The Vine Luton - April / May 2016 - Issue 14

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Local News / What’s On / Local Directory

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FREE

I Bramingham I Bushmead I Icknield I Barnfield I Stopsley I Wigmore I

A Guide To

Gardening For Small Spaces

By Charlie Dimmock

Student Loans An Essential Guide

By Martin Lewis

Inside This Issue

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Inside This Issue

Health Beauty & Wellb

Style Guide

Simply StBrows ripes

AUTO-BIOGRAPHIES

New Mini Cooper S Clubman Auto Tested: Bilbao, Spain.

Stand out from the crowd

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist with stunning stripes.

Twitter: @carwriteups www.carwriteups.co.uk

The old Mini Clubman was no oil-painting, but this one could easily earn its place on the podium at Legs 11. It’s a looker alright.

Home & Garden

The brand new Mini Clubman must have been breast fed at birth, because it’s far bigger than its siblings. That doesn’t mean it’s fat – no way. This car is well formed and its proportions are just right. And because it’s not exactly a shrinking violet, the Clubman is likely to win over quirkier Next Stripe Cami £32.00 types who might otherwise have gone for mid-size family car choices, such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.

Charlie Dimmock

16

Gives advice on Gardening In Small The story hasn’t always been good for the Clubman, though.

Spaces The first generation had a useless, single rear door that meant

12

UK passengers were forced to step into the road. This didn’t help sales and the Clubman therefore wasn’t exactly the rock New Look Stripe shirt dress star that BMW, Mini’s owner, was expecting. £24.99

fashion

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& Lashe Auto

biographies Tim Barnes-Clay reviews the new Mini Cooper S Clubman Auto

I was born with my dad’s eyebr thick, shapeless and unsightly, VW Golf’s, so you’ll get the family shopping in – and a toddler’s buggy. two caterpillars stuck to my fore The Cooper S Clubman Auto is easily the most gratifying to New Releases drive. Out at the Mini’s media launch on the roads twelve surroundingI followed the fashion of San Sebastian in northern Spain, the most powerful petrol Including drove go-kart-like on the straights - just as a Mini should.

It’s a away until they were w plucked The Hunts Man shame the slightly pulpy suspension can drizzle on your chips in the corners, with body roll kicking in if you entertotally the twisty X Men: Apocalypse - and I was disappearing bits too hard. But that can be forgiven, because the Cooper S & the latest from generates more than enough pull to keep you cheery.

Today, my eyebrows a 26 fainting!

Ryan Reynolds 189bhp can be squeezed from the S’ 2.0 litre turbocharged and unsightly and I’m resigned four-cylinder lump, and with the eight speed auto box, a zero to 62mph sprint in 7.1 seconds is easily achievable,that finishing up way forever. Or rather I wa with a top speed of 142mph. Even though these figures might

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But the Germans have seen the light and the previous rearmake the car sound insatiable for fuel – it’s not. With the hinged ‘clubdoor’, has been kicked to the kerb in favour of two superb automatic gearbox you canhow officially get an average of InternetModasearches assure me that no matter in Pelle Mine ‘normal’ back doors. They make it far easier for passengers 48.7mpg out of the Clubman - and the CO2 emissions are £75.95 to get in and out of the car. Then there’s the barn-door boot. over-plucked, over-waxed or over134g/km, meaning road tax is a trifling £130 per annum.

You’ll remember that from the last model. Well, that stays put, groomed your eyebrows may be, but now the doors can be released manually, or if you ticked The state-of-the-art 2015 Mini is a gargantuan step-up from its the hands-free tailgateVery option, sassy little kick under the rear there is hope still for forerunner, beautiful, stripe skirta£29.00 and it puts right pretty much everything that was bumper will open them up. awry. The Clubman now has more doors, better space, good arched, perfectly coiffed specilooks, and it really is exciting to drive. The Cooper S version is Inside, the comfortable seats are kind tomens. your backside Theand most extreme method especially guaranteed to bring a grin to the face of anyone who feel supportive, especially during long periods on the road. The behind its wheel. might be an eyebrowslips transplant car’s uncluttered dashboard is dwarfed by a massive screen that sits where the speedometer on older Minisreally!), used to be.but therePROS CONS less (yes are‘N’other The controller on the central console manages most of the Editor: Scott Nightingale drastic options!

Clubman’s systems, so there are fewer buttons on the dash to  Pleasurable √ confuse or divert you.

Advertising & Editorial:  Eye-catching √

Simply Stripes

and...

With your brows lookin it’s time to move on There are nume around promi and thickness 6 Local News for some of th ing! My daug 8 Soap Box long lashes we 10 Competition level following t 14 Home: Adding Kerb Appeal new mascara. But w  Roomy √ Shelly Nesbitt Most usit ladies – and the odd gent too – As the Clubman is the largest of the current Miniof litter, has,  Real-world √ predictably, the most capacious cabin.

To be frank, with a big Puzzles Tel: 01525 222379 / 07852need 453043 to lose a few hairs from the brow line.

