The Vine Luton - February / March 2016 - Issue13

eb

r u a ry - M a r

ch

F

Local News / What’s On / Local Directory

2 0 1 6 : Iss

FREE

u

e

13

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

Connecting local people to local businesses Delivered free to 10,000 homes

Transform your home with beautiful new windows from Cladwinds.

A trusted local firm with 30 years manufacturing and installing experience

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

Est. since 1985

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

Contact Peter Pascan

Tel: 01525 404204 ppascan@btinternet.com 2

www.thevinemagazine.co.uk www.cladwinds.com

Issue 13 • February / March 2016

3

DAD’S ARMY

Josh Brolin, Ralph F Set in the latter year wood’s golden years sar, is a star studded CAST: Catherine Zeta-Jones, The film follows the Bill Nighy, Mark Gatiss, studio fixer who fixe Michael Gambon, Toby Jones, for stars in the indus Tom Courtenay, Blake Harlow the action when rison, Sarah Lancashire encounters the prob This British classic comedy, kidnapped star and Dad’s Army, is on the big biographies actress. screen. The home guard platoon has to deal with a femaleRob Auchterlonie LONDON HA journalist and a German spy takes as the Jaguar XE FALLEN drive World War 2 comes to an end for a test DATE: I was born RELEASE with my dad’s eyebr 3RD March thick, shapeless and unsightly, CAST: Gerard two caterpillars stuck to myButl fore Freeman, Radha M New Releases twelve I followed the fashion of Aaron Eckhart, Ang Including In London thew P plucked away until theyfor were Dadsister’s Army funeral, Mike totally disappearing and I was and the latest fromButler) disc (Gerard George Clooney Today, my&eyebrows to assassinate all thea 26 fainting!

Morganworld Freeman and unsightly andleaders.

I’m resigned PRIDE AND that way forever. Or rather I wa RELEASE DATE: 5th February

Inside This Issue

Health Beauty & Wellb

24

Brows & Lashe

Local Story

Style Guide

Cinema

Spring Fev Canine Partners

Auto

10

er 12

Local Mum tells her story of great partnership Upg

rade your wardrobe and step into Spring with this season’s key pieces.

12PREJUDICE AND

fashion

and...

Internet searches assure me that no matter how ZOMBIES over-plucked, over-waxed or over- DATE: RELEASE groomed your eyebrows 12th may be, February there is hope still for beautiful, Step into spring arched, perfectly coiffed CAST: speci- Lily James, Sam Riley, Huston,6Bella Heathcoate, Local News mens. The most extreme Jack method Douglas Booth, Suki Watermight be an eyebrow transplant 14 In The Garden Matt Smith, Charles (yes really!), but there arehouse, other less Editor: Scott Nightingale drastic options!

Dance, Lena 18Headey Puzzles

Spring

With your brows lookin it’s time to move on There are nume around promi and thickness for some of th ing! My daug long lashes we level following t Pride and Prejudice and THE CHOIC Advertising & Editorial: 20 Martin Lewis Debt Advice new mascara.

But w Zombies is a fresh twist on RELEASE DATE: Shelly Nesbitt Most of us ladies – and the odd gent too – Jane Austen’s widely celebrated 4th March 22line.

JVS Clinic Tel: 01525 222379 / 07852need 453043 to lose a few hairs from the brow TheConsumer novel.

A the mysterious hasTinting is an option if your la Email: info@thevinemagazine.co.uk easiest solution is tweezing away stray hairsplague 28 Out & About and it’s not just for fallen upon 19th century Eng- larly fair, CAST: Benjamin W yourself, but the results are short-lived and the risk of itPalmer, made toTom my Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the land, the land is overrun with the difference Teresa creating the wrong shape is high. Better results can be his lashes were darkened. Cu content of advertising and articles published in the undead and feisty heroine son, Tom Welling, A achieved by a professional, with waxing andisthreadthis magazine are accurate, neither the publisher lashes appear Elizabeth Bennet a master straightDaddario andlonger Magg ingaccept methods removal arts lasting or its editorial contributors can and achieving hair of wider, brighter, m of martial andaround weaponry. illusionWhen feisty medica hereby disclaim any liability to anyweeks. party to loss 4-6 Casting aside personal and Lash-perming, is best Gabby which Holland mov

Fever

JD Williams Lorraine Kelly £30.00

Wrap Top

Tu at Sainsbury’s

River Island Green floral print split front pencil skirt £35.00

White Stuff T Bar Court Shoe

£69.95

Dune - Enid Clutch Purse

- £49

or damage caused by errors. Neither do they social prejudices, Elizabeth professional, door to perennial can make thelar reflect the opinion of this publication.

The Vine Fair or very thin eyebrows may benefit from being and Mr. Darcy must unite on six weeks, Travis Shaw, theyfor em which is great does not officially endorse any advertising tinted. Like hair dye, thisthe changes the colourbattlefield and lasts to have any blood-soaked a surprising big events romant lined up material included within this publication. weeks. rid the country of the zombie neither imagined po No part of this publication may 4-6 be reproduced menace and discover their trueFinally,Copy Travis has always without prior permission. howdeadline about having be ey

A popular look at the moment is HD Definition) sions? This love for one(High another. aforserious relationshi next issue: is one of the UK’ Brows which focus on shape and design and promise cramp his March 18th beauty treatments easygoing and involv to give you sleek, stylish HAIL, brows like CAESAR those enjoyed by while Gabbytoisindivid prep synthetic eyelashes RELEASE DATE: settle down with the stars. A seven step process that includes a consulto give a luscious, naturalher lo tation followed by tinting, waxing, threading, tweez- - March Issue 13 • February curl, 2016 length or thickness can ing, trimming and finishing with a pencil or brush to your personal preference an www.thevinemagazine.co.uk fill in any gaps, is described as more than just shaping for 8-12 weeks depending o

Don’t TEASEyou youany any more… more…

Don’t letlet it it TEASE Do Do youyouregret thedayday regret the you you hard-earned cash for for paid paid hard-earned cash expensive ‘glass box’ box’ atthat that expensive ‘glass tachment to your house the attachment to your house - the conservatory? Most Most people conservatory? people It sitsthere, there, teasing youyou do. do.

It sits teasing relentlessly, looking likeit itcould relentlessly, looking like could be alas it too be useful, butuseful, alas itbut is either is either too hot or too cold. hot or too cold. Grrrrr. However Grrrrr.

However one day, and one day, and it will come around, it will come around, you will you will have some spare cash, have some spare cash, and and perhaps a need to convert perhaps a need to convert into a play room for a new into a play room for a new child,child, or start a anew business. or start new business.

At this point, there is an option At this point, there is an opto reinvent and transform thatthat ‘glass tion to reinvent and transform ‘glassbox’ box’and and put itput to it100% use, 365 days every year.

How? to 100% use, 365 days every year. How? By removing thethe old noisyroof, roof,and and By removing oldinefficient, inefficient, noisy replacing it with a aproper roof...yes, yes, replacing it with properslate slate roof... realreal tiles tiles (albeit they are specially made, light weight

and highly durable), to (albeit they are speciallyattached made, weight and highly durable), alight sturdy bespoke timber frame, attached a sturdy bespoke clad withtomodern super-efficient timber frame, clad with modern insulation, finished with top super-efficient insulation, finished quality plaster… voila! All done by with top quality voila!doing craftsmen whoplaster… care about done by job, craftsmen who caredays, aAllsuperb within 3-5 about doing a superb job, within start to finish. The result is a room 3-5 days, start to finish.

Theapproval that has building control result is a room that has building and a 10-year warranty.

Sounds control approval and a 10-year too good to be true doesn’t it, warranty. Sounds too good to be well, it’s a beautiful fact, and true doesn’t it, well, it’s a beautiextremely affordable too. So, ful fact, and extremely affordable save thissave article, because the day too. So, this article, because will come when you really the day will come when you HAVE toreally stopHAVE that to glass and you turnand it into stopbox that teasing glass boxyou teasing something all-year-round enjoyable.

And when turn it into something all-year-round enjoyable. that comes, please call the friendly Andday when that day comes, please call the team at Nu-Look! friendly team at Nu-Look!

Are Are you you Freezing Freezing in in the the RE FO BE ORE Winter and Sweltering F E Is your conservatory Winter and Sweltering Are you Freezing in the the B you Freezing in IsAre your conservatory in the Summer?

Winter and Sweltering Winter and Sweltering in the Summer? ...too COLD thewinter winter ...too COLD ininthe Nu-Look Conservatory Roof Solutions can solve in the Summer?

