VILLAGER Issue 87 - February 2016 and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

The VILLAGER Issue 87 - February 2016 and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

Inside this issue Fairtrade Fortnight Portugal Cruising on the Douro River Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in Langford, Henlow, Shefford, Stanford, Hinxworth, Ickleford, Caldecote, Radwell, Shillington, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Gravenhurst, Holwell, Meppershall, Baldock, Stotfold, Arlesey, Hitchin & Letchworth Your Contents FREEcopy Beer at Home...... 36 Chinese New Year Animal Heroes...... 39 28 Fiat 500...... 41 Golden Years...... 43 Seasonal Delights...... 44 Win a Signed Copy of ‘Regret to Inform You’...... 47 Puzzle Page...... 48 Ten Tips to Bring your Treasures Back to Life...... 50 Prize Crossword...... 54 The Smallest Room...... 57 What’s On...... 58 Book Review...... 62 Why We Celebrate Valentine’s Day...... 4 For Goodness Sake - Pay By Credit Card...... 8 Fairtrade Fortnight...... 10 Feathered Friends Win Tickets to The Pad - The Selecter & Guests...... 12 35 Portugal - Cruising on the Douro River...... 14 The Language of Flowers...... 19 Oxygen Therapy - Cure’s Local Lady’s Leg Ulcers...... 21 Changing for the Future...... 25 Fun Quiz...... 25 Good Neighbours Wanted in Stondon...... 26 Chinese New Year...... 28 Employment Matters...... 31 Feathered Friends...... 35

9,500 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Henlow, Langford, Astwick, Edworth, Hinxworth, Caldecote, Newnham, Radwell, Bygrave, Shillington, Holwell, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Shefford, Ashwell End and Stanford (Further bulk drops are made to local shops and busineses in Arlesey, Upper and Lower Stondon, Shefford, Baldock, Letchworth, Hitchin and Stotfold)

Editorial - Sarah Fryer, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Kate Duggan, Publishers Solange Hando, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Carol H Scott, Iain Betson, Villager Publications Ltd Pippa Greenwood, Ted Bruning, RSPB, Kate McLelland, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Susan Brookes-Morris and Bruce Edwards Tel: 01767 261122 Advertising Sales/Local Editorial [email protected] Nigel Frost - 01767 261122 [email protected] www.villagermag.com Photography Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, Subbotina and Darren Harbar Photography however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the Design and Artwork content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher. To advertise in The Villager and Townlife 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 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Bedfordshire’s Premier Kitchen & Bedroom Showroom Since 1974 We would like to welcome you to our new showroom at: The Old White Horse, 1 High Street, Biggleswade SG18 0JE

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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife 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 Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife 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 Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife 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 Luxury fitted kitchens

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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife 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 Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts COMPETITION

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To Chopadvertise House inadvert.indd The Villager 1 and Townlife please call 01767 261122 19/01/2016 17:4313 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

14 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 15 16 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Bold Imaginative Reflective

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18 Please mention The Villager and Town Life 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 Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 19 CHAMBERLAIN MASSAGE CLINIC

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20 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Local News Oxygen Therapy Cure’s Local Lady’s Leg Ulcers A local lady is over-joyed as a local charity has helped to transform her life. my whole life.” Dorothy Brightman from Whitwell near Hitchin has She adds: “I know when I’ve been in the Oxygen suffered immense pain through leg ulcers have Chamber. I have so much more energy when I get affected her day-to-day life for years. home.” Anyone who has experienced leg ulcers knows of Mark Boscher is Chief Executive of the Herts MS the debilitating pain that comes with them. They can Therapy Centre in Letchworth – the only place in the take months or even years to heal – many leg ulcers county that offers Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. simply don’t improve. “Dorothy’s story is amazing,” says Mark. “Many After just two months of receiving Oxygen Therapy people find that Oxygen Therapy helps them to feel at the Herts MS Therapy Centre in Letchworth, more energised and heal faster. To cure leg ulcers in Dorothy’s leg ulcers have disappeared. Her doctor two months is wonderful and we are all delighted has given her the ‘all clear’ and her District Nurse for Dorothy. If anyone else has stubborn leg ulcers, no longer needs to visit as no ulcers means that no we ‘d love to try to help them.” daily dressing is needed! To find out more “It’s such a joy not to have about Oxygen pain,” says Dorothy who is Therapy, 83 years old. “I tried different contact Mark or Claire treatments for my leg on 01462 684214 ulcers but they didn’t work. or email oxygen@ Instead, my leg ulcers got hmstc.net. wider and deeper, affecting