The Some body-roll X18 Tinting is an option if your la load area too, the word ‘mini’ seems rather outmoded. The Email: info@thevinemagazine.co.uk solution is tweezing away the stray hairs whole motor is 270mm longer than the easiest five-door Hatchback, 20 Martin Lewis:larly Money FAST FACTS fair, and it’s not just for allowing for oodles of room in the front and respectable space yourself, but the results are short-lived and the risk of for two adults in the rear.

The boot is about the same as a the difference it made to my Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the  Max speed: 142 mph 22 Looking Up creating the wrong shape is high. Better results can be his lashes were darkened. Cu  0-62 mph: 7.1 secs content of advertising and articles published in achieved by a professional, with waxing  Combined mpg: 48.7 28and Outthread& About straight lashes appear longer this magazine are accurate, neither the publisher  Engine: 1998cc 4 cylinder 16 valve turbo petrol ingaccept methods removal lasting around or its editorial contributors can and achieving hair illusion of wider, brighter, m  Max. power (bhp):30 189 PDSA Pet Advice hereby disclaim any liability to anyweeks. party to loss 4-6  Max. torque (lb/ft): 221 Lash-perming, which is best  CO2: 134 g/km or damage caused by errors. Neither do they professional, can make the r  Price: £24,455 on the road reflect the opinion of this publication.

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

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

A popular look at the moment is HD (High Definition) Brows which focus on shape and design and promise Proud To Be to give you sleek, stylish brows like those enjoyed by Highly Commended the stars. A seven step process that includes a consulCUSTOMER EXCELLENCE AWARD tation followed by tinting,CARE waxing, threading, tweezing, trimming and finishing with a pencil or brush to www.thevinemagazine.co.uk fill in any gaps, is described as more than just shaping

Finally,Copy howdeadline about having ey for next issue: sions? This is one of the UK’ May18thand involv beauty treatments synthetic eyelashes to individ to give a luscious, natural lo curl, length or thickness can your personal preference an for 8-12 weeks depending o

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Hoo’s Open For

Launches Luton NEWS RELEASE

Children & Families Appeal

Summer!

Date issued ­ 16/02/16 Home-Start provides vital support to local families with young children who are struggling Details ­ For immediate release.

to cope for many reasons including illness or disability, mental ill health, bereavement, poverty HOME­START LAUNCHES LUTON CHILDREN or financial issues.

This year we are aiming&toFAMILI We begin the 2016 ‘open day’ season at the Luton further build our support services in Luton and Hoo Estate Walled Garden with the Annual Fair for have launched the Luton Children & Families Plant Heritage (Herts and Beds) on Saturday 23rd April Home­Start provides vital support to local families with young childr 2016 from 1100-1500. Entrance is just £3 and tours of Appeal in hope of raising £3000. the garden can also struggling be taken for an extra £2. to cope for many reasons including illness or disability, m Our Open Wednesdays begin on May 4th from Since April last year our charity has made a difference poverty issues. This year we are aiming to 1030-1530 each untilbereavement, the end of September.

This is an or financial to the lives of 51 Luton families including 149 children opportunity to showsupport our progressservices to visitors when our by giving emotional support,the friendship andChildren practical in Luton and have launched Luton &F volunteers, both gardeners and conservationists are at help according to the needs of the family. However hope of raising £3000. work. The garden has been revived by this enthusiasit has become clear that this is just the tip of the icetic team of volunteers and a wide range of research has berg. As our service becomes more well known the been undertaken since the beginning of the project number of families referred to us is growing steadily in 2001.

Since April last year our charity a difference tohaving the to lives o and we has have amade long waiting list. We are now A £5 entry fee includes a guided tour of the garden turn people away as we have reached the limits of our including 149 children emotional support, friendship and p and in addition a new tour of the Victorian farm build- by giving current funding. ings will be available.according Tours of the Farm Buildings have to the needs of the family. However it has become clear t become an exciting new experience for visitors to the “Studies show that Luton has become more deprived ofthere theisiceberg. our the numbe Walled Garden where an exhibitionAs of the re- service over becomes the last 5 years.more Almost well a third known of Luton’s children search done. There is a small extra charge for the tour livewe in poverty.

This affects every part oflist. life – from to us is growing steadily and have a long waiting We are now and tickets can be purchased at the Entrance Kiosk. health through to education. We want Luton to be Produce from the garden will beaway on sale including a place where and current parents getfunding. the people as we have reached thechildren limitsflourish of our Luton Hoo honey as well as plants. Refreshments will support they need. We don’t want to turn families be available. away when they come to us for help. Just £15 enables Outside of the garden we have illustrated us tobecome support a family for a deprived week and canover make allthe the last 5 “Studies showtalks that Luton has more available for groups, at their selected venue, topics difference to the lives of children living in the area.” of Luton’s children live– Linda in poverty.

This affects every part of life covering a history ofthird the garden, Hoo’s Farms, Hoo’s Johnson, Home-Start Central Bedfordshire Who – 100 and 150 years ago and in WW1, and Lord CEO. through to education. We want Luton to be a place where children f Bute who built the Walled Garden in the 1760’s with landscape designer get Capability support our Luton Children & Familiesaway Apthe Brown. support they need. You Wecan don’t want to turn families whe 2016 is the latter’s 300th anniversary and two study peal by fundraising, sponsoring and donating. Your for help.

