Cambs may 18

VILLAGER The

Issue 109 - May 2018

and Town

Life

LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

In this issue Win a one night break for two people at

Dunston Hall RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People

20,000 copies delivered to Buckden, Brampton,

Godmanchester, The Hemingfords, Eaton Socon, Grantchester and all surrounding villages every month

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Inside this issue...

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Win Tickets to Battle Proms

How much did locals drink at the Bulls Head in 1977?.....................4 Jewels of our Past.............................................................................6 Win Tickets to the Battle Proms at Hatfield House..........................10 Win a One Night Break for Two at Dunston Hall..............................12 Why we love a Royal Wedding.......................................................14 Winning Wines: Macedonia............................................................16 Cambridgeshire County Show........................................................21 Shuttleworth Spitfire Fires Into Life...............................................22 Morris Dancing May Day.................................................................25 Working with the Injured Athlete...................................................27 Secrets of Successful Shopping.......................................................28 Claiming a Refund of Power of Attorney Fees.................................30 MAGPAS Air Ambulance.................................................................33 Make Procrastination History.........................................................35 Holiday Issues................................................................................36 What would you do if.....................................................................37 It’s not only PPI that you can reclaim..............................................39

Wonderfully Windsor.....................................................................40 Striking Sunflowers........................................................................43 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results...............................................44 Ground Control...............................................................................47 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal..............................................................49 Animal Stories................................................................................50 Three Tips for Looking After your New Guinea Pig..........................52 Children’s Page...............................................................................55 Infiniti QX50...................................................................................56 Puzzle Page....................................................................................60 What’s On.......................................................................................62 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe.........................................................64 Cusco - The Inca Capital in Peru......................................................66 Huntingdonshire Music School.......................................................69 Fun Quiz.........................................................................................69 British Sandwich Week...................................................................71 Prize Crossword..............................................................................74 Book Review..................................................................................77

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Shuttleworth Spitfire

Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £35.00 +VAT per month Editorial - Peter Ibbett, Catherine Rose, Tracey Anderson, Trevor Langley, Centre for Complementary Health, Jennie Billings, Leeds Day Solicitors, Hannah Byatt, Tony Larkins,Ann Haldon, Suzanne Roynon, Rachael Leverton, RSPCA, James Baggott, Nick Coffer, Solange Hando, Hannah Fenton and Kate Duggan

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Darren Harbar, Michael Lane Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 • www.design9marketing.co.uk

Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 Email: nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com

Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

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History

How much did locals drink at the Bulls Head in 1977?

‘St. Neots has one of the best collection of pubs in Cambridgeshire’ remarked a thirsty man, clutching a rapidly diminishing pint, having sized me up as a possible source of a free drink in exchange for stating a fact. This one was not generally known by the locals who could tell tales of closed local pubs and the consequent decline in the choice of local ales. ‘It were more than a man could do to arrive sober at Eynesbury Green from the Market Square due to the temptation of the number of pubs in the way.’ St. Neots, together with Eynesbury and the Eaton’s seems to have kept a wider range of pubs than many other county towns. The Bull’s Head in Cambridge Street (2012 photograph) is one of those which has survived the rise of supermarkets and local stores with their packs of thirst inducing beer flavoured water.

A ledger in the archives of Potton History Society records the amount of ‘booze’ being swilled down at a range of establishments in the 1970’s, including several at St. Neots. The variation in amounts over 16 years could form a thirst forming discussion needing several rounds of drinks to arrive at a conclusion. One sober assessment would be that the celebration of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 could account for a rise in consumption. St. Neots Museum is always interested in photographs, memories, beer mats & bottles and stories for its archive. Entry is free for locals. Check its web site for its latest family events and exhibitions.

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By Peter Ibbett

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History

Jewels of our Past

By Catherine Rose

There is no doubt that antique jewellery has a fascination like no other. Worn close to the skin and often commissioned for an individual, it exudes an aura of its original wearer from across the centuries.

Walking around the Victoria and Albert Museum’s jewellery section is a kleptomaniac’s paradise. On display in a darkened hall, gold and precious jewels from civilisations past are illuminated like the treasures of Aladdin’s Cave.

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Humanity’s universal desire to craft mined metals, stones, and natural treasures like shells, horn or bone into beautiful adornments dates back to primitive times. Jewellery makers have long been skilled artisans, able to work with materials at levels of delicate intricacy.

In early times, jewellery was often worn in the form of amulets for power or protection against evil, and as a status symbol. Gold jewellery was buried with the dead as payment for their

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passage into the afterlife and to ensure the person’s continued importance. We are most familiar with this from the discovery of ancient Egyptian tombs, but other civilizations such as the Incas and the ancient Greeks also buried jewellery with their dead. Gold ceremonial collars have been found when unearthing Celtic Bronze Age burials.

One such collar known as the Shannongrove Gorget (800-700BC), uncovered in Ireland in the 1700s, was deliberately folded in half, perhaps in a ritual to prevent someone else from wearing it.

Much of the archaeological jewellery on display in museums today comes from ancient tombs.

Crowns made of precious metals and stones to indicate royalty began as ceremonial wreaths in Greek and Roman times, or possibly earlier. They were made of flowers, twigs and leaves (such as laurel, oak and ivy) and would be placed on the head of someone who had been valiant in battle or excelled as an athlete. The word ‘crown’ comes from the Latin ‘corona’ meaning wreath.

Alexander the Great is said to have established the crown as a symbol of royalty in 356-323BC. Over the centuries, crowns continued to become heavier, more elaborate and bejewelled, forming a key part of the monarch’s coronation ceremony.

Precious stones have long been symbolic, for example, pearls once represented purity.

Originally, diamonds and rubies weren’t faceted but would simply be polished as roundels or ovals – a style known as cabochon. It wasn’t until the Renaissance that the skill of cutting stones developed. These sparkling gems became popular and were at their most spectacular seen in the glow of candlelight. Sadly, little diamond jewellery from the 17th and 18th centuries survives, as diamonds had become so prized they were often removed from old jewellery and reused.

During the medieval era, jewellery was very much about status and religion. Royalty and nobility wore gold, silver and precious metals while lower ranks would wear jewellery made of pewter or copper set with semi-precious stones, or translucent enamel made using melted ground glass set into metal.

Centuries later, this notion was subverted by Art Nouveau, a radical movement that began in 1895 and went on to shape our modern world in many

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ways from marketing to furniture design. Art Nouveau jewellers saw no hierarchy of materials, meaning gold and diamonds were combined with base metals and enamel. Symbolism was as important as it had been in medieval times.

During this time, as in the past, wearing large pieces of jewellery on the bodice continued to be popular. Today, this fashion along with the general wearing of brooches – still popular up until the mid-20th century – is now seen as dated and has largely fallen out of favour.

The 17th century heralded increased importation of a variety of gems. As a result, a wider range of coloured stones such as citrine and pink topaz began to make an appearance. Jewellery was often tailored to the individual and included the use of cameos and miniature portraits of the wearer or their loved one. It is believed that during this century, opaque enamel was invented by a Frenchman, Jean Toutin de Chateaudun.

The Victorians were as ostentatious in their jewellery as they were with all other forms of ornamentation, favouring flowers and birds which reflected their interest in the natural world and tied in with their ‘language of flowers’ symbolism. Jewellery became largely worn by women, whereas in previous centuries men had frequently worn it too.

Although today’s jewellery makers still use ancient techniques in metalwork and stone setting, contemporary jewellers are reinventing the way we see and wear jewellery. These innovations are being led by designers like Wallace Chang who produces cameo jewellery from 3D images of the human face and has invented a new stone setting that does away with the traditional obtrusive claw technique.

Prague-based jewellery designer Janja Prokic, who has showcased at London Fashion Week, designs symbolic fairy-tale jewellery that links directly back to the wearer. She often uses pearls to represent womanhood and says: “As they become polished by contact with human skin, each appears to absorb nutrients from the skin. The result is that this gives them a particular glow peculiar to the wearer.”

And in the end, don’t we all want our jewellery to be a reflection of ourselves?

By Catherine Rose

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Win 2 tickets

to a Spectacular Summer Concert

We have 3 pairs of tickets worth £88 each to be won for the 18th annual Battle Proms at Hatfield House on Saturday 14th July, as the UK’s premier picnic concert series returns for a packed afternoon and evening of entertainment!

Treat yourself and a friend or loved one to a full programme of captivating classical music from the 60-piece New English Concert Orchestra, complemented by toe-tapping vintage vocals, breathtaking Spitfire display to Elgar’s Nimrod, sensational freefall demonstration

by The Red Devils parachute team, dramatic WWI cavalry display and groundshaking live fire from over 200 cannons!

All set in the historic and leafy surrounds of the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field at Hatfield House, this quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ features magnificent musical firework displays, culminating in a flag waving, sing-a-long spectacular including all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites such as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory!

Simply send your entry by 16th May 2018 to: Battle Proms Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. The winner will be drawn randomly from the correct entries.

BATTLE PROMS COMPETITION ENTRY

For a chance to win 2 tickets simply complete your details below and post your response by 16th May 2018 to: Battle Proms Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. Name:



Don’t want to leave it to chance? Simply order online at www.battleproms.com.

Order by 30th April and enjoy the Early bird price of just £36 per adult for an afternoon and evening of sublime music and dramatic displays!

Address:

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Win a One Night Break for Two including dinner, bed and breakfast and 36 holes of golf The four-star Dunston Hall, in Norwich – managed by Redefine|BDL Hotels (RBH), the UK’s leading hotel management company – offers guests a firstclass, all-round golf experience in fabulous surroundings.

Its 6,275 yard, par-71 USGA-rated course is beautifully contoured around the estate and features magnificent parkland fairways dotted with trees and strategically placed bunkers. With its other golf facilities also including a 22-bay floodlit driving range, an undulating pitching green with bunkers, and even a nine-hole Footgolf course, this is golf at its best.

Dunston Hall’s Elizabethan-style mansion, dating from 1859, has been lovingly restored to all its former glory as a four-star hotel. Built against 150 acres of stunning wooded Norfolk parkland, the setting is just as unique as its history. The hotel boasts spacious bedrooms and a well-equipped health club with a cardio gym and recently refurbished pool, sauna, and spa, as well as a choice of eating and drinking options.

