Potton July 2019

VILLAGER The

Issue 155 - July 2019

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Your chance to win some

Gardening Tools The History of the

Package Holiday Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People Every Month in Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Gamlingay ur E o Y and all surrounding villages REpy

F co1

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Inside this issue...

Junior Try Golf John O’Gaunt Golf Club

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The History of the Package Holiday........................................................ 4 The Lindos Acropolis - Rhodes................................................................ 8 Anyone for Tennis?............................................................................... 10 Win Tools to Make Gardening Easier......................................12 A Taste of... Malaysia and Singapore..................................................... 15 Ready, Steady, Mow!............................................................................ 16 Cambridge Summer Music Festival...................................................... 21 The Women of Wimbledon................................................................... 23 Junior Try Golf - John O’Gaunt Golf Club............................................... 25 5 Tips for Choosing a Professional Carpet Cleaner................................. 27 Choose the Perfect Hat......................................................................... 29 Baking - Summer Berry Sponge Puddings........................................... 30 Is ‘Neo Mint’ the new black?................................................................. 33 Hunting Pigs and Talking Dogs............................................................. 36 Making your home a screen-free zone................................................. 38 Staying Safe and Well on Holiday......................................................... 40 Colour and Style Tips Every Man Should Know..................................... 42 Problem Solvers................................................................................... 45 Pool Power........................................................................................... 48 New Graduate? Manage your finances like a pro.................................. 50 The Appeal of the Summer Fete........................................................... 53 Wi-Fi Woes........................................................................................... 54

Garden Buildings.................................................................................. 59 Black-Eyed Susan................................................................................. 62 Prolific Pests......................................................................................... 65 How to Bathe Your Cat and Reduce Their Stress Levels......................... 66 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal.................................................................... 68 Animal Stories...................................................................................... 70 Ask Alan - Potton Vets.......................................................................... 72 Budget Friendly Family Fun.................................................................. 74 Fine and Points - Five Motoring Misdeeds............................................ 77 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe............................................................... 79 Music 4 Memory Group in Potton......................................................... 80 The Roaming Empire............................................................................ 83 What’s On............................................................................................. 86 Children’s Page..................................................................................... 88 Puzzle Page.......................................................................................... 92 Short Story - Penny Falls...................................................................... 95 I’d Miss My Home Comforts.................................................................. 96 Wordsearch.......................................................................................... 96 Prize Crossword.................................................................100 Colourful Classrooms.......................................................................... 104 Fun Quiz............................................................................................. 104 Book Review...................................................................................... 107

Women of Wimbledon

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Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £37.50 +VAT per month Editorial - Catherine Rose, Solange Hando, Alison Runham, Trevor Langley, Tom Hancock, Tracey Anderson, Karen Campbell, Sarah Davey, Kate McLelland, Jennie Billings, Kate Duggan, Ann Haldon, Mark O’Keefe, Katherine Sorrell, Rachael Leverton, Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA, James Baggott, Nick Coffer & Iain Betson

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

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

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

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History

The History of the

Package Holiday

Today, we take the ease of global travel for granted but it was the birth and rise of the package holiday that paved the way for world citizenship and changed the concept of the travel we now take for granted.

During the first half of the 19th century only the wealthy could afford to travel, and beach holidays were unheard of. People would usually go abroad for their health or to learn about foreign culture.

Travel wasn’t easy, but with the coming of the railway it became affordable.

In 1841, a man named Thomas Cook organised a train excursion from Leicester to Loughborough and in 1855 he began to offer rail tours of the continent. He eventually launched his first roundthe-world tour in 1872, covering the USA, Japan, China, Singapore and India. It was a 25,000-mile journey that cost £210 and the start of a company that would become a major player in the package holiday industry.

Commercial travel largely stopped during the First World War but, with the advent of passenger planes, Thomas Cook launched holidays by air in the 1930s although they were very expensive and out of the reach of most people.

Following the Second World War, a demand for travelling abroad increased. Ex-serviceman wanted to re-visit places they had been stationed at and the general public wished to escape the aftermath of war and its ongoing rationing. Such was the demand that, in a bid to make holidays more affordable, Thomas Cook was nationalised as part of British Rail in 1948.

A year or so later, a Russian immigrant named Vladimir Raitz set up a travel company called Horizon Holidays that chartered weekly flights to a beach resort in Corsica. As a result, many consider him to be the inventor of the modern package holiday.

Possibly as a result of Horizon, in 1954 amendments were made to the Convention on International Civil Aviation that allowed for an increase in charter planes. However, there were still restrictions on pricing, making it hard for companies to be either cheap or competitive.

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There was also a shortage of hotels.

That all changed in 1957 when British European Airways (BEA) launched a route to Valencia in Spain, coining the marketing phrase ‘Costa Blanca’. With the creation of beach resorts came a surge in hotel construction, particularly in Italy and Spain where small fishing villages were turned into large resorts dominated by hotels and bars. At the same time, larger and faster aircraft that cut flight times were becoming available and there were fewer restrictions on taking foreign currency abroad.

Travel was easier, opening the door to a host of tour operators. Big corporations began to see the financial benefits of diversifying into the travel industry.

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Thomson Organisation was a Canadian mediabased corporation that in 1965 bought out several of the UK’s tour operators and airlines, including Universal Sky Tours’ charter airline, Britannia. Thomson – now branded as TUI – remains a market leader today.

The 1970s and 1980s were boom decades for the package holiday. In 1970, the Boeing 737 was launched. The very latest in air travel, the plane could carry more than 400 passengers and revolutionised commercial flight.

In those days package holidays weren’t without risk, however. There was little protection for the consumer if their travel company went bust while they were abroad, often leaving holidaymakers stranded, and frequent strikes by airport staff meant misery for many passengers – something I remember well!

The first Thomas Cook holiday was in 1841 The package holiday has become synonymous with sun, sea and sangria but there were other choices available. City breaks were rising in popularity and ski holiday destinations expanded. Adventure and long-distance tour operators like Kuoni began to market travel to exotic locations, appealing to those who wanted to indulge in their adventurous side while staying within the safety of an organised tour.

Advances in aviation made faraway places increasingly accessible and holidays anywhere in the world affordable. With the abolition of price regulations, travel companies could compete for the cheapest discounts. New technology also made reservations easier and travel agents began to pop up on every high street.

By 1994, more than half of the holidays booked by the British public were package holidays, around 27 million; compare this with the one million holidays that were taken by Brits during the entire 1950s.

Thanks to price deregulation, the 1990s heralded the arrival of small budget airlines that began offering package holiday routes with the added ease of online booking. In 2005 Ryanair carried more than 31 million passengers, an explosion from its two million of 1995.

Today the package holiday is having to work hard to hold its place in the market. With online booking easier than ever, people are either finding the best deals direct for themselves or having a bespoke tour put together by a personal travel consultant. Baby boomers with more time and money to spend are also favouring the more leisurely pace of luxury cruises.

Thanks to the humble package holiday, our world is more accessible than ever before but the future isn’t all bright. Studies suggest that with global warming, by 2030 many of our favourite holiday destinations will simply be too hot to enjoy.

By Catherine Rose

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Travel

By Solange Hando

The Lindos Acropolis - Rhodes According to legend, the Acropolis was founded by Lindos, the grandson of Helios the Sun god, and up on its rocky headland above the Aegean Sea, it just takes your breath away. Climb up the hill, on a donkey or up 300 steps, and the past lingers all around, glowing in the luminous light as the scent of wild flowers and herbs drifts along the steep winding path. The panorama is superb from the village, a sprinkling of white houses along the base of the rock, to the meandering coast, the blue sea and mountains beyond.

But up on the top the medieval fortress bars the way with its long crenelated wall silhouetted against the sky.

It was built in the early fourteenth century by the Knights of St John, a safe haven inaccessible from the sea and equally challenging from the land, enclosed by ramparts and towers. It isn’t much easier today but when you finally reach the tiny gate, you are greeted by a lonely olive tree and a jumble

of stones and rocks hiding a few inscriptions from ancient Greece. The next level leads up to the Knights’ headquarters with remains of the governor’s palace, including a coat of arms, and the Byzantine church of St John from the thirteenth century.

But Lindos existed long before the Knights arrived. Tools from the New Stone Age were discovered at this spot and it was Homer who first mentioned the city, built by the Dorians in the twelfth century BC. Perched on an invincible rock guarding two beautifully sheltered harbours, Lindos reached its golden age in the sixth century BC under Cleovoulos, one of the seven sages of Ancient Greece.

Trade flourished, great buildings enhanced the city, and on a former sacred site a new temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena. It still dominates the Acropolis, 116 metres above the sea, the highest point, and as you stand on the very edge of the rock, gazing at the sturdy remaining columns, you can

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imagine ancient worshippers struggling up the hill, laden with bountiful offerings as, filled with awe, they approached a divine presence between heaven and earth.

Equally stunning is the Hellenistic stoa (200 BC), a passageway, originally covered, 87 metres long and 9 metres wide. Shaped like the Greek letter π, said to symbolise energy rising to the sky, it has retained 20 of its 42 Doric columns. It’s a great favourite for photographs with its lofty golden colonnade framed by blue sky and sea.

There are also vestiges of a Roman stoa and temple, ancient stairways and several semicircular platforms, one with the prow of a ship hewn into the rock, where offerings were laid.

Three thousand years of history are no mean achievement, and with the wonderful views all around you feel on top of the world. I mused for a while among these amazing ruins, hardly noticing the first drops of rain – but within minutes the Sun god was back in all his glory.

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We are very proud of what we do and are always keen to show visitors around.

No appointment is necessary so please feel free to drop in for a guided tour, coffee and cake!

We look forward to meeting you...

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Time of Year

Anyone for Tennis?

With Wimbledon Fortnight upon us, taking place from 1st-14th July, here are some fascinating facts about the prestigious tennis tournament, starting with its history.

The first Wimbledon Championship: “The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, propose to hold a lawn tennis meeting, open to all amateurs, on Monday July 9th and following days,” said the advertisement in The Field on 9th June 1877. What it really meant, of course, was “open to all male amateurs.”

22 men paid a £1 1 shilling entrance free and turned up, as required, with their own rackets and “shoes without heels.” A temporary three-plank stand seated 30 people, but the final was watched by a 200-strong crowd, who saw Spencer Gore become the first Wimbledon Champion, winning a silver cup and 12 guineas.

Ironically, Gore only entered to raise money to buy a horse-drawn roller, believing “that anyone who has really played well at cricket, [real] tennis, or even rackets, will ever seriously give his attention to lawn tennis, beyond showing himself to be a promising player, is extremely doubtful; for in all probability the monotony of the game would choke him off before he had time to excel in it.”

The first Ladies’ Championship: The Ladies’ Singles Championship was introduced in 1884, along with Men’s Doubles. 13 entrants paid half the entrance fee of the men and competed for a silver flower basket (no guineas for them). Maud Watson beat her sister Lilian to become the first female Champion, and went on to win in 1885 too.

The man who held a 111 year record: William Renshaw won the Men’s Singles title seven times

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in the 1880s – six of them in consecutive years.

He didn’t defend his title in 1887 and was beaten in the last eight in 1888, but came back to win his seventh title the following year; a record unbroken until Pete Sampras won a seventh Championship in 2000.

He also competed with his twin brother Ernest in the Doubles. They dominated the game and inspired a massive public interest in tennis and the Championship.

Today…

BBGs (Ball Boys and Girls): Approximately 250 BBGs, with an average age of fifteen, take to the court every year, having trained since February.

Girls weren’t allowed until 1977, and it took another three years for mixed teams to appear.

The balls: Slazenger has been the Official Supplier of tennis balls to the Championships since 1902.

Yellow balls were used for first time in 1986. 53,000 are used during the Championships and used balls are sold, at £2.50 per can of three, in aid of the Wimbledon Foundation.

Anyone for tea? During the Championships, spectators eat their way through 166,055 portions of strawberries and cream and 76,603 ice creams, while quaffing 303,277 glasses of Pimm’s, 21,917 bottles of champagne, 117,507 pints of draught beer and lager, and 307,277 cups of tea and coffee.

Watch the birdie: Rufus, a Harris Hawk, provides a year-round deterrent to local pigeons and flies the grounds for an hour each morning, before the gates open, during the Championships.

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

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Win Tools to Make

Gardening Easier Win top quality carbon steel garden tools plus a gift voucher, together worth over £100.

At Bickerdikes you’ll find a huge selection of the best quality plants: flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs and turf. If you are new to gardening the Bickerdike team’s friendly, welcoming, professional and practical advice will ensure you plant the right plant in the right place. What’s more, hardy plants are guaranteed for two years providing they are planted and cared for correctly.

For well over 80 years the Bickerdike family have been in the horticultural industry. Following the family tradition Mark and Debbie Bickerdike opened Bickerdikes Garden Centre in 1999, applying the same principles as previous generations of the family: quality, choice, value for money and above all personal service.

The Bickerdikes service extends to their carry to car assistance and free delivery for larger items if you spend £15 or more. Plus the Bickerdikes Reward Card scheme means that every time you make a purchase you’ll earn points towards future purchases.

Once you’ve browsed all the plants, containers and pots, tools and equipment, plant feeds and fertilisers, garden furniture, huge range of gifts and gift food you’ll be ready to visit Norton’s Café. Pop in for coffee or a light snack or maybe lunch. There’s a full menu all day starting with breakfast and there’s waitress service too.

