The Vine Luton October / November 2018 - Issue 29

Local News / What’s On / Local Directory

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Connecting local people to local businesses I Bramingham I Bushmead I Icknield I Barnfield I Stopsley I Wigmore I

www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

Local News

What’s On Puzzles

It’s A Drugs Bust!

Don’t Get Ripped Off

By Martin Lewis

AUTUMN BULBS What To Plant Now!

WINTER SUN

What’s On

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Revitalising Dunstable 8 All Woodside Link Update k 610 Travel: Winter Sun • Local Business Directo ry • Local Events • Local New Editor: Scott Nightingale s Editor: Scott Nightingale • Local Offers Advertising & Editorial: ADD YOUR LISTING Advertising Shelly Nesbitt & Editorial: TODAY! Shelly Nesbitt Tel: 01525 222379 / 07852 453043 Tel: 01525 222379 / 07852 453043 Email: info@thevinemagazine.co.uk Email: info@thevinemagazine.co.uk

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LocalOn News 12 Martin Lewis: It’s A Drugs Bust 12 Local News Last Christmas post Dates 16 Auto: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 4 20 TeamSport Competition 18 Dying To Be-creative Stoptober 18 Could You Be A Samaritan?

22 Martin Lewis:Christmas Money Matters Home Made DogsCaring & Fireworks 20 At For Houseplants 26 Home: 28 APets: Pensioners View

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

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22 In InThe TheGarden Garden: Hedgehogs 28 32 Office Rental 32 Change 34 Looking Up 24 Body Autumn Bulbs4U: Calories 34 Mercedes C220 AMG 36 Puzzles 26 Autos: Puzzles 36 Puzzles 38 Travellers 30 A Looking Up Tale TheTo Gunpowder 38 Snippets: 44 Win! Tickets Aladdin Plot

46 Pensioners 48 AOut & About View 48 Out & About

Copy deadline Copy deadline for next issue: Copy deadline for next issue: November 18th for next issue:

January 2018 November 18th 18th

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Issue 29 • October / November 2018

5

Nurses ‘Count’ On Adventure Trek To Help Them Care For Patients Nurses at a Bedfordshire hospice are taking on a once in a lifetime challenge by trekking across Transylvania to raise vital funds to care for their patients.

The nursing team from Keech Hospice Care in Luton, along with other staff and supporters of the charity, will be trekking across the tough terrain of the Transylvanian Alps – including a pitstop at Count Dracula’s castle - for four days from 1 October.

Rosie Leyden, an adult healthcare assistant at Keech Hospice Care, said taking on the trek is something she never could have imagined doing before.

“It will be an incredible experience that I couldn’t do without the support of everyone at the hospice. I’m a bit nervous about just how challenging it is going to be as we’ll be trekking for around seven or eight hours a day for four days straight in the mountains. I’ve never done anything like this in my life,” said Rosie.

“When times get tough I know I’ll have the team behind me and be thinking about the wonderful patients, volunteers, family and friends who have helped us get this far.

“Some of our patients have held their own events to raise money

for us or brought cash in that they’ve been collecting in their communities, and one gentleman even donated £1,000! Their outstanding generosity and support will keep spurring me on.”

It is hoped the trek will raise thousands to help the charity continue offering excellent care and support to seriously ill adults in Luton and south Bedfordshire, and children across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Angie Shipley, a senior staff nurse at Keech Hospice Care, said she has her own personal motivations for taking on the adventure.

“I had spinal cord compression a couple of years ago and was unable to even do simple things like get in the shower on my own. Then I had an operation to help me walk independently and it has given me a whole new passion for life. I’ve seen the treks Keech has done in the past and because of my experience, I knew I wanted to give something back too,” said Angie.

“Around 70 per cent of the

To donate towards the trek visit www.keech.org.uk/donate 6

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funding for our care comes from our community and supporters, so we’re hoping this will raise thousands of pounds to help us continue supporting adults and children with terminal and lifelimiting illnesses.

“We’ve been doing our bit too and have held discos, garden parties, BBQs and bake sales to raise money – what can I say, we’re a hospice which runs on cake!”

Once the trek is complete, the group will leave a lasting legacy in Bucharest by helping some of the country’s poorest children to develop their English skills and achieve in school.

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Issue 29 • October / November 2018

7

local News

Have you had your Flu Jab? Pregnant Women and Children aged 2- 9 urged to get vaccinated Health leaders across Bedfordshire are urging pregnant women and young children to get their free flu vaccine as soon as possible.

