The VILLAGER Issue 52 - July 2016 and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue Win a pair of tickets to see Dizzee Rascal Horseboarding at the Annual Burghley Game and Country Fair Win £25 in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month Your FREEcopy 2 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts The VILLAGER Issue 52 - July 2016 and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue Win a pair of tickets to see Dizzee Rascal Horseboarding at the Anual Burghley Game and Country Fair Win £25 in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month Your Contents FREEcopy Employment Matters...... 22 Water, Water Everywhere...... 26 Animal Know-How...... 28 Children’s Page...... 30 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...... 33 Honey and Berries, Natural and Pure...... 34 Puzzle Page...... 36 What’s On...... 38 Prize Competition...... 42 Horseboarding...... 45 Homemade Ice Lollies 15 Book Review...... 46 The History of Soft Drinks...... 4 Horseboarding Win Tickets to see Dizzee Rascal...... 9 Heritage in Palermo...... 10 45 Win a Aerial Picture from BeSkyBee...... 12 St Neots Film Festival...... 13 Homemade Ice Lollies...... 15 Summer Lovin’...... 16 Top Tips for Charities and Good Causes...... 19 Do I need a Consent Order?...... 20 Tax Avoidance is Legal...... 21 August Edition booking and copy deadline is Tuesday12th July. September edition booking and copy deadline is Friday 29th July 11,000 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Abbots Ripton, Alconbury, Brington, Buckworth, Bythorn, Catworth, Covington, Dillington, Grafham, Great Staughton, Hail Weston, Keyston, Kimbolton, Kings Ripton, Leighton Bromswold, Little Staughton, Lower Dean, Molesworth, Old Weston, Perry, Pertenhall, Ramsey, Riseley, Sawtry, Shelton, Stonley, Stow Longa, Swineshead, The Stukeleys, Tillbrook, Upper Dean and Warboys (We also have over 150 distribution points, including pubs, garages, most shops, post offices, Supermarket Chains in all of the above as well as in Huntingdon, Lt Staughton, Grafham Water Visitor Centre’s and Kimbolton)
Editorial - Catherine Rose, Solange Hando, Publishers Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Kate Duggan, Toni Hasler, Villager Publications Ltd Hannah Byatt, Tony Larkins, Carol H Scott, Nick Coffer, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA, Trevor Langley and Willow Coby Tel: 01767 261122 [email protected] Advertising Sales/Local Editorial www.villagermag.com Scott - 01767 261122 [email protected] Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, Photography - Warrengoldswain and however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the Darren Harbar Photography content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher. To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 3 History By Catherine Rose The History of Soft Drinks
With the arrival of summer, we will consume water - very similar to today’s. thousands of gallons of soft drinks - from Before mains supply was built, the water squash and cordials to fizzy ‘ades’ and coke – all available, particularly in rural areas, was often produced by a global industry that is worth contaminated and unsafe to drink. Consequently, billions. But have you ever stopped to wonder every town and village had a wide selection of how the soft drinks industry came about? public houses that brewed their own ‘small beer’ The earliest mention of lemonade occurs in as this was safer to drink than the water. Beer was historical texts from the mid-1600s. A non-fizzy even given to children. refreshing drink, probably only available to the People also brewed their own drinks at home more wealthy, it is believed to have come over and would frequently boil water before adding from Italy via France and was made from water natural flavourings such as nettle, barley, and lemons with sugar or honey added. dandelion, burdock and ginger to improve the In the late 1700s, a method for artificially taste. This would then go through a natural carbonating water was invented by Dr Joseph fermentation process to produce a very low Priestley. This meant that soda water was alcohol drink, frequently believed to have commercially available by 1800 and within 20 medicinal properties. years, ginger beer was also being advertised. Non-alcoholic versions of these drinks began to Household names of today such as Schweppes be produced commercially, becoming popular and R. Whites began selling manufactured during the Victorian era and some of these ‘old lemonade in the 1850s that consisted of a citric fashioned’ herbal flavourings are still produced acid base with oil of lemon, sugar and carbonated today. 4 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts 5 To131x194mm advertise JM in generic The VillagerVillager advert and (embed).indd Townlife please1 call 01767 261122 10/06/2016 14:29 By the mid-Victorian era, ginger beer was ‘the most popular non-alcoholic beverage’ although lemonade must have come a close second. They were produced in ‘mineral factories’ across the country. Storing fizzy drinks required the development of suitable and stable containers. Round-ended glass bottles began to be manufactured for lemonade. This shape was deliberate so that the bottle had to be stored on its side which kept the cork moist and allowed for better sealing of the effervescent drink. Ginger beer on the other hand was usually stored in solid stoneware containers with a large cork pushed firmly into the top to prevent it from ‘popping’. The ingenious Cod’s bottle with its glass marble stopper became available at the end of the 19th started making their squash and barley water in century. These were eventually replaced by metal the 1930s. ‘crown’ and later screw caps. Aluminium cans with The 20th century paved the way for specialised pull rings were introduced in the late 1950s. essence-based soft drinks from brands such as Irn In the latter half of the 19th century, a drink Bru, Tizer and Corona. made from the African kola (or cola) nut became Soft drinks factories were once commonplace in available in the UK - known as ‘kola champagne’ the UK. In mid-Bedfordshire for example, prior or ‘kola tonic’. Meanwhile, in America, a similar to 1900, the original Mineral Factory of Wells drink was being made from the leaves of the & Co. was situated in Biggleswade ahead of its Bolivian coca shrub. brewery on the same site. The company brewed In 1886, Dr John Pemberton of Atlanta, Georgia ginger beer and supplied soda water siphons decided to combine these two ingredients to although their largest trade was in ‘pop’ - sugary produce his own ‘brain and nerve tonic’ which carbonated drinks of various flavours, the most logically, he called ‘coca-cola’. Coca-cola proved so popular being their Golden Lemonade. popular that Asa Candler bought the patent from Commer lorries supplied the local pubs with Pemberton and set up the now world-famous ‘mineral waters’ in addition to the main trade of Coca-Cola Company. Today, the Coca-Cola brand beers, wines and spirits, as well supplying them still uses the original and instantly recognisable to private houses and shops. Soft drinks had ‘Spencerian Script’ logo that was first designed by become so popular that during the Second World Frank Robinson. War, the soft drinks industry was nationalised. Concentrated fruit drinks or cordials also began There were even small factories in the villages. In to appear at this time, again from companies that Northill, just outside Biggleswade, another local are still well-known today including Rose and mineral water factory was owned by Marsom its Lime Juice Cordial. By the First World War, the Brothers. Situated opposite The Crown pub, term ‘squash’ had become a recognised one for today, a private house stands on the site and this type of concentrated soft drink. Robinsons has old ginger beer bottles set into the eaves as homage to the firm. Although a new mineral water bottling unit was established in the old maltings in Biggleswade in 1952, Wells & Winch merged with Greene King in 1961 and the mineral factory closed in 1974. However, despite the closure of many of these small factories, the soft drinks story has evolved, turning from a cottage industry to one of gigantic proportions.