Competition

BICKERDIKES COMPETITION ENTRY Name: Tel:

QUESTION...

How much do you need to spend to get free delivery for larger items?



Answer the question below to be in with a chance to win a compete set of seven Wilkinson Sword carbon steel garden tools, all with a five-year guarantee: (hand fork and trowel, garden rake and lawn rake, digging spade, digging fork and Dutch hoe) plus a £20 voucher to spend at Bickerdikes.

(Please note the wheelbarrow is not part of the prize.)

To enter, complete the form below and send to: Bickerdikes Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. The winner will be picked at random. Deadline: 16th July 2019

Email: Address: 12

For full terms and conditions please go to www.villagermag.com

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Food and Drink

A Taste of… Malaysia and Singapore Malaysia has a rich history and is located in Southeast Asia. The official language is Malaysian, with English being recognised as the country’s second language. Malaysian cuisine has been influenced from cultures including Malay, Chinese and Thai, amongst others. Singapore is an island city-state in Southeast Asia. The languages used most are English, Malay, Mandarin, plus Tamil. The cuisine has influences from Malay, China and India, plus other countries.

Rasa Sayang restaurant, opened 2008, is located in the Chinatown area of London, with casino and theatre entertainment nearby and offers Malaysian and Singaporean food. Several cooking styles are utilised, by the very talented team of chefs, at this restaurant, including Peranakan. This style has Chinese ingredients and Malaysian spices, coming together, to produce aromatic and flavoursome foods. The dishes known as ‘Heat Zone’ offer splendid cuisine for diners, being full-flavoured, with rich and hot results, plus very impressive presentations. All dishes can be adjusted to suit taste requirements.

An array of nibbles, including Roti Canai with chicken curry sauce and/or dahl, commences proceedings, perfectly. Other selections include Achar (pickled pineapple, carrots, cucumber, sesame seeds, peanuts) and Prawn Paste Chicken (fried chicken marinated with prawn paste). Moving on, further options include Deep Fried Sambal Fish (fried whole sea bass, okra, onion rings, dried shrimps, chilli, sambal, lemon, lettuce), which is very popular. Beef and Chicken dishes have regular ‘devotees’, too, along with superb variations of noodle cuisine. Char Kway Teow (thick flat rice noodles, eggs, prawns, squid, beansprouts, chives) is very flavoursome and a regular choice for many diners. Presented perfectly, this merits ‘Compliments to Chef’. Desserts have Kueh Dadar (pandan pancake, desiccated coconut, palm sugar) included in a list that has something for all tastes. Sago Gula Melaka will not disappoint either. Ample different drinks suit all palates and the fantastic teas, coffees, plus chocolate temptations are outstanding. Wines and other drinks are available, too.

Rasa Sayang offers an exceptional, authentic experience of Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine. Takeaways and gift vouchers are also available – now there’s a thought!

Booking is advisable, particularly during popular times.

Many thanks to Edwin, for cuisine advice and impeccable service, throughout.

Rasa Sayang 5 Macclesfield Street, London W1D 6AY Tel: 44(0)20 7734 1382 Email: info@rasasayangfood.com www.rasasayangfood.com

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Time of Year

Ready, Steady, MOW! Choose the right mower for your lawn Regular mowing is the key to an attractive, green and healthy lawn. You’ll need a mower, but which one should you choose?

Small lawns - Many suburban homes have tiny lawns. A manual push lawn mower or rotary mower is powered by you pushing it rather than by electricity. The blades are mounted in a cylinder, which revolves when the mower is pushed. This produces a precise, even mowing result. They tend to be very compact which makes them manoeuvrable and easy to store.

Small or medium-sized lawn - If your lawn is a little bigger or you don’t fancy a manual mower, an electric lawn mower might be for you. They run from a power source and make light work of your lawn. Electric mowers for smaller lawns are usually very easy to manoeuvre around objects.

Most come with a handy container or bag to collect clippings. They are also pretty quiet and are available in energy-efficient versions. Just be aware that even with a small lawn you will probably need an extension cord. It’s wise to invest in a power breaker for safety. Accidents do happen.

Larger lawn - Petrol mowers are good bigger lawns, where an extension cord becomes impractical.

These mowers are powerful, but also heavy as they are often quite sizeable. They are less environmentally friendly because of the exhaust emissions. If you have more than 500 square

metres of grass, you’ll probably be better off with a ride-on petrol mower.

All lawn mowers are available in various mowing widths. Generally speaking, the wider the lawn mower, the quicker you’ll get the job done. But you need to consider that wider mowers are less manoeuvrable.

As a rule of thumb small lawns require a mowing width of around 29-33cm (11-13 inches); mediumsized lawns require a mowing width of around 38cm (15 inches).; large lawns may require widths larger than this, but all choices will depend on whether the lawn is ornamental, with features like ponds and trees, in which case a smaller mower might be better, or whether it’s more of an open grassy space.

Most mowers are height adjustable. In other words, you can increase or decrease the distance between the blades and the ground to cut the grass at just the right height for you or the time of year.

You can now buy mulching mowers. These cut the grass clippings into tiny pieces and blow them evenly into the grass. This method has the advantage of preventing the soil from drying out and gives fungus less chance to develop.

A strimmer is a useful gadget for neatening up along walls, fences and the edge of flowerbeds. You can get more powerful versions which will let you attack weeds too. It’s best to wear safety goggles when using one as they generate a lot of flying debris.

By Tom Hancock

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Fashion On The Farm Lots of great offers in store and on line

Lingerie, Nightwear and Outerwear

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Local News

Bach and Beyond

Cambridge Summer Music Festival 2019

Cambridge makes a wonderful day out with its iconic buildings, beautiful gardens, punting on the river and shopping opportunities. And for two weeks in July, there’s an even more compelling reason to go – Cambridge Summer Music. This long-established festival of classical, jazz and world music attracts large and enthusiastic audiences, and a quick glance at the 2019 programme makes it easy to see why.

Music by (and inspired by) JS Bach and Music by women composers are the themes for this year.

For the latter, highlights include a tribute to Clara Schumann (18 July); works by Judith Bingham, Hildegard von Bingen and Maria Theresia von Paradis (14 July); songs by Rebecca Clark and Alma Mahler (18 July); and a new commission from Reena Esmail (21 July).

Fans of JS Bach also have wonderful treats in store, including the St John Passion (13 July), the complete Brandenburg Concertos on period instruments (20 July), the Goldberg Variations (22 July) and trio sonatas arranged for two harpsichords (24 July).

CSM always likes to support new talent, and you’ll be able to hear some exciting young players at the start of their careers. There’ll also be some very famous names performing, from actor Crawford Logan (18 July) and composer Bob Chilcott (14 July) to violinist Jennifer Pike (17 July), tenor James Gilchrist (23 July) and soprano Dame Felicity Lott (26 July).

For the full range of solo recitals, orchestral performances, children’s entertainments and jazz evenings in store – including the popular Sounds Green concerts in the Botanic Garden – visit the Festival website and be sure to book early!

Online information and booking www.cambridgesummermusic.com or www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/tickets Box Office Cambridge Live Tickets, Wheeler Street, Cambridge CB2 3QB (Mon–Fri 12pm–6pm; Sat 10am–6pm) Tel: 01223 357851 (Mon–Sat 10am–6pm)

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The

DUNCOMBE

ARMS

SUMMER

The

DUNCOMBE

FETE

ARMS

SAT 20TH JULY 2019 12.30pm to 6pm

THE DUNCOMBE ARMS WARESLEY To be held in the pub garden

• Craft Stalls • Hog Roast from 3pm • PIMMs, Gins and Summer Cocktails • Live Music and Ales • Games, Toys and 22

Penalty Shoot-Out. • Fabulous New Play House • Raffle with Great Prizes • Traditional Pub Lunches and Dinners

Plenty of Parking at the Rear with Charging for ElectricVehicles

The Duncombe Arms, Eltisley Road, Waresley, Cambs. SG19 3BS

01767 650 764

www.duncombe-arms.com

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Time of Year

The Women of Wimbledon

Home-grown champions from the past The Championships, Wimbledon is the most famous tennis event in the British sporting calendar. It was first contested in 1877 and played on outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) in the Wimbledon suburb of London, United Kingdom.

The Ladies’ Singles tournament began in 1884, and the women’s game has developed massively over the last century. We are all familiar with the incredible Williams sisters, but our own Nation has a pretty impressive history in the Women’s singles, which is often overlooked by the British media.

Dorothy Round Little won her first title in 1934 — the same year as her British male counterpart Fred Perry also won his first. She won her second Wimbledon title at age 29 in 1937. A devout Christian, she often refused to play on Sundays.

She published two books, Modern Lawn Tennis and Tennis For Girls. After her retirement in 1939 she worked as a coach, journalist, and president of the Worcester Lawn Tennis Club.

Florence Angela Margaret Mortimer Barrett beat another English player Christine Truman Janes to become Wimbledon’s women’s singles champion in 1961. She was aged 29 and partially deaf.

Ann Haydon-Jones had already won the French Open and U.S. Open twice before winning Wimbledon in 1969. She first showed her talent as a young girl. Her father was a table tennis champion and he encouraged her competitive spirit. She played the famous Billie Jean King several times but never beat her until her win at Wimbledon. Haydon-Jones was also the first left-handed female singles player to win the championship.

Virginia Wade was a maths graduate, famed for her powerful serve. She defeated Billie Jean King at the US Open, earning her first Grand Slam title. She went on to win the Australian Open in 1972, and in 1977, nearly a decade after her first victory, Wade would become Wimbledon’s last British singles winner for 36 years. The year she won, defeating Dutch player Betty Stöve at Wimbledon was the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and Queen Elizabeth II herself was present to enjoy her victory.

It remains to be seen whether current British number one Johanna Konta can better her semifinal performance in 2017 to add her name to the list of amazing female British tennis players who have held the Wimbledon trophy aloft.

By Tracey Anderson

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Ashwell Jewellery Ltd Creating wonderful jewellery for over 30 years Based in Ashwell, we can create everything from a simple silver cufflink to the most exquisite Certified Diamond.

• Commissions • Jewellery Repairs • Valuations Our Studio is open on Wednesdays 10am-6pm, Saturdays 10am-4pm and by appointment on other days.

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Discover more on our websites www.ashwelljewellery.com www.nordiclondonjewellery.com Ashwell Jewellery Ltd

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Nordic London Jewellery

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Junior Try Golf

at John O’Gaunt Golf Club

John O’Gaunt Golf Club, located in Sutton Park, Potton near Sandy has a proud tradition of supporting and encouraging junior golf and has worked hard to build and maintain a strong Junior Section.

Traditionally our junior members were the sons, daughters and grandchildren of club members: In recent years we have accepted youngsters from within the local community from non-golfing backgrounds. The Club is keen to continue this trend and in 2017 the Club launched an initiative by providing coaching opportunities in local schools and by inviting various youth groups to the Club where basic coaching was on offer using the extensive outdoor practice facilities.

More recently the Club staged what turned out to be a very successful Junior, “Try Golf Day” on Good Friday, 19th April. 24 youngsters attended each of the two hour sessions held in the morning and afternoon and to cater for the demand a third

Local News

Try Golf Day at John O’Gaunt Golf Club Good Friday 19 April 2019

session took place on Saturday 18th May. All coaching was with Club Professional Lee Scarbrow and Teaching Professional Tom Bushell and included all aspects of the game, from driving to chipping and putting.

As a result a great deal of interest was created and has borne fruit with several new recruits who have been welcomed into the younger Pee Wee Club and Junior Section. The Club will be holding similar events in the future to promote golf in the local community to continue to grow our already very active Pee Wee Club and Junior sections. If you would like your child to learn to play golf please do not hesitate to contact us.

Details of our Summer Golf Camps for those aged from 5 – 17 years can be found on the club’s website: www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk or by email to tom@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk

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Potton & District Club Entertainment 2019 - Keeping LIVE MUSIC live every week!

New members welcome to apply for membership. Call in for an easy to complete membership form.

JULY

Saturday 6th July - Rock Festival* 3 Local bands showcasing their talents Saturday 13th July - Karaoke Night Saturday 20th July - Five Ska* (Ska)

AUGUST

Bank Holiday - Saturday 24th August - Phoenix Show Band Sunday 25th August - 6pm Karaoke Bank Holiday - Monday 26th August - Open from 12 Saturday 31st August - Fishing with Robots

SEPTEMBER

Open House: New to the area? Come along and try before you buy! Weekend Special event!

Friday 6th September - Garage R&B Night Saturday 7th September - Rob goes Solo (Rob is the lead singer from Bite The Bullet) Special Offer: Introduce a guest & buy them a pint or a glass of wine for ÂŁ1 or new members get a pint or glass of wine for a ÂŁ1 (T&Cs apply) Friday 27th September - The Soulman All info is provided in good faith, always check the web page pottonclub.co.uk for changes.

When you see this * an ENTRY FEE will apply.

Potton CIU Club, Charities Hall, Station Road, Potton Tel: 01767 261465 (Evenings) Website: www.pottonclub.co.uk 26

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Cleaning

5 Tips for Choosing a

Professional Carpet Cleaner Cheap is rarely best - However attractive saving a few quid might seem, the least expensive option might actually do more harm than good.

Companies that offer heavily discounted rates may use substandard cleaning products that could permanently damage your carpets. Price is important but it should not be number one on your list of questions to ask.

