Potton February 2023

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Sustainable Travel

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

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

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

Choose a destination closer to home

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

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

Use efficient modes of transportation

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

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

Take the road less travelled

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

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

Seek out local and sustainable experiences

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

Homestays, local guides and programmes that give

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

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

Wines: a range that could suit

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

www.coop.co.uk

www.infofairtrade.net

As always, Enjoy!

Explainer: Making sense of gender

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

What do we mean by gender?

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

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

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

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

What does transgender mean?

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

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

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

What

about

genderfluid and other terms?

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

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

The extraordinary scene in the Potton Manor Ball Room in 1979

Back in the 1850’s when the railway came to Sandy Pottonian James Wagstaff became a commuter. He made a small fortune in the property market and was able to afford a town house in Holland Park. Back in his home town he built a new house called after his London residence which on the OS map of the early 1880’s was known as ‘The Residence.’ Potton History Society member Keith Lawrence created a model of the building, known to post second world war locals as Potton Manor and demolished in 1982. The main house was connected to a ballroom by an ‘L’ shaped conservatory. After war time service by the army and a brief period as a German POW camp it was bought by Otto von Smekal & Eva Pokorova in 1945. New security was put in and locals debated what was going on at the ‘Delta Research Labs’.

Otto died in 1966 leaving Eva who lived a life of a recluse with the house and its contents left to gather dust until her death in 1977. The couple had been working on manufacturing a small car in the 1950’s and the solicitor responsible for winding up the estate called in Michael Ware, the curator of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire, to see if the cars left in the manor were of interest. He found that “the ballroom was almost filled with this great piece of apparatus for converting tar into petrol. It was one of the most extraordinary things I have ever seen.” The museum bought the cars and associated equipment. One of them was in working order and Potton History Society was able to buy it and return it to Potton. Michael Ware has recently passed a file of his material for the Society to keep in its archive, including colour slides we had not seen before. This and its other Potton Manor material have now been digitised so that anyone who wishes to do so can consult over 3000 scans and items by request via our secretary. Trevor Ball’s ‘Potton Manor:- An enigma’ tells the full story and is available from the Society for £4 + p&p. If you have any stories or questions about the history of the Manor, please let us know.

By Peter Ibbett

Who’s that girl?

Holly Willoughby has gone from being the girl from Brighton to a national treasure. She has that girl-next-door persona about her – and became a household name back in 2009 when she replaced Fern Britton as co-host alongside Phillip Schofield on ITV’s flagship daytime show, This Morning.

The award-winning presenters, who were first put together on Dancing on Ice three years prior to Holly landing the This Morning role, have a great chemistry on-screen and have also formed a close friendship off-screen. Says Holly: “I think it’s just the fact that we’ve got a friendship first and foremost. We’ve known each other for a really long time now and we pretty much know what the other one’s thinking, half the time, so it makes our working relationship really easy…and fun too!”

Holly, 41, and husband Dan Baldwin tied the knot in August 2007 in a romantic church ceremony before hosting their reception at Amberley Castle, with Holly designing her own wedding dress – taking inspiration from her mother Linda’s 1977 wedding outfit – before asking a friend to make it. “I knew I wanted it to be very vintage, lace, with long sleeves, a high neck and a beautiful, open back, as that’s what everyone sees when you walk down the aisle. Oh, and a long train…if you can’t do that on your wedding day, when can you?,” Holly told Wylde Moon, her official lifestyle and guidance brand. Speaking previously about the secret to her relationship with TV producer Dan, Holly revealed: “Support is everything in mine and Dan’s relationship. He’s very solid ground; he is where I fall. And he knows when something is wrong – it makes me feel emotional even thinking about it. But of course, he has weaknesses; we both do. The key is holding up each other’s strengths and not poking at each other’s weaknesses.”

The presenter has a closely guarded private life, especially when it comes to her three children, Belle, Harry and Chester. Home for the family – and their pet dog Bailey and cat Bluebell – is a £3 million sixbedroom Edwardian house in southwest London. Away from our TV screens, Holly is a brand ambassador for Marks & Spencer, while she has also collaborated with Dunelm to create The Holly Willoughby for The Home bedding range. Talking about the inspiration behind the collection, she says:

www.dunelm.com/info/holly-willoughby)

“I’m not an interior designer so whenever I design for the range, all I can do is dress a bed in a way that would make me happy in my own home. For me, your bedroom should be your sanctuary; a place of calm away from the busyness of everyday life.” With a busy schedule that involves very early mornings, late-night events and caring for her family, being on top form is a priority: “I love the luxury of sinking into a bath before bed and if I’ve got the time, that’s exactly where you’ll find me; soaking in essential oils, listening to Desert Island Discs! I think a bath, followed by climbing into a bed with fresh sheets, is literally the best feeling in the world!”

Photo credit: © Dunelm

Slash your bills with these brilliant gadgets Technology

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

Hive Smart Thermostat Mini

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

£119, hivehome.com

Hive Smart Radiator Valve

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

Philips Hue Starter Kit

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

From £90, meethue.com

Instant Pot Pro

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

Philips Essential Air Fryer XL

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

£125, Philips.co.uk

Dance your way to fitness

When you hear the phrase ‘exercise class’, you probably think of circuits, aerobics, step or spin. While dance might not be the first thing that comes to mind, it’s actually a fantastic way to keep fit. And a whole lot of fun...

The benefits of dance

Dancing can tone and strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility and balance, burn calories and give you a full cardiovascular workout. Dancing is also good for your brain, particularly if you need to memorise routines. Some studies have found that dancing regularly can even help to protect against dementia. And it’s great at relieving stress and boosting your mood. (It’s difficult not to smile in a Zumba class, even if you feel utterly uncoordinated.)

Some classes are aimed at seniors or people with reduced mobility. No one will care if you get the steps wrong. And lots of classes are available online, so you don’t even need to leave your house to join in.

Which dance class to try?

Are you looking for a high-energy, fast-paced dance class? Or are you a Strictly fan who fancies mastering the tango? Perhaps you want to meet new people? In short, the best class for you depends on a whole range of things, including your exercise goals (e.g. increased flexibility / cardiovascular workout etc.), music tastes and commitment. We’ve included a few of the most popular classes below.

Salsa

Salsa is energetic, sociable and a lot of fun. You don’t need a partner and most salsa schools offer beginners’ courses.

Zumba

Zumba is perfect if you’re looking for an all-body workout. You’ll be dancing to Latino music, and there’s often a real party atmosphere.

Clubbercise

Miss your clubbing days? Or feel self-conscious dancing in front of people? Clubbercise classes are held in a darkened room. Think disco lights, glow sticks and classic dance tracks from the nineties, noughties and beyond.

Ballet Fusion

Ballet Fusion combines traditional ballet with exercise, so it’s good for improving your posture, flexibility and strength. Alternatively, if you loved ballet as a child or always wanted to learn it, why not try an adult ballet class?

Ballroom and Latin

If you want to master a new skill, then ballroom or Latin dancing could be perfect. You can sign up with a partner, or just join a group class and get paired with different people. It could help to improve your fitness, concentration and coordination. And you’ll be able to show off at the next wedding you go to.

Dance fitness / dancercise

These classes combine aerobics with dance moves and tend to incorporate a lot of different styles, from street dance to bhangra. They’re upbeat and you’ll work pretty much every muscle group.

