VILLAGER Issue 85 - December 2015 and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

The VILLAGER Issue 85 - December 2015 and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

Inside this issue Christmas Safety Tips Win Tickets to the Adventure Travel Show 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 Growing Fruit Trees...... 32 Food Banks...... 35 Christmas Safety Tips...... 38 Animal Know-How...... 40 Jaguar F-Pace...... 43 Beer at Home...... 44 Fun Quiz...... 46 Puzzle Page...... 48 Evolution of the Farm Shop 4 Wordsearch...... 50 Prize Crossword...... 54 The Evolution of the Village Farm Shop...... 4 What’s On...... 58 How to be a Careful Consumer Online this Christmas...... 8 Book Review...... 61 Kyoto - Japan...... 10 The Perfect Christmas Table...... 13 The Great Christmas Eve Countdown...... 14 Christmas Eve Countdown 14 Win Tickets to The Travel Adventure Show...... 16 Changing for the Future - Rotary Club of Baldock...... 20 Dealing with Christmas Stress...... 22 Top Tips for Fundraisers and Charities...... 27 Accident? You Mean Collision...... 28 Employment Matters...... 31

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 - Lauren Chapman, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Publishers Solange Hando, Susan Brookes-Morris, Toni Hasler, Sarah Davey, Villager Publications Ltd Carol H Scott, Pippa Greenwood, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, RSPCA, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Beds Fire and Rescue Service, James Baggott, Ted Bruning, Tel: 01767 261122 and Bruce Edwards [email protected] Advertising Sales/Local Editorial www.villagermag.com Nigel Frost - 01767 261122 [email protected] Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, Photography however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the Lukas Gojda and Darren Harbar Photography content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any Design and Artwork statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher. To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 History By Lauren Chapman

The evolution of the Village Farm Shop Bedfordshire’s Premier Kitchen A well-loved tradition of most villages in contains an array of products, often straying Britain, the farm shop provides an easy, away from that which is solely produced on & Bedroom Showroom Since 1974 reliable way of getting fresh fruit, vegetables the farm. However, far from a problem this and eggs straight from their farm origin. Many evolution looks to be very positive for both We would like to welcome you to our new showroom at: of us are already very familiar with, and fond customer and farmer, as many farm shops now of, the age old tradition of the farm shop; the offer a range of premium goods and services; almost whimsical idea of a small area set apart from products such as fish, bread and organic The Old White Horse, 1 High Street, from the farm itself selling off an array of fresh label items to novelties such as cooking produce to anyone who happens by; straight lessons, crafts and even cafes, it has produced Biggleswade SG18 0JE from the field no middle man or supermarket an attractive range of items for the customer trip necessary. And why wouldn’t we be? As and a new income for the farmer. The village well as guaranteed freshness, a trip to the farm shop now offers more, choice, range, Tel: 01767 314344 farm shop also entails a sense of education value and even leisure activities than it ever Email: [email protected] into the origin of our food and what it’s really did before. Web: lolineinteriors.co.uk like before it’s been polished to supermarket With the constant increase in the number of standards. Passed down throughout the years, supermarkets and corner shops around as well it is a tradition that has so far lasted the test of the ongoing price war to see who can offer time. the best value for money, the broadening of Although it seems that even this tradition products and conveniences a farm shop will has adapted to the new ways of the modern offer may come as no big surprise. Whereas world. What would before have been a quaint a large supermarket can offer the customer little shop full of vegetables and fruit now branded or value products in great quantities 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

Tel: 01767 314344 Email: [email protected] Web: lolineinteriors.co.uk

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 5 the farm shop in comparison can only offer small amounts of stock priced in a way that’s fair to the farmer’s income but not necessarily as cheap. This left the farmers with a decision, either keep things the way there were and risk losing out to competition or change and expand the idea of the farm shop. Instead of being swamped by this increase of competition the number of farm shops in the UK is steadily growing as farmers look to increase and vary their sources of income in times of financial unrest. Farm shops are also financially beneficial to the farmers as, by selling straight to the customer, the farmer gets to keep more of the money made, as there’s no middle man to inject new costs. This is why more and more Farm shops are moving away from the traditional and starting to stock higher-margin premium goods such as locally sourced organic food, which the larger supermarkets tend not to. Some modern farm shops have moved even further forward by appealing to not just those interested in purchasing food but an experience as well, leaving money in a box or container, however with shops all over the country offering even the way we pay has evolved, with novelties such as cooking lessons and tea modern farm shops now accepting card and rooms. are often staffed by multiple people, a far cry Over recent years there’s also been a growth from the unmanned shelter at the side of the in the number of people who’ve become road. With all the modern additions, products conscious of what they’re eating, many are and payment methods the farm shop has becoming more aware of where their food is almost evolved to become a business in itself. sourced from and look out for organic local Scald End Farm in North Bedfordshire is a foods as there is a guarantee on it’s origin. This perfect example of how our farm shops have is where modern farm shops also come in, by evolved, the shop, having first opened seventy buying from a farm shop the customer can be years ago as a small stall at the side of the pretty sure of where produce is really from, road now provides a tea room, meat from the but not just with their meat, vegetables and butchery and freshly baked bread, a step up fruit but other less traditional products such as from just the fruit and veg of a few years ago. honey, cheese and even desserts. Originally a means for famers to efficiently get Those who grew up in or near a village with rid of excess produce or to make some extra a farm shop will more income the farm shop is now a staple of the than likely have village community enabling their customers to fond memories buy food with the knowledge of where it has of picking up the come from as well as the profits going straight item you wanted back to those who have grown it, with no and simply middle man or extra costs along the way. By adapting to the modern world the village farm shop is able to carry on as a viable source of income for the farmer and a beloved tradition for local communities to cherish for many years to come. 6 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts New Year’s Party at The Chequers Stotfold Tickets £15

The party starts at 7pm

Carvery Buffet Live Music by Van Gogh’s Ear, from 9pm Celebrations and Fireworks at midnight

Special Christmas Menu £29.95 Available from 1st December until 24th December. Booking required.

The Chequers, 33 Queen Street, Stotfold SG5 4NX, Tel. 01462 735 465

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 7 Three Counties Radio By Jonathan Vernon-Smith How To Be A Careful Consumer Online This Christmas The internet has been with us since the mid 90s. Whilst it has of course brought some fantastic benefits to our lives, it has also created some absolute headaches as well. The fact the entire world is accessible in our homes is a wonderful thing, but it is worth noting that there are lots of internet companies out there, particularly those in other countries that can provide a less than desirable service. So how can you protect yourself against these companies, particularly when making purchases for Christmas? The most important thing you can do, is to of course avoid buying items from dodgy internet companies in the first place. It sounds simple, but you’d be amazed how many people still find some weird company online that nobody’s ever heard of and hand over hundreds of pounds. They are then amazed when they find themselves out of pocket without the goods they’ve ordered. Therefore, always make sure you research the internet company you are planning to buy from. Find out where they’re based, look for a UK telephone number, check reviews and complaints about them so you know exactly who you’re dealing with. Ensure that their delivery timeframe will ensure your gifts will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas. Make sure you’re paying a sensible price. If a company is selling an item at a ridiculously low price compared to all other companies, there’s usually a reason why. Often the items are fake. Over the years I’d dealt with my fair share of customers who thought they were getting a great deal with ‘Ugg boots’ or ‘GHD hair straighteners’, only to find they’ve bought fakes from a company abroad. You should always pay for goods by credit card but particularly when buying over the internet. It is worth noting that you are not protected by the consumer credit act unless you’re paying over £100, but you’re still more likely to get your money back than debit card, cheque or bank transfer. I would go as far as to say you should NEVER buy goods from a company that asks you to transfer money directly into their account. If you decide you’re going to buy Christmas presents from an online auction site like ebay, it is worth familiarising yourself with their safety advice. You generally have fewer rights when buying goods in this way, particularly if they are second hand. Paying by paypal and ensuring that you NEVER collect items in person will go some way to protecting yourself. Only buy from highly rated sellers, based in the UK. It is worth remembering that when you buy brand new items over the internet, you are protected by the distance selling regulations. Because you haven’t had the chance to see the item in the flesh, you have 7 days from delivery to change your mind and send it back for a full refund. Unless the company specifies their returns postage policy, then they are liable for the postage too. Make sure you order things online in plenty of time to allow for this, after all, you don’t want unhappy friends and relatives whose presents are NOT under the tree.

