OVL Magazine OctNov20

October / November 2020

Ouse Valley Living

The Style Issue New Season Trends AW20 Handbags

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

Pr ic

el es

s

The Classic Trench

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

14

October/November 2020 Issue 134

17

Style

Lifestyle

And more…

14 AW20 gothic glamour

24 BEAUTY what’s your style?

27 WIN! £100 John Medhurst

15 AW20 ice queen

29 FOOD spiced apple cake

32 CHRISTMAS buy local

16 AW20 leather look

40 GARDENS Rosemary’s tips

38 WILDLIFE the kestrel

17 AW20 puffs, ruffs & frills

46 TRAVEL Sopwell spa

44 WHAT’S ON in Oct & Nov

19 BAGS this season’s trends

49 PETS osteoarthritis

52 SCIENCE did you know?

20 TRENCH a timeless classic

50 MOTORS fatal distraction

56 ASTROLOGY in the stars

54 BOOKS Sarah Vaughan

60 PUZZLES brain teasers

Meet the OVL writers...

55 FILM Tenet review

Isabel Kelly Feature: Style Isabel is a personal stylist, fashion blogger and owner of The Wardrobe Edit – a personal styling consultancy created to help women rediscover their personal style, learn how to shop smarter and gain real body confidence. Isabel’s job is to work with you to understand your lifestyle, recover lost gems from your own wardrobe and find key pieces that work beautifully for your body shape, to help you achieve a look you love.

Richard McCann Feature: Motors 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 embraces the fact that advancing years now allow him to receive both dental and hair care by mail order. Although he now drives like a granny he never tires of telling people how fast he used to be.

Katie Gregory Feature: Travel Katie is a Bedford-based copywriter and editor. She worked as a travel editor for seven years before going freelance, and now writes for various websites and magazines. Her copywriting site is www.katiegregory.com and she also writes a family travel blog at www.therewegoblog.com

ES OF PARADIS C I SP Mon to Thu 5.30-11pm E

Fri & Sat 5.30-11.30pm Sun 12-10.45pm 54 High Street, Harrold MK43 7DA Tel: 01234 721779 www.spicesofparadise.co.uk

SP IC E T R E E E H T

Mon to Sat 5.30-11pm Sun 12-10.30pm Templars Way, Sharnbrook MK44 1PX Tel: 01234 782967 www.thespicetreesharnbrook.co.uk

Celebrate Christmas with us. Now taking bookings for the festive season!

BUYING A NEW FIVE BEDROOM HOME IS MORE AFFORDABLE THAN YOU THINK! A VIBRANT COLLECTION OF 5 BEDROOM HOMES WITHIN THE BEAUTIFUL CONSERVATION AREA IN THE HEART OF BEDFORD Buy your new home with just a 5% deposit* thanks to the Government backed Help to Buy scheme

Here’s how it works: PURCHASE PRICE £500,000 5% Deposit £25,000 20% Help to Buy: Equity Loan £100,000 75% Mortgage £375,000

Take advantage of the Stamp Duty Holiday and have nothing to pay!† Excellent transport links via road & rail, only 0.3 miles to Bedford Station Perfect for families with local schools within walking distance Fantastic local amenities including shops, restaurants and leisure facilities Our showhome is open | 2A Warwick Avenue, Bedford, MK40 2EQ Call 01234 325777 today to make an appointment www.storey-homes.co.uk | demontfortplace@storey-homes.co.uk •YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. The Homes and Communities Agency (“HCA”) provides an equity loan for 20% of the purchase price of the property. The equity loan provided by the HCA is secured as second charge on your property. The amount you have to repay to the HCA may be more than the amount of the equity loan provided. Help to Buy England Scheme is available in England only and on properties up to £600k. †Stamp Duty holiday for legal completion on or before 31st March 2021. Available only on properties up to £500k. Terms and conditions apply cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or scheme. If you do not wish to receive any more special offers, news and information to this email address from us, please click here to unsubscribe.

October / November 2020 We may have said farewell to the summer but there is so much to look forward to with the new season - autumn walks, pumpkin patches, apple picking and cosy fires to name a few.

The new season also brings new trends and this Style edition introduces some of these, hot off the catwalk. At the same time, we’re seeing a move towards more sustainable shopping with an emphasis on investment pieces that are classic in style and made to last, such as Tusting’s leather bags on page 19 and the classic trench coat on page 20.

Perhaps these articles will provide inspiration for your Christmas gifts and we recommend starting early to avoid the crowds. On page 32 you’ll find fantastic local independent stores offering perfect presents and treats.

Don’t miss your chance to win £100 to spend online or in store at John Medhurst Family Jewellers of Bedford on page 27.

Good luck!

On the cover: Luisa Cerano AW20 Collection

YIELDEN

RUSHDEN

FELMERSHAM

RISELEY

BOLNHURST

BLETSOE

CARLTON STEVINGTON

COLMWORTH

THURLEIGH

PAVENHAM

CLIFTON REYNES

LITTLE STAUGHTON

RADWELL

HARROLD

TURVEY

DROPS

SHARNBROOK

ODELL

OLNEY

DOOR TO DOOR

MELCHBOURNE

SOULDROP

LAVENDON

SWINESHEAD

MILTON ERNEST OAKLEY

BROMHAM BIDDENHAM

CLAPHAM

WILDEN

ROXTON

RAVENSDEN RENHOLD

BEDFORD

GREAT BARFORD WILLINGTON BLUNHAM

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

To advertise in OVL contact Christa Hallam 07827 015170 christa@ousevalleyliving.com @OVLMagazine OVL Magazine ovlmagazine View our recent editions online at www.ousevalleyliving.com OVL is printed by The Manson Group (01727 848440) on paper from responsible sources and the inks used are vegetable based.

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

Quality Kitchen Facelifts

Dreaming of a new kitchen this Christmas

Why replace when you can reface?

• Trusted reputation • UK manufactured products • Huge choice of doors, worktops, appliances, sinks and taps www.dreamdoors.co.uk

Est. 1999

Call Mark or Riana For a Free Estimate:

01234 852151 mk@dreamdoors.co.uk Dream Doors Kempston, 73 High Street, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 7BT Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

7

o l l e H

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

KEEP OUR INBOX BUSY! I cooked the Lamb Tray Bake in your August/September edition last night, excellent. Love the magazine.

Jenny Evans Stelios’ column was as excellent as always.

Should we infer from it that he thinks soap and washing up liquid (detergent) are equally therapeutic for hand cleansing. Government publicity and official briefings have never been clear on that point.

Nice recipes this month Best regards Nick Welch Hi Nick, thanks for raising this. We passed your question on to Stelios who says: The main difference between soaps and a detergents is that the former are made from natural products whilst the latter are synthetic. Both rely on the action of their active ingredients, which are collectively known as surfactants and whose chemical action is referred to as micellisation. It is this which destroys viruses and other microscopic bodies. To summarise therefore, both soaps and detergents act in a similar manner.

Please enter me into the prize draw for a Sunday roast for four. We live in Sharnbrook and always enjoy reading OVL, with its local emphasis. And we LOVE The Sun at Felmersham – we have huge respect and admiration for what they have achieved, especially during lockdown.

Best wishes Joanna I would love to claim the voucher for the Afternoon Tea for Two at Jordans Mill which I recently won in the OVL competition. I am so looking forward using it one day, realistically this could be some time away but it’s a lovely thing to have awaiting me. Thank you to OVL for making this happen.

Best wishes to all, keep safe.

Sally

Have you seen our new website?

Read our articles, new and old, including beauty, gardening, recipes, history, style, wildlife, science, music and more at:

Good to have OVL back after lockdown!

Thank you, Chris It was so lovely to have my magazine arrive today, thank you.

Kind regards Jenny Barnes

8

OVL Magazine

www.ousevalleyliving.com @OVLMagazine

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

ovlmagazine

Start your own journey of discovery

Be me.

Book now for our autumn online open events.

www.bedmod.co.uk

FORTHCOMING AUCTIONS

Beds Life - 132 x 93.indd 1

09/09/2020 15:04:57

Established 1901

Sale Entries Now Invited

Weekly Sale Every Saturday

Antiques Sale Monthly Auctions

Machinery & Tools 24th September

Books & Ephemera 2nd October

Catering Equipment 7th October

Collectable Toys 6th November

Wines & Spirits 7th November

Mid Century Design 14th November

Jewellery & Watches Sporting Guns 4th December 10th December

Bedford Auction Centre, Eastcotts Park, Wallis Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK42 0PE Tel: 01234 266366 | info@peacockauction.co.uk | www.peacockauction.co.uk Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

9

Black Widow.

Scarlett Johansson’s Marvel character hits the big screen on 28 October. Set between the massive films, Avengers Civil War and Avengers Infinity War, Black Widow finds herself alone and forced to face a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past.

The Mullet. After becoming an object of ridicule, the popular 1980s haircut is back.

For anyone too young to remember, the mullet is long hair at the back but short on the front and sides. Big celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Billy Eilish have helped it regain popularity by rocking the look.

Loungewear. This is a trend that we’ve been seeing for some time but, with more people working remotely from home, it’s now become a staple item. If soft and sleek comfort is top of your list, try these from Blue Blancmange in Kimbolton.

WhimsyWitchCo Charms and Trinkets for the Quaint and Curious Handmade jewellery with natural crystals and sterling silver wire www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WhimsyWitchCo @whimsywitchco

10

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

STYLE

AW20 TRENDS

Gothic Glamour Ice Queen Leather Look Puffs, Ruffs & Frills This Season’s Bags The Classic Trench

Photo: Luisa Cerano

Independent Boutique

Contemporary Womenswear & Accessories Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm Closed Sundays & Mondays Cromwell House, 36 High Street Kimbolton PE28 0HA sales@blueblancmange.co.uk

01234 781945

www.blueblancmange.co.uk

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

12

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

STYLE

AW20 TRENDS Gothic Glamour

Doroth

ins y Perk

Vampy with a touch of class. We’re talking rich patterns and/or deep hues on ethereal cut clothing - very Morticia Addams, yet with the freedom to step outside traditional gothic black. Pair this trend with a dark lipstick and chunky jewellery for a perfect pre-Christmas party look.

