Villager Magazine by debi1977

VILLAGER The

Issue 79 - May 2012

and Town Life

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In this Issue

VILLAGER

Issue 79 - May 2012

The

and Town Life

Ely

£25

Prize Crossword See Inside

Garden Deals

Cathedral City of the Fens

BAILEY’S TOPSOIL BULK BAG

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Bringing Local Business to local People MARSHALLS in Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Gamlingay TEXTURED PAVING and all surrounding villages.

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What’s Hidden Underground in Potton.....................................16 Students Take on 900+ Mile Bike Ride.......................................18 Advertising Sales Woofs and Wellies Event........................................................... 20 £6 .99 £5 Nigel Frost £79.99 “...competitive prices Ride for your Lives......................................................................22 and friendly advice” £6 6 nigel@villagermag.com Where Am I?............................................................................... 24 3a Pegasus Drive, Stratton Business Park, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 8QA www.henlowbuildingsupplies.co.uk Sales: 01767 312800 Fax: 01767 318371 Sandy Carnival............................................................................ 26 Photography Join the Zumba Party................................................................. 29 Artur Mercik National Garden Schemes......................................................... 30 CRUSE Bedfordshire...................................................................31 Design and Artwork Wedding Countdown................................................................. 34 Take Better Photos.................................................................... 36 Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 Sandy Tourist Information Centre............................................. 38 Bedwetting..................................................................................41 Publishers Sound Mind Therapies............................................................... 42 Villager Publications Ltd Cutting Edge Kitchen Kit............................................................ 45 24 Market Square, Potton Use It or Lose It........................................................................ 47# Beds. SG19 2NP Keep Pests at Bay the natural Way........................................... 50 Tel: 01767 261122 Rural Ramblings......................................................................... 53 nigel@villagermag.com Deepdale Veterinary Celebrates 5 Years................................... 62 www.villagermag.com Everyday History........................................................................ 65 Children’s Page...........................................................................66 The Mini Coupe Road Test................................................................69 Fun Quiz....................................................................................... 71 Seasonal delights........................................................................72 and Town Life What’s On................................................................................... 74 Puzzle Page................................................................................80 Looking for Volunteers..............................................................89 Disclaimer All adverts and editorial are printed in Biggleswade Sandy Lions Club..................................................90 good faith, however, Villager Publications Wordsearch................................................................................ 92 Ltd can not take any responsibility for • A handy 1.8M diameter feature circle. • May be extended to 2.7M & 3.6M diameter. • Now with less heavily riven profiles. • Offer applies to Old English and York buff colours only.

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VILLAGER

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.

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Ely – Cathedral City of the Fens

BY MELANIE HULSE

If you enjoy a drive out to new and interesting places then you may, like our family, have become rather bored with the immediate locale. The times when a short but happy tour of St. Neots interested and inspired us for a good few weeks are long over for us, and it is certainly, with spring so very much arrived, time to move on to pastures new for our occasional days out. A lengthy perusal of the OS maps for east Anglia reveals some wonderful ideas. I have never been to Sutton Hoo for instance, even though I love the county of Suffolk and have spent much time there, I generally stick to the coast and have rarely bothered with sites such as this. My husband has not seen the Ouse washes or watched the incoming evening flight of the waterfowl which roost there on the RSPB reserve. The children would like to visit Graffam water and possibly take a sailing boat out, or at least a canoe, and dabble in the shallows with their wellie boots on. These are all good ideas for trips further afield but what about filling that unexpected afternoon? Closer to home we have familiar friends – Woburn, Ampthill, Shuttleworth, Wimpole and Cambridge is always popular for shopping or sightseeing. But slightly further north-east and looking fairly diminutive on the map sits Ely, cathedral city of the Fens and co-incidentally, my home town from 1996 to 2001. I like Ely. It is small enough to enjoy in a day yet big enough, and with enough historical significance, to be home to some places of real interest. It lies on the river Great Ouse which allows the town a pretty waterfront and beautiful walks through the easily accessible water meadows which in spring are filled with a glorious array of

wild flowers. There are large parks, a good mix of architecture, the town museum, a great library, lovely cafes and antiques shops and, best of all, all of the car parks are free! But why did this small, ignominious town spring up in that location, what are the ‘fens’, what, if anything, has happened there over the centuries and who on earth built that great structure known as ‘the ship of the fens’? Early occupation of the area is evident in findings such as Neolithic flint tools, a Bronze Age axe and spearhead. The possible site of a late Iron Age/ Early Roman farmstead was found at the site on West Fen Road and Roman pottery has been discovered in the ground closer to the cathedral. The origins of the name of the town are much disputed but are generally accepted by locals to come from the words ‘eel’ and ‘island’- the name of the fish which were commonly caught in the area combined with the fact that the settlement would have been built on what was an island of more stable ground in a sea of marshlands. This name-origin is unlikely in actual fact, but it does seem to sit comfortably with the place. The origins of the settlement at Ely are also not fully understood but an ancient text, the 12th century Liber Eliensis which is a Benedictine history written in Latin, records that an abbey was built, about 1.6 miles from what is now the city of Ely at a place called Cratendune, under the protection of Saint Etheldreda at the insistence of Augustine. Augustine was a Benedictine monk who was born in Rome in the 6th century. He is called both the ‘father of the church’ and ‘Apostle to the English’ because he was chosen to lead

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a mission to England (the Gregorian mission) in order to Christianize the then king of Kent from his native Anglo-Saxon paganism. After his conversion the king allowed land and money to be freely available to build churches and support preaching missionaries. More of the kings’ subjects were converted including thousands in a Christmas day baptism in 597AD and after his death in Canterbury in 604AD Augustine was revered as a saint. The exact location of Cratendune remains a mystery and this lost village continues to intrigue down to this day. Possible sites at Little Thetford and Witchford have been suggested but the latter was covered over during the Second World War during the building of an aerodrome and any remaining evidence of an Anglo-Saxon burial ground is inconclusive. The abbey that was built at Cratendune was likely destroyed in around 650AD on the orders of the pagan Penda of Mercia. Another abbey was built on what is now the site of the cathedral in 970AD and re-dedicated to St. Etheldreda by Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester. The Abbots of Ely accumulated such wealth that by the time of the Domesday survey in 1086 it was deemed the ‘second richest monastery in England’ and Abbot Simeon began building the cathedral only three years later in 1083. The cathedral took many years to build and has undergone many changes since. Most notably in February 1322, possibly as a result of instabilities caused by the digging of the foundations for the Lady Chapel, the great Norman crossing tower collapsed. The western bays of the liturgical choir which was destroyed in the collapse were rebuilt in a more modern style. More noticeably, the old crossing tower was replaced by an innovative octagonal lantern, a feature which makes Ely

cathedral both unusual and well renowned. Although it is supported on eight massive masonry piers, the lantern itself is constructed from massive oak timbers and was designed by William Hurley, who later became Master Carpenter to the King at Westminster. Because the crossing was a key part of the liturgical choir, this rebuilding work took priority over other activities and the lantern was largely complete by 1340. The windows on the sides of the upper octagon are a particularly successful and beautiful way of lighting the centre of the cathedral. Simeon was a relative of King William I of England and the brother of Walkelin the Bishop of Winchester. He was made prior of Winchester and then Abbot of Ely. He also recovered, for the monastery, the lands which had been allotted to the Normans during the siege of the island of Ely which was a stronghold of Hereward the Wake. Hereward the Wake (meaning ‘the wary’) is a legendary figure. The actual facts of his life are sparse but he is called ‘Fenland’s Greatest Hero’ because he lead a revolt against William the Conqueror who had take the throne after the Battle of Hastings. The Anglo–Saxon Chronicle says simply that among those at the sack of Peterborough (the Abbey of Peterborough was plundered in 1062)were ‘Hereward and his crew’ and that shortly after (in about 1071), he was holding the Isle of Ely, with its Camp of Refuge, against the Normans. During this time Hereward apparently sometimes had Danish help. He also attracted many dissidents such as the Earl Morkar, and Siward Bain. The Isle of Ely took a

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lot of Norman effort to capture and Hereward was one of those to escape. He continued the struggle for sometime, operating in and near the Fens but eventually he made his peace with King William. Evidence of the Norman capture of Ely can be found at the site of Ely castle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; now a mound only and known as Cherry Hill. This was the site of a typical motte and bailey castle built in 1070 and excavations as recent as 2002 have uncovered bowls, jugs and other domestic items and farming and hunting tools that would have been used in everyday Norman life. As sad as it is that the castle is no longer there, it must be remembered that castles are in reality symbols of human oppression and were built on pain of death, using local forced labour. The presence of a Norman castle really marks the historical presence of English misery, pain, toil and tyranny.

A fen is the name for a field in the Ely area but is really a type of wetland fed by mineralrich surface water or groundwater. Fens are, according to one source â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;characterised by their water chemistry, which is neutral or alkaline, with relatively high dissolved mineral levels but few other plant nutrients. They support a wide range of animals and plants, many of which are tall marsh plants growing closely together. Fens are distinguished from bogs, which are acidic, low in minerals, and usually dominated by low-growing plants including Sphagnum and other mosses.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; As an island surrounded by marshes and water or fens, the fishing of eels was important both as food for the local people and as a source of income for the Abbot of Ely and his tenants. In 1086 the Domesday Book records the population to be 110 households but the worth of the various villages was measured in eels. or example Stuntney a very small, rural community, known then as Stuntenei, was worth 24,000 eels; Litelport (Littleport) 17,000 eels and the tiny village of Liteltetford (Little Thetford) was worth 3,250 eels. Another source of income was the production of goods made from willow, reeds and rushes. These included eel traps and baskets and Ely became a sort of small trade centre for these. The locals who mostly lived very rural lives also pursued wild fowling and ate or sold the birds they killed. Even today, late on an autumn fen evening, it is

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The Unforgettable Close Up and Cabaret Magic of Steve Dean Immerse yourselves and guests in the close up magic of Steve Dean or enjoy a Cabaret Show that includes mentalism and much more. Have you ever witnessed unexplainable events or illusions so convincing that they leave you fascinated and completely spellbound? This is Cabaret, close up mix and mingle and table magic at itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very best. Not only enter the unbelievable world of close up professional magic that is second to none, you can now see a cabaret show that will leave you gasping, your guests enthralled and audience participation that is not only professional but will cause laughter throughout and will be something to remember for a very long time. This is ideal for any corporate or private event. Steve is a master of his craft and a member of the prestigious Magic Circle. He has had many letters of thanks and testimonials from people from all walks of life. From a small dinner party to performing on a British Cruise Liner this sort of entertainment is second to none and will give your guests unusual and fantastic entertainment that they can get involved in and will talk about for months to come. (Steve is a member of Equity with full public liability insurance). Please phone or email for details

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easy to imagine the roughly dressed locals poling their flat-bottomed boats across watery marshes from settlement to roost, searching for birds to bag. Their ‘moor’ houses – built of sods of peat on tiny islands of slightly higher ground, hunched smokily in the distant mist, their wives working by firelight, preserving yet another barrel of the endless eels. or weaving to long, cylindrical traps to take to the market. Much later, the traditional use of a punt and punt gun developed in the Ely/Norfolk border areas and building material changed from the traditional peat sods known as ‘moor’ and when as used for fuel, known as ‘turf’ to small handmade reddish bricks. Clay for pottery was dug from Roswell Pits, an area located just outside the town along the river Great Ouse. During the 17th century Ely and the surrounding fens were successfully drained. This involved serious local rioting as a great deal of the previously common land was given as payment for the draining process so that the local people were deprived of their livelihood – the fishing, reed and willow gathering and wild fowling that they depended on. The drainage process depended on pumps which originally were in the form of windmills but these were replaced in the 1820s by powerful steam engines such as Stretham Old Engine which can be visited even today. These were themselves replaced by diesel

powered pumps and then again by small electric stations that are still used today. The dead vegetation in the peat of the fens had remained undecayed as peat is anaerobic but when the land was drained it began to shrink due to the drying process but also because this matter began to decay. This, combined with the black sand-like soil being removed by the wind, means that much of the fens lie below high tide level and the highest parts of the drained fens are now only a few metres above mean sea level. Only large embankments and general flood defenses keep the land from being overtaken by water once more. These days the fens are protected by 60 miles of embankments which defend against the encroaching sea and 96 miles of river embankments. The combined efforts of the pumps in use would empty Rutland Water in just three days or 16,500 Olympic swimming pools in only 24 hours! Whether you like to wander along river-side paths admiring the narrow boats, gaze up at amazing frescos, stained glass and carved stonework in the cathedrals of this land, ponder with the engineers of the old as they struggled to hold back the sea, admire an exhibition at the Old Fire Engine House or take tea in the gardens of the Almonry Tea Rooms, then do consider an afternoon in Ely. While the water remains held at bay, it is well worth a visit!