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 Travel By Solange Hando Kyoto - Japan Laced with rivers and lakes at the foot of the shrines are traditionally fronted by a red ‘torri’ gate, mountains, Kyoto nestles in a lush valley on marking the transition from profane to sacred, and Japan’s main island. It’s a bustling city of tree-lined accessed by a gravel path whose sound is believed avenues and gleaming shops but in this former to calm the mind in readiness for worship. Most capital, the past lingers in myriad heritage sites, 17 famous is the Fushimi Inari shrine where hundreds of them listed by UNESCO, sprinkled on the slopes of vermilion gates cover the tunnel-like paths. The or tucked away at the heart of town. For over 1,000 shrine honours the God of Rice and his messenger, years, this was the emperor’s home, even when the Fox, while nearer to the town centre, the military rule was set up in Edo (now Tokyo), and a Heia-jingu is a replica of the original imperial renowned cultural centre where temples, palaces palace, built in 794, including pagodas, halls and a and gardens flourished and geishas entertained ‘strolling garden’ cooled by water features. the elite with elegance and grace. Alongside its 400 Shinto shrines, Kyoto claims Imperial power was restored in Tokyo in 1868 but 1,600 Buddhist temples. Here’s the Temple of the Emperor still visits his Kyoto Palace, a complex Clear Water, one of the oldest in Japan, and the of sweeping roofs and covered walkways behind spring where wishes might come true, there a long perimeter wall on the edge of a public Ryoan-ji, known for its rock garden and lovely park. Around the corner, the Nijo Castle greets lake festooned in azalea, and the most popular, visitors with a delightful garden, a dark mysterious Kinkaku-ji and its Golden Pavilion, originally hall draped in ancient murals and a ‘nightingale’ built in the 15th century and dedicated to Zen corridor where floorboards still creak to ward off Buddhism. It’s a crowded place but patient visitors intruders. are sure to find some quiet moments when the Meanwhile across the Kamo river, traditional Golden Pavilion simply takes their breath away. wooden houses glow along the lanes in the Gion Mirrored in the lake, it’s almost unreal, a classical district, a perfect picture postcard, especially if painting sparkling with gold leaf in a luxuriant you spot a geisha or two, but a world away from oasis. Some say it’s a vision of the after-life, the the glorious temples and shrines which are Kyoto’s ‘Pure Land of the Buddha’, others see it as the most iconic landmarks. When locals visit on special perfect harmony between heaven and earth. occasions, young women wear flowers in their hair Whatever it is, one can barely imagine that after and kimonos flutter along the paths. Hiroshima in 1945, Kyoto was next on the list for Most Japanese follow both Buddhism and nuclear destruction but spared at the 11th hour by Shinto, the indigenous religion worshipping the Henry L. Stimson, the US Secretary of War who had thousands of spirits who live in the natural world. visited the city on his honeymoon. Buddhist prayers are for the after-life but Shinto is So Nagasaki was hit and Kyoto remains one of the for the present since spirits are all around. Shinto most stunning heritage sites in Japan.

10 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 11 12 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Time of Year The Perfect Christmas Table Whether you are using new festive tableware or By Susan Brookes-Morris the dinner set you keep for special occasions, create a table to be proud of. Think about your colour scheme. Are you going for sophisticated white and gold, elegant white and silver, festive red and green or something more modern such as purple and turquoise? Are there some handed down family decorations that you want to include or are you going for the fun factor? Crackers and candles are traditional but you could also include Christmas table confetti and seasonal items such as Santa shaped cruet. For many Christmas Day is one of the few times when three or more courses will be served. If you are having soup, the spoon for this should be on the far right. A fish knife would be on the inside of the spoon with the main course knife on the inside of that and a desert knife closest to the plate. On with the desert fork facing right and closest to the left side working inwards it would be the fish the plate. Side plates go to the left and glasses are fork and then the main course fork. The desert placed top right. spoon would be above the plate and facing left Add candles or fairy lights and you’re good to go.

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 13 Time of Year The Great Christmas Eve Countdown By Susan Brookes-Morris

Whilst it’s not a public holiday, activities such as a visit to too by placing an onion and many people across the UK Santa’s grotto, skating on one oranges in the cavity, greasing choose to take Christmas Eve of the special ice rinks that pop the skin, wrapping with bacon off work to do last minute up in many towns and cities, and putting it in the baking tray preparations and take part in or taking a trip to the local with foil. Just make sure you special activities. pantomime. Of course it’s wise keep it out of the way of curious Many Christians attend church to book Christmas Eve activities pets! services ranging from special well in advance as it’s a popular If you have a frozen turkey you family-based events, to the time. will need to start the defrosting traditional Midnight Mass. Many choose to spend at on Christmas Eve. This is also In other countries, the opening least part of the day at home the time to bring any other of presents is part of the watching Christmas movies, items out of the freezer- such as Christmas Eve celebrations listening to festive CDs and pre baked mince pies. Just try along with a large meal enjoyed doing everything they can to to resist the temptation to eat with family and friends. In the ensure that Christmas Day goes them all the same day. UK many spend Christmas perfectly. Some starters can also be made Eve delivering gifts to friends Most vegetables can be peeled and stored in the fridge, and for and relatives, if of course they and left safely in saucepans of those not wanting Christmas are not rushing round the cold water overnight. Fiddly jobs pudding other deserts can be shops perhaps having made a such as wrapping bacon around cooked and then reheated on deliberate decision to buy at the the sausages for pigs in blankets Christmas Day. last minute because many shops and preparing stuffing and Many people take great delight now start their sales early! sauces can also be done. You in laying the table carefully. Others will enjoy festive can get your turkey oven ready While youngsters may be out partying until the small hours, those in charge of the Christmas Day festivities and those with young excited children are well advised to get to bed at a sensible time; it is unlikely that you will enjoy Christmas Day if you are over tired and irritable. Only one more sleep until Christmas. Season’s Greetings.

