On Our Doorstep Baldock April 2025 by onourdoorstepbaldock

Welcome

Spring is ﬁnally here, and things are looking up! The daﬀodils are in full bloom, the days are getting longer and brighter and it's been a good few weeks since we've had to de-ice a car!

In this bumper edition, we're thrilled to present the full program for the Baldock Festival 2025! The calendar is packed full with exciting events taking place in our wonderful town throughout May. There's something for everyone, and it's a fantastic opportunity to see Baldock alive with activity now that our winter hibernation is coming to an end.

The Easter holidays are fast approaching! Hopefully, you enjoy some well-earned time oﬀ during the bank holiday weekend and the sun makes a welcomed appearance. Jacqui is already planning an Easter egg hunt in the garden for our granddaughter meanwhile I'm more interested in the hot cross buns!

This month, we have a very special article from local resident Nicky, who shares her incredible journey following a road accident in Baldock. Nicky is a tough cookie and her story of resilience is truly inspiring. She's sharing the support and helping others by raising funds for swimming lessons for disabled individuals. You can show your support by sponsoring her eﬀorts, with more details in her article.

Regarding this years book sale at the Baldock Festival, if you have any books that you would like to donate, please drop them oﬀ to Baldock Community Centre.

Unfortunately, there have been reports of another couple of Baldock homes being broken into and having the cars stolen and other vehicles broken into in the area. It's something none of us want to experience, so please remember to lock your vehicles, avoid leaving valuables inside and stay vigilant.

If you're interested in advertising in future issues or have an idea for a topic you'd like to see covered, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Take care, enjoy the sunny days ahead, and we'll see you next month!

Paul & Jacqui

info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk or 07973 788418

Baldock Rotary makes Donation to MNDA

At Baldock Rotary this week President Garry Blyth and Immediate Past President Keith Brier were pleased to present a cheque for £1500 to Lindsay Lucas who is Secretary of the Herordshire Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Associaon

The MND Associaon provides a broad range of support to families with a member who is suﬀering from this incredibly cruel disease that strips those aﬀected of their independence and changes peoples' lives forever.

Their services include friendship, access to various resources, regular contact opportunies, fundraising acvies and support for naonal

campaigns highlighng awareness of and the impact of MND.

The Herordshire branch is run enrely by volunteers and provides a vital link between the Naonal Associaon and the local Herordshire community and they aim to make a posive diﬀerence to people who are aﬀected by MND by:

Ÿ Vising with those living with MND, providing support and informaon to those suﬀering from MND and their carers.

Ÿ Trained Associaon Visitors aached to the Branch provide personal and direct contact with those living with MND. They oﬀer support, help, and guidance to those living with MND and their families. They can help with navigang the way through the health and social care system.

Ÿ Fundraising to pay for equipment not provided elsewhere, and to contribute to things that provide quality of life such as transport, therapies or holiday costs.

Ÿ Raising awareness of the disease through the local media, newsleers and their website.

Ÿ Playing an acve part in networking and building relaonships locally with health and social care professionals, to inﬂuence and improve services for people with MND.Holding regular, informal open meengs where people with MND, their carers and families have various opportunies to meet other people living with the disease and to share experiences.

Baldock Rotary are pleased to help with a donaon to this worthy cause and wish the MND Associaon, Herordshire Branch every success with their important work.

The photograph shows Lindsey Lucas, Secretary of Herts MNDA receiving the cheque from Baldock Rotary President Garry Blyth (centre) and Past President Keith Brier (right) Rotarian - Paul Lucke

What Drives You? New 2025 Subaru Forester

Since its launch in 1997, the Subaru Forester has been a mainstay of the motoring world, with more than ﬁve million vehicles sold globally and over 400,000 cars shied in Europe alone. The 2025 iteraon keeps momentum by mixing reﬁnement with ruggedness to become the perfect companion for adventure.

The new Forester has been redesigned to express its all-weather performance with cleaner, simpler, and more subtle styling. The vehicle oﬀers improved drivability and increased on and oﬀ-road capability over the earlier model. It matches Subaru's iconic symmetrical, always-on, all-wheel drive system to an enhanced edion of the company's renowned e-Boxer mild-hybrid power unit. It also boasts an improved X-mode terrain selecon system and classleading 220mm ground clearance.

The Forester oﬀers three trim levels: Limited, Field, and Touring. The test subject here is the £42,995 top-of-theline Touring model, which is aracve with its glossy blacked-out exterior trim and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Indeed, the Subaru impresses with its new looks at ﬁrst glance.

By Tim Barnes-Clay - Follow on Instagram @tbarnsclay

The front grille adds a sense of width and solidity, capped by slender signature lights and blackout headlamps that give it a contemporary feel. Fresh LED cornering lights also increase nightme visibility by lighng up the front of the vehicle while turning, helping you spot potenal obstrucons sooner.

The side is deﬁned by sleek lines interrupted only by pleasingly sculpted wheel arches that accommodate aracve alloy wheels, contribung to the Forester's robust appearance.

The large-opening tailgate provides a spacious cargo area, which we'll discuss further in a bit. Plus, details, such as a hummingbird design on the windscreen and paw prints on the door trim, contribute to the Subaru's lively personality.

The new Forester comes with an 11.6inch Full HD infotainment touchscreen with a resoluon of 1920x1080 to improve the usability of its features and controls. The system has increased connecvity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - and improved navigaon compable with what3words.

The Subaru's 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine delivers

smooth acceleraon and torque. The X-mode is ideal for going off the tarmac - and has sengs for stuff like mud and snow. And you'll be glad that the front seats are designed to minimise fague and maximise comfort during long drives. The cabin also offers class-leading quietness thanks to acve acousc engineering. This serves to create a serene environment.

Funconally, the 2025 Forester boasts an impressive 508 litres of boot space, expandable to 1,720 litres when needed. Features like the hands-free powered tailgate with a kick sensor simplify loading and unloading.

The redesigned Forester's permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive and specially engineered e-Boxer mildhybrid powertrain manage the power split between the electric motor and engine through seamless switching between three driving modes: Engine, EV, and Motor Assist. This versality enhances fuel eﬃciency according to driving condions.

All Subaru Crosstreks have a factory warranty of three years or 60,000

miles. The tracon baery has an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty. Maintenance intervals are every 12,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes ﬁrst.

Although it sells well globally, this model isn't considered especially common in the UK compared with other vehicles, which adds to its appeal by ensuring you'll stand out. Only me will reveal whether this sixth-generaon Forester becomes the best-selling version to date.

Fast Facts

New 2025 Subaru Forester:

Ÿ Max speed: 117 mph

Ÿ 0-62 mph: 12.2 secs

Ÿ Fuel economy: 34.9 mpg

Ÿ Engine layout: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Ÿ Max. power (BHP): 134

Ÿ CO2: 183 g/km

Ÿ Price from: £42,995 – as tested (Touring model)

A 325 Strong Crowd Witness Greatness!

I am really proud of our Dancers today. Aer weeks of preparaon, today was the day of the ﬁnal rehearsal before the big live show!

The team were all nervous as they were preparing to pracse on the stage this aernoon, but the nerves didn't show at all as they had an amazing me in the bright lights. Their dance got a lovely ovaon from the other schools watching.

We then watched the other schools performances and gave them a big cheer as they were all super too.

The evening was here. The night was upon us. It was me for the live event. Over 325 spectators poured through the doors eagerly ancipang the show of all shows. It didn't disappoint. Our children showed tremendous spirit and courage,

smiling their way through a breath taking performance. Possibly the greatest dance to Aladdin's 'Friend Like Me' in history.

The round of applause was thunderous. Their parents so proud. For most of them, it was their ﬁrst me on stage in front of an audience, let alone a 300 strong auditorium!

They are all superstars in my eyes.

Well done St Mary's Dance Team.

Sco Hagland - PE Teacher

Screen

The amateur The penguin lessons

Out 11th April

Charlie Heller, played by Rami Malek, is a brilliant but introverted CIAcryptographer whose world comes crashing down when his wife is murdered in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, his intelligence becomes the ultimate weapon as he embarks on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible.

Out 18th April

Set inArgentina in 1976, the film follows English teacherTom Michell as he arrives at a prestigious boarding school, only to find himself struggling with a nation in turmoil and a class of unruly students. His life takes an unexpected turn when he rescues a small penguin from an oil-slicked beach. He finds unexpected wisdom and transformation through his unlikely friendship with the bird

CertiﬁcateRunningTime 12A 110mins Certiﬁcate RunningTime 12A 103mins

the accountant 2

Out 25th April

When someone close to her is killed by unknown assassins,Treasury Agent Marybeth Medina is forced to contact Christian Wolﬀ to solve the murder. With the help of his estranged but highly lethal brother Brax, Chris applies his brilliant mind and less-than-legal methods to piece together the unsolved puzzle.As they get closer to the truth, they draw the attention of the most ruthless killers alive.