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What’s hidden underground

in Potton?

Do you want to know what lies under ground in your garden? Well now you have a chance to find out. On May 26th a major archaeological dig will take place in Potton. It is one part of the Cultural Olympics which are being staged in the six counties of the East of England, namely Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Potton has been chosen to represent Bedfordshire. The excavations will comprise of 34 one metre by one metre deep test pits. Each one will be dug out in 10cm slices and any finds recorded against each layer. Carenza Lewis, of Time Team fame, with her team of archaeologists from Cambridge Archaeology will supervise and run the actual event on the day and identify any artefacts.

If you want to volunteer for these exciting excavations and don’t mind a hole in your back garden or elsewhere on your land, let us know. If you want to take part but don’t have a garden, we need able bodied people to help others, with their digging. So please volunteer, and we will try to allocate you a suitable site. Make it a day for all the family both young and old, not forgetting the in between ages, who will no doubt be doing the digging. Please note if we are over subscribed we will chose pit locations to give an even coverage of Potton. This event can only be a success if we get your support. Contact Mike Horgan email mike.horgan1@btinternet.com, tel. 01767 261954 George Howe 01767 260935 16

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Students take on

900+ mile Bike Ride for Charity A Cambridgeshire student will be swapping sums for the saddle when he cycles almost 1,000 miles to raise money for charity. Michael Stannard, from Abbotsley, and a team of eight other students are trying to raise £40,000 for Cancer Research UK by cycling from London to Monte Carlo in May. They feel the cause is an extremely worthy one and all of the team members have been directly or indirectly affected by cancer. Michael is a Business and International Relations student at Aston University but is on a placement year at IBM in London. He said he was nervous but very excited about pushing himself to his mental and physical limit. Michael said: “Cycling close to 1,000 miles in just 9 days is something that none of us has ever attempted before, but having as much support as possible would make a huge difference. “We are in training at the moment and we are all determined to do it and it will be a fantastic

achievement when we get to the end. “The charity is extremely close to all of our hearts and we want to raise as much money and awareness as possible.” The team need as much support as they can get to reach their goal as without the support there will be no reward for the incredible challenge they are undertaking. Please donate via www.ldn2mc.co.uk and keep up to date with their efforts through their blog – ldn2mc.tumblr.com

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Chilli Fiesta 2012

Sunday June 17 10.30am to 4.30pm

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Woofs and Wellies event

Fun for all the family!

This year we are holding our first Woofs and Wellies event at The Shuttleworth Collection in Old Warden on Sunday 27 May 2012 at 11am. This is our newest edition to the events calendar and a first of its kind in Bedfordshire. We are looking for all the family to join in the fun! You can walk with or without a dog; it is open to all our friends. To take part it’s only £5 per adult and £3 for children under 10 years of age (canines are free!) and the sponsorship we hope for is a minimum of £30 per person which will go a long way in helping us provide care to our patients at St. John’s Hospice. Each four legged friend will take home their own goodie bag and medal for entering the walk. There will be a small scale fun dog show after the walk open to all dogs, so yours may win a rosette. There is also a best looking wellie competition for all you humans who like to look fashionable and stand out on your dog walking adventures. We are thoroughly looking forward to putting on this event and hope you can come and join us. All dogs are welcome but must be on a lead at all times. The walk is not suitable for pushchairs. The Shuttleworth Collection’s restaurant will be open for hot lunch, sandwiches, cakes, hot and cold drinks if you would like to stay and join us after the walk.

To register please go to our website www. sueryder.org/events or call 01767 642412 By registering and raising sponsorship for our Woofs and Wellies event you will be helping Sue Ryder - St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger to continue supporting our patients and their loved ones by providing specialist medical and nursing care, family support and chaplaincy. We also provide lymphoedema and complementary therapy treatments in our recently refurbished day unit. For more information please call Danielle the Events fundraiser on 01767 642412 or alternatively you can email danielle.brandon@sueryder.org

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Ride For Your Lives

Grafham Water, Sunday 10th June Come and join our cycle ride around beautiful Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire, and support your local air ambulance. East Anglian Air Ambulance, with kind permission of Anglian Water, is hosting a sponsored cycle ride for all the family on Sunday 10 June 2012. Full first aid cover, technical back up and marshalling will be on site for the day – and you can ride the route at any time between 9am and 4pm. Minimum sponsorship is £20 per family or £10 per individual. Registration before 1 June is however a must, and you may do so by contacting Christopher.donaldson@eaaa.org.uk or by telephone on 01733 367208. If you want to take part, but haven’t got a bicycle – don’t worry, Grafham Cycles are offering a special discount of 15% for the day! Pop along, have a great time with the family, knowing that you are helping to keep your local air ambulance flying.

The Royal Oak

Potton

Join Colin, Jo and the team for a warm welcome at Potton’s oldest pub

Colin and Jo are pleased to welcome Scott Robinson to our team as Head Chef with a new and exciting menu for you to sample. Bookings advisable, see the menu at www.royaloakpotton.co.uk 4 Biggleswade Road, Potton, Bedfordshire Tel: 01767 261888 www.royaloakpotton.co.uk 22

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Come and see our New Showroom at 7 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Second Branch at The Barn, Old North Road, the rear of Yuva Restaurant, Kneesworth, Royston, Herts SG8 5JL Telephone:- 07817 7339738

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WHERE ARE WE?

WHERE AM I? DO YOU KNOW?

These pictures are all taken in our distribution area. Do you know where they are?

2 3

The Villager and Town Life magazine is delivered door to door throughout:

Abbotsley Beeston Broom Caxton Cockayne Hatley Cople Croydon Dunton Eltisley Everton Everton Heath Eyeworth Gamlingay Haynes Henlow Ickwell Green Ireland Langford Lower Caldecote Moggerhanger Northill Old Warden Potton Shuttleworth Southill Stanford Sutton The Gransdenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thorncote Green Upper Caldecote Waresley Wrestlingworth

VILLAGER The

Issue 78 - April

2012

and Town Life

Bringing Loca l Business to in Bigglesw local People ade, Sandy, Potton, Gam and all surro lingay unding villag es. 11,000 copie s delivered to over 30 and villages towns every mon th

ur Yo EE FRco1 py

VILLAGER The

Issue 77 - March

2012

and Town Life

Bringing Loca l Business to in Bigglesw local People ade, Sandy, Potton, Gam and all surro lingay unding villag es. 11,000 copie s delivered to over 30 and villages towns every mon th

ur Yo EE FRco1 py

VILLAGER The

Issue 76 - Februa

ry 2012

and Town Life

Bringing Loca l Business to in Bigglesw local People ade, Sandy, Potton, Gam and all surro lingay unding villag es. 11,000 copie s delivered to over 30 and villages towns every mon th

ur Yo EE FRco1 py

VILLAGER The

Issue 75 - Januar

y 2012

and Town Life

Bringing Loca l Business to in Bigglesw local People ade, Sandy, Potton, Gam and all surro lingay unding villag es. 11,000 copie s delivered to over 30 and villages towns every mon th

ur Yo EE FRco1 py

and can be found in most shops, pubs, garages in all of the above and more including Biggleswade and Sandy.

Last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pictures were taken at Seddington Garden Nursery, The Riddy, Sandy and Holiday Inn Sandy

Booking your advertising space is easy just call Nigel on 01767 261122 or e-mail nigel@villagermag.com

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SANDY CARNIVAL

2012

Carnival time is nearly upon us once again; the carnival magazine will be published in mid-May and the carnival itself will take place on Saturday June 16th. The theme for the day will be ‘Celebrations’ to reflect what should prove a memorable year for this country. The day will commence with the carnival procession which will have a new route, beginning at the Upper School on Medusa Way and making its way down to St Neots Road, on to the town centre, around the market square and then back down Sunderland Road to finish on the Sunderland Road Playing Field where the grand fair will be held in the afternoon. As usual there will be a large funfair, plenty of stalls, a good variety of arena acts and plenty of food and drink. Carnival day will be followed by a number of evening events during the following week; a scooter school at the skate park on the Monday, a giant conga at the Bedford Road ground on Tuesday, a ladder climb at the same venue on Wednesday, junior Tug of War at Bedford Road on the Thursday, a Talent

Competition on the Friday at the Conservative club and a Battle of the Bands, also at the Conservative club on the Saturday. Carnival week will end on Sunday 24th with a daytime youth challenge event on the Bedford Road ground, organised by RAF Henlow and the drawing of the carnival raffle in the afternoon. To make the day a real success we need not only good weather but strong support from the community of Sandy. In particular we need as many carnival floats as possible, walking or mobile and plenty of offers from people to run stalls and perform in the arena. The management committee is always looking for more recruits, this year especially as the current chair and deputy will be standing down after next summer’s event and more than a decade in the hot seat. Help on carnival day itself is also paramount and if you can lend a hand or better still get actively involved please contact Jan Shrieves on 682247 (jan.shrieves@nhs.net) or max Hill on 681469 (amaxhill@btinternet.com)

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Potton & District Club NEW MEMBERS WELCOME....£15 per year

To Get a New-look, Reward Style Membership Card (& Earn Points) apply now! this card will ENTITLE YOU to all Club BENEFITS, ie members Special Bar prices, FREE Hall Hire t&cs, FREE TRADE CARD Board & LOADS MORE... CHECK out www.pottonclub.co.uk web page

MAY

Fri 4th May - QUIZ & CURRY NIGHT. Teams of 5. Cash prize to be won & spot prizes Sat 5th May - LIGHT ALLOY - Fantastic Established Covers Band Sun 6th May - Traditional Bank holiday DISCO INFERNO. From 6pm, Late Bar! Sat 12th April - Soul Weaver are back - Great musicians Sat 19th May - SKA BAND,TWO-TONE, EXPERIENCED in high demand! Not to be missed. An 8 piece Band playing some of the best known Ska & Two Tone songs ever recorded, an entry fee will apply to all on this night, members concession. Fri 25th May - THE SOULMAN is back. Fantastic Soul Classic Covers Sat 26th May - The Ram Band HOT NEWS! 1st-5th June - Bank Holiday Extended! Weekender Special Diamond Jubilee Celebrations - let’s have a party! Beer/Cider & Music Festival. Real Ale £2.50 per pint. Entertainment: Friday - Band 360. Saturday - Band Maxwell HammerSmith Sunday - Band Superfruit. Monday - Royal Disco. Tuesday - JAM/Open Mic Night, Bring your instruments &/or your Voice and have some Fun From 7pm, All Welcome. Check out www.lemonrock.com/pottondistrictclub for more details Bar open Mon-Tues 7.30pm to 11.00pm Weds-Thur 6.00pm to 11.00pm Fri 5.00pm to 12.00am, Sat 12.00pm to 12.00am Sun 12.00pm to 10.30pm

Potton CIU Club, Charities Hall, Station Road, Potton Tel: 01767 261465 (Evenings) Website: www.pottonclub.co.uk 28

