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A cheery welcome to the Christmas and New Year edition of The Vine Magazine I have tried to include some useful winter and Christmas tips in this issue, from winter tyres, energy saving light bulbs and some sound financial advice. There is also have a delicious traditional pudding and the last posting dates. If you are on facebook, why not come and like The Vine Magazine? I share a lot of the local events, charities and also our advertiser’s special promotions, it would be a shame for you to miss out. Talking of our advertisers, please do mention that you saw them in The Vine Magazine. As always it would be a pleasure to hear from you, I hope you have a super Christmas and wish you all the best for 2014. Andrena
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CONTENT 6 Energy Saving Bulbs 8 Winter Tyres 12 A Digital Hero 15 Allergies 16 A Traveller’s Tale - part 1 18 Auto Biographies 20 Mabel’s News 22 Last Posting Dates for Christmas 24 Company Car Fuel Rates 26 Houseplants 28 Contentious Probate 32 Granny’s Pudding 34 Blenders 36 Puzzles 37 BBC 3 Counties Consumer Clinic 38 Book Review 39 Looking Up in Beds and Bucks 42 A Traveller’s Tale -part 2 44 What’s On Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the content of advertising and articles is 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 permission.
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Switch On Traditional light bulbs have now been phased out across Europe, and we are gradually getting used to the low-energy alternatives. But with a whole new set of names, numbers and jargon to get used to, it can be difficult to know if you’re buying the right thing. There are three main types of lowenergy bulbs available – compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), halogens and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). CFLs use only a fifth of the electricity that an old incandescent bulb would, because they don’t generate as much heat. This also means that they are kinder to your light fittings. Replacing one bulb in your house can save you £7 a year, so the savings can really add up! They also last a lot longer. One disadvantage of CFLs is that they can take a little while to reach their full brightness, unlike halogens and LEDs which come on straight away. Some CFLs don’t work well at low temperatures, so are not suitable for unheated rooms or garages. LED bulbs are even more efficient
than CFLs and can save you nearly £7.50 per bulb per year. They usually cost more to buy, but can last up to 30 years! Halogen bulbs use a similar amount of energy as incandescent bulbs, and so are more expensive to run than CFLs and LEDs. They also have a much shorter lifespan. LEDs and halogen bulbs can be disposed of with your normal waste, but you will need to take CFLs to a recycling point or tip as they contain a small amount of mercury. A wide range of bulb fittings is now available – particularly in CFLs – and you should be able to find one to fit all your existing lighting, including ceiling spotlights and chandelier fittings. Most can also be used with dimmer switches. Remember to check that the shape and size of the new bulb is suitable.
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To choose the correct wattage, you simply need to divide by five – so if a lamp used to take an old 60W bulb, you will now need a bulb of around 12W. You will also need to consider the lumen (lm) value to find out how bright the bulb is. The brightness of an old 60W bulb is roughly equivalent to 700–900lm and a 100W bulb equates to 1300lm. Finally, look at the colour temperature of the bulb to decide on the type of light you require. This is measured in Kelvin (K). A low value (2700K) means the light is warmer (often labelled as ‘warm white’), whereas a higher value (3500K+) will give you a colder white effect.
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Winter Tyres I drive a lot and dread icy winter roads, but somehow the thought of parting with hard-earned cash for something as dull as tyres was a bit of a turn-off Then last November I had to hire a car in Switzerland, and I was amazed at the handling of the little vehicle and the confidence I felt behind the wheel, in what can only be described as lessthan-ideal weather conditions - for that read snow, snow and more snow. I mentioned it to the Swiss friend I was visiting. She looked astonished, ‘It’s the winter tyres,’ she said matter-of-factly. ‘We always wonder why British people don’t use them.’ I was sold. On my return I called in at my local tyre salesman and asked for his advice. He suggested buying a set of cheap steel rims for my car and putting the winter tyres on those,
storing the originals in my garage. The tyres improve handling on greasy roads, but will really come into their own in snowy and icy conditions, or wet conditions where the temperature is below 7 degrees. Braking and traction are improved immeasurably on winter tyres. If your car is rear wheel drive I’d say winter tyres are essential. If your car is front-wheel drive I’d still say they’re essential. Although the improvement in performance isn’t as great, it is still very noticeable. My friendly tyre-fitter suggests changing them over in November and running with them until February/March depending on the weather. This year try some winter tyres. You will never regret it. They may even save your life!
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Triumph for Pam Haigh: winner of 2013 digital heroes award for the East Pam Haigh from Leighton Buzzard took home the award for TalkTalk digital hero of the East on behalf of a KidsOut project World Stories. On the 29th October 2013 Pam Haigh, (picured with local MP Andrew Selous) manager of the
of volunteers the World Stories collection is rapidly growing and is accessible to parents and teachers alike. This is an incredible platform for the project which aims to produce talent and comprehension through storytelling. Not only do the children involved benefit from language and reading skills, but World Stories encourages them to take part in writing and broadcasting these stories themselves. This introduces children to a variety cultures and gives them the opportunity to engage with cultural backgrounds different to their own, thus gaining awareness and acceptance through a fun learning experience. The award shows recognition of the charity helping the community through digital technology, and thanks to the support of the Leighton Buzzard Observer and the local community, KidsOut have now just received a £5000 grant from TalkTalk which will allow the project to develop even further. KidsOut not only want to give their thanks to all of their volunteers who have supported the project, but again to everyone who votes World Stories as their winner - without you we couldn’t have done it.
