VILLAGER The
Issue 37 - April 2015
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue
How to find a good estate agent
Win tickets to see some Music Maestros!
Win £25 in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month
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Contents Sailing on the Mekong
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VILLAGER The
Issue 37 - April 2015
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue
How to find
a good estate agent
Win tickets
to see some Music Maestros!
Win £25
in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month
r
u E Ey FRcop
Yo
Win tickets to see some music maestros................23 Puzzle Page............................................................24 What’s On...............................................................26 Prize Crossword......................................................28 Book Review..........................................................31 Classifieds..............................................................31
Ghost from a Cambridgeshire Past Ghost from a Cambridgeshire Past...........................4
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Laos - Sailing on the Mekong...................................8 Fun Quiz.................................................................10 Separation - What happens to the children?..........13 Tax Quirk = Free Money.........................................15 How to find a good estate agent............................20 7,000 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Abbots Ripton, Alconbury, Brington, Buckworth, Bythorn, Catworth, Covington, Dillington, Grafham, Great Staughton, Hail Weston, Keyston, Kimbolton, Kings Ripton, Leighton Bromswold, Little Staughton, Lower Dean, Molesworth, Old Weston, Perry, Pertenhall, Riseley, Shelton, Stonley, Stow Longa, Swineshead, The Stukeleys, Tillbrook, Upper Dean (We also have over 150 distribution points, including pubs, garages, most shops, post offices, Supermarket Chains in all of the above as well as in Huntingdon, Lt Staughton, Grafham Water Visitor Centre’s and Kimbolton)
Editorial - Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Catherine Rose, Solange Hando, Bruce Edwards, Abby Smith & Tony Larkins Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost - 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Elena Schweitzer, Emma Porter, Darren Harbar Photography, Philip Wray, Julian Claverley Photography, Trudy Cambridge and Catherine Rose Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460
Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.
History
Ghost from a Cambridgeshire Past By Catherine Rose Hidden away in the archives of Gamlingay Village College in South Cambridgeshire is a 1967 interview of 73-year-old Stanley Titmus who lived at Little Heath. Although Stanley is long dead, the interview is nearly 50 years old - a remarkable first-hand account of what life was like in the county a century ago. Catherine Rose traced Stanley’s youngest son, Lawrence, who was able to tell us more about him. Stanley was by all accounts a well-known local character who was born in Dutter End, Gamlingay in 1893. Having attended the village school, he found that there was little work in the village so he left home at 16 in 1909. “He was a bit of a go getter,” explained Lawrence, “so he went up to Yorkshire to hire himself out as a farm labourer at market.”
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With few belongings, Stan moved frequently and often slept rough. One day, he was walking beside the canal at Wakefield when he met a man, who on discovering Stan was going to sleep under the bridge that night, offered him a bed. Stan went on to move in with the family and met his future wife Ann, Mr Chapple’s daughter. Mr Chapple was a shot blaster at the mines and Stan became a miner earning a generous £3 a week. Stan and Ann’s wedding reception was a simple affair. Lawrence described it as “fish and chips and a tuppeny rush” (a visit to the pictures). The couple had two children, Sally and Herbert (Bert) but when WWI broke out, Stan had to fight on the Somme where he was captured by the Germans and sent to Munster. There he worked on the German mines as a PoW. At the end of the war, he was so malnourished that he was sent to Ireland to “put some meat back on his bones”, after which he was demobbed. They had two more children: Kathleen and James (Jim). Following is the transcript of Stanley’s interview in his own words: “…I was born in 1893 at Dutter End. I lived in Gamlingay until I was 16 and returned in 1926. There were 14 of us. Most families were big. From the church to the end of Dutter End, a distance of about half a mile, there were 80 children. “[At school] we were hit for the slightest thing. Often we would be given four cuts across each hand. No meals were provided and there wasn’t any uniform. The children wore clothes which had been handed down. Much of the work had to be learned
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by heart and recited to the class if you were picked on by the teacher. Today in some cases, parents and teachers aren’t strict enough. We made [our lives] happy ourselves, playing games such as hopscotch, trundling hoops and ‘puss in the corner’. We had ‘cat derbies’ on the Cross. These were cats with salmon tins tied onto their tails and being raced. They made a dreadful clatter which always seemed to attract attention. “They were hard times and we had to amuse ourselves. I don’t think that [children today] enjoy themselves like we did because they have anything they want and soon get tired of it. On special holidays like Bank Holiday, games were organised by the Church or Chapel and at Christmas, tea parties were arranged. “At night the alleyways were very dark and we used to tie two door knobs together on opposite sides of the alley. We knocked on both doors and the people coming to answer them would pull against one another. Another trick was to tie a long piece of string to a door knocker then hide some distance away and pull the string. The people would come out and find no one there. Children aren’t any worse today than in years gone by. In fact, sometimes I think in our day we were worse. “At twelve and a half we were allowed to have time off [school] to work on the land in spring. I finished school altogether at 13. I worked driving horses and feeding cattle. I started at 7am and finished at 6pm, earning 3/6d to 4/- a week. To earn 4/- you had to work really hard. You gave your mother 3/11d and kept the 1d to save. “I got married on October 2nd 1914 at Sandle Wakefield. [Today] I think that people are given divorces too easily. When war broke out I enlisted in the Army in the King’s Own Light Infantry. I was 21. I transferred to the machine gun corps and later to France in the 6th Division. I was captured with two others and sent to work down the pits. We were not ill-treated except for food, which was a bowl of soup and a slice of black bread each day.
