Henlow oct 14 by debi1977

VILLAGER The

Issue 71 - October 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

The Great

Airship Disaster

Win Tickets

to the Festive Gift Fair

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

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Contents Impact Interiors

The Great Airship Disaster................................................4 School Phobia..................................................................9 Halloween - History and Traditions................................10 Shannon Express............................................................12 Isle of Sweetness............................................................14 Should you bother with loyalty cards?...........................17 Win tickets to the Festive Gift Fair..................................18 Travelogue - Bula!..........................................................22 Fun Quiz.........................................................................22 Helen’s Helpful Hints......................................................23 Variety Express Annual Charity Show.............................27 Luang Prabang - Ancient Capital of Laos........................28

VILLAGER The

Issue 71 - October 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

The Great

Airship Disaster

Win Tickets

to the Festive Gift Fair

Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in

ur Yo EE FRcopy

Tea and Coffee................................................................31 Making an Impact..........................................................32 Conifers..........................................................................35 Garden Power................................................................41 Animal Queries...............................................................43 Best 4x4s........................................................................44 Wordsearch....................................................................46 Puzzle Page....................................................................48 Prize Crossword..............................................................54 What’s On.......................................................................58 Book Review..................................................................62

Island of Sweetness

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, Susan Brookes-Morris, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Melanie Ridley, Helen Springer, Solange Hando, Alison Runham, Pippa Greenwood, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, James Baggott, Bruce Edwards and RSPCA North Beds Branch

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

Advertising Sales Sarah Fryer - 01767 261122 sarah@villagermag.com Photography - Bernard Ormrod, Emma Porter, Catherine Rose, Benoit Chartron and Nigel Frost Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

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

History

The Great Airship Disaster By Catherine Rose

Autumn 1930 saw news headlines filled with tragic disaster and loss of life when the flagship R101 – one of two giant airships stationed in Bedfordshire - crashed and burned on its maiden voyage killing 46 of those on board. Today, the hangars at Cardington, Bedfordshire stand as a historic landmark and reminder of the brief life of two mammoth airships – the R101 and its sister the R100. The R101 left Cardington at 7pm on Saturday, 4th October 1930 for India with 54 passengers. It had only got to France when it crashed into a hill near Beauvais, near Paris, at approximately 2am. Sleeping passengers were engulfed in flames including the airship’s designer Col. V C Richmond, Assistant Director of Airship Development, Lord Thomson, and Minister for Air and Air ViceMarshall Sir Sefton Brancker. There had been no warning and the last contact from the airship was sent 15 minutes before the crash which said: “At the moment, the passengers, after an excellent meal and after enjoying a number of cigars, are getting ready to go to bed” followed by a “thank you” when the French Air Ministry informed them they were 1km from Beauvais. Low lying clouds had prevented the airship flying to its designated height. When a storm hit, it resulted in masses of rainwater settling on the top of the ship which subsequently forced her down further until she struck a hill near the village

of Allonne. Her droning engines woke French eye witnesses who stated that as she left the town “she appeared to be completely out of control…. lurching and travelling crab-wise in the air.” A passing motorist watched the giant ship “fighting for feet” and “her belly” only touched the top of the hill. The lights in the cabin went out, the propellers dug into the earth and the 585 hp Tornado engines were pushed up into the airship itself. The hydrogen gas inside was ignited immediately and the explosion could be seen within a radius of seven miles. It was later described as being like “Dante’s Inferno” and “a sight so awful and terrible that one could not take it in at first”. Photographs of the scene the following morning show the ship’s colossal charred skeleton and bodies (described as burnt beyond recognition) littered across the French countryside and shrouded in sheets that had been donated by local villagers. Miraculously, there were eight survivors, five of whom were severely burned. They are said to have owed their lives to the fact that the water tanks burst and washed them through the flames to safety. Ship’s captain, Flight Lieutenant Irwin remained at his post giving orders until flames

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enveloped him. Twelve men were on duty when disaster struck. Engineer H J Leech was in a cabin with two colleagues and said: “We shook hands and swore we would not be burned to death but that somehow we would make our way out.” Another survivor, Mr Bell, described his experience: “I had just got to my bunk when the explosion occurred. I saw a sheet of flame and then the rush of water from the water tanks swept me out of my bunk and kept off the flames. I managed to scramble to safety but without the aid of the water I should have been killed”. Mr Church, told the press: “When the explosion occurred it rent in two my compartment and I fell to earth. One of my comrades was trapped. I tried to climb to him but the flames beat me back”. Wireless operator Mr A Disley described biting and tearing his way through the fabric, saying: “I used my teeth and nails. I became exhausted then suddenly fell through a raging tornado of fire and found myself safe on wet grass.” At 777 feet long and 132 wide at its maximum point, the airship’s construction began in 1924. Accommodation was contained within a doubledecked structure slung inside the hull. On the upper deck was a large lounge with promenades and there was a separate dining room that could seat 50 people and a number of two-berth sleeping cabins. Downstairs were the kitchen, the captain’s control room, the wireless room, the smoking room and the crew’s quarters. The ship was designed to reach 75 mph. After the crash, it came to light that the airship had had problems three months earlier on her first official public unveiling at Hendon - a fact that had allegedly been concealed. Her departure was delayed by 35 minutes when the starting engine failed. When she finally got going, a roar and a shower of sparks shot from the exhaust pipe, scaring the 3,000-strong crowd and witnesses

were later to describe how her “slow, struggling ascent” from Cardington meant that the “wives and sweethearts who were clustered around the base of the mooring mast” were left to wonder if all was well with the ship as their men on board flashed torches through the windows of the gondola cabin in farewell. When news of the tragedy hit Shortstown – the small hamlet on the edge of Cardington built to house airship workers and their families – the blinds of almost every cottage remained drawn. Virtually every family suffered some sort of loss, whether it was a father, brother or friend. After the crash, the R101’s sister ship, the R100 was broken up and all further development on the project abandoned. The survivors were all crew, mostly from the Cardington area: Mr H J Leech of Shortstown, foreman engineer; Mr A V Bell of Shortstown, engineer; Mr J H Binks, engineer; Mr S Church of Cardington, rigger; Mr A Disley of Shortstown, wireless operator; Mr W G Radcliffe of Bedford, rigger; and Mr V Savory of Shortstown, engineer. Following a state funeral procession from London, today there is a mass grave at Cardington cemetery containing those who died. Drawings by Keith Lawrence whose father Geoffrey worked on the R101.

