The Issue 61 - April 2017 VILLAGER and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

In this issue Win Tickets to see The Saw Doctors Walk with a Fork 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 Issue 61 - April 2017 VILLAGER and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

In this issue Win Tickets to see The Saw Doctors Walk with a Fork 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

The Law on Cohabitation Needs to Change...... 23 The Railworld Flower Power...... 27 Wildlife Haven The Railworld Wildlife Haven...... 29 Animal Stories...... 30 29 New Audi Q5...... 32 Puzzle Page...... 36 What’s On...... 38 Prize Crossword...... 42

Time for Tea...... 4 Walk with a Fork Foodie Extravaganza...... 9 Waging War on Nuisance Callers...... 10 Win Tickets to see The Saw Doctors Live...... 12 Tips for Looking Good in Spring...... 15 Paxton Pits Nature Reserve...... 16 The New Residence Nil-Rate Band...... 20 Walk with a Fork 9 Pub Funding...... 21

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 , Lt Staughton, Grafham Water Visitor Centre’s and Kimbolton)

Editorial - Catherine Rose, Eileen Le Voi - Safe Local Trades, Publishers Jennie Billings, Sally Power, Tony Larkins, Abby Smith, Villager Publications Ltd Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA and James Baggott. 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 Advertising Sales/Local Editorial [email protected] Scott - 01767 261122 [email protected] www.villagermag.com

Photography Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, Margouillat and Darren Harbar Photography however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any Design and Artwork - 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 advertiseAdvert in Booking The Villager Deadline and Town Friday Life 7th please April call 2017 01767 261122 Artwork Deadline Friday 7th April 2017 3 History By Catherine Rose

Time for Tea

Tea has been enjoyed all over the world for more frequent them, could enjoy it at home. It soon than a millennium but the English only adopted became popular for wives to host tea parties with it as their own around four hundred years ago. their friends where tea was brewed and drunk Believed to have originated in Southern China, black, often with sugar or honey added. tea drinking dates back to around 3000 BC. Tea was very much the privilege of the wealthy. It However, it didn’t become popular in was expensive to import and seen as a valuable until the 17th century, when it was made commodity. It would be kept locked inside ornate fashionable by King Charles II and his Portuguese caddies. Matching teapots, cups and saucers wife Catherine de Braganza, who brought it over were prized possessions to be flaunted and to the Royal court from her native country. cherished and there were many different designs Coffee houses had recently been established in manufactured in bone china during this time. London and were popular haunts of middle class The London Tea Auction was a hub of gentlemen who went there to relax or conduct international tea trade. It was set up in 1706 and business. The custom of tea drinking was quickly continued until as late as 1998 (with a break introduced. Samuel Pepys referred to it in his during the Second World War). diary of 1660: ‘…I did send for a cup of tee (a Because tea was so expensive, the tea smuggling China drink) of which I never had drank before’. trade flourished and it wasn’t uncommon for Tea would be brewed in the coffee houses tea leaves to be adulterated with all sorts of early in the morning and kept in barrels. Cups unpleasant (and even poisonous) substances. The of it would then be re-heated and served over addition of milk therefore became increasingly the course of the day. The coffee houses also popular as it would help to improve the taste of a sold loose leaf tea so that women, who did not poor-quality tea. 4 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Reg Charity No 307534 2017 AIRSHOWS The Collection is home to historic aircraft, vintage vehicles and motorcycles, with an adjacent period Swiss Garden

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To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 5 In 1785, following pressure from tea merchants cake would do the job nicely. Soon friends were who were suffering due to the high incidence joining her for ‘afternoon tea’ at her home in of tea smuggling, the government, led by Prime Woburn Abbey and, thanks to her frequent Minister William Pitt the Younger, slashed the trips to London, the custom grew to become high import tax on tea, making it much more a fashionable social event amongst the upper affordable to the masses. Thus, tea drinking grew classes, with the addition of pastries and scones in popularity amongst all classes, and it became making it quite a substantial meal. common for servants to be allocated a tea During the Victorian era, a wider selection of tea allowance. began to be imported from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Not everyone was happy about tea-drinking no and India. Tea rooms serving afternoon tea grew longer being confined to the middle and upper in popularity, especially among women, as they classes. Following a long debate about whether were one of the few places where a woman tea was bad for the health of the working classes, could go without a chaperone. By the early 20th causing ‘idleness’ and ‘melancholy’ amongst century, many establishments had expanded on other things, it was eventually championed the custom of having a musician playing in the by philanthropists as part of the temperance background and were holding tea dances in the movement, as alcohol was viewed as the far afternoons. greater evil and working class people were then Today, tea has become an integral part of our encouraged to become ‘teetotal’. daily routine and could be described as Britain’s The concept of afternoon tea is a peculiarly national drink. Although invented in America in English tradition that conjures up images of bone the early 20th century, the tea bag didn’t become china cake stands, cucumber sandwiches with popular in England until the 1970s, when it the crusts cut off, and warm scones with jam revolutionised our tea drinking habits and put and cream, but tea served with food was only fortune tellers who read tea leaves at the bottom introduced in the mid-19th century. of a cup into decline! It is said to have been first conceived in Still considered a rather genteel English custom, approximately 1840 by Anna Russell, the seventh sumptuous afternoon teas are served by many Duchess of , in order to bridge the gap top hotels, including London’s Claridges, the between lunch and dinner, which in those days Dorchester, the Ritz and the Savoy, as well was traditionally served quite late in the evening. as Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. With a The sandwich had been invented by John bewildering number of different tea blends on Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, around a offer along with a ‘tea sommelier’ to help you century earlier and the Duchess decided that choose, they are often booked up months ahead tea served with a tray of sandwiches and some - a testament to tea’s enduring popularity. 6 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 7 QUALITY The simple way to KITCHEN FACELIFTS a new kitchen

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8 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Local News

