June 2025 by onourdoorstepbaldock

Welcome

Welcome to Our 12th Year!

Where have the years gone? It feels like just yesterday On Our Doorstep began as a cheeky little bet between the two of us—and here we are, 12 years later, still going strong!

This May was another fantastic festival month, ﬁlled with an incredible variety of events. The rum tasting may have been a little too successful for a few locals (we saw the aftermath the next morning!), but it was wonderful to see so many of you enjoying the street fair, with its bustling stalls and vibrant entertainment. The very next day, the high street was taken over by over 120 gleaming classic cars—a sight to remember.

And it's not over yet! We still have the popular Country Boots event to come, and don't miss The Big Lunch on Saturday 7th June. This year, we're trying something a little diﬀerent—turn to page 5 for the details.

Recently I've had the privilege of seeing the dedication behind the scenes. Most of the volunteers juggle full-time jobs and give up their weekends and holiday time to make these events happen. Their passion and commitment are what keep our community thriving—thank you all.

Following the success of the ﬁrst ‘Academy Supper ‘at Eight, in January, Kish has decided to hold the event

again on Wednesday 11th June. The talented junior chefs will write, cost, and cook a delicious fourcourse menu. You'll order drinks as usual, but the twist? You decide what the meal was worth at the end of the evening. A true culinary adventure!

Baldock Events Forum hold the license for the Charter Market, that takes place on the High Street on a Wednesdays, and over the past few months they have been working hard to help promote the market and attract new stall holders. If you get a chance to pop along on a Wednesday, you won’t be disappointed, amonst others there’s a fantastic fresh ﬁsh stall and an amazing stall selling freshly baked goods

Until next month

info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk or 07973 788418

Pop along, pick up a bargain, explore the town and meet your neighbours!

Maps will be available from our Baldock Jumble Sale Trail Facebook Page, with printed copies at locaons around town on the day as well.

Got cluer to clear? Join in the fun with a stall of your own.

Email:baldockjumble@gmail.com

Stalls cost £10- all going to Merry Go Round Under 5's Nursery.

Baldock Big Lunch is Back

Join Us for a Day of Food, Friendship & Fun!

We're thrilled to announce the return of the Baldock Big Lunch, happening on Saturday 7th June from 12pm to 5pm on Baldock High Street. Aer a short break last year, this much-loved event is back—and it's set to be bigger, brighter, and more community-focused than ever! The Big Lunch is all about bringing people together. Whether you've lived here for years or just moved in, everyone's welcome to join this free, feel-good aernoon of food, live music, and good company.

There'll be plenty of delicious food stalls to tempt your taste buds, along with all your favourite local cafes and restaurants. A bar will be on hand for drinks, and a

small fun fair will keep the kids smiling. The soundtrack to the day will be provided by a fantasc line-up of live music, expertly organised by the legendary G La Roche, featuring Orion, Brook William Charles, Steph Sco, Gary Brown, and Amber Lilly. No ckets required—just turn up and join in the fun! This event is open to the whole community, so bring along your camping chairs or picnic blankets and get comfy for the day.

If you or someone in your group has access requirements, we've got a limited number of tables available. Please email events@baldockeventsforum.org.uk to reserve one—priority will be given to the elderly and disabled.

Come along and soak up the atmosphere, meet new faces, and enjoy everything that makes Baldock such a special place to live. We can't wait to see you there!

Baldock Big Lunch

From Rookie to Winner

Local racing prodigy Archie Davies delivered a weekend to remember at Mallory Park over May 17–18, capturing his ﬁrst-ever Fiesta Junior Championship win and showcasing skill, maturity, and determinaon far beyond his years.

Saturday: Precision and Pace

The weekend began on a high note during Free Pracce 1 on Saturday morning, with Archie ﬁnishing just 0.008 seconds behind the leader. This set the tone for a ﬁercely compeve weekend.

Later that day, Archie secured his first pole posion of the season in a dramac qualifying session. On his final flying lap, he edged out the compeon with another razor-thin margin, proving his speed under pressure.

Sunday: Victory and Heartbreak

In Race One on Sunday, Archie launched perfectly oﬀ the line and held the lead through the opening lap. What followed was a high-octane bale among the front-runners, with posions changing constantly. Despite brieﬂy dropping back aer a defensive move opened the door for third place,

Archie never lost focus. With just two laps to go, he seized a golden opportunity at the final hairpin. As the top two scrapped, Archie made his move and stormed back into the lead. A tense final lap saw the young driver hold off his rivals to claim a sensaonal first win in the series.

Race Two looked set to bring more success, as Archie once again nailed the start from pole. He held the lead with impressive composure and defensive skill, fending off pressure lap aer lap. However, in the final moments of the race, disaster struck. A heavy side impact at the final hairpin caused his car to spin and stall, dropping him to 13th. While a tough pill to swallow, stewards penalized the offending driver with license points and a grid penalty for the next round.

Bright Future Ahead

Despite the heartbreaking end to the weekend, Archie's performance at Mallory Park turned heads and cemented his status as a rising star in Brish junior motorsport. With his ﬁrst win now in the bag and undeniable pace in the car, the future is looking incredibly bright for this local talent.

