Hitchin june18

VILLAGER The

Issue 3 - June 2018

and Town

Life

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

In this issue Win a family pass to

Folk by the Oak This Girl Can In Herts Week

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People Your NEW FREE local magazine covering Hitchin, Great and Little Wymondley, St Ippolyts, Charlton and surrounding areas every month To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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The Old White Horse • 1 High Street • Biggleswade • SG18 0JE Tel: 01767 314344 www.lolineinteriors.co.uk e: dave@lolineinteriors.co.uk 2

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Inside this issue...

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Win a 1 Year Memberhip at Beadlow Manor How we fell in love with perfume..............................................4 Give Blood..................................................................................8 Win a Family Pass to the Folk by the Oak Festival.....................10 Win a 1 Year Membership at Beadlow Manor...........................12 Wines: Gems of Austria............................................................14 Hitchin Festival........................................................................17 Teddy Bear Festival Returns to Woburn Abbey.........................19 National Volunteers Week........................................................20 Wordsearch..............................................................................23 Countdown to ‘This Girl Can in Herts’ Week 2018.....................24 How to Look Effortlessly Stylish at a Wedding..........................26 WW1 Centenary Cycle Challenge..............................................30 Never too early - Book an eye examination for your child.........32 Understanding Travel Insurance...............................................35 How much money will you need for your retirement?..............36 Women Over 50 - CEOs at Work and Play..................................39 Brilliant Bathroom Lighting.....................................................40 Totally Tropical.........................................................................42

Creative Containers..................................................................44 What’s wrong with a little rose-tinted nostalgia?....................46 10 Electric Vehicle Myths Busted..............................................50 Milan Cathedral........................................................................52 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...................................................55 Downsize your dish and your dress size....................................37 Cyber Bullying..........................................................................58 Puzzle Page..............................................................................60 What’s On.................................................................................62 Here comes summer: Tech for outdoor living............................64 It’s dark outside, so pick up your paddle...................................67 Top Travels................................................................................68 Carry On Camping....................................................................71 Fun Quiz...................................................................................73 Prize Crossword........................................................................74 Book Review............................................................................77

Milan Cathedral

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Get your business off to a flying start this year

Advertise with the Villager Magazine... prices start from just £25.00 +VAT per month Editorial - Catherine Rose, Louise Addison, Trevor Langley, Sarah Davey, Jennie Billings, Tom Hancock, Berry House Vets, Katherine Sorrell, Rachael Leverton, Pippa Greenwood, Ann Haldon, Solange Hando, Nick Coffer, Lucy Robson, Kate Duggan, Ann Haldon, Tracey Anderson and James Baggott

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Nigel Frost • Tel 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - ZoomTeam 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 We Fell in Love with Perfume

By Catherine Rose

The word perfume is derived from the Latin per fumum, meaning ‘through smoke’. This is possibly because the perfumes of ancient civilisations were often incense-based – a dried paste made from herbs, spices, essential oils and fragrant tree resins (including the biblical frankincense and myrrh), which was made to be burned.

Today, true perfumes are a distillation of a certain percentage of oils in alcohol, with eau de toilette and eau de cologne being diluted versions.

The perfume-making process was described by Pliny the Elder, a well-known Roman philosopher who was born around twenty years after the death of Christ. But although the Romans were well-known to be very fastidious in their toilet habits, perfume very much pre-dates them.

Used significantly across Asian cultures, it is believed perfume may have originated in Arabia – still sometimes described as ‘the land of perfumes’.

Iraq, Kuwait, northern Saudi Arabia, parts of

eastern Syria and south-east Turkey were once known as Mesopotamia. The perfume formulas of a female Mesopotamian chemist known as Tapputi-Bellatekalim have been translated from a three-thousand-year-old tablet written in ancient cuneiform script.

In the ancient world, perfumes were much more than just pleasant smells – they were also revered. The Bible refers to a sacred perfume, only allowed to be used by priests, that was made from myrrh, cinnamon, cassia and sweet cane.

The ancient Egyptians believed perfume was ‘the sweat of the gods’ and used it in death rituals.

They would burn kyphi in their temples, a devotional incense made from sixteen ingredients: myrrh and other resins, sweet rush, juniper, cypress grass, wine, honey and raisins. They also anointed their dead with perfumes whose scent could still be detected when tombs were re-opened.

But perfume is even older than this.

Ancient Hindu Ayurvedic texts dating

By Catherine Rose

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back to 3000 BC refer to its distillation. In India, different fragrances were used in tantric rituals where women would be spiritually anointed with spikenard for their hair, patchouli on their cheeks and neck, jasmine on their hands, amber on the breasts, musk for the abdomen, sandalwood on the thighs and, finally, saffron for their feet.

Then, in 2004, the oldest evidence of perfume was discovered with the remains of a Bronze Age perfume ‘factory’ unearthed in Cyprus.

It is thought that 13th century Crusaders brought back perfume from Palestine, and its use was eagerly taken up by Europe’s nobility (Queen Elizabeth I became a fan).

The Sun King Louis XIV, who ruled France from 1643-1715, loved perfume so much that his palace became known as ‘the perfume court’.

This might have had something to do with the fact that, like most of the nobility at that time, he was loathe to take baths, believing (quite understandably) that water made you ill.

King Louis had a different perfume for every day and installed a pavilion that he kept filled with flowers and would visit with his mistresses. He insisted on dousing every palace visitor with scent and the most important had their own signature perfumes.

One of his favourite perfumes, used to fragrance his shirts, was called Aqua Angeli (‘water of angels’) and consisted of, amongst other ingredients, nutmeg, cloves, jasmine, orange flowers, musk and aloe wood, all boiled in rose petal water.

During this time, France became a force in Europe for the manufacture and supply of fine perfumes, and Grasse in southern France, renowned for its natural variety of flowers, was a leading supplier.

In England, where sanitation was also abysmal and disease rife, perfumes were not only worn; they were also kept inside jewellery and the heads of canes to be inhaled by the wearer for health-giving properties and to ward off illness.

As well as essential oils from flowers and plants, ingredients for perfume were also derived from animal excretions. Castor was extracted from beavers, musk from male deer and ambergris from the sperm whale.

In the 1800s, synthetic fragrances made an appearance, their less expensive ingredients allowing for the first mass marketing of

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perfumes, thus launching famous companies that are still around today such as Coty and Guerlain.

It was discovered, for example, that a mixture of nitric acid and benzene gave off a scent like almonds, so this was consequently used in soap.

It is not possible to obtain essential oils from some flowers, lily of the valley for instance, so the development of synthetic scents proved ideal to replicate them.

With mass marketing, perfume bottle design became increasingly important and the Art Nouveau period saw the launch of many beautiful styles, some of them designed by the artisans of the era such as Rene Lalique.

Then in 1921, Chanel created her signature scent, Chanel No. 5, with the help of Grasse parfumier Ernest Beaux who had made perfumes for the Russian royal family. Under her direction, he gave her numbered samples to choose from – the rest is history.

Today our love of perfume remains undiminished and fragrances are popular with both men and women. But one thing hasn’t changed in that, even used daily, perfume is still viewed as a gloriously indulgent and luxury item – pure olfactory pleasure in a bottle.

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Time of Year

By Louise Addison

Give Blood!

World Blood Donor Day is June 14th

Most of us have had or know someone who has had a blood transfusion. Blood donation is vital to help treat thousands of seriously ill patients every day and new donors are desperately needed.

Currently only 4% of the eligible population are active blood donors.

Here are 10 reasons to consider giving blood: Life-saver - You change lives each time you give blood. Every blood donation can save or improve the lives of up to three adults or six children.

Desperate need - NHS Blood and Transplant needs many more donors to come forward to make sure the nation’s blood stocks remain at a safe level for the future.

Day-to-day needs - You may think blood is only used for massive blood loss in A&E patients, but your blood could help many different people.

Donated blood is also used for patients having surgery, maternity emergencies, and for people with cancer or blood disorders.

6000 donations are needed per DAY! - It’s true that changes in medical practices mean demand for donated blood has reduced. But hospitals across England and North Wales still need around 6,000 blood donations every day to treat patients.

A quick pint - If you book an appointment, the whole process takes less than an hour. One hour, every three to six months. Just a short amount of time to do something wonderful for another human being.

You’re probably eligible - You need to be in general good health and weigh over 50kg to

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donate blood. If you are looking to donate for the first time you need to start on or before your 66th birthday. To check if you are eligible go to www.blood.co.uk You might be a missing type - Blood from all groups is needed but some blood groups are particularly vulnerable to shortfall such as O negative – which can be given to all patients in an emergency: think of those episodes of Casualty or ER where the doctor in charge yells ‘Where’s the O-NEG’!

You might be young - We need more young donors. Around half of current donors are aged over 45. The more young people get involved the better future blood stocks will be safeguarded. You can start donating at 17.

You might be BAME - Are you black, Asian or from an ethnic minority? Please consider becoming a donor as some rare blood types are more common among these communities. Conditions such as sickle cell and thalassemia are also more likely to affect these groups and patients require regular blood transfusions, ideally from donors from a similar ethnic background.

There are biscuits - Free food! Around 6 million biscuits are eaten by donors every year. Aren’t we a greedy bunch? But the post donation biscuit and cuppa are important because sitting quietly while eating and drinking something helps the body to recover.

If I’ve inspired you to become a donor go to www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.

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Win a Family Pass to the Folk by the Oak Festival in Hatfield Sunday 15 July

Folk by the Oak is the UK’s largest one day folk festival, and promises all the open air buzz of a 3 day festival packed into one joyous day of music, fun and bunting, without the need to camp! As well as bringing together an exceptional line- up of folk, roots and acoustic talent, which this year includes international festival favourite Amy MacDonald, the legendary Billy Bragg, and critically acclaimed Eliza Carthy, Folk by the Oak is a festival designed with fun for all the family in mind.

The Main Stage with its outdoor arena means that children can freely dance about in the parkland and the smaller, covered Acorn Stage attracts a little gathering of children right at the front singing along to favourite songs. As well as programming a day of back to back sublime music across these 2 stages, the organisers have lovingly gathered together many magical, unique and imaginative activities for children of all ages to enjoy, either in our dedicated family area or dotted around the festival site.