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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 21 22 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 23 Let us help you get your business off to a flying start

FREEYour The copy ILLAGER Issue 54 - October 2013 V The The Issue 56 - December 2013 and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS Your FREE ILLAGER copy ILLAGER V Issue 58 - February 2014 V and Town Life The and Town Life The LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARI Inside this issue TIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS VILLAGER ILLAGERTown Life The Ultimate Issue 59 - March 2014 V and Christmas Survival Guide LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCALand CHARIT Town Life Issue 57 - January 2014 CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS Inside this issue IES • LOCAL PRODUCTS LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL How to make Free Advice & Support a Christmas Wreath for Local Businesses

Banish Win those winter blue Inside this issue £50 in our bumper Inside this issue Christmas prize crossword Win £25 in our Prize CrosswordHappy Mother’s Day Big Garden 25-26thBird JanuaryWatch 2014 Make your Mother’s Day Bringing Local Business to Local People Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, Godmanchester, Banish The Hemingfords and all surrounding villages every month those wi The Bestto buyWay a car nter blues Bringing Local Business to Local People WinCovering: Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, Godmanchester, The Hemingfords Win £25 Buckden • Brampton • Cambourne • Godmanchester Your and all surrounding villages every month in our Prize Crossword 1 £25 in our Prize CrosswordThe Hemingfords and all surrounding areas FREEcopy Your FREEBringingcopy Local Business to Local People Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, Godmanch and all surrounding villages every month ter, ester, The Hemingf Bringing Local Business to Local People ords Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, dingGodmanches villages every month The Hemingfords and all surroun Your FREEcopy Our award winning magazines offer a unique local advertising platform. Printed on high quality paper we are still able to offer incredible prices along with a second-to-none service, professional advert design and a team just waiting to help you. With over 9,500 copies being delivered door to door every month can your business wait any longer to be in The Villager? Advertising in The Villager and Town Life could not be easier, for further information or to book your advertising space please call Nigel on 01767 261122 or e-mail [email protected] or visit our website www.villagermag.com

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24 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Local News “Changing for the Future” Where can I? sections of the community and are a dual gender Make a contribution to the Community Club. Meet like minded people, Have fun We do “scrub up” for some events getting out the Make new friends posh frocks and black tie, but normally members come to meetings wearing what they feel Baldock Rotary Club might be just what you are comfortable in. We are less focused on regular looking for. attendance than in helping members be actively Baldock Rotary Club would like to attract involved in our community work. new members to its club, and in order to give Rotary is a really worthwhile organization; our prospective new members a choice of meeting annual fundraising activities typically raise in excess times the club has introduced a monthly evening of £15,000, enabling us to make considerable meeting. charitable donations to local, national and The venue is the Orange Tree pub in Baldock and international causes. members meet monthly on a Thursday evening If you think you may be interested in joining us or at 7.00pm to enjoy an evening which includes a would like more information please contact Ray meal, usually a guest speaker and an evening of Bethell on 01462 431854 or email at ray.bethell@ fellowship amongst members. btinternet.com. You can also take a look at our Meetings take place monthly on the last Thursday website at www. of each month. baldockrotary.co.uk. (note there is no meeting in March and June) This will give you an The days of Rotary being only for retired men are indication of what we long gone; we welcome people of all ages, from all get up to as a club.

Fun Quiz - Gold and Silver 1. In Greek mythology, which king had the ability to turn everything he touched into gold? 2. Which fictional character would often say “Hi-yo Silver, away” to his horse? 3. In 1957, the British colony called the Gold Coast became which independent African country? 4. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus in exchange for how many silver coins? 5. Which mythical city has a name that means “the golden one” in Spanish? 6. Which car manufacturer produced a model called the Silver Ghost between 1906 and 1925, a car they claimed was the best in the world? 7. If something is described as being 18 carat gold, what percentage of pure gold is it? 8. Which South American country has a name that is derived from the Latin word for “silver”? 9. Which title character from a well known fairy tale could spin straw into gold? 10. Which element is normally used together with silver to

produce the alloy known as sterling silver? 8. Argentina (from “argentum”) 9. Rumpelstiltskin 10. Copper 10. Rumpelstiltskin 9. “argentum”) (from Argentina 8.