14 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts 48 High Street, Baldock, Herts SG7 6BJ 01462 491110 Italian Restaurant il forno (Family run restaurant) Now taking • Chef/Proprietor with over bookings 40 years experience for all your Christmas • Sensibly priced menu functions (generous portions) • Open evenings from 6.30pm • Quality ingredients, produce, home cooked food - (at the weekend, we can and choice open earlier for pre-booked • Pasta, veal, chicken, lamb, steaks, fresh fish, seafood, tables) vegetarian dishes and more • Weekday special offer: complimentary vegetables and potatoes of the day or side salad with all meat or fish main courses (from the menu or chalk board). Open for Christmas • Always available on our chalk board: pasta dishes, Day lunch daily, seasonal, fresh fish and seafood specials & New Years Eve (special menu including fresh lobster applicable) - bookings only Bookings not always necessary but advisable, especially at the weekend

To advertiseIl Forno 1/2 page.inddin The Villager 1 and Townlife please call 01767 261122 16/10/2015 16:5515 COMPETITION The Adventure Travel Show Uncover Your Journey of a Lifetime 23-24 January 2016, Olympia, London The Adventure Travel Show, from walking and trekking to celebrating its 20th year, exploratory journeys, safaris, We are giving one is a world of extraordinary overland trips, life-changing lucky reader the discoveries all under one volunteering projects and chance to win a pair roof. It is the UK’s leading much, much more. event for people who like to The Adventure Travel Show of tickets to the travel outside the mainstream – it’s where your adventure show! – whether it be on small- begins… group adventures, exclusive For more show details and to Just answer this simple expeditions or epic journeys. buy tickets please visit question below: The Adventure Travel Show www.adventureshow.com Where is The Adventure is packed with inspirational Travel Show taking place? and essential travel advice, READER’S TICKET OFFER - Olympia specialist seminars and the We are also offering reduced - NEC best adventure speaker line up price advance tickets to the - The local village hall of 2016, including explorers, show! Get your tickets for adventurers, tour leaders only £6 (that’s saving £4 off Send your answer with your and guidebook writers who the door price!!) by quoting name and address will help you uncover your ‘VILLAGER’ when booking by 18th Dec 2015 to: perfect adventure. Plus, the tickets online at Villager Publications Ltd, biggest collection of specialist www.adventureshow.com 24 Market Square, Potton, travel operators all under or when calling 0871 230 7159. Beds SG19 2NP one roof will be on hand to (Calls cost 10p per minute plus The winner will be drawn at offer guidance on everything, network extras). random.

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

To advertiseTuns 131x93 in land The Dec15 Villager awk.indd and 1Townlife please call 01767 261122 11/11/2015 17:3917 18 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts The team at The Villager would like to wish all readers and advertisers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 19 Local News Changing for the Future In early 2014 the Membership Committee of Baldock Rotary Club to a self-standing Rotary Club in Baldock Rotary Club were looking at options for its own right. the growth of the Club and decided to explore the Future plans now include: possibility of establishing a Satellite Club in Stotfold. • A Christmas collection at the Co-Op – Saturday, As a result the Satellite Club was established and 5th December. meetings have been held on the First Wednesday of • A Santa’s sleigh street collection, Friday 18th every month at 7.30pm in the Committee Room at December, routes to be announced. the Conservative Club in Regent Street, Stotfold. • Installation of Christmas Lights, supplied by Meetings of members and prospective members Baldock Rotary Club to get the project off the have been supported by Rotarians from Baldock and ground, echoing the pattern of the last thirty years plans are in hand to develop the Club to the point where Baldock Rotary Club have, with the aid of where it can become a Rotary Cub in its own right. the Council and local traders, supplied, installed, To further this aim various projects and fundraising maintained and stored the lights each Christmas. activities have been initiated and completed since • Further involvement by the Stotfold Club with the the clubs inception. 2016 Stotfold Festival Fete and other community The need now is to expand the Club with the events as they arise. recruitment of more members, which will enable If you think you may be interested and would like additional projects and other community based to find out more about participating in upcoming initiatives to be undertaken and will further club events and community based activities, please establish the Club in Stotfold. This in turn could lead contact Rotarian Ray Bethell on 01462-431854 or to the progression of the Club from a satellite club of e-mail [email protected]

Business gone slow? Word Ladder Change one letter at a time (but not the position of Let us help! any letter) to make a new word - and move from the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided. S H I P

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20 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Merry Christmas Claim your £1 all you need to do is… bring a NEW client to the hair cut* at barbers and you can claim Queen Street your £1.00 hair cut in January. Simple! Barbers *offer only applies to Queen Street Barbers.

Mon 21 Dec 9am – late Tue 22 Dec 9am – late Wed 23 Dec 9am – late Thurs 24 Dec 8am – 4pm Wed 30 Dec 9am – 5pm Christmas Thurs 31 Dec 8am – 4pm We are closed on 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th Opening Times and 29th December

12a Queen Street, Stotfold, SG5 4NX www.barnhairstudio.co.uk - 01462 835611

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 21 Time of Year Dealing with Christmas Stress Stress-busting festive tips By Sarah Davey Plan ahead and include plenty of ‘me time’. Spend their effects through an aromatherapy massage. time doing what you enjoy most. Have fun. If Exercise Regular, mild aerobic exercise, such as you’re overloaded, learn to say no in the nicest walking, swimming and dancing, strengthens the way possible! heart and encourages a steady flow of mood- What stresses you Be aware of your own personal boosting hormones. triggers. Don’t ignore them, deal with them. Talk, Don’t rush your food Try to relax when eating. No take advice, think things through, make decisions more 5 minute lunches at the desk. Eating under and you’ll feel more in control. Don’t be a victim. stress confuses your metabolism. High cortisol Deal with your anger Recognise it and devise levels causes blood to flood the muscles rather ways of politely walking away from confrontations than the intestines, which is where it should be for so you can calm down, using deep breathing (in healthy digestion. and out to the count of 5, at least 3 times) and De-tox Start the month with a gentle de-tox. Eat positive thinking. healthily and reduce sugar, caffeine, salt, alcohol Natural remedies Homeopathic and flower and refined carbohydrates. You’ll lose some remedies are excellent for anxieties, as are Vitamin weight, boost your immune system, gain energy C and B. Some aromatherapy oils, especially and be fit enough to ensure December is your lavender and orange are very relaxing. Enhance merriest month of the year.

Hair Studio 3 20% discount with this advert for new clients

We are a matrix colour based salon, now Hair studio 3 is now adding nails to our services. under new management. Using O.p.i products and we cater for all Opening times: ages here at Hair Studio 3. Monday closed, Tuesday – Friday: 9-6 We also offer a mobile wedding service Thursday late 9-8 subject to availability, and welcome Paula Saturday 8-4 Dietrich formally from Lauren Jackson. 109 Mead End, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire T: 01767 313457 W: www.hair-studio-3.co.uk

22Hair Studio 3 1/2 page.indd 1 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding16/11/2015 to adverts 20:56 Villager Ad 131x194mm_v2.pdf 1 10/11/2015 21:49

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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 23 24 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Jane’s Reliable Domestic Cleaning • Regular clean AlterationsBESPOKE • Ironing EXPERIENCED • One off clean PROFESSIONAL • Spring clean • Professional insured service Call Jane on: • DBS or police checked cleaners M 07976 966 284 From £11 per hour 01462 671 760 T Call us now for a LETCHWORTH free, no-obligation appointment TM Tel: 01462 262006 www.extra-help.co.uk CLEANING

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 25 CHAMBERLAIN MASSAGE CLINIC

Swedish Massage Deep Tissue Massage Sports Massage Injury Rehab Kinesio Taping Clinics in Langford, Letchworth and Wrestlingworth Dean Chamberlain B.Sc www.chamberlainmassageclinic.co.uk 07902547391 or 01767631866 [email protected] Facebook: Chamberlain Massage Clinic

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Laserlodge 1/4 page.indd 1 19/10/2015 16:40 Fundraising

