VILLAGER The
Issue 14 - April 2014
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue
Social Issues and teens
The Game of golf
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in our Prize Crossword
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Contents Bringing Up Babies
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VILLAGER The
Issue 14 - April 2014
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue
Social Issues and teens
The Game of golf
Win £25
in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People
Bourn, Comberton, Grantchester, Trumpington, Toft, Hardwick and all surrounding villages every month
r
u E Ey FRcop
Yo
The Long and Short of Curtains..............................16 Bringing Up Babies................................................18 Animal Queries.......................................................20 Puzzle Page............................................................24 What’s On...............................................................26 Prize Crossword......................................................28 The Game of Golf....................................................31
The Game of Golf
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Would you like any cashback today?........................4 Bank Holidays..........................................................6 Competition Time.....................................................8 Social Problems......................................................10 News from Fiona McLeman Family Law.................15 7,000 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Barrington, Barton, Bourn, Caldecote, Caxton, Comberton, Grantchester, Hardwick, Harston, Haslingfield, Papworth and Toft (We also have over 100 distribution points, including pubs, garages, most shops, post offices and Bar Hill Tesco)
Editorial - Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Ted Bruning, Louise Addison, Fiona McLeman, Kate McLelland, Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch and Adrienne Engleman Advertising Sales - Justine Miller- 07905 063211 justine@villagermag.com Photography - Vitaly Maksimchuk Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460
Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.
Three Counties Radio
Would you like any cashback today? By Jonathan Vernon-Smith
The internet has of course brought some unwanted problems, but it has also brought some incredible benefits to us consumers. One of those benefits is the creation of ‘Cashback’ websites. Gosh I love them! In fact, I frequently bore people senseless telling them about the importance of logging on and saving ££££ on your purchases. If you haven’t come across the likes of ‘Quidco’ or ‘TopCashback’ before, let me explain how they work: Cashback websites pay you a cash fee when purchasing goods or services via their website. The amount of cashback is generally a percentage of the total you spend with the retailer. They tend to make their fee from the companies that they suggest on their site. Many of these are well known high street branches, some are lesser known retailers. They normally transfer the cashback you’ve earned directly into your bank account as soon as they receive it. So it’s a win win for the consumer. They also provide voucher codes for thousands of retailers so you can gain discounts at the online checkout. All you have to do is: 1. Register with one or more cashback site. 2. When you decide you want to make an online purchase of a product or service, log into the cashback site, search the cashback rates available and follow the link to the company’s website. 3. Make the purchase, and wait for the cashback to arrive in your bank account (it normally takes at least a few weeks and should be tracked automatically). Let me give you a couple of examples (chosen at random at the time of writing): It’s time to renew your car insurance. You get some online quotes and find that Tesco Insurance is offering you the best deal. You could of course just take out a policy with them directly on their website. That would be fairly silly though, because by going to Tesco Insurance via a cashback website, you would receive a cashback lump sum payment of £75 after completing the purchase. By going to them directly, you would have missed out on a £75 saving. You need a new washing machine. You find one you like at Currys. Again, you could just purchase it directly on the Currys website, but by going via a cashback website like Quidco or TopCashBack, you would stand to make 2% cashback on the total purchase price. That would be £8 back on a £400 washing machine. Better than a slap round the face with a wet fish eh?! You can make additional money by referring your friends and relatives to the sites as well. I always say that you don’t get anything in this world for free. So how do the companies that offer the cashback benefit from this? Well, they gain because you’re more likely to buy from the retailers that are listed with those cashback sites. The important thing is to remember to use the site. Whichever online purchase you need to make: flights, insurance, electrical goods, perfume, clothes, wine or groceries, always go via a cashback website and start saving. I always remember and since I started using cashback websites 2 years ago and have already made £237.38. So go get yourself some free cashback!
