Henlow may 14 by debi1977

VILLAGER The

Issue 65 - April 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

Win Tickets

to the Battle Proms Concert

Fostering

with Alliance Foster Care

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword Bringing Local Business to Local People in

Langford, Henlow, Shefford, Stanford, Hinxworth, Ickleford, Caldecote, Radwell, Shillington, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Gravenhurst, Holwell, Meppershall, Baldock, Stotfold, Arlesey, Hitchin & Letchworth

ur Yo EE FRcopy

DAYS

Running alongside our normal menu

Monday 19 to Friday 23 May

Market Square, Potton 01767 260221 www.coachhousepotton.co.uk 2

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Message from the Editor: I am delighted to be taking over as Editor of The Villager magazine, an award winning community publication which reaches around 60,000 of you throughout Beds and Cambs - and not just because I can gaze out at a lovely view of the old Potton Market Square from my desk. The saying ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’ certainly seems to apply to the magazine and I shall not be sweeping in with the proverbial broom as clearly, The Villager works very well and the advertisers would vouch for that. I do hope, however, to gradually introduce some more local features to the various issues we produce across the counties and explore new areas alongside the excellent writers and local contributors we already have on board. If there is anything you would like to see included in the magazine, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Likewise, if you have any articles of local interest in your area, I would be delighted to hear from you. This month we have a history of basket making and straw plaiting in the region, a new travelogue by aspiring journalist Melanie Ridley, and a heart-warming story from a couple who have fostered through Alliance Foster Care. So enjoy this spring edition of the magazine! You can contact me at editor@villagermag.com or telephone me at the office.

Contents

Buying and Selling Houses the Savvy Way.................................4 The Signals Museum..................................................................6 Win Tickets to the Battle Prom Open Air Concert......................10 Messing About on the River.....................................................12 Cuddly Koalas and Cool Kangaroos...........................................15 Realistic Revision.....................................................................16 P&R Bathrooms........................................................................18 Age Proof Your Hair..................................................................22 Sleep - You Can Do It With Your Eyes Closed..............................25 From Pasque Harmony to Caritas Harmony..............................26 Bodnath, Kathmandu...............................................................29 Where There’s a Will.................................................................30

Catherin

Alliance Foster Care..................................................................32 Water, Water Everywhere.........................................................34 Wordsearch..............................................................................37 Fun Quiz...................................................................................40 Animal Know-How...................................................................43 Toblerone Brownies..................................................................45 Puzzle Page..............................................................................48 Last Month’s Crossword Solution and Winners.........................53 Prize Crossword........................................................................54 What’s On.................................................................................58 Book Rerview...........................................................................62 Classifieds................................................................................63

9,500 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Henlow, Langford, Astwick, Edworth, Hinxworth, Caldecote, Newnham, Radwell, Bygrave, Shillington, Holwell, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Shefford, Ashwell End and Stanford (Further bulk drops are made to local shops and busineses in Arlesey, Upper and Lower Stondon, Shefford, Baldock, Letchworth, Hitchin and Stotfold)

Editor - Catherine Rose Editorial - Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Susan Brookes-Morris, Melanie Ridley, Alison Runham, Helen Taylor, Solange Hando, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Catherine Rose, Pippa Greenwood, Culinary Masters, RSPCA North Beds Branch and Bruce Edwards Advertising Sales Nigel Frost - 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Smileus 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

Buying and selling houses the savvy way! By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

They say that death of a loved one and divorce are the top two most stressful experiences in your life. Well number three must be moving house! Anyone who has moved will remember the stomach churning worry and the logistical nightmare that is buying and selling houses. However, there are some things you can do to not only make the process easier, but also demonstrate that you’re a savvy consumer. Here are my top tips: When you decide that you want to move (please really do make sure you do as there’s nothing as unfair as a seller who changes their mind when emotions and money have been spent), assess the market. Is it a buyers or a seller’s environment? At the moment, property prices in most areas are increasing, which for sellers is great, but means buyers are having to dig deeper into their pockets to secure a deal. During tough economic times, property prices tend to fall which means a savvy buyer can bag a bargain. Always get at least three good, reputable, local agents round to value your house. Ask them for a sensible price at which to market your property and ask them what they will do to get those prospective buyers through the door. Always establish their fee and NEVER agree to pay any money upfront. Always ensure that you pay their fee on completion of a deal and for goodness sake, haggle! If one of the agents is prepared to market the property for a 1% fee as opposed to the other two who want 1.5%, why would you even consider paying more? Get them to agree to match the other agent’s fee. If they’re not prepared to reduce their fee, then they’re not hungry enough for their commission and will not try hard enough to find a buyer. Look at their pictures on websites like Rightmove and Zoopla to ensure that they make other houses and flats look nice and ensure their descriptions are nicely written. Generally it’s better to sell your property before you agree to buy somewhere. Ultimately until you know how much you can achieve for your property, you don’t really know how much you can afford to spend on another. You should stipulate to your estate agents though that any buyer will afford you reasonable patience while you find somewhere to buy. Always employ the services of a totally independent mortgage advisor with access to all companies and who is prepared to recommend the best mortgage for you and NOT for them. You will find that most estate agents will try to persuade you to use the services of their own conveyancing solicitor. I personally do not like the idea of this. To me, it’s a complete conflict of interest (particularly if both the buyer and seller use the same solicitor). You need a legal advisor who is completely independent and looking out for your interests, not someone who is under pressure from an estate agent to hurry up and complete a sale. My advice is to ask friends and family members who have moved recently to recommend a good conveyancing solicitor to you. Also, remember that you should get some different quotes for this service and never be afraid to haggle with them. When it comes to you putting in an offer for the house of your dreams, you will need to again assess the market environment you’re working within. If the market is good and there are not many properties available, but lots of buyers competing, then it’s normally better to go in with a high offer on the basis that marketing of the property is ceased immediately. In a falling market, then a cheeky, low offer may just bag you a bargain. One final piece of advice I would like to share with you, is to be open and honest with people. Sadly property deals in this country can be messy, unpleasant affairs. However, I do not think we should sink to the levels of others. Be upfront with both your buyers and the vendors of the property you’re buying and treat them in the way you would like to be treated. Always ask to meet both parties so they get to know you and find it easier to also be transparent. Remember, once you’ve accepted a deal, to mess people around is utterly unacceptable.

