Hitchin February 2023

Sustainable Travel

The benefits of travelling are infinite. From increasing cultural understanding to supporting the economies of third-world countries, there’s no denying that the travel boom of the last two decades has had a positive impact on the world. However, the increase in plane travel and overcrowding of tourist hotspots has undoubtedly had a negative impact on the environment too. Shockingly, plane travel is one of the leading causes of climate change, with one return flight from London to Montreal in Canada emitting as many carbon emissions as heating a home in Europe for an entire year!

If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, but still want to see the world, don’t lose hope. There are lots of ways to make your trips more

sustainable – whether that’s by choosing the right destinations, seeking out eco-experiences or choosing greener modes of transport. Here are a few tips and tricks to consider before booking your next trip away.

Choose a destination closer to home

You don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to have an unforgettable holiday. There are plenty of awe-inspiring destinations sitting right on your doorstep here in the UK, or just a short plane or train journey away.

With the pandemic putting a halt to foreign travel for over a year, many of us will be more accustomed to holidaying in the UK. However, if you have set your sights on somewhere far-flung, reduce your carbon footprint by taking one longer holiday per year instead of multiple shorter trips.

Use efficient modes of transportation

Too often, we choose the easiest option when it comes to travelling, instead of thinking about the journey itself as an experience worth treasuring. Air travel tends to be the easiest but least efficient mode of transportation. When visiting destinations that are close to home – such as cities in Western Europe, for example – why not consider travelling by train or coach? You’ll cut your emissions, while

soaking up the scenery along the way. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, avoid renting a car and travel by bus, rail or bike instead. If you do rent a car, go for an electric, hybrid or smaller model.

Take the road less travelled

Nowadays, more and more destinations are becoming victims of a phenomenon known as ‘overtourism’. In short, overtourism occurs when there are too many visitors at a particular destination, resulting in locals being pushed out, damage to the area and more. Amsterdam, Venice and Barcelona are just a few cities that have experienced overtourism, but beaches, national parks and sometimes entire countries can also fall prey.

While it’s tempting to visit the bucket-list destinations you see on social media, as a tourist you can make a difference by getting off the beaten path. The reality is that many tourist hotspots don’t live up to their expectations – you’ll likely have to spend hours standing in line with other eager holidaymakers, only to discover that the destination doesn’t look the same in reality as it did online. For your next trip, do some extra research and look beyond the top destinations and attractions in the area you’re staying. You could also ask locals or other travellers for recommendations. By visiting smaller cities or rural areas, you’ll be spreading the benefits of tourism to more remote communities!

Seek out local and sustainable experiences

While you’re enjoying your holiday, take advantage of every opportunity to give back to the local community. Buying gifts for your family and friends? Snap up locally made souvenirs at smaller independent stores. Fancy a meal out? Avoid big hotel chains and find restaurants and eateries that are run by local residents.

Homestays, local guides and programmes that give

back to the community are also good ways to ensure your money is injected back into the local economy. Pack like a pro Plastic waste might not be a huge issue in the western world yet, but developing countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam have been suffering from uncontrollable plastic rubbish in oceans, waterways and beaches for years.

You can avoid single-use plastics on your travels by packing reusables like a water bottle, coffee cup, steel or bamboo straw, collapsible food container and bamboo cutlery. By doing so, you’ll reduce your waste output and have a smaller impact on the country you’re visiting.

Wines: a range that could suit

I consider that it is a good idea to have wines of different types, for many occasions. Certainly, some people like a white wine, whilst others may prefer a red or sparkling production. When it comes to sweeter and fortified wines, there are numerous, very satisfying delectations, also. I have located several wines, that could be of interest, either to be enjoyed by themselves or to accompany a lot of foods. To commence, I prefer a sparkling production. LES PIONNIERS CHAMPAGNE (12% vol) creates a massive acceptance. Fine bubbles attract and, with the delicate bouquet, thoughts of summer fruits abound. The mouthfeel and sensation on the palate needs little to confirm this excellent French selection. Great for parties and receptions, too. NAUTILUS (13.5% vol) has the white wine spot (for me). This Sauvignon Blanc, from Marlborough, New Zealand, is a very popular production and regularly found on many dining tables. Perfectly balanced, with a crisp mouthfeel, which continues on to the palate’s pleasure, this certainly does not disappoint. An extended finish, confirms my preference, for this wine. So, to the reds. Merlot is a popular and regular choice, for many. TILTING TREE (13% vol), from Moldova, has my attention firmly focussed. This wine has an abundance of aromas, on the bouquet. The flavour exudes juicy plum and ripe red fruits, for the mouth’s pleasures, which are very well accepted. Splendid with red meats and many other dishes. Towards the end of a dining occasion, perhaps a port or sweet sherry appeals. I found 10 Year Old IRRESISTIBLE TAWNY PORT (20% vol), from Portugal, an excellent selection. This production is matured in casks and (I found) a perfect accompaniment to the (towards) ending of a dining time. If sherry is a preference, then IRRESISTIBLE PEDRO XIMÉNEZ (17% vol) is a good choice. This Spanish delight has been loved for decades and continues to please, constantly. Pairing with numerous desserts, including Sticky Toffee Pudding (a favourite), this production is superb when poured over ice cream (vanilla, a great choice). I sourced these wines at a Coop store. If Co-op membership is of interest, rewards can be gained on purchases. Co-op also supports Fairtrade.

www.coop.co.uk

www.infofairtrade.net

As always, Enjoy!

