B Inspired Magazine - February - March 2019

Issue 15 | February - March 2019

FREE COPY

A MAGAZINE INSPIRED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Featuring Jim and Pam Fitzgerald Paxton Pits Photo Competition What’s On Guide

OUR EXPERTS AND CONTRIBUTORS

OUR EXPERTS

SALLY POWER Legal Beacon Wealth Legal Ltd

TONY LARKINS Money Beacon Wealth Management Ltd

KATIE KITSON Marketing B Inspired Publications Ltd

MARK BICKNELL Plumbing Servowarm Ltd

Every issue Sally and her team will be providing insights into law.

Every issue Tony will be providing an insight into financial matters.

Every issue we will be providing you with an insight into marketing.

Every issue Mark will be providing an insight into plumbing and heating.

CONTRIBUTORS XL PRESS - Small Business Sponsor MJ Plumb Landscaping Fantazze Dance Art and Soul Prosper Virtual Assistant St Neots Town Council - Spotlight on Events Sponsor Legally Blonde St Neots Christmas Lights Buckden Christmas Lights Puss In Boots The Panto Christmas Party Free Upcoming large events Front Cover Jim and Pam Fitgerald

What’s On Guide St Neots Little Dragons Taekwon-Do Stageworks Anchor - Nelsons Lodge Mothers Day Competition Music Review Cory Blose Kids Story Karen Larkins Paxton Pits Graham Taplin Willoughby John Greig Mave Yaxley Steve Hemming D Yaxley

If you would like to take part in a future issue, contact the B Inspired team - hello@binspiredmag.co.uk DISCLAIMER: B INSPIRED Publications Ltd cannot be held responsible for the content provided by the contributors and advertisers to the magazine, or service provided by the local businesses. Copyright belongs to B Inspired Publications Ltd.

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CONTENTS

Hello!

Welcome to B Inspired Magazine, a magazine designed and created, with and for, the local community.

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hat a fantastic year we had in 2018 which amongst other things saw us become an AWARD WINNING MAGAZINE! Something we are still incredibly proud of.

We have a lot of exciting things planned for 2019, which starts with the launch of our BRAND NEW LOGO!!

There are so many talented local graphic designers that when it came to choosing one to design it we couldn’t, so we ran a competition and are delighted with our winning logo!

Our fantastic logo was created by the very talented Adam Jenkins of Adam Jenkins Design and you can read all about the meaning behind it and tips on how to create your own in our marketing article.

This issue we are launching our Mothers Day Competition - for the second year running! Last year we had some amazing nominations that we had to run it again, so if you know a Mum who deserves a pamper have a look at our back page for details.

Katie Kitson Editor

About B Inspired: Connecting with Wyboston, St Neots, Paxtons, Kimbolton, Grafham, Offords, Buckden, Godmanchester, Huntingdon and all areas in-between, to give YOU a voice.

This magazine is created WITH YOU. Your thoughts, pictures, reviews, events, businesses, clubs... If you have something to share we want to hear about it.

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CONTENTS - Business Sponsored by XL Press

18 PAXTON PITS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

6 MARKETING

20 EVENTS GUIDE

4 SPOTLIGHT ON SMALL BUSINESS

- with Expert B Inspired Publications Ltd

- Home 8 PLUMBING - with Expert Servowarm Ltd

10 INSPIRATIONAL COVER STAR - Jim and Pam Fitgerald

12 WHAT’S ON GUIDE 13 GIG GUIDE - What’s On

14 MUSIC WITH CORY - The Playbooks

16 SPOTLIGHT ON EVENTS - Sponsored by St Neots Town Council

- FAMILY 26 MONEY with Expert Beacon Wealth Management Ltd

28 LEGAL with Expert Beacon Wealth Legal

30 KIDS CORNER STORIES - Cloudleapers

32 KIDS CORNER GAMES

34 B SEEN 35 NELSON LODGE 36 MOTHERS DAY COMPETITION 3

BUSINESS

SPOTLIGHT ON SMALL BUSINESS This page is sponsored by XL PRESS to give local small businesses the opportunity for free exposure.

Do you own/run a local business and would like FREE exposure in a future edition?

Contact the B Inspired team.

Art & Soul Cafe/Gallery/Creative Hub

Business Owner Name: Caroline Richardson & Tim Richardson Experience: Over 10 years as an artist & teacher, & over 30 years in financial services/leadership development. Other staff have experience in hospitality.

Business Description: Our cafe is a place for people to ‘create and connect’. We have a welcoming and relaxed cafe downstairs, with further seating upstairs and space for people to work. We also have a large gallery

and a separate space for arts and crafts workshops (for both kids and adults) Highlights So Far: Meeting people - a vast range of people come in and chat to us as they relax or work in our space.

It’s great to see their faces light up as they enter the upstairs space for the first time!

What Makes You Different?

We emphasise the importance of community in a funky town centre setting with great art.

People seem to love spending time in our space for both business

and pleasure, and we aim to provide opportunities to learn and enjoy new skills through our workshops.

Target Clients: Home workers, small businesses, mums with small children (we have plenty of buggy space) and of course anyone who wants to sit and enjoy good coffee etc Contact Details: Social Media: @ArtSoulStNeots www.artandsoul.cafe caroline@itsoriginal.com 07799265058

Prosper Virtual Assistant Virtual Administrative Support

Business Owner Name: Bonita Bennett Experience: 10 years experience.

Business Description: Providing virtual administrative support to entrepreneurs and local businesses.

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Highlights So Far: Helping and supporting individuals with busy lives has brought me an immense amount of joy and fulfilment.

What Makes You Different?

I choose a select type of company.

Target Clients: Extremely busy individuals / Business owners.

Contact Details: www.prosper-va.com 07825267662 Bonita@prosper-va.com @prospervauk Twitter

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SPOTLIGHT ON SMALL BUSINESS

Fantazee Dance Performing Arts

Highlights So Far: I have thoroughly enjoyed watching students grow as people, Experience In Your Profession: progress in their desired dance/ singing styles, seen friendships I am the Principal and owner at Fantazee Dance which has been flourish and build a family like running for 7 years, I personally no other, it makes all that we do have been dancing since the age worthwhile, beaming smiles and of 2 and went onto professional laughter are the most rewarding. dance college at 16 then into the industry working for 7 years.

What Makes You Different?

Fantazee pride themselves with Business Description: giving all our expertise and Fantazee Dance pride themselves in knowledge to the community offering all types of dance and singing and making the learning of the classes to every age and ability, every industry fun, friendly, exciting and one matters and we cater for you all. most of all professional.

Business Owner Name: Kayleigh Luff

M J Plumb Landscaping Landscaping

Business Owner Name: Matt Plumb Experience: 15 Business Description: Providing hard landscaping including driveways, patios, turfing, artificial grass.

Highlights So Far: Changing a garden from mundane to extraordinary and seeing my customers enjoying their new space.

What Makes You Different?

A lot of customers will say I have different ideas, able to think

outside of the box and show them different designs to the ones they had an idea of.

Target Clients: Any local to St Neots.

Contact Details: Mattplumb09@yahoo.co.uk 07854950008 https://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/ st-neots/business-guide/feature/m-d-plumb-landscaping/

Target Clients: Everyone who would be interested in giving the Performing Arts a try.

Contact Details: www.fantazeedance.com fantazeedance@hotmail.co.uk 01480 218554 Facebook: Fantazee Dance

Page Sponsored

by XL PRESS We run a 24 hour, 7 days a week print plant, ensuring that even the most critical jobs are not missed!!!

At XL Press we strive to provide you with high quality print solutions to ensure all of your printing requirements are met.

Our unrivalled expertise in file preparation, print quality, specialist print finishes coupled with our extensive industry knowledge and network of trade professionals make us the perfect print partner for any established or growing company.

Contact Details: www.xlpress.co.uk estimating@xlpress.co.uk 01480 474787 Facebook: XLPRESS

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BUSINESS

MARKETING WITH B INSPIRED PUBLICATIONS LTD Logo Design Every issue Katie will provide an insight into the world of marketing.

This issue we are celebrating our new issue.

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s you may have noticed we are very excited to share with you our new logo, created by local graphic designer - Adam Jenkins.