Unusually in the festival world, you can even bring your own picnic to Folk by the Oak, so feeding kids doesn’t mean spending a fortune or leaving the auditorium and missing out on the action. Should supplies run low there’s a carefully selected and plentiful array of tasty food stalls available too, as well as that festival essential for the grown-ups, the Real Ale Bar! To be in with a chance to win a family pass (2 adults and 2 children) simply send your entry by 16th June 2018 to: Folk by the Oak, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. The winner will be drawn randomly.

FOLK BY THE OAK COMPETITION ENTRY

For a chance to win a family pass simply complete your details below and post your response by 16th June 2018 to: Folk by the Oak Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. Name:



Don’t want to leave it to chance? For the full line-up and to book tickets go to www.folkbytheoak.com

Address:

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Win a 1 Year Membership at Beadlow Manor Hotel and Golf Club

Beadlow Manor Hotel and Golf Club is a golf club set in 307 acres of Bedfordshire Countryside and is one of only two golf courses in the county with 36 holes and a 25 bay flood lit driving range. The Baroness golf course measures 6,098 yards. The Baron course is the more challenging golf course and measures 6,611.

When you finish playing you are assured a warm welcome in our clubhouse where you can relax with a beverage and try food from our new bar menu. Room hire available for parties and corporate meetings too.

Membership Types

Contact Sean for details:- Tel: 01525 860800 Email: sales@beadlowmanor.co.uk Seven Day Membership £540 Full seven day playing rights on two 18-hole golf courses, 14-day advance tee booking rights, access to all Club competitions, 10% discount off Food and Beverage purchase free 30 minute lesson with our resident golf professional.

Junior Memberships from £49 Corporate Memberships tailored to suit you Military memberships discounted fee 999 memberships discounted fee WWW.BEADLOWMANOR.CO.UK

The Villager Magazine has partnered with Beadlow Manor to offer its readers the chance to win a 1 year membership at Beadlow Manor Hotel and Golf Club (worth £540). The prize includes the use of two 18 hole golf courses, 7 day playing rights, exclusive member discounts and excellent practice facilities.

BEADLOW MANOR HOTEL AND GOLF CLUB COMPETITION ENTRY

For a chance to win a 1 year membership simply complete your details below and post your response by 16th June 2018 to: Beadlow Manor Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. Name:



The winner will be drawn at random.

Address: Tel: Email: All entries will be passed to Beadlow Manor.

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Food and Drink

Wines: Gems of Austria Austria attracts many visitors, from global origins, constantly. From pretty alpine villages, through cities, boasting beautiful architecture, to stunning landscapes, with lakes, mountains, glaciers and so much more, there is something for everyone. Vienna is the capital city and home to Strauss, the renowned family that is famous for numerous musical scores, including much-loved and well-known waltzes. The Vienna Boys Choir has many followers, worldwide. Locating Mozart’s birthplace, cathedrals and a lot of other locations, including some of the world’s finest museums and art galleries, hold much interest. The high-quality wines, produced in Austria, many of which are multi award-winning, have become recognised for their distinctive, superb attributes.

Domäne Baumgartner is currently reputed to be the largest wine estate in Austria. Having centuries of experience and, now, combining tradition with innovation, Domäne Baumgartner produces outstanding wines. Indeed, Grüner Veltliner Rosenprinzessin (Rose Princess) is, truly, ‘Music in the Bottle’. This wine is ‘treated’ with/to music, having frequencies ‘encouraging’ the eventual outcome.

The resulting wine is elegant and has a very good, full body. Taste the music – absolutely! Their ranges include classic, dry Grüner Veltliner wines, which are medium-bodied and full of character, through Zweigelt and Pinot Noir Grande Reserve productions, displaying most impressive fruit depths. All are great pairings with many dishes, complementing cuisine to an exceptional standard. www.weinbaumgartner.at Hauermandl is a family-owned winery in the Langenlois area. Several grape varieties are grown, including Riesling, Chardonnay, Muskateller, Pinot Noir, Zweigelt and, of course, Grüner Veltliner. Their Steiner wine ranges include Grüner Veltliner Sommeliers and Privat Riede Neuberg. On, through Grüner Veltliner Riede Dechant Reserve, to others, that include Riesling Riede Steinhaus and Muskateller, to Zweigelt Reserve. These productions prove to be very popular. Each to their own, the Zweigelt is often selected to impress – and impress it certainly does! This production has many ‘devotees’ and is regularly chosen to grace numerous dining occasions. This red, fruited wine, is both delicate and elegant. The silk-red conveys throughout, from the appearance, through the bouquet, to the superb pleasures, on the mouth and palate, with a memorable finish.

Wonderfully delicious. www.hauermandl.at

As always, Enjoy!

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ey Trevor Langl

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Home cooking and support in later life Delicious home cooked meals and additional support for yourself, or someone you care for, in Hitchin and the surrounding areas.

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Local News

Hitchin Festival 2018 This year’s programme is now available from many outlets including the Hitchin Information Shop at 1A Churchyard where the Box Office is also situated and local village stores.

Festival begins on the 29th June and runs throughout July and there are well over 100 listings for music of all genres, drama, walks, talks, poetry, films, comedy and events.

There are 7 Lunchtime concerts this year which take place in St Mary’s Church at 1.05pm and last about 50 minutes. Admission is free with a retiring collection at the end, the proceeds divided between the performers, the church and Hitchin Festival. Performances include Masa Tayama on piano, Quintessimo Wind Quintet, the Gaillard Trio, Caroline Owen with her ‘Fearless’ violin show, Joanna Lam – pianist, Songs from shows and musicals and a presentation of songs and anecdotes from Noel Coward, Tom Lehrer, Flanders & Swann et al. Evening music features classical at Benslow, folk at The Victoria, Pop-Up Opera in St Marys, Jacqui Dankworth, Caritas Harmony, North Herts Guild of Singers, Orpheus Choir, Vivace, Hitchin Band, Hitchin Symphony Orchestra, Hitchin Light Orchestra and a Legend of Elvis Show!

There’s a featured comedy week of artistes pre-Edinburgh Shows including Harry Hill, Simon Brodkin, David Ephgrave, Glen Davies. Also, a week of films from the awardwinning 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri to the classic Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and including another episode in the series of Old Hitchin on Film and a superb presentation of the silent version of Phantom of the Opera with live music accompaniment from Minima.

Priory Picnic makes a welcome return when the talented young musicians from North Herts Music School entertain al- fresco in the beautiful grounds of Hitchin Priory; another favourite making a comeback is the Art Trail where local artistes display around the town throughout the month.

An eclectic range of talks includes a double bill of Dickens; Victorians & Their Art; Lutyens in India; Ethel Smyth – Suffragette, composer & writer; Lady Constance Lytton; Cambridge Colleges & their Gardens; James Rennie – Hitchin’s Travelling Bookkeeper; Antony Slinn on Van Gogh; Ulster Conflict Resolution; Historic Royal Palaces – Restoration of Kew’s Pagoda; Zoe Folbigg – bestselling novelist; Monet; The Middle East; Women,

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Science & the First World War plus Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream at The Queen Mother Theatre and local history play ‘Smell of Lavender’ at The Market Theatre.

Historic walks, Ghost Walks, Lavender Farm tours, the Railway Walk, Blue Plaques Walk and Priory Park walk are all guided information tours. The food offer features Afternoon Teas, Street Food, a ‘Beer Mile’, Cider & Cheese Festival, Pasta Masterclass, Cheese & Wine, BBQ, Jazz & Blues Brunch finale, and a Coffee Festival.

For the children, there’s a Sunday of festivities at Hitchin Priory with the Humanitas ‘Diddy Rascals Festival and later in the month children’s television favourites Rebecca Keatley and Sid Sloane from CBeebies hit show Let’s Play bring their live stage show ‘It’s Time to Play’ to the Town Hall.

Bucklersbury Day, Independents Day, North Herts Beekeepers, Flower Festival, Art & Craft Fairs, Buskers Day and Festival Dog Show ensure that there is plenty of activity out on the streets at the weekends.

Once again, Hitchin Festival makes Hitchin the place to visit in July with so much going on.

Full details can be found via the website www.hitchinherts.com

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Local News

Teddy Bear Festival Returns to Woburn Abbey

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, the Teddy Bear Festival is returning to Woburn Abbey on Sunday 10th June.

The festival, which is a homage to all things teddy bear, will take place from 10am to 3.30pm in the Sculpture Gallery and Grounds.

There will be over 150 stalls, where visitors will be able to browse and buy the finest examples of Artist bears and animals, antique and vintage teddy bears and soft toys. In addition, there will be an opportunity to meet experts and get free teddy bear valuations from Daniel Agnew of Special Auction Services.

Other highlights include an exhibition of rare and famous teddy bears kindly on loan from collectors. The famous Bristol Bear, a 1910

German antique bear lost at Bristol airport that was only found thanks to a public appeal, will also be on display. There’ll be a hospital for bears in need of repair too.

Visitors can make a day of it; there will be refreshments in the central courtyard and tickets can be upgraded to include a visit to the Abbey itself.

Entry tickets to the Festival are £12 and include entry to the Festival and fair and the historic gardens and grounds of the Abbey all day.

To purchase tickets, visit www.woburnabbey.co.uk/events Follow us on Facebook @ Woburnteddybearfestival

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Time of Year

By Sarah Davey

National Volunteers Week 1st – 7th June

This year, Volunteers’ Week is about volunteering for all – celebrating the huge range of people who give their time in so many ways.

Could you volunteer, and why should you bother?

Studies have found that taking time out to help others reduces stress levels, improves immunity and increases life-satisfaction. This is because helping someone else interrupts tensionproducing patterns and replaces it with a sense of purpose, which leads positive emotions.

Whether you’re looking for a change in career or advancement in your current one volunteering is an excellent way to boost your prospects.

Volunteers tend to create a positive impression, appearing more innovative, creative and skilful.

In an Adweek article on the state of recruitment in 2015, they found that recruiters rank volunteer participation higher than personal presentation, political affiliations and spelling and grammar errors when looking at a candidate’s potential. This is probably because employers value transferable soft skills and volunteering gives you plenty of those, particularly problem-solving, teamwork, leadership and people skills. Candidates with realworld experience also tend to be more insightful and ready to be more hands-on in projects.

Away from the corporate world many people look around their community and long to make a difference but don’t know how. Look for community volunteering projects and get involved. It gives you the

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chance to think about the kind of community and world you want to live in, and to be part of something bigger than yourself.