Find out more

Ready to get started? Check out what types of classes your local leisure centre offers. You’ll also want to search for classes online, as some instructors hire space in church halls, community centres and other venues.

Job hunting

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

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

More money

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

Different hours

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

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

Location

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

The buzz

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

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

Benefits

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

It’s a no

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

The Food of Love

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach right? So I decided to cook up some culinary love magic for my boyfriend this Valentine’s day, but what to choose? He loves Japanese food so I consulted my Japanese food-loving friend Yui. She informed me that in Japan the puffer fish is considered to be a great delicacy and an aphrodisiac, but the kicker is that it contains a poisonous gland so deadly it must be removed before eating! One mistake by the carefully trained chef and the food of love can become quite literally, a matter of life or death! I thought a safer seafood option might be the oyster. A favourite with the Romans some oysters are able to change sex repeatedly and so are said to give you the ability to experience the male and female sides of love. Yui cheerfully imparted the ‘fun fact’ that at least 12000 people a year in the UK develop food poisoning after consuming oysters, which kind of put me off a bit. What about asparagus? The high levels of vitamin E are supposed to increase blood and oxygen flow to the genitals. It’s also full of potassium — which is linked to sex hormone production, and as a bonus it even has a somewhat phallic shape. Asparagus and hollandaise sauce was a winner surely. Yui (who I suspect does not care much for Valentine’s Day) tilted her head to one side. “You do know that the asparagusic acid in asparagus, breaks down into sulphur compounds, which make your urine smell revolting?’ Uh-oh, she was right. In the end I settled on making chocolate mousse. Dark chocolate contains both a relaxing sedative that lowers inhibitions plus a stimulant to perk you up. My boyfriend is a chocoholic so I’m backing a winner and better still Yui didn’t point out any pitfalls…because I didn’t tell her what I was making!

Happy Valentine’s Day.

By Lucy Perkins

Lisa Faulkner’s Choux Hearts with Berries

Method

Step One

Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. Put the butter and water in a medium saucepan, add the salt and sugar, and bring to the boil. Ensure the butter is melted. Remove from the heat, add the sifted flour all at once and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes away from the sides of the pan. Return to the heat and cook for 2 minutes until the paste is pale. Cool a little.

Step Two

Having met her now husband, John Torode, on the 2010 series of Celebrity MasterChef – on which he was a judge and she a contestant – Lisa Faulkner knows full well that food is the language of love. So, what better way to woo your beloved on Valentine’s Day than with these stunning choux hearts?

Ingredients

(makes 8 hearts)

For the choux pastry

90g butter

60ml water

pinch salt

pinch sugar

110g plain flour, sifted

3 whole eggs, beaten well

To serve:

500ml double cream

400g mixed fresh berries

Add the beaten eggs, a little at a time, incorporating fully with a wooden spoon after each addition. The mixture will go glossy then back to dull. Add the eggs until the mixture is shiny again and it just drops off the wooden spoon. Cool the mixture for about 10 minutes. Put in a piping bag and pipe heart shapes on to a baking sheet dampened with a little water.

Step Three

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes then reduce the temperature to 160°C, gas mark 3, and bake for a further 15-20 minutes until golden.

Step Four

Pour the cream into a chilled bowl and whisk, either by hand or with a hand mixer, until stiff peaks form. This may take a few minutes.

Step Five

When cooked, turn the hearts over and pop back into the oven for 2 minutes to dry out a little. Split each heart in half horizontally and then spoon or pipe the whipped cream on the base. Top with the other half and fill the centre with the fruit. Serve immediately.

If berries aren’t your thing use whatever fruit you prefer… mango and passion fruit, for example.

Top Tip: Be careful not to overwhip your cream. As soon as you have firm peaks (you should be able to hold the bowl over your head without it spilling out!) you should stop.

Why Bra-rchitecture is Worth Paying For

I was 12 when I had my first bra fitting. The condescending assistant whipped out her tape measure, pronounced I was a ‘36C’, adding, ‘That’s large,’ produced two orthopaedic-looking white bras, decided they were a ‘good enough fit’ and that was that. She never told me that my breasts would change, with every growth spurt, with monthly hormones, with the contraceptive pill, during pregnancy and childbirth…no, my bra size was set in stone at age 12 and 25 years later I was still wearing a 36C. I suffered from upper back pain and often had deep red marks on my shoulders but it was only when I visited a specialist bra shop in my thirties looking for a sports bra that a wonderful fitting assistant advised me I was wearing the wrong size. My back size needed to go down to a 30 and my cup size up to an F! The moment I donned the pretty bra she’d selected my shoulder pain all but disappeared. I also visibly shed at least half a stone in the mirror and marvelled at my new slim waist. She advised me on bra care, bra lifespan and how to recheck my size every six-12 months. I left a good deal poorer because as I learned, a good, well-fitting, supportive bra involves a lot of sophisticated engineering and workmanship and thus costs considerably more than I was used to paying.

Breasts, especially full breasts, are heavy, and we are taught to carry a heavy item by holding it close to our body, because it puts less pressure on our back. A bra should do that for your breasts. This is why the band is the most important part, because it provides 80% of the support.

As the cup size increases the band needs to be wider, and the straps thicker, to redistribute the weight across your torso.

If the band is too thin, it will fold and dig into your sides, while the shoulders will take too much of the weight, causing those deep red marks.

Once we have a well-fitted band, we can look at the cup.

A cup formed from one solid piece of material will stretch gradually, no matter how well made. The exception to this is heat moulded lace, which some manufacturers are beginning to use because it fits well without stretching. Most cups though are seamed. They provide support via a side panel placed in such a way that it doesn’t stretch plus and a bottom panel (sometimes two panels) that provide support to the underside of the breast. The decorative top panel may or may not have some stretch to it. In addition many possess an inner sling for extra support.

All brands differ slightly, and some might suit your breast shape better than others. For example, my narrow rib cage and shoulders mean I prefer a bra where the cups are situated close together and the straps are also close set at the back. I find Fantasie full cup bras fit me best, my best friend prefers the shape Panache bras give her, and her daughter is fan of Freya balconettes, with wider set straps. Hopefully, you now understand how much design and engineering go into a well-constructed bra, to produce lift, shape and support, as well as something beautiful to look at.

By Gemma Peters

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By Sarah Davey

A Brief History of Crisps

My teenage son wandered into the kitchen and opened a bag of crisps. H sniffed the contents appreciatively. ‘Mmm…I wonder who invented crisps…’ he said before popping one into his mouth and proffering the bag in my direction. Good question I thought.

The first reference I could find to something resembling the modern crisp was in a recipe book, The Cook’s Oracle, by William Kitchiner, which was published 1817. Recipe 104 is titled “Potatoes fried in Slices or Shavings”. The author advises that they are, ‘…sprinkled with a very little salt.’ Kitchiner’s book was popular and sold well on both sides of the Atlantic. His sliced, fried potato recipe was referenced in many other recipe books and Kitchiner was something of a celebrity chef in his lifetime. He was also an optician, and an amateur musician! A man of many talents.

In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Mikesell were running a small business in Dayton, Ohio, selling dried beef and sausages. They acquired some equipment for making potato crisps (called chips in the US) and the Mikesell’s Potato Chip Company was born. They still claim to be the oldest commercial potato crisp (chip) company on record.