With thanks to Ken Page for information taken from his ‘Story of Biggleswade Brewery’. 6 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 7 Before After
For all your window, door and guardian roof requirements call Tim on 01480 216677
Tim [email protected] www.eastanglian-group.com
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EARL conservatory advert 4-16.indd 1 14/04/2016 19:14 COMPETITION Win a pair of tickets to see Dizzee Rascal! This summer, Friday 5th August, Bedford Park Concerts and The Pad Presents are bringing one of the biggest line ups that the town has ever seen! Dizzee Rascal! is headlining Bedford Park, Before After with People Just Do Nothing - Kurupt FM, Wiley, Jaguar Skills and Ms. Dynamite supporting.
Bedford Park Concerts are proud to announce that MC, producer and rapper Dizzee Rascal has been confirmed as the headline act for their Friday night concert, which will take place on the 5th August in Bedford Park. Dizzee Rascal has thrived within the UK garage scene since the early 2000’s, spanning genres For all your window, door and guardian from hiphop and grime to dance and bassline. Having collaborated with the likes of Calvin Harris, Arctic Monkeys and Florence & the Machine, Dizzee has roof requirements call Tim on evolved from his grime and garage roots into the mainstream scene, which has found him featured on the bill for festivals like Glastonbury and Radio 1 Big Weekend numerous times. His huge hits include ‘I Luv U’ and ‘Fix Up Look Sharp’, which went straight into the UK top 01480 216677 20 single charts. As well as his number 1 hit ‘Dance Wiv Me’ featuring Calvin Harris. Dizzee Rascal really developed and amerced himself deeper into the mainstream dance scene with this collaboration. Other hits include further number one hits ‘Holiday’ and ‘Dirtee Disco’ and ‘Bonkers’, which he sang at the opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics to an estimated worldwide audience of nine hundred million! Supporting Dizzee will be West London’s finest pirate radio station Kurupt FM. To add to this exciting line up will be English grime MC and rapper Wiley, Jaguar Skills and rapper, songwriter, recording artist, producer Ms Dynamite, who is the recipient of the Mercury prize, winner of two Brit awards and three Mobo awards. Tickets will go on sale from www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk/thepadpresents Tickets are priced at £35 inclusive of all booking fees Tim For your chance to win a pair of tickets to see Dizzee Rascal please complete your details below and send your entry to Dizzee Rascal Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, [email protected] Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. The winner will be randomly selected. Deadline: 20th July 2016 www.eastanglian-group.com Name: Address:
Tel:
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 9
EARL conservatory advert 4-16.indd 1 14/04/2016 19:14 Travel By Solange Hando Heritage in Palermo Lapped by the blue Tyrrhenian Sea, framed by Meanwhile, far below, visitors head for Piazza Verdi to mountains rising over 1,000 metres, Palermo is the pose on the steps of the Teatro Massimo and gaze at bustling capital of the autonomous region of Sicily. its refined neo-classical façade flanked by two bronze Attracted by the natural harbour and strategic lions. Dating back to the late19th century, it’s the third location, myriad civilisations landed on these shores largest Opera House in Europe, justly renowned for its and on its solitary headland, the iconic Mount acoustics, and the place where the final scenes of the Pellegrino has seen them all: Phoenicians, Romans, Godfather Part III were filmed in 1990. Arabs, Normans, Spanish to name just a few, all Stroll along the road and you come to another leaving their mark on a city which became one of the architectural gem, the Politeama Garibaldi Theatre; richest on the Mediterranean. unlike Teatro Massimo, this was built for the common Today Palermo remains an enticing mix of old and people who preferred operetta, plays, equestrian new, tree-lined avenues festooned in hibiscus shows and the circus. Yet one of the theatre’s greatest and oleander, traditional street markets, hidden moments was the performance of Puccini’s opera courtyards and breezy squares and narrow twisting La Bohème in 1896, applauded by a near delirious lanes where laundry flaps on the balconies. The air audience after a disappointing reception in Turin. smells of oranges and lemons and freshly-baked Now home to the Sicilian Foundation Symphonic pizza, church bells mingle with the hooting of Orchestra, it dazzles visitors with its grand entrance scooters and pony and traps rattle side by side. and superb decorations, while on some guided tours Bursting with colour, Palermo is above all a city of you might see the original painted stage curtain palaces, theatres and churches, contributing to Sicily’s weighing 450 kilos. generous share of UNESCO sites. In a capital once As for Palermo’s palaces, most exotic are the Zisa protected by four patron saints, the most venerated and Cuba in Arabic style, set in the former pleasure today is Saint Rosalia, who freed the people from grounds of the Norman kings, but most impressive is the plague. Churches pop up around every corner: the Norman Palace, currently the seat of the Sicilian austere or ornate, Norman, Renaissance, Baroque and Regional Assembly. Following the Norman Conquest more, but most endearing are the hidden chapels in in 1072, the Arabic fortress was transformed into a the Vucciria neighbourhood, their gleaming interiors sumptuous palace for the new Kings of Sicily, and as entirely covered in white stucco angels. Yet top of such is said to be the oldest royal residence in Europe. the list must be the Cathedral founded in the 12th Beyond the 17th century façade, highlights include century, boasting a magnificent doorway and royal the splendid Ruggero Hall, named after Sicily’s first tombs, a stunning Treasury and a Norman King, and the 12th century Palatine Chapel. rooftop walk, up 107 spiral steps but With its Norman architecture, its wooden ceiling in worth the effort for the panoramic view traditional Islamic style and its glittering Byzantine of the city bristling with mosaics and dome, it exemplifies the rich domes, the sea and the blend of cultures which have shaped surrounding hills. Palermo for over 1,000 years.