Know the Process - Cleaning services are all different so ask questions. How does each company that go about their business? Some companies might use stronger detergents, while others might use more environmentally friendly options. How long will the drying time be? Knowing the exact process each company employs will help you to decide who to hire.

Do your research - Talk to friends and family. Check review sites and ask for recommendations on social

media. The best services are found through word of mouth, so do the research and leverage your network for trustworthy recommendations.

Ask About Additional Services – You don’t want hidden surprises so make sure you know whether there will be extra services? And how much the company will charge for them? Will they move furniture if they need to? How will they manage difficult-to reach areas? Are they insured and registered with Are environmentally friendly products more expensive?

Keep it Local if Possible - A local carpet cleaning company will have a vested interest in keeping you happy. Local companies provide services for other local residents too, so it is in their best interest to offer a high-quality service at affordable costs to ensure customer retention.

By Karen Campbell

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A-head of the Game

Fashion

Choose the perfect hat

Weddings, Race events, Polo; there are many opportunities throughout the summer to wear a hat, but which one should you choose? How do you avoid making an expensive mistake?

First you need to look at your face shape. Ovalshaped faces can get away with almost any style.

A large brimmed hat should be tilted backwards slightly so that it frames your face. If you have a square or round face, choose a hat with a large brim and wear it slanted. A long face looks lovely with a beret style or even a Matador style Glasses can be a bit tricky but choose a hat with an upturned brim style so that it doesn’t feel like you are hiding behind a lot of face furniture!

There is a bit of an art to hat wearing. You need to think about your hairstyle. Hair should complement the hat. Hats nearly always look better worn with hair up, because it accentuates the neck. Small hats should rest just above the eyebrow, they look wrong perched on the very top of the head. If in doubt, ask the stylist in the shop. They will be trained to help you choose the right piece and talk you through how to wear it to best effect.

Try lots of styles, colours and textures. Make the most of trained staff. Let them be your guide. They will

get a kick out of finding exactly the right hat for you. Don’t shy away from ‘big’ hats because they generally look smaller once they are actually on your head Most people start with an outfit and try to find a hat to complement it. But it might be better to do it the other way around. If you fall in love with a hat that’s a real statement piece, then you should keep your dress and accessories minimal to allow it to take centre stage. If you’ve already got the outfit though, then pick out elements such as colour or fabric, to try and match. Exact matches are not necessary, sometimes complementing tones work better.

If you are very lucky you might have a dress and hat hire establishment in your town. This can be an excellent way to get the outfit and hat of your dreams for a fraction of the cost of buying it outright.

At the end of the day you have to feel happy, confident and comfortable in your chosen hat.

Physical comfort is the most important factor. You shouldn’t pick anything you feel you have to fuss or fidget with; you should feel completely confident. As the hat designer Piers Atkinson says, “Make sure the hat doesn’t wear you; you wear the hat!”

By Sarah Davey To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

29

Baking

Summer Berry

Sponge Puddings

Smothered with warm berry compote, these delicious lemony sponge puddings will go down a treat after a Sunday roast. Serve with a dollop of crème fraiche or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Makes 4 Ready in 1 hour 10 minutes Ingredients: 115g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 225g caster sugar Zest of 1 lemon 2 medium eggs, beaten 125g self-raising flour, sifted 1 tbsp milk 300g mixed summer berries such as redcurrants, blackberries, raspberries and blackcurrants 2 tsp arrowroot blended with 1 tbsp cold water 1. Thoroughly grease four 175ml pudding basins with butter. Preheat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/ gas mark 5.

2. Place the butter and 115g of the sugar in a bowl and beat together until pale and creamy. Beat in the lemon zest then gradually beat in the eggs, adding 1 tbsp of the flour if the mixture starts to curdle. Fold in the rest of the flour with the milk to give a soft dropping consistency.

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3. Divide the mixture between the pudding basins and cover each with a square of pleated buttered foil, scrunching it tightly around the sides of each basin. Transfer to a large roasting tin and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the basins. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until risen and firm to the touch.

4. Meanwhile, place the berries in a pan with the remaining sugar and 2tbsp water. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5-6 minutes until the fruit has softened. Stir in the blended arrowroot and simmer, stirring all the time, for another 4-5 minutes until thickened.

5. Turn the hot puddings out onto serving plates and spoon over the warm fruit compote. Serve immediately.

TIP: You can replace the fresh berries with the same amount of frozen mixed berries, if liked.

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When the time comes, and you need to look into nursing care for a friend or relative, come and see us at the Park House Nursing Care Centre in Sandy.

With our team of dedicated carers and support staff, we provide specialised 24 hour care to adults of all ages in a homely and friendly atmosphere.

Some of the people in our community may be living with dementia, whilst others may have complex care needs requiring the intervention of our qualified nurses.

And we place a great value on socialising, with a varied programme of activities.

You’ll find visiting very easy with parking on site and a warm welcome from our staff.

NEWS FLASH  NEWS FLASH  NEWS FLASH  NEWS FLASH  NEWS FLASH We have just completed building 8 new beautifully appointed rooms on the West wing of the home. Please contact us for further details.

Park House Nursing Care Centre, Mill Lane, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 1NL T: 01767 692186 E: office@parkhousesandy.org W: www.parkhousecare.com To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Home Products

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Spot the Difference - Find 10 differences between the pictures below

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Business gone slow?

Let us help!

Hot Tubs & Swimming Pools Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com

Inground & above ground pools servicing & maintenance Pool toys & chemicals | Hot tubs & Spas Steam showers & gazebos

Visit our showroom: Unit 1C, St Francis Way, Shefford Ind Estate, Beds SG17 5DZ Tel: 01462 819003 | www.crystalleisurepools.com

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35

Quirky Britain

By Kate McLelland

Hunting Pigs and Talking Dogs

Eccentrics and their animals The British are known as a nation of animal lovers, so it’s not surprising to find that some of history’s most colourful characters were obsessed with their pets. But these eccentric sometimes used their pets as status symbols, kept them as curiosities or subjected them to strange experiments.

Here are a few individuals whose love of animals brought them either fame or infamy: John ‘Mad Jack’ Mytton - Born in 1796, ‘Mad Jack’ Mytton came into a huge family fortune as a young man and dedicated the rest of his life to spending every penny of his inheritance. He was fascinated by animals and once rode a bear into his dining room to terrify his guests.

Jack lived for risk and it was said of him “not only did he not mind accidents, he positively liked them.” In 1826 he won a bet by riding his horse up the stairs of a Leamington Spa hotel and jumping through the window into the street. He also kept over 2,000 dogs, feeding his favourites on steak and champagne.

Barbara Woodhouse - In the 1980s Barbara Woodhouse burst onto our TV screens with her trademark style of dog training, complete with commands such as “Sitttt!” and “Walkies!” which quickly became national catchphrases.

Barbara didn’t suffer fools gladly and she often talked to dog owners in the same brisk tone she would use for misbehaving dogs: “Now, you’re rather fidgety, Mr Chambers: can you calm yourself?”

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Her TV series ‘Training Dogs the Woodhouse Way’ was an instant hit with audiences but some of Barbara’s training methods – such as jerking the dog’s lead and issuing harsh commands – have since been abandoned in favour of positive reinforcement techniques.

Jemmy Hirst - Born in Rawcliffe, Yorkshire in 1738, Jemmy was a true eccentric. As a young boy he taught a tame jackdaw and a pet hedgehog to follow him around at school, but as an adult he decided to train his beloved bull, Jupiter, to behave like a horse, riding it and letting it pull his carriage.

Possibly the most bizarre incident in Jemmy Hirst’s animal training career involved him riding Jupiter to a fox hunt, using pigs instead of hounds to follow the scent. King George III heard of Jemmy’s animal exploits and invited him down to London.

The bull-trainer and the monarch clearly got on well and Jemmy even invited the king to visit his Yorkshire home for a “good brandy”. George politely refused Jemmy’s invitation but reputedly gave him several choice bottles from the royal cellar for the journey back.

Whatever your feelings about these notable animal eccentrics, you can’t deny their obvious affection for their pets. These days, when one in ten pets has its own social media profile and when almost a third of owners admit they buy more Christmas gifts for their pets than for their partners, who is to say we Brits are not all a little animal crackers?

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37

Life Begins...

By Kate McLelland

Making your home a screen-free zone You’ve hidden all your precious ornaments, shifted sharp-cornered items of furniture out of the way and stocked up on nutritious snacks.

Is it an earthquake warning? A tornado alert? No, just a visit from the grandkids.

While it’s likely they will arrive with a full set of gadgets including (but not limited to) tablets, mobiles and computer game consoles, like most grandparents you would probably prefer to encourage a little eye-to-eye contact and discussion, rather than simply watch your grandchildren stare at a screen all day.

A recent survey of 2,000 families carried out by CensusWide found that children currently spend an average of 23 hours per week using smartphones and similar tech gadgets: that’s twice as much time as they spend talking with parents and other family members face-to-face. So here are some great, non-messy, old-school ideas that might encourage them to turn their backs on technology, even if it’s only for an hour or so.

Mess-free masterpieces Many house-proud grandparents will shudder at the thought of letting their grandkids loose with a set of poster paints and a brush. This clever idea involves squeezing large blobs of poster paint onto a card sealed inside a ziplock bag. In this way, children can create a rainbow design, using their fingers to swirl the paint through the clear plastic bag, and without actually touching the wet stuff themselves. Dry the painted card with a hairdryer for speed and send your wannabe Damien Hirst home clutching his or her abstract masterpiece.

Brilliant bathroom games Make Bubble Snakes by cutting the bottom off a plastic bottle, pulling a clean sock onto the cut end and securing it with an elastic band. Create a bubble mix by combining water, food colouring and dishwasher liquid on a saucer and mixing it well. Now dip the sock in the soap mix and get the child to blow into the bottle from the drinking end – it should produce a glorious, snake-like stream of

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bubbles. Alternatively, half-fill the bath and make your own version of the hook-a-duck game by fastening tape loops around the necks of some toy bath ducks and letting the grandkids take turns at catching them (if you can’t find a suitable hook, try a long-handled wooden spoon instead).

Fun on the web (and not the world wide one) Use a door that’s seldom opened (a cupboard door is ideal) to create a spider’s web out of masking tape, keeping the sticky side of the tape facing the room. Now cut up some newspaper into equal sizes (big enough to turn into small balls) and give each child 8 to 10 pieces each.

Ask the children to write their names on the pieces of paper then scrunch them up into tight balls. The winner is the one who gets the most paper balls to stick to the ‘web’.

With a little forward planning and careful supervision, your grandkids will learn that playtime with grandma and grandad can be every bit as exciting as watching the latest cartoons or playing video games.

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Health & Beauty

Staying Safe and Well on Holiday

Here are tips for avoiding injury and illness on holiday (and information about what’s happening with EHIC cards and Brexit).

Take a first aid kit and your prescription Take a first aid kit and include antihistamines, sunburn treatment, insect repellent, insect bite treatment and your usual medications, plus condoms and any contraceptives you may need.

A copy of your prescription may be necessary in emergencies or in countries with differing regulations.

Beware heatstroke, sunburn and prolonged sun exposure Stay hydrated, keep your head and skin covered, and rest in the shade when the sun’s at its hottest.

Early heatstroke symptoms are headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, appetite loss, excessive sweating, pale clammy skin, cramps, fast breathing or pulse, a temperature of 37C or above and intense thirst.

Think someone has heatstroke? Lay them down in the shade, raise their feet, remove unnecessary clothing and give them cold drinks. If they’re no better after 30 minutes or they have a temperature of 40°C or above and seem confused or lose consciousness, call the emergency services.

Sunburn and prolonged sun exposure are linked to skin cancer. Keep children under 6 months out of strong sunlight completely.

Choose sunscreen with a UVA rating of at least 4 stars and a UVB rating (SPF) of at least 30 (50+ for children). Apply it liberally 30 minutes before going out and just before going out, and then every two hours—and straight after you leave the water, even if it’s ‘water-resistant’. Don’t use expired sunscreen (or in-date sunscreen that’s been

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allowed to get hot or sit in direct sunlight).

Treat sunburn quickly with plenty of cold water, then aftersun or calamine lotion. An antiseptic cream with local anaesthetic and painkillers may help. If you feel unwell or your skin swells badly or blisters, seek medical help.

UV light damages eyes too. Even on cooler sunny days, adults and children should wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection plus the CE Mark and European Standard EN 1836:2005.

Going to Europe? Apply for an EHIC card An EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) provides medically necessary healthcare, either free or at reduced cost, during a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland. The Government says in-date EHIC cards will be valid until 31st October. Afterwards, they warn that leaving the EU without a deal is likely to change your healthcare access in the EU and advise that you buy travel insurance to access healthcare if you’re planning to travel on or after 31st October 2019.

Going off the beaten track?

Wear and/or take appropriate clothing and footwear and a charged mobile phone. Also let someone know where you’re going and check beaches are safe for swimming.

Visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk at least 8 weeks before departure for specific precautions for your destination, including vaccination and malaria information.

You’re all set for a healthy holiday. Have fun!

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

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41

House of Colour

Colour & Style Tips

Every Man Should Know 1. Adding a little of the right colour – Men often veer towards neutrals as their go to, whilst women tend to be more colour adventurous as a collective, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Understand whether cool or warm colours suit you and if bright or more muted tones are for you. For business dressing try using one brighter colour as an accent with two neutrals and for casual two or three colours (contrasting or complementing).

