Raising

Baldock, Ashwell, Weston and surrounding villages















































Raising
Baldock, Ashwell, Weston and surrounding villages
Happy New Year welcome to the first issue of 2025! We hope you all had lovely Christmas and managed to enjoy some time with friends and family.
Massive congratulations to Stuart and Katy Matthews, and their huge team of volunteers, for organising the Baldock Christmas Fayre along with the town Christmas Tree light switch on. I don't think any of us truly understand how much work goes into organising these community events, it's no small feat. The weather may not have been on side but it didn't dampen the atmosphere and it was great to see so many local faces there getting in the festive spirit. As a wise elf once said “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” and that is exactly what happened. Gee and his young music students took to the stage to kick off the live music for the evening and did a fantastic job getting the party started.
Jane Evan Photography was on hand to capture the event and we have printed a few of her photos on this month's gallery page. Take a peek and see if you can spot yourself or your pals in any of the snaps.
We bumped in Father Christmas a few times on our evening dog walks in December, so nice to see all the young volunteers out helping to support the Rotary Club who organise this every year.
If you're tired of turkey and leftovers The Chilli Lounge has got you covered. Owner and head chef Abbas is offering you 25% off your meal throughout January when you mention On Our Doorstep Magazine!
Looking forward in 2025, there's lots of local events to get excited about. The Baldock Beast, the legendary half marathon that weaves its way through the countryside around our lovely town, is back in February. Time to dust off the gym kit and start training if you're a keen runner. Full info and sign up details on page 12.
The beginning of the year can be tough for small businesses, so remember to support local and start the year right. If you run a local business and would like to feature in the next issue of the magazine please drop us an email about advertising opportunities.
Paul & Jacqui
info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk or 07973 788418
Letchworth rugby clubs first team have had a very impressive first half of the season. As we run into the fes ve month they lie second in their league ,which is the highest they have ever played ,and in soccer terms equals the old fourth division.
With two imminently winnable games before Christmas the stats show P11 W 9 L 2 points 45 . Despite the recent loss to Oundle on an atrocious day just outside Peterborough where a 10 point lead at hal ime was not enough to keep the league leaders at bay ,both team, coaching staff and supporters are confident that Legends can keep in the hunt should the pace se ers trip up in the second half of the season, which is always possible.
Head Coach Baz Basra who has seen the rise of the side through three compe ve leagues over the past four years since Covid told us “ I cannot speak highly enough of these lads who have been a pleasure to coach over the past four seasons.
Whilst we do have certain key players who have come in from further afield the spine of the team is essen ally local with many lads coming back from higher ranked clubs as they see the explosion of success and great rugby that is now taking place at Legends Lane “ .
Not only that , but with nearly forty lads involved in the under 17s and Colts under the watchful eye of ex first teamer Adam Amos the future also looks promising . Furthermore the Club through their Grandee ini a ve have invested in training sessions with Championship players from Bedford Blues to inspire their lads to stay in the game as they head to the senior sec on .
Off the field the comple on of the new extension viewing gallery has brought extra crowds to both lunches and games . President Brian Burke said “ The work of Chairman Chris Lunnon and his team on the Commi ee and Volunreers has been phenomenal over the past eighteen months and there is more to come with £100,000 Match Floodlights
being installed in January...The future is literally bright“ he quipped!
To add to the Centenary Celebra ons England World Cup Winner and Bri sh and Irish Lion Neil Back will be coming to the club for a gala dinner to preview the 2025 Six Na ons on Thursday 30th January. There are s ll a few spaces le at £50 a cket . Please contact Brian Burke on 07768274037 if interested or why not come to the January home games v Amersham (4th) and Southend (18th). Admission is free and a warm welcome awaits you in the club house a erwards .
The club was also very proud that the Annual firework display raised £20,000 for the Garden House Hospice another remarkable achievement from a remarkable rugby club!
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St Mary's Junior School have been working on their stamina and fitness this term. As well as lots of gymnas cs and circuit training in PE, our children have (bizarrely) loved doing the lung bus ng Bleep Test.
I bet many of you remember this gruelling task from secondary school. It is a physical test that measures aerobic fitness and stamina. It involves running back and forth between two lines, while keeping me with a series of beeps that get closer together as the test progresses.
We had class qualifying rounds in PE before se ng up a whole school final. We had 60 children race in the final with spectators surrounding the arena cheering them on. It was incredible to watch as our children put in so much effort in the cold weather. We had two boys from year 6 finish complete the
test, with our highest girl finishing in 3rd.