Dunston Hall is located just four miles from Norwich city centre and train station, and eight miles from Norwich Airport.

www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/dunston-hall Villager Magazines has partnered with Dunston Hall to offer its readers the chance to win a one night, dinner, bed and breakfast break for two at the four-star resort, with 36 holes of golf included.

The winner will be drawn at random from all the correct answers.

DUNSTON HALL COMPETITION ENTRY

For a chance to win simply correctly answer the following question and post your response by 16th May 2018 to Dunston Hall Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. Dunston Hall is in Norwich. For which reason is the city well known?

A: Its coal mines  B: The home of Colman’s mustard  C: The birthplace of actress Jenna Coleman, star of TV drama Victoria 



If you’re not lucky enough to be the winner, a two-night DB&B break at Dunston Hall, with 36 holes of golf, costs from just £159 per person, based on two sharing. Call 01508 470444 for more details or to book.

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Time of Year

By Tracey Anderson

Why We Love A Royal Wedding Unless you have been living on a desert Island with no Wi-Fi for the past 12 months it cannot have escaped your notice that a wedding is scheduled for this month.

Now whether you are a flag-waving Royalist or consider them to be a bunch of elitist parasites, you can’t avoid the discussions over the dress, the guest list and the entertainment booked for the reception.

It was when I heard a colleague (who I know is anti-Royal) gleefully speculating over the dressdesigner Meghan may or may not have chosen that it occurred to me to wonder why even the least sympathetic among us somehow get sucked into the celebrations.

The fairy tale: Children’s stories where the handsome prince marries the beautiful princess are perennially popular, and the big white wedding is still the way many women imagine their big day.

In this instance the prince in question is a real-life action hero too! A Royal wedding is the chance for us to live it vicariously, or conversely marvel at the spectacle of it all while muttering darkly about the cost to the public purse.

Being part of something bigger: There is a strong drive among humans to want to feel part of something important or monumental. We want to weave historic events into our own personal history. It’s why we bought tickets to The London

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Olympics, fly out to World Cup Finals, and lay flowers at the sites of tragic events.

Shared History: The celebrations surrounding the Silver Jubilee, or the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana may have been part of our childhood. Maybe we attended a street party or received a commemorative coin. The desire to recreate and share these memories with our own children is strong.

We love a party: Go on...who doesn’t love an excuse for a party? I have friends who throw Eurovision parties, and Strictly Come Dancing parties and X Factor parties, so why not a Royal Wedding party, complete with champagne and Union Jack cupcakes?

They are not like us…or are they? We feel we know the Royals. We’re there for the births, the engagements, the weddings, the divorces. We know lots about them, but there’s always more we don’t know. It’s human nature to be hungry for more information or gossip about the rich, famous and (preferably) scandalous. A Royal wedding feeds into this, from the venue – the smaller St George’s Chapel rather than Westminster Abbey – to the guest list – who made the cut and who was snubbed. It’s like our own family but lived large… on our TV screens.

And just as if they were members of our own family…we wish them well.

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Food and Drink

Winning Wines: Macedonia

Macedonia has a lot to offer. This republic, in south eastern Europe and successor state of former Yugoslavia, has a very interesting history, boasting beautiful architecture, amongst many attributes. The climate is hot and dry, during the summer months. Skopje is the capital of Macedonia and tourism brings many visitors to the country, every year.

The region of Tikveš is recognised and famous for the production of high-quality grapes, which, along with much knowledge and expertise, produce excellent wines. Numerous grape varietals are grown, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Merlot and Pinot Noir, plus many others. The Stobi winery enjoys perfect conditions and produces multi award-winning wines utilising modern technology. The Stobi Winery continually seeks to create new vineyards and expand, as their splendid wines become known and available worldwide, including the UK, with an excellent distribution and delivery organisation.

Stobi Žilavka, is produced using a local grape variety. A pleasant bouquet and very good mouthfeel, with a peppery finish, make this a popular light to medium-bodied, dry white wine. Stobi Chardonnay, is unoaked, dry and medium-bodied. Elegant and intense, again, this is another extremely popular choice, for many. Stobi Muscat Ottonel, is aromatic on the bouquet, which leads, enticingly, to the very acceptable mouthfeel and floral palate sensation, of this intense, dry, white production, with a fresh finish. Stobi Cuvée, I found as a medium-bodied, dry, white wine. This is produced using a blend of local grapes and delivers a very good bouquet.

Elegant and intense on the palate, a crisp finish adds to the pleasures of this wine. These wines accompany many dishes, including white meats, fish, seafood, salads and antipasti, perfectly.

These selections are just some of the wines available in a splendid range from the Stobi Winery, which has something for everyone’s palate, including exceptional red wines that are aged in oak. Stobi multi award-winning wines are available in the UK. Tel: 0845 370 2255 Email: sales@signature-wines.co.uk www.signature-wines.co.uk www.stobi.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

ey Trevor Langl

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Local News

Cambridgeshire

County Show Sunday, 3rd June 2018 Wimpole Home Farm, Wimpole, near Royston, SG8 0BW 10.00am to 5.00pm FREE Car Park Admission: Adults: £10, OAP’s/Under 16’s: £6 Under 5’s: FREE Family (2 adults & 2 children): £28 Dogs on leads welcome.

Celebrating its 19th anniversary in 2018, this is a traditional county show with its roots firmly in agriculture and the rural community. Organised by supporters of the local Young Farmers clubs, it has evolved from the traditional annual Young Farmers rally to become one of the most successful one day agricultural events in the county.

The Show aims to promote British food and farming, provide visitors with an insight into countryside crafts and create an arena for Young Farmers to demonstrate their skills in a variety of competitions and activities. The organisers strive to create a really enjoyable family day out, with lots of things for everyone to see and do.

This year visitors can enjoy main ring displays including sheepdogs and terrier racing and the return of the Welsh Axemen. The popular Sheep Show will be performing throughout the day in the livestock area where visitors will also be able to get close to various breeds. There will be a great variety of trade stands, from country clothing, flowers and shrubs and activity toys to agricultural dealers, wrought iron work and garden furniture.

There will also be a craft marquee full of wonderful gift ideas and a food hall selling a variety of local produce to enjoy as well as country crafts such as thatching, vintage tractors and a traditional fairground.

If you like the countryside, you’ll love the County Show and with something for everyone it is an event not to be missed. www.cambscountyshow.co.uk cambscountyshow@btconnect.com 07758 676017

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Local News

AR501 with pilot Stu Goldspink Wednesday 21 March 2018 © Darren Harbar

Shuttleworth Spitfire fires into life The Shuttleworth Collection’s Spitfire AR501 soared successfully into the skies for its maiden flight, following a full restoration project, at 15.47 on Tuesday 20 March 2018, in the hands of experienced warbird pilot Stu Goldspink.

The pilot reported that the aircraft is handling beautifully and all systems functioning correctly with just a couple of minor adjustments required.

A second, longer, test flight was carried out the next morning confirming the aircraft is behaving well. The flight test programme will continue over the next few weeks.

This Spitfire is an original aircraft that saw active service in the Second World War and is wearing the livery of No 310 (Czech) Squadron, where it served in operations in 1942-1943. Sporting its original ‘clipped’ wing tips that gave Spitfires a better roll rate rather than the standard elliptical tips most are familiar with.

The painstaking restoration which took over 10 years to complete by the Collection’s fulltime engineering team and skilled volunteers, involved completely dismantling the airframe into its smallest components to inspect and refurbish all the parts. The project included the complete overhaul of the 1,440hp Rolls Royce Merlin V12 engine, also carried out ‘in house’, and a new propeller and spinner.

Chief Engineer Jean-Michel Munn said, “This is a very original aircraft, and one that served in combat during the Second World War. It’s a privilege for The

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Collection to be able to return it to airworthy status and have it back flying for visitors to experience the sight and sound of this iconic type.”

AR501 is intending to display for the first time since restoration at The Collection’s Season Premiere and RAF 100 airshow on Sunday 6th May. Stu Goldspink will be giving the pilot chat with the aircraft at 11.00 before the air display begins at 14.00. Veterans over 85 have free entry to this show.

For more details see www.shuttleworth.org/premiere The Shuttleworth Collection is based at Old Warden aerodrome is just off the A1 at Biggleswade, postcode SG18 9EP. AR501 can also be seen onscreen (static) in the RAF at 100 with Ewan and Colin McGregor on BBC One, screening Sunday 25 March at 20.30!

AR501 first test flight flown by pilot Stu Goldspink © Darren Harbar

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Morris Dancing MayDay Morris dancing is a part of the May Revels, or May Day celebrations. It dates back to late mediaeval times and the earliest mention is from 1458.

The origins of the name are unknown. There is speculation that it has Spanish Arab roots and comes from ‘Moorish Dancing’ but this is not provable. Many of the earliest known records relate to the early 16th century English Royal Court, so it is possible that there may be some connections with the courtly Morisco dances seen in continental Europe at that time.

The church had been a great supporter of the Morris traditions until the Reformation. After this it was considered frivolous and frowned upon by the authorities for many decades until the restoration of Charles II in 1660. ‘Merrie Englande’ saw traditional festivities experience a renaissance and the dances we see today are believed to have

Time of Year

By Tracey Anderson

mostly developed in the hundred years or so after this date.

Changes in social patterns, social mobility, and types of recreation in the Victorian era meant that by the end of the 19th century the Morris had become rather unfashionable. It came very close to dying out completely, then by chance, the folk song and dance collector Cecil Sharp saw the Morris at Headington on Boxing Day 1899, and started a revival which continues to this day.

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Complementary Health

Working with the

injured athlete When an athlete is injured they will often go to their GP who will then normally recommend a round of physical therapy to help facilitate the healing process. However as a coach of multi-sport athletes, I am often asked by the injured athlete can I help instead by providing sports massage or subscribing an exercise rehabilitation programme.