Deichmann

Amara

Evans

Joe Browns

Evans

14

Miss Selfridge

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Joe Browns

Joe Browns

Joe Browns Monsoon

AW20 TRENDS

STYLE

Ice Queen

Deichmann

Miss S

Accessorize

elfridg

e

Who says pastel shades are only for summer? This trend channels the cool style of Elsa from Disney’s Frozen. Ice blues create a sleek and sophisticated look and are particularly flattering against greying hair. A gorgeous shade to contrast against gloomy winter tones.

Marc Cain

Miss Selfridge Marks and Spencer

Very

Monsoon Miss Selfridge Primark

Marks and Spencer Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

15

STYLE

AW20 TRENDS Leather Look

Massim

o Dutti

Leather is a timeless staple, but this season sees it taking centre stage with dresses, skirts, shirts, jumpsuits and trousers in a variety of autumnal shades: khaki greens, deep purples and rusty browns. With real and synthetic options on offer, this is a trend that everyone can follow.

Chie Mihara

Mango

16

Miss Selfridge

Marks and Spencer

Primark

Marc Cain

Marks and Spencer

Joe Browns

Primark Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Marc Cain

AW20 TRENDS

STYLE

Puffs, Ruffs & Frills

elfridg

e

Summer’s frills, bows and puffed sleeves, inspired by French Romanticism, now transcend into AW20. Flattering peplums, extra collar detail and frilled hemlines are a must with this look.

The loose fitting nature of this trend makes it comfortable, so a great work appropriate option.

Miss S

Miss Selfridge

Marks and Spencer

Dorothy Perkins

Miss Selfridge Miss Selfridge

Matalan Dancing Leopard

Dorothy Perkins

Monsoon

Primark

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

17

Re-discover your personal style, learn how to shop smarter, and gain real body confidence with the help of The Wardrobe Edit Personal Styling services created to help you achieve a look you love

Factory Shop - Visitors Welcome - Please Call Ahead (Now with our special bargain room!)

T: 07966 390176 E: info@thewardrobeedit.uk W: www.thewardrobeedit.uk

01234 712266 www.tusting.co.uk

Countrywear

www.lodgeway-countrywear.co.uk 01462 816122 OPEN: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4.30pm

18

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

STYLE

Bag Trends AW20 The lovely thing about ladies’ bags is that, although they are most certainly influenced by fashion and trends in looks, colour and even function, the cycle is definitely a slower one than is found in women’s clothing fashion. The oft-cited edict (at least by worldly-wise grandmothers who’ve been there and spent it…) of “buy well, buy once” is as true for bags as it is for clothes – perhaps it is even more true because of this slower rate of change.

Current trends in bags have never been more classic.

With a return to far less bling, much quieter logos and a raft of useable, classic colours, as Vogue put it in their summary of the bags on offer from the mega brands’ shows for AW20: “One thing’s clear: if you’re looking to make a serious bag investment, this could be your season. Classic bags in grown up shades of tan, black and cream that will truly never date, were everywhere.”

Shape-wise, smallish clutches and top-handled handcarries are very much in evidence, always in east-west landscape outlines, with sporty cross-bodies and trapezoid, large and shapely tote bags showing through as the other main keynotes. The long-popular bucket bags seem to be fading from view a little now and whilst

we all still love a good-looking and functional backpack, these are not much in evidence in the high-fashion offerings.

Tusting has only ever been in the business of offering bags with enduring good-looks, the emphasis being far more on elegant style than on fashion. This makes for happy owners who get great value out of their spend through the longevity and versatility of the bag.

Fashion’s return to classic values is great news, and ratifies our own beliefs in this naturally more sustainable way of shopping. Perhaps this is one of those silver linings we must all look out for in these challenging pandemic times!

Taking classic yet on-trend shapes, rich autumnal colours and lifting them with very subtle and refined details, the Tusting AW20 range is already available and the hit colour of the collection (in addition to the ever popular classics of tan, black and rich ruby red) looks to be a stunning sage green. The sort of colour that everyone can wear with almost any outfit, it’s eyecatchingly chic and already the most popular choice.

Check out the new collection at www.tusting.co.uk/handbags

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

19

STYLE

Barbour

Timeless Trench A classic coat you’ll wear forever Autumn/Winter fashion is here and that can only mean one thing.

The trench coat. There’s a reason they never go out of style - get it right and this is one wardrobe staple that you want to wear again and again. It’s ideal for layered outfits and isn’t too cumbersome to carry around should you get too warm. As it’s such a classic it looks great with casual and dressed-up looks – with the added benefit of being waterproof (although always check the label, you get the odd one that is purely for look).

I personally like to size up with my coats as I wear them over numerous layers, and if you select a trench with a belt it’s easy enough to cinch that in at the waist to create an hourglass silhouette.

It’s one item I would suggest will take you through autumn into winter (until it gets really cold and you want something more like a duvet!) and then perfect for the mixed weather in spring again.

I’ve sourced a few here to give you some ideas, but it’s also worth looking at some of my favourite brands for trench coats which include Uniqlo, Max Mara, Arket, Cos, ASOS and Topshop.

Once you find a style and colour you love, you will dig your trench coat out season after season as it’s such a wardrobe classic!

Isabel Kelly is a personal stylist, fashion blogger and owner of The Wardrobe Edit www.thewardrobeedit.uk

20

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Mango oversized trench, £119.99

Massimo Dutti

Mango

Barbour Findhorn jacket, £249

Massimo Dutti nappa trench, £299

King & Tuckfield trench coat, £750

Lipsy stone button mac, £75

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

21

BPC ... better patient care!

• Muscle Relaxing Injections (BOTOX) • Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) • Slimming Injections (Skinny Jab) • Lip Enhancementtel/fAx: 01234 266222 • Dermal Fillers • Radiesse Jawline/Cheek Lift • PDO Threadlifts • Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy • CBD Oil – Top Quality • Neostrata Chemical Peels

Bedford Physiotherapy PhysiotheraPy CCentre entre Bedford

31 Chiltern venue, Bedford MK41 9eQ The Atreatment you need, eMAil: info@betterpatientcare.co.uk www.be the care you deser ve We are a long established independent physiotherapy clinic, with over 25 years’ experience, situated in Putnoe, Bedford.

We have a team of Chartered Physiotherapists and an excellent reception team to look after you.

Acupuncture, Manual Therapy, Reflex Therapy and Stroke Rehabilitation, sports injuries, neck and back pain, sciatica, joint and muscle problems are all catered for.

• Neostrata Skin Care Range Roz Lee RGN/BSc (hons) Specialist Nurse Practitioner TEL: 01234 750454 MOB: 07725 869240 www.enhancecosmeticsolutions.co.uk

Please call us to discuss your needs on 01234 266222 or visit our website www.betterpatientcare.co.uk quoting ‘OVL2020’ to get our ‘Club’ rate.

CQC Registered

Sophie Viney - Talking Therapy Need to talk? Counselling can help PGDip Psychosynthesis Counselling

Confidential

Safe

Caring

Non-judgemental

A Space to Explore and Work Together With Whatever Is Troubling You. Professional Support For: Adults, Young Adults, Stress, Relationship concerns, Life transitions, Self-development, Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, Sexuality, Spirituality and more.

e: sophietalks121@gmail.com www.talks121.com 22

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

OVL meets...

Shari Lamont Green Can you tell us about your work?

A typical appointment begins with taking general health history and examining both feet to highlight any problem areas, such as corns, callus, ingrowing toenail, fungal nail, thickening of the nails and more. Treatment begins with a nail trim and bur/file then moves on to any problem areas and finishes with a moisturising treatment. A person may not have a specific problem and wish only to have a general MOT of their feet or a relaxing reflexology treatment.

Why did you decide to become a foot health practitioner?

After 16 years as a reflexologist and running a bespoke shoe company with orthotics at the forefront, foot health care was a natural progression.

What qualifications and experience do you need for your role?

I studied a level four, foot health practitioner diploma at Stonebridge College and the College of Foot Health Practitioners. I was then able to gain entry onto the Alliance of Foot Health Practitioners Register which is governed by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. All of this along with good people skills and a love of feet go a long way to making a good practitioner.

How would you describe your typical client?

There is no typical client or patient as there are no typical feet. Our feet are as unique as our fingertips with a very large common denominator: they work very hard for us.

What are the advantages of offering a mobile foot clinic?

The main advantage is that I come to you, be that at home or a workplace. There is little effort on the patient’s part as I bring the clinic to them. All I ask is that they are sitting comfortably and I do the rest.

Why is foot health so important?

Feet play a crucial part in our daily activities and are really put through their paces. They are the body’s foundation and tell a lot about our general health, often highlighting potentially serious health conditions before they show up elsewhere. Maintaining good foot health is important for everyone, but especially for diabetics since they are at risk of developing serious foot conditions through nerve damage, circulation problems and infections.

Foot Health Practitioner Do shoes affect our feet? What would you recommend?

Shoes have a huge bearing on our feet; an ill-fitting pair can cause problems such as corns, calluses and even nail trauma. It is important to wear shoes that are appropriate for the occasion and that don’t squeeze, rub or cause pressure points. Socks play a part too. If they are too thick, rough, or have uneven seams it can lead to friction and in turn blisters.

What is the best part of being a foot health practitioner?

When someone tells me that they feel like they are walking on air after a treatment. That is a good day and it’s great to alleviate a person’s discomfort.

Can you give us one top tip for our feet?

Keep them clean, dry in between your toes and see a registered practitioner if you have any problems – that was three!

