VILLAGER The
Issue 76 - August 2015
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue
Tropical Paradise Win Tickets to the Cruise Show, Birmingham Win £25
in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People
20,000 copies delivered to Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne,
Godmanchester, The Hemingfords, Eaton Socon, Bourn, Grantchester and all surrounding villages every month To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
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Contents Memories of the Birth of Scouting
6
The First Motor Car in St. Neots.............................................................. 4 Memories of the Birth of Scouting......................................................... 6 Are Extended Warranties Worth the Money?........................................ 10 Win Tickets to the Cruise Show, Birmingham....................................... 13 Fuel Saving.......................................................................................... 15 Bhutan - Taktsang, the Tiger’s Lair........................................................ 16 Victorian Style...................................................................................... 18 How to Earn Time Credits..................................................................... 21 The Bounty Hunters............................................................................. 23 Fun Quiz............................................................................................... 25 Why Breast is Best................................................................................ 26 A Holiday in East Sussex....................................................................... 28 Belle of the Beach................................................................................ 31 An Osteopath’s Guide to a Happy Holiday............................................. 33 Credit Cards for the Life Stages............................................................. 34 Is it Time You Saw the Light?................................................................ 38 Travelling Abroad with Children with a Different Surname.................. 43 Lasting Powers of Attorney.................................................................. 44
VILLAGER The
Issue 76 - August 2015
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue
Tropical Paradise Win Tickets to the Cruise Show, Birmingham Win £25
in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People
20,000 copies delivered to Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne,
Godmanchester, The Hemingfords, Eaton Socon, Bourn, Grantchester and all surrounding villages every month To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
ur Yo EE FR1copy
England 1, Germany 0.......................................................................... 46 What Keeps You Awake at Night?......................................................... 47 Heritage, History and Heartbreak......................................................... 48 Tropical Paradise.................................................................................. 50 Spiders from the Fork........................................................................... 53 The Wildlife Trust’s Summer Meadows................................................. 55 Beer at Home....................................................................................... 56 Animal Heroes...................................................................................... 58 Never Leave a Dog in a Hot Car............................................................. 61 Children’s Page..................................................................................... 62 Honda Civic Type R............................................................................... 67 Seasonal Delights................................................................................. 69 Types of Disinfectant............................................................................ 70 Choosing a Sofa.................................................................................... 73 What’s On............................................................................................. 74 Are You Birding, Twitching or Watching?.............................................. 79 Puzzle Page.......................................................................................... 80 Tech It With You.................................................................................... 82 Prize Crossword.................................................................................... 86 Reinvent Yourself!................................................................................ 89 Golden Years........................................................................................ 90 Russell Grant’s Horoscopes................................................................... 93 Book Review........................................................................................ 94
Spiders from the Fork
53
20,000 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Hinchingbrooke, Hinchingbrooke Park, Brampton, Buckden, Offord Cluny, Offord D’arcy, Godmanchester, Hemingford Abbots and Hemingford Grey, Cambourne, Chawston, Croxton, Duloe, Graveley, Great Paxton, Hail Weston, Honeydon, Little Barford, Little Paxton, Eaton Socon, Bourn, Grantchester, Roxton, Southoe, Staploe, Tempsford, Toseland, Upper Staploe, Wintringham, Wyboston, Yelling. (Further bulk drops are made to local shops and busineses in Huntingdon, St Neots, Eaton Ford, Eaton Socon and Eynesbury)
Editorial - Peter Ibbett, Catherine Rose, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Wayne Gorrett, Solange Hando, Katherine Sorell, Louise Addison, Alison Runham, Tim Saunders, Kate Duggan, Ann Haldon, Centre for Complementary Health, Kate McLelland, Tony Larkins, Fiona McLeman, Leeds Day Solicitors, Jeffrey Mills, Barry Ingram, Pippa Greenwood, Andy Mydellton, Ted Bruning, RSPCA, Susan Brookes-Morris, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Russell Grant and Bruce Edwards
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Scott - 01767 261122 scott@villagermag.com
Publishers
Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com
Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460
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 Photography -Iulia Iun, Emma Proter statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be Darren Harbar Photography reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher. To advertise in&The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 3
History
By Peter Ibbett
The First Motor Car in St Neots One of the pleasures of holiday cross-country driving in my 1970’s Mk II Ford Cortina was the gentle passage through the centre of towns that had been only names on the map. They all seemed distinctive and easy to park in for a forty minute break. It is still possible to pass smoothly through St. Neots Town centre (outside the usual ‘rush times’) and enjoy a break by slipping into the Riverside Park and breathing in the fresh air of the Great Ouse Valley (tinged by a wide range of aromas from award winning local restaurants). Back in the teenage days of my grandfather in the early 1900’s, crossing the road would have meant keeping one sharp eye for a horse and cart or bicycle and the other to avoid a boot sole splattered with horse muck. His generation was the first to grow up taking the internal combustion engine and the car and lorry bodies attached to it as a normal part of everyday life. One 1896 newspaper account records a sight that should have worried every horse dealer in town:- ‘A motor car, en route from Cambridge to Bedford, stopped for a short time at the Post Office (then in the High Street) and a small crowd assembled. The motive power was benzine. It travelled at a good pace
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and appeared to be well under control, but, we are told, the smell was objectionable. How long will it be before we have to record the appearance of a horse as a strange event?’ Later in 1896 a second car was sighted, the property of Prince Ranjitsinhji, the famous cricketer, but lent to a Mr Whitmore of Cambridge. The run to Bedford was reported as taking two hours, using one gallon of fuel at a cost of 8d. The car weighed 17 cwt and carried four passengers and could attain the frightening speed of 20 mph. Alfred Jordan of Huntingdon Street is credited with being the first local to own a car in the early 1900’s. Grandfather Cyril (far right in photograph) is leaning against the vehicle owned by Agricultural Engineers Arthur Ibbett. Visit St Neots Museum during the summer to see some fascinating items from the early years of motoring and join in with some of the family activities. If your grandfather (or grandmother) had some interesting tales of motoring life do let the museum know. Entrance is free for locals and modest for visitors to the town.
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The Mermaid is ideally located just 2 miles from Grafham Water and easily accessible from the A14 and A1. Dogs are most welcome in the bar and garden. Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday lunch – 12 to 3pm Tuesday to Saturday evening - 5.30 - 11pm (last food orders 2pm & 9pm) Sunday evening – bar only Closed all day Monday
Latest Trip Advisor reviews: “The best pub restaurant I have eaten at for many years” “This cosy village pub has some of the best food I have ever tasted”
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Booking advisable - 01480 891106 • www.themermaidellington.co.uk
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5
History Gillian Clay at Baden-Powell Way
Memories of the
Birth of Scouting
The international Scout movement’s founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell hoped that Scouting would be “a tool of peace for the world” according to his granddaughter Gillian Ella St Clair Clay. “He believed that if everyone had the same values, learned the same skills, played the same games, sang the same silly songs, and had the same attitude towards helping people, they wouldn’t want to fight each other” she says. Gill, who was born in South Africa in June 1937 to the Baden-Powells’ daughter Betty and her husband Gervas Clay, came to Bedfordshire all the way from her home in Wales in June of this year to officially name the longest Baden-Powell road in Europe Baden-Powell Way on the new Kings Reach Estate in Biggleswade. She was accompanied by her great nephew and the great great grandson and granddaughter of Lord Robert, seven-year-old Cub Scout Oscar Clay and his six-year old sister Beaver Scout Anna, who unveiled a commemorative plaque that has a history of their famous ancestor. Part of Bedfordshire’s Green Wheel Pathway, when it is open, Baden-Powell Way will be 2 km (1.2 miles)
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By Catherine Rose
long. It joins many roads named after Baden-Powell worldwide including the Baden-Powell Trail in California, the Lord Baden-Powell Drive in Australia’s Wagga Wagga, and the Baden Powell Drive along the coast from Cape Town, South Africa. It is linked to other streets on the King’s Reach Estate that have been named in honour of Biggleswade and District Scouts following their contribution to the community, including the planting of 100 trees on the Green Wheel Pathway during their centenary. The groups were re-dubbed during the space race of the 1960s hence there is Planets Way, Jupiter Way, Neptune Drive, Mercury Lane, Gemini Lane and Erris Avenue. Gill was raised with the first-hand knowledge that “Scouting is fun” from her grandmother Olave, Lord Robert’s wife and was a Brownie in England by the time she was eight and a half. Although she was put on her grandfather’s knee from a young age, it is her grandmother Olave who she remembers best and she very kindly shared her family album exclusively with The Villager in the photos published here.
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Flying Proms at Shuttleworth
Saturday 15 August 2015 Enjoy the Shuttleworth Collection’s vintage aircraft displaying to a backdrop of classical music performed by the 50-piece National Symphony Orchestra. This year also features a trio of spitfires and a thrilling firework display finale.
www.shuttleworth.org/flyingproms To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
Reg Charity No 307534
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Gillian as a child with her mother and grandmother, Lady Baden-Powell Olave, 20 years his junior, met Robert Baden-Powell when they travelled together on the SS Arcadian to New York in 1912. He was already famous for his involvement in the newly-formed Scouting movement. Each Scout in England donated a penny to buy them the wedding gift of a car. “My grandmother was great fun. We absolutely loved her” said Gill, recalling visits to Olave for treats. “I remember her getting ready for some event, polishing her shoes and badge.” When Gill led her own Brownie group, Olave inspected it, captured here in this rare photo. It becomes clear that both Gill and her mother had no choice when it came to their involvement with Scouting (nor would they have wanted to). Gill tells the story of how one of her brothers came home from Cubs and announced he had volunteered their mother to be the next Akela. Betty, who died in 2004, was Colony Commissioner for northern Rhodesia. After retirement, she continued as Gill’s assistant Brownie leader. Today, at 78, Gill still works as an assistant Beaver Scout leader, having been a leader for a decade at Beavers and for 18 years at Cubs. In 2007 for the first time, girls were officially allowed to join Cubs and Scouts. With a blurring of the traditional gender divide, the official line is that both movements have slightly different aims, with Guides having a ‘young women in society’ focus and Scouts being open to all. Gill hopes that Scouts remains “boyish” but admitted she is very glad girls can be in Scouts. “My daughter would have loved to be in it” said Gill. “She always participated in everything but she couldn’t do badges. “I think that which one you choose will depend on where your friends and family go. Activities vary with the leaders. Some leaders are very adventurous and others opt more for craft-based pursuits” but adds “They can both do everything”. She adores Bear Grylls, the ‘survival’ celebrity who was appointed as Chief Scout and the public face of Scouting in 2009. “I think Bear Grylls is wonderful” she said. “He and Peter Duncan have completely transformed the attitude of the media towards
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Scouting. For a long time, it wasn’t cool to be in Scouts and Guides. Now it is cool!” Whether cool or not, “millions of people have lived and are currently living in the Baden-Powell way” - something that Gill points out in her speech when naming the road not just after her famous grandfather, but after his vision too. The ‘BadenPowell Way’ stands for “helping others and finding fulfilment and happiness”. On the day of the event, the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis; the Town Mayor Hazel Ramsey; the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Lady Isabelle and local counsellors joined Gill with Biggleswade and District Scouts and Guides to celebrate. The day began with a traditional soap box derby. Helen Nellis is also patron of Youth United which was launched in Bedfordshire in 2014. Its aim is to bring together young peoples’ community groups so that resources can be pooled. It also hopes to encourage more adult leaders to come forward. Helen believes Scouts is invaluable in teaching the social and life skills not necessarily learned at school. “Through camping, outdoor activities and sociability, the Scouting movement teaches young people confidence, teamwork and high self esteem which are the things you need in life. Children learn early on about helping in their community” she said. “It is rewarding and enjoyable for adults too. Once they dip their toe in the water, they usually stay for around 30 years!” Four of those young people are Emilia de Luca, Dan Bownes, Maddy Letowska and Ben Febery-Watts from the 28th Bedfordshire and Anglia Scouts and Guides (known as the Clangers) who had been chosen to attend the 12-day 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Tokyo that took place last month. Today, only four countries in the world do not have Scouts: North Korea, Laos, Andorra and the Chinese Republic and Gill believes her grandfather would not have foreseen the huge growth, popularity and longevity of the movement when he founded it over a hundred years ago. “He was very disappointed when World War Two came, and sadly he died during the war so didn’t live to see the movement spread as far as it has” she said. “There were 16 million Scouts in 160 countries when my son was in Cubs. He is 43 now and today there are nearly 40 million, including 10 million Guides.” Lord Robert Baden-Powell believed you should “try and leave this world a little better than you found it”. Today, his granddaughter continues to spread his vision for young people everywhere. New leaders are always needed for local groups. If you are interested, please visit: www.scouts.org.uk and search in your local area.
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9
Three Counties Radio
By Jonathan Vernon-Smith
Are Extended Warranties
Worth the Money? It doesn’t seem to matter what product you’re buying, there’s now an extended warranty available for everything. The question people often ask me on my radio show is whether it’s a good idea to pay the extra and take one out? My answer is generally a big, fat NO! Under your statutory rights you are protected for a ‘reasonable’ amount of time if a manufacturing defect occurs with a product. Depending on the item and the initial cost, this is generally as long as an extended warranty would last anyway. Remember when the retailer says that after 12 months there’s nothing they can do, they’re fobbing you off. The extended warranty is normally a way of charging you for something you really don’t need. Sadly some consumers are so trusting of retailers that they believe the company’s advice to be sound. I went to a well known shop once and bought a radio for £15.99. The retailer tried very hard to sell me a 3 year extended warranty for £20. I explained that if the radio failed after a couple of years I would simply purchase a new one at another cost of £15.99. The shop assistant seemed amazed that I was so hostile to the idea. Sadly I would imagine many people go ahead and pay an additional £20 that’s totally pointless. You should however remember that often when claiming under your statutory rights that a battle will probably ensue. A battle that will require you to hold your nerve. For most things I would urge you to fight that battle (and call me if you need help), but for other essential products (stairlifts / electric wheelchairs etc) you may consider buying the extended warranty just to give you hassle free piece of mind, and you know what? I wouldn’t blame you. The rule of thumb is always think long and hard before you hand over your money for something you probably don’t need. It is also worth looking into the idea of purchasing insurance policies that cover all of your white goods for mechanical failure. For consumers looking for hassle free piece of mind at a lower cost these can be a good alternative to the ‘extended warranty. Please read the terms and conditions though beforehand and understand exactly what the policy will cover.