Summer? in the Nu-Look Conservatory Roof Solutions can solve ...too HOT in the summer?

these problems low cost conservatory roof ...too HOT with inRoof the summer? theseConservatory problems with low cost conservatory roof Nu-Look Conservatory Roof Solutions cansolve solve Nu-Look Solutions can conversion systems that will give you back the

these problemssystems withlow lowcost cost conservatory roof these problems with conservatory roof conversion that will give you back theE R Since 2013, weyou have re-roofed room and spacethat you wanted inback the fi rst place. conversion systems that will give you back the conversion systems will give the AFT room and spaceSince you wanted in the fi rst over 350 local customers, all place.

2013, we have re-roofed room and space you wanted in the fi rst place. room and space you wanted in the fi rst place.

FTER We have over 40 years combined experienceAin We have over 40 years combined experience in delighted with the results, and the over 350 local customers, We have over40 40years years combined experience in allCustomer We have over combined in the conservatory and roofiaexperience ng business. price!

Book freeresults, quote today... the conservatory andng roofi ng business.

Customer delighted with the and the the conservatory and roofi ng business.

Customer the conservatory and roofi business.

Customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything we satisfaction is at the heart of everything we satisfaction is at the heart of everything satisfaction is at the price! heartBook of everything wetoday... we a free quote do and we pride ourselves on theof quality of NO fake discounts andon NO sales pressure do and we pride ourselves on the quality do and we pride ourselves the quality do and we pride ourselves on the of quality of workmanship and service that we provide. workmanship and service that we provide. workmanship and service that we provide.

Bespoke timber frame ♦ The industry’s best tradesmen workmanship and service that we provide.

NO fake discounts and NO sales pressure We’ll transform youryour conservatory intoaaroom room 40-year guarantee on Tapco slates We’ll transform your conservatory into We’ll transform conservatory into a room Bespoke timber frame ♦ The industry’s best tradesmen We’ll transform your conservatory into a room that’s perfect every day of the year! that’s perfect every of the year!

10-year warranty ♦ day Building control certifi cation that’s perfect every day of the year!

40-year guarantee Tapco slatesyear! that’s perfect everyonday of the available in your area certification - just ask!

10-yearViewings warranty ♦ Building control Calltoday todayfor foraafree freequote quoteon on01604 01604 217 818 01604 532700 Call 217 818 01525 611007 01604 532700 available your area - information just Call today avisit free quote on 01604 217 81 01604 53270 ReadViewings what our customers say in about their fab new roomask! on ourfor website: For more www.nulookroof.co.uk

5%

For more www.nulookroof.co.uk Callinformation today for visit a free quote on 01604 217 81 01604 53270

For more information visit www.nulookroof

For more information visit www.nulookroof www.nulookroof.co.uk 01908 596007 ...cosy and quiet www.nulookroof.co.uk

Read what our customers say about their fab new room on our website:

VAT 5%

VAT a5 half page.indd 01908 1

596007Issue 13 • February /...cosy March and 2016quiet 5 16/11/2015 12:23:52

checks-in for airport charity partnership London Luton Airport has announced Keech Hospice Care as its new charity partner for 2016 and 2017.

Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers!

Fairtrade Fortnight 2016 29 February - 13 March As Martin Luther King famously said, ‘before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world’. Despite our dependence on farmers and workers for the foods, drinks and products that we love, about 795 million people are undernourished globally.

and worry less about how they will feed their families.

Whether it’s the extra cash in their pockets or being able to expand their farms to grow more food to eat, Fairtrade means many farmers and workers are able to fulfil a basic human need – to put enough food on the table for the people they care about, all year round.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2016

Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers! 29 February - 13 March

During Fairtrade Fortnight, we will be encouraging It’s a scandal that the people who grow the food we you to inspire a multitude of Fairtrade breakfasts in take for granted can’t always feed their own families. our community. Many local churches have planned We can support farmers and workers to put food on Fairtrade themed services, local schools are holding the table for their families by harnessing the power of a Fairtrade assemblies and we arebreakfast asking everyone to As Martin Luther King famously said, ‘before you finish eating in the morning, Fairtrade breakfast. wake up to the challenges facing farmers and workers. on more than half the world’. Despite our dependence on farmers and Coffee from Kenya,you’ve bananasdepended from Colombia, cocoa thesugar foods, drinks and products that we love, about 795 million people are from Cote d’Ivoire,workers tea from for India, from Malawi, For more information on how to run a Fairtrade undernourished and juice from Brazilian oranges, canglobally. all be Fairtrade.

Breakfast and Fairtrade Fortnight contact When people are paid price, theythe canpeople have who grow It’s aa fairer scandal that the food we take for granted can’t always feed www.fairtrade.org.uk/fortnight more control over their when times are theirlives own families.

Wehard, can support farmers and workers to put food on the table for

their families by harnessing the power of a Fairtrade breakfast.

6

www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Coffee from Kenya, bananas from Colombia, cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire, tea from India,

T

he two-year partnership aims to raise a total of more than £50,000 to help Keech deliver much needed hospice care to both children and adults across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Keech was chosen following a public vote in which they received the support of more than 12,000 people, including jazz-pop singer and songwriter Jamie Cullum, McBusted’s Harry Judd, golfer Ian Poulter and chef Marco Pierre White.

Airport staff are already planning world record attempts, pop-up stores in the terminal and even a fire walk to meet the ambitious target.

Neil Thompson, Operations Director at London Luton Airport, said “We’re delighted to be supporting Keech to provide care to adults, children and their families. Keech is a fantastic local charity and our staff are excited that the public chose to make it their winner.

“The two-year partnership will coincide with one of the most exciting periods for the airport as we are spending £110 million to transform the airport and expand capacity. The partnership with Keech is just one of the ways in which we are working to make sure that LLA’s growth benefits the whole of the local community.”

Liz Searle, Acting CEO of Keech Hospice Care, said “We're thrilled and thank everyone who got behind us and voted. Keech needs £14,000 a day to keep the hospice running and continue the great work it does for the community. We rely on local support and donations for 70 percent of our funding.

“As leaders in our field, we want to be able to offer people the care they need, when they need it, where they need it and how they want it. More and more of our patients are telling us they want to be able to stay at home with their loved ones for as long as possible.

That means we need more nurses, therapists and transport to enable people to do this. Our new partnership with London Luton Airport will allow us to give patients and their families the support they need.”

Make your house a home with blinds and awnings from

www.vansarblinds.co.uk Find us on Facebook

• • • • •

Free No Obligation Measuring And Quotations All Blinds Made To Measure Choose In The Comfort Of Your Own Home Or Workplace Family Run Business Large Range Of Quality, Affordable Fabrics And Colours To Choose From 01525 220477 or 01582 699565 sales@vansarblinds.co.uk Issue 13 • February / March 2016

7

Led Walks

in Dunstable, Luton, Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard October 2015 - March 2016 www.cbtravelchoices.co.uk

Free walks to boost your health and wellbeing Leighton Buzzard Mondays at 10am Bramingham Mondays at 11am Leagrave Tuesdays at 9am Stopsley Tuesdays at 9am Dunstable Tuesdays at 2pm Downside Wednesdays at 9:10am

Dunstable Downs First and third Wednesday at 10:30am Houghton Regis Fortnightly Thursdays at 2pm Meads Fridays at 9am Saints Fridays at 9:10am Green Lanes Third Saturday monthly 10am

Walking is one of the simplest and most effective forms of exercise you can do. Anyone can do it and it’s very easy to get started. See overleaf for our timetable.

There is some fabulous accessible countryside to explore locally. Led walks are a fabulous way to feel safe and supported while walking.

If you would rather walk independently, Dunstable Downs, Whipsnade Heath, Totternhoe Knolls, Warden & Galley Hills, Rushmere Country Park and the Grand Union Canal are all fabulous destinations. You can pick up route maps from the Travel Choices Hub in Ashton Square, Dunstable. Pop in for advice about many other places to walk locally.

Local walking groups offer a range of walks from a couple of miles to day long to suit varing abilities.

