OnOur Doorstep Baldock November 2025 by onourdoorstepbaldock

Welcome

Hello Baldock!

What a month September was! Balstock absolutely smashed it again this year. It's hard to believe what Gee and the team have built over the past 20 years, the whole town was buzzing! People travelled from all over to see bands play across every venue in town, and the atmosphere was electric. The outﬁts were brilliant, the music was non-stop, and yes, the burlesque dancers were a massive hit! A huge well done to Gee and every single volunteer who helped put on such an incredible (and completely free!) weekend. Every pub was packed, the High Street was rocking, we already can't wait for next year!

Now, looking ahead, October brings another big annual event to town, the Charter Fair. It arrives on Wednesday the 1st October, and the fun kicks oﬀ from Thursday 2nd to Saturday the 4th. Expect all the usual heart-racing rides, games, and your fairground favourites, and plenty of noise! Be prepared for the kids raiding your wallet. In this issue

This months 5-minute interview is with the team from Hype Gym, it’s a real insight into how the boys have turned a dream into reality deﬁnitely worth a read especially if you are considering joining a local gym.

We've also got exciting news: Slimming World is coming back to Baldock! Classes will be at St. Mary's School, every Wednesday at 5:30pm, starting from October 22nd. Jacqui caught up with Karen, who will be running the group, not only is she an inspiration for her own weight loss journey, but she's also training for her ﬁfteenth marathon! You can read more about her on page 22.

It’s October so the clocks go back at the end of the month, enjoy that extra hour in bed. And just before that we've got Autumn half term (parents, we hear your cheer), and then it's on to Halloween. Don't forget to send us your spooky snaps for next months photo gallery!

Lastly, if you're a local business owner looking for more local customers and would like to feature in our November issue, give us a call or send us an email and we’ll do our best to make it happen.

Paul & Jacqui

info@onourdoorstepbaldock.co.uk or 07973 788418

Baldock'sOrangeTreenamed oneofthetop16CAMRAPubs ofGreatBritain

CAMRA's East Central Regional Pub of the Year 2025 is The Orange Tree in Baldock

On Saturday 9th August, the cerﬁcate for Regional Pub of the Year was presented to Rob Scahill, landlord of the Orange Tree, by Dean Barre, CAMRA County Coordinator and Branch Chair, accompanied by regulars, staﬀ and local CAMRA members.

The pub had won against all compeon in North Herts and all of Herordshire two years in a row to be crowned Branch and then County Pub of the Year. It's now gone one accolade further, beang county winners from Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire to become East Central Regional Pub of the Year 2025. Speaking aer the presentaon, Rob thanked staﬀ and CAMRA North Herts for their support, gave a shout out to

SIBA for their 'Indie Beer' campaign, whose shirt he was proudly sporng, and encouraged the organisaons to keep up their invaluable campaigning for independent pubs, breweries and cask beer in mes when it's tough economically.

The Orange Tree is already oﬃcially one CAMRA's top 16 pubs of the year and will now be judged in the 'SuperRegional' round against pubs in Great Yarmouth (East Anglian champion), Broadstairs (South East) and Carshalton (London) to vie for a place in the top 4.

NickyBullUpdate

My team Letchworth Lido would like to thank all the wonderful people of Baldock and surrounding areas for their support.

In early June we completed our 24 hour swim. The weather was awful but the camaraderie amazing.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters we have raised over £3000 for Level Water, a charity that provides swimming lessons for disabled children.

On another note; thank you to my wonderful friend Ann who lent me her husband on her birthday! Last weekend Mark and I competed in the team secon of the Duck and Dash. I swam, Mark ran. This year we didn't come last!

Yes, it's that me of year again!!! Christmas is DEFINITELY coming as it does every year!!

And unfortunately, like most years there are families who struggle with the extra expense. So, this is when our lovely town comes into its own by helping provide hampers for those who need them.

ITSCHRISTMAS!!!!!

(Wellnotyet….BUTitwon'tbelong!)

So many of you have been doing these for years and for that I am truly grateful. As are the recipients.

If, however you have never done one and would like to help that would be amazing.

I oen get asked what to put in them. The answer, its completely up to you!! As a guide though I always suggest a 50/50 split. Obviously, the hampers are for people who are struggling with the extra expenses at this me of year, so its wise to put staple foods in there like pasta/sauces/soups/nned things.

However, it is sll Christmas and if it was you receiving one, I'm sure you would appreciate something that you wouldn't normally buy for yourself, like chocolates or some 'smellies' etc.

If you would like to get involved in this, then please contact me on 07901 821403 and let me know.

Alternavely, if you are struggling and feel you would beneﬁt from a hamper please just ask. This obviously is dependant on how many hampers we get.

Last year we did have a shortage, but

thanks to a last-minute call for help, we managed to provide everyone with a hamper. I'd obviously prefer not to get to that point if I can help it. So, if you can help please do. It's a great thing to get the children involved in too, making them aware that there are many people out there who aren't as fortunate as them. Thanks for reading and as always thanks for geng involved. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Karen

Gripping Open-Air Engagement. New McLaren 750S Spider

The McLaren 750S Spider is a thrilling addion to the Brish manufacturer's lineup, embodying the perfect blend of power, precision, and open-air exhilaraon. A true tribute to McLaren's engineering prowess, the 750S Spider promises a mind-blowing drive. At its heart lies a 4.0-litre twinturbocharged V8 lump, producing an astonishing 750 horsepower. This powerhouse enables the supercar to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in a staggering 2.8 seconds, ﬁrmly establishing it as one of the swiest converbles available today. McLaren's engineers have meculously designed the car's lightweight carbon ﬁbre structure, with a total weight just beyond 1,200 kg, ensuring that its handling and performance are truly exceponal.

