The Vine Dunstable - June / July 2017 - Issue 77

News / What’s On / Local Directory - July 201 7

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: Issue 77

FREE I Dunstable I Studham I Kensworth I Whipsnade

Top Tips For

Small Gardens

By Alan Titchmarsh

Wills Advice

By Martin Lewis

Inside This Issue

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Inside this issue...

6

Revitalising Dunstable

Editor: Scott Nightingale

12 A Royal Day To Remember

Advertising & Editorial: Shelly Nesbitt Tel: 01525 222379 / 07852 453043 Email: info@thevinemagazine.co.uk

14 MS Society Celebrate 55 Years

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the content of advertising and articles published in this magazine are accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors. Neither do they reflect the opinion of this publication. The Vine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication.

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

22 Martin Lewis: Will Advice 27 WIN! Tickets To Woodside 28 Home: Recycle, Re-Upholster 30 In The Garden: Small Gardens 32 Body Change Health 34 Autos: Citroen C3 36 Puzzles 38 Snippets 48 A Pensioners View 50 Out & About

Copy deadline for next issue:

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Issue 77 • June / July 2017

5

Revitalising Dunstable

Next phase of Dunstable Leisure Centre redevelopment on track Dunstable Leisure Centre is on track to be transformed into a £21.5million state-of-the-art community hub that will provide a new leisure facility, new Library, new Citizen’s Advice and day care for adults with learning disabilities.

After 42-years of service, the Court Drive centre will close on June 4 (9pm) to mark the start of an 18-month period of major redevelopment that will see the centre rebuilt on a scale not seen before during past periods of small refurbishment.

The redevelopment of Dunstable Leisure Centre is a priority in the Council’s Leisure Strategy and the proposals were subject to a three-month public consultation process. The results showed strong support for the plans that include creating a: • New, modern, state-of-the-art leisure facility with 100 station gym, 4 studios, 25-metre swimming pool and learner pool with new viewing gallery • Brand-new, fully accessible ground floor library, with a new digital offer, flexible space for activities, bespoke children’s zone, and new facilities for teenagers • New crèche • New, bigger cafe • New changing rooms • New disabled parking and drop-off • Flexible community space for other public and community services, including Citizens Advice, adult day care and meeting rooms.

In preparation, for the closure of Dunstable Leisure Centre, Central Bedfordshire Council has been helping relocate customers to other facilities or to find alternatives. The Council’s leisure centres in Houghton Regis and Tiddenfoot (Leighton Buzzard) have been identified as the primary alternative destinations for Dunstable Leisure Centre customers, with swimming, gym and group exercise available at both locations.

The new leisure centre at Flitwick is also another option

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At Houghton Regis Leisure Centre, work with their leisure management operator has seen improvements carried out to increase the size of the health and fitness suite and to refurbish its changing rooms.

The Council is also exploring an option to offer space for group fitness, activities and dance classes in its nearby Grove Theatre, while supporting customers who bowl to find suitable alternative clubs.

It is anticipated that Dunstable Leisure Centre will be able to offer all the current programmes of activity and services up to closure day on June 4 (9pm). After this, and in order for works to begin, there will be a minor road layout change outside the site, but this will not affect public access and parking.

Building contractor Wates will first secure the site with decommissioning work taking place on the inside of the building in the first few weeks. Updates will be available as the building works progress at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/DLC. Jill Dickinson, Assistant Director of Leisure, Libraries and Countryside, said: “Redeveloping Dunstable Leisure Centre is a priority in the Council’s Leisure Strategy. The centre is not fit for purpose and does not offer value for our customers, while the new facility will provide high-quality state-of-the-art leisure facilities alongside a brand new library, right in the middle of town. By bringing services under one roof we can provide longer opening hours for the library and Citizen’s Advice, and offer leisure and library services which support a modern day care offer.

“Due to the scale of the redevelopment the site will need to be shut and we appreciate that this will impact customers.

We are ensuring that there are alternative options for our customers to take part in sport and physical activity at other leisure centres, and at The Grove Theatre, and have increased the capacity of the health and fitness facility at the nearby Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. We will continue working to find solutions during the transition between the closure of the current centre and the opening of the new one.

“The current library at Vernon Place will stay open while the redevelopment of the leisure centre takes place and will move across to the new building, once complete.”

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loomin’ T B t

Highlighting some of the activities that volunteers are involved with helping to brighten up our town and make Dunstable attractive and interesting for residents and visitors. These groups operate under the umbrella of Promoting Dunstable and are supported by the Town Council.

Dunstable in Bloom campaign for 2017 was launched in April combined with Woodfield Green & Downside Resident’s Association’s opening of the regenerated roundabout in Southwood Road. Their community had worked so hard to improve a grotty area into an attractive gravel garden complete with drought resistant plants. The surrounding houses now have a pleasant view.

Our theme this year is ‘Flower Power’ and this has appealed to many schools who have taken on the challenge to improve dull areas or create new gardens with bright & colourful flowering plants which attract insects. Children learn about gardening & wildlife while having fun.

The ‘Wheelie Fantastic’ competition is now in its second successful year. Local businesses have kindly donated wheelbarrows which have been given to schools and other groups. Not too much skill or plants are needed and the results can be lovely and create a cheery and welcoming look to any premises.

The Medieval Physic Garden created in Priory Gardens is now bursting into bloom and colour. The interesting and unusual plants used in the past mainly for medicines but also as dyes and for flavouring foods create a lot of interest from passers-by.

Another 30 Heritage fruit trees have been donated to schools and other organisations. A Hambling seedling (a cooking apple), propagated by Col. William Hambling, Master at Chews School in the 1860’s, has been planted in

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local News

Promoting Dunstable Dunstable cemetery near the Hambling family graves.

A project recently created is ‘Keep Dunstable Tidy’. Four areas have been visited so far and volunteers have been amazed by the amount of rubbish that thoughtless people throw down. Sixty bags collected so far! It is hoped to start volunteer groups in different areas of the town.

The enthusiastic ‘Incredible Edibles’ team who have transformed the Katherine Drive shopping area have planted vegetables in the new raised beds created last Autumn. A generous donation from a lady in memory of her mother will be used to plant a wonderful, fragrant new border full of edible flowers.

During the summer Dunstable in Bloom is organising the Best Front Garden and Floral Display competition – all about Flower Power! If you or family or neighbours are proud of your efforts please enter. There are categories for Schools and Licensed premises too. Last date for entries is Friday 7th July. The Best allotments on all the sites will also receive awards.

The Anglia in Bloom judges will visit the town in early July so we hope that our efforts are rewarded. Over the past years we have received 5 Golds and 2 Silver gilts.

If you would like to get involved or for further details of any of the projects please contact Hugh Garrod, Chairman of Promoting Dunstable on 01582 663384 or Sarah Woodruffe, Secretary on 01582 696962 or myself, Mary Chapman 01582 603710

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Issue 77 • June / July 2017

9

local Notices RAISING MONEY FOR OUR ARMED FORCES CHARITIES

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local News

Dunstables Day To Remember

Tuesday April 11th is a date that “will be remembered by all of us in Central Bedfordshire with great affection” – that was Council Chief Executive Richard Carr’s view of HM The Queen Royal visit to Dunstable’s Priory View and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Her Majesty first spent time at the UK’s largest zoo to open their new Elephant Conservation Centre and meet its newest resident, a young calf named Elizabeth, in her honour.

The Queen then officially opened Central Bedfordshire Council’s award-winning independent living scheme, Priory View, after being given a guided tour of the Church Street facility to meet its residents.

Speaking before the unveiling of an official plaque, Mr Carr said: “We are immensely proud of this fabulous facility. For us, Priory View is about so much more than a building, wonderful though it is. It is about helping people remain part of a vibrant community as they grow a little older, helping them to live active and fulfilling lives.

“Retirement and advancing years should never be associated with isolation, loss of independence and alienation from society.

“We have learned much from what we have done here, which will inform our approach to similar schemes we are planning elsewhere in Central Bedfordshire.

12 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

“The feedback from residents at Priory View, makes us believe that we have found a winning formula for the future.”

And for the new facility’s community, the Royal visit was a day to savour.

Priory View’s oldest residents George Baker, 93, a former Royal Navy serviceman, and Angela Greene presented The Queen with a posy and a gift.

George, who had previously celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his late wife at Buckingham Palace, but had not met The Queen, said he was “very honoured” to finally speak with her.

Pauline Stainsby gave Her Majesty a tour of her apartment and said: “It was wonderful. She was so gracious – almost ordinary in a way, isn’t she? She was just lovely to talk to. She went into the bedroom and saw the kitchen and lounge and then went on to the balcony as well.”

Talking of her new home, she added: “I have been living at Priory View since the end of October. My husband joined me in late November but unfortunately he wasn’t well enough and we lost him on 1st January. “I like it here – people are absolutely lovely. You can just go and sit with them and chat with them if you are feeling lonely – or not. Once I got over the shock of losing my husband I enjoy going and mixing with other people and we have some good laughs.”

