Potton December 2022

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Five places to travel solo

By Solange Hando

While once the prospect of exploring a new country completely alone would terrify most of us, nowadays solo travel carries with it a strange allure, infused with ideas of adventure, storytelling and personal growth.

Solo travel has soared in recent years, with more and more people choosing to challenge the norm by holidaying alone. Films like ‘The Beach’, ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ and ‘Wild’ have paved the way for this growing trend and the travel industry has followed suit. In 2022, the world is more geared towards solo travel than ever before, with many package holidays, hotels and excursions designed specifically with the lone traveller in mind. But what are the benefits? From making new friends and learning more about yourself, to indulging in complete unashamed selfishness, the rewards are countless. First off, there’s no denying that it’s so much easier to meet new and interesting people. Travelling with familiar faces generally means you’re less likely to venture out of your circle to chat with potential friends or travel buddies. When you’re on your own, however, making friends happens so naturally you won’t even need to think about it.

What’s more, if you’re looking for time by yourself, there’s nothing like a spot of solo travel to help you on your journey of self-discovery. ‘Finding yourself’ is a cliché, and while solo travel may not lead to a ‘Eureka’ moment of self-realisation, it could certainly help you discover new passions, hobbies and aspirations.

While you can obviously book a solo trip wherever you choose, when it comes to travelling alone, there are some destinations that come up trumps. Here are five of our top picks.

Ireland

Ireland is the perfect place to start if you’re new to solo travel. With many of the home comforts we’re familiar with in the UK, including the English language, this is a country that’s famous for the welcome it extends to strangers. Pull up a stool in a traditional Irish pub, offer to buy your neighbour a pint and you’ll have a friend for life – or at least for the evening. Stay a while and you might get lucky and catch a Celtic music session. What’s more, Ireland’s stunning breadth of nature – particularly along the Atlantic coast – leaves you plenty of room for self-reflection.

Thailand

Thailand’s tropical beaches are a stalwart of Asia’s traditional backpacking route. With a terrific range of tours, good transport options and international cuisine, it’s one of the best places to start a welltrodden solo adventure around South-East Asia. Whether you choose the Gulf coast to the east or the Andaman coast to the west, you’re bound to find fellow travellers to bond with. Plus, it’s not known as ‘the land of smiles’ for nothing! The people of Thailand are, for the most part, warm and welcoming towards foreign visitors and will often go out of their way to help you out.

Ireland

New Zealand

If you’re nervous about the safety aspect of travelling solo, New Zealand will certainly put you at ease. Kiwis will tell you their country is one of the safest in the world, but it’s the dazzling landscapes, buzzing towns and cities and friendly people that truly make New Zealand a mecca for solo travel. Popular with backpackers, nature enthusiasts, and thrill-seekers striking out on their own, the country is a haven for anyone who loves the great outdoors and one of the best places to meet fellow, likeminded travellers.

Indonesia

The setting for one third of Elizabeth Gilbert’s solo travel memoir ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, there’s no denying that Indonesia has a special magic about it. Bali is the archipelago’s most popular island for solo travellers, but its neighbours Lombok and the Gili Islands are close competitors. If a spiritual and artistic awakening is what you seek, Ubud definitely needs to be on your radar. It’s where Elizabeth Gilbert found love and true peace, and it remains a wonderfully laid-back place for solo travellers to relax, reflect and recharge.

Costa Rica

Solo travellers from the US have been heading to Costa Rica for years, and Europeans are finally starting to catch on. As the world’s greenest, most biodiverse country, there’s no better place to reconnect with nature – the country’s pura vida (pure

life) ethos is apparent wherever you go. It also has a reputation for being one of the happiest countries in the world, and it’s easy to see why: from white-water rafting down rivers to zip-lining through gorgeous rainforests, Costa Rica is packed with outdoor activities to please your adventurous spirit.

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New Zealand

Indonesia

New Zealand

Countdown to Christmas The Origins of the Advent Calendar

I loved the arrival of the Advent Calendar when I was growing up. Every year we had a cardboard one from Woolworths, printed with a Christmas scene, each little door opening to reveal a tiny picture such as a teddy, a reindeer or a bauble. My brother and I would take it turns to be ‘odds’ or ‘evens’. I always wanted to be ‘evens’ so I could open the Christmas Eve door which was always slightly larger and had a picture of the Nativity or Santa on the roof of a snow-covered house. When some of the kids at school started boasting about their ‘chocolate’ Advent Calendars we begged my dad for one and eventually he gave in. We were disappointed when we realised that once the chocolate was removed there was no picture, just an empty space where the chocolate had been. The ‘open’ chocolate Advent calendar had all the charm of a mouth with missing teeth. We never asked for another one.

The Advent calendar originates from Germany. It began with German Protestants marking the days of Advent either by burning a candle or marking a wall with chalk. This morphed into the practice of hanging a devotional image every day and ultimately to the creation of the first known wooden Advent calendar in 1851. The first printed calendars appeared just after 1900. Small doors were added in the 1920s. Often short bible verses were hidden behind the doors alongside the picture. During the World War ll cardboard rationing put a stop to advent calendars but when hostilities ceased Richard Sellmar of Stuttgart obtained a permit from the US officials to begin printing and selling them again. He designed a calendar based on a German winter town scene. By the 1950s, they were mass-produced and affordable and exported across the world.

By Kate McCarthy

Chocolate Advent Calendars might seem like the new kids on the block but they have been around longer than you might think. Fry and Son produced the first chocolate Advent calendar as early as 1958 and Cadbury popularised them in the Seventies.

Lego got in on the action in 1998 with a set that contained a Santa Claus minifigure and simple brickmade structures, which could be finally reassembled into a bigger model or scene. They’ve produced at least one every year since. My oldest teen begs me for their Harry Potter one every year.

Over the past decade Advent calendars have gone ‘luxury’ and become a key marketing strategy for many companies. This started around 2010 when Selfridges department store launched a beautythemed Advent calendar with the cosmetics giant L’Oréal. It was filled with product samples from fragrances to body creams. There is now a advent calendar catering for pretty much every taste, most of them marketed at adults rather than children.

There are advent calendars for gin-lovers, tea-lovers, and nail-polish addicts; there is even one for pets, and they are not cheap! Some cost upwards of £150! It’s all a worlds away from Sellmar-Verlag, now run by Richard’s grandchildren, which still produces traditional card Advent calendars to this day. The company’s most popular advent calendar is still Richard’s original design, called Little Town.

A few years ago my husband (knowing my love of traditional Advent Calendars) bought me a wooden one which is reusable and is a beautiful Christmas decoration in its own right...in fact my teens actually argue over which one of them will inherit it when I die (that’s the festive spirit guys!).

However you choose to mark the occasion...Happy Advent!

Time of Year

Give us a kiss for Christmas…

So goes the vintage Pinky and Perky song. A kiss under a sprig of mistletoe is a well-known festive tradition. But why?

Mistletoe is a parasitic plant which attaches itself to a tree by means of something called a haustorium, and through this it extracts water and nutrients from the host plant. So how did it become associated with romance?

Mistletoe’s medicinal uses can be traced back to Ancient Greece, where they used it as a cure for everything from menstrual cramps to spleen disorders, and the Romans used as for epilepsy, ulcers and as a poison. No obvious romantic overtones there!

Enter the Celtic Druids around 1st century A.D. Mistletoe thrives during the coldest winters, so the Druids adopted it as a sacred symbol of vivacity, and used it in both humans and animals in the hope of restoring fertility.

Then there is the Norse myth of Odin’s son Baldur, who was prophesied to die, so his mother Frigg, the goddess of love, went to all the animals and plants of the natural world to secure an oath that

By Tom Hancock

they would not harm him. But she forgot to ask the humble mistletoe, so the god Loki cunningly made an arrow from the plant and used it to kill the otherwise invincible Baldur. But the gods were able to resurrect him, so (somewhat counterintuitively perhaps) Frigg declared mistletoe a symbol of love and vowed to plant a kiss on all those who passed beneath it.

Mistletoe’s associations with fertility and health continued through the Middle Ages, and by the 18th century it had become entwined with Christmas celebrations. Unusually the kissing tradition spread upwards from the lower classes of servants to the middle classes.

The old custom was that men were allowed to steal a kiss from any woman caught standing under the mistletoe, and refusing was viewed as bad luck. Some versions have the men pluck a single berry from the mistletoe with each kiss, and to cease their amorous intents when the mistletoe was bare. Do you love or hate the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe?

By Peter Ibbett

A Potton Forage Postcard from 1899

The Potton History Society has nearly 200 ‘traditional’ photographic albums including one for Brook End which has the above 1983 picture. Behind the present Community Centre (The Old Fire Station) is an area where barns still survive. Many locals remember the little St John’s Ambulance building (now demolished to make way for a house extension). It was originally built to act as an office for a local forage contractor. Back before the sound of a car horn was heard on the Market Square the world was horse powered with a consequent demand for forage for the animals. A collection of material relating to Mr Ginn’s business has emerged from over a century of hibernation to find a new home in the society archive. The pre-stamped cards were the e-mails of their day. The collection gives an insight into the quantities of material acquired and the importance of rail transport in moving it. The example below shows a wagon of hay at the G.N.R station at Baldock on 2nd December 1899. Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

The Potton History Society Archive Collection is kept in an Annexe to the Mill Lane Pavilion. Please contact the Society Chairman George Howe or Secretary Chris Miles to arrange a visit or to donate new items ‘ancient or modern’.

