LivingLife - Issue 20 (July)

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DELIVERED TO 10600 HOMES & BUSINESSES ACROSS BEDFORDSHIRE

Issue 20 July 2020

Inside Win

£25

Bedfordshire Rocks

Check out the array of rock snakes popping up around the county

Also inside

Diddy Directory is Back Room 101 Competition..... Win £25

(£45)

NOTE FROM THE EDITOrS A big warm welcome to the July edition of LivingLife Magazine.

We hope everyone is keeping alert, to help control the virus, but as restrictions are being relaxed we also hope that people are once again able to enjoy their freedom more. You could say that we are slowly but surely getting back to ‘normal’. Places are starting to ‘open-up’ and local businesses have been working hard to remain in operation whilst adhering to Covid-19 rules. It’s really tough for business at the moment and we really appreciate the businesses that advertise in our magazine. We hope that you can support them during these difficult times.

As we move into summer we would like to ask our readers to get in touch and provide your input on what you would like to see in future editions of the magazine.

Our contact details are on the left, we would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. We want LivingLife content to reflect what our readers would like to see and read.

| Andrew Martin |

On that note, whilst delivering the magazine recently we have noticed that local gardens are simply blooming. Over the coming months we want to showcase some of the amazing gardens on display (or hidden round the back) across Bedfordshire. If you have worked hard on your garden and would like to show it off, our photographer will happily arrange a visit to professionally photograph your garden, please do get in touch if this is of interest.

Get in touch with us:

We would love your feedback on what you enjoyed about this edition, and of course, any areas where we could improve.

01462 414265

admin@livinglifemagazine.co.uk

Onto this month’s magazine, | John McBurney | inside you can learn how to make ‘denim planters’, find out about the ancient art of coppicing, find out what Kevin Sherwani would put into Room 101, plus discover how you can help make your local ‘Rock Snake’ grow and grow!

Kind Regards, Andrew & John

DISCLAIMER

The opinions expressed in LivingLife magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, publisher or their agents. Whilst every reasonable care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information included within this publication, the publishers take no responsibility for any errors or omissions in LivingLife Magazine. The content is not to be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher.

Please pass to a friend, recycle or compost after reading.

Competition Winner

June

a big well done to:

chris connolly Who was the closest to spotting the hidden drone pilot in last month’s photo & won £25

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

5 6 8 10 11 12 16 18 20 22 23 24

rock snakes around bedfordshire Local businesses open new store the artisans are back!

The ancient art of coppicing diddy directory kids’ got talent how to make a denim planter New school seen from above scene by you room 101 spot the drone pilot..... win £25 arlesey steetwatch is back on patrol

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COMMUNITY

Rock Snakes Spread Lockdown Joy C

Check out all the photos on our blo g

www.livinglifemag

azine.co.uk/blog

olourful rock snakes have been slithering through towns and villages of Bedfordshire helping to keep people’s spirits high during lockdown.

In Arlesey, Jess Beedle, a 17-year-old art student, started a rock snake around the outside of the war memorial.

Jess said: “The rock snake idea came from inspiration from other groups. I saw that other towns were doing it and really wanted to do something to engage the community with positivity.

I created a sign of my own and started the snake off with just a head and a tongue. On my recent walk over there the other day we counted 374 rocks. It’s just so amazing and inspiring how the community has come together during these difficult times.”

Arlesey

Henlow

Now the the snakes are popping up everywhere!

In Henlow, ‘Steven’ the Rock Snake is growing at an exponential rate! Created by Sonia Gupta and her son, Alexander, at the last count Steven had grown to a staggering 250 rocks. Located on the pavement on Park Lane, the plan is to get him to go around the entire park.

Polehanger

At Polehanger River Woodland, on the outskirts of Shefford, ‘Sammy’ the Rock Snake was recently created by Samantha Lee and already it has reached over 200 rocks. Samantha told us: “We are looking to make Sammy the rock snake a permanent feature in a project called the ‘Wall of Unity’ that will hopefully be located in Shefford Town. This will involve the local community and groups painting stones and having them set permanently in a wall, as a memory of this time and pulling together as a community. This is in the early stages at the moment, but we are really hoping to make this happen.”

