The Vine Villages - June / July 2023

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Approved Prochem Trained

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Editor: Scott Nightingale

Advertising & Editorial:

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Shelly Nesbitt

Tel: 01525 222379 / 07852 453043

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Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the content of advertising and articles published in this magazine are accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors. Neither do they reflect the opinion of this publication. The Vine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission. www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

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Greetings from Christ Church Dunstable!

love to go a-wandering along the mountain track And as

This time of year is a great time to be outside in the fresh air. Dunstable - and the surrounding area - is hugely blessed to be near to some wonderful countryside. Within a short drive, or longer walk, we’ve got the Ashridge Estate; including Dockey Wood, Rushmere Park, the Tree Cathedral at Whipsnade, and not one but two Downs! The list is as long as the Chiltern Hills! What a glorious creation we have all around us.

What do you do when you’re out and about walking with friends?

Some people have a repertoire of songs to sing; from the classic ‘Valderi, Valdera’ to ‘500 Miles’ by The Proclaimers. Or you may want to sing one my children’s own compositions, ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ or ‘Daddy, can we have an ice-cream at the end?’

For me, walking with friends is a great time to talk. When you’ve been trekking with someone for 6 hours you can cover a range of subjects. Some of them light, and some of them deep, with plenty of comfortable silences in between. Some of the deepest conversations I’ve had have been on hikes with a close friend.

On the face of history, it’s only been a short time since we’ve had motorised transport. For most of history people either had to ride an animal or walk places. Throughout the Bible we see Jesus and his disciples walking everywhere. And some journeys took several days to get to where they

back.’

were going. So, what did they do? You can only sing ‘Valdera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha’ so many times! They talked!

In Matthew 13:13-16, we see a window into one of their conversations. By now, the disciples had been with Jesus for a while and had seen many amazing miracles and heard mind-blowing, life-changing teaching. As they go along the road Jesus asks them,

‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ and the disciples then give the word on the street: ‘Some say John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the prophets’.

The conversation gets deeper. Jesus then says, ‘But what about you, who do you say I am?’ And Peter speaks having spent months with Jesus; seeing him have compassion and love for everyone who has needed him, seeing the miracles, hearing his teaching, observing his life. And his conclusion is, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.’

Peter looked at everything he knows about Jesus and concludes that he can be none other than the Son of God. And this is the same conclusion that Christians all around the world come to as they see Jesus’s life in the Bible and walk with him day by day.

And Jesus asks each one of us, ‘But what about you? Who do you say I am?’

‘I

I go, I love to singwith my knapsack on my

Join us for our Summer Saunter

On Friday 14th July at 7pm, we’ll be meeting at Whipsnade Village Hall to go out for a relaxed circular walk around the downs, finishing off with some food and campfires, and a talk which points us to the creator that made all of the wonderful nature we enjoy day by day.

Parking is available at the village hall. If you would like to come but require a lift to Whipsnade then please do contact us by scanning the QR code, by email: hello@ccd.church or by phone: 01582 661621.

Where: Whipsnade Village Hall, LU6 2LG

When: Friday, 7pm, 14th July

Cost: Free

Have a look on our Website for more details of What’s On : ccd.church

New Era For Whipsnade Lions

Whipsnade Zoo has welcomed two young lionesses, Waka and Winta, who moved from Antwerp Zoo earlier this month to their new ‘queendom’ at the conservation zoo. The arrival of the 23-month-old African lionesses marks a whole new era for the conservation zoo, as they’ll soon be joined by young male Malik to form a new pride for the first time in decades.

Zookeeper Sarah McGregor said: “The team are excited to have welcomed such young and energetic sisters in Waka and Winta, and are preparing to complete the new pride when 18-month-old male, Malik, joins them next month from Neuwied Zoo in Germany.”

“Lions are known as the king and queens of the animal kingdom, and we’re sure Waka, Winta and Malik will fast become the king and queens of Whipsnade Zoo – not only will they help educate and inspire our visitors, but we’re excited to play such an important part in helping to conserve this important species globally.”

Waka, Winta and Malik are part of the European Endangered Breeding Programme (EEP) for the Vulnerable African lion, which ensures there are strong and genetically diverse back up populations of the species in conservation zoos across Europe.

Three quarters of African lion populations are sadly declining in the wild, driven by large-scale habitat conversion, the loss of prey through unsustainable hunting, as well as human/wildlife conflict.

