CustomDOORMATS Baldock
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Issue 145 November 2026
Raising awareness of what’s on & where to find things locally
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www.onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk Baldock, Ashwell, Weston and surrounding villages
Welcome Welcome to the November issue of On Our Doorstep! We can't believe it's November already, with just one more issue to go before Christmas! We hope you all had a lovely October and enjoyed the half-term break. October certainly brought a change in the weather, from blue skies to thunderstorms and wet dog walks! A first this month from 'On Our Doorstep', is a feature cover advertisement for one of our local Baldock businesses with a new venture offering custom printed doormats, designed by the you, using a smart online designer. Access the QR code on the front cover for full details and start designing with DORMAT.CO.UK or take a look at 63 High Street. They would make a great Christmas present with the mucky weather about to arrive. As we get our hats and gloves out, we're looking forward to the fireworks display at Hartsfield School on 7th November, with local food vendors including our favourite, Chow Pizza. Paul's favourite is the pepperoni pizza with garlic mushrooms! Fancy a treat? Luna Cafe is still offering coffee and cake for just £6, featuring delicious brownies and cakes from Baked by Blondies.
Our five-minute interview this month is with Millie, an inspiring young chef from Eight Restaurant. This years Remembrance service takes place on Sunday 8th November on the High Street by the war memorial. We also have a little shout-out for The Chilli Lounge, offering 10% off when you mention our magazine or take their advert along. As always a big thank you to all our local businesses for supporting the magazine. Supporting local is what we're all about, so please mention us when visiting a business featured in our pages. We'd love to see your local photos for our monthly gallery. Email info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk or call 079737 788418. And if someone you know has a birthday coming up, why not give them a shout-out in our December issue? Until next month
Paul & Jacqui info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk or 07973 788418
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2026
3
Jazz Concert Supports Age Related Macular Baldock Rotary recently held its tradi onal Jazz Concert, primarily in aid of Age-Related Macular Degenera on. The concert held at Knights Templar School a racted an audience of 100 people who came to enjoy jazz played by the excellent Apex Jazz band. The evening was complemented with a fish and chip supper and extensive raffle. The evening started with John Wilburn, President of Baldock Rotary, paying a tribute to Rotary member, Keith Bri er, who sadly recently passed away. Keith has for many years, with his wife Carol, organised the Jazz concert, which is a key event in the fundraising programme of the club, and is an evening that people very much look forward to. Keith was extremely hard working and a real asset to Baldock Rotary. He will be sadly missed by all those who knew him. Apex Jaxx band comprises Peter Chapman - clarinet, Andy Moran trumpet, Adrian Cosker - tenor sax and
flute, Mar n Ley - trombone, Mike O'Neill - piano, Len Crawley - percussion, and Nigel Emmerton - bass. The band opened the concert with Just a Li le While to Stay Here and played a variety of favourite jazz numbers including Bugle Boy March, Buona Sera, Sunny Side of the Street, Doctor Jazz, King of the Swingers, and ended the concert with classic favourites Bring Me Sunshine and When the Saints Go Marching In. Overall, an extremely entertaining evening, as always complemented with Peter's humorous repartee between the musical numbers. The evening, expertly organised by Garry Blyth and Carol, provided another example of Baldock Rotary Club working in and with the community to provide events that raise funds which will be donated to the most deserving charitable causes. Garry thanked everyone for their support, be it from a ending the concert, helping to stage the evening or dona ng raffle prizes.
Baldock Rotary is always looking to a ract new members, so if you are the type of person who is in a posi on to “give something back” to the Community, we would love to hear from you. Our ac vi es and aims can be summarised as; Ÿ Fundraising for charitable causes Ÿ Support for the local Community Ÿ Aid for interna onal disasters Ÿ Make new friends and have fun at our organised social events If you are interested in any aspect of what Rotary has to offer, please contact us on our website, Baldock Rotary Club or contact our Membership Secretary, Michael Muir, tel. no. 07909 002631, email michael.muir@north-herts.go.uk Rotarian - Paul Lucke
NOVEMBER
2026
5
#ScamAware
Could you spot a scam?
Baldock Rotary Welcomes New President
A growing number of consumers are being scammed out of thousands of pounds by rogue roofers - who are inven ng non-existent problems, charging for phantom repairs and targe ng people on their doorstep. Suspected roofing scams were the top scam the Ci zens Advice Consumer Service saw in the last year, making up 10% of goods or service complaints flagged as scams. A shocking one in four of all the roofing complaints it received in the same period were suspected scams. With advisers rou nely helping consumers le thousands of pounds out of pocket, the charity is revealing its latest findings as part of its annual Scams Awareness campaign. Roofing work covers everything from construc on to repairs and weatherproofing.
Consumers reported 'traders' disappearing with their money, being tricked into paying for work not carried out, damage or issues being invented, aggressive sales tac cs, demands for payment which le them feeling in midated and being grossly overcharged. The charity found fraudsters used doorstep sales tac cs in a staggering three quarters (77%) of suspected roofing scams, making it the most common method deployed to catch homeowners out. Find a good trader you can trust: Your local council might be able to offer you a list of traders who may also belong to a trade associa on. Ask for references and make sure you get everything in wri ng, including details of any work you agree.