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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Local News

The Signals Museum RAF Henlow

This Museum attempts to tell the story of RAF Signals. It will never be finished as new items and information are constantly being discovered, but it is hoped that visitors and signallers past, present and future can see something of the heritage upon which the Museum’s specialisation has been built. Whichever category the visitor falls into, we hope they will find their visit both interesting and informative. The story started in 1999 when a new home was needed for the small collection of radio and electronic memorabilia from the defunct museum previously attached to No. 1 Radio School at RAF Locking near Weston-Super-Mare, the school where many RAF radio engineers and technicians were trained. As time went on, many changes were made to the displays and information available. New equipment was constantly being added and this had to be fitted into the “Timeline” of the museum, which starts in World War 1. The equipment is unique and many stories can be told to the inquisitive visitor so that they will always leave us with more knowledge than they came in with! One display area shows a typical RAF “Y” Station from WW2. The “Y” Service was the “ears” for Bletchley Park, the codebreakers of WW2. Without a constant feed of German military signals from the “Y” Service listening stations all over the country, the work done at Bletchley Park could not have happened. The rest of this room is devoted to the training of Aircraft Apprentices and Boy Entrants for Signals and Communications trades. Of the Museum’s present six volunteers, three are exApprentices and one is an ex-Boy. Five of the staff

are Radio Amateurs, a hobby closely aligned to the work done in the Museum! RAF signals is a very wide subject which ranges from the early wireless flights of the First World War, through training, radar, electronic warfare, communications intelligence, navigation aids, telephones and telecommunications, direction finding, test equipment, calibration and signals security to modern satellite communications and beyond. A Museum of the size of the one at Henlow cannot give more than a flavour of this rich heritage. Finally, Signals is a very technical and often complex subject, but we have tried to make our small museum interesting to both the specialist and non-specialist alike so an element of compromise between technical detail and accessibility has been necessary. We hope you will agree we have got the balance right. VISITING THE MUSEUM To arrange a visit to the museum, which is not open daily, call 01462 851515 ext 7997, speak to a volunteer or leave a message. The museum is located next to the North Gate and is open on a Tuesday and the first Saturday of each month, except January. Booking is necessary for some visits but see the website for full details: www. rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk WORKING AS A VOLUNTEER If you are reasonably technically minded or have mechanical skills, you may like to volunteer to join the team to help with the refurbishment of old equipment and help our visitors to understand the work we do and more importantly, tell them about the equipment. Contact us on the above number in the first instance.

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N O I T I T E P M O C

WIN a pair of tickets

to The Battle Proms Open Air Picnic Concerts The Perfect Summer Celebration for 2014! The Battle Proms are back for another explosive season at stunning locations around the country, including Burghley House in Lincolnshire (Saturday 5 July) and Hatfield House in Hertfordshire (Saturday 19 July). These stately settings provide the perfect backdrop for a summer celebration with music, fireworks, Spitfire, cannons and cavalry! In addition to a full orchestral programme of sublime classical music, these unique open-air picnic concerts feature a carefully choreographed and highly emotive Spitfire aerial display and stunning firework finale. This year the thrilling and ever popular mounted skill-at-arms display by an expert cavalry troop will be carried out in WW1 regalia to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, just one of many elements in the 2014 programme that will pay homage to this important historical anniversary. Battle Promenaders will also be treated to the Battle Proms signature piece – Beethoven’s Battle Symphony – performed as he intended with the full complement of 193 live firing cannon providing a thunderous percussion! Conducted by Douglas Coombes and performed by the New English Concert Orchestra, the programme will also include soul-stirring classical favourites suited to the grandeur of the historic settings. From Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture (which also gets the ‘Battle Proms treatment’ of live cannon fire) to a sing-along finale packed with favourites such as Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia.

Much loved Songs of Praise presenter and celebrated compère, Pam Rhodes will be hosting the event, there will be a virtuoso performance of Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 1 as young clarinettist Jordan Black makes his first Battle Proms appearance. We are delighted to welcome back superb soprano Denise Leigh who will perform enchanting arias before bringing the finale to life - and the crowd to their feet – as the spectacular firework display lights up the summer sky. Widely regarded as the most exciting summer proms concerts in the country, these are events that fans return to year after year, to enjoy a romantic evening as a couple, a night out with friends or for a significant celebration. For more information, or to book tickets for these spectacular events, visit www.battleproms.com or call on 01432 355 416. The Villager Magazine is delighted to announce we have 6 pairs of tickets to give away to either of the Battle Proms! To enter the draw simply send your name, address and email address to: Battle Proms Competition Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Deadline for Entries Friday 6th June 2014. The winners will be drawn at random.

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Time of Year

Messing About on the River By Susan Brookes-Morris

If you are looking for something a little different this year, why not try a canal boat holiday. You do not need any previous experience or a boat licence to hire a canal boat, and you and your crew will be given all the training you need before you set off on your holiday. You will be taught how to use the controls which are fairly simple: the tiller controls left and right, and you push the lever forwards to go forward and backwards to stop or reverse. Life jackets are supplied to children and non swimmers for extra safety. You can go to many different parts of the UK and choose your own itinerary. You can choose to moor up near a quiet canal side village or in a city centre. Birmingham for instance is famous for having more canals than Venice. It’s a good idea to look at maps and guides in advance, and talk to your hire company to plan a realistic route. Remember that the pace is slow. The speed limit on canals is just four miles an hour. Kids or grandparents will love helping at the locks, and as you will be in a different place every day, you can find something to suit everyone along the way. This type of holiday is also ideal for dogs as there will be plenty of open spaces and traffic-free walking. You will

gain a new love of nature as you spot birds and wildlife along the way. You might also choose to do some fishing from the boat or the banks, but do remember you may need to buy a rod licence. There will also be many other highly decorated craft to see along the way. It’s great fun waving to those on the tow path, and some of your party might choose to cycle on the paths or walk parts of the route whilst you steer. Today’s holiday boats are bright and modern and all the comforts of home are available. The Galley is fully equipped with oven, hob and fridge and in some cases a micro wave. You will find all the utensils, crockery and glasses that you need on board. Lounges are fitted with comfortable seating, and some have DVD’s as well as TV’s. Bathrooms have hot and cold running water to the showers and sinks and a flushing loo!. There is usually a mix of single and double beds and often central heating. If you are really looking for complete rest and relaxation, why not try one of the canal hotels that can also be found on the water. You get your own skipper and crew, who know the history of the canals, and you can share the trip with like-minded people. It’s the perfect way to unwind.

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Travelogue

Cuddly Koalas and Cool Kangaroos

By Melanie Ridley

Aspiring Bedfordshire journalist Melanie Ridley is spending two years backpacking across the other side of world. In this first of her travelogues, she shares her experience of meeting Australia’s most well-loved animals, the koala and the kangaroo. Many people believe that koalas are bears when in fact they are marsupial mammals related to the kangaroo and wombat, most commonly found in Australia. So the next time someone mentions koala ‘bears’ you now know this to be incorrect! They gained their nickname due to looking like every child’s favourite friend, the teddy bear. The scientific name for them is Phasclarctos Cinereus. Travelling with my partner, it has taken me over nine months of being in Australia to finally tick off something from our bucket list: cuddling a koala! Up until a few years ago, members of the public were able to cuddle koalas anywhere in Australia, but now this is not the case. It is against regulations to touch or handle the koalas in New South Wales, so because of this we had to wait until we travelled to the next state along the east coast, Queensland. Even though we were under the impression that koalas are unsafe to handle, when our female koala called Minty was handed to us, she couldn’t have been sweeter. Once she was in my arms she wrapped herself around me and nestled in my neck. Her fur was so soft and her body so warm, it really was one of the best hugs

I’ve ever had! I was able to hold her for a short while, during which time I had a few photos taken. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is 16532km away from London and is the world’s largest of its kind. It has been named ‘one of Australia’s best known and most popular animal sanctuaries’ by Lonely PlanetAustralia. Not only is it a sanctuary for koalas, but also for kangaroos, wombats, Tasmanian devils and even platypus. An interesting fact about the coat of arms of Australia includes a kangaroo and an emu. The reason is that both animals are unable to walk backwards and it therefore portrays the Australian mentality of always moving forward. With this in mind we had no worries about the kangaroos backing away from us! As we walked into the kangaroo run, a particular kangaroo really caught my attention. This was because he only had one eye. So I crouched down next to it and offered him my hand of food. This was the closest I had ever been to such an extraordinary animal. He was so content with me feeding him and also patting him. Inside there were approximately 50 kangaroos starting from a young joey age. We saw one mother with a joey still in her pouch. Cuddling a koala and feeding a kangaroo will be two of the moments I will cherish since being in the beautiful land of Australia.