Art Classes & Exhibition Summer School Weekends available at Whipsnade Village Hall from 10am - 4pm in: Landscape - 3rd & 4th June Portraiture - 17th & 18th June Life Drawing - 1st & 2nd July We also run a 14 weeks creative art course all year round FREE TASTER SESSIONS AVAILABLE

For more information call 0794 320 4190 Why not come along to our end of year student art exhibition at Whipsnade Village Hall, Sat 29th - Sun 30th July, 11am - 4pm The private view opens on Friday 28th July, 7pm - 9pm refreshments provided (anyone is welcome)

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Issue 77 • June / July 2017 13

local News

Local MS Society Celebrating 55 Years Throughout 2017 the MS Society Luton, Dunstable and District Branch are celebrating their Emerald Anniversary. For 55 years they have been offering support and assistance to people in the local community who are living with Multiple Sclerosis.

Much has changed since the branch first started, particularly in the increased range of services that are offered. The branch now has a team of committed volunteers and support nearly 90 members!

The MS Society offers advice and information to people who have been newly diagnosed to explain what MS is and how to manage different symptoms. The local branch has a dedicated Support Worker who is available to talk confidentially and provide guidance when needed.

The branch offer two physical activity sessions each week – one on a Wednesday at High Town Community Sports and Arts Centre and the other on a Saturday at Lewsey Sports Park. During these sessions, members can take part in swimming, yoga, pilates and chair based exercises suitable for all abilities.

It's a real pain in the grass!

Luton, Dunstable and District Branch operate a mini bus service to transport less able bodied members from their homes to the weekly activity sessions, the therapy centre in Bedford and to various social events.

Regular social events are held to bring members and their families together, these includes coffee mornings (every other Friday), a Lunch Club (second Saturday monthly) and ‘Fun & Trouble’ (last Friday monthly). These are all fun socials and are open to people of all ages.

In addition the Society organise regular fundraising events within the local community which raise money to enable the branch to continue its important work. These events are also opportunities to spread the word about MS and updates on research developments.

Members are kept up to date on branch activities via a quarterly newsletter and on their facebook page. If you would like to find out more information about the work we do or to become a volunteer please contact us via telephone on 0845 605 2055 or email at lutondunstable@mssociety.org.uk

Most of us try our best when it comes to recycling but, when it comes to garden waste, Central Bedfordshire Council say that unfortunately some are still putting the wrong items into their bins and bags and these items are causing major problems and ruining the good recycling already collected.

What IS accepted: Grass cuttings Plants and weeds Flowers Prunings Hedge clippings Leaves and bark Vase plants Pond plants What is NOT accepted: Vegetable peelings, kitchen waste, plastic bags, plant pots, polystyrene trays, soil, rubble, animal bedding, pet waste and general household waste

If in doubt please leave it out! That’s the advice from CBC regarding garden waste recycling.

If you have an item that you’re not sure can be accepted as part of the garden waste collection, leave it out and place in your domestic waste bin or alternatively take it along to your local tidy tip.

14 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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local News Can You Offer The Gift Of Reading?

‘Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin…’

If these words sound familiar, you may have been one of millions of children who huddled near their radio, ready to enjoy a story on the BBC programme ‘Listen with Mother’.

Running from 1950 to 1982, the 15-minute show provided a daily portion of stories and rhymes to entertain generations of youngsters. And although the radio programme is now long-gone, listening to someone telling a story is a special kind of magic that never goes away.

Even as adults, listening leaves our minds free to imagine places we’ve never been, or hear the voices of characters we’ve never met. For children, it takes away the worry of working out words and lets them think about what’s happening in a story. They can imagine events as they unfold, question characters’ behaviour, or enjoy spending time in lands where animals speak or boys become broom-flying wizards. But sadly, not every child grows up enjoying stories.

For some, reading is a stressful task they endure rather than enjoy. When it’s hard to make sense of the words on the page, it’s even harder to understand what you’ve read.

However help is at hand for thousands of children across England, in the form of Beanstalk reading helpers.

Beanstalk is a charity that recruits and trains volunteers to support children in local schools who are struggling or reluctant to read. The reading helpers meet with 3 children for half an hour each, twice a week. In their sessions they share books, sometimes listening and prompting as the children read and sometimes reading to them. The charity provides a range of books to enjoy and games to play to improve children’s skills, making reading a positive, fun experience. But above all, a trained reading helper takes time to tune in to children’s interests, finding the spark that will ignite a life-long love of reading.

Last year 47% of 11-year-olds left primary school without reaching the expected standard in reading. But by becoming a Beanstalk reading helper, you could help children improve their skills, their understanding and change their view of reading for the better.

If you can spare two mornings or afternoons a week, visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk Or call: 01604 720969 to find out how you can share the gift of reading with children in a school near you.

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Issue 77 • June / July 2017 17

PRO on 012 k to us Sales Depar Fax bac S Opening

local News

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With over 70 showrooms across the nation, Dream Doors has become a brand to trust. With its introduction into South Beds, countless clients in Luton, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding villages now have access to the kitchen of their dreams.

Mark was previously a programme director, managing large technology programmes for big companies.

Mark and Anne decided to setup a kitchen business after their own kitchen makeover experience a few years ago. He says:

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: LLO of t NameDream Doors THE FO offers a unique “Our kitchen makeover made this pro Conatac E READ PLEAS own on The m that sh . to re u ry service, replacing anything from ct huge difference to our quality of va fa rinted g manu lour will , the co ss used durin E the job is p printed R to a of form. life – our kitchen became then heart proce andadworktops ur job is kitchen e BEFO ne tingdoors ro n p yo ri d p m e l h e a W sig ctu can b iving a a brandto the a nfull angeskitchen tocecreate of our home. What we offer re re y chnew matchis that a ion befo Pri product ould so sh ce n e m new look for the kitchen. This has very tangible: we aim to givennall com ca ot e sho ar ch oof whi service our clients the same feeling we had proven to be a very popular g this pr regardin : ements ignature as itptsaves e statmoney, hassle and time when we supply and fit theirSdream th d acce job. read an ith printing my I have kitchen” oceed wcompared to a full refit. you to pr

Mark and Anne joined Dream Doors, deciding their approach was a great fit with what they were looking to offer; a great, honest, national service at a fair price, delivered locally. He says: “With Dream Doors, our customers have the best of both worlds – the backing of a proven national service, delivered by local people. The local aspect of this business is very important to us. Our customers have access to a small team of local experts and time-served tradesmen who pay personal attention to delivering the best service possible.”

18 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

The major of Dunstable, Peter Hollick, was present to cut the ribbon at the ceremony, saying:

“It’s great to see this level of investment in Dunstable and to see local fitters and tradesmen providing this fantastic makeover lients Na C service to local customers. I wish Contact N Mark and Anne all the best in this venture.” ur job

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With 25 kitchen fits already to name and a fantastic Checkatrade score, the business is already thriving. Signatur read I have Interested? oce you to pr Mark and Anne’s brand new showroom is based at 49 Lowther Road, Dunstable, LU6 3NL.

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Email: info@zebra-properties.co.uk Email: info@zebra-properties.co.uk

www.zebra-properties.co.uk www.zebra-properties.co.uk

SELLINGOR ORLETTING? LETTING? SELLING

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Weare areyour yourlocal localspecialists specialists We CallToday!

Today!

Call Issue 77 • June / July 2017 19

local News

Can You Offer The Gift Of Reading?

Singers At Luton Airport

Raise Dementia Awareness More than than 60 60 people people who who More are living living with with dementia, dementia, their their are family carers, carers, and and volunteers, volunteers, family could be be heard heard singing singing at at could London Luton Luton Airport Airport during during London Dementia Awareness Awareness Week.

Week.

Dementia People moving moving through through the the People airport’s departure departure lounge lounge airport’s were greeted greeted by by the the singers singers were from the the Young@Heart Young@Heart defrom dementia café Stopsley mentia café andand Stopsley SingSinging during the ing CaféCafé during the awareness awareness raising eventmidday just raising event just after after midday on19th.

Friday, May on Friday, May 19th. Collins, of the home Maria Maria Collins, Home of the Instead home care company care company Home Instead Luton and Central BedfordLutonorganised and Central shire, theBedfordFriends shire,Voices organised thetoFriends With event prove Withpeople Voiceswho event prove that aretoliving that people whoincluding are livingAlzwith conditions with conditions including Alzheimer’s disease are still able heimer’s disease still able to play a full roleare in society. to play a full role in society.

Maria, who also chairs Luton’s Maria, whoAction also chairs Luton’s Dementia Alliance, Dementia Action Alliance, said: “Traditionally once said: “Traditionally once people have been diagnosed people have been with dementia theydiagnosed are treated with dementia they areend, treated differently, friendships differently, friendships end, they and their family carers they andsocially their family carers become isolated become socially isolated and stigma surrounds the and stigma the of diagnosis ofsurrounds this condition diagnosis the brain. of this condition of the brain.

“By singing at London Luton “By singing at London Airport we are hoping toLuton raise Airport wethat are ithoping to raise awareness is possible awareness is possible to live well that withitdementia – to live well with dementia singing is beneficial and has– singing is beneficial has been shown to have and a positive been shown have a positive effect on well-tobeing.” effect on well- being.”

Maria said the event was also Maria said the eventLuton was also to support London to support London Lutonto Airport with its intention Airport with its intention become dementia friendlyto becomerecently dementia friendly having become recently ahaving member of thebecome Luton a member Action of the Luton Dementia Alliance.