Mobile Foot Health Clinic Shari Lamont Green DipCFHP, MPSPract.

Treatment and aftercare of the following: Nail trimming, Corns, Calluses, Verruca, Fungal Infections, Nail Reconstruction, General Foot Health Care, Reflexology A caring professional treatment in the comfort of your own home

07305 330 624 www.footresponse.co.uk shari@footresponse.co.uk

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

23

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

What’s Your Beauty Style?

T

here’s always been style. Comparing Wilma Flintstone to Betty Rubble immediately demonstrates how individual looks in hair, make-up and clothes were important even in prehistoric times. Look – I’m a beautician not an historian, OK? Anyway, hair and make-up have evolved stylistically along with the clothes we wear, often with striking differences. Let’s look at a few…

Natural Boho Beauty Women didn’t do fancy blow dries and make-up to go to Woodstock, and they looked just gorgeous. Soft, flowing and earthy, there’s a reason the bohemian look has had a loyal following for decades. The effortlessly chic style has some serious versatility and can work for a variety of occasions ranging from music festivals (something to look forward to next year hopefully) and lazy beach days to garden weddings and date nights.

The great thing about the boho goddess look is that

24

it doesn’t take much to create. It’s really a matter of lightly accentuating your natural features. Bohemian style is all about letting your natural self shine, especially your lovely face. Stick to minimal make-up for this look. For foundation, opt for an illuminating product, stay away from ‘cakey’ powders or matte finishes. Think bronzer for your cheeks and neutral shadows finishing with a boho pout in pretty peach gloss.

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Film Star Glamour The most popular request from celebrities is ‘to make their skin look amazing’. Ensuring skin is hydrated gives it that plumped-up, healthy glow. There is no rule on foundation; it depends on skin type and tone, using lighter textures where possible for a fresher finish. A cream concealer can disguise dark under-eye circles and give fuller coverage around the nose and chin areas. On the red carpet, contouring is essential. Suck in your cheeks and follow the hollow with a natural matte bronzer. Paint across the temples and along the jawline for added definition, and then dust a finely milled highlighter on top of the cheekbones, down the nose and on the Cupid’s bow. Adding a light cream blusher will give skin natural-looking vitality, and painting on a glorious red pout is a quick trick for the wow factor - not forgetting smoky eyes with lots of liquid eyeliner and false lashes.

80s’ Retro From neon lips to extreme cat eyes with huge feathery lashes, there are lots of make-up styles on the catwalk that might seem too “out there” for daily wear. I mean, really, who’s going to use stencils to apply her eyeshadow and then glue a giant piece of lace to her face? We can, however, take ideas from the latest looks and 80s’ fashion is bang on trend right now. The 1980s were a decade of bold style with bright colours and oversized clothing. But what about make-up? Well, it was bold too of course with big brows, vivid eyeshadow, shiny red lips and excessive blush.

This is a look that you will probably want to bring up to date. Remember – you’re aiming at ‘fun funky’, not ‘I’ve just escaped from the circus’! Happily, there are plenty of tutorials online for 80s-inspired make-up to help you achieve a modern twist.

We all need some time to relax and unwind in this busy world we live in…

At Holistic Massage Great Barford you will find a range of therapies to help relieve any stress, pain or muscle tension you may be experiencing and promote a feeling of well being and relaxation.

Treatments are offered by Karen who is passionate about massage therapies and their ability to help us with our busy, and sometimes stressful, daily lives.

Fully qualified and insured, Karen completed her training in London and has an ITEC Diploma Level 3 in Full Body Massage and Anatomy & Physiology.

She is also qualified in holistic facials, incorporating massage into the ritual to aid natural uplift of the facial muscles.

well as helping with anxiety and depression though relaxation. She is a member of the Guild of Holistic Therapists, the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) and the Complementary Health Professionals Association.

Gift vouchers are also available at Holistic Massage Great Barford which make a perfect present, enabling the recipient to choose from a range of massage therapies from around the world, specialist pregnancy treatments or indulgent facials.

Call or text Karen on 07860 118286 to arrange an appointment or visit www. holisticmassagegreatbarford.co.uk to find out more.

Karen also specialises in Indian Head Massage which can relieve headaches, fatigue and muscle stiffness in the neck as

HOLISTIC MASSAGE GREAT BARFORD

Relax, unwind and treat yourself…

Swedish Massage Deep Tissue Massage Warm Bamboo Massage Pregnancy Massage Indian Head Massage Organic Facials

www.holisticmassagegreatbarford.co.uk Call/Text 07860 118286

26

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Win £100 to spend in store or online at

Established in 2002, John Medhurst Family Jewellers pride themselves on outstanding service and fine quality jewellery. It is almost impossible to walk past their Mill Street showroom without stopping to admire the beautiful collections and you will always be greeted by knowledgeable and helpful staff, with John himself having spent 51 years so far in the industry.

Now, with the launch of their new website, you will also be able to browse and purchase items from their exquisite collections from the comfort of your own home.

These include Nomination, Hot Diamonds, Emozioni and Diamonfire along with stunning items from Kit Heath, Antica Murrina, Sif Jakobs, Chrysalis or D for Diamonds jewellery collections, not forgetting the finest 9ct, 18ct, platinum and diamond set pieces. Their extensive range of wrist watches includes Henry of London, Michel Herbelin, Orla Kiely, Rodania, Zeppelin, ICE Watch and Sara Miller London.

John Medhurst offers jewellery for all budgets, successfully adding contemporary designs to sit alongside classics so there really is something for everyone.

Register now at www.johnmedhurst.co.uk and you will automatically be entered into their prize draw to win £100 to spend in store or online.

John Medhurst Ltd 10 Mill Street Bedford MK40 3HD 01234 351458 sales@johnmedhurst.co.uk Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm Private appointments available outside opening hours.

To make an appointment please call 01234 351458 or 07714 761094.

LAST ISSUE’S COMPETITION WINNERS Congratulations to Paula Hill who won £30 worth of ice cream from Riverside Dairy and Robert Stretton who won a Sunday roast for four at The Sun Felmersham.

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

Hill Farm Shop Buy the Best - Buy Local Meet the team: Jeanette and Mick Hurley on their family farm

as Christm w o orders n en k being ta

Prim eb from eef happ our y cat tle

OPENING TIMES

Thursday & Friday 9am-5.30pm Saturday 9am-4pm Sunday 9am-12 noon

Check Facebook for our Christmas opening times

Home reared beef, local pork, lamb, free-range chicken and eggs, milk and honey All meat reared on farms with guaranteed traceability and no added hormones British, continental and local cheese, bacon, pork pies, pâté, cured meats, olives No time to cook? We have homemade pies, curries and hotpots using our own beef

01234 781405 / 07834 257928 mjhurley@btinternet.com Visit us at www.hillfarmshop.com Look out for our Christmas offers on Facebook Hill Farm, Mill Road, Sharnbrook MK44 1NP

Visit Our Kitchen & Bathroom Showroom

First Class Design & Supply | Design & Installation Expect more, receive more…

• Designs to Inspire • Supply Only Option • First Class Installation • Employed Craftsmen • 10 Year Warranty

28

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

5 Wood Street, Higham Ferrers -off the Market Square-

01933 355687

FOOD

Spiced Apple Cake Enjoy with a cup of tea or a scoop of ice cream Ingredients 350g apples lemon juice 225g butter 225g sugar 4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla essence 250g self-raising flour 2 tsp baking powder 25g ground almonds 1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground mixed spice 2 tbsp demerara sugar icing sugar

Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line a deep 20cm round cake tin.

Peel and core the apples. Cut into thick slices, toss in lemon juice and set aside.

Cream together the butter and sugar. Gradually add the eggs and the vanilla essence. Fold in the flour, baking powder, almonds and spices.

Tip half of the mixture into the tin and pile the apple slices on top, leaving a small gap around the edge. Spread the remaining batter over the apples and sprinkle with demerara sugar.

Bake for one hour or until cooked through. Dust with icing sugar and serve.

Irre sistib le!

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

29

Place your Christmas orders with us Order forms will be available in store and online from Thursday 1 October

We’re open 8.30am - 5pm Tuesday to Saturday and 10am - 4pm on Sunday The Barn Cardington, Cople Road, Cardington, Bedford. MK44 3SX Visit thebarncardington.com or call 07939 030377

30

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Get Christmas Wrapped Up Early.

Avoid the crowds and get your Christmas shopping started. With so much on offer in our local independent stores, it’s easy to find perfect gifts and maybe a few treats for yourself too!

Located in the heart of Bedford, this long-established family jewellers offers outstanding service and fine quality jewellery. With so many exquisite collections to choose from, and items to suit every budget, you’re certain to find the perfect gift. And, with their new website launching soon, you can also shop in the comfort of your own home. Register now at www. johnmedhurst.co.uk for entry into their prize draw to win £100 to spend in store or online.

Visit: 10 Mill Street, Bedford MK40 3HD Contact: 01234 351458 or info@johnmedhurst.co.uk Open: Tue to Sat 10am-5pm

A clothing store for country enthusiasts, Lodgeway offers stylish yet practical clothing, footwear and accessories for both men and women. Whether you’re planning a day’s shooting, walking or working outside, Lodgeway will have the quality items you need. With brand names including Schoffel, Fairfax & Favor, RM Williams, Le Chameau, Barbour, Vantage Atelier and Tom Lane, finding the ideal gift for that special someone will be easy. And, with free delivery during December, you might want to visit www.lodgewaycountrywear.co.uk to buy online.

Visit: Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5QB Contact: 01462 816122 Open: Tue to Sat 10am-4.30pm, extending for Christmas

Occupying a prime position on Kimbolton’s picturesque High Street, this independent boutique with its chic decor and friendly service really is a delight to visit. With new pieces arriving in store every week, there’s always plenty of contemporary womenswear and accessories to browse. With their unique loungewear and beautiful leather handbags, jewellery, scarves and hats you’ll be spoilt for choice when looking for your ideal Christmas gifts.