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A Travellers Tale
Bolting Round The Baltic : Part II
W
By Paul Heley
e'd been out for a week and were now tied up at St Petersburg. However, because of the hassle experienced on a previous trip to Russia, we hadn't taken out personal visas; we felt it wasn't worthwhile for such a brief visit. Furthermore, we'd not booked any excursion during that morning or afternoon so had to spend a whole day on board twiddling our thumbs. It was pointless asking the officials if we could sneak ashore; they are completely unsmiling and totally inflexible regarding rules and regulations. But for the evening, we'd bought tickets for the ballet held in the Hermitage theatre. Around 6pm, a coach party - on a "group visa" - left and wound its way through very congested traffic, stopping at odd places here and there (but never being let too far out of sight!) before arriving at the Hermitage. As we were being driven round, so the guide told us about how Peter the Great wanted an outlet into the Baltic and how he'd transformed what was originally a swamp into the architectural splendour which is now St Petersburg: a considerable feat of engineering. He was very ambitious and wanted his new city to rival Venice regarding its canals and to eclipse Versailles architecturally. There is no doubt that he succeeded; St Petersburg is very splendid indeed and full of wonderful buildings. The ballet performance of "Swan Lake" was enjoyable but by no means perfect and we later learnt that many of the usual performers go on holiday during the summer leaving only a
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skeleton crew of more senior dancers supplemented by students. Val (who used to be a ballet dancer) could detect imperfections - but I'm afraid these were largely lost on me and, I guess, on 99% of the audience. Next day, we went on a coach trip around the city and were shown a number of interesting sights. Our guide repeated much of what had been said the night before, but also threw in other snippets of information. For example:- Beef Stroganoff was specially created for Alexander Stroganoff who'd lost a hand in battle so couldn't use a knife and fork. Consequently, his meat was cooked in smaller pieces so he could eat it one handed. A fascinating piece of useless information I'm sure you'll agree! We went to the Church of the Spilled Blood which can only be described as a riot of colour and icons. Not one square inch of wall is left uncovered. I now conclude that "cathedral ornateness" runs from Russian Orthodox through Roman Catholic to Anglican and Lutheran. What might other religions bring? It's worth mentioning that the weather remained brilliant and that St Petersburg was enjoying unusually high temperatures - as was the whole of northern Europe. And many Americans on board (whose homes were much further south) had never experienced 20 hour daylight before. A novelty! The next destination was Helsinki in the extreme south of Finland. Strangely enough, Val and I had been to the Arctic north of Finland only three months previously where temperatures could
fall to minus 30C. But now we heard that Arctic Finland was experiencing temperatures in excess of plus 30C !! We arrived at Helsinki about 7am and went on another coach trip. The first stop was at the memorial to Finland's best known son: the composer, Sibelius. This is a rather unusual structure looking vaguely like a set of enormous organ pipes and a head with clouds emerging out of its ears. The history of Finland shows the usual swapping backwards and forwards its having been part of Sweden for some time and part of Russia later on. But Helsinki has no really ancient buildings which is perhaps because Finland was largely rebuilt following independence in 1917 and the Finns had a desire to be seen to be different. Especially since they are a very distinct people who have no common ancestry with the rest of Scandinavia: their origins (as shown by their language) connect them with Estonia and even Hungary, Turkey and the asiatic region around the Urals. In other words, they are not Nordic. Before returning to the ship, we wandered around on our own, bought some mouth-watering cherries and strawberries (such fruit grow much bigger than in UK due to the long hours of sunlight) and took in the Lutheran cathedral and yet another Russian church - both splendid in their separate ways. Sailing out of Helsinki at 5pm headed for Stockholm, we experienced a wonderful sunset around 11pm, and hit Stockholm in the early morning ready to go ashore via a shuttle 窶話us after breakfast.
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I am Mabel the resident dog at Appledown Rescue and Rehoming Kennels in Eaton Bray. We have had a busy few months at the kennels and have rehomed quite a number of dogs including some who had been with us for a long time. However, it doesn’t take long for the kennels to fill up again with more dogs waiting for loving homes. I would like to introduce you to Olive Hornby! She is a nicelooking German Shepherd cross aged about 3-4 years. She is good with other dogs but not with cats or other small animals. Olive is a very affectionate girl and loves human company. She can be bouncy and would enjoy a home where she gets plenty of exercise and would also benefit from some training. Olive has been with us for some time now and we would love to see her happily settled in a new home. If you feel you could offer Olive, or any of our other dogs, a loving and secure home please call in at the kennels any day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Our staff will be happy to offer advice and information. Please note that we have restrictions on rehoming dogs to families with children under 7 years of age, so please ask for details Appledown Rescue and Rehoming Kennels, Harling Road, Eaton Bray, Beds LU6 1QY Call 01525 220383 . E-mail appledown.kennels@btinternet.com Facebook – Appledown Rescue and Rehoming Kennels.
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Your Money Matters ADVISORY FUEL RATES FOR COMPANY CARS
N
ew company car advisory fuel rates have been published which took effect from 1 September 2013. HMRC’s website states: ‘These rates apply to all journeys on or after 1 September 2013 until further notice. For one month from the date of change, employers may use either the previous or new current rates, as they choose. Employers may therefore make or require supplementary payments if they so wish, but are under no obligation to do either.’ The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or after 1 September 2013 are: Engine size
Petrol
LPG
1400cc or less
15p
10p
1401cc - 2000cc
18p (17p)
11p (12p)
Over 2000cc
26p (25p)
16p (18p)
Engine size
Diesel
1600cc or less
12p
1601cc - 2000cc
15p (14p)
Over 2000cc
18p
Please note that not all of the rates have been amended, so care must be taken to apply the correct rate. The amounts
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for the previous quarter are shown in brackets where the rate has been amended. Other points to be aware of about the advisory fuel rates: •
Employers do not need a dispensation to use these rates.
•
Employees driving employer provided cars are not entitled to use these rates to claim tax relief if employers reimburse them at lower rates. Such claims should be based on the actual costs incurred.
•
The advisory rates are not binding where an employer can demonstrate that the cost of business travel in employer provided cars is higher than the guideline mileage rates. The higher cost would need to be agreed with HMRC under a dispensation.
For more information about company cars and fuel rates, the HMRC website is a great place to start. Or, speak to your accountant Please do get in touch on 01525 887534 or email info@clarkhowes.com if you need further advice about anything contained in this article.
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In The Garden
AA Shady Shady space space Light levels during January are low and the days are short, but once the winter solstice has passed, days are slowly lengthening. There are however, areas of the garden which never receive much sunlight, and these shady spaces are often the conversation starter when I speak to gardeners. A south facing garden is on the priority list of most house hunters. If you’re lucky enough to have a front and back garden, then you should have somewhere to grow the sun lovers, but it’s often a rear shady garden which causes most frustration. So what’s my answer? Embrace the shade! Shady spaces can be much more atmospheric than those open to full sun, they have a great earthy smell and can support a diverse range of plants and mosses. My suggestion is to layer the planting, so that it looks like the creation of shade is intentional. Your layering process begins with the boundaries. The first stage is to paint them black, and before you scream ‘BLACK?!’ out loud, hear me out. Painting the boundaries black will help them to fade into the background once plants mature. The second stage is to clothe the fences and walls with climbers. Although hated by some, Ivy is perfect for
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this, but other things to try are shade-tolerant Honeysuckles or wall shrubs such as Hydrangea petiolaris and Garrya elliptica. For additional flower colour, why not cram in a couple of Clematis? Introduce height with a small tree such as Amelanchier ‘Robin Hill’ or the evergreen Trachycarpus fortunei. Clump forming bamboo makes a great vertical accent, as does the banana Musa basjoo. Next in our ‘shade lasagne’ are the shrubs such as the purple leaved Acers, Viburnum tinus, Box (which can be clipped into shapes to add formality) and Sarcococca. Smaller perennials such as Astilbe, Aconitum and Hellebores provide colour and finally ferns such as the evergreen Asplenium scholopendrium supply wonderful glossy ground cover. So there you have it, a shady oasis, and as with most things in life, if you fully embrace it, a north facing shady garden can be magical.