We were impressed by Adam’s attention to detail and how every aspect of the logo connects with the magazine, so much so that I have asked Adam to share with you his thought process of how to go about creating a logo, something I believe you will find helpful if you are also looking to either change your logo or create one for a new business, group...

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Further Details: B Inspired Publications Ltd focuses on the positives of the community and is designed to give everyone a voice based on this.

Website: www.binspiredmag.co.uk Email: hello@binspiredmag.co.uk Tel: 01480 471169 Facebook: /B Inspired Magazine

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EXPERT

Creating A Logo with Adam Jenkins Designs Here are the steps I take when designing logos for my clients.

up neatly and look to improve. I love this process and find this is where things really begin to take Chatting through the brief shape. Use shading to help check I try to make this as relaxed as that the overall balance of the logo possible, whilst ensuring to ask the is working. Make adjustments, important questions and listening redraw if needs be. It will save hard for any key words or phrases. time moving pixels back and forth Where possible, I like to meet face on screen later. to face with the client (preferably over a coffee… every designer’s Time for the Mac (other fuel) I find this really helps, even computers are available) to pick up on design clues from It is only now that I start to their dress sense and style. work on a computer. I take my sketches and redraw them using Research / Moodboard vector shapes, allowing the logo Keep yourself fresh by looking to be used at any scale. This at trends that tie in with the brief is the stage where precision is and use this to pull resource everything, using guides and tools images together to help generate to help keep things consistent and ideas. balanced.

Tip ~ don’t search the ‘name’ of what you are about to design Tip ~ When you’ve finished, I followed by ‘logo’. This will find setting the logo to black on immediately steer your ideas to a white background and then those that you’ve just seen and mirroring it helps to see if the already exist. By all means check balance is correct (sounds strange, after you’ve designed your options but give it a go). to make sure what you have done doesn’t look too similar to what has Monotone version already been done before, but this is If the logo is in colour it is unlikely. always worth having monotone versions in both black and Sketch ideas first white. These are often useful for These can be rough. At this overlaying on images or printing stage the quicker the better in single colour merchandise etc... order to let the creativity flow.

If you try and be too precise, Fit for the socials you’ll think of an idea whilst still Logos have to be able to be drawing the current one and used within a circle smaller than by the time you come to draw a coffee bean! (Did I mention I the new idea you would have like coffee?) If the complete logo forgotten it. It happens! Coffee doesn’t work at this size, then helps. you’ll need to create a version Draw your preferred options of the logo, or an element from

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the logo that will work. This is an absolute given.

Presentation You may design the most amazing logo for your client, but if not presented well, it may get rejected.

The way in that you present your work says as much about your design as the design itself. I like to think of the presentation layout as my brand, whilst the content of what I’m presenting is their brand.

Allow time to review It’s so important to allow yourself time to review your designs with fresh eyes. Perhaps ask a friend with a creative eye, and who you know will be constructive with their opinion.

Check over the brief one final time, you may just save yourself from some blushes.

Artwork files Once the logo has been approved (congratulations!), be sure to work in the correct colour modes for both print and web, and supply the logo files clearly labelled. This will make life easier for your client when they come to use a logo for a specific format.

Well that’s it! Thanks for taking the time to read my logo design process, I hope you’ve found it helpful.

Contact Details 07802 325459 sayhi@adamjenkins.design www.adamjenkins.design

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HOME

HEATING AND PLUMBING WITH SERVOWARM Ltd Heating Breakdowns Servowarm are our experts in Heating and Plumbing.

This issue Kellie and Mark talk about helping you with your boiler and new services.

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inter is here! You may already have found problems with your heating now it is on and needed.

This is the time of year that many boilers have faults so please contact us to book in now on 0845 222 4444 for your boiler breakdowns.

We can often call the same day ensuring you are back up and running in no time at all.

Aristons Internet Thermostat so you can control your heating from your phone all from £1595 + VAT With free quotations and no obligations we offer a fast turnaround for installations with a new boiler that will keep you warm for years to come, call us for more information and to arrange your quotation now!

Plumbing Don’t forget as well as our specialist heating repairs we carry out all types of plumbing repairs New Boilers - Winter Offer If you need a new boiler too. replacement, we have an Amazing From leaking taps to installing Offer on a new Ariston combi new showers, resealing baths and fixing leaks….we are on hand for boiler with a whopping 12 years manufacturers warranty including all your needs!

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EXPERT

If you need us you can even book online now - go to www.servowarm.co.uk for our live online booking system making it even easier to arrange our visit.

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If you are an engineer or know anyone feel free to contact us for more information, email to info@servowarm.co.uk

• Been broken in to?

We can deal with this and take the worry out of it for you.

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In an emergency, you need to know you and your home will be safe quickly.

UPVC doors and windows and all exterior and interior door locks can all be dealt with.

We can board up and secure your home and replace the locks immediately.

Contact us as soon as you need, let us ensure your safety.

Further Details: Should you require a heating and plumbing expert for gas heating, plumbing, landlord certificates, legionella risk assessments we are here to help.

Website: www.servowarm.net Email: info@servowarm.net Tel: 0845 222 4444 Facebook: Servowarm/

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COVER STARS

Jim and Pam Fitzgerald Every issue our cover star is a local individual or group with an inspirational story to share.

This issue we chose to highlight a local couple who are spending all their free time to support the local community through many activities including, Puddles and St Neots Christmas Dinner.

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solation is a feeling felt by many and can be enhanced at different stages of your life: at home alone with your kids, financial hardship, old age...

Last year we ran a 12 days of Christmas competition, for which one of our prizes was for the winner to choose this issues front cover star. We had half expected a winner to select a family member, or someone who is looking for free self promotion, HOWEVER our winner Rita Murphy, chose a local couple Jim and Pam Fitzgerald who have made it their mission for many years to help those with feelings of isolation and much more.

years ago.

A Happy Couple Jim and Pam have been married for over 30 years and have a loving family they are proud of, and who they very much focused entirely on, until their children grew up. They have now been a part of the leadership team at River Church for over 10 years, whilst also running their own catering business.

The group is blessed with lots of volunteers including Sandra or as she is known, Granny Sandra who bakes cakes for every weeks meeting.

Puddles School Holidays ‘We used to close for school holidays, as we believed that was when we were needed less, but after conversations with mums, we discovered it is actually the time we are needed the most.’ Every half term they organise Setting Up Puddles an to a farm or similar for all the For those who are unaware family - no matter the age of the Puddles is a local pre-school group children. This is all free as the designed for mums. There is no costs are covered by River Church, charge, and is designed for mums which includes any ice-creams... to get to know other mums, have a During the summer holidays Jim Fitzgerald Background place to relax with a cup of coffee (for a donation by anyone who can As a boy Jim was brought up in and biscuit, whilst their children afford to do so), they also organise a disfunctional family, whose Dad play. It is also a place they can a bouncy castle, BBQ, craft table sadly died when he was just 8 years learn new skills, such as cooking, etc. event for all the family. old, upon which both him and his including recipe inspirations for sister were sent to Sunday School. random food they may find in Just For Mums Not someone who wanted to go, their cupboards that they can do 3-4 times a year the team from the first time attending, he at home with the kids. (In fact the organise trips such as to the suddenly felt loved and accepted cooking part is so popular that seaside, Christmas shopping for who he was and understood they have even created 2 cook (previously visiting Bruges, the importance of looking out books which feature a picture of a Belgium and Birmingham....) for others and felt his calling for different child from the group next which are strictly parent only trips. working with children around 60 to each recipe.)

They also organise a charged

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INSPIRATIONAL COVER STARS

steak/curry night a couple of times carols (that the older guests would a year, which all money raised have sung as children), and join in goes straight towards childrens conversations. entertainment at Christmas.

‘It is humbling hearing peoples conversations and emphasises that Tea and Play - After School God ‘s love is always there - it’s Club constant.’