Well sometimes I do offer sports massage or an exercise programme as part of minor sports injury rehabilitation. But I also like to work as a team, and like any other team, I feel that each team member plays a vital role in making sure the athlete gains the highest quality of care.

I have always believed in teamwork and that people are stronger when they work together.

This is why AM activ Multi-sport Coaching Company have teamed up with The Centre For Complementary Health in Godmanchester, to deliver a holistic treatment package to injured athletes to enhance recovery.

Often the injuries I see in multi-sport athletes are a result of overuse, usually repetitive movements.

I have also found that nearly every injury exhibits some form of warning sign, e.g. pain, tight muscles, swelling and inflammation. Warning signs that are ignored are often when full- blown injuries occur. Many athletes who have an injury cannot remember how the injury happened, again ignoring the warning signs. They do however remember the amount of training time they have missed as a result of their injury. So it is vitally important for the team of health and fitness professionals to educate the athlete on ways to recognise the warning signs and thus avoid recurring injuries.

As a coach it is also vital for me to recognise that an injured athlete may sometimes feel stressed once an injury has occurred. Furthermore the injured athlete’s family and friends must learn ways to help the athlete cope with this stressful situation. This social support is an important coping strategy for the injured athlete especially if they want to return to full fitness within an appropriate time frame.

So it is vitally important for a team of injury

specialists to work together to build a rapport with the athlete especially once the reality of the injury has sunk in. I am really looking forward to working with The Centre For Complementary Health and delivering a bespoke package that takes a holistic approach to sports injuries. Our aim will be to work alongside the injured athlete and reassure them they are not forgotten, to enhance their recovery and to help them stay positive and motivated throughout their injury rehabilitation process.

By Andy Matson of Am activ For more information about our services please visit www.amactiv.co.uk

Centre for Complimentary Health Tel: 01480 455221 Web: www.CentreForCompHealth.com

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House of Colour

Secrets to Successful Shopping 1. Most major shopping mistakes come from buying outfits. That’s how clothes are displayed in the shop so that’s what we think we should buy, but that way we end up with loads of clothes and only ever have a few outfits. Buy individual items that are the perfect colour and style for you and they will all work together to build an amazing wardrobe that really works for you and your lifestyle.

2. Before you go shopping be ruthless! Keep garments only if you feel good wearing them and remove those that you never wear, especially ones you haven’t worn for over a year, or that you have several similar versions of.

Your clothes should accentuate you and your personality, not cover you up. By reviewing your wardrobe and removing rogue garments you can identify what is required pre-shopping.

3. When shopping online always choose by colour, size, style and the detail. Read the reviews, be clear on the return policy, check the size chart and look at the detailed photos. Vitally always edit your basket and only buy what you need, and what will fit and suit you! Remember that the colours you see on screen, may not be accurate to what arrives in the post – if it’s wrong, send it back!

4. Buy smart: a bargain is only a bargain if you actually wear it. Many people make the common mistake of buying an item just because it is on ‘sale’. Don’t buy on impulse.

Never buy anything in the sale you wouldn’t pay full price for! Similarly buying the season’s latest fashion could be a waste of money if it doesn’t suit you! There is nothing wrong with being interested in the latest trends but only if they suit your shape, colour and clothing personality.

5. Be colour confident by knowing what colours truly suit you. Learn which colours brighten your eyes, make your skin look radiant and

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create a glowing, healthy and confident you.

These may not be the colours that you have been wearing for the last 10 years! You will be amazed at how many compliments you get when you wear the right colours!

Always bear in mind if a new piece you are considering buying needs dry cleaning or hand washing. Does it fit with your lifestyle? Will you wear it enough times?

A Capsule Wardrobe is a timeless clothing collection which you can use to make unlimited combinations to suit any occasion and stops those moments of panic about what to wear!

Before you decide to keep or buy any garment, think does this make me look and feel fabulous?

Does it flatter my shape and colouring? Does it work with my lifestyle – will I actually wear it? Is the price acceptable?

Make your clothes work hard for you by investing in some timeless pieces that will last for years, such as coats, handbags and shoes.

Choose some accessories that will transform an outfit. Be aware of what accessories really suit you. Is gold better for you than silver? Chunky or dainty bracelets? Big or small earrings?

Many people buy the wrong size. Buy for the size that you are now and resist the urge to buy for the shape you think or hope you might be in the future! If you don’t like the number on the size label – cut it out!

By Jennie Billings www.houseofcolour.co.uk/ jenniebillings jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk

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Jill Dighton BSc (Hons) MBACP (Accred)., UKCP Reg.

Counselling Service Depressed? Anxious?

Relationship Issues?

Low Self Esteem?

Have you considered Counselling sessions?

Based in Grafham village, I offer a professionally qualified Counselling Service to individuals and couples in a secure, confidential & non-judgemental atmosphere.

Ample parking.

Concessionary rates available.

For further details: Visit: www.jilldightoncounselling.co.uk Email: j.dighton@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07925 852 985 (Voicemail available)

ACUPUNCTURE FOR WELL-BEING

Judy obtained her Licentiate in Acupuncture, and B.A (Hons) degree in Traditional Acupuncture, from the College of Traditional Acupuncture, Warwickshire. Judy is a passionate believer in the positive benefits, on both physical and emotional levels, that may be obtained from receiving acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture originated in China and other far eastern cultures where it still features in mainstream healthcare, both as a stand-alone therapy and in combination with conventional western medicine. Judy has been trained as a classical Five Element Acupuncturist; treatment is aimed at the root cause of your condition as well as your main symptoms. This approach helps with resolving your problem and enhancing your feelings of wellbeing. You may notice other niggling problems resolve as your main health complaint improves. Judy continues to pursue her belief in excellence of care for her patients in her role as a dedicated acupuncture practitioner, and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.

Please contact Judy for a free 20 minute consultation to discuss how acupuncture treatment can help you.

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Leeds Day Solicitors

Claiming a Refund of

Power of Attorney Fees If you have made a Lasting Power of Attorney and registered it with the Office of the Public Guardian between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017 you may be entitled to a partial refund of the registration fee. This refund applies to the registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorney and also to repeat applications.

A successful claim will amount to a refund of £34 - £54 depending upon when the application was submitted to the Office of the Public Guardian and interest of 0.5% will also be paid. You can still claim a refund even if you are not aware of the date the application was submitted.

You must claim the refund by 31 January 2021 and the refund will be paid to the donor (the person who made the Power of Attorney). The donor or an attorney can make the application for a refund. You only need to make one claim per donor, even if you made more than one power of attorney.

A refund can be claimed online or by telephoning 0300 456 0300 and will take up to 12 weeks to be processed.

The Office of the Public Guardian has reduced the registration fee to £82 and so now is a good time to consider putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place. There are a number of reasons why you might need someone to make decisions for you, or act on your behalf. It could just be temporary, for example, if you are in hospital or on holiday and need help with everyday things such as making sure that bills are paid. Or you may need to make more long-term plans if, for example, you are concerned that you may become infirm as you get older.

Sometimes people become incapable of managing their property and financial affairs or personal welfare and need someone to do this for them. A friend, relative or professional can be appointed to hold a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to enable them to act on that person’s behalf.

An LPA is a way of giving someone you trust the

Our offices: Huntingdon Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD T: 01480 454301 30

authority to make decisions on your behalf if you lack mental capacity at some time in the future or no longer wish to make decisions for yourself. It is a legal document whereby you can appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf.

It can be drawn up at any time while you understand the nature and implications of the document but it has no legal standing until it is registered with the Office of The Public Guardian. The LPA can be registered as soon as it has been signed or its registration can be postponed until it is needed in the future.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:• Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney This LPA gives your Attorney authority to make decisions about your property and financial affairs.

This can include running your bank accounts and savings accounts, making decisions about your investments, selling property and spending your money. These decisions can be made when the LPA has been registered either when you are still mentally capable if you wish your Attorney to act or if you lack the capacity to deal with matters yourself.

• Personal Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney This LPA enables you to choose someone to make decisions about your health care and welfare.

This includes decisions to refuse or consent to medical treatment and deciding where you live.

These decisions can only be taken when the LPA is registered and if you lack the capacity to make the decisions yourself.

Whilst we cannot process a refund for you, we can assist you with the preparation and registration of a Lasting Power of Attorney or the registration of an existing Enduring Power of Attorney. If you would be interested in discussing Powers of Attorney with one of our members of staff, please contact us on 0844 567 2222 or by email at wills@leedsday.co.uk or visit our website www.leedsday.co.uk We have offices in St. Neots, St. Ives and Huntingdon.

St. Ives 11 Station Road, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5BH T: 01480 464600

St. Neots Xenus House, Sandpiper Court, Eaton Socon, St. Neots PE19 8EP T: 01480 474661

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PAXTON HILL HOUSE, GREAT PAXTON SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION

Fully furnished weekly lets In the wooded grounds of a country house • The Garden House Sleeps 4-6 • The Loft Sleeps 6 • The Lodge Sleeps 3-4 All equipment and linen included.

For further information Visit www.paxtonhillhouse.co.uk or telephone Benita Sanders 01480 216237 Keep this page for future reference

Aisling Lodge Residential Care Home St Neots

Unde r N E W Owne rship

Quality care for the elderly set in the heart of St. Neots • Home-From-Home Feel • Independent, family owned care home • 24 Hour Care • CQC Good Rating 2017 • Competitive Fees

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Last few newly refurbished rooms with en-suite facilities

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476789 for more information Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Local News

“I never thought I’d become a volunteer, but it turned out to be the best thing I’ve ever done!”

Magpas Air Ambulance is a charity which brings crucial lifesaving care, by land and air, to patients in life-threatening emergencies across the East of England and beyond. The charity is not a statefunded service and relies on generous public donations and committed volunteers to continue saving lives.

Sandy based Emily, 22, is a truly dedicated volunteer at the Magpas Air Ambulance charity shop in the Bedfordshire town. However, this wasn’t always what she wanted to do.

“I had lots of plans but life gets in the way sometimes. I was in a really bad place last October, I was just sitting at home feeling sorry for myself, my anxiety had got the better of me and I didn’t feel like I could do anything. I knew I had to get out of the house and in the end it was my auntie that helped me do that.