A Healthy Heart for Valentine’s Day

It’s that time of year when we think about who sets our heart a flutter, or who we will give our heart to. There are heart-covered cards in the shops, and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. The heart is centre stage on February 14th. But to misquote a popular saying, ‘a heart is for life, not just for Valentine’s Day!’

Your heart works hard. It’s essential to pump nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to your whole body, as well as carry metabolic waste products away. Most people think heart disease only affects older people but this isn’t true. The way you live in while you’re young impacts your heart health in later life. Plaque can begin accumulating in your arteries in your teens and twenties. It comprises of fatty deposits, made up of waste products produced by the body’s cells. If plaque goes unchecked it can thicken the blood vessel walls, clog arteries and take a toll on your heart.

It’s commonly thought at heart disease is primarily a problem which affects men, but it’s also the second leading cause of death for women (after Alzheimer’s) in the U.K., and about two in ten of the deaths caused by coronary artery disease occur in adults, whether male and female, who are under 65 years old. This means that whatever sex you are, making hearthealthy choices when you’re young will reduce your risk of heart disease as you age. Ways to reduce the risk of heart disease include:

• Eating a healthy diet

• Regular exercise

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Avoiding smoking (or giving up)

• Avoiding excess alcohol

• Managing stress levels.

It’s also important to keep up with regular wellness examinations including monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Most pharmacists can carry out these checks.

One myth about heart disease is that all fat is bad for you, but while certain types of fats like saturated and trans fats are linked to heart disease, other types of fats can actually lower your risk of problems. Hence you should include some unsaturated fats in your diet, as they are beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels. Unsaturated fats are found in fresh nuts, olive oil, and low-fat dairy products, as fish rich in omega-3 fatty acid-rich, such as salmon. Genes also play a role when it comes to heart health. It’s true that some people will always be more at risk of heart disease because of genes they’ve inherited from their parents. But just because you have a genetic predisposition to heart disease does not mean that its inevitable you will succumb. However, if you engage in harmful behaviours, such as smoking, excessive drinking avoiding exercise, and eating an unhealthy diet, you will definitely put yourself more at risk. Poor lifestyle choices can increase your cholesterol levels, cause high blood pressure, and even result in type 2 diabetes. All of these have the potential to increase your risk for contracting heart disease, so if you know you have genetic risk factors, it’s even more important to maintain a healthy weight, keep your blood pressure under control, and stay active.

This Valentine’s Day, ask yourself if whoever you choose to give your heart to, will be getting a healthy one!

By Jamie Maxfield

Explainer: Making sense of gender

Terms such as ‘trans’, ‘genderfluid’ and ‘non-binary’ seem to be everywhere. If you’re a bit baffled by it all, we’re here to help.

What do we mean by gender?

We tend to use the terms ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ interchangeably, but they’re actually different things. Sex is about our visible biology: when we’re born the doctor looks at our bits and proclaims “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” That’s our sex.

Gender is different: it is the label you’re given –boy or girl, man or woman – and the rules you’re expected to follow. The rules vary from place to place, from culture to culture and from era to era: boys don’t cry, girls are nurturing, those jobs are for the boys, girls should and shouldn’t do certain things… that’s gender.

Largely the judgement of your gender will be based on what your sex appears to be, based on things like your clothes, your haircuts and other visual cues. For most of us, our gender matches our biological definition. That’s often called ‘cisgender’, where ‘cis’ means ‘on the same side as’.

However, some people’s gender doesn’t match their birth sex, and those people may be transgender, nonbinary or use other terms to describe themselves.

What does transgender mean?

Transgender is when the gender everyone thinks you are – such as man or woman – doesn’t match who you know you are. For example, you might have been born in an apparently female body but your mind strongly disagrees. People who take steps to fix that, for example by changing the clothes they

wear or even undergoing surgery, are typically called transgender or trans for short. Trans means ‘across’, and trans people cross from one gender to another. What does non-binary mean?

For most of us, gender is a binary: there are only two options, man or woman. But not everybody feels they fit into those categories. If you imagine gender not as a binary but as a spectrum, most people are at one end or the other – but some people are much closer to the middle. That’s non-binary. Non-binary people don’t feel they can categorise themselves as either a man or a woman, but somewhere in between the two.

What

about

genderfluid and other terms?

Genderfluid is a bit like non-binary but it’s less fixed: genderfluid people may feel closer to male or female at different times. And you might see the terms ‘gender expansive’ or ‘gender non-conforming’. They’re used to describe people who don’t stick to traditional gender roles, so for example someone born male with a very feminine presentation might still feel 100% male but enjoy expressing himself differently from most men. Here to stay

Society’s oppression – from opinion to the law –meant that these variations were very much hidden in the past, and in many societies still are. Times have changed though, and younger generations are not only accepting of non-traditional gender definitions, but rail against a world where appearance, behaviour, places and products are meant only for one narrowly defined gender.