These sessions provide a Everyone who attends is meal, craft, game and bible story also handed a goodie bag with (not conditioned to brainwash chocolate, biscuit, Christmas - the messages emphasise the crackers... importance to be a friend and to Attendance is reliant on people honour parents/carers). contacting them, as there is no This group is about the children, database of previous attendees, and however they are required to the volunteers must also otherwise have a parent with them as they be on their own at that time of are not a child-minding service year. ‘there have been some disturbing This is a well respected local news from churches which we are event and 2018’s was supported by ashamed of. We believe in safe Funeral Care, Waitrose, generous guarding everyone, for the benefit donations from the public and was of all. underwritten by the River Church.

Christmas Lunch Jim and Pam both provide assistance to the Christmas lunch, where everyone in attendance receives a 1st class meal.

This year they fed 88 people who would have otherwise been alone at Christmas or are facing financial hardship, and also provided free transportation for those who needed it. Not only this but they also managed to deliver 10 hot meals to people who couldn’t make it on the day itself.

Their oldest guest this year was a gentleman of 97 years young who was very well turned out, and bathed in the pleasure of the day upon his return home.

The meal is a time when everyone is treated as an equal, and it is not obvious who is there for those reasons and who is a volunteer, as everyone is treated the same, eat at the same times, and mingle with one another, which helps put everyone at ease.

During the event they give out gifts from donors, sing two old

River Church Jim understands that Church is no longer seen as a normal part of most peoples Sundays, however that now means those who do go, do so because they want to. Jim also openly admits they are not churchy people and strongly believes that relationships should be chosen over religion, as relationships are inclusive friendship/fellowship, whereas religion can be quite divisive.

‘Those who attend often start due to being broken hearted or seeking forgiveness and therefore it is heart-warming seeing so many people grow from attending.

1. Agree a time where there is no digital devices around - including parents e.g. dinner time, Saturday mornings, until chores are done etc. and all agree to it, and how long for.

2. Parental guard on devices is important. For example a Year 9 student was doing a presentation about different cities and their cultures. He chose London and typed Big Ben into Google - he didn’t get what he had expected due to no parental controls!

1. No digital items in the bedroom. Parents think they are in bed but they are playing games, chatting online, which increases chances of sexting and grooming.

Not only this but teachers notice a difference in children who do and don’t due to a lack of concentration due to tiredness.

It is important to agree limits at an early age so that all conform.

Humbling Jim throughout our conversations found the whole concept of this article humbling and strange. Whilst they are aware they spend a lot of time with the community they are also a part of a group of people who help others, but regardless considers everyone he meets friends, and says he now has the biggest fan base - but they are under 3 years old.

Support They are touched by the support from the local community and Influencers organisations, and every penny is As a place where many families always used on the very area it is visit they take their responsibilities donated for. seriously and therefore have undertaken many different courses Brexit including one called ‘Parenting in a Final thoughts are on Brexit.

Digital Age’.

The British don’t like being told There were 3 things that they felt what to do. We were economic, every parent should know from the now we are political. Whatever course: happens we will be the best neighbours and do it our way.

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WHAT’S ON GUIDE

WHAT’S ON GUIDE Welcome to our Local What’s On Guide, where you will be able to see reviews from previous events, as well as our latest What’s On Gig and Event Guides.

If you have an event you would like to be featured for free in our main what’s on guides, or advertise for only £50 (quarter page) £95 (half page) / £150 (full page) please contact the team via email or Facebook. hello@binspiredmag.co.uk / BInspiredMagazine

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EXPERT

GIG GUIDE Gig Guide from Friday 8th February 2019 - Friday 5th April 2019.

FEBRUARY Sat 2nd The Basic Cable Band (Rock/Pop/ Jazz,/Blues 4 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F ELVIS -Taking Care Of Business 8.30pm - 11.30pm BVC Taken (Rock Covers, 5 piece) 9pm - 12am LP Sun 3rd Holly Jean (Original Acoustic + Covers) 2pm - 6pm LP Fri 8th The Kurmujun (Rock, 4 piece) 9pm - 12am P+F Sat 9th Alison Lane (Covers, 4 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F Eton Rivals (Mod / Ska, 4 piece) 9pm - 12am BH Sun 10th Jacen Unplugged 4pm - 7pm P + F Wed 13th Open Mic 9pm - 12am P + F Fri 15th Machines (Rock, 3 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F Sat 16th Lower Than Bones (Metal, 5 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F Just Tom & Pete (Acoustic, duo) 9pm - 1am BVC Sun 17th David Gayle (Covers) 3pm - 6pm LP Fri 22nd The Expletives (Punk/New Wave, 4 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F The Soul Man (Soul Covers) 9pm - 11:30pm TCH

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Sat 23rd The Basic Cable Band (Rock/Pop/ Jazz,/Blues 4 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F Flywheel (Covers) 9pm - 12am LP Sun 24th Jacen Unplugged 4pm - 7pm P + F Wed 27th Open Mic 9pm - 12am P + F MARCH Fri 1st Atari Youth Club (Indie Pop/Rock, 4 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F Sat 2nd Bite The Bullet (Rock Covers, 5 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F Undercover (Covers, 4 piece) 9pm - 12am G + D Soul Power (Duo) 9pm - 12am LP Sun 3rd Leech (Rock covers) 3pm - 5:30pm LP Sat 9th The Basic Cable Band (Rock/Pop/ Jazz,/Blues 4 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F SugaSoul Trio 9:30pm - 11:30pm CH Sun 10th Jacen Unplugged 4pm - 7pm P + F Fri 15th Bad Monkey Driver 9pm - 1am P + F Sat 16th Electric Fanny (Post-Puk/New Wave, 3 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F

The Expletives (Punk/New Wave, 4 piece) 9pm - 1am BVC Fri 22nd Full Circle (Covers) 9pm - 1am P + F Sat 23rd The Basic Cable Band (Rock/Pop/ Jazz,/Blues 4 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F Dynamite Chicken (Rock Covers, 4 piece) 9pm - 12am G + D Jack (Rock, 4 piece) 8:45pm - 11:15pm MI Sun 24th Jacen Unplugged 4pm - 7pm P + F Fri 29th Dizzy Miss Lizzy (Covers) 9pm - 1am P + F Sat 30th Beerbelly (Pop/Rock, 3 piece) 8pm - 1am P + F APRIL Fri 5th That’s What SHE Said! (Covers, 5 piece) 9pm - 1am P + F The Soul Man (Sou Covers) 9:30pm - 12am BH

Gig Guide Venue Key: P+F - Pig N Falcon, St Neots BH - The Bulls Head, St Neots

G+D - The George & Dragon, Eaton Socon MI - Market Inn, Huntingdon

LP - The Lord Protector, Huntingdon BVC - Buckden Village Club, Buckden TWH - The White Hart, Godmanchester TCH - The Coach House, St Neots BM - The Barley Mow, Huntingdon HM - Hartford Marina, Huntingdon CH - Cambridgeshire Hunter, Eynesbury

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WHAT’S ON GUIDE - MUSIC

MUSIC WITH CORY BLOSE

Jared Collins NES MISSISSIPPI BO they have gone now.

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his issue Cory talks with Jared Collins from Mississippi Bones about their next album and how the concept for it came about.

I picked you guys up years ago on a blog I think is called the soda shop?

Yes they were actually one of the first places to review one of our albums. A very nice review as well but I think 14

They have sadly. because they were my entry into you - I’ve always been into the Desert Rock so the soda shop allowed me to delve deeper into the music industry which is how I came across you guys. For those who don’t know anything about you can you please tell us about yourselves?

We started as myself and Dusty when we had some free studio time. (We had been in a few bands before growing up - separate bands - and knew each other for years.)

We ended up with some free studio time once before but I was such a horrible singer that we quit straight away after the

first song.

We had to come back three years later, once I had learnt to sing, and created out first album, and that was all we were supposed to do.

We weren’t planning to start a new band or anything like that. Dusty just put it online, we got a couple of physical copies made and then that soda shop wrote their review and it actually seemed to be the start, as we started to sell stuff online and got two or three other reviews in which all came back pretty good.

The sales went well and soon we had enough money to create a second album!

We sort of went from there and after the second album we decided to put a band

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MUSIC

together.

I don’t really know what to say we are, but we are rock, pretty swampy and I say nonsense lyrics because I don’t know how to write real ones. ‘Swampy rock with nerd lyrics’ I guess.

I think swampy rock is a good way to describe you.