2. It’s the detail that counts – Whether your style veers towards the more edgy, natural or classic, the power of dressing is all in the detail. Like a breath of fresh air, the best way to update your look is with a quality new accessory. Use scarves or ties to give a pop of colour. The right style sunglasses and watch can help you ooze style..

3. Spend more money on less pieces of clothing – Avoid buying poor quality, excessive items that you don’t need, eliminate mistake purchases and reduce the volume of clothes ending up in landfill. Think about buying fewer, better-quality items that will last longer. It is win win for your wallet and the environment.

4. Think capsule - A capsule wardrobe gives you loads of benefits, like lots of outfits from a smaller number of clothes and gives you confidence that you will always look great. Think of it as a pyramid. At base level, choose everyday clothes in your best neutrals such as denim, winter coats, smart jackets, and expensive boots and bags. The middle level contains patterns and textures that suit your style and colour palette e.g. in shirts, polo shirts and jumpers and other tops. These are probably in your ‘wow’ colours - perhaps a smart chocolate jumper for Springs, or a deep burgundy shirt for winters. The top level are your statement items and accessories which people will notice immediately such as a red tie, some dapper shoes in a brighter colour and wonderful statement rucksack or bag or some serious sunglasses.

5. Liven up your shirt collection – Prints and patterns are having quite the party in the men’s aisles at the moment with assorted patterned shirts making their way onto the high street shelves. Have fun and add zest by taking the

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plunge with a floral, striped or perhaps checked shirt, depending on your style, when you go out for an evening, but know whether bold or subtle, large or small patterns suit you. For some, lightweight linen is great for the summer whilst polyester is a sweaty man’s nightmare and is bad for the planet.

6. Shop for a suit in person – Most men have at least one suit, but never buy your suit online because the perfect fit is so important. Consider exact arm and leg length, trouser fit (straight, slim, hem etc) and jacket fit (including single vs double breasted, buttons etc). Take your time to buy the right suit and bear in mind a good tailor can make basic alterations. Always use a suit bag for storage.

7. Glasses - There is a huge choice on the market so know what your best colour palette is and the frame shapes that suit you. Try several colours such as a brown, navy, grey and gold or silver on, depending on what colours suit you, for a fun look why not try a red. Shape and weight are key – consider thin or thick frames, a sporty look, aviator, wrapped or oval lenses. If they look part of you, they are right, if they shout louder than you, they are wrong.

8. Make sure everything fits well. Clothes should skim your body so that they are neither too tight, nor too loose. There is nothing worse than the wrong trouser length, ill-fitting t-shirts and shirts, or a badly fitting suit, particularly when the buttons can’t be done up!

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

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EMERGENCY DENTURE REPAIRS 1 HOUR SERVICE 01767 651439 07973 141862

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Health & Beauty

By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

Problem Solvers This month, we’re focusing on tried and tested problem solvers to see you through the summer, from frizz-fighting serums to space-saving multitaskers.

When luggage space is at a premium, multitasking products are a godsend, particularly when they don’t count towards your paltry hand luggage liquid allowance. I’m a big fan of PÜR’s 4 in 1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation (£29). As well as giving great, lightweight coverage and a shine-free finish, it helps to nourish skin with ingredients such as lactic acid and shea butter. It also has an SPF of 15.

While that’s not enough for warmer weather, it’s handy for cooler days. Choose from 11 shades at /purcosmetics. co.uk.

Hair looking a bit ‘meh’? Try treating it to Alteya Organics’ Rose Otto Invigorating Shampoo and Conditioner (£14.20 each). They’re formulated to help strengthen hair, reduce frizz and increase shine. You can forget ingredients lists of unpronounceable chemical compounds, these products are packed with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, seabuckthorn extract, hazelnut extract, ylangylang and, of course, roses grown on Alteya’s farm. (The family-run Bulgarian company has been growing organic roses for over a century.) See www.lovelula.com.

If, like me, your hair turns into a frizzy mess at the merest hint of humidity, try Paul Mitchell’s Super Skinny Serum (www.paul-mitchell.co.uk). Apply it after conditioning, while your hair is still wet. It speeds up drying time and helps to lock out moisture, so your hair stays smooth, shiny and frizz-free all day. It works wonders on straight, wavy or curly hair and does its job

whether you blow dry your hair or leave it to dry naturally. The full size bottle is £21.95, but you only need a small amount, so the 25ml travel sized version (£6.70) should last for at least a couple of weeks.

According to The Sleep Council, 74 percent of people in the UK don’t get enough sleep. If you’re struggling to drop off at night, try Tisserand’s new Sleep Better Bath Salts (£13.95), Bath Oil (£12.95) or Bath & Shower Wash (£11.95). They’re fragranced with jasmine, sandalwood and lavender essential oils to help promote a feeling of relaxation. While subtle, the scent is lovely and calming. The bath oil is my personal favourite, as it leaves skin feeling softer.

(Did I mention that I love a multi-tasker?) Available from Boots and www.tisserand.com.

If you’re constantly reapplying hand lotion because your hands feel dry, it may be time to swap to a gentler, more natural handwash. Personally, I have to avoid any with sodium lauryl sulphate, as it makes my hands so dry and cracked they end up bleeding. I tend to use bars of soap instead, but also like vegetable oil-based liquid soaps, such as those by The Castilian Soap Company. They’re available in a range of fragrances, including peppermint, lavender and rose geranium. If your hands are super-sensitive, try the fragrance-free option. From £8 at www.lovelula.com.

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Local News

Do you have chronic pain, extreme fatigue or brain fog?

The Herts MS Therapy Centre is here for everyone.

We welcome people with any challenging health condition. We’ve been helping as many people as we can for over 30 years.

Extreme fatigue and chronic pain can result from many conditions, including Cancer, Stroke, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and ME – and many others. If you, or someone you know, lives with long term pain or fatigue – from any condition - maybe we can help them to gain more energy and feel less pain.

How we help…

A range of services is available at our Centre in Letchworth.

Our therapies include: • Physiotherapy – to optimise mobility and independence • Exercise Therapy – specialist support for maximum strength and stamina • Oxygen Therapy – to promote healing, increase energy and reduce pain • APS Pain Clinic – to reduce pain, improve sleep quality and boost energy “I was struggling to cope with my fatigue and it was weighing me down mentally. The treatment was a ray of hope that resulted in new friends and a better quality of life.” Charlotte D We also offer a domiciliary service. A Physiotherapist and/or an Exercise Professional can come to your home to do an assessment or provide a treatment. Please ask us about the areas we cover.

First time free!

You are welcome to try any of our services for free – simply use the voucher below… or give it to someone you know. Call Claire to find out more and book your session: 01462 684 214.

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Time of Year

Pool Power!

By Sarah Davey

Stay cool in a pool this summer

Kids love to splash in a pool on a hot summer’s day. If you are thinking of buying one, we have some top tips.

Inflatable pools - These are easily inflated so can be up and filled as soon as the sunshine appears. Smaller inflatable pools are ideal for toddlers and can be inflated by one person with a good set of lungs, but larger pools can accommodate the whole family - you will probably prefer to inflate these with a pump!

Quick up pools - These are super-easy to set up. Spread the pool out and inflate the top ring. The design of the pool means that as you fill it with water the sides of the pool will rise up. These are particularly good if storage space is tight.

Frame pools - Sturdier pools with a bigger bathing area. Frame pools are ideal for larger families and groups of teens. Look for rust-resistant galvanised metal frames; heavy-duty PVC and polyester 3-ply walls; beams and joints that pin or snap together for fast, easy construction. A filter pump to keep the water clean, and a repair patch kit to mend small tears or punctures.

Site your pool on a level surface, with plenty of room to make it easy and safe to get in and out. Remember, toddlers and young children should be supervised at all times.

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49

Finance

New graduate?

Manage your finances like a pro

Obtaining a university degree is a fantastic achievement, and not only in academic terms.

It’s also a huge challenge to deal with money as a student, so if you’ve emerged relatively unscathed financially, again, many congratulations.

Entering the world of work, however, means you’ll now need to change financial focus and think about income tax, pension contributions and student loan repayments.

With this in mind here are a few aspects of graduate finance you might want to consider as you transition into the world of work.

Graduate bank accounts and student overdrafts Graduate bank accounts allow you to pay off your student overdraft over a period of time. Typically, you’ll be offered a 0% interest overdraft facility that reduces each year for up to three years from the date you graduate, although individual offerings may vary.

Additional benefits of graduate bank accounts commonly include: • Cash back on regular bills or general spending.

• Interest on credit balances.

• Cash incentives if you change banks.

Considerations when choosing a graduate bank account Credit rating Your credit rating and general financial position will be checked prior to opening or changing your account. It’s worth knowing that it can be as detrimental to have no credit rating as a bad rating – this is because the bank has no knowledge of any previous financial behaviours.

Overdraft terms It’s important to be aware of the terms and conditions of your overdraft facility. Make sure you understand the rate by which the overdraft amount they offer will reduce each year so you can budget, plan ahead, and avoid having to pay off costly debt.

When the graduate term ends When the two or three year graduate term comes to an end, you’re likely to be switched to a ‘standard’ current account with its associated

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By Ann Haldon interest and fees. If you haven’t been able to pay off your student overdraft during this time, the additional monthly interest can significantly impact your finances.

Your work situation If you’ve not yet secured work, a graduate account that offers the longest interest-free period is likely to be the best option. Your personal circumstances will dictate this, however.

Which graduate account?

Here are just a few of the graduate accounts currently available, to give you an idea of what might be on offer: • Barclays Higher Education Account: up to £3,000 interest-free overdraft in the first year following graduation; cash back offers.

• NatWest Graduate Account (existing customers): up to £2,000 interest-free overdraft in the first year after graduation; Tastecard 2 for 1 meal offer.

• HSBC Graduate Account: up to £1,500 interestfree overdraft in the first year following graduation and up to £1,000 in the second year.

Paying off a student overdraft and managing your money well as a university graduate can set you up for life. Whether it feels like a steep learning curve or you’ve already adopted some good financial habits, your future self will definitely thank you.

Barclays Higher Education Account www.barclays.co.uk/current-accounts/highereducation-account NatWest Graduate Account personal.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/ existing-customers/graduate-account.html HSBC Graduate Account www.hsbc.co.uk/current-accounts/products/ graduate moneyfacts.co.uk/guides/students/just-graduatedwhat-happens-now moneyfacts.co.uk/guides/students/graduate-bankaccounts

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Local & Reliable

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Time of Year

The Appeal of the Summer Fete

By Karen Campbell

Summer surely isn’t summer without a village fete. Part country fair, part a sale of home-grown and locally made produce, part a celebration of community, the English village fete is a social institution, barely changed since the 1920s.

The Village fete is enshrined in our literary history, from The Famous Five, to PG Wodehouse and Agatha Christie, the Village fete has provided the perfect backdrop against which to set a drama or two, and never attend any fete in Midsomer which is also attended by Inspector Barnaby!

If you want a measure of how well a village is thriving in 21st Century Britain, take a look at its summer fete. More of us are looking for a sense of community in a Britain that seems in danger of fragmenting. To that end tenth generation locals will rub shoulders with commuters, second homers and young families, to discuss the merits of Bert’s onions, Sharon’s Victoria Sponge, and whether young Tyler will win the talent competition with his street dance routine.

Let’s face it, where else can you buy a pot of rhubarb and ginger preserve, enter a competition to guess the weight of a cake, bounce on a bouncy castle and throw a wet sponge at the vicar…or scoutmaster…or head teacher, or all three if you’re lucky?

Village fetes are alive and well in Britain, and I for one am very happy about that. I have just moved from the town to a village and intend to enter my scones in the baked goods competition this year. I doubt I’ll win but it’s the taking part that matters. Now I wonder if there will be a murder…

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53

Technology

Wi-Fi Woes

By Mark O’Keefe

How to boost the wi-fi signal in your home’s weak spots Recently a friend of mine decided to convert his garage to a games room. The big screen TV was to be the main feature. We all gathered for the big turn on to experience Netflix in full ultra HD. But all we got was a blocky, stuttering, unwatchable excuse for entertainment.

It turned out that his wireless router (the bit that connects to his broadband) was plugged in at the opposite end of the house. The reception at this end of the house had always been poor, but the extra wall of the garage was just too much for the signal to push through. Result? No internet!

What to do? The router had to stay by the phone socket so moving that to the centre of the house wasn’t an option. Running a network cable (a permanent wire) from the router to the TV was a non-starter because it would involve a lot of work.

This meant he had to work out a different way to boost the Wi-Fi signal in the garage.

I’d had a similar problem in my home and had discovered Wi-Fi extenders and repeaters (different companies call them by different names, but they all do the same thing).

There were two options: A Wi-Fi repeater is basically a second router. You

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put it where you receive a good signal and it then creates a new Wi-Fi area that connects to your broadband. He could have sited that in the centre of the house and thus improved the signal in the garage. There would be a bit of setting up to get this working as you have to log on to the repeater with a computer, but it’s not hard if you know what you’re doing. There are YouTube tutorials which can help.

The second option is the simplest, and ultimately the one he settled on – a powerline adaptor. This is a box that plugs into your router and then into a mains socket. It actually uses your house wiring to send your broadband signal around the house. All you need to do is buy a powerline Wi-Fi extender and plug it into the wall in the room where you need it most. It’s like you’re sitting right beside your Wi-Fi point.

After a quick visit to the shops, he plugged in both devices. The set-up was quick and easy (literally pressing two buttons) and he was up and running with full broadband speed. His teens could now get Youtube in the garden as an extra bonus because he put an extra extender in a socket on the wall next to the patio.