The Food of Love

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach right? So I decided to cook up some culinary love magic for my boyfriend this Valentine’s day, but what to choose?

He loves Japanese food so I consulted my Japanese food-loving friend Yui. She informed me that in Japan the puffer fish is considered to be a great delicacy and an aphrodisiac, but the kicker is that it contains a poisonous gland so deadly it must be removed before eating! One mistake by the carefully trained chef and the food of love can become quite literally, a matter of life or death!

I thought a safer seafood option might be the oyster. A favourite with the Romans some oysters are able to change sex repeatedly and so are said to give you the ability to experience the male and female sides of love. Yui cheerfully imparted the ‘fun fact’ that at least 12000 people a year in the UK develop food poisoning after consuming oysters, which kind of put me off a bit.

What about asparagus? The high levels of vitamin E are supposed to increase blood and oxygen flow to the genitals. It’s also full of potassium — which is linked to sex hormone production, and as a bonus it even has a somewhat phallic shape. Asparagus and hollandaise sauce was a winner surely. Yui (who I suspect does not care much for Valentine’s Day) tilted her head to one side. “You do know that the asparagusic acid in asparagus, breaks down into sulphur compounds, which make your urine smell revolting?’ Uh-oh, she was right.

In the end I settled on making chocolate mousse. Dark chocolate contains both a relaxing sedative that lowers inhibitions plus a stimulant to perk you up. My boyfriend is a chocoholic so I’m backing a winner and better still Yui didn’t point out any pitfalls…because I didn’t tell her what I was making! Happy Valentine’s Day. By Lucy Perkins

The five timeless pieces your wardrobe needs

There are some pieces everyone can wear that stand the test of time, or rather the vagaries of fashion. A fit and flare dress– the most flattering shape for all clothing personalities which can be dressed up or down. It’s a fitted shape finishing at the knee it works with heels or flats, go for a mid-weight option to cover most times of year. A belt in a similar shade is the finishing touch. Kettlewell clothing often has an option in a variety of colours that works well.

A ‘white’ shirt – my caveat here is that you ideally need your shade of ‘white’. As any Dulux card will tell you there are many shades to choose from. (A colour consultation will clearly define which shades are most suitable for your skintone). A mid-weight lightly fitted shirt can be dressed in so many ways, from under jumpers, waistcoats, with added jewellery to add your own brand of expression or a polo neck underneath in the cooler months. It’s a timeless and versatile piece that will last from season to season. Cotton has the best chance of retaining it’s looks in the longer term. Have a look at Hawes and Curtis (plenty of style varieties if you know what works), Winser London, Arket, M&S.

The tailored trouser – in a neutral colour and if you’re not sure which your best neutrals are go for navy (kinder than black and more versatile). By tailored I mean not too tight and not too loose fitting. This may sound like the holy grail for some, and nigh on impossible but it is! If your shape is not the standard (and who of us are?) consider investing in alterations. The high street can’t cater for every shape and size. Take a size up and have them altered to fit. In a great fabric (that doesn’t crease – check in the changing room) they are an incredibly useful – add a sequin top for evening, or a smart knit for a ‘smart casual’ option or your white shirt for a classic smart look.

The smart mac/trench coat – it doesn’t have to be in the classic stone shade, a wow colour or your best neutral will also be a winning choice. It’s always useful in our changeable weather and an upgrade on the anorak. With a wide variety of options the classic trench will always work if you’re not clear what styles and proportions are right on you. You can add weatherproofing (spray options available in most outdoor shops) if it’s only showerproof. Check out Ted Baker, Karen Millen, Lands End and M&S.

The blazer – it could be the matching option from the trousers, or as a standalone. Great with jeans, dressed casually or over an evening camisole (or corset!), the blazer is very flexible with options to suit every style. Be sure the fit works for you, the oversized look is very much on trend but this may completely swamp you or become dated if it’s not your best look so ensure it’s true for you.

As with any of your purchases – if you don’t love it don’t get it!

Article by Jennie Billings – House of Colour House of Colour has a network of stylists to

help you update your look – find your nearest at houseofcolour.co.uk/find-a-stylist

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Slash your bills with these brilliant gadgets Technology

With the price of gas and electricity currently in orbit, the cost of living seems to be soaring ever upwards – but with a few well-chosen buys you can make a big difference to your energy bills. And you don’t need to spend a fortune either, so these gadgets will pay for themselves very quickly. The best place to start is your central heating system. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, or worse, if you don’t have a thermostat at all, you’re probably paying to heat empty rooms or to keep the heat on longer than necessary. There are lots of smart thermostats to choose from, but one of the friendliest is the Hive from British Gas. It connects to your heating and you can use its remote control, smart speaker or phone/tablet app to set schedules, and if you use the app it can tell your heating when you’re leaving or coming home and set the heating accordingly. We installed one a couple of years ago and it made a big difference to our gas bill. Lighting accounts for a lot of our energy use too, so if you haven’t already moved to LED bulbs you really should. For example, if you have a downlighter with halogen GU10 bulbs, swapping them for LEDs would reduce their energy consumption by as much as 90%: a 5W LED emits the same light as a 50W halogen bulb. And if you’ve been thinking about getting smart bulbs, they’re all LED too. Don’t forget about the kitchen either. Your hob and oven use a lot of energy, and there are often much more efficient options: a 900W microwave uses a fraction of the energy for a fraction of the time. But of course you can’t microwave everything, which is why many of us are buying Instant Pots or air fryers. Air fryers are effectively small ovens with a big fan inside, and they cook faster and at lower temperatures than an oven; Instant Pots and similar devices can slow-cook, stew, pressurecook and more, while using a fraction of the energy of a hob or oven.