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Time of Year

Realistic Revision For Students (and Parents!) This month, thousands of students will start study leave in preparation for exams. Ideally, they’ve been revising as they go, so their parents are confident they’re well prepared. But in reality, students and parents may be panicking; how do they structure all this ‘free’ time and how much revision is enough? So here are some study leave survival tips: Students Plan • Check the time, date, structure and content of your exam. Check revision books before purchase, ensuring they’re specific to your course – there are often several versions, each focussing on a different examining board, topic or text. • Make a realistic timetable. Vary subjects throughout the day and week, and concentrate initially on subjects with the earliest exam dates. Factor in commitments, longer breaks and unfinished work. • Revise somewhere without distractions – remove your mobile, turn off the TV and laptop (or block social media sites). • Pace your work, allowing for unexpected delays and particularly tough topics. Organise • Collate everything on a topic in one place. • Mix old topics with new, and easy with difficult; revise easy, recent topics at the start of the day as a confidence boost, or the end, when you’re tired. • Have a specific target for each session – ‘I’ll revise osmosis’

is woolly, but ‘I’ll summarise osmosis down to 1 A4 page’ ensures you’re achieving a measurable outcome. • Keep sessions short - around 30 minutes – then take a short break. After four or five sessions, have a longer break for lunch or watching TV. Tips for Better Revision Passive reading does not work. Effective revision is active; you must engage with the material. Here’s how: Note-taking helps you to focus and make sense of your reading in words and ways you understand, and it’s great revision in itself. Reducing notes to a card or A4 page makes them portable and easily digestible. Use colours, highlighting, underlining, tables, patterned notes, bullet points, mind maps or diagrams. Why? Read on. Engage Your Senses You’re far more likely to visualise that fluorescent spider diagram you did, with underlined keywords, than to a closely written page of one-colour, linear notes. Try using post-it notes in eye-catching places, or make ‘washing lines’ across your room. Make good use of your ears too - record key phrases and equations; march around first whispering facts, then increasing volume until you’re shouting. Use helpers Revising with friends can be more fun and help you fill gaps or understand tricky topics. Make question cards and ask parents or friends to play Trivial Pursuit with you.

Practice answering exam format questions Gather relevant facts and write an outline for essay answers, or design a multiple-choice quiz. Beware the Internet Some websites feature worryingly inaccurate quizzes and facts uploaded by students. Stick to reputable ones with contributions from teachers, e.g. BBC’s Bitesize. Parents & Helpers Be interested and positive – ensure nagging isn’t your only input, and don’t impose your own anxieties and ambitions; they have their own. Don’t compare them to others. Listen to their worries and reassure them that exams are important, but not the end of everything; your affection isn’t dependent on exam results. Don’t expect them to work every waking hour – brains need time to sort and assimilate information. Ensure they get enough rest and relaxation. Be an active helper – Test them, play quiz games or time their practice runs. Pre-arrange an end-of-exams treat. Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

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New Year, New Displays, Same Outstanding Service… As we welcome in the New Year with joy and positivity, Paul Kynoch of P&R Bathrooms in Bedford, welcomes in not only his customers, but his brand new bathroom ranges with the same love and affection. Let me tell you, I have yet to walk into a bathroom showroom and have my words quite literally taken from my very being, that is until, I hit upon P&R Bathrooms in Lurke Street. From the moment I arrived, I was consumed with a vast array of stunning and quite frankly impressive displays, all glistening and inviting me to have a good look. The sheer size of this showroom spun me into an excited frenzy, but how on earth could I possibly choose the bathroom of my dreams with such a selection on offer. Well that’s when I met Paul, and any turmoil I had gathered, simply washed away the moment he started speaking. Having never chosen, paid for, installed and finally tiled my own bathroom before, I can’t help admitting I felt a little nervous about the whole

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scenario, but with Paul at the helm, he made me understand that with P&R Bathrooms, they take pride in offering a step by step service, whereby they can literally hold your hand from the outset and guide you through the process. Paul explained that they are unique in their approach to their work, they employ their own team of highly experienced installers, plumbers, carpenters and tilers for customers that require their services, thus creating a trusted and reliable bond between all parties. In fact, a very useful service P&R offer to their clientele is to provide them with a digital drawing of their potential new bathroom. This was perfect for me as it gave me a clearer vision as to what I really wanted. You could even change the colour of the tiles and the floor to really set the scene. All I had to do was provide them with my bathroom measurements and bam; there it was in front of me. Paul went on to enlighten me that their main supplier was Villeroy & Boch, an established company offering quality products with an array of price tags to suit all pockets, music to my ears. I described the foresight I had for my new

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bathroom, but mentioned as it was a relatively small space I needed storage, however pipes prevented me from having furniture in it. I must of felt comfortable with Paul at this point, as I then went on to say how much I would also like one of those “floating sink thingy’s” you see in posh hotels. I was waiting for the smirk or the “Can you elaborate Madam” but no, he got me, he got exactly what I meant and waltzed me over to this striking “floating sink thingy” After getting a grip on my sheer excitement and love for this thing of beauty, Paul went on to explain that if storage is an issue due to pipework, they can install your bathroom by countersinking the pipes, pressure testing them and fitting new built in vanity units or some kind of panelling, creating instant storage. Paul suggested I have a wander around the 50 or 60 odd displays he currently has in the showroom and just give him a shout when I need some help. He told me that he has some new displays in for 2014 with some elegantly stylish models on show, and boy he wasn’t wrong. “The Cabritz” a stunning new Philip Stark freestanding tap and super slim line shower head standing over a curvaceous bath. I had only ever witnessed baths of this nature in 5 star hotels; I

didn’t think it was possible to buy such beauty at your local Bathroom Showroom and of course have them fit it as well. As I continued my journey down aisle after aisle of such varied stock, my head was turned by the most stunning walk in shower. A colossal piece of glass stood proud at the front with sturdy silver fixings glinting in the light. A first class shower head rained down onto the sublime tiled floor, whilst a unique heated curly towel holder hung proud on the wall. An hour later I had finally made my choice with the help of my new digital drawing and of course P&R Bathroom’s expert advice. I didn’t even have to shop around for tiles or accessories as P&R have everything you could possibly want in store, and with the new ranges and displays they have for 2014, it’s certainly worth a visit, even if you’ve been before. I just want to shout from the rooftops about this bathroom company, because they truly are a cut above the rest, an unparalleled showroom with staff and bathroom suites to match. You can find P&R Bathrooms at: 9 Lurke Street, Bedford MK40 3HZ. Tel: 0845 4348401

