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Welcome

Welcome to Our 13th Year!

Where have the years gone? It feels like only yesterday that On Our Doorstep began as a cheeky little bet between the two of us and here we are, 13 years later, still going strong!

May was another fantastic festival month, packed with a brilliant variety of events. The beer festival may have been a little too successful for a few locals (we certainly saw the evidence the following morning!), but it was wonderful to see so many of you enjoying the street fair, with its busy stalls and lively entertainment. Then, the very next day, the high street was ﬁlled with more than 120 gleaming classic cars, a real sight to see.

And it's not over yet, with the ever-popular Country Boots event still to come.

The Big Lunch, which was due to take place on Sunday 7th June, has unfortunately been cancelled, but don't worry, another date is already being arranged.

As we've mentioned before, most of the volunteers behind these events juggle full-time jobs while giving up weekends and holiday time to make everything happen. Their passion and commitment are what keeps our community thriving, and they deserve a huge thank you.

It's been a busy month on the family front too. Our son headed off on his stag do to Magaluf with a group of mates. Dressed in an air hostess outfit, and EasyJet were very accommodating, even putting him to work during the flight! The weekend ended with a fiercely competitive gokarting session, with, of course, Paul taking the victory.

The busy times continue for us in June, a full week of granddaughter duties, while they are on honeymoon, and two family birthdays to celebrate as well.

Father's Day falls on 21st June this year and is fast approaching. If you're lucky enough to still have your dad with you, don't forget to spoil him a little, perhaps even treat him to a lovely meal at Eight on White Horse Street or take him Karting and let him win!

Finally, we'd like to say a huge thank you to all our fantastic advertisers and to everyone who sends in articles and stories. Your support is what helps make the magazine such a worthwhile community read.

Paul & Jacqui

info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk or 07973 788418

“Another Year of Achievements” in Baldock

For Rotary clubs across the world June represents the end of the Rotary year. At the end of the month each club's current President hands the regalia over to a new incoming President. For Baldock Rotary that will mean the current President Paul Brown will hand over responsibility for leading the club to John Wilburn at the forthcoming President's Evening dinner.

How has the year been for Baldock Rotary? Well, as is customary the club once again undertook a number of community acvies, installing Christmas lights, taking the Sleigh around Baldock, Open Gardens, the Jazz concert, Burns Night celebraons, the connued development of the Rotary wood, support to KTS Interact group, and the rebuilding of the Kingﬁsher Way obelisk, to name but a few.

The club enjoyed a number of social events through the year because as you know all work and no play…..you know the saying. In the past year there has been a quiz night, aernoon tea, meals in local restaurants, a visit to

Shuleworth and the foreign visit this year was a trip to Soﬁa, the capital of Bulgaria.

Having raised signiﬁcant funds from the acvies described earlier the club was able to make donaons .to numerous charitable causes. On the internaonal front donaons were made to Convoy4Ukraine, as reported in OOD last month, ShelterBox and empowering Kids in Kenya. At the naonal level donaons were made to the Brish Heart Foundaon, Resolve, an addicon charity, Naonal Axial Spondyloarthris Society, Herordshire Police Historical Society, Kidney Research and Addenbrooke's Kidney Paents Associaon.

However, it is at the local Baldock community level where the club likes to ensure that as many local groups are supported as possible by receiving a donaon from Baldock Rotary. During the last year numerous donaons, too many to list here, were made available to local groups and this is what gives Baldock Rotary most pleasure.

So, if your local group could beneﬁt from a donaon please get in touch with our Community Services chair, John Wright tel no 01462 673779 or 07528 819276 or by email jfw123@bnternet.com

Baldock Rotary is always looking to aract new members, so if you are the type of person who is in a posion to “give something back” to the Community, we would love to hear from you. Our acvies and aims can be summarised as;

Ÿ Fundraising for charitable causes

Ÿ Support for the local Community

Ÿ Aid for internaonal disasters

Ÿ Make new friends and have fun at our organised social events.

If you are interested in any aspect of what Rotary has to oﬀer, please contact us on our website, Baldock Rotary Club, or contact our Membership Secretary, Michael Muir, tel. no. 07909 002631, email: michael.muir@north-herts.gov.uk Rotarian - Paul Lucke

HeritageJuniorGolfTrophy UNDER THE LIGHTS

A huge congratulaons to our Year 6 golf team, who travelled to the presgious Letchworth Golf Club to compete in the renowned Heritage Junior Golf Trophy. Set in beauful surroundings, the club provided the perfect venue for one of the most respected events on the school sporng calendar. The tournament has been running for 18 years and features invited schools from across the local area, with St. Mary's once again receiving a personal invitaon in recognion of our passion and commitment to sport.

If there is one tournament during the year that truly celebrates teamwork above all else, it is this one — and our children rose to the occasion brilliantly. Every player worked relessly for one another, encouraging teammates and striving to earn as many goals and points as possible for the team. Their eﬀort, determinaon and teamwork were simply outstanding, helping St. Mary's achieve an incredible score of over 1600 points. To put that achievement into perspecve, in previous years we had never scored more than 1000 points,

making this performance even more remarkable.