A er the top 3 places, it was very evenly spread out between girls and boys and year groups. Our highest year 3 finished an impressive 10th posi on, with our highest year 4 finishing in a staggering 6th! Our highest year 5 also finished highly in 8th place.
With our House Championship reaching it's deadline for the Christmas term, many house points were awarded for their achievement. A er gathering all the results, we celebrated their efforts together in an Assembly. Blue House Team had the best average posi ons and earned themselves 90 house points, which helped them become House Champions for the Christmas term.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everybody at St Mary's Junior School.
It might seem a li le early to be thinking about ge ng rid of your Christmas tree – especially if you haven’t even bought it yet – but it’s something we can help you ck off your list well in advance!
A er all the fes vi es are over, we’re on hand to take away the hassle for you. We’ll have a team out and about North Herts collec ng your trees for recycling between 4th and 9th January 2025. All we ask for in exchange is a dona on to the Hospice.
We are hoping to raise around £30,000 from our Christmas Treecycling scheme this year, which could fund our en re services for two days.
Ÿ Book your Christmas Treecycling collec on here: h ps://www.ghhospicecare.org.uk /event/christmas-treecycling
Ÿ We can collect Christmas trees from postcodes SG1-9, SG15-18
Kia EV3
The compact electric SUV market is poised for an exci ng transforma on with the ushering in of the EV3, writes Tim Barnes-Clay.
It is designed to a ract eco-conscious drivers while catering to families seeking a car that doesn't sacrifice style or comfort for efficiency.
One of the EV3's most impressive a ributes is its electric range, up to 375 miles achievable on a single charge, per WLTP standards. Where range anxiety is a significant concern for would-be electric vehicle owners, this impressive figure places the EV3 at the forefront of its class.
Extensive tes ng across diverse terrains and condi ons across Europe verifies its adeptness - whether cruising along motorways, naviga ng busy city streets, or enjoying scenic routes through the countryside.
Built on Kia's Electric Global Modular Pla orm (E-GMP), the EV3 boasts a spacious interior that echoes the popular Kia Sportage. It offers generous legroom and lounge-style comfort for all occupants. Indeed, sit a six-footer behind another six-footer, and no knees will touch the back of the front seats.
The cabin's minimalist design is accentuated by a panoramic display and a well-designed centre console that priori ses usability. Innova ve elements like pop-out door handles and premium relaxa on seats in the GT-Line S trim show Kia's ability to combine modernity with comfort.
Aesthe cally, the EV3 is a showstopper. The new Digital Tiger Face upfront introduces ver cal 'Star Map' headlamps featuring LED technology, presen ng a contemporary yet friendly appearance. Stylish alloy wheels on higher trims accentuate the sleek profile, too.
Kia clearly understands the demands of modern life, equipping the EV3 with a suite of though ul features. A fast 15W wireless charger and mul ple USB-C ports ensure that all passengers remain powered up on the move. The flexible storage solu ons, par cularly the slideout table, enable convenient breaksideal for those occasional roadside charging stops.
The EV3's boot capacity, which spans from 460 to 1,250 litres, depending on the sea ng arrangement, adds to its allure.
This adaptability makes this Kia model a real-world choice for families.
Behind the wheel, the EV3 is a genuine pleasure to drive. The low placement of its ba ery boosts stability, leading to confident handling and responsive steering. The Kia's tuning strikes a proper balance between performance and comfort, making it easy to feel in control - even on pothole-ridden Bri sh roads.
Anyone driving the new EV3 will appreciate the flexibility of its five dis nct drive se ngs. 'Eco' mode heightens efficiency, while 'Sport' adds a bit of spice for an even more spirited driving experience. 'Normal' strikes a balance between performance and efficiency, whereas 'My Drive' enables you to customise the accelera on, braking, and steering se ngs to suit your preferences. Addi onally, a Snow mode provides extra reassurance for wintry driving condi ons.
The EV3 produces very li le noise or vibra on. Indeed, combined with the near-silent electric motor, it delivers a calm journey.
This Kia is a well-rounded package priori sing efficiency, comfort, and
innova ve design. If you are searching for a versa le, stylish, and efficient SUV for you and your family, the EV3 deserves to be at the top of your shopping list.
Kia EV3 'Air' 81.4kWh FWD & GT-Line S 81.4kWh FWD + Heat Pump:
Ÿ Max speed: 105 mph
Ÿ 0-62 mph: 7.7 secs/ 7.9 secs
Ÿ Range: 375 WLTP / 361 WLTP
Ÿ Ba ery Capacity (kWh) 81.4 / 81.4
Ÿ Max. power (PS): 204 / 204
Ÿ CO2: 0 g/km
Ÿ Price: £35,995 / £43,895
Sandon JMI students in top 10% of computa onal thinkers na onwide! During the Autumn term Sandon students competed in the Bebras na onal challenge, enjoyed a trip to the pantomime and performed their own version of the Christmas musical film Na vity!