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. 4
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wedding open day
SUNDAY 27TH APRIL 2014 OPEN 10AM - 4PM
your dream wedding starts right here TEL: +44 (0)1223 832047 STATION ROAD EAST, WHITTLESFORD BRIDGE, CAMBRIDGE CB22 4NL E: eventsmgr@redlionwhittlesfordbridge.com W: www.redlionwhittlesfordbridge.com /redlionwhittlesford To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
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History
Bank Holidays By Ted Bruning
I don’t know – you wait for weeks and weeks for a day off work and then four come along all at once. And I blame the Pope. He is, after all, the man who decides the date of Easter. This year it’s on 20 April – which is almost as late as it can be and means that we have four Bank Holidays (Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Spring Bank Holiday – except in Scotland – and the May Bank Holiday) within the space of six weeks. So if you like your precious days off well spread out, you might ask the Pope: why is Easter so late this year? And he’ll tell you the following: “The date is calculated thuswise. The ancient Jewish feast of Pesach or Passover, for reasons best known to ancient Jewish people, falls on the full moon on or immediately after the vernal equinox. The Last Supper was held on Passover, or so it says in the New Testament; the Crucifixion took place on the following Friday; so ipso facto the Resurrection – which is why we have Easter – was on the first Sunday after the full moon that followed the vernal equinox. Which this year happens to be on 20 April. Geddit?” Got it. But the dates of public holidays have always been contentious, with various people having various reasons for wanting them shifted. Some don’t want them at all: patriots to the bone they may be, but many industrialists really didn’t like the Government awarding us extra hols for the Royal Wedding in 2011 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. “Two days’ lost production!” they wailed. “That’ll cost us a bomb!” On the other hand the retailers of beer and bunting were over the moon.
Bank Holidays, you’d think, would be fairly firmly fixed. Not a bit of it. Until 1834 the Bank of England used to observe all 33 Roman Catholic Holy Days of Obligation. “This is daft!” said the directors eventually, and cut it to four – Good Friday, May Day, All Saints (1 November), and Christmas Day. But come on, that wasn’t enough. So in 1871 the Bank Holidays Act added Easter Monday, Whit Monday (the seventh Monday after Easter), the first Monday in August (instead of All Saints), and Boxing Day. And for nearly a century that seemed to suit. We all went on charabanc excursions to the seaside or (if posh) had long weekends in the country or just stayed home and sorted the garden, and until 1965 we were very happy. That year, the August Bank Holiday was moved to the end of the month. In 1971 Whit Monday, the last moveable feast apart from Easter, was fixed as the last Monday in May. In 1975 Harold Wilson made New Year’s Day a Bank Holiday in England and Wales (it already was one in Scotland); and in 1978 Jim Callaghan, dyed in the wool leftie that he was (!) made May Day – which had been left out of the 1871 Act – official. Now the tinkerers are out in force again. Some want national Saints’ days – St David’s Day and St Piran’s Day (is Cornwall a nation? You decide) in March, St George’s Day in April, St Andrew’s Day in November – to be made official holidays. There’s also a move to scrap one or other of the May Bank Holidays and move it to October to mark Trafalgar Day. Someone even proposed a Margaret Thatcher Day…I’ll say no more!
Pope Francis seems happy about the forthcoming bank holidays.
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Competition
Competition Time Solve this easy quiz and win a copy of ‘Wildlife through the Year’ signed by the author. Find the answer to each of these 7 questions, then take the initial letter(s) from each answer and put them in the stated order to make a 9-letter word. 1 & 6. This bird sings in late winter and early spring, often from the topmost twigs of a tall tree and has the nickname ‘Storm Cock’ because it often sings even on very windy days. 2. This native plant is a climber, often seen on trees and walls, and has greenand-yellow flowers in late autumn and black-coloured berries in winter. 3 & 7. Despite its name, this low-growing native plant with purple or pinkish flowers is unrelated to 2, but is related to Catmint and Selfheal. 4. Voted Britain’s National Bird, it is here throughout the year and is featured on many Christmas cards. 5. Britain’s only venomous snake, sometimes called the Viper. 6. See 1. 7. See 3. 8. In George Ellis’s rhyme, this month is said to be ‘Breezy‘, following ‘Droppy’ and preceding ‘Sneezy.’ 9. The song of this scarce bird is said to resemble a distant two-stroke engine, it is camouflaged to look like a piece of wood and has lots of strange nicknames, such as ‘Goatsucker’ and ‘Flying Toad.’ The 9-letter word is a natural phenomenon. What is it? Send your answer by post to Wildlife Competition, The Villager Magazine, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP or by e-mail to nigel@villagermag.com The closing date is 18th April 2014. The winner will be the sender of the first correct answer selected at random by the Editor on the closing date. (If you don’t win, you can buy a copy for £9.95 from your local bookshop (quote ISBN 978-1-291-66252-8) or for £9.95 + £1.80 p&p from Wildlife book, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ.) 8
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NEW MOBILITY CENTRE Now Open in Huntingdon
at Unit 5A, Cirrus Court, Glebe Road, off St Peters Road, PE29 7DL We are near Huntingdon TESCO supermarket