Wines: A Mixed Selection

White wines or red wines – perhaps, something between the two? Each to their own preferences. White wines tend to accompany fish dishes and white meats particularly well and red wines complement red meats wonderfully. If a rosé is preferred (maybe for when dining al fresco), these productions come in varying shades of pink, adding a most pleasing colour to a dining occasion, be it inside or outside. They are very much enjoyed on their own, too. A good sparkling wine is always a plus point (for me), to commence, creating a ‘friendly atmosphere’ and ‘setting the taste buds in the right direction’. Firstly, Crémant de Loire from France (12% vol). This sparkling brut production is very popular and a great start to any occasion – as well as being splendid by itself and fabulous for events and parties. This pleasantly-coloured pink wine I found to have a most appealing flavour of light red fruits for the mouthfeel. Crisp and with a very good finish on the palate.

For an easy-drinking white wine a favourite is Cotin Jaillet from France (12.5% vol). This dry, white production, has many devotees and graces numerous dining tables, constantly. Great to accompany fish, seafood and a good number of other dishes, adding a complementing flavour – and complementing enjoyment – to dining times.

Going for a still rosé? Certainly, the Vallée du Sud from France (13.5% vol) will not disappoint. I found this production most pleasant, whilst adding colour to the dining table. Excellent to pair with a lot of dishes of cuisine, too. Pink wines are now enjoyed all through the year. Red wines are often chosen by wine lovers and Tuffeau Saumur Cabernet Franc from France (13.5% vol) ‘ticks many boxes’. The deep ruby-red colour entices to the bouquet, where an abundance of ripe, red fruits continue on to the mouthfeel and palate sensation. Excellent with cold meats, red meats and cheeses.

I located these productions at a Lidl store, amongst their most impressive range of wines and drinks that offer very good value indeed. Advice is always available in store, too. For all details and information, please visit www.lidl.co.uk

Stocking fillers Technology

We’re all watching our money this year, and that means when it comes to Christmas presents we’re perhaps being a little more careful with what we’re buying for the people we care about. But you don’t have to splash the cash to get great tech gifts for family, friends or colleagues. There are stacks of great gifts for every kind of person.

If you’re buying for someone who’s mad about music, wireless Bluetooth speakers can be great buys. Amazon’s Echo Dot speaker is a good choice of smart speaker, currently £25.99, and the JBL Go 3 is a fun and very small speaker that’s easy to take anywhere. It’s around £30. We’re also very impressed by the Earfun Air headphones, which are an incredible bargain at £33.95. If you’re buying for kids, Belkin’s Soundform Nano (£29) sounds great, comes in fun colours and has a volume limit to protect their hearing.

Phone and tablet accessories can be great gifts too, whether that’s a genuine leather phone case (typically £30 to £60), a Popsocket phone grip (around £11 for the nicest ones) or an AirTag or Tile tracker (£20 to £35) for someone who’s always misplacing their purse or their keys.

There are lots of clever gifts for outdoor types too, including self-cleaning water bottles with UV light (around £49), multi-tools to cope with every conceivable kind of task (from £20) and solar lanterns (from around £20).

If the person you’re buying for would rather cook in a kitchen than halfway up a mountain, there are some great cooking gadgets for relatively low prices including the Thermapen instant-read thermometer (£39), which has saved many of our meals from over- or under-cooking, and the brilliant Stirr automatic pan stirrer, which you can use to prevent sauces and stews from sticking to the pot while you go and do something more interesting. And for coffee fans there’s the excellent AeroPress coffee maker (£31), which makes delicious coffee incredibly quickly without making it bitter. There’s a mobile version too, so the lucky recipient can get great coffee wherever they may roam.

Stirr Automatic Pot Stirrer

The Stirr is a simple solution to a common problem: some things stick to your pots and pans if you don’t constantly stir them, but stirring is often very time consuming and extremely boring. Stirr sits in the pot and uses cooking-grade nylon legs to do the stirring for you. £20-£40, amazon.co.uk

Apple AirTag Apple’s AirTags and its main rival, Tile trackers, can be attached to keys, put in purses or snuck into schoolbags to make it easy to find them again if they get lost, misplaced or even stolen.

The battery lasts for months. £35, Apple.com

Official Samsung Galaxy S22 leather case Cases don’t just look good: they help protect your pricey phone so you can get a better trade-in price when you replace it. Official leather cases are often quite expensive but that’s not the case with Samsung. From £24, amazon.co.uk

Gerber Truss Multi-Tool

You can spend huge sums of money on multitools such as the famous Leatherman, but brands such as Gerber make excellent alternatives that deliver all the key features for considerably less money. Other brands may be even cheaper. £40, amazon.co.uk

JBL Go 3

This little speaker has excellent go-anywhere energy and it’s not so loud that you’ll get complaints from the recipient’s nearest and dearest. It sounds great for its size, it’s really affordable and the battery life is very good. £34, uk.jbl.com

Little gifts that’ll bring big smiles this Christmas

Sock it to Them Time of Year

As a child growing up in the Seventies, I thought socks were the most boring Christmas gift possible until the year my Aunty Glenda bought me a rainbow-striped over-the-knee pair with individual toes. She was the coolest aunt and they were the coolest socks. I was the envy of my friends and my obsession with socks began.

Socks are actually the perfect Christmas gift. They are great for stocking fillers, brilliant for Secret Santa, and just the thing for those awkward relatives and friends.

Everyone needs a pair of socks in the winter, particularly now we’re all trying to use the heating less. Bed socks and Hygge-style lounge socks are making a big comeback this year as we all try to keep warm.

And socks wear out, they also have a propensity for disappearing. It’s a rare person who can claim to have too many socks!

They are affordable too. Even if you have a friend who favours designer brands, a pair of socks is usually within budget. Admittedly cashmere socks

By Kate McCarthy

are super-expensive, but the recipient will love you forever.

And there’s a sock for everyone: witty, pretty, glittery, bright, pastel, practical, and luxurious. The choice is endless.

And every time the recipient wears your gift, they’ll think fondly of you.

So, sock it to everyone this Christmas.

Favourite Christmas Carols

Christmas carols in English first appeared in a 1426 work by John Awdlay, a Shropshire chaplain, who lists 25 “caroles of Cristemas”. These were probably sung by groups of ‘wassailers’, groups who travelled from house to house, singing carols, for which they were often rewarded with an appropriate drink.

SILENT NIGHT

One of the most beloved Christmas carols, Silent Night originated in the tiny village of Oberndorf in the Austrian mountains. The story goes that the day before Christmas Eve in 1818, Father Joseph Mohr, pastor of Saint Nicholas church, discovered that the church organ was broken, meaning there would be no music for his midnight mass.

Taking a verse he had written two years previously he travelled several miles through the snow to his friend Franz Gruber, a schoolteacher and musician, and Gruber set it to music.

At midnight mass, Father Mohr and Gruber, accompanied only by Gruber’s guitar, sang the gentle song “Silent Night, Holy Night” for the first time. The carol has been translated into nearly 300 languages and dialects and its message of heavenly peace sets the theme for Christmas celebrations around the globe. The song was sung simultaneously in English and German by troops during the WW1 Christmas truce of 1914, as it was one of the few carols that soldiers on both sides of the frontline knew.

GOOD KING WENCESLAS

This famous carol tells the story of a Bohemian king going on a journey and braving harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (26 December, the Second Day of Christmas). During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather but is enabled to continue by following the king’s footprints, step for step, through the deep snow. In 1853, English hymnwriter John Mason Neale wrote the ‘Wenceslas’ lyric in collaboration with his music editor, Thomas Helmore, and the carol first appeared in Carols for Christmas-Tide, published in the same year.

O HOLY NIGHT

Listeners to Classic FM have consistently voted O Holy Night to be their favourite Christmas carol. Originally based on a French-language poem by poet Placide Cappeau, written in 1843, with the first line “Minuit, chrétiens! c’est l’heure solennelle” (Midnight, Christians, is the solemn hour), was set to music by composer Adolphe Adam in 1847. The English version is by John Sullivan Dwight. The carol reflects on the birth of Jesus as humanity’s redemption.

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

Based on a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti, this carol was written sometime before 1872 in response to a magazine request for a Christmas poem. The poem became recognised as a carol after it appeared in The English Hymnal in 1906, with music by Gustav Holst.

The Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf, Credit Gakuro, CC BY-SA 3.0

All Change for Christmas Things are different now

By Tania Brown

I spent Christmas 2019 working hospital shifts until Christmas Eve. Using logistical planning worthy of the British military I shopped, attended two concerts and a Nativity play in three different schools (on the same day of course), bought and wrapped gifts, decorated the house, attended two work parties, entertained my extended family, offended my mother over our choice of food, and my aunty over allowing our 17-year-old to have a beer, and I cried myself to sleep on Christmas Night. I spent Christmas 2020 working on the front line in COVID care. My family celebrated the day without me or a turkey and I cried myself to sleep on Christmas Night.

Last year, in early December, while discussing how much of a ‘normal’ Christmas might be possible, my husband announced, ‘I don’t want to go back to normal Christmases.’ And suddenly I loved him more than ever.

Last year we kept Christmas small, just us and the kids and a small twinkly tree. We ate chocolate for breakfast, played board games, went for a walk, watched a film, ate my husband’s amazing sticky Chinese chicken wings for lunch, read books, played cards, then ate Christmas pudding for supper followed by marshmallows toasted on the fire...I relaxed completely and shed no tears.

This year I asked what everyone wanted to do. The consensus was that last year was great but there were some aspects of our previous Christmases that my kids and my husband missed. So, we took the chance to recalibrate the festive season, and this is what they came up with.