Jonathan Vernon-Smith not only offers you his consumer advice here but you can listen to The JVS Show tackling your consumer problems every weekday morning from 9am. 10
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12:25 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding08/06/2015 to adverts
N O I T I T E P M O C The CRUISE Show Birmingham 12-13 September 2015 www.cruisingshow.com Discover a whole world of voyages at The CRUISE Show in Birmingham... As Europe’s leading cruise event, The CRUISE Show will host the largest collection of major cruise lines and specialist operators all under one roof for one weekend! Whether you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime expedition cruise to a far-flung destination, a sumptuous ultra-luxury voyage, maybe a relaxing cultural river cruise or a tropical family cruiseholiday with lots to entertain all ages – The CRUISE Show at the NEC has it all. Packed with information and inspiration visitors can enjoy exclusive money-saving show offers and upgrades, be inspired by the informative free talks, gain essential expert advice that you won’t find in the brochure, discover different ship styles and incredible destinations and hear directly from the cruise lines about what’s new for 2015/2016. So, if you’re completely new to cruising and intrigued to discover what it’s all about, or you’re a seasoned cruiser wanting inspiration for your next adventure, then make sure you head to The CRUISE Show at Birmingham’s NEC on 12-13 September 2015. For more show information please visit www.cruisingshow.com
We are giving 10 lucky people the chance to win a pair of tickets to the show! Just answer this simple question below: Where is The CRUISE Show in Birmingham taking place? a) Olympia b) NEC c) Manchester Central Send your answer with your name, address and telephone number to: Cruise Show Birmingham Competition, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP READER’S TICKET OFFER: We are also offering reduced price advance tickets to the show! Get your tickets for only £4 (that’s saving £6 off the door price!!) by quoting ‘VILLAGER’ when booking tickets online at www.cruisingshow.com or when calling 0871 620 4024. (Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras).
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Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts
Fuel Saving Rising fuel prices make the news all too often and while we can’t escape rising fuel costs, we are not entirely defenceless. Here are some simple fuelsaving tips we can adopt for every journey: There are only three major rules we all should follow: drive smoothly, accelerate gently, read the road ahead. Keep to the designated speed limits. Driving at 70mph can use up to 11 per cent more fuel than at 65mph. If you have cruise control, use it. As a motoring journalist, I drive many thousands of miles every year and I’ve proven the fuel-saving benefits of cruise-control many times over. Check your tyre pressures regularly and follow the recommended pressures set by the car’s manufacturer. Under-inflated tyres cause resistance meaning your engine has to work harder to maintain the desired momentum. Nearly all cars sold these days have engine stop/
Motoring By Wayne Gorrett
start eco systems fitted as standard, But, if yours doesn’t, turn off the engine if you think you’ll be stationary for a while. Change up through the gears as early as possible, but without making the engine labour. Diesels can change up a gear when revs reach around 1,500rpm. Changing up at around 2,300 for petrol engines should make a difference. On a down slope, don’t be tempted to put the car in neutral as it won’t save fuel. In neutral, the engine is at idle so is still using fuel. In gear - but not under power – modern electronic fuel systems cut off fuel to the engine. De-clutter and shed excess weight such as roof racks. The lighter your car the less fuel it needs to burn to maintain the desired momentum.
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15
Travel By Solange Hando
Bhutan - Taktsang, the Tiger’s Lair Long ago, they say, a holy man named Guru Rinpoche flew from the East on the back of a tigress to bring Buddhism to Bhutan. He landed high above the Paro valley on a vertiginous ledge where hermits soon followed to meditate in the caves. Taktsang, ‘the Tiger’s Lair’ is the most sacred place in this small Himalayan kingdom, claiming myriad shrines on the slopes and a monastery built on the very ledge where the Guru landed. Damaged by fire in the late 90s, Bhutan’s most iconic landmark was restored by the finest artists and welcomes visitors, pilgrims and monks who might choose to meditate for up to seven years in the most remote building. Glinting in sunlight or draped in shifting mist, Taktsang defies imagination, seemingly inaccessible as it clings precariously to the cliff face, hanging some 800 metres above the valley floor. Yet, it can be reached on a scenic three hour trek, starting in a riverside meadow garlanded in prayer flags. Soon the trail enters a forest of blue pines, rhododendrons and oak where wild primula and orchids line the path and lichen hangs from the trees like ghostly cobwebs. Sometimes you come across a makeshift stall with a colourful display of turquoise and coral beads, gleaming among human skulls polished for ritual offerings. A child beckons, a woman smiles but all is quiet except for bird song and the occasional tinkling of bells as ponies carry the less able to the half way point.
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Up there, by a log cabin framed in marigolds, Taktsang appears even more out of reach across a fathomless ravine, but there are great views of the valley with its golden paddies, meandering river and traditional houses festooned in auspicious signs and beautifully carved eaves. At nearly 3000 metres, the air is fresh and Buddhist flags flutter in the breeze to send prayers in all directions. Beyond the cabin, the path climbs relentlessly above the tree line, past holy rocks and glistening shrines, mysterious footprints, gurgling springs and rows of tiny urns containing ashes of the dead, placed here to ensure a peaceful after-life. Just like the altitude, the scenery takes your breath away, from the mountain tops drifting in and out of the mist to the forest tumbling down to the valley in every shade of green. One final bend and you are faced by hundreds of steps staggering down to a wooden bridge to cross a sacred waterfall, then it’s up on the other side to the entrance gate, at last. Now, vertigo might strike at any moment for there is little room on the ledge where white walls and red and gold pagoda roofs jostle for space right against the rock, on the very edge of the precipice. Narrow rickety bridges, steps and mini-terraces lead from one temple to the next, with yet more dizzying views of the Paro valley. Inside every temple are murals of gurus and gods, gilded statues and offerings of fruit, flowers and colourful butter sculptures. Pilgrims prostrate and peep into the Guru’s cave, open only once a year, and now and then the chanting of monks echoes in the semi-darkness, punctuated by cymbals and gongs. Oil lamps flicker and the fragrance of incense rises all around. It’s eerie, inspiring and worth every challenging step along the way.
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TCH August Villager advert 1-2.pdf
EVERY TUESDAY
6-9PM
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16/07/2015
10:33
EVERY SATURDAY
10AM-12PM PANCAKES
EVERY SUNDAY
12-3PM
SUMMER BARBECUE
For details of all our events and to book a table, visit www.coachhousepotton.co.uk or call 01767 260221 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
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Home Interiors
By Katherine Sorrell
Victorian Style It may not be the height of fashion, but there is much
to be said for Victorian style, which is confident, distinctive and eminently comfortable, says Katherine Sorrell From society to science, politics to industry, the Victorian era was a time of enormous transformation. The middle classes expanded rapidly, and their homes became the perfect vehicles with which to show off both their newly acquired wealth and their cultural savvy. The result? An interior style that was exuberant, eclectic and often over the top. The high Victorian style was a riot of revivalism, and different periods were mixed with abandon. The main ‘Battle of the Styles’, however, was between ‘Greek’, (in other words, all types of classical architecture and decoration), and ‘Gothic’ (more or less any style reminiscent of Olde Englande). The main ingredients for Victorian living were not so far from where we are today, give or take a tweak in colour and pattern. Tiled hallways and polished, dark wood floors with a central rug featuring large, bold patterns set the scene, while patterned wallpaper was de rigueur. Wooden furniture was dark, solid and often very large, but we would recognise much of it, from dressers and dining tables to sideboards and writing desks. Upholstered seating was the major development from the preceding Georgian era. Coil springing had been invented in the 1820s, and Victorian sofas and chairs featured deep buttons and comfortable, curving shapes. Metal bedsteads were introduced to Britons at the Great Exhibition of 1851 – and have changed little in style ever since. As far as colour choices went, the Victorians
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loved anything rich, deep and vivid. These hues worked well with the dark brown furniture that predominated, but are best used judiciously today. That said, they can be most attractive in the right place: deep shades, such as crimson, claret, bottle green, sharp yellow, purple, mahogany, terracotta and Prussian blue, were preferred for sitting rooms, dining rooms and studies; paler and fresher hues were considered to be more suitable for bedrooms. Lighting has, of course, altered a great deal in the last 150 years or so. When Victoria came to the throne, oil and candle lamps were the only form of lighting in most homes, but during her reign first gas lighting was developed and then, at the very end of the 19th century, early electricity. There were a great many elaborate and ornamental styles of lamp, including swan-necked brass wall lights, flowershaped glass shades and china lamps covered with floral sprigs. The Victorian middle-class kitchen, used only by servants, was a very plain room, equipped with free-standing tables, with the sink in an adjacent scullery. And the bathroom only came into being as a separate room in the 1870s. Along with indoor bathrooms came distinctive sanitaryware – large, often colourfully decorated basins, and enamelled roll-top baths on ball and claw or scroll feet, much of which can be found in reproduction form for those with spacious enough rooms. Because Victorians considered bare rooms to be in poor taste, their houses were filled knick knacks, objets d’art and collections, some of which are right on-trend today? Other Victorian accessories have not stood the test of time quite so well, including black and white miniature portraits and toby jugs. Nor has a helpful kitchen accessory, employed for anyone unlucky enough to suffer from cockroaches – a hedgehog kept in a box.
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Guitar Lessons l Lessons – Owen Edwards Guitar: Loca With a Global Reputation!
Rock, Metal & Blues, Funk, Punk & Indie, Acoustic, Folk & Country, Electric, Acoustic & Bass All Ages and All Levels - Beginners to Advanced 25 Years Teaching Experience One to One or Group Lessons available Exclusive Student Live Concerts & Guitar Clinics with Top Pro Players Internationally renowned & worldwide published Guitar Teacher and Author Fully Equipped Teaching Studio in Kimbolton, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 0JL
01480 861174 / 07758 146568 owen@owenedwardsguitar.com Owen Edwards 1/2 page.indd 1
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Local News
How to earn Time Credits:
Share you time and get help in return Become a member of St Neots TimeBank, Free registration, just 2 references from friends or neighbours. No pressure only help when it suits you. For every hour you help another member you get 1 hours’ Time Credit to then use by having another member help you with a skill that you need. But now you have a choice: Accept help from others or exchange your hours for Spice Time Credits. Come along to our coffee mornings to find out more – first Saturday of the month at St Mary’s Church Hall, St Neots – 11am till 2pm. Saturday 1st August we have a First Aider showing us all we need to know if we’re first on the scene. How to earn Spice Time Credits: You can exchange 10 Time Credits each month for 10 Spice Time Credits. Those that are already members can exchange hours they have already recorded. Then use your Spice Time credits as entrance fee to The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Museum of London all just 2 credits per
person or just 1 credit for the Blackpool Tower. A bit nearer home – there’s the Light Cinema in Wisbech, Elgood’s brewery, Fens Falconry, New Vision Fitness Centre, Chatteris, Whittlesey, Wisbech and March. Venues in St Neots will soon be available too, a team are visiting activities and services in this area at the moment. Meanwhile visit www.justaddspice.org to see all the booklets covering the country along with how many credits you’ll need. Contact time.volunteers@outlook.com to register as a member or visit our website to see our Newsletters and a lot more information: www.stneotstimebank.org.uk Or contact our Coordinator Georgina on 01480 404184 or 07590 909057.
SAFFORD’S COACHES
2015 DAY EXCURSIONS SAT 1 AUGUST SUN 2 AUGUST TUE 4 AUGUST WED 5 AUGUST THUR 6 AUGUST SAT 8 AUGUST SUN 9 AUGUST TUE 11 AUGUST WED 12 AUGUST THUR 13 AUGUST SAT 15 AUGUST TUE 18 AUGUST WED 19 AUGUST SAT 22 AUGUST SUN 23 AUGUST TUE 25 AUGUST WED 26 AUGUST THUR 27 AUGUST SAT 29 AUGUST SUN 30 AUGUST MON 31 AUGUST SAT 5 SEPT. SAT 19 SEPT.
