On Our Doorstep Baldock May2026 by onourdoorstepbaldock

Welcome

Welcome to our May issue!

Spring has arrived in Baldock, or at least we think it has! The weather is certainly keeping us on our toes; defrost the car in the morning, catch a tan at lunch time and have the heating on in the evening! But we can't help but feel excited about the season ahead.You can hear the buzz of lawn mowers and hedge trimmers as gardens are tidied up and made ready for BBQ season and a bit of outdoor entertaining.

The Easter break may seem like a distant memory for lots of parents but the May half term is just around the corner, with a couple of bank holidays for us big kids to enjoy too, and there's plenty to keep us all busy!

Kicking oﬀ the month nicely we have the Beer Festival on 1st May, marking its 41st year! A huge thank you goes to the Baldock Events Forum team, who've been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen.

There's a packed calendar ahead too. We shared the full May Festival program with you in last month's issue, but we'll quickly remind you of some of the highlights. From the Weston Ways Teddy Bear Picnic and local historic walks to wine and rum tastings, there are plenty of ways to get involved. If you're after something a bit more lively,

The Orange Tree's “Naughty School Disco” promises a fun night out, just don't forget your school-themed fancy dress.

Car enthusiasts can look forward to the classic car show, while Kish from Restaurant Eight has a range of special events planned, be sure to check the details inside this issue.

Rounding off the month on 30th May is the return of Country Boots. Dust off your cowboy boots and enjoy a day and evening of dancing, with a rodeo bull, bouncy castle, craft stalls and plenty of food on offer, including brownies from local favourite Baked by Blondies who also feature in this months 5 Minutes with... piece.

Before we leave you to enjoy the rest of the magazine, we also want to give a special mention to our local postman, who recently completed the London Marathon, raising funds for the CitizensAdvice and in memory of his wife. You can read more about his story on page 26.

Paul & Jacqui

info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk or 07973 788418

AMonthofGivingBack

At Letchworth Rugby Club, rugby has always been about more than what happens on the pitch.

The club has long taken pride in supporng good causes, local charies and the wider community, with fundraising becoming part of the club's identy alongside matchdays, minis, youth rugby and senior compeon. As a "founder" member supporter of Garden House Hospice Care, the club has donated more than £60,000 over the past decade, helping support vital local care for families across North Herordshire.

March connued that tradion in impressive style, with three separate events raising signiﬁcant funds for important causes, and once again showing how the rugby community comes together when it maers most.

Supporng MND through a memorable evening with Andy Powell Earlier in the month, the club hosted a hugely enjoyable sporng dinner featuring former Andy Powell, the former Brish & Irish Lions and Wales naonal rugby union team internaonal known as much for his larger-than-life stories as his playing career.

The evening brought together club members, supporters and guests for a four-course dinner, fundraising acvies and plenty of laughter, with raﬄe prizes, aucon lots and Andy's trademark storytelling creang a brilliant atmosphere throughout the night.

The event raised £500 for local Motor Neurone Disease support, contribung towards awareness and support connected to a disease that connues to touch many within the rugby world.

Lile Ruggers lead the way for Doddie's cause At the end of the month, the club's youngest secon showed exactly what rugby community spirit looks like.

Organised by Ma Marsden and the Lile Ruggers, a charity match between parents and former players took place at the club, creang a brilliant aernoon for children, families and everyone connected with minis rugby.

With raﬄes, donaons and fantasc support throughout the day, the event raised £2,600 for My Name'5 Doddie Foundaon, the charity established by former Doddie Weir to fund research into Motor Neurone Disease.

It was one of those aernoons that perfectly reﬂected what grassroots rugby does so well - bringing generaons together, creang fun for children and parents alike, and raising money for a cause that resonates deeply across the game.

Ladies Day delivers laughter, atmosphere and support for Breast Cancer UK The club's senior secon also delivered one of the standout social occasions of the season with Ladies Day, held before the home ﬁxture against Old Northamptonians RFC, which saw Legends run out 64-33 winners in a high-scoring contest.

The day featured a packed pre-match lunch, a lively atmosphere around the clubhouse, and plenty of post-match entertainment, with the players heavily involved in organising the event under skipper Josh Sharp.

In keeping with the fundraising theme, the ﬁrst team wore a special pink kit which was then auconed aer the match, alongside the players themselves - with each successful bidder gaining an hour of player service aer the game, whether that meant drinks fetched, chairs pulled out, or general goodhumoured obedience. The whole thing created plenty of laughter and added to a vibrant aernoon at the club.

The event raised nearly £3,000 for breast cancer awareness, with special thanks going to Sophie Hogg and Ian Parkhouse, collecng money for the players raﬄe which generated £1,400, alongside all those who bid generously in the post-match aucon.

The strength of the club's atmosphere did not go unnoced by visitors either. Vising President of Old Northamptonians, former Bob Taylor, commented on what a strong club and community feel the day had created.

Across one month alone, the club raised well over £6,000 for charity. For a club that prides itself on being part of its local community, March was another reminder that the values of rugbyteamwork, generosity and looking aer others, extend far beyond an eighty minute match.

The Timeless Face of British Fashion

Baldock is mourning the loss of one of its most remarkable residents, Daphne Selfe, whose extraordinary life and career made her a true icon both locally and internaonally.