Dementia Alliance.

She added:Action “Having London She added: “Having London Luton Airport on board is a Luton step Airport on board is a major forward.

By helpmajor step forward.

Bymore helping their staff become ing their staff become dementia friendly, they more in dementia friendly, in turn, can help spotthey the signs turn, can helpand spotbewilderthe signs of confusion of confusion bewilderment and helpand people who are ment and peoplewhen who living withhelp dementia, are living with dementia, travelling through this busy when travelling through airport to experience it inthis a busy airport to experience calm and dementia friendly it in a calm and dementia way.” friendly way.”

London Luton Airport’s London Luton Airport’s Accessibility Manager Liz Accessibilitysaid: Manager Liz Saint-Clare “We want Saint-Clare said: “We want everyone who comes to the everyone toposthe airport to who havecomes the best airport to have the best possible experience regardless of sible experience regardless their needs. Ensuring all of of theirstaff needs.

Ensuring all of our have an awareness ourconditions staff have like an awareness of dementia is conditions like we dementia aofkey priority and aim to is a key priority and friendly we aim to be fully dementia by be fully friendly by the end dementia of the year”. the end of the year”.

Friends With Voices were also Friendsby With were also helped localVoices bus company helped who by local bus company Arriva supplied transport Arriva transport for the who choirsupplied from Crawley for the Sports choir from Crawley Green Centre to the Green Sports Airport on theCentre day. to the Airport on the day.

The choir was conducted by Teela Hughes, from Music24 and John Peace, of the Stopsley Singing Café.

20 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Plumbing & Heating Engineers With 40 Years Experience

‘Are youFor sitting Then I’ll allcomfortably? your plumbing &begin…’

heating requirements, including:

If these words sound familiar, you may have been one of millions of children who huddled near their radio, ready to enjoy a story on the BBC programme ‘Listen with Mother’.

Running from 1950 to 1982, the 15-minute show provided a daily portion of stories and rhymes to entertain generations of youngsters. And although the radio programme is now long-gone, listening to someone telling a story is a special kind of magic that never goes away.

Even as adults, listening leaves our minds free to imagine places we’ve never been, or hear the voices of characters AndyitClemmit we’ve neverPlease met. Forring children, takes awayon: the worry of working out words 01582 and lets them think about what’s hap873354 pening in a story. They can imagine events as they unfold, Mobile: 07956 110919 question characters’ behaviour, or enjoy spending time in lands where animals speak or boys become broom-flying wizards. But sadly, not every child grows up enjoying stories.

For some, reading is a stressful task they endure rather than enjoy. When it’s hard to make sense of the words on the page, it’s even harder to understand what you’ve read.

However help is at hand for thousands of children across England, in the form of Beanstalk reading helpers.

Beanstalk is a charity that recruits and trains volunteers to support children in local schools who are struggling or reluctant to read. The reading helpers meet with 3 children for half an hour each, twice a week. In their sessions they share books, sometimes listening and prompting as the children read and sometimes reading to them. The charity provides a range of books to enjoy and games to play to improve children’s skills, making reading a positive, fun experience. But above all, a trained reading helper takes time to tune in to children’s interests, finding the spark that will ignite a life-long love of reading.

Last year 47% of 11-year-olds left primary school without reaching the expected standard in reading. But by becoming a Beanstalk reading helper, you could help children improve their skills, their understanding and change their view of reading for the better.

Full Central Heating Power Flushing Boiler Changes Bathroom Suites

If you can spare two mornings or afternoons a week, visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk Or call: 01604 720969 to find out how you can share the gift of reading with children in a school near you.

Renault CAPTUR Capture life

Test drive a Captur or Mégane and save an extra £750* on selected models until 30 June While stocks last Renault CAPTUR PLUS 20% off selected accessory packs on Captur †

All-New Renault MEGANE Hatch

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (I/100km) for the cars shown are: urban 42.2 (6.7)–47.1 (6); extra-urban 61.4 (4.6)–62.8 (4.5); combined 52.3 (5.4)–55.4 (5.1). The official CO2 emissions are 120–114g/km. Figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EU legislation and may not reflect real-life driving results. *An additional £750 contribution towards the purchase price. Retail customers only, on top of all other offers on selected Captur and Mégane models from existing stock only. Offers eligible when ordered and registered between 16 May and 30 June 2017. †Certain accessory packs will not be compatible with all Captur trim levels; speak to your dealer for details. Subject to availability. Participating dealers only. Terms & conditions apply: see renault.co.uk/offers. Captur shown with optional metallic paint, and painted roof at an extra £894. All-New Megane Hatch shown with optional metallic paint, available at £545.

GLYN HOPKIN – The NEW name for Renault in St Albans and surrounding areas Lyon Way, St Albans, AL4 0LQ Tel 01727 818453 www.glynhopkin.com/renault Book a test drive

Money Matters By Martin Lewis

What’s More Important 

Than A Will?

One person develops dementia every three minutes. Many others

What’s more important than a will?

lose their faculties via strokes, accidents and more. The emotional challenges this puts on you and your family are substantial, and a lack of financial preparation exacerbates this. That’s why I am a passionate believer that every grown up with assets should look

at getting a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). @martinslewis 

 In many ways I consider this to be more important than a will. Die will-less and you don’t choose where  your assets go – that’s not good (for full help on doing  a good will cheaply see www.mse.me/wills). Yet if you  lose your faculties without a LPA, your assets could be  locked down - even stopping your family paying for  your care.  This isn’t an age thing either. I’m 44 and I have one,  even though to the best of my knowledge, I have no  foreseeable issues. Yet, when I’ve polled on this less  than one in six others have one, so I make no apol ogy for pushing this, especially as now the cost has dropped.    It’s worth remembering people can lose their faculties  very quickly. And when their family are already having  to come to terms and deal with that - without a LPA,  the only way they can take charge of your finances is  via the Court of Protection. 

However it needs to be set up when you have mental capacity, so thinking, “that’s not for us to worry about  now” is a mistake - once you know there’s an issue it may be too late.

  • The cost has been cut to £82.

To encourage more people to take this up, the cost of  registering a LPA in England and Wales has recently  reduced from £110 to £82. In Scotland it’s £75  People often say this is a nightmare, as Judith tweeted: been   and in Northern Ireland £115. You can find the forms “@MartinSLewis Took 12mths to go via Court of   at www.gov.uk. However, those on some forms of Protection for my mum. Cost £3,000.”  benefits may be able to have the fee reduced or wiped.   So here’s my key LPA facts…   •You can do it yourself, but if things are  complex, get help.

• You stay in control.    The gold standard way to do a LPA is to get a soliciWith a Lasting Power of Attorney you nominate a   trusted friend or relative to take control of your assets, tor to draft one for you – worth considering if your   affairs are complex, such as overseas property or but ONLY if and when you lose capacity. It’s a bit   business assets. like an insurance policy in case the worst happens.    22 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk  

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Issue 77 • June / July 2017 23

Martin Lewis:ByMoney Matters Money Matters Martin Lewis

It will typically cost around £500 – get a quote first.

To find a solicitor you can use the Law Society Tool at solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk, or www.sfe.legal, is a network of over 1,000 solicitors specialising in issues affecting older people.

However, those with simple affairs used to filling in forms carefully should be able to apply for a LPA without help.

Or a decent half way house is to use www.which. co.uk legal service where you fill in a questionnaire, to generate the LPA form, then crucially it’s checked by a qualified paralegal. The standard charge for this from Which? is £139, but before 31 May via my site www. mse.me/LPA#whichdeal there’s a link to do it at half price (£79). Of course as with solicitors, you’ll still need to pay the Government registration fee.

If you need help but have a low income, little savings and are over 70, disabled, have a disabled child or are a single parent, you may be able to get help through the Civil Legal Advice scheme at www.gov.uk/civil-legaladvice. If not your local Citizens Advice office may be able to help.

• Sort future medical care and your (living) will too.

For obvious reasons I’ve focused on the financial LPA, but you can also set up a health and welfare LPA to give loved ones authority over your treatment. You have to fill out a separate form for this and it will cost you a further £79 if you sign up before 31 May again via www.gov.uk.

24 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

You can also set up an ‘advance decision’ (known as a living will) where you can refuse certain medical treatments if you lose capacity in future. These are free to make and needn’t go via a solicitor.

See www.ageuk.org.uk for full help.

Martin Lewis is the Founder and Chair of MoneySavingExpert.com.

To join the 12 million people who get his free Money Tips weekly email, go to www.moneysavingexpert.com/latesttip

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• LOCAL FAMILY RUN BUSINESS • FULLY TRAINED STAFF • LOCAL FAMILY RUN BUSINESS FULLY TRAINED STAFF • REFURBISHED LOCAL•SHOWROOM • QUALITY FITTED BLINDS • AWNINGS PLANTATION SHUTTERS 1A West Street, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 1SL •& 01582 607 493 • QUALITY FITTED BLINDS • AWNINGS &Phone: PLANTATION SHUTTERS Call today to arrange a visit or to get more information fromTO a friendly member of ourSERVICE team.