Health at Central Bedfordshire Council said: “It is really important to protect children and babies against the flu as they are more vulnerable to developing serious complications. The flu vaccination is completely free and as well as protecting your child If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant it will also help prevent the spread of flu to other then you will be eligible for a free flu vaccine. Chilvulnerable members of the community.� dren between the ages of two and nine years will also For more information about how to get a free flu be eligible and will receive a free flu nasal spray. vaccine contact your local GP, midwife or your comFor the best protection flu vaccines should be taken munity pharmacy. Children aged four to nine years early, ideally between September and November. old will receive their vaccine at school by a qualified Pregnant women and children are more at risk of nursing team if permission has been given by their developing serious complications such as: pneumoparents. nia, meningitis, severe ear infections and tonsillitis. In The flu vaccination does not give you the flu but pregnant women it may cause miscarriage, premature some people may experience minor symptoms afterbirth and even stillbirth. Taking the flu vaccine while wards, as with other vaccinations. pregnant will also protect babies for several months after they are born, which is important as new-borns For more information about flu and the flu vaccinacannot receive the flu vaccine before six months old. tion please visit the NHS choices website.

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Issue 29 • October / November 2018

9

Travel local News

Croatia is fringed with over 1000 islands, an amazing sight, especially from the air - lush emerald green, long, thin or perfectly circular, bordered by white cliffs and beaches, crisscrossed by tiny ribbons of road that seem to lead to nowhere. One could spend a week or more sailing through this romantic seascape but stay in one of the glorious Dalmatian resorts and you can cruise for a day on a nostalgic galleon, dropping anchor here and there to explore a few of these offshore gems.

Sun

WINTER SUN

Croatia Sail to the Islands Winter Destinations T

By Danielle Lade

he days were longer, the Southern Cyprus offers evenings were lighter, which is temperatures of a perfect pleasing 24 lovely! And then Autumn starts degrees with minimal rain fall levels so a through the lanes for a glimpse reddays Plava and the honeyMljet in thetosouth is wild andcan feelthe hit and you the good beach holiday option.

You can expect of local life and to the chapel on coloured with unspoilt, two the island creeping intothirds theirofWinter state.

With Vugava, excellent a good 9 hours of sunshine and a flight of 5 fish or lobster. The the hillock for the breath-taking covered forest. The name the UK’sinweather, one thing we freshly-caught seem to hours from a number of UK airports such as panorama. island has two small townships, means isle’ and some be able‘honey to count on is a relatively dreary Birmingham, Luton, Gatwick, Leeds From the resort of Baska Voda, Vis,near where a medley of architecclaimgloomy this is where the nymph and Winter!

It’s not quite and Manchester. enough to the jovialities of the end of it’s just under two hours to Hvar Calypso kept Ulysses spellbound ture reflects a turbulent past and the year (a season already but the return trip includes a Komiza, where boats head for for seven years.

A fewI won’t fishing mention in September!)

However, a breaktheaway in Blue Lagoon on stop on Brac, the largest island in romantic villages are sprinkled along the October orpart November is just nearby Bisevo. central Dalmatia, world famous shore while of the island the thing tobylift the spirits for the local stone used to build Of course, you could spend a is protected a National Park. and bridge gap between Summer whole day sailing through this en- the White House in Washington.

There are twothat lovely saltwater and cheer! is a pretty little town with chanting maze without at Bol lakes,Decembers shimmering good turquoise and For alanding real variety, Tenerife offers both

red roofs andposh whiteluxury walls nestling all, gazing at dolphins blue, and shaded trails fragrant busypirouetting resorts for party goers, But is best to find the heat andwaves and rugged mounaround the harbour. It’s a couple in the withwhere pines. Also accessed from hotels, historic ports for sightseers sunshine in the Autumn/Wintertains months? of miles tofor theavid beach, by land towering on the Dubrovnik is the Elaphite archiandmainland, lush green mountains walkers.

With Australia a bit too far away for train or on foot, along a shaded but when the boatWith approaches pelago, a haven of pine forests a flight time of 4 and a half hours a quick break away; which options are promenade where souvenir stalls Hvar, even the most jaded traveland olive groves. Only three of from most major airports and a real slightly closer to home, a bit more Brac lergoing is keen to explore. the islands are inhabited, includrange of budgetssell tolace suitand most, it’sstone a turned affordable and more importantly, into clocks candle holders. theoption fairytalefor Winter ingbe Lopud, famous for sands, rare Havr greets you with great sunorseekers. to bright and sunny?! in Dalmatia, and Kolocep, barely 300 residents but claiming seven pre-Romanesque churches.