Cambridgeshire welcomes back

BackWalk for its fifth year, with a Fork ’s foodie extravaganza ‘Walk with a Fork’ foodie extravaganza makes a return to on Sunday 7th May. Hosted at Abbots Ripton Hall, just outside Huntingdon, walkers will embark on an eight mile amble around the picturesque estate, whilst indulging on fresh and tasty treats from local food and drink producers at stops along the way. ‘Walk with a Fork’ is the flagship event for Ormiston Families, the East of England’s leading family charity. Lady De Ramsey, vice president of Ormiston Families, and Lord De Ramsey have opened their home and chosen one of their personal favourite Secret Garden Party for their assistance.” walks around their private estate. Proceeds from ‘Walk with a Fork’ will be used to There are some great suppliers lined up for this support Ormiston Families’ work providing services year’s event, including: Aspall, The Village Deli, to support children and young people across the Allotment café, The Abbot’s Elm, Johnsons of East Anglia, helping to improve their life chances. Oldhurst and many more. Identifying and responding to the needs of children, Gavin Lamb, relationship and events manager at whatever challenges they face, the charity’s vision Ormiston Families said: “We are delighted with the is of a world in which every child will be loved, success ‘Walk with a Fork’ has had over the years and nurtured and valued. are especially pleased to be bringing the event back Tickets are £23 per person and children under 5’s go to Cambridgeshire this year. free. Dogs are welcome. To book tickets please visit: “We always look forward to ‘Walk with a Fork’ and www.ormiston-families.eventbrite.com enjoying the great local food and drink from East ‘Walk with a Fork’ is also being held at Kimberley Anglia and the beautiful scenery of the countryside, Hall, Norfolk on Sunday 14th May and Helmingham all while raising vital funds which allow us to Hall, Suffolk on Sunday 3rd September. continue our work with children, young people and There are still places available for local food and families throughout the region. drinks producers to supply the ‘Walk with a Fork’ “We are grateful to Lord and Lady De Ramsey for events. having us at Abbots Ripton Hall and to our sponsor, If you would like to be involved please contact Aspall. We would also like to thank Heidi from Gavin on: [email protected] foodPark, Eat and the team from the or 01473 705034. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 9 Consumer Advice

Phone companies are waging war on nuisance callers YOU’RE just about to sit down to your favourite soap It’s safe to say that all our time is precious, and we or are in the middle of cooking dinner / bathing the don’t want to be disturbed or harassed in our own kids, the phone rings - and it’s one of THOSE calls. homes by these calls. It is estimated that around 30 million nuisance calls Did you know that there is a way to curb these calls? are made each week. The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free Did you know that the average Brit receives four service which enables you to join the official register nuisance calls a week. More often than not, they are to opt out of unsolicited sales and marketing calls. direct sales calls or automated ‘offers’. Remember, it is a legal requirement for telemarketers It is little wonder then that according to research by NOT to call a TPS subscribed number after 28 days, BT, 60 per cent of people find receiving these kinds but you should start noticing a gradual decline once of nuisance and cold calls stressful. registered. To find out more visit www.tpsonline.org. BT is one of the companies fighting back, with a new uk or telephone 0345 070 0707 breakthrough service to help manage the situation, You can protect your privacy even further by not by developing a system called BT Call Protect to giving out your telephone contact details to a third help customers avoid nuisance calls on their landline party during online surveys, quizzes or competitions. - by diverting a whopping 30 million calls a week to And if you continue to be plagued by people telling junk voicemail. you that you have won a Other service providers are also putting customers dream holiday, offering first, with Sky and Virgin offering their own system to to help you after your deal with nuisance calls. Check with your provider to ‘car accident’ or claim see what they offer. to have a PPI reward for It may be worth mentioning that at Safe Local you – you can report Trades, none of our professional and recommended them online at https:// tradesmen operate a ‘cold calling’ approach. Our complaints.tpsonline. user friendly website www.safelocaltrades.co.uk org.uk/consumer/ offers customers looking for a particular trade the complaint opportunity to contact the professionals through an online enquiry form or by telephoning 0800 014 Eileen Le Voi 1832. Safe Local Trades 10 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Watermill Bears ® safelocaltrades.com Official stockist of: CHARLIE BEARS Recommended & Appro ed STEIFF, KEEL & TY Collectable bears & soft toys Not sure who to trust?

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To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 11 COMPETITION

Win a pair of tickets to see The Saw Doctors live at The Junction in Cambridge on Sunday 11th December 2017

Having taken a break from the road following their extensive 2012 tour, prominent Irish folk-rockers The Saw Doctors have announced their return to the UK with a full nationwide tour. Starting out playing in local pubs, The Saw Doctors were invited out on tour with Mike Scott of The Waterboys, spending 6 weeks touring the UK in 1989. After this, The Saw Doctors went from strength to strength when single ‘I Useta Lover’ spent nine weeks at number one and became Ireland’s best-selling single of all time. They followed up with the No 2 hit, N17, and a chart-topping album, If This Is Rock And Roll, I Want My Old Job Back. A steady run of chart entries continued with the recent Irish number ones for their cover of Sugababes’ ‘About You Now’. Over the years, The Saw Doctors have built up a reputation as an unmissable live band with countless sold out tours and an abundance of festival appearances, including Glastonbury and T in the Park. Famed for their unrelenting energy, a Saw Doctors live show is performed with as much passion and fervour as their small-town pub gigs 28 years ago.

Villager Magazine gives you the chance to win a pair of tickets to see The Saw Doctors live at the Junction in Cambridge on Sunday 11th December 2017. It promises to be a great night, and for the chance to win a place on the guest list (plus one), simply complete the following Saw Doctors song title: All the way from …… A. Dublin B. Galway C. Tuam D. Carrick-On-Shannon

To enter, simply answer the question and complete the form below. Send your entry to: Saw Doctors Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP The winner will be randomly selected from all correct entries. Deadline: 16th April 2017

THE SAW DOCTORS COMPETITION ENTRY To win tickets, answer the following question: Complete the Saw Doctors song title: All the way from.....  A. Dublin  B. Galway  C. Tuam  D. Carrick-On-Shannon  Name: Address:

Tel:

12 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts COMPETITION

A FREEMAN Jewellers A Freeman Jewellers are having a CLOSING DOWN SALE after 97 years everything must go. Sale starts Tuesday 4th April 2017