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Health and Beauty

Age-Proof Your Hair by Helen Taylor You’re probably all too aware that you need to look after your skin if you want to stay looking younger for longer – but have you ever thought that you might need to age-proof your hair as well? Hair, like skin, suffers two types of ageing: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic ageing is the effect of everything that your locks are exposed to, like heat-styling, sun damage, and colouring. Intrinsic ageing comes from below the scalp and reveals the signs that your hair is past its prime: reduction in melanin, decline in sebum production, and a change in hair diameter. What that means is that greys start to appear, the shine starts to disappear, and your hair loses its bounce. Hair growth also begins to slow over the years, so it’s harder to achieve the length you loved when you were younger. Ageing a natural process, but there’s plenty you can do to slow it down. Always Be Aware of Your Hair Try to limit extrinsic damage. Lay off the heated styling tools; prevent your hair from being frazzled by the sun by applying a deep conditioner to the lengths and ends when you’re on the beach; and cut right back on products that can dry your hair, like hairsprays. Reconsider Your Colour Although you might colour your hair to hide greys, choosing the wrong hue can be very ageing. An all-over colour can be hard to wear as you get older. Instead of opting for a block shade, choose a base colour that’s no more than two shades lighter or darker than your

natural hue, and add highlights. Not only will your hair look younger, your face will too. Condition, Condition, Condition Smother the lengths and ends of your hair with a rich deep-conditioning treatment once or twice a week. Try hair oils and products that are specially formulated for ageing, thinning, or dried-out hair. Try a New Hairstyle It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, but out-of-date, unflattering styles really do make you look a lot older than you are. That’s why it’s important to take a fresh look at yourself every so often. Talk to your stylist, or try a new salon. The opinion of someone who doesn’t already know you and your hair can result in a fantastic new look. Any hairdresser worth their salt can advise on what styles work best for thinning or ageing hair, but generally it’s worth considering the following: Length – Long locks look lovely if they’re bouncy, thick, and full of life, but if that’s not the case then they really aren’t worth holding on to. Chopping long hair into a flattering, blunt, midi-cut is a quick way to create more youthful-looking hair. Ridding your tresses of dead split-ends improves condition, and a blunt cutting technique will create the look of fullness. Frame Your Face – Try a fringe, or have some soft layers added to the styling around your face. This lifts your features and makes you look younger. A Professional Opinion is Best Although it’s normal for your hair to show signs of change such as thinning over the years, it’s worth seeing your GP if you notice any sudden changes. Hair loss can be caused by hormone deficiencies – low thyroid levels, for example – a deficiency in nutrients, stress, and the side-effects of various medications. So if you’re in doubt, ask your doctor’s advice.

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Health & Beauty

Sleep

You Can Do It With Your Eyes Closed Sleep is supposedly involuntary. So we take it for granted when we can sleep, and often ignore it when we can’t. But we shouldn’t. Research has proved that sleep is as important to our health as diet and exercise. Lack of sleep affects memory, mood, concentration and reaction times, and long-term it can affect language processing, planning abilities and our sense of time. Some sleep disorders can contribute to serious health problems. So what stops us getting the sleep we need, and how can we improve the quantity and quality of our sleep? Our sleep has recurring cycles of around 100 minutes, starting with Non-REM sleep. Non-REM (non rapid eye movement) sleep progresses from Stage One (light sleep), through Stages Two and Three (when heart rate and breathing drop) to Stage Four’s deep sleep (when bed-wetting, night terrors or sleepwalking occurs). REM (rapid eye movement) sleep (dream time) follows. Our brain is active, breathing and blood pressure rise, and our eyes move; but we can’t move our bodies. Afterwards, the cycle restarts. Sweet Dreams aren’t made of this Enemies of good sleep include pain; the need to urinate; stress or depression; the menstrual cycle (hormonal changes affect temperature and melatonin production), the menopause and snoring. There are also sleep disorders, including night terrors; sleep walking, talking and paralysis; teeth grinding; restless limb syndrome; and the more serious sleep apnoea (which can starve the brain of oxygen). To help you sleep soundly: • Eliminate Physical Factors Cure snoring with nasal strips, sprays or minor surgery. See your doctor about physical or mental health issues and sleep disorders; they may recommend Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or sleeping tablets. PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome) treatments may help if you sleep badly before a period. • Drink Warm Milk Eat a carbohydrate-rich snack beforehand to improve the efficacy of the milk’s tryptophan (a raw material for the sleep hormone melatonin). Milk may help by making you feel warm and full.

• Don’t Go to Bed Hungry Avoid large, late meals but have a light snack if you’re hungry. • Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine in the Evening, and Stop Smoking Caffeine is a stimulant and will keep you awake. Alcohol makes you sleepy, but impairs sleep quality – as does nicotine. • Get enough Sunlight and Exercise Light and exercise help regulate our body clock and mood, so try to spend time outside and get regular exercise. • Avoid Light in the Evening However, bright light before bedtime will suppress melatonin secretion, so dim the lights. Either avoid TVs, laptops, tablets and smart phones within two hours of bedtime, or turn down their brightness settings (some screens have a night mode). • Establish a Routine Establish a relaxing routine before bed. Avoid watching TV in the bedroom or reading anything too emotionally charged or terrifying. • Make your Bedroom a Haven Avoid using your bedroom as a work or dump space; clutter will nag to be cleared up. Ensure your bedroom is well ventilated, dark, and not too hot or cold. Consider earplugs to eliminate noise, and invest in a really comfy mattress (try before you buy). • Declutter your Brain. Download your brain by jotting down tomorrow’s jobs and any worries (particularly therapeutic if you write a positive action beside them). • Have A Warm Bath Before Bed Add relaxing bath oils, too. • Try not to worry about it Worrying about lack of sleep could start a vicious circle. If you can’t sleep, leave the bedroom and do something absorbing but calm: read a magazine or do a jigsaw until you feel sleepy. Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

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Local News

From Pasque Harmony to Caritas Harmony

Pasque Harmony have been performing in theatres, churches, village halls, gardens, and conference centres to a variety of fee paying audiences and wedding congregations since 2003. During that time the choir has raised in excess of £130,000 for Keech Hospice Care, recorded 2 CDs and has built up a repertoire of over 130 pieces from modern pop songs to classical arrangements. Performing with other choirs that have included the world renowned Morriston Orpheus Male Voice Choir and The London Welsh, Peterborough, Stevenage and Vauxhall Male Voice Choirs Pasque Harmony has built up a great reputation and a loyal Luton following and has been fortunate to be compered by well known personalities such as Pam Rhodes, Esther Rantzen and Nick Owen. Building on this success, yet taking a slightly different direction the choir changed its name to Caritas Harmony from 1 January 2014. The choir will maintain its unique sound and eclectic repertoire and there is still no style or period of music that they won’t take on. However, in future Caritas Harmony will choose a charity to support each year and Macmillan Cancer Support will be the first to benefit in 2014. .Plans for 2014 are that the choir will seek to grow in numbers, record their 3rd CD and build on their extensive repertoire. Flushed with the success of winning the Luton Choirs Aloud Competition in December there may also be the chance to enter further competitions. The choir will be performing at the Baldock Festival

on Sunday 11 May at 4.30pm in St Mary The Virgin Church SG7 5AD. Tickets will be £7 and available from Baldock Community Centre or Fay Benning Tel:01763853696.