Top Tips for Fundraisers and Charities A Christmas Charity Wish Christmas is almost upon us. How you do the roller skaters may arrive safely at church. celebrate Christmas, if at all? Christmas In Japan, although Christmas is not a national traditions vary around the world. These holiday, it has become the custom since 1974 for traditions can also vary from family to family, Kentucky Fried Chicken to be served as the main particularly when families include people Christmas meal. Apparently, it is now so popular from different backgrounds and cultures. In that long queues stretch way past the door of researching Christmas traditions around the the KFC shop and some even pre-order their KFC world I came across some that are interesting to ensure that they get some on Christmas day. and strange and one which is really rather In the Catalonia region of Spain, the traditional bizarre. nativity scene has the addition of a truly bizarre In the Czech Republic, the family puts a small figure – that of the caganer, which to put it candle into an empty walnut shell, which is then in polite terms is a figure with bare buttocks floated on a bowl of water. If the shell makes it shown in the act of defecation! Out of respect to the other side of the bowl, they believe that for Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the shepherds, the person who placed it will live a long and this figure is usually placed in a corner of the healthy life. Not so good for the person whose scene, behind some object. Apparently, the shell sinks, as this means that he or she will origin of this is that if the figure is not placed in suffer bad luck that year! the nativity scene, the farmer would have a very In Caracas, the capital of Venezuala, it is bad year collecting vegetables. Even stranger, the custom to travel to early morning this tradition has spawned numerous celebrity church services during the festive caganers, including one of the Queen herself season on roller skates. The and President Obama. Yes, it really is true! authorities there go as far as At Christmas time, traditions make our clearing the roads so that celebrations more meaningful. It’s good to know that some ad campaigns on TV at this time highlight the plight of so many older people, who end up alone at Christmas time. They no longer have the opportunity to share in the delight that Christmas traditions can bring to a community or family. What can you do to help? Contact charities such as Age Concern, the Royal Voluntary Service, or older people’s charities in your area to find out how you can help older people share in the happy traditions of Christmas. My charity wish this Christmas is that all Villager readers reach out to just one lonely person in their community this festive season. Visit her or him, take mince pies and a small gift, but do something to let someone lonely know they are not alone this Christmas.

by Toni Hasler of Support4charities.com To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 27 Motoring Accident? You Mean Collision Iain Betson learns there are no accidents on Britain’s insurance and dodgy brakes. But the whole event roads. was classed as a traffic accident, so you can see Speaking to a Highways Agency officer the other I couldn’t have foreseen any of it happening. So, day, I was intrigued to learn that the emergency therefore, I am innocent of all charges.” services now do not class “incidents” on the road as Accident or incident. Collision or coming together. “accidents”, but as “collisions”. Previously, they would You say tomaytoe and I say tomato. have attended a “Road Traffic Accident” (RTA). Now It may be interpretation but, ultimately, the they attend a “Road Traffic Collision” or RTC. Why the results are the same. If we all took a little more subtle change in wording? Well, the use of the word consideration and, dare I say, care in our driving, “accident” implies something that was unexpected, then I think it’s likely the number of “collisions” our unforeseen or that “just happened”. And calling already stretched emergency services have to attend these incidents as such has been used as a defence would be reduced. With, of course, a corresponding in a court of law. drop in the number of people killed or seriously “Yes your honour. I know I was clocked by the injured.* speed camera doing 60mph in a 30mph zone. It is *Department of Transport figures for 2014: 1,775 true I was pulled by the fire crew from my wrecked killed; 22,807 seriously injured. car that was part of the multiple pile-up outside the primary school at going home time. And I know my car was subsequently found to have four bald tyres, no

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28 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts SITUATIONS VACANT

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All positions have exible hours.

Email CV’s to - [email protected]

Woburn Forest HoliDAy VillAge At Center Parcs, we want Looking for a glittering new career? our people to share in the success their hard Want to add some sparkle to your life? work brings, enjoy a sense Look no further, Center Parcs Woburn Forest has a of wellbeing and a good dazzling array of vacancies! lifestyle, and make the most We create a wonderful and memorable experience for our of their time with us. guests in the great outdoors, and to do this we are looking We offer unique for people who want to deliver excellent service, have high benefits such as: standards and take pride in everything they do. We are looking for enthusiastic team players to join us, we • Discounted Center have opportunities to suit everyone, with flexible working Parcs breaks hours and competitive rates of pay plus super benefits. • Day visitor passes For further details and to apply please visit: www.centerparcs.co.uk and select Woburn Forest. • Free use of village facilities Center Parcs, Woburn Forest Holiday Village, Millbrook, bedford, MK45 2HZ www.centerparcs.co.uk

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 29 TEMPLARS CROSS LODGE

www.templarscrosslodge.co.uk Close to Baldock town centre in spacious surroundings this motel style Bed & Breakfast offers off road parking. • continental breakfast • large luxury en-suite rooms • free wifi internet access • sky tv/dvd player • fridge in room • private loc ation • close to train station • major credit cards taken Tel: 07970 162753 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] North Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire SG7 5DN

Reassurance when you need it most

Neville Funeral Service Neville Funeral Service (inc George Squire & Son since 1976) (inc David J. Binks since 2005)

24 Clifton Road Sheﬀ ord SG17 5AE 96 Walsworth Road Hitchin SG4 9SU t: 01462 813258 t: 01462 444910 e: sheﬀ [email protected] e: [email protected] www.nevillefuneralservice.com

30 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Employment Employment Matters ‘Tis the season to be jolly! Many organisations will have got the company shopping – or even better – a paid half day off Christmas party organised by the end of August for Christmas shopping and part-timers will be but many have decided not to carry on with given pro-rata paid time off. We tend to work them. long hours, and often are up to the wire in the Fewer Christmas parties basically mean a lot less run up to Christmas and time off is generally cost and organisation for the business but the considered by employees to be more useful knock on effect can result in less enthusiasm and than money much less of a ‘thank you’ to the team that have The most economical option is to throw a party kept their company afloat this year. in the office – although there is a worrying But what to organise? This is the headache for potential for all manner of fooling around with any business as the employees are all bound by the photocopying machine or getting locked a common interest – work – but their outside in the stationery cupboard – and, if alcohol is tastes are wide and varied. So round comes the involved, many dire warnings of claims against list for disco, meal out, trip to the theatre? Some the employer! yes, some no, some don’t want to go to any of It’s just as easy to round up the troops and them as they see enough of their colleagues all spend the evening out locally – invariably a year in the office. The manger gets offended that venue can be found where everyone will like people don’t want to ‘join in’, and employees something on the menu and parking is easy get upset that they are being forced to go – no need to go to a massive venue if you’re along when all they would really like is the cash planning to spend the evening over a good equivalent in supermarket vouchers to spend. meal and a couple of glasses of wine. Some of One of the most valued Christmas ‘presents’ any the big chains offer discount vouchers too. Just business can give every member of the team have someone sensible with a calculator who is a paid two and a half hour will work out who owes what for their dinner at lunch break for Christmas the end of the evening! If colleagues aren’t in favour of an evening do, organise a lunch instead and not one that only offers a Christmas menu which may not be to everyone’s liking. Finally, find out what special Christmas events are running in your local area that work colleagues could all go to as a group and perhaps organise an afternoon excursion to a Christmas fair or market before an optional evening meal. May I wish you and everyone you hold dear a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Carol H Scott HR and Business Consulting Ltd

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 31 Garden Growing Fruit Trees By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com