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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 11 COMPETITION
Win a 12”x16” framed aerial picture of your property, village or town BeSkyBee Ltd is a professional local aerial photography service. We offer a wide range of aerial photographic solutions using the latest and most advanced drones and camera equipment. We are fully insured, qualified and have the permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to undertake aerial work. Aerial pictures of your property or business from as little as £45 (inc. VAT) | Framed aerial gift pictures from £75 (inc. VAT) | Estate Agents: market your client’s property with a unique perspective, our pricing makes aerial pictures accessible to all property types and sizes. Competition clue: all villages begin with the letter ‘G’. Contact [email protected] for more information. CAN YOU NAME THE FOUR LOCAL VILLAGES ABOVE? To enter, complete the form below and send to: BeSkyBee Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP The winner will be randomly selected from all correct entries. Deadline: 29th July 2016
BeeSkyBee COMPETITION ENTRY The 4 villages in photos above are: Name: Address:
Tel: Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Local News Make a Movie and see it on the Big Screen St Neots Film Festival, sponsored by Lovett Sales COMPETITION and Lettings, is calling for submissions of short films. The festival is to be held over three evenings: Monday 7th and Thursday 10th November, at Cineworld, The Rowley Arts Centre, and Friday 11th November at Love’s Farm House. Entries from children will be shown first, and then films by teenagers, followed by submissions from adults. Winners will be selected for the age well as the best location. Assemble your cast and categories: 12 and under, 13 to 19, and adult ask them to practice their lines. entries. Produce: Get to know the features of your camera. Tips for Making your Short Film Experiment with different lighting and angles to Plan: Decide if you want the film to be narrative see what works best. (fiction) or a documentary. If your film is going to Edit: Make your film look slick and professional. be fiction, choose a genre, for example, comedy, Remember, films must be under 20 minutes. romance or horror, and think of a basic story idea. Upload: Submit your movie online at You can get ideas from things you’ve seen or stneotsfilmfestival.co.uk overheard in daily life, or items in the news or local Deadline for entries is 30th October 2016. papers. Most importantly, have fun! Write out your script and determine what For more information contact Melina Lafirenze: costumes and props you need for each scene as [email protected]
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 13 Villager Mag Summer.qxp_Layout 1 09/06/2016 12:14 Page 1
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14 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Food & Drink By Debbie Singh-Bhatti Homemade Ice Lollies Do you share the same childhood memories of 2. Sugar improves the taste and softens the summertime as me? When it got hot, did you take texture. Too little will result in a solid block of out the ice cube tray, fill it with diluted cordial and flavoured ice; too much will result in a lolly that eagerly wait for it to set so that you could enjoy is partially liquid. Healthier alternatives to sugar impromptu homemade ice lollies? And were you include date syrup, honey and coconut sugar. usually disappointed when you came face to 3. When filling the mould, leave about 5mm at the face with crunchy, crystallised cubes of weakly top to allow the mixture to expand. flavoured water rather than the delicious, mouth- 4. To make sure the sticks stand upright, freeze watering, thirst-quenching, temperature -cooling for about an hour and then insert the sticks. creations you were expecting?! Alternatively, cover the top of the moulds with Legend has it that the ice lolly was invented in foil, make a slit and insert the sticks through it. 1905 by an 11 year old American boy named Frank 5. Freezing quickly reduces the amount of ice Epperson, who accidentally left a glass of soda crystals. Turn the freezer to the coldest setting with a mixing stick poking out of it on his porch and place the moulds at the back. Lollies on overnight. The next day, he found he had made a average take around 4-5 hours to freeze but delicious frozen treat. Regardless of their origin, set faster, the higher the water to sugar ratio. homemade ice lollies offer endless possibilities. Alcohol slows the process, with too much Orange and lemon, minted milk, strawberries and alcohol resulting in a slushy lolly! cream, pineapple and coconut, grapefruit and 6. To un-mould, immerse in hot water for 20-30 campari or vodka and tonic are just some of the seconds. Dip just below the top rim and pull flavours you could try. hard on the sticks to yank the lollies out. To avoid the disappointing results I experienced, 7. Store frozen lollies in sealable freezer bags or here are a few tips to ensure success at the freezer. waxed paper. Make sure they are airtight to 1. Make the mixture too strong. Cold numbs the prevent ice crystals from forming inside. taste buds, so add extra lemon juice, balsamic 8. For super quick lollies, simply freeze pieces vinegar or even chilli to give the lolly oomph! of fruit. Cover bananas in peanut butter or chocolate spread before freezing or blend fruit puree with plain yoghurt. Frozen Angel Delight tastes just like mini milks!
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 15 Health & Beauty Summer By Kate Duggan It’s been a very long time coming, but summer is finally here. I’ve dusted off the sunnies and dug out my sandals, but couldn’t resist investing in a few new goodies… A new lip gloss it can take my look from day to daily exfoliation, is always on night with ease.Lovin’ What’s more, it’s followed by my summer housed in a cute metallic clutch Believa’s Natural shopping list. bag, which you can detach from Intensiv Body This year I’ve the palette and use on its own. A Lotion, £23.99. gone for Neal’s bargain at just £15. It’s packed with Yard’s organic Now I am not normally a fan argan oil, aloe Lip Gloss in of nettles. I seem to be forever vera, jojoba and Fig, £9.50. It’s getting stung by them when shea butter, so rich in seed retrieving a football out of the is incredibly and fruit oils, long grass or trailing after my moisturising. so nourishes dog through the woods. But they Thankfully it’s also lips while do have some good qualities. easily absorbed, giving them a Nettles are packed with amino as I’m usually decent burst acids and proteins, so can help running late for the of colour. It’s to strengthen your hair. You can school run. Natural easy to apply make an effective hair rinse by Intensiv is very gentle, so is and also has a steeping leaves in hot water, but suitable for allergy sufferers, and subtle orange if that sounds like a bit too much may help with eczema and other flavour and effort, try Paul Mitchell’s Super dry skin complaints. scent. Being Strong System. This British fragrance house a gloss, the three-step Atkinsons is celebrating its colour doesn’t hair care 200th anniversary this year. last that long, but it does leave range uses To celebrate, and mark the my lips feeling moisturised. nettles Queen’s 90th birthday year, it Next on my list is a new makeup and other has launched a new perfume, palette. I like one that I can keep botanical Oud Save the Queen. Inspired in my bag then whip out when ingredients by the Orient, this fragrance is there’s talk of cocktails. Marks to bursting with spicy, exotic notes, and Spencer’s Autograph strengthen including bergamot, jasmine, Face Palette ticks all the boxes. hair, add orange blossom and, of course, There are nine eyeshadows, two shine and oud. However, there are also blushers and four highlighters, so prevent sun notes of the damage. quintessentially I’ve been British Earl using it for a few weeks now and Grey tea. This am suitably impressed. fragrance is on I am incredibly lazy when it my wish list, comes to body lotion, so don’t rather than tend to use it as much as I should shopping list, when I’m covered up in the unfortunately, winter. So once summer hits, as it’s an eye my legs are a bit of a sorry sight. watering £150. I’ve been tackling them with 16 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 17 How The Cambridge supports your community
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Charity of Cash for the Volunteering the Month Community
Community Sponsorship Magazine Awards of events
Find out more about the work we do at cambridgebs.co.uk/community
THE CAMBRIDGE Building Society Head Offi ce, PO Box 232 51 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8FF [email protected]