Lyrically you may say it’s nonsense but I enjoy the hell out of it, it speaks to certain parts of my brain very well.

That was actually quite a surprise too. We finished the first album before anybody had heard it - my comment to Dusty was ‘man it’s such a shame that I’m not a great lyricist otherwise we’d have a good CD’.

I never really envisaged people really digging it but then I never wrote this thinking I could sell nerd culture. I just didn’t know what to sing about as I’m not one to think my opinions are important enough to push onto people, which left me nothing to sing about, so I thought I would sing about what I know best: bad jokes and movie references.

After release we soon realised we’re not the only nerds out there, and that it does work for a lot of people who like nerd culture, which is kind of exciting. ‘I love picking up an album and

finding all these little Easter eggs hiding in them.

anything. He walks into the house and sort of chastises the guy for letting him in I’m just reading what so easily, and he is like you you have written about should care more about your your album and it gets me constitutional liberties and extremely excited about your vampire defenses - that listening to it. You will be line ‘I was like; I’m putting able to summarise this better that in a song which changed than I can: to why don’t you do a whole Ok so we teamed up with a Kodo song, he was like I can small press in Colorado, and then use it for the book and the author Jonathan Raab.

I had so much fun writing it Jonathan had an anthology that I went back to him and book coming out and got hold said can I just do a whole of me last year because of album? And so we had this video games and asked if he concept, and that kind of could use 26AD in the trailer spiralled. for it.

Kodo is a small town I said yes go ahead use it for Sheriff but he is also a public free, he offered to pay. I said access Radio Show Host who if you wanted to pay me then has a conspiracy radio show. just send me a book, as I like This actually transitions in the books to read. We ended up next book, into a public access getting a couple of his books TV show, like Cop Style, and whilst I wasn’t really except he fights vampires. into the whole indie theme It started when he turned going around at the moment. to me saying ‘let me do your I read his book ‘The Hillbilly last broadcast show’. We Moonshine Massacre’ which have the host telling a whole is everything I love about introduction, before voice X-Files. Big Trouble in Little actors call into the show.

China, Ghostbusters and There are calls that turn into campy 80’s horror, written by what the songs are about, and a very talented writer who then the album transitions doesn’t need the shlock to into the thread of the story in sell a story he just enjoys it so the next book he is releasing adds it in. at the same time.

In the book the main The album is a whole character who is a sheriff, has radio drama podcast, feeling a guy who lets him into his concept album, that serves as house without really checking a prequel to a new book in his any of his identification or series.

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WHAT’S ON GUIDE

SPOTLIGHT ON EVENTS Sponsored by ST NEOTS TOWN COUNCIL

Providing the local community an opportunity for free exposure following their events.

Contact the B Inspired team if you would like an event to appear in the next issue.

St Neots Town Council organise several large events each year, including the popular Armed Forces Day, Charity Dragon Boat Race, Bands in the Park concerts as well as the regular Farmers Market.

Find out about all upcoming events and things to see and do in St Neots on www.visitstneots.co.uk and tell us why you #LoveStNeots.

Legally Blonde

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ne of many shows that are put on at the Priory Centre, St Neots, this was another hit with the local community, and is even up for an award with The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA).

Congratulations Vamps of St Neots who put this show on and good luck at the awards!

Based on the multi-award winning film starring Reese Witherspoon, it was a show that saw the audience tapping their feet from the start.

It was clear that the cast must have worked hard as many were hardly off stage, and saw dance numbers which incorporated skipping with ropes throughout, lifts, splits and much more.

Not only this but they also featured two dogs, who brilliantly fullfilled their roles and took centre stage whenever they were present.

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St Neots Christmas Light Switch On

S

t Neots saw another fantastic turnout for 2018’s Christmas Light Switch On, which took place on Sunday 25th November.

From meeting Father Christmas, entertainment throughout the day on stage, fun fair, free activities with Virtiso and Neotists, there was something for everyone to do.

As the build up to the lights being turned on grew closer, the Market Square was packed, and many children could be seen sitting on their parents shoulders to get a better view. Before the countdown, this years guests to turn the lights on were introduced - who were non-other than our front cover stars at the time Strong For Samsung!

The atmosphere in the lead up to the lights being switched on was fantastic and was finished with a brilliant fireworks display.

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SPOTLIGHT ON EVENTS St Neots Town Council www.stneots-tc.gov.uk enquiries@stneots-tc.gov.uk 01480 388911 Facebook: @stneotstowncouncil Twitter: @stneotscouncil

Visit St Neots www.visitstneots.co.uk Facebook: @visitstneots Twitter: @visitstneots

Puss In Boots The Panto

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veryone loves a panto over the Christmas period - oh yes they do..!

St Neots Players were proud to bring another pantomime at the beginning of January to the Priory Centre.

With singing, dancing, comedy duo’s, dames, baddies, royalty and of course Puss In Boots, his companion Colin, plus his lovely Princess, there was something for everyone - even including a snowball fight.

Upcoming Events Farmers Market Every 2nd Saturday Market Square, St Neots

Check Facebook and Town Council website for updates on themed events.

Mayor’s Jigsaw Competition Saturday 9th February, 3pm - 7pm Loves Farm House, St Neots

Buckden Lights

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ast years Chritsmas Lights in Buckden High Street was a hive of activity. It looked as though the whole village had turned out to celebrate.

The event saw music from the stage, numerous stalls, Father Christmas Grotto, many games as well as events at St Marys Church.

The evening finished when the lights were switched on, proving you don’t have to be a big town to have fun and celebrate.

Christmas Party - Free

S

t Neots Open Door Church once again put on a great family friendly Christmas Party.

An unsurprisingly busy day, saw many families getting into the Christmas spirit by making snowmen, festive biscuits, decorations...

There were also carnival style games, a treasure hunt and even a visit from Father Christmas himself.

Italian Market, Street Food and Fair Saturday 23rd February St Neots Market Square Commonwealth Flag Raising Ceremony Monday 11th March, 9:45am Priory Centre, St Neots CAMRA Beer Festival Thursday 14th - Saturday 16th March Priory Centre, St Neots Mayors Charity Ball Saturday 23rd March Priory Centre, St Neots

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17

PAXTON PITS COMPETITION

WHAT’S ON GUIDE

PAXTON PITS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION A FEW OF THEIR ENTRIES SO FAR You may have seen from previous issues that Paxton Pits are running a photography competition at the moment for pictures take on and around the Reserve.

Here are few of their entries and further details of the competition.

Entry Deadline: Thursday 28th February

T

Overview he Friends of Paxton Pits is delighted to be running a Photographic Competition for images taken on and around the Reserve.

Entries can be submitted now and up to 28 February 2019.

Prizes There will be a number of prizes and awards, from tours of Paxton Pits with head ranger Jim Stevenson, to a year’s membership of the St Neots and District Camera Club, to publication of winning photos in B Inspired Magazine.

Categories Best Picture – will get the opportunity to display a selection of the photographer’s pictures in a double page spread in an issue of B Inspired Magazine AND One year’s free membership of St Neots & District Camera Club.

Best Picture by under 16: A photo safari with Head

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Ranger, Jim Stevenson at Paxton Pits and the area round about.

Best picture by under 16 living in Little Paxton – £20 book token donated by Little Paxton Parish Council.

Best landscape - £25 gift voucher Best bird(s) (including wildfowl) - £25 gift voucher Best animal(s) of any sort includes insects etc but not birds- £25 gift voucher Best fungi- £25 gift voucher Best wild flower- £25 gift voucher Best tree or trees picture£25 gift voucher Best water picture- £25 gift voucher Best picture featuring Terns ideally including a tern raft in picture – 12 months subscription to the Kingfisher Lottery (which has contributed to the supply of the Tern Rafts on the Reserve).

Best unusual picture- £25 gift voucher Best picture by a Member of the Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve - £25 voucher

donated by the Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve.

How to enter The Competition is open to all with a special section for those under 16 years of age as of 31 December 2018.

• Images must be submitted in digital form, and accompanied by an entry form.

• Each photographer can enter up to five images.

• Only photographs taken from public access areas of Paxton Pits since December 2016 are eligible.

• Full details are given in the Rules, which can be found on Paxton Pits website and at the Visitors Centre.

