The Vine Dunstable - December / January 2016 - Issue 68

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News / What’s On / Local Directory

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Connecting local people to local businesses

Christmas Fun Special A Guide To

Family Days Out Save Money This Christmas!

An Essential Guide

By Martin Lewis

Inside This Issue

WIN Tickets!

Back To Bacharach at MK - Stables Proud To Be Highly Commended CUSTOMER CARE EXCELLENCE AWARD

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596007 Issue 68 • December / ...cosy Januaryand 2016quiet 3 16/11/2015 12:23:52

it comes to the colder end of the year, it can be much harder to find some days out ays of enjoying the holidays as a family. Especially when the colder weather makes it o want to leave the house! However, there are several UK based Winter Wonderlands and to tempt you away from the snug indoors!

and UK

Inside This Issue

Winter Wonderland Health Beauty & Wellb 16

56 Christmas Days Out

& Lash

t’s Party IBrows Time!

Tickets to

Back To Bacharach

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A visit to Hyde ays Christmas quite like Lapland, Style Guide Park between unders of Lapland UK list their the 20th s “making your real world magical November and agical world real.” Based in Our guide to 3rd January Mike and Alison Battle created family fun over between 10amm land for children in 2006 as the festive 10pm every to being disappointed with period. day (except At Milton Keynes Stables ercial takeover of Christmas, I was born with my dad’s eyeb Christmas s spirit mainly being found in DRESS TODay) IMPRESSwill THIS PART Y SEAS lead you ON to, as the name suggests,thick, shapeless and unsightly, ey therefore set up a UK home a Winter Wonderland!

Included on the sitetwo caterpillars stuck to my for Christmas. Described best as are an ice rink, circus shows, Bar Ice, Santa New Releases ve theatrical experience, tours 12 twelve I followed the fashion o Land, the Giant Wheel, Christmas Markets, ery 30 minutes and lastYoung, three and Cllr.

Nigel Including fun fair rides and daily free live music. Withplucked away until they were w urs. During this children talkstime about the can Star Wars something on for every member of the family, ting, visit Father Christmas, see totally disappearing - and I wa regeneration plans it’s a great place to please children and adults and the latest from at work, see reindeer and huskies, Eddie Redmayne & fainting! Today, my eyebrows a for Dunstable 48each of all ages. Tickets can be purchased for look inside the North Pole post Chris Hemsworth attraction and need to be obtained in advance, and unsightly and I’m resigned much more! Open from 21st with family tickets starting from around that way forever. Or rather I wa r through till Christmas Eve, it’s £20.00 and adult prices averaging between ence your The best time n’t forget Internet searches assure£7-£10. me that no matter how to visit With your brows looki is midweek onalised over-plucked, over-waxed or over-where you’ll find a it’s time to move o slightly slower and less chaotic s and an elf groomed your eyebrows may be, There are nume pace and with so much or every there is hope still for beautiful, around prom 6 fill Local News on offer, you’ll easily the day! ket prices Got it covered? arched, perfectly coiffed speciand thicknes (www.hydepark 8 Hadrian Academy 45, and in mens. The most extreme method for some of t winterwonderland.com) land UK might be an eyebrow transplant 10 A5- Woodside Link Road ing! My dau ing the (yes really!), but there are other less long lashes w 18 Martin Lewis ays of Editor: Scott Nightingale drastic options!

Marks & Spencer Per Una Ankle Grazer Trousers £45.00

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Advertising & Editorial: 22 Consumer Clinic new mascara. But w ristmasShelly treat!Nesbitt Most of us ladies – and the odd gent too – Pensioners View Tel: 01525 222379 / 07852need 453043 anduk.co.uk) to lose a few hairs from the brow26 line.AThe Tinting is an option if your l Email: info@thevinemagazine.co.uk easiest solution is tweezing away the stray 30 hairs Christmas Spirit

yourself, but the results are short-lived and the risk of

larly fair, and it’s not just for

the difference it made to my Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the 36 Puzzles creating the wrong shape is high. Better results can be his lashes were darkened. C content of advertising and articles published in achieved by a professional, with waxing 38and A threadTravellersstraight Tale lashes appear longe this magazine are accurate, neither the publisher ingaccept methods or its editorial contributors can and achieving hair removal lasting around illusion of wider, brighter, m 40 Is Your Pet Overweight? hereby disclaim any liability to anyweeks. party to loss 4-6 Lash-perming, which is best or damage caused by errors. Neither do they 42 Ask The Vet professional, can make the r reflect the opinion of this publication.

The Vine Fair or very thin eyebrows may benefit44 from being six weeks, which is great for Auto Biographies does not officially endorse any advertising tinted. Like hair dye, this changes the colour and lasts have any big events lined up material included within this publication.

58 Out & About weeks.

No part of this publication may 4-6 be reproduced without prior permission.

Finally,Copy howdeadline about having e

for next issue: A popular look at the moment is HD (High Definition) sions? This is one of the UK January 18th Brows which focus on shape and design and promise beauty treatments and invol to give you sleek, stylish brows like those enjoyed by 2016 to indivi synthetic eyelashes the stars. A seven step process that includes a consulto give a luscious, natural lo tation followed by tinting, waxing,Issue threading, tweez68 • December/January curl, 2016 length or thickness can ing, trimming and finishing with a pencil or brush to your personal preference an www.thevinemagazine.co.uk fill in any gaps, is described as more than just shaping for 8-12 weeks depending o

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016

5

local NEWS

THANK

TohuiCnakn Y Cook?

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Do you have a Cooking Partner in Crime?

Channel 4’s hit show Come Dine with Me is coming to

LUTON,Come MILTONDine KEYNES, BEDFORD the surrounding With Me isand coming to areas

Luton, Keynes, Bedford and we’reMilton looking for COUPLES to take part! and the surrounding areas and Do you and your partner host the best dinner parties in this time they're town?

Come Dine With Melooking are lookingfor for the perfect That’s a huge thank you to everyone who nominated and partnership to create the recipe for success!

COUPLES!

voted for us in the Dunstable and Houghton Regis If you’re over 18 & have the combined skills to produce an amazing dinner party…

Business and Community awards. We were overwhelmed The thirdWe series successful wantoftothe hear from you! show

takes place over three days with three

to receive a Highly Commended award in the Customer

Three couples. Three nights. Three dinner parties. Care Excellence category. couples from walkscash of lifeprize. taking And aall£1,000

turns to host the perfect dinner party.

Organisers Katie Horn and Vicki Stonham, of Your Marketing

If you or any couples you know would like to take part Needs, along with a committee, put on a fantastic evening At the end of thenames, week the contact us with your ageswinning & numbers NOW! at Dunstable Conference centre, High Street North, and a th January 2016 Filming dates 25 couple walk away with £1,000!

Email: comedinewithme@shiver.tv If you're a fun-loving couple with a passion forTel: food they157 want to hear from 0207 3751 you now!

You must be over 18 and not trained or working as a professional chef.

The shoot will take place in the week beginning 25th January so you must be available during this week.

For more information email: comedinewithme@shiver.tv call 0871 200 3939 www.channel4.com/programmes/ take-part and click on 'Come Dine With Me'

(Callers from a BT landline will be charged a set up fee of 14p per call plus 10p per minute.

Calls from other networks may be higher and from mobiles will cost considerably more.)

great time was had by all who attended.

Now in it’s 4th year, the awards are great opportunity to celebrate and promote local businesses and community spirit. Categories included Business of the year, won by Home Instead Luton and Central Bedfordshire, and the Mayor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement which was won

by Pam Burgess who has worked tirelessly, volunteering and working in the community for more than 25 years.

Congratulations to all the other well deserving nominees and winners who have worked hard to make Dunstable.

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Hadrian Academy Turns Hadrian Academy had a fantastic celebration to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of their opening. Everyone enjoyed a wide variety of things and there was great excitement to see the huge marquee on the field.

Visitors browsed photo albums and displays of Hadrian through the five decades and many brought artefacts to share. They really enjoyed finding themselves in past photos. Alison Parry, an ex pupil, wrote “It was a real trip down memory lane and so wonderful to see how the school has developed.”

The school showcased lessons and achievements today, to visitors who were proudly shown around the school by both Governors and pupils. Everyone then assembled in the marquee to listen to the renowned choir sing.

People remarked on the concentration of the pupils and their obvious enjoyment and pride in their singing.

Margaret Brown, a teacher at the school in the sixties, wrote, “Congratulations to the children and an obviously dedicated choir leader.” After the choir the many visitors heard speeches from distinguished guests and the cake

8

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was cut. Everyone shared cake and drinks.

Pupils were excited to take home a beautifully etched glass as a piece of memorabilia, and a tasty, beautifully iced cupcake, for immediate pleasure, before returning for the evening events.

The evening was a time for past and present pupils, friends, families and staff to mingle and share.

They pored over the photos and chatted happily as they reminisced. The evening was helped along with a steel band making a great sound, and a wonderful family disco which caused a lot of laughter and new skills were discovered - now everyone there knows that Hadrian has a TA who can hula hoop for five minutes without stopping! This was followed by the hastily put together band, Random Selection, who entertained with a variety of songs including Disney and Musical Theatre. The band sounded great and the most popular song was Let It Go, which everyone joined in with gusto.

Hadrian would like to thank all the people who attended and helped to make this such a memorable and fun celebration. They are now putting together a Time Capsule to be buried and opened again in another 50 years, so that people in the future can learn about Hadrian today.

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016

9

A5 Woodside Link Road

Set to Relieve congestion

By Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Regeneration, Central Bedfordshire Council

When hundreds of local residents visited recent exhibitions to find out more about the Woodside Link and A5-M1 Link roads, one question was frequently on people’s lips: “How do you know these roads will reduce congestion in our town centres?”

