BedsLife SOUTH November 20

FREE NOVEMBER2020

south edition

YO U R L O C A L C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E A N D W E B S I T E

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CONTENTS

Don’t forget to check out our website www.bedslifemagazine.co.uk for even more local articles and lots of interesting and helpful local information!

LIKE our Facebook page BedsLife Magazine to keep up to date with events, offers and local businesses and services.

FOLLOW us on

Love Bedford Xtra Xmas Sparkle – 16

Remembrance Sunday Mammas House Blog Volunteering Opportunities Chandlers Country Store Marston Vale Halloween Trail What's On Love Bedford Xtra Xmas Sparkle Prize Crossword

@bedslife_magazine and

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Knife & Cleaver Competition Coffee Break Puzzle Page The Composing Cook Recipe Page Gardening Last Months Crossword Answers Coffee Break Puzzle Page Solutions

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Advertising Christa Tel 01234 962929 07827 015170 E: christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

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Design and Artwork Doug Dawson Creative Ltd www.dougdawson.co.uk

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BedsLife Magazine would like to thank all our advertisers for their continued support, without which we would not have a publication.

Disclaimer All adverts and editorial are printed in good

faith, however, BedsLife 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 the publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

Please remember, if you have enjoyed reading BedsLife and are looking for a trades person or service, we have a whole range of fantastic local businesses promoting themselves each month.

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For more information call Christa on Tel 07827 015170 or email christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk To advertise with us please get in touch – christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

3

ARKING REMEMBRANC

AND ARMISTICE DAYS IN 2020 Due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, and the importance of slowing the spread and keeping our communities safe, Remembrance and Armistice Days will be marked very differently in Bedford this year.

Remembrance Sunday falls on Sunday 8th November. Normally this would see crowds of people join an event on Bedford’s Embankment, but this year, organisers at the Bedford Branch of the Royal British Legion are asking people to stay away to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

A socially distanced service for members of the Royal British Legion and local representatives will take place and the Royal British Legion and Bedford Borough Council are looking at plans for this to be broadcast online.

Armistice Day on the 11th November will also be marked by a ceremony with a small invited group in order to be COVID-19 secure and keep those attending safe.

Robin Thomas from the Bedford Branch of the Royal British Legion said: “With rates of COVID-19 infection rising and government guidance about the rule of 6, this year’s events will be very different. Sadly we are asking the public not to attend and instead to follow events online, or nationally on TV or on the radio rather than risking the virus spreading.

“We know this will be very disappointing to people and we would like to thank everyone for their understanding. A small invited group will attend to show their respects on behalf of the community and remember those who have lost their lives in conflict around the globe and we hope to be able to broadcast this online.”

In the run-up to Remembrance and Armistice, The Higgins Bedford Knitting and Crochet Group are making poppies which will be displayed at the museum.

BONKERS FOR CONKERS If you are anything like us, you probably can’t walk past a chestnut tree without stopping to look for conkers!

There are some really beautiful spots in and around Bedford that have been perfect for collecting conkers over the last few weeks. We have so many around the house now, so what else can you do with them apart from fend off Spiders?

1. Counting Games – enjoy counting the conkers to see how many you have, you could use them as coins while playing shopkeepers, or try writing numbers on them and ordering them highest to lowest.

2. Alphabet Games – write the letters of your child’s name on the conkers and then write the same letters down on some paper and let your child match the letters.

3. Make a caterpillar – get crafty and make a caterpillar. You could make holes in the conkers to thread them together, or you could just see how long you can make your caterpillar 4. Conker painting – all you need for this one is a tub or tray, line it with paper, next put some paint blobs around the paper. Tip the tray around in different directions with the conkers inside and see what you can make. Have fun with colour mixing too!

6

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5. Play the traditional game! Playing conkers is a traditional British game, it might be a little tricky for the younger ones but they may enjoy watching the grown ups play.

6. Conker find – Decorate conkers and leave them for other children to find.

7. Make Conker animals – get your creative on and see what you can make. Some of my favourites are snails using play dough for the body, or rabbits using natural materials such as twigs for the whiskers and leaves for ears.

8. Conker and spoon race – if you don’t fancy eggy mess, use conkers instead add in some obstacles to challenge older kids 9. Exploration baskets – Add them to your sensory tray along with acorns, leaves and toy bugs for some sensory fun.

