Potton June 2019 by Villager Mag

VILLAGER The

Issue 154 - June 2019

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Win Tickets to

Hatfield House Battle Proms Midsummer Meanings 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... Win a Family Pass to Folk by th Oak

Midsummer Meanings........................................................................... 4 Réunion Hotspot.................................................................................... 8 Win a Family Pass to Folk by the Oak........................................... 10 Win Tickets for the Hatfield House Battle Proms.......................... 12 Safe and Sound.................................................................................... 16 South beds Country Show.................................................................... 18 Tales from Britain’s ‘Food War’ Zones.................................................... 22 Wine: Austria Sparkling Sensations...................................................... 25 Biggleswade Ladies Group................................................................... 26 Music for Memory................................................................................ 29 Swimwear and Holiday-Wear Tips........................................................ 32 Sensational Summer Skin.................................................................... 34 When you Job is a Pain......................................................................... 37 Join us to Beat Heartbreak................................................................... 38 Let’s Fight Fatigue and Pain.................................................................. 40 The Impact of Stress and Ways to Manage It........................................ 43 Waresley cricket Club........................................................................... 45 Short-term or Long-term Mortgage..................................................... 46 P&R Interiors........................................................................................ 48

Sitting Sustainably............................................................................... 50 Rural Ramblings................................................................................... 53 RSPB Volunteers................................................................................... 54 Houseplant Heaven.............................................................................. 56 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal.................................................................... 59 Animal Stories...................................................................................... 61 Ask Alan - Potton Vets.......................................................................... 62 Children’s Page..................................................................................... 64 Driverless Cars Explained...................................................................... 67 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe............................................................... 69 Great Outdoors..................................................................................... 73 What’s On............................................................................................. 74 Riverside Miniature Railway................................................................. 76 Puzzle Page.......................................................................................... 80 Rotary Club of Biggleswade Ivel........................................................... 83 Prize Crossword.......................................................................... 86 Book Review........................................................................................ 91 Useful Numbers................................................................................... 95

Riverside Miniature Railway

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, Sarah Davey, Kate McLelland, Trevor Langley, Jennie Billings, Kate Duggan, Louise Addison, Ann Haldon, Rachael Leverton, Geoff Wharton, Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA, Potton Vets, James Baggott and Nick Coffer

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Hatfield Battle Proms 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

Midsummer Meanings The month of Wimbledon and Father’s Day; synonymous with freshly mown grass, the first Pimms and a sudden abundance of flowers, we welcome June as the beginning of summer. In Anglo-Saxon times, June was known as midsummer month or sera monath, meaning ‘dry month’. It also brought with it the big pagan celebration of the summer solstice – the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The longest day can occur on 20th, 21st or 22nd June, depending on when the sun is at its northernmost point in the Tropic of Cancer.

However, as is the case with this year, it most commonly falls on the 21st. Although they can happen, solstices on the other two dates are rare. For example, the last summer solstice to occur on 22nd June was in 1975. June’s summer solstice is also the time when the Arctic Circle experiences 24 hours of daylight, known as the midnight sun. Meanwhile in the Southern Hemisphere, 1st June is the official start of winter and the Antarctic Circle experiences 24 hours of darkness.

Photograph Andrew Dunn www.andrewdunnphoto.com

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It was the Romans who were responsible for giving the sixth month in their Roman and our Gregorian calendar its current name. Jun(e) is believed to be a shortened version of Iunius or Junius (the capital ‘J’ only came into existence as a separate written letter from ‘I’ during the 14th century – before this they were written in the same way). Junius is Latin for ‘sacred to Juno’. In Roman religion Juno was the wife of Jupiter and patron goddess of The Pantheon in Rome. She was also the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth. The blessing she was said to bestow on couples who marry during this month has meant that June weddings remain popular to this day. Juno was attended by her companion bird, a peacock, and her messenger Iris, the hem of whose colourful robe would sometimes be glimpsed in the sky as a rainbow. In early Roman times, June had 29 days, but Emperor Julius Caesar added an extra day, making it 30 days long, but still a day shorter than most of the other months of the year. People born in June are said to be ruled by the planet Mercury, which represents youth. They come under the zodiac signs of either vivacious, optimistic Gemini (the twins) or loyal, stabilityloving Cancer (the crab).

Summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere Scientific studies have claimed that June babies tend to be physically stronger and suffer less with mental illnesses than those born in any other month. June has three birthstones: the pearl, said to stand for faith and purity of heart; moonstone for intuition, balance and new beginnings; and the more obscure alexandrite, which is supposed to bring health and longevity. The birth flowers for this month are the sweetsmelling rose, which in the traditional language of flowers represents romance and love, and the honeysuckle, whose meaning is fidelity and devotion.

There is a saying in folklore that in June, summer doesn’t begin until the elderflower is in blossom. As well as the summer solstice, other festivals that take place in June include well-dressing, where natural springs are honoured with elaborate decorations that include intricate mosaic-like pictures made using flowers, grasses, moss, seeds, bark and berries. Well-dressing is particularly popular across Derbyshire. The many significant historical events that have happened in the month of June include the signing of the Magna Carta on 15th June 1215, and the original Globe Theatre being destroyed by fire on 29th June 1613 after a cannon was let off to announce the arrival of the king’s entrance in Shakespeare’s Henry VIII. The infamous Battle of Waterloo took place on 18th June 1815 and just over a decade later, 10th June 1829 saw the inaugural Oxford versus Cambridge boat race (Oxford won). In June 1946, the first BBC television licenses were issued, costing £2. The Queen’s coronation took place on 2nd June 1953. It is also the month of her official birthday and the well-known Trooping of the Colour ceremony. Coincidentally, Queen Victoria, up until recently Britain’s longest reigning monarch, was also crowned in June, on 28th in 1838. D-Day, codenamed Operation Overlord, happened on 6th June 1944. The month of June has long fascinated poets, artists and lyricists from Shakespeare to Rogers and Hammerstein. ‘Flaming June’ is a famous painting by Lord Frederick Leighton completed in 1895. Scottish poet Robert Burns also paid homage to the month in the first lines of his wellknown poem ‘A Red Red Rose’. And there is no end of romantic ballads out there rhyming ‘June’ with ‘moon’. Believe it or not, June was a popular name for both boys and girls in the first part of the 20th century but over the last 40-50 years has declined in favour in the UK. However, June has enjoyed a resurgence as a favourite girls’ name in the USA during the past decade.

By Catherine Rose

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Rooms from

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

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We look forward to meeting you...

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Travel

Réunion Hotspot Deep in the southern Indian Ocean, between Mauritius and Madagascar, Réunion island is an overseas French department and one of the most dramatic hotspots on earth. Heading west from St Denis the capital, the coastal road follows the new highway, now in its final stages, built on pylons above the ocean to protect the traffic from rock falls and swelling seas. On this remote island blooming with tropical flowers and fruit, the residents take it all in their stride, over 800,000 of them but no native tribes. This was a desert island when the Europeans arrived. Just 45 kilometres by 63 kilometres, it has much to offer along the shore with sheltered beaches and lagoons in the west, coral reefs, dolphins and whales out at sea, trade winds on the east coast and the awesome ‘Wild South’, strewn with lava rocks and battered by the waves crashing through eroded basalt cliffs. Ravines from the mountainous interior come right down to the water,

slicing the land with precipitous slopes, as ominous as the calderas and peaks spreading across the highlands. The Réunion National Park covers roughly 75% of the island, from a sizeable buffer area to the large central zone protected by UNESCO. At the heart of it all are three calderas framed by rugged ridges and rocks but draped in luxuriant vegetation. With over 1,000 species of native plants, it’s a haven for butterflies and birds, such as the slender cuckoo shrike or the white-tailed tropic bird, and myriad lizards including the brightly-coloured diurnal gecko. Trekkers make their way along the trails – an amazing 900 kilometres on this tiny island – while others take the ‘road of 400 bends’ climbing through gorge and tunnels to the Cilaos caldera and its pretty little resort at 1,200 metres. This is the ‘land of lentils and wine’ with fabulous views of the mountains, within reach of the Piton des Neiges, Réunion’s highest point at 3,070 metres.

By Solange Hando Hugging it to the north is the verdant Salazie caldera known for its thermal springs, waterfalls and record-breaking rain. It’s the green lung of the island, growing citrus fruit, bananas and peaches and the famous ‘chouchou’, a pear-shaped gourd eaten in many different ways. But the adjoining Mafate caldera is only accessible by donkey or helicopter. That’s the way the people like it, 700 or so scattered in remote hamlets, among them a handful of artists seeking inspiration away from it all. Idyllic, peaceful, this is Réunion in many ways but down in the south east the mighty Furnace Peak never rests. At 2,632 metres, it erupts several times a year, spouting its liquid lava for weeks or even months at a time. Fortunately there are no villages around and when it is safe, forestry road and microlights can take you right there, sending incredible shivers down your spine. Only the tip of the Furnace rises above the land and if the volcano collapses one day, the whole island will sink into the ocean.

The mighty Furnace Peak erupts several times a year

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Win a Family Pass to Folk by the Oak

Hatfield House welcomes back family friendly Folk Festival by the Oak on Sunday 14th July, for another day of exceptional wall to wall music and festival fun! Music lovers and festival fans from far and wide will once again be flocking to this stunning Hertfordshire venue for a packed day of sublime music and activities for all ages. Main stage Acts include Frank Turner, The Staves, Seth Lakeman and The Lost Words: Spell Songs (the musical companion piece to The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris). The Acorn Stage will be headlined by Elephant Sessions and will also welcome Robert and Jackie to talk about The Lost Words, their ‘beautiful protest’ at the loss of common nature words from the language of children. Being a smaller, one day festival makes Folk by the Oak a truly family friendly affair. There’s a dedicated family area that’s within sight and sound of the Main Stage so grown-ups don’t have to miss out on the music while entertaining the youngsters. While there’s plenty of delicious street food from around the world on offer, Folk by the Oak actively invite you to bring your own food and drink into the arena, so keeping the whole family fed and watered doesn’t have to break the bank or involve repeated trips back to the car! Activities on offer include natural craft activities, longbow archery, storytelling, brilliant bubble making, circus skills, face painting and much, much more! For more information on this fabulous family friendly festival go to www.folkbytheoak.com

FOLK BY THE OAK COMPETITION ENTRY



For a chance to win a family pass (admits 2 adults and 2 children) complete the form below and send to: Folk by the Oak Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th June 2019.