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www.angliahealthcaremobility.co.uk Email : sales@angliahealthcare.co.uk Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm & Saturday 10am-4pm
• Scooters From £595 • Wheelchairs from £100 • Rise and recline chairs from £550 • Reclining beds from £695 • Rollators from £70 • Stairlifts from £1,395 We also supply a huge range of other mobility products including: • Daily Living aids • Kitchen Aids • Toileting Aids • Wheelchair Customisations • Powered wheelchairs • Bathlifts • Ramps • Footwear (Cosyfeet) • Wheelchair lifts • Hoists • Steplifts • Stairlifts
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on conservatory & garden room blinds Offer ends 30th April QUOTE CTV14 Call today to arrange your free home visit on 01223 460192 or 01954 211037 For every blind, curtain and Roman fold sold in April we are donating £1 to Nelson’s Journey - supporting bereaved children
www.cambridgesunblinds.co.uk Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk
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Technology
Social Problems By Louise Addison
There is a joke doing the rounds which goes: The best thing about being a teen in the 1980s is that we made all our big mistakes before the internet was invented! There is much truth in that. When your teen tweets or posts a picture to Instagram, he or she probably doesn’t think about how it might affect her tomorrow, let alone how it might affect her chances of getting a job. The hard truth is, that what we send into cyberspace can be difficult to erase. There have been some recent news stories about young people losing jobs, or not even getting an interview, based solely on what someone from the company has seen on MySpace or Facebook. Many employers now use social media profiling to screen potential employees. Vetting a candidate’s social media profiles can give employers an insight into someone’s personality, character or work ethic. If your teen’s profile is not set to ‘private’ it will be accessible to a potential employer and their content found through search engines like Google. This is true for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It may be unfair and discriminatory but it happens, and even fairly innocuous material might be judged harshly by someone who doesn’t know the person involved. You can help by getting involved in your child’s social media presence. Become familiar with the tools they use, and offer advice to save them from making mistakes which may be difficult to correct. The good news is that you can help your teen clean up their social media sites before they get ready to apply for joTake an afternoon to go
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through each social media profile and delete any inappropriate photos or comments. There are some software products which can help, like SimpleWash, though these generally don’t apply to photos. So does this mean you should stop your teen from using any social media? Most experts say that this isn’t necessary. In fact a well-handled social media profile can be very beneficial. It allows young people to connect with those in the industry they’re trying to break into. By engaging with other professionals they can show that they’re both serious and knowledgeable.
Top Tips for Teens • Keep just one social media profile where you post personal information. • Make sure main profile photos and cover photos are conservative. • If something is even slightly questionable, do not post it publicly. • Be careful what you ‘like’ or comment on. If the person posting has a public profile your comment will be visible too. • Make your public image one you’d be happy to show to anyone, even your great granny. • Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know, or if you must, then put them on a ‘restricted’ list, but remember that privacy filters on social networking sites are subject to change and are not fail-safe. Check filters regularly. • The top tip to take away from the experts is to keep your profile private!
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Cambridgeshire Foot Clinic Podiatry/Chiropody Yvonne Siudak
BSc (Hons.) MChs, HPC Registered
Podiatrist / Chiropodist Private Podiatry / Chiropody Care in Cambridge, UK A comprehensive service for all your foot care needs
Hard Skin • Corns • Nail Cutting Ingrown Toe Nails • Fungal Nail Infections General Foot Care • Verrucae Treatment • Laser Treatment • Diabetic Assessments • Biomechanical Assessments Full details of our specialist treatments are available, call Yvonne for an appointment:
Cambridgeshire Foot Clinic
20 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 3AX. Tel: 01233 358 431 Mob: 07562 748 352 E: yvonne@yourfootclinic.co.uk
www.yourfootclinic.co.uk Also Bedfordshire Foot Clinic Tel: 01767 681 704
Visit the classic Shuttleworth Collection. Over fifty unique and mostly original airworthy aeroplanes, vintage cars and motorcycles. Find admission prices and opening times on our website. Our special events, airshows, and family entertainment run throughout the year, with airshows from May-October. Summer 2014 events now available on our website. Book online or by telephone.
01767 627927
www.shuttleworth.org
Shuttleworth, Old Warden Aerodrome, Nr Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 9EP Reg Charity No. 307534
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*Please see website for full T&Cs
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Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk
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WOOD GREEN Field Good Friday!
Easter Treasure Trail
18th April 2014, 11.00am – 3.00pm. Free entry
The trail will run from 18th April (Good Friday) to 21st April (Easter Monday). 10.00am – 4.00pm Easter Sunday (20th) – Free kids roast with every adult roast purchased for £6.95 Captain Jack Rabbit has been shipwrecked at Wood Green. Follow the clues around the centre to help find Captain Jack Rabbit’s treasure.