18 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts CBS1522 Community Poster_194x131mm.indd 1 23/12/2015 11:24 Fundraising Tips Top Tips for Charities and Good Causes Readers may recall that in last month’s charity enabled by employers / companies. column I mentioned seven local causes which The statistics showed that 47% of people had are hard at work in the towns and villages to participated in informal or formal volunteering which the Villager is distributed. They and all at least once a month in the last 12 months the charities in our area are the local “heroes” while 69% of people had taken part in formal usually volunteering their time to benefit their and/or informal volunteering at least once in local community, and no doubt they have some the last 12 months. It is interesting to note that fun in the process – I certainly hope they do! I employer supported volunteering showed the was very pleased to get a response from one of least number of volunteers – 3% of people the charities I mentioned, Potton Hall for All. Kim participated in employer supported volunteering Gutteridge, a Trustee of the charity, contacted at least once a month me and mentioned that they are busy working while 8% of people said they had been involved towards obtaining planning permission for the in employer volunteering at least once in the new Community Hall which, as their Facebook past 12 months. I suspect that may be because page states is for “Potton’s future Olympians, perhaps there are too few employers who BAFTA winners, nature lovers, chart toppers and encourage employer supported volunteering. historians”. I wish them the best of luck with Perhaps local employers might like to consider their project and hope that local people will rally including this for all their staff? around this local cause. Charities and Volunteers go together like salt The Trustees of Potton Hall for All, and the and pepper, bread and butter - an essential Trustees of the very many other causes in permanent partnership. our area are all volunteers and the charities Volunteers are just ordinary people, yet they themselves may have other volunteers, who are make such a difference. Charities need to be not Trustees, who run the charities. Volunteers sure that they don’t take their volunteers for give their time freely and are a very granted. The most important aspect of valuable resource for charities. In a UK volunteer management for all charities government survey, “Community is to remember two simple little Life Survey” for 2014 – 2015 words, “Thank you!” Once your (the latest one, no further volunteers are on board, it update since then), they is essential to keep them describe three categories motivated. Motivating of volunteering : volunteers is a topic I Formal volunteering will deal with in another – giving unpaid help column but there are through groups, clubs or many useful and easy organisations ways to do so. More Informal volunteering – information on volunteer giving unpaid help as an management can be individual to people who found on my website are not relatives www.support4charities.com Employer supported volunteering - volunteering by Toni Hasler undertaken by employees that is of Support4charities.com 19 Jeffrey Mills Do I Need a Hannah Byatt (BA Hons) Solicitor Consent Order? Head of Family Department One of the most common misconceptions I deal in the future. with in relation to divorce and matrimonial Quite often I will see clients who have already finances, is that financial claims come to an end dealt with matrimonial assets between them. In once the Decree Absolute has been pronounced. such cases it is still sensible to have a Consent This is not necessarily the case. Order drawn up stating how the matrimonial If parties to a divorce do not have any financial assets were distributed, and dismissing all future issues to sort out, or if finances have been sorted claims. out amicably, you may think there is no need to Similarly, I will see clients who have had no assets speak to a solicitor. After all, once the divorce is to divide. A Consent Order would still be advisable finalised that is the end of matters, right? Wrong. to ensure protection of any assets acquired in the The divorce process deals with ending the future. marriage between two parties. It does not deal Of course there are many cases where a Consent with financial matters at all. If a couple divorce, but Order is not drawn up, and no claims are ever do not address finances separately, their financial made in the future. This is a risk; however, and it claims against each other remain open, possibly could have costly consequences. The only way to indefinitely. guarantee that no future claims can be made is to The Decree Absolute does not end potential have a Consent Order drawn up. financial claims. As a Family Law Solicitor I can help. If finances are not dealt with within a Consent Should you require legal assistance from a Order, which contains what are known as ‘clean firm with family values and a fresh approach, break clauses’, either party to a marriage could contact Jeffrey Mills Solicitors. E-mail: enquiries@ potentially bring a financial claim against the other jeffreymills.co.uk
20 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Beacon Wealth
Tony Larkins Tax Avoidance APFS CFP CMgr FCMI MCSI Managing Director Chartered and Certified Is Legal Financial Planner There are not too many people who think paying after just two years, which allows full access unnecessary tax makes them a better person. I including growth, without the need for any trust would argue that you would be better to simply arrangements. make a gift to charity than volunteer tax. We can also put in place arrangements for annual So what is legal and what is not? Put simply, ISA top-ups, school fees, and a bond that is avoidance is legal, evasion is not. This means that ignored if Long Term Care ever becomes an issue, the Government - via HMRC - have strict rules and, all thanks to existing rules on exemptions and if you meet these rules, you can take advantage of allowances. many allowances and exemptions. The Government has generous vehicles to save tax The problem comes when you try too hard to including ISAs, Pensions, Venture Capital Trusts, be clever. If what you are doing is deliberately Enterprise Investment Schemes, Inheritance Tax complicated, you will probably lose out in the long Solutions and exemptions for Gifts, Capital Gains run, just like many well-known footballers, football Tax, Dividends and Personal Saving Allowances - managers, singers and comedians. with this in mind is it really worth putting yourself Business owners will face higher tax on dividends, at risk of potential fines? but alphabet shares can help. Remember the government allows you to avoid Consider this example: Mr/Mrs X, needs help paying tax, so make the most of it. If you are in regarding Estate Planning; they have a large house, doubt, talk to your Independent Financial Adviser, their own company, large pensions for themselves as accountants, in most cases, can only help with and their spouse, considerable investments and some of this. That said, not all Financial Advisers land. Much of this is outside their estate in theory, have the relevant knowledge either…so ask first. but not necessarily in reality. You should always seek qualified advice from an We can provide advice to mitigate ALL Inheritance IFA, preferably a Chartered (APFS) or Certified (CFP) Tax, which includes having much of their Financial Planner. If you have a financial question, savings and investments outside of their estate e-mail: [email protected]
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 21 Employment Carol H Scott HR and Business Consulting Ltd Employment Matters BREXIT - What could it mean for employees and employers? If, on 23 June 2016, the UK voted to leave the existing regime of direct discrimination, indirect EU what could be the effect for businesses and discrimination and harassment seems unlikely. employees and the amount of employment law Family Leave that comes from Brussels? Once out of the EU the Rights to parental and family leave in the UK government could in theory repeal some of it but are a mixture of rights from the UK and EU. UK would any government really do that? maternity leave and pay preceded the EU rights Many employment protections like equal pay, race and are more generous in some respects. The and disability discrimination laws, and the right of new right to shared parental leave and the right return from maternity leave existed in some form to request flexible working are both purely UK in the UK before being imposed by Europe and domestic in origin. much of it is regarded, by employers, employees Transfer of Undertakings and Protection of as a good thing. Employment rights such as family Employment (TUPE) leave, discrimination law and the right to paid TUPE often attracts a bad press, but the principle holiday and family leave go further than the EU that employees should transfer when a business directives. changes hands or is contracted out is useful and If the UK did vote to leave, two years’ notice is is incorporated and priced into many commercial required during which time the parties would outsourcing agreements. It seems most likely that negotiate the terms of departure. The UK will wish the government would make some minor changes to stay in some sort of trading relationship with to make it more understandable and business/ the EU and it will no doubt involve adherence to a employee friendly, perhaps permitting the certain amount of EU employment law. harmonisation of terms following a TUPE transfer. So, gazing into my crystal ball, if freed from EU Holidays and working time constraints what is likely that would actually The right to statutory paid holiday under the change? Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) is also now Agency Workers broadly accepted. However, there are aspects of The most likely review is the Agency Workers this right and of other rights under the WTR that Regulations 2010 which are unwieldy, unpopular the government might want to tweak perhaps with business and many workers. to give more a more flexible framework for the Discrimination benefit of businesses and their employees. It is difficult to imagine any government, Collective redundancy consultation employees or employers arguing that they should Collective redundancy consultation obligations be free to discriminate and any change to the are not particularly onerous and it is not obvious that businesses regard consulting with their employees as a burden that should be removed. In conclusion If we retain some EU law the UK courts are likely to continue to regard judgments of the ECJ on those laws as persuasive and pre-Brexit UK court decisions incorporating ECJ interpretation would continue to be binding on lower courts and tribunals. If the UK does leave the EU, it seems unlikely that UK employment law would be transformed in any significant way, particularly in the short term. 22 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts EBAY COLLECTIONS Local & Reliable
