The Incorporating Great Ashby VILLAGER & Old Town Directory and Town Life February 2016 Free Monthly Magazine Delivered to Homes and Businesses in the Stevenage Area WINDOW REPAIRS Serving all of Herts - Based in Stevenage Specialising in replacing misted units
BEFORE AFTER email: [email protected] website: www.jmlwindows.co.uk 07977 911 926 / 01438 906300 • Misted/broken double glazed units • Sticking doors or windows adjusted • Broken/loose handles • Leaded or Georgian units replaced • Hinges for gapping windows • Leaks fixed • All types of locks replaced • Energy saving Planitherm glass • Cat/dog flaps in glass or panels • Door re-alignments Visit our website for over 30 customer reviews 2 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts e Incorporating Great Ashby VILLAGER & Old Town Directory and Town Life February 2016 Free Monthly Magazine Delivered to Homes and Businesses in the Stevenage Area WINDOW REPAIRS Serving all of Herts - Based in Stevenage Specialising in replacing misted units
BEFORE AFTER email: [email protected] website: www.jmlwindows.co.uk 07977 911 926 / 01438 906300 • Misted/broken double glazed units • Sticking doors or windows adjusted • Broken/loose handles • Leaded or Georgian units replaced • Hinges for gapping windows • Leaks fixed • All types of locks replaced • Energy saving Planitherm glass • Cat/dog flaps in glass or panels • Door re-alignments Contents Visit our website for over 30 customer reviews
Kitchen Ergonomics Feathered Friends...... 35 32 Animal Heroes...... 36 Seasonal Delights...... 39 Ten Tips to Bring Your Treasures Back to Life...... 40 The Language of Flowers...... 43 Computer Love...... 45 Planning for the Future When Independence Ends...... 47 Puzzle Page...... 48 Win a Signed Copy of ‘Regret to Inform You’...... 51 Why Are We Celebrating Valentine’s Day...... 4 Prize Crossword...... 54 For Goodness Sake, Pay By Credit Card!...... 8 Fiat 500...... 57 Fairtrade Fortnight...... 10 What’s On...... 58 Win Tickets to The Pad - The Selecter + Guests...... 12 Book Review...... 61 National Yorkshire Pudding Day...... 14 Chinese New Year Chinese New Year...... 17 17 Portugal - Cruising on the Douro River...... 18 Scents Appeal...... 20 The Age of Plenty...... 23 Children’s Page...... 25 Plan the Perfect Bathroom...... 26 Is Buy-To-Let Still a Good Investment?...... 29 Employment Matters...... 31 The Kitchen Experience - Kitchen Ergonomics...... 32
Editorial: Sarah Fryer, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Carol H Scott, Publishers Louise Addison, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Kate Duggan, RSPCA, Villager Publications Ltd Solange Hando, Katherine Sorrell, Pippa Greenwood, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Iain Betson and Bruce Edwards Tel: 01767 261122 [email protected] Advertising Sales www.villagermag.com Victoria Tonkinson Tel: 01767 261122 E: [email protected] Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, Photography - Strannikfox and Darren Harbar Photography however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibil- ity for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the Design and Artwork advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part Design 9 - Tel 07762 969460 of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher. To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 History Roses are red, Violets are blue… Why are we celebrating? I don’t have a clue! Love is in the air this month with Valentine’s Day around the corner, but how many of us know just why we are celebrating? The fact is, there are a number of moments in history from which the holiday could have come and no one can say for sure which of them, if any, could be the definitive original source – most likely it has been an evolution, with vestiges from more than one place or time. It is often most closely associated with the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia, which itself is not fully understood. The festival has been connected with the legendary she-wolf Lupa, who nursed the founders of Rome – Romulus and Remus – when they were babes. She also protected the flocks and herds from wolves. The festival was also associated with the god Faunus – the god of agriculture. Lupercalia began with a sacrifice. A goat for fertility and a dog for purification were slain, before thongs and whips would be fashioned from the dead animals skins. The young men would then use these bloody thongs to softly lash at any women who came near; the thought was that the blow would make the woman fertile, and women welcomed it. A world away from what we are used to today Christian feast day, Saint Valentine’s Day, in the 5th perhaps! There were a great many other rituals Century but it is a mystery which St Valentine he as part of the festival that would seem intended to honour, there are at least three by strange to us in 2016, sacrifice that name recorded by the catholic and a sort of casual semi- church – all of them apparently brutality not being martyred. common place here and Most believe the St. Valentine that now but to them it was Gelasius intended to pay tribute a necessity. To keep both to was Father Valentine. Roman the lands and people fertile emperor Claudius II, a former army and prosperous – so not exactly officer faced many enemies and needed lovey-dovey! an army he could count on. His men travelled Pope Gelasius went some way to many miles from home, away from their families changing things. The catholic church for long periods of time and Claudius realised disagreed with these rituals believing that his men were homesick – and not fighting them to be unchristian. Gelasius as well as they might. replaced the Pagen festival with the According to legend the way he chose to 4 Luxury fitted kitchens Fully qualified UK Kitchens 4 U offers a full kitchen fitting service. We have over 10 years of kitchen-fitting experience and have satisfied more than 1,000 customers in the local area.
Your new kitchen is in safe hands: Our team is Part-P and Gas Safe certified. Satisfaction guaranteed We pride ourselves on providing high quality kitchens at an affordable price. With a range of designs available, from modern and contemporary to the more traditional of styles, we guarantee that you will be thrilled with your new kitchen.
“Adrian was really helpful throughout the whole process. We are overjoyed with our new kitchen.” – Julie, Bedford The personal touch Contact us today We know how important your kitchen is to you, and that’s why we offer a fully personalised service. Each project is carefully managed to your own timescale and budget, with a certified team on hand For further information or to make sure that you are kept informed and involved at every stage. for a no obligation quote contact us today by We guarantee a professional service that will fulfil your needs and be delivered on time, and on budget. telephoning 01767 692968 or emailing VISIT OUR SHOWROOM: 87 HIGH STREET, BIGGLESWADE [email protected]
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 5 solve this problem, was to ban his young soldiers from marriage in the hope that they would not be made weak by soft hearts. Father Valentine paid the emperor little heed, continuing to marry young people in secret until he was caught by the Romans and sentenced to death. The myth goes on to say that Father Valentine fell in love with his jailer’s daughter. On 14th February he managed to pass a letter to his love before he was executed. The letter was signed “from your Valentine”. There are many myths surrounding the man but one thing that seems to remain constant is that he was a good man, very brave and an old romantic at heart. However, in spite of his romantic soul, it seems that the first time the link between romance and Valentine’s Day was recorded, was by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1383. Chaucer had written a poem to commemorate the engagement between Richard II and Anne of Bohemia, a huge 700 line poem that fairly commonplace here in the UK by the 18th took him almost a year to finish. It was completed Century. Perhaps not the mass produced cards on 14th February, 1383 and was quite up to and gifts we know today – cards would have Chaucer’s usual character. Even in old English there been handmade, perhaps with lace or ribbon is no disputing the link, Chaucer wrote: and Cupid’s face taking the leading role but the “For this was on seynt Valentynes day, sentiment remains the same. Perhaps we are not Whan every foul cometh ther to chese his make,” so far removed from out ancestors as we thought? Which modernised, reads something like, “For Since the late 1960’s St Valentine’s has not been this was on Saint Valentines day, when every fowl recognised as a holiday within the catholic church cometh there to choose his mate.” and yet, even without the support of the Vatican ‘The Parliament of Fowl’s’ talks of birds’ mating it is estimated that 1 billion valentines cards are seasons – believed then to begin on February sent worldwide every year, making the lovers day 14th, the royal engagement and Valentines day – the second most celebrated holiday of the modern all linked by love as well as timing. world, right behind Christmas. Over the hundreds of years that have past since Last year it was estimated that we as a nation then, Valentine’s day has continued to evolve and expected to spend 1.6 billion pounds on the to grow into the commercial success we readily occasion. It’s thought that about 85% of the recognise today, with the addition of Valentine’s valentines sold, are sold to women – so time to up cards and the exchange of gifts having become your game fella’s!
6 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 7 Three Counties Radio By Jonathan Vernon-Smith For Goodness Sake Pay By Credit Card! I’ve been fighting for consumer rights on my radio programme for many years now, and there’s one message I have been repeating constantly - PAY BY CREDIT CARD! Whenever I repeat this mantra, I receive so many calls and emails of complaint from people saying that I’m encouraging debt, I lose the will to live. However, I simply refuse to be silenced. But why do I get on my high horse? I’ll tell you why. If you pay for goods or services by credit card you are protected in so many ways. The woman who paid £1,000 by cheque for a bed that never turned up because the company went bust, the young man who put down a £500 deposit in cash for a new car only to find the dealer had misrepresented the kind of vehicle it was. These consumers could have received all of their money back with one phone call if only they’d paid by credit card. You see under the Consumer Credit Act of 1974, the credit card company is equally liable for any breach of contract or misrepresentation by a supplier of goods or services on credit. As long as the product or service costs between £100 and £30,000, you are covered for most unfortunate events. There’s also absolutely no need to get into debt when paying by credit card. If you were proposing to pay by cheque, cash or debit card then simply pay by credit card instead and pay the bill off in full the very next day. So next time you plan to buy that new sofa, car, holiday or conservatory, FOR GOODNESS SAKE - PAY BY CREDIT CARD!
Jonathan Vernon-Smith not only offers you his consumer advice here but you can listen to The JVS Show tackling your consumer problems every weekday morning from 9am.