Be wary of: Ÿ anyone offering to deliver unsolicited work, either by knocking on your door, or calling you on the phone. Ÿ traders who won't put anything in wri ng, only accept cash or want you to pay everything upfront. Keep paperwork and receipts, take photos to use as evidence, and make notes about what's happened. Know your rights. If a trader hasn't done a good job with 'reasonable care and skill', the Consumer Rights Act 2015 en tles you to ask for the problem to be fixed or for a refund. Contact the Ci zens Advice Consumer Service www.ci zensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get -more-help/if-you-need-more-helpabout-a-consumer-issue/> to report a problem or if you need more help - a trained adviser can give you advice over the phone 0808223 1133.
NOVEMBER
2026
7
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8 Unit 16 Woodside Industrial Park, Works Road, Letchworth SG6 1LA 8
NOVEMBER
2026
5 minutes with...
Eight ... Milly - Junior Chef at
*What made you want to pursue a career in hospitality? I have always enjoyed baking, and as I didn't par cularly enjoy school, I decided to go to college to study catering. I ended up absolutely loving it! I also love how food can have such a posi ve impact on people, whether it's making someone's day a li le be er or bringing back happy memories of a special moment in their life. *Why did you want to work at Eight rather than a higherprofile restaurant in London or Cambridge? As the hours can be quite unpredictable, I wanted to find a job closer to home so I wouldn't have to spend as much me commu ng. Luckily, Eight opened just before I started working, and I've been really happy working there ever since. I also love that I'm able to work with high-quality, locally sourced produce right on my doorstep. *What aspects of your job do you really enjoy? I love how every shi is different, and because it's such a small workplace, everyone gets along really well and there's a lovely sense of teamwork. *What are the challenges of working in hospitality? My least favourite thing is not having weekends off, as i miss out on going out with my friends on a Friday/Saturday night. *What is your favourite restaurant to eat at locally? My guilty pleasure is Ibo's in Hitchin. I absolutely love the food, especially the chicken sheesh and their delicious flatbread served with a selec on of tasty dips.
*What would be your death row meal? My death row meal would have to start with a warm, crusty bague e with plenty of bu er, followed by a tradi onal roast chicken dinner with extra gravy and lots of sage and onion stuffing. To finish, I'd have a s cky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream! *What would be the one ingredient you would want if stranded on a desert island? I would choose potatoes because they're so versa le and can be cooked in so many different ways, meaning I wouldn't get bored of them too quickly! *Would you encourage other young women to embark on a career in hospitality, and why? I think more young women should consider ge ng into hospitality, especially working in the kitchen. It's so much fun and really isn't as in mida ng as people might think. Everyone is so friendly and suppor ve, and there's always someone willing to help you learn and develop your skills. *What was the experience of hos ng your own Supper Club like at Eight? I found running the supper club alone nerve-racking at first, as crea ng a menu and managing all the prepara on felt like a lot of pressure. However, with guidance and support from the whole team, I found the experience incredibly rewarding. I'm very grateful to Kish for giving me this opportunity and suppor ng my growth and development at work.
UNIT 12 BONDOR BUSINESS CENTRE, LONDON ROAD, BALDOCK. SG76HP
NOVEMBER
2026
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NOVEMBER
2026
Screen this months new releases
WILD HORSE NINE
HOW TO ROB A BANK
Out 9th November
Out 11th November
Bureau chief, dispatches the aging legendary agent Chris and his younger colleague Lee from the capital to the remote paradise of Easter Island. Framed as a vague "special mission," the trip functions as a purgatorial waiting room. Chris is a dying assassin who has reportedly killed 68 men.The two longtime partners are forced to wrestle with their dark pasts and personal demons
A crew of social media-savvy bank robbers who broadcast their daring heists live, turn their criminal activities into a viral online show to inspire others to fight back. However, their massive internet fame puts them in the crosshairs of a veteran FBI agent and a brilliant software engineer. The robbers are forced to push past their limits and put everything on the line in their most ambitious heist yet
Certificate 18
Certificate 15
Running Time 118 mins
Running Time 122 mins
07572 532618 www.bb-carpentry.co.uk
sunrise on the reaping Out 11th November
the further mis-adventures of cliff booth Out 25th November
On his 16th birthday, Haymitch Abernathy wakes up in District 12 hoping to simply survive the day and spend time with his girlfriend, Lenore Dove. At the ceremony, four District 12 tributes are selected When a tribute tries to flee, Peacekeepers shoot him dead. Lenore protests the brutality, and to save her from the Peacekeepers' wrath, Haymitch steps in and is reaped as replacement
Set in 1977—eight years after the events of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood—the "fairytale is over". Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) is washed out of the film industry, no longer doubling Rick Dalton because Rick "got too fat". Instead, he spends his time working odd jobs as a bartender, managing mudwrestling matches, and working as a cinema projectionist.
