VILLAGER The
Issue 4 - July 2012
and Town Life
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Bringing local business to local people in Alconbury, Kimbolton, The Stukeleys ur Yo EE and surrounding villages. y
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In this Issue
VILLAGER The
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and Town Life
Issue 4 - July 2012
Alliance Foster Care A True Story
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Bringing local business to local people in Alconbury, Kimbolton, The Stukeleys ur Yo EE and surrounding villages. y
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Twinwood Festival 2012
Advertising Sales
Competition
Christa Hallam - Tel: 07868 369257 Christa@villagermag.com
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Prize Crossword
Additional Editorial Solange Hando, Leon F. Jones,
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Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Tony Larkins and Fiona McLeman Front Cover Photo: Abimages Design and Artwork Design 9 - Tel 07762 969460 Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122
Making the Most of a Staycation.....................................................4 RAF Wyton Celebrates.........................................................................6 Alconbruy Weald...................................................................................9 Kimbolton nad the 1924 Olympics.............................................. 10 Koi Carp know, shouldn’t we?........................................................ 18 Parenting Apart................................................................................... 21 Dry Weather Gardening................................................................... 26 Animal Know-How............................................................................. 28 Fun Quiz................................................................................................. 29 Children’s Page.................................................................................... 31 Kimbolton Swim School.................................................................. 32 Puzzle Page........................................................................................... 36 Seasonal Delights............................................................................... 40 Lofty Ideas............................................................................................. 44 Inventions - Paper.............................................................................. 46
Email:nigel@villagermag.com
VILLAGER The
and Town Life
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.
8,000 copies delivered free of charge to all homes in the following areas: Abbots Ripton, Alconbury, Alconbury Weston, Barham, Broughton, Brington, Buckworth, Bythorn, Catworth, Coppingford, Covington, Easton, Ellington, Grafham, Great Staughton, Hail Weston, Hargrave, Keysoe, Keyston, Kimbolton, Kings Ripton, Leighton Bromswold, Little Staughton, Lower Dean, Melchbourne, Molesworth, Old Weston, Perry, Pertenhall, Riseley, Shelton, Spaldwick, Stonley, Stow Longa, Swineshead, The Stukeleys, Tillbrook, Upper Dean, Upton, Woolley, Yelden. (We also have over 150 distribution points, including pubs, garages, most shops, post offices, Supermarket Chains in all of the above as well as in Huntingdon, Lt Staughton, Grafham Water Visitor Centre’s and Kimbolton.)
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Making the most of a staycation
SPECIAL REPORT
Although you might imagine that the main reason people stay in the UK for the summer is lack of money, it’s not always the case. Not everyone likes the hassle of travelling, particularly those who are elderly and not up to facing the scrum of airports and ferry terminals. And if you are a parent of young children the journey is enough to put you off going away at all. We do have a beautiful country with some fascinating history and lots going on. But people travel overseas simply because we can’t rely on our weather. Chances are though, if you take a two week break at home - either in your own home or in a holiday rental property - there will be some days that are lovely and can be made every bit as enjoyable as being abroad. The trick is preparing as much as possible beforehand, so when the forecast says the next day will be warm you’ll be ready to leave early and beat the crowds. Firstly you need to think about the ‘equipment’ you’ll need. If you are planning a picnic lunch gather up the essentials and have them packed up ready to go. Picnic blankets are the lightest and smallest to carry but older members of the family might need a fold up chair. Games add to the fun so include a football, a Frisbee or buckets and spades. Younger children can have a small rucksack containing drawing materials. The food of course is a highlight of a day out and unless you are planning a pub lunch you should buy and prepare as much as you can well in advance. Biscuits, crisps and drinks and the obligatory tea bags, sugar, cups and a teaspoon should be packed in readiness. Make sure plastic containers have their lids with them and flasks their stoppers, and you won’t be scrabbling around at the back of the cupboard at the last minute. Other essentials include sun lotion, tissues/ kitchen towel, a rubbish bag and hand wipes – baby wipes make excellent all-purpose cleaning cloths. Some first aid materials won’t go amiss either, particularly plasters and sting relief cream. We all know that the forecast isn’t always right, so put a few jumpers in a bag too. Next, you need to decide where to go. Brainstorm ideas with your family: trips that only take a half day; beach or river destinations for the warmest days; places that have indoor
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entertainment nearby if the weather turns or you decide to make a longer day. Include locations to go to when you have more of a budget e.g. theme parks, and also those that are free if you are trying to suit everybody without spending a fortune. If you have children, the website www. letsgowiththechildren.co.uk is an excellent source of ideas and www.resort-guide.co.uk is also a good site to visit. When the sun arrives, you’ll be able to quickly select an ideal spot from your list. The night before you go, top up the car with fuel, print out directions or set up the satnav, prepare any fresh food, withdraw some cash and put phones and cameras on charge. Most importantly, agree a leaving time for the next morning with the family. If you say 8 o’clock you have a chance of being on your way by 8:30; if you don’t say a time at all everybody will be working to their own plan and you will have wasted precious sunny hours.