UNIT 12 BONDOR BUSINESS CENTRE, LONDON ROAD, BALDOCK. SG76HP

Extreme Executive Excellence BMW i5 M60 xDrive Saloon

BMW has established a strong reputaon for innovave and stylish models that are known for their quality and reliability. One of the best features of BMW cars is their exceponal performance, whether on motorways or winding roads, providing a thrilling driving experience.

The brand's disncve design, characterised by the iconic kidney grille and sleek lines, sets its vehicles apart. This is especially evident in the new BMW i5 M60 xDrive Saloon, produced at the BMW Group Plant Dingolﬁng, which has been manufacturing the 5 Series since 1973.

The i5 M60 redeﬁnes automove excellence with innovave digital features and all-electric capabilies. Its striking design includes bold front air intakes and unique 20-inch M light alloy wheels. Inside, the fully digital BMW curved display and advanced comfort features enhance the driving experience.

With a powerful 601hp electric drive, the i5 M60 can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 142mph. Its high-voltage baery provides a range of 282 to 320

By Tim Barnes-Clay - Follow on Instagram

miles, alleviang range anxiety.

The latest adapve recuperaon technology opmises energy use. Through the idrive menu, you can select diﬀerent levels of braking energy recovery, improving range for longer journeys.

Funnily enough, driving in BMW's EFFICIENT mode further enhances eﬃciency. This seng can increase the i5's electric range by up to 25 per cent by capping drive power and maximum speed, combined with reduced comfort funcons. This means you can travel longer distances on a single charge. A MAX RANGE mode is also available when a planned charging stop is no longer feasible. In this seng, the maximum speed is restricted to 60mph; air condioning is turned oﬀ; rear window heang is reduced, and heated steering wheel, seat heang, and venlaon are deacvated.

In terms of charging, the i5's combined charging unit enables AC charging of up to 22kW on the M60 xDrive. Furthermore, BMW's baery can be charged with DC at up to 205kW, raising the charge level from 10 to 80 per cent in approximately 30 minutes. In

addion, the i5's range can be extended by 97 miles in just 10 minutes at a DC fast-charging staon when starng with a charge level of 10 per cent. This means you can quickly top up your electrons when you're on the move.

In conclusion, the i5 M60 xDrive strikes the perfect balance when it comes to automove innovaon and luxury. The model sets high standards in digitalisaon, design, and sustainability while remaining true to the hallmark driving pleasure that deﬁnes the BMW brand. Its forwardthinking features and meless elegance connue the legacy of the iconic BMW 5 Series Saloon.

Fast Facts

-as tested:

Ÿ Max speed: 142 mph

Ÿ 0-62 mph: 3.8 secs

Ÿ Powertrain: Dual-motor, All-wheel drive

Ÿ Max. power (PS): 601

Ÿ Price from: £97,745

BMW i5 M60 xDrive Saloon

@tbarnsclay

MobLand – Paramount+

Too much choice out there?

Spend more time deciding what to watch than actually watching something? LET BALDOCK'S RESiDENT TV GLUTTON HELP YOU ON YOUR MiSSiON!

This is the ﬁrst show I've reviewed from the o-overlooked streamer Paramount+ ( 7 day free trial through Amazon is available if interested). MobLand caught my eye inially owing to the stellar cast of Tom Hardy , Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren and Paddy Considine. It then piqued my aenon further when I read Guy Ritchie was involved. Aerall, I do have a Lock Stock & 2 Smoking Barrells shaped hole in my heart, which The Gentleman on Nelix (Ritchie's other recent endeavour) didn't really ﬁll.

The series centres on the Harrigan family, an Irish crime syndicate led by patriarch Conrad Harrigan (Pierce Brosnan) and his formidable wife, Maeve Harrigan (Helen Mirren). Their empire faces threats from rival facons, notably the Stevenson cartel, leading to a violent power struggle. Tom Hardy portrays Harry Da Souza, the family's loyal ﬁxer-in-chief who navigates the treacherous landscape of gang warfare and internal betrayals.

We start with Harry trying to negoate a peace between the heads of the two groups that supply his family with the various drugs and other items that fund their business. When two main players won't apologize to each other, Harry goes up to the restaurant dining area, where the family's boss, Conrad Harrigan is having dinner. Harry doesn't think the truce will sck long, and Conrad has intel that they've been skimming from him. “It's always the same, in any orchard,” Conrad says. “You plant the trees. The trees grow tall. Then sooner or later, they begin to get

mangled, and before you know it, the apples start to rot. And that, Harry my son, is pruning me.” In other words, kill everyone in the room and take over their supply businesses.

The story that pushes the ﬁrst season of MobLand therefore is prey straighorward, but that's not say there isn't much to compel the viewer here. Quite the opposite. Despite his years as the head of the Harrigan family, Conrad is always looking for more. He's also as bloodthirsty and ruthless as it gets. On the other hand, Harry has more or less a normal family life, but his marriage is strained enough that his wife Jan (Joanne Frogga) wants them to go into counselling. It's going to be up to him to keep the tensions between the two families, the Harrigans and the Stevensons, from escalang into a full-on bloodbath. But that will be hard when his boss wants the bloodbath to happen so he can consolidate power.