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Education

School Phobia By Susan Brookes- Morris

There seems to be growing evidence of a condition known as School Phobia. It was first recorded in America around 1941, then gained further attention in the 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and has become more commonly diagnosed in recent years. Kay Mawson, the mother of sufferer Andrew, describes School Phobia as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fear of school,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which brings on debilitating symptoms. She says that to avoid the fear, children exhibit behaviour often called School Refusal. For her son the causes were a sensation of feeling trapped and out of control in school and therefore feeling insecure and unsafe. He also suffered from separation anxiety resulting from being apart and out of contact with those he cared about, and being fearful that something might happen to them. Kay feels it is important to raise awareness of the condition because it is commonly misunderstood, and often remains untreated. Many parents become distressed at finding themselves struggling with courts, schools and truancy issues. Last years Netmums and the TV programme This Morning carried out a poll of 1,054 parents. This suggested that one in five British children suffer from School Phobia but only half of parents are aware of it. Children aged five to six and 10 and 11 were the most frequent suffers. Common behaviours include

faking illness to try to avoid school, or going for registration and then leaving. Many sufferers have temper tantrums and scream and kick if forced to attend. Forty six percent of those referred to in the study also became ill with genuine stress related conditions such as headaches and stomach aches. Many had difficulty sleeping. Whilst in some cases the factors were not related to specific instances at school, the parents of other sufferers felt the condition had been triggered by bullying, under-performance or a general sense of being overwhelmed by school expectations. The study suggests that many parents struggled to get help; indeed some experts claim that parental behaviour has sometimes made cases worse. Some parents have been able to get their children medically diagnosed with School Phobia, and pupils in the UK have obtained places at special units for anxious and school phobic children. There remain differences of opinion on the best way to handle the condition. Some feel that getting the child into school is crucial even if it involves parental accompaniment and perhaps arranging special acclimatisation sessions. Some parents have found that moving their child to a more supportive school helped tremendously, while others believe that home schooling provides the solution. Kay Mawson advises parents to research all of the available options and discuss them with their child and perhaps an educational psychologist. That way there is a consensus on the best way to move forward, though arrangements should be reviewed on a regular basis.

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Time of Year

Halloween History and Traditions

The origins of Halloween are unclear but many believe it is over 200 years old and associated with ancient pagan festivals, which were held around the end of October. People believed that at this time of year, the spirits of dead people could come ‘alive’ and walk among the living. They thought that it was important to dress up in costumes when venturing outside, to avoid being harmed by the spirits. There are many traditional activities associated with Halloween. A common game is apple bobbing, sometimes known as apple ducking. Competitors - who have their hands tied behind their backs - use their teeth to try to catch apples which are floating in a container of water. Some say this reflects the way women accused of witchcraft were tried in the Middle Ages. They were tied to a chair and ducked repeatedly in a river or pond. If the woman drowned she was declared innocent but if she

survived she was found guilty of witchcraft and burnt at the stake! Some aspects of modern Halloween celebrations, such as carving lanterns out of vegetables, originated long ago. Whilst we now commonly use pumpkins for this (because they are large and easy to carve), in the past turnips, beets and potatoes were used. Other more recent Halloween celebrations such as Trick or Treat have American origins, though one of the alternative names for 31 October: ‘Mischief Night,’ has its origins firmly in 18th Century Britain. By Susan Brookes-Morris

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Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday 13th November, 6.30pm

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Local News

Shannon Express Singing is our pleasure

It is a strange fact that the majority of people will tell you that they cannot sing. What they probably mean is that they have not been taught to sing and as a result, would be embarrassed to get it wrong in front of others. We understand this completely. Most of us in Shannon Express started out that way! Our next recruitment evening followed by a Learn to Sing Course over six weeks is aimed at those with little or no experience and is completely free. We will guide you from the first tentative steps through to public performance. We sing as a group and never put you on the spot to sing individually. Confidence will grow and you will be amazed at what you can achieve. Our music is slick, varied and thoroughly entertaining. Sentimental lullabies, stirring upbeat

numbers, timeless classics, hits from the musical theatre and modern standards all have their place. Ladies, play your part and win a £150 prize in our free draw. He sings in the shower, it’s time he took up a new hobby and you know that singing brings health benefits through physical and mental exercise. First prize is a £150 Maxwells Experience for the ladies and second prize for one of our lucky recruits is a £50 Maxwells Makeover, both courtesy of Maxwells Professional Hair and Beauty, Biggleswade. Send your man to our Recruitment Evening on 9th October 2014, 7.30pm at the Holiday Inn, Sandy, SG19 1NA (A1 Sandy Roundabout) and we will do the rest. Accomplished singers welcome too, of course. Register on 07848 972689 or email pro@shannonexpress.org.uk Singing is our pleasure. Join us and make it yours.

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Isle of Sweetness By Catherine Rose

A visit to Barbados and you instantly understand why it has become one of the most popular playgrounds for the rich and famous. And not necessarily for the reasons you would think. Years ago, I was captivated by the Caribbean with its volcanic mountains, iridescent humming birds and absence of roads. But what to expect of 21st century Barbados? Would this idyll of the rich be over-developed: subdued by tarmac while towering hotels jostled for sky space along congested beaches? Within an hour of our arrival, my fears proved unfounded.

Planning laws are strict on Barbados. From Bridgetown Airport, a road dotted with flaming frangipanis took us past a cocktail of interesting low-rise buildings, including the traditional, often colourful, wooden chattel houses. The most easterly Caribbean island and the only one formed from coral, Barbados or ‘the bearded one’ was first named by Spanish sailors impressed by its many bearded fig trees with their dense twisted trunks and long hanging tendrils. Not all the trees are so benign however. Lewis Carroll might well have written ‘beware the manchineel tree’ in his poem Jabberwocky as its leaves and berries are so acidic you must not stand under one when it rains. Our destination was Cobblers Cove Hotel on the west coast, adjacent to a protected turtle nesting beach and situated between the unpromisingly named Holetown and Speightstown (pronounced Spitestown and once known as Little Bristol due to its English shipping links). Barbados was founded on sugar cane and the hotel’s colonial building, originally named Camelot, was built in 1941 by sugar plantation owner Josh Haynes. It stands

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back from the road amidst lush gardens of plumbago, bougainvillea, sago palm and the occasional glimpse of a green monkey. Our accommodation in the grounds resembled a beach house with shuttered doors opening onto a miniature lawn and a view straight from a travel brochure. What appeared to be rats scurrying across our threshold turned out to be wild mongooses that thrive on the bounty of lizards and crabs. Speaking of bounty, it was Crop Over Festival. Crop Over is Barbadians’ harvest festival that between May and August brings much celebration including calypso and soca music, lavish costumed parades, and a huge market. Events rejoice in names like Cohobblopot and Foreday Morning Jam where, one local told us, normally sensible, educated and respectable Barbadians go ‘jumping up’. Daubing themselves in a rainbow of paint, people street party until daybreak, fuelled by boundless Bajan rum. On Bank Holiday Monday, along with most of the island, we descended on the scorching capital Bridgetown to celebrate Grand Kadooment, the all-day carnival parade and Crop Over finale. Barbados has 275,000 inhabitants, and it would seem that each one is delighted to make your acquaintance. From the hotel staff, including the chef, who lined up to greet us on our arrival to the local children frolicking in an impossibly turquoise sea, everyone had a friendly greeting and a story to share. There is an island saying: ‘Barbados is 20 miles long and a smile wide’ and visiting it, it is easy to understand why. Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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Three Counties Radio