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To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 13 14 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts House of Colour Tips for Looking Good in Spring! Transitional spring weather can be one of the most awkward times of the year to dress for, especially in this country! Perhaps it’s just a bit too warm to wear your winter coat, but a tad too chilly to slip your sandals on. Here are our tips on how to be stylish this spring: 1. Spring is all about colour as fresh, vibrant shades explode onto the high street. Experiment with colour in unexpected, striking combinations and contrasts. Try pairing different neutrals for a sophisticated look, or team neutrals with a 5. Darker bags can look too heavy for spring and colour for impact. summer time outfits so now is the time to 2. A patterned shirt or skirt in your style is perfect have a good look for a bag that complements for spring - try something sophisticated but your March to September wardrobe! Equally striking for dramatics, or a pattern that is funky investing in a stylish pair of colourful shoes in and neat for gamines! Patterns are a great way one of your wow colours makes you stand out to combine different colour combinations from the crowd of black and brown boots. together in one outfit. Try and find a pattern 6. Carry a stylish umbrella this spring. You might which incorporates your wow colours. have to google to find one that is really you. 3. Sunglasses - look around for a style that really Look for quirky or traditional styles in your suits you. Unless you are a winter palette avoid favourite colours to start conversations whilst black rims if you can. Warm coloured sun specs blocking torrential spring showers! for springs and autumns and cooler toned 7. Try a different make-up look using eye shadow shades are advisable for winters and summers. palettes and lipsticks in colours that really suit Make sure the style is flattering - these days the you will change up a winter outfit completely, shapes and styles on offer are endless. so if you think it’s still a bit cold to change your 4. Invest in a transitional trench coat which you wardrobe then this is how to start the transition! can wear year after year choose a great neutral 8. A spring jacket or cardigan in one of your colour from your seasonal palette so you can wow colours is a sure way to keep the cooler wear it with everything. Alternatively, boyfriend evenings at bay. Make sure though you don’t blazers, denim and bomber jackets for casual just buy the right colour but the right length, tailoring continue to be on-trend with new size, cut and shape. The current trend for added details such as ruffles, embroidery and oversized outerwear pieces and soft-volume embellishments. tailored separates styled with crisp shirts and blouses and tactile knits make for a versatile By Jennie Billings look. 9. Swap your jeans for a skirt when it is finally warm enough to get some sun to those legs! Different skirt lengths suit different bodies and personalities so wearing the right length can make or break an outfit. Are you a mini, midi or a maxi?! 10. Volume sleeves, ruffle trims and tie-knot details, structured silhouettes and asymmetric hemlines are all on-trend but stay true to what makes you feel comfortable and fabulous – we don’t all suit ruffles! To advertise in The Villager and Town Life call 01767 261122 15 Local News Paxton Pits Nature Reserve and grey herons repairing last A great place to visit year’s nests, and on the water The Reserve is owned by HDC with the financial mallard, teal and gadwall are and practical support of The Friends of Paxton displaying – a sure sign that Pits Nature Reserve, a registered charity totally Spring is on the way! dedicated to supporting the Reserve of some 200 Kingfishers have been acres comprising flooded pits, meadows, scrub and demonstrating the need to woodland. establish breeding areas, and For a small reserve we boast an outstanding have been seen each day selection of wildlife, from birds and mammals recently. Both fox and Muntjac to rare flowers, insects and butterflies. Our deer are regularly seen, but breeding birds – some 60 species – include herons, the otter is always much more elusive. It is always cormorants and the iconic kingfisher, the logo bird an encouraging sign when the first coltsfoot flower of The Friends. is seen – sometimes in mid-February, then we know April will see the arrival of the almost legendary that the longer days are just around the corner! bird, the nightingale, direct from its wintering The reserve is located at Little Paxton.. Car parking grounds in West Africa. These birds can be found and admission to the Reserve are free. Our Visitor from all-weather footpaths around the Reserve and Centre is open most days where you can warm from the wildlife watching hides in no less than up with great tea and coffee, catch up with all the three locations, enabling you to view without being latest news from the Reserve but, most of all, you seen. With late Winter turning into early Spring, it’s will receive a warm welcome from our friendly all action on the Reserve with cormorants, rooks volunteers and HDC.

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To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 17 ADVERTORIAL Disability – when do employers and service providers have to make reasonable adjustments? Earlier in the year the case if this did not work to stop the of First Group Plc v Paulley bus with a view to pressuring the hit the headlines when the non-wheelchair user to vacate Supreme Court ruled that a bus the space. The Supreme Court felt operating company had not that it was reasonable in this case made reasonable adjustments to to apply moral pressure to try to prevent wheelchair users from enforce the policy. being disadvantaged. As the bus operator’s policy The case centred on the actions and the action of its bus driver a bus driver should have taken had not gone this far it was to enforce the policy of non- held to have failed to make the disabled bus users being asked reasonable adjustments to avoid to give up disabled spaces. The the disadvantage to the disabled adjustments which might be bus company in this case had passenger. However, Mr Paulley reasonable. These include signage confirming the policy was not awarded any damages as widening doorways, providing and the bus driver had asked the Supreme Court held this was ramps and moving furniture the non-disabled passenger (a not justified in this case. for wheelchair users, altering mother with a sleeping child in Service providers therefore working hours, relocating the a pushchair) to move from the need to be aware of their worker to a different workplace, disabled space however when obligations to make reasonable allowing absence for treatment or she refused no further steps were adjustments to avoid substantial rehabilitation, acquiring modified taken and Mr Paulley was unable disadvantage to disabled users equipment, a transfer to another to board the bus. and to review their policies to vacancy and modifying tests, The Supreme Court decided ensure compliance with any assessment and procedures. that the bus driver should have obligation to make adjustments. Whether an adjustment is gone further by rephrasing his Equally important will be to make reasonable will depend on request for the non-disabled their employees aware of and to whether it would overcome the passenger as a requirement and provide proper training on the substantial disadvantage, the policies. extent to which it is practical to Employers equally have take the steps, the financial and obligations to their own staff to other costs including the size ensure that disabled workers and resources of the employer are not placed at a substantial and the availability of external disadvantage by any provision, funding. criterion or practice, any physical The duty for employers to feature of the employer’s make reasonable adjustments premises or a failure to provide is primarily concerned with an auxiliary aid. If such a ensuring disabled workers can disadvantage arises then the return or remain in work and play employer is required to make a full role in the world of work. reasonable adjustments to avoid If you have any questions the disadvantage. regarding reasonable What is reasonable will depend adjustments please do not on the circumstances of the case hesitate to contact Louise Piper. but the Equality and Human Please contact Louise Piper Rights Commission Statutory on 01480 456191 or Code identifies a number of e-mail [email protected]