DUXFORD IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM KENT COASTAL TOUR MORETON IN THE MARSH MARKET & BOURTON ON THE WATER SAVILL GARDEN & RIVER CRUISE FAKENHAM MARKET & CROMER LICHFIELD & THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM SOUTHEND ON SEA BUCKINGHAM PALACE TOUR STRATFORD UPON AVON & RIVER CRUISE SKEGNESS HUNSTANTON WOBURN SAFARI PARK BURY ST EDMUNDS & LAVENHAM CITY OF CANTERBURY SOUTHWOLD & ALDEBURGH KEW GARDENS BURGHLEY HOUSE & STAMFORD CLACTON AIR SHOW MATLOCK BATH & BAKEWELL LONDON ZOO BRIGHTON HORSEDRAWN CANAL BOAT & HENLEY ON THAMES BUCKINGHAM PALACE TOUR
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WESTON SUPER MARE £325 SUMMER IN BOURNEMOUTH £389 ROYAL EDINBURGH TATTOO £242 PEAK DISTRICT/CHESTER/LIVERPOOL £347 EASTBOURNE & THE SUSSEX COAST £325 EXPLORE NORTH DEVON - ILFRACOMBE £313 CATALONIA CHARM - SPAIN - ROSES £457 ENJOY EXMOUTH £271 ST.HELIER - JERSEY £369 KENDAL IN THE LAKE DISTRICT £297 AUTUMN ON THE SUSSEX COAST £312
PLUS MANY MORE DESTINATIONS
RING FOR YOUR FREE COLOUR BROCHURE
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Wedding
Car Hire
Established 1985
Lady B wedding car hire takes pride in providing a professional and personal service at competitive rates
www.ladybweddingcarhire.co.uk lady.b.weddingcarhire@gmail.com 07809 873267 www.facebook.com/weddingcarpeterborough
The Unforgettable Close Up and Cabaret Magic of Steve Dean Immerse yourselves and guests in the close up magic of Steve Dean or enjoy a Cabaret Show that includes mentalism and much more. Have you ever witnessed unexplainable events or illusions so convincing that they leave you fascinated and completely spellbound? This is Cabaret, close up mix and mingle and table magic at it’s very best. Steve is a master of his craft and a member of the prestigious Magic Circle. He has had many letters of thanks and testimonials from people from all walks of life. From a small dinner party to performing on a British Cruise Liner this sort of entertainment is second to none and will give your guests unusual and fantastic entertainment that they can get involved in and will talk about for months to come. (Steve is a member of Equity with full public liability insurance).
Please phone or email for details 07719 261147 • 01767 260671 www.stevedeanmagic.co.uk email: stevedeanmagic@aol.com
Winner of Wedding Industr y Exper t Awards 2013-2014 22
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Hobbies
The Bounty Hunters
Modern day metal-detecting I have happy memories of my dad, wearing comical over-size headphones, wandering up and down various beaches with his metal detector, pausing periodically to dig up yet another ring pull or bottle top. We kids hoped for treasure; instead dad found foreign coins, old pennies, and once, an engraved wedding ring, which we handed in to the local police station. Dad’s metal-detecting was a harmless and somewhat seasonal hobby, but recently I was surprised to learn that modern-day metal detecting is a subject which provokes controversy among archaeologists, the police and landowners. Most metal detectors admit that becoming rich or finding something of immense value is about the same as winning the lottery. But it
does happen. In 2009 Terry Herbert, who had been metal-detecting for 18 years unearthed what has become known as The Saxon Hoard: the largest collection of Anglo Saxon gold and silver ever seen. Valued at £3 million it is still the most expensive treasure ever found on British soil. Terry did nothing wrong; he informed all the right people and behaved properly throughout his discovery, yet many archaeologists were very unhappy. Archaeology is a deeply political profession and a very academic one. Archaeologists feel that the past belongs to everybody; that finds should be in a public collection on display and accessible for study on the internet or in books. They see those who use metal detectors as being very object-orientated while they, the academics, are educated to take a broader view. Most metal detector enthusiasts do operate legitimately, but some work on the wrong side of the law. Archaeologists call these treasure hunters ‘nighthawks’, because they go out to archaeological sites under cover of darkness to raid them for artefacts, which they can then sell over the internet. They often cause considerable damage in the process. So does that mean we shouldn’t go out metaldetecting? No, it’s a fun hobby and can be absorbing, exciting and educational. But there are some rules all enthusiasts should obey. Do not trespass Adhere strictly to laws concerning protected sites. Minimise ground disturbance when you dig. Adhere to the country code (close gates, don’t litter etc.) Report any finds to the relevant landowner. Consider joining a metal detecting club – Not only is it fun and sociable, they will have current advice on the conservation and handling of artefacts, and often provide insurance too. Useful Website http://www.ncmd.co.uk/
By Louise Addison
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Shires Mobile Footcare ...because feet matter
Treatment of common foot disorders in the comfort of your own home Professional treatment includes: • Callus reduction • Corn removal • Toe nail trimming • Fungal/thickened toe nail treatment • Cracked heel reduction • Athletes foot treatment
For further enquiries call Sam on:
01480 819 453 M. 07715 085 131 T.
Samantha Craig BA Hons, SAC Dip FHPT, SAC Dip FHPP, MRFHP
Canine Hydrotherapy Services
• Rehabilitation after Illness or Injury • Relieves Pain, Swelling and Stiffness • Strengthen and Maintain Muscles • Increase Range of Motion • Aids Weight Loss • Improve Fitness and Stamina • Fun for Your Dog • Other Pet Services also Available 24Riverglade Hydrotherapy 1/2 page.indd
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Professional new facilities in a friendly home environment Wendy Gilpin, Colmworth, Beds, MK44 2NA
07480 877800 Riverglade Hydrotherapy
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Fun Quiz - Knights and Princesses 1. What was the name of King Arthur’s knight with whom Guinevere had an affair? 2. How is Princess Aurora better known in the title of a Walt Disney film? 3. Who lived alone in a hotel room for a month in preparation for playing the role of the Joker in the 2008 film The Dark Knight? 4. Which actress played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy? 5. Dance Of The Knights from the ballet Romeo And Juliet is used as the theme song for which BBC TV show? 6. In April 2010, which princess became the first ever royal to complete the London Marathon? 7. Which former chief executive officer of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group had his knighthood annulled due to the near collapse of the bank in 2008? 8. Who provides the voice of Princess Fiona in the Shrek films? 9. Which British fashion house has a knight on a horse on its logo and is famous for its trademarked tartan pattern? 10. What was Princess Diana’s maiden name?
Before
After
1. Lancelot 2. Sleeping Beauty 3. Heath Ledger 4. Carrie Fisher 5. The Apprentice 6. Princess Beatrice 7. Fred Goodwin 8. Cameron Diaz 9. Burberry 10. Spencer
Acupuncture FOR WELL-BEING
Judy obtained her Licentiate in Acupuncture, and B.A (Hons) degree in Traditional Acupuncture, from the College of Traditional Acupuncture, Warwickshire. Judy is a passionate believer in the positive benefits, on both physical and emotional levels, that may be obtained from receiving acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture originated in China and other far eastern cultures where it still features in mainstream healthcare, both as a stand-alone therapy and in combination with conventional western medicine. Judy has been trained as a classical Five Element Acupuncturist; treatment is aimed at the root cause of your condition as well as your main symptoms. This approach helps with resolving your problem and enhancing your feelings of wellbeing. You may notice other niggling problems resolve as your main health complaint improves. Judy continues to pursue her belief in excellence of care for her patients in her role as a dedicated acupuncture practitioner, and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council. Please contact Judy for a free 20 minute consultation to discuss how acupuncture treatment can help you.
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Health & Beauty
Why Breast is still Best August is World Breastfeeding Month, so let’s bust some myths and look at breastfeeding benefits. Breastfeeding Myths I can’t breastfeed because: • I need medication for depression. Sometimes the benefits of treatment and breastfeeding outweigh potential risks (very low with some antidepressants). • I have flat/ inverted nipples. Breastfeeding is often possible and can even fix this – as can a simple operation. • I’m unsure about breastfeeding; I’m going back to work, anyway. Even if you feed your baby just a few times, they’ll receive colostrum (initial breastmilk full of your antibodies). Started bottlefeedng? Usually you can still breastfeed later, although it’s harder as time passes. You can breastfeed at first, then swap to expressed breastmilk, formula or mixed feeding when you return to work; you have a legal right to express milk at work and ask for a change in your working pattern. • I can’t make enough milk: Despite what many mums are told, it’s extremely rare to be physically incapable of producing enough milk. The process can be hampered after a caesarean, or if you or your baby is poorly. Usually you just need time and correct technique, but if your baby’s suffering or you need to leave them, you can give formula... ...But mixed feeding will ruin my milk supply: If your baby needs the odd bottle of formula, don’t panic. Ideally, though, wait 6 weeks to try regular mixed feeding, as the ideal production rate is stimulated by demand and takes time to establish. Often, regular mixed feeding early on quickly leads to full formula feeding, the NCT warns, but it’s usually successful after breastfeeding is established. Breastfed babies wake more at night: Research suggests parents of breastfed babies get more sleep, and there’s no night time bottle preparation. I can’t breastfeed in public: The Equality Act 2010 says you CAN.
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Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk Breastfeeding Benefits • Much healthier babies: breastmilk is custommade for your baby, adapting to their needs. It aids development, increases intelligence and reduces the risk of chest, stomach, ear and urine infections, asthma, diabetes, obesity, leukaemia, meningitis, celiac disease, Sudden Infant Death syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, some lymphomas and cancers, Crohn’s disease, cardiovascular disease, eczema, allergies, breast and ovarian cancer in girls and necrotizing enterocolitis (a serious bowel condition) in premature babies. • Healthier mums: Breastfeeding uses 200-500kcal daily, contracts your uterus to normal size, conserves your iron, and reduces your risk of postpartum haemorrhage, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes. • Convenient, economical and green: Feed your baby anywhere for free, saving £550 a year on formula and reducing waste. Decisions, Decisions A mini-survey of friends echoed national findings: the main culprits responsible for making breastfeeding difficult or unappealing are poor advice and support (personal and professional). “I was banished to upstairs in my in-laws house!” said one friend, while Liz intended to breastfeed until her midwife advised her bottlefeeding would be easier after her caesarean. Older ‘militant’ breastfeeding advice just caused guilt: “My LaLeche League book was SO awful about bottle feeding that when I finally offered my daughter formula, I felt I was poisoning her,” said Katie. The NCT found 90% of women whose friends breastfeed, have a plan to breastfeed themselves, compared to 51% of women without breastfeeding friends. So ensuring mums are wellinformed and supported, wherever and however they feed their baby, is vital. NCT (National Childbirth Trust): www.nct.org. uk/ Helpline: 0300 330 0700
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27
Travel
A Holiday in By Tim Saunders
East Sussex
Of the 100 or so castles in England, more than 30 are in the South East - historically this region has always been most vulnerable to attack from foreign shores. When we stay at Castle Cottage in East Sussex, there are views towards the delightful Wadhurst Castle - complete and unusually, still lived in. “Does Rapunzel live there?” asks Harriett (4). Not quite, but it has been in the same family for over 50 years and is certainly the stuff of childhood dreams. Castle Cottage shares its Regency architectural style. Large sash windows let copious amounts of light in. From the bedrooms, there are not only views towards the castle but also the walled garden where those seeking an exclusive venue are married. These views towards the beautiful East Sussex countryside beyond are magical. The cottage will accommodate six guests on a selfcatering basis. All mod cons including a dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer are included: extremely useful when travelling with little ones. We all love this spacious, characterful house, which is finished to a high standard with elegant furnishings tastefully complementing the architecture. I am drawn to the bookcase where there are various leather-bound works by the greats. It is easy to walk to the village of Wadhurst from the 140-acre working estate. It quickly becomes clear that not only is this part of the world extremely affluent but that it is pleasingly home to a high proportion of independent traders. You have to look hard to find a well-known supermarket chain and yet it is only an hour away from London. Many guests visit the National Trust properties and there are a variety to choose from in this area including Sissinghurst Castle which comes highly recommended. Only about half an hour away over the Kent border, the castle itself has a varied history including use as a prison in the 1700s. We all enjoy climbing the Elizabethan tower with its splendid views across the 450-acre estate, the magnificent gardens transformed by writer Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat author husband, Harold Nicolson, in the 1930s. At Michelham Priory, we learn the important role it played in WW2 as a home to evacuees, British and Canadian forces as well as being a farm worked by land girls. There’s also a rope museum and a forge
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Harriet and Heidi run towards the Elizabethan Tower at Sissignhurt Castle which is still in use today. The priory has 800 years of history and includes England’s longest water-filled moat dating back to 1229. Owned by Sussex Past, it is a great day out with lovely gardens, archery at weekends and art exhibitions throughout the year in conjunction with Creative Coverage. A display of plants used for medieval purposes in the physic garden is very interesting. En route to Brighton, we stop off at the National Trust’s Sheffield Park and Gardens with historic park and woodland influenced by Capability Brown. We have only just touched the surface of the wonders of East Sussex. Tim Saunders is our regular travel writer. Visit his website at www.travelwriter.biz
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Jill Dighton
BSc (Hons) MBACP, UKCP Reg.
Counselling Service Depressed? Anxious? Relationship Issues? Low Self Esteem? Have you considered Counselling sessions? Based in Grafham village, I offer a professionally qualified Counselling Service to individuals and couples in a secure, confidential & non-judgemental atmosphere. Ample parking. Concessionary rates available. For further details: Visit: www.jilldightoncounselling.co.uk Email: j.dighton@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07925 852 985 (Voicemail available)
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Relax Holistic Therapy are now based in St Neots offering a high quality professional service, including a mobile service to the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire areas. Here is a small selection of what we have to offer.