ZSL, the international conservation charity behind Whipsnade Zoo, is working across Africa to save animals on the brink of extinction - as well as those threatened species that could be next.

The team are hoping the new pride’s formation will help boost numbers of the iconic species. “It’s been 17 years since Whipsnade Zoo last had African lion cubs, so fingers crossed we won’t have too long to wait,” Sarah added. Visitors can see Waka and Winta as they explore their new home at Whipsnade Zoo this May half-term, alongside 10,000 other animals, many of which are threatened in the wild and part of important global breeding programmes. To find out more about the conservation zoo’s vital work head to www.whipsnadezoo.org.

PLUMBING & Heating

Spring is here at last! A reminder how bitterly cold it was in March but brightened up by these cheery daffodils planted by Dunstable in Bloom volunteers. Summer’s not far away – so get planting & enter our competitions!

High St. North looking good to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III with flags and blossom on the trees in the new pots. Despite the rain on the day, in true British spirit,families armed with brollies & rugs were determined to enjoy their picnic and watched the event on the big TV screen in Priory gardens. By Sunday the sun shone - parties were held in many streets in the town with tables laden with amazing festive fare. Mayor, Liz Jones, visited them all and helped celebrate the event. She has done so much during the past year to promote the town and supports many varied charities & groups.

With 2018 marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1 our theme is Remembrance & Peace. There are some lovely plants associated with this including Forget me-nots, Peace

A reminder how bitterly cold it was in March but brightened up by these cheery daffodils planted by

– so get planting & enter our competitions!

following:

Best Front Garden

Best Floral Container

With 2018 marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1 our theme is Remembrance & Peace. There are some lovely plants associated with this including Forget me-nots, Peace roses, Lilies and of course poppies. Why not try and fit some of

that graves of all service people buried there are well cared for.

Best Hanging Basket

Best Commercial Business

Best Community Garden

Best School Project

Dunstable in Bloom, in partnership with the Don’t Let Dunsta ble Die (DLDD) Trust, will be running the best front garden and floral display competition again this year. There are 6 entry categories to choose from and you can enter one or more of the following:

enter you can do so by emailing your details and entry category to closingsarah.woodruff@ntlworld.com date is 5.00pm on Friday 6th July 2018

Our first project of the year Friends of Dunstable Cemetery and in a Tidy-Up Day at Dunstable Cemetery on 22nd March. Particularly making sure that graves of all service people buried there are well cared for.

• Best Front Garden

• Best Floral Container

• Best Hanging Basket

• Best Commercial Business

• Best Community Garden

• Best School Project

To enter you can do so by emailing your details and entry category to sarah.woodruff@ntlworld.com

The closing date is 5.00pm on Friday 6th July 2018

Here she is with ‘In Bloomers’ who held the first of two very successful plant sales at the St George’s Day event held in Priory gardens& later at the Coronation market. Soon the lovely town planting decorating the High St. and parks will be at its best. Tubs & hanging baskets prepared by Dunstable In Bloom volunteers, helped this year by 8 students visiting from the USA, will be outside many shops and businesses. Our team of ‘deadheaders’ will go into action and hopefully all looking good when the Anglia in Bloom judges visit later in the summerand to be enjoyed by visitors and residents too.

Saturday 12th May History Event, also with the theme of Remembrance & Peace, will be held in the lovely Priory Gardens. Dunstable in Bloom will have a stall sell ing plants and flowers. Any contributions very welcome and if you would like to join us details can be obtained from from Mary Chapman on

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Houghton

Our

We can provide short term help such as transport to a medical appointment or social event, shopping, gardening, minor DIY jobs indoors or outside, form-filling and we can offer advice and advocacy support.

Feeling lonely? Our volunteers are happy to befriend our neighbours - calling round for a chat and a cup of tea or go for a walk!

Our volunteers are DBS checked and insured.

from Appledown Rescue Kennels

Hello again!

I am Mabel the resident dog at Appledown Rescue and Rehoming Kennels in Eaton Bray.

Meet H airy Dingle!

So called to distinguish him from another lurcher with a similar name - and also because he is quite hairy! He is an older boy who will be ten in June. A little shy at first, but has a very loving nature. He would suit a retired home with someone around to keep him company. He enjoys a walk but doesn’t need to go all that far. He may live with a female dog pending introductions.

To offer a rescue dog a loving home you can find an application form on our website and details of the rehoming process.

To support our work please make a one-off donation of £3 by texting APPLE to 70111, or donate via Paypal using the ‘DONATE Support a Cause’ option. Cheques are very welcome too!