8 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts BLADES BARBERS ReDUCeD WAiTing Times nOW With seven team members at BLADes BARBeRs
DUE TO THE SUCCESS of the salon, Brendan, with 28 years of barbering experience, has come a long way having opened the salon in early 2009 initially on his own, he now has seven team members to accommodate customer demand for high quality gent’s hairdressing at Great Ashby in Stevenage. REDUCED WAITING TIMES. Since opening the salon, Brendan Opening Times has increased the size of his waiting area to provide extra monday 9am - 6pm seats, taken on additional highly qualified barbers and Tuesday 9am - 6pm is now training a junior team member to the same Wednesday 9am - 6pm high standard that customers have come to expect. Thursday 9am - 7pm BLADES BARBERS – is an upmarket salon charging Friday 8am - 6pm saturday 7.30am - 4pm local prices. It is situated in the perfect location at sunday Closed the Neighbourhood Centre in Great Ashby, with FREE AND PLENTIFUL PARKING making the whole experience easy and convenient. price List - no appointment necessary Wet Cut & Blow Dry £8.50 Wash Cut & Blow dry £12.50 Clipper Cuts £6.50 senior Citizens £6.00 Mon - Thurs 9am - 2pm, over 65 years Children £7.50 up to 11 years Beard Trim £3.00 Beard Trim £4.50 with cut throat shape up Lines & patterns prices from £1.00
Unit 1, st Francis House, Whitehorse Lane, great Ashby neighbourhood Centre, stevenage, sg1 6nH Tel: 01438 317 482
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 9 Time of Year By Debbie Singh-Bhatti Fairtrade Fortnight What did you have for breakfast this morning? There are over 4,500 Fairtrade products available Maybe you enjoyed coffee from Kenya , bananas in the UK: from coffee, tea and chocolate to from Colombia , cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire, tea beauty products, flowers and gold. One in from India, sugar from Malawi or juice from three bananas bought is Fairtrade, and British Brazilian oranges. consumers choosing Fairtrade sugar sent more Millions of farmers and workers in developing than £5 million in Fairtrade premium back to countries work hard every day to grow the food sugar cane smallholders last year. Choosing to we take for granted, but ironically they don’t buy food with the FAIRTRADE Mark really does always earn enough to feed their own families. make a huge difference to thousands of farmers, In other words, they do not have food security. workers and their families. Fairtrade is about changing that. Its aim is to From 29 February until 13 March 2016 is secure better prices, decent working conditions Fairtrade Fortnight, during which ordinary and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers. people like you and me are encouraged to By being paid a fair price, they can have more inspire a multitude of Fairtrade breakfasts in control over their lives and less worry about how our communities – and wake others up to the they will feed their families. Fairtrade means challenges facing farmers and workers. many farmers and workers are able to fulfil a There are three simple steps to get involved: basic human need – to put enough food on the • Organise your own Big Fairtrade Breakfast table for the people they care about, all year • Inspire others to host a breakfast (for example, round. in a school, workplace, town hall or individuals When you buy products with the FAIRTRADE at home) Mark, it means that the Fairtrade ingredients • Register your breakfast on the Big Fairtrade they contain have been produced by Breakfast totaliser to make sure it gets small-scale farmer organisations or counted. plantations that meet Fairtrade You can find everything social, economic and you need at fairtrade. environmental standards. org.uk/breakfast. These standards No one person can include protection of do everything workers’ rights and to tackle the the environment, injustices that payment of exist in the the Fairtrade world, but Minimum harnessing Price and an the power additional of a Fairtrade Fairtrade Premium to breakfast is invest in schools, something transport, health we can all do. care, sanitation, So, sit down an improved for breakfast environment and and stand up for better business farmers! equipment and practices. 10 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 11 COMPETITION The Pad Presents... The Selecter + Guests The Corn Exchange, St Pauls Square, Bedford Sat 20th Feb 2016 at 7.30pm
“really positive, really smart energetic vibrant record” BBC RADIO 2 JO WHILEY ALBUM REVIEW SHOW Still knocking out righteous tunes after all these years” VIVE LE ROCK “Long may she reign as the queen of Rude Girls” LOUDER THAN WAR “The Soundtrack Of Summer 2015” THE HUFFINGTON POST
Legendary 2-Tone artists, The Selecter, released fame is still there, except the pair (Pauline & Gaps) their new studio album SUBCULTURE to critical seem more driven than ever. Their confidence is acclaim in June 2015 on DMF Records and have just sky-high and they’re also writing the best songs of announced part two of their Subculture tour with their career, which is saying something given the dates around the UK in Spring 2016. enduring popularity of hits like Three Minute Hero, Whenever successful bands from the past reform Missing Words and On My Radio. they invariably start trading in nostalgia and No strangers to Bedford The Selecter have racked up become “heritage” acts. No one expects them to appearances at Esquires in Bedford numerous times grow artistically or continue to excel at the same in the past and were last seen at the Corn Exchange things that brought them popularity in the first in 2011 when they lifted the roof of the venue. place, but that’s what The Selecter have done in the Tickets are on sale priced £18 in advance via past few years. They’ve played at major festivals, Seetickets online, from the venue Box Office in the headlined 3 UK tours and recorded three studio Number 13 bar and in person from Planet Boutique albums, the latest of which, Subculture, is mixed by in the Arcade and Mario’s Hair Design in Kempston. UK dub-master Prince Fatty. Music fans may have Doors open at 7.30pm, special guests tbc http:// caught them on BBC2 on the Jools Holland’s Annual www.seetickets.com/event/the-selecter/bedford- Hootenanny on New Year’s Eve. corn-exchange/924869 The Selecter is led by their iconic frontwoman Pauline Black, whose recent series of shows on The Villager and Town Life has two pairs of tickets BBC6 Music were hugely well received, and whose courtesy of The Pad Presents Ltd to give away book ‘Black By Design’ continues to sell in droves for the Selector + Guests Event. worldwide, alongside an incredible talented band To enter, simply email of musicians, including Neil Pyzer (Spear Of Destiny) [email protected] Will Crewdson (Rachel Stamp) and co-fronted by with the heading ‘Selector Competition Entry’ original member Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson (who and include your name, address and tel no. features extensively on Subculture). A winner will be picked at random. The anarchic passion that fuelled Selecter gigs Deadline for entries is 15th February 2016 during the 2 Tone era, when they toured with the Specials and Madness at the peak of their early For more information visit www.thepadpresents.com 12 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Splashbacks of Distinction COMPETITION Specialists in coloured and designer glass
Splashbacks of Distinction is a family • coloured glass splashbacks run business based in Hertfordshire. • glass worktop • glass balustrades We offer our customers a bespoke template • mirrors in a range of colours and installation service allowing us to see • toughened mirrors in a range of colours your project through from start to finish. • glass table tops • glass wall panelling We manufacture all our products in-house • printed glass splashbacks providing the same quality whether you • bespoke shower enclosures and screens require a single piece of glass to larger • glass vanity tops scale projects. ...and much more 01438 215 568 www.splashbacksofdistinction.co.uk [email protected] Unit 11 | Broomhall Farm | Watton at Stone | SG14 2RN To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 13
SofD full page advert.indd 1 24/09/2015 14:28 Time of Year National Yorkshire Pudding Day By Louise Addison From 2008 the first Sunday in February has been designated National Yorkshire Pudding Day! The traditional Yorkshire Pudding first got its name occasions. Extra drippings from any meat added a in 1747 according to local legend, when Hannah welcome and much-needed supplement. Glasse wrote a cookery book titled The Art of The Yorkshire pudding was usually made in a large Cookery Made Plain and Simple. She included a tray, and was often served with gravy before the Yorkshire Pudding recipe; but no-one really knows main meal as a filler, so less meat was required for how far back the original recipe goes as some form the main course. of batter or dripping pudding, as it was previously The recipe is pretty simple, just eggs, milk and named, has been cooked for centuries. plain flour. A Yorkshire-born aunty once warned me Early puddings were flatter than today’s version never to use self-raising flour, or any kind of raising and were cooked in a tin beneath the meat, which agent because doing so will mean your puds will was roasted on a spit over a fire. The pudding was be spongy and soggy. Also the batter has to be the positioned to catch all the drippings from the meat. right consistency, a little thicker than unwhipped Dripping was an important part of the diet in those double cream, and as smooth as possible. To achieve days because the human body actually needs some the best, most crispy Yorkshire puds trickle about fat to enable it to absorb certain vitamins, but unlike 3mm / 1/8 inch of very hot fat in the bottom of the today sources of fat were more difficult to obtain as tin, then heat it up. As the fat begins to smoke, add meat was expensive so was only cooked on special the batter. Enjoy!
14 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 15 1 New Road Clifton Beds SG17 5JH
16 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Time of Year Chinese New Year Chinese New Year has been celebrated for gather together to celebrate at home. The type of thousands of years. No one knows exactly when food served depends on the country and region. the tradition first started, but it is believed to date Some of the most common food traditionally from at least the Shang Dynasty (1766 BC - 1122 eaten on or around Chinese New Year include BC), although it may be much older. dumplings, fish and spring rolls. Many of the The Chinese calendar is much older than the ingredients are chosen because their name is Gregorian one we use today, although it has considered auspicious. For example, there is a evolved over time. It follows the lunar cycle, with vegetarian dish called Buddha’s Delight which is each month beginning with the new moon. often eaten at this time of year. Fat choy is usually Chinese New Year falls between 21st January included in the dish, due to the last syllables of its and 20th February on the Gregorian calendar. name sounding similar to a Cantonese phrase for This year it will be celebrated on 8th February. prosperity. The preparation and way of eating the Celebrations run from Chinese New Year’s Eve, to dishes is also considered very important. the Lantern Festival 15 days later. It is the Year Restaurants across the UK will often hang up of the Monkey, one of twelve animals associated decorations for Chinese New year and hold with Chinese New Year. The others are rooster, their own celebrations, including special dog, pig, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, menus and entertainment. Many of the cities horse and sheep. also host Chinese New Year celebrations and The colour red is often associated with Chinese activities, from lantern making and martial arts New Year. In Chinese folk lore there was once a demonstrations to parades and firework displays. beast called the Nian who roamed the land at the The Chinese dragon has become an iconic part beginning of each year, terrorising villagers. Red of Chinese New Year. Dragons are said to ward was found to drive the Nian away, so red clothes off evil, and bring prosperity and good luck. The were worn, and red lanterns dragon dance is performed by a group of dancers and scrolls were hung. carrying a giant, moveable dragon. It is believed The tale goes that the that the longer the dragon, the more good luck it Nian was eventually can bestow, so some can reach over 70 metres! captured by a monk, but people have continued By Kate Duggan the traditions. Red packets containing money are also often given to younger people by married couples, to bring luck. Food plays an important role in Chinese New Year. New Year’s Eve dinner is a day for families to
