Using personal recommendations means that you can check out addresses and hopefully see several members of an animal family, including at least one of the parents.

Animal shelters should also be considered very seriously because the rate of pet abandonment during the last few months has increased by more than 25 per cent.

This means that more animals than ever before are looking to be rehomed. There are hundreds of dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, rats and even horses looking for new owners, and one of them could be the perfect pet for you.

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Garden View

Bee nice to bees!

Albert Einstein supposedly declared that, “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left.” There is much debate over whether the great man actually did make such an assertion as he was a physicist after all, not an entomologist, but whether he did or not, it’s a scary thought.

There’s no doubt about it, honey bees and bumble bees are of enormous agricultural importance. It is estimated that more than a third of the world’s crop production relies on these bees. Without them we’re in trouble and they are in decline. Pesticides, loss of habitat and disease are thought to be playing a part.

Bees are fascinating and beautiful creatures and as gardeners we can play our part in their continued survival. It’s simple: bees need flowers for sustenance, flowers need bees for survival and gardeners need flowers to garden!

First it’s important to think ahead and provide flowers for bees throughout their lifecycle, which runs from March to September.

Spring – Bluebells, bugle, flowering cherry, forgetme-not (Myosotis), hellebore and rosemary are all good spring plants.

Summer – Aquilegia, sweet peas, fennel, foxgloves, potentilla, roses, stachys, teasel, thyme and verbascum

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Late summer / early autumn – Aster, buddleia, dahlia, eryngium, fuchsia, heather, lavender and sedum.

Second, unfortunately not all flowers are created equal. Frilly double flowers, for example, are too elaborate. They have so many petals that the bees struggle to get to the nectar and pollen. This is the reason that single dahlias attract lots of bees, whilst double varieties are generally ignored. Single flowered rose varieties are also good, such as the rambler Seagull, with its flat open white blooms, large yellow stamens and heady scent. Any similar rambler grown over a fence or wall will do. Some, like the pale pink Little Rambler, will even repeat flower. Ramblers are terrific roses. They are vigorous, disease resistant and great for covering bare fences, unsightly sheds and walls. Best of all they need next to no pruning!

The main thing is to keep it simple: a few flowers for each part of the bee life cycle and no overly fancy varieties. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t grow double flowered dahlias if that’s what floats your boat, it’s just that Mr Bee would appreciate a few single flowered varieties thrown into the mix. Let’s make this the year we all be nice to bees: our future may depend on it!

By Rachael Leverton

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Firepits

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Firepit tips and tricks Back when all get-togethers had to be outside, my brother bought me a firepit. I imagined evenings spent under the stars with my friends, toasting marshmallows. The reality was a smoky, eye-watering disaster.

I stuffed it in the shed and forgot about it until the owner of my local hardware store asked if I’d considered buying a firepit. I cut him off and related my story. “Oh, you’re probably doing it wrong!” he smiled. I gawped at him; I mean how many ways are there to use a firepit...come on!? Well dear reader, after a little re-education, I’m now a convert!

Excess fire pit smoke is the most common reason people stop using their firepit. Typically, it results from firewood burning incompletely due to excess moisture in the wood. The pitch or sap in some woods can also be a factor.

The next cause is an improperly constructed fire which causes fuel to smoulder instead of burn, producing more smoke.

So, what’s the solution? First choose the right kind of wood. This should be both adequately dried and not naturally predisposed to smoking excessively when burned. Wood smoke is generated when certain chemicals within the wood burn inefficiently.

In an efficient, well-burning, hot fire, these chemicals are typically burned off quickly before significant smoke forms.

Look for seasoned wood, which has a moisture content of 30% or less, the lower the better.

Seasoned wood has gone through an indoor or outdoor aging process under the right conditions.

You can also buy kiln dried wood, which is more expensive but works incredibly well. Basically, dry wood burns efficiently, and efficient burning means less smoke. On the other hand, fresh cut wood, or older wood which has been allowed to get damp contains more water and burns inefficiently which means smoke.

You can buy properly seasoned wood from your local hardware store, and for most of us who use firepits for a couple of hours at the weekend this is

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By Tracey Anderson

convenient. If you want better value and you have room to store the wood you can buy in bulk from a log merchant. If you want to check moisture levels in wood you’ve cut and dried yourself you can purchase an inexpensive handheld moisture metre.

They generally cost between £40 and £100.

Wood with a maximum of 30% moisture is the baseline but 20% or less is best (that’s the standard with most kiln dried firewood) Other things to watch out for are old, potentially damp ash, embers, and other debris that accumulates in firepits. These can impede the ignition process and result resulting in a fire pit that won’t ‘catch’ properly, and smokes. Empty your firepit after use and store upside down so it doesn’t fill up with rain!

It’s best to avoid pine, because it has a super high sap content, which tends to produce more smoke.

Softwoods in general tend to be mor ‘sap rich’ and can actually be useful in the initial stages of a fire as they burn ‘hot’ for a brief period, so they are good when trying to get the main wood to burn.

Finally, make sure your fire is stacked correctly. You need good airflow. Make a wigwam structure with your wood or use a log-cabin stack (think Jenga without the middle pieces!) to keep air flowing and provide a gap in the middle for tinder and kindling.

Then sit back and bust out the marshmallows!

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Pets

Rehoming Appeal Luna & Layla

Luna and Layla were born on 12th August 2021, they are Dwarf X female rabbits, both fully vaccinated for this year (they will need yearly boosters) and both are spayed.

They are such a sweet natured pair; Luna being the lively, inquisitive one, whereas Layla is much quieter and happy for her bolder sister to lead the way.

They will need at least a 5ft double hutch or a 6ft single, and a good sized covered run so that they can enjoy time on the grass in the summer months.

These girls will make a great pair of pets for any family.

For their comfort and welfare, our small mammals can only be adopted within an hour of their foster homes in Bedfordshire.

If you would like to find out more about Luna and Layla, please contact Zoe on 01234 342150.

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.

