And Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

The VILLAGER Issue 102 - May 2017 and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

In this issue RSPB Garden Birdwatch Results Win Tickets to see Sam Brookes Live Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in Langford, Henlow, Shefford, Stanford, Hinxworth, Ickleford, Caldecote, Radwell, Fairfield Park, Shillington, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Gravenhurst, Holwell, Meppershall, Baldock, Stotfold, Arlesey, Hitchin & Letchworth Your Contents FREEcopy Employment Matters...... 39 Slug Survival...... 43 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results...... 44 R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal...... 49 Animal Know-How...... 50 BMW M760Li xDrive...... 52 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe...... 55 Bellringers...... 57 Bedfordshire’s Cleverest Puppies Need Puppy Parents...... 58 Big Garden Birdwatch Results 44 Puzzle Page...... 60 What’s On...... 62 The History of Beauty...... 4 Love my Stretch...... 64 National Doughnut Day...... 8 Outdoor Joys...... 66 Win tickets to see Sam Brookes Live...... 10 Safety First...... 69 Win afternoon tea for two at Jordans Mill...... 12 Prize Crossword...... 74 Sani Pass - South Africa...... 14 Book Review...... 77 Cool Customer...... 17 Wine: Gems of Italy...... 18 Looking after your mental wellbeing...... 21 Ready for Revision...... 23 A Home with Character...... 24 Skin Deep...... 29 Tips for Mums...... 30 Here comes the summer sun...... 33 A Micro-brew Hobby with Macro Potential...... 35 Sani Pass 14 Collections...... 36

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 - Catherine Rose, Tracey Anderson, Solange Hando, Publishers Tony Ashcroft, Trevor Langley, Sarah Davey, Louise Addison, RSPB, Villager Publications Ltd Jennie Billings, Kate Duggan, Kate McLelland, Carol H Scott, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA, James Baggott andNick Coffer, Tel: 01767 261122 [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 Peter Wey and Darren Harbar Photography content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be Design and Artwork reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher. Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

To advertiseAdvert Booking in The Villager Deadline and Thursday Town Life 11th please May call 2017 01767 261122 Artwork Deadline Thursday 11th May 2017 3 History

By Catherine Rose

The History of Beauty

Surviving examples of primitive art usually We all have an innate appreciation of beauty depict women as full-figured, even fat, and often but throughout history and across cultures, the pregnant. This is because fertility was of primary concept of what makes a woman beautiful has importance for those civilizations. When survival changed according to the social background and was precarious, a woman’s ability to reproduce fashions of the time. was the bottom line. 4 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 5 Just as we do today, people adorned their bodies keep a small box of them on their dressing table. with jewellery, paint, tattoos and piercings, not During the 19th century an hourglass figure only to look attractive but also as status symbols. became the desired female body shape and And status has always played a big part in our corsets, long used as undergarments (the name concept of beauty. ‘corset’ comes from the Latin ‘corpus’ meaning We can get a good idea of beauty ideals during body), were designed to achieve a waist any period by looking at art. Throughout the circumference of down to 18”, later accentuated medieval and early Renaissance era, ‘beautiful’ by the bustle. women had narrow shoulders and small breasts Following WWI and the suffrage movement, that emphasised their weaker sex compared to a new sense of female liberation produced a the broad, sword-wielding shoulders of their beauty revolution. Women no longer wanted menfolk. In many paintings women are also to be sexual objects to please men. Hemlines shown with very rounded stomachs. This didn’t went up for the first time and dresses became necessarily mean they were pregnant: it was a straighter, giving a slender, more androgynous beauty ideal indicating a woman was fertile and appearance. Women even wore suits and long able to have many children. hair was cropped. Coco Chanel, who banished It was also a religious time and for women, the notion that only a porcelain complexion appearing virtuous was a sign of beauty. could be beautiful when she showed off a suntan, Somewhat odd to us today, a long neck and a declared “a woman can never be too rich or too high forehead were prized, with almost non- thin”, arguably beginning the modern trend. existent brows to accentuate it. Women would The 1930s-50s saw curves return, possibly thanks often pluck or shave hair from their hairline to to the Hollywood film industry and stars like achieve this look. Once married, they were also Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and Jayne expected to modestly cover their hair, which was Mansfield who were the epitome of female how the elaborate headpieces and veils of this beauty. Wearing full make-up also began to be period came about. the norm, in imitation of actors who used it to During the late Renaissance and Baroque eras emphasise their looks on-screen. Max Factor was women became more voluptuous – think originally a make-up artist to the stars. With the of Rubens whose buxom females would be rise in hemlines, the focus shifted to shapely legs considered obese by today’s standards. There was and it was arguably the start of female epilation, a rationale behind this. Food was hard to come by when once women had even worn ‘mirkins’ unless you were wealthy and being full-figured (pubic wigs). meant you were well-fed and therefore of high The 1960s saw another beauty revolution. Society status - hence a desirable mate. was finally recovering from WWII, rationing had In a similar way, if you were light-skinned, it ended in 1954 and young people were enjoying meant that you were clearly a lady from a genteel a wave of new music with its roots based in black family as only poor outdoor labourers had ‘coarse culture. Once again women were re-establishing tanned skin’. So for several centuries beauty was their power and asserting their sexual freedom. measured by how pale you were (hence the term Mini-skirts arrived along with big hair. Twiggy, ‘fair’ meaning ‘beautiful’). the slender, doe-eyed model from north-west The poisonous lead-based white make-up that London became the most desirable example of achieved this was also used for disguising the womanhood. Compare her with the women in widespread blemishes from disease. Hair was Rubens’ The Three Graces and you could not have now a beauty statement and powdered wigs two more opposing ideals. were worn because many women suffered Over the last fifty years, beauty goals have gone from hair loss due to venereal disease. These through more subtle changes. The athletic, toned had become very elaborate and tall by the 18th female figure became popular in the 1980s with century thanks to fashionista Marie Antionette. the advent of the ubiquitous exercise video. Along with wigs came fake beauty patches Today, with models that range from the catwalk to cover up smallpox scars. Made of materials clothes-horse Gigi Hadid and black model Winnie such as mouse fur and velvet, eventually these Harlow who has vitiligo, to the curvy Ashley ‘mouches’ (French for ‘flies’) became a status Graham, we now seem to be embracing more symbol and women of beauty and fashion would diversity in women’s beauty than ever before. 6 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts CHRIS&STEVE

Be the first to experience their extraordinary impact here in the gallery Thursday 11th May, 7-9pm

These twin brothers create their monumental works together on a single canvas, so every composition represents a full and equal collaboration between them. A powerful new collection of highly sought-after original paintings and limited editions will be unveiled at this event.

Inspired by the power of the elements, this mesmerising collection represents a new departure as the brothers’ style has developed away from the abstract and into more realistic territory.

RSVP Gallery 1066 Fine Art Willow Mews, 6a Hitchin Street, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 6AE 01462 896164 • [email protected] gallery1066fineart.com

65066506 Rocks Rocks in Att_Advert_A4 in Att_Advert_A5 Full Pg.indd Full 1 Pg.indd 1 07/04/201707/04/2017 12:48 12:46 Time of Year By Tracey Anderson National Doughnut Week May 13th-19th is National Donut week. Who The first doughnut machine was invented by doesn’t love a naughty donut? But where did they Adolph Levitt, an enterprising Russian refugee who come from? sold fried doughnuts from his bakery to hungry The humble doughnut has a convoluted past. crowds of New York theatre-goers. Doughnut The Dutch are credited for inventing them; they machines were a hit at the 1934 World Fair in are first mentioned in a recipe book back in Chicago, where they were marketed as the future 1803. Doughnuts as we know first appeared in of food-production. Then a Frenchman named Joe Manhattan, (originally New Amsterdam). They LeBeau, who was struggling financially, sold his rejoiced under the unappetizing Dutch name of secret doughnut and also the name Krispy Kreme, olykoeks, which translates as oily cakes! to a store owner named Ishmael Armstrong, who From there history gets a bit hazy. Elizabeth hired his nephew, Vernon Rudolph, and put him Gregory was a New England ship captain’s mother. to work selling the treats door-to-door. A business She made a deep-fried dough that incorporated legend was born. her son’s spice cargo of nutmeg and cinnamon, By the late 1950s, there were 29 Krispy Kreme along with lemon rind. One story says she store-factories in 12 states. Today they have stores invented it so that the crew could store a pastry across the world but all the doughnuts are still on long voyages, and that it might help ward off made to the original recipe. scurvy and colds! Mrs. Gregory filled the centre In the UK the doughnut is enjoying a surge of of her deep-fried pastries with nuts, probably popularity. You can buy gourmet donuts at because that was the part of the dough which specialist shops and independent bakers pride might not cook through. Hence they became themselves on their own variations. There has known as doughnuts! never been a better time to be a doughnut-lover. Her son claimed credit for putting the hole in the National donut week has been running for 26 doughnut. Some people think he did it to save on years. It was launched in 1991 by independent ingredients and costs. One nice story has it that baker Christopher Freeman. The aim was to the doughnut acquired its hole when, one night in celebrate the donut and raise money for charity. a storm, he needed both hands free so skewered Last year nearly £23000 was raised for The one of his mom’s doughnuts on a spoke of his Children’s Trust, which supports brain-injured ship’s wheel. children. In the First World War American soldiers were So is it doughnut or donut? The dictionary states made gifts of doughnuts by French women ‘doughnut’ with ‘donut’ listed as an American volunteers, to give them a taste of home. The variant. But really, who cares? They are delicious soldiers carried their taste for the sweet treat back and this month you can indulge and help a to the US when the war ended. worthwhile cause. What could be better? 8 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts MAking LifE EASiER | WE SELL | WE REpAiR | WE CARE COMFORT