Slightly further out into the Adriatic, Vis is the last inhabited Croatian island before Italy, with mountains rising to nearly 2000 feet and vineyards spreading in fertile valleys. Set in central Dalmatia, Vis boasts some of the best wine in the country, such as

town of Jelsa, all donkey and cycle rides, fishing nets drying in the alleyways, rose gardens, sunflowers, waterside restaurants and pastel-hued Venetian palaces dipping their toes in the sea. The fragrance of lavender lingers on the square and now and then a whiff of Croatian folklore echoes under the parasols. It’s well worth leaving the crowds to wander

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Finally you reach the long broad spit of the Golden Cape, jutting out into the sea, a favourite spot for windsurfers and sun worshippers. The pebbles are as white as the stone and the water is beautifully clear but in the distance the galleon beckons, ready to conclude the cruise in time for a perfect Adriatic sunset.

Issue 29 • October / November 2018

11

Money Matters By Martin Lewis

It’s A

Drugs Bust @martinslewis

stop letting big pharma’s rip you off!

Harry Potter’s got nowt on the pharmaceutical industry. It’s full of real wizards, both those who make drugs that help, and the marketeers whose raft of tricks to persuade us there’s hidden magic in their brands. Drug companies spend millions promoting ‘only-use-the-name-you-know’ messages... but it’s often marketing baloney, balderdash and any other ‘b’ words you can think of.

Worse still, it hits people’s pockets unnecessarily, many are paying six times over the odds. Savings can even be possible by buying IDENTICAL doppelganger pills, just in different packaging. So it’s time for a drugs bust. Here’s my pill-by-pill guide to not getting suckered into buying expensive medications.

Look at the active ingredient... that’s what matters.

It’s widely known that it’s the medicine’s ‘active’ ingredient that does the business. So you can often save by having a quick look on the pack to see what that is, and buying the same generic version rather than the branded version for less (though if you’ve certain allergies check the other ingredients too – and it may lack the sugar coating).

For example, standard 200mg Nurofen costs around £1.90 (16 tablets), yet you can get ibuprofen - the same active ingredient - for as little as 30p in Asda (also 16 tablets).

12 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

Alternatively, Panadol (500mg of Paracetamol) is £1.65 for 16 tablets, but you can get the same 500mg of standard paracetamol in Sainsbury’s for 40p (16 tablets).

Take it a step further by checking the PL code... you’ll be surprised.

While the active ingredient is what does the business, there can be other differences such as delivery mechanism for quick delivery. Even then, often inside the packaging tablets are INDENTICAL– not just the same active ingredient.

On the side of the pack you’ll see a product number (PL) – this is a unique licence number given exclusively to a particular drug made by a particular manufacturer (eg, PL 12063/0104 is a cold and flu remedy). If two have the same number, it’s the exact same product. It has the same active ingredient AND the same formulation.

For example Beechams Ultra All In One Hot Lemon Menthol Powder (10 sachets) is currently £4.99 in Boots, but is £1.85 for Wilko’s own Flu Max All In One (10 sachets) and they both have the same active ingredients (paracetamol, phenylephrine and guaifenesin) and check the side of the pack and you’ll see the same PL code PL 12063/0104.

This happens right across the board. So when in the pharmacist, just take a look and check you’re not paying just for shinier packaging.

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Targeted pain killers are often just spin.

When you see a painkiller is targeted at “headaches”, “period pain relief ” or “back pain” on the box – they’re hoping that we’ll think: “There must be something in it – I’m in pain, what’s a few extra quid to make sure its targeted, better be safe than sorry eh?” And of course it works. It’s a clever way of getting you to buy a branded product rather than the cheaper generic.

Yet often there’s little in it. Check the active ingredient and the PL code. For example, Panadol Extra Advance and Panadol Period Pain, both have the same 500mg of paracetamol, as the active ingredient, and both have PL number 44673/0078 – they’re the same thing, just different packet.

This isn’t breaking a rule, medicines are allowed to have ‘informative’ names on the packet, to ‘help you choose the product you need’, but be vigilant.

Hay fever savings are nothing to sneeze at.

You can slash the cost of anti-histamine tablets by again looking for the active ingredient, and going for the non-branded tablets rather than the branded ones.