Harling Road, Eaton Bray, Beds LU6 1QY (Reg. Charity No. 1116848)

Call 01525 220383 (10am-1pm & 2-4 pm) E-mail appledown.kennels@btinternet.com. www.appledownrescue.co.uk

Follow us on Facebook,Twitter & Instagram!

Dunstable Town Guide and regular contributor to The Vine, Paul Heley, has written a book about his early life growing up in Totternhoe and Dunstable.

Paul can trace his family tree back at least ten generations all living in the Village of Totternhoe. It is where he also lived for the first part of his life and has always been an important part of who he is. Just before the war, his father took a grocery business in Dunstable and from there, he was fortunate enough to attend Dunstable Grammar School. An Or’nary Sort Of Boy is the story of a Dunstable and Totternhoe boyhood from 1934-1949. The story is in two parts: the first of which could be regarded as a brief social history describing the time and practices in a rural and semi rural setting 80+ years ago - a time never to return. Many of the material benefits taken for granted today were unheard of then, and the domestic conditions seem primitive by 21st century standards. The story also describes a boyhood during WW2 and the negative effect of having a mother trying to run a business and a father away in the Army. The second part deals with the fulfilment of a boyhood dream of going to sea - albeit short lived - followed by National Service in the RAF; two extremely valuable years which, unknowingly, led to a successful career as a college and university lecturer. During these diverse experiences there was also time to engage in motorcycling, playing rugby, playing jazz, and finding the girl who has been his wife for the last 64 years. Paperback and Kindle editions of An Or’nary Sort Of Boy are available on Amazon.co.uk

In 2020 Tony Woodhouse produced a book called "Dunstablea visual history" showing conjectural drawings of Dunstable in the past. Since then, a geophysical survey around Priory church has shown that there are walls we didn't know about, so Tony has produced a revised version of the book which will be launched on 29th July at the Festival of Archaeology in Priory Gardens. Dunstable Town Guides will be there offering free walks about the archaeological digs where the Priory once stood.

DUNSTABLE PROBUS CLUB

Dunstable PROBUS Club meets on the second Monday of the month at Tilsworth Golf Centre and membership is open to retired or semi-retired professional and business people. The Club’s main purpose is the promotion of good fellowship. Members enjoy some social activities and the occasional organized visit throughout the year and after their regular monthly lunch meetings are entertained by speakers who give talks on a wide range of topics. If you are interested in joining the Club, please contact the Secretary, Philip Savage on 01582 662462.

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We can help you to review your current or proposed, Mortgages, Insurances, Pensions & Investments, Equity Release, Inheritance Tax, Wills and Trusts, or a general review of your current position?

help you to review your current or proposed, Mortgages, Insurances, Pensions & Investments, Equity Release, Inheritance Tax, Wills and Trusts, or a general review of your current position?

'As a mortgage is secured against your home, it may be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments, The financial conduct authority does not regulate tax and estate planning or will planning'

We can help you to review your current proposed, Mortgages, Insurances, Pensions Investments, Equity Release, Inheritance Wills and Trusts, or a general review current position?

'As a mortgage is secured against your home, it may be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments, The financial conduct authority does not regulate tax and estate planning or will planning'

'As a mortgage is secured against your home, it may be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments, The financial conduct authority does not regulate tax and estate planning or will planning'

'As a mortgage is secured against your home, it may be repossessed not keep up the mortgage repayments, The financial conduct not regulate tax and estate planning or will planning'

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'As a mortgage is secured against your home, it may be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments, The financial conduct authority does not regulate tax and estate planning or will planning'

Free Will with Investments & Pensions placed through us of over £50,000 and within 6 months of investment

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Mobile 07768 277 532

info@toddingtonifa.co.uk

1

info@toddingtonifa.co.uk

1

The Stables, Griffin Farm, Conger Lane, Toddington, Bedfordshire,

By Paul Heley

Snippets from the History of Dunstable

Following on from my last article in which I covered the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods with indecent haste, I should like to relate an amusing story regarding the causewayed enclosure known as Maiden Bower, a short distance west of Dunstable. The name Maiden Bower is a corruption from the original Magh Dun Barr meaning an “encampment on a flat hill top” and might be regarded as one of the many hill top fortresses across the country at the time due to the different tribes - there was no uniformed country - attacking each other. In our district there are examples of such hill top forts at Ivinghoe Beacon and Ravensburgh (near Hexton).