Things we loved about Christmas last year: NO HOUSE GUESTS (everyone)

Playing board games (everyone)

Toasting marshmallows (the kids)

Long walk (me and husband)

Things we missed about Christmas last year: Singing in the church carol service (my husband)

Ice skating (everyone)

Going to see The Nutcracker (ballet-mad ten-yearold)

Attending the Christmas lights switch-on (everyone) Family tobogganing night in the snow dome (everyone)

New things we’d like to try this year: Go to a local stately home to see the lights (everyone)

Go to a German market (husband and me)

Make a gingerbread house! (the kids)

We’re still hosting immediate family for a couple of days between Christmas and New Year, and extended family are invited to visit for one of those days. Not everyone is happy about this state of affairs but I’m not going back to the pre-2020 madness of festive martyrdom, trying to be all things to all people and stressing over whether everyone else’s Christmas is perfect at the expense of my sanity. If Covid showed us anything, it’s that life is precious, fragile, and unpredictable. It forced us to make decisions about who we wanted to spend our time and energy on. The pandemic was a catalyst for change for our family, and I suspect it might be the same for other folk too.

Will Christmas ever be the same? I don’t know, but different doesn’t mean worse. We can make new traditions that are more personal and meaningful than before and may even look back and wonder why we didn’t shake things up earlier.

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How to save in the post-Christmas sales Money

Use a price checker

Not every deal is a great deal, and if you use sites such as pricespy.co.uk or uk.pricerunner.com you can see if a particular product is cheaper elsewhere. On Amazon you can use camelcamelcamel.com to view a product’s price history to see if it’s really a bargain.

Be flexible

You probably won’t get great discounts on the very latest products, but if you’re willing to be flexible you can get a lot of money off devices such as phones, TVs and other gadgets by settling for a different colour, for last year’s version or for a slightly different model.

Pay cheaply

Sometimes buying on credit means interest charges will be more than you’re actually saving, but some pay-later schemes don’t charge interest at all. If you’re not buying something outright, go for the cheapest borrowing available to you with the lowest APR – and look online for discounts for any retailer you’re considering buying from. It’s not a bargain if you don’t need it You see something with a big discount, and it

looks such a good deal you buy it without a second thought. But if you didn’t need it, or you’ve convinced yourself you like it when really it’s not ‘you’, it’s going to be a waste of money.

House of Colour

How are we doing partywear this season?

Whether we want to add to our evening wardrobe looks of use what we already have to update this year’s party look there are options galore. Those who have long been fans of ‘jeans and a nice top’ will be glad to hear it has come to the fore again and continues to be reworked for the new season.

Texture – those who can take texture in their look (that means any material with fondle finish, suede, raw edges, loosely woven, cable knit) will be in for a treat. The long cardigan in bold print, a shearling jacket or longer shearling coat, Aztec prints are all in and make a great statement in evening wear. You may have a day coat with a fur style collar which will look great with a sequin top (sequins are also moving into daytime!) and some metallic boots. Metallic is a lovely contrast with the texture so now is the time to dig out those accessories and add them in. Even try adding a metallic belt over a jumper to give some waist definition as an informal option. Embellishment – look out for items with additional glam details, crystals, sequins, pearls, which have been in the shops already but will be even more accentuated come December. It has become more and more important to add glamour to more plain pieces. If you’re crafty now is the time to add more to your clothes but even if not, just by adding your jewellery and particularly brooches (and try putting three together) will add some glam detail to any jacket. Try adding a sequin top under suiting (either in a neutral or brighter shade). Top to toe colour or pattern – try using one colour or pattern throughout your outfit to create a striking look. This could be in the form of a suit in one colour or it could be coat and matching trousers. Use one of your best colours for this. Prints and patterns in smaller scale geometrics or florals (if these are good patterns for you) can be put together into one outfit, but ensure they are the same pattern throughout. There are a number of silkier style suits around too that are a softer look for those who ‘don’t do’ suiting and would like a different look that can be dressed up or down and each element worn separately. Jeans – if you love jeans and would wear them anywhere or everywhere there are plenty of choices for you and are the staple accompaniment to the sequin top. Those who love texture can take the patchwork, raw seaming and even ripped, wider leg options. Those who favour a neater and sleeker look can opt for straighter leg jean (time for a change from skinny jeans?) or bootleg and flared if you have the curves and/or height. M&S have a fantastic range of styles and colours. The Christmas Jumper. A final word – if you would like one, consider getting it from a second hand shop. They are possibly the most unsustainable type of clothing as they are rarely worn more than a few times. We want longevity, buy less buy better.

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

How to have a healthier Christmas

Bucks Fizz for breakfast, chocolate boxes passed round before lunch, heaps of deliciously crispy roast potatoes – Christmas is a holiday of complete, unadulterated indulgence. We’re all guilty of it, and this over-indulgence is nothing to feel ashamed about – it’s Christmas, after all! The festive season simply wouldn’t be the same without fantastic food, but if you’re feeling a little more health conscious this year, there are lots of ways in which you can treat yourself without going overboard.

Pack in more veg

Traditionally, Christmas dinners were always packed with a wide variety of vegetables, including carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. However, over the years many of our plates have become more and more beige. This Christmas, why not make it your mission to make your plate as colourful as possible? If you’re in charge of the cooking, try steamed or boiled vegetables, and steer clear of cheese sauces and excess amounts of butter.

Take it slowly

A common mistake many of us make at Christmas is not listening to our body. Instead of loading up your plate at lunch, eat a normal-sized portion before taking a twenty-minute break to see if you’re still hungry. This is how long it takes for the brain to register that the stomach is full. If you feel full, you know it’s time to take a break before going back for seconds. You’ll avoid the formidable food coma –plus, you’ll be hungry again in time for dessert!

Enjoy a Christmas walk

On Christmas Day, it can be tempting to laze around on the sofa for the majority of the day. While movie marathons are a tradition for many families, there’s nothing like a Christmas walk to boost your festive spirits – and offer a break between films. the family for a walk around the park and bring along any new outdoor toys and games. You’ll have lots of fun as a family, and you’ll give your body a chance to digest your Christmas lunch!

Go easy on the booze Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a tipple or two. However, if you want to cut back, check the labels on bottles to see how many units they contain. The guidelines recommend drinking fourteen units a week which, in the lead up to Christmas, it’s easy to exceed. You could also try adding more mixer to any spirits to make them last longer, and refrain from drinking early on in the day. Upgrade your snacks Snacks and nibbles are everywhere come Christmastime. From cheese platters to shortbread biscuits and endless amounts of chocolate, festive temptations are now arriving in our supermarkets as early as September – which makes them hard to ignore!

While it’s fine to indulge in the odd mince pie, there are loads of healthier snack options that you can put together at home. Why not try chocolate protein balls packed with dates and raisins, apple chips spiced with cinnamon or avocado chocolate mousse? ‘Healthier’ by no means has to mean boring!

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Make A Difference: Volunteer!

Volunteers make a huge, positive difference to many charities. This includes The Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth. The charity welcomes people with any long term or neurological condition who would like to try Oxygen Therapy. It’s where Maureen (pictured) has been an amazing volunteer for 22 years.

“I saw an advert in the local paper saying that the charity needed support,” explains Maureen. “I had some spare time and wanted to help. “Initially I got involved with supermarket collections, alongside a wonderful bunch of helpers. Over the years, I’ve been involved in many different roles, from fundraising to welfare calls and sending thank you letters. I’ve also been a trustee at the Centre. “Events are especially enjoyable. It’s great to provide helpful information, and to confirm that our Letchworth centre welcomes people from any location, with any condition.

“Best of all, I’ve met so many lovely people. Most are so stoic and upbeat despite their conditions or illnesses. I’ve enjoyed working with the staff at the Centre, past and present.”

Maureen has friendly advice for anyone thinking of volunteering:

“The best thing to do is to get involved! You’ll enjoy new challenges and meet new friends. I’ve found it to be very rewarding. You know you’re making a positive difference and truly helping people.” Do you have some spare time to offer? Would you like to help our charity? We hope you’d love it as much as Maureen does. Contact us on 01462 684 214 or email volunteer@hmstc.net.

Benefits of Badminton

Looking for a fun team sport that has tons of health benefits, is easy to learn and can be played by everyone from primary school children to 90-yearolds? It’s time to try badminton…

The benefits of badminton Badminton can help to improve your agility, balance and flexibility. It’s great for your bones and lungs, can burn up to 500 calories an hour, and can ease stress, depression and other mental health issues. Plus, you can play in twos or fours, inside or out.

While badminton can be high energy, the speed of the shuttlecock depends on how hard you hit it and which type you chose (they come in fast, medium and slow), so it’s a very versatile sport. According to the British Heart Foundation, that versatility makes it a great sport for people with heart conditions (although do check with your GP before starting). Para-Badminton is also growing in popularity and became a Paralympic sport in 2020.

Where to play

One of the joys of badminton is that it can be played in most open spaces, from gardens to parks and beaches. A shuttlecock is much less likely to break a window than a tennis ball, and you can buy pop-up nets that can be set up in minutes. However, if you want to play properly (and don’t fancy battling the wind and rain), you’ll want to hire a court. Doing so usually costs £5-£10 and many leisure centres will also loan you rackets and shuttlecocks.

If you can’t persuade a friend to join you, or you fancy meeting some new people, Badminton

England’s No Strings Badminton sessions are well worth a look. You’re teamed with other players at your level, there’s no annual fee and the focus is on fun rather than competing. How to learn

The basics of badminton are pretty easy to pick up, as there are few rules to memorise. As with any sport, the key to improving is to practise regularly. However, if you do want to up your skills, you’ll want to consider getting a coach. One-to-one and group lessons are available across the UK.

What

you’ll need

Racquets come with different balance points, weights and levels of flexibility. Luckily, most sports shops can point you in the direction of rackets that are suitable for beginners. As mentioned, shuttlecocks come in slow, medium and fast. You can also buy ones specifically for playing outdoors. You don’t need any specialist sports gear to play badminton. A T-shirt and shorts are fine to start with, although you might want to invest in nonwicking ones pretty quickly as you can really build up a sweat playing badminton. If you’re hiring a court, you’ll need trainers with non-marking soles.