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 23 24 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 25 Garden Water, Water Everywhere... With summer well under way, gardens will need of foliage or flowers getting scorched - as can more water than the rain is giving them, but how happen if they are wetted in bright sunlight. can you minimise the amount you apply, make best Where possible use a watering can or hose with a use of what you’ve got and still have a good-looking gentle nozzle attachment and water only the areas and productive garden? where the water is needed. If the soil is very dry If possible, wait until the autumn to plant out trees, before you start to water, then sprinkle the surface shrubs and climbers – it will be far harder for them gently with a light drizzling of water and return to establish properly now and they are more likely to a few minutes later - you will find that the water suffer serious setbacks. However, if you can’t avoid penetrates down to the roots much more effectively. planting, improve the soil texture by digging and Excessive watering on a very dry surface is likely to forking in plenty of garden compost, well-rotted lead to a lot of run off and wastage. manure or other bulky organic matter so that the Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com soil is better equipped to retain moisture – sandy for a really useful selection of Pippa’s favourite soil will then hold water more effectively whilst clay gardening items including Nemaslug to safely soil is less likely to crack. It may be hard work but it control slugs, pop-up crop covers, SpeedHoes, will make life a lot easier for the plants, and means SpeedWeeders, ladybirds to control greenfly, you will spend far less time watering later on. biological controls, pull-out mini tunnels, signed It is still well worthwhile mulching beds, borders books and lots more besides. and your vegetable plot. The mulch needs to be 2” - 3” (5 - 7.5 cm) deep and you can use shredded composted bark, composted chipped bark, cocoa shells or many of the numerous pebbles, shingles and so forth which are now available. If the soil is well watered before the mulch goes on, then it will really help to keep moisture in the soil and, as all the materials I’ve suggested will let plenty of rain through, when it does rain the plants will still benefit. Mulching will also help to keep down weeds. In drier areas of your garden, try to use drought tolerant plants. Those with silvery or grey foliage such as the lavenders, Sedums (ice plants), rock roses (Helianthemum), rosemary and Convolvulus cneorum all tend to thrive in dry conditions, and are also more likely to do quite well if planted now. Make the most of any rainfall by fitting a water diverter to the drain pipe which takes water from the guttering from your greenhouse, house, conservatory or garage, and divert the rain straight into one or more water butts. You can also fit a water diverter to the downpipe which takes water from your bath, hand basin or kitchen sink. Normal amounts of shampoo, bubble bath and washing up liquid should pose no threats to plants, and these detergents may help with pest problems such as greenfly. Unless there’s no alternative, always water in the evening or extremely early in the morning, which By Pippa Greenwood drastically reduces the amount of water lost through evaporation, and means that there is far less chance www.pippagreenwood.com 26 Let us transform the appearance and quality of your lawn RECEIVE 20% OFF YOUR FIRST TREATMENT
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Hunts_Kettering_67.5x93.indd 1 08/03/2016 13:38 Pets
Animal Know-How The dangers of a British summer…
Many dog owners are unaware of the dangers of • Dogs can die within 20 minutes of been left in a leaving their pets in parked cars, even for a few car. That’s much quicker than it takes for you to minutes. Here are a few sobering facts: queue up at Costa and eat your lunch. • We are a nation of pet lovers, yet are far more On a warm day, you just have to touch the likely to leave our dog in a car alone for a few dashboard, steering wheel or seats to know how minutes, than our phone. hot the inside of a car can get. But it’s not just on • Almost half of us mistakenly believe it warm days when dogs are at risk – vehicles can be is ok to leave a dog in a car if we leave a death traps even in cooler temperatures. window partially open or park in the shade. Under 20 minutes in a hot car can prove fatal to Unfortunately, these are myths. In reality, a dog should its body temperature exceed 41 neither action has any significant effect on the degrees. As the temperature inside the car rises, temperature inside a parked car. in just a matter of minutes, the dog’s suffering • A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, will become evident through excessive panting, even when it doesn’t feel that warm. When whimpering or barking. This will develop into a it’s 22 degrees outside, in a car it can reach an loss of muscle control and ultimately the kidneys unbearable 47 degrees within the hour. will cease to function, the brain will become irreversibly damaged and the heart will stop. Sadly, many of the dogs that will die in cars this year will be beloved family pets. The owners simply don’t realise how quickly the temperature in their car can reach the same as an oven. The message is simple: don’t leave your dog in a parked car. If you see a dog in distress in a parked car call the Police Service (999) or the RSPCA on 0300 1234999. Caravans and conservatories can pose similar threats to your beloved pets – so think before you leave.
ANIMAL KNOW-HOW is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch www.rspca.org.UK/local/bedfordshire-north-branch
28 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts III SHIRES PEST CONTROL
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Come & check out our stunning new Coffee house, Bistro, Tapas & Cocktail Bar located in the lovely Cross Keys Mews. Bring this flyer & treat yourself to a... FREE COFFEE
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NOW-OPEN-FLYER-A5-V3.indd 1 26/05/2016 13:04 Three Counties Radio
Classic Kedgeree Many of the chefs and cooks on my Weekend Kitchen show are great characters with brilliant stories. Take Turan Turan, who runs classes about food smoking and curing in Great Linford. Thirty years a London firefighter, his new career involves a much safer form of smoke! Hot and cold smoking fish at home is actually really easy, safe and a lot of fun and Turan’s full methods for hot smoking salmon and cold smoking haddock can be found on the recipe sheet at http://bbc.in/fishsmoking. One of my favourite dishes involving smoked fish has to be a classic kedgeree and Turan made a beautiful one for the show. You can follow his instructions for home-smoking the haddock at the link above, or simply buy it in store. The result is a fragrant, balanced and delicate kedgeree which is delicious hot or cold. INGREDIENTS In a pan of boiling water, hard boil the eggs for 10 450ml water minutes and cool under water. 350g cold smoked haddock loin (store-bought or If your haddock is not cooked, you’ll need to poach made using the method above) it. In a shallow pan of simmering water add the cold 170g long grain rice smoked haddock and bay leaves, cover and simmer 2 large free range eggs for about five minutes. 2 tomatoes seeded and chopped Remove the haddock from the pan and leave to cool. 2 spring onions Carefully remove the skin and flake the fish. Set this 12mm of fresh ginger peeled and grated aside. 2 tbsp mild or medium curry powder Heat a pan with a glug of oil and the butter then add 1 tbsp black mustard seeds the ginger, onion and garlic. Soften for five minutes 2 bay leaves and add the curry powder, mustard seeds, rice and 2 handfuls of fresh coriander leaves salt - coating the rice with the melted ingredients. 1 clove garlic, grated Add the water to the rice and bring to the boil. 1 red chilli finely chopped. Reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is cooked Juice of half a lemon and the water has been absorbed. 1 tbsp vegetable oil Quarter the hard boiled eggs, 1 tsp butter Add the flaked haddock to the rice and mix in the 1 tsp salt coriander and chilli. Stir gently and place in a warm serving dish. Garnish with the remaining coriander and serve.
Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can also join Nick every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 33 Food and Drink Honey and Berries Natural and Pure Tsar’s organic honeys start off in the remote, mountainous Altai region of Siberia. There are no pesticides, chemicals and nothing to contaminate. Documented to have antibacterial properties, the 100% Raw Sweet Clover Honey is TA10. The 100% Raw Buckwheat Honey is TA20 and, despite its name, has no connections with wheat. These organic, Siberian honeys have individual, superb flavours. Not having been overheated, the coarsely-filtered raw honeys preserve enzymes that produce both antibacterial and health-giving properties. The Buckwheat Honey is particularly recognised for its medicinal benefits.
I found the Sweet Clover Honey Other products, new to me, ingredient for cuisine. The Aronia to be not too sweet – in fact just which I find exceptional also, Berry Chutneys are impressive right – for the tastebuds and are from award-winning Beri and popular, too. The chutneys with a very pleasant mild flavour. Da. Aronia berries are now utilise whole Aronia berries, plus This active 10+ production is grown in the UK and the Beri Da other natural ingredients, to known and respected for its handcrafted products are made produce the exceptional flavours. sedative and anti-inflammatory with selectively, handpicked Great to accompany a lot of benefits. The Buckwheat berries, that are homegrown, dishes and fine foods. The Beri Da Monofloral Honey has many in organic conditions, on the products are free from artificial devotees, too. Nectar is also foothills of Snowdonia. Aronia colourings, preservatives and collected from the Altai region berries are recognised for additives. Email: aronia@berida. of Siberia for this intensely- having a high concentration co.uk www.berida.co.uk flavoured, active 20+ honey. A of antioxidants. The berries are most splendid production, with also grown in Eastern Europe a very rich, powerful and lasting and are native to North America. taste, which gives the palate However, they were planted in extended pleasures. This honey is Wales in recent years and are attributed to having antioxidant thriving. The berries are rich in and good healing properties. vitamins C and E. These honeys are available in the UK. The fruity Aronia Berry Vinegar I find really good and Email: [email protected] very appealing to have as a www.tsarshoney.co.uk condiment and also to use as an As always, Enjoy! Trevor Langley 34 Nick Bussey Interior & Exterior Painter & Decorator Plumbing & Heating Specialists Boiler All aspects of decoration ● Servicing undertaken. ● Repair Over 20 years of experience. ● Replacement Fully Insured. References available on request. ● General Plumbing Call for a FREE NO ● Heating OBLIGATION QUOTATION ● Bathrooms 07780 642238 Email: [email protected] We accept debit and credit cards
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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.
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FA A , FF T A TT F A , AB , AFF AB F A TT A 2 T F TT
Tim For more information ring Tim on 01480 216677 info@eastanglianroofl ine.co.uk www.eastanglian-group.com
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EARL advert 4-16.indd 1 14/04/2016 19:13 Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s OnIn July To 29 August (by appointment only) 2 July 3 July British Red Cross Open Gardens 2016 Opera in the Garden: King Arthur St Neots Concert Band 23a Perry Road, Buckden, PE19 5XQ Gates open 5.30pm, 6.30pm start 4pm St Leonard’s Church, Southoe Adults £4, Under 16s free Adults £20, Children £9 Wimpole Estate Adults £8, Children £5 including refreshments This extraordinary plantsman’s garden includes a Terry Deary, acting as narrator, will guide the With a wide selection of music from shows to film Japanese garden and follies, linked by gravel paths. audience through the opera in what will be an scores to dances, there’s something for everyone at There are gardens inside gardens. Groups of up to evening for all the family. Booking essential. these performances. Tickets available on the door or 20 are welcome. By kind permission of David and Tel: 01223 206000 NT Box office 0844 249 1895 via email: [email protected] Valerie Bunnage. Tel. 01480 810553 Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole 3, 10 & 17 July 1 July 2 July Beginners Nordic Walking 3 Week Course St Neots and the Battle of the Somme Murder Mystery Evening 6.30-10pm 10-11.20am £30 for the course 2.30pm Free talk St Neots Museum £30.00 per person including three course meal & Three week course for people interested in learning To mark the 100th anniversary of the first day of complimentary glass of fizz the basics of Nordic Walking. Tel: 01763 853595 the Battle of the Somme, the museum Curator, Liz St Neots Museum, 8 New Street, St Neots Email: [email protected] Davies, will be giving an illustrated talk about the A shocking Murder Mystery based around events local men who fought on the Somme and everyday in Victorian St Neots. Tickets available from the 5, 12, 19 & 26 June life in St Neots in 1916. Limited places. Please book. museum. Tel: 01480 214163 Roxton Bridge Circle Refreshments available. Tel: 01480 214163 Email: [email protected] 7.15-10pm Roxton Parish Hall Email: [email protected] Web: www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk for full details Small friendly group playing Bridge every Tuesday Web: www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk evening. Tel: Phyllis 01480 374327 2 July Email: [email protected] 1 July Ghost Stories at the Leper Chapel Open Air Theatre - A Midsummer Nights’ Dream 8pm The Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, 6, 13 & 20 July 7pm Ferry Meadows Country Park Cambridge Tickets £12, Concessions £10 Little Fishes 10-11.20am Grafham Village Hall Adults £14, Children £10, Family (2a + 2c) £42 ‘Ghost Stories’ returns for one evening only in the Stay and Play Tots Session (babies welcome too). Tickets available from the Ferry Meadows Visitor haunting atmosphere of the 12th century Leper Just turn up. Sessions include free play and craft Centre or online Web: www.seetickets.com Chapel. Book your place now – if you dare! Tickets activities, bible story and sing along. available at the Leper Chapel from 7.30pm on the Tel: Jean Clark 01480 890033 for more information 1 July evening. Tel: Tickets 01223 211451 Email: [email protected] Bat Walk at Wandlebury Web: www.insitutheatre.co.uk 9pm Wandlebury Country Park, CB22 3AE 6 July Use a bat detector to listen out for some of 3 July Little Paxton Gardening Club Outing Cambridgeshire’s more common bat species at dusk. Float a Boat 10:30am-12 noon & 1.30pm-3pm Outing to Emplins in Gamlingay. A Private Garden Bring a torch. Free event, donations appreciated. Ferry Meadows Country Park surrounding a 15th Century Hall House. Ticket only. Booking essential. Tel: 01223 243830 extension 207 Come along and use recycled materials to create Tel John 01480 215201 or Jane 01480 218805 Email: [email protected] your own floating object. Test it out on Lynch Lake. Web: www.cambridgeppf.org/whats-on Meet at Discovery Den. Booking essential. 