The “Legend of Maiden Bower” says that a local British queen in years past was confronted by a warlord who wanted her to submit her dead husband’s lands to him and to become a vassal ruler in his place. But she was unwilling to do this and made a wager saying that “If I can camp your entire army within the hide of a bull, you will drop your claim and, instead, give me your full protection”. Thinking that

the suggestion was impossible, the warlord agreed. So, the queen instructed her people to kill a bull and to cut its hide into lengths of very narrow strips which were joined together into one enormous length. This was then fastened to posts surrounding a vast, roughly circular area such that when the warlord returned, he saw that his army could indeed camp within the perimeter of a bull’s hide! To give him credit, he kept his word, granted her protection and ordered his army to dig a ditch following the line of the hide thereby creating Maiden Bower as we know it.

After the Iron Age 5000 (or so) years ago, what is now Britain was invaded by another group of people from the nearby continent whom we know as the Celts. They arrived in separate groups and settled in different areas but shared a common language and practices. However they held each other at arm’s length since they were naturally warlike, argumentative but yet artistic with a strong poetic and oral (rather than written) tradition together with a strong religious affinity to water.

Magh Dun Barr (the original name for Maiden Bower)

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Established for over 16 years, Cloudy2Clear windows have become the UK’s leading company for domestic glass replacement. Customers are no longer needing to risk their windows by using the dreaded double glazing cowboy down the road, instead, now they can join over 320,000 happy customers and have their glass replaced in an affordable and ethical manner. Remember, a failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed double glazing? If you act now you can avoid any future costly problems.

Established for over 16 years, Cloudy2Clear windows have become the UK’s leading company for domestic glass replacement. Customers are no longer needing to risk their windows by using the dreaded double glazing cowboy down the road, instead, now they can join over 320,000 happy customers and have their glass replaced in an affordable and ethical manner. Remember, a failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed double glazing? If you act now you can avoid any future costly problems.

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Stephen Moon it became clear that these values

have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Stephen commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help once again”.

For a free quotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit www.cloudy2clear.com

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Stephen Moon it became clear that these values

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Stephen Moon it became clear that these

glazing backed by our

The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Stephen commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help once again”.

values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money. The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Stephen commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help once again”.

For a free quotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit www.cloudy2clear.com

For a free quotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit www. cloudy2clear.com

“I really liked

All C2C employees operate a strict social distancing policy.

“I really liked the fact that they were a local community run business”

Janet Beard

Trusted Trader

All C2C employees operate a strict social distancing policy.

“I really liked the fact that they were a local community run

Janet Beard

All C2C employees operate a strict social distancing policy.

local Notices

Their priests were called Druids and they were held in great esteem. Their continual bickering meant that the size of a given area under individual control kept changing as one “tribe” stole land from its neighbours - ie you win some, you lose some. But it also meant that some tribes became very powerful through conflict and held a considerable land area. Such a powerful tribe was the Brigantes in the north and the Catuvellauni in the south-east which held land in parts of today’s Beds, Bucks, Herts, Cambs, Northants and Oxon. Its capital was at Verlamion (present day Wheathampstead).

The common Celtic language developed separate routes throughout time and evolved into the P Celtic (still found in Welsh, Breton and Cornish) and the Q Celtic (found in Scots and Irish Gaelic and Manx). Such separation did little to help create a unified country and the different tribes - when not involved in local skirmishes with their neighbours - followed a pastoral lifestyle tending crops and animals and living in small villages (often associated with water. But their quiet (when not squabbling) life was

sorely shattered when, in 55 BC, Julius Caesar landed in Britain having defeated the Celtic Gauls in France and set about beating up the Celts in south-east Britain. Up to this point, the Celts had considered themselves to be formidable warriors but they couldn’t compete with Roman efficiency and discipline in warfare. The year later, 54 BC, JC returned with a larger force and campaigned much further inland, picking off the different tribes (who had not unified) one at a time. It is reported that he defeated the Catuvellauni at Devil’s Bridge, the stronghold near Verlamion. After this, he demanded a ransom in gold to rub salt into the wound but then went back home (where as a “thank you” he was killed!).

However, the seeds of including Brittania into the Roman empire had been sown both in Rome and in Britain where certain of the Celtic chiefs had realised that they were no match for the Romans and also fancied the much grander lifestyle enjoyed by the Romans - and wanted something similar. As a consequence, their descendants were prepared to side with the Romans when, roughly 100 years later in AD 43, Emperor Claudius landed with at least 40,000 men determined to add Brittania to the growing Roman empire. Things were never going to be the same again. Watch this space !