Name: Tel: Email: Address: 10

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

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Win Tickets for the Hatfield House Battle Proms

The Battle Proms, the UK’s premier picnic concert series returns to the historic Queen Elizabeth Oak Field in Hatfield House on Saturday 13 July, and we have 3 pairs of tickets to giveaway! The Battle Proms is a summer celebration with a full programme of captivating classical music from the 60-piece New English Concert Orchestra, complemented by toe-tapping vintage vocals and a breathtaking Spitfire aerial display by The Grace Spitfire, which is accredited with shooting down the first enemy aircraft over the Normandy beachhead on D-Day, 75 Years ago. There’s even a sensational freefall demonstration by The Red Devils parachute team, dramatic Napoleonic cavalry displays and groundshaking live fire from over 200 cannons! These quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ concerts feature magnificent musical firework displays, culminating in a flag waving, sing-a-long spectacular including all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites such as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory!

Don’t want to leave it to chance? Book online at www.battleproms.com

BATTLE PROMS COMPETITION ENTRY



For a chance to win tickets to this unforgettable night out complete the form below and send to: Battle Proms Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. Deadline: 16th June 2019.

Name: Tel: Email: Address:

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

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AFTERNOON TEA AT THE HOUSE SUNDAY 14 JULY & SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER Savour the quintessentially English past-time of taking afternoon tea, in the grand setting of The House, Shuttleworth. The House will be open from 09.30 with guests encouraged to explore the rooms and find out about the Shuttleworth Family and Old Warden Park. For more information on our Festive Afternoon Teas, please view the below web page.

Pre-book via - www.shuttleworth.org/afternoontea The House at Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park, Beds, SG18 9EA

01767 627970

14Villager - Afternoon tea advert FP June 19.indd 1Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding adverts 03/05/2019 to 12:27:16

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Time of Year

Safe and Sound By Sarah Davey

Don’t forget to protect your property while you’re away The summer holidays are just around the corner. We put a lot of effort into planning our perfect summer break, but we often don’t put quite as much effort into making sure that while we’re away relaxing our home is safe Most burglars are opportunists, who target empty homes. This means that the holiday season is bonanza time for them. However, a little preparation can save a lot of distress. 60 percent of burglars gain entrance through rear or side windows and doors so make securing these a priority. Fences and hedges are the first line of defence against uninvited guests so should act as an effective barrier, rather than just being attractive borders. The Metropolitan Police recommend ‘hostile plants’; plants that are spiky, prickly or very dense. Don’t let them grow too high though, your home should be visible from the street and to your neighbours. The idea is not to provide a hiding place for intruders! Protect the entrance to your property too. If a gate isn’t practical, consider covering pathways with gravel. Thieves don’t like to announce their presence and the sound of footsteps on gravel is often enough to put them off entering. Motion-activated lighting and well-lit paths and driveways are also a good deterrent. Outside security lighting is cheap to set up, and low energy light bulbs keep running costs down. Also, consider

installing a burglar alarm - as well as protecting your property, having an alarm can also lower your insurance premiums. While you’re away on holiday, some extra precautions will help protect your possessions. Keep valuables out of sight. If they can be seen, then someone might be tempted to try to steal them. Don’t close curtains in the daytime though, as this announces to the world that your house is empty. Invest in timer switches to turn lights and the radio on and off. Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries. Inform a couple of trusted neighbours that you will be away. Ask them to keep an eye on your property and offer to do the same for them while they are away. Little tasks like moving the post away from the door, and drawing your curtains in the evening will make it look as though someone is in. They could even park a car on your drive if you are taking yours away. Offer to do the same for them when they go on holiday. Join your Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, or if there isn’t a local scheme, set one up. Neighbourhood Watch has an excellent track record of deterring opportunistic thieves. A little vigilance and some common sense go a long way to protecting the things you love. Follow these simple steps and you will be able to relax on holiday knowing your home is as safe as it can be.

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Local News

South Beds Country Show Back for a 3rd year at New Manor Farm, Harlington, the South Beds Country Show just gets bigger and better. Come and see the actionpacked arena, busy throughout the day with sheepdog and falconry displays, heavy horse turnouts and parades of vintage vehicles, with headline act the Wye Valley Axemen. Visit the food and craft marquees and browse the market stalls for that unique birthday gift and stop for refreshment in the bar or eat from one of the

catering stalls within the show. Everywhere you look there is something to see from farm animals to steam engines, vintage tractors to working craft demonstrations! Bring the family along, and don’t forget under 16’s accompanied by paying adult get in free! Come and join us on the 29th & 30th June and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

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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 20

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RICHARD SHUTTLEWORTH

MURDER MYSTERY EVENING FRIDAY 19 JULY 2019

Will you find out who the murderer was, the motive and how the killing was executed? Includes a Three Course Meal - Â£50.00 Per Person www.shuttleworth.org/rosmurdermystery The House, Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, SG18 9EA

- ROSin Murder Mystery advert June 19.indd 1 To Villager advertise The Villager andFPTown Life please call 01767 261122

01767 627970

03/05/2019 12:34:10

Quirky Britain

Tales from Britain’s ‘food war’ zones Holidaying in the UK this year? Then you may be looking forward to sampling some great local cheeses, cakes and artisan brews. But before you tuck in to all that delicious produce you should be aware of the strong emotions a well-loved local dish can inspire. Cream tea wars - One of the main causes of strife between the people of Devon and Cornwall is the innocent cream tea. Ask a native Devonian to eat a cream tea and she or he will split the scone, pile clotted cream onto each half then add a dollop of jam on top of the cream. Serve someone from Cornwall the same teatime treat and they will spoon jam onto each half scone, then spread the cream on top. Last year a National Trust poster designed to attract visitors to Lanhydrock House in Cornwall caused outrage when it used a photo of a cream tea with the jam on top of the cream. In response, locals threatened to boycott the National Trust property, while one indignant Facebook member commented: “There are some things you don’t do National Trust, and putting a picture of a Devon cream tea for a Cornish cream tea event is disgusting.” Shape-shifting sausages - Ask any traditionallyminded Scot what shape a sausage should be, and the answer is likely to be “square”. The ‘Lorne sausage’, ‘slice’ or ‘square sausage’ is a tasty mixture of minced meat, rusk and spices, served as part of a traditional Scottish breakfast.

However, the ongoing culinary debate in Scotland is not, as you might think, about a sausage’s shape, it’s about what it should be called. In 2016 a Scot called Andy O’Donnell went so far as to create a Facebook page dedicated to the name ‘slice’ (to describe the square sausage). The page now boasts 188 members who regularly post photos and tongue-in-cheek comments. Whose tart is it anyway? - In the pretty town of Bakewell in Derbyshire, the Bakewell Tart is the star turn of every cafe and bakery. This confection of jam, frangipane and flaked almonds inside a shortcrust pastry shell is a variant of the town’s famous dessert, Bakewell Pudding. Bakewell’s residents may be proud of their local speciality, but there’s no evidence that the recipe actually originated in the town. To make matters worse, a rival tart was discovered in 2013, when Gloucestershire’s council leader Paul James came across a recipe for a ‘Gloucester Tart’ – with almost identical ingredients – in a local history book. The discovery prompted Gloucester’s local media to gleefully exclaim: “Gloucester Tart revived – and it’s better than the Bakewell!” So before you set off on your summer break, you’d be well advised to brush up on your diplomatic skills: but get ready to run if you mix up your tarts, call a ‘slice’ a ‘Lorne sausage’ or – heaven forbid – spread your scone the wrong way.

By Kate McLelland

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Food and Drink

Wine: Austria Sparkling Sensations The pretty alpine villages of Austria, plus the beautiful architecture of town and city buildings, are constantly admired by numerous visitors from worldwide origins. Lakes, mountains, glaciers and stunning landscapes attract many, too, as well as the history of Austria. The cuisine of Austria has become well known and appreciated, along with very impressive high quality wines the country has to offer, a great number of which are (multi) award-winning productions.

Austria grows 40 grape varieties (26 white, 14 red) that are officially approved for the production of their quality wines. International varieties include Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet, amongst numerous others. Austrian grape varieties include the much acclaimed Grüner Veltliner, which is now being planted, increasingly, in other countries. The ‘Quality Pyramid’ of Austria’s Sparkling wines has differing requirements, that are set out in a strict set of regulations, for each level, including varying maturation periods, ranging from 9 months to 30 months. Klassik, Reserve and Grosse (Grande) Reserve all have sparkling productions that are very popular indeed, with the latter two quality levels being known for their impressiveness, structure, elegance, bouquet, mouthfeel and palate sensation, particularly. A lot of cuisine enjoyment is enhanced by pairing with sparkling wines. Seafood, fish dishes and white meats, including poultry, plus pasta and rice, all have a great accompaniment and partnership with the ‘sparklers’ and their wonderful perlages. Schlumberger has a network of cellars that hold many barrels and bottles of sparkling wines. Robert Alwin Schlumberger had productions in 1842 and very soon after the wines were presented and served at the Imperial Court. Klassik Brut, Chardonnay Jahrgang Brut Reserve and Blanc De Noirs Brut Reserve will not disappoint. Refreshing, intense, fresh and fruity is how I would describe these productions. www.schlumberger.at Steininger has fabulous wines, too. Grüner Veltliner Steinhaus (Stone house) shows the character of this wine, which is derived from the soils. A superb example. www. weingut-steininger.at Weingut Moser and Weingut Müller both have impressive productions, also. Pure drinking pleasure is forthcoming from these companies’ wines. Respectively, www.moserwein.at and www.weingutmueller.at have a wealth of information. Tastings and tours, of all the wineries, are very popular.