The Piriteze brand (active ingredient cetirizine hydrochloride) and Clarityn (active ingredient loratadine) both are sold for around £7 for a pack of 30. Yet generic versions in supermarkets and pharmacies can

be less than £2. Or go online to www.pharmacyfirst. co.uk (using the code ‘freedelivery’) and you can get four packs of cetirizine hydrochloride for £2.79 or six packs of loratadine tablets for £4.79.

Online pharmacies selling medicines in the UK must by law display the European common logo on every page of their website - a green logo which when clicked will link to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s register of authorised online pharmacies. Look out for the voluntary ‘registered pharmacy’ logo too.

Also check the use-by date on the packet – some online pharmacies are cheaper because they are flogging medicine with a short lifespan.

English prescription tricks.

If you’re prescribed common medication such as painkillers or dermatology creams, it’s cheaper to buy them that way rather than spend £8.80 on a prescription (if you need to pay it). And for those who use prescriptions regularly, you can get a prepayment certificate – it’s a bit like a prescription season ticket and can mean big savings. A three-month one costs £29.10 and a year’s costs £104 – and once you’ve got it, it covers all your prescriptions in that time. As a rule of thumb, they win if you use more than one prescription a month. Plus if you already paid for prescriptions before you get it, you can backdate it up to a month, and reclaim the money back.

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.

14 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

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auto Biographies

By Rob Auchterlonie © Wheelwrite.co.uk 2018

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 4 Talk about diving in at the deep end, Mitsubishi’s all new Eclipse Cross has a whole load of family SUVs waiting at the side of the road to nudge it off course.

And of course, if they do, it’ll revel in it as Mitsubishi has long standing four wheel drive credentials. Every Eclipse Cross, irrespective of engine size, will have four driven wheels, so when the going gets tough, it’s capable of keeping on going.

The company itself is now under the wing of Nissan which took a controlling interest in 2016, but this is still a car of Mitsubishi’s sole making.

It’s probably the most upmarket compact car the company has made so far, and the neatest too, with its bold looks.

It’s based on a smaller version of the platform from the larger Outlander, and carries similar dimensions to the class leading SEAT Ateca, albeit slightly larger.

To many our car is an extension of our own persona, and despite what Governments may throw at the taxed-tothe-hilt motorist in the future, our own personal transportation is something that has been highly prized from the day the signature was added to the pass form by your driving examiner.

So it’s important for manufacturers to

do their homework and tick the boxes that will attract potential buyers.

In this case Mitsubishi is gambling on the Eclipse Cross’s latent good looks to catch the eye. Visual attitude counts for a lot – only the Toyota CR-V arguably does it better.

From launch all versions come with a new 1.5 litre direct injection turbocharged engine developing 161bhp and 250Nm, a top speed of 127mph and seemingly modest combined fuel economy of 40.4mpg. If you want a diesel, there will be a 148bhp 2.2 along sometime soon.

The test car sampled here came with CVT, a transmission system that provides pretty smooth forward progress when mated to the 1.5 petrol unit and is efficient but in not exactly rewarding to drive. A six speed manual is also available.

The engine never seems to be short of power and at cruising speed isn’t going to interfere with your choice of on-board music.

The interior errs on the conservative side, in contrast to its bold exterior. There’s a fair smattering of plastic mouldings, but you can have neatly stitched leather upholstery and a panoramic roof, and all the main instrumentation and switchgear are logically laid out.

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Price: £27,915 1.5 litre direct injection turbo, 163ps, 250Nm All wheel drive CVT Top speed 127mph Fuel: urban34.4, extra urban 45.6, combined 40.4.

Plenty room up front for driver and passenger, not quite so in the rear where the sunroof impinges on headroom a bit. The rear bench has a slide and recline feature which frees up a bit more legroom.

It’s a fairly well equipped car, with a Rockford Fosgate (yeh, I’d never heard of them either) premium speaker system, 360 degree parking camera, front and rear parking sensors on the list, but one glaring omission is the lack of sat nav on the seven inch touch screen that takes pride of place atop the dash – the sort of extra you’d expect to find in a car costing near on £28,000. What you do get is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, so it’s possible to hook up maps through that from your smart phone. The screen works either from a trackpad on the centre console or by touching the screen.

At various points in the past we’ve all metaphorically run to the light at the end of the tunnel only to get mown down by an oncoming train. That train being the constant stream of product from manufacturer after manufacturer being launched into the medium crossover sector. The choice is almost overwhelming but if it’s this type of car you need, then the Mitsubishi is worth considering. Prices start at £21,290.