Come along to our very first Field Good Friday event and learn all about our field animals at Wood Green. Try your hand at chicken agility Make feeding toys for our field animals Meet the Pygmy goats from ‘CBBCs Pet School 2’ Learn all about our horses and ask the experts Find out more about the goat and chickens and feed them some tasty treats Hobby horse racing Children’s activities Easter egg painting competition Wool spinning lessons A fun family day celebrating our fabulous field animals.
Animal rehoming Charity Shop Restaurant Pet & Gift Shop Children’s play area
For our full calendar of events and opening times for all our centres please visit our website
Call: 0844 248 8181 Visit: www.woodgreen.org.uk Or Email: info@woodgreen.org.uk
King’s Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH
The Animals Charity Registered Charity No. 298348.
WGAS Villager 131w x 93h Grantchester 3.14.indd 1
17/3/14 14:41:48
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
Fiona McLeman Tel: 07894 095775 www.fmfamilylaw.co.uk
News from Fiona McLeman Family Law Fiona McLeman Family Law is coming up to its third anniversary on 12 April 2014 and how time has flown. In that time Fiona McLeman has operated as a sole practitioner. It has been a very special 3 years, and the business has developed and grown in that period. In order to meet the growing demands on the business, Fiona has decided to take one small but very important step in a new direction. With effect from Monday 17 March 2014, specialist family law solicitor Christina Hale will be joining the firm as an Associate Solicitor. Christina comes from a team of family lawyers at a law firm in Cambridge and specialises in divorce and family law. She is a member of the family lawyer’s group, Resolution, and sits on the Committee of the Cambridge and West Suffolk Resolution group. She is also a committee member of Cambridge and Ely Contact Centre.
Despite this important change, the firm will continue to apply its philosophy of providing the best legal services at a more affordable rate applying our core values at all times • Children first • Client centric. • Conscientious about costs. • Encourage compromise and resolution. Both lawyers in the firm set their rates lower than contemporaries and the business will continue to operate in a way to ensure that all levels of service are the very best that can be provided for clients at a more affordable rate. Contact Fiona on fiona@fmfamilylaw.co.uk or Christina at christina@fmfamilylaw.co.uk for more information about how we can help you.
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15
Home Interiors
The Long and the Short of Curtains By Kate McLelland
A well-designed set of curtains can complement your architecture, provide a starting point for an interior design scheme and, in general, give your room a sophisticated feel. But choosing curtains can be confusing. Katherine Sorrell explains all. Headings and hangings The way in which a curtain hangs is determined by its heading, often created by a tape which is sewn onto the back of the curtain and pulled to form gathers, pleats or a variety of other styles. Some headings are only suitable for certain weights of fabric and sizes of curtain. For a less formal look, however, there are plenty of alternatives. Tab- and tie-tops are often found on ready-made curtains, though they can be fiddly to draw. Curtains can also be hung from a deep hem which is simply slid over a pole, from large eyelets punched in the top, from clips (magnetic ones are easy to use) or even just from hooks. Poles, tracks, wires and rods The most straightforward way to hang curtains is from a pole, ideal for short, straight runs. Poles might be fixed or extending, made from wood, wrought iron, steel, brass, bamboo, acrylic or glass in various diameters (for various weights of curtain), and are usually circular in profile, though reeded and
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fluted styles are also available. Designed to be on show, they require a certain amount of clearance above and below to look right (if space is limited, a ceiling-mounted track is probably a better option). To finish off the pole at either end, and also to prevent the curtains sliding off, there’s the option of a plain cap or a pair of finials. If you choose very distinctive finials, ensure that they co-ordinate with the overall style of window treatment and the decoration of the room. On narrow windows or dormers, portiere (or swing-arm) rods are an alternative to fixed poles, while for a modern effect you could use tension wire, fixed taut within the window opening. A more subtle effect can be achieved by using a track rather than a pole; this is usually a better option for bay windows, too, as they can be bent around to fit. Tracks may be made from plastic (inexpensive) or metal (better-looking) and be mounted either on the wall or the ceiling above the window. Window disguises Curtains will cover tracks but only, of course, when they’re closed. When open, if you can’t stand the look of a bare track, you’ll need either a pelmet or a valance, usually about one-sixth of the depth of the curtain and slightly wider than the track. Hung high above the window, they can also make it seem taller; the opposite if hung low. Pelmets, normally made from wood or medium