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Local News ies

lad

Biggleswade Ladies Circle

S ee our F a ce

Biggleswade Ladies Circle is a membership club for women aged between 18 -45 who want to make new friends have fun and put something back to the community. We have now been established for over 59 years. Our Members are from all walks of life and are supported by various Honorary Members. We are really keen to expand our membership to include lots more lovely local ladies! We all come from very different backgrounds and have different things going on in our lives and vary in age. We meet twice a month, usually on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month in or around Biggleswade. There are also many weekend events throughout the circling year. Most of our meetings are social meetings where we try out new things or just meet for a chat. We also have meetings where we discuss current things going

on with circle such as upcoming fundraisers or any other business that needs to be discussed. Some examples of past social meetings include knit and natter, car care at Kwikfit, a DVD evening, hearing dogs for the deaf talk, cocktail evenings, bingo, trips to the theater, Christmas crafts, chocolate parties and much more! Upcoming events: 3rd June - Comedy Night 25th June - Meal at Pera Kitchen 9th July - Henlow Dogs 23rd July - Pimms & Strawberries Contact us to find out more about how you can get involved and for more details of our next events. To join us, please see the contact details below. What have you got to lose! Email: biggleswadecircle@gmail.com Twitter: @BwadeCircle. Facebook: Biggleswade Ladies Circle. Tel: Anne 07791330391

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Local News

Music for the Memory Music for the Memory is a not-for-profit organisation providing musical activity sessions for those with dementia (Alzheimer’s and similar conditions) and their carers. New sessions are now running regularly in Sandy and more are planned. Local resident Kathy Mainstone decided to set up the organisation some 10 years ago, in response to a demand from carers. She says “Music, and the arts in general, are believed to be very therapeutic and it is not a new theory that music therapy, in particular, can be very helpful. Singing not only sets off endorphins, which make you feel good, but can help to keep the memory pathways active in the brain. Hidden in the sessions are activities which build on the wellknown preserved memory for song and music in the brain.” Music for the Memory is a social, as well as a therapeutic, activity and is an opportunity for both the carer and the cared-for to participate in singing sessions together, in an informal and friendly setting. More than just a ‘sing-a-long’, the happy and sociable atmosphere, within a fun and supportive group, offers the opportunity for an enjoyable session which stimulates mind and body. Enquiries are warmly welcomed from anyone who feels that these sessions could be of benefit to them or the person they care for. Please contact Kathy Mainstone for details on: 07740 656589 or visit the website: www.musicforthememory.org.uk

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

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John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Gaunt Golf Club

Become a member, start playing today Memberships available for men, ladies and juniors Two magnificent championship courses

Impressive club house, bar and catering facilities

Well stocked shop and club fitting by Head Professional Lee Scarbrow

Excellent practice and coaching facilities

Please get in touch for more information... John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Gaunt Golf Club, Sutton Park, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2LY Tel: Main Club - 01767 260360 Pro Shop - 01767 260094 Email: villageradvert@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk Why not visit our website for more information at www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

House of Colour

Swimwear and

Holiday-Wear Tips Holiday season is nearly amongst us which means it’s time to think about this year’s holiday outfits. Everyone wants to feel fabulous on holiday but there are so many things to consider that sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. So, we’ve done the hard bit for you… 1. Cut – When choosing the right swimwear cut think beyond whether it should be a tankini, bikini, or one piece. For those of us who like to show off our shoulders opt for a bandeau style top; a high waisted bikini bottom with a classic ruched middle helps to cover any wobbly areas. Take your time to find the right swimwear. 2. One piece - No longer the boring choice, one pieces now feature a host of cut-outs, zips, belts, knots and bang on trend patterns. One shouldered swimsuits, bows and retro patterns have all recently made a comeback. Just know what suits your style and wear what makes you feel fabulous on your poolside deckchair whilst sipping a spritzer! 3. Mixy matchy – Pairing patterns and block colours in bikini tops and bottoms can provide an interesting but not overstated look but bear in mind that a darker bikini bottom and more interesting bikini top usually gives better balance. If you are feeling daring mismatch two patterns to express a more rule breaking nature. 4. Pop Goes the Colour – Know your colours before you go holiday shopping because your skin tone is even more vital when you are revealing more of it on the beach! Autumns will suit gorgeous rust, corals and olives whilst Springs will wow in leafy greens, flamingo pink and turquoise. Winters will look amazing in jewel colours like emerald, electric blue and magenta whilst Summers will suit beautiful muted rose, dusty pink and cornflower for example. 5. Sustainable – Sustainability is gaining incredible momentum and swimwear is no exception. More swim labels are launching sustainable and ethical swim lines than ever before as more of us prioritise sustainability as a key shopping factor. 6. Sunnies – Don’t be tempted to do an online search to scrawl through the thousands of colours, styles and patterns (and variation on quality) on offer. Understanding your face

architecture is crucial to knowing what really suits you and most of us need to try lots of pairs on to see what works. You will invariably end up sending them back if you buy online. 7. Rocking your Shoes – This is the perfect time of year to add a pop of colour to your outfit through your footwear. The shops are adorned with yellow, green, leopard print and reds at the moment. 8. Arm Candy – Avoid large leather or plastic bags in hotter climates. If you rock the boho vibe try a linen sling bag with some tassels or texture, or if you like something a bit more dramatic perhaps try a metallic look. 9. Sarongs & Hats – Be playful and colourful in your choices especially if you are wearing block colour swimwear. The options are endless. When choosing your holiday hat, remember that dark colours like black and dark blue actually absorb heat. Oversized hats were on many of the catwalks but wear a size and shape that is right for your own scale and express your personality through design and detail. 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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Air-Co

nditio and fr ned Salon ee WiFi

La Vida

HAIRDRESSING

Professional hairdressing in Biggleswade

Over 17 years of successful hairdressing We welcome all clients both old and new OPENING HOURS Monday - Closed, Tuesday 9.00am - 5.00pm Wednesday 9.00am - 8.00pm, Thursday 9.00am - 8.00pm Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm, Saturday 8.30am - 4.00pm

WATCH THIS SPACE

We will soon be launching a greatly reduced price list for our improver stylist Lauren 1 Station Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8AH Tel: 01767 600510 Web: www.lavidahair.co.uk Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our current offers To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Health & Beauty

By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

Sensational Summer Skin Finding the right sun lotion for your skin isn’t easy if you have sensitive skin. Some are too greasy or leave a white residue, and others can trigger prickly heat or eczema. I’ve tried a lot of lotions in my quest and Green People’s Scent Free Sun Lotion (£22.50) is one of the best I’ve found so far. It’s gentle on skin, non-greasy, rubs in easily and contains chamomile, green tea and aloe vera to soothe and refresh skin. It’s also reef-safe and 30p from each sale is donated to the Marine Conservation Society. With an SPF of 30, it’ll do fine for my Cornwall holiday this year, although I might swap to Jason Sunbrellas Family Sun Block SPF45 in the unlikely event I get invited to somewhere a bit more tropical. See www.greenpeople.co.uk Personally, I quite like my freckles. However, I’m not that keen on other areas of uneven pigmentation. Epionce’s MelanoLyte TX (£81) is a daily exfoliating treatment that’s clinically proven to reduce hyperpigmentation problems, such as melasma (dark, blotchy patches often linked to pregnancy) and sun spots. It also helps to remove dead skin cells so leaves skin feeling softer. And it does it all without any flaking or irritation. Epionce have swapped harsh bleaching agents like hydroquinone for gentler natural ingredients like liquorice root and mallow. My skin felt smoother and looked brighter and more even in just a couple of weeks. For best results, wait five minutes after applying before following with your usual moisturiser or the MelanoLyte Pigment Perfection Serum (£94.50). See www.epionce.co.uk

I’m loving No 7’s new HydraLuminous Moisturising Foundation (£15) and Concealer (£14). The foundation is somewhere between a tinted moisturiser and a traditional foundation. It blends easily, lasts all day, offers great coverage and doesn’t feel too heavy. I don’t wear make-up every day and have forgotten to remove this one several times because the lightweight formula means I can’t feel I’m wearing it. As an added bonus, the foundation contains vitamins and antioxidants to nourish skin throughout the day. With twelve shades to choose from, it’s easy to find one that matches your skin tone, see www.boots.com The No 7 HydraLuminous Dark Circle Concealer comes in eight shades. While it’s specifically designed to target dark circles under the eyes, it also does a good job of covering redness and light scars. The concealer comes in a twistable pen topped with a sponge applicator. Just twist to release the concealer and then dab on to skin. I blend by tapping the area with my ring finger, but you can use the sponge if you prefer. I’ve taken to keeping some make-up wipes at the side of my bed for those evenings I forget to remove my make-up. At the moment, I’m using Image Skincare’s I BEAUTY Refreshing Facial Wipes (£12.40). They make short work of foundation, mascara and eyeshadow, and the added aloe vera leaves skin feeling refreshed. They’re also biodegradable (although, as with all wipes, they should never be flushed), see www.imageskincare.co.uk

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delicious! bewith Slimming World NEW CONSULTANT

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Health

When Your Job is a Pain

How to minimise work-induced injury Whether we work at a desk or in manual job, we can often develop pain or injury relating to our work. Two of the most common are neck and lower back pain. Back pain is the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading cause of long-term sickness and is responsible for over 15 million sick days per year. Many aches and niggles can be related to repetitive strain, caused by doing a task over and over, or from prolonged and incorrect posture. In most cases it is a combination of factors which lead to pain, and symptoms can be hugely improved through the right exercise, physiotherapy and some simple lifestyle changes. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re regularly in a position which is not good for your body, it can start to wear down and cause injury. But you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to accept this as an inevitable consequence of work. Simple changes like obtaining a new chair, or setting up your work station correctly can have a positive impact. There are also exercises that we can do throughout the day which can help increase mobility and prevent injury. These exercises concentrate on ensuring a strong mobile thoracic spine, which promotes good posture while minimising the chance of injury. The thoracic spine is at the centre of our ability to move freely. If it

becomes stiff then this impacts on our lower back, our neck and our shoulders and arms. Shoulder rolls are excellent. Roll one at a time forward and then backward, then both together. Spinal rotation is also good. Lift your arms in front of you to shoulder height, bent at the elbows fingertips almost touching, then twist gently to the right and the left several times, trying to turn a little further each time without straining. Try some pectoral stretches by placing your hands behind your head and lacing your fingers together. Draw both elbows back to open the shoulders and ribcage. Hold the position for fifteen seconds. These exercises can be done easily while sitting or standing at your desk so do them three or four times per day. At home you can try a pelvic tilt. Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent. Flatten your back against the floor by tightening your abdominal muscles and bending your pelvis up slightly. Hold for up to 10 seconds. This about optimising your work place. Flexible sit/stand desks are becoming more popular. A sit/ stand desk is one that allows the user to alternate between sitting and standing by being able to lower or raise the work surface. By being able to alternate sitting and standing, users can vary their body position more often which is better for spine health. Small adjustments to both your work space and your approach to posture can help ensure that you remain pain-free and productive for longer.

By Louise Addison

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Local News

Join us to beat heartbreak in Bedfordshire Do you enjoy working with others? Could you help raise money to fund life-saving research? The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is calling on the people of Bedfordshire to help accelerate the fight against heart disease by becoming a Volunteer in your community and raising money for lifesaving research. Our research starts with the heart but it doesn’t stop there. Heart disease, stroke, vascular dementia and diabetes are all connected and are more likely to take the people we love than anything else. Our life-saving research only happens because of people just like you.