To get involved simply find a rock, paint it (a coat of clear varnish helps preserve it) and add it to one of the local snakes. For more information and tips search for your local ‘Rock’ group on Facebook.

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community

New Showroom Opening Soon T

wo local businesses are working together to open a new showroom in Shefford. TJ Plumbing and TNM property Services have been working hard over the past few months getting the shop ready. The showroom, which is located on the High Street, opposite Shefford House, will have its official opening day on Wednesday 1st July.

This is great news for Shefford and for the High Street as the prospect of empty shops is a real possibility due to the impact of Coronavirus and the lockdown. The opening of a new shop will provide a real confidence boost for both shoppers and local businesses.

Tom, from TNM Property Services said: ‘We are two local businesses that have been working alongside each other for the last four years and decided that we wanted a showroom and space where our customers could come to see a friendly face to discuss their project needs whilst enjoying a coffee instead of speaking over the phone. Customers are also able to come and choose their bathroom products and get a feel for the items.’

Terry, from TJ Plumbing added: ‘It’s an exciting time for both of us and for our customers, who are now able to come in and see the range of products from taps to boilers, have a chat and book a home visit.’’Finance options are available on boilers, which come with up to 12 years guarantee. Credit and debit cards are also welcome.’

‘We are hopeful that people will now feel more confident about venturing outside and visiting shops and businesses. You really can’t beat face-to-face conversation if you are planning home improvements. If you plan to visit Shefford High Street then please do pop into the new showroom, we are sure you will be very impressed.’

From everyone at LivingLife Magazine, we wish Tom, Terry and their families all the best of luck in their new venture.

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The showroom opening hours are as follows: Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat Sun

9am – 2pm CLOSED 9am – 2pm 5pm – 7pm 9am – 2pm 9am – 12 noon CLOSED

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local art

Contribution thanks to

we are glad to be back at artisans in the yard.....

Erika Price

and collective Artisans

Artisans in the Yard FB@Artisansintheyard

D

ear readers, we hope you all stayed safe and well during the lockdown, and are adapting to the ‘new normal’. Artisans In The Yard has been very busy behind the scenes, with our ‘Click and Collect’ facility proving particularly popular, and Adrian has been delivering website orders to self-isolating and shielding local customers. We’ve also changed our branding and signage, given the gallery a fresh lick of paint, and are now implementing social distancing measures ready to reopen on Friday 3rd July.

Yvette Jordan has been busy too, creating the beautiful ‘Rainbow Heart’ below. Yvette has very generously offered her painting as the prize in a competition we’re running to celebrate our reopening. For more details, please visit our website: ArtisansInTheYard.com or Facebook @ArtisansInTheYard.

By the time you read this our little gallery should once again be open. We look forward to welcoming you back soon, so do pop in, say hello, and see what’s new!

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wildlife

The Ancient Art of Coppicing

by Dan Connors

N

o one knows how long coppicing has been going on but there’s evidence of it from the Stone Age. At some point in the distant past one of our ancestors realised that if you chopped certain trees down new shoots would sprout from the base and would keep doing this time and time again.

It provided a renewable source of fencing and building materials as well as fuel for fires. Woods would be divided up with each section being cut one year in seven. As the industrial revolution took place coppicing provided a source of charcoal to smelt iron and was being managed large scale to produce the fuel needed.

Guy & Jane Lambourne, managers of Wassledine

Green shoots are already emerging from the coppiced alder wood of Campton Plantation

As technology developed coppicing fell out favour, with fewer people managing woodland in this way and some of the skills and knowledge being lost. But not everyone has given up on it and people are increasingly see the value in reviving this ancient skill.

Coppicing has real benefits for wildlife. Wildflowers thrive in coppiced woodland and birds and butterflies also do well. In wet areas, coppicing prevents the trees from growing large enough to dry out the ground, allowing species which prefer the damper conditions to flourish. Central Bedfordshire Council have recently started to restore the Upper Alders in Campton Plantation and although it currently looks devasted the changes over the next few years will be worth watching.