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 17 Travel Portugal By Solange Hando Cruising on the Douro River The Douro has its source in northern Spain but vertical lines, others cling to horizontal terraces Portugal claims the only navigable section, retained by stone walls. They say that if you put all stretching just over 130 km from the estuary in the stones end to end, you could build two Great Porto to the Spanish border. It might take a day or Walls of China. two to sail upstream but most ships plan a leisurely It’s a quiet land with few people around, except at return journey, stopping at various mooring spots harvest time, and little to disturb the peace but the and including a number of on-shore excursions. occasional greeting of ships passing each other. Either way, there is plenty of excitement: low Sometimes a train races along the bank, a heron bridges when the sundeck roof and even the lands on a tree or a vulture hovers high above the captain’s cabin may have to be lowered, and locks, cliffs. Fish pop out of the water, leaving silvery rings all five of them, including the Carrapatelo, one of on the surface, and in Barca d’Alva, martins nesting the deepest in Europe. Passers-by look down in awe under the bridge perform a brilliant aerial dance to from the top, water thunders on the roof then at catch insects in the sunset. last the gate opens, a mere 12 metres wide, and the Barca d’Alva is the last place in Portugal, looking boat gently slips out into the sunlight. across to the border and Terra de Vegon, the final Cruising the Douro is about scenery and wine mooring and a convenient stop for a day trip into with ample opportunities to taste the latter, be it Spain and the world heritage city of Salamanca. the light golden ‘Vinho Verde’ and other sparkling Others drive up to the lovely medieval village wines or the ubiquitous Port, red or white, which of Castelo Rodrigo, basking in the sun among is produced at no higher than 500 metres. As for olive and almond groves. Then there’s Regua the scenery, it’s simply magic as ships sail in slow downstream, just a 30 minute drive from the motion along the ever meandering river, now pilgrimage shrine of Lamego, and Pinhao with spreading out like a lake, now peeping into a fjord its riverside promenade lined with palms and with myriad reflections or squeezing through a oleander, its steep cobbled lanes, its Roman bridge narrow gorge between towering cliffs and ochre- and railway station glistening with blue and white coloured rocks. The river depth ranges form 70 tiles depicting scenes of local life. Not so far away, metres to 40 cm and it takes all the captain’s skills the Mateus Palace sits among gardens of fragrant to dock and navigate the shallows. Wooded slopes box and flowering trees while up in the hills, frame the lower reaches, dotted with red-roofed traditional inns serve Portuguese fare and local villages and chapels, but before long, settlements wine. Vineyards, river and hills, it’s all part of the thin out and vineyards take over, draping every enticing Douro landscape protected by UNESCO, rolling hill in luminous green or autumn colours and the International Nature Park shared with under the watchful eye of remote wineries. Some neighbouring Spain. vineyards plunge straight down to the water in neat
18 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Our Pride - Your Joy
• Conservatories • Orangeries • Sunrooms • Porches • Composite Entrance Doors • Bi-Folding Doors • Energy Rated Glazing • Garage Conversions • Tiled Roof Garden Rooms • Re-Furbish Your Existing Conservatory “The new generation of living space”
Your specialist local company, who build with care and dedication from QUALITY HOME IMPROVEMENTS design to completion 01438 728485 CALL 0800 0751779 07796 394883 Visit our online showroom at www.conservatech.co.uk www.refurbishmyconservatory.com
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 19 Health & Beauty By Kate Duggan Scents Appeal Buying perfume for a loved one this Valentine’s, but English Pear and Freesia cologne. don’t have a clue where to start? Read on... Oriental We tend to think of perfume as French, but there Exotic, sensual scents that demand attention, are some fantastic British fragrance houses. Take oriental fragrances are warm and rich, with notes of Deco London. Launched in 2015, Deco London has musk, vanilla and amber. They were all the rage in created a select range of six fragrances, three for the 80s, but these days tend to be softened slightly her and three for him. Each one is a real delight, with other scents, such as floral notes. If she’s a with multiple, complex layers. At £75 a bottle, fan of Angel by Thierry Mugler, try Deco London’s they’re pricey, but if you’re looking to splash out this Constance. Valentine’s, they’re well worth it. Woody/chypre Perfume can be split into several ‘types’, although Warm and musky, with hints of sandalwood, cedar, many fragrances cross categories. vetiver and moss, these fragrances conjure up The main types are: images of walking through a forest Floral at sunset. If she loves spritzing on Feminine and unashamedly romantic, Miss Dior, treat her to Vanilla and floral perfumes range from ‘sugar and Cedarwood by Kiehl’s. spice’ sweetness to grown-up Oceanic sophistication. If she likes Beautiful Invigorating, refreshing and easy to by Estee Lauder, try Kukui by Connock wear, ‘oceanic’ covers a wide range of London – a delicious, grown-up blend ‘clean smelling’ fragrances, from crisp of gardenia, bergamot and white white linen to ocean spray. If she’s a flowers, that’s warmed by notes of fan of Cool Water Woman by sandalwood, vetiver and Davidoff , treat her to Inis white amber. (You may have by Fragrances of Ireland. guessed that it has pride of People have been place on my bedside table.) dabbing on fragrances Citrus for thousands of years. Fresh, vibrant and In Cyprus, evidence has invigorating, citrus based been unearthed that fragrances are fun and perfume was being light-hearted. Think manufactured at least scents of lemon, 4,000 years ago. It’s grapefruit, mandarin, played an important and other refreshing role in cultures and notes. If she likes Happy religious occasions by Clinique, she’ll love across the world, so Miller Harris’s Citron it’s no surprise that Citron. one of the gifts the Fruity three wise men Similar to citrus scents, chose was myrrh – fruity fragrances are an essential oil used uplifting and cheerful. predominately for If she has a bottle of its scent. What gift DKNY’s Be Delicious will you choose at hand, try surprising to bestow this her with Jo Malone’s Valentine’s? 20 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Paulines Fitness Classes
Cardio Blast & Legs, Bums & Tums
Exercise to music & Legs, Bums & Tums
Saturday Mornings are Coming to Paulines Fitness! Contact me for more details on: 07908969029 or email [email protected] or like my Facebook page paulinesfitness
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 21 Great Ashby Podiatry Clinic General Chiropody and Diabetic Footcare Computerised Gait Analysis and Orthotic Therapy Qualified in Local Analgesia and Nail Surgery Sports Injuries and Musculoskeletal Conditions Treated
Gary Webb MChS Podiatrist Tel: 01438 317738 45 Grasmere, Great Ashby www.garywebbpodiatrist.co.ukwww.podiatryandwellbeing.co.uk
22 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Health & Beauty The Age of Plenty Grown-up skincare, fragrance £30, but smells gorgeous, and attention all over and emergency fixes. the soybean and coconut oil feels the place. If this Inspired lovely on your skin. Thai brand scenario sounds by the Janjira is quite new to the UK, and familiar, you might 1920s, Deco specialises in spa quality products want to add the London to indulge in at home. See www. Kazumi Root Vanish fragrances janjira.co.uk. to your emergency are Another new skincare range cupboard. Just glamourous to recently reach our shores is brush it on and and grown- Swiss brand ananné. Natural blow dry. The effect up, with a skincare at its is temporary, but fun side; finest, ananné effective, and it they’re is organic, stays put until you aimed at vegan and free wash it out, so you women, from synthetic don’t need to panic rather than ingredients. if you get caught girls, but Each product in the rain. There these are women who know is the result are five shades to how to play. Choose from the of months choose from and floral bohemian Loretta, the (if not years) it’s pretty good sultry Millicent, or the oriental of scientific at covering grey Constance. I love all three, but if research, and hairs. What’s more, I had to choose one it would be is designed to it’s packed with Millicent. It’s floral, but not too nourish and botanical extracts, sweet, with scents of bergamot, energise the and is very gentle, mandarin, jasmine and musk skin, improving so is great if your hair needs a bit combining to create a sensual, its health of a break from bleaching. Root head turning fragrance. If you’re rather than just Vanish costs from £30 and can be looking for a new signature scent, providing a temporary fix. That bought from Boots. head to www.deco-london.com. being said, it doesn’t take long to Who wouldn’t wish for a fairy A massage is a pretty sure fire way see a visible improvement. Hero godmother on hand to wave her to get in someone’s good books. products include the Solacium wand at times? Well, The English There are a lot of massage oils Repair Serum, £130, and the Mineral Makeup Company’s Fairy on the market to choose from, Oculissiumum Eye Balm, £90. See Godmother powder may not be but personally www.ananne.co.uk. able to turn your H&M jeans into a I like the The night you’ve Stella McCartney gown, but it can Therapy been looking help to soften the appearance Massage forward to for ages of lines and leave skin feeling Candle from finally arrives. You smoother and brighter. It also Janjira. Once have the perfect provides a powerful boost of lit, the oils start outfit. Your makeup antioxidants to nourish skin and to melt. Blow is pristine. Then leave it glowing. the candle you look in the out, pour the mirror and realise Visit englishmineralmakeup.co.uk warm oil into that your roots are to order. englishmineralmakeup. your hand, startlingly obvious co.uk to order. and start the and there are grey massage. It’s hairs standing to To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 23 24 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 25 Home Interiors Plan Your Perfect Bathroom Is your bathroom family-friendly? Think layout, fittings, flooring, lighting and all-important storage space – and turn your bathroom into an appealing haven for both children and adults, says Katherine Sorrell. The Space If your room is small but there’s a tiny, adjacent WC, consider knocking down the wall in between to combine them into one family- friendly room. If you have a lot of bedrooms as well as making the space seem bigger; for compared to the number of bathrooms, it may small children, a sturdy, portable step will help make sense to convert a one into a bathroom. them reach the loo and basin. Ensure taps and The least expensive way to overhaul a family shower have an anti-scald device and touch-safe bathroom is to keep the fixtures and fittings in surfaces, and set thermostatic mixers to low the same place, which avoids the costs of altering temperatures. pipe runs. On the other hand, if the layout isn’t Flooring Bathroom floors must be non-slip, right you’ll have to re-arrange the room. Measure easy to clean and mustn’t mind getting wet. up and draw a plan on graph paper, noting the Don’t use carpet, and avoid solid wood as it may position of doors and windows, radiators, the shrink or warp. If you like the look of timber, soil pipe and any other permanent fixtures. Then however, you may be able to install marine- decide what fittings you require: a bath, walk-in grade ply, engineered boards, laminate, bamboo shower, WC, basin, radiator/heated towel rail. or tropical hardwoods. Ceramic tiles are ideal, A specially designed shower-bath, wider at one especially as they work brilliantly with underfloor end and with a curved-glass screen, can be a heating (cosy toes!), while alternatives include great space-saver, and try to include as much linoleum, which has a classic look and is made storage as you can, so plastic toys can be put from environmentally friendly materials, rubber away when you need a calm, grown-up space. – available in an array of gorgeous colours – and Vanity units can be built under basins, also the ever-popular and practical vinyl. concealing pipework, and WCs can be placed Lighting can really make a difference to the against false walls which contain both the cistern mood of a bathroom and, if possible, it should and some storage space; you can also use wall be planned in the initial design stages. Include and floor cupboards, either custom-made or good general, overall lighting, perhaps in the off-the-peg, plus conventional storage ideas form of inset ceiling spotlights or (less expensive) such as a hinged chest with a padded seat on a ceiling-mounted track, plus some task lights, top and shelves, racks, boxes and baskets. Finally, by the mirror, for shaving or applying make- draw all your fittings to the same scale as your up. Clever ideas include: storage units that floor plan, and cut them out. Move them around incorporate lighting; fitting uplighters in flooring; until you find the best layout, allowing generous an led colour-changing lamp operated by activity space for knees, elbows, drying and so remote control; adding a colourful light stream on, around each fitting. to your tap water and even illuminated tiles. You Fittings In a bathroom that’s used regularly could even consider fitting low-level lighting that by all members of the family, young and old, comes on automatically when someone enters flexibility is key. Opt for a timeless white suite the room – great for night-time toilet visits. with an easy-clean finish, plus neutral tiles, Remember that when any light fitting is near and add bold colours and fun patterns in water, it must be manufactured with suitable the form of towels, mats, handles and hooks. protection against splashing – designated by an Wall-hung fittings are easier to clean around, IP coding of 4 and above. 26 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Posh-Knotsfurniture UK Based in the indoor market Stevenage Modern furniture half the retail price from top London designers.