The Bebras Challenge introduces computa onal thinking to students worldwide. Open to all young people in the UK aged 6 to 19, each par cipant has 45 minutes to tackle a series of interac ve tasks, designed to encourage logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Two Sandon JMI students received a gold cer ficate for their scores being in the top 10% of 460,000 compe tors na onwide. Many other Sandon children enjoy a ending the weekly a er school Compu ng Club, in which they have prac ced coding using
Crumble, BeeBots, Dash&Dor Robots and micro:bits. Several children from Compu ng Club were awarded Dis nc on cer ficates in the Bebras challenge, placing them in the top 25% in their cohort.
Ge ng into the Christmas spirit, all students visited the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage to see The New Adventures of Peter Pan, which was fully supported by Friends of Sandon School. The children who a end Imagina on Dance a er-school club also performed their own Christmas extravaganza of Na vity!, including wonderful rendi ons of 'Nazareth' and 'Sparkle and Shine', along with choreographed dances.
We are looking forward to the final days of term including the carol concert and na vity play at Sandon Church and wish all our students and the wider Sandon community a res ul and happy winter break.
For more informa on on the extracurricular offerings and spaces available at Sandon JMI please visit www.sandon.herts.sch.uk/ or contact admin@sandon.herts.sch.uk
By the me you are reading this, the commi ee will have just about recovered from the annual Baldock Christmas Fayre. It certainly wasn't our usual format a er Storm Darragh decided it wanted to come and visit. However, the residents of Baldock are made of strong stuff, so unlike most of the country we did manage to go ahead without outside stalls or the Fair due to the safety precau ons we put in place. We did try to work out how many tons of water were strapped to the Beer Marquee but gave up a er deciding it was a lot !
As always we have a lot of thanks you. A big shout to Darren Woodhouse from BBB group for flexing with the stage, making the music go smoothly in the Beer tent and being a great compere and for his trusty sidekick Simon the snowman and the rest of the crew.
A massive thank you to all the sponsors and everyone who donated raffle prizes and to everyone who bought ckets. Congratula ons to all the winners.
Our music line up was amazing and a big thank you goes to G 'Balstock' LaRoche for his support in ge ng the amazing line up that entertained everyone in the Bar tent. (We also would like to thank G for giving Tara elf her own sleigh bells - She just needs some lessons in shaking them in me for next year!!).
Thank you to Ed Fowler and the Street Food Hero vendors for braving the weather!. To all the stall holders and Baldock Arts and Heritage Centre and St Mary's Church for flexing and accommoda ng all the stall holders that we had to move inside.
We won't lie there were a few tears this year and a lot of worry about costs but
you lovely lot all came and supported us and that means a lot to the commi ee and all the volunteers who helped over the weekend.
Thank you Baldock and Happy New year to you all (Dates for 2025 are Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December !!)
I was going to write an ar cle about having a new year's resolu on to be healthier, fi er, or kinder to yourself.
But what's the point? The stats say that only about 9% of people that make a resolu on s ck to it for the en re year.
23% give up within the first week, and those that make it past the 7th of January more than half (64%) don't keep them going into February!
So instead, I decided to write about how to make a life change that will last way beyond Valen ne's Day.
So, what's the key to making goals that s ck?
It comes down to four key elements, and they all begin with the le er D.
- Everything starts with wan ng Desire something deeply. Without desire, there's no drive to move forward. You've got to REALLY want whatever you are aiming to achieve.
Determina on - Desire alone isn't enough. You need grit and persistence to overcome challenges. It's easy to get distracted if you don't have your eyes firmly on your end goal.
Discipline - Success requires consistency and hard work over me. There will be days you don't feel like doing that 'thing' that you've promised yourself to do. But just like pu ng your clothes on every morning is a discipline that we all take for granted, any goal can be achieved if you keep taking the steps towards it.
- Ge ng any new habit to Design become rou ne is a challenge. Work out what obstacles or excuses you'll come across that will make doing the 'new thing' hard. Make it as easy as possible to s ck to.
For example, if its diet related, and you're a snacker, make sure all sugary snacks are removed from your cupboards - or if that's not possible, relocate them so you don't 'accidentally' come across them. If its exercise related, and your challenge is finding the me to fit it around your life. Book a me into your diary to go, or arrange to meet with a friend at the gym so you're less likely to cancel at the last minute. Pack your gym clothes the night before so it's one less thing to do before work.
Remove the excuses and make it as
easy as possible to do 'the thing'.
At The Pilates Corner our clients come back week a er week, some of them have been coming to our classes for over 11 years!
Why is that? Because we make it easy.