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After the war finished, I was lucky enough to be on the first boat home. I was sent to Dublin in Ireland to convalesce. “On returning from the pits in 1926 I did a roadman’s job for 15 years until the Second World War and then I started my own business. On the roads I earned 29/3d a week. A 2 lb loaf cost two and halfpence and seven buns cost 3d. Matches cost three boxes for 1d and cigarettes were 1d a packet. Butter was 8d a lb. “I have nine children, one boy died, and 24 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. (Editor’s note: The boy who died was named Ralph. According to Lawrence, there were also twins that died but they are not mentioned in the interview.) “When we were young we used to look forward to seeing a man from Papworth ride through Gamlingay on his way to the station in a carriage drawn by a pair of white mules. The coachmen would blow a trumpet which could be heard for miles. “[My favourite meal is] boiled bacon and fresh eggs. I like good plain food and my wife always has made her own jams, pickles, wines and bread. She once made over 300 jars of jam. We kill and cure our own ham which we salt by the old fashioned method. I like to do a bit of gardening and I keep pigs and hens. I also mend my own shoes and have made mats with my wife. I draw the pictures on the mats and my wife makes them. We have two that have a pig and a castle on them. I don’t care for [television] myself and rarely watch it. [Pop music] is a load of rubbish. I like sentimental songs sung by a person with a good voice. Songs don’t have a meaning like they used to. They are all this “yeah, yeah, I love you” stuff. Mini skirts are indecent and long haired boys are a disgrace. I think old fashions will come back in time. This article was originally published in The Biggleswade Chronicle in 2012.
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Travel by Solange Hando
Laos - Sailing on the Mekong Revered as the ‘Mother of Waters’, the Mekong flows north to south across Laos where much of its course marks the border with Thailand. As in other countries, it’s a precious lifeline providing rich agricultural land and fishing as well as transport in remote areas. Up in the northern hills, the Mekong is at the heart of tribal legends, the mythical home of a ‘naga’ snake which must be appeased and thanked for its gift. But in the ancient capital of Luang Prabang, it’s a magnet for visitors dreaming of an unforgettable trip upstream on a long narrow boat. With jungle-clad hills heaving along the banks like prehistoric creatures, rocks and islands, rapids, sand banks and treacherous shallows, it’s an adrenalin-filled journey, a test of endurance and faith for passengers and captain alike. It’s cold and eerie in the early morning mist but later, when the sun beats down on the river, no one minds the generous showers of spray sweeping under the rickety awning. This isn’t about comfort, just sheer excitement, with ‘no standing please’ but you can dip your hand in the water with no effort at all. In the dry season, only the narrowest boats can sail up river, five people aside and pilot squatting Asian-style at the front. Meanwhile birds flitter in the bushes, goats and buffaloes graze on the banks and here and there, wooden huts nestle under the palm trees with luminous patches of tapioca and maize tumbling down to the water. Women with babies on their back bob along sandy trails, men tend their fields, others fish or pan for gold. There are
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houseboats draped in laundry, tiny skiffs anchored with bamboo poles and clusters of pink blossom splashing colour in the greenery. After two hours or so, the boat reaches the sacred Pak Ou caves cut into the limestone cliffs. A floating platform leads to the shore then it’s a hot climb up the steps to see the first cave, crammed with thousands of Buddha images, and the second, higher up, 50 metres deep and tucked behind an old wooden portal. It’s best to carry a torch for you never know what could be lurking in the dark. They say that long ago the King and his Court used to row up river once a year on an overnight pilgrimage, leaving fresh offerings of Buddha images in the caves. So the tradition began, totalling some 4000 miniature statues to date, revered by pilgrims and saffron-robed monks but drawing the largest crowds during the Lao New Year. Yet, tourists who come this far spend little time inside the caves for they are soon lured back into the sunlight for superb views over the Mekong and its confluence with the Nam Ou. There’s a chance to visit the nearby tribal village, a colourful place where women weave on the doorstep and along the path, and every hut on stilts is draped with shawls and scarves no one can resist. By early afternoon, day trippers return to Luang Prabang while the more adventurous continue their journey along the Nam Ou where bamboo and teak mingle their reflections in glistening waters turning from emerald to blue. Lofty flame trees rise above the jungle and sometimes you spot a herd of elephants brought down to the river for their daily bath by mahouts in conical hats. Time seems to stand still.