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

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Pets

14 Easy Ways to Help The RSPCA We all know there are fabulous RSPCA shops all over the country that we can buy lovely things from and take our unwanted clothes and bric-a-brac to. We also know if we want a new pet we could approach the RSPCA. But how many of the other 12 ways were you already aware of?

Smile Amazon - Amazon have recently set up ‘Smile Amazon’, meaning each time you buy something via Smile Amazon, they donate money to your chosen charity. The ‘Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Bedfordshire North Branch’ have registered with this scheme so you can select our charity when you are shopping.

Donate Nectar Points - Your Nectar points can now be used to support our charity. If this is something you’d like to do, you will need to link your Nectar account to a Crowdfunder account.

You can then donate converted points via our charity page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ rspca-bedsnorthbranch... All money donated will go towards the vet bills and boarding costs of the animals that come into our care.

Enter the Spring Superdraw - Competitions are still very popular and this one is no different. You could win up to £5,000. Simply head over to our website to buy a ticket!

Payroll Giving - Payroll giving (also known as Give As You Earn) is a simple way to make regular donations to the RSPCA straight from your salary. You can donate as much or as little you like and you can stop your donation at any time. Plus, it’s tax free! It is very quick and easy to set up. All you would need to do is fill in an online form.

Legacy Payment - Leaving a gift for the RSPCA in your Will is another way people can support us. Did you know over half of our work is funded by people who have left us a gift in their Will? So, these gifts are extremely important to us. Is it something you have considered?

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Generation Kind - You may recall reading about ‘Generation Kind’ in a previous edition, in essence it is an education program that we have created for schools. Through Generation Kind we’re ramping up our efforts to inspire kindness in the classroom - helping to shape a kinder future for animals. Ask your local school if they are involved.

Adopt/rehome/sponsor/foster - These are the four main ways that you can care for an animal through the RSPCA. All of which are important, valuable and rewarding. Check out our FaceBook page for more details.

Donate online - If you visit the RSPCA website, you can make a one off donation payment or set up a more permanent regular amount. It’s up to you. Your gift helps support long term projects, veterinary care, rehabilitation, and our rescue teams.

You could also visit one of our fabulous charity shops, become a member or why not organise a fundraising. There are now many ways in which you can support your local RSPCA, and we are very grateful and appreciative of it.

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. info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk 01234 266965 / 01234 930304

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Pottons Specialist Welding and Fabricating Company

For further information please call Trevor on Tel: 01767 261845 Mobile: 07941 187689 Email: Gemmaton@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.gemmaton.com

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stairs benches individual beds furniture

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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.

Making life easier

15 15 minute appointments

Call today:

Open until 7pm

Emergency appointments

Helpful printed notes

Family run by Alan & René

01767 260007

Appointments online at: pottonvets.co.uk 9 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP

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Home Products

Organise your utility

By Katherine Sorrell

The most hard-working room in the house plays a vital role, from storing cleaning kit to doing the laundry. Combine beauty with utility to make it a functional and enjoyable space to use.

Why not add some art and plants to bring personality to your utility room? Light Mineral eggshell, £15 for 1l; Harbor large sideboard, £449; acacia wood concertina airer, £40; Pebble wool rug, from £49; Coastal set of three framed prints, £28; all Dunelm.

Keep everything to hand, including a rolling clothes rack and a laundry basket, to make washing and ironing easier.

Rack, ironing board, basket and iron, all Wayfair.

A large, 76l box with three smaller inserts makes separating and storing recycling easy, while the sturdy wooden lid enables the box to be used as a seat, too. Orthex SmartStore Collect recycling and storage box, £85, Not a Boring Box.

Colourful and hard-wearing, this organic jute basket is practical for all kinds of uses.

Pastel Fairisle utility basket, from £24, The Braided Rug Company.

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We are ‘Inspiration Dealers’ for Luxaflex Blinds Visit our showroom to see our motorised blinds.

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Planning the perfect utility room

Folding flat to conserve space, this beech and galvanised steel wall dryer conveniently utilises space on the wall.

Chalford wall dryer, £110, Garden Trading.

With five hooks and a handy shelf this wood-and-metal unit has plenty of room for keeping clutter neat and tidy.

Giro industrial wall shelf with hooks, £79, Cuckooland.

It may only be a utility room, but finishing touches such as knobs, switches and hooks are still important. Cotswold Collection of luxury solid brass hardware in burnished brass finish, from £13.69 for a bun cabinet knob, Armac Martin.

Keep bits and pieces organised in a convenient container with a handle. Tin housekeeping caddy, £6, B&M. STOCKISTS B&M: 0330 838 9000; bmstores.co.uk Cuckooland: 01305 231 231; cuckooland.com Garden Trading: 01993 845 559; gardentrading.co.uk Veo: veo.world

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• Get the basics right with practical flooring and lighting. An easily cleanable floorcovering such as vinyl or ceramic tiles is best for a utility room – though you could add a rug for some softness underfoot (while you’re ironing, for example). Bright lighting is essential, too. Adjustable ceiling spotlights are a good option, as are strip lights mounted below wall units or shelves. Ensure that any wall lights don’t protrude into working areas, and that pendants don’t hang too low.

• A bespoke utility room will have storage built to suit the room and accommodate your every need, from fitted cupboards to open shelves.

However, it is not too difficult to set up a very useful space using wall-mounted shelving, hooks and rails, free-standing shelves and racks, and a range of useful baskets and boxes, carefully chosen to suit the items you need to store.

• Save space by thinking vertically. A tumble dryer can be mounted above a washing machine, while pulleys can be used for a laundry drying rack. Tall, slim shelving is ideal, and all sorts of items can be hung from high hooks or tucked inside stacked boxes.

• In a small room, pale, neutral colours feel calm and help give an impression of light and space. A plain space may appeal if all you want to do is get in and out as quickly as possible. On the other hand, since you have to do household chores, you might as well make the room you’re spending time in as welcoming as possible. It’s easy to add personality with a few small elements, such as framed prints or photographs on the walls and a selection of potted plants (real or artificial). Tuck a reed diffuser in a corner, too, and ensure the space always smells gorgeous.

