The Vine Luton - December 2018 & January 2019 - Issue 30

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Inside this issue...

Inside this issue...

o.uk 6 Revitalising Dunstable

Editor: Scott Nightingale Editor: Scott Advertising & Nightingale Editorial:

• Local Business Directo ry • Local Events • Local New s • Local Offers ADD YOUR LISTING TODAY!

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

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the content of advertising articles in Whilst every care hasand been taken published to ensure the this magazine are accurate, publisher content of advertising andneither articlesthe published in orthis its magazine editorial contributors accept and are accurate, can neither the publisher hereby disclaim contributors any liability to any party and to loss or its editorial can accept orhereby damage causedany by liability errors. Neither do they disclaim to any party to loss reflect the opinion ofby this publication. or damage caused errors.

NeitherThe do Vine they does notthe officially endorse any advertising reflect opinion of this publication.

The Vine material thisany publication. does notincluded officiallywithin endorse advertising No part of this publication reproduced material included withinmay thisbe publication. without permission.

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

6 Keech Hospice Santa Run 10 Eden On Our Doorstep?

8 Local News 12 Local News 20 TeamSport - Competition 14 Martin Lewis: Free Cash 22 18 Martin Lewis: Money Volkswagen UpMatters GTI Auto: Caring For Houseplants 26 At Home: 20 At Home: Christmas Tree Care

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Copy deadline Copy fordeadline next issue: for January next issue: 18th

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Issue 30 • December 2018 / January 2019

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local News

Set To Kick Start Christmas With

SANTA RUN Join the hospice’s festive fun run and make a real difference this Christmas.

Seriously ill children have benefitted from almost 3,000 hours of nursing care in the last 10 years thanks to the people of Bedfordshire taking part in the most festive fun run.

grateful to the staff and volunteers that make Keech such a nice place to go,” said mum Susan.

Mark Relf, Events Fundraising Manager at Keech Hospice Care, said that the hospice needs the community’s support more than Since Keech Hospice Care’s annual ever to continue supporting adults Santa Run began in Bedford 10 and children with terminal and lifeyears ago, the event has raised an limiting illnesses when they need incredible £107,000 – the equivalent it most. of 2,826 hours of nursing care on the charity’s in-patient units.

“Each year it is so wonderful to Events like the hospice’s see hundreds of Santa Run help to pay for people all having the care of children like a fabulous time three-year-old Alex Morris dressed as Santa from Wixams, who has a running along heart abnormality and a the Embankment serious condition which - it’s incredibly affects his breathing and special. Please his ability to eat properly. come and give “Keech has been a lifesaver for us this past year. We really struggled last winter to find safe and child-friendly environments which limited the risk of Alex picking up a bug. Going to the stay-and-play group each week has been amazing, and we will always be eternally

Santa a run for his money at Keech Hospice Care’s 5km sponsored Santa Run on Sunday, 2 December at Bedford Embankment,” said Mark.

“As a charity, we depend on around 70 per cent of our funding to come from the community so please sign up to our Santa Run today and get

into the Christmas spirit by helping us care for more seriously ill adults in Luton and south Bedfordshire and children in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes.

The Russell family from Bedford has made the hospice’s annual festive fun run their tradition as their little boy Harry was cared for by the charity until he died at just three years-old in November 2015.

“Keech Hospice Care’s Santa Run is amazing and it’s now something we do every Christmas. Keech cared for Harry and helped us to make so many memories before he died and they’re still supporting us now. It’s going to be great fun walking, jogging and running along Bedford’s Embankment surrounded by so many ‘Santas’ raising awareness and money for such a brilliant charity. We can’t wait to do it again,” said mum Julie.

Sign up for Keech Hospice Care’s 5km Santa Run at www.keech.org.uk/santarun or call 01582 707940.

Entry is just £15 for adults and includes a Santa costume to keep, finisher’s medal and gift. Under 16s cost £5, which includes festive headwear, and family entry for two adults and three children is £40.

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Issue 30 • December 2018 / January 2019

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local News

Dementia Cafe To Host Dementia Friendly Christmas Carol Concert

Based Luton 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday Salary + van (if applicable) + bonus + on call allowance (if applicable) + up to 5% pension match + 33 days holiday including bank holidays + life assurance

Luton’s Young@Heart Dementia Cafe will be hosting a carol concert with a purpose on Saturday December 8th.