Vintage furniture also available at www.poshknotsfurnitureuk.wix.com Contact Mel on 07506288665
Posh Knots 1/4 page.indd 1 23/10/2015 19:18
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 27 LOOKING FOR AN ACCOUNTANT AND A PROFESSIONAL ONE TO ONE SERVICE ? We specialise in Small to Medium size Businesses, Sole Traders & Partnerships • Accounts • Tax Returns • Payroll • Vat For a free quotation and initial meeting call Chris Hughes 01438 362959 Email: [email protected]
28 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Finance Is Buy-to-Let Still a Good Investment? With no sign of improved interest rates for savers, words, you need to make sure as far as possible that and pension changes that offer more freedom, is the numbers add up. buy-to-let still a good option for those wanting to Lending restrictions have made it difficult to invest? At first glance, the increase in stamp duty find a good mortgage deal in recent years, when and reduction in some tax reliefs for landlords compared with the pre-credit crunch era, but even may cast doubt on whether investing in bricks- when you’ve got a mortgage offer that you’re and-mortar is a good idea, but success depends happy with, you should be constantly looking for on many factors, not least of which is your ways to improve returns by switching suppliers and commitment to maximising returns. cutting costs. We take a look at what you need to consider when Will you manage the property yourself? thinking about property investment. One of the first Many professional landlords concentrate purely on items on the list should be to clarify your motivation managing their business. They don’t get involved in for this type of investment, as it will directly impact the month-to-month management of the property, on the areas and type of property that you choose. or dealing with tenant issues – in fact, many Do you want rental yield or long-term capital landlords never even meet their tenants. growth? It’s purely a numbers game, and taking this Are you considering a long-term investment to approach means abandoning any personal take advantage of capital growth, or focusing on preferences with regard to choosing your property. the potential rental yield of a property? Between If you decide to hire a letting agent, they will take a 15 and 20 years is a common timescale for percentage of the rent by way of payment. This may property ownership with capital growth in mind, seem like a needless expense when you’re willing to which might fit in nicely with your plans for do the work yourself, but when you consider how retirement. much time and energy is saved in not having to On the other hand, investing in a deal with tenant issues it may be money well spent, multiple-occupancy student let, for particularly if you have more than one property. example, could bring in much- Financial benefits of buy-to-let needed monthly income. You The beneficial tax reliefs enjoyed on buy-to-let may be able to make a rental mortgage interest payments are now being yield of between 5% and 10% if limited to the basic rate of income tax. This you find a suitable property in a was previously an attractive part of buy-to-let good location, and buy it for the investing, but they can still be enjoyed if you form right price. a limited company for your property investments. Focusing on the figures As rates of corporation tax are being reduced to Buy-to-let can still be a good 18% by 2020, for owners of multiple properties investment if you’re prepared to at least, this could help to reduce costs. But put in the time and effort to make as always, you need to seek the advice of a it work. This begins with meticulous professional advisor to maximise the investment research to make sure you get the best returns and minimise your tax bill. mortgage deal, find suitable locations and the right http://moneyfacts.co.uk/guides/buy-to-let/btl- style of property for your target market. In other have-you-considered-the-investment-risks/
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 29 Experienced Sales People Required to join our team
The VILLAGER and Town Life
Flexible position Working from home Hours to suit All expenses covered Commission only role with great earning potential If interested please send or email your current CV to: Nigel Frost, Villager Publications Ltd., 24 Market Square, Potton SG19 2SG Email: [email protected]
EBAY COLLECTIONS Local & Reliable
30 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Employment Employment Matters Email and Web Personal Usage Monitoring at Work Things You Need To Know We all read the banner headlines in the media Facebook and other social media sites soon eats about every employer’s right to monitor their up an hour or more which adds up to a day a week employees’ use of the company business IT of time and salary lost to the business. systems for personal use, so what do you need to To avoid any misunderstandings every employer know? should have a written IT policy clearly setting out Why do businesses exist? Every business exists what is - and isn’t - the accepted company policy for a purpose. It may manufacture, sell goods or on use of business IT systems for personal use and services. Businesses must make a profit to exist a popular approach is to allow access only before/ and to pay their employees. Employers need after official business hours and during lunch to know they have the right people, doing the breaks. It should clearly state why the employer is right thing, in the right way and at the right monitoring email and web use including but not time. Employers provide premises, systems and limited to the reasonable belief that the employee equipment for the sole purpose of running of the has been spending an excessive amount of time business. viewing websites that are not work-related, or Employees receive payment for working a acted in a way that damages the reputation specified number of hours of the day to carry out of the Company and/or breaches commercial their role and do the right thing, in the right way at confidentiality. Many systems automatically the right time. identify unacceptable web usage, flagging up No employer has to allow employees to use the access to websites which are either on a ‘banned’ company phone, email or the web for personal list, or judged by an automatic system to be a risk. reasons during working hours because they are If any business doesn’t have a written policy yet provided for business purposes only - just like the it is time to clarify what is considered reasonable premises, photocopier and stationery. and will allow – and to discuss this with the Many employers trust their team to make employees. Everyone should be aware that no ‘reasonable’ private use of the phone, internet and email - not even services such as Gmail, Hotmail email as long as this does not interfere with the or Yahoo Mail - is ever totally secure. The only way running of the business. The big problem with to guarantee safe use email or the web at work this is what each individual considers ‘reasonable’. for personal purposes is to know that it is being For example time surfing the web in work time to done in accordance with the agreed policy of the look for a holiday, emailing the options to a friend, employer. making the decision then booking the holiday can Carol H Scott take up to a couple of hours. Daily browsing EBay, HR and Business Consulting Ltd
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 31 Mr and Mrs Hutchinson Aston, Hertfordshire
The Kitchen Experience When considering whether to buy a new realistic prices. We will make an appointment at kitchen there is so much to think about. It is a time convenient to suit you and if that means the busiest area in any house not just for the after the ‘normal’ working day or at a weekend obvious reasons of preparing and cooking food, then that is no problem. Our designer will but also a place to do the washing, drying, sit discuss your must have’s and must not’s and down and have a drink, catch up with family, using quality products at sensible prices and friends or a place to do work. Surely all of CAD (our 3D photo realistic design system) we this deserves the right touch from the right will begin to create your kitchen (or bedroom company. We will take all the worries and or study!) niggles away from what can appear to be a Once we have a design we are happy to share daunting project and just make it as easy, hassle with you, we will invite you into our showroom free and as enjoyable experience as possible. where we will present your design on our large This is what we aim to provide to every Kitchen screen in our presentation room and we will Ergonomics customer and our customer go through every aspect from each unit, door, feedback & word of mouth recommendations appliance, sink, towel rail, dustbin, cutlery tray, show we are achieving this. With over 60 years lighting & handle and are able to change there of combined design experience our family run and then anything that you think would work business really cares. better for you. We will give you our expert However you contact us, through our website, advice as we understand the importance of word of mouth, google or visit our great today’s kitchen and the need for a social hub of showroom on 3 levels in Stevenage just off the the house that also needs to meet your every A1, you will be greeted by one of our friendly need. team who will listen to what you want and Once you have the kitchen you are excited take down your initial details. You will then be about and have agreed all the aspects a deposit assigned to one of our designers who will be will be taken and you will be passed over to with you from the beginning of your journey our project management team who will look until we have created your dream kitchen from after you from this point onwards. They, with a large range of quality products we supply at the designer, will appoint one of our team of 32 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts very experienced fitters and agree a start date with you. They will, after a check measure visit to Mr and Mrs Palmer your property confirm all measurements, then Great Ashby, Stevenage go ahead and order your kitchen and make sure every item is inspected upon delivery and stored securely and safely in our warehouse until it is required. Our project management team will give you a schedule of works so you can be clear before we have even begun what is due to happen and within what time frame. It will include from the minute we begin to remove your old kitchen, to plumbing, electrics, tiling, flooring, plastering and painting, if required, you will have the full timetable of what to expect when we begin until the time we have finished. Mr and Mrs Baverstock We want customers for life and with 90% of our Hitchin, Hertfordshire business coming from recommendations we feel we are on our way to getting there. We have been nominated and won several awards but compared to how we feel when we walk away from a kitchen we have created with you nothing will come close to that special feeling of having fulfilled your dream.
If you would like to start your experience with Kitchen Ergonomics and would like further information on our full range of kitchen, bedrooms and home study furniture please call us on Mr and Mrs Rothery Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire 01438 222929, email [email protected] or pop into our showroom, Unit E, Gateway 1000, Arlington Business Park, Steveange, Hertfordshire, SG1 2FP. www.kitchenergonomics.co.uk
(All images are recent Kitchen Ergonomics projects)
Mr and Mrs Avvinti Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 33 £150 JOHN LEWIS Covering Herts, Beds VOUCHERS & North London areas WITH EVERY GARDEN MAKEOVER BOOKED LIMITED TIME OFFER *TERMS APPLY The Complete ❁ Fencing ❁ Lighting GARDEN ❁ Patios ❁ Turfi ng ❁ Water Features DESIGN SERVICE ❁ Paving ❁ Decking ❁ Exotic PLants www.greatgardenideas.com ❁ Driveways ❁ Gazebos ❁ Artifi cial lawns
Traditional Lawns Block Paving & Driveways Artifi cial Lanws Lighting Solutions Timber Structures Compact Gardens Call us now for your free consultation on: 01438 313765
34 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Garden
By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com Feathered Friends Watching wild birds in your garden is a real delight, Save household scraps for the birds too; they enjoy and as many help to keep pests at bay for much apples, cooked rice, cheese, old breakfast cereal, of the year it makes sense to encourage them in. raisins and sultanas and, of course, bread. Buy fat You can provide a haven for wild birds as long as balls which contain mixed seeds and hang them you have a fair number of potential hiding places, from trees or large shrubs where they will provide such as a few good sized shrubs or trees - and trees a fantastic meal for many birds and, provided you which provide berries or other fruits are always position them correctly, means that you can also going to be welcome. enjoy watching them. I only buy the net-free fat But what else can you do to encourage your balls, as birds’ feet can get trapped in the net. feathered friends into the garden? A source of water You can also buy grubs and larvae to feed the birds. really is one of the best features, so either buy an These high protein snacks are particularly useful ornamental birdbath or create one from a shallow once birds start feeding their young in the spring, dish with sloping sides. The water should be no and are best distributed on a bird table or even on a deeper than 2” (5 cm) and if you do have a deeper garage roof. They are available by mail order or from container then you should fill the lower depths garden centres and pet shops. of it with good sized stones, to reduce the depth. If you feel like making or buying a bird table on Ideally the water should be changed every other which to set out the feasts you are supplying, then day, but at this time of year it is essential to make so much the better. Choose one which is not easily sure that the water does not freeze for long periods accessible by cats, and position it where you can of time. Other garden water features, including watch the birds as they feed and drink. I mainly ponds with shallow sloping sides, are also perfect feed the birds on top of an old, established hedge. for many birds to feed and bathe in. Providing birds It is just tall enough for me to reach its flat clipped with additional food materials is worthwhile, but top surface and I put out bird food on flat wooden remember to provide a constant supply or they may trays – perfect for me to view and impossible for come to rely on something that is not there when cats to get the wrong idea about who is meant to they need it most. be eating! If you have a problem with squirrels, then use a Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. squirrel proof feeder – they resemble bird cages com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ - and hold a central cylinder of peanuts, though they fantastic UK grown vegetable plants of your choice can cost up to £40. If squirrels are not a problem, plus weekly advice and tips emails from Pippa , use a cheaper nut feeder, but position it so it is out biological controls, fleece, copper tape and lots of range of cats. more besides. To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 35 Pets
Animal Heroes Focus on RSPCA inspectors There are about 417 inspectors and Animal Welfare Officers who work for the RSPCA. They are supported by thousands of volunteers. So, what exactly do the inspectors do?