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density fibreboard, can either be painted or covered in a fabric to match or co-ordinate with your curtains. Opt either for a simple rectangle or a fancy shape that complements the architecture of the room. A valance is a set of ruffles made entirely from fabric and attached to a track, pelmet board or rail. Length and width To let maximum light into the room, fit a pole or track that overhangs far enough each side to allow the curtains to be drawn right away from the window. Very full, thick curtains need more ‘stack back’ space than light, thin ones. If there is space on one side only, fit a single curtain. Floorlength curtains are more fashionable than silllength these days, though shorter curtains can be practical when radiators or window seats are in the way, or in stairways or kitchens. In-between lengths can look odd, unless specifically designed to disguise awkward window proportions. Fabric Curtains can be made of practically any fabric, from cotton and linen to velvet, silk or wool. As well as the conventional fabrics, consider unusual ones such as tweed, fleece, mohair or denim, or perhaps a sari, a length of vintage embroidery or a lovely chintz quilt. The heavier the fabric, the better it will hold a fold, though very heavy fabrics will be too bulky for smaller windows. Very light fabrics will look floppy unless supported by a lining. Bear in mind, too, that a large window will require metres of weighty fabric; check that your track or pole can support it. Lining Lining is recommended for all curtains except sheers, as it helps fabric hang neatly and protects it from fading, dirt and condensation. It is usually made from a tightly woven fabric (cotton or polycotton) that resists shrinkage and creasing, and is often white or cream, though coloured linings are also available. Thermal linings are coated on one side to reflect heat back into the room, and can be almost as effective as double glazing when they are closed. Blackout lining has the same properties, but also blocks out light and, to a certain extent, noise. Inter-lining, as its name suggests, is sewn between the fabric and the lining to improve drape, body and heat retention. It’s worth knowing that linings can shrink at a different rate to curtains when washed, so either have them detachable or prepare to have the whole lot drycleaned. Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk
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Garden
Bringing up babies By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com A visit to any nursery or garden centre at this time of year will reveal a brilliant array of herbaceous perennials. Right now they might be small and not look particularly enticing but just take a look at the illustration on the label and you will see that these small plants have great potential. They’re also great value, usually somewhere around the £1.50-£2.50 mark. It’s essential that newly planted perennials are given that little bit of extra tender loving care. Small plants such as these are more likely to be prone to any weather extremes and even plants in larger pots should be well established. When you ease the plants out of their pots, if you see a really plentiful supply of roots that usually means you have purchased a good plant. Check the plant labels to see the ultimate spread of the plant. For the best effect you generally want to grow several individuals of the same species and I suggest you choose an odd number, perhaps three, or five for a much larger garden, as this invariably makes a better display than if even numbers of plants are used. It may be tempting to plant too close and although this will provide a better looking display initially, over-crowded plants are less likely to become well established, will have to be moved in the near future and in the meantime will be more prone to numerous diseases. It’s also essential to plant at the correct depth. With herbaceous perennials you need to make sure
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that you place the plant in the ground to the same depth that it was in the container and although you may decide to mulch the soil afterwards, do remember not to mulch right up to or over the crown of the plant, as this is likely to lead to poor growth and maybe even dieback. Weed control is essential and you can either hoe regularly between the plants to prevent the weeds causing competition or you can use a deep mulch or perhaps even place squares of landscape fabric or black polythene around each plant. Do remember however, if you use polythene, rain will not be able to penetrate through it and so the plants are more likely to suffer from drought. With landscape fabric this is not a problem. I’m a great fan of copper-impregnated and coated fabrics as these help to keep weeds and slugs and snails at bay. Once you have dug over the whole bed, then it’s well worthwhile adding a general fertilizer. If you notice that the soil is on the heavy side, I suggest incorporating plenty of bulky organic matter and grit. Similarly, if the soil is excessively dry, then you could try to improve its texture by incorporating large quantities of any good bulky organic matter. Once the plants are in position, firm the soil thoroughly and do take care not to compact it if it’s on the heavy side. Regular watering is essential and if the ground is not already quite moist, you should water the plants in well. Check them regularly for signs of any pests or diseases as it will be much easier to stop something in its tracks if you start to take action early on in the season.
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Pets
ANIMAL QUERIES
RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch Dear RSPCA vet, Sadly, one of our pet rabbits died recently. His sister, Molly, seems to be missing him and she is only just over one year old. Should we leave her on her own or get another rabbit to keep her company? Lydia, Colmworth Dear Lydia, I’m very sorry that you’ve lost your pet, but very pleased that you’re thinking responsibly about Molly’s needs – even at this sad time. Rabbits can develop abnormal behaviours and may suffer if left alone, and with nothing to do, for long periods. Rabbits need companionship and should be kept with at least one other friendly rabbit, unless advised otherwise by a vet. A good combination is a neutered male and neutered female. Introducing rabbits to each other can be a tricky business. You can’t just dump a new rabbit in an existing rabbit’s territory. Initially keep them separately and take things slowly. By swapping the bedding, you can ensure that both rabbits begin to become accustomed to the smell of each other. Letting them meet through a barrier of some kind also helps.