10. Make jewellery – make a hole in each conker and thread string through to make some chunky necklaces or bracel I’d love to hear your ideas on how you make conkers fun at home.

For more ideas like this follow @mammas_house on Instagram

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To advertise with us please get in touch – christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

7

VOLUNTEERING

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteering brings great rewards and we have opportunities for all. View hundreds of options through our online facility where you can register as a volunteer and apply.

Search for this month’s featured roles by adding the name of the organisation into the keyword field on our on-line role search facility at cvsbeds.org.uk/volunteer Sight Concern Bedfordshire – Telephone Befriender Our volunteers telephone visually impaired people who live alone. They are helped through regular social contact and friendship by telephone at a time when face to face services are not operating. Calls can be made from your own home or from the Sight Concern offices in Luton or Bedford.

Leonard Cheshire Disability – Befriender-IT Support We are looking for an IT savvy volunteer with an interest in ‘all things computer’, to assist one of our residents. This opportunity will require 1-2 hrs per week and will be a 1 to 1 face to face role based in Ampthill. You will start when we are able to safely welcome volunteers back in to our Service.

Campaign to Protect Rural England – Photography Contributor Photography contributors are wanted to help promote the work of CPRE Bedfordshire and raise awareness of important issues such as climate change, waste reduction and protecting the Bedfordshire countryside.

Our Photographers help us celebrate special places in Bedfordshire – whether that’s a beautiful landscape or wonderful wildlife – and to promote our valuable work.

Community Led Initiatives – Volunteer Mentor Mentors will produce support plans helping service users to identify achievable goals focussed on personal recovery and reintegration in to the community. They will promote

the value of lifestyle changes, provide practical support, link to local agencies and review progress. This role is for volunteers who are confident, outgoing, positive, resourceful and believe that people can make lasting changes.

Girlguiding Bedfordshire – Youth Organisation Treasurer As treasurer, you will need to keep accurate financial records for the area. Together with the youth group leaders who are part of the area you will be part of the team that is responsible for deciding how funds will be raised and spent. Your job is to keep accounts, report back to the team on its financial position and prepare end-ofyear accounts for independent examination.

43 Bromham Road, Bedford Call 01234 354 366 or Email: volunteering@cvsbeds.org.uk www.cvsbeds.org.uk 8

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Home Counties Loft Ladders, Quality You Can Trust!

These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space.

So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Home Counties Loft Ladders come in.

The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50sqft of boarding and a light - all fully fitted in less than a day from just £355! But it’s not just the affordability of the package that makes Home Counties Loft Ladders stand out, as manager Jamie Oakley explains: ‘Our

watchwords are Quality, Integrity and Value.

Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen, so our customers are assured of the best job.

- that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles.

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HOW DOES THE WINTER WEATHER AFFECT YOU? Most of our Chandlers Country Stores team are also pet owners, whether that be horses, dogs, chickens or plenty of other varieties so know how important it is to have the right gear to stay comfortable and enjoying outdoor activities in the winter. They are always on hand, to show you, our great range of dog walking essentials, from our selection of wellingtons, warm gloves or dog rugs to keep everyone warm and dry. We also have an extensive choice of horse rugs from Weatherbeeta, Horseware, Shires and Gallop and winter riding wear to make even a frosty morning fun out on your horse. If you are working outside the Milwaukee battery heated jacket is also a top product to discover.

Winter with animals often brings an increased amount of work to be done and we have a large range of stable equipment, horse feed and bedding supplies.

Also, if you are looking for a farming or animal themed Christmas present this year, please come along and check out our range of Bruder, Schleich and Siku childrens toys.

To advertise with us please get in touch – christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

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HALLOWEEN TRAIL AT MARSTON VALE Monday 26th October until Sunday 1st November Frank and Wilma the Witch need your help...

The vampires have moved into Frank's graveyard and he isn't happy about it... help Frank and Wilma the Witch put the magic spell together and get rid of the vampires once and for all!

Price – £3 online £3 per child (Age 1+) includes trail sheet, certificate and prize. Walk up spaces are available – please avoid arriving at peak times (i.e. dead on 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm). Parking charges also apply. Friends of the Forest get free parking all year round* at the Forest Centre This trail is in the Sensory Garden – please note that no dogs are allowed.

This is a self led trail, and the event has been split into sessions so please make sure you turn up for the correct session. They may be busy at certain times, so you may have a short wait before going on the trail. Please note you will need to comply with any current Covid – 19 regulations eg. groups of 6.