Residents needed to hear about Central Bedfordshire Council’s plans to introduce a series of vehicle weight restrictions – which will force HGVs to use the new Woodside Link and A5-M1 Link. Congestion in Dunstable and Houghton Regis town centres will reduce, and villages from Toddington to Kensworth will be free of lorries treating their roads as a short cut. Pollution will also decrease to more reasonable levels.

A map was drawn up to see where best to place 7.5-tonne vehicle weight restrictions, a simplified version of the original appearing alongside this article.

Circular red signs banning lorries will become a familiar sight at many roundabouts and junctions. Heavy vehicles will not be able to enter Poynters Road or Park Road North and will instead take the Woodside Link to

10 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

the new junction 11a. Luton Road (Chalton), Sundon Road, Houghton Road (Dunstable) and Brewers Hill Road are also to benefit from the restrictions, once the necessary procedures, including a consultation, have been worked through. We should be seeing the signs in place by the end of 2016.

Some readers may already have seen details of our plans to detrunk the A5 through Dunstable. That is part of the same plan to relieve Dunstable of congestion. Lorries will take the A5-M1 Link, then the Woodside Link, to access the industrial estates in a matter of minutes.

A traffic study in 2013 predicted that the Woodside Link would take ‘a considerable volume of traffic away from Houghton Regis Town Centre’, and the A5-M1 Link and weight restrictions will help create a similar effect in Dunstable. Residents and businesses will soon be seeing the benefits of all the work that has gone into making these two towns great places to live and work.

If you have a question about any of this, email me at nigel.young@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

Issue 68 • December / January 2016 11

Revitalising Dunstable The Christmas spirit is now in full effect, which can mean good news for our shops – and Dunstable is no different.

I have often heard people say that the town is on the decline, but nothing could be further from the truth.

There has been huge investment to help reinvigorate the town and, on the way, are the A5-M1 and Woodside link roads, which will help bring more people into Dunstable shops.

Already the signs are looking good. High Street North is thriving, while at the White Lion Retail Park, Next, Brantano and Sports Direct are set to move in shortly and talks are ongoing with M&S. And, over on Luton Road, there will be a Lidl, plus 100 new houses built behind it.

All across Dunstable there are fewer and fewer shops to rent, so these are good signs of a town that is increasing in popularity and prosperity.

While we are attracting larger retailers to Dunstable, we need to accept that we will never compete with the likes of Milton Keynes – nor should we try to compete with them. People will go to MK to browse around House of Fraser, but will stay in Dunstable for convenience, local knowledge and local service. It is these homegrown touches that they will never find in the vastness of centre:mk.

The key to our future success is accepting that we need both types of retail offer but focusing on revitalising Dunstable as a traditional market town that can be a true alternative to other retail locations.

That’s not to say that we don’t need to continue to improve and strengthen our retail offer. We have recently announced a Market Towns Regeneration Fund that could be a catalyst for further improvements.

We are also open to working with the owners of the

12 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

privately-run Quadrant Shopping Centre – who have ultimate control about how it looks and the shops that fill it – but while we will seek to influence the bigger picture we can’t influence the detail such as dictating what shopkeepers do or what they sell.

Ultimately that gets down to pure business in the sense that people will set up shop selling whatever if they think there’s a market for. In that sense, the nature of the shops on the High Street is purely influenced by local retail habits.

Instead, we need to celebrate what we’ve got, build on our strengths and seize opportunities rather than wasting energy pursuing unrealistic ambitions. Already, more than half of town centre shops are places where real expertise exists. These are chemists, greengrocers, butchers, bakers, coffee shops and even tattoo shops, among many other retailers that specialise in one particular area. These are small businesses that should be the centre points of their community as they have a more personal relationship with their customers and that can only be a good thing.

Over the next few editions I will explain why, but for now I do hope you embrace these retailers when doing your festive shopping and that you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

By Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Regeneration at Central Bedfordshire Council

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 13

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 15

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RESTORATION SERVICE Before

Back To Bacharach At MILTON KEYNES – Stables Sunday 31st January

BACK TO BACHARACH celebrates the magical music of Burt Bacharach, one of the most accomplished popular composers of the 20th Century, who together with Hal David penned some of the most memorable and iconic hits that stand the test of time.

This exciting production is touring throughout the U.K. from September 2015 and is performed by 3 of the finest west end singers accompanied by a live 10 piece band recreating Burt Bacharach's timeless hits.

Songs featured in the show include Alfie, Anyone Who Had A Heart, Arthur's Theme, Always Something There To Remind Me, Close To You, I Say A Little Prayer For You, Magic Moments, Walk On By, What’s New Pussycat?, 24 Hours from Tulsa, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head and many more.

Songs everyone will remember and fall in love with again.

Back To Bacharach is a fantastic show for all ages, friends and family!

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We are proud to announce that Back to Bacharach have partnered with Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s leading breast cancer charity. Breast Cancer Now supports world class breast cancer research across the UK and Ireland and believes that if we all act now, by 2050, breast cancer will have taken its last life. That’s why Back to Bacharach are pleased to be supporting this worthy charity by donating £1 from each theatre ticket sold, and committing to raise a minimum of £10,000 by doing so.

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 17

Money Matters By Martin Lewis

Christmas Bah humbug. Christmas (and Chanukah and Eid) is coming, and millions will celebrate it as a retail festival. Call me Scrooge – and many do – but I’d love to ban the giving of unnecessary presents and I’ve been campaigning on it for years.

I’m not talking about gifts for your partner and kids under the tree, but that ever growing list of teachers, extended family, work colleagues and more for whom buying feels like a chore rather than a boon. We end up with tit-for-tat giving, and the end result is by definition tat – that few want, need or use.

Now you may say to me what about the joy of giving? But there’s a cost to that too. While it may feel generous to give to someone – you are effectively obligating them to buy you back.

This can misprioritise their finances. After all, if you give them a £10 bobble hat and they give you a £10 novelty pair of socks in return, the net result is they’ve spent £10 on a hat they neither wanted nor needed – which may’ve been better spent on feeding the kids.

So why not set up a pre-NUPP (pre Christmas No Unnecessaary Present Pact) to say I won’t buy for you and you don’t buy for me – or at least limit the cost. Right that’s it, I shall step off my soap box at this point (if you want more of my Scrooge rantings read www.mse.me/banchristmas).

If you do need to buy (or will do it regardless), here are top tips to at least keep costs down:

Buy stocking fillers For Free Amazon delivery.

The giant e-retailer used to give free delivery on its goods (not its third party Marketplace sellers) if you spent £10, but in May it increased that to £20. Delivery costs anything from £1.50 to £6, but a new tool (developed by a clever chap called Adam who used to work for me), SuperSaverDelivery.co.uk scours Amazon for filler items.

18 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

@moneysavingexpert

For example, a £19.73 hairdryer comes with a £6.01 delivery charge so £25.74 total. But the tool shows how you can add a 29p keyring gets you over the £20 free delivery threshold, so you’d only pay £20.02, saving £5.72 and a keyring into the bargain.

Don’t spend Tesco points on Christmas lunch.

If you’re a Tesco shopper, don’t spend vouchers on a festive grocery shop– you can get far better value using them on gifts (for others or yourself!).

Until Sun 27 Dec, you can swap every £5 of Clubcard vouchers for £10 in various categories at Tesco, and most things in its Tesco Direct catalogue (its equivalent of Argos), eg, Xbox One with Kinect £175 in vouchers (usually £350) and a Barbie Glitter Hair Doll for £10 in vouchers (usually £20). Go to www.tesco.com/boost Before that though, check if you can quadruple rewards.

Redeem vouchers via Tesco Clubcard partners and you can get 3x or 4x points’ value, eg, £10 voucher becomes £40 at Café Rouge, £30 at Goldsmiths jewellers and more.

Give time not money – give gift cheques.

Whether it’s a promise to babysit for pals on demand, lets your kids have a sleepover, or give your special someone a back-rub (nudge-nudge, wink wink) – these money can’t buy gifts are fanatastic, and often mean more.

To help I got my designers to make some gift cheques you can print for free, to make your promise at www.mse.me/ xmascheques

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Home: 01582 263736 Mobile: 07795 415440 Issue 68 • December / January 2016 19

Money Matters By Martin Lewis

Christmas

Find hidden eBay bargains with sneaky tools.

children via GoodGifts.org.

Shopping on eBay? Most people just bid, but there’s a range of hidden tools to help you track down uberbargains.

And a final Scrooge thought – while there’s still time (sorry I can’t help it). Most people manage their Christmas the wrong way round – trying to work out what’d make the perfect Christmas with a lust list of items, gifts for all, decorations a tree and more. That tends to be a recipe for either debt or disappointment.

Instead, it’s far better (and I accept more boring, but still better) to ask “How much do I have to spend at Christmas?” And then work out what the best Christmas you can have on it is. And if the answer is you don’t have much, it’s time to go, cold turkey.

Wrongly-spelled products attract fewer bids because many people miss them. Type a product into fatfingers.co.uk or baycrazy.com and they trawl eBay for all possible spelling mistake combinations.

On a similar note, lastminute-auction.com searches hunts for eBay auctions due to finish within an hour, but which still cost £1 or less.

Whether Wiis or children’s books, eBay sellers often specify items must be collected in person. As this means fewer bids, there are bargains to be had. Tell my Local eBay Deals Mapper at mse.me/localebay your postcode, how far you’re prepared to schlep, and it maps nearby gems.

Shop online and you can change your mind.

Buy goods in store and you can only take them back if they’re faulty. So buy the wrong size or colour, or just change your mind, and you’ve no legal rights. Some stores do have returns policies that allow it – though even these can be suspended in sales.