The Bogtrotters 01582 607318 enquiries@dunstablebogtrotters.co.uk, www.dunstablebogtrotters.co.uk Lea & Icknield Ramblers 01582 617941 a.turnbull@ntlworld.com Leighton Buzzard Ramblers 01525 237209 rogerwhite@ymail.com www.lb-ramblers.org.uk Many other walking opportunities enable you to explore the local area The National Trust run walks at Dunstable Downs, contact 01582 500920, dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk, www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

The local Wildlife Trust has walks at Blows Downs, Houghton Regis Chalk Pit and Galley/Warden Hills. Tel 01525 874317, ruth.sneath@wildlifebcn.org www.wildlifebcn.org The Chiltern Society also run local walks, contact 01494 771250, office@chilternsociety.org.uk, www.chilternsociety.org.uk Dunstable Town Guides offer history and ghost walks, contact 01582 891420 or email prioryhouse@dunstable.gov.uk The U3A have several active walking groups. Contact secretaryu3adunstable@gmail.com, www.u3adunstable.org.uk

8

www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

OPNOW EN !

NEW LOW COST VETS High quality care Unbelievably low prices Vaccinations from £15 • Neutering from £25 See our website for full details!

www.easipetcare.com/luton 4 Imperial Court, Laporte Way, Luton LU4 8FE t: 01582 480105 e: luton@easipetcare.com /easipetcareLuton

Discover Truly Affordable Vet Care easipetcare, the low cost vets who care, have opened a brand new practice in the Luton area. Based on Laporte Way, the company prides itself on offering the highest standards of veterinary care, at prices amongst the lowest in the UK. Offering a full range of services – from vaccinations and neutering to surgery and dentistry – customers are able to benefit from the flexibility of a mixed-system offering both walk-in clinics and appointments.

The practice offers appointments Monday through Friday from 10am – 6pm and walk-in clinics from 8am – 10am and 6pm – 8pm. A walk-in clinic is also available from 9am – 12pm on Saturdays.

easipetcare founder and vet for over 35 years, Judy Walker, comments: “We are delighted to be able to bring our unique brand of low cost veterinary care to Luton. We have already welcomed a collection of clients through our doors and are excited to meet many more!”

Register your pet today to take full advantage of our opening offers by visiting www.easipetcare.com/luton.

For more information simply contact the practice on 01582 480105 or email luton@easipetcare.com.

16/09/2015

Issue 13 • February / March 2016

9

local People

Shelley’s Life Is Transformed By Her Canine Partner Kibble Life for wheelchair-user Shelley Fitzsimmons was transformed after her son saw a feature on BBC’s The One Show.

Here the mother-of-two from Bedfordshire tells of her amazing journey.

I have an inherited condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, shortened to EDS, which affects all my muscles, ligaments and joints. Since I was nine years old I have experienced dislocations, especially in my left knee, as I used to dance whenever possible. As I was always out at dancing lessons, competitions or actually teaching dancing I always put my dislocations down to being too flexible due to dancing. I always baffled my osteopaths and physios when needing treatment as they didn’t really know what was wrong, and just provided me with different splints for different joints.

A week before my 21st birthday I injured my back at work and was hardly able to walk for eight months. I was told by hospitals that I would never be able to go back to the caring profession or walk properly again and should never have children as it was dangerous. I refused to give in and between my parents and then boyfriend’s (John, now my husband) help I searched for a second opinion. Yet again they didn’t know what it was but I did get walking again and went on to marry John and have two beautiful children.

Quite a few years later, at work, I suffered a nervous breakdown due to disability discrimination by my managers which exasperated my condition. Dislocations became more frequent and my joints became severely painful making me barely able to walk, and needing a wheelchair, crutches and adaptations throughout our home. My husband, children and parents were now my carers and I turned from an extremely outgoing person to someone who refused to answer an unknown phone call, refused to answer the door, would not leave the house on my own and would cry at the drop of a hat, and many ‘friends’ no longer wanted to be bothered with me. By this time I had been diagnosed and was getting help from various sources. We also found out that our children both have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome too.

10 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Then in February 2012, by chance, our son William who was 10 at the time saw a Canine Partnership on the One Show and shouted “Mum, quick look! This lady has the same condition as us and she has a dog who cares for her and keeps her safe!” A few days passed and in the post came an application form for a canine partner!

Where did this come from? It seems that William had filled in, on line, a request in my name for an application! Both my children, Grace and William, said “Mum please fill it in, then both us and dad would know you are safe whilst you are on your own.” Everyone agreed that I should fill it in, but I never dreamt I would be lucky enough to get one!

As time went by and each stage of the process passed, I started to get excited thinking, maybe just maybe……..

Then after years of feeling so low physically and mentally, feeling I was a total burden on my family and losing many friends, I received ‘The Magic Purple call’.

A lovely voice, Leona, said “Shelley, I have a wonderful black Labrador named Kibble, who I believe could be a match with you. He walks beautifully alongside a wheelchair, would you like to come and meet him?”

Tears were by now flowing down my cheeks, I couldn’t believe my ears, I would have gone that day if I could!

There was a light at the end of my long dark tunnel, the start of new beginnings.

To say life is better again is an understatement, life now is FANTASTIC!!!!! Yes I still can’t walk properly, teach dancing or go to work, and I take numerous tablets and wear pain relieving patches but who cares, I have the amazing Kibble and my family - what else do I need!

Every morning a beautiful furry black face greets me and he helps me get out of bed and get dressed, when I want to and go to bed in the evening when I want to which is fantastic, I’m independent again. Since the day Kibble and I arrived home together we go everywhere, nowhere is out of bounds and we don’t have to wait for anyone, we are invincible!

Kibble has a fan club everywhere we go, he is so beautiful and has a face that makes my heart melt and a personality which makes me laugh all day long. He loves to show off his talents by picking up EVERYTHING I drop, emptying my washing machine and tumble dryers, retrieving items off shelves (whilst food shopping), removing my credit/debit cards from machines and we frequently get cashiers wave to him or call him to go through their tills! When we go anywhere everyone greets us with “Good morning/afternoon Kibble, oh and of course you too Shelley!” Lots of people approach us in the park whilst we are playing ball saying how wonderful he is.

Nothing is scary anymore, after all how can answering the phone be scary when your ear gets wet and slobbery each time and I know if I fall and dislocate Kibble is

Canine Partners is a registered charity that assists people with disabilities to enjoy a greater independence and quality of life through the provision of specially trained dogs, whose well-being is a key consideration.

More than 1.2 million people in the UK use a wheelchair, and a significant number of those would benefit from a canine partner. The dogs are carefully matched to the applicant’s needs and lifestyle, no matter how challenging. They are trained to help with everyday tasks such as opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and getting help in an emergency. The Charity is working in partnership with Help for Heroes, and aims to train dogs to meet the needs of people with even the most complex disabilities including members of HM Armed Forces.

there to press the alarm button which dials my husband, then Kibble collects the phone and I can then talk to my husband for him to come home.

Everyone says they can see how strong the bond is between the two of us, just by the way we look at each other. I personally see it by the way Kibble does things that he has never been taught: the post comes and he collects it but then he waits for me to slice the letter/ parcel open and he then pushes his nose inside the letter/parcel and carefully pulls out the contents. I have poor fine motor skills and Kibble must have realised that this is difficult for me. It certainly adds an extra piece of fun to birthdays – and Christmas!

Life is now great again, my general health is much better, I don’t have to top up my pain relief half as much and best of all Kibble has allowed my children to be children again, my husband to be my husband and everyone can now relax knowing I’m safe and cared for by Kibble 24/7, much better than a human carer. I cannot imagine life without Kibble, I love him so much and it is obvious to all that know us that the feeling is mutual.

Kibble is amazing he has given me back my confidence, my smile and my life!

These life transforming dogs also provide practical, physiological, psychological and social benefits including increased independence and confidence as well as increased motivation and self-esteem. A canine partner also brings companionship, a sense of security and increases social interaction.

Canine Partners receives no government funding and is wholly dependent on public donations and legacies.

To find out more about applying for a canine partner, to donate, fundraise or get involved visit caninepartners.org.uk or call 08456 580480.

You can sponsor a Canine Partners’ puppy for as little as £1 a week through the Charity’s My Amazing Puppy regular giving scheme.

Kibble

Issue 13 • February / March 2016 11

Style Guide

Spring Fever

Upgrade your wardrobe and step into Spring with this season’s key pieces.

JD Williams Lorraine Kelly Wrap Top £30.00 Tu at Sainsbury’s

River Island Green floral print split front pencil skirt £35.00

White Stuff T Bar Court Shoe £69.95

Dune - Enid Clutch Purse - £49

By Hannah Stephenson

In Theen Gard

G LOW-MAINTENANCE GARDENIN If you are looking to put new borders in your garden this year but know that you’re not going to have much time on maintenance, planting an easy-care shrub border may be the answer.

Shrubs require little upkeep once they are in the ground as long as in the first season they are watered sufficiently to keep the soil damp in dry weather.

