Henlow nov 14 by debi1977

VILLAGER The

Issue 72 - November 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

The History of Bonfire Night

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of Buying Online

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

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Contents The History of Bonfire Night

The History of Bonfire Night.............................................4 Local Fireworks Displays...................................................8 Starlight Hikers Stride to Success...................................10 Dealing with Parking Tickets..........................................13 High Tech Warmth..........................................................15 Highlanders at the Higgins.............................................16 What is Diabetes and Can You Avoid It?..........................19 Understanding Reiki......................................................20 Bluebird Care..................................................................22 Helen’s Helpful Hints......................................................26 Swimming with the Manta Rays....................................29 How to Organise your Christmas Spending....................30

VILLAGER The

Issue 72 - November 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

The History of Bonfire Night

Beware

of Buying Online

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in

Planting Trees and Shrubs..............................................34 Fun Quiz.........................................................................37 Animal Stories................................................................42 Children’s Page...............................................................45 Seasonal Delights...........................................................47 Puzzle Page....................................................................48 Prize Crossword..............................................................54 What’s On.......................................................................58 Classifieds......................................................................63

Swimming with the Manta Rays

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 - Catherine Rose, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Alison Runham, Helen Springer, Melanie Ridley, Pippa Greenwood, and RSPCA North Beds Branch Advertising Sales Simon Smith - 07876 596677 simon@villagermag.com Photography - Bernard Ormrod, Emma Porter, Catherine Rose, Dawid Lech and Nigel Frost Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

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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.

History

The History of

Bonfire Night The 5th November is Bonfire Night: the annual celebration where we let off fireworks and light big fires. It perhaps seems strange when you consider that this day marks an occasion which happened over four hundred years ago - the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 when Guy Fawkes and his cohorts planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament (then known as the Palace of Westminster) in order to assassinate King James I. In fact, Guy Fawkes wasn’t the ringleader of the plot but he remains the individual who is most famous for his part in it and his effigy, traditionally trundled around by children since the 19th century with the archetypal request for a penny, is still burned on Bonfire Night although this tradition has waned in recent times. Guy Fawkes was born at York in April 1570 to Protestant parents. His maternal grandparents were Catholic however and after his father died when Guy was just eight, his mother re-married a Catholic named Dionis Baynbrigge. The young Fawkes subsequently became a staunch Catholic supporter at a time when there was conflict between Protestant and Catholicisim. When he was 21, Fawkes went to Europe to fight for Spain against the Protestant Dutch during the Eighty Years War. By 1603, he had risen

By Catherine Rose

through the ranks to become an army captain and changed his name to the more Spanishsounding Guido. By this time, Fawkes was already an enemy of King James I, who had strengthened anti-Roman Catholic laws in the wake of his predecessor Queen Elizabeth I. Fawkes openly declared the King a “heretic” and tried to persuade the Spanish monarch Philip III to help lead a rebellion to overthrow him. But although Britain and Spain were at war, King Philip refused. Then another opportunity presented itself. He was approached by Thomas Wintour who invited him to join a plot to murder King James by blowing up the Houses of Parliament. Masterminded by Robert Catesby, the other members of the team were Robert Wintour, Christopher Wright, John Wright, John Grant, Robert Percy, Thomas Percy, Ambrose Rookwood, Sir Everard Digby, Robert Keyes, Thomas Bates and Francis Tresham. The plot took 18 months to plan and involved renting the house next to the Parliament buildings that had a communal cellar which ran underneath. Due to his expertise, Fawkes was tasked with placing and lighting a huge quantity of gunpowder in the cellar directly beneath the House of Lords in order to blow up Parliament including the King, on 5th November 1605 when the State Opening was due to take place. But

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Fawkes was apprehended next to the 36 barrels of gunpowder with a trail set in the cellar at midnight on 4th November 1605. Francis Tresham has been identified as the ‘Judas’ of the group by revealing the existence of the plot through a warning letter to his cousin Lord Monteagle who had been due to sit in Parliament that day, following which the news reached King James’ spy Robert Cecil. However, there is also a theory that the group was somehow ‘framed’ by the government, who, discovering the plot early on, then secretly aided it so that the men could be caught and made an example of as the ‘evil Catholic traitors who were a threat to England’. After his arrest, Guy Fawkes was tortured for two days before he broke down and confessed the identities of his compatriots. Famously, Fawkes’ signature on the confession is hardly legible, showing that by then he was so physically broken, he was barely able to hold the quill. Along with the eight of his co-conspirators who were caught, Fawkes was condemned to be ‘hanged, drawn and quartered’ – the traditional death of a traitor. However, Fawkes managed an instant death by jumping from the gallow platform and breaking his own neck so that he did not have to endure the full agony of his grisly punishment. English Protestants held Guy Fawkes up as an example of Catholic extremism while the real ring leader, Robert Catesby, was shot along with another conspirator while evading capture. Consequently, Catesby was never actually tried and is not the one remembered as the main man behind this failed act of early terrorism. Even today, the cellars are still traditionally searched by the Yeoman of the Guard using lamps the night before the

State of Opening of Parliament. King James made a declaration that on 5th November every year, a bonfire should be lit in honour of his survival. Because the capture of Guy Fawkes and his men was seen as the overthrow of the Catholic threat to Protestantism, initially an effigy of the Pope was burnt. This later came to be replaced with one of Guy Fawkes himself. Fireworks were already in use at this time but were not incorporated into Guy Fawkes or Bonfire Night until later. Believed to have originated in China around 2,000 years ago, fireworks came to England as early as 1486 when they were used to mark the wedding of King Henry VII. Queen Elizabeth I even created the post of ‘Fire Master’ in her court to oversee displays. Today’s firework is basically gunpowder and fuse, usually housed in a paper or cardboard shell. Gunpowder is made of charcoal, sulphur and saltpetre. By combining the powders together and setting them alight in a confined area such as a tube, a resulting explosion with fire and showers of sparks occur. By mixing powdered iron with the gunpowder, it creates the bursting ‘fire flower’ effect we all love and around a century ago, the introduction of metallic salts (strontium, copper, barium and sodium) turned fireworks into the red, green, blue and yellow spectrum of the different colours we see today. For more details of Bonfire Night celebrations in your area, please visit the What’s On pages.

