the
April|May 2014
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MILTON KEYNES PREPARATORY SCHOOL Tattenhoe Lane, Milton Keynes MK3 7EG www.mkps.co.uk : info@mkps.co.uk
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Hello and welcome to the April/May edition. I love this season, we have the Easter Holiday and the Bank Holiday to look forward to and I have made sure to include a few Easter Egg Hunts in the What’s On Guide but do remember there are lots more events on the online calendar too. Thank you to everyone who has joined me on Facebook and Twitter since the last issue. I try and keep them both updated with all that’s on in the area so please feel free to tweet and share your events and news. Finally don’t forget to mention The Vine when you speak to our advertisers, it helps them and me know that their advertising works.
CONTENT 6 A Traveller’s Tale - part 1 8 Zap goes the laser 10 Auto Biographies 12 Flexible Working 14 A Good Read 16 Kerching 18 It’s the Law 20 What’s Best for You 22 In the Garden - up the wall 24 Recipe 25 Puzzles 26 Looking Up 26 Puzzle Solutions 28 What’s On 30 Traveller’s Tale -part 2
Have a great Spring Andrena
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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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A Travellers Tale
A Brief Trip To Poland Part II
By Paul Heley
A
fter our first couple of days in Krakow, if the salt mines were mind blowing, Auschwitz and Birkenau were mind numbing and one comes away wondering how on earth such terrible things could possibly be done by one people on another. There are information boards everywhere (in Polish, English and Hebrew - but not German) and our guide shot information and statistics at us as though from a machine gun. My head was reeling at the end and the full horror of it all has not yet completely sunk in. We started at the ironic - and sickening - entrance gate above which the infamous "Arbeit macht frei" ("Work makes you free") slogan is seen and then we visited a series of different buildings each covering various aspects of life for the prisoners :separation areas, living quarters, punishment blocks, gas chambers. We were shown collections of clothing, suitcases with people's names still on them, shoes, artificial limbs, masses of hair (approximately 7000 kilograms subsequently woven into
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cloth). Particularly poignant were babies' and childrens' clothes and bootees - tiny relics of lives extinguished before they had even begun. All personal belongings were removed and taken to a huge sorting area called, for some inexplicable reason, Canada. Anything of value or use was given to the Reich command. Those who were condemned to be killed were told they were to be given a shower and de-liced. They were stripped, completely shaven, and tightly crammed into the "shower room"; the door was shut and then five small openings in the ceiling appeared from which granules of ZyklonB impregnated with hydrogen cyanide were dropped. The gas thus given off was sufficient to kill hundreds of prisoners in one go. It was extremely "efficient" and was basically murder on an industrial scale. When in full swing, there were 8000 or 10000 killings each day - an horrific statistic. The bodies were then cremated in the ovens - but a few were burnt whilst still alive. When the crematorium couldn't keep up with the demand, bodies
were burnt outside for all to see. After cremation, any gold (as from rings or teeth) was extracted and any jewelry or precious stones were removed prior to burial in mass graves. We were shown the punishment yard with its "wall of death" for shootings and gallows for hangings. Prisoners disposed of here were "special"; somehow, they were either of higher status and/ or were being killed as a deterrent to others. Teutonic efficiency recorded much of what went on and, although the Nazis tried to destroy the evidence at the end of the war, surviving records still supply so much information today. One imagines that it was only Jews who were dealt with at Auschwitz. Not so. Admittedly, Jews made up the great majority but homosexuals, criminals, "antisocials", Roma (gypsies), political prisoners, Polish intellectuals and Slavs in general (eg Russian prisoners of war) were also considered to be "untermenschen" (ie sub-human) so, therefore, needed to be exterminated - for the good of society!
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HAIR REMOVAL GETS THE ZAP Andrena Carden-White
I have to admit that I am a total wuss when it comes to undergoing beauty treatments, although I am a fully trained therapist (many years ago) even the experience of having my cuticles tidied gives me the eeby jeebies. As a trainee therapist at Henlow Grange we volunteered our bodies to each other for practice purposes but the minute I qualified I would run a mile if a wax strip was merely waved in my general direction, however, the idea of permanent hair removal was too much of a lure and so with trepidation I entered Toddington Laser Clinic. As with my previous articles this one might be best suited to our lady readers, after all I don't want to be the one to destroy any sense of mystery or delusion about our silky smooth bodies and there are some finer points to discuss about the choices you can make when having laser hair reduction that might not be for the gentleman reader. However laser reduction is perfectly suited to men and yes even their beards! Not to put too finer point on it (excuse the pun) but when using laser to reduce hairs in some areas, it is worth remembering that it will be permanent and therefore you may wish to venture into some careful research about shape. I say careful because it is not a subject that comes up much in conversation and when it does (I dropped it in very subtly) you will be surprised how opinionated others can be. You can, of course, use Google to explore the options but again I urge caution particularly when deciding what to write in the search bar. Again, you may be very surprised at the variety of choice from the very tame, akin to a short back and sides, to arrangements Kew Gardens would be proud of. I think that is probably enough said on the topic but you get my gist – it is permanent, choose wisely.
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The Clinic is in an unassuming building through a discreet little door, it doesn't have the highly glossed appearance of some clinics but don't let this put you off, for me it was a bonus; the parking was free and
practically at the door and if, like me, you are prone to getting a bit blotchy a fast and discreet get away is desired. Verity is the lovely and supremely knowledgeable laser therapist and she has such a calm and approachable way about her you are immediately put at your ease. I am sure she won't mind me saying that she has enough years (and children) to make you feel comfortable talking about the “areas” you would like treated. The consultation was extremely thorough and I knew exactly what to expect and what to do and not to do, before my test patch. As well as hair reduction I was having treatment to remove red veins and pigmentation from my face. Before the treatment I had read descriptions of the sensation as being like a rubber band being pinged on you, I suppose this is true but with laser the feeling lasts for only the briefest second and is far more comfortable and bearable than waxing or epilators. This said I do have to admit that my session was quite a raucous affair. Who knew that my reaction would be to laugh hysterically and I am afraid quite loudly with each zap. I am ashamed to say there was an element of swearing and other outbursts of noises, so much so that a visitor who had waited in the reception during my treatment later reported “I can't even imagine what was happening in there”. Verity did say (I have known her for some time) that I was the worst client she had ever had, although she laughed along quite happily too. The sensation is “pingy” or “zappy” but it is far more comfortable than waxing and best of all the results are incredible even after the test patch. I have been back for two treatments; at first I was sceptical but two weeks after the first treatment many of the red veins and dark patches on my face had completely gone and as for the hair reduction the results have been fantastic – I won't give you the details!