Just £15 enables us to support a family for a week and can days are planned for April and May which will reveal funds will help us to further build and coordinate how our research hasdifference discovered details about the our support services local parents,​–children to the lives of children living in for the area.”

LindaandJohnson unusual design of the garden and the botanical collecfamilies in the area. Please help us reach our target Central Bedfordshire CEO.of £3000 – Any donations, however small are very tion which it contained.

Full details of all our activities can be found on our welcome. Visit our website: website www.lutonhooestate.co.uk or by phoning www.home-startcentralbeds.org.uk/fundraising-in-luton/ 01582 721443. our JustGiving You can support our Luton orChildren & page: Families Appeal by fundraisin Look forward to seeing you. Don't forget entry is via https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/homestartus to further build and coordinate our West Hyde Road notdonating. via the hotel. Your funds will help bedfordshire/lutonappeal

6

local parents, children and families in the area. Please help us reac

www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Issue 14 • April / May 2016

7

Your Rights

~

www.soapboxshout.com A free, local service to help resolve your customer service gripes, champion the good & expose the bad! Know your rights!

Whether it’s a complaint that's not been taken seriously, or you don’t know where else to turn, we will try to help you. You could be sick of chasing information, waiting for an order or refund long overdue, disappointed in a restaurant or haircut or aghast at how much you’ve been wrongly billed or badly treated.

For example, did you know that thousands of tumble dryers have been recalled as fire hazards and people are being told they have to pay for a replacement or worse, wait months for an engineer to come out. So our most recent campaign has been to push for justice as we believe all tumble dryers should be replaced at no cost to the consumer and that you cannot take such irrational risks with human life and property. Do register your machine if you're also affected.

www.soapboxshout.com/post/left-high-and-dry-by-your-tumble-dryer-manufacturer-and-retailer How does Soapbox help resolve customer service issues?

Once you’ve posted on our site at www.soapboxshout. com, our team escalates your complaint to get some action working with the regulators where necessary. We also promote your story on social media empowering each individual to get their voice heard and rights as a consumer respected. Our platform promotes transparency, keeping an audit trail so nothing is lost.

But what happens if the organisation doesn’t respond?

We give the company time to respond, respecting their “response time”. But when we are merely fobbed off either with corporate jargon, or worse, blatant disregard, then the company is named and shamed with the appropriate “Fobbed Off” status. This means that at least others can be warned before spending their hard earned cash or precious time to end up being let down.

Championing the good Happily we’re able to resolve many issues quickly. We love to champion the companies that do care enough to put things right & change perceptions. We love to hear praise too so do give credit where due.

Who’s behind Soapbox?

This time two years ago a group of friends found themselveselves, yet again, bemoaning the injustices and frustrations of unrepentant bad service (more apparent now than ever, with children to think about and less time to waste chasing down rabbit holes). So began their quest to improve things. They’ve been amazed at the response since then “Running this service in our free time is keeping us busy but it’s exciting. Who knows where it will lead? For now we’re going with the flow.

Being very local, we thought you’d want to know WE’RE HERE TO HELP especially with anything that’s likely to be close to our hearts & location! Like us on Facebook & do follow us on Twitter & help spread the word!”

The Soapbox Team theteam@soapboxshout.com

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local People Get Into The Grove!

80’s

mania

Coming To Dunstable’s

Grove Theatre on Saturday 23rd April !

80’s MANIA, is the UK's Official 1980’s Multi Tribute Reunion Concert!

If you love the 80's - do not miss this show!

Kim Wilde, A-ha, Duran Duran, Wham, Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Madonna, Spandau Ballet, Madness, Erasure, The Human League... plus many many more LIVE in Concert!

A massive line up of 25 best selling artistes are authentically recreated to look and sound how they did back in the decade that fashion forgot.

Over 35 non stop hits with over 150 costumes are performed in this fast paced, high energy, feel good show together with the awesome Mania Band, and Dance Troupe, not forgetting the mind blowing huge video screen projection, laser and lighting design.

New Romantics, leg-warmers, stiletto’s, shoulder pads, big hair, neon… it’s all there. Both

on and off the stage.

Be sure to arrive early as the party starts half an hour before with our 80's disco road show to get you all in the mood.

With an ever growing cult following and continued European success, 80's Mania has been touring the UK for the past 5 years and is now endorsed by ex Top of the Pops, Radio 1 and Saturday Superstore presenter, Mike Read.

So, dig out your worst 80's fashions, if you dare, (men too, complete with make up!) and come and join us for the best 80's night out, ever!!

Tickets available from www.80smaniashow.com or The Grove Theatre show box office Tel: 01582 602080 or www.grovetheatre.co.uk

WIN 2 TICKETS for 80’s Mania at The Grove To win tell us

Who is the lead singer of Culture Club?