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Garden

1

By Katherine Sorrell

Garden Buildings A well-designed outdoor structure, whether for work or relaxation, can make a wonderful addition to a garden.

The humble garden shed is the last word in practicality, indispensable for storing everything from half-used pots of paint to lawn feed and balls of string. But why be satisfied with just a shed, when other types of garden building can be much more glamorous – and equally useful?

From pavilions to pods, summerhouses to shepherd’s huts, all sorts of outdoor structures are possible, provided you have space for one in your garden. They take many forms, from quirkily decorative to all-singing, all-dancing, year-round rooms – an open-sided gazebo, for example, might simply be a shady space in which to relax on a hot, sunny day, while an insulated, secure room could be an invaluable home office (and

potentially save you the five-figure sum it costs to move to a bigger house). In short, an exterior home-from-home can be used for anything from outdoor dining to practising meditation, and will enhance the overall look of your garden, too.

If you are considering adding a garden building of some kind, the best place to start is by assessing your outside space and considering how much square footage is available. It is important to leave a reasonable amount of garden to enjoy (and so as not to devalue your home). What do you need the structure for? If it is simply a cosy nook in which to put your feet up with a glass of wine after a day in the garden, a small, circular gazebo with a diameter of two or

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59

three metres may suffice, while a craft room, for example, would need to be more spacious, and a home office might be much larger still.

Whatever you decide on, whether off the shelf, customised or entirely bespoke, is limited only by your imagination and your budget – and sometimes by whether you’ll be granted planning permission. Most garden buildings are considered ‘permitted development’, but it’s vital to check with your local authority. If the structure is going to be larger than 15 square metres, or used for sleeping in, then it will have to pass building regulations, too. Bear in mind that, unless you have been granted planning permission to do so, you can’t put an outbuilding in your front garden, nor can it be higher than 2.5m if it’s within two metres of a boundary. You’ll also want to think about how close you want the room to be to your house, whether the ground is sloping, where there are trees or other potential obstructions, how the sun falls at certain times of the day, and which way you want the windows and door to face.

Next, go into detail about function. Do you want heating, lighting, plug sockets and maybe a kitchenette or bathroom? If so, unless you’re opting for solar or wind power, consider how you will connect utilities. Insulation is vital (think walls, floors and roof if the space is going to be used beyond the summer months), and so is good security. If anything valuable is going to be stored in the space, glass windows (perhaps even double glazed) are better than plastic, and a sturdy door with a proper lock will be necessary.

Some may prefer rustic simplicity, perhaps a

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yurt with solar lighting and a sheepskin rug, or a thatched rotunda with a deck chair and weather vane, but others may opt for full-on opulence, which may take the form of underfloor heating, floor-to-ceiling bi-fold doors, an entertainment system, cinema set-up, ensuite bathroom, a green roof or a hot tub. Comfort and luxury are no longer limited to indoors – just step outside and see.

How much will it cost?

A small, DIY timber summerhouse should cost less than £1,000 – but you can easily spend a five-figure sum on a garden building, depending how large and lavish you go (David Cameron’s shepherd’s hut is said to have cost around £25,000). It really makes a difference whether the structure is conventional timber frame or highperformance structural insulated panels, while finishes such as cedar cladding and plastered walls all add up. For a fully functioning, yearround garden room, £10,000 to £20,000 is a very rough guide; but do check whether your quoted price includes gaining the necessary permissions, groundworks, connecting utilities, delivery and installation.

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Garden View

Black-eyed Susan

By Rachael Leverton

You might not know its name, but you are probably familiar with the Rudbeckia. A late summer perennial daisy. It’s sometimes called Coneflower or Black-eyed Susan.

It flowers from early August to late September and I find it a valuable addition to the late summer garden. It does particularly well in full sun in rich, well-drained soil. You can sow them as annuals indoors in spring to set out after frost or plant as perennials in spring or autumn. Divide every 3 to 4 years and deadhead to avoid self-seeding, though personally I see self-seeding as a bonus trait in a plant! Mildew can be an issue on the foliage but can be avoided if you don’t overcrowd the plants.

Watch the young foliage because slugs and snails find it tasty. Once the plants are established this isn’t a problem.

Rudbeckia ‘Golden compass’ produces masses of classic bright yellow and black Rudbeckia flowers on a bushy plant. It grows up to 70cm in height and can be grown from seed as a half-hardy annual or a short-lived hardy perennial.

Rudbeckia fulgida is the classic ‘Black-eyed Susan’, with sunflower-yellow flowers and a very black

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central cone. It does better in damper ground than many of the varieties so choose this one if your garden is less well-drained.

I love Rudbeckia ‘Prairie glow’. It is a stunning plant and good for adding height as it grows to 1.5m.

Its huge 6cm diameter flowers have warm orange petals with yellow tips.

Rudbeckia ‘Irish eyes’ is a more unusual variety with a yellowish rather than brown cone, as well as yellow florets. It repeat flowers from July through to October.

If your soil is on the dry side, try Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Deamii’. It produces shining, golden flowers with jet-black cones from early September to late October and into November. It has slightly smaller flowers, but they are lovely, and abundant.

Rudbeckias naturally grow in dry savannahs, grassland prairies and in the glades of rocky upland forests across North America but they have become a much-loved bushy stalwart of the herbaceous border and will delight from late summer right through the autumn.

Happy Gardening

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Prolific Pests

Garden

By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com

Bugs and beasties thrive in warmer weather, so how should these common problems be dealt with?

Aphids - Aphids such as greenfly and blackfly suck sap from plants and can transmit viruses, sometimes with disastrous consequences.

You can use a strong jet of water to blast aphids off plants, but be thorough or they will soon be back!

Alternatively, spray with a suitable insecticide – I prefer a more environmentally friendly soap-based insecticide. Biological controls such as native two-spot ladybirds and their larvae can also be introduced – see www.pippagreenwood.com/ products/protect-your-crops for more information.

Aphids breed rapidly, so regular control is necessary.

Caterpillars - Caterpillars can do a lot of damage to plants and vegetable hearts.

One of the best methods is to pick the pests off and either squash them or place them on the bird table.

Caterpillars are easier to spot at dusk or very early in the morning.

You can buy a mixture of nematodes to spray onto your plants and kill the caterpillars without harming humans or pets.

Some caterpillars produce quantities of fine webbing to bind leaves or other plant parts together to create shelters. It is hard to get a pesticide or nematodes mix to reach them, so handpicking or squashing is often best.

For susceptible vegetables such as calabrese, broccoli and other brassicas, stop the adults laying their eggs with horticultural fleece, netting or very fine Micromesh, either as pull-out tunnels or sheets of material cut to shape and pegged down. These keep a wide range of pests, including caterpillars,

away from the plants.

Woodlice - Woodlice are rarely responsible for causing damage and are rather like vultures, moving in to clear up debris created by other pests.

I say leave them be.

Earwigs - Earwigs cause damage to petals or leaves, particularly on the flowers of plants such as clematis and dahlias. They can be controlled with contact insecticides but many prefer to trap the earwigs.

One of the best ways to do this is with an inverted flowerpot – stuffed loosely with hay, straw or similar material – on top of a bamboo cane, and positioned amongst susceptible plants. The earwigs climb in and the pots can be emptied regularly.

Mildew - Powdery mildew coats plant leaves, stems, buds and petals with a white flowery deposit, and can prevent fruits from swelling normally or cause leaves to distort or fall early. Prompt action is essential and suitable fungicides are available.

Keep the damage to a minimum in the first instance by ensuring that the plants are kept well-watered – plants which are dry around the roots seem particularly prone to mildew attack. In addition, try to ensure a good flow of air around the plants, as stagnant, moist air seems to have a similar effect and can make matters worse very quickly. Careful pruning or weeding often solves the problem.

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com and you’ll find some great gardening items: Nemaslug, ladybirds and other great natural pest controls, stylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, planters, Grower Frames, signed books and more!

Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club?

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65

Pets

How to bathe your cat

and reduce their stress levels Unlike our canine friends, cats don’t usually like being in the water and find it traumatic to be bathed. This causes severe stress if you’re not sure how to wash your cat, and the process becomes memorable for the wrong reasons.

You can bathe your cat only when it’s really needed – it doesn’t have to be a regular event.

So here are a few tips to help you make this fairly infrequent but important form of pet care easier for both you and your cat.

• Use a non-slip mat in your bath or sink.

• Use warm water, not hot.

• Don’t fill the water too high – just up to their belly is fine.

• Lather your cat, preferably from tail to head, avoiding their eyes and ears.

• Carefully rinse off the shampoo with a gentle shower head or carefully with a jug of warm water.

• Wrap them in a soft, warm towel and dry them gently rather than using a noisy hairdryer.

• Be patient and aware that they’re stressed.

• Gently offer reassurance as you bathe and dry them.

Cats are very clean animals and generally perform an extensive and thorough self-cleaning ritual on a daily basis, which means you don’t have to bathe them as often as you might with a dog.

With a little know-how and care, your feline friend will soon be clean, dry, and ready to go to sleep on your knee.

By Ann Haldon

www.petplan.co.uk/blog/bathing-a-cat

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Pets

Rehoming Appeal

Daisy

Daisy is a gentle girl who is looking for a home that will help increase her confidence with other dogs and life in general and to teach her to walk well on the lead.

She is just under 3 years old and will make a great addition to any family. She can be homed with older children/teenagers and would prefer to be the only pet in the house.

If you can offer this gentle girl a home, please contact Julie on 01763 289827.

Alternatively, please email Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry onto the team.

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

Our next RATS event is our 35th Anniversary Companion and Novelty Dog Shows on 7th July at G & M Growers, Upper Caldecote from 10.00 a.m. onwards. Please come along to support us.

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Pets

Animal Stories

This month we have two lovely cats both in need of loving new homes. They came into our care back in May and have been advertised for some time, but with not one single enquiry.

Firstly we have our cute little tortie cat, Dolly.

Through absolutely no fault of her own, one year old Dolly had already had two homes before she found herself in our care, so she is now looking for her forever home! Although shy to start with, once Dolly has been given time to settle she is truly a loving, friendly cat who loves a good fuss. She has plenty of energy to play and keep herself amused, would suit most family homes but would prefer to be an only cat.

Also looking for a new home is our very own black beauty, Diamond. Sadly found as a stray with no microchip and nobody to claim him. We believe he had got himself very lost, far away from home, so he took it upon himself to find his own place to live! He simply found a home he liked, moved into the garden and never left. Approximately four years old, this chunky fellow loves nothing more than a fuss and a cat nap, he really would make an excellent lap cat. Diamond would suit most family homes but would also prefer to be an only pet.

These are just two of the cats we have in our care patiently waiting for their forever homes, but we have lots of others too! For more information about Dolly, Diamond or any other cats in our care, contact our Branch by either emailing adopt@ rspcabedsnorth.org.uk or phoning 01234 266965.

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Sadly, strays like Diamond are a fairly regularly occurrence within the RSPCA. Although we always try our hardest to reunite lost cats with their owners, without a microchip it is much more difficult.

Microchipping is when a tiny electronic chip is inserted into the pet animal, usually situated under the skin between the shoulder blades.

Most pets will not feel the implanting of the chip, with vets believing it feels like having a typical vaccination. The microchip contains the owner’s personal information which links the pet back to them, making it much easier to reclaim them if lost or stolen. The microchips can be read by special scanners which will give out the individual chip number, which can then be checked against the chip company’s online database. Most vets, rescue centres and animal charities have these scanners which means if a lost or stolen pet animal is handed in, the owner can be contacted to be reunited their pet. However the microchip will only hold the data it was first registered with, therefore it is vitally important all details are correct and kept up to date so the owner can be easily contacted.

Microchipping is such a quick, easy and small procedure which gives pets a little extra security and owners peace of mind.

Speak to a vet for more information.

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Pets

Ask Alan

The weather should finally be warming up, what can possibly go wrong?

Heat: Pets don’t sweat to lose heat. They rely on panting and are very prone to heatstroke which can be fatal or leave lasting brain or kidney damage. Prevention is definitely best. Don’t exercise pets in the heat of the day and make sure there is plentiful clean water. Rabbits and guinea pigs are best kept in shaded runs with good airflow, during the day, rather than enclosed hutches. Never leave a pet in a car, even for a few minutes, as heat stroke happens very quickly.

Grass seeds: Grass seeds get everywhere as your dog runs through the fields (ears, eyes, feet, skin, airways). Try to prevent exposure and always check your pet very carefully after walks. Check the ears, eyes, between the toes, between all the legs and remove any seeds. Once they get stuck they migrate quite quickly into the skin and cause severe reactions.

Disease: Vomiting and diarrhoea and allergic skin disease are more common in hot weather. Try to prevent dogs from picking things up on walks and respond quickly if they are itching or have gut problems.

Fleas and ticks: Most parasites are much more numerous and active in the summer, make sure you have regular, effective control in place.

I hope you and your pets have a wonder summer.

From all of us at Potton Vets.

Best wishes

Alan

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

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A WARM WELCOME AWAITS… Visit Chandlers Country Stores for all your pet supplies, country clothing, equestrian and small holding products.

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Parenting

Budget Friendly Family Fun

By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk Have fun with the kids this summer, without breaking the bank.