Loose mulches should be topped up from time to time, while evergreens and summer flowering shrubs can be pruned in early spring if necessary. Spring flowering shrubs should be tidied up immediately after flowering.

Shrubs offering interest over two seasons are particularly useful, such as Mahonia x media, which has yellow winter flowers and architectural, evergreen foliage, and Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’, with purple leaves that turn red in autumn.

Shrubs are certainly not as boring as they may sound.

When choosing shrubs, make sure they are not going to block any view, but use them instead to frame it.

When you decide on a shape for your new border, use a hosepipe to make the shape, then you can modify the curves until you are happy with it.

Before planting, dig over the soil, remove weeds and add some well rotted manure to improve the soil, adding some grit if you have heavy soil. Position shrubs, still in their pots, so that you can stand back and view the effects from different angles.

Each shrub should be planted through mulch matting at the same depth as it is in the pot, or cover the soil between shrubs with a 5cm (2in) thick loose organic mulch to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from invading.

Go for shrubs which will give you all-round interest - evergreens are probably the easiest. Combine Ceanothus thrysilforus var. repens with Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’, Hebe rakaiensis, Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ and Lonicera nitida ‘Baggesen’s Gold’.

The red photinia leaves and blue ceanothus flowers will provide interesting spring colour, while the hebe has white flowers in summer.

Introduce shrubs which offer allyear foliage, such as the spotted Aucuba

www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

japonica or a variegated euonymus, and replace beds of annuals with shrubs to reduce the amount of time you need to dig up and change plants.

Good, compact, low-maintenance shrubs with a long flowering season include potentilla, hebes, lowgrowing cistus or patio roses.

Under taller shrubs and roses plant good ground cover perennials such as wild geranium (cranesbill) or Alchemilla mollis, and take note of the atmosphere you want to create through colour. Hot colours, such as reds and oranges, will bring warmth, while greys and blues will cool down a hot spot.

If you don’t want to replant or create a totally new border, buy some specimen plants to act as focal points in your existing garden, such as Phormium tenax, with its sword-shaped leaves, or Fatsia japonica, which provides sculptural foliage in a shady spot, callicarpa or cotoneaster for colourful berries and Acer palmatum for a burst of autumn colour.

You should soon be able to sit back and watch your garden burst into life with new colour and texture without breaking your back in the process.

Affordable Professional

Ironing Service

£6 OFF

For all new customers Until 31st March 2016

Free collection and delivery from your home or work.

Regular or one off orders happily accepted.

Friendly and reliable.

Call or text to book a collection on

07775 515212

LEATHER

Before

After

After

mark@plumbingandgas.org.uk

Before

CAR SEAT & FURNITURE REPAIRS • Rips • Cigarette Burns • Holes

Most repairs can be undertaken in your home by our qualified leather technicians, or larger jobs brought into our fully equipped

mark@plumbingandgas.org.uk

RESTORATION SERVICE

• Cat Scratches • Re-colouring • Colour Matching • Cleaning • Cracking • Stain Removal • Re-Padding • Spring Replacement.

workshop.

Repairing leather is approximately 20% of the cost of re-upholstering Unit 26 Acacia Close, Cherrycourt Way, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4QE Luton:01582

Website:

380 750

Leighton Buzzard:01525

www.furnitureclinic.co.uk

888 250

Gas Boiler, fire & Cooker, Servicing, installaon and www.plumbingandgas.org.uk repairs cylinders etc, heang system problems inc Gas boiler, fire cooker, Gas Boiler, fire & Cooker, Servicing, installaon and power-flushing Dripping taps& and internal plumbing issues, servicing, also solar thermal repairs and servicing. repairs cylinders etc, heang system problems inc installation power-flushing Dripping taps and internal plumbing repairs cylinders etc. & 01582 674829

issues, also solar thermal repairs and servicing. www.plumbingandgas.org.uk

Heating system problems 01582 674829 inc. power-flushing

563034

www.plumbingandgas.org.uk

Dripping taps & internal plumbing issues

Also solar thermal repairs & servicing Inc. LPG and park homes

01582 674829

mark@plumbingandgas.org.uk Issue 13 • February / March 2016 15

563

In Theen Gard

February & March

Snowdrops

Best of The Bunch

(Galanthus)

groups Plant in more of 10 or to them and add r. each yea They are the first bulbs to emerge which provide the curtainraiser for the gardening year, from January onwards, and with snowdrop weekends and other events happening across the country over the next month, it's impossible to ignore them.

Their dainty white and green bell-shaped blooms hang on 6in stems and look wonderful in drifts in woodlands, as a carpet in dappled shade under trees or as a welcome addition to rockeries and scree beds. There are many types of snowdrop but the most common is G. nivalis, producing single flowers. A more showy derivative is 'Flore Pleno', which has larger, double flowers and is slightly shorter than the single variety. If you want a really early-flowering type go for G. elwesii, which has broad, grey-green leaves and larger flowers and can flower before Christmas. Snowdrops should be planted in early autumn in a moist soil rich in organic matter, in semi shade.

Good Enough to Eat! Redcurrants

(Ribes rubrum)

Great added to as a fruit salads or ish rn decorative ga or for desserts cakes.

These red fruits go perfectly with raspberries and can be grown alongside them, or alternatively, made into redcurrant jelly which is a wonderful addition to gravy if you're having roast lamb. The bushes also look attractive when trained against a wall, their colourful trusses of berries just waiting to be picked. They are also easy to grow in a sheltered spot in fertile, well-drained soil and will even withstand a north-facing wall or semi-shade, although they do prefer sun. Plant them from October to March, spacing bushes around 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft) apart, mulch in spring and feed in April with a general purpose fertiliser. Water well in summer while the fruit is swelling and leave them to ripen fully before picking them. In the last few weeks the berries will increase in size significantly and turn a brighter red.

Remove the whole truss by tearing it gently from the plant.

16 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Things To Be Getting On With...

• Complete the pruning of green house vines while they are still dormant and remove loose bark which may harbour pests.

• Bring in pots of forced bulbs for indoor flowering when ready.

• Protect winter-flowering bulbous irises in the garden from severe cold or damp.

• Start forcing pots of lily bulbs for Easter and early summer flowering.

• As cyclamen flowers go over, remove the stems by giving a sharp tug, which should remove the whole stem.

• Take hardwood cuttings of blackcurrants, redcurrants, white currants and gooseberries.

• Renew grease bands around fruit trees, if they have been in place a long time, to protect trees against winter moths.

• Bring container-grown shrubs like camellias into a cold green house for extra winter protection.

• Pick yellowing leaves off Brussels sprouts and other brassicas promptly, to prevent spread of grey mould and brassica downy mildew.

• Sow seed of slow-maturing halfhardy summer bedding plants including pelargoniums, begonias and verbenas, in heated propagators.

9

uk

Get a FREE treatment up to the value of £40 when you sign for a years’ lawn care.

We offer a totally customised programme of care for your lawn, turning your lawn into something you can be proud of. Visit our website to see some of the stunning lawns we look after. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

FREE 14 Point Lawn Analysis Re-Turfing Tiling Slating MossPipes & Weed Control Aeration Gutters & Down Lead Work Chimney Repairs Fascias & Soffits southbeds@trugreen.org.uk Flat Roofing Rubber Roofing Built-Up Felt Roofing Experts in all aspects of

Fertilisation Scarification

0800 999 2233



Free Estimates

Roofing & General Maintenance

We supply & fit:and new works undertaken  Repairs ✓ Velux Windows  “Trust A Trader” and “EDS” Approved ✓ Skylights  All Repair Work Undertaken ✓ Sun  Tunnels All New Work Guaranteed  Insurance Backed Guarantee Available 

Friendly Service

Experts in all aspects of Approved installer of

✓ Tiling ✓ Slating ✓ Gutters & Down Pipes ✓ Lead Work ✓ Chimney Repairs ✓ Fascias & Soffits ✓ Flat Roofing  Tiling Experts✓inRubber all aspects Roofing of  Slating ✓ Built-Up Felt Roofing

fascias and soffits.

Roofing & Roofing & 30 year colour guarantee.

We supply & fit: General ✓ Velux Windows General ✓ Skylights Maintenance Maintenance ✓ Sun Tunnels Friendly staff, honest work, highly recommended...

Customer review

PLEASE CHECK PLEASE CHECK OUR REVIEWS ON OUR REVIEWS ON TRUST A TRADER TRUST A TRADER



Gutters & Down Pipes



Lead Work



Chimney Repairs



Fascias & Soffits



Flat Roofing



Rubber Roofing



Built-Up Felt Roofing

Friendly staff, honest work, Velux Windows highly recommended...