Email your answer to win@thevinemagazine.co.uk one lucky winner will be picked at random

10 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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Issue 14 • April / May 2016 11

Style Guide

Simply Stripes Stand out from the crowd with stunning stripes.

Next Stripe Cami £32.00

Vera Mont Dress £160.00

New Look Stripe shirt dress £24.99

Moda in Pelle Mine £75.95

Very stripe skirt £29.00

12 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

F&F Stripe Dress £20.00

Issue 14 • April / May 2016 13

&

Home Garden Adding kerb appeal Improving the outside appearance of your home is unlikely to add value but investing some time and money could make the difference when it comes to selling. Take a critical look at the front of your property and list everything you think needs doing. See what jobs you can tackle yourself, but be realistic about your DIY abilities and consider hiring a tradesman.

Front door

Painting the door will create a fresh and inviting look. Consider hiring someone for this job, a badly painted door will look just as bad as a door that needs painting! Replace numbers, letterboxes and handles, consider removing name plaques.

Windows

If they need replacing, invest in new windows or they could just need a fresh lick of paint.

Make sure the frames are kept clean and the glass sparkling. Don’t forget curtains and blinds, they should be clean and in good condition.

Garden

If you have grass keep on top of the mowing.Remove weeds and keep hedges well maintained.

To add a splash of colour, consider adding flowering plants.

If you don’t have a garden place some (easy to maintain) potted plants on either side of the front door. Box plants in containers are a good choice.

Gates

Your gate should be in good condition, loose hinges repaired and metal gates should be free from rust.

A gate is a great feature, so don’t overlook it.

Paths & driveways

Paths and driveways should be swept, weeds removed and rubbish cleared away. If possible bins should be out of sight; at the very least they should be clean and not over flowing. Make sure cars are parked sensibly to allow an easy approach to the door.

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www.furnitureclinic.co.uk Issue 14 • April / May 2016 15

In Theen Gard

Big Ideas, Small Spaces With space at a premium and the size of gardens in newbuild developments shrinking, balconies, roof terraces and tiny back yards are becoming the norm. If you’ve only got a small space, how can you give it the wow factor? TV gardening expert Charlie Dimmock, has some ideas of her own on how to jazz up a balcony and attract wildlife in the process.

“Wildlife wants flowers all year round, just as we do,” she says. “Go for plants which give you a continuous amount of flowers. Some of the bedding plants are great and the more simple single flowers are better because they tend to have more nectar and pollen in them.

Some petunias are quite good, as are marigolds, osteospermums and other daisy-plants like marguerites.

“If you go for plants with double flowers they tend to be less pollenrich. Lavender and thyme are also good because they have a long flowering season.”

A good variation of plants which provide year-round interest may also be the way to go.

“I’d have two or three evergreen shrubs, not too big, such as a Daphne odora ‘Marginata’, which has a variegated leaf and fantastic scent in the spring. I’d also have a small pittosporum, as there are interesting

and different variegations, including grow things up that, so you’ve the ‘Tom Thumb’, a purple vertical option as well. Climbing one that stays like a plants will also give you a round ball with bit more height, texture purple leaves. and colour.”

“Go for smallDon’t dismiss ivy er shrubs like because ivy flowers Pittosporum attract beneficial tobira, which insects, says Charlie. is slow-growing “Ivy flowers very late in Tom Thumb and stays small, the season and very early with really lovely in the spring and it’s a really scented flowers, or nandina good source of nectar for insects (sacred bamboo). Don’t buy somebecause there’s nothing much thing like a forsythia which is going about at that time. When ivy reaches to grow too big and only flowers the top of a wall you get round, for about two weeks and then green flowers followed by black becomes boring. berries, which are good for birds.”

If you plant thoughtfully, you can atNandina (sacred bamboo) tract a good variety of birds. Provide some water, even if it’s just a bird bath, and put up bird feeders.

“Birds like to be able to perch somewhere while they are coming in to feed. If you have an uncluttered space with only a bird feeder, they probably won’t come in, but if you’ve got a few shrubs and a climb“Go for plants which give you two er up the wall and there’s maybe a or three different times of interest. tree outside, they are likely to queue The nandina are evergreen - in the up on it and check it’s safe.” spring the first leaves are bright red, Encourage your neighbours to add then it flowers in the summer and plantings to their small spaces, she bears red berries in the autumn - giv- urges. ing you a lot of interest.”

“Urban gardens are crucial for Make the most of your space, which wildlife because they create the means using height for optimum corridors, or the ‘hopping spaces’ effect. between more open spaces like “If you’ve a piece of trellis you can parks and bigger gardens.”

16 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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Puzzles

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Issue 14 • April / May 2016 19

Student Loans There’s been a furore in Parliament about the scrapping of student grants. And every time politicians get lairy over such issues, the news focuses on the scrap and the real truth of what’s actually happening gets lost. @moneysavingexpert I’ve been swamped with panicked questions about student grants from students, future students, graduates and their parents, so I want to mythbust what’s really happening. In many ways people are panicking unnecessarily about the grant changes, but missing the really damaging change, which is a retrospective hike in student loans.