It took a decade for the idea of crisps to reach the UK, and again it was husband-and-wife team at the forefront, running their small business out of a West London garage

Frank Smith and his wife cut, fried and package potatoes which they sold in the Cricklewood Crown pub next door, in greaseproof paper bags. Initially he provided salt shakers for the patrons to season their crisps but they were always being stolen, so Frank came up with the idea of providing a small blue sachet of salt instead, and invented Salt and Shake crisps. The crunchy salty snack proved a big hit, and the Smiths were so successful that in 1927, Frank was able to set up a factory in Brentford’s Golden mile, and expand the business.

Salt was the only seasoning available until Joe ‘Spud’ Murphy came along. He owned the Irish crisps company Tayto, and in the 1950s, his team developed the technology to add seasoning during manufacture. The very first commercial flavour was Cheese & Onion, launched in 1954. Companies worldwide quickly sought to buy the rights to Tayto’s technique and a few years later Salt & Vinegar crisps became available. Today in spite of the hundreds of flavours available, Ready Salted, Cheese and Onion and Salt and Vinegar are still the most popular flavours. In the US the first flavoured crisps to emerge were barbecue flavour, and no other flavours were available until the 1970s.

Today in the UK crisps are one of our most popular and well-loved savoury snacks, and approximately 140 000 tonnes of crisps are sold each year. Happy munching!

A Healthy Heart for Valentine’s Day

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

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

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

• Eating a healthy diet

• Regular exercise

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Avoiding smoking (or giving up)

• Avoiding excess alcohol

• Managing stress levels.

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

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

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

By Jamie Maxfield

Show yourself some TLC this winter

On these dark, cold mornings, spring still seems a very long way away. Our skin and hair (not to mention our mood) often suffer during the winter months as biting winds and central heating take their toll. Thankfully, a little TLC can make a big difference. When your skin is feeling dry, the temptation is to pile on a super-rich face moisturiser. But dryness often goes hand in hand with sensitivity, and too heavy a product can make things worse. Instead, switch to a gentle balm cleanser. Tea & Tonic’s The Meadow’s Secret Cleaning Balm (£28, www.teaandtonic.co.uk) is a good choice. It’s 100% natural and rich in seed and flower oils to nourish your skin as it cleanses. Massage a small amount of the balm into wet skin, then wipe it off with a warm, damp cloth. The jar may seem small, but you only need a tiny amount of the balm, so it lasts for a surprisingly long time.

Follow your cleanse with a hyaluronic acid serum or a face oil to hydrate without clogging pores. Body scrubs and lotions often go out of the window during winter, when we’re covered up from head to toe, but it’s worth taking the time to treat your skin now and then. Go for a gentle body scrub with added moisturisers. Sanctuary Spa’s Signature Natural Oils Salt Scrub (£16) uses sea salt to exfoliate away dead skin, and coconut, almond, sunflower, wheat germ and jojoba oils to add moisture. Your skin will thank you for it. In between uses, the Signature Natural

Oils Ultra Rich Shower Oil (£8.50) will keep your skin feeling soft and pampered. Both are available at www.boots.co.uk.

Prefer soap to shower gel? Trii’s Hand & Body Exfoliating Wash Bars (£8, trii.co.uk) gently remove dry skin as they clean. They’re also rich in natural moisturisers, like aloe vera. And they smell amazing. (The lemongrass scent is particularly uplifting.)

Our hands can really suffer during winter. If yours feel dry, cracked and sore, the first thing to do is ditch your liquid hand soap. Liquid soaps usually contain sodium lauryl sulphate and other harsh ingredients that can really irritate skin. Swap to a solid soap bar, like the ones from Faith in Nature (£2.75, www.faithinnature.co.uk).

Does your scalp feel itchy, flaky or sore in winter? You’re not alone. And you don’t have to put up with it. As Anabel Kingsley says, “The scalp is simply an extension of the skin on your forehead, and therefore it should be cared for with the same attention devoted to facial skin.” Philip Kingsley’s award winning Flaky/Itchy Scalp range has gained thousands of five-star reviews. And no wonder. The products work to gently clean your hair and scalp, while soothing irritation, stopping the itchiness and clearing dandruff in a matter of days.

From £10.50, at www.philipkingsley.co.uk.

Swimming Lessons

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Memory loss: what’s normal and how to prevent it

If you’ve ever forgotten your shopping list or lost your train of thought, you’re not alone. Memory changes are a normal part of ageing, so symptoms of mild forgetfulness are usually nothing to worry about and aren’t indicative of a serious memory problem.

Poor memory health, on the other hand, can make it harder to do everyday things. Sometimes, memory problems can be a sign of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or in rarer cases, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re concerned about your own or someone else’s memory, there are a few signs to look out for – some of which include:

• Asking the same questions over and over again.

• Getting lost in places one knows well.

• Having trouble following instructions or directions.

• Becoming more confused about time, people, and places.

Unfortunately, there are no drugs or treatments that prevent or permanently treat dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, although there are several drugs your doctor can prescribe to treat the early and mid-stage symptoms. There are also no guarantees when it comes to preventing memory loss or dementia, but there are certain activities that can help.

Keep active – mentally and physically

Physical activity increases blood flow to your brain, which can help keep your memory sharp. Keeping your mind active is important too. The best way to keep your brain in good shape is to engage in mentally stimulating activities, such as crossword puzzles or sudoku. You could also try challenging your memory by taking alternate routes when driving, or even learning a new skill.

Stay social

Humans are social creatures, so it’s no surprise that social interaction has been proven to boost our happiness by warding off depression and stress – both of which are known contributors to memory loss. Look for opportunities to get together with friends and family – especially if you live alone. Or, why not consider volunteering at your local school, church or community centre?

Sleep well

Along with countless other benefits, getting a good night’s sleep has been proven to play an important role in memory consolidation, a process in which short-term memories are strengthened and transformed into longlasting memories. The NHS advises that adults should get between seven to nine hours of sleep a day.

Practice meditation and mindfulness

Studies have shown that both mindfulness and meditation can lower stress and improve concentration and memory. You can incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine by paying more attention to your present situation, concentrating on your breathing and resetting your attention when your mind wanders.

Watch your diet

Cutting out sources of excess sugar, reducing overall caloric intake and limiting your alcohol consumption have all been proven to help protect the brain.

More surprisingly, caffeine from coffee or green tea has also been shown to have a positive effect on memory retention, as has dark chocolate. This is due to cocoa flavonoids, the active compounds in chocolate, improving blood flow to the brain and therefore boosting brain function.

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The five timeless pieces your wardrobe needs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Crunch Time for Jason!

Jason Akenbrook is enjoying a healthy diet to prepare for next year’s London marathon. The 41-year-old from Shillington works as a warehouse supervisor at fruit and vegetable wholesalers G&M Growers in Upper Caldecote.

“I’ve only been running for five years, since taking part in an event for a friend’s 40th birthday,” says Jason. “I thought I should get as fit as possible for it. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed pounding the pavement and I’ve been a regular runner ever since.”

Jason, who lives with wife Tara and children Ethan, 10 and Niamh, 7, enjoys supporting Spurs and showing Welsh ponies in hand. But it’s the London Marathon Jason is really looking forward to. “I think it’s the ultimate event for any runner. I’ve been told the atmosphere is unbelievable and I know, despite the possible pain, I’m going to enjoy it. I’m raising money for the Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth, a local charity and a special one too.”