Best known as ‘Britain's oldest female professional model in the world aer a career comeback in her 70s, died on March 21st in London. She was 97 Daphne redeﬁned what it meant to age in the fashion industry. With her striking silver hair and natural elegance, she became a familiar face in campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana and the retailer TK Maxx, and runways well into her later years, proving that style, conﬁdence and individuality have no age limit.

Her Instagram account, which has some 70,000 followers, ﬂourished at a me when older women had begun to harness social media as a way of challenging tradional ideas about aging.

She appeared in commercials for Kellogg’s cornﬂakes and modelled for sculptor Barbara Hepworth. She was also cast in dozens of bit parts in movies, including James Bond ﬁlms such as Octopussy (1984) and A View to a Kill (1985).

Though her work took her around the world, Daphne remained closely connected to Baldock. She was a wellknown and much-loved ﬁgure in the community, oen seen out and about, and always happy to stop for a chat. Her presence brought a quiet pride to the town, with many residents inspired by her warmth, resilience and unmistakable sense of self.

Daphne's modelling career spanned more than seven decades, a rare achievement in an industry known for its ﬂeeng nature. She worked with leading photographers and appeared in

major publicaons like Brish Voque, and became a powerful advocate for embracing natural beauty and ageing with conﬁdence.

In 2019 Daphne was awarded the Brish Empire Medal in the New Year's Honours list, for her services to women and fashion.

Beyond the spotlight, those who knew her locally remember a gracious, down-to-earth woman with a sharp wit and a generous spirit.

Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy will connue to inspire generaons to come, not just in fashion, but in life. Daphne Selfe showed us all that it is never too late to follow your path, challenge expectaons, and remain unapologecally yourself.

She will be deeply missed in Baldock and far beyond

City Smart. Adventure Ready Honda

CR-V

Honda's CR-V was the sixth best-selling car in the world in 2022 – and now it's even beer, writes Tim Barnes-Clay.

While the SUV retains a family-friendly feel, it's been given a signiﬁcant overhaul, ditching the rounded front for a more robust appearance. It is 80mm longer, too – and that makes it even more praccal.

When you check out the engine, it's a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit with extra clout coming from electric motors. The boom two trims are a self-charging hybrid (badged e:HEV), and the top grade (Advance Tech) is a plug-in hybrid (badged e:PHEV).

All models have 18-inch wheels, with the entry-level Elegance geng a nineinch Honda Connect infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a digital radio. It also boasts navigaon, a 10.2-inch digital instrument display, leather seats, a panoramic glass roof, a heated leather steering wheel, keyless entry/start and a powered tailgate.

The e:HEV in mid-range Advance guise, tested here, adds a head-up display, heated front seats with driver's-side powered adjustment and memory funcon. The model also houses a Bose sound system and a mul-view camera.

Our e:HEV is all-wheel drive and has a 0-62mph me of 9.5 seconds, which is adequate for an SUV. Honda has done an excellent job with the car's setup, creang a delicate balance between ride comfort and handling.

Inside, the CR-V's interior is impressive. It oﬀers plenty of colour variaon, with piano black, brushed aluminium and dark greys.

The infotainment system is well laid out and intuive - and the digital instrument display replaces the tradional analogue dials.

The addional 80mm in the car's length means you won't be struggling for headroom or legroom. A high driving posion will also impress wouldbe SUV owners, while the e:HEV oﬀers a generous 579 litres of boot space.

You can trade oﬀ cargo capacity for even more legroom by sliding the rear bench forward and backwards, while tall people can gain more headroom by reclining it.

The e:HEV returns 42mpg and emits 151g/km of CO2, but that's sll good for a big-ish SUV. The new CR-V is reliable, too, with Honda generally scoring well in this department.

If the old CR-V was the sixth most popular car on the planet, the latest CRV should move it up the list.

Fast Facts:

Fast Facts

Honda CR-V 2.0i-MMD e:HEV Advance:

Ÿ Max speed: 116 mph

Ÿ 0-62 mph: 9.5 secs

Ÿ MPG: 42.8

Ÿ Powerplant: 1,993cc, 4 cylinders, petrol + electric motors

Ÿ Power (PS): 184

Ÿ CO2: 151 g/km

Ÿ Price from: £50,470 as tested.

Tim Barnes-ClayFollow

Supporting Ukraine Through 'Convoy4Ukraine'

Rotary in the UK connues to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine, providing vital humanitarian and logiscal support through its partnership with the Cambridge based Convoy4Ukraine (C4U) charity. Now entering its fourth year of sustained eﬀort, this collaboraon has become a lifeline for communies struggling in the aermath of the Russian invasion, and nightly civilian bombardment by hundreds of missiles, drones and cluster bomblets.

Twice each year, a dedicated team of C4U volunteers, partly supported by Rotary donaons, members help organise and deliver convoys carrying around 25 vehicles per trip, including ambulances, 4x4 vehicles, and trucks. Each convoy journeys across Europe to Lviv, a key staging city in western Ukraine, from where aid is distributed to towns and villages most in need. The ﬁrst convoy of 2026 was successfully delivered in March, and preparaons are already underway for the next convoy mission in September 2026.

The humanitarian cargo carried by these convoys reflects Rotary's praccal, people-centred humanitarian approach to service. Vehicles are typically filled with trauma bandages, first-aid kits, generators, power banks, water pumps, and purificaon equipment and items that make an immediate

impact on daily survival. In addion, Rotary clubs collect and fund items for displaced children, women, and families, including educaonal supplies, toys, warm clothing, hygiene kits, and sanitary products. Every item loaded represents and carries a message of hope and solidarity.