With this record-breaking total, St. Mary's were crowned champions of the Heritage Junior Golf Trophy for the very first me in our history. It was a fantasc evening filled with pride, celebraon and unforgeable memories as the children lied the trophy and received their medals. To top off a wonderful occasion, the golf club also treated everyone to sausage, chips and beans — the perfect ending to a historic night for our golfers and for St. Mary's.

Sco

Hagland - PE Coordinator

At their recent AGM Baldock 41 Club members and Chairman Les Wilsher presented a cheque for £3,000 to Sharon Newland represenng the Garden House Hospice.

This year a 41 Club Gala Meal was held at Letchworth Rugby Club where over £2,000 was raised. Members also assisted with Baldock Rotary Christmas Sleigh collecon nights.

Members of 41 Club are former Roundtable members and like- minded people who meet once a month enjoying meals with speakers, acvies, trips out and fundraising all in the spirit of fun and fellowship.

If you are interested in ﬁnding out more about what 41 club is all about Contact Les by email on lenny.wilsher1960@gmail.com

Power, Poise, and a Playful Edge Bentley Bentayga Speed

By Tim Barnes-Clay

The Bentley Bentayga Speed has never struggled for aenon, writes motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay.

At the heart of the Bentayga Speed sits a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 producing 650PS and 850Nm of torque. On paper, it's a formidable set of ﬁgures, enough to propel this substanal SUV from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 193mph.

Inside, the Bentayga Speed doesn't disappoint in terms of its aenon to detail. Its cabin is beaufully designed with premium materials, like wood, and Precision Diamond quilng - exuding a robustness and classiness diﬃcult to replicate.

In Comfort mode, the Bentayga Speed behaves exactly as you would expect from a Bentley - quiet, gracious, and supremely capable of covering long distances with minimal eﬀort.

Switch into Bentley mode, and the balance between comfort and performance is well judged. It was the seng for me - and it's likely to be the default seng for other drivers, oﬀering a mixture of responsiveness and reﬁnement that suits a wide range of condions.

However, it's Sport mode where the real transformaon takes place. Select it, and the Bentayga Speed feels noceably more alert. Body control improves, the car feels more planted, and there's a greater sense of connecon between you and the luxury machine.

All-wheel steering is one of the most important qualies of the latest Bentayga Speed. The system encourages the vehicle to be more manoeuvrable at slower speeds, making it far more responsive than expected for such a large car. When driving through ght corners, parcularly on a rural road, you noce how well it reacts to steering inputs.

The real revelaon, though, lies in the Bentayga Speed's willingness to engage. With the oponal carbon ceramic brakes ﬁed, Sport mode unlocks ESC Dynamic - a seng that relaxes the electronic safety systems and allows a degree of slip.

Acceleraon is, unsurprisingly, very strong. Engage launch control, and the zero to 60mph sprint feels every bit as brisk as the ﬁgures menoned earlier in this piece suggest.

The V8 lump delivers its might smoothly and linearly, making it easy to access performance without feeling overwhelmed.

Fast Facts

Bentley Bentayga Speed:

Ÿ Max speed: 193 mph

Ÿ 0-62 mph: 3.4 secs

Ÿ MPG: 21.6

Ÿ Powerplant: 3,996cc, twinturbocharged V8

Ÿ Power (PS): 650

Ÿ CO2: 298 g/km

Ÿ Price from: £219,000 as tested.

Follow on Instagram @tbarnsclay & TikTok @mauto_

The Pi – Season 1- HBO Max

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!

When The Pi premiered in the United States in January 2025, scepcism was understandable. Medical dramas are among television's most overworked genres, and the creave pedigree behind the show, Noah Wyle, John Wells and R. Sco Gemmill, all veterans of ER, risked feeling nostalgic rather than necessary. Season 1 unfolds across a single 15-hour shi in the emergency department of the ficonal Pisburgh Trauma Medical Centre, with each episode mapping almost exactly to one hour of real me. This structural constraint is not a gimmick; it is the engine of the show's realism. As paents flood in and resources dwindle, the sense of compression mirrors the emoonal and ethical pressure experienced by the staff themselves.This is a hospital perpetually on the brink, underfunded, understaffed and overwhelmed, reflecng the systemic fragility of contemporary American healthcare. By the end of the season, UK viewers may find themselves quietly grateful for the NHS. Crucially, the show avoids melodrama by allowing exhauson, rather than catastrophe, to drive its narrave. The result is an immersive, oen suffocang viewing experience: relentless, stressful, but deeply humane. At its centre is Dr Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, played with weary restraint by Noah Wyle. As the senior aending physician, Robby is a calm and brilliant operator whose authority masks unresolved grief. The season is quietly shaped by the anniversary of his mentor's death during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wyle resists the temptaon to mythologise the role, Robby is not heroic, but bruised,