Yet buy goods online and you have 14 days to cancel for any reason, even if you just change your mind. You’ve then 14 days to send it back. So time it right and buy online, then if you spot a better deal or change your mind (as they haven’t bought for you), you can send it back. · Posh looking gifts for less at online outlets. Out of town outlet stores are famed for selling last year’s clothes at big reductions (though beware stock ‘‘made for outlets’’).

Yet these days the likes of Asos, French Connection and Net-a-Porter and more than 40 others have launched online versions – some even via ebay. For a full list mse. me/outlets

Don’t know what to give? Donate to charity.

Why not simply tell friends and family you’re stuck buying for that this year that you will instead give to charity in their name – then at least you know your money is actually doing something – and it’s far nearer the true Christmas spirit.

At Unicef.org.uk £12 vaccinates 100 developing world kids against polio, while £27.50 delivers a baby (provides midwifery equipment and medicines for a safe birth). Or a £5 donation pays for 50 bowls of rice to feed 50 hungry

20 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

WINTER WARNING! Do you know where your water cock is?

Everyone should know where their main water off-switch is, otherwise known as a stopcock. Frozen, burst pipes create an average of £4k of damage, worse if you can’t find the off switch as your home floods. So if you don’t know, spend five minutes now finding out – typically it’s under the kitchen sink, in the boiler cupboard, or outside

Free winter car check from Halfords.

Halfords.com is offering a free £15 winter car check, which includes checks to your battery, bulbs, wiper blades, oil and screenwash levels. You don’t need to book in advance, though you can online if you want, and the check should take about 15 minutes. There is no obligation to buy anything, but be prepared that staff might try to upsell you. The winter car check is on until spring next year.

Winter is a tough time for many as the cold sets in. But there are funds which may help…

Choosing between heating and eating?

If you’re seriously behind, or in general financial hardship, you may be eligible for special tariffs/help.

Try the HomeHeatHelpline.org.uk on 0800 33 66 99.

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 21

Consumer Clinic

Be A Careful Consumer Online This Christmas The internet has been with us since the mid 90s.

Whilst it has of course brought some fantastic benefits to our lives, it has also created some absolute headaches as well.

You can listen to The JVS Show every weekday morning from 9am on BBC Three Counties Radio

T

If you decide you’re going to Make sure you’re paying a he fact the entire world is buy Christmas presents from an sensible price. If a company is accessible in our homes is online auction site like ebay, it is selling an item at a ridiculously a wonderful thing, but it is worth familiarising yourself with low price compared to all other worth noting that there are lots their safety advice. You generally companies, there’s usually a of internet companies out there, have fewer rights when buying reason why. Often the items are particularly those in other coungoods in this way, particularly if fake. Over the years I’d dealt tries that can provide a less than they are second hand. Paying with my fair share of customers desirable service. So how can by paypal and ensuring that you you protect yourself against these who thought they were getting NEVER collect items in person a great deal with ‘Ugg boots’ or companies, particularly when will go some way to protecting ‘GHD hair straighteners’, only to making purchases for Christmas? yourself. Only buy from highly find they’ve bought fakes from a The most important thing you rated sellers, based in the UK. can do, is to of course avoid It is worth remembering buying items from dodgy internet companies in the first It is worth remembering that when that when you buy brand place. It sounds simple, you buy brand new items over the new items over the internet, you are protected by the but you’d be amazed how internet, you are protected by the distance selling regulations. many people still find some Because you haven’t had the weird company online that distance selling regulations. chance to see the item in the nobody’s ever heard of flesh, you have 7 days from and hand over hundreds of delivery to change your mind company abroad. pounds. They are then amazed and send it back for a full refund.

You should always pay for goods when they find themselves out Unless the company specifies by credit card but particularly of pocket without the goods their returns postage policy, then when buying over the internet. they’ve ordered. they are liable for the postage It is worth noting that you are Therefore, always make sure you too. Make sure you order things not protected by the consumer research the internet company online in plenty of time to allow credit act unless you’re paying you are planning to buy from. for this, after all, you don’t want over £100, but you’re still more Find out where they’re based, unhappy friends and relatives likely to get your money back look for a UK telephone number, whose presents are NOT under than debit card, cheque or bank check reviews and complaints the tree. transfer. I would go as far as about them so you know exactly to say you should NEVER buy who you’re dealing with. Ensure goods from a company that asks that their delivery timeframe will you to transfer money directly ensure your gifts will arrive in into their account. plenty of time for Christmas.

22 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 25

A Pensioners View

Austerity Measures

Freeze S.E.R.P?

By Mike Newman

There has been a lot of talk over the past few years that suggests that the pensioner is in a better position than those who are working for a living, this is not true and I think most people now realise that, but it still comes to light from time to time, usually due to another twist to proposed changes to the pension system by the present government.

W

hat one has to accept is that the present pensioner, due to a lifetime of work, we paid for our pension, we paid for the N.H.S. and if we were fortunate able to pay into an annuity and a company pension scheme. If your company did not have a pension system then you automatically went into the governments secondary pension - S.E.R.P.S as it is better known. The government controlled the amount you paid into the system, this was based on the portion taken from your personal tax. When you reached 65 then the pension you had bought became available to you and how the total was made up. Like all pensions, the more you paid in, the higher the pension, which was adjusted yearly to the cost of living - Yes, I well remember when the yearly raise was 75p - that mistake was never made again, or has it?

We have to look at how the pension annual allotment, prior to June 22nd 2010. The factor of adjustment to the pension was by Retail Price Index (R.P.I). On June 22nd 2010 that was changed to the Consumer Price Index (C.P.I), which since its inception has lowered the pension as there is always a difference between one and the other, with C.P.I being lower than R.P.I, should this ratio change,

then, no doubt, the lowest index will be used to fix the pension paid out. However, regardless of C.P.I or R.P.I the secondary pension (S.E.R.P.S) has been frozen at its present rate, certainly at the new pension allotment as from next April which will be plus ÂŁ2 and a few pence. The return on our many years of payment into the scheme, i.e. National Insurance Fund, leaves all pensioners short changed. I wonder what will happen in 2018 regarding the pension for those of us who are not on the new system? The government should surely recognize that we have the rights to a decent pension that keeps up with the cost of living. At the present time, unless you had one of the more higher paid salary's it is getting to the point that the pension does not meet the outgoings of millions who have to rely on tax credits and other means of keeping above poverty levels, which relies on a very complicated system of certain tax aids which are fast disappearing in these dark ages of austerity.

One last question we might ask. How long before the workhouse mentality returns? How long before those who need social care at the end of their lives are moved to barrack blocks with thirty to a ward, no privacy and emblazoned over the entrance portal 'Abandon Hope, All Ye who Enter Here"?

Have your say

{

Mike Newman is a member of The Dunstable And District Senior Citizens Club.

If you have a view on any of the issues raised why not attend one of their monthly meetings, held on the last Thursday of the month at St Marys Catholic Social Club, West St., Dunstable.

26 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 27

y t r a P It’s ! e m i T

Style Guide

M&Co; Boutique Sequin Shutter Dress £85.00

New Look Black and Gold Zig Zag Sequin Dress £29.

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28 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk 28

M&Co; Ombre Flapper Dress £89, Box Clutch £29, Bead Drop Bracelet £12

DRESS TO IMPRESS THIS PARTY SEASON

Very Sequin blue cami £27.00

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 29

Christmas Spirit Christmas is a time for giving.

Watching TV, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this means ‘giving lots of expensive stuff ’! From September, adverts are busy barking at us about the expensive perfumes, toys, gadgets and much more that are all ‘must haves’ for Christmas. However, the real spirit of the holiday season can be found outside of the supermarkets and retail industry.

More and more companies and organisations work hard all throughout the year to make sure that people on their own or in a situation less fortunate than others, are looked after at Christmas time. And trends over the last few years have shown that more and more of us are interested in getting involved.

Here are just a few ways we as individuals (without having to spend lots of money), can make a difference...

1

Check online for your nearest shelter who are always looking for volunteers to help serve Christmas dinner. Kitchen duties may not seem like a lot of fun but dishing out seasonal food to those who would otherwise not be able to afford a meal, or who don’t have anyone to share the holiday period with, will soon make you forget that you’re technically ‘doing work’ as you find yourself immersed in community.

In doing so you may realise how lucky you are and what a difference such a small gesture can make to others less fortunate.

2

We all get very busy throughout the year and it’s easy to lose touch with our own families and friends, let alone people we don’t know so well. But December is a great time to take stock and make that time. Book in a date to catch up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, go round to your Nan’s with some old photos and have a reminisce, knock on

30 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

your neighbours door and invite them round for a slice of cake. Connect with people and you soon realise that the commercialism of Christmas is valued far less than giving your real time and effort to the people and community around you.

3

Instead of popping to the shops for some more last minute presents or going online to search for other great deals; why not take the time to instead look through your own belongings and donate things you no longer use or need to charity shops or the local homeless shelter.

Look through your cupboards and see what can be donated to food banks. For you it can just mean a bit of a needed clear out, for those receiving your donations it can make a huge difference.

It is becoming more and more necessary for all of us to watch our money; but there is a big difference between ‘cost’ and ‘value’.

We could all do with reducing the ‘cost’ of Christmas time, but that doesn’t mean we can’t increase the true ‘value’ of the holiday season.

Issue 68 • December / January 2016 31

32 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Issue 68 • December / January 2016 33

34 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 35

Puzzles

Answers on page 62

Crossword

Across

Down

6. Exceedingly (7) 7. Begin (5) 9. Devoutness (5) 10. Advent (7) 12. Incitement (11) 14. Disbelief (11) 18. Clearness (7) 19. Amusing (5) 21. Grown-up (5) 22. Aid (7)

1. Characteristic (5) 2. Rope for holding animal (6) 3. Beer (3) 4. Severe (6) 5. Maker (7) 8. Dribble (7) 11. Greed (7) 13. Contain (7) 15. Seldom (6) 16. Three times (6) 17. Mock (5) 20. Colour (3)

Sudoku 数独 1 6 FRANK

3

2 9 7

2 4 3 7

8 2 9 3 8 5 4 6

9 2 6 SLINK

36 36

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6

3

7

Each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9 just once. This can be done by applying logic -you don’t have to guess!