How you can get involved We have many community volunteer opportunities, something to suit everyone; • Join a local Fundraising Group and organise events within your community. • Manage our collection tins within your local area. • Become an In Memoriam Secretary and support those remembering someone close to them. • Provide talks to clubs, associations, schools on the work of the BHF and how they can get involved. What we can offer you • A comprehensive induction to the BHF and Training for the role • An opportunity to meet others and fundraise together to beat heart disease • A volunteer pack and ongoing support from us • Flexibility to fit the role around your time and lifestyle • Reimbursement of expenses related to your volunteering

For more information on how you can support the BHF contact Sarah Cunningham BHF Fundraising Manager for Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Email: cunninghamsa@bhf.org.uk Tel: 07741 640182

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Fall back in love with your hair @the hair exchange Blunham. Michele Clayton, owner, would like to introduce her wonderful new stylist to The Hair Exchange. Come and visit this lovely refurbished salon. We operate an appointment only system to offer outstanding customer care with 100% dedication to you. We use the finest award winning Joico products delivering the very best in hair care. What are you waiting for..... Scan me now. Choose an amazing June offer from our Just for you page. Great hair does not happen by chance but by appointment. Make yours now. Call or text us to secure your offer.

See you soon

Call: 07949 925375 or 01767 640181 Email: contactthehairexchange@gmail.com Website: www.thehairexchange.co.uk The Hair Exchange, Station Road, Blunham, Beds MK44 3NZ

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Local News

Let’s Fight Fatigue & Pain!

If you or someone you know has exhaustion and chronic pain, come along to a free drop-in event on Saturday 29th June. Between 12pm and 2pm anyone is welcome to find out more about Fighting Fatigue & Pain, a project run by Letchworth charity Herts MS Therapy Centre. Extreme fatigue and chronic pain can result from many conditions, including Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and ME – and many others. The Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth helps anyone with a long term condition, not just Multiple Sclerosis. It offers Physiotherapy, Oxygen Therapy, APS Pain Reduction Therapy and specialist exercise sessions to help people improve their quality of life. Oxygen Therapy helps some people recover faster after injury, surgery and cancer treatments. It’s also great for increasing energy. Some people find it reduces pain, especially people with Fibromyalgia and CFS. On 29th June, free test sessions are available. Rachel B says: “Without my Oxygen Treatment in Letchworth I would still be in agony from Fibromyalgia and probably jobless and depressed. I can’t even begin to explain what a difference it has made for me.” Nicki H has MS. She adds: “Also, it’s great to meet other people who have an idea of what you’re going through. It’s nice to have a chat with other people at the Centre.” Mark Boscher, the Chief Executive of Herts MS Therapy Centre added: “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. Please come on Saturday 29th June.” To book your free test session, call Claire on 01462 684214 or email openday@hmstc.net

Fighting Fatigue & Pain: Free Event Saturday 29th June 2019, 12pm – 2pm Visit to find out about:

• Oxygen Therapy

(may accelerate healing, boost energy, reduce pain)

• APS Pain Reduction Therapy • Specialist physio and group exercise sessions (tailored to people with medical conditions)

Free test sessions available – book your place now!

Fighting Fatigue & Pain

We’re at Herts MS Therapy Centre, 30 Campus Five, Letchworth, SG6 2JF. Just turn up! For more details call Claire on 01462 684 214.

www.hertsmstherapy.org.uk

Hertfordshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre is Charity 299524 and Company 2215165 Registered Office 30 Campus Five, Letchworth, Herts SG6 2JF

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Welcome to the New You! Wouldn’t it be nice to turn back the years? Well, now you can.

My exciting range of non-surgical treatments may be just the answer. I offer the very latest dermal fillers and wrinkle removing treatments that will leave you feeling revitalised with a new air of confidence. Simply phone me to arrange a free and no-obligation discreet consultation at my private clinic in the rural Bedfordshire village of Cople to discuss your personal requirements.

Wrinkle removing treatments Dermal fillers Lip enhancements

Arrange a free consultation 01234 838980 07773 553055

Call me on either or email hello@donnasmall.com or visit my website at www.donnasmall.com where you can see my before and after pictures along with testimonials from very satisﬁed customers. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

EMERGENCY DENTURE REPAIRS

Fashion On The Farm

1 HOUR SERVICE 01767 651439 07973 141862

Lots of great offers in store and on line

Lingerie, Nightwear and Outerwear

REPAIR OR A CLEAN AND POLISH ON YOUR DENTURES BY A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN COLLECTION AND DELIVERY ALSO AVAILABLE

Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm

Parking outside the Door !!

Unit 24, High Barns Farm, Roxton, Bedford, MK44 3ET

01234 871901

www.suzannecharles.co.uk

nture repairs 1/4 page.indd 1

CONTRACT and CARE HOME SUPPLY

09/09/2016 16:42

ENABLING PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION EVERYWHERE

Electric Wheelchairs From £999

Mobility Scooter From £499

Tel: 01767 220418 Wheelchairs From £59 Committed to providing the highest quality scooters, wheelchairs and mobility products, with exceptional customer service and support at the best prices.

Rise and Recline Chairs From £495 Adjustable Beds From £399

Visit www.midbedsmobility.org for full range 42

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Health

The Impact of Stress and Ways to Manage it A UK-wide survey, carried out in 2018, found that almost three-quarters of adults (73%) had, at some point over the year before, felt so stressed that they were overwhelmed or unable to cope. The study was commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation and is believed to be the largest and most comprehensive stress survey ever carried out across the UK with 4,619 people taking part. Sometimes stress can be a positive force, motivating you to perform well at a given time, on a critical work task, for example. But more often than not stress is a negative force. When we feel stressed adrenaline kicks in immediately to help prepare you for a physical response – your heart pumps faster, your breathing rate picks up and more blood flows to your muscles. You are primed for action. About ten minutes later, cortisol is released. Cortisol helps to maintain those high energy levels by turning stored fat and carbohydrates into simple fats and sugars to use as fuel to deal with the ‘crisis’. It also sharpens our senses before assisting with the physiological ‘return to normal’ process. You are primed for action but then there is no action. If your stress response doesn’t stop firing, and these stress levels stay elevated far longer than is necessary for survival, it can take a toll on your health. Chronic stress can cause a variety of symptoms

and can affect your overall well-being. Symptoms of chronic stress include: • Irritability • Anxiety • Depression • Headaches • Insomnia Women who are stressed are more likely than men who are stressed to experience depression and anxiety. What can we do to help ourselves? We can try and take more control by understanding the impact our lifestyle is having on our health. The following wellness changes can help: • Deep breathing exercises. • Meditation or mindfulness. • Take time for yourself. • Get enough sleep. • Eat the right foods – eat foods with B vitamins, such as bananas, fish, avocados, chicken, and dark green, leafy vegetables. Studies show that B vitamins can help relieve stress by regulating nerves and brain cells. • Get moving, even just moving away form your desk and outside for a few minutes can help. • Talk to friends or family. • Get professional help. For more tips and advice go to http://www.womenshealthhub.co.uk

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ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS AND BUILDING SURVEYING SERVICES Professional Affordable Free Advice/ Estimates

Before

Large scale plan printing service also available

After

Contact Jason Dixon:

01767 677540 or 07908 004816 info@dixonsd.com www.dixonsd.com

EBAY COLLECTIONS

Local & Reliable

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Local News

Waresley Cricket Club vs MCC at Waresley Park Cricket Ground Sunday 23 June 2019 from 11.30am

In 1869, Octavius Duncombe, owner of Waresley Park gave permission to Edward Crawley, tenant of Wood Farm to form a Cricket team and a match against Gamlingay was arranged. Over the following 150 years, we have grown from a small village team to a large thriving club with three adult and eight junior sides (including two girls teams) playing in leagues throughout Hunts, Beds & Cambs. We also run All Stars sessions for 5 to 8 year olds to introduce very young children to the game. To commemorate the anniversary of our foundation, Waresley CC is pleased to announce that we have been honoured with a fixture against the most famous club in the world, the Marylebone Cricket Club! At this game, which gets underway at 11.30 am, we will be celebrating our long history and look forward to welcoming visitors for all or part of the day. We have a lovely ground in the middle of the countryside, a great place to spend a summer’s day, even if you have never been to a cricket match before – come up & have a look! Waresley is situated 2 miles north of Gamlingay on the B1040 – the ground will be signposted. There is free entry & parking, the bar will be open and a barbecue and refreshments will be available throughout the day. For more details, look us up on Facebook & Twitter or email waresleycc@hotmail.co.uk.

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Finance

Short-term or long-term mortgage It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of mortgage products available, and the trend towards offering non-traditional mortgage terms doesn’t help when you’re trying to decide which loan is best. Banks and building societies are increasingly offering longer-term mortgages lasting 30 or 40 years alongside the ‘standard’ 25-year term with which many of us are familiar. Shorter-term mortgages of 15 years or so are also available, so what are the pros and cons of short-term and long-term mortgages, and which might be better for you? Why choose a short-term mortgage? Short-term mortgages have higher monthly repayments, but you’ll pay considerably less interest overall. If you’re able to put down a large deposit, you don’t need to borrow as much money, which is just one instance where short-term mortgages might be a good idea. An additional advantage is that, if you’ve been able to repay your mortgage sooner than later, the equity in your property will also grow faster. The initial consideration if you’re thinking about a short-term mortgage, however, is whether you can keep up repayments over this period. Can you afford a short-term mortgage? Your monthly budget will dictate whether it’s possible to repay your mortgage over a shorter period of time than the standard term, but you need to be very careful not to overstretch yourself financially. Also bear in mind the potential interest rate rises in the future, particularly considering the low rates we’ve enjoyed for more than a decade. In other words, the only direction interest rates are likely

to go is up, so it might be worthwhile considering mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) to cover your repayments if you fall ill or lose your job. Why choose a long-term mortgage? You might choose a long-term mortgage to benefit from lower monthly payments. Perhaps you’re more at ease knowing you can comfortably afford the repayments on your biggest asset, and feel it’s worthwhile despite the extra interest you’ll pay over the course of the loan term. It’s also beneficial if you need a high loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage. Another consideration with long-term mortgages is your age, as although long-term mortgages are becoming more mainstream, some lenders still don’t offer this type of mortgage term if it means it will take the borrower into their retirement years. On the other hand, younger applicants looking for their first property might have no problem in obtaining a mortgage with a duration of upwards of 35 years. So what are the main benefits and drawbacks of lengthier mortgages? Pros of a long-term mortgage • Monthly repayments are lower. • Interest rate rises will have less impact. • You may be able to secure a higher loan-to-value ratio. Cons of a long-term mortgage • It takes longer to repay. • You pay more interest overall. • You may be refused on age grounds. Affordability is the keyword when thinking about mortgages – hopefully between you and your lender, you’ll be able to find the right length of mortgage term and feel able to repay every month without too much difficulty.