For the ultimate in gorgeous apples, pears, plums or Innes No.3 will work well, but help to keep it well more, the fruit needs to be freshly picked and sun- aerated and free-draining by adding 25-50% multi- warmed - so grow your own and make some good purpose loam-free compost. looking additions to your garden, even when space It is essential to choose fruit trees on the right is limited. There’s no need to have a massive plot or ‘rootstock’, as this determines the ultimate size and an orchard to grow fruit trees… vigour of the tree. Apples are complicated, but as You can grow fruit trees in surprisingly small spaces, a rule, for step-overs, cordons, dwarf bushes and especially if you don’t grow them in a classic tree trees in containers try the extremely dwarfing M27 shape, but train them. Training them into espaliers - though weak varieties may fail in poor soil or if not (several sets of horizontal ‘arms’), cordons (single well pampered. For bush, cordon, espaliers and half- main stems grown at an angle) or fans (with standard try the dwarfing rootstock M26, while for branches trained into a fan shape) means that you a cordon, an espalier on poor soil, arches and bush can grow many varieties of apples and pears up trees try the semi-dwarfing MM106. against a suitable vertical surface such as a wall, You can buy one year old ‘maidens’ or ‘whips’ which fence or set of sturdy wires. are small, fairly straight stems and train them You could also train fruits like apples to make a yourself or you can buy trained or part-trained trees. neat edging for a bed or border about 45cm above Make sure you choose varieties that flower at ground level (called ‘step-overs’). A step-over apple the same time so that they pollinate each other grows to a height of about 30cm and is trained and thus provide fruit. Ask your supplier which to forms two horizontal ‘arms’, which will bear a ‘pollination group’ each variety is in. smallish crop of fruit. Try step-overs around the At this time of year you can buy inexpensive fruit edge of your vegetable plot or flower bed. trees sold ‘bare-root’, which means lifted from a field To make a real feature of fruit, use a tree to create a and not container grown; they also establish well. decorative and productive arch. Buy an inexpensive Bare-root fruit trees are generally available from bare root cordon (straight stem) or a ‘whip’ fruit tree about November until early March - so don’t delay, of your favourite variety, pair it with another variety get ordering or planting today! that is a suitable pollinator (check with the nursery) and plant one on each side of the arch, training Perfect as a Christmas gift, make vegetable them in as they grow. It will look pretty when in growing fun with Pippa’s unique ‘Grow Your blossom in spring and will bear tasty fruit too. Own with Pippa Greenwood’ system. Select Provided you get the right rootstock (see below), the vegetables you’d like to grow at www. you can grow fruit trees in large containers. The pippagreenwood.com and your garden-ready container needs to be big - a half-barrel at least plants will be delivered in May, accompanied by - and have drainage holes kept clear using a few weekly emails packed full of advice and tips. Gift inches of broken china or ‘crocks’ at its bottom. cards are available too for this perfect present! It is Good quality loam-based compost such as John great value and various pack sizes are available. 32 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts 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] T&G131x93AdvertLogsReady.pdf 09/08/2015 17:56:53

CMY

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

• Half & Full Loads Delivered

Contact: Phillip Jepps Your Local Log Man T: 01462 711 430 M: 07860 411 378 GILKS FENCING LTD All Types of Fencing, Gates & Railings, SUPPLIED & INSTALLED

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 Charity

FoodBy Debbie Singh-Bhatti Banks Hunger and poverty. Many of us won’t associate points in many supermarkets available these problems with our own society but it’s a throughout the year. fact that 13 million people in the UK live below To donate is easy. All you need do is purchase the poverty line. Five years ago food banks a few extra items with your weekly shop, then had scarcely been heard of, but today more drop them off in the collection boxes situated than a thousand operate across the UK, giving near the checkouts. Most people decide on an assistance to people in need of basic supplies to amount they want to spend and keep on buying survive. until this is reached! If you purchase budget People need to use food banks for a variety brands, your money can go further and help of reasons: redundancy, illness, benefit more people. delay, changes in benefits, unexpected bills, Items purchased should be non-perishable and underemployment and family breakdown to in date - so anything in tins, packets and jars. If name a few. In today’s world of zero hours there isn’t a food bank near you but you would contracts and steadily rising food and fuel prices, still like to help, you can make a cash donation, an increasing number of people are finding which can be done online in many cases. themselves in need of help. The Trussell Trust Once food is received at food banks, it is sorted – the UK’s largest network of food banks – fed and packed into boxes by volunteers, who also nearly a million people in 2013-2014, over a guide clients to agencies able to help them with third of which were children. longer term problems. Typically, clients are referred to food banks by None of us can do everything to solve the front line care professionals such as doctors, social problems around us, but all of us can social workers, health visitors and the police, do something. Donating to a food bank is one who are trained to identify individuals in crisis. example. They issue vouchers which are exchanged at food banks for emergency food. Though all food Shopping List banks may not operate in the same way, the Milk (UHT/powdered) Sugar Trussell Trust provides emergency rations for a Fruit juice (long-life) Soup minimum of three days. Pasta sauce Sponge pudding (tin) All food donated to food banks comes from Tomatoes (tin) Cereals members of the public. This could be from Rice pudding (tinned) Tea bags/coffee individuals like you and me, but partnerships Instant mash Rice/pasta are also formed with schools, churches and Tinned meat/fish Tinned vegetables businesses. Large collections are made during Tinned fruit Jam Harvest Festivals and there are also collection Biscuits/snack bars To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 35 36 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 37 Xmas Safety Tips

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Christmas Safety Tips lights instead and do not drop or flick cigarette The holiday season is a special time for celebration ashes near a tree but it is important to remember the risks involved, • Dispose of tree branches or needles by follow Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s tips recycling them, don’t put them on an open for a safe Christmas and other celebrations. fireplace or wood burning stove.

Candles & Decorations Fairy Lights • Always put candles, night lights and tea lights • Never overload electrical sockets or link on a heat resistant surface. extension leads together (‘daisy-chaining’), • Use proper holders that holds them firmly take special care with Christmas trees and upright, ensure this won’t tip over decorations • Keep candles away from your Christmas tree • Check they carry the British Safety and decorations, curtains or other materials Standard sign that could catch light easily • Check the fuses are the right type (see the box • Keep candles, lighters and matches out of for the maximum size of fuse you should use). children’s and pets’ reach • If bulbs blow, replace them. • Never leave burning candles or nightlights • Switch them off and unplug them before you unattended go out or go to bed • Decorations can burn easily, so keep them away Christmas Trees from lights, your fire place or other heat sources • Christmas trees contain a lot of flammable sap More information on their website so keep them in water to prevent them drying www.bedsfire.com out • Place your tree away from an open fireplace, radiators or other sources of heat that will dry it out • Keep candles away from your tree, use LED

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

CMY

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 39 Pets Animal Know-How Is a pet the perfect Christmas present? Despite years of warnings about how ‘a dog is for life not just for Christmas’ many people still can’t resist the dream of delighted children and a cute puppy/cat/rabbit waiting for them under the tree. If you’re tempted to buy a pet as a Christmas present – or at any time of year – please carefully consider the following important questions: time for them to Does the person actually want a pet? You may have a pet? Maybe have had chats with them where they spoke about they are going on the idea of getting a pet – but these may have a long holiday? simply been musings about a picture postcard Perhaps there will future in a big country house with a sheep dog. A be months of late dream is very different to a genuine desire to get a nights at the office? Are they considering moving pet right now. home or even just a big decoration project? All of Are they physically able to own a pet? Many these things can affect whether people are ready medical conditions aren’t immediately obvious. for a new pet. While a person may appear fit and healthy, Do they have the time to own a pet? While you underlying medical conditions – or even allergies may think the addition of a pet to the house would to cats, dogs and other animals – may prevent be a brilliant thing – early morning walks with them from being able to own a pet. their new dog or evenings letting the cat back in Can they afford to keep a pet? While you may the house may be the last thing they want at this feel you know the person well, you may not be moment in their already full life. fully aware of their financial situation. Things like Are children aware of the responsibilities of pet food, vet bills and insurance all cost money. If ownership? Getting a pet for a child needs plenty money is tight then having another mouth to feed of consideration, time and education – it’s not probably isn’t something you should spring on them without what they need. warning. Do they own So, please stop and think – before making a rash any other pets? decision. RSPCA figures over recent years indicate If they do, they that three pets are abandoned every hour during clearly like the Christmas period. Please don’t add to that animals – but it problem. doesn’t mean they – or their ANIMAL KNOW-HOW is one of a series of articles brought pet – are ready to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch for another one. Is it the right www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk 40 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts TYNEHILL Boarding Kennels and Cattery

