OVL Magazine FebMar19

February / March 2019

Ouse Valley Living OUSE VALLEY’S NO.1 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE EST 2005 • 16,000 COPIES HAND DELIVERED

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2019 TRENDS

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HOME&INTERIORS

30 h ou fund rs child ed care

Harpers Nursery and Forest School BLUNHAM MK44 3NX A unique learning experience for children aged from 6 months to 5 years Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ in all areas Limited places now available for 30 hours of funded childcare

www.harpersnursery.co.uk Tel: 01767 641499

Fashion Jewellery Brand of the Year

Supplier of the Year

alentine’s Beautiful contemporary designs available at

John Medhurst 10 Mill Street, Bedford Tel: 01234 351458

f @johnmedhurstltd c johnmedhurstltd

25 Homes & Interiors 16 JEWELS the new tones 18 DIVE IN under the sea 22 BOTANICAL indoor oasis 24 CORAL Pantone 2019 27 AUCTION garden gems 29 MEET Sadie Craddock 30 WIN! £50 lighting voucher 32 TROLLIED bar carts

Lifestyle

35 FOOD veg topped fish pie 40 STYLE polka dot trend 42 BEAUTY skincare Q&As 46 FITNESS hydration matters 50 GARDENS Rosemary’s tips 52 WILDLIFE common buzzard 55 PETS winter care advice 58 MOTORS Peugeot’s LAV 60 MUSIC Milky’s live scene 62 BOOKS Ruth Hogan 63 FILMS Upgrade review

And more…

31 WIN! Easter activity course 48 SPORT LA icons 56 SCIENCE did you know?

66 ASTROLOGY in the stars 68 DIARY DATES what’s on 72 PUZZLES brain teasers

February/March 19 Issue 125

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Meet the OVL writers...

Anthony Lowery

Feature: Films Anthony is a Bedfordshire-based storyteller and film critic. As well as reviewing for his local press, Anthony writes for international publications like Empire and is film expert at BBC Three Counties Radio. Lately, Anthony has broadened his talents to include snooping about on movie sets (mainly for the free food). Come say hello @byAnthonyLowery

Zoe Shelton-Smith

Feature: P ets Zoe Shelton-Smith is a qualified veterinarian. She has a strong interest in animal health and welfare policy. In her time off from mixed practice, she can be found at home teaching her cat tricks!

Richard McCann

Feature: M otors Richard is an international journalist and previously Gates & Fences correspondent of the Turvey Herald. No stranger to celebrity events, only recently Bobby Davro said of Richard: “If I ever see him again I’m calling the police.” Richard recently completed a tour of the OVL region with all his remaining friends aboard a motorcycle and sidecar and he embraces the fact that advancing years now allow him to receive both dental and hair care by mail order.

ES OF PARADIS C I E SP

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with us



Now taking bookings

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Mon to Thu 5.30-11pm, Fri & Sat 5.30-11.30pm, Sun 12-10.45pm

Banquet Night Wednesdays The Real Flavours of India

54 High Street, Harrold, Beds MK43 7DA

Tel 01234 721779

www.spicesofparadise.co.uk

Hazel Kaye

Hair , Beauty & Facial Aesthetics

“Enjoy a world of Tranquility, Harmony and Creativity�

Hazel, Proprietor Family run business

S t o cki st s o f p r emi u m h ai r, b eau t y & f r ag r an ce b r an d s an d g i f t vo u ch er s. B o o k & P u r ch ase o n l i n e.

40 High Street, Oakley, Bedfordshire, MK43 7RG Tel:01234 826502,e:hazel@hazelkaye.com www.hazelkaye.com

February / March 19 Nature inspired styles and colours dominate this year’s interior trends as current environmental concerns have perhaps led to an increased appreciation of the world around us. Jewel tones feature, representing the earth’s treasures, while the under the sea trend pays homage to the world beneath the waves. Botanicals reflect the importance of our lush rain forests and Pantone’s new colour, Living Coral, takes inspiration from the magical array of life on the reef.

Have you tried one of our recipes, spotted interesting wildlife, grown any of our featured plants or been snapped reading your OVL? Please keep our inbox busy by sending us your photos, comments and observations. We love to hear from you.

And enter our competitions too! Turn to page 30 for your chance to win a £50 voucher to spend at Cordelia Jade Lighting or a free place on a BMS Easter activity course.

Good luck!

YIELDEN

RUSHDEN

SOULDROP FELMERSHAM ODELL

TURVEY

LITTLE STAUGHTON

RADWELL

BOLNHURST

BLETSOE

CARLTON STEVINGTON

CLIFTON REYNES

DROPS

RISELEY

COLMWORTH

THURLEIGH

PAVENHAM

OLNEY

DOOR TO DOOR

SHARNBROOK

HARROLD

LAVENDON

SWINESHEAD

MELCHBOURNE

MILTON ERNEST OAKLEY

BROMHAM BIDDENHAM

CLAPHAM

WILDEN

ROXTON

RAVENSDEN RENHOLD

BEDFORD

GREAT BARFORD WILLINGTON BLUNHAM

To advertise in OVL contact Christa Hallam 07827 015170 christa@ousevalleyliving.com Like

KEMPSTON STAGSDEN COPLE BOX END GREAT DENHAM WOOTTON CARDINGTON

Ouse Valley Living Ltd Barnholme Cottage, 7 High Street, Sharnbrook, MK44 1PG Telephone: 01234 783159 Email: info@ousevalleyliving.com

OVL design and production services provided by: Skinny Dog Design Ltd (01234 345145) www.skinnydogdesign.co.uk

View our recent editions online at www.ousevalleyliving.com OVL is printed by The Manson Group (01727 848440) on paper sourced from sustainable forests and the inks used are vegetable based.

All adverts are printed in good faith. However, Ouse Valley Living cannot take responsibility for the content of the adverts or the services provided by the advertisers. Reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. ©Ouse Valley Living Ltd 2017

Is your Conservatory too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer?

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OVL....

We love to hear from you! Have you tried one of our recipes, spotted interesting wildlife, grown any of our featured plants or been snapped reading OVL? Send your photos, comments and observations to:

info@ousevalleyliving.com Or write to us at: OVL Magazine Barnholme Cottage 7 High Street Sharnbrook MK44 1PG

I saw the bird facing me head on. Scary!

Best regards Peter Leverkus

KEEP OUR INBOX BUSY!

M

ore cakes in Carlton!

What good bakers we have in our village... this was taken at the Macmillan Coffee Morning fundraiser from which due to our generous friends, family and neighbours we were able to send a substantial sum of money to this so worthy cause.

With our best regards to you and your team Margie

and my only regret was that I live too far away to take advantage of the many fantastic shopping opportunities on offer. I was glad that the brilliant science series had not been squeezed out by the excellent Christmas content. As someone whose science studies ended many decades ago I am delighted to learn about scientific discoveries which were made many years after I left school.

Mel Canham he superb pictures of a sparrowhawk by Greg Coyne in the DecJan issue of OVL reminded me of a visitor we had last year. Drawing back the curtains in the morning, I was confronted by a sparrowhawk bathing in the garden pond. I’ve attached a couple of the photos I took through the window (she was not aware I was there). It all seemed quite a domesticated scene – until

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ongratulations on your splendid Christmas edition. Its high-quality production and attractive presentation gave its content a real touch of class. Reading it produced a real Christmas glow

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very happy, healthy New Year to you all! Thank you for all the publicity you have given our charity events in the past. We very much appreciate your help.

Kind regards Debby

H

ere is Jeannette reading her OVL on a recent walking tour of Puglia in Italy!

Regards Richard

Follow us on Twitter @OVLMagazine

New Main Menu All day every day Try our new Daily Menu 2 courses £12 / 3 courses £15 Daily fish specials Pie Night Thursdays Ever changing varieties!

Sunday Lunch – 12 till 8pm Everything freshly cooked to order Opening Hours Mon to Thu: 11.30am - 11pm Fri & Sat: 11.30am - 11.30pm Sun: 12 noon - 10.30pm Fox & Hounds High Street, Riseley MK44 1DT 01234 709714 info@foxandhoundsriseley.co.uk

Now under new management

Let them be curious.

I believe in the spirit of inquiry Open Morning Wednesday 6th March, 10am Telephone: 01234 361918 www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk Bedford Girls’ School is part of The Harpur Trust

Let them be inspired.

Let them learn.

OPEN DAY

Saturday 16th March 10am to 12 noon

For further details please visit our website or call 01234 369555 Pilgrims Pre Preparatory School Brickhill Drive, Bedford MK41 7QZ

www.pilgrims-school.info THE HARPUR TRUST PRE PREP

We believe in our girls.

And they believe in themselves.

Come and visit us Thursday 7 March 2019, 4.30pm to 6.30pm Friday 8 March 2019, 9.30am to 12noon Or contact us to arrange a personal tour on a date to suit you.

Visit us to see what we mean northamptonhigh.gdst.net 01604 765765

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Holiday Activity Courses Easter 2019

Monday 08 -Thursday 18 April Open to all children aged 4-14

With more than 40 courses to choose from, there’s something for everyone in our exciting range of Easter Activity Courses For your 2019 brochure please contact us on 01234 332667 or visit bedmod.co.uk

BedfordModernSchool

@bedfordmodern

bedfordmodern Bedford Modern is part of The Harpur Trust

Handcrafted British Leathergoods Visit our Factory Shop in Lavendon Open Every Weekday 9:00am to 4:30pm The Tannery Warehouse, 29 Olney Road, Lavendon MK46 4EU 01234 712266 | www.tusting.co.uk | theteam@tusting.co.uk www.tusting.co.uk

Countrywear

SPRING/SUMMER Stock arriving during February/March!

Love. With Valentine’s Day on 14 February and Mother’s Day on 31 March, we’re feeling a tad emosh. Yes, perhaps these special days have become over commercialised but sometimes we need a nudge to remind us to tell people we love them. Flowers, chocolates and jewellery are always gratefully received too!

Girl Power. Hot on the heels of DC’s Wonder Woman, Marvel releases its first solo female superhero film on 8 March. Brie Larson stars as Captain Marvel who battles to save the Earth from shapeshifting aliens.

With superhuman strength, the ability to shoot concussive energy bursts from her fingertips and fly at six times the speed of sound, she’s more than a match for the boys.

Designer of Dreams. Fashion fans brace yourself… the largest ever Dior exhibition opens on 2 February at the V&A. Set to be an extensive celebration of the iconic designer’s life and work, the exhibition will feature the dress created for Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday and showcase so many other beautiful couture gowns.

www.lodgeway-countrywear.co.uk

01462 816122

OPEN: MON-FRI 9:30am-5:00pm SAT 9:30am-4:00pm Chicksands, Shefford, Beds SG17 5QB

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INTERIORS

HOME&INTERIORS

2019 TRENDS Jewel Tones

Under the Sea

Botanicals

Living Coral

John Lewis

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THE ART OF SELLING PROPERTY We are a multi-disciplinary estate agency with offices in the historic market town of Bedford. Our business is built on firm foundations of knowledge, service and ethics and we guarantee the highest level of Client satisfaction.

BUY, SELL, LET, RENT HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? • Property sales • Property lettings • New homes sales • Bespoke property search • Land and development If you would like to request a free market appraisal please contact Barney.

T 01234 889987 E enquiries@artistryproperty.co.uk

www.artistryproperty.co.uk

Artistry Property Agents | Bedford Heights | Brickhill Drive | Bedford | MK41 7PH

HOME&INTERIORS

2019 TRENDS

Jewel Tones

Amethyst, sapphire, ruby, emerald‌ deep jewel tones will add style and opulence to your living space. This gem-inspired trend works especially well in bedrooms and living rooms where comfort and warmth is key. Luxurious fabrics beautifully enhance jewel tones, instantly adding a touch of decadence, while richly hued paints and rugs add drama, making rooms sumptuously enticing. As with jewellery, combine with metallic accents and add texture by mixing matt and shiny fabrics such as velvet, satin and silk. Want to start small? Display jewel-toned accessories in clusters to gradually introduce the trend.