Should You Bother With Loyalty Cards? By Jonathan Vernon-Smith From the Tesco Clubcard to the Boots Advantage Card. The Morrison’s miles card to the Sainsbury’s Nectar card. All the big companies are doing it – encouraging us to be LOYAL to them and not to stray elsewhere. But which of these schemes should we bother with, and which should we completely ignore? The first thing you need to understand about loyalty schemes is that they’re NOT giving you anything for free. The shops that offer rewards for your loyalty, build the cost into their schemes. Ultimately their customers pay for it, but indirectly. Therefore it’s up to you to be a savvy consumer to maximise the benefit. They’ll be furious at me for telling you this, but DO NOT LET THE LOYALTY CARDS MAKE LOYAL! Just because you get points for shopping at a certain supermarket doesn’t mean you’re getting the best deal on your groceries. Keep your eyes open and be prepared to shop around, and maybe even do your shopping at a company that doesn’t reward you in any way. When you empty the bags in your kitchen, you may still end up better off than you would have done with all your so called ‘loyalty’ points. Remember you can use cash in more shops than you can points! If you’ve saved cash, it means more. That said, it’s still worth having them. You’ll notice I said ‘them’. I did so deliberately. My advice is to get THEM ALL! Either online or in-store, you should apply for ALL the (free) loyalty schemes in the shops you frequent. That way you can benefit both in price and in points. If you’ve researched and found the best price for a product you want to buy AND you benefit from getting loyalty points (that can eventually be redeemed for something meaningful), then you really have earned the right to consider yourself a ‘SAVVY’ consumer. Some energy providers now provide points for certain loyalty cards. For example if you have your gas or electricity with E-On, you can link your account with your Tesco Clubcard and earn points every time you switch a light on. If you’re already with E-On and feel they offer you the best price, then this is an added benefit, but as I mentioned earlier, these loyalty incentives are rarely enough to switch supplier based on loyalty points alone. Most petrol stations now provide a loyalty scheme for fuel. For example you can earn Nectar points by filling up at a BP garage. That’s fine if you were going to fill up at a BP station anyway, but please remember that it’s still more important to shop around for the best price on fuel, rather than choosing a garage based on the loyalty points you can earn. In the end you’re saving may be worth much more than the points are worth. It’s also worth noting that many credit cards offer a ‘points’ system to keep customers loyal to them. This can be very beneficial. I recently had a statement telling me that I have used my credit card so much in the last year that I’m entitled to 24 bottles of Pinot Grigio! Considering I practically bathe in the stuff, this made me do a little dance in my kitchen. I would have purchased the items anyway, but by ensuring I paid for them on my credit card (whilst paying off the balance in full), I have earned myself a little treat!! Always do your research before you get a credit card. Make sure you look at the loyalty scheme they operate and ensure they reward buying things in shops you use the most. Finally don’t forget to use them and ensure you have a big purse or wallet. If you follow the advice above, you’ll need one!

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 advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

COMPETITION

Christmas

is around the corner!

More to see, try, touch, taste, enjoy… and buy at The Festive Gift Fair Join in the fun at the fabulous FESTIVE GIFT FAIR, the biggest and best Christmas Shopping Fair, returns to the NEC for four days from 20 - 23 November. Christmas means gifts for your loved ones, hanging decorations on the tree, excitement on children’s faces, party clothes, stockings hanging over the hearth, a table fit for a festive feast! The run up to Christmas Day involves lots of planning! The hardest and often most time consuming part is buying the presents. There’s no need to be stuck for ideas, Festive Gift Fair makes it so easy. From the moment you arrive, you’ll get into the Christmas spirit, and be caught up in the excitement of browsing round over 325 stalls hunting for your perfect gifts. And when your bags are full, you can drop them off at the Present Crèche and continue to shop, stop for a bite to eat and enjoy some great Christmas music by bands and choirs. It’s no wonder this is one of the most popular events at the NEC! We love the challenge of finding unusual gift ideas – with so many to see at the Fair, selecting the best is a challenge indeed! EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY! Raise a glass! That’s the spirit! FOR THE WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE. Mum, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Girlfriend There’s nothing more satisfying than finding a special thoughtful surprise they will love. …. FOR THE MEN IN YOUR LIFE. Chaps can be notoriously difficult to buy for – you’ll find Whisky, woollies, watches, clever gadgets and silly stocking fillers at Festive Gift Fair………. KIDS STUFF. You’ve managed to keep the presents out of sight from little prying eyes for weeks, and NOW the big day is here. All smiles on Christmas Day! SET THE SCENE FOR A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS. Dressing the tree is just the start! Dressing your table, your hall, your mantle-piece can all help make Christmas Day really special. Light lots of twinkling candles, use elegant glasses, colour coordinated linen… you’ll find lots of inspiration at Festive Gift Fair.

We have 10 pairs of tickets to give away Simply send your name and address by Fri 7th Nov 2014 to: Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The Winner will be drawn at random. If you are not a lucky winner, adult tickets are priced from just £8.50. Book now by calling NEC Ticket Hotline on 0844 581 0808/0809 or online at www.theticketfactory.com (£2.50 per booking transaction).

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Our award winning magazines offer a unique local advertising platform. Printed on high quality paper we are still able to offer incredible prices along with a second-to-none service, professional advert design and a team just waiting to help you. With over 9,500 copies being delivered door to door every month can your business wait any longer to be in The Villager? Advertising in The Villager and Town Life could not be easier, for further information or to book your advertising space please call Nigel on 01767 261122 or e-mail nigel@villagermag.com or visit our website www.villagermag.com

Why advertise anywhere else? 20

Travelogue

Bula!