If you’re still not sure where to start your volunteering journey think about where your passions lie. Maybe you love animals, are passionate about butterflies, or you want to share music, or life experience, or gardening skills. Look on the web, there will probably be some volunteer group where your passion or knowledge will be useful.

If you are feeling adventurous volunteering abroad allows you to travel with a purpose. Before deciding on a programme it’s advisable to ask: • How will it benefit the local community?

• Does the organisation respect the local culture?

• What is the reason behind your volunteering trip?

• What problem will the end-product help solve?

Volunteering abroad changes how you see the world as you meet people daily from different countries, backgrounds and quality of life.

Many of us are lonely in our modern lives. Maybe we moved away from our families for work, or we’re divorced, or widowed, or the children have left home. Volunteering introduces you to people from all walks of life and provides a means of making real friends who can have a lasting impact on you.

Volunteering can shake you out of old routines and help you figure out where you want to head next. You might come up with ideas on how to improve your own community, or even discover a new life calling.

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BICKERDIKES

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Colours Amber Apricot Azure Beige Black Blue Blush Bronze Brown Cerise Copper Crimson Cyan Emerald

Green Taupe Grey Teal Indigo Violet Ivory White Jade Yellow Orange Peach Pink Plum Puce Raspberry Red Rose Ruby

Find the names of colours in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase

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Countdown to

‘This Girl Can in Herts’ week 2018 Have you been inspired by the success of Team England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games?

What captivated your attention the most?

The list of female English successes on the Gold Coast is phenomenal, making the games breath taking, nail biting and inspirational on all accounts.

The Herts Sports Partnership, based at the University of Hertfordshire, are looking to build on this success with the return of ‘This Girl Can in Herts’ week from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 June 2018. Once again the Herts Sports Partnership are running a seven day campaign focusing on women and girls getting active through sport and physical active, no matter what their size, age or ability.

Working with various partners, the Herts Sports Partnership team are excited to relaunch the This Girl Can in Herts campaign, particularly as 2018 has been designated as the Hertfordshire Year of Physical Activity. This years’ campaign focuses on four key themes; leadership, inactivity, confidence and the social side of sport and physical activity.

During this week, could you run a female activity session at your club, take a friend along to a class, go on a walk after the school drop off with other mums, or volunteer at your local parkrun to help motivate others?

Alex Varran, Women and Girls Project

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Officer at the Partnership commented that, “Last year’s campaign, which saw over 3000 women and girls inspired to take part during the week was a huge success, and so we are delighted to be encouraging more women and girls to get active this June.”

A whole host of female-friendly activities and sessions will be promoted including Back to Netball, Pickleball, ladies only swimming, yoga and Clubbercise, proving that there is something for everyone to have a go at. How will you get involved?

For more information contact Alex Varran at a.varran2@herts.ac.uk or call 01707 281173.

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Experience the warm welcome of Talents, where we’ll create the style to reflect your personality.

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House of Colour

How to Look Effortlessly Stylish at a Wedding

The English weather doesn’t exactly make it easy for you to decide what to wear to a wedding. Add to that the pressure of looking chic, yet comfortable with potentially many hours on your feet, and some of us wedding guests have a major dilemma on our hands! Here are tips on how to look effortlessly stylish at a wedding:1. Tried and tested. Unless you are the bride, never wear a new outfit for the first time to an important event such as a wedding. You don’t know whether it will be comfortable or whether it might let you down. I recall watching a beautifully dressed woman having to be carried onto a coach to get her to the wedding she was attending as her dress was too tight to climb the steps!

2. Stand out. Many wedding guests will still wear a traditional shift dress with a matching fascinator but if it suits your personality style - why not try wearing a gorgeous jumpsuit with heels instead?

Be true to yourself to look and feel your best!

3. Not the time for business. Gentlemen choose a statement tie in a beautiful silk or add an interesting colour in a detail of your outfit to avoid looking like you are at a business meeting.

4. Stay warm. If you worried about staying warm and stylish in the evening try a faux fur stole, a beautiful cashmere cardigan or a statement shawl as long as it still makes you feel like a million dollars. A warm million dollars!

5. Flats Are In. There is nothing worse than watching someone struggle through a wedding in a pair of killer high heels. Have some spare flats in your bag for dancing in but make sure they still work with your outfit.

6. Don’t wear a white wedding-esque dress - Its essential to differentiate yourself from the bride and not to be in any way in competition with her. True red is the only colour that everyone can wear successfully, and it is a great colour to use as a pop if you don’t want to go all out with a block colour.

7. Natural Party Look. Wear natural looking

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make up during the day but have a mineral foundation compact and a killer lipstick in one of your wow colours to re-apply before facing the photographer! Even if you don’t usually wear much make up, a gentle touch of make up in the right colours will make you look amazing for the pics.

8. Vintage – wearing something vintage can help avoid the problem of guests wearing identical outfits. Just be sure it fits well and is in your colours and style.

9. Accessorise…Accessorise! Dress up your outfit with stunning jewellery but make sure the whole look is balanced including size of hat, jewellery and bag.

10. Versatility is key. If you can’t resist buying a new outfit for that important event, then think about the future cost per wear before blowing your budget. It is tempting when invited to a wedding to rush out and buy a new outfit, but before purchasing think about how many times you are likely to wear it in the future.

Alternatively have you already got a great dress that can be accessorised differently? Or buy a more versatile dress in a block colour that you could wear again and again by teaming it with other items in your wardrobe and the good news is Colour blocking is back on trend right now!

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

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Mobile Foot Health Practitioner

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Your local hearing specialists We offer the best technology and an honest, unrivalled service.

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Because of our family history we fully understand and empathise with the hard of hearing and look after all of our patients like we do our own family.

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Hertfordshire based hospice launches

WW1 Centenary Cycle Challenge Garden House Hospice Care, in North Hertfordshire, has set a unique and memorable cycle challenge in September to commemorate 100 years since the end of the Great War. Setting off from the UK’s first hospice, St Christopher’s Hospice in South London, cyclists will follow the Pilgrims Way to Folkestone. Over the next three days they will follow the old front line from the historic Belgium town of Ypres, travelling south over the battlefields at Loos, Vimy Ridge and the Somme.

The ride will finish at the site of the signing of the Armistice in the Forest of Compiegne.

Richard Harbon, Community Fundraiser at Garden House Hospice Care, commented: “The WW1 Centenary Cycle Challenge is a unique opportunity to be part of something that will provide life-long memories whilst enabling cyclists to raise vital funds for Garden House Hospice Care, which serves the communities of North Herts and Stevenage.

“During the ride the Great War will be brought to life with visits to sites synonymous to the ‘War to end all wars’ such as Thiepval Memorial to the missing, Lochnagar Crater and Vimy Ridge. You will also have time to pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Places on this once in a lifetime trip, scheduled for

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14 – 17 September, are limited. The cost of the ride is £490 and riders are expected to raise over £1000 for Garden House Hospice Care. Riders are expected to be at least moderate cyclists with moderate level of fitness to ride approximately 275 miles in total; there will be a few groups to offer varied routes and distances each day.

To find out more about this challenge, including cost and fundraising requirements nd tips, please visit: www.ghhospicecare.org.uk

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09/03/2018 13:03 31

Health

By Louise Addison

Never too Early Book an eye examination for your child A child’s development and learning can be hindered by undiagnosed or uncorrected sight defects, so early and regular eye examinations are essential to give them the best chance of succeeding in their education.

Rapid visual development takes place between birth and 3-4 years of age. Many visual defects such as long-sight (hyperopia), short-sight (myopia), a turning eye (strabismus) or a rugby ball-shaped eye (astigmatism) can be inherited.

Most visual problems are treated better if they are diagnosed early on. It’s not necessary to wait until a child can read the letters on a conventional chart before taking them for an eye examination. Special picture charts and tests can be used and it’s quite possible to take certain measurements without any interaction from the child at all.

Doctors, health visitors and some school nurses will carry out rudimentary vision checks, but only an optometrist will be able to provide a comprehensive accurate assessment.

Here are some signs to look out for but it’s important to say that some children show no signs of anything being wrong at all, yet they may still have a serious underlying vision defect.

• Frequent eye rubbing • Dark circles under the eyes • Obvious discomfort in bright sunshine • Watery eyes

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• One eye larger than the other • One or both eyes turning inwards or outwards, even if it’s only sometimes • A white pupil visible in family photos, particularly where flash has been used • Holding books very close • Aversion to reading • Sitting right next to the TV • Red-rimmed eyes, or sore-looking eyelids • Excessive blinking • Short attention span for close-up tasks • Poor eye-hand co-ordination It might sound obvious but choose an optometrist who likes children (not all of them do!) and who puts them at ease. When you go into the practice there should be children’s books or possibly a toy or two available to keep them occupied while they wait. A child-friendly optometrist will understand if your toddler wants to run around the room periodically or alternatively doesn’t want to engage at all. If your child has special needs such as autism or anxiety and needs to visit the practice to see the room and meet the staff before attending for an appointment this should be an option. Choose someone you feel comfortable with and your child will probably feel comfortable too.

Your child’s sight is precious.

Book and eye examination today.

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Travel

Understanding

By Tom Hancock

Travel Insurance It can seem like just one more extra cost you could do without, but travel without it and you could be in trouble.

Crippling costs - You risk footing a very large bill should you need healthcare or have your baggage lost or stolen. something as simple as a stomach bug in California with a stomach bug, which requires treatment and later flights home, could cost in the tens of thousands of pounds. A broken hip in a European destination could lead to a bill of £15,000 Don’t forget - If you are planning any sports or other activities, mention it. Skiing and extreme sports are obvious examples, but scuba diving and other activities you may not think of as “extreme” may still need extra cover. Know how much it would cost to replace baggage, from suitcases to clothes, to jewellery, including wedding rings.

Why it matters where you’re going - EU countries tend to be less expensive while Canada, the US and the Caribbean are much more so due to the

incredibly high cost of medical care in those regions.

Declare pre-existing conditions - certain medical conditions will add to the cost of your insurance, because insurance is about risk and certain ailments make it more likely that you might require medical attention. It may be worth looking at insurers which specialise in providing this type of insurance.

Tell them everything - Even if it feels like you are hiking up the cost of your insurance policy. You don’t want your insurance to be invalid if you need to make a claim.

Read! - When you get your policy, make sure you read the full terms and conditions and the medical declaration carefully, so you understand exactly what you’re covered for.