An inspector’s role involves being a mixture of a police officer, animal welfare adviser, fundraiser and PR person. Animal Welfare Officers deal mainly with animal collections and low-level complaints. An inspector’s main job is to prevent cruelty to animals, not to prosecute as many offenders as possible. They are asked for advice, respond to The branch doesn’t have a rescue centre and relies phone calls, investigate animal problems, deal with largely on the generosity of volunteer foster carers complaints of animal cruelty and emergencies. who provide a safe place for the animals that the When inspectors are called out, they never know national RSPCA inspectors collect and rescue. what they are going to find. They have to think on The branch: their feet and decide quickly what to do. • Re-homes over 100 animals each year. Most of the cases seen by RSPCA inspectors are • Runs a trap, neuter and release service for feral neglect caused by people who do not know cats. how to look after animals properly. People don’t • Promotes high standards of animal welfare understand how much time, effort and money are including neutering and micro-chipping needed to care for their pets properly. Shockingly, • Raises funds – via their charity shops and by some people are also deliberately cruel to animals. staging fund-raising events. You might be surprised to learn that every 25 So, the inspectors are our paid heroes, but we also seconds, someone somewhere in England and need on the support of our wonderful volunteers Wales dials 0300 1234 999 – the RSPCA’s national and the generosity of the general public. Sadly, cruelty and advice line – for help. there are still too many local animals suffering. On a local level, the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Please be a hero – and consider how can you help. branch is a small independent animal charity working under the guidance of the national ANIMAL HEROES is one of a series of articles brought RSPCA. Like other branches, it is self-funding and to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch raises money locally to support the animal welfare www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk work it performs. 36 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts It’s a D g’s Life Professional Dog Grooming Fully Insured. City and Guilds qualified.
Grooming Services: Nail Trimming and Ear Cleaning Bath and Blow Dry Full Groom Hand Stripping 1st Puppy Bath Free (up to 4 months) Health Check I have a variety of shampoos to suit individual needs. A quick spray of cologne and your pet will come home smelling wonderful. Other Services: Are there times when you need help with your pet? Have you got an unusually long day away from home? Are you out all day? I can help....dog walking or home visits to allow a toilet break or to give food. Please call to discuss your requirements. I look forward to hearing from you. Call Christina Valentine on 07717 077502 223 Cleveland Way, Great Ashby, Stevenage Herts SG1 6BX Based in Great Ashby
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 37 HERTS OVEN CLEAN Herts Oven Clean is a domestic oven cleaning specialist in Hertfordshire.
Non-caustic, fume-free solution individually prepared for each customer.
Ovens, Hobs, Grills, Extractors, Agas, Microwaves and Gas Barbeques.
Call Richard on 01438 813492
Bring a sparkle to your kitchen today.
38 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Food and Drink Serves 4 Ready in 3 hours 30 mins
Seasonal Delights Beef Stew with Horseradish Dumplings
This is a traditional and warming casserole meat to a large casserole dish. which is ideal to serve to the family during the 3 Add the remaining oil to the pan and fry the chilly winter months. Serve with steamed green onions for 5 minutes. Pour in the Guinness, vegetables such as broccoli, Savoy cabbage or stock and Worcestershire sauce and bring to green beans. the boil. Pour the liquid and onions over the meat and add the carrots, thyme sprigs and INGREDIENTS bay leaves. Cover and cook for about 3 hours 1kg braising steak, cut into chunks until the meat is tender, stirring once. 2 tbsp seasoned flour 4 To make the dumplings, place the flour, suet, 3 tbsp sunflower oil horseradish and parsley in a large bowl. 2 large onions, peeled and sliced Season with ½ tsp salt and plenty of freshly 300ml Guinness ground black pepper, then stir in enough 450ml beef stock cold water to mix to a soft dough. Using 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce lightly floured hands, divide and shape into 8 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced dumplings. 2 sprigs fresh thyme 5 Uncover the stew and gently sit the dumplings 2 bay leaves on top of the meat. Cover and cook for a FOR THE DUMPLINGS further 20 minutes until the dumplings are 75g self-raising flour fluffy and risen. Serve sprinkled with extra 40g shredded suet freshly ground black pepper. 1 tsp grated horseradish 1tbsp freshly chopped parsley TIP If you don’t want to serve this stew with 1 Preheat the oven to 170C, 325F, Gas 3. Place dumplings, try topping with sliced potatoes the meat and seasoned flour in a large plastic instead. Arrange 3 large peeled and thinly sliced freezer bag. Seal the bag and shake well, until potatoes in concentric circles on top of the stew the meat is coated in the flour. after 2 hours cooking time. Season well and dot 2 Heat half the oil in a large frying pan and with butter. Return to the oven, uncovered, and brown the meat in small batches, over a high cook for a further 1- 1¼ hours until both meat heat. Add more oil if necessary. Transfer the and potatoes are tender. To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 39 Hobbies By Kate McLelland
Ten tips to bring your treasures back to life Many years ago in London’s famous Portobello • Use Steradent tablets to get rid of water marks in market, I came across a grimy old box made of old glass vases. wood. At first glance didn’t look like anything • For a bright shine, polish chrome with baby oil special, but on closer inspection I saw that some fine and cotton wool. veneer work was visible in places. • To clean a gilded object, use a clean white cotton “Ten quid. A bit of wire wool and some washing up cloth, cotton balls or Q-tips, and the barest liquid straight out of the bottle, and that’ll come up amount of clean, cool water. After you have lovely.” dampened the cleaning material, remove excess It sounded unlikely, but I paid the stallholder and moisture on a dry piece of cloth before you apply took the box home, where I nervously began to rub it. the surface with a steel wool pad. As the dirt melted • Rub undiluted household bleach into dirty away I uncovered an intricate inlaid marquetry hairline cracks in pottery and rinse off, to reduce design, and my grimy box eventually emerged as a the crack’s visibility. beautiful antique that I’ve loved ever since. • Use half a lemon and salt to clean brass and Although I was successful, I suspect most experts copper items. Apply, rinse off, dry carefully and hearing of my method would tear out their hair. clean with impregnated wadding, polishing finally Remember these points before starting your own with a soft cloth. projects: • To repair a pottery item, clean the pieces with • Some antiques are valued for their patina and a mixture of mild dishwashing liquid and warm certain items – such as old coins – should never be water and let them dry completely. Apply clear, polished. slow-setting two part epoxy glue and hold the • Check very old items for cracks that may break pieces in place with modelling clay so they don’t during cleaning. fall apart whilst drying. • If in any doubt, do some research or ask an expert. • Remove dust and dirty marks on old leather by • Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cloths. dipping an artist’s paintbrush in methylated Here are ten tips for restoring your vintage spirits. Use sparingly, working on a small area at a bargains: time. • To remove general grime from old prints, gently Whenever you carry out a restoration project, you roll a piece of doughy, fresh bread over the should decide whether you want to keep the item or surface. sell it on before you get started. If you want to keep • To remove old, rusted-in screws, first clean around it, you can restore it to your personal taste. If you’re screw head edges, heat the screw head with a selling, it’s wise to do some research on the current hot air gun, then the turn screw a little TIGHTER, market before you start restoration. before undoing (use caution with heat if the Although it may seem strange, some buyers may object has a varnished or painted finish). actually want the rust stains and marks of use that • Age marks on porcelain can be removed by show an item has been handled and loved for many soaking overnight in baby bottle sterilizing liquid. years. 40 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts I D Decorating Dot Electrical
Painting & Decorating Services
Painting – Interior & Exterior
Decorating
Fast, Reliable, Fully Qualified Electricians Coving 24 hour service, 7 days a week We offer a range of electrical services covering both domestic and industrial: No Job Too Big Or Too Small Rewires, New installations, Garden lighting and power, Intruder alarms, Fully Insured & Free Estimates CCTV, Security lighting, Fuse box upgrades Recessed lighting, Central heating systems Electric showers, Fault finding, Solar energy Telephone: Ian Dunklin Tel: 07854738740 / 07516 256241 0790 508 3799 Email: [email protected] Web: www.dotelectrical.co.uk
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 41 SHIRON Domestic Appliances
Repairs of Washing Machines Tumble Dryers Dishwashers Electric Ovens Electric Cookers Microwaves Vacuum Cleaners and all domestic appliances.