Celtic tribal areas

A celtic crannog

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The History of the Women’s World Cup

As we approach the ninth edition of the official Women’s World Cup, we chart the rapid evolution of one of football’s most loved competitions.

The first official Women’s World Cup took place in China, in 1991, with the United States beating Norway 2-1 in the Guangzhou final. It’s apt that the Americans won the first competition, as they have dominated the women’s game since.

However, the Norwegian side would take the plaudits in Sweden in the second edition. Their hugely talented squad of players beat Germany 2-0 at the Råsunda Stadium in Stockholm, with goals from Hege Riise and Marianne Pettersen, as the Lionesses debut ended at the quarterfinal stage.

The ‘Stars and Stripes’ would regain the title on home soil in 1999 against China, as Brandi Chastain netted the winning penalty in the 5-4 shootout victory for the United States.

That World Cup was built on the success of the first Olympic women’s football tournament held during the 1996 Atlanta Games, with the 1999 World Cup played in front of an average of 37,000 spectators per match.

The event in 2003 was also held in the US, who stepped in after planned hosts China had to relinquish duties after an outbreak of SARS. Yet there was to be no back-to-back success for the Yanks, as they crashed out in the semi-final to a Germany side who went on to defeat Sweden for their first title.

China belatedly hosted the tournament four years later, and Germany were able to defend their 2003 title with a 2-0 victory over Brazil in the Hongkou Stadium. England were knocked out by the USA in the quarterfinals.

A new name would be on the trophy in 2011 as Japan took this instalment by storm, beating the hosts and hat-

trick-seeking Germans in the quarters, the Swedes in the last four, before coming from behind to see off the mighty Americans on penalties in the final.

four, before the

Canada 2015 saw an increase to 24 teams from 16, and offered revenge for the USA as they beat Japan 5-2 in the Vancouver final. The tournament was controversial for being played on artificial turf in sweltering conditions.

France 2019 attracted a global television audience of over 1.1 billion, with the United States winning again, this time 2-0 against Sarina Wiegman’s European champions, Netherlands.

With England having trodden that same familiar path under the talented Dutch coach by securing their first international title win in the form of the 2022 Euros victory against Germany, could they add a World Cup final to their resume in Australia and New Zealand?

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CYCLE SERVICE & REPAIRS

A tale as mould as time

While we yearn over elegant, expressive and engaging interiors, it’s easy sometimes to forget that they are nothing without ensuring their preservation, with mould one of the biggest threats for ruining the home you’ve lovingly invested in over the years.

Mould is a common scourge in many homes, and it can pose a variety of health risks if left untreated.

Not only can it cause respiratory problems and allergies, it can also lead to structural damage; and as for that duck egg designer wallpaper –forget it.

As with most things, when it comes to tackling this ghastly black, green or white pest, prevention is better than cure, and once you’ve treated the problem, there are various actions you can take to prevent the fungus from becoming a recurring unwanted guest.

Identify the source of the mould

Mould thrives in areas that attract excess moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. It can also emerge as the result of water leaks, floods, or high humidity levels.

Before you can tackle the mould, identify the source and address it. Fix any leaks or water damage, improve ventilation in damp areas, and invest in a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels.

Clean and disinfect affected areas

Use a solution of water and bleach (1 cup bleach to 4 litres of water) or a commercial mould cleaner to remove the mould from hard surfaces like walls, floors, and tiles. Be sure to wear protective gear such as gloves and a mask, and open windows for ventilation. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner, which can spread mould spores throughout your home.

Dry thoroughly

Use a fan or dehumidifier to dry out the room and ensure that all surfaces are completely dry before moving on to the next step.

Use mould-resistant paint

If you’re serious about preventing mould from recurring, you will want to paint the affected areas with mould-resistant paint. This contains anti-microbial properties that stop mould growth in its tracks.

Let

the

air in Adequate ventilation is essential for preventing mould growth, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens.

Also leave wardrobe doors open to improve air flow, or at very least avoid stuffing them with clothes, as these can trap moisture.

Keep surfaces dry

Wipe up spills and condensation promptly and avoid leaving wet towels or clothes lying around. Use a squeegee or towel to dry off bathroom surfaces after showering or bathing, which will also help prevent the build-up of limescale, another unwanted visitor!