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Adoption information evenings: First Wednesday of every month At our Milton Keynes and Peterborough offices - see website for details
Adoption Connections
Many children are currently in care and need a new family… could you be that family?
St. Francis’ Children’s Society is a voluntary adoption agency, rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. We welcome all kinds of adopters for all kinds of children, regardless of age, race, cultural background, religion, marital status or sexual orientation.
www.sfcs.org.uk enquiries@sfcs.org.uk
Connecting the Adoption Circle Registered Charity No. 211670
Milton Keynes: Peterborough:
01908 572700 01733 475581
£20 Cut and Finish (normally from £34)
Valid first visit only subject to availability. Please mention The Villager at time of booking.
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Fun Quiz - Double Acts 1. Which famous double act have been the only non-individual winners of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award? 2. Which double act represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in both 2011 and 2012? 3. Which famous double act became the first duo to have a posthumous hit single when they did so in 1975 with a song called Trail Of The Lonesome Pine? 4. Who is taller?... Ant or Dec? 5. In a 1996 episode of Only Fools And Horses, which double act did Del and Rodney dress up as to attend a party, but when their van broke down, had to run the rest of the way to get there and ended up scaring off thieves? 6. Which duo prevented the Oasis song Wonderwall from topping the UK singles chart in October 1995? 7. Which famous double act first appeared in a 1989 short film called A Grand Day Out? 8. In a series of Hanna-Barbera cartoons, who would a cat called Mr. Jinks be referring to when he would say “I hate those meeces to pieces�? 9. How are Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne known in the title of a 1994 comedy film? 10. Barry Elliott and Paul Elliott are best known together by what name?
Before
After
1. Torvill and Dean 2. Jedward 3. Laurel and Hardy 4. Ant 5. Batman And Robin 6. Robson and Jerome 7. Wallace and Gromit 8. Pixie and Dixie 9. Dumb and Dumber 10. The Chuckle Brothers
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Your local divorce & family law specialists Caring, confidential legal advice 3 Divorce and separation 3 Getting a fair financial settlement 3 Seeing your children after you split 3 Legal arrangements before you marry or live together
FREE telephone appointment Call locally based divorce & family lawyer Abby Smith on 01480 270499 or email abby.smith@family-lawfirm.co.uk
6 FREE downloadable guides available on our website
Local meetings arranged at a time and place to suit you www.family-lawfirm.co.uk
Woolley & Co is a member of the Law Society and authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Head office: Warwick Enterprise Park, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF
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Separation
Family Law
What happens to the children? By family lawyer Abby Smith of Woolley & Co, Solicitors www.family-lawfirm.co.uk When couples separate one matter which they will need to consider is where the children will live and how often they will see the parent they are no longer living with. Ideally parents would reach agreement between themselves but that is not always possible and sometimes help is needed. It is important that the “non resident” parent remains involved in important decisions concerning their children’s upbringing. If you are married or if your son or daughter was born after the 1st December 2003 and the father’s name is on the birth certificate then both parents share Parental Responsibility for the children which means that you both have an automatic say in decisions concerning their upbringing. Even if the father or civil partner does not share Parental Responsibly this should not prevent parents from trying to agree between themselves what is best for their children. It is important to ensure that parents remain in control of the decision making process; whilst a Court will do what it considers to be in the children’s best interests, research shows that agreements reached mutually between parents work best and promote better coparenting between them long term, benefiting the entire family. If direct agreements are not possible there are several other ways parents can try to reach an agreement over arrangements for their children such as: Solicitor Negotiation - where each parent instructs a solicitor to enter into negotiations
on their behalf in the hope of reaching a mutual agreement usually in relation to where the children will live and how often they will see the other parent; Mediation - where an independent mediator holds a number of meetings with the parents to assist them to agree arrangements directly; Court proceedings - sometimes required to resolve disputes between parents but always considered as the absolute last resort. Abby Smith of Woolley & Co Solicitors always approaches such matters in a sensitive and constructive way; even though the relationship between the parents may have broken down, it is important that where possible they agree what is best for the children so as not to disrupt them further, during what will already be a time of change in their lives. For advice on any family law issue contact Abby Smith for a FREE initial telephone consultation. Call 01480 270499 or email abby.smith@ family-lawfirm.co.uk
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Tax Quirk =
Free Money
