VILLAGER The
Issue 3 - June 2012
and Town Life
Bringing local business to local people in Alconbury, Kimbolton, The Stukeleys ur Yo EE and surrounding villages. y
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In this Issue
VILLAGER The
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and Town Life
Issue 3 - June 2012
CPA Prestige
The Very Best in Luxury Cars
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Bringing local business to local people in Alconbury, Kimbolton, The Stukeleys ur Yo EE and surrounding villages. y
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Competition Page
Advertising Sales
Great Prize Up For Grabs
Christa Hallam - Tel: 07868 369257 Christa@villagermag.com
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Prize Crossword
Additional Editorial Solange Hando, Leon F. Jones,
£25 could be yours!
Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Tony Larkins The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee..........................................................4
and Fiona McLeman
Kimbolton’s Royal Visitors..................................................................6 Front Cover Photo:
Corfu Highlights................................................................................. 10
Drawn by Katherine Dewar
State Pensions..................................................................................... 17 A Day in the Life of the Queen....................................................... 18
Design and Artwork
The Rise of the Rinsers...................................................................... 20
Design 9 - Tel 07762 969460
Lawns...................................................................................................... 27 Rural Ramblings.................................................................................. 28
Publishers
Children’s Page.................................................................................... 30
Villager Publications Ltd
Puzzle Page........................................................................................... 36
24 Market Square
Wimbledon Championships.......................................................... 40
Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
Here come the Grills.......................................................................... 45
Tel: 01767 261122
Al Fresco Eating................................................................................... 47
Email:nigel@villagermag.com
VILLAGER The
and Town Life
Disclaimer
All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.
8,000 copies delivered free of charge to all homes in the following areas: Abbots Ripton, Alconbury, Alconbury Weston, Barham, Broughton, Brington, Buckworth, Bythorn, Catworth, Coppingford, Covington, Easton, Ellington, Grafham, Great Staughton, Hail Weston, Hargrave, Keysoe, Keyston, Kimbolton, Kings Ripton, Leighton Bromswold, Little Staughton, Lower Dean, Melchbourne, Molesworth, Old Weston, Perry, Pertenhall, Riseley, Shelton, Spaldwick, Stonley, Stow Longa, Swineshead, The Stukeleys, Tillbrook, Upper Dean, Upton, Woolley, Yelden. (We also have over 150 distribution points, including pubs, garages, most shops, post offices, Supermarket Chains in all of the above as well as in Huntingdon, Lt Staughton, Grafham Water Visitor Centre’s and Kimbolton.)
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THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE
JUNE 2012
The Diamond Jubilee takes place in June 2012, marking 60 years of The Queen’s reign. The Queen came to the throne on 6th February 1952 (her Coronation took place on 2nd June 1953). The official emblem for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 is the winning design following a national competition for children aged between 6 and 14. It was drawn by 10-year-old Katherine Dewar, from Chester. The Queen was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. At the time she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and her father, The Duke of York. But it was not expected that her father would become King, or that she would become Queen. The Princess was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace. She was named after her mother, while her two middle names are those of her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, and paternal grandmother, Queen Mary. The Princess’s early years were spent at 145 Piccadilly, the London house taken by her parents shortly after her birth, and at White Lodge in Richmond Park.
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She also spent time at the country homes of her paternal grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, and her mother’s parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. In 1930, Princess Elizabeth gained a sister, with the birth of Princess Margaret Rose. The family of four was very close. When she was six years old, her parents took over Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their own country home. In the grounds of Royal Lodge Princess Elizabeth had her own small house, Y Bwthyn Bach (the Little Cottage), which was given to her by the people of Wales in 1932. Princess Elizabeth’s quiet family life came to an end in 1936, when her grandfather, King George V, died. His eldest son came to the throne as King Edward VIII, but, before the end of the year, King Edward VIII had decided to give up the throne in order to marry the woman he loved, Mrs Wallis Simpson. Upon his abdication, Princess Elizabeth’s father acceded to the throne as King George VI, and in 1937 the two Princesses attended their parents’ coronation in Westminster Abbey. Princess Elizabeth was now first in line to the throne, and a figure of even more intense public interest.
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KIMBOLTON’S
ROYAL VISITORS Over the centuries, a surprisingly large number of kings and queens have visited Kimbolton. By the time of the Norman Conquest it had already found favour with royalty, as the only Huntingdonshire estate of King Harold, who was killed at the Battle of Hastings. He is believed to have had a hunting lodge here, which he used when hunting in the extensive woodlands around Kimbolton. By 1200 the estate had passed to one of the great Norman lords, Geoffrey Fitzpiers, Earl of Essex. Fitzpiers held one of the highest offices in the land, as Chief Justiciar to King Richard I and later to King John, who is known to have stayed at Kimbolton on at least three occasions. Later in the Middle Ages, when the Castle was owned by the Earls of Hereford, another ill-fated king, Edward II, and his son, Edward III, both visited Kimbolton. Of course, Kimbolton’s most celebrated royal visitor was Henry VIII’s first wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon. After her divorce, she was brought to Kimbolton Castle from nearby Buckden Towers in May 1534. Here she remained, under house arrest and in constant fear of poisoning, until her death on 7th January 1536, probably from cancer, in the Queen’s Room, now the Headmaster’s study of Kimbolton School. Less widely known is the visit made by King William III (William of Orange). Charles, 4th Earl of Manchester, had supported William when he came from Holland to overthrow King James II at the Glorious Revolution, an event commemorated in the Castle’s Pellegrini murals. In 1695, during William’s Royal Progress around the country, Kimbolton Castle was one of the stops on his route. In Victorian times, the Castle received several visits from Queen Victoria’s eldest son, the future King Edward VII, who was a close friend of the Duke and Duchess of Manchester. The Prince of Wales was accompanied by his wife, Princess Alexandra, and they enjoyed several days of lavish hospitality at the Castle, including balls and hunting. Perhaps the most secret royal visit took place during World War 2. In 1944, King George VI, accompanied by his wife, Queen Elizabeth, and their elder daughter, the 18-year-old Princess Elizabeth, our present Queen, came to meet