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RAF WYTON
CELEBRATE ARMED FORCES DAY FLAG RAISING Royal Air Force Wyton’s Station Commander, Wing Commander Mike Brown took part in the Huntingdon Armed Forces Day Flag Raising ceremony on Monday 25th June 12. The Armed Forces Day Flag Raising is a special ceremony to mark the beginning of the Armed Forces Day celebrations. During the ceremony the Armed Forces Day Flag is raised to show support to the Armed Forces and the huge contribution to the country they make. Many events are held all over the country finishing on Armed Forces Day which this year takes place on Saturday 30th June. Members of the public, emergency services and guests from the Armed Forces and Armed Forces support agencies joined Huntingdon Town Council in a ceremony, held in Samian Court. Wing Commander Mike Brown joined by representatives from, Royal British Legion, RAFA, Sea Cadet Corp and many more. Wing Commander Mike Brown said “I am delighted to attend today’s Armed Forces Day Flag raising, marking the beginning of the Armed Forces Day celebrations. Huntingdon has strong links with RAF Wyton that goes back two generations it is fantastic to see unwavering support for our guys and girls who serve or who have served in the regular, reserves and adult volunteers for cadets corps.” As the guests stood proud the Armed Forces Day Flag was blessed and raised by Rev Andrew Milton, at 1010 am the last post was then played by Sergeant Trefor Jones, RAF Brampton. To close the ceremony speeches from Deputy Lord Lieutenant Colonel Derek Bristow and the Chairman of the Huntingdon District Council Barbara Boddington, who paid tribute to Lance Corporal Alex Guy from 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment who was killed in Afghanistan recently, who was originally from St Neots. Councillor Barbara Boddington said “It is an honour to show our support for the Armed Forces, to remember their dedication and sacrifice whether that be on Land Sea or in the Air. I am Proud to fly
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the Armed Forces Day Flag, it is a small but important recognition of our thanks to all the Armed Forces.” Similar events took place all around the country, with local councils marking their support for the Armed Forces communities in their areas. More events will take place nation wide this week with the flagship event taking place in Plymouth on Saturday 30th June. Other events in are region include events in St Ives, and St Neots also on Saturday 30th June. For more information please go to http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk
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Alconbury Weald
a place to make, a place to grow The former airfield at Alconbury, just north of Huntingdon, was purchased in 2009 by Urban&Civic who saw the opportunity to turn a brownfield site - sitting on the spine of the country’s transport connections - into a unique high quality, low carbon development. Its position close to Cambridge, Huntingdon and Peterborough, and with quick links to London provides an ideal place to establish new opportunities for business and skilled jobs, quality homes, community facilities and a diverse environment which will benefit new and existing communities. Recognising its potential, in 2011 the Government awarded Enterprise Zone status to 150 hectares of the site. This brings a number of benefits to businesses who locate within the designated of the Zone, including business rate discounts. Urban&Civic have been working with and supporting local communities since purchasing the site, meeting regularly with the parish councils which neighbour the site, and involved with a number of local charities and organisations such as Alconbury Colts, Huntingdon Stags, Young Lives and the Fusion Youth Holiday Club in Huntingdon. Already this year the runway on the former airfield has been used by young people making a road safety video for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Road Safety Partnership and on Fathers’ Day the runway formed part of the annual Huntingdon 10K Charity Run. In September 2011 Urban&Civic held a Design and Discovery Day on the airfield, sharing their initial plans and taking feedback from local residents which have been drawn into the current and future plans. This summer Urban&Civic will be putting in an Outline Planning application to Huntingdonshire District Council which sets out the overall plan for the site over the next 20 years including plans for 8,000 jobs and 5,000 homes along with around 700 acres (50% of the overall land holding) of green space. The planning application also sets out extensive investment
in infrastructure to strengthen transport links within and around the site and local area, and provide a high quality low carbon foundation for business and residents to lead sustainable lives. Tim Leathes, Project Director for Urban&Civic said: “This is an exciting project, and we think we have a unique opportunity to unlock the potential of the site in a way which benefits the local area socially, environmentally and economically. We are starting as we mean to go on: already planting the first of the planned half a million trees across the site; getting planning approval for early infrastructure works to create a construction entrance and an iconic gateway to the new development; and preparing to submit plans for the first building in the Enterprise Zone: an incubator unit to support start up businesses. We are also working on a procurement and jobs portal to ensure opportunities which arise are available to local businesses and local people” To find out more about the plans, or if you want to get involved, ask about sponsorship for local groups or just keep up to date on progress then contact Rebecca Britton, on 01480 413 141 or email rbritton@urbanandcivic.com. Alternatively you can subscribe to our e-newsletter online at www. alconburyairfield.co.uk or follow us on Twitter at @BeccaUandC
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Kimbolton and the 1924 Olympics
By Nora Butler
The forthcoming Olympics have prompted the re-release of Chariots of Fire, one of the most popular films of the 1980s, and winner of the 1981 Academy Award for Best Picture. The film, which tells the story of the 1924 Paris Olympics, focuses on the achievements of British gold medallists Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams. Harold Abrahams was born in Bedford in 1899. As a Cambridge undergraduate he was an outstanding athlete, achieving success against Oxford in the 100 yards and 440 yards, and a record-breaking performance in the long jump. (He did not, in reality, perform the feat, portrayed in Chariots of Fire, of running the circuit of Trinity College’s Great Court in the time taken for the clock to strike twelve.) However, while still at university, he represented Britain in four events at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics but failed to win any medals. The following year, Harold’s brother Lionel, a St. Neots solicitor, became Clerk to the Governors of Kimbolton School. William Ingram, the Headmaster, was seeking to enhance the School’s reputation by encouraging visits from distinguished sportsmen, and was delighted when Harold Abrahams agreed to do some of his training for the Paris Olympics at Kimbolton School. In his book, The Power in a School, Ingram records an incident which took place while Abrahams was training at Kimbolton. One day the athlete challenged Ingram to a 100 yard race along a stretch of the Tilbrook Road, with the winner to receive a silk shirt from the loser. ‘It was a thrilling race. Abrahams won – but only by a foot or two – and he was the finest sprinter in the world.’ The real magnitude of the victory lies in the fact that ‘Harold went on foot and [Ingram] was driving a good highpowered car’! This careful preparation paid off when the time came for the 1924 Olympics. In addition 10
to his gold medal for the 100 yards, Abrahams won a silver medal with the British sprint relay team. There were no medal ceremonies: he received his medals by post and even had to pay an excess postage charge! Sadly, a serious leg injury, sustained the following year while long jumping, brought his career as an athlete to a premature end. In 1974, four years before his death, Harold Abrahams made his final visit to Kimbolton School to present the prizes on Speech Day. With him he brought the telegram, sent by the School Prefects after his victory in 1924. Presenting it to the Head Prefect, he said: ‘I have treasured that telegram for 50 years and now I would like to hand it over for safe keeping to the school with which I have had links for so many years’.