• If your photograph contains people, please also complete the release form.

• For further information or queries please contact Peter Hagger: peter@hagger.org

•

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PAXTON PITS COMPETITION

D Yaxley Up Early(r)

Steve Hemming Kingfisher

John Greig Paxton Highland Cattle

Mave Yaxley Dragonfly-1

Graham Taplin Goose

Willoughby Great Grebes

John Greig Paxton Pits Sunset

Graham Taplin Emerging Four Spot

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19

WHAT’S ON GUIDE

Photographer: Tara Leanne Barber St Neots Riverside Park

WHAT’S ON GUIDE CHILDREN CENTRE ACTIVITIES

REGULAR ACTIVITIES

MONDAYS Eaton Socon Centre 30th July: Introducing Family Foods 10-11:30am

Mondays 5:30pm - 6:15pm Little Dragons Taekwon-do Longsands Academy, St Neots Wednesdays 4:30pm - 5:15pm Little Dragons Taekwon-do The Church Rooms, St Neots

Bargroves Centre, St Neots Bi-Weekly: Breastfeeding Mummies 9:45-11:15am Weekly: Physical Fun 12:45-2:15pm £2

Thursdays 8am - 3pm St Neots Market, St Neots Market Square 8pm - 11pm Quiz, Pig N Falcon

TUESDAYS Eynesbury Centre Weekly: Young Parents Drop-in 1pm-2:30pm (Closed 26/2/19) Weekly: Puffins 9:30am-11:30am

Saturdays 8am - 1pm Farmers Market St Neots 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, St Neots Market Square 9am Pocket Parkrun 5k Run / Jog / Walk for everyone (no matter how fast or slow). Weekly. Register at parkrun.com and print out a barcode for free runs forever.

Pocket Park, St Neots 10:30am Big Walkies St Neots Meet by the car park and walk for around 1 hour.

No requirement to book.

Coneygear Car Park, St Neots ** Stagework Classes available Tuesdays Saturdays including those for: Youth From early years to late teens find out more about our dancing, singing and acting classes.

Adult Offering a range of performance classes including ballet, tap and fitness.

Companies And Troupes Audition or be selected for our Stageworks Events performance companies and troupes, including our Musical Theatre Youth Company and the Cambridgeshire Youth Ballet Company.

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WEDNESDAYS Eynesbury Centre Last week of the Month: Clothes Swap 9:30am-11am Weekly: Young Parent Advice Drop-In 2pm-3pm Eaton Socon Centre Weekly: Parent Craft 2pm - 4pm Huntingdon Centre 4th week of the month: Adults Arts & Crafts 9:15am11:15am Godmanchester Centre Weekly: Bumps & Babies 12:15pm-1:45pm THURSDAYS Eaton Socon Centre 2nd & 4th week: BRAS 9:30am-11:30am Weekly: Bumps and Babes 10am-11:30am 2nd & 4th week: Baby Clinic 9:30am-11:15am Little Paxton 2nd & 4th Weekly: Play-and-Weigh 9:30am-11am Huntingdon Centre Weekly: Young Parent Group 10:30am-12pm FRIDAYS Huntingdon Centre Weekly: Bumps & Babies 1:30pm - 3pm

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LIBRARY ACTIVITIES MONDAYS St Neots Library Weekly Term Time: Toddler Rhymetime 10:30am Huntingdon Library 2nd week of the Month: Monday Bookworms, Reading Group 2pm - 3pm Ongoing regular activity: Computer Buddying bookable 18th February: Stories in the Dark 1hr slots throughout day. Bookable. £2 TUESDAYS Huntingdon Library Weekly Scrabble Club 2:30pm - 4pm Regular Activity: Internet and Work Club 2pm WEDNESDAYS St Neots Library Weekly: Games Afternoon for Adults 2pm 20th February Autism Friendly Morning 10am - 12pm 27th February: Still Life 10:30am - 1pm £8.50 27th March: Pen & Ink Buildings 10:30am - 1pm £8.50 24th April: Abstract Fun 10:30am - 1pm £8.50 Huntingdon Library 4th week of the month Sophie’s Choice Reading Group 6pm - 7pm Weekly: Storytime 10:30am - 11am 6th February Harry Potter Book Night 4:30pm - 6pm For ages 6+. £2.50pp 20th February: Train Crafts and Stories 10:30am 11:30am £1 13th March Stories in the Dark 10am - 11am/11:30am 12:30am/1pm - 2pm THURSDAYS St Neots Library Bi-Weekly: Local Highways Officer Drop-in Session 10am - 12pm Huntingdon Library 1st week of the month: Engage in the Afternoon 1:30pm 3pm 1st week of the month: Thursday Readers, Reading Group 11:30am - 12:30pm 7th February: Old Huntingdonians, My School Magazine: EngAGE in the Afternoon 1:30pm - 3pm 7th March: Author GUINEVERE GLASFURD: EngAGE in the Afternoon 1:30pm - 3pm

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FRIDAYS St Neots Library Weekly: Internet and Job Club 10am Weekly: Baby Rhymetime 10:30am - 11am & 11:30am 12pm 3rd week of the month: St Neots Knitting Group 1pm - 4pm 4th, 5th week of the month: Engage in the Afternoon 2pm - 3:30pm Huntingdon Library Regular Activity: WORK CLUB 10am - 12pm Regular Activity (Term time only): Baby Rhymetime 10am - 10:30am Regular Activity (Term time only): Toddler Rhymetime 11am - 11:30am Regular Activity: RightStart 1 Chair Based Exercise 11:30am - 12:30pm £3.50 SATURDAYS St Neots Library 4th week of the month: Family Games Club 2pm 9th February Valentines Craft Activity 10am - 1pm 50p 16th February The Library Presents - Singing Workshop 2pm - 4pm £2.50 19th February Victorian Family Day 10:30am - 1pm £1 30th March The Library Presents - If Clothes Could Speak 2pm - 4pm Huntingdon Library Regular Activity: Lego Club 10am - 11:30am. 50p SUNDAY St Neots Library 24th March The Library Presents - Pied Piper 3pm 3:30pm --

Computer Buddying - St Neots Library Monday, Thursday, Friday. 10am - 12pm Online Services Demonstrator - help and advice - St Neots Library Ongoing regular activity. Booking required.

Lego Club - St Neots Library Monthly club for 5 - 11 year olds. 50p Careers Advice and Guidance - Huntingdon Library Ongoing regular activity. Booking required.

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WHAT’S ON GUIDE

FEBRUARY Fri 1st 6pm - 10pm End Of Month Gathering Local business get together.

The Coach House, St Neots

3pm - 7pm Charity Jigsaw Puzzle Competition Fun competition, fastest team wins.

Loves Farm House, St Neots

Sat 2nd 6:30pm - 12am Horse Racing Fund-raiser Fun for all the family. All proceeds to Make A Wish UK. Eynesbury Rovers F.C, St Neots 7pm Race Night Based on last years successful event.

The Anchor, Little Paxton Sun 3rd 9:45am - 11:45am Life Drawing Class Start with 2 minute poses and building up to 15 minutes.

Professional artist there to support. Over 18’s only. £7 Loves Farm House, St Neots Tues 5th 6pm - 9pm Mr Olympia Meet & Greet The current Mr Olympia - Shawn “Flexatron” Rhoden - is coming to St Neots with his team Chris Aceto & Pyscho Fitness.

Gainz Fitness & Strength, St Neots

Mon 11th 9:45am - 11:45am Breastfeeding Playgroup Go along for a chat, craft, snack and songs. A peer support group and playgroup. Older children welcome.

Winhills School, St Neots 7pm - 9pm Your Chance to Influence Policing - St Neots Chief Constable Nick Dean and Police and Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite will be there to answer any questions.

Eatons Community Centre, St Neots Tues 12th 6pm - 9pm Money Talks - The Language of Business Three speakers will tear up any stereotypes you may have about what is traditionally deemed a boring subject. Free St Neots Town F.C

Wed 6th 4:30pm - 6pm Harry Potter Book Night Magical activities and games, and a Hogwarts Feast. For ages 6+. £2.50pp Huntingdon Library 6pm - 9pm Wedding Fayre 15+ exhibitors showcasing everything you will need for your special day. Free admission. Free arrival drink.