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Local News

FIREWORKS DISPLAYS Cambridge Wednesday 5th November Display starts at 19:30 Midsummer Common. Entry donation of £1 Kimbolton Friday 7th November Starting 19:30. Kimbolton Castle grounds. Ampthill Friday 7th November Gates open 18:00. Pre-show 19:00. Ampthill beacon lit 19:30 Main fireworks 20:00 Ampthill Park, Woburn Road. Entry: Adult £6 advance £7 on gate. Child £3 advance £4 on gate. Family £15 advance £16 on gate Potton Saturday 8th November Mary’s Playing Fields Dunstable Wednesday 5th November Creasey Park Community Centre Entry Moggerhanger Saturday 1st November Gates open 17:30–20:00 Moggerhanger Park. Shefford Saturday 8th November White Hart Hotel Gamlingay Sunday 2nd November Gates open 16:30. Fireworks at 17:50. Eco Hub, Stocks Lane. Entry £4 beforehand; £5 on gate. Blunham Saturday 1st November Gates open 18:00. Bonfire lit 18:30. Fireworks start 19:00 Blunham Playing Fields. Entry: £5 adults Godmanchester Wednesday 5 November Gates open 18:15. Fire lit 19:00 Fireworks 19:30 Judith’s field. Entry: advance Adults £4, children £1.50. On day Adults £5 Children £2.50

Yaxley Saturday 1st November Gates open 18:00. Bonfire lit 18:30. Fireworks start 19:00 Three Horseshoes Pub field. Family ticket £10. Single (adult/child) £3 Hitchin Wednesday 5th November BlueHearts Hockey Club Meppershall Saturday 1st November Winter Fair and firework display Meppershall Village Hall and Forster’s Field Milton Keynes Sunday 2nd November Starts approx 19:00. Campbell Park Baldock Saturday 25th October Halloween Party and Firework display Starts 14:00. Finishes around 22:00 Hartsfield School. Tickets: £5 per adult; £3.50 per child; Family £15 Alconbury Friday 31st October Starts approx. 19:00 Alconbury Sports and Social Club Steeple Morden Saturday 8th November Steeple Morden Primary School Leighton Buzzard Saturday 8th November Gates open 17:30. Bonfire lit 18:30 Fireworks 19:00ish Brooklands School. Entry on gate£4-5. Toddington Saturday 1st November Toddington Scouts

Olney Sunday 2nd November Gates open 17:00. Display starts 18:30 Recreation ground behind Olney Football club off East Street. Advance tickets: Family £9 Single £4. On gate Family £11 single £5

Buntingford Sunday 2nd November Gates open 17:00. Display starts 19:00 The Bury, Buntingford. Advance Tickets: Child £3; Adult £4; Family £12. On Gate child £4 Adult £5 Family £15 Harpenden Sunday 9th November Gates open 18:00 Harpenden Rugby Club Harpenden Saturday 8th November Gates open 17:30. Display18:30 Crabtree Schools, Crabtree Lane, Harpenden Wheathampsted Saturday 1st November Gates open 18:00. Display 6:45 Beech Hyde Primary school, Wheathampsted. Advance Tickets £4 Adult; £3 child. Grafham Saturday 8th November Gate open 17:30 fireworks 18:30 Grafham Village hall. Tickets: Adults £4; Children £2. Bedford Friday 7th November Bedford Blues Rugby Club. Sandy Saturday 1st November Gates open 18:30. Display19:30 Sandpit, Cambridge Road, Sandy. Advance tickets £5. On day £8. Welwyn Garden City Friday 7th November Gates open 19:00 with fireworks starting approx. 19:45 Welwyn Garden City football ground. Ely Saturday 8th November Gates open 17:30. Bonfire lit 18:15. Firework start 18:45 Ely Park. Advance prices: Adult £3; Child £1.50; Family £8. On Gate: Adult £5; Child £2

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Local News

Starlight Hikers Stride To Success!

Nearly 900 walkers took part in Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice Starlight Hike this year. Kicking off at 9pm, the route was in and around the hospice grounds with eager hikers arriving as early as 6pm to take advantage of the buzzing atmosphere, bar, refreshments and entertainment including young band Bass x Height and local line dancing legend Mike del Boyer. Around 80 walkers signed up on the night itself. Many people were undertaking the 10k challenge in memory of loved ones, some of whom had been cared for at the hospice. Walkers were able to reflect in the ‘memory garden’ that had been created in the hospice grounds, beautifully lit with fairy lights while a harpist played in the background. Fay Boissieux, Starlight Hike organiser, said: “The feedback from walkers has been amazing. Everything from car parking, registration, entertainment and the route marshalling has been

highly praised. It was a magical night and we are so grateful to all those who took part and supported us.” Walkers were on cheered and rewarded with a bbq refreshments, a goody bag, and above all, the knowledge they had all done something incredible for incurable illness. The hospice hopes to have raised £100,000 in sponsorship. Anyone wishing to make a donation can still do so by sending cheques into the Fundraising Team, Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, St John’s Rd, Moggerhanger, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 3RJ. For further information please contact Fay Boissieux on 01767 642424, 07891125464 or fay.boissieux@sueryder.org

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Three Counties Radio

Dealing with Parking Tickets By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

We’ve all been there - you return to your car to find a dreadful luminous yellow packet stuck to your windscreen. The dreaded parking ticket! When should you pay up though and when should you fight it all the way? If you have been silly and parked somewhere you shouldn’t, and as long as the company/council has made you aware of their rules on parking with clear signage, you should pay up as quickly as possible. Delaying will only mean that the bill goes up. Pay it, learn from it and move on. In many cases though, things are not so clear cut. Very often motorists are left confused as to what parking restrictions are. In these cases it is always worth appealing. If you want to appeal, then follow these simple instructions: 1. DO NOT PAY if you intend to appeal the fine. Generally paying a parking fine is an admission of liability and you will not be successful with an appeal after this. 2. If you’re going to appeal, then do so as soon as possible. Don’t leave it to the last minute. Write to the company and ask them to put the penalty on hold until they have investigated your appeal. They don’t HAVE to do this, but reputable companies and councils will do. 3. When you appeal, make sure you gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim. 4. Take photographs of your car in position, the signs or lack of them nearby. Anything to demonstrate that it was not made clear enough that you could not park your car in that place. 5. If you’re claiming exceptional circumstances (i.e. you were suddenly taken very ill and had to abandon your car in a place you shouldn’t have), then obtain supporting letters etc. 6. See if you can get any witnesses to back up your claims and provide you with a witness statement. 7. Stick to the timeline dictated by the company or council. If you are late submitting information etc, then you will lose by default. When you receive a parking penalty from a council, you need to have your wits about you. These are fully enforceable and need to be taken very seriously. Private parking company ‘fines’ are a slightly different matter and should be approached as such. Firstly, they are NOT ‘fines’. They are merely invoices and unless the company is prepared to take you to the small claims court for payment of the invoice, are non-enforceable. That is not so say you shouldn’t consider carefully how to deal with them. If you have parked on private land and broken the rules of the owner of that land, then pay the fee requested as long as you consider it reasonable. If you don’t then pay a reasonable amount based on an equivalent charge for a penalty on a public road. The company would have to sue you for the difference and explain to a judge why the extra money is necessary. If you want to appeal, then use the company’s own appeals process first. If you are unsuccessful then most private companies will be members of either the British Parking Association or the Independent Parking committee. They have their own separate appeals processes that you can use to escalate your complaint. Finally, the best way to deal with parking tickets is to avoid getting one in the first place. Always look for signs and road markings when you leave your car to see if it’s allowed there or not.