The further we get into the psyches of these characters, the more compelling the season gets. Having Hardy, Brosnan and Mirren in place certainly helps. Brosnan is effecve as the ruthless Conrad, and as we see at the end, Mirren's Maeve has a lot of influence over the decisions Conrad makes. Having such accomplished actors in these roles makes us think that we'll be delving deeper into their personalies and histories and not just watch families exchange gunfire for the enre season. A word of warning however; Brosnan's Irish accent is divisive, and I think it could be the most dubious thing to come out of Ireland since Jedward!

With 20 years experience selling homes locally

Thank you to all the people that have recommended me as their personal estate agent in Baldock. I love working here and the town has always held a special place in my heart, it's just great!!

STM Goods BagPack

Big Innovation in a Compact Package

As someone who's perpetually on the move—juggling gadgets, reviewing tech, and travelling from event to event—I'm always on the lookout for gear that can keep up with my lifestyle. So when STM Goods announced their BagPack, I was intrigued. A backpack with an inﬂatable air cushion for your laptop? That's the kind of clever thinking I love. And aer a few weeks of using it, I can conﬁdently say this is no gimmick—it's a genuinely smart piece of kit.

Let's start with the headline feature: the inﬂatable airbag. With a single breath, it turns a featherweight backpack into a structured, laptopprotecng companion. It's a novel yet highly praccal concept—oﬀering cushioning for your tech and support for your back.

I tested it with my 16-inch MacBook Pro, and it cradled the laptop with impressive stability, absorbing bumps during travel far beer than most padded compartments I've seen.

The ultra-lightweight build (just over half a kilo) and 210D nylon fabric mean the BagPack is tough but doesn't weigh you down. Perfect for commuters, fesval-goers, and anyone who travels light but sll needs dependable gear. One of the standout features is how it folds into itself, collapsing into a self-contained pouch small enough to stash in your suitcase or glovebox.

Final Thoughts

Despite the compact form factor, the BagPack sll manages to oﬀer 15 litres of space—enough for your daily essenals: tablet, charger, water bole, headphones, and even a jacket. The contoured straps are comfortable, and the minimalist design keeps things stylish without screaming “tech nerd” (even if, like me, you secretly are one).

While it's not fully waterproof, it shrugged oﬀ light drizzle during a walk through Stoold with no issues. You'll want a rain cover for a proper storm, but for everyday use, it holds up beaufully.

The STM BagPack 2023 is a triumph of praccal innovaon. Lightweight, protecve, compact, and stylish—it's the sort of bag that makes you wonder why nobody thought of this before. Check it out on the oﬃcial STM Goods site www.stmgoods.com/backpack2023/

Screen

The John Wick franchise has built a reputation as a brutal and bloody action saga, and it looks like its spinoff movie Ballerina is not about to let down the side with its official MPArating. TheAna deArmas-led film will take the Wick franchise in a new direction, but it isn’t forgetting its roots – and those teased fights between deArmas and Keanu Reeves are going to be everything fans are hoping for.

Elio, an underdog with an active imagination, ﬁnds himself inadvertently beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide. Mistakenly identiﬁed as Earth's ambassador to the rest of the universe, he starts to form new bonds with eccentric aliens while discovering who he's truly meant to be.

On the rugged isle of Berk, a Viking boy named Hiccup deﬁes centuries of tradition by befriending a dragon namedToothless. However, when an ancient threat emerges that endangers both species, Hiccup's friendship withToothless becomes the key to forging a new future.Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, redeﬁning what it means to be a hero and a leader.

In the 1990s, Sonny Hayes was Formula 1's most promising driver until an accident on the track nearly ended his career.Thirty years later, the owner of a struggling Formula 1 team convinces Sonny to return to racing and become the best in the world. Driving alongside the team's hotshot rookie, Sonny soon learns that the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone. f1 the movie

Wedding season is on its way and more couples are thinking about prenupal agreements than ever before. They are seeking to protect assets gained prior to their forthcoming marriage. But is it worthwhile and will it be upheld if needed?

Kathy Scoot, Family Solicitor at HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors talks about prenupal agreements and whether it could be the right approach for you. What is a prenupal agreement?

A prenupal agreement is a formal document signed by a couple before they marry or enter a civil partnership. It sets out how the couple wish their assets to be divided if they were to divorce or have their civil partnership dissolved.

There are several reasons why couples choose to create a prenupal agreement, these include:

Ÿ One or both pares wish to protect assets built up prior to the marriage.

IsAPrenuptialAgreementWorthwhile?

Ÿ They wish to clearly state what is to happen to any assets acquired during the marriage or civil partnership.

Ÿ There are family trusts and or inheritance plans that need to be considered.

Ÿ There are debt obligaons. Are prenupal agreements binding in England and Wales?

Whilst prenupal agreements may be automacally enforceable in other countries, this is not the case in England and Wales. However, a professionally draed and executed prenupal agreement is likely to be persuasive to the court. There are reported cases where a judge has considered a prenupal agreement to be unfair and therefore will not consider it during a selement case. The key word here is 'fair'. Fairness is always the Court's key consideraon, and it will always seek to protect the needs of both pares.How can couples try to ensure the prenupal agreement is upheld?