One of the most striking aspects of the 750S Spider is its design. The car boasts aggressive lines and an aerodynamic silhouee, which enhances both its visual appeal and performance. The retractable hardtop allows you to switch between the serenity of a coupe and the thrill of open-air driving in mere seconds.

By Tim Barnes-Clay - Follow on Instagram @tbarnsclay

Inside, the 750S Spider is a masterclass in luxury and cung-edge technology. The seats provide both comfort and support, while the driver-focused cockpit houses a state-of-the-art infotainment system that integrates with smartphones. McLaren's commitment to creang a bespoke experience is evident, with numerous high-end materials and finishes available for buyers to customise their interiors. Furthermore, the 750S Spider is equipped with advanced safety features and driving aids, making it accessible to a broader range of driving enthusiasts. The suspension system ensures that the vehicle can effortlessly tackle everything from twisng country roads to highspeed motorways, granng you unparalleled confidence.

While the 750S Spider carries a premium price tag, the combinaon of performance, luxury, and the iconic McLaren pedigree makes it a worthwhile investment for anyone eager to experience the pinnacle of Brish automove engineering.

In a ﬁercely compeve supercar market, the McLaren 750S Spider stands out not merely for its speed but for

the complete driving experience it oﬀers. This car is not just a means of transportaon; it's an invitaon to savour the journey in style and sophiscaon.

Fast Facts

McLaren 750s Spider:

Ÿ Max speed: 206 mph

Ÿ 0-62 mph: 2.8 secs

Ÿ Fuel economy: 23.2 mpg

Ÿ Engine layout: 3,994cc, twin-turbo V8

Ÿ Max. power (PS): 750

Ÿ CO2: 276 g/km

Ÿ Price from: £269,160 On the Road.

Screen

The ﬁlm follows a promising young football player named Cameron "Cam" Cade whose career is jeopardized after a severe brain trauma. He is taken under the wing of his hero, Isaiah White, a legendary retired quarterback, who oﬀers to train him at his isolated compound. However, Isaiah's charisma soon gives way to something far more sinister, and the mentorship takes a dark turn.

Certiﬁcate RunningTime 18 96mins

When down-on-his-luckArj (Aziz Ansari) crosses paths with winged guardian angel Gabriel (Keanu Reeves), he’s given the chance to switch lives with a wealthy tech mogul (Seth Rogen). But the lifeswap backﬁres, and both men are forced to confront the chaos of each other’s world.As Gabriel loses his powers and struggles to make things right, the trio must learn that true fortune comes from within.

After escaping from prison, former soldier and professional thief Jeffrey Manchester (ChanningTatum) finds a hideout inside aToys "R" Us, surviving undetected for months while planning his next move. However, when Jeffrey falls for a divorced mom (Kirsten Dunst), his double life starts to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in.

Fantastical creatures come to life when a young girl's sketchbook falls into a strange pond.As the town starts to unravel, she and her brother try to track down the unpredictable, chaotic monsters before they cause permanent damage. Racing against time to ﬁnd them, their father must navigate a community in crisis to reunite his family and stop the disaster they never meant to unleash. sketch Out 24th October

Certiﬁcate RunningTime PG 93 mins

him Roofman

MEET THE TEAM

HANNAH DEL PONTE - Osteopath

We are delighted to introduce our new Lead Clinician, Hannah Del Ponte now working with us at Amber Health. Hannah graduated way back in 2009, from the College of Osteopaths in London and brings with her a wealth of experience and diﬀerent techniques for us to oﬀer to our paents.

She became interested in Osteopathy as a career aer she was treated for chronic neck and back pain. Aer trying many modalies, it was Osteopathy that helped her to recover. She felt that the Osteopath really listened to her, and was the only medical professional who had taken the me to hear her story fully and get to know her. She liked the mixture of hands-on treatment and advice that she was given and was inspired to explore further and ulmately to qualify as an Osteopath herself.

What she likes best about Osteopathy is the interest in the “why.” Diagnosing the cause of a problem in the body or idenfying which part of the anatomy is currently causing a problem is half the story. Osteopaths work on “why did this happen?”. Working with paents to understand where they are at, but also how they got there and what soluons can be put together to keep them well and improve their health beyond this immediate moment. This makes this the best and most interesng job in the world to Hannah.

Hannah also thinks that it is a special type of treatment - what other medical professions do you go to see with a speciﬁc problem, and they assess your “whole” body not just the aﬀected area?

Paent feedback has already been very posive aer treatment with Hannah, and we are looking forward to working with her as she leads the team of Osteopaths – Tim, Tom, Adam and Hermione.

Mandy Ferguson, Pracce Manager Amber Health

Alien Earth – Disney Plus:

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!

It's usually a bad sign if you're two episodes into a drama and sll wondering what the heck is going on. But Alien: Earth, the ﬁrst television instalment of the legendary Alien franchise, is the rare excepon. Created by Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion), this FX/Hulu series doesn't just confuse—it mesmerizes. You may not know where it's going, but it's clear the show does, and that conﬁdence is infecous.