Give your business the best possible chance by advertising in The Villager & Town Life magazine. We can help raise your profile in your local area as we deliver 8,000 copies door to door free of charge every month across 41 villages. Advertising packages are affordable and start from as little as £25 per month. If you would like to find out how we can help you gain more business please call Christa on Tel 07868 369257 or email christa@villagermag.com You can now view all editions of the Villager & Town Life magazine online at www.villagermag.com giving you an even wider audience.
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Bedfordshire Country Show Old Warden Park, SG18 9EA Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th July 2012 9.30am - 6.00pm
A greatt day ouhe for all tly fami
Arena Acts
Food Court
Craft Fair
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Alliance Foster Care
A True Story
Luke Rodgers, Young Person’s Ambassador, often ends his workshops by asking the participants to predict where they think that the young man whose case they have been assessing ended up. ‘‘Prison’ they tell me, or unhappy and drug addicted, or leading a life of crime. When I tell them that that young man – a boy who was in and out of care all of his childhood, abused, abandoned, troubled and in trouble – was in fact me, their response is astonishment. Hardly anyone is able to believe that it is possible for a young person to pull themselves out of the situation that I was in. But the few that do believe – it’s those people that children need, the ones who can believe in them, will trust them when no one else does, will make sure they have the support and access to the tools they have to have to build and hold onto their own expectations and then to live up to them.’ ‘I was born into a violent family. One of my earliest memories is of my father being violent to my mother.’ Luke explains. ‘The truth is she drank heavily and she and my father could not get on. But all along I thought that what happened in our house was normal, that my Dad hitting my Mum meant that he loved her. 12
‘When I was about four my Mum met someone else and moved out. Steve seemed kind and at first I was happy living with them, even though I missed my Dad terribly. I think it was this that made Steve, my step-dad, so angry and he began hitting me. My Mum, who was very bitter about the years of violence she had suffered, wouldn’t let me see my Dad which made me miss him all the more which meant that I got beaten more and more. It was a horrible circle and there seemed no way out until I was seven years old and the day came when my Mum finally cracked and took me to my Dad’s house and left me on the doorstep. ‘Of course I was happy at first, but it soon became impossible to stay with my Dad and I had to go back to my Mum’s. The abuse from my step-dad was worse then and because we moved about so much – I went to thirteen different primary schools, three different ones in one year, I never had the chance to make any real friends or connect with someone who might notice that something was wrong. I became a slave in the house, doing all the domestic work and being beaten for the smallest thing. I often screamed for my Dad and then my Mum would take me to him but he couldn’t help me long-term, and I would really miss my Mum who actually had custody of me, and so I would end up back with her and my step-dad again. ‘When I was eleven the bruises on my neck were noticed by a school friend and I told him what was going on. He said that I could come home with him and his parents took me in and told me I didn’t have to go home anymore. I got a lot of strength from that, the fact that I could and had done something to change my life, that I was believed and I did have some sort of control. ‘Through the next years I stayed in a few different foster homes and learned a lot about my Dad which left me disillusioned. It turned out that he wasn’t someone I could admire after all. I was scared and disappointed with myself - when I was suspended from school I realized that most people, my foster parents
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included, thought that I was no good and I wanted, so badly, to prove them wrong. ‘Over the next few years I became a Persistent Young Offender and was in court many times. I missed all of year nine at school, took drugs, committed crimes, was in and out of foster and care homes. No one had time for someone who seemed so determined to get into trouble. They all just saw and reported the negatives. ‘When I was fifteen, I was taken in by a foster family who lived far out in the country. They told me that they didn’t have set meal times and that I could eat whatever I wanted. I was amazed and tucked into a big chicken pie that I found in the fridge. No one stopped me, no one treated me like I was bad and for about eighteen months things got better and my behavior really improved. ‘The problem was that I just couldn’t settle, I had become so used to trouble and trauma that I couldn’t stand things being so easy, so quiet, and regrettably I decided to leave. It wasn’t long afterwards that I ended up in a children’s home again, in court every Thursday, a Persistent Young Offender once more. I remember the magistrate telling me that I was headed for prison. I was really shocked and I wanted prove him wrong but I didn’t have the tools to do that. Thankfully I was put in a programme of Treatment Foster Care where I had to earn points in order to be able to watch TV, have a mobile phone or see a friend. Points were easy to earn at first but the expectations were raised all the time so that my behavior had to improve too. It took six months to reflect on my life and come to see that I had been blaming my past for all the wrong choices I had been making – I didn’t want to do that anymore and so I got back into