• BBSA APPROVED COMPANY • MADE MEASURE Email:info@allegroblinds-dunstable.co.uk • www.allegroblinds.co.uk • BBSA APPROVED COMPANY • MADE MEASURE We are one of the leading suppliers of blinds, so don’tTO hesitate to get in touch.SERVICE • REFURBISHED LOCAL SHOWROOM • REFURBISHED LOCAL SHOWROOM 1A West Street, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 1SL • Phone: 01582 607 493 Call today to arrange a visit or to get more information from a friendly member of our team.

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We are one of the leading blinds, so from don’tahesitate get touch.

Issue 77 in • June We are one of the leading suppliers of blinds, so don’t hesitate to get in touch./ July

2017 25

CUDDLY ENCOUNTERS SAND PIT FEED THE ANIMALS TRACTOR RIDES

MINI FUNFAIR RIDES GO KARTS CRAZY GOLF

BRAND NEW ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

Enjoy a fun packed day, whatever the weather!

INDOOR PLAY AREA

AND MUCH MORE!

www.woodsidefarm.co.uk Woodside Animal Farm, Slip End Village, Luton, LU1 4DG • t: 01582 841044 e: enquiries@woodsidefarm.co.uk

26 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

WIN

WIN Tickets To Woodside Animal Farm

There’s so much to do this summer at Woodside Animal Farm

and we’ve got a Family Day Ticket to give away!

You can get up close and personal with the animals at Woodside Animal Farm. Feed them, pet them and even cuddle them during our 'Cuddly Encounters' hands on sessions. As well as our wide range of farm, zoo and exotic animals there are tractor and trailer rides, animal demonstrations, a mini fun fair, crazy golf and lots of outdoor play fun. For rainy days and when the kids just want to run wild there’s the heated indoor soft play centre and cafe serving hot meals and snacks, a selection of rich and warming coffees and a tempting range of delicious cakes and treats. Our well stocked gift shop has a good range of gifts, toys and pocket money treats. Our award winning poultry centre stocks a vast range of livestock, feed and accessories, and our friendly helpful staff are on hand to give you all the advice you need!

To win all you have to do is tell us: What animal features in the Woodside Animal Farm logo?

Email your answer , along with your name and contact telephone number to win@thevinemagazine.co.uk

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Issue 77 • June / July 2017 27

Home&Garden

Flor

Re-Uph

By Floral Chicken

Recy Reupho Individ Bespoke Footstools, Headboards Manufactured

Recycling and upcycling may have taken on a new impetus over the last few years. One area that has been doing this for years though is the Upholsterer. If you have a sentimental piece or just something that has become a bit tired you could get it rebuilt in a way that gives you a one of a kind piece of furniture that could last for years to come.

07

Stuart@

www.F

2 Bu

Here we show two examples of chairs that have been given a new life instead of becoming landfill.

Depending on the chair and the state of repair will dictate what can be reused. Your upholsterer can help in understanding this as well as advising on the types of fabrics that will give you a good look, meet the relevant regulations for fire safety and give you the level of durability you want for the use any chair is going to get.

The Parker Knoll chair is a classic model that has been in production for many years. In fact, you can still get it today. This particular chair was from 1981 and was purchased through auction for a very small amount. Although the chair looks very tired, it’s really just the fabric which is ready for the rubbish tip, the frame and springs are in good order and very suitable to be reused.

The legs have been sanded back to the natural beech colour and given a new

coating to enhance the grain and protect the wood. This is a more on trend look.

The wings have been removed and a new upholstery applied to replace the loose cushion seat with a built in seat and a more cushioned back than the chair originally had. Of course you do not need to have the same fabric all over the chair and on this chair the denim style fabric is a much harder wearing fabric than the complementary floral design on the side and rear of the chair. This is a classic chair given a modern update that is individualised and not something available from the original manufacturers. The chair is now good for another 20 or 30 years.

The second chair was a sentimental family piece that had been a great grandmother’s that had been known to be in the family since at least 1900. However, it had become very sad and wobbly. Due to the family connection the owner did not wish to throw it away. Following a full restoration to ensure all the parts where in a fit state and regluing the whole frame back together to ensure it was solid again new upholstery has been applied.

This now gives more padding that originally while still keeping a nod to the original style and age of the chair with a Rennie Mackintosh tapestry fabric. Although this fabric is more delicate and not suitable for heavier continued use the chair is planned for only occasional use but wanted due to the sentiment involved.

28 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Floral Chicken Re-Upholstery Service & Recycled, Upcycled, Reupholstered Furniture & Individually crafted items

Bespoke Footstools, Headboards Manufactured

07796 533585

Stuart@floralchicken.com

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www.jazzercise.com Issue 77 • June / July 2017 29

 



The n I he smallest outside n e d r a an beGmade into an

f calm, a bolthole Even the smallest outside space youcancan unwind be made into an oasis of calm, a bolthole you can hard day at where work unwind after a hard day at work rtain during the or entertain during the summer er evenings. evenings.

                                 into the world beyond and help to link than you think you'll need because If you have a small garden,

Make The Most Of A Small Garden

the land with the sky." once you put a table and four chairs  you need to plan carefully to  Small trees, neat evergreens and out there and you've pulled them out  ensure it meets your individshrubs which can be pruned to appear you don't want to be falling over the  tree-like in outline are perfect strucual needs, we get some advice edge."           There are ways to make a small garden tural plants for small gardens. from TV gardening expert  Colour won't need to be so prevalent look bigger, he adds.  Alan Titchmarsh. in a small plot.

Hiding your boundary with plants                 "You'll need less colour in a smaller can increase the sense of space, while    he  "Keep it simple," advises.   garden. What's more important is placing a small statue at the end of a    form and    "You can make it interesting without it perspective.

I   narrow path will make the distance structure,  being fussy.

Have good clean lines and like to use evergreens because even seem greater because your eyes want            interesting angles. in a tiny garden it gives it structure in to believe the statue is life size.   "Consider if it's worth having a lawn winter.

"Allow yourself some space. Gaps at  in  all. Bear mind if it's going to be "Highlight the colour by giving it a in an  enclosed  space encourage you big enough to be able to sit on and to good green background with foliage. to look through them into the space be able to mow. Can you manoeuvre Use colour more sparingly and it can beyond, while looking from an open   a lawn mower around it and easstill be effective." area into a densely planted one can   of  give  ily dispose the clippings? If the Just because you have a small garden a sense of  infinity.  answer's no to all of this, then go for a "A blend of open  and enclosed spaces doesn't mean you always have to go different surface, whether it's gravel or for dwarf plants, he adds. will enable you to blur the boundaries   paving or decking."

"Don't feel that everything has to be of your plot and make your small            Seating is likely to be the biggest prior- garden seem more squat, or you'll end up with what looks spacious."  ity, he observes. like a tray of scones. Allow yourself Focal points are also important and "Look at your plot to find out where one, two or three architectural a few large features are better than       plants."   the path of the sun is because the  Water is also a good design feature to many small ones in a small space, says        most important thing for most people bring into a small garden because the Titchmarsh.   in the garden is where they're going reflective surface anchors the sky and "Don't think that because you've got a  to sit. allows light into your garden. small garden you can't have anything  "Work out the place that will be most "The reflective powers of a plain sheet of stature. Tall plants are fine as long   convenient, whether you want to sit in of water are great and you can make a as they're not spreading out too much  the sun or the shade. You may need rill (formal canal of water) or a stream or shading the  garden or filling it with your patio to be at the bottom of the in the tiniest of gardens and it's wonlots of foliage.   garden rather than next to the house. derful in bringing light in."

"Tall plants draw your eye up and out  "Always make the seating area bigger                 30 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk 

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UNIT 7, SPARROWHALL BUSINESS PARK, LEIGHTON RD. EDLESBOROUGH, LU6 2ES Issue 77 • June / July 2017 31

Star In A

Hollywood

Blockbuster

By Haydon Littlewood, Personal trainer at www.bodychange4u.co.uk

“I would do anything to be thinner!”

I hear this phrase a lot from clients and I always reply with the same question.

“If you were offered £10million to star in a Hollywood blockbuster but you had to get down to a size 8, could you do it?” The answer I usually get is “of course I would!”

So then I say “what about £5m?” and I get the same answer “of course I would!” then I say “£1m?” and, again, I get a yes. "What about £500k?” might get a 'mmm maybe'. “Would you lose the weight for £100?” and at this point I tend to get a NO! The point of this type of questioning is to show just how much you really want something and, more importantly, the amount of work you are prepared to put in to achieve it. When you want to lose weight or get fit you need to ask yourself “How much do I want this realistically? How much effort am I prepared to put in? What am I prepared to sacrifice?” If you answered no to the question about the film for £100 then you really don’t want it enough and really aren’t prepared to make the necessary sacrifices.

We all have our own reasons for wanting to reduce fat and get fit. The most common reasons I hear are: • Look good in swimwear/beach holiday • Told to lose weight by a doctor for health reasons (lower cholesterol/reduce joint pain/be eligible for IVF • Achieve a target (race/challenge etc.)