Ÿ The metable is flexible, you don't have to come to the same class every week, (although you can if you wish)
Ÿ If you miss a week, you can make it up with another class later in the month.
Ÿ We provide all the equipment, so you just need to turn up.
Ÿ Everyone is super friendly and there's no egos or cliques. So, it's actually fun coming to class.
Ÿ And you get that endorphin hit from doing exercise
Ÿ Plus, your aches and pains start to ease a er just a couple of classes. Why wouldn't you keep coming back! If you want a goal that is easy to s ck to and will make you feel great week a er week, give us a call or visit our website to come and try us out for yourself. wwwthepilatescorner.co.uk Use promo code OODNEWYOU to save £10 on our intro offer this January.
Thinking about life a er a divorce or rela onship breakdown can be an emo onal rollercoaster. It is normal to feel nervous, anxious, and confused. Here are some ps from Family Solicitor Katharine Scoot at HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors to help you through the process. Gather informa on
Some mes, the decision to divorce is overwhelming, there's so much to think about. What happens to the house, the child arrangements, the finances? How long will it take? I recommend making an appointment to
go through all your ques ons and to also learn a bit more about the process. There are no silly ques ons. We are here to ensure you're fully informed and understand all your op ons, so ask away. Then take some me to digest everything before you decide if you want to progress. Be prepared
To make your first mee ng as produc ve as possible, it is helpful to have all your essen al documents to hand. These will include photographic ID, u lity bills with your current address, and any legal documents from
your partner's solicitor. Also, jot down important dates and details like when you started living together, when you married, when you separated, dates of birth of your children.
Child arrangements
Some mes it is difficult for parents to agree on what is best for their children. In these circumstances our team of family solicitors can assist with nego a ons and refer you to Media on as it is always be er to try and agree child arrangements as a court should be used as a last resort. Every situa on is unique, so our team of family solicitors will work closely with you to reach an agreement that is in the best interests of your children. Check your finances
Prepare a list of assets and debts that need considera on in your divorce se lement. This may include your home, addi onal proper es, vehicles, stocks, business interests, trusts, insurance policies, pensions, and savings accounts, and also confirms whose name they are in and whether they are mortgaged, and how much the outstanding mortgage is. Plan for life a er divorce
Once a se lement has been agreed it is important that this is drawn up into a court Order and approved by the court so that you have a legally binding se lement. This is important because even though divorced, either spouse may have a claim on the other's income, assets, or future inheritance unless you have an approved court Order.
If you are moving to a new property or selling, our conveyancing team can assist while our Wills, Trusts, and Probate team can help you prepare for the future with your Will and effec ve estate planning.
To schedule an appointment call 01462 458711 or email info@hrjforemanlaws.co.uk
Baldock Rotary was again extremely pleased to be able to con nue its longstanding tradi on of taking Father Christmas on his sleigh, together with the Elves, around the streets of Baldock and surrounding villages.
We know how much this event is enjoyed by children and adults alike and the Club was extremely pleased with the recep on and comments received.
Thanks must also go to everyone who supported Baldock Rotary Club during this period with their me and effort. As well as Rotary members and their wives and partners, a number of community groups and members of the community gave their me to assist. We thank you all for your valued contribu on.
The Rotary club collec on at Christmas is the major fundraising event of the year and the money received will enable the club to make valuable dona ons to our supported local charitable causes as well as contribu ng to na onal and interna onal ini a ves, such as the Rotary Interna onal worldwide programme for the eradica on of polio,
which is close to having achieved its goal.
The Rotary club also appreciates the kind words that have been said about the Christmas lights around Baldock town centre. This ac vity takes a significant amount of me, effort and investment by the Rotary club. Thanks, again, go to those members of the community who have supported the club in this ac vity. The Rotary club appreciates the posi ve comments and recogni on for this work.
Baldock Rotary President Garry Blyth commented that “the Club recognises that people have made their Christmas dona ons to Rotary at a par cularly difficult me and we are extremely grateful for the generosity that people have shown. Also, our thanks go to all those members of the community who gave their me to support our Christmas ac vi es.”
If you or your community ac vity has a project that would benefit from support from Baldock Rotary, please let us know by sending an e-mail to our Community
Services Chairman, John Wright at jfw123@b nternet.com.
Baldock Rotary is also looking to a ract new members, so if you are the type of person who is able to “give something back” to the Community, we would love to hear from you. If you are interested in any aspect of what Rotary has to offer, please contact us on our website,
www.rotaryribi.org/clubs/homepage.ph p?ClubID=454 or contact Michael Muir tel 07909002631 or email michael.muir@her ordshire.gov.uk.
Thank you again for your support, and Best Wishes from Baldock Rotary for a happier, healthier and more peaceful 2025.