Kids Pass Kids Pass gives you 40% off cinema tickets and money off a range of restaurants and days out. You can even get discounts on holidays with Haven, Butlins, Eurocamp and other companies. The pass costs around £40 a year, but a month’s trial costs just £1.

Think small Check whether your local amateur dramatics society is performing any plays suitable for families. Smaller venues are a lot cheaper than well-known theatres and young children really won’t care if an actor is an award-winning thespian or Mark from the corner shop. Older kids could even join the drama youth group. Don’t discount larger theatres altogether, however, as some offer discounts during the summer holidays. Children can attend a host of London shows for free during August’s Kids Week, as long as they’re accompanied by a paying adult – see www. officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week.

Party time Clubbing together with other parents can help to keep costs down. Having a kids’ party at a soft-play centre, theme park, pottery barn or other activity centre often costs less per head than buying the activity and food separately for each child. Use PayPal’s Money Pools to collect the money from everyone.

DIY A trip to a pottery workshop usually costs upwards of £10 a child, but if you buy the paints and pots

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online you can get that down to around £3 or £4 per child. Likewise, a home tie dye kit costs less than £15, which gives you enough dye for around ten children’s T-shirts. Fabric pens are even cheaper (and less messy). Try eBay for kits, T-shirts and other items to dye, such as cotton bags or pillow cases. Bulk buy with other parents to save money.

Cheap days out Keep an eye on social media and www.familiesonline. co.uk for cheap days out. Libraries and councils sometimes organise holiday activities, such as storytelling and crafts. Country fairs often have lots on for kids and entrance is often free for under-16s as long as they’re accompanied by a paying adult.

(Tickets are usually cheaper if they’re bought in advance.) For less than £15 for one adult and four children, you could enjoy a day out with aerobatics displays, ferret racing, motocross displays, puppet shows and more. Just remember to pack a cool bag with a picnic and ice pops, otherwise you’ll spend a small fortune on hotdogs, chips and ice-cream.

Cashback Cashback sites such as Quidco and Topcashback give you money back every time you buy something online from one of their retail partners. They also offer discounts. When we checked, Quidco was advertising a fourteen-day Walt Disney pass for the price of seven days, and money off various flights. If you register your credit and debit cards with Quidco, you can also earn money when you shop on the high street, whether you’re buying kids’ clothes or treating the family to lunch out.

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• • • • • •

Swimming Lessons

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

A flexible day nursery for children from 6 weeks to 5 years with extensive and well resourced grounds. r u o y f of Excellent links to s onth’ 1st m es the A1, St Neots and fe Sandy railway station.

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76 London Road, Sandy Beds. SG19 1DZ e: info@manorfarm-day-nursery.co.uk w: www.manorfarm-day-nursery.co.uk

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Business gone slow?

Let us help!

Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com

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Motoring

Fine and Points: Five Motoring Misdeeds As a motorist, it can be easy to pick up a few bad habits over the years, but you’d be forgiven for not having a good look at the Highway Code on a regular basis.

However, there are some driving misdeeds that can take an unwitting toll on your wallet – here are five of them…

Eating at the wheel It’s a situation many will be familiar with. You’re halfway through a long journey and when you stop at the services for some food you’re asked if you want to eat in or take away. You’re in a hurry, so you take it with you and start eating it as you pull back on to the motorway.

While this will save you a few minutes, it also means you’re driving without due care and attention – and that can land you with up to nine points as well as severe financial penalties.

Splashing pedestrians by driving through a puddle Section 3 of the 1988 Road Traffic Act states that driving “without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road” is an offence. The act rightly considers pedestrians to be road users, and driving through a puddle without looking to see if there’s anyone on foot and in the firing line can result in a fixed penalty posted through your door.

Driving too slowly Being a cautious road user is – in most cases – quite a good thing. However, it’s possible to drive too slowly in the eyes of fellow road users – and, more importantly, the law.

If you’re driving slowly enough to be a potential hazard to motorists, you can receive an unlimited fine and up to nine points on your licence.

Beeping your horn Road rage is something that should be kept in check for various reasons, and that includes the Highway Code.

In general, you are only supposed to use your horn to make other drivers aware of your vehicle’s presence. However, regardless of the circumstances, using your horn between 11.30pm and 7am in a built-up area can leave you liable to be fined up to £1,000.

Driving with an overly dirty number plate Keeping a car clean is always a good thing to do, but there are in fact legal ramifications that should convince you to wield a water-filled bucket and some car shampoo.

Your number plate needs to be clean, or at the very least legible. Even if sections of it are obscured you’ll be liable for a £1,000 fine – and your car could even fail its MOT if it has an illegible number plate.

By James Baggott

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Food & Drink

Courgette, Chorizo and Red Leicester Muffins With three children under the age of 11, savoury muffins have become a staple part of my life in recent years.

They are basically brilliant as they are practical, tasty and easy to vary. Once you have the base mix sorted (it very much resembles a scone dough), you can add whatever extras you want: grated vegetables, strong cheddar, whole cherry tomatoes dropped in at the end – the possibilities are absolutely endless. This lovely variation was made on my show by an old friend of mine, Alec Goodhand, from the Lower Red Lion pub in the heart of St Albans. He’s an excellent chef and loves creating simple family treats for my programme. These muffins may change your (packed lunch) life, mark my words!

Ingredients: 3. Dice up the chorizo and mix it in. Throw in the 230g self-raising flour remaining dry ingredients.

175ml whole milk 4. Pour in the milk and the olive oil and break the eggs 1 courgette into the mix.

130g chorizo 5. Using a wooden spoon, or even a hand whisk, mix 130g red Leicester everything well together. The mix should not be 60ml olive oil runny, nor should it be dry. Add a little extra milk if 2 medium eggs it appears a bit “floury”.

3g salt 6. Line a muffin tin with paper muffin cases (or simply ½ tsp dried thyme grease the muffin tin holes) and dollop a good soup Pinch of black pepper spoonful of the mix into each case/tin.

7. Bake in the oven for around 15-20 minutes. You’ll 1. Pre-heat your oven to 180C/ Gas Mark 4 know they are ready when they have risen into a 2. Grate the courgette and squeeze out any excess nice dome and are golden on top. liquid with your hand. Pop this into a large bowl 8. Leave to cool and serve. These are best eaten on the and grate the cheese into it too. day you make them but they can also be frozen and warmed through at a later date.

Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can also join Nick every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.

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Local News

Music 4 Memory Group in Potton News about Potton Music 4 Memory Group which meets on Wednesday afternoons in Potton Comunity Centre in Brook End from 2.30 to 4.00 pm.

The group is run for people with dementia and memory loss and their family members and carers using music therapy, which sounds a bit serious but in fact is great fun. We sing lots of songs, mess about with different instruments and share poetry and conversation. There is always tea and biscuits and quite often cake. Occasionally we are joined by other groups of musicians such as the Milton Keynes Ukelele Band.

Music is a great way to enable everyone to access memories and to communicate with other people and singing is so enjoyable. The sessions are led by a Qualified Music Therapist, Alison Shaw. You don’t need to be musical to enjoy the sessions!

The group is run by the Tibbs Dementia Foundation, a charity which provides a range of services and activities for people with dementia and their families and carers in Bedfordshire.

If you would like more information about the group, because you or someone you care for has dementia or memory loss, or you can offer support to the group as a volunteer or in other ways, please call Tibbs on 01234 210993 or just turn up!

http://www.tibbsdementia.co.uk

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Electrician

www.hertsandbedselectrical.co.uk

Do you find it difficult to get someone to come and do a small job?

Fault finding/repairs Extra lights and sockets New fuse boards Electrical testing and certificates Qualified electrician  Fully insured Reliable service  Tidy work Free quote  Satisfaction guaranteed

Call Nigel on: 01767 834024 / 07941295883 Email: nigelrooney@hotmail.co.uk

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Technology

The Roaming Empire Technology for wherever the path may take

One of the great things about technology is that it can help you when you’re far from civilisation.

It can track your hike, provide the tools you need when you’re far from home or just give your phone a boost so you can listen to music while you explore the great outdoors.

Smartwatches aren’t just for runners and cyclists: there are hiking-specific ones too. Look for features such as a barometer (for pressure, to help predict weather changes), altimeter (for altitude) and compass (for directions).

Some even have thermometers you can use to help plan what you’re going to wear.

As with all technology, hikingready smartwatches differ wildly in price: Garmin’s Fenix 5 is packed with features but it’ll also set you back £449.99. If you’re a serious hiker that’s a worthwhile investment, but if you’re more of a weekend stroller a more modest, more affordable watch that uses your phone for GPS might be a better idea. TomTom’s useful Spark 3, which can track your vitals and record your travels, is currently £110.

For extreme outdoor enthusiasts who think nothing of clambering up the odd terrifying tower, an action camera is a must: it’ll record what you do for those allimportant YouTube or Facebook shares later. The GoPro Hero range is the favourite here, but the cameras can be pricey; for example the Hero7 Waterproof model is currently £329. If you’d rather start with something a lot more basic, you can pick up a noname action camera for as little as £25. Of course you get what you pay for, so you won’t get the features, add-ons or ruggedness of a more expensive device, but they’re a cheap and cheerful way to get surprisingly good video when you’re out and about.

Don’t forget about lowertech gadgets too, such as the legendary Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife (£24); with corkscrew, scissors, saw and bottle opener as well as knife blades it’s a perfect multi-tool for all kinds of travel. If you need even more bits, Leatherman’s range of multi-tools has you covered: the £149 Surge may

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seem expensive but it manages to cram an entire tool chest – screwdrivers, pliers and multiple blades – into an incredibly small space. Simpler and cheaper models are available too.

If you’re using electronic gadgets, sooner or later you’ll encounter the same old problem: battery life. You can’t exactly plug in your phone charger when you’re halfway up a mountain, but what you can do is plug it into a portable battery pack and charge it from that. Battery packs have become much more powerful, portable and affordable in recent years, and it’s possible to get a really good one for very little money. For example, Anker’s PowerCore II Slim can charge a high-end smartphone two or three times from a single charge, and it’s small enough for even the most basic backpack. It’s cheap, too: £25.99. If you need even more power for a longer trip, the 20100 version has double the battery power and currently costs £33 – although it’s a bit heavier at 349g compared to the cheaper unit’s 213g.

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DRIFTWOOD JOINERY LTD Specialists in Bespoke Joinery

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Tel: 01767 261622 Mob: 07947 732883 Email: dialporter01@tiscali.co.uk

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n O s ’ t Wha 1-31 July Walking Treasure Trail St Mary. Virgin Church, Northill Clue Sheet £2. Why not try the trail and have a lovely walk around our beautiful villages? The Trail starts and ends at the Crown Public House with all clues being visible from the road. £50 prize. Clue Sheets are available from the pub and by telephone. Money raised will help maintain the fabric of the church.

Tel: 01767 267241

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 July ALF Peer Support ‘PoppIns’ 6-8pm Northfields, Biggleswade Adept Living Foundation (ALF) CIC weekly PoppIn. A gathering place where people come together to experience friendship, support and fun. Run by volunteers free of charge - donations gratefully received. Tel: 01767 220129 Email: contact@alfcic.org Web: https://alfcic.org

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month.

What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

In July

3, 10, 17 & 24 July Mums and Dads Coffee Morning 9-10am Moggerhanger Church Bring your pre-school children with you. Toys available in the church. Tea/coffee, juice, biscuits £1 with fruit juice for your pre-school children. .

3, 10, 17 & 24 July Moo Music Sandy, Biggleswade & Shefford 10-10.40am Sandy Methodist Church 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 July Music and movement classes for 0-5 year olds.

1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29 & Biggleswade Board Game Group Original moosic, lots of moovement, dancing, 31 July 7.30-10.30pm sensory and role play. Tel: 07981 825654 ‘Open Door’ 10-11.30am Potton Salvation Army, George’s Hall, 67 High Street, Biggleswade Email: Heather sandymoo@moo-music.co.uk Chapel Street Meets every Tuesday to play modern board games in Web: www.moo-music.co.uk/sbs Tea/coffee, chat and browse various stalls on a friendly atmosphere. New and experienced players Facebook: www.facebook.com/moomusicsandy Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All welcome. welcome - bring your own games or try something Tel: 01767 261138 for further info new, there are always plenty available to play.

3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 July Facebook: Biggleswade Board Game Group Ivel Bereavement Support Centre 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 July 10am-12 noon The Community Rooms, Baptist Hare & Hounds Hash House Harriers 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 July Church, 24 London Road, Biggleswade 7.30pm Phoenix Chorus Has a loved one died? Are you struggling coming to H5 are a social running and walking club for mixed 7.45-10.15pm Potton Lower School terms with it? Perhaps we can help you at our drop abilities, meeting every week in the Bedfordshire Phoenix A Capella Chorus meets every Tuesday. in centre on Wednesdays. Tel: Linda 07704734225 area. The trail is set by our hare from a local pub Visitors always welcome. Tel: Sarah 07842 101799 and typically lasts 1 hour covering between 3 and Email: pro@phoenixladies.co.uk 4 July 4 miles. Family and dog friendly. Full details of the Web: https://phoenixladies.co.uk Sandy Astronomical Society trails can be found online or via email.

7-9pm Everton Village Hall Email: info@h5hashers.org.uk 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 July Monthly meeting and telescope workshop.

Web: www.H5hashers.org.uk Biggleswade Ivel Badminton Club Refreshments available for small donation.