Another local coppicing location is Upper Gravenhurst where Guy and Jane Lambourne have been coppicing the ancient woodland of Chester Wood since 1997 planting new coppice areas two years later. Each year they coppice part of the hazel woodland providing bean poles for private customers as well as formal gardens such as Woburn Abbey. As much of the wood as is possible is used with the tips making pea sticks and some of it is now used to produce charcoal.

Hazel is not the only wood to be coppiced. Guy and Jane also make use of a willow plantation to provide the raw material for woven plant supports as well as materials for hedge layers, another ancient skill which is seeing a resurgence.

If you are interested in finding out more then when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted Guy and Jane run a series of “Days in The Wood” where you can pick up a skill or listen to a story. Details available at www.wasseldine.co.uk. Their high quality, home made charcoal is still available at Franklin’s Farm Shop at Thorncote and Stephen’s Plants at Maulden.

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The

Diddy Directory

the guide to local trades & businesses cost effective, contract free advertising

Book your advert today - visit www.livinglifemagazine.co.uk/diddy

ÂŁ20 ÂŁ30 1 Area

2 Areas

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Welcome to our monthly feature:

’Kid’s Got Talent’ The place where we showcase the amazing talents of local children.

We hope this will help motivate and inspire other children to discover new sports and hobbies.

Name: harry purves

age: 13 from: shefford Q. Do you have a special talent?

Can you explain what it is?

My favourite sport, and the one I am best at, is cricket. I play for Clifton Cricket Club youth and adult teams.

Q. How and when did you get involved in Cricket?

I first started playing in 2015. Some of my friends played at Clifton and I fancied having a go.

Q. Do you prefer batting, bowling or fielding?

I prefer batting, but can also bowl. I also enjoy fielding.

Q. What sort of equipment and clothing do you need to play?

I have my own bat and, because we play with a hard ball, I have to wear pads, gloves, a helmet, a box and thigh pads. I also wear special shoes called spikes.

Q. How often do you practice? Do you practice over the Winter?

In the summer I practice twice a week. We also have indoor training once a week in the winter.

Q. Do you play in a league or in competitions? Have you ever won any trophies?

Last year I played for Clifton U13s and U15s. I was also invited to play for the Adult team on a Saturday.

The teams have not won any trophies but last year I won the trophies for best batsman for both U13 and U15 teams.

Q. What is your greatest achievement in cricket?

I was first asked to play for the adults when I was only 12 and scored 23 in my first game. In my 3rd game for them, I scored 27 runs for the adult team against Sandy. I was the top scorer for the team and helped us to an exciting victory off the last ball.

Q. Who is your favourite cricket player and why?

My favourite player is Ben Stokes. Like me he is an all-rounder, who is more of a batsman, and he plays his best cricket in the big games.

Q. Do you dream of playing county cricket or even for England when you are older?

Yes, I would like to play at as high a level as I can.

Q. Any advice or tips for anyone wanting to play?

Just give it a go. It’s great fun.

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Does your child have an amazing talent?

if so, please get in touch at admin@livinglifemagazine.co.uk

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Equestrian

Pet & Wildlife

Groundcare

Smallholding

Sandy Lane, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5QB.

01462 810190 | www. chandlersfe.co.uk

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gardening

Popping up across Shefford!

by John McBurney

I

f you are like us, you have loads of old jeans hanging around your home that you no longer wear. Maybe they don’t fit or are ripped, whatever the case, we have discovered an awesome way to up-cycle them.

As spotted during last month’s magazine delivery, we are talking about ‘Denim Planters’ and we know you will be keen to whip up some of your own at home.

These planters will add a real comical touch to your garden, and we guarantee they will put a smile on the face of neighbours and visitors. You can place them on a bench, pop them in a corner, position them on a balcony or even put them indoors.

The great news is that they are super easy to create, just follow our simple instructions below: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Find an old pair of shoes - old hiking boots or work boots work best.