Visit: Cromwell House, 36 High Street, Kimbolton PE28 0HA Contact: 01234 781945 sales@blueblancmange.co.uk Open: Tue to Sat 10am-4pm A fantastic shop on a family-run farm selling award-winning sausages, bacon and beef from home reared pigs and cattle plus home reared turkey and local lamb. Here you’ll find irresistible gifts for foodies with handcrafted chocolates, artisan cheese and biscuits, Sophie Botsford china and more. If it’s tricky picking just one gift, Browns will create a hamper with all your favourite items. Place your Christmas food order too and get your turkey and trimmings ticked off the list at the same time!

Visit: Manor Farm, Stagsden MK43 8SH Contact: 01234 822330 www.brownsofstagsden.co.uk Open: Tue to Sat 10am-3pm

Bedfordshire’s largest independent clothing store where you’ll find stylish brands such as Barbour, Gant, Fynch Hatton and Giordano for men along with contemporary designers like Betty Barclay, Gerry Weber, Masai and Vera Mont for women along with a stunning collection of jewellery, bags, scarves and shoes. You can also shop online at their sister website www.timgarner.co.uk. With Claytons you’ll receive expert advice from a team that knows its products and takes an old-fashioned pride in customer service.

Visit: 532 Goldington Road, Bedford MK41 0DX Contact: 01234 352429 or sales@timgarner.co.uk Open: Mon to Sat 9am-5.30pm, Sun 10.30am-4.30pm A traditional family farm shop providing the very best home reared beef, local pork, lamb and free-range chicken and eggs. Visit their deli for British and continental cheese, bacon, pork pies, pâté, cured meats and olives or treat yourself to one of their homemade pies, curries or hotpots. At Christmas, they have a lovely selection of artisan gifts for foodies along with delicious, made to order hampers. Hill Farm has all you need for your festive feast so get your Christmas order in early too!

Visit: Hill Farm, Mill Road, Sharnbrook MK44 1NP Contact: 01234 781405 / 07834 257928 or mjhurley@btinternet.com Open: Thu & Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 9am-12 noon Set in over 40 acres of countryside, Sporting Targets is one of the largest clay shooting clubs in the country with highly qualified instructors. They also stock a range of quality gifts which you can purchase in store

or online at www.sportingtargets.co.uk. Alongside their shooting equipment and accessories you’ll find clothing, footwear, bags, cufflinks, wallets, kitchenware and more - there really is something for everyone. Or treat someone with a voucher for a shooting, archery or 4x4 off road experience.

Visit: Knotting Lane, Riseley MK44 1BX Contact: 01234 708893 or gunshop@sportingtargets.co.uk Open: Mon to Sat 8.30am-6.30pm,

Wed 8.30am-8.30pm, Sun 8.30am-3pm

Interphase Interiors Bedford’s specialist interior designers and hand finished curtain makers. Established in the 1980s, their showroom and design studio is a cornucopia of ideas with an eclectic mix of Objet d’Art and custom made upholstery on display. You’ll find that unique gift for any occasion, especially at Christmas time when you need to find that special present for that special person, plus fabrics, wall coverings, carpets and furniture, in fact, everything you need for your home.

Visit: 18 Lime Street, Bedford MK40 1LD Contact: 01234 262730 or interphaseinteriors@icloud.com Open: Tue to Sat 9.30am-5pm Specialists in beautiful bags and leather goods meticulously crafted at their Lavendon workshops. Five generations of knowledge and experience go into every piece, blending timeless style with contemporary flair. TUSTING accessories are the same quality in miniature – little things that make perfect gifts including wallets and purses, washbags and pouches, luggage tags and key fobs.

Each can be personalised to make a lasting memory or indulgent treat. Visit their Factory Shop (with special bargain room!) or buy online at www.tusting.co.uk.

Visit: 29 Olney Road, Lavendon MK46 4EU Contact: 01234 712266 Open: Visitors welcome at their Factory Shop please call ahead

Interphase Interiors

James Mellor Creative

Interior Designers & Curtain Makers

Interior Designers & Hand Finished Curtain Makers with an eclectic mix of Objet d’Art and custom made upholstery on display. You will find that unique gift for any occasion plus Fabrics, Wallcoverings, Carpets & Lighting, in fact, everything for your home.

Now taking orders for corporate and personal Christmas cards and illustrated gifts

18 Lime Street, Bedford MK40 1LD Tel 01234 262730 interphaseinteriors@icloud.com www.interphaseonline.com

www.jamesmellorcreative.com @jamesdfmellor

Browns of Stagsden...

A proper farm shop on a proper working family run farm

Stop at Stagsden for all your local produce

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

NOW TAKING CHRISTMAS ORDERS Please drop us an email or give us a call OPENING to discuss your requirements TIMES:

01234 822330

Tue-Sat 10-3pm

info@brownsofstagsden.co.uk www.brownsofstagsden.co.uk Manor Farm, Stagsden MK43 8SH 34

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Local deliveries & contactless collections also available

Local game available

OPENING 7 NOVEMBER

Stagsden Christmas Trees Fresh Cut Trees ~ Holly & Mistletoe ~ Decorations & Gift Ideas All set within our converted stables and Victorian walled garden or order and shop with us online

Covid-19 Precautions Hand sanitiser stations ~ Outdoor contactless card payments Limited numbers within shop ~ Face-coverings for all staff Newly revamped online store & tree delivery service www.stagsdenchristmastrees.co.uk info@stagsdenchristmastrees.co.uk ~ 01234 391 924 @stagsdenxmas @StagsdenXmas and find us on Facebook

Opening Times Mon to Sat 9.00am to 6.00pm Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm

Stagsden Christmas Trees West End Farm, Stagsden Beds MK43 8SZ

Come and Join Riseley Roughshod Morris!

North West Morris originated in the industrial mill towns of the North West of England in the 19th Century, mainly in the cotton mills and factories of Lancashire and North Cheshire. Generally, clogs were worn and workers would stand at the looms singing choruses and stepping to the rhythmic sounds of machines to lighten the monotony.

Dancing in clogs then became popular and a tradition formed.

Some performers would nail iron shods to the soles to increase the sound and create a spark on the cobbled streets. Dances were originally part of processions – towns, villages and even individual mills would have their own dance which would be performed at local Rush Cart, Rose Queen or Wakes Week celebrations. Teams would consist of multiples of four dancers formed in two long lines, usually accompanied by a brass band, who would move along the road stopping at intervals to perform a dance or two. Today, modern teams have adapted the dances based on traditional figures so they can be displayed ‘on the spot’, ideally outside the nearest pub.

Visually striking, bright costumes are now worn with broad sashes, flowered hats and garlands of beads.

Rather than the handkerchiefs or long sticks used by Cotswold teams, dancers carry decorated short sticks, mollies or slings which are symbolic of the cotton

bobbins and shuttles used in the mills. The dancers still wear clogs often shod with iron for added effect.

The dances are generally marching, ranting and polka with vigorous stepping, purposeful movement and complex figures accompanied by as large a band as possible.

Bands were traditionally brass but nowadays include instruments such as melodeon, concertina, violin and drum. North West Morris is inclusive and it is believed to have always been danced by men, women and children.

Riseley Roughshod Morris started in 2016. We are a mixed side and perform some traditional dances from the towns of Mossley, Colne, and Preston. We like to keep to the tradition but also like to evolve with new dances.

We are now recruiting! Come and try this unique opportunity to learn and perform a popular style of Morris dancing. We are looking for dancers and musicians. Whilst it’s an exuberant and energetic form of dance, we don’t expect everyone to be leaping around immediately...

All are welcome, just come along and have a go!

We practise in Bletsoe Village Hall every Monday 7.30 to 9.30pm. Any questions please contact Justine 07855 814480 or email riseleyroughshod@gmail.com Photographs courtesy of Asan Tu at Tu + Tu Photography

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Wildlife in the UK

The Kestrel

Greg Coyne, Wildlife Photographer

W

e are so lucky to live where there is an abundance of wildlife right on our doorstep. One of the most common sights often seen, particularly when driving around the countryside, is a bird hovering motionless over a grass verge at the side of the road or over a hedgerow, and this is nearly always a kestrel.

Kestrels are beautiful and they are amazing to watch as they hunt small mammals and birds. They are found in such a wide variety of habitats from moor and heath to farmland and urban areas. The only places they do not favour are dense forests, vast treeless wetlands and mountains. They are a familiar sight hovering beside a motorway or other main road and can often be seen perched on a high tree branch, or on a telephone post or wire, on the look out for prey.

Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upper side and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside. Unlike most raptors, the males and females are quite different with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a bluegrey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in the females and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes.

When lockdown eased, I set off for a farm in Lincolnshire where a family of kestrels breeds every year. I have been returning to this spot for many years now with my camera. It really is a privilege to see a family of kestrels and watch their hierarchy and feeding behaviours. It was July when I took these images and the youngsters would soon be forced away by the parents to fend for themselves, but at this time the parents were still tolerating the young birds.

Photographing from a hide means that you can get a lot closer to the action and these normally skittish birds will be relaxed in their local habitat. Using my current camera system, an Olympus set up, means that I can photograph in silent mode so the subject is oblivious to the attention it is getting. In the past the noise of my shutter as I fired off a small burst of shots would spook the bird and it would not feel relaxed. At the end of the day the welfare of the bird must always come first.

All of the images in this article were taken during one session, spending 15 hours in the hide and making the most of the various types of light that I encountered: sometimes full glare from the sun and at dawn and dusk the opportunity to snatch a few backlit and side lit images. It was great to see

three young birds at the same time with one of the parents sitting on a haystack behind, trying to get some rest from the young kestrels.

So next time you are out and about in the countryside and see a kestrel hunting at the side of the road, try to find a convenient place to park up and watch this fantastic bird.