• Therapeutic Swedish Massage • Sports/Trigger Point Massage • Indian Head Massage
o o
£5 off your first massage with this advert
07909 978 880
www.relaxholistictherapy.co.uk
ax Holistic Therapy 1/4 page.indd 1
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13/05/2015 10:24
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Health & Beauty
Belle of the Beach Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk Late nights, lazy days at the beach and endless mojitos… we do love summer holidays. Whether you’re heading off for a week in the Canaries, catching a cruise ship to the Caribbean, or just taking the kids camping to Cornwall, feast your eyes on our pick of the latest beauty releases. If you like ‘buying British’ you’ll love the new British Botanical Shower Cream from Elemis, which uses UK-sourced ingredients such as chamomile, lavender, rosemary and oats. It smells divine and is incredibly nourishing. At £24 it is rather pricey, but definitely one to consider if you fancy treating yourself. Looking for a sun cream that’s suitable for all the family? Try Green People’s Organic Children Scent Free Sun Lotion, £16.95. It’s non-greasy and rubs in more easily than a lot of the other natural sunscreens on the market. Offering both UVA and UVB protection, with a choice of SPF 25 or 30, it offers great all round protection. Plus it’s packed with fruit and seed oils, including avocado, olive and aloe vera, and is kind to sensitive skin. It is water-resistant, but won’t survive a long swim in the pool, so do make sure that you reapply it regularly. If you prefer a lipstick to a gloss, but hate the drying effect that some lipsticks can have, you’ll want to get your hands on one of the new Burt’s Bees Lip Crayons. 100% natural, the crayons use shea butter, jojoba oil and kendi oil to soften and moisturise your lips. I could still feel the difference by the next day. There are six shades
available. My personal favourite is Sedana Sands – a natural pink with just a hint of caramel, which is perfect for summer. Burt’s Bees Lip Crayons are priced at £8.99 and are available from Debenhams, Fenwick and www.burtsbees.co.uk. We all know the risks, but when the sun is shining and we’re baring our pins on a golden beach, we can’t help but want a tan. Sometimes it’s OK to fake it, and tanning is one of those occasions. Don’t let the visions of Oompa Loompa lookalikes put you off; fake tans have come a long way and you no longer have to choose between milk bottle white or tangerine orange. For best results, wax or shave the day before, exfoliate well, then follow with a body lotion. Wait until the lotion is fully absorbed before applying the tan. New to the UK market is Aussie tanning brand Black Magic. Try the Black Magic Instant Tanning Mousse, £23, which is tinted, extremely easy to apply and comes with a mitt to keep your hands stain-free. www. blackmagictan.co.uk If late night cocktails have left your skin looking a bit lacklustre, or you just don’t fancy slapping on foundation in the heat, give Origins GinZing™ Energy-Boosting Moisturizer, £23, a go. Designed to ‘wake up’ tired looking skin and leave it with a healthier looking glow, it’s no surprise that this has quickly become one of Origins’ ‘hero’ products. A 75ml limited edition version was released this spring, featuring a funky coffee bean lid, but it was snapped up pretty quickly. Still, you may be lucky and find one lurking at the back of a shelf in Debenhams…
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Complementary Health
An Osteopath’s Guide
to a happy holiday! When you’ve looked forward to that dream getaway, the last thing you want is back pain to ruin it. “All too often patients come to us having been on holiday, hoping to have had a relaxing time, but instead have developed back pain whilst there, putting somewhat of a dampener on their break” explains Jane Morris from the Centre for Complementary Health. “The reality is that most back injuries are not caused by activity-based holidays but by relaxing ones.” Jane shares her personal tips on preventing holiday back pain. Packing... • Baggage selection - buy the lightest case/bag possible with wheels; hard cases can sometimes weigh a lot before you even start to fill them. • Two cases are better than one – carry two lighter cases rather than one heavy one. • Pack your suitcase well in advance to avoid last minute stress and at a comfortable height to reduce bending. If you’re the type of person who takes a long time to pack, do it in stages. • When picking up your bags bend from the knees, not waist, to lift. Avoid twisting and stretching while holding the bag. • If you have a comfortable pillow and there’s room in the case take it. • Leave behind tight clothes that restrict your movement. • Use a rucksack rather than a shoulder bag as hand luggage. • Have a good night’s sleep the night before you leave as being tired increases your risk of injury. If you’re driving • Relax at the wheel - this reduces stress on the spine. • Take regular breaks - every two hours • Stuck in traffic? Exercise in your seat. Try buttock clenches, side bends and shoulder shrugs/circles. At the airport • Use a trolley, ensuring the wheels move freely and it’s not difficult to manoeuvre. • If using a wheeled case, push the case in front of you as pulling makes the upper body twist. In the air • Drink plenty of water and minimize alcohol dehydration can exacerbate pain. • Exercise in your seat - shoulder shrugs, buttock clenches and foot circles. Get up and about as often as possible. • If the seat isn’t supporting you, put a rolled up jumper into your lower back.
On holiday • Movement is an elixir for backs. First thing in the morning, before it’s too hot, go for a half-hour walk or swim to wake up your back muscles and get spinal joints moving. • If you spend a lot time on a sun bed then make sure that you change your position frequently. Try not to lie on your tummy with your back and neck arched back when reading - keep your head and neck in a neutral position. Change to a chair throughout the day so you are not on a sun bed for more than an hour at a time, or less if you are already experiencing pain. • Do some simple back stretches every few hours. • Activities also help. If you can find aqua aerobics, fitness classes, yoga or Pilates then sign up. Tennis, cycling and water sports can also help. Just don’t overdo it. How to make the best of a poor bed • Back pain is often caused by a poor mattress. If the bed is too hard, putting a duvet under the bottom sheet can help soften it. If the mattress sags or is too soft then pulling it off the base and onto the floor may improve matters. Treatment for back pain abroad • Massage is widely available in resorts but it needs to be somebody with the relevant qualifications. If you are in pain, placing a pillow underneath the tummy is often a safe way to support the back while having a massage. • If the pain is serious, you may benefit from seeing a local osteopath or physiotherapist, or even a doctor but do check their qualifications. If you would like more information visit www.centreforcomphealth.co.uk or call us to discuss your concerns on 01480 455221.
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Finance By Ann Haldon
Credit Cards For the Life Stages With so many different credit cards to choose from, knowing which one is right for you often depends on the current stage of your life. Whether you’re a young adult just starting work, coping with the financial demands of a young family, or are approaching retirement, here are some of the features and benefits to watch out for. Students and graduates Most student account ‘packages’ include a credit card for those who qualify, and generally offer an average Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of around 19%. Credit limits are unlikely to be more than £500, but this is often all that is needed to provide a financial cushion. HSBC student credit card Offered alongside their student current account, you can make payments and view your balance online. Their representative variable APR is 18.9% - average for this type of card, with no annual fee payable. Graduate cards work in much the same way, often linked to a ‘graduate’ account, and with a similar credit limit and APR. A slight difference is that some banks offer the facility to transfer an existing balance over to your new graduate card at 0% interest for a limited time. Lloyds Bank graduate card Lloyds offer a limit of up to £500 on credit cards if you are a graduate current account holder. A selection of cards is available depending on your income as a new graduate, with some cards offering 0% interest on balance transfers. Young family Rewards cards Parents of young children may prefer to receive rewards and incentives from a credit card. These could include free travel insurance, commissionfree foreign currency, free days out and money-off vouchers for meals at child-friendly restaurants.
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Tesco Clubcard credit card Currently the Tesco Clubcard credit card offers five Clubcard points for every £4 spent with Tesco, including your spend on petrol. You can also earn one point for every £4 spent using the card at other outlets. Cash back cards Cash back credit cards come in handy if you can pay back the total balance each month. You need to read the small print carefully, however, as higher penalties often apply for missed or late payments. Santander 123 credit card Santander is currently offering 1% cash back in the major supermarkets when you use their credit card, 2% in major department stores, and 3% on petrol and transport. Retirees A reduced income in retirement often means a narrower choice of credit cards. Banks and other financial institutions prefer to see a regular wage coming in, and some have a policy of refusing anyone over a certain age, regardless of how much money they have saved. Even if your savings are with the bank you are applying to, banks have been quite rigid on this policy of late. Saga Platinum credit card A variable representative APR of 11.9 % makes this credit card from Saga a middle-of-the-road option in terms of interest rate. Not the lowest, but not the highest, the perks of this card currently include an introductory 0% on balance transfers and purchases for the first nine months, and 0% foreign currency fees on transactions worldwide. The best general advice from money experts is to shop around for the best credit card. Don’t be blinded by rewards and offers – simply find a good all-round card with a low interest rate, and let the added extras be just that – extra to the main features.
www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/credit-cards/student-credit-card www.lloydsbank.com/current-accounts/graduate-account.asp www.lloydsbank.com/credit-cards.asp www.santander.co.uk/uk/credit-cards/123-credit-card www.tescobank.com/credit-cards/compare.html www.saga.co.uk/money/saga-credit-card.aspx
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35
YOUR JOURNEY
YOUR FUTURE
Let the next step of your journey begin... at Huntingdonshire Regional College we offer a wide range of career-focused full-time Study Programmes, part-time professional courses and Apprenticeships providing paid jobs and training in partnership with local employers. Full-time students applying for September 2015 could save up to ÂŁ450 per year with our FREE College bus service across Huntingdonshire. Plus take advantage of our half-price driving lessons with RED Driving School.
APPLY NOW for September
huntingdon.ac.uk 01480 379106
/HuntingdonshireRegionalCollege 36
@HuntsCollege
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Accounts by Emma Ltd Accountant & Business Support
For all your small business needs from bookkeeping to year end accounts and everything in between. cashflow management business planning tax management accounts budgeting costing & pricing Call now for a free, no obligation, chat.
www.accountsbyemma.co.uk 01480 214370/ 07841 042077
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EBAY COLLECTIONS
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19/05/2015 10:0
Local & Reliable
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Health & Beauty By Kate McLelland
Is it time you saw the light? My decision to finally visit an optician – after years of blaming my fuzzy vision on inadequate lighting - came one Sunday when my husband and I had arrived back late from a long and exhausting day out. Earlier in the week I had bought a ready-made microwave meal, anticipating that we would want to eat as soon as we got in. As I hung up my coat my husband helpfully got the packets out of the fridge but I returned to the kitchen just in time to see him throwing them into the bin. “Why are you doing that?!” “They were three days out of date. Didn’t you check them?” The worst thing about this – apart from the fact that we ended up having to make do with cheese on toast – was that I had checked the use-by date. It’s just that my blurred eyesight had interpreted the 15th of the month as the 18th. The time for excuses was over: I had to admit that I needed help. As I chatted to the optician during my first ever eye test I discovered that age-related vision loss can start around the age of forty, when the lens inside the eye begins to harden, causing problems with focus. Many people compensate for this by holding reading material further away. As we grow older a number of other subtle changes occur in our eyes, including a reduction in pupil size (the reason why older people need more ambient light when reading). A smaller pupil means the eye is less able to adapt from dark to light conditions and it is therefore easier to become dazzled by bright lights, which can cause problems while driving.
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Another risk to older drivers is the loss of our ability to perceive images at the limits of our natural field of vision. This area narrows down by up to three degrees in each decade of life and by the time you reach your 70s and 80s you may have lost 20-30 degrees of peripheral vision. Decreased perception of colour, floating spots and flashes of light can also occur as a part of the natural aging process, but it’s worth visiting an optician if you are seeing spots and light flashes regularly, as this can be a symptom of a detached retina. If you’re aged 60 or over you are already entitled to a free NHS sight test: if you are younger you may still qualify visit www.nhs.uk to find out more. When I finally visited my local optician I was surprised to discover just how thorough the eye examination was. I was asked questions about my general health and given tests for eye balance and pressure as well as being asked to asked to read the optician’s chart. Many people don’t realise that contact lenses aren’t just for short-sightedness – they can be worn to help with presbyopia. But if you do choose glasses, multifocals mean that you don’t necessarily need to keep taking them on and off. Having worn glasses for several weeks now, I’ve now become used to catching sight of my new, bespectacled self, although I’m still struggling a bit when it comes to remembering to take my glasses out with me. One thing I can’t deny is that my new glasses are invaluable when it comes to reading those annoying sell-by dates!
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THE COMPUTER MAN Local, Qualified & Experienced
Getting I.T. right the first time, every time.
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• SLOW COMPUTERS RESOLVED • VIRUS & SPYWARE REMOVAL • BROADBAND INSTALLATION • UPGRADES & REPAIRS • IPOD, IPHONE, IPAD & MAC • MOST ISSUES RESOLVED ON SITE • HIGHLY COMPETITIVE RATES • NO EXPENSIVE SHOP TO RUN • ALL MAKES, MODELS & AGES
Contact Stuart on: Tel: 01480 354 937 Mob: 07734 652 239
E-mail: stuart@shconsultancy.co.uk
Whether your computer is not working at all or just needs a boost, we can help.
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Family Law
Travelling abroad
with children who have a different surname Many families now are what is known as ‘blended’. This is the modern day term for families who consist of step families or couples who are not married and have children from former relationships. Within that blended family unit, members of the family may have different surnames. It is not uncommon at all. The mother may have reverted to her maiden name after divorce, or the couple may never have married and the children bear the surname of one parent, and not the other. With the summer holidays approaching we thought it would be sensible to let readers in blended families or indeed readers who are single with children, know about possible difficulties they may experience at customs if they are travelling overseas with their child or children and the children do not share the same surname as the parent. Whilst this has not presented a problem in the past, in recent years Passport control have become increasingly vigilant about checking parental authenticity. If your child’s passport shows a different surname to your passport, it is recommend that you take at
least one of the following with you when travelling abroad: • Child’s birth certificate • (if divorced) Your marriage certificate • Letter of consent to travel from the child’s other parent. If you prefer to travel with certified copies of the above rather than originals, you can contact a solicitor who can arrange these for you at a minimal charge. The latest government advice has a very useful leaflet from the Border Force which confirms the above. This can be found on www.gov.uk.