Friendly staff, honest work, highly recommended...

 

- customer review



Skylights - customer review Sun Tunnels

Free Estimates

✓

Free Estimates

✓

✓ Repairs & New works undertaken Repairs & New works undertaken “Trust A Trader” and “EDS” approved Email: gjsmithroofing@yahoo.co.uk “Trust A Trader” and “EDS” approved ✓ ✓ All repair work undertaken All repair work undertaken Web: www.gjsmithroofing.com

Tel: 01582 618679 Mob: 07801 315140 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

✓

PLEASE CHECK OUR REVIEWS ON Insurance backed guarantee available Insurance backed guarantee available✓ ✓ Friendly Service TRUST A TRADER Friendly Service Issue 13 • February / March 2016 17 All new work guaranteed

✓

All new work guaranteed

Puzzles

Answers on page 30

Crossword

Across

Down

7. Shares (6) 8. Visitor (6) 10. Uniform (7) 11. Concise (5) 12. Small bay (4) 13. Tell-tale (5) 17. Memento (5) 18. Daybreak (4) 22. Perfect (5) 23. Eager desire for wealth (7) 24. Stress (6) 25. Bog (6)

1. Largest bird (7) 2. Pardon (7) 3. Aptitude (5) 4. Warlike (7) 5. Vigilant (5) 6. Command (5) 9. Head (9) 14. Effective (7) 15. Main city (7) 16. Vehement (7) 19. Essential (5) 20. Educate (5) 21. Truck (5)

Sudoku 数独 1 6 CAVED

3

2 9 7

2 4 3 7

8 2 9 3 8 5 4 6

9 2 6 DINED

18 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk 18

6

3

7

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

For your your For

10% 10%

Vine Magazine discount VantagePoint discount Quote ref GO10 LUT10 Quote Ref: Issue 13 • February / March 2016 19

Money Matters By Martin Lewis

Debt Advice My aim today is simple.

To slash the interest you pay to 0%.

This is a masterclass in cutting the cost not just of credit cards, but loans, overdrafts and store cards too.

It isn’t just about cost reduction, it can mean you’re debt free quicker too – as if you pay less interest, it means more of your repayments clear the actual debt.

And now’s the perfect time to do it. As so many people look at their debt costs at the beginning of the year, lenders throw out better deals to attract your custom.

I’m going to tackle each debt type one at a time, but before starting, if you have any savings, it’s often best to use those to clear debts. The cost of borrowing is normally much higher than the reward from saving.

Credit Cards : cut costs to 23mth 0% no fee This is easy, as there’s fierce competition. It’s all about balance transfer deals, where you get a new card that repays debts on old cards for you, so you owe it instead. www.Halifax.co.uk has just launched the new longestever 23 month 0% debt shift, that has no fee. If you’re not sure you can clear your debt within that time, go longer.

The longest 0% deal is www.MBNA.co.uk Platinum card at 39 months 0% with a 2.98% fee.

Yet don’t just apply in hope, as that hits your credit file. My full best buys guide at www.mse.me/balancetransfers includes a free eligibility calculator, which gives card-bycard odds of which you’re most likely to get – so you can home in on your winner.

The results can be powerful, as Michelle emailed me: “Thank you. I was paying through the nose for £1,700 on Capital One, it’d have taken YEARS to pay it off. I tried your eligibility checker, got 36mths 0%.” That’s an interest saving of about £980. Yet if you do balance transfer, always follow these golden rules.

Never miss the minimum monthly repayments, or the

20 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

@moneysavingexpert bank can end your 0% deal and charge far more.

Clear the card or balance transfer before the 0% ends, or the rate rockets to 18.9% - 20% APR. Never spend on the card or worse withdraw cash. They’re not usually at 0%.

Store cards : shift them to 0% too.

These are just credit cards you only spend with at one store or group of stores - but with far costlier interest. For example, Debenhams’ is 24.9% APR and Homebase 29.9%. But they can be balance transferred just like credit cards, so follow the steps above.

Before you read on : you need to understand 0% money transfers I’m oft asked if you can shift loans, overdrafts or other debt onto 0% credit cards. You can, but only via a specialist 0% ‘money transfer’ deal, yet this opens a wide door for cutting loan, overdraft and other debt costs - so let me brief you before you carry on.

Money transfers are a rare specialist 0% credit card deal that lets you pay a lump sum into your bank account, to use as you like – including to pay off a loan - so you owe the card for it.

For example, new www.Virginmoney.com cardholders can get a 32 month 0% money transfer if they pay just a one-off 1.69% fee of the amount transferred. After the 0% it’s 20.9% rep APR so clear it before then. Full step-bystep help in www.mse.me/moneytransfers

Money Matters By Martin Lewis

Debt Advice

Personal loans : cut big ones to 3.3% or small ones to 0%.

Unlike with credit cards, if you clear a personal loan you can be charged up to two months of interest as an early repayment penalty, so it’s slightly more complex…

STEP 1: Call your current lender and ask it three

things: a) What your ‘settlement amount’ is, ie, how much it would cost to pay off your loan today. b) How many monthly repayments you have left. c) The exact amount of your repayments.

STEP 2: Work out what you will pay if you stick with

your current loan, by multiplying the remaining months by the repayment amount.

STEP 3: See what rate you could get on borrowing the settlement amount elsewhere.

For under £3,000, the cheapest route is likely to be doing a ‘money transfer’. Above £3,000, a cheap loan wins. Under £5,000 www.Zopa.com is cheapest at 4.6%-6.9% rep APR. For £5,000 - £7,500, www.SainsburysBank.co.uk is 4.2% rep APR with a Nectar card (4.3% without). For £7,500-£15,000, Bank. marksandspencer.com is 3.3% rep APR. Yet, sadly, like all loans these are ‘rep APR’ which means only 51% of accepted customers get the advertised rate, the rest can be charged more. My loan guide eligibility checker at www.mse.me/loanseligibility can tell you which you’re most likely to be accepted for, and as a very rough rule, the more likely acceptance is, the more likely you are to get the advertised rate.

STEP 4: Work out if using the new borrowing to clear

your current loan is cheaper than just continuing to repay.

The savings can be huge - take this email from Rebecca: “A big thank you. I took out a loan at a terrible rate, £7,500 interest on £15,000. I applied for cheaper loan; interest is around £1,000, so I used it to pay off the previous one, saving £6,500.”

Overdraft: Shift to 0% Overdrafts are often more costly than credit cards, especially if you bust your limit. There are two solutions.

The first is switching to a bank offering a 0% overdraft. www.Firstdirect.com offers you £125 to join it and a £250 0% overdraft (you must pay in income of £1,000/ month).

So if your overdraft’s under £375, this pays some off and the rest is interest-free. Also the www.Nationwide.co.uk FlexDirect account has a larger 0%, but only for a year.

Alternatively, in some ways it’s just simpler to pay it off with a money transfer card (see above), especially for larger amounts. You’ll need pass a credit check for both routes.

Struggling to sleep due to your debts?...

This is very common emotion, especially at this time of year. If you can’t even meet minimum monthly payments, have non-mortgage debts bigger than a year’s salary or have depression or anxiety over it, you’re in what I define as debt crisis.

If so, forget my solutions above and get free, one-onone debt counselling help. The places I’d suggest are www.Citizens Advice.org.uk, www.StepChange.org or www.NationalDebtline.co.uk.

They are there to help, not judge. The most common comment I get afterwards is “I finally got a good night’s sleep”

Issue 13 • February / March 2016 21

Consumer Clinic

For Goodness Sake – PAY BY CREDIT CARD! I’ve been fighting for consumer rights on my radio programme for many years now, and there’s one message I have been repeating constantly - PAY BY CREDIT CARD!

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

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

W

henever I repeat this mantra, I receive so many calls and emails of complaint from people saying that I’m encouraging debt, I lose the will to live. However, I simply refuse to be silenced.

But why do I get on my high horse? I’ll tell you why. If you pay for goods or services by credit card you are protected in so many ways. The woman who paid £1,000 by cheque for a bed that never turned up because the company went bust, the young man who put down a £500 deposit in cash for a new car only to find the dealer had misrepresented the kind of vehicle it was.

These consumers could have received all of their money back with one phone call if only they’d paid by credit card. You see under the Consum-

er credit act of 1974, the credit card company is equally liable for “for any breach of contract or misrepresentation by a supplier of goods or services on credit”.