The kennels your dog would choose! 10% discount for new customers • Top quality kennels and cattery • Fully licensed and insured • Clean and hygienic environment • Dogs £12.50 to £15.00 • Cats £7.75 • 10% discount for family groups • Our dogs are happy dogs! Better kennels are only minutes away... www.tynehillkennelsandcattery.co.uk 01462 850606

Shillington Road, Lower Stondon, Beds, SG16 6JX

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 41 Lambourn MOT and Service Centre Ltd

Your LOCAL MoT, tyre and service centre in Shefford 01462 811333 Pay us a visit – we’re near Morrisons! Lambourn MoT & Service Centre Unit 10, Old Bridge Way, Shefford, SG17 5HQ Visit: lambournservicecentre.co.uk

42 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Motoring Jaguar F-Pace By James Baggott Editor of Car Dealer Magazine (CarDealerMag.co.uk)

Jaguar has finally launched its bulge. ‘The F-Type has been an snow, seamlessly. This may be a long-awaited SUV contender, the inspiration in so many ways,’ he crossover, but it’ll still be capable F-Pace. By breaking a world record added. off road. loop-the-loop the night before the Interior advances: The inside of Kitted out: Blind spot detection, Frankfurt Motor Show, the British the F-Pace is a whole new world closing vehicle alert, lane assist, manufacturer took the wraps off for Jaguar. A 10-inch touchscreen traffic signal recognition are all its most important car for decades with a new user interface looks standard as is a forward facing in typical big-budget JLR fashion. and works brilliantly, while there’s camera that can spot pedestrians But while the stunt may have a 100GB SSD hard drive for owners in places drivers can’t. Occupants grabbed the attention of the to store music and video, four USB can even connect up to eight social media generation and the ports and four 12V sockets. devices to the car’s WiFi network headlines from the Germans in A 12.3-inch digital display sits on the go. their own backyard, it was the where the clocks should be. They Watch this: Sporty types can use a car’s details that we were really are represented digitally but all wrist-watch style, waterproof key interested in. can be changed to display a full for times they don’t want to take Porsche beater? Jaguar referenced screen map for the sat nav. Twitter the original with them. Drivers lock the Porsche Macan no fewer than and Spotify are fully integrated the car by tapping the ‘Activity Key’ 10 times in its press presentation, while users can use apps to pre- against the ‘J’ on the boot. It uses so it’s clear who the brand is heat and cool the car, locate it and RFID technology and is waterproof targeting. The F-Pace will cost even to link with an Apple Watch. to 20 metres. £34,170 when it arrives, which Material matters: There is more Pulling power: A supercharged prices it ‘at the heart of the aluminium in the car than any 380bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol will see medium SV market and makes it other in its sector –some 80 per the Jag hit 60mph in 5.3 seconds better value than a Macan,’ says cent - while a third of that is from while the 300bhp 3.0-litre V6 Jaguar. recycled sources. 70 new robots diesel has a whopping 700Nm. Design decisions: Ian Callum said have been installed at the Solihull Starter’s orders: Customers he ‘never dreamed we’d do a plant to make the F-Pace, with desperate to be the first to own crossover SUV’ and that the only £120m invested in the project. an F-Pace will be offered a special reason they did it was because All terrain: Borrowing tech from First Edition. Priced at a whopping customers wanted one. Callum its Land Rover siblings, the F-Pace £65,275 just 2,000 will be offered said he was pleased with the short features a clever four-wheel drive worldwide with only 200 coming overhangs, the integration of system that switches between to the UK. They can have it in any the Jaguar grille and the bonnet ice, snow/very wet or sand/deep colour it’s blue. To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 43 Food & Drink

Beer at Home By Ted Bruning December is the month for hideous is astonishing – a big burst of toffee self-indulgence – your office party, your and coffee (a more appealing mix than partner’s office party, your Christmas party, it sounds!) followed by a pineapple- your neighbours’ various Christmas parties, chunk tang. The mouth feel is quite light, relatives you haven’t seen for months (12 but the flavour packs more of that rich months, to be precise) dropping by, the Day coffee balanced by sharp green fruit. itself, New Year’s Eve... you get the picture. The contrasting themes continue into a So here are a couple of hideously self- lingering finish. Well done, Guinness! indulgent beers whose calories will all have Stronger at 7.3% alcohol is McEwan’s to be dissipated somehow in the grand Champion, a supercharged version of January detox. a Scotch ale. Traditional Scotch ales are Let’s start with Guinness. Not the Guinness dark amber in colour, sweetish, and not you’re used to, but one of its crop of new particularly hoppy, and apart from its “craft” style bottled beers. It’s easy to be muscular heft Champion fits the bill cynical about the number of big, old- perfectly. The colour is almost garnet; the established brewers jumping on the craft nose blends fresh peaches with biscuity bandwagon - but what matters is the malt, with a faint whiff of esters in the quality of the beer itself. Is it any good? background; the body is full and rounded In the case of this 6% alcohol West Indies and definitely on the sweet side; and Porter, based on a brewer’s book from the finish is a little sharper but against a 1801, yes. It is. It pours jet black, with a backdrop of caramel. This will definitely be rumpled, loose, light tan head. The nose my Hogmanay beer!

44 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts ROOFLINE PRODUCTS INSTALLED BY THE PROFESSIONALS PVC-U soffits, fascia, guttering and cladding in flat and woodgrain effects and a choice of colour

10 year guarantee Very low maintenance Quality approved zinc-free plastics to eliminate rusting Seamless colour-matched products across the entire range For a free quotation please call Langford Windows 01462 701828 www.langfordwindows.com [email protected]

Langford Windows advert.indd 1 24/01/2014 14:19

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 45 Fun Quiz - Christmas TV 1. A 2008 Christmas special of which TV show saw Dave Coaches get engaged to Nessa Jenkins? 2. Miracle On Evergreen Terrace is the title of a special Christmas episode of which TV show? 3. In an animated TV special that was first broadcast in 1965, who was feeling depressed because Christmas had become too commercialised? 4. Made into TV films broadcast at Christmas in 2012, 2013 and 2014, which comedy star wrote the children’s books Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny and The Boy In The Dress? 5. Diamonds Are For Heather, Miami Twice and To Hull And Back were all titles of Christmas special episodes of which TV sitcom? 6. Who played the title character in The Runaway Bride, the 2006 Doctor Who Christmas special? 7. Who read out the first Royal Christmas Message to be televised?... King George V, King George VI or Queen Elizabeth II? 8. Which EastEnders character was murdered on Christmas Day in 2009? 9. In the 2013 Christmas TV advert for John Lewis, what did the hare get the bear as a Christmas present? 10. Where in London did Elisabeth Beresford take her children for a walk one Boxing Day when one of them pronounced the name of this place wrong, giving her the inspiration for a group of TV

characters? mispronunciation gave her the inspiration for The Wombles) The for inspiration the her gave mispronunciation Horses 6. Catherine Tate 7. Queen Elizabeth II (in 1957) 8. Archie Mitchell 9. An alarm clock 10. Wimbledon Common (the (the Common Wimbledon 10. clock alarm An 9. Mitchell Archie 8. 1957) (in II Elizabeth Queen 7. Tate Catherine 6. Horses

1. Gavin And Stacey 2. The Simpsons 3. Charlie Brown (in A Charlie Brown Christmas) 4. David Walliams 5. Only Fools And And Fools Only 5. Walliams David 4. BeforeChristmas) Brown Charlie A (in Brown Charlie 3. Simpsons AfterThe 2. Stacey And Gavin 1.