Certiﬁcate RunningTime 18 124 mins

THE LEGEND OF OCHI

Out 25th April

Ayoung girl namedYuri is raised to fear the reclusive forest creatures known as the Ochi. However, when she discovers a baby Ochi left behind by its pack, she embarks on a perilous journey to reunite the creature with its family.AsYuri ventures deeper into the forest, she faces dangerous challenges and learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the importance of protecting nature.

Certiﬁcate RunningTime 12A 96 mins

07572 532618

www.bb-carpentry.co.uk

ASHWELL WESTON

Adolescence – Nelix

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!

Stephen Graham, in my view, is the ﬁnest Brish actor of his generaon. When I read he was pung his name behind a new 4 part Nelix depicon of teen on teen violence and the challenges young people face today, I knew it would be good. He hasn't let me down.

I work in children's social care and Adolescence is essenal viewing; not just for parents of pre-teens and teens, but everyone. I urge you to watch it and develop your understanding of the societal mineﬁeld our children must navigate today. Having worked in police custody suites, youth Secure Training Centres and schools its aenon to detail and procedure is scarily accurate.

The narrave centres on 13-year-old Jamie Miller, portrayed by total newcomer Owen Cooper (you will be astounded), who is arrested for the alleged murder of his classmate, Kae. This shocking incident unravels the fabric of a seemingly ordinary family and community, prompng a deep exploraon into the factors leading to such a tragedy.

One of the series' most striking features is its ﬁlming technique. Each episode is captured in a single connuous shot, a method previously employed by director Philip Baranni in “Boiling Point” in his previous collaboraon with Stephen Graham (if you've seen that you'll never want to work in a kitchen). This approach immerses viewers in real-me events, heightening the tension and emoonal impact. From the very ﬁrst episode,

Vehicle Accident Repair Specialists

and the police raid on Owen's house you'll be hooked as events play out in shocking real me.

The performances are universally commendable. Stephen Graham, who also co-writes the series, delivers a powerful portrayal of Eddie Miller, Jamie's father, capturing the anguish and confusion of a parent grappling with unimaginable circumstances. Ashley Walters brings depth to the role of DI Luke Bascombe, the detecve seeking to understand the movaons behind such a heinous act. Erin Doherty gives a considered performance as a child psychologist preparing a pre-sentence report; curious about her childhood subject but equally horriﬁed at his child status and propensity for anger. However, it is Owen Cooper's portrayal of the child subject Jamie that stands out; his performance oscillates between vulnerability and volality, embodying the tragic complexity of a young boy ensnared by dark inﬂuences.

Themacally, “Adolescence” confronts the disturbing rise of online radicalisaon and misogyny among young men, the Andrew Tate 'manosphere'. The series illustrates how Jamie's immersion into toxic online communies fosters a warped percepon of relaonships and self-worth, ulmately leading to catastrophic decisions. The drama's mely examinaon of issues such as incel culture, bullying, and social media-fuelled misogyny is unﬂinchingly near the mark.

For me the stand our episode was Ashely Walters as DI Bascombe 'blundering' around a modern day secondary schoolaempng to obtain an understanding from the pupils their as to the move for Kae's killing. His son, also a pupil at the school, pulls him aside and outlines that he's making a fool of himself in trying to understand everything; inmang that as an adult, he is many steps behind how children are using social media to develop their own language, social norms and use it play out their own form of trail and sentencing. I ﬁnd this a frightening proposion – that ulmately no maer as adults how much we try and understand these social plaorms our children are using, we are always 5 steps behind them.

In conclusion, “Adolescence” is a compelling and thoughtprovoking series that combines innovave storytelling with stellar performances. It serves as both a cauonary tale and a call to acon, urging society to address the insidious threats lurking within the digital landscapes our youth navigate daily. It also asks us to reﬂect upon our own helpless addicon to smartphones , how we are raising boys in the 21st century and the apparent failings of all of us as a society to respond to threats online and to keep children safe.

‘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

r T Tips f Stating Gardening r Now Spring is Hee

Gardening is a great form of exercise, and like any exercise having the right equipment and a good technique can help to prevent injuries from occurring. The following ps should help you garden with more comfort. Start slowly.

Gradually building up your workload starng with lighter jobs before moving onto the more demanding jobs helps to warm your joints and muscles. Take regular breaks.

Always remember to listen to your body, if you start to feel red or experience any pain STOP and have a break. Even beer if you can set a mer and have a break every 20-30 minutes before any pain starts. Check your tools.

Gardening tools have changed a lot over the years. Lighter and longer handled weeders, shovels and rakes with angled handles help you avoid poor posture and reduce the stress on your joints. Make sure you try equipment in the store before you buy it.

Watch how you li. When liing make sure you keep your back straight and bend from your knees, also ensure the object is close to you before liing it. If the object is heavy or an awkward size, get some help before trying to move it. Avoid liing and twisng. Let your tools do the work. When digging ensure that you use your foot to push down on the spade or fork, and instead of bending over to bring the fork or spade out of the ground, pull the handle back using it like a leaver, then bend your knees as you li the fork out of the ground. Don't let your knees take all the strain!

When you are kneeling, be mindful of your posion, using knee pads or a cushion can help reduce the pressure going through your knees. Or try kneeling with one knee on the ground and the other up, and switch knees as needed to alleviate the pressure.

If any pain is stopping you from enjoying your gardening, then please phone the clinic on 01462 490 141 to see one of our Osteopaths, who can help get you back in the garden pain free again.

Louise Adam - Amber Health

Baldock’s favourite for 30 years

Baldock's favourite for '33' years

After the easter eggs have been eaten the poor Easter Bunny is tired and beaten In order to make all things seem right he's oﬀ to Luton Airport for the Benidorm ﬂight! Meanwhile in Baldock the following Saturday Baldock Bootsale returns to play The 33rd season of the Baldock Boot (fair) after 'Happy Easter' we'll see you there!

Baldock Bard

Open again from the 26th April

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

e Feling my age

This modern world is a lile too much for me somemes. There was a me when our homes were just filled with furniture and family photos. Now we have 'Smart Homes.' Years ago, we had a Teas Made if we wanted a cuppa before we had our morning wee. Now we have smart keles so instead of flipping on the kele while I'm passing, I can get Alexa to set it to boil so I don't miss anything on the telly. My washing machine, dishwasher and telly are all Smart apparently, I may never have to move again. Only, that's not quite right is it; I sll have to get up and fill them up with washing, water, plates, so unl they come with a compable version of Tom Hardy to do this for me, I don't really see the point of them. I mean, who loads a washing machine in the morning, goes to work then at lunchme says “oh! I must phone the washing machine to tell it to turn on.” What is the point of a touch screen fridge? Seriously, you can now look at what's inside your fridge so you don't have to open the door? Then you have to open the door anyway to get to the cheese. I cannot see it, my kids do not visit me to see a picture of what food I've got in, they need to open the door and rummage. If it comes to that, I'll take a photo of the contents before they visit.

I can about cope with a Smart phone because I've evolved alongside them,but even so, I'm beginning to lose the ﬁght.

Every me you upgrade, there are ten new features that will make your life so much beer, but the trouble is, you have to be Einstein to set the darn thing up. I've had my current one for about two years and am overdue for an upgrade (according to my money sucking supplier). I am resisng this with all my might, I no longer have the paence to transfer all my contacts to the 'Cloud' so I can download them again. I just want to take the odd picture of the grandkids; I have no need for a natural grain and have no idea what a bokeh blur is. If I'm honest, I use the camera mostly for taking pictures of ny instrucons so I can zoom in to read them. I don't need ﬁlters or adapve pixels, and I already have an ultra-wide rear. Thank you very much.

If I had a new car, it would have a rear-view camera so I could park safely. I'm sorry, but there are windows, I can see what I'm doing, I've been driving for thirty years and as far as I can tell, looking forward while moving backwards is tantamount to disaster. I do have a sat nav, which when in use annoys the bejesus out of me. I mean, I know its helpful when you don't know where you're going but when you are rocking out to AC/DC's highway to hell, you don't want to hear “turn le at the next juncon.” The thought of a selfdrive model ﬁlls me with dread. I get

itchy when I'm being driven by another human. I'm constantly pressing the break, hanging on to the door handle and sucking in sharp gasps of breath. Don't try and tell me you don't, every driver I know does it when confronted with having to occupy the passenger seat.