Armac Martin: 0121 359 2111; armacmartin.co.uk The Braided Rug Company: 01654 767 248; braided-rug.co.uk Dunelm: 0845 165 6565; dunelm.com Not a Boring Box: notaboringbox.com Wayfair: 0800 756 4191; wayfair.co.uk

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Interiors

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By Katherine Sorrell

A good night’s sleep

Create the perfect restful retreat by combining a great bed with the ideal mattress and sumptuous, stylish linens.

We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so it’s worth investing in the different elements that will help ensure the best possible night’s sleep – from a good-looking bed frame to lovely, layered bedlinen, a well-chosen mattress and a set of quality pillows.

Choosing a bed The most popular choice of bed base is a simple divan frame, which usually sit on castors, but are sometimes elevated on legs. Look for examples with useful side drawers, or ‘ottoman’ divans in which the entire mattress can be lifted up to access storage beneath. The alternative is a bedstead, generally made from wood or metal (though rattan elements are fashionable these days), which may be modern and minimal, but are more often traditional in appearance, such as a four-poster, a ‘sleigh’ bed or Victorian-style cast iron. The choice is largely aesthetic, but do bear in mind that not all mattresses and bases are compatible with each other.

Size matters when it comes to beds. Disturbance from a partner (or children) is one of the most common causes of sleeping complaints, so buy as big

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a bed as you can afford and that will fit comfortably into the room – remembering to leave enough space around it. You will need to allow about 450mm at the foot and sides of a bed in order to be able to make it comfortably, and at least 700mm of floor space between the side of a bed and the wardrobe, if this is where you are going to dress.

All about mattresses If you prefer a sprung mattress, the best are ‘pocket’ sprung, in which a large number of small springs work independently from each other, adjusting to the body and eliminating ‘roll-together’. Look for springs encased in calico pockets, hand nested in a honeycomb pattern and centre tied with linen cord.

Other signs of a high standard are quality ticking (the mattress’s fabric cover), hand side stitching, which keeps the mattress in good condition for longer, and sturdy handles to enable easy turning. Fillings include cotton, wool, coir, foam and horsehair, with added mohair, cashmere and silk at the luxury end of the market. Tufted construction is considered better than quilting, as it prevents loose fillings from

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being dislodged. And, if you and your partner prefer different mattresses, or are very different in weight, zip and link mattresses – two singles that can be attached together – could be the answer.

The relatively new market in non-sprung mattresses includes latex, foam or gel mattresses that can be delivered straight to your door and are often inexpensive. Warmer than sprung mattresses, they mould to the sleeper’s shape and are said to be good for sufferers of allergies and joint pain. Perhaps the ultimate solution is a combination mattress, which offers the support and comfort of springs with a non-sprung top layer. Consider, too, adding a mattress topper, which will add another layer of comfort and should help extend the life of your mattress.

Comfortable pillows If you want to wake up feeling refreshed, you’ll need to choose the right pillow. Down, feather, wool, latex, memory foam, synthetic down and hybrid are all options – as are cooling pillows, antisnoring pillows, sleep apnoea pillows, pregnancy pillows and adjustable pillows. There’s no simple recommendation; it’s a case of personal preference, provided your pillow supports your neck and keeps your spine aligned in a neutral position.

Experts recommend replacing pillows every one to two years. Why? Because over time they start to lose their support – and become less and less hygienic.

Using a good quality pillow protector may help with longevity, and you should launder pillows regularly, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

3 Gorgeous bedlinens Quality bed linen feels comfortable next to the skin, and will also wash well and last for years. What type should it be? Pure linen has excellent breathability, a cool, crisp touch and gets softer as it gets older – but does require ironing. Silk is also highly breathable, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer – it’s even said to reduce wrinkles and keep your hair glossy. It needs gentle handling but can go in the washing machine. Cotton, though, is by far the most popular choice, of which pure Egyptian cotton is generally considered the finest. Look for a thread count of more than 200, and up to 600 for real luxury. And finally there’s easy-care, a 50:50 mix of cotton and polyester, which has obvious advantages.

A set of white bed linen is a classic choice and complements any and every scheme. Even pure white, however, need not be completely plain, as all but the most basic duvet covers and pillows offer interesting design details, from pin tucks, cording and scalloped edging to hemstitch, embroidery and lace.

Add an eye-catching bed cover, perhaps also a throw and some bed cushions, selecting luscious textures and interesting trims, and you have a gorgeous layered style with a comfortable feel and eternally appealing look.

1 Combining sustainably sourced wood and natural rattan, this French-style bed features cabriole legs and hard-carved motifs. Montgomery rattan bed, £2,650, The French Bedroom Company: 01444 415 430; frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk.

2 Grand yet lightweight and modern, this slender canopy bed makes a statement without seeming overbearing.

Luna Canopy king-size bed, £1,195, Cox & Cox: 0330 333 2123; coxandcox.co.uk.

3 This sumptuous upholstered bed features a large hidden storage compartment. Roman ottoman bed frame, £1,399, Furniture Village: 0800 804 8879; furniturevillage. co.uk.

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Lexus NX Review

What is it? Given the fact that Lexus was pushing its ‘self-charging hybrids’ before most of its rivals had even considered electrification, you might be surprised to learn that this new NX is the first time the brand has offered a plug-in hybrid powertrain (PHEV). This second-generation Lexus NX has arrived with the firm claiming it’s 95 per cent new. It might look similar to its predecessor from the outside, but a lot of work has gone into the mid-sized SUV in an attempt to make it more competitive with premium rivals from the likes of Volvo and BMW. The new NX is also offered as a self-charging hybrid, but it’s the PHEV we’re testing here. This is Lexus’ best-selling model in the UK. What’s new? There’s a new-look exterior that’s pretty similar to the old one, some new powertrains, an improved interior as well as the promise of a more enjoyable driving experience.