school and tried to work hard. I knew I didn’t belong with my family, I was so different to them and my Mum said I would end up dead in a ditch or in prison - but I badly wanted to prove her wrong, and everyone else who had judged me so negatively. ‘The night that changed my life was when I had ended up homeless again but I was found a place in a B and B by social services. It was an awful place but I didn’t care. I was on my own, I could look after myself and I didn’t have to rely on anyone else. I finally had some control over my own life – I cooked my own meals, went to school, joined a gym and got fit. Before too long I had the chance to go back to the foster carers I had really been happy with – they even got me another chicken pie to welcome me back! This time though they put me in a cottage where I could be independent and look after myself. This was such a chance for me and I did everything I could to make it work. I studied hard and got four A-levels. I wanted to be a social worker so that I could change the world but I soon learned that social workers have their own challenges that make their jobs really tough. I fell into my job as a Young Persons’ Ambassador by accident but it is absolutely what I want to do. I am a success story and I want to share that with everyone but also help young people find a voice, to share their stories too so that they can help others survive their tough times, believe in themselves and understand that they deserve that trust and belief from others too. Good foster carers, made all the difference to me and my story. They are the ones who really have faith in young people, who are willing to help a troubled person and give them their belief –and trust that they will come through.
In Luke’s capacity as the Young Persons Ambassador for Alliance Foster Care he delivers workshops for staff and foster carers. His personal experiences and honest account of his time in care provides us with an excellent insight into the needs of looked after children. With this better understanding of the experiences of children coming into care we are able to tailor our services to better meet the individual needs and wishes of the children in placement. At Alliance Foster Care we believe that all children should be given every opportunity to reach their full potential. If you would like to learn more about Alliance Foster Care and the work that we do please contact
Alliance Foster Care 01604 879373 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122
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Be Hot to Trot this summer
with our July Offers Throughout the month of July we are offering a GelFX Manicure and Sienna X Spray Tan for only £40 (a saving of 27%!). Our GelFX Manicure consists of a File and Shape, cuticle tidy and application of GelFX, a longer lasting, chip resistant Gel Nail Lacquer. Choose your colour from our wide range for that special event or just to have great looking nails! Sienna X Spray Tan is one of the top selling Spray Tans on the market and we can’t recommend it enough. It gives you a natural, tailor made skin that lasts up to 7 days with reasonable care, as per your therapists advice. Have one for that special night, pre holiday glow or just to give you that extra confidence boost! Also during July why not try having ‘Aromatherapy Massage ‘ and receive 25% discount. Aromatherapy is an individully tailored treatment with you in mind. The treatment starts with a consultation to blend the correct oils. This helps to ease various physical and psychological conditions you may be experiencing. Potential benefits of
aromatherapy massage include; Relief of Tension and stress, help aid deep relaxation, improve lymphatic system, increase energy levels and uplift mood and spirit. Please be advised a consulatation prior to treatment is necessary for health and safety reasons, as a GP note may be required for some medical conditions For these and other great treatments contact Holistic Hands on 01480 869404 to come and experience the tranquility and serenity our wellbeing centre has to offer. Also find us on Facebook under Holistic Hands Wellbeing Centre and keep up to date with all our special offers! If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact us at info@holistic-hands-online. com by providing your name and email address.
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Koi Carp Know,
So Shouldn’t We? They say that despite going to school, fish have a very short term memory and yet the Koi seems to grasp what most people don’t. If you place a Koi carp in a fish tank it will grow to be ¾ of an inch and if you place it in a pond it will grow to 3–4 inches, but if you place it in a lake it can grow up to a metre long. A Koi carp adapts to its environment. So why is it that when many individuals require advice on financial planning, they go to a financial adviser who is either limited in their potential solutions by not being independent or a sole trader who relies solely on their own knowledge? Surely if people want to turn their financial vision into reality, they need to approach an independent financial adviser with a highly qualified, experienced research team behind them?