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Issue 29 • October / November 2018

17

Wouldyou you consider Could Volunteer with Samaritans? volunteering with Luton Samaritans?

The idea of a non-religious telephone Help Line was started by a young clergyman The Reverend Chad Varrah in 1937 after he had officiated at the funeral of a 13 year old girl. He was shocked and saddened to discover that the girl had committed suicide because she thought she had some dreadful disease. She had nobody to whom she could talk to, nobody that she felt that she could discuss things with. She felt that the only option open to her was to take her own life. Because she committed suicide she was buried in unconsecrated ground. Chad Varrah decided there and then to try to help put an end to some taboos and to give ordinary people the opportunity to talk openly about sensitive subjects.

Sams have been in Luton since 1966. We try to man the phones 24/7 and to do this we should really keep our volunteer levels at around 100. Our ages range from 18 to over 80. Because we are a completely confidential service you will never hear about what, if anything, we achieve. We do not ask callers anything about their background or where in the country they are calling from, we just listen to what they want to tell us.

We currently have 90 listening volunteers and between us we took 19,689 calls, answered some 2,116 emails and 1,456 texts whilst seeing 83 Face to Face callers over the 12 months. Many of these callers are coping with some degree of suicidal feelings All our volunteers are trained to an extremely high It took some time to set things up, but in 1953 he standard. Each volunteer receives about 6 weeks of began pastoral counselling at St Stephen’s Wallbrook intensive training (6 full days) and then are given a in London and he was able to set up a ‘non-religious’ Mentor to work with and support them until they telephone help line. become a probationer. The probation period lasts There are now 200 branches in the United Kingdom for about 6 months after which they become a full and Ireland. Last year the entire Samaritan organiSamaritan. sation received over 5,000,000 contacts. Every 5 In our modern world of pressure and rush, there seconds someone contacts the Samaritans; every 57 needs to be someone who just simply listens without seconds Samaritans receive a contact from someone any time constraints and who doesn’t judge you. who is feeling suicidal.

Sometimes talking to a stranger on the phone means We are a volunteer led organisation. Samaritans has you can tell that stranger things you have never been a central office which prepares standard training able to say before with the complete confidence that materials, deals with the media, provides websites we will not tell them what to do. and manages the countrywide telephone platform.

They have around 85 staff. That means there are We are never shocked or try to give advice 212 volunteers for every paid member of staff. The We simply listen average ratio among the top 500 fundraising charities That’s why we exist is estimated at 44 to 1.

That’s why we are so busy Luton, South Beds and Harpenden Samaritans to And that is why we need more volunteers. give us our official title, usually shortened to Luton

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Issue 29 • October / November 2018

19

Pets

ork Se a s o n Think ing Of Dogs In The Firew Fireworks night can be terrifying for many dogs - but did you know that teaching dogs to cope with noise fears in advance can help lessen the stress they experience when they hear the unexpected whizz, pop and bang of fireworks?

To avoid the fear and anguish many dogs will go through during fireworks displays, it’s so important that owners plan ahead to help them and their dogs feel prepared and comfortable when 5th November comes around. Gradually teaching your dog that noises are not scary will help them to be able to cope with unexpected noises over time. This usually involves playing recorded versions of the scary noises, but starting at such a low volume that your dog is not worried by them.

The volume and direction of sounds are changed over time, but so slowly that your dog does not show any signs of fear. The sounds should also be associated with something that they enjoy, such as their favourite treats or a game. Dogs who are very frightened already may require support from a qualified, experienced behaviourist.

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Did You Know?

In Theen Gard

• Hedgehogs can live for 2 to 7 years, depending on the species.

• The hedgehog’s spines are not poisonous or barbed.

• Hedgehog does not have a fight-or-flight response, but it has a protective mechanism that enables it to roll into a tight ball.

• They are mostly nocturnal animals and sleep throughout the day - under bushes, rocks, piles of leaves, or in dens dug in the ground.

Let's Help the Hedgehog

Over the past decade the number of hedgehogs has dropped by a third, and this loss is part of a long-term decline. It is estimated that in the 1950s we had 30million of these prickly but cute nocturnal animals. Today, approximately one million remain. So what has caused this sharp fall and what can we do to help the remaining hedgehogs thrive?

Although some hedgehogs die on our roads, the rise in the number of their predator – the badger - did not help. The use of pesticides in agriculture leads to a drop in many species of insects, and insects are among a hedgehog’s favourite diet staples.