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Fiona McLeman Tel: 07894 095775 www.fmfamilylaw.co.uk 43
Leeds Day Solicitors
Lasting Powers of Attorney from 1st July 2015 A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document whereby a person (the Donor) can appoint someone they trust (The Attorney) to make decisions on their behalf. It can be drawn up at any time while the Donor understands the nature and implications of the document but has no legal standing until it is registered with the Office of The Public Guardian. On 1st July 2015 important changes were made to the way in which Lasting Powers of Attorney are created. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:• Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney A Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney enables the Donor to choose someone to make decisions about how to spend their money and the way their property and affairs are managed. • Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney A Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney enables the Donor to choose someone to make decisions about their healthcare and welfare. This includes decisions to refuse or consent to medical treatment and deciding where they live. These decisions can only be taken by the Attorney when the Donor lacks the capacity to make the decisions him or herself. Registration Before a Lasting Power of Attorney can be used it must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. The Lasting Power of Attorney can be registered as soon as it has been signed or
registration can be postponed until the document is needed in the future. Either the Donor or the Attorney can apply to the Office of the Public Guardian to register the Lasting Power of Attorney. The Donor’s relatives will not be notified of the application to register the Lasting Power of Attorney unless they are named by the Donor in the Lasting Power of Attorney as persons who should be given notice. Anyone who has been notified can object to the Lasting Power of Attorney being registered. Lasting Powers of Attorney have recently been amended with the aim of making them simpler to read and quicker to process. The number of applications for registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney has increased significantly in recent years from 242,000 in 2012 – 2013 to 394,000 in 2014 2015. The main important change since 1st July 2015 is that there is no longer such a requirement for someone to be notified when a Lasting Power of Attorney is registered. This makes the process simpler but there are occasions when it may be wise to still have a notifiable person detailed in a Lasting Power of Attorney and this is a point we can discuss with you. We can help with the preparation and registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney. The preparation of a Lasting Power of Attorney requires careful thought and we can guide you through the process. Please contact us if we can assist you.
Our offices:
Huntingdon Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD T: 01480 454301 44
St. Ives 11 Station Road, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5BH T: 01480 464600
St. Neots 1A South Street, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 2BW T: 01480 474661
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Julie from JEO Recruitment Ltd is celebrating her 1st year in business. Julie specialises in the recruitment of the following staff: Rec/Admin/Secretarial/Customer Service Sales/Marketing Purchasing/Estimating/Supply Chain/Planning HR/Senior Office/Office Management If you require assistance with your next career move (or would like help with your recruitment) please call:
01480 276366/07949 072786 www.jeorecruitment.co.uk
JEO recruitment 1/4 page.indd 1
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15/06/2015 11:2
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Beacon Wealth
Tony Larkins CFP APFS CMgr FCMI Managing Director / IFA Chartered and Certified Financial Planner
England 1 Germany 0 Lionesses roared and achieved the unexpected. A bronze medal was a fantastic achievement which may have been silver, if not for the own goal, but a penalty awarded for an incident clearly outside of the area. Good tactics, detailed planning, enthusiasm and determination to do their best may have worked at the world cup, but it also works in life. A recent report by KPMG (firm providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services) has found that 59% of people have no financial plan, and whilst 71% do have at least an idea of how much income they will need in retirement, most had underestimated. At Beacon the investments have exceeded our own expectations with growth rates ranked top year to date and averaging over 10% per annum, with our lowest risk related portfolio achieving over 6% in the last 12 months when the FSTE achieved 0%. We may have not foreseen the problems in Greece, or the fall in oil prices, but risk profiling and
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diversification has worked. We can help you with your plan, whether it is as simple as moving Cash ISA’s, maximising pensions, using the latest tax breaks in the budget, or sorting the new company pension requirements. A personal plan is like a garden. It can just be grass that you keep mowing or it can be landscaped with plants and flowers that you nurture. A perfect garden can be achieved quickly with lots of money and established plants, and in the same way we can help you achieve your plan if you already have sufficient capital, or alternatively we can help it grow and develop. Why not design a plan and ‘grow your life today’. As the Lionesses found, anything can be achieved with forethought. You should always seek qualified advice from an IFA, preferably a Certified (CFP) Or Chartered Financial PlannerCM (APFS). If you have a financial question, e-mail: tlarkins@beaconwealth.co.uk
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What Keeps You
Awake at Night? Isn’t it strange that we can go to bed feeling tired, after perhaps watching television or reading a book, but just as we lie there our mind starts to think about a problem we have, be that money, children, or marriage. It is only when we relax and stop thinking about what we are doing that our subconscious comes to the fore. We lay there analysing the problem, looking at it in different ways, and sometimes we even come up with a solution. In the morning we have either totally forgotten about the problem, which has now been pushed to the back of our minds, or realise the solution actually does not work when you apply conscious logic. If your problem ever involves your family and cannot be solved, a good sound board could be a solicitor. As the Head of the Matrimonial Department I have seen many highs and lows that equally have kept my clients awake at night. Whether they are co-habiting, but not married and want to make sure that everything is sorted should something ever happen, or going through a divorce with or without children. This is one reason I was drawn to this area of law, as I wanted to offer help and support, especially to those clients going through a difficult time. The NHS shockingly state that poor sleep can shorten your life expectancy (source: nhs.uk), which is the last thing you want to think about when going through
Jeffrey Mills Hannah Byatt Head of Family Department
a difficult time, and so it is my aim to help my clients sleep a little easier. If you are being kept awake at night for one problem you do not then want to replace it with another, for example, confrontation or cost of advice from a solicitor. I am a member of Resolution (www.resolution. org.uk) highlighting my commitment to resolving disputes in a constructive and non-confrontational way and also offer a range of fixed fee services, or the option to pay by instalments. If we have concerns over our money we speak to a financial adviser, if it is our children we speak to them, and if our partnership/marriage comes to an end we seek advice from a solicitor. But why not seek advice from a solicitor who will provide impartial, independent advice, who is dedicated to putting your needs and desires first. You may have already divorced but didn’t obtain a court order to formalise your financial agreement, and find yourself wondering if you are entitled to more. Don’t let it keep you awake at night, find out. Don’t we all deserve a good night’s sleep and an uncluttered subconscious mind? – Sleep tight. Should you require legal assistance from a firm with family values and a fresh approach, contact myself or one of our team at Jeffrey Mills Solicitors. If you have a question, e-mail: h.byatt@jeffreymills.co.uk
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Local News
By Barry Ingram
Heritage, History & Heartbreak
Reads like the buzz line for a exciting new book which you should go out and buy. However this isn’t a book but you do have to buy into it and you do need to get a jacket and put on pair of good shoes or boots to get the most from it. In just a few weeks time Bedfordshire’s biggest walking event comes either to your town or village or nearby. Commencing on Saturday 5th September there are 9 days of absolute pleasure for those liking the countryside with over fifty walks and many of them located in the east and central part of the county. This part of Bedfordshire has so much heritage and history along with corresponding heartbreak your 9 days will be well spent. Informative walks are where the leader gives information along the way, not too much to bore but enough to generate even more interest, and starts with World War 2 special operations at Tempsford Airfield which should appeal to local and WW2 Historians and people interested in RAF and Special operations on Saturday 5th. On Sunday 6th Stotfold Mill is the starting point for an interesting ramble around the village with an opportunity to visit the mill and enjoy refreshments afterwards. Shuttleworth Park opens its grounds for a walk using paths normally not open to the public and part of the picturesque village of Old Warden is added for good measure. At the end why not visit Swiss Garden or the Aircraft museum after some
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refreshment in the restaurant. RSPB has a walk in woods and normal car park charges are being waived for the event. Later in the week there is Three Mills walk from Stotfold Mill and a Heath and Quarry walk starting from Sandy Town Council Offices and led by Barry Groom from Sandy Tourism. However if you want to go further a field there is an opportunity to climb the tower of St Mary’s Church Clophill after finding out about Clophill’s historical landscape and at Ampthill an opportunity to find out about its history and Henry V111’s involvement with the town. However if it is simply a good walk you want why not join the morning or afternoon walk from Haynes Village Hall, Ampthill Park, Maulden Woods, and Biggleswade’s Dan Albone Car park or join us on the Greensand Ridge Challenge 40 miles over two days on the weekend of the 12th and 13th. For those who would like to get out into the countryside but don’t understand maps help is at hand with two “Maps are fun” sessions on Saturday 5th at the Marston Vale Forest Centre. The festival programme contains walks of heritage, History and Heartbreak and are spread across the whole of the county and is available in Libraries, Travel Hubs, Local Town Councils, local attractions, some shops and cafes or via the web site
www.bedswalkfest.co.uk
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WOBURN FOREST HOLIDAY VILLAGE
Kids going to school in September? Wondering how to fill your time? Or are you simply wanting to get back into work? Well look no further… Apply now and you could be joining our friendly Housekeeping Team at the start of the new school term. Our Housekeeping Department plays a key role ensuring our accommodation is maintained to a high standard and is the largest team on the village. We are looking for enthusiastic team players to join our busy Housekeeping team.
Housekeepers £6.86 per hour working 10am – 2.45pm on Mondays and Fridays or 18 .5 hours per week on a rota to include alternate weekends. You will be required to conduct a full clean of our lodges and be responsible for up to 4 units of accommodation comprising Kitchen, Bedrooms etc. Accommodation is located throughout the Village reached by a maximum 15 minute walk or cycle. Housekeepers on rota also provide a maid service. The right candidate will be a team player, who can work on their own initiative and be willing to learn. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a team in a fast paced, quality environment.
Transport is available for some positions. For further details and to apply please visit: www.centerparcs.co.uk
At Center Parcs, we want our people to share in the success their hard work brings, enjoy a sense of wellbeing and a good lifestyle, and make the most of their time with us. We offer unique benefits such as: • Discounted Center Parcs breaks • Day visitor passes • Free use of village facilities Along with more classic benefits such as profit share and management bonus schemes, life insurance cover, 30 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) and company sick pay.
Center Parcs, Woburn Forest Holiday Village, Millbrook, Bedford, MK45 2HZ
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Garden
By Pippa Greenwood
Tropical Paradise As the summer’s end is not too far away, many of us will be wishing for that exotic holiday we never quite had. But you can recreate that Typically Tropical Feel in your own garden instead. The temperatures may not be quite what they might be on a real exotic holiday, but it’ll certainly help to make your garden feel warmer and more appealing, and you can be sure that it’ll last a lot longer than the classic two week long trip. A tropical oasis might be particularly well suited to an urban garden, where temperatures are often warmer and conditions more sheltered and protected, but even if your garden gets its fair share of frosts you can still make an impact using a mixture of tender and hardy plants all of which have that exotic feel to them. Plant closely or fill ‘gaps’ with temporary plantings of the less hardy tropical look plants and you will create that dense, lush looks which spells tropical paradise. Lush, large leaves will always help to create a rainforest or exotic atmosphere and you could even grow a miniature banana called Musa ‘Basjoo’, which shows a good degree of hardiness. Indian shot plants, also known as the cannas are great and fast growing too. For very bold, colourfully striped foliage and screaming orange flowers try Canna ‘Tropicana’, or for a larger than life effect try the banana Ensetes ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ which grows very fast and has wonderfully rich purplegreen leaves. If you want more than just foliage, the bulbous Eucomis bicolour has out-of-this world greenish yellow flowerheads which give it the common name of ‘pineapple plant’. Another favourite of mine is the Angel’s trumpet. These gorgeous looking plants may be very poisonous but the flowers of Brugmansia (previously known as
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Datura) as angel’s trumpet is also known, take some beating – choose white, yellow or cream and enjoy their perfume and elegant good looks. Although not hardy if you grow it in a pot it can be kept in the garden during all but the worst weather and then brought out again once it has started to warm up the following spring. Don’t forget the vertical surfaces such as trellis, walls and fences as they too can be given a floral and foliage makeover. These may look boring now, but will look great when covered with passion flowers, ornamental vines or the pretty Cobea scandens commonly known as the cup and saucer plant. Then add to the ‘action’ using a few dramatic features – perhaps a Trachycarpus fortunei palm in open ground or a pot, or in the form of a sculpture or statue. If you go to the garden centre, many statues and garden ornaments are much more affordable than you might think. Partially hidden with some lush foliage they help to add to the jungle-like atmosphere. There are plenty of tropical-effect plants to choose from including: tree ferns, phoenix palms, yuccas, cordylines, Rodgersia pinnata, Gunnera manicata, Rheum palmatum, cycads, citrus (including lemons, calamondin orange and other fruiting varieties) and bamboos. So, you see, the potential is there to create a holiday paradise without having to leave home, brave delays at the airport, find a house or petsitter…..all you need now is a deck chair and a cocktail or two, delivered on a tray! Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for Nemaslug & other biocontrols, Speed Hoes, Speed Weeders SoftTie, pop-up crop covers, copper tape and lots more besides.
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SB TURF • Turf supplied and laid • All overgrown gardens rotivated • Cleared, levelled and laid with cultivated lawn turf • Grass seeding • Block paving and patio service All work carried out by experienced staff Recommendations and portfolios available Free Estimates
Tel: 01487 822993 Mob: 07966 523239
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Call for a FREE Survey & Quotation Visit our Display Area at:
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Drove Road, Gamlingay, Sandy, Beds SG19 2HX Tel:
01767 650 615
Email:
gilksfencing@hotmail.com
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All Seasons
GARDEN MACHINERY AND TRAILER CENTRE
Garden & Property Maintenance Personal customer service, collection and delivery available. Assessment of individual requirements. Full after sales backup and parts service. NEW Oregon, the world's only unique battery operated, self-sharpening s In stock. chain saw.