To book your place visit www.marstonvale.org

What’sON Please ensure to check with organisers before attending any events in case of any changes or cancellations

The Higgins – Sketch Friday Sketch Friday is now online. Every week the Higgins will post an object or artwork from their collections which they hope will inspire you to create your own piece of art. You are invited to share a photo of your work. No particular artistic skills required, any media that takes your fancy – it’s just for fun. Suggestions for future themes are welcome.

Join the Sketch Friday group on Facebook.

COMMUNITY ARTS & CRAFTS New Exhibition at The Higgins Bedford: ‘Under the Same Sky’ Running until April 11th 2021 FREE A social history exhibition that explores artist depictions of the sky above and the local impact of the weather over time. Discover storms, calm skies, rain drenched cities, sun worship and visions of the moon in the works of artists such as JMW Turner, Alfred Sisley, Paul Nash and Edouard Manet.

Visitors must book a free time entry ticket in advance by visiting www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk.

Visitors who are unable to book online can book over the telephone on 01234 718044 Monday – Friday from 11am to 3pm.

Carers in Bedfordshire Carers Choir Tuesday afternoons 2 pm Via Zoom All levels For unpaid family carers Contact weg@carersinbeds.org.uk for more details or visit www.carersinbeds.org.uk Memory Navigation Service Poetry group for people with dementia or memory loss and their carers Second Weds of the month, 11 – 12pm Via Zoom Bring and share your favourite poems, try out a quiz or simply watch and enjoy For details contact flora.stewart@carersinbeds.org.uk, ring 0300 111 9090 or visit memoryinbeds.org.uk Carers in Bedfordshire – Art for Wellbeing Thursdays 11.30am Via Zoom and art pack posted out For all levels – with Natasha For unpaid family carers, the person they care for Contact weg@carersinbeds.org.uk for more details or visit www.carersinbeds.org.uk The Higgins Knitting and Crocheting Group The Higgins knitting and crocheting group is now online! While staying at home, you can join in to share photos and talk all things knitting and crocheting.

Knitting for various charities, improving wellbeing and keeping each other company. Join The Higgins Knitting and Crochet Group on Facebook 14 Please mention bedslife when responding to adverts

Virtual Christmas Craft Fair Weekend.

Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November Lots of amazing handmade gifts and decorations with over 40 crafters displaying their work there will be lots of great items for all. Many bespoke items to suit all your gifts and also amazing decorations to add that extra Christmas sparkle. On the day you will get each crafters album in your notifications so you can view at your leisure. There will also be live videos on both days with some great prize giveaways. All you need to do is visit /www.facebook.com/infoVillageEventsLtd/ posts/ and click going then on the day sit back and view from the comfort of your own home. Take the hassle out of Christmas and join us and our crafters for an amazing weekend of shopping without the hassle of crowds, queuing and wearing a mask.

Table Top 'Swap' Shop Sunday 29th November 12noon – 3pm Happening indoors across the venue, using social distancing and one-way systems. It's a safe and fun way to pick up some bargains!

The Place Theatre, Bradgate Rd, Bedford MK40 3DE

HEALTH & WELLBEING Free Fitness Pilates and Relaxation Sessions for Parent Carers Tuesday 17th November 10.30am Friday 20th November 7pm Bedford Borough Parent Carers Forum have organised 2 sessions which are open to any parent carers of children with SEND in Bedford Borough. You are welcome to attend one or both sessions. They will both be virtual so you can do it in the comfort of your own home. Please email communications@ bbpcf.org.uk to book your place

WALKING/RAMBLING Carers in Bedfordshire – Walking group Third Weds of the month Bedford Park, Meet by Pavillion Café For unpaid family carers, the person they care for Contact weg@carersinbeds.org.uk for more details or visit www.carersinbeds.org.uk

This Christmas, Bedford businesses will be making an extra special effort to make their shops look fabulously festive.

A window wonderland competition is being launched where the public can vote for their choice among the displays of decorations.

Last time 100s voted for their favourite shop windows and we are hoping people will come into town to support the 2020 campaign.

Full details on how to vote can be found on www.lovebedford.co.uk or on Love Bedford FB, Instagram and Twitter

Meanwhile, businesses, via BedfordBID, are once again lighting up the town with their Xtra Xmas lights. The Xtra Xmas lights can be seen here: Lampposts at St Cuthberts Street Harpur Street Tavistock Street/The Broadway St Peters Street Mill Street

Sadly, there will be no lights switch-on event with Santa and his Sleigh due to Covid restrictions, but nevertheless the lights and shop windows will be on throughout December.