18 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 19 20 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 21 22 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Family Law The law on cohabitation needs to change By family lawyer Abby Smith of Woolley & Co, Solicitors www.family-lawfirm.co.uk As a family lawyer I am often in the unfortunate position of having to tell people who’ve lived together for many years that they do not have the same legal rights or protection as their married counter parts. Although I continue to hear it, there is no such thing as ‘common law husband and wife’. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been together or what you had hoped would be the case, you don’t get rights over someone else’s property if you are not married to them unless you can prove there was a shared intention that the property should be jointly owned and you have acted to your financial detriment (i.e. invested financially in the property). The case of Curran v Collins [2015] further highlighted the need for law reform and the fact that couples are not protected unless their interests and their intentions are expressly confirmed beforehand. In this case the couple to unmarried couples who were in a relationship for over 30 years but were chose to live together is to unmarried. During the time they were together make sure you understand they lived in various residential properties your financial commitments registered in Mr Collins’ sole name. Prior to living to each other and ideally together they had set up a business which they get some kind of agreement then continued to run together. At one point in writing, dealing with the way you own your Ms Curran had declined to be a joint owner of a home, your joint roles in a business and what property only on the basis that it would have been should happen if you do unfortunately separate. too expensive to pay additional life insurance. You could instruct a family lawyer to draw up a At another stage Mr Collins made a Will leaving living together agreement to set out clearly who his estate to his partner. However, when they would get what if the relationship breaks down. separated Mr Collins denied his partner access Don’t leave things to chance, or in the hands of to their home and the business. Ms Curran made the courts to decide, certainly if the current law is an application to the court for her interest in the not amended, which it does not seem will happen properties and the business but the Court found anytime soon. that she hadn’t really worked in the business and For advice on any family law issues contact Abby had not made a direct or indirect contribution to Smith for a FREE initial telephone consultation. the properties, financial or otherwise. The Judge Call 01480 270499 or email abby.smith@family- also felt the relationship did not in itself confirm lawfirm.co.uk. that there was an agreement, arrangement or understanding that the property should be owned Call now: jointly. Ms Curran lost her case and although she tried to appeal, her case was dismissed. Abby Smith Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a 01480 270499 or 07948 533610 significant appetite by the present Government [email protected] to address this issue. So the only advice I can give To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 23 www.best-buys.co.uk www.best-buys.co.uk www.best-buys.co.uk www.best-buys.co.uk Enhance Your Lifestyle with a Hot Tub from Bestbuys

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24 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts www.best-buys.co.uk www.best-buys.co.uk www.best-buys.co.uk www.best-buys.co.uk Enhance Your Lifestyle with a Hot Tub from Bestbuys

We have a wide selection of garden and patio furniture to help you make the most of your garden this summer including Patio Dining Sets, Corner Sets, Sofa Sets, Sun Loungers, Parasols, Gazebos and much more...

Locally, we stock one of the largest ranges of barbecues, from small charcoal disposables up to large 6 burner stainless steel gas barbecues. So whether you like the Hot Tubs from £4,295 authenticity of cooking using charcoal or Over 600 Hot Tubs sold and installed prefer the convenience of gas, we have the locally by our Award Winning Engineers perfect barbecue and fuel to get you grilling Hot Tubs available from stock this summer. Over 14 year’s experience servicing our Last year our pizza oven demonstration days customers’ Hot Tubs proved very popular and we will once again Expert after sales service Rio 218 Venus be firing up our Italian wood fired pizza ovens Advice on your Hot Tub and Chemicals to show how quick and easy it is to make your own perfect stonebaked pizza. Finance Available on all Hot Tubs

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Timber Posts 100 x 100 01487 830881 (10ft) 3.0 x 100 x 100mm £11.59 All other (9ft) 2.7 x 100 x 100mm £11.34 Overlap Panels sizes can (8ft) 2.4 x 100 x 100mm £9.27 be found 6 x 6 £19.59 on our Timber Posts 75 x 75 6 x 5 £18.53 website (10ft) 3.0 x 75 x 75mm £6.48 6 x 4 £17.02 (9ft) 2.7 x 75 x 75mm £6.22 6 x 3 £15.05 (8ft) 2.4 x 75 x 75mm £5.21 Closeboard Panels Concrete Slotted Posts 6 x 6 £27.60 (9ft) 2.7 x 100 x 100mm £14.73 6 x 5 £26.09 Gate Fittings Pack (8ft) 2.4 x 100 x 100mm £12.45 6 x 4 £23.52 Hinges, Latch, Bolt £16.30 6 x 3 £20.80 Concrete Gravel Boards Gravel Board 1.8m x 300mm £12.29 Featheredge Boards 3.0m x 150 x 22mm £3.81 1.8m x 150mm £7.57 1650 x 125mm £0.92 1650 x 100mm £0.79 Motorway Rail Building Materials 1800 x 125mm £1.01 3.6m x 87 x 38mm £4.59 Ballast £2.25 Cement £5.59 Wall Plate Arris Rail Postcrete £4.55 1.8m x 100 x 50mm £3.56 3.0m x 2ex 75 x 75 £3.78 Rock Salt £8.00 Closeboard Gates Cant Rail Trellis 6ft x 3ft £50.40 3.0m x 2ex 125 x 50 £3.61 1ft x 6ft £7.19 2ft x 6ft £9.00 FULL INSTALLATION SERVICE AVAILABLE

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26Bradgate 1/2 page 2/17.indd 1 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding13/01/2017 to adverts 15:14 Garden Flower