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. To Visit advertise our newincommunity The Villagerwww.beds-local.co.uk and Townlife please call 01767 261122

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Time of Year

High Tech Warmth By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Stay warm this winter with heated clothing! From gloves to gilets, socks to sweaters and hats to jackets, there is a whole range of garments out there to keep you sizzling hot! Chemical packages which react when exposed to air or when twisted, or packets of gel which store heat after being heated in the microwave, can keep you warm for several hours when placed in a pouch inside clothing, depending on the size of the packet, thickness of insulation, and the outdoor temperature. The most effective method of heating is electrical. Clothing fitted out with heating elements and powered by rechargeable batteries can stay warm for up to five hours - and some have variable heat settings as well as an on/off switch. If on a motorbike, some clothing can be wired into the cigarette lighter or straight into the bike’s battery, and other items can even be plugged directly into the mains – for example gloves that

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connect to a computer’s USB port! An alternative way to keep warm is thermal clothing, which does not produce heat itself, but prevents body heat from escaping by warming the layer of air between the skin and the clothing. New synthetic materials such as polypropylene provide excellent insulation, reduce moisture and are so lightweight that they can be worn discreetly as underwear under normal clothing.

Local History

Highlanders at The Higgins In June of last year, The Higgins, Bedford reopened following a major £5.8 million redevelopment project that unites on one site three previous cultural venues: Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford Museum and Bedford Gallery. Based around the historic buildings of the Castle Brewery and a Victorian family home, both built by the Higgins family in the mid-19th century, it is located in attractive gardens by the riverside in the centre of town, on the site once occupied by Bedford Castle. As part of a First World War Centenary Partnership, an exhibition ‘Highlanders: Billeted in Bedford’ opens on Saturday 27th September 2014 and runs until 31st May 2015 and will be accompanied by talks and special events. Led by the Imperial War Museum, the exhibition explores the little-known story of the Seaforth Highland Division that was billeted in Bedford between August 1914 and May 1915 when a staggering 22,000 soldiers from Highland regiments arrived in the local area. Given that the population of Bedford at the time was approximately 39,000, the impact was great. Alex Rule, a member of 1/4th Gordon Highlanders wrote, ‘The quiet old county town was shaken to its foundations. We doubled the population; sheer weight of numbers alone made us a disturbing factor in its civic life’. However, the Highlanders soon become a welcome and familiar sight in the town, with many local families opening their doors to welcome the soldiers. As well as lodging, the soldiers also needed space for training and recreation. The town’s parks,

Pte John Christie (seated left) and two other soldiers of the 1/5th Seaforth Highlanders photographed alongside the householders at their billet in Bedford 1914 – 1915

The Seaforth Highlanders marching down De Parys Avenue, past John Bunyan’s statue, from their training ground and camp at Bedford Park 1914.

open spaces, church halls and school rooms were all given over to training. Practice trenches were established at the fields above Cemetery Hill, Clapham Park and Stagsden. Within a few months there were as many as 47 recreation centres and canteens established. The Borough Recreation Committee for the Troops organised concerts and entertainments. During Easter 1915 the Recreation Committee organised Bedford’s first Highland Games for the troops. The Games were held on Easter Monday on the Bedford School playing fields. The full range of Highland Games activities were on offer from tossing the caber to piping and dancing competitions. Over 1,400 entries were received and there were around 14,000 spectators. Sadly, the Highland troops were affected by illness such as Scarlet Fever, diphtheria and measles as many were from remote areas of Scotland and had never been exposed to these diseases. Some are buried at Foster Hill Road Cemetery. The remaining troops began the journey to France by early May 1915. Divisional Commander Major-General Allason wrote to the Mayor of Bedford as the troops prepared to leave to thank the town for its hospitality as ‘a debt they could not repay’. Local historian, Richard Galley, has assisted The Higgins Bedford with research and images for the exhibition. He was inspired by the discovery of Highlander Private Hugh MacArthur’s diary and is also in the process of writing a book about his research.

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Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday 13th November, 6.30pm

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Health & Beauty

What Is Diabetes And Can You Avoid It?

Alison Runham (www.alison.runham.co.uk) 14th November is World Diabetes Day, created to raise diabetes awareness. But with rising diabetes figures already big news, what exactly is diabetes, and can you prevent it? It’s All about Insulin Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels, ensuring glucose is used in cells. If the pancreas can’t produce enough – or any - insulin, unused glucose builds up, causing diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes (Early onset/juvenile/insulindependent diabetes) Around 1 in 300 people in the UK suffer from Type 1, caused by the pancreas failing to produce insulin. It usually develops rapidly and affects children and young adults. Treatment is regular insulin injections, normally self-administered, but a healthy lifestyle is important too. • Causes: autoimmune malfunction (antibodies attack insulin-producing cells) or inflammation/ removal of the pancreas. • Symptoms: Fatigue, weight loss, increased urination and thirst. • Am I at risk? It’s not hereditary, but risk rises to 6 in 100 if a parent or sibling has Type 1. Unfortunately, Type 1 can’t be prevented. Type 2 Diabetes (Late onset/maturity onset/noninsulin dependent diabetes) Type 2 is far more common, and on the rise in the UK, where around 5% of over-65s are diabetic. Usually affecting the over 40s, it can often be controlled with a healthy lifestyle. You won’t normally require insulin but may need medication to stabilise blood sugar levels. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or your cells become resistant to insulin (sometimes both). It normally develops over time, beginning with mild symptoms that gradually worsen. • Causes: Specific causes are unclear, but contributing factors are: ethnicity (it’s more prevalent and develops earlier in South Asian, Black African and African-Caribbean peoples), age, excess weight (particularly around the waist) and genetic elements (risk increases if a parent or sibling has Type 2). Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

• Symptoms: Fatigue, weight loss, increased urination and thirst. • Am I at risk? To assess your risk, use Diabetes UK’s handy questionnaire: http://riskscore.diabetes. org.uk/type2risk/ Gestational Diabetes Around 5% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes, when their insulin can’t cope with increased blood glucose levels. Usually controlled through diet and exercise, it disappears after you give birth but increases Type 2 diabetes risk. Pre-Diabetes Pre-diabetes is a warning: you’re suffering from impaired glucose tolerance (when normally healthy-range sugar levels rise after eating) and often impaired fasting glycaemia too. Your blood sugar levels are high and you’re at significant risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Reducing your Type 2 diabetes risk Diabetes UK estimates that around 80% of Type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented or delayed with a healthy lifestyle, so: • Eat right: Include fruit, vegetables, carbohydrates and protein in your diet daily. Choose raw fruit and vegetables, wholegrain carbohydrates and lean protein such as fish and pulses. Eat small, regular meals to stabilise blood sugar, and ensure portion size is appropriate for your age, size and gender. Avoid salty, fatty or sugary snacks. • Drink right: Stay hydrated and keep within recommended alcohol limits: women 2-3 units per day, 14 per week; men, 3-4 units per day, 21 units per week. • Exercise right: Find an exercise you enjoy and exercise for at least 2 hours per week. This can be in short sessions (a walk/ short exercise DVD routine). Some diabetics develop complications affecting their eyes, kidneys, heart, nerves or feet, so it’s worth doing all you can to reduce your diabetes risk.