Set in the year 2120—a few years before the events of Ridley Sco's Alien (1979)—the series plunges us into a broken future where 5 corporaons rule the universe. A spaceship carrying captured alien lifeforms, including Xenomorphs, crashes into Earth. Meanwhile, the Prodigy Corporaon is racing toward immortality, developing “hybrids”: synthec bodies infused with human consciousness. Their facility, ominously named Neverland, becomes the stage for a chilling experiment where the soul of a dying girl, Marcy, is transferred into a synthec body. She becomes Wendy, leader of the “Lost Boys”, a group of childlike synth-hybrids under Prodigy's care. The Peter Pan analogy is apt, and as me goes on more ominous.

Wendy's brother, Hermit, represents the human heart of the story, caught between the alien invasion and corporate warfare. Rivalries ﬂare between Prodigy (led by the unseling Boy Kavalier) and the ever-present Weyland-Yutani Corporaon.

The cast is stellar with Sydney Chandler as Wendy, a hybrid grappling with her synthec existence. Alex Lawther as Hermit, her grieving brother, Timothy Olyphant as Kirsh, a wise older synthec with hidden powers. Babou Ceesay as Morrow, steals the show however as a cyborg serving Weyland-Yutani. This is one determined dude determined to get the Alien egss back to his coporoate overlord, at any cost.

Visually, Alien: Earth is stunning. The green-on-black computer text evokes 80s nostalgia, while the producon design contrasts sterile labs with visceral horror. The alien sequences are terrifying, but the real dread comes from the philosophical quesons: What does it mean to be human? Can consciousness survive without a body? And who gets to decide?

As a prequel, the series bridges the claustrophobic terror of the original Alien with sprawling corporate and existenal intrigue. It's more Prometheus than Aliens, leaning into cerebral terrain rather than pure adrenaline. This shi may frustrate fans expecng ght, relentless horror, but for those drawn to the franchise's deeper themes, it's a rewarding expansion.

Alien: Earth is a bold, bewildering, and oen brilliant addion to the Alien mythos. It's not afraid to ask big quesons or take its me answering them. While its pacing and character depth may falter at mes, its ambion and atmosphere make it a mustwatch for fans of sci-ﬁ with a philosophical edge.

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!!

Formed in 2011 by a group of like-minded individuals from North Hertfordshire, Prince Hamlet Lodge is a modern expression of an ancient tradition. We meet atThe Cloisters in Letchworth, where our formal lodge meetings are followed by a relaxed dinner known as the Festive Board, a time for good food, good conversation, and shared values.

Freemasonry is about friendship, integrity, and making a positive diﬀerence, both in ourselves and in our communities.

Alongside our regular meetings, we also host social events and interest groups open to all. OurAviation Interest Group, for example, frequently enjoys a visit to Shuttleworth Collection andAirﬁeld, sharing lunch and stories with both Freemasons and guests alike.

We also proudly support local charities, including Stevenage and North HertsTalking News.They help blind and visually impaired people with audio readings from local newspapers and items of general interest.

If you're curious about Freemasonry and want to learn more, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at ph9864@gmail.com for a friendly and informal chat.

I richmonds-coaches.co.uk

TheDyingLight

It's my favourite me of year. The new rugby season is upon us; it's not just a calendar event; it's a ceremonial reawakening. As the weather cools and the evenings draw in, the rugby season oﬀers a familiar and enthusiasc focus for us fans. The new 2025–26 season promises another year of thrilling compeon across all of our age groups. The queson of what to wear for a match becomes a science:. Do I bask in the embers of a dying sun and brave it in a T shirt and cardy, or do I go full on windbreaker and wellies.

Autumn arrives not with a mid tap on the door, but with a sudden, decisive turn of a key, it is an abrupt revelaon. One moment, we are basking in the lingering warmth of August's golden hour; the next, a chill wind bites at our heels, and half the neighbourhood trees have already begun to shed their summer are. It is a meteorological and emoonal ambush, and for me, it is the most wonderful me of year.

Autumn is when our farmers are most visible, working away to bring in the harvest. The sight of them, toiling under the immense, bruised-purple skies, is a powerful and grounding reminder of where our food comes from.

In mes past, the harvest was a communal affair, a town-wide event that brought people into the fields and orchards to help gather the fruits of their shared labour. The air would have been thick with the sound of laughter, shouted instrucons, and the claer of tools.Aerward, the community would gather for a harvest supper, a collecve celebraon of their hard-earned bounty, and a well-deserved beer or two. Today, the scene is different. The combine harvester, a marvel of modern engineering, glides across the fields with automated efficiency. It is an impressive sight, a testament to technological progress and the relentless pursuit of speed and output. But with this gain in efficiency, we have lost something.

Ulmately, autumn is the season of leng go. The trees release their leaves. The farmers release their crops. And we, in our own small way, release the highoctane energy of summer. This is not a season of endings, but of preparaon. The decay of the leaves enriches the soil for new growth. The harvest stores up sustenance for the leaner months. The emoonal quietude prepares us for the deep rest of winter.

So, as I wrestle with my clothing choices and prepare for another rugby season, I am not simply geng ready for a change in temperature.