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auto Biographies JAGUAR F-Type
ps
By Tim Barnes-Clay www.carwriteups.co.uk
I
And just when you think the Jaguar ndeed, the automotive world, exhaust system. With just a touch of a button youincan the note latest into Jaguar is leading the pack. F-TYPE couldn’t possibly release any change an already throaty sounding exhaust The jaguar is the third more endorphins into your bloodone that builds to a thrilling crescendo at the red line. The two-seater convertible embodies largest feline after the a return to the company’s heartland, Driving theand F-TYPE isn’tlion. rocket science though. It on hasathleticism, a tiger the focusing dexterity
set of eight closely-spaced gear ratios in and its Quickshift behind-the-wheel involveauto transmission, giving you superior control. The V6ment. What's more the F-TYPE is a The flesh and blood powered S model also includes a Dynamic Launch of a sporting lineage continuance stretching feature, which optimises acceleration from rest. back over 75 years. big cat has a compact The engineering philosophy
body, a broad head fortifyingthe the F-TYPE is focused on Taking cues from cockpits of fighter aeroplanes, Jaguar’s expertise when it comes to switches are grouped by function. Further aeronautical and powerful jaws. aluminium. The metal is lightweight, inspiration can be found in the joystick-shaped so its use in the car’s architecture This describes perfectly SportShift selector controlling the gearbox. Additionally, helps provide a perfectly balanced thethe attributes of the air vents on top of the dashboard willweight only deploy distribution. That permits the when you instruct them to, or by complex control Jag’s rear-wheel drive dynamics to new F-TYPE from algorithms, staying tucked discreetly outbe ofexploited sight in to the max. Jaguar Land Rover Ltd. Three types of the Jaguar model are other circumstances. available: the F-TYPE, F-TYPE S and
V8 S. Each The concentration on driver passion andF-TYPE performance in is distinguished the power of its superthe F-TYPE is highlighted by the ‘one plusbyone’ layout output of charged petrol engine, with all of the asymmetric cabin. This is confirmed by the grab them featuring stop/start technology handle whichFAST racesFACTS down the centre console on the to increase efficiency. passenger side, delineating from the driver’s side. Max speed: 171itmph My press car was the F-TYPE S, powThe F-TYPE is, without doubt, a car that delivers 0-62 mph: 4.9 secs ered by a new 3.0-litre V6 lump. precisely the key mpg: sporting31.0 characteristicsProducing that Jaguar Combined 375bhp and 338lb/ft of intended. It’s2995c definitely and girls –power), the car has Engine: V6 a big toy for big boys torque (pulling and it’s available from only £58,500 entry more thanlevel, enough horses and grunt supercharged petrol for the get you moving rapidly. The freerisingMax. to £67,520 the F-TYPE S, on to atoprice-tag of powerfor (bhp): revving, willing nature of the engine £79,950 for the V8rpm S. 375F-TYPE at 6500
Max. torque (lb/ft):
encourages you to be, shall we say,
enthusiastic – and I certainly tried FAST FACTS ‘N’ CONS 338 at 3500-5000 rpm PROS to sample the full extent of the car’s CO2: 213 g/km Max speed: 171mph Fast√ abilities. The 0-62mph sprint comes Price: £67,520 on the road in just 4.9 seconds and the top speed Powerful√ 0-62 mph: 4.9 secs is 171mph. Looks√ PROS & CONS mpg: 31.0 The feeling you get when you Combined Driver involvement√ Fast√ accelerate is similar to that of an Engine: 2995c V6 supercharged Powerful√ A strict two seaterX aeroplane hurtling down the runway
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petrol Looks√ Max. (bhp): 375 at 6500 rpm Driverpower involvement√ A strict two seaterX Max. torque (Ib/ft): 338 at 3500Priceyrpm X 5000 CO2: 213 g/km
before take-off. You’re literally pressed into your seatback, and the smile it induces could only ever be outdone by a small child on Christmas morning.
stream – you come across the sports car’s active exhaust system. With just a touch of a button you can change an already throaty sounding exhaust note into one that builds to a thrilling crescendo at the red line. Driving the F-TYPE isn’t rocket science though. It has a set of eight closely-spaced gear ratios in its Quickshift auto transmission, giving you superior control. The V6-powered S model also includes a Dynamic Launch feature, which optimises acceleration from rest. Taking cues from cockpits of fighter aeroplanes, the switches are grouped by function. Further aeronautical inspiration can be found in the joystick-shaped SportShift selector controlling the gearbox. Additionally, the air vents on top of the dashboard will only deploy when you instruct them to, or by complex control algorithms, staying tucked discreetly out of sight in other circumstances. The concentration on driver passion and performance in the F-TYPE is highlighted by the ‘one plus one’ layout of the asymmetric cabin. This is confirmed by the grab handle which races down the centre console on the passenger side, delineating it from the driver’s side. The F-TYPE is, without doubt, a car that delivers precisely the key sporting characteristics that Jaguar intended. It’s definitely a big toy for big boys and girls – and it’s available from only £58,500 for the entry level, rising to £67,520 for the FTYPE S, on to a price-tag of £79,950 for the F-TYPE V8 S.
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A recent study (Oct 2013) involving 750 predominantly professional women aged 35-54 has highlighted the reasons many businesses are experiencing the loss of valuable employees which in turn is costing them losses in productivity plus further investment in recruitment, training and development.
Whilst many companies do not see these issues as their problem others are recognising the need to retain valuable employees and introducing new schemes.
Flexible Wor
When asked why they resigned from their last job Over a third said they had decided not to return to their jobs after maternity leave Just under a third stated they left because flexible working wasn’t available to them. 80% felt they could no longer balance work with family commitments over 70% felt they couldn’t progress within their company and retain their flexibility. Emotional and practical issues had a huge impact on the decision • they felt emotional stress and conflict on returning from maternity leave • childcare costs make working uneconomical • practical issues arise as children move from full-day nursery care to 9am – 3pm school hours • managing children at different stages of childcare e.g. one at nursery and one at school Balancing work and parenting often results in feelings of not fully performing as an employee or fulfilling the ‘proper’ role of a mother: “My daughter did not respond well to 50 plus hours a week in nursery” “I struggled with juggling two children, a long commute and trying to do a full-time job in three days.”
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In the year when the right to request flexible working legislation will be extended to all employees, local organisation Ten2Two who specialise in finding flexible, professional people for companies to help them grow and improve their business, supported the study of their members to hear their opinions.