Hive Smart Thermostat Mini

Smart thermostats from the likes of Hive, Tado, Google Nest and Honeywell give you much more control over your heating and can make a real difference to your bills.

£119, hivehome.com

Hive Smart Radiator Valve

A smart thermostat is just the start. Smart radiator valves can ensure you’re not heating empty rooms, saving even more money. £54, hivehome.com

Philips Hue Starter Kit

If you fancy smart, colourchanging, programmable bulbs then Hue is hard to beat: it has tons of indoor and outdoor lights and bulbs, and the starter kit contains everything you need to get up and running.

From £90, meethue.com

Instant Pot Pro

Don’t pay full price for any Instant Pot: they’re discounted in every big sales event. They’re all good but our pick is the Instant Pot Pro, a 10in-1 pressure cooker, slow cooker, soup cooker, rice cooker… £169, Amazon.co.uk

Philips Essential Air Fryer XL

You can pick up a small air fryer for under £50, but this Philips is a much better family appliance thanks to its fiveportion capacity and Rapid Air technology.

£125, Philips.co.uk

Choosing a Financial Advisor

If you’re going to make a big financial decision, it makes sense to get help from the professionals. But you may worry about getting advice that you can trust and that’s right for you. That’s where an independent financial advisor comes in.

ADVICE vs GUIDANCE

Financial guidance (which anyone can give) is where somebody talks you through the pros and cons of your potential decisions. However, they legally cannot make any recommendations about your best option.

Financial advice is a regulated industry and a financial advisor can make specific recommendations of the best products for your needs. It’s only a suggestion, and you make the final decision, but that decision will be much better informed.

Financial advisors come in two forms. A ‘restricted’ financial advisor may only make recommendations for particular products or particular providers. In some cases, they may know or think there’s a better option elsewhere but don’t have to tell you about it. An independent financial advisor can consider all options. Using an independent financial advisor also has some legal advantages. It’s a regulated status and the advisor is legally required to take into account several factors when giving advice. These include your budget, how long-term you are thinking, your tax status and the risk level you’ll accept.

If they don’t do so, you can complain to the Financial Services Ombudsman and could even get compensation. Remember, this only covers ‘bad advice’ in the sense that it wasn’t suitable for your specific needs. It doesn’t cover cases where the

product carried a degree of risk that you knew about and that risk didn’t pay off as well as you might have hoped. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme can step in if the financial advisor has gone into liquidation.

Always check that an independent financial advisor is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which is a legal requirement. This means they have a particular level of professional financial qualifications, commit to a code of ethics and take part in ongoing professional training.

Another rule of being regulated is that the adviser must tell you up front what they charge and how their costs are calculated, letting you compare advisors before committing to a service. With new clients, advisers can no longer take commission from financial service providers. Instead, they can charge you through models such as an hourly rate, a set fee, an ongoing ‘subscription-style’ retainer, or a percentage of the money you invest.

WHO TO ENGAGE?

You could ask friends and family for a recommendation, but their needs and financial situation may be very different to yours.

There are a range of independent websites including Unbiased and VouchedFor, which can suggest advisors in your area.

Finally, whilst using someone local doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get the best person, it’s much more likely you’ll be able to get feedback. And if an advisor has given time and money to advertise their services, their reputation is important to ensure they get the best return.

A rose by any other name…

The late winter month of February brings into focus the romantic festival of Valentine. Did you know that a gift of a thornless rose is said to represent ‘love at first sight’, and a single rose of any colour other than red means ‘thank you’? The single red rose doesn’t need any explanation, but if you feel generous and buy a bunch of twelve red roses, it could mean ‘I want to marry you’. Living roses also make a wonderful gift. They can be planted now, provided the ground is frost-free. You can include a dose of mycorrhizal fungi, which will form a symbiotic relationship with any tree or shrub. Types of roses - There are dozens of different types of roses and thousands of varieties in each category. New roses are being bred every year, but some of the old favourites include:

• Wild roses such as Rosa rugosa and Rosa canina, which can make wonderful informal hedges.

• Old Garden rose varieties, which are often over 100 years old, such as the pink, perfumed Rosa chinensis – the China rose.

• Hybrid tea roses such as: ‘Compassion’, an apricot pink, scented beauty; ‘Claret’, a red/crimson variety with lovely fragrance; and ‘Aphrodite’, a pink rose with good disease resistance. Hybrid tea originate from the old tea roses, which smelled of spiced tea. They have strong, single blooms that are good for cutting.

• Floribunda roses have a profusion of smaller flowers, which appear in delightful clusters. These flower repeatedly and it is possible to have floribunda roses all through spring and into late

summer.