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To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 9 COMPETITION

Win a pair of tickets to see Sam Brookes live at The Portland Arms in Cambridge on Tuesday 9th May 2017

London based songsmith and former Sunday Times ‘Breaking Act’ Sam Brookes is still one of the UK alt-folk’s best kept secrets. His acclaimed 2014 album was tipped by The Independent for a Mercury Prize nomination and received support from the likes of Dermot O’Leary on BBC Radio 2. With over 5 million plays on Spotify, it is fair to say that those who know his music, love his music….and those who don’t, are about to. Brookes’ new single My Girl Drinks Coffee, his first for over two years, marks an exciting shift in the Sam Brookes sound. Already well known as an idiosyncratic singer-songwriter, Sam challenged himself to expand his sonic pallet, spending a few years out the game gigging and experimenting with new material. The end result is an immediate and ethereal work of chic melancholy, built on synthesised textures that devilishly underpin his soaring signature vocal. Now Sam’s new soundworld is as evocative of Depeche Mode, LCD Soundsystem or Grimes as it is the obvious titans of influence for any British troubadour. Jointly produced by Grammy nominated Dom Monks (Ray Lamontagne, Laura Marling & Katie Melua) and Berlin based ex-pat Greg Freeman (Goldfrapp, Portico, Mumford & Sons), the track was arranged and recorded on a trip to a remote boathouse and completed at Guy Chamber’s Sleeper Sounds studio in London, where the production duo truly realised Sam’s dark but dancey vision.

The Villager Magazine gives you the chance to win a pair of tickets for Sam’s gig at The Portland Arms in Cambridge on Tuesday May 9. Answer the following question for your chance of winning: ‘My Girl Drinks Coffee’ was recorded on a remote boathouse on which Scottish island? A. Skye B. Colonsay C. Mull D. Jura To enter, simply answer the question and complete the form below. Send your entry to: Sam Brookes Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP All entries must be received by 12pm on Monday 8th May, winner will be notified on the 8th.

THE SAM BROOKES COMPETITION ENTRY To win tickets, answer the following question: Complete the Saw Doctors song title: ‘My Girl Drinks Coffee’ was recorded on a remote boathouse on which Scottish island?  A. Skye  B. Colonsay  C. Mull  D. Jura  Name: Address: Tel:

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

Win an afternoon tea for two with Prosecco at Jordans Mill

Jordans Mill is a hidden gem, tucked in away in the heart of rural Bedfordshire on the banks of the River Ivel. It is a unique food heritage attraction with something for all the family - tours of the historic flour mill, beautiful gardens and woodland to explore, and the Riverside Café and Mill Store. Jordans Mill is open seven days a week from 9am until 5pm. In summer months it is open later in the evenings, see the website for more details. Enjoy a meal or a snack in the Riverside Café with its stunning riverside terrace and picturesque views over the mill pond. The Café serves a varied and delicious seasonal menu, using local ingredients where possible, indeed much of the produce from the Mill Gardens makes its way into the kitchen. This year Jordans Mill has launched afternoon teas, available by pre-booking only. Served in beautiful surroundings our delicious freshly baked, home-made afternoon teas are a treat not to be missed. Choose from either the traditional Whizzer’s Afternoon Tea or for something different try our Shunter’s Afternoon Tea with mini beef sliders, scotch egg, fish finger sandwich and cakes and scones. Both are served with a selection of teas and coffee and have the option to add a Prosecco or beer. There is even a children’s tea for the little people. Whatever you choose simply admire the view, take a stroll through our Mill Gardens or book onto a guided tour of the historic watermill for the perfect leisurely afternoon. For further information visit www.jordansmill.com

Please answer the following question – On which river is Jordans Mill situated? Complete your details below and send your entry to Jordans Mill Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP. The winner will be randomly selected. Deadline: 16th May 2017 Name: Address:

Tel: Email: Answer: Please tick if you would like to receive our e-newsletter 

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

Charles Wilson Carpets & Flooring

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To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 13 Travel By Solange Hando Sani Pass South Africa

South Africa’s highest range almost defies and there are board games to while away the time, imagination. Named Drakensberg, or Dragon carvings, wall hangings and beads to bargain for, Mountain, known to the Zulus as Barrier of Spears, it and skis and boots lined up on a rack, just in case. forms the eastern section of the Great Escarpment, Locals talk of dragons, bush men, rock art and over a pristine wilderness laced in waterfalls and 2,000 species of plants and 300 of birds. Visitors can challenging trails, while on the Sani Pass at 2,874 stay the night in a luxury African hut or share basic metres the highest pub in Africa lures day visitors facilities while listening to frightening tales from with mulled wine and breathtaking views. seasoned backpackers. There’s plenty of Maluti beer But to stand on the ‘roof of Africa’, one must tackle to liven up the evening but above the bar, a sign the hair-raising drive up to the pass. Copper- reminds one and all that ‘It’s tough at the top’. coloured antelopes graze quietly on the slopes while Winters are for skiing, summers for trekking across fresh water springs gurgle on the rocks. Baboons vast open spaces, perhaps climbing Thabana plod around, baring their teeth to protect their Ntlenyana, the highest peak at 3,482 metres, young. At the Good Hope Centre, taxi drivers call out or hiking to Tugela, the world’s second highest ‘one more customer, just one more’. waterfall with a total drop of 947 metres. Beyond the border post, a no man’s land heads up to But most visitors just drive up for a taste of the pass and the kingdom of Lesotho on the other adventure and a hearty reward of steaming home- side. It’s a mere ribbon of road where four-wheel made soup and mountain trout. The view from the drives rattle and jerk high above a fast dwindling window is fantastic but out on the heath, there are valley. The track still glows like molten gold in places, wild carnations and black-faced orchids and lesser more tortuous as you climb, littered with rocks kestrels swooping down on invisible prey. Far below, and stones and lined with warning signs. Towering slopes roll down to the valley floor, a soft velvety boulders send shivers down your spine but there’s carpet in shades of purple, pink and gold. nowhere to stop. Sometimes a few day-trippers venture into Lesotho, One last three point turn and you are there, having just minutes away, to sit by the fire in a village gained over 1,300 metres in altitude, fighting for hut, drink sorghum beer from a communal mug breath in the thin air and almost blown away by and make friends with Angora goats and children ferocious winds and vertiginous views. It’s like the smothered up in blankets. It feels like another Grand Canyon say the rangers, but everyone heads planet, bitingly cold, but the highest pub in Africa straight to the Sani Top chalet, teetering all forlorn soon calls you back while at the foot of the mighty on the very edge of the escarpment. In this rustic Drakensberg, a heavenly valley glows in the late lodge, old letters and photographs mingle with car afternoon sun, sprinkled with pink feathery blossom adverts, shot on the spot but no one knows how, and yellow-wood trees. 14 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Sani Pass South Africa

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 15 16 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Home

ChoosingCool aCustomer new fridge The fridge has come of age. Gone are the days of Built-In - These are made to fit almost flush with a squat little white cupboard with a tiny freezer cabinets and counters. They are typically bottom- compartment. Fridges have gone large! Some even freezer or side-by-side styles and match your come with custom panels that exactly match your cabinets. kitchen cabinets. Compact or Mini - Perfect for a bedsit or a There are six basic types of fridge: kitchenette. Keep in mind these models may have Top Freezer - A traditional fridge, that’s good for a only one quarter the capacity of a regular fridge, but fairly tight spot. These tend to offer the most space cost just as much to operate. for their size but need space for a wide swing of the Always measure where you plan to put the fridge doors. They also require you to crouch to reach the before you buy. Check too that it can fit through lower shelves which may be an issue if you are tall or doorways and remember that you will need space to have arthritic knees. open the swing doors and for a one inch clearance Bottom Freezer - We tend to use the freezer less so around sides and back for adequate airflow. it might make good sense to have the fridge shelves Bigger is probably better as it means you can shop at eye-level. You tend to need a larger model to get in bulk, and smaller models do not necessarily mean the same useable capacity as a top freezer. smaller running costs. French Door - This has two narrow doors on top, Energy efficiency - All new fridges are a lot more opening from the centre, and the freezer below. The efficient than they were a decade ago. They all have space-saving small-swing doors have the added to be A+ rated now. Yet even between A+ models value of opening only half the fridge when stashing running costs can vary widely. Your fridge runs for 24 smaller items. They tend to be wider than top or hours per day so it makes sense to d your research. bottom freezers. Compare the Energy Guide labels of your favoured Side-by-Side - With the fridge on one side and fridges, and then compare the annual operating freezer on the other, these usually have through- costs and the kilowatt-hours used per year. the-door ice and water dispensers and temperature- Do all this and you will be a very cool customer controlled. The narrow doors can be useful if your when it comes to making your purchase. kitchen is small abut some don’t open wide enough for large boxes, and the tall, narrow compartments can mean some items disappear to the back, never to be seen again! By Tony Ashcroft

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 17 Food and Drink Wine: Gems of Italy Italy has numerous wine producers, in many regions. Multi award-winning Conti Faina estate, with its vineyards, growing both indigenous and international grape varieties, plus olive groves and more, is to be found in the heart of Umbria. Some 40K from Perugia, this area once belonged to the Borghese Princes in past times. From the 18th century the estate has been the property of the Counts Faina of Civitella dè Conti. The winery, founded in 1876, was commenced by digging into the rock beneath the impressive 13th century castle of Collelungo.