Next steps

You can book a court, look for a coach, find out about competing and much, much more at:

www.badmintonengland.co.uk www.badmintonscotland.org.uk www.badminton.wales www.badmintonireland.com

Money Money on my Mind

The Martin Lewis column

He’s the UK’s leading money saving expert - a journalist and presenter who has kept millions of pounds in people’s pockets as well as lifting the lid on the threats and dangers we need to be aware of as consumers.

In this month’s column, Martin Lewis looks at taking back control when creditors come calling.

We are all too aware that at times of hardship it is not just our financial welfare that takes a battering. The immediate knock-on effect during any struggle is what it does to our mental health, and we seem plagued at the moment with so many challenges that we need to counter.

From the energy crisis, to inflation, to stresses over Christmas, and how much money we will have in our pockets for 2023, these are difficult times; and while so much of my advice is financial, at the heart of everything I say is the reminder that people must look after their mental health too.

There is nothing more precious or valuable than our mental wellbeing, and there is no bill or invoice that should come before it.

are able to access not just financial assistance, but practical and emotional support too.

The truth is when people have existing mental health problems, the administration anxiety that comes with bills, debt demands and ongoing financial commitments, can be very difficult to handle, to the point that they’re simply unable to deal with what’s in front of them. Even when in a good place mentally and financially, so many of us find processing everyday matters exhausting, so imagine the added difficulty when starting from a place of weakness.

I have worked with mental health charities and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute to ensure people who find themselves in difficult situations

I implore people therefore to look out for others who may need some help during these difficult times. None of us should be too afraid to look in on people and offer assistance, and it really is better to offer help than assume they are coping. Remember, as citizens and consumers we have the right to determine how we are approached and contacted by those we do business with. For some people receiving a text message informing them of something may represent a nightmare. For others, a text is the only way they wish to communicate; while some prefer to converse over the phone, or even face to face.

It’s essential we stand up and state our preferences, and organisations have to adhere to these. That won’t necessarily mean the problem will go away… if you are behind on a bill, for instance; but it will bring back control to you and, from the outset, allow you to determine how you want to go about tackling a problem.

And of course, past that point, there are countless ways in which you can then talk to creditors. If there is one positive to take out of desperate times, it is –as we saw during the pandemic – that protection of consumers increases; while the ability organisations, landlords, local authorities and more have to come chasing and haranguing diminishes rapidly.

It was reported that 44% of people with mental health problems who fell behind on payments during the pandemic considered or attempted suicide; and if you macro that up to the UK population that would be two-and-a-half million people. I’ll be honest and say I that when I heard that figure, I didn’t find it surprising; but it does surprise and disappoint me that people still don’t feel they have the tools to fight back and retake control. From recovery space to payment holidays, to freezes on interest or repayment plans, speak to your creditors in a way that is firm and fair, and you will likely get the result you want.

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Our Daily Bread

If there was a Top Twenty for aromas then surely the smell of freshly baked bread would be number one.

Top three at least.

But how many of us have the time to bake our own bread? Enter the bread maker. I bought one twenty years ago and have never regretted it. It’s still working, but I’m tempted recently to upgrade, and bread makers have moved on light years since my initial purchase.

My old Panasonic is a bit of a behemoth. It takes up a lot of counter space, and I was surprised that some newer models are even larger! But there are compact appliances available now too.

So, what do modern bread makers have to offer? Well, they will all cook standard white and wholemeal loaves, and if that is all you require, a basic model is all you will require. Why pay more for features you won’t use?

But if you’re interested…

Automatic ingredient dispenser - I paid a premium for this feature twenty years ago but it’s more common now and I would definitely recommend it for adding dried fruit and nuts easily.

Alarm – You can’t add moist ingredients like cooked onions of grated cheese or ingredients that might melt like chocolate chips, into the automatic dispensers of most bread makers, so an alarm to let you know when to do it manually is useful.

A delay timer – My delay timer is now a bit temperamental, which is one of the reasons I’m looking to upgrade. A delay feature means you can add ingredients to the mixing bowl several hours ahead, so you have freshly baked bread at a time to

By Louise Addison

suit you – in the evening with supper, or first thing with your coffee.

Viewing window - A few new models offer this. I managed for 20 years without one but it’s a cool feature for checking on the progress of your loaf. Keep-warm - This setting keeps your freshly baked bread warm for up to an hour after the programme has finished. Handy if you’re delayed.

Speciality breads - Modern bread makers have mastered brioche, rye, sourdough, Italian and French (though not baguettes obviously because of the shape!). Some have even mastered gluten-free, though some models manage this better than others (The Tefal PF240E40 Bread Maker has many GF fans). Some bread makers make a great pizza dough and / or fresh pasta dough (Gastroback 62823 Automatic Bread Maker Advanced, Morphy Richards 48281 Bread maker, Sage the Custom Loaf Bread Maker). I love making pizzas and I do love fresh pasta, but find it a faff to make the doughs by hand, so they would be bonus features for me.

Yoghurt - I learned to make yoghurt in a thermos over lockdown. Apparently it’s a similar process in a bread maker but how useful it would be for me I’m not sure.

Jam - Some models promise to cook the sugar and fruits at the right temperature to make jam, so that it can be decanted straight into jars. If you’re into jam-making as well as bread-making it’s something to consider.

If you’ve always wanted to have a go at making your own bread but never have the time, try putting a bread maker on your Christmas list this year. It’s the gift that will keep on giving.

A bread maker means you’ll never be without fresh baked bread again

An eco-friendly festive home

1By Katherine Sorrell

Are you dreaming of a green Christmas? Try these ideas for creating a beautiful seasonal home without the carbon footprint.

Christmas trees

In the UK we buy between eight and ten million ‘real’ Christmas trees each year – only for them to be taken down again just a few weeks later. There are answers, however. Buy local if possible, and look for Forest Stewardship Council certification and Soil Association approval. And always use your local authority’s dedicated collection service if available – it means that trees are shredded and used as mulch instead of rotting in landfill. It’s even more environmentally friendly to buy a tree with a root ball or in a pot, and plant it out for the rest of the year. Another option is to rent a tree, which will be collected and replanted afterwards. Artificial trees are increasingly realistic but, sadly, still plastic, so if you already have one you should reuse it for as many years as possible.

Tree ornaments

If you have a box of treasured Christmas baubles in

the attic, congratulations – you’re already supergreen! Nothing is as sustainable as using what you already have and, let’s face it, nothing is as sentimental in this case, either. If you want to add to or refresh your stock of tree decorations, consider buying vintage ones. You could buy from a local craftsperson or a maker on an online platform such as Etsy or Folksy (ideally someone using sustainable materials), or even take the plunge into the world of handicraft and make some yourself. There is a world of inspiration out there, whether in books or magazines, online or in hobby supply stores.

Front-door wreaths

Hanging a wreath on your front door is a sure sign that you are feeling festive – and making your own wreath using fresh foliage is a wonderful way to adorn your home in a sustainable fashion (and it can go in the compost afterwards). Like Christmas trees, artificial wreaths are only sustainable if brought out year after year, but can easily be refreshed with the addition of a few seasonal embellishments, such as dried, sliced oranges, pine cones or sprigs of holly.

Choosing LED lights for your Christmas tree and other festive decorations is a great way to save energy. Good for your bills, and good for the planet, too. Put lights on a timer, or switch them off when you’re out of the house and overnight.

Gift wrap

The key thing to remember with gift wrap is that anything metallic can’t be recycled, so stick to paper if possible – or even try out the new trend for wrapping gifts in fabric, Japanese-style (it’s called furoshiki). Sticky tape, too, is a single-use plastic, so consider alternatives such as brown-paper tape, twine, ribbons (which can be reused) and pretty washi tape, which is made from renewable sources. Table settings

Christmas tablecloths and napkins add heaps of festive cheer but try to avoid single-use ones in favour of fabric that can be washed again and again (preferably at a low temperature). As for crackers, most are not recyclable, and we all know that the cheap, plastic toys inside usually go straight in the bin after Christmas dinner. It’s estimated that up to 40 million crackers end up in landfill each year. An alternative? Reusable card or fabric crackers that you can fill yourself with thoughtful, personalised gifts year after year, and that will become something cherished rather than thrown away.

Advent calendars

Disposable advent calendars only add to card and plastic waste – but DIY perpetual advent calendars can be brought out every year and have the great advantage that you can fill them with carefully chosen small goodies. There are lots of tutorials

online or, if you don’t fancy making your own, there is a great choice to buy, from tiny knitted stockings on a string to wooden houses with numbered doors. Scent

A festive aroma filling the air instantly introduces the spirit of Christmas, and who doesn’t love the scent of pine, gingerbread or mulled wine wafting through the house? It’s best to avoid cheap candles made from paraffin wax, as it’s a by-product of petroleum. The general rule with scented candles is that you get what you pay for in terms of a gorgeous scent and longer burn time, so it’s worth spending a little more if possible. Look for vegetable wax or beeswax candles, and scents made from essential oils rather than chemicals.

1 Use a simple wreath as a minimal decoration, or add your own embellishments such as twining leaves or tiny fairy lights. Rattan door wreaths, from £30 each, Garden Trading.

2 These ethical, sustainable and recyclable candles are individually hand-crafted in Cornwall. Mulled Wine soy-wax eco candle, £12.99, Earth Candle Co.

3 These made-to-order crackers, with a ready-tofill carton and a small bag of ‘happyfetti’, are fully washable (even the ribbons) and come in an heirloom gift box for storage. Santa’s Stripes reusable linen crackers, £30 each, Happy Crackers.