We have already highlighted that 'fairness' is a key principle of a prenupal

agreement. This means it should meet the needs of the couple and any dependent children (current or future). The agreement must also be prepared in good me before the wedding to allow both pares to receive legal advice - at least 28 days prior to the wedding.

In addion:

Ÿ The agreement must be capable of being enforced contractually.

Ÿ The terms of the agreement must be fair and reasonable.

Ÿ The pares must enter into the agreement of their own free will, if there is any evidence of undue inﬂuence or duress, it is highly likely that the agreement will not be upheld.

Ÿ The agreement must be signed or executed as a deed.

Ÿ Both pares should provide full and frank ﬁnancial disclosure.

Ÿ It is imperave that both pares obtain independent legal advice. I need a prenupal agreement quickly, what can I do?

It is essenal that a prenupal agreement is entered into at least 28 days prior to the wedding. If you do not have enough me before your wedding, it is possible to enter into a postnupal agreement at any point aer your marriage.

Talk to one of our family solicitors to determine the best opon for you. Amicably creang an agreement between both pares, can save a lot of stress and legal costs in the future, if the marriage were to breakdown. It means couples have a clear understanding on the division of assets, and both are happy with the arrangements.

For more informaon and to schedule and appointment email info@hrjforemanlaws.co.uk or call 01462 458711

Baldock Knights U11s Crowned Spring Cup Champions

In a thrilling Spring Cup ﬁnal, Baldock Knights U11s delivered a superb team performance to defeat the Luton Stallions 2-1 and li the trophy.

The Knights started brightly, with Benj breaking the deadlock aer a ﬂowing aacking move. Building on their momentum, Baldock doubled their lead when Max found the back of the net with a composed ﬁnish, sending the Knights and their supporters into celebraon.

With 15 minutes remaining, Luton pulled a goal back to set up a tense ﬁnale.

However, Baldock showed incredible composure and resilience, standing ﬁrm against a late surge from the Stallions.

At the heart of the Knights' brilliant defensive eﬀort was Mario, who was deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding leadership and crucial intervenons throughout the game.

As the ﬁnal whistle sounded, the Baldock players and fans erupted in celebraon, capping a fantasc Spring Cup campaign with a performance full of spirit, determinaon, and skill.

I richmonds-coaches.co.uk

Baldock Gardens

By Graham Tapp

Pots from the nursery to the Garden. We all have pots for our plants, which come in all sizes, shapes, textures, and materials. But do we know what to use for what, why and when?

Let's start at the seed stage of the plant's life. Seeds need the ideal conditions for germination and their early plant life. Seed trays, originally made of wood but now mostly recyclable plastic, have been used for many years. Called trays, they are, in effect, a shallow pot allowing the correct temperature, moisture and grade of compost. In days gone by, we would put them in all sorts of places around the greenhouse to find the best light, shade, and warmth and then cover them with glass or plastic for humidity control, but these days, it's easy; we have plastic propagators that are trays with their own controlled heating, and they have their own clear covers with ventilation included. The significant advantage of plastic trays is that they can be easily sterilised and used repeatedly. Small seeds germinate better in trays than in large pots, as conditions are better controlled.

Commercially, we use cell trays, which can contain various numbers of cells, each allocated to one plant. The cell numbers we use range from 40 to 400. For anyone who has not seen a 400-cell tray, the best way for me to describe it is to imagine 400 thimbles open side up, all glued together, filled with compost, and each containing a plant seedling. A 40-cell tray would be the equivalent of a collection of small yoghurt pots. The next stage for us would be to transplant the seedlings or take cuttings into a small square pot called a P7. These are 7 cm x 7cm and fit into a special carry tray called a shuttle tray; the pots snuggle together, so there are no gaps between them. They are designed that way so they can be machine-filled with no loss of compost. The seedlings are transplanted into these and grown on until they are ready for sale or transplanted to the next stage.

The next stage for us is to replant the plants into larger standard circular pots. In the last ten years, we have cut out the P7 stage by using larger cell trays, enabling the seedlings to grow to a larger size before transplanting into their final retail round pot, which size you will all be familiar with, most Garden Centres and or Supermarkets are forced to use smaller pots due to the requirement to get as many into a lorry as they can; we do not have to transport ours anywhere so can use a much larger pot and consequently we can get a better-finished quality for our customers at a lower price for them, Bigger pots = more compost = more plant food, and more water this all means better plants.

When you are considering buying plants, think about what you are going to grow them in. If it's not in the ground, make sure the pot is proportionate to the eventual size the plant will end up when mature. This is not only to allow for proper root growth, feed, and moisture but also to give some thought to the eventual height of the plant. If it ends up too tall for the pot, it may blow over in strong winds, damage the plant, and/or break your pot.

Pots with a narrower base than the top will not stay upright and will topple over; these are best for low or trailing plants.

Tall woody plants will need a pot with a base the same width as the top and as wide or wider than it is high, in effect cylindrical; the usual rule of thumb is not to overpot any plants, i.e., do not use a pot that's far too big for the plant's root ball, but for trees or shrubs that you won't be able to replant due to their weight you will have to use the largest you can afford.