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Support Workers

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Travel

Bodnath, Kathmandu By Solange Hando

In the fabled city of Kathmandu dotted with so many temples and shrines, Bodnath shines above all others, protected by UNESCO and hailed as the most sacred site in the whole valley. Framed by the snowy peaks of the Himalaya, it claims one of the world’s largest stupas, throbbing with Tibetan culture, almost at the heart of Nepal’s capital. Built around the 9th century AD, possibly earlier, as a shrine for holy relics, the 36 metre high structure is shaped like a mandala – the Buddhist cosmos - and designed to symbolise the five elements, from earth at the base to water, fire, air and ether at the top. Draped in garlands of prayer flags, the concentric terraces rise towards the central column where the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha look in every direction. It’s a massive gleaming monument, whitewashed every year and blessed with saffron water at festival time. Set on the ancient trade route heading for the Bagmati river, Bodnath has long attracted Tibetan merchants. In the 1950s, when the Chinese invasion sent refugees across the border, many settled in Bodnath, an auspicious place where their ancestors had prayed on their way to distant lands. Today, some 50 monasteries are scattered in the area, all glistening roofs, golden banners and paintings and gardens fragrant with roses and juniper. In the nearby alleyways, silversmiths, stone carvers and sculptors turn out all sorts of auspicious items while on the edge of the stupa, one-man shops trade in Tibetan craft and Buddhist memorabilia. Tourist groups pop through the gate now and then but they don’t stay

long, a few souvenirs, a couple of pictures from a rooftop café and they’re off. The stupa returns to its true self, a deeply spiritual place calling you back wherever you are, tinkling with prayer wheels and bells, echoing with the chanting of monks, cymbals and gongs. By late afternoon, the Tibetans arrive, hundreds of them, old folk leaning on bamboo staffs, women with babies on their back, young men with mobile phones, pretty girls chatting to their friends, child monks following their guru, others skipping around. It’s a daily ritual, a religious and social gathering all in one and whether you watch or take part, you will gain merits for the afterlife. Jeans, T-shirts or Tibetan dress, all walk clockwise around the temple, seven times, fingering prayer beads or spinning wheels. There’s time to gossip and exchange news, take a rest on a bench or buy grain to feed the pigeons for luck. Monks in red robes meditate in lotus position, worshippers place offerings in the alms bowls, rice, coins, bananas, green oranges, and the clapping of wooden boards sends shivers down your spine as the most devout prostrate tirelessly, all the way around the stupa. Up on the hill top, the peaceful nunnery of Kopan looks down on the scene, starting its own devotions as the sun sets over the city. But Bodnath really comes into its own at festival time, be it the full moon, Diwali - the festival of lights - or most spectacular of all, the Tibetan New Year. When darkness falls over the Kathmandu valley, myriad oil lamps glow around the stupa. Eerie shadows move in the flickering light, masked dancers spin and twirl on the flagstones and the stirring call of long horns rises towards a starlit sky.

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Finance

Where There’s a Will… By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Whether you are old or young, married or single, rich or poor, you really ought to make a will! If you don’t, the only way to divide up your property after death will be according to the Law of Intestacy – and the result may not be to your liking! For example, if you are married, your other half may not automatically get everything. Brothers, sisters, parents and children may also inherit. And if you are an unmarried couple, you could be classed as a single person and your surviving partner could receive nothing. If a parent, consider who you would like to look after your children in the event of your death. For single parents or unmarried parents living together, a valid will that nominates guardians is invaluable. If no one knows your wishes, the court will decide on the future care of your children. A will gives single people the chance to have their estate divided amongst friends, relatives or charities, and even if you have made a will already it is a good idea to review and possibly update it, to ensure that it reflects your current wishes. Making a will is the one and only way to make sure your wishes are carried out after your death. There are several choices available when making a will. The ‘Do It Yourself’ option can be completed with the aid of a ‘Will Pack’ available from stationery

shops or online. Though relatively cheap, this option offers no advice, so the will may not accurately reflect your wishes and best fit your circumstances. Professional bodies such as banks and solicitors offer will writing services. Typically, a representative will take down your instructions and draft a will accordingly. The skill and qualifications of individuals may vary, so check they are properly trained. Finally, you could use a professional will writer. Most firms send a specially trained person to your home to record your instructions. Your will is then drafted by someone qualified in will writing. Will writing firms are generally covered by professional indemnity insurance, and are members of a professional will writing body such as the Institute of Professional Will Writers. The cost to make a will depends on the complexity of your requirements. A simple single or mirrored will typically cost around £150 to £200, whereas more complex wills may be between £400 and £800. The original signed copy is the only legally binding version and if it gets lost, stolen or damaged it will be worthless- so keep it in a safe place! Tell your friends and family that you’ve made a will - but not necessarily what’s in it – and let them know how to find it.

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Alliance Foster Care Based in Northampton, Alliance Foster Care covers a wide area that includes Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Working with local authorities and foster parents, they provide supportive homes for children who have been taken into care within a time frame that can be anything from a few days to several years. They also run various events for carers and their families from activity days and trips out to pantomimes and coffee mornings. Catherine Rose went to meet an experienced foster couple to find out about their experience. Lesley and Hugh Minty, who live near Bedford, have been fostering through Alliance Foster Care for a decade and are currently caring for two small girls: sisters aged two and a half and four who have been with them since December 2013. Having had four children of their own (now well into adulthood), their involvement with the company came about after Lesley’s mum died very suddenly and she felt that the time was right for a career change. Previously working in a school, she had always warmed to children seen as challenging and a close friend suggested she might take to fostering. The friend worked for Alliance Foster Care so Lesley had an initial chat with them and “was sold”. “It was good to have a personal recommendation” says Hugh “and when our friend had a problem with her foster child’s school, we were very impressed that someone from Alliance Foster Care got there before she did.” The couple went through an initial assessment process which normally takes a few months but despite having to answer lots of questions and supply references, they did not find it daunting. Lesley says: “It was all very relaxed and it gave us an opportunity to think about our parenting, the impact on us and our children, and how we would approach fostering.” At the time, the couple’s youngest daughter was eleven, and Lesley and Hugh were impressed with the fact that Alliance Foster Care goes to great lengths to include the foster family’s birth children in all their activities, even sending them a card and voucher at birthdays and Christmas. “The Birth Children’s Support Group means that their voices are heard” explains Lesley. Once the Minty’s had decided to go ahead, they attended an introductory training course ‘Skills to Foster’ which was based at Grafham Water and “included a nice lunch” says Leslie. There they

by Catherine Rose

met staff and four or five other couples who were starting out in fostering like themselves and who they have kept in touch with. Alliance Foster Care offers a comprehensive support programme with regular support group meetings, activities during every school holiday and a 24/7 telephone helpline. Hugh and Leslie describe the agency as having “a friendly, inclusive atmosphere”. “You always see people you know at events as people tend to stay with the agency” says Leslie. The Minty’s are short term foster carers which means they are often called on for respite and emergency situations. Once, they had to take in a baby at short notice and Hugh needed to dash to the supermarket for emergency provisions. “You need to be flexible” says Hugh “as you can be caring for a child for three months or three years.” Their first fostered child was a girl of three and a half, who has now been adopted, followed by a boy who was also three and half when he came to them. They then looked after a brother and sister who exhibited challenging behaviour and had come to them in an emergency. Despite the fact they clearly have admirable parenting skills, Leslie and Hugh are never on their own as they are constantly working with the professional team surrounding the child which includes their support worker, teachers, health visitors, child psychologists and paediatricians. “Our support worker Harriet is brilliant” says Leslie. “She always goes above and beyond what is necessary.” Alliance Foster Care also have someone in place whose job is to work alongside the foster parents and child’s school and will attend Personal Educational Plan (PEP) meetings if the child has special educational needs. There is an ongoing training programme with courses and workshops by specialists on everything from trauma and attachment to managing challenging behaviour. The training links into an appraisal system and there is an independent annual review which then goes to a fostering panel. “It is not bureaucratic and very child focused” explains Hugh “with the emphasis on helping the child to grow and develop.” When asked about the rewards of fostering, Leslie doesn’t hesitate to say how she always feels valued and explains how when their second child arrived,