impaent and frequently wrong. He becomes both the show's anchor and its warning. . Characters are developed not through romance or melodrama, but through work: clinical judgement, ethical disagreement and endurance. Katherine LaNasa's Dana Evans, the charge nurse, serves as the programme's moral centre, quietly exposing the unseen labour that keeps the system funconing. Patrick Ball's Dr Frank Langdon avoids the “golden boy” cliché, while Taylor Dearden's Dr Melissa King, a military-trained doctor with lile tolerance for disorder, begins abrasive but reveals a sharp moral clarity as the shi unfolds. The show's commitment to medical accuracy is evident: clinicians were embedded in the wring process, and scripts were veed for realism. Showrunner R. Sco Gemmill has described his reluctance to return to the genre aer ER, but the aermath of COVID-19 provided a compelling reason. The Pi is polical without being polemical. Issues of underfunding, insurance, migraon status, addicon and end-of-life care emerge organically through clinical decisions, not speeches. The show trusts its audience to recognise that the polics of healthcare are embedded in pracce. Importantly, the series refuses neat resoluon. Paents die. Mistakes happen. Trauma accumulates.. Season 1 of The Pi is one of the most accomplished debuts of the decade. It revitalises the medical drama not through reinvenon, but through seriousness, foregrounding systems as much as individuals, fague as much as heroism, and care as labour. In doing so, it honours healthcare workers without ever sancfying them.

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!! With 20 years experience selling homes locally

Champions of Somerset

U14A Letchworth GC RFC – Tour

The U14A Letchworth rugby team signed off their season in style over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend as they were crowned Champions of Somerset, compeng in the Revel Rugby Somerset Fesval hosted by Cheddar Valley RFC. The Tour victory was a fing end to a fine season in which the team has fought hard in Pool A of the Herts Middlesex Junior League, having been promoted from Pool B the previous year. However, the cherry on top had to be watching the lads li the Cup alongside their jubilant coaches and families.

That said, all those ever involved in rugby will know that going on Tour is far more than just the minutes on the pitch. And whilst the old saying is true, 'What goes on Tour, stays on Tour!', it would be remiss of me not to share some of the fantasc happenings of when 22 Wallys made the long trip to the West Country… On the Friday families negoated the M25, M4 and M5 Bank Holiday traffic and headed to Burnham-on-Sea which was to be basecamp for the weekend. The caravan park was full of other touring teams all with the same movaon, to enjoy some fun on and off the field. Our Where's Wally? tour theme began with a bang as each family group were tasked with Caravan Challenges to complete over the weekend – Wally style! Dressed as Wally could you conduct a post-match interview? Could Wenda join an opposion team bench? Would you be able to get the referee to wear your Wally hat? Yes, was the answer, and much more!

Whilst mums and dads got up to Wallyancs on the touchline, Saturday meant game on for the team. The aim of the day was to qualify for the Cup compeon on Sunday by ﬁnishing within the top two of Group A which consisted of four teams, all from south Wales. As they donned the pink side of their new reversible tour kits, kindly sponsored by Altro Flooring and Ignite Installaons, the lads went to task in their ﬁrst match narrowly defeang Cowbridge RFC, 5-0. We were quickly brought back down to earth as we lost 15-0 to another strong Welsh team, Bridgend Athlec RFC.

We were pleased to bounce back in our ﬁnal group game of the day beang Porthcawl RFC, leading 20-0 when

unfortunately, the game had to be abandoned as the opposion suﬀered one too many injuries.

With the day's rugby objecve met, it was me to answer the next queson; Where's Wally?! Arguably it was the easiest challenge of the weekend –despite the misty rain it turns out it's not hard to spot 22 Wallys, alongside their Wally and Wenda families as they wander into Burnham-on-Sea, and met by their coaches all dressed, black and yellow (almost amber!), as Odlaws; Wally's arch-enemy! Led by our very own Wizard Whitebeard (aka Danny –Letchworth Legend of Minis & Juniors rugby) the squad enjoyed a fantasc evening as we reflected on the season and the Tour so far. Sunday arrived, and with it the sun which quickly dried out the Cheddar Valley. It was Finals Day and first up was Group B winner, Folkstone RFC. Now sporng the black and amber side of their tour kit, adorned with the Herordshire Stag, they knew that a win here would send them to the Cup Final. Folkstone fought hard up front by but were well-matched by our athlec forwards, who secured good ball for our backs to then aack with pace. Tries flowed from set piece and strike plays and Letchworth were worthy winners, 30-10.

We were in the Cup Final! But who would we face? We found out soon enough when Bridgend Athlec cruised through their semi-final scoring 40 unanswered points. It was me to right the wrongs of Saturday's group defeat. We knew we had the ability, the strength, the pace, the team to win, but we had to make sure we had the mindset too. Bridgend were a feisty, well-drilled side and having beaten us the day before we knew that we mustn't let ourselves be drawn into any mind games. Concentrate on us, only us. Smile and play rugby. With the whistle blown what followed was simply a masterclass from the boys in black and amber. Every physical challenge met with the perfect blend of power and skill. Every mental challenge met with a psychological reset as they trusted structure over emoon. Letchworth's first try exemplified this trust in the team. Having won a scrum freekick the team recycled the ball

through the midﬁeld via mulple phases. Forwards carrying and securing ball. Half backs with calm decision-making before breaks and support lines from our strike runners to bust through the defensive wall. With Bridgend backpedalling we crossed the whitewash and, with it, belief grew. And the crowd knew it too as the Wally-faithful roared!