ASDA has launched an innovative coaching programme aimed at women returning to work after maternity leave. Ernst & Young (now EY) launched a programme of maternity coaching in 2011 in an attempt to reduce the number of talented female employees and in a bold move, HSBC became the first large corporate in the UK to guarantee part-time work in offering all new parents a part-time role at the same level as their original role as well as Over 60% said their other measures manager wouldn’t to ensure support their desire for retention. flexible work and 60% Companies worried they were seen can take some as less committed by simple steps their managers. in retaining female employees, including: • Have a clear flexible working policy supported with practical examples of it in practice • Promote the business case and benefits internally and demonstrate successes through working case studies • Establish senior level sponsorship and set clear company-wide management KPIs on employee retention • Re-design the exit process to be a constructive process, ensuring retention options are explored with employees • Provide support to line managers through HR specialists trained in flexible working patterns and retention strategies • Make the process of requesting, considering and granting flexible working simple and inclusive and provide manager training. The changes to the flexible working legislation later in 2014 will no doubt create debate around red-tape and restrictions on business but implemented well, we’ve seen businesses clearly benefiting from a flexible culture and a loyal, performing workforce. To find out more about the research and Ten2Two in Milton Keynes, please contact: Zoe@ten2two.org orLisa@ten2two.org.
www.ten2two.org
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A Good Read For You
For The Kids
Bridget Jones Mad about the Boy By Helen Fielding
So Bridget is back. This time with kids and without husband - not really a spoiler, unless you have been living under a rock for the last year. Mark Darcy is dead, and our heroine is left to ‘keep buggering on’ in her own inimitable fashion. Most of the headlines as the book was published last year, focused on Darcy’s demise and on the fact that Bridget has found a toyboy. It is the first of these points that sets the tone of the book, which opens four years after the event, tempering the typical comic misunderstandings that result from a return to the dating scene with a resounding sense of the intense sadness of widowhood. Mark Darcy is a constant presence, either in Bridget’s own reminiscences or in the careful efforts of others to avoid mentioning him. The format is the same as
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the previous two volumes, (surely there is no-one left in the country who hasn’t read them?). Bridget still counts the calories and has added an obsession with collecting Twitter followers. Some of the old faces are still there too. Jude and Tom continue to provide advice and alcohol, whilst Daniel Cleaver is a not-quite-reformed godfather to Billy and Mabel. And Bridget’s mum may have retired, but is far from retiring... Of course, the plot twists may be obvious from the outset, but as ever, the fact that we genuinely care about the characters keeps us reading and keeps us involved. Some readers may never forgive Helen Fielding for spoiling our illusions that Bridget and Mark Darcy would live happily ever after, but others will find this both amusing, moving and, at times, uplifting.
Maps By Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski Every home should have a good atlas - for a child there is little better than travelling the world by turning the pages. ‘Maps’ is not exactly an atlas, but for any child wanting to embark on their own adventure of the imagination, it is an absolute must have. For a start it is a big book – in A3 format, almost designed for lying on the floor and gazing at. Each page covers a country, with beautiful illustrations of key cities, wildlife, landmarks and peoples. Two children from that country feature, and there are facts about languages and population. Quite simply, you could stare at each page for hours. William Morris famously said that you should have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. This book is both. Buy it.
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Consumer Clinic
By Jonathan Vernon-Smith
Would you like Any Cashback Today? The internet has of course brought some unwanted problems, but it has also brought some incredible benefits to us consumers. One of those benefits is the creation of ‘Cashback’ websites. Gosh I love them! In fact, I frequently bore people senseless telling them about the important of logging on and saving ££££ on your purchases.
If you haven’t come across the likes of ‘Quidco’ or ‘TopCashback’ before, let me explain how they work. You can listen to The JVS Show every weekday morning from 9am on BBC Three Counties Radio
Cashback websites pay you a cash fee when purchasing goods or services via their website. The amount of cashback is generally a percentage of the total you spend with the retailer. They tend to make their fee from the companies that they suggest on their site. Many of these are well known high street branches, some are lesser known retailers. They normally transfer the cashback you’ve earned directly into your bank account as soon as they receive it. So it’s a win win for the consumer. They also provide voucher codes for thousands of retailers so you can gain discounts at the online checkout. All you have to do is:
1 2
Register with one or more cashback site.
When you decide you want to make an online purchase of a product or service, log into the cashback site, search the cashback rates available and follow the link to the company’s website.
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3
Make the purchase, and wait for the cashback to arrive in your bank account (it normally takes at least a few weeks and should be tracked automatically). Let me give you a couple of examples (chosen at random at the time of writing): It’s time to renew your car insurance. You get some online quotes and find that Tesco Insurance is offering you the best deal. You could of course just take out a policy with them directly on their website. That would be fairly silly though, because by going to Tesco Insurance via a cashback website, you would receive a cashback lump sum payment of £75 after completing the purchase. By going to them directly, you would have missed out on a £75 saving. You need a new washing machine. You find one you like at Currys. Again, you could just purchase it directly on the Currys website, but by going via a cashback website like Quidco or TopCashBack, you would stand to make 2% cashback on
the total purchase price. That would be £8 back on a £400 washing machine. Better than a slap round the face with a wet fish eh?! You can make additional money by referring your friends and relatives to the sites as well. I always say that you don’t get anything in this world for free. So how do the companies that offer the cashback benefit from this? Well, they gain because you’re more likely to buy from the retailers that are listed with those cashback sites. The important thing is to remember to use the site. Whichever online purchase you need to make: flights, insurance, electrical goods, perfume, clothes, wine or groceries, always go via a cashback website and start saving. I always remember and since I started using cashback websites 2 years ago and have already made £237.38. So go get yourself some free cashback!
Dear Dog Owner As well as being a professional NPTC City and Guilds qualified Dog Groomer catering for all aspects of dog grooming, we are also fully insured and licensed to board dogs at our home. Following the success of our dog grooming business many of our clients have decided they would like to stay with us when their owners go on holiday! They live in our home as part of the family enjoying all the country walks and comforts of home - rather like a doggy creche!
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IT’S THE LAW!
The Perils of DIY Wills The only way to make sure your assets are distributed in line with your wishes is to have a Will. However it is always best to seek legal advice when looking to make a Will. Homemade Wills often contain mistakes and without advice may not be the most tax efficient way to deal with an estate. Although Will Writers may be cheaper they do not undergo the intensive training or have the professional indemnity insurance that solicitors have, they also are less likely to be well versed in tax planning advice. Here are some examples of problems that we have had to unravel for clients when their loved ones have left home-made Wills.