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development surveyed 2,225 working adults, 13% said they could never afford to retire and 43% said they need to contribute at least 10% of their salary to retire comfortably. 61% of those surveyed said they would consider working beyond state retirement age. Further thought shows these numbers are probably on the low side given most individuals have not actually calculated what they need or how much they will receive. The current average contribution is 5%. Do the sums and speak to your adviser if there is a shortfall. Remember, retirement income, whilst not just from pensions, is probably the most tax efficient method and usually free from inheritance tax (IHT). Also, remember pension saving can help increase your child benefit, and if over 55, provide free money. The amount will depend on personal circumstances. This free money is as a result of the changes to pension legislation. There have been a number of reports produced around the new pension legislation that often leads to confusion. Sometimes the reason is simple
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Beacon Wealth Tony Larkins CFP APFS Managing Director IFA Chartered and Certified Financial Planner
– the author does not really understand their topic. The following is an example of how simply changing one aspect of the pension can have a significant impact for many years. “Mr Jones retires and like most people draws down on his pension rather than buying an annuity. At 73 he dies and leaves his fund to his wife who is 72. Mrs Jones continues to draw down a similar amount tax free from the pension for the rest of her life. Assuming she then dies at 77, the rest of the fund is passed to her beneficiaries but is taxed. However, had Mr Jones left his fund to his 40 year old son, this would have continued to be paid out for 35 years before then becoming taxed rather than the 5 years that Mrs Jones used it”. If you have any confusion regarding your pension, speak to your adviser. Preferably one that is a pensions specialist with the G60 or AF3 exam. Alternatively You should always seek qualified advice from an IFA, preferably a Certified (CFP) or Chartered Financial PlannerCM (APFS). If you have a financial question, e-mail: tlarkins@beaconwealth.co.uk
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• Chicken food pellets mash scratching mix mixed corn and large selection requisites
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• Great selection of countryside greeting cards.
• Cage and Aviary Bird Food and requisites
• Country side calendars
• Wild bird Food Food and requisites
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• Animal bedding Straw hay Shavings small packs and large bales
• Selection of local honey and Very yummy jams & pickles very yummy I have tried most of them.
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nor Farm Country Store
Open
Saturday Monday through pm 00 5. to am 00 9. y 4.00pm on Sunda and 10.00am to
• Rolls of Wire for aviaries chickens etc • Great prices on a good selection of Coal, logs kindling. Best prices for miles. • Bird tables • Bird houses • Confectionary/sweets & soft Drinks • Potatoes various bag sizes and onions
Brington, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE28 5AF Tel : 01832 710235 Email:sales@manorfarmbirdseed.co.uk
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Three Counties Radio
How to find a GOOD Estate Agent
By Jonathan Vernon-Smith
God love ‘em, they’re the people we love to hate. ESTATE AGENTS! I should make it clear at this point that a very dear member of my family is an estate agent, so I like to think I can approach this months’ article with a level of fairness for a much criticised profession. However, some of them really are AWFUL! The fundamental problem with the industry of estate agency is that you don’t actually need any qualifications to become one. Any wide boy with a gift of the gab can quickly carve out a career as an estate agent. Depending on who they’re working for, and the influences around them they can quickly pick up some very nasty habits. I, like many people have been amazed at the ability of some estate agents to not only stretch the truth to encourage a deal to go through, but to lie through their teeth. The responsibility for finding a good estate agent lies solely with the seller (vendor). It can be infuriating as a buyer when you find a property you love that is on the market with a dishonest, un-reliable and unprofessional estate agent. There’s nothing you can do about it. In fact, I have pulled out of property deals before due to the estate agent representing the vendor. When you are selling your house, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Keep an eye on the market in the months leading up to the decision to put your property on. See which agents are selling houses/flats that are similar to yours. Ask your neighbours and friends in the area who have used an estate agent recently what their experience was like. Only look at companies that are prominent in your local neighbourhood and preferably those that have staff with experience. When you have a list of 3 or 4 reputable firms, get them all round to value your property. Be open and honest with them and inform them that you are speaking to a number of agents. Tell them that to secure your business you’ll be looking for them to do a deal on their commission. I personally NEVER pay more than 1% of the sale price to an estate agent (with todays house prices I think that’s quite enough!). Introducing a sliding scale of commission can also be a motivating factor for them to get you the best price for the property. Look at the pictures they take of other properties to