If these are familiar targets for you, then you need to treat them like a £10m film opportunity. When you are confronted by temptations you need to ask yourself either out loud or in your head “what do I want more, this

32 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

biscuit or to look amazing on the beach?” A biscuit will give you 10 seconds of satisfaction but achieving your goal will give you a lifetime of happiness!

You need to re-train the brain and start thinking differently; breaking old habits and building new ones. This is actually easier than you think! Have you ever driven abroad? How weird does it feel when you drive on the opposite side of the road? The mirror in the wrong place, the gearstick in the opposite hand and roundabouts are a nightmare! But we survive. Why? Well our instinct kicks in and you then start concentrating harder.

By the end of the first week it feels more natural and you think less about what you are doing. This is the same when changing your eating habits and your lifestyle choices. It will feel weird and awkward to begin with but slowly you will create new habits and patterns and this will become the norm. You will have slips along the way but be consistent and you will create new habits which in turn will help you to successfully achieve your goal. And remember; you didn’t put weight on overnight so don’t expect to lose it overnight. Be patient.

Try it for yourself tomorrow and set yourself the challenge of leaving the last bite of everything you eat. For example, the last spoon of cornflakes? Throw it in the bin! The last bite of a sandwich? Bin it! The last mouthful of pasta? Ditch it! Because we are programmed to clean our plates at meal times this can be harder than you think! But with repetition this can become a new habit and think of how all those calories will add up over the period of a month!

A personal trainer will offer you the support and guidance to help you through any changes in lifestyle and will be on hand to give you the necessary support and encouragement at those times when it feels like you’ve had enough. A good personal trainer isn’t just about meeting you and taking you to the gym; a great personal trainer will call/text you everyday, set you challenges, devise food plans and offer you advice on a variety of subjects. You should be paying for a package not just the time spent with your PT.

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Issue 70 • April / May 2016 33

“

auto Biographies

Compact and bijou

”

By Rob Auchterlonie © Wheelwrite.co.uk 2017

Citroen C3

Citroen C3 A New 2017

HONDA Civic

CITROEN C3 might not be the car you’d turn to to travel back and forth from your ‘other’ house in France on a regular basis, but we have friends who did just that – on a regular basis.

A competent little car in the past, the main bugbear being that while you could load it to the gunwhales, they were pretty compact and bijou gunwhales.

How they would have loved the new middle age spread and slightly porkier C3 you can exchange your cash for.

Much more interior space, a build quality that hints that someone’s been down on the production line and kicked a few derrieres, and an overwhelming senses that here is – at last – a worthy wearer of that iconic Citroen badge. A badge that is simplicity itself on a car that has all the modern day bells and whistles that buyers demand.

It bears the distinctive look of a shrunken C4 Cactus, because along its flanks are the airbump panels first seen on the aforementioned Cactus.

It gives the C3 a certain ‘je ne said quoi’. Actually, I do know quoi, because it’s a body shape that flows in sharp contract to some of the edgier offerings at this point of the market.

It’s got an aggressive stance – a trait the French normally reserve for the rugby pitch – yet inside it comes over all Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen, with tan strips round the steering wheel, the front edges of the seats and across the dash. Totally out of keeping with the cobalt blue exterior paint and its white roof.

It must be a French thing because following on from our recent review of Peugeot’s 3008 SUV, the power here is also provided by a three pot 1.2 litre engine with similar output and performance attributes. The C3’s turbocharged and intercooled unit which proves quite voluble under acceleration and also quite swift, you have to work a bit on the correlation between clutch, throttle and gear change to keep it smooth. Otherwise it isn’t, as the three pot can prove to be a bit too willing to impress at times.

The engine range offers you a simple choice - a 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder with either 68hp, 82hp or 110hp, while the 1.6 BlueHDi diesel comes in 75hp or 100hp guises.

Citroen has successfully built the C3 round one of its core brand values, and that is comfort, making the car a relaxed place to be on the move, even if it does body roll a bit. Even with that, it’s still worth considering by anyone who’s looking for a car of this size.

34 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Price: £16,285 (Flair PureTech 110) Engine: 1199cc in line three cylinder, 110hp, 205Nm Five speed manual gearbox Top speed: 117mph 0-62mph: 9.3secs Fuel: Urban 51.4, extra urban 70.6, combined 61.4 CO2: 103g/km

The C3 has been a staple of the supermini scene since 2002, but the latest C3 is definitely the best one yet. It’s light years away from its predecessors, sitting on its 17 inch diamond cut cross alloys as this one does.. The original C3 was launched back in 2002, and the Mk2 of 2009 vintage was an evolution of that car, and had a more upmarket interior than before.

When they set out to do something a bit different you can’t say Citroen don’t come up trumps. C3 is another car that’s the wacky offspring of a design team that put pencil to paper only AFTER a long liquid French lunch….

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59 Issue 77 • June / July 2017 35

Puzzles

RD

Answers on page 62

Across 1. Bury (5) 4. Lower (7) 8. Great joy (7) 9. Pick-me-up (5) 10. Excuse (4) 11. Awful (8) 13. Stag (4) 14. Labyrinth (4) 16. Harshness (8) 17. Pain (4) 20. Canal boat (5) 21. Blow up (7) 22. Corrected (7) 23. Urge (5)

SUDOKU

Down 1. Unutterable (13) 2. Commerce (5) 3. Destroy (4) 4. Peril (6) 5. Fatherly (8) 6. Exalt (7) 7. Reticence (13) 12. Help (8) 13. Varied (7) 15. Go to (6) 18. Arc (5) 19. Applaud (4)

Fill in the grid so that every row, eve and every 3x3 box contains the digi

E

Hard

Step from the bottom to the top rung by changing one letter at a time

SLING

9

7

5

2

8

6

1 4

6

1 9

9 2

7

8

2

8

5

3

9

7

4 6

PLANE

36 36

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CROSSWORD Across: 1. Bury (5) 4. Lower (7) 8. Great joy (7) 9. Pick-me-up (5)

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Issue 77 • June / July 2017 37

Snippets By Paul Heley

As many who suffered my “Traveller’s Tales” series will know, I’ve been a two-wheeler for many years. In fact my first bike was a 1946 350cc Royal Enfield Model G which I bought during my National Service days in the RAF. It had telescopic front forks (a fairly new innovation) but a solid rear end meaning that the pillion rider felt every bump in the road! I used it to come home on weekends (when I could) and I reckon I knew every blade of grass in the 120 miles between Somerset and Dunstable. The bike served me very well.

Since those days back in 1953, I’ve had loads of different bikes - many more than the tin boxes with wheels which I’ve also owned - and only last year gave up motorcycling per se since it was becoming fairly obvious to everyone (apart from me) that it would only be a matter of time before I finished up, unable to move, with the bike on top of me. My last steed (which I’d had for many years) was a 650cc Kawasaki and was really too big and too heavy for an octogenarian like me to get on and off safely. So, and after a great deal of persuasion from “you know who”, I relented, sold the Kwacker, and bought my grandson’s 125cc scooter.

The reason I was so reluctant to make the move was because I remember the days of “mods and rockers” when any self respecting motorcyclist wouldn’t be seen dead on a scooter. I remember describing driving a scooter once as “like riding a blancmange”. So I needed a lot of persuasion.

But I’ve since realised that today’s scooters are absolutely brilliant and that I should have made the switch ages ago.

However, I remember one occasion when a bike did fall on me and that there was nothing I could do about it. It was thirty or more years ago when I was on my way to work and hit a patch of ice. The net result was that there was a heavy bike on top of my leg and that the hot exhaust pipe was slowly burning its way through my leather boot and with my being unable to do anything to stop it. Clearly the next phase wasn’t attractive because after my boot, the next bit was me!

38 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Then, in the nick of time (US cavalry coming over the hill!) some kind soul saw my plight and lifted the bike sufficiently for me to extricate myself. Then, between us, we lifted the machine to an upright position so that I could carry on to work. It was a close shave.

But my first experience of something potentially very serious could almost be the basis for a comedy sketch. It was when I was in the RAF and coming home for a weekend (1953?, 1954?) and I’d agreed to give a mate a lift to Reading on the A4 (this was before the days of motorways). We’d got to some spot in Wiltshire, approaching a crossroads, and rapidly catching up ready to overtake a smaller motorbike.

But the rider of the other bike suddenly decided to turn right at the crossroads as I was overtaking him. The result was that I hit him amidships and ran straight over the top of him. After that I assume I must have hit the roadside verge’s steep bank with quite a bang since my memory after the actual impact is a total blank.

The next thing I recall is that I was sitting on a beatifully manicured lawn in the middle of a lovely garden full of flowers with the sun shining and the birds singing. It was an idyllic setting and I thought I’d been killed and had gone to Heaven! How conceited can you get? Why on earth should I have thought that Heaven was my natural destination rather than the other place?

But my reverie was quickly shattered when a large gentleman stood over me and uttered the immortal words “’Ello,’ello,’ello. Wot ‘ave we got ‘ere then?” It transpired that the local bobby had been having a cup of tea and admiring his garden from the patio window when, all of a sudden, a body came flying over his hedge and landed on his lawn. Quickly grabbing a pencil and note book, he came to investigate and noted down my garbled explanations.