Health

Understanding Reiki By Catherine Rose

The art of Reiki, or energy healing, originated in Japan and the way it is practised today was invented by Dr Mikao around a century ago, although its roots, based on the chakras or energy centres of the body, go back at least 2,000 years. Reiki or ‘rey-ki’ literally translated means ‘universal energy’ and is based on the belief that we are surrounded by and made of energy that flows through us all. If the energy within us is flowing freely (ie. in balance) then we are well. However, if the energy flow becomes blocked in some way, it can cause us to become unwell, both physically and mentally. It is based on the belief that energy flows through us via our chakras. The concept of chakras in the body is an ancient Eastern one and the positions of the chakras actually correspond to the endocrine gland system. To try and understand what a chakra is, imagine a spinning wheel of energy throughout various points in your body that keep your life force flowing in balance: physically, emotionally and spiritually. There are seven major chakras in the body and each one is associated with a specific area of health and wellbeing. The main chakras are situated on the crown of the head, at the throat, the heart, the stomach and the abdomen. Each chakra also vibrates to a different colour of the spectrum - like a rainbow. By placing their hands over or onto specific areas of your body (no intimate areas are ever touched),

a trained or ‘attuned’ Reiki practitioner will be able to sense which of your chakras is blocked and by channelling healing energy, will help clear these imbalances, giving you a sense of deep relaxation and wellbeing. Reiki is not meant to be a ‘miracle cure’ but rather it is aimed at putting the body and mind back into balance to promote wellbeing or so that it is able to better heal itself. When having a Reiki treatment, you will usually be asked to relax on a treatment couch fully clothed although Reiki can also be administered seated or standing and in fact can be given anywhere. However, a warm and comfortable room with soothing music and candles burning provides the best experience. Reiki treatments usually last about an hour and are a very healing, happy and relaxing experience but people vary as to what they feel. Most will sense a pleasant heat coming from the practitioner’s hands, but sometimes this energy can feel cold or there may even be a mild tingling sensation. It is perfectly normal to feel a bit emotional afterwards as blocked energy is released but Reiki has benefits on emotional wellbeing as well as physical and even animals are known to respond to it. Reiki will continue to flow following a treatment and your body will be benefitting no matter how you feel. To locate a recognised practitioner near you, the International Association of Reiki Professionals can be found at www.Iarp.org

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Bluebird Care Celebrates a Decade of Care Bluebird Care, one of the UK’s leading home care providers is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this month, caring for customers across the country since 2004 and building its reputation as one of the most trusted home care providers in the UK. The Bluebird Care team, including Stephen McCoy from the Central Bedfordshire office, celebrated the milestone with a two-day event in Warwickshire, where businesses around the country were recognised for their exceptional customer service and quality of care. With almost 200 offices across the country offering the highest quality home care to customers, Bluebird Care Central Bedfordshire contributes to the 20,000 care visits carried out by Bluebird Care every day. The company’s committed and enthusiastic business owners like Stephen McCoy and the local team have been instrumental in helping Bluebird Care to establish itself as one of the fastest-growing home support companies in the UK.

needs, children and their families – and we’re proud to be part of that movement. “It’s incredibly important to us and all of our fantastic care workers here in Central Bedfordshire that we provide people with the highest possible quality of care in their own homes, and I am hugely proud of our staff and customers who’ve helped us to contribute to a decade of success at Bluebird Care.”

Commenting, Bluebird Care Chief Operating Officer, Simon Dalziel said: “Bluebird Care has been delivering high quality care to thousands of customers at home for over a decade, and I’m thrilled to recognise the hard work Stephen McCoy and the local team have been doing in Central Bedfordshire They provide the highest standards of support to our customers and are leading the field in delivering a high quality service that goes above and beyond on every single visit.” Commenting, owner of Bluebird Care Stephen McCoy said: “Bluebird Care has revolutionised the way support in the home is delivered across the country – not just to older people but those with specialist care

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? It's Alternative. We combine the alternative therapies with solid fitness and nutritional science to help you easily replace any unhelpful thoughts, beliefs and behaviours with positively supporting ones, and make the necessary shifts in your mindset for you to sustain your healthy lifestyle. ? It's Sustainable. The programme itself is over 6 months with measurements at 9 and 12 months, so that we can motivate you to stay on track and demonstrate the longevity of the results that you will enjoy. You will be rewarded at 12 months with an amazing gift from us to say "thank you" and to celebrate your achievements.

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"Coach Me Well" combines Life There are three levels – silver, my eating habits and now Coaching, Neuro Linguistic gold and platinum, which contain Programming (NLP), and eat more of the good stuff varying degrees of support and Hypnotherapy, with fitness coaching that was already in my diet" intervention to help you make and healthy nutrition advice J Smith, Luton 2014 positive changes for life. specifically for you. There are a maximum of two weekly visits over a If your New Year's resolution is always to lose 6-month period (14 sessions) which will keep you weight, get fit and really start to live your life, why motivated, monitored and on track to achieve your not sign up now to ensure you get a place in weight loss and improved wellness goals. Telephone January? coaching sessions are included to help you through the more challenging times and you'll have By next Spring 2015 you will have the greatest professional, honest and friendly support every step of gift of all – a New You for Life! the way. So what's different about this programme? ? The focus is YOU as a unique individual with your own particular needs, and for this reason you will work on a 1:1 basis with the professionals. Together we will focus on weight loss, improved fitness and dietary intake, removing bad habits and establishing good

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BY KAREN KELSEY, LIFE AND PERFORMANCE COACH, KELSEY-COACHING, HITCHIN EMAIL: KAREN@KELSEY-COACHING.CO.UK CALL: 07805 792191 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

Couples Counsellor

Helen’s Helpful Hints

No. 6 - Do you feel that your partner is treating you as though you were a child? For many reasons relationships can become unevenly matched to the point where one person seems to hold all the power and control and the other holds the dependency and vulnerability. This might work for some couples as long as both are willing to stay in role. But this type of relationship can lead to frustration, resentment and anger, followed by loss of self esteem and self worth. And finally often loss of a joyous sex life because of the emotions associated with a parent child relationship. If you recognise this in your relationship it can be rectified by learning to behave more like equal adults and accepting responsibility for your own life and showing respect for your partner.