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Join the ZUMBA PARTY

in Potton and Gamlingay! Lisa Hillier was a performer in London’s WestEnd musicals, wowing audiences in Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You, and now she plans to get you moving and grooving with her Zumba Fitness classes in Potton and Gamlingay. Are you ready to party yourself into shape? That’s exactly what the Zumba programme is all about. It’s an exhilarating, effective, easyto-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party that’s moving millions of people toward joy and health. Zumba Fitness is the only dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music and contagious steps to form a “fitness-party” that is downright addictive! Zumba has become the world’s largest – and most successful – dance-fitness programme with more than 12 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking weekly Zumba classes all over the world. Lisa says “Where my classes stand out from the rest is that I am a dance professional and an outgoing performer! I like to create a party atmosphere where you can lose yourself in the music, let your hair down and escape for an hour. I guarantee you’ll leave with a smile on your face” Lisa is very excited to introduce Zumba Gold as well. Starting 23rd April Lisa is holding a weekly class in Gamlingay. Zumba Gold takes the popular Latin-dance of Zumba and makes it accessible for seniors, beginners and those needing a slower paced workout but with the same amount of fun! Even if you’re new to exercise or dance, Lisa invites you to come along and see what Zumba is all about!” Here’s what Lisa’s regulars say: “Zumba is fab! Keeps you buzzing all week. Great for your body, mind and soul, and Lisa is ace!” Mandy “We’ve got the Zumba bug! It’s a fun and exciting way to keep fit after having a baby” Ellie and Debbie “Since starting Zumba I have lost a stone in weight and dropped a dress size. Zumba has given me more energy, better balance and a renewed love of music and dance. Lisa’s fun loving, energetic personality is as addictive

as the Zumba routines she performs. It’s not just exercise...it’s having fun!” Natalie Zumba Classes: Monday and Wednesday evenings 8pm to 9pm Burgoyne Middle School, Sports Hall, Mill Lane, Potton £5 per class Zumba Gold Class: Monday mornings 10am to 11am Gamlingay Eco Hub, Stocks Lane, Gamlingay £5 per class No need to pre-book, just pay on the door. (14-16 years must be accompanied by an adult). For more information, contact Lisa Hillier on 07782 100376

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The National Gardens Scheme

Eighty-Five Years of Gardening & Giving Gardens that opened for the National Garden Scheme in its founding year of 1927 to be honoured with commemorative plaque presentation Southill Park, Nr Biggleswade, Bedfordshire is one of only 120 gardens throughout England and Wales to receive this commemorative plaque This year 120 of the gardens that opened in 1927, the year of the National Gardens Scheme’s (NGS) founding, will open on behalf of the charity which raises money for nursing, caring and gardening charities through garden openings. Each of the 120 pioneer gardens will be presented with a commemorative plaque to mark the 85th anniversary. Judy Stewart, National Gardens Scheme Volunteer County Organiser for Bedfordshire said ‘We are delighted that Southill Park is opening for the National Gardens Scheme in our 85th anniversary year. These gardens have been great supporters of the National Gardens Scheme over the years. Without their assistance we would not be able to donate the totals to charity that we have been able to. Last year, as a result of garden openings £2.6 million was donated to The Queen’s Nursing Institute, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices, Crossroads Care and Perennial. Southill Park opens on behalf of the National Gardens Scheme on Sunday 3rd June 2-5.00pm Background On 28th May 1927 the garden gates at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, the ancestral home of The Marquess of Salisbury, swung open and anyone willing to pay the one shilling (5p in today’s currency) admission charge could, in the words of The Times reporter, “wander where they liked.” This was the very first garden to open on behalf of what is now the National Gardens Scheme which was established in that year by the Queen’s Nursing Institute as a way to contribute to a memorial fund they had set up in aid of their patron, Queen Alexandra, following her death in 1925. “A total of one hundred and twenty of the original 1927 gardens, including Hatfield House, will be among over 3,800 mainly private gardens to open for us in 2012,” explains George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the charity. “That one-shilling entrance fee remained in place until

decimalisation in 1971. Today, the average charge is around £3.50 and since that first year we have donated more than £35 million to nursing, caring and gardening charities.” Currently the NGS’s primary nursing and caring beneficiaries are The Queen’s Nursing Institute, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices, Crossroads Care and Perennial. Each charity currently receives an annual donation and the NGS is the biggest single benefactor for both Macmillan Cancer Support’s and Marie Curie. To date Macmillan has received more than £13 million and Marie Curie more than £5 million In addition to annual donations the NGS also has an annual guest charity which for 2012 is the Alzheimer’s Society. “The £2.6m that we will give away in 2012, maintaining the same level as in 2011, means that of every £1 raised and donated to us by our generous garden owners we are giving over 80p to our beneficiary charities’ adds George Plumptre. “That’s a fantastic ratio and an enormous tribute to the garden owners who go to an inordinate amount of time and trouble preparing their gardens to be ready for the public on our behalf.” George stresses the significance of the NGS’s first openings: “when those first 609 gardens opened in 1927 it marked a revolution in unrestricted public access to private gardens. Nothing like this had ever happened before and it can be seen as a significant step in the democratisation of society that was taking place between the wars and in the popularisation of support for charities. This principle of being inclusive has remained a vital part of the NGS’s philosophy ever since and is something of which we are very proud.” “No matter where you live in England and Wales there will be a National Gardens Scheme open garden within driving distance every weekend through the summer (and a total of some 7700 open days in all). We are the biggest garden based charity fundraiser in England and Wales,” adds George.

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CRUSE

BEDFORDShIRE

H AT

H I R E

Offers a selection of designer millinery & accessories for hire, at affordable prices strictly by appointment

07778 188924

www.perfectdayhathire.co.uk

The death of someone close can be shattering. Everyone experiences grief differently; there is no ‘normal’ or ‘right’ way to grieve. How we react will be influenced by many different things, including our age and personality, our cultural background and religious beliefs, our previous experiences of bereavement and how we cope with loss. Cruse Bedfordshire supports anyone who has been bereaved, whenever or however the death occurred. The service is provided by trained, experienced volunteers, and is confidential and free. If you would like to talk to someone, call into our friendly Drop-in Centre at Biggleswade Baptist Church, London Road on a Wednesday 10am12noon. This is a place of friendship, compassion and understanding where you can meet other people coping with bereavement issues. Volunteers are always on hand if one-to-one support is required. Come and make new friends and have cup of coffee or tea. A warm welcome awaits you. We also offer one to one support at home or on the telephone. For more information ring 01767 312997.

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Bridal, Evening & Occasionwear Designers:

• John Charles (as pictured) • Linea Raffaelli • Michaela Louisa • Pronovias • Cabotine • Allison • Ann Balon • James Lakeland Sizes 6-26 Alteration service available Prices start from £120 36 Old North Road, Bassingbourn, Cambs, SG8 5JL. On the Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire border

Tel: 01763 242790 www.karenforte.com 32

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the mansion house

Monday 4 June

Tuesday 5 June

AdvAnce ticket prices! Adults £8.00

children £4.00

(£10.00 on the gate)

(£5.00 on the gate)

To book tickets:

01767 626262 www.themansionhouse.org

The Mansion House Old Warden Park Biggleswade, Beds SG18 9DX

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Wedding Countdown

preparing for you big day Getting married is one of the most serious and exciting decisions you will ever make and the months leading up to your wedding day will also be some of the busiest. 12 months to go: - Once a date has been decided it is a good idea to decide on a budget. - Contact the church or registry office where you would like to marry and talk to them about your proposed date, the notice you are required to give and the costs involved. - Make a provisional guest list. - Begin searching for a reception venue: stately home, castle, barn, a marquee in a lovely location, the beach (a beautiful, memorable and also free option!) a hired hall can all act as starting points. Book the venue as soon as you can. - What entertainment, if any, will you have at the reception? A magician? A DJ? Medieval singers or Tudor players? Research and book them now! - Think about catering. If your wedding will be themed then finding a caterer who will be sympathetic to your choices is crucial. Interview as many as it takes to find someone with whom you can work and who you can trust to stick to your budget as well as your ideas. - Find a photographer. Think about the style of photography you like â&#x20AC;&#x201C; reportage or traditional, all the guests or just the bridal party, ceremony only or reception too? Do you also want a wedding video? Some companies can undertake both but do make sure that you review their portfolio carefully to ensure they meet your standards. - There is still plenty of time to consider a honeymoon location unless the bride or groom has very specific ideas. If you are already sure of location then book and pay for the honeymoon now to help with budgeting. - Discuss the dress. Will the bride stick with tradition, will the groom and his men go for morning suits or kilts? What colour will suit the bridesmaids? Your budget may dictate your choices but a little research can prove worthwhile â&#x20AC;&#x201C; finding the right dressmaker can render that bespoke dress affordable or locating a sale at a wedding dress boutique can easily bring designer dresses within reach. Look for a dress in the style you like and which suits you. Alterations are nearly always possible so sizing is not necessarily an issue. Six Months Before: - Start putting together accessories and shoes for

the bridal party. Include flowers in this and go and talk to a local florist. Floristry skills are not impossible to learn so a friend who is willing to help could be asked to take care of this for you, just be sure on style and colour and to make it clear if there are flowers you dislike. - Take designs for your cake to the bakers or your mum/gran/auntie Jessie. If the budget is tight consider making the fruit or sponge bit yourself and just get help with the icing. That said, marzipan covered with plain icing, a ribbon and fresh flowers to decorate looks stunning and is easy as well as inexpensive to complete. - Order wedding stationary or design and make it yourself. Blank cards are readily available and mini photos make great invitations which are also much more personal. - Think about wedding rings - what will truly complement your engagement ring? Take out wedding insurance if you feel you need it. - Discuss your wedding hair and make-up with your hairdresser or attend a wedding fair where lots of advice and free trials are readily available. Three Months to go: - Buy the marriage licence. - Send out your beautiful invitations. - Decide on a wedding list â&#x20AC;&#x201C; some stores offer this service or you can make one online or in a notebook. Make it available to all the guests. - Confirm all ceremony details with the registrar or celebrant, readers, musicians etc. Choose any hymns or songs to be used. - Have Order of Service sheets printed. - Buy gifts for the bridesmaids and any helpers or arrange for flowers and thank you notes to be delivered to them after the event. One Month to go: - Reconfirm all bookings. - Enjoy your stag/hen night. - Arrange final dress fittings. - Telephone any guests who have not replied to your invitation. - Write wedding speech. A Week Before: - Have a wedding rehearsal. - Pack your honeymoon bags. Order any foreign currency you will need. - Make sure the Best Man has the rings and a list of all the wedding service providers you have booked for the day and their contact details. - Practice walking in your wedding shoes!

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MAXWELLS MAXWELLS FOR MEN

PROFESSIONAL HAIRDRESSING ~ BEAUTY THERAPY

5-8 Hitchin Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8AX. Tel- 01767 313702

YOUR WEDDING DAY CREATED BY MAXWELLS-

One of our dedicated Wedding Team will be available within Maxwells for your consultation and to answer any queries you may have. Their aim is to make YOU and YOUR day feel very special.

YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM SPENDING YOUR WEDDING MORNING WITH US WITHIN OUR WEDDING ROOMOR WE CAN VISIT YOU EITHER AT HOME OR AT YOUR VENUE.

YOUR HAIR STYLE-

We will create the perfect individual style for you. For instant length and thickness our Weft or Bonded Natural hair Extensions are the answer, they will take the worry out of growing your hair for your big day. Whether straight or curly they give a natural look to any Wedding Style.

YOUR HAIR COLOUR-

During your initial consultation your stylist will talk about how colour willhelp to accentuate your wedding day look. From the subtle to the daring all can be achieved.

YOUR HAIRS CONDITION-

What better time to create the soft, manageable hair we all crave, our Kerastase range has a selection of treatments designed specifically to treat any haircare concern.

YOUR FINAL RESULT-

We recommend that you have a trial runfor both your Hair and Make-up, so that on your special day we both know what is required, exactly.

ALL SPECIALIST HAIR AND BEAUTY PRICES UPON REQUEST

Our wedding co-ordinators Libby and Sarah will be your first contact at info@maxwellshair.com.

MAXWELLS VILLAS www.maxwellshair.com www.maxwellsmen.com www.maxwellsvillas.com To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Take Better Photos

BY TOM HANCOCK

Frame your subject properly - Don’t cut off half their head, or if the whole person is in the frame, don’t chop off their feet! Train yourself to check for distractions, like a tree that seems to grow out of someone’s head, or an ugly litter bin nearby. Focus - Take time to focus on your subject before you take the picture. If you are photographing a person, focus on their eyes. Be steady - The secret to a crisp, sharp photo is steady hands. Hold the camera firmly and squeeze the shutter button gently, don’t jerk, pull away or move for a second or two after you’ve pressed the button. Use Natural Light if possible - If you have the option to take a picture outdoors do it. If you are indoors, pick big windows, bright rooms or rooms with good lighting for your shots. Time of day - The best times for a great photo are usually at early mornings (dawn) or twilight

(dusk) as the light then is warm and golden. Another good time to snap a picture is after a rain shower, the colours and contrast on wet damp objects can be very striking.