At the heart of this collaboraon lies Rotary's enduring moo: Service Above Self. The convoys not only bring aid but also carry the spirit of Rotary's internaonal fellowship. Each donated ambulance or ulity vehicle extends the capacity of Ukraine's emergency responders—hospitals, ﬁre crews, and volunteer relief teams—who work relessly under constant pressure.

This mission is uning Rotary clubs across the UK. From local fundraising dinners and charity aucons and acvies to vehicle sponsorships and donaon drives, members have worked side by side with C4U to make every convoy as beneﬁcial as possible.

And while Rotary's impact reaches across borders, its heart remains ﬁrmly in the local community. Rotary is there to support our towns and villages too—helping light up our Baldock town Christmas display, providing grants to local individuals, families, organisaons and funding community iniaves throughout the year. This commitment at home and abroad shows the breadth of what Rotary stands for: compassion in acon, wherever it's needed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced a message that resonates strongly with Rotary members when he said:

“Do not forget about Ukraine. Do not get red of Ukraine. Do not let our courage go out of fashion.”

Every convoy that departs from the UK carries that senment forward—a testament to compassion that refuses to grow weary. Through its partnership with Convoy4Ukraine, Rotary in the UK connues to turn goodwill into tangible acon, delivering hope, courage, and care to those who need it most.

For donaons to Convoy4Ukraine via this Rotary iniave please e-mail the contact given to determine your preferred method of Payment transfer. Please E-mail to wilgom21@gmail.com

Rotarian Gordon Brooks

640307

Even the sight of her blood-red stilettos clicking down a Milan Fashion Week corridor is enough to chill the marrow. Be afraid, because Meryl Streep’s withering fashionista is back (with Anne Hathaway’s long-suﬀering PA one step behind), and we’re told The Devil Wears Prada 2 will take zeitgeisty shots at the modern fashion biz –hopefully including the jorts revival.

When Owen meets the girl of his dreams, he’s devastated to ﬁnd she gave him the wrong number. Desperate, he teams up with Emily, an ambitious psychology student, to track her down. Their chaotic campus-wide search spirals into a social media frenzy, forcing the unlikely pair to question their romantic ideals and discover that love often arrives as an unexpected detour.

George Hardy is a shepherd who loves to read murder mysteries to his sheep, never suspecting that they can understand him. When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep decide to solve the crime themselves, even if it means leaving their meadow for the ﬁrst time and facing the fact that the human world isn't as simple as it appears in books.

my mothers wedding Out 29th May

In this heartfelt and funny story, three sisters return to their childhood home for a momentous occasion: the third wedding of their twice-widowed mother. Over the weekend, the family gathers to celebrate the new marriage, but mother and daughters alike are forced to revisit the past and confront the future, all with help from a colourful group of unexpected wedding guests.

Certiﬁcate RunningTime 15 95 mins 07572 532618

The Devil Wears Prada 2 the sheep detectives

Beef – BBC 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!

Beef returns for a second season with a clear awareness of the challenge it faces: the first instalment felt so complete, so ghtly wound around its central feud, that any connuaon risks feeling unnecessary. Instead of trying to replicate that original dynamic, Season 2 smartly pivots, expanding its scope while holding onto the show’s core fascinaon with anger, insecurity, and the unintended consequences of small acons. This me, the narrave introduces a new set of characters whose lives intersect in ways that are at first incidental, then increasingly combusble. The series retains its talent for turning minor grievances into emoonal avalanches, but it does so with a slightly broader canvas. Where Season 1 felt intensely personal—almost claustrophobic in its focus—Season 2 explores a wider social landscape, bringing in themes of class, ambion, and the subtle hierarchies that shape modern life. What connues to disnguish Beef is its tonal precision. The show moves fluidly between dark comedy and psychological drama, oen making you laugh at moments that feel uncomfortably close to real pain. That uneasy balance remains intact here. The humour is sll sharp and somemes absurd, but it never undermines the emoonal stakes. Instead, it exposes them, highlighng how people mask dissasfacon with peness, deflecon, or outright denial. Although Steven Yeun and Ali Wong are less central in this chapter, their influence lingers in the show’s DNA.

The new cast steps in with confidence, delivering performances that feel grounded and unpredictable. Characters are wrien with the same moral ambiguity that defined the first season—deeply flawed, occasionally frustrang, but always recognisable. No one exists purely as a hero or villain, and that complexity is where the series finds its emoonal weight.Structurally, the season is ghtly controlled. Each episode peels back another layer of its characters while steadily escalang tension. There’s a sense of inevitability that builds as events spiral, with the narrave carefully laying the groundwork for its more extreme turns. Even when the plot edges toward implausibility, the emoonal logic remains convincing enough to keep you invested.If there’s a drawback, it’s that the element of surprise has diminished. The first season’s brilliance lay partly in how shocking its escalaon felt—how a trivial encounter could unravel so completely. Season 2 can’t quite recreate that same sense of discovery. At mes, it feels like it’s searching for new ways to provoke the same reacon. Sll, it compensates by digging deeper into its themes, offering a more expansive look at how resentment and dissasfacon operate across different lives.Ulmately, Season 2 of Beef succeeds not by repeang itself, but by evolving. It remains sharp, unseling, and darkly funny, proving that its real subject was never just one feud, but the fragile, combusble nature of human behaviour itself.