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 37

A Travellers Tale

Greek Greek Theatre Theatre at at Taormina Taormina

Sicily An Island With A Totally Bewildering History

By Paul Heley

I

The Temple of Concordia

f you want to drive yourself mad, try to understand the complicated chain of occupiers, events, wars, associations, and resolutions to conflict which make up the history of Sicily. From the year “dot”, it seems that just about everyone from the Mediterranean area or continental Europe has had a slice of the action at some time or another. An approximate chronology shows that different parts of Sicily have been occupied and governed by :- the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, French, Habsburgs (Spanish, Austrian and Bourbon) before Garibaldi (the well known biscuit maker) unified Italy in 1860 and included Sicily.

It’s easy to understand why Sicily has been invaded so often: just look at a map and see where it is. Strategically positioned, it might be said that whoever holds Sicily holds the Mediterranean.

It goes without saying that Sicily is an archaeologist’s paradise and a few of the people on the trip had degrees in archaeology or classics (which made me feel very undressed).

I’m afraid I got hopelessly lost in the minutiae and the detail at times and have come to the conclusion that I’ll stick to the blood and guts of the Middle Ages instead. Archaeology is difficult - and even more controversial.

The tour began with our being transported to Syracuse - a rival to Athens in its heyday - and to the Neapolis Archaeological Park where I learnt the original meaning of the word “stadium”. Here, there was a long, flat, straight, slightly elevated, paved track which we were told was 188 metres, or one “stadium”, in length. This original Athenian distance has now grown to mean the place where such races are run

A Amosaic mosaic at at Villa Villa Romana Romana del del Casale Casale

instead. And at lunch that day, I further learnt that “zuppa” doesn’t mean soup (as I’d assumed) but steamed mussels!

Luckily, I like steamed mussels.

Next morning we were taken to Aci Castello, a ruined 11th century Norman castle built on a prominent lava headland.

It’s where I cursed my partial deafness because I thought the guide said there were nineteen steps to climb - that’s OK, I thought, I can manage that - but what she’d said was ninety. Not OK. Steps and I don’t like each other now that I’m ancient!

After Catania, it was across country to Palermo, the capital of Sicily and next day we went round the “Big Three”; namely the Palatine Chapel, the cathedral of Monreale, and the Norman cathedral. Although our guide waxed exceedingly lyrical over all manner of things, for me it was the sheer magnificence of the architecture - some of the interiors are absolutely mind blowing in their brilliance. In particular, the Byzantine glass mosaics on the walls in both the Palatine Chapel and the cathedral of Monreale are quite breath taking.

Palermo cathedral is also splendid in its own right but doesn’t have the spectacular impact of either the Palatine Chapel or Monreale. Built in 1184, it is essentially Norman and originally intended to rival Monreale: a battle which Monreale has clearly won. But there’s a side chapel in the cathedral dedicated to a recent Palermo judge assassinated by the mafia following some legislation he’d introduced.

Our guide told us something about the mafia and described them as “ghosts in the night”; that they’re never seen by “ordinary” people; and that they operate surrepticiously. I

must confess I never saw any suspicious looking gents in dark clothing, dark glasses, and carrying machine guns!

Sicily’s flag is similar to that of the Isle of Man: namely an image with three legs. But in Sicily’s case it represents the fact that Sicily is triangular in shape. So, next day, we travelled to the extreme north-western corner but, en route, did some more “archaeologising” and stopped at Segesta in order to visit the Greek temple. Once there, we were machine gunned with information from our guide and I, for one, felt punch drunk at the end. It seems that the indigenous, native Siculi had been Hellenized in the 6th century BC but then the site suffered wars with other city states seeking help from Athens and particularly from Carthage. Centuries later, it surrendered to the Romans and was then destroyed by the Vandals. Later still, it was occupied by both the Arabs and the Normans. What a history!

Back in the coach and off to Trapani on the north western point of Sicily. It’s a pretty place with interesting buildings, one of which is a real knock-out. The “Church of Holy Souls in Purgatory” - what a cheerful name! - has a display of life images depicting the Stations of the Cross. The figures are carved in wood and dressed in real clothes. They are amazingly realistic and look like they could talk.

But our education for the day wasn’t over and our journey to Agrigento on the south coast was punctuated with a visit to Selinunte. Here, there had been a most important Greek city and at least five temples had been built. The only one still standing is the Temple of Hera - the last built - and shows 6 X 15 columns (approx 25 X 70 metres) and is huge. It’s very impressive.

The next day was another crossing of the island with the ultimate destination being Taormina on the east coast north of Catania. But our leaders clearly thought that we needed more educational top-up and so we were taken to the “Valley of the Temples”. This meant a long walk past a line of eight Doric temples in varying states of decay. By far the best is the youngest, the Temple of Concordia, which shows 6 X 13 columns.

Back in the coach to be driven to the geographical centre of the island near Piazza Armerina. This area flourished in importance during the Roman period and our visit was to the Villa Romana del Casale, a luxurious villa famous for its mosaics (reputed to be the finest in the Roman world).

There are many rooms whose floors are decorated with mosaics of some form or another. For example:- basic geometric patterns (some with faces of gods interwoven in the design); others show figures in warlike scenes, agricultural scenes, nautical scenes; some show the herding of exotic animals such as lions, tigers and elephants. But some mosaics have, understandably, worn away but the general state of preservation is quite amazing: and when wiped over with water take on a new life and the colours released seem as

vivid today as when first laid down roughly 2000 years ago.

Having made a nice change from temples for both Val and I, we enjoyed the pleasant scenery during the rest of the journey to our hotel at Taormina. We were here for a couple of days and next morning were taken to the Greek Theatre which has superb views through the amphitheatre to the coastline and to Etna gently puffing away. It was quite an effort climbing through the tiers of seating to get to the top - but certainly worth it. Our guide spoke nineteen to the dozen but, basically, said that the arena was built by the Greeks in order to perform their plays but when the Romans replaced them around 200 BC, it was largely rebuilt so that their preferred gladiatorial and other bloody spectacles could be staged instead.

Next day was the climax to the whole trip - Etna. Our coach took us as far as it could - up to the Crateri Silvestri at about 6500 feet. Then it was decision time: whether to go via cablecar Summit of Etna to the next level only, or to go as far as is permitted by special ‘bus. Although altitude sickness doesn’t bother me, being out of puff certainly does now, so I just went the extra bit up to something like 8250 feet but Val decided to go all the way up to approximately 10000 feet.

At the top of the cablecar, it was totally lacking in colour nothing apart from black lava. It was also decidedly chilly and rather windy so a group of us spent most of the time in the little snack bar. Val said that at the higher level, it was extremely cold (30 C) and extremely windy but that she thoroughly enjoyed the experience of walking around the perimeter of one of Etna’s higher craters.

The stated height of Etna is just over 11000 feet so she was close to the top of the highest volcano in Europe. Well done, Val. So that was that. Trip over. Next day back to Catania airport for the flight home.

Opinions? Lots of conflicting memories. I can’t say that I was knocked out by Sicily; some of the coastal scenery is very nice and the interior is pleasant and quite pretty. But none of it is truly outstanding. However, if you’re only interested in sun and beaches, then Sicily’s your bag.

What’s more, the food, overall, was something of a disappointment. One hears so much about wonderful Italian cuisine that I’d anticipated some memorable meals. It didn’t happen.

But we hadn’t really come for the scenery, or the food, or the wine: we’d come for the history. And we certainly got loads of that (even though most of the guides spoke much too fast). We were shown many archaeological sites and taken to a number of interesting little towns, some with splendid churches and/or cathedrals and where we could simply wander about by ourselves.

In conclusion, I’m glad I’ve been. It was an interesting, and very different experience.

Pets

Is Your Pet O verweight?

Leading veterinary charity, PDSA, is advising owners to check their pet’s body shape to ensure they aren’t at risk of being overweight.

A third of dogs and a quarter of cats are overweight or obese. Overweight pets have an increased risk of serious illnesses, reduced quality of life, and shorter life expectancy.

Definitely not things most people would choose for their pets.

However, one of the key problems is that with so many larger than life pets around, many owners simply don’t realise that their four-legged-friend is overweight. Assessing your pet’s current shape and weight is the first step to giving your pet a healthy year ahead.

How to give your pet a body shape check PDSA Vet, Vicki Larkham-Jones, has provided some tips on how to check your pet’s body shape.

Next feel under your pet’s tummy – it should tuck in and not bulge out. Cats in particular tend to carry any additional weight in their abdomen, which can sag beneath them. For dogs, feel around the base of their tail; there should be no fatty bulge there.

For rabbits You should be able to feel, but not see, the ribs and other bones. There should be no bulges around the rump area, or around their neck.

If you spot any signs that your pet may be overweight then the next step is to consult your vet, who can weigh your pet and advise on the ideal weight range for your pet’s breed and age. If your pet does need to lose a few pounds, then your vet can provide guidance on safely managing their diet and activity levels. This is particularly important for cats and rabbits, as it can be life-threatening if they lose weight too quickly.

Many veterinary practices now offer free weight clinics to provide regular help and advice to owners whose pets are on a calorie-controlled diet.

For dogs and cats First stand back and look at your pet from the side, and then from above. You should be able to see a defined, tucked in waist (unless your pet has long hair).

The next step is to feel your pet’s shape. Start by running your hands over their sides. You should be able to easily feel the ribs beneath your fingers, but they shouldn’t be prominent and the skin should move easily over them.