6 July Tel: Nene Park Trust 01733 234193 Battle of the Somme July 1916 1-3 July Email: [email protected] 7.30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester Buckden Festival A talk by Martin Middlebrook on the use of battle of 1 July 7.30pm - St. Mary’s Church Fashion Show by 3 July the Somme 1916. Bon Marche. Tickets £6 including a drink British Red Cross Open Gardens 2016 2-5pm Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com 2 July 11.45am - Buckden Festival Parade at Docwra’s Manor, Shepreth, Cambridge, SG8 6PS Buckden Towers walking to the Playing field. £4 per adult, Under 16s free 6 July 2 July 12.30pm - Buckden Festival Fete. 2½ acres of choice plants in a series of enclosed Huntingdon Royal Naval Association 3 July 11am - Buckden Churches Together Festival gardens. Featured in ‘The Gardens of England’ by 8pm Falcon Tavern, Market Hill, Huntingdon Web: www.buckdenvillagefestival.co.uk George Plumptre. Some gravel paths. Teas. Parking. Meets on the first Wednesday of the month. By kind permission of Mrs Faith Raven. Email: [email protected] 2 July Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm 3 July 6, 13, 20 & 27 July Free Church Hall, St Ives Hinxton Watermill Open Day Games Afternoon 2pm Free admission 2.30-5.30pm Adults £3, Children £1, St Neots Library Free admission Quality handmade art & craft stalls and tombola. Members Free Mill Lane, Hinxton Every Wednesday. Tel: 0345 045 5225 Drop in and explore this impressive 17th century 2 July working watermill, built on a site dating back to the 7 July Nearly New Sale 10.30am-12.30pm Doomsday Book. Tel: 01223 243830 extension 207 Not Just a Name on the Wall: EngAGE in the Cambridge Regional College, King’s Hedges Road Email: [email protected] Afternoon 1.30-3pm Huntingdon Library Lots of stalls selling excellent quality nearly new Web: www.cambridgeppf.org/whats-on NA talk by Local Studies Librarian, Caroline Clifford, baby and children’s items from birth to 8 years. investigating the lives of Cambridgeshire men and Contact Tara for stall bookings: 07951 210250 women in the First World War. Tel: 0345 045 5225 [email protected] 38 Please mentionPlease The mentionVillager The and Villager Town and Life Town when Life when responding responding to to adverts adverts This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com What’s On In July 8 July 16 July 28 July Summertime Concert by Sawtry Chorale Paxfest & Fun Dog Show Toddler Time – Woolly Mammoths 8pm St John the Baptist Church, Keyston 12 noon Little Paxton 11am-12 noon St Neots Museum £3.50 per child Adults £10, Under 11s £6 Bake a Birthday Cake for the Queen Competition. New sessions for children aged 2-5 and their carers Tel: 01832 710168 or 01832 710780 Competition entry Adult £1, Children 50p. Cakes to at St Neots Museum. This is a drop-in session but be delivered to Little Paxton Village Hall between sessions can be arranged by groups at other times at 8 & 22 July 10.30-11.30am on 16 July. The competition is open £30 with a max of 12 children. Nightlights Social Club to everyone and will have two simple rules- All 8-11pm The Red Lion, Grantchester cakes to be edible and no fresh cream to be used. 28 July £9 including buffet Fun Dog Show – 15 classes at £1.50 registration per Connections Youth Bus 7-9pm Nightlights Social Club for Singles 39+. Live music dog per class. Registration opens 12 noon. Little Paxton Village Hall Car Park and dance night. Web: nightlights.org.uk The Connections Youth Bus is back for six visits 16 July during the school summer holidays (other dates are 9 July The Crimes and Times of Jack the Ripper 4, 11, 18 & 25 August and 1 September). The Bus is Summer Fair 11am Free entry 7.30pm St Neots Museum, 8 New Street, manned by two youth workers and is free. Anyone Brampton Village Primary School St Neots Tickets £5 going into Year 7 and above can come along. Games, activities, entertainment, stalls, A talk by Neil R. Storey. Tickets available from the refreshments and fun for all the family. Museum. Tel: 01480 214163 28 July Email: [email protected] St Neots & District Gardening Club 8pm 10 & 23 July Web: www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk for full details St. Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St. Neots Beginners Heavy Horse Driving Course Members £2, Non-Members £2.50 10am-4pm Wimpole Estate Adults £125 16 & 17 July The Role of an Estates Garden Manager by Martin The course begins with grooming the shires Grafham Church Celebration Weekend Towsey of Woburn Abbey. followed by harnessing through to taking the reins Following completion of major repairs at the Church. driving a one horse cart through the Park. Booking Saturday there will be conducted tours by church 29 July essential. Tel: 01223 206000 architect in the morning and teas and games, plant Fantastic Fossils with the Norris Museum Bookings: NT Box office 0844 249 1895 and bottle stalls and raffle in the afternoon. 10am-12 noon Huntingdon Library Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole Free admission 16 July-6 August Part of the Big Friendly Read, “Museums on the 10 July Big Summer Booksale Huntingdon Library Move” a Heritage Lottery Funded Project. Join staff Walk at The Great Fen Hundreds of ex-library and second hand bargain from the Norris Museum for a fun drop-in event. 2.30pm Free – donations welcome books for sale. Suitable for all ages. Tel: 0345 045 5225 The walk will be led by Henry Stanier. We will visit the New Decoy Farm Area which is at the heart of 19 July 29 July the Great Fen. Please meet at the Information Point Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Going on Bear Hunt 10:30am-12 noon on the B660 (known locally as Long Drove). Parking Visitors £7.50, Members £2 including light & 1.30-3pm Ferry Meadows Country Park £5 is limited. Tel: Tim 01480 457795 refreshments Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Bring your own teddy bear, listen to the story and Flower arranging demonstration by Zoe Podmore make bear related crafts. Then join us on a bear 13 July with the title ‘A Turn of the Page.’ hunt around Ferry Meadows to find Barney the Cambridgeshire Rural M.E. Tea & Chat Bear. Includes a ride on the miniature railway and Second Wednesday of every month. Monthly meet- 20 July a goodie bag. Meet at the Visitor Centre. Booking up for adults with M.E. and partners/friends. Alconbury Over 60s Club Trip essential. Tel: Nene Park Trust 01733 234193 Web: www.crmetea.org 9.30am £13 Coach trip to Bury St Edmunds. Email: [email protected] Departs from Alconbury and picks up in Alconbury 15 July Weston too.The Club meets on the second Thursday 30 July Spectre 7pm for 7.30pm of the month (not August) in Alconbury Memorial Strawberry Tea The Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Hall at 7.15pm. Entertainers, bingo or a quiz every 2-5pm St. Marys Church, Eynesbury Adults £4, Concessions £3, Children £2 meeting and an outing every month. Come and enjoy a Strawberry Tea and a cup of tea. Tickets available from Watson’s, Yellow Bird, Bytes Tel: Trip bookings Sheila 01480 890396 Payment by donation. All proceeds go towards the Café, or on the door if available. restoration work of the Church. Tel: Tony Hopwood Tel: 01480 860297 Web: http://e-voice.org.uk/ 20 July 01480 382834 Email: [email protected] themandevillehallkimbolton/community-cinema Carers Coffee Club 2.30-4pm The White Horse, High Street, Tilbrook 31 July 16 July Are you caring for a loved one with a memory loss? Animal Olympics Guitar Concert 7.30 pm Our informal group meets on every third Wednesday 10.30am-12 noon & 1.30pm-3pm St Peter’s Church, High Street, Offord Darcy of the month. No need to book, just turn up. Ferry Meadows Country Park Tickets £8 including complimentary drink Tel: Neil Silby 07889 319888 for further details Discover who can run the fastest, jump the highest Guitar concert with Claude Bourbon. A medieval Email: [email protected] or longest in the animal kingdom. Meet at and Spanish blues guitarist, Claude is known Discovery Den. Please call 01733 234193 for further throughout Europe and America for his amazing details. Booking essential. guitar performances. Tel: 01480 811126/812795. Tel: Nene Park Trust 01733 234193 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 39 June’s Competition Winners