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Lesley and Hugh Minty Fostering through Alliance Foster Care for over a decade

he was incredibly anxious, unable to manage his emotions and didn’t trust anyone. As time went on, although he still had a number of difficulties, he attended school regularly and came to enjoy it, and he joined Boys Brigade. “You could see his self-esteem rising” says Leslie. Although Hugh and Leslie both knew that he would move on, they felt that he had been prepared for the next step in his life journey. Alliance Foster Care gives a lot of support when the time comes for a child to be handed over and

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the couple have stayed in touch with their foster children. Leslie says: “I feel blessed and honoured that we can still be a part of these children’s lives.” Alliance Foster Care is an independent fostering agency that provides children in care with high quality foster placements. The agency has been described as ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED, meeting or exceeding all National Fostering Standards. If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, you can visit their website at www.alliancefostercare.co.uk or telephone them on 01604 879373.

Garden

Water, water, everywhere By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com A water-feature adds magic to any garden. The sound of tinkling water and the movement of light on its surface can be just the finishing touch you need either for a patio or for a much larger garden. There’s a plentiful choice of water-features of all shapes, styles, and sizes; but before you commit yourself, what are the main points to bear in mind? First, position. For moving water, your feature will use an electric pump, so there has to be a powerpoint nearby – something often overlooked. Do you want an eye-catching centrepiece for a formal garden, or just the music of running water as the soundtrack to your alfresco Sunday lunch? In either case, you need to consider carefully the appropriate position. Water-features can turn bright green in summer due to the build-up of algae. You can go a long way towards preventing this by positioning them away from direct sunlight. Make sure they’re well away from deciduous trees, too, as falling leaves will clog everything up. For smaller spaces you’re best off with a selfcontained feature. There are lots of lovely ones available such as terracotta or glazed pot stacks with the water continuously pumped from one container to another, so you’ll only need to top it up in the hottest weather. Spouts and fountains are great fun. A spitting fish, frog, or gargoyle adds a touch of art – or humour – while oxygenating a pool, reducing algae and keeping the pond-life happy. If you want moving water but perhaps have toddlers, a millstone with a low, centrally-positioned jet is both beautiful and safe. Plants are integral to any pond. Surface-floating plants such as waterlilies not only look gorgeous but their leaves also shade the water – again, reducing algae. Waterlilies need still water, so are

best avoided if you have a fountain; but a single spitting feature at one end of the pool shouldn’t create too much turbulence. Plants around the edges of a pools and ponds are called marginals and do best in shallower water or boggy ground. Use plenty: they look gorgeous, they hide the liner and they’re a haven for wildlife. Marginals to consider include yellow-flowered marsh marigold (caltha palustris); white-flowered bog arum (calla palustris); miniature reed-mace (typha minima); pale blue water forget-me-not (myosotis scorpioides); and purple-bloomed water and bog iris (eg iris laevigata). You’ll need about two plants per metre. For a more formal look choose shapely rushes or ferns. Water-features attract wildlife, and in summer you might be visited by dragonflies or mayflies. Birds may also come to drink and bathe. And even a small pond needs a safe exit-route in case hedgehogs pop by for a drink and tumbles in. A shallow beach of pebbles should do the trick. If your feature has a sizeable surface, net it in the autumn to catch falling leaves. Garden netting stretched taut is ideal. Remove it as necessary to tip off the leaves. Left in the water they’ll both clog the pumps and produce methane, which is toxic. In winter, don’t let the water-feature freeze up. If extreme cold is forecast smaller features are best emptied, and the pump cleaned and stored in the shed. Fish need an ice-free area on the surface or they’ll be killed by methane building up under the ice. Floating a football on the surface helps. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ for the AskPippa Q&A ervice, Nemaslug, natural pest controls and lots more besides!

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Fun Quiz - Red, White and Blue 1. Who wrote the novel The Hunt For Red October? 2. From which European country does Blue Nun wine originate? 3. Which of the following is not a character in the film Reservoir Dogs?... Mr. Red, Mr. White or Mr. Blue? 4. Which TV series was based on a character who is shot and killed in a 1950 crime film called The Blue Lamp? 5. In a famous scene from the James Bond film Dr. No, is the bikini that Urusula Andress is wearing red, white or blue? 6. A witch called Jadis, also known as the White Witch, features in which series of novels? 7. Are Viagra pills red, white or blue? 8. On which planet would you find the Great Red Spot? 9. White pudding is similar to black pudding, but what ingredient is missing? 10. What is the most common colour to appear on world flags, appearing on the national flags of approximately three quarters of the countries in the world?... Red, white or blue? 1. Tom Clancy 2. Germany 3. Mr. Red 4. Dixon Of Dock Green 5. White 6. The Chronicles Of Narnia 7. Blue 8. Jupiter 9. Blood 10. Red

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Pets

Animal Know-How Special homes for special animals By adopting an animal from the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch, you can enjoy the wonderful feeling that you’ve given a special home to an animal that needs it. Most of the animals in our care have had a difficult start in life, having been victims of cruelty or neglect. For that reason we need to find special homes, with special people, who can help our pets to learn what it’s really like to be in a loving, caring environment. That’s why we work really hard to find each adopter the right pet. Animals that come into our care often require a period of rehabilitation before they’re ready to be re-homed. We have a team of lovely volunteers who look after them in their own homes for as long as it takes – sometimes just a few weeks, other times much longer. When we believe they’re ready, we’ll observe their behaviour and give them a health check – this helps us match their needs to a suitable person or family. Many of the animals in our care have had a tough time so it’s very important that their next home is the right one and a home for life. That’s why we ask anyone who’s thinking of re-homing from us to fill in an application form (via the website or we can fill it in for you) before being interviewed by one of our re-homers. We find this is the best way to learn more about you and help you to choose the right pet. We carry out a home visit for all animals and in some cases might suggest minor changes that help ensure your home is as pet friendly as possible. We’ll also call or visit afterwards to make sure you and your new pet are adjusting well to your new life together. We really believe there is a home to suit every animal in our care. Sometimes it just takes a little time to find the perfect home. To view some of the animals in our care needing a forever home – look out for

our re-homing posters which are displayed in various shops and vets throughout the county, or go to the website listed below. Adopt an animal…. enhance your life.