Furniture Choice Ltd

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1. John Lewis Green Marble Trinket Box, £40 2. Marks & Spencer Hudson Chair in Gosford Velvet, £499 3. Marks & Spencer Newbury Sofa in Gosford Velvet, £1499 4. Soho House Charles Armchair Cranberry Velvet, £2395 5. House by John Lewis Wall Clock, £30 6. Sainsbury’s Home Urban Paradise Diffuser, £9 7. John Lewis Tom Dixon Glass & Copper Ice Bucket, £220 8. Debenhams Matthew Williamson Vase, £28 9. Audenza Freya Cushion Cover with Fringing, £24

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HOME&INTERIORS

2019 TRENDS

Under the Sea

With an emphasis in 2018 on how our habits are damaging the earth’s oceans, 2019 sees interior design pay homage to the world that lies beneath us. Dive into the trend with aquatic inspired wallpaper, fish scale accessories and scalloped furniture that’ll make you feel like the jewel of the ocean. Opt for watery hues to create a soothing and serene atmosphere and iridescent vases to glisten and reflect light around the room. This trend also works well with Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Living Coral, to bring the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean into your home.

MINDTHEGAP

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1. Michael Murphy Home Furnishings Scatter Box Art Neptune, £249 2. Soho Home Catalina Table Lamp Yellow, £145 3. George Home Mermaid Wine Glasses 2pk, £7 4. Debenhams Abigail Ahern Octopus Cushion, £45 5. Debenhams Abigail Ahern Single Tale Hook, £8 6. A by Amara Old Rose Vase, £30 7. River Island Octagonal Large Lustre Vase, £25 8. Oliver Bonas Flora Armchair in Berry, £395 9. Cult Furniture Scallop Print Cotton Cushion, £24 Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

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Cordelia Jade

Lighting

Fitting service available Handmade table & pendant shades Repairs on table lamps & ceiling lights Appointments available for home visits for advice on your lighting needs The right light for the right room Stockists of Endon, Saxby, Interiors 1900 and Dar Lighting

01234 823033

Showroom at Milton Ernest Garden Centre

THE HOME FRAGRANCE COMPANY

WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Whether you are looking for a Valentine’s present for that special someone, or a gorgeous gift for a friend, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for at the Home Fragrance Company!

u Yankee Candles u Wax Lyrical u Stoneglow u Made By Zen u Luxury Cards u Gifts & More…

18 St Mary’s Street, Bedford MK42 0AS

To make that gesture extra special, we stock a range of beautiful cards and wrapping paper to ensure the perfect gift is catered for. Our friendly staff will even wrap your purchase at no extra cost.

NEW FOR 2019 We can make all items up as a sumptuously presented hamper either by bespoke order or one of our premade designs. A simple cellophane bouquet with a bow may just be enough to set that gift apart and with worldwide shipping on offer you can send your present to friends and family afar!

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm

Tel 01234 365681 • www.homefragrancecompany.co.uk 20

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The Friendly Family Business with over 35 years Experience in Made to Measure Soft Furnishings

• MADE TO MEASURE CURTAINS • BESPOKE BLINDS & SHUTTERS • CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY • CARPETS & WOOD FLOORING

• FABRICS & WALLPAPERS • INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE • 1 TO 1 CUSTOMER SERVICE • PROFESSIONAL FITTING

104b Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QR info@coolandclassic.com Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

01234 327109

www.coolandclassic.com Saturday 9am - 4pm

Creating Homes not just Interiors Visit our Showroom to get Inspired!

HOME&INTERIORS

2019 TRENDS

Botanical

Transform your home into a beautiful oasis with rich shades of green and botanical prints. The popular trend for bringing the outside in continues into 2019 with luscious leafy designs and blossoming floral patterns in abundance. Be bold with a statement wallpaper - there are so many to choose from - or simply introduce botanically themed accessories to instantly update your living space. Mixing complementing shades of green provides a beautiful backdrop, creating a fresh, yet relaxing environment. Complete the look with a display of plants and a smattering of botanical art work.

John Lewis

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1. Laura Ashley Greendale Printed Candle, £14 2. River Island Large Blue Ornate Planter, £25 3. George Home Tapestry Palm Cushion, £6 4. M&Co Floral Cushion, £12 5. George Home Floral Glass Tealight Holder, £4 6. Marks & Spencer Abstract Leaf Rug Large, £289 7. MINDTHEGAP Wallpaper Palm Springs, £150 8. Marks & Spencer Grass & White Pom Pom in Pot, £25 9. Marks & Spencer Large Aloe in Blue Ceramic, £69

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HOME&INTERIORS

2019 TRENDS

Living Coral

Living Coral is Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2019. Described as ‘invigorating and vibrant’, the marine tone is predicted to dominate over the next 12 months. Living Coral takes inspiration from one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth. Just as coral reefs are a source of sustenance and shelter to sea life, the effervescent shade is said to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment. Living Coral will add a dramatic pop of colour to any room. Think decorative accessories and soft furnishings or make a bold move with a feature wall.

Marks & Spencer

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1. Amara Elizabeth Scarlett Palmier Cushion, £50 2. John Lewis Cole & Son Seafern Wallpaper, Coral, £85 3. Oliver Bonas Upholstered Curve Wall Mirror, £89 4. George Home Geo Pom Pom Cushion, £7 5. Danetti Coral Eames Style Dining Armchair, £55 6. George Home Pack of 2 Vases, £7 7. Very Soft Minimal Two Tone Vase, £16.99 8. Debenhams MW by Matthew Williamson Wall Art, £40 9. Very Grounded Earth Genoa Cushion, £16.99

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Expert, independent financial planning advice At Jane Smith Financial Planning, we believe you need a long-term financial plan that’s created with your future in mind. It’s not just about the money. It’s about answering the important questions that matter to you.

Together we can: · Create a flexible financial plan · Achieve your goals · Provide peace of mind We’d love to talk to you, please call or email us to start the conversation.

Telephone

01234 713131

E-mail

info@janesmithfinancial.com

www.janesmithfinancial.com

YOUR FUTURE IN FOCUS Jane Smith Financial Planning Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Registered in England and Wales. Registered number 4371002

Established 1901

FORTHCOMING AUCTIONS Sale Entries Now Invited

Weekly Sale Every Saturday

Antiques Sale Monthly Auctions

Jewellery & Watches Sporting Guns 1st March 14th March

Catering Equipment 21st March

Books & Ephemera 5th April

Machinery & Tools 25th April

Collectable Toys 3rd May

Mid Century Design 18th May

Wines & Spirits 4th May

Bedford Auction Centre, Eastcotts Park, Wallis Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK42 0PE Tel: 01234 266366 | info@peacockauction.co.uk | www.peacockauction.co.uk 01_19Please OVL Ad remember Half.indd 1 to mention OVL when responding to adverts 26

10/01/2019 12:29

Don’t forget the garden - the auctioneer’s lot

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s auctioneers and valuers, we spend many hours each week meeting clients at their homes to examine the treasures they plan on consigning to auction. Nowadays, we often find ourselves explaining that the market for ‘brown furniture’ - oak, mahogany and walnut pieces made between 1850 and 1920 has slumped considerably. The blame is normally attributed to the rise of minimalism and changing fashions. Whilst there are exceptions, the general trend is for young first-time buyers to furnish their homes with modern disposable furniture rather than to recycle granny’s cherished heirlooms.

But what of the garden?

A client will often overlook that stone statue or pair of planters in the corner of the garden, but these could prove to be more valuable than they could ever have expected. The price achieved at auction for a garden roller or ride-on-mower or even a pile of rusty hand tools could also be a pleasant surprise.

At W&H Peacock, our four weekly sales which take place simultaneously - include a vast array of garden statuary, planters, tools and mowers, alongside the more traditional fare of furniture, ceramics and collectables.

So if you are moving, downsizing or just changing styles remember there is a strong market for garden furniture, ornaments and equipment at W&H Peacock.

If you own anything which you think might be suitable for one of our sales please contact Matthew Baker on 01234 266366 or info@peacockauction.co.uk For an approximate estimate, email us with a description and image of your item. For larger or multiple items, we are happy to arrange for a valuer to visit your home or premises at your convenience.

W&H Peacock www.peacockauction.co.uk

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E

mmaus Village Carlton is a homelessness charity based just outside of Carlton, offering active support to 42 formerly homeless people.

Emmaus is different to other services as it provides a workable alternative to homelessness, offering people a home as well as meaningful work. Each person has their own room for as long as they need it, and is supported in working towards a fresh start in life. Emmaus had been established in France for 40 years before it came to the UK in the early 1990s, all thanks to a chance encounter at a Cambridge soup kitchen.

Shop The charity raises funds through its popular Home Store in the peaceful Bedfordshire countryside. New visitors are often surprised at the size of this huge charity shop; there are many departments, spread across multiple rooms with a large range of furniture, clothing, electrical goods and more.

Relax Serving proper coffee, tasty breakfasts and delicious lunches, as well as their famous cakes, em’s Bistro at Emmaus Village Carlton is extremely popular – a cosy place to enjoy a well-deserved break.

Donate Emmaus Village Carlton runs a free collection service for unwanted quality furniture, to be resold in store. If you have any large items, please give them a call on 01234 720826.

Emmaus Village Carlton can be found on School Lane, Carlton, MK43 7LQ Find out more at www.emmaus.org.uk/ village_carlton

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OVL MEETS Sadie Craddock, Cordelia Jade Lighting

Tell us about your background. How long have you been working within lighting?

I have been in retail for over 30 years. I started on a Youth Training Scheme at Debenhams in Bedford, working in various departments.

I was employed by them for 22 years before transferring to BHS in Bedford where I worked in customer services and the lighting department for 11 years.

What prompted you to set up your own lighting business?

I enjoyed working on the lighting department at BHS. When the news came about BHS closing, I decided to use my redundancy money to set up Cordelia Jade Lighting, with the support of my husband and family. It also helps that my husband is an electrician.

As a small business, what can you offer customers that larger retailers can’t?

As a small business I can provide a more personal service with one to one advice on my products. I work with other local business who provide me with bespoke handmade table and ceiling shades and hand-crafted driftwood table lamps. I also provide a fitting and repair service.

You’re based at Milton Ernest Garden Centre. Does this work well for your customers?

The garden centre offers so many benefits such as ample free parking, an on site café and even a car wash. Also, all my products are on show and I’m happy for customers to take my suppliers’ catalogues to the café to have a browse while enjoying a cup of coffee!

What difference can good lighting make to a home?

Good lighting is essential if you want to make the most of your living space. It creates a homely environment, making rooms feel warm, comfortable and relaxed.

What would you say are the most important factors when choosing a light?

Choosing the right style of lighting to suit the room is key. Another factor to consider is energy efficiency (LED or Halogen). It’s important to understand that every light source has two distinct elements. The first part is brightness which is measured in Lumens.

The second is the colour temperature which is measured in Kelvin. Warm White is perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere, Cool White is brighter and fresher while Day Light mimics natural light. Cordelia Jade Lighting can help customers with these decisions to ensure that they choose the right light for the right room.

Cordelia Jade Lighting Stockists of Endon, Saxby, Dar Lighting, Franklite & First Light 01234 823033 Showroom at Milton Ernest Garden Centre

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WIN A £50 VOUCHER TO SPEND AT CORDELIA JADE LIGHTING Based at the very popular Milton Ernest Garden Centre, Cordelia Jade Lighting can help with all of your lighting needs.

Bespoke, locally handmade table and ceiling shades and hand-crafted driftwood table lamps are on offer alongside brands such as Endon, Saxby, Interiors 1900, Dar Lighting, Franklite and First Light.

Cordelia Jade Lighting provides a fitting service and also undertakes repairs on table lamps and ceiling lights as well as offering a light cleaning service.

Sadie Craddock, owner of Cordelia Jade Lighting, worked in retail in Bedford for over 30 years, firstly at Debenhams and then at BHS. Sadie loved working in the lighting department and when BHS closed, she decided to use her redundancy money to set up Cordelia Jade Lighting.