The Dementia Friendly Carol Concert at St John the Apostle, in Sundon Park Road, will be showing that people living with dementia deserve to be able to take their place in society.

“People with dementia very often lose their friends and their vital social networks, but we don’t believe this should be inevitable,” said Maria Collins, of Young@Heart Dementia Cafe. “We are trying to increase awareness of dementia in Luton and Central Bedfordshire by making it more dementia friendly, so that those who have this condition can live well.

“Singing is core part of our weekly café programme,” added Maria, of Home Instead Luton & Central Bedfordshire. “Music helps people to reconnect with memories and the emotions connected with those memories from the past.

“Carols at Christmas are very traditional and we know that the music and the words, even for those individuals living with later stage dementia, can spark a memory. We expect to see a few eyes light up on the day, and lots of smiles at this very relaxed event.

This year’s Dementia Friendly Carol Concert will feature the Indian Youth Choir and the Dunstable Rock Choir, and it is open to everyone from 3pm - 4:15pm.

No tickets are required, and the event is free to attend but people are asked to ring Home Instead on 01582 742275 because refreshments are being arranged and the organisers need to know the number of people attending.

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Issue 30 • December 2018 / January 2019

9

local News

BBC Finds Rock Choir

Hits The High Note!

BBC’s ‘Trust Me I’m a Doctor’ gives local ‘Rock Choir’ the official seal as the number one activity that will keep us all happy.

Most of us love a good sing whether it’s secretly in the shower or in the car! But now we have proof that singing in a group is scientifically proven to make us happier than other activities! Even dancing!

Rock Choir, Britain’s largest contemporary amateur choir, was the focus of a brand-new experiment on BBC Music Day Special ‘Trust Me I’m a Doctor’ where Dr Michael Mosley teamed up with experts at the University of Nottingham along with members of the local Derby Rock Choir to put singing, dancing and cycling to the test. His objective was to find out if any of these activities boosted our levels of Endocannabinoids – neurotransmitters thought to be the cause of the ‘natural high’.

These chemicals have only recently been discovered and are similar in structure to the chemicals found in the Cannabis plant. As well as giving us a ‘buzz’ these chemicals are linked to improving mood and reducing anxiety and stress. Under the direction of physiologist Dr Saoirse O’Sullivan, the group of Rock Choir Members were tested in each activity over 4 days with interviews and blood taken to monitor their levels of Endocannabinoids. The end result was extremely exciting! Whilst dancing and cycling raised their happiness levels by 20%, singing raised them by an extraordinary 40%; an exciting discovery that could help enormously with our approach to mental health.

Rock Choir is an award-winning choir that offers local contemporary group-singing to more than 400 communities country-wide. Since its creation in 2005 it has offered its members exciting and life-affirming experiences that have led to an increase in health and well-being, a busy social life, new friends and extraordinary experiences. It changed the musical landscape of the country allowing anyone to take part without the need to audition or read music. The popularity of Rock Choir has grown to a staggering 28,000 and it has become a well-loved and respected British brand with

10 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

music and friendship at the heart of it.

Local Rock Choir Members of the Luton, Dunstable, Amersham, Welwyn Garden City and Hemel Hempstead choirs joined over 10,000 of their fellow ‘Rockies’ recently by travelling to London’s Hyde Park to take part in the capital’s largest-ever singing Flash Mob led from the stage by Rock Choir Founder Caroline Redman Lusher and her team of Choir Leaders as part of the BBC Proms in the Park Event. The Members revealed who they were on cue during the opening sequence of ‘Dancing in the Street’ accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Their singing and energy was infectious impacting a total audience of 40,000 who were up on their feet joining in before the song had finished. Members had rehearsed their part in the Proms during their weekly rehearsals where they are taught upbeat contemporary songs with no audition and no need to read music. They agreed to take part in the event after the BBC requested their presence to help get the iconic audience up on their feet singing and dancing.

Local musician and Rock Choir Leader, Christina Dmytryk Clark, says “I’m thrilled to see the BBC’s results! Rock Choir has made a huge impact on the well-being of its members. In fact it’s brought joy to all of us. I’ve seen first-hand how being part of Rock Choir has improved lives; some of our members have reported that they’ve come off anti-depressants, found new confidence in themselves and found pure happiness again. Their well-being has impacted their relationships around them too; their family, friends and colleagues and they will continue to feel better and stronger the longer they sing! This new evidence reinforces everything my team and I have and continue to build together in Rock Choir. I’m very excited!”