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When you do finally introduce them, expect some aggressive behavior – this should reduce with time. When kept together, rabbits naturally form a ‘pecking order’. Ideally, introduce the rabbits, under supervision, in a space new to both of them. Always provide plenty of places to go to get away from companions if they want to. Also provide enough resources (eg shelter/food/water/hiding places) for every rabbit at all times. Rabbits should always be neutered. As well as reducing unwanted offspring (and animal charities are already full of unwanted rabbits), neutering reduces the likelihood of fighting in both sexes. As well as helping re-home an unwanted animal, an advantage of getting a rescue rabbit from somewhere like the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch is that they will help with the introductions – or you can adopt a bonded pair. Rabbit Awareness Week is 10-18 May 2014 – the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch will be running lots of activities that you will find useful. Wishing you, and Molly, the very best! ANIMAL QUERIES is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch www.rspca.org.uk/local/bedfordshirenorth-branch
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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. Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk
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Unit 10, St Georges tower, Hatley St George, Sandy, Beds, SG19 3SH
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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Easy Suduko
Hard Suduko
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles. 24
New Decorations Interior and Exterior Painting Wallpapering
Mark Newman
Painting & Decorating m.a.newman@virgin.net
01954212342 07969650344 164 Limes Road, Hardwick Cambridge CB23 7XX Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk
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n O s ’ t Wha 12 March-26 April Exhibition: Angela May Smith Wildlife Artist St Neots Museum, 8 New Street, St Neots An exhibition of dramatic animal portraits by local artist, Angela May Smith. Angela uses pastel crayons to translate her striking photographs of wild animals and birds onto paper, creating beautiful and unique works of art. www.angelamaysmith.com. Tel: Liz Davies, Curator 01480 388921 or 01480 214 163 Email: curators@stneotsmuseum.org.uk 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 April Tots, Tea & Chat 10.50am-12 noon St James’ Church, Little Paxton Drop-in session for children and their carers. 2 April Carers Connect Meeting 1-4pm Carers Trust Cambridgeshire, St Ives Carers Connect meetings are about giving carers a stronger voice. There will be speaker from Age UK, Better Health Network, Huntingdon District Council Leisure Team, Healthwatch and The Spinney Surgery. If you would like to find out more about Carers Connect and how you can get involved to give carers a stronger voice, please contact Carers Trust Cambridgeshire. Tel: 01480 499090 Email: care@carerstrustcambridgeshire.org Web: www.carerstrustcambridgeshire.org 2 April Ready or Not 7pm for 7:30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western Front Association is pleased to present a talk entitled “Ready or Not - How prepared for war in 1914 was an Infantry Captain with 15 years’ service?” by Steve Warburton based on the experience of Capt. CH Lucas, Royal Berkshire Regiment. Non-members most welcome. Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com 2 April Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Members £1, Visitors £2 including refreshments Speaker will be Colin Ward talking about Ferns and Tree Ferns. Plants will be on sale. 5 April Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm St Ives Free Church Local people selling hand-made crafts at very reasonable prices. Held on the first Saturday of each month. Charity tombola and free entry. For more details visit http://www.saintscrafters.blogspot.com
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5 April Car Boot /Table Top Sale 10am-1pm The Stuart Memorial Hall Tempsford Pitches or Table Tops £5 in advance Come and sell some unwanted gifts /items. Telephone Meryl or just come along on the day. Tel: Meryl 01767 649873 5 April Hardy Plant Society Talk 2pm The Wetherley Centre, Biggleswade Small charge for visitors Cambs and Beds Hardy Plant Society present a talk by Janet Buist on ‘The wonderful world of Salvias’. Janet is a nursery owner and a member of our group. Plants for sale. All welcome. www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk 5 April Buckden Gardeners Spring Show 3.00pm Buckden Village Hall Adult admission 50p, Children free Exhibit your home grown spring flowers including your favourite daffodils, or turn your hand to baking, craft, wine making or photography. There are some of the classes for adults and children at our Spring show. Teas raffle and some plants for sale. Tel: Pam 01480 811680 or Lesley 01480 351547 Web: www.buckdengardeners.info