The ruby-red Pinot Noir 1883 wine is classic and aged in top-quality French oak barriques. The bouquet of dark fruits is most inviting. The mouthfeel is treated to the dryness and elegance of this wine, with a delighted palate following through, to the excellent finish. A great accompaniment to roasts, etc. Maltempo and Villa Murelli are also red productions and, again, have wonderful aromas of forest fruits. These well-structured wines have mouthfeels and palates well satisfied, with impressive finishes. Montione and Macchia della Torre are both easy-drinking white wines. Straw-yellow in colour and each with a fresh fruit bouquet, plus dry flavour, make these very popular selections, for many. Splendid pairings with fish and white meat dishes. For a sparkling production I enjoy the Senatore Zeffirino. This superb brut sparkling wine is elegant with its persistent perlage that enhances a dining occasion and is also often chosen for celebrations and events. An admirable aroma leads, enticingly, to the wonderful mouthfeel and impressive palate sensation. The wines produced at the Collelungo Winery are appreciated and respected by a good number of wine lovers and connoisseurs. The estate’s productions also include excellent olive oil, as well as walnut trees and seed crops. Accommodation, with all modern requirements, in the restored and preserved 11th century Benedictine Monastery, is available, too. Conti Faina Winery continues to promote theatre, cinema, arts and literature. Also, tastings, tours, medieval dinners, plus numerous events, happen throughout each year, whilst being committed to producing wine and olive oil to an exceptional standard of quality. www.contifaina.it As always, Enjoy! Trevor Langley 18 Please mention The Villager when responding to adverts Top That Sugarcraft Bedfordshire’s largest Sugarcraft shop

Opening Hours Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 2pm Closed Mondays Cake tin and stand hire Everything you need to make beautiful cakes with help and advice on hand Cakes also made to order Class room on site for sugarcraft lessons

Based at Seddington Garden Centre A1 Great North Road Seddington Sandy Beds. SG19 1NZ 01767 686054 option 1 www.topthatsugarcraft.co.uk

DUNTON LANE ASPARAGUS 2017 SEASON NOW OPEN

To buy locally our freshly cut asparagus is only available from the barrow @ Park Corner Park, Dunton Lane, Biggleswade, Beds SG18 8SH

For Enquiries or Orders please contact The Asparagus Lady on 07702 964925

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 19 the 01767 260221 Coach www.coachhousepotton.co.uk Nibbles Sides from £3 from £3 The perfect starter before your main and From bubble & squeak to leaving enough room for pudding. sweet potato fries From Cajun squid to baked Camembert Puds Sandwiches from £4 £8 Always room for a homemade pudding from Pick your bread, your side and a ﬁ lling, from the rhubarb & custard brûlée Coach club, with smoked bacon to the grilled to pecan pie. Or a carefully halloumi with our house pesto selected English cheese Available 12-2.30pm every day board with crackers if you haven’t got a sweet tooth Pub from £12 Wrap yourself around our tasty pub dinners, Sunday including a proper pie of beef, Guinness & mushroom or a smoked bacon collar roast Sunday only from £12 No meat From 18-hour from £9 shoulder of lamb to rolled pork belly Plenty of choice for veggies, including with crackling, plus a asparagus, spinach, leek & pea risotto and veggie option of half falafel burger with avocado salad a roast cauliﬂ ower with herb butter

Roasts served with a Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, Gluten free roasted roots, seasonal We now have a full gluten free menu with plenty greens and house gravy of choice for starter main and pudding too!

est. 1785

20 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

TCH Villager advert.indd 1 18/04/2017 14:22 Local News the 01767 260221 www.coachhousepotton.co.uk Looking after your Coach With 1 in 4 of us dealing with a mental health problem in any given year, it is good to know that Nibbles Sides you are not alone and that there are stepsMental you can Wellbeing from £3 from £3 take to improve your mental health. 8-14th May is Mental Health Awareness week. To breathing and The perfect starter before your main and From bubble & squeak to coincide with this, throughout May The Letchworth mindfulness to help leaving enough room for pudding. sweet potato fries Centre for Healthy Living will be running a campaign in everyday life. From Cajun squid to baked Camembert to encourage people to explore some of the many And finally, on ways in which they themselves can enhance their Tuesday 23rd May, from 1-2pm, a panel of speakers mental wellbeing. In a series of free talks, it will bring will discuss “How the Letchworth Centre can Help together experts in their fields to discuss how a more with Positive Mental Wellbeing”. Puds holistic approach to wellbeing (one that includes Roberta Meldrum, Centre Director, has said “The Sandwiches from £4 food, exercise, and even posture) can support people Centre offers a rich choice of approaches which build £8 Always room for a home- who are experiencing stress, depression, anxiety and on the common sense, research-based Five Ways to made pudding from other mental health problems. Better Mental Health recommended by the Mental Pick your bread, your side and a ﬁ lling, from the The series will begin on Tuesday, 9th May from 1-2 Health Foundation: 1. Talk about your feelings 2. Keep rhubarb & custard brûlée Coach club, with smoked bacon to the grilled pm with a discussion entitled “Dealing with Stress active 3. Eat well 4. Ask for help 5. Take a break. Our to pecan pie. Or a carefully and Anxiety” led by renowned Energy Psychologist halloumi with our house pesto May series will present a holistic approach to positive selected English cheese Dr Phil Mollon. mental health not often found elsewhere.” Available 12-2.30pm every day board with crackers if you On the following Tuesday, 16th May from 1-2pm, For more details and to book a place go to the haven’t got a sweet tooth the session “Relaxation and Breathing for Mental website www.theletchworthcentre.org or call Wellbeing” will include practical techniques on 01462-678804. Pub from £12 Wrap yourself around our tasty pub dinners, Sunday including a proper pie of beef, Guinness & mushroom or a smoked bacon collar roast Sunday only from £12 No meat From 18-hour from £9 shoulder of lamb to rolled pork belly Plenty of choice for veggies, including with crackling, plus a asparagus, spinach, leek & pea risotto and veggie option of half falafel burger with avocado salad a roast cauliﬂ ower with herb butter

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 21

TCH Villager advert.indd 1 18/04/2017 14:22 22 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Time of Year Ready for Revision Exam time is stressful for the focus. Aim to drink around up to 1.5-2 litres of water, whole family. So what’s the best way to cope? diluted fruit juice or herbal teas per day. Drinks There’s no way round it, the answer has to be rich in caffeine, such as Red Bull or coffee trigger planning and preparation. production of the stress hormone cortisol which Set up your revision timetable as early as possible, can make you feel even more edgy and nervous, that way you can pace yourself. It’s too tempting to and make it harder to focus and find the right words put everything off then face a last-minute panic. under exam pressure. How do you study best? Some people prefer to Gentle exercise, such as walking, or cycling, in spend a whole day on one subject, others prefer between study improves the blood circulation to the to break their time into smaller blocks and tackle brain and actually relieves stress, making you feel several subjects in short burst. Whichever you more relaxed. choose, make sure you take a short break every hour On the day of an exam focus on breathing; slow or so. Pop outside, stretch your legs, have a drink deep breaths in and out will help to reduce levels and maybe a snack. Oxygen, nutritious food and of the stress hormone cortisol. Try not to engage in water are essential for concentration and mental pre-or post exam discussion, as this can make you alertness. feel anxious. Effective brain function relies on neurotransmitters, If you’re well prepared and well-rested then you are which are chemicals made from amino acids. These ready. But remember they are only exams. They are are found in food rich in good quality protein, like one measure of your ability taken at one point in lean meat, fish, soya and beans. In order to convert time. They do not relate to who you are as a person, the amino acids into neurotransmitters the body or how well you will ultimately do in life. All you can also need vitamins and minerals, so top up on fruit ever do is try your best on the day. Good luck. and vegetables. Refined sugar, found in sweets What type of learner are you? and chocolate releases glucose too quickly into Visual learners - prefer note cards and tend to map the bloodstream and this can cause mood swings. out information on paper. Emotions run high around exam time anyway, so Auditory learners - prefer to read their notes aloud, it is better to snack on nuts, seeds and fruit, which and listen to them being played back. provide a slow, steady release of glucose. Kinaesthetic learners need action – Record your Our brains also depend on proper hydration to voice and play back the information while walking. function optimally. Brain cells require a delicate Take revision notes to the gym and read while balance between water and various elements to running on a treadmill, even sitting on a swing operate. Research has found that if we’re even reading notes can work. slightly dehydrated we find it more difficult to By Sarah Davey