make sure they either use a professional or have the ability to showcase a house or flat nicely. Try calling them and speaking to those who answer the phone. Do they sound friendly, approachable and bright? Make sure that the contract is reasonably short. You don’t want to be tied to the same estate agent for the next 6 months if your property fails to sell. Finally for sellers (and I speak from experience) DO NOT LEAVE YOUR KEYS WITH AN ESTATE AGENT. When selling my last property I made this mistake. In their desperation to get the sale to go through they took my buyer into my property without asking my permission first. Sadly I realised at that moment that my estate agent had failed to see my flat as my home, and could only focus on the commission they stood to make from selling it. For the buyer, you have much less control. This can be an absolutely horrible position to be in. There are some things you can do to help the process though. 1. Use your own mortgage advisor. The estate agents will try everything they can to get you to use ‘their’ advisor. Don’t listen to a word of it. They are legally obliged to pass on any offer to their client, and cannot force you to use their chosen mortgage company. 2. Use your own solicitor. Again the agents will want you to use their conveyancing company. This will probably be a large company that is more like a conveyancing factory acting on behalf of thousands and thousands of customers all over the country at any one time. Do you really think you’re going to get the best, impartial advice from them? Particularly when you consider they have a business relationship with the estate agent who doesn’t get paid unless the sale goes through. 3. Try to get the contact details of the vendor. If you can speak to the vendor directly you can ensure that the estate agent is passing on accurate information. If you take all of my advice and still have a problem with an estate agent, please remember you can always contact me and my team at jvsshow@bbc.co.uk
Jonathan Vernon-Smith not only offers you his consumer advice here but you can listen to The JVS Show tackling your consumer problems every weekday morning from 9am. 20
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Large selection of contemporary gas fires, marble & stone surrounds
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N O I T I T E P M O C Win Tickets to see some
Music Maestros!
The Bedford Corn Exchange is hosting two great music events this month. Country duo The Shires are returning to their home county for an evening of music straight out of Nashville. The pair hail from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire (hence their name) and have been making waves on the music scene. Their debut album ‘Brave’ is out now and they have featured on BBC’s One Show, Chris Evan’s Breakfast Show and Radio 2 with their recent single ‘Friday Night’ and their album being both the station’s single and album of the week. Acoustic guitarist Ben Earle coupled with the beautiful vocals of Crissie Rhodes have swiftly soared to popularity and signed to Decca just before they made their official live London debut at the second annual Country 2 Country Festival in London’s 02 Arena after which they travelled to Nashville. Bringing country music into mainstream popularity, the pair say: “We love American music, but we’re proudly British and intensely keen to add some real indigenous flavour to the pot – this is no twangy tribute act!” There is also a big line up for the 2015 St George’s Day Ska Event which features original ‘rude boy’ Neville Staple formerly of The Specials and Fun Boy Three. His solo tour includes a selection of both bands’ back catalogue including ‘Gangsters’, ‘A Message to you Rudy’ and ‘Ghost Town’ as well as the
reworking of some Jamaican ska classics and some new solo material. His album ‘Ska Crazy’ was released in 2014 to rave reviews. Special guests are Ruts DC, formerly punk band The Ruts that was founded in 1980 by guitarist Paul Fox, bassist John ‘Segs’ Jennings, drummer Dave Ruffy and the late vocalist Malcolm Owen. Also headlining is popular festival circuit band New Groove Formation with their album ‘Summer in a Glass’ having been released last year. DJ Andy Attic from Club Ska Sound System will be there to entertain the main auditorium along with DJs Hammy and Geoff playing Northern and classic soul in the Howard Room 2 between bands and until 1am. The Shires will be performing at The Bedford Corn Exchange on Monday 27th April 2015. Tickets (seated) are £12 in advance and doors open at 7.30pm. The St George’s Day Ska Event takes place on Saturday 25th April 2015 with doors opening at 7.30pm and tickets are £20 in advance. Buy online at www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk or www. seetickets.com, call 01234 718112, or in person from the box office. Ska tickets are also available from www.wegottickets or in person from Planet Boutique, The Arcade, Bedford and Mario’s Hair Design, Kempston with no booking fee. The Villager and Town Life has two pairs of tickets courtesy of The Pad Presents Ltd to give away for the St George’s Day Ska Event. To enter, simply email editor@villagermag.com with the heading ‘Ska Competition Entry’ and include your name, address and telephone no. A winner will be picked at random. For more information visit www.thepadpresents.com
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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Easy Suduko
Hard Suduko
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles. 24
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n O s ’ t Wha In April
Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month.