You will be amazed at the acrobatic skills it possesses as it hovers in the sky, riding the winds, its head not moving an inch as it focusses and concentrates on its prey.

If you would like to see more images of this spectacle go to my Facebook Page which is Greg Coyne Photography, like it and then keep up to date with my travels on a regular basis. You can also visit my website gregcoynephotography.co.uk

GARDENS

Rosemary’s Garden Choose sedums for beautiful plants that thrive on neglect Sedums are perfect for areas where little else grows. They like cracks and crevices, rock gardens, raised beds, containers and are so hardy that some grow on roof tiles, walls or in dry soil under trees.

There are about 400 species in a variety of colours with different flowering times. All have succulent green leaves in trailing rosettes or upright mounds, often turning red in late autumn. There is no need to deadhead as the flowers remain throughout the winter, looking beautiful when covered with frost. In spring, when the new leaf buds push through, the old stems can be pulled away. Never overwater or feed as sedums do not like rich soil.

The creeping sedums, also known as stonecrops, are suitable for rock gardens and groundcover, keeping weeds at bay.

The flowers come in white, yellow, purple and pink in small, starlike clusters. They look spectacular planted en masse. In the autumn and winter many evergreen sedums, like album Murale and stenopetalum, take on a deep red or bronze hue that lasts until early spring.

The hybrids, such as Ruby Glow which produces spectacular red flowers from late summer into autumn, are about 25 cm high.

Munstead Red grows up to 60 cm as does Herbstreude, or Autumn Joy, which is eyecatching in autumn with its fleshy, oblong, green leaves and large flat clusters of starry flowers. These open from greenish-pink buds, turning pale pink then deep pink and finally changing to a brownish hue in November.

Another excellent sedum is Mr Goodbud, the flowers cream when opening and turning reddish-mauve. Purple Emperor has dusky stems topped with buds that open to deep pink stars in August. The plum-black foliage has a satin sheen which fades in winter to a dramatic chocolate-brown dome of tiny stars.

40

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

TOP TEN

Jobs for October & November

1

In October, plant hyacinths and large-flowered anemones.

2

Divide campanula, asters, hardy geraniums and phlox but leave hellebores and peonies alone.

3

Lift, divide and replant crocosmias.

4

Plant winter-flowering pansies, winter heathers, trailing ivy and hardy cyclamen in baskets and pots.

5

Shorten the long shoots of late-flowering shrubs, such as buddleja, but finish pruning in the spring.

6

Continue to deadhead roses, removing only the flowers and not the long stems.

7

This is a good time to plant new hardy climbers so that a good root system can develop.

8

Plant tulip bulbs in November, filling the gaps with wallflowers, and some lily bulbs in pots.

9

Early winter is the time to prune winter jasmine, ornamental vines and wisteria.

10

Leave penstemons until the spring, apart from deadheading, as the stems will protect the crowns from the cold.

To grow shorter varieties, laying the sedum on the soil in your chosen spot is usually enough. It will send out roots from where the stem touches the ground. With taller varieties, break off a stem and push it into the ground. It will root and a new plant establish.

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

41

Make an entrance with a pair of Oakgate Joinery gates

Beautiful bespoke wooden gates produced to a high standard of design and finish • • • • • •

Hardwood Gates Softwood Gates Gate Automation Gate Posts Garage Doors Ironmongery

Hand made in our workshop by skilled craftsmen Call us today for a free no Call us today a free obligation quotefor 0845 519no4049

obligation quote 0845 519 4049 info@oakgatejoinery.co.uk info@oakgatejoinery.co.uk www.oakgate-joinery.co.uk

www.oakgatejoinery.co.uk The Workshop, Keysoe Road, Riseley MK44 1DE

Heritage Arboriculture Ltd Ltd Heritage Arboriculture CreatingCreating a Healthy and Beautiful Environment… a Healthy and Beautiful Environment…

We’reDue dedicated to providing the best treeService, advice and management in the region to our superior Work, Service, Recommendations and Safety Due to our standard superior of standard of Work, Knowledge, Knowledge, Recommendations and Safety we have been awarded Association Approved Contractor Status. Status. we have been Arboricultural awarded Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor Be confident that you are the best advice and management available available for your trees.

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

Qualified Tree Advice

Tree Removal

Planting

Tree Pruning

Call now for all your tree ! ! ! ! related advice and !

Planting Planting Advice Pruning Pruning Removal Removal Advice a free quotation.

Call now Call for all your related and a freeand quotation. now fortree all your treeadvice related advice a free quotation.

Phone:T:01234 nicki@heritagearboriculture.co.uk www.heritageaboriculture.co.uk 01234720801 E: nicki@heritagearboriculture.co.uk www.heritagearboriculture.co.uk T:720801 01234 Email: 720801 E: nicki@heritagearboriculture.co.uk www.heritagearboriculture.co.uk !

Ltd

nt…

endations and Safety 42 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts ontractor Status.

vailable for your trees.

GARDEN DESIGNER SUSAN YOUNG Association of Professional Landscapers Awards 2020 for ‘Ruffs Furze’ garden in Oakley.

D

elighted owners now have a contemporary style garden with ‘wow’ factor, taking the interior theme of the new extension outside into the garden space to give a large dining terrace, steps and a low wall to accommodate the change in levels, a lawn and a pergola to catch evening sunshine.

In the national competition Susan and her landscaper won a Bronze for Overall Design and Build and a Silver in the Hard Landscaping category for a garden under £20k budget.

For more information please visit www.susanyoungdesign.co.uk. To book a garden consultation please email info@susanyoungdesign.co.uk or call 07787 158288.

• Garden Design and Planting • Landscaping and Garden Restoration • Garden Advice and Maintenance Susan Young Dip.Hort.(RHS)

Garden Designer and Horticulturalist info@susanyoungdesign.co.uk

Tel: 07787 158288

SEE LATEST WORK ON WEBSITE www.susanyoungdesign.co.uk

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

43

Autumn walks

Summer walks are lovely but in autumn the countryside is spectacular. Wrap up, don your boots and immerse yourself in the beautiful colours of the changing season.

Even if you choose the same route every week, the view will never be the same and the sunsets now are some of the best of the year. Head into the Ouse Valley countryside or to one of our lovely parks. Both Priory Country Park and Bedford Park have recently received recognition in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards and are great places to visit.

Christmas Shopping

Yes, we know it’s early but this year you may be even more inclined to get a wiggle on and avoid the crowds. Fortunately, we have a fantastic selection of independent shops on our doorstep offering a variety of gifts - you’re certain to find the perfect present for everyone on your list. Turn to page 32 to find out more about our local stores who are offering all you need for the forthcoming festivities.

Get Fruity

National Apple Day is 21 October with events running all through the month to celebrate all things apple related. Fun and traditional activities include: apple bobbing, hog roasts (with apple sauce), longest peel competitions and apple pressing for juice and cider. Join in with our rich apple growing heritage by cooking sweet or savoury recipes. Our Spiced Apple Cake on page 29 is delicious with a cup of tea or a scoop of ice cream!

Pick a Pumpkin

Grab a Bargain

Binge a Box Set

Return to the Big Screen

Increasing in popularity, pick your own pumpkin is a fun day out with the children and a great start to Halloween. Search online for local places to visit Crossways Farm in Sharnbrook or Saxby’s in Farndish are good places to start. Feeling creative?

This year the Swiss Garden at Old Warden is holding an online Pumpkin Carving Competition. Upload photos of your creations to be part of their exhibition and be in with a chance to win great prizes. www.friendsoftheswissgarden.org.

As the winter nights draw in, cosy up in front of the fire with your duvet and indulge in a little escapism.

Autumn favourites Strictly Come Dancing and I’m a Celebrity return, albeit with a few changes due to the pandemic. Feeling more cultural? Netflix have brought Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca to life with a seriously stellar cast. In the mood to hibernate? Stock up on snacks and binge a box set. Our top picks are Money Heist, Sex Education and Stranger Things.

Get Spooky!

There’s lots of Halloween themed family fun to be had throughout the Ouse Valley during half term this October. Try the spook-tacular activity trail at Jordans Mill which is available every day from 21-31 October or gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Wrest Park with a creepy trail, spooky stories and a frighteningly fun fancy dress competition.

FiverFest Bedford, which celebrates our fantastic independent businesses, runs from 10-24 October.

Lots of shops, cafés and restaurants are taking part by putting on special £5 offers to show the diversity and value of what they sell and to say thank you to the communities that support them. Signed up already are John Medhurst Ltd, Claytons, Herd, The Quarry Theatre, Boutique Planet, Pen & Cob, Pavilion At The Park and The Barn, Cardington. Go to www.towncentrechampions.co.uk for the full list.

It’s been a difficult year for cinema with the pandemic forcing theatre doors to close and film releases facing multiple delays, but now we can enjoy the big screen again. After an excruciatingly long wait, we’ll get to see Daniel Craig in his last outing as James Bond as No Time to Die premieres this November while Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff finally gets her own Marvel film with Black Widow arriving in October.

Pixar’s latest offering Soul, in cinemas at the end of November, is set to be one for all the family to enjoy.

TRAVEL UK

Sopwell House, St Albans Travel writer Katie Gregory stayed at Sopwell House hotel, home to the UK’s first private member’s spa – The Club at Cottonmill

A

s I sunk into a hot tub at Sopwell House back in February, I had no idea what was coming – and I’m glad. I’d dropped the kids off for a sleepover at Grandma and Grandad’s and checked in to this classy mansion-hotel on the edge of St Albans to visit The Club at Cottonmill – the first private member’s spa in the country. And nothing was getting in the way of me and 24 hours of peace.

On the other side of the glass wall, a chic and airy Garden Room leads to a panoramic sauna at one end, along with a long list of steam rooms and treatment spaces on the next floor. I booked in for an Elemis Exotic Frangipani Body Scrub and Wrap with Vichy treatment.