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Tony Larkins CFP APFS Managing Director/IFA Chartered and Certified Financial Planner
Best results often come from an environment of team work, rather than individualism. However good Geoff Hurst or Bobby Moore were, they would not have beaten Germany on their own! A team has different people with different skills and a good team is one that pulls together with a common purpose. Individual quality within a team can be important, as Jenson Button would never win if he had to change his own tyres at the pit stop. Next time you want financial advice, ask about the team that will be working for you. You should always seek qualified advice from an IFA, preferably a Certified (CFP) or Chartered Financial PlannerCM (APFS). I f you have a financial question e-mail: tlarkins@beaconwealth.co.uk
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If you run your own business, are currently selfemployed or have a tax return to complete, you may be paying too much tax. We are offering a FREE meeting to discuss this further.You have nothing to lose by finding out how much you could be saving. Call Richard McMorran on 01480 470755 or email stneots@rjmcmorran.co.uk Offices with ample parking in Eaton Socon and Godmanchester Visit our website at www.rjmcmorran.co.uk
SMA WArdrobeS, transform your home with sliding door wardrobes and matching bedroom furniture > Floor to ceiling storage > Large range of styles - modern and traditional > Made to Measure > Fully guaranteed > Affordable fitted wardrobes "Fantastic job, brilliant service. You have exceeded my expectations. Thank you." Mr C, Cambridge
Visit our website or phone for a free colour brochure and price list: www.sma-wardrobes.co.uk, 01480 417415
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Dedicated support for clients in relationship breakdown:
• • • • •
Separation Financial Settlements Change of Name Prenuptial Agreements Mediation
• • • • •
Divorce Living together agreements Adoption Children issues Collaborative family law
Fiona McLeman Family Law is accredited by Resolution and the Solicitors Regulation Authority as a Specialist in Family Law. For a free initial consultation contact Fiona:
fiona@fmfamilylaw.co.uk, 07894095775, www.fmfamilylaw.co.uk Regus House, 1010 Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne CB23 6DP
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Parenting Apart
during Summer Holidays When a family separate or divorce, it is quite typical for the children’s time during school holidays to be shared equally. Sorting out how to share the time can be resolved without the need for the Court to get involved, but occasionally, it may be necessary to seek assistance. However, the Court encourages cooperation and compromise between the parents and only a handful of cases end up being decided by a Judge. It is quite common for the summer holidays to be divided into blocks of one week or perhaps a fortnight with each parent. Here are some practical tips to help make the process as easy as possible for the parents, and for children.
• Try and agree dates well in advance. This avoids any last minute uncertainty which can be stressful. • If an overseas trip is planned, make sure the other parent knows about it well in advance and you have their permission. Taking a child abroad without the permission of all parties with Parental Responsibility is child abduction. • Give details about where you plan staying, before the holiday is booked. Make sure the other parent is given a note about travel times, flight details and accommodation. • Children now carry their own passport so it may be helpful to agree when their passport will be available, so that there is no last minute panic. • On arrival, send a quick text to let the other parent know you have all arrived safe and sound. • Give the children as much information as possible about what is planned for them during the holidays. Perhaps think about a holiday chart or diary, so that the children know what they are going to be doing each week and how long it will be before they see the other parent again. • Regular contact with the other parent is important but it’s a question of getting the balance right. Encourage the children to keep in touch with the other parent by phone every few days. Perhaps set up a time for a Skype chat. If the children are going away for a holiday, encourage them to write a postcard or two to the other parent. Most of all enjoy the time with the children and don’t forget the sun cream!
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TWINWOOD FESTIVAL 2012
25th, 26th and 27th August 2012
Featuring Swing, Jazz, Jive and Rock ‘n’ Roll atTwinwood Arena, Clapham, Bedfordshire This August Bank Holiday Twinwood Festival is in its eleventh year at Bedford, with over three days of relentless music and dancing spanning the 20s to the 50s. Acres of sprung wooden dance floors constantly vibrate to the rhythm of great dance tunes played by the best Swing and Rock’n’Roll bands around, and the thirteen themed festival venues, many in the original buildings, from the large bowl arena to the intimate Moroccan Night Club, are heavy with atmosphere. The festival-goers are an international crowd and looking around you feel that it’s just one great big happy fancy dress party with so many going to town in their vintage attire. The range of music from the best live bands around is huge. You will experience music of the Weimar era from the exquisite Max Raabe and Palast Orchester, to Campfire Gypsy Jazz from bands such as Kings
Cross Hot Club and Moscow Drug Club, to the big Rock n Rollers of today such as Si Cranstoun and OoBop-Sh’Bam, and of course the Glenn Miller swing as played by Glenn’s nephew, John Miller, with his Orchestra. On top of the massive line-up there’s so much more to do. You can explore the historic buildings and museums on the site, browse around the huge vintage market, take dance lessons from one of the many workshops, listen to fascinating historic lectures, enjoy the glamour pageants and fashion shows, gaze in awe at the Mustang and Spitfire as they thrill the crowd, taste the local real ales and ciders, have a go in the Open Mic Club, enjoy late night burlesque and alternative cabaret, or just chill out picnicking on the grassy banks of Twinwood Arena. Find out more on www.twinwoodfestival.com or phone 01923 282725 for your free colour brochure or find us on Facebook.