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35

Finance

By Ann Haldon

How Much Money Will You Need For Your Retirement?

There’s a general consensus that to live comfortably in retirement, you need a pension of at least £20,000 a year. Where you live obviously makes a difference, but in general, people’s idea of what constitutes a ‘comfortable’ retirement also differs.

So, if like many people you’re unsure how much you’ll need in retirement, how can you find out?

Focus on your expenditure initially Rather than obtaining pension statements and forecasts first, it’s a good idea to calculate how much you’ll need for the essentials in retirement, taking into account what your circumstances might be in the future rather than now.

If you pay your bills by direct debit, have a look at your bank statements for regular household outgoings such as mortgage, utilities, council tax and house insurance. Then you can factor in the cost of emergency repairs such as boiler or car breakdowns. The total is the sum you’ll need to cover using a guaranteed income.

Pension forecasts and statements Once you’ve calculated your expenditure, you can obtain a state pension forecast from the gov.uk website. Work and personal pension statements should be available by phone or in writing from your pension provider(s), and there are also a number of online ‘pension calculators’ that give you an idea of how much you might receive.

What expenses will you save in retirement?

• If you’re currently supporting your family or making mortgage repayments, these expenses may not be relevant once you retire. Not having to commute to work is also a significant costsaving for some.

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• Many people choose to downsize their property in retirement – if this is on the cards for you, it would release a lump sum of cash to pay off any debts you have remaining, invest for an income, or to pay future house maintenance costs, for example.

So now you’ve got all the figures you need, how do you access your pension pot when the time comes?

Pension freedoms The pension reforms that were introduced in April 2015 give you much greater choice in the way you access your pension pot. Prior to this, an annuity had to be purchased which provided a guaranteed income for life.

Although this option remains available and is commonly used, it’s no longer the only one. With professional pension advice, you can maximise your pension savings whilst also ensuring you avoid the significant pension pitfalls that now exist.

Pension mistakes that could jeopardise your retirement Could you outlive your pension savings?

It’s possible that you could outlive your pension savings if you take out too much money too early.

It’s crucial to seek professional help on the most tax-efficient ways to access your pension, so you don’t risk reducing its value unnecessarily.

Beware pension scams One of the downsides of the new pension freedoms is that con artists have been able to swindle people out of their hard-earned pensions.

Scams such as those offering tax-free transfers to dubious investment schemes, or suggested legal ‘loopholes’ that allow you to avoid paying tax, have been widespread in recent years.

So essentially, there are three factors when it comes to thinking about money in retirement: • How much money you’ll need to live on each month.

• How you’re going to achieve this level of income.

• How you’ll manage your money.

With the help of pension professionals, and the facts and figures at your fingertips, hopefully you’ll make the most of your long-awaited retired life. www.which.co.uk/money/pensions-andretirement/starting-to-plan-your-retirement/ guides/how-much-will-you-need-to-retire www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

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We build our mortgages around you All homes are different. The same applies to the need for home financing.

Therefore we offer individual and flexible solutions for all your mortgage needs and requirements. We can find a financial solution to suit your needs whether buying a new home or remortgaging.

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Business

Women over 50 CEOs at work and play!

Did you know that many women over 50 are flouting the stereotype? Instead of retiring and ‘taking it easy’ as previous generations have done, they are reinventing and reinvigorating their lives.

Many are launching their own businesses. The desire to be their own boss, create a better work/ life balance and take control of their own success drives them forward.

One such local ‘olderpreneur’ Heather Aylett from Sandy, Bedfordshire, has grasped that second bite of the cherry!

In 2017 at the age of 54 and already owner of her own successful children’s entertainment business A for Active, Heather launched All About Enterprise providing schools with innovative business enterprise training days, which are both stimulating and fun, utilising her lifetime passion for training whilst capitalising on her vast experience of working with children. “it’s absolutely fantastic being able to give pupils a taste of life beyond the classroom and show them that they can use their own specific talents to develop successful businesses when they are older, inspiring them to become the business leaders and entrepreneurs of the future. It’s never too early to introduce children to the world of business and as such my programmes are suitable from year 6 upwards” Launching the business was relatively straightforward (having done it all before 10 years earlier). However, Heather struggled with the isolation of not having a support network that understood her own particular needs of being a businesswoman over 50 in a very different contemporary business world.

“marketing, so vital for any business - but particularly a start-up, is a very different world these days, with new thinking, technology and social media to understand and at first I found this overwhelming.

It’s so important to command an understanding of this aspect of running a business. Indeed, All About Enterprise’s signature programme is about marketing and offers school students a real life ‘Dragon’s Den/ The Apprentice type experience” Heather’s experience changed when she connected with fellow businesswoman Ali MilesJenkins, founder of The BoomBiz. The BoomBiz helps women over 50 reach their potential and gives them the confidence to take control of their own success, to achieve a profitable lifestyle and become their own boss at work and play. “it’s fantastic being part of The BoomBiz. Ali, a successful business woman in her own right is a great mentor. It’s also invaluable being part of a group of like-minded women and the support within the group is amazing” Heather has been lucky enough to be part of Ali’s K.I.M programme, which offers business support to ladies over 50 who have survived cancer and have gone on to launch a business.

“I feel very honoured to be given this opportunity to take advantage of the K.I.M programme, it has been invaluable in helping me launch, develop and market my business” If you would like further information regarding All About Enterprise or The BoomBiz, please see the contact details below: www.AllAboutEnterprise.co.uk www.theboombiz.com

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Home Interiors

By Katherine Sorrell

Brilliant Bathroom Lighting Use a range of light fittings for a flexible scheme that will take you effortlessly from brisk morning ablutions to leisurely evening baths.

When you stagger into the bathroom in the morning, you’ll need bright, efficient light (and preferably flattering, too). For a long soak in the tub, however, you’ll want soft lighting that sets a relaxing tone. Designing a lighting scheme for a bathroom is not particularly difficult, but it does require careful consideration in order to be really effective. Ideally, you would plan it at the same time as the plumbing, considering the availability and direction of natural light, who uses the bathroom, what for and at what times of day, and the overall style you wish to achieve. A great bathroom lighting design will be flexible enough to illuminate each area according to your needs, combining directional task lights with adjustable general background light – and all using fittings designed to be safe in wet and steamy conditions.

In terms of decorative effect, it is possible to buy bathroom-rated chandeliers and other pretty pendants, but for washing, shaving and putting on make-up, it’s useful to install bright, ‘working’ lights above the bath, shower and –

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especially – the basin areas. Depending on the size of the room, you may also need additional, general lighting for any remaining dark areas.

Don’t forget that mirrors are exceptionally useful when it comes to reflecting light around the room and making the whole space seem brighter.

All-purpose downlights set into the ceiling are particularly neat, and can be placed almost anywhere you wish, though you may need to avoid joists. Small, directional lights on tracks are useful, too, and come in a range of styles that won’t break the bank.

Mirrors and mirrored cabinets that feature integral lighting are a great two-in-one solution.

Alternatively, to light a conventional mirror, you could fit theatre-style bulbs all around, or have a pair of wall lamps on either side – choosing a style that complements your overall décor. Bear in mind that garden lighting is also rated for wet conditions, which may expand your choice. When deciding how to place mirror lights, ensure that the light is even, so that parts of your face aren’t in shadow, and avoid a single, very bright light from above, which does nothing for bags under the eyes first thing in the morning.

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A simple, and cheap, supplement to ceiling lights would be to install LED strips behind baffles or panels, resulting in a gentle glow from an invisible light source.

Other clever ideas include: storage units that incorporate lighting; fitting uplighters in flooring; an LED colour-changing lamp operated by remote control; basin taps that include a water-activated LED light that operates when the tap is turned on; and illuminated rainfall shower heads. You could also consider fitting low-level lighting that comes on automatically when someone enters the room – great for night-time toilet visits.

A wonderful luxury, if possible, would be to install two bathroom lighting circuits – one for everyday lights, and the other, on a dimmer, for ambient lights that can be as soothing as you wish. Finally, candlelight is ideally suited to relaxing in the bathroom, the warm, flickering flames providing an atmospheric background and an immediate pick-you-up whenever you need to lie back in the bath and unwind.

Understandably, bathroom lighting regulations are very strict. The lights you choose must be suitable for the area in which they are fitted, indicated by an IP (ingress protection) rating on the packaging, which relates to how close to water the fitting will be. Generally speaking, the room is divided into three zones. Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower itself, so that fittings must be totally immersion-proof, rated at least IP67 and low voltage. Zone 1 is the area above the bath or shower, to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone a minimum rating of IP45 is required (though most shower lights are actually rated at IP65). Zone 2 is outside the bath and shower, reaching 60cm on either side and 2.25m from the floor. You should also consider any area within 60cm of a tap to be within zone 2. Here, a rating of at least IP44 is required. Finally, anywhere within the bathroom but outside these areas has no specific IP requirements, though some experts recommend choosing fittings that have at least a rating of IP20.

Depending on your circumstances, there may be other installation requirements, too, so always consult a qualified electrician.

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Garden View

Totally Tropical The ‘greenhouse effect’ is an environmental hot topic. And it’s true that despite the grim winter of 2017-18 we’ve generally been experiencing milder conditions in recent years. I’ve certainly started to experiment with more exotic plants. It’s a little risky; one hard winter can wipe out a tender specimen. But between now and September there’s every chance that many tropical plants will survive if planted out in our gardens. They need a sunny sheltered spot, like the one you would choose for petunias, tobacco plants and rose beds.

Try Cannas. They have luxuriant broad spearshaped leaves, which can be deep green, purple or even striped with orange or yellow. They produce vibrant flowers which look like gladioli but better!

Or how about planting scarlet dahlias like ‘Bishop of Llandaff’, which also sports attractive bronze foliage.

A big clump of African marigolds provides a blaze of fiery colour. Or try tender perennial salvias in colours which range from magenta through to scarlet and deep purples and blues. They won’t survive the first winter frosts but they an easy to propagate from shoot-cuttings which can be over-wintered in a cool greenhouse ready for the following spring.

Verbena bonariensis produces tall wands of dainty lilac flowers. They self-seed freely, which is great if you consider that a bonus in a plant (I do) but maybe avoid this one if self-seeding bothers you.