Half fill the boots with gravel - helps keep them in position.

Grab an old pair of jeans and cable tie the end of each leg.

Add 4 inches of gravel into each leg - this will weigh each leg down into the boots.

Fill the rest of the legs up to crotch level with a suitable lightweight packing material, e.g. wood chippings, old plastic bags, foam or polystyrene packaging, whatever you can get your hands on really - recycling is always best.

6. Insert a large plastic plant-pot into the waist / torso area – the top of the plant pot should be just below the top of the jeans. Alternatively, you could use two smaller plant pots and cut them at the sides so that they meet/overlap to create a larger space that you can manipulate to ‘fill’ the jeans.

7. Fill the plant-pots with soil or compost and add your chosen plants or flowers.

8. Position the finished planters in a highly visible place to achieve maximum comedy effect!

If you fancy joining in with this fantastic craze and decide to create your own denim planters then we would love to see a picture of them, simply submit them at the link below and we will get them published in future editions of the magazine.

www.livinglifemagazine.co.uk/myphotos 16

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community

Progress at Pix Brook Academy Aerial Photographs of Construction Site

N

ew aerial photographs provide an insight into the construction progress being made at the permanent site for the new free school, Pix Brook Academy. In the photos you can see the main teaching wing, the sports hall, multi-use games area, car parks and also the new road that has been constructed linking the school to Arlesey Road.

Free schools are funded by the Department for Education (DfE) but run by academies, with Pix Brook Academy being run by the Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST).

Pix Brook Academy is already open, the school operating from a temporary location, on the nearby Etonbury Academy site. Once complete, the new school site will include external play areas, car parking, internal courtyards and dedicated science and specialist rooms.

We look forward to seeing this amazing new facility once the construction work is complete.

Anyone for tennis!

M.U.G.A. Tennis Court available to hire Following new Government Guidelines, we are pleased to announce that the M.U.G.A. Tennis court at Arlesey Rec. is now available to hire.

2 people from separate households or up to 4 people from the same household All you will need to bring is your own racquets, balls and enthusiasm. Net provided

ÂŁ9.00 + VAT per hour Please contact Arlesey Town Council on 01462 733722 or adminassitant@arleseytc.co.uk During office hours only Government Guidelines on social distancing MUST be adhered to at all times & can be found at the court.

Please note: Due to current government Covid-19 guidelines the changing pavilion will not be available.

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SCENE BY YOU Your chance to share your favourite photos

Submit your photo for the next edition www.livinglifemagazine.co.uk/myphotos

1 4

2 5 A big thanks to this month’s submissions

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1

John Cartright

2

Len James

3

Linda Parcell

4

Relaxacam

5

Steve Coxon

Heron at Henlow Lakes Little Planets

Cuckoo seen locally The fields between Henlow and Arlesey Foxgloves in Campton Plantation

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ROOM

101

Kevin Sherwani is a family entertainer based in Shefford and used to perform in theatre, stand-up comedy and voice overs. He is now performing entertainment and magic via video calls to kids and families all over the UK and overseas.

He met his wife whilst acting in the musical “Hair” in Europe in 1996.

Here’s what he would put into Room 101…

Email ‘JUNK’ folder

So many times, I have forgotten to check my ‘junk’ folder leaving it unopened for days and found there to be important emails regarding either work or family events. You’d think that if I have already sent an email to a contact and invite more information that my faithful junk folder would be able to differentiate between a real contact and junk. Yet still I receive messages from a young Prince in Namibia telling me that I need to send over my bank details to him in order for him to send me 2 million UK pounds. It’s like having a really rubbish PA that does absolutely the opposite of what you need. Apparently I will receive my cheque soon though from this Prince in Namibia, so all is good on that front.

Amazon packaging

I mean the boxes are so great for storing other oddments and arranging things in the attic but when you order something quite small, such as a mobile phone case or a new set of colouring pencils, then you hear the good old knock at the door and see a box the size of a new microwave! Opening up the huge box to find another box, then inside this package a load of vacuum-packed air parcels and finally your item which could have fitted in a small jiffy bag. It’s mind boggling! I mean what if I had ordered a microwave? They’d send it in a box as big as a bed I’m sure! I would never order a bed from amazon!