Student Finance: the basics When you go to university, if you’re a first time UK undergraduate you don’t need to pay upfront. The Student Loans Company pays your tuition fees for you and gives you money for living, then you owe it.

• You only start repaying when you leave university and, even then, only if you earn over £21,000. If you don’t earn over that you don’t repay.

• The amount you repay is proportionate to earnings.

You repay 9% of everything above £21,000 (eg, earn £31,000 and, as it’s £10,000 above the thresh old, you repay £900 a year).

• If you haven’t cleared what you owe within 30 years, the debt is wiped.

• If you never earn over £21,000, you never repay.

In many ways, financially it’s a no win no fee education. An easy way to think of it is a bit like an extra income tax, with the one difference that once you have repaid what you borrowed (plus interest) it stops. For far more help on this, see my full 20 student loan mythbusters guide at www.mse.me/studentloan.

20 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

I’m going to use examples for English students studying in England. For students from Wales, whether you go to university in Wales or elsewhere in the UK, the amount you borrow tends to be less, but the way you repay is the same.

I’m going to focus on the situation for students who started in or after 2012 in England, for elsewhere in the UK the loans tend to be smaller.

Q. So what’s happening to student grants?

A: Until now, students from lower income families (roughly below £43,000 income) had some of their loan re placed by a non-repayable grant for up to £3,400.

From September 2016 grants are being scrapped in England and Wales. Yet there’s much confusion about this. There are two big things to note: 1 This only applies for new starters starting from 2016.

Those already at university and getting grants will keep getting them.

2 This doesn’t mean they’ll have less money coming in.

New 2016 starters will get a bigger loan to replace what they would’ve got in grants. In fact, the loan figures for new starters (not continuing students) have been upped by a chunk. This is useful, as often the big issue that hits students isn’t the size of the loan, it’s that they don’t have enough money to live on day-to-day. Rents alone eat up much of this.

Q. Isn’t this likely to really hit poor students hard?

A: You may be surprised that I’m going to say no. In many

Money Matters By Martin Lewis

£ ways the big problem is the confusion and psychological deterrent, not the practical finances. For most students it makes no practical difference. The replacement of a grant with a loan will ONLY cost more for those who leave university and have long-term very high earnings.

That’s because if you compare the current and new system, the fact it’s a loan and not a grant would only cost you more if you would’ve repaid your entire tuition fees, remaining maintenance loan after the grant, and interest in the 30 years before the debt wipes anyway.

Most students won’t, so there’s no cost to them. In fact, my calculations estimate only those on STARTING salaries of £35,000 and up, and then above inflation pay rises would actually pay more. So if the system remains as it is now, it’s only those from poor backgrounds who go on to be big earners who this is negative for.

However, the big question is ‘will the system remain unchanged?’

Q. What’s this retrospective hike to student repayments?

A: As I explained earlier, since 2012, graduates only repay 9% of what they earn over £21,000. The government had said this threshold was due to rise each year from April 2017 in line with average earnings.

Yet the Government has now decided to freeze it for at least five years, meaning many low- and middle-earning graduates will pay thousands more back than they thought they would when they signed up. After all, if we go back to thinking of it like a tax, if you were to pay 9% of everything

earned above £22,000, but now repay everything above £21,000, that’s a hike.

It’s received little publicity though, as it doesn’t immediately seem such a big problem. Here I need to declare an interest: I was head of the Independent Taskforce on Student Finance Information in 2012 when the system changed. The Government repeatedly told me the threshold would rise, and I, of course, told people, and used it in all my cost calculations.

Well I refuse to missell these loans in hindsight. So I am actively campaigning on it – I’ve written an open letter to the Prime Minister and have personally hired lawyers to see if it can be challenged (read it at www.mse.me/studentloanhike).

The big problem, even more important than the additional cost, is the message this sends. The Government is not just freezing it going forward, it’s freezing it for everyone who signed up since 2012 - effectively changing the contract after people have signed up.

The regulator would not allow any commercial lender to change its terms this way. This could destroy any trust current and future generations can have in the student finance system, and perhaps, even more widely, in the political system as a whole.

I said above that the impact of replacing grants with loans isn’t actually as bad as many think under the current terms.

Yet the real concern is, as the Government has shown it’s willing to change loan terms even after you’ve got them, who knows what may happen in the future.

Issue 14 • April / May 2016 21

Looking Up! April and May 2016

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Look to the western horizon about 45 minutes after sunset for a bright pink-orange starlike object in the fading twilight. This is Mercury at its most visible in the evening sky for 2016. You’ll be able to see it with the naked eye, but it is perhaps best picked up with binoculars.

See Mercury again in the Daytime Sky:

Then, just three weeks after 18th April, we get to see Mercury again, or at least its silhouette, in challenge #2 as the inner planet transits across the face of the sun on Monday 9th May. The transit event begins at 12:15pm and lasts until 7:30pm. Safest way to view the transit is at an organised astronomical event where a solar telescope is being used to view the sun. Ask your local astronomy society about their Mercury transit event.