Then we have the Ring Doorbell, what is that for? If someone comes to my door when I'm out, tough. I'm not there, I don't care. It's bad enough when the Witnesses are around if you're in, at least you can see them gathering at the boom of your path and you can hide (you just know who they are, them and canvassers always roam in packs) Imagine cheekily checking who's has the audacity to be pressing your doorbell when you're in a meeng at work and its them. Half the pleasure in rejecng them is in the use of some well-placed Anglo Saxon or pretending to be a Devil Worshiper, can't do that in front of the management team can you.

Our world is geng smaller and more complicated, and I'm feeling more removed from it. It's obviously a generaonal thing; I just didn't think I'd ever be part of that generaon.

Nicky

The 40 Baldock Festival Programme of Events

Wednesday 26th April - Friday 31st May th

Message from Kathryn Stacey, Fesval Chair 2025

This year is the 40th Baldock Fesval with a great programme of events over the fortnight. The Fesval is always the ﬁrst 2 weeks of May and this year kicks oﬀ with a brand new event - Port and Cheese tasng at the Cock, supported by Caravin.

We have some favourites back including Wine tasng, the Book Fair, Teddy Bear's Picnic, and the Fesval Quiz. The Street Fair will be on Saturday 17th May with street entertainment, stalls, re-enactors and much more. The Classic Car show will follow on Sunday 18th May. There are also some changes, replacing the Gin event, we now invite you and your inner pirate to the Rum tasng!

We are lucky to live in a Community which is very well supported by local businesses and community groups who arrange these events to bring us together. Please do support them where you can - there is something to interest everyone. Tickets go on sale on Saturday 12th April, please check the programme lisngs to conﬁrm how to buy ckets - Community Centre, Fesval website or directly from the vendor.

The Fesval commiee are all volunteers who I would like to thank for all their hard work in preparing the amazing programme of events for us all to enjoy.

So Baldock, thank you in advance for all your support and I look forward to seeing you all out and about having fun in May.

Tickets on Sale from Saturday12th April 2024

In-person ticket sales will begin at 10am on Saturday 12th April, You will nd us on the grass area near to Pixies until 3pm".

Tickets will then go on sale on the website and will be available to buy from the community centre after 4pm

Keep an eye on the website for the latest information:

www.baldockfestival.org

Baldock Scarecrow Compeon

Baldock & Surrounding areas

Place your scarecrow where it's visible. Submit the form & photo by 16th May. Judging will take place during the Street Fair (17th). Winners will be chosen by public vote from a display of your photos on the Fesval Stand.

£3.50, Entry forms from Baldock Community Centre or the Baldock Fesval Website.

Art Trail Compeon

Baldock Arts & Heritage Centre

Explore the town's shop windows & spot the Amazing Art works! Solve the puzzle & enter the prize draw!

Trail sheets available at BAHC.

Could you pass your driving test again!

Around Baldock & Letchworth

Support Garden House Hospice! For anyone 30+, with a car & insurance. Take a 30-minute mock test with a qualiﬁed instructor. Fault costs: minor (25p), serious (£1), dangerous (£2). Book with Sean - 07530 532172.

£5 per mock test + any faults you incur!!

In conversaon with Ross Greenwood at Baldock Library

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Interesng talk with Ross Greenwood, the author of the murder mysteriesDeath at Horsey Mere & The Village Killer.

£5 from Baldock Library

Port & Cheese Pairing Event @ The Cock

The Cock Public House 7:30 PM

5 unique cheeses paired with 5 specialty selected ports. Supported by Caravin & The Cheese Plate.

£20 from Baldock Community Centre, Baldock Fesval or directly from The Cock

Baldock Country Market

The Victoria 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Baldock Country Market is at the Victoria Pub Fridays 9-11am selling homemade cras, baked goods, preserves & homegrown plants. FREE Entry

Indie Beer Fesval @ The Orange Tree

Orange Tree Public House

Cask & Keg beers, plus real ciders from independent brewers. Live Music & Hot Food!

FREE Entry

Coﬀee Morning at URC

United Reformed Church 10:00 AM12:00 PM

A morning where friends can meet to chat over coﬀee & cake. There will be cakes, preserves & books for sale. All welcome.

FREE Entry

Historic walk around Baldock

Around Baldock 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Anna will take you on a 1.5 mile stroll around the back lanes & footpaths in town to discover the rich history that our lovely Baldock Town has to oﬀer. The route is suitable for most including mobility scooters, but may not be appropriate for small children & dogs. Meet at the Community Centre. £6 from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval Website

Indie Beer Fesval @ The Orange Tree

The Orange Tree Public House

Cask & Keg beers, plus real ciders from independent brewers. Live Music & Hot Food!

FREE Entry

Jazz Spectacular The Knights Templar School

The Knights Templar school 7:00 - 10:00 PM

Directed by Mr Will Byers, the KTS All Stars Big Band will play instrumental & vocal jazz from the past 90 years. There will be a bar selling wine, beer & so drinks.

Adults £10, Conc £7 & KTS pupils £5. Available from sbond@kts.school or the school recepon. Also via Wisepay.

Whose Wine Is It Anyway?

St. Mary's Church Hall 7:30 - 10:00 PM

Think you're a wine connoisseur? Join Town Twinning for a fun wine tasng evening. Our “experts” present wines—can you spot the bluﬀ? Come solo or in a group. Inc 5 wines, a takehome glass, & cheese nibbles. A bar & raﬄe will also be available.

£20 from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval Website. Also available from Baldock Town Twinning Live Music: Jam Session

The Hen & Chickens 7:30 PM Rockers/Rollers/Folkers/Jokers/Pipers Poets/Singers/Dreamers

Acousc Jam, all encouraged to join in, in-house PA. Come & join in the fun.

FREE Entry

Chez Burton

Chez Burton will be hosng 3 diﬀerent events, one on each Saturday of the fesval. Their legendary Mixology Masterclass returns, along with a Margarita aernoon and a Beer Tasng collaboraon with Bunngford Brewery. Visit their website for up to date informaon

Live Music: Black Squirrels

The Hen & Chickens 4:00PM

The Black Squirrels are a Classic Rock Band from Herordshire. Set ranges from AC/DC to ZZ top!

FREE Entry

Indie Beer Fesval @ The Orange Tree

The Orange Tree Public House Cask & Keg beers, plus real ciders from independent brewers. Live Music & Hot Food!

FREE Entry

The Belgian Beer Experience Malngs Fish & Chips 5:00 - 7:30 PM Embark on an unforgeable journey through the heart of Belgium, where you'll indulge in the rich flavours & vibrant culture that this charming country has to offer. Inc 6 beers, frites & a waffle!

£20 from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval Website

Caribbean Dinner at Eight Eight. 6:00 - 10:00 PM

Enjoy a 3 course Caribbean-inspired menu using authenc West Indian recipes & ulising the best in Brish produce.

£45 (£85 including Rum Cocktails) from www.eightbaldock.co.uk

Monday 5th May

BALDOCK IRISH DAY

High Street 12:00 - 9:00 PM

The High Street will become a small Irish market town with aernoon music sessions in the Cock & White Lion. Enjoy top tradional musicians from the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Scotland & Ireland! Sing along stage outside Cafe Luna. The Maria Grant School of Dancing perform at all venues from 3:30 PM.

FREE Entry

Bowls Club Open Day

Avenue Park 1:00 - 5:00 PM

Try your hand at bowls with club coaching available. Please wear ﬂat shoes. Enjoy tea & biscuits in the pavilion, with the bar open. For more informaon, call 01462 892059.

FREE EVENT

Historic walk around Baldock

Around Baldock 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Anna will take you on a 1.5 mile stroll around the back lanes & footpaths in town to discover the rich history that our lovely Baldock Town has to oﬀer. The route is suitable for most mobility scooters, but may not be appropriate for small children & dogs. Meet at the Community Centre.