By Ann Haldon

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VIRTUAL PA / GIRL FRIDAY

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

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

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

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

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

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With a spacious working showroom in the heart of Bedford, P & R Interiors is a local family-run firm that provides inspirational modern design and cost-effective solutions for both kitchens and bathrooms.

A stylish bathroom to suit your current needs…. With our ageing population, an increasing number of us are less mobile. P & R Interiors can design, supply and fit an up-to-the-minute bath or shower room which also discretely incorporates function and practicality for the less able. The best news is that many of these features are currently right on trend - from flush-to-floor shower trays and wet rooms, to walk-in showers with fixed glass screens – and built using the latest materials. Managing Director Paul Kynoch, who has decades of experience in the trade, explains: “We believe that simplicity and ease of use are key. Less mobile people may need a higher-level toilet or a lower access bath. Our basins and toilets can be hung at a custom height to suit every need. We have baths with a door, or showers with screens that open outwards to help prevent falls. “There are 54 working bays in our showroom that are constantly being updated. So, you can come in, see

exactly what you are buying and experience firsthand how it works. We supply, and can fit, your entire bathroom.” P & R Interior’s own dedicated installation team can work on the supervised installation of your bathroom while adhering to local authority guidelines. Safety is paramount, and designs incorporate safety glass, thermostatically safe showers and non-slip floors. Such is the design quality of the bathrooms, that accessories for the less able such as a wall-mounted fold-down shower seat, work seamlessly with the installation to be barely noticeable. Fold-down grab bars beside the toilet and sturdy shower rails that double up as supports all help make daily bathing the hassle-free pleasure it should be. It’s worlds away from the disabled bathrooms found in hospitals and care homes. It is also now possible to install low level lighting under the bath that comes on automatically when you enter the bathroom at night. Hidden behind a two-way mirror that gives the illusion of flooring stretching beneath a ‘floating’ bath, the effect is as stunning as it is practical. This is the beauty of these safety and mobility features - they are so unobtrusively stylish, no one will notice you need that bit of extra help as they will simply be admiring your bathroom! Materials have moved on apace since the era of acrylic baths in ‘avocado’. Now there are high quality

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resins that produce super thin shower trays and beautiful ‘tapless’ baths. Towel rails can be colour matched to cabinets for as little as £100 extra. If you’re not a fan of wall tiles (although P & R Interiors carries a vast range), you can have waterproof panels instead. And if you have a smaller bathroom - as many of us do - then you will find P & R Interior’s wide but shallow depth basin units fit perfectly and provide spaciousness.

…and a kitchen to meet your future ones

Following customer demand, the fitted kitchen displays are now an integral part of the business meaning that when you visit P & R Interiors, you are only a step away from having your dream kitchen. Top quality German and English-style kitchens are available to suit every budget and the company offers a free 3D software design package that Paul describes as ‘photographic’. Specialising in high-tech German designed kitchens from Pronorm alongside more traditional-style English kitchens from JJO Plc, far from being out of most people’s pockets, P & R Interiors can often match trade prices and will always work to your budget. “It’s really unusual for us not be able to come up with

a solution for you” says Andrew Groom who has 20 years’ experience under his belt. Germany is the industry trendsetter in kitchen colours and design - and high street retailers eventually follow suit. Pronorm epitomises the elegance of a true ‘handleless’ kitchen. With its expansive, sleek cupboard fronts and modern electrically-operated doors - including ‘glass climbers’ that magically fold up like Venetian blinds - their kitchens are state-of-the-art. In years to come, we will all have convenient pull-down shelves and smart, hygienic ceramic or glass inserts on our cupboard fronts, but for now, Pronorm sets the bar. As with bathrooms, kitchen materials are better and more durable than ever. You can have traditional granite in a gloss or leathered finish, quartz or Corian worktops, and now there are other finishes to choose from including Hi-Macs, and Staron. One of the latest worktop materials is Dekton. Described as ‘bomb proof’, it doesn’t stain or mark, is 100% hygienic, and heat resistant. It has been described as the ‘most scratch resistant surface on the market’. Finish off your design with mood enhancing, colourchanging lights and you really will have a kitchen of the future. P & R Bathrooms provides design and full installation or supply only. There is a five-year guarantee on all AEG Premier Partner exclusive products and a 10year guarantee on all kitchens. Both trade and retail are welcome.

P & R Interiors, 9 Lurke Street, Bedford MK40 3HZ Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00 pm Saturdays 10.00am to 4.00pm Tel: 0845 434 8401 Email: sales@pandrbathrooms.co.uk www.pandrinteriors.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Garden View

Sitting Sustainably One of the great pleasures in life has to be sitting outside on a summer evening, glass of wine in hand, gazing in reverie at your precious plot. But what are you sitting on? Is your furniture environmentally friendly? What about that lovely decking, or your garden shed? As gardeners we have a responsibility which extends far beyond our boundary. Trees are vital to the planet. They convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and act as environmental filters, offsetting the effects of pollution. They also provide a habitat for birds and animals. Like many gardeners I take a keen interest in environmental matters so it came as a shock when I read recently that that every year our tiny island imports more unsustainably produced wood than anywhere else in the world! A good proportion of this wood is used to make garden buildings, furniture, fencing and decking. I was thrilled, therefore, to read about the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and their certification programme for sustainable produced and sourced wood? The FSC was founded in 1993, in response to public concern about deforestation. The council devised a wood-labelling scheme which allows a product to be traced right back down the supply chain from the consumer to its source. Any product bearing the FSC logo is guaranteed

By Rachael Leverton

to be from forests which are carefully managed to conserve biodiversity and support local communities. Unfortunately not all garden suppliers stock products which are FSC approved. So we need to demand that they do. The world’s forests are in decline. Some tropical hardwoods are already on the verge of extinction, and temperate forests in the northern hemisphere are also suffering because of unregulated treefelling. As a gardener and lover of our environment I feel more comfortable knowing that I’m not contributing to the destruction of our planet. If you’re replacing your garden furniture this year, ask to see the FSC certified label.

Happy Gardening Q. Is it possible to be environmentally friendly when buying PVC furniture? A. Yes it is. Many companies are now producing furniture made from recycled PVCs. You’re no longer limited to the standard flimsy offerings either. It’s now possible to find sturdy benches and picnic tables. Of course, the advantage of PVC is that it’s completely weatherproof; maintenance-free, and won’t rot, corrode or splinter!

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Gardening & Wildlife

Rural Ramblings Nasty Little Things Decided to have a bit of a moan today as I see, yet again, the dreaded orange beetles have returned to spend their time mating on my treasured lily bulb foliage and then scurrying into the crevices of the gap between stem and leaves to lay their eggs. The adults are not the problem but their offspring certainly are. They have the obnoxious habit of covering themselves with a disgusting layer of their waste I suppose to ward off any potential predator which would be more than willing to snap up a tasty morsel. The adults are bright orange and I would think that they are advertising the fact that they are not particularly good for eating. They can afford to be slow moving when someone tries to protect their plants and collect them. However, they can be quite elusive and once disturbed, make an attempt to hide in the foliage or drop off the leaves in an attempt to evade capture. All in all, cunning little creatures! The thing is, once the lilies are cleared of these unwelcome “guests”, within a couple of days another lot arrive. They must have an amazing sense of smell as I don’t think there are lilies being grown nearby. Well, that is the first pet hate but there are others! The next one is hated by many, especially late in the summer. If I said it was yellow and black and had wings I should think most people would correctly identify the culprit as a wasp. However, I especially dislike the “mother” which starts off the new colony in the spring. She looks like a larger than normal wasp but emerges from her winter hibernation in early spring. She can be seen searching out a nice little spot to start her new colony and ultimately cause consternation in late summer, when the numbers of her progeny increase dramatically. My tolerance for the queen wasp is, as you can imagine, not particularly high, especially when I see them trying to set up home close to habitation. Get rid of her and the wasp problem is no more! My third less than loved insect starts it’s life often in a dank murky pool. It feeds on any scrap of debris and eventually emerges as a flying insect with a particularly identifiable high pitched whine (as it approaches you for sustenance!) The lady of the species needs a little extra food in order to

By Geoff Wharton

lay her eggs and that is supplied as a blood meal from any animal willing to “supply” it. It is of course the mosquito. This tiny flying disaster has caused death and suffering on an immense scale. Fortunately for us living in cooler climates, the malarial parasite which is transmitted during feeding and causes the health problems, is not present in the species which live here. But I still hate them!!! The itchy lumps which develop after being bitten are bad enough although contracting malaria is a serious affair. I suppose the list could go on and on and we all have our own pet hates. Shall we now start thinking about something pleasant? After all, the dinosaurs are now extinct and at least we don’t have to worry about them!

Geoff Wharton Gardening Services Reliable, experienced, well qualified. General and specialist garden work: Jungle clearing, Pruning, Hedge and grass cutting, Regular maintenance, Licensed waste disposal. Full public liability cover. Geoff Wharton - BSC honours Hort.Science Email:geoffwharton@hotmail.com

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Local News

RSPB Volunteers Do you love nature? Could you give some of your time to help us give nature a home at your local RSPB nature reserve? The RSPB is holding a volunteer recruitment day at The Lodge nature reserve at Sandy on Saturday 1 June between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. The RSPB is the largest conservation charity in Europe. We have over 13,000 fantastic volunteers across the country, and they come from all walks of life. Between them, they contribute over a million hours each year. As we plan our visitor programme at The Lodge for the coming year, we would like more volunteers to join us. If you are friendly, confident talking to the public and able to inspire our visitors about the work of the RSPB, then we want to hear from you. We are looking for the following help with these volunteering roles; Visitor Welcome Assistants; Working in our visitor centre, where you will welcome our visitors and introduce them to the reserve, be able to enthuse people to support the RSPB as new members, and talk about the birds and wildlife found here at The

Garden Centre

Come and visit our friendly team for expert advice! Extensive outdoor plant area plus two large glasshouses bursting with: Seasonal perennials Homegrown plants Trees & Shrubs Seeds Bedding plants Gardening equipment ...and much more!