46 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.

Non-caustic, fume-free solution individually prepared for each customer.

Ovens, Hobs, Grills, Extractors, Agas, Microwaves and Gas Barbeques.

Call Richard on 01438 813492

Bring a sparkle to your kitchen today.

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 47 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.

48 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 49 Taylor Made Joinery Ltd Traditional Bespoke Joinery Products and Services Windows | Doors | Staircases | Conservatories | Furniture Oak | Hardwoods | Softwoods | Accoya® Specialising in Grade listed Heritage joinery

www.taylormadejoineryltd.co.uk [email protected]

T: 01462 338 313 M: 07855 834 424 We are proud to be a facebook.com/TaylorMadeJoineryLtd member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen Unit C1 Manor Farm, Upper Stondon, Beds, SG16 6LJ

50Taylor made joinery.indd 2 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding17/03/2015 to adverts 10:20 Electrician www.rooneyelectrical.co.uk • Wood Burning Stoves • Multi Fuel Stoves SHOWROOM NOW OPEN • Chimney Lining Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday – 10am – 5pm Other Days/Out of hours by prior arrangement • Twin Wall Flue Systems • Installation and Supply Do you find it difficult to get someone • Fireplace Renovations • Stove Accessories to come and do a small job? • Trade sales welcome Fault finding/repairs Extra lights and sockets New fuse boards Rewires P.A.T testing Landlord inspections

Qualified electrician Fully insured Reliable service  Tidy work Free quote  Satisfaction guaranteed

Unit 2 Home Farm Court, The Street, Diddington, St Neots, PE19 5XT Call Nigel on: [email protected] | 01480 812281 | 07786 854946 01767 221088 / 07941295883 www.cromwellstoves.co.uk

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767Cromwell 261122 stoves full page.indd 1 30/07/201551 17:32 WINDOW REPAIRS Serving all of Herts - Based in Stevenage Specialising in replacing misted units

BEFORE AFTER email: [email protected] website: www.jmlwindows.co.uk 07977 911 926 / 01438 906300 • Misted/broken double glazed units • Sticking doors or windows adjusted • Broken/loose handles • Leaded or Georgian units replaced • Hinges for gapping windows • Leaks ﬁxed • All types of locks replaced • Energy saving Planitherm glass • Cat/dog ﬂaps in glass or panels • Door re-alignments Visit our website for over 30 customer reviews

52 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts November’s Puzzle Solutions and Winners

Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mrs T Byrne from Stevenage

Easy

Hard

LOVE YOUR HEATING TOASTY TOES

Worcester Bosch Love your heating Vaillent GAS Ideal Boilers provides all your Baxi heating needs from an Glow Worm annual boiler service SOLID FUEL Potterton &BIOMASS Vokera to a complete new Keston install, for a first class Viessmann service at a standard WATER Alpha rate just call us!

Insured by Corgi 01767 666102 567002 07913 234712

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To advertiseLove your heating in The 1/2 Villager page.indd and 1 Townlife please call 01767 261122 16/06/2015 12:3553 The Villager Prize Crossword Prize £25

Across 1 Effortless (4) 3 Ghosts (8) 9 Kill (7) 10 Part of a helmet (5) 11 Current (12) 14 Winter sport (3) 16 Sports competition (5) 17 Used for listening (3) 18 Amazing (12) 21 Heart beat (5) 22 Simplest (7) 23 Pirate’s hoard (8) 24 Procedure (4)

Down 1 Keep fit (8) 2 Severe (5) 4 Garden tool (3) 5 In spite of (12) 6 Watch carefully (7) 7 Certain (4) 8 Self service stores (12)  12 Playing field (5) Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, 13 Intimidate (8) cut out this page and send to the address below before 15 Implicate (7) 19 Perfect (5) 20 Blemish (4) 16th December 2015 22 Make a mistake (3) Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

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54 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Visit our beautiful Bathroom Showroom ...With more than 50 displays of bathrooms, furniture & fittings Free in-house 3D design service Quality products from leading manufacturers Experienced staff offering impartial advice

Free delivery within a 20 mile radius of our showroom

01438 725309 [email protected] www.stevenageplumbing.co.uk

Caxton House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2XS

A TOUCH OF GLASS  Quality UPVC Windows, Doors & Conservatories ALL REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN Broken locks, handles, hinges, replacement misted glass units, catflaps, draughty windows EMERGENCY 24HR CALL OUT SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT For free advice call Dave today 01462 619651 Web: atouchofglasswindowsanddoors.co.uk

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 55 Alan George Painting & Decorating Painter & Decorator Property Interior and Exterior Work Wallpapering and Coving Maintenance Reliable and Local Specialist

City & Guilds trained Quality Workmanship with 30 years experience Papering, Coving etc. Sole trader Interior and Exterior Work No VAT Free Quotations Free estimates Call

Call Alan on W Firkins & Partners Ltd 01582 454604 01462 814117 or 07939 267083 Mob:07760198256 Est 1981 or E-Mail: [email protected] 20 Clifton Road, Shefford, Beds

IAN SIMPSON Carpentry and Joinery

All aspects of carpentry work undertaken Kitchens, Bedrooms, Doors, Windows 25 years experience Free estimates

Please call 01462 851695 or 07967162448 E-mail [email protected]

56 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 57 Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s OnIn December

27 & 28 November, 4 & 5 December 3 December 5 December Robin Hood Baldock Floral Society - Christmas Ashwell Christmas Fair 27 Nov 7.45pm, 28 Nov 3pm & 7.45pm, Demonstration 9.30am-1pm 4 Dec 7.45pm, 5 Dec 3pm & 7.45pm 7.30pm Baldock Community Centre St. Mary’s Church, Ashwell Meppershall Village Hall Visitors £8 - pay on the door Free admission Tickets Matinees £6, Concessions £5; Evenings Demonstration by Theresa Rodruigez entitled Many stalls including Arts & Crafts, Cakes & £8 Concessions £7; Last Night performance £9 “Sorry no humbugs allowed”. Christmas sales Cards, Presents & Prizes. The Choir will sing no concessions table and seasonal refreshments. Carols and refreshments will be available. Tickets: Box Office Roger’s Bakery Meppershall Proceeds to the Church Restoration Appeal. 01462 813398 3, 10 & 17 December Baldock Community Orchestra 5 December 2 December 7.15-8.30pm Ashwell’s Winter Wonderland First World War Talks Knights Templar School, Baldock 10am-1pm URC Hall, Ashwell 7pm for 7.30pm Recruiting is open now for a new Baldock Santa’s grotto, rides on Onkey the donkey, The Comrades Club, Godmanchester Community Orchestra. Players of all ages mulled wine, BBQ & cafe, ‘Made in Ashwell’ The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western and stages will be welcome! This exciting Christmas gifts, crafts and wreaths, a raffle Front Association is pleased to present a new orchestra meets every Thursday. Rachel and much more festive fun for the whole members evening where four First World War Dawson will be the conductor. There are family! Tel: 07710 504018 for further details related talks will be given covering a range few opportunities for beginners, learners of subjects linked to the conflict. Non WFA and rusty players in this area so join up now! 5 December members most welcome. Small donation is Please check Christmas dates. The Signals Museum encouraged at the door to pay for the running Email: [email protected] 10am-4pm of the branch. The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com 3, 10 & 17 December to the public. Entry is free but official photo Sapphire Social Club ID such as a driving licence, passport or over 2 December 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin 60s Bus Pass is required to get an entry ticket North Herts Association of National Trust We are a small, friendly social group that from the Guardroom. See website for full 7.30pm caters for the unattached. Our members information. Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin tend to be around 50+ but we have no age Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk Entrance £2 including mince pie and punch bar. Varied events are organized throughout Speaker will be Keith Lovell on History the month. No joining fee for the first two 5 December Through Famous People of Essex. Tea/Coffee months. Tel: Joyce 07960 440417 or Carols By Candlelight 50p - payable on entry. Ian 07900 890583 for information 3.30pm & 6.00pm (two sessions) Tel: Colette House 01462 815585 for more Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk Caldecote Church Advance tickets £10 information A repeat of previous successful communal 4-6 December singing events with harmonium 2 December Christmas Tree Festival accompaniment and readings. Mulled wine Alabama Hayriders Fri 3-6 pm, Sat 11am-6 pm, and mince pies. Limited seating. Book tickets 8pm Sun 12 noon-5 pm Free admission early with the Caldecote Church Friends The Plough, Church Street, Langford Shillington Congregational Church, 47 Secretary. Alabama Hayriders will be performing some Church Street, Shillington Tel: 01462 742440 well-loved classic Nashville tunes. The group Refreshments, Raffle & Bran Tub. Sunday is Web: www.caldecotechurchfriends.org.uk is available to perform on 31 December. followed by Carol Service and Raffle Draw. All Tel: John Lindsay 01462 701779 for further welcome. All proceeds to Leonard Cheshire information Disability, our chosen charity for 2015. 58 Please mentionPlease mention The Villager The Villager and andTown Town Life Life when when responding responding to to adverts adverts This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website www.villagermag.com What’s OnIn December