STOCKISTS

Earth Candle Co: earthcandleco.com

Garden Trading: gardentrading.co.uk

Happy Crackers: happycrackers.co.uk

Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

Don’t forget the garden

A rewarding and warming task at this time is to add compost on beds to form a mulch, provided the soil is not frozen. Ensure the soil is damp and this will help to keep roots warm and lock in a little moisture ready for potential drought in the future. It will transform the look of your beds and make you feel good too.

Winter pruning

It’s also a perfect time to prune woody species such as acers, figs, vines and deciduous shrubs, before the sap starts rising. Pruning is carried out in order to remove dead, damaged or diseased parts and to control the growth of something that might be a little too large for the space it occupies. It is also the best way to define the shape of a plant, and at the right time of year pruning will help to create flowering and fruiting branches for the next season. Not everything should be pruned at the same time, however. Plum trees and other prunus species, for example, should never be pruned during winter because it increases the risk of silver leaf disease. Spring flowering shrubs should be pruned in late June or early summer just after flowering –otherwise, their flowering shoots will be removed. Many plants will benefit from being pruned around August when their growth has slowed, but evergreen shrubs tend to grow best when they are pruned in spring, just at the beginning of the growing season. In the past, a fresh cut on a tree or shrub would be sealed using pruning paint. We now know that pruning at the correct time of year allows a cut to heal naturally and this is preferable.

A great symbol of Christmas

One of the many symbols of the season that we all love is the fresh Christmas tree - it is never adequately replaced with plastic. The Norway spruce was once the traditional British choice but because it has a tendency to drop its needles, it has been nudged down the popularity chart by ‘non-drop’ varieties. The blue spruce, as it is known, generally holds onto its spiny needles until the end of festivities and beyond. The Douglas fir is also a good choice because it also holds its needles well –although it can be rather expensive. Undoubtedly, the bestselling tree of the ‘non-drop’ variety is the Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana). This fast-grower can reach heights of up to 30m in the wild, so it’s perhaps best not to plant it outside the kitchen door once it has done its duty indoors.

Of course, there is no point in planting a tree that has been cut from its rootstock. But containergrown or trees freshly dug from the field can often transplant rather splendidly. Bear this in mind when you are making your choice.

Caroline

Magical Poinsettias

By Rachael Leverton

In the UK, poinsettias have become as entwined with Christmas as holly and mistletoe. Yet poinsettias are actually sub-tropical plants, native to Central America and Mexico, requiring temperatures of between 10 and 21 degrees centigrade to survive. The bright red ‘flowers’ are really bracts, surrounding the real flowers, which are tiny and insignificant. They are notoriously difficult to persuade to flower again so it is with some pride that I tell you my current poinsettia is seven years old, huge, and flowers every year.

If you want to try this, fertilize the plant once a month then cut back the stems in February to promote new growth. In May repot it to a larger container.

From late September to 1st December cover the plant between 6pm and 8am as poinsettias need long periods of darkness in order to persuade the bracts to turn red. Around December 1st you should have a beautiful flowering poinsettia. But if this sounds too much like hard work...well, you can always buy another one!

As it’s the festive season I thought I’d finish with a traditional Christmas story, explaining how the poinsettia came to be associated with this time of year.

If you buy a poinsettia for someone this year it might be nice to tell them the story when you give them the plant:

In Mexico, there once lived a little girl called Pepita who came from a very poor family. Every year, she and her brother Pablo looked forward

to the big Christmas festival in their village. A manger scene would be set up in the church and the days before Christmas were filled with parades and parties. On Christmas Eve the whole village would attend church and all the children would place a gift for the baby Jesus next to the manger. One year Pepita’s family had no money at all to buy such a gift so it was with a sad heart that Pepita walked to the church that Christmas Eve and as they drew closer she began to weep.

“Little Pepita, why do you cry?” asked her older brother Pablo.

“Because I have no gift for the Christ child,” she answered.

“Oh Pepita, even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be accepted by him,” said Pablo, comforting her.

Pepita considered this for a while then gathered a handful of weeds from the roadside verge and fashioned them into a small posy. But as she entered the church her heart felt heavier than before. With her head bowed she approached the altar and knelt to lay her posy before the manger.

Suddenly the tiny bouquet burst into blooms of brilliant red starry flowers and all who saw them were sure they had witnessed a Christmas miracle. The flowers are known as Flores de Noche Buena in Mexico which translates as Flowers of the Holy Night.

Happy Christmas

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GreenFingers

The Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses how our gardens can become carbon sinks. I was recently asked how our green spaces might change if the planet continues to hot up. Certainly, I am not a climate change denier, but I think for our own peace of mind we need to keep things realistic, and it’s not as if within 50 years we’re going to be growing bananas in Northumberland or anything like that! What we can of course do in the short-term is style and shape garden space to ensure we help the planet as much as we can. After all, the most basic way to prevent greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere (and warming up the climate) is by growing plants. And as gardeners, that’s what we do!

The best way to achieve this is by growing native plants. Non-native varieties can really take hold of a space, requiring harmful chemicals to control them, and leading to them being pulled up, exposing soil and releasing carbon. We can also compost – it’s a great way of stopping carbon getting out in the first place. The same applies to mulching, too. When you consider that over 80% of the carbon in your garden is released from the soil, by adding a layer of wood bark

chippings, for instance, you are holding the carbon in the soil.

It’s for this same reason that turning over soil is actually bad for your garden. Not only does it interrupt nature’s ability to let your earth matter settle into an organised pattern that benefits both plants and the creatures living in the soil, but turning over, or tilling, releases more carbon. Beyond this, we can be more environmentally friendly by using organic fertilisers; and never be afraid to let your outdoor space ‘go wild’. Rustic gardens are the ultimate low-carbon spaces, and that makes sense, because wild areas such as forests, wetlands and mangroves are the very best at protecting against the risks posed by climate change. As ever, our gardens hold within them the power not just to transform our own lives, but the welfare of the planet too, and that is why we love them so much.

Rehoming Appeal

Minnie

Minnie is a very friendly guinea pig, who was sadly abandoned, and has been taken in by our wonderful small mammal foster team. We believe that she was born in March 2022. She arrived in our care in September and she has grown significantly since then.

Minnie’s home is currently an indoor cage, which she loves, and she squeaks excitedly for attention when her foster carer walks past. She loves a cuddle on the sofa and she will happily sit on your shoulder, taking it all in. She’s adorable!

She would make an ideal child’s pet with adult supervision. She enjoys living indoors and prefers to live as an only guinea pig. For their comfort and welfare, our small mammals can only be adopted within an hour of their foster homes in Bedfordshire. Can you offer Minnie her forever home? Please get in touch by contacting 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.

Another month and another homeless rabbit in need of a loving new family

Mabel was signed over into our care after her previous owner, for reasons beyond her control, could no longer keep her. She’s roughly one year old, spayed, vaccinated and microchipped ready for a new home to go to, hopefully before Christmas! She’s a very sweet natured rabbit who is eager to come over for a strokes and a bit of a fuss. She was previously kept as a house rabbit, but absolutely loves to run and hop round a secure garden; although she regularly comes back over to you to make sure you’re still there! Her most favourite thing of all though, is digging! While not all rabbits dig, digging is normal, instinctive behaviour that it good for their welfare. To avoid having the whole garden dug up, a designated area can be created with loose soil and added sand for Mabel to dig. Small treats or veggies can be hidden in the digging area to encourage her to use it.

Mabel was previously a lone rabbit but we’d love to find her a home where she can be a companion to a lonely male bunny. Rabbits are extremely social creatures so are happiest and most relaxed when in the company of other rabbits. This stems back to the ‘wild rabbit’ instinct whereby rabbits rely on their companions to warn them against predators, but also to keep them warm in the winter. Mabel can be rehomed with a neutered and vaccinated male. Unfortunately you can’t put rabbits in a hutch together and hope they get on, rabbits must be bonded which can be a fairly lengthy process. They are introduced gradually so they can get used to

each other and become familiar with each others scents, and can take anything up to a week, however once bonded the rabbits will be much happier and will have a friend for life. This year seems to be the worst year for rabbits the RSPCA has seen. Unlike Mabel who although is looking for a new home, is currently happy living in foster care, there are currently 104 rabbits in England waiting for a rescue space – and that is the National RSPCA alone, not including local Branches like ourselves who have our own waiting list, or other animal charities in the same position. Sadly these animals are much more complex pets than recognised, needing enough space, enrichment and company to live a happy life, but when happy they make the most wonderful pets!

Contact us for more information about Mabel or for other animals we have for adoption you can visit our website, www.rspca.org.uk/local/bedfordshirenorth-branch or for anything else you can email us at info@rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk; call the office on 01234 266965; or write to us at 9 Thurlow Street, Bedford, MK40 1LR. We are a small, local Branch working within the remit of the National RSPCA, largely run by a team of dedicated volunteers and are entirely self-funded.

Alan

Christmas time – Parties and perils

We may enjoy December with the social whirl approaching Christmas but, for pets this can be a very challenging time. There is not only the stress of visitors and change of routine, but also hidden dangers like toxic foods, seasonal plants and other hazards. Relieve the stress of lots of people and bustle by ensuring that there are quiet places where the pets can go where they will not be disturbed and use the pheromone diffusers and L-tryptophan/Ltheanine medication.

Many human foods are toxic for pets, including chocolate, raisins, onions and artificial sweetener. Leftovers including fatty food and cooked bones can cause severe intestinal problems. Poinsettia, Holly, mistletoe, Christmas trees and ivy are all considered of low toxicity but can all cause stomach upset.