Next run your hand along your pet’s back and over the hipbones; again you should be able to feel the bones quite easily under the skin, but without them feeling prominent.

For more pet care tips visit

www.pdsa.org.uk/ pethealth

40 40

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Call Rob on 01908 216151 or 07977 206403 Issue 68 • December / January 2016 41

Pets

’s N MabelAppled

Ask T h e Ve t My two cats are siblings, the male cat licks the female cat on the back of the neck and pulls her fur out. She doesn’t seem bothered but it can leave her sore. Any ideas why? Catherine.

This may be nothing serious, but if she does seem sore then I’d suggest getting her checked by a vet, in case there are any underlying skin problems. When a cat pulls its own fur out this can indicate stress; he may be pulling her fur out instead so have a chat with your vet about signs of stress and how to manage it in cats. Make sure you’re keeping up with flea treatments too, and remember to treat your soft furnishings as well as your cats!

My guinea pigs always make a ‘brr’ sound when we make loud noises, walk past them and when we scratch their backs. Why do they do this?

Terry.

When your guinea pigs make noises like this they are communicating to each other. It’s like their own little language and different sounds have different meanings. They may have learnt that making this sound gets them attention, so they are calling you to be stroked or fed. But as they make the sound when you make loud noises, it could also be a call that communicates

from Apple

Harling

With PDSA Vet Vicki Larkham-Jones danger. Small pets like guinea pigs can be very sensitive to loud noises and vibrations from people walking past, so make sure their home and exercise area isn’t in a place that is too noisy or busy. They should have access to tubes and shelters where they can quickly run to if they are nervous or scared.

I’ve recently got two young budgies, but how do you tell if they are male or female?

Alison.

Budgies are very sociable animals and need the company of other budgies to keep them happy and prevent boredom, so it’s great that you got a pair. It is best to keep birds of the same sex together, otherwise they can breed and it can be difficult to find homes for the young. At about four months of age the cere (the fleshy lump at the top of the beak) becomes coloured.

In male budgies it is usually blue, and in females it is brown.

Ask The Vet If you have a pet question you’d like to ask Vicki, email askthevet@pdsa.org.uk

Hello again!

Hello again!

I need a home!

I’m Mabel the resident dog at Appledown .

This Yara Greyjoy, a 2 year old I amis Mabel the resident dog at Appled Rottweiler.

Rescue and Rehoming Kennels in Eaton

d a hom e! e e n I

Appledown Rescue’s Dog of the Mon

She has a lovely temperament and is quite obedient. Yara is a playful girl and would suit an active family with children no younger than teenagers or people who enjoy a Could you sponsor a good walk! home? Please contac She could probably live with a male dog. She cannot be Call: 01525 have restrictions on rehoming dogs to families rehomed in Luton.

E-mail: infor app details. Check our website for adoption is Tor, lurcher 3 years. He is h IfThis you feel you acould offeraged Yara or trained, with and other dogs. any of our good other dogs apeople loving and Appledown Rescue & Rehoming Kenn needshome, owners who will happy Call: 01525 220383toorcarry e-ma secure please call in be at the with his This affectionate dogwww wo kennels anytraining. day between 10 a.m.Website: love to be part of a family, but would not (Reg. C and 4 p.m. Our staff will be happy for aand home with children younger tosuitable offer advice information. teenagers.

Please note that we have restrictions on rehoming dogs to families If you feel you could offer Tor, or any of o with children under 7 years of age. other dogs, a loving and secure home plea Full details of the rehoming procall in at the kennels any day between 10 cess can be found on our website. and 4 p.m. Our staff will be happy to offe Appledown Rescue vice and information.

We have restriction & Rehoming rehoming dogs toKennels, families with children u Harling Bray, 7 years of Road, age, soEaton please ask for details. C Beds.for LU6 1QY information. our website adoption Call 01525 220383 .

E-mail appledown.kennels@ btinternet.com.

Appledown Rescue and Rehoming Kennels, www.appledownrescue.co.uk Road, Eaton Bray, Beds LU6 1QY You can now usNo. on 1116848) (Reg.follow Charity Facebook and CallTwitter!

01525 220383 .

(Reg. Charity No. 1116848) E-mail appledown.kennels@btinternet.c Visit our Website:

www.appledownrescue.co.uk Appledown Rescue and

42 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

You can now follow us on

Harling Road, Facebook andEaton Twitter!Bray,

ewsRescue and Rehoming Kennels Ndown

edown

g Road, Eaton Bray, Beds LU6 1QY

This is Chipolata, she is a Jack Russell cross aged 4-5 years. She is bigger than the average Jack Russell, but we can’t decide what she might be crossed with! Chipolata is an active little dog and down needs a home where she will get plenty of exercise n Bray. and attention. She could live with a male dog but not a cat. We think she may have lived outside in the past but she loves a cuddle and will enjoy the opportunity to curl up in front of the fire and be part of nth family life! Sheaged cannot live in Luton.

This is Tor, a lurcher 3 years.

He is house-trained, good with people and other you feel you could offer dogs. He Ifneeds owners who will be Chipolata, happy to or any of our dogs, a loving andaffectionate secure home please call in carry on other with his training.

This at love the kennels any day 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. dog would to be part of a between family, but Ourbestaff are happy advice would not suitable for to a offer home withand information.

Please note we have restrictions on rehoming children younger than that teenagers. dogs to families with children under seven, so please If you feelask youforcould offer Tor, or any of our details. other dogs, a loving and secure home kennel toplease help uscall careinforata dog it is any waiting the while kennels dayto find a new ct us for details. between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Our staff will be happy to offer advice and information. We 5s 220383 Visitunder our Website: with children 7 years ofwww.appledownrescue.co.uk age, so please ask for pledown.kennels@btinternet.com Follow on Facebook! rmation. You can follow us on Facebook andus Twitter!

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 43

auto Biographies

FORD FOCUS

motoring in miniature?

By Rob Auchterlonie Copyright Wheelwrite

IF you saw the engine block of Ford’s 1.0 litre Ecoboost engine stripped of its bits, it would sit fair and square on a piece of A4 paper.

Were you so minded, you could take it on holiday with you as it would fit in the overhead locker on a plane.

Motoring in miniature then, but not necessarily when it comes to power output.

B

ecause this little gem of a turbocharged unit – just three cylinders, mind you – produces 125ps, a healthy 200Nm of torque (with overboost) and, they claim, tops 60mpg on the combined cycle.

Compelling reasons, then, to keep it as Britain’s family favourite.

There aren’t many cars around that have enjoyed the success of the Focus.

In fact there’s only really one, the VW Golf, which by coincidence is one of the main rivals to Ford’s best seller.

That’s been around a whole lot longer than the Focus of course, but since it made its curtain call it’s been a firm favourite with the British buying public, regularly topping the UK sales chart and notching up its first million sales in no time..

No mean feat, when it’s up against a rising tide of decent motors all vying for our money.

Ford’s family sized hatchback was – and still is – the ideal car for many.

It has bold modern looks, suitably

enhanced in its latest guise, it’s spacious and when you weight it all up, it’s a great car to drive.

And now (cue the death march for a lot of its rivals) there’s a new design, more equipment and much more choice.

The focus (sorry) has been on improvements with the latest version, no mean feat when what you’ve got to work with does pretty well what it says on the tin and then some.

After all, it’s already got a distinctive look, a superb chassis that makes the car a more than acceptable driving experience and a very roomy cabin for the occupants.

On the road it’s much the same story as before, with a ride and handling mix that’s the envy of many competitors and much appreciated by those who drive a Focus day in, day out.

Try one and you’ll see.

Road noise seems to have been improved and in the suspension department someone has done their job well because if anything it feels even more planted on the road, no matter how many bumps you encounter.

But on a car that’s the wrong side of 19 grand, you probably wouldn’t expect to find window winders in the rear, or an air con system that proved a little ineffective until you dialled up Storm Force 10 on the fan.

There are some tidy touches – the way the door edges are protected by a little plastic plate that slips over them as you disembark, and then slip out of the way when you shut the door (an £85 option), and the

44 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

neat blue needles on the dials in what is a bit of a bland and plasticy dash area.

In fact the whole interior is a bit grey in extremis, but you do get a set of seats that offer excellent thigh and back support, as well as good legroom. It’s a mid range car but there’s no lack of interior space. It’s as roomy as the Mondeo used to be, given that the Mondeo is now as roomy as the old Granada and then the Scorpio used to be.

Dominating proceedings is the eight inch touch screen that incorporates Ford’s SYNC system, and the sat nav has more info on the map than Wikipedia. It’s a real step in the right direction and easy to master, with better voice controls than before.

With its new grille, it’s very much one of the Ford family, in the mould of the equally popular Fiesta and Mondeo.

FAST FACTS Ford Focus Zetec 1.0T Start/Stop £19,095 Three cylinder 999cc turbocharged, 125ps, 200Nm Six speed manual gearbox Top speed 120mph, 0-62mph 11 secs Fuel – urban 49.6, extra urban 68.9, combined 60.1 CO2 108g/km.

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Friendly Service TRUST A TRADER Issue 68 • December / January 2016 45

Bedfordshire’s Night Sky

By Seb Jay

Looking Up! December 2015 and January 2016 See The ISS Sail Overhead…or is it Santa?

Mid-December this year sees the International Space Station light up Bedfordshire’s early evening sky. Look for a bright white light moving roughly west to east at a steady pace. It won’t flash or make a noise, and it’ll be very bright – much brighter than the background stars in the sky. Best evenings to view are Friday 11 December to Wednesday 23 December between 4pm and 6pm. On Christmas Eve you’ll find the ISS moving just 20-degrees above your south-west horizon at about 5pm.