23 Home Interiors

AThere’s more Home to interior style than eye-catching with accessories. Consider introducing an appealing sense of charm and character with these interesting ideas. Is your home lacking in an indefinable something? Character Has it lost its period features? Would it benefit In a period home you might seek out reclaimed from some appealing detailing, the restoration examples or find well-made reproductions; also, of authenticity or some aids to functionality? decide whether to paint them or, conversely, strip Sometimes it is worth considering some more them. architectural alterations, which don’t necessarily Panelling can enhance a room or hallway and have to cost a fortune. Here are a few suggestions. comes in a wide variety of styles, from Jacobean to Improve your floors contemporary, and is relatively easy to fit. If you have original timber boards in good condition Get the lighting right beneath your floor coverings, then sanding them You can improve inadequate or imbalanced built in back, staining and/or oiling them is a relatively lighting or out of character fittings: either discreetly straightforward procedure for a competent DIYer; with minimal downlighters in the ceiling, simple alternatively, employ a professional. Boards in poor wall lights or versatile LED strips - or go for full-on condition can be renovated to an extent, or consider drama with huge, eye-catching chandeliers. replacing them with reclaimed boards that match All in the details the style of your home. Small details like cupboard knobs, door and window Homes built between the late 19th century and furniture, light switches, plug sockets and even the the middle of the 20th often feature colourful, humble pull cord can all make a difference. Cheap patterned geometric or encaustic tiles, generally plastic light switches can be swapped for upmarket along the hallway and garden path. Even if they are ones which are lovely to look at and pleasant discoloured or damaged they should be repairable, to touch. The same goes for door and window and with the right specialist the results will be furniture: think, for example, how different your dramatic. front door would look with a gorgeous, matching Think about mouldings set of letterbox, bell and numbers. From skirting to ceiling roses, door surrounds to dados, mouldings contribute enormously to the overall look of a home. Research carefully, to ensure they correspond in scale and design to the age and style of your architecture. Modern replicas are often available, but sometimes going to a specialist is necessary and this is not cheap. Ease of alteration depends on your circumstances but this is definitely a project to bear in mind when considering renovation work. What about woodwork? In living rooms lacking storage, build across the recesses either side of the fireplace, with cupboards below and display shelving above. The same goes for alcove shelving elsewhere, window seats, wardrobes and other forms of built-in joinery. Consider these additions carefully, so that they complement your home in terms of scale and detailing. And, plan to remove and replace completely inappropriate built-in storage or seating when possible. Replacing poor quality or badly designed interior doors with beautiful ones is a major enhancement. 24 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life call 01767 261122 25 26 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Local News Local Charity Launches New Partnership Local charity Herts the partnership with The MS Therapy Centre Herts MS Therapy Centre. and Coloplast, have We hope that we can help announced they are even more people with working work together continence-related issues in 2017. to be as active and confident as possible.” “We welcome anyone Coloplast supported the charity by sponsoring its with any long term or ‘Fighting Fatigue & Pain’ Open Days during 2016. neurological condition. Many of the people we help This programme continues throughout 2017, with experience continence-related issues,” said Mark the next Open Day being held on 29 July, 12pm – Boscher, Chief Executive of The Herts MS Therapy 2pm. Centre. “It’s great to be working together with In addition, discreet surgeries are held every month Coloplast to raise awareness of the products and at The Herts MS Therapy’s Centre at 30 Campus Five support that are available.” in Letchworth. People are able to book a private Coloplast develops continence solutions that make appointment with a continence specialist for advice life easier for people with intimate healthcare and support. needs. The Letchworth charity is looking forward to the exciting possibilities that this partnership can If you would like more achieve. details, please contact Head of Consumer Marketing at Coloplast, Sarah Claire on Fraser commented: “Our products offer high levels of discreetness as well as providing optimal 01462 684 214 or email functionality. We are very much looking forward to [email protected]

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This advert is kindly sponsored by Coloplast. Discover continence and urology products for intimate healthcare needs. www.hertsmstherapy.org.uk Ref: Villager Hertfordshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre is Charity 299524 and Company 2215165 Registered Office 30 Campus Five, Letchworth, Herts SG6 2JF

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 27 28 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Health & Beauty

By Louise Addison

TheSkin skin is our largest body organ. It works quietly Deep away, constantly renewing itself, shedding dead Your face should never feel sore or puffy when the cells every 28 days. It also provides a barrier against treatment is over. You should look like a cleaner, the environment and keeps our insides where they shinier, healthier version of you! should be! I’m up for that. The skin on our face and hands is more exposed Which skin technologies really work? than other areas so it’s unsurprising that the Alpha-hydroxy acids These are present in many combined effects of pollution, UV exposure and moisturisers. Their effectiveness depends on stress mean these are the places which show signs concentration. Between 8-15% they are a very of aging first. effective skin smoother. At strengths of over 15% There are thousands of product on the market that they are used in chemical peels which should only promise us all manner of miracles but do any of be carried out by a Dermatologist. them work and is there anything we can really do Trans-retinoic acid It’s been proven to reduce to hold back time? wrinkles, increase epidermal thickness and What about facials? Having a facial is a luxurious stimulate collagen deposition. It is effective in but is it really doing anything? Beauticians say yes. serum at very low concentrations but the effect Although the skin self-renews, dead cells on the is cumulative, so you will need to view it as a surface make it look dull. Facials help by physically long-term strategy. It’s also very sensitive to sun removing dead cell build-up, to reveal younger light and breaks down on exposure, and can cause fresher skin underneath. a mild skin reaction so should only be applied at There are a bewildering array of facials to suit night. skin type, age and budget they all follow a similar Vitamin C serum This is a highly effective anti- pattern. oxidant and wrinkle-reducer but needs to be The first step is a deep cleanse, followed by concentrated (10% or more) and stabilised in order exfoliation then, depending on which treatment to work. Keep it out of the light and use in the you’ve agreed with your beautician it can include morning. It breaks down on exposure to sunlight steaming, blackhead and whitehead extraction, so use it under a moisturiser with a high SPF. Use massage, face mask and moisturiser. Variations only stabilised, colour-free preparations. If there is a include aromatherapy oils and acupressure. yellow tinge, it’s no longer effective. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 29 House of Colour Tips for Mums How to look good at the school gates Mums are under constant pressure with ever growing to-do lists. However we still want to look as good as we can! Here are my top tips on how to up your look at the school gates with minimal effort. 1. Within your colour scheme, pick the colours that suit you best and dress up a simple outfit with a statement item in one of your wow shades. A staple accessory like a scarf or a statement necklace could be the perfect thing to spice up your outfit, so you can still pull off your everyday clothes, but with a colourful twist. 5. Show off your favourite part of you. Whether 2. Try a simple jacket within your colour scheme it’s legs, shoulders or arms, show the parts and style. It’s often tempting to wear the of you that make you feel confident! Use same old coat that’s been in the back of the accessories to draw the eyes to where you wardrobe for years. Instead, try dressing up a want them to look! casual jeans and boots look with a wonderful 6. Since lower heels are always in the shops jacket which emphasises your personality. there will be interesting choices on the Always stick to the right colours and it’s a market. Comfy shoes are vital but show your simple fix to complete your look. personality with some zebra flats or bang on- 3. Add trend to a wardrobe staple. A classic trend trainers. Step out of your comfort zone knitted jumper doesn’t have to look like and try something different but which still something from 90’s TV. Update this in your suits your personality and makes you smile! best seasonal colours and you’ve instantly 7. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a new haircut upped your look. when you need it. It is amazing how well cut 4. Try changing your jean style to flatter your hair enhances your look. Make sure your hair shape. Everyone needs jeans but to look great is the colour it is supposed to be and that the they also need to reflect your personality and cut suits your face shape and personality! fit your body. Consider investing here – you 8. Having two good statement bags helps us know you will wear them a lot! feel and look good at the school gates. Buy one in a neutral colour and another in a wow colour that will make your neutral outfit zing! Bags are key to any outfit at any time as well as providing a home for the all-important snacks, toys etc. 9. In bad weather a fabulous pair of wellies or an umbrella in your wow colours can add fun and statement to your outfit and be a great talking point! 10. A bit of lippy in your best colours will lift your eyes and make your skin glow. Always a great boost. By Jennie Billings www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings 30 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 31 32 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Health & Beauty