Certificate PG13 Running Time 150 mins
Certificate 15
Running Time 101 mins NOVEMBER
2026
11
‘Hip, Hip, Hooray, Santa Claus is comming to town He would love to see you to say hello’
Father Christmas assisted by Baldock Rotary Club will once again be visiting the streets of Baldock and surrounding villages during December and making a collection for local charities
Baldock Rotary Club Christmas Sleigh 2026 Route Day & Date
Town/Village
Route 6 p.m. to 8 p.m
Monday 30th November
Baldock
London Road Page Close
Chiltern Road Beechridge Close
Woodland Way London Road (right)
Tuesday 1st December
Ashwell
Ashwell Street Angels Meadow Kingsland Way
Silver Street Back Street High Street
Bear Lane Dixies Close
Wednesday 2nd December
Baldock
Football Close Jackson Street Orchard Road
Pond Lane Brewery Lane Hitchin St & The Gardens
Church Street Simpson Drive Thurnall Close
Thursday 3rd December
Baldock
The Sycamores Norton road
West Avenue Hopewell Road
Coachmans Lane Letchworth Road
Friday 4th December
Baldock
Bygrave Road Larkins Close Salisbury Road
Icknield Way East Bramley Close Grosvenor Road
North Road Grosvenor Road West California
Monday 7th December
Baldock
Holroyd Crescent Park Drive Park Close
The Rowans Alder Close Mansfield Road
Park Street Park Cresent
Tuesday 8th December
Baldock (Clothall Common)
Stane Street Hurst Close Rive Close
Eisenburg Close Rhee Spring Orwell View
Iredale Way Rye Gardens
Wednesday 9th December
Baldock
Pembroke Road Pinnocks Lane Clothall Road
Limekiln Lane Penfold Close Roman Lane
South Road South Close Providence Way
Thursday 10th December
Baldock
Weston Way Chilvers Bank
St Mary's Way Weston Way to Willian Rd
Friday 11th December
Baldock
Anchor Road Turpins Way
Ivel Way Pryor Way
Byrd Walk
Monday 14th December
Baldock
Nigh ngale Way Elmwood Avenue Mons Avenue
Clare Crescent Willian Way Weston Way (Top)
Ashtons lane Hillcrest London Road (le )
Tuesday 15th December
Bygrave village
Wednesday 16th December
Baldock (Clothall Common)
Wynn Close Weaver's Way Mercia Road
Westell Close Bush Spring Kings Mount
Downlands Sale Drive
Thursday 17th December
Baldock (Clothall Common)
Chauncy Gardens Mal ngs Close Walnut Avenue
Ringtale Place Barley Rise Laxton Gardens
Aleyn Way Merchants Walk Constan ne Place
Can you help? Phone Thom Odd 07799 841982 Baldock Rotary would really appreciate any me you can give to assist Father Christmas and the Elves with the street collec ons .
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NOVEMBER
2026
Made for a Life of Yes
Q3 e-hybrid S line The Q3 has become a familiar sight on Bri sh roads, thanks to its blend of premium appeal, prac cality and easygoing driving manners. Now, the Q3 ehybrid adds another card to Audi's deck, le ng you tackle everyday journeys on electric power while keeping a petrol engine for longer trips. Its plug-in hybrid system combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol mill with an electric motor to produce a sizable 272PS. That means performance is no a erthought, with 0-62mph taking just 6.8 seconds. Yet the real appeal is its ability to trek more than 70 miles on electric poke alone. For many drivers, that could cover the majority of daily motoring without the petrol unit firing into life. Charge at home, and trips to work, the shops, college or the local spin cycle class can be completed silently and smoothly on electric juice. Then, when it's me for a longer expedi on, there's no need to plan around charging stops. Inside, the Q3 feels every bit the premium SUV. The S line specifica on brings suppor ve sports seats, quality materials and a smart digital cockpit,
By Tim Barnes-Clay Follow on Instagram @tbarnsclay & TikTok @ mauto_
while the infotainment system is undemanding to navigate and includes wireless smartphone connec vity. There is enough room for four adults to travel happily, while the rear seats also provide useful space for growing kids. The boot remains prac cal, too, despite the extra hybrid hardware, making the Q3 versa le enough for family life. The cabin is an enjoyable place to spend me - everything feels well screwed and glued together, with the sort of solid, understated quality expected from Audi. It avoids needless fuss and gives the impression it was designed to make daily motoring uncomplicated. On the road, refinement is the Q3 ehybrid's primary superpower. Electric clout makes it par cularly hushed around town, while the petrol lump and electric motor work together smoothly when more oomph is required. Plenty of grunt is available when pulling onto a motorway or overtaking slower traffic, but the Q3 never feels like it's trying too hard. The suspension balances comfort with control, soaking
up Britain's embarrassingly poor road surfaces while keeping the SUV composed through twisty sec ons of tarmac. The Q3 e-hybrid therefore makes a compelling case for plug-in hybrid ownership. It offers the quietness and instant response of electric driving for shorter journeys, combined with the freedom of petrol power when motoring further afield. Add in its classy interior, useful space, brawny performance and impressive electric range, and the Q3 e-hybrid is a versa le whip that fits neatly into day-to-day life.
Fast Facts Audi Q3 SUV e-hybrid S line S tronic: Ÿ Max speed: 134 mph Ÿ 0-62 mph: 4.8 secs Ÿ MPG: 150 Ÿ Powerplant: 1,498cc petrol + electric Ÿ Power (PS): 272 Ÿ CO2: 43 g/km Ÿ Price £49,655
NOVEMBER
2026
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LAWN CUTTING HEDGE CUTTING LANDSCAPING PATIOS
ASHWELL 16
NOVEMBER
2026
WESTON
Our DECEmber
Issue DEADLINE is
16th NOVEMBER
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!