£6 per person from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval Website Gregynog Ensemble St. Marys Church 3:30 PM

Featuring local clarinest Alison Eales & her String Ensemble, playing music by Piazzolla (Tango Ballet) Somervell & Nael. Interval tea with cakes included. £13 from Baldock Community Centre, Baldock Fesval website or on the door Over 40s Football

Baldock (Mondays) at The Arena & Hitchin (Fridays) at Priory School. 8:00 - 9:00 PM

Free session for newcomers. A friendly, recreaonal game of football with those who sll love a kick about. All standards & ages welcome, we have some players in their 60s. We play every Monday at the Arena, as well as Fridays in Hitchin. Just turn up, or text Alan on 07581 375953 for more details. FREE EVENT

Thursday 2nd May Tuesday 6th May

Craea - Baldock Library

Baldock Library 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Open to all, drop in, bring your current cra project & have a chat over a cuppa!! Refreshments provided. FREE EVENT

Try Bell Ringing

St. Marys Church 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Teddy Bears' Picnic

Weston Way Nursery 3:30 - 4:45 PM

For children aged 7 & under (must be accompanied by an adult). There will be a Teddy Bear raﬄe. Bring your own picnic & teddy. If wet, the event may be postponed unl Tues 13th or cancelled; phone to check: 01462 892172

Children & Adults £1, Babies & teddies FREE, pay on the door.

Fesval Movie Quiz

The Orange Tree Public House 8:0010:30 PM

Team sizes of up to 6 for this moviethemed quiz. Call the Orange Tree on 01462 892341 to book your tables. £5 per head.

£5 per person, pay on the door

Wednesday 7th May

Baby Rhyme Time

Baldock Library 10:30 - 11:00 AM

Every Weds morning, Donaons encouraged.

FREE EVENT

Views Of Old Baldock

Baldock Museum 11:00 AM –3:00PM

"Views Of Old Baldock" - painngs, prints & drawings of the town dang back to the 18th century. Every Weds, Fri & Sat unl 14th May

FREE EVENT

Over 50s Singles Night at Eight Eight. 6:00 - 11:00 PM

A singles night for the over 50s. Includes a welcome drink & 3 course meal in a communal style seng. Book from Mon 21st March

£65 from www.eightbaldock.co.uk

Baldock Folk Club Presents: Dave Kelly + Karen Macwhinnie & Mike Thompson

Orange Tree Pub 7:30 PM

It's such a thrill to have the perennial blues musician Dave Kelly back at the club along with Karen MacWhinnie & Mike Thompson

£15.00. Seats can be reserved by emailing: baldockfolkclub@gmail.com.

If you've ever fancied bell-ringing this evening will give you the chance to try. Access is challenging so wear sensible shoes. No experience necessary. Meet by the foot of the tower to the le of the main door.

FREE EVENT. Ticket required, from the Fesval gazebo on High Street on 12/4

Thursday 8th May

Storyme - Baldock Library

Baldock Library 10:30 - 11:00 AM

Every Thurs morning , donaons encouraged

FREE EVENT

Page One - Children's Book Club

Baldock Library 3:45 - 4:45 PM

Acvity/book club for KS2 children

£2.50 from Baldock Library

BrewPoint Brewery talk with a pizza buﬀet

The Old White Horse 7:30 PM

Join us for an engaging evening with Tim from BrewPoint Brewery! Enjoy a complimentary pint on arrival as you savor a delicious pizza buﬀet. Tim will guide you through a tasng of six diﬀerent beers, accompanied by fascinang stories & the rich history behind their creaon.

£20 from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval Website

A Wine Lover's Tour of Portugal

Baldock Arts & Heritage Centre 7:3010:00 PM

Bom dia! Join Jamie & Rob for this year’s fesval wine tasng taking you for a tour of Portugal! Cheese, grapes & crackers provided! Obrigada!

£22 from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval Website

Friday 9th May

History in the Aernoon Views of oldBaldock

Baldock Arts & Heritage Centre 2:30pm

A mul-media talk on the history & life of 3 great composers - Rossini, Bellini & Donize. With live music by soprano Laura Valenne & accompanist, Margaret Johnson.

£8 on the door (inc tea & cake)

Hartsﬁeld Colour Run

Hartsﬁeld School 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Aer school on Friday 9th May, the Hartsfield playing field will be turned into a mini obstacle course with different colour staons to shower runners in ecofriendly colour.

£8 per child, inc medal and white T-shirt.

Fesval Rum Tasng

The Orange Tree

7:30 - 11:00 PM

For Rum enthusiasts, you'll taste 6 unique Rums this year, guided by experts on the history of rum. Bring friends, snacks, & enjoy a fun night. Only for those 18+. You are strongly advised not to drive, operate machinery or start singing Karaoke aer this event.

£25 from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval Website Unicorn Ceilidhs - Crowdy Kit St. Mary's Church Hall 7:30 - 11:30 PM Unicorn Ceilidh provides high-energy ceilidhs for discerning dancers of all ages. Clear instrucons from the caller before & during the set, allowing anyone to join in & enjoy the dancing. From £7 to £13 available online at www.cketsource.co.uk/unicornceilidhs

Over 40s FootballBaldock (Mondays)at The Arena & Hitchin (Fridays) at Priory School. 8:00 - 9:00 PM

Free session for newcomers. A friendly, recreaonal game of football with those who sll love a kick about. All standards & ages welcome – we have some players in their 60s. We play every Monday at the Arena, as well as Fridays in Hitchin. Just turn up, or text Alan on 07581375953 for more details.

FREE EVENT

Saturday 10th May

The Great Baldock Bake Oﬀ!

Baldock Community Centre 9:30 AM3:00 PM

You are invited to take part in the Fesval's cake-making compeon & raise money for the Garden House Hospice! Two ages categories of entrants: adult, & child up to 13 years old. This year's theme is 40 years of Baldock fesval.

FREE Entry, see Baldock Fesval Website for entry forms Ecofest 2025

High Street 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Join Baldock Beats Waste for this year's Ecofest on the High Street! Learn about climate change, our environmental impact, going green, and ps & tricks for living more sustainably. Lots of educaonal stalls as well as those selling fantasc sustainable & green products.

FREE EVENT

Book Fair in aid of The Garden House Hospice

Baldock Community Centre 10:00 AM4:00 PM

Every year, 1000s of pre-loved books ﬁnd new homes at our Book Fair, raising lots of money for Garden House Hospice. Join us to discover great deals & donate your spare books.

FREE Entry

Rubbish or Treasure

Baldock Museum 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Bring along any interesng old objects you have found in your garden, house, or in the countryside to be idenﬁed by Keith FitzPatrick-Mahews, North Herts Museum's archaeology oﬃcer.

FREE EVENT

Views of Old Baldock"A Noise Annoys" - Jude Simpson Poet.Wordsmith. Writer. Performer.

St. Mary's Church Hall 2:00 PM

A family friendly show featuring annoying noises, joyful words, poetry, songs & silliness, proceeds to church hall repairs following the vandalism. Refreshments available.

£10 Adults, £5 under 18's from Baldock Community Centre or hps://www.cketsource.co.uk/fosm Fesval Fun Quiz

St. Mary's Church Hall 7:00 - 11:00 PM

The popular Fesval Fun Quiz is back with its light-hearted quiz for all abilies. This always over-subscribed quiz is entry by form only, limited to 16 teams of 6. No entries accepted on the night. Licensed bar with table service. Prizes for the winning & losing teams.

£30 per team from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval Website

When Judas Met John Baldock Arts & Heritage Centre

8:00PM

Inﬂuenced by the meeng of Bob Dylan & The Beatles, Irish duo Brothers Broke compare, adapt & perform a unique interpretaon of songs by both arsts.

£14 (Movie club members £12) from BAHC Website.

Chez Burton

Sunday 11th May

Baldock's Closed Pubs Tour

The Orange Tree

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Meet Rob at The Orange Tree for a 3 mile walk vising all of Baldock's closed pubs. Car parking is available. £10 from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval website

Friends Of Baldock Green Spaces

Conservaon Event

Locaon TBC

10:00 AM - 1:30 PM Join Friends of Baldock Green Spaces to help your local green space be a great place for wildlife & walks. Path clearance, lier picking & more! Tools & hot drinks will be provided. All are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE EVENT. Facebook.com/fobgs for details

Widdershin's Puppet Show

Baldock Arts & Heritage Centre 11:0011:45 AM

Lions are tough & scary! Jackals are cunning & hungry! But Old Nanny Nibblebeard manages to outwit both of them by pretending to be Nanooshka The Queen of All Goats. A Queen with an endless appete.

£9 from BAHC Website

Ashwell at Home 2025

Ashwell 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Ashwell at Home welcomes visitors from far & wide. There is lots to see & do - open gardens of all types & sizes, free workshops, plant sales, live music & entertainment, talks, displays & guided walks, refreshments, lunches & more!