Christmas Survival Guide For Houseplants Surviving a modern day Christmas can be challenge enough for humans, but just imagine how difficult it is if you’re a plant. Houseplants hate houses! Dry central heating, low light levels and draughts are all things houseplants really don’t like, as most of these plants come from very humid, tropical parts of the world. The best way to ensure your flowers bloom for longer and your leaves don’t go brown at the tips, is to ensure the right conditions for survival.
• Avoid placing plants in a draughty location
such as windowsills, or near to a frequently opened door, (they won’t appreciate the large fluctuations in temperature)
• Avoid hotspots, such as in front of or above a radiator or fire
• Water plants by plunging them into a bowl of
tepid (not cold) water, and then allowing the water to fully drain out from the pot before returning to its location
• Azaleas like humid conditions, so stand these on a tray of gravel filled with water, (but ensure plants are not sat in water)
• Create a ‘plant area’ where groups of plants can be stood together, this will create more humidity
• Avoid direct sunshine • Ensure the compost never dries out or is too saturated, water little and often
• Remove faded flowers to prevent disease and to promote flowering
House plants give such a wonderful display, and are sure to last longer than a bunch of flowers. Choose from large flowering Cyclamen, brightly coloured Azaleas, sweetly scented Jasmine and of course the traditional Poinsettia. Oh, and don’t forget about bulbs, ‘Paperwhite’ Narcissus are synonymous with Christmas, and forced Hyacinths too, but I can appreciate that their strong scent is best savoured in spring. And finally, don’t get emotionally attached, think of flowering houseplants as a medium term bunch of flowers or a Christmas decoration, and after flowering if they look a little jaded, return them to the compost heap in the sky - I don’t think there’s any worse house plant tragedy than a straggly Poinsettia in July with three stunted yellow leaves. (Poinsettias are popular but be careful not to get the sap on your skin as they can cause irritation, and always keep them out of reach of pets and children.)
The last 5 years has seen a marked increase in the number of contentious probate claims brought in England and Wales. ‘Contentious probate’ is an area of legal work which involves bringing claims against the estate of a deceased person. To give the best possible chance of your assets, property and personal belongings passing to those you care about then a properly drafted Will is essential. However, whilst it is usually definitive, there are circumstances when the Will can be challenged. This may be due to the formalities required for a valid Will not being observed properly, or because the Will does not make reasonable financial provision for a person left out of the Will – e.g. a Spouse/Civil Partner, former Spouse/Civil Partner/Cohabitants/Children/other “Dependants”. The Rules governing such claims are complex and it is a highly specialised area of legal practice. So why are claims on the rise? Some suggestions are as follows:• Recession – people are more inclined to seek money in difficult times • A more litigious society generally – switch on to daytime telly if you want proof! • Ageing society – more arguments on capacity to make a valid Will • A more fragmented society with more complex family packages • More people doing ‘home made’ or online Wills and simply getting it wrong If you need advice on any matter relating to this area of the law then Fiona Burne who is Head of Contentious Probate at OM&M would be happy to help fiona.burne@ommlaw.co.uk
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CHARITY CHRISTMAS PUZZLE 2013 It is nearly time for this year’s Charity Christmas Puzzle. This, the 23rd annual Puzzle that Gordon Gray, Reader at St Mary’s, Eaton Bray with Edlesborough, has set. It has a theme designed to help completion and will appeal to people who enjoy doing word puzzles. Puzzlers have plenty of time to find the answers and Puzzles should be returned, with a donation, by 26th January. Four highest scorers will each receive a £30 prize. Everyone who enters will qualify for one of five £10 prizes. Copies of the Puzzle can be accessed from the web at www.christmaspuzzle.co.uk. You can register early to receive a copy on the issue date of 8 December. Over £51,000 raised for charity £5,000 donated last year This year’s puzzle will support St Mary’s Fabric Fund plus four other charities. If you want further details contact Gordon Gray on 01525 220136.
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The Winter Solstice
I
n the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs when the ‘top half’ of the Earth tilts away from the Sun at its most extreme angle. This gives us the longest night and shortest day of the year. It normally falls on 21 December, and from this point on, the days will begin to lengthen until the Summer Solstice on 21 June. The word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin phrase for ‘sun stands still’. This is because the sun appears to rise and set in the same two places for several days in a row. Cultures through the ages have marked the Solstice and celebrated the triumph of light over dark. Massive prehistoric monuments such as Stonehenge were built to align with the Winter Solstice sunrise. The ancient Romans had a seven-day festival called Saturnalia, when everything would be reversed – men would dress as women and masters dressed as servants. People decorated their houses with greenery, lit candles and gave presents. Celtic druids gave pieces of mistletoe as a blessing. They also began the tradition of the Yule log, which was burned to conquer the darkness and bring luck for the year ahead. Many people celebrate the Solstice today, and it’s interesting to see how many of the customs have become part of our Christmas festivities. By Alex Albrighton
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Tastes so so good... good... Tastes Tastes so good... ROAST SEA BASS WITH Aso LEMON & GARLIC CRUST GRANNY’S XMAS PUDDING Tastes good... GRANNY’S XMAS PUDDING POTATO & TOMATO HERB GALETTE
GRANNY’S XMAS PUDDING