All pots need good drainage and must not flood, so all pots, regardless of size, need to be positioned in a way that allows excess water to flow away. Pot feet are an inexpensive solution, but they are no good for large pots on soft ground as they will sink in, so stand the pot feet on a paving slab, which will spread the weight.

Pots need to be kept off the ground to allow drainage and what is called ariel pruning; this will allow the air to burn off the small feeder roots as they exit the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot, stopping them from penetrating the soil below and developing a root system outside the intended container pot.

Large pots can be ceramic or clay. The difference is that ceramic pots are fired at a much higher temperature than clay pots and will be primarily harder and frostproof; retailers call them frostresistant, just in case!

Ceramic pots are usually glazed, so they will be less likely to dry out as the porous clay becomes impervious to water and will help the compost hold more moisture in hot conditions.

Clay pots are softer and porous, allowing moisture to pass out and helping keep the soil or compost dryer. However, due to impact damage and frost heave, clay pots are more likely to become cracked over time.

Lightweight plastic or fibre pots are a valuable addition to the range available. They can be pretty large without the weight of clay or ceramic pots, which is useful if you have plants that need to be indoors and heated over winter and then moved outside for the summer.

Large plastic pots are no longer at the cheap end of the market, so some consideration needs to be made over the cost, but they will last for years and will have printed decorations and colours that are unlikely to be found in other types of pots. Most of the new plastic or foam pots can be used for house plants as they have bungs to seal up the drainage holes.

The most exciting innovation in plastic pots is that many are now being manufactured from ocean waste recovered from our seas.

Until next month, enjoy your garden

Baldock’s

favourite for 33 years

There was a young lady called Gail,

Her six month marriage did fail.

She said to her ex,

“It wasn't the sex, I've sold your clubs at the car boot sale!”

We're back 6.30 sellers, 7 am buyers See you there!

‘WE GUARANTEE TO BEAT* your existing home insurance renewal quote in the SG postcode.’

For most people their home is the biggest investment they will ever make and the things they keep in it are their most prized possessions.

As your local broker our role is to select the policy most suited to your individual needs. Ensuring peace of mind for our customers is at the heart of what we do.

To make sure your most treasured possessions are properly covered contact the Emperor of insurance

War... Whatisitgoodfor

Last month we commemorated eighty years since VE Day, and in September it will be eighty years since the end of World War Two. According to Google (please forgive my use of Google, I am no war historian), there has been fieen thousand armed conflicts since the eighteen hundreds. One hundred and fiy in recent years alone. I have to ask myself why, what is it all about. Recalling my schoolgirl history lessons, and trying not to appear ignorant, they appear to be about just a few things. That guy over there wants what the other guy has and decides to take it. That guy over there doesn't like the way the other guy does things and decides to change it.

That's fine, but those two guys in conflict don't fight it out between themselves, not in these modern mes anyway. They stay safe in their cosy palaces and offices and round up the young to do the dirty work. While they are having their war councils over a fivecourse meal, innocent people are being killed.

I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been born at a me where I have never had to mourn the absence or death of my husband or son due to war, I wasn't alive when food was raoned, and bombs were dropped. I have lived a privileged life of peace, if you consider the wars fought in my lifeme have been on foreign shores.

I can't help to be upset and angry about how we treat those young men and women who have fought for us. The Monied and the Gentry send our young people into conﬂict and expect them to die for their country, something that they themselves are not prepared to do, and when the dust dies down they present the real heroes with a shiny bauble and send them back to the world, broken. They are not cared for properly; they are not treated as they deserve. There is even talk again of prosecuon for some who fought in the Troubles ﬁy years ago, have these men not earned their peace?

I truly feel that if you have fought for your country, when you return, you should not have to pay a single penny in taxes again. You should be housed and given a therapist for life if required, and most of all no one should be coming for you ﬁy years aer for crimes you may or may not have commied at a me of high stress and anxiety.

I am not a paciﬁst, I do feel that if our country were to be invaded, we should ﬁght back, and I would be on the front line. but I don't understand the need to involve ourselves in foreign wars. We are fairly sure that the Iraq war was illegal and about oil, The 'weapons of mass destrucon' line was a lie.

I don't see the leaders of America and Britain being threatened with prosecuon.

I'd also like to see a modern soluon to conflict. If a leader of a country feels the need to start a war, and they can't resolve the issue by using their words like adults. They and the opposion should fight it out between themselves. There must be a small, unoccupied island somewhere where they and their policians can go and fight it out on their own and leave the rest of us in peace.

The leaders of this world have been ﬁghng for millennia. Every me it ends with the loss of thousands of innocent lives, and every me we hear the same old worn-out trope, 'lessons will be learnt' . They never are. If they were, no one would be in armed conﬂict with anyone. World War One was supposed to be the war that ended all wars. If only it was.

Nicky

ASHWELL WESTON

5 minutes with... Clare Gallagher from E.H. CROUCH

*Tellusaboutwhoyouare?