Keep in touch with what’s on offer at www.lovebedford.co.uk

and tree lights at Howard Street St Peters garden Harpur Square including outside Clintons, tree courtesy of Bedford Borough Council

To advertise with us please get in touch – christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

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PRIZE CROSSWORD Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before Friday 13th November.

Prize Crossword, BedsLife, 17 Foxbrook, Stevington, Bedfordshire MK43 7QY Last Months Crossword Winner – N Parrin, Bedford.

ACROSS 1 4 8 9 10 11

Fifty percent (4) Happened again (8) Immobile (6) ___ ___ to help out! (3,3) Medicine (4) Goodies given to guests at the end of birthday celebrations (5,3) 13 Unpleasant (13) 16 Saviours (8)

19 Curse (4) 20 Guarantee (6) 22 Inclined the head (6) 23 Weirdos (8) 24 Information (4)

DOWN

2 Can be changed (9) 3 Tiredness (7) 4 Go over information again (5)

5 6 7 12 14 15 17 18 21

Bye! (7) Attempt again (5) Large flightless bird (3) Plot of land for growing veg (9) Item of warm underwear! (7) Steered clear of (7) Scale (5) Ballads (5) Craze (3)

For last months answers please turn to P30

Name: Address:

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Tel:

SERVICES Have the last six months left you feeling anxious and overwhelmed?

Are you worried about the impact of Covid-19 on you and your family?

I am a qualified counsellor and can help you explore your feelings in a quiet, safe space.

Everyone benefits from talking.

I understand that finding the right counsellor can feel daunting so please contact me for a chat about how I can support you.

07766 578453 contact@caroline-ingram.co.uk

DEAD OR ALIVE

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19

WIN

A 3 COURSE MEAL FOR 2 INCLUDING A BOTTLE OF WINE COURTESY OF THE KNIFE & CLEAVER IN HOUGHTON CONQUEST! To enter please email christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk putting Knife & Cleaver in the subject by Monday 16th November. Winner will be chosen at random. Entrants must be 18 or over.

An Unforgettable Dining Experience In the picturesque village of Houghton Conquest, The Knife and Cleaver's new menus are a delicious celebration of autumn flavours including gastro pub classics and comfort food cravings.

At The Knife and Cleaver we focus on creating memorable experiences for all of our guests, whether visiting us for a drink or dining with friends & family. We emphasise to our team members the importance of committing to giving the utmost attention to detail in order for our customers to receive top notch and friendly service.

We change our menus with the seasons, so you will always find something new and exciting to tempt your taste buds. Our expert chefs create our menus to celebrate gastro pub classics as well as introducing new twists and recipes to compliment & refresh traditional dishes. We offer a range of different menus for whatever the mood & occasion, be it a quick lunch, a celebration cream tea or a date night, our charming restaurant with our warm and welcoming service ensures your visit with us is perfectly splendid. Our Sunday menus are dedicated to our mouth-watering Sunday roasts and are bursting with other Sunday favourites.

15% off your food bill on production of this advert.

The Knife & Cleaver, The Grove, Houghton Conquest, Bedford, MK45 3LA Tel 01234 930789 | www.knifeandcleaver.co.uk

SERVICES

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enquiries@nuvuewindowsanddoors.co.uk • Tel: 0800 195 0736 / 07542 238 768 To advertise with us please get in touch – christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

21

Coffee break P U Z Z L E PA G E For the answers please turn to P30

Can you find all of the these words hidden in the grid?

Asquith Attlee Baldwin Balfour Blair Brown Callaghan Cameron Chamberlain Churchill Douglas Home

Eden Heath Johnson Law Lloyd George MacDonald Macmillan Major May Thatcher Wilson Â

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www.highpointconstruction.co.uk To advertise with us please get in touch – christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk 23

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE KEY LIME PIE

The Composing Cook A light, refreshing and comforting pie which I would advise you to lock away in the fridge because once you’ve tasted it; you will be coming back for more.

Visit: www.youtube.com & search for: The Composing Cook, I’ll show you how to make it.