By Melanie Ridley

Fiji is situated in the south west Pacific sea above New Zealand and Australia and consists of 322 islands, 106 of which are inhabited. Once my adventures and travels down under had come to an end, the next stop was to be the Yasawas Islands, a group of islands situated to the north west of Viti Levu on the mainland. While scuba diving in Australia, I had the privilege of swimming with an array of relatively small sharks, namely white tip and black tip reef sharks on the Great Barrier Reef, but this wasn’t enough to satisfy my adrenaline needs! So while staying at Coralview Island resort, Fiji, I signed myself up for another dive. However, this was no ordinary scuba dive. It was one specifically designed to feed sharks! And after looking through my Dive Masters photographs from previous dives, I felt as though there was nothing I could do to prepare myself for what I was about to endure. The dive was arranged for my last morning on the island. So after packing up my things (this seems to be all I ever do) and heading for breakfast, I was ready for my dive, physically rather than mentally. As I headed for the dive site - Cathedral Reef - along with the 10 other divers and four dive masters, you could sense everybody’s mixed emotions. After jumping into the turquoise water,

I dunked my head under to check how much visibility we had. Little did I know, I already had three bull sharks lurking below! Once we had reached our maximum depth for the dive of 25 metres, we were led to a long line of rope which had been secured at both ends to the sea bed. In front of us was a metal box containing the sharks’ breakfast - tuna heads. While we were watching a local Fijian man hand feed bull sharks, lemon sharks, grey reef sharks, and white and black tip reef sharks, I could feel my heart racing in my chest. To see them this close in their own habitat was something I believe I will never experience again. Even though I was so terrified I could hardly move, I still could not take my eyes off these beautiful aquatic animals. Before we had set off on the dive boat that morning, one of my dive masters had explained I should keep an eye out not only for the sharks but also their teeth! However, I didn’t realise he meant the ones that had fallen out of their mouth! Part way through the dive, he came up to me and placed his hand out towards me. In return, I outstretched my palm into which he placed a freshly shed shark tooth! Once all the tuna heads had been devoured, I began our return to the surface, the whole time checking over my shoulder to catch my last glimpse of these monsters of the sea.

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Fun Quiz - Creepy Crawlies 1. What type of insects would you keep in a formicarium? 2. The Colorado Beetle is particularly known for attacking which crop? 3. Which insect has a two word name with the first word being named according to the stance it typically adopts, and the second word being the Greek work for “fortune teller”? 4. The name of which insect comes from an old wives’ tale that it would burrow into the brains of humans and lay eggs? 5. Insects have bodies that are split into three parts. The head and the abdomen are two of these, but what name is given to the third part that lies in between these? 6. How many eyes do most spiders have? 7. By what three word name is the crane fly commonly known in the UK? 8. With a name derived from a Greek term meaning “stomach footed”, what is the name given to the class of animals to which snails and slugs belong? 9. What name is given to the fear of spiders? 10. Which traditonal Spanish song has a title that literally translates as “The Cockroach”?

Before

After

1. Ants 2. Potatoes 3. The praying mantis 4. Earwig 5. The thorax 6. Eight 7. Daddy long legs 8. Gastropods 9. Arachnophobia 10. La Cucaracha

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Couples Counsellor

Helen’s Helpful Hints

No. 5 - Are you suspicious your partner is having an affair? All affairs indicate that there is something lacking in the relationship. It is seldom that there is just one perfect ‘Mr or Ms Right’ for each person. There are many people with whom one can have a successful relationship. But to make a good relationship the couple must commit to each other. There are different types of affairs, some of which will be fatal to the relationship, but in most cases, as long as you work through the hurt and anger and seek counselling to help you understand where it went wrong, you can start anew with each other based on who you are now and achieve a

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more meaningful and successful relationship. It is worth trying to set a good example to your children and avoid the pain, distress and financial wreckage that a separation can cause. If you feel that your relationship might be affected by an affair and you could do with some help and support, 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 I am located in Pirton, Herts. www.counsellorsandcounselling.co.uk

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Local News

Variety Express Annual Charity Show Children benefit from ‘Best of British’ Two local charities supporting children with special needs are set to benefit when Variety Express performs their annual charity variety show Best of British at St Francis College Theatre, Broadway, Letchworth from Wednesday 29th October to Saturday 1st November. Best of British will take audiences on a coach tour of the British Isles through song, dance and comedy. Starting in England and travelling to Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the cast of Variety Express will pay homage to Adele, Van Morrison, Lulu and Rod Stewart. It promises to leave audiences “feeling proud to be residents in our great country”. Producer Lindsay Head said: ‘We guarantee fun and enjoyment for everyone. All those involved have worked so hard to put on a great show and the more people we have coming, the more ‘feel good’ factor we get while raising money for two well-deserved charities”. The charities that were chosen by the theatre company are St John’s Special School Association, Kempston and The Autism Avenue, Biggleswade. St John’s Special School Association will use its

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donation to create an outdoor sensory area for students who have profound and multiple learning disabilities. While The Autism Avenue, a support group run by families for families that have a child who has autism, will use their donation to expand the support available to enable more families to attend and to fund child-led activities at their holiday groups. Variety Express was conceived over a few drinks in the pub in 1980 when a number of people, several of whom had previously been involved in amateur theatre productions, suggested forming a new entertainment group. They thought a combination of singing and dancing with a little comedy thrown in would be a good recipe. This group could then perform locally and raise some much needed money for local charities. The proceeds of that first show, some £200, were tripled the following year and have increased substantially ever since. In fact, since its conception back in 1980, Variety Express has donated over £104,000 to charities including nursing homes, Lister Hospital and dozens of specialist care organisations. Variety Express is still going strong and involves a team of well over 30 members with each person providing an essential role, from backstage to sound and lighting technicians to the cast itself. Variety Express has come a long way in its thirty four year history and its aim is to provide fabulous entertainment at a very reasonable price while most importantly giving its chosen charities the biggest donation possible. For tickets and further information visit www. varityexpress.org.uk or if you would like to know how you could become involved with Variety Express from starring in the show to stage crew or front of house, contact Diane Humberstone on 07786840535. Evening performances start at 7.30pm and Saturday matinee at 2.00pm. Tickets are now available online and cost £9 adults and £7 concessions.

Travel

Luang Prabang - Ancient Capital of Laos by Solange Hando

In the lush northern hills of Laos, the old city of Luang Prabang is a delightful maze of pristine alleyways festooned in potted plants and bougainvillaea. The fragrance of frangipani lingers under the blue sky, mingling with the aroma of French baguettes and freshly-brewed coffee. Heavy traffic is banned from the historic centre where pedestrians and cyclists wander through the lanes. Time seems to stand still. Tucked on a scenic peninsula, Luang Prabang nestles at the confluence of the Mekong, all silvery waters dotted with boats and islands, and the emerald green river Khan, spanned by bouncy bamboo bridges washed away every year during the monsoon. Rustic hotels and quaint al fresco restaurants line the left bank where spirit houses ensure good luck. Across the water, tiny allotments tumble down the steep slopes, crickets sing in the trees and myriad frogs join in the chorus at night. In 1995, Luang Prabang was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO for its natural sites, including the nearby Kuang Si waterfalls and the Buddha caves of Pak Ou, and its finely restored architecture, from gilded temples to colonial bungalows and mansions. Often converted into guest houses, the latter boast stylish verandahs and pastel-hued faĂ§ades framed by lofty palm trees. Here and there, a traditional bamboo hut peeps through the greenery while a wooden house on stilts mirrors its amber-coloured walls in a lily pond. Buddhist flags flutter in the breeze and every morning at 6.00, drums beat in the temples to announce the start of the alms procession. Even before the first rays of the sun light up the river Khan, the people of Luang Prabang line the main street, heads bowed, holding offerings of sticky rice, bananas, biscuits and more. For the