Lodge and our other reserves. For this role we are especially looking for help on Monday afternoons, Tuesday afternoons, Thursday afternoons, Saturdays and extra help at weekends and busy periods, such as school holidays. Car-park meet and greet weekend roles. We are looking for help to manage the flow of traffic to the car-parks at busy times and give a first welcome as visitors arrive. Visitor Survey volunteers. A flexible role to come in at busy periods and ask our visitors to complete a Visitor Survey. Must be friendly and confident in talking to the public. We also have opportunities for flexible part time work in our busy and friendly shop. Full training will be given and a uniform supplied for all of these roles. Pop in and meet us at the shop, near the reserve entrance, anytime between 11:30 and 1:00 and have a chat with us over a cuppa and biscuit to find out more. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make this date but are interested in volunteering for one of these roles at The Lodge, please contact Mark Brandon, Visitor Experience Manager, The Lodge nature reserve; mark.brandon@rspb.org.uk 01767 693253 RSPB The Lodge Nature Reserve and Gardens Potton Road, Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL Tel: 01767 693333

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Our services extend across Beds, Herts and Cambs from RS Fencing To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

Garden

Houseplant Heaven By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com Now is the time to give houseplants some TLC as they could do with some pampering! Check them over thoroughly and remove and dispose of any that are heavily infested with pests or infected by diseases. Once done, continue as follows… • Pick over remaining plants removing dead, damaged or discoloured leaves. Use sharp scissors, special ‘snips’ or miniature secateurs on tough leaf stems. • Houseplants usually respond well if repotted in late spring or very early summer, so if yours are pot-bound do this now. Check by carefully removing the plant from its pot – if the root system is quite congested, it’s usually time to move house. • When repotting, only move the plants up one pot size and use compost as similar as possible to their current compost. If in doubt, seek advice from your compost supplier. Ensure the compost is free-draining and that there are crocks at the base of the pot. Consider adding additional grit or perlite to improve drainage. • Once repotted, place plants in a cool, relatively stress-free environment for a week or two, away from hot or direct bright sunlight. Keep them adequately watered and the roots will move into the new compost. • Next, give them a bit of a bath, using wellmoistened kitchen roll or cotton wool to wipe the leaves clean. Many of the more glossy-leaved houseplants respond well to an application of leaf shine, but not all, so check before you start.

• Feed houseplants regularly – good fertilisers are available in garden centres. Choose those formulated specifically for the plants where possible, or those suitable for foliageor flowering houseplants. Specialist fertilisers are also available for cacti and African violets. • Plants that have just been potted on will not require feeding for a couple of months, but both recently replanted and more established houseplants need regular watering, particularly as they start to grow and if they are in a fairly warm or sunny position. • Don’t place plants in too sunny a spot – they can get too hot or suffer from leaf scorching if placed too close to a south- or west-facing window. Use an east- or north-facing windowsill where possible, or at least move them further back from the glass. Most houseplants benefit from being placed in dappled shade in the garden, and they should thrive provided you keep them fed and watered. • If treating yourself to new houseplants, make sure that the plant is well-suited to the position that you have lined up for it – it’s tempting to buy those that do well in really sunny situations, but if you only have a fairly shady windowsill it will suffer immensely over the winter months. Visit www.pippagreenwood.com for advice, natural pest controls, stylish cloches, pretty plant supports, gardening tools and more. Or book Pippa for a gardening talk at your club.

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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

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Pets

Rehoming Appeal

Jinx

Can you help find a new home for this lovely young cat? A safe home on a farm or stable yard is needed for this little girl. Jinx is approx. 6-8 months old. She has been neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. She is very nervous with people would benefit from a home where she can have some freedom and develop her mouse hunting skills! If you would like to find out more about Jinx please contact Liz on 01767 681157. 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. You can also see photographs and details of the animals in our care in our charity shop in Hitchin Street, Biggleswade SG18 8AX. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

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Pets

Animal Stories The large majority of the animals that come into our care at RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch come from National RSPCA Inspectorate from within our area. These animals are always our main priority, however we will always try and help members of the public wherever and however we can. Mocha and Biscuit came into our care back in April after the Branch was contacted by a member of the public asking for help. Their previous owners could no longer keep them due to a change in family circumstances, therefore had made the difficult decision to rehome the tabby duo. Both approximately five years old, this beautiful pair were previously kept as indoor cats where they had the run of the home, however they are quite inquisitive, so we fell they could go to a new home where they are able to explore a secure garden. They are both very friendly and would suit almost any family. Mocha, the male of the pair, will however need slightly more special treatment than Biscuit due to a urinary problem he had back in 2017. Although this causes him no issues and the problem has never reoccurred, he will need to stay on his special diet and supplements. He is a big boy weighing 6.7kg but is an absolute teddy bear! For more information about Mocha and Biscuit, or to enquire about rehoming these lovely tabbies, contact the Branch by emailing adopt@ rspcabedsnorth.org.uk or phoning 01234 266965.

RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch will always try and help members of the public with their pets in the best way that we can, but something that is always readily available is help for cat neutering. It is so important for cats, male and female, to be spayed or castrated. For females, apart from the most obvious, preventing pregnancies, spaying can also avoid females coming into season and therefore attracting unwanted make attention. It also prevents the risk of uterus infections. For males castration can significantly reduce urine marking and roaming, but can also prevent the risk of testicular cancer. Despite these health benefits, neutering isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always the most affordable procedure, so Bedfordshire North Branch can help. We can offer neutering vouchers to use at participating local vets in the area, to be put towards the cost of a cat spay or castration. The vouchers are worth ÂŁ30 and any remaining veterinary costs are to be covered by the applicant. Applicants must be in receipt of benefits or on a low income to qualify for neutering help. To request help, or for further information including eligibility for the scheme, contact the Branch by emailing info@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk or phoning 01234 226965.

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Pets

Ask Alan What is BOAS?

French bulldogs, Pugs, and English bulldogs are lovely, characterful dogs but are brachycephalic (flat faced). They can suffer from BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) which is a syndrome caused by changes associated with a very shortened muzzle and upper jaw. This can have a severe impact on affected dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives and some dogs struggle to breathe even at rest. There is now a scheme for improving the quality of life of future generations by encouraging breeding from dogs that breathe more normally. The Kennel Club and the University of Cambridge have a scoring system in place for these breeds so please talk to your breeder about the parents scores when you select a puppy. Flat faced dogs are very appealing, and can make wonderful pets, and please be aware that there is information to help you make an informed choice, if you are in any way unsure please come and talk to us before committing to a puppy. If you already have a dog that has breathing difficulty, we are happy to see them and give advice or treatment to make their lives more comfortable. We hope for sunshine so that you can make the most of the outdoors with your pets this summer! From all of us at Potton Vets. Best wishes

Alan

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

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ACE PEST CONTROL Fast, efficient, friendly service with very competitive rates Available - 7 days a week Local company. Established 30 years We specialise in all pest problems especially WASPS 5 Google rating

Phone: 01767 627417 Web: acepestcontrolbeds.co.uk

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Motoring

Driverless Cars Explained

Driverless cars are a hot motoring topic, with manufacturers, politicians and transport chiefs all talking about them. But what are they, and what do they mean for the future of motoring? The Government predicts that driverless cars could be in full use on the UK’s roads by 2021. Are they safe? The safety of autonomous vehicles was questioned after a woman was killed while crossing the road in front of a self-driving vehicle in Arizona. The issue is the cohabitation of road users and the driverless vehicles – until people are sure how to interact with them, accidents will still happen. Which manufacturers currently offer some level of autonomous assistance? You’ll find some partial self-driving technology in cars from Audi, BMW, Citroen, DS, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo. Most cars do incorporate the technology, but it can include features such as adaptive cruise control.

Levels of autonomy - The various levels of autonomous assistance are categorised from one to five. Here’s what they mean. Level 1 - Introduced 1990s/00s This base level means that just one element of the driving process is taken over by the car – but the driver is still very much in charge. This level of assistance is mature now and was pioneered by early cruise control systems. Level 2 - Present day Level 2 autonomy represents pretty much where we are today. Computers can deal with multiple functions, so the car can take control of steering, throttle and brake functions – but the driver must show they’re in charge of the car by putting a hand on the steering wheel. Level 3 - Estimated 2020 At level 3 all of the safety-critical functions can be controlled by the car, but the driver must still be able to intervene if necessary – this isn’t completely ‘hands-off’ technology yet. Level 4 - Mid 2020s Level 4 sees cars capable of being fully autonomous, albeit in selected areas – most likely inner-city ones. Dedicated lane markings and infrastructure will be required to

ensure that the cars keep on the straight and narrow, too. Complex mapping systems will combine with advanced cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence to determine where the car should go. The driver may have to intervene at certain points, but for the most part it’ll mean hands-free driving. Level 5 - Late 2020s/early 2030s Level 5 will see the vehicles derestricted – they will be capable of driving anywhere, without the need for a driver. There won’t be a need for a steering wheel or traditional ‘controls’; these vehicles will be fully capable of operating themselves. It’ll free up space inside the cars, so they’ll probably look more like lounges on wheels. That’s what we predict, anyway. Timeline predictions This timeline is based on predictions by many different manufacturers, though most agree that the bulk of progress will happen between 2020 and 2030. It’s a real technology race at the moment – each company is attempting to develop their own systems quicker than the rest. It’s why these dates are estimations – some may get there sooner than others.

By James Baggott

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Food & Drink

BBQ Buffalo Chicken Wings

with a Blue Cheese Dip It’s amazing how many careers in food come about as a result of a big career change. People leave the rat race and set up a café, a cake making business, a food truck or a restaurant, making quality of life their key criteria. Although most say they’ve never worked harder than they now do in their new food career, they’ll also say they’ve never had more fun. One such man is Harp Gill, who left a stressful career in recruitment in the City to set up a BBQ and smoking catering company in Milton Keynes called The Rub BBQ. He is passionate about smoking and cooking meats perfectly. These Buffalo wings are a true classic – tangy, sharp, spicy and devilishly moreish. Ingredients: 1kg chicken wings (prepared how you like, in 3, 2 or 1 wing configuration). For the dry rub  2 tbsp paprika powder 2 tbsp garlic powder  2 tbsp sea salt  2 tbsp ground pepper For the buffalo sauce  250ml apple cider vinegar  100ml distilled white vinegar  2 tbsp ground cayenne powder  3 tbsp cayenne pepper powder 1 tbsp garlic powder  1 tbsp salt  150g salted butter For the blue cheese dip  500g of your desired blue cheese crumbled as fine as possible 500g Greek yoghurt   A dash of lemon juice   1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil  1 tbsp milk salt and pepper to taste

1. Place the chicken wings in a bowl and add the dry rub ingredients. Mix everything together well to ensure all the pieces are equally covered. 2. Cover with cling film and place in a fridge overnight (or for at least for 2 hours). 3. Place all of the sauce ingredients except the butter into a saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat. 4. Reduce to a simmer for between 20-25 minutes stirring occasionally. 5. Add the butter and simmer gently for a further 15 minutes. Place to the side once done. 6. To make the blue cheese dip, place all ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Pop it in the fridge until ready to serve. 7. Now it is time to grill the wings. Place them skin side down over a hot BBQ and cook until the skin starts bubbling (5-8 minutes) and then turn them over for a further 1-2 minutes or until done. 8. Pop the buffalo sauce in a bowl and roll the wings in it, giving it a good coating. 9. Return them to the grill for a further minute to crisp up the sauce and then give them one final coating of the sauce (without grilling them again). They are ready to serve now. 10. Serve with the blue cheese dip and a stick of celery. These give a real wow factor at any family BBQ and make a perfect starter or lunch snack. NB: This recipe can also be done in the oven should you not have access to a BBQ. Cook the wings for an hour at 180C/ Gas Mark 4, covered with foil. The final glazing process can be done under a hot grill.