My name is Clare Gallagher, and I have the privilege of serving as the Business Leader at E. H. Crouch Funeral Directors. Based in Baldock, I work closely with our dedicated Funeral Directors, Nick Dunn, Claire Hughes, and Karen Rogers, and our caring Funeral Arranger, Sophie Blount. I joined E. H. Crouch in 2018 as a funeral director and stepped into my current leadership role in 2021. It's been an honour to grow within this organisaon and to support families during some of their most diﬃcult mes. I'm incredibly proud of the work we do and the exceponal team I have the pleasureofworkingalongsideeveryday.

*TellusabitaboutEHCrouch?

E.H. Crouch Funeral Directors have been serving families in our cherished Herordshire community since 1958, from our funeral homes across Baldock, Letchworth, Stevenage and Stoold in Hitchin. The story of our funeral directors began when a local man called Ted Crouch used to let families use the chapel behind his hardwareshop.Thiswastobetheﬁrststepofhisjourneytowards becoming one of the most valued and respected funeral directors in Herordshire. Ted Crouch's values are sll the foundaon on whichweworktothisday.

*Whatproductsandservicesdoyouoﬀer?

At E. H. Crouch Funeral Directors, we provide high standards of funeralcare,tailoredtohonourtheuniquelifeofeachindividual.

We believe that every funeral should reﬂect the personality, values, and wishes of the person who has passed away. Our services include bespoke funeral services, direct cremaons and meaningful memorials. Our compassionate team are here to supportyoueverystepoftheway.

*WhatsetsEHCrouchapart?

We make sure every aspect of our funeral services, care and faciliesareofthebeststandardsbecausewefeelitisourdutyto make sure everything is perfect for a loved one's farewell, paying tributetotheirlifeinarespeculandmeaningfulway.

*HowdoesEHCrouchgetinvolvedwiththelocalcommunity?

As a team, we deeply value our local community and understand the importance of giving back. It means a great deal to us to stay connected and contribute in meaningful ways, and we're always lookingfornewideastosupportthosearoundus.

Each month, we share a Lonely Bouquet—a small gesture to brighten someone's day. For Mother's Day, we organised a Sunﬂower Scavenger Hunt, placing handmade crochet sunﬂowersaroundBaldockforpeopletodiscoverandenjoy.

*HowcanIﬁndoutmore?

If you'd like to ﬁnd out more about how we can support you or yourfamily,we'reheretohelp.

You can contact us by phone: +441462354179 or via email ehcrouch.baldockhs@dignityfunerals.co.uk

Serene Soﬁa

Have you ever sat in an airport waing for your gate to be announced and look at the departure screens to see where the other ﬂights are going? We have many mes and one of the places which looked really appealing was Soﬁa. So as a surprise on my last birthday Jody booked us a long weekend there and we went at the end of March.

Once we arrived at the very small airport in Soﬁa, we had already decided to get on the metro to the city centre which is where we were staying. Extremely easy to navigate and our ckets were the equivalent of 60pence for a 30minute journey!! It was lunchme and yet the metro was very quiet, however also the cleanest train I think I have been on. Yes, it was dated but I'll take that for the cleanliness any day.

Our hotel was right in the centre and very easy to ﬁnd. Fantasc room with views of the snow topped mountains, they are apparently very popular for skiing.

The weather was very similar to that of the UK, so we did go prepared with raincoats.

We walked to get some food and considering it was 2pm ish on a Thursday

aernoon, it was extremely quiet. We sat in a lovely restaurant and had some amazing food. Something we aren't used to anymore is smoking inside and there they smoke everywhere.

That evening we had a walking tour booked. When we arrived, we were the only ones on the tour which was great. The guide was a history lecturer and fascinang to listen too. He told us that Soﬁa was one of the oldest cies in Europe, however the most surprising fact was that in all its history Bulgaria has only NOT been at war for about 40years!! How crazy is that?

There are so many beauful buildings, but you can deﬁnitely see that there is a communist history in their architecture. The next day we had booked a tour to Devetaki Caves and the Krushuna waterfalls.

The caves were spectacular. Its considered one of the largest in Europe. It has large openings in the roof which the locals call windows, these being some 60100feet high! If anyone has seen the ﬁlm the Expendebles 2, that was ﬁlmed there.

The Krushuna waterfalls are well worth a visit too. Don't expect Niagara Falls, Krushuna is more a beauful selecon of smaller falls than one large one.

There’s a lovely lile trail to walk around, where you can see them all. Fortunately for us the sun came out when we were there, so it really made it. (Whereas when we le the rain came down and we got soaked!)

The rest of the me we spent in this city we ate tasty food and looked around the most beauful buildings at our own pace.

Food and drinks etc were prey cheap compared to the UK and apparently local's wages etc are quite low too compared to us. Knowing this we decided to have a look at some of the shops. (Although he will deny it, Jody has a thing about trainers….way too many!!!) So, he thought he may get a bargain. Unfortunately for him the clothes and shoes etc were actually quite expensive, so not too sure how the locals aﬀord them to be honest. Thankfully he couldn't ﬁnd any he liked anyway

On leaving we got the metro again back to the airport. From geng on the metro to geng through security at the airport, it took us 45mins. It was the most relaxing trip to and through the airport I think I've ever had.