• Patio roses are smaller than the shrub varieties and suitable for pots and containers. If you have a courtyard garden or even a large window box, this might be the one for you. The Gold Standard, award winning ‘George Best’ is a rather wonderful red, fading to pink. ‘Special Friend’ is the palest of pinks with a delicate fragrance.

• Ground-cover roses can look wonderful at the front of a border or draping across a low wall. Rosa ‘Kent’ is a white variety that has many excellent attributes, including large clusters of rain-tolerant blooms.

• Shrub roses are the modern equivalent to the Old Garden variety. They have been bred to be generally fairly disease resistant, having fairly large blooms that flower for many weeks. An unusual one is ‘Ferdinand Pichard’, being striped in clashing colours of bold pink, crimson and purple.

• Rambling roses are probably not for the fainthearted! They grow beautifully through trees but might be too vigorous for a trellis or pergola. They generally flower just once a year, but it’s a show worth waiting for, particularly the white ‘Rambling Rector’.

• Climbing roses are a more orderly bunch of characters that love to grow over pergolas and can usually be trained to obey the chief gardener. They often flower more than once per year. Try ‘Gardener’s Glory’, a yellow rose that is a Gold Standard award winner, or ‘Gloriana’, a striking purple rose that flowers almost all summer long.

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

By Rachael Leverton

A forpassionpeaches

When we rented a house in the South of France one summer, there was a peach tree in the garden and the owner invited us to help ourselves. We have never eaten so many sweet, ripe peaches. Nothing in the supermarkets here has ever compared to those fat globes of nectar.

A few years ago, I discovered that it was possible to grow peaches in this country too, with a few caveats. In the far South it’s possible to grow them against a south, or south-west-facing wall. Further up the country we need the help of a conservatory or a large greenhouse. The reasons for this are threefold: peach trees tend to flower very early, around February, when the UK can still suffer sharp frosts in the mornings; they also develop fungal diseases if the weather is too cold and damp and finally, our short summers generally don’t give enough time for the fruits to ripen. But if you have that south-facing wall or conservatory and would like to have a go at growing peaches (and who wouldn’t?) read on.

‘Peregrine’ is a white-fleshed peach quite wellsuited to the English climate (the above warnings notwithstanding) though generally best grown under cover. ‘Rochester’ is a very reliable yellow variety that gives good harvests of large fruits in August. It also has the advantage of being a late bloomer, making it less susceptible to frost damage. If space

is limited, which it often is in a conservatory, choose a plant grafted on to dwarf rootstock. Peaches are best grown as a fan. Fasten horizontal wires to the wall at 30cm intervals to allow the stems to be tied in and spaced out evenly. The plant should be positioned about 25cm from the wall with branches sloped towards it, and if planted directly into the soil, this should be enriched with well-rotted manure or compost. If planted into a pot, make it as large and deep as the space will allow. When the flowers appear, cover the plant with a light fleece at night to protect the blossom. Because of the lack of natural pollinators early in the year you can help things a long by using a long dry paintbrush to dust pollen from one flower to another. Then water the plant regularly and feed with tomato food through the summer to keep it healthy. Prune any branches that grow out away from the wall, and also remove any that overcrowd the framework. Cut some old and fruited lateral shoots out each year to allow new ones to take their place.

It might take a couple of years but with a little care and attention and a smidge of luck you will be able to reap the reward of harvesting your own peaches. There are few activities quite as delightful!

GreenFingers

The Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses how to keep motivation for your garden going. The back might ache more than it used to and there’s more than a hint of a painful creak in the knees, but most days I still feel the urge to get out there and do my bit… and even when I don’t feel the urge, I always find it important to push on. After all, my faithful beds and trellises rely on it!

It’s also worth remembering how beneficial the everyday rigours of flowering and weeding, pruning and digging are. It comes with the territory when you get to my sort of age, but I always remind myself that by the very nature of gardening you are outdoors, filling the lungs with oxygen and experiencing what it is to be around plants, trees and flowers. If that isn’t good for the soul, I don’t know what is!

I think what should motivate us to garden, even on those days when we would rather be in the pub, is the fact there is something unique about every outside space, and it changes on each occasion you set foot out into it. There is always something that’s different, and special, and always ready to enchant you… always something you perhaps hadn’t noticed before!

It’s important to remember that although your garden is a wild space, you have, in effect, tamed a lot of it; so like a pet or a child, it relies on you to keep doing the things you invested in it in the first place. It’s sort of saying, ‘you’ve started now, you can’t just stop!’

Remember too, it was you who had the vision, the idea, the perception of what this space should look like; so press on with those jobs and keep making your garden your own personal space – it’s an expression of who you are, and just like we get up in the mornings and have a wash, comb our hair, so too do we owe that to our gardens.

So in summing up, of course the work can be hard and tiring and there are days when the body seems to be telling me to stop, but I am happy and healthy and have a loving family so things could be far worse. And what would I do anyway? Okay, yes… head to the pub!

Rabbit Fostering

Every bunny needs some bunny sometimes! Can you help foster our rabbits whilst we are looking for their forever home?