Rotarian - Paul Lucke
By Graham Tapp
Another year starts. January 2025, and again, there needs to be more clarity. I refer to the crazy carry-on from our Government regarding our allowable use of Peat. Like me, I assume you thought that its use would be banned for general retail sales and that only commercial growers would be allowed to purchase and use it for growing plants until 2030.
Depending on your views on peat bog conservation, carbon release, and its many uses, it appears that, unfortunately or fortunately, a general election got in the way. The governing party changed, introducing a new set of priorities and leaving the future of peat use uncertain. The consideration to ban its use got pushed to the back of the minds of those now in charge, never making it to the King's speech; now it is looking like it won't make it next year either.
I do not intend to write about politics, so that's enough of that. I want to explain the situation we find ourselves in from a retail perspective and the view of the many garden centres and plant nurseries through the collective association we all are members of, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).
Firstly, all the traders I know, including us, were fully prepared to transition to peatfree products. We were diligently working to sell off our stocks of peat-based products and find reliable alternative supplies. However, towards the end of 2024, it became evident that we would all have to reconsider our plans.
Sneakily, in 2023, the previous Government tried to change the deadline for professional use to stop by 2026, shortening the allowable time by four years. This caused widespread concern and alarm among us growers as not many substrate manufacturers had developed a consistent and reliable alternative to Peat for broad commercial use; there are a few that have answered the call, some by creating peatfree compost as a by-product of commercial gas production from farm grown crops, many by using wood fibre and bark, or coir a waste product from the coconut industry.
Despite the challenges, we have been experimenting with various compost mixes and have found that a blend of peat-free
and peat-based composts yields satisfactory plant results, as approved by our customers. We are committed to continuing these trials and aim to be one hundred per cent peat-free by 2026.
As explained, the plan was to reduce Peat's use altogether, but the story has another twist. No one in Government officialdom wants to push anything forward, so without regulation, everyone can and will return to making peat-based compost available to the general public. We all step back into the past as if nothing had ever been done. You may ask why many of us are returning to retailing Peat-based compost. The simple answer is very high customer demand. So, in the interim period between now and the expected eventual ban, you will find many retail outlets selling both.
The Horticultural Trades Association have researched the use of Peat-based compost and has come up with a UK national figure stating that its use is less than ten per cent; our experience here in Baldock is far from that our retail statistics taken from our tills show that there is a big push back from Peat-free and is showing a ratio of only thirty against seventy per cent in favour of Peat-based compost. Now, we have to be very careful how we interpret this because we have yet to determine if this is cost-related or if it's the wrong choice of Peat-free compost offered. In spring 2025, we will keep our peat-based compost supplier but change our peat-free compost supplier to see if a science-based substrate will be more to our customer's liking. There are many other reasons that cause customers to push back against something. Many customers have an aversion to the colour, some to the texture, some to the smell, and some to the bag size, mainly the cost, so we have a lot of work identifying the reasons.
I want to step back now and explain to those of you who are unsure why we need to change. For many years, we, as an industry (growers), and you, as gardeners, have been using Peat at alarming rates. Some extraction companies have not been so kind to the environment, leaving old sites in less-than-optimal condition for nature to return. In their defence, a few of the better companies have done their very
best to return their bogs to an acceptable condition, allowing nature to return.
Others have turned their bogs into country parks for boating, fishing and water-based sports. This is all well and good, but in the bigger picture, the global picture, we have to start looking at the damage we are doing, persisting with the wholesale plundering of our only planet.
Digging Peat for any purpose is now frowned upon, and we must do our bit to stop it. Clear evidence of carbon release shows us the further damage Peat extraction is doing to the environment, releasing millions of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere worldwide; it is now known that bogs have been absorbing carbon for years, storing many thousands of tons.
A ton of CO2 at sea level would be held in a cube 8.2 mt high x 8.2 mt wide x 8.2 mt Deep.
In balance to the evidence against Peat extraction, we have to look at the possible damage the alternatives give; both options, wood/bark and coir, all produce carbon release, trees are harvested, and processed, crushed, steamed and mixed with other products. Coir is a by-product of the coconut industry. It is stripped from the coconut and washed with water, a rare resource; it is then dried, loaded onto ships and transported to the UK; on arrival in the UK, it is re-hydrated again with water, processed and mixed with other products. None of this is entirely environmentally friendly, so we must make a choice.
Lots of science and testing will be needed before any of the alternatives prove to be a suitable replacement. The problems are water retention, nutrient lock-up (availability), pH porosity, air availability, pot stability, and the list goes on.
I only have room to write a little more, so I will leave you to choose based on the information I have given you.
Please come to the Garden Centre for further discussion if you would like more information.