So that was Soﬁa for us. Would I recommend going? ABSOLUTELY. Would I go back? Probably not, but that's not because I didn't enjoy it. I totally did, however I think we saw everything we wanted to see and aer all, it's a big world out there so why go somewhere you have already been!!

chillilounge

OurSunshine

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*Our Sunshine Oﬀer applies to every dining-in customer, as many times as they would like to use it. Our Sunshine Oﬀer applies all mid-week (Tuesday,WednesdayandThursdaydayandevening).IfthecustomerchoosesLambChoporanyFishorSeafooddish(e.g.KingPrawn),then anadditionalchargeapplies,asthesearemoreexpensive.Forastarter:£2.99.Foramain:£4.99.

We're All Going on a Summer Holiday

Whether you are having a staycaon or going further aﬁeld, travelling can put lots of diﬀerent stresses and strain on your body. So, when travelling and having a change in roune always remember to listen to your body.

Even before you have arrived at your holiday desnaon, you will no doubt have spent a period of me bending over to pack, been liing and moving suitcases and bags to ﬁt in the boot of your car. Then, there may be prolonged periods of me sing in a car on a plane or a train (which hopefully does not get extended by traﬃc and delays!). At your desnaon the unpacking begins which again involves copious amounts of liing and twisng.

A few simple ps can help you to avoid causing any injury, allowing you to have a well-deserved break:-

When liing your luggage make sure you always bend from your knees and keep your back straight so that you can use your whole body to take the weight.Ensure the bags or case is close to your body to reduce the strain on your back - even if the bag is light, be mindful of how you are liing due to the repeon of the movement, even a light bag could be enough to strain your back.

Travelling invariably involves sing for a prolonged period of me which results in certain muscle groups being placed under constant demand. Tension builds in your muscles and joints, which can start to cause aches and pains. When travelling on a plane or train make sure you get up and move around every hour to reduce the strain on your body, and if you are

in the car schedule in regular breaks to break up the journey.

If you experience any pain whilst on holiday or want to feel more comfortable before going on holiday, then please phone the clinic on 01462 490 141 to book in with one our team to help you to understand the cause of your pain and receive advice.

The Amber Health Team

Easy Chicken Tacos

A Favourite Midweek Meal – Perfect for the Garden or the Dinner Table

It's June, and on my days oﬀ, I ﬁnd myself dreaming of meals best enjoyed in the garden with a cold beer or a chilled glass of wine. But, as we all know, British weather doesn't always play ball—and sometimes my plans for sunny al fresco feasts get's postponed!

Lately though, I've been making a dish that works beautifully come rain or shine. It's quick, simple, and a real crowd-pleaser. The best bit? It comes in at under a tenner for four people. It's become a ﬁrm favourite with the kids, and I love that I can build each plate to suit everyone's taste—perfect for fussy eaters or spice lovers alike.

The real trick is in the prep: I try to marinate the chicken first thing in the morning before the school run, so it's packed with flavour by dinnertime. When it's time to eat, it only takes a little bit of chopping and flash frying to bring everything together.

Don't skip the garnishes—fresh coriander, spring onions, chilli, and lime bring the whole dish to life. And as always, try and use the best quality ingredients . It really does make a diﬀerence.

Whether we're sitting out in the garden or gathered around the kitchen table, this meal never fails to hit the spot.

Or if you really can't be bothered to cook and fancy treating yourself to a night oﬀ midweek, check out our new Midweek Set Menu:

2 courses for £25 or 3 courses for £30, available Wednesdays & Thursdays. Same great quality ingredients, cooked with the same love and attention—now just better value.

Let's Marinate the Chicken Serves 4

Ingredients:

¬ 800g boneless, skinless chicken thighs

¬ tbsp olive oil

¬ tsp smoked paprika

¬ tsp ground cumin

¬ ½ tsp chilli powder (optional)

¬ Salt & pepper to taste

¬ Juice of ½ lime

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix the olive oil, paprika, cumin, chilli powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper.

2. Add chicken thighs and coat well.

3. Marinate for at least 30 minutes (or ideally in the morning before the day gets going).

4. Cook in a hot pan or griddle over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side, or until cooked through and nicely charred.

5. Finish cooking in the oven if needed.

6. Rest the chicken for a few minutes, then slice or shred.

Let's Make the Guacamole

Ingredients:

Ÿ 2 ripe avocados

Ÿ 2 small garlic cloves, minced

Ÿ Juice of 1 lime

Ÿ Salt to taste

Ÿ Small handful of fresh coriander (optional), chopped Method:

1.Mash avocados in a bowl with lime juice, garlic and salt.

2. Stir in chopped coriander (if using).

3. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Let's Make the Pico de Gallo

Ingredients:

¬ 2 ripe tomatoes, ﬁnely chopped

¬ ½ red onion, ﬁnely chopped

¬ 1 green chilli (optional), ﬁnely chopped

¬ Juice of ½ lime

¬ Salt to taste

¬ Fresh coriander, chopped

Method:

1. Mix tomatoes, onion, chilli, coriander, lime juice, and salt in a bowl.

2. Let it sit for a few minutes so the ﬂavours can develop.

Warm the Tortillas

Warm 12 small tortillas in a dry pan for 20–30 seconds per side, until soft and warm.

Let's Plate Up!