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!!

I can vaguely remember when the dustbin lived in the back garden. No one paid it much heed, unless they were wandering out back to deposit the contents of the kitchen bin. It was collected once a week by big, burly chaps who heed it onto their backs and walked it halfway round the block to the dust cart. They would then return it whence it came and repeat the process with the neighbour's bin. No one knew or needed to know when bin day was; it was just something that happened.

Then came the wheelie bin. I feel this was an acceptable progression, aer all, lumping hundreds of great big metal cans onto ones back every day can't possibly be good for anyone and in an ever-growing ligious society was probably a wise move on the part of the councils. Wheeling this out each week was no real hardship, apart from the fact that we all had to ﬁnd a space out front that didn't interfere with the prize petunias or upset the neighbours too much. Once we had managed that life returned prey much to normal. Its funny how at that me we all became quite possessive of our bins, we proudly emblazoned our house numbers on them so the bin lads could return them to the correct house, and no one could steal your bin.

IT’S A BIN THING

When I were a snip of a thing, we recycled naturally, newspapers and magazines lined the bird cage or were used to start the morning ﬁre. Boles were returned to the shop for the deposit or swapped for fresh milk every morning. There was no such thing as food waste as such because none of us were allowed down from the table unl it was all gone and peelings went on the garden compost heap.

Somewhere over the last ten years or so, our councils discovered state sanconed recycling. We were then supplied with a further big bin, a plasc crate and a food waste bin. Instrucons arrived: we must now divide our rubbish into non-recycling (purple), recycling (blue) and food scraps; the crate was for newspapers. Furnished with the councils Recycling Instrucon Direcve, we all set about shiing our petunias to accommodate two Dalek shaped abominaons and a ﬂimsy box that didn't last the ﬁrst round of being chucked about by the bin men, and a weeny baby bin. I forget the actual meline but at some point a garden waste Dalek (brown) Joined the ranks.

The food waste went out every week, easy peasy! The purple Dalek and the blue Dalek went out on alternate weeks, but the brown Dalek was only allowed to accompany the blue dalek, it was

forbidden to pair him up with purple ( possibly due to a long ago family feud, who knows)

The paper crate has been forgoen, and those that survived the ﬁrst few weeks are now being repurposed into planters and toy boxes.

Then the sneaky council decided that actually, you should all have compost heaps, so anyone who doesn't, must pay for the privilege of having the brown Dalek emped.

This wasn't enough, we needed to do more, so we now have another blue Dalek (must have run out of colours at the depot), and, for fun and because you have become complacent, not only are we going to change the bin day, but we shall also pick up the brown bin on another day.

Five Daleks are now sing in my front garden, two are the same colour so I have to read the damn things, I've no idea what day they are picking them up or which one they want. I have completely lost the bin day plot and have resorted to downloading an App, it was either that or chuck everything in a black bin liner and hide the evidence in the purple dalek.

Gardening in May

I think May is one of the best months for gardeners as spring turns into early summer. The soil is warming, daylight hours are getting longer, and a profusion of new growth makes the garden come alive. Whether cultivating a vegetable garden, maintaining ornamental borders, or managing container plantings, May presents numerous opportunities for sowing, planting, and appreciating the results of your efforts. As we lose the risk of frosts, May is a good time to prepare your soil for the growing season. Start by weeding, as early removal prevents weeds from competing with your plants. Use a fork or tiller to loosen compacted soil, then mix in compost or well-rotted manure to boost fertility and structure. Mulching flower beds and vegetable rows helps conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Choose organic mulches like straw, bark, or leaf mould for the best results.

May is ideal for sowing many crops outdoors. Vegetables like beans, carrots, sweetcorn, lettuce, and beets can be sown directly into prepared beds. If you started tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers indoors earlier in the season, now is the time to harden them off in cold frames or take them out during the day, returning them indoors at night. transplant them outdoors and gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions by covering them with fleece. In ornamental gardens, annuals such as cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers can be sown for vibrant summer displays. Perennials and biennials can also be planted now, so they establish before the heat of midsummer.

Feed hungry crops and flowers with a balanced granular fertiliser or liquid feed, particularly those in pots or baskets, as nutrients leach away faster in containers.

May brings an increase in pest and disease activity. Aphids, slugs, and snails are especially active as they are all out to eat your valuable crops. Inspect plants regularly for signs of infestation, use organic controls where possible: handpicking, encouraging natural predators like ladybirds, or applying environmentally friendly barriers and sprays. Monitor roses for fungal diseases, including powdery mildew and blackspot, and promptly remove any affected foliage to maintain plant health. Proper spacing, good air circulation, and watering at the base of plants will help keep problems at bay.

While heavy pruning is best done in winter or early spring, May is a good time to tidy up shrubs that have finished flowering, such as forsythia or springflowering spirea. Remove dead or damaged wood and spent blooms to encourage new growth and prolong flowering. Deadheading annuals, perennials, and bulbs like tulips or daffodils prevents them from diverting energy into seed production and instead focuses on foliage and future flowers. We used to advise gardeners to trim hedges to maintain shape, but now, with hedge cutting in May frowned upon and liable to a fine, we need to avoid disturbing nesting birds.

delphiniums, sweet peas, and peonies. Tie in climbing plants such as clematis, honeysuckle, or runner beans as they grow, guiding them onto trellises or supports.