By Kate Duggan Here comes the www.kateduggan.co.uk A coconut hair treatment, homemade body scrub and the perfect day-to-night palette… meet your new summer beauty summer sun kit. Lighter evenings are a great could be the answer. It’s packed full of natural ingredients. The excuse for after-work drinks. with nourishing oils, including bath oil (£22.50) is perfect for a Bobbi Brown’s new Sultry Nude hazelnut and jojoba, so helps pampering soak after a long day. Eye and Cheek Palette, £48, to soothe and moisturise lips. It smells amazing, and leaves Less sticky than lipgloss, it hides skin feeling soft and smooth. See dry patches and adds a touch www.pravera.co.uk. of colour. The Instant Light Lip For hair in need of some TLC, try Comfort Oil is available in four Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Rosemary shades, including a lip plumping & Cedarwood Hair Treatment. Mint. My favourite is Honey Glam, which gives you a shimmery golden pout. See www.clarins. co.uk. is perfect for popping in your A sugar scrub is ideal for handbag ready for cocktail hour. exfoliating legs that have been The four eyeshadows have a hidden away for months on end. slight metallic shimmer and And it’s surprisingly quick and the blush suits most skin tones. easy to make one at home. Just Easy to apply, with great staying add around two tablespoons Organic coconut oil is blended power, the powders are housed of olive oil to four tablespoons with essential oils of organic in a very lust-worthy gold case. of sugar. You’re aiming for a rosemary, cedarwood, and The only downside is the lack of mixture that’s easy to massage lavender. You only need a small brushes. See www.bobbibrown. into your skin, but not so liquid amount, less than a teaspoon. co.uk. that it’ll drip all over your bath Coconut oil is solid at room If your lips are feeling a bit mat. The sugar acts as a natural temperature, but dissolves into a dry and flaky, Clarins’ Instant exfoliator, and the olive oil is very liquid when heated, so just warm Light Lip Comfort Oil, £19, moisturising, so it’ll leave your it between your hands, then skin feeling much smoother. You massage it through your hair. can also add extra ingredients You can leave it to the basic scrub. Honey helps on for 30 minutes, your skin to repair itself and retain but I like to use it water, so try adding a tablespoon as an overnight to the mix. If you’re not keen on treatment. (As the smell of olive oil, fragrance an added bonus, the scrub with a couple of drops the lavender of essential oil. scent helps me to There are four core products in sleep.) It leaves Primavera’s new Harmonising hair feeling soft, Rose and Osmanthus body care sleek and much range – a body cream, bath more manageable. oil, body wash and body oil. £6.50 from www. Designed to nourish skin and nealsyardremedies. provide a real treat for the senses, com the products are organic and To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 33 We build our mortgages around you

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34 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Hobbies By Kate McLelland

A Micro-brew Hobby with Macro Potential

Late last year a study carried out by a London concentrated malt extract. The amount of malt estate agent showed that microbreweries now extract not only determines the flavour and outperform the so-called ‘Cappucino Index’ (which body of the finished beer, it also provides the measures how many new coffee shops have fermentable sugars that produce the alcohol, opened) as an indicator that a neighbourhood is therefore the more malt you add, the stronger the “on the up”. brew. The popularity of microbreweries – small factories The ‘fermenting bin’ is a big bucket large enough set up to produce craft beers, ciders and lagers to contain all the water required in the recipe. A – is undeniable, but they are simply doing what standard 25ltr/40 pint fermenter should easily home brewers have done for years, on a larger cope with all your brewing needs, as most beer, scale. It’s good to know that many of the most cider and lager kits make 36-40 pints. successful factory owners started out with a simple Beer is mostly made of water and once the liquid brewing kit in their kitchen. Rob Witt, who runs a has been added, the mixture is known as ‘wort’. multi award-winning Nottingham micro-brewery, At this stage the yeast will be activated, but be acknowledges that brewing at home is the best warned! Many home brewing experiments fail way to learn. He says: “I have a lot of people coming because the temperature is allowed to rise above to the brewery asking about setting up themselves, or fall below the level required. In summer it’s but they have never even home brewed. It takes time easier to maintain a constant temperature, but to understand the finer points of the process and how you may need to wrap your fermentation bin in the many ingredients taste and can work together.” an insulated jacket or use a thermostatic heater It’s not just the taste of hand-crafted brews that during the winter. is persuading more people to take up the hobby. The fermentation process is complete when the Wherever you travel in the UK, you are likely to yeast has converted as much of the sugar as it can pay over £3 for a pint of beer, and in London this to alcohol. More sugar is added to the beer at the rises to almost £4 per pint. Compare this with well bottling stage to improve the brew’s foam, aroma under £1 a pint for the home-made stuff and you’ll and taste. This process – which ultimately produces understand why home brewing is so popular. the carbonated beer drink we’re all familiar with – Starting out typically takes around two weeks and at this stage The simplest way to try your hand at brewing beer you’ll need all your reserves of patience! is to buy a kit. You’ll also need a fermenting bin, When the moment to drink your freshly some water and a warm place to leave your brew. made brew arrives, you’ll have a real sense of You can purchase kits to match virtually any style achievement. You may not feel ready to run a of beer, cider or lager. They generally consist of microbrewery just yet, but you’ll certainly be more a sachet of dried yeast and one or two cans of popular with your friends and neighbours! To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 35 Hobbies

About a third of people in the UK own a collection. called the endowment effect, which describes our CollectionsFrom water colour miniatures to novelty pens, tendency to value things more once we own them. people like to collect things - but why? Well there The other is the concept of contagion, and this isn’t one reason. For some, like football fans who applies particularly to celebrity items because some collect club memorabilia, it is a way to express their collectors see such objects as being infused with the loyalty; for others, like a coin collector who is proud essence of the person who owned them. of a rare find, it can become an obsession. You Collecting can be an absorbing and fun hobby, and don’t even have to collect something physical: train can be a good way to make like-minded friends. spotters collect engine numbers and information. There are online communities for chatting about Humans are unique in the way we collect items your collection. There are also be meet-ups where purely for the satisfaction of seeking out and owning you can swap or buy additions. them. It’s thought that we started to collect things To start a collection choose something that is as early as 12,000 years ago, when our ancestors meaningful to you and works with your budget. ceased their nomadic lifestyles and settled in one I have one friend who collects silly limericks, location. There is much speculation about why we which cost her nothing, and another who collects collect, yet little agreement between scientists. aesthetically pleasing glass objects, which can set It’s true some people collect items like fine art her back several hundred pounds. Both get great or wine as investments, but the vast majority of pleasure from their hobby. The choice of things to collections are not actually worth a lot. There are a collect is limitless…so what are you waiting for? couple of interesting theories. One is a phenomenon

36 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts TEMPLARS CROSS LODGE We take time to listen and find the best way forward Contact us to arrange your free initial 30 minute visit (We are happy to come to you for a small extra charge) www.templarscrosslodge.co.uk Wills Our staff have successfully drafted Wills for many years; Close to Baldock town centre in spacious truly we are experts. surroundings this motel style £135 inc. Single Will £199 inc. Mirror Wills Bed & Breakfast offers off road parking. Probate • CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Helping you prove a Will after death. • LARGE LUXURY EN-SUITE ROOMS £545 inc. Plus Court fees [unless it is a huge estate] • FREE WIFI INTERNET ACCESS to obtain a Grant of Probate from the Court • SKY TV/DVD PLAYER • FRIDGE IN ROOM Lasting Power of Attorney • PRIVATE LOC ATION Arranging for a relative/friend to act on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. • CLOSE TO TRAIN STATION £350 inc. Plus Court fees • MAJOR CREDIT CARDS TAKEN to draft & register with Public Guardian Office

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To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 37 38 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Employment Employment Matters Why every ‘High Tech’ customer experience still needs a human face Don’t let technology blind you to the fact that it’s Now start looking at this from the business people who provide great service, particularly when viewpoint. By giving your employees these three they go beyond customer expectations. things also creates great customer experiences: Whenever anyone talks about any great customer Autonomy - Flexible process which give employees service they’ve received they will invariably talk freedom to do what’s right for the customer and about the person who made it happen. react to their specific situation, treating them as Perhaps it was the hotel receptionist who arranged individuals for the kitchen to reopen because you were delayed Competence - Customers being dealt with by and missed dinner. The air steward who found paper people who know what they’re doing, giving and pencil to keep your child busy. The call centre efficient service with the right answers, in the right operator who resolved an ongoing problem with way and at the right time, with their competence care and kindness. being linked to customer experience. It is not a coincidence that companies which Belonging regularly appear in the ‘best customer experience’ Ensuring customers can relate to the organisation by charts are just as well known for engaged creating a bond based on shared values and common employees as they are for great service. Many other goals of the business with its employees. companies which claim to give great service to Despite increasingly living our lives through customers often overlook what makes the biggest technology – human beings will always play the difference: their people and the empathy those central role in creating great customer experiences. people can bring to the customer experience. It’s still the employees who are programming the list For people to be happy, motivated, and engaged at of processes to follow in order to solve a problem - work the three crucial things employees need are: designing the screens and coming up with the ideas. Autonomy - Allowing them control over how they So now it’s a good time to take another look at the complete the task at hand, with a focus on the organisation’s customer experience strategy and start outcome, not the process, empowering empathetic by understanding what your customers really want. people. But before starting out to design flow charts of Competence - Giving them support to be good at the ‘customer journey’, write scripts and overly- their job, developing their skills in line with their complex measurement frameworks, take the ambitions, creating ongoing development. time to understand what’s really important to the Belonging - Ensuring they have a connection to employees of the business too. their colleagues and the company through a shared By involving them in designing the customer service sense of purpose, with open communication to experience your business can find a way to please build trust. both customers and employees at the same time!