1. King Midas 2. The Lone Ranger 3. Ghana 4. 30 5. El Dorado 6. Rolls-Royce 7. 75% (24 carat gold is pure gold) gold) pure is gold carat (24 75% 7. Before Rolls-Royce 6. Dorado El 5. 30 4. Ghana 3. Ranger AfterLone The 2. Midas King 1.

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 25 Local News Good neighbours wanted volunteer phone- holder will match in Stondon! their request Do you have a little time each month that you for assistance could set aside to help others in Stondon, or with an available alternatively could you do with some neighbourly volunteer. assistance yourself? The Stondon A group of residents are setting up a Good scheme, and Neighbours scheme in Upper and Lower Stondon around 40 others to provide a ‘safety net’ for those in need of a bit of in the county, extra help, and they need local volunteers to help are supported to be a part of the volunteer force. by Bedfordshire Volunteers will choose what sort of help they Rural are able to offer, how often, and when they are Communities available to carry out tasks such as giving lifts to Charity (BRCC), doctors, picking up prescriptions, being part of the on whose phone rota, or simply popping round for a chat website you can find further information: over a cup of tea. All the scheme’s volunteers will www.bedsrcc.org.uk be insured and DBS checked. For further information please contact Anyone who needs help from the group will be Mike Fayers (BRCC) on 01234 832619 able to phone the scheme’s number and the or at [email protected].

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Why not take the hassle and time out of your busy day dropping your garments to us…. Try our COLLECT & DROP* service . Your garments will be picked up and dropped off to your home or work at a time that suits you or use our Drop off points at Cravin Coffee – Biggleswade Train Station – Biggleswade Express Newsagent Shortmead Street or Gamlingay Post office at 15 Cinques Road.

26Kleen eco 1/2 page (Bigg).indd 1 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding07/12/2015 to adverts 15:34 EBAY COLLECTIONS Local & Reliable

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 27 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

28 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Business gone slow? Let us help!

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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 29 TEMPLARS CROSS LODGE We take time to listen and find the best way forward Contact us to arrange your free initial 30 minute visit (We are happy to come to you for a small extra charge) www.templarscrosslodge.co.uk Wills Our staff have successfully drafted Wills for many years; Close to Baldock town centre in spacious truly we are experts. surroundings this motel style £135 inc. Single Will £199 inc. Mirror Wills Bed & Breakfast offers off road parking. Probate • continental breakfast Helping you prove a Will after death. • large luxury en-suite rooms £545 inc. Plus Court fees [unless it is a huge estate] • free wifi internet access to obtain a Grant of Probate from the Court • sky tv/dvd player • fridge in room Lasting Power of Attorney • private loc ation Arranging for a relative/friend to act on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. • close to train station £350 inc. Plus Court fees • major credit cards taken to draft & register with Public Guardian Office

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30 Please mention The Villager and Town Life 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 Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 31 32 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 33 THE LOG MAN Established 1972 Hardwood Logs • All Size Fires & Woodburners Catered For

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Call for a FREE Survey & Quotation Visit our Display Area at: Gilks Fencing Drove Road, Gamlingay, Sandy, Beds SG19 2HX Tel: 01767 650 615 Email: [email protected] www.gilksfencing.co.uk 34 Please mention The Villager and Town Life 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 Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 35 Food & Drink

Beer at Home By Ted Bruning February, of course, is St Valentine’s Day, book- established Portobello Brewery for the nutty boys ended by a couple of fortnights in which nothing themselves – and who, even after all these years, much happens except that it rains a lot and once doesn’t love Madness? every four years an utterly superfluous day appears Infra Red from another newly-founded craft brewer, which nobody wants as their birthday. Hardknott of Millom, Cumbria, is a different prospect But if you’re young and in love, the deep mysterious altogether. At 6.2% alcohol it has a chill-banishing thrill that comes with opening that anonymous warmth to it, along with a mixed bundle or aromas card more than makes up for the rest of the month’s and flavours of almost baffling complexity. The dreariness. So here’s a beer for St Valentine’s Day brewery says it takes its inspiration from America that’s doubly full of love. and Belgium - but this, being an authentically Lovestruck – yes, it’s the name that makes it a beer hoppy, strong India Pale Ale but with a few buckets for Valentine’s – is a 4.4% alcohol pale ale from the of crystal malt shovelled into for luck, is a one-off. Madness Brewing Company. Its nose is very fresh, The appearance is a deep ruby with an oddly straw- with that classic new-mown hay aroma that coloured foam. The nose is floral but in an properly belongs to a good pale ale and an old-lady way – parma violets, lavender, overtone of summer fruits. The mouth feel garden-centre soap. Then the flavour is and flavour are almost as light and spritzy intensely, shockingly hoppy but with a hint as a prosecco – so right for St Valentine’s! of fennel/liquorice sweetness, while the – while the finish has the merest hint of finish is very, very long and very, very bitter hoppy bitterness. But there’s more to love in and carries an intriguing note of... parsnips?! Lovestruck than just the label. It’s one of a trio You’ll like this. Not at once, maybe, but of beers made by West London’s recently- you’ll like it. Gardening a Pain? 2 FREE Let us take the Strain! shrubs We are here for your landscaping projects too for new orders  Patios  Artificial lawns  Deckings  Fencing  Turfing  Re-design and more  One off ‘nightmares’ cleared Book your weekly or fortnightly maintenance visits NOW Prices from just £14.00 per week For more details or for a free quotation call 01462 262103 or email: [email protected]