5 April RAF Anniversary Concert Doors open 6.45pm, concert starts 7.30pm Pathfinder House Civic Suite Tickets £10, Concessions £8 RAF Anniversary Concert by RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band. Tickets available from: Don Barltrop, 18 Eaton Close, Hartford, Huntingdon Tel 01480 455210 Maureen Wigley, 38 Evans Close, Brampton Tel 01480 383898 Reception Desk, Huntingdon Town Hall. 5 April Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’ 7.30pm Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Godmanchester Tickets £7, Senior citizens £6, Children free Choirs and singers from the Huntingdon area will be combining in Godmanchester Parish Church to give a concert of music for the season of Lent, with Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’ as the main item in the programme. The concert will be conducted by the Organist and Choirmaster, Ken Diffey, with Philip Asher (organ), Jennifer Thompson (Soprano), and Tony Burnley (Baritone). Tickets available on the door or in advance by telephone, email or after the Sunday 9.30am service. Tel: Tickets Ken Diffey 01480 458846 Email: diffey@homecall.co.uk
6, 13, 20 & 27 April Kingfisher Church 10.30am Little Paxton Primary School Every Sunday - all welcome. Services include children’s groups and a crèche. Refreshments served. Tel: 01480 214894 Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk 8, 15, 22 & 29 April Bridge Club 7.30-9.30pm Roxton Village Hall Tel: 01767 448526 Web: www.greatbarfordbowlsclub.org.uk 11 April Clairvoyant Evening Doors open 6.45pm Wyboston, Chawston & Colesden Village Hall, Wyboston Admission £4.50 With Lesley Parker and Caroline Tobin (two local Mediums). Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098 11 April The Aragon Singers Concert 7.30pm Holy Trinity Church, Great Paxton Adults £5, Children free The Aragon singers of Buckden will be performing The Faure Requiem and other varied pieces. Refreshments available. Tel: Bob Hacking 01480 219846 12 April Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Doors open 2.30pm - 4.30pm Join us for Miss Frank’s ‘Famous’ Spring Jumble, White Elephant, Bric-A-Brac Sale. Come and grab a bargain Entrance Fee 25p Any questions/donations please contact Moira 01480 860422/Peter 01480 860689 12 April ‘Shannon Express’ Barbershop Choir 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Buckden This 40 strong fabulous harmony group is a past winner of the national convention of the Barber Shops, BABSS, and has travelled to the USA representing this country. Tickets available from Buckden shops Costcutter, Hunts End and Que Sera. Tel: Chris and Gina Bylett 01480 812777 for info 13 April Cambridge Gliding Centre Open Day 10am-4pm Gransden Lodge Airfield Come and visit Gransden Lodge Airfield to find out about the sport of gliding. All welcome. Trial flights with our qualified instructors available on a first-come, first-fly basis. Refreshments. The airfield entrance is on the B1046 between Little Gransden & Longstowe, opposite Gransden Lodge Farm. Web: http://www.glide.co.uk/ for more information 13 April The Aragon Singers Concert 7.30pm Buckden Methodist Church The Aragon Singers of Buckden will be performing The Faure Requiem and other varied pieces. Donations to Church Funds.
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15 April Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Admission £6, including light refreshments The April meeting will comprise a short AGM, followed by a talk with slides on Wildlife Photography by Derek Henderson. There will also be some of his greetings cards on sale. 16 April Huntingdonshire Family History Society 7.30-9pm Women’s Institute Centre, Waldon Road, Huntingdon Non-members welcome. ‘Was your ancestor a French prisoner of war’ by Paul Chamberlain. Web: www.huntsfhs.org.uk 18 April Children’s Easter Workshop 10.30am-12 noon St James’ Church, Little Paxton Fun for all children. Celebrate the real meaning of Easter. Songs, stories and craft. Pre-school children accompanied by an adult welcome 24 April St Neots & District Gardening Club 8pm St. Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St. Neots Members £2.00,Non-Members £2.50 which includes refreshments and a raffle ticket Meeting with Rodney Gibbs talking about Patio Gardening and Gardening in small. Competition is ‘A decorated egg’. 25 April Annual Plant Sale 10am-noon Keysoe Village Hall Plants, cakes, bric-a-brac and books for sale. Tea and coffee will be available. All proceeds will be used to fund the running of the Keysoe Village Show (6th September). Any donations of items for sale will be gratefully received. Tel: 01234 378878 25 April Table Top Sale 6pm Wyboston, Chawston & Colesden Village Hall, Wyboston Stalls £5 Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098 26 April Rainbow of Hope 1.30-4.30pm Alconbury Memorial Hall Table tops and car boot spaces £5 each Book a table top to sell your crafts or advertise your business. Book a car boot to sell your pre-loved items. Booking is essential due to limited space. Donations Wanted - can be dropped to 25 Highfield Avenue, Alconbury Weston. Fundraiser in aid of Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Woodlands Cancer Centre. Tel: Helen 01480 896602 Web: www.mynextcharityevent.webs.com Are you a local solo or group performer? Would you like the chance to perform at the Rainbow of Hope fundraiser? If you’re interested, please contact Helen on 01480 896602 or mynextcharityevent@gmail.com