Watch the Lyrids under a Full Moon:

This year’s Lyrids Meteor Shower falls on the same night as April’s full moon. Best time to view the Shower is just before dawn on 22nd April. Look high up towards your south-east for a smattering of bright shooting stars competing for your attention under the moon’s dazzling glare.

By Seb Jay Image: Mercury by NASA

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22 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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Issue 14 • April / May 2016 23

auto Biographies

Mini Cooper S Clubman Auto

By Tim Barnes-Clay @carwriteups I www.carwriteups.co.uk

The old Mini Clubman was no oil-painting, but this one could easily earn its place on the podium at Legs 11.

It’s a looker alright.

T

he brand new Mini Clubman must have been breast fed at birth, because it’s far bigger than its siblings. That doesn’t mean it’s fat – no way. This car is well formed and its proportions are just right. And because it’s not exactly a shrinking violet, the Clubman is likely to win over quirkier types who might otherwise have gone for mid-size family car choices, such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.

The story hasn’t always been good for the Clubman, though. The first generation had a useless, single rear door that meant UK passengers were forced to step into the road. This didn’t help sales and the Clubman therefore wasn’t exactly the rock star that BMW, Mini’s owner, was expecting.

But the Germans have seen the light and the previous rear-hinged ‘clubdoor’, has been kicked to the kerb in favour of two ‘normal’ back doors.

They make it far easier for passengers to get in and out of the car. Then there’s the barn-door boot. You’ll remember that from the last model.

Well, that stays put, but now the doors can be released manually, or if you ticked the hands-free tailgate option, a sassy little kick under the

rear bumper will open them up.

Inside, the comfortable seats are kind to your backside and feel supportive, especially during long periods on the road. The car’s uncluttered dashboard is dwarfed by a massive screen that sits where the speedometer on older Minis used to be. The controller on the central console manages most of the Clubman’s systems, so there are fewer buttons on the dash to confuse or divert you.

As the Clubman is the largest of the current Mini litter, it has, predictably, the most capacious cabin. To be frank, with a big load area too, the word ‘mini’ seems rather outmoded.

The whole motor is 270mm longer than the five-door Hatchback, allowing for oodles of room in the front and respectable space for two adults in the rear. The boot is about the same as a VW Golf’s, so you’ll get the family shopping in – and a toddler’s buggy.

The Cooper S Clubman Auto is easily the most gratifying to drive. Out at the Mini’s media launch on the roads surrounding San Sebastian in northern Spain, the most powerful petrol drove go-kart-like on the straights - just as a Mini should. It’s a shame the slightly pulpy suspension can drizzle on your chips in the corners, with body roll kicking in if you enter the twisty bits too hard. But that can be forgiven, because the Cooper S generates more than enough pull to keep you cheery.

189bhp can be squeezed from the S’ 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder lump, and with the eight speed auto box, a zero to 62mph sprint in 7.1

24 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

seconds is easily achievable, finishing up with a top speed of 142mph.

Even though these figures might make the car sound insatiable for fuel – it’s not. With the superb automatic gearbox you can officially get an average of 48.7mpg out of the Clubman - and the CO2 emissions are 134g/km, meaning road tax is a trifling £130 per annum.

The state-of-the-art 2015 Mini is a gargantuan step-up from its forerunner, and it puts right pretty much everything that was awry. The Clubman now has more doors, better space, good looks, and it really is exciting to drive. The Cooper S version is especially guaranteed to bring a grin to the face of anyone who slips behind its wheel.

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Cinema New Releases THE HUNTS MAN: WINTERS WAR RELEASE DATE: 8th April 2016 CAST: Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, Nick Frost, Jessica Chastain A new tale expanding on the Snow White legend this film tells of the evil queen and her sister Freya who suffered heartbreaking betrayal and left the kingdom.

Freya spends a decade raising a legion of huntsmen. She learns of her sister’s fate and has the magic mirror brought home for a sorceress to harness its power. Now the beautiful kingdom will have double the dark force to defeat.

CRIMINAL RELEASE DATE: 15th April 2016 CAST: Ryan Reynolds, Alice Eve, Tommy Lee Jones, Gal Gadot, Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman An action thriller Kevin Costner returns to the screen playing a dangerous death row prisoner. He is implanted with the memories and skills of a CIA operative with the hope of completing the operative’s mission; to stop a catastrophe.

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RELEASE DATE: 20th May 2016 CAST: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Aidan Gillen.

RELEASE DATE: 27th May 2016 CAST: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac.

1980s Dublin is where an economic recession forces Conor out of his comfortable private school and into survival mode at the inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. He finds a glimmer of hope in the mysterious and uber-cool Raphina, and with the aim of winning her heart he invites her to star in his band’s music videos. She agrees, and now Conor must deliver what he’s promised - calling himself “Cosmo” and immersing himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the ‘80s, he forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their hearts into writing lyrics and shooting videos. Combining Carney’s trademark warmth and humor with a punk rock edge, and featuring a memorable soundtrack with hits from The Cure, Duran Duran, The Police, and Genesis

26 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

From the mutant world Apocalypse is the most powerful of them all. Immortal, he wakes up and recruits mutants to cleanse the world of humans, only Raven and Professor X stand in their way.