£10 adults (under 18s free with paying adult) on the day at, or £9 in advance from the website: www.ashwellathome.org.uk. Baldock Community Orchestra

St. Marys Church 3:00 PM

Baldock Community Orchestra presents an excing programme of classical & popular music, from the Baroque era through to the 20th century.

Donaons gratefully received & will support the work of Friends of St Mary's Baldock & the Baldock Community Orchestra.

Live Music: Letsby Avenue

The Hen & Chickens 4:00 PM

A Four piece band playing the very best rock & blues hits with a modern edge.

FREE Entry

Monday 12th May

Explore historical maps of Baldock Baldock Library 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Explore how Baldock has changed through maps of Baldock over the ages. Refreshments provided.

FREE EVENT

Mah Jong Club Baldock Library

Baldock Library 1:30 - 3:00 PM

Open to all skills levels, refreshments provided

FREE EVENT

A taste of India: Tradional Home Cooked Indian Buﬀet Night

Bombay Bistro 6:00 - 10:00 PM

Home cooked Indian food is usually cooked in a hotpot & le to simmer over a long period so all the juices of the ingredients remain & fuse to create some great ﬂavours. On this special night we will be serving dishes prepared this way so you can try a variety of them. Vegetarian dishes too! 1st Sing 6-7.45pm / 2nd Sing 8-10pm.

£20 from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval Website

More than a site – how ancient Baldock linked with the wider world Baldock Arts & Heritage Centre 7:30 PM

In his talk Keith Fitzpatrick Williams will explore the landscape around Baldock, looking at how it relates with other places & how those links changed through me.

£7 (inc a small glass of wine or juice) from BAHC Website

Over 40s Football

Baldock (Mondays)at The Arena & Hitchin (Fridays) at Priory School. 8:00 - 9:00 PM

Free session for newcomers. A friendly, recreaonal game of football with those who sll love a kick about. All standards & ages welcome - have some players in their 60s. We play every Monday at the Arena, as well as Fridays in Hitchin. Just turn up, or text Alan on 07581 375953 for more details.

FREE EVENT

Tuesday 13th May

Craea

Baldock Library 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Open to all, drop in, bring your current cra project & have a chat over a cuppa!! Refreshments provided.

FREE EVENT

Lego Club

Baldock Library 3:30 - 4:30 PM

For children ages 5-12. Join the library for some Lego fun!

£4 from Baldock Library Brass Band Concert

United Reformed Church 7:30 PM

The Stoold Salvaon Army Band will play a medley of tunes & hymns to delight & entertain you. Refreshments served in the interval.

£5 from the Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval website or on the door.

Fesval Music Quiz

The Orange Tree Pub 8:00 - 10:30 PM

The Annual Baldock Fesval Music Quiz. Please call 01462 892341 to book your tables. Proﬁts to Baldock Fesval. £5 per person payable on the night

Wednesday 14th May

Baby Rhyme Time

Baldock Library 10:30 - 11:00 AM

Every Wednesday morning, donaons encouraged.

FREE EVENT

Cheese & Wine Tasng at Eight

Eight. 6:30 - 10:00 PM

You will be greeted with a glass of ﬁzz on arrival, then enjoy 6 cheeses & wines selected by Toby from The Cheese Plate.

£45 from www.eightbaldock.co.uk

Thursday 15th May

Storyme

Baldock Library 10:30 - 11:00 AM

Every Thurs morning, donaons encouraged

FREE EVENT

Page One - Children's Book Club

Baldock Library 3:45 - 4:45 PM

Acvity/book club for KS2 children

£2.50 from Baldock Library

Greek Wine Supper Club Eight. 6:30 - 10:30 PM

Enjoy a 4 course Greek-inspired meal with accompanying Greek wine with each course for just £70 per head. Hosted by James from Wine 2 Trade. £70 from www.eightbaldock.co.uk

Fesval Whisky Tasng

Orange Tree Pub 8:00 - 10:00 PM

Reknowned Whisky writer & historian

Dr. Nicholas Morgan is back again. This year there will be 10 whiskies for you to sample, & a fine bole of Whisky to be raffled off. You are strongly advised to eat beforehand, & not to drive aer this event. Strictly over 18s only.

£30 from Baldock Community Centre or Baldock Fesval Website

Cafe Luna Quiz

Café Luna - Thursday 15th May @ 7.30pm

Test your general knowledge at our Baldock Fesval Quiz Night., back by popular demand! There will be food, and booze, of course!!! Max 5 players per team.

Pop into Luna to book a table. £2 pp

Friday 16th May

Beetle Drive

United Reformed Church 6:30 PM

A fun-ﬁlled Beetle Drive, perfect for the whole family & guaranteed to bring lots of laughter! Includes refreshments & an excing raﬄe. Come & support Baldock United Reformed Church for an enjoyable evening together.

£5 inc refreshments, pay on the door Fashion Show & Sale (in aid of Church Hall Restoraon Project)

St. Mary's Church Hall 7:30 PM

A high end nearly new Fashion Show & Sale including evening dresses, costume jewellery, bags & hats. Pay bar & live music.

£20 Adults, £15 (under 18s) inc free drink from Baldock Community Centre or www.cketsource.co.uk/fosm

Over 40s Football

Baldock (Mondays)at The Arena & Hitchin (Fridays) at Priory School. 8:00 - 9:00 PM

FREE EVENT

40thBaldockFestival

Thursday1stMay-Friday31stMay

The Cock Beer Fesval

The Cock Public House

Celebrang the 40th Baldock Fesval

There will be a selecon of 16 diﬀerent cask ales, 5 real ciders & cra beers available. Across the 3 days the pub will host a variety of live music acts in conjuncon with SoundArc promoons. Street Food will be available. The event is to be held in the courtyard beer garden adjacent to the pub.

FREE Entry

Saturday 17th May

Baldock Street Fair

Baldock High Street 11:00am - 5:00 pm

Baldock Street Fair is a must-aend event with an array of cra & charity stalls. Highlights include Medieval combat displays, performances by Tricky Micky including Punch & Judy shows, & drop-in circus skills workshops. Enjoy fairground rides, lively dancing (including tradional Morris dancing). Local schools will perform & the Baldock Country Market will be in the Community Centre.

FREE EVENT

Solar Viewing

Baldock High Street 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Have you ever been able to safely look at the sun? It's too bright, can hurt your eyes, & is dangerous without the right equipment. Letchworth & District Astronomical Society has organized a solar viewing to change that! Come along to the street fair & use specialist equipment, with LDAS members on hand,to safely observe the sun & join the select group of sun watchers!

FREE EVENT

Sacriﬁce & Celebraon:

Baldock in the Second World War

Baldock Museum 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Baldock Museum Display: "Sacriﬁce & Celebraon: Baldock in the Second World War" - a display marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. Tours of the Church

St. Marys Church 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Come & ﬁnd out more about our historic building. Tours at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Refreshments available.

FREE EVENT (donaons welcome) TowerTrips

St. Mary's Church Baldock – 11:00 AM4:00 PM

Tower trips will take place, throughout the day. Come & see Baldock from a diﬀerent perspecve! Refreshments available. No under 8s. Sensible footwear is required. Entry £5 adult / £1 child (8-16) on the day.

The Cock Beer Fesval

The Cock Public House

Celebrang the 40th Baldock Fesval, there will be a selecon of 16 diﬀerent cask ales, 5 real ciders & cra beers will be available. Across the 3 days the pub will host a variety of live music acts in conjuncon with SoundArc promoons. Street Food will be available. The event is to be held in the courtyard beer garden adjacent to the pub.

FREE Entry

Wind in the Willows by Living Theatre

St. Marys Church 5:00 - 6:00 PM

Somemes, just stepping out of your front door can lead to a huge adventure! All ages welcome. (All proceeds to raise funds for the church hall following the vandalism last year)

Adults £12, £8 (under 18) from hps://www.ckeailor.com/events/t helivingtheatre/1589536

Sip n' Paint

Pixies 7.30-9.30pm Come & let out your inner arst for an evening of painng (on pre drawn canvasses) with drinks and nibbles. Ticket inc prosecco on arrival, nibbles & all equipment. £30 pop in to Pixies to book.

Baldock Town Youth Football Club

Quiz Evening

St. Mary's Church Hall 7:30 PM

Teams of up to 8 people for a Quiz hosted by Baldock Town Youth Football Club. Includes a cheeseboard per table £10 per person, by emailing social@baldocktyfc.co.uk.

Jam Session with Steve's Karaoke

The Hen & Chickens 7:30 PM

Karaoke Steve is back with his comprehensive song book. Open to all.