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Wildlife
Spiders from the Fork
By Andy Mydellton
Clearing up my workshop, I found myself within inches of a large coal-black spider. I jumped then gave myself a wry smile that this peaceful creature had startled me without any effort whatsoever. Spiders take refuge in buildings for warmth, comfort and safety from other predators. During the worst months, only the hardiest and most successful hunters survive to pass on their genes in the spring. This spider must have been one of those survivors. The spiders that inhabit this particular corner of the world are only a small representation of the 30,000 or so species alive today. Many are cannibalistic, while others hunt insects and invertebrates. Various species spin different quality silks for their web. Their safety lines are able to bridge many yards of open space. I did not have time to identify the workshop’s spider but it would have been one of the many that usually inhabit the garden including orb, money and house spiders. One unusual type can be found in garden ponds. Water spiders have a very different lifestyle to those found spinning webs in hedgerows and are fascinating to watch. To search for food, they create a bell-shaped bubble which they use to breathe underwater. It allows them to remain submerged for hunting forays into the deep. Ted Hughes’ Tales from Ovid, the ‘Metamorphoses’ tells the story of Arachne, a humbly-born woman who challenged Minerva, Goddess of Weavers to a spinning contest. When Arachne won, angry Minerva transformed her and her descendants into spiders, doomed to spin forever and spiders became known as arachnids. The true definition of an arachnid is that they have two distinct body segments with four pairs of jointed legs. Other members of the arachnid family include mites, ticks, horseshoe crabs and scorpions! Arachnids are different to insects that have three body parts and six legs. For years pioneering scientists have been trying
to replicate spiders’ silk for its strength, durability and richness. Incredibly, it is five times harder than steel of the same thickness. Companies plan to use it for high grade items of clothing, personal protective equipment and engineering. It shows how much society values the spider’s natural fibre. Part of the reason why scientists have found this substance impossible to replicate is because it is made of protein. When I catch a spider weaving its intricate web, I am amazed thinking about how such a small body can reconstitute its own natural liquid into an acid that it spins out as a hardened solid. The initial stickiness of the web tethers invertebrates that have stumbled into it, long enough for the spider to race to its doomed prey. It then kills its victim and spins the corpse into a silken coffin to return and devour its meal at leisure. Over time, the web’s deathly silk gradually loses its glue-like qualities. So the spider simply recycles this proteinrich fibre by eating it and re-spinning. Considering all this, we can see spiders not as household or workshop pests, but as truly magical animals instead. Photography: Emma Porter
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Wildlife Trust
Local News
A Stroll through our Summer Meadows One of the greatest pleasures of summer is a languid stroll through a picture perfect meadow brim-full of wafting wildflowers. Across the county, some of the Wildlife Trust nature reserves include gorgeous meadows in numerous locations on walks by the River Ouse from Hemingford, St Ives and Portholme to Godmanchester and Brampton. Despite being close to towns and major roads, the Ouse Valley riverside meadows provide wide vistas and stunning examples of flower-rich grasslands. At Hemingford you can watch sand martins, swallows and swifts feeding over the river and wheeling around the old bridges. Meadow pipits, sky larks and banded demoiselles are also commonly seen in the meadows alongside butterflies, bees, beetles and moths. Smaller, more intimate meadows such as Houghton Meadows, Chettisham Meadow or Upwood Meadows have a greater variety of flowers produced on clay rather than silty soils. These are traditional landscapes in full bloom. Old grasslands have become scarce and many are now mostly surrounded by arable fields. Houghton Meadows www.wildlifebcn.org/reserves/houghton-meadows is made up of five fields - ancient hay meadows and pasture. From spring to summer it is a sea of flowers - yellow cowslips, the pink spears of orchids and purple knapweed. Once the hay is cut in July, ridges and furrows left behind from when oxen ploughed fields in the Middle Ages are revealed. Surrounding the meadows are ancient hedgerows, currently undergoing rejuvenation using traditional methods. Almost hidden at the back of the reserve is a tiny brook which joins the ox-bow of the Ouse towards Hemingford
Grey - a refuge for an array of aquatic plants and domain of the distinctive hairy dragonfly. Chettisham Meadow www.wildlifebcn.org/reserves/chettisham-meadow is a historic remnant of neutral grassland that has been managed as a traditional hay meadow for over a century. Medieval ridge-and-furrow earthworks are still visible and many different fine grasses are found, including sweet vernal-grass, red fescue, quakinggrass and yellow oat-grass. Cowslips with their apricot-scented yellow-orange flowers are abundant from March to May. A spectacular show of greenwinged orchids appears in late April. Other plants include bee and common spotted-orchids, ox-eye daisy, adder’s-tongue fern and pepper-saxifrage. Upwood Meadows www.wildlifebcn.org/reserves/upwood-meadows Designated a National Nature Reserve for its floristic diversity, the greatest display is in Bentley meadow where the earthworks provide differing microhabitats for plants and invertebrates. Here plants include cowslip, green-winged orchid, saw-wort, dropwort, and sulphur clover. Dyer’s greenweed provides summer-long colour and nectar for bees and butterflies. The surrounding mature hedgerows and trees are nesting habitats for birds including turtle dove, blackcap and whitethroat, and provide food for winter visitors such as fieldfare and redwing. Dew ponds dug in each field, originally for watering livestock, are breeding grounds for great crested newts, dragonflies and damselflies. Join our glorious Friday evening dusk safaris along the River Cam on our ‘bat punt’ - a highlight of summer. Set off at dusk, bat detector in hand, and experience the sights and sounds of the river until darkness. www.wildlifebcn.org/events/bat-punting-safaris (until 25th September).
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Food & Drink
Beer at Home
Britain is – in case you hadn’t noticed – in the grip of a so-called craft brewing revolution. In the last decade the number of small independent brewers has grown threefold to nearly 1,500. Many hop varieties contain exactly the same volatiles that give fruits their individual flavours – farnesene, for instance, which helps give the orange its taste, is also found in many hop strains – but green fruit flavours can be derived from certain combinations of malt; and peardrop-flavoured esters are a by-product of particular fermentation techniques. This summer, then, I offer you a couple of fruity beers that actually contain no fruit! Caledonian Deuchar’s IPA at 4.4% abv is almost as pale as lemon, and lemon is the note that dominates the sweetish aroma. The mouthfeel is creamy but the
By Ted Bruning
palate has a sharp bitterness more reminiscent of grapefruit than anything else. The finish is long and dry with more than a hint of bitter lemon. In the case of Deuchar’s IPA the fruit character comes from the hop grist of Fuggles, Styrian Goldings, and Willamette, along with a wee bit of wheat in the malt grist. Badger’s Tanglefoot (5% abv) is just as fruity but in a different way. A light gold in colour, the nose is all malt – grassy, biscuit, almost earthy. But berry fruits come through in the soft, rich palate, and there’s more soft fruit in the finish – although whereas the brewery cites flavours of melon and peach, to me it’s more strawberry and blackberry.
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Pets
Animal Heroes Being a cat foster carer Do you love cats? But, perhaps you feel too old to commit to owning another cat; you might be moving to a new house in the next year; or you’re worried that your job is a bit insecure? If, such reasons have stopped you – then you’re just the type of responsible cat lover that would make a great cat foster carer! The RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch is a local charity experiencing a crisis in the number of animals that are coming into their care. The amount of animals abandoned, and neglected, has increased by 65% over the last 5 years – and in Bedfordshire, this terrible figure is predominantly made up of cats. Cats come into our care for a number of reasons. They may have been neglected by their owners and may need medical attention, they may simply have been abandoned when a person moves house or they may be handed in when their owner feels that they are no longer able to keep them. The cats may be young and timid, elderly, injured or they may be newborn kittens that need handrearing. They may require fostering for two days, or several months, before they can be re-homed. The most cost-effective way of temporarily caring for these cats is through a network of volunteer cat foster carers ¬– but we need many more volunteers to help the sheer number of cats requiring our help.
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Could you satisfy your love of cats by becoming a cat foster carer? Angie is just one of our special volunteers. Here is her story: “I’ve been a foster carer for the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch for a few years now and it’s a very rewarding role. There are always a variety of different animals that need a temporary, loving and caring home. All have their own different personalities and quirks and it’s so nice getting to know them – and know that you’re doing something worthwhile. Kitten season is always exciting, but comes with it’s own problems as there’s always numerous animals that get dumped at this time – from new-born and abandoned kittens that sometimes need hand-rearing, to pregnant cats. Although it’s always sad to see them go, the best part is getting to see them re-homed – to hopefully move on and have a better and more promising life”. If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer, please contact us for a chat on 01234 266965 or www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk. We need carers for cats and rabbits in particular, but also dogs and other animals. So, come on – be an animal hero and please give us a call!
ANIMAL HEROES is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk
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Pet-Positive Sue Tasker DipCABT
• One-to-one pet training/advice and behaviour consultations in the comfort of your own home. Dogs; cats; puppies; kittens; small furries. • Puppy classes – small groups “Life Skills for Puppies” – the right start for the new member of your family. • Advice clinic – contact Sue for more details • Dog life skills classes – aimed at young dogs and/or recently adopted dogs.
Contact Sue on 01954 212787 info@pet-positive.co.uk www.pet-positive.co.uk
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The cattery for caring owners. Comfort and security for your pet. To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
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Pets
Never leave your dog in a hot car Leaving your dog in a hot car with little ventilation makes it prone to heat stroke in a matter of minutes. Dogs’ extreme sensitivity to heat means that even if you have left the windows open and provided water, their wellbeing is at serious risk. Heat stroke occurs when the dog becomes unable to cool itself down. Excessive panting and red gums are signs of overheating, but if you see a dog that is also vomiting or displays a lack of coordination, you need to act quickly. What to do in the case of heat stroke • Contact a vet straight away • Offer the dog cool rather than cold water, in small amounts • Move them into the shade • Wrap in cool damp cloths, particularly the head The use of cool water is an important factor as opposed to water that is too cold, otherwise you could send the dog into a state of shock. Why are dogs so sensitive to heat? Dogs are not able to release heat through their skin as humans do – they cool down by panting, and also via their nose and the pads on their feet. As a result, irreparable damage to internal organs occurs very quickly when they overheat, and many dogs do not recover. Short-nosed breeds including pugs and bulldogs are particularly susceptible to heat stroke, as are overweight dogs. Even on a cloudy day, they may struggle to cool themselves down. http://dogs.about.com/od/ dogandpuppyhealth/qt/heatstroke.htm http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/ourresources/kennel-club-campaigns/dont-cookyour-dog/
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• • • • •
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Buckden Pre-school Playgroup is a village pre-school in purpose built accommodation Been in existence for over 40 years Recently upgrade by Ofsted to Good status Accept children from their second birthday until they start school We are registered for the Free Two’s Funding Scheme and the Early Years Funding scheme – offering families 15 hours of free child care per week. Open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 9.a.m. – noon on Friday during term time Enthusiastic and well qualified staff all of whom have been with us for several years Operate a staffing level above recommended rates which enables each child to receive a high measure of attention.
Contact our Manager Michelle Nelson on 07941 671999 Email: buckdenpreschool@yahoo.co.uk www.buckdenpreschool.co.uk Buckden preschool.indd 1
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10/02/2015 14:12
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Motoring
Honda Civic Type R By Wayne Gorrett
If you’re going to spend five years in the wilderness sans any performance models, you’d better have one almighty bang in your back pocket when you return to the fray. Following a lengthy hiatus, Honda has launched the most eagerly-awaited performance car so far this year. Faithful disciples of Honda’s iconic Red Badge models, number in their hundreds of thousands around the world - 400 of whom have already placed advance orders, largely sight unseen. The Style Factory The new Civic Type R looks exactly like a Type R should look. It is gloriously shouty, has a big mouth, brandishes a Kardashianlike rear and an XXL rear wing tuned for maximum downforce. Other aesthetics include double dual exhausts either side of a massive rear splitter, a big front splitter, flared wheel arches and the vents that adorn them. The Inside Story The front furniture is fabulous - probably the best road car seats I’ve sat in for a while, with really tall side bolsters offering excellent support. Other tactile elements are great too – an aluminium gear lever, shapely leather steering wheel and welljudged pedal weights.
There’s plenty of headroom front and rear and the boot is huge, too. Engines and Transmissions The new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Earth Dreams i-VTEC turbo unit produces 228 kW at 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from a lowly 2,500 rpm. It still uses the VTEC variable valve timing system, however. All of that brutal power is received by the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox only and a helical limited-slip differential. Honda claims 0-100kph in 5.7 seconds and 269kph flat out. The front suspension now uses a strut arrangement with a bespoke ‘dual-axis’ design to reduce centre offset, reducing torque steer by an incredible 55 per cent. The Type R brakes are nononsense Brembo units and both performed exceptionally well on road and track. To the left of the grippy steering wheel is a button marked +R. This sports setting immediately changes all the dials in the car to fiery red. The result is a change in engine mapping for sharper performance and steering, stability assist to maximise grip, while adaptive damping is increased by a spine-shrinking 30 per cent.
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The Drive On public roads, throwing the Type-R into sweeping corners inspires confidence as every judder of grip is fed back into the wheel. Those adaptive dampers ensure that smaller bumps are shrugged off with an ease that defies the very low-profile tyres, although potholes and crusty surfaces still crash through the structure. Start to use the performance and the engine adopts a monotonous, booming drone that is neither pleasant nor inspiring. If you’re given an opportunity to take one of these onto the track – grasp it with both hands. You’ll discover a car that’s exceptionally racy but also very manageable and fairly forgiving. Steering is weighty but precise, with none of the expected twitchiness. Two versions are available – a standard model at £29,995 and a GT with additional equipment at £32,295. By way of comparison, the Golf R costs £30,820. SUMMARY The new Honda Civic Type R is an extreme car and has been well worth the wait. Its target buyer will be someone who doesn’t welcome compromise – and who sports deep enough pockets to live with that decision. While unquestionably pricey, it is an utterly brilliant piece of automotive engineering.
