Cambs july 15 by debi1977

VILLAGER The

Issue 75 - July 2015

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue Visit the

Villager Bookshop Luxury In Bath 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

Flying Proms at Shuttleworth

Saturday 15 August 2015 Enjoy the Shuttleworth Collectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

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Contents The History of USAF in Cambs

Regency Times in St Neots..........................................................4 The History of USAF in Cambridgeshire......................................6 When Can I Take It Back?..........................................................10 The Villager Bookshop..............................................................13 Win a Family Ticket to Cruise on the John Bunyan....................16 Luxury in Bath..........................................................................18 Abbotsley Feast Week and Festival of Flags..............................21 Buckden 4th July Village Festival..............................................23 On the Edge of your Seat..........................................................25 Holiday Time is Here Again.......................................................27 How to Cut the Ccost of Your Summer Holiday..........................28 Doing it for the Kids.................................................................33 Employment Matters...............................................................36 Ukulele or Harp........................................................................38 Green Garden Park Ltd.............................................................40

Deadline for August Artwork is Wednesday 15th July

VILLAGER The

Issue 75 - July 2015

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue Visit the

Villager Bookshop Luxury In Bath 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

ur Yo EE FR1copy

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

Keeping Healthy in the Sun......................................................42 Tattoos.....................................................................................44 Bats Need Friends....................................................................47 Animal Stories..........................................................................49 Vet Nurse Saving Cats Abroad..................................................50 Children’s Page.........................................................................52 Ford Mustang...........................................................................55 Seasonal Delights.....................................................................56 Puzzle Page..............................................................................60 Right Side of the Road..............................................................62 Russell Grant’s Horoscopes.......................................................67 What’s On.................................................................................69 Hemingfords’ Regatta..............................................................71 Prize Crossword........................................................................74 Book Review............................................................................78

Green Garden Park Ltd

Deadline for September Artwork is Thursday 23rd July

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, Tim Saunders, Centre for Complementary Health, Ann Haldon, Leeds Day Solicitors, Fiona McLeman, Tony Larkins, Carol Scott, Pippa Greenwood, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Andy Mydellton, RSPCA, Cromwell Vets, James Baggott, Wayne Gorrett, Russell Grant and Bruce Edwards

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

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Scott - 01767 261122 scott@villagermag.com

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

Photography - Aleksandr Smaglov & Darren Harbar Photography Design and Artwork Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

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History

By Peter Ibbett

Regency Times

In 1811 King George III was declared unfit to rule and his son became Prince Regent until 1820 when the old King finally died after 60 years on the throne. Life in St Neots probably went on much as it had done over the last century but there were significant changes afoot. William Fowler, Brewer & farmer, had taken the Priory brewery in 1780 and added some new buildings to the site. Son William took over the business in 1800 having acquired the adjoining bell foundry site. When he died in 1814 the business was sold to John Day of Bedford with its extensive range of property and public houses. Included was a malting and yard at the south end of New Street known as Wagon Yard which is probably the old Police station site which is now the museum. Over 30 pubs came with the Brewery including the Bell & the Dragoon at Brampton, the White Lion at Buckden, The Ship at St Ives and the Queens Head at Wyboston. The Brewery exported to London and (in 1824) was employing 18 men and two boys with wages

in St Neots

from 8s to 14s a week. One tradition (kept up into the 20th century) was that of free beer for employees and also for visiting workmen. It was said that if one went into the brewery yard to borrow a ladder, a pint of beer was claimed, and another on returning the ladder! The advert from the early 1900â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shows how extensive the site was on the banks of the Great Ouse. The first census in 1801 had recorded 1752 inhabitants in St Neots. Regency times saw significant changes with the population rising by 30% to 2272 in 1821 and the old church vestry council replaced by Town Commissioners who set about significant improvements to the town, laying the foundation for its Victorian expansion to 3320 locals by 1861. You can find out more about this formative period in the history of the town at the St Neots Regency Festival (25th & 26th July) and its associated events at the museum.

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History By Catherine Rose

The History of

USAF in Cambridgeshire With the news at the beginning of this year that the United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed it is pulling out of three UK airbases in a bid to save £320 million across Europe, Catherine Rose takes a look back at the history of two of the county’s airbases at Alconbury and Molesworth in an area that has been home to many American Servicemen and their families. RAF Molesworth has a history that dates back to WWI in 1917 and RAF Alconbury dates back to 1938. In 1937, RAF Bomber Command decided there was a national need for new ‘secret’ satellite aircraft bases for the swift dispersal of aircraft in the event of an air strike on their existing stations. RAF Alconbury was established as a military airfield in 1938 on Alconbury Hill next to Little Stukeley village and was used by the RAF for bombing missions during WW2. Late in 1940/41 its facilities were upgraded to make it into a fully operational airbase rather than a satellite and a main runway was built. Two new hangars were constructed and W & C French provided personnel accommodation to the south-west side of the A14 around Alconbury House which had already been requisitioned. Unfortunately, the building work attracted the attention of the Luftwaffe and the airbase was bombed although damage was minor. Subsequently, no. 40 Squadron brought its Wellington Bombers to Alconbury in February 1941 from where they took part in night raids on German industrial targets and French ports on the Atlantic coast including Brest where they were

able to damage German battleships that were undergoing repairs in preparation for an attack on British shipping. It was the Blitz and Alconbury became a target for German bombing. When the Squadron there was moved to RAF Worboys in 1942, Bomber Command ceased its connection with the airbase. In total, 67 bombers had been lost in RAF Bomber Command operations flown from Alconbury (eight Blenheims and 59 Wellingtons). Following the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 and the declaration of war by Nazi Germany against US forces, the USA Eighth Air Force was activated on 28th January 1942. Its first mission was to contain the Japanese but in April, it was decided to divert it to the United Kingdom in order to carry out combat operations against Nazi Germany and its forces in Occupied Europe. In conjunction with this, a number of East Anglian air bases were turned over to USAF command. Alconbury Airfield still had quite basic facilities and work was started to bring the station up to Class A airfield standards, extending the runway and building new hangars. Bomb and ammunition stores were sited on the opposite side of the airfield to the personnel living quarters for safety reasons. Two underground gasoline storage facilities were also built with a capacity of 216,000 gallons. The total area of land occupied by RAF Alconbury in 1942 was about 500 acres (2 km²). The first US Eighth Air Force unit to take up residence at RAF Alconbury was the 93rd Bombardment Group from Fort Myers in Florida,

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nicknamed ‘The Travelling Circus’. They flew consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft. A year later, the 92nd Bombardment Group known as ‘Fame’s Favorite Few’ took over with the B17 Flying Fortress. The famous B17, The Memphis Belle, subject of two feature films, came to RAF Bassingbourn in 1942 and went on to complete 25 missions with her crew intact. The 92nd Bombardment Group was responsible for bombing many strategic targets, including shipyards at Kiel, the Wilhelmshaven submarine installation works, ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt, an aircraft factory at Nantes and airfields near Paris. On 15th September 1943, the decision was made to take Alconbury off operational bombing missions to become a Pathfinder and Radar-Guided Bombing airfield and the 92nd Bombardment Group was moved to RAF Podington. In 1943, Operation Carpetbagger was launched, initially out of RAF Alconbury, which involved the delivery of supplies to resistance groups in occupied Europe. Agents were flown over in specially adapted B-24 Liberators leading up to D-Day by which time the mission had been moved to the more secret RAF Harrington base in Norfolk. Operational bomber missions ceased at Alconbury at the end of April 1945. RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth were important during WW2: it was from Molesworth that the first USAF Eighth Air Force mission was flown over Nazi-occupied territory on Independence Day, 4th July 1942. Flying was

stopped at RAF Alconbury altogether in 1995 and since then, RAF Alconbury and Molesworth have both acted as USAF communications bases contributing about £40 million per year to the local economy. The runway and flight facilities at RAF Molesworth were closed much earlier than Alconbury’s in 1973 and subsequently demolished but new facilities were built to support ground-launched cruise missile operations in the early 1980s. The US had hundreds of tanks in Europe during the Cold War although there was a brief moment after 2013 when all US tanks were withdrawn from Europe. The USAF has had around 760 military personnel at the two Cambridgeshire bases, with a further 1,500 civilian employees and dependents. Both operations are expected to move to RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire. Currently, the Enterprise Zone is on the same site as RAF Alconbury and it is hoped this will provide thousands of jobs over the coming years to compensate for the loss of the personnel there. A scheme to build up to 5,000 homes on Alconbury airfield in Cambridgeshire has been approved by Huntingdonshire District Councillors.