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SANDY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

MAY 2012

The first of this year’s Summer Guided Walks organised by Sandy Tourist Information Centre is the very popular visit to SANDYE PLACE, SANDY. This walk was due to take place on Monday, 21st May, but unfortunately it is unable to proceed on that date and it will now take place on TUESDAY, 12th JUNE There will be a guided tour of this red brick Grade II listed Georgian mansion, the former manor house of Sandy Manor and now an Academy. The walk will start from the Tourist Information Centre at 7pm will be led by Barry Groom of the Centre, who is a local historian. From the TIC we will walk to the Fire Station in Ivel Road, the site of the very attractive thatched archway and cottage, which was the main carriage entrance to the mansion and was sadly demolished in the early 1950’s. We will then walk across the former parklands to the eastern entrance front of this historic house. On this rare occasion we will be able to tour the interior of the mansion with its panelled rooms, including the Justice Room, where local court cases were heard, the Powder Room, where hair was powdered in the 18th century, the barrelled staircase and the Jacobean Gallery and the warren of servant’s rooms in the service wing and basements. In the basement you will be able to see the remains of the medieval stone house and the unusual hinged banister on the secondary staircase and which could be lifted across the stairs to stop shooting and hunting dogs going up the stairs and entering the main reception rooms. In each room you will hear about the history of the house and details regarding the rooms and their original usage. You will also hear about the famous Sandy Show and which was held annually, usually at the end of August from 1869 until its closing, in the park of Sandy Place. Thousands of visitors would descend on the little town and the Show was the largest one day horticultural show in the midlands. We will then walk to the tiered Terrace and see the circular ironstone dovecote, still the home of fantailed doves, and which stands on the banks of the River Ivel which runs through the grounds. The dovecote is the only remaining building of the Edwardian re -landscaping of the park when it was laid out in a willow pattern plate style.

Throughout the walk you will hear about the famous families who lived at Sandye Place, including the Spencer’s, ancestors of Diana, princess of Wales. The cost of the Walk will be £5. Please note that numbers are limited and so please book early to avoid disappointment. The next Summer Guided Walk will take place on 7th July and is called ‘The Squires Walk’. This lovely walk goes amongst the greensand ridge hills, woodlands and heathlands in the countryside around Sandy. The walk is called the Squires Walk, as much of the route goes over the estate of the Pym family, who as Squires of Sandy have resided on their Hazells Hall estate since 1761. We will see the beautiful wooded hills that form a back cloth to the town, climb the Pinnacle (or Sandhills) and see the wonderful views over east Bedfordshire. Walk along wooded bridleways and paths and cross Sandy Heath, now dominated by the tall TV mast. See the newly created heath land and the beautiful coniferous trees, birches and ancient trees at the RSPB’s reserve at The Lodge. Walk along the route of the Roman Road and see the former Peel family estate hamlet of Stratford, with its Swiss style buildings. More details to follow For more information and to book for Sandye Place Walk and details about the other TIC Summer Walks and Autumn - Winter Talks call in and see us or contact us at:Sandy Tourist Information Centre Rear of 10 Cambridge Road (Access from Town Car Park) Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 1JE Tel: 01767 682728 tourism@sandytowncouncil.gov.uk OPENING TIMES Monday to Friday 10am – 3pm Saturday 10am – 2pm (Closed on Sundays)

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Counselling Service

‘The most basic of human needs is to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them’ (Ralph Nichols) Do you feel as if no-one is listening? My aim is to provide you with the space and time to examine issues which you may find difficult to discuss, even with friends or family, within the context of a confidential, warm and non-judgemental relationship. I am a professionally qualified counsellor and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I offer lower cost counselling to adults and teenagers. Please contact me, Annie Jones, by email: duntoncentre@gmail.com info@duntoncentre.co.uk or telephone 01767 601259

Bedfordshire Foot Clinic Podiatry/Chiropody Yvonne Siudak BSc (Hons.) MChS, HPC Registered

Podiatrist / Chiropodist Private Podiatry / Chiropody Care in Sandy, Bedfordshire, UK

A comprehensive service for all your foot care needs

Hard Skin • Corns • Nail Cutting Ingrown Toe Nails • Fungal Nail Infections General Foot Care • Verrucae Treatment • Diabetic Assessments • Biomechanical Assessments Full details of our specialist treatments are available, call Yvonne for an appointment:

Bedfordshire Foot Clinic

17 Georgetown Cottages, Tempsford Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2AE T: 01767 681704 M: 07562 748352 E: yvonne@thebedfordshirefootclinic.co.uk

www.yourfootclinic.co.uk

Also Cambridge Foot Clinic Tel: 01223 358431

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Bedwetting

HEALTH

Regular bedwetting is a common problem which can have a big effect on the whole family Bedwetting - or nocturnal enuresis, to give it its proper name - is when a child regularly involuntarily wets their bed while asleep. Most children become dry at night by the age of three or four, even though they may still have the odd accident now and then. But children suffering from nocturnal enuresis regularly wet the bed until they are much older. In fact, one in 12 children in the UK still experience problems up to the age of 16. This is a problem which can affect the whole family: not only is it is uncomfortable for the child to wake up wet, it is also embarrassing and means they are less likely to have sleep overs with friends. It is difficult for the parents who are having to constantly change the sheets; and it often means broken nights for the whole family. Even though parents know it is not their child’s fault, they can be left feeling frustrated and exhausted by the situation. What causes bedwetting Children who have gained bladder control during the day recognise the feeling of a full bladder and know to head for the potty or toilet. But it can take some children a lot longer to become dry at night. If your child is still regularly wetting the bed past the age of four, there could be a number of

reasons for this: • Inability to wake fully enough to recognise the feeling of a full bladder • An over-active bladder • Anxiety and stress • Lack of the hormone, vasopressin • Constipation • Small bladder • A urinary tract infection (UTI) • Inherited problem What you can do Firstly, make sure your child still drinks plenty of fluids throughout the day, but try to limit this before they go to bed. Cut down on fizzy drinks, milk and juice as these can stimulate the kidneys to produce more urine. Look at what might be triggering the problem - is your child anxious about anything? Could they have a UTI or are possibly constipated? Give them lots of praise when they do go to the toilet and try to remain calm when they have an accident. Getting help Ask your GP to refer you to an enuresis clinic to begin an assessment. You will probably be given a chart to record drinking and wetting patterns. The good news is that there are some effective treatments you can try once your child is over the age of seven. Alarms: When the child begins to urinate the alarm will go off. This helps the child to wake up fully enough to go the toilet or to learn to hold on and works for around 7 in 10 children. Medicine: Vassopressin is a natural hormone which helps to prevent the production of urine. Your child may be prescribed a drug which is an artificial form of this hormone so they produce less urine at night. Or they may be prescribed a muscle relaxant, which helps to control an overactive bladder. Bladder training: This will help children who may have both day and night problems and will include a regime of hourly toilet visits, which can then be stretched out to longer intervals. For more information visit www.eric.org.uk (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence). Helpline: 0845 370 8008

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Sound Mind Therapies

Do you control your mind? Weight for example part of your mind wants to loose weight and yet another part of your mind compels you to overeat this is a classic example of conflict within the mind. • Loose weight naturally with our Hypnotic gastric band method helps you to control your mind naturally and loose weight easily. We do not believe in diets because when you starve the body it will store fat and eventually gorge. • Anxiety & panic attacks are very unpleasant and can blight your life learn how to calm the mind and take back the control. • Post traumatic stress disorder is treated in a very caring and comfortable way you don’t even have to discuss the trauma in order for us to help you resolve past or present trauma. • Simple Phobias can be almost anything such as fear of flying, driving, spiders, or even small spaces. Our methods are very caring gentle and kind.

• Improve Confidence and self esteem amaze yourself and others in just three sessions suitable for general confidence or/and public speaking. • Stop smoking if you want to give up smoking 2 sessions will help you to kick the habit for good. For an appointment or for more information phone and ask for Maxine on 01767 641326 or Mob 07866 836154 or go to www.soundmind4u. com email:maxine@soundmind4u.com Ask for free 1/2 hour consultation on these or other therapies Maxine Hopton BSc.(Psychology)PDCHyp.MBSCC EMDR (for trauma) Hypnotherapy Psychotherapy Life coach NLP practitioner

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www.hotwaffleseo.co.uk Ash Tree Financial Services Independent Financial Advisers For friendly and expert advice in your financial planning including: Mortgages and Home Insurance Life assurance Critical Illness Cover Income Protection Pensions and Annuities Investments and Savings Contact Christopher Goodwin Ash Tree House, 48 Sutton Mill Road, Potton, SG19 2QB Tel: 01767 262760 goodwin@ashtree.uk.com www.ashtree.uk.com To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Sally Anstee Accountants

Chartered Certified Accountants

- Accounts preparation for Sole traders, Partnerships and Limited Companies - Self assessment tax returns - Cash Flow Forecasting - Vat, Payroll & Bookkeeping - Business Start Up

Free Initial Consultation Phone: Sally Anstee FCCA 01767 650700 Ground Floor Offices, Unit 30, Green End, Gamlingay, Sandy, Beds, SG19 3LF Email: Sally@anstee-accountants.com Website: www.anstee-accountants.com

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Cutting edge kitchen kit

The best kitchen gadgets Celebrity chefs have made cooking cool, and the gadget industry hasn’t been slow to cash in: from items that’ll brighten up your kitchen to technology that can make your food more healthy, there are all kinds of gadgets for all kinds of cooks. One of our favourite kitchen gadgets is Taylor’s Coloured Kitchen Knife Block (£34.99), a clear perspex block with five neon-coloured knives embedded in it. The knives are stainless steel but they’ve been given a special non-stick, dishwasher safe coating to turn them into works of art. If you have an iPad, you might already be using recipe apps to plan your meals, but have you stuck your tablet on your fridge? The £34.99 FridgePad does just that, enabling you to watch Jamie Oliver’s tips, keep an eye on a recipe or just watch the TV or listen to music while you chop and cook. The FridgePad promises to hold 25 times its own weight, although we’d be checking our home insurance coverage just in case. Even the humble egg has gadgets: the £14.99 BeepEgg is a singing egg timer that you chuck into the pot with your eggs. It then plays different tunes to alert you to different levels of hardness, so for example you get “Killing Me Softly” for soft-boiled eggs. If that kind of whimsy makes you smile, you might also like the Monday Morning Heat Changing Mug (£14.99): it starts off dark with a sad expression, but when you pour in hot water, tea or coffee it turns into a yellow smiley face. Kitchen gadgets can be sensible as well as smiley. Philips’ AirFryer (from around £200) promises all the joy of deep fried food without the fat: instead of a big bucket of oil, it has a grill and circulates air to cook food using 80% less fat than traditional

fryers. Tefal’s ActiFry offers a similarly high-tech approach to health, but it’s a good bit cheaper: the FZ700015 model is widely available for less than £120 and enables you to cook enough chips for four with just one spoonful of oil. If you’re the kind of person who breaks out the barbecue at the first sign of sun, gadgets can help you with that too: digital thermometers (widely available from around £5) enable you to check that the inside of the food isn’t still raw when the outside’s been burned to a crisp. While you’re at it, you might want to order a BBQ Branding Iron (£12.99 from MenKind.co.uk) to burn your name - or any text you like - into the food you’re cooking. More sensibly - and as useful indoors as out - Hostess makes a cordless hot tray that keeps plates of food warm for up to an hour from a single 8-minute charge, while Barcraft’s rotary Ice Crusher (from around £16) crushes ice for those all-important cocktails. Sometimes the best gadgets are the simplest ones, such as Joseph Joseph’s many cookware ideas: the firm’s bright-coloured, beautifully designed kitchen gadgets range from adjustable spaghetti measures to chopping boards that fold up for washing ingredients or emptying them into pots and, if you can imagine it, the company probably makes it: there are herb choppers and rotary peelers, citrus juicers with built-in pipcatchers, dual-purpose grinders and pump-action potato mashers. Our favourite, though, is the Cut and Carve, a chopping board that’s on an angle and has a lip to catch juices when you’re carving meat or chopping fruit. Like all good gadgets it’s beautifully simple and makes us wish we’d thought of it first.

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Computer Supply & Repair Fast, friendly and local support for all your computer and technology needs. Repairs, Upgrades, Custom Builds etc. Virus and Spyware Removal, PC Health Checks, Software/Hardware Sales, Networking and Wireless

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The Gadget Guy Phone: 01767 641680 Mobile: 07776 497004 Email: sales@thegadgetguy.co.uk Web: www.thegadgetguy.co.uk 46

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Use It or Lose It!