Sadie chose Milton Ernest Garden Centre as it offers so many benefits: “There is ample free parking, an on site café and even a car wash. All my products are on show and I’m happy for customers to take my suppliers’ catalogues to the café to have a browse while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee!”

Good lighting is essential if you want to make the most of your living space. Visit Sadie at Cordelia Jade Lighting and she will help you to choose the right light for the right room.

Cordelia Jade Lighting 01234 823033 Showroom at Milton Ernest Garden Centre To enter our competitions: Email info@ousevalleyliving.com quoting Cordelia Jade or BMS Course in the subject box and we will enter you into the prize draw. The winners will be drawn at random and notified by Friday 22 March.

Closing date Friday 15 March.

OVL brings you FANTASTIC prizes every issue!

WIN A FREE PLACE ON A HOLIDAY ACTIVITY COURSE Bedford Modern School provides holiday activity courses during the Easter and Summer holidays for children between the ages of 4 and 14. The girls and boys who attend really enjoy it, make lots of friends and learn new skills and talents.

‘I really enjoy the courses as there are lots of people you can make friends with. The staff are really nice and it is great that some of them were on the courses when they were young! My favourite course is multi-sports as you get to try lots of different activities and develop new skills. I particularly enjoyed the swimming.’ Bethan age 9.

‘I like the fact you can have fun. I really enjoyed Youth TV because you get to make your own mini-movies. I also like watching other people’s whilst eating popcorn. Another great course is Studio Sounds where you get to sing and record your own song. You can do a group or solo part.’ Edward age 11.

Morning courses run from 9.30am to 12.30pm and afternoon courses run from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Children who attend both morning and afternoon courses bring their own packed lunch and are supervised during the lunch break. Additional cover from 8am and until 6pm is also available for those parents who require it.

The BMS Holiday Activity Course programme for Easter 2019 is: Monday 08 April – Friday 12 April Monday 15 April – Thursday 18 April With more than 40 courses to choose from, Bedford Modern School is delighted to offer one winner of the OVL Competition a free place* on an Easter 2019 Holiday Activity Course of their choice.

For more information or to request a copy of the 2019 Holiday Activity Course brochure, please contact the BMS Holiday Activity Course Office on 01234 332667 or visit www.bedmod.co.uk/holiday-activity-courses. *One free place on either a morning or afternoon course for one week

LAST ISSUE’S COMPETITION WINNERS Congratulations to Mrs Eve Bourne who won a Nordman Fir from Stagsden Christmas Trees and Roger Winter who won a Christmas turkey from Browns of Stagsden.

The provider of the prize will only receive the winner’s details and entrants’ details will not be given to any third parties.

INTERIORS

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Stop at Stagsden for all your local produce

Home reared/local meat & poultry Fruit/vegetables. Homemade pies Wide range of artisan cheese Locally produced milk

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Heritage Arboriculture Ltd

Creating a Healthy and Beautiful Environment‌ Due to our superior standard of our Work, Service, Knowledge, Recommendations and Safety we have been awarded Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor Status.

Be confident that you are receiving the best advice and management available for your trees.

Planting

Advice

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Call now for all your tree related advice and a free quotation. www.heritagearboriculture.co.uk

T: 01234 720801 E: nicki@heritagearboriculture.co.uk

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FOOD

Fish Pie with vegetable mash Serves 4-6

500g potato, cubed 700g sweet potato, cubed 700g carrots, thickly sliced 3 cloves garlic, bashed 25g unsalted butter 1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted

900g fish fillets, skinned 180g cooked prawns 1 onion, finely chopped 2 celery stalks, finely sliced 2 tbsp olive oil 100g baby spinach, washed

300ml double cream juice of a lemon fresh parsley, chopped salt and black pepper

Preheat oven to 180°C. Boil the potato, sweet potato, carrots and garlic cloves in salted water until tender. Drain, add the butter, and roughly mash. Grind the cumin seeds and mix into the vegetables. Season and set aside.

Cut the fish into bite size pieces - we used cod, smoked haddock and salmon - and place in an earthenware dish with the prawns. Season with salt and pepper.

Gently fry the onion and celery in the olive oil in a saucepan until soft. Add the spinach and stir until wilted. Pour in the cream and bring to a simmer before stirring in the lemon juice and parsley. Season to taste and spread over the fish mixture.

Cover the fish with the mash and bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden.

S

E M pm TI .30 m G –5 0p IN am 2.0 N 00 – PE I: 9. 0 am O R -F 8.3 ES AT: TU S

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HOME FARM GREAT BARFORD BEDFORDSHIRE MK44 3JF

TRADITIONAL BUTCHERS ON THE FARM Quality meat born and reared on the Farm - Farm to Fork WITH CUTS YOU CAN’T FIND IN THE SUPERMARKET We are 100% traceable - Local Deliveries & Weekly Specials

www.southallbutchers.co.uk

Tel: 01234 870333

rl e be slim fowith

Slimming World

GET FIT IN THE PARK 1st SESSION FREE - THEN PAY AS YOU GO

Meet outside Dragonfly Cafe Saturday Group 8.30am & 10.30am Bedford Town Centre Trinity Chapel Trinity Leisure Centre Bromham Road Bedford MK40 2BS Call Karen on 07841 075100

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EVERY SATURDAY @ 9:30am Harrold & Odell Country Park Phone: 01234 964047 Email: jules@fitbiznow.co.uk www.fitbiznow.co.uk/groupclasses

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• Butchers & Delicatessen • Café serving home-cooked food • Fruit and veg stall • Store cupboard goodies • All profits support local rural communities

FAR M S HO P & C A FÉ

Good food, locally produced Tues - Sat: 8:30am – 5pm Sun: 10am – 4pm

Cople Road Cardington Bedford MK44 3SH 01234 831222 thebarncardington.com

5 mins from Bedford off the A421/A603

Good Food, Locally Produced

R

C C

depth of flavour. It is the ideal drink for any celebration. We are also increasing our range of locally produced gins, beers and ciders.

The best way of keeping in touch with all our promotions and new products is to follow us on social media: @thebarncardington @barncardington Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) is the leading community development agency working across Bedfordshire. As well as The Barn and Old Warden vineyard, we help support local communities through initiatives such as Good Neighbour Schemes, helping to protect the green environment and managing Community Rail Partnerships. If you would like to know more see our website bedsrcc.org.uk

B

M

ay we thank all our many customers who supported us in 2018. For those who have not yet discovered The Barn, we are a non-profit making venture, with the aim of helping local food producers by providing a retail outlet and café and supporting the work of BRCC. As Valentine’s Day approaches why not try some of our fabulous steak and sparkling wine to share with your loved one. All our beef, lamb, pork and game are sourced from Bedfordshire farms and our butcher will be pleased to deal with any request for your favourite cut. Venison and pheasant are also particularly popular at this time of year.

If you have not yet tried Warden Abbey sparkling wine, from the community-run vineyard at Old Warden, it is produced in the traditional Champagne method and has 30 months maturing on lees, giving it a great

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37

Roz Lee

Naomi Jones

Beauty & Skincare

See immediate results from our highly effective rejuvenating facials Face-Lifting Microcurrent Treatment

Creates a lifting effect and reduces the overall appearance of ageing

Radio Frequency Skin Tightening

Generates new collagen and elastin to give a lifting effect with improved skin texture and tone

Skin Peels

Gentle but effective. Perfect for dull and congested skin

Book your free consultation Inspect the before and after photos!

Not sure which treatment is best for you?

I can advise on treatment plans personalised to your lifestyle and budget “So pleased to find a therapist who immediately put me at ease” “Naomi is a true professional and offers excellent advice” “I’ve now been coming every four weeks for 15 years!”

Phone or Text: 07591 042 720 Email: Naomi@NaomiJones.com Facebook.com/NaomiJonesBeauty

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New Spring Collections Now In Store

Bedfordshire’s biggest independent clothing store - opposite Waitrose Claytons at Hatters, 532 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK41 0DX • T: 01234 352429

Mon to Sat 9am - 5.30pm & Sun 10.30am - 4.30pm www.claytonsonline.co.uk • Ample FREE parking

STYLE

Spot On E

veryone’s going dotty for the polka trend!

Spotted (’scuse the pun) on the runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris, this timeless classic looks set to dominate throughout the spring and into summer.

No need to wait for the sunshine though as this is a Spring/Summer trend that can be introduced into your wardrobe now. Not only is there a polka dot piece for every occasion but there are also many different ways to wear them. Channel your inner 1950s’ siren with vintage dresses and retro swimwear or revisit the 80s with oversized items and puffy sleeves. Feminine versions are aplenty too with lace and sheer pieces providing a romantic, sensual edge to the trend. And if you’re into prints, why stop at one? Try clashing prints, another Spring/Summer trend, and combine your polka dots with florals, tartan or stripes.

Debenhams Richard Quinn Dress, £69

Dorothy Perkins

Next Polka Dot Kitten Heel, £25

JD Williams Coral Polka Dot Swimsuit, £32

Lipsy Spot Wrap Blouse, £38 Lipsy Spot Hanky Hem Dress, £60

Dorothy Perkins Heeled Sandals

Marks & Spencer Polka Dot Shell Top, £25

Joe Browns Spot The Curls Dress, £50

Miss Selfridge Polka Dot Jumpsuit, £42 Miss Selfridge Floral Button Side Midi Dress, £42

Miss Selfridge Polka Dot Linen Dress, £35

Oasis Dotty Crop Top, £32

Lipsy Polka Dot Longline Blazer, £50

Miss Selfridge Lime Polka Dot Satin Skirt, £38

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41

What are facial oils?

Facial oils plump and nourish the skin giving an instantly soft feeling but remember this is not instead of moisturiser, but as well as. Facial oils are generally natural making them suitable for all ages and complexion types How often do I need to wash my make-up brushes?

Most experts agree that once a month is fine.

Dip the brush in warm, soapy water, using a mild shampoo and then rinse well. Blot the brush with a clean towel, then leave to dry with the bristles facing downwards to avoid excess water lingering in the barrel of the brush.

Does make-up cause acne?

There’s no research evidence showing make-up causes acne; however, if you’re not removing it correctly and consistently then you’re going to run into problems. When you don’t get all your make-up off at night it means that the active ingredients in your products which can lessen acne won’t get into your skin. The build-up of dirt will be a breeding ground for bacteria.

What’s your real skin type?

Visit a professional beauty therapist to find out…

All too often we buy from shops while not really knowing our true skin type. Yes, store assistants can ask a few general questions but you really need a proper cleanse and skin analysis to know your actual skin type.

Which face mask should I use?

The first thing to decide is the result that you’re looking for. There are masks for all skin types and conditions. For example, wonderful creamy masks for dry skin, masks for deep cleansing and nourishing for troubled, acne skin, right

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through to masks that deliver the active antiageing ingredients that are vital to many of us!

As with exfoliation, face masks should be a part of your weekly skin care regime, both for instant glow and ongoing deep cleansing. A weekly face mask allows for a much deeper cleanse than that is achievable with a daily facial wash or cream cleanser. The combination of ingredients and time in contact with the skin allows the product to reach deep down into pores, drawing away stubborn impurities, whilst hydrating, soothing and even tightening the skin to reveal a really clear and fresh-looking complexion.

What is mineral make-up?

Ingredients that are frequently found in traditional make-up such as dyes, preservatives, synthetic fragrances and other chemicals can be highly irritating to the skin causing rashes, allergies, spots and blocked pores. A true mineral make-up, made 100% with natural minerals, not only enhances your true beauty but is a complete extension of your skincare routine, containing none of these sensitisers and enabling the skin to breathe and function normally. Pure mineral make-up contains no fragrances or chemicals, which can damage and irritate your skin with long-term use. The minerals also work to protect your skin against free radicals.

Does oily skin need moisturiser?

By skipping the moisturiser, your skin will dry out and in turn produce lots more oil, which can actually cause more breakouts. T ​ his under-moisture over-oil producing situation becomes a vicious cycle. But luckily, it’s a cycle that can be stopped. Look for non-comedogenic moisturisers, meaning they won’t clog pores. Skincare ingredients to steer clear of if you have an oily or acned skin include mineral oil, cocoa butter and lanolin.