Serves 8-10

INGREDIENTS:

4 Limes to give approximately 175ml lime juice a bottle of lime juice 400g dark chocolate digestive biscuits 65g unsalted butter 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 100g bar dark chocolate 397g tin sweetened condensed milk 320ml double cream 1 x 25cm x 4cm deep fluted tart tin, with a loose base (approximate size)

On a plate, zest the limes and add one square of chocolate taken from the 100g bar dark chocolate.

Place in the fridge.

Remove tart from fridge, working fast, pour chocolate sauce into base, spreading with back of spoon, covering as much of the base as you can. No need for perfection. Return to fridge.

The Composing Cook

Squeeze limes of their juice and use the bottle of lime juice to make up the difference. Put to one side.

In a food processor, add the dark chocolate digestive biscuits, the unsalted butter and the cocoa powder. Blitz until the mixture reaches a damp, binding consistency. Transfer the mixture into tin and press on the base and up the sides. Place in the fridge.

In a small pan, heat 20ml of the double cream slowly. Breaking up the remaining chocolate bar, add this to the warmed double cream. Swill around to coat chocolate. Still on a gentle heat, start whisking until the chocolate is totally melted and you have a runny chocolate sauce.

24 Please mention bedslife when responding to adverts

Add sweetened condensed milk and lime juice into a bowl, whisk until combined. Add the 300ml double cream and continue whisking until you have a mousse like consistency.

Take tart from fridge; pour the mousse mixture into the biscuit base, getting an even coverage.

Return to fridge to set, ideally overnight, but no less than 4 hours.

Grate the one square of chocolate on top and sprinkle with the lime zest. Unmold the pie, but don’t even try and remove it from its base.

Serve as desired.

We must Weprotecting must keep on keep on protecting each each other other. .

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HANDS HANDS

FACE

FACE SPACE

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09/09/2020 15:29

Stay up to date and visit: www.bedford.gov.uk/covid19 2020.09.09_Hands_Face_Space_Essential Behaviours_A4.indd 1

09/09/2020 15:2

SERVICES

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If you have anything of interest that you would like to contribute whether it be news, history, a forthcoming event or maybe a local club or group please do get in touch at christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk

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ANTIQUE & MODERN FURNITURE REPAIR AND RESTORATION IN BEDFORDSHIRE

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Transform your conservatory into a room you can use all year round!

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GARDENING

RHUBARB RHUBARB Rhubarb is a reasonably easy trouble-free plant to grow. It is also a handsome plant, with large leaves and striking red stems, and who doesn’t love a rhubarb crumble?

The trick is to choose the right spot. Ideally it needs to be planted in full sun but if your garden is very sheltered it will tolerate partial shade. Don’t plant it anywhere where it might be in the way, disturbed, or need to be moved from. Rhubarb has an extensive root system and prefers to stay put, for at least a decade, so give careful thought to the spot.

Rhubarb dislikes wet soil, so make sure it’s welldrained. Dig in plenty of organic matter a month or so before planting. It’s generally easier and more productive to grow rhubarb from crowns (divided plants) rather than seed, and from now until Christmas is the perfect time to plant.

Dig a hole a little wider than the rhubarb crown in your prepared ground. Plant so that the growing tip is about an inch /2.5 cm below the surface.

Firm the soil well around the roots to removed air pockets. Water well and mulch with organic matter, avoiding the growing tip.

During the growing season keep the area around the plant free of weeds and give an occasional good soaking in prolonged dry periods. Remove 28 Please mention bedslife when responding to adverts

any flower heads that appear in the spring.

Flowering will weaken the stems. If the crown rots, your soil was too wet, but following all the advice I’ve given earlier should prevent this happening!

Harvest time is May until July, but rhubarb is a long-term investment so don’t harvest it during the first year. It needs that full first year of growth to establish a strong root system. Second year leave at least five strong stems when you harvest. After that you can leave three or four stems each time.

You should get 2-3 crops per season.

Remove only the largest stems when picking and wait till the leaves have fully opened. Pull gently from the base with a slight twist. The leaves are poisonous but can be safely composted.

Once your rhubarb is established you might want to try a forced crop for sweeter more tender stems.

Rhubarb is forced by growing it in the absence of light in a microclimate slightly warmer than the outside temperature. You can start forcing in January for best results. Remove dead leaves and weeds from around the crown and add a layer of straw or shredded paper to warm the emerging shoots and to protect them from frost. Then cover the crown with an upturned dustbin or large crock pot to cut out all the light. The rhubarb should be ready for harvesting 8 weeks later.

Rachael Leverton

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