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Issue 14 • April / May 2016 27

Out & About SAPPHIRE SOCIAL CLUB

BREAKOUT SOCIAL CLUB

Sapphire Social Club - this social club caters for the unattached aged 50+. We meet weekly in Hitchin and organize a variety of social events every month. No joining fee for the first two months. Come along and meet new friends.

Tel Joyce 07952 678021 or Ian 07900 890583 for details www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk

We are a club for the over forty fives, not a singles club but a social club for people who enjoy going out but are on their own, where they can meet like-minded people, with a varied monthly programme covering Disco’s, Pub lunch’s, walks, parties and much, much more, we meet once a week in the front bar at the Conservative Club, High street North Dunstable For more information please contact Sandy on 07813 262556

KNIT AND NATTER GROUP Every Tuesday, 10am-12pm Join our friendly Knit and Natter group every Tuesday at Lewsey Library.

Come and share your experience, or get some great hints and tips, and meet new people.

Tea and biscuits provided.

The group is always looking for donations of wool; knitting needles etc. so if you have anything you no longer need, just drop it off at the library.Free, donations welcome THE PARKSIDE SINGERS Do you enjoy singing?

The Parkside Singers is a lively mixed choir, singing four-part harmony music including pop, songs from musicals and some choral favourites such as Ave Verum and The Lords Prayer.

Call Claire on 01525 753110.

LUTON POETRY SOCIETY Last Saturday of every month, 2-4pm Luton Central Library £3, free for Poetry Society member (£20 annual membership) Our meetings usually take place on the last Saturday of each month at Luton Central Library (3rd Floor) For more information visit www. lutonculture.com/luton-libraries or call 01582 547 418

By volunteering with us, you can help us create amazing opportunities for thousands of girls around the UK. Guiding happens thanks to more than 100,000 amazing volunteers – men and women like you who give their time to ensure that we are active all over the UK, and beyond.

Girlguiding welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, faiths and abilities. We are flexible and volunteering can be arranged to fit around a busy lifestyle. If you are interested in finding out more visit www.girlguiding.ork.uk/joinus

WARDEN AFTERNOON CLUB FLEXERCISE EXERCISE Meets every Tuesday 2 - 4pm Warden Hill Community Centre (rear of the Warden Tavern) We are a recently established group of friendly ladies and gentlemen who meet weekly for companionship, activities and refreshments. If you would like some company, or know someone who would benefit from joining us, please come along any Tuesday - everyone is very welcome.

For more information contact Sue on 07706895444 or email sueblee@hotmail.co.uk 5TH STOPSLEY GUIDES Guides is our section for girls aged 10 to 14.

By becoming part of a worldwide community of girls who learn together and share skills and experiences, Guides have the chance to get out there and do something really different.

Members take part in a wide range of exciting activities at their regular meetings, and at special events or holidays. Girls can get involved in anything from adventure sports to performing arts, travel and taking part in community action projects.

Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK.

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Thursday 2 -3 £3.50 Warden Hill Community Centre Wycombe Way LU3 2BW Gentle Exercise for Older People Men and Women Funded by the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation’s London Luton Airport Ltd Fund With No jumping about or running around, the class includes low impact and every exercise you will be faced with will have a specific benefit to your body and your unique make up.

In every session you will be faced with challenges on your core, your balance and your strength and more.

You know what they say - ‘use it or lose it’.

The class is aimed at improving and maintaining flexibility and balance, thus enabling you to be confident and enjoy life.

For more info Tel Lorraine 07868 030540

THE MALL LUTON COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER Local community groups and organisations are coming together this spring, as Our Space at The Mall launches.

The new community initiative launched by the Luton shopping centre will see a selection of local clubs, charities and groups showcase their talents for free in the heart of the town this April.

Luton Town Hockey Club 11am – 5pm, Sunday 3rd April Luton Town HC is Luton’s largest hockey club, established in 1992 with high aspirations. With a family friendly atmosphere, we have a growing junior academy (ages 5+) along with three men’s teams and two women’s teams. See if you can put a penalty in past Jasper the Lion, England Hockey’s Mascot, on a mini inflatable pitch.

Tina’s School of Dance 11am – 5pm, Sunday 10th April Established for over 20 years, the school are fun and friendly with a studio that’s a second home to many dancers. Classes include Ballet, Tap, Modern, Acrobatics, Contemporary, Street Dance and Musical Theatre, with classes for children aged 18 months upwards, plus Ballet, Tap and Zumba for adults.

Luton Scouts* 11am – 5pm, Sunday 10th April Actively engaging and supporting young people in their personal development and empowering them to make a positive contribution to society are the aims of scouting. Integrity, respect, care, belief and co-operation are the values that guide us. Scouting in Luton is open to all boys and girls from the age of 6, no matter what class, ethnic background, physical abilities, religious belief or even no belief. There’s usually a group within two miles of every house, so if you want to join the adventure come along for a taste of the fun Luton Scouts experience all the time. *Luton Scouts will be located in Smith Square

WITH A VOICE OF SINGING

Luton Male Voice Choir & Caritas Harmony (Luton Ladies’ Voices) A rare opportunity to hear two accomplished Luton choirs in one evening. On the 16th April 2016 The Luton Male Voice Choir and Luton’s Caritas Harmony Choir will perform a joint concert at St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Luton LU1 3JF. The event will start at 7.30pm and tickets are £8.