Often when we think about animal fostering, cats and dogs immediately spring to mind, but have you ever thought about fostering rabbits? The RSPCA received more than 5,000 reports last year about rabbits relating to neglect or abandonment and rescued an average of 340 small furries a month! To help us with the rehoming of some of these rabbits that end up in our care, we are looking for new volunteer fosterers to join our team.

As a rabbit fosterer, you would play an essential role in providing the rabbits in our care with a temporary home whilst they are going through the rehoming process. Like us, even bunnies have specific needs and requirements, and no foster rabbit or pair will be the same, but once we have guided you through the fostering process, we will ensure that you have all the necessary guidance, food, and veterinary care you need.

While fostering a rabbit(s) you will be responsible for:

Providing them with care, safe suitable housing, and space for playtime

· Ensure that they are groomed if appropriate and fed and watered (they eat a bundle of hay as big as they are every day!)

· Provide them with suitable and clean bedding to keep them cosy

Give them lots of attention and plenty of cuddles as rabbits are very sociable animals

To become a rabbit fosterer, we are looking for:

· Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience of caring for rabbits

Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential

A full UK driving license and vehicle to travel to and from vet appointments

Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated

Animal fosterers are such a vital part of our team as they give invaluable support to our Branch by helping us care for animals in need, giving us space to take in more animals at one time; preventing them from being stuck on waiting lists or in unsuitable homes. The number of rabbits coming into rescue has increased by such a significant amount, the need for rabbit fosterers has never been more essential. For more information or to register interest in becoming a rabbit fosterer, please email us info@ rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk. Guidance on suitable rabbit housing and rabbit care in general can also be found on the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) website www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk.

These two little girls, Flopsy and Poppy are currently with a rabbit fosterer waiting for their new forever home. They’re a six-month-old, bonded pair who have been spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. They have so far been living as indoor bunnies and are now looking for a new home together where they’ll have lots of space to explore and play. For more information about these gorgeous girls or to complete an application to adopt them, please contact us by emailing adopt@rspcabedfordshirenorth.org.uk or calling our office on 01234 266965.

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.

What's On WHAT’S ON IN FEBRUARY

1 FEBRUARY

North Herts Ramblers Group 10am Morning walk. 5.5 miles from Radwell Meadows Country Park, Norton Bury Lane, Norton Bury SG6 1AN. Web: https://nhrg.org.uk/

1 FEBRUARY

Pic-n-Mix Social Group

10.30am-12pm Letchworth Library

Meets the first Wednesday of every month.

1 FEBRUARY

Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Group

1pm Shuttleworth

‘Aviation Photography with Darren Harbar. Entry to Shuttleworth £19.50 or email to book free entry ticket. Email: 99aegr@gmail.com Web: www.a-e-g.org.uk

1 FEBRUARY

North Herts Association of the National Trust 7.30pm

Christchurch, Bedford Rd, Hitchin Non-members £3 on the door

‘Secret London Virtual Walking Tour’ by Diane Burstein. Second-hand book sale.

Tel: Colette House 07831 111062

Email: colettehouse@gmail.com www.facebook.com/nhertsant/

1, 8, 15 22

FEBRUARY

Hinxworth Art Society

10am-12pm Hinxworth Village Hall

Drawing, painting, coffee and chat. Email: 99aegr@gmail.com

1, 8, 15 & 22 FEBRUARY

Baby Rhyme Time

10.30-11am Baldock Library

Fun session of songs and rhymes to help your child learn language skills.

2 FEBRUARY

Arts Society North Hertfordshire

Lecture

11am-12.20pm

Broadway Cinema, Letchworth

Visitors £7. ‘Ludwig van Beethoven – Classical Music’s Greatest Revolutionary’ by Sandy Burnett. theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk

2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23 & 27 FEBRUARY

Retired Persons Table Tennis Club

Mondays 11am-1.30pm, Thursdays

1.30-4pm Memorial Hall, Stotfold

The club plays both doubles and singles. Monthly subscription payable. Vacancies for new members (but not beginners).

Email: terrygriffiths50@gmail.com

2, 9, 16 & 23 FEBRUARY

Hitchin Thursday Art Club

9.30am-12pm

St. John’s Community Centre, St. John’s Road, Hitchin

We meet every Thursday for painting and drawing, etc.

Tel: Mike 07977 347707

2, 9, 16 & 23 FEBRUARY

Game On 10.30am-12pm Baldock Library

Play scrabble, board games or cards.

3 FEBRUARY

Hitchin & Letchworth RSPB Local Group Meeting

7.30pm The Settlement, 229 Nevells Road, Letchworth Members free, visitors £4 ‘Living Rivers of Hertfordshire’ by Sarah Perry, Rivers Officer for Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

3 & 4 FEBRUARY

The New Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. Meppershall Village Hall Adults £13, Child £8, family of 4 £36 Evening and matinée performances. www.ticketsource.co.uk/hats-drama

3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 & 28 FEBRUARY Bridge Club 1pm

Howgills, South View, Letchworth

£3. Tuesdays and Fridays. Beginners and improvers welcome.