One of the key changes for anyone who’s used Lexus’ frustrating infotainment system is that the NX debuts a new version that sits within a redesigned interior. The whole car is also slightly larger than the old model and built on a new platform that Lexus reckons will make it better to drive.

Lexus is also well-known for building safe, reliable cars, so it’s also keen to point out that the new NX gets extra safety and convenience technology.

What’s under the bonnet? There are two powertrain options available, called 350h and 450h+, with both having a four-cylinder petrol engine at their core, paired to electric motors on the front and rear axle.

The end result is outputs of 241bhp and 305bhp respectively, with the former being the regular hybrid and the latter the PHEV. The 350h is slightly slower, taking 7.7 seconds to complete 0-60mph, compared with 6.3 seconds in the PHEV. The battery is also considerably bigger in the PHEV, at 96kwh compared with 70, which gives it an impressive 47-mile electric-only range.

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Motoring

On our test with the car, though, we were left a little disappointed by the economy figures. Official measurements for PHEVs are pointless (the NX reads up to 314mpg, for example), but while we managed 53 per cent of our journey on electric-only power, our overall consumption in mixed driving conditions was about 36mpg. You really need to keep that battery topped up, because the petrol engine is thirsty.

What’s it like to drive? First impressions behind the wheel are very good. Our test car is in F-Sport trim with big alloys, but it’s immediately apparent these don’t result in poor low-speed ride quality. Couple this with the smooth, silent operation of the electric motors and the NX feels incredibly refined from the off.

When the engine does cut in it can be quite gruff, lacking the subtle refinement of other PHEVs. However, modern CVT gearboxes have largely moved on from the unpleasant droning and bizarre acceleration characteristics of old, meaning it’s no longer a weak link in the chain.

How does it look? The firm’s angular design ethos and imposing front grilles make it stand out from the crowd. The spindle grille has been tweaked to be more upright, which has the benefit of allowing more air into the engine bay, while the chrome frame has been ditched. These sharp lines flow into a muscular rear end that makes the car look fairly compact, in contrast with the massive front.

Perhaps the only criticism is that the styling has simply evolved, looking more like a mid-life refresh than a new generation.

What’s it like inside? While the exterior feels like mild evolution, there are more obvious changes inside. The cockpit is familiarly Lexus, but feels like the overly complicated cabins of previous models might be a thing of the past. The good news is that the awful trackpad has gone, and in its place is a high-resolution touchscreen (9.8-inch as standard or 14-inch on higher-spec trims).

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It’s a big step up, with clear graphics and quick responses to touch. It’s not perfect, with some odd design choices, but overall it’s a big improvement.

There’s still that indescribable something that leaves it just behind class leaders like BMW and Volvo, but it offers a genuinely interesting alternative. The driving position is great, the materials all feel high quality and there’s plenty of space for passengers.

What’s the spec like? There are three trims available, called NX, F Sport and Takumi. Even the entry-level model is well-equipped – starting at £38,300 for the 350h and £48,800 for the 450h+, this feels like the best-value option.

Standard equipment includes extensive safety equipment, dual-zone climate control, reversing camera, heated front seats, LED headlights and 18inch alloy wheels. There are also three option packs, and the 450h+ comes with the Premium Pack as standard, which adds privacy glass, heated steering wheel, wireless charger and more.

F Sport models start at £47,300 (350h) or £54,800 (450h+) and include adaptive variable sports suspension, an extra drive mode, sports steering wheel, F Sport leather upholstery and 20-inch alloy wheels. These models also come with the Premium Plus pack as standard, which adds LED cornering lights, larger touchscreen display and adaptive high-beam.

These models also have an optional Takumi pack,

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which adds a Mark Levinson sound system, head-up display and sunroof (450h+) or panoramic roof (350h).

Finally, the top-spec NX is called Takumi and starts from £51,800 (350h) or £57,800 (450h+) and includes fully automated parking, the stereo upgrade, a ‘card key’, leather upholstery and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Verdict Lexus has done an admirable job over the past few decades, establishing itself as a genuine alternative to the established premium marques like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The new NX only continues that and is arguably the closest yet to those bigger brands’ rival offerings.

It looks great, the interior has moved on and the infotainment system no longer lets the side down.

It’s also pretty comfortable to drive, and if you keep the battery topped up should have low running costs over a short commute or school run.

From a purely rational comparison, it’s difficult to recommend the NX over, say, a Volvo XC60 or an Audi Q5. However, for those who want a less obvious, more interesting choice, the NX won’t disappoint.

Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport / Price: £54,800 / 2.5-litre petrol engine and twin-electric motors Power: 305bhp / Torque: 270Nm Max speed: 124mph 0-60mph: 6.1 seconds / MPG: 256.8-313.9 Emissions: 20-26g/km CO2

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T&R Roofing Ltd Family Business Est. 1985 • Felt Roofing Specialists (10 year & 15 year guarantee on high performance felts) • Tiling, Slating, Guttering • UPVC Fascia/Soffits • Chimney Work All NEW work guaranteed Fully insured for employer & Public Liability Contact Tony Simpson for a FREE estimate on:

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Seasonal Recipe

This is a delicious protein-packed salad full of beneficial omega-3 antiinflammatory fats, and using walnut oil in the dressing is an easy way to further boost your intake of these healthy fats. This creamy dressing is equally delicious drizzled over any cooked fish or seafood.

Salmon Niçoise Salad With herb, caper and walnut dressing Ingredients 2 boneless salmon or trout fillets, about 120g each, skin on

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Serves 2

Dressing 2 tbsp walnut oil 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp capers Juice of ½ lemon Zest of 1 lemon 1 tsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs e.g. parsley, basil Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Salad 6 new potatoes, halved 60g French beans, halved Bag of mixed lettuce leaves ½ cucumber, cut into ribbons 1 tbsp capers 10 cherry tomatoes, halved 30g black or green olives, pitted 1 hard-boiled egg, cut into quarters

1. Bring a large steamer to the boil, tip the potatoes into the water then lay the fish fillets, skin-side down, in the steamer basket. Cover and cook for 6-8 mins, until the fish is cooked through, then remove and set aside.