May is a brilliant time to refresh containers. Replace tired winter bedding with summer-flowering annuals and repot perennials or shrubs that have outgrown their pots. Use a high-quality potting mix and ensure the containers have adequate drainage. Group pots together for a lush display and to reduce water loss. Water and feed container plants regularly, as they dry out and deplete nutrients faster than those in the ground.

Encouraging wildlife is rewarding and beneficial for the ecosystem. Provide shallow dishes of water for birds and pollinators. Plant nectar-rich flowers such as lavender and foxglove to attract bees and butterflies. Keep parts of the garden messy; logs or stones provide shelter for insects and amphibians. Avoid using pesticides and herbicides that can harm beneficial creatures.

Lawns surge into growth in May. Mow regularly, I suggest raising the blade slightly to avoid scalping and encourage a dense, healthy sward. Apply spring fertiliser to lawns if needed, and spottreat perennial weeds. If you have a wildflower meadow or a wildflower area, resist the urge to cut until wildflowers have finished flowering and set seed. May is also a good time to sow new grass seed or lay turf if needed.

BringingyourgardentoLife Graham

With warmer weather and increased plant growth, watering is essential. Early morning is the best time to water, allowing foliage to dry before evening, this will reduce the risk of fungal diseases and leaf scorch. Target the roots rather than the leaves and water thoroughly to encourage a strong root system. If rainfall is limited, prioritise newly planted areas and containers, which dry out more quickly.

As herbaceous perennials, climbers, and vegetables gain height, staking and support become essential. Set up plant supports ahead of time to avoid future harm. Use canes, mesh, or purposemade supports for tall flowers like

By May, early crops such as radishes, lettuce, spinach, and rhubarb may be ready to harvest. Regular picking encourages continued production. Cut flowers from the garden make beautiful, fresh bouquets. Remember to snip early in the morning for the longest vase life. Finally, use this month to plan for the months ahead. Think about succession sowing of quick-maturing crops, planting for autumn interest, and taking cuttings of favourite plants. Use a garden journal to record successes and ideas for next year.

Gardening in May is a celebration of life and growth. With longer days and warming temperatures, gardens burst into colour and productivity. What you do in May sets up your garden for success all summer, whether you grow food, flowers, or want a relaxing space.

Enjoy your gardening,

5 minutes with...

...Summer from

*TellusabitaboutyouandthestorybehindBakedByBlondies. Hi,I'mSummer,IgrewupinBaldockandaendedHartsfieldand thenKnightsTemplar.BakedByBlondiesbeganduringlockdown as a simple way to beat boredom and share a lile joy through homemade treats with friends and family. What started as a smallhobbyquicklygrewintosomethingmuchbigger,thanksto the power of social media and the amazing support from our community. The business originally started as a sister duo. I was just 13 years old at the me, baking alongside my older sister Holly,whowas23.Wehadalwayslovedbakingtogethergrowing up,andwewereespeciallyinspiredbyourmumwhowehaveto thank for our unbeatable brownie recipe! In the early days, we spent our evenings and weekends baking & preparing orders around school and full-me work. A few years later, my sister stepped away from the business to focus on her career and eventually moved to Stockholm. From then on, Baked By Blondiesbecameaone-womanbusiness.Aerfinishingcollege, I started working full-me in the graphic design industry but my passion for baking never faded. Today, I balance both careers, dedicang my evenings and weekends to creang and fulfilling brownieandcakeorders.

*Whathasbeenyourproudestmomentsofar?

I've had some amazing moments while building this business. Oneofmyproudestachievementswashosngmyﬁrstin-person market stall, geng to interact and meet customers. I was also surprised by how many people recognised the name or had alreadyheardgreatthingsaboutus.Amorerecentone,ishaving my brownies featured on the restaurant menu at my favourite pub, The Three Horseshoes in Hinxworth. Seeing my name on a menu felt like sucha huge accomplishment anda real milestone for my business. Gerry, the landlord, has been incredibly supporve over the past year, helping to bring in so many amazingcakeordersfromlocalcustomers.Makesureyougoand checkoutTheThreeHorseshoestotrytheiramazingfoodandof course,thebrownies!

*WhatmakesBakedByBlondiesstandoutfromotherbakers? What really sets me apart from other bakers is the variety and range of choice I offer. Customers can select their own toppings andflavours,makingeveryordercompletelyuniqueandtailored to their taste. As a small business, I am also able to provide a more personal touch, pung me, care, and aenon into every single order. I use high-quality ingredients to create rich, indulgent brownies and decadent cakes. I pride myself on both flavour and presentaon, so you're not just geng a photo worthy centre piece, but one that tastes just as amazing as it looks.

BLONDIES

*Wheredoiseemyselfin5years?

I would love to have my own bakery. It's a huge milestone that I would feel incredibly proud and grateful to achieve. Being able to turn what started as a small home-based business into a physical shop would mean everything to me. My goal is to eventually focus on Baked By Blondies as my full-me career. While balancing two jobs has taught me a lot about hard work and dedicaon, I'd love to be in a posion where I can put all of my me, energy, and creavity into growing the business. Having my own bakery would also allow me to expand what I oﬀer, connect more with customers, and create a welcoming space where people can enjoy my bakes and hopefully some barista fresh coﬀee.. Although it may seem easier to have just one job, I know it will come with new challenges, but it's something I'm excited to work towards and connue building stepbystep.