For further information and tickets please call Jackie Howe 01582 599520 Clive Wheeler 07804 732222 Further details and parking information on website www.caritasharmony.co.uk Caritas Harmony Choir raising funds for Macmillan. For 2016 concerts, see website, www.caritasharmony.co.uk

AROUND THE WORLD IS BACK! Saturday 14th May, 10 am to 4 pm Priory House Gardens , High Street South, Dunstable, LU6 3RZ

Due to the massive success this event was in 2014 Dunstable Town Council have brought it back for good!

To make this event even better we are looking for local communities, clubs and societies to participate in the event on Saturday 14 May in Priory Gardens, Dunstable.

The event is designed to educate the general public on the wide varieties of different cultures that the world has to offer, whilst having fun learning about what you would expect to see in each different country. There will be different activities from the different continents and will include dance, music, crafts, entertainment and much more.

So far confirmed this year...

Traditional Dhol Drummers, Welwyn Garden Samba Percussion and Dance Group, Steel Band, Bollywood Dancing, Didgeridoo Workshops , Imajica Theatre Company - Plus much more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to showcase your group, club, business or your hobby. The event is a free family fun event for everyone to get involved with and we would appreciate your support. We are anticipating around 1,5000 people throughout the day.

If you are interested in being involved, please contact Lisa vincent at: lisa.vincent@dunstable.gov.uk for a booking form or call on 01582 891406.

Issue 14 • April / May 2016 29

Pets

Behaviour!

Embarrassing Doggy PDSA gets to the bottom of your dog’s “bum-scooting” Many dog owners have experienced that moment of embarrassment when, sat in your living room with guests or your in-laws, your dog chooses that moment to ‘scoot’ across the floor dragging his bum along the carpet!

Many people believe this behaviour is due to worms, and it certainly can be but it could actually be a different but entirely treatable problem – anal sac disease.

A dog has two anal sacs positioned below their tail on either side of their bottom. They release a smelly fluid when the dog goes to the toilet, acting as a scent marker. This distinctive scent marks a dog’s territory and identifies your pet to other dogs.

Problems can occur if the sacs don’t empty through the ducts (narrow tubes) properly and become impacted, which can lead to infection. This can cause irritation and pain in the bottom area, and many dogs will sit down and drag their bottom along the ground or lick the area excessively to try and alleviate some of the discomfort. Owners may think this means their dog has worms, and although this can sometimes be the case, blocked anal sacs could also be the culprit.

Answers

If your dog is showing any of these signs they need to be checked out by your vet. With simple impactions the vet can empty the sacs there and then, which often brings about instant relief. However, if the anal sacs are infected they can be very painful and may need further treatment such as antibiotics or antiinflammatories.

Occasionally some dogs require sedation or anaesthetic to have infected sacs emptied.

If, however, it turns out that worms are the culprits after all, your vet can recommend the best and most effective treatment for your pet.

Some dogs seem to be more prone to problems with their anal sacs than others. Causes can include an incorrect diet that doesn’t contain enough fibre, a problem with the dog’s bowels such as an infection, or obesity. Dogs that repeatedly suffer will need to have their anal sacs emptied on a regular basis.

Your veterinary practice can do this, or some dog groomers will include it in their service.

Increasing the fibre content of your dog’s diet may help to prevent this condition. Ensuring your dog is a healthy size and weight may also help, and can also reduce the risk of other health issues.

Crossword

Across: 7 Make nothing of 8 Converse 9 Rare 10 Ransom 12 Employ 14 Barren 16 Yelled 18 Deaf 20 Unstable 22 Consolidation.

Down: 1 Panorama 2 Serves 3 Poor 4 Thievery 5 Unwrap 6 Sour 11 Manfully 13 Overlook 15 Refuse 17 Lean-to 19 Eros 21 Side.

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Step On It HIVES LIVES LINES LIMES TIMES TIMER

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CARE

REGISTRATION Adult runner: £20 Child runner (Under 16): £10 Registration for runners includes: event entry, sunglasses, t-shirt, 3 x colour pouches, medal and goody bag on completion.

Colour Bandits: £10 – all ages Registration for Bandits includes: sunglasses, t-shirt, medal and entry into one of seven Bandit stations around the route to add the colour.

Suggested sponsorship target per person £50 Registration on the day open from: 10.00am Event start: 11.00am To sign up or for more information phone 01582 707940 or visit keech.org.uk/colourdash

SUNDAY 17 JULY 2016 WIGMORE VALLEY PARK

EATON GREEN ROAD LUTON LU2 9JB

Registered Charity No. 1035089

Tel: 01582 492339 info@keech.org.uk www.keech.org.uk

Issue 14 • April / May 2016 31

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