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American servicemen stationed on Kimbolton Airfield. Wartime restrictions meant that the national newspapers were unable to reveal full details, but news of the forthcoming visit became known locally. Several Kimbolton residents recall walking along from the village school to the Butts, where they stood and cheered as the royal family drove past in a black car. In this year of celebration for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Kimbolton is proud and happy to remember its own royal connections. Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Event An Afternoon of FUN!! MONDAY 4 JUNE 2012 in the HIGH STREET, KIMBOLTON Yes, we’re closing the road to traffic so that we can all enjoy a picnic tea, together with games and competitions for all ages. And if it rains, don’t worry, we will move to the Mandeville Hall. Residents, family and friends are all welcome! PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2.30p.m. Grand Parade of Fancy Dress and Hats 2.30pm - 4pm Stalls & Chidrens’ Fairground Rides Open From 3pm Tea and squash served 3pm Egg and Spoon competition 3.30pm Obstacle Races 3pm - 4pm Tug o’ War heats 4pm - 5pm Picnic Tea 4.30pm - 5pm Gurning 5.10pm Tug o’ War Final 5.20pm Group Photograph and closing ceremony 5.30pm Street Football There will be prizes and mementos for all events. This is only an outline and is subject to change. Look out for updates here and on notices throughout the village. Finally.........we do need your help on the day. If you are willing to volunteer to help run any event please contact Jean Stratford on 860297 or jrstratford@hotmail.com
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THE MERMAID ELLINGTON 01480 891450 BED AND BREAKFAST Lunch Served 7 Days Dinner Served 6 Evening (Not Sunday Evening) Home Cooked Food With Local Produce Sunday Roasts Quality Real Ales Wide Range of Wines ‘Takeaway’ Food Menu ‘Takeaway’ Draught Beers To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122
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CPA Prestige - THE PERFECT GIFT
for the discerning ‘petrolhead’!
There’s something very special about a beautiful car, whether you prefer to drive or be driven. The luxurious comfort of a spacious and welldesigned interior, the growl of a V8 engine, allied to the taut, sharp performance from some of the world’s most powerful and intuitive automobile designs. But, dreaming aside, where and when does one have the chance to experience such realities? If, the last time you checked, the car on your drive really was the same family friend you’ve polished every Sunday for the past five years and your next birthday really isn’t expected to earn you that big a gift, when, in reality, will you have the chance to experience the drive of your dreams?
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With CPA Prestige, the answer could be, the answer is, tomorrow! Extending amazing discounts to Villager readers, local company CPA Prestige offer the very best in luxury cars. Whether you plan to drive your dreams for just a day, a long weekend or several months, CPA have a package too tempting to refuse. ‘Many of our clients want to take a fabulous car away for a special weekend; they are attending a wedding or event and want to arrive in style; they are extending corporate incentives to their employees or searching for an unforgettable birthday gift. Our clients are discerning and are looking for the world’s best cars at affordable prices and for the length of time that suits them.’
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Explains, Paul, the man whose ingenuity is behind CPA Prestige. ‘The benefits of hiring a car, such as our latest arrival, the brand new Porshe 911, known as the 991, are numerous. Apart from the opportunity to experience and enjoy the fantastic, sleek drive of a truly powerful, performance vehicle, there are no worries about maintenance or depreciation, we ask no heavy, up-front membership fees, fully comprehensive insurance is included in our extremely competitive prices, and we offer free home delivery and collection within a fifteen mile radius of St. Neots. Our clients appreciate that by hiring a car from us they can avoid tying up their own capital and they do not have to source credit. Some of our clients hire a car every month, it’s so affordable! We are also known for our generous mileage allowances making a very memorable trip away – to the Cotswolds perhaps, perfectly feasible in even a short hire.’ CPA have a broad range of luxury performance cars to choose from. ‘We can offer the hand built, pocket rocket also known as the Fiat Arbath 695 Tributo which is based on the full blooded Racing Arbath and offers the ultimate small car experience. Or, at the opposite end of the scale, we can provide the chance for four adults to blast to the coast or set them cruising the countryside in the most beautiful four seater coupe – the Maserati Granturismo – its most amazing, resonant, V8 engine adds to this incredible experience!’ CPA Prestige not only have a fleet of fabulous cars but an unbeatable string of testimonials too. ‘I love to make people happy and part of the satisfaction of what we do at CPA Prestige is to supply our clients with a car that really makes an impression. There’s not a mark on our vehicles,
they are in absolutely pristine condition. We guarantee never to disappointment and I make it my personal priority to over-deliver every time.’ Why not treat yourself to an unforgettable day out or arrange the most memorable gift for your friend or loved one this year? With CPA Prestige – a company offering their services exclusively to our locality and such unbeatable discounts to Villager readers, you really can drive your dreams into reality.
CPA Prestige are offering Villager readers a discount of 50% on a 10 hour day hire of their vehicles or a 35% discount on long weekend/week hire. Bookings must be made prior to the end of August 2012 for dates from 1st June 2012 up to 30th November 2012.