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Food and Drink
Seasonal Delights Coronation Chicken
Serves 6 Ready in 20 minutes, plus chilling time This summer favourite is great for easy entertaining. For the best flavour buy a small free-range whole chicken and roast in advance. If you are short on time buy a ready roasted chicken from the hot deli counter at the supermarket. INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp mild curry paste 150ml carton natural yoghurt 6 tbsp mayonnaise Juice of 1/2 lime Salt and freshly ground black pepper 500g cold roast chicken, sliced or torn into strips 1 ripe mango, peeled, stone removed and flesh thinly sliced 2 tsp sunflower oil 75g unsalted cashew nuts Small handful fresh coriander leaves Mix the curry paste, yoghurt, mayonnaise and lime juice in a large bowl and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Add the sliced chicken and toss gently to coat in the curried sauce. Arrange on a serving platter and cover and chill for 2-3 hours (or overnight). Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the cashew nuts. Fry over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Leave to cool. Just before serving, arrange the mango slices on top of the chicken and scatter over the fried cashew nuts and coriander leaves. Serve with a mixed green salad or as part of a summer buffet. TIP • For an extra spicy flavour add a finely chopped red chilli pepper to the yoghurt and mayonnaise mixture. • Instead of the cashews, garnish with some shredded spring onions or a handful of fresh peppery rocket leaves. • For delicious open sandwiches, pile the Coronation chicken onto split and lightly toasted ciabatta rolls.
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Cleaning
Types Of Disinfectant What To Use Where By Susan Brookes-Morris Cleaning products will generally remove visible dirt and grease and create a cleaner-smelling atmosphere. They do not however kill germs, but disinfectants do. Whilst scientists say that many of the bacteria in our homes are friendly bacteria and do not cause diseases, they do recommend that danger areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, rubbish bins and drains are treated with a good quality disinfectant regularly. Of course new products are being developed all the time, but for most it will currently be appropriate to use some of the stand alone disinfectants around the home as well as multipurpose cleaners. If you are using disinfectant however you need to remember that to be effective, it has to sit for at least 5-10 minutes in order to have time to kill the bacteria. Read the product label for exact instructions. Household disinfectants generally work by destroying the cell wall of microbes or by interfering with the metabolism of organisms that are living on the objects. In the kitchen, work surfaces and handles particularly cupboard and refrigerator handles can be home to germs. An E-coli bacterium comes from raw meats, listeria from soft cheeses, and salmonella from chicken and raw eggs. In the bathroom, waste particles can stick
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to the hands, which may then be transferred to the flush and the door handle. Viruses such as the flu, rotavirus, and rhinovirus which cause muscle aches, vomiting, and cold symptoms respectively can also breed well in bathrooms due to the warm, steamy atmosphere which germs love. As work surfaces and handles can’t be washed in a basin of hot soapy water, disinfectant sprays and wipes are ideal for these areas. In addition to sprays and wipes, disinfectant frequently comes in liquid form either in a regular formula or a concentrated variety. There are special varieties for outdoor use for instance for paths and drains and also some versions usually prefaced by ‘antiseptic;’ which can be used on the skin. Read the instructions carefully though as most general disinfectants can irritate the skin so the use of rubber gloves is recommended and you should avoid contact with the eyes. They also generally have a strong odour so should not be used in tight airless spaces. Many household varieties have a chlorine base but in commercial and hospital environments forms using alcohol or ammonia are commonplace. Defra also provide regulation around disinfectants which can be used alongside animals.
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Home Interiors
Choosing a New Sofa Buying a new sofa is a significant financial purchase. Here are a few pointers to help with your decision: Think about what size is most suitable. Proportions are important. For example if you have high ceilings a high backed sofa may look better than a low backed style. A huge sofa in a small room can be overbearing and leave little room for other furniture. In some spaces two smaller sofas or a sofa and arm chair combination will be more aesthetically pleasing than one large one. Consider your comfort when deciding on the overall size too. The height and depth of the seat can make a vast difference. I am relatively short and often find I have to perch near the edge of the seat on some designs in order for my feet to touch the ground. So do try them out. When considering shape and style you need to decide whether you want to create a relaxed style or a more formal look. Solid backs and styles such as Chesterfields’ are neater and more traditional, whereas loose-backed and corner sofa arrangements are more contemporary. Corner sofas are also ideal for creating a relaxation space within a large open-plan living space and can save space in smaller rooms. Other differences that can help you decide which style you prefer are arm shape: square, rolled, wide or narrow; the overall line of the sofa, straight or curved; and the design of the legs.
There are many options in terms of upholstery: fabric or leather, plain or patterned. Think about durability in terms of the fabric and the look you are trying to create. Even if you decide on leather you will probably still have a choice between natural look, a smoother more even finish, or faux leather instead. Fabrics may be cotton-based, velvet and chenille types or microfibre. Most designers recommend a plain colour for the main sofa and the use of scatter cushions to add a splash of another colour or patterns. Cushions can be changed more easily if you decide the look needs updating in the future. To aid longevity, choose a sturdy frame with good joinery and springs. You can often get a protective coating applied to your new sofa to help protect against spills too. Finally many new sofas have extra features such as recliner options or built in audio. Or you may want a sofa bed. There’s a lot to consider, so don’t make a hasty decision as most of us keep our sofas for many years.
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By Susan Brookes-Morris
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n O s ’ t Wha In August
Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month.
1 August Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church, St Ives Free admission Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola. 1 August Roxton Flower Show 3pm Parish Hall An array of vegetables, fruit, flowers, cakes and preserves, also photography, craft and children’s classes. Tel: Mary Pike 01480 212552 Email: mary@jackpike.co.uk 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 August Parkrun 9am Wimpole Estate Weekly free 5k timed run. Web: parkrun.org.uk/wimpoleestate 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 August Outdoors Yoga 9am Wimpole Estate £8 Tel: Rebecca Agouropoulos 07740 067186 Email: becxster79@hotmail.com 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 August Kingfisher Church 10.30am Little Paxton Primary School Every Sunday – all welcome! Services include children’s groups and a crèche. Refreshments served. Tel: 01480 700434 Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk 3, 10, 17 & 31 August Comrades Chess Club 7.30pm Comrades Club, Godmanchester Keep your mind active and play chess. Over 18s only as it’s a licensed premises. Every Monday except Bank Holidays.
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3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 August Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Huntingdon & District Caledonian Society weekly Scottish Country Dancing for fun, friendship and fitness. You don’t have to be Scottish and you don’t need a partner as we take turns to dance with each other. May-Sept is at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Godmanchester and Sept-May is at Little Stukeley Village Hall. Come along and give it a try! Please check if running on Bank Holiday. Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 email: pat@ patcrowe.plus.com Tel: Mr Hedley Goodman 01733 350185 hedley@goodman2.plus.com 3, 13 & 19 August Heavy horse driving course for beginners Wimpole Estate Adults £125 Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend a day with magnificent Shire horses? The course begins with grooming the shires followed by harnessing through to taking the reins driving a one horse cart through the Park. At the end of the day, if you don’t want to rush away, you can help stable and feed the horses. Booking essential. 4, 11, 18 & 25 August Scrabble Club 2.30-4pm Huntingdon Library Free drop in session Every Tuesday. Come along for a game of Scrabble (or chess or draughts!) in this friendly and informal session. Adults only please. No need to book. Tel: 0345 045 5225 for more information
6 August The Ladybird Boat Trust: EngAGE in the Afternoon 1.30-3pm Huntingdon Library Join us for a talk by the Ladybird Trust. A local charity providing free river trips along the Great Ouse for groups of disabled, elderly or disadvantaged people in a very special boat, The Ladybird. Places are limited - please see library staff or telephone to reserve a free ticket. Tel: 0345 045 5225 6, 13, 20 & 27 August Bingo Doors open 7.30pm, Eyes down 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Do you enjoy a game of bingo? If so come along to Lt Paxton Village Hall Cash Bingo. Every Thursday night. Raffle and refreshments at interval. Sorry only 18+ can play. Tel: Eddie 01480 475265 for more information 7 August Shaun The Sheep Movie (U) 5pm for 5.30pm start Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Adults £4, Over 60 £3, Under 16 £2 Kimbolton Community Cinema Children must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments and free popcorn. Tickets from Watson’s, Yellow Bird, Bytes or on the door. 7, 14, 21 & 28 August Tai Chi 4-5pm Wimpole Hall £6 per session Every Friday from 6 March. Tel: Mike Tabrett 01223 503390 to book Email: mike@gret-heron.com
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n O s ’ t Wha In August 12 August Cambridgeshire Rural M.E. Tea & Chat 2-4pm Monthly meet-up for adults with M.E. (and partners/friends). The group meets on the second Wednesday of the month. All details including latest meeting information can be found on the website. Web: www.crMEtea.org 15 August Sandy Show Saturday 12-5pm Sandye Place Academy, Park Road, Sandy Admission £1, Accompanied children free Annual Sandy & District Horticultural Show. Punch & Judy show, bouncy castle, fair rides, animal encounters, local craft stalls, outside bar and refreshments. Main Hall from 12.30p.m - Exhibits of prize winning produce, including floral art, blooms, vegetables, baking, preserves, home brewing, art work, woodwork, knitting, crotchet, etc., along with classes for children’s entries. Prize presentations at 4.30pm by Max McMurdo (Dragons Den). Show schedules available online or from High Street Crafts, Sandy Library, Glenn’s Farm Shop. Web: www.thesandyshow.org.uk for more information 15 August St Neots & District Gardening Club Annual Summer Show Open to visitors 2pm Eaton Socon Community Hall 19 August Carers Coffee Club 2.30-4pm The White Horse, High Street, Tilbrook Are you caring for a loved one with a memory loss? Then come along and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee whilst chatting with others in a similar situation. Our informal group meets on every third Wednesday of the month. No need to book, just turn up. Hope to see you there. Tel: Neil Silby 07889 319888 for further details Email: kimpigfarmer@tiscali.co.uk
20 August Third Thursday Guided Nature Walks 10.30am-12.30pm Paxton Pits Nature Reserve £2.50 Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. No need to book - pay on the day. 21 August Paddington (PG) 7pm for 7.30pm start Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Adults £4, Over 60 £3, Under 16 £2 Kimbolton Community Cinema Children must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments and free popcorn. Tickets from Watson’s, Yellow Bird, Bytes or on the door. 21 August Of Horses and Men Doors open 7.30pm, film starts 8pm Screen St Ives, Corn Exchange, St Ives Directed by Benedikt Erlingsson (Iceland), 2013. 80 mins Cert 15. This is a love story like you’ve never seen before. Of Horses and Men is a wonderfully dark comedy set in a windswept valley in Iceland. The stakes are high as passion and revenge rampage through the small horse-breeding community. Spying on the neighbours is just one of their interests! Web: www.screenstives.org.uk 29-31 August Cambridge District Art Circle Summer Exhibition 10.30am-5.30pm Grantchester Village Hall The Exhibition will have both framed and unframed work, as well as cards. It will be an ideal opportunity for visitors to buy original art from local professional and amateur artists, in a variety of subjects and media including oils, acrylics, watercolours, mixed media and pastels. The adjoining ValPatisserie will be serving home-made cakes (including gluten-free).
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30 August Roxton Fete 12.30-6pm Roxton Playing Field, Park Road, Roxton Adults £1, Children 50p Under 5s free Attractions include Open Dog Show, Bouncy Castle, Games, Classic Cars, Stalls, Teas and Bar. 2 September Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Members £1, Guests £2 Sue Stephenson will talk about Wild Flowers, Meadows and Hardy plants. Refreshments provided. All welcome - please come along. 3, 10, 17 & 24 September Bingo Doors open 7.30pm, Eyes down 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Do you enjoy a game of bingo? If so come along to Lt Paxton Village Hall Cash Bingo. Every Thursday night. Raffle and refreshments at interval. Sorry only 18+ can play. Tel: Eddie 01480 475265 for more information 4-6 September Eleventh Annual Beer and Cider Festival Fri 6-11pm, Sat noon-11pm, Sun noon10.30pm Toft People’s Hall Free entry Toft Social Club. Only £2.40 pint! Thirteen real ales; mostly from brewers in a 25 mile radius, and three ‘real’ local ciders. Snacks on sale throughout the event. Meals available early evening on Saturday and Sunday lunchtime. Gluten free beer and food available. Live music Saturday and Sunday evenings. Tel: 01223 263359 Web: www.toftsocialclub.org.uk
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Sureclean DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
• Spot stain and odour removal • Anti-stain protection • Leather suites cleaned and reconditioned • Tile and grout cleaning • The very latest equipment used • All work guaranteed • Fully insured • Local company
01480 468965 or 07870 338074 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
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DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR EXISTING DOUBLE GLAZING
All Repairs Carried Out On UPVC, Aluminium Or Timber Windows and Doors, Including: Glass Misted Up Or Broken, Handles Or Hinges, Door or Window Locks, Cat Flaps, Letter Plates and Door Panels Fitted. Conservatories also repaired/cleaned.