You can sponsor Jason and support the charity online via donate. giveasyoulive.com – simply search for ‘Jason Akenbrook’.

For over 30 years HMSTC has helped thousands of people with MS, Parkinson’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, ME, fibromyalgia, sleep apnoea, leg ulcers and cancer. It has also helped people recover from Long Covid.

Would you like to run and raise money for the Centre?

There are just a few places available for the London Marathon on Sunday April 23. Please contact Paul Bishop on 07973 237162.

Happily Ever After Make long term relationships work

Who doesn’t know that it’s Valentine’s Day this month? Valentine’s is marketed as being all about attracting and impressing the partner of our dreams right? But what happens afterwards…how do we preserve the magic (or at least some of it) long term? Well, researchers and counsellors have some good (and sometimes surprising) research-backed tips and tricks. Double-dating – Friendship with other couples is good for your relationship. A study conducted at the University of Maryland found that couples who have couple friends, rated their marriages as more exciting and fulfilling. Researchers theorised that it gave each couple the chance to observe the way other couples interact and negotiate differences within the relationship.

Assume the best - According to psychologists, couples who rate their marriages as happy tend to assume their partners intentions are good, even when they are disagreeing. By giving their partner this benefit of the doubt they are able to seek clarification, learn about their real motives, and move forward. Argue in a healthy way - Counsellors at Northwestern University and Adler University in Chicago found that an important marker of a healthy relationship is the ability to argue well and resolve conflicts. Being able to work through life challenges is an important skill and one which strengthens a relationship bond.

In order to ‘fight fair’ keep any dispute focused on the topic at hand and don’t descend into personal attacks. Topic-related fights fade quickly and pass, whereas people remember personal attacks and insults, and the hurt can remain for a long time

Text your way to happiness – An affectionate text is a way to stay connected while apart and can provide a little boost of the happy hormone dopamine to your partner. But, remember never apologise in a text message… always do that in person.

Don’t prioritize material things - A study carried out at Brigham Young University in Utah found that higher levels of materialism are associated with less relationship satisfaction. The researchers’ discovered that materialistic partners may be seeking happiness in possessions, rather than people, meaning they end up investing less time and energy into making their relationships successful. Make your relationship the priority – There are so many things in the modern world competing for our attention that it’s important to set aside time for our closest relationship, and to guard that time well. Schedule dates, even if it’s just time for a glass of wine and a chat after the kids are in bed. Discuss an activity you’d both like to try, whether it’s learning how to play chess, or salsa dancing, and then turn that into a date event. Doing new things together will give you more to talk about.

‘All You Need is Love,’ proclaims the Beatles song, though it would be more accurate if they’d added, ‘Plus communication, respect and kindness, from both parties too!’ though that would probably be a bit of a mouthful to sing!

By Louise Addison

National Sickie Day!

Take care of your mental health

The first Monday of February is statistically the day that workers are most likely to call in sick, which is why it has been dubbed National Sickie Day! Having a cold or flu are the most common excuses used for taking a day off work, but almost half of the people who take the day are actually stressed, anxious, or depressed. Physical illness is a more socially acceptable reason for taking the day off, so most people use this as their excuse, instead of telling their boss the truth.

A mental health day should be an acceptable reason to take a day off because one day of sick leave on mental health grounds might help to stop pressures building into something worse, necessitating more sick days later in the year. Taking a mental health day is not about shirking or taking liberties, it’s about taking control and minimising the risk of physical illness that can be triggered by unmet mental health needs. We don’t hesitate to take a day off to rest and recover from physical illnesses such as the flu, yet we don’t feel its right to take time off for mental illness. Physical health and mental health are equally important in the workplace and a good employer will ensure line managers are trained to be able spot signs that their staff might be struggling. Once a problem has been identified it is important that employees are able to discuss the issue without fear of discrimination, and that employers are able to offer the right support and opportunities for self-care. This may be as simple as being flexible with working hours or encouraging employees to take their full lunch break away from their desk, or as complex as providing in house counselling. Recognising that mental problems are often invisible and that employees may need support is a great start.

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Choosing a Financial Advisor

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

ADVICE vs GUIDANCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHO TO ENGAGE?

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

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

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

A rose by any other name…

The late winter month of February brings into focus the romantic festival of Valentine. The celebration of St Valentine might have originated from a Roman priest named Valentinus. He refused to worship pagan gods and married young Christian couples in secret if they were unable to obtain parental consent. This occasion is a time when a gift of cut flowers, particularly roses, becomes highly appropriate. Roses are a symbol of love, but every type of flower helps to lift residual winter gloom. You might like to know that a gift of a thornless rose is said to represent ‘love at first sight’, and a single rose of any colour other than red means ‘thank you’. The single red rose doesn’t need any explanation, particularly on Valentine’s Day, but if you feel generous and buy a bunch of twelve red roses, it could mean ‘I want to marry you’.

Living roses also make a wonderful gift. They can be planted now, provided the ground is frost-free. These woody shrubs should produce blooms this summer and for several decades to come. Bare-root roses can also be planted before the spring growth commences. You can include a dose of mycorrhizal fungi, which will form a symbiotic relationship with a tree or shrub. This mutually beneficial arrangement draws nutrients to the plant and improves the entire root effectiveness. This will help enormously when you forget to water your newly planted rose or any woody plant.

Types of roses

There are dozens of different types of roses and thousands of varieties in each category. New roses are being bred every year, but some of the old favourites include:

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

• Old Garden rose varieties which are often over 100 years old, such as the pink, perfumed Rosa chinensis – the China rose. Its blooms are large but can be damaged by weather – this is a type of rose that might require extra care.

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

• Floribunda roses have a profusion of smaller flowers, which appear in delightful clusters. These flower repeatedly and it is possible to have floribunda roses all through spring and into late summer. Choose your variety carefully if you are hoping for good scent and disease resistance.

• Patio roses are smaller than the shrub varieties but larger than miniature. They are suitable for pots and containers but don’t like to live indoors. If you have a courtyard garden or even a large window

Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

box, this might be the one for you. The Gold Standard, award-winning ‘George Best’ is a rather wonderful red, fading to pink. ‘Special Friend’ is the palest of pinks with a delicate fragrance.

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

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

• Rambling roses are probably not for the fainthearted! They grow beautifully through trees but might be too vigorous for a trellis or pergola. They generally flower just once a year, but it’s a show worth waiting for. The ever-popular ‘Rambling Rector’ has a spectacular flush of white and cream flowers with golden centres and a heady scent.

• Climbing roses are a more orderly bunch of characters that love to grow over pergolas and can usually be trained to obey the chief gardener.

They often flower more than once per year. Try ‘Gardener’s Glory’, a yellow rose that is a Gold Standard award winner, or ‘Gloriana’, a striking purple rose that flowers almost all summer long.

• Then there are the miniature roses, which are often purchased as indoor plants. They can be planted outdoors, which might help them to thrive. They make a charming gift, albeit not spectacular.