By Pippa GreenwoodPower www.pippagreenwood.com

You can inexpensively and easily grow a huge range holes using a dibber (or a pencil if you don’t have of flowers from seed at home. Just about every one). RootTrainers are ideal for larger seeds such as perennial flower is available to grow from seed, sunflowers. Don’t sow too densely or the seedlings and once they have reached flowering size they’ll will need more thinning out and will be more likely just keep on performing! There are lots to choose to become drawn, leggy and weak. Once in place, from, including lupins, silene, Echinaceae, geranium, just cover the seed with compost. perennial poppies, delphiniums, gaillardia, If you are sowing larger seed into cells, just pop hollyhocks, rudbeckia and salvia. Pay a visit to your the seeds in to the prepared holes and cover to the local garden centre or use a seed catalogue and start required depth. planning; you could save a fortune, and all from a Next, use a watering can with the rose attached and packet or two of seed. water thoroughly. If the seed sown was quite small, To start, you need containers to sow the seed into it is best to stand the tray in a shallow tray or bowl of – I like to use half-sized seed trays, RootTrainers or water, so the compost absorbs water from below – smaller individual cells – and some good quality this way the seeds are less likely to be displaced. compost and your chosen seeds. It helps if you Finally, label your seed trays clearly, ideally with have something to tamp down the compost too, a permanent marker. Many perennials need heat plus labels, a permanent marker, a dibber and some for the seed to germinate reliably. Put the trays, vermiculite (for covering seeds that need some light pots or cells into a propagator, standing each on to germinate well). moist capillary matting. Once the seedlings appear, Sieve compost through a compost sieve to remove gradually lower the temperature and then prick the larger lumps, leaving fine compost perfect for each one out into its own pot. Keep them fed and seed sowing. If you sieve it straight into the pots, watered as they grow and in just a few weeks or cells or trays, make sure you collect up any that falls months you will have some great plants ready for on the surface below. the garden. Once the compost is in the tray or pot, firm it down Visit Pippa’s website so that there are no large gaps beneath the surface, www.pippagreenwood.com and level it off to make it easier to sow the seeds to buy gorgeous UK grown vegetable plants evenly and at the same depth. You can make your accompanied by weekly advice emails from Pippa, own tamper using a piece of wood with a small or to peruse the really useful selection of Pippa’s block of wood nailed to it to make a ‘handle’. favourite gardening items including SpeedHoes, It is easier to look after seedlings if the seed has SpeedWeeders, raised bed kits, Nemaslug and other been sown in straight rows; make the rows using nematode controls for leather jackets, vine weevils a plastic plant label. Check the packets for the and other pests, pull-out EasyTunnels, signed books correct depths for the seeds, and if you are sowing and lots more besides. seeds in small cells then it is easier to make the To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 27 Tree Surgery • Landscaping • Fencing

Whether a full bespoke service or a garden re-vamp our speciality is in easily maintained and unique gardens Fencing which provides privacy, shade and security Free quotations • Full liability insurance

Tel: 07909 915978 • 01767 677953 [email protected] www.treeandlandscapes.com

28 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Local News The Railworld Wildlife Haven A self funded volunteer project to Encourage Environmental Awareness – With Model Trains! Our environmental project in Peterborough is testament to what can be achieved when volunteers, companies, groups and individuals work together for a common goal – Encouraging Environmental Awareness. Rev Richard Paten our founder chair and life long volunteer - brought the land over 30 years ago and we raised funds to create what we have today.... We have never had any core funding, but we have won six major UK Environmental Awards and one worldwide award from Caterpillar. We are located alongside Peterborough Nene Valley Station – There is ample car parking and we are easily accessible, 15 minutes walk from Peterborough’s main railway station. Over the years we have collected, restored and reused relics from the Victorian age! - When the Great Northern Railway ventured south from Peterborough in the late 1840’s they met with a stream running down the centre of a hill near Abbotts Ripton! The GNR went through the hill and built an aqueduct to carry the creek over the railway to London Kings Cross. This complete aqueduct was removed before electrification and donated by British Rail! Volunteer Brian Pearce, a life long friend of Richard Paten suggested to Rev Paten back in the early 1990’s – Perkins Engines have just built a ‘Wildlife Haven’, why not use the three donated aqueducts sections and build a similar haven/habitat area with hills and hollows and make the aqueducts into bridges, I am sure people and companies will help – I had worked at Perkins Engines all my life and the Editor of the company magazine the ‘Perkins Echo’ had offered to do a story about our ambitious plans! The stories in the Echo continued for 15 years, creating great interest and companies with Perkins Powered equipment and others came forward to help. So we started our Wildlife Haven - Using the 3 sections of Historic Aqueducts to provide bridges over a ‘hills and hollows’ landscaped area, with ponds and waterfalls creating an intriguing exciting place for our children to explore and learn about our Natural World …. We are always looking for volunteers to help – We have our habitat area, plus over 2,000 sqft of model railways to support the ‘Railworld ‘aspect ... Also it attracts our families and children! All the funds we raise are put back to improve and develop our project here in Peterborough. From Earith in Cambridgeshire we have the one and only experimental Hovertrain - RTV 31 - this Research Test Vehicle reached 107 MPH before being scrapped in 1973, we have that on a plinth! Bring a picnic; spend time in a delightful area overlooking the Nene, enjoy your day, in-between a nostalgic trip on the Nene Valley Railway? 2 Adults + 3 children - £10.00 Adults - £4 Something indeed for Concessions - £3 all the family. Children under 16 - £2 For directions, opening days see website: www.railworld.org.uk

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 29 Pets

Animal Stories Urgent appeal…

We would like you to meet two gorgeous little kittens ¬– ¬Timon and Pumbaa ¬– who have recently come into the care of the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch. Pumbaa is a typically boisterous and healthy kitten, but his poor little brother has some serious health problems. Timon was born with under developed eyes and although he has some vision, it is very limited. Our keep an eye on our website for updates of their Vet has advised that one of his eyes will have to be progress. removed. Although, this sounds horrible, it is the Although, in this article we’re appealing specifically best way of ensuring that Timon can develop into a to help Timon – there are always animals in our happy, and healthy cat. care needing help. We are a small local charity that PLEASE CAN YOU HELP US, HELP TIMON... by is entirely responsible for raising its own funds and sponsoring his veterinary treatment and aftercare? supporting itself. We are currently experiencing Please donate whatever you can by any of the a crisis as the number of animals abandoned has following ways: increased by 65% over the last 5 years. It costs us • bank transfer using the following details: Sort 60- every day, £5 to look after one healthy cat and £8 for 02-13. Acc 51842483, quoting ‘TIMON CARE’ as a one healthy dog. This means that every month we reference. need to find at least £1,300 to house all the animals • dropping your donation in at our Thurlow Street in our care and £2,000 for vet bills. shop in Bedford. Animals like Timon cost us a huge amount more – so • posting your donation to our shop. The address really stretch our (already stretched) finances to the is: 6 Thurlow Street, Bedford, MK40 1LR Tel: 01234 limit. 930304 The number of animals being abandoned in • emailing: [email protected] Bedfordshire is, unfortunately, still on the increase. Please let us know if you have donated, so we can You can help by donating money, unwanted goods thank you and keep you up to date with Timon’s to our shop so we can sell it and raise funds, or by progress (but only if you would like to be updated). volunteering. Please consider if you could help Once Timon has been successfully treated and Timon, or any other animal in our care…thank you! has made a full recovery, he and his brother will be looking for their forever home – together. They ANIMAL STORIES is one of a series of articles brought to will need an inside home together, or one with a you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch completely secure garden/enclosure. If you think www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk you can offer these two lovely brothers that home, 30 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Reasons to Foster

Many children are unable to live with their families and need a safe warm home with supportive, committed foster carers. Could you support a child through a diffi cult time in their lives and help them to fulfi l their potential? We provide professional training and excellent support to our foster carers.