I am parcipang in an ancient, meless rhythm. I am embracing the inevitable, ﬁnding beauty in the gradual decay, and appreciang the quiet contemplaon it brings. Autumn is a long, slow exhale, and in that moment of sllness, we remember that to let go is not to lose, but to make space for what comes next. It is a me to indulge in a healthy dose of nostalgia for the seasons that have passed, and to quietly, reﬂecvely, look forward to the rebirth that is always on its way.

It isn't just about the weather; it's about the emoonal and psychological shi we all experience. We trade the carefree, sun-drenched days of summer for the contemplave, golden light of October. We trade outdoor pares for inmate gatherings. We trade the franc energy of summer for a calmer, more reﬂecve pace. It's a me to take stock, to prepare for the long, dark days of winter. Nicky

Baldock Gardens

By Graham Tapp

October 2025

Autumn has arrived after a very prolonged hot, dry period. I am writing this article while on holiday in France. If you think we have had hot weather, it's nothing compared to the south of France.

About three years ago, I wrote an article on the effects of the European drought, again touring through Spain, France and Italy. The countryside and farmland looked parched, especially the vineyards. In Spain, the reservoirs looked very bad at about a quarter capacity; in France and Italy, not quite so bad. It was interesting in that as we drove through miles of roads, the vegetation would be parched and dry on the south and east side of hillsides, but better or near normal on the north and west-facing side. This time, while driving down through France from the north coast, it initially appeared to us that the top end of the country had suffered less than the UK, but by the time we had got down to the City of Arras, it was undeniable that from there down it was very much worse than before, and back in the UK. Everything growing that should have been green and lush was a dull green or brown, and although not crisp, very near to it in appearance.

The intention of our trip was not entirely for work, but also included a bit of rest and recuperation, so we spent a week on a boat cruising down the Canal du Midi near where the recent wildfire, as you will have seen in the news, had caused so much devastation, destroying homes and businesses.

Travelling at four to eight kilometres per hour gives a chance to view the local countryside, farming and horticulture in great detail. Mostly everything, either side of the Canal du Midi is vineyards or rough scrubland, occasionally the odd orchard, either Apricots or Almonds, long since harvested. Weirdly, given the extreme environmental conditions this year, there are the odd few plantations that look entirely normal, and every now and then, there

are complete rows of vines looking as green and lush as ever, not speaking good enough French, nobody was able to explain to me why this was. My bet is on the use of irrigation. The grapes this year are plentiful, but expectedly smaller than usual. It is always a surprise to most people that most wine grapes are smaller than they imagine and not the size of the great big seedless desert grapes we see in our supermarkets. The Canal du Midi itself is suffering from the prolonged drought. It has a water level lower than optimal for cruising, so low in fact that we got stuck on an underwater mud bar that most times a typical hire boat would pass over with plenty of spare room. The Canal gets its water from two main lakes way up in the hills known as the Montagne Noire region. Due to the continued lack of rainfall, the lakes are unable to feed the Canal with anything like the amount of water needed for single boat navigation, so the Government requires multi-boat occupancy of locks, always two as a minimum, sometimes three, even four at a time. Fortunately, there had been a little rain in the Montagne Noire area the weekend before we had arranged to pick up the boat, avoiding the decision to close the Canal.

If France experiences another dry winter following this dreadful summer drought, there will be very severe water restrictions all over the country and a greater risk of terrible wildfires.

Back to us here in Great Britain, we will be heading the same way as France, Spain and Italy if we have a dryish winter followed by a hot, dry summer as we've just had.

Overall, North Hertfordshire has been lucky with water reserves as the wet weather in late winter and early spring filtered down through to the aquifer, filling reserves below ground which have stayed well stocked due to careful management by the water companies. Our borehole water level has been monitored constantly by Infinity Water,

and the results have been good. The level of water is where it would be in any normal year, about twelve metres down from surface level. Over the summer, we have attended several meetings and seminars focused on the changing British environment and the efforts of our plant breeders to ensure that the British public can maintain their cherished gardens. The first piece of good news is that some interesting roses are coming along very soon that will cope with the hotter weather. Our bedding plant breeders are also well into producing some low-water requirement plants.

One of the meetings was by the Royal Horticultural Society and solely about how their research was moving ahead very quickly in developing a wide range of plants, including trees that will be able to survive the expected environmental change, wet, extremely windy winters, short or non-existent springs, leading into very hot, arid summers, then early and cold, dry autumn. That all sounds hypothetical, but the Scientists in the know assure me that it is with us now, and we need to do something about it now or live with the consequences. I have been a sit on the fence type of person for years, weighing up the pros and cons of the science as it has been delivered to us, looking at the historical evidence, compared to what is happening now. I am off the fence now. It is full in the face obvious that we are now into climatic trouble, there are, of course, and always will be the flat earthers who deny any such science, quite happy to bury their heads in the sand and carry on regardless, you can always tell who they are! They always sit on the beach or in the park, burning their skin to a crisp with no protection or a care in the world. I think they're called Lobsters, and it's called the Darwin effect.

Mat vs Reformer Pilates

What’s the Diﬀerence (and which one is right for you?)

You’ve probably noced that Reformer Pilates studios are popping up all over the place at the moment. It’s become a bit of a buzzword in the ﬁtness world — with sleek machines, stylish studios, and a big presence on social media. But with all the hype, many people are le wondering: what’s the actual diﬀerence between Mat and Reformer Pilates — and more importantly, which one is right for you?