Green ngers… the Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses the holy grail of ensuring flowers and plants flourish to their full potential –soil quality!

I get asked a lot what the best way to bolster soil quality is, and the truth is there are a variety of methods. Naturally, keeping soil well-watered is important, and remember to water deeply, keeping the soil light and uncompacted.

To enrich the soil, add organic matter. Compost, obviously, is key, with well-rotted manure. This helps with boosting drainage, adding fertility, and encouraging beneficial microorganisms.

In a similar way, if you’re looking to capitalise on what’s already in the

soil, consider the benefit of crop rotation, and the fact that plants or flowers can feed off the nutrients left behind from whatever was present before.

Changing the location of specific plant families each year also helps to prevent the build-up of pests and diseases, and maintains soil fertility.

Finally, it’s always worth applying a layer of mulch – such as wood chips or straw – around plants. It helps to conserve moisture, suppress

weeds, regulates soil temperature, and adds organic matter to the soil. It also looks good!

To determine how good your soil is, or isn’t, why not invest in a soil-testing kit? This will help you determine the soil’s pH and nutrient levels, and with that information you can construct an accurate plan for amendments to improvements to your soil quality.

Lawn Order

This year, why not let yourself be the hero horticulturist? It’s not as difficult as you might imagine, particularly if you allow yourself to focus not just on one of the easiest elements of floral finesse, but arguably the space that dominates gardens the most – the lawn.

One man went to mow

Mowing regularly is one of the most important aspects of lawn maintenance. A wellmaintained lawn should be trimmed once a week, at a height of about 2-3 inches. Mowing too short can damage the grass, while failing to take off enough length can lead to thatch build-up.

Water wonderland

Overwatering or underwatering can be harmful, so be structured and organised – a sprinkler is a great way to hydrate your lawn evenly and efficiently – in order to reach the roots of the grass, thus encouraging deep root growth and ensuring your blades of

fertiliser available, including organic and synthetic varieties. Choose one appropriate for your soil type, grass type, time of year, and the rules by which you want your garden to thrive.

Make sure to follow these instructions carefully to avoid over fertilising, which can damage your lawn. After applying, make sure to water thoroughly, helping to distribute the fertiliser evenly, which will prevent it from burning the grass.

Crucially, avoid fertilising during drought conditions, as all this will do is put additional stress on the grass.

Other fixes

When the sun shines, so too do the weeds come out to play, so keep on red alert for these, either tending to unwelcome shoots by hand, or by using a weed control product appropriate for your grass type.

If you can, water in the morning giving the grass time to dry before evening. Watering later in the day can lead to fungal growth and other diseases, as the grass stays damp

The restoration game

Fertilising your lawn will help to promote green, lush growth, increase root development, and improve overall health. As expected, there are many different types of lawn

grass flourish. overnight. the

The process of overseeding will also help keep weeds at bay. This simply involves adding new grass seed to an existing lawn, thus filling in bare spots and promoting healthy growth.

Another important consideration is aeration - the process of creating small holes in the soil to allow water and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the roots. Aeration can be done manually or with a machine and is recommended once a year.

Remember, achieving the perfect lawn takes time and effort, but with proper maintenance and care, you can enjoy a beautiful and healthy garden baize for years to come.

Grill a little greener

Make your summer barbecues a little eco-friendlier without compromising on flavour or fun.

One of the most joyous moments of the great British summertime is on those days when the weather is dry and calm enough to have a barbecue. Salads and skewered meats sell out at the supermarkets and their aisles are bereft of disposable barbecues and briquettes.

However, all this haste can have a negative impact on the environment. You only have to look at the patches of scorched earth left in public parks, streets littered with plastic picnic debris, and the plumes of black smoke marring the blue skies of busy public beaches, to reconsider our collective approach to outdoor grilling.

The good news is that small changes can make a big impact.

Let’s start with disposable barbecues. They’re cheap and convenient, but according to the Home Office, disposable grills are

responsible for 4% of serious accidental blazes. This alone is enough of a reason to steer clear of them, though add in the fact that they create tonnes of single-use plastic waste and are also a nightmare to successfully cook edible food on, and there’s some evidence supporting the idea of finding a different solution.

Many supermarkets have started to feel the same way and have ceased stocking disposable charcoal grills. Fortunately, there are other options available to fairweather barbecue enthusiasts, such as portable grills that are astonishingly cheap and, overall, offer better bang for your buck.