2. Blanch the beans for 1-2 minutes then drain.

3. Place the mixed leaves in a large bowl and toss in the potatoes, cucumber, capers and beans. Scatter over the olives and tomatoes.

4. Flake the fish into large chunks, discarding the skin, and add to the salad with the egg.

5. Whisk all the ingredients for the dressing together and season to taste. Drizzle over the salad just before serving.

Nutrition per serving: 567kcal, fat 36.8g (of which saturates 5.6g), carbohydrates 21.9g (of which sugars 4.7g), protein 34.2g

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Carpets Upholstery Fascias Soffits Gutters Conservatories Patios Driveways 01767 222 822 07812 335 860 www.pkcleaningservicesltd.co.uk Find us on

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Baking

Rhubarb and Ginger Mousse

A delicious combination of young rhubarb scented with coconut milk and stem ginger.

Similar to a mousse, this can be made several days in advance making it an easy, light dessert option. For a lower-sugar option swap the sugar for xylitol.

Preparation: Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 12 minutes Chilling time 3-4 hours Serves 4 Ingredients 400g young rhubarb, chopped 150g caster sugar 1 chunk of stem ginger, from a jar 1 tbsp ginger syrup, from the jar 4 small gelatine leaves 200ml canned coconut milk 2 egg whites

1. Place the rhubarb in a large pan with the sugar and 2 tbsp water. Cook gently for 10 minutes until the rhubarb is soft. Allow to cool. Puree with the ginger and ginger syrup.

2. Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water for 10 minutes to soften.

3. Place the rhubarb puree in a pan and slowly heat with the coconut milk. Drain the gelatine leaves and add to the pan. Simmer gently until dissolved.

4. Whisk the egg whites until stiff then fold into the rhubarb mixture.

5. Spoon into glasses or bowls and leave to set in the fridge for 3-4 hours.

Nutrition per serving: 260kcal, fat 8.6g (of which saturates 7.3g), carbohydrates 40.6g (of which sugars 39.8g), protein 4.2g

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

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

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Books

How to Kill Your Family

by Bella Mackie

You know those moments when you’ve wanted to throttle your entire family and bury them under the patio? Or is that just me? Well, they are usually and thankfully shortlived flashes of fury. But what if they weren’t? What if they were deeprooted and all encompassing? Enter Grace, a woman on a mission. She wants to wipe out parts of her family.

I knew the premise before picking up the book and expected Grace to be unlikeable, which is not the case. In fact, I loved her. Mackie has created a sophisticated serial killer thriller. She deftly splits the story between past and present, smoothly interweaving snippets of Grace’s childhood and teens, which are both heart-warming and heart-breaking by turn. Grace endures a lot in her youth, and I honestly held a lot of affection for her throughout the story, in spite of her malign intentions.

Grace is as forensically thorough in her planning and execution (pun totally intended) of her murders as Dexter in in the TV series of the same name. In fact, this book is crying out to be turned into a series, possibly starring Jodie Comer! It is a wonderfully darkly twisted tale which also bizarrely manages to feel somehow uplifting, and there’s a great plot twist too.

Black and British: An Illustrated History, by David Olusoga David Olusoga is a British-Nigerian historian. His book Black and British, A Short Essential History is an excellent introduction to how Black culture has both enriched and forms an integral part of British culture. While not aimed at children it’s accessible enough for fluent readers, and personally I feel it should be a core text for the National Curriculum.

This book though is an illustrated and abridged version aimed specifically at children aged 8-11. Like the adult text, it charts the often-overlooked histories of Black people in Britain from Roman times (yes there were Roman Africans!) right through to the present day, encompassing the black soldiers who fought for Britain in World War 1 and Windrush, which has once again been in the news.

The full colour illustrations are beautiful and include maps and portraits. This is an informative book for all children (and their parents), no matter what their heritage might be.

By Tash Donovan

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What's On

WHAT'S ON IN APRIL 1 APRIL Bedford Art Society 7.15 for 7.30pm Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford Members free, visitors £5 Tony Jackson talks about the work of the Glasgow School of Art, the Glasgow Boys and later works produced in Glasgow.

Tel: Jean Paterson 01234 307210 for info Web: www.bedsartsociety.co.uk 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 27 & 29 APRIL ‘Open Door’ 10-11.30am Potton Salvation Army, hapel Street Tea, coffee and chat. Mondays (not bank holidays), Wednesday and Fridays.

1, 8, 22 & 29 APRIL Sandy Ukulele Group 7-9pm Baptist Chapel Hall, Bedford Road, Sandy Meets every Friday. Please email for more information on joining.

Visitors welcome.

Email: sandyukulelegroup1@gmail. com Web: www.sandyukulelegroup.com 2 APRIL Coffee Morning 10-11.30am Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street Coffee, tea, bacon butties, homemade cakes, cards, Bric-a-Brac, Books and jigsaws etc. Held on the first Saturday every month except January. Everyone welcome.

Tel: 01767 261138 2 APRIL Craft & Food Fayre 10am-3pm Jordans Mill, Broom Support local, independent traders.

A fantastic range of stalls including sweet treats, hand-made items, locally made foods and more. In the front car park and throughout the grounds of Jordans Mill.

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2 APRIL Choral Music for the Queen’s Jubilee 7.30pm Church of St Mary Virgin, Northill Tickets £12 Vivace Concert. Handel Coronation Anthems including ‘Zadok the Priest’, Parry ‘I Was Glad’ and Elgar ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. Tickets available from choir members, by email or on the door.

Email: secretary@vivacechoir.co.uk 2 APRIL Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street Coffee Morning 10-11.30 a.m.

Coffee/Tea/Bacon Butties/ Homemade Cakes/Cards/Bric-aBrac/Books/Jigsaws etc.

(Monthly Coffee Mornings are held on the first Saturday every month except January).

Weekly “Open Door” (Tea/Coffee/ Chat) on Mondays (not Bank Holidays)/Wednesday’s & Fridays 10-11.30 am. Everyone Welcome.