New members are always welcome and invited to enjoy a free taster session at their local rehearsal. To book a place go to rockchoir.com or call 01252 714276

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local Notices

Could You Help A Child To Read?

Volunteers Needed To Listen To Children Read In Local Primary Schools

Can you spare an hour or two a week to listen to children read in a local primary school? Schoolreaders is looking for more volunteers in Bedfordshire to carry out this important role.

Reading time for many children at home and at school is often insufficient and one in four children are now leaving primary school unable to read to the required standard. This can have a lifelong consequence. No qualifications are necessary, just a good command of spoken and written English.

Schoolreaders is flexible and will match your availability to an appropriate, local school.

Our volunteers find the scheme incredibly rewarding, knowing that a few hours helping a child learn to read each week can have such a great impact on their life chances.

Please visit the website www.schoolreaders. org to join or call 01234 924111 for further information.

Charity Number: 1159157

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If you’re passionate about golf or seeking the ideal event venue, you’ll love South Beds Golf Club.

01582 591500 • events@southbedsgolfclub.co.uk South Beds Golf Club • Warden Hill Road • Luton • Bedfordshire • LU2 7AE

Issue 30 • December 2018 / January 2019

13

Money Matters By Martin Lewis

FREE CASH For Switching Bank Accounts

There are laws against bribery. Luckily they don’t apply to banks wanting to bung you free money

@martinslewis There’s a banking price war on right now which means you can earn up to £200 for switching account. So take a bribe, and get some extra cash in the kitty.

And don’t just do this for the money. I get more complaints about banks than any other sector apart from energy, yet people loyally stick with the perpetrators for years. If that’s you – stop bitching and start switching – many of the accounts that pay have decent service too.

Switching is easy... they do it all for you.

Before I get to the best-buys, let me deal with the “isn’t switching bank a nightmare?” question. I’m sure you’ve heard stories. Yet do ask people, when, this happened. For five years now we’ve had the switching guarantee in place, and that changed everything - for the better.

To get the free cash you’ll be credit scored (it’s not too harsh) and will need to go through banks official switching services. The switching guarantee means you’re switched within seven working days. Your new bank moves direct debits and standing orders for you (some require at least two to be moved), and closes your old account.

All payments to your old account are automatically forwarded.

In a recent twitter poll I did on this, 76% said

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in return for your custom. switching was hassle-free and easy, like Sophie who says: “I’ve switched 2 accounts in the last few years. Was so easy I persuaded my parents to do the same”. Most of the rest only had minor issues.

The top current account give-aways...

These change regularly, for full daily updated details and all the tips and eligibility criteria see my full guide at www.moneysavingexpert.com/bestbankaccounts.

Here’s a quick summary of the top deals at the time of writing…

Free £200 (£150 upfront, £50 if you stay) + 5% fixed savings.

Switch to the hsbc.co.uk Advance account and you can get £150 free cash. Stay with it for a year and you’ll get another £50. It also lets you save up to £250 per month in its linked 5% fixed regular savings account.

With HSBC like most banks there’s a minimum monthly pay in. Here it’s a relatively large £1,750 a month - equivalent to £25,900 a year. This is effectively just a way to get you to pay in your salary. Yet if you don’t earn enough to meet this, there’s a way around the rule. If you earn £1,000 a month, then just withdraw £750 and pay it straight back in and you will qualify.

When do you get the money?

Within 30 calendar days of switching.

The Vine Magazine 130x90_press.pdf

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Next Open Morning 15th February 2019

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Free £125 plus 2% cashback on bills.

Free £125 M&S vouchers with no monthly pay in.

Switch to most NatWest.co.uk current accounts and you’ll get £125. Among those is the NatWest Reward account where for a monthly £2 fee you get 2% cashback on household bills that you pay via direct debit from it, including council tax, water, energy and broadband – many can earn £100 a year from this. Its minimum monthly pay-in is £1,500 (equal to an annual salary of £21,500).

When do you get the money?

It’ll be paid in February and you’ll need to keep your account till then.

Switch to bank. marksandspencer.com and you get a £125 M&S gift card with no-minimum monthly pay in. Though if you do pay in £1,250 a month (equal to a £17,080 salary) you can earn an additional £5 a month voucher for a year. It also has a linked 5% fixed regular savings account.

When do you get the money?

Within a month of switching.

Free gadgets plus top service.