Quality, powerful rugby was on show from both sides throughout the first half, and it was Letchworth who landed a crucial blow before half me with another glorious team try. A Bridgend lineout in their own 22 was ed up by the pack by a well-drilled Letchworth maul. The resultant scrum secured stable ball which was then whipped to the width through a blend of fancy footwork and awesome offloading before ulmately finding the corner. Half me, 10-0 to the Black and Amber.

Despite a promising first aack, Bridgend then pinned Letchworth back and piled on the pressure as the second half progressed. The Letchworth defence stood strong defending their try line for long periods with pure grit and determinaon, but ulmately the pressure told and Bridgend pulled one back. With momentum with the Welsh this was to be the biggest test. The next try being crical. And it was Letchworth who struck. As Bridgend put up a clearing kick, it was fielded near the halfway line by the Letchworth fullback who ran a wide arc at pace to find space on the outside and dot down to ecstac cheers from the crowd.

The remainder of second half felt like an eternity. Bridgend threw everything they had at Letchworth, who refused to yield body or mind. The crowd grew tense but as the minutes passed, with the two-try buﬀer, it seemed like this would be Letchworth's day. And so it was; a truly dramac ﬁnal. And to Letchworth the victor, go the spoils. Their moment in the Somerset sunshine, with the team trophy-li celebrated in front of family and friends.

What a Match! What a Tour! Letchworth U14A – Tour Champions of Somerset!

Not bad for a bunch of Wallys.

Baldock’s favourite for 34 years

Ricky and Edwhat do you do?” I said. This was their reply…. “We are window fitters, We fit windows every day. Are you fit? We hear you ask, That's not for us to say! We carry power tools, Fully charged and with no fuss. What made Milwaukee famous, Has made winners out of us!”

Baldock Bard

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

What an incredible Baldock Fesval it's been this year. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the events and celebrate our town.

Sunshine set the perfect backdrop for the Street Fair, with crowds enjoying the entertainment, local stalls and a brilliant community atmosphere. The ever-popular Car Show was another standout, with an impressive 113 cars registered, and yes, we'll be keeping an eye on the volume of their music next year.

Festival Round-up scarecrow competion

We were delighted to introduce several new events alongside our much-loved favourites. Cavavin, previous supporters of the Cheese and Wine evening at The Cock, hosted a sparkling Bubbles Tasng this year, which proved a huge hit. The Scarecrow Trail also brought plenty of smiles; the number of entries has grown since last year, and we hope to see even more creave characters popping up around Baldock in 2027.

As always, many events help raise funds for the Street Fair, but we're equally proud to support local causes.

This year we donated £800 to Garden House Hospice from the Book Fair and £650 to St Mary's Church from the Fesval Fun Quiz to support their Church Hall renovaon.

A hearelt thank-you goes to all the local businesses and community groups who host events, and to our dedicated Commiee Members and Helpers who make the Fesval possible. If you have ideas for new events or favourites you'd love to see return we'd love to hear from you at info@baldockfesval.org.uk

We'll be back in early December with Carols Round the Tree. For updates on this and next year's programme, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

A massive well done and thank you to everyone who entered this year's Baldock Fesval's scarecrow compeon. We had 3 entries in the first year and had 8 this year and would like to try to double the entries next year !! The tradion of scarecrows in Baldock goes back a long me, with William Hone's account in the Baldock Yearbook of 1832 telling us of the compeon that year. From his descripon of the Lord and Lady effigies of 1832 we think that William would have approved of the entries and we hope the children liked their winnings of sweets and chocolate and the adults enjoyed their wine - You can find some of the entries in this month's Gallery Page

Wow, hasn't this spring been fabulous?

A bit on the dry side, but bright and warm. We had a few minor frosts, nothing too damaging so far, but keep your eyes on the weather forecast. Even as we get into June, the dreaded frost can still strike, as our last plant-damaging frost was recorded here at the garden centre as late as June 12th.

Driving around North Hertfordshire has been a pleasure over the last few months, watching the plants and trees doing their thing. The reason it's been so spectacular is that the weather stayed cool long enough for all the daffodil varieties to open at the same time, giving a lovely yellow-gold glow to the flower beds and the roadside plantings that our North Hertfordshire District Council sponsored a few years ago. I must also thank the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation for making the green spaces around Letchworth look so good.

With the daffodils lasting so long, the tulips then came into flower. There is always a risk to tulip flowers: the weather may get too hot, causing the petals to shatter; this can happen over a few hours, or we may get high winds that destroy them. We had none of these this year, so they stood tall and magnificent, bright beacons of colour among the daffodils.

with no frost to speak of and no cold Easterly winds to destroy them; they really were a sight to be seen. Those of you who own them and look after them, I have to say thank you. Hitchin and Letchworth are the places to see specimen Magnolias.