First up: What is Pilates?

Pilates is a method of low-impact exercise designed to improve strength, ﬂexibility, posture and coordinaon. It focuses heavily on the deep core muscles, breathing, alignment and control - which is why it's oen recommended by physios, osteopaths, and other health professionals.

You can pracse Pilates on a mat or using specialist equipment, like the reformer, which is a bed-like frame with springs and pulleys to create resistance.

Mat Pilates:

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity

Mat Pilates might not come with moving parts or springs, but don’t let that fool you - when taught properly, it’s incredibly eﬀecve.

It uses your own body weight, small equipment like bands, balls, and Pilates circles, and teaches you to control your movements from the inside out. It's brilliant for building strength, improving posture, and enhancing your body awareness.

At The Pilates Corner, we run 24 weekly mat-based classes, each layered to suit beginners through to more advanced movers, and every class is designed to help your body feel stronger, looser, and more resilient.

Reformer Pilates:

What’s the diﬀerence?

Reformer Pilates uses a machine with springs to add resistance or support. It can oﬀer a diﬀerent type of workoutgreat for strength training, muscle toning and rehab. It’s become very popular in recent years thanks to social media and celebrity fans, and for good reason: it can be a fantasc form of movement.

But it's not automacally “beer.” It really depends on you - your goals, your body, your ﬁtness level, and most importantly, who’s teaching the class. Which one is right for you?

Here’s the truth: both Mat and Reformer Pilates are brilliant - when taught well.

But if you're looking to:

Improve your posture

Strengthen your core

Build ﬂexibility and mobility

Ease sﬀness and tension

Learn how to move beer every day… …then Mat Pilates is a very good place to start.

It’s accessible, aﬀordable, and incredibly versale. Plus, everything you learn on the mat creates a foundaon you can carry into any form of Pilates (or everyday life).

Why Mat Pilates sll reigns in Baldock At The Pilates Corner, we’ve built a thriving community around mat-based classes. Our studio is purpose-built, our class sizes are small (never more than 12), and our instructors are hand-picked for their ability to deliver safe, inclusive, fun and eﬀecve Pilates - whatever your starng point.

Whether you’re coming back aer an injury, entering a new life stage (hello, menopause), or just want to feel

beer in your body - we’re here to help you move, feel, and live well.

Final thought...

With Reformer Pilates on the rise, it’s easy to assume that more equipment means beer results. But that’s not always the case. Mat Pilates is the original method - and when taught well, it’s just as challenging, eﬀecve, and transformaonal.

If you're looking to build strength, improve posture, ease sffness and move with more confidence, Mat Pilates offers everything you need - no springs required.

Want to give it a try?

Join one of our small group inducon sessions to ﬁnd the right class for you. www.thepilatescorner.co.uk/inducon or call 01462 226 554.

By Emma Lovelock, Studio Director –The Pilates Corner, Baldock’s AwardWinning Pilates Studio

r r r Kaen is set to shae her slimming secets

A slimmer who transformed her life by losing 4 ½ stone, is using her success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.

Karen Broom joined her local Slimming World group in Stevenage and dropped from 15stone 1lb and a size 24 dress to a size 10 with that 4 ½ stone loss.

Karen says “I had been overweight my whole life. One day I had to go into work for a meeng on my day oﬀ. When I entered the room all I heard was 'oh my god look at the size of her'. I had to sit through that meeng for over 2 hours hang myself and trying not to cry. I knew right then that something had to change so 3 weeks later I walked into my ﬁrst slimming world group.” Karen acknowledges that it wasn't always easy but once she started losing weight and geng her weight loss awards in group, cheered on by her fellow slimmers, she became even more determined to carry on and now feels absolutely fabulous! Before losing weight Karen really struggled to walk anywhere and remembers having to stop halfway up

stairs but then she started going out for walks with other people from the Slimming World group and then took up running. Karen is now about to do her 12th marathon which she never thought she would ever do.

Karen remembers “Along my journey I did struggle because my husband used to try and keep us both in our old habits (change can be hard without the right support). I encouraged him to come along and join me. It took a while because he thought that a Slimming World group was just for women, but he did join and now he is just over 12 stone lighter.

Our lives have completely changed. Weekends used to be laying on the sofa watching rubbish TV eang rubbish food and generally feeling rubbish. Now we go out and walk or run for miles. And we are both feeling amazing.” Karen has now trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK and Ireland's largest group-based weight loss organisaon, at their naonal training academy in Derbyshire. Now she is opening her own group in

Baldock at St,Mary's School on Wednesdays at 5.30pm.

She says: “When I ﬁrst joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight but now I just can't wait to get started. Aer losing 4 ½ st and compleng my training, it's a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target.

“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you're not alone. I couldn't have lost my weight without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own Consultant and group. As someone who has lost weight myself, I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. Seng targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey.

That's why, at my Slimming World group, there'll be tons of support, encouragement and fun.

“Before joining Slimming World, most of us try many different ways to lose weight, but we get red of restricng what we eat. We feel we are desned to struggle with our weight for the rest of our lives. when we come to Slimming World, we realise it's different. It never feels like a diet. The eang plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish, you're never hungry and so you don't feel like you're missing out.