Tel: Gill Cheaney 01462 686806 Email: bridgeclub@lalg.org.uk

3, 10, 17 & 24 FEBRUARY Bridge Club

1.30-4.30pm Springfield House, Old Stevenage Community Centre Play social cut-in Chicago Bridge. Play is informal and friendly.

Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517

3, 10, 17 & 24 FEBRUARY

Rainmakers International Folk Dance Group

8-10pm Wilbury Hall, Bedford Road, Letchworth

New members welcome - first evening free. No partner needed.

Tel: Mark 01462 454210

Web: rainmakers.org.uk

4 & 25 FEBRUARY

North Herts Ramblers Group

10am. Dog friendly walks. 5, 6-7 and 9 miles from various locations.

Web: https://nhrg.org.uk/

6, 13, 20 & 27 FEBRUARY

Stevenage Singers 7.30pm for 7.45pm

The Music Centre, The Nobel School, Mobbsbury Way, Stevenage

Stevenage Singers are ready to welcome new voices! They are so confident that you will enjoy it that they are giving you the first month

FREE. Tel: Heather 01438 365769

Email: Info@stevenagesingers.org.uk

Web: www.stevenagesingers.org.uk

6, 13, 20 & 27 FEBRUARY

Staplers Country Dance Club

8-10pm St Johns Community Hall, St John’s Road, Hitchin

Members £3, guests £4

Web: www.staplers.org.uk

6, 13 & 27 FEBRUARY

Stevenage Choral Society

7.45pm Stevenage Music Centre, Mobbsbury, Stevenage

Meets every Monday during term time. No audition necessary. Try out a wide range of music, from the classics to show songs.

Tel: 01438 365769

Email: info@stevenagechoral.org.uk

Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk

7, 14, 21 & 28 FEBRUARY

Craftea

10.30am-12pm

Baldock Library

Free – donations welcome

Bring along your crafts and meet up with other crafty people while having a natter and cuppa.

WHAT’S ON IN FEBRUARY

8 FEBRUARY

Letchworth Music Concert

7.45pm Howgills, 42 South View, Letchworth

Tickets £15, under 18/students £7.50 Mithras Piano Trio (violin, cello and piano). Tickets available on the door. Web: letchworthmusic.org

10 FEBRUARY

Unicorn Ceilidh

Doors open 7.30pm

St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Baldock

With Brown Boots and caller Erin Mansfield. Sutton Masque in the interval spot. Ceilidh dances are great fun, easy to learn - and addictive! Book online.

Tel: Alan Creamer 07946 439095 Web: www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk

11 FEBRUARY

Lily and the Lion

10.30am Baldock Library

Tickets £3. A story of adventure and fun, sadness, and triumph, where those listening follow the roller coaster ride of the story. Book tickets online or at the library. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/libraries

12 FEBRUARY

Not Strictly Jazz

5-7pm

Fairfield House, Fairfield Road, Biggleswade

Tickets £20, 10-18 years £10

Live music performed by exceptional musicians. Refreshments included. Call or email for tickets.

Tel: 01767 312176

Email: sarahwiggs@hotmail.co.uk

13 FEBRUARY Icknield Quilters

7.45pm

Meets second Monday of the month. See website for meeting details. Visitors welcome.

www.icknieldquilters.weebly.com/

15 FEBRUARY

Hitchin Flower Club 7.30pm Church House, next to St Mary’s Church Churchyard, Hitchin Tel: 07855 634075

17 FEBRUARY

Quo Vadis: Where Are You Going?

8pm Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin

Tickets £20, under 27s free Nigel Clayton and Imma Setiadi Piano Duets.

Web: https://benslowmusic.org

18 FEBRUARY

North Herts Ramblers Group

10am

Morning walk. 5.5 miles from Rusty Gun Pub, London Road, St Ippolyts, Hitchin SG4 7PG.

Web: https://nhrg.org.uk/

19 FEBRUARY

Hitchin & Letchworth RSPB Local Group coach trip to RSPB Rainham Marshes

Various pick-up times. Coach fare £25 per adult, entry fee for non-RSPB members.Alongside the River Thames near the Dartford Tunnel, Rainham attracts a variety of waders, wildfowl and raptors. Leader: Malcolm Ingram Tel: Malcolm 01462 451320

21 FEBRUARY

Greensands Writers’ Group

7-9pm

Free event.Enjoy writing? Join Greensands Writers’ Group for a monthly Zoom meeting. Web: https://m.facebook.com/ GreensandsWritersGroup/

21 FEBRUARY

Stevenage RSPB Local Group

7.30pm The Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage Members £3, non-members £4, accompanied under 16s 50p

Tel: 01438 236310

Email: trevorstorey54@gmail.com

23 FEBRUARY

Stevenage RSPB Local Group Trip to Willington

Meet 9.30am

Morning walk round this riverside (Great Ouse) site in Bedfordshire. Meet in the free NT Willington

Dovecote car park at grid ref 153/TL

106499 postcode MK44 3PX. Leader Graham Beevor.