*Ifyouwerecreangabrownieboxjustforyou,whichﬂavours wouldbeinthere?

Oh that's a tricky one, I love them all! I'd have to start with a couple of our classics, a Biscoﬀ, a Kinder Nutella and a S'mores brownie. Then I'd mix in a couple of specials like the everpopular Crispy Cornﬂake brownie and, although Easter may havepassednow,IdoloveaCremeEggbrownie.Andtakingthe lastspaceintheboxImighthavetocheatandchooseaBlondie, the Jammy Dodger blondies will always have a special place in myheart!

*Isthereanythingexcingcomingupinthefuture?

There'ssomuchtolookforwardtoatBakedByBlondiesoverthe comingmonths!Oneofthebiggestandmostexcingupdatesis thelaunchofourpostalboxesthissummer.Thismeansyou'llbe able to send our delicious brownies and sweet treats anywhere in the UK. Perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or simply cheeringsomeoneupfromafar.Wecan'twaittosharethiswith youallandmakeiteveneasiertoenjoyourbakeswhereveryou are. We've also got a fantasc line-up of pop-ups and stalls planned throughout the year. You'll be able to ﬁnd us at Ashwell at Home on 10th May and Country Boots in Baldock on 30th May. Two great opportunies to come along, meet us, and of courseindulgeinplentyofbrowniesandsweettreats.Andthat's just the beginning! We're constantly working behind the scenes on new ﬂavours and seasonal specials, so there will always be something fresh to discover. Make sure you keep an eye on our social media pages for announcements, new dates, and sneak peeksatwhat'scomingnext.It'sshapinguptobeaveryexcing year for Baked By Blondies, and I can't wait to share it all with you.

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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.

Ÿ Car Servicing

Ÿ Tyres & Brakes

Ÿ Brake Pads, Discs

Ÿ MOT Repairs

Ÿ Commercial Van Servicing

Ÿ Oil Changes & Services

Ÿ Air-Con Recharge & Servicing

Ÿ Brake Repair Specialist

Ÿ Exhaust Systems, Catalysts

Ÿ Steering, Suspensions & Shocks

Ÿ Tyres & Wheel Alignments,

Ÿ Puncture & Balancing

GARAGE SCHEME

There's a certain magic in old hi-ﬁ gear. The weight of it, the click of a proper volume knob, the warm glow of something built in a me when music felt… deliberate. So when the Atonemo Streamplayer arrived, I knew exactly how I wanted to test it.

Not with some modern smart speaker. No. I went old school.

Out came a trusty Panasonic ampliﬁer from years gone by, paired with a set of equally seasoned speakers that have seen more pares than I care to admit. Proper kit. The kind you don't throw away just because it isn't “smart.” And that's exactly where the Streamplayer shines.

This ny, almost matchbox-sized device plugs into your exisng setup and instantly drags it into the modern world. Within minutes, that old Panasonic was happily receiving music over Wi-Fi, streaming directly from my phone. No fuss. No nonsense. Just music.

Support for AirPlay 2, Spofy Connect, Tidal Connect and Google Cast means you're not locked into any one ecosystem either, which is refreshing in a world where everything seems determined to pick a side.

And the sound?

The Little Box That Brings Every Speaker Back to Life

Atonemo- StreamPlayer

Honestly, it's beer than you might expect from something this small. With support for high-resoluon audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, it delivers a clean, detailed output that lets your exisng speakers do what they do best. What I parcularly love is the philosophy behind it. Instead of forcing you to replace perfectly good equipment, the Streamplayer breathes new life into it. That old amp? Sll brilliant. Those speakers? Sll more than capable. They just needed a modern bridge.

And that's what this is- A bridge between eras. Setup is straighorward, control is handled through your usual apps, and once it's running,

it quietly disappears into the background. No ﬂashy screens, no unnecessary gimmicks, just a single job done well.

In a strange way, using it with older equipment actually enhances the experience. There's something sasfying about streaming the latest tracks through a system that predates streaming enrely.

It feels like cheang me.

If you've got an old hi-ﬁ setup gathering dust, don't replace it. Revive it.

The Atonemo Streamplayer proves that somemes the smartest upgrade isn't buying new gear… it's re discovering what you already own.

Running – Love it or Hate it?

Running - Love it or hate it. Either way, whether you're chasing a personal best or just trying to get moving, support can make all the diﬀerence.

Each spring, running fever sweeps the UK. In April 2026 alone, tens of thousands of people will have crossed ﬁnish lines at events like the London Marathon and Manchester Marathon, alongside many other races naonwide. Millions more watch from the sidelines, oen feeling inspired to lace up their trainers and give it a go themselves.

The beauty of running is its simplicity. It's a low-cost, accessible way to boost ﬁtness, manage stress and work towards personal health goals. With tools like the Couch to 5K app, downloaded millions of mes and the ever-growing popularity of Parkrun events, running has become as

much a social acvity as a physical one. Add in welcoming local clubs like Baldock Runners, and there's never been a beer me to start.

Our team at Amber Health oﬀers regular treatment to help prevent injuries, whether you're training for a speciﬁc event or simply aiming to stay consistent and pain-free. While good self-care is important, hands-on treatment can oen speed recovery. Running isn't without its challenges. Common complaints like runner's knee, Achilles tendon pain, plantar fasciis, shin splints and IT band syndrome can disrupt progress if le unchecked.