Bob’s Story
Bob made his a Will with a Will Pack however this meant he received no legal advice as to what might happen should his circumstances change. This Will was made prior to Bob’s new relationship and the birth of his youngest son, Jack. The Will therefore only benefited Bob’s children from his first relationship. Luckily, the other beneficiaries agreed to vary the Will to include Jack, something they had no legal obligation to do. A Deed of Variation was drafted for them which incurred additional legal fees to rectify the problem. This was far more expensive and stressful than if the Bob had a professional make the Will. Jack was lucky that his half-brothers were so happy to make sure he benefitted. Things can’t always be rectified so easily. Jane’s Story Jane made her Will at home however when she signed the Will only one witness was present, the Will was therefore invalid so we had to
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rely on the ancient intestacy laws when she passed away. These provisions step in when someone dies without a Will. Jane died leaving an estranged husband and two daughters. She had been separated from her husband for 2 years and he was in a new relationship. Despite this the intestacy laws stated that the first £250,000 of her estate, all of her personal belongings and a life interest in the other half of what was left over passed to him. This was her entire estate, which meant her daughters, who were only in their early 20s, received nothing despite the fact they both lived with their mother and were in full time education. The property was inherited by their father and they were kicked out of their mother’s home. The daughters were able to successfully bring a claim against Jane’s estate as they needed reasonable financial provision. They received maintenance from their mother’s estate although without a valid Will we will never be able to enforce Jane’s wishes. Solicitors are able to provide you with tax planning advice when making your Will, are covered by professional indemnity insurance and can securely store your original Will and the original file and notes in the event a dispute arises after you have passed away. Often the Partners are able to act as Executors if you do not have a suitable person in mind. Solicitors are able to administer the estate in a cost effective manner lifting the burden from family members at this difficult time. Camilla Haggith Camilla Haggith is a solicitor in the Wills Trusts and Probate Department at Osborne Morris & Morgan 01525 378177
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The Staniversary
A special week from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th May It’s the anniversary of The Stani Art Company which includes 2 Art Galleries, Tea Rooms and provides Art & Craft classes in Stony Stratford. As a thank you to their customers and supporters, there will be a week of celebrations with great offers, demonstrations by art tutors from The Stani Studios as well as painting in the shop window by artists from The Stani Gallery and The Stani Art House. Make sure you visit and join in the fun ! See website – www.staniart.co.uk - for further details
What’sBestForYou Martin
By Martin Lewis
LEWISRecover From Debt
This is a golden time for those in debt. While that may seem a strange thing to say, the best EVER deals for cutting loan, store or credit card costs are now on the market. So if you’ve existing debts, a little bit of action could save you £100s or £1,000s. comparison on any Ofgem-approved comparison site – Winter is coming. Don’t wait until you’re knee-deep in
Tackle your bills
just search for The Confidence Code at the white stuff to sort your bills. Here, prevention truly www.ofgem.gov.uk to see the full list. beats cure – tackling your bills now means you can take The aim is to cut the interest rate you pay, so more of You could, of course, find a 0% overdraft. Both First the financial bite out of winter chills… your repayments clear the debt rather than servicing the Direct and Nationwide offer this if you switch to them, If you're not online,offered use a comparison with a phone interest, so you're far quicker. but the amounts are usually limited. Free loft insulation anddebt-free even boilers (for some). service, such as Energyhelpline on 0800 074 0745, or While the loft insulation free-for-all's ended, some will uSwitch on 0800 051 ALL 5493.DEBTS EQUALLY STOP BORROWING DON'T REPAY still be entitled to some serious free energy-saving Borrowing more just makes the problem costlier and Paying Attack the highest APR first. direct debit’s up to 6% energy bills by monthly measures. longer-lived. You can’t borrow your way out of debt. Once your debts are as cheap as possible, list them all, cheaper. The tips below are about getting new products, not borincluding overdrafts, in order of APR. Then focus every If you can, do, as it’ll usually mean discounted bills of up Mostrowing of the big six energy firms offer free boilers, more. penny on clearing the highest APR one as it grows fastso contact your provider to others. check. Though typically worth £2,000, and free insulation, usually worth to 6% est,less, just paying the minimum on the Once that's always domove regular meter aboutCREDIT £300. Crucially, you don't need to be with the & STORE CARD DEBT clear, to the nextreadings highest. for accuracy, as your bill is estimated. If it’s too high, you have a right to ask energyShift provider to get it, butIfyou do generally need an to 31mths 0%. you've debts on cards, do for The it tomore be lowered. income under £16,000, and to be on you income-related a balance transfer. This is where ask a new card you pay off, the better. If you just stick to to pay off debtscredit. on other cards, so you owe it instead, benefits or pension I can’t definitely say you’ll minimum you’ll take years or decades to be Got electricityrepayments, only? You can still save. hopefully a cheaper rate. Alternatively, the welldebt-free (they're designed so you just clear the interest). qualify, but it isatworth checking. With electricity only, you can still get a cheap fix to save To get card, you must a credit score. Usually The exception to the ‘highest APR first’ rule is loans with meaning buta stuttering Greenpass Deal initiative is designed just follow the info above. For those on Economy 7, the only way to find out is to apply, which marks your penalties for overpaying early. to let you pay for things like underfloor heating, double assessing is trickier. It’s only really a boon for those who file. Tosolid get round that, find which card’s most likely glazing and wall insulation, from the 'savings' you to use at least of their energy you with free Eligibility www.mse. SET UP40% A DIRECT DEBITat night. If not – don’t makeaccept on energy bills. my Deciding whetherChecker it’s rightatfor you bother. Full help to decide at www.mse.me/eco7 me/eligibility This will help protect your credit score. Forget or make is complex, so for full help read Follow the balance transfer golden rules: late repayments and you Can you find your stopcock?risk losing 0% deals, being www.moneysavingexpert.com/greendeal a) Always repay at least the set monthly minimum, or and suffering hit on pipe your bursts credit score. So setanup a No fined sniggering - winterafrozen can create lose special direct debit to cover at least the monthly minimum, then Save you £100s and beat rates. the hikes. average £7,000 of damage, often worsened as many b) surprisingly, Always plan fixing to shiftenergy, the debt againyou or fully manually pay more on top each month. Rather where lockrepay in a set scrabble round searching for their stopcock - the mains 0% ends, cards' rates jump to 18.9% rate, before is now the cheaper thanora these normal switch. Five of the big water off switch - for ages as their home floods. and 17.9% representative APR. GOT BOTH DEBTS AND SAVINGS? STOP! six energy providers have now announced hikes, and c) Don't spend on these cards – it's usually not at the £1,000 credit £180the a year, while the time to card find itdebt nowat–18% minecosts is under kitchen their best new prices are costlier than the cheapest fixed Take same cheap rate. the same find amount saved in top paying or savings sink. Others theirs in the bathroom insideearns a just tariffs. So right now you can get the very cheapest deals £15 before tax. Ifisn’t you’re thinking I like cupboard. If yours working, you“yes, maybut want to some call a available, andDEBT: it comes with no-hike certainty. LOAN Can you cut the cost? spare cash”, this is often false security. More at www. plumber now, before it’s a problem. This is more difficult, as most old loans charge up to two mse.me/ClearDebtsWithSavings The only exception is aearly, variable (ie, needs subjectfactoring to