COMPETITION • COMPETITION • COMPETITION WIN A FAMILY TICKET FOR TWINWOOD FESTIVAL MONDAY 27th AUGUST Just answer this question: How many years will Twinwood Festival have been running this year? Please send your entries to the address below by Fri 20th July 2012. Twinwood Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
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Dry Weather Gardening
by pippa greenwood After all those weeks in early summer when it seemed unable to stop raining, many plants will have been lulled into a false sense of security. And those of us who look after the plants are also likely to have become a little too used to not worrying about what and how to water to best effect, and how to minimise the effects of dry weather. So if you’re now finding yourself battling with the effects of a more text-book summer, here are my tips for coping: Mulching really does help to keep the moisture in the soil. It’s important to make sure the soil is really well watered BEFORE you apply the mulch, so water well or wait until after there has been a heavy rainfall. Then around the area, covering the roots of the plant (or preferably a bit further) shovel on well-rotted manure, composted bark or garden compost. Don’t forget that vegetables as well as flowers benefit from mulching. A slow but steady supply of water is generally more use and more appreciated by plants than intermittent heavy drenching. Newly planted trees and shrubs establish better and suffer drought stress less if the soil is never allowed to dry out completely. Installing some perforated or permeable pipe beneath the soil surface or on the surface but beneath the mulch provides just what they need. If you’re making any new plantings for the patio right now, don’t risk them becoming drought stressed before their moment of autumn or winter glory comes. When planting up late season patio pots, decrease the effects of the summer sun by lining the insides of the pot with bubblewrap polythene. When you do need to use extra water on your garden, try to apply it in the evening or otherwise as early as you can in the morning. Less will be lost by evaporation and there will also be less likelihood of plants suffering scorching. However much you’ve taken a fancy to a gorgeous looking plant in your local garden centre, don’t buy it right now. In hot, dry conditions it is much harder for a plant to become established and much more likely that it’ll suffer stress. A bit of temporary shading, perhaps in the form of some shade netting (available from garden centres) or some large, leafy branches driven in to the soil, will help to keep things a little cooler during the hotter weather. It may not look great,
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but it could save you a packet in replacing plants. Vegetable plants can be covered with netted cloches (like the Giant Easy Net Tunnels available from my website) to achieve the same effect – and these will also help to keep off many potential pests too. Siphoning water out from the bath is a great way to re-use domestic water. The usual tiny quantities of soap or bubble bath used by most of us won’t cause any problems with plants and makes a great drink for trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables. Remember that some plants are more tolerant of dry conditions than others, so next time you do shop for plants, it may be worth bearing this in mind. On the whole, plants with silvery or densely hairy leaves are pretty drought tolerant, as are those whose names imply that they are of Mediterranean origin. Some of my favourite drought-resisters include: Convolvulus cneorum – stunning silvery leaves and miniature white flowers, often with a touch of pink, which resemble those of morning glories. Rosemary – this shrub has great purple flowers and wonderfully aromatic foliage, perfect for cooking, and when mature many people use the wood to make barbeque skewers which are said to impart a delightful rosemary aroma to the meat. Senecio maritima – a pretty divided leafed plant with dense hair on the leaves making it look silvery. Gazanias – with their large orange, brown and burgundy flowers and silvered leaves, they look a treat in patio pots of summer borders. Lavenders – aromatic leaves and perfumed blue, lilac purple or white flower spikes, this cottage garden favourite is also a magnet for bees. Geraniums and their cousins, Pelargoniums, are both very drought resistant, and come with foliage that is often attractively marked and pretty flowers. Pelargoniums, usually the more flamboyantly coloured of the two, are not hardy but great in summer containers and the herbaceous geraniums should last for years.
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Ladies Garden Party Kymbrook Pre-school, Keysoe and Primrose Cancer Care Unit, Bedford The Second year of the Ladies’ Garden Party was a great success; held on Friday 15th June 2012, over 120 ladies came and enjoyed themselves whilst raising a total of £1645.00. The event was held to raise funds in aid of two causes: Kymbrook Pre-school, Keysoe and Primrose Cancer Care Unit, Bedford. Our thanks go to Lynda and Michael Sargent of Little Staughton for opening their house and garden, as well as to all those who organised, helped, set up or cleaned up. Thanks also to Tabitha Walker for her lovely display of fashion and jewellery, to Petticoats Lingerie of Ampthill for their display, to White Hart Press of Bedford for donating the printed invitations and not forgetting to all those wonderful ladies who attended and contributed so generously on such a lovely evening for two good causes.
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ANIMAL KNOW-HOW
Your pet and our weather Unpredictable. That’s perhaps the safest way of describing a British summer! This can be annoying for humans, but disastrous for our animals. Unlike us, many animals can’t sweat through their skin. They only cool down by sweating through sweat glands in their feet and panting. So it’s important that you help your pets to stay cool. • Never leave them in a car, conservatory or caravan on a warm or hot day – temperatures can become lethal in a matter of minutes. • Never leave them in direct sunlight– they need access to a cool, shady place at all times of day. Remember your fish, hamsters, gerbils, mice guinea pigs, rabbits and birds, as well as your dogs and cats. • Make sure they have a constant supply of clean, fresh drinking water – to replace any water that is lost through sweating and panting, and avoid dehydration. • Protect them from sunburn – animals with light coloured noses, or light coloured fur on their ears are especially sensitive.