Phone 01767 261138 3 APRIL Sunday Stroll 10.30am. Forest Centre, Millennium Country Park, Marston Moretaine Free - donations welcome Gentle Sunday walk around the park lasting approximately 2 hours. No need to book.

Tel: 01234 767037 for more details Web: www.marstonvale.org 3 APRIL Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society 2pm. Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade ‘Derelict Hill Farm to Garden in a year or two or Twenty’ with Derry Watkins., well-known nursery owner. Plants for sale.

Visitors welcome – small charge.

Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk

4, 11, 18 & 25 APRIL Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-10.30pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Medium-sized social club for single people aged 40 upwards. Meets every Monday night.

Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk 5 APRIL Lunchtime Concert 1pm St Paul’s Church, Bedford Free recitals with a retiring collection (suggested £5) in aid of church funds. Come and enjoy The Goldentones, Cappella Quintet.

Tel: 01234 340163 5 APRIL Cantamus Chamber Choir Concert 7.30pm St Paul’s Church, Bedford Tickets £10 Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil (7080 minutes length of programme) sung by Cantamus Chamber Choir.

Retiring collection will be taken in aid of humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.

6 APRIL Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Group 1pm. Shuttleworth Guests £5 ‘I Remember When... (aviation journalism)’ by Ray Hankin. Meets on the first Wednesday of every month. Entry to Shuttleworth is £15 (valid for one month) but free for SVAS and AEG members and invited guests.

Email: 99aegr@gmail.com Web: www.a-e-g.org.uk 6-10 APRIL Spring Activity Trail 11am-2.30pm Forest Centre, Millennium Country Park, Marston Moretaine £3 per child age 1+ Some woodland friends are hiding in the garden - how many can you find...?! Self-led activity. Booking essential. Price includes entrance to trail, certificate and small prize.

Tel: 01234 767037 for more details Web: www.marstonvale.org

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What's On

WHAT'S ON IN APRIL 7 & 13 APRIL Sandy Astronomical Society 7 April 7pm AGM and general meeting at Everton Village Hall. 13 April 7.30pm Zoom talk with Dr Julian Onions on ‘Dark Matter’.

Email: info@sandyastro.co.uk Web: sandyastro.co.uk 7, 14, 21 & 28 APRIL Biggleswade & District Camera Club 8-10pm Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Non-members £3 See website for full programme.

Web: https:// biggleswadecameraclub.co.uk 9 APRIL Organ Recital with Charles Wooler 12pm St Paul’s Church, Bedford Free recital with a retiring collection (suggested £5) in aid of church funds.

Tel: 01234 340163 9TH APRIL Potton Art Group Spring Exhibition and Sale 10:00 - 13:00 hrs Community Centre, Brook End, Potton, SG19 2QS Free entry Refreshments served.

11 APRIL Sandy Flower Club 7.30pm. The Conservative Bowls Club Pavilion (rear of the Conservative Club, Bedford Road) Visitors £5 The Flower Club meets second Monday in the month (excluding January, August and December).

New members always welcome.

Tel: Sue Alexander 01767 699729 or follow us on Facebook 13 APRIL Spring Open Day 11am-3pm. Luton Hoo Estate Walled Garden, LU1 4LE Entry £5. Free children’s activities.

Tel: 01582 721443

13 APRIL Bedford Local Wildlife Trust 7.15pm for 7.30pm Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnam Avenue, Bedford AGM and Illustrated talk ‘An Introduction to Bedfordshire’s Geology‘ by Bev Fowlston. Ample parking. All welcome. No charge but voluntary contributions appreciated. Tel: 01234 266057 Web: wildlifebcn.org

23 APRIL Castle Comedy Doors open 7.30pm, show starts 8pm. The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Rd, Biggleswade Castle Comedy is the monthly comedy club that brings you fabulous entertainment in Bedford and Biggleswade. A great night out with some of the UK’s finest comedians. www.castlecomedy. co.uk/biggleswade-home

17 APRIL Biggleswade Antique & Vintage Fair 9am-4pm. The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Café serving food and drinks all day.

Free parking. Wheelchair/pushchair access. Tel: Marcel 07887 648255 Web: www.marcelfairs.co.uk

24 APRIL A Feast of Music 2.30pm All Saints Church Sutton £10 per person. ‘Pastime with good company’ performed by The Ensemble of Friends and conducted

by Dr Douglas Coombes MBE. Refreshments. Proceeds to All Saints Church. Tel: 01767 261910 joannahollington@btinternet.com

19 APRIL Sandy Women’s Institute 10am-12pm. Sandy Conservative Club, Bedford Road, Sandy Visitors £4. Meets third Tuesday of every month, except August.

Tel: 01767 680644 Email: sandywibeds@gmail.com 21 APRIL Bedford RSPB Local Group 7.30pm. ARA Club, Manton Lane Bedford MK41 7PF Group members £1, Guest £2, annual group membership £5, under 18s free. Tonight we go to North Africa for a ‘Moroccan Experience’ with Richard Pople. Suitable for experts and novices. RSPB membership not essential. Facilities and refreshments at ground level. Secure parking.

COVID restrictions may apply.

Advice about meeting will be adhered to should the situation change. Tel: 07905199769 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ bedford 23 APRIL Table Top Sale 10am-1pm. Eyeworth Village Hall £10 per table. Refreshments and tombola. In aid of All Saints’, Eyeworth. Table bookings: Wendy 01767 631283 or Abi 01767 631864

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27 APRIL Lunchtime Talk 10.30am-12.30pm. Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade Warden Abbey Vineyard. Nestled between the picturesque villages of Old Warden and Cardington, hear the fascinating story of how a vineyard came to be planted on this beautiful Bedfordshire site in medieval times.

Web: shuttleworth.org/talksprogramme 29 APRIL Sandy Historical Society 7.30pm Stonecroft Hall, St Swithins Way, Sandy Entry £2.50 inc. refreshments, members and students free ‘History of Bedford Museum & Art Gallery’ by Lydia Saul.