Vertical showerheads massaged me from head to toe while I lied down on the watery massage table, trying not to fall asleep.

Writing about it now, six months since Covid-19 stole the headlines and the world came to a halt, it seems even more surreal to have been wafting around in a fluffy white robe without a care in the world. Along with so many hotels, Sopwell House closed for business for several months during lockdown. It reopened slowly, first with picnic hampers served in the grounds, then with rooms and restaurants, and finally flinging open the doors to its spa.

Post-spa, we tucked into a gorgeously indulgent dinner at the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant before heading back to our room in one of the hotel’s Mews Suites. Set apart from the hotel in a gated area wrapped in landscaped gardens, these are as luxurious as everything else here.

Expect feature fireplaces, private terraces and access to a shared outdoor hydro pool.

And oh, what a spa. Thanks to a £14m renovation, The Club at Cottonmill leaves your average steam-roomand-sauna combo in the shade. Cocooned inside the hotel’s main Cottonmill spa, The Club is closed off to most guests. A special wristband grants you exclusive access to a sectioned-off wing with its own changing rooms, saunas and treatment rooms spread over several floors. Glass-fronted, most of it looks out over The Club’s loveliest feature: a big, leafy spa garden with a steaming central pool.

At 45 minutes from Bedford or London, and with a host of new safety measures in place, Sopwell House is an easy-to-reach escape if you’re feeling the effects of the last six months. The Club at Cottonmill is perhaps the ultimate in post-lockdown luxury, and I can’t wait for an excuse to go back.

Katie was hosted by Sopwell House, a member of the Pride of Britain Hotels set in 12 acres of countryside in St Albans, Hertfordshire. At the time of writing, some areas of the spa remain closed for guest safety – please check what features are open when you book. The hotel has implemented a range of enhanced safety measures including increased cleaning, reduced contact, social distancing and temperature checks, all of which are detailed on the website. Contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 or visit www.prideofbritainhotels. com/hotels/sopwell-house-hotel.

Our hot tub in the corner of the garden was the perfect place to take it all in. Four-poster daybeds line a waterfall wall on one side, the indoor-outdoor pool bubbles on the other, and neat pathways hemmed by shrubs and trees lead off to more hot tubs shrouded in mist. We barely saw another guest out here, and that was before the hotel introduced a reduced capacity.

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

47

LWS Ad AW:Layout 1

Garden Maintenance

14/5/10

12:26

Page 1

TINSLEYS RIDING SCHOOL

Garden Maintenance & Landscaping Specialists

British Horse Society Approved Licensed 5 Star Rating Established 1977

Landscaping Specialists

Maintenance: grass cutting • hedge trimming • weed control • clearance • tree work Landscaping: patios • pathways Landscaping: turfing • fencing • gravel patios • pathways turfing • low maintenance gardens fencing • gravel • low maintenance gardens Maintenance: hedge trimming LWS is a well established, grass cutting • weed control family run, trading standards approved, garden services clearance • tree work provider, performing LWS is a well established, family run,everything in the garden, trading standards approved, garden from creation to maintenance. services provider, performing everything in the garden, from creation to maintenance.

All waste removed.

All waste removed Fully Insured.

Fully Insured Friendly reliable service at Friendly reliable service at affordableaffordable rates rates. www.lwsg.co.uk

Friendly and professional coaches, with experience of developing skills of both the capable rider and the complete novice.

We welcome children, adults, beginner riders and returnees who have ridden before and wish to start riding again, to the more advanced rider.

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

LWSGardens&Landscaping

Telephone 01234 268556 www.tinsleysridingschool.co.uk

Call Daniel for a free, no obligation quotation or just for advice

01234 823215 07729 573151

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 48

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

PETS

Osteoarthritis

Zoe Shelton-Smith Veterinarian

O

steoarthritis, or arthritis, is a common condition in humans. But did you know it is very prevalent in our pets with up to 90% of cats over the age of 12 affected and around 80% in older dogs?

Often mistaken for ‘slowing down’ or ‘getting older’ osteoarthritis is a condition which affects the joints and surrounding tissues, including bone, cartilage and ligaments. It is a progressive disease with no cure and is often a reason for euthanasia due to its impact on quality of life. It is sometimes missed by owners due Pets to the animal’s ability to adapt and cope with pain and Oct20 Fulldelay page these signs.

Images:

Zoe However, it can be noticed earlier by picking up on the subtle signs summarised below.

Osteoarthritis

Your vet will perform Zoe Shelton-Smith

a musculoskeletal exam following their normal clinical exam. This is to further diagnose arthritis orbyarthritis, localising which joints are affected, or which Osteoarthritis, is a common condition in humans.

But did you know it is very prevalent in our pets with up to 90% of cats over the age of 12 affected and around 80% in are worse than others.

The most commonly affected older dogs? joints are the elbows, shoulders, hips, stifles (knees) Often mistaken ‘slowing down’ or ‘getting older’ osteoarthritis is a condition which affects and tarsifor(ankles). the joints and surrounding tissues, including bone, cartilage and ligaments. It is a progressive disease no cure and is often grinding a reason for euthanasia due to its impact on Your vet willwith look at posture, within the qualy of life. It is sometimes missed by owners due to the animal’s ability to adapt and cope (crepitus), reduced flexibility and mobility, loss withjoint pain and delay these signs.

of muscle mass, extra bone growth, inflammation including heat and swelling, pain and reflex responses.

However, it can be noticed earlier by picking up on the subtle signs summarised below.

Dogs

Cats

Reduced energy levels, less excited for walks

Jumping less (furniture or fences)

Lameness or a change in gait

Coat becomes less glossy due to less grooming

Struggling to get up or sit down

Eating less from pain or reluctance to go to bowl

Snaps or grumbles when stroked

More grumpy when stroked or handled

Hesitation jumping into the car

Difficulty using litter tray or cat flap

Licking their joints/Saliva staining

Overgrown claws

Your vet will perform a musculoskeletal exam following their normal clinical exam. This is to Visit further diagnose arthritis by localising which joints are affected, or which are worse than others. The most commonly affected joints are the elbows, shoulders, hips, stifles (knees) and tarsi (ankles).

Whilst not always necessary for a diagnosis of arthritis, X-rays are always useful to identify the cause and can be even more useful to rule out other diseases like fractures, bone infections and bone tumours as these will need to be treated differently.

Initially, your vet may look at modifying your pet’s diet, exercise and environment. It is important to have a good grounding with consistent short walks, non-slip surfaces, and memory foam beds to comfort their joints. For cats, placing a step next to window sills or their bed can be useful to discourage jumping.

Ensuring your pet is at the correct weight will remove any additional strain on their joints, while supplements create a ‘reservoir’ for the joints to repair and reduce inflammation - check with your vet on their supplement recommendations.

When these are in place, your vet will discuss therapies and treatments, tailoring them to your pet’s needs. These can include laser therapy, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, massage therapy and/or acupuncture.

Lastly there are anti-inflammatories and pain relief.

Once your vet has prescribed these, it is important to arrange rechecks for your vet to assess whether the medication is enough or if more is needed. Blood tests will also be recommended as medication can have long term effects on the internal organs which need to be monitored.

If you’d like to learn more about arthritis you can visit icatcare.org or caninearthritis.co.uk.

If you feel your pet may be exhibiting signs of arthritis, please contact your vet.

OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

49

MOTORS

McCann’s Motors Fatal Distraction Richard McCann

50

- are advanced driver ‘aids’ actually causing accidents?

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Many of you will have noticed the increased number of so-called driver-assistance aids being incorporated into the computers-onwheels that we drive nowadays.

But can these systems be blamed for driver disengagement? Californian journalist Sami HajAssaad has alerted me to a new study from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute which looks at how most car makers have swapped traditional dashboard controls with buttons, for touchscreens, over the past five years.

While digital instrument panels can be a boon because they allow a wider range of information to be displayed directly in front of the driver, the same can’t be said for touchscreens, which are generally more fiddly and time-consuming to use on the move.

A car covers 13.5 metres per second when motoring at only 30mph so a driver spending a not-unusual 42 seconds fighting the touchscreen instead of looking at the road, will have travelled the length of almost six football pitches in that time. How scary is that?

Safety Questioned The safety of in-car touchscreens has already been questioned by safety campaigners, while Highways England has also raised concerns about the use of them. Although you operate them in a similar way to smartphones, nothing has been done to restrict the use of them while driving. Yet anyone caught using a handheld mobile can be fined at least £200 and get six penalty points!

The number of collisions caused by driver distraction is rising each year. According to Department for Transport data it accounted for 15% of accidents in 2018, compared to 13% in 2016 and 14% in 2017.

And when you focus on fatal collisions, distraction of some sort contributes to 25% of incidents.

Tesla In one incident a driver crashed in the rain when his Tesla automatically started its wipers but required the driver to manually control the speed through the large central touchscreen, rather than a lever on the steering wheel. In this case, the driver had to navigate

software menus and then choose from one of five settings, after touching an icon. Understandably, you may think, the driver veered out of his lane while distracted with the console, driving up an embankment and into some trees. He was punished under the same rules as using a phone while driving.

The Court acknowledged that the Tesla setup required “significantly more attention from the driver” than a traditional lever setup, but said it was still up to drivers to keep their eyes on the road.

Eyes Away from the Road The Virginia Tech report backed up the judge, reporting that users of these new tech systems were more likely to speed and engage in what the researchers called “judgement errors”. The study found that when these driver aids were active, some drivers spent about 30 per cent of the time with their eyes away from the road ahead. These glances away from the road happened more frequently and for longer periods than when the systems weren’t active.

Worst Offenders So while many journalists question the proliferation of gadgets as simply a desire to impress in the showroom, car makers say that the intention is for safer cars and fewer accidents; yet the technology is actually distancing drivers from their purpose behind the wheel.