Visit your local library With libraries shortening their hours and even closing in some areas, it’s time to make use of these wonderful institutions. Here are 5 reasons why. Save money! Book lending is free, and DVD rental is normally around £1. You can read today’s newspaper, or the latest magazine. Just watch out for the fines if you return items late... Community Libraries are great community centres. Mine holds parent and toddler groups, knitting groups, senior citizen coffee mornings and local councillor surgeries. Have a look at what your local library does and meet new people or learn new skills! The Internet Most libraries provide free internet access for members, although you may need to book in advance. This gives you the chance to shop, email, work or just muck about on social networks if you don’t have the internet at home. Education Libraries are brilliant for academic research. All you need in one place. And if your local library doesn’t have what you need, they

can order it in for you. Increasingly, your library membership gives you free access to thousands of online articles and journals too. Finally The books! Books are expensive. At a library you have access to your favourite author’s complete works at no cost! It’s also a great way to try before you buy!

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Keeping Pests at Bay

the Natural Way

More and more people have become concerned about using chemicals in the garden. Indeed, some gardeners have used chemicals rarely, if at all, for many years. It may be that you are worried about wildlife and conservation in general or you may also be concerned about using gardening pesticides on plants that children or pets might play near, or that you intend to eat. Greener gardening is not difficult, it is just different. Some of the most infuriating pests are to be found in greenhouses, conservatories and other protected areas, where they can thrive and breed rapidly. It is a great help to know that there are now many ‘natural’ controls available in the form of predators and parasites, which can be purchased from mail order suppliers (including www.pippagreenwood.com) and then released into your greenhouse or conservatory. These insects or mites do a great job of keeping many common pests at bay, including whitefly, red spider mite and mealy bugs. There are also excellent controls available for slugs and for vine weevils, both of which can be used successfully outside too. For those who are troubled by pests such as leather jackets (symptoms are deteriorating patches in the lawn, shortly followed by the lawn being ripped up by birds or badgers searching for the ‘delicious’ grubs) or chafer grubs (also responsible for damage caused by eating plant roots), there are now biological controls available to keep these at bay too. There is also a fairly new control available, which sends ants off in the other direction – wonderful if you like to lie on the lawn or enjoy meals in your garden without being nipped! I garden organically so I use these biological controls regularly. If your conservatory is also used as a place where you or the family relax or perhaps enjoy a drink or a meal, I’d say it is especially important not to fill it full of potentially harmful chemicals. If you want to try these controls then you will need to make sure that your greenhouse or conservatory is not already packed full of chemical residues - otherwise they may kill the beneficial creatures you are introducing. For whitefly you need a tiny parasitic wasp called Encarsia and for red spider mite you need another mite, this time the predatory Phytoseiulus. Introduce these in amongst the infested plants

and they will automatically go in search of the pests, soon getting their numbers under control and all without you having to lift a finger. It may sound off-putting to release wasps into your greenhouse or conservatory (or mites come to that) but these little creatures are tiny and will not bite or sting: they are only interested in the pests. Biological controls, including those for slugs and vine weevils, are all tricky for garden centres to stock, as what you are buying are living creatures which won’t survive if left sitting on a warm shelf for too long. Mail order is therefore the best way to buy generally, with your predators or parasites arriving in the post along with strict instructions for storage (they should usually be kept in the fridge) and for using before the use-by date expires. But don’t let this put you off: biological controls are excellent and are used by many professional growers. To ensure success you must follow the instructions precisely and make sure you introduce the control when there are a few, but not too many, pests around. If you wait until the air is choked with whitefly it can be a bit too much of an uphill struggle for the tiny little wasps. But the great thing is that you can relax in the knowledge that you’re not jeopardising any wildlife and that, in many cases, the biological control becomes selfperpetuating as the ‘critters’ you have bought breed and spread within the greenhouse. Now that’s what I call useful. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and sign up for her newsletter (and receive a free ebook on organic gardening) and shop from the new products area which offers a great selection of biological controls (for slugs, vine weevils, red spider mite, whitefly etc) plus growing frames, cloches, raised bed kits and lots, lots more.

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GILKS FENCING LTD Supplying of all types of gates and fencing to trade and public. •Maintenance free •Environmentally friendly •Stronger and lighter than concrete posts •Unique natural wood-grain finish •Dual faced fencing posts and gravel boards •Will not rot, crack, chip or split We are looking for show gardens to promote this exciting new product. Excellent prices for the first few selected. Interested? Call us.

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Unit 2, 1 Stockton End, Off Sunderland Road, Sandy, Beds SG19 1SB Tel: 01767 681746 Fax: 01767 681776 www.gilksfencing.co.uk Email: gilksfencing@hotmail.com 52

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Rural Ramblings BY GEOFF WHARTON

Which colour will it be tomorrow?

A few weeks ago, while wandering through a patch of woodland, I came across the beautiful remains of one of my favourite birds, the glorious Red Kite. For many years I have been trying to see one and recently have managed this, but unfortunately only from a distance, and here was one beneath my feet - dead but still magnificent and charismatic. I was immediately struck by the rich colouring of the feathers, the powerful grey talons and the bright yellow legs Why it had died seemingly so suddenly was the question but it’s beauty even in death was so impressive as to remain with me . I returned to the spot a few weeks later but there were no remains-probably removed by a scavenging fox to supplement a meagre food supply? A few days later I was involved in the removal of the remains of a poly tunnel plus contents. The floor had been covered with a sturdy woven weed suppressing membrane which unfortunately had not been able to cope with the invasive efforts of nettle and ivy. After a bit of a battle it was removed and then came the next layer – thousands of brittle plastic pots and their associated crumbling labels. All the pots had to be emptied and were then unceremoniously dumped into a large builder’s bag and then squashed down into a manageable volume. Next came the replacement polythene covering which was torn and partly buried. Out it came and also bundled up. Buried by several years of vegetation was found the original sheet, still more or less intact. This was added to the now rapidly increasing pile of non-biodegradable plastic waste which took over a considerable area of garden. The issue of disposal now became imminent. The hours of effort to construct the tunnel and all the work involved in propagation and care for young plants had now been swept

away into heap of waste - it was such a sad sight and to think that it was once a source of pride and joy for a conscientious and knowledgeable gardener. The skip was filled with several cubic metres of this plastic and will soon be removed from the property and “disappear”. It seems strange to think that a pastime of such a “green” activity can result in the production of so much waste from one household. I suppose the shock of the actual volumes involve was because the stuff had never been cleared away, usually a little at a time, and had accumulated over the years. On the way home I happened to pass by a nursery growing what I think were early strawberries and yes they were being grown under polythene. The surrounding area was covered with the remains of old sheets and I shuddered to think of the disposal issues involved. Let’s hope that recycling is possible The point of mentioning the bird??

Geoff Wharton Gardening Services Reliable, experienced, well qualified. General and specialist garden work: Jungle clearing, Pruning, Hedge and grass cutting, Regular maintenance, Licensed waste disposal. Full public liability cover. Geoff Wharton - BSC honours Hort.Science Email:geoffwharton@hotmail.com

Tel: 01767 261727

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Pottons Specialist Welding and Fabricating Company

For further information please call Trevor on Tel: 01767 261845 Mobile: 07941 187689 Email: Gemmaton@hotmail.co.uk

ton for a ll yo Wrought iron work, ur w elding needs made to order, including

ma m e G • • • •

stairs benches individual beds furniture

• • • •

Suppliers of manual and automated gates Security doors and grills Fire escapes All welding projects

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Garden Deals MARSHALLS TEXTURED PAVING

Available in five colours

• Light shot blasted texture paving in a choice of two colours • Can be laid on screeded sand with 2.5mm joints 450mmx450mm Buff

£4 .55

450mmx450mm Natural

£4

.35 Inc Vat

Inc Vat

£3 .7 9

DECORATIVE AGGREGATES BULK BAG All these

OLD ENGLISH YORKSTONE RADIUS CIRCLE KIT

1.8M Circle

£1 1 5

£9 9

covers One Bulk Bag y approximatel h 2 m dept 12M at 50m

.0 0

Inc Vat

£3 .7 8 Ex Vat

Ex Vat

.98

Inc Vat

£8 3 .3 2 Ex Vat

£9 5 .8 3 Ex Vat

• A handy 1.8M diameter feature circle. • May be extended to 2.7M & 3.6M diameter. • Now with less heavily riven profiles. • Offer applies to Old English and York buff colours only.

Cheshire Pink

Emerald Green

14-11mm

14mm

Plum Slate Chipping

Blue Slate Chipping

20mm

Cotswold Buff

£79.99

Inc Vat

20mm-14mm

£6 6 .6 5 Ex Vat

3a Pegasus Drive, Stratton Business Park, Biggleswade, B Sales: 01767 312800 Fax: 01767 3183

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BAILEY’S TOPSOIL BULK BAG

Q DECK YORK DECK BOARD

• Tested to BS3882 and screened to 10mm • 100% Natural Product from a British Topsoil Association member • Ideal for flower beds and turf

£5 5

.0 0

Inc Vat

£4 5 .8 3 Ex Vat

• 38mmx125mm profile which can be reversed • 15 Year warranty • FSC Managed source

£1

r .9 5 pe Inc Vat

Metre

£1 .6 2 Ex Vat

GRANGE RUSTIC SLEEPER • An economic way to create pathways, steps or raised beds. • FSC managed source • Handy 1200mm x 125mm x 100mm size

£6 .9

Inc Vat

£5 .8 2

Ex Vat

Bedfordshire SG18 8QA 371

✓Landscaping Displays ✓Bathroom Showroom ✓Free local delivery ✓Open all day Saturday ✓Public & Trade welcome

“...competitive prices and friendly advice” www.henlowbuildingsupplies.co.uk

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J.R. Bibby Turf Supplies Quality Turf with a Quality Service

• Professional Turf Laying Service • Weed Treated & Fertilized • Fast Delivery • Commercial and Domestic • Free Estimates • All Areas Covered • Hard Landscaping Large or Small Jobs Undertaken

For your Free Estimate call Joe on:

01767 - 260 550

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We don’t aim to save you pennies - just £’s Beach Huts

Fabulous Garden Buildings

BBQ’s Silly prices on Outback

(New English BBQ range coming soon)

Baskets

Ready made or bring your own for filling

Zonal Double Geraniums

Large plants from only £1.50 each

New ranges of Garden Furniture arriving weekly with new easy care range

Large range of vegetable plants including Tomatoes, Peppers and Cues. Great Value Sunday Roast Lunches 2 courses only £10.95 (Booking Advisable)

Tel: 01767 680983 60

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skill circle

potton

We are fortunate in this region to have a wide choice of local businesses offering us their services. They are run by experienced caring people with a reputation to preserve. Not all of them have a High Street presence and they need to limit their marketing spend to remain competitive. Therefore they can be “hidden gems”, that are difficult to seek out compared to their “big name” competitors. On Monday June 18, from 3-6pm, there will be an opportunity to meet some of them. The Coach House in Potton Market Square will host the first Local Business Showcase. Admission will be free so pop in for a chat in informal surroundings. You may be surprised what is on offer on your doorstep! The event is being organised by SkillCircle, which is a co-operative venture by a number of smaller businesses.

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CELEBRATING 5 5YEARS! CELEBRATING YEARS!

DEEPDALE VETERINARY AND AQUATIC CENTRE Emma and Charles Cullen, owners of Deepdale Veterinary and Aquatic Centre, are celebrating five years in business. “It’s amazing to think how far we have come”, says Emma, “and how much has changed - from refurbishing the pet and aquatic centre with new lines and modern equipment to the opening of a fully functioning veterinary practice. “Before we arrived, Deepdale was primarily an aquatic centre, with the addition of a small pet shop. As a registered veterinary nurse, it has always been my dream to run my own business, and especially a veterinary practice. Deepdale is the perfect combination, with something for everyone and always something more that can be added or improved!” The veterinary practice began life as a neutering and vaccination clinic, offering a low cost essential service to local communities. Charles Cullen, Deepdale’s veterinary surgeon, recalls, “A significant proportion of our work from the outset was in cooperation with RSPCA, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust and other charities, to offer neutering vouchers and

other assistance where possible.” “In the fifteen or so years since qualifying I have worked in a number of practices and in industry, before the opportunity came to do things my way! Our overriding principle at Deepdale is to offer affordable health care for pets. Nevertheless, we have still invested heavily in state-of-art equipment such as digital x-ray, together with the anaesthetics, pain control, laboratory equipment and so on, expected of a modern practice.” When asked to sum up Deepdale in a single sentence, Charles and Emma were of one mind, “It’s probably become a cliché thanks to TV ads and big business, but we believe our clients and our patients would agree that we are here because we care”.