The Gentlemen Season 2 - Ne lix Ever wondered what Theo James would look like with a licence to kill? He's o en men oned whenever cas ng rumours for the next Bond start up, and watching him in a beau fully cut suit, sipping whisky, trading dry one-liners and slipping out of impossible situa ons, it's easy to see why. The Gentlemen gives him something even be er than 007: a chance to be charming, ruthless and slightly out of his depth, all at once. If you missed season one, here is the pitch. A well-bred young man inherits a crumbling country estate and discovers that the family fortune rests on something rather less respectable than old money usually admits. Add a few dozen unsavoury characters who all want a slice, and you have Guy Ritchie's swaggering television adapta on of his own 2019 film. The original movie was actually conceived years earlier as a TV show concept before Ritchie turned it into a feature; returning to the small screen has finally given his sprawling, ensemble-heavy storytelling the room to breathe. The result is pure Ritchie at his best: tweed, swearing, sudden violence and buckets of fun. Season 2 picks up about a year a er the conclusion of season 1. James's Eddie Horniman has developed a real taste for power, Kaya Scodelario's Susie Glass remains the sharpest operator in any room, and their ambi ons now stretch across Europe. Ray Winstone, Vinnie Jones and Giancarlo Esposito are back to snarl, scheme and steal every scene they're in, clearly
having an absolute blast. It looks gorgeous, brimming with a glossy, lived-in swagger across the country estate, the flawless tailoring and the razor-sharp dialogue. The wri ng is vintage Ritchie, with threats delivered like punchlines and punchlines delivered like threats. This season leans a li le darker and meaner, which only adds a sa sfying weight to the sharp-tongued banter. With eight hours to fill, the plot moves at a breakneck speed, stacking up high-stakes twists, roman c sparks, and colorful rivalries at every turn. It's bold, stylish, and deliciously entertaining, knowing exactly what it is and delivering top- er fun without taking itself too seriously. As for where it sits in the Ritchie canon, it comfortably holds its own alongside classic fan favourites like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Television suits Ritchie down to the ground. The longer format gives his stellar cast room to shine, and the sprawling, character-heavy storytelling plays directly to his greatest strengths. Can you jump in without having seen season one? Technically, yes. But the character dynamics and chemistry are the real joy here, and they land best if you start from the beginning. It's an effortless, addic ve eight-episode ride—perfect for a weekend catch-up. Lock the door, pour something strong and enjoy.
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!!
NOVEMBER
2026
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All Dried Up November 2026 At last, we have rain - not enough, but it's rain. Like all of you, we have struggled to keep our plants alive through the hottest summer on record. We used our stored water very quickly; we have a vast roof area that feeds rainwater into a 49000 Litre storage tank. This is normally plenty big enough for us, as an average night's rain will refill it and in a normal summer, that will last us a week to ten days. This summer, it was gone and not refilled until October. The garden centre and our production nursery have been watered by hand for some years; although this is labourintensive, it can save enormous amounts of water. This summer, most of our water has come from our borehole; the whole site takes about 7000 litres a day. On an average summer, we would water every other day, but this year we've had to water twice a day. We used to use overhead irrigation, but it uses four to five times as much and will not distinguish between dried-out plants and wet plants. These systems are great for monocropping areas (thousands of the same plants), but we grow many small batches with different compost types and feeds. As a result, they dry out at different rates, and overwatering causes runoff that washes out vital nutrients. The future will see us using flood benching with water recycling and autofeeding, all controlled by AI or superintelligence, as the Americans prefer to call it. This will use trough-style bench tops that hold the plant trays and allow a level of irrigation liquid for the plants to sit in; watering and feeding from the bottom of the plant tray will keep the leaves from getting wet and stained and keep the flowers from water damage. The watering system will use pumps to fill and empty the trays, using a sealed tank to hold the irrigation liquid, and will mix the required feed into it via a device called an injector; this is fitted into the water supply line and powered by the pump's pressure.
The injector is simple in design but very accurate. The general principle is based on a large piston powered by the incoming water that is connected to a smaller piston that works as a syringe; by use of some valves, the big piston is made to work backwards and forwards; consequently, the smaller adjustable piston pushes the liquid feed through a needle into the outgoing water; hence it's called an injector. The faster the incoming water is, the faster it works, keeping the dilution the same. Automation of feeding and watering systems will have to become the norm as the weather gets warmer, as expected, and wage costs continue to go through the roof. The long hot summer of 2026 has caused lots of immediate problems; plants and trees in our gardens have suffered, as have our lawns. We are lucky in North Herts, mostly on chalk subsoil where underground water storage, called the aquifer, holds millions of cubic metres of water. Here at the garden centre, the water level in the aquifer is generally 12 metres below the soil surface; most mature trees can reach deep enough to use the moisture, no matter how dry the surface soil is. Some shrubs can also reach that deep, as can most pernicious weeds, which is why, when your garden looks awful, the weeds are still growing steadily. Small shrubs, trees and annuals such as bedding plants and vegetables cannot, so it has been very difficult to keep them alive. Most plants will stop growing at temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees centigrade, and no matter how much water or feed you give them, they will not respond. Records show we had more than 40 days over 30 degrees centigrade this summer, so we had no chance of a nice garden even if we had been allowed to use our hose pipes. Lawns have taken a real cooking this summer; while in a normal summer grass will go into dormancy, it is likely that the very hot, dry weather has been
too prolonged for the dormant plants to survive, and this is what most people have found: they have had to re-seed the lawn. This has caused a severe shortage of grass seed and topsoil; we haven't had any for some weeks and can't get any from our wholesaler. The hot summer the wider European continent endured is about to impose itself on Christmas. Premium live Christmas trees will be in short supply; I realise that every year, someone on television or in the papers has been spouting on about shortages and prices, but this year's information is serious. Drought, extreme heat, and fire have, along with a very late, seriously heavy frost in Denmark in 2026, damaged the new growth on what trees they had, but also back in 2016-17 the Danish growers decided, looking forward, that there was going to be a glut of trees, so planted fewer than they normally would, so now they have very few for the European market. A report published on 12 October says a disappointing Danish harvest will contribute to a 10 to 20 per cent price increase. Drought and severe heat will produce localised shortages in mainland Europe and Southern England, but there is some good news: some parts of Wales and most of Scotland have not suffered from extreme heat and drought and have lots of good-quality trees to harvest. As you will know, we have been getting our trees for the last 25 years from our friends in Scotland, so we will again have top-quality trees at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, some more bad news. Fuel price increases have caused transport firms to reconsider their costs and pass the increase on to their customers, who will also have to pass it on.