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Three Counties Radio

When can I

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

take it back?

So, you go to a clothes shop, buy a shirt, get it home and decide that actually you’re not that keen on it after all. Simple! You can return it, yes? NOT NECESSARILY! Indeed one subject often up for discussion on my radio show on BBC 3 Counties Radio concerns the successful returning of goods to a retailer. Let me make it very clear. If goods are FAULTY then of course you have the right to return them and depending on the length of time you have had them (usually only a few weeks), you should be entitled to your money back in full. If you’ve had the item for longer, then you can ask the retailer to either repair the item (if possible) or replace it. As I’ve said in previous articles, this applies long after the 12 month period, so don’t be fobbed off by cheeky shop assistants! Remember your statutory rights – all goods purchased must be a) fit for purpose b) of reasonable quality (depending on the amount spent on them) and c) should last for a reasonable amount of time (again depending on how much you have paid for the item). Where you don’t automatically have the right to return items is when you simply change your mind. Whilst many retailers operate a ‘good will’ returns policy and will happily take items back as long as they are in perfect condition, the law does not guarantee this. Always check the returns policy of the individual company before you make a purchase if you’re not 100% confident you’ll keep the item. Failure to do this could cause a very embarrassing scene in the shop and a may end up leaving with your tail firmly between your legs. There is an exception to all of this though, and this exception is even more important now than ever before considering how many purchases are made online. When buying a new product from an internet or mail order company, you are covered by ‘distance selling regulations’. These dictate that because you haven’t had the opportunity to see the item you’re buying in the flesh (as it were), you have 7 working days, from receipt of the goods, to return them for a full refund. Always confirm that you are returning the items by email to obtain a date stamp and please note there are exceptions to this including CDs, DVDs, perishable goods and underwear etc. Always check the sellers’ returns postage policy as if they don’t state who is liable for the p&p, then they automatically are! It’s also worth noting (using the shirt example I described earlier) that if you are not given the opportunity to try clothes on in the shop (i.e. they don’t have a changing room), then you are also entitled to return goods simply because they don’t fit or you don’t like the colour after all. The best approach is that if you don’t know the returns policy in the shop, then ask before you buy. Finally, always keep your receipts and if you don’t, remember that a bank statement or credit card bill should act as proof of purchase instead.

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 10

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The Villager Book Shop The Villager Book Shop brings you a selection of interesting local books that you may not previously have been aware of.

East Anglia from the Air: Cambridge and Around by Martin Bowman gives the reader a new perspective on Cambridge and the local area, including Madingley, Ely, Duxford and the surrounding villages. Martin is one of Britain’s leading aviation authors with over 100 published books. He has also established an international reputation for his superb imagery and aerial photography. The book is priced at £17.99 plus just £1.00 postage and packing. Publication: Paperback, 160 pages, 200 illustrations, August 2013 Price: £17.99 ISBN: 978-1-4456-1890-6 Size: 170 x 248mm Rights: World, all languages To order your copy of East Anglia from the Air: Cambridge and Around, please contact The Villager Book Shop on 01767 261122 or email booksales@villagermag.com Or send your cheque for £17.99 plus £1.00 P&P to Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

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COMPETITION

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Bedford’s Award Winning Community Boat Cruise on Bedford’s Great Ouse Get a different view of Bedford from the riverside. Take a cruise on the John Bunyan, Bedford’s Award Winning Community Boat. There are options to suit all tastes from Thursday and Sunday Public Cruises, to Charter Hire cruises for your parties, special occasions, wedding cruises, group or work outings and school trips. The John Bunyan Boat was launched in the summer of 2013 and by the start of the 2015 cruising season will have carried over 10,000 passengers along Bedford’s beautiful river. The boat carries upto 50 passengers, or for school trips 60 children and 6 support staff. It is fully licensed and has catering and refreshments facilities.

There is also an access lift and a toilet suitable for people with disabilities. Tables and chairs can be set out to meet your requirements. For more information visit the website: www.johnbunyanboat.org or phone 0330 1239 511 or e-mail: charters@johnbunyanboat.org Follow on Twitter @JohnBunyanBoat or Facebook: JohnBunyanBoat. The Villager and Town Life has one family ticket to give away for a cruise on the John Bunyan Boat. To enter, simply email editor@villagermag.com with the heading ‘John Bunyan Cruise’ and include your name, address and telephone number. A winner will be picked at random. Closing Date: 15th July 2015

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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 itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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).

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Travel

Luxury in Bath By Tim Saunders It was a significant birthday for my wife Caroline so when her parents kindly offered to look after our daughters for the night, I whisked her away. Celebrities seeking a luxurious haven from the crowds go to The Queensberry: the award winning boutique hotel, originally a residential home for its namesake, the 8th Marquess of Queensberry. As soon as we arrived, a valet took care of the car and luggage and from the moment we set foot in the restored Georgian property, we relaxed, attended to by the friendly staff. Each room is individually designed and owners Laurence and Helen Beere have paid great attention to detail. Our sophisticated bedroom was in keeping with the period but there were also modern day features such as a flat screen television and Roberts DAB radio tuned in to Classic FM. With its acclaimed three AA rosette restaurant, The Olive Tree - recognised in the Good Hotel Guide - dining is an occasion. While savouring expertly crafted food, advice is on hand from staff on which wine compliments each dish. A crisp Jordanian white wine that I would not have considered was a perfect choice to accompany my crab lasagne. Bath is the only city in the UK designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Renowned for its natural thermal waters, there are three hot springs in the city centre: the Cross Spring, Hetling Spring and King’s Spring, which supplies the Roman baths. We visited Thermae Bath Spa where you can swim in them – just a 10 minute stroll from the hotel and described as “the only hot water spa in Britain”. Magnificent architectural symmetries are another major attraction. At No. 1 Royal Crescent,

housekeeper Glenys Hale provided insight into how the city was created. Three men were responsible for making Bath: Richard Beau Nash, a socialite; Ralph Allen, who quarried Bath stone; and John Wood, architect, whose success came through rich Londoners buying properties. The grand Royal Crescent terrace, a backdrop to many period dramas, was built like a theatre set with purchasers employing their own builders to finish off the interior. These owners, who spent about £1,700 on each house in 1767, threw lavish dinner parties and promoted their wealth by the number of expensive beeswax candles they displayed; how much sugar was provided; and whether there was an £80 pineapple on the table! The magnificent residences fell out of favour in the 1960s and when Glenys arrived in 1967, the buildings were black. Ship owner Bernard Cayzer bought No.1 Royal Crescent in 1968 for £11,000 and it was opened as a museum in 1970. It is now owned by the Bath Preservation Trust. The Royal Crescent Hotel, in the middle of this curve of Georgian terrace houses, is the only property in the row to boast a large garden. Its Dower House serves the ‘Duke of York Afternoon Tea’ accompanied by Tattinger champagne - a fantastic way to spend an afternoon with a loved one. Needless to say Caroline was very pleased with her birthday treat.

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Local News

Abbotsley Feast Week & Festival of Flags Friday 17th July – Sunday 26th July 2015 The annual Feast Week in the village of Abbotsley returns on Friday 17th July and this year it will be a feast week with a difference. Abbotsley will be a village full of colour with flags decorating the villagers homes and gardens. The event always coincides with the celebration of the feast of St Margaret of Antioch, in whose honour the church is dedicated. The event commences on Friday 17th July with a Golf Day at Abbotsley Golf Club open to all and then continue with : • Village Fete on Saturday 18th on the playing field from 2–5pm, with games, stalls, side shows Bedfordshire Beekeepers, Stagecoach Dancers, bbq, bar & Pimms tent and more. • Sunday 19th cream teas will be served at the Village Hall, a welcome refreshment after a walk around the village. Patronal Festival Service, St Margaret’s Church 6.30pm. • A family sports evening Monday 20th on the playing field.