Interested in fi nding out more about your potential to become a foster carer? You could be part of our warm welcoming team who are committed to making a difference. www.alliancefostercare.co.uk Freephone: 0808 1680 180

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I have a life time of experience with animals, personally and professionally, I am a qualified dog groomer and veterinary assistant. Pets are my passion. Take time out knowing that your pets are being loved and cared for. I do everything from dog walking, day care and sleepovers to pet visits, grooming and mucking out and more. All small animals, field animals, birds and exotics will be lovingly cared for by me, either in my family home or visited at their home. Visit my website for more information www.funlovingpetcarer.com Please contact me with any questions or to make a booking.

Tamsin, Woodwalton, PE28 5ZH 07729 680714 www.funlovingpetcarer.com

To advertisePet Carer half in page.indd The Villager 1 and Town Life please call 01767 261122 14/03/2017 16:2131 Motoring

New Audi Q5 By James Baggott Replacing ultra-successful cars Space and practicality A 2.0-litre TFSI petrol option is never easy for a manufacturer, The new Q5 is bigger and wider with 250bhp is also available. It’s but that’s the challenge Audi has than its predecessor – but still capable of returning 40.9mpg and faced with the Q5, the brand’s 90kg lighter. Inside there’s more emits 157g/km. A feisty 3.0-litre best-selling SUV. Built at the headroom and rear knee-room, V6 TDi completes the line-up, manufacturer’s most advanced while boot space is up 10 litres. producing 284bhp and a stonking ‘smart factory’ in Mexico, the Two adults will sit comfortably in 620Nm of torque. refreshed off-roader is packed the back, but a large transmission Behind the wheel with clever technology, features tunnel seriously eats into rear The new Q5 is quite simply revised engines and a fresh look legroom in the middle seat. brilliant to drive. We tested the that the maker hopes will continue Safety systems are plentiful and car on a variety of terrain, from to win over buyers. But has it done buyers can opt for active lane motorways to cities and beaches enough? assist, pre-sense assistance which to dirt tracks; it took them all in Looks and image helps detect if a crash is imminent its stride. On the road it’s quiet, The new Q5 may be a little less and can apply the brakes for you, refined and accomplished, while flashy than its Jaguar F-Pace rival, and cross-traffic assistance at the in the grit it was surefooted and but that smart new octagonal rear that will help when pulling secure. nose, dramatic headlights and out of parking spaces. In slow The revised 2.0-litre diesel engine sharp body creases give it fantastic moving traffic it’s even partly is punchy and works brilliantly presence on the road. That’s autonomous, slowing down and when combined with the 7-speed helped by a wonderfully squat speeding up in jams while keeping S-tronic gearbox - overall it’s by stance and perfect proportions. you in your lane. far and away the best choice of Inside the quality is clear. Solid, What’s under the bonnet? transmission. good quality materials are There are three engine options Verdict everywhere and the leather seats to pick from – but the best seller, Audi has moved the game on are comfortable and perfectly and our pick of the bunch, is with its new Q5 but not ruined adjustable. There is plenty of space the 187bhp, 400Nm, 2.0-litre a recipe that has won it so many around the driver and logically TDI, which will account for 60 admirers. Stylish, comfortable and placed controls for the multimedia per cent of sales in the UK. This great to drive, it’s now packed system. comes as standard with a clever with even more clever technology There’s also a three-zone climate new Quattro Ultra all-wheel drive and features. With best in class control system, an optional Bang system that can switch seamlessly performance and economy, and & Olufsen sound system, and the between two and four-wheel some highly tempting optional optional virtual cockpit, which drive automatically. Fuel economy extras, we’d be very surprised if replaces the dials with a 12.3-inch is 56.5mpg with emissions of any of its rivals managed to usurp high resolution display. 132g/km, and it hits 60mph in it at the top of the sales charts any 7.7 seconds and goes on to a top time soon. speed of 135mph.

32 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts ‘Consider This’ 10 GREAT REASONS TO CHOOSE T.C.Harrison Ford in Huntingdon

1. A trusted family run and owned business 2. 80 years as a Ford main dealer 3. Premier Motability Partner for vehicle supply and servicing 4. A One Stop Shop – Sales, Service and Parts 5. Browse at your leisure online or in our purpose built dealership 6. Full main dealer finance facilities 7. Over 500 Used cars in Group Stock 8. Nationwide delivery available 9. A comprehensive warranty you can trust 10. 75 point safety check on all used cars

For more information visit www.tch.co.uk or quote TCHH17 when visiting the dealership

01480 270677 Stukeley Meadows, Huntingdon, PE29 6EG www.tch.co.uk

Consider this SERVICE Let T.C.Harrison breathe new life • 30-point visual health check • We’ll check and adjust into your Ford this spring. FOR JUST your tyres’ pressures £ * • Free wash and vac 149

MOT

• Make sure your car meets the mandatory road safety and environmental standards • Reduced price of RRP £30 when booked with a FOR JUST Ford Motorcraft service £ * (RRP £35 without a service) 30

For more information please visit www.tch.co.uk or quote TCHH17 when visiting the dealership 01480 270677 Stukeley Meadows, Huntingdon, PE29 6EG www.tch.co.uk *Ford Motorcraft servicing, MOT, tyres and repairs are available at participating T.C.Harrison dealers for Ford passenger cars and commercial vehicles aged 4 years or older (from date of registration) with up to and including 2.5L engines and are applicable to retail customers only. All published prices are recommended retail prices and include parts, labour and VAT. RS models and LPG derivatives are excluded. Reduced price MOT test only valid when booking a Ford Motorcraft Minor or Major Service. For full breakdown of service plans please visit www.ford.co.uk/Ownerservices/Motorcraft/Servicing or contact your local T.C.Harrison branch. This offer supersedes any other offer and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative offered. Offers valid until 30th April 2017.

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 33 Showroom Open 6 days a week furniture, china, glass, silver & paintings

1 Hampshire Buildings, School Lane, Colmworth MK44 2JZ www.williamsantiques.co.uk 01234 378866

34 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts ROOFLINE

FASCIAS, SOFFITS AND GUTTERING PROFESSIONAL, RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE FROM AS LITTLE AS £25 PER METRE FITTED

Tim For more information ring Tim on 01480 216677 info@eastanglianroofl ine.co.uk www.eastanglian-group.com

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 35

EARL advert 4-16.indd 1 14/04/2016 19:13 Codeword 1 2

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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.