“She’d been volunteering for Magpas Air Ambulance in their Sandy charity shop for a while and just persuaded me to go along one day. I was really nervous at first, but I soon got into it and started to really enjoy my time there.

I did a lot of work on the shop floor such as helping customers, sorting donations and being on the till. One of my favourite things about volunteering is getting to know new people, especially the customers. You come to know the regulars so you can build up a relationship with them and get to know what they’re after.

“A little while had passed when I heard that Magpas were looking to hire a part-time Assistant Shop Manager. After doing the voluntary work, my confidence had already been boosted and

I knew what I could bring to the shop, so I just went for it – and got the job!

“Despite securing a paid role, I still volunteer with Magpas Air Ambulance regularly. I have a 16 hour position but volunteer for another 16 hours a week on top of that. Volunteering with Magpas Air Ambulance has helped me both in and out of the workplace; other people should definitely get involved if they can. It looks good on your CV, you can learn new skills and you’re helping a really worthy cause.

“Ultimately, volunteering with Magpas Air Ambulance has massively boosted my confidence. I now have a job and independence and I feel good about myself. All my friends and family say I’ve completely changed now, and that’s all down to volunteering here.”

As a volunteer at Magpas Air Ambulance, any time you can donate will help save lives 24/7.

If Emily has inspired you to start volunteering, get in touch at fundraising@magpas.org.uk or call 01480 371060 (option 2).

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Life Coaching

By Suzanne Roynond

Make Procrastination History

When you distract yourself with almost anything to avoid what you ‘should’ be doing, procrastination is making itself at home in your life.

Cleaning a cupboard rather than dealing with your finances or spending all day watching TV when you promised to finish something for your partner might seem harmless, but each time you put something off, you drain your energy and damage your self-esteem.

Low level procrastination is easy to combat with a little determination, a list and a sense of achievement for each accomplishment.

However, a skilled procrastinator can always find a reason not to do something. Procrastination becomes a habit and broken

promises cause hurt, arguments, disappointment and resentment.

It’s frustrating for friends and family and ultimately the procrastinator loses the respect of those closest to them.

What the procrastinator doesn’t realise is each tiny avoidance strategy damages them too.

The knowledge they are letting themselves and others down chips away at their emotional and physical wellbeing. The outcome can be lethargy, stress headaches and even depression.

Life Coaching can make a difference for a habitual procrastinator. The client takes responsibility for their own actions and by working with a coach to set and commit to achievable goals, excuses and procrastination can

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become a thing of the past.

Of course, if getting around to calling a coach is another subject of procrastination – read a little book called “Eat That Frog” by Brian Tracy, then pick out the biggest and ugliest frog you can find and have it for breakfast!

Suzanne Roynon is a personal performance life coach www.yoursuccess.coach

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Finance

By Ann Haldon

It’s not only PPI that you can reclaim The Payment Protection Insurance mis-selling scandal has resulted in billions of pounds being repaid to customers by the banks and other large financial institutions. But it’s not just PPI that can be reclaimed from organisations failing to follow stringent selling guidelines designed to protect the public.

So what other reclaims could you potentially make?

From bank charges to student loan repayments, here are a few other reclaim opportunities you might want to look into.

Packaged bank accounts Although packaged bank accounts are very useful in many cases, it’s possible that the product may have been mis-sold in a similar way to PPI. So what could constitute mis-selling in this instance?

• You weren’t told that you had to pay a monthly fee.

• The account was sold to you by an overbearing or overenthusiastic salesperson.

• You don’t qualify for the insurance policies included in the package – on age or health-related grounds, for example.

• The bank told you your credit rating would improve if you opened this type of account.

Whatever the reason, you can claim a refund of the fees, plus interest, from the bank. Money Saving Expert and other websites offer free resources in this respect, to help you make your claim.

If the bank refuses to repay, you can take your claim to the Financial Ombudsman Service – an independent and free service set up to resolve disputes between financial institutions and their customers. Furthermore, the Ombudsman ultimately has the power to enforce their decision if it differs from that of the financial institution concerned.

Bank charges Despite the banks winning a 2009 Supreme Court Ruling on the fairness of their charges, you may be able to reclaim bank charges that you believe are unfair, particularly if you’re facing financial hardship.

Being charged high fees when you’re experiencing financial difficulty can exacerbate an already distressing situation. If you’re in this position and have exceeded a pre-arranged overdraft limit, or cheques or direct debits have been returned on your account, you can write to your bank explaining the situation and requesting a refund.

Council tax payments If your property was placed in the wrong council tax

band, you may be able to reclaim the overpayments made – potentially for decades – as well as reducing your ongoing monthly costs.

When properties were valued in preparation for the new Council Tax system, the process became known as ‘second gear valuations.’ It was said that those given the task of valuation didn’t move out of second gear when driving past the properties, leading to inaccurate results.

Student loan overpayments Student loan repayments are deducted from your earnings by the Student Loans Company (SLC), rather than from your bank account. As the SLC only receives earnings and employment updates annually, the information they hold can be sometimes be outdated.

This means that it’s easy to overpay on your student loan if your income reduces, or when the loan has been paid off. If you think you’ve overpaid for any reason, you can call the Student Loans Company to check, and verify your bank details should a refund be due.

Claiming your right to a refund as a consumer is important, and should be pursued if you believe that you’ve been wrongly charged. Reclaiming this money can help your financial situation, and sends a strong message to financial and other institutions that they must comply with the regulations and take care of their customers. www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk www.moneysavingexpert.com/the-big-reclaims/ www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/reclaimpackaged-bank-accounts www.uswitch.com/current-accounts/guides/claimingback-bank-charges/

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Travel

Wonderfully Windsor With a variety of attractions, activities and a vibrant history, The Royal borough of Windsor is the prime location for a weekend retreat.

A Classic Castle The first notion that comes to mind when thinking of Windsor is of course, its famous castle. The oldest castle in the world, Windsor Castle has been home to 39 monarchs, including our current royal family.

It’s highly recommendable to take the Precinct Tour, which explores the outside areas of the castle and is absolutely free. The tour briefs visitors on the history of the castle, its role in contemporary society and has stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Every Saturday throughout the year and during school holidays, special drop-in family activities are included in the price of admission to the castle and there is also a free family trail for children aged 5-11 which educates them on the marvellous history of

the castle. At the end of their visit, families can ask a warden to stamp their ticket (if bought directly from Royal Collection Trust) and convert it into a 1-Year Pass, which allows them to enjoy free re-admission for 12 months.

For more information, visit: www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle

Historical Hotels Forty acres of stunning parkland span across the De Vere Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor. The estate consists of an 18th century mansion, a chapel, a Georgian White House and 75 event spaces.

Following a recent renovation, the hotel itself offers a unique blend of original features reflecting its rich heritage perfectly mixed with a contemporary style.

The 1705 Restaurant and Bar is great for wining and dining during a stay, the restaurant promises

Photos: Royal Collection Trust Š Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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only the freshest of ingredients produced by the finest British suppliers. Many rooms have been recently refurbished with a modern style, and the White House itself offers 400 luxury suites including spacious family rooms with ample sleeping quarters for two adults and two children.

For more information, visit: www.phcompany.com/de-vere/beaumont-estate/

Family Fun A Quacking Day Out Take a one hour Duck Tour through the heart of Windsor, exploring all of the famous landmarks.

There are two types of tours- Swan and Mallard, which vary in time spent on the road and water.

Starting by road, the “Duck” incredibly travels down the slipway and splashes into the River Thames, a real excitement for small children and offering

unforgettable views of Windsor Castle and Eton. The amphibious tour comes with live entertainment and a knowledgable guide on hand.

For more information, visit: www.windsorducktours.co.uk A Treasure Trail The Windsor Mystery Treasure Trail is targeted at children as young as six and as it’s self-guided, they can take as long as they like to amble through the two mile walking route.

The trail is downloaded via PDF and is great for getting youngsters active. Every signpost, building and statue potentially hides a clue- explore the Bachelor’s Acre and see Windsor on foot all the while cracking clues, solving mysteries and best of all, having fun.

For more information and download a PDF map, visit: ww.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/the-windsormystery-treasure-trail

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SURECLEAN DRIVEWAY AND PATIO CLEANING SPECIALISTS ROOF MOSS REMOVAL AND GUTTER CLEANING We use a revolutionary industrial pressure rotary cleaning system to restore exterior hard surfaces to as new condition.

Block Paving, Pathways, Patios Garden Wall and Stone Ornaments Ponds and Pools Also Re-sanding and Sealing Local Company

01480 468965/07870 338074 www.surecleancarpetcleaning.co.uk

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Garden

Striking Sunflowers Sunflowers are one of the most stunning and impressive flowers you could have in your garden, and are easy to grow too. Sow them this month to achieve a fantastic flowery display in just a few months’ time. So which ones should you choose and how do you go about getting the best crop of flowers?

There are fast-growing and potentially very tall varieties such as ‘Russian Giant’ and ‘Titan’, with the latter reaching a potential height of up to 360cm or 12ft and having heads of up to 60cm (2ft) in diameter!

There are some delightful miniature or dwarf varieties. The F1 variety ‘Little Dorrit’ grows to about 60cm (2ft) and has rich yellow flowers with very dark centres. Another favourite is ‘Little Leo’ at just 45cm (18in), which makes lots of impact with golden yellow heads on multi-branching stems.

Nowadays there are many colours other than yellow readily available, such as ‘Black Magic’, which has maroon flowers and is multi-branching, reaching a height of about 180cm (6ft).

Grow yourself a few for cutting too, and you’ll have a vase or more full of flowers that would cost a fortune in the shops. Many varieties are suitable, including the orangey-brown ‘Velvet Queen’, ‘Black Velvet’ and the bi-coloured and pollen-free ‘Magic Roundabout’.

For containers, ‘Pacino Colada’ is a compact variety growing to just 40cm (16in) and has 10cm (4in) wide golden-yellow flowers, making a wonderful plant for a sunny patio, sheltered balcony or in the flower beds.