months' interesttotothis repay which in.Choosing between heating and eating? hikes)It's tariff from minnow Energy – though it hasn't worth trying if youSpark can get a much lower APR loan If you're FREEseriously DEBT CRISIS HELP behind, or in general financial hardship hiked(ie, (yet?), upfront, andafeedback moreneeds than apaying fifth off) and have while left ain't to repay - asWhile tips above should help cut themay costbe ofeligible debt, far toomy many are after the hikes - you great,– so I’m ignoring it. credit score's improved since getting for for especially if your somehelp. people enough. If you're on struggling special Callthat theisn’t Home Heat Helpline 0800 33to the loan. meet minimum repayments and basicwas bills, have to your check. Plus if anyone in your home born on The cheapest fix comes from E.on for a year, but slightly 66 99 non-mortgage debts bigger thandue a year's salary, ortaxcan’t or before 5 January 1952, you're up to £300 in longer and only a touch more are deals from EDF or OVERDRAFTS/CATALOGUES: Shift to 0% freesleep for fuel worry, you're likely to be in debt crisis. winter payments. Payments should be made Npower. Crucially, these two have no exit penalties. If you've a costly overdraft or need to put moneySo in a If so, ignore the options above and contact a non-profit automatically, but if you’ve never had it before then you on the off-chance Prime the price bank accountthe to pay off Minister cataloguedelivers debts, there’s a way to debt advice service that uses a different set of solutions, may need to register - see www.gov.uk. cuts he’s and use apromised, credit card forthe this.even more unlikely event such as StepChange (stepchange.org), Citizens Advice that they’ll be so substantial that let other tariffs'money elsewhere A few balance transfer cards newbies transfer'Plus(citizensadvice.org.uk) or National Debtline (nationalanyone on specific income support, jobseekers' are cheaper, free to leave. cash intoyou'll your be bank account, so you then owe the card allowances debtline.co.uk). Don’t worry, to help, not or pension credit getsthey’re £25 inthere cold weather instead. judge. for every 7 days it's sub-0 C. payments However, always do the numbers for your own circumstances. To check if you can save (you may be on
20
Controlling condensation and mould in the home
D
ampness caused by excessive condensation can lead to mould growth on walls and furniture, mildew on clothes and the rotting of wooden window frames … mould is unsightly, damages property and can be detrimental to health. First steps against mould growth. We need to treat the mould already present in your home, then deal with the basic problem of condensation to stop mould reappearing: There are FOUR main factors that cause condensation: 1. Too much moisture being produced in the home 2. Not enough ventilation 3. Cold surfaces 4. The temperature of your home You need to look at all of these factors to cure a condensation problem. Our everyday activities add extra moisture to the air inside our
• Painting & decorating • Small repairs & odd jobs • Minor electrics • Minor plumbing • Minor home adaptations • Condensation & mould • Garden tidying and lots more...
homes. Even our breathing adds moisture. Apparently one person asleep adds half a pint of water to the air during the night. (We recommend that you do not stop breathing !!!) To give you some idea of as to how much extra water this could be in a day, here are a few examples: • A bath or a shower - 2 pints • Drying clothes indoors - 9 pints • Cooking and use of a kettle - 6 pints • Bottled gas heater (8 hours use) - 4 pints If you have a condensation and mould problem in your home, whether you are a home owner or a landlord, we are happy to advise and will provide a free estimate for any remedial work that may be required. Safe & Healthy Home s can mend a garden fence, replace a tap or shower, painting and decorating or change a light fitting and lot s more … whether it be a small job or the complete refurbishme nt of a void property … please call us for a fre e estimate.
In The Garden
Up The Wall
. jobs to be h... it w getting on Sow new lawns or repair bare patches. Protect fruit blossom from late frosts. If any of your plants need support this year, put the supports in now so the plants grow up through them. Check any tree ties to make sure the tie is not cutting into the trunk. Loosen any that are tight to allow room to expand. Once the soil has warmed up, weed borders and apply a moisture-retaining mulch such as compost or bark.
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If your garden is short on space, rammed with plants, or you simply have an unsightly vertical surface to cover, climbing plants can be used to great effect: from clothing frameworks such as pergolas and arches to hiding sheds and even neighbours!
W
hether it’s as fast growing as a Triffid, a dainty floral twiner, or an evergreen clinger, I’m certain there’s a climber out there for you, it’s just a case of meeting your perfect match. For those of you lucky enough to have a southfacing doorway, why not spoil yourself with the highly scented fragrance of Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). Not only is it evergreen, but it boasts the added benefit of a claret-red leaf colour in autumn. For those with a north-facing entrance, how about a plant combo starting with an early flowering Clematis tolerant of shade, such as ‘Frances Rivis’, followed by the stunning pink flowers of Rosa ‘Zephirine Drouhin’, perfect in shade with the added bonus of being a thornless variety. If it’s a shady spot and a fast growing evergreen you require you really can’t beat Ivy, but I understand many people are not huge fans, so why not put in the extra effort and seek out a great alternative known as Pileostegia viburnoides. It’s a bit of a mouthful but not only is it evergreen, it will provide white flowers in summer and like Ivy is a self clinger, but nowhere near as vigorous. As well as the other common examples, such as Wisteria (only plant this in full sun and if you are prepared to tie it in and prune it twice annually), Honeysuckle
and Pyracantha (great for deterring intruders due to its woody thorns), there is a whole range of other shrubs which can be grown against a wall or fence, not forgetting trees of course, such as the beautiful trained fruit trees we often see in Victorian walled gardens. Shrubs planted at around 30cm away from the base of the wall or fence can be manually tied in and make excellent wall cover, often with the added benefit of flowers. Photinia ‘Red Robin’ for example, or Garrya elliptica make unusual evergreen wall coverings, and look great with a second flowering climber twining through. Don’t forget the huge variety of annuals available which you can grow from seed, such as Sweet Peas, Morning Glory, or maybe try climbing French beans as an edible wall covering? Do ensure that you provide sturdy wires for plants to travel up. The best and most cost-effective way is simply to fix vine eyes (spaced horizontally around 2m apart) to the fence or wall and vertically at 30cm intervals. Then use a taught network of galvanised wires to provide support. Be sure to tie climbers in horizontally and not vertically as most people do … this way they will look great in your garden rather than flopping over the fence and delighting your neighbour. Now that really would drive me up the garden wall!
Heady
Open Up!
Plants
(your Bible)
Need Help? (free and without obligation?)
Easy to follow help sessions in Emerson Valley: Sunday 13th April What is the Bible? How do I start reading?
Sunday 11th May Choosing a translation. What tools work?
More info: www.mkbibleseminars.co.uk admin@bible-uk.com 0790 242 0996
Locally grown quality plants, shrubs, herbs, bedding, climbers, perennials, fruit trees.
We have in stock, seeds, compost, pots and more. Special offer 8kg pelleted organic fertilizer for £5. Shrubs £3.95 each or 3 for £10
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Tastes so Tastes sogood... good...
ROAST SEA BASS WITH LEMON & GARLIC CRUST Aubergine AndA Chickpea Curry
PARSNIP QUICHE WITH BLUE CHEESE Tastes so good... PARSNIP QUICHE WITH BLUE CHEESE
Ingredients:
Shortcrust pastry: 100g salted butter 200g plain flour 4-5 tbps cold water
Filing: 200g parsnip, peeled & sliced 1 shallot, diced 3 eggs 175ml crème fraiche 290ml milk 1/2 tsp mixed spice
Perfect for a simple lunch or a dinner party with friends, this main course is an easy crowd pleaser,
Equipment: Small processor or mortar and pestle
PARSNIP QUICHE WITH BLUE CHEESE
Ingredients:
This dish can be eaten hot or cold and it’s great for lunch boxes. You can use up le cooked veg from the Sunday roast instead of the freshly cooked parsnip. Sweet pot carrot can be exchanged for the parsnip.