Does chocolate gives you spots?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but whilst countless studies have found no direct link between chocolate and pimples, chocoholics might want to go easy as scientists now believe that rapid fluctuations in our blood sugar levels may affect the function of sebaceous glands in the body, potentially aggravating acne. Therefore it makes sense to cut down on all sources of refined sugars in the diet.

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BEAUTY

Naomi Jones shares more Secrets from the Salon....

Naomi Jones

Skincare and make-up – your questions answered

North Beds Osteopaths & Physios is a local, well-established practice that’s successfully been treating patients of all ages for more than 25 years.

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D

uring December the Roxtonettes visited local garden centres, supermarkets and pubs singing Christmas carols.

We were pleased to be able to present a cheque for £3,452.30 to our chosen charity for 2018, Bedford Daycare Hospice.

Since the Wyboston Warblers amalgamated with the Roxtonettes in 2013, we have raised £20k for local charities.

We are a community group, who enjoy playing instruments or singing (hopefully, in tune). The group is open to all abilities and there are no auditions.

Whether you are an experienced singer or someone who simply enjoys singing in the shower, you can be sure of a warm welcome.

It is an informal, fun evening with a ‘feel good’ factor.

We sing songs from the 1940s through to the modern day and you don’t have to be able to read music!

If you would like to join us, please come along to Roxton Village Hall.

44

In our 7th Year!

Monthly Music Evenings Roxton Village Hall High Street, Roxton Do you enjoy singing or playing a musical instrument?

We meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month 7:30pm onwards – Instrumentalists 8:00pm onwards - Singers Under the guidance of Eamonn Nicholson-Clinch, we are an informal community singing group.

Entrance £2.50 per session to include refreshments For further information please contact Eamonn on 07780 954314 or Susie on 01234 376098

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RACHEL BENTON STRONG ENOUGH Work with me as your trainer to transform yourself inside and out..

• Private Personal Training- studio • Small Group Sessions- studio • Online Coaching- home/gym • Corporate Fitness- your workplace Helping clients achieve their fitness, fat loss and lifestyle goals since 2000.

Contact me now to find out more about how I can help you achieve your goals with me in my studio, online in your home or gym or in your workplace as part of your company wellness programme.

T: 07879614730 E: info@rachelbenton.co.uk W: www.rachelbenton.co.uk

East Wing Fitness Studio Bedford Rd, Bedford MK42 8AH @rachelbentonfitness

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45

HEALTH & FITNESS

The Importance of Hydration Jules Minter

I

n the last edition I talked about a healthy and practical diet. Following on from this, I’d like to focus on another important area of health and fitness – hydration. Without a doubt, the most crucial part of our daily nutritional intake is water.

Without water our performance suffers and our health deteriorates very quickly to the point where the body simply can’t function. 50% to 60% of the human body is made up of water and even a small reduction in intake can start to make a big difference to your body, with serious consequences: 3% loss – reduction in exercise performance 4% loss – muscular work reduces by 20% to 30% 5% loss – h eat exhaustion requiring medical attention 7% loss – hallucinations 10% loss – heat stroke and potentially death

needs more than this. It’s easy to get into the routine of drinking enough water – I have a one litre drinking bottle and know how many times a day I need to fill it up.

There’s a simple way to check if you’re drinking enough water. Just take a quick look at your urine and if it’s clear to pale yellow then you are hydrated.

Anything from yellow to dark yellow means that you are dehydrated and need to drink more water.

So just why is water so important to our bodies?

• It is needed for all the chemical processes in our cells • It enables the transport of nutrients and gasses around the blood • It provides lubrication to our joints and protection for our organs • It regulates your body temperature (especially during exercise) Hydration levels can also be affected by sugar, salt, caffeine, food and alcohol.

So just how much should someone drink to stay healthy?

The NHS recommends drinking around 1.2 litres (six to eight glasses) of fluid every day to prevent dehydration. However, when exercising, the body

46

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Some of my clients have asked some interesting questions about hydration and I thought you might be interested in the answers:

I can’t seem to lose my belly fat - is that because I’m drinking too much water?

Keeping your body hydrated is absolutely essential to losing belly fat. If you are dehydrated your liver doesn’t function correctly and the ability to burn fat is not as effective. So, by drinking lots of water you will notice your belly reducing in size.

Should I drink water during exercise?

If you want to lose weight and be healthy, then exercise should be part of your programme. You should drink water before, during and after exercise to avoid dehydration. Water helps the muscles, connective tissues and joints to move correctly and also helps the lungs, heart and other organs to function effectively during exercise.

So there you have it. Water is important for weight loss, exercise and a healthy lifestyle. If you don’t like water then there are some low sugar/zero calorie squashes out there which you can mix in – be sure to read the label first.

If you’re interested in getting fit and healthy in the great outdoors, then I’d love to see you at one of my fitness classes in Harrold-Odell Country Park. For more details go to https://www.fitbiznow.co.uk/groupclasses/) or contact me at jules@fitbiznow.co.uk or 01234 964047.

SPORT

Basketball on the courts at Venice Beach, CA

The King and I

A filming assignment in California Anthony Hagen, TV Cameraman When the phone rang I was unsure whether to accept the assignment. I mean, what do you say when you’re asked to swap Sharnbrook in November for a week in the Californian sunshine, filming some of the world’s biggest sporting icons?

“Now that’s a bold claim,” I can almost hear you saying. “Who are these icons of which you speak?

I’ll be the judge of that…”

Ok, these guys are known worldwide by just their first names.

Did I want to go and film them?

Oh yes.

LeBron. Zlatan. Iconic enough?

We arrived in San Francisco for what turned out to be the warmup act. Two days spent with the Golden State Warriors, current NBA Champions and winners of three of the last four titles. Only LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers stood in their way in 2016. More of him later. It’s no surprise that their training facilities in Oakland are world class, with basketball being the third most popular sport in the USA. Their star player, Steph Curry, sat next to us on the floor while we filmed interviews with other players and the coach.

Our next plan was to head to Los Angeles to cover the arrival of perhaps the best ever NBA player, Lebron “King” James, to perhaps the most famous NBA team, the LA Lakers. But first we had an early morning date with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and LA Galaxy.

The atmosphere at the Galaxy training base is about as relaxed as it’s possible to be. Ashley Cole (remember him) wandered past onto the pitch before Zlatan

himself sauntered out between the palm trees with a workmanlike scowl. He trained as he plays, hard and serious, while constantly offering advice to his less experienced team mates. During our interview (held in the San Francisco Chargers locker room at the Stub Hub arena) Ibra was both jovial and serious, self-deprecating and egotistical. When asked about the arrival of LeBron James he said, “Now there’s a God and a King in LA”. Who is the biggest star? “In my world there are many kings but only one God.” Classic Zlatan, if you will. At the end he stayed ten minutes for a chat off-camera. Perhaps surprisingly, I found him warm and friendly, quite different from how he usually comes across in the media.

LeBron James was due to be unveiled to the media the next day. This was cancelled so we headed down to Venice Beach courts to film a bit of street basketball. You get the idea, film the locals playing on their own turf. A bit like going to Hillgrounds in Kempston on a Monday night for a bit of six-a-side. Except not a bit like it at all. The hot sunshine beat down as the Pacific Ocean waves crashed onto the nearby beach and we shot a piece about how much basketball, and the arrival of LeBron, meant to them.

Finally, the moment came to speak to LeBron James, before

his home debut for the Lakers.

The media interest was huge.

Around fifty camera crews turned up to hear what James had to say about his move from Cleveland. I squeezed myself into the camera scrum and pointed my lens upwards. He’s a very big man. His time is obviously precious and he didn’t speak for long. The bigger the star, the less control the media team have over what he does. A few answers and he was off, while we rushed to file the material back to our London base. The home debut arrived, and despite the hype and fever pitch crowd, LeBron and his Lakers fell to a defeat by the Houston Rockets.

An anti-climax for them, but not for me. The week in California had been a wonderful look into American sport and its current heroes.

Lakers take on Rockets at the Staples Center, LA

Editing our Ibrahimovic interview LeBron James during his media activities

GARDENS

Rosemary’s Garden Bring a glow into your garden from late winter to spring with these stunning plants 1 Winter aconite

Fully hardy and frost and snow tolerant, winter aconite will multiply to form a glowing carpet of golden flowers until early spring. Like snowdrops, aconite is planted ‘in the green’ while the leaves are still fresh. Or plant bulbs in the autumn. Leave the dying foliage until April or May.

2 Chaenomeles

The red, orange, pink or white flowers with golden anthers of the ornamental quince will bring light into your garden before those golden daffodils open. The flowers last from February until early summer, unfurling in clusters along twiggy stems before the dark green, glossy leaves appear.

3 Witch hazel

Why not brighten February days with a spicy, lemony scent drifting from spidery clusters of flowers that survive the coldest of weather? Witch hazel, or hamamelis, will also add colour with shades of yellow, cream, pink, orange or red. Set it among snowdrops, muscari, scillas, and crocuses.

4 Winter jasmine

Flowering from January until March, winter jasmine produces its most prolific blooms in February. The bright yellow flowers will lighten a dark day. It doesn’t have tendrils to help it climb so let it scramble over a wall or bank or train it up a trellis. The flowers open into showers of stars.

5 Flowering cherry

Prunus subhirtella autumnalis is an ornamental cherry tree with pink flowers. The showier Prunus x subhirtella autumnalis rosea has red-budded, pink flowers which fade to white. Both bloom from November to March. The autumn leaf colour is lovely and the trees are extremely hardy.

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6 Clematis cirrhosa

Most winter-flowering clematis are varieties of Clematis cirrhosa, Evergreen with gorgeous white or cream bell-shaped flowers, some have speckled petals. Plant it against a wall or trellis or in a pot where you can admire the flowers and enjoy the scent. And it’s not susceptible to clematis wilt.

7 Skimmia japonica

Bring continuous colour into your garden from autumn until spring. Male and female skimmia produce white or creamy flowers, some from red buds To also enjoy the bright red berries which form on the female varieties you will need a male plant, which can pollinate up to six female plants.

8 Winter-flowering heather

Winter-flowering heathers are cultivars of Erica carnea and Erica x darleyensis. Their pink, white or purple flowers will delight you for years to come.

Many varieties have beautiful foliage, the colour intensifying in the cold. Whether you grow them in a rock garden, border or pot, they are perfect.

TOP TEN

Jobs for February & March

1

Plant some lily bulbs – five of the same variety in a 25 cm container.

2

Prepare the ground for summer-flowering bulbs such as gladioli, alliums. and crocosmia.

3

Deadhead pansies and primulas throughout February and March to encourage lots of flowers.

4

March is a good time to plant hardy geraniums and astrantia.

5

Brighten up your containers with spring bedding plants such as primulas and wallflowers.

6

Start pruning early flowering shrubs like forsythia as their display finishes.

7

Protect the blooms of camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas from early morning sun.

8

Prune climbing roses and shrub roses in March.

9

Cut back summer-flowering shrubs such as buddleia, hydrangea and hardy fuchsias.

10

Make repairs to your lawn, feed with a spring fertiliser and mow if the grass is growing.

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51

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Wildlife of the British Isles -

The Common Buzzard Greg Coyne, Wildlife Photographer

I

t was quite a while before I managed to photograph pecking order until the young bird gets big enough, a buzzard properly. Not because I couldn’t find them and brave enough, to force the parent off the prey. but because I found them to be skittish and very One of my favourite sightings of a buzzard was on wary birds. I sometimes saw them while I was out the Isle of Arran which is just off the west coast of driving, maybe perched on a telegraph pole or a fence Scotland. I was there to photograph otters but it was at the side of the road, but if I tried to open the car a very cold, windy day and the rain was teeming down. door or wind down the window to take an image they If there were otters on the coastline we certainly were gone. Sometimes they would move to the next would not have found them that day. So we decided telegraph pole as if to taunt me and then as I crept to cut across the island to see what wildlife may the car forward again they would fly to the next pole. be in the hills and try to get some images from the It was very frustrating. car (where it was dry). As we drove around a bend, The secret of getting buzzard images is first to find overlooking a steep drop to the valley below, we saw the buzzard and then with the land owner’s permission an old tree poking out from the gloom that had a put out some carrion such as a road kill pigeon to buzzard perched regally near the top, gazing over its attract them down. Then, if you are tucked away territory, while being absolutely battered by wind and close by you can get your images - they are still very torrential rain. It was a special meeting and we stayed nervous but if you wait until they are feeding they are and watched that buzzard for about 30 minutes often obliging if you take just one photograph at a before it finally decided to take off and leave us. time.