11 March-4 April St Neots Art Group Exhibition 11.00am-4.00pm Tuesday to Saturday St Neots Museum, 8 New Street, St Neots Admission to the museum is free for local residents Recent works by the talented members of the local art group. All the works are for sale so call in and purchase an original artwork for your wall, most works priced between £50.00 and £75.00. Please telephone for Easter opening hours. Tel: Liz Davies, Curator 01480 388921 Email: curators@stneotsmuseum.org.uk 21 March-18 April Easter Museum Trail & Hilarious Hare Gallery Free Admission St Neots Museum, 8 New Street, St Neots Find the Easter Eggs hidden around the Museum to complete the Easter Treasure Hunt and claim your free mini Easter Egg. Discover how the Hare is linked to our Easter celebrations and add your own hare art work to our gallery. Tel: 01480 214163 Email: curators@stneotsmuseum.org.uk 1 April 21st Division 1914-18 - A divisional history 7pm for 7.30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester A talk by Andy Lonergan. Non WFA members most welcome. www.westernfrontassociation.com 1 April Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall The talk subject will be ‘Death in the Garden’ with Mike Brown, a garden designer with an interest in historic gardens, looking at plants and the history of gardening. Everyone welcome. Annual club subscription is £6 then £1 for members at each meeting. Guests £2 payable at the door. 1-6 April Easter Egg Trail in the Gardens 10.30am-4.15pm Wimpole Estate Normal garden admission charge applies plus £2 charge for trail booklet. Wimpolena, the Wimpole goose, heard that there were some chocolate eggs in the gardens. She was in such a hurry to find them that she left some of her feathers in the Pleasure Grounds. Help Wimpolena find her feathers, spell the magic word, and you will win a chocolate egg.
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1 & 8 April Activity Sessions for 7-11 years 10-11am Activity Sessions for 14-17 years 11am-12pm The Green, Samuel Jones Cresc., Little Paxton HDC’s Sport & Active Lifestyles Team are running two activity sessions aimed at young people. The activities will be managed by qualified staff. Please note there is no toilet provision. No need to book. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 April Bingo Doors open 7.30pm, Eyes down 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Every Thursday night. Raffle and refreshments at interval. Sorry only 18+ can play. Tel: Eddie 01480 475265 for more information 2 April Cocktail Party 7.30-11pm The Oast Lounge, St Neots £15 per ticket inc. buffet, Lifesaver cocktail & disco All proceeds to East Anglian Air Ambulance. Buy your ticket today! Tel: Tickets 01763 262697 Email: barbara.mcgee@eaaa.org.uk 2, 8 & 10 April Easter Special Nature Explorers 10am-12pm Godmanchester Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve, Cow Lane, Godmanchester Fun family activities and discover what lives at Godmanchester Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. Follow the trail to find us starting from the entrance at the end of Cow Lane. Tel: 01480 473161 3 April Good Friday The Eggstraordinary Children’s Workshop 10.30am-12 noon St James Church, Little Paxton Crafts, singing stories and games. Pre-school children accompanied by an adult. Email: rev.reed@btinternet.com to book 3 April 50 Things - Go on a nature walk at night 7.30-9.30pm Wimpole Estate £4 Part of the National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 and 3/4s’ campaign. New and improved for 2015! Guided by the Ranger, we’ll explore Wimpole’s parkland in the dark where we’ll search for nocturnal life using our eyes, ears and little help from some clever technology.