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GreenFingers

The Alan Titchmarsh column

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rehoming Appeal

Binx

This lovely, sweet natured little lady is Binx. She is about 2½ years old and had been picked on by the two other cats in her previous home, so was initially very timorous and frightened of her own shadow and hid for quite a few days. She is still very nervous around strangers, or strange noises, but once she knows you, she is incredibly affectionate and has a purr like a motorboat. Once she is happy in her surroundings, she is quite nosey, so likes to explore new places, and follow you around the house to see what you are doing. She also likes to snuggle down next to you and have her head massaged. To be at her happiest, she needs to live in a quiet household with no sudden noises either inside or outside the house, no children and not many strangers. A one or two- person household with very patient owner(s) with lots of cat experience would be ideal. She cannot live with other cats or dogs and would ideally be suited to someone who is at home for most of the day, as she loves company. If you think you can give this little lady the love and attention she craves, please get in touch with Liz on 01767 681157. Alternatively, please e-mail Helen at info.rats@gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your enquiry on to the team. View the dogs, cats and small mammals currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity You can also see photographs and details of the animals in our care in our charity shop in Hitchin Street, Biggleswade SG18 8AX. Open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm.

Rabbit Fostering

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To become a rabbit fosterer, we are looking for:

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

Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential

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

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

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

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

I have been advised to deworm my pets, but I don’t see any worms and they are well. What should I do?

There are different types of worms in pets, and you seldom see any evidence of them unless there is an overwhelming infestation. We are mostly concerned about lungworm and roundworm. Roundworm (Toxocara) is very common in dogs and cats and the eggs are widespread in the environment. Toxacara can cause problems in young animals but is generally not detrimental adult animals. Our concern is that children (zoonosis) are exposed to the eggs which can have very severe consequences (including blindness, skin lesions, increased risk of asthma and seizures and difficulty with reading and maths).

Lungworm in dogs can be fatal, and is generally not noticed until your dog develops symptoms, which can be to late. To protect your pets and children, we recommend monthly worming. This can be given monthly, combined with flea and tick control, either as a tablet or a spot-on.

Best wishes to you all and stay safe!

Alan

If you have any questions you would like answered, please email them to villager@pottonvets.co.uk

What should I be looking for when buying new tyres for my car?

It’s easy to underestimate just how important your car’s tyres are. But they’re the single point of contact that your car has with the road, so it’s vital that they’re fit for purpose.

We’ve spoken to Davanti Tyres about what to look out for when choosing tyres.

Size - Getting the right size of tyre for your car is crucial and they should be the same size as the ones recommended by the manufacturer. You’ll find this information in the documentation supplied with your vehicle. Davanti Tyres general manager, Peter Cross, says: “Your tyre’s sidewall also contains all the information about your tyre that you’ll need.” Make sure the new tyres you’re planning to fit don’t have a lower load-carrying capacity than the originals. This is particularly important when you’re travelling with a fully loaded car.

Grip - One of the main things required from a tyre is grip. There are all manner of tyres designed for a variety of uses – from winter tyres that have been developed to work well in colder climates to performance tyres that promise the best possible grip for high-powered cars.

Cross says you should consider which conditions you experience the most – wet, icy, dry or hot – as well as the road surface that you travel on most frequently. If you’re heading off-road more often, then you might need a more adventure-focused tyre, for instance.

Value for money - Value for money is at the forefront of people’s minds at the moment, and

tyres are usually quite expensive. All-season tyres could be a good option for those who want decent performance in both summer and winter, as they suit a range of driving circumstances.

Plus, with an all-season tyre, there’s no need to change between summer and winter tyres in the UK. Fuel efficiency - Tyres account for up to 20 per cent of your car’s fuel consumption, so have an impact on how efficiently your car runs. All new tyres in the UK come with an EU tyre label that gives clear information on a tyre’s performance.

These labels also show a tyre’s rolling resistance (lower rolling resistance tyres help boost fuel economy), how well a tyre performs in the wet plus have a grading for noise levels. All elements of the label have a letter rating, with rolling resistance, for instance, rated from A to E.

Being able to assess the labels makes it easier to make an informed choice on which tyres are right for you. All new tyres should have the labels clearly visible.

Cross adds: “Choosing the right tyre doesn’t need to be as overwhelming as it can seem at first. Thinking about these simple elements means that when you take your car to the garage, you can talk clearly about what you want and need, ensuring your garage fits the right tyre for you.

“As a tyre manufacturer, we have spent years developing tyres to make sure drivers get the best experience possible and enjoy driving with confidence whatever the weather or road surface.”

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Driven to Distraction

Driving on UK roads is about how we respond to danger and hazards… both of our own doing, as well as those around us. We look at how these factors collide, and how being aware means being safe.

The actions of others

The AA regularly poll their members on a variety of road issues, and over time have gathered the responses of a quarter of a million people on the habits and traits that irritate them most. The results are revealing, with talking on a mobile phone, in recent years, having become the thing that creates the most ire.

Most frustrating habits of other road users:

1. Talking on a mobile (30%)

2. Tailgating (23%)

3. Middle lane hogging (20%)

4. Swooping or cutting across lanes to leave a motorway at the last minute (10%)

5. Overtaking on the inside (7%)

6. Driving too slowly (4%)

7. Speeding (3%)

8. Littering (3%)

Our own misdemeanours

Most of us know the key things we need to avoid on the roads, yet there are a few other seemingly inoffensive actions that you may also land you in trouble.

A bad apple

Around two thirds of British drivers have had a bite to eat while behind the wheel – but how many of those would have snuck a piece of sandwich had they known it could mean big trouble? The Highway

Code, under Rule 148, states that “safe driving and riding needs concentration,” and advises against eating, drinking, smoking, listening to loud music and trying to read maps while behind the wheel. Anyone tucking into their lunch could well be committing an offence of driving without due care and attention, or not being in proper control of a vehicle.

Making a splash

Mean-spirited motorists careening through surface water and subsequently soaking pedestrians may be infringing section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which states that driving “without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road” is an offence. So next time you see an inviting puddle, steer well clear or risk being hit with a fixed penalty notice!

Horn blower

The horn is a vital part of staying safe on the roads and should be used to warn other drivers of your presence, particularly if you are about to tackle a sharp corner or a situation where there is poor driver visibility.

Beeping in a moment of anger can in fact be considered breaking the law; while sounding the horn between 11.30pm and 7am in a built-up area unless is prohibited, unless it is an absolute emergency.

By Rachael Leverton

A forpassionpeaches

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

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

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

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

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

On the Cat Walk

All animals need exercise and cats are no different. However, if you are concerned about letting your pet out, you might be thinking about buying a harness and talking your cat for a walk. It may be possible if you start this when they are a kitten, but it’s really not recommended for the following reasons.

• Cats are naturally cautious and want to explore at a pace that feels right and safe for them. They will want to be able to hide, run away or avoid potential threats without restriction.

• Cats are naturally very attached to their home and need to feel they always have access to this. Being taken on a lead takes them into new territory and prevents them from being able to access their own space.

• If the lead is dropped or they escape their harness it is unlikely they will return to you, especially when they are scared. Cats are more likely to bolt in order to reach a place of safety and will be at risk from cars on the road as well as other threats.

• Dogs have a high chase drive and, if they see a cat, may try to run after them. Being on a lead or harness makes your cat vulnerable to all sorts of dangers like this that they would naturally avoid. Rather than using a harness and leash to provide access to the outdoors, the RSPCA recommends providing your cat an enclosed outdoor space with cat-proof fencing.