If you are driving around the country roads - or The buzzard is one of the most common raptors in the especially if you are the passenger in the car - keep UK. This medium to large sized bird has a rounded your eyes peeled to the sides and upwards and you head and tail and can be seen soaring and circling in will often be rewarded with a sight of one of these flight - it is often confused with a red kite. Although incredible raptors. its plumage is usually brown you can see many If you would like to see more of my images variable patterns to the colouration, some being very please check out my website at pale indeed. Small mammals are commonly taken, gregcoynephotography.co.uk including voles, mice, rats, moles, young rabbits and hares. When the buzzard spots some prey it makes a swift dive on half-closed wings and snatches it in its powerful talons. It will also prey on birds, reptiles, invertebrates carrion and worms - yes worms.

There are a few photography hide owners (these images were taken from a hide just an hour from home) who have managed to attract regular visits from buzzards but the buzzard is very unpredictable and will often disappear and not return. One of the images shown here has the parent and the juvenile in the picture. Quite often, when I have been watching these birds together, the parent feeds first with the juvenile staying close and calling for a share of the food. By the time the adult has fed there is often Follow not much left for the youngster to eat but thatus is on thetwitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 53

TOP END VILLAGE STORES ANIMAL FEED & BEDDING www.topendfarm.co.uk

BARGAINS GALORE IN STORE!

Calor Gas always in stock

Wide and competitive range of horse and animal feed, supplements and stable essentials Paddock fertilisers, grass seed, post and rail, stock fencing, chicken wire, electric fencing and accessories Hay, straw, haylage, shavings, sundown, wood pellet bedding etc Stable and field mats, reclaimed sleepers, rat bait, horse carrots Layers pellets, poultry bedding, feeders, treats and poultry supplements always in stock Plus dog food and treats, wild bird feed, rabbit and small animal feed, small holder feed too Large free car park (horse lorries welcome) Fast and free delivery (T&Cs apply) Shop open 7 days a week

Top End Farm Little Staughton Bedfordshire MK44 2BY 01234 376426 topendfarm@btconnect.com

TINSLEYS RIDING SCHOOL British Horse Society Approved Established 1977

Friendly and professional experienced instructors Children from the age of five Adult tuition Lessons for the complete beginner to the more advanced rider

Neil & Susan Black BHSII Long Barns, The Baulk, Clapham MK41 6AA

Telephone 01234 268556 www.tinsleysridingschool.co.uk 54

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PETS

Winter Care

I

f this winter is going to be anything like last year’s, we are to expect a lot of snow. Not only do we need to be winter ready but so do our pets. So here are some top tips for a safe and healthy winter.

Keeping warm during winter is important to our pets, even with their fur coats. Avoid booking in any groomers’ appointments as their coats should be kept long and thick. If you have a short coated breed, then introduce a coat for them to wear - but do this slowly so they find it comfortable and enjoyable. With dark early nights, make sure your pet (and you!) can be seen with reflective clothing.

Keeping microchip details up to date is vital. You wouldn’t believe the number of lost dogs and cats veterinary practices see when they get separated from their owner on walks or stray overnight seeking shelter. So if you’ve moved house or been gifted a new mobile for Christmas, change your details on your pets’ microchip database.

Keep dogs on a lead in heavy snowfall, and provide

shelter for your cat should they want to stay out all night.

Laying down grit for your own drive and road is a necessity in winter but so is removing it from your pet’s paws. Grit can irritate their skin and when they lick it off it can cause stomach irritation too or make them feel poorly, needing veterinary treatment. Gently wash their feet with warm soapy water, getting between all their toes and pads and dry well. The same goes for cats: the notorious groomers!

Antifreeze is highly toxic to dogs and cats with a very low chance of survival, even at the vets. It’s surprisingly tasty to cats and dogs so be vigilant that any spillages and leaks are cleaned up and the container is kept out of reach or, to be even safer, avoid it if possible.

On those days when it’s too bitter and miserable outside for the normal long dog walk or cat stroll, your pets can become inactive or stir crazy staying inside. Create games for them to sniff out their treats or an obstacle course for them to scale. Long lasting chews and toys will also give them something to do. If your pet is going to be less active in the winter months, make sure you adjust their amount of food accordingly to avoid inadvertent weight gain.

Have a safe and happy winter.

And, as always, if you’ve any Zoe Shelton-Smith concerns, contact your vet.

Veterinarian

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55

SCIENCE

Stelios Mores

O

Flying Without Moving

n 21 November 2018, aeronautical engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology demonstrated what has for many years been the stuff of science fiction. The first-ever aircraft to be driven without any moving parts was being propelled by an ‘ion drive’, which creates an electro-aerodynamic thrust or an ‘ionic wind’. The environmental benefits of a silent aircraft engine which uses electricity alone to accelerate the air around it without any emissions and with the potential of using renewable energy, is perhaps the technology which many in the air transportation industry were hoping for.

Flight has played a major part in religions and the myths of early civilisations. Protagonists have often paid the ultimate price, much like in the famous story of Dedalus and Icarus. Unheeded by these warnings of impending doom, the Chinese philosopher Mo Di went on to invent the first kite as early as the fifth century BC and subsequently the kite was used to lift people into the air. A century later Chinese children were playing with toys which had a pair of feathers at the end of a stick that would take off when spun rapidly, and festivities saw the advent of the Sky Lantern which relied on a lightweight burning lamp heating up the air inside a paper chute to make it rise. Despite these early advances, flight was to remain a passive endeavour for over two millennia, requiring high jumping off points and relying on convective currents in the atmosphere.

and a type of helicopter. In the 1670s, the Jesuit priest Francesco Lana described a ship which incorporated four giant evacuated copper spheres which would make the ship lighter than the air around it. This idea of a lighter than air vessel led to the development of the first-ever hot air balloon by the French brothers Joseph-Michel and JacquesEtienne Montgolfier in the early 1780s. Initially the design relied on a ground-based coal burner to heat up the air and make the balloon rise, but this was soon suspended directly below the envelope allowing it to fly much greater distances. Within a decade, what was initially a public curiosity had become an established form of transport. The subsequent development of dirigible balloons led to improvements in steering and control. By 1785, the Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard and the American John Jefferies had flown across the English Channel in such a craft.

In 1852 Henry Giffard replaced the hot air with hydrogen gas resulting in an almost thirtyfold improvement in lift for an equivalent volume, allowing far heavier loads to be lifted. The cloth-like exterior of the gas envelope was replaced with a harder, stiffer fabric and frame, and incorporated various propulsion systems such as paddles, wings and rudders. Having first been driven by steam, the airship propellers of the late 1800s were powered by batteries and electric motors. The early 1900s saw German Graf Zeppelin airships take to the skies lifting luxury gondolas for fare-paying passengers, oftentimes travelling for periods of many weeks as they flew across the Atlantic from Central Europe to South America. In time the hydrogen was replaced with safer helium.

Powered flight with all its implications was an altogether different challenge. The first attempts at understanding the mechanisms of flight were made by Roger Bacon who during the 13th century suggested that air had an upper surface, such During this same period significant advances in that a suitable apparatus might float on it as a ship powered flight were also being made with the floats upon the surface of the commercial gains which sea. Over two centuries later this implied. In 1874 Felix Leonardo da Vinci used his du Temple developed a knowledge of the natural world steam-powered aircraft and avian anatomy to design capable of taking off flying machines including the and making short gravity 56 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Ornithopter with flapping wings assisted jumps from a

ramp. Ten years later Alexander Mozhaysky’s aircraft flew a distance of 30m taking off from a ramp. The pace of advancement was quickening and 1890 saw Clement Alder laying claim to the first powered aircraft capable of taking off from level ground.

By 1896 the Australian Lawrence Hargrave had developed a double-wing aircraft or biplane which despite being unsuccessful at the time, paved the way for things to come. In the same year Samuel Langley’s unpiloted aircraft ‘No. 6’ flew a distance of 1.5 km. In 1901 Wilhelm Kress demonstrated the first aircraft to be powered by an internal combustion engine although it was incapable of taking off.

These early efforts led to the beginnings of an understanding of aerodynamics giving rise to the nascent discipline of Aeronautical Engineering. The brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright are generally acknowledged as the inventors of the first powered aeroplane to carry an individual, having flown a total distance of 114m ten days before Christmas of 1903. Their knowledge of bicycle manufacture had allowed them to fabricate a number of double-wing gliders honing their understanding of aircraft design. It was a watershed moment and, from then on, the development of aircraft and, most importantly, the understanding of the pertinent aspects of flight grew exponentially.

Within a decade biplanes were partaking in dogfights over Western France. Despite its success the biplane design had significant efficiency issues and speed limitations. Nonetheless biplanes such as the De Havilland Dragon were being used

regularly by fare paying passengers until the mid1900s.

1907 saw the invention of the first monoplane

by Alberto Santos-Dumont in France, and by the 1930s most aeroplanes had only one pair of wings instead of two. The elegance of the monoplane is probably best depicted by the high-efficiency lowdrag aerodynamic design of the Supermarine Spitfire. Improvements in aircraft engine design complemented the advances in aerodynamics, and by the end of WWII, experimental aircraft powered by rockets had flown to the skies, as had the first helicopters. However, the propulsion of modern fixed-wing aircraft lay with a different approach and a technology first developed by Frank Whittle at RAF Cranwell in 1928. Work on the jet engine progressed through the war years so that following the end of hostilities, the jet engine became the dominant aircraft engine technology. Today jet engines are considered to be a very effective means of aircraft propulsion, but require a lot of costly maintenance as their components are stressed to their limits during operation. This, along with their detrimental effects on the environment, has meant the alternatives are being sought actively. So it seems that we may be entering the era of the silent non-polluting ‘ionic drive’. Powered flight without motion.

Litt l

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Gliding Away

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nsteins Ei

The first-ever paper aeroplane was made by Leonardo da Vinci over 2000 years ago. We will make one and see how far it glides. For this you will need a sheet of paper and a tape measure.

Follow the folding instructions shown.

Once finished, hold it above your head and let go to see how far it glides. Using your tape measure, see how far it has flown.

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MOTORS

MPV? SUV? MUV? EV? And now Peugeot’s new LAV Richard McCann

McCann attempts to make sense of all the ‘algebra’

C

ar makers love weird and wonderful terms to describe their vehicles, don’t they? We’ve all heard of SUVs, MPVs, MUVs, EVs, Crossovers… For instance, MPV means ‘multi-purpose-vehicle’ and is often regarded as a ‘football mum’ car – practical but boxy, high-roofed and utterly devoid of any style… other than the yummy mummy behind the wheel, perhaps.

Next comes the SUV or ‘sports utility vehicle’ - a combo of car and truck, often with offroad looks but generally driven around town rather than muddy fields. While undoubtedly popular for their rugged style, an SUV usually has a powerful motor under the bonnet so fuel efficiency is not a strength.

Peugeot’s new RIFTER sets out to combine the practicality of an MPV with the style of an SUV in something called an LAV - Leisure Activity Vehicle.

Do they pull it off?

Rifter – a replacement for the outgoing Tepee – certainly has a beefy appearance and because Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall are now one big happy family, the Rifter shares its platform with the Citroën Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Life, so it scores immediately over an MPV in that it was designed from the ground up as a car, not a van!

But Rifter doesn’t lose the Tepee’s immense practicality in areas such as its sliding rear doors, three individual and easily folding back seats, flat boot floor and large rear tailgate.