Do you feel that your relationship might be imbalanced and you would like a more evenly matched relationship, do give me a call. I am a couple counsellor who trained with Relate and have 28 years experience. Before you decide, you can have up to a half hour free counselling on the telephone or on Skype so that you can assess if counselling is right for you. Call me, Helen Springer for an appointment. I can fix a fee to suit your pocket. Telephone 01462 713685. Email sprinsib@globalnet.co.uk Located in Pirton Herts. www.counsellorsandcounselling.co.uk

Reassurance when you need it most

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Quality Support Solutions

We are a small family business registered with the Care Quality Commission. Our aim is to provide private affordable, high quality individualised personal care and support services to people living within their own homes. Ensuring you receive the support/care you both want and need. We received an outstanding CQC inspection report, an example of what some of our clients said: "very satisfied", "really changed my life", "brilliant", "kind", "caring".

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VILLAGER VILLAGER VILLAGER The

Issue 67 - June 2014

and Town

Life

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

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Inside this issue

70 - September 2014 DonkeyIssue Derby

in Eltisley LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE

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e this issue Dealing Win £25 with and Bathrooms

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Travelogue

Swimming with the

Manta Rays By Melanie Ridley After spending two wonderful weeks walking along white sandy beaches, taking naps in the swinging hammocks and scuba diving with the sharks in the Yasawas Islands of Fiji, I was able to swim with another amazing and breathtaking fish. This was to be my last venture in Fiji and took place on the appropriately named Manta Ray Island. Manta rays are mystical and graceful inhabitants of the sea. They are filter feeders and have a similar feeding mechanism to whales, although where whales use the baleen in the roof of their mouth as a sieve, manta rays use their gills to push water through and trap the food inside their mouths. Plankton and fish larvae are a favourite on the menu and a full grown adult can eat up to 60 pounds of food a day! I was lucky enough to be in Fiji at peak season for manta ray sightings, between May and October. Every day, a school could be spotted in a channel between two islands where they would congregate to feed. This was a perfect opportunity to experience these enchanting creatures up close. Once the manta rays were spotted, a member of the Fijian Island community sounded a drum. This told us the boat would be leaving shortly, so it was time for everyone to collect their snorkel gear and hop aboard! Once in the channel we were all told to keep an

eye out for any disturbances in the water and when they had been spotted amongst the current, we were then carefully positioned to be in line with their swimming path so that they would be coming right towards us! Before descending, we were advised not to swim to save our energy and allow the strong current to carry us through the channel at a steady rate. The visibility below the surface that day was unfortunately poor, about 10-15 metres so it was like looking into an abyss, but this didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t discourage my excitement. As our guide sighted a manta ray, he pointed in its direction. At first we could see nothing until a shadow began to emerge out of the murky horizon. As it got closer this beautiful creature became more and more visible. The almost effortless way the manta ray glided through the water reminded me of how a bird flies through the sky. Even though they seemed to be moving with as little energy as possible, to try and keep up with them was an impossible feat. Once we had floated to the opposite end of the channel, we were met by our boat and skipper, who took us right back to the start, ready to float back down all over again! As we headed back to the island, the sun was setting in the distance. The captivating colours of orange, yellow and red reflecting off the ocean was a perfect way to end the holiday of a lifetime.

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Finance

How to Organise Your

Christmas Spending Nobody wants the worry of huge credit card debts in the New Year, so why put yourself through that stress when you can be organised in advance? With a little forethought and planning it’s possible to get to the New Year with your finances intact, without compromising on the celebrations. These ideas will make your money go further, help to keep your spending in check and let you stay firmly in the black. Saving money in Christmas Clubs Christmas Clubs are still popular despite the problems experienced by Farepak Hampers in 2006 when savers lost their money. They are basically savings schemes that help you spread the cost of Christmas, with members making small monthly deposits that cannot be withdrawn until November or December. If you can put money away into a separate bank account or track your Christmas ‘fund’ within an existing savings account, that would be a better idea. You have the freedom to shop where you like, and withdraw some of the money if you spot the perfect present before December. Is it worth trying a cash back site? Cash back sites like Quidco and Top Cashback offer a percentage cash back on every purchase made. A directory of participating online retailers is listed on these sites, which pay a referral fee to the cash back site for directing shoppers their way. A percentage of this fee becomes the cash back you receive. Both Quidco and Top Cashback offer two tiers of membership. The basic account is free of charge, with the ‘premium’ account offering additional services for a £5.00 annual fee. A

range of payout methods is available, including having your money paid into a bank account, PayPal account, or choosing an Amazon Gift Card. A good time to use credit Purchases of £100 to £30,000 are automatically protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. This means that if the trader goes out of business, or the product is faulty and you can’t get your money back from the seller, your credit card company provides a full refund. For larger Christmas purchases, it’s a good idea to use a credit card for this reason alone as long as the outstanding balance is repaid as soon as possible. It offers a valuable level of protection that isn’t available with a debit card. Careful when buying gift cards With so many household names going into liquidation, it’s not always a good idea to give gift cards at Christmas. If there is any doubt surrounding the ongoing status of a company, it might be safer to give cash or a cheque in a Christmas gift envelope instead. Vouchers and discounts Voucher codes and deals can be found at various websites including www.moneysupermarket. com and www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk with savings to be made on a wide range of products from electronics to jewellery and perfume. Some codes offer free postage and packing, so it’s worth shopping around on the internet for these deals. 0% credit cards for when it’s too late If it all goes wrong and you’re dreading the credit card bill, look for a 0% interest credit card and transfer the balance if you can. This spreads the cost interest-free over a period of time, usually between 6 months and 2 years. There is generally a transfer fee of around 3% of the balance, and you’ll need to pay it off within the 0% interest time limit to get the most benefit. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/ section75-protect-your-purchases http://www.moneysupermarket.com/creditcards/guide-to-credit-card-protection/ http://www.moneysupermarket.com/vouchers/ store/asda-direct/14/1/ http://www.quidco.com/ http://www.topcashback.co.uk/

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A smart outfit... for Rural & Town Life

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Garden

Planting Trees and Shrubs By Pippa Greenwood

This is a great time of year to get planting – the soil is still holding a bit of warmth from the late summer and is now more moist and provides good conditions for roots to develop, spread and establish. Furthermore trees, shrubs and woody climbers in particular are often a very good buy at this time of year. A good planting hole or pit is essential, and you should sure that it is at least several inches larger than the current spread of the roots of the tree or shrub that you are about to plant. For years the advice has been that plenty of bulky organic matter should be incorporated in to the hole and the mixture with which you back fill it. Investigations now suggest that this may not necessarily be ideal: make the planting hole too ‘cosy’ and the tree’s roots may be inclined to stay in the hole. In a heavy clay soil a planting hole full of compost may also end up acting as a sump, so when the soil is wet the compost draws more moisture in to the hole, resulting in waterlogged roots. All very logical, but then I would also suggest that if you garden on a very sandy, poor soil, a wellprepared planting pit which includes bulky organic matter such as garden compost will help to reduce the risk of drying out. Similarly, provided the organic matter is incorporated over a good enough sized area on a heavy soil, I think it does help to improve aeration and drainage around tree roots, especially if you incorporate some grit too. Well-rotted manure, garden compost and proprietary bagged compost are all useful in planting holes and if it is largely an improvement in soil texture which you are after, then home-made leafmould is great too.