You can switch too…

Though not free cash, switch to FirstDirect.com and you can choose a free gift from choice of gadgets (e.g. £120 Amazon Echo or £120 Fitbit), or a £150 Expedia voucher. Plus it’s won every customer service polls I’ve done for the past eight years - 89% rate it ‘great’. You’ll also get a £250 0% overdraft, and can open a linked 5% regular saver.

The minimum monthly pay in is £1,000 (equal to a £12,675 salary).

When do you get the freebies?

Within 2 weeks of paying in your first £1,000 you’re emailed instructions on how to get the freebie which can then take up to a month or so to arrive.

Overdrawn?

Being overdrawn doesn’t stop you switching, though you may not get the same overdraft limit as your current account.

For those with smaller overdrafts, the First Direct account above is useful as, as well as the free gadgets it offers an interest-free £250 overdraft – an easy way to avoid costs. Alternatively, Nationwide.co.uk's FlexDirect gives a year's 0% overdraft. Yet there's no set limit - it depends on your credit score. Though as after the year you pay 50p a day if you’re overdrawn, do use the time to try and ditch the debt.

Although Money Matters is based on extensive research and personal knowledge, Martin Lewis is not necessarily qualified in the given field/subject. We would therefore always recommend that readers take this information as advice and do their own research before committing.

16 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

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Issue 30 • December 2018 / January 2019

17

Volkswagen up! GTI

auto Biographies

By Rob Auchterlonie © Wheelwrite.co.uk 2018

Price: £14,455 Transverse three cylinder turbocharged, 999cc, 115ps, 200Nm Top speed: 122mph, 0-62mph 8.8secs 6 speed manual gearbox Fuel: Urban 47.1, Extra urban 68.9, Combined 58.9 CO2: 110g/km

warrant of the brilliant little Lupo, a town car with character and a sense that it was exceptionally well put together and therefore a safe bet for the other woman in my life (my daughter) to drive around in.

The up! was unveiled as a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2007, it was then substantially evolved, ready to make its public debut at the 2011 show in the same city.

And there are plenty variants – six in fact, including the e-up! which one would guess goes down a storm in Yorkshire…..

The up!’s dimensions are key to its city car status. At 3,600mm in length, 1,910 mm wide and 1,478 mm high, it’s one of the smallest four-seater cars available. But it doesn’t feel like that inside with just about enough space for four adults due to its 2407mm wheelbase, which is one of the longest in the segment, combined with an engine that’s mounted well forward.

The steering through the leather clad multi function wheel is light to the touch but with a lack of vagueness so you always know what the wheels are up to. The interior has a chic, classy look to it, with decent quality plastic used throughout. VW quality plastic in fact.

Evident are all the usual GTI touches –

“The performance is..... .impressive” IT had to happen. There was an air of inevitability that someone would take a small city runabout and turn it into something that people would actually want to spend their hard earned cash on just for the hell of it.

A car that would bring the smile back to faces, many of whom would remember those halcyon days when the Golf GTI ruled the ‘smiles per mile’ stakes.

VW’s up! GTI is such a car, and followers of facts and figures won’t lose sight of the fact the little GTI has dimensions, kerbweight and performance that broadly align with those of the original Golf GTI. But brought bang up to day, obviously.

A quick potted history of Volkswagen small cars: the Fox has been culled, a car that never really floated my boat and was guilty of signing the death

18 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

dash pad in red 2D pixels, unique GTI gearknob with red detailing and classis tartan-effect seat trimming. GTI badging and some red strips give the game away externally, as does the noise the chrome tail pipe spits out.

There’s a more aggressive front front bumper, grille and bonnet plus LED running lights.

Bearing in mind its modest size of just 999cc and one cylinder short of the full four, the performance is impressive, as is the sound it makes. 115ps, 200Nm, an 8.8 second 0-62 time and a top speed of 122mph from something this small means it easily earns that GTI badge.

It’s one of the first VW cars to launch with a close-coupled petrol particulate filter, which reduces particulate emissions by up to 95 per cent.

Ride quality feels firm but not overfirm despite being lowered by 15mm It’s unlikely to be solely used in city traffic so the ability to take on all comers in terms of road surfaces is a distinct advantage.

The three door up! GTI is £14,055 and the five door £400 more.

It has a luggage capacity of 251 litres, or 959 litres with the rear seats folded.

Neat inside, neat outside. It’ll shut up! (!) those knockers who claim you can’t have fun in a city car. Because you can.