Pets will often play with and possibly swallow objects left on the floor like batteries, tinsel and baubles.

Feeding your pet their normal diet and taking a few minutes to pet-proof your decorations will avoid many problems. This time of year can be enjoyed by you and your pets with a little forethought and planning. Wishing you all a pleasant and peaceful holiday period.

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.

The electric vans to check out today

There’s more choice than ever when it comes to battery-powered vans..

The electric van segment has really grown in recent years. Even during 2022, we’ve seen various new battery-powered vans arrive on the scene, bringing zero-emissions running alongside ever-growing ranges. With more choice than ever, which ones should you be taking a look at? Here, we’re going to go through some of the top new additions to the electric van segment.

Ford E-Transit Custom

Despite having held back for a number of years, Ford has now fully committed to the electric van segment. With a range of 236 miles, the E-Transit Custom is an electric range of the firm’s ever-popular Transit, but features a number of innovations and tweaks.

For instance, it features a clever flip-up steering wheel that can double as a table or laptop holder.

Vauxhall Movano-e

The big Movano-e is a large van from Vauxhall that brings a really big load area for even the trickiest of jobs. Thanks to a recent upgrade, it’s able to offer more range than before too, and it can now travel for up to 154 miles between charges. It can also be charged to 80 per cent capacity in an hour using a 50kWh charger while offering a 1,100kg payload and a load volume of 15 cubic metres.

Volkswagen ID Buzz

One of the newest electric vans on the scene, the Volkswagen ID Buzz takes inspiration from the original ‘bus’ and brings it into the modern age. It sits on the same MEB platform that underpins many of Volkswagen Group’s electric vehicles, which means it’s able to deliver a more car-like driving experience than you expect. Though there’s no seven-seater option for now, the ID Buzz’s layout presents loads of space for its passengers.

Fiat E-Doblo

On the more compact end of the van spectrum sits the Fiat E-Doblo. It’s one of the newest additions to the electric van segment and brings a range of up to 175 miles courtesy of a 50kWh battery. There’s also the option to have a ‘Magic Plug’ installed as an option on the E-Doblo, which allows the driver to use the car’s battery to power external devices.

Peugeot e-Boxer

Another large van, the e-Boxer is a great option from Peugeot if space is what you’re after. It’ll do 154 miles on a charge, while there’s the option to have a window van if the full panel layout isn’t what you’re after. Clever packing of the e-Boxer’s powertrain means that it’s no less spacious than the regular version, too.

Nissan Townstar

Nissan’s latest compact van – the Townstar – brings a range of 183 miles from its 45kWh battery, while DC rapid charging means that a zero to 80 per cent charge can be conducted in as little as 45 minutes. But it’s still extremely spacious with a large load area and a rugged yet comfortable cabin.

Motoring Magnificent Motors

Join us to celebrate some of the most iconic cars of the last five decades.

While motor manufacturing in the UK will perhaps never again rival the colossal quantities of cars being rolled out by the Germans, the Americans or the Japanese, our appreciation of the four-wheeled vehicle is one that few other nations can better. That dedication to cars has led us to champion and cherish some iconic vehicles over the years. With that in mind, here’s a car from each of the past five decades that deserves to be celebrated all over again.

THE SEVENTIES

Ford Escort Mk II

The Escort was essentially an off-road rally car in disguise, with the Mk II something of a known risk for Ford as they knew they had knocked it out of the park with the Mk I. Could they repeat the trick? Absolutely they could. Over two million of the Mk I were sold and in 1974 came its sister and successor. Despite a tight budget meaning they’d have to use the same core structure from before, designers managed to configure a newer, more modern body shape.

The result was a manufacturing masterstroke. Another two million were sold, and even now, over four decades on from when the last one rolled off the production line in 1980, you can still purchase new unibody shells and Mk II components, effectively allowing you to recreate your own from the ground up.

THE EIGHTIES

Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk2

There was a myriad of new models to choose from in the Eighties, but 1984 saw a true petrolhead’s car roll off production lines. The Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk2 was a classy and well-rounded vehicle – if expensive.

There were millions who craved the Golf GTi (either the Mk1 or Mk2). It tapped into the sporty suave market, with a brutish engine and instantly recognisable look.

Backed by an immaculate marketing campaign, this yuppie wagon epitomised an era where efficiency could also equal fun.

THE NINETIES

Ford Mondeo

Ford have always loved producing hatchbacks, estates and big family saloon cars; and in 1993 they trumped everything done previously, with the Mondeo.

There was barely a UK street that didn’t showcase this gamechanger’s combination of practicality and

style, in what was deemed the ultimate saloon. It was smart, sensible and affordable, complementing luxury interiors with Ford reliability. It also set the mark for the raft of copycat family cars that were to follow.

Looking back, it’s perhaps no coincidence that Mondeo literally translates from Esperanto as ‘world’. For many owners, it was their world.

THE NOUGHTIES

Nissan Qashqai

The turn of the new Millennium saw the dawn of the SUVs, or Sports Utility Vehicle.

The Germans were at the forefront, with BMW, Audi and Mercedes pushing premium practicality as only they can; yet one car that more than held up to the competition in a fierce market was the Nissan Qashqai.

The Japanese compact crossover vehicle made its first appearance towards the end of the decade in 2007, and its impact was huge.

Nissan had previously dipped their toe into the SUV market with the X-Trail, but the Qashqai – seen as its baby brother – turned into a rather hefty sibling, setting the tone for the mid-sized family 4x4. Over three million have now been sold, with that milestone being hit at the firm’s Sunderland plant.

THE TENS Tesla Model S

With the invention of the electric car, Tesla came into the market as a pure disruptor, yet the brand has gone on to stand for so much more.

The five-door sedan remains the flagship model for company owner Elon Musk. Introduced tentatively to the general public in June 2012, Tesla now have the capability of producing a million cars per year. Only their own rate of production seems to stand between them and the aim of becoming the world’s most successful car manufacturer.

Car Finance

Other than a house, a car is most people’s biggest expense and is often too expensive to pay for in cash. However, saving up isn’t always viable if you need the car to get to work. Finance companies and car dealers offer a host of ways to borrow money, borrow a vehicle or both, but they can bring an overwhelming choice.

Rather than take out a personal loan, many people use specialist car financing. You have several options, most of which involve the lender either owning the car or having the right to take possession until you’ve completed repayments.

Hire Purchase

You pay a deposit up front (often 10 per cent) and then borrow the rest of the money to repay over a fixed period, including interest charges. The big difference between this and an ordinary secured loan is that you don’t own the car until you’ve completed the repayment period and paid an administration fee at the end.

The lender – who is usually the car dealer – retains ownership during the repayment period, meaning they can take possession if you don’t repay on time. Hire purchase may be more suitable if you have a good credit history (so can get reasonable interest rates) and definitely want to keep the car for many years.

Personal Contract Purchase

This works similarly to hire purchase but with more options. Again, the car remains the property of the lender during the repayment period, but the monthly payments are usually lower. At the end of the repayment period you have three options, one of which is to return the car: you don’t get any money back, but you don’t owe anything else, so in effect you’ve been renting it. Another option is to make a final payment to purchase the car outright. This takes into account the money you’ve already paid, the interest costs, and the current value of the car. This final payment is sometimes called a balloon payment. The third option is to pay the balloon payment but immediately return the vehicle and use its current value as a deposit to take out a personal contract purchase on a new car. Personal contract purchase may be more suitable if you want to keep costs low while keeping your long-term options open.

Personal Contract Hire

Finally, a model called personal contract hire means you never actually own the car at all. Instead, you sign up to lease the car for a set period in return for a monthly fee, giving the car back at the end. The fee will vary depending on both the value of the car and an annual mileage limit that you agree to follow. In some cases, you can have costs such as maintenance, repairs and vehicle excise duty (‘road tax’) built into the monthly fee. Personal contract hire may make most sense if you want to keep costs under control and view the monthly fee as ‘the cost of driving’ rather than a way to own a car.

Gingerbread

Run, run, fast as you can, You can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man! Who hasn’t eaten a festive gingerbread man? You may even have attempted to make a gingerbread house. Gingerbread is strongly associated with Christmas but how did that happen?

Ginger root originally came to Europe via the Silk Road, which was an ancient trade route, and in the Middle Ages it was used for medicinal purposes and in the preserving of meats.

By the late Middle Ages, Europeans had begun to bake sweet gingerbread biscuits. These were shaped like animals, kings, and queens, and were sometimes gilded with gold leaf. They were a staple at Medieval fairs across Europe, particularly in England, France, Holland, and Germany. Queen Elizabeth I is even said to have had some made to resemble the dignitaries visiting her court.

So popular was gingerbread that the fairs became known as Gingerbread Fairs, and the gingerbread biscuits were named ‘fairings.’ As the fairs took place throughout the year the shapes of the gingerbread changed with the seasons: flowers in the spring and leaves in the autumn.

The gingerbread houses we know today originated in Germany during the 16th century. Bakers created elaborate buildings were decorated with foil and white icing in addition to gold leaf. The Brothers Grimm penned the story of Hansel and Gretel, who

discover a house made entirely of sweet treats, deep in the forest, but it’s unclear whether the popularity of gingerbread houses were a result of the fairy tale, or whether the fairy tale borrowed from an already established tradition.

Quite why gingerbread became associated with Christmas is also unclear but is probably due to a number of factors. Christmas markets were big ‘whole town’ events, and gingerbread is easy to make, and keeps well, so it’s ideal for selling on a stall. It’s likely that the combination of white icing and foil decoration was easily adaptable to create miniature snow-covered dwellings which provided pretty centrepieces for the festive dinner tables of middle-class households. The longevity and structural integrity of gingerbread also lends itself well to creating edible decorations for hanging on trees or giving as gifts. Historically diets of ordinary people were simple and bland because sugar was an expensive luxury. People could only afford to splash out on ingredients for cakes, biscuits, and sweets occasionally, and Christmas was the time when even less well-off people spent a little extra on fancy food and drink.