“Slimming World isn't just about changing what you eat. Becoming more acve is important too (although we don't all end up loving running like I do – and that's ok). Our Body Magic physical acvity support programme helps members build acvity into their daily roune at their own pace. Everything counts from walking to gardening to washing the car.”

Karen's Slimming World group will be held at St.Mary's School every Wednesday at 5.30pm from October 22nd. For more informaon or to join Kaz's group either pop along on October 22nd or call her on 07522 464 700. Or: For more informaon visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000

Baldock’s favourite for 33 years

In our 33rd year outside Baldock, the last sale is 11th October. we'll be back after Easter next year!

So may we be the ﬁrst to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas!

See you in 2026!

Baldock Bard

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

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

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QUOTE REF: DOORSTEP *T&CAPPLY

5 minutes with... Pardeep Dhaliwal from

*Tellusabitaboutyourself?

I’m Letchworth born and bred. Growing up, I was never far fromapitch,oraring,rugby,boxing,MMA,football,youname it,Iprobablygaveitago.Healthandﬁtnesshavealwaysbeena big part of my life. Before the gym, I worked as a sparky, but deepdownIalwaysknewﬁtnesswaswhereIfeltathome.

*Whydidyoudecidetostartyourowngym?

A mate actually reminded me that when I was 14, I told him, “Oneday,I’mgoingtoownagym.”Sixteenyearslater,herewe are.ButtherealturningpointcameaerItoremyquadoﬀthe bone and later went through back surgery. That was a big wake-upcall.Irealised life’stooshort nottodosomething you trulylove,soIwentallin,andHypewasborn.

*WhatinspiredyoutolaunchHypeGym?

Honestly? Frustraon. The local gyms were outdated, poorly run,andhadzerofocusonhygieneorcommunity.Baldockand Letchworth deserved beer. Big chain gyms just ck boxes, theydon’t careabout thepeople whowalkthroughthedoors. I wanted Hype to be the opposite: a place where people are genuinely excited to come train, where the energy is contagious. The name says it all, Hype is about geng everyone buzzing to be here. And thanks to our staﬀ and members,thatvisionhascometolife.

*WhatmakesHypediﬀerenttoothergymsinthearea?

We’renotafaceless chain. We’reindependent, locallyowned, and built with heart. Every detail, from the design to the equipment, was chosen with our community in mind. Friends and family helped us build this place from the ground up. It’s not about squeezing in as many members as possible; it’s about creang a gym where people feel supported, welcomed, and part of something bigger. When you walk into Hype,youdon’tjustjoinagym,youjoinafamily.

*What is the gym’s mission and what sets it apart from competors?

Our mission is simple: to create the most movang, supporve training environment possible. We want Hype to be the place where beginners feel comfortable taking their first steps, and where experienced liers feel they’ve finally found a home. What sets us apart is the culture we’ve built, one where everyone pushes each other, looks out for each other, and leaves feeling beer than when they walked in. It’s not just about physical results; it’s about building confidence, friendships, andacommunitythatthrivestogether.

*How do you handle equipment maintenance and ensuring gymcleanliness?

Wetakeitseriously.Gymscaneasilybecomesomeoftheleast hygienicplacesifyou’renotontopofit.That’swhywe’vegota dedicated cleaning schedule, deep cleans weekly, daily upkeep by both staﬀ and cleaners, and regular equipment checkstokeep everything intop condion. When people train here, I want them focussed on their workout, not worrying about the state of the equipment or the cleanliness of the space.

*Whatarethebiggestoperaonalandﬁnancialchallengesin runningagym?

There are a lot. For me, one of the biggest was shiing from being a sparky to running a business, I’m naturally a perfeconist, so I wanted every single detail to be right before we opened the doors. Balancing that perfeconism with the reality of costs, deadlines, and constant problem-solving was tough. But those challenges shaped the gym into what it is now.

*How does the gym support its members in achieving their ﬁtnessgoals?

Between me and George, we’ve got over 20 years of gym experience, from bodybuilding to coaching. We know how hard it can be to stay consistent and see results. That’s why we’vebuiltHypeasaplacewheretoptrainersactually wantto work, giving members access to some of the best coaching in the business. But it’s not just about the trainers, it’s the atmosphere.Whetheryou’rebrandnewtothegymorchasing advanced goals, the energy here pushes you to do beer, and thecommunitymakessureyou’reneverdoingitalone.

*What has been your most rewarding experience since openingthegym?

The people, without a doubt. Seeing the community come together around this space has been incredible. The posive feedback has blown me away, even from people who don’t train here. I’ll never forget standing outside the gym one day when an older guy, must’ve been in his 70s, pulled up, rolled down his window and said, “You the fella opening the gym?

Fair playto you, I really respect what you’redoing. Good luck.” Then he shook myhand and droveoﬀ.Lile moments likethat sckwith you.Buthonestly,themostrewarding part hasbeen the friendships and connecons we’ve made through this journey.

ASHWELL WESTON

BACK ON TRACK

September saw Archie Davies travel up to the Donington Park circuit, where he took the pole posion in qualifying and then secured second place in race one aer opening a 10 second gap between himself and third palace & the rest of the pack.

The following week he travelled to the Silverstone circuit to drive

in the Oﬃcial Brish Formula 4 tesng with the Chris Dimann Racing team, where he showed very strong pace considering it was only his second me in the car.

Archie has another test day coming up with the F4 team, this me it will be at Sneerton Circuit in Norfolk.