Best & Worst

1. Broadcast between 2006 and 2011, The Best Of Both Worlds was the theme song for which TV show?

2. Which adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnston was named the worst dressed man of 2020 by GQ magazine?

3. Which individual released the 1965 album Best Of The Beatles, which caused confusion among record buyers as it contained no songs by The Beatles?

4. Referring to the fact that many people in the UK haven’t tasted it, what drink has been advertised with the slogan “what’s the worst that could happen”?

5. What 11-letter word was used instead of “Best” when the award known as the Academy Award for Best Picture was first awarded?

6. “Rated worst” is an anagram of which famous singer?

7. Which British boxer was nicknamed “Simply the Best” and used the Tina Turner song The Best as his entrance song?

8. After George Best’s death in 2005, who sent a football to Best’s family on which he had written “from the second best player in the world”?

9. The 2011 film Jack And Jill won a record 10 awards at the Golden Raspberry Awards, including both Worst Actor and Worst Actress for which actor, who played both title roles?

10. In Texas Hold’em poker, “whip” is an acronym for “worst hand in poker” and refers to a starting hand of two cards of different suits and of what two values?

1. Hannah Montana 2. Dominic Cummings 3. Pete Best (an early member of The Beatles) 4. Dr Pepper 5. Outstanding

6. Rod Stewart 7. Chris Eubank 8. Pele 9. Adam Sandler 10. Seven and two

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In the Market for a New Phone?

Replacing your mobile phone can be a very expensive process. With the latest iPhones and Android devices selling for over £1000 or £50 per month on contract this is a big outlay. But for every new phone that is bought an older model appears on the second-hand market. If you’re happy to use a phone that’s one or two years old you can make some amazing savings while still getting an excellent phone. But there are some pitfalls you need to avoid.

For total peace of mind use an official reseller. Apple has an official refurbished shop where you can pick up older iPhone models that have been tested and guaranteed by Apple themselves. Similarly there are a number of reputable companies that refurbish other makes of phones. You’ll pay a slight premium but you know that your phone will work and be in good condition.

eBay is a viable option. Although you won’t be able to handle the phone, a good seller will offer lots of photos highlighting any issues with the device. If you use PayPal to buy the phone you will get automatic

cover from your PayPal account in case the phone you receive doesn’t match the description stated by the seller. This includes the phone not working, being locked or being damaged.

A locked device is the major pitfall to watch out for when buying second-hand. When you buy a new phone you register it against either your Apple or Google account. The phone then becomes locked to that account. So make sure the device you are buying is fully unlocked and wiped clean. If it isn’t this is usually a sign that the phone has been stolen. Phones can also be locked to a mobile phone company so again make sure that this lock has been removed.

After this it’s really down to looking at the condition of the device, especially the screen, buttons, battery and charging port. If any of these are damaged you are best to walk away.

Unless you are the type who HAS to have the latest model, buying second-hand should probably be your first move.

By Tom Hancock

Avatar Again

On the eve of Avatar: The Way of Water, one of the most-anticipated sequels in film history, Zoe Saldaña is a woman with a lot of work to do.

Never an actress who rushes to take up film scripts, Zoe Saldaña very often opts for the ‘less is more’ approach – thus, a string of colossal projects decorate a CV that is notable for gaps in between. Certainly in terms of the film that set her on her way to a string of big-budget projects from where she rarely now strays, the influence of James Cameron’s ground-breaking Avatar has been present for well over a decade now.

So it is with no small amount of relief that, finally, a sequel has arrived… and not just one. In what may turn out to be the biggest box office series ever, production of four more Avatar movies is in motion, through to Avatar 5, due for release in 2028, no less. “The project is huge, but it has to be,” says Saldaña. “You have a film that took $3billion at the box office, and yet here we are 13 years on. Perhaps it’s only right we’re getting this many sequels done if it’s taken us this long up until now!”

While details over Avatar 2, or The Way of Water to give it its official title, are sketchy, what’s clear is this is no rushed project, nor is Saldaña taking her return lightly.

“I was very nervous because sequels can be dangerous, and we were feeling the pressure. I think the first couple of days, we all had moments of, ‘Can we do this again? What was the secret ingredient?

Do you know, does anyone? Should we just leave it there, not mess with it?’ There were a lot of nerves. It has been a long while.

“Yet [director and writer] James Cameron is in charge and his vision is present and trustworthy. And the film is very different from the first, way different… different planet different.”

While we are now in a new era of film that feels a world away from the CGI-laden original, the appeal of welcoming a new generation of filmgoer to the mystery of Eurasia is one Saldaña is relishing.

“We still retain the curiosity and interest of the millions of people who went out to watch it first time around, but the continuation of this story will bring new eyes to the story, and that’s a thrill for me.”

What's On

WHAT'S ON IN FEBRUARY

1 FEBRUARY

Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Group

1pm Shuttleworth

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

1 FEBRUARY

Sandy Night Owls Women’s Inst.

7.30pm Sandy Conservative Club

Visitors £4. Meets first Wednesday of the month (except August). A varied programme.

Email: sandynightowlswi@gmail.com

1, 8, 15 & 22 FEBRUARY

Open Craft and Coffee

10-11.30am Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street

Tel: 01767 261138

1, 8, 15 22

FEBRUARY

Hinxworth Art Society

10am-12pm Hinxworth Village Hall

Drawing, painting, coffee and chat. Occasional one-day courses and demonstrations.

Email: 99aegr@gmail.com

2 FEBRUARY

Sandy Astronomical Society 7pm Zoom general meeting. Regular observatunities during the month

Email: info@sandyastro.co.uk

Web: sandyastro.co.uk

2 FEBRUARY

Roxton & District Local History Group

7.30pm Roxton Village Hall

Members free, visitors £4

‘Crime and Punishment in Victorian St Neots’ by Liz Davies.

Email: mariascreen1@gmail.com

Web: roxtonhistory.org.uk

3 FEBRUARY

Bedfordshire Family History Soc.

7.30pm Drama Theatre, Mark Rutherford School, Bedford

Members free, visitors £1

‘The Plague Doctor’ by David Bell. Web: www.bfhs.org.uk

3 FEBRUARY

Bedford Art Society Meeting

7.15pm for 7.30pm

Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford MK41 8EB

Members free, visitors £5. A demonstration of Calligraphy with Anneka (Annie) Slatter. Tel: Jean Paterson 01234 307210 Web: www.bedsartsociety.co.uk

3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24 & 27

FEBRUARY

Open Door

10-11.30am Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street

Tea, coffee and chat. Mondays (not bank holidays) and Fridays. Everyone welcome. Tel: 01767 261138

3, 10, 17 & 24

FEBRUARY

Sandy Ukulele Group

7-9pm Baptist Chapel Hall, Bedford Road, Sandy Meets every Friday. sandyukulelegroup1@gmail.com Web: www.sandyukulelegroup.com

4 FEBRUARY

Coffee Morning

10-11.30am Potton Salvation Army, Chapel Street

Refreshments, cards, Bric-a-Brac, Books and jigsaws etc. Held on the first Saturday every month except January. Tel: 01767 261138

4 FEBRUARY

The Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pm RAF Henlow, SG16 6DN Free entry. Official photo ID required to get an entry ticket from the Guardroom. Tel: 07778 837263 Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk

4 FEBRUARY

Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Hardy Plant Society

2pm The Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade

‘Unexpectedly Hardy’ with Tim Fuller. Plants for sale from Tim’s nursery. Visitors welcome – small charge. Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk

5 FEBRUARY

North Herts Ramblers Group

10am

All day walk. 9 miles from Dan Albone car park, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade SG18 0BL.