Tel: 01767 680171 30 APRIL Peregrine Recorder Orchestra Concert 7.30pm. Upper Caldecote Methodist Church Free entry. Also featuring three talented soloists - Brass, String and Soprano. Generous donations to Cancer Research UK are welcome.

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B urtenshaw D ecorating S ervices All Domestic Work Undertaken Painting, Decorating, Wallpapering Interior and Exterior Work Over 30 years experience Fully Insured Quality Workmanship City and Guilds Qualified Insurance Work

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• • • • • • • • • •

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

01767 260626 sales@pottonwindows.co.uk www.pottonwindows.co.uk

Unit 2-6 Shannon Place, Potton SG19 2SP 96

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Technology

The best coffee machines for every day

Our recommendations for making fantastic flat whites and excellent espresso Coffee machines typically come in three different flavours. The simplest and most affordable machines are filter coffee makers, which you load with ground coffee and wait for the hot water to pass through it and into the jug below. Then there are capsule coffee machines, into which you insert single-cup capsules that can make anything from speciality coffees to hot chocolate. And finally, at the more expensive end of the market there are bean-to-cup machines, which you fill with beans that they grind before passing hot water over them.

Bean-to-cup machines make brilliant coffee (depending of course on the beans you use), but while it’s possible to get a miniature beanto-cup machine for about £40 the good ones start at around £250 and continue well past the £1,000 mark, with machines at the high end featuring extremely high water pressure, artificial intelligence, tablet-style displays and more coffee options than you could possibly drink in a lifetime. Some also include milk frothers for creamy cappuccinos and flat whites.

If you’re serious about coffee but don’t want to spend serious money, both Dolce Gusto and Nespresso coffee machines are very affordable – around £35 to £90 at the time of writing – and the pods come in at around 50p each for Nespresso and 20p each for Dolce Gusto. Although the machines themselves are very simple, the available pods cover every conceivable kind of coffee, enabling you to make whatever you like without any fuss whatsoever.

Last but not least there are the familiar filter coffee makers, with prices starting below £25 and rising to about £200 for prestigious brands such as Smeg. Although most such coffee makers have a keep-warm function, we’d recommend turning them off when they’re not in use: we’ve burnt through many filter coffee makers whose heating elements failed after just a few months of fairly intensive use.

In addition to all of these machines there’s another option: the Aeropress. This £30 coffee maker is similar to but faster and easier to clean than a French press: simply combine water and ground coffee, let it sit for a bit and then press the plunger down to deliver a smooth and mellow drink.

Aeropress Unlike the other coffee machines here, the Aeropress has no electric or electronic parts: it does its magic by air pressure.

Simply fill it with coffee and hot water, wait a bit and then plunge for perfect coffee. £29.99, aeropress.co.uk

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Mini Me If even a Nespresso machine is too big, this tiny machine packs a seriously caffeinated punch thanks to its Dolce Gusto pods, which are even more affordable than Nespresso ones. £56, Amazon UK

Nespresso Vertuo Plus If you want high-end coffee without the high-end price tag, Nespresso machines are much more affordable and make it easy to get excellent coffee every time. £199, nespresso.com Jura E6 Platinum Jura’s coffee machines are incredibly impressive. The E6 is packed with cutting-edge coffee technology that makes it really easy to use. It has eleven different specialities and there’s an intelligent water filter for perfect taste. £599, hartsofstur.com Delonghi Magnifica ESAM4200 We’ll admit bias here: we’re on our second Magnifica and they’re magnificent bean-tocup machines. They’re quite noisy but the results are worth a few seconds of grinding and wheezing, and they’re particularly great with famous Italian coffee brands. £349, delonghi.com

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DRIFTWOOD JOINERY LTD Specialists in Bespoke Joinery

Conservatories • Doors • Windows Staircases Handmade Kitchens Handmade Bedroom Furniture

Unit 12, Gracious Farm, Southill, Beds SG18 9JB T: 01462 816695 F: 01462 850915 E: info@driftwoodjoinery.com

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Crossword Puzzle Solution from our March Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Fraser Hayden from Gamlingay

March’s Codeword and Sudoku Solutions

Easy

Hard

Advertising in The Villager is easy.

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Across 1 Denied (7) 5 Not ours (5) 8 Amazing (9) 9 Spot (3) 10 Nap (5) 12 Replies (7) 13 Nearly (13) 15 Mum’s mother (7) 17 Healed (5) 19 Lodging house (3) 20 Ethereal (9) 22 Dizzy (5) 23 Convent (7)

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

16th April 2022 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 Disagreements (5) 2 Supporter (3) 3 Used for cleaning (7) 4 Insistence (13) 5 Sailboat (5) 6 Vests, boxers (9) 7 Fulfil (7) 11 Made clear (9) 13 Fishing (7) 14 Sale by bidding (7) 16 Covered with fine powder (5) 18 Hold up (5) 21 Employ (3)

Name:

Address:

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

Tel:

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KEMP GARAGE DOORS SALES • INSTALLATION • REPAIRS • Family Run Business • 25 Years Experience • Up and Over • Sectional and Roller Doors www.kempgaragedoors.co.uk • Security Shutters

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A RELIABLE, QUALITY SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST • Gas Boiler Installation, Servicing and Repairs • Landlord Gas Safety Certificates • Central Heating System Installation and Upgrades • Radiator Flushing • All General Plumbing Based in St. Neots Covering All Surrounding Areas

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Short Story

By Jackie Brewster

A Musical Feast “Watch out, Jayne.” Doreen nudged her friend as they took their balcony seats for tonight’s performance of ‘Sounds of the Seventies’. “We’ve been spotted by Nigel, the food police.”

Nigel was employed by Frog Alley Theatre to take tickets and show people to their seats, but he took the job far too seriously. During tonight’s show there would be no dancing, no flash photography and categorically no food or drink in the auditorium.

Doreen and Jayne had had dealings with him before.

In the last year he’d confiscated three boxes of midget gems, a bar of fruit and nut and twelve tubes of extra strong mints. Now he was heading in their direction, waving his torch.