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Hobbies
Are you Birding, By Kate McLelland Twitching or Watching? In the late 1980s the arrival of a tiny American songbird (blown off course during its annual migration) in Larkfield, Kent, led to a mass-mobilisation of the nation’s bird lovers. Over the course of several days 2500 “twitchers” crowded into the small Tesco car park that the goldenwinged warbler had chosen as its temporary home. In the 1980s a twitcher (the term for someone who is willing to travel many miles in order to see a rare bird at first hand) would need to rely on radio or TV reports, or home phone calls from fellow enthusiasts, in order to learn about a rare bird’s visit. Now, thanks to mobile communication, the news can be spread within seconds of the first sighting. Just this year 500 people appeared on a Norfolk beach in a matter of hours after a rare citril finch - normally only found in alpine areas of Europe – was first observed. Such devotion to searching out rare sightings means that twitchers often find themselves in the media spotlight, but not all bird hobbyists are twitchers. Twitching is just one aspect of a pastime that’s surprisingly broad and diverse, with activities ranging from a single individual recording birds in their local area (usually defined as a “bird-watcher”) to members of well organised groups who come together to learn everything they can about bird species, including their nesting habits, environmental usage and migration patterns. These serious hobbyists are known as “birders” and some even travel the world, taking part in competitive events.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is the UK’s leading bird charity and it has done much to protect endangered species and promote bird welfare. The society’s “Big Garden Birdwatch”, which started over 36 years ago, has become an important annual event across the country: encouraging householders to contribute to research so the RSPB can record changes in bird populations. You can sign up for the Big Garden Birdwatch by going to the RSPB website (www.rspb.org. uk). Alternatively you may prefer to join one of the society’s local groups (enter a search for “Local Groups” on their website to find an A-Z list). Run by volunteers, these groups provide an opportunity for members to learn more about birds and wildlife and take part in talks, walks and fundraising events. Birding UK (www.birding.uk.com) also provides information on a range of groups you can join, including “Birding Buddies”, “Bird
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Photographers”, “Bird Artists” and even “Birding Bikers”. If you’re just getting started as a bird-watcher you’ll find a range of mobile phone apps to help you identify birds and record sightings. Ranging in price from .69p to £12.99, some even provide examples of birdsong to help with identification but care should be taken when playing recorded birdsong in the natural environment, particularly at times when birds are nesting. Whether you’re a simple “birdwatcher” or a dedicated “birder” or “twitcher” you can be confident that you’ve chosen a hobby that will always offer interest, excitement and fresh challenges. As climate change continues to affect the natural environment altering breeding and migration patterns - it’s good to know that keen observers are continually monitoring the nation’s birds, recording and passing on vital information that will help preserve these precious populations well into the future.
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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Easy Suduko
Hard Suduko
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles. 80
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New Decorations Interior and Exterior Painting Wallpapering
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Technology
Tech it with you
The best gadgets to take travelling It’s that time of year again: time to jump in trains, planes or aeroplanes to head for some much needed rest and relaxation. Whether it’s keeping the kids entertained, getting a beach party started or helping you catch up on your reading list, tech will be an essential companion. For most of us, the worst bit of any holiday is all the hanging around - especially if there are children to amuse in the fun-free environs of an airport. We’ve found Apple’s iPad Mini a real godsend in such circumstances, as it can be filled with a mix of games, movies, ebooks and apps to keep children of all ages amused. We’d strongly recommend a set of headphones and a sturdy protective case, though: the only thing louder than some kid’s apps is the noise we make when we see the iPad dropped onto a concrete floor. If you’re travelling with older children, especially in the UK, a portable Wi-Fi hotspot can be really handy. Three’s MiFi (£29.99) creates a wireless network in your car, on a train, in a caravan or anywhere else the device can get a mobile data signal, and as it’s a pay as you go device you needn’t worry about running up big bills. You can take the MiFi abroad, too, so for example Three offers support in some 138 countries, but check the prices carefully: mobile data in some countries can be very expensive. For your own amusement we can’t praise Amazon’s Kindle ebook reader highly enough: over the years it’s got better and sharper while the price has plummeted. The cheapest one is now just £59 and has a battery that’s likely to last longer than your holiday. If magazines are more your thing, a tablet or laptop running the excellent Readly service (£9.99)
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per month gives you access to stacks of really good magazines that you can download before you travel. And don’t forget audiobooks, such as the extensive selection available for almost any device at Audible.com. You’ll find noise cancelling headphones make air travel much more bearable, even if you don’t listen to anything: they get rid of most extraneous noise, and they’re particularly good on anything with a low background hum. For when you do want noise, though, we’d recommend a portable speaker. There are all kinds of powerful Bluetooth speakers for smartphones and tablets, but we’re quite taken with the £12 X-Mini 2: it’s tiny, delivers decent enough sound for a barbecue and runs for ages without needing new batteries. Pricier speakers may offer better sound, but they weigh and cost a lot more too. The single best gadget you can take travelling, though, is a smartphone. You don’t need an expensive one to benefit from them: Google’s excellent Translate app breaks down language barriers on the cheapest phones, while Nokia’s HERE maps don’t need a data connection to give you GPS sat-nav when you’re abroad. When you consider all the various things a phone can do - mapping, online banking, flight checking, emergency calling, researching potential destinations, playing music, taking photos, recording video and much, much more - a good smartphone is a must-have travel accessory. If you’re on a tight budget you can pick up a good Android phone such as a Motorola E or G for less than £100. It’s money well spent. Just don’t forget to pack the charger!
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Crossword Solution for The Villager July Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Pauline Mullarkey from Cambourne
July’s Codeword and Suduko Solutions
Easy
Hard
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The Villager Prize Crossword
Prize
ÂŁ25
Across 1 Make a choice (6) 4 Railings (6) 9 Enlarged (7) 10 Headgear (5) 11 Home planet (5) 12 Citrus fruits (7) 13 Rural area (11) 18 Leaving (7) 20 Answer (5) 22 Devoured (5) 23 Closest (7) 24 Withstand (6) 25 Narrow river (6) Down 2 Singing group (5) 3 Sea mammal (7) 5 Surplus (5) 6 Altered (7)
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before
14th August 2015 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
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1 Remove doubt (6)
7 Scarce (6) 8 Supporting (11) 14 Not included (7) 15 Butler or maid (7) 16 Remove (6) 17 Scheme (6) 19 Not outer (5) 21 Portion (5)
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RICHARD KENYON MASTER THATCHER
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T: 01487 843377 M: 07873 549872 E: richardkenyon_1@hotmail.com Richard Kenyon 1/2 page advert.indd 1
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Lifestyle
Reinvent Yourself!
How to change for the better this school year Growing up, I lived within throwing distance of the local primary school, yet every morning I arrived late and was greeted with a chant from other children: “You’re late, you’re late, your dinner’s on your plate!” I hated being singled out in this way and it has taken me years to shake off the ‘late’ label. I’m sure I’m not the only child to be labelled for a particular habit or behaviour. For others it might be “lazy”, “quiet”, “disruptive”, “noisy” or “disorganised”. But whatever the past may have held, the start of a new school year brings with it a clean slate and the chance to start anew. Defeat and discouragement should be left where they belong – in the past – while children take the chance to reinvent themselves and work towards a brighter future. Education experts say that getting a new school year off to a good start can influence a child’s attitude, confidence and performance both socially and academically. So how do we give our children the best chance of making a positive new start? First and foremost, our children need to want to change for the better and adopt the right attitude for achieving this. They need to accept responsibility for their own conduct and make a commitment to change. For example, they might decide to be punctual or polite or to get their
homework done on time. As parents we can help by being positive and encouraging. Our children need to arrive at school properly prepared. Having the correct equipment such as pens, pencils, rulers, rubber and reading diary are all important, but so are getting enough sleep and having a decent breakfast at the start of the day. It’s been proven that adequate sleep, food and water all aid concentration. Some food and drink, however, is counterproductive. Foods high in sugar and caffeine can cause hyperactivity, so choose carefully what to eat at lunchtime to avoid a negative impact on their afternoon lessons! Though ultimately a child is responsible for their own behaviour and performance, parents do have their part to play. Take an interest in what they are doing, ask them about their day when they get home and become involved in school life when you can. Children are our real-life mirrors; they tend to imitate what they see. If they see that they are important to you and that school is important to you, they’ll take it much more seriously and be more responsible. The start of a new school year should be exciting, a time of celebration, a time to look forward, not back. Good luck as you and your child embark on a future of new possibilities!
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By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
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History
Golden Years
By Ted Bruning
Memories of 50 years ago Will African-Americans be holding street parties and torchlight parades on 6th August this year? They should – it’s the golden anniversary of a landmark in the struggle for civil rights. For on that day the US President signed into law, in the presence of Martin Luther King and Rosa Parkes, the Voting Rights Act that finally abolished literacy tests, property qualifications, “moral character” tests and all the other devices by which the Southern states maintained white supremacy. Texan-born Lyndon Baines Johnson was a Southern Democrat. But while many Southern Democrats were avowed segregationists, Johnson was different. Precociously intelligent but from a poor background, he had been exposed when young to the Social Gospel doctrine that saw the New Testament as not just religious but political too. He then had to work his way through college to become a teacher, and sharing the struggle of black and Mexican students helped him see America from their point of view. Abandoning teaching for politics, he was elected to Congress in 1937 and gained a reputation as a hard-headed fixer, a manipulator, a wheeler-dealer and when necessary a bully. Elected to the Senate in 1949, he spent six years as Majority Leader, honing his political skills but keeping his radical instincts under a bushel. He was chosen as John Kennedy’s running mate in 1960 not because the Kennedy clan admired him – quite the opposite – but because as sophisticated New Englanders they believed they needed a rustic southerner. When Kennedy was assassinated, the Voting Rights Act 1964 was in preparation. It was the third in a series, all of them ineffectual, and Johnson wasn’t satisfied. As president in his own right he was dissuaded from drafting a tougher replacement so soon; but only a month after his inauguration came the Selma-Montgomery Marches when black Alabamans came out in protest at being denied the vote. Over a period of weeks they were beaten and brutalised by state police – on live TV. On 18th February a young unarmed black man was shot dead; and the brutality with which the police thwarted an attempt to hand in a petition
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to governor George Wallace on 7th March earned the day the name “Bloody Sunday”. America was scandalised and Johnson immediately ordered the Justice Department to draft ““the goddamnest toughest voting rights act that you can devise”, unveiling it on 15th March with a speech that ended with the words “we shall overcome”. He backed words with action by sending Federal marshals to protect the final Selma-Montgomery March two days later. It took all his political skills, and Dr King’s help, to get the Act through Congress. And when Johnson was finally able to sign the VRA on 6th August he did so with a speech that still has to the power to draw tears. This came at the beginning of an administration that saw the creation of Medicare, the end of segregation in public facilities from gasstation washrooms to universities, and a huge improvement in living standards for America’s poorest. But LBJ was never liked – he was always on the edge of scandals, always suspect – and in the end his reputation was destroyed by Vietnam. It is an enduring tragedy that his epitaph should be: “Hey, hey, LBJ! How many kids did you kill today?” Happy 50th birthdays to Sam Mendez (1st), Cheryl Fergison (Eas (27th), and Shania Twain (28th). Cake and botox to you all!
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G.B.BUILDERS NO JOB TOO SMALL FOR ALL MAINTENANCE, RENOVATIONS AND DIY WORK NICEIC Approved Domestic Installer Safety inspections Fuse board upgrades Replacements lights Additional power points Extensions For your free quote contact Rob Ambrose on 07553 922005 Or e-mail info@paxtonelectricaltesting.co.uk
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Russell Grant’s
Horoscopes
AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th Responsibilities at work increase in early August. You actually enjoy presiding over a big project. This would be a wonderful time to go back to education and get an advanced degree.
PISCES February 20th - March 20th The second half of August proves very productive, when you’re able to team up with a creative colleague. The Full Moon on the 29th prompts you to attend to needs that aren’t being met by a partner.
ARIES March 21st - April 20th Resist the urge to rush an intimate relationship in the opening days of August. The Full Moon on the 29th will bring a shocking secret to light.
TAURUS April 21st - May 21st It will be easier to get help from your best friend, lover, or business partner in the early days of August. The New Moon on the 14th could prompt you to make changes to your domestic routine.
GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st Travelling with a group will be lots of fun in the beginning of August. The second half of August is perfect for expanding your home or finding a bigger place to live.
CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd Your self-esteem will be low in the opening days of August. Don’t be surprised if you get a raise or are awarded a lucrative job.
LEO July 24th - August 23rd Resist the urge to talk about your private life with family in the beginning of August. Focus on living beneath your means. The money you save will sustain you through lean times.
VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd An intimate relationship will give you tremendous pleasure in early August. If you’re not in a relationship, this is the perfect time to find romance. Be sure to negotiate a raise in the second half of August, when your powers of persuasion will be at an all-time high.
LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd A festive party gives early August a glamorous feel. The New Moon on the 14th is perfect for joining a humanitarian organisation. The Full Moon on the 29th brings a health problem to light.
SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd Prepare to face off with an overambitious authority figure on the 3rd. The second half of August proves quite sociable. Be sure to attend as many parties as possible. Spending time with friends helps put your life in a healthier perspective.
SAGITTARIUS November 23rd - December 21st Don’t question your abilities in early August. Your leadership ability will be applauded on the 23rd, when you’re put in charge of an important project. The Full Moon on the 29th prompts you to spend more time on domestic pursuits.
CAPRICORN December 22nd - January 20th Friends will help with heavy responsibilities at the beginning of August. Opportunities to travel, write and study will arise on or around the 11th. If you get a chance to expand your horizons, seize it.
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Books
FLOORED Book Review By Bruce Edwards By Ian
Missing Reels
Farran Smith Nehme Pub: Duckworth h/b £16.99 ISBN: 978-0-7156-4990-9
It’s far too easy to stay wrapped up in frothy ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ quick reads taken off the cheapy piles in your nearest chain-store book shop or downloaded at next-to- no cost from one of the ever present e-book providers. So here is something entirely different. Quoted as ‘screwball comedy wedded to a gothic novel’ this has to be taken with the pinch of salt - perhaps so unbelievably impossible and way-out it could only be set against an American backdrop. Ceinwen - such a nice Welsh name - takes an hour and a half to get ready for an evening out in 1980’s Manhattan, and at the same time becomes involved with Matthew who’s very British. She goes to the movies, as one does. It’s a life changing act - and to find one missing piece of an ancient reel starts her on a very involved search. Conversationally rich, descriptive on a frame-byframe basis, it’ll keep you chuckling from end to end, and tell you more about that era than you ever thought possible. As there’s something about proper film that inspires romance, how could she possibly like something that falls into the category of ‘cgi’ - computer generated imagery, i.e. a digitalised production? Early cellulose can be a very difficult film stock to handle - but our expert author does it very well. Worth searching for. Suggestion and queries to: writerselect@gmail. com. We’re always happy to consider specific titles for review, though without obligation. Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll try to help.”
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