CPA PRESTIGE
Tel: 01480 470220 Website: www.cpa-prestige.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122
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Corfu Highlights
by Solange Hando
Corfu is the greenest of the Greek islands, festooned with vines and olive groves and tall cypress trees pointing straight up to the sky. Gentle shores in the east, mostly shingle, sheer cliffs but gorgeous sands in the west, lowlands in the south, mountains in the north, the scenery changes with every bend of the road. Framed by wooded hills on the west coast, Paleokastritsa is one of the most idyllic spots, all crystal clear waters and crescent-shaped bays meandering around cliffs and rocks. Pink villas peep through the trees like giant candyfloss, boats sail around the coast and into gaping caves, most exciting the ‘blue eye’ where shoals of fish swim in a luminous patch of blue water. Up on the headland, crowds head for the pocketsized monastery, keen to set eyes on precious icons, light candles and enjoy panoramic views over land and sea. In the distance, meadows spread across the slopes, sprinkled with pink orchids and wild gladioli and isolated farms tucked in lemon groves. There are secluded coves, sweeping sands and quiet trails where rosemary and oregano leave their scent in the air. Meanwhile on the east coast, Kerkyra, the capital, stretches across a peninsula guarded by two Venetian forts. The ‘Old Fortress’ is the most spectacular with ramparts and moat, courtyards, canons, museum and a lighthouse with dizzying views. Mainland Greece is just across the water and in the distance you can see Mount Pantokrator, Corfu’s highest point, just short of 3000 feet. Down town, the main square is occupied by a cricket ground, complemented by an English bandstand and the elegant Liston Arcade modelled on the Parisian rue de Rivoli. Bars and
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restaurants spread under the trees, horse-drawn carriages wait for custom and the Old Town beckons, a maze of paved lanes and stepped alleyways, tall buildings and spires jostling for space, hidden squares, souvenir stalls and balconies draped in laundry and flower pots. Cruise ships dock on the western pier, yachts bob at anchor while fishermen unload the early morning catch. A short distance from the capital is the stylish Achilles Palace, not a ruin of ancient Greece, as one might expect, but a flamboyant 19th century building in neo-classical style, commissioned by Austrian Empress Sissi to nurse a broken heart. Achilles was her hero and painting and statues pay tribute among colonnades, stucco work and personal belongings of the empress and the next owner, Wilhelm II. But best of all is the fabulous panorama from the gardens, where you might feel just like the beautiful Sissi or James Bond, since the palace featured as a casino in ‘For Your Eyes only’. The Kanoni peninsula is just a stone’s throw away, home to ‘Mon Repos’, an elegant mansion built by the British and later, summer residence of the Greek royalty and birthplace of Prince Philip. Everyone is welcome to explore the grounds and house now exhibiting centuries of the island’s history. Excavations around the estate have unveiled vestiges of Paleopolis, the ancient city of Kerkyra. But it is at the end of the peninsula that you find Corfu’s most iconic image. Set on a tiny islet, the Vlacherna monastery comes straight out of a fairy tale, flanked by a single cypress tree and the mere pencil line of a gleaming causeway.
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What’s in a Name?
Patrick Lineham – BSc (Hons) M.Ch.S There is a lot of confusion about the difference between a Chiropodist and a Podiatrist. So what is the difference? Chiropody, which has its probable origins from chiro (Greek Kheir, hand) and podos (foot), has been superseded by the term Podiatry which is now recognised throughout the rest of the world. Historically a Chiropodist would treat deformed nails, corns, hard skin and verrucae and other minor foot ailments. However over the last 30 years the amount of training and scope of practice in this sphere of medicine has expanded. Whilst still continuing with traditional Chiropody treatments many Podiatrists will undergo further training and play a key role in the area of diabetes and wound management for high risk patients. Some Podiatrists also specialise in other areas such as musculoskeletal management, Sports Podiatry and Podopaediatrics which is the
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treatment of children’s foot problems. More recently, Podiatrists have been working closely with the rest of the medical profession in the management of pain due to arthritis or alignment problems in the feet which can lead to lower back, hip or knee pain. Earlier this year, to celebrate 100 years since Chiropody was officially recognised as a profession, HRH the Duchess of Cornwall hosted a reception at Clarence House attended by members and officials from The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. Our feet are often taken for granted, however it is not generally known that each foot has 26 bones, over 30 joints and numerous ligaments, tendons and muscles. So the next time you look down at your feet, consider their complex structure and what a wonder of engineering they are. Remember to look after them, after all they have to last you a life time!
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Holistic Hands
tilbrook, near kimbolton Holistic Hands Wellbeing Centre, owned and managed by Naomi Spencer has been busy welcoming existing and new clients since it opened in October 2010. Set in the rural yet picturesque village of Tilbrook, near Kimbolton, Holistic Hands is a tranquil and peaceful haven. The centre itself is in a lovely traditional converted barn which has been tastefully furnished and decorated to a very high standard with five purpose designed therapy rooms. Open Mondays to Saturdays, our clients are warmly welcomed to our centre where they will find a comfortable waiting area with complementary refreshments available. Evening appointment times are also available for those with daytime commitments. If you are looking for a relaxing massage, beauty treatments or even have a concern for your health, Holistic Hands is the place for you. Featuring a range of professional practitioners and therapists, our centre provides a wide range
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of beauty and alternative health care. We offer individually tailored services for you and your body. Situated on the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire border, why not give us a call now and quote HH 003 for a special 10% discount on your first Beauty treatment (terms and conditions apply). We look forward to welcoming you to our warm and friendly retreat.
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State Pension
Increasing To Age 80 Most would agree that a new flat rate pension, currently estimated at £140 per week is a good idea because it is above the level for means testing and thus take millions of people off means tested benefits. Whilst it is hard to find a dissenter against proposals that allow everyone to know exactly what they are to receive, the big question remains – when will the pension be paid from. George Osborne announced in his budget that there are plans to link the pension age to longevity. We all know that people are living longer and longer and that the government does not have sufficient funds to pay for 20-30 years of average state pensions, so let’s consider a few numbers. A few years ago women took it for granted that the state pension would start at 60, but
Tony Larkins CFP APFS Managing Director/IFA Chartered and Certified Financial Planner
it quickly equalised with men at 65, before moving to 66 then 67. So what does this mean for those aged between 18 and 21 under the longevity rules – state retirement age will be 75, and for those being born today – well it’s 80. The above ages means individuals will certainly have much longer to work and also to save. The changes to child benefit will encourage these earning a little over £50k p.a. to use salary sacrifice to maintain benefits meaning a free pension top up. If you wish to review your finances speak to your adviser now. You should always seek qualified advice from an IFA, preferably a Certified (CFP) or Chartered Financial PlannerCM (APFS). If you have a financial question e-mail: tlarkins@ beaconwealth.co.uk
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF...