FREE Entry

Chez Burton

Sunday 18th May

Baldock Classic Car Show

Baldock High Street 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Baldock Classic Car Show welcomes vehicles over 20 years old & select newer models. Prizes for best in class. BBQ, bar, & refreshments available. Classic bikes & commercial vehicles also invited. Pre-enter online or download forms from the Baldock Fesval Website (www.baldockfesval.org). Follow us on Facebook.

£5 Donaon to park a vehicle (pay on the day).

Open Gardens

Around Baldock 1:00 - 5:00 PM

Explore & enjoy various hidden gardens around baldock. Refreshments at the Community Centre Youth Wing between 2 & 4pm. Ticket comes with a map & garden details. Mini bus is available on request. Proceeds support Rotary's charitable work. £7.00 (under 16s free) from Baldock Community Centre, Fesval Website or on the day

Live Music: Fih Wheel

The Hen & Chickens 4:00 PM

Is there a Doctor in the house?? Yes there is & with a double bass too. Fih Wheel are back to get the joint jiving!

FREE Entry

Pizza & Cocktail Masterclass

The Old White Horse 5:00 PM

An unforgeable experience with Jamie (Naonal pizza awards ﬁnalist) & Ash! Dive into the art of creang fresh, delicious pizzas from scratch while learning the secrets behind craing banging cocktails. £27 from Baldock Community Centre or Fesval Website

The Cock Beer Fesval

The Cock Public House

Celebrang the 40th Baldock Fesval there will be a selecon of 16 diﬀerent cask ales, 5 real ciders & cra beers will be available. Across the 3 days the pub will host a variety of live music acts in conjuncon with SoundArc promoons. Street Food will be available. The event is to be held in the courtyard beer garden adjacent to the pub.

FREE Entry

Wednesday 21st May

Baldock Horcultural Society - Talk on Fuchsias by Nick Dobson

Brandles School 7:00 PM

A talk on Fuchsias by Nick Dobson. There is also a raﬄe, tea, coﬀee & biscuits. There will also be a stall selling a variety of plants (cash only) grown by members.Before the talk 7:45PM

£3 on the door / Members free

Thursday 22nd May

Football Quiz at The Vic

The Victoria 7:00 - 10:00 PM

So, how much do you think you know about Football? Come & ﬁnd out! Teams of 6. Raising money for Garden House Hospice

£2.50 per team member payable on the night (Max 6 per team)

Detecng Local History

Baldock Community Centre 8:00

What metal detecng can tell us about our local history, an illustrated talk by Dave Mance & Clive Reader.

£3.00 on the door

Sunday 25th May

Live Music: Red Light Fever

The Hen & Chickens 4:00 PM 4-piece Classic Rock band covering all bases from The Clash to The Who, Dr. Feelgood to Talking Heads, Snow Patrol, Oasis through to ZZ Top, the 60's, 70's 80's & beyond... If it's explosive Dad Rock you want, then give us a shout!!

FREE Entry

Friday 30th May

Open Mic with Mark Smith

The Hen & Chickens 7:30 PM

Open Mic with Mark Smith - Turn up, sign up & join in or just sit & listen!!To book a slot please contact Mark direct on - 07791 776796

FREE Entry

Saturday 31st May

Country Boots, Baldock Roots

Hartsﬁeld School 12:00 - 10:00 PM

Last year's sell out country fesval is back, bigger than ever!! Join us for a boot-scoong fun ﬁlled day. Live bands, solo arsts and tribute acts to some of country music's biggest arsts will be taking to our giant stage.

There will be a line dancing arena with sessions running throughout the day. A bar, food stalls, market stalls, a rodeo bull, axe throwing, bouncy castle & more besides! Fun for all ages! All proceeds will be donated to Hitchin Pantry. Follow Country Boots, Baldock Roots on FB and Instagram for up to date informaon. Picnics allowed but no drinks to be brought on site please.Feel free to bring blankets or camping chairs.

Tickets are £30 adults, £20 Teens, £15 Kids (2-12). Under 2s free, from www.eventbrite.co.

uk/e/countryboots-baldockroots-ckets1253821557029?=o ddtdtcreator

Baldock Gardens

By Graham Tapp

Here we are in the last two weeks of March, and another piece of writing to do.

As the sun finally came out to shine and spread happiness, I wanted to explain why we haven't been selling tender bedding yet, although we have been asked for it. As a young school lad working part-time in a large private garden, I asked the head gardener why we hadn't started to plant out the summer bedding. Instantly, two crucial facts sprung into my mind: number one, I shouldn't be questioning the management skills of a well-respected plants man, and number two, as the son of a local fruit farmer, I should have known better. The answer to my question came in the usual way, reserved for stupid people; he looked down at me and then did his usual trick of lifting his fedora hat a few inches, putting it back down on his head, wiggling it around to get it comfortable then the next thing was to pull his spectacles down his nose a bit so he could look at me over them, taking his time he said to me do you not think they might clash with the daffodils and crocus? Secondly, would we pay you to dig up the winter bedding when it clearly has another six weeks of good flowering?

He then told me he would show me something that would stick in my thick, young head for all of my gardening life. He walked me into the middle of the large lawn, asked me to take my coat and pullover off, and then asked me to lay flat on the grass; front or back makes no difference.

If you can stick it for a half-hour, you can start planting the summer bedding. Of course, within five minutes, I had my pullover and coat back on, and the tender plants stayed in the greenhouse; it was far too cold outside.

We grow our summer bedding with full frost protection, keeping it above five degrees centigrade day and night. We have dropped that temperature from seven degrees to five, primarily due to the rising cost and availability of the specialist fuel we use.

Back in the days I've just been

describing, the greenhouses used to be heated by large coal-fired boilers, stinking horrible things, usually found in sunken rooms that had next to no light, so you couldn't see much, everything was covered in coal dust and enormous black cobwebs made by equally big spiders.

The boilers were sunken below ground level, allowing the coal to be tipped into the bunker from large bags delivered by the very scary coalmen.

You can guess who got the job of cleaning the filthy apparatus. I wasn't expected to make it shine, but you had to be able to read the maker's name on it when I'd finished. The greenhouses themselves had underfloor heating comprising of channels about three feet wide and three feet deep with a six-inch pipe in the bottom that the hot water from the boiler would circulate; this all had a cast iron grate over the top to allow us to walk over. On very cold, frosty days, the expansion valve would sometimes fly open, releasing hot, steaming water out of a two-inch pipe into a drain; we boys used to gather around it to warm up; if things got really bad and it all overheated the steam valve that regulated the boiler pressure would blow. A roaring jet of steam would erupt from a pipe about twelve feet above the boiler house's roof, producing massive clouds of steam that could be seen miles away.

Having described this terrifying, enormous monster of a thing, guess who always seemed to get the job of cleaning all the heating pipes along with the boiler? Yes, it was me; I was the only one small enough to climb down into the heating vent channels.

The vent channels would sometimes be soaking wet as the gardeners poured water from hoses onto the hot pipes to produce steam. This caused the humidity to rise in the growing area above, which helped prevent some pests and improve the growing environment.

Nothing was wasted from the boiler; all the coal ash was raked out and used to repair the paths around the site, and the dust I removed from the dirty old boiler house was put onto the various bonfires used to burn the fibrous garden waste

then spread around the vegetable gardens and dug in. None of these would be allowed these days. Another practice, frowned upon now, that I got involved with then was mixing several tons of sharp sand with compound fertilisers and mercuric oxide, all mixed by hand with a shovel. This was to be spread on the great lawns, again by hand, but not by me, as that bit of the operation was deemed to be too dangerous for me to do. It seems to be a bit strange that it was OK for me to mix it but not spread it; I did, though, get the honour of brushing it in; the lawns amounted to just short of two acres, and they had to be brushed in a way that the stripes made by going backwards and forwards had to be perfectly aligned like you see on a football or cricket pitch; not easy with a broom a yard wide, pegs and strings were the order of the day, to this day I still quietly tut to myself when I see poorly aligned stripes on any lawn.

Another job not allowed within today's Safety First regime is cutting the yew hedge that ran between the vast vegetable garden and the lawn; it was one hundred feet long, over twelve feet high and eight feet or so broad, always cut by hand, with slightly angled sides narrowing upwards and a flat and level top. This was the bit no one else wanted to do, so I did it: I had a four-foot by four-foot sheet of ply that I would put on the top of the hedge, I would climb onto it and cut the hedge top from it, following string lines pulled out tight from end to end.