Can I go to the Paddocks for my Holiday please?

Paddocks Boarding Cattery Peaceful location. No dogs boarded. Spacious, individual, heated chalets with large covered runs. Inspection welcome. Boarding from £6.00/day. Rabbits/guinea pigs also boarded. 64 Meadow Road, Great Gransden

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

The cattery for caring owners. Comfort and security for your pet. 62

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1/2 price sale on selected pet accessories

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Professional Dog & Cat Grooming Hydro Massage Bathing Bespoke Dog & Cat Grooming Handstripping Specialists De-shedding Treatments Open Plan Grooming 38 Shortmead St Biggleswade www.hollywooddogs.co.uk 01767 600 212 Find us on Facebook

TOP DOG Training School At Echo Hub, Gamlingay Starting Saturday 12th May Train your dog and have fun. Let your dog socialise in a safe environment. All aspects of training catered for. Just come enjoy your dog and meet new friends. No up front fee, pay as you go. Please ring 07717754790 To book your place. DOGS LOVE TOP DOG, TOP DOG LOVES DOGS HONEST & RELIABLE, REASONABLE RATES, REFERENCES AVAILABLE

Call Animal Carer CYNDY on 07717 754790

PUPPIES OCCASIONALLY FOR SALE OR OLDER DOGS FOR REHOMING.

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Everyday history

spectacles

It would be reasonable to imagine spectacles as a modern invention, so it may come as something of a surprise to note that Marco Polo, visiting China in 1270, observed elderly Chinese wearing them. On the basis of legend rather than fact, St. Jerome is credited with the invention, which takes us back to c.340-420 A.D. More substantive evidence however comes from the Roman writer Pliny, who recorded that the emperor Nero watched gladiatorial combat through an ‘emerald ‘, which has been interpreted to mean that he used some form of eyeglass. The first medical observation is recorded by Bernard Gordon, Professor of Montpelier, recommending “a collyrium of such potency that it will enable those whose sight is weak from old age to read without glasses.” A sermon of 1305 by Fra Giordano da Rivalto states “It is not yet 20 years that the art of making glasses was invented” but no person is identified as the inventor.

Spectacle frames deserve a separate mention. The oldest recorded example from a painting by di Modena in 1352 shows two lenses in heavy rims joined centrally. The inconvenience of holding such heavy items in place led to experiments with leather rims, gold, silver, horn, wood and even fish-bone with one suggestion being that the glasses should be secured to the wearer’s hat. Until almost the middle of the 19th century the provision and fitting of spectacles was a service provided by untrained street vendors and choice was very restricted. Although corrective surgery and contact lenses are now available, glasses are still the most popular form of vision correction with custom prescriptions and a huge choice of styles.

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Swimming Lessons • • • • • •

Private pool - Tadlow ASA qualified teachers Beginners & stroke technique classes 1-3 pupils per class 10 week courses (term time only) Mother and Toddler classes

C a l l He ather on Tel: 01767 631053 Mob: 07885 516561 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Mats Cars Potton Based Local and Long Distance Private Hire Airport/Stations/Nights Out etc Can now carry up to 7 passengers + luggage in our new Luxury MPV. 4 Passenger car also available. Airport Transfers From Luton £40, Stansted £65, Heathrow £80, Gatwick £130 Tel: 01767 261871 Mob: 07983 218367 www.mats-cars.co.uk All major credit/debit cards accepted

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Mini Coupe Road Test

BY JAMES BAGGOTT

The Mini brand is expanding yet again – this time into the niche Coupe market. James Baggott finds out more WHAT IT IS? Yet another Mini that’s been tweaked to keep the brand’s sales moving upwards. Sales for the maker are up 14 per cent year on year in a market down five per cent and the Coupe aims to add around 3,000 a year to that total. Classed as a ‘halo’ model, it’s not expected to be a volume seller, but a rival to the likes of the VW Scirocco and Audi TT. It has a lower roof, boot spoiler and only two seats. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? There are diesel and petrol options. As it’s the halo model, Mini won’t be offering One versions, only Cooper, Cooper S, SD, and John Cooper Works versions. We tried the SD and John Cooper Works. The latter is the range-topper offering 149mph top speed, 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds and 39.8mpg. The diesel is a bit clattery but great to drive. It returns 65.7mpg, hits 134mph and passes 60mph in 7.7s. WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? High. Standard equipment includes DAB radio, air-con, parking sensors, alloy wheels and sport stripes. But as with all Minis, it’s the personalisation – both via factory order and dealer- fitted accessories – which are plentiful. The famous TLC servicing pack is available for £249 and some 98 per cent of buyers are expected

to take it up. We’d like to know who the two per cent are that don’t… WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Enjoyable, but for taller drivers, extremely uncomfortable. The low roofline means you have to constantly crick your neck and the seats sent our legs to sleep within 10 minutes. It handles much like the hatch and in the dry is extremely chuckable, but in the wet it suffered with understeer. But none of that will stop fashionhungry buyers snapping them up. WHAT DO THE PRESS SAY? Auto Express said they thought ‘the powerful model has the makings of a machine that will take the brand to a group of drivers who feel that the standard hatch just isn’t tough enough’. While rivals Autocar said: ‘If you can live with the striking looks and driving appeal is a priority, it’s certainly worth considering.’ WHAT DO WE THINK OF IT? The looks certainly grew on us during our test, but no amount of driving dynamics could take our attention away from the pain in our legs, not something any driver wants to experience. With only 3,000 expected to find homes, this lowvolume model will be a fashion statement for style-conscious buyers. And with a Roadster due next year, it’s clear the Mini brand’s expansion is set to continue apace. By James Baggott, editor of Car Dealer Magazine (CarDealerMag.co.uk)

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Personal chauffeur service

Providing a luxurious first class chauffeur service for any occasion including: Airport Transfers Corporate & media travel Sports & social events Special occasions evenings out Weddings All local and long distance travel catered for

Please contact us: Tel: 07901 65 66 62 E-mail: info@opulentexecutivetravel.co.uk www.opulentexecutivetravel.co.uk

COMPLETE CAR CARE

07860 834 887 www.tandmcarcare.co.uk

T&M Complete Car Care Independent Mobile Vehicle Services:

Established since 1988 in Baldock, Hertfordshire, T&M have now gone mobile, maintaining our full range of services with the convenience of bringing them directly to your location of choice.

Our services include: • • • • • • •

Air-Con Servicing and Re-Gasing ECU Diagnostics and Repair Full Vehicle Servicing Collect and Return MOT Testing Competitive Rates On Parts and Labour 0% VAT on all jobs All major credit and debit cards accepted

Our Aim:

Our commitment to our customers is of utmost importance. We are an independent business with an aim to meet customer expectation on cost and services provided, ensuring we maintain our high standards at all times. We attempt to complete all work the same day where possible.

For all your oven cleaning needs, using a Non-toxic, Non-caustic cleaning solution

Prices

s/oven (all inc.)...£36.00 d/oven (all inc.)...£48.00 extractors from...£12.00 microwaves.....£16.00 hobs from....£12.00 BBQs, Agas and Ranges individually priced.

We cover Beds - Herts - South Cambs Contact us now

Tel: 01767 681 667 Mob: 07817 011 957 email: enquiries@ovenmaestro.co.uk www.ovenmaestro.co.uk

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Fun Quiz - Heaven and Hell 1. Who had a 1993 top ten hit single with Stairway To Heaven? 2. Which famous person in history wrote a letter that became known as the “From Hell” letter? 3. Which company uses the slogan “chocolate heaven since 1911”? 4. Also the name of a pop group, which 14th century poem by Dante is divided into three parts that tell of journeys through hell, purgatory and heaven? 5. Who was the head chef on the first series of the TV show Hell’s Kitchen? 6. Which famous composer supposedly said on his deathbed “I shall hear in heaven”? 7. Which movie villain wears a white mink coat and has a country house that is nicknamed Hell Hall? 8. In Greek mythology, who was condemned to stand at the edge of the world and hold up the heavens on his shoulders? 9. Who finished runner-up in the 2010 series of The X Factor and, in December 2011, released an album called Heaven on which she cowrote all ten songs? 10. In John Milton’s poem Paradise Lost, what is the name of the capital of Hell, a name which is now used as a word to mean wild uproar or unrestrained disorder? 1. Rolf Harris 2. Jack the Ripper 3. Thorntons 4. The Divine Comedy 5. Gordon Ramsay 6.Ludwig van Beethoven 7. Cruella de Vil 8. Atlas 9. Rebecca Ferguson 10. Pandemonium

Before

After

ABOVE ALL Autocentre Unit 1, Sand Road Ind. Est., Great Gransden SG19 3AH

10% discount with this advert

Tel: 01767 679000

MOT TESTING For class 4 or 7 vehicles Class IV Cars and vans up to 3000kg Class VII Vans over 3000kg up to 3500kg

SERVICING Good Garage Scheme Industry Standard Service Or to manufacturer specification

DIAGNOSTICS - SNAP ON Diagnostic fault finding centre. EXHAUSTS - Supplied and fitted to all makes of cars and vans. BATTERIES - Supplied and fitted two and three year guarantee. BRAKES - Discs Pads Shoes. Cylinders etc supplied and fitted. CODE READING - Trace & rectify those alarming red dashboard warning lights. TYRES - All makes inc. Budget Avon, Dunlop, Firestone, Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli.

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SEASONAL DELIGHTS Asparagus frittata

Serves 4-6 Prep time 10 minutes Cooking time 20 minutes

Ingredients 275g new potatoes 450g asparagus 5 large eggs 200g buffalo mozzarella

50g Parmesan, grated 2 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley 2 tbsp olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200째C/gas mark 6. Making sure the potatoes are clean first, boil them in salted water. 2. Trim the asparagus, then cut the stems into 1cm slices leaving the spear as a piece about 8cm long. Add this all to the potato pan for the last 5 minutes of the cooking time. 3. Drain everything and refresh in cold water. Thickly slice the potato. 4. Whisk together the eggs really well. Dice the mozzarella and add to the eggs along with 40g of the Parmesan, the parsley, potatoes and slices of asparagus. Season generously with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Stir everything to coat with the egg. Lastly, gently stir through the spears. 5. Heat a 22cm diameter oven-proof deep frying pan along with the olive oil over a medium heat. Nonstick would be great, otherwise one which is naturally seasoned. 6. Pour in the egg mixture making sure some of the spears are sitting at the top. Leave to cook for around 10 minutes until the edges are starting to firm up. 7. Sprinkle over the last 10g of Parmesan and slide the frying pan in to the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the frittata is golden and firm. 8. Serve straight from the pan with a crisp green salad.

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BURY LANE • Fresh Fruit & Vegetables • Delicatessen • Café • Butchery • Fresh Flowers

• Gift Shop • Garden Shop • Plant Centre • PYO in season • Free- range eggs

Open 7 days a week all year round Monday - Saturday 9am - 5:30pm Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm

A10 Melbourn By pass, Melbourn, Royston, Herts 01763 260418

w w w. b u r yl a n e f a r m s h o p.c o.u k

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what’S ON?