8-10.30pm Biggleswade Recreation Centre 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 July (Stratton Leisure Centre) 4, 11, 18 & 25 July Branch Out Social Club for Single People £3 per night. Seeking competitive badminton players Moo Music Sandy, Biggleswade & Shefford 8.30-11pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin wishing to play in local leagues. Visitors welcome.

10-10.40am Sutton Village Hall Branch Out meets every Monday night and is a Email: IvelBC@hotmail.com Music and movement classes for 0-5 year olds. medium-sized Social Club for single people. It was Facebook: Facebook.com/IvelBC Original moosic, lots of moovement, dancing, formed in 1995 to bring together single, divorced, sensory and role play. Tel: 07981 825654 widowed and separated people, aged 40 upwards, 3 July Email: Heather sandymoo@moo-music.co.uk from the Herts, Beds and Bucks area, to socialise and Wildlife Trust Visit to Jordans Mill Web: www.moo-music.co.uk/sbs enjoy one another’s company. The club organises 10am Facebook: www.facebook.com/moomusicsandy regular events, such as dinners, discos, meals, A day spent exploring different aspects of this site. parties, Sunday walks, theatre and concert visits, day In the morning a guided walk along the River Ivel; 4, 11, 18 & 25 July and weekend trips and holidays. after lunch an opportunity to explore the gardens, Amici Singers Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 wildflower meadow and wood; time to visit the 7.30-9.45pm Trinity Methodist Church, Web: www.branch-out.org.uk historic mill. Tel: 01234 870321 Shortmead Street, Biggleswade Membership £15 per term (£45 per year) 2 July 3 July We are a friendly group of ladies who meet on Hatley Coffee Morning Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Group Thursday evenings under the Direction of Douglas 10am-1pm Hatley Village Hall 1pm Princess Charlotte Room, Shuttleworth Coombes MBE. We welcome all voices and ages. If Come along for a chat, coffee/tea and a slice of Visitors £5 inc. raffle ticket you are interested to join or for more information cake. Everyone welcome. Donations on the day.

‘In Praise of the Turbo-prop’ with Pat Fitzgerald. The please contact any choir member or Carole.

All donations split between Hatley Village Hall and Group meets on the first Wednesday of every month. Tel: Carole Lindsay-Douglas 01767 2603661 Hatley St George Church. First Tuesday of the every Enjoy lunch in the Shuttleworth restaurant before month. the meeting. Lots of free parking.

5, 12, 19 & 26 July Email: 99aegr@gmail.com Get Fit Keep Fit 2 July Web: www.a-e-g.org.uk 9.30-10.30am Moggerhanger Village Hall Potton Ladies Club £5. Join Tina or Josh as they take you through a 7.30pm Mill Lane Pavilion, Mill Lane, Potton 3 July light-hearted sequence with a warm-up, exercises Visitors £5 inc. light refreshments. Talk by Barbara Sandy Night Owls Women’s Institute designed to improve muscular fitness, brain coLorna Hudson on ‘Internet Dating & Fiction Writing 7.30pm Sandy Conservative Club ordination, balance and general well-being, then After Sixty’. Visitors welcome.

A new group which meets on the first Wednesday of a cool-down. It’s not over-strenuous; it’s fun and Tel: Sarah Burgoine 01767 631415 each month (except August). Guests very welcome. makes you feel good. Why not come and join us?

Email: sarahjburgoine@gmail.com Email: sandynightowlswi@gmail.com Tel: Tony or Judith on 01767 640124

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n O s ’ t Wha 5, 12, 19 & 26 July Lego Club 3.45-5.00pm Potton Library Love Lego? Come along and get building!

5, 12, 19 & 26 July Sandy Ukulele Group 7-9pm Baptist Chapel Hall, Bedford Road, Sandy Meets every Friday. Visitors welcome.

Email: sandyukulelegroup1@gmail.com Web: www.sandyukulelegroup.com 6 July Coffee Morning 10-11.30am Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street Coffee, tea, bacon butties, homemade cakes, cards, Bric-a-Brac, books, jigsaws etc. Coffee Mornings held on first Saturday of every month. Weekly “Open Door” (tea/coffee, chat and browse various stalls) on Mondays (not Bank Holidays), Wednesdays and Fridays 10-11.30am. Tel: 01767 261138 6 July Haynes Midsummer Fayre 1.30-9pm Haynes Village Hall & Playing Field, Northwood End Road Admission £1, Children free. Highlights include live music, dog show, dance performances, craft and games stalls, fitness and yoga demonstrations or relax and enjoy some food and drink.

12 July Quiz Night 7pm The Hall, St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger Adults £10, Children £5. Raising funds as part of Louise’s Great Wall of China trek, in aid of St John’s Hospice. Tickets include ploughman’s buffet.

Bring your own drinks. Email: louise.baxter2@ suerydercare.org for info & tickets 12 July Biggleswade W.I. Fashion Show 7.30pm The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Tickets £5. Fashion Show by Tracey Jane. Tickets available from Tracey Jane or by telephone.

Tel: Pat 01767 221986 12 & 26 July Craft and Chatter 7.30-10pm St Marys Church Hall, Potton £2.50 inc. refreshments. Bring your own project.

Cross stitch, sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery or something else. Make new friends, help each other out with tips and advice and chat at the same time.

Web: www.facebook.com/craftandchatter

This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com

In July

18 July Biggleswade Poetry Table 7.45-9pm The Courtyard Centre, 6 High Street, Biggleswade Grab a drink and join us to share poems. We look forward to hearing any poem you’d like to bring.

Email: leah@leahkstewart.com 20 & 21 July Flower Festival “Music in Colour” Sat 10.30-3.30, Sun 12-3.30pm Beeston Methodist Chapel, The Baulk, off Lime Avenue, Sandy Roundabout, Beeston Saturday - various stalls, refreshments, light lunches, burgers/hotdogs will be served 12 till 2pm. Display

by Sandy Historical Research Group in the Vestry.

The Courtyard Singers will be singing at 1.30pm in the church. Sunday 10.30am Morning Service Conducted. Lunches 12.15-1.30pm. Come and see the beautiful flower arrangements, look around the stalls. Refreshments served all afternoon. Plenty of parking behind the chapel.

25 July Biggleswade and District Flower Arrangement Society 7.30pm The Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade 13 July If you love flowers, we invite you to join us on the Memorial Book Sale fourth Thursday of the month for “flowers and 10.30am-2.30pm Blunham Parish Church fellowship” where you will be able to relax with Large selection of cookery, gardening, travel and fellow enthusiasts and our guest demonstrators. No 6, 13, 20 & 27 July history books, immaculate folio society books in their need to consider yourself a flower arranger, all you Lego & K’Nex Club 1.45-3.30pm Potton Library slip cases, as well as popular contemporary fiction need is the sense of joy in the beauty of flowers.

Love Lego and K’NEX? Come along and get building! and English classics. Teas/coffee, homemade cakes Please call Moira for further details about the club. and ploughman’s lunches.

Tel: Moira Fuller (Chairman) 01767 316104 7 July Tel: Sue & Peter Holden 01767 640572 Summer Picnic Concert 25 July Gates open 2pm St Andrews Church, 15 July Potton History Society 7.30-10pm Shortmead Street, Biggleswade Biggleswade Women’s Institute Potton Community Centre, Brook End Adults £8, Concessions/children £6. Join East Beds 10am Visitors £4 The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Members free, Visitors £3 inc. refreshments Concert Band for their Summer Picnic Concert at, Farm Road, Biggleswade This month’s talk (originally planned for May, but SG18 0AT. Tickets are available on the door.

Meets on every third Monday of the month except moved to July) is slightly different in that it will be Email: eastbedsconcertband@gmail.com August. Mike O’Keefe will talk about “Royal Images”. a walk (weather permitting) and is called ‘Potton’s Visitors welcome. Email: biggleswadewi@gmail.com Chimneys’. Join PHS on a walk to survey Potton’s 8 July chimneys old and new. A display of photos and Sandy Flower Club 16 July documents will be available in the Community 7.30pm Conservative Bowls Club Pavilion (Rear Sandy Women’s Institute Centre from 8pm for those not on the walk. of the Conservative Club, Bedford Road) 10am Sandy Conservative Club Web: www.pottonhistorysociety.org.uk Visitors £5. The Flower Club meets second Monday Meets on the third Tuesday of each month (except Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ in the month. Demonstration by Daphne Grant ‘A August). If you would like to give us a try before pottonhistorysociety Planting We Will Go’. Raffle and tea/coffee. committing to full membership, visitors are welcome Tel: Sue Alexander 01767 699729 (cost £4). Speaker for July is former Wimbledon 26 July umpire Alan Gray MBE with a talk entitled ‘You Concert by the Sandy Ukulele Group 9 July Cannot Be Serious!’. Tel: Val Haygarth (President) 7pm Sandy Baptist Church Hall Sutton WI 7.30pm Sutton Village Hall 01767 691711 for more info Admission £5. In aid of The Leprosy Mission. The The group meets on the second Tuesday of every Email: valeriehaygarth@btinternet.com.

Ukulele Group have played at Kings Cross Station and month. Please feel free to come and join us! have featured on TV. Raffle. Refreshments. Tickets 18 July can be purchased in advance from Sandy Town 11 July Bedford RSPB Local Group Council Information Office or from Colin Osborne.

Biggleswade Evening Women’s Institute 7pm The Lodge, Sandy Tel: Colin Osborne 01767 682032 7.45pm The Weatherley Centre, Evening walk. Parking charges may apply for nonEagle Farm Road, Biggleswade RSPB members. Suitable for experts and novices.

A new group which meets on the second Thursday of RSPB membership not essential. each month (except August). Guests welcome.

Web: www.rspb.org.uk/groups/bedford

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Mark Dilley Electrical Part P Registered Company 22386 Extra sockets - Lighting Extensions - Re-wires Security Lighting - Showers Inspections Electric Vehicle Charging Points

No job too small Free estimates All work to BS7671 regulations City and Guilds qualified

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0800 046 1080 UP TO 30% OFF IN JULY hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

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

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Extensions New builds Rewires Smoke alarms Landlord certificates Fault finding and repairs Consumer unit replacements Lighting and power (internal & external) Boiler controls Inspection and testing Free quotations Part P approved All types of electrical work undertaken

Tel: (01767) 641575 Mobile: (07881) 627423 Email: cmfelectrical@hotmail.co.uk

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Penny Falls

“We’ve got another one, Sandra,” Debbie called to her colleague in the kiosk at the beach amusement arcade.

“Another what?” Sandra raised her eyebrows. “Oh, another one of them.”

Both women watched as a man in flip-flops and a long raincoat wove carefully between the arcade machines towards them. He was flushed and grunting, clearly straining with the heavy load he was concealing beneath his coat.

As he reached them, with one final effort the man opened his coat and heaved his burden onto the kiosk counter.

“Can you help me with this?” he said, gasping for breath. “I didn’t want anyone else to see it.”

“Of course, you’ve come to the right place,” Debbie said, inspecting his precious belonging with a critical eye.

“How long have you had it on the go?”

“Nearly eighteen months,” he said proudly.

“Credit where credit’s due,” Debbie said, “I don’t think I’ve seen one as big as this.”

“I’ve had to carry it all the way from the car park,” he said, glad to have finally met someone who understood. “It kept slipping out of my hands.”

“You can’t be too careful with a big one like that,” Debbie said. “Am I right in thinking that now you’ve got it stuck?”

“I’ve tried tipping it upside down and shaking it,” he said, “but nothing shifts it.”

Debbie gingerly turned it around to look at it in a better light. “I can’t see any obvious obstructions,” she

Short Story said. “Can you, Sandra?”

“No, but sometimes they’re sneaky,” Sandra said, putting on her spectacles. “Do you remember that one that had a Fox’s Glacier Mint in it?”

Debbie nodded. “Rock solid it was, and virtually invisible.” She looked up at the man. “Do you have any kids or pets?”

“No,” he said, finally getting his breath back, “it’s just me on my own.”

“That’s promising then,” Debbie said, “I always advise folks to never leave these things unattended.”

“I don’t suppose you’d be happy to just tap a small hole in it?” Debbie said. “We’ve got a toffee hammer knocking about.”

“I’d rather not if you don’t mind,” he said sheepishly. “It has sentimental value.”

“In that case there’s only one thing to do,” Debbie said decisively. “Sandra, we need your special pokey stick, the big bucket and a squirt of washing-up liquid.”

Sandra was already brandishing a long-handled wooden spoon.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” the man asked anxiously.

“When the time comes, I’m going to ask you to turn it upside down and shake it vigorously,” Debbie said with authority. “Do you think you can do that for me?”

“I can try,” the man said, rolling up his coat sleeves.

“Let’s do it.”

“We’ll get every two-pence piece out of this whisky bottle, ducky, just you wait and see,” Debbie said as Sandra handed her the bottle of washing-up liquid. “You’ll be shovelling them into the penny falls before you know it.”

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By Jackie Brewster

95

Motoring

I’d Miss My Home Comforts Summer’s here, meaning more caravans and camper vans are on our roads.

To give the manufacturers their due, I have noticed that each season’s new models get more luxurious, some probably better appointed than their owner’s home. Air conditioning is common, entertainment systems rival the best in homecinema, Wi-Fi and all mod-con kitchens are included. Given an arm twist I could, possibly, ‘rough it’ in a modern caravan. Well, for a night at most.

But the VW T2 Combi-van sub-culture leaves me baffled. This love of a minimalist vintage motor’home’, last made in Europe in 1979, with its push-up roof, twee curtains and no loo, just leaves me completely cold (probably literally if I had the misfortune to spend a night in one).