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Issue 30 • December 2018 / January 2019

19

Home&Garden

Don’t get the needle at Christmas If you buy a real Christmas tree, how can you make sure it stays looking its best over the festive season?

Some 30% of people in the UK do buy the real thing each year, yet many are often left with more needles on the floor than on the tree within a week of putting it up - especially if they haven't chosen a non-drop variety such as the ever-popular Nordmann fir.

But if you give any Yuletide tree the care it needs, it shouldn't drop too much.

If you look after trees properly, most of them should look good throughout the festive season.

Cut trees remain the most popular, and it is essential that they should be fresh when purchased. The needles should not be dull and dried up, the branches not brittle. If you gently shake the tree, the outer needles should not fall off.

When you've bought your tree, keep it outside in a cool, shaded place, preferably standing in water, until it is required indoors.

Before bringing it inside, cut about half an inch off the base of the trunk to open up the pores of the tree and then place it securely in a water-holding stand or wedge it in a bucket with pebbles, small stones or screwed-up newspaper and place it away from direct heat. Anyone who places the tree next to a radiator is asking for trouble.

Keep the container topped up with water every day,

20 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

as trees can get through a pint a day.

About 8.5 million trees are sold in this country every Christmas, of which half are Nordmann firs. The Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) which is popular in the eastern United States is narrower than other trees and therefore more suitable for smaller rooms.

Look for growers who are situated in an isolated place away from urban centres. They are less likely to get a big retail market and you may get a better deal and a better tree from them.

Remember that trees sold retail in urban areas may have come from out of town and may have been exposed to drying winds in transit. They could have been cut weeks earlier. Ask the retailer whether his trees are delivered either once at the beginning of the season or at different times during the period.

Some people may opt for a tree that will last for years.

If you are looking for a tree you can plant in the garden afterwards, go for a container-grown tree.

You can plant it out after Christmas and may be able to bring it in again next year.

You should put it in a sheltered spot initially and slowly acclimatise it to the open before planting in its final home, making sure the root collar is at ground level and to water it well.

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www.cladwinds.com Issue 30 • December 2018 / January 2019

21

In Theen Gard

Attracting Birds In Winter

Feed The Birds They are as important to the wildlife garden as butter is to bread, not only providing interest to budding birdwatchers, but helping to keep unwanted pests such as slugs and snails under control.

As their natural habitat continues to disappear, it is more important than ever to feed the birds during the winter months.

But there are so many different feeders and seed types on the market, it's difficult to know which are the best.

There are a lot of nasty feeders out there which can trap beaks and feet, so you need to go to a reputable supplier. And be aware that some feeders are ridiculously cheap for a reason.

Never put out the nylon mesh bags containing fat as birds can become trapped in them. Go for steel mesh feeders and provide a mix of seeds to attract different birds.

Birds require high energy, high fat foods during the cold winter weather to maintain their body reserves to survive the frosty nights.

Finches are especially grateful for seeds in late winter and early spring.

In summer they love black sun-

flower seeds, pinhead oatmeal, soaked sultanas, raisins and currants, mild grated cheese, mealworms, waxworms, mixes for insectivorous birds and good seed mixtures without loose peanuts, on which their young could choke.

Never put out loose peanuts, dry hard foods, large chunks of bread, or fats during the spring or summer months. Make sure you buy 'safe nuts' from reputable outlets and offer them in cages.

Peanuts will attract blue tits, great tits, woodpeckers and even robins if you crush the peanuts, niger seeds will encourage finches and siskins, but the more variety of food you have, the larger the range of birds you are likely to attract.

Small flocks of greenfinches can be a common sight at bird tables, sometimes queuing up with chaffinches and sparrows to take a turn at feeders.

Use bird tables to attract larger birds such as collared doves, wood pigeons and starlings.

There are also many plants you can grow to encourage birds to visit.

Traditional countryside hedges are now full of blackberries, elderberries, rosehips, haws and sloes on

22 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

• Buy squirrel-proof feeders • Keep feeders at least 10 feet away from tree trunks and branches • Buy quality seed to attract a wide variety of birds • Keep feeders fully stocked.

• Clean feeders periodically • Fill the bird bath, even in winter • Provide a safe haven and bird houses for shelter

which the birds can feed, and you can mimic the classic hedgerow in your garden by planting a fruiting hedge.