Whatever its history, gingerbread is now firmly entwined with the festive season, from sweet little gingerbread reindeer to gingerbread lattes, the sight, smell, and taste of gingerbread is synonymous with Christmas.

By Sarah Davey

WHAT'S ON IN DECEMBER

1 DECEMBER

Sandy Astronomical Society

7pm

Zoom general meeting. Regular observatunities during the month. Email: info@sandyastro.co.uk Web: sandyastro.co.uk

1 DECEMBER

Biggleswade & District Camera Club

7.30pm for 8pm. Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Non-members £3. ‘Secret Britain’, a digital presentation by Andy Sands. See website for programme. www.biggleswadecameraclub.co.uk

1-4 DECEMBER

Christmas Tree Festival

Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-4pm St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square, Bedford Entry £3, under 16s free Over 60 trees decorated with the theme of ‘Musicals’. Daily community concerts and competitions. In aid of St Paul’s church and Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends Tel: 01234 340163

1-24 DECEMBER

Winter Craft & Gift Fair

Tues-Sat 11am-4pm St Neots Museum

Local residents free, adults £5, seniors £4, children £2 Popular Winter Craft & Gift Fair showcasing a wide selection of unique art and crafts made by local artists and craftspeople. New stock arriving all the time. Every sale supports local artists and the Museum which is a registered charity. Tel: 01480 214163

2 DECEMBER

Bedfordshire Family History Society

7pm and 7.30pm on Zoom Drama Theatre, Mark Rutherford School, Bedford ‘Help My Ancestor Has Vanished’ with Simon Fowler. Web: www.bfhs.org.uk

2 DECEMBER Bedford Art Society 7.15pm for 7.30pm Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford Members free, visitors £5 ‘Take 6 landscapes’ with Ronnie Ireland on Zoom. Tel: Jean Paterson 01234 307210 Web: www.bedsartsociety.co.uk

2 DECEMBER Festival Concert 7.30pm. St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square, Bedford Tickets £17.50. Woburn Piano Trio. Tel: 01234 783181 Tickets: www.peoplesfundraising. com/concert-tickets

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 DECEMBER

Sandy Ukulele Group 7-9pm. Baptist Chapel Hall, Bedford Road, Sandy Meets every Friday. sandyukulelegroup1@gmail.com www.sandyukulelegroup.com

3 DECEMBER

Christmas 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. Tel: 01767 261138

3 DECEMBER

Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society 2pm. Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade ‘Wildlife Gardening’ with the Wildlife Trust. Christmas food after the talk. Visitors welcome. Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk

3 DECEMBER

Sandy Flower Club 2.30pm

Conservative Club Main Hall Members £12, visitors £15 inc. refreshments. Christmas floral demonstration by Rekha Naidoo titled ‘Jungle All The Way’. Sales table. Raffle. Tea/coffee and cake. Entrance by ticket only. Tel: Marian Attfield 01767 226275 for tickets

3 DECEMBER

Bedford Brass Annual Christmas Concert

Doors open 6.30pm, concert 7pm Kempston East Church, Kempston Adults £5, under 16s free Light refreshments including mince pies included. Tickets available from band members and on at the door.

3 DECEMBER Castle Comedy

Doors open 7.30pm, show 8pm The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade

Three headline quality acts means the ultimate comedy night out! Web: www.castlecomedy.co.uk

3 & 4 DECEMBER

Christmas Craft & Food Fayre Spectacular 9.30am-4pm. Jordans Mill, Broom A fantastic range of stalls including sweet treats, hand-made items, locally made foods and more. Held in the Ouse and Ivel Rooms (above the Riverside Café).

5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23 & 30 DECEMBER Open Door 10-11.30am. Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street Tea, coffee and chat. Mondays (not bank holidays) and Fridays. Everyone welcome. Tel: 01767 261138

5, 12, 19 & 26 DECEMBER 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 50 upwards. Meets every Monday night. Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk

7 DECEMBER

Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Group 1pm. Shuttleworth ‘Sextant to Sat Nav. 45 Years in Aviation’ by Peter Griffiths. Meets first Wednesday of every month. Entry to Shuttleworth £19.50 or email to book free entry ticket. Email: 99aegr@gmail.com Web: www.a-e-g.org.uk

WHAT'S ON IN DECEMBER

7 DECEMBER

Sandy Community Choir Christmas Concert

7.30pm.St. Swithun’s Church, Sandy Featuring special guests Quintessential Brass. Retiring collection for St. John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger and St. Swithun’s Church. Refreshments provided.

7 DECEMBER

Sandy Night Owls Women’s Institute

7.30pm. Sandy Conservative Club Visitors £4. Meets first Wednesday of the month (except August). . Email: sandynightowlswl@gmail.com

7

& 14 DECEMBER

Hinxworth Art Society 10am-12pm. Hinxworth Village Hall Drawing, painting, coffee and chat. No need to book. Occasional oneday courses and demonstrations. Email: 99aegr@gmail.com

7, 14, 21 & 28 DECEMBER

Open Craft and Coffee 10-11.30am. Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street Everyone welcome. Tel: 01767 261138

10 DECEMBER

Santa’s Grotto 10-3pm. Community Centre, Brook End, Potton Tea, coffee, mulled wine and mince pies served all day. In aid of Keech Children’s Hospice Care.

10 DECEMBER

Carols by Candlelight 3.30pm. Church of St Mary Magdelene, Caldecote Tickets £10. Mulled wine and mince pies served in the interval. Proceeds to maintenance of the church. Web: www.wegottickets.com/ event/559010

11 DECEMBER

Carols in the Garden 4pm. Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street. Tel: 01767 261138

11 DECEMBER

Not Strictly Jazz 5-7pm. Fairfield House, Fairfield Road, Biggleswade Tickets £20, 10-18 years £10 Live music performed by exceptional musicians. 01767 312176 Email: sarahwiggs@hotmail.co.uk

12 DECEMBER

Learning Lunchtime 11am-12pm. Millennium Country Park, Marston Moretaine

‘The world of Macro Photography’ with John Plummer who tells us why he got into this breath-taking branch of photography. Donations welcome. Tel: 01234 767037 Web: www.marstonvale.org

14 DECEMBER

Bedford Local Group of The Wildlife Trust 7.15pm for 7.30pm

Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Avenue, Bedford An illustrated talk ‘Journey to the Jaguar’ by our own Marion Hession. Ample parking. Tel: 01234 266057 Web: wildlifebcn.org

14-31 DECEMBER

Christmas Activity Trail 9am-3pm. Jordans Mill, Broom Entry £3. Held on WednesdaySunday between 14-31 December. Take a festive stroll of the meadow and woodland and solve the clues on the Recycle a Christmas Tree Trail. Hand your activity sheet in to the Mill Shop for a prize!

15 DECEMBER

Bedford RSPB Local Group 7.30pm. ARA Club, Manton Lane Bedford MK41 7PF

Members £1, guests £2, annual group membership £5, under 18s free David Wilding, head warden at RSPB Otmoor, talks about the reserve. Suitable for experts and novices. RSPB membership not essential. Tel: 07905 199769. Web: www.rspb. org.uk/groups/bedford

17 DECEMBER

Coffee Extra 10-11.30am. Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street Coffee, tea, toasted tea cakes, etc. Tel: 01767 261138

20 DECEMBER

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

20 DECEMBER

Party with a Princess at Christmas 12-2pm. Millennium Country Park, Marston Moretaine Tickets £15. Christmas festive afternoon tea, hosted by the Princesses! Come along for an afternoon of meet and greets, Christmas games and sing-a-longs, followed by a children’s afternoon tea fit for royalty. Suitable for ages 3+. Booking essential. Tel: 01234 767037. Web: www.marstonvale.org

20 DECEMBER

Greensands Writers’ Group 7-9pm Free event. Enjoy writing? Join Greensands Writers’ Group for a monthly online meeting. greensandswriters.wixsite.com/

20 DECEMBER

Christmas with Locrian Concert 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Potton Tickets £10, under 18s free inc. refreshments. Locrian Chamber Choir concert. Tickets available from Cameron’s Newsagents or by phone. Tel: 01767 261431

UNTIL 16 APRIL

Changing Times: A Century of Modern British Art Exhibition

The Higgins, Bedford Sculpture, paintings and works on paper by some of the best-known and well-loved names in British art. www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk

Butternut Squash Wreath Festive Fare

Makes 2 (serves 4-6)

Preparation time 30 minutes Cooking time 50-60 minutes

These colourful puff pastry wreaths are easier to assemble than they look and make a fabulous centrepiece for Christmas Day lunch or dinner. Roll out the pastry trimmings to make ‘stars’ to decorate the tops

Ingredients

• 900g butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into small cubes

• 2 red onions, peeled and thinly sliced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• 4 unpeeled whole garlic cloves

• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 x 375g packs of ready-rolled puff pastry

• 100g baby spinach leaves

• 85g shelled pistachios

• 1 red chilli, deseeded and diced

• 100g grated Cheddar cheese

• 4 tsp green pesto

• 4 tsp cranberry sauce

• 1 medium free-range egg, beaten

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C / fan 180°C / gas mark

6. Line 2 baking trays with baking parchment.

2. Place the squash and red onions on 2 other baking trays and drizzle with the olive oil and maple syrup. Tuck the garlic cloves in between, season lightly with salt and pepper and roast in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until tender and starting to caramelise.