VAT Registered. Specialist in Hotpoint, Indesit, Ariston, Creda and Whirlpool appliances. Contact RONNIE Tel: 01438 720 304 Mobile: 07739 922493
Visit our beautiful Bathroom Showroom ...With more than 50 displays of bathrooms, furniture & fittings Free in-house 3D design service Quality products from leading manufacturers Experienced staff offering impartial advice
Free delivery within a 20 mile radius of our showroom
01438 725309 [email protected] www.stevenageplumbing.co.uk
Caxton House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2XS
42 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Time of Year The Language of Flowers It’s nearly Valentine’s Day and millions will be of twelve, and there are many mythological and rushing out to buy or send flowers. Traditionally religious connections to the number also. The use of this will be red roses of course. Others may choose 12 across the natural and spiritual world means that their purchases on the basis of colour, smell or even 12 or a dozen, has taken on a universal quality which price but there’s a whole language and meaning to enhances the significance of a dozen roses. flowers too which is called Floriography. Turning now to other flowers we frequently buy in Roses: - Red Roses as most will know symbolise the UK:- Love and Desire but changing the colour of the Carnations:- Pink carnations mean ‘I’ll never forget flower leads to different connotations. For example, you,’ whilst red symbolise admiration and yellow Yellow is for friendship, Pink for perfect happiness rejection and disappointment, so probably best to and Orange for fascination. There are different avoid those! meanings for specific types of rose too, such as Tea Lilies: - Calla Lilies represent beauty and Tiger Lilies Roses meaning ‘I’ll remember always’ and Dog Roses wealth so the latter is perhaps a good choice if you connecting to pain and pleasure. Formations also are looking to impress. have an impact. Thinking back to the traditional Tulips: - apparently show love and passion too. dozen red roses, a bunch of a single bloom, means Yellow ones which are my daughter’s favourite, I love you or I still love you, whilst an assortment of mean ‘there’s sunshine in your smile,’ whereas red colours represents the sentiment ‘you’re everything tulips are a declaration of love and white ones say to me.’ A dozen red roses has become the norm, ‘I’m worthy of you.’ because of the significance of the number twelve Daffodils: - show regard. within nature, philosophy and religion. The number Freesias: - demonstrate trust. 12 often represents a full cycle, so 12 months of the Of course there are many more wonderful flowers year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 hours on a clock for to choose from, so if you really want to be sure of instance. From ancient times, cultures around the making the right impression, it’s worth asking your world have developed calendars based on cycles florist about their meaning.
By Kate Duggan
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 43 Stevenage airport taxiS Premier Property Maintenance
Premier Property Maintenance is a multiple trade company operating in and around Hertfordshire and north London. We are a well organized management team with a professional approach to Client Liaison, Supervision and Health and Safety. Stevenage Airport Taxis offer the most reliable and We operate with a versatile in-house work force with various specialist trades, professional airport transfer service in and around the which results in our ability to provide our Client’s with an ‘all-trades’ service. We pride ourselves on delivering a competitive quality service Stevenage area. We have several licensed vehicles that to new and existing Clients. can cater for up to 8 passengers. We also provide a Premier Property Maintenance offers a comprehensive range of services including; transport service for weddings, long distance journeys Fully managed bathroom Painting and decorating and kitchen installation including wallpaper and any occasion day or night leisure trips. Electrical and plumbing certificates Roofing - slate and tiled for landlords Brickwork All aspects of electrical work Laying of laminate and wooden Please visit our website for any bookings or quotations covered by NIC installers flooring Plumbing and heating engineer Conservatory project www.stevenageairporttaxis.co.uk All aspects of carpentry manage and installation work covered Fully project managed garden or call Wall and floor tiling landscaping Plastering and cornice work Window and conservatory cleaning 01438 420420 www.premierpm.co.uk [email protected] Online Bookings • Credit Cards Accepted 01438 230943 / 07531 229067 e Flintham Jo Plasterers Female Plasterer specialising in: Plastering, Plasterboarding, Making Good and Painting A FRIENDLY FAMILY FIRM. FREE QUOTATIONS Tel. 07951 362335 / 07836 768670 Email: [email protected] 44 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Technology Computer Love What do you get the gadget fan who has everything?
It’s easy to get Valentine’s Day formal. of colours. wrong: nothing says “I love you” It’s a similar story with If you’d rather give a more less than uncomfortable pants smartphone and tablet cases, traditional gift, technology in the wrong size, some wilting where there are some fantastic can still help: the Lastminute. flowers or whatever chocolates designs to choose from. A com, Laterooms.com, Expedia. were half price in Tesco. But if woven Ted Baker case for the co.uk, Kayak and SkyScanner your soul mate is a gadget fan, iPad Mini is £35, while Pipetto. apps can all help you find the it’s very easy to get Valentine’s co.uk’s clever Origami cases are perfect romantic getaway at Day right. around £30. You’ll find all kinds the right price, while the 5pm One of the problems of buying of household names making and OpenTable apps make it presents for gadget fans is phone and tablet cases including easy to book a restaurant for a that they tend to have the big Radley, Michael Kors and Aspinal romantic night out - although if things already, so for example of London, with prices ranging you’d rather impress by cooking if they fancied an Apple from around £12.50 for a simple something spectacular at home, Watch or a Samsung Galaxy Radley iPhone case to £250 for celebrity chef apps from the S6 they’ve almost certainly an Aspinal iPad case. likes of Jamie Oliver and Nigella bought it for themselves. But Accessories aren’t just about Lawson can give you not just that’s an opportunity rather fashion. If your beloved has a recipes but videos on how to than a problem, because there smartphone, tablet or laptop prepare the perfect Valentine are stacks of accessories and they might appreciate some dinner. add-ons that can enhance what Bluetooth accessories, such as Tech can even help if you don’t they’ve already got. Bluetooth wireless headphones currently have someone to share Take the Apple Watch, for - around £50 for a set of Jabra Valentine’s day with: online example. There’s a huge range Move headphones, rising to matchmaking services such as of straps including tanned and around £200 for high-end sets Match.com have smartphone coloured leather, metal and from Bose - or wireless speakers, and tablet apps to help you fun coloured silicone that can which are great for streaming find Miss or Mr Right, while completely transform its looks. music from the likes of Spotify famous apps such as Tinder (for Apple’s own ones are fairly nice or Apple Music at home, in the everyone) and Grindr (for gay and predictably expensive, but garden or on the beach when or bisexual men) use location you don’t need to pay quite so Summer finally returns. We’re big awareness to help you find much: metal straps from the fans of the Bose Soundlink Mini potential partners near you. If likes of Hoco (£48) and leather (£169), but you needn’t spend that sounds a little bit scary, ones from Nomad (around £70) that much to get great sound: apps such as Hitch enable look and feel fantastic, and Sony’s SRS-X2 is around £60, friends to play matchmaker, having multiple straps means while JBL’s Flip 2 is about £50 limiting the pool of potential the Watch fits with any outfit and TDK’s tough Trek Flex is £55 suitors to people your friends from ultra-casual to seriously - £69 depending on your choice already know. To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 45 DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL WINDOW CLEANING
• Gutter Clearance • Fascias • Cladding • • Soffits • Conservatory Roof Cleaning • • A reliable and friendly service • • Windows cleaned every 6 weeks • • Traditional methods & Pure Water Systems used • • Top quality work guaranteed • • Fully insured • • All ‘Framework’ cleaned as standard • Contact Mark on: 0777 508 2995 www.averywindowcleaning.co.uk
46 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Life Begins... Planning for the time when independence ends
A wing chair with arms – such Sleeping arrangements as a classic Queen Anne If mobility is a problem it’s fireside chair - is ideal for the It’s one of those life-changing important that you provide a lounge. Alternatively you can moments. You’ve just received bedroom with an en-suite toilet buy a specialist model, made a phone call telling you that an (and preferably a shower, too). with anti-bacterial fabric. This elderly relative has been admitted Most elderly people need to visit chair, available from www. to hospital with a fall injury or the bathroom several times in the nationalofficefurnituresupplies. an illness from which they are night and the further they have to co.uk, unlikely to fully recover. walk, the greater the chance they is waterproof and stain-resistant There are two options available will trip or fall. with adjustable handrails and to families facing this crucial Alternatively you could consider costs around £250. moment. Either arrange for providing a commode for night- If your relative is a wheelchair user your relative to be admitted to time use, with various models you’ll also need to think about a residential care home or make costing between £25 and £180. widening doorways and installing space in your own house so they A reasonably-sized bedroom is ramps. Don’t forget that some can live with you. essential: at the very least you’ll mobility devices may be available But is your home actually need space for a single bed, a through the NHS, either free or at suitable to shelter and care for stable armchair with good back a reduced cost (although you may a vulnerable older person with support and a small table, as well have to wait to obtain them). medical problems and/or limited as storage for any equipment If all of this sounds daunting, you’ll mobility? Adapting your house that might be required. Make find there are many agencies and needs careful preparation so your sure there are no rugs or other voluntary organisations who can relative can move around safely obstacles on the floor that could help. Go online to sites such as and easily. cause trip hazards. It’s particularly www.myagingparent.com, get in Will the stairs be a problem? important that the area between touch with Age UK (www.ageuk. The first thing you’ll need to the toilet and the bed is kept clear. org or call 0800 169 2081) or speak consider is whether or not your Adapting your furniture to your GP or local authority. loved one will be able to use A seat at normal height may be Finally, if you sense that your the stairs. Last year, Age UK too low for somebody who has relative is approaching the time commissioned research into mobility issues, so you might want when they will need constant the cost of installing a stair lift to consider buying raisers (around support, don’t wait until things and found that the price varied £40 for a pack of four) for the items reach a crisis point. By putting between £4,940 and £5,469 of furniture they will use. As the sensible plans in place now you for a straight staircase, with name suggests, raisers simply fit can ease the transition, saving approximately £500 added for a onto the feet of beds and chairs to you both a lot of worry and stress curved stair lift. add height. later on. To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 47 Codeword 1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 18
19 20
21 22
23 24
25 26
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Easy Suduko Hard Suduko
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles.
48 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 49 Premier Lily’s Crystal Clean Painters and Decorators
Premier Painters and Decorators are a professional, punctual and hard working company delivering outstanding quality of work to our clients in and around Stevenage cleaning From wallpaper hanging, feature walls, service coving and cornice work. We even clean from facias, soffits and guttering. (PVC or Wood) £10 ph If you would like to take advantage of our services, require a quote or advise please We are a local, professional, friendly do not hesitate to contact us. Be assured when Premier quote a job there are and reliable cleaning & ironing company NO HIDDEN EXTRAS. Private and domestic and commercial. commercial, exterior and interior painting We also provide an oven cleaning service services. please call for prices
For a free quotation please contact Gary on contact mel on Tel: 01438 230943 Mob: 07733 227961 01438 487831 / 07506215316 Email: [email protected] email: [email protected] www.premierpd.co.uk visit us at www.lilyscrystalclean.com
Lily's Crystal clean 1/4 page.indd 1 20/10/2015 11:32
Bathrooms Looking to transform your bathroom? Contact Ascott Bathrooms - the bathroom service of choice. We take great pride in our name, reputation and custom in North Hertfordshire and the Home Counties. Our aim is to help you transform your bathroom into something you dream about. From complete bathroom transformations to simply installing a suite you have bought yourself. All works are carried out to the highest standard and fully guaranteed. Please call 01438 240598 or 07818 091676 for your free estimate 191058 ascottcompletebathrooms.web.com
50 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts COMPETITION Win a signed copy of Regret to Inform You… by Derek Jarrett
While writing ‘Pirton – a Village in Anguish’ (2009), I had talked with descendants of the men from my village who were killed in WW1. The stories of how families had suffered during the war years made a profound impression on me. I decided to write a novel about the ‘people left at home’, setting it in the fictitious Suffolk village of Rusfield. The novel opens in 1912 when there is a certain dreamlike quality to the village; for most life was hard, but it was peaceful and predictable. Central to the novel are six teenagers. Close friends since childhood, their futures look promising until war is declared. By 1915, everything has changed: few households in this tightly knit community are untouched by the devastation of war. This is the story of the people of Rusfield: their personal battles, as fathers and sons go off to war, swept up in the frenzy of excitement and pride, which quickly changes as the telegrams arrive. For the villagers, there is the determination to maintain normality and to support each other as the appalling news of war comes home. The suffering of the six village lads at the Front runs parallel to the villagers’ remarkable response to the war and I believe it is this redemptive The 400 page novel, ‘Regret to Inform You...’, quality that provides an ultimately uplifting story. £7.99, is available from Amazon as a paper Within the UK there are over 100,000 WW1 back or eBook. memorials; perhaps there should be one to the Author contact: regrettoinformyou1914@ millions of loved ones who suffered at home. gmail.com
The Villager and Town Life has one signed copy of ‘Regret to Inform You...’ By Derek Jarrett to give away to one lucky reader To enter, simply email [email protected] with the heading ‘Derek Jarrett’ and include your name, address and telephone number. A winner will be picked at random. Deadline for entries is 15th February 2016
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 51 0800 043 1296 Feel Healthy... FeelClean 01438 316 530 Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 07899 90 22 20 Carpet Cleaning • Leather Cleaning • Upholstery Cleaning Rug Cleaning • Stain Removals • Anti-Stain Treatments ...a clean carpet is a healthy carpet.