The Priory Centre, St Neots Fri 8th 7pm - 10pm Annual Quiz Night Supporting Action Duchenne. Max. 8 per team.

Priory Junior School, St Neots 7:30pm - 10pm Opendoor Quiz Night Maximum of 8 per team. £5 pp.

The Priory Centre, St Neots Fri 8th - Sun 10th 7:45pm - 9:45pm Aladdin The Magical Pantomime Adventure Performed by Melodramtics, they are bringing their latest pantomime to their new venue in Buckden.

Buckden Millennium Centre Sat 9th 10am - 1pm Valentines Craft Activity Make an Owl bookmark for a special family friend or family member. Adults must accompany children. 50p St Neots Library

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WHAT’S ON GUIDE

Fri 15th 7pm - 11:30pm Comedy and Curry Night 3x Comedians, 1x Compere, 2 course curry meal. £17.50 The Priory Centre, St Neots Sat 16th 8:30pm - 11:30pm Just Tom and Pete, Tour Warm Up Warm up before going on tour supporting Hayseed Dixie. £2 Non-Members, Free Members Buckden Village Club 2pm - 4pm The Library Presents - Singing Workshop Learn traditional songs from around the world with musician Steve Barbe. No experience required.

Standard £5. Concessions £2.50.

St Neots Library HALF TERM Mon 18th - Fri 22nd 9am Little Mermaid Workshop Children will learn songs and dances, play games, do arts and crafts and dress up as characters. £20 per day Fantazee Dance, St Neots Mon 18th - Sat 23rd 10am - 4pm Bounce Returns Bounce returns at a new venue.

Manor Farm, Huntingdon

2:30pm - 4pm Princess Afternoon Tea Singing, dancing, craft activity and yummy food for the children. £14 per child.

Betty Bumbles Vintage Tea Rooms, St Neots 6pm - 7:15pm Free Photography Workshop Learn hints and tips about photography so you can learn some new techniques. Registration required before. Free i-d Image Development, St Neots Thurs 21st 10am - 1pm Sleeping Beauty Inspired Workshop Join for some crafts, dancing, fun and games. Ages 3+ £15 per child The Priory Centre, St Neots Thurs 21st - Sat 23rd 12pm - 10:30pm 3rd Beer, Cider & Gin Festival Serving a wide selection of cask ales, draft ciders and exotic gins; wine and soft drinks, food and snacks. To support 1st St Neots Scout Group.

1st St Neots Scout Group Fri 22nd 12pm - 2pm Family Roller Skating Roller skates available to hire or you can take your own. £4 per person One Leisure St Neots

Mon 18th 10am - 1pm Superhero Inspired Worshop Join Spidey and Wonder Woman for some crafts, dancing, fun and games. Ages 3+. £20 The Priory Centre, St Neots Tues 19th - Fri 22nd 9:30am - 3:30pm Half Term Dance Workshop Dance workshop with singing, games, arts and crafts.

Extra care 8:30am - 5:30pm available. £15per day/£5 extra St Mary’s School, St Neots Tues 19th 10:30am - 1pm Victorian Family Day Travel back in time. Victorian craft, talk, quiz, snacks... £1 per child St Neots Library 11:30am - 12:30pm Nerf Wars See if your team can beat the opposition. Nerf guns provided but can take your own. 8-12years. £6pp.

One Leisure, St Neots Wed 20th 10am - 12pm Autism Friendly Morning A time when the library will be closed to the general public. Lights will be low. Quiet area and refreshments.

St Neots Library

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11:30am - 1:30pm Little Snappers Bouncy castle and soft play session. Age 7 and under. £4.50 per child One Leisure St Neots

8pm - 10:30pm Quiz Night Fully licensed bar. Take your own snacks/picnics. £18 table of 6, £3 additional up to 8 people per team.

Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Sat 23rd 1pm - 3pm Adult Beginners Cupcake Class Provided with everything needed to decorate 6 cupcakes in a pretty design. £20 Tesco Extra, St Neots 1:30pm - 2:30pm Trampoline Session Learn the basic skills of trampoline with a qualified instructor. 5 - 13 years old.

One Leisure, St Neots 7:30pm - 10:30pm The Guards Fundraiser Concert Fundraising concert in aid of Ruby’s Fund. Playing 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music. £15 Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton

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MARCH Fri 1st 7:30pm - 9pm Birds in Springtime from Africa to Little Paxton. An evening with Trevor Gunton.

An illustrated talk by a local inspirational wildlife champion and speaker. Light refreshments available.

Free Admission.

St James Church Sun 3rd 9am - 4pm Stageworks College Auditions Open to students 16 years+. Auditioning for 2 year foundation course in acting / musical theatre (free training options available) and 3 year professional performance diploma in musical theatre. FREE Auditions Stageworks College 12am - 5:30pm The Cambridgeshire National Family Fun Day Afternoon of racing and free children’s entertainment.

Under 18’s FREE. Adults £13 in advance/£17 on door Huntingdon Racecourse 4:15pm - 8:15pm Southside Wrestling present Speed King 2019 First fight of the year brings Europe’s premier Cruiser weight Tournament, plus guests, Adults: £15 - £25, Child: £10, Family of 4: £40 The Priory Centre, St Neots Wed 6th 6pm - 8pm Local Police Surgery A great opportunity for residents to meet the local Police team and to raise any concerns they may have with officers.

The Hub, Little Paxton Thurs 7th 6pm - 8pm Prom Fayre Local Suppliers will be showcasing products, dresses, hair and beauty. FREE administration Longsands Academy Tues 12th 9am - 12pm Heroically Confident Communication Jon Torren, a former stand-up comedian talks you through tackling imposter syndrome and getting out there in a confident manner. FREE St Neots Town F.C. Wed 13th 10am - 11am/11:30am - 12:30am/1pm - 2pm Stories in the Dark Stories being told in a lightproof tent with multi-sensory props, to help teach about the darkness with colours.

FREE booking required. Suitable for 2 - 5 years old.

St Neots Library

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Fri 15th 6pm Wood Green Sponsored Kennel Sleepover Experience the life of a dog by spending the night in a kennel. Minimum sponsorship £150.

Wood Green Animal Shelter, Godmanchester 7:30pm SNTFC vs Primary School Teachers Football Match Charity event sponsored by St Neots Town F.C. and Real Heat Plumbing and Heating. Raffle available. £3 per person. Under 10’s FREE St Neots Town F.C. 7.30pm Historian Debbie Horsman Presents The Tale of Shackleton’s Forgotten Men. A unique opportunity to hear the untold story of tragedy, courage and heroism behind Ernest Shackleton’s TransAntartic Expedition.

St Leonard’s Church Southoe Sat 16th 8:30pm - 11:45pm Anarchy and The Expletives Joining forces for a double headliner event.

Buckden Village Club

ADVANCE NOTICE Mill Lane Bridge Closure 19th – 22nd March 8pm – 6am CCC Highways will be starting work on the installation of the new zebra crossing on Mill Lane.

The work will be carried out overnight from 19th – 22nd March from 8pm – 6pm.

Diversion route into St. Neots will be from the A1 via Crosshall Road, Eaton Ford.

Wed 20th 6pm - 7:15pm Free Photography Workshop Learn new techniques to improve confidence and technical ability. FREE i-d Image Development, St Neots Sat 23rd 7pm - 11:30pm Mayors Annual Charity Ball Designed to help raise money for local charities.

The Priory Centre, St Neots Sun 24th 3pm - 3:30pm The Library Presents - Pied Piper Norwich Puppet Theatre bring this tale with puppetry, music and storytelling. £4. Family Saver (4 ppl incl.. min. 1 adult and 1 child) £14.

St Neots Library

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WHAT’S ON GUIDE

2pm - 4pm 1st Little Paxton Brownies Community Litter Pick Come along & help the Brownies to ‘Take Action’ to keep Little Paxton tidy. Litter picks, high vis jackets, black bags and gloves provided.

QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton Tues 26th 2pm (doors open 1:45pm) Little Paxton Pictures: ‘Easter Parade’ Hot drinks, ice cream, popcorn and refreshments available. Free admission.