So, if aches and pains do creep in, we take a joined-up approach. As well as osteopathy, exercises to take home, dietary and footwear advice, we may also recommend a biomechanical

assessment with our podiatrist, Lilian, or an ultrasound scan to invesgate persistent issues such as knee discomfort or shockwave therapy for that ever diﬃcult to shi plantar fasciis, all this available in-house for your convenience to help you get back on track.

Amber Health 01462 490141

MORE THAN A RACE

In our April issue, we shared the story of our lovely local postman, Cliﬀ. As many of you will remember, Cliﬀ sadly lost his wife, Julie, to cancer at the end of last year a loss that has been felt deeply with family and friends.

Last year, Cliﬀ took on the London Marathon in support of Cancer Research. This year, he returned to the city to face the 26.2-mile challenge once again, this me running for Cizens Advice. As Cliﬀ put it, “You never know when you might need them, life throws things at you unexpectedly.”

Training through long hours and oen unkind weather, Cliﬀ showed the same determinaon many of us seen him pounding the streets. On marathon day, every step carried meaning. He completed the marathon in an impressive four hours 36 mins, running in memory of his wife Julie.

Cliﬀ originally set out to raise £2,300, but thanks to the generosity of friends, neighbours, and supporters that total has now reached an incredible £11.293.

If you would sll like to support this worthwhile cause, donaons remain open simply follow the link or scan the QR code to donate. hps://www.just giving.com/page/ cliﬀord-smith1?utm_medium= FR&utm_source= CL

COUNTY CHAMPIONS Division 2 Cup Winners

St Mary's Junior School is celebrang a major sporng success, as ﬁve of our pupils proudly represented not only the school but also North Herordshire at the County Boccia ﬁnal just before Easter. This highly compeve event brought together champions from across the county, including district winners and specially invited players who had stood out in earlier rounds. Remarkably, St Mary's had more children compeng than any other school, highlighng the strength and depth of our Boccia provision.

The team built on an already impressive record, with St Mary's having won the District Boccia tournament mulple mes in recent years. Notably, our twins are serial winners. Could they connue their incredible run of success wherever they compete. Throughout the day, our pupils demonstrated exceponal skill, focus, and determinaon, compeng against players up to the age of 18. Their performances were nothing short of outstanding.

Aer a fantasc day of compeon, the team achieved an incredible result—being crowned COUNTY CHAMPIONS. This is a truly magnificent accomplishment, especially in a sport played by thousands of pupils across Herordshire. To finish first and be recognised as the best in the county is something the children should be immensely proud of. As a school, we are absolutely delighted with their achievement, and we have no doubt that the memories of this special day will stay with them for years to come.

Sco Hagland - PE Coordinator

Baldock can celebrate new sporng success aer North Baldock FC ran out 31 winners v St Ippolyts in the Hitchin Sunday League Div 2 cup.

Playing in front of a huge crowd seemed to give the players extra energy as the top 2 in the League met to decide who would be liing the divisional trophy. Despite hing the post and seeing a couple of chances go begging in a very even ﬁrst half, North Baldock saw themselves go a goal behind just before half-me.

A couple of taccal changes from Manager Chris Browning saw the lads come out for the second half like a team possessed and in an amazing 25 minute spell they scored 3 goals in quick succession via Rory Gillham, Elliot Flynn (C) and Joe Fantom. Such was the performance, not even a saved penalty could halt the charge towards liing the trophy in a completely dominant performance.

Huge congratulaon to all the lads, Manager and Coaches. Massive thanks to everyone who turned out to support the Team.

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

Jerk Chicken with Lime & Honey Glaze

It's May and, there's something about cooking outdoors that just hits diﬀerently.

It's also the perfect excuse to try something new. James Martin inspired this month's recipe, but it actually came to me via an extended member of the Eight family - Mrs C. A real star, always sharing photos of the dishes she cooks from these pages.

1. Marinate & Cook the Jerk Chicken (BBQ)

Ÿ 1.2 kg chicken thighs and drumsticks (bone-in, skin-on)

Ÿ 6 spring onions (approx. 120 g), chopped

Ÿ 4 garlic cloves (20 g)

Ÿ 2 scotch bonnet chillies (or 1 for less heat)

Ÿ 15 g fresh ginger

Ÿ 10 g fresh thyme (or 5 g dried)

Ÿ 60 ml soy sauce

Ÿ 30 g brown sugar

Ÿ 15 g ground allspice

Ÿ 5 g ground cinnamon

Ÿ 5 g ground nutmeg

Ÿ Juice of 2 limes (approx. 60 ml)

Ÿ 40 ml vegetable oil

Ÿ 5 g salt

Ÿ 3 g black pepper

In a blender, combine all marinade ingredients and blitz to a coarse, punchy paste—don't overwork it; a little texture is a good thing here.

Lightly score the chicken and rub the marinade in generously, massaging it into every cut so it penetrates properly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours—overnight is ideal.