36 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts FLOORED By Ian • Wood Burning Stoves • Multi Fuel Stoves • Chimney Lining • Twin Wall Flue Systems • Installation and Supply • Fireplace Renovations • Stove Accessories • Trade sales welcome

SHOWROOM NOW OPEN Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday – 10am – 5pm Your local supplier of fitted floors in carpet, Other Days/Out of hours by prior arrangement vinyl, laminate or Karndean

Free visits to estimate or advise. Unit 2 Home Farm Court, The Street, Diddington, Best prices and quality with a friendly service. St Neots, PE19 5XT [email protected] 01480 812281 | 07786 854946 Enquiries to 01480 475486 or (Mobile) 07876 238308 www.cromwellstoves.co.uk

Cromwell stoves 1/4 page.indd 1 30/07/2015 17:31

we’ve got your home improvements covered PLUMBING & HEATING BUILDING SERVICES fit a new boiler bathroom & kitchen installation upgrade your heating system new build annual service for your boiler home renovation call: 01954 782920 or visit: www.ijcbuildingservices.co.uk

IJC is a family run Cambridgeshire business with over 30 years’ experience. We offer a comprehensive range of domestic and small commercial works across all forms of building, plumbing, heating and renewable services.

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To IJCadvertise 152x102 color in Thead.indd Villager 1 and Town Life please call 01767 261122 12/09/2016 11:1737 Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to [email protected] What’s OnIn April 1 April them all. Wander through the Gardens to see if you 3, 10 & 24 April Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm can sniff out the carrots to spell the secret word and Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Free Church Hall, St Ives Free admission collect your delicious Cadbury chocolate treat. Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola. Mondays from September to May. 1 April-30 September Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 1 April British Red Cross Open Gardens Email: [email protected] Hardwick Spring Craft Fair 1.30-5pm by appointment only 10am-12 noon Free entry Hardwick Community 23a Perry Road, Buckden 4, 11, 18 & 25 April Primary School, Limes Rd, Hardwick Adults £4, Children under 12 free Roxton Bridge Circle Raising funds for Hardwick Scout, Guide and This extraordinary plantsman’s garden ncludes a 7.15-10pm Roxton Parish Hall Community Building. Japanese garden and follies, linked by gravel paths. Small friendly group playing Bridge every Tuesday There are gardens inside gardens, with acers, pines evening. Tel: Phyllis 01480 374327 1 April and grasses, along with rare and unusual shrubs. Email: [email protected] Table Top Sale 10am-2pm Groups of up to 20 are welcome. Parking available United Reformed Church, High Street, St Neots at rear. By kind permission of David and Valerie 5 April To book a table contact Paul Botha. Bunnage. Tel: 01480 810553 Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club Tel: 07754 478918 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Coffee Morning & Raffle 10am-12 noon Godmanchester Town Hall 1 April 3-7 April Monthly coffee morning and raffle. Annual Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Easter Holiday Fun Daily 10amn-2pm membership fee is £10. Hardy Plant Society Paxton Pits Environmental Education Centre, Tel: Geoff 01480 434697 or 07515 881209 2pm Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, High Street, Little Paxton £3.30 per child Biggleswade Wildlife Trust Pollinators Party: celebrating brilliant 5 April-13 May Nursery owner Kevin Hughes talks about ‘The Early bees, hoverflies and other pollinating insects. Drop Icknield Potters Exhibition Spring Flora of Andalucia’. Plants for sale. in family fun to discover more about pollinators Tues-Sat 11am-4pm Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk in the natural world. Park at the main car park at St Neots Museum, New Street, St Neots Paxton Pits Nature Reserve and walk down to the A group of regional potters exhibit their work for 1 April Environmental Education Centre. the first time at St Neots Museum. From vases St Neots Choral Society Concert Tel: Debbie McKenzie 01480 473161 and bowls to hand built sculptures don’t miss this 7.30pm The Priory Centre, St Neots Email: [email protected] exhibition. Tel: 01480 214163 Tickets £10, Concessions £8, Accompanied school Web: www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk age children free. Dvorak Stabat Mater. Tickets 3, 5, 10, 12, 19, 24 & 26 April available in advance or on the door. St Neots Badminton Club 6 April Tel: 01480 392322 Web: www.stneotschoral.org.uk 8-10pm One Leisure, St Neots Local History Society Play badminton to a good standard and interested in 7.30pm 1 April joining a club? St Neots badminton club play at One Methodist Church, High Street, Huntingdon New Cambridge Singers Renaissance Reimagined Leisure Mondays and Wednesdays. ‘The Anglo Saxons in Huntingdonshire’ by Dr 8pm Trinity College Chapel, Cambridge, CB2 1TQ Email: [email protected] Stephen Upex. Dr Upex is probably best known for Pre-concert talk with Giles Swayne at 7pm. The Web: www.stneotsbadminton.org his expertise on the Romans in the Nene Valley, but New Cambridge Singers (NCS) chamber choir his expertise is much wider. He will examine the “Renaissance Reimagined” Spring programme with 3, 10 & 24 April effects on Huntingdonshire of those who supplanted a performance of Giles Swayne’s Everybloom. Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club the Romans. Non-members very welcome, Tel: 01223 357851 Email: 1.30pm Afternoon Bingo although there is no formal charge a donation of £3 audiencechoruscambridge@newcambridgesingers. 