Carol H Scott HR and Business Consulting Ltd

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 39 40 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 41 T&G131x186AdvertReady.pdf 30/07/2016 16:27:44

CMY

42 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Garden Slug

By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.comSurvival Whether your garden is big or small, or you have just • Encourage natural predators such as hedgehogs, a few planters in a back yard or on a balcony, the frogs, toads, slow worms and ground beetles. If chances are that slugs will cause you grief. There are you keep hens consider letting them clear the about thirty species of slug in the UK and most feed ground for you – but obviously only before you throughout the year, especially after dark and when start planting and sowing! the soil is wet or moist – and now that spring is here, • Use the Nemaslug nematode control, a treatment they’re out in force! I like because it is harmless to everything except However, most slugs actually do little damage to slugs. It works swiftly and silently too and, if living plants, instead preferring to feast on dead and you’re a potato grower and you drench the soil dying material. Typically it is smaller slugs like the around the potato plants about six weeks before greyish-black keeled slug and the pinkish-beige-grey anticipated harvest, the nematodes soon get to field slug which are more likely to wreak havoc. With work and your potatoes should be virtually slug- estimates of there being about 200 slugs per average damage free. Use it to clear a slug-infested raised cubic metre of average garden soil, the situation can bed or planter and apply self-adhesive copper soon get out of hand. tape around the rim of the container to keep the Keeled slugs in particular love to feast below ground, contents slug free. Find out more about Nemaslug as well as on plants above the soil surface. In no time and copper tape at www.pippagreenwood.com/ at all slugs can eat through the base of a young stem, products/protect-your-crops. killing the plant in the process, or eat seedlings even • Barriers such as crushed shells, wool pellets, soot, before they have had a chance to emerge above the pine needles or copper-impregnated fabric can soil surface! Later in the year, they will begin to tunnel also work well, but may need replacing regularly into potato tubers and carrots too. and results seem to vary. They breed quickly and very efficiently, and you’re • Traps filled with beer can reduce slug numbers in most likely to spot the clumps of eggs on the soil your garden dramatically. You can buy ready- surface, beneath flopped foliage and amongst moist made traps or make your own using inexpensive organic matter. Each egg is about 1-2mm in diameter plastic beakers plunged into the soil, the rim and a clear, milky or off-white coloured sphere. protruding 1-2cm above the soil surface and filled So what can you do with these squidgy little with a well-flavoured beer. menaces? Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. • Go on an evening slug hunt, in particular after it com to buy gorgeous UK grown vegetable plants has rained or you have done some watering. accompanied by weekly advice emails from Pippa, • Choose vegetable varieties which have useful or to peruse the really useful selection of Pippa’s resistance to slugs. With potatoes, main crop favourite gardening items including SpeedHoes, varieties usually suffer most, so try to grow mainly SpeedWeeders, raised bed kits, Nemaslug and earlies. Choose varieties such as Charlotte, Kestrel, copper tape, pull-out EasyTunnels, signed books Sante or Wilja to give a better chance of success. and lots more besides. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 43 Wildlife RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results

Robins, starlings and blackbirds joined by more unusual visitors • UK gardens have seen a boom in the number Weather conditions leading up to the Birdwatch of visits from unusual migrant birds such as meant that this year UK gardens were treated to a waxwings range of different visitors. Along with waxwings, • Number of robins seen visiting gardens at its there was also a large jump in the number of visits highest level for more than 20 years from other migrant birds. In the East there were 5 • In excess of 497,000 people took part in the times as many redwing and fieldfare seen and an 2017 Birdwatch counting over 8 million birds 18% increase in sightings of brambling as the sub- Nearly 7, 000 people in Bedfordshire joined nearly zero temperatures on the continent forced them half-a-million people across the UK in the world’s to go in search of milder conditions. largest garden wildlife survey, counting more Dr Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientists, than eight million birds during the 38th RSPB Big said: “The sight of a robin or blackbird perched Garden Birdwatch, witnessing some exciting and on the garden fence is often one of the first unusual visitors. experiences we have with nature. So to have over In Bedfordshire, there was no change to the top half-a-million people taking part and counting a two. House sparrows held on to the top spot being bumper eight million birds across one weekend is seen in the 70% of gardens during the survey amazing. Using the information from the weekend despite having decreased nationally by 57% we’ll be able to create a snapshot of how our since 1979. Starlings were another non-mover garden birds are doing. remaining in second place, although there was a “In the lead up to the Birdwatch there was 26% rise in the number of gardens starlings were some speculation as to whether we could see a seen in. ‘waxwing winter’ and the results prove that to Blackbirds knocked the blue tits out of the top be the case. Flocks of these striking looking birds three as they moved up two places from fifth to arrived in the UK along the North Sea coast and third, being seen in a whopping 95% of gardens, will have moved across the country in search of making them the county’s most widespread bird. food, favouring gardens where they can feast on The event held over the last weekend in January berries. With it only happening once every 7-8 also revealed an explosion in the number of years, it will have been a treat for the lucky people recorded sightings of waxwings. These attractive who managed to catch a glimpse of one.” looking birds flock to UK gardens in winter once There was also good news for robins, with the every 7-8 years when the berry crop fails in their average number seen visiting gardens at its native Scandinavia. Known as an ‘irruption’, results highest level since 1986, helping it climb from showed that within the region waxwings were number nine to number seven in Bedfordshire and seen in around 5 times more gardens in 2017 the same jump nationally, its joint highest-ever compared to previous years. position in the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings. 4444 PleasePlease mention mention The The Villager Villager and and Town Town Life Life when when responding responding to to adverts adverts To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 45 low Nu Foxhol rsery Pelargonium Specialists

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Call for a FREE Survey & Quotation Visit our Display Area at: Gilks Fencing Drove Road, Gamlingay, Sandy, Beds SG19 2HX Tel: 01767 650 615 Email: [email protected] www.gilksfencing.co.uk 46 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Blackbird was another climber, moving to number invaluable resource for birds – throughout the year three in the East and becoming the region’s most birds need food, water and a safe place to shelter. widespread garden bird after being spotted in If we all provide these things in our outdoor spaces more than 96% of gardens. it will be a huge help to our garden birds, perhaps The survey also highlighted a downturn in even playing a role in reversing some declines.” Bedfordshire in the recorded sightings of blue tits The nation’s school children noticed a similar (-15%), great tits (-12%) and coal tits (-20%) on last pattern when taking part in the RSPB Big Schools year’s figures. Dr Hayhow explained: “Numbers of Birdwatch. The UK-wide survey of birds in schools small bodied birds such as blue tits and great tits saw over 73,000 school children – almost 1, 900 of are susceptible to changes in weather throughout whom took part in Bedfordshire - spend an hour the year, and scientists believe that the prolonged in nature counting birds. Nationally, the blackbird wet weather during the 2016 breeding season remained the most common playground visitor for led to fewer younger birds surviving than usual, the ninth year in succession with over 88% schools meaning there are fewer to be seen in gardens.” spotting at least one. However in Bedfordshire the This year’s results also pointed to the positive woodpigeon took the number one spot. effects that wildlife friendly gardens are having on Big Garden Birdwatch and Big Schools’ Birdwatch bird behaviours. Recorded sightings increased for are a part of the RSPB Giving Nature a Home sixteen of the top 20 Big Garden Birdwatch birds campaign, aimed at tackling the house crisis facing between 2016 and 2017 showing how gardens the UK’s threatened wildlife. The charity is asking are becoming an invaluable resource for our most people to provide a place for wildlife in their common British garden birds. gardens and outdoor spaces – whether it’s putting Claire Thomas, RSPB Wildlife Advisor, said: “This up a nest box for birds, creating a pond for frogs or year was another incredible year for the Big building a home for hedgehogs. Garden Birdwatch, with our favourite garden birds like starlings, robins and goldfinches, joined in For more information about the RSPB Big Garden the gardens up and down the country by more Birdwatch results – www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch unusual visitors. Our gardens can become an 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]

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 47 48 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Local News Rehoming Appeal This month’s rescue Pudding animals looking for their forever home are Jessie and Pudding. Jessie and Pudding are sisters and are looking for a home where they can stay together. If you would like to find out more about Jessie They are nearly 5 years old and Pudding, please contact Liz on 01767 and very friendly girls who 681157. love fuss and attention. Alternatively please e-mail Philippa at info.rats@ Jessie is a real lap cat and gmail.com who will be pleased to forward your very affectionate and enquiry on to the team Pudding loves to play. View other dogs, cats and small mammals They will make wonderful currently in our care for re-homing on our companions but have not website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or lived with dogs or young facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity children previously. Home checks are carried out on potential homes.