Next, to tease or not to tease the roots? I’m a teaser every time, having seen thousands of trees fail because their pot-bound roots never moved out in to the soil properly, if at all. Planting depth is important too, so do make sure that you cover the roots, and only the roots, with soil. Even the compost level in the pot is often too deep, so start from scratch if necessary. Laying a straight cane over the top of the planting hole will help you to gauge the correct depth more easily. Then of course there is staking. I suggest only doing this with large trees, apples on very dwarfing rootstocks or if the site is extremely windy as a tree will get tougher and more resilient if given a chance to move around slightly and so form a strong trunk. If you do stake, short stakes at an angle are now regarded as best, and do use a good quality tree tie, properly fitted so that the tree’s bark is not chaffed. Finally, remember that aftercare is essential, regular thorough waterings will be needed during dry weather, especially for the first couple of years after planting. If you don’t get the aftercare right, the plant and all that time and effort can easily be lost. Visit www.pippagreenwood.com for a great range of gardeningrelated gifts including stylish ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ Gift Card, handmade pottery herb planters, Pippa’s favourite weeding tool, signed books and lots of useful garden items for your friends & family…or for yourself.

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BRANCHING OUT FA M

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Gardening a Pain? Let us take the Strain! Taking orders for Autumn Tidy-Ups  New lawns laid  Leaf clearance  Fruit tree pruning  Fence repairs  Hedge trimming & shaping  and much more

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Fun Quiz - Theatre 1. Why was a performance of Our American Cousin not performed in full on April 14th 1865 at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.? 2. Corpsing is a word used in the world of British theatre when an actor or actress unintentionally does what? 3. Which play do many people in the world of theatre believe to be cursed, referring to it simply as “the Scottish play”? 4. Which TV show is set in a theatre that was originally known as the Benny Vandergast Memorial Theatre? 5. What name is given to the sides of a stage in a theatre that are hidden from the audience? 6. Which Agatha Christie play has been running continuously in London’s West End since it opened in 1952, giving it the record of having the longest initial run of any play in history? 7. Which famous theatre was burned to the ground in 1613 when a cannon set off during a performance misfired and set fire to its wooden beams and thatching? 8. Derived from a word referring to a particular amount of money and a Greek word meaning “theatre”, what 11 letter word was commonly used at the start of the 20th century to refer to small neighbourhood cinemas? 9. Due to a superstition in the theatre industry that says wishing someone good luck is actually bad luck, what three word phrase is traditionally said to an actor who is about to go on stage to perform as a message of good luck? 10. Which famous London theatre has the same name as the chemical element with atomic number 46? 1. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated (while watching it) 2. Laugh 3. Macbeth 4. The Muppet Show (it was later known as The Muppet Theatre) 5. Wings 6. The Mousetrap 7. The Globe Theatre 8. Nickelodeon (from “nickel” and “odeon”) 9. Break a leg 10. The Palladium

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After

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THE LOG MAN Established 1972

Hardwood Logs • All Size Fires & Woodburners Catered For • Half & Full Loads Delivered Contact:

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Pets

Animal Stories Not every story has a happy ending….. The RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch is currently inundated with unwanted kittens looking for homes. Our wonderful volunteer foster carers dedicate their time, care and love to these kittens to give them a future. But, unfortunately, sometimes – this just isn’t enough. Little Tyra was born to a feral cat – one of a number of cats living wild at an address in Bedford. The RSPCA became involved as the colony of cats was becoming a problem and many were ill. These cats probably originated from an unneutered pet cat that was abandoned. Two unneutered cats can quickly become a whole colony. Family members interbreed which can lead to deformities and sickly young. And as these cats are often underfed, are not vaccinated, wormed or treated for fleas; they’re often living unhealthy, miserable lives. Tyra was about 6 weeks old when she came into our care. It was difficult to give an exact age as she was extremely small, malnourished, cold and weak. We heated her back up, used rehydration packs and managed to tempt her with little bits

of food offered at regular intervals. Tyra made it though the first night and we hoped she would survive her ordeal – but sadly, two days later, her health suddenly deteriorated and, despite emergency vet care, she couldn’t be saved and died. Poor little Tyra was unusual in that she died. Unfortunately she was not unusual in the poor state of health in which she was found. Caring for Tyra was not only time-consuming for her volunteer foster family, but also more expensive for our charity than caring for a healthy kitten (which still costs us around £5 a day). Please consider neutering your pets so that you are not adding to this problem of too many unwanted kittens. If you think you can give a kitten a loving forever home, please contact us. We’re also looking for volunteer foster carers who can give cats, and kittens like Tyra, a future. ANIMAL STORIES is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch. www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk

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New centre now open Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to build your child’s confidence and inspire a passion for learning. To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor for a free assessment. Shefford Study Centre Alison Allen 01462 701487 Classes on Tuesday and Thursday 4.00pm - 6.00pm

kumon.co.uk Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

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M & J Oakley Ltd Free Range Turkeys & Barn Reared Chickens

We sell direct from the farm our own Free Range Bronze and White Turkeys and Barn Reared Chickens fresh for Christmas. Having arrived on the farm as day old chicks in July they are allowed to reach full maturity.