THE QUEEN
The Queen has many different duties to perform every day. Some are public duties, such as ceremonies, receptions and visits within the United Kingdom or abroad. Other duties are carried out away from the cameras, but they are no less important. These include reading letters from the public, official papers and briefing notes; audiences with political ministers or ambassadors; and meetings with her Private Secretaries to discuss daily business and her future diary plans. Even when she is away from London, in residence at Balmoral or Sandringham, she receives official papers nearly every day of every year and remains fully briefed on matters affecting her realms. The Queen’s working day begins like many people’s - at her desk. After scanning the daily British newspapers, The Queen reviews her correspondence. Every day, 200300 (and sometimes many more) letters from the public arrive. The Queen chooses a selection to read herself and tells members of her staff how she would like them to be answered. This enables Her Majesty personally to see a typical cross-section of her daily correspondence. Virtually every letter is answered by staff in her Private Secretary’s office or by a lady-in-waiting. The Queen will then see, separately, two of her Private Secretaries with the daily quota of official papers and documents. This process takes upwards of an hour. Every day of every year, wherever she is, The Queen receives from government ministers, and from her representatives in the Commonwealth and foreign countries, information in the form of policy papers, Cabinet documents, telegrams, letters and
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other State papers. These are sent up to her by the Private Secretaries in the famous ‘red boxes’. All of these papers have to be read and, where necessary, approved and signed. A series of official meetings or ‘audiences’ will often follow. The Queen will see a number of important people. These include overseas ambassadors and high commissioners, newly appointed British ambassadors, senior members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces on their appointment and retirement, and English bishops and judges on their appointment. Each meeting usually lasts 10 to 20 minutes, and usually The Queen and her visitor meet alone. The Queen may also meet a number of people who have won prizes or awards in a variety of fields such as literature or science, to present them individually with their prize. If there is an Investiture - a ceremony for the presentation of honours and decorations - it begins at 11.00am and lasts just over an hour. The Queen usually meets around 100 people at each Investiture to present Orders, decorations and medals. The Queen will often lunch privately. Every few months, she and The Duke of Edinburgh will invite a dozen guests from a wide variety of backgrounds to an informal lunch. Occasionally, the guest list may consist of far fewer people, such as a newly appointed or retiring Governor-General and their guest. If The Queen is spending the morning on engagements away from her desk and other commitments, she will visit up to three venues before lunch, either alone or jointly with The Duke of Edinburgh. On a regional visit, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh lunch with a wide variety of people in places ranging from town halls to hospitals. In the afternoons, The Queen often goes out on public engagements. Such visits require meticulous planning beforehand to meet the hosts’ requirements. And The Queen prepares for each visit by briefing herself on whom she will be meeting and what she will be seeing and doing. Royal engagements are carefully selected by The Queen from a large number of invitations sent to her each year, often by the Lord-Lieutenants (The Queen’s representatives in counties throughout the United Kingdom). This helps to ensure the widest possible spread and to make effective use of The Queen’s time.
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If the engagement is outside London, her journeys are often by air using a helicopter or an RAF aircraft. The Queen carries out around 430 engagements (including audiences) a year, to meet people, open events and buildings, unveil plaques and make speeches. Such engagements can include visits to schools, hospitals, factories, military units, art galleries, sheltered accommodation for elderly people, hostels for the homeless, local community schemes in inner city areas, and other British and Commonwealth organisations. The Queen regularly goes out for the whole day to a particular region or city. If the visit is a busy one, or if it lasts more than a day, then The Queen will travel overnight on the Royal Train. The Duke of Edinburgh will often accompany The Queen on such visits; when this happens, they will carry out some engagements jointly and others separately to ensure that the maximum number of people and organisations can be visited. The Queen may end the afternoon seeing a number of Government ministers in a meeting of the Privy Council. The Queen’s working day does not stop at the end of the afternoon. Early evening may see a meeting with the Prime Minister. The Queen has a weekly meeting alone with the Prime Minister, when they are both in London (in addition to other meetings throughout the year). This usually takes place on Wednesdays at 6.30 pm. No written record is made of such meetings; neither The Queen nor the Prime Minister talk about what is discussed between them, as communications between The Queen and the Prime Minister always remains confidential. At about 7.30 pm a report of the day’s parliamentary proceedings, written by one of the Government’s Whips, arrives. The Queen always reads this the
same evening. On some evenings, The Queen may attend a film première, a variety of concert performances in aid of a charitable cause, or a reception linked to organisations of which she is Patron. The Queen also regularly hosts official receptions at Buckingham Palace (usually with other members of the Royal Family), such as those for the Diplomatic Corps and The Queen’s Award for Industry. Her Majesty may also hold receptions ahead of overseas visits. In 2007, prior to attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh gave a reception at Buckingham Palace for Commonwealth Africans living and working in the United Kingdom. Other receptions mark the work of particular groups in the community, such as those recently given for members of the British design and music worlds. The Queen has numerous private interests, which can coincide with her public work, to complete her working day. Her Majesty also attends the Derby and the Summer Race Meeting at Ascot, a Royal occasion. As a keen owner and breeder of racehorses, she often sees her horses run at other meetings. As owner of private estates at Balmoral and Sandringham, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh oversee the management of the estates which are run on a commercial basis. She takes a close interest in all aspects of estate life, particularly in the tenant farmers and employees who live and work on the estates. Through her public and private work, The Queen is well-briefed and well-known. She has met many more people from all walks of life both in this country and overseas than her predecessors. This takes time and effort. Often, one of the last lights on in the Palace at night is The Queen finishing her ‘red box’ of official papers.
THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE MESSAGE
Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee. In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth. I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations. I send my sincere good wishes to you all. ELIZABETH R. To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122
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The Rise of the Rinsers
legal implications Readers may have seen the Channel 4 documentary “Sex Lies and Rinsing Guys”. This was a documentary about women who take to the internet to find rich men who will shower them with gifts and expensive presents. These women rarely meet their admirers in person but offer a virtual friendship in return for gifts and designer products. Those gifts are then sold on eBay to provide an income. Some of the women also visit bars and nightclubs in their quest to find wealthy male friends who may shower them with cash and gifts. Although it is not suggested that the relationships are sexual it’s a cautious reminder of the consequences of any relationship or encounter leading to a child being born. Where a couple are unmarried and have children, it is possible for the primary carer (usually the mother but not always so) to bring a claim for financial support against the other biological parent. These types of claims used to be brought infrequently but recent years have seen a steady growth. Most situations simply require one parent to pay the other parent maintenance for the child and typically this is agreed between the parents or the CSA can make an assessment. However, in cases where the non resident parent is wealthy (the so called ‘big money’ cases) the resident parent can also make a claim for a host of items such
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as nursery and baby equipment, childcare fees, funding for a car or other expenses related to the child. A claim can also be brought for ‘top up maintenance’ against non resident parents who earn in excess of £104,000 net per annum. At its most extreme the non resident parent can also be ordered by the Court to make capital or property available to the resident parent to provide a home for the benefit of the child until the child reaches 18. Factors such as the resources available and standard of living will have a bearing on how the court disposes of this. The court will also take account of the child being brought up in circumstances which bear some relation to the father’s resources and standard of living. Whilst these type of cases are typically confined to wealthy parents, this is not always so. Advice from a specialist family lawyer, who is also a member of Resolution, should be taken in relation to any family law enquiry.
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If you run your own business, are currently selfemployed or have a tax return to complete, you may be paying too much tax. We are offering a FREE meeting to discuss this further.You have nothing to lose by finding out how much you could be saving. Call Richard McMorran on 01480 470755 or email stneots@rjmcmorran.co.uk Offices with ample parking in Eaton Socon and Godmanchester Visit our website at www.rjmcmorran.co.uk
Dedicated support for clients in relationship breakdown:
• • • • •
Separation Financial Settlements Change of Name Prenuptial Agreements Mediation
• • • • •
Divorce Living together agreements Adoption Children issues Collaborative family law
Fiona McLeman Family Law is accredited by Resolution and the Solicitors Regulation Authority as a Specialist in Family Law. For a free initial consultation contact Fiona:
fiona@fmfamilylaw.co.uk, 07894095775, www.fmfamilylaw.co.uk Regus House, 1010 Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne CB23 6DP
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COMPETITION • COMPETITION WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO BOOGIE NITE AT THE BURGESS HALL, ST IVES Just answer the following question to be in with a chance of winning. Simon Le Bon was the lead singer for which 80’s pop band? a) Human League b) Duran Duran c) Wham! Please send your entries to the address below by Wed 20th June 2012. One Leisure Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
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Ellington Thorpe Nurseries
• Young veg plants now in stock • Geraniums • Bedding Plants • Large selection of ornamental & fruit trees, season bedding • Seeds • Pots, tubs and baskets re-planted • HTA gift vouchers J Arthur Bowers multi purpose compost 60ltr bags 3 for £12 or 4 for £15, normally £5 each. Also available: Grow bags, John Innes number 2, Manure and Bark. Tel: email:
01480 811330
info@etnurseries.co.uk
OPEN WEEKENDS & BANK HOLIDAYS 10AM UNTIL 5PM
Unique Landscape We specialise in
Patios, Fencing, Clear Ups Turf Laying, Hedge Trimming Tree Cutting, Tree Felling, Planting, Pruning, Driveways, Printed concrete, Stencil Concrete, Decking ...and much more
Free Quotations Reliable Friendly Service Mob: 07717 760851 Office: 01480 434401 e:sales@uniquelandscape.co.uk
www.uniquelandscapes-huntingdon.co.uk
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Lawns
by pippa greenwood A lawn is an essential part of most gardens, but how can you make sure yours looks good? Feeding a lawn is essential to ensure it looks lush and green. A poorly maintained and inadequately fed lawn is far more likely to be invaded by moss, weeds and is prone to disease. Choose a lawn fertilizer formulated for the specific needs of the grass at this time of year; nitrogen is constantly being removed by mowing so it needs to be replaced. Phosphorus, potassium and iron also help to promote and maintain top quality growth. The precise amount of fertilizer that your lawn requires is determined by soil type, frequency of irrigation or rainfall, frequency of mowing and whether clippings are left on the lawn. If you’re happy using chemicals on a weed problem, it’s easiest to use a product containing both weed killers and a fertilizer. Applying these together ensures rapid grass growth to fill in the gaps left by the dead weeds. If you have time, there is a marginally better effect if you feed the lawn with the spring feed then wait two weeks before applying the weed killer. Small infestations of weeds can be removed effectively by hand. A proprietary moss killer should take care of moss, but follow the instructions carefully to ensure that they have been thoroughly killed before you attempt to rake them out. If living moss is raked out the problem becomes worse. Once you have raked the dead moss out, the overall effect of all the bare patches may make you despair, but if you keep the lawn well fed (and over-seed if necessary) it will soon green up. Regular mowing is essential. A lawn left for too long will soon lose its good appearance and when
finally cut, you may wonder if it will ever look right again. If cut frequently, so that only small amounts of grass are removed at any one time, it should grow dense and green - try to remove up to 30% of the grass growth at a single mowing. When the weather starts to warm up, the frequency of cut will be noticeably greater. However, if the weather is dry and the lawn isn’t well watered, growth rate will be correspondingly slow. If the grass is to be well walked on or used as a playing surface then the cut should be kept to ¾-1 inch. If you want a show lawn that isn’t subjected to pounding feet, then keep the grass to ¼ inch but remember that during summer you will need to use the mower several times a week! What about mowers? The one you choose will probably be determined by cost as well as the job it can do. If you have a level, fairly high-quality lawn then a cylinder mower is best. If the surface of your lawn is the slightest bit uneven, then a rotary mower is a better choice as it will cope much better in ‘adverse’ situations. If you remove a fair amount of grass at each cut then the clippings should be raked up immediately. However, if you produce only tiny clippings then during dry weather you can leave them on the lawn to help conserve soil moisture. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and sign up for her newsletter and shop from the products area for a great selection of signed copies of Pippa’s books, Pippa’s favourite hoe, Grower Frames, raised bed kits, delightful terracotta herb planters and wall plaques, re-cycled metal sculptures, biological controls and lots, lots more!