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ANIMAL KNOW-HOW is one of a eries of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch www.rspca.org.uk/local/bedfordshire-northbranch

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Food and Drink

Toblerone Brownies by Culinary Masters

These delicious brownies are a tasty and easy twist on what has become one of our favourite sweet treats in recent years, and as a tray bake, they are really easy to make. INGREDIENTS 185g butter 185g dark chocolate 150g Toblerone chopped 85g plain flour 40g cocoa powder 3 eggs 275g caster sugar 1. Melt the butter and dark chocolate together over a bain marie. (If you don’t have a bain marie just use a Pyrex bowl over a saucepan of boiling water.) 2. Sift the flour and cocoa powder together and mix in the chopped Toblerone. 3. Whisk the eggs and sugar in a separate bowl until nice and fluffy (you want lots of air in this). Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

4. Pour the butter and dark chocolate into the sugar and egg mixture and carefully fold into one another without beating out the air. 5. Add and fold in the flour mixture being careful to keep as much air in as possible. 6. Gently pour into a deep tin lined with baking parchment and bake for 25 minutes at 180°C, 350°F, gas mark 4. 7. Allow to cool then cut and serve. Based in Bedfordshire, Culinary Masters can supply a professional chef to cater for you in your home, whether it is a romantic meal for two or a dinner party for friends and family, you can enjoy the luxury of a meal out with all the shopping, cooking and clearing up done for you. Call 07872391726 for competitive quotes, menu options and more details. 45

THE BIGGLESWADE TALKING NEWSPAPER

Local news, for Local Listeners by Local volunteers supported and funded by Local organisations

Lambourn MOT and Service Centre Ltd

• The Biggleswade Talking Newspaper is one way that the Blind and partially sighted person can independently access Local news. • If you know anyone who you feel would like to have a ‘’talking newspaper’’ on a memory stick each week, free to the listener, please contact David Gentle on 07840 504940 or visit our web site. • We are the official ‘’talking newspaper’’ for Biggleswade, Arlesey, Potton, Sandy, Shefford, Stotfold and the surrounding villages. • If the listener does not have the facilities to listen to the MP3 sound file contained on the memory stick we can lend them a player, free.

Your LOCAL MoT, tyre and service centre in Shefford

01462 811333 Pay us a visit – we’re near Morrisons! Lambourn MoT & Service Centre Unit 10, Old Bridge Way, Shefford, SG17 5HQ

Visit: lambournservicecentre.co.uk

• A note for the diary 12th July 2014 is BIGGLESWADE TALKING NEWSPAPER DAY – look out for more details.

www.biggleswadetalkingnewspaper.org.uk We are a registered charity No 281316 established in 1981

Member of BESCA

Safe Contractor approved/accredited

providing Competent Person and Energy Assessor Certification Schemes for the building services industry

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IAN SIMPSON Carpentry and Joinery All aspects of carpentry work undertaken Kitchens, Bedrooms, Doors, Windows 25 years experience Free estimates Please call 01462 851695 or 07967162448 E-mail ij_simpson@hotmail.com To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

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. 48

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Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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1st Glass Window Repairs 30

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Crossword Solution for The Villager April Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Martin Cooper from Biggleswade

April’s Wildlife Competition The solution to the puzzle in the last issue of The Villager was MIGRATION derived from the initial letters of Mistle, Ivy, Ground, Robin, Adder, Thrush, Ivy, October and Nightjar. From the correct solutions, the winner, selected at random, was Natalie Bartlett (Offord Cluny), who has been sent the prize, a copy of ‘Wildlife through the Year’ signed by the author. If you did not win, this book, largely concerned with the wildlife of Bedfordshire, is available through your local bookshop (ISBN 978-1-291-66252-8) or for £9.95 + £1.80 p&p from Wildlife book, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ.

Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

Prize

The Villager Prize Crossword

£25

Across 1 Stove (4) 3 Confessed (8) 9 Remove (7) 10 Tall structure (5) 11 Current (12) 14 Married woman (3) 16 Smooth surface (5) 17 Perceive (3) 18 Clarifications (12) 21 Fine porcelain (5) 22 Passion (7) 23 Calamity (8) 24 Small room (4)

16th May 2014 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Name:



Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before

Down 1 Conquer (8) 2 Devoured (5) 4 Small spot (3) 5 Road junction (12) 6 Defeats (7) 7 Terrible (4) 8 Butterfly larva (12) 12 Simple (5) 13 Private (8) 15 A swinging time? (7) 19 Small fruit (5) 20 Not alkali (4) 22 Female sheep (3)

Tel:

Address:

Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Martin Cooper from Bigglewade For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com 54

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Alan George Painter & Decorator Interior and Exterior Work Wallpapering and Coving Reliable and Local Specialist City & Guilds trained with 30 years experience Sole trader No VAT Free estimates Call Alan on 01582 454604 Mob:07760198256 or E-Mail: george-a6@sky.com

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Painting & Decorating Property Maintenance Quality Workmanship Papering, Coving etc. Interior and Exterior Work Free Quotations Call W Firkins & Partners Ltd 01462 814117 or 07939 267083 Est 1981 20 Clifton Road, Shefford, Beds Visit our beautiful

Bathroom Showroom ...With more than 50 displays of bathrooms, furniture & fittings Free in-house 3D design service Quality products from leading manufacturers Experienced staff offering impartial advice Free delivery within a 20 mile radius of our showroom

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Caxton House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2XS Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

n O s ’ t Wha 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 May Sapphire Social & Singles Club 8.30pm Meet in Hitchin Run purely by the members, this social group caters for unattached people over 45 and organizes a variety of events throughout the year. No joining fee for the first two weeks. Tel: Joyce 07960 440417 Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk

2 May Spring Quiz Night 7.30pm Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew, Nightingale Rd, Hitchin £10 per person including fish or chicken & chip supper Hitchin Bridge Club. Teams of 4 to 6 players. Please bring own drink and glasses. Tel: 01462 623447 to book Email: mee.hitchin@ntlworld.com

3-5 May Georgian Games Galore! 10am-6pm Wrest Park, Silsoe, MK45 4HR Adult £9, Concession £8.10, Child £5.40, Family £23.40, English Heritage Members free (includes admission to house and grounds). From battledores to shuttlecocks, quoits to croquet, play like a Georgian as you step back in time this May Bank Holiday weekend. Discover games that time forgot and master the skills needed to outmanoeuvre your opponents and astound your family. Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest 4 May Charity Fun Quiz 8pm £2 per person The Five Bells, Henlow Village In aid of The Garden House Hospice. Cash and other prizes. Raffle. Teams of up to 8 people. Tel: John 01767 631045

2 May The Lastminutecomedy Club Doors open 7.30pm, show 8.30pm Woodside Hall, Walsworth Road, Hitchin Tickets £10, members £8 Great comedy from Sully Sullivan and Dan Evans plus MC Paul B Edwards. Tel: 079939 081391 Web: www.lastminutecomedy.com

5 May May Day Celebrations 10.30am-12.30pm British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin Free admission Family Fun for the Bank Holiday: Maypole & Country Dancing, plus a visit by Offley Morris Men. Children must be accompanied by adult. Tel: 01462 420144 Web: www.hitchinbritishschools.co.uk

3 May Garden Square Craft Market 8.30am-4.30pm Garden Square Shopping Centre, Letchworth Garden City The market specialises in the sale of genuine, high quality, hand made goods and offers local artisans and craft workers the opportunity to show case their work.