You could even try a banana plant. The variety “Musa Banjo” is wonderfully architectural, and though it does not produce fruit it will create impact. Plant in a large pot and let its fan-like leaves create fabulous shadows on the patio. It hails from Japan originally and loves sunshine, but it is hardy to -6C so perfect for the suburban UK climate. Do note that in winter the leaves naturally die back and turn brown. I thought I’d killed mine the first year, but the leaves grow back quickly in the spring.

The Honey Bush (Melianthus major) is a terrific half-hardy foliage specimen with its 50cm long grey-green deeply serrated leaves, which look as though they’ve been cut with pinking shears.

Some of these plants will survive a British Winter with protection but it’s probably best to treat your ‘tropical’ border as a temporary display.

Experiment and have fun creating your very own suburban rainforest.

By Rachael Leverton

Happy Gardening

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Garden

Creative Containers Colourful containers are a welcome sight in any garden, and pots, planters and troughs can transform a dull back yard or a gloomy terrace or patio. Plus, wacky and more unusual planters can easily be created with a little imagination and ingenuity.

Plastic flower pots can be transformed by wrapping them in hessian. Available in a range of colours from classic pale brown to reds, greens and blues, it’s weather-tolerant and tough but looks great.

Plastic pots are more exciting with a bit of planting around the sides, so cut holes just over an inch in diameter at regular intervals around the sides to create a planter perfect for small bedding plants.

Fill with compost to the base of the lowermost holes, add plants through the holes, add more compost to the next layer of holes and continue upwards, finishing off with plenty of colour on the top.

Acrylic paints are ideal to colour a boring or discoloured container. Use a single colour to match existing garden features, or the colour of your front door or window frames, or design a pattern of wild, fantastic colours for a planted-up art gallery.

Mosaic tiles from your local craft or hobby store can be used to cover a container, or if time is short to just make a mosaic rim. Use rich colours to make a Moroccan style pot. Protect it when winter comes by placing it in a frost-free spot, unless you use the grouting adhesive used for swimming pools to make it more weather resistant.

Old tyres filled with compost make ideal planters, and can be stacked to make deeper versions.

Trailing flowers – such as trailing geraniums – cascading over the edges give a really striking effect.

An aged wheelbarrow is great for a larger display or permanent planting. If there are no holes in the pan of the barrow, place a layer of gravel or stones in the base so that the compost does not become waterlogged.

An old wellington boot makes a stylish planter.

Fill the foot and ankle area with gravel or grit for drainage, add compost and plant up the top.

Acrylic paints can jazz up a boring pair of wellies, but make sure the paint is dry before you start planting.

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Old gardening, walking or work boots have planting potential too, and because they have heavier soles and are lower to the ground they are useful in a less-sheltered place. Plant up with bright bedding, or for a long-term display use a few house-leeks or sempervivums – their fleshy rosettes of leaves in shades of green and purple look great!

An old kitchen or bathroom sink can be put to good use; either remove the plug to provide drainage or fix it firmly in place with sealant to make a miniature water garden.

I’ve even seen a loo cistern packed full of trailing plants including blue and white lobelia and trailing silvery foliage plants. The mass of blue, white and silver made a great waterfall of colour from an otherwise boring water closet.

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com and you’ll find some great gardening items: Nemaslug, green controls for leatherjackets, chafer grubs, ants and greenfly, plus garden plant supports, raised bed kits, Easy-Tunnels, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and more. You can even book Pippa for a gardening talk!

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THE GARDEN ROBIN

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Driveways For a free quotation or advice Paving call Robin on Patios 01462 815968 07785 530558 Fencing Decking Garden Design & Build

Email: robinsandler@yahoo. co. uk Web: w w w. t h e g a rd e n ro b i n . c o. u k

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Life Begins...

By Kate McLelland

What’s wrong with a little rose-tinted nostalgia?

“When I was young ...”; “In my time …”; “The good old days …”

Be honest. How often do you use expressions like this to talk about the past? Of course, there’s no harm in a little nostalgia; thinking back to the experiences we’ve enjoyed in our lives helps us hold on to our identities in this fast-changing world. But some would argue that constantly reflecting on the past makes it harder for us to appreciate the present or look forward to the future.

How we make memories Nostalgia is a wistful longing for the past. Hearing a song, visiting a place linked to your youth or seeing an object that connects you with happier times can result in a flood of positive emotions, but it’s often the memories made in childhood and as young adults that affect us most.

A study by the University of Leeds has revealed that our early memories are closely connected with the way we develop a sense of self. As children, and later as young adults, our strongest imprints develop around new experiences – that’s why, years later, we can recall exactly where we were, and who was with us, when we first tried something new.

Self-deception or rosy retrospection?

The French novelist and critic Marcel Proust wrote: “Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were.” In order to fully enjoy our nostalgic memories, psychiatrists have found that our minds tend to blank out any details that might spoil the picture. This behaviour – known as ‘rosy retrospection’ – allows people to remember events in a positive light, even though they may have been less than happy at the time.

In one study of this phenomenon, researchers

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found that a group of Disneyland visitors who complained about their experience on the day of their trip recalled it as a great experience when they were quizzed several weeks later.

While there’s clearly an element of self-deception at play when it comes to reliving past memories, research suggests that nostalgic thoughts can actually be good for you. A study carried out in America in 2013 concluded that reflecting on happier times provides comfort and improves our mental health, particularly when we are upset or unhappy. Researchers also discovered that far from being backward-looking introverts, people who enjoy thinking about the past believe they are more open to new experiences than many others.

Keeping it real Of course, not everyone dons rose-tinted glasses when they reflect on the past. Joan Fraser – contributing to a forum discussion on the SilverSurfers website (www.silversurfers.com) writes: “Thinking back to freezing bedrooms, one bath a week, and times when we couldn’t travel so widely, and women faced such a number of ridiculous restrictions, makes me appreciate the home comforts and freedoms I have”. But even Joan admits that she indulges in a little nostalgia from time to time: “I often also yearn for the people and places I loved so much; but this seems OK and natural, and doesn’t detract from me looking ahead and hoping for good (better) times ahead.”

Perhaps the argument about whether it’s better to hark back or look forward is best summed up by 19th century Danish Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, who wrote: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”

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Pets

RSPCA Hertfordshire East branch is a local arm of the RSPCA covering Hitchin, Baldock, Stevenage, Letchworth, Ware, Hertford, Welwyn Garden City and Harpenden.

The branch is a separately registered charity which is run independently to the national RSPCA. The charity is overseen by a team of voluntary Trustees and is responsible for raising most of its own funds through local flag days, events and sales through their Hitchin based charity shop. Monies raised are used to help with local animal welfare matters.

The branch has been in existence for over 50 years during which hundreds of local people, particularly those on benefits, have received assistance with the cost of essential veterinary treatment through the branch run voucher scheme.

Hundreds of unwanted animals have also been taken in for rehoming but as RSPCA Herts East

do not have their own animal centre they pay privately for each animal’s veterinary care and boarding until suitable new home can be found. The charity never gives up in their quest to find new homes for the animals in their care and they never put a healthy animal to sleep.

RSPCA Herts East is largely dependent on volunteers to help with fundraising, events, fostering animals, checking the suitability of new homes and helping at our shop and as such they are always looking for people to help them.

If you would like to know more about the branch or would like to volunteer please give either Vicky or Louise a call on 01462 672278.

Providing exceptional compassionate veterinary care for over 50 years Open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4pm Saturday at Hitchin Laparoscopic (key-hole) surgery In-house laboratory Surgical and Medical Veterinary Certificate Holders Extensive range of nurse clinics Experienced local team Veterinary Acupuncture Puppy Parties

HITCHIN (01462) 451500

SHEFFORD (01462) 812746

www.berryhousevets.co.uk

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49

Motoring

10 electric vehicle myths busted Confusion surrounds the running and operation of an electric car.

Here, we try to clear that up.

1. You can’t boil the kettle while charging an electric car A National Grid report warned that home networks might struggle to cope with high-capacity car charging.

However, EV owners with a lowcapacity home network wouldn’t have a high-capacity charger, so there’s little chance of the network being overloaded.

2. EVs are more expensive than petrol and diesel cars Generally, the base price of an EV will be slightly more expensive, but manufacturers compensate by offering a generous specification so that with the government’s £4,500 zero-emission vehicle grant taken into account, they’re a pretty good deal, plus have low running costs.

What’s more, as EV technology becomes more prevalent, costs will reduce – the new Nissan Leaf starts at £1,500 less than the old one.

3. They’re more likely to catch fire in a crash Concerns about crash safety are

largely driven by a couple of highprofile Tesla Model S fires in 2013.

The EV maker upgraded its underbody battery pack protection in 2014 but also noted that the odds of fires in its cars were “five times lower than those of an average gasoline car”.

4. You can’t drive them in car washes or when it’s raining Water and electricity don’t mix, so manufacturers carefully seal all of the electrified components to make sure there aren’t any problems using car washes, or driving or charging in the rain.

5. You can’t go very far Most electric vehicles now have a range in excess of 150 miles, with 200 miles becoming the norm – and the average journey is less than nine miles.

6. There’s nowhere to charge them Long trips require a bit more planning, but charge point locator Zap Map indicates there are almost 15,000 connectors at more than 5,000 locations in the UK, with more added all the time.

Plus, rapid chargers can provide 80 per cent of charge in about 30 minutes.

7. The batteries don’t last very long Batteries do have a finite life but most manufacturers offer battery leasing for a monthly fee and will replace it for free when needed. Others offer replacement warranties, with five- to eight-year cover the norm.

8. EVs are less environmentally friendly across their life cycle The energy required to build an electric car can make it less environmentally friendly to produce than a traditionally fuelled car. However, a Norwegian study quoted by the BBC estimates an EV is about 10 per cent better over its life cycle, and that will continue to improve.

9. Battery disposal poses a huge environmental issue It does, but the EV boom has encouraged lateral thinking to improve recycling rates, with companies taking used EV batteries for use elsewhere, such as home energy storage.

10. They’re boring to drive Modern electric cars can be genuinely fun to drive, particularly thanks to the high-torque motors, which make acceleration brisk.

Tesla takes this to extremes with its Model S, which reaches 60mph in less than three seconds – comparable to the new McLaren Senna supercar, with its petrolpowered twin-turbo V8.

By James Baggott 50

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Keep it local Not everyone trusts the internet, we prefer the traditional methods, come and have a cup of Tea, and talk to us face to face about your next Car or Van.