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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JL Oil Heating

OFTECH registered and insured

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

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MELTON

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Great Outdoors

Technology

Technology for long summer nights

The combination of long nights and nice weather means it’s time to head outdoors – and technology can help make the outdoors even greater and the light nights even brighter. Thanks to Bluetooth speakers, your music can go outside with you, but it’s wise to get a waterproof one just in case. We really like Denon’s DSB-250BT, which has really high-quality music streaming and great sound. It’s pricier than some rival devices at around £129, but it looks good indoors as well as out. For something a bit more portable to take to the beach or hotel pool, the UE Wonderboom goes for around £55 and includes something most Bluetooth speakers don’t: an inflatable ring so you can listen to it in the water. Another great gadget for outdoor entertaining is the solar LED light. LEDs use tiny amounts of energy so it doesn’t take much sunlight to give them enough charge for hours of illumination.

We’d recommend looking for warm white LEDs, which have a more yellow cast than the traditional blue ones: the light is warmer-looking and closer to incandescent bulbs, whereas bright white ones look a bit like car headlights. Expect to pay around £2 for a single LED post, rising to around £20 for a nice string of lights and £30 for a solar lamppost. If you’d rather have something brighter and more flexible, Philips has added garden lighting to its iPhone/Android-controlled Hue system, which also works with smart home devices such as Amazon Echo. The lights enable you to create ‘recipes’ for different effects as well as control each light individually, and while they’re still quite expensive – a coloured wall light is currently £100 on Amazon – they’re very well made and work brilliantly. In the UK no matter how nice the day, the nights can get cold very quickly. If you’re considering garden heating, don’t go for a

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gas heater: they’re incredibly wasteful because they heat the air around them whether there are people there or not. It’s a much better idea to get an infra-red heater, which costs a lot less to run. Expect to pay around £70 for a wall-mounted model and around £120 for a tabletop model such as Charles Bentley’s 2000W electric outdoor patio heater. If you’re heating food rather than people, technology can even help with the humble barbecue: clip-on LED lights enable you to cook in the dark, while Bluetooth thermometers enable you to check on the food temperature without opening the lid and letting heat escape. You can get a no-name version for around £20, but if brand names are important then Weber’s basic iGrill is currently £56. The all-singing, alldancing iGrill 3 has two probes instead of one, enabling you to check on two things at once, and retails at just under £100.

n O s ’ t Wha 1 June 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 are held on the first Saturday of every month except January. Weekly “Open Door” (tea/coffee, chat and browse various stalls) on Mondays (not Bank Holidays), Wednesdays and Fridays 10-11.30am. All welcome. Tel: 01767 261138 for further info Until 2 June Chilterns Walking Festival The programme includes over 70 guided walks, events and activities covering the whole of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which stretches from Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire into Hertfordshire. Details can be found online. Most are free though some require a small fee. To assist walk leaders with expected numbers, most events must be pre-booked. Web: www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest 2 June Spring into Summer Bedford Brass Concert 3pm St Edmunds & St James Church, Blunham Ticket £5. The concert will include Jersey Boys selection, Abba Gold, East Coast Pictures, The Earl of Oxford’s March, Tameside Overture and many more. Tickets available on the door. 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26 & 28 June ‘Open Door’ 10-11.30am Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street Tea/coffee, chat and browse various stalls on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All welcome. Tel: 01767 261138 for further info 3, 10, 17 & 24 June Hare & Hounds Hash House Harriers 7.30pm H5 are a social running and walking club for mixed abilities, meeting every week in the Bedfordshire area. The trail is set from a local pub and typically lasts 1 hour covering between 3 and 4 miles. Family and dog friendly. Email: info@h5hashers.org.uk Web: www.H5hashers.org.uk 3, 10, 17 & 24 June Branch Out Social Club for Single People 8.30-11pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Branch Out meets every Monday night and is a medium-sized Social Club for single people from the Herts, Beds and Bucks area. The club organises regular events, day and weekend trips and holidays. Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 www.branch-out.org.uk 4 June Hatley Coffee Morning 10am-1pm Hatley Village Hall Come along for a chat, coffee/tea and a slice of cake. Everyone welcome. Donations on the day - split between Hatley Village Hall and Hatley St George Church. First Tuesday of the every month.

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

In June

4 June Potton Ladies Club 7.30pm Mill Lane Pavilion, Mill Lane, Potton Visitors £5 inc. light refreshments. Talk by Ian Scott Hunter on ‘My Life as a Royal Footman’. Visitors welcome. Tel: Sarah Burgoine 01767 631415 Email: sarahjburgoine@gmail.com

5, 12, 19 & 26 June Ivel Bereavement Support Centre 10am-12 noon The Community Rooms, Baptist Church, 24 London Road, Biggleswade Has a loved one died? Are you struggling coming to terms with it? Perhaps we can help you at our drop in centre on Wednesdays.Tel: Linda 07704734225

4, 11, 18 & 25 June Biggleswade Board Game Group 7.30-10.30pm George’s Hall, 67 High Street, Biggleswade Meet every Tuesday to play modern board games. New and experienced players welcome. Facebook: Biggleswade Board Game Group

6, 13, 20 & 27 June Moo Music Sandy, Biggleswade & Shefford 10-10.40am Sutton Village Hall Music and movement classes for 0-5 year olds. First session free. Tel: 07981 825654 Email: Heather sandymoo@moo-music.co.uk Web: www.moo-music.co.uk/sbs Facebook: www.facebook.com/moomusicsandy

4, 11, 18 & 25 June Phoenix Chorus 7.45-10.15pm Potton Lower School Phoenix A Capella Chorus meets every Tuesday. Visitors always welcome. Tel: Sarah 07842 101799 Email: pro@phoenixladies.co.uk Web: https://phoenixladies.co.uk

6, 13, 20 & 27 June Amici Singers 7.30-9.45pm Trinity Methodist Church, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade Membership £15 per term (£45 per year) The Amici Singers welcome everyone to join our 4, 11, 18 & 25 June ladies Choir. We are a very friendly group of ladies Biggleswade Ivel Badminton Club who meet on Thursday evenings under the Direction 8-10.30pm Biggleswade Recreation Centre of Douglas Coombes MBE. We welcome all voices (Stratton Leisure Centre) and ages and there aren’t any auditions. If you are £3 per night. Seeking competitive badminton players interested to join please contact any choir member wishing to play in local leagues. Visitors welcome. or Carole Tel: 01767 2603661 Email: IvelBC@hotmail.com Facebook.com/IvelBC 7, 14, 21 & 28 June 5 June Get Fit Keep Fit Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Group 9.30-10.30am Moggerhanger Village Hall 1pm Princess Charlotte Room, Shuttleworth £5. Join Tina or Josh as they take you through a Visitors £5 inc. raffle ticket. ‘Buccaneers at Red Flag’ light-hearted sequence with a warm-up, exercises with Keith Breadmore. The Group meets on the designed to improve muscular fitness, brain cofirst Wednesday of every month. Enjoy lunch in the ordination, balance and general well-being, then a Shuttleworth restaurant. Free parking. cool-down. Tel: Tony or Judith on 01767 640124 Email: 99aegr@gmail.com Web: www.a-e-g.org.uk 7, 14, 21 & 28 June 5 June Lego Club 3.45-5.00pm Potton Library Sandy Night Owls Women’s Institute Love Lego? Come along and get building! Every 7.30pm Sandy Conservative Club Friday afternoon. A new group which meets on the first Wednesday of each month (except August). Guests very welcome. 7, 14, 21 & 28 June Email: sandynightowlswi@gmail.com Sandy Ukulele Group 7-9pm Baptist Chapel Hall, Bedford Road, Sandy 5, 12, 19 & 26 June Meets every Friday. Visitors welcome. Mums and Dads Coffee Morning Email: sandyukulelegroup1@gmail.com 9-10am Moggerhanger Church Web: www.sandyukulelegroup.com Bring your pre-school children with you. Toys available in the church. Tea/coffee, juice, biscuits £1 8 June with fruit juice for your pre-school children. Sandy Carnival Field events 1pm, Parade 1.30pm 5, 12, 19 & 26 June Sandye Place Academy Moo Music Sandy, Biggleswade & Shefford Free admission. Parade starts at 1.30pm from 10-10.40am Sandy Methodist Church Western Way. Field events on Sandye Place Academy Music and movement classes for 0-5 year olds. First grounds where there will be stalls, fairgrounds and session free. Tel: 07981 825654 arena acts to entertain throughout the afternoon. Email: Heather sandymoo@moo-music.co.uk Free admission but a small donation will help to Web: www.moo-music.co.uk/sbs continue to run this wonderful event for the people Facebook: www.facebook.com/moomusicsandy of Sandy. No dogs are allowed on the grounds. Tel Hayley Stewart 01767 223911 for more info

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n O s ’ t Wha 8 & 9 June East Anglian Model Railway Exhibition Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm The Arena, Kettering Conference Centre, Thurston Drive, Kettering Adults £8, Children £4, Family (2+2) £20. Layouts in all popular scales. Trade stands and demonstrations. Free vintage bus transfers from Kettering railway station. Ample free parking with disabled access. Tickets available online. Web: www.stneotsmrc.com 9 June Old Warden Village Gardens Open 2-5pm Adults £6, Children free. In aid of the National Garden Scheme and St Leonard’s Church, Old Warden. Old Warden, with its picturesque cottages, medieval church and charming pub, is one of the prettiest villages in Bedfordshire. Many of the houses were built by the 3rd Lord Ongley in the early 19th century in a Swiss alpine style. Further attractive buildings were added by the Shuttleworth family from the 1870s onwards. Six gardens are opening and represent a range of planting styles. Most gardens are accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs but there are some steps, banks and gravel paths. Homemade teas. Plant Sales. 9 June Beeston Open Gardens 2-6pm Adults £4, Children free. Ten gardens will be open. Programmes will be available at the car park at the north end of the village, at the plant stall and at the teas. Delicious refreshments will be served all afternoon at 15 Orchard Road. Raffle. All proceeds benefit the local community and national charities.