6.30pm Whist Drive is appreciated. org.uk for audience rehearsals Godmanchester Town Hall Web: www.huntslhs.org.uk Web: www.newcambridgesingers.org.uk £1 for Whist drive inc. tea & biscuits or www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk If you are feeling lonely and over 55 years of age, 6 & 7 April then you will find a warm welcome waiting for Curly Wurly Pots 1-17 April you in the Senior Citizens Club. The club has a 11am-4pm Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt lively atmosphere and a wide range of activities. St Neots Museum, New Street, St Neots 10.30am-4.15pm Wimpole Estate Friday afternoons is an opportunity to play Whist. £3.50 per child Normal admission charges apply plus £2.50 per trail Members also meet on a Saturday morning for Take inspiration from our temporary exhibition by booklet. Someone keeps leaving the gates open games, chat, tea and biscuits for 50p.. the Icknield Potters and make your own coil pot to at Wimpole and the bunnies are getting into the Tel: Geoff 01480 434697 or 07515 881209 for further take home. garden – they’re eating the gardeners’ prize carrots! information Tel: 01480 214163 We’ve hidden the carrots to stop the bunnies eating Web: www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk 3838 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 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 April 6 & 20 April 11 April 21-23 April Grafham Water Volunteer Group St Ives Sugarcraft Guild 7.30-9pm Comberton Twinning Association Annual Visit 9.30am-3pm Reading Room, Hemingford Grey The Association arranges annual visits to and from Newly established group giving nature a helping Visitors £6 their twin village in France - Le Vaudreuil, near hand and the public a safe environment. The Monthly meetings where you can learn, hands-on, Rouen, as well as social events locally. The next visit Rangers really need our help to create areas for various cake decorating techniques and/or sugar is on 21 to 23 April with subsidised travel by coach wildlife in the woodlands and an aesthetical craft. The group meets on the second Tuesday of the and Eurotunnel. You stay with local host families, environment, for yourselves and visitors, in and month. Tel: Shirley 01480 454616 and experience the French way of life. Book soon to around the centres. get a place. Annual subscription of CTA is only £10, Email: Dominic [email protected] 12 & 13 April under 16s free. Tel: Paul Hardy 01223 263232 Web: www.anglianwater.co.uk/leisure/water-parks/ Dinosaur Eggs 11am-4pm Email: [email protected] grafham St Neots Museum, New Street, St Neots Web: www.CombertonTwinning.org.uk £3.50 per child 7 April Drop in and make your very own decorated fantasy 22 April Kids Tree Climbing 10am-3pm Dinosaur Egg! Tel: 01480 214163 Basic Blacksmith Course Ferry Meadows Country Park £2 Web: www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk 10am-4pm Wimpole Estate Children can come and have a go at tree climbing in £120 per person inc. tea, coffee & light lunch a rope and harness. Instruction given by Rangers. 16 April The course content includes how to manage the Booking essential. Tel: Nene Park Trust 01733 Easter Egg Hunt charcoal fire; the correct use of Blacksmith tools 234193 for more information/booking 11am-3pm Milk Fields, New Street, St Neots especially the hammer and anvil; make a ram’s head Email: [email protected] Free entry for attendees, car booters & craft stalls hanging hook; make a traditional rose head nail for Web: www.neneparktrust.org.uk St Neots Community Car Boot Fayre presents a Free fixing the hook. Tel: 0344 249 1895 Easter Egg Hunt with fun activities for all to enjoy. Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole 7-26 April Egg Hunt starts at midday. Refreshments available. Easter Trail 10am-2pm Children must be accompanied by an adult for the 22 April Ferry Meadows Country Park 50p per sheet egg hunt. Limited free parking on site. Vintage & Homemade Gift Fair 11am-4pm Collect a trail sheet on the theme of rabbits from the Tempsford Village Hall, Church Street, Tempsford Visitor Centre and then hunt for clues as you walk 18 April-7 May Tea and cake. Stallholders wanted – 6ft inside around Ferry Meadows. Return to the Visitor Centre Lambing Time 10.30am-5pm Wimpole Farm tables and 9ft x 9ft outside £10. Call or email for to claim your prize. Normal admission charges apply details and booking form. Fundraising event for Life Tel: Nene Park Trust 01733 234193 Head to Home Farm to meet our ewes and lambs Amid Debt; a small local debt advice charity based in Email: [email protected] and if you’re lucky you may see a live birth. Ramsey and St Neots. Tel: 07717 471974 Email: [email protected] 9 April 19 April Cambridge Gliding Centre Open Day Love’s Farm Women’s Institute 22 April 10am-4pm Gransden Lodge Airfield 8.30-10.30pm Weston Music Society Concert 7.30pm Free admission A new WI group, meeting on the third Wednesday of Clare College, Cambridge Tickets £15 Trial flights with our qualified instructors available the month. Tel: Phyllis Brooks 01480 380240 An octet of the choral alumni from the choir of Clare on a first-come, first-fly basis, at discounted rates. Email: [email protected] for more details College, Cambridge. Tel: 01462 790573 Free talks about gliding and the airfield’s wartime Email: [email protected] history. Airfield entrance is on the B1046 between 21 April Web: www.westonmusicsociety.org.uk and Longstowe, opposite Gransden Food & Film: The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Lodge Farm (enter SG19 3EB into your satnav). Touring Years 29 April Tel: 01767 677077 Web: www.camgliding.uk Food 6.15 for 6.30pm, Film only 7 for 7.30pm Annual Plant Sale 10am-12 noon Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Keysoe Village Hall Free admission 9 April Food & Film £12, Film only £4, Overs 60s £3 In addition to plants there will be books, bric-a-brac, Craft & Gift Fair Kimbolton Community Cinema. Menu is Moroccan cakes, a raffle, and teas and coffee. All donations Comrades Club, Godmanchester Vegetable Tagine with Pomegranate Couscous and gratefully received. Tel: 01234 378878 Free admission - donation to Save the Children Cucumber Salad, Poached Pear with Vanilla Ice appreciated Cream. Bar. Free popcorn. Tickets available from 29 April Browse a wide selection of unique handmade crafts Olivers, The Swan Pharmacy, Bytes Café, and on the Village Market 10am-1pm and gifts not found in the High Street. door if available. Offord Village Hall Admission £1 Tel: 01536 675000 for stallholder enquiries Tel: 01480 860297 Lots of stalls to shop for bargains. Refreshments Email: [email protected] Web: http://e-voice.org.uk/ available. themandevillehallkimbolton/community-cinema

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To advertiseLCA half page.indd in The Villager1 and Town Life please call 01767 261122 15/03/2017 16:0341 The Villager Prize Crossword Prize £25

Across 7 Type of hat (6) 8 Assault (6) 9 Not pretty (4) 10 Exciting (8) 11 Style of writing (7) 13 Cold (5) 15 Freshwater fish (5) 17 Loosening (7) 20 Fruit trees are grown here (8) 21 Legend (4) 22 Mixes together (6) 23 Writer (6)

Down  1 Zero (6) 2 Remain (4) 3 Foretell (7) 4 Boring (5) Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, 5 Evenly (8) 6 Economise (6) cut out this page and send to the address below before 12 Chuckling (8) 14 Uncommon (7) 16th April 2017 16 Seldom (6) 18 Idea (6) Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 19 Squash (5) 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP 21 Dumb (4)

Name:

Tel:

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Eddie Tomkins full page.indd 1 15/03/2017 13:01