The Rifter is well equipped when compared to rivals. Active, Allure and GT Line trims are available. All Rifters come with a DAB radio and Bluetooth. Mid-spec Allure looks to be the version most people will go for, with an eightinch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus air conditioning and rear parking sensors. The GT version adds some sporty cosmetics, sat-nav and bigger wheels.

Rifter has many active safety systems, including adaptive cruise control, traction control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and a tyre pressure monitor. Oddly, an alarm is extra.

The Rifter shares its engine range with the Citroën Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Life,

and it starts with a 109bhp 1.2-litre Puretech petrol engine. There are also three 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel options and all engines come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, plus the most powerful diesel is also available with a new eight-speed automatic unit.

Overall refinement is impressive, with a comfortable ride and little road noise echoing around the spacious, lofty interior. I took my mother out for a ride and she really liked the high-set and commanding seating position.

When I told my friend I was seeing mum he asked ‘As a young boy was your mother good to you?’ I was confused. ‘My mother was never a young boy…’

The funky dashboard has clear instruments and quality is better than in the old Tepee; but durability rather than luxury is what’s offered here.

Presumably, if you’re thinking of buying a car of this type, you’re looking for space. And with its tall roofline, Rifter has lots of space up front, even allowing for the aeroplane-style overhead stowage space. In the back are three individual seats, and leg room is good enough for a sixfooter to sit behind another. Sliding rear doors for those in the back make jumping out easier when in narrow parking spaces.

The Rifter’s boot is, quite simply, massive. I’ve seen smaller flats than this! There’s also a clever option to open up only the rear screen, enabling you to access the boot without opening the tailgate.

The Rifter is slightly more expensive than its siblings, the Citroën Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Life, but it still massively undercuts mainstream MPVs such as the Volkswagen Touran.

Insurance costs should be low, too, and the Rifter should return economical mpg figures for most drivers. Prices start at £18,755 and I’ve seen lease deals of around £215 pm over four years.

I took the Rifter to that new Egyptian shop to buy a glyphic. ‘Sorry,’ said the owner, ‘you can only hire a glyphic.’

Now I’m using it to drive to the Health Centre.

The doctor says I’m a hypochondriac. I’m not surprised; I’ve had everything else.

MUSIC

Milky’s Music s M atters... t Matters...

FOCUS ON UPCOMING BEDFORD GIGS partnership with the Texas-based Justice Records. Free of the constraints of conventional label deals, the band then brewed up a batch of contemporary prog anthems and released an EP, 2008’s Festival Thyme, to ramp up support for a fulllength album. The Century of Self followed in early 2009.

…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead Saturday 9 February, doors 8pm @ Esquires, Bedford Tickets £15 in advance + booking fee

If you used to frequent indie clubs back in 1999 you will be very familiar with Trail of Dead’s fantastic Mistakes & Regrets track and finally the time has come for them to play it live at Esquires. An unlikely but powerful combination of punk fury and prog rock ambition, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead was formed in late 1994 by singers/ guitarists/drummers Jason Reece and Conrad Keely. The long-time friends originally met in Hawaii before settling in the indie hotbed of Olympia, Washington, where Reece drummed for the notorious Mukilteo Fairies. After relocating together to Austin, Texas, the duo began playing shows as “You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead,” eventually adding both the conjunction and the ellipsis to the band’s name. The pair also recruited guitarist Kevin Allen and bassist/sampler Neil Busch, thus transforming the group from an indie two-piece into an arty quartet. After

issuing a live cassette on the local Golden Hour label, AYWKUBTTOD already legendary in indie circles for their anarchic concert sets - released their self-titled full-length debut on Trance Syndicate in early 1998.

Following the label’s collapse, the band moved to Merge’s roster and issued debut album Madonna in the fall of 1999.

After signing yet another record deal with Interscope, they issued the formidable Source Tags & Codes in 2002, followed by The Secret of Elena’s Tomb EP in 2003. The elaborate Worlds Apart arrived early in 2005. Despite widespread acclaim for the album, its sales were disappointing, leading Keely to consider disbanding the group. However, he and the rest of AYWKUBTTOD found inspiration in their frustration and bounced back with So Divided - initially conceived as an EP, but gradually expanded into a full-length effort - in late 2006. Their subsequent departure from Interscope Records convinced the musicians to launch their own label, Richter Scale Records, in

The Trail of the Dead then scaled down their line-up, choosing to record their next album as a fourpiece. The result, Tao of the Dead, also doubled as one of the band’s most conceptual works to date, with a 16-song set list divided into two lengthy tracks, each of which was performed in a specific musical key.

A tenth album IX was released in 2014 and now Trail of Dead are heading to Esquires to play their first album in full..

The Orilelles Friday 1 March, doors 8pm @ Esquires, Bedford Tickets £10 in advance + booking fee

Having started 2018 as one of the most talked about new bands in the UK thanks to a salvo of singles the previous year for Heavenly Recordings, the year saw them deliver on the hype thanks to a much acclaimed debut album, Silver Dollar Moment, in February and their breathtaking live show which saw them sell out increasingly large venues across the UK and play festivals from Latitude to Camp Bestival and End of the Road.

Made up of sisters Sidonie B and Esmé Dee Hand Halford and their best friend, Henry Carlyle Wade, they grabbed attention thanks to the spatial-funk of their album that in part recalled both ESG and fellow north-west pioneers A Certain Ratio and marked them out as a band

The Orilelles willing and able to explore the more interesting musical corners. And now, having recruited a new member, Alex Stephens, on keyboards, they return with two stunning new tracks to show how far they’ve come – Bobbi’s Second World is the young sound of West Yorkshire filtered via Lagos while their Peggy Gou cover, It Makes You Forget, is testament to the ease with which they are able to musically take on anything and make it their own.

The end of 2018 saw them play their biggest London show to date at Heaven plus a sold-out homecoming show at the Hebden Bridge Trades Club. Catch them at Esquires before they move on to bigger venues.

The Slow Readers Club Thursday 4 April, doors 8pm @ Esquires, Bedford Tickets £15 in advance + booking fee

The Slow Readers Club is a Mancunian four-piece who specialise in epic guitar-electro pop. Regularly selling out huge venues in their native north west, including the 4000 capacity Manchester Apollo, we are delighted to welcome them to the slightly smaller environs of Bedford Esquires. You might have caught them over the summer when they drew huge crowds at festivals including Isle Of Wight Festival, Kendal Calling, Victorious, Sounds Of The City, Dot to Dot, Beautiful Days and Festival No 6.

The band’s recent singles ‘Lunatic’ and ‘You Opened Up My Heart’ have been championed on BBC 6Music by Steve Lamacq and recent album ‘Build A Tower’ charted at number 18 in the UK album charts.

“Alongside the likes of Cabbage and Blossoms, The Slow Readers Club are currently one of the most exciting sounds coming out of our fair city” - Manchester Evening News “The Slow Readers Club are quite simply too glorious to be kept a secret; see them, be seduced and then pass the pleasure on” - Louderthanwar “Their Sound is timeless and classic, so big and anthemic.

Most of their songs are instant anthems, you can see

them playing stadiums in the future” - John Kennedy, XFM With a huge sound that echoes Depeche Mode, Foals and New Order, The Slow Readers Club is destined for greatness. Manchester is already on the case and the rest of the UK is quickly catching on. We recommend buying tickets in advance for this one.

All tickets on general sale at www.seetickets.com & physical tickets at Esquires, Slide Record Shop & Mario’s Hair Design.

SUPPORT THE BEDFORD LIVE SCENE - UPCOMING BEDFORD GIGS FOR YOUR DIARY

Saturday 2 February – Estrons @ Esquires Friday 8 February – Chris Helme (Seahorses) + Mark Morriss (The Bluetones) @ Esquires Friday 22 February – Blackballed + Hawx @ Esquires Sunday 24 February – Indya + Desensitised @ Esquires Wednesday 27 February – Fatherson @ Esquires Friday 1 March – The Orielles @ Esquires Saturday 2 March – Neds Atomic Dustbin (acoustic) + Simon Hinkler @ Esquires Thursday 7 March – Wonk Unit @ Esquires Friday 22 March – Crazyhead @ Esquires Saturday 23 March – Black Grape @ Bedford Corn Exchange Thursday 4 April – Slow Readers Club @ Esquires Saturday 6 April – Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs @ Esquires Saturday 20 April – Republica @ Esquires Friday 26 April – Big Country @ Esquires Friday 10 May – The Smyths @ Esquires

Tickets from: wegottickets.com / seetickets.com / Esquires Bar / Slide Records / Mario’s Hair Design Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

61

BOOKS Local author’s tale of forbidden love & dark crimes

G

iles Penshurst is rich, picks his clients and always gets the job done. Sounds like the perfect life - except for one detail: he kills people for money. As a contract killer who stumbled into the life, Giles is meticulous about staying one step ahead of the police… even when the police in question is one woman determined to catch him red handed.

Ex Libris

Bedford author Ruth Hogan’s second novel, The Particular Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, is a triumph.

Her first novel, The Keeper of Lost Things, which I reviewed a year ago in the February/March 2018 edition of OVL, has been surpassed.

There are two narrators: Masha who is living with grief and guilt over the drowning of her son, Gabriel, who “died twelve years, seven months and eleven days ago” and Alice, who has cancer and lives with her son, Mattie. The two women have never met.

Masha walks her dog, Haizum, in her local Victorian cemetery where she talks to the dead and invents stories about their lives. Every week she practises drowning at the town lido.

At the cemetery she befriends an eccentric old woman she names Sally Red Shoes, who swears and sings and feeds the crows. She also makes friends with another amazing woman, the enchanting Kitty Muriel, a singer and actor. It is through these friendships that Masha is able to accept her loss.

The other narrator, Alice, had stillbirths and miscarriages before Mattie and is over-protective of him. He finds it hard to deal with his mother’s anxiety and then her illness and Alice is desperate about what will happen to him when she dies.

The novel deals with dark themes - death and bereavement - but the author entertains and delights with her large cast of intriguing and unusual characters, beautiful descriptive prose, and humour. I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Masha and her mother on their trip to Brighton and her father’s court hearing.

The publication date for Ruth Hogan’s third novel, Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel, is 7 February 2019.

Reviewed by Roz Masters

The police know there is a new killer on the loose and it’s only a matter of time before Hazel Frazer, policewoman, catches him. Ever since they met one night in the dark, she’s been obsessed with finding the contract killer’s identity. Everyone makes mistakes and Giles’s eventually catch up with him as Hazel discovers his identity.

What happens next is a whirlwind of fast talking and falling in love against all odds, but as Giles escapes the police’s net to Brazil, will Hazel’s love prove greater than her duty?

Or will Giles’s perfectly crafted life fall down around him?

Me? I Kill People is a complex, intriguing crime novel with an insight into human nature and relationships that interlocks brilliantly with the twists and turns of a mystery story.

Based in Bedfordshire, Alan Jacobs was born just before WW2. He left school and joined the Royal Navy, serving in the Suez campaign and flying in helicopters as a rescue crewman.

After taking early retirement from a career with BT, he spends his time writing novels. This is his debut, released on 28 January.

FILMS

Film Review

UPGRADE

*****

Director: Leigh Whannell Out now on DVD/Blu-ray

R

arely does a movie come along that’s both brilliant and ignored. Having received only a Anthony Lowery tiny theatrical release in 2018, Upgrade, a revenge thriller from Blumhouse Pictures (Get Out) is one of those movies.

Set in a future where technology rules supreme, this gritty sci-fi tells an unusually heartfelt story of a mechanic still in touch with traditional values. After watching the shameless murder of his wife, technophobe Grey Trace is left broken and hungry for revenge. The only thing is, he’s now a quadriplegic.

Enter STEM, an AI chip that bridges the paralysis and reconnects the brain to the body. Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be much fun, except STEM can speak to Grey and enhance his killing abilities, and very often involuntarily - have you ever seen someone take a merciless beating while being relentlessly apologised to?