In addition to insects, hedgehogs also eat beetles, earthworms, frogs and toads, as well as grass roots, berries, mushrooms and bird eggs, even that perennial garden pest, the slug.

Therefore if the population of hedgehogs is dropping sharply, it points to a wider problem in the ecosystem. Making our gardens more wildlife friendly gives the hedgehog’s diet a significant boost, and this means relaxing slightly our obsession with im-

maculate gardens and manicured lawns. Tempting as it may be to spray every last daisy peeking out of a pristine lawn, think how you would feel if someone came to your fridge at night and sprayed your cottage pie with poison.

Did you know that Germany has lost three quarters of their rural insects in the last 25 years? This means butterflies, wasps and bees, not just the annoying mosquitos and flies. The German study was originally prompted by anecdotal evidence of declining numbers of bugs splattered on car windscreens. Why is this important?

Flying insects pollinate crops, so they are crucial to growing food, but for insects to thrive, they need meadows full of wild flowers. The vast fields of intensively farmed land have little to offer to their wellbeing. Adding to the problem are the disappearing hedgerows that make way for new roads and houses, thus forming ideal conditions for fewer bugs, declining wildlife, and the disappearing hedgehog population. The scale of this loss has prompted scientists to warn about our world marching towards

22 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

ecological Armageddon.

We can all help by supporting wildlife and sustainable farming methods in any way we can, and this is one more reason to buy our fruit and vegetables from local farms.

To further help the hedgehog’s survival, we can encourage hedgehog-friendly habitats in our gardens. They love sheltered places such as hedgerows, but also piles of leaves under the hedges and heaps of logs or twigs, so resist the urge to tidy up every corner of the garden.

In town and city gardens, where you may only have a wooden fence on both sides, creating a small hole about a size of a CD is crucial. Hedgehogs cover some mileage in their search for food, and enabling them to roam from garden to garden helps in their search of shelter and a varied diet. Should you find a hedgehog trapped in a small garden with a uniform, weed-free lawn, help the hedgehog pop across to the neighbours for some different flavoured insects, it might feel like a steak night!

In Theen Gard

Jobs To Do...

October & November Best of The Bunch

Pyracantha (Firethor n) These famously prickly evergreen shrubs are ideal for training against walls not only to show their wonderful berries off to their best but also to deter opportunist burglars, thanks to the sharp thorns.

They can also be grown as free-standing bushes, and most will be producing berries now in varying shades of red, orange or yellow. Birds tend to leave them alone, so the berries can remain

until Christmas and beyond.

The most popular is P coccinea 'Lalandel', which produces orange-red berries, while 'Orange Glow' provides excellent orange berries and 'Soleil d'Or' has yellow berries.

Plants will grow to 2.5m x 2.5m and look wonderful if trained as espaliers. They thrive in any reasonable garden soil in sun and partial shade.

Good Enough to Eat!

Pumpkins

A pumpkin is not just for Halloween - they can make great soups and pies, and are really not difficult to grow.

These huge orange veg need a long, hot growing season to fully ripen, and are best planted in fertile, moist soil in the sun. Sow seeds indoors in April and plant out when all risk of frost has passed, protecting the young plants with cloches if the weather turns really cold. Give the plants some liquid fertiliser every two weeks and water during particularly hot or dry spells. They make a good strong root system so, once established, they are not as thirsty as courgettes.

When growing large cultivars, remove the growing tip when three fruits have set, giving them a better chance of ripening. If you only want one giant pumpkin, just leave one fruit on each plant.

Put a layer of straw or a board under the fruits to keep them clean, and let them ripen on the ground until they sound hollow when tapped.

Good varieties include ‘Triple Treat’, which is round and orange with tasty flesh, and ‘Becky’, a medium-sized variety ideal for carving. If pumpkins are fully ripened, they should develop a hard skin which will help it last in storage for months.

• Create a new compost heap or invest in a compost bin to house all that autumn debris.

• Scarify and aerate established lawns to reduce compaction and top dress with a mixture of sieved garden soil and sharp sand.

• Relocate evergreen shrubs while the soil is still relatively warm.

• Stop feeding shrubs and trees in containers, as new soft growth is likely to be damaged in winter.

• Cut down and divide perennials including sedums, hostas and phlox.

• Continue to plant narcissi but leave tulips until October.