And if that is a commitment too far, consider more eco-friendly disposable options which are often made with bamboo, lava rocks and cardboard. These not only heat up quickly, they also have inbuilt insulation to prevent earth-scorching and are 100% biodegradable with no metal or plastic whatsoever.

In addition to choosing a greener grill, avoid using disposable plates, cups and utensils, and instead consider reusable varieties made from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo or recycled plastic. If you must use disposable items, choose those that can be composted after use.

The fuel you choose is equally important, as regular charcoal is made from wood that has been treated with chemicals, and its production contributes to deforestation. Look for charcoal made from sustainable materials such as coconut shells, which are renewable and burn longer.

Finally, if you prefer a gas barbecue, choose propane gas – instead of natural gas – as it produces fewer greenhouse gases and is easier to transport and store, while a highefficiency grill uses less fuel and emits fewer pollutants.

Puzz General Knowledge Crossword

Across Clues:

1. Attract peoples’ interests (5)

3. Collection (3)

5. Monetary unit of Lesotho (5)

7. Inquire (3)

8. Acts as a representative (3)

9. Maori tribe (3)

10. Organs inside (3)

11. Bend (3)

12. Crumble (5)

15. Tree with needle shaped leaves (5)

18. Stagger (7)

21. A set of predefined devices (7)

Down Clues:

1. Too much of something (5)

2. A sign that you belong to an organisation (5)

3. Wooden object used as a target (7)

4. A spindle used in making tubes (7)

5. To say in a rough manner (5)

6. Planet (5)

13. Decay (3)

14. Barrier (3)

16. The whole (3)

17. Signal to begin (3)

18. Exercise and treatments (3)

19. Achieve a particular result (3)

25. Striking (7)

29. Live entertainment (7)

32. Very deep hole (5)

34. Grain (5)

36. Centre of an activity (3)

37. Long wooden seat (3)

38. Toilet (3)

39. Eliminates (3)

40. Product from a widely cultivated plant (3)

41. Meat prescribed by Muslim Law (5)

42. Cereal grown in cold countries (3)

43. So hot, it makes you sweat (5)

20. An exclamation (3)

22. Sphere (3)

23. Polite way of addressing (3)

24. Indicate disapproval (3)

26. Thin net made by an arachnid (3)

27. Signal indicating danger (3)

28. Permits (7)

29.

By Dr Lorna Moore

Watercolour Wet on Wet Butterfly

Sketch your butterfly onto watercolour paper. Mix some blue and Payne’s grey separately on your palette. Dip a small round brush into clean water and draw around one of the edges of your wing with your water (no paint yet). Work quick as you don’t want the water to dry. Drag Payne’s grey across your watermark and watch it flow. Add more clean water next to the grey and with your brush pull the paint towards the clean water and it will be a lighter shade. Next add more clean water in the middle of your wing and add blue and watch it burst. Tip your paper on its side and watch the paint move around until you’re satisfied with the effect. Don’t touch it and leave to dry. Repeat on each wing (let each wing dry first). Once dry paint in the body. With a fine liner pen draw the lines on the wings and the antennae.

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Bedfordshire’s Night Sky Looking Up!

June & July 2023

Catch Venus, Mars and a Crescent Moon: Midsummer evening 21 June this year sees Venus, Mars and a crescent moon congregate near the western horizon after sunset. Venus and the moon are an easy catch as both appear bright and readily visible before it becomes fully dark. Mars is a little trickier to see, being the dimmer member of the trio and appears as a much fainter red ‘star’ to the upper left of Venus. As twilight fades Mars does become easier to see – a fitting heavenly triad for the celebration of midsummer!

Find Jupiter and Saturn in the Morning Sky:

From late June onwards both Jupiter and Saturn become easy to find with the unaided eye in the hour ahead of dawn. Jupiter appears low over the eastern horizon ahead of dawn’s light. Not quite rivalling the brightness of Venus during early June evenings but still a very noticeable bright white ‘star’.Saturn is less dazzling than Jupiter but still an easy catch. Look over towards your south-east, a little higher in the sky than Jupiter’s placement. The brightest ‘star’ you see in that direction is Saturn.

Go Satellite Watching:

The summer months are a great time to spot satellites. They are illuminated by the sun at night; 250 miles+ above us where satellites are the sun is still in the sky! You can tell the difference between satellite and aircraft. Satellites are solid points of light moving slowly across the sky. Aircraft have flashing navigation lights.