Communion Service St Margaret’s Church 6.30pm • Tuesday 21st Quiz at The Eight Bells 7.30pm. • Kids Disco at the Village Hall Wednesday 22nd July 6pm • Thursday 23rd July Kids vs Adults Football on the playing field 6pm.Heartsease will be performing at The Eight Bells from 8pm. A Barn Dance will take place on Saturday 25th at The Eight Bells at 7.30pm, with dancing to The Magog Band (tickets in advance, see contact details below). The week’s festivities close on Sunday 26th with Jazz and an auction of promises 1pm at The Eight Bells, there are some fantastic lots of offer – all welcome. Profits from Feast Week go to the upkeep of Abbotsley Village Hall. For further information about Feast Week events and tickets please contact Nick Martin 07814 194996, or see the village website www.abbotsley.org.uk Abbotsley Feast Week Raising Funds for Abbotsley Village Hall Registered Charity No.302626

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Local News

Bucken 4th July Village Festival With a ‘Best of British and American’ theme, Buckden is launching its annual 4th July Village Festival with a red, white and blue parade led by a marching pipe and drum band which winds around the historic village, trailed by American vehicles. The 300-strong procession starts from Buckden Towers at 11.45am, passes through Lucks Lane, Manor Gardens and Church Street, and finishes at the playing fields at 12.30pm. Participants are invited to come along in American or British themed fancy dress with prizes for the best outfit and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Following the parade, the fete takes place from 12.30pm until 5pm when there will be fun, food and entertainment for all ages. More than 60 stalls including plants, jewellery, crafts, a model railway and a coconut shy will be there; and for the children there will be face painting, sand art, hook-

a-duck, bungee trampolines, fairground rides and a fun house. There will also be historic tractors on display and a full arena programme of sporting and entertainment events. Refreshments include burgers, hot dogs, smoothies and sweets from St Neot’s American-themed diner Shakey Jakes, candy floss, ice cream, hog roast, pancakes and Thai food. Draycott Brewery will be providing a beer tent. Entrance is free and all proceeds from this annual fete go towards the upkeep of Buckden Village Hall and grounds. This year, money raised will help pay for the installation of Wi-Fi in the hall. www.BuckdenVillageFestival.co.uk

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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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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Complementary Health

On the edge of your seat

Centre for Complimentary Health

Finally, you’ve got tickets for centre court on semi-finals day when all the big names are playing. The weather is perfect, the view is just right and the strawberries are sweet, but before long your back begins to ache and you can’t get comfortable. What should be a day to remember for the tennis becomes an ordeal you’ll never forget for the wrong reasons. Or by the time you get your ticket for the third day at Lords for The Ashes, you’ll wonder how you’ll ever manage to last seven hours on a plastic seat. Roy Palmer, Alexander Teacher at the Centre for Complementary Heath, explains “humans are not suited for sitting inactive for long periods at a time. In fact, societies that don’t sit but either stand, squat or lie down suffer far less with back and posture-related conditions”. That doesn’t help you on Centre Court but fear not, all is not lost here are Roy’s three things you can do that prevent neck, back or shoulder pain when sitting. 1. Get up and walk around at regular intervals. Whenever there is a break in play, take the opportunity to stretch your legs and walk. 2. While sitting, tilt forward keeping your pelvis, spine and head aligned (see diagram). It doesn’t have to be too far and will help stretch out your lower back muscles. If you have the space, you can tip all the way forward and let your head rest between your knees.

3. One of the most effective techniques is to place your fingers in the groove behind your ears and let your head nod forward and back, and then side to side from there - this is where you head sits on your spine. Let it ‘balance’ on the top and appreciate the seat beneath supports its weight and not your neck. Heads weigh around 9 lbs and if sitting in the wrong position it puts undue stress on your muscles and spine. “Follow these simple steps and you’ll find sitting for long periods easier on your back, allowing you to enjoy the game without the aches and pains” adds Roy.

For more information on the Alexander Technique or managing back or chronic pain contact the Centre on 01480455221 or see www.CentreForCompHealth.com.health

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B A N G

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Leeds Day Solicitors

Holiday Time is Here Again By Simon Thomas Family and collaborative law solicitor The family team at Leeds Day are often approached by separated parents with problems arising when one parent wants to take children abroad on holiday. By following a few straightforward ‘ground rules’, many of the problems that we see, and have to resolve last minute, can be avoided. Below are some examples. 1. Plan well in advance: Parents often agree an annual schedule so everyone, including the children, knows exactly what is to happen and when they are with each parent. It may seem ‘over the top’ to make out such a schedule but this allows holidays to be booked in confidence knowing there will not be any difficulties. 2. Provide the requisite information to each other: It is common practice to provide the address of the holiday destination, a landline telephone number at that destination, flight or ferry details out and inbound to the other parent prior to travel. Provide this information as early as you know it. 3. Obtain written consent to travel: The border agencies are becoming more vigilant with single parents travelling with children, or children travelling with an adult whose surname is different (this can apply even if you are merely taking a friend’s child on holiday with you). If you are travelling outside of England and Wales you should be holding

written consent to travel from the other parent. To take a child abroad without the consent of the other parent can amount to the criminal offence of child abduction. 4. Passport: Make early arrangements to hand over the children’s passports to avoid problems and ensure someone has checked they are in date. Holidays can put added stress upon separated parents who remain in dispute. Mediation may be able to help ease concerns or issues arising but if a court application looks inevitable to resolve holiday problems, be aware that the court is not accessible at a moment’s notice. Any application usually needs to be made at least 6 weeks prior to travel. We understand there may be times when it is not possible to reach agreement, for a variety of reasons. If you are facing such difficulties and you want to find out what your options are, then please contact Simon Thomas on 01480 442078 or send an email to family@leedsday.co.uk. We offer an initial 30 minute consultation at a fixed fee of £60 plus VAT. Our team of family solicitors are highly experienced in all aspects of family law. We are also able to offer a full range of dispute resolution options including mediation and collaborative family law details of which can be found on our website: www.leedsday.co.uk/services-forindividuals/family/

Our offices:

Huntingdon Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD T: 01480 454301

St. Ives 11 Station Road, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5BH T: 01480 464600

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St. Neots 1A South Street, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 2BW T: 01480 474661 27

Finance

By Ann Haldon

How to Cut the Cost of Your

Summer Holiday From currency exchange to travel insurance and car hire, it’s possible to significantly cut the cost of holidaying abroad. Here are a few tips to shave a little off your holiday spend. Credit cards The fees typically charged by credit card companies are: • Foreign exchange fee: generally 3% of the amount converted from sterling into a foreign currency. • Cash withdrawal fee: between 2% and 3% of the amount withdrawn The availability of ‘specialist’ credit cards with no, or low fees, allows you to avoid these charges when you go on holiday. The Halifax Clarity credit card is a good example. At the time of writing there’s no charge for spending abroad with this card, and no cash withdrawal fee. It’s accepted anywhere that displays the MasterCard symbol. Interest will still be charged on cash withdrawals from the date you take the money out, however, until the day it’s repaid in full. Even this fee can be reduced if you’re prepared to pay off the balance via internet banking while you’re away, or if this isn’t an option, as soon as you get home. Prepaid cards Prepaid cards are pre-loaded with money before you go. The balance gradually decreases as you spend, but can be topped up again as and when you need it. With these cards the exchange rate is always set by the card provider, and applied when

the card is loaded rather than each time you use it. This could work for or against you, depending on fluctuations in the foreign exchange market. If you’re thinking of purchasing one of these cards and the rate suddenly improves, you’ll be taking advantage of a strengthened Pound. Equally, you could lose out if the rate improves again later. Holiday insurance Buying well in advance of your holiday is the best way to save money on holiday insurance. • Whether you are planning to take more than one trip abroad during the year. If so, a multi-trip insurance policy would be the most costeffective. • Where you are travelling - you’ll have to choose between worldwide or European insurance. • If you’re likely to be participating in any risky sports such as scuba diving, the policy may be loaded with an extra charge. Booking your travel insurance independently via the internet will generally work out cheaper than buying as an add on to flights or a package tour. Alternatively, ‘packaged’ bank accounts sometimes include annual travel insurance in their monthly fee. Hire car charges There are ways to save money on hiring a car: • Book early to get the best deals • Include car hire in your package deal • Organise your own Collision Damage Waiver add-on Many hire car operators adopt a ‘hard sell’ approach in relation to CDW when you pick the car up, as this is the way they make their profit - by selling addons to ‘basic’ insurance. Airport parking As with car hire, booking early is the best way to save on airport parking. Even pre-booking on the day of the flight could save you a little money. Turning up at the car park is guaranteed to be the most expensive. The Money Saving Expert website is a good source of tips on where to find travel-related discounts and offers, including airport car parking. If you’re staying at an airport hotel the night before your flight, you may be able to book a package that includes the room plus parking for the duration of your holiday.