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

6 FEBRUARY

Learning Lunchtime 11am-12pm

Forest Centre, Millennium Country Park, Marston Moretaine

‘The Value of Citizen Science to Nature’ with Bob Hook. Parking charges apply. Donations welcome. Tel: 01234 767037

Web: www.marstonvale.org

6, 13, 20 & 27 FEBRUARY

Branch Out Social Club for Single People

8.30-10.30pm Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin For single people aged 50 upwards. Meets every Monday night.

Tel: Lorna 01438 233657

Web: www.branch-out.org.uk

7 FEBRUARY

Gamlingay & District Gardening Club 7.30pm Main Hall, Eco Hub, Gamlingay Members free, visitors £4 ‘New, rare and unusual perennials’ with Tim Fuller of The Plantsman’s Preference nursery.

8 FEBRUARY

Bedford Local Group of The Wildlife Trust 7.15pm for 7.30pm

Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Avenue, Bedford

‘Lichens: A Symbiotic Fungi for two. An Introduction’, an illustrated talk by Brian Simms. Ample parking. All welcome. Tel: 01234 266057

Web: wildlifebcn.org

9 FEBRUARY

Castle Comedy. Doors open 7.30pm, show 8pm. Quarry Theatre, 26 St Peters St, Bedford

A Valentine special with star names and Roses (chocolates).

Web: www.castlecomedy.co.uk

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

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WHAT'S ON IN FEBRUARY

9 FEBRUARY

A video presentation by Jane Lazenby LRPS BPE4*DPAGB EFIAP

LMPA entitled:

“Working with Textures”

The Sullivan Room, The Weatherly Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8JH

Entry is from 7:30 starting at 8:00. A fee of £3.00 is payable at the door. www.biggleswadecameraclub.co.uk

11 FEBRUARY

Castle Comedy

Doors open 7.30pm, show 8pm

The Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade

Three headline quality acts means the ultimate comedy night out! Web: www.castlecomedy.co.uk

11-19 FEBRUARY

Wicked Wildlife Trail

9.30am-3.30pm Jordans Mill, Broom Wednesday to Sunday. Keep the little ones entertained and inspired this half term with our wicked wildlife outdoor activity trail. Trail sheets £3.50 from the Mill Shop.

12 FEBRUARY

Biggleswade Woman’s Institute

10am for 10.30am The Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade

Visitors £5. Meets third Monday of the month (except August). Email: biggleswadewi@gmail.com

12 FEBRUARY

Not Strictly Jazz

5-7pm Fairfield House, Fairfield Road, Biggleswade

Tickets £20, 10-18 years £10

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

Tel: 01767 312176

Email: sarahwiggs@hotmail.co.uk

13 FEBRUARY

Sandy Flower Club

7.30pm Conservative Bowls Club Pavilion (rear of the Conservative Club, Bedford Road)

Meets second Monday in the month (excluding January, August and December).

Tel: Sue Alexander 01767 699729

16 FEBRUARY

Bedford RSPB Local Group

7.30pm ARA Club, Manton Lane

Bedford MK41 7PF

Members £1, guests £2, under 18s free, annual group membership £5 ‘Farming for wildlife’ by Charlie Porter. Charlie will tell us the part he and his team are playing to help the recovery of our local wildlife at Wood End Farm in Cople. Suitable for experts and novices. RSPB membership not essential. Tel: 07905 199769

www.rspb.org.uk/groups/bedford

19 FEBRUARY

Antique & Vintage Fair

9am-4pm The Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade

Café serving food and drinks all day. Free parking. Wheelchair/pushchair access. Tel: Marcel 07887 648255 Web: www.marcelfairs.co.uk

21 FEBRUARY

Bedford National Trust Association

2.15-3.15pm

Addison Centre, Kempston BNTA members £3, NT members £3.50, visitors £4

‘You cannot be serious! Tales of a Wimbledon umpire’. Alan Gray will talk about his time at Wimbledon, where he was a line judge and umpire. Non-members welcome.

Tel: Betty Thomas 01480 860421

21 FEBRUARY

Greensands Writers’ Group

7-9pm

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

21 FEBRUARY

Sandy Women’s Institute

10am-12pm Sandy Conservative Club, Bedford Road, Sandy Visitors £4. Meets third Tuesday of every month, except August. Visitors very welcome. Tel: 01767 680644

Email: sandywibeds@gmail.com

23 FEBRUARY

A digital presentation by Naomi Saul ARPS DPAGB APAGB EFIAP ASINWP (EAF”A”) entitled: “Africa’s Dust Under my Feet”

We meet every Thursday evening in The Sullivan Room, The Weatherly Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8JH Entry is from 7:30 starting at 8:00. A fee of £3.00 is payable at the door. www.biggleswadecameraclub.co.uk

23 FEBRUARY

Biggleswade & District Camera Club 7.30pm for 8pm

The Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade. Non-members £3 ‘Africa’s Dust Under My Feet’, a digital presentation by Naomi Saul. See website for programme. www.biggleswadecameraclub.co.uk

25 FEBRUARY

The Big Blunham Book Sale

10am-3pm

Blunham Parish Church, MK44 3NQ

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

25 FEBRUARY

Wine Tasting Quiz & Supper

7pm Broom Village Hall

£20 per person. Wine tasting quiz (eight wines) with fish and chip supper. Teams of six or less. Friends of All Saints Church Southill event. Tel: Nico 01767 811927

Email: rodenburg@btinternet.com

UNTIL 16 APRIL

Changing Times: A Century of Modern British Art Exhibition The Higgins, Bedford Free entry

Visitors will find sculpture, paintings and works on paper by some of the best-known and well-loved names in British art.

Web: www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk

Helping our kids along the way is the duty of every parent, so with that in mind here are a handful of brilliant psychological and practical methods you can employ in order to fuel your child’s learning potential at school or college.

Psychological: It’s okay to fail

If your child ever needs reminding that failure is a route to success, then point him or her the way of Sir Richard Branson, who had various scrapes with bankruptcy on the way to accumulating his £5billion fortune.

The Virgin chief always credits the lessons learned from failure as the most valuable building blocks for success.

Practical: Enjoy what you do and learn

When a student doesn’t like a subject, they will put a mental block in its path, yet when we enjoy what’s on offer, we open our minds, creating pathways and processes that are pleasurable to explore. Thus, finding ways in which our children can enjoy even the subjects they dislike, by instilling a positive mindset that is pre-programmed to succeed, will have a great effect.

Psychological: Position, don’t punish

Encouraging your child to study by positioning outcomes and consequences (good results from studying well, and possible negative things that might result from failing to study) offers a mature and sensible route.

The alternative – punishing them for not working hard enough – won’t inspire them to succeed, as it only tackles the avoidance of failure.

Magnificience in Mind

Practical: Push the passion

While we know it’s important to ensure our kids have a cross-section of skills and understanding, never be afraid to really fire the enthusiasm attached to a certain subject if you can see it stimulates them. Being close to children or young adults and seeing this develop is a real privilege, and one we should always try to nurture.