monks, this is an act of humility, for the faithful an opportunity to share food and earn merits. Barefoot and clad in saffron robes, hundreds of monks hurry past in single file, taking only what they need and leaving plenty for families to take home. A few tourists join in but it is a dignified affair full of spiritual vibes. Among the 30 or so temples in town, the 16th century Wat Xieng Thong claims centre stage with its overlapping roofs sweeping down almost to the ground, its Buddha images and its gold-stencil and mosaic decorations. At the far end of the complex, a stone lion guards the steps leading down to the Mekong where royalty used to land, paying respect in the temple before heading for their palace. Right across town, tucked among flowering trees, the monasteries offer wonderful oases of peace sprinkled with shrines, chapels and stupas. All is quiet except when the haunting chant of evening prayers rises all around. The former Royal Palace is now a museum, reached along a regal avenue of palms and filled with memorabilia. It was built to replace a wooden palace in the early 20th century, Lao style with a French touch. The gates close late afternoon then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for the night market to set up its stalls along the street, brimming with silk scarves, tribal blankets, ceramics, bamboo lamps, silver and ethnic bags. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great place to sample the local delicacies, from Lao noodles to barbecued fish and fried river moss. Meanwhile, locals and visitors gather on the Phusi Hill to enjoy the most fabulous views over the peninsula, the river Khan and the legendary Mekong turning all shades of gold in the setting sun.

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TEMPLARS CROSS LODGE www.templarscrosslodge.co.uk Close to Baldock town centre in spacious surroundings this motel style Bed & Breakfast offers off road parking. • continental breakfast • large luxury en-suite rooms • free wifi internet access • sky tv/dvd player • fridge in room • private location • close to train station • major credit cards taken

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Health

Tea and Coffee The Good and the Bad By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

We meet up for coffee; invite friends for a cuppa. But are these drinks friends or foes? Caffeine The good: Caffeine increases our alertness, and may temporarily sharpen our cognitive abilities. Substantial research suggests that coffee and tea drinkers are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, most likely due to caffeine, which may help with symptoms. The bad: Caffeine can raise blood pressure and adrenaline levels. It can relax pelvic muscles, making you urinate more frequently. High levels may be linked to low birth weight or miscarriage. The truth: Maximum protection against Parkinson’s disease seems to come from just three cups of tea or coffee daily. While lab results seem promising, there’s no definitive evidence linking tea and coffee drinking with reduced Alzheimer’s risk. Our bodies can become accustomed to caffeine. Without it we can become tired, irritable, headachy and even shaky and nauseous. So how much is too much? Recommended limits average at 400-600mg per day and just 200mg if you’re pregnant. • cup of green tea: 40mg • cup of normal tea: 70mg • mug of instant coffee: 100mg • filter coffee: 150mg • average latte: 150mg • large Americano: 200mg Don’t forget other caffeine sources

too: energy drinks, chocolate and some painkillers and fizzy drinks. Antioxidants The good: Antioxidants mop up free radicals which can damage our cells. We all know green tea contains antioxidants, but so do black tea and coffee - just at lower levels. The bad: It’s unclear how much we benefit from these antioxidants once our body has processed our cuppa. But active compounds in green tea are being used in research with nanotherapeutics – the development of microscopic compounds that escape processing to find and target diseases, including cancer. The truth: Many foods contain antioxidants, often at higher levels than tea and coffee, so there are better sources. Diabetes prevention and management The good: Some evidence suggests that moderate amounts of coffee or tea, drunk black or with little milk, may slightly reduce the risk of Diabetes Type 2. The bad: There’s also research showing that high coffee intake may impair insulin resistance, making it harder to stabilise blood sugar levels. The truth: You’re likely to see both theories in the media, but more research that eliminates other influential factors is needed.

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Reducing stroke, coronary heart disease risk and cholesterol levels The good: Some studies suggest that drinking tea and coffee reduces stroke, coronary heart disease risk and cholesterol levels. The bad: Contradictory evidence. One study found high tea consumption, and low and high coffee consumption reduced stroke risk most,– moderate consumption made no difference. Reported reductions in cholesterol levels were small. The truth: Once again, more research is needed to exclude other factors and study long-term effects. Liver health The good: Research suggests moderate consumers of coffee and green tea are less likely to suffer from NALD (non-alcoholic liver disease). The bad: High intake of green tea supplements has been linked to liver damage, although it’s not clear whether green tea extract or another ingredient is guilty. The truth: Tea or coffee can’t prevent or reverse liver damage if you drink or smoke heavily. So moderation seems best. Three or four cups of tea or coffee daily appear to give maximum health benefits and minimum risk, and without milk or sugar they’ll be calorie free - but practically nutrition-free too, so drink fruit juices and dairy-based drinks as well.

Making an Impact Impact Interiors. By Catherine Rose Impact Interiors and Flooring of Henlow is the brainchild of husband and wife team Matthew and Nina Blythe and it has just celebrated its first anniversary. With a showroom at the end of the high street, the aim of the company is to be able to provide a whole solution in one place for all your interior needs. Catherine Rose paid them a visit. With a background in carpentry and flooring, Matthew is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Building. His wife Nina has experience in soft furnishings and interior design, having previously worked for John Lewis. Using their joint expertise, they decided to set up their own company after they initially saw a need for a good quality interior supplier in the local area providing everything you would need in terms of interior décor for your home. The bright and welcoming showroom officially opened on 7th September 2013 and the company has just celebrated its first birthday with bubbly, balloons and 10% discount at a wellattended open day and evening. The discount was extended until the end of September.