5 December 7, 14, 21 & 28 December 20 December Sandy Flower Club Open Demonstration Branch Out Social Club for Single People Biggleswade Antiques Fair Doors open 2pm, 2.30pm start 8.30-11pm 9.30am-4pm Sandye Place School, Park Road, Sandy Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Tickets £10 including refreshments, available Branch Out meets every Monday night and is Road, Biggleswade on the door or in advance a medium-sized Social Club for single people. Entrance £1.50 Chelsea Gold Winner to Demonstrate in It was formed in 1995 to bring together This antiques fair offers a diverse range of Sandy. Sandy Flower Club is pleased to single, divorced, widowed and separated antiques and collectables so whether you welcome National Demonstrator, judge and people, aged 40 upwards, from the Herts, are a professional dealer, an avid collector floral art teacher, Pat Dibben, to our open Beds and Bucks area, to socialise and enjoy or just looking for something special, this demonstration. Pat won Gold at Chelsea one another’s company. The club organises monthly fair is the place to visit. Café serving Flower Show for her stunning designs in regular events, such as dinners, discos, meals, breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. 2009, 2012 & 13. She came 2nd in the World parties, Sunday walks, theatre and concert Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346 Show in Japan in 2005. The theme for the visits, day and weekend trips and holidays. Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk afternoon is “Winter Solstice”. Sales table Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 with plenty of seasonal items to decorate Web: www.branch-out.org.uk 22 December your home for Christmas. Refreshments will The Adventures of Robin Hood! be served at half time and we will raffle off 9 December 2.30 & 6.30pm Pat’s wonderful arrangements at the end of Henlow Branch R N A Stondon Village Hall the day, as well as a general raffle. 7.30pm Adults £7.50, Under 16s £5 Tel: Tickets 01767 226275/01767 682728 Community Centre, The Gardens, Come and see a fantastic performance of The Email: Sandy Tourist Office sue.e.alexander2@ Henlow Adventures of Robin Hood! Refreshments will gmail.com for tickets The Henlow Branch of The Royal Naval be available. Don’t miss it! Association meets on the second Wednesday Tel: 07902 076994 to book tickets or for more 5 December of each month. information Caritas Harmony Christmas Concert Tel: Les Dessent 01767 223212 for further 7.30pm information 3 January St Mary’s, Pirton Winter Wonderland Walk Tickets £10 including glass of mulled wine 10 December 10.30am12.30pm & mince pie The History of Christmas RSPB The Lodge, Nature Reserve, Sandy Proceeds to St Mary’s Church and The Living Doors open 7pm, Talk begins 7.30pm RSPB Members £8, Non-RSPB Members Room. Tickets available from the village shop British Schools Museum, £10, RSPB Wildlife Explorers £3, Children or by telephone. 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin Non-Members under 14 £5 - including mulled Tel: Fay 01763 853696 Tickets £5 including tea/coffee on arrival wine & mince pie Emily Shepperson will be telling the story of We can’t guarantee frost covered trees and 5-6 December how our Christmas customs came to be. From snowy footpaths, but we’ll take a bracing Christmas Tree Festival meaty mince pies to toppling trees and the walk to blow away the Christmas and New 11am-4pm year Christmas was cancelled, enjoy some Year celebrations and see what wildlife is St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, Stotfold unexpected truths and some seasonal objects about as we start the New Year at The Lodge. Come and view the wonderful display of to illustrate. Enjoy hot mulled wine and mince pies around decorated trees in the Church. Stalls, display Tel: 01462 420144 the bonfire at the end of the walk. of children’s art work and refreshments in the Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk Church Hall.

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60 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Books

ByBook Bruce Edwards Review Paradise and Plenty Mary Keen Pub: Pimpernel Press h/b £50 ISBN: 978-1-9102-5812-5

Moving away from general fiction, with half an eye on Christmas and with a ‘good book’ often the ideal present, especially in this instance for garden lovers, a truly magnificent publication has come from an up-market publisher. This could well fall into the category of the ideal ‘coffee table’ book. We frequently suffer low standards of book production, particularly in the fictional genres, to meet the ever-present problem of heavy discounting especially from that well- known internet gobbler of author’s margins (writers will often spend a year honing a story and then receive far less than fifty pence per copy sold) so it is good to see Pimpernel challenging those ethics. CM ROOFING Details like two marker tapes, fold-out photos and Family run business well designed end papers add quality and justify the Est. 20 yrs cover price though we mourn the sad necessity for printing in China. That said, the way in which Mary • Repairs & Re-roof Keen outlines the world of gardening excellence • Lead Specialists within the Rothschild’s Eythrope private garden is • Slating & Tiling first class and sets almost unbeatable standards. • Guttering and Drainage Unfortunately it is outside the scope of a small • Gutter Clearing review to do justice to the comprehensive and • Fascias & Soffits clear facets of its presentation, be it chapters on vegetables, fruits, glasshouses or borders; just suffice • UPVC Wall Cladding it to say one would be hard-pressed to find a nicer • Moss Removal book to add to one’s shelves - or table - and one that • Flat Roofing will give pleasure for years. • Single Ply/3 Layer Felt • Liquid Plastics Suggestion and queries to: We will beat any written quotation [email protected]. We’re always happy For more information & free estimate to consider specific titles for review, though 01438 517166 / 07432 624335 without obligation. [email protected] Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll www.cm-roofing.co.uk try to help.” To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 61 Classifieds

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62 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Classifieds

Plastering Services Property Maintenance R. CHAPMAN Home & Garden Services Dave Mortby Patio’s Plastering, Rendering and Decorating Driveways Fencing Mobile: 07722128189 Brickwork Email: [email protected] Painting & Decorating Free estimates given Tiling 2 Willow Tree Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 1GE 20 Years Experience - No Job Too Small! 01462 850575 or 07950 311881

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