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• Heat-stroke can be fatal, so be aware of the signs – excessive panting, heavy salivation, rapid pulse, very red gums/ tongue, lethargy, lack of co-ordination, being unable to get up after collapsing, vomiting and diarrhoea. If you suspect heat-stroke, move your pet to a shaded, cool area and contact your vet immediately. Our weather can be unpredictable – and extreme. Even if it’s cool and rainy when you leave your pet, there could be a sharp temperature rise within a relatively short space of time. Please protect your pet so everyone can have a great summer. ANIMAL KNOW-HOW is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA North Bedfordshire branch. www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk
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Fun Quiz - Magazines and Newspapers 1. First published in 1953 and still running today, which magazine was originally intended to be called Stag Party? 2. Appearing regularly in The Sun, by what name is Margaret Anne Lake better known? 3. What is the main subject of the monthly magazine Empire? 4. Which fictional newspaper employed Spiderman’s alter-ego Peter Parker as a photographer? 5. Founded in 1922, which general interest magazine uses the winged horse Pegasus as it’s logo? 6. From August 3rd 2007, the Daily Express dedicated at least part of its next 100 front pages to which story? 7. Which of the Tweenies has the same name as a women’s weekly magazine? 8. In March 1986, which now-defunct newspaper became the first British daily newspaper to feature colour photographs? 9. Which Sunday newspaper publishes a “Rich List” each year, featuring a list of the 1,000 wealthiest people in the UK? 10. Which magazine was originally intended to have a name with two more letters that it has in its current name, the reason for the change being that people might have incorrectly thought it was a magazine about snooker? 1. Playboy 2. Mystic Meg 3. Films 4. The Daily Bugle 5. Readers Digest 6.The disappearance of Madeleine McCann 7. Bella 8. Today 9. The Sunday Time 10. Q (originally intended to be Cue)
Before
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CODEWORD
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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
9 X 9 PUZZLE
How to play It’s simple! Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzle. Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.
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Welcome PRICES
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With over 20 styles of conservatories on display at our head office and 10 models on show at Wilstead we think you will be spoilt for choice!
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Established since 1984
www.gsn.co.uk
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FLOORED By Ian
Your local supplier of fitted floors in carpet, vinyl, laminate or Karndean Free visits to estimate or advise. Best prices and quality with a friendly service. Enquiries to 01480 475486 or (Mobile) 07876 238308
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RHYTHM FESTIVALS 2012 RHYTHM FESTIVAL • RHYTHM FOLK • RHYTHM & BLUES AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND – FRIDAY 24 to SUNDAY 26 Mansion House @ Old Warden Park, Bedfordshire, SG18 9DX 3 Great Music Festivals for the Price of One
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KEN BOOTHE | JOHN COOPER CLARKE | CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN | DAVID RODIGAN BOOMTOWN RATS • JOHN OTWAY BIG BAND • DELROY WILLIAMS & THE JUNCTION BAND • ATILLA THE STOCKBROKER • KING HAMMOND + more FRIDAY
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3 festivals offering 3 days of great entertainment on 6 stages plus “fringe” events. Comedy. Theatre. Madam Miaow’s Culture Lounge. Children’s Entertainment, including Panic Circus, Organised Football & Junior Olympics. Hemlock Morris. Groovy Movie Picture House. DJ Wheelie-Bag. Real Ales & Ciders. A Wide Choice of Superior Food plus Farmhouse Ice Cream. General Store. Markets. Supervised Campsites. Luxury Loos. Hot Showers. Free Car Parking. Further details and tickets from:
www.rhythmfestival.com
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SEASONAL DELIGHTS
Cherry pots with fluffy meringue tops
Serves 4 Prep time 20 minutes Cooking time 20 minutes Ingredients 500g fresh cherries, pitted and cut in to half 50g soft brown sugar 150ml red wine 8 amaretti biscuits 3 large egg whites 150g golden caster sugar
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Method
1. Preheat the oven to 220째C/ gas mark 7. 2. Place the cherries in a pan with the brown sugar and red wine. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes until soft. 3. Spoon the cherries in to 4 large ramekins. Roughly crumble the amaretti biscuits onto the top, dividing them equally. 4. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites to a stiff peak. Start adding the sugar gradually, whisking all the time until the meringue is glossy. Spoon onto the top of the cherries. 5. Bake for 5-8 minutes until the meringue is golden. Serve with nothing else but a chilled glass of dessert wine or a generous glass of cassis.