As long as the product or service costs between £100 and £30,000, you are covered for most unfortunate events.

There’s also absolutely no need to get into debt when paying by credit card. If you were proposing to pay by cheque, cash or debit card then simply pay by credit card instead and pay the bill off in full the very next day.

So next time you plan to buy that new sofa, car, holiday or conservatory, FOR GOODNESS SAKE – PAY BY CREDIT CARD!

MD’s Gardening Solution

C & R Pest Management

A professional gardening company that has a solution for all your garden requirements no matter how big or small Please contact Matthew Day

07915 058066

mdsgardeningsolution@yahoo.co.uk

22 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Registered Professional Pest Technician

• 40 Years Experience • Fully Insured • Special Rates For OAP • CRB Checked T: 01582 206113 01525 450046 M: 07500 431131

Wasps, Rats, Mice, Ants, Rabbits, Moles & more... www.crpestmanagement.co.uk

PS Oven Cleaning PSSpecialists

We clean

Oven Valeting Services

ovens...

We clean ovens the job you hate!

Call us today for a free quote All caustic free Eco friendly products only

the job you hate!

10% Discount

on any product or service when quoting this reference: LOS

“pchelpcentre provided a very good, fast & professional service” Bill Watts, Renault Trucks UK Ltd – IT Manager

Visit our store for a wide variety of services to the home and business user including:

• Laptop & Desktop Repairs • Virus Removal • Data Recovery • Screen Repairs • Home / Office Visits PC Help Centre

twitter.com/pchelpcentre

Small•friendly reliable Range • business Aga with over 10 years exp Range ---Aga---Ovens and Hobs • Ovens and Hobs Extractor Hoods Microwave • Extractor Hoods Traditional Cookers We clean them all

• Microwave psovenvaleting@outlook.com • Traditional Cookers Call Peter or Sheila 01582 521430 All areas covered

We clean them all

Call us today for a free quote All caustic free Eco friendly products only Small, friendly, reliable business

with over 10 years experience

Call Peter or Sheila

01582 521430 psovenvaleting@outlook.com

All areas covered

Issue 13 • February / March 2016 23

auto Biographies

JAGUAR XE

Proof You Can Buy Class

By Rob Auchterlonie Wheelwrite.co.uk

IT’S been a struggle - a struggle going on for some three decades - but it looks like Jaguar might at last have come up with something capable of taking on the seried ranks of Johnny Boch.

For too long the Germans have held sway in the battle for sales in the premium sector. And rightly so. You can’t argue against the quality of the cars Audi, Mercedes and BMW line up for your approval..

B

ut now they’ve got a bit of opposition from a car built here in the UK and spouting Land of Hope and Glory from its shiny exhaust pipes.

Now, when they look in their mirrors, they’re going to see the proud and distinctive front end of the new Jaguar XE coming up behind to join in the race.

The giveaway is the trademark grille with the Jaguar’s head leering at you as you dare impede its progress. All mesh and chrome and headlights.

Progress that is, even in this 2.0 diesel engined model, reasonably swift.

There are some who would mischievously liken it to a bloated Mondeo, probably because of Jaguar’s latter-day links to the Ford empire and the fact that, from the back, it can to some eyes bear a passing resemblance to the staple diet of the motorway rep.

In profile it almost has the looks of a coupe, a very neat coupe, but

of course it’s not. And there aren’t many coupes I can think of that will carry five adults in leather cosseted luxury.

The best thing for me is the superb driving position. Knowing how many packaging hurdles designers have to negotiate, I can hardly believe how tailored it is: perfect seat shape and position, ideal control layout and instrument view.

The body shell is stiff, the engine operates smoothly enough and what they call acoustic management (sound deadening to you and me) is exceptional.

There’s not even a handbrake to clutter it up either – that’s electronic and operated by a switch.

I love the way the dash cuts into the doors, so the air from the side vents sweeps round and into the cabin.

The interior exudes class, and they used to say you can’t buy that. Well let me tell you you can. And it’ll cost you £32,325.

To an extent, we’ve been down this road before, with the X-Type, which had similar hopes pinned on it for sales success. But that didn’t work because in essence it was a Mondeo with a different coat which quickly went out of fashion.

The XE has a lot more going for it.

It handles really well, darting in to bends and staying flat and composed through all manner of twists and turns. It also grips well, and the steering has a sharp and precise feel.

Rear-seat space isn’t really that generous, and you won’t be bragging in the local about the performance of the 161bhp diesel

24 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

engine, although there are other units available. R-Sport versions like the one sampled here have what I’d sum up as a fairly firm ride.

The boot looks a decent size, and actually is, but the bootlid isn’t that big because of the downward sweep of the rear window, so loading it up requires some precision.

In years to come no one is going to go all dewey eyed and recall their time behind the wheel of an XE – that’s what the F Type is for.

But it could be remembered as the car that finally proved the Brits could hold their own in the premium sector.

FAST FACTS Jaguar XE R-Sport £32,325 2.0 i4 turbocharged diesel, 1999cc, 163ps, 380Nm Six speed manual gearbox Top speed 132mph, 0-60mph 7.9secs; Fuel – urban 64.2, extra urban 83.1, combined 75.0; CO2 99g/km.

Bedfordshire’s Night Sky

By Seb Jay

Looking Up! February and March 2016

See Jupiter at its best for 2016: On 8 March

Jupiter reaches its closest point to Earth for 2016. It’ll be at its biggest and brightest in the Bedfordshire night sky, making this the best night of the year to view Jupiter in binoculars or a telescope. After sunset, as the sky darkens, look for a bright beacon of white light shining in the east. By midnight Jupiter will have moved high up in the sky towards your south. A small telescope is all you need to see Jupiter’s dark bands and the planet’s four moons.

Catch Mars and Saturn in the morning sky: If you’re an early riser look towards your south just before dawn. You should see three bright points of light low down towards your horizon. They’ll form a small triangle pattern. The lowest point of light in the triangle is a red supergiant called Antares. The other two points of light above Antares are Saturn and Mars. Saturn is on the left, and Mars, with its rusty-red coloration, is on the right.

Find Orion:

February and March evenings are a great time to see the constellation of Orion. Look towards your south or south-west for a giant rectangle of stars with three stars in a line across the middle forming Orion’s Belt. Dropping down from the Belt on the left is a line of dimmer stars. This is Orion’s Sword, home to the Orion Nebula – a gigantic space nursery where new stars are born.

Image: Drawing of Jupiter and Great Red Spot in a large telescope

seb@darkskytelescopehire.co.uk Dark Sky Telescope Hire www.darkskytelescopehire.

New Alarms Fitted or Upgrade Existing Alarms BURGLAR ALARMS

We fit new alarms - Wired or Wirelss Systems *We can service and maintain your existing alarm*

CCTV

We fit high quality systems to maximise your security.

Access your CCTV via the Internet or mobile phone.

DOOR ENTRY

We fit a range of quality video and audio Intercoms to suit your needs We are a family run business with over 35 years experience in home security and crime prevention Contact us:

DON’T BECOME A VICTIM

01582 864138 / 01525 567028 For a FREE quote and consultation

www.maximumsecuritysystems.co.uk

Issue 13 • February / March 2016 25

TomFebruary Courtenay, Blake Har5th rison, Sarah Lancashire This British classicZeta-Jones, comedy, CAST: Catherine Dad’s Army, is on the big Bill Nighy, Mark Gatiss, screen. The home Toby guardJones, plaMichael Gambon, toonCourtenay, has to deal Blake with aHarfemale Tom journalist and a German spy as rison, Sarah Lancashire DAD’S ARMY World War 2 comes to an end This British classic comedy, Dad’s Army, is on the big screen. The home guard platoon has to deal with a female journalist and a German spy as World War 2 comes to an end

low thegolden actionyears, when Hail the fixer wood’s Caeencounters the problem of a sar, is a star studded comedy. kidnapped star and pregnant The film follows the story of a actress. studio fixer who fixes problems for stars in the industry. Follow the action when the fixer LONDON HAS encounters the problem of a HAIL, CAESAR FALLEN kidnapped star and pregnant RELEASE DATE: actress.

3RD March RELEASE DATE: 26th February

Cinema New Releases

PRIDE AND5th February RELEASE DATE: CAST: Catherine Zeta-Jones, PREJUDICE AND Bill Nighy, Mark Gatiss, Michael ZOMBIES

RELEASE DATE: Gambon, Toby Jones, Tom Cour-

12th tenay,February Blake Harrison, Sarah PRIDE AND Lancashire.