Graham
NOVEMBER
2026
19
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chillilounge
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BRING YOUR OWN BOOZE
We are open Christmas Day
ALL DAY, ANY DAY We want to make your Chilli Lounge meal easier on your finances Feel free to bring your own wine, spirts or beer
The Baldock Events Forum are pleased to announce that once again Baldock's own ‘Grade A Technologies’ are the major sponsor for the Baldock Christmas Fayre 2026. This year we will open with Abbots Fun Fair, the Food court and Bar with live music on the High Street from 6pm on Friday 4th December.
BOOK NOW FOR CHRISTMAS
(Soft drinks available to purchase)
chill out
chillilounge www.chilliloungebaldock.co.uk
Book now
01462
896060 *10%offer valid until 01/12/26 Applies to food only
6 Whitehorse Street, Baldock SG7 6QN
20
NOVEMBER
2026
Then on Saturday 5th December the usual range of cra stalls will be spread between the Baldock community Hub where you can find Santa's gro o, Baldock Art and Heritage Centre and St. Mary's Church Hall where you can pop in to St Mary's Church for the annual Christmas Tree displays. The fun fair will be open all day on Saturday for rides, and you can enjoy coffee from lots of cafes or mulled wine from the Bar and Food in the Food hall all whilst listening to live local music. No spoilers but G 'Balstock' La Roche has got some great local acts for this year. Then at 6pm the main event, Simon the Snowman will help turn on the towns Christmas Tree lights. The commi ee look forward to seeing you soon.
Probate Explained - In Simple Terms! Firstly, what is Probate? It is basically the legal right that executors of a Will may need to deal with some aspects of a person's affairs a er they have died. It's really just an A4 sheet of paper with a court stamp on it, naming the executors, and detailing the value of the estate. Probate isn't always needed, and it can be very scary if an organisa on suddenly tells you that they need site of Probate before they can release funds. A common misconcep on is that you can avoid the need for Probate if you make a Will. It is the type/value of assets held that affect whether or not Probate is needed, not the existence of a Will.
There are only a few circumstances where Probate may be requested/ needed. It will need to be applied for if any Inheritance Tax is due (this must be paid within 6 months of death). Some mes Inheritance Tax is difficult to calculate, and professional help may be needed to work it out. Banks may ask executors to obtain Probate because the amount they're holding in the deceased's accounts is over their threshold for simply handing it over to the executor (unhelpfully, all banks have different thresholds). Other financial organisa ons such as share registrars or investment/ pension/insurance companies may ask
for Probate to be obtained before they will transfer funds/assets held in the sole name of the deceased. Probate is always needed where property is held in anything other than joint names. A property can usually be put on the market before Probate is granted, but comple on cannot happen un l the conveyancing solicitors have seen the Grant of Probate (officially a Grant of Representa on but o en called Grant of Probate). Similarly, a property cannot be transferred into the name/s of anyone who has inherited it, un l Probate is held. To apply for Probate, there are forms which must be completed and submi ed to the Probate Registry. It is possible for executors to complete the forms without professional help, but some mes this can feel like a very daun ng task, and if that is the case you can seek assistance from a professional. This doesn't mean that you will be asking them to take over all aspects off finalising the estate (unless you would like them to do that) but they will use the informa on you have gathered about assets and debts (including funeral expenses) to apply for Probate in executor name/s so that the aspects that cannot be finalised without it, can then be dealt with by the executors. If you have any ques ons about Probate, no ma er how silly they may feel, please do get in touch with us at A R K Las ng Powers & Wills (email info@arkpowers.com or call 01438 746977). We offer free ini al advice, and we believe there really is no such thing as a silly ques on! Ac ng as executor of an estate is a very responsible job, and it is very important that everything is done correctly. You will find a lot of informa on about Probate on our website www.arkpowers.com including a handy checklist for executors to use.