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Prize
The Villager Prize Crossword
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Across 1 Denied (7) 5 Not ours (5) 8 Amazing (9) 9 Spot (3) 10 Nap (5) 12 Replies (7) 13 Nearly (13) 15 Mum’s mother (7) 17 Healed (5) 19 Lodging house (3) 20 Ethereal (9) 22 Dizzy (5) 23 Convent (7)
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18th April 2014 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Name:
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Down 1 Disagreements (5) 2 Supporter (3) 3 Used for cleaning (7) 4 Insistence (13) 5 Sailboat (5) 6 Vests, boxers (9) 7 Fulfil (7) 11 Made clear (9) 13 Fishing (7) 14 Sale by bidding (7) 16 Covered with fine powder (5) 18 Hold up (5) 21 Employ (3)
Tel: 07522 339 872 Email: sales@the-paving-company.co.uk
“We make it easy” Quote via satellite in ONE hour, email your address, it’s easy! 70m2 driveway = £3710 35m2 driveway = £1830 130m2 driveway = £6240 Covering Peterborough, Nottingham, Northampton. Leicester, Lincoln, Cambridge, Norwich
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Alterations
Business gone a bit slow? Let us help!
Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Justine on 07905 063211
or email justine@villagermag.com
Brian R Bulley C.M.B.H.I Horologist
Repairing: Antique & Modern Clocks
All clocks are collected & examined in my workshop and then you are contacted with cost for repair. On agreement the clock will be repaired, Tested & Delivered. If you decide not to go ahead with repair the clock will still be delivered free of charge. • Over 50 years Experience • Tel: Email: 30
07521 442 050
brian@brianbulley.co.uk
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Cambridge Meridian Golf
The Game Of Golf
By Adrienne Engleman - PGA Golf Professional Cambridge Meridian Golf Club A golf hole is classified by its ‘par’ (meaning the number of strokes a skilled golfer would be expected to take to play the hole). ‘Par’ takes into consideration a tee shot and two putts, so the minimum ‘par’ of any golf hole is 3, but pars of 4 and 5 are common, and some courses can even feature a par 6 or even a par 7, such as the 7th hole at Satsuki Golf Club in Japan. Satsuki is most famous for its signature hole “The Guiness”, an enormous 964 yard Par 7 (I’m not sure if it got the name Guiness because of its record-breaking length or because a pint of the black stuff is needed after completing it?)! Strokes other than the tee shot and putts are made from the fairway (hopefully!). So for example, a skilled golfer would be expected to reach the green on a par 4 hole in two strokes, i.e. one from the tee (the “drive”) and another stroke to the green (the “approach”), and then into the hole in two putts for par. When striking the ball onto the green with two strokes remaining for putts (i.e. for ‘par’), this is called making the “green in regulation”. The primary factor for classifying the ‘par’ of a relatively straight, hazard-free hole is the distance from the tee to the green. A par 3 hole is typically less than 250 yards in length, with a par 4 hole ranging from approximately 250 to 475 yards, and a par 5 hole being longer (the
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rare par 6 holes can stretch well over 650 yards!). These distances are based on a skilled golfer’s drive distance of being between 240 and 280 yards. For those of you who are novices, please do not be daunted by the distances described, as the golf ‘handicap’ system allows players of different proficiency to play against each other on equal terms (I will be discussing golf ‘handicaps’ in a future issue). If you are indeed new to the game or are considering taking up the sport, then I would like to take this opportunity to proudly announce that Cambridge Meridian Golf Club has recently been accredited with one of only six ‘Get into Golf’ centres in the county! The ‘Get into Golf’ initiative is a national campaign funded by Sport England to enable PGA Professionals like myself to provide low cost beginner lessons and subsequently I am now in a position to offer throughout April and May 4 week courses for only £24. So if you would like to ‘Get into Golf’ then please register at www. getintogolf.org or contact me direct on: Mobile No: 07979 500199 or Email me: adrienne@ cambridgegolfacademy.co.uk
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