PREJUDICE AND CAST: Lily James, Sam Riley, This British classic comedy, Dad’s Jack Huston, Bella Heathcoate, ZOMBIES Army, is on the big screen. The

Douglas Booth, Suki WaterRELEASE DATE: homeFebruary guard to deal with house, Mattplatoon Smith,has Charles 12th a female journalist and a German spy Dance, Lena Headey Pride and Prejudice and as World War 2 comes to an end.

CAST: Lily James, Sam Riley, Zombies is aBella fresh Heathcoate, twist on Jack Huston, Jane Austen’s widely celebrated Douglas Booth, Suki WaterPRIDE & PREJUDICE novel.

A mysterious plague has house, Matt Smith, Charles & ZOMBIES fallen upon century EngDance, Lena19th Headey land,and the land is overrun Pride Prejudice and with RELEASE 12thheroine February the undead and Zombies is aDATE: freshfeisty twist on CAST: LilyBennet James, Riley, Elizabeth isSam acelebrated master Jane Austen’s widely of martial arts andHeathcoate, weaponry. novel.

A mysterious plague has Jack Huston, Bella Casting aside personal and fallen upon 19th century EngDouglas Booth, Suki Waterhouse, socialthe prejudices, Elizabeth land, landCharles is overrun withLena MattMr. Smith, Dance,on and Darcy the undead and must feisty unite heroine Headey. the blood-soaked Elizabeth Bennet isbattlefield a master to Pride and Prejudice Zombies the country of and the zombie is ofrid martial arts and weaponry. menace andondiscover their true a fresh twist Jane Austen’s Casting aside personal andwidely love for one another. social prejudices, celebrated novel.

AElizabeth mysterious and Mr.has Darcy on plague fallenmust uponunite 19th century HAIL, CAESAR the blood-soaked to the England, the land isbattlefield overrun with RELEASE DATE: rid the country ofheroine the zombie undead and feisty Elizabeth menace and discover their true Bennet is a master of martial arts and love for one another. weaponry Casting aside personal and social HAIL, CAESAR prejudices, Elizabeth RELEASE DATE: and Mr. Darcy must unite on the blood-soaked battlefield to rid the country of the zombie menace and discover their true love for one another.

CAST: George Clooney, Scarlett LONDON CAST: Gerard HAS Butler, Morgan Johansson, Swinton, Josh Freeman, Tilda Radha Mitchell, FALLEN Brolin, Fiennes.

AaronRalph Eckhart, Angela Bassett RELEASE DATE: Inin London the MinSet the latter for years of Prime Hollywood’s 3RD March ister’syears, funeral, Banning golden HailMike Caesar, is a star (Gerard Butler)The discovers a plot CAST: Gerard Butler, studded comedy. film Morgan follows tostory assassinate allfixer the who attending Freeman, Mitchell, the of aRadha studio fixes world Eckhart, leaders. Angela Bassett Aaron problems for stars in the industry.

In London for the Prime MinFollow the action when the fixer ister’s funeral, Mike Banning encounters the problem of a kid(Gerard Butler) discovers a plot napped star andall pregnant actress. to assassinate the attending

world leaders.

THE CHOICE RELEASE DATE: 4th March

CAST: Benjamin Walker,

Teresa Palmer, Tom WilkingTHE CHOICE LONDON HAS FALLEN

son, Tom Welling, RELEASE DATE:Alexandra Daddario 4th Marchand Maggie Grace RELEASE DATE: 3rd March When feisty medical student CAST: Butler, Morgan GabbyGerard Holland moves in next CAST: Benjamin Walker, door toPalmer, perennial ladies’ man Teresa WilkingFreeman, RadhaTom Mitchell, Aaron Travis Shaw, they embark on son, Tom Welling, Alexandra Eckhart, Angela Bassett. a surprising romantic Grace journey InDaddario London forand the Maggie Prime Minister’s neither imagined possible.

When feisty medical student funeral, TravisMike has Banning always believed Gabby Holland moves in next (Gerard discovers awould plot a serious relationship door toButler) perennial ladies’ man to assassinate allthey the attending cramp his easygoing lifestyle, Travis Shaw, embark on world leaders.

Gabbyromantic is preparing to awhile surprising journey settle down with possible. her long-term neither imagined Travis has always believed a serious relationship would THE CHOICE cramp his easygoing lifestyle, while Gabby is preparing to RELEASE 4th long-term March settle downDATE: with her CAST: Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Tom Wilkingson, Tom Welling, Alexandra Daddario and Maggie Grace.

When feisty medical student Gabby Holland moves in next door to perennial ladies’ man Travis Shaw, they

26 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

beloved North Carolina setting, evolution of a love affair that is culminating withbythe question ultimately tested life’s most that every couple defining events, thismust storyask feathemselves: how farensemble would you tures a memorable of go to keep the hope love friends and family in of Sparks’s alive? North Carolina setting, beloved culminating with the question embark on a surprising romantic that every couple must ask journey neither imagined possible. themselves: how far would you Travis always believed go has to keep the hope ofa serilove ousalive? relationship would cramp his easygoing lifestyle, while Gabby is preparing to settle down with her long-term boyfriend—until an irresistible attraction between the unlikely couple upends both of their well-planned lives. Spanning a THE WITCH decade and tracing the evolution of RELEASE DATE: a love affair that is ultimately tested 11th March by life’s most defining events, this storyCAST: featuresAnya a memorable ensemTaylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Lucas bleTHE of friendsWITCH and family in Sparks’s Dawson, Scrimshaw, RELEASE DATE: beloved NorthHarvey Carolina setting, Ellie March Grainger 11th culminating with the question that Setcouple in 1630 England a every mustNew ask themselves: devout Christian coupleRalph with 5 CAST: Anya how far would youTaylor-Joy, go to keep the childrenKate live Dickie, at the edge of an Ineson, Lucas hope of love alive? impassable wilderness. Then

Dawson, Harvey Scrimshaw, theirGrainger newborn, a son, disapEllie THE WITCH pears and their fails. aThey Set in 1630 Newcrop England become the target of evil as 5 devout Christian couple with they turn onateach other children live the ofand an RELEASE DATE: 11thedge March theirAnya family life startsRalph to fall impassable wilderness.

Then CAST: Taylor-Joy, apart. their newborn, a son, disapIneson, Dickie, pears Kate and their cropLucas fails. They Dawson, Harvey Scrimshaw, become the target of EAGLE evil as EDDIE THE they turn on DATE: each other and Ellie Grainger.

RELEASE family startsato fall Settheir in 1630 Newlife England devout 1st April apart.couple with 5 children live Christian at the edge of an impassable CAST: Taron Egerton,wilderHugh Jackman, Walken, ness.

Then theirChristopher newborn,EAGLE a son, EDDIE THE Tim McInnerny, Keith RELEASE DATE: disappears and their crop fails.Allen They Follow story of Great 1st April become thethe target of evil as theyBritfirstother ski jumper enter turnain’s on each and theirtofamily the Winter Olympics 1988.

Egerton,inHugh lifeCAST: starts toTaron fall apart.

Eddie The Eagle Edwards Jackman, Christopher Walken, competed in the Keith 70m and 90m Tim McInnerny, Allen EDDIE THE EAGLE events.the Follow story of Great Britain’s first ski jumper to enter the Winter Olympics in 1988.

RELEASE DATE: 1st April EddieTaron The Egerton, Eagle Edwards CAST: Hugh competed in the 70m and 90m Jackman, Christopher Walken, events.

Tim McInnerny, Keith Allen.

Follow the story of Great Britain’s first ski jumper to enter the Winter Olympics in 1988. Eddie The Eagle Edwards competed in the 70m and 90m events.

r

ms.

t

.. e...