However, local customers continue to save 10% on all orders as Matthew and Nina strongly believe in providing a great service to the local community. As a result, they are also happy to offer free local advice and evening visits/ quotations. With an emphasis on the personal touch and good customer relations, Impact Interiors covers the middle to top end of the interior design market. Matthew says: “We are growing through word of mouth reputation and fast establishing ourselves as a local provider of quality interiors.” And quality is clearly of paramount importance when it comes to the vast array of the best named products available at the Impact Interiors showroom. These include a wide range of carpets from manufacturers such as Axminster; wood and Karndean flooring; the latest wallpaper by wellknown companies like Harlequin and Sanderson; lighting; curtains (including tie backs, poles and finials), and blinds and wooden shutters by S-Craft and Luxaflex. Matthew describes Impact Interiors as “the biggest supplier of shutters in the area”. What’s more, they offer free fitting on all

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their shutters, curtains and blinds. Luxaflex orders can arrive in as little as two weeks. The showroom is packed with samples and brochures of what is available as well as a display of attractive on- trend ornaments including candles, clocks and even jewellery. There are also some lovely greetings cards. The company stocks seasonal gifts and runs promotions, their next being a series of Christmas shopping evenings where customers can purchase festive ornaments and cards, both at the shop and at the beautiful setting of Champneys nearby. Gift vouchers are available. The many samples to browse through include a range of fabric as the company also offers what is fast becoming a popular re-upholstery service. As well as providing an experienced upholsterer, when it comes to fitting anything from flooring to electrics, or hanging wallpaper, Matthew and Nina can supply local tradesmen to clients who need them. “We believe in the importance of local businesses” explains Matthew. The couple is currently delighted with customer growth to date and thanks to increasing recommendation, more people are hearing about them and coming in to see what they have to offer. This has led to a lot of repeat business. Impact Interiors is situated opposite The Crown public house at the end of Henlow’s High Street and the shop has negotiated free parking at the pub for its clients, as well as having customer parking bays at the right hand side of the showroom. The first Christmas shopping evening is on 14th November at the shop between 5pm and 8pm and the second is on 5th December where you can enjoy 10% off all merchandise, a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. Other planned events are listed on the website, and Matthew and Nina are looking forward to a busy autumn. Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

So, if you are in the Beds,Herts or Cambs area and thinking about a new look for any aspect of your home, make sure you don’t miss paying them a visit at:

Impact Interiors & Flooring 15a High Street, Henlow, Beds SG16 6BS Mon - Sat 10am-5pm 01462 816 429 07787 598 770 nina@impact-interiors.co.uk www.impact-interiors.co.uk 33

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Garden

Conifers

By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com

Conifers are a great way to add colour, texture and living sculpture to your garden 365 days of the year. With several hundred different cultivars of conifer to choose from in the UK, there really is one to suit every situation. Dwarf Conifers - There are many conifers which reach a maximum height of 1m (3ft). These are obviously particularly useful for small gardens and will often add a great extra dimension to a rock garden or a small-scale border. They may need an occasional trimming, but generally hold their shape well. Recommended: Picea abies ‘Little Gem’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Gnome’ , Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Minima Aurea’, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Vilmoriniana’, Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ Tall and Narrow - Very stylish, many of the columnar or tall, slim conifers look especially stunning when used to create a screen, or to add height to a mixed border or a shrub border. Being rather like a living sculpture they are also good grown as a single specimen tree in a lawn. Recommended: Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata Aurea’, Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’, Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’. Pyramid-shaped Conifers - With their relatively wide bases and narrow tops, pyramidal conifers can bring welcome shape, texture and evergreen colour to your garden and if carefully position are often useful to hide an eyesore. Recommended: Picea albertiana ‘Conica’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Yvonne’ or Thymus occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ Spherical Conifers - With their prominently rounded shape these conifers naturally produce a sculptured look and are perfect for growing either side of a gateway or house entrance. They also look great in a mixed border, adding colour, texture and

interest when many of the other border ingredients are below ground. Recommended: Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sunset’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Minima Glauca’, Thuja occidentalis ‘Danice’ Ground-Cover Conifers - Great for hiding low-lying eyesores such as manhole covers, an evergreen groundcover hides them all year long. Low growing conifers also work well for covering steep slopes and edging paths and beds. They will help to keep weeds at bay and are very low maintenance. Recommended: Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Coat’, Juniperus conferata, Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’. Conifers for Containers - Conifers can look great on their own or in a mixed planting where they help to bring structure, texture and colour. Recommended: Juniperus compressa ‘Compressa’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Ellwood’s Gold’, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan-Sugi’ , Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Springtime’, Pinus leucodermis ‘Schmidtii’ Conifer Planting and Growing Tips - Make the planting hole a minimum of 1m wide by 30cm deep and incorporate plenty of bulky organic matter such as garden compost, proprietary planting mix or well-rotted manure. Tease or spread out the roots well and backfill the hole with garden soil mixed with planting compost. Make sure that only the roots are below the soil surface, water in well. Keep the soil moist at all times, especially during late spring and summer.Feed in April using a proprietary fertiliser to keep the growth good and ensure it is a good colour. Trim conifers regularly but remember if you cut back into old or brown growth you’ll end up expose all the old growth as they don’t produce dormant buds.

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Garden

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Garden Power! Gardening is a bit like Marmite: you either love it or you hate it. But whatever your reasons for doing it, there is a way to make it quicker, easier and more effective - power tools! You should opt for the lighter-weight, less powerful, electrically operated versions if your garden is on the small side, and choose the heavier, more powerful, petrol-operated gadgets for larger lawns and longer hedges. Cordless electric tools, powered by rechargeable batteries, are also available to allow more freedom of movement and reduce the chance of cutting your cord in half! There are four types of lawn mower â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the cylinder mower that produces an even, close cut ideal for flat lawns; the rotary mower which is better for longer grass and uneven lawns; the hover mower which floats on a bed of air to make it easier to manoeuvre; and the hand mower which is environmentally friendly and has no running costs. In all cases, the addition of a box or bag to collect grass will save you time and energy. A trimmer keeps borders tidy, paths free of grass, and reaches areas around bushes and trees which can be difficult to access with a mower. Hedge trimmers have two blades which work against each other rapidly. Trimmers with double action blades are more efficient than single action trimmers where only one blade moves. Longer blades cut quicker. A 450-560mm blade is fine for an average-sized hedge, but larger or denser Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

hedges may need one longer. The blade width indicates the maximum thickness of the branches you can cut, so a 16mm blade can cut branches up to 16mm thick. Telescopic trimmers are available for higher hedges. Blowers are useful in autumn for clearing an area of fallen leaves and directing them into a specific spot. Once collected they can be vacuumed up along with other light debris then shredded into an attached storage bag. Blowers and vacuums can come separately, or as a combination blower vacuum. The surface of a lawn can become covered in leaves, moss and thatch (plant debris) which prevent water, oxygen and nutrients from getting into the soil. Rakers aerate the lawn and remove leaves, moss and other garden debris. Some also incorporate a scarifier with blades that push into the soil to remove moss and thatch. Shredders dispose of branches, twigs and leaves. Rapid impact shredders chop leaves and green branches finely into mulch. Crushing-shredders are quieter and are suitable for turning woody branches into chips. As shredders sometimes get blocked, look for one with a reversible option or other anti-blocking mechanism. Finally, how about a chain-saw? Used to cut down trees, lop branches and cut firewood, they are much faster than an axe, but should only be used when wearing appropriate safety gear. Now, where did I put that tub of Marmite?