IN MAY

2 May Shrubs of Distinction 7.30pm WI Hall, Waresley Road, Gamlingay Visitors very welcome £2.50 entry charge Gamlingay Gardening Club. John Negus will talk about ‘Shrubs of Distinction’. Tel: Jean Venning 01767 261298 4 & 18 May, 1 June Whist Drive 7.30pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Fortnightly Friday Whist Drive. Refreshments included. Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727 for more information 5 May Diamond Rings Concert 7.30pm Sue Ryder Hospice, St John’s Road, Moggerhanger Tickets £7, children under 13 £5 Peregrine Recorder Orchestra is performing a very varied programme. Due to strictly limited seating in the hall entry is by ticket only. Proceeds to the hospice charity. Simple refreshments will be available to purchase. Tel: Ron on 01767 641501 or 07952 472699, to secure a booking 7 May Novelty Dog Show 9.30-5pm White Horse Pub, Broom, Biggleswade Organised by Barking Mad Dog Training School in aid of Hounds for Heroes. Classes start at 10am prompt and cost £1 each. Web: www.barkingmaddts.co.uk 11 May Sunshine Pre-school Open Day 1pm-3pm WI Hall, Waresley Road, Gamlingay, SG19 3EH We will be opening our doors to all prospective parents and their families for an informal look around our friendly Pre-school and recently improved enclosed rear garden. Staff will be happy to answer any questions and provide information for you to take away. There will be toys and equipment for the children to play with and refreshments available. For more information visit www.sunshine-gamlingay. ik.org or tel 07703 770676

11 May Bingo Night 7.30pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Monthly Bingo Friday night with cash prizes, a raffle and licensed bar. All proceeds to support the Village Hall. Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727

Entries into our What’s On sections are free. If you have an event you would like us to publicise please email the details to whatson@villagermag.com 12 May Plant Sale 8am-1pm Potton Market Square Potton Show’s Plant Sale. A good opportunity to buy basket and bedding plants at very good prices. This is an annual event that helps to fund the flower and vegetable show which this year is on 8 September and is now in its 39th year. 12 May Gamlingay Gardening Club Annual Plant Sale 2.30pm Honey Hill, Gamlingay Visitors very welcome £2.50 entry charge By kind permission of Mrs Eileen Knibbs. We look forward to welcoming visitors. Unusual plants for sale. Tea and homemade cakes. Tel: Jean Venning 01767 261298 18-20 May Moggerhanger Plant Sale Fri 10am-1pm coffee morning, Sat 10am-4pm Ploughman’s Lunch, Sun 1pm-4pm cream teas Little Orchard, 36 Blunham Road, Moggerhanger Bedding, veg, baskets and more. Raffle & cake stall. Tel: Jo 01767 641184 18 May-14 September Bat Punting Safaris Times vary River Cam, Cambridge Adult £15, Concession £13.50, under 12 £7.50 Every Friday just after dusk join the Wildlife Trust experts and Scudamore’s punt staff on a 90 minute journey along the Grantchester stretch of the River Cam which has a vibrant bat population. 50% of proceeds go to The Wildlife Trust. Web: www.wildlifebcn.org Web: www.scudamores.com for booking 19 May Pig and Piano Soiree 7pm for 7.30pm The Old Locomotive, Deepdale (off B1042 road between Potton and Sandy) Tickets £18 for a roast pork dinner with dessert and musical entertainment. Fundraiser in aid of All Saints’ Church, Sutton. Tickets from 01767 261742 and 01767 260788

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what’S ON? IN MAY

19 May Concert by the Hitchin Band 7.30pm St. Swithun’s Church, Sandy Tickets £4 each In aid of The Sandy Branch of The Leprosy Mission. Refreshments available during the interval. Large free car park opposite the Church. Disabled access facilities. Tickets available from Sandy TIC or Branch Secretary. Tel: Colin Osborne, Branch Secretary 01767 682032 23 May World Touring Car Driver James Nash comes to The Rufus Centre! 7.30-10pm East Anglian Air Ambulance, The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick, MK45 1AH Tickets £2.50 including glass of wine/beer/soft drink An evening James Nash, current Team Aon Ford Focus World Touring Car Championship driver and independent drivers champion in last year’s British Touring Car Championship. Generously sponsored by Evans Halshaw Ford of Bedford. There will also be a raffle to raise funds for James’s charity, East Anglian Air Ambulance. Evans Halshaw Ford will be present with road version models of the Ford Focus. Tickets from East Anglian Air Ambulance tel 01525 718517. 25 May Macmillan Cancer Support Quiz 7.30pm Biggleswade Conservative Club £5 per person max of 6 per team Bar available, sandwiches provided. Please call Abigail on 01767 699976 to book a place for your team or email abigail@chipperfields.net 26 May Race Night 8pm Gamlingay First School £3 Ticket £2 Horse Bar available. Racing a mini wooden horse attached to string (or someone else can race for you). Don’t miss this fun night out. For more information contact Dee Kirby on 01767 651801 or Gamlingay First School Office or Woodview Farm Shop. 30 May Organ Concert 8-10.30pm Members £4, Non-Members £5. Pay at door. Addison Centre, Kempston, Bedford Bedford Organ & Keyboard Club presents popular Organist Richard Monks. Tel: 01234 344423 Web: www.organfax/clubs/bedford/html

4 June During the evening of Monday, 4th June, there is to be a Torchlight Procession from the Market Square to the Pinnacle. Assemble in Market Square Sandy at 9.30 pm and bring your torches for a procession up to Pinnacle Hill where the Jubilee Beacon will be lit at 10.15 pm by Cllr Mrs Susan Sutton, Town Mayor. This will be followed by a single firework of 2 minutes duration to commemorate HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee For further information please contact Sandy Town Council on 01767 681491 The Bedfordshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is calling for entries for projects which improve the county’s appearance, preserve its character and promote sustainability. The three categories for entries are Landscape Improvement, Historic and New Buildings and Sustainable Living. Deadline 21 May. Web: www.cprebeds.plus.com/lcawards.pdf Email: ann.cw@cprebeds.org.uk

Potton Jubilee Events 2 June Jubilee Fun Day 2pm til late Playing Field behind Moggerhanger Church Many games and stalls. BBQ, Refreshments, Beer Tent. Music and dancing Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727 3 June Diamond Jubilee Party 11am Biggleswade Rugby & Squash Club, Langford Road, Biggleswade Day starts at 11am with traditional style street party picnic at 12 noon followed by the day’s entertainment. Touch Rugby match, tombola, raffle, tug of war and children’s games, Children’s fancy dress competition (anything “British”), outside bar open, cake stall and much more. Tel: Paula Rastrick 07967 837272, Hattie Thoday 07540 163738 or Kara (Club Steward) 01767 312463

CULLIFORD EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE The complete garden maintenance service from: • Clearing • Weeding • Pruning • Lopping • Hedge Cutting • Tree Removal • Gutter Clearing • Conservatory Cleaning • Fence Painting • Fence Panel Repair/Replacement • Re-turfing • Lawn Care • Grass Cutting We offer a 3 step service: 1. Reliability - I do what I say 2. Service - Same day where possible 3. Price - We estimate with no hidden cost

Special Seasonal Offer:

Patio Jet Washing & Re-pointing Block Paving Jet Washing & Sealing For a prompt, reliable and personal service call:

01767 640799 or 07975 658265

DRIFTWOOD JOINERY LTD Specialists in Bespoke Joinery

Conservatories • Doors • Windows Staircases Handmade Kitchens Handmade Bedroom Furniture

Unit 8, Gracious Farm, Southill, Beds SG18 9JB T: 01462 816695 F: 01462 850915 E: info @driftwoodjoinery.com 76

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Oven Cleaning! - It’s a dirty job! Why do it yourself? We clean ovens using non-caustic, non-toxic products in your home. Ovens • Ranges • Hobs • Extractors Agas • Microwaves • Barbecues (May - Sept) Single Oven (all racks/pans inc)........................£35 Single Oven & Grill Oven (all racks/pans inc).....£45 Single Separate Grill Oven (racks/pans inc)......£15 Microwaves & Combination Ovens....................£20 Extractor Fan (free filter for next clean).............£12 Hob..................................................................£12 . . .

Agas and Ranges priced accordingly Oven Bulbs replaced for free in all jobs V.A.T free

Tel: 01767 260188 Mobile: 07812 666081 email: ovenmen@live.co.uk parent company est. 1998

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SANDY M.O.T CENTRE While-you-wait testing on site

FROODS AUTOSERVICES Your ‘main dealer’ alternative………..

Established over 20 years we have grown from strength to strength by word of mouth referrals due to the quality of our work and service. We provide vehicle maintenance, repairs and diagnostics for most makes of vehicles and have invested in training and state of the art diagnostic equipment to meet the demands of the modern car. We also provide: • Servicing & Repairs • MOT’s on Site, including 4 x 4 Vehicles • Air Conditioning • Tyres • 4 Wheel Laser Alignment • Batteries & Exhausts • American Vehicle Service & Diagnostics • Vehicle Recovery & Transportation Service • Collect & Delivery Service • Courtesy Cars

It is our policy to keep our customers informed at all times with the fault, cause, cure and estimated cost which will be reported to the customer before we carry out any repair work. We recognise that it is important to use Original Equipment (OE) parts and the manufacturers recommended engine lubricants to prevent premature engine damage and this is standard practice. Personal Attention and Professional Service Telephone: 01767

680868 Email: info@froodsautoservices.co.uk Website: www.froodsautoservices.co.uk

10 Darlington Close, Sunderland Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1RW

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CODEWORD

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

9 X 9 PUZZLE

How to play Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simple! 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 puzzle. Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.

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PK Cleaning Services Est. since 1988

z Professional

Carpet and Upholstery cleaning z Window cleaning z UPVC Fascia cleaning z Patio and Driveway cleaning z Gutter and Soffit cleaning Free Estimates. Friendly and reliable service.

Paul Kaiser

Paul Hodson

Now Installing V Phase Units

Electrical Contractor Electrical Maintenance Commercial & Domestic Installations Rewires Fuse Board Upgrades Electric Heating Systems Underfloor Heating BT Points Periodic Testing Portable Appliance Testing Showers Free Estimates ELECSA Part P Approved

Home 01767 222822 Mobile 07812 335860

Call to discuss your requirements

Visit us on www.pkcleaningservices.net

paul@hodson-electrical.co.uk

All work carried out to IEE wiring regulations 17th edition

Tel: 01767 691668 Mob: 07887 776980

Tel: 01767 261622 Mob: 07947 732883 Email: dialporter01@tiscali.co.uk 82

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% 5 2

S OS F Y L ROO G ER H EN ROUG TH

FREE

LOFT INSULATION If you are a home owner or rent privately you could be entitled to FREE Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation

CALL NOW

35%

ENERGY LOSS THROUGH WALLS

01767 681849 And quote reference NE12

This offer is for a limited period only so call us now and SAVE MONEY

15% ENERGY LOSS THROUGH DRAUGHTS

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Sureclean DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

• Spot stain and odour removal • Anti-stain protection • The very latest equipment used • All work guaranteed • Fully insured • Established for 22 years • Leather suites cleaned and reconditioned

01767 652971 or 07870 338074 Mark Dilley Electrical Part P Registered Company 22386 Extra sockets - Lighting Extensions - Re-wires Security Lighting - Showers Inspections No job too small Free estimates All work to BS7671 regulations City and Guilds qualified

Tel: 01767 261008 Mob: 07990 895430

mark@markdilleyelectrical.co.uk 84

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Business to Business Associates Ltd

VIP CLUB

www.b-b-a.com sponsors of

THE VILLAGER PRIZE CROSSWORD

1st Prize £25 Name:

Complete the crossword on the following page, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 18th May 2012 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

2nd Prize £15

Tel:

Address:

Last Month’s Crossword Solution To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Fill in your details on the previous page and send your completed entry for a chance to win a cash prize.