36 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts T&G131x93AdvertReady.pdf 07/06/2015 13:34:43

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38 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts 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. To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 39 Painting Lambourn & Decorating MOT and Service Centre Ltd

Your LOCAL MoT, tyre and service centre Property in Shefford 01462 811333 Maintenance Pay us a visit – we’re near Morrisons! Lambourn MoT & Service Centre Quality Workmanship Unit 10, Old Bridge Way, Shefford, SG17 5HQ Papering, Coving etc. Interior and Exterior Work Visit: lambournservicecentre.co.uk Free Quotations Call W Firkins & Partners Ltd 01462 814117 or 07939 267083 Est 1981 20 Clifton Road, Shefford, Beds

40 Please mention The Villager and Town Life 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 Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 41 ROOFLINE PRODUCTS INSTALLED BY THE PROFESSIONALS PVC-U soffits, fascia, guttering and cladding in flat and woodgrain effects and a choice of colour

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42 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts History Golden Years Memories of 50 years ago There were glasses raised in jubilation in Moscow train the Americans in their use. In 1950 the and drained in frustration in Washington on military sacked von Braun and packed him off to February 3rd 1966, when the Soviets demonstrated the Marshall Space Flight Centre in Alabama where once again that they were well ahead in the space he could dream his intergalactic dreams in peace race. while the US Navy worked on its main project, the They had been ahead from the beginning, of course: Vanguard missile launch vehicle – a task in which it Sputnik 1, the first man-made satellite, blasted off failed. on October 4th 1957, to be followed by Sputnik 2 a Only when Sputnik was launched did Washington month later, whereas the Americans couldn’t launch realise that Moscow now had a viable missile Explorer 1 until January 31st 1958. On April 12th delivery system and it didn’t. Then someone 1961 Yuri Gagarin pipped Alan Shepherd by only remembered that rather embarrassing ex-Nazi in 23 days to be the first man in space, and the Soviets Alabama. Maybe von Braun had something the rubbed it in by being the first to orbit the earth, military could use? He had. His Redstone rocket was having the first woman in space, and completing the originally intended as the launcher for Explorer, but first spacewalk. in 1955 Eisenhower had decided to use Vanguard Now they were ahead in the race for the Moon, instead. Now the military turned back to Redstone. too, the race that President Kennedy had declared Explorer was hastily adapted to fit its new launcher, that America must win within the decade. But and the US was back in the game. after a flawless launch and three-day flight, Luna 9 So was von Braun. Vanguard was scrapped and touched down gently on the rocky floor of Oceanus the development dollars went his way instead. His Procellarum, extended its camera array, and started giant Saturn rocket that would take America to the making a complete panorama of its surroundings. Moon had its first launch only weeks after Luna 9’s Even the fact that Jodrell Bank intercepted the triumph. Meanwhile the Russians were dividing their signals and the Daily Express published the pictures resources between two new launch vehicles, N1 before Pravda could didn’t spoil the party. and Proton. But N1’s designer, It was the first successful rocket-assisted controlled Sergei Korolev, died suddenly landing on the Moon, and the extent of the Soviet in January 1966 and the project lead was only confirmed on February 21st when the faltered. Proton wasn’t ready American probe Ranger 8 crashed; but the lead was either, and when Apollo 8 became less solid than it seemed, and it evaporated for good the first manned lunar orbiter on on February 26th with America’s first successful Christmas Eve 1968, the heart went Saturn rocket launch. out of the Russian effort and after four Actually, the Americans had had the lead all failed attempts to launch N1 they gave along but didn’t know it. After the war they up. The Soviet moon-shot was suspended had more or less kidnapped Germany’s V2 in 1974 – two years after the last American team and its director, Werner von had walked on the Moon – and scrapped Braun, but for five years the in 1976. Germans were only allowed to supervise Happy 50th birthdays to Rick Astley (1st), Cindy the completion of Crawford (20th), and Tea Leoni (25th). Cake and captured V2s and botox to you all! Cake and botox to you both!