Children love a competition to grow the tallest plant and varieties like ‘Russian Giant’ and ‘Giant Single’

are perfect for smaller gardeners, and as they reach heights of about 180cm (6ft) will soon dwarf them!

Sunflowers make a cheap and cheerful addition to a garden boundary, adding splashes of colour to a dreary fence line or helping to mask a garage or shed.

You should get a good crop of blooms if you sow sunflowers between March and May, depending on the weather and where you live. You can sow them straight into the soil or into pots of compost. I like to use RootTrainers to encourage really well-developed and deep roots to develop, and make it easy to plant out the sunflowers with minimum root disturbance; see www.pippagreenwood.com/products/growgreat-crops for more information.

As their name suggests, sunflowers need plenty of sunshine to thrive. However, although many are tall, each plant does not actually take up much space at ground level.

Slugs and snails love sunflowers so I always grow them in small individual pots and plant them out when they’re a few inches tall. This means they’re bigger and tougher and better able to resist attack.

As an added precaution, put a ring of slug-deterring material around the base of each one – crushed shells, crushed eggshells, coco-shell or pine needles for instance.

If you’re growing sunflowers on anything other than a protected site, it may be necessary to give the taller varieties some support in the form of a sturdy bamboo cane or slim stake, just in case the wind blows too strongly!

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com and you’ll find some great gardening things: ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ (where you receive your chosen garden-ready vegetable plants in May accompanied by weekly advice and tips from Pippa) plus RootTrainers, Nemaslug, biocontrols, gardening tools, raised bed kits, Grower Frames, signed books and more!

By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com

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Wildlife

John Bridges (rspb-images.com)

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results reveal a golden year for the goldfinch • Favourable conditions lead to a surge in sightings of goldfinch, long-tailed tit and coal tit, along with many other smaller garden birds.

• The results revealed a dip in sightings of our more solitary species like blackbird and robin as the mild winter meant they spent more time foraging for food away from our gardens.

• Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK, including over 5,200 people in Bedfordshire, spent an hour watching the birds that visit their garden or outdoor space as a part of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.

• Over 1 million birds were counted in the East, contributing to an impressive 6.7 million birds counted nationally.

The latest results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch have revealed a golden year for the goldfinch along with a number of other small birds after a surge in sightings in gardens across the country.

Now in its 39th year, the Birdwatch is a chance for people of all ages to count the number of birds that visit their garden helping the RSPB build up a picture of how they are doing. This year, over 5,200 people across Bedfordshire, joined nearly half-amillion people nationally in counting an impressive 6.7 million birds.

The event held over the last weekend in January revealed an increase in sightings of smaller birds, such as goldfinch, long-tailed tit and coal tit that can usually be seen visiting gardens and outside spaces in mixed flocks. In Bedfordshire, recorded sightings of the brightly coloured, sociable finch rose by 12% on 2017 figures and its bright red face was seen in 35% of the county’s gardens. Other small birds that are thought to have benefited from the mild January weather include long-tailed tit (+26%), coal tit (+24%), and blue tit (+9%).

It also proved to be a good year for the greenfinch after an 18% rise in sightings regionally, a welcome sign for a species that has undergone a 60% decline in UK sightings since the first survey in 1979.

The influx of these species to our gardens is thought to be linked to the favourable conditions during their successful breeding season in 2017. This, combined with the kind autumn and winter weather in the run up to the Birdwatch, will have contributed to the rise in sightings.

Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientist, said: “Our garden birds are a part of our everyday life, whether it’s the robin perched on the garden fence or

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the flock of starlings you see on your way to work. To have hundreds of thousands of people spend an hour watching the wildlife in their garden isn’t only great to see, but it also helps us build up a picture of how our garden birds are doing, which is really helpful.

“Last summer was a really good year for many breeding birds with warm weather creating great conditions for many smaller birds to raise their young to adulthood.

The rise in sightings of goldfinch, long-tailed tit and coal tit, along with chaffinches and greenfinches, goes to show that in the absence of cold weather they can survive the winter months in good numbers. Looking at the results it is likely that across the UK this is what people are seeing in their garden.”

It is likely that the warmer temperatures during the autumn and winter will have made it easier for these birds to find food, like insects, in our gardens, which in previous colder winters would have been harder to come by because of frosts and snow.

The survey also highlighted a county-wide dip in the number of recorded sightings of blackbirds (-26%), robins (-18%) and wren (-21%) on last year’s figures.

Dr Hayhow explained: “We all will have noticed that the weather earlier in the winter was slightly warmer than we’re used to, and our garden birds have felt this too. It’s usual for there to be more food available in the wider countryside during a mild winter meaning birds are less reliant on the treats we put out on the garden feeders. However, unlike the finches and tits, robins and wrens did not have a good breeding season in 2017 and data from other surveys indicate that their numbers may be down overall this year.”

In Bedfordshire, the house sparrow remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings in the region. Starling held onto the second spot once more, and the woodpigeon moved up one rank from 2017 to round off the top three.

Throughout the first half of the spring term the nation’s school children took part in the RSPB’s Big Schools Birdwatch. The UK-wide survey of birds in school grounds saw over 1,200 school children in Bedfordshire spend an hour in nature counting the birds. Despite a drop in Big Garden Birdwatch sightings, the blackbird remained top of the Big Schools Birdwatch rankings with one being spotted in 88% of schools – a 22% increase on 2017.

For a full round up of all the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results and to see which birds were visiting gardens where you live, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

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SB TURF • Turf supplied and laid • All overgrown gardens rotivated • Cleared, levelled and laid with cultivated lawn turf • Grass seeding • Block paving and patio service All work carried out by experienced staff Recommendations and portfolios available Free Estimates

Tel: 01487 822993 Mob: 07966 523239

Tim Brown 01767 627532 bedford@bartlettuk.com www.bartlett.com

BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS A Very Brown Hedge Indeed Aphids are one of the most common and troublesome of all garden insect pests. They attack a large number of garden plants throughout the country and are recently causing much disfigurement to ornamental conifer hedges. Commonly known as Greenfly and Blackfly, these aphids feed on hedges, sucking the sap of the plant and can spread several viruses, causing severe dieback.

Cypress Aphid is currently troublesome and pre-dominantly affects conifer hedging. Damage inflicted on conifer hedges by the aphid Cinara cupressi is severe and can lead to large brown patches on the hedge. This leads to localised foliage death, reducing the aesthetic look of the hedge. As the aphid is active from May to October it is important to catch this problem early and apply treatments to stop its spread. At the first sign of brown patches call us for a free consultation and professional advice.

Tree & Shrub Pruning l Planting l Tree Removal l Stump Grinding l Hedge Cutting Health & Safety Reports l Disease & Insect Control

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Garden View

By Rachael Leverton

Ground Control You can’t go wrong with a geranium. They grow well where other plants struggle, particularly those shady areas, or parts of the garden with poor soil. And they are so useful - they provide hundreds of pretty flowers and also smother the ground with a welter of leaves that prevent weeds from taking hold.

Don’t confuse these hardy geraniums with the tender bedding plants with the horseshoe leaf-markings. They may be commonly called geraniums but they are in fact pelargoniums and not hardy so would perish in a hard frost. True geraniums are as tough as old boots. There are loads to choose from offering a wide range of colours and habits.

If you want a carpet of tiny pale pink saucer flowers try Geranium sanguineum striatum. It’s great for growing in the crevices of a garden path, or even in a shallow tub or sink where its finely cut leaves show of the flowers to their best advantage.

Geranium macrorrhizum is probably the most reliable ground cover of them all. It creates a low dense mass of aromatic hairy leaves about 30cm /

12 inches high. The flowers open in late spring and there are varieties in white, pale pink or magenta.

These are followed by bright red seedheads providing interest well into the autumn.

Propagation is ridiculously easy. Simply rip up a clump of the thick creeping stems and push them into the ground where you want them to establish.

Make sure they don’t dry out and you can be assured of success.

If you’d like a plant with a bit of height go for Geranium psilostemon. This grows to about 1.5m / 5 feet. It has deep magent flowers with a black eye, and is a great self-seeder.

If you struggle with a patch of denser shade I can recommend the blue-flowered Geranium himalayense, and also ‘Johnson’s Blue’. Both will form clumps about 30cm / 12 inches high.

Whether you have a new garden which needs to be filled with colour, or an established garden with a few bald patches, plant hardy geraniums and you won’t be disappointed.

Happy Gardening

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huntingdon_95_128.indd 1

Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts 09/03/2018 11:06

Local News

Rehoming Appeal Lulu and Lottie

Lulu and Lottie are 6 years old. They came in together and have been with us for a few weeks now which has given us time to assess them. We feel that they would probably be better homed separately.

Lulu (white) is quite outgoing, very lively and playful.

She loves to be fussed and have the occasional cuddle.

We feel that she will make a nice companion in an adult only household where she is the only pet.

Lottie (tabby) is much more cautious in her approach. It will take her time to fully trust so we are looking for a patient, experienced cat owner. Lottie does like to be fussed and will allow gentle brushing of her long coat.

She is a lovely girl who needs a quiet, adult only household where she can feel safe and gain her confidence.

Lulu and Lottie are not used to living with either children or dogs.

If you would like to find out more about these pretty girls, please contact Liz on 01767 681157. Alternatively, please e-mail Philippa at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry on to the team.

View other small mammals, dogs and cats currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity.

You can also see photographs and details of the animals in our care in our charity shop in Hitchin Street, Biggleswade SG18 8AX. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

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Pets

Animal Stories An amazing story In the last edition, our letters article highlighted the importance of micro-chipping cats. Our vet wrote about how adventurous cats can be and the dangers this can lead to. Only weeks later, we’ve been involved in an amazing story which should have every loving pet owner booking their own fur baby in for microchipping.

Recently, we received a message from a member of the public about a stray white cat who had been visiting her Aunt’s house for about 2 weeks. They lived in Scotland.

The cat was friendly and in good condition – but these lovely ladies were concerned about the cat and where she had suddenly appeared from.

As a result, one of our volunteers went to scan the wee cat in the hope that she was microchipped.