Happy New Year,
Once more we have arrived kicking and screaming, if slightly hung over into another New Year. Let's face it, we've all been here before. We all have our own li le customs for this auspicious day, some will gather the family and celebrate together the dawn of a new era, some will spend the day in reflec on of the year that has past and others will make plans, gym membership, holidays, and fat clubs. As for me, I will be cleaning, a symbolic scrubbing away of the old if you like. The tree goes first, I know its supposed to stay up un l the fi h of January, but I really am quite sick and red of it all by then and new year provides me with the perfect opportunity to banish Christmas for another eight months at least. It is ge ng earlier each year, and as you all know by now, I firmly believe it belongs in December, and no one should u er a single syllable of the word un l then. We are past the winter equinox, which means those long nights are coming to an end, all be it at a painfully slow pace, and those of you with a crepuscular bent will be afforded less me for your evening contempla on. For this is the me when we do such things, apparently. In my experience I am more likely to see scurrying many legged beas es or folk with nefarious inten ons climbing though windows than someone taking the 'natural invita on to pause
and look at the wonder of nature' (Thank you Chat GPT for your roman c interpreta on) But that could be just me!
Its about this me where I find myself actually looking forward to the return to work, you may be aware that I work in educa on, so while you may have had to work over the last few weeks, I have had two whole weeks off work. It's probably the only me that I do want to go back to work if I'm honest. It's not really un l I go back that I get that sense of normalcy back a er the excesses of the fes ve season. Excesses of doing nothing, of really bad TV and of sausage rolls. I might be fibbing about the sausage rolls, but you get my meaning.
In real me, I am wri ng this some four weeks ahead of being published, Storm Darragh is raging outside and for once in my life I'm glad I don't live on the Pembrokeshire coast. Its blowing up a proper hooley outside my window and it doesn't look set to stop for a while. We don't tend to get much weather in these parts do we. If we have two inches of snow, the rest of the country gets three feet, so there is some compensa on to be had. Darragh is only the fourth storm this season and he's been bellowing out ninety mile and hour winds down the southwest corner of this great na on promp ng red weather alerts all over the place.
The government has used the emergency phone alerts to scare the bejesus out of the popula on down there which has prompted most to think that Pu n finally grew some and pressed the bu on. What a world we live in now. Gone are the days when we were told there would be a bit of weather and then they le us to our own devices, we now have RAG ra ng on it, and government sanc oned alerts. I must admit though the yellow snow warning awakens the twelveyear-old boy in me and sets me giggling. I can't help it; a yellow snow warning means something completely different to me.
Any how, back to the future… I wish you all the happiest of New Years, I hope that happiness sees you through the year ahead. May your troubles be li le and easily resolved.
If you are a farmer, I'm backing you. I have no idea how you do what you do, but I'm eternally thankful that you do it. Don't give up.
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Julian has struggled to belong ever since he was expelled from school for his treatment ofAuggie Pullman. To transform his life, Julian's grandmother finally reveals her own story of courage. During her youth in Nazi-occupied France, a boy shelters her from mortal danger. Together, they find first love in a magical world of their own, while the boy's mother risks everything to keep her safe.
CertificateRunningTime 12A 121 mins
Too much choice out there?
Spend more time deciding what to watch than actually watching something? LET BALDOCK'S RESiDENT TV GLUTTON HELP YOU ON YOUR MiSSiON!
The first season of Shrinking follows Jimmy (Jason Segel) and his a empt to get past the ini al stages of grief a er his wife, Tia (Lilan Bowden), tragically passed away. This includes reconnec ng with his daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell), who's also trying to move on. It's been nearly two years since Season 1 ( writers' strikes in LA put paid to anything sooner) but the LA sunshine remains strong though, and is no doubt why I'm drawn to this easy going comedy at this me of year! Season 2 con nues to explore the grieving process, especially now that Jimmy is ready to move forward a er accep ng his loss. Although he's star ng to date again, he's struggling to forget about his late wife because she's everywhere –memories of her in his friends, his daughter as she is growing up and through his work. She's reflected in Alice, who's worried about Jimmy's ongoing wellbeing. She's honoured by her family, who are trying to move on while s ll respec ng her legacy. And she's remembered by her best friend, Gaby (Jessica Williams), who's now da ng Jimmy – which is somewhat awkward and ill advised to say the least, It's obvious from the outset that Jimmy is determined to get back to the “basics” in order to get the fresh start he needs. This does pose a slight problem for the narra ve this season, which can at mes feel a slight re-hash from Season 1. Luckily, there's always Paul (Harrison Ford), who never ceases to make me smile even in
the most serious moments. Paul is finally ready to be in a commi ed rela onship with Julie (Wendie Malick), and he even drops the “L” word bomb. Someone this curmudgeonly and grumpy cannot be in love, can he? And how long will it last?