Farr Festival Claire Hodges from St Neots Shan Collins from Brampton Caitlin Hillard from Wrestlingworth Caron Kitchener from Stevenage Margaret Major from Henlow
Bickerdicks Garden Centre Donna Lincoln from Upper Caldecote
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40 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts June’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mrs D Davis from Gamlingay
Easy
Hard
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Across 7 Fruit (6) 8 Echo (6) 9 Sunrise (4) 10 Centuries (8) 11 Far away (7) 13 Type of boat (5) 15 Later (5) 17 Immobilized (7) 20 Correctly (8) 21 Silly (4) 23 Devils (6) 24 Almost (6)
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42 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts • Wood Burning Stoves • Multi Fuel Stoves SHOWROOM NOW OPEN • Chimney Lining Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday – 10am – 5pm Other Days/Out of hours by prior arrangement • Twin Wall Flue Systems • Installation and Supply • Fireplace Renovations • Stove Accessories • Trade sales welcome
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44 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Local News Horseboarding at the Annual Burghley Game and Country Fair It’s May Bank Holiday Weekend the sun is shining and her horse Ronnie (Oberon) the crowds flood in to spend a great family day out at are based in Potton, the the annual Burghley Game and Country Fair. hometown of The Villager. Everywhere is buzzing with the crowds, the food Amy and her family had seen tents and stalls are packed with three arenas full of Horseboarding by chance attractions for people to watch and interact with, and wanted to get involved. including gun dogs, falconry, motorbike stunt “We spoke to Dan at the displays to name but a few. In addition to these there trade stand but just couldn’t is the fairly new extreme sport of Horseboarding, get a team together” being run twice daily in the countryside and main explains Amy. “We contacted the Sport again later Andy Singleton Arenas. on through Facebook and they put us in touch with Daniel Fowler-Prime, the founder of Horseboarding a stand in boarder who was experienced and helped UK said, “The crowds at Burghley were some of the us to train and get our team to the events” biggest we have seen at this event, People were The team Bruises Easily is now competing at every coming to the trade stand to tell us they came for the opportunity and now have a full time boarder Reece day just to see the Horseboarding teams compete Wagland. Reece was not actively competing at the which is great”. time of introduction due to the loss of his team horse In 2004 Daniel and his brother Tom discovered that from Scally Wags the previous season. horses and boarders could be put together for racing Bruises Easily quickly qualified through the novice purposes. After experimenting it was decided that category, with Burghley therefore being their first padding and head protection should be considered intermediate entry as a fully committed team. as essential equipment for this extreme sport. The competition was thrilling with an amazing For a number of years Horseboarding UK has been performance all round, Bruises Easily won the one of the main attractions for the Living Heritage intermediate category at Burghley with an eight shows and teams travel around the country to second lead ahead of second place. compete and give a fabulous display of boarding, Amy said, “It was so exciting racing in front of the horse-riding and great team work. Naturally, one cheering crowds with such a lovely group of people the biggest attractions for the crowd is the all cheering each other’s teams on, Horseboarding is spectacular crashes when a boarder parts a fantastic sport to be involved in. company sometimes at great speed from If you are interested in getting involved in the sport the other elements of the team. like Amy and Reece then follow the link on One new team that is progressing Facebook www.facebook.com/UKHorseboarding/ very quickly this season is Bruises or visit the website at www.horseboarding.org. Easily. The rider Amy Fordham and
45 ClassifiedsBooks
Pet Services ByBook Willow Coby Review The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Published in 2004, Niffenegger’s debut work has become an international best-seller. Removals, Delivery & Storage In 1991 20-year-old For All Your Storage, Claire is an artist Delivery and Removal who makes paper Requirements sculptures for a Use your living. She bumps local Based in Alconbury Weston removal company into 28-year-old Freephone - 0800 689 0894 Henry, a librarian Tony Webb - 07850 293540 at the local library. Lee Eastlake - 07906 072096 He has never met www.move-plus-safe.co.uk her before, but Claire has known him all her life; for Henry is not an ordinary man. He was born with a genetic disorder which causes him to time travel. He has no control over it, and cannot predict how long he will stay in one time. He jumps around his own timeline and experiences events in his own history. So, on this day in 1991 when he and Claire meet, she becomes a part of his experiences and therefore his timeline. He begins to travel within her life and their ‘first’ encounter is when Claire is just 6 years old. Over his many ‘visits’ as she grows into adulthood they form a close relationship and eventually fall in love. Written in the first person this novel alternates between Henry and Claire. We follow Claire’s timeline chronologically, with a note at the start of each chapter reminding us how old they each are at that point. Henry’s age does of course jump around. Niffenegger wanted to create the perfect soulmate. If that is what Henry is then it explains why Claire spends her life waiting for him to appear in hers. It raises the question of whether a brief moment of pure happiness is worth the pain when that moment is over. 46 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Let us help you get your business off to a fl ying start
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VILLAGER The The Issue 30 - SeptemberSeptember 20142014 and Town Life ILLAGER LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES •• LOCALLOCAL CHARITIESCHARITIES •• LOCALLOCAL PRODUCTSPRODUCTS VILLAGER V and Town Life Inside this issue Issue 35 - February 2015 The and Town Life The Issue 37 - April 2015 LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARI The History of TIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS Huntingdon VILLAGER Inside this issue Inside this issue Issue 32 - November 2014 ILLAGERand Town Life Elba LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCALand CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODU V Tuscany’s Best Kept Secret Town Life Issue 39 - June 2015 How to find The End of the Line a good estate agent LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS Win £25 CTS Inside this issue in our Prize Crossword Win Tickets Win tickets to Ghost The Musical to see some Inside this issue Win toTickets see Parklife Music Maestros! Win £25 in our Prize Crossword The History of Bonfire Night From Poldarkto Pen Win £25 in our Prize Crossword Beware Win £25i n o u r of Buying Online Bringing Local Business to LocalLocal PeoplePeople inin Prize Crossword Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month Your Win £25 in our Prize Crossword FREEcopy Bringing Local Business to Local People in
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