Preheat your barbecue for indirect cooking (coals to one side, or one burner on), aiming for a steady medium heat of around 180–200°C. Place the chicken on the cooler side of the grill, skin-side up. Close the lid and cook gently for 30–40 minutes, allowing the smoke and heat to build ﬂavour. While the chicken cooks, prepare the glaze (see below). When the chicken is nearly cooked through, move it over direct heat to crisp and char the skin. Brush with the glaze, turning regularly to build a sticky, lacquered ﬁnish. Keep a close eye at this stage, the honey will catch quickly. Once beautifully charred and cooked through, remove from the grill and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

2. Lime & Honey Glaze

Ÿ 80 g honey

Ÿ Juice of 2 limes (60 ml)

Ÿ 20 ml soy sauce

Ÿ 5 g grated ginger

Ÿ 1 garlic clove (5 g), ﬁnely grated

Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened,you're looking for a light syrup. Keep warm and brush onto the chicken during the ﬁnal stage of cooking for a glossy ﬁnish.

3. Jollof Rice

Ÿ 300 g long grain rice (washed)

Ÿ 400 g chopped tomatoes (tinned or fresh)

Ÿ 1 red bell pepper (150 g)

Ÿ 1 onion (150 g)

Ÿ 30 g tomato paste

Ÿ 60 ml vegetable oil

Ÿ 5 g dried thyme

Ÿ 5 g curry powder

Ÿ 1 bay leaf

Ÿ 600 ml chicken stock

Ÿ 8 g salt

Blend the tomatoes, red pepper and onion into a smooth base. Heat the oil in a heavy pan and fry the tomato paste for 2–3 minutes to deepen the flavour. Add the blended mixture and cook for 10-15 minutes until rich, thick and slightly reduced. Stir in the thyme, curry powder and bay leaf, then add the rice and mix well to coat. Pour in the stock, season, cover tightly and cook on a low heat for 20-25 minutes. Once cooked, allow to rest for 5 minutes, then fluff gently with a fork.

Ÿ 4. Cucumber, Avocado & Mint Relish

Ÿ 1 cucumber (300 g), diced

Ÿ 2 ripe avocados (400 g), diced

Ÿ 10 g fresh mint leaves

Ÿ 30 g red onion, ﬁnely sliced

Ÿ Juice of 1 lime (30 ml)

Ÿ 20 ml olive oil

Ÿ 5 g salt

Dice the cucumber and avocado into neat, even pieces. Finely slice the mint and onion. Gently combine everything in a bowl, avoid overmixing to keep the texture fresh. Dress just before serving with lime juice, olive oil and salt.

To Serve, spoon the jollof rice onto a large serving platter, arrange the glazed jerk chicken on top, and ﬁnish with a generous scattering of fresh relish. You're looking for balance, smoky heat, sticky sweetness, and something cool and sharp to cut through it all.

I look forward to seeing many of you in the restaurant throughout the month, especially if you're joining us for any of the Baldock Festival events.

Baldock'sRisingBoxingStar

Jacob Thomas Brings Home Silver from Portugal

At just 13 years old, Jacob Thomas from Baldock is already making a serious name for himself in the boxing world.

Jacob, known to many as Jake, has been boxing since the age of nine and is now an England carded boxer, a remarkable achievement for someone so young.

Represenng Barnet ABC, he trains a minimum of four mes a week under the guidance of his coach, Tony Powley, showing the dedicaon and discipline needed to compete at the highest level.

Most recently, Jacob returned from Portugal with an impressive silver medal, having secured second place at the presgious Porto Box Cup. In the ﬁnal, he faced Madrid's reigning schoolboy champion, pung in a performance that underlined both his skill and determinaon.

The Porto Box Cup is widely regarded as one of the largest boxing tournaments in the world, aracng entries from 187 clubs with more than 700 boers, making Jacob's achievement even more signiﬁcant.

His boxing journey has already taken him far beyond Baldock. Jacob has gained training experience around the globe, with opportunies to train at some of boxing's most respected gyms, including the legendary Gleason's Gym in New York and Uprising, Angua's only boxing gym.

With his talent and training ethic, Jacob's future in the sport looks incredibly bright. it won't be long before this young Baldock ﬁghter is bringing home a major tle belt.

One thing is certain: Jacob Thomas is a name to watch.

UNDER THE LIGHTS

Under the Lights & Loving Every Minute Saturday night, our Letchworth girls joined over 120 players from 15 clubs at the Herord Girls Floodlit Fesval - and what a brilliant experience it was! With players from our U8, U9 and U10 squads teaming up, it was all about teamwork, conﬁdence, and having fun on the pitch.

“So proud of our lile Lionesses today aer their amazing eﬀorts at the Herord Girls Floodlit Fesval last night!

We had girls from our U8, U9 and U10s teams in cluster teams from other amazing clubs, and all of our girls gave it their all and had a brilliant run out.

Big thanks to Herord RFC for organising and to our coaches for making the day happen! Well done Lile Lionesses.”- Claire, U8 Coach

A fantasc evening of rugby, smiles, and memories

Baldock’s favourite for 34 years

Other People's Shoes

I've often heard people say “Just be kind to make someone's day.” It may take only a simple smile, to ease a stranger's troubles for a while. So always be kind to those you meet, whether on the bus or in the street. Some have deep and troubling fears, all is often not what it appears. Doesn't take an army with ﬂags unfurled, to make this earth a better world.

Baldock Bard

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

Please send your local snaps new or old to our facebook page or email info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk

Puzzle Break

Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be lled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.

Archie Davies sending it

Our word wheel challenge. Create as many words as you can, using the letters once only and always including the letter in the middle of the wheel. Also, can you nd the 9 letter word?