One magazine put a selection of new cars through their paces, timing how long it took drivers to perform what used to be simple tasks such as adjusting the heater, cancel route guidance on the SatNav, and change the radio channel. The worst performers were Fiat 500X, Skoda Citigo, Peugeot 508, Lexus RX, Honda CR-V while top honours for clarity went to Audi Q3, Porsche Panamera, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and BMW 3-series.

A friend of mine summed it up so well: “We’re not flying to New York here - we’re going to the supermarket. There’s too much technology just for the sake of it. Come on car makers! Quit trying to show off. Keep it simple stupid!”

SCIENCE

Stelios Mores

Faster‌ Bigger‌ Bigger‌ and Faster

P

article accelerators use the attractive forces between opposite electric charge to accelerate particles to speeds that allow physicists to smash them up and study their constituent components as they attempt to better understand and characterise the fundamental aspects of the universe and therefore reality itself.

The first particle accelerator was invented by the British scientists John Cockcroft and Ernest Walton in 1930. This used a two hundred thousand volt (200,000 V) potential difference to accelerate helium nuclei (also known as alpha particles) onto a target in an evacuated glass vessel. Helium nuclei are electrically neutral helium atoms which have had their outer electrons removed and have subsequently become positively charged (as they lack a pair of negatively charged electrons each). This simple accelerator design relied on the electrostatic attraction between these alpha particles and an array of negatively charged cylinders or drift tubes. It was based in many ways on the principle behind the operation of the cathode ray tube (CRT) which was developed by John Johnson in 1922, but which accelerated negatively charged electrons by electrostatic repulsion instead.

In fact, this was the technical basis of television sets up until LED displays took over. Cockcroft and Walton however were more interested in splitting the atom by using a quantum mechanical phenomenon whereby particles disappear and reappear beyond an energy barrier (tunnelling). By 1932 they had improved their electrostatic linear accelerator design, doubling its potential such that they managed to achieve this goal. These efforts quickly led to the development of ever more powerful particle accelerators, as more researchers engaged with the science. In later designs the drift tubes alternated from a negative to a positive charge pulling and then pushing the positively charged particle along its straight path.

One main constraint of these early accelerator designs was the fact that charged particles were driven by the potential difference through the apparatus only once. This was the result of their linear design. Ernest Lawrence first invented the cyclotron in 1929 at the University of California. This relied on accelerating positively charged particles inside a pair of hollow metallic chambers with a D-shaped cross-section.

Unlike the linear accelerator design, an alternating voltage is applied at a high frequency (radio frequencies) between the chambers and a pair of electromagnets are used to contain the accelerated particles in such a way that they form a spiral path from the centre outwards. The advantage of this approach was that the particles were accelerated each time they passed between the chambers, such that much faster velocities could be achieved with significantly smaller voltages or potential differences. This design was very successful but suffered from the fact that as the particles moved outwards in their spiral path, they could not remain synchronised and could not be accelerated further as their observed mass increased with their velocity. Despite this limitation, the design is still being used today. The PSI Ring Cyclotron in Switzerland can speed up protons to 80% the speed of light. With a beam energy of 1.3MW this is considered the most powerful accelerator to date; however, it is significantly limited when considering the maximum or peak velocities of individual particles.

Much like the Cyclotron, the Synchrotron is a circular or cyclic RF (radio-frequency) accelerator. It is a much more sophisticated design and capable of accelerating charged particles to speeds just shy of the speed of light. The principles upon which the Synchrotron design depends were discovered by American physicist Ernest Courant and his Greek counterpart Nicholas Christofilos independently.

Synchrotrons are comprised of three basic parts, these being the Storage Ring, the Light Source and the Collider, and now form the basis of the most powerful accelerators that exist. They work primarily by using a toroidal polygonal ring within which charged

particles are accelerated and focused using a series of superconducting electromagnets. Within these rings the charged particles can be moved in opposite directions simultaneously, something that neither a Linear or Cyclotron accelerators could achieve. The Super Proton Synchrotron at CERN in Switzerland is the largest (with a 2 km diameter) and probably the most famous of these having been used in the discovery of the Higgs particle which is believed to be responsible for giving matter its mass. Unfortunately, the complex designs which have eye-watering price tags associated with them are often in the range of millions to even tens of billions of dollars. Understandably, this results in very restricted access and most researchers may wait years to conduct an experiment, if they can gain access at all.

eins’ Co st e rn

r

le E in

Despite their niche beginnings and their blue-sky science roots, particle accelerators are used in many varied and practical applications today. These vary from their use in the manufacture of more efficient semiconductors by inserting ions within their structures; the production of radioisotopes for medical applications; their use in analysing protein and DNA structures leading to more effective drug development

(for the treatment of cancer and AIDS amongst other conditions); their direct use in treating specific types of cancers; in applications such as the cleaning of contaminated air and sewage water, and even in the fabrication of better shrink-wrap materials for the preservation of foods and the manufacture of tougher plastics.

Such accelerators are designed to more modest specifications and budgets, yet they often remain unaffordable for many prospective users.

More recently, however, researchers at Stanford University in the US have been able to take the accelerator design in a totally different direction.

Instead of following the historical trend of designing accelerators which are ever bigger they have miniaturised the design by placing it on an integrated chip (IC). This Linear accelerator has a 30μm-long (thirty millionths of a meter) channel in comparison to the university’s two 2-mile-long giant particle accelerators. However, despite its microscopic size it is expected that these accelerators-on-a-chip will soon bring the technology to every physics laboratory and industrial facility at an affordable level, with gamechanging implications in applications such as materials science, drug design and medical instrumentation.

Faster… and faster… doesn’t seem to mean bigger… and bigger… anymore.

Bendy Water

Litt

Electricity is used to make many everyday things work, but what is it? It is made up of very small particles called electrons which move together and flow, a bit like water does. This is known as an Electric Current. Sometimes these electrons can be collected and can be made to pull or push other things. For this experiment you will need a balloon, a woolly jumper or glove, and a cold water tap.

1. First blow up the balloon and tie a knot in it.

2. Turn on the tap so that a small trickle of water flows.

3. Bring the balloon up close to the flowing water and see if anything happens.

4. Next rub the balloon with your jumper or glove, and repeat step number 3. This time the water is bent. Rubbing the balloon with the wool has added electrons to it and now these are pulling the water towards it.

BOOKS

Ex Libris

Sarah Vaughan’s latest novel, Little Disasters, is a domestic psychological drama exploring the complexity of motherhood and friendship. Her previous novel, Anatomy of a Scandal, which became an instant bestseller, focused on a political scandal at Westminster involving sexual abuse and harassment (reviewed in OVL April/ May 2018).

The story opens when Liz Trenchard, a senior registrar in paediatrics at a London hospital, is called to A & E one evening to examine a 10-month-old baby who has a fractured skull. Liz discovers that the mother of the child, Betsey, is her friend, Jess Curtis, who she first met at antenatal classes 10 years earlier when the women were expecting their first babies. They have lately drifted apart as Liz has a demanding job and Jess is a busy full-time mother of three children and also supports her husband in his high-pressured job. Liz has always considered Jess to be an excellent mother but Jess is evasive about the circumstances of the injury and Liz is in the difficult position of knowing that she must inform the police and social services.

Other characters in the story are the women in Liz and Jess’s friendship group, their children and the husbands. It is told from a number of points of view and the author skilfully builds tension until the very end. Vaughan is a brilliant writer and her exploration of very recognisable fears and anxieties associated with being a parent, together with both love and guilt, is an emotional read.

Reviewed by Roz Masters

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

FILM & TV

Review Tenet *** In cinemas now

Directed and written

by Christopher Nolan, Tenet was made to be watched on the big screen. If you’re considering your first trip back to the cinema post-lockdown, I highly Freya Wille recommend donning your face mask and braving it for this one; the immersive nature of this film cannot be captured anywhere else.

Thrown straight in at the deep end, we quickly meet our protagonist, aptly named The Protagonist (John Washington), in the middle of a covert operation in a Kiev opera house. As the film progresses, we learn about a threat to mankind which is so terrible it’s frequently described as ‘World War Three’.

Enlisted to prevent this catastrophe, The Protagonist is partnered up alongside Neil (Robert Pattinson) and he begins to learn about the world of the inverted: a way to travel back through time.

Tenet’s complex storyline provides

Nolan with the opportunity to create a mesmerising cinematic masterpiece, and he does not fail. Watching expertly choreographed action sequences and then watching them all again backwards is a strange take on the classic action movie but one that works with the storyline. The stunning music score paired with the strange and intriguing sounds of a world running in reverse creates a mindblowing cinematic experience.

Despite the intriguing storyline and beautiful execution, there is an underlying feeling that something is missing. With a backstory not provided we don’t really get to know our characters or who they are outside of their current reality; even the main character’s lack of an actual name leaves a sense of detachment between audience and film.

That said, Tenet’s fast-paced, mysterious nature means that there’s almost no time to consider the hows and whys and instead you’ll find yourself running along with all that is thrown at you. @OVLMagazine #Tenet

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

55

HOROSCOPES

IN THE STARS with Howard Parker, the Astro-guide In these times of crisis, 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 text or WhatsApp me on 07866 727743 or email me at howpark@aol.com for more information.

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/

Libra

sep24-oct23 The full moon on 2 October may find you desperate to rebalance your life and Mars will soon provide you with some energy to help you along the way but the changing scene around you will soon force you to re-examine whether this is really getting you anywhere.

Then you get another chance at the next new moon in mid-October before we all dive into Scorpio and unsettling intensity reigns for most of November.

Scorpio

oct24-nov22 You begin this period feeling as if you are dithering on the sidelines with not a lot of real direction. Until November, that is, when you reveal your capacity to plunge deep into the darkest places and emerge, not exactly unscathed, but at least a survivor! Nobody is going to be left unchanged this autumn but you can live with all that and you know you have the strength to withstand all that life can throw at you.