The stout in this recipe will add the moisture to the pudding and the cocoa powder makes the pudding look lovely and dark. This simple recipe is lunch a real or crowd pleaser and makes a great in its own right orcrowd a delicious side Perfect for a simple a dinner party with this lunch main is an easy pleaser, The stout in this recipe will add the moisture tofriends, the pudding andcourse the cocoa powder makes the Ingredients: dish. looks Use fresh herbs if possible but you can substitute with dried if necessary. The galette may great on the plate and is a wonderful dish to serve with vegetables or salad Equipment: 2 pint pyrex bowl, pudding bowl, clean teaalike. towel orbe pudding look lovely and dark. 1ozmade mixedinpeel a pie dish or individualpudding steel food rings. Ideally floury potatoes should be used for this cloth. 1ozThe ground almonds stout inhave this more recipestarch will add the moisture the pudding and the cocoa makes therings recipe as they which holds the to galette together better. If youpowder don’t have food Ingredients: 2 medium sized eggs pudding look lovely andbowl, dark.but Equipment: 2 pint pyrex pudding bowl, clean tea towel or this can be made in a pie dish in exactly the same way will take longer to cook. 1oz mixed peel Equipment: Small or mortar and pestle Method: Place all the processor dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix ¼ teaspoon almond essence pudding cloth. 1oz 2Ingredients: ground almonds together. Add the eggs and the brandy and mix then pour in the teaspoons brandy Equipment: 2 pint pyrex bowl, bowl, clean Equipment: Food with disc or mandolin. Ingredients :peel stout gradually and keep stirringpudding untilslicing your mixture istea thetowel or Oven: Gas Mark 5,processor 190°c 2 medium eggs 11oz canmixed ofsized stout pudding cloth. Method: Place all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix Sharp knife. Food rings and a baking tray consistency of a loose cake mix. Grease your pudding bowl with a ground almonds ¼ teaspoon almond 21oz teaspoons cocoaessence powder together. Add the eggs and thewith brandy and mixseason thenfoil pour inthen the for sea 4 servings Oven: Gas Mark 7, 220°c 4Ingredients skinned fillets bass, little butter and pour in the pudding mix. Cover with and Method: Brush undersides olive oil and fish all 2 medium sized eggs 2 teaspoons brandy ¼ teaspoon nutmeg Method: Place alland the dry ingredients in athe large bowl and mix Method: Melt butter in a pan. Using some of the butter stout gradually and keep stirring until your mixture is the a tea towel or pudding cloth and tie it to top of the bowl, this washed under running water over with salt pepper. Zest one of the lemons and squeeze ¼ teaspoon almond essence 1 can of stout baking powder ¼ teaspoon together. Add the eggs and thein. brandy and mix then pour in the a large tomatoes grease the and thelemon baking tray where the rings will sit. consistency ofany arings loose cake mix. Grease your pudding bowl with 32¼ lemons is tojuice. prevent water getting Place in a large boiling pan and Wedge the other for garnish. Whizz garlic with 2unwaxed teaspoons brandy 2 teaspoons cocoa powder teaspoon mixed spice stout gradually and keep stirring until your mixture isBoil the Place rings onto greased area. Wash and chop the herbs, dry 31cloves orcan 4 medium sized floury little butter and pour in the pudding mix. Cover with foil and then 4 garlic fill with water ¾ of the way up the side of the bowl. on a lemon juice and zest. Once no more large pieces can be seen, of stout ¼ teaspoon 4oz plainnutmeg flour consistency ofpudding afor loose cake mix. Grease your pudding bowl a potatoes* on kitchen roll to stop them sticking together. Reserve awith small Small bunch of washed fresh add the parsley, bread and butter to the processor. moderate heat 6 hours keep topping up the water with boiled a tea towel or cloth and tie it to the top of the bowl, this 2 teaspoons cocoa powder 4oz breadcrumbs ¼ teaspoon bakingthyme powder little butter and pour ingetting the pudding mix. Cover with foil and then Handful of fresh and amount for garnish. Thinly slice tomatoes with a sharp knife parsley kettle water if the level starts to drop. When the pudding is ready ¼ teaspoon nutmeg is to prevent any water in. Place in a large boiling pan and 4oz beef mixed suet spice ¼ teaspoon a tea oron pudding cloth and itato the top of the bowl, this chives and leave a the cooling tray to tie allow excess liquid to drip. 25g butter ittowel out and to cool. These puddings be stored Quite quickly should produce moist and very tasty ¼ teaspoon baking powder fillturn with water ¾leave ofyou way up the side of thecan bowl. Boil on aThinly 4oz brown 4oz60g plain floursugar is tobreadcrumb prevent any water getting in. Place into a firmly large boiling pan and butter slice the potatoes using theChristmas, food processor and use 30g wholemeal bread wrapped in foil from now until reheat just place the mixture. Press this mixture onto the upper ¼ teaspoon mixed spice moderate heat for 6 hours keep topping up the water with boiled 4oz raisins 4oz breadcrumbs fill with water ¾ of the way up the side of the bowl. Boil on a Salt & pepper immediately. Layer 2 or 3 slices of potato in the rings. Using a 50ml extra virgin olive oil pudding back in the bowl and boil for another 2 hours on side of the fillets. 4oz sultanas plain flour kettle water if the level starts to drop. When the pudding is ready 4oz 4oz beef suet moderate heatCan for hours uppaint theofwater with boiled pastry day. brush or 6the backkeep ofwith a topping teaspoon, the layered Christmas be served a sprinkling icing sugar on Salt & pepper 4oz breadcrumbs turn it out andifleave to cool. These puddings canpudding be stored glace cherries 4oz*4oz brown sugar kettle the starts to drop. When the issome ready Kingbeef Edwards a good potato with thelevel butter. Season lightly, the topwater or pour on ¼melted brandy and light for flaming Christmas Roast approximately 20 minutes, ora to until thesprinkle crust isplace brown. suet are 14oz grated lemon rind wrapped infor foil from now until Christmas, reheat just turn it out and leave to cool. These puddings can be stored 4ozchoice raisins Maris Piper work too herbs and top with tomato. Repeat until you have filled the the pudding 4oz brown sugar ½ apple grated pudding back in the bowl and boil for another 2 hours on wrapped in foil from now until Christmas, to reheat just place the they’re not as floury. 4ozalthough sultanas rings, with finishing with atakes potato layer should by be Nigel buttered to Lindsay Crozier & which photographs Maisey Serve whatever your fancy! 4oz raisins ½ carrot grated Christmas day. Can bebowl served with a sprinkling of icing sugar on pudding back in the and boil for another 2 hours on Diane Johnson brown nicely. Pop in the oven 30-40 minutes and remove 4oz glace cherries 4oz sultanas the top or pour on brandy light for a flaming Christmas Christmas day.crust Can¼isbe servedand with aand sprinkling of icing sugar on when the golden brown the potato feels tender 1 grated lemon rind 4oz glace cherries Diane Johnson pudding the top or pour on ¼ brandy and light for a flaming Christmas with a knife. Scatter with herbs to garnish and serve piping hot. ½ apple grated 1 grated lemon rind Lindsay Crozier & photographs by Nigel Maisey pudding ½ apple grated ½ carrot grated Lindsay Crozier & photographs by Nigel Maisey ½ carrot grated
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TECHNOLOGY
Food Processors
OK, so not very hi-tech, but having recently started using one I don’t know how I managed without it. Christmas is typically a time of year when we have family and friends around which means, for some, lots of time spent preparing and cooking food. If you can think of better ways to spend Christmas morning than chopping veg why not let a food processor do the hard work in your kitchen - so you can enjoy the festivities.