For more information go to our website Call Phil today for your free no-obligation survey 100% NO Risk - NCCA Members and Fully Insured Professional cleaning at Clients are saying: a ordable prices “Phil has recently been to professionally clean my carpets for the second time. He is an honest and professional gentleman and I have no hesitation in No VAT recommending him and his company to anyone and will defi nitely be using his services again” M.S...., Gt. Ashby Money Back Guarantee Credit and debit cards accepted Find us on Facebook www.feel-clean.co.uk Your Local Professional based in Great Ashby
gas safe registered
52 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts January’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners
Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mr P Beckett from Stevenage
Easy
Hard
HERTFORD TV SERVICE Tel: 01992 552955 www.hertf ordtvservice.co.uk • DIGITAL FREEVIEW AERIAL INSTALLATIONS • EXTRA TV POINTS & SKY PLAYBACK • AERIAL REPAIRS & STORM DAMAGE • DAB/FM AERIALS & COMMUNAL TV SYSTEMS • FREESAT HD, SKYHD & SKY+ • HIDDEN DISH SPECIALISTS & FOREIGN SATELLITE • PLASMA/LCD/LED TV, AUDIO & DVD REPAIRS • TV WALL INSTALLATIONS & HIDDEN CABLES • GOT SLOW BROADBAND? WE INSTALL TOOWAY SATELLITE BROADBAND WITH DOWNLOAD SPEEDS OF UP TO 20MBPS • CCTV INSTALLATIONS IN HD – WATCH ON YOUR IPAD/PHONE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD • WIFI ACCESS POINTS & DATA NETWORK DISTRIBUTION • SONOS HOME AUDIO SPECIALISTS MEMBER UNIT 1B, FOXHOLES AVENUE, HERTFORD SG13 7JG LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED FOR OVER 35 YEARS • ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED
To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 53 The Villager Prize Crossword Prize £25
Across 1 Maybe (7) 5 Bike (5) 8 Cleaning liquid (7) 9 Precise (5) 10 Additional (5) 11 Cooking area (7) 12 Truthful (6) 14 Moves smoothly (6) 17 Dried grapes (7) 19 Aristocratic (5) 22 A small fruit (5) 23 Graceful (7) 24 Countryside (5) 25 Large jug (7)
Down 1 Ski run (5) 2 Cook in a hot oven (5) 3 Becomes visible (7) 4 Scares (6) 5 Trunk (5) Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, 6 Collided (7) 7 Makes larger (7) cut out this page and send to the address below before 12 Marina (7) 13 Louder (7) 19th February 2016 15 Tolerant (7) 16 Not awake (6) Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 18 Perfect (5) 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP 20 Overbearing (5) 21 Go into (5) Name:
Tel:
Address:
54 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 55 56 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Motoring By Iain Betson
wins and wins again. With its Fiat 500 small engines you’d think that the 500 would struggle to beat Remastering an Icon a snail - but it’s not so. The 85 Fiat’s whizzy runabout may have from eco-motoring website Next horse powers of the mid-spec had a facelift but it still has bags of Green Car, but the other two are engine nip the car along to a very retro-chic. no gas guzzlers either. respectable 107mph and get it to I heard it first-hand that some A second 105bhp turbo version 60 in 11 seconds. It’s frugal too: weeks the 500 is the only car Fiat of the 900cc engine is the most none of the three engines gives dealers sell, and at other times powerful whilst, surprisingly, the a combined cycle of less than it outsells all other models in lowest powered of the trio is a 60mpg - figures helped, no doubt, their range combined. But who’s 1.2 normally-aspirated 4 cylinder by being equipped with start/stop surprised really? Since its launch variant. 5-speed gearboxes technology, which is ideal for the in 2007, Fiat have made 1.5 million are standard on the two lower mainly city driving seen by most 500s. And the reason is it’s simply a powered engines, while the 500s. fun car to drive. 105bhp engine has a 6-speed box. I was expecting the engine to be a The original reincarnation (‘scuse Standard features include LED little on the shaky side, being that the pun) drew entirely on the running lights, height-adjustable it has only two cylinders on-board, original 1960s Cinquecento’s steering wheel, USB and aux-in but that is not the case - I couldn’t Italian style. This “re-master”, as connections on the stereo, central detect any lumpiness at all. Fiat calls it, is no different. Along locking and electric windows. The After nearly 10 years of with the BMW Mini and Vauxhall’s top of the range Lounge version production, Fiat have remained Adam, Fiat has plugged firmly into augments this with, amongst wise and maintained both the the “fashion car” sector, appealing other features, fog lights, rear lines and the size of the 500. to those buyers who like their parking sensors and a touchscreen Facelifts are sometimes more runabout styled with their own based entertainment system. than cosmetic and can extend to individual and personal touches, Where the facelift and the sector lengthening of the wheelbase or but are still part of the chic set. positioning really show is in the widening of the body. Sure, it’s The new version has received both customisation, where the available getting on for twice the size of the a facelift and a tummy tuck. The combinations take up about Cinquecento, but that didn’t come sporty Abarth version aside, the three-quarters of the glossy sales with airbags and air conditioning. 500 is now available in three trim catalogue. From wheel size (15”, Keeping the size the same means levels, the names of which chime 16” or 17”) through exterior styling the remastered Fiat 500 is still the very well with its aimed-for sector: to interior colours and gadgets, fun tippy-toes whizz-about it’s the Pop, Pop Star and Lounge. the list goes on. The options even always been. Three petrol engines provide extend to the style of 500 badge Price: from £10,890 the go. The mid-range, but tiny, on the (optional, of course) side Top speed: 107mph 900cc turbo-charged two-cylinder protection strips and the colour of Fuel Economy: 74.3 mpg TwinAir 85bhp version recently the key fob cover! (combined cycle) secured Fiat the Citycar award It’s in the driving that the 500 CO2 emissions: 90g/km To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 57 What’s OnIn February 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 February 4, 11, 18 & 25 February 10 February Branch Out Social Club Baldock Community Orchestra Henlow Branch R N A for Single People 7.15-8.30pm 7.30pm 8.30-11pm Knights Templar School, Baldock Community Centre, The Gardens, Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin This exciting new orchestra meets every Henlow Branch Out meets every Monday night and Thursday. Rachel Dawson will be the The Henlow Branch of The Royal Naval is a medium-sized Social Club for single conductor. Anyone can join – you don’t Association meets on the second people. It was formed in 1995 to bring have to live in Baldock! There are few Wednesday of each month. together single, divorced, widowed and opportunities for beginners, learners and Tel: Les Dessent 01767 223212 for further separated people, aged 40 upwards, from rusty players in this area so join up now! information the Herts, Beds and Bucks area, to socialise Please check Christmas dates. and enjoy one another’s company. The club Email: [email protected] 11 February organises regular events, such as dinners, Stevenage RSPB discos, meals, parties, Sunday walks, theatre 4, 11, 18 & 25 February 9.30am and concert visits, day and weekend trips Sapphire Social Club A morning walk at Amwell nature reserve. and holidays. 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin Meet at the viewpoint - Grid Ref TL 376128. Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 We are a small, friendly social group that Web: http://www.branch-out.org.uk caters for the unattached. Our members 11 February tend to be around 50+ but we have no age Baldock and Clothall WI 3 February bar. Varied events are organized throughout 7.30pm March to the Marne Aug-Sept 1914 the month. No joining fee for the first two Baldock Community Centre 7pm for 7.30pm months. Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 Visitors £3 including refreshments & raffle The Comrades Club, Godmanchester or Ian 07900 890583 for information ticket The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk ‘Keep on Moving’. An interactive session Front Association is pleased to present a with Debbie and Hannah, personal trainers. presentation by Ross Beadle on one of the 6 February earliest campaigns of the First World War. The Signals Museum 13 February Non WFA members most welcome. A small 10am-4pm Valentine’s Supper donation is encouraged at the door to pay The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open 7.30pm for the running of the branch. to the public. Entry is free but official photo Barley Town House Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com ID such as a driving licence, passport or Tickets £17.50 to include welcome drink and over 60s Bus Pass is required to get an entry canapés, three course meal, bar and raffle. 3 February ticket from the Guardroom. See website for All proceeds to Save the Children. North Herts Association of National full information. Tel: 01223 264355 Trust Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 7.30pm Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin 8 February Visitors £2 Icknield Quilters Talk will be ‘Magna Carta - Did She Die In 7.30pm for 7.45pm This is a small selection of Vain?’ with Ben Cowell NT East of England Baldock Community Centre the What’s On for the full Regional Director. Tea/Coffee 50p - payable Visitors £4 on entry. Visitors welcome. Speaker Michele Clarke-Moody on the listing please go to our Tel: Colette House 01462 815585 for more history of Applique. website information Web: www.icknieldquilters.co.uk www.villagermag.com