I enjoyed the hedge-cutting because it was always exciting. Wobbling from side to side was always fun; I never fell off the hedge but did fall inside, sometimes requiring the help of others to get me out.

Until next month

Thank You!

I need to write a thank you leer, not a normal one for a birthday present but a massive thank you for saving my life. How do you thank people when you don't know their names nor even what they look like? Then you might ask, why didn't I thank them straight away?

To idenfy my saviours, I have one detail: these people were in Baldock at Whitehorse street juncon at 8.00 am, on 1st April 2022. This was no April fool's day for myself nor many others that morning.

I've won trophies as a runner, cyclist and triathlete. Above all I am a cyclist. I have cycled to work everyday, wherever I have lived: in the desert of Botswana, in the jungles of Borneo and, for the last 25 years or so, through Baldock. Before I rered in December 2021, I had been a teacher at St John's Catholic Primary School. I was also a governor for eight years at KTS. For ten years I'd been involved in Scoung. I played netball (badly) on a Friday morning at Avenue Park. I was part of the local community. That was me.

On that cold but clear April morning I was cycling, my usual route, from Bygrave to North Herts leisure centre. A normal morning, unl everything dramacally changed at the traﬃc lights. I recall nothing of what happened in that split second of impact. The next thing I knew was that I was lying face down on the road, watching enormous wheels roll over my arm. My thoughts went wild, 'why did they keep coming? why didn't they stop? couldn't the driver feel the bump under his tyres? In my fear I counted the wheels, six in total.

Next I heard a shout, 'Stop, there's a cyclist on the road!' Then sensaon returned to my body. My leg was in excruciang pain, it throbbed like a limb suspended too long in an awkward yoga posion. Then the cold hit me, seeping through the tarmac into my body. A few people were around me, someone took charge of the situaon. I begged them to put my leg down so I'd be more comfortable. The man in charge commanded, 'Do not touch her leg', I complained that I was cold, he ordered others to get blankets. I asked about my bike. It was a good quality road bike, I didn't want it stolen. I was reassured that my bike was safe. I said I wanted to go home and tried to push myself up. I think at that point I must have been moved, the next thing I knew was that I was outside the Old White Horse.

Realisaon started to creep over me, they weren't going to let me go home. I had to get a message to my daughter. I knew she would worry if I wasn't there when she got home from her holiday job at the leisure centre. I asked them to contact her. I gave them her details, the person I spoke to asked me where the leisure centre was! In my head I thought about being faceous, didn't they realise that now was not the me to ask me for direcons! He then kept asking lots of quesons about her that seemed completely irrelevant, I just wanted them to contact her, Why did he want to have a friendly chat at a me like this? It seemed obvious to me that things were anything but normal, but he was trying to have a friendly conversaon. I was brought up to be polite, so I answered his quesons.

I heard a helicopter landing nearby, then a new voice telling me that he was going to put a tourniquet on my leg and that it would hurt but then I'd feel beer. The pain was beyond anything I could imagine and I know I screamed out. Next there was talk of a scoop, to get me into the helicopter or ambulance. I was geng confused and pictured something like a big farm digger picking me up. Then I was in some tunnel under bright lights. The world spun inside my head towards a white beam of light and then there was nothing and for a very brief moment my last thought was, 'This is the end of consciousness.'

Only very recently have I seen my record of what happened in Addenbrooke's A & E that day. I was resuscitated four mes. I had suﬀered massive blood loss, the femoral artery in the thigh of my right leg had been severed. Every bone on the right side of my body had been crushed or broken. There was no saving my leg, it was amputated just below the hip.

My head was unscathed as was the le side of my body except for a severe burn on the back of my hand. I spent four days in an induced coma. I should not have survived my injuries.

A few weeks later, When I was moved onto the ward I had stream of doctors coming to see me, as though I was Lazarus raised from the dead! One excited young doctor in absolute awe exclaimed, 'We kept losing you and you kept coming back, we couldn't believe it! You're a miracle!'

I spent ﬁve months in Addenbrooke's hospital, it wasn't easy, my recovery was slow, hampered by infecons, allergic reacons and the severity of the trauma my body had gone through.

There were numerous posives: I received about 200 get well cards! Friends and relaves showed phenomenal kindness and generosity. I made new friends with the wonderful NHS staﬀ who cared for me. Despite the enormous diﬃcules of geng a very sick person moved in and out of hospital, everyone worked together to ensure I got to see my son graduate from Cambridge University.

In mid August I moved on to a wonderful rehabilitaon centre in central London. Then in October to another specialist centre in Sheﬃeld.

Mid February 2023, ten and a half months later, I arrived home. A very diﬀerent person to the one who had gone out that fateful April morning.

I have connued to make signiﬁcant progress in my recovery. I swim most days, I have a recumbent trike and am out when the weather permits. I regularly volunteer as a marshal at Wimpole Hall Park Run. I even competed in last September's annual 'Duck and Dash' event held at Norton Common. I have had an inspiraonal video made of me to Promote Steps prosthecs. I have a public speaking event on posive rehabilitaon, lined up in May of this year. In June I will be part of a team doing a 24 hour swim to raise funds for disabled children.

Above of all, I have my life and my two children have their mother. For most of their lives I have been their sole carer. At the me of the accident they were 19 and 23 respecvely, barely out of childhood.

Since I came home we have had holidays together, celebrated my daughter's graduaon and we have my son's wedding to look forward to. I would not be here now, had it not been for the fast, cool headed response from the people at the scene on April 1st three years ago. They saved my life. One of them had immediately contacted the emergency services. The blankets they fetched kept me from going into severe shock. Later, I realised that the person who had been trying to get me into a conversaon about direcons and my daughter's hobbies, knew full well what he was doing. It was a ploy to keep

me talking. He knew he had to keep me conscious to keep me alive, at least unl the emergency services arrived and could take over.

These 'passers by' acted as a professional team of lifesavers. I will always be indebted to them for this. They don't have names nor faces in my head but they will always have my gratude and respect in my heart. Whoever you are THANK YOU

WestonMusic SocietyConcert

26th April 3pm St Nicholas Church, Stevenage Students of the Royal Academy Woolf Quartet & Zenith Quartet Haydn, Beethoven, Shostakovich and Caroline Shaw trybooking.com/uk/EDWF

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!!

Phishing techniques to look out for in 2025

Phishing aacks are expected to evolve signiﬁcantly in 2025, with aackers employing more sophiscated and evasive techniques to bypass security measures and deceive users. Here are the key trends and methods to be aware of:

Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) and Credenal The

PhaaS kits are projected to account for half of credenal the aacks in 2025, up from 30% in 2024. These kits will evolve to steal mulfactor authencaon (MFA) codes, making credenal phishing aacks more eﬀecve.

Targeted Aacks with Personalized Emoonal Appeals

Aackers will increasingly use personalised emoonal appeals based on an analysis of the recipientʼs social media and communicaon history. This trend will likely lead to a rise in extoron and sextoron aacks.

Evasive Techniques

Techniques such as ASCII-based QR codes, Blob URIs, and moving phishing content to aachments will become more widespread. These methods aim to evade detecon by tradional security measures.

Abuse of Legimate URL Protecon Services

Phishing aackers have been exploing trusted URL protecon services to mask phishing links, a trend that is expected to connue into 2025.

QR Code and Voicemail Phishing QR code and voicemail phishing currently account for around 20% of

phishing detecons. Aackers are using ASCII/Unicode text blocks to create QR codes and specially craed Blob URI links to evade detecon.

HR Impersonaon

Phishing aacks impersonang the human resources department are ancipated to increase, especially around key tax deadlines. Such aacks currently make up about 10% of detected phishing aempts.

Misuse of Content Creaon and Publishing Plaorms

Around 10% of phishing aacks in 2024 were hosted on content creaon plaorms (CCP) or digital document publishing (DDP) sites. This trend is expected to connue as aackers seek out new avenues for phishing.

Malicious Aachments

The use of malicious aachments, parcularly HTML or PDF ﬁles, is expected to grow.

Aackers are moving phishing content to aachments to evade machine learning-based analysis of email body copy.

Personalised Extoron

Extoron aacks are becoming more personalised, with aackers using Google Street View and photographs to show vicms' homes and streets. These aacks are expected to demand higher payments in 2025.

AI Integraon

Aackers will leverage AI to create highly convincing phishing emails that mimic legimate communicaons, including personalised content and precise grammar.