Call Jenny on 01462 892 253 www.oakleyfarming.co.uk Dairy Farm, Bygrave Road, Baldock, Herts SG7 5DS 46

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Food and Drink

Seasonal Delights Italian Lamb Shanks

Serves 4 Ready in 2 ½ hours Lamb shanks are perfect for long slow cooking as they become meltingly tender and the meat just falls off the bone. Here they are braised with all the flavours of Italy – red wine, smoked cured bacon and tomatoes. Serve with creamy mash or boiled ribbon pasta such as tagliatelle or pappardelle. INGREDIENTS 4 small lamb shanks 2 tbsp olive oil 350g shallots, peeled 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped 150g cubed pancetta (Italian dry cured bacon) 300ml red wine 400g can chopped tomatoes 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato puree 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus extra sprigs to garnish 5ml (1tsp) sugar Creamy mashed potato, to serve

Add the shallots, garlic and pancetta to the frying pan and cook over a medium heat for 6-7 minutes until lightly browned. Pour in the red wine and bring to the boil. Add the tomatoes, sun-dried tomato puree, rosemary sprigs and sugar and pour over the lamb. Cover the casserole and cook in the preheated oven for about 2 hours, or until the lamb shanks are very tender and the sauce has thickened slightly. Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve with creamy mashed potato and garnished with fresh rosemary. TIP - Why not double up the quantities and freeze away half for another day? Allow to cool completely then transfer to a freezer-proof container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost thoroughly then reheat gently on the hob for 2025 minutes until piping hot.

Preheat the oven to 170°C/150°C fan/gas 3. Season the lamb shanks with freshly ground black pepper. Heat the oil in a frying pan and brown the lamb shanks over a high heat for 4-5 minutes, turning frequently. Transfer to a shallow casserole dish. 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 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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Lambourn MOT and Service Centre Ltd 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

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Crossword Solution for The Villager October Edition Last Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword Winner - Phillip George from Little Gransden

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Codeword and Suduko Solutions

Easy

Hard

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

The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 7 Attentiveness (13) 8 Speaking (8) 9 Simple (4) 10 Breaks (7) 12 Prophecies (5) 14 Sound of a bell (5) 16 Happier (7) 19 Exhibit (4) 20 Approximate calculation (8) 22 Enquiry (13)

19th November 2014

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

Down 1 Young male horse (4) 2 Way in (6) 3 Lures (7) 4 Boasts (5) 5 A narrow river (6) 6 Absurd talk (8) 11 Eating (8) 13 Held for ransom (7) 15 Solicitor (6) 17 Boundaries (6) 18 Large and heavy (5) 21 Implement (4)

Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

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BRICK LAYER For those smaller jobs 40 years in the trade Small patios Garden Walls Brickwork repairs Re-pointing General maintenance Fully insured

Call Richard on 01462 734233 or 07733890490 Answer-phone on both numbers and will return all calls.

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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

All Building Services Provided Fully Qualified & Insured Free Local Estimates No Job Too Big Or Small Call James 7 days a week on:

07595 752 466 01462 231 734

JamesBonfieldCarpentry@yahoo.co.uk Shefford, Bedfordshire

A TOUCH OF GLASS Quality UPVC Windows, Doors & Conservatories ALL REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN Broken locks, handles, hinges, replacement misted glass units, catflaps, draughty windows EMERGENCY 24HR CALL OUT SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT For free advice call Dave today

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n O s ’ t Wha 31 October & 1 November Family Halloween Event 5.30pm Adults £6, Children £8.50 The Friends of the Swiss Garden Family Spooky tours of The Swiss Garden and woodland start at allocated times from 5.30pm onwards and are followed by games and activities on the Terrace Lawn and in the new Garden Room. Ticket price includes £4 refreshment ticket for the restaurant. Max. 2 children per adult. Please bring a torch. Book online or telephone. Tel: 01767 627924 Web: www.shuttleworth.org 1 November 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. 1 November Pirton’s WW1 Centenary Exhibition - The Pride of Pirton 10am-5pm Pirton Village Hall Free admission Although obviously Pirton orientated, the will be lots of general interest, including personal collections of Great War memorabilia, artefacts and weaponry, films, teas coffee and cakes. There will also be a small Herts at War display and some key members of the team will be there to talk to about that project if you wish - oh and of course the two pubs in Pirton will be open for food and refreshment! 1 November Crafting Potting Shed Craft Club 2-5pm Stondon Village Hall. Monthly craft club. Email: mycraftypottingshed@gmail.com 1 November Halloween Party 2-5pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Baldock Baldock Family Group aims to provide families in Baldock with affordable activities within the local community for the whole family to enjoy. A not for profit organisation run by families for families! Taster sessions from local children’s groups, raffle, bake sale and toys & games. Web: http://baldockfamilygroup.weebly.com/

2 November Festiwool Hitchin 10.30am North Herts College, Hitchin Tickets: Pre-booked £3, On the day £5 Show will be opened by Supermodel Daphne Selfe. Over 40 stalls, book signings and talk by Jen Best Beaker Button. Exhibitor Demonstrations. Refreshments available www.festiwool.com 2 November Charity Quiz 8pm £2 per person The Five Bells, Henlow Village Charity quiz night in aid of The British Legion Poppy Appeal. Cash prizes as well as ‘spot prizes’ to be won plus a raffle. Teams of up to 8 members. Tel: John 01767 680974 for more info Email: quizzesforcharity@outlook.com 6 November Baldock Floral Society 7.30pm Community Centre, Baldock Visitors £6. Demonstration by Anne Gurney and friends. Refreshments and raffle of flowers. 6, 13, 20 & 27 November Sapphire Social Club 8.30pm Meet in Hitchin This social club caters for the unattached aged 50+. No joining fee for the first two months. Tel: Joyce 07960 440417 for information Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 7 November Bedfordshire Family History Society 7.15pm Mark Rutherford School Drama Hall, Bedford, MK42 9RX Members free, Visitors £2 Illustrated talk is “Burial Customs and Their History” by Canon Denis McSwiney”. Bedfordshire Family History Society welcomes new members to its talks. Library and bookstall are available at meetings. Next meeting will be 5 December. Web: www.bfhs.org.uk 7 November Coull Quartet Concert 8pm Benslow Music, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9RB Tickets £12, Free admission for 8-25 year olds and carers accompanying disabled ticket holder Works will include Mozart, Tippett and Smetana. Licensed Bar and free parking. Tel: 01462 459446

7 November Ashwell Playgroup’s ‘Alternative’ Quiz Night 8pm Ashwell Village Hall £7.50 per person Book your babysitters and get your thinking caps on, in preparation for Ashwell Playgroup’s ‘Alternative’ Quiz. Come as a team of 8, or join a team on the night. Bar, free snacks and fun guaranteed! Expect the unexpected! Tel: 07966 034795