This dish be eaten hothot oror cold and great for lunch boxes. Youor can up leftover looks great on plate and iscold a wonderful dish Week to serve with vegetables salad alike. Thiscan dish can eaten and it’s it’s great for lunch boxes. You can use upuse leftover Join inbetheNational Vegetarian (19th-25th May) cookedcooked veg from the Sunday roast ofthe thefreshly freshly cooked parsnip. potato or veg from the Sunday roastinstead instead of cooked parsnip. SweetSweet potato or with our light and for tasty curry carrot canbe be exchanged thethe parsnip. carrot can exchanged for parsnip. Equipment: 23cm / 9 inch buttered/greased loose bottomed flan dish. Rolling
Tastes so good...
Method: Make the pastry by rubbing the butter into the flour unti resembles bread crumbs. Add sufficient water to bring the pastry into a ball without it being sticky and leave to rest for half an hour the fridge.
Cook the parsnip in boiling water until soft. Leave to cool. Fry off t until soft. Set to one side to cool. Line a 9 inch greased flan dish w rested pastry. Prick the bottom of the base gently with a fork to st bubbles forming. Bake blind (this will avoid the famous "soggy bo crumpling baking parchment and placing it in the pastry case bein to tear the pastry. Then fill with ceramic baking beans spreading t evenly. Cook at 450º F for 20 minutes until lightly brown and a litt
Equipment: 23cm / 9 inch buttered/greased loose bottomed flan pin
Oven: 5,20 190°c Equipment: 23cm / 9Gas inchMark buttered/greased loose bottomed Preparation time: mins. Cooking time: 50 mins. flan dish. Rolling pin Shortcrust pastry: pin Serves 6 Method: Make the pastry by undersides rubbing thewith butter into untilfish it all 4100g skinned fillets sea bass, Method: Brush olive oilthe andflour season Shortcrust pastry: salted butter 2 aubergines Method resembles bread sufficient to bring the pastry together washed under running water over with saltAdd andrubbing pepper. water Zest butter one of the lemons and squeeze Method: Make thecrumbs. pastry by the into the flour until it 200g plain flour 100g salted butter 2 tbsp sunflower oil, into a ball without it being sticky and leave to rest for half an hour covered in 34-5 unwaxed lemons juice. Wedge the other lemon for garnish. Whizz garlic with tbps cold water resembles bread crumbs. Add sufficient water to bring the pastry together Chop the aubergine into large chunks (about 1 inch / 2.5cm 200g plain flour plus extra to serve, the fridge. 4 cloves garlic lemon juice Once no more largefor pieces can be seen,covered in across). Heatand ½ zest. tbspand oil inleave a large pan, and brown into a ball without it being sticky tonon-stick rest half an hour if youwater like Filing: 4-5 tbpsSmall cold bunch of washed fresh addin the parsley, bread and butter thecool. processor. half the aubergine chunks forLeave 2-3tomins on Fry each until Cook the parsnip boiling water until soft. to offside the shallot the fridge. 1200g tbspparsnip, brown peeled or black parsley golden brown and crisp all over. Remove a plate, then until soft. Set to one side to cool. Line a 9 inch greased flanto dish with the Filing: &mustard seeds sliced 25g butter Quite quickly you should produce a moist and very tastyoff repeat with another ½base tbsp oil and the remaining Cook the parsnip in boiling water until soft. Leave to cool. Fry the shallot rested pastry. Prick the bottom of the gently with a fork to stop air 1 shallot, diced 10-12 curry leaves, 200g parsnip, peeled 30g wholemeal breadplus breadcrumb mixture. Press mixture firmly onto the upper then set everything aside. forming. Bake blind (this will avoid famous "soggy bottom"!) by the untilbubbles soft. Set toaubergines, one side to cool. Line athis 9the inch greased flan dish with 3 extra eggs to serve, & sliced50ml extra virgin olive oil side parchment of fillets. Add thethe remaining tbsp oilittointhe pan with thebeing mustard crumpling baking and placing the pastry case careful notair 175ml crème fraiche rested pastry. Prick the bottom of the base gently with a fork to stop ifdiced you like Salt & pepper 1 shallot, seedsThen and fill curry andbaking fry forbeans 30 secs until fragrant. to tear the pastry. withleaves ceramic spreading them outStir milkfinely chopped 2290ml onions, bubbles forming. Bake blind (this will avoid the famous "soggy bottom"!) by Roast approximately 20 minutes, oruntil untiland theaare crust is brown. the for onions continue cooking they 3 eggs 1/2 tsp mixed spice evenly. Cook in at 450º F for 20and minutes until lightly brown littlesoftened crisp. 2 dried chillies, chopped crumpling baking parchment and placing it in the pastry case being careful not and beginning to brown. Add the dried chillies and spices 175ml crème fraiche korma curry beans. Whilst theyour pastry casemilk is cooking beattop theofeggs 4ortsp garam masala Remove the paper Serve with whatever takes fancy! with aand spoonful of the thick coconut from the the out to tear the pastry. Then fill with ceramic baking beans spreading them 290ml Diane milk add the creme fraiche milk,Add incorporating all together with a 2powder tsp Johnson ground coriandertogether and can, then fry 20 for 1 minand more. the remaining coconut evenly. Cook ator450º Fthe for minutes until lightly brown and a little 50g blue whisk. Puree mash parsnip with the spice or korma and gradually add crisp. tspgood turmeric 1/2 tsp 2mixed spice milk, tomatoes and half a can of water. Simmer for 25-30 cheese to the egg mixture until thoroughly mixed. Once the pastry case has come outthe eggs 400ml can coconut milk the paper minsand untilbeans. thick and saucy. or korma curry Remove Whilst the pastry case is cooking beat 50g ham or cooked of the oven dot the base with the blue cheese, onionContinue and ham. simmering Pour the egg 6 tomatoes, quartered Stir in the chickpeas and aubergines. powderbacon together and add the cremeand fraiche and milk,forincorporating all together with a bakeeverything on 180ºC 45 minutes, or until the 400g can chickpeas, mixture into the for pastry 5 minscase or so, until is hot and the aubergines 50g good blue whisk. Puree or mash the parsnip with the spice or korma and gradually add wobble. rinsed and drained centre doesn’t Diane Johnson are tender. Serve with rice or warm naan bread. cheese to the egg mixture until thoroughly mixed. Once the pastry case has come out 2450g ham or cooked of the oven dot the base with the blue cheese, onion and ham. Pour the egg Ingredients : Ingredients: Ingredients
Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles Puzzles
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7
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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!