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Anstee Gorst

Chartered Certified Accountants

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19/05/2015 10:0

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Dedicated support for clients in relationship breakdown:

• • • • •

Separation Financial Settlements Change of Name Prenuptial Agreements Mediation

• • • • •

Divorce Living together agreements Adoption Children issues Collaborative family law

Fiona McLeman Family Law is accredited by Resolution and the Solicitors Regulation Authority as a Specialist in Family Law. For a free initial consultation contact Fiona:

fiona@fmfamilylaw.co.uk, 07894095775, www.fmfamilylaw.co.uk Regus House, 1010 Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne CB23 6DP

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Family Law

Doing it for the kids One of the most pressing concerns for any separating couple is how the children’s time is going to be managed. So many questions need answers and the children are bound to have their own anxieties and worries. Who will the children live with? How often will they see the other parent? Where will they live? Will the home have to be sold? Will they still go to the same school? Do Mummy and Daddy still love them? The Family Court strives for couples to sort out such arrangements without court intervention. The Court takes the view that the people best placed to work out what is best for the children are their parents. Indeed, when a couple get divorced there is no longer a need to inform the court of the children’s arrangements. In the past the Judge would issue a certificate confirming that the Court does not need to make any orders about the children, but as of April last year this is no longer the case. Most cases work out this way and life carries on as normal, albeit a new kind of ‘normal’ - different to the life the children had before when Mummy and Daddy were ‘together’. Not always for the worse, and sometimes much for the better. TV programmes such as soaps are not always accurate providers of legal information when they run a story line that concerns a family breakdown. The word “custody” is not a correct legal terminology and hasn’t been for 25 years!

The word was removed in 1989 by the word “residence”. 25 years on from that and the words changed again as in 2014, the new kid on the block in terms of legal terminology is “a child arrangements order”. Not very user friendly or easy to slip off the tongue in day to day conversation but it is considered a more neutral explanation of the reality of parenting roles. The important thing for any separating couple to remember is that provided they put the interests of their children first and try as hard as they can to work together, without lawyers or courts, they should be able to get through this tough time. It may be that eventually every one ends up in a much happier place, most importantly being able to talk to each other in the future as their children grow older. Mediation is an excellent place to start with all that as it allows the couple to talk about their concerns and worries face to face with the other parent, but with the support of someone who is skilled at helping their discussions and knows how the law works. So if you are worried about the future and need to talk through concerns about your children with the other parent, try Mediation. Put the children first. You’ll be doing it for the kids.

Fiona McLeman Tel: 07894 095775 www.fmfamilylaw.co.uk

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Employment

Employment Matters Top Tips on How to Recruit and Select the Right Employee It’s common for employers to complain of difficulties in finding the right people, sometimes because they have never interviewed before or possibly don’t know who or what they are really looking for. Employees can be the greatest asset or a devastating liability and getting the right people is key to any company’s success so careful planning is essential. Let’s use the example of a marketing assistant: • Think about what the purpose of the job is: To provide overall support in line with the marketing strategy, including marketing communications, branding, advertising, trade shows, online, promotional items, and all other sales and marketing activities. • What is the job title: Marketing Assistant • Decide on the skills, knowledge and experience the successful job holder will need: - Knowledge and understanding of marketing communications, branding, and advertising highly desirable. - Robust time management, planning and organisational skills with flexibility to work with competing deadlines. - Recognised graphic design qualification and/or equivalent studio experience. - Demonstrable skills in all basic elements of design - Accurate with critical attention to detail including grammar and spelling. • Write an accurate and well informed job description and include measurable objectives: - Accurately maintain databases, update website content, send emails and general communications with inbound and outbound contacts to company protocols and deadlines - Act as contact for providing imagery on request,

for internal and external clients and colleagues. - Maintain image library and carry out regular photography sessions when necessary, including editing. • Decide on a salary banding for the role: Circa £18,000 - £22,000 according to skills and experience. • Devise relevant and fair interview questions: - Can you describe a time when you had to gain co-operation from other team members to get the result you wanted? - What kind of communication methods have you used in previous roles to get the marketing message across? - Please tell us what design packages you use and what you have used them for. • Devise a fair scoring system to select the best candidate at the interview: - Ask all candidates the same questions and ensure a second person is present who takes written notes of the responses. When sifting through CVs, look for evidence of the skills, experience and knowledge that you have specified. Write to suitably skilled candidates with an application form to complete and bring to the 1st interview with proof of right to work in the UK, plus originals of any specified qualifications. Write and invite shortlisted candidates to attend for 2nd interview and devise a practical demonstration of skills for them to undertake. After scoring this, it should be clear who the successful applicant is. Recruitment and selection is not a scientific process but you can improve your chances of getting the right person with the right skills by doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time and with a clear justification for the choices you make. Carol H Scott (HR and Business Consulting Ltd)

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Beacon Wealth

Ukulele or Harp A client this week reminded me of the saying ‘with lots of strings to your bow you can make a harp. Then play any tune you choose’. A Ukulele has just four strings and whilst they can be played in any order the number of options are limited when compared to the infinite options on a harp. Business is very similar in the financial world. A client normally has a number of issues that require different solutions and whilst a tied advisor may have the best intentions, they are limited by fitting your needs, to their offerings, whilst a truly independent advisor has no such constraints. Clearly, if faced with two advisors of equal Chartered or Certified status, the Independent should be preferred. Recently, with the acquisition of Jeffery Mills Solicitors, we are noticing this even more. I thought there was a need for more quality legal advice, but did not realise just how difficult it was to find a good solicitor, and just

Tony Larkins CFP APFS Managing Director IFA Chartered and Certified Financial Planner

how many people have suffered from poor service or quality. Thankfully Jeffery Mills Solicitors is a company I have not heard bad things about. As specialists in Pensions, Mortgages and Long Term Care, and through having fund performance for ISA’s, Unit Trusts and Pensions of over 8%, even for our most cautious portfolio (for the year ending 30/04/15), We hope to have enough strings to our harp to meet most client demands. One instant area of growth has been advice on matrimonial issues, with a financial advisor and solicitor working together, for the client’s best interest, a greater understanding is being achieved quicker. 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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Because your home starts with your garden

Green Garden Park Ltd Green Garden Park Ltd is no ordinary garden centre. It is an entirely new venture in the area supplying specialist trees and shrubs nationwide that will elevate your garden from the ordinary to something quite special. Easily accessible north along the A1 just before Sandy and attached to the well-established Seddington Garden Centre, Green Garden Park Ltd has been set up by three business partners with a passion for gardening. It supplies unique, premium quality, mature trees and shrubs, all of which have been grown, trained and maintained by hand. “Both my business partners are old friends who have experience in running garden centres abroad” explains Arax Nalbandjan, director. “As a successful business owner myself, together we decided to find a gap in the garden market. We chose to showcase premium quality trees and shrubs by providing a handpicked selection of products from specialist suppliers and the world’s leading horticulturists. There is no one else in this area that does exactly what we do.” The company’s crowning jewel is its luxury Masterpiece Collection consisting of intensively cultivated trees that can be up to 25 years old. Arax proudly describes them as “living art” with every tree the company sells being totally individual. “So much creativity, skill and care go into these trees” says Arax. “They are like a living sculpture. People buy them as a statement

centrepiece or to work within a larger landscape design.” As if to perfectly illustrate this fact, Arax shows me another range they sell – one of their ‘logo’ trees where the foliage has been trained into the shape of the well-known Mercedes’ company emblem. Green Garden Park’s main specialism is in Japanese Bonsai trees but not the miniature specimens most people associate them with. These Bonsai trees are large potted ‘statement’ trees with a big ‘wow factor’, pruned in what is known as cloud form (a traditional Japanese art, so called because the foliage resembles clumps of cloud settled around the branches). All the company’s trees arrive in special ‘air pot’ containers for year round planting and each tree purchased comes with one-year free specialist maintenance that can then be extended at a reasonable price. “So a customer does not need to worry about how to keep their tree healthy and looking beautiful” explains Arax. For those with a more limited budget, Arax points out that although they provide premium exclusive trees, they also stock products that are accessible to everyone. “We have something to suit all types of gardener and budget here” she explains. “As well as those in our Masterpiece Collection, we have other species of smaller Bonsai that are not so expensive.” Alongside their trees with

pedigree and visual impact, the company sells regular trees and shrubs, including mature acers, conifers, roses, hydrangeas and rhododendrons, with the rare bonus that a customer can purchase their chosen plants in any size and unlimited quantity. Familiar species have been given a twist, such as the apple tree that has been trained to grow flat in what is known as the ‘espalier’ form so that it can be used as natural, attractive screening instead of a fence; or the large prunus that has been grown over many years into an umbrella shape. Other apple trees are also available that have been trained into a stunning ‘table top’ crown design – perfect for a ready-made living pergola. The versatile Box shrub, which Arax describes as the most popular shrub in the UK, is hand-pruned for quality rather than by the more usual machine method. The results of the more intensive manual input are incredible. The foliage of Green Garden Park’s hand-pruned box is incredibly dense, vibrant and bursting with health, making my own machinepruned specimens suddenly seem rather sparse and anaemic. You can buy shrubs and trees of almost any shape and size at Green Garden Park – it would seem that the only limit is your imagination. Trees and shrubs shaped like cones, balls, umbrellas, cylinders and pointed barley-twists are all available. Arax shows me their ‘wedding cake’ trees which are pruned into tiers, and arches where two trees are trained to make a living archway when placed together – a magnificent addition to any garden. I also admire the ‘multi-stem’ trees. These are the most natural-looking but where the branches have actually been hand-trained to give a pleasing shape and symmetry.