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Raising awareness of what’ to find s on & where things locally
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Issue 74 December 2020
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Baldock, Ashwell, Weston and
Baldock, Ashwell, Weston and surrounding
NOVEMBER
of what’s on & where to find things locally
2026
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OUR 2027 DIARY IS OPEN FOR BOOKINGS
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2026
Plans are underway for a local hospice's annual 'fes val of remembrance' at the end of November. Everyone is invited to dedicate a light in memory of a loved one for a minimum dona on of £10 per light to help fund the Hospice's services during the fes ve season. Lights of Life is a week-long event held at Garden House Hospice Care in Letchworth. This years' service will take place on Sunday 29th November from 5pm and be hosted by the Hospice's Inpa ent Unit Manager, Rebecca Windle. There will also be readings from staff and family members, and performances from singer-songwriter Roxy Searle and a local choir. Hundreds of people a end Lights of Life every year The Hospice's garden will also be open for more in mate visits from Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6th December. These are available in 15minute slots between 5pm and 7pm. Both the service and garden visits are free to a end but must be pre-booked.
Local singer-songwriter Roxy Searle performs at Lights of Life every year Garden House Hospice Care has an overall fundraising target of £2.7 million this year - Lights of Life is expected to bring in approximately £40,000 toward this total. Lights can be dedicated for a minimum dona on of £10 each in four areas in the Hospice's garden: the woodland walk, the Christmas tree, the orchard and the sundial circle. The names of the people the lights are dedicated to will be printed on display boards in each area for the dura on of Lights of Life. They will also be listed on a special dedica on page on Garden House's website. A display board containing loved ones' names in front of a Christmas tree display Carla Pilsworth is Director of Income Genera on at Garden House: “Lights of Life is such a special and important event in our calendar. It brings our community together at what can be a par cularly difficult me of
year, especially if it's their first Christmas without their loved one. “It's also vital that we con nue to raise the funds we need to keep our services running. Although we are no longer in the same financial crisis as this me last year, we s ll greatly rely on the support of charitable dona ons. Less than half of our funding comes from the Government, so every penny raised through campaigns and events like Lights of Life means we can con nue to support people living with advancing illnesses, their families and carers.” To dedicate a light, make a dona on and book to a end Lights of Life, visit www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/lights Please note that dedica ons must be made by Thursday 19th November in order to be printed on the display boards.
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NOVEMBER
2026
People Fascinate Me Humans are, without a doubt, the most bizarre creatures on this planet. We have mapped galaxies and split atoms, yet as individuals, we spend our lives doing things that defy all logical explana on. How could anyone not be completely fascinated? Personally, I do love a good peoplewatching session, especially when I'm a few Southern Comforts down in a local pub. The more I drink, the more they fascinate me. You see lovers, young and old, hidden away in corners with only eyes for each other. Right next to them are lads bantering with their mates at full volume, while young ladies try to catch their eye without appearing to do so. Of course, let us not forget those same lads trying desperately hard to impress the ladies, hoping to go home with that someone special. We are a species of extreme contradic ons. What is sauce for the goose is not necessarily sauce for the gander where we are concerned. Take our hobbies, for instance. You will find one person who derives profound joy from me culously pain ng a ny, fic onal clay soldier. Two houses down, someone else is spending their hardearned weekend jumping out of a perfectly func onal airplane just to feel alive.
BLONDIES
Even our daily social survival is a masterclass in entertainment. Watch people in a supermarket. Some glide through the aisles like seasoned secret agents on a mission. These folk are fabulous to watch when the supermarket plays its annual game of "hide the sausage"—moving everything about just to wind us all up. Others are completely uninhibited, quietly dancing near the frozen peas or unabashedly singing along to a terrible remix of an eigh es pop song. We self-censor in big mee ngs to stay professional, but the moment we get into a car alone, we become rock stars screaming at the steering wheel. If you are lucky enough to afford a concert, you will find a dis nct split there, too. On one side are those who spend the whole night filming it on their mobile. On the other side are those craning their necks around the screens just to actually enjoy the show. Me? I'm a craner. I want to be in the moment and remember the sights and how I felt. I do not understand the filmers; they will likely never watch it back and have missed a rare opportunity to truly live in the moment. What makes people truly cap va ng isn't our perfec on; it is our wonderful weirdness. True intelligence doesn't
come from a piece of paper, either. I've met people with no qualifica ons who are the most inspiring, intelligent people I've ever come across. On the flip side, I've met folk with doctorates who, quite frankly, are completely dull with no passion other than what they have been educated in. In a world full of predictable algorithms and automated systems, humanity remains beau fully, deligh ully unpredictable. We are driven by raw feelings, hidden meanings, and an endless desire to connect. Next me you are out, just sit back and watch. Every single person walking past has a completely different, wildly complex story running in their head, and that is an absolute joy to witness. I know its chilly out there, so find yourself a nice table in Luna this week (other cafés are available) and spend some me people-watching, just don't get caught, its creepy.