Enjoy The Maximum Of The Geminids Meteor Shower: The night of 13 December to 14

December ushers in the maximum of the Geminids Meteor Shower. If it’s a clear night stand outside in your garden and look high up towards your east and south-east from 9pm onwards. If you’re lucky you might catch one of hundreds of shooting stars set to streak across Bedfordshire’s night sky that evening.

Find A New Year Comet From Bedfordshire: Getting a telescope for Christmas? Why not use it to look for Comet Catalina. In January 2016 this bright telescopic comet can be found close to the constellation of Ursa Major, which is also known as the Plough, the Saucepan or the Big Dipper. Best nights to look for the comet are 14 and 15 January when you’ll find it close to the bright star Alkaid at the end of the Plough’s handle.

Image: Comet ISON by Mount Lemmon Sky Center

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 47

Cinema New Releases

IN THE HEART OF THE SEA RELEASE DATE: 25th December 2015 CAST: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw, Tom Holland, Brendan Gleeson, Jordi Molla

KRAMPUS RELEASE DATE: 4th December 2015 CAST: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Conchata Ferrell, Emjay Anthony, Allison Tolman

Krampus a dark festive tale of a festive ghoul, reveals an irreverently twisted side to the Christmas season. When his dysfunctional family clashes over Christmas, young Max is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil that is intent on punishing non-believers.

48 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance. The real-life maritime disaster would inspire Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. But that told only half the story. “Heart of the Sea” reveals the encounter’s harrowing aftermath, as the ship’s surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive. Braving storms, starvation, panic and despair, the men will call into question their deepest beliefs, from the value of their lives to the morality of their trade, as their captain searches for direction on the open sea and his first mate still seeks to bring the great whale down.

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UNIT 7, SPARROWHALL BUSINESS PARK, LEIGHTON RD. EDLESBOROUGH, LU6 2ES www.thevinemagazine.com Issue 68 • December / January 2016 19 49

Cinema New Releases

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

SISTERS

RELEASE DATE: 17th December 2015 CAST: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher

RELEASE DATE: 18th December 2015 CAST: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Jay Roach Sisters is a new film from Pitch Perfect director Jason Moore about two disconnected sisters. They are summoned home to clear out their childhood bedroom before their parents sell the family home. Looking to recapture their glory days, they throw one final highschool-style party for their classmates, which turns into the cathartic rager that a bunch of ground-down adults really need.

This December sees the release of the highly anticipated episode seven of Star Wars. Set thirty years after the events of Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens sees old favourites of the original cast reunited alongside new cast members.

THE DANISH GIRL RELEASE DATE: 1st January 2016 CAST: Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander A film based on a book by David Ebershoff the film is a love story inspired by the lives of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. The film explores their marriage and work as Lili navigates the journey as a transgender pioneer.

THE 5TH WAVE RELEASE DATE: 15th January 2016 CAST: ChloĂŤ Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Ron Livingston, Maggie Siff, Alex Roe, Liev Schreiber In the new film The 5th Wave, four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, Cassie (ChloĂŤ Grace Moretz) is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother. As she prepares for the inevitable and lethal 5th wave, Cassie teams up with a young man who may become her final hope - if she can only trust him.

50 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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Issue 68 • December / January 2016 51

DISCOVER Ashridge Visitors Centre, Moneybury Hill, Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire. HP4 1LT

Children’s Christmas Trail 12 Days of Ashridge 1st December 2015 - 5th January 2016. £1.00 Take a stroll through the woodland discovering more about winter and Christmas time at Ashridge. Visit the Ashridge Visitor Centre to collect your trail map and follow the trail, answer the questions and return to collect your Christmas reward. No need to book, just turn up.

Post-Christmas Walk 27th December 2015. 10.00am – 12.00pm. £7.00 adults/£5.00 children A led walk through the woods followed by mulled drinks and mince pies at the Visitor Centre. Booking essential

searching for presents

Christmas Fair

© National Trust Images. Registered Charity Number 205846.

Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre, HP4 1LT

Christmas Crafts and Trail

Sunday 6th December, 10am - 3.30pm

Fill yourself with festive cheer and your bags with seasonal goodies at our annual Christmas fair.

Free entry.

01442 851227 | nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge Share your Christmas traditions with us on Facebook at Ashridge NT

Christmas pattern inspired by wallpaper at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire. © National Trust 2014. Registered charity no. 205846. © National Trust Images/Ashridge images.

52 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

21st-23rd Dec, 28th Dec-1st Jan 10am to 3pm

Christmas

Come and make some decorations in the Visitor Centre and tell us about your Christmas traditions, then walk the 12 days of Ashridge trail. £2 per child 01442 851227 nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge

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01582 539179 or 07789 730580 Issue 68 • December / January 2016 53 59

Clubs & Groups SAPHIRE SOCIAL CLUB Sapphire Social Club meet every Thursday at The Orange Tree Stevenage Road Hitchin from 8.30 - 11pm.

We are a small and friendly group for single people aged 50+ although we have no age bar. Our members organize varied events during the month and we warmly welcome new members to come along and see if we might just fill that gap in your social life. No subs for the first 2 months.

For any info call Ian 07900 890583 or Joyce on 07960 440417 or visit www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk DUNSTABLE CAMERA CLUB Dunstable Camera Club, meet 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7.15pm, Conservative Club, High St. Dunstable.

Friendly atmosphere. Improve your photography in a social environment. www.dunstablecameraclub.co.uk DUNSTABLE PROBUS CLUB Dunstable PROBUS Club meets on the second Monday of the month and membership is open to retired or semi-retired professional and business men. The Club’s main object is the promotion of good fellowship. Members enjoy a variety of social activities and organized visits throughout the year and at their regular monthly meetings they are entertained by after-lunch speakers.

If you are interested in joining the Club, please contact the Secretary Malcolm Partridge 01525 222711 BREATHEASY Do you suffer from a lung condition?

Then why not come and join our local Support group - breatheasy Part of the British lung foundation.

We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month at peter newton pavilion (Behind tesco) 2 - 4pm carers also welcome As well as supporting each

other we have a variety of speakers and also arrange day trips out.

New members most welcome Tel: Amanda Fletcher 01582 404479 LANGDALE CHURCH ‘HATTERS TEA’- informal neighbourhood group meets monthly on a Wednesday pm. Free tea/coffee & home-made cakes, quiz and raffle.

Friends and Neighbours- monthly on a Thursday pm. Speakers and free tea/coffee. At Langdale Church.

Other groups- table tennis, walking group and drawing for beginners Make the most of our community activities and meet new people in our community.

Tel Colin, Community Worker 01582602980 BREAKOUT SOCIAL CLUB We are a club for the over forty fives, not a singles club but a social club for people who enjoy going out but are on their own, where they can meet like-minded people, with a varied monthly programme covering Disco’s, Pub lunch’s, walks, parties and much, much more, we meet once a week in the front bar at the Conservative Club, High street North Dunstable Tel: Sandy on 07813 262556 NORTHALL TODDLER GROUP Northall Village Hall, LU6 2EX Join new mums, dads, grandparents and carers.Every Tuesday 9:30 – 11:30am (including school holidays) For children aged 0-5 years.

Tea, coffee, juices and healthy snack.

Come join in the fun, games and learning (inside and out) £2.50 during term time (per family) £1 per child during school holidays (Adults free & older children welcome) Tel. Stacey 07957 607592 or Sally 07963 506188

54 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk 58

DUNSTABLE WI Dunstable W.I. meet two evenings a month on the 2nd and 4th thursdays at Watling School Bullpond Lane at 7.30pm. We are a friendly group and like to enjoy ourselves. We have a wide range of speakers with different talents and crafts, and also quiz nights to test our brains. We Welcome new members so join us and make new friends.

14th January 2016 - Cheese and Wine 28th January - My Mothers Journey From Russia

By Annette Urwin For more Info Barbara Fisher 01582 665252 THE BOGTROTTERS The Bogtrotters (Dunstable and District Walking and Hostelling Group) are a group of about 90 walkers, hikers and hostellers. We run a surprisingly diverse range of activities, including half and full day walks, hostelling trips, meals and evening activities.New members are always welcome. Prospective members are invited to get in touch via the website, give us a ring or just turn up to an event or walk.

01582 865966 Sue or Julian Enquiries@dunstablebogtrotters.co.uk www.dunstablebogtrotters.co.uk FRIENDS OF STUDHAM COMMON We are a friendly,voluntary group whose aim is to conserve,maintain and promote Studham Common as a haven for wildlife and a place for everyone to enjoy.For this purpose we meet as a work party on the third Saturday of each month (except Dec.) The work is not onerous and we enjoy the exercise and the good company –and a picnic lunch is provided!

Details from Pam on 01582 872608 pamrumfitt@btinternet.com

NATIONAL TRUST All meetings are held at Salvation Army Centre, Dunstable. Guests are welcome at £3.00 As well as outing we also run a holiday once per year. If you would like to join the group, please contact, Lynder Power 01582 696193 or Janr Lingham 01582 606838 7th December, 2.30pm Monastic Ely by Alan Williams.

4th January, 2.30pm The Life Of Norman Wisdom by Sue Benwell.

1st February, 2.30, Luton & Dunsatble Hospital by Janet Graham MBE

THE WILDLIFE TRUST The Chiltern Society South Beds. Local Group Talk.

Wednesday 20th January 7.30pm - 9.00pm Ray Challinor of the Chiltern Society gives an illustrated talk about this environmental group whose mission is helping to conserve the amenities, heritage and landscape of 650 square miles of the Chiltern Hills.

Price Entry by donation Lecture Theatre, Dunstable Community Fire Station, Brewers Hill Road. LU6 1AA Booking required. For further information tel: Sue Turner 07917 055920 email: sue@turners.co.uk

ARTS & CRAFTS Art & Craft for adults with learning difficulties every Wednesday 10.30am - 12.30pm & every Sat 11am - 1pm at Arttrend, rear of 440 Dunstable Road.Please see the website www.arttrend.co.uk for all the details or phone 07794987796

A 5km sponsored fun run for all the family!