Amazingly, they found that she had been registered as missing since 5th February 2018.

Even more amazing was that she had gone missing from Bedford, England. She was found in Hamilton, Scotland!

After a very tearful phone call to the cat’s relieved owner, arrangements were made to get the wee girl home.

This amazing story goes to show that you should never rule out distance when looking for your lost cat. We will never know how this gorgeous cat travelled over 350 miles to end up where she did. It’s highly likely that her curiosity led her to being trapped in a delivery van. This isn’t as unusual a situation as you might think. However, the likelihood of cat and owner being re-united is made infinitely more possible if they are microchipped.

Microchipping most animals is easy and relatively cheap. It simply involves a vet injecting a tiny microchip (the same size as a grain of rice) into the loose skin on their neck. Most animals don’t even notice.

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This microchip gives your pet their own unique code. They can then be scanned and matched to your contact details, which are kept on a database. Make sure you update these details every time you move.

If you do lose your pet you can also help by registering them with www.petslocated.com.

This wonderful website continually, automatically matches lost dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, snakes/reptiles (or any other lost pet) with animals which are listed on the site as ‘found’ and e-mails registered owners as soon as a potential match is made. They cover the whole of the UK. So, thankfully, this story has a very happy ending. But it does highlight the importance of microchipping your beloved pet. Heartbreakingly, thousands of pets are lost every year, and many are never reunited with their owners.

Microchipping can change that. The RSPCA also run regular microchipping events – so keep an eye out for one in your area.

ANIMAL STORIES is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk

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51

Pets

Three Tips for Looking After

Your New Guinea Pig Guinea pigs are relatively low maintenance pets, and can be a good choice for families with young children. They’re very social animals, and careful handling from an early age not only helps to their build confidence, but also encourages human interaction.

Their needs include a warm, dry and safe space to live, plenty of room to run around, and a nutrientrich diet – here are a few tips to help your guinea pig feel loved and at home.

1. Living Guinea pigs can live indoors or outside, but will need protection from direct sunlight and the winter cold if they’re outdoors. Make sure their hutch is protected from predators in the garden and has a separate sleeping area that’s out of sight.

2. Eating Good quality, non-dusty hay should form the major part of a guinea pig’s diet, with grass, leafy greens, fruit, and small quantities of guinea pig

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mix added every day. It’s worth remembering that a guinea pig’s teeth grow constantly and need to be ground down on the hay or grass that you provide.

3. Play According to the RSPCA, guinea pigs are active for up to 20 hours a day¹, so providing plenty of toys is key to keeping them entertained, especially if you choose one guinea pig rather than a pair.

Guinea pigs can live for up to eight years, so this is a long commitment regardless of the lower level of daily care they require when compared with cats and dogs. ¹ www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/ rodents/guineapigs www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/caring-yourguinea-pig

By Ann Haldon

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For children from 0 to 5 years Dance Classes • Music For Little People • Spanish Lessons • Monkeynastix • To find out more call us today

01480 810816 Buckden Day Nursery 16 Mill Road, Buckden Cambs. PE19 5SS e: info@buckden-day-nursery.co.uk w: www.buckden-day-nursery.co.uk

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55

Motoring

Infiniti QX50 What is it?

Launched in the UK less than 10 years ago, Japanese luxury brand Infiniti is still attempting to establish itself as an alternative to the German trio and struggling to top 3,500 sales a year.

The firm’s latest attempt to change that is a mid-size SUV to tempt buyers away from the BMW X3 or Audi Q5. With smart technology, a distinctive design and a clever new engine, Infiniti is hoping the QX50 will rapidly become the brand’s best-selling car.

What’s new?

The QX50 debuts a number of world-first gadgets. These include dynamic noise-cancelling technology in the engine, seats designed in conjunction with NASA, and a petrol engine that promises sports performance with the economy of a diesel.

What’s under the bonnet?

That clever new VC-Turbo engine is a world-first variable compression ratio engine, offering the power of a 2.0-litre turbo petrol with the torque and efficiency of a four-cylinder diesel. Currently there are no plans to offer a diesel engine.

The 2.0-litre engine produces 268bhp and 380Nm of torque, whereas a petrol-powered BMW X3 20i offers 184bhp and 290Nm – thus apparently giving the QX50 the upper hand.

What’s it like to drive?

The engine generates impressive performance, hitting 60mph in 6.3 seconds – two seconds faster than the equivalent BMW – and gives a top speed of 143mph.

Much of the noise it makes is synthetically generated, teetering on the edge of deeply satisfying and incredibly annoying. There’s also a CVT automatic gearbox, which becomes very audible at higher revs.

Although Infiniti’s drive-by-wire steering allows the car to do clever things – like independently steer individual wheels, hundreds of time a second – it lacks feel, particularly at slow speeds. Whether that’ll bother the average buyer remains to be seen.

The QX50’s new chassis and groundup design has certainly resulted in a quiet and comfortable ride, and a dynamic noise-cancelling engine mount, which stops noise entering

the cabin, means it’s calm inside too.

Hit the car’s ProPilot button and it’ll steer for you (but you’ll need to keep a hand on the wheel), speeding up and slowing down with traffic. The Forward Collision Warning system uses radar to spot traffic slowing down and Infiniti says it can even detect a slowing motorbike hidden in front of an HGV. How does it look?

The QX50 has a welcome and genuinely different design, and the quite hard-on-the-eye look of Infiniti SUVs of past has been toned down.

What’s it like inside?

Inside is where the QX50 really shines. Hand-stitched leather panels, alcantara and a swooping dash give it a luxury feel, and it’s far better packaged than early Infiniti models.

What’s the spec like?

The QX50 is slated to arrive either late this year or very early in 2019, so as such Infiniti is remaining tight lipped about specification and pricing. Executives did tell us that it would undercut BMW and Audi rivals and it’s likely much of the new technology will be included as standard.

Verdict Infiniti believes the QX50 is the best car it has ever made – and we’d find it hard to argue with them.

The clever new VC-Turbo engine is impressive, the ride quality and interior finish excellent and we even like the looks. Quite how Brits will react to a petrol-powered SUV with no diesel option remains to be seen, though, and its success will hinge on just how much it undercuts established rivals from the German brands.

By James Baggott

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles.

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n O s ’ t Wha To 7 May Lambing Time 10.30am-5pm Wimpole Home Farm Normal admission applies Celebrate the arrival of spring as newborn lambs frolic in the fields. Head to Home Farm to meet our rare breed ewes and lambs and if you’re lucky you may see a live birth. Learn more about lambing from our farm staff.

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 May Roxton Bridge Circle 7.15-10pm Roxton Parish Hall Small friendly group playing Bridge every Tuesday evening. Just come along or call/email for more information. Tel: Phyllis 01480 374327 Email: mary@jackpike.co.uk 2 May Black Cat WI 7.30pm Wyboston Village Hall The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098 2 May Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club Coffee Morning & Raffle 10am-12 noon Godmanchester Town Hall Monthly coffee morning and raffle. Annual membership fee is £10. Tel: Geoff 01480 434697 2 May St Mary’s Afternoon WI St Neots 2pm St Mary’s Church Room, St Neots First Wednesday of the month. Speaker travelling from France. Tel: May Parker 07724 043941 Email: mayp.at.home@gmail.com 2 May Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Members £1, Guests £2. Members meeting.

A social time for members to gather, ask the questions or find out the answers and more.

Refreshments provided. Plant donations and time support for the joint Plant Sale with Friends of Paxton Pits on Saturday 5 May are welcomed.

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May St Neots Choral Society 7.30-9.30pm Eynesbury C of E Primary School, Montagu Street, Eynesbury New members are very welcome to join and there are no auditions to frighten you but an ability to read a little music is helpful! Tel: 01480 212298 www.stneotschoral.org.uk 4 May St Neots Local History Society 7.30pm Eynesbury Junior School ‘St Neots 1949: A Snapshot in Time’ by Rodney Todman.

5 May Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church Hall, St Ives Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola.

5 May Plant Sale 10.30am-3.30pm Visitor Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Joint event between The Friends of Paxton Pits and the Little Paxton Gardening Club.

5 May Simply Saturday 12-2pm St James Church, Little Paxton A new venture for adults of all ages at Little Paxton Church, with lunch and various activities available.

Tel: Leisa Hunt 01480 471748 Email: young_paxton@ntlworld.com 5 May Handbells in Concert 3pm The Priory Centre, St Neots Tickets £12, Concessions £10, Under 18s free The East Anglian Regional Team. Experience 40 musicians with over 360 instruments playing a selection of classical, popular and original handbell music. Tickets available on the door or from the Priory Centre. Tel: 01480 388922

5 May Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Choir 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Godmanchester 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 & 30 May Tickets £14/£12, Student concession £7/£6 St Neots Badminton Club Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Choir present Choral 8-10pm One Leisure, St Neots Music by Candlelight. John Rutter’s Requiem, Play badminton to a good standard and interested in Tavener’s Svyati and Dan Forrest’s in paradisum joining a club? St Neots badminton club play at One provide a varied and entrancing programme in Leisure Mondays and Wednesdays. this latest concert by Hunts Phil. Conductor Lee Email: Committee@stneotsbadminton.org Dunleavy. Tickets available on the door.

Web: www.stneotsbadminton.org Web: Tickets www.huntsphil.org.uk 2, 9, 16 & 23 May Little Fishes 10am-11.20am Grafham Village Hall Stay and Play Tots Session during term-time. Babies welcome too. Just turn up. Sessions include free play and craft activities, bible story and sing along.

Tel: Jean Clark 01480 890033 for more information Email: robnjeanclark@tiscali.co.uk

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Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month.

What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.com

In May

6 May Wildlife Trust 2.30pm Brampton Wood The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust invites you to experience the delights of a carpet of bluebells in this ancient woodland. You are welcome to share this enchanting scene by participating in a guided walk. George Cottam, Warden of Brampton Wood, will lead us through this woodland where a rich variety of flora can be seen. Please meet at Brampton Wood Car Park, Grafham Road, Brampton.

GR TL 184698. Park in the Trust car park.