The RSPB advises gardeners to mix rugosa roses, elder and hawthorn to act as a wild foodstore, even adding a gooseberry or bramble if there's room. If you have a large garden, try growing hazel (Corylus avellana) for its nuts and attractive catkins.

Other plants, including crab apples, ivy, box-leaved honeysuckle and cotoneaster also add glorious colour to the autumn and winter scene as well as producing fruit and berries for the birds. Avoid sterile hybrids, which won't produce seeds or fruit, but give your garden some colour and nutritious seeds for the birds by planting coneflowers, teasels and knautia macedonica.

If you have fallen apples and pears on your lawn, leave them for the song thrushes and blackbirds who will feast on them.

Let the birds make the most of nature's larder - but make sure you offer them some extra titbits to help them through the winter months.

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Issue 30 • December 2018 / January 2019

23

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Are Coming To Grove Theatre!

We’ve got a family ticket to give away!

Friday 7th - Monday 31st December

We’ve teamed up with Grove Theatre to give you the chance to win a Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children) to see Snow White!

From the team that brought you Sleeping Beauty; Evolution Pantomimes returns to To be in with a chance of winning, answer the Grove Theatre with the greatest pantomime of following question... all: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

From Friday 7th - Monday 31st December you Which famous TV soap did Charlie Brooks, will be entertained!

Tickets: Gold Performance: Price Band A £25.50*, Price Band B £22.50* (Concessions £4 off) Blue Performance: Price Band A £22.50*, Price Band B £19.50* (Concessions £4 off) Green Performance: All Seats £15.50*.

Box Office: 01582 60 20 80 (opt 2) Book Online: www.grovetheatre.co.uk

A £2 transaction fee will be added to all bookings.

Queen Ivannah feature in?

A. Coronation Street B. Neighbours C. EastEnders D. Hollyoaks Enter online at www.thevinedirectory.co.uk or email your answer to Grove.Marketing2@sll.co.uk Competition ends Thurdsy 6th December. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email.

Call Trishna on: 07936 916606

28 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

WIN WIN WIN

Issue 86 • December 2018 / January 2019

29

Puzzles

Answers on page 30

Across

Down

1. Speed (8) 5. Period of time (4) 9. Competent (4) 10. Deep (8) 11. Stream (5) 12. Raise (7) 13. Absurdity (13) 18. Increasing (8) 19. Intend (4) 20. Transporter (7) 21. Mature (5) 22. Howl (4) 23. Intercessor (8)

2. Ban (7) 3. Burdensome (7) 4. Triangular (5-8) 6. Train (7) 7. Remedy (7) 8. Tenders (6) 13. Imitation (7) 14. Impartial (7) 15. Delicacy (6) 16. Wandering (7) 17. Red (7)

9

7 FRANK

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SLINK

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Services For The Home! www.sohouseproud.co.uk

• Painting & Decorating • Design • De-Cluttering • Spring Cleaning• Gardening

Free no obligation quotes. CRB Checked. Fully Insured T: 07724 749490 E: lc@sohouseproud.co.uk

SAPPHIRE 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 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

LUTON POETRY SOCIETY Last Saturday of every month, 2-4pm at 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

WOMEN’S WORLD

Meet 3rd Wednesday of the month, at St Anne’s Church Hall, Crawley Green Road, at 8pm.

Join our friendly group of ladies for talks, activities and outings. For more information about our next meeting ring Lynne on 01582 617470.

5TH STOPSLEY GUIDES Girlguiding Luton South Division are looking for new girls aged 5+ & volunteers to join us.

We are part of Girlguiding UK and enjoy taking part in new things, working towards interest badges and having lots of fun.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more can register online: www.girlguiding.org.uk/joinus and this will list a full selection of groups available closest to you or you can email us pr.lutonsdiv@bedsguiding.org.uk

FLEXERCISE EXERCISE Thursday 2 -3 £3.50 Warden Hill Community Centre Gentle Exercise for Older People - Men and Women -With No jumping about or running around, the class includes WARDEN AFTERNOON CLUB low impact and every exercise you will Meets every Tuesday 2 - 4pm be faced with will have a specific benefit Warden Hill Community Centre (rear to your body and your unique make up. of the Warden Tavern) The class is aimed at improving and We are a recently established group of maintaining flexibility and balance, thus LUTON WRITERS’ CLUB friendly ladies and gentlemen who meet enabling you to be confident and enjoy Every other thursdayat 5.30pm weekly for companionship, activities life. For more info Tel Lorraine Luton Central Library and refreshments. If you would like 07868 030540 A free club, open to those interested some company, or know someone who in writing. would benefit from joining us, please BEDFORDSHIRE GUILD OF THE PARKSIDE SINGERS come along any Tuesday - everyone is WEAVERS, SPINNERS & DYERS. Do you enjoy singing? very welcome.