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 49 Pets Animal Know-how

Happy holidays for everyone… In the excitement of preparing for a holiday or weekend away, don’t forget to make arrangements for your pets. Sorting out care arrangements for your pet can take time, so you should always do this well in advance. • if and when they may need any medication and Never leave pets on their own without a how to give it to them; responsible person to care for them; you must • how to socialise with them. make sure they get the care they need. When Whoever you choose to care for your pets while someone else is looking after your pet they too you are away, make sure that you: have a legal responsibility to ensure your pet’s • are confident that they will care for your pet welfare and you should make sure that they properly; understand your pet’s needs and any special • give them clear instructions on how to care for requirements that he, or she, may have. your pet; There are a number of options to ensure your • leave the name and number of your vet and, if pet is cared for when you are away. You can leave possible, a number where you can be contacted them with friends or family, have a pet-sitter, or in case of emergencies; take them to a boarding establishment. • keep your pet’s vaccinations and flea and Many pets can find the absence of their owner worming treatments up-to-date. and/or a change of routine stressful. It is important It is a criminal offence to leave any animal without that all of your pet’s needs are met, and that you making proper arrangements for their welfare. leave clear instructions on how to look after your But, if organised properly, holidays can be a pet, including: welcome break for both you and your pets. Happy • dietary requirements; holidays to you all. • daily health checks (especially for small animals to check that they are eating and toileting ANIMAL KNOW-HOW is one of a series of articles brought properly, and to check they are healthy ie fly- to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch strike in rabbits); www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk • how and when to exercise them; 50 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts TYNEHILL Boarding Kennels and Cattery

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To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 51 Motoring BMW M760Li xDrive Those of you hoping this was Space and practicality Value for money BMW’s M7 need to look away The 7 Series does feel a little For £132,310, you do get some now. Although this may be the smaller in the rear than rivals from goodies thrown in. Lightweight fastest BMW ever made, if you’re Mercedes and Audi, though. Up 20-inch alloys, a Bowers & Wilkins after a fire-breathing, full-blooded front the driving position is a little sound system and Car Play are M car, the M760Li will leave you cosseting too, but it’s easy to get included, as is an Advanced a little disappointed. BMW says comfortable. Parking System, adaptive LED that’s because this is a car for What’s under the bonnet? headlights, a head-up display, buyers with something of a split BMW made a lot of noise about it and massaging seats. There’s even personality. One moment they being 30 years since they installed rear-seat entertainment and a may be keen on a country road a V12 engine in their 7 Series panoramic glass sunroof provided assault so they can enjoy the at the launch. Since then, the too. There’s also an extensive glorious V12, the next they might 12-cylinder lump has doubled options list, including night vision want to kick back and relax in the in power: the 2017 6.6-litre unit and BMW laser headlights. massaging seats and just cruise boasts a whopping 601bhp, a Verdict along. staggering 800Nm of torque and is The fact BMW perseveres with Looks and image capable of propelling it to 60mph a V12 is a revelation. With The 7 Series has long been a in just 3.6 seconds. That gives it downsizing the current buzzword, luxury choice for the type of buyer the impressive title of the fastest it seems hard to believe that a who still enjoys driving, though – accelerating BMW ever made, manufacturer would launch a and the M760Li is the epitome of but you’ll pay at the pumps; the 6.6-litre petrol drinking lump. that. With several driving modes M760Li will return 22.1mpg and Although the market for it will be to choose from, sporty drivers are emits 294g/km. small, we’re still very glad it has. well catered for when its sport Behind the wheel OK, so this might not be the M7 setting is active. With the comfort The BMW is a true Jekyll and Hyde that many performance BMW setting it’s mellower, more relaxed, car with distinct personalities fans crave, but it’s as close to it as it eases over bumps and floats behind the wheel. On the track it we’re going to get. It’s great fun along beautifully. was incredibly swift and that V12 to drive, sumptuously luxurious The looks of the M760Li won’t makes a pleasingly sound and, and wonderfully relaxing when be for everyone but inside is a while there may be some body roll, you want it to be - and all in, a very wonderful place to spend time. it’s not too intrusive. It’s all helped competent and exciting 7 Series For those who are chauffeured by four-wheel drive that has a rear indeed. the back seats are arguably wheel drive bias when needed. more comfortable than up front. The steering is a little light in the There are multimedia screens to comfort setting, though, but flick it enjoy, cushioned headrests and into sport and it’s far better. massaging, reclining seat backs.

By James Baggott

52 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Kee it local Not everyone trusts the internet, we prefer the traditional methods, come and have a cup of Tea, and talk to us face to face about your next Car or Van.

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54 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Three Counties Radio

7 Layer Bar I am not sure I know any food writers who are more prolific than Hannah Miles. Every time she is a guest on my programme, she seems to have added another couple to her list and she is now up to well over 30 books. Her latest is called Traybakes (published by Lorenz Books) and, in it, she shows how versatile traybake cakes can be. This indulgent tray bake may actually be the Queen of Traybakes. Loads of indulgent ingredients, bound together by a can of condensed milk, to create a perfect snack or lunchbox treat, especially for your children or grandchildren. It’s also ideal, as traybakes often are, if you need to rustle together a cake for the school fete or a cake sale at work. This is a big treat bar, packed with flavour, fun… and calories!

Ingredients 1. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4/180C/350F. For the base 2. Blitz the biscuits to fine crumbs. Melt the butter in a 300g/ digestive biscuits or graham crackers saucepan and pour into the crumbs. 125g butter 3. Stir well so that all the crumbs are coated in the For the topping butter. Press the crumbs out in an even layer over 200g chocolate chips the base of the tin using the back of a spoon. 100g fudge pieces or butterscotch chips 4. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the biscuit base in a layer. Sprinkle over the fudge pieces, raisins and 60g raisins pecans. Sprinkle over the coconut and hazelnuts. 100g pecans, coarsely chopped 5. Drizzle with the condensed milk. Bake for 25 – 30 150g flake sweetened coconut (or desiccated) minutes until golden brown then leave to cool 60g toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped completely in the tin. 398g can of condensed milk 6. Cut into 24 squares to serve. This layer cake will store in an airtight container for up to 3 days - if it Equipment: food processor or blender, 35cm x 25cm lasts that long! deep baking tin, greased and lined

Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can also join Nick every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.

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56 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Local News Bellringers ‘Bellringers, they’re a really ancient lot who make a big noise in village church towers, right?!’ Well, partly, but the UK’s 30,000 bellringers are mostly normal people like you and me. The mechanics of a bell (metal bell attached to a wooden wheel, made to ring by pulling a rope attached to the wheel) have hardly changed in hundreds of years and ringing a bell is still a knack acquired with regular practice over some weeks. Most of today’s ringers represent a true cross section of society. People of 90 are still active ringers and we teach young people as young as 9 years old. We use across the county, have won the National Youth computers to help with the teaching of bellringing Competition for 4 years in succession, proof that we theory and practice. are getting it right! Bedfordshire is a thriving area that welcomes new We invite you to check us out at an open evening people to learn to ring. The last ten years have seen a at St Andrew’s church, Biggleswade, either on new ring of bells installed at Campton and thorough Thursday May 11 at 7.45 pm, or Monday May 15 overhauls at Northill, Ampthill and Clifton. In 2016 at 7.45 pm. Places are limited so you MUST Biggleswade added two new bells to make 10 and we book in advance please, by email opened a dedicated centre for training ringers. [email protected] Our under 19’s, who come from different towers or call 07803 206161

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 57 Local News Bedfordshire’s cleverest puppies need more ‘puppy parents’ They will help with the housework, load a washing machine and open doors – but now the region’s cleverest puppies are calling for your help. Charity Canine Partners is looking for special volunteer ‘puppy parents’ that can look after puppies that are training to become assistance dogs for physically disabled people. Carol Lloyd has been a puppy parent for 10 years and is currently looking after her 13th puppy, 11-month-old Labrador Milo. She says she loves helping to train and socialise the puppies. Carol and Milo also attend puppy training classes “I would recommend being a puppy parent. It’s a and they have home visits from Bedford satellite really nice way of having a dog. It’s fantastic seeing trainer Lorraine Lotan who gives Carol guidance on the difference a dog makes to someone’s life,” said the charity’s reward-based training techniques – Carol. praising the puppy and giving it lots of treats, toys The 56-year-old cleaner from Wootton, Bedfordshire and playtime when they get something right. joined the charity’s team of volunteers after moving When he is about 13 months old he will go to one of to the area from Milton Keynes. Canine Partners’ advanced training centres in West She said: “I liked the idea of having a dog but also Sussex or Leicestershire to develop the skills he is having a purpose to that. learning with his puppy parent. “Rather than having a pet dog, we have Canine Mum-of-two Carol said: “The first time a puppy Partners’ puppies.” leaves you for its advanced training is the worst but Carol has been looking after Milo since he was eight it makes all the heart ache of the puppy leaving weeks old and she has been teaching him the basic worthwhile when you see the difference it will make skills he needed for life as an assistance dog, while to someone’s life.” ensuring he was always well-behaved. Now she is calling for more people to sign up and She has taken him on busses and trains and visited join the growing band of volunteers. supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, shopping centres, She added: “I really enjoy being a puppy parent parks and banks. And they are making sure they met and in Bedford we have a fantastic support group lots of other people and animals. so you’re never on your own. We also have a great satellite trainer in Lorraine.” It comes after the group hosted a special puppy party which gave people the chance to meet the puppies and existing volunteers and watch demonstrations showcasing some of the skills puppy parents teach the dogs. There’s still time to sign up as a volunteer puppy parent for Canine Partners. Puppy parents receive full ongoing support, both at their homes and at puppy training classes. Food, equipment, vet bills and temporary holiday care is provided. And there’s another chance to meet the team at the Bedford group’s summer show June 24 at Happy Dog Training in Clapham. For more information call 01730 716017 or visit caninepartners.org.uk/puppyparties. 58 IAN SIMPSON Carpentry and Joinery

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To advertiseLCA half page.indd in The Villager1 and Town Life please call 01767 261122 15/03/2017 16:0359 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