I must note that it's important to refresh your memory on what happened in season one because the new episodes dive right into the drama without recapping the previous instalment. Yes, everyone looks familiar, but it's hard to remember the exact details when more than a year has passed since the season one finale aired.
Meanwhile, a new key plot narra ve this year is that the drunk driver who was responsible for the death of Jimmy's wife has shown up, wan ng to speak to the family and atone. That guy is played by the show's co-creator Bre Goldstein, AKA Roy Kent from Ted Lasso – the two series share the same trick of compensa ng for what should be fatal structural problems with lovable characters and an overwhelming array of funny lines. The warmth you get from Ted Lasso is eminent in Shrinking too.
Season two has a lot to live up to but based on what I've seen, and I'm only 5 episodes in, I have high hopes for what's to come, especially from the scene-stealing Harrison Ford. It's all probably worth it just for him and that sunshine alone!
With 20 years experience selling homes locally
Thank you to all the people that have recommended me as their personal estate agent in Baldock. I love working here and the town has always held a special place in my heart, it's just great!!
Isn't that a phrase you hear a lot at this me of year!
Many people's first reac on when they hear it is guilt. Oh dear, I must make an effort to…lose weight, get fi er, spend less me on social media etc etc.
Is there always a li le guilty feeling at the back of your mind about being be er organised and having your affairs in order? If something was to happen to you, would your family know enough about your affairs to deal with ma ers that need to be sorted out? We all have so many things to think about
these days –u li es/insurance/mortgage/mobile phone contracts/broadband/TV subscrip ons etc etc and that's without even men oning bank accounts, loans and credit cards.
Do you love a list? Some people definitely do; but even those people maybe haven't made a list that would help family members if they were in a situa on where they couldn't ask you about all the companies you have accounts with.
If you'd like a document you can print and use for that purpose, please go to
h ps://arkpowers.com/wpcontent/uploads/2020/02/Usefulinforma on-about-me_no-A-R-K.pdf and you'll find our 'Useful informa on about me' sheet listed. Maybe print it off and start filling it in so that your family would at least have a star ng point…That could of course just be the start of ge ng your affairs in order; what about your Will – have you got one, do you know where it is?
Do your executors know where it is? Is it up to date?
Have you made your Las ng Powers of A orney yet? We should all make these while we are completely well – just in case they are needed in the future. If you're not sure what the documents are all about you should look into it so you understand how useful they could be (to you and your family)! You can make one document to cover finance and property issues, and one to cover health related ma ers, but don't leave it un l it is too late as it would cause major problems for family members if you hadn't appointed them to help you while you were well enough to do so.
You will find informa on about these par cularly important issues on our website.
If you need our help with anything please do get in touch – email info@arkpowers.com or call 01438 746977
This is a delicious recipe for those who like their food spicy and those who prefer milder curries as you can adjust the spice levels. It's reasonably low in fat, inexpensive to produce and will take up less than an hour of your time in the kitchen. If you're willing to make it a day in advance, it'll taste even better the next day. The best bit is you only need to use 2 saucepans!
The first job is to marinate the chicken. If you have the time, get this done the day before. If this isn't convenient, get this done first.
*400G boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces
*250g plain yoghurt
*2 Tbsp minced garlic (or 5 cloves finely chopped)
*1 Tbsp minced ginger
*2 Tsp garam masala
*1 Tsp ground turmeric (be careful - it stains everything!)
*1 Tsp ground cumin
*Red chilli powder to taste
*1 Tsp of sea salt
Mix everything apart from the chicken thighs in a large mixing bowl until well incorporated. Then add your chicken thighs and ensure every inch of the chicken is covered in that beautiful marinade. Cover with cling film and leave on the bottom shelf of your fridge. (Always try and keep raw meat & fish on the bottom shelves to avoid cross-contamination)
Now for the makhani sauce:
*2 Tbsp coconut oil
*1 Tbsp ghee or clarified butter
Melt these in a large sauce pan.
*1 large onion (finely sliced)
Add this to the pan on medium heat and gently start to sweat this down. You don't want the onions to take on any colour so keep them moving until they're soft & sweet. This should take 12 to 15 minutes.
*1 Tbsp minced garlic
*1 Tbsp minced ginger
Add this to the pan with the onions now and cook gently for another 3 or 4 minutes.
*2 Tsp ground cumin
*2 Tsp garam masala
*1 Tsp ground coriander
Add these ground spices to the pan and gently cook through to release their aromats. This should take no more than 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the spices at this point.
*400G carton of passata or crushed tomatoes
Add this to the pan and scrape anything that may
have started sticking to the bottom of the pan. This will dissolve whilst the sauce is cooking.