58 Please mentionPlease mentionPlease The mentionVillager The Villager The and Villager andTown Town and Life Town Life when Life when when responding responding responding to to to adverts adverts adverts What’s OnIn February 14 February 18 February 23 February R.A.T.S. Fundraising Open Day North Herts Association of National Hitchin Friendship Group 1-3.30pm Trust 2.30pm 10am-12.30pm Cotton End Village Hall, Wood Lane, Howgills, Friends’ Meeting House, Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Cotton End, MK45 3AN South View, Letchworth, SG6 3JJ Would you like to make new friends? Come Fundraising event by R.A.T.S. (Re-homing Visitors £2 and join us for a coffee and a chat. We are Animal Telephone Service) with stalls Talk will be ‘ACORN - Arlesey Conservation starting a new Friendship Group in Hitchin selling wide variety of goods including for Nature’ with Saul Ackroyd. Tea/Coffee and are putting together some new social pet items, home-made jams, crafts etc. 50p - payable on entry. Visitors welcome. events for 2016. Homemade refreshments available. Details Tel: Colette House 01462 815585 for more Tel: Helen Lindsey 01462 432321 for more of our animals looking for homes. All information info or just turn up on the day! money raised will go towards the upkeep of the animals in our care. Registered Charity 20 February 2 March No 803364. Blunham Book Sale 10am-3pm North Herts Association of National Email: [email protected] Blunham Parish Church, MK44 3NQ Trust Web: rats-animalrescue.co.uk Huge selection of nearly new books, teas/ 7.30pm coffees and homemade cakes, homemade Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin 16 February soup with bread and a raffle. All proceeds to Visitors £2 Stevenage RSPB Blunham Church Fabric Fund. Talk will be ‘Luton Hoo’ with Zena Dickinson. 7.30pm Tea/Coffee 50p - payable on entry. Visitors Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, 20 February welcome. Stevenage Museum Champions Tel: Colette House 01462 815585 for more Members £2.50, Non-Members £3.50, in the Market Place information Juniors (under 16) 50p 11am-2pm Hitchin Market Place Jonathan Forgham will speak on the birds of The British Schools Museum will have a Southern Sri Lanka. stall in the Market Place promoting the new Positive Movement – coming to a Museum Champions initiative. Discover venue near you 17 February different ways of working with heritage A local healthy living centre is looking for Dancing for Fun for Children organisations and find out more about local 150 older people of all physical abilities to 10am-12 noon museums and their collections. take part in specially designed wellbeing British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen programme to be held at venues in Street, Hitchin 21 February Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock, £3 per child including light refreshments, Biggleswade Antiques Fair Royston and villages. The friendly, weekly Adults free 9.30am-4pm classes will combine gentle exercise and The first of our popular Maypole and The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm movement with time to socialise over tea. country dancing events of the year for over Road, Biggleswade Thanks to funding from Hertfordshire 7 year olds. Children must be accompanied Entrance £1.50 County Council, the cost to participants will by a responsible adult. This antiques fair offers a diverse range of be a nominal £2.50 per session. Tel: Bookings 01462 420144 antiques and collectables so whether you Tel: The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Website: www.britishschoolsmuseum. are a professional dealer, an avid collector Living 01462 678804 to enrol/further org.uk or just looking for something special, this details monthly fair is the place to visit. Café Email: positivemovement@ serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. letchworthcentre.org. Deadline for What’s On entries is Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346 the 12th of the previous month. Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk To advertiseadvertise in in The The Villager Villager and and Town Townlife Life please please call 01767call 01767 261122 261122 59 Let us help you get your business off to a fl ying start Great Ashby & Old Town Directory November 2015 Issue 98 - October 2014 The The Free Monthly Magazine Delivered to Homes and Businesses in the Stevenage Area Issue 95 - July 2014 ILLAGER VILLAGER e V and Town Life VILLAGER Incorporating and December 2015 Town Life Great Ashby LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES & Old Town Directory Great Ashby Area • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTSFree Monthly Magazine Deliveredand to Homes Town and BusinessesLife in the Stevenage Area LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES & Old Town Directory January 2016 Free Monthly Magazine Delivered to Homes and Businesses in the Stevenage Inside this issue The Great Inside this issue Joe Flin Airship Disaster tha Work-Life Plasterers m Win Tickets Is Yours Balance Unbalanced? to the Festive Gift Fair Female Plasterer Happy Birthday specialising in: Win £25 Brownies in our Plastering, Plasterboarding Prize Crossword Win £25 in our Prize Crossword Rendering, Making Good, Painting A FRIENDLY FAMILY FIRM
YourBringing Local Business to Local People in Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Gamlingay and all surrounding villages FREEcopy FREE QUOTATIONS Bringing Local Business to Local People Your 11,000 copies delivered to over 30 towns and villages every month in Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Gamlingay and all surrounding villages 1 every month FREEcopy Your 11,000 copies delivered to over 30 towns and villages Tel. 07951 362335 / 07836 768670 Kitchen | Bedroom | Home Study on needs FREE1copy el: 01438 222929 For all your design, supply and installati Email: [email protected] Family run business Way, Arlington Business Park, Stevenage SG1 2FP T
Visit our showroom at: Unit E, Gatewaywww.kitchenergonomics.co.uk 1000, Whittle
Our award winning magazines off er a unique local advertising platform. Printed on high quality paper we are still able to off er incredible prices along with a second-to-none service, professional advert design and a team just waiting to help you.
With over 9,00 copies being delivered door to door every month can your business wait any longer to be in The Villager and Town Life incorporating the Great Ashby and Old Town Directory?
Advertising could not be easier. For further information or to book your advertising space please call Victoria on 01767 261122 or e-mail [email protected] or visit our website www.villagermag.com Why advertise anywhere else?
60 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts Books CM ROOFING Book Review Family run business By Bruce Edwards Est. 20 yrs
What Became of You, My Love? • Repairs & Re-roof Maeve Haran • Lead Specialists Pub: Pan Books p/b £7.99 • Slating & Tiling • Guttering and Drainage ISBN: 978-1-4472-9189-3 • Gutter Clearing This is one of those ‘feel • Fascias & Soffits good’ reads, exactly what • UPVC Wall Cladding you’ll need to counteract • Moss Removal the winter wets. After the • Flat Roofing years spent knocking • Single Ply/3 Layer Felt around the world, singing • Liquid Plastics his heart out, rocker Cameron has a yearning to We will beat any written quotation rediscover his muse, the For more information & free estimate naïve teenage girl who 01438 517166 / 07432 624335 provided inspiration for [email protected] a hit song way back in the era of short skirts and www.cm-roofing.co.uk free love - no such thing nowadays according to modern abuse lawyers - but it happened. And Stella remembers it well, now a mature sixty something and filling her days painting poodles or pugs for money whilst coping with a dull husband who loves Art Deco. A threat to local historical architecture (does this sound familiar?) brings her to espouse the cause of regeneration - and gains A to Z Home coincident notoriety. Suddenly the world turns Repairs sideways - Cameron’s parked his Airstream on her Handyman and driveway, she finds her metier and life is never the Gardening services same again. There are grandchildren to educate Quick, high standard services, in the ways of the world; a spiky daughter to deal fully insured, free estimate, with, best friends to share and Cameron’s manager contact us today. Donald’s hidden desires, oh, lots of things happening while history begins to repeat itself. Hanging shelves • Flat pack Even Cameron’s trio of wives past and present play assembling • Light switches • their part. The whole performance is full of light- plugs replacing • Unblocking sink and toilet Curtain pole and blind hearted humour and lovable from start to - no, • affi xing TV wall installation not a finish but better than that. You’ll never guess • what happens . . . Lawn mowing • Patio and furniture cleaning • Bin cleaning Suggestion and queries to: • Shed building • Gutter cleaning [email protected]. We’re always happy and repair. to consider specific titles for review, though Phone 01438 230094/07908 634418 without obligation. Email: [email protected] Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll try to help.” www.atozhomerepairs.co.uk To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 61
AtoZ 1/4 page advert.indd 1 25/01/2016 21:33 “Quality is not expensive, it’s priceless”
Extensions, Refurbishments, Loft and Garage Conversions, Landscaping and General Building Internal and external work with many local references View our testimonials at www.hertfordshirebuilders.co.uk
Loft Conversions Extensions
Open Plan Living
Garage Conversions
Garden Rooms & Landscaping Refurbishments
Architect drawings and planning applications catered for Estimates and ideas FREE
www.hertfordshirebuilders.co.uk Call Richard on 07818 061505
62 Please mention The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory when responding to adverts INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your directory...
Accounting , Mortgages and Financial Services HB Accounting Services...... 28 Health Beauty and Wellbeing Active 4 Less Gym...... 64 Animals and Pets Blades Barbers...... 9 Dogzbody Grooming...... 34 Great Ashby Podiatry...... 22 It’s a Dog’s Life...... 37 Pauline Fitness Classes...... 21 Roebuck Veterinary...... 37 Stevenage Mobile Foot Health...... 22 You Little Beauty...... 22 Builders Abbey Building Services...... 62 Home Furnishing Conserv-A-Tech...... 19 A1 Carpet and Flooring...... 11 Joe Flintham Plasterer...... 44 Oakland Blinds...... 14 C M Roofing...... 61 Posh-Knots Furniture UK...... 27
Catering/ Deli/ Restaurant Home Maintenance/ Improvement The Crown...... 2 A-Z Property Services...... 61 Barry Bolton Windows...... 49 Child Care & Schools / Personal Tutoring C M Roofing...... 61 Ardeley School...... 27 JML Window Repair...... 1 Stevenage FC Football Academy...... 24 Locksmith Services...... 55 Paint FX...... 46 Churches Premier Paint...... 44 St Nicholas...... 21 Splashbacks of Distinction...... 13
Cleaning Pest Control Avery Window Cleaning...... 46 Shires Pest Control...... 34 CK Cleaning Services...... 46 Feel Clean...... 52 Plumbers, Bathroom & Kitchen Installations Great Ashby Dry Cleaners...... 38 Ascott Plumbing ...... 50 Herts Oven Clean...... 38 1st 4 Plumbing Ltd...... 56 Lilly’s Crystal Clean...... 50 Hoopers Plumbing & Heating...... 41 Kitchen Ergonomics...... 32 Computer Services Mark Hopkinson Gas...... 56 IT Solutions...... 28 Mark Kempster...... 42 Spalshbacks of Distinction...... 13 Decorators and Handymen Steve Grainger Plumbing...... 52 CB Decorators...... 55 Stevenage Plumbing Centre...... 45 Edward Hawes Plastering...... 56 UK Kitchens...... 5 Ian Dunklin...... 41 Joe Flintham Plasterer...... 44 Photography Paint FX...... 46 Claudia Griffin Photography...... 27 Premier Paint...... 50 Taxi Domestic Appliance Repair Stevenage Airport Taxis...... 44 Shiron Domestic Appliances...... 42 Television, Aerial and Satellite Installation Electrician Hertford TV Service Ltd...... 53 Dot Electrical...... 41 Venues / Local Businesses / Clubs/ Take away Gardening Services Cloophill Eco Lodges...... 15 Ad Gardens Rooms...... 34 The Crown...... 2 Colour Fence...... 5 Water Softener Funeral Directors Acoline Softeners...... 16 Austin’s Family Funeral Directors...... 7 To advertise in The Great Ashby and Old Town Directory please call 01767 261122 63