Traditional Enchiladas

It's October—and a highlight of the month in our house is Halloween. My wife is already shopping for decorations and accessories for the kids, so I thought this month's recipe should be something fun, familyfriendly, and a little diﬀerent. Inspired by Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations in Mexico, we're making a much-loved classic: enchiladas.

Enchiladas are a firm favourite in our home. They're simple, satisfying, and packed with bold, warming flavours. They're also healthy and easy to batch cook—perfect for prepping ahead or freezing for later in the month. And the best part? The kids love getting involved. There's something about building and rolling the tortillas that makes it a real family affair.

This recipe serves a family of four. As always, use the best-quality ingredients you're comfortable with, and wherever possible, shop local.

Let's Make the Sauce

Ÿ 2 tbsp cooking oil

Ÿ 2 tbsp plain ﬂour

Ÿ 2 tbsp mild chilli powder

Ÿ 1 tsp ground cumin

Ÿ 1 tsp garlic granules

Ÿ ½ tsp dried oregano

Ÿ 350ml (1½ cups) chicken stock

Ÿ 180g tomato passata

Ÿ Salt, to taste

Method:

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the ﬂour to make a roux and cook for 1 minute. Add the chilli powder, cumin, garlic granules, and oregano. Stir until fragrant—about 30 seconds.

Slowly whisk in the chicken stock and passata until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until slightly thickened. Season with salt to taste, then set aside.

Now for the Filling

Ÿ 8 cooked chicken thighs, shredded

Ÿ 1 large onion, ﬁnely chopped

Ÿ 2 cloves garlic, grated

Ÿ 1 tbsp cooking oil

Ÿ Salt & pepper, to taste

Method:

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes until soft. Add the shredded chicken, grated garlic, and half of the enchilada sauce. Stir to combine and heat through.

Season to taste.

Let's Assemble the Enchiladas

Ÿ 8 medium corn tortillas

Ÿ 200g grated cheddar cheese

Ÿ 200g grated Monterey Jack cheese

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Warm the tortillas slightly so they're pliable (a quick dry-fry in a pan or 10 seconds in the microwave works well).

Spoon some of the chicken mixture into each tortilla, roll them up, and place them seam-side down in a lightly greased baking dish.

Pour the remaining sauce over the top, then sprinkle with both cheeses.

Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.

Let's Make the Rice

Ÿ 300g white rice, rinsed until the water runs clear

Ÿ 2 tbsp cooking oil

Ÿ 1 small onion (about 110g), ﬁnely chopped

Ÿ 1 clove garlic, minced

Ÿ 1 tsp ground cumin

Ÿ 180g tomato passata

Ÿ 350ml chicken stock

Ÿ Salt, to taste

Ÿ Fresh coriander, chopped (optional)

Ÿ Lime wedges, to serve Method:

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the rice and toast for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden and nutty.

Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic and cumin and cook for another 30 seconds.

Add the passata and stock. Season with salt and stir. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-ﬁtting lid, and simmer for 15–20 minutes without lifting the lid.

Once cooked, remove from heat and let it sit—still covered—for 5 minutes. Fluﬀ with a fork and stir in coriander if using. Serve with lime wedges.

Let's Serve

Take your bubbling enchiladas straight from the oven to the dining table, alongside your pan of fragrant Mexican rice. Scatter over a few fresh coriander leaves and add some lime wedges for brightness.

Serve with a big bowl of green salad—and enjoy with a chilled glass of Chenin Blanc, or (if it's the weekend) a spicy margarita.

This is the kind of dish that brings everyone together around the table—sharing, laughing, and enjoying good food. I hope you and your family love it as much as we do.

Until next month…

Eight. , Chef patron of

KEEPBALDOCKOPEN

A new survey by the Keep Baldock Open campaign, led by Nikki da Costa, has uncovered signiﬁcant risks to local businesses from planned traﬃc restricons under the "Growing Baldock" development, and considerable local disquiet.

The proposals include reducing North Road/A507 to a single-lane shule system under the railway bridge in 2027, and priorising pedestrians and cyclists. However, the ﬁndings from 235 residents and villagers, and early discussion with local businesses, highlight overwhelming car dependency and fears of reduced fooall.

The rapid survey, conducted in late July, reveals that 88.5% of respondents travel to Baldock by car, with 85.5% rang access via North Road/A507 as "crical" or "very important." A staggering 73.9% said they are "extremely" or "very likely" to reduce visits if it becomes harder to access Baldock by car, while 67.2% see no viable alternaves like improved public transport or parking to migate this.

Businesses echoed these concerns, with 88.9% stang car access is crical or very important to their operaons. Three in four businesses expressed extreme or very high concern about the impact, esmang that 50% or more of their customers come from outside Baldock.

Open responses warn of risks to much loved independents like Chapmans butchers and Days Bakery. Business owners said they were “astounded Baldock businesses weren't involved in the ﬁrst place” and that it was “very

poor judgement”, and that they would “just like the council to listen to us for a change”. Urban & Civic have now said they will try to speak to as many businesses as possible.

Local business owner James Lunnon said: “As a business owner in Baldock, vehicle access is essenal to my daily work. I hold many meengs in local cafes, relying on easy parking and convenient travel for myself and my clients. The proposed road restricons would make it diﬃcult for people to reach the town, risking a major drop in fooall and harming the cafés and shops we depend on…reducing car access threatens our relaonships, community connecons, and the future of Baldock as a hub for local trade and collaboraon.”