1. Fill tortillas with the juicy, spiced chicken.

2. Add generous spoonfuls of guacamole and pico de gallo.

3. Finish with your favourite extras: sour cream, cheese, shredded lettuce, spring onions, chillies, coriander—whatever you've got on hand.

4. If there are any juices left in your oven tray, drizzle them over each taco.

5. Squeeze over a wedge of lime, roll up your sleeves, and tuck in!

Pair with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or an ice-cold beer, and enjoy wherever you are—garden or dining room. Enjoy your fresh, ﬂavour-packed tacos! I'd love to know how you get on with this month's recipe.

, Chef patron of

The success of Letchworth Rugby Clubs past season where they finished second in their level five Naonal league has been reflected in the selecon of an unsurpassed nine players in Herordshire’s County campaign in the second half of the month .

Past Season Success

Senior Coach Baz Basra commented “ It is no less than this squad deserve . They have had a great season only being pipped for ﬁrst place by an exceponal Oundle team and they are a joy to coach. It is great to see outgoing skipper Liam Fis and new captain Josh Sharp who will lead the County too in the squad . “

Alongside these two key play makers are forwards Luke Mongston , Tom Lewis , Josh Walker and Conor Turner voted Most Improved player at last months Dinner Celebraons .In the backs pocket rocket Chris Gibbs

alongside County veteran Richard Streets and burly centre Will Titherington will wear the green of the County. Other prominent members of North Herts most senior side could have featured but for non availability or injury in the case of Charlie Parkhouse and it was surprising there was no call for club captain Oscar Robinson . The County Campaign starts with a home match against Buckinghamshire at Herord on May 17 th at 3 pm and then tough away games against Middlesex and Essex on subsequent Saturdays ….. All however in the eyes

of the County training team are eminently winnable.

Club President Brian Burke said “This is a great honour for our club. We have never had so many represent the county before and shows the constant success of our senior team for the past four seasons. Let’s hope that their success is replicated for Herts as it has thrilled the crowds at Legends Lane “ BB

Would You Like More Energy?

Fague is debilitang exhauson. It can aﬀect every part of your life and your overall quality of life.

There are many reasons why we experience fague. It can be caused by a speciﬁc condion, such as ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia or Long Covid. Or it may result from the symptoms of another illness or treatment, such as chronic pain or chemotherapy. You may have already tried opons to ease your fague already, but have you tried Oxygen Therapy?

One of the main beneﬁts of Oxygen Therapy is the boost in energy it can provide. Many people also ﬁnd it reduces their pain and improves their brain fog.

Letchworth charity Herts MS Therapy Centre welcomes people with horrendous fague caused by a wide range of condions. Many of them have increased their energy

through Oxygen Therapy. Somemes, the improvements have been dramac and long lasng.

Oxygen Therapy does not ﬁx everything for everyone. But it does work for large numbers of people and for a wide range of condions. Maybe it will help you?

Try Oxygen Therapy for Free You are welcome to come to ﬁnd out if Oxygen Therapy can help you. Oxygen Therapy is reassuringly natural. It involves breathing pure oxygen under gentle pressure, meaning no side eﬀects.

The sessions last for an hour, giving you the complete Oxygen Therapy experience. Places are limited and must be booked in advance.

Find out what Oxygen Therapy feels like! Phone 01462 684214 or email oxygen@hmstc.net to book your free trial session.

Hi we are a group of six texle arsts holding our ﬁrst exhibion "Threaded Together" at the Baldock Arts and Heritage Centre from 11 June to 30 August. We will be exhibing our diverse range of skills including stch, embroidery, collage, quilng, prinng, beading and weaving. Pieces will be for sale, with smaller items such as greengs cards and texle pieces available on the sales table. The exhibion is free to visit and is open from 11am to 3pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

A Night of Mixed Fortunes in the Ring

It was a night to remember for Seven Hills Boxing Club as three of our boxers stepped into the ring for a thrilling evening of internaonal and domesc compeon. The atmosphere was electric, and the crowd was treated to skill, heart, and sportsmanship from start to ﬁnish.

Jamie was up ﬁrst, taking on a strong opponent from South Bristol. Showing composure and control, Jamie boxed well within

himself but sll delivered a commanding performance. His technical ability and ringcra were on full display, earning him a well-deserved win.

Danny then took centre stage for his first internaonal bout — and his first over 3x3-minute rounds — against a two-me Spanish junior champion. It was a fiercely contested match, with both fighters digging deep and giving their all. In the end, Danny narrowly lost out on a points

decision in what could easily have gone either way. No arguments with the result, just immense pride in the grit and determinaon Danny showed throughout.

Luca closed the night for the club, taking on an experienced opponent with over 20 bouts under his belt. Despite entering the ring with just ﬁve contests to his name — and nursing a recent nose injury from sparring — Luca boxed beaufully, staying composed and scking to his game plan. His performance secured him another wellearned win, keeping his unbeaten record intact.

A huge well done to all three boxers for their eﬀorts and courage on the night. A big thank you to Seven Hills Boxing Club, our visitors from Hook School in Spain, and all the oﬃcials who helped make the event such a success.

If you are interested in learning how to box, the gym is in the process of pung together a couple free taster days, for more informaon call 01462 436040.

A great night for boxing, and a proud one for the club!