T
here’s no doubt that a food processor can be a valuable addition to any kitchen. Modern models can perform a whole host of different tasks to make your culinary life easier. But with such a wide range on offer, at prices from about £30 to £350 and above, how do you choose the right one for you? The first question to answer is whether or not a food processor is the product you need. They are best for people who do a lot of savoury cooking and need to chop, blend and grate food. If you’re more of a baker and want to whip cream, whisk eggs or knead dough, then a stand mixer (with an open bowl and overhanging ‘arm’) may be more suitable. For chopping nuts, breadcrumbs or onion, or for puréeing small quantities of baby food, a less powerful – and less expensive – mini chopper may be sufficient. When you are happy that a food processor is the tool for you, it’s time to look at the attachments that come with different models and decide which you need: To help you make your final choice, take a good look online at product reviews. This is the best way to assess what the product descriptions don’t tell you – such as how noisy the processor is, how difficult it is to assemble and clean, and how efficiently and evenly it cuts food. And then you’re all set – ready to make super soups, crunchy salads and tasty dishes galore!
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• All processors will have a knife blade that can be used for mixing, puréeing, mincing and mashing. • Most will also come with a dough blade for kneading bread dough. • There will then be a selection of circular metal discs that cut, slice and grate. Look at the size of the blades to check you are happy with the different thicknesses they produce. Some models also include a special blade for cutting chips. • A jug blender attachment is really useful if you like to make soups, smoothies and mayonnaise. Some can even crush ice. • A citrus press makes it easy to extract the maximum possible juice from oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit. You can also get a centrifugal juicer attachment for juicing hard fruits and vegetables. • Look for a mill attachment if you like grinding your own coffee beans and spices, or chopping small quantities of nuts. • There are several different types of whisk attachments, but metal twin beaters give the best results. • A mini bowl with its own blade that fits inside the main one can be more effective for chopping small quantities. By Alex Albrighton
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Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles
3 2 4 3
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Sudoku 数独 1 6
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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!
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GATES
SPOT THE ADVERT What advert Is This? >>>> Across
Down
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2. Relating to the stomach, intestines etc. (9) 3. Female horse (4) 4. Serviette (6) 5. Snake-like fish (3) 6. Reddish Indian dye (5) 7. Main artery (5) 10. Nutritious edible pulse (6) 13. Clever and original. (9) 14. Spindle (6) 17. Calm, dependable (6) 18. Circular series of events (5) 20. Phrase or saying (5) 22. Couple (4) 24. Furrow (3)
Consumer Clinic
How to purchase safely on the Winter-Web The internet has been with us since the mid 90s. Whilst it has of course brought some fantastic benefits to our lives, it has also created some absolute headaches as well.
they find themselves out of pocket without the goods they’ve ordered.
transfer. I would go so far as to say you should NEVER buy goods from a company that asks you to transfer money directly Therefore, always make sure you into their account. research the internet company you are planning to buy from. If you decide you’re going to The fact the entire world is Find out where they’re based, buy Christmas presents from an accessible in our homes is a look for a UK telephone number, online auction site like ebay, it wonderful thing, but it is worth check reviews and complaints is worth familiarising yourself noting that there are lots of about them so you know exactly with their safety advice. You internet companies out there, who you’re dealing with. Ensure generally have fewer rights when particularly those in other that their delivery timeframe will buying goods in this way, parcountries that can provide a less ensure your gifts will arrive in ticularly if they are second hand. than desirable service. So how plenty of time for Christmas. Paying by paypal and ensuring can you protect yourself against that you NEVER collect items these companies, particularly Make sure you’re paying a in person will go some way to when making purchases for sensible price. If a company is protecting yourself. Only buy Christmas? selling an item at a ridiculously from highly rated sellers, based low price compared to all other in the UK. The most important thing you companies, there’s usually a can do, is to of course avoid reason why. Often the items are It is worth remembering that buying items from dodgy interfake. Over the years I’ve dealt when you buy brand new net companies in the first place. with my fair share of customers items over the internet, you are It sounds simple, but you’d be who thought they were getting protected by the distance sellamazed how many people still a great deal with ‘Ugg boots’ or ing regulations. Because you find some weird com- ‘GHD hair straighteners’, only to haven’t had the chance to see pany online that no- find they’ve bought fakes from a the item in the flesh, you have body’s ever heard company abroad. 7 days from delivery to change of and hand your mind and send it back for a over hundreds of You should always pay for goods full refund. Unless the company pounds. They are by credit card but particularly specifies their returns postage then amazed when when buying over the internet. policy, then they are liable for It is worth noting that you are the postage too. Make sure you not protected by the consumer order things online in plenty of credit act unless you’re paying time to allow for this, after all, over £100, but you’re still more you don’t want unhappy friends likely to get your money back and relatives whose presents are using a credit card rather than NOT under the tree. debit card, cheque or bank By Jonathan Vernon-Smith
You can listen to The JVS Show every weekday morning from 9am on BBC Three Counties Radio
A Good Read For You
For The Kids
The Guts By Roddy Doyle
To be honest, it is a shock to find out that Jimmy Rabbitte is middle aged with teenage children. It shouldn't be after all, The Commitments was over twenty years ago - but it is. It seems to be a bit of a shock to Jimmy too - and the shock is compounded when he discovers that he has cancer.... The Commitments may be better known as a film (and now as a stage musical), but it was a book first: the first of Doyle's Barrytown trilogy, which followed the fortunes of the Rabbitte family in Dublin. Here, Doyle revisits the family many years on. Ireland is in the grip of the recession, and Jimmy and his wife are feeling the pinch. He is still in the music business, although rather than discovering new talent, he spends his days digging into the past for old punk bands who still have a following. And he has cancer. At the age of forty seven he has to face the fact that he could die.