Carters Decorators Any Job - Large or Small Reliable, Friendly & Trustworthy

Call me today for a free quote & advice

01582 263571 07729 962196

Burt Carter - Painter & Decorator

For all of your decorating needs County Drainage & Plumbing Solutions Your Local Drainage Specialist

No Call Out Fee For All Your Drainage & Plumbing Needs

01525 222439

Steve

07944 297538

Free Estimate & Advise High Pressure Water Jetting CCTV Survey’s Full Drain Repair & Replacement Drain Relining Specialist All Work Guaranteed Email - steve@countydrainage.me.uk www.blockeddrainsandplumbing.com

Swan Decorating Cullen & Son Painting & Decorating & Services & Handyman Handyman Services And

All Types Of General Maintenance Work No Job Too Small

Call Sean:

07932 626224 01582 608547

PLASTERING SERVICES

30 Years Experience In All Aspects Of Plastering Render Specialist No Job Too Big Or Small!

250 High Street North Dunstable Beds LU6 1BE Phone : 01582 472526 Mobile : 07958377463 Email : D.Kane1@sky.com All Work Fully Guaranteed 250 High Street North

G & J GROUNDWORK

LEWIS BUILDING CONSULTANCY SERVICES

LEWIS BUILDING County Drainage CONSULTANCY SERVICES & Plumbing Solutions 101 Leighton Rd, Toddington

Your Local Drainage Specialist Drawings for extensions No Call Out Fee All Your Drainage & Plumbing Needs &ForConversions 01525 222439 Steve 07944 297538 to pass Free Estimate & Advise High Pressure Water Jetting Local Authority requirements CCTV Survey’s Full Drain Repair & Replacement C. LEWIS MCIOB Drain Relining Specialist

Tel/Fax: 01525 874113 All Work Guaranteed Email - steve@countydrainage.me.uk Mob: 07870 326607

www.blockeddrainsandplumbing.com Email: chris.lewis8@ntlworld.com

Airport Travel Services Luxury Cars & 8 Seater Vehicles

Family run business for 25 years

Corporate & Business Travel Specialists

Reliability Is Our Strength

00 44 Seaports (0)1582 732585 Airports, and Railports

we cover all of your travelling needs 01582 732585 airporttravelexecutive@yahoo.com www.airport-travel-services.co.uk

Issue 13 • February / March 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.

28 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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

CHILTERN GATEWAY CENTRE DunstableDowns, Dunstable Road, LU6 2GY Tel: 01582 500920

North Chilterns Chalk

Knit and Stitch at the View Cafe 11th & 27th Feb / 10th & 19th March 10am - 12noon Come and join us at the View Café for a relaxing morning of crafting and gentle conversation against the stunning backdrop of the Downs. All welcome: beginners and experts alike! Learn to knit and crochet workshops will be running each session.

Bring your own projects, or learn something new!

Learn to knit and learn to crochet workshops: £5 per person, all materials provided, booking recommended February: Learn to crochet granny squares March: Learn to crochet flower corsages

50 Things Walk 7th Feb & 6th March 2pm - 3pm FREE Grab your wellies and join the Rangers for a family walk.

Complete some of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4’ on the way and collect stickers and scrapbooks when you get back.

Meet at the Chilterns Gateway Centre.

Make Mum’s Day Mother’s Day Crafts 5th March 11am - 3pm Make your mum’s day with a handmade card and badge to show her just how much you love her. You’ll also be able to make a posy of spring flowers to make the day extra special. £1.50 per card, £2.50 per posy

The Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt 25th to 28th March 11am - 3pm £2.50 The Cadbury’s Easter Bunny has been up to his old tricks again, hopping all over the Downs and leaving lovely chocolate eggs behind! Join us for a fun-filled Easter Egg Hunt.

Events

Wild Story Telling Join us for a magical story telling experience that will awaken our wildlife from its wintery sleep. Jane Lambourne is a celebrated local story teller who delivers a rich experience that everyone should have the chance to enjoy.

Wednesday February 17th Slot 1- 10.30am to 11am Slot 2 - 11.30am to 12pm £1 per child.

Adults go free. Suitable for children up to 10 years Houghton Regis Library, LU5 5ES Bookings and further information Houghton Regis Library Phone no. 0300 300 8058 email address Nicola.Bell@ centralbedfordshire.gov.uk The Past & Future of Natural History South Beds. Local Group Talk An illustrated talk by Brian Eversham, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wednesday 17th February 7.30pm - 9.00pm EntryAutumn by donation and Winter 2015-16 Lecture Theatre, Dunstable Community Fire Station, Brewers Hill Road Sue Turner 07917 055920 sue@turners.co.uk Blows Downs South Beds. Local Group Talk An illustrated talk of the story of Blow’s Downs including the influence of man on the landscape, from neolithic to modern times, together with the flora and fauna of this wonderful Wildlife Trust reserve by David Turner, Chairman of the South Beds.

Local Group.

Wednesday 16th March 7.30pm - 9.00pm Entry by donation Lecture Theatre, Dunstable Community Fire Station, Brewers Hill Road Sue Turner 07917 055920 sue@turners.co.uk

Issue 13 • February / March 2016 29

Answers or airport tnership

Crossword

Across: 7 Stocks 8 Caller 10 Regular 11 Terse 12 Cove 13 Sneak 17 Relic

irport has Hospice Care partner for 2017.

18 Dawn 22 Ideal 23 Avarice 24 Accent 25 Morass Down: 1 Ostrich 2 Forgive 3 Skill 4 Martial 5 Alert 6 Order 9 Principal 14 Telling 15 Capital 16 Intense 19 Vital 20 Teach 21 Wagon

farmers!

This Is Vinny

Step On It CAVED PAVED PANED WANED WINED DINED

This Is Vinny Vinny runs his own business

Vinny runs his own business

y will feed their families. their pockets or being grow more food to eat, and workers are able to put enough food on the about, all year round.

This is an advert for Vinnys business This is an advert for Vinnys business telling everyone about all the great telling everyone about all the great things that Vinny can do. things that Vinny can do.

e will be encouraging airtrade breakfasts in hurches have planned cal schools are holding re asking everyone to g breakfast in the morning, ing farmers and workers.

mers! 29 February Vinny is happy because his advert Vinny is happy because his advert reaches reaches over 30,000 local residents over 30,000 local residents who may be who may be looking for his services looking pendence on farmers and for his services and are keen to and are keen to support local 795 million people are local businesses just like his ow to run support a Fairtrade businesses just like his rtnight contact

rnight granted can’t always feed put foodVinny on the table for didn’t fast.

have to spend a fortune on advertising Vinny didn’t have to spend a fortune on advertising ote d’Ivoire, tea from Vinny isIndia, smart all be Fairtrade.

l over their lives when times like . WhetherBe it’s the extraVinny cash in food to eat, Fairtrade means d – to put enough food on the

Vinny is smart Be like Vinny

ire a multitude of Fairtrade ed Fairtrade themed services, g everyone to wake up to the

Fairtrade Fortnight contact

Effective Advertising made simple Find out more on our website www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Effective Advertising made simple

UNIQUE

AFFORDABLE FURNITURE designs to fit your lifestyle

We specialise in made-to-measure fully fitted furniture for bedrooms, studies and lounges.

Visit our NEW SHOWROOM.

Bedroom Furniture

WP S IDE RRIAN N GE S B DRO G OFFAE L E I NOCE & OM, OF F Co UR W LO NITUOUNG ct CnHtaO N Ofor detRE T E

WE NOW OFFER FITTED KITCHENS

ContaCt us for details: vUnit 40 28, JoelIcknield Street vWay Northwood HillsRd. v Middlesex HA62JX 1PA v Tel: 01923229331 510586 Farm,Tring Dunstable v , LU6 Tel: 01525 - 6pm Mon - Monday Sat 10am- -Friday 5pm v8am Closed Sun v www.uniquebedroomsdirect.co.uk vOpen: Office Furniture

Lounge Furniture

complete

ars 30 ye ce perien exrefurb

tail SE F O RsOM

Fitted Bed Furniture

“Big on Quality, small enough to care.”

Co.

&roofing

• GARAGE DOORS IN STEEL, WOOD, GRP & ABS • FAUTOMATION TO NEW & EXISTING DOORS & GATES REE • QFREE QUOTATIONS, SPARES & REPAIRS UOTES

TEL: 01525 220212 A n n n

www.premiergaragedoors.co.uk

complete c refurbishment and roofing service.

Flat Roofing n Interior & Exterior Maintenance Tiled Roofing n EPDM Rubber Membranes Loft Conversions n Fascia & Guttering

Tel: 01582 690005 Mob: 07515 361972 dean.w.1@hotmail.com www.corr.org.uk UNIT 7, SPARROWHALL BUSINESS PARK, LEIGHTON RD. EDLESBOROUGH, LU6 2ES www.thevinemagazine.com Issue 13 • February / March 2016 31 19

Meet your local Bushmead team

Find out what makes us different Dedicated sales progression service • Free floorplans Specialise in selling houses in Bushmead, Barton Hills/ Bramingham and Wigmore 100% Accompanied Viewings - 7 Days a Week Competitive selling fees & tailor made marketing plans

With our industry know how and local knowledge we are here to give you trustworthy advice when it comes to buying and selling your home.

Talk to us in branch today to arrange a free valuation.

01582 410044 I harrisonmurray.co.uk