Ready to eat Avocados

That are actually not that ready at all. They’re still rock hard! So, you get them home, wait a day or two planning a Mexican themed dinner with friends (Before lockdown!) wanting to make a guacamole only to find that the avocados are still nowhere near ripe. Then on the day you forget about them they all ripen whilst you’re not looking and low and behold that evening they all over ripen and become discoloured.

Ready to eat.. I think not!

Now it’s your turn!

Do you want to banish your top peeve or worst nightmare to the depths of Room 101?

Submit your top 3 at: www.livinglifemagazine.co.uk/room101 22

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Spot the Drone Pilot

Win

£25

It’s competition time! The drone pilot who captured this image has been magically removed from the photo, can you deduce exactly where he is positioned? Place a cross (‘X’) where you think the drone pilot is standing (just like ‘Spot the Ball’ puzzle), then take a photograph of this page with your phone or device and submit your entry here: www.livinglifemagazine.co.uk/drone Close date 15/7/2020. Only 1 entry per person. Judge’s decision is final.

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safety

Arlesey Streetwatch Getting back on the streets....

S

treetwatch is a community led initiative run by local residents who observe and report local issues to Beds Police. Streetwatch offers the community a reassuring presence and the opportunity to build community cohesion.

All Streetwatch activities ceased on 23rd March with the introduction of Covid-19 lockdown. As restrictions ease we are pleased to be able to resume socially distanced Streetwatch Patrols from Monday 15th June.

Arlesey Streetwatch became the first Bedfordshire Streetwatch group to be able to undertake patrols by bike and we hope to do our first bike patrol soon.

If you’d like to join Arlesey Street Watch or find out more call Alex on 07952 209722 or e-mail: alex.landman@ntlworld.com If you see us out and about, we wear high viz Streetwatch jackets, do say hello……from a distance!

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IMPACT SHUTTERS AND BLINDS ARE NOW YOUR LOCAL MOBILE SHOWROOM SERVICE by Nina & the Team T

he last few months have certainly been very different, with lots of opportunities to enjoy the garden, the abundance of sunshine and the fun and stress of home schooling! The feeling of groundhog day springs to mind!! This time out has also given us time to reflect on what we and our customers want from our business and have decided to bring my showroom, experience and products to the comfort of your home.

After 7 enjoyable years on the High Street, I would like to thank our past, present and future customers for their continued loyal support for my local, independent, business.

We are very much looking forward to driving the business forward and into the future with an exciting new, efficient and convenient service. The feedback I receive from my customers, is that most prefer home visits to view our sampling in their own homes against their current wall colours and current furnishings.

We will be taking the business mobile and leaving the shop, where Impact became established back in 2013 and built up a customer base of 1000’s of happy customers. I feel it is now the right time to follow current trends to the modern, efficient and convenient mobile and online service.

Over the years, I’ve really enjoyed designing and dressing our large windows, and brightening up Henlow High Street. We often get lots of compliments from customers and locals on our window displays! We have enjoyed meeting thousands of new customers in the showroom.

During these times, we have continued to provide a mobile service, whilst observing social distancing and guidelines, allowing us to present you with varied sampling options in the comfort of your own home. Our customers have appreciated being able to visualise their own ideas with our large sampling and using our samples to choose their favourite products. We have an extensive, varied portfolio of prestigious suppliers.

So if you are in need of some Shutters, blinds or curtains , please do not hesitate to give us a call and remember, we have ranges to suit all budgets.

WE ARE STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS We have carefully developed a new service available to you.

The health and safety of our staff and our valued customers is our priority.

We are now offering...

Telephone or online appointments Home selection service Safe fitting service CONTACT US NOW TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT AND FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION

www.impactshuttersandblinds.co.uk sales@impactshuttersandblinds.co.uk t: 01462 816 429 Don’t forget to mention LivingLife when contacting advertisers

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