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Doyle's style is not for everyone, and his language is not for the faint hearted, but the dialogue still sails off the page as authentically as it ever did, and much of the story is carried through speech. There are a series of well-executed set pieces too, including the finale which brings together Jimmy, his long-lost brother Les, an old punk and a former bandmate (and fellow cancer sufferer), to witness Jimmy's eldest son triumph in front of a festival crowd. OK, he is pretending to be Bulgarian and singing a song which is pretending to be 1930s Irish Blues, but who cares? If you have read the Barrytown trilogy, this is like meeting a bunch of old friends in the pub. If you haven't, then read it anyway. Odds are you will go back to the original books to meet the characters as they were in the beginning.
Jack's Mega Machines The Rocket Racing Car By Alison Ritchie and Mike Byrne On the surface, this is a fairly typical picture book for 3 - 6 year olds. Jack is readying his rocket car for an amazing race, helped by Riley the dog. They line up against an array of alien craft and off they go - with all the thrills and spills you might expect. The bonus, however, is that inside the book is a pull out model of the very rocket Jack is racing in, meaning that young readers can race along with him. Simple and sturdy, it allows the story to be acted out, continued and extended as far as the child's imagination can go - in other words, a very long way. There are others in the series - a dinosaur digger and a supersonic submarine - which will appeal to the 'collector instinct' which all young boys seem to have. Simply told, engagingly drawn and with just the right balance of excitement, this is definitely one to look out for.
The Night Sky Looking Up In Beds & Bucks! in December 2013 and January 2014 By Seb Jay
Jupiter’s Winter Spectacular:
Christmas Comet Selection:
Outshining all of the stars in the night sky during December and January is the king of the planets - Jupiter. Look towards the east during early evenings to see its bright white light in the constellation of Gemini. You can’t miss it! Jupiter is so large that 10x50 binoculars mounted on a camera tripod is all that is needed to reveal the planet’s disc along with its four brightest moons. With a small telescope you can see dark bands in Jupiter’s atmosphere, while bigger telescopes gain you spectacular views of the 300-year old storm system affectionately known as the Great Red Spot.
Mid to Late December sees potentially two bright comets almost side by side in the evening sky. Both Comet ISON and Comet Lovejoy should be bright enough to see with the naked eye from the darkness of the Chilterns. Binoculars or a small telescope will almost certainly bring them into view. Look to the northwestern horizon after sunset to find them. Both comets are moving through the constellation of Hercules in different directions.
See the Geminids Meteor Shower:
December 13th and 14th is the peak of the Geminids meteor shower. Watch up to 80 shooting stars per hour streak across the night sky. Best times to look are between moonset and dawn on both mornings. Dark Sky Telescope Hire www.darkskytelescopehire.co.uk seb@darkskytelescopehire.co.uk
01582 521430
Martin What’sBestForYou
LEWIS
By Martin Lewis
It’s Christmas! Christmas is Coming!
CHRISTMAS IS COMING.
Christmas is coming. Stop, wait! I dislike Jingle Bells can boost your Christmas cash by if you cut out a blasting out of shop speakers in early November as cappuccino or weekly mag. We're not saying do it, much as the next man. Yet this isn’t about celebrating just work out which use of cash gives you more joy. early, it's about pre-planning to slash festive costs, so you have a better Christmas at a lower price. Ban unnecessary Christmas presents? Christmas isn't a retail festival. While presents for This year, I’ve been given an ITV special to run kids or spouses under the tree is a lovely tradition, through all this. I couldn’t persuade them to let me we seem to be under constant pressure to buy for an th do it on the 25 (of January) as I’d have liked. But The ever widening circle of friends. This can be just tickMartin Lewis Money Show, 8pm on 12 to November Try some DemoHoHotivation This year, I was given an at ITV special run box giving, tat we know they don't really want, and My www.demoHOHOtivator.com tool shows how (or catchall it on ITVIplayer), may well be the earliest through this. couldn’t persuade them to will become landfill fodder. small just sacrifices can save you large, eg, how much Christmas special in TV history. So as we’re now in let me do it on the 25th (of January) as I’d you can boost your Christmas cash by if you cut out the Thriftsmas spirit, here are some top tips for have liked, so The Martin Lewis Money Show, a While there’sora weekly joy of giving, it can be cappuccino mag. remember We're not saying do it, starters: selfish it obliges to buy something which aired on 12th November (catch it on just workif out whichsomeone use of cash givesyou you more joy. ITV player), may well be the earliest Christmas back – perhaps the real gift's to release someone It also incorporates “opportunity cost” - whether fromunnecessary the obligationChristmas of buying you a present. Read the Ban presents? special in TV history. they'd be better off spending the same cash on full theory behind this at www.mse.me/banchristmas Christmas isn't a retail festival. While presents for As we’re now the Thriftsmas spirit, here are something else.in For a young child this is perhaps “do kids or spouses under the tree is a lovely tradition, some of my topsweeties tips... with your money every you want to buy we seem to be under constant but pressure buy for it's Don't borrow for Christmas, if youtodo, ensure week, or save up to get the toy that you want?" an0% ever widening circle of friends. This can be just Bag 5% off ALL Xmas shopping tick-box giving, tat we know really to want, Christmas borrowing's a badthey idea.don't Far better go, er, Cashback credit cards pay£17 you- each Xmas Travelodge rooms £25 time you spend. and will just become landfill fodder. cold turkey, and have a more austere time (Christmas So do normal spending and set and up acan’t directquite debitstand to Visiting relatives for Christmas is just one day, after all). Yet if you'll borrow anyway, repay IN FULL each month avoid interest the idea of spending all daytoand night there?and Budget While there’s a joy of giving, remember it can be at least do it right. The cheapest way is on a 0% you’re quids in. Some will be £100s better off by hotel chain Travelodge has launched a room sale at selfish if it obliges someone to buy you something SPENDING card. the time the cashback’s paid, usually after a year. back – perhaps the real gift's to release someone £17-£25 for December to February. Crucially, this One of the best is Amex Plat Everyday* which pays from the obligation of buying you a present. Read includes Christmas (though not New Year's Eve). They a HUGE 5% (max £100) on ALL spending in the first the The longest www.tescobank.com 18 months 0%, full theoryisbehind this at www.mse.me/bando thisthen in tranches, so when the rooms are gone, 3mths up to 1.25%. So apply now and the big christmas yet even though it lasts more than a year (provided they're gone. cashback covers Xmas & New Year sale spending you make the min repayments), plan to clear it (19.9% rep APR if you fail to fully repay). before next Xmas or you'll compound yourdo, problems. Don't borrow for Christmas, but if you Don’t set up a Christmas lust list If you don't clear before the 0% ends, beware. It'll ensure it's 0% Xmas Travelodge £17 - £25 Too many people listrooms every lusted-for item – huge jump to 16.9% representative APR. Christmas borrowing's a bad idea. Far better to Visiting relativesfestivities. for Christmas and quite stand trees, massive Sadly, thiscan’t tends to lead to go, er, cold turkey, and have a more austere time the idea of spending all day and night there? Budget debt or disappointment. FREE tea/coffee every day at Waitrose (Christmas is just one day, after all). Yet if you'll borhotel chain Travelodge has launched a room sale at row at leastcard do itatright. The cheapest way is Signanyway, up for special waitrose.com/mywaitrose £17-£25 for December to February. Crucially, this ontoaget 0%aSPENDING Instead, Christmas the right thing – boring, sensible, free regular card. tea or coffee every day. Simply includes (though not New Year'sbut Eve). The longest is www.tescobank.com 18 months 0%, ultimately – issotowhen do a budget to work They do thisproductive in tranches, the rooms are how walk in and show your card. You can choose from yet even though it lasts more than a year much you can afford to spend this Christmas. Then, from Americano, cappuccino, latte, tea, (provided mocha or gone, they're gone. you make the min repayments), plan to clear it bework out the best Christmas you can have on that espresso. fore next Xmas or you'll compound your problems. cash. set up a Christmas lust list Don’t If you don't clear before the 0% ends, beware. It'll Too many people list every lusted-for item – huge jump to 16.9% representative APR. Try some DemoHoHotivation trees, massive festivities. Sadly, this tends to lead to debt or disappointment. My www.demoHOHOtivator.com tool shows how FREE tea/coffee every day at Waitrose Instead, the rightcan thing – boring, sensible, butmuch ulti- you small sacrifices save you large, eg, how @MoneySavingExpert Sign up for special card at waitrose.com/mywaitrose mately productive – is to do a budget to work how to get a free regular tea or coffee every day. Simply much you can afford to spend this Christmas. Then, walk in and show your card. You can choose from work out the best Christmas you can have on that from Americano, cappuccino, latte, tea, mocha or cash. espresso.