We now have the big trees coming into leaf, the Horse Chestnut's (Conker trees) have had the perfect weather conditions to flower, and the white and red candles (the flowers) have also been some of the best I can remember. It is so sad to see a tree species that is being slowly killed by a Horse Chestnut leaf-miner, a small alien (Cameraria ohridella), giving such a fantastic display.

We have three Beech trees at the back of our house: two copper beeches, one being a weeping variety and the other a normal green type, all looking magnificent this year. Those of you who know these trees will have noticed that a strange gap has appeared within them; there used to be a cedar tree standing in that gap, but in a storm last year, it blew down, smashing one of our store sheds to pieces, ripping our water supply pipes out of the ground, and causing a sizable flood. The shed also had a three-phase electricity supply, causing some concern for a while, until it was disconnected while live by a man wearing rubber gloves. S ome good news regarding the Beech trees is that this year we have a pair of common Buzzards that have moved in, I assume, to nest and rear a family. Anyone walking past will hear them calling and see them circling above the trees. The female is a very large specimen and makes a great deal of noise.

Centre and perch on the beams, watching me at the till, how wonderful is that?

Swallows live on average 2 to 3 years, and some do not make their first migration due to hazards along the route. My staff and I are now planning how we can make the swallows return here next year, better for them, and to encourage more of them to nest here.

Something urgent I need to tell you. Baldock is being invaded by a nasty weed called Hemlock. Hemlock is indeed a very dangerous plant due to its highly toxic compounds. It kills after being ingested accidentally or deliberately by interfering with the communication between nerves and muscles. More specifically, the plant contains toxic alkaloids, such as coniine, which block nerve-muscle signalling. This leads to progressive paralysis of muscles, especially those used for breathing, ultimately causing respiratory failure. . Why it's dangerous Hemlock poisoning can progress from: salivation, nausea, tremors to muscle paralysis and respiratory failure, which is the main cause of death.

Symptoms can worsen quickly, which is why emergency care is essential. How to Identify it.

BringingyourgardentoLife Graham

Then, very unusually, the Bluebells arrived early, getting into the mix, a gardener's dream, what more could we ask for? Well, we got the May flowers early, some early enough to mix in with the tail end of the daffodils, tulips, and bluebells. What a glorious picture it was. Susan and I had an invitation to a family party in Pevensey Bay, East Sussex, about this time, so we took a long, meandering drive down through Kent and into Sussex, all beyond imagination. I had forgotten how beautiful Kent is in the springtime. We were a bit too early to see the orchards in bloom, but the hedge rows and chestnut woods were full of the most gloriously thick carpets of bluebells. A few weeks after getting back to Baldock, Hertfordshire, my adopted home for forty years, the best display ofMagnolias I have ever seen appeared overnight and lasted for about ten days,

We have, for some years now, left some of the tree area behind our house to rewild. No one is allowed to get near it or to be in it, leaving it just for nature. The results have been that we have a large collection of small birds and songbirds. Our biggest delight is that swallows that have been missing for some years have returned and are nesting in our front porch, the entrance to the Garden Centre , completely ignoring customers flying in over their heads. To my delight and entertainment, they fly in through the front door into the Garden

Hemlock looks similar to cow parsley but has reddish-purple splashes of colour on its main stems; do not mistake it, as the consequences are dire and will require an emergency hospital visit. I use a smartphone app called Picture-this to identify all sorts of plants, and it tells you everything you need to know about Hemlock and any other plant you scan. Hemlock is not easy to physically remove and needs to be killed off with Glyphosate, a non-selective weed killer. Make sure to spray only the weeds you need to kill. Remember to wear personal protective equipment when handling the plant, especially any chemicals. Importantly, use eye protection ,gloves and some sort of arm protection. This isn't meant to scare you, but to give important information about this weed.

Next of Kin

HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors highlights the importance of a Lasng Power of Aorney.

The term 'Next of Kin' is widely known, but its meaning is oen misunderstood. It is the label oen associated with a spouse, parent, child or closest relave. While it carries immense personal and emoonal signiﬁcance, relying on this term alone for legal protecon is a common mistake that can leave your family unable to make vital decisions on your behalf.

Where 'Next of Kin' has meaning (And where it doesn't)

In daily life, the term 'Next of Kin' works perfectly well for medical professionals and/or care providers needing an emergency contact or for general updates. However, in the eyes of the law, a 'Next of Kin' holds no legal right. It does not automacally give a spouse or other family member any rights to access or manage your ﬁnances or possessions or liaise with doctors and carers on your behalf, if you were to lose capacity.

This is why is it important not to wholly rely on being the 'Next of Kin'.

It grants no legal powers when your loved one is in most need of your support.

The only way to secure your decisions - The Lasng Power of Aorney

The Lasng Power of Aorney (LPA) is the only legal document that provides the authority your family needs.

By pung a LPA in place, you are legally authorising someone you trust (your Aorney) to act on your behalf. TV's money expert Marn Lewis has also been raising awareness of LPAs and has said they are more important than a Will, as they protect you while you are alive, whereas a Will only takes eﬀect aer death.