Nicky
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Happy 68th Birthday
christine Frankland 3rd November from The Auburn's, Frankland's & Kingham's! Happy Big Birthday
Gemma
Love from Keith & Wil iam xx
Rosemary Best Wishes from Jacqui & Paul Alison Clayton
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Welcome to the party Happy 15th Birthday
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Love Mum, Dad, Victoria & Darcy xxx 26
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Autumn's Quiet Challenges and How Osteopathy Can Help The clocks have gone back, the nights are drawing in, and the pavements are star ng to wear a thin coat of leaves. Beau ful, yes, but slippery, too. A simple walk to the shops can turn into a stumble, and a stumble can mean a jarred back, a twisted knee, or a wrist you're nursing for weeks. A li le cau on goes a long way. Carry a torch on evening walks, choose shoes with proper grip rather than smooth soles, and take wet leaves and dark corners slowly. If you're unsteady on your feet, a walking s ck or a companion's arm is not a sign of defeat, it's good sense. The changing weather brings other challenges. Damp, cooler air o en coincides with arthri s flares, and for those with asthma or other breathing difficul es, autumn can feel ghter in the chest.
Neither is imaginary, and neither means you simply have to put up with it. This is where osteopathy can help. Osteopaths work with the body's muscles, joints and connec ve ssue to ease s ffness, improve mobility and reduce pain — which many people find makes the colder months no ceably more comfortable. For breathing, treatment focuses on the ribs, diaphragm and surrounding structures, helping the chest move more freely. It's gentle, hands-on and tailored to you, whether you're 25 or 85, and whether you've had treatment before or not. Keeping warm ma ers too. Layer up indoors as well as out, a vest under a jumper costs nothing and makes a real difference. Keep the main living room warm rather than hea ng the whole house, wear socks or slippers on cold
floors, and have a blanket within reach for evenings on the sofa. Warm joints move more easily; cold ones s ffen. If autumn has le you aching, s ff or simply not moving as freely as you'd like, it may be worth a conversa on. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit — some mes a li le early a en on is all it takes to keep the season enjoyable.
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Venison Cottage Pie As the evenings draw in, there's nothing quite like a comforting homemade pie. At Eight, we love cooking with seasonal ingredients, and local game is one of the highlights of late autumn, early winter. Venison has a wonderful depth of flavour, and when slow-cooked with red wine, herbs and vegetables, it makes a beautifully rich filling beneath a golden, buttery mash. If you enjoy cooking and eating seasonal game, you should join us on Thursday 19th November for our Local Game & Wine Supper Club. We'll be serving a bespoke four-course menu celebrating local game, with each course paired with a delicious wine. James from our wine supplier, Wine2Trade, will host the evening, sharing his knowledge and guiding us through each pairing. It promises to be a wonderful evening of good food, great wine and local produce. Spaces are limited, so please contact the team at Eight to enquire and book your place. Local venison will be available at your local butcher soon. Try to buy the highest quality ingredients that you're comfortable with and try to support local where possible. This recipe will comfortably feed a family of 4 with leftovers almost guaranteed! Step 1: The venison filling Ingredients Ÿ 800 g diced venison (shoulder works best) Ÿ 50 g onion, diced Ÿ 150 g carrots, diced Ÿ 100 g celery, diced Ÿ 25 g garlic, chopped Ÿ 30 g tomato purée Ÿ 20 g plain flour Ÿ 250 ml red wine Ÿ 500 ml beef or game stock Ÿ 10 g fresh thyme Ÿ 2 bay leaves Ÿ 30 ml vegetable oil Ÿ 20 g butter Ÿ Salt and black pepper Method Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan). Season the venison and brown in batches in a heavybased casserole with the oil. Remove and set aside. Add the butter, onion, carrot and celery to the pan and cook for 8–10 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and tomato purée, followed by the flour. Pour in the red wine, scraping up the caramelised bits from the bottom of the pan, and reduce by half.
Return the venison to the pan, add the stock, thyme and bay leaves, then cover and cook in the oven for 1½–2 hours until tender. Remove the herbs and reduce the sauce if necessary until thick and glossy. Season to taste. Step 2: The mashed potato Ingredients Ÿ 1 kg floury potatoes, peeled and chopped Ÿ 300 g butter Ÿ 150 ml whole milk, warmed Ÿ Salt and black pepper Ÿ A pinch of nutmeg, optional Method Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15–20 minutes until tender. Drain well and allow them to steam-dry briefly. Mash until smooth, then gradually mix in the butter and warm milk. Season generously with salt, pepper and a little nutmeg if desired. Step 3: Assemble and bake Ingredients Ÿ All the venison filling Ÿ All the mashed potato Ÿ 30 g grated mature Cheddar, optional Ÿ 10 g butter Method Spoon the venison filling into an ovenproof dish and spread the mash evenly over the top. Rough up the surface with a fork, dot with butter and add the Cheddar if using. Bake at 200°C (180°C fan) for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbling. Leave to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. I like to serve this with buttered seasonal greens or braised red cabbage. The contrast of tender venison, rich gravy and crisp potato makes it a proper winter favourite. This recipe would go beautifully well with a Côtes du Rhône. Its ripe dark fruit, gentle spice and savoury character complement the richness of the venison beautifully. If you're planning a family gathering or a work Xmas party, we'd love to see you at Eight over the festive period. Pop in or send us an email to make a reservation. Thank you for supporting local hospitality, and I hope you enjoy making this delicious recipe.
Kish
Chef patron of Eight.