Then, having seen that I (miraculously) hadn’t got a scratch or even a bump, he rushed round the front where the rider of the other bike was still struggling to get up - he’d either got a broken leg or something else which restricted

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Issue 77 • June / July 2017 39

The Callendish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

his movement. Fortunately for me, and after he’d realised he was talking to the local copper, he confessed all saying “It’s my fault, I turned in front of him and he couldn’t do anything to avoid hitting me”. This all went into the notebook. And it’s a very good job it did because the chap later tried (no doubt under a solicitor’s instruction) to change his story and to lie. But his original statement held up in the subsequent court hearing and I received full compensation and costs for the necessary repair to the front forks on my bike which needed restraightening.

But what about Martin, my pillion passenger? Mercifully, he wasn’t thrown over the hedge but had been thrown instead along the line of the grass verge and landed headfirst in a pile of manure! We might say that he’d been saved by a heap of *@#! (fill in the blanks yourself!)

My damaged bike had to stay where it was and later collected for repair, an ambulance was called for the other chap, Martin was given a quick wash and brush up in the copper’s bathroom and I remained completely unscathed.

However, our plans for the weekend had been dashed so we decided to hitch hike our way back to RAF Locking in Somerset.

There was another occasion when I came to grief. This time I was staying with some American friend (who had 18 motorbikes!) and he decided to take me dirt bike riding on some nearby area dedicated for the purpose. All was going well until I miscued once and fell off in a large pond; but my crashing disgrace was when I was gingerly coming down a very narrow and steep track and the front wheel hit a stone which completely threw the steering awry. The net result was my right hand finished up trapped between the bike and a big rock - and the rock won! I’m afraid one of my fingers looked a bit of a mess (it’s still strange even today) and I remember that we had to bandage my hand up with a grubby handkerchief and ride back home before Geoff ’s wife Debbie could sort me out properly.

Yet another occasion could have been really disastrous.

40 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

I was riding the steppe in Mongolia and hit a hidden small rock such that I flew 20 or 25 feet before landing head first and rolling over. I was in a bit of a mess with busted helmet, glasses, teeth but, fortunately, not a broken neck. This could have been the case had I landed at an angle to the ground rather than vertically such that momentum rolled me over. But I must say that the Gobi Desert is not the best place to have a serious motorcycle accident. Somehow I survived.

However, motorbikes have usually been the source of far more pleasure than mishap for me and there are so many places around the world where I (or Val and I) have thought how nice it was to be on a bike rather than in a car.

There are so many times when a road (or lane, or track) had looked interesting and worth trying - safe in the knowledge that it’s much easier to turn a bike round than a car. There have been stacks of times when we’ve finished up in a farmyard (and once in Ireland, in someone’s front garden), or the road simply petered out for no apparent reason. But it had usually been very interesting just getting to this dead end somewhere. It’s the joy of simply wandering about with no fixed itinerary - just finding things, people and places off the beaten track. You can do this more easily on a bike.

We used to go to Scotland quite often and I always reckon that the scenery improves the further north and west you go - the sorts of places most people don’t visit. Even if they ever get as far as Scotland Fort William or Inverness is usually the limit for most English people. But the far north-west is magnificent; the scenery is absolutely breath taking at times; the little villages are fascinating; the people interesting to talk to; and the light, plus the balance between mountain and loch just right for photographs. But, and it’s a big but, you chance your arm with the weather and there have been many times when Val and I have been absolutely soaked to the skin. However, a cousin of mine (who is another Scotiaphile) once said “For six days you curse the place; then on the seventh day, the sun comes out and you forgive it everything”. Amen to that. So if you want guaranteed sun, heat, and blue sky, don’t go to northern Scotland: but if you want superb scenery and are prepared to chance it, give it a try.

I further remember riding on the Outer Hebridean Isles of Lewis and Harris when the sun shone for a few consecutive days (most unusual). Riding along deserted roads amongst some of the loveliest coastal scenery on offer and visiting such spots as the ancient Stones of Callanish is one of my treasured memories.

A word of warning if on Lewis or Harris:- Don’t run the petrol tank too low on a Sunday because everywhere shuts down completely (by order of the Wee Free Church). I made that mistake and had to coast down the hills with the engine switched off as much as possible; and I’m convinced the bike was running on little more than petrol vapour before I could fill up the next day.

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Issue 77 • June / July 2017 43

Bedfordshire’s Night Sky Recycling today for tomorrow...

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Looking Up! See Saturn’s Encounter with the Micro-Moon: At 10pm on Friday 9th June the smallest full moon of the year rises over the south-eastern horizon. It’ll be some 406,000 kilometres away making it the most distant full moon of 2017. Half an hour later you should notice a bright star-like object hanging in the sky just below the moon.

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Spot the Milky Way from the Chilterns at Midnight: From 14th July until 27th July this year we have a great opportunity to spot the dim dusty starlight of the Milky Way from the Chiltern Hills. Find a spot away from streetlights and look up. You should see a giant faint band of speckled dim light arching overhead from north to south.

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A Pensioners View

Health & Social Care Funded By Taxation

T

he thinking of the above title of this item arose form reading an article in the March edition of The National Pensioners Convention publication 'Campaign". It's lead in paragraph "Cuts to care may have caused 30,000 deaths and the reasons why� make very interesting and worrying reading.

A study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has claimed that the 'only explanation' for a huge rise in deaths among older people is the cuts in funding for care. It is the first time a direct link has been drawn between cuts and a surge in deaths - totalling an extra 30,000 in 2015.

Since the 2010 election, the impact of cuts resulting from the imposition of austerity on the NHS has been profound.

Expenditure has failed to keep up with the demand and the situation has been exacerbated by dramatic reductions in social care spending by around ÂŁ5 billion.

With an ageing population, the NHS is ever more dependent on well-functioning social care system, yet is collapsing under the pressure.

48 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

By Mike Newman

Dot Gibson, National Pensioners Convention general secretary is of the opinion that some extra funding into the care system as a matter of urgency is a requirement, but in the longer term we need to introduce a health and social care funded through taxation, that is part of the wider public sector.

If you have a computer - the latest briefing on how care and social care should be funded is available to you at www.npcuk.org This matter of social care is left to your local County Council or Borough to deal with ever depleted income from the Government to them. The increase in the Council ax will not reach the total required to fund a local social care system, in fact it will not stop future cutting back in certain local requirements that the council would willingly support if the money was available. So to be fair to those items such as social care that is a requirement for the elderly- who have - in the majority worked extremely hard for what they have in retirement should expect some recompense from keeping their side of the bargain, they worked and paid their taxes for a much better deal than which appears to be in the offing.

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www.thevinemagazine.comIssue 77 • June / July 2017 51 19

What’s On Akeman Street Tring Hertfordshire HP23 6AP

TRING PARK NEST BUILDING 2nd June, 10.30 - 12.00 & 14.30 - 16.00 Learn why birds nest and gather material to create your own leafy home.

Understand the variety of different types of nests.

Then complete a challenge to collect your material from the park to create your own large nest.

Suitable for children aged seven and older. Outdoor activity. Suggested donation £2, advance booking required.

WELLY WEDNESDAY AT TRING 7th & 21st June 5th & 19th July, 10.30 - 11.15, £3 per child.

Outdoor activity, meet at The Quad. No need to book.

Help children explore nature in an outdoor play session. Create nature-themed outdoor crafts and listen to peaceful stories in this messy play session for children under 5.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT TRING 8th & 22nd June. 11.00. Tickets £10.

Step into one of the Museum at Tring’s collections areas to discover how the world-renowned bird research collection is used.

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For Infomation Tel: 020 7942 6171

Explore exhibitions and events at www.nhm.ac.uk/tring.

TRING BIOBLITZ 10th June. 10.00 - 16.00. FREE Help experts record wildlife around the Museum grounds by taking part in scientific sampling.

Join a variety of family-friendly activities including pond dipping, mammal trapping, tree shaking and grass beating. Then enter the identification tent to explore animal skulls as well as the day’s finds.

Suitable for all ages. Outdoor activity. Just turn up.

ORCHIDS AT THE RAGPITS 2nd July. 10.30 - 12.00. £5 Learn how to identify flowers with Museum scientists and Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust wardens.

The Aston Clinton Ragpits is a nature reserve known for its beautiful orchids. Find out about the flowers, the Rothschild’s connection, and the Natural History Museum’s citizen science project, Orchid Observers.

COLOURS OF NATURE IN TRING PARK 31st July. 0.30 - 12.00 & 14.30 - 16.00 Journey around Tring Park and discover colours in nature.

Join the Woodland Trust on a walk and see the park in a different light. Explore the different colours and shades in this ever-changing habitat.

Outdoor activity (Tring Park), suitable for ages 7+.

Booking required, call: 020 7942 6163

EXPLORE SKULLS 25th, 26th, 27th July - 1st, 2nd, 3rd August.

10.30 - 11.00, 11.15 - 11.45 & 14.30 - 15.00. £2 LIFE ON THE EDGE Canines, molars or incisors? Herbivore, carnivore or 8th June, 19.00 - 20.00. £4.50 per adult. omnivore? Investigate skulls to uncover which animal Discover the stories behind endangered and extinct they belong to. species in this tour and handling activity.