Crossword
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1. Careless, offhand (6) 4. Stadium (5) 8. Excuse (5) 9. Ordinary, mediocre (7) 10. Resident of Birmingham (slang) (7) 11. Add (4) 12. Perch, squat (3) 14. Heroic (4) 15. Cereal, porridge (4) 18. Belongs to him (3) 21. Finishes (4) 23. Disclose, reveal (7) 25. Gym shoe (7) 26. Vapour, exhaust (5) 27. Arrive, get there (5) 28. Aggravation, difficulty (6)
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Looking Up In Beds & Bucks!
The Night Sky in April and May 2014 By Seb Jay
Scetch of Mars through a telescope.
Catch Mars At Its Best For 2014:
April and May this year is a great time to view Mars through a telescope. The Red Planet reaches opposition on April 8th, and so is at its biggest and brightest for 2014. In April look to the south east sky as soon as it gets dark for a bright orange coloured ‘star’. Through the evening Mars climbs higher into the sky and swings over towards the south. By May Mars can be found more than 30-degrees above the horizon towards the south in the late evening twilight. In a telescope you’ll see the Red Planet’s ice cap, and dark markings on the Martian surface. seb@darkskytelescopehire.co.uk
Watch The Lyrids Meteor Shower:
The maximum of this year’s Lyrids Meteor Shower falls on April 22nd. Expect to see up to 25 shooting stars per hour flashing across the night sky between midnight and dawn on the 22nd, and again once it is dark on the evening of the 22nd. Look high up to the east for your best view of the Shower.
Get A Glimpse Of Saturn In The Evening Sky:
Saturn follows Mars into the evening sky this year. By Mid April the ringed planet is rising in the south east by 11pm. Come Mid May it is already 10-degrees above the south east horizon by the time it gets dark. In a telescope Saturn looks spectacular. You can see the planet’s rings, markings in Saturn’s atmosphere and some of the planet’s
Dark Sky Telescope Hire www.darkskytelescopehire.co.uk
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WHAT’S ON? so much we can’t fit it all in! April
5th Beacon-Rail 2014 Tring & District MRC Pitstone Memorial Hall, Vicarage Road, Pitstone, LU7 9EY.10.30am-16.30pm Admission: adult £2.50, child £1.50, family (2+2) £6.00. Refreshments. Access for disabled visitors. Free car parking Members and visiting layouts, preservation, and trade. Contact: 01442 824350 www.tdmrc.co.uk
GREENSAND RIDGE ROVERS MARATHON WALK Saturday 26th April 2014
www.justgiving.com/teams/greensandridgewalk My name is Carol and long Greensand Ridge I nearly died in 2012 in Bedfordshire over from an undiagnosed 3 days.The Greensand brain tumour. Since Ridge Rovers will be recovering I have walking either half spent some of my marathon distance time raising funds (13 m) or for the for The Brain Tumour bravest, marathon Charity as I was (26m) . Please shocked to learn of support their efforts the small amount of to once again raise funding Government funds for TBTC in puts into research 2014 to help beat this and support of this terrifying condition. condition. They will start at its In 2013 a fantastic beginning in Leighton team of friends and Buzzard and finish family, The Greensand either just beyond Ridge Rovers, raised Woburn over £6000 by or near walking the 47 mile Clophill.
sweets.Suitable for children of all ages. Not available Saturday12th/Sunday13th April. Tickets cost £5.99 (which includes refreshments) Frosts Garden Centre at Woburn Sands, Newport Road, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK17 8UE 15th EASTER BUNNY HUNT Join the rangers for Easter fun games, activities and a visit from The Parks Trust bunny. Booking essential. Park in the car park on Merlewood Drive, off V2 Tattenhoe Street. Shenley Wood 10am – 12pm £3/child 18th-22nd Cadbury Easter Egg Trail Join us for an exciting egg hunt with our sponsors Cadburys. Complete our trail exploring the Downs and win a yummy Cadburys chocolate egg! There’ll be lots of family Easter fun happening too, all in the glorious surroundings of Dunstable Downs. More Information: Chilterns Gateway Centre Shop, 01582 500925, dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk
HULA Animal Rescue Glebe Farm, Salford Road, Aspley GuiseMK17 8HZ (Between M1 Junction 13 and Woburn Sands, near Aspley Guise Rail Station)
Easter Egg Hunt Easter Bonnet Competition * Meet the animals seeking a new home
7th-18th 10am-4pm An Eggcellent Treat! This Easter, children can come along to Frosts Garden Centre at Woburn Sands for a fun two-part Easter themed activity – which includes chocolate of course! Children will begin with an ‘Easter Hunt’ that will lead them around the Garden Centre to the party room where they will be greeted by the Easter Bunny and receive their chocolate prize. The second part of the activity is Easter egg decorating; each child will get their very own chocolate Easter egg which they can embellish with icing and
* Fun and Games for the children * Delicious refreshments * Bargains in the bazaar and pet bed shed - children’s toys,
books & clothes and pre-loved pet accessories
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
Follow us on
@hularescue
www.thevinemagazine.com/whats-on 28
The online calendar is updated regularly
Craft Fair CCC
Crafts - Cake & a Cuppa
10. 00A M - 4.0 0PM
Woburn Village Hall, Beds All Local Handmade
items
SUNDAY April 20th & May 18 th
& every 3rd Sunday in the month same as Farmers’ Mar ket
FR EE AD MI SSI ON FREE CAR PARKIN G
www.ccc-craftfairs.co.uk
27th Mentmore Village Green Plant Sale 12-5pm to be held on Mentmore Village Green. Barbeque, cake stall and refreshments will be available on the Green. Call Jonathan 07707 218 719 or Sue 01525 372757 Entrance £1 includes free prize draw (Children free) www.mentmore.org
May
Sat 3 MAY DAY FESTIVAL Dance around the May Pole and celebrate May Day at our annual fair. Fun for all the family with Morris Dancers, children’s entertainment, stalls and fair rides. Recommended parking located along Silbury Boulevard. Campbell Park Canalside 12pm – 5pm Free 4th and 5th, 17th Bedfordshire Classic Motor Show Hundreds of classic vehicles, in beautiful surroundings, including Saloons, Sports, American, Commercial, Military, Classic Motorcycles plus Kit, Custom, Replica, PLUS Club Displays. All pre-booked vehicles on display receive a commemorative brass plaque Concours takes place on the Bank Holiday
3rd-5th May 1st Flower Festival in 10.30-4pm Festival 10 years St Luke’s Church, Stoke Hammond daily 10.30am Sat 3rd May
11am Sunday 4 May.
Official opening by The For the first time in many Rt. Hon John Bercow, decades the village will MP, Speaker of the host, Bishop Alan, The House of Commons Bishop of Buckingham, when the church will be Teas, Coffees, who will be taking a open for viewing and also and light lunches United Family Service a Plant and Craft Fair by will be available. visiting local crafts people. organists Admission by programme £2, children up to 14 free.