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Rural Ramblings BY GEOFF WHARTON
The Joy of Green Plastic With all the wet weather recently it has been ever so difficult to find a time slot in which to cut the grass. Most mowers will cut wet grass, but the end result is never as good as when it is cut in the dry. The mower can get clogged up and the grass is not as easily picked up. It is heavier to carry and on very wet ground there can be compaction problems. Cutting the grass should be a real pleasure with the resulting smell permeating the air far removed from the “ aroma” of synthetic air “fresheners”. There seem to be two main problem areas with lawns—moss and broad leaved weeds such as dandelions and daisy for example. Both of these are relatively easy and cheap to control. Moss tends to proliferate on poorly drained alkaline soil especially where there is shade. Under these conditions ,the grasses find it difficult to compete and the moss wins the growing competition, resulting in a thick matt of green spongy material, which tends to go brown in the summer. The problem is that in the Autumn when the soil becomes moist again, the dormant moss returns with a vengeance and the problem gets worse during consecutive years. Drainage will help but it is labour intensive and disruptive. Lawn sand is cheap ,effective and quick to act. Yes, it is mainly sand but it contains ferrous ammonium sulphate which is an excellent moss killer with the advantage that it also releases nitrogen fertiliser to boost the growth of the grass and helps to increase the acidity of the soil which again favours grass growth rather than moss. The only thing to be careful about is to spread it evenly and not to put too much on at a single time. Broad-leaved weeds are easily controlled using selective weedkillers which are mainly synthetic chemicals similar to the natural hormones made by these plants The grasses are not affected and the whole lawn can be treated if required with no harmful effect on the grasses. The chemical is usually absorbed by the leaves and within a few days growth becomes affected and the weeds start to curl and die. If care is taken not to spray on a windy day, the weedkiller can be applied as a liquid or alternatively there are many different
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products now available which are in granular form and consequently do not have to be diluted and sprayed. Application is very easy but they are more expensive. Care must be taken to dispose of the grass cuttings as directed as the chemicals remain active for some time and composting is not recommended and can cause problems with other plants such as tomatoes. Treatment for moss and weeds is best carried out during active growth for best results, twice a year, late Spring and early Autumn. These two treatments will result in weed-free green lawns which will add immensely to the beauty of any garden. However if you are not happy with things you can always dig it up and go the synthetic Astroturf way .Rather confusing for the blackbirds searching for a wriggly snack and then there is the problem of what to do with that redundant mower!! I wonder if it will ever catch on at Chelsea??
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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Wood Green Open 7 days a week 10.00am – 4.00pm FrEE entry
Dogs- A Child’s Best Friend Workshop Wednesday 6th June 10.30am – 12.30pm £5 per person
Great for all the family, pre booking essential
Animal Fun Day Sunday 24th June 10.00am – 4.00pm £2 adults
A great family day, enjoying have-a-go dog agility, pet toy making, novelty dog shows, bouncy castle, shopping opportunities and much more, dogs welcome
Check out our website for more information Call: 0844 248 8181 Visit: www.woodgreen.org.uk Or Email: info@woodgreen.org.uk
King’s Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH Wood Green, The Animals Charity is the registered Trademark of Wood Green Animal Shelters, registered Charity No. 298348.
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RHYTHM FESTIVALS 2012 RHYTHM FESTIVAL • RHYTHM FOLK • RHYTHM & BLUES AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND – FRIDAY 24 to SUNDAY 26 Mansion House @ Old Warden Park, Bedfordshire, SG18 9DX 3 Great Music Festivals for the Price of One
HAWKWIND | THE
FRIDAY
SLACKERS | THE BEAT
EDDIE & THE HOT RODS • 3 BONZOS & A PIANO • MEN THEY COULDN’T HANG + more SATURDAY
BOOKER T | THE DAMNED | ARDAL O’HANLON DENNIS ALCAPONE | KING MOB HANK WANGFORD & THE LOST COWBOYS • CAPTAIN SENSIBLE BAND • THE GROUNDHOGS • HERE & NOW • THE MAGIC TOMBOLINOS • LEATHERAT + more SUNDAY
KEN BOOTHE | JOHN COOPER CLARKE | CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN | DAVID RODIGAN BOOMTOWN RATS • JOHN OTWAY BIG BAND • DELROY WILLIAMS & THE JUNCTION BAND • ATILLA THE STOCKBROKER • KING HAMMOND + more FRIDAY
FRIDAY
JAMIE SMITH’S MABON • LUCY WARD SATURDAY
BUICK 6 • MITCH LADDIE BAND JERRY TREMAINE & THE RISING SONS SATURDAY
PEATBOG FAERIES
DAVID KNOPFLER THE TRAVELLING BAND IAN MCMILLAN ORCHESTRA RICHARD DIGANCE • WISHING WELL SUNDAY
SHOW OF HANDS featuring MIRANDA SYKES
LAU• SCOTT MATTHEWS MOULETTES • KATRIONA GILMORE & JAMIE ROBERTS + more every day!
THE BLUES BAND BIG BOY BLOATER
DAVE KELLY • CHANTEL McGREGOR ROADHOUSE • LUCY ZIRINS SUNDAY
OLI BROWN BAND HAT FITZ & CARA
RHYTHM & BLUES
RHYTHM FOLK
ACOUSTIC STRAWBS WILKO JOHNSON JIM MORAY & BAND GENO WASHINGTON
MICHAEL MESSER 2nd MIND BAND CROSSTOWN LIGHTNIN • CHERRY LEE MEWIS • more every day!