Sagittarius

nov23-dec22 You don’t like to feel tied down and love your sense of freedom but often you aren’t all that sure what you actually want to do with it. Well, I think you are about to find some strong clues this autumn especially as the transformative intensity of November will be forcing a major review of your life direction. Things you may have avoided will undoubtedly be coming to the surface and this time they must be confronted.

Capricorn

dec23-jan20 You may be forced to ask yourself whether your direction of travel is the right one in October and your goals may start to shift significantly. There won’t be much clarity about this until mid November when the intensity of this month may provide some real definition to the process. You can be sure that, unless there is some sort of major transformation involved, you haven’t fully grasped the significance of what is happening.

Aquarius

jan21-feb19 Not yet, Aquarius! The revolution is delayed! This autumn is not the time for you as it is the natural decline of the year anyway, the time when the earth absorbs energy back into the ground for the winter. Patience, calm, tranquility, knowing that everything has its season, is the approach to take for these two months. Some gardening, such as digging manure into the veg patch (if you have one) to provide future nutrients, is good symbolism for the moment!

Pisces

feb20-mar20 You might feel a bit ‘all over the place’ in October, which is pretty unsurprising in view of current developments but it may not upset you as much as some people because of your ability to float above some of this. The Scorpio influence in November is highly intense so you are possibly being invited to deepen a spiritual practice to gain awareness and perspective. Beware of conspiracy theories. Ironically, they are not what they seem!

56

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Aries

mar21-apr20 Your anger is going to get you into serious trouble unless you recognise it as a problem.

Continuing with your headstrong relentless forward motion will only invite contact with a very hard brick wall unless you learn new ways of relating to the outside world. Action is not the way to change things now and it needs to be replaced with a true sense of your connection with people around you. Generosity and giving from the heart is where you need to be focussed.

Taurus

apr21-may21 The Taurus bull traditionally ploughs its field in the autumn and, particularly in November, it’s important to replenish the soil in preparation for next year. What that symbolism means for you individually, you will need to discover for yourself but you should adopt the general approach that you are laying early fertile foundations for the big changes ahead in 2021.

Gemini

may22-jun21

You could be getting yourself into a lot of trouble these days if you don’t pay attention to how you are being perceived. Forget the jokes and flirtations, nobody is amused anymore. It is time to forgo the cheap laugh, the bit of fun, the off-the-cuff remark. Life is a serious business and many people are suffering now, particularly as November digs in towards the winter. You can easily be well out of your depth, Gemini, and it shows.

Cancer

jun22-jul23 There is a danger that Cancerians will feel well ‘out of the loop’ this autumn. Your sensitive nature may make you feel the world is a cold and uncaring place these days with so many harsh aspects to it that you feel unequal to the task of dealing with it all.

This is at its worst mid-October but may, paradoxically, feel a bit better when deeper emotional issues come to the fore in November.

Leo

jul24-aug23

There aren’t many places for Leos to shine during this autumn. The summer is long gone and you must accept that your moment has passed for this year. The wise Leo will take a rest, recharge batteries and batten down the hatches to save energy.

Everything has its opposite and for you it means a period out of the limelight, working in the background to replenish stocks and survive the winter.

Virgo

aug24-sep23 I hope that you will have put your world into some kind of order last month while the sun shone on you. The jam and chutney-making season should keep you busy though as the transition into autumn deepens. You may feel uncomfortable as November brings up some deep-lying issues that you would rather ignore with your busy-ness but they are probably things that have been lurking for a while. Don’t allow resentment to fester.

Flavour of the Times This will be a period when we start to receive more information about future directions. The outer planets of our solar system (from Jupiter outwards) are starting to resume forward motion this autumn so we should try to be alert to the hints that show up about the shapes of things to come. Jupiter is providing some acceleration and expansion but Saturn is putting on the brakes and applying restrictions. That in itself is getting interesting even without considering the transformative impact of Pluto in the mix! Anger and frustration is also likely to be rife as people feel the incremental strain of all this.

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

57

CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED CLOCK & WATCH REPAIRS

Clock Repairs • Clock Sales Call Michael:

01234 217104 Associate member of the British Horological institute for 25 years

www.bedfordclocks.co.uk OLD CLOCKS WANTED FOR PARTS HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Clock-wise Specialist Clock & Watch Restoration and Repairs

112a Castle Road Bedford MK40 3QY

01234 358486 clock-wise.co.uk

Operating from the same premises since 1976

GARDEN SERVICES

Heritage Drives

• Drives • Patios • Tarmac • Gravel • Block paving • Fencing • Decking

WE CAN’T ALL LIVE IN A PALACE BUT I CAN WORK TO MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK LIKE ONE!

Fully insured Free quotation The Sign of a Quality Decorator

01234 363243 or 07788 438135

Telephone: 01234 782826 Mobile: 07760 431038 Email: rjwiz@btinternet.com www.rjdecorating.co.uk PROPERTY

Commercial Property To Let

K H Garden Services

• All garden maintenance undertaken • Grass cutting, hedge cutting etc • Regular maintenance and contract work • Reliable, professional, friendly service • Locally based company - Fully insured

Contact: 07708 594746 58

First class offices to let.

Central Bedford, well appointed, inclusive rent, flexible terms, may suit alternative uses.

Tel - 07706 669223 or 07971 657546

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

CHILDHOOD COMMUNICATION

CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • SPEECH THERAPISTS

Independent Speech and Language Therapist Jacqui Wright answers your questions about childhood communication Dear Jacqui My son is 3 years old and has difficulties speaking clearly or saying many words. Is this normal, and will he outgrow it?

I would want to ascertain why your son is having difficulties speaking clearly. His vocabulary and language appear delayed as well.

TUITION

• Has he had a hearing test?

• Has he had frequent colds or ear infections?

• Has he had any eating or drinking difficulties i.e. difficulty chewing meat?

• Is he a clumsy child?

• How much does he understand?

• Is he pointing or using gestures to help make himself understood?

• Is he getting frustrated with his difficulty communicating?

• Is he mumbling or are there particular sounds that he says or does not say?

• Is he paying attention to you when you speak to him?

Available 7 days a week 4 hour rental also available

The answers to these questions will help clarify what underlying factors are at work. I recommend that your child is seen by a speech and language therapist for an assessment as these early years for development are crucial for later literacy and academic success. I would not recommend taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. I treat children who are 2 or 3 years old who are having specific problems through play therapy and a parent directed approach. They often make good progress.

Occasionally a child may ‘outgrow’ a problem if it is developmental in nature, however it is better to find out by seeing a specialist. Early intervention is better than leaving it until the school years.

Jacqui Wright

www.childhoodcommunication.co.uk info@childhoodcommunication.co.uk

rentxpress.co.uk 01234 339008

01234 782 365 / 07956 685581 FB: 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

PUZZLE CORNER

1

9 8 3 6 7

2

2

9

1 7

5

8 6

3

1 5 4

5

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits from 1 to 9, with no repetition!

2 9

You can find the Sudoku solution at: www.ousevalleyliving.com

1 6

We’re in your corner John@Jelaw.co.uk 07776 158552 www.jelaw.co.uk

Sudoku

4

ovlmagazine

5

@OVLMagazine OVL Magazine

Crossword 6

7

8

9 11 12 15 17

18

19 23

25 28

SOLUTION

C

T A N

A

U R G E

A

T R O D

S E R K

L A E

I

I

R

S

I

E

B R A E

L T

U

H

L A C T

R

M E A T I

U

I

R

N

B

O B S T

N

O U S

B R

N

S N E A K E R K E T T L E E N L

N A T E

E I

D

S T

S

32

Clues Down 2. Mug (6) 3. Muddy (6) 4. Rain cloud (6) 5. Wood (4) 6. Alliance (7) 7. Food regime (4) 8. Litter for the injured (9) 13. National leader (9) 14. Dappled horse (4) 15. Vocalises (5) 18. Skulk (4) 19. Cattle thief (7) 22. Extra performance (6) 23. Yellow fruit (6) 24. Charge with air (6) 27. Famous hotel (4) 28. Beget (4)

S

31

30

T

29

A F A R

27

R E L E G A T E D

26

24

E

22

S T R U T S

21

N

20

R

16

L O

14

I

13

L

10

I

5

M

4

Z

3

A N T H E R

2

N

1

Clues Across 1. Stubborn (9) 9. Join the military (6) 10. Den (4) 11. Animal flesh (4) 12. Water boiler (6) 13. Grave (7) 16. Stepped (4) 17. River mud (4) 18. Transparent resin (3) 20. Light brown (3) 21. Exhort (4) 23. Scottish hillside (4) 25. Soft-soled shoe (7) 26. Prances (6) 29. Inflatable mattress (4) 30. Distant (4) 31. Flower part (6) 32. Demoted (9)

Visit OVL Magazine online at www.ousevalleyliving.com

61

Sharnbrook House Care Home is set in the picturesque village of Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire and we specialise in high-quality residential care.

The team at Sharnbrook House are exceptional and wholly committed to providing the very best care. They are loving, caring, compassionate and have all been selected because they genuinely care and treat our residents with the respect and dignity that they deserve.

Please call us on 01234 781294 to arrange a Virtual Viewing of Sharnbrook House to ensure you know it is the right home for you and your loved one.

Or e-mail sharnbrook@greensleeves.org.uk for any other information or to request a brochure.

Sharnbrook House, High Street, Sharnbook, Bedfordshire MK44 1PB Greensleeves Homes Trust is a registered charity in England & Wales No 1060478

www.greensleeves.org.uk

62

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

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!

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH

WIN £100 TO SPEND IN STORE OR ONLINE Register at www.johnmedhurst.co.uk to be entered into our free prize draw

johnmedhurstltd

10 Mill Street, Bedford 01234 351458

@JohnMedhurstLtd