Unsurprisingly, due to the quality and limitless quantity of premium plants, Green Garden Park not only sells to the general public but works closely with landscape architects, garden designers and professional gardeners, advising and supplying them with a wide range of mature, premium quality trees and shrubs according to their specification. The company is also well placed to meet the needs of hotels, restaurants, property developers, local authorities and corporate event organisers. “We are a company for both professionals and private gardeners” says Arax. Green Garden Park’s services include consultation, landscape design, delivery, planting, landscaping, irrigation design and maintenance. It also offers its customers a free garden design service which involves a meeting to discuss requirements, following which three separate designs are produced that the customer can either choose from or mix and match according to their needs. Green Garden Park specialist garden centre is already open for business and can take orders. “We create something custom-made and have endless choices” Arax says. She finds that the on-site collaboration with Seddington Garden Centre works well as the two complement each other in what they sell. “Our trees are suitable for any commercial exterior and there is a new tendency in the UK for people to spend more money on their gardens to complement their expensive houses. Luxurious gardens also add value to properties. At Green Garden Park, we believe your house should start with your garden, and with our products you can make it as stunning as your home.”

Green Garden Park Ltd Great North Road, Seddington, Sandy SG19 1NZ Tel: 01767 680393 or 07487 834419 www.greengardenpark.co.uk Facebook: Greengardenpark.uk

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Garden

By Pippa Greenwood

Keeping healthy This part of the summer is lovely. The veg plot will be in overdrive and there are some delicious fruits cropping too. But sometimes your beloved flower beds and borders, pots and planters can have a distinct mid-summer-flop. How can you keep them looking on top form for as long as possible? Regular feeding is essential, particularly for anything growing in a container. Often crammed into a fairly small space and with compost whose fertiliser content is pretty well used up after a few weeks, by July plants in pots can be close to starving if you’ve not fed them regularly. I would still feed herbaceous perennials and annuals growing in open ground too, but don’t feed shrubs as these could be encouraged to put on new growth which will not be toughened up enough by the time winter comes. A tomato feed with a high potash level works well for anything that you grow primarily for the flowers. Deadhead regularly, both the faded flowers and if necessary remove the flower stem too. A pair of sharp scissors makes for the quickest and neatest job. Do this as soon as the flower starts to deteriorate so that no energy whatsoever is used to form seed heads. Give perennials a trim using scissors or shears as soon as their flowering period is over. Follow it with a good feed and you can often encourage a second, later flush of flowers. If plants have become a little too tall or there has been a lot of rainfall they can flop over, clogging up the lawn on borders next to the grass, and generally looking a real mess. Check that stakes and other supports are still doing their job and re-position them if necessary. You may even find that you need to add a bit of extra support or tie

in the sun

in a few of the taller or more wayward stems – the foam-covered wire works really well for this. At this time of year many flowers succumb to common diseases. This is how to deal with them: Powdery mildew: keep the plant well watered at the base but avoid wetting the leaves and spray with a fungicide Aphids: remove with a strong jet of water, introduce ladybirds or spray with an insecticide Leaf spots: just pick off the worst affected leaves Rusts: pick off the worst affected leaves, try to keep the foliage dry and spray with a suitable insecticide Caterpillars: pick off by hand or spray with a biological or chemical control Weeds compete for water, food and even light. Pulling them out or hoeing them off when they are still fairly small is a much easier and more efficient way to deal with them than trying to pull out a massive, long-rooted triffid that has already done a lot of damage. If the weather is dry, regular watering is essential. To minimise water wastage and the risk of those delicate petals becoming scorched, only water in the evening or, if this is not possible, very early in the morning. A less frequent but thorough drenching is a lot more beneficial than very frequent but light waterings. So, with a little extra TLC everything in the garden can still look gorgeous for a long while yet! Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com ladybirds & other biocontrols, Nemaslug, SoftTie, weeders, pop-up crop covers, copper tape and lots more besides.

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BumbleBee Landscaping Turﬁng ● Fencing Hedge Trimming Decking ● Patios Grass Cutting General Maintenance

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Trends

Tattoos

Tattoos are on the increase. The number of studios has doubled in the last ten years and 29% of Brits aged 16-44 now boast an inking. So with over 1,500 studios to choose from, how do you decide? First thing to do is choose an artist whose artistic style and ability match your expectations. Be sure to look through their portfolio and check on the quality and consistency of their work. Do you like their designs? Are the lines steady, the shading smooth and the colours solid? According to a 2003 study, 75% of people who get tattoos go on to regret it, so it’s important to do some serious homework before making that all important decision. After all, tattoos are very difficult, painful and expensive to remove! Safety comes next. Make sure the studio and the tattoo artist are both registered with the local council. This is a legal requirement and they should have certificates proving their status. Certification assures certain basic standards of cleanliness and

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

hygiene of premises, equipment and the individual performing the work. Check there is a current Health and Safety Certificate on display and that the artist wears gloves and uses new needles for each customer. Follow these simple guidelines and you should maximise your chances of a safe and successful inking experience!

Fencing Specialist Fully Insured Friendly Service FREE QUOTATIONS Specialise in all types of fencing  Gates  Security  Bollards  For all your fencing needs

Contact Rob Sale Tel - 01767 316901 Mob - 07927 748460 44

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All Seasons

Garden & Property Maintenance

Some Services We Provide

Grass/Hedge-cutting, Turfing, Patios, Fencing Ground Preparation, Sheds/Conservatory Bases Repair Work - Internal/External Painting - Internal/External Clearances, Cleaning/pressure cleaning

Plant Hire 3 ton and 13 ton operated excavator hire Can be fitted with hydraulic grab Low loader hire available for transport of excavators increasing accessibility and reducing costs Groundworks, Landscaping, Demolition Waterscapes, Ditching, Drainage Sand Blasting Fencing, Timber Decking, Tree Surgery

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 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.  Ride-on and pedestrian mowers, chainsaws, strimmers, hedge trimmers, cultivators, estate and equestrian equipment. Trailers - sales, hire, service.  Accessories, oils, Aspen fuel, batteries, spares, security locks for garden/ horticultural machinery and trailers. horticultu

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We’re Bartlett Tree Experts, a 100+ year old tree and shrub care company with global reach and local roots. We provide expert, attentive service, a safety-first record and a range of services that includes: • Tree & Shrub Pruning • Cabling & Bracing

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www.gilksfencing.co.uk 46

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Wildlife

By Andy Mydellton

Bats Need Friends When I was a child, my mother told me about a shocking experience she had with a school friend one dusky evening in the 1920s. They were playing out in the fields when bats emerged to feed. Somehow, one of them got caught in her friend’s long hair. The two horrified schoolgirls eventually overcame the task of freeing the entangled but harmless little bat. It must have been a rare event, and one that became etched in their young, impressionable minds. Despite this, it is not true stories but the occult, witchcraft and superstition that have amalgamated to create the awful reputation for these enduring little creatures. Because I have an independent mind, my admiration is based on bats’ natural attributes. Firstly, they are the world’s biggest group of flying mammals. Secondly, like most cetaceans (such as whales and dolphins) bats use echolocation to detect their prey. These mammals have evolved this natural ability because they are unable to see and locate their miniature prey with eyesight. Bats use sonar in the same way that humans see things at night by using a torch. Producing sonic sounds from their nasal systems, they send out a blanket of sound waves into their intended flight path. When they locate something, they emit further signals to specify the object’s size and what type of prey it could be. The ‘echoing’ data is converted into pictures in the bats’ brain. For over two and a half decades I have attracted many bat species into the wildlife garden, making bat roosting boxes from disused pallets sited securely under the eaves. As soon as they emerge

from their roost, bats are immediately at their usual flying height of about 12 to 20 feet. By monitoring bats over the years, we have found different species share boxes at the same time, the most common being the pipistrelle. Gnats and other nocturnal delicacies congregate where the millstream forks from the river, and well into the summer nights, bats swoop down near me while I sit on the patio. The pipistrelle is one of Britain’s smallest, most gregarious bats, measuring about one and a half inches long with a wingspan of eight and a half inches. Hibernating from October to March, throughout the summer months, they feed to prepare for mating, producing a single offspring after a gestation of 35 to 44 days. While I can differentiate between bats such as pipistrelles and daubentons, I need help for more specific identification. An electronic bat detector listens to the bats’ sonar - inaudible to the human ear - and transforms it into a series of clicks that we can hear, like tuning into a radio station. To make identification of Britain’s 13 species, we must analyse the clicks as a sequence that some people liken to Morse code. In the past, many people in the western world have been biased against bats. Today we are more educated and better informed but how many of us go out of our way to appreciate, find and enjoy such amazing creatures? Andy Mydellton is CEO of the Foundation for Endangered Species (FES) & Wildlife Zone.