Willow Weaving Workshop Saturday January 23rd 10am - 1pm £5 per person An introduction to some basic skills of willow weaving. You will go away from the workshop with a real sense of accomplishment. Willow weaving is a craft that has been used for thousands of years. The material is extremely versatile, enjoyable to work with as well as being sustainable and local. Liz Wade lives locally and has been enjoying practicing her craft for a couple of years.

Liz enjoys exploring and using different hedgerow materials.

Suitable for adults and teenagers.

Houghton Regis Library. LU5 5ES Booking required. Mobility Good For further information tel: Toddington Office 01525 874317 toddington@wildlifebcn.org

Mum’s and Tot’s group

30

FINISH

FINISH

Come and play with us, Every Friday (term time only) 9.30 to 11.00am

Santa Run

£2.00 inc Drinks and snacks for the little ones, and a cuppa for the grown ups.

On your marks, get set, ho ho ho!

Sunday 6th December 2015, The Embankment, Bedford Sunday 13th December 2015, Wardown Park, Luton For more information or to sign up online:

Visit: www.keech.org.uk/santarun Call: 01582 707940 Email: events@keech.org.uk Charity No. 1035089

Tel: 01582 707940 events@keech.org.uk www.keech.org.uk

Issue 68 • December / January 2016 55

Days out

this Christmas

Summer is fantastic for being able to occupy your children with simply walking to the park or going onto the beach or all manner of summertime outdoor activities.

But when it comes to the colder end of the year, it can be much harder to find some days out and/or ways of enjoying the holidays as a family. Especially when the colder weather makes it difficult to want to leave the house! However, there are several UK based Winter Wonderlands to enjoy and to tempt you away from the snug indoors!

Lapland UK Nothing says Christmas quite like Lapland, and the founders of Lapland UK list their mission as “making your real world magical and our magical world real.” Based in Berkshire, Mike and Alison Battle created this dream land for children in 2006 as a reaction to being disappointed with the commercial takeover of Christmas, Christmas spirit mainly being found in shops. They therefore set up a UK home for Father Christmas. Described best as a immersive theatrical experience, tours depart every 30 minutes and last three and a half hours. During this time children can go ice skating, visit Father Christmas, see the elves at work, see reindeer and huskies, and take a look inside the North Pole post office plus much more! Open from 21st November through till Christmas Eve, it’s an experience your family won’t forget with personalised invitations and an elf passport for every child. Ticket prices start at £45, and in 2015, Lapland UK is partnering the charity Rays of Sunshine.

A real Christmas treat! (www.laplanduk.co.uk)

56 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Winter Wonderland A visit to Hyde Park between the 20th November and 3rd January between 10am10pm every day (except Christmas Day) will lead you to, as the name suggests, a Winter Wonderland! Included on the site are an ice rink, circus shows, Bar Ice, Santa Land, the Giant Wheel, Christmas Markets, fun fair rides and daily free live music. With something on for every member of the family, it’s a great place to please children and adults of all ages. Tickets can be purchased for each attraction and need to be obtained in advance, with family tickets starting from around £20.00 and adult prices averaging between £7-£10. The best time to visit is midweek where you’ll find a slightly slower and less chaotic pace and with so much on offer, you’ll easily fill the day! (www.hydepark winterwonderland.com)

Hogwarts Hogwarts Tour Tour

The Harry Potter franchise have have The Harry Potter franchise several iconiciconic Christmas scenes and and several Christmas scenes the Harry Potter Warner Bros studio the Harry Potter Warner Bros studio tour tour is making full use is making fullofusedecorations of decorations and actual props and fromfrom the the and actual propsitems and items filmsfilms including golden partridges, including golden partridges, baubles and presents the characters baubles and presents the characters received in the films!

Tickets startstart received in the films! Tickets at £23.50 (children underunder 4 go 4free) at £23.50 (children go free) and can booked online.

EvenEven if theif the andbe can be booked online.

Christmas season doesn’t bringbring snow,snow, Christmas season doesn’t the magic of Christmas will be kept the magic of Christmas will be kept well and alive alive insideinside the the welltruly and truly magical world of Harry Potter! magical world of Harry Potter! (www.wbstudiotour.co.uk) (www.wbstudiotour.co.uk)

Christmas Markets

The traditionally European Christmas markets

pop up during the festive season all across the Five Acres Five Acres UK, with more and more towns and cities having at least a small display. Free to enter, soak up the Nature Reserve Nature Reserve seasonal atmosphere by walking round themed Travel to Truro in Cornwall to ensure not

stalls withtoaTruro plethora of excitingtoproducts on offer; Travel in Cornwall ensure not necessarily Christmas is white, sample athat hot your wineyour or hot chocolate taste a necessarily that Christmas is and white, butcrepe most definitely green!

FortoaFor suggested of German sausage fuel visit. Plenty but most definitely green! ayour suggested donation of £5 per child, on the 10th ofdonation bigger Christmas of £5 perMarkets child, onalso theoffer 10thfairground December, children canthe visit Father Christmas attractions tochildren keep kids entertained.

Find one December, can visit Father Christmas in his outdoor grotto, before learning a bit a bit near yououtdoor at in his grotto, before learning more aboutabout an eco Christmas www.christmasmarkets.com/UK.html. more anfriendly eco friendly Christmas including making environmentally friendly including making environmentally friendly St AlbanstoChristmas Market decorations take back home with you. you. decorations to take back home with A 25 day event with up to 67 decorated wooden (www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk ) And if a ifchalets (www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk ) And selling everything from Christmas decorations anda green Christmas is important to you, check out green Christmas is important to the you,home. check outof stocking fillers to statement pieces for And www.forestry.gov.uk to find you can www.forestry.gov.uk to out findwhere out where you can course mulled wine! and refreshments! source your your Christmas tree from a sustainable source Christmas tree from a sustainable managed forest.

Centre MKforest. managed Christmas Market Running up to 23rd

December, Queens Court Christmas Christmas will be transformed into a bustling Christmas Markets Market.

Step outside and Markets through wooden Themeander traditionally Theselling traditionally stalls everything European Christmas National Trust and European Christmas National Trust andmarkets from Christmas Spruce, pop up during markets pop up during hand-made decorations English Heritage the festive season all English Heritage across thegifts. festive season all and There will also the UK, with For a more nostalgic Christmas feel,

beacross a arraythe of international For aFor more nostalgic Christmas feel, feel, check UK, with a more nostalgic Christmas and more towns and cities having at at check out Trust or or more and local foods andtowns the out one ofone the National Trust or English more and more and cities having check outof onethe ofNational the National Trust least a small display.

Free to enter, soak up Alpine Bar will be serving English Heritage for aof variety of of Heritage sitesHeritage for asites variety Christmassy least a small display. Free to enter, soakthe up the English sites for a variety seasonal atmosphere by walking roundround themed mulled wine.atmosphere Christmassy events and activities.

With events and activities.

With prices starting by walking themed Christmassy events and activities. With stallsseasonal with with a plethora of exciting products on on prices starting from freeofto visit somesome of of fromprices free tostarting visit some the properties stalls a plethora of exciting products from free to visit Oxford Christmas Market offer; sample a hot wine or hot chocolate and the and gardens throughout andproperties gardens throughout the UK. Wrap up offer; sample a hot or surrounded hot chocolate and Located in the heart of wine Oxford, by dreaming the properties and gardens throughout taste a crepe or German sausage to fuel your the UK; wrap up the and make most of a of a spires warm and make ofthe a beautiful and historic buildings,tothe market taste a crepe or university German sausage fuel yourconthe UK; wrap upmost and make the most visit.visit.

Plenty of the Christmas Markets beautiful Wintry walk, or visit aevent. specific Wintry walk, or visit awalk, specific of Plenty beautifully decorated wooden stalls Markets offering of bigger the bigger Christmas beautiful Wintry or visit a specific alsosists fairground attractions keep the a offer selection offairground Christmas gifts andtoseasonal treats. event.

Soak up the 1930’s Christmas Soakevent. up theSoak atmosphere at Wrest Park also offer attractions to keep the up the 1930’s Christmas kidsLocal entertained.

FindFind one near you at perform Christmas carols throughout the and join in with in theDevon, festivities at Castle Drogo takeincluding part kidschoirs entertained. one near you at at Castle Drogo in Devon, take part 11 days adding to the festive atmosphere. Opening www.christmasmarkets.com/UK.html. wreath making, carol concerts and even in theinTudor Festivities at Kenilworth www.christmasmarkets.com/UK.html. the Tudor Festivities at Kenilworth celebrations are on Thursday 10th December. meet the big man himself listen to his Castle in Warwickshire or and check out the Castle in Warwickshire or check out the r yoeur yaoreu, are, tales of Christmas past amidst the yuletide programme of theatrical events and carol revere e h w r o programme of theatrical events and carol t, e udgeudget, orsowmhewhvere ere decorations. concerts taking part at oneatof r yoeur ryb b to find d somewh concerts taking part onethe of many the many So whatevete ur le o For further information on Christmas at UK sites. (www.nationaltrust.org.uk; wohuandvto be ab le to finyour o S UK sites. (www.nationaltrust.org.uk; b b toin aenab d dedligdhetlighats ycohueer r ndrta Wrest Park and many other UK sites visit you’ryeou’re beonute www.english-heritage.org.uk) n a er www.english-heritage.org.uk) entertain se by to me Christmistmas che www.nationaltrust.org.uk or

www.english-heritage.org.uk

r und the e clo close byato me Cghro nd afinndd fiso dtrso n ndasth holdh, old aipsianip rostum , ng il house si ta n e ri se tr h u st o C il ju h ta ’t te n u e sn min minutelCbheristmas doe doesn’t juost thatth e lasst tops for th sth st a it’l la e e o r much on ooffner, s fo ffaedr,initg’lol nb ount out ph busybsh o oit sh o s ch unsy e u o h m g W d o ! n in s a d ts h a e it rf prese at scaat scarf and h nbtsb!inW th g regse p ra rabbing th worth orethcogld ! wth to in into the cold!