7 & 27 November Biggleswade Ladies Circle For women aged 18 to 45 who want to make new friends, have fun, do things they’ve never done before and maybe do a bit of fundraising! 7 November - Evening Shopping Trip to Ikea MK including compulsory meatballs for tea! 27 November - Henlow Greyhounds with Fish & Chip Supper - racing starts 7.45pm - £13.50 (includes meal, race card and £1 for first drink) Email: biggleswade.circle@yahoo.co.uk Twitter: @BwadeCircle Facebook: Biggleswade Ladies Circle 8 November Craft Fayre 10am-4pm Pirton Village Hall Handmade crafts. Hot and cold food all day. 8 November Christmas Food Fayre 10am-5pm Shillington Village Hall, Shillington Free admission Stands include Bread, Cakes, Jams & Chutneys, Whizz Middletons Rapeseed Oil and Flour, Sweets, Aloe Vera Products, Christmas Poultry & Vegetables, Cheeses, Honey, Bedfordshire Clangers and much more. Light Refreshments will be available and there will be a Christmas Raffle. All proceeds to be donated to Shillington W.I. Free Parking. 10 November Icknield Quilters 7.45pm Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock Visitors £4 Speaker will be Barbara Weeks ‘Trapping Colour, Catching Light’. Visitors welcome. 12 November Henlow Branch of the Royal Naval Association 7.30pm Aragon Housing Association Hall, The Gardens, Henlow, SG16 6DG The Henlow Branch of the Royal Naval Association meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Ex services or not all are welcome. Tel: Les Dessent 01767 223212

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13 November Remembered with Pride 7pm for 7.30pm British Schools Museum, Hitchin Tickets £5 including tea/coffee The story of the 68 former pupils of the British School in Hitchin who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War. Jean Handley returns to talk about her superb book, including all the exciting developments since its publication. Tel: 01462 420144 Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk 13 November Mid. Beds. Floral Society 7.45pm Flitwick Village Hall Visitors £5 Christmas Demonstration by Susie Barwick. Tel: Marion Tucker 01234 742396 for more details 13-15 November The Taming of the Shrew 7.45pm The Little Theatre, The Settlement, Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City Tickets £7 The Settlement Players are performing ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ by William Shakespeare. A bawdy, fun filled performance guaranteed to give you a great evening out!! Tickets available from David’s Music, 12 Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City. Tel: David’s Music 01462 475900 16 November Biggleswade Antiques Fair 9.30am-4pm The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Admission £1.50 This antiques fair offers a diverse range of antiques and collectables so whether you are a professional dealer, an avid collector or just looking for something special, this monthly fair is the place to visit. Café serving breakfast, lunches and afternoon tea. Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346 Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk 21 & 22 November Fairfield Players Murder Mystery Curtain up 7.45pm Stotfold Memorial Hall Tickets £10 including fish & chip supper The Fairfield Players present “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society - Murder Mystery” by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr. The F.A.H.E.T.G Dramatic Society ladies are preparing another exciting and ambitious entertainment with the cunning whodunit. Tickets available from Cards & Crafts, High Street, Stotfold, telephone or email. Tel: Box Office 01767 631265 Email: derek-walker@tiscali.co.uk

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

23 November The Annual Exhibition of photographs of Shillington through the years 2pm Shillington Village Hall, High Road, Shillington Tickets £2 The village archive currently stands at some 500 images, covering subjects including farming, churches and chapels, weddings, village celebrations, village developments and much more covering the period 1900’s to 1970’s. Come along to the launch the 2015 “Memories of Shillington” calendar. Tel: Jan and Peter Watts 01462 712080. Email: info@pinpointprints.co.uk 28 & 29 November and 5 & 6 December Beauty and The Beast Fri 28th & 5th 7.45pm, Sat 29th & 6th 3pm & 7.45pm Meppershall Village Hall Matinees £6, Concessions £5, Evenings £8, Concessions £7, Last performance £9 no concessions. Concessions are Senior Citizens and children under 16yrs. Suitable for all the family. Licensed bar, hot beverages and smore. Tickets - Roger’s Bakery Meppershall 01462 813398. Also available to order through Roger’s Bakery Shefford & Barton 29 November Christmas Fair 10am-2.30pm British Schools Museum, Hitchin Home-made cakes and preserves, books, toys, jewellery, crafts, bric-a-brac and more. Museum Café and shop open too with delicious bacon rolls, mince pies and mulled wine to get you into the Christmas spirit. Tel: 01462 420144 Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk 30 November Tea with Santa British Schools Museum, Hitchin Details to be confirmed – check the website. Tel: 01462 420144 Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk 30 November Dancing with the Sunday Dance Club 7.30-10.30pm Spirella, Bridge Road, Letchworth The Club welcomes all to our dance evenings at Spirella. 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 3-7 December Christmas Tree Festival Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm St Paul’s Church, Bedford, MK40 1SQ Admission £2.50, Children free Over 60 trees will be decorated to the theme ‘Friendship thru Sport’. Includes two Trees of Remembrance. Proceeds shared between St Paul’s and the Bedford Hospitals Charity. Tel: 01234 340163 for further details

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4 December A Christmas Carol 6pm for 6.30pm British Schools Museum, Hitchin £10 including mulled wine and mince pies Renowned raconteur Keith Baldwin returns to the museum by special request with readings from everybody’s favourite Christmas Tale. Enjoy Charles Dickens’ atmospheric tale in a genuine Dickensian era setting. The perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. Advance booking recommended. Tel: 01462 420144 Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk 4 December Baldock Floral Society 7.30pm Community Centre, Baldock Visitors £8 Christmas demonstration by Nick Grounds entitled “Seasonal Anticipation”. Seasonal refreshments will be served. All welcome. 5 December Bedfordshire Family History Society 7.15pm Mark Rutherford School Drama Hall, Bedford, MK42 9RX Members free, Visitors £2 Illustrated talk is “Behind The Scenes Of ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ TV Programme” by Dr .Nick Barratt. Bedfordshire Family History Society welcomes new members to its talks. Library and bookstall are available at meetings. Next meeting will be 9 January 2015. Web: www.bfhs.org.uk 5 December ‘Classics at Christmas’ Concert 7.30pm St Paul’s Church, Bedford Tickets £15 including glass of wine As part of the Christmas Tree Festival, once again The Ensemble of London will be presenting a ‘Classics at Christmas’ Concert at St Paul’s Church. Tickets available by telephone or online. Tel: Tickets 01234 783181 or St. Paul’s Church 01234 34016 Web: www.bedfordhospitalcharity.org.uk 6 December Winter Wonderland 10am-12.30pm Ashwell URC Hall, High Street, Ashwell Santa’s Grotto, rides on Onkey the donkey, mulled wine & refreshments, “Made in Ashwell” Christmas gifts and crafts, a raffle and much more festive fun for the family! Tel: 07710 504018 for further details 23 December Dick Whittington 2pm & 6.30pm Stondon Village Hall Adults £7.50, Under 16s £5 Come and see a fantastic performance of Dick Whittington. Refreshments available. To book tickets or for more information please call 07902 076994. Don’t miss it!

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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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

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

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Classifieds Aerials and Satellites AERIALS & SATELLITES

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Aerials & Satellites • Digital Aerials Freesat & Satellite Installations Commercial IRS Systems All Work Guaranteed • CAI Approved C.1616 Based in Stotfold www.broadbandcommunications.co.uk

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