There are two separate LPA's to cover all aspects of your life:

¬ Property & Financial Aﬀairs LPA –Grants power over your bank accounts, property, investments, and savings.

¬ Health & Welfare LPA – Grants power over your medical treatment and care decisions, including, should you wish, lifesustaining treatment.

The Deputyship Order

If your loved one were to lose capacity without a LPA, you can apply to the Court of Protecon for a Deputyship Order.

While you are going through the process, you will not be able to access your loved one's ﬁnances or make health related decisions on their behalf. In fact, the court are oen reluctant to grant even a spouse with the authority to make health and welfare decisions. The me taken to ﬁnalise a deputyship order will vary depending on the complexity of the situaon, any delays geng medical evidence or if objecons are made. The me range can be from 4-12 months or more.

Ready to plan for your future?

To talk to us on all maers connected to Lasng Powers of Aorney and updang your Will email info @hrjforemanlaws.co.uk or call us 01462 458711.

Visit www.hrjforemalaws.co.uk

It’s an all-new reboot of the 1987 movie. The new He-Man movie opens on Earth, where Adam was sent as a child to keep him safe from Eternia’s civil war. The heir to the throne is now a pencil-pushing cubicle drone, getting ticked oﬀ by his line manager for Googling his lost Power Sword. But when Adam ﬁnally tracks down that magical weapon, he’s ready to beam back across the universe.

The gang goes head-to-head with a modern threat: technology. Bonnie's parents gift her a sleek frog shaped tablet named Lilypad. Bonnie quickly shifts her focus from her toy box to the screen, leading Jessie to panic that they are "losing Bonnie to this device Alongside a subplot involving 50 rogue Buzz Lightyear toys, the team must ﬁght to remain relevant in a screen-obsessed world

The story follows a group of ordinary people and whistleblowers who uncover a massive, decadeslong global cover-up: extraterrestrial life is deﬁnitively already on Earth. The plot centers on a desperate attempt to broadcast this truth to the world's seven billion people all at once, while facing Wardex, a powerful organization and corporation that will go to any lengths to stop them

Kara Zor-El celebrates her 21st birthday by traveling across the galaxy with her dog, Krypto. When an unexpected, ruthless adversary threatens them, Kara reluctantly teams up with Ruthye Marye Knoll, a determined young alien seeking vengeance for her father's murder. This forces Kara on an epic, interstellar quest where she must confront her origins to ﬁnd her own path as a hero.

8 Unit 16 Woodside Industrial Park, Works Road, Letchworth SG6 1LA

The Benets of Radial Shockwave Therapy

As part of a variety of treatment opons available from our Osteopaths at Amber Health we offer Radial Shockwave Therapy. Somemes manual therapy and home exercise is not enough so this offers an alternave modality to help people recover from long-standing so ssue injuries. What Is Radial Shockwave Therapy? Radial Shockwave Therapy uses highenergy acousc waves delivered through the skin to smulate the body's natural healing response. The treatment encourages increased blood flow, ssue repair, and regeneraon in areas that may have become slow to heal. Unlike injecons or surgery, shockwave therapy is completely non-invasive and requires no recovery me, making it an aracve opon for busy people wanng effecve treatment without drugs or invasive procedures.

What Condions Can It Help?

Shockwave therapy is commonly used for chronic tendon and so ssue condions, including: ● Plantar fasciis ● Achilles tendon pain ● Tennis elbow ● Shoulder tendon pain ● Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee) ● Hamstring and gluteal tendinopathy

What Does Treatment Feel Like?

During treatment, a handheld device is applied to the aﬀected area. Paents usually describe the sensaon as a series of rapid pulses or tapping feelings. While mildly uncomfortable at mes, most people tolerate it very well, and sessions are relavely quick — oen lasng around 10–15 minutes. Many paents begin nocing improvements aer just a few sessions, parcularly when combined with tailored rehabilitaon exercises and advice.

At Amber Health, shockwave therapy forms part of a wider handson and rehabilitaon-based approach to musculoskeletal care. Treatments are tailored to the individual, ensuring paents receive the right combinaon of therapy, exercise, and advice for long-term recovery.

The clinic supports people of all ages, from athletes aiming to stay acve to individuals simply wanng to move comfortably again. If you've been living with persistent pain that hasn't improved, Radial Shockwave Therapy may be worth considering. For more informaon or to book an appointment, visit Amber Health Amber Health 01462 490141

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‘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.

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Ÿ Tyres & Brakes

Ÿ Brake Pads, Discs

Ÿ MOT Repairs

Ÿ Commercial Van Servicing

Ÿ Oil Changes & Services

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GARAGE SCHEME

The Majority Stylo is a neat reminder that vinyl does not have to be complicated, frighteningly expensive, or wrapped in the sort of hi-ﬁ mysque that makes newcomers run for cover. It is a premium-looking turntable with a sensible, modern feature set, aimed at people who want the ritual of records without having to build an enre shrine to analogue audio. Majority describes it as a compact Bluetooth record player with an Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge, RCA output and a die-cast metal plaer.