Tel: George 01480 450809 7, 14, 21 & 28 May Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club 1.30pm Afternoon Bingo 6.30pm Whist Drive Godmanchester Town Hall £1 for Whist drive inc. tea & biscuits If you are feeling lonely and over 55 years of age, then you will find a warm welcome waiting for you in the Senior Citizens Club. The club has a lively atmosphere and a wide range of activities. Friday afternoons is another opportunity to play Whist.

Members also meet on a Saturday morning for games, chat, tea and biscuits for 50p.

Tel: Geoff 01480 434697 or 07515 881209 8 May St Ives Sugarcraft Guild 7.30-9pm Reading Room, Hemingford Grey Visitors £6. Monthly meetings where you can learn, hands-on, various cake decorating techniques and/or sugarcraft. The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Tel: Shirley 01480 454616 9 May Cambridgeshire Rural M.E. Tea & Chat Second Wednesday of every month. Monthly meetup for adults with M.E. and partners/friends. All details and latest meet-up information available on website. Web: www.crmetea.org 9 May Brampton Flower Club 7.30pm Community Centre, High Street, Brampton Visitors welcome £6 inc. refreshments Flower arranging demo by qualified demonstrator, raffle, sales table and tea or coffee.

Tel: Jan Dobie 01480531822 Web: www.bramptonflowerclub.com

12 May Waterbeach Running Festival A fun way of fundraising, and encourages children 6, 13, 20 & 27 May to keep fit and active. The course is on the disused Kingfisher Church barracks so flat and traffic free. There are 10km and 10.30am 5km races, a 2km fun run and even a 100m toddle Little Paxton Primary School for under fives. Runners can register on the day but Tel: 01480 476811 pre-registration by 7 May is encouraged to guarantee Every Sunday - all welcome! Services include a finishers medal. In aid of Waterbeach Toddler children’s groups and a crèche. Refreshments served. Playgroup. Web: www.waterbeachrunningfestival.

Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk co.uk

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n O s ’ t Wha

12 May Jumble Sale 10am-12 noon Keysoe Village Hall To raise funds to finance The Village Show at Keysoe in September. Tel: Penny 01234 378878 for more info 12 May Mammoth Plant Sale 10am-2pm Offord Village Hall Free entry. Refreshments. Free car parking.

12 May Baby & Children’s Market Nearly New Sale 2.30pm-4pm Cambourne Village College, Sheepfold Lane Adults £1, Children free. Lots of stalls bursting with top quality like new and new baby and children’s items. Web: www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk 12 & 13 May Hemingford Art Club Spring Exhibition Daily 10am-4.30pm Hemingford Abbots Village Hall, PE28 9AH Original framed and unframed paintings. Also handmade cards. Excellent refreshments available.

13 May Cheeki Monkeys BIG Baby & Children’s Market 2-4pm Memorial Centre, Thrapston Road, Brampton Entry £1, Under 12s free. Pop-up Baby & Children’s Market. Save up to 90% on quality pre-loved goods!

Pre-loved stalls from £9 (Craft & Business stalls also available). Email: alison1cheekimonkeys@gmail.com Web: www.cheekimonkeys.co.uk 13 May Red Cross Open Gardens 2-5pm Kingston Wood Manor, Arrington, SG8 0AP £5, Under 12 free. Approximately 4 acres of mature garden surrounding a beautiful 15th Century moated manor house (not open). Large lawns with topiary and mature trees plus mixed borders of shrubs and herbaceous plants. Ample parking. No dogs. By kind permission of Mr & Mrs Julian Metherell.

13 May The St Neots Jewels WI Choir 4pm St James Church, Little Paxton The ladies WI Choir ‘The St Neots Jewels’ were formed to take part in the 100 year celebration of the WI. The Choir has a wide repertoire including classical, music from the shows along with traditional British country music. Tickets available from St James Church or Alison Rogers - 01480 215607 14 & 21 May West Hunts Friendship Club 9.30am-3pm Great Staughton Village Hall Meets every Monday except Bank Holidays.

Members can participate in a range of activities as well as enjoying a hot meal at lunch time. Transport can be arranged for those who live within a six miles radius of Great Staughton. Tel: Andrea 07808 184894

This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com

In May

14 & 21 May Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Mondays from September to May. Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 Email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com

27 & 28 May St Ives Antiques Fair 10am-4pm Burgess Hall (One Leisure Centre), Westwood Road, St Ives Adults £2, Concessions £1.50. This friendly Antiques Fair has around 50 dealers each time offering affordable quality antiques and vintage pieces 14 & 28 May including ceramics, glass, maps, small items of Nature Tots 10-11.30am furniture, silver, china, jewellery, paperweights, Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough postcards and other interesting pieces. Ample free £3 per child. A fun outdoor parent and toddler group. parking, wheelchair access from street level, on-site Each session has a nature theme and will include a catering and licensed bar. Dealers welcome from messy craft activity, time to explore the beautiful 9am upon production of business card. outdoors, story and songtime. Meet at Discovery Tel: 01480 896866 Den. Booking essential. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: parkhousepr@aol.com Web: www.stivesantiquesfair.co.uk 16 May Facebook: www/facebook.com/stivesantiquesfair Huntingdonshire Family History Society Twitter: www.twitter.com/StIvesAntiques 7.30pm Women’s Institute Centre, Waldon Road, Huntingdon 27 May-1 June AGM followed by a talk by Hannah Vandridge on Nature Kids 9.30am-3pm ‘Shopping Through The Ages’. Non-members most Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough welcome - contact the Secretary to attend. £15 per day or £60 for all 5 days Tel: Caroline Kesseler 01480 390476 for more details Fun nature inspired activity days for children aged Email: secretary@huntsfhs.org.uk 7-11years in May half-term. Learn how to build Website: www.huntsfhs.org.uk a shelter, light a fire and use natural materials in woodlands crafts. Different activities each day.

17 May Activities will take place in a wooded area and Love’s Farm Women’s Institute surrounding grassland. Adults do not stay with 8-10pm St Neots Football Club children. Please bring own lunches and drinks for Meeting on the third Thursday of the month. the day. Booking essential. Meet at Lakeside Car Tel: Nikki Jackson 07563 715043 Park. Tel: 01733 234193 Email: lovesfarmladieswi@gmail.com 29 May 19 May Adult Sailing Taster 10am-12 noon Summer Song - Huntingdon Male Voice Choir Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough 7.30pm St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton £25. A taster designed for beginners, this session Tickets £12, Concessions £10. Special guests Kate introduces the basic concepts of sailing. Learn about Woolf, soprano accompanied by Paul Bryan, piano. personal preparation, balancing and turning the Tel: Tickets Kevin 01480 890128 boat through the wind. Taster sessions are suitable Web: http://www.hmvc.org.uk/ for anyone aged 16years+. Meet at Nene Outdoors.

This course may not be suitable for all abilities, 21 May please call to talk to our instructors about your St Neots Royal Naval Association 8pm particular needs. Booking essential. Many other The RAFA Club, 44 Huntingdon Street, St Neots sailing courses are taking place – see the website.

Meeting on the third Monday of every month.

Tel: 01733 234193 Web: www.neneparktrust.org.uk Tel: Tony Webley 01480 215218 Email: jj.awebley@btinternet.com 30 May Free Children’s Activity Sessions 24 May 10am-12 noon QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton St Neots & District Gardening Club Free event. Children’s activities during the school 8pm St Mary’s Church Hall, St Neots holidays. Lots of fun activities such as football, short Members £2, Non-members £2.50 tennis and crazy golf. The games are organised by Talk by Carole Adams on Perennial Plants - how to Huntingdonshire District Council’s Roadshow team. select and cultivate these plants.

This is a Little Paxton Parish Council event and is Web: www.stneotscardenclub.org.uk aimed at children 7-11 years. No need to book.

26 May-3 June Holiday Trail 10am-3.30pm Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough £1. Collect a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre then hunt for clues as you walk around Ferry Meadows.

Return to the Information Centre to claim your prize.

Booking not required.

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30 May Wild Wednesday 10am-2pm Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough £1 per person. Children and adults are welcome to come and join in some seasonal and wild crafts.

Meet at Discovery Den. This event takes place indoors and is suitable for all abilities.

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Three Counties Radio

GUVEC

TURKISH CHICKEN COOKED IN A CLAY POT Sometimes someone walks into the Weekend Kitchen studio and one of their dishes just brings with it all the aroma and flavour of its country of origin. This Chicken Guvec (pronounced ‘Goo-Vetch’) has all of the evocative elements of classic Turkish cooking. The meltingly tender meat and the unmistakable flavour of sweet peppers.

The recipe was created by Yuksel Couling, who set up her catering company in Wilstead near Bedford (http://www.pomegranatesumac.com) when friends and family made it clear to her that her talents were being wasted just cooking for them! She uses the exact same principles her Turkish upbringing gave her - cook generously, simply and deliciously with fresh ingredients.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a clay pot to use. Any form of oven proof dish will be fine. If you can get to a Turkish shop, buy proper Turkish pepper paste for this. If not, supermarkets have plenty of acceptable variants.

To serve 4, you’ll need 500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into slightly smaller pieces 1 large onion, thickly sliced 2 large green peppers thickly sliced. You can use any peppers you like here but the long green Turkish peppers are the most authentic 1 tbsp hot pepper paste 1 tbsp tomato purée 2 tomatoes, sliced 1 tsp dried thyme or oregano 1 tsp salt 50 ml sunflower oil 100 ml water

1 Place the chicken and the rest of ingredients (except for the oil and sliced tomatoes) into a mixing bowl. Mix everything well.

2 Pour the oil into your pot (it doesn’t have to be a clay pot). Add the chicken mixture and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the water and stir.

3 Place the sliced tomatoes on top of the chicken mixture in the pot, and cover. Cook in the oven at 180C/ Gas Mark 4 for 30 minutes. To cook on the hob, simmer it for 30 minutes.

4 Serve with plain rice and salad.

Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can also join Nick every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.

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Travel

By Solange Hando

Cusco The Inca Capital in Peru The Incas got it right. Up in the Andes, this was a great location for their capital, a remote plateau ringed by mountains and blessed by fertile valleys.