3. Meanwhile, roll out the pastry sheets, if necessary, until they are about 6mm thick and

big enough to cut a large round from. Place each one on a lined baking tray. Using a 27cm flan tin or a dinner plate as a guide, place it on top of each pastry sheet and cut round it to make a large circle. Set aside the pastry trimmings. Next, use a smaller plate to lightly score out an inner circle in the centre of each round. Use a sharp knife to cut through the pastry of the inner circle, first lengthways, then widthways, and again through the quarters to create 8 sections.

4. Squeeze the garlic out of the skins and stir into the hot roasted squash and onion mixture. Add the spinach and leave it to wilt slightly and soften. Place spoonfuls of the mixture in a ring around each pastry disc, avoiding the outer edge and the central star. Sprinkle with the pistachios, chilli and grated cheese. Drizzle alternately with pesto and cranberry sauce around the ring on top.

5. Work your way round each disc, raising the outer edge a little and pulling the point of each cut inner section over the filling towards the pastry edge. Pinch them together with your fingers to seal.

6. Lightly brush the pastry with beaten egg and, if using, attach some pastry stars with a little more beaten egg. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until puffed up, crisp and golden brown.

Recipe extracted from The Veggie Christmas Cookbook by Heather Thomas, published by HarperNonFiction, £12.99 hardback, with photography by Joff Lee.

Coffee and Gingerbread Christmas Bundt Cake

The ultimate cake to celebrate Christmas – add a little sprinkle of glitter or edible lustre before serving if you wish to make it twinkly!

INGREDIENTS

250g soft butter at room temperature, plus a little extra melted to brush the cake tin

250g light muscovado sugar

5 medium free-range eggs

250g self-raising flour, plus a little extra for dusting

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp ground cinnamon

75g buttermilk

50ml Camp Coffee

For the sugar glaze

150g icing sugar, sifted

3-4 tbsp water or milk

2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

To decorate

Icing sugar

1. Brush a little melted butter inside the bundt tin, making sure to get in all the nooks and crannies, then dust with flour, shaking the tin to ensure the whole tin is buttered and floured to help the cake turn out without sticking.

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C / fan 160°C / gas mark 4 and place a large baking sheet in the centre of the oven to place the bundt tin onto whilst baking.

3. In a stand mixer, with an electric whisk or by hand with a bowl and wooden spoon, cream the

butter and sugar together well until pale and creamy. Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, beating until incorporated.

4. Add the baking powder and spices to the flour and mix to distribute, then mix into the wet batter.

5. Mix in the buttermilk and Camp Coffee then spoon the mixture into the tin, smoothing over with a spoon to ensure it is all pushed into the points of the tin, pushing the batter up the sides of the tin a little.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes until cooked through – the sponge should be light and springy, and when a knife or skewer is inserted into the centre of the cake it should come out clean.

7. Once cooked, leave the cake in the tin for 5 minutes, then invert onto a plate or cake stand and carefully release the cake.

8. While the cake is cooling, make the sugar glaze. Place the icing sugar in a bowl and slowly stir in the liquid and vanilla (if using) a little at a time to make a pourable glaze. Drizzle over the cooled cake and dust with icing sugar for a snowy effect. Slice and serve slightly warm. The cake will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days or can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Our recipe was created by celebrity baker and TV presenter Juliet Sear exclusively for Camp Coffee. For more recipe inspiration, visit www.campcoffeeclub.co.uk.

Pantomime

1. Which pantomime character marries Alice Fitzwarren?

2. First broadcast in 1976, which children’s TV show featured a pantomime horse called Dobbin?

3. In the pantomime Aladdin, what is the name of Aladdin’s mother?

4. It is tradition in pantomimes for the villain to always enter from where?... stage left or stage right?

5. Dame Trott is the popular name for the mother of the main character in which pantomime?

6. From 2005 to 2009, whose TV chat show featured an annual pantomime broadcast live, with celebrities performing versions of The Wizard Of Oz, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Pinocchio and Sleeping Beauty?

7. Baron Hardup is the father of the title character in which pantomime?

8. Often used in pantomimes, what is a “breeches role”?

9. Whose participation in the 2007 series of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here meant he was unable to be a pantomime dame for the first time in 39 years?

10. Now used to refer to a sub-genre of comedy, what was the name of the object used in early pantomimes that, when used to strike someone, would make a loud noise, but wouldn’t hurt them?

9. Christopher Biggins 10. Slapstick

8. A role where an actress plays the part of a man

6. Rentaghost 7. Cinderella

4. Stage left 5. Jack and the Beanstalk

1. Dick Whittington 2. Paul O’Grady’s 3. Widow Twankey

The Magic of Mary

Mary Berry, the much-loved The Great British Bake Off judge, has been teaching the nation to cook since first appearing on our TV screens in the early 1970s – and she remains as popular today as ever. Self-admittedly ‘hopeless’ by academic standards, Mary Berry studied at Bath College of Domestic Science after leaving school, and then at the Paris Le Cordon Bleu when she was 21, recalling: “I didn’t like Paris at all. I stuck it out, but it wasn’t the highlight of my time.”

Born in Bath in 1935, it was in the swinging 60s that Mary landed the role of cookery editor of Housewife magazine. That same decade – in 1966 – she married Paul Hunnings but their relationship wasn’t so straightforward, with Mary admitting to Sue Perkins’ podcast, An Hour or So With, that she played the field. “Paul was the London one and I had a Bath one, actually there were several in Bath. You keep your options open.”

Taking more attempts than Mary probably ever has to perfect a recipe, it eventually took Paul three proposals to succeed in getting her to say “yes” –she refused the first time because he was drunk. The couple tied the knot at Charlcombe Church, near Bath, with Mary wearing a £5 dress and revealing she made her own wedding cake.

Paul and Mary had three children, two sons and a daughter. Tragically, their second-born son, William, died aged nineteen in a car crash. On The Mary Berry Show she recalled the moment police knocked on the door to tell her the news. Mary and Paul rushed immediately to the hospital. “He just looked so beautiful and so lovely, his little cold face and it was nice to say farewell.”

Today, home for Mary and retired antique bookseller Paul is a four-bedroom home, with separate cottage, indoor pool and gym, in Henley, Oxfordshire. “Paul is wonderful. He is always there for me…but him do the cooking? You must be joking! I do the cooking at home and on the rare occasion I’m not well, he will always make an omelette. After two or three omelettes, I’m normally better!”

With more than 80 books to her credit – her first published in 1966 – how does Mary, who was made a CBE in 2012 and the honour of Damehood in 2020,

keep her classic recipes modern and relevant?

“I adapt them by updating and using new ingredients, such as baking spreads, new fruits and vegetables, new grains like quinoa and puy lentils. These are all modern ingredients if you compare them to when the classics were invented.”

With Christmas upon us, Mary and Paul, who have five grandchildren – son Thomas’ two girls Abby and Grace, and daughter Annabel’s three children Louise, Tobie and Atlanta – have previously told how they refuse to spoil them over the festive season. Said Mary: “We’re good at keeping to a budget and nearly always give them an experience, like sailing lessons or tennis lessons.”

The couple entertain family at home for Christmas. “We always have the family over…We have a turkey with all the trimmings, fresh veg, Christmas pudding, trifle, mince pies. I love doing the cooking but we share it on Christmas Day,” said Mary.

Mary Berry’s Cook and Share is out now, published by BBC Books, priced £26, with photography by Laura Edwards.

Visit maryberry.co.uk.

Books to give and receive Books

Demon Copperhead

Barbara Kingsolver

Demon Copperhead looks set to cement Barbara Kingsolver’s reputation as one of the best authors of our time. In this modern-day reimaging of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, the ‘Demon’ of the title is born to a single, drug-addicted mother in poverty-stricken Virginia. At every turn, the odds are stacked against him, from the broken care system to the lack of job opportunities and his own sense of worth. Raw, angry, starkly beautiful, this book is an absolute masterpiece.

Good Comfort

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Healthy recipes tend to focus on what to leave out – whether the focus is on cutting carbs, ditching meat or reducing fat. With Good Comfort, the focus is on what to add to make a meal or snack more nutritious (and more delicious). Think lamb tagine with apricots and chickpeas, pork ribs with fennel slaw, and hot chocolate with raw cacao powder, oak milk, brown sugar and cardamom pods.

The Paper Palace

Miranda Cowley Heller

Not a new one this, but if you haven’t read it yet, The Paper Palace is definitely worth adding to your wish list. An unexpected passionate liaison with a childhood friend sees Elle looking back over her life and the decisions she made along the way. Tragedy, romance and family dynamics all combine to make this a cracking story. Perfect for curling up with on Boxing Day.

By Kate Duggan

Woman of Light Kali Fajardo-Anstine

In 1930s Denver, Luz and her brother Diego are battling poverty in a city that needs but doesn’t want them. The pair are expected to keep their heads down and comply, while the Ku Klux Klan has free reign to march against them. When Diego is forced to flee the city, Luz’s visions recall the family history that brought them to Denver. Rich, evocative, with characters that leap out of the page, Woman of Light is a short but highly satisfying read.

The Big Christmas Bake Fiona Barker and Pippa Curnick

This sweet little children’s book takes inspiration from the Twelve Days of Christmas song. On each day, animals (from the traditional partridge to dancing hippos) bring one ingredient to make a very special cake. Colourful illustrations and amusing rhymes mean this book could well turn into a new Christmas favourite. Plus, there’s a recipe at the end so families can make their own twelfth night cake.

Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II Robert Hardman

Published before her death, Queen of Our Times provides a fascinating insight into our longest-reigning monarch. Incredibly detailed and impeccably researched, this book is a must for biography fans, history lovers and royalists alike. You’ll read insights from people who knew the Queen well, including former world leaders, and be treated to a range of black and white and colour photographs from throughout the Queen’s life.