“Nice to see you ladies making the effort for the occasion,” he whispered loudly. The poster for the show said ‘dress to impress’, and Doreen and Jayne had answered the call. Both were wearing sequinned boob tubes, satin flares and huge pink afro wigs.

“Why can I smell vinegar?” He sniffed the air suspiciously. Doreen and Jayne glanced at each other.

“That’s my new perfume.” Jayne sat down gingerly, holding onto her wig. “Are you making up rules about how the audience should smell now?”

“You both have a reputation for food smuggling.”

Nigel tapped his torch against his palm. “I’m right to be suspicious.”

“Don’t panic Nigel, we’ve learned our lesson,” Doreen huffed. “Look at us, we’ve nowhere to smuggle anything. Check my handbag if you like.”

Nigel gave the offered purse a cursory glance but

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there was nothing to be found. Doreen’s wig was slowly starting to slide off her head. He reached out, and, uninvited, straightened it. It made a curious crunchy sound.

“Would you mind removing your wig?” he frowned.

“I certainly do mind.” Doreen shook her head. The wig wobbled precariously. “It’s part of the outfit.”

“It’s obstructing the view, they both are.”

“Whose view?” Jayne turned round. “There’s no one behind us.”

“Besides,” Doreen snorted, “you can’t tell folks to take off their clothes, it’s not that sort of show.”

“I insist you show me what’s under your wig,” Nigel said firmly. The lights went down and audience members started coughing.

“It’s just newspaper.” She lifted the front of the wig to reveal a corner of yesterday’s Evening Post. “See? You fill the wig with scrunched-up newspaper to give it height.”

“Now leave us alone or I’ll be asking for your manager,” Jayne said crossly. “I’m sure you’re not supposed to be manhandling audience members.”

There was the unmistakeable sound of someone opening a can of pop in row G and Nigel’s head snapped round. He scowled and sloped off, his torch beam dazzling everyone as he walked past.

“Has he gone?” Doreen said. She reached beneath her wig and pulled out a newspaper-wrapped bundle.

“Did you get cod or haddock?” she asked her friend, as the curtain went up and the band began playing.

“I’ll swap you a piece for some of my chips.”

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Books

Books for wellbeing The Comfort Book Matt Haig

Author Matt Haig has been very open about his struggles with depression. His latest book is a collection of sayings, thoughts and recollections that offer comfort when times are hard. Many of us find it difficult to focus when we’re feeling down, anxious or burnt out. With The Comfort Book, you can just flick through and read the quote that catches your eye. That might be a story snippet, a list, music recommendations or a recipe.

Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention Johann Hari

We often berate ourselves for spending too much time scrolling through social media or getting distracted when we should be concentrating.

Johann Hari explains why the inability to focus is not a personal failing – it’s an alltoo-common side effect of modern life. Crucially, he also shares science-backed advice to help you reclaim your ability to focus.

Good Vibes, Good Life Vex King

Stuck in a rut and not sure how to move forward? In Good Vibes, Good Life, Vex King gives practical and inspirational tips for tackling negative thoughts, improving self-esteem and finding the motivation to make positive changes. Ultimately, his goal is to help you to both love yourself for who you are now and to make the changes that will improve your life for the better.

Broken (in the best possible way) Jenny Lawson

We all need a good belly laugh sometimes. Broken gives you that, plus so much more. As the blurb says, it’s a book about ‘living, surviving and thriving with anxiety’. It’s written like a stream of consciousness in parts, as Lawson shares anecdotes and lessons from her life. Raw, honest, relatable.

The Sleep Book Dr Guy Meadows

Anyone who struggles to sleep knows the impact it can have on daily life. The Sleep Book isn’t a recent release, but it’s one of the most wellresearched – Dr Meadows has worked with more than 2,000 insomniacs. The result is a five-week plan to solve insomnia, mainly focusing on mindfulness and ACT (‘act and commitment’) therapy. It’s not a magic cure, but the advice is practical and easy to follow.

Reflections Holly Willoughby

In Reflections, TV presenter Holly Willoughby shares her ‘toolkit’ for living a happier, more connected life. She talks of the rituals, techniques and positive habits that have helped her to reconnect, tackle anxiety and feel more grounded. It’s a deeply personal book – she discusses body image, burnout and other challenges – but it’s not an autobiography. While most of us don’t lead a celebrity lifestyle, there are still many nuggets of wisdom that readers will find useful.

By Kate Duggan

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Katie Charles - Foot Health Practitioner - S.A.C. Dip. RFHP Professional footcare in the comfort of your own home Nail Trimming • Corns • Fungal Nail • Athletes Foot Hard Skin/Callus • Verruca Treatment • Thickened Nail Tel: 07841 479120 Email: katiefoothealth@gmail.com

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At friends five star hairdressing & beauty we pride ourselves in creating fantastic hair, giving our clients relaxing beauty treatments and top customer service but we also offer as a salon these extra benefits • Award winning salon - Best salon Bedfordshire 2020 & Best colour salon Bedfordshire 2020 • Online booking system & App - Available for you to book or reschedule your appointment 24 hours a day - App available to download in the app or play store “Friends5star” • Specialised stylists in colouring, hair extensions and wig cutting • We’re open Monday and two late evenings - Wednesday and Thursday until 9pm • A salon that invests in training for all the latest cutting and colouring techniques • Free colour consultations • Shiatsu Massage chairs • Beauty treatment room within the salon - have everything done under one roof • Unisex salon with disabled access • Local free car park • Eco-friendly product range - Award winning products with tailored aftercare advice • Extensive refreshment list

Like our page or follow us on @friendshair @friendshair_beauty To keep updated with everything at Friends

Call us on 01767 682789

Opening Hours: Monday & Tuesday 9.00am - 5.30pm Wednesday & Thursday 9.30 - 9.00pm, Friday 9.30am - 6.00pm Saturday 8.30 - 4.00pm www.friendsfivestarhairdressing.com facebook.com/friendshair

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