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Poppy Appeal Yes, it’s that me of year again. It seems to come around quicker each year, or does that just mean I’m ge ng old? In the background there has been a fantas c couple of people from the local Royal Bri sh Legion, ge ng the poppies ready to be sold. Adrian Allen and Colin Chambers, have been pu ng it all together so that the great volunteers can stand at Tescos, the train sta on and the services and raise money for the RBL. Many people wear the poppies and don’t even think about why they are wearing them. Yes, it is because they want to help raise money for the great men and women who have served in the armed forces to protect our country. But it is also sending a huge message of gra tude to those men and women to let them know
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that despite what goes on poli cally, we the normal people of this country do support them and appreciate what they do by signing up to a job where they know they could pay the ul mate sacrifice. This year’s appeal starts on Sunday the 25th of October and goes on un l Saturday the 7th of November. We will be in Tescos 10:00hrs – 18:00hrs each day so when you go shopping, please come and say hello and if possible give a li le dona on. As the saying goes ‘Every li le helps!’ This is obviously all leading up to Remembrance Sunday on the 8th November where as usual there will be service held at the War Memorial in the High Street. If you can join us there you would be more than welcome. And again on Wednesday the 11th November at 1100hrs there will be some members of the local RBL to remember those that have given their lives for their country and they should never be forgo en. If you can’t get to either of these services please remember ‘For your tomorrow we gave our today’.
Autumn at Hartsfield Only a few weeks ago we welcomed those new to Hartsfield while our returning children se led into their new classes a er the summer break. As well as welcoming new children, families and staff this term, we also welcomed our new Headteacher, Mr Ollie Monro who joins us from a primary school just south of Cambridge. While Mr Monro is learning what makes Hartsfield ck, we are learning what an impressive collec on of es he owns! Ac vi es this half term have been varied, covering many areas of the school curriculum. Children in Year 3 enjoyed a walk around Baldock looking at the rich history of our town to support their classroom learning. Our Year 5 children have visited the STEM Discovery Centre at Airbus in Stevenage to enrich their Space topic. Highlights included a guided tour of the Mars Rover Yard, the ExoMars project as well as ''Mars A acks' and Rocket Man' workshops.
Amazon re tv stick 4K MAX
Amazon Fire TV S ck 4K Select Review: Big Entertainment in a Tiny Package By Ma Porter | The Gadget Man Amazon has been making our televisions smarter for years, and its latest Fire TV S ck 4K Select con nues that tradi on, bringing impressive streaming capabili es to an incredibly compact device. I've always appreciated gadgets that make life easier without requiring a degree in computer science, and this certainly fits the bill. Small Device, Impressive Picture The Fire TV S ck 4K Select plugs directly into your television's HDMI socket, opening up a world of entertainment. Suppor ng 4K Ultra HD, HDR10 and HDR10+, it delivers sharp pictures, vibrant colours and excellent contrast on compa ble televisions. Inside is a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB storage. The included Alexa Voice Remote is par cularly useful. Simply ask Alexa to find your favourite programme or launch an app. No more wrestling with an onscreen keyboard! .
A Fresh Opera ng System The biggest innova on is Vega OS, Amazon's new Linux-based opera ng system, replacing Android-based Fire OS Designed specifically for streaming, Vega promises a streamlined, efficient experience. Popular services including Ne lix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, BBC iPlayer and ITVX are available. Although tradi onal Android app sideloading isn't supported, most everyday viewers are unlikely to no ce. Some mes simplicity really is a feature. Wildly Fluctua ng Prices! One fascina ng aspect of Amazon's Fire TV range is its extraordinary price fluctua ons. The 4K Select originally launched at £49.99, before its recommended price increased to £64.99 in September 2026. Y et during major promo onal events, Amazon has slashed the price to just £21.99, with previous offers reaching an astonishing £19.99! That's almost 70% below its current recommended price. Why such enormous discounts? Partly, it's Amazon's aggressive promo onal strategy. Events such as Prime Day and Black Friday are opportuni es to a ract customers into
the wider Amazon entertainment ecosystem, where subscrip ons, rentals and other services provide ongoing revenue. The higher recommended price also makes promo onal savings appear especially drama c. Whatever the commercial reasoning, the customer can benefit enormously. My advice? Keep an eye on the price and grab one during a major Amazon sale. Final Thoughts The Fire TV S ck 4K Select is an excellent li le streaming companion, par cularly when discounted. It's compact, straigh orward to install and brings impressive 4K entertainment to prac cally any compa ble television. Vega OS represents an interes ng new direc on for Amazon, priori sing simplicity and accessibility. At around £20, it's remarkable how much entertainment technology you can squeeze into something smaller than a chocolate bar. Ra ng: 4.5/5 Small in size, big on entertainment!
Matt WWW.THEGADGETMAN.ORG.UK
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Dominant voices in society
‘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. QUOTE REF: DOORSTEP
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* T&C APPLY
Please send your local snaps new or old to our facebook page or email info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk
November Gallery All theGarden fun of the Fair Field opposite Tapps Centre Amy Felce.
OktoberFest Fun Jane Evans
Oakleys Farm Turkeys Anna Rankin, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire visiting the Baldock Hub
OktoberFest Fun Jane Evans
OktoberFest Fun Jane Evans
OktoberFest Fun Jane Evans
Squirrel party on the High Street - Jake Parry
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.
Oktoberfest Beer sharing
Our chickens striking a pose! -John Magill
Our word wheel challenge. Create as many words as you can, Christmas Fayre using the letters once Jane only Evans and always Photography including the letter in the middle of the wheel. Also, can you nd the 9 letter word?
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