It’s the vehicular equivalent of a 1960s seaside B & B. You know the type? Run by a dragon of a landlady.

“Boiler goes off at eight. The bathroom’s down the corridor. The front door is locked at ten and no overnight guests either.”

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Admittedly, they do have certain cool, hipster charm. Some are beautifully restored, I grant you, and to a higher standard and specification than when it came off the production line. But surely that appeal has to evaporate when you are caught short and trudging to the campsite facilities on a rainy British summer’s night?

I guess the cool-hipster campers will say I am missing something.

I know, I am: air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a mod-con kitchen, a loo…

By Iain Betson

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3 Windows 3 Doors 3 Conservatories 3 Orangeries 3 Bi folds 3 Repairs T: 01767 765440

E: sales@i-glaze.co.uk

W: www.i-glaze.co.uk

N O T YO U R AV E R A G E H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T C O M PA N Y

EPDM RUBBER ROOFING

• FIRESTONE RUBBER-BOND • 20 YEAR MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY • SUPERIOR DURABILITY • ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY • QUICK INSTALLATION • MAINTENANCE FREE • FLEXIBLE • LICENSED FIRESTONE INSTALLER

0800 046 1080 UP TO 30% OFF IN JULY hello@thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk www.thehomeimprovementproject.co.uk 98

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June’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mr S Barker from Sandy Winner of Battle Proms Tickets Paul Calow from Huntingdon

Winner of Folk by the Oak Tickets Miss P Ray from Stotfold

Easy

Hard

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The Villager Prize Crossword

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

16th July 2019 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Unable to hear (4) 3 Previously (8) 9 A lawn game (7) 10 Tease (5) 11 Produced (12) 14 Period of time (3) 16 Stop (5) 17 Feminine pronoun (3) 18 In spite of (12) 21 Shoreline (5) 22 Placing (7) 23 Daily (8) 24 Requests (4) Down 1 Twelfth month (8) 2 Embellish (5) 4 Not in (3) 5 Dimensions (12) 6 Entrants in a race (7) 7 A toy (2-2) 8 Adequately (12) 12 Map or diagram (5) 13 Communications (8) 15 Mean (7) 19 Departs (5) 20 Land measurement (4) 22 Small vegetable (3)

Name: Tel:



Address:

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

• Remote Control Door

SANDY • POTTON • All Major Brands

Supplied and Serviced

BIGGLESWADE • Call for a Free AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Quotation

• OAP Rates Available

01767 260165 Sandy

01480 210410 Eaton Socon To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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

01767 680762 07972 622305 shadbeam@tiscali.co.uk

®

TRADITIONAL SWEEPING SERVICE NESTS REMOVED CAGES, CAPS AND COWLS FITTED SWEEPING CERTIFICATES ISSUED PROFESSIONAL, CLEAN SERVICE FULLY INSURED POLICE CHECKED

01767 680791 wilkinschimneysweep.co.uk/bedford

Your Perfect Loft Access and Storage Solution Our services include: Loft Ladders Loft Hatches Insulation Loft Boarding Loft Lighting Balustrades We are a family run business who comply to building regulations, where our fitters are fully insured and all of our work is guaranteed.

Covering Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

01438 211302 info@eastanglianloftladders.co.uk eastanglianloftladders.co.uk 102

Call now for a free, no obligation quotation

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MELTON

PLUMBING

AND

HEATING

A RELIABLE, QUALITY SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST - Gas Boiler Servicing and Maintenance - High Efficiency Gas Boiler Replacements - Full System Installations and Updates - Unvented Hot Water Installations - Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - All General Plumbing and Bathrooms - Radiator Flushing Based in St. Neots Covering All Surrounding Areas

FREE QUOTES ALL WORK GUARANTEED FULLY INSURED Tel: 07502 253276 Web: www.meltonheating.co.uk Email: info.meltonheating@gmail.com meltonplumbingandheating

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103

Local News

Colourful Classrooms

Last year, Kate Griffiths and Kath Roberts developed Colourful Classrooms, to build young people’s emotional wellbeing, based on the work they have done with organisations as documented in their book, Colourful Boardrooms.

Colour Rocks™ is an eight week programme aimed at young people from age 9 - 21. It builds emotional resilience in children. Kate says: “It’s special because it blends a number of approaches and deals with a serious topic in a fun and engaging manner.”

A key element of the programme shows how the power of intention works using the principles outlined

by Lynne McTaggart in The Power of 8. Her scientific experiments proved that altruism benefits the giver as much as the recipient - making a difference pays.

They aretesting their approach in local schools to see what results they get with both primary and secondary school audiences and are open to receiving enquiries from schools. The aim is to give youngsters tools to help them deal with issues from low selfconfidence and mild anxiety to more extreme conditions such as obsessive thoughts and eating disorders.

The programme costs over £2,000 to run and so they continue to fundraise to support its implementation into schools. They are planning to run a fire walk at the Clophill Centre in Bedfordshire (MK45 4BT) to raise more funds on 20 July. As well as being empowering, you will be supporting a great cause at the same time so do get in touch with them on enquiries@artofleadership.co to find out more and / or book your place.

Shapes

and Sizes 1. Which of the following paper sizes has an area equal to one square metre?... A0, A1 or A2?

2. What is the common name of both a bone in the hand and a geometrical shape that has four sides, two of which are parallel?

3. What name is given to the format of newspaper that is almost double the size of a tabloid newspaper, with sheets measuring around 75 by 60 centimetres?

4. What is the only standard road sign in the UK that is octagonal in shape?

5. How many feet wide is a mattress for a single bed?

6. Perfecto, torpedo, robusto and toro are all shapes or sizes of what?

7. With viewers being invited to guess which one would be chosen as the camera would zoom in on one for a section of each episode, what were the original three shapes of window on the children’s TV show Play School?

8. After complaints about gender inequality, which size of tissue did Kleenex announce it was phasing out in 2018 and replacing with the new name of “extra large”?

9. The Admiralty Pattern is the most common shape of what type of item?

10. 5 pence, 10 pence and 50 pence coins were all originally larger than they are today. Which of these was reduced in size first?

1. A0 2. Trapezium 3. Broadsheet 4. The stop sign 5. Three 6. Cigars 7. Round, Square and Arched 8. Mansize 9. Anchor 10. 5 pence (1990 v 1992 and 1997)

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COUNTRY STOVES & SWEEPS STOVE/GAS FIRE INSTALLATION • Wood Burning/Multi Fuel Stove & Gas Fire Installation • Chimney Lining • Twin Wall Flue Systems • Free Survey & Quotation

EPS

CHIMNEY SWEEPING • Brush & Vacuum Sweep • Smoke Test

£

• Clean & Tidy • Insurance Certificate • Bird Guards Fitted

From

40.00

£ T:

01767 627591 - Northill, Beds

E: countrystovesandsweeps@gmail.com

www.countrystovesandsweeps.co.uk

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T&R Roofing Ltd

Family Business Est. 1985

• Felt Roofing Specialists (10 year & 15 year guarantee on high performance felts) • Tiling, Slating, Guttering • UPVC Facia/Soffits • Chimney Work

All NEW work guaranteed Fully insured for employer & Public Liability Call Tony Simpson for a FREE estimate on:

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Window Doctor Repairs to Windows, Doors & Conservatories • • • • • • •

Misty Units New Locks Draughty Windows Dropped Doors Broken Hinges/Handles Extra Security Installation of New Windows, Doors and Conservatories

30 Years Experience Contact Stewart Gyles on T: 0798 444 1638 or

01767 221 057

E: stewy_133@msn.com

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Book Review The Library of Lost and Found

by Phaedra Patrick

Librarian Martha Storm finds a book containing a dedication from her grandmother. But the dedication is dated several years after her grandmother supposedly died. The book sets Martha out on a quest that will rock her safe, predictable life and remind her of who she really is. A hugely enjoyable, warm hug of a book.

Stone Mothers

by Erin Kelly

Marianne is back in her home village, and desperate to keep a secret hidden that could destroy the life she’s built over the last 30 years. A secret that ties her to her childhood sweetheart, Jesse, as well as the MP responsible for shutting down the local asylum. This chilling psychological tale is a slow-burner but well worth sticking with.

Internment

By Samira Ahmed

Set ‘15 minutes into the future’, Internment tells the story of 17-year-old Layla, who is sent to a Muslim-American internment camp in the middle of the Californian desert. Similar to the real JapaneseAmerican internment camps of World War II, this camp is a dangerous place to stand out. Layla’s parents want her to keep her head down and not attract the attention of the vicious camp director. But Layla is prepared to risk her life for her freedom. A powerful page-turner about the price of turning a blind eye to bigotry.

Books

By Kate Duggan

A Boy and his Dog at the End of the World

By C. A. Fletcher

Griz is growing up in a postapocalyptic world where massinfertility has decimated the human population. His community is tiny and life is difficult. When a stranger steals the family’s dog, Griz sets out to get her back, on a journey that will take him from his tiny island on the Outer Hebrides across Scotland and Northern England. Perfect for fans of The Road and Station’s Eleven. .

The Dollmaker

by Nina Allan

Andrew and Bramber start writing to each other because of their shared interest in dolls. As their friendship grows, Andrew decides to visit Bramber at the institution she calls home. Andrew and Bramber’s story is interspersed with tales written by another dolllover, Ewa Chaplin, which Andrew reads on his journey. A beautiful, strange, multi-layered book you’ll want to keep reading long after the sun has gone down.

Outlander

by Diana Gabaldon

If your idea of the perfect holiday is spending several days on a sun lounger with a good book, then the Outlander series could be just what you’re looking for. On a trip to the Scottish Highlands, Claire Randall steps through a circle of stones and finds herself transported from 1946 to 1743, where she’s taken prisoner by Scottish outlaws. The hit TV show is now into its fourth season and the books are even better

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Classifieds Accountants

Garden Specialist

Hillier Garden Services All general garden maintenance jobs undertaken Over 20 years experience For all your gardening needs call Steve

01767 699252 07901 985123

Aerials and Satellites Garden Specialist HGS Classified advert.indd 1 AERIALS & SATELLITES

14/04/2015 21:23

T/A Broadband Communications Established 1993

Aerials & Satellites • Digital Aerials Freesat & Satellite Installations Commercial IRS Systems All Work Guaranteed • CAI Approved C.1616 Based in Stotfold www.broadbandcommunications.co.uk

Local, honest, professional service

Tel: 01462 732 628 • Mob: 07860 436 217

Domestic Repairs JB Domestic Guaranteed Repairs To: Washing Machines Tumble Dryers Electric Ovens/Cookers Dishwashers No Call Out Charge!

Tel: 01767 680621 Mobile: 07778 891490

Electricians

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Classifieds Handy Man

Pet Services

Locksmith Services

Plastering Services

Painter & Decorator

Plumbing

RICHBAW

DECOR LTD Richard Bawden - City and Guilds Qualified Mobile: 07757 013796 Home: 01767 835008 Email: r666baw@gmail.com

Painting Services

M. Philmore (Phil) - General Plumber Now semi retired but still available for general plumbing.

57 Green Acres, Gamlingay, Beds. SG19 3LR Tel: 01767 650619 Mobile: 07870366414

Plumbing and Heating

Boiler installations & system upgrades Appliance servicing, breakdowns & repairs Landlord certificates Power flushing

Bathroom installations FREE estimates Over 35 years experience Based in Gamlingay

Contact Kevin Woodfield - Mob: 07860 274303 Tel: 0800 2118399 Email: kevin@alphaplumbingandheating.co.uk Web: www.alphaplumbingandheating.co.uk

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Classifieds Removals

Plumbing and Heating

MUSCLE & MOTOR Jumbo van with up to 3 men.

Helpful, efficient and friendly service for all your moving, carrying, and domestic disposal needs, including house and garage clearance.

Call Richard on: 01767 317387 or 07968 787496 Email: muscleandmotor@gmail.com www.muscleandmotor.co.uk

Property Improvements

GB

Riding School

GARY BERRIDGE Plasterer & General Maintenance Including UPVC Doors and Windows Tiling, Painting and Decorating Free Quotes

T: 01767 316485 M: 07582 485155 E: garyberridge@ymail.com

Sutton, Beds - SG19 2ND

Riding and other activities available throughout the school holidays Please phone for details 07875 192662 You can also find us on facebook

Roofing

Property Improvements A professional property maintenance service

MANOR FARM RIDING SCHOOL

Property Improvements by

Gary Hare Carpentry • Kitchens • Bedrooms Decorating • Flooring Bathrooms •Tiling • and more...

Tel: 01767 651821 Mob: 07773 973420

Property Maintenance

CJ Property Maintenance

Tiling

Free Estimates

Interior and Exterior Painting Gutter Cleaning & Repairs uPVC Fascia Board Cleaning, Fencing, Gates and all Repairs Patios and all Garden Work, Double Glazing & Repairs Concrete Bases, Paths & Steps, Chimney & Wall Pointing Brick Work & Repairs, Driveway Cleaning Broken Roof Tiles & Pots Tel: 01767 680532 Mob: 0774 600 8188 cjpainting@hotmail.co.uk

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MARK CURRELL CERAMIC TILER All tiling undertaken Kitchens, Bathrooms and Conservatories Free Quotations • All Areas Covered Telephone: 01767 680081 / 07952 499002 Email: markcurrelltiling@masjcurrell.co.uk

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and Town

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