The skill of Logan MarshallGreen hits home in his capacity to kick ass while looking terribly remorseful. Like the movie itself, the expertly casted

actor (Damnation, Spider-Man: Homecoming) has gone largely unnoticed – and when he is noticed, it’s usually while being mistaken for Tom Hardy.

If it wasn’t for the fact that Hardy was already playing a character with a voice in his head and who kills involuntarily, the Brit may well have been tempted here.

Though unlike Venom, Leigh Whannell’s (Saw, Insidious) creative gem is wildly underseen, effective in its execution and so darn cool to look at.

The crisp, cutting-edge cinematography is some of the most impressive and energising you’ll see in some time. When you’ve got shotguns built into people’s forearms and bullets shooting from their palms (a la Iron Man), you want to see the damage; and see it you do.

Gorgeously graphic in the way its baddies are despatched (think John Wick), the certified 15 offers a tantalising twist on the revenge plot, together with a great concept, understated humour and an ending that will, like everything else about Upgrade, take you by surprise.

This is how B movies should be done.

Tweet us your reactions to #Upgrade @OVLMagazine @byAnthonyLowery Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

63

CHILDHOOD COMMUNICATION Independent Speech and Language Therapist Jacqui Wright answers your questions about childhood communication (continued from last issue) Dear Jacqui Do you have any advice about teenagers being on their phones most of the time so not talking to others?

All of us are distracted by our phones and this is a problem for social communication. The foundational social skills are: social attention, which leads to social interpretation, then social problem solving and decision making. From this process, we then have a social response which is expected and appropriate or unexpected. When we give an unexpected response, other people around us feel uncomfortable. These skills typically develop over time from age 4 but some people have greater challenges with this than others. In addition, sensory regulation is important to manage the sensory information we receive. Social skills have an emotional component, and difficulty with social skills and sensory regulation with others may lead to anxiety and depression.

So the increase in the use of phones or screens and being ‘half in half out’ of face to face communication correlates with a decrease in gaining experience with effective social skills and managing emotional health. People now have to manage a dual life: one’s life in the real world and one’s life on social media. We need to teach the majority of students what to do to be socially effective and emotionally robust as well as those who have social emotional challenges. In the next article, I will discuss these aspects in more detail.

If you would like more information about social communication therapy, please contact me.

Would you like to know what the stars have in store for you?

Text or email Howard for more information or book a personal reading through his website:

astroguidance.co.uk

Follow Howard’s ‘Astro-guidance’ on Facebook for forecasts and discussion email: howpark@aol.com

phone: 07866 727743

Self Drive Hire • Contract Rental • Financial Lease Large Fleet of Standard • Refrigerated • Specialised Vehicles

Jacqui Wright Childhood Communication Consultant www.childhoodcommunication.co.uk info@childhoodcommunication.co.uk 01234 782 365 / 07956 685581 Facebook: Childhood Communication Consultancy Twitter: @JacquiSLT If you have any questions for Jacqui please email info@ousevalleyliving.com and she will endeavour to answer your concerns in this column

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The Chellington Centre presents the Watoto Choir

T

personal stories, music and dance. The children act as advocates for the millions of other African children who have experienced the same heartbreaking pain and suffering as them. Each story will declare the miracle of transformation: from darkness to light; from despair to hope; from loss to purpose; from fear to faith.

Tickets are free and it helps us if you could book in advance by using Eventbrite https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/watoto-childrenschoir-in-we-will-go-carlton-bedfordshiretickets-53102191083 Tickets will also be available at the door.

Ouse Valle

y Living

he Chellington Centre welcomes back the Watoto Choir, who are touring with a new production, ‘We Will Go’, for a performance on Thursday 7 February in Carlton Village Hall.

The event is free to attend. Watoto ask for donations after the performance to support their work in Uganda.

Watoto Children’s Choirs have travelled extensively since 1994, sharing a message of hope for Africa’s orphans and widows. To date, the choir has toured six continents and performed to enthralled audiences in schools, retirement homes, churches, parliaments, state houses and royal palaces.

The Watoto Children’s Choir concert is a fundraising event for Watoto. The choir’s members are orphans and other vulnerable children; many of them have suffered the loss of one or both parents and now live in a Watoto village.

Accompanied by a team of adults, the choir presents Watoto’s vision and mission by sharing

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HOROSCOPES

IN THE STARS with Howard Parker, the Astro-guide I can help you gain a deep insight into what the most important issues will be for you personally during this period by examining your own astrological birth chart. Please go to: www.astroguidance.co.uk to book a session.

You can also call me on 07866 727743 or email me at howpark@aol.com for more information.

NEW! If you want to keep in touch with what is happening astrologically, drop in on my Astrocafe Facebook group where I post regular live videos. https://www.facebook.com/groups/310639759701042/

Aquarius

jan21-feb19 That’s more like it! It’s been a tough old battle but the air is clearing at last. Aquarians tend to face both ways in life, examining the old while envisioning the new so it’s time to move forward now. Let the fresh air into your life in ways even you had not previously imagined.

Radical ideas and actions work well this month so use the moment. March, though, teaches that true inspiration comes from the heart so don’t be over-rational.

Pisces

feb20-mar20 This new moon might feel like you are getting ready for some significant changes so use it to generate the ideas, tune in to your own deep well of humanity and compassion and consider aspects of yourself that need healing, care and kindness. 19 February and 6 March seem likely to be significant in some way. Look out for what happens around then.

Aries

mar21-apr20 Mars and Uranus in your sign may feel good for a while but you might just burn out if you don’t take a more measured approach to things. Radical fervour is very exciting and you can go a long way on that but enduring change can take a long time and a lot of the things that need to be done to bring it about are far from instant fixes. This is a lesson that you may well have to learn the hard way in March.

Taurus

apr21-may21 New moon: new career opportunities? Could be, but are you really up to sufficient speed to take advantage of this? Prospective employers will be looking for new and innovative ideas so just doing your homework isn’t going to be enough. It’s time to ignite the spark inside and allow inspiration in! You may find that March is a better time for this than February.

Gemini

may22-jun21

The bright and shiny side of your nature will probably emerge from its hibernation with this new moon, with new ideas popping up here and there and a generally more positive outlook all round. But there are still cautions about the life lessons you should have learnt from recent events so it is not an invitation to just drop back into past insensitive habits.

March may well challenge you in this respect if you are not more receptive to others around you.

Cancer

jun22-jul23 Some major adjustments may need to be made if you suffered any emotional batterings last month. Bridges may need to be rebuilt and intimacy re-established slowly and methodically. On the other hand, any relationships that are bad at the core may not be repairable and are better ended. The energy softens in March though and enables you to work out what you’ve learnt through all this.

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Leo

jul24-aug23

The Sun, Moon and Mercury all together in Aquarius now will give you a bit of a positive lift and some clues about where to go next, even if the full moon later on in the month throws up some relationship issues to deal with. Showing your friendship and humanity rather than indulging in ego sensitivity can go a long way to cure any hurt caused. March indicates new beginnings possibly resulting from learning some tough lessons.

Virgo

aug24-sep23 Aquarius can be quite analytic when it gets going so this moon may not feel so bad after all. But you may still fall foul of unexpected events this month so try not to be too rigid in your approach. It’s a good time for routine health check ups and for positive interventions if anything shows up that you need to deal with. March teaches you that, paradoxically, you only gain control of your life by letting go of what can’t be controlled. Work it out for yourself!

Libra

sep24-oct23 This month may kick off your indecisiveness as others are so certain and assertive about their ‘truth’ that it would easy to doubt yourself. But ‘wait and see’ may not be such a bad idea right now because the consequences of change will be slow to emerge and you may be pleased you didn’t jump with the Aries folk! There are always more options. The heat is off in March though, so you may start to relax and plan for the coming spring.

Scorpio

oct24-nov22 February may be an edgy, unsatisfactory sort of month. At home, people may be busy pushing their ideas on you but of course, as a Scorpio, you will try to stay in control of your own destiny. And you always make your own mind up about everything when it feels right for you, don’t you? With March comes the start of a period of shake-ups in your life so you will very likely be getting an early blast of that energy.

Sagittarius

nov23-dec22 There’s probably enough optimism to keep you going this month and you may perceive there is more positivity around than there has been up to now. You may come up with new ideas and schemes but you won’t get very far with them unless you ground them in the real world. In March any bombast and boasting you go in for will seem increasingly hollow and people will stop listening.

Capricorn

dec23-jan20 Admittedly new opportunities are cropping up now but there is still a sense of seriousness in the air that will stay all year, which starts to make you deliberate carefully about, for example, buying things of value that may attract you. Pushing too hard may be a temptation that you can resist even though others are pushing you in that direction. In March, you can be strong and decisive but also sensitive and accommodating to the feelings of those around you.

Flavour of the Times

Dare we ask whether this period is the beginning of the resolution of the Brexit problem that has so paralysed the UK? On 4 February, we move out of plodding, remorseless Capricorn and into Aquarius, which highlights new ideas, a clean sheet and thinking “outside of the box”. The new moon in this sign suggests a more hopeful and positive vision for the future with a bit of detachment to pull us back from all that emotional outpouring we have experienced. It is generally a lot more friendly and brings people together to appreciate what they may have in their shared common humanity rather than the sectional issues. It is a re-vitalising energy and in March it gives way to the Pisces ability to let go of the old in preparation for the spring ahead. So perhaps some cautious optimism is in order about this whole sorry mess!

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67

diarydates Friday 1 February Bedford Art Society Putnoe Heights Church, 7.15pm Jim Coggins on photography, watercolour and framing. Members free, visitors £5.

Contact Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or www.bedsartsociety.co.uk for information.

Sunday 3 February NGS Snowdrop Gardens, 1-4pm The Knoll & The Folly, High Street, Pavenham MK43 7PD Hundreds of snowdrop varieties and other spring plants. Raising funds for medical charities. £5 for both gardens, refreshments extra.

Monday 4 February Alpine Garden Society (Beds) Wilstead Village Hall, 7.30pm ‘Growing Alpines at Cambridge Botanic Garden’. Plant and art displays. Visitors welcome, £3.

Thursday 7 February Knit & Knatter Thursdays 9.30-11.30am Riseley Village Hall Coffee, knitting, crocheting, beading, needlework and plenty of knattering. Wendy 709083 ronandwendy@btinternet.com Friday 8 February Man Cave Fridays 10am-1pm Sharnbrook Scout Hut Are you unemployed, retired, missing work colleagues or would just appreciate some company? Join us for an opportunity to make new friends, chat and share experiences.

Saturday 9 February Cambs & Beds Hardy Plant Society Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Rd, Biggleswade, 2pm Doug Brown on ‘From the Flower to Jar – The Magic of the Honey Bee’. Plants & sundries for sale. Visitors welcome.

Table Top Sale, 9am-noon Christ the King Parish Hall, Harrowden Road Entry 50p. Refreshments available. Tables £5 - must be prebooked. For information call 01234 965497.

Friends of St Owen’s Parish Church present Huntingdon Male Voice Choir Bromham Baptist Church, 7pm By kind permission of the Minister and Elders. Tickets £12 adult, £6 u16. Bookings 01234 825454 or 826551.

Sunday 10 February R.A.T.S. New Year Fayre

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Shortstown Village Hall, Southcote, 12.30-3pm Stalls, tombola, homemade refreshments.

Details of animals looking for new homes. www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk info.rats@ gmail.com

Tuesday 19 February Cowper & Newton Museum, Olney We re-open for the new season! Enjoy the improvements made possible through Heritage Lottery funding and our volunteers’ hard work. Usual admission applies.

Reverie: The Life & Loves of Claude Debussy Quarry Theatre Bedford, 7pm ‘Composer Portrait’. Pianist Lucy Parham, readings Simon Russell Beale. Champagne reception 6.15pm. £25 + online fee from www.quarrytheatre.co.uk or 01234 362337.

A Sharnbrook Mill Theatre ‘Warm Up’ Appeal event.

Bedford National Trust Assoc Addison Centre, Kempston, 2.30pm ‘CPRE -The Bedfordshire Countryside and Local Plans’ - Gerry Sanson, Chairman of the CPRE, Bedfordshire. Details from Betty Thomas 01480 860421.