• Sow hardy annuals including cornflowers, poached-egg plants and poppies outside now for flowering next year.

• Dig over heavy clay soil before the autumn rain makes it less workable.

• Pick apples and pears as they ripen.

• Plant new climbers, shrubs and trees while the soil is still warm.

• Take cuttings or save tender plants when you clear out summer containers if you have space to overwinter them.

• Check the greenhouse heating and insulate to save heat.

• Make sure bowls of bulbs being forced for indoor flowering don’t dry out.

• Protect strawberries potted for forcing early next year against frost by putting them in a cold frame.

• Continue to plant biennials such as fox glove, Canterbury bells and honesty.

• Check over brassicas for caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly and pick off any you find.

• Mow your lawn less frequently as growth slows down, and raise the height of the cutting blades.

• Reduce the feeding of fish in ponds as any food not eaten will just decompose in the water.

• Complete the pruning of climbing roses and tie them in before the autumn winds pick up.

• Trim conifers if necessary for the last time, but don’t cut into old wood.

Issue 29 • October / November 2018

23

In Theen Gard

Best Bulbs For Autumn Planting

No sooner have I returned from my summer holidays than I’m thinking about bulbs... what to plant, where to plant them and if there’s anything new on offer.

Planting bulbs in the autumn creates an optimism and air of anticipation for spring, when everything bursts into life and many of the bulb specialists, mail order and online suppliers are offering new types and more choice than ever.

Here are just a few of the best bulbs for planting this autumn Crocus ‘Vanguard’ - This pretty lilac specimen bridges the gap between smaller-flowered, earlier crocuses and the Marchflowering giants derived from C vernus. It needs good drainage and an open, sunny position to flower and looks good in drifts in grass mixed with short, early narcissi such as ‘Jetfire’.

Crocus ‘Vanguard’ Hyacinth 'Prince of Love' - Double-flowered hyacinths are a rarity, but this dramatic and fragrant variety with its denselypacked flower spikes looks great in beds, borders or patio pots.

Hyacinth ‘Prince of Love’ Tulipa clusiana ‘Peppermint Stick’ - This pint-sized tulip, which grows to just 25cm, produces dainty flowers in April with deep rosy-red outer petals just edged silvery white.

The inner petals show a deep steel-blue base when open in the sun. They originate from the Mediterranean and the Far East, and are popular in rockeries and wild gardens, or can be naturalised.

Tulipa clusiana 'Peppermint Stick' 24 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

Allium ‘Silver Spring’ Allium ‘Silver Spring’ - Introduced from Israel, the white lollipop flowers on 75cm stems are unique, with each floret sporting a distinctive deep-pink centre. It flowers in May and June and is widely available.

Camassia leichtlinii ‘Pale Pink’

Narcissus ‘William Park’

Camassia leichtlinii 'Pale Pink' - While most camassias are deep blue, these are a more subtle shade of pale pink and are just as hardy and tough as other leichtlinii, but broad-petalled in a soft baby pink.

Narcissus 'William Park' - This giant single-flowered daffodil produces super-sized, 15-centimetre blooms.

Allium ‘Carlito’ Anemone ‘Jerusalem Mixed’ Anemone 'Jerusalem Mixed' Originating from Israel, these colourful, poppy-like blooms are produced on long stems from each corm. They are easy to grow and ideal for creating a stunning spring or early summer display in your garden - and your vases.

Allium 'Carlito' - This beautiful addition to the popular ornamental onion family produces densely packed heads of starry flowers in a subtle lilac hue, but is no less formidable than the favourite 'Globemaster'. It will grow to around 75cm and is ideal for dried flower arrangements when the colour has gone and just the seedheads remain.

Hyacinth ‘Garden Masqu erade’ Hyacinth 'Garden Masquerade' This richly-scented variety produces deep-purple flowers which make a real statement in patio containers in spring, especially if they are close to the door, where you can enjoy their delicious odour as you venture into the garden.

Issue 29 • October / November 2018

25

Puzzles

Answers on pa page ge 62 30

Across Across

Down

3. Negligence (9) 6.8.

Copse (7)(4) Cornet 7.9.

Faithful (5) (9) Mocking 9.10.

Sick (3) New (6) 10.

11.Teeming Postpone(9) (5) 12.

Of inferior 14. Fish (5) quality 15.(6-5) Slave (4) 15.

16.Foot-soldiers Kingdom (5) (11) 17.

Happy (9) (4) 18. Hypocrisy 19.