Vulnerable groups feel parcularly overlooked. Elderly, disabled, and families with young children emphasized their reliance on cars, dismissing cycling or walking as "impraccal" or "ridiculous" for daily errands in bad weather. A Bygrave visitor shared: "I have young children - it is not feasible for me to use public transport or cycling... We consider [Baldock] 'our' town and feel as if we're being penalised." Village residents from Ashwell, Bygrave, Radwell, and Newnham highlighted isolaon, predicng diversions to the dangerous A505 road, increased polluon, and shis to towns like Letchworth, Hitchin, or Royston.

Nikki da Costa said: "Baldock's businesses are the heart of our community, yet Urban & Civic and

North Herts Council have not adequately assessed their dependence on car-reliant customers from villages, or the importance of the villages to Baldock's economy and community. With the planning applicaon due to be submied, we urge immediate door-todoor engagement with businesses, and much more transparency on traﬃc modelling.”

Baldock Councillor Michael Muir added: "We need to reduce throughtraﬃc without harming the local economy. Urban & Civic need to spell out what the impacts will be and what it means when they say they want to create 'fricon' and make it hard to travel through the town. Alternaves such as HGV weight limits and a package of support for local businesses is vital.”

Having been briefed on the ﬁndings by Nikki, local MP Chris Hinchliﬀ and councillor Alistair Willoughby are also backing the call for greater transparency from Urban & Civic and proper engagement with businesses For more details, visit www.keepbaldockopen.org or contact at nikki@nikkidacosta.co.uk

On Saturday 19th July 2025, just aer celebrang his 10th birthday at home, local youngster Remy Mohabeer decided to do something extra special with his friends. Joined by Issac & Olie Yates, Theia Freeston-Bull, and Ellie Thripp, the group set up a stall outside Remy's house to sell chocolates, crisps, and drinks to people passing by.

Armed with handmade signs and big smiles, the children oﬀered up the leover party snacks to raise money for The Garden House Hospice. Thanks to the generosity of the community, they raised an impressive £56.20 — not just from purchases, but also from kind donaons given without taking any treats.

The young fundraisers would like to say a hearelt thank you to everyone who stopped, bought something, or donated. Their teamwork and thoughulness turned a simple idea into a meaningful contribuon for a wonderful cause.

To ﬁnd out more about The Garden House Hospice or to donate, visit www.ghhospicecare.org.uk

Magnificent Season

Now that the cricket season is over, it's me to reflect on what has been a great season for Weston Cricket Club. An influx of new, talented players meant that we were able to move from fielding a single Saturday side, to two Saturday teams and a Sunday team. This expansion is hopefully transformave and was part of a long-term vision set out by the commiee, tasked with protecng the future of this wonderful old village cricket club.

On the pitch, our first team finished a magnificent third place in the tough Division 6A of the Herts Premier Cricket League compeon. Our second Saturday team won their division, as did the Sunday team. Then to add to the 2025 trophy haul, Weston CC also won the Herordshire Villages T20 compeon.

A huge thank you to all the players and supporters this season. Despite us having signiﬁcantly grown, new players are always welcome. Keep in touch with everything going on via our Instagram and Facebook pages, by searching "Weston Cricket Club" ahead of the 2026 season.

Bella, Peggy, & Flo

Three local girls have raised an incredible £282.38 for Macmillan Cancer Support

What started as a simple idea selling handmade bracelets on their driveways quickly grew into something more. With a lile encouragement, the girls moved their stall outside the salon to take advantage of the higher fooall, and the results were amazing.

The trio began seng up around 10:30am, and within just two hours, they had almost completely sold out of their stock. Not to be deterred, the girls spent the rest of the day at their stall, craing new bracelets on the spot and even taking orders for personalised designs.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to support them, and a massive well done to Bella, Peggy, and Flo.

BALDOCK FOLKCLUB

At the recent FOLK AT THE TREE held at the Orange Tree BALDOCK the folk club raised over £600 for MND research on a great day that saw over eight acts playing in the beauful gardens of the pub . The headliners on the day the TANGLERS Irregulars all played for free as did the other acts outside whilst Andrea Wilde and friends wowed the evening crowd , again all for the charity. The club is now back in full swing for the Autumn Season with the following programme

Ÿ Oct 8 th The TANGLERS Irregulars … Folk , Country , Blues and Irish featuring legendary piper Richard Herrity and his brand new pipes and The Keith Pearson band …. Great banjo player !

Ÿ Oct 22 Young folk star duet ELIZABETH AND JAMESON with support

Ÿ Nov 5. Sunjay and Dan Bond

Ÿ Nov 19,,,, Our Big Night! The Legend that is Brooks Williams ( ckets £15 )

Ÿ Dec 3 Round the Room Session all welcome to sing play or listen

Ÿ Dec 17 XMAS PARTY with Barry Goodmans Barfront Guizers and guests.

The club meets every second Wednesday night at the Orange Tree and apart from the Brooks Williams night entry is FREE but please bring some cash for the hat which contributes to the travel costs of the arsts and raﬄe that helps to keep the club running . Doors open at 7 pm and music runs from 730 to 10 pm Come on down! It beats Eastenders! Further Informaon from Brian Burke 07768274037.