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The Villager Prize Crossword
Last Month’s Crossword Winners Congratulations to: 1st - Mr. P. White from Clifton 2nd - Mrs. C. Traynor from Spaldwick
sponsors of
THE VILLAGER PRIZE CROSSWORD
1st Prize £25 Name:
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 20th July 2012 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
2nd Prize £15
Tel:
Address:
Across 1 Closed forcefully (7) 5 Keen (5) 8 Ceremonies (5) 9 Brutal (7) 10 At right angles (13) 11 Violin (6) 12 Beverage (6) 15 Exhibition (13) 18 Return to original state (7) 19 Affected by alcohol (5) 20 Registers (5) 21 Found on the shoreline (7) Down 1 Strip of leather (5) 2 Changed (7) 3 Assorted items (13) 4 Split up (6) 5 Book of information (13) 6 Low animal noise (5) 7 Hold back (7) 11 Of a league or alliance (7) 13 Lack of success (7) 14 Speaks (6) 16 Poles supporting sails (5) 17 Nude (5)
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Contrast Painting & Decorating We carry out all aspects of the trade interior & exterior Quality Tradesmen Our work is always to the highest standard. References available
Tel: Wayne Garner 07890 100573 or Paul Quinlan 07986 376635 24 Wheatsheaf Road, Alconbury Weston
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Lofty ideals
By KATHeRINE SORELL Converting your loft can be the ideal way to gain extra space without the expense and hassle of moving house. Dark, pokey and inaccessible lofts can often be, literally, a waste of space, useful for a bit of dusty, long-term storage and nothing else. Turn that space into one or two useful rooms and – ta da! – not only might you have added real value to your property, but you’ve got extra living space that could make all the difference to happy family life. The simplest loft conversion might just involve strengthening and boarding out the floor, adding a light and sticking in a pull-down loft ladder – giving you a good-sized storage area that’s accessible on a regular basis, at a cost of probably only a couple of thousand pounds. Bear in mind, however, that Building Regulations may apply to even a simple conversion – see more at www. planningportal.gov.uk. Such a basic project may be a good idea in practical, everyday terms, but if it’s added value you’re after, you’ll have to be more ambitious, say the experts, and put in at least one ‘real’ room. ‘It’s a false economy to cut corners,’ says Jeremy Leaf, RICS housing spokesperson (www.rics.org). ‘To maximise your return the conversion has to be designed properly from the very beginning. You should have a proper lobby area when you come up the stairs, there should be sufficient head clearance, it should be properly insulated, you should have a dormer window rather than a Velux. It’s also important to think about how a loft conversion affects the house as a whole, as they can make them top heavy, with too many bedrooms and, in comparison, too few reception rooms. Check out other properties nearby which have been similarly extended to see what has been done and what they’re worth.’ When doing your research, it’s always a good idea to ask a local estate agent for advice, and you could also go to a website such as www.nethouseprices. com to find out how much properties in your area have sold for recently. A word about space planning. If you have room, adding a bathroom to a loft conversion makes sense both practically and financially, and shouldn’t cost any more than adding a new bathroom anywhere else in the house – in other words, anything from around £3,000 for a plain
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fit-out. Costs will be minimised if you place the bathroom above one on the floor below, keeping plumbing work simple, but Hugo Tugman of Architect Your Home (www.architect-yourhome. com) points out that you should always keep your options open. ‘It’s folly to put the bathroom in the wrong place, just because that’s where the drains are,’ he says. ‘The same goes for staircases – most people think that there’s just one place where a staircase can be fitted in a loft conversion, because Building Regulations require two metres of head room above it, but you can end up squashing your accommodation just because the best bit of loft is taken up with a staircase. It’s really worth considering the possible alternatives when doing your planning.’ And finally, if overall head height is an issue in your potential loft conversion, don’t try to get away with cramped, uncomfortable rooms. Hugo points out that lowering the ceilings of the rooms below is often a possibility, and can make all the difference to the success of a project. ‘It sounds like it would be a massive expense,’ he says, ‘but in fact the additional costs are really only plastering and decorating the rooms below, and it would probably add no more than about three or four thousand onto a simple job.’ The HSBC’s annual home improvement survey found, in March this year, that a loft conversion is still the improvement that adds the most value, boosting the price of a property by, on average, £16,152. But according to specialists Econoloft, a typical conversion by building professionals costs between £20,000 and £30,000. The answer may lie, therefore, in keeping costs down by doing as much work as possible yourself – but only if you can do it to a good standard. Valuation expert Paul Cutbill, of Countrywide Surveying Services, said: ‘Whilst sensibly improved and well presented homes will generally be attractive to potential purchasers, rising labour and material costs mean that the gap between the cost of improving and monies realised at the point of any sale has been reduced. Poor quality refitting and lack of proper design considerations, often as a result of inadequate project budgeting and planning, can also have a significant knock-on effect to any added value which might be gained when selling a property.’
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INVENTIONS - PAPER
By Leon F. Jones
This month’s invention is literally right in front of us – paper. The credit for its invention goes to that amazing country China. Some 2000 years ago, Cai Lun, an Imperial Court official, created a sheet of paper suitable for writing by mashing, pressing and drying mulberry and other bast fibres mixed with old rags, fishnets and hemp waste. However, even earlier uses of paper in China have been found, the oldest being a map found at Fangmatan dating from 179-141 BC. Papermaking spread slowly from China as they were reluctant to share its secret. A legend tells that after the defeat of the Chinese in the battle of Talas (751AD) in present-day Kyrgyzstan, two Chinese prisoners bought their lives by revealing paper making secrets, leading to the first Islamic paper mill in Samarkand. The Muslim world quickly improved the process, using water power and trip hammers to replace the manual pounding of the materials.
In Europe, the oldest known paper document is the Mozarab Missal of Silos, dating from the 11th century. European paper production has been recorded in Spain in 1151, Italy in 1276 and Germany in 1320 with a mill established at Nuremburg in 1390. Due to their noise and smell they were required by medieval law to be erected outside of a city’s perimeter! The first English paper mill was established in 1490 near Stevenage, but the first commercially successful mill was established by John Spitman near Dartford in 1588 using German expertise (no doubt patronised by William Shakespeare!) Thanks to the Chinese we have the materials to produce our magazine and you have the pleasure of reading it! Thank you, Cai Lun!
KING ELECTRICAL
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email: ovenmen@live.co.uk You can also book at www.ovenmen.com
01480 810133 or 07717 172100 cpk-king@supanet.com
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