Charge 20. Mistreat(3) (5) 21.

(5) 21.Laziness Dense (5) 22.

24.Perceive Leave (6)(7)

1. Tenure (9) 2. Rebel (9) Down Burden 1.4.

Charm (5)(4) 5.

Misdeed 2. Finish (3) (5) Sounds (6) 3.6.

Pavement edge (4) 7.

Kill (4) boatman (9) 4. Venetian Cut (5) (7) 5.9.

Embellish 11.

Imbibed 8. Several (6) (5) 12.

Controlled 11. Lay waste (9)(9) 13.Trip Love(6) (9) 13.

17.

Manufacturer (5) 14. Exalt (7) 19.

Flog (6) 16. Gay (5) 22.Revise Shackle 18.

(4)(5) 23.

Yield (4) 20. Frigid (3) 24. Nap (4)

25. Divider (9) 26. Nought (4) 27. In the act (3-6)

9

7 JOKES

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36 36

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The Royal British Legion Bedfordshire is to host the Bedfordshire Festival of Remembrance at the Bedford Corn Exchange on Friday 9th November 2018 at 1900hrs for a 1930hrs performance.

This is a special performance to commemorate those who have lost their lives in past conflicts to say “Thank You”, to all that served sacrificed and changed our world. This year, 100 years on, we invite you to come and join us to commemorate the end of The Great War for an evening of music, song, poetry and special memories.

Performed by a 200 strong cast of choirs, Singers,

Bag Pipers and Musicians, who are all volunteering their time for an unforgettable evening. The performance will of course embrace the Act of Remembrance with time to reflect and give thanks to our fallen heroes.

Music will include well known favourite’s like The D Day Darlings and Military Wives Choir along with the Bedford Chapel School Choir.

Tickets are available are available at www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

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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 29 • October / November 2018

29

Looking Up!

Answers Step On It JOKES JOKER POKER POWER COWER COWED

Bedfordshire’s Night Sky October and November 2018

Crossword

Spot Mars in the Bedfordshire Evening Sky: As darkness falls on any clear evening this autumn cast your eyes south for a dazzling orange ‘star’ hanging low in the sky. This is Mars, its distinctive colour and immense brightness making it an easy catch, even from a town location. Mars remains an obvious target well into the winter, but with each passing night we draw further away from the Red Planet courtesy of our speedier orbit around the sun. Watch how Mars dims over the next few months as the gap between Earth and Mars grows.

mark@plumbingandgas.org.uk

See the Space Station on your Way to Work: Early risers get a chance to catch the space station on their morning commute this autumn. From Tuesday 30th October through until Sunday 11 November watch the space station sail silently across the sky daily between 5am – 6:30am. For exact timings search online for a space station tracker or download a space station tracking app to your phone or tablet.

By Seb Jay - Image Credit: Pleiades - Dave Eagle Dark Sky Telescope Hire www.darkskytelescopehire.co.uk

30 www.thevinedirectory.co.uk

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Find the Pleiades (Seven Sisters) Star Cluster: Look towards the east from 9pm onwards (7pm in November) for a small collection of stars twinkling close together like a mini-Plough. This is the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters as it should be possible to see seven individual stars with the naked eye. Turn some binoculars or a small telescope to the cluster though and you’ll see a lot more than seven stars!

Across: 3 Slackness 8 Cone 9 Satirical 10 Unused 11 Defer 14 Angle 15 Serf 16 Realm 18 Cant 20 Abuse 21 Thick 24 Depart 25 Separator 26 Zero 27 Red-handed Down: 1 Occupancy 2 Insurgent 4 Load 5 Crime 6 Noises 7 Slay 9 Sever 11 Drank 12 Regulated 13 Affection 17 Maker 19 Thrash 22 Chain 23 Cede 24 Doze

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repairs cylinders power-flushing Dripping taps and internal plumbing & 01582 674829 etc. issues, also solar thermal repairs and servicing. www.plumbingandgas.org.uk • Heating system problems 01582 674829 inc. power-flushing

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Issue 29 • October / November 2018

WE ARE ALWAYS

LOOKING FOR MORE PROPERTIES

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VALUATION With decades of experience and a network of over 30 branches we’ll get you moving, whether buying or selling. Get in touch and we’ll take care of it. harrisonmurray.co.uk thenottingham.com/property It is not The Nottingham’s or Harrison Murray’s policy to accept instructions where there is a Sole Agency Agreement in existence, until that agreement has expired or is terminated.

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