St James Church, Little Paxton 7pm (doors open 6:45pm) Little Paxton Pictures: The Matrix (15) Hot drinks, ice cream, popcorn and refreshments available. Free admission.

St James Church, Little Paxton Sat 30th 2pm - 4pm The Library Presents - If Clothes Could Speak Classworks Theatre use a large selection of heritage clothing to present an interactive historical experience.

Standard £7. Under 16’s/ unwaged/registered disabled £4.

Student/Over 65’s £5.

St Neots Library

APRIL Sun 4th 9:45am - 11:45am Life Drawing Class £7pp.

Loves Farm House, St Neots 4:30pm Cambridge Voices Choir Concert Tickets £10 to include a programme plus an interval drink Available from Great Paxton Community Shop Great Paxton Holy Trinity Church Wed 7th 6pm St Neots Film Festival 2018 Night of back to back screenings of short films by local filmmakers. Adult Fiction. Some unsuitable for under 18’s.

Cineworld, St Neots Thurs 8th 6pm St Neots Film Festival 2018 Night of back to back screenings of short films by local filmmakers. Children’s films, Teen films and documentaries, suitable for all ages.

Cineworld, St Neots

7pm Langdale Dance Arts - Reloaded Performance Showcase An evening of song, dance and social to celebrate students and friends.

The Priory Centre, St Neots 7:30pm - 10:30pm Stand Up Comedy Night by Big Deal Comedy New and experienced comics on the comedy circuit, including Jason Pugh (winner of the English Comedian of the Year 2016) and Steff Todd praised by The Mirror for her “Absolutely incredible impressions”.

Over 18’s only. £8pp Hail Weston Village Hall Sun 31st 3:30pm - 5:30pm Roller Disco with the Crazy Skaters Fun with St Neots Crazy Skaters who will provide disco lights and music. All ages and abilities welcome. £4pp with own skates / £5pp with skate hire One Leisure, St Neots 10am - 3pm Big Top - Wizard of Oz Auditions 2019 Written, produced and choreographed by professional performer and teacher Tom Langdale. Open to everyone regardless of ability.

Eynesbury Rovers F.C.

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25

FAMILY

MONEY WITH BEACON WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD Life in Retirement.

Our money expert Tony Larkins, Beacon Wealth Management Ltd’s, Managing Director This issue Tony talks about the importance of planning your retirement.

need to think about, but for those that have reached it they know, just like everything else this time goes so fast that if you blink you are retired before you know it.

E

very month I am meeting with people who are considering retirement, which is one of the reasons why after 27 years as an adviser most of my clients are now retired.

When you are young you see retirement as being such a long way off and not something you

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Last Few Years Before Retirement The last few years before retirement for some can seem long, or drag as they bide their time until they reach their desired age to stop work.

For some of course, age is just a number, and I have quite a few clients that are working beyond state retirement age.

Many of these are business owners who either like what

they do, or have no-one to succeed them. Others just enjoy working and if they are skilled their employers certainly don’t want them to leave with all their knowledge and experience especially as the replacement, while usually bright, has none of these.

The scary thing is that often individuals are financially able to retire sooner than they think and also to go part time as they slow, and just don’t know it.

Fighting Fit Whatever your age, unless particularly ill at the moment, you are probably at the fittest you will ever be, and thus more able to

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EXPERT

Be Careful It should be remembered however, that past performance Why is Retirement at 65? is no guarantee of future The idea of retiring at 65 was performance and just because because the state pension for most our average risk portfolio was their only form of income beat all registered funds of the to see them through the rest of same level of risk last year, and their life. If you have a pension have outperformed over every fund and/or investments, there cumulative year of the last 9 is a good chance you could retire years, things can change. early and enjoy a couple of extra summers at home.

Funds go down as well as up. enjoy life than you will do in say 10 or 15 years’ time.

Early planning is important if you want to retire early, and fund choice as well as contribution level is key to the size of the fund which will determine just how early you want to go. For some, a slow down to perhaps a 3-day week supplemented by the fund is equally important.

Our in-house investment team has enjoyed superb results and we have every one of the 58 so called “dog funds” from the likes of Jupiter, HSBC, St James Place, Fidelity Aberdeen and Invesco Perpetual that have just been announced.

Getting Help If you fancy the idea of retiring early or slowing down talk to your adviser… or us.

Your adviser should preferably be qualified above the minimum so for pension advice ask if they have G60 or AF7 and for investment advice. IMC, or better still be a Chartered Wealth Manager.

Any adviser serious about their profession will have studied appropriately, and somewhat beyond the minimum.

Contact us today for an initial complimementary meeting and financial review. Phone; 01480 869466.

Further Details: Should you require financial assistance for pensions, savings, investments, mortgages, protection, long term care, employee benefits... contact the team at Beacon Wealth Management Ltd. Website: www.beaconwealth.co.uk Email: info@beaconwealth.co.uk.

Tel: 01480 869466 Facebook: /BeaconWealthManagement Twitter: /BeaconWealthIFA

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27

FAMILY

LEGAL WITH BEACON WEALTH LEGAL Wills - New Relationships and Relationship Breakdowns In every issue a representative from Beacon Wealth Legal Ltd (formerly Jeffrey Mills Solicitors and Winters Legal) will provide an insight into the legal world.

In this edition Sally Power, Head of Private Client Department, shares her second part about the importance of making a will. be revoked when you marry/enter a civil partnership, unless it has been drafted with the marriage in contemplation with the appropriate clauses.

W

ills and new relationships and/ or relationship break downs.

A natural follow on is the impact relationship changes can have on any Wills you have drawn up.

Your Will Is Likely To Be Revoked When Getting Married If you have a Will it will usually 28

Therefore if you are getting married and want to get Wills in place before you do so in preparation, you should have this in mind.

Your Will will Still Stand When You Divorce However, when you divorce, your Will is not automatically revoked.

Instead your ex-spouse/civil partner is treated as having died

before you in respect of any provisions that include them in your Will.

Check Your Executor Names Therefore if you named your ex as your Executor in your Will, that appointment will no longer stand and you should check to see that you named a replacement Executor who can step in.

Until you are divorced the terms of your Will will continue to operate, is this what you want?

Reviewing Your Will In any event marriage or divorce are a sensible time to review things and make sure what

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EXPERT

Moving house If you are looking to move house Beacon Wealth Legal have a team of conveyancing experts to help you every step of the way.

If you have recently moved house don’t forget to update your Will.

Contact Sally Power, Head of Private Client at Beacon Wealth Legal on Tel: 01480 219699 or Email: s.power@beaconwealth. co.uk if you would like more information on the subjects in this article or to arrange an appointment. you had in place covers your new situation.

When Do You Need A Will?

Regardless of your relationship situation, if you have children under the age of 18 you can name guardians to look after them in your Will should you die.

Careful drafting of your Will leaving legacies to children can ensure that none of your children are left out.

This can be particularly important should a child subsequently transition from one gender to another and inadvertently be excluded from the Will.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) and changes in your relationships.

You may wish to review your LPAs if your relationship has broken down and your former partner was named as one of your Attorneys.

Provided you have replacement Attorneys/other Attorneys named in the Will, you can notify the Office of the Public Guardian that you no longer wish them to act.

However, you cannot name new Attorneys and if you want to do this you would need to create new LPAs and cancel the existing ones.

How changes in your family circumstances may affect your Will.

Beacon Wealth Legal have experts in Family Law who will be able to talk you through the legal aspects of any relationship difficulties you may be having, in particular in relation to children or finances.

Similarly, if you are embarking in a new relationship but concerned about protecting your current financial position, our Family Solicitor can talk you through pre-nuptial agreements and how effective they may be.

Further Details: Should you require legal assistance from a firm with family values and a fresh approach, contact Beacon Wealth Legal Ltd. Website: www.beaconwealthlegal.co.uk Email: enquiries@beaconwealth.co.uk.

Tel: 01480 219699 Facebook: /BeaconWealthGroup Twitter: /BeaconWealthLegal Head Office: 26 Market Square, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 2PJ (Also in St Ives, Sawtry & Kimbolton)

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29

FAMILY

KIDS CORNER Every issue we dedicate a space where kids both big and small can kick back and read the latest instalments of our childrens stories and have fun with our games.