Straight out of the box, the Stylo feels more grown-up than many entry-level record players. There is a proper separate plaer, a felt mat, an RCA cable, a ground cable, a spare belt and a 45 RPM adaptor, which gives the impression that Majority expects you to treat your records properly rather than simply drop them onto a plasc suitcase deck. Setup is sll refreshingly straighorward, although fing the belt is the sort of job that benefits from a calm moment, good light and perhaps not too much coffee.

The star feature for me is ﬂexibility. The Stylo includes a built-in pre-amp, so you can connect it directly to powered

speakers using the line output. If you already have a phono stage or tradional ampliﬁer, you can switch it into phono mode and use the supplied ground cable. There is also Bluetooth 5.3 output, which means you can send your vinyl to Bluetooth speakers or headphones. Purists may raise an eyebrow, but I rather like the praccality. Somemes you just want to play an old LP without rearranging the living room.

Majority Stylo Turntable

The adjustable counterweight, an-skate control and pitch adjustment make the Stylo feel like a real turntable rather than a fashion accessory.

There are caveats. It has no built-in speakers, so you will need external speakers or headphones. The manual approach also means you must cue and return the tonearm yourself, which is part of the charm for some and a faﬀ for others.

Overall, the Majority Stylo is a smart halfway house between beginner convenience and proper hi-ﬁ habits. It is approachable, well-equipped and stylish without trying too hard. For anyone rediscovering old records in the lo, or starng a vinyl collecon from scratch, this is a very likeable place to begin.

It is also pleasing to see an AudioTechnica AT3600L moving magnet cartridge ﬁed. That is a respected, dependable cartridge for this kind of deck, and far preferable to the anonymous ceramic cartridges found on cheaper novelty players. WWW.THEGADGETMAN.ORG.UK

The early May Bank Holiday saw the Baldock Beer Fesval return to its tradional place in the calendar aer a brief foray into high summer in 2025. The weather held (mostly) and it was a tremendous success, with a fantasc turnout from loyal Baldockians, and visitors from further aﬁeld, helping to create a wonderful atmosphere throughout the event.

Fesval-goers enjoyed (and almost ﬁnished) an impressive selecon of nearly 80 diﬀerent cask beers, keg beers and ciders, alongside wines and spirits, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy. They didn't go hungry either – fabulous food was always on hand with top-quality toases, burgers, hot-dogs and pases being served throughout. Even the children were entertained, with axethrowing (no, not real axes!), facepainng and taoos amongst other things.

Music played across not one, not two, but THREE diﬀerent stages during the fesval – a fantasc outdoor stage provided by London Road Studios, the Balstock stage indoors and, for the ﬁrst

me, a special performance using Baldock's iconic phone box as the fesval's third stage by……. who else?...... The Rolling Phones ! But none of this comes together without the incredible support of our army of volunteers. We must give a huge thank you to everyone who gave their me and energy in so many ways, seng up and clearing down, serving at the bar, cooking toases, burgers and pases, lier picking, and generally helping the event run smoothly from start to ﬁnish.

We also have to thank all our casksponsors, and suppliers who give us great service because they understand what we do; our good friends from Balstock, who are also able to raise funds during the event to help run their great fesval; all of the talented bands and performers who entertained the crowds across the weekend and helped make the fesval such a lively and enjoyable occasion; and everyone who came along to support and enjoy the Baldock Beer Fesval. Your support not only made the event such a success but also helped us raise valuable funds that

will now be distributed to good causes within the community.

Some quick numbers to end –although our Treasurer, Brent, is sll ﬁnalising the accounts, its already clear that we have achieved a good surplus –around £7,000 will be distributed to local groups and charies nominated by our volunteers in return for their hard work, and another £8,000 or so will be available to go into our funds for distribuon to good causes over the coming year.

We are very proud to say that, since starng the Baldock Beer Fesval some 19 years ago, we have been able to distribute around £140,000 in total to help local groups and charies, and to relieve hardship.

Roll on next year!

Don McKenzie – Chair, Baldock Beer Fesval

Ÿ TREE REMOVALS

TREE REDUCTIONS Ÿ STUMP GRINDING Ÿ CROWN THINNING

Ÿ EMERGENCIES SERVICES

Ÿ GREEN WASTE REMOVALS

Ÿ LOG SUPPLIES & SPLITTING

Ÿ FENCING

Ÿ LAND CLEARANCES

Technology has transformed the way we live and work. At the same me, divorce rates remain high, with many couples cing smartphones, tablets and social media as signiﬁcant factors in relaonship breakdowns. It raises an interesng queson: has our constant connecvity become a wider social issue that also impacts the workplace?

With emails, instant messages and noﬁcaons arriving around the clock, meaningful conversaons with customers are oen replaced by endless digital exchanges. A loyal customer of 25 years can receive a proposal from a competor and, amidst the noise of hundreds of daily emails, decide to give them a try instead. We're always looking for new ideas, stronger approaches and fresh concepts.