14 & 28 June Craft and Chatter 7.30-10pm St Marys Church Hall, Potton £2.50 inc. refreshments. Bring your own project. Meet like-minded people and make new friends, help each other out with tips and advice. Web: www.facebook.com/craftandchatter 15 June Blunham Annual Rose Queen Fête 2-4 pm John Donne Lower School and St Edmunds or St James Church will be celebrating the Fête, a tradition which has been running for over 60 years. Procession starts from Park Lane at 2pm, followed by the crowning of the 2019 Rose Queen, dancing display by the school children, and the opening of the fête. Traditional stalls and attractions. For the gardeners amongst you there will be holding a ‘Best Garden Rose’ competition. Tel: John Donne Lower School 01767 640346 17 June Biggleswade Women’s Institute 10am The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Visitors £4. Meets on every third Monday of the month except August. Joan Cooper will talk about ‘Seated and Standing Flexibility’. Visitors welcome. Email: biggleswadewi@gmail.com 18 June Potton Writer’s Club 7-9pm Potton Community Centre £3. A friendly, informal group whose aim is to improve their writing through encouraging each other, and by regularly entering competitions. Tel: Tracey 07778 148030 Email: info pottonwriters@gmail.com

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

In June

27 June Biggleswade and District Flower Arrangement Society 7.30pm The Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade If you love flowers, we invite you to join us on the fourth Thursday of the month for “flowers and fellowship” where you will be able to relax with fellow enthusiasts and our guest demonstrators. Tel: Moira Fuller (Chairman) 01767 316104 28 & 29 June Williams Antiques & Restoration Showroom Open Days & Tea Room 10am-4pm Tythe Farm, School Lane, Colmworth Free admission. Free parking. Web: www.williamsantiques.co.uk 29 & 30 June Sutton Flower Festival 2019 10.30am-5.30pm both days All Saints Church Free admission. Theme of ‘Simple Pleasures’. Refreshments will be available in church and a variety of stalls will be open from 1-5.30pm. Donations gratefully accepted. 30 June Mind Body & Soul Fair 10am-5pm Ibis Hotel, The Forum, Danestrete, Stevenage £3.50. Around 70 stands including mediums, therapists, exhibitors, arts, crafts, skincare, jewellery, wellbeing and much more. Speakers throughout the day. Email: karen@whitefeatherevents.com

30 June Sandy Cricket Club Family Fun Day 11am-3pm Sunderland Road Recreation Ground, Sandy 10 June Free admission. Sandy Flower Club In association with the ICC World Cup Cricket. Fun 7.30pm Conservative Bowls Club Pavilion (Rear and games, go karts, Kwik Cricket/diamond cricket of the Conservative Club, Bedford Road) 20 June for an introduction to the sport for our younger Visitors £5. The Flower Club meets second Monday Biggleswade Poetry Table 7.45-9pm community members, stalls, BBQ and refreshments. in the month (excluding Aug. Dec. & Jan). New The Courtyard Centre, 6 High Street, Biggleswade Email: cricketclubsandy@gmail.com members and visitors welcome. Raffle and tea/ Grab a drink and join us to share poems. coffee. Tel: Sue Alexander 01767 699729 Email: leah@leahkstewart.com 27 June Potton History Society 10-23 June 22 June 8pm Potton Community Centre, Brook End Biggleswade Carnival Events Biggleswade Carnival Parade Members free, Visitors £3 inc. refreshments. ‘1st Events include Darts Night, Touch Rugby, Duck Race, 2pm Starts Biggleswade Academy School WW Bedfordshire Regiment’ with Steve Fuller. The Quiz Night, Bingo, Pamper Night, Crib Night and Theme: Colour Association. Be part of the procession. background to the regiment that Potton men fought Children’s Disco & Grand Draw. Tel: 07722 761140 It’s not too late to enter a vehicle or float or be a in in the First World War and some of the stories of Web: www.biggleswade-carnival.org walker in fancy dress. Tel: Hazel 07979 228122 Sandy men who died in the war. Web: www.biggleswade-carnival.org Web: www.pottonhistorysociety.org.uk 11 June Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ Sutton WI 7.30pm Sutton Village Hall 23 June pottonhistorysociety The group meets on the second Tuesday of every Sandy Historical Research Group 2pm month. Please feel free to come and join us! Visit to Panacea Museum, Bedford. Arrive at the 30 June museum at 2pm and leave by around 4pm. This Sutton Duck Race 3pm 13 June Victorian house museum was “the headquarters of The famous Sutton Duck Race will take place from Biggleswade Evening Women’s Institute a unique religious community that created its own the ancient Sutton Packhorse Bridge and Ford. Prizes 7.45pm The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Garden of Eden in the centre of Bedford”. Admission of £150 for the first duck home and £50 and £25 Biggleswade to the museum is by donation and we are aiming to for the second and third ones to reach the bridge. A new group which meets on the second Thursday of contribute £7 per head. Open to all. Tickets to sponsor a duck are £1 each - please call each month (except August). Guests welcome. Tel: Richard Barlow 01767 226392 for more info ‑Catherine 07929 663439 or John 07786 657029

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Local News

Riverside Miniature Railway Founded by Ivan Hewlett in 2016, Riverside Miniature Railway Club (RMRC) is developing a 7 ¼” and 5” gauge ground level miniature railway in the beautiful surroundings of Riverside Park, St Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 7SD. RMRC is a community railway with a fast growing membership of volunteers of diverse ages and backgrounds, but with a common aim of creating an attractive miniature railway for the benefit of St Neots and surrounding areas. Despite only receiving formal planning permission to construct on the council owned land in November 2016, the volunteers have already completed a 310m circuit of dual gauge track, a passing loop and a period station/stores building. Since opening for public running last June, the railway has carried over 20,000 passengers. The eventual track plan will be a figure of 8 layout with triangular junctions to permit varied running routes over what will be a final line length of around 700 metres. We work closely with other community groups and are extremely proud to have already been the recipients of two local community awards. Our core values are Community, Sustainability and Inclusivity. The club plan to make donations to local charities each year and have already supported Switch Now, Barnardo’s, The Upside Down Swimming Club and a local infant school. Wherever possible we use reuseable or recycled building materials. Our station is a recycled shipping container and our fencing has been made from pallets. We welcome volunteers and passengers of all capabilities and have recently

taken delivery of a carriage to allow wheelchair users and accompanying passengers to ride our trains. Also new for the 2019 season, Lady in Red our club steam locomotive, a petrol-hydrostatic loco named David Gosling and three new guards trucks have joined our fleet of railway vehicles. The railway operates 11.00 to 4.00 on Sundays, although if we have enough volunteers, we hope to extend our opening days to Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the school summer holiday. RMRC are always looking for volunteers. If you would like to know more about our project, or come along for a look or even a run with your own engine, then please visit: Website: www.riversiderailway.co.uk Facebook: Riverside Miniature Railway E-mail: riversideminiaturerailway@gmail.com

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Local News

Rotary Club of Biggleswade Ivel Rotary members have been busy over the last few months supporting local children who have talent and ambition, and who just need to be given a chance to shine. Every year there are competitions, all over the country, for schools who want to take part in some or all of the catagories - Young chef, musician, photographer and writer. There is a public speaking competition called Youth Speaks and this year Robert Bloomfield school from Shefford did very well in getting through to the final. Teams of youngsters gathered at Stratton school, Biggleswade to perform tasks which called on their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and maths, by taking part in the Technology Challenge. For young people who are about to leave school there have been Mock interviews and practise assessment situations. Everyone who took part not only enjoyed it but gained experience, had advice from expert judges and had something good to put on their CV. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) are opportunities for young adults aged 18-26, sponsored by a Rotary club, to develop their

leadership skills at either Graffam Water for one week or Woodrow High House in Amersham for a long weekend. Rotakids are clubs for 7-12 year olds based in schools, Interact is a club for 12-18 year olds and Roteract is for the 18-30s. All the clubs promote being a responsible citizen and learning how to help the local community while making friends and having fun. Rotary is a world wide organisation so can offer the chance to gain work experience or study abroad, or to spend some time in another country for up to a year, with the Youth Exchange Scheme. If you are interested in any of this and would like to be involved in some way then please get in touch with us at Biggleswade Ivel Rotary club or telephone Pamela on 07817 014865.

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Books

Book Review By Kate Duggan The Wych Elm by Tana French

One horrific night changes Toby’s life for ever. He retreats to the place he feels safest – Ivy House, to look after his terminally ill uncle. But then a skull is discovered in the garden and Toby has to question everything he believes to be true. Are his cousins hiding something from him? Is his uncle a killer? And, with his own memory damaged, how can Toby be sure he’s not the murderer? While The Wych Elm is a slow-burner, it’s well worth sticking with.

Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet edited by Chauney Dunford

When it comes to food, few things beat picking your own vegetables straight from the garden. And you don’t need a large plot to do it. Whether you have a balcony, a courtyard or just a windowsill, you can grow your own vegetables, fruit and herbs. This book offers plenty of advice for would-be growers, from which plants thrive in shady gardens to which flowers can help to protect your crops. You’ll soon be creating your own bicycle wheel trellis, balcony saddlebag or strawberry colander.

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Weber’s Greatest Hits By Jamie Purviance

Over the years, Weber has released a series of books to accompany its bestselling barbeques. The latest, Weber’s Greatest Hits, has more than 100 recipes for starters, mains (beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish and shellfish), sides and desserts. Dishes include Chicken Tacos, Salmon Skewers, Zesty Garlic Prawns, Chilli-Rubbed Chicken and, for the traditionalist, Texas Burgers.

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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

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

Plumbing and Heating

Email: muscleandmotor@gmail.com www.muscleandmotor.co.uk

Riding School MANOR FARM RIDING SCHOOL Sutton, Beds - SG19 2ND

Lessons, Hacks - Pony Club Centre Pre-school rides, £12 on weekdays 07875 192662 You can also find us on facebook

Roofing

Property Improvements Property Improvements by

A professional property maintenance service

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

Tel: 01767 651821 Mob: 07773 973420

Tiling

Property Improvements

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

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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New services for June - We’re adding 4 new blow dry services with added benefits to our menu this June and they’re amazing!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE A-LIST TREATMENT? @REDKEN #GLOSSLIKEABOSS #SHADESEQ

Call us on 01767

682789

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

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