4 April Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church, St Ives Free admission Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola. 4, 11, 18 & 25 April Parkrun 9am Wimpole Estate Weekly free 5k timed run. Web: parkrun.org.uk/wimpoleestate 5 April St Neots Passion Play 2015 2.30pm St Neots Town Centre Free admission Around 50 actors, singers, dancers and musicians will be involved in the production, which follows the last 7 days in the life of Jesus Christ and the events leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. Passion 2015 starts with the Triumphal Entry over St Neots Town Bridge and then continues on to the Market Square and St Anselm’s Place, returning to the Market Square and concluding in the Riverside Park. The play lasts approximately 2½ hours. Free souvenir programme. Web: www.passion2015.org.uk 5 & 6 April St Ives Antiques & Art Deco Fair 10am-4pm Burgess Hall, Westwood Road, St Ives, PE27 6WU Adults £2, Concessions £1.50 More than 55 stands offering quality items including china, ceramics, glass, militaria, silver, postcards, jewellery and small furniture, all at affordable prices. Wheelchair access, ample free parking, hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks. Tel: Day Out Events 01480 896866 Web: www.dayoutevents.co.uk 5, 12, 19 & 26 April Kingfisher Church 10.30am Little Paxton Primary School Every Sunday – all welcome! Services include children’s groups and a crèche. Refreshments served. Tel: 01480 700434 Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk 7, 10 & 12 April Colour in the natural world 10am-2pm £2.50 per child Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton Learn about colour in nature indoors and outdoors. Bring a picnic. Drop in anytime between 10am-2pm.
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n O s ’ t Wha In April 8 April Bring On Spring 1-3pm Great Fen, Ramsey Heights, PE26 2RS £2.50 per person, £6 per family (4 people) Discover wildlife of the Fen waking up for spring. Tel 01487 710420 9 April Amazing Amphibians 2-4pm The Manor House, Broad Street, Cambourne £5 per child or £10 per family Get creative and design your own amphibian. Play games to discover more about your local amphibian species and where they live. Learn how to tell great crested newts apart and try your hand at building a shelter for them. Dropin event. Suitable for children aged 4-10 years old. Please note there is no car parking at the venue. Tel 01954 713500 10, 17 & 24 April Tai Chi 4-5pm Wimpole Hall £6 per session Every Friday from 6 March. Tel: Mike Tabrett 01223 503390 to book Email: mike@gret-heron.com 12 April Cambridge Gliding Centre Open Day 10am-4pm Gransden Lodge Airfield Free admission Come and visit Gransden Lodge Airfield to find out about the sport of gliding. All welcome. Trial flights with our qualified instructors available on a first-come, first-fly basis. Refreshments. Use SG19 3EB for SatNav. Web: www.camgliding.uk 12 April Paxton Pits Open Day 11am-4pm Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Visitors Centre, Little Paxton To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. Come and meet us and enjoy free tea and cake and find out more about the reserve. There will be displays and opportunities to meet our Volunteers and Rangers. Guided walks at 11.15am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Tel: Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Visitors’ Centre 01480 406795 for more info Web: www.paxton-pits.org.uk
13, 20 & 27 April Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Weekly Scottish Country Dancing for fun, friendship and fitness. You don’t have to be Scottish and you don’t need a partner as we take turns to dance with each other. May-Sept is at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Godmanchester and Sept-May is at Little Stukeley Village Hall. Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com 15 April Springtime in Norfolk 2.30pm Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Visitors Centre, Little Paxton £2.50 Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve illustrated talk by the RSPB’s Senior Site Manager, North West Norfolk - Laurence Rose on ‘Springtime in Norfolk’. 16 April Little Paxton Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting 7pm Little Paxton Village Hall All residents welcome. 17 April STRIVE Young Adult Carers Group Drop In: 5:30pm-6:30pm, Session: 6:30pm8:30pm Huntingdon Tesco Community Space 3rd Friday of the month. Are you aged 16-21 and caring for a family member? Come along to our Young Adult Carers group to meet others in a similar situation. We provide regular groups; support in school/college/university; information, advice and guidance, 1:1 support; Online peer support; Life skills; Training, education and employment. Contact Carers Trust Cambridgeshire 01480 499048 Email: tracy.hyland@carerstrustcambridgeshire.org 17 April Quiz Night 7.30pm Little Paxton Village Hall Tickets £6 each including Ploughman’s Supper In aid of Bumpkins (Little Paxton). Maximum 6 people per team. Licensed Bar. Closing date for tickets 15 April Tel: Lee Duncan 07931 315648 Email: lm.duncan@ntlworld.com 17 April Quiz Evening 7.30pm prompt Stuart Memorial Hall, Church End, Tempsford Tickets £5 per person including Ploughman’s Supper Bring your own drinks. Max .of 6 on a table. Tel: 01767 640873 or 01767 641170 for tickets