AI will also be used to analyse recipients' social media and communicaon history for more eﬀecve emoonal manipulaon. Protecon Against Evolving Techniques Given the sophiscaon of these evolving phishing techniques, it is crucial to implement agile, innovave, and mullayered defence strategies. Fostering a strong security culture is also essenal to stay ahead of this everevolving threat.

These trends highlight the need for connuous vigilance and adaptaon in cybersecurity pracces to combat the increasingly sophiscated phishing aacks ancipated in 2025.

For more informaon regarding phishing contact Tony Richardson tony.richardson@octree.co.uk

Are you a knier, a walker, a baker, a reader or a stcher? You can be all or none of these and enjoy the WI, an organisaon for all women with no polical or religious aﬃliaon.

Baldock and Clothall WI meet in the evening of the second Thursday of the month in the United Reformed Church.

Recently some members enjoyed a fascinang and moving oung to the Poppy Factory in Richmond, gaining an insight into the creaon of the remembrance movement following World War One, and its development to the present day.

At our April meeng we will welcome a speaker on a subject close to all our hearts, No 1 Bra!

Why not pop in to ﬁnd out more about your local WI or message us at baldockandclothallwi@gmail.c om

We look forward to welcoming you.

BALDOCK & CLOTHALL

5 minutes with... David Hammond from SG Jet Washing

*TelluswhatpromptedyoutolaunchSGJetWashing

For over 32 years, our sister gardening company has been dedicated to enhancing outdoor spaces, helping customers create beauful and well-maintained gardens. Over the years, we've noced that one of the biggest challenges homeownersfaceiskeepingtheirpaos,driveways,fencing, anddeckinglookingfreshandclean.That'swhywe'reexcited to introduce our new company - SG Jet Washing - providing top-quality, professional jet washing services to bring your outdoorareasbacktolife.

*WhyChooseSGJetWashing?

We understand that outdoor surfaces accumulate dirt, grime, moss, and algae over me, making them ﬁlthy, aged anddated.

Our expert team uses high-pressure jet washing equipment to remove stubborn stains and restore your paos, driveways, fencing, and decking. Whether it's transforming your pao, removing slippery moss from your decking, or giving your driveway kerb appeal, we oﬀer a reliable, eﬃcient, and professional service that guarantees outstandingresults.

*Whywasjetwashingthenextnaturalstep?

Aerthreedecadesofworkingingardenmaintenance,

expanding into professional jet washing was a natural progression for us. We believe that a well-maintained outdoor space isn't just about a lush garden - it's also about having a clean, safe, and visually appealing surfaces that complement your home. By launching SG Jet Washing, we're oﬀering our loyal and new customers an addional service to keeptheirgardensandoutdoorspaceslookingtheirabsolute best.

*Sounds great! How do I get in touch and book your services?

If your pao, driveway, fencing, or decking has seen beer days,letSGJetWashingrestoreitsbeauty.Ourskilledteamis commied to providing an excellent customer experience withaﬀordablepricingandprofessional-graderesults. Contactustodaytobookyourjetwashingserviceandseethe diﬀerence a professional clean can make! See our advert opposite for contact details. Use our Scan Me QR code to get anONLINEquotaon-FREEandFAST!

Let SG Jet Washing bring the sparkle back to your outdoor spaces!

*Lastly, do you have any special oﬀers I’d want to know about

Yestheﬁrst8newclientswillget15%oﬀ,sodon'tdelay!

Unanimous Decisions

Back in our November issue, we shared the awesome story of a local lad, winning the ﬁrst tle for a new boxing club on the scene called No Mercy Champs Camp. Danny Ball won the Novice Youth Middleweight tle back in November and now his younger brother, Jamie Ball, has joined in for a piece of the acon.

The weekend kicked oﬀ with big bro Danny winning a club bout in Essex on the Saturday before the team made the trip down to Swindon ready for Jamie to compete in the school ﬁnals on Sunday aernoon.

The youngster won the Under 52kg Schoolboy tle by unanimous decision! The powerhouse brothers are in great company with their club mate, Honey Loveridge, making headlines and taking home the Under 63kg Schoolgirl tle, also winning by unanimous decision!

All in all, a fantasc weekend and some mega achievements for our No Mercy Champs. We can't wait to see what is next for these ﬁghters and connue watching the club go from strength to strength.

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

contact the gym on 01462 436040

Chinese NewYear atSandon JMISchool

The Lunar New Year launched with a bang at local Sandon JMI school. All children came together for a special day of celebraon where they took part in various themed acvies. Children learned about the delicate art of Chinese calligraphy, producing their own colourful proverbs in a range of media. Each class made lion masks and took part in a whole school assembly. The jam packed day even saw them all take part in some cooking too, each child producing some delicious spring rolls which were shared with parents at the end of the day.

Of course no Lunar New Year celebraon would be complete without a dance and the day culminated in a whole schoolsized dragon dance for parents in the playground. Each child also took home a lantern, lucky packets and fortune cookies. All staﬀ worked together to make the idea a reality and children are very excited to see what we have up our sleeve for next half term!

Confit Duck Leg, white beans & bacon

t's April - already! The good news is the days are getting longer and we're starting to see more blue skies. We're still struggling with any new seasonal produce at the time of writing this so this month's recipe is a nice store cupboard recipe that is warming, hearty & ﬁlling.

One of the most popular dishes at the restaurant during March has been duck breast with many guests mentioning how rare it is to see it on restaurant menus locally so I thought a duck recipe would be something everyone would enjoy as well as something different to have on the dinner table. This dish would make a great mid-week meal as well as something special to have for a dinner party or when guests come over. This is quite a "cheffy" recipe however I have simplified it for the home cook. If you're an enthusiastic cook and would like the "cheffy" recipe then please pop into the restaurant and I'd be more than happy to go through it with you. As always, try and buy the best quality ingredients that you're comfortable with. garnish. I love using pulses at this time of year when seasonal produce is sparse. Chickpeas work well with this recipe but you can use anything you want. Borlotti beans, haricot beans, and lentils are a few examples

Let's Cook the Duck

Set your oven to 150℃

¬ 4 duck legs

¬ 4 cloves of garlic (Peeled)

¬ A small bunch of thyme (tied into a bunch)

¬ 1L of duck fat (you can use plain cooking oil if you can't get duck fat)

Heat the fat in a saucepan to around 100℃. Place your duck legs in a deep oven tray along with the garlic & thyme. Carefully pour the fat into your oven tray. The duck legs should be 80% submerged in the fat. Cover the oven tray with foil and pop it into the oven for 90 minutes or until the meat is falling oﬀ the bone.

Whilst the duck is cooking we can cook the beans & bacon.

Let's Cook the Beans

You can use any white bean for this dish. Traditionally haricot beans are used but you can use cannellini or butter beans. I love the Queen butter beans from Spain. They are delicious and meaty in texture which is perfect for this recipe. Take a saucepan and put it on a medium heat.

¬ 150G diced smoked bacon

¬ 50ml of cooking oil

Heat the oil in the pan and add the bacon. Keep an eye on it because it could easily burn. You want a beautiful golden brown colour on the bacon and you also want to render out the fat. This should take around 5 minutes. Once the bacon is golden brown, take it out of the pan but keep the fat in the pan to cook your vegetables in.

¬ 1 large onion (diced)

¬ 2 carrots (peeled & diced)

¬ 4 cloves of garlic (peeled & grated)

¬ A small bunch of thyme (tied into a bunch)

Keep your pan on a medium heat and add the onions. Keep stirring them until they become translucent & soft. This will take around 10 minutes.

Now add the carrots and cook for a further 3 minutes.

Now add the garlic & thyme & cook for a further 2 minutes.

¬ 200ml white wine (perfect for any wines that have been open for a while)

¬ 400ml chicken or vegetable stock

Add the wine and reduce in the pan by half. Then add the stock and bring it to a boil.

800g tin of white beans (drained and rinsed)

Add the beans to the pan, stir well and bring back up to the boil.

¬ Half a punch of parsley (leaves picked & chopped)

¬ 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard

Turn oﬀ the heat and add the bacon, mustard & parsley to your beans. Give them another stir. It's at this point you want to taste it. Season with salt & pepper. Add more mustard if you wish.

Let's Plate Up

Remove your duck legs from the oven. Gently take each leg out and place them on a ﬂat tray lined with kitchen paper. Drain oﬀ as much of the fat as you can. Spoon some of those delicious beans & bacon into a bowl. Carefully lift out the duck leg and place them on top of the beans. Sprinkle any parsley you may have left on top of the duck and serve. The bone should pull straight out of the duck. Enjoy with a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or a chilled pinot gris.

, Chef patron of