Stop, wait! I dislike Jingle Bells blasting out of shop speakers in early November as much as the next man. Yet this isn’t about celebrating early, it’s about pre-planning to slash festive costs, so you have a better Christmas at a lower price.
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For some folk Christmas without turkey is a bit like stew without dumplings, or gin without tonic, but if yours is always disappointingly dry and overcooked, why not look at an alternative this Christmas? Goose is tender, full of flavour, relatively cheap,
and a 4kg bird should easily feed six people. It has a reputation for being fatty but don’t be put off. Simply prick the skin well and pour off the surplus fat about an hour into cooking, and hey presto - problem solved!
Ducks are smaller, which means they cook faster
than a huge turkey or goose. Moist and strongly flavoured, one large duck feeds four so they are perfect for smaller gatherings, but don’t plan on serving one up if you’re hosting a Christmas for twelve!
Beef is quick and easy to cook, and as you can
buy whatever amount you need, it is suitable for gatherings both large and small. Allow 500g of rib of beef per person (including the bone) and glaze the top to keep it moist.
Why not give Venison a try? It's a lean meat, and consumption is currently on the increase as we become more health-conscious. It can be purchased at good butchers. A more exotic option is Ostrich, which tastes like good quality beef fillet and requires very little cooking. Other possibilities are ham, lamb, partridge and pheasant. So go on, stuff the turkey this Christmas and try something different for your festive feast!
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A Travellers Tale
(Continued)
Our goal was Gamla Stan (the Old Town), a labyrinth of narrow cobble stoned streets bursting with all manner of touristy shops. We went into the cathedral - very impressive - but spent most of the time just wandering about before returning on the shuttle 'bus in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we went on a guided cruise around the waterways of Stockholm - another city claiming to be the "Venice of the North" since it spans 14 separate islands. This was a very pleasant trip indeed with an excellent commentary. There is a large inland lake behind Stockholm whose water level is higher than that of the Baltic and we entered and left this lake through a lock system. In answer to one of my questions, it would not be a good idea to let this great mass of fresh water escape into the Baltic since the change in water density would enable the sea around Stockholm to freeze even earlier than it does already. Not convinced! After Stockholm, we passed through the Kiel Canal and chugged our way through an eastern England landscape - it's easy to see why the Saxons looked upon East Anglia as a home from home.
Having exited the canal, we headed out into the North Sea for the final leg to Amsterdam. Arriving slightly later than planned, we decided to skip lunch and walk into town and do our own thing. But we were surprised to discover that a particular church I'd wanted to see had been turned into a museum about the Dutch royal family so, instead, joined a guided tour of the Royal Palace and saw opulent rooms, paintings, incredible chandeliers and internal statuatory. It's all very grand not a bit like my house! We also got lost on a few occasions due to a poor map - that's my story and I'm sticking to it! - so finally gave up on Amsterdam, walked back to the ship and collapsed on our beds absolutely shattered. In the early evening we sailed out of Amsterdam headed for Dover arriving in the early morning. After breakfast, disembarkation was swift, easy and efficient and we were back home around noon. It's difficult to summarise this trip: it had been very different from previous cruises and from what I'd expected. A 600+ passenger ship is fine for this type of cruise (but not for little coves
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42
and fjords) and there's no sense of overcrowding. Our cabin was spatially generous; the food was great; the crew were charming, polite and helpful. We'd been extremely lucky with the weather and the sea had been calm. Regarding the places visited, they tended to come thick and fast - hence my title - and we'd only had a quick "taster" anywhere. A notably common feature of the Baltic States in particular is that they all have streets and pavements made of very large cobble stones which are not at all easy to walk on and cleverly designed to turn your ankle very easily! Highlights (for me) were most likely Tallinn and Stockholm, but Helsinki was very pleasant and appealed to Val. But St Petersburg offered so many splendid architectural examples that one really needs more than a few hours there. But this, sadly, is made difficult since Russian bureaucracy is so unhelpful and visas are not easy to obtain and rather expensive. They say they want visitors but don't make it easy. Personally, I don't think I'd want to go on another Baltic cruise as such - but I wouldn't mind revisiting one or two of the places seen: say, for a weekend.