7 May Poor Little Belgium 7pm for 7.30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester, PE29 2AY The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western Front Association is pleased to present a talk by John Chester about the role of and experiences of Belgium on the Great War. Non-members most welcome. Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com

3 May Bazaar & Coffee Morning 9.30am- noon Church House, Churchyard, Hitchin Get some great bric-a-brac bargains, gifts and accessories for cats and cat lovers, plus adoption details of kittens and cats. Enjoy Fairtrade refreshments and home-made cakes. In aid of North Herts Cats Protection. Tel: 01438 228877 3 May The Signals Museum 10am-4pm The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open to the public. Entry is free but official photo ID such as a driving licence, passport or over 60s Bus Pass is required to get an entry permit from the Guardroom. See website for full information. Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk

7 May North Herts Association of the National Trust 7.30pm Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin, SG5 1HF (free parking) North Herts members free, Visitors £2 AGM followed by a talk by Corinne Price on the Restoration of the gardens at Wrest Park, Silsoe. Visitors welcome. Tel: Secretary 01462 815585 Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nhertfordassoc 8 May Baldock Floral Society 7.30pm Visitors £6 United Reformed Church, Whitehorse Street, Baldock The May meeting will be on the second Thursday of May, the 8th, instead of the first Thursday, and is included in the Baldock Festival fortnight. Please note change of venue. The floral demonstration will be by Jo Bromwich entitled “Surprise Surprise”. All welcome.

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9 May Live @ The Mill 7pm-12 midnight Stotfold Mill Adults £8, no under 18s A Rock-themed night with headline band “Rockface” playing covers of ACDC, Cream, Whitesnake and others. Supporting bands for the evening will be local favourites Trip Fontaine and Love Reaction. Licenced bar and food. Tickets: www.stotfoldmill.com/rock 10 May Annual Quiz Night 7pm for 7.30pm start Kingshott School, Stevenage Road, Hitchin Tickets £7.50 including nibbles plus raffle In aid of Hitchin Branch of Save the Children. Tel: Tickets 01462 632465 10 & 11 May Stotfold Mill Steam & Country Show 10.30am-5pm Stotfold Mill Adults £8, Senior Citizens £4, Children (4-16 years) £4 A fun day out! Steam engines, vintage fair rides, craft and gift marquees, beer tent, live music and much more. Discounted tickets available online Web: www.stotfoldmill.com 11 May Ashwell at Home 12-6pm Entry by programme – Adults £6, accompanied under 14s free Entertainment for all the family with open gardens, free children’s workshops, live music, veteran cycles, Morris dancing, cow milking, funfair, lunches & teas and much more. Programmes available on the day. Free parking. Web: www.ashwellathome.org.uk 14 May My Father’s Bike, 2012 (Cert 15) Doors open 7.30pm, film 8pm QMT Studio, Walsworth Road, Hitchin Tickets £5 Hitchin Film Club Three generations of the same family take a road trip to remember in this wry Polish comedy-drama. When his wife Barbara leaves him after decades of marriage, retired jazz performer Wlodzimierz finds himself in a crisis. 22 May Hitchin Historical Society 8pm Church House, Churchyard, Hitchin Dr Nigel Agar will give an illustrated talk on ‘Homes Fit For Heroes: The Hertfordshire Experience’. Visitors welcome. Web: www.hitchinhistoricals.org.uk 25 May Dancing with the Sunday Dance Club 7.30-10.30pm Spirella Ballroom, Bridge Road, Letchworth Why not practice your steps at the Spirella Ballrooom. Our music providers play a range of Ballroom, Latin and Popular Sequence dances. Ample free parking, sprung floor and licensed bar. Tel: David 01234 300179

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25 & 26 May Wrest at War 10am-6pm Wrest Park, Silsoe, MK45 4HR Adult £10, Concession £9, Child £6, Family £26, English Heritage Members free Early Bird (valid until 9 May) Adult £9, Concession £8.10, Child £5.40, Family £23.40 Get ready to take cover as this explosive action packed weekend propels you into wartime Britain. From the Tommy in the trenches of WWI to the Trooper of the WWII D-Day landings, prepare yourself as you’re drawn into the theatre of war from all quarters at Wrest Park. Fall into step at soldiers school, scramble into a replica biplane and relive Baron Lucas’ life as a fighter pilot in WWI, and be blown away at the spectacle of the explosive arena show. From the sadness and injury of the battlefield to the make-do-and-mend lifestyle of the Home Front, we’ll tell the stories behind the battles that shaped the world as we know it. Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest 27 May Krafty Kids Workshop 1pm-3pm Stotfold Mill £2 per child (aged 5-10 years) “A Day Down Under” Australian themed art and craft day with our enthusiastic arts leaders! Children must be accompanied by an adult and may not be left unattended. Early booking essential as there are limited spaces. Tel: 01462 734541 Email: events@stotfoldmill.com Web: www.stotfoldmill.com 27-30 May Just For Kids - Soldiers School 10am-6pm Wrest Park, Silsoe, MK45 4HR Adult £9, Concession £8.10, Child £5.40, Family £23.40, English Heritage Members free Attention! Right you ‘orrible lot, it’s training time. Become a Home Front hero and be put through your paces at Wrest Park. Fall into step and polish your shoes or it’ll be basic rations for you. Discover Wrest Park’s secret wartime past with this hands on experience of soldiers on the front line. All children are welcome to join in these events. An additional £1 will be charged on standard admission for every child, (members and non-members) to help us fund this entertainment activity. Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest 29 May Victorian Children 10.30 am-2pm, last admission 1pm British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin £4 per child, Adults free admission Drop into the Museum and find out what it was like to be a Victorian Child. Try some washing and cleaning in our Victorian house. Knitting, and games that children played in the past. Even go back to school with pen and ink and slates!!! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tel: 01462 420144 Web: www.hitchinbritishschools.co.uk

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James Cullip

Painting & Decorating

• interior/exterior - all aspects • wallpaper hanging • coving • general household maintenance • plastering services available • free estimates • fully insured

References available t: 01462 817 122 m: 07899 888 545 e: go_on_james@hotmail.com www.cullippaintinganddecorating.co.uk 10 Mill Lane, Campton, Shefford, Beds

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Books

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BOOK REVIEW

Free local collection and return Competitive rates, priced per kilo. Non smoking environment

By Bruce Edwards

LADY BETTE and the Murder of Mr THYNN N A Pickford Pub: Wiedenfeld & Nicolson h/b £20 ISBN 978 0297 87085 2 At first glance this would appear to be an intriguing fictional historical novel, and in some ways reads as such, but no, a quote from the blurb offers us this: ‘the true story of a scandalous marriage and a sensational murder in late seventeenth-century London’. Hence it is a factual and deeply fascinating account of the mores of the social world of its time. Who today would countenance the marriage of a fourteen year old heiress Lady Bette - merely to bolster the fortunes of a despicable ‘gentleman’? This is no less than the Mr Thynn of the title. Using set piece locations as stepping stones, chapter by chapter, Pickford takes us on a journey of exploration into the world of Charles II and the devious machinations of the fanatical figures of the day. We can easily develop a fondness for young Bette with her ability to work out her own salvation despite the overwhelming selfishness of her treacherous grandmother, the Dowager Countess Howard, and we may be forgiven for saying ‘serves you right’ when three assorted villains carry out a devious plan to assassinate Mr Thynn. There’s a colourful Count.behind the plot - somehow he escapes justice but the others . . . we follow their demise in chilling detail. A marvellous and accurate ‘history without tears’ whodunit. 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.”

Areas covered: Stotfold, Fairfield Park & Arlesey Other areas are catered for with a collection & return fee.

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Classifieds Aerials and Satellites AERIALS & SATELLITES

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Stephens Dinky ad_02.indd 1

Van Hire

Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com

3/12/12 11:44:54

Chris’ Man & Van

For hire

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