3 festivals offering 3 days of great entertainment on 6 stages plus “fringe” events. Comedy. Theatre. Madam Miaow’s Culture Lounge. Children’s Entertainment, including Panic Circus, Organised Football & Junior Olympics. Hemlock Morris. Groovy Movie Picture House. DJ Wheelie-Bag. Real Ales & Ciders. A Wide Choice of Superior Food plus Farmhouse Ice Cream. General Store. Markets. Supervised Campsites. Luxury Loos. Hot Showers. Free Car Parking. Further details and tickets from:
www.rhythmfestival.com
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08:12
Sunday 15th July 2012 at Kimbolton Castle
New Show Ring Events • Food Court Largest Gathering of Classic Cars in Eastern England Attractions include:
Sealed Knot Re-enactment ‘Lord Robartes Regiment’ • Flyin’ Ryans Motorcycle Stunt Show Millers Ark Petting Zoo • Elaine Hill Sheep Dog Display • Flight Simulator • Lindy Hop Dancers Morris and Irish Dancers • Victorian Carousel • Galaxy Swing Band • Pace Setters Dog Show Inflatable Slide • Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Flypast • Over 50 Craft Stalls Tea and Beer Tents • 900 Classic Cars on Display • Dream Rides in Classic and Sports Cars and much more...
Fayre opens at 11.00am. Main Show Ring Events from 12.00pm Entrance: Adult £8, Family £18, Concession £5, Programme £1 All proceeds to charity. This year supporting HemiHelp, The Burns Camp, Cancer Research UK, The Samuel Pepys School and the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Organisers: Kimbolton Castle Rotary Club and Sporting Bears Motor Club
www.kimboltoncountryfayre.com To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122
Kimbolton Country Fayre Poster.indd 1
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4/29/2012 2:52:52 PM
CODEWORD
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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
9 X 9 PUZZLE
How to play It’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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KING ELECTRICAL QUALITY ELECTRICIAN Based in Buckden
Highly qualified and experienced in ALL electrical installation work. Fully approved NICEIC Contractor, Part ‘P’ Domestic Installer. Insurance based warranty.
NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL. TIDY, PERSONAL AND FRIENDLY SERVICE. Advice, help and estimates FREELY given.
Please contact Chris on
01480 810133 or 07717 172100 cpk-king@supanet.com
SMA WArdrobeS, transform your home with sliding door wardrobes and matching bedroom furniture > Floor to ceiling storage > Large range of styles - modern and traditional > Made to Measure > Fully guaranteed > Affordable fitted wardrobes "Fantastic job, brilliant service. You have exceeded my expectations. Thank you." Mr C, Cambridge
Visit our website or phone for a free colour brochure and price list: www.sma-wardrobes.co.uk, 01480 417415
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WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS
by Leon F. Jones
The Wimbledon Open Championships take place in June, commencing six weeks before the first Monday in August. The first event was staged in 1877 by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club to raise funds for a new grass roller. It attracted 22 participants and was won by 27-year-old W. Spenser Gore who received 12 guineas. In 1884, Ladies Singles and Men’s Doubles were introduced. Britain dominated the first 30 years, with the Renshaw twins winning 13 titles from 1881-1889. In 1905, the American May Sutton won the Ladies title. In 1907 Norman Brookes of Australia became the first overseas Men’s champion. The 1920s were dominated by France with the outrageous Suzanne Lenglen (skirt just below the knee!) winning 5 successive titles from 1919, and the ‘Four Muskateers’ of Rene Lacoste, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet and Jacques Brugnon winning 6 Singles and 5 Doubles. Britain resurged in the 1930s with Fred Perry securing a hat-trick from 1934-36 and Dorothy Round winning
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in 1934 for a British double. The U.S. then held the Women’s Singles title from 1938-1958 with Althea Gibson becoming the first black champion in 1957. From 1956-1971, the Australians made Centre Court their own. The first professional Championships were held in 1968 and this era has been dominated by 5 players - Bjorn Borg (5 successive singles), Pete Sampras (7 singles), Martina Navratilova (9 singles, 10 doubles), Steffi Graf (7 singles) and Roger Federer (6 singles). The 2012 tournament promises to be as exciting as any. Perhaps Andy Murray can end the 70+ year wait for a British champion? Only time, and the special magic that is Wimbledon, will tell!
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Delivery staff required in this area Good rates of pay If interested please call Nigel on 01767 261122 or e-mail nigel@villagermag.com
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The Villager Prize Crossword 1st Prize £25 Name:
Last Month’s Crossword Winners Congratulations to: 1st - Mr. P Monks from Camborne 2nd Mrs. S White from Tetworth near Sandy
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 20th June 2012 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP
2nd Prize £15
Tel:
Address:
Across 1 Written announcement (6) 4 Film regulator (6) 9 Fan (7) 10 Subject (5) 11 Type of hat (5) 12 Closest to (7) 13 Sound transmitters (11) 18 Ruler (7) 20 Edition (5) 22 Tale (5) 23 Easily seen (7) 24 Lower down (6) 25 Helpful (6) Down 1 Close to (6) 2 Stopwatch (5) 3 Custodian of museum (7) 5 Surplus (5) 6 Most important (7) 7 Repeat aloud (6) 8 Carried along (11) 14 Make better (7) 15 Beginnings (7) 16 Stopped (6) 17 Relating to teeth (6) 19 Type of poem (5) 21 Horizontal board (5)
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Welcome PRICES
£4
to the world of GSN Conservatories... home of probably the largest outdoor display area you will ever see!
All our conservatories are made-to-measure from modern, low maintenance materials so you can be sure that which ever conservatory you choose, it will continue to look as good as new in years to come. START FROM ONLYD FULLY INSTALLE Your home deserves the best... E BAS THE INCLUDING You deserve the best that AND VAT of your money can buy! The conservatory designed choice individually home! r you suit by GSN to
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With over 20 styles of conservatories on display at our head office and 10 models on show at Wilstead we think you will be spoilt for choice!