Psychological: Create connections

There will always be a student declaring the ‘uselessness’ of Pythagoras in everyday life, yet finding real connections between what they learn and the world around them can instil energy and enthusiasm for a subject.

So to help them realise that learning is relevant and always worthwhile, point out the physics at play when boiling the kettle, or liken the architecture of a building to a period of time they might have learned about in history lessons. Remember, our education system is a reflection of the wider world, not the other way round.

Practical: Join in

As a parent, when you involve yourself in their studies, even just as a sounding board, perhaps, you not only offer the potential of help and insight, but lift the burden of ‘having to go it alone’, which can be terrifying for a young mind, particularly when exam season comes around.

The Trouble with Change

Change can be hard on children, but with these handy tips you’ll be able to easily navigate whatever life throws at your family.

Start a conversation

Having a frank and honest chat with your children about what’s happening in their lives is vital. It may be that the problem at hand is a bigger deal for you that it is for them.

Either way, make it clear that it’s okay to have big emotions about the new situation and reassure them that you are always there to listen to their fears and thoughts.

Read books on change

Whether a new baby is on the way, you’re moving to a different town, or one parent will be leaving the family home, there is a book – or 10! – for your specific needs. With titles like: Two Homes; You Were First and My Very Exciting, Sorta Scary Big Move, stories are great for solving problems in a gentle, kind and even humorous way.

Involve them

If something is going to change then get the kids involved. They will enjoy planning and embracing this new aspect of their lives. Perhaps it’s the prospect of a new room or finding exciting places to visit in your new area, or maybe there is a problem you can’t work out on your own that your child – with their brilliant, open and diverse mind – can solve it in a jiffy. Remember, kids are more resourceful and resilient than we give them credit for.

Prioritise routines

Humans, in general, like routine, yet kids thrive on it. So always seek to find that fine line between things being different but also being a bit the same. From a simple bedtime story, to seeking out the pool in your new area so you can maintain your Sunday swim, it’s all about consistency.

Provide coping skills

Teaching children how to cope with their emotions is vital, regardless of what is going on in their lives. Typical coping strategies include slow deep breaths (to relax), distraction (thinking about something else), problem-solving (finding a way to improve the situation) and positive self-talk (telling yourself it will all be okay).

Be positive

No matter how you are feeling about the change ahead, try to put a good spin on it for the sake of your kids. Ultimately, the future only has the potential to be as brilliant as you can imagine it, so if you find yourself clinging needlessly to the past listen to George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and focus on brighter days ahead.

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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T&R Roofing Ltd

Hash in flash! Corned Beef Hash

Beat the winter blues – and make the most of the money in your pocket and the everyday ingredients in your cupboard – with this cost-effective yet tasty and satisfying midweek winner.

Serves 4

Costs 95p per person

Preparation time 10 minutes

Cooking time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 300g potatoes, diced

• Olive oil

• 1 onion, peeled and chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 x 340g tin of corned beef, chopped

• 80g bag of watercress, spinach and rocket, chopped

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1. Parboil the potatoes in a pan of lightly salted water for around 7 minutes before draining the water – they should be slightly softened but still hold their shape.

2. In a large, heavy-based pan, fry off the onions in a glug of oil until beginning to soften. Add the garlic and allow to cook for about 30 seconds.

3. Now add the potatoes, corned beef and chopped salad leaves, and apply a little pressure with a spatula or fish slice. Occasionally turn the mixture but try not to disturb it too much.

4. Add the Worcestershire sauce and push down on the mixture again. By this point, it should all be nicely browned.

5. Serve with baked beans or some cooked-fromfrozen vegetables, if liked.

Recipe © www.watercress.co.uk, with photography by Lara Jane Thorpe

The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize £25

9 Vehicle for hire (4) 10 Opposite (8) 11 Not as dark (7)

13 Old coin (5)

15 Regularly (5)

17 Culinary herb (7)

20 Very cold (8)

21 Relax (4)

23 Large fight (6) 24 Hinder (6)

Down 1 Mother (4)

2 Disappear (6)

3 Piled up (7) 4 Connects (5)

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

February 2023

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

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

Name:

Tel:

5 Closer to (6) 6 Railway coach (8)

12 Casual (8)

14 Haggle (7)

16 Votes for (6)

18 Scratch (6)

19 Repairs (5)

22 Fizzy drink (4)

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Serves 4

Preparation time 15 minutes

Cooking time 12 minutes

Flipping Fantastic! Coffee and Amaretto Stack

INGREDIENTS

For the pancakes

• 140g plain flour

• 1 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 2 tbsp icing sugar

• 2 medium British Lion eggs

• 125ml milk

• 1 tbsp sunflower oil, for cooking the pancakes

For the filling

• 3 tbsp amaretto

• 2 tsp instant coffee, plus extra to serve

• 3 tbsp icing sugar

• 250g mascarpone

• 300g raspberries

1. In a large jug, gently whisk together all the pancake ingredients (except the oil) until smooth. Leave to stand for 10 minutes.

2. Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and brush with oil. Pour in heaped tablespoons of

pancake batter, spaced a few centimetres apart, fitting 3-4 in the pan. Cook for about a minute until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip or turn and cook for a further 30 seconds. Repeat with the remaining mixture to make about 20 pancakes in total.

3. In a large bowl mix together the coffee, amaretto and icing sugar. Add the mascarpone and whisk until thick.

4. Spread a heaped teaspoonful of the coffee mixture onto each pancake, and layer to create a small stack, adding a handful of raspberries to 2 layers in each stack. Top with a dollop of the coffee mixture and an extra raspberry, then dust with a little coffee. Serve straightaway.

Egg-cellent choice

Eggs are a good source of protein and are packed with essential nutrients. Always use eggs bearing the British Lion mark, which guarantees that they have been produced to the highest food standards. For more inspiration, visit www.egginfo.co.uk/recipes.

Whether for an indulgent breakfast or brunch, teatime treat or after-dinner dessert, serve up pancakes with panache this Shrove Tuesday (21st February).

Love is in the air Books

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

The Satsuma Complex

Bob Mortimer

Romance, humour and mystery

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

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

A Scatter of Light

Malinda Lo

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

The Man I Never Met

Elle Cook

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

Maame

Jessica George

Maddie has long been called Maame by her Ghanian parents. It’s meant as an endearment and an acknowledgment of how helpful and dependable Maddie is. With Maddie’s mum so often abroad, Maddie becomes her ill father’s carer, giving up much of her own life in the process. Then Maddie gets the chance to move out. She wants to start living for herself and maybe even to find love, but is she ready to break away from being Maame? At times laughout-loud funny, at other times poignant or outright shocking, Maame is a powerful debut novel.

The Switch

Beth O’Leary

Eileen and her granddaughter Leena decide to swap homes for two months. While Leena moves up to Yorkshire to de-stress and calm her thoughts, Eileen heads to London to look for love. It’s been four months since her husband left her, and Eileen is more than ready to rejoin the dating scene. And rejoin it she does, with gusto.

We All Want Impossible Things

Catherine Newman

Edi and Ash have been through so many things in their 40-year friendship. Now Edi is dying in a hospice and Ash is, as always, by her side. The two relive their time together, but Ash also has to face up to the fact that her present life is a bit of a mess. And soon, she’ll need to face it alone. While there are sad moments in this book, they’re accompanied by humour and compassion, so it’s surprisingly uplifting.

By Kate Duggan

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