YOUR STORIES Local childrens author, Karen Larkins, is sharing her latest book, Cloudleapers, with us throughout the forthcoming issues. If you want to be featured, contact the B Inspired team.

The story so far:- Alex, Molly and Violet are reunited.

Tom had a bright idea about performing a rain dance to make it rain, but forgot Blizzard, his pet rat, was still in his pocket.

Blizzard smelt Violet and ran.

Violet did what cats do and chased Blizzard, eager to have fresh rat for his dinner. Billy, Danny and Pete thought the whole thing was hilarious and watched as the cat stalked the breathless rat.

Part Fifteen Blizzard wished he had the energy to move, but he was spent, he closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable.

Very slowly Violet moved closer and closer. Just as Violet sprang up into the air with claws extended, Alex ran forward and scooped Blizzard up with one hand. Violet landed on a tree root and meowed his disapproval.

That boy had spoiled his fun and had deprived him of a tasty dinner.

“I’ve got him!” Alex yelled. “Is he badly hurt?” Tom whispered.

“No he’s fine, look.” Tom gratefully took Blizzard, quickly looked him over and carefully put him back in his pocket.

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“Stupid cat!” Tom kicked Violet who yowled and ran up a tree.

(That was a very unusual thing for Tom to do but he had been through an awful lot lately.)

Molly yelled at Tom, and Billy, Danny and Pete cheered. Billy patted Tom on the back.

“Carry on like that and you could be one of us.” He jeered and Tom suddenly felt ashamed at his outburst of anger.

Molly looked up at Violet cowering on a branch. “Don’t worry Violet, I’m coming.” She called, but Alex grabbed her and prevented her climbing the tree.

“Don’t be silly Molly he’s a cat he’ll be okay, you know he’s always climbing trees.” Billy strode forward. “Can’t take any chances though, I’d better go after him and make sure he’s okay.”

Billy put his hands on a low branch, pulled himself up and began climbing the tree.

Molly knew not to trust Billy.

“Don’t you hurt him you great big brute!” She yelled.

“Violet’ll be okay, I promise.”

Alex said to calm her down, but even he didn’t believe that.

Billy couldn’t believe his luck.

This was turning out to be a very good day. Once he’d taught that scrawny moggy a lesson, he’d be

able to have his fight with Alex and Tom. Blessing his good fortune, he climbed purposefully up the tree.

Once or twice he came close to Violet but just as he swung his arms out to grab him the cat jumped up onto another branch.

“Come ‘ere you.” Billy puffed and Violet mewed.

If Billy hadn’t known any better he could have sworn the cat was laughing at him.

So intent was Billy on catching the cat that he didn’t realise just how high up the tree he’d climbed. However, Violet was well aware of the problem as he was quickly running out of solid branches. He stopped and looked up. This was it; he couldn’t climb up any higher. Billy soon caught up with him and reached up with one hand to try and grab Violet’s tail. Violet mewed, flicked his tail out of Billy’s reach and walked further along the branch. Billy was furious.

“Come here you stupid cat!”

He yelled as he climbed up onto the same branch. He leant his body over as far as it would go but even though the tip of his fingers

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touched Violet’s fur he couldn’t grab him.

Billy very carefully inched himself along the branch with his knees clinging on and his hands slowly pulling his body, closer and closer.

Violet sensed this boy wasn’t going to give up and so he crouched down and jumped onto a lower branch. Using the branches as a staircase he nimbly jumped down from branch to branch.

He could hear Molly calling his name and he wanted to be safely in her arms.

Billy just watched the disappearing cat in bemusement.

Another of his plans and gone awry.

He was now very near the end of the branch and was contemplating how he’d get down when he heard a very loud cracking sound. Then the branch gave way and crashed downwards.

Billy screamed.

Everyone on the ground just stared in disbelief at the sight of Billy, still clinging onto the branch with his legs, crashed down hitting and bumping several branches on the way, until it landed with a loud splash in the river.

Alex ran over to the river’s edge.

The branch had lodged itself half onto the riverbank and half in the water, but there was no sign of Billy.

The others joined Alex. “Serve’s him right.” Molly stamped her foot and turned away. She’d go home now she knew Violet was safe and purring in her arms.

Danny and Pete panicked and ran around in small circles wondering what they should do. Billy always took charge,

especially in emergencies like this.

“What’ll we do?” Danny asked Pete and Pete just looked at him blankly and shrugged his shoulders.

Billy’s head appeared above the water and he coughed and spluttered and waved his arms about.

“C…can’t s…s…swim.” He stammered.

Alex wasn’t sure what to do.

Part of him wanted to leave him in the river but he knew he’d do the right thing and help him.

He wasn’t sure Billy would do the same for him, but that wasn’t the point. He watched Billy’s head sink into the water and reappear.

“Hold onto the branch.” Alex yelled at him but wasn’t sure if Billy had heard him as his head disappeared again.

Alex sat astride the branch and pulled himself along until he reached the end and saw a pool of bubbles. He gripped tightly to the branch with his knees and plunged his arms into the river until he felt something. It was Billy’s head and he grabbed either side of it and yanked it upwards.

Billy coughed as his head came out of the water and his hands

fought Alex’s arms.

“Keep still. I’m trying to save you, you idiot.” Alex shouted as he struggled to keep Billy’s head above the surface of the river.

“Help!” Alex shouted over his shoulder and Tom quickly took stock of the situation and organised Danny and Pete.

“Get hold of the end of the branch.” He commanded and surprised even himself with his authoritative air.

The two boys stopped running aimlessly around and did as they were told.

“Now pull the branch in.” Tom ordered again.

To his surprise Danny and Pete heaved the branch with him and very slowly it began to move.

Billy had stopped struggling and was now a lifeless lump under Alex’s hands.

Alex held onto him as the branch moved slowly until they were both at the riverbank.

The four boys dragged Billy out of the river.

“Is he dead?” Asked Pete.

“Dunno.” Replied Alex as he peered at the lifeless body.

To be continued…

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31

FAMILY

S CORNER ID K E L T IT L / IG B It doesn’t matter how old you are, we all like to have fun.

QUESTION TIME corns known as?

1. What is a group of uni D) A Flick A Blessing C) k Pac A B) A) Magical ‘pyjamas’? the words ‘shampoo’ and 2. Which countr y gave us D) India ina Ch C) B) America A) England e’ mean?

3. What does ‘clandestin D) Funny rful lou Co C) B) Secret A) Noisy Answers called a Blessing 1. A group of Unicorns is as came from India am pyj and oo mp secrecy.

2. The words sha d in, or conducted with hel by, d nition is marke 3. Secret. Clandestine defi

FUN FACTS

RIDDLES

Sun energy helps pla nts to produce oxyg en which allows huma ns and animals to breathe.

Without oxygen on Earth, we would all die.

The Sun is approxim ately 93 million mi les away from the Earth and it is by far the biggest thing in the solar system. In fac t, our Earth could easily fit inside the Sun a million times. Astronauts cannot visit the Su n as it is too hot. The tem perature on the su rface is approximately 10,00 0 degrees Fahrenhe it!

Heat, light and energ y are produced at the core (centre) of the Sun. This energy tak es millions of year to reach the surface bu t when it does, it radiates out into the universe , onto our Earth, in aroun d eight minutes!

double easiest way to 1. What is the ? ey your mon fingers thumb and four 2. What has a but is not alive? re you be broken befo 3. What has to can use it? ad? neck but no he

4. What has a

Answers: t of the mirror in 1. Put it fron 2. A glove.

3. An egg.

4. A bottle.

R

TONGUE TWISTE I saw a saw that could out

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Everyone is inspired At Nelson Lodge care home, we embrace wellness. We support each of our residents as individuals with their own rich history, skills and abilities and likes and dislikes. Our home is our community and it’s our resident’s life stories, combined with our unique expertise in caring for people, that ensures they can express themselves, maintain their dignity and identity and live full and meaningful lives.

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Nelson Lodge care home Eaton Socon, St Neots, PE19 8AB If you’d like to find out more about the choices Anchor care homes offer our residents call 0808 102 4322 or visit nelsonlodge.co.uk Rated March 2018

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