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Local News Urgent need for

Volunteer Visitors for Age UK Cambridgeshire

An SOS has gone out to find volunteers to be part of the Age UK Cambridgeshire Visiting Scheme; which offers support to people who are lonely & isolated in later life. Age UK has a waiting list of clients in the St Neots & Huntingdon areas and it is keen to hear from readers of the Villager who would like to help. Volunteers play an important part in helping to support & enhance peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives in many ways & they in turn receive satisfaction from the role. Each volunteer can make a difference by visiting someone once a week for an hour. It could be for a chat, cup of tea, game of cards or perhaps a trip out. Dee Potter, Volunteer Organiser, wants to hear from anyone who would like to know more about this opportunity. If you have some free time & are interested then please call Dee on 0845 521 3481 or email dee.potter@ageukcambridgeshire.org.uk

Can I go to the Paddocks for my Holiday please?

Paddocks Boarding Cattery Peaceful location. No dogs boarded. Spacious, individual, heated chalets with large covered runs. Inspection welcome. Boarding from ÂŁ6.60/day. Rabbits/guinea pigs also boarded. 64 Meadow Road, Great Gransden

Telephone 01767 677 759 www.catterybedfordshire.co.uk Open all year.

The cattery for caring owners. Comfort and security for your pet. 48

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Pets

American actor Groucho Marx, with his trademark moustache, glasses and cigar

Animal Stories Little Groucho is shunned because of his “moustache” Can you help this unwanted kitten and give him a purr-fect home? The public seems to be discriminating against him because of his moustache. Little Groucho had been repeatedly rejected by would-be adopters because of his “unfortunate” facial fur. “We need to persuade the public that there is nothing wrong with cats with moustaches,” said the RSPCA’s Bedfordshire North branch manager, Caroline Williams. “Facial hair is really trendy at the moment. Everywhere you look we see men sporting great big beards. We think Groucho is bang on trend and can’t understand why nobody wants him.” Groucho was one of a litter of kittens born to a stray cat who was recently taken into the care of the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch. His foster carer, Sally Neal said: “He is an adorable kitten. He loves people and runs up eagerly to whoever comes to view him. “But they take one look, make a comment about his markings and then choose one of his un-moustached siblings. You can see his little moustache droop with disappointment.”

The branch sees similar discrimination almost daily with black cats and kittens. Said Caroline: “We’re currently bottle feeding four tiny abandoned kittens that were handed into our Thurlow Street charity shop in a yellow plastic bucket. “They’re all beautiful – but we know we will struggle to find them homes because they are black.” RSPCA Beds volunteers are currently struggling to rehome many other cats and kittens. Recently they removed 17 from one house, many of whom were sick or neglected. We are appealing urgently for people to adopt, volunteer or donate – or all three. People can email adopt@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk, volunteer@bedsnorth.org.uk or donate@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk

ANIMAL STORIES 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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Pets

Vet nurse saving cats abroad Cromwell Vets student veterinary nurse Nat is one of the biggest fans of cats anywhere. She shares her home with eight cats, all of which are rescues. The latest addition arrived in December last year after Nat fell in love with him while she was volunteering abroad. ‘Leon’ lived on the Greek island of Skiathos and was wandering the streets with a broken leg until he was taken in by Skiathos Cat Welfare Association. The charity cares for around 300 stray cats on the island. They have numerous feeding stations and they also catch and neuter as many cats as they can to help control the population. With so many stray cats, illness and disease is easily spread and it’s almost inevitable that some get injured. Many cats, like Leon, require urgent veterinary care and the charity provides this. The charity relies totally on donations and volunteers to do their work and this is where Nat has been involved. Nat has been helping cats abroad for a few years and in August she is returning to Skiathos to help the charity with their valuable work.

Can you help? Instead of taking holiday clothes, Nat fills her suitcase with medicines and supplies. She is looking for donations of veterinary approved flea and worm treatments, kitten milk and grooming shampoo. You can also donate online, via an Amazon Wish List, sponsor a cat or even volunteer your help. Please see the charity’s website or Facebook page. Skiathos Cat Welfare Association. Greek registered charity number: 2177/2011 & UK registered society. www.skiathos-cats.org

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

Happy pets – Happy people 50

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Garage Door Problems?

Garage Doors All leading Makes of Doors Supplied, Fitted & Repaired Manual & Automatic Over 20 Years Experience

Phone Chris Day On:

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01480 459 721

High Street, Brampton

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Motoring

Ford Mustang

By James Baggott, editor of Car Dealer Magazine (CarDealerMag.co.uk) What is it? A large American hamburger, served up in a European baguette with double side of Across The Pond Cheese. There’s little doubt the Mustang has a cult following - that comes with a 50-year history and more movie appearances than Clint Eastwood (probably), but is that enough for it to win the battle against something like an Audi A5? The Blue Oval thinks it is and 2015’s allocation of 1,200 cars has already been sold. What’s under the bonnet? Well, you can see the European influence here, because it’s not all about a V8 - there’s a 312bhp 2.3-litre four cylinder Ecoboost option too. We know that feels like sacrilege - and to be honest, it really is - but if you actually care about CO2 in a Mustang it produces 179g/km and if mpg keeps you up at night it’ll return 35.3mpg. That said, choosing the Ecoboost would be like opting for a salad in McDonald’s so instead the 415bhp V8 is the only choice. It’s thirsty at 20.9mpg and kills many, many trees with emissions of 299g/km, but this is a Mustang. It’ll hit 60mph in a shade under five seconds and go on to 155mph (limited). Oh, and it sounds good... the Ecoboost, not so much. What’s the spec like? It’s not bad, but we can’t help feeling it lacks the glitz of rivals. But then this car is priced extremely competitively - the V8 is a fiver under £33k, which for a V8 is a relative bargain. Ford tells us 80 per cent of its customers ticked all the other options on the specification sheet which include comfy Recaro seats and upgraded Shaker audio system. Any rivals? Ford insists the Mustang ‘has no rivals’. The first allocation has mostly been snapped up by enthusiasts who bought a Mustang because they’ve always wanted one. So what happens when those first adopters run out? Well, when pressed, Ford admitted German coupes such as the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5 would also be on the shopping lists for Mustang buyers. Stack the equivalent V8-engined offerings up against the Ford, though, and there’s an eye-watering difference in price. What’s it like to drive? It’s big and feels it, with a long nose that we found hard to place comfortably on the road. The Ecoboost engine failed to impress, and we’d go as far to say that buying an Ecoboost should go down as a very bad life choice indeed. The V8 on the other hand sounds like a Mustang should and has the pace to match. The steering is a little light and the manual gearbox notchy, but they’re foibles you’ll probably put up with. The fastback is better looking and better to drive than the convertible too, so go for that. The verdict We can see why it appeals to Mustang fans but beyond them we just can’t see who’ll buy it. How many buyers want an American muscle car? We’d hedge our bets and say not very many. The Mustang might work on the streets of San Francisco, but will it have the same effect on a wet Scarborough seafront? We’re unsure. The ace up its sleeve might just be the price - at £32,995 the V8 is a lot of car for the money. But that still wouldn’t make us buy one.