Issue 68 • December / January 2016 57

Out & About

Christmas Fun

DUNSTABLE TOWN COUNCIL CHRISTMAS EVENTS Christmas Carols and Torchlight Procession Friday 4th December from 7pm The Square From 7.00 pm Dunstable Community Church Choir & Present Wrapping Saturday 5th December Dunstable Market Smiley Sam Christmas Float Wednesday 9th December 10.00 am – 4.00 pm The Square/Dunstable Market Manshead School Band Wednesday 9th December 12 noon – 2.00 pm The Square/Dunstable Market Father Christmas Float Saturday 12th December 10.00 am to 3.00 pm The Square Dunstable Town Band Saturday 12th December 11.00 am – 12.30 pm The Square Christmas Cracker Saturday 12th December 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Priory House 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Queensbury Academy School Band Wednesday 16th December 10.00 am to 12 noon The Square Salvation Army Band Saturday 19th December 9.30 am – 1.00 pm Dunstable Market

58 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

THE LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS Sunday 6Th December 7:30 pm

DECK THE HALLS

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

St Mary the Virgin, Ivinghoe.

Sunday 6th December. 6pm Join the Beacon Community Choir for a musical celebration of the yuletide season.

The choir will sing both familiar and less well-known music by Rutter, Handel, Berlioz, Goodall and many others. The choir will be joined by the Brass Ensemble from Aylesbury Grammar and High Schools, and the concert will be accompanied by Craig Nathan on the organ and piano.

The music will reflect a wide range of tastes from classical to pop and the audience will also be invited to participate in a selection of carols. This is a concert for the whole family guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit.

Mulled wine and mince pies will be served in the interval.

Saturday 12th December 2.30 pm St. Augustine’s Church, Mayfield Road, Dunstable. Tickets £8 on the door, including refreshments.

Details from Pat Jackson 01582 520302

Tickets are £10 (children under 12 free accompanied by an adult) available from Charles Thorogood 01296 661540, charles.e.thorogood@ btinternet.com

DAOS’ Christmas Concert has now become something of an annual event. You can join DAOS for this festive evening of cheer, songs from the shows, seasonal songs, Christmas readings, carols for all and a mince pie!

We are delighted to be performing this concert again at The Little Theatre Tickets are only £8.00 each and you can buy yours now, online with no booking fee from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ DAOS Looking forward to seeing you there!

DUNSTABLE LADIES CHOIR

HARLINGTON PERFORMS PANTO Harlington performs presents the panto of "toad of toad hall".

Jokes, songs, chases, cheers, boos, full of family fun December 4th at 7.30pm and Saturday December 5th at 2pm and 7.30pm Harlington village hall, sundon road, Harlington Tickets £9 adults and £7 children and senior citizens. Box office 01525 758874 Make it extra special by letting us know about any birthdays or other special occasions.

LIGHT UP TODDINGTON EVENT

Monday, 7th December 2015 Our last fund-raising event for 2015 will be on Monday, 7th December 2015 in the Wilkinson Hall, Toddington when we will be providing refreshments for the lighting up Toddington event. Come along for seasonal refreshments and a variety of stalls from 6.00 pm.

COLLEGE LAKE Upper Icknield Way, Tring HP23 5QG. 01442 826774 Please visit our website to book www.bbot.org.uk

Bucks Open Studio 4th - 6th December 10am - 4pm Come and visit our artists in residence.

Opticron Trade Day 5th December 10am - 4pm Expert advice on binoculars and scopes

Christmas Fair Late Night Shopping 5th December 5.30pm - 8.30pm Late night shopping at College Lake

Go Wild for Christmas

Get cosy by the fire and create some Christmas finery

Winter Guided Walk 13th December, 1pm - 3pm Join us for a guided walk at this stunning nature reserve

Winter Guided walk 2nd January 2016 10.30 - 12.30pm Join us for a guided walk at this stunning nature reserve

RUSHMERE COUNTY PARK WINTER FAYRE

Sunday 6th December

Get into the Christmas spirit!

Come and enjoy music and carols under cover in the marquee with a variety of stalls selling wonderful gift ideas.

There will be Greensand Trust craft activities and a tombola and, of course, seasonal food and drink.

We hope that Father Christmas may even put in an appearance!

For more information or to book call 01525 234260 visitorservices@greensandtrust.org, or call into the Herons View Visitor Centre, Rushmere Country Park, Linslade Road, Heath and Reach, LU7 0EB

Family Fun: Sticktacular 23rd January 2016, 10am-1pm Join us for some sticktastic adventures and discover some of the amazing things you can do with sticks

12th December 10am - 2pm Make some wild decorations.

Issue 68 • December / January 2016 59

Out & About

Christmas Fun CHILTERN GATEWAY Christmas Wreath Making

LUTON CHRISTMAS ORCHARD DAY

4th, 5th, 11th & 12th Dec 10qm - 12 noon

Sunday 6th December ,11am - 2pm Limbury Mead on Icknield Way near the junction with Calverton Road. Roadside parking only along Icknield Way. Price £2 per child

Join us for our annual gathering to make wreaths with materials sourced from the local area. £25 per person including a hot drink and mince pie. Why not join us for lunch afterwards?

Conservation Taster Session Help to plant a new community orchard. Try apple themed activities and go home with a unique Christmas decoration.

Limited warm refreshments Please walk if possible.

Christmas Tree Dressing Day

Booking Recommended.

For further information: Toddington Office Phone no. 01525 874317 email address toddington@wildlifebcn.org

6th December 11am - 3pm

Come and join us as we dress our Christmas tree, cut from the beautiful and well-managed Whipsnade Tree Cathedral. Write a wish to hang on the tree or make your own decoration.

Breakfast with Father Christmas 8th, 10th, 14th, 16th & 18th December 10.15am - 12 noon. £7

Enjoy a delicious breakfast with Father Christmas and his elves in the View Café on Dunstable Downs. Place a wish on the Christmas Tree, receive a lovely gift and a certificate to prove you met Father Christmas.

50 Things Walks

6th December 2pm - 3.30pm

This Concert includes songs performed by

The Hadrian Academy Choir

Tickets £7 - 15yrs and under go free For tickets please contact Julia Holder on 01582873465 or email yorkies@waitrose.com

Grab your wellies and join the Rangers for a family walk. Complete some of the '50 things to do before you're 11 3/4' on the way and collect stickers and scrapbooks when you get back.

Boxing Day 'Burn Off Christmas' Walk 26th December 11am 12.30pm £2

Need an excuse to get outdoors and get rid of that bloated feeling? Then join us for a breath of fresh air on this one and a half hour walk led by one of our rangers.

You can find out more about Dunstable Downs on our website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstabledowns.

You can also join in with our events, and share your photos of this beautiful place on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NTDunstableDowns

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Creasey Park Christmas Family Fun Day Come join us on Monday 21st December 10.00 – 13.00 For arts and crafts and Father Christmas While the children are busy adults can enjoy a tea, coffee or food from our bar.

Issue 68 • December / January 2016 61

Ho Ho Homemade Christmas Hampers

PRIORY HOUSE HERITAGE CENTRE

Just in time for Christmas, Priory House have launched a selection of hampers made up of homemade Priory Pantry goodies, prepared in house by the team at the Priory House Tea Rooms.

The ideal gift for the person who has everything, a Priory House Hamper jam packed with local Dunstable produce.

There are six different hampers to choose from and a Priory Pantry boxed gift set.

Gift Mug with Teabags

£5.00

Loose Leaf Tea with Caddy

£7.50

Teabags with Caddy

£7.50

Small Christmas Hamper £10.00 Afternoon Tea Hamper

£12.50

Breakfast Hamper

£12.50

Large Christmas Hamper

£22.50

Pre pay for your Hamper or Gift Set and arrange with the Priory House staff when you would like to collect your hamper. Last day for collection will be Saturday 19 December

For any further information or to pre-order a hamper go to www.dunstable.gov.uk/priory-house-hampers.htm, email prioryhouse@dunstable.gov.uk or phone 01582 891 420

DUNSTABLE TOW N C O U N C I L

Will Kimberley Garden Services • Hedge cutting - High hedges our speciality • Tree work, pruning, removal • Grass cutting (one-off and regular) • Fencing new and repairs • Garden shed construction and re-felting • General garden tidy up’s • Garden clearance and maintenance • Turf and gravel laying Contact Will for a free no obligation written estimate

Tel: 01442 255784

or E mail: wkgardenservices@btconnect.com

Answers

Crossword

Across: 6 Greatly 7 Start 9 Piety 10 Arrival 12 Provocation 14 Incredulity 18 Clarity 19 Droll 21 Adult 22 Succour Down: 1 Trait 2 Halter 3 Ale 4 Strict 5 Creator 8 Trickle 11 Avidity 13 Include 15 Rarely 16 Thrice 17 Flout 20 Hue

62 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Step On It FRANK FLANK FLUNK CLUNK CLINK SLINK

Transform your home with beautiful new windows from Cladwinds.

A trusted local firm with 30 years manufacturing and installing experience

• Conservatories • Windows • Doors • Aluminium Seamless Guttering • Garage Doors • Car Ports • GRP Flat Roofing Insurance backed 10 year guarantee

Est. since 1985

Visit your local showroom at Leighton Buzzard Garden Centre, Leighton Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 9NX

Contact Peter Pascan

Tel: 01525 404204 ppascan@btinternet.com Issue 68 • December / January 2016 www.cladwinds.com

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