Email: trevorstorey54@gmail.com

25 FEBRUARY

The Big Blunham Book Sale

10am-3pm

Blunham Parish Church, MK44 3NQ

An enormous selection of nearly new books - specialist and fiction sorted into categories. Refreshments served all day. All profits to Blunham Church Fabric Fund. Tel: Sue and Peter Holden 01767 640572

25 FEBRUARY

Stevenage Ostomistics

10.30am-12.30pm

Oval Community Centre, Stevenage Free entry

Support and friendship to people with a stoma. ‘Victorian Shopping’, the rise and fall of the corner shop and large chain stores by speaker Ian Waller. Tel Judy 07957 754237

26 FEBRUARY

North Herts Ramblers Group

10am

All day walk. 9 miles from East Lane car park, Wheathampstead, AL4 8BP. Web: https://nhrg.org.uk/

26 FEBRUARY

Stevenage RSPB Local Group Trip to Lynford Arboretum

Meet 10am

Hawfinches, Crossbills and Marsh Tits are among the attractions for this site which now has toilets and café. Meet in the car park at grid ref 144/ TL 822943 postcode IP26 5HW. Leader Trevor Storey.

Email: trevorstorey54@gmail.com

The deadline for What’s On entries is Thursday 9th February 2023. What’s on entries to whatson@villagermag.net

The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize £25

Complete the crossword and fill in your details below, before 16th

February 2023

Either cut out this page and send to Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd. 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Or photograph your entry and email to competitions@villagermag.com

The winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries.

Name:

Tel:

21 Relax (4) 23 Large fight (6) 24 Hinder (6)

Down 1 Mother (4)

2 Disappear (6) 3 Piled up (7) 4 Connects (5) 5 Closer to (6) 6 Railway coach (8) 12 Casual (8)

14 Haggle (7)

16 Votes for (6)

18 Scratch (6)

19 Repairs (5)

22 Fizzy drink (4)

Job hunting

In case you haven’t heard, it’s a jobseeker’s market at the moment, with many employers saying recruitment has never been more difficult. Lower skilled jobs with a higher turnover of staff are where most of the vacancies are. Waiting staff, retail assistants and general administrators could find other openings easily, although they aren’t necessarily going to see a big increase in salary. If you are highly qualified in a specialist skill there will be fewer vacancies, so it’s not as easy to find the ideal opportunity.

Job-hunting and going for interviews is timeconsuming though, so it’s worth thinking about what it is you want from a new employer before you start.

More money

You might think wanting a pay rise is a given, but it’s not as high a priority for everybody as you might think. If you are still living with parents, have family commitments, or you are older and have paid off your mortgage, maybe you would be willing to take a lower salary because it’s a better fit with your life goals.

Different hours

If you are looking for full-time work, it could be that full-time-but-flexible is more attractive. A skylark will want to get going early so they can finish early too. If you are a night owl and your job doesn’t need you until the afternoon or evening, that could really appeal to you.

If you need part-time or flexitime, an employer with a bit of sympathy for short-notice time off is going to be a good option. It’s a lot less stressful to know changes in hours are under your control, especially if you have children to care for.

Location

Commuting for the job of your dreams is something you might put up with. But don’t get lured by a super career and salary, only to find that travel (and travel disruptions) eat into your personal life, and the pay rise is wiped out by fuel or public transport fares.

The buzz

If you are an introvert, a small company where you work in a quiet office with just one or two people will be ideal. But if you are outgoing or young and hoping for a bit of a work-hard, play-hard environment, seriously question whether you are

going to get that in any opportunities you chase. You spend a lot of time at work, so the business ethos has to suit you.

Benefits

There might be tangible financial benefits such as a bonus, a good pension scheme and private health cover. But equally, extra holiday, work-from-home days, onsite parking, an early finish on a Friday or an air-conditioned office with a view could be the clincher for you.

It’s a no

Make a list of absolutely-no-way terms before you waste your time and theirs going for an interview. Finally don’t talk yourself into accepting the first offer if it’s not suitable, just because you are unhappy where you are. With plenty of vacancies out there, hold your nerve and find the right fit.

Gary’s Plumbing

Love is in the air Books

From first loves to best friends and journeys of self-discovery, this month’s reads are about love in all its many, messy guises.

The Satsuma Complex

Bob Mortimer

Romance, humour and mystery combine to great effect in Bob Mortimer’s first novel. 30-year-old Gary lives a quiet, uneventful life. He’s open to love but hasn’t done too well with it so far. Then he heads out for a drink with his friend

Brendan and meets a woman with whom he feels an instant connection. So when Brendan goes missing, Gary has more than one reason to find the mystery woman and get some answers.

A Scatter of Light Malinda Lo

A coming-out and coming-ofage novel set in California, A Scatter of Light follows Aria as she falls in love for the first time. Aria is spending her last summer before university with her grandmother. It certainly wasn’t the holiday she’d planned, but it turns into a summer of self-discovery as Aria finds herself falling for her grandmother’s gardener, Steph. A slow-burning, bittersweet novel.

The Man I Never Met Elle Cook

When Davey misdials and ends up calling Hannah, it sets off a string of texts that has them both hoping for something more, despite the fact that they live thousands of miles apart. But when they finally arrange to meet in person, Davey doesn’t show. His reason is one that seems certain to keep them apart, but neither is ready to give up on what might be.

By Kate Duggan