Monday Autojumble, Trade, General & Craft Stands Children’s Entertainment and reduced admission to house, gardens and park.Adults £8 Children £4 (4-16 years) Woburn Abbey Bedfordshire MK17 9WA 7th Family History Talk: A E Housman, A Shropshire Lad This talk by Julian Hunt covers the family history of the poet A E Housman and includes material from Lancashire, Leicestershire, Cambridge, London, Devon, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire; in fact, almost everywhere except Shropshire! The time period is from around 1750 to 1936. 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Free; non-members of Buckinghamshire Family History Society are very welcome; a small donation will be appreciated. Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK2 2HB 25th Luton International Carnival 2014 With spectacular colourful costumes, music from around the globe, street entertainers and international food to tickle your taste buds, it will be a truly unmissable day. Put the date in your diary and get ready to enjoy a fantastic free family day out, a truly multicultural event, outstanding carnival arts and great entertainment! Please visit our website for more information: www.carnivalarts.org.uk Free. Luton Town Centre Bedfordshire LU1 2LJ telephone: 01582 437100 24-26th Mentmore Arts Festival. 11am-5pm daily. £2 Adults includes catalogue, Under 16’s FREE. Refreshments available. www.mentmoreartsfestival. co.uk 07831 707023
Include your event: email andrena@thevinemagazine.com
A Travellers Tale
(Continued)
dated wooden sheds housing thousands of prisoners. It is reckoned that somewhere between 1.1 and 1.6 million killings took place at Auschwitz and Birkenau alone: some people think the actual number to be much higher. There are, however, those - some in this country - who claim the Holocaust never happened at all and that stories such as the above have been deliberately fabricated. I came away feeling completely sickened and wondering how the German people could ever sink so low knowing that some representatives of their country (the SS) carried out these atrocities. The everlasting tragedy is that the majority of the population simply turned a blind eye and condoned them. I asked our guide what was the reaction of German visitors to the lucky ones since those kept what they had seen. She (a Pole) back for slave labour were subject answered "the correct one" - an to bestial treatment at the hands enigmatic response. I also noticed of the SS guards (or their helpthe usual swarms of Japanese tourers - often other prisoners, or ists and wondered what they might Nazi sympathisers from the local think having had a similar history community), long hours of work, of dealing out atrocity themselves. cruel punishments (including No doubt younger Japanese floggings where 25 lashes was the have no knowledge of this ternorm), appalling accommodation, rible episode in their past since and very little (poor quality) food. it is suppressed and not taught in Some were subjected to barbaric their schools. But what do older medical "experiments" particularly privacy - and billets where prison- Japanese visitors think, ie those old designed for the German Luftenough to know the truth? waffe (Air Force) where the effects ers slept in bunks three deep and two or three persons per individual Being of this generation myself, upon the human body of long bunk. One thin, lice ridden, blan- I find it hard to forget - and even exposure to icy water and super more difficult to forgive - since ket was issued to each bunk. low atmospheric pressure were there are so many horrific pictures discovered: it was carefully noted There were scores of these bunks how long it took people to die on - hundreds of people - housed in a and snippets of information still in single wooden shed with a leaking my mind. I have two books dealing average under such conditions. roof and broken windows both of with Auschwitz and some of the Also experiments involving the which which let in rain and snow quotes, comments and accounts deliberate infection with malaria, typhus and spotted fever were con- so that some froze to death. It must are even more harrowing than the photographs themselves - they turn have been hell on earth. ducted alongside the study of the me inside out with the horror of effect of gas and phosphorus burns, Whereas the buildings at Ausit all. chwitz were brick built (being a attempts at bone transplants and It will take ages for the full story to mass sterilisation of women. Gen- former Polish army camp), each sink in - if it ever does - but I am billet at Birkenau was wooden erally speaking, those who were pleased that to have visited and exand originally meant to stable 50 not killed immediately survived perienced this place. I felt I owed it for three months - another ghastly horses. Eventually, there were to myself to go there. more than 300 of these delapistatistic. But some, miraculously, Upon arrival at Auschwitz, and after having travelled for days in unimaginably squalid conditions in cattle trucks, there was an immediate separation; first into male versus female and then into those fit enough to work - the considerable minority - and those not. These latter, ie pregnant women, women with children, the young, the old, the sick, the infirm, were immediately taken off to the gas chambers. These were, perhaps,
30
lived on to tell their horrific story to the world. After Auschwitz, we went the short distance to Birkenau. This was Auschwitz on a massive scale and was, essentially, nothing more than an extermination camp. We saw the toilet block - disgusting in its total lack of any semblance of
I am convinced that the activities organised by ATE really do help raise self-esteem and build motivation among young people in a way that complements learning during the school day. Estelle Morris
EASTER EGG-STRAVAGANZA SUPERWEEK SATURDAY 12TH – SATURDAY 19TH APRIL 201 THE TYTHE BARN AND GRANARY NR LEDBURY, HEREFORDSHIRE.
Find Us: Find us on the internet at http://superweeks.co.uk Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ATE_Superweeks
What is a Superweek?
A Superweek is our name for our unique residential adventure holiday. The holidays are designed to allow children age 8 to 14 to experience a week packed full of challenging activities and imaginative games. Some require team work, some require ingenuity and some just require being plain silly. Children have the chance to learn new skills, make new friends and hopefully try things that they might not normally have the chance to do.
What Can I do on this Superweek?
You might be able to take part in a huge Easter Egg Hunt across fields, through woods and over streams. There might even be an appearance from a certain floppy eared animal with a funny tail. We will play 325 games you have never, ever played before, go on expeditions, be set challenges and quests, have parties, toast marshmallows over the bonfire, play games in our sleeping bags by torchlight, have hot chocolate before bed, and 1001 other Easter activities and exciting things you haven’t done before.
The centre The Tythe Barn used to be apple farm. It is now has lots of comfortable dormitories hidden in different parts of the farm buildings and everything we need for a fantastic week. We will have 25 acres to play in and explore, and lots of different spaces for games and group activities. If this sounds like your sort of thing then hop along to http://www.superweeks.co.uk/ to find out more.
£379 That’s it. Travel, food, activities, materials, everything. Company Number: 3364551
Charity Number: 1062448
For further information, images for press and/or other resources please contact Liz Macartney on 08454 561 205 or email Liz@ate.org.uk Additional Notes for the Editor: ATE is a not-for-profit Educational Trust committed to delivering both truly memorable experiences and top level childcare to children from various backgrounds. Keeping the children safe, both physically and emotionally is our top priority. ATE has been running these holidays for over 18 years and was born out of Colony Holidays for Schoolchildren which ran similar styled holidays for another 20 years previously. Our organisation is made up of about 300 volunteers who are all dedicated to providing if you spotted this so amazing experiences for children.
BOO or should i say MO0 customers
did your
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