Complete a guided tour of the galleries with a member of Work out what these animals are and what they eat by handling skulls and teeth. Suitable for ages 5+. the Museum’s knowledgeable team. Find out about the Just drop in. threats facing wildlife and enjoy a rare chance to handle real specimens. Suitable for adults, booking required.

52 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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For all of your decorating needs Issue 77 • June / July 2017 53 Order Prints

Clubs & Groups WIDOWS & WIDOWERS CLUB We are an active Widows and Widowers club.

Meetings are held locally and new members are always welcome.

If you would like to make new friends and join in our many outings and activities please ring Jenny 01582 672766 or Val 01582 659717 or email Carol at carol.hodges@ntlworld.com CURTAIN CALL THEATRE GROUP & YOUTH THEATRE Youth theatre open to children aged 5 - 16 Mondays 5pm - 7.30pm Eaton Bray Village Hall. Acting, Singing, Dance, Fun & Games!

Adult group (16+) Mondays 8pm 10pm Eaton Bray Village Hall. New members always welcome wheather on or off stage.

Call Gavyn 01525 220525 www.curtaincalltheatregroup.co.uk WEDNESDAY CLUB at NORTHALL VILLAGE HALL Are you or do you know of an elderly person in the Northall, Dagnall, Edlesborough, Eaton Bray or surrounding villages who might benefit from a social day out once a week? Why not come along to the Wednesday Club from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Our own minibus can pick you up, morning coffee and biscuits, home cooked lunch with pudding, afternoon tea and cakes. Play games and bingo, sale table, entertainment by visitors and outside club visits.

Join in as much or as little as you like, make new friends, very friendly atmosphere. Only £9.00 per week including transport.

Contact Anna on 07854 230243, please leave a message if no answer.

BEDFORDSHIRE GUILD OF WEAVERS, SPINNERS & DYERS. A friendly group of textile crafts people who meet in Flitwick Village Hall twice a month.

First Tuesday evening of each month 7.30 - 9-30 and Third Saturday, all day, 10.30 to 4.30.

We welcome visitors interested in seeing what we do, so please pay a visit to our website www.bedsguildwsd.blogspot.co.uk BEECROFT CRAFT & CHAT Beecroft Community Centre Westfield Road Dunstable We meet on the 1st Wednesday of every month between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m on a “drop in/drop out” basis.

We meet to have a cuppa, chat and craft together in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

Our many experienced crafters offer mini workshops on a variety of crafts and are always on hand to advise and help with any crafting problems you may have.

ALL CRAFTS WELCOME If you are bored, or don’t/can’t craft, why not come and try something new with us.

The first session is FREE Annual subscription £5.00 Session Fee: £3.00 For more info; contact Dorothy on 01582 606812 or check out Beecroft Craft & Chat on Facebook DUNSTABLE WI Dunstable WI meet two evenings a month on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at Watling Lower School Bullpond Lane at 7.00pm. We are friendly group and like to enjoy ourselves.

We have a wide range of speakers with different talents crafts, and also Quizz nights to test our brains. We welcome new members so join us and make new friends.

June 8th: Susan Blain - Health in retirement July 13th: From Wrens to retirement For more information telephone Barbara Fisher 01582 665252

54 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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 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, Philip Savage on 01582 662462.

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 LANGDALE CHURCH Langdale church communities: Art group every week, Friends and Neighbours open to everyone speaker and refreshments every second Thursday, Toddler group every Wednesday term time only, Saturday coffee morning second Saturday every month, Carers drop in 1st Thursday every month. Neighbourhood chaplains befriending and sup-

June - July 2017 port in the local community. Sunday morning services at 10.30am. Please contact 01582 602980 langdalechurch@talktalk.net SOCIAL GROUP We are a small group of people age 45+. If you like to have fun and enjoy yourself then please get in touch. No Membership required, just ring Tina for more information between 10am & 8pm week days 01582 619035 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 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 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 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 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 SAPHIRE SOCIAL CLUB We meet every Thursday at The Orange Tree Stevenage Rd Hitchin from 8.30pm. A small and friendly group for single people aged 50+. We offer a variety of social events during the month and the opportunity to make new friends. Potential new members are warmly welcome to come along and meet us with no joining fee for 2 months. For further info call/text Ian 07900 890583 or Joyce 07952 678021 www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk

DUNSTABLE GARDEN CLUB Dunstable Garden Club has a busy summer of garden outings ahead but will restart our evening meetings on September 11th. Anyone interested & would like further information please contact Mary Chapman 01582 603710 NEW MOON MORRIS We are a mixed side dancing traditional dances from all over England – with our own twist – as well as choreographing new dances.

We are particularly looking for new dancers. We meet most Tuesday evenings 8:15 – 10:15 at Ivinghoe Town Hall, LU7 9EW (we advise that you check – in case we are ‘dancing out’). Contact: squire.newmoon@gmail.com.

Find out more at: http://newmoonmorris.blogspot.co.uk New Moon Morris will be ‘dancing out’ at the following local events: Tuesday 6th June, 7:30pm Half Moon Hitchin with Baldock Midnight Morris Saturday 24th June, 10:30am St Albans Folk Festival Tuesday 27th June, 7pm Rose and Crown Wingrave with Whitchurch Morris Men Saturday 1st July All day - Kimpton Folk Festival Saturday 22nd July, 10am Rickmansworth Day of Dance

DUNSTABLE BAPTIST CHURCH St Mary’s Gate (Middle of Ashton Square Car Park) Our Friends and Neighbours meetings are open to everyone on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.

For more information contact David tel: 01582 872106

Issue 77 • June / July 2017 55

Clubs & Groups DUNSTABLE DAOS Tuesdays and Fridays, 7:45pm - 10:00pm We are Dunstable's premier Musical Theatre group. We perform out major shows, once a year, at The Grove Theatre in Dunstable along with concerts, small shows and so on. Find our Facebook Group or Facebook page for more details. Email: daosuk@gmail.com STUDHAM W.I. Studham WI meet on the first Thursday of every month, 7.45pm at Studham Village Hall.

An open and friendly group of around 30+ ladies, we enjoy laughing and socialising, be it at our meetings, our monthly lunch outings, darts matches, quiz evenings, or at group and county events. Our programme for 2017 includes: puppets, advice on getting the best energy deals and tariffs, the importance of an up-to-date will, seated flexibility exercises, and mosaic making, as well as trips to a wine-tasting evening, the theatre in London, a Cotswold farm and our (members only) Summer Garden Party. If you’re interested in joining us, then come and try the WI! We’re always happy to welcome visitors to the majority our meetings. Visit: www.studhamwi.wordpress. com for more information, or find us on facebook – just search for “studhamwi”.

LIPREADING CLASSES IN DUNSTABLE Did you know that one in six people in this country have some kind of hearing problem?

Hearing loss can affect anyone of any age. Hearing aids have improved enormously, they use all the advances in modern technology, but even the best aids don’t cure hearing loss. It is still a problem to hear in noisy social or work environments, but all is not lost.

Research has shown that joining a lipreading class helps to avoid the damaging social isolation that can accompany hearing loss.

Lipreading classes teach you to let your eyes help your ears fill in the things you miss. They are small friendly classes, and as well as learning lipreading we cover, how hearing works and the things that can go wrong, equipment and organisations that can help, strategies to cope in various situations, and much more, oh, and we laugh a lot!

My name is Molly Berry, and I am profoundly deaf, I started losing my hearing when I was in my thirties, and 7 years ago I was given a Cochlear Implant.

It was very successful, and so I decided to retrain as a lipreading tutor to pass on the skills I relied on. I teach in Beds. Bucks and Herts, and there is now a class in Dunstable on a Wednesday afternoon. For more information about this and other classes or to join a class, call or text me on 07741 095921 or email me at mb.lipreading@gmail.com

56 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

BEDFORDSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY www.bnhs.org.uk THURSDAY 8th JUNE TOTTERNHOE 10:30am Visit Totternhoe Knolls for chalk downland flowers and other wildlife. Meet in the NT car park, LU6 1QG. Families welcome.

WEDNESDAY 14th JUNE, MAULDEN 7-9pm Visit Duck End NR for the abundant wildlife at this small, varied reserve. Limited parking at the site in Moor Lane, Maulden, MK45 2DJ. Families welcome.

SATURDAY 24th JUNE FLITWICK 10am-4pm Visit Flitwick Moor SSSI for the Invertebrate Day joint meeting with Flit Vale Wildlife Trust Local Group, recording invertebrates and other wildlife. Meet in car park at end of Folly Lane, off Maulden Road by Folly Farm, MK45 5BW. Families welcome.

Bring lunch.

DUNSTABLE SALVATION ARMY FRIENDS TOGETHER (Over 60s ) We meet every Weds at Bull Pond Lane,Dunstable,LU6 3AH We have a Cup of Tea or Coffee at 1.00pm then the the meeting starts at 1.30pm - 2.30pm Weekly Subscription £1 The Programme consists of Various Speakers.Quizzies, SingA-Longs, Musicial Artists Lunch Club for Members on the first Weds of the month @ £3 Also lots of good fun and Christian Fellowship. For More Information Contact Maureen Dunn on 01582 759509

What’s On

COLLEGE LAKE www.bbowt.org.uk/whats-on Please visit the website for more information and to book your place on walks and activities.