Tuesday 12 February Activi-Tea, 2.30pm Methodist Church, Sharnbrook Churches together with Tibbs Dementia Foundation. Meet with other carers knowing the person you care for is safe enjoying other activities. Suggested donation cared-for £4, carers £1. Linda Hoar 07791214148 or lindahoar@hotmail.co.uk The Friends of the Higgins Bedford The Higgins, Castle Lane, 7.30pm ‘The East London Group’ - illustrated talk by Alan Waltham. Friends £4, guests £9. www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk Wednesday 13 February The Wildlife Trust Bedford Local Group Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Ave, 7.15pm ‘Panama Panorama’ - illustrated talk by Marion Hession. No charge but voluntary contributions appreciated. Details at www.wildlifebcn.org or 01234 266057.

Thursday 14 February Florian Mitrea Piano Bedford Girls’ School, 7.45pm Tickets £18, students 18-24 £5, under 18 £2 on the door or from 01234 261811. www.bedfordmusicclub.co.uk Friday 15 February Colmworth & Neighbours History Society Colmworth Village Hall, 7.30-9.30pm Les Evans - Concorde: A Magnificent Aircraft. Membership £12.50pa. Visitors welcome, donation £4. Refreshments. www.colmworthhistory.org.uk Saturday 16 February Blunham Giant Book Sale Blunham Parish Church, 10-3pm Second hand/nearly new books, homemade soup and cakes, teas, coffees and raffle. Proceeds to Blunham Church Fabric Fund.

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Kimbolton Flower Club Mandeville Hall, 7pm Demonstration by Joanna Poulter - ‘All Shapes and Sizes’. Light refreshments, raffle of arrangements and sales table.

Visitors £7. 50, members £2.

Biddenham Gardeners Assoc Village Hall, 7.30pm ‘Yours and My Need for Plants’ by Rob Brett. £5 per meeting includes raffle and refreshments. www.biddenhamgardenersassociation.org. uk The Friends of the Higgins Bedford The Higgins, Castle Lane, 7.30pm ‘Working with Edward Bawden’ - illustrated talk by Christopher Brown. Friends £4, guests £9. www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk Tue 19 to Sat 23 February Cowper & Newton Museum, Olney Children’s half term trail, £1 per child - ‘Big search! Where is it now?’

Thursday 21 February Bedford RSPB Local Group ARA Club, Manton Lane, 7.30pm Mark Ward, Editor-in-Chief of Nature’s Home (RSPB Magazine) on ‘16,000 Species and Counting’. Members £1, guests £2, annual group membership £5. www. rspb.org.uk/groups/bedford Embroiderers’ Guild, 7.45pm St Mark’s Church Hall, Calder Rise ‘Walking in Beauty - Textile Art Inspired

by Nature’. See www.nickyperryman.co.uk.

Sales table and refreshments. Visitors £4.

Friday 22 February Afternoon Vintage Tea Christ the King Parish Hall, Harrowden Rd, 2-4pm Admission £4. Tea, homemade cakes and dancing. For Information call 01234 404563.

Sat 23 & Sun 24 February NGS Snowdrop gardens 1-4pm The Knoll & The Folly, High Street,

diarydates Pavenham MK43 7PD Hundreds of snowdrop varieties and other spring plants. Raising funds for medical charities. £5 for both gardens, refreshments extra.

Tuesday 26 February Activi-Tea, 2.30pm Methodist Church, Sharnbrook Churches together with Tibbs Dementia Foundation. Meet with other carers knowing the person you care for is safe enjoying other activities. Suggested donation cared-for £4, carers £1. Linda Hoar 07791214148 or lindahoar@hotmail. co.uk Friday 1 March Bedford Art Society, 7.15pm Putnoe Heights Church Claire Botterill on painting seed heads using ink, wax and watercolour. Members free, visitors £5. Contact Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or www.bedsartsociety. co.uk for information.

Saturday 2 March Cambs & Beds Hardy Plant Society Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Rd, 2pm Neil Timm on ‘World of Ferns’. Plants & sundries for sale. Visitors welcome.

Monday 4 March Alpine Garden Society (Beds) Wilstead Village Hall, 7.30pm David Haselgrove on the plants of Western Australia. Plant and art displays. Visitors welcome, £3.

Tuesday 5 March The Friends of the Higgins Bedford The Higgins, Castle Lane, 7.30pm ‘Sofonisba Anguissola (c1532-1625) illustrated talk by Dr Angela Smith. Friends £4, guests £9. www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk Saturday 9 March Table Top Sale Christ the King Parish Hall.

Harrowden Rd, 9am-noon Entry 50p. Refreshments available. Tables £5 - must be prebooked. Information from 01234 965497.

Mon 11 to Mon 18 March Wait Until Dark Sharnbrook Mill Theatre, 7.30pm A tense thriller by Frederick Knott. Tickets £10/11 (£1 booking fee) from www. sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk/tickets or in person at Pick-a-Lily, Sharnbrook. Disabled facilities.

Tuesday 12 March Activi-Tea, 2.30pm Methodist Church, Sharnbrook Churches together with Tibbs Dementia Foundation. Meet with other carers knowing the person you care for is safe enjoying other activities. Suggested donation cared-for £4, carers £1. Linda Hoar 07791214148 or lindahoar@hotmail. co.uk Wednesday 13 March The Wildlife Trust Bedford Group Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Ave, 7.15pm ‘Bedfordshire Orchards Survey - an illustrated talk by Steve Halton. No charge but voluntary contributions appreciated.

Details www.wildlifebcn.org or B. 266057.

Thursday 14 March Zelkova String Quartet Bunyan Meeting, 7.45pm Tickets £18, students 18-24 £5, under 18 £2 on the door or from 01234 261811. www.bedfordmusicclub.co.uk Friday 15 March Colmworth & Neighbours History Society Colmworth Village Hall, 7.30-9.30pm Paddy Lambert - Romano-British Curse Tablets. Membership £12.50pa. Visitors donation £4. Refreshments. www. colmworthhistory.org.uk Tuesday 19 March Kimbolton Flower Club Mandeville Hall Kimbolton, 7pm Talk with slides on The History of the National Garden Scheme by Victoria Diggle. Light refreshments and sales table.

Visitors £7.50.

Bedford National Trust Assoc Addison Centre, Kempston, 2.30pm John Greening on his poems and how they have been shaped by places from the Pyramids of Giza to the Cardington Sheds.

All welcome with small charge. Details from Betty Thomas 01480 860421.

Biddenham Gardeners Assoc Village Hall, 7.30pm ‘Plant Hunting in Eastern Anatolia’ by the Timothy Walker. Admission £5 per meeting, includes raffle & refreshments. www. biddenhamgardenersassociation.org.uk Thursday 21 March Bedford RSPB Local Group ARA Club, Manton Lane, 7.30pm Ben Macdonald, conservation writer and wildlife television researcher - ‘Rebirding: Restoring our birds and rewilding our

landscapes’. Members £1, guests £2, annual group membership £5. www.rspb. org.uk/groups/bedford Embroiderers’ Guild St Mark’s Church Hall, Calder Rise, 7.45pm ‘Textile Turnarounds; Fabrics that tell a story’. See www.arttextiles.co.uk. Sales table and refreshments. Visitors £4.

Friday 22 March Afternoon Vintage Tea Christ the King Parish Hall, Harrowden Road, 2-4pm Admission £4. Tea, homemade cake and dancing. For Information call 01234 404563.

Saturday 23 March Alpine Garden Society (Beds) Wilstead Village Hall, 11.30-2.30pm Annual Flower Show including art, photography etc. Admission £1 (tbc), refreshments extra.

Sunday 24 March Hannah Bennett in Concert, 3pm St. Lawrence’s Church, Willington Mezzo-soprano from Bedfordshire, regular soloist in Opera and Oratorio. Information and tickets at www.achurchnearyou.com/ willington-st-lawrence Tuesday 26 March Activi-Tea, 2.30pm Methodist Church, Sharnbrook Churches together with Tibbs Dementia Foundation. Meet with other carers knowing the person you care for is safe enjoying other activities. Suggested donation. Cared-for £4, carers £1. Linda Hoar 07791214148 or lindahoar@hotmail. co.uk Saturday 30 March Murder Mystery Evening Great Barford Village Hall Performed by Biggleswade Amateur Theatre Group. 3 course meal, bar, raffle.

Prize for team who guess the murderer.

Tickets £20 from Great Barford Post Office, John 01234 870171 or Steph Frankish 07790 336936 (children over 14 - due to content).

Wednesday 10 April Jock Lewes, Co-founder of the SAS Sharnbrook Mill Theatre, 12 noon Illustrated presentation by his nephew, novelist and biographer John Lewes FRSA. 2-course lunch, book signing, sales. Tickets £16 from T.Gibbs 01234 782377 or theo@twhgibbs.plus.com SMT ‘Warm Up’ Appeal event.

Charity and fundraising events for the April/May edition to be supplied by 10 March to info@ousevalleyliving.com Please email your entry with a maximum of 40 words and quote Diary Dates in the subject box.

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W

ay back in 1894, Bedford Town Band was formed to play brass music and promote the town. 125 years later the band is thriving with over sixty players performing all over the county and beyond, learning and sharing music. To celebrate this anniversary, the band is hosting a day of celebrations on Saturday 6 April at the Corn Exchange, and everyone’s welcome!

soloists and all sixty-plus players from the bands joining together to welcome in our next 125 years.

Bedford Town Band continues the long tradition of encouraging brass music in the town. New players are always welcome to join the band and help enjoy banding into the next 125 years.

As a large group, Bedford Town Band is able to accommodate players of all abilities from

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complete beginners through to nationally recognised artists.

The event will be a great opportunity for anyone who’s interested in taking up this hobby to come along and meet the players and try it out, as well as listening to a range of fantastic performers.

More details of the anniversary celebrations are available at www.bedfordtownband.org.uk

There will be opportunities to have a go on instruments, begin learning to play, masterclasses for experienced players to improve, and a gala concert in the evening featuring guest Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

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PUZZLE CORNER

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SOLUTION

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Sudoku

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JANUARY

26th

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Congratulations to Alison Ogborne who won two day passes for Bodyflight Leisure Centre.

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The Bedford Golf Club Great Denham Golf Village Carnoustie Drive, Biddenham MK40 4FF 01234 320022 Answer to last issue’s Whose Ad is it?

Top End Village Stores

W A T E R

WIN!

A 45-Minute Golf Lesson with PGA Professional, Sam Smith

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Email your answer to info@ousevalleyliving.com quoting Whose Ad in the subject box. The winner will be drawn at random and notified

by Friday 22 March. Closing date Friday 15 March..

SOLUTION

S P H E R E

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his image is part of an advert which can be found somewhere in this edition of OVL. Do you know whose ad it is?

A L S O

Whose Ad is it?

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Clues Down 1. Arm joint (5) 2. Artist’s material (5) 3. Accompanies (7) 4. Treeless plain (6) 5. Musical drama (5) 6. Teach (7) 7. Presume (anag.) (7) 12. Primate (3) 14. In smaller quantity (4) 16. Back end (4) 17. Captivate (7) 18. Cocktail (7) 20. Well-liked (7) 21. Fish eggs (3) 23. Linear extent (6) 25. Watchful (5) 27. Vertical passage (5) 28. Proportion (5)

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A L & G ABBOTT F u n e r a l

D i r e c t o r s

Established 1832

Bereavement Listening Service Helping you find the ‘new normal’ Our new and entirely free bereavement listening service has been set up for our families because we care and understand how difficult this time can be.

Our very experienced and empathetic practitioner, Chere, will see you at Abbotts and help you find your ‘new normal’ after the trauma of a loss.

(This service is available to our families and is by appointment only)

Tel 01234 843 222 www.abbott-funerals.co.uk | bereavement@abbott-funerals.co.uk A L & G Abbott, 150 Bedford Road, Kempston, MK42 8BH

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Romantic Elegant heart-shaped garnet stones and glistening diamonds, encased in 9ct Gold.

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