Even today Cusco appears almost unreal, a hidden city basking in subtropical highlands at 3,400 metres. Eucalyptus rise in the thin mountain air, redroofed houses clamber up the lower slopes and the sound of Andean flutes echoes along the streets.

Little is known about the early Killke settlers but the first Incas arrived in the 1200s, led by Manco Capac whose origins remain shrouded in legend. The city reached its apogee from 1438 onwards when, after defeating the Chacas, Pachacuti came to power.

Ninth ruler and ‘world shaker’, he transformed the Inca kingdom into one of the world’s greatest empires and rebuilt the capital with highways, irrigation channels, terraced gardens, ceremonial plaza with a gold-covered altar, magnificent Temple of the Sun and other major buildings near the Saphi stream, the mythical origins of Cusco.

That’s where the Spanish conquistadors entered the heart of the city in 1533, described by their leader Francisco Pizarro as ‘very noble and great’ with palaces, regular streets and a temple studded with gold, ‘fabulous beyond belief’. The Incas attempted to regain control in 1536 but failed after a ten months siege. Now the time had come to build churches, convent, cathedral and more, using the old Inca walls as foundations. Earthquakes have often damaged the Spanish buildings but Inca walls survived and in 1983 Cusco became a Unesco site for its combined Inca and colonial heritage.

The Santo Domingo Convent and Church is a striking example, built originally on the sacred site

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of Coricancha and the most important Temple of the Sun. Today one can still sense the haunting presence of the Incas drifting along the pre-Hispanic walls.

Other popular churches include La Merced and the Jesuits’, both famous for their Cusco Baroque style, while in the cathedral the Quechua builders, descendants of the Incas, made sure they left their mark. Guides will point out the suggestive phallic symbols, dear to the Incas, carved on the choir stalls but most surprising of all is the 18th century painting of the Last Supper. Forget bread and wine, here Jesus and the apostles are sharing Andean cheese, local fruit and a guinea pig, the traditional Peruvian dish.

The cathedral opens on the Plaza de Armas, the colourful central square, which hosts two stunning festivals in June, the religious Feast of Corpus Christi and on the 24th - the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere - the Inca Festival of the Sun. A gentle stroll from the plaza, the artisans’ district of San Blas is a different world, winding through a maze of steps and alleyways where a mysterious twelve-angled stone holds pride of place in one of the bestpreserved Inca walls.

But on the hilltop above town, the largest stones of any Inca archaeological site are found in the Saksayhuman fortress, built by the Killke then massively extended by Pachacuti. Meanwhile, just along the path, a giant statue of Christ looks down on the old capital still shaped like a puma, the sacred animal of the Incas. With its rich heritage and vibrant colours, Cusco is indeed a lovely place to explore before heading to Machu Picchu on the scenic rail journey or one of the high altitude treks for the truly adventurous.

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Local News

Huntingdonshire Music School Music for everyone, all ages, all abilities Huntingdonshire Music School (HuMS) opens its doors for another exciting term this April, having celebrated their 50th anniversary just last year.

HuMS is a not-for-profit organisation which runs during term time on Saturday mornings at Hinchingbrooke School. Their aim is to bring individual lessons and ensemble participation together in an environment that offers their students a rewarding and inspiring musical life.

They have a team of skilled and experienced tutors

all dedicated to making the learning experience both valuable and fun.

One of the unique things about HuMS is the way it brings different generations together to make music. As well as individual lessons, their offering ranges from music-making sessions for preschoolers, to a family and community choir and even a ‘gigging’ big band. They also organise regular public performances for students to show off their talents, offer specialist workshops and music theory lessons, and even coordinate cultural trips abroad.

Everyone involved in HuMS recognises the importance of music in a child’s development, honing skills such as concentration, team-working, co-ordination and even maths! Learning an instrument is also a fantastic way of keeping your brain active later in life, and playing music with others is very sociable and a great stress-buster.

Want to get involved? Why not arrange a visit, or even book a free taster session?

Visit www.huntsmusicschool.org.uk or call 07719 835472

Fun Quiz - Dancing 1. Which dance has a name that means “two step” in Spanish?

2. The title characters in which famous poem went “hand in hand on the edge of the sand” and “danced by the light of the moon”?

3. In 1996, which song gave Los Del Rio their biggest hit and led to a new dance craze?

4. Name the two dances that feature in the NATO phonetic alphabet 5. In which 1980s film does a teenager called Ren McCormack move to a small town where dancing has been banned?

6. Who created and choreographed the original Riverdance?

7. Which 1980 hit single by the Gap Band is typically danced to by sitting on the floor in rows and performing a rhythmic rowing action?

8. With over 1,000 complaints, an advert featuring “Gary the bodyguard” was the most complained about TV advert in the UK in 2016, with viewers saying Gary’s dance moves were overtly sexual and not suitable to be seen by children. What website was this advertising?

9. Which Spanish dance features in the lyrics to the number one hit singles A Whiter Shader Of Pale by Procul Harem and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen?

10. The Infernal Galop from Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus In The Underworld is a tune that is most associated with which dance?

1. Paso Doble 2. The Owl And The Pussycat (by Edward Lear) 3. Macarena 4. Foxtrot and Tango 5. Footloose 6. Michael Flatley 7. Oops Up Side Your Head 8. MoneySuperMarket.com 9. Fandango 10. The can-can

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Time of Year

By Hannah Fenton

British Sandwich Week May 14th–20th

Ever since John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich ordered cold beef between slices of toast, to avoid getting up from his card game, his name has become synonymous with our favourite lunchtime choice. But what makes a good sandwich?

Start with good bread. Any bread you’re using for a sandwich should be delicious enough to eat on its own. Make your own or buy a high-quality artisan loaf. If you only have supermarket bread, try toasting it or charring it on a griddle. It should be crisp enough to provide some structure to the foundation of the sandwich but yield in the centre.

Rolls are good for sloppy fillings if you carve out a little bread from the dome of the roll to create a little space for them. This stops the filling sliding out when you take a bite.

When it comes to selecting the right bread for your sandwich it comes down to personal preference. A good place to start is balance of texture. A soft roll complements crisp lettuce or crunchy coleslaw, or hot chips. A thick-crusted toasted bread is great with pulled pork or roasted veg. But these are guidelines only - a soft rolled filled with mashed egg and mayonnaise is a joy and yet has almost no contrast in textures.

Soggy sandwiches divide people. I think it’s down to intention. Consider the deliciousness of a sloppy stewed steak and onion filling where the gravy soaks into the bread. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Then consider a soggy

cheese and tomato sandwich from a bad buffet.

I think you’ll see where I’m going with that. Yet nearly everyone I spoke to while researching this article said a dry sandwich is unacceptable. Lack of butter, or filling is a sandwich crime.

To avoid sandwich sogginess...or dryness, a good layer of fat such as butter or an olive oil spread will resist moisture and keep it in the sandwich rather than letting it soak into the bread.

On to the vegetables. Wash and dry them then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

This extra step is small but makes sure the veggies pack a flavourful punch with every bite. Creamy but sharp coleslaw, or tangy pickles add a vivid brightness to the ensemble.

A nutritionally well-balance sandwich will probably contain protein. From ham to egg to tofu the protein is better if it’s well flavoured and thinly sliced, diced or mashed. Too thick and it becomes difficult to bite through and chew.

Think about the position of the individual elements within your sandwich too. Would the meat be better placed in the centre or on the bottom? would cold elements be better layered on top of hot elements? My personal bugbear is thick slippery slices of tomato in the middle of a sandwich, so when you bite into it there is a tectonic plate shift and one slice of tomato shoots out of the far side and lands in your lap!

We take the humble sandwich for granted yet we know when we’ve had a great one. So, let’s hear it for National Sandwich Week. Smell the bread, admire the layers, season the filling and take a bite.

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April’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mr T Blunt from St Neots Winner of the Classic Ibiza Competition Andrea Rawlings from Hitchin

Winner of the Harpenden Blues Competition Kathy Cox from Biggleswade

Easy

Hard

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The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

£25

Across 7 Starchy vegetable (6) 8 Keep hold of (6) 9 Dish (4) 10 Quickly (8) 11 Modified (7) 13 Shell (5) 15 Swivel round (5) 17 Type of sword (7) 20 Semi-darkness (8) 21 Serene (4) 23 Jail (6) 24 Idea (6)

Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before



16th May 2018 Name: Tel: Address:

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Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Down 1 Single handed (4) 2 Hit very hard (6) 3 Bragged (7) 4 Star sign (5) 5 Artist’s workroom (6) 6 Local languages (8) 12 Toward a lower place (8) 14 Fastenings (7) 16 Dash of liquid (6) 18 Find (6) 19 Extreme pain (5) 22 Stolen valuables (4)

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ERENCE: 4180A / 49935 (Please quote at all times)

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info@cromwellstoves.co.uk 01480 812281

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Books

Book Review

By Kate Duggan Curl up with a book Make the most of the longer evenings by curling up with one of this month’s top reads.

The Witchfinder’s Sister

by Beth Underdown

Alice Hopkins finds herself caught up in her brother Matthew’s war against witches in 17th century England. How far will she go to draw suspicion away from herself and those she loves? When a birthmark can be seen as evidence of witchcraft, no one is safe. Tense, atmospheric and chilling in its reimagining of historical events, The Witchfinder’s Sister makes for a gripping read.

LESTER O’DRISCOLL CARPENTRY Door Hanging, Skirting, Flooring, Fitted Kitchens, Fencing, Decking, General Carpentry, Extensions

07842 195152 01480 811629

Only Child

by Rhiannon Navin Seven year old Zach Taylor’s world changes forever when his brother is killed in a mass shooting. As his parents struggle to cope with their grief, Zach finds his own ways of dealing with his loss. A beautiful story that is as much about forgiveness and family as it is about loss. We can’t guarantee you won’t cry, but you certainly won’t forget Only Child in a hurry.

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Classifieds Antique Furniture Restoration

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Change one letter at a time (but not the position of any letter) to make a new word - and move from the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided.

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D O W N

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