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Local & Reliable

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Travel

By Solange Hando

Milan Cathedral Among the largest churches in the world, the Duomo rises on a magnificent square at the heart of Milan. It is dedicated to St Mary of the Nativity, an iconic landmark which took almost 600 years to complete. The last gate was inaugurated in 1965.

Work began in the late 14th century by the church of St Maria Maggiore. Foundations were laid for three naves, soon increased to five as both the local bishop and duke aimed to raise the city to new heights. A canal network was designed to transport material. Gothic architecture would rival the great cathedrals in northern Europe but flexibility and innovations were welcome. Marble was used, foreign architects, artists and craftsmen joined the Italian team, and on this ancient pagan site building progressed unusually, from back to front. It started with the apse while the façade of St Maria Maggiore remained in use until 1682. The new one was only completed in the 1800s by order of Napoleon.

Elegant buildings line the vast panoramic square but all lead the eye to the Duomo, stretching 92 x 158 metres. Inside are 98 gargoyles, 135 spires and over 3,400 statues which found their niche around the cathedral. The pink-hued marble of Candoglia cleverly hides the brickwork, playing all day long with light and shade to take your breath away. The main bronze door greets visitors with stunning bas-reliefs, while the 18th century sundial is still used to set the clocks around town.

Large enough for 40,000 people, the interior is striking, with five broad naves supported by 40 columns. At 45 metres, the central aisle is the highest in a finished Gothic church and is

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decorated with impressive stained glass windows. Up above the apse, a small red light marks the holy place where a nail from the cross is kept. On the Feast of the Holy Cross in mid-September, the archbishop of Milan is slowly hoisted up in an angel-decorated basket to bring the relic down for display.

Statues, frescoes, sarcophagi, pulpits and the largest organ in Italy, but most famous is the 16th century statue of St Bartholomew Flayed, a sad disturbing figure by Marco d’Agrate. More enticing are the three superb altars by Pelligrino Tibaldi, who was appointed by archbishop Borromeo to lighten up the old Gothic style with the flourishing Italian Renaissance.

Visitors could easily spend an hour or more in the cathedral but most exciting of all is the rooftop walk. Beyond the first terrace accessed by a lift are narrow passageways and slippery steps up to the wide open space of a safe but steeply-slanted roof.

Up there, above pinnacles, flying buttresses and statues, the golden Madonna rises on the very top to bless the city at her feet. Views are superb and in clear weather the Alps are visible. It’s the perfect place to reflect on this unique building and the work of so many architects and artists over the centuries.

Mark Twain described it as ‘so grand, so solemn, so vast’ and across the square, on the equestrian statue flanked by lions, Victor Emmanuel II, first king of the newly united Italy, seems to approve.

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Three Counties Radio

CHERRY BAKEWELL TART I cannot resist a sweet treat, and luckily we have them every week on the Weekend Kitchen.

This sumptuous Bakewell Tart was created by a highly talented young local cake maker and pastry chef called Victoria Chidgey. She set up her business, Little Tring Cakes, after several stints in top London businesses – and the pastry recipe here was given to her by a chef at the Savoy Hotel when she was 16 years old.

She swears by it, and it creates an incredibly light, flaky and moreish tart.

You’ll need 1 x 9” Pie Mould / Tart Ring or a 12 whole bun tray with round pastry cutter.

Pastry: 340g Flour 225g Butter 110g Golden Caster Sugar 1 Egg Frangipane: 120g Butter 120g Golden Caster Sugar 120g Ground Almonds 2 Eggs 1 teaspoon Almond Essence 25ml Brandy (if you have it knocking about) Filling: 125g Black Cherry Compote Topping: Flaked Almonds Icing Sugar (Golden is best but it doesn’t matter too much)

1. Preheat the oven to 160C, 140C Fan, Gas Mark 3.

2. Beat the butter with the sugar until it is well incorporated and has lightened in colour.

3. Scrape the bowl and add the flour. Beat on a low speed and, when the flour is just incorporated, add the egg. Keep mixing until it all comes together.

4. Wrap the pastry in clingfilm and leave in the fridge for an hour or so, or in the freezer for 15-25 minutes. The recipe is enough pastry for two tarts so you can freeze whatever you don’t use.

5. For the frangipane, melt the butter in the microwave until it is very soft but still holds its shape.

6. Mix in the sugar with a wooden spoon and lightly beat for around 3 minutes.

7. Add the ground almonds and brandy and mix until incorporated. Add the egg and beat for 1-2 minutes.

8. Roll out the pastry to approximately 3mm thick.

9. Line the tart case. Push the pastry into the corners and then use your fingers in an upward motion. If you have opted to do smaller individual tartlets, use a round cutter to cut a disk of pastry and line the bun holes.

10. Trim away any excess pastry with a sharp paring knife, leaving a slight lip if possible. Prick the bottom of the tart with a fork. Patch up any imperfections with pastry using your thumb.

11. Spread the cherry compote on the bottom of the tart case and place in the fridge or freezer. This prevents any of the filling bleeding through the frangipane.

12. Using a piping bag or the back of a hot spoon, spread the frangipane on top of the compote to just below the rim of the pastry. Scatter flaked almonds on top and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes. Once out of the oven dust the top with icing sugar while still warm.

13. Serve with brandy cream or crème fraiche mixed with some lemon zest.

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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Weight Loss

Downsize Your Dish...

Smaller plates may be a key to weight loss.

Several years ago, a food psychologist called Brian Wasink gathered a group of 85 food and nutrition experts. He gave each of them a small bowl or a large bowl and a small scoop or a large scoop.

Then he asked them all to serve themselves a ‘portion’ of ice cream. Now these were people who knew about nutrition, yet they scooped 31% more than the average serving size into the large bowl and 15% more from the large scoop.

Studies at the University of Pennsylvania conducted similar experiments hypothesising that giving student subjects a smaller scoop would mean they would take more than one, but most of the students took only one scoop regardless of size.

So, what can those of us who want to shed a few pounds take from this? Swap your 10 inch / 25cm dinner plate for an 8 inch / 20 cm one and put fattening foods like gravy or salad dressings into

...and your dress size! small bowls with small spoons. Put salad stuff and vegetables in a big bowl with a large serving spoon and then tuck in.

Downsize with science!

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By Lucy Robson

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Parenting

By Sarah Davey

Cyber Bullying Although playground bullying is not new it’s nature has changed with the advent of smart phones and social media. Now we see more cyber bullying, or rather we don’t see it as it tends to be hidden and carried out in secret. Almost half of all young people say they have been bullied online and more than 70% say they’ve seen it happening.

As parents it can be difficult to know what to do if your child is being bullied, or conversely is a bully.

Here are some tips: Discuss bullying with your child from an early age.

Discuss netiquette. Adults sometimes behave more aggressively when they are behind the safety of a computer screen, and it’s the same for children, who are still learning to navigate the online world.

Make it clear that being a target is not their fault.

Make it clear that whether it’s in real life or online bullying is never acceptable.

Advise your child to protect their phone number

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by only giving it out to trusted friends or family members. Tell them to keep track of who they have given it to.

If your child has received a bullying message, tell them to screenshot it and send it to you.

Make a note of the time and date it was sent and the number it came from, as evidence to show teachers or police.

Do not respond to the message. The phone number or email will probably identify the source.

If the bully gets no response then they tend to stop doing it.

Don’t panic if your child is the bully. It doesn’t mean they will grow into a terrible human being.

But bullying behaviour can often be a cry for help. Perhaps they are finding the teen years more stressful than they are letting on. Maybe they are struggling to negotiate friendships and schoolwork. Make time to talk with them, not only about their own issues but about the impact they might be having on someone else’s life.

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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 4 June Hitchin & Letchworth RSPB Evening Visit 7.15pm RSPB Fowlmere Nature Reserve, near Fowlmere, South Cambs Spring is the best time of year to visit this South Cambridgeshire reserve. Fowlmere supports up to nine species of warbler and is one of the best places in the UK to see the fast-declining turtle dove (at least two 2 June The Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pm purring males present in 2017), whilst we will also look out for water rail in the reed-beds The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open and kingfisher along the stream (where water to the public. Entry is free but official photo voles might be seen) and on the main lake.

ID is required to get an entry ticket from the Guardroom. www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk Marsh harriers are possible and the resident barn owls should become active as dusk approaches. Meet at the reserve car park (O/S 2-3 June 154: TL 408 458). See the website for other St Albans Steam & Country Show 2018 trips and visits. Tel: 01763249459 10am Oaklands College (Smallford Email: martinrjspc@hotmail.com Campus), St. Albans Web: ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/ Adults £8, Under 16s £5, Senior Citizens £5, hitchinandletchworth Family £20. Our annual event showcases Steam Engines, Vintage Vehicles, Classic Cars and more. Ring events and parades will 4, 11, 18 & 25 June Staplers Country Dance Club enable all the mobile exhibits to be moved on the field (if weather conditions allow). For 8-10pm St John’s Community Hall, Hitchin youngsters these steaming monsters provide Staplers is your local social folk dance club.

It’s easy to start as all the dances are walked both entertainment and education, a total through first then called and you don’t need contrast with the high-tech era of the new to bring a partner, lots of people go on their millennium we now live in. However, many of the older generation will remember steam own. It is a friendly group and you will be made very welcome. Car parking available rollers at work, while before the last world war steam wagons regularly pounded through next to the hall.

St. Albans carrying long distance loads. Steam Tel. 01462 895567 or 01462 624144 threshing was carried out at local farms, while Web: www.staplers.org.uk steam tractors were used to carry stone, farm produce and even house contents within the 4, 11, 18 & 25 June Branch Out Social Club for Single People area. Some of these machines are now 100 8.30-11pm years old, but have been rebuilt many times and will last forever! www.hertssteam.co.uk Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Branch Out meets every Monday night and is a medium-sized Social Club for single people.

3 June It was formed in 1995 to bring together A Day Retreat for Body and Soul single, divorced, widowed and separated 10am-4.30pm people, aged 40 upwards, from the Herts, Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living Beds and Bucks area, to socialise and enjoy £65 inc. lunch. A Day Retreat for Body and Soul with Judy Hammond, dancer and teacher one another’s company. The club organises regular events, such as dinners, discos, meals, of the Alexander Technique. Experience parties, Sunday walks, theatre and concert exquisite relaxation and learn secrets of visits, day and weekend trips and holidays. grounding, centering and strengthening.

Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Tel: 01462 678804 Web: www.branch-out.org.uk Web: www.letchworthcentre.org 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 June Springfield House Friday Bridge Club 1.30pm Springfield House (the home of the Old Stevenage Community Centre) To play cut-in Chicago Bridge.

Play is informal and friendly.

Tel: Richard Bean 01438 221517

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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 June

5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28 June “Come and Try Bowls” Days Tues 2pm, Thurs 6pm Willian Bowls Club, Lower Green, Norton Common, Letchworth Every Tuesday and Thursday. New for our 2018 Outdoor season. Free tuition and all equipment provided. Any new bowler wanting to join after a session, will be offered free 2018 Membership.

Tel: 01462 642790 Web: www.willianbowlsclub.org 5, 12, 19 & 26 June Stevenage Bridge Club 7.30pm Priory Nursery, Stanmore Road, Old Stevenage To play Duplicate Bridge. A host system is run to find partners, if required. A wide level of ability play at the club.

Tel: Phil Cooper 07957 813434 7-9 June Hitchin Beer Festival 2018 Thurs 5-11pm, Fri & Sat 12-11pm Hitchin Rugby Club, Old Hale Way Entry £3, CAMRA members and OAPs free Over 100 real ales, 45 ciders, and over 100 international beers from across the world.

Food from Hitchin Street Food Monthly.

7, 14, 21 & 28 June Roundabouters Country Dance Club 8-10pm Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage £3 per week inc. refreshments, Annual subscription £5 Friendly club for English country dancing. We welcome new members, both beginners and experienced. All dances walked through; club and guest callers ensure a varied programme.

First week free.

Tel. 01438 727239 Email: roundabouters@live.co.uk Web: www.roundabouters.org.uk

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n O s ’ t Wha In June

7, 14, 21 & 28 June Sapphire Social Club 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin We are a small and friendly group for single people generally aged 50 and above. We offer a variety of social events during the month and the opportunity to meet and make new friends. Potential new members are warmly welcome to come along and meet us with no joining fee for the first two months.

Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 or Ian 07900 890583 Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 9, 16, 23 & 30 June Mummy and Me Classes For children from 18 months to 2½yrs 8.35-9am Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living £35 for 7 weeks A lovely opportunity for you to help introduce your toddler to basic ballet movements and rhythm in a fun way. Sessions will use toys, instruments and other props to enhance marching, clapping, spatial awareness and changing direction. Continues until 21 July.

Tel: 01462 678804 Web: www.letchworthcentre.org 17 June Stevenage RSPB Coach Trip 7.40am Adults £15, Under 18s £7.50 Coach Trip with Hitchin/Letchworth group initially to NNR Stodmarsh before moving on to RSPB Blean Woods. Coach leaves from the rear of Waitrose store on Primett Road at 7.40am. Booking essential.

Tel: 01438 861547 Web: ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/stevenage 17 June Biggleswade Antiques Fair 9.30am-4pm The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Entrance £1.50. This antiques fair offers a diverse range of antiques and collectables so whether you are a professional dealer, an avid collector or just looking for something special, this monthly fair is the place to visit. Café serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346 Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk

17 June Stotfold Art Group Summer Exhibition 10am-4pm Roecroft Centre, Church Road, Stotfold Free admission Summer Exhibition for Festival Week. All welcome. Reasonable prices. Parking nearby.

21 June Letchworth District Gardeners Association Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm Central Methodist Church, 109 Pixmore Way, Letchworth Garden City Advance tickets £10, on the door £12 A talk by Christine Walkden on ‘The life and times of a gardener’. Tickets available from LDGA Trading Store, Tapps Garden Centre, Letchworth Local & Tourist Information Centre, David’s Bookshop or telephone to reserve.

Tel: 01462 621691 24 June 7 Mindfulness Practices to Calm an Active Mind 9.30am for 10am-1pm Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living £40 inc. refreshments 7 Mindfulness Practices to Calm an Active Mind with Dr Neelam Taneja PhD, Member IAYT, Life Fellow RSM. For “do-ers” and those with active minds, having a quiet space within the nervous system and in the body can be especially beneficial. This workshop will introduce strategies to help you to find oases of stillness in your life.

Tel: 01462 678804 Web: www.letchworthcentre.org 28 June North Herts Association of the National Trust Coach Outing Pickup points in Hitchin & Letchworth A day in Oxford, including an optional visit to the Botanical Gardens.

Tel: Adam Kuzminski 01462 620317 Email: adam@kuzminski.co.uk

29 & 30 June, 1 July Flower Festival & Photographic Exhibition Fri & Sat 11am-4pm, Sun morning service 9-11.30am & 12-3pm St Nicholas Church, Rectory Lane, Stevenage Admission by donation Flower festival with the theme of “I am” and photographic exhibition with theme of Creation with individuals and organisation from the local community taking part in the historic setting. Refreshments available on all days. Concert on 30 June.

Tel: Chris 07543 734207 for more information 30 June Letchworth Armed Forces Day 10am-4pm Broadway Gardens, Letchworth Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of RAF and Armistice.

2 July North Herts Association of the National Trust Coach Outing Pickup points in Hitchin & Letchworth Visit to the Swiss Garden, Shuttleworth.

Tel: Adam Kuzminski 01462 620317 Email: adam@kuzminski.co.uk 8 July The Adventures of Dr Dolittle by Illyria Entry from 5pm, Show 6pm RSPB, The Lodge, Potton Road, Sandy Adults £15, Children (4-16) £8, Family (2+2) £42. Outdoor theatre show by Illyria held on the lawns of The Lodge gardens.

A funny, much-loved and exciting adventure, with a strong message about responsibility towards animals and the environment.

Suitable for cheeky monkeys aged 4+.

Assistance dogs only at the performance.

Tickets available online (+ 5% fee) or from the ticket yurt before the performance.

Web: https://illyria.cloudvenue.co.uk/ theadventuresofdoctor dolittleatrspbthelodgenaturereserve

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

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Technology

Here comes summer: Tech for outdoor living

The technology that can get your garden ready for summer It’s amazing to think that we were still getting snow back in March: just weeks later and it’s June, which even the UK usually manages to get through without any blizzards. Who knows, we might even get a long hot summer this time – and if we do, technology is happy to help.

If you’re planning to party on the summer equinox, the longest day of the year, it’s worth getting some long-lasting gadgets such as the UE Boom 2 portable speaker. It’s loud but not too loud, portable but not too small, and it’s waterproof because it’s sold in Britain. At around £93 it’s pricier than many but is solid, sounds great and is well made – plus the battery lasts for 15 hours of tunes from a single charge. It’s a really great speaker for outdoor entertaining.

If you’re barbecuing, technology can help. The superb Looftlighter (around £45 on eBay or £55 in the shops) can ensure charcoal lights instead of smokes, and a BBQ thermometer can make sure food is properly cooked.

We love the Thermapen instant read thermometer (around £50) but for an even more high-tech option there are Bluetoothenabled meat thermometers that send readings to your smartphone so you don’t even need to lift the lid. Weber’s excellent iGrill 3 (£89.99) is one of the best around, but there are more affordable options too.

There’s a new entry in the outdoor lighting market: Philips, which has brought its Hue smart lighting system to gardens too.

We love Hue for its ability to create all kinds of light “recipes” and effects and to do so from a phone or tablet, and you can now mix 16 million different colours outdoors too. The catch, inevitably, is cost: the wallmountable Lily spotlight is about £260 and the pedestal lamp around £125. It might be worth waiting for rivals to follow Philips’ lead: Hue-style indoor bulbs are widely available for a lot less than Philips chargers and we’d expect the same to happen with outdoor lighting too. Don’t try and cut corners with normal Hue bulbs in standard lamp fittings

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unless those fittings are large and properly waterproof. They might not work anyway: your home’s exterior walls may block the connection between the lights and the Hue hub, which has to be connected to your internet router.

Sadly, living in the UK means even a warm day doesn’t stay too warm for long, and many of us turn to outdoor heating. Don’t buy a heater that heats the air; it’s a waste of money, because most of the energy goes on heating the air nobody’s actually in. Gas heaters are the least efficient: consider a modern infra-red (not near-infra-red) electric heater, which heats the surfaces it’s pointed at (including people), or a halogen one if you don’t want to spend a few hundred pounds.

A good tabletop or free-standing halogen heater doesn’t cost too much to buy or run – about 9p per kilowatt hour, with heaters starting at around £39 – but make sure your seating area is sheltered as a stiff breeze can undo the work of any outdoor heater.

Vaughan’s

Construction Ltd Building and Construction

Flooring, Kitchens, Painting & Decorating, Carpets, Tiling, Refurbishment and more.

Landscaping

Decking, Fencing, Patios, Turfing, Sheds, Artificial Grass and more.

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Tel: 07818 509322

Email: vaughans.constructionuk@gmail.com

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STRONG-BASE Driveways & Landscaping Transform the appearance of your property with a beautiful new Resin Bound Gravel driveway, patio or pathways.

Call today for a free no obligation design and price quotation.

Call Paul on: 07794 791 978

www.strongbasedriveways.co.uk UK Landscape Gardener of the Year Award 2015 UK Driveway Transformation Award 2016 UK Driveway Transformation Award 2017

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Quirky Britain

It’s dark outside, so pick up your paddle

“I’m in the centre of London ... No traffic, no street beer din, no synched steps of business folk rushing for the train… I can breathe. The air here has rarely felt so clean; I’ve never seen the city with so much sky.” So writes blogger Sam Haddad on the website mpora. com, describing his night-time journey along the Thames in – of all things – a kayak.

Sam is just one of a growing number of outdoor adventurers who like to explore the UK’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters by kayak as night falls.

It’s one of those off-the-wall activities that have recently grown in popularity and are particularly favoured by social media users looking for quirky and unusual experiences to post on Facebook or Instagram.

The Oxford Dictionary defines a ‘kayak’ as “a canoe of a type used originally by the Inuit, made of a light frame with a watertight covering having a small opening in the top to sit in”. Kayaks are light, manoeuvrable and hard to capsize, but to the average landlubber a kayak may not seem the obvious choice for a nocturnal adventure in a busy waterway. It’s hard to understand the attraction of this type of transport until you hear the first-hand accounts of people who have actually experienced night kayaking: “It was like a dream” …“We couldn’t stop talking about our experience for days” …

“Outstanding and magical.” (Comments left by firsttime night kayakers on the travel site Trip Advisor.)