FREE
TOP QUALITY CERAMIC FLOOR TILES on all conservatory orders placed this month
GOOD SELECTION OF TILES TO CHOOSE FROM
Some ex-display models available from both sites at incredible savings! Please enquire for details.
GSN
The family firm with NO commission paid reps and NO sub-contractors
CONSERVATORIES
Pertenhall Road (1 mile from Gt Staughton) Gt Staughton, Nr St Neots Cambs PE19 5BE Telephone 01480 860000 Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm Sat & Sun 10am - 4pm Also at: Season’s Garden Centre Wilstead (main Road - A6) Bedford Beds MK45 3HU Telephone 01234 740011 Open Mon - Sat 10am to 4pm Sun 11am to 4pm
Established since 1984
www.gsn.co.uk
Contrast Painting & Decorating We carry out all aspects of the trade interior & exterior Quality Tradesmen Our work is always to the highest standard. References available
Tel: Wayne Garner 07890 100573 or Paul Quinlan 07986 376635 24 Wheatsheaf Road, Alconbury Weston To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122
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FLOORED By Ian
Your local supplier of fitted floors in carpet, vinyl, laminate or Karndean Free visits to estimate or advise. Best prices and quality with a friendly service. Enquiries to 01480 475486 or (Mobile) 07876 238308
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Here come the grills
gadgets to make your barbecues better We Britons love to barbecue: the slightest hint of sunshine has us rushing to the shed to bring out the barbie and burn things to cinders. Gadget firms haven’t been slow to notice and there are all kinds of gadgets that can amuse guests, chill drinks and even help with the cooking. Some of the most useful gadgets are the simplest. Frosty Ice Tankards (£5.95 each) are ideal for keeping beer cold on warm days: simply keep them in the freezer until it’s time for a can and they’ll keep it nice and frosty. Dedicated wine coolers will do the same for your Chenin Blanc. While your guests enjoy their drinks, you can give them something to look at too. Strings of while, blue or multi-coloured LED lights cost around £20 for a wall’s worth, and as they’re solar powered there’s no need to run electrical cables or worry about the electricity bill. You’ll find an enormous range of solar lights from deck lights (£15 for four) and post lights (around £15 for ten) to lanterns (£9 for ten), coach lamps (£11 for two), colour changing table lights (£15 for one) and faintly horrible illuminated animals, fairies and insects. This being Britain, the evenings cool down quickly, so inevitably there are stacks of patio heaters to choose from, including wall-mounted halogen heaters (around £180), free-standing electric patio heaters (from around £35) and freestanding gas ones (£99+). Or you could just buy a charcoal kettle barbecue and huddle around that when you’ve finished cooking. Did someone say cooking? Gadgets can help with that too. If you’re fed up with the taste of lighter fuel, persuade the cook to invest in a Chimney Starter (about £15) instead. Using
nothing more than two sheets of newspaper, it makes lighting charcoal barbecues a doddle. A digital thermometer’ is a good idea too, as it can solve the “burnt outside, raw inside” problem that can affect some barbecued food. Good ones from Weber cost around £15, while wireless ones (about £38) will alert you when your food has reached the right temperature. If you don’t have a barbecue and don’t fancy those horrible disposable ones, how about a flower pot? The HotPot BBQ (£99.99 from Firebox.com) looks like a terracotta pot but contains a stainless steel barbecue grill beneath the foliage. It’s not huge (37cm by 27cm) and best for small meals but it’s quite clever. If you’d prefer something more substantial, the Portable Notebook BBQ Grill (£24) folds up for easy storage but offers a decent 45x30cm cooking surface. Both barbecues are charcoal-fired, but if you’d rather have a portable gas barbecue then celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has the MarcO-Grill 1000, which looks good, won’t damage surfaces and costs around £99. Some BBQ gadgets are a bit less serious. If you fancy making the famous Beer Can Chicken, where half a can of beer bastes the chicken from the inside, then try a chrome Beer Can Chicken Roaster for around £10. The roaster keeps the chicken and can upright to prevent foamy disasters. You can brand meat cowboystyle with the BBQ Branding Iron (£14.00), while the Musketeer Sword Barbecue Fork is ideal for sausages and silly too, shaped like a sword and comes with a free mask to make the chef look like Zorro. It’s yours for around £15.
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Tips for Eating Al Fresco
By Debbie Singh-Bhatti There’s nothing quite like eating outside to evoke that happy, carefree holiday mood, but with British weather so unpredictable we need to grab the opportunity when we can. Here are our five top tips for making sure you are ready to go ‘al fresco’! • Check you have all the necessary equipment to hand. Stock up on charcoal and make sure the barbecue is in good condition and clean. • Invest in a proper picnic blanket with waterproof backing if you like sitting on the ground. Even grass that appears dry can create an uncomfortable damp patch, or leave an unsightly stain that may be difficult to remove. • Use plastic cups and crockery. Choose disposable ones if you want a really easy life, but reusable ones will ultimately save you money and are more eco-friendly. • Make sure your hands and utensils are thoroughly clean before cooking or serving food. If you are away from home, take along wet wipes or anti-bacterial hand-wash.
• Thoroughly cook food that is to be barbecued and keep picnic food cool in a cool box or bag. Avoid food that will melt or spoil easily, like chocolate or bananas. In addition, remember to sit in the shade if the weather is hot, and always slather on sunprotection. So there you have it: the perfect recipe for a funfilled outdoor dining experience. Bon appétit!
Classifieds Plastering
TACKERS N SPREADS
• Plastering • Rendering • Drylining - dot & dabbing • Skim over old Walls • Floor screeding - 25 years experience, reliable tradesman - Competitive prices - clean and tidy - All areas covered Tel Mike :
07900 695 025
Plasterer
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