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 43 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. 44 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts HERTS OVEN CLEAN Herts Oven Clean is a domestic oven cleaning specialist in Hertfordshire.

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46 Please mention The Villager and Town Life 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 Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 47 Codeword 1 2

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48 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts WINDOW REPAIRS Serving all of Herts - Based in Stevenage Specialising in replacing misted units

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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 49 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. 50 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Electrician www.rooneyelectrical.co.uk

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52Taylor made joinery.indd 2 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding17/03/2015 to adverts 10:20 Crossword Solution for The Villager January Edition

Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mr P Beckett from Stevenage

January’s Codeword and Suduko Solutions

Easy Hard

Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email [email protected] To advertise in The Villager and Townlife 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:

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54 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 55 Alan George

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56 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Home Interiors The Smallest Room The loo, we’ve all By Susan Brookes-Morris got one, so here 2) The average person will spend three whole are some fun years of their life sitting on the toilet. facts about what 3) A public toilet can host up to 40,000 germs at is probably the any one time. smallest room in 4) A study by the charity Tearfund found that 8 your house. million people in the UK admitted to using 1) The god son their mobile phone whilst on the loo. of Queen 5) There is a theme park and museum dedicated Elizabeth to the toilet in South Korea. I, James 6) The majority of people like their toilet paper to Harrington, hang over the roll not under. invented the 7) Toilet brushes are manufactured using the toilet in 1596. same technology as artificial Christmas trees. Whilst many 8) The White House has 35 toilets. associate 9) The world’s fastest toilet goes at 55mph. It Thomas was invented by plumber Colin Furze and is Crapper with the creation his role was in powered by a motorbike engine. increasing its popularity and inventing related 10) World toilet day is celebrated on 19th items such as the ball cock. November!

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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife 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 All Building Services Provided Fully Qualified & Insured Free Local Estimates No Job Too Big Or Small

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60Love your heating 1/2 page.indd 1 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding16/06/2015 to adverts 12:35 CM ROOFING Family run business Est. 20 yrs

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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 61 Books

Aerials and Satellites Book Review AERIALS & SATELLITES By Bruce Edwards T/A Broadband Communications Established 1993 Aerials & Satellites • Digital Aerials What Became of You, My Love? Freesat & Satellite Installations Maeve Haran Commercial IRS Systems All Work Guaranteed • CAI Approved C.1616 Pub: Pan Books p/b £7.99 Based in Stotfold www.broadbandcommunications.co.uk ISBN: 978-1-4472-9189-3 Tel: 01462 732 628 • Mob: 07860 436 217 This is one of those ‘feel good’ reads, exactly what you’ll need to counteract Carpentry and Joinery the winter wets. After the years spent knocking around the world, singing Tim Jordon his heart out, rocker Carpentry and Joinery Cameron has a yearning to Made to measure quality timber products rediscover his muse, the supply and fit. Doors, Windows, Stairs, Gates, naïve teenage girl who Kitchen Worktops, provided inspiration for Wood staining, painting and varnishing a hit song way back in the era of short skirts and Station Road, Lower Stondon, Beds. free love - no such thing nowadays according to Tel: 01462 850363 or 07544 790071 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 Pet Services who loves Art Deco. A threat to local historical architecture (does this sound familiar?) brings her to espouse the cause of regeneration - and gains coincident notoriety. Suddenly the world turns sideways - Cameron’s parked his Airstream on her driveway, she finds her metier and life is never the same again. There are grandchildren to educate in the ways of the world; a spiky daughter to deal with, best friends to share and Cameron’s manager Donald’s hidden desires, oh, lots of things happening while history begins to repeat itself. Even Cameron’s trio of wives past and present play their part. The whole performance is full of light- Business gone hearted humour and lovable from start to - no, not a finish but better than that. You’ll never guess a bit slow? what happens . . . Let us help! Suggestion and queries to: [email protected]. We’re always happy Advertising in The Villager is easy. to consider specific titles for review, though To find out more call Nigel on without obligation. 01767 261122 Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll or email [email protected] try to help.” 62 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Classifieds

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