Don’t underrate the risks Despite being an enthusiastic proponent of nightkayaking, experienced sea kayaker Duncan Smith is aware of the dangers: “On nights where the moon is not providing natural light you are more reliant

on your night vision. This can be cut dramatically by the glare from any head-torch or deck light you carry and whilst you can see into the distance … it can be difficult to see/read the water in front of you.” He adds: “Sound seems amplified in the dark, to the point when tiny waves breaking on the pebbled shore can sound like huge, dumping surf.”

Dipping your toe in the water If you’re keen to try kayaking by night but have never used a kayak before, you should take your first trip under the guidance of an experienced leader. Organised excursions are available across the UK, with many different experiences to choose from. Most excursions include instructions on how to handle a kayak, but if you’re in any doubt about whether the route is suitable for you, you should check with the operator prior to booking.

Join a club If you are already familiar with kayaks but have never ventured out at night, you could join a club for support, companionship and advice. There are numerous kayak clubs throughout Britain – contact the British Canoeing Union (britishcanoeing.org.uk) to find your nearest group, but be aware that not all clubs practice kayaking after dark.

When you read the testimonials of people who have experienced night-kayaking, it’s easy to understand why it creates such a sense of awe and wonder.

Noisy daytime environments become peaceful, skies become bigger and familiar landscapes take on an eerie new beauty. But most seasoned kayakers will also admit to enjoying the moment when they reach dry land, looking forward to the chance to warm up over a pint in a cosy local pub.

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67

Health & Beauty

Top Travels New sandals and a bikini aren’t the only holiday essentials you’ll want to add to your shopping list this month. We’ve found plenty of travel-friendly health and beauty goodies to tempt you, whether you’re planning to backpack through Thailand, sightsee in Italy, or go camping in Cornwall.

Towels, bucket and spade, Kindle, water, snacks… beach bags can get pretty heavy. Try decanting your suntan lotion into a smaller bottle, or pick up a travel sized one. Green People’s Scent Free Sun Lotion has an SPF of 30 and is gentle enough for all the family to use.

It’s water-resistant and packed with skin-loving natural ingredients such as green tea, olive oil and avocado extract. The full size 100ml tube is £14.50, while the 30ml travel size is £6.50 from www. greenpeople.co.uk.

Marks and Spencer’s also have lots of travel sized products to choose from, including this Nature’s Ingredients Lemon Shower Gel. The 50ml size costs just £1.50 and is perfect for a short break away. Planning a longer break? A bar of soap takes up less space in your suitcase than a bottle of shower gel. Check out TK Maxx for luxury bars at a budget price, or treat yourself to the gorgeously scented Geranium, Ylang Ylang & Neroli Soap

by Cole & Co, which costs £4 plus delivery from www.coleandco.com.

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By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk Hotel bathrooms never seem to have enough cupboard space. Keep the clutter at bay with a wash bag that can be hung on the back of a door.

This floral one from Paperchase is £15 and has three separate compartments. Pop cosmetics in one, pills and plasters in another, and lotions and potions in the third. See www.paperchase. co.uk.

Hot and sticky days at the beach call for a hydrating spray. Make your own by adding a few drops of essential oil to pure rose water or a cup of green tea. Or just pick up a bottle of Crabtree & Evelyn’s La Source Refreshing Body Mist (£16). It’s cooling, revitalising and smells amazing. Think cool ocean breeze with a hint of citrus. Rich in antioxidants, it leaves skin feeling softer and more hydrated. Bliss. See www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk.

If you’re catching a 4am flight, or have a packed itinerary, you might benefit from Tisserand Aromatherapy’s Little Box of Energy. For £11.95 you get three pulse point rollerballs, each of which contains a 10ml blend of pure essential oils. Energy High, for example, is a refreshing citrusy blend of lime, grapefruit and orange leaf. Holiday still weeks away and feeling a bit stressed?

There’s also a Little Box of Sleep and a Little Box of Relaxation, see www.tisserand.com.

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Carpets Upholstery Fascias Soffits Gutters Conservatories Patios Driveways 01767 222 822 07812 335 860 www.pkcleaningservicesltd.co.uk Find us on

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Parenting

Carry on Camping Campfires, bike rides, toasted marshmallows, bug hunts, star gazing … there’s a lot of fun to be had on a family camping trip.

Camping on a budget While camping is one of the most wallet-friendly ways to holiday, the equipment doesn’t always come cheap. Try searching Ebay, Gumtree and Facebook for second-hand tents. You’ll often find people selling a full camping package, including tent, airbeds, gas stove and chairs. Do you have Tesco points to spend? You can pick up a 4-man tent from Tesco Direct for around £50.

Rent a tent Love the idea of camping, but don’t have space for all the equipment, or just don’t fancy pitching a tent in the rain? Why not rent a tent? Your tent will be put up for you and you can even hire all the equipment to go with it. All you need to do is turn up, unpack and head to the beach.

Search online for companies or ask your chosen campsite for recommendations. If you want a few more mod-cons, you could look into hiring a campervan or caravan. Try www.camperbug. co.uk for retro VW campervans.

Where to go We really are spoilt for campsites in the UK. There are literally hundreds to choose between, from tiny farm fields to entertainment-filled holiday parks. The National Trust has lots of smaller, peaceful sites on offer, including in the Lake District, Cornwall and Snowdonia; see www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Camping festivals Kids entertainers, live music, food

and drinks stands, craft tents … some festivals are fun for the whole family. Check out: Cornbury (13th – 15th July): The line-up for this year’s festival includes Alanis Morrisette, Amy Macdonald and Pixie Lott. The Oxfordshire festival also boasts a kids’ area, with discos, yoga, den building, circus skills, live shows and craft activities; see www. cornburyfestival.com.

Bluedot Festival (20th – 22nd July): Set in the grounds of a deep space observatory in Cheshire, Bluedot offers children’s areas, live shows, hands-on activities, animations, interactive experiments, and a line-up that varies from The Chemical Brothers to The Halle Orchestra. Science lovers will be in their element; see www.discoverthebluedot.com.

Camp Bestival (26th – 29th July): This Dorset festival includes onsite camping in the ticket price. There are craft workshops, a circus school, live shows, a 50 foot inflatable whale to explore, demos by Mister Maker and other popular presenters, and a lot more besides; see www. campbestival.net.

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Farmer Phil’s Music Festival (10th – 12th August): With a week’s camping included in the £80 ticket price and tickets for under12s priced at just £2, this is a great festival for families on a budget.

It’s a much smaller festival than many of the others, but there are plenty of bands and lots of activities for children.

Beautiful Days (17th – 19th August): With a huge children’s area, hands-on workshops, live entertainment, bushcraft, storytelling, a free shuttle bus to and from the local train station and a car-free camping field reserved for families, Beautiful Days is ideal for a weekend away; see www. beautifuldays.org.

Other family-friendly festivals worth considering include Chagstock (www.chagstock. info), Nozstock (www.nozstock. com), Just So Festival (www. justsofestival.org.uk) and Deer Shed Festival (www. deershedfestival.com). Check out www.festivalkidz.com for more recommendations, reviews and advice.

By Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk 71

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May’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mr E Hathway from Letchworth Winner of the Battle Proms Competition Gary Gunn from Langford

Winner of the Dunston Hall Competition Miss Sharon Carter from St Neots

Easy

Hard

Fun Quiz - Land 1. Published in 1956, The Last Battle was the seventh and final novel in a series set in which fictional land?

2. Which group won Best Album at the Brit Awards in 2004 for their debut album, called Permission To Land?

3. What is the most populated country in the world to have a name ending in “land”?

4. Which “land” featured in a play called The Birds by the Ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes, and has come to be used as a general term for a state of absurdly over-optimistic fantasy?

5. Reading from what turned out to be the wrong card, which individual mistakenly named La La Land as the winner of the Best Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards ceremony held in 2017?

6. In a famous novel, what name is given to the land that is made up of four countries called Winkie, Gillikin, Munchkin and Quadling?

7. What animated film is set in Pepperland?

8. Who composed Pomp And Circumstance March Number One, which later became the basis for the song Land Of Hope And Glory?

9. What is the only country in the world to display a map of its land on its flag?

10. In which well known poem do the title characters go to “the land where the Bong-tree grows”?

1. Narnia 2. The Darkness 3. Thailand 4. Cloud cuckoo land 5. Faye Dunaway 6. Oz (in The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz) 7. Yellow Submarine 8. Edward Elgar (accept Elgar) 9. Cyprus 10. The Owl And The Pussycat

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The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 7 Type of fruit (6) 8 Astute (6) 9 Encounter (4) 10 Fluttering (8) 11 Diary (7) 13 Honestly (5) 15 Regularly (5) 17 Nearest (7) 20 Pupils (8) 21 Encourage (4) 23 Chortles (6) 24 Four score (6)

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



16th June 2018 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Down 1 Very unusual (4) 2 Repartee (6) 3 Central (7) 4 Customary (5) 5 Correct (6) 6 Diminishes (8) 12 Formal (8) 14 Clutched (7) 16 Sufficient (6) 18 Smear (6) 19 Fake (5) 22 Barrier (4)

Name: Tel: Address:

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“Quality is not expensive, it’s priceless”

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Books

T.R.U.S.T. Book Review Recycling Unit

By Kate Duggan Registered Charity 1119991

Lazy Days Wish List Planning to stock up on books for lazy days in the sun? Add these to your wish list…

Now You See Her

by Heidi Perks

Charlotte only took her eyes off the little girl for a few minutes but when she doesn’t turn up, Charlotte is ostracised by the community and blamed by the media. And, of course, the little girl’s mother is never going to forgive her.

But then the two women come under police investigation and something isn’t quite as it seems. A tension-filled thriller, with plenty of twists and turns.

Finding Gobi

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Electrician

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by Dion Leonard

This is the story of ultramarathon runner Dion Leonard and the small stray dog that joined him on his 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert. Dion becomes determined to offer the dog a home, but there’s an awful lot of red tape to get through, and then the dog disappears. This Sunday Times bestseller has also been rewritten as a picture book and as a young readers’ book, so do make sure you order the right version!

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3/12/12 11:44:54

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USEFUL NUMBERS

VILLAGER The

and Town

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The Villager and Town Life is dedicated to promoting local businesses, charities, community groups and everything else in your local area.

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