*Red chilli powder to taste
*1Tsp of sea salt
Add this to the pan. Allow the sauce to come to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and leave to gently cook for 20 minutes.
In the meantime, take another saucepan, put on high heat and add 2 Tsp of rapeseed oil or coconut oil. Fry off the marinated chicken pieces in batches. Be careful to not overcrowd the pan. Get a nice, even colour on both sides of the chicken then put them on a flat tray to one side.
Chefs tip: If you're having rice with this dish, use the pan that you fried your chicken off in to make the rice. Don't wash the pan. The sediment at the bottom of the ban will add flavour to your rice. For Basmati rice go with a ratio of 1 part rice to 1.5 parts water. Season your rice well and for added flavour add a cinnamon stick and/or a few green cardamon pods that have been lightly crushed.
*400ML cream
Once your sauce has been simmering for 20 minutes add 400ML of double cream if you're not on a diet or 400ML coconut milk if you're still on a diet! (well done if you still are )
*100G sugar
*1 Tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi - very important)
Add the sugar & fenugreek and stir well. Taste the sauce. Add more chilli or salt if you prefer. If you'd like the sauce smooth you can blend it at this stage with a stick blender or in a food processor - be careful as it's going to be hot!
Add your chicken to the pan with the sauce and simmer for a further 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
*A handful of fresh coriander roughly chopped Turn off the heat and add a handful of fresh coriander just before serving. My little girls love a squeeze of fresh lemon on their chicken.
Enjoy with steamed basmati rice, naan bread, poppadoms & a lime pickle.
If you struggle to get hold of any of the spices in this recipe, swing by the restaurant (8 Whitehorse Street, SG7 6QN) and we'll be happy to pot up whatever you need for you to take home.
Enjoy!
Kish
recipe from Kish, Chef patron of
When it comes to health and fitness tracking, size does ma er—but in this case, smaller is be er. Introducing the Smart Ring Waterproof Sport Intelligent Health Ring, a marvel of modern technology that combines sleek design, durable cra smanship, and comprehensive health monitoring in one ny package. Perfectly suited for both men and women, and compa ble with Android and iOS devices, this smart ring is redefining convenience and style in the world of wearable tech.
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Comprehensive Health and Fitness Tracking This intelligent health ring is the ul mate fitness tracker. It goes beyond the basics to offer 24-hour monitoring of sleep pa erns, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels. It also tracks steps, exercise dura on, distance, and calories burned. All this data is easily uploaded to the APP, providing you with an all-in-one hub for fitness and wellness insights. Whether you're training for a marathon or simply looking to improve your overall health, this ring is an invaluable tool.
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Available in three striking colours—black, gold, and silver—and customisable in sizes 8 to 11, the Smart Ring is the future of wearable tech. With cu ng-edge sensors like the GR5513B chip and a waterproof ra ng of 5ATM.
I purchased my Smart Ring from AliExpress for around £13 which was ridiculously cheap
February wouldn't be February if it wasn't for the Baldock Beast half marathon.
Its great that there are loads of other running events around. Enjoy them all.
But there really isn't anything like crossing the line having completed; some say ‘Tamed, the Beast’. Its all for the great cause that is Baldock with all the profits going to support local community events.
There’s s ll me to sign up at h ps://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/ TheBaldockBeastMul TerrainHalfMarat hon2025. So get your training shoes out and start training for the Beast. It's on Sunday 23rd February 2025.
See you all there, Richard
Well, that’s it for another year!!! Thank u to EVERYONE who donated. Baldock really is an AMAZING li le town! And a special men on to my friends and neighbours who stepped in on Thursday when I was at a stage for the first ever, not having enough hampers to give out.
I needed 52, I had 30… but thanks to a last minute shout out they came to the rescue and I ended up with 90!!!!! Amazing work but everyone!
Se le came and got the rest!!
So THANK YOU EVERYONE u really do make the world a be er place!!!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS you wonderful lot!
Karen Stephens
Three team members from Baldock Town Petanque Club, Ma hew Eversden, Jack Blows, Jeremy Huntley alongside Callum Lombard from River Hamble Club, travelled to Dijon in France to represent England in the FIJP World Championships earlier in December.
From the reports we heard the venue looks was incredible with an unbelievable atmosphere, hos ng 48 interna onal delega ons from around the world
The England team made it to the quarter finals where they faced Australia, who narrowly beat them and progressed through to semi finals.
SUNDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2025
your existing home insurance renewal quote in the SG postcode.’
For most people their home is the biggest investment they will ever make and the things they keep in it are their most prized possessions.
As your local broker our role is to select the policy most suited to your individual needs. Ensuring peace of mind for our customers is at the heart of what we do.
To make sure your most treasured possessions are properly covered contact the Emperor of insurance
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