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Food and Drink

Seasonal Delights Veggie Bean Burgers

Makes 8 Ready in 40 minutes, plus chilling time Packed with flavour these burgers will be enjoyed by both meat-eaters and vegetarians. For a lovely nutty texture replace the sweetcorn with 100g chopped walnuts. INGREDIENTS 3 tbsp olive oil 1 large red onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 4 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped 1 carrot, peeled and grated 2 tsp chilli powder 2 x 400g cans mixed bean salad, drained and rinsed 100g canned sweetcorn, drained 100g fresh breadcrumbs 1 large egg 1 tbsp lime juice 4 tbsp fresh chopped coriander (or parsley) Toasted burger buns, baby spinach leaves and sliced tomatoes, to serve 1. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan and fry the chopped onion over a medium heat for 8-10 minutes until soft and golden. Add the garlic, spring onions and carrots and fry,

stirring, for a further 2-3 minutes. Stir in the chilli powder. 2. Tip all the beans into a large bowl and roughly mash with a fork. Stir in the onion mixture along with the remaining ingredients and mix well to combine. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. 3. Divide and shape the mixture into 8 burgers. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 4. Heat the rest of the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and fry the burgers for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown (you may need to do this in two batches so add a little more oil, if needed). Drain on kitchen paper then serve in toasted burgers buns with spinach leaves and sliced tomatoes. TIP The uncooked burgers freeze well, just place on a lined baking tray and freeze until solid then pack away into freezer bags. To cook from frozen, place the burgers on a lined baking tray, brush lightly with oil and bake for 25-30 minutes at 200C, fan 180C, Gas 6 until golden and piping hot.

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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

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SureClean Cleaning Sept 14 - Cambs.indd 1

WORDWHEEL

Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

TARGET Excellent: 60 or more words Good: 52 words Fair: 43 words

T C

O R

N U H

E N

8/19/2014 8:31:26 PM

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Codeword 1

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. 60

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Motoring

By Wayne Gorrett

Right Side of the Road Taking your car on a holiday to Europe is a great way to avoid exorbitant airfares, hidden airport and airline costs and rip-off duty-free. And don’t get me started on airport crowds and stress. However, before setting off for the continent in your car, there are a number of boxes you should tick before you get behind the wheel. Here’s a very simple checklist… • Prepare the proper documents: Ensure all car documents are up to date, including the insurance papers and V5c ownership document. Take both parts of drivers’ licences for all appointed drivers. • Preparing the car for driving on the continent: Book an off-schedule MoT, it will throw up any mechanical or electrical problems to be attended to. In many European countries, it is illegal to drive with a broken exterior light for instance. Packing a full replacement bulb kit is worthwhile, too.

• Take an emergency warning triangle (two in Spain) and a hi-vis jacket (some countries require a vest for each passenger, too, so check before you go). If you are driving in France, breathalysers are still on the legal list of items that you are required to have in the car, but there is NO FINE for not having them. • British cars should wear a GB sticker on the back to identify their country of origin, OR have Europlates bearing the blue GB symbol. • Headlights: You will also need to adapt your headlights to avoid dazzling oncoming vehicles. You can buy conversion kits, or your main dealer may be able to adjust the beam. Drive safely, have a wonderful time and remember – never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.

RICHARD KENYON MASTER THATCHER

Of Bluntisham, Cambridge

T: 01487 843377 M: 07873 549872 E: richardkenyon_1@hotmail.com Richard Kenyon 1/2 page advert.indd 62

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FLOORED By Ian

Your local supplier of fitted floors in carpet, vinyl, laminate or Karndean Free visits to estimate or advise. Best prices and quality with a friendly service. Enquiries to 01480 475486 or (Mobile) 07876 238308

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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TELEVISION MOBILE SERVICE ST NEOTS, ST IVES, HUNTINGDON AREA REPAIR TV,VCR, DVD, FREEVIEW DIGITAL BOXES TUNING & DEMONSTRATION OF EQUIPMENT DIGITAL LOFT AERIALS SUPPLIED & FITTED Extension Aerial Points DAY OR EVENING CALL OUTS 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE PHONE JOHN FABISZ FOR ESTIMATE

01480 495408 OR 07887887319

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DR SOOT CHIMNEY SWEEP

I am a local, friendly and reliable chimney sweep who has been trained to industry standards and CRB checked. The appliance is left clean and tidy after the sweep and a certificate of completion to NACS standards is provided. Services include: Chimneys swept Open fireplaces | Multifuel stoves | Agas and Rayburns | Oil fired boilers Chimney caps and bird guards fitted

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Soot 1/4 page.indd 1

14/04/2015 16:21

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Russell Grant’s

Horoscopes

AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th

Early July promises to be a very romantic time. The New Moon on the 16th is ideal for embarking on a fitness routine. A friend’s sarcasm is too much to bear on the 19th. You need to be honest.

PISCES February 20th - March 20th

The opening days of July are perfect for going on a shopping spree. Favourable publicity for a creative project arrives on or around the 8th. An intellectually stimulating class will fill your time during the second half of July.

ARIES March 21st - April 20th

Fame, acclaim and rewards come your way in early July, thanks to a supportive Full Moon. Striking a healthy balance between home and work will be challenging mid-month.

TAURUS April 21st - May 21st

Early July is ideal for finding beautiful artwork and furniture for your home. A former lover may make their way back into your life in late July. Revisiting old times will be fun, but beware of renewing your commitment.

GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st

The early days of July are ideal for settling debts and obligations. The New Moon on the 16th is ideal for finding a better job, getting a raise, or finding another source of income.

CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd

Your creative talent will be emphasised in the early days of July. The Full Moon on the 2nd marks an exciting turning point in a relationship. Be wary of subverting your needs for the sake of your partner. The New Moon on the 16th is perfect for changing your look.

LEO July 24th - August 23rd

Your warmth, generosity and charm draw legions of admirers in the beginning of July. You have a sexy glow that is impossible to resist. Beware of getting involved in secret deals at mid-month, or your professional relationships will suffer.

VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd

Spending time on solitary pursuits will give July a wonderfully dreamy quality. Take this time to catch up on your reading, commune with nature and connect with your spiritual side.

LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd

Your social life sparkles throughout early July. If you’re out of work, the New Moon on the 16th is an ideal time to find a prestigious position.

SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd

You’ll be given a reward for a job well done in early July; get ready for your close up. The New Moon on the 16th brings an exciting opportunity to travel, study, or write.

SAGITTARIUS November 23rd - December 21st

A wonderful teaching or writing opportunity will fall in your lap at the beginning of July. The New Moon on the 16th is perfect for expanding your lovemaking repertoire. Ask your partner for suggestions.

CAPRICORN December 22nd - January 20th

The early days of July promise to be a delight to the senses. If you have a romantic partner, spend as much time locked in each other’s arms as possible.

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n O s ’ t Wha In July

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

1 July The Battle of Loos by Colin Ellender 7pm for 7.30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western Front Association is pleased to present a talk by Colin Ellender. Non WFA members most welcome. A small donation is encouraged at the door to pay for the running of the branch. Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com 2 July Going to bed with a good Trollope! 1.30-3pm Huntingdon Library Michael Williamson, Chairman of the Anthony Trollope Society, in this Trollope’s bicentenary year for a talk on all things Trollope! Places are limited, please see library staff or call 0345 045 5225 to reserve a FREE ticket. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 July Bingo - Little Paxton Village Hall Doors open 7.30pm, Eyes down 8pm 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 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 July 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 4 July Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church, St Ives Free admission Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola. 4 July Buckden Village Parade & Festival 11.45am-5pm Buckden Playing Fields Free admission Parade starts at 11.45am at Buckden Towers to the Village Hall. The fete is fun for all the family with arena performances, 60+ stalls, games, refreshments. Web: www.buckdenvillagefestival.co.uk

4 July Armed Forces Day 12 noon-6pm Regatta Meadow, St Neots Free admission “The Sights and Sounds of the 1940s”. With Military flypast, Galaxy Big Band, Luna Nightingale, kids Craft, fun fair, live music, Lindy Hop, military vehicles, Cambridge Classic Car Show, themed boat parade plus stallholders, food concessions, Mess Tea Tent, performance stage, dance groups, licensed bar, charity stalls and much more! Facebook: www.facebook.com/ StNeotsArmedForcesDay 4 July Huntingdonshire Philharmonic: Music for a Summer Evening 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Tickets: £14/£12, Student concession £7/£6 Hunts Phil orchestra and choir perform Tchaikovsky’s delightful Second Symphony, “Little Russian”, and John Rutter’s glorious Latin-flavoured Magnificat with outstanding young local soprano soloist, Natalie Davies. Conductor: Adrian Brown. Tickets available by telephone, email or on the door. Tel: 01480 861591 Email: tickets@huntsphil.org.uk Web: www.huntsphil.org.uk 4, 11, 18 & 25 July Parkrun 9am Wimpole Estate Weekly free 5k timed run. Web: parkrun.org.uk/wimpoleestate 5 July Strawberry Cream Tea 2.30-4.30 pm Visitors’ Centre, Paxton Pits Tickets £4.50 Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. Missed Wimbledon? Do not worry come along and try our special cream tea to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Friends. Admission by ticket only - available from Visitors’ Centre until 3 July. Tel: 01480 406795 6, 13, 20 & 27 July 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.