By Seb Jay - Image: Stellarium

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The Value Equation

The concept of value can be expressed in many ways, but with some smart planning, here’s how you can make it work best for you:

1. Shop around

Before making a purchase, research the market and compare prices from different retailers. You can use price comparison websites or shop around in person to ensure you get the best deal possible.

2. Look for discounts and promotions

Many retailers offer discounts and promotions on products, especially during seasonal sales or holidays. Keep an eye out for these and take advantage of them to save money on your purchases.

3. Use voucher codes and coupons

Online voucher codes and coupons can help you save money on your purchases. These can often be found on retailer websites or through online coupon websites. Also consider signing up for loyalty programs.

4. Consider buying second-hand

Second-hand items can often be bought for a fraction of the price of new items. This is especially true for things like electronics and furniture, which can be expensive when bought new. Check online

marketplaces and visit local charity shops.

5. Plan your purchases

By planning your purchases in advance,

you can take advantage of seasonal sales and promotions. For example, buy Christmas decorations in January, or purchase summer clothes in the winter.

6. Check for quality

Consider the quality of the product you’re buying, remembering that buying a cheaper item that will need replacing frequently may end up costing you more in the long run than investing in a higherquality, more expensive item.

7. Consider buying in bulk

If you know you’ll be using a product frequently, buying in bulk can usually save you money. This is particularly true for household items like toiletries and cleaning supplies.

8. Negotiate

The top 10 ways to extract maximum value from your consumer habits. the retailers

Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price with the retailer, especially if you’re buying a big-ticket item. Many retailers are open to negotiation.

9. Use cashback and reward schemes

9. Use

Many banks and credit cards offer cashback and reward schemes that can help you save money on your purchases. By using these schemes, you’ll be getting back as you’re spending.

10. Avoid impulse buying

Impulse buying can lead to overspending and ‘purchase regret’ later on. To avoid this, make a shopping list and stick to it, and avoid buying things when you’re feeling emotional or stressed.

In conclusion, getting maximum value as a UK consumer requires effort and research, but done well, it’s a habit that will pay back many times over.

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BeaconLit Is Back!

Book lovers read on... BeaconLit is back! The 2023 Literary Festival will be taking place on Saturday 8th July, at Brookmead School in Ivinghoe, Leighton Buzzard. See below for a taster of some of the events on offer and biographies of the authors who are set to attend. It will be a fantastic literary day out for all you bibliophiles!

BEACONLIT 2023 EVENTS

NEW VOICES

Aiden Cottrell-Boyce, Jacqueline Crooks and Natasha Hastings are some of the hottest debut authors around. BeaconLit co-founder Dave Sivers talks to them about their stories, their books and what’s coming next.

LAURA SHEPHERD-ROBINSON IN CONVERSATION

Meet the bestselling, multi-award winning historical fiction author, who will be talking to Harriet Queralt

DOCTOR! DOCTOR!

Medical thrillers come in all shapes and sizes. Candy Denman, Eve Smith and Participating Moderator Heather J Fitt discuss their very different approaches.

CARA HUNTER IN CONVERSATION

The Sunday Times bestseller chats to fellow crime fiction author Dave Sivers.

REBECCA WAIT IN CONVERSATION

Rebecca’s novel, I’m Sorry You Feel that way was one of the big hits of Summer 2022. She chats to Sandra Smith about her eclectic writing career.

AJ PEARCE IN CONVERSATION

The bestselling author of Dear Mrs Bird chats to Kate Hogarth of Tring Radio.

For more information visit the website www.beaconlit.co.uk

Cara Hunter Laura Shepherd‐ RobinsonRebecca Wait AJ Pearce

Cara Hunter Laura Shepherd‐ RobinsonRebecca Wait AJ Pearce

Cara Hunter Laura Shepherd‐ RobinsonRebecca Wait AJ Pearce

Cara Hunter Laura Shepherd‐ RobinsonRebecca Wait AJ Pearce

2022

Aternate Thursdays, 2:30 - 4:00pm

Tea Time Tales are being held in Grove House, 67 High Street North whilst Priory House is being repaired.

Talks of local & national interest with refreshments

Below is the list of upcoming talks and a leaflet showing the topics and dates is also available from Priory House.

15 June

Jewels in the Air - the wonderful world of Hummingbirds by Wilf Powell

29 June

Glastonbury - Idealism, Hedonism and Methodism by Kay Kempster

13 July

Women Code Breakers of Bletchley Park by Bryony Norburn