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17 April Village Quiz 7.30pm Great Paxton School Tickets £5 including refreshments Licensed bar. All proceeds to the Church. 18 April Paxton Hall Care Home Open Day 2-4pm Rampley Lane, Little Paxton The care home for the elderly, located in the Grade II listed Paxton Hall, is opening its doors to demonstrate that the home is an integral part of the local community. Visitors will have the opportunity to be shown around the home and meet residents and staff as well as enjoy the kitchen’s hospitality. The home has been open for more than 30 years and most of the residents come from a five mile radius. 20 April Gamlingay St Mary’s Church Ladies Guild 7:30pm Gamlingay Church Hall Visitors £3 Speaker will be Simon Gorton on the work of the Hope Charity. All ladies welcome. Tel: 07749 676426 for more details 25 April Eileen Wade School Duck Dash Race starts 11am £1 to adopt a duck Race starts at Upper Dean bridge and fete after the race at Eileen Wade School, Upper Dean, PE28 0ND. Email emmajguk@yahoo.co.uk to adopt your duck 25 April Time For Tea 1-3pm Alconbury Memorial Hall It’s time for tea to raise vital funds for Woodlands Cancer Centre at Hinchingbrooke Hospital! Refreshments and cakes, grand raffle, tombola and our original idea from last year’s event, Lottery Plant Raffle! Please donate cakes and prizes. They can be dropped off at 25 Highfield Avenue, Alconbury Weston. 25 April Charity Ball 7pm-midnight The Burgess Hall, St Ives Tickets £39 including 3 course dinner & coffee Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Carers Trust Cambridgeshire (formerly Crossroads Care), a local charity which provides support for family carers of all ages and the people they look after. Dress code black tie. Web: www.carerstrustcambridgeshire.org Tickets: Annette Reader 01480 499090
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The Villager Prize Crossword
Prize
ÂŁ25
Across 1 Frenzied (7) 5 Horizontal (5) 8 Regularity (9) 9 Prohibit (3) 10 Severe (5) 12 Set free (7) 13 Protest (13) 15 Digit (7) 17 Used to sweeten (5) 19 Frozen water (3) 20 Small flower (9) 22 Examinations (5) 23 Longed for (7) Down 2 Beer (3) 3 Strengthen (7) 4 Praised (13) 5 Faithful (5)
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before
17th April 2015 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Name: Tel: Address:
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
1 After fourth (5)
6 Shaking (9) 7 Portable light (7) 11 Recalls (9) 13 Repairs teeth (7) 14 Replies (7) 16 Formal garments (5) 18 Quick (5) 21 Automobile (3)
lifeguard advert_April_2015.pdf
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16/03/2015
15:11
Kimbolton School Swimming Pool Presents
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Course dates 7th April —Saturday 11th & Saturday 18th April 2015. Times everyday: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Cost: Only £250.00(includes text book & examination fee) Candidates must be 16 years on Saturday 18th April 2015
For more information and to book a place telephone: 01480 862276 pool@kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk
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FLOORED By Ian
Your local supplier of fitted floors in carpet, vinyl, laminate or Karndean Free visits to estimate or advise. Best prices and quality with a friendly service. Enquiries to 01480 475486 or (Mobile) 07876 238308
March’s Crossword, Codeword and Suduko Solutions Last Month’s Crossword Winner Judy Naylor from Stotfold
Easy
Hard
Books
Book Review By Bruce Edwards
Pet Services
Poldark - Ross Poldark Winston Graham Pub: Pan p/b £7.99 ISBN: 9781447281528
Yes, Poldark has returned from his soldier life. There’s some déjà vu here, with echoes of the popular television run from way back, though a re-make of the old film this new television drama is definitely not, with all the might of modern production techniques. The first episode is behind us as this is written, with Elizabeth, a haughty yet vaguely conscience smitten former love of Poldark providing the necessary touch of glamour to an otherwise dark and somewhat chaotic episode. Poldark does well to keep his feelings in check, how he manages to achieve - virtually single handed - all the cleaning and patching up of a run-down estate is marvellous, let alone fight off overly-possessive relatives of the young dog-owning brat. . . And, of course, once a TV saga like Poldark reappears, then so, inevitably, does the book. A novel of Cornwall from the late 1700’s, it opens up to public gaze the harshness of life, the summary justice and the scheming ways of the people of the parish, young and old (what’s new?). And it reveals red-haired Demelza; the young maid with an unconsciously magical charm beneath her naïve and grubby looks who captures Ross’s heart, and of whom we will know a good deal more anon. We’re all suckers for nostalgia nowadays, it being an antidote for the speed and pressure of modern life, so the chance to descend once more into the screened ‘romance’ of the past can be therapeutic. Reading these well-written stories again will also help, so if you can’t find an old dog-eared copy on the shelves, then go buy yourself a new one.
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Suggestion and queries to: writerselect@gmail. com. We’re always happy to consider specific titles for review, though without obligation. Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll try to help.” Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk
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