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Pets

Animal Queries Dear RSPCA vet, We have just bought an 8-week-old kitten. He seemed fine for the first few days but now seems to be sneezing and his eyes are running. Is this because he is in a new house, or could it be more serious? Miss K Doyle, Potton

Dear Miss Doyle, Kittens can become very poorly, very quickly – so it is vitally important that you take him to see a vet as soon as possible. From the information you’ve given me, I would be concerned that he might have ‘cat flu’. This is seen most commonly in kittens (but older cats can also get it) and the symptoms include, fever, sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, conjunctivitis and occasionally ulcers on the surface of the eye. Ulcers may also develop on the tongue. Anorexia can be a problem, especially in kittens, leading to dehydration which can be life threatening. If caught early enough, antibiotics can be prescribed and your kitten should recover. However, to prevent further problems – or your

kitten becoming a carrier of the virus, which can affect other cats – it is vital to have him vaccinated around nine weeks of age, with the important second dose being given at 12 weeks. A booster vaccination one year on is important to enhance the initial level of immunity. Regular boosters throughout a cat’s life will help maintain a good level of protection against ‘cat flu’, feline parvovirus and feline leukaemia. Your vet can advise you on the frequency of these boosters. These are still, unfortunately, quite common illnesses that can generally be avoided by vaccinating our kittens and cats. As responsible pet owners we should all consider the impact our actions have on the wider cat population. It is generally our in-action – such as not seeking a vet’s advice, failing to vaccinate, neuter or microchip our pets – that causes the most distress to our animals. ANIMAL QUERIES 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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Motoring

Best 4x4s

by James Baggott, Car Dealer Magazine (CarDealerMag.co.uk) With rugged looks, commanding view of the road and the ability to get you out of some sticky situations, a 4x4 makes sense for lots of drivers. From mummies collecting at the school gates to business owners who need a reliable working vehicle, there’s plenty of choice in the off-road category. What’s more the latest crop of pumped-up SUVs also offer clever technology, luxurious interiors and don’t have to cost the earth. Here we take a look at five of our favourites for you to put a new reg plate on. Nissan Qashqai - Price: From £17,595 The Nissan Qashqai has recently been revamped – giving it fresh looks to keep it firmly placed in the top 10 best-selling cars in the UK chart. It’s a compact SUV that’s easy to live with every day, affordable and extremely comfortable. The new exterior design tweaks look superb, it’s wonderfully refined and the interior is packed with helpful new technology. With plenty of engine choice it’s hard to beat. Dacia Duster - Price: From £9,495 The budget brand offers no-nonsense, affordable and practical cars – and the Duster is our pick of the range. With chunky off-road styling, genuine 4x4 capability and prices that wouldn’t look out of place in a cash and carry it’s certainly worth a look. Think more functional than luxury, with the base spec coming without a radio and air-con. We’d say for the top-of-the-range model that’ll still be less

than most hatchbacks. BMW X3 - Price: From £30,990 The BMW X3 is the little brother to the Range Rover-rivaling X5, but don’t let that you put you off. It’s got the cache of that blue and white propeller badge on the bonnet, is beautifully trimmed and is built for comfort. Some say the styling isn’t as sharp as it needs to be, but with plenty of spec and low running costs it’s well worth a look. Jeep Grand Cherokee - Price: From £37,705 With fresh new looks straight out of Stateside, the Jeep brings a slice of American Pie to a sometimes-bland car category. Beefy looks match its proportions and it’s certainly recognisable on the roads with an imposing stance. Packed with technology, a sumptuous interior and a surprisingly economic 2.0-litre engine choice, the Grand Cherokee is a leftfield choice that shouldn’t be ignored. Mitsubishi Outlander - Price: From £23,984 With an innovative plug-in hybrid variant that can do 30 miles on pure electric, combined with a combustion engine for longer journeys, the Outlander is carving a niche in the SUV market. Ok, so the looks won’t set the world on fire, but it’s well-made, extremely capable off road and is comfortable to drive. With very competitive pricing thrown into the mix, you really should try an Outlander.

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Ian O’Neil Bespoke Furniture Cabinet making Joinery Furniture repair Furniture finishing Antique furniture restoration French Polishing Antique and modern upholstery No job too small Free quotes Established 1995

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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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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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ROOFLINE PRODUCTS INSTALLED BY THE PROFESSIONALS

PVC-U soffits, fascia, guttering and cladding in flat and woodgrain effects and a choice of colour

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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

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

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1st Glass Window Repairs 30

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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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Septemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword, Codeword and Suduko Solutions Last Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword Winner Mrs P Bowles from St Neots

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The Villager Prize Crossword

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ÂŁ25

Across 1 Cars, vans and buses etc (7) 5 Type of sailing boat (5) 8 Enhance (7) 9 Perfect (5) 10 Severe (5) 11 Playhouse (7) 12 Reliable (6) 14 Shovels (6) 17 Extremely old (7) 19 Endangered species (5) 22 Tracks (5) 23 Sportsman (7) 24 Father (5) 25 Female relations (7)

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

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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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For a informal chat about your requirements you are welcome to call, email or write to us. There is no pressure or obligation so call us today and start the road to positive change.

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email: p.hamilton@qualitysupportsolutions.co.ukSupport • www.qualitysupportsolutions.co.uk with Care 56

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Painting & Decorating Property Maintenance

SEMI RETIRED

BRICK LAYER For those smaller jobs 40 years in the trade

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04/09/2014 15:0

n O s ’ t a h W 1 October North Herts Association of National Trust 7.30pm Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Non-members £2 The first meeting of our winter season is about Norton Henge. Not a member of NT? Don’t worry all are welcome. During the winter we meet monthly on the first Wednesday of the month at Christchurch. Tel: Colin Roberts 01462 456869 Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nhertfordassoc 2 October Optics Demo 10am-4pm The Lodge Shop, RSPB The Lodge, Sandy Free event Our friendly expert will be on hand to demonstrate the latest binoculars and telescopes. Give them a try to find the best pair for you, while enjoying the birds coming to the nearby feeders. Car Park and entrance charge of £5 apply to all events for non-RSPB members. Tel: 01767 680541 Web: www.rspb.org.uk 2 October Baldock Floral Society 7.30pm Community Centre, Baldock Baldock Floral Society competition evening. All welcome - free entry. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 October 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 3 October Bedfordshire Family History Society 7.15pm Mark Rutherford School Drama Hall, Bedford, MK42 9RX. Members free, Visitors £2 Illustrated talk is “Wills – Not just a source for your better off ancestor by Celia Heritage”. Bedfordshire Family History Society welcomes new members to its talks. Library and bookstall are available at meetings. Next meeting will be 7 November. Web: www.bfhs.org.uk 4 October Garden Square Craft Market 8.30am-4.30pm Garden Square Shopping Centre, Letchworth 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.