Notes:

Across

Down

1 Sketch (7)

1 Musical drama (5)

5 Naval map (5)

2 Robbers (7)

8 Expel (5)

3 Worldwide (13)

9 Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holdall (7)

4 Pertaining to cultural group (6)

10 Promotional literature (13)

5 Deep thinking (13)

11 Informal (6)

6 Saunter (5)

12 Thick-set (6)

7 Firmly (7)

15 Used to cool food (13)

11 Right (7)

18 Conclusions (7)

13 Nearest (7)

19 Perfect (5)

14 Receptacle (6)

20 Sea rising and falling (5)

16 Dimmed (5)

21 Medicinal syrup (7)

17 Bottom of the feet (5)

Congratulations to last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crossword winners: 1st Prize - Mr. P Brent from Baldock 2nd Prize - Mrs. Day from Willington 86

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KEMP GARAGE DOORS SALES • INSTALLATION • REPAIRS • Family Run Business • 25 Years Experience • Up and Over • Sectional and Roller Doors www.kempgaragedoors.co.uk • Security Shutters

• Remote Control Door

SANDY • POTTON • All Major Brands

Supplied and Serviced

BIGGLESWADE • Call for a Free AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Quotation

• OAP Rates Available

01767 260165 Sandy

01480 210410 Eaton Socon

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T&R Roofing Ltd

Family Business Est. 1985

• Felt Roofing Specialists (10 year & 15 year guarantee on high performance felts) • Tiling, Slating, Guttering • UPVC Facia/Soffits • Chimney Work

All NEW work guaranteed Fully insured for employer & Public Liability Call Tony Simpson for a FREE estimate on:

01767 314847 mob. 07831849847

Building & Maintenance

Domestic & Commercial Building & Maintenance Service • All types of Building & Maintenance work undertaken • Garage & Loft Conversions • All aspects of Carpentry • Bathroom & Kitchen Installations • Roofing (flat and pitched) • Landscaping & Brickwork • Alterations & Refurbishment Customer’s recommendations available on request

For a free quote call Richard on:

H. 01767 681704 M. 07941 855415

E. rcr.maintenance@uwclub.net

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looking for volunteers

East of England Ambulance Service The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust is looking for volunteers to come on board as community first responders who live or work in Sandy, Biggleswade and Potton. Community first responders (CFRs) volunteer in groups, and are activated by the service to attend 999 emergency calls within their community. They receive free training to help them provide vital basic life saving skills which can make the difference in a life or death situation before the arrival of an ambulance resource. Volunteers take it in turn to be ‘on call’ and carry basic first aid equipment and a simple-to-use automated external defibrillator (AED). The emergency operations centre sends them to the scene of category A (immediately life threatening) 999 calls. First Responders are dispatched at the same time as the ambulance crew, but often arrive beforehand because they are based so locally. The responder then provides care until the ambulance arrives, usually only a few minutes later. At the moment, no CFR group covers Sandy, Biggleswade or Potton, which has prompted

the community partnership team to call on their community to come forward and be volunteers. Community partnership training officer Simon Marshall said: “Anyone living or working within this community can get involved with the scheme either as a first responder, or to help with other vital aspects of the scheme as scheme co-ordinator, fundraising or general admin help to the group. “It’s an incredibly rewarding experience and something which demonstrates great community spirit.” The EEAST’s community partnership manager Steve Catley said: “As with any voluntary group, we need people to join up so that we can get this life-saving scheme off of the ground. “The more members we can recruit, the more cover we can give. People can be on call for as little or as much time as they’re able; what’s important is that they want to contribute something worthwhile in a positive way.” For more information contact 01767 600822 or email responderadmin@eastamb.nhs.uk.

P.E. JAMES & SONS DOMESTIC PLUMBING, HEATING & GAS Small Repairs to Major Installations

Heating Problems & Installations

Showers, Pumps and Wet Rooms

New Boilers

Bathrooms and Ceramic Tiling

Solar Hot water

25 YEARS IN THE TRADE CITY & GUILDS CERTIFIED COVERING HERTS, BEDS, BUCKS & CAMBS CALL MR. JAMES NOW FOR A QUOTE 01767 317356 or 07816 586777

NO VAT!

Reg no. 193542

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BACK TO THE 16TH CENTURY

Biggleswade Sandy Lions Club Ickwelll May Day Festival was first documented in the Churchwardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accounts of c1565 and has continued ever since, apart from a break at the time of the Puritans. A permanent Maypole was first erected in 1872. The Festival this year will be on Monday 7th May. Biggleswade Sandy Lions will be there as usual and plan to have their skittles, golf and duck games as well as a lucky dip, books and bric a brac. Come and have fun. The money we raise will help us help the local community. Originally, Maypoles were young trees cut down and stuck in the ground. People danced around to celebrate the end of winter with the start of the fine weather to allow planting to begin. Maypoles were once common all over England and the tallest is said to have been erected on The Strand in London in 1661 standing over 143 feet high. It was felled in 1771 when Sir Isaac Newton sent it to a friend

in Wanstead to support the then largest telescope in Europe. The name of St Andrew Undershaft in Cornhill derives from a large Maypole set up in front of it. Biggleswade Sandy Lions also plan on having a publicity stall once again at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ickwell Festival. Do come and have a chat and find out more about the Lions. We are always looking for new members so we can do more to help in the community. All we ask for is some of your spare time to help with fund raising and community service plus we have social events as well. To find out even more you can also visit our website -www.biggeswadesandylions. org.uk. or call 0845 8339749. Come and make some new friends. For more information about us visit our website www.biggeswadesandylions.org.uk. We look forward to meeting you. HELP LIONS HELP

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G & H SEAMER Funeral Directors

Family owned and managed business. Established 100 years.

24hr Service Pre-paid Funeral Plan Available Private Rest Chapel

47 High Street, Sandy

Telephone: 01767 680519

Property Maintenance Exterior and Interior Painting Blocked Gutters Fascia Board Cleaning Chimney and Wall Pointing Patios, Fencing, Paths & Bases Brickwork and Repairs Fascia Board Painting uPVC Cleaning Insurance jobs welcome No job too small Free Estimates

01767 680532 or 0774 600 8188

cjpainting@hotmail.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Comet Cleaning Services ✷ Commercial ✷ High ✷ Fully

and Domestic Cleaners

Cleaning Standards

Insured & Security Conscious ✷ Competitive

Rates

✷ Friendly

Staff & Excellent Customer Services

Please contact Cheryl on Contact: Helen 01767 631402 Mobile: 07762 462866 or Email: comet.services@virgin.net 07762 462866

D. Chandler

Electrical Services

NICEIC Part P Registered Domestic Re-wires Fuse Board Upgrades Testing and Inspecting Landlord Certificates Showers/Sockets/Lighting New Builds/Extensions Security Lighting Free Estimates. Competitive Rates. All work in accordance to BS7671 I.E.E. 17th Edition Wiring Regulations Friendly, Reliable and Insured NICEIC Backed 6 Year Warranty

07966 296304 or 01767 680929 dennischandler@hotmail.co.uk

Actor

Bloom Bogart Clooney Connery Cruise Dench Depp Eastwood Firth Gable Garland Hepburn Hurt Knightley Mirren Monroe Neeson

Newman Radcliff Redford Smith Taylor Wayne Weaver Willis

Find these names of famous actors in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase

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Classifieds

Book-Keeping

Domestic Repairs

Domestic Appliance Repairs Washing Machines • Cookers Fridges • Vacs • Dryers

Bill Tangye

Beds Tel By or appointment only - 4 Stratford Road, Sandy, Mob 01767 650750Tel: 07711 07802 393331 257105

Builders

Dressmaking - Alterations and Bespoke

“YOUNG’S BUILDERS” “YOUR LOCAL PROFESSIONAL MASTER BUILDERS” “QUALITY AND VALUE FROM START TO FINISH”

Alterations and Repairs, and Something More. Has moved to The Village Shop, High Street, Wrestlingworth (Parking available at the rear)

From Potton take the B1042 to Wrestlingworth,turn left at T junction shop is on the left.

Garage conversions from £5.9K

Extension - Sunrooms

Call 07811 985568 or 01767 261803 www.youngsbuilders.co.uk “Free quotes • Excellent references”

• • • • •

Extensions & Sunrooms Garage & Loft Conversions Walls, Patios & Decking General Building Work Property Maintenance

J. Jenkins

Building Services

Mon 3.00-6.00pm, Tues 10.00am-5.00pm, Weds - closed, Thurs 9.00am-1.00pm Fri 10.00am-5.00pm, Sat 10.00am-1.00pm (evening appointments by arrangement)

Any enquiries please ring 07533 971399 Looking forward to welcoming customers, old and new, in Thread’s new home

Business gone slow? Let us help!

Extensions New Build Renovations Garage Conversions Loft Conversions Kitchen Fitting Driveways and Patios

For all your building needs Call John on 01767 222219 or 08831 283296 Email: chippyjenkins@gmail.com 24 Market Square, Potton

References available on request

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

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Classifieds Fancy Dress

Garden Specialist

Chesterfield Fancy Dress Hire 100’s of costumes for all occasions Adults from £15 • Childrens from £7.50 Wigs and accessories Range includes 60’s, 70’s, Superheroes, Medieval, Halloween, and many more ....

By appointment only - 4 Stratford Road, Sandy, Beds

Local, honest, professional service

Tel: 07711 257105

Fencing and Groundworks

Handyman

ON THE BALL

Fencing and Groundwork Call 07900 430578 or 01767 651692 FENCING OF ALL TYPES PANELS,POSTS, RAILS GRAVEL DRIVEWAYS SCRUB CLEARANCE DIGGER WORK GATE HANGING/REPAIRS HEDGE CUTTING HEDGE LAYING

Garden Specialists

Hatley Garden Services Reliable Trustworthy Service Fully Insured

Border Care/Shrub Pruning, Hedge Trimming, Fence repair/Painting, Lawn Care, Turf laying Long Term Garden Maintenance, One Off Garden Tidy

Please call me (Kevin) for a free estimate: Tel: 01767 631174 Mobile: 07742 832810 Garden Specialists

Leisure Lawns For the perfect garden

Garden Clearance, Hedgecutting, Mowing, Fencing, Patios, Tree Work and Turfing All aspects of landscaping Also supply and fit artificial grass for a no maintenance lawn Call David Scudds on 01767 681550 or 07807 063520 Email: leisurelawns@live.co.uk www.leisurelawns.co.uk

Handyman

MIKE NEIGHBOUR Carpet Joiner, Glass Splashbacks for Kitchens Cupboards, Fitted Wardrobes, Loft Ladders etc 30 Years Experience

01767 677898 or 07711 311956 Kitchen and Bathroom Fitter

M. Philmore (Phil) - Kitchen and Bathroom Fitter Disabled showers supplied and fitted. General plumbing and home maintenance. No job too small. 57 Green Acres, Gamlingay, Beds. SG19 3LR Tel: 01767 650619 Mobile: 07870366414

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Classifieds Massage & Reflexology

Private Car Hire

Travelling Massage and Reflexology David Sheppard – MFHT Tel: 07776 230327 Email: singinghealth@gmail.com www.travellingmassage.co.uk Motoring

Property Improvements

Painting Services

Property Improvements A professional property maintenance service

Property Improvements by

Gary Hare Carpentry • Kitchens • Bedrooms Decorating • Flooring Bathrooms •Tiling • and more...

Tel: 01767 651821 Mob: 07773 973420 Pig Roasts

Tiling

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01767 682789

DO BLONDES HAVE MORE FUN?????? We believe here at Friends us ladies can have fun whatever colour you chose to be especially now we offer Redken Chromatics range which delivers high shine and strength whichever shade you choose to be, but we know this time of year everyone likes a change and it’s mostly to go slightly lighter whether you are brunette wanting some caramel tones or your wanting to go platinum blonde. Our highly trained stylists at Friends can create your desired lighter look without comprimising the condition of your hair, we use lightners which contain Protein to help keep your hair healthy and strong. SPECIAL BLONDE GLAM PACKAGE FOR MAY WILL INCLUDE A FREE COLOUR CONSULTATION CLINIC ( CALL FOR MORE DETAILS) 10% OFF FULL HEAD BLONDE OR HIGH/LIGHTS OUR COMBINED ‘BLONDE GLAM SURVIVAL KIT’ WHICH CONTAINS REDKEN BLONDE GLAM SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER AND AN INTENSE IN-SALON TREATMENT WITH A SAVING OF £18.00 . EVERYTHING TO KEEP YOUR NEW BLONDE LOCKS IN PERFECT CONDITION (ONLY AVALIABLE FOR CLIENTS WHO HAVE A BLONDE SERVICE DURING MAY)

Special Offer TO KEEP YOUR BLONDES PERFECT THROUGHOUT THE SPRING/ SUMMER MONTHS WE RECOMMEND REDKEN BLONDE GLAM RANGE, WHICH ACTIVATES AMAZING SHINE, ELIMINATES BRAZINESS AND REINFORCES STRENGTH. BUY YOUR BLONDE GLAM CONDITIONER AND RECEIVE YOUR BLONDE GLAM SHAMPOO ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!!! Opening Hours: Mon, Tues & Fri 9.30 - 6.00pm, Wed & Thurs 9.30 - 9.00pm, Sat 8.30 - 2.30pm www.friendsfivestarhairdressing.com facebook.com/friendshair Friends Five Star Hairdressing 4 Shannon Court, Sandy, Bedfordshire sg19 1ag Large car park at rear of salon. Tel. 01767 682 789