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

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To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 61 Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month. What’s on entries to [email protected] What’s On In May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 May 4 May 9 May Branch Out Social Club for Single People Baldock Floral Society 7.30pm British Red Cross Bedfordshire Flowering 8.30-11pm United Reformed Church, Whitehorse Street, Arranging Demonstration & Shopping Cromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Baldock Opportunity Meets every Monday night. It was formed Members free, Visitors £6 payable on the door 11am-3pm Savin’s Wholesalers, Vinegar Hill, in 1995 to bring together single, divorced, Demonstration by Pat Dibben “The Joys of Japan”. Hatch, Sandy Tickets £10 widowed and separated people, aged 40 Refreshments and raffle. Refreshments, soup and cakes, raffle and upwards, from the Herts, Beds and Bucks area, to tombola. Free parking. socialise and enjoy one another’s company. 4, 11, 18 & 25 May Tel: Tickets Sandra 01582 589084 Tel: Lorna 01438 233657 Sapphire Social Club Web: www.redcross.org.uk for further details Web: www.branch-out.org.uk 8.30pm The Orange Tree, Hitchin A small, friendly group for single people 9, 16 & 23 May 2 May generally aged 50 and above offering a variety The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living Rabbit & Guinea Pig MOTs 4-6.30pm of social events and the opportunity to meet and Talks 1-2pm Wood Green Animal Shelter, Heydon Centre, make new friends. Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Highway Cottage, Chishil Road, Heydon Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk Rosehill Hospital, Hitchin Road, Letchworth £5 per pet Garden City Bring your pet along for a health check including 5 & 6 May A series of free talks on your mental wellbeing. full body check over, weight checks, dental Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ 9th May - Dealing with Stress & Anxiety; 16th advice and basic behaviour advice. Rabbits and Curtain up 7.45pm May - Relaxation & Breathing for Mental Guinea Pigs must be brought along in a secure Meppershall Village Hall Wellbeing and 23rd May - How The Letchworth carrier. Booking essential. Tickets Fri £10 Concessions £8, Sat £10 Centre can help with Positive Mental Wellbeing. Please call 0300 303 9333 ext 110 or email The Meppershall Players present Mary Shelley’s Tel: 01462 678804 www.letchworthcentre.org [email protected] ‘Frankenstein’. Tickets available from Rogers Bakery. Tel: Box Office 01462 813398 10 May 3 May Henlow Branch R N A 7.30pm North Herts Association 8 May Community Centre, The Gardens, Henlow of the National Trust Icknield Quilters Meets on the second Wednesday of each month. 7.30pm AGM, Talk 8pm 7.30pm for 7.45pm start Tel: Les Dessent 01767 223212 Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin Baldock Community Centre £3 Non-members £2 on the door Sewing evening with Secret Garden providing 11 May AGM followed by ‘Mary Kingsley: Victorian Lady’ some retail therapy. Visitors welcome. Stevenage RSPB 9.30am by Jeff Hales. Visitors welcome. Membership of Web: www.icknieldquilters.co.uk Willington Dovecote. A morning walk near the National Trust not necessary. river Great Ouse. Meet in the car park at 9.30am. 8, 15 & 22 May The Danish Camp café should be open for 3 May-27 September Stevenage Choral Society refreshments at the end of our walk. Luton Hoo Estate Walled Garden 7.30-9.45pm Leader Trevor Storey. Ref: 153/TL 106499. Open every Wednesday 10.30am-4pm Stevenage Music Centre, Nobel School, Admission £5 inc. guided tour Mobbsbury Way, Stevenage 11 May Enjoy a light lunch in beautiful surroundings. Every Monday. Try our friendly choir with a FREE Baldock & Clothall WI Come and visit this inspirational volunteer-run session. No audition necessary! We are inviting 7.30pm United Reformed Church, garden revival and see the difference ten years you to meet like-minded people of all ages Whitehorse Street, Baldock has made! Please pre-book dedicated tours for and abilities, to try out a wide range of music Visitors £3 including refreshment and raffle more than 15 people. A1081 between Luton & from the classics to show songs and be part of The WI has all sorts of good things lined up Harpenden. our friendly and supportive team, putting on for 2017 and lots of other things you might be No entry via Luton Hoo Hotel. excellent performances whilst having fun. interested in - a book club, a walking group, a Postcode for sat navs:LU1 4LF Tel: 01438 365769 craft club, a knitting and crochet group, a cinema Tel: 01582 721443 Email: [email protected] group and a supper club. Facebook: Web: www.lutonhooestate.co.uk Web: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk www.facebook.com/baldockclothallwi 62 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to 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 May 11 May 17 May 21 May Artists Chris and Steve Rocks at Gallery 1066! Herts at War Talk Stevenage RSPB 10.00am 7-9pm Gallery 1066 Fine Art Ltd, Willow Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm Fen Drayton. An all-day car trip to this RSPB Mews, 6a Hitchin Street, Baldock Free admission - donations welcome reserve near Cambridge. Meet in the car park at The incredible twin brothers will unveil their The Large Lecture Theatre (adjacent to Western 10.00 am. Leader Paul Collis. latest unseen original works and limited edition Auditorium), University of Hertfordshire, De Ref: 154/TL 342697. collection at a champagne receptions at Gallery Havilland Campus, Hatfield 1066 in Baldock. Recognised for their mature Return of the successful series of military talks. 23 May approach to the canvas, both working on the Mike St Maur Sheil will talk about the Fields Hitchin Oddfellows Friendship Group Coffee same painting in their recognisable Turner of Battle - Lands of Peace. Please book tickets Morning 10.30am-12 noon inspired style. For reserve your place on the online. Web: http://hertsatwar.co.uk/talks Tilehouse Street Baptist Church, guest list please contact the gallery. Upper Tilehouse Street, Hitchin Tel: 01462 896164 19-21 May Come and join us for a coffee and chat at our Email: [email protected] Moggerhanger Plant Sale, Little Orchard, 6 monthly coffee morning. Call Helen or just Web: www.gallery1066fineart.com Blunham Road, Moggerhanger turn up on the day. Donations to Garden House Fri 10am-2pm Coffee Morning and Ploughman’s Hospice. Tel: Helen 01462 432321 13-20 May Lunches. Sat 10am-4pm Ploughman’s Lunches Lechworth Art Society Spring Exhibition and Cream Teas. Sun 12 noon-4pm Ploughman’s 24-27 May 10am-4.45pm daily Lunches and Cream Teas. All proceeds to St. Reefer Madness by Murphy & Studney Community Museum Gallery, The Arcade, John’s Church. Tel: 01767 641184 7.45pm Letchworth Garden City Lytton Theatre, Vardon Road, Stevenage Admission free 20 May Reefer Madness is a musical satire of the 1935 Weston Music Society Concert American cult film Reefer Madness which follows 14 May 7.30pm Weston Parish Church, SG4 1DJ the melodramatic events that ensue when Bridges of London Walk Tickets £15, Under 19s free high school students are lured by pushers to try This popular sponsored walk is a great way for Rachel Podger, one of the world’s foremost marijuana. The film was originally produced friends and family to get together and have baroque violinists, returns with violist Jane as a morality tale but after being purchased by a great day out in London. Every step taken Rogers (a member of Brecon Baroque) to play producer Dwain Esper the film was recut for will help to raise money to continue to provide duets. Programmes and interval drinks are free. distribution on the then popular exploitation specialist care for patients and families at Garden Tel: 01462 790573 film circuit. Since then the film has become a House Hospice. Walkers set out to walk across Web: www.westonmusicsociety.org.uk cult classic for all the wrong reasons and has the bridges to reach the finishing point near even been called the worst film ever made. Tower Bridge. Tel: Cathy White 01462 679540 20 & 21 May Tel: 01438 357407 www.lyttonplayers.co.uk Web: www.ghhospicecare.org.uk AooX (Art out of Ten) 10am-4pm Radwell Village Hall Free admission 26 May 14 May Exhibition and sale of paintings and cards. Pamper and Prosecco Evening Ashwell at Home 2017 Refreshments homemade cakes, tea and coffee. 7-10pm Derwent Lower School, Hitchin road, 11am-5pm Donations to a Charity not yet selected. Henlow Camp SG16 6BA Entry by programme: Adults £6, Under 18s free Entry £4 inc. free glass of Prosecco Entertainment for all the family with open 21 May Organised by Derwent Lower School PTA. Lots gardens, free children’s workshops, live Biggleswade Antiques Fair of beauty treatments (need pre-booking) and music and a wide range of street and indoor 9.30am-4pm The Weatherley Centre, shopping stalls. Treatments include express entertainment, cow milking, funfair, lunches Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Entrance manicure/pedicure, massage, tarot readings, and teas and much more. Programmes available £1.50 facials and many more. on the day at the event or in advance from the This antiques fair offers a diverse range of Tel: Faye 07764759607 website. Free parking. antiques and collectables. Café serving breakfast, Email: [email protected] Web: www.ashwellathome.org.uk lunch and afternoon tea. Tel: Julia 07949 705824 Email: Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346 [email protected] Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk Web: www.derwentlowerschoolpta.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 63 Local News

LoveMy Stretch is a new way for to protectMy your Stretch favourite canal or river. Find your