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WHAT’S ON? so much we can’t fit it all in! December
1st Leighton Buzzard Christmas Weekend Come along and join the festivities as the Christmas Lights are turned on. Live music, seasonal stalls, food, drink and entertainment for all. http://www. leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/events/ 1st Bletchley Lights Switch on. Join with the festivities as we switch on the Christmas lights and visit the Christmas Fair from noon. 1st-24th Messy Nativity Sheep Trail. , this trail takes you around shops in Leighton Buzzard. Trail booklets available from participating shops. Bring the completed form to the Nativity Service on 24th December at Trinity Methodist Church, Leighton Buzzard and receive a Christmas Booklet! For more information see: www.trinity-methodist-leightonbuzzard.org.uk 1st Tree Festival starsTree Festival – All Saints Church, Leighton Buzzard12-3pm Music provided by various groups throughout the weekend Coffee shop open for refreshments at all times
HULA Animal Rescue Christmas Get Together Sunday 8th December 1pm to 3.30pm
Meet the animals Xmas bargains Pre-loved pet accessories Guest appearance from Father Christmas
On chil ly £2 dre pe r n we free adult lco , do , me gs
All proceeds for the care and welfare of HULA’s animals
Help HULA help Animals Registered Charity 1094115 01908 584000 www.hularescue.org hularescue@tiscali.co.uk Glebe Farm, Salford Road, Aspley Guise MK17 8HZ
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4th Wartime Family History Talk Family History Talk: Wartime Christmas. Edna Dickenson performs her seasonal ‘show & tell’ ‘Wartime Christmas’ talk, demonstrating how women coped in the kitchen during World War II. Her talk starts with the relatively peaceful Christmas of 1939, and describes how the celebrations changed as the war progressed, .Non-members of Buckinghamshire Family History Society very welcome. A small donation is appreciated. www.bucksfhs.org.uk Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2HB 6th and 7th Nativity Festival 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM A display of many different Nativity sets, paintings by adults and children accompanied by Christmas music. Refreshments and activities for children available.All donations will go towards the work of Street Pastors in Leighton Buzzard. For details please visit:www.trinity-methodistleighton-buzzard.org.uk Trinity Methodist Church, North Street, Leighton Buzzard, Beds. 6th World Challenge Community Carol Concert 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM World Challenge Community Carol Concert Accompanied by:Leighton Buzzard Salvation Army BandAlso featuring: The Grand Union Community Choir, Ukerama, Refreshments available RaffleTicket price £4.00 under 10’s free. To purchase your ticket please contact:Nikki on 07969311415 Allison on 07850312445 Or email at w.c_2014@yahoo.co.uk 7th -8th Christmas Fair Visit Rushmere Country Park during this 2 day event and purchase your Christmas Tree from the Greensand Trust and Christmas gifts from local suppliers and crafts people. Craft stalls, festive food, competitions and festive crafts, carol singers. proceeds raised from the event will be reinvested into the care and conservation of Rushmere Country Park.Admission is free*! *£2 charge per vehicle to exit. 11am - 3pm Tel 01525 234260 Rushmere Country Park, Linslade Road, Heath & Reach Bedfordshire LU7 0EB 7th Winter Wonderland at the Rufus Centre is the perfect day out for families to really get into the festive spirit. There’s plenty to do, including visit Father Christmas in his magical grotto (each child receives a gift), make your own glittery Christmas tree and a colouring competition, gingerbread and
www.thevinemagazine.com/whats-on 44
The online calendar is updated regularly biscuit decorating PLUS entry to the mini discos at 12 noon, 1pm or 2pm! Adults can even pick up those last minute stocking fillers from an array of exclusive stalls. All profits will go to the Flitwick Christmas Lights Appeal. 11am until 4pm. Entry: £3.50 for children FREE for adults. The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick Bedfordshire MK45 1AH Contact telephone: 01525 631900 14th Santa Day Come and meet santa, He will be riding on all our trains on both running days
Craft Fair CCC
Crafts - Cake & a Cuppa
10.0 0AM - 4.0 0PM
Woburn Village Hall, Beds All Local Handmade
SUNDAY
items
DECEMBER 15th same as Farmers’ Mar
ket
FR EE AD MI SSI ON
FREE CAR PARKIN G FUT URE FAI RS IN 2014 Starting February16th and every 3rd Sunday www.ccc-craftfairs.co.uk
First train 12 noon, Two trips around our track £1.00 (one pound), Caldecotte Miniture Railway, Caldecotte Lake Bletcham Way, Bletchley MK7 8HP Buckinghamshire MK7 8HP telephone: BOB 01908542671 15th Craft Fair at Woburn Village Hall 10am-4pm Free admission. www.ccc-craftfairs.co.uk 15th Christmas Carol Concert Pitstone- Leighton Linslade Concert Band 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Join us for a Christmas Carol Concert http://llcb.co.uk/
15th Christmas Carol Concert LB- Leighton Linslade Concert Band 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Join us for a Christmas Carol Concert http://llcb.co.uk/ 16th Charity Concert A really fun musical evening of seasonal songs and anecdotes by this well known and very popular ladies choir. 7.30 p.m. FREE entry lovely refreshments (all donations to charity) St Edward the Confessor Church, Burchards Crescent, Shenley Church End. Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK5 6DX 1st -24th Santa’s Grotto at Frosts Woburn Sands
January
8th Family History Talk: A Journey to Station X 7:15 PM - 9:15 PM Michael Kushner talks to members of Buckinghamshire Family History Society about the codebreaking exploits at Bletchley Park, Non-members are very welcome. A small donation is appreciated. Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2HB www.bucksfhs. org.uk 11th New Year Concert Vienna comes to Eaton Bray Waltzes, polkas, mazurkas and marches tickets £7.50 children free from box office 01525 222283 18th Philharmonia Orchestra: VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS 7.30PM SPRING into the New Year and make getting back into Classical Music your New Year’s Resolution by celebrating the weekend with Vivaldi’s FOUR SEASONS at the Bedford Corn Exchange. £12-£33. 01234 718 112 for further details on CONCESSIONS & DISCOUNT.Bedford Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Square, Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 1SL 25th Table Top Sale Come along and spend a few hours browsing the stalls at our popular Table Top Sale. It’s not too late to have your own stall to sell those unwanted items that are cluttering up your house - simply contact Ashton St Peter’s Lower school office on 01582 663410. Saturday 25th January. 11am - 1pm. Entry only 20p for adults and FREE for children! Stall holders: £6 for 1 table; £10 for 2 - doors open from 9.30am for set up. Contact the school office on 01582 663410.Ashton St Peters Lower School, Leighton Court Dunstable Bedfordshire LU6 1EW
Include your event email andrena@thevinemagazine.com
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Wishing all our clients peace of mind this Christmas
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Call: 01525 378177
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Offices in Milton Keynes & Leighton Buzzard
Authorised and regulated by the SRA, No: 00058549
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Š 2013 Osborne Morris and Morgan Solicitors