A friendly group of textile crafts people The Parkside Singers is a lively mixed For more information contact Sue on who meet in choir, singing four-part harmony music 07706895444 or Flitwick Village Hall twice a month. including pop, songs from musicals and email sueblee@hotmail.co.uk First Tuesday evening of each month some choral favourites such as Ave 7.30 - 9-30 and Verum and The Lords Prayer.

YARNIES KNITTING AND Third Saturday, all day, 10.30 to 4.30.

Call Claire on 01525 753110.

STITCHING GROUP IN LUTON We welcome visitors interested in WHO- We are a friendly group who seeing what we do, so please pay a visit LUTON AND DISTRICT meet to chat and use lovely yarn to knit, to our website PHILATELIC SOCIETY crochet, braid, stitch, weave.... www.bedsguildwsd.blogspot.co.uk If you collect postage stamps, postcards WHERE- We meet at the Balcony Bar, or postal history why not come along Venue 360, Gypsy Lane, Luton, LU1 WIDOWS & WIDOWERS CLUB and meet fellow collectors? We usually 3JH. www.venue360.co.uk. There is We are an active Widows and meet on the first Friday of the month* plenty of free parking and Luton Park- Widowers club. at Bushmead Primary School, Luton, way station is 5 mins walk away.

Meetings are held locally and new LU2 7EU from 7.00pm to 10.00pm.

WHEN- The second Wednesday of members are always welcome.

Your first visit is free! New members every month at 7.30pm.

If you would like to make new friends are always welcome.(*Dates may Everyone is welcome to join us, begin- and join in our many outings and activichange if the school is closed). ners or experienced stitchers. Just turn ties please ring Jenny 01582 672766 or Call Fin on 01582 453244 or email up or for more information contact Val 01582 659717 or email Carol at finodon@hotmail.com for a proShirley alongyarn61@gmail.com or visit carol.hodges@ntlworld.com gramme of events or more information. us at www.ravelry.com Issue 30 • December 2018 / January 2019

29

Looking Up!

Answers Step On It

Bedfordshire’s Night Sky

FRANK FLANK FLUNK CLUNK CLINK SLINK

December 2018 and January 2019

Catch a Falling Star! Shooting stars are back on the menu this December with the annual Geminids meteor shower. Active from 4 December until 17 December the Geminids are best viewed at their peak on the nights of 13 / 14 December from 8pm onwards.

Choose a spot in the Chilterns with an open view of the sky to your south and east to enjoy a pre-Christmas light show unlike any other!

By Seb Jay - Image Credit: Neal Simpson Dark Sky Telescope Hire www.darkskytelescopehire.co.uk

30 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

mark@plumbingandgas.org.uk

Watch a Total Eclipse of the Moon: In the early hours of Monday 21 January our full moon falls into darkness as a total lunar eclipse sweeps across Bedfordshire. This one is for night owls only with a 3:35am start! Watch as a dark shadow creeps over our silver-faced friend. At 4:40am totality begins! For the next hour the full shape of our moon appears as a ghostly grey-orange orb hanging low over the western horizon. It’ll be a spectacular sight against a starlit sky.

Across: 1 Velocity 5 Year 9 Able 10 Profound 11 Brook 12 Elevate 13 Monstrousness 18 Mounting 19 Mean 20 Carrier 21 Adult 22 Yell 23 Advocate Down: 2 Embargo 3 Onerous 4 Three-cornered 6 Educate 7 Redress 8 Offers 13 Mimicry14 Neutral 15 Titbit 16 Nomadic 17 Scarlet

mark@plumbingandgas.org.uk

See a Christmas Comet: A bright comet is on its way across the night sky just in time for Christmas. At mid-evening on 17 and 18 December look for a large diffuse smudge of light high above the eastern horizon between the red supergiant Aldebaran in Taurus and the Pleiades star cluster. By Christmas Eve Comet 46P/Wirtanen lurks close to one of the brightest stars in the sky called Capella, located high up in the sky towards the east.

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Issue 30 • December 2018 / January 2019