Somemes, however, it's worth reﬂecng on the past. Many employees may have been at university in 1995,

but most of us remember a me before smartphones, tablets and social media dominated our lives.

Back then, you didn't start every day with 200 emails waing for your aenon. In fact, many people wouldn't have received 200 memos in an enre year. Imagine bringing some of that 1995 mindset back into business today. More face-to-face meengs. More planned conversaons. Fewer distracons. That competor's proposal may never even have made it past the waste bin.

How much stronger could business relaonships become?

How much greater could growth be? How much more movated and engaged would people feel?

For me, the thought alone puts a smile on my face. Somemes, looking forward starts with remembering what we've lost along the way.

Here we are preparing our cake stall for the fesval street fair. We sold steadily throughout the day raising in excess of £300.00 whilst enjoying the sunshine.

We have enjoyed an aernoon walking with alpacas from Corn Hill Alpacas, completed by tea and cake. We are looking forward to a local boat cruise with ﬁsh and chip lunch and aernoon tea at Hitchin Lavender ﬁelds. Not all our oungs include food but we do love a slice of cake!

We have also enjoyed a fascinang talk by crime writer Sherry Hostler describing how she became a published author.

The WI is an organisaon for all women with no polical or religious aﬃliaon. We would be delighted to see you at one of our meengs on the second Thursday of the month at the United Reform church. The AGM is in June so why not make that your ﬁrst visit, or email us at baldockandclothallwi@gmail.co.uk

Portuguese-Style Pork with Clams

Happy June everyone — Summer's ﬁnally arrived! Time to dig the garden furniture out, dust oﬀ the BBQ and make the most of the longer evenings. We're looking forward to the warmer months at Eight too, especially as we've just taken delivery of some new outdoor tables and chairs for drinks and nibbles in the sunshine. We've also recently changed the menu to keep things as seasonal as possible and transferred our tomato and strawberry plants down to the allotment ready for the months ahead. It's one of the most exciting times of the year in the kitchen.

At this time of year I always think about relaxed meals outdoors — little trattorias, tucked-away tavernas, waterfront seafood shacks and lively enotecas. This month's recipe was inspired by a trip to Lisbon a few years ago where we let the waiter choose our meal for us. It turned out to be one of the best things we ate all trip and, funnily enough, probably something we'd never have ordered ourselves. Sometimes that's the best way to dine.

That idea is very much the inspiration behind our Wine Supper Clubs at Eight, four courses with paired wines inspired by a diﬀerent region each month. Hopefully guests discover something they may never normally order but end up absolutely loving. On Thursday 18th June, we'll be celebrating the food, wine and culture of Portugal and this dish would ﬁt perfectly on the table. If you'd like to join us, you can book your place via our website.

This recipe comfortably feeds a family of four but works brilliantly as a batch cook too, so consider doubling the quantities and freezing half for another evening later in the month.As always, try to buy the best quality ingredients you're comfortable with and support local where possible.

Carne de Porco à Portuguesa Serves 4

Marinate the Pork

Ingredients

Ÿ 800g pork shoulder or pork belly, cut into large bite-sized pieces

Ÿ 10 garlic cloves, ﬁnely sliced

Ÿ 2 tsp smoked paprika

Ÿ 1 tsp sweet paprika

Ÿ 1 tsp sea salt

Ÿ ½ tsp black pepper

Ÿ 2 bay leaves

Ÿ 200ml white wine

Ÿ 50ml white wine vinegar

Method

Place the pork into a bowl with all the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.

Prepare the Potatoes

Ÿ 700g waxy potatoes, peeled and cut into 2–3cm cubes

Ÿ 1 litre vegetable oil or neutral frying oil

Ÿ Sea salt

Method

Rinse the potatoes under cold water and pat completely dry. Heat the oil to 170°C and fry the potatoes in batches until golden and crisp, around 6–8 minutes. Alternatively, cook them in the air fryer at 170°C for 12–15 minutes or roast in a hot oven with olive oil at 220°C until crisp. Drain and season lightly with sea salt.

Cook the Pork & Clams

Ÿ Marinated pork

Ÿ 2 tbsp olive oil

Ÿ 1 large onion (approx. 200g), sliced

Ÿ 500g fresh clams, cleaned

Ÿ 100ml water or chicken stock

Ÿ 30g fresh coriander, roughly chopped

Ÿ Juice of ½ lemon

Method

Remove the pork from the marinade, reserving the liquid. Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pan or casserole over a medium-high heat and brown the pork well on all sides until nicely caramelised. Add the sliced onion and cook until softened before pouring in the reserved marinade and stock or water. Simmer gently for 40–45 minutes until the pork is tender. Now add the clams, cover with a lid and cook for 4–5 minutes until they open. Stir through the crispy potatoes, coriander and lemon juice before checking the seasoning.

Serve with:

Ÿ lemon wedges

Ÿ extra coriander

Ÿ crusty bread

Ÿ a chilled glass of white wine or vinho verde The dish should feel rich, smoky, savoury and bright all at once — crispy potatoes soaking up the pork juices and clam liquor beautifully.

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