Upper Icknield Way, Tring. HP23 5QG Tel: 01442 826774

College Lake: Opticron Trade Day Sun 18th June, 10:00am - 4:00pm A chance to try out the full range of Opticron binoculars and spotting scopes. Join Rob from Opricron for expert advice.

Summer Solstice Guided Walk Weds 21st June, 6:00pm - 8:30pm Come and join us here for our Summer solstice walk

Children’s Workshop: Dig it!

Thus 1st June, 10:00am - 11:30am & 1:00pm - 2:30pm Become a fossil hunter in our fun, interactive workshop, and discover more about the mysteries of College Lake’s past.

Summer Nights at College Lake Every Wednesday in July and August, 5pm – 8pm Enjoy our beautiful nature reserve after hours!

Aylesbury Peregrine Project Watch Thus 1st June 10:00am - 3:00pm Venue: Market Square, Aylesbury Join us on one of our Peregrine watch days.

We will be located near the Clock Tower, Market Square with our telescopes to show you these magnificent birds and their chick.

More event info College Lake Artists Sat 10th June - 9:30am & Sun 25th June - 4:00pm

Creatures of the Night Friday 14th July

8.45pm to 11pm

Entrance from Knolls View.

Includes bat detecting and moth trapping.

Warm refreshments provided.

Booking essential, please contact: Ruth Sneath 01525 874317

Our College Lake artists are back! Come and say hello to our wonderful College Lake artists who are back with a bang this year.

Email toddington@wildlifebcn.org £2.50 per child, £3.50 per adult, £10 small family www.wildlifebcn.org facebook.com/groups/northchilternschalk Registered Office: The Manor House, Broad Street, Great Cambourne, CB23 6DH Registered in England 2534145. Registered charity No. 1000412

Issue 77 • June / July 2017 57

Out & About CHILTERN GATEWAY Dunstable Road, LU6 2GY

National Meadow’s Day 1st July

Discover Bedfordshire’s hidden miniature jungle here at Dunstable Downs. With more plant species per square meter than the amazon rainforest join in and discover a hidden world . . . Self led trail running 11-3pm collect a free map from event tent. National trust members and Blue Badge Holders park free normal parking charges apply

Kids in Action Sponsored 5k Fun Run 9th July

DUNSTABLE LADIES CHOIR SUMMER CONCERT 3rd June, 2.30pm St Augustine's Church, Mayfield Road, Dunstable Tickets: £8, including home-made refreshments Contact: Pat Jackson on 01582 520302

MUSIC ON PITSTONE GREEN

SUNDAY 25TH JUNE 1.00pm till 5.00pm PITSTONE GREEN TICKETS: Suggested donation £5 for adults – children free For the first time Beacon Community Choir will be hosting their summer afternoon of music on Pitstone Green.

Bring your picnic baskets, gazebos, families and friends and chill out in the sunshine listening to the harmonies of the Beacon Community Choir and friends, featuring a mixture of jazz, folk and pop music performed by local musicians and ensembles.

Teas and Scones available from the WI tent.

Whipsnade Village Hall, Whipsnade, Dunstable 29th & 30th July. 11am - 4pm Come along to the end of year student art exhibition at Whipsnade Village Hall on Sat 29th & Sun 30th July from 11am - 4pm The private view opens on Friday the 28th July from 7pm 9pm refreshments provided everyone is welcome.

Kite Festival

29th /30th July A weekend packed with highflying fun, with professional displays in the Kite Arena all day and lots of stalls. Come and fly your kite and send it soaring!

58 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

St Giles Summer Fayre Totternhoe Recreation Ground Saturday 17 June FREE ENTRY

A wonderful event for the whole community Attractiuons include: Barbecue lunches, Games for all ages, Refreshments, Stalls, Music, Raffle

June - July 2017

PRIORY HOUSE 33 High Street South, Dunstable, LU6 3RZ Tel: 01582 891420

Classic Motor Rally Saturday 10th June Priory Gardens 10am - 4pm

Priory House hosts the motor rally where people get the chance to look at vintage cars and bikes along with some charity stalls to view.

Priory Pictures

Hadrian Academy, Hadrian Avenue, Dunstable, LU5 4SR. 01582 618400

Saturday 24th June Priory Gardens - 6 pm and 8 pm

TEA TIME TALES

New for 2017, enjoy two FREE outdoor screenings of your favourite films.

For more information please contact Priory House on 01582 891420 Email prioryhouse@dunstable.gov.uk

Talks of local and national interest Join us on alternate Thursday afternoons between 2.30 pm and 4.00 pm for talks of local and national interest with a cup of tea or coffee and a homemade cake.

Tickets are £5 each and we strongly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance as they often sell out before the day. Tickets can be purchased over the phone using a debit/credit card. For more information or to book tickets please contact Priory House on 01582 891420

AT PRIORY HOUSE

1st June

London Buildings Through The Eyes Of Robert Adams & John Nash - David Deller

15th June

George Bernard Shaw & ME Terry Mills

6th July

Stories About Dunstable That You Find In The History Books - Rita Swift

20th July

The Very Capable Brown-Lancelot, His Landscapes, His Trees And His Water - Ann Ledger Issue 77 • June / July 2017 59

Out & About PARTY IN THE PARK SATURDAY 15 JULY 2017 GROVE HOUSE GARDENS 12 - 8.00 PM This year the amazing TOYAH WILLCOX will be performing at the Party in the Park.

Come down to Party in the Park where you and your family can enjoy the kid zone, which this year will feature Magic Dave, bouncy castles, Tony’s Reptile show, circus skills and a children’s disco.

There will also be a funfair for everyone to enjoy, a variety of craft and charity stalls, Mini club car show, pony rides and much, much more!

Then into the evening is when the music starts, from 6.00 pm get settled for 2 hours of brilliant live music to take you back to the 80s.

Back by popular demand is the amazing Boy George Experience. He performed at Dunstable Live in 2016 and was such a hit that he is back to get you in the party spirit!

she has amassed 13 top 40 singles, recorded 24 albums and toured live across the world.

In this lively and energetic festival set with her full live electric band you can expect to hear hit singles Good Morning Universe, Thunder In The Mountains, It’s A Mystery, I Want To Be Free, Brave New World and Rebel Run. Toyah will be performing her Greatest Hits tour live with her fantastic band.

This is one party definitely not to be missed!

We are looking for community groups, charities and clubs to get involved this year. If you are part of an organisation, whether it is a dog obedience class, dance school or a toddler music class we want to hear from you.

Our aim is to bring as many local organisations together to celebrate being part of Dunstable.

From punk princess to cult stage actress to high priestess of TV, Toyah Willcox is a uniquely gifted performer and an inextinguishable flame.

Charismatic, outspoken and impossible to categorise, she is one of Britain’s iconic household names – an award-winning rock legend as well as a much-loved stage/screen actress and music composer. In a career spanning over 35 years

Another June of art, nature & cake! what more could you want?!

College Lake Artists, an exciting, disparate group of Artists and Makers, are delighted to be exhibiting again at College Lake Nature Reserve near Tring, during Bucks Open Studios from 10th - 25th June.

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit College Lake, soak up the wonderful atmosphere of the nature reserve, enjoy first class artists and makers, and round off your visit with some delicious home made cake at the excellent Badger Cafe!

For more information see www.collegelakeartists.weebly.com, www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk or contact Louisa at collegelakeartists@gmail.com

60 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

DUNSTABLE LIVE PRESENTS...

A Night at the Movies Saturday 17th June. 3.00 pm to 8.00pm Grove House Gardens Are you ready to get your dancing shoes on…

Dunstable Town Council are bringing you 5 hours of non stop of music from the movies!

Bootleg Blues Brothers Direct from the hit touring production, these two renowned soul singers recapture the lunacy, music and the essence that is The Blues Brothers!

Enjoy all the hits from the film and a whole lot more in a show that is the best of its kind. The Bootleg Blues Brothers are without doubt, THE top UK Blues Brothers Tribute!

Movies Mayhem Lights, camera and action as this fantastic show brings to life the sounds of the big screen. This non-stop movie tribute act features some of the best loved soundtracks from your all-time favourite movies including Fame, Bond, Footloose and Pretty Woman to name just a few.

A Band Apart The Quentin Tarantino Tribute Band A Band Apart formed with the intention of bringing life once more to the great tunes from the iconic Tarantino cult films, from Reservoir Dogs to Kill Bill.

A Night at the Movies A live stage show re-creating classic movie moments.

Hit Songs from Rock ‘n’ Roll in Grease, to perfect “ABBA” pop from Mamma Mia, and from Dirty Dancing to Saturday Night Disco Dancing

Issue 77 • June / July 2017 61

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Issue 77 • when June responding / July 2017 63 Please men�on to adverts

QUALITY KITCHEN FACELIFTS

Do You Dream Of A New Kitchen?

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EST.

1999

Before

®

Why replace when you can reface?

• Large choice of doors, worktops & appliances • Less time, money and hassle than a full kitchen re-fit • Installed in 1-2 days by local, skilled tradesmen • The whole process managed from design to completion

CALL MARK FOR A FREE ESTIMATE:

01582 806468 dreamdoors.co.uk