6, 13, 20 & 27 July 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! Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com Tel: Mr Hedley Goodman 01733 350185 hedley@goodman2.plus.com 8 July Cambridgeshire Rural M.E. Tea & Chat 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 11 July Summer Fair 11am-2pm Brampton Village Primary School Free admission Fun for all the family. Games, activities, entertainment, stalls and refreshments. 11 July Paxfest & Fun Dog Show 12 noon-4.30pm Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field, Little Paxton Free admission Remembering Wartime - Celebrating Peace. Lots of stalls, games, BBQ, beer tent, refreshments - indoor street party, live music from Peterborough Highland Pipe Band, Porterhouse Jazz 6, CSD Brass and Little Paxton School Choir. Music from the 40s era. Fun Dog Show with 18 classes - registration on the day. 11 July Alconbury Village Fete 2pm Village Green Organised by Alconbury Neighbourhood Watch. Various activities including Maypole Dancing, Have a go Archery, Coconut Shy, WI Teas and much more.

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n O s ’ t Wha In July 12 July Kimbolton Country Fayre & Classic Car Spectacular Opens 11am, Main show ring events from 12 noon Kimbolton Castle Adults £10, Children 5-16 years £5, Under 5 free, Family (2 adults & their children) £25 More than 700 classic cars on show to the public. Lord Robartes Sealed Knot regiment, horses and lots of soldiers, The amazing Fire Queen (new this year), Millers Ark pet zoo, Dog agility displays, Astro Glide, Inflatables, Tea Cup ride, Children’s entertainer, The Galaxy Big Band and Lindyhop dancers. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Flypast. Over 80 stalls, food court, beer and tea marques. Web: www.kimboltoncountryfayre.com 16 July Guided Nature Walk 10.30am-12.30pm Paxton Pits Nature Reserve £2.50 Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. No need to book - pay on the day. Tel: 01480 406795 17 July The Second Best Marigold Hotel Doors open 7pm, film starts promptly at 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Adults £4, Concessions £3, Under 16 £2 Kimbolton Community Cinema presents “The Second Best Marigold Hotel”. Tickets from Watson’s, Yellowbird (was Dixie’s Deli), Bytes Café or on the door. Tel: 01480 860297 Web: http://e-voice.org.uk/ themandevillehallkimbolton/community-cinema/ 17 July Ida Doors open 7.30pm, film starts 8pm Screen St Ives, Corn Exchange, St Ives 82 minutes. Cert 12A. Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski. Many critics voted Ida one of the top films of 2014. The film explores truth, hidden histories, love, guilt and atonement. A young novice nun must meet a mysterious aunt, her only surviving relative. The story the aunt reveals about the past sets the unlikely pair on a journey that will change them both. Web: www.screenstives.org.uk

17 July-1 August Cambridge Summer Music Festival The city’s annual festival of classical music offering outstanding musical performances in some of the city’s most historic buildings. See website for details of concerts. Tel: Bookings 01223 357851 Email: info@cambridgesummermusic.com Web: www.cambridgesummermusic.com 18 July Swing into Summer with the Cam Sax Quartet 7.30pm All Saints’ Church, Haslingfield Tickets £10 An evening of lighter music. In aid of charity. Tickets from Haslingfield Village Shop. Tel: 01223 872190 18-19 July Hemingford Grey Art Exhibition 10am-4pm Reading Rooms, Hemingford Grey Free admission Framed and unframed original paintings. Also cards for sale. All donations to East Anglia Children’s Hospice. 21 July Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Visitors £6 inc. refreshments Lorena Dyer presents ‘A Touch of Romance’. Sales table, plant stall and a raffle of the designs. Visitors most welcome. Please note there will not be a meeting in August. 23 July St Neots & District Gardening Club 8ppm St Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Members £2, Non-members £2.50 Topical Presentations - A variety of speakers giving short presentations. Competition is One pot plant. Admission includes refreshments and raffle ticket.

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23-25 July ‘Breaking the Code’ Huntingdon Drama Club presents ‘Breaking the Code’ which tells the story of WW2 code breaker and pioneer of modern computing, Alan Turing. The work carried out at Bletchley Park by Turing and his colleagues was thought to have shortened the war by several years, saving millions of lives. This ‘poignant and powerful play’ (NY Times) tells Turing’s fascinating & ultimately tragic story. Web: www.huntingdondramaclub.org.uk 26 July Dragonfly Walk 10.30am Godmanchester Nature Reserve Amy Robinson, who is the Wildlife Trust’s Education and Community Officer for the Ouse Valley, will be leading a walk at Godmanchester Nature Reserve at Cow Lane, Godmanchester, Huntingdon. This is an area of flooded gravel pits, reed lands, flood meadows and scrub, which provides a haven for wildlife. At this time of year, we hope to see a good variety of dragonfly such as broad bodied and scarce chasers, common and ruddy darters, large hawkers and damselflies. Among the birds likely to be seen are reed bunting, common tern, lapwing, yellow hammer, and whitethroat and many duck such as tufted, shoveler and pochard. The grassland also supports many species including great burnet, lady’s bedstraw and bird’s foot trefoil. Everyone is very welcome to attend. Please meet at 10.30am in the car park at the end of Cow Lane, Godmanchester, grid ref TL26397149. Tel: Tim 01480 457795 for more information 29 July Damsels and Dragons 2-4.30pm Paxton Pits Nature Reserve £2.50 - pay at the door Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. An introduction to this exciting group of insects by John McDonough. A short talk in the Visitors’ Centre followed by a walk. 29 July Brave New Reads - Final Event 3-4pm Huntingdon Library Conclusion of the Brave New Reads Events series. Places are limited, please see library staff or call 0345 045 5225 to reserve a FREE ticket.

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Local News

Hemingfords’ Regatta The Hemingfords’ Regatta will take place on Saturday 11th July on the stretch of river between the two villages. This is one of the highlights of the villages’ year and is a great traditional event. Weather permitting, it always attracts a large crowd of spectators. The Regatta began in 1901, and has continued every year since, only interrupted by the war years and occasional floods. There are rowing, punting and canoe races for all ages – from eight year olds to veterans. Racing begins at 10am and continues until 6pm, and with 170-180 races it is a busy schedule. The rowing boats are owned by Hemingfords’ Regatta and were originally wooden, clinker-built Thames skiffs. Today the design has been modified and they are made of fibreglass.

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All the boats are coxed, usually by children aged from seven years. Races are keenly contested; there is quite an art to rowing these boats but fitness and strength are certainly necessary also. The boats are available for competitors to practise in the evenings for four weeks before the regatta. This ensures that new entrants can learn and join in alongside the stalwarts who have been competing for years. The races have tight conditions of entry; almost all are restricted to residents of Hemingford Abbots and Hemingford Grey and children who attend the village school. Three and four generations of village names appear on some of the trophies. For more information, please see: www.hemingfordsregatta.org.uk Facebook.com/hemingfordsregatta

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Books

Book Review By Bruce Edwards The Wedding Cake Tree Melanie Hudson

Pub: Choc Lit p/b £7.99 ISBN: 978-1-781-89224-4 The loss of anyone near and dear will affect us in different ways and may, as a consequence, bring life-style changes we don’t initially appreciate. Grace - seen sitting here, calmly poised in a cover-designer’s concept of ‘quiet reflection’ - has lost her beloved mother and the subsequent reading of the Will brings both opportunities and hurdles she’d not expected let alone understood. There’s an appetizingly new concept of a potential romance here, reluctantly taking the girl out of her fashionable photographer’s job and into a well-scripted journey back over her mother’s undiscovered former life, hidden away from her daughter’s pre-knowledge. Aware that her daughter would try and side-step the Will’s requirements as, in Grace’s eyes, it all seems inconsequential, her mother pre-designed a complicated series of challenges and provided her with a mentor to ensure they were carried out. Guess what, he’s a straightforward, efficient, knowledgeable and very likable male with problems of his own. A predictable ending? Maybe - but you’ve got to travel many miles and into fascinating places alongside the pair to appreciate exactly how it is achieved. This is a refreshingly different and believable lovely tale written without the treacly smoochiness so beloved of some chicklit authors. Don’t expect the girl to be too ‘easy’ - there’s a trace of good old-fashioned ethics here, thank goodness. 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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