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

4 October 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

4 October Wildlife of The Lodge - in Watercolour 11am-3pm The Lodge Shop, RSPB The Lodge, Sandy Free event Local wildlife artist Steve Kershaw will be painting the birds and wildlife that he encounters on his regular walks around The Lodge reserve and gardens, and demonstrating his amazing art work. Find Steve at the Visitor Information Centre (in good weather only). Paintings for sale. Donations from sales to the RSPB. Car park and entrance charge of £5 apply to all events for non-RSPB members. Tel: 01767 680541 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge 4 October Jumble Sale 2pm St. Mary’s Church Hall, Stotfold The hall will be open on Friday 3 October from 4-6.30pm and from 9am on Saturday morning to receive jumble. If you have items you would like to be collected, please contact Chris Webster 01462 834108. Refreshments available. 4 October Crafting Potting Shed Craft Club 2-5pm Stondon Village Hall Monthly craft club. Email: mycraftypottingshed@gmail.com for more information 4 October Chas & Dave and The Ouse Valley Singles Club 7.30pm The Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, NN8 1AX Tickets: £25 Chas ‘n’ Dave are great musicians and know how to give an audience a good time. They have gained a cult audience of both young and old and due to public demand they are about to be seen together on stage once more. Guest support will come from The Ouse Valley Singles Club. Tickets: The Castle Theatre 01933 229022 or www.thecastle.org.uk Web: www.thepadpresents.com for more information

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4 & 5 October 15th Ashwell Book Weekend Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm St. Mary’s Church, Ashwell Entrance £1, Children under 16 free Come and browse among the many books, videos and DVDs for sale at bargain prices. Refreshments available. All proceeds for the Church Restoration Appeal. 5 October Silver Sunday 2-5pm The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Rosehill Hospital, Hitchin Road, Letchworth, SG6 3NA The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living will be participating in “Silver Sunday”, a national celebration of older people and their contribution to communities. Silver Sunday is offering people over 65 a chance to keep active in body and spirit, try new things, meet new people and build bridges to overcome loneliness and isolation. 2-3pm: Moving Mindfully and Rosehill Singers; 3-4pm: T’ai Chi and Restorative Yoga; 4-5pm: Circle Dance and Gentle Yoga Rosehill Café will be open from 2pm offering a complimentary tea or coffee per person. Speciality teas and coffees, as well as delicious homemade cakes available to purchase. Tel: 01462 678804 Web: www.letchworthcentre.org 7 October North Herts Archaeological Society 8pm Free Church, Norton Way South, Letchworth Charge for admission Lecture by Professor Michael Fulford, University of Reading entitled “Excavations of iron age and Roman era at Roman Town of Silchester”. All welcome. 8 October 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 for further information 9 October Japan: Land of Contrasts 7pm for 7.30pm British Schools Museum, Hitchin Tickets £5 including tea/coffee An illustrated talk by Joy Hall on her fascinating experiences of the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’. Tel: 01462 420144 Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk/ 11 October Concert by Peregrine Recorder Orchestra 7.30pm The Conservative Club, Bedford Road, Sandy Concert by Peregrine Recorder Orchestra in aid of The Royal British Legion. Varied programme of music will include the glorious singing of Karen Beer and piano duets. Bar available.

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11 October The Vauxhall Male Voice Choir Concert 7.30pm St Andrew’s Parish Church, Langford Tickets £8 each including light refreshments The Friends of St. Andrew’s Church Langford present the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir in Concert. Programme includes Bridge Over Troubled Water, My Way and Autumn Leaves. Tel: Jim Dickson 01462 700355 or John Searle 01462 634698 for further information & advance tickets 13 October Icknield Quilters 7.45pm Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock Visitors £4 Speaker will be Linda Turner ‘Looking at Landscapes’. Visitors welcome. 25 October The Vauxhall Male Voice Choir & Organ Recital 7.30pm St. Mary’s Church, Meppershall Tickets £10, Family £30 Organ Recital by James Banville. Bar. Tickets: Trevor Thorley 01462 813357, Rogers Bakery and The Post Office 26 October Give Nature a Home Discovery Day 11am-3pm The Lodge Shop, RSPB The Lodge, Sandy RSPB members £3, Adults £4, RSPB Wildlife Explorers £2, Children £3 An event full of fun and discovery. Activities include: Close up views of the birds at the ringing demonstrations; Ian Harvey the amazing owl pellet man shows what owls hunt and eat in his engaging sessions; Beds Natural History Society- local wildlife information, touch and feel displays, quizzes and much more; Small Mammal Trapping - join the Beds Natural History Society to discover what 4-legged creatures we can find here today; Get nice and messy making bird cake; Wildlife badge making and face painting ( small extra charges for these activities) and RSPB experts on hand to give advice on Giving Nature a Home. Bacon and veggie sausage baps, and hot soup/ tea and coffee for sale. Car park charge of £5 applies to non-RSPB members. Tel: 01767 680541 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge 31 October & 1 November Family Halloween Event 5.30pm Adults £6, Children £8.50 The Friends of the Swiss Garden Family Halloween Event returns this year. 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

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Books Aerials and Satellites AERIALS & SATELLITES

BOOK REVIEW

By Bruce Edwards

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The English Girl

Margaret Leroy Published: Sphere p/b £7.99 ISBN: 978-1-4055-3095-8 One of the essential characteristics for an intriguing and captivating story is the writer’s ability to portray mood, to have a feel for the period and the ambience of the setting. All too often we come across stories written in the ‘he said - she said’ simplistic manner, but not here. Our country is presently gripped with grim nostalgia (the word originally coined to describe a disease) engendered by a plethora of war time anniversaries; it is therefore apposite to read Leroy’s extraordinarily atmospheric version of how the oncoming political unrest and anti-Semitic actions in the late 1930’s Vienna affected a refreshingly naïve English girl. Young Stella comes to the city to further her piano playing skills and becomes intoxicated with the pre-war Austrian life style. She meets and falls in love with a young Jewish doctor, maybe all too readily and thus to her practical disadvantage. Alas, the dark underside of the oncoming Anschluss affects her world; reveals aspects of her intriguing past and jeopardizes her future. Throughout the story Stella’s emotions and thoughts cut deep into the reading; this is no straightforward tale but encompasses a much broader view of how politics can influence everyday humanity with tragic consequences. As a thought provoking and tense read, it’s also well pitched for today’s complex world.

Tel: 01462 732 628 • Mob: 07860 436 217

Electricians

Suggestion and queries to: writerselect@gmail. com. We’re always happy to consider specific titles for review, though without obligation. Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll try to help.”

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Classifieds Flatpack Assembly If your furniture needs assembly we can do it. Home, garden or office just call Helen 07531236869 www.ladyf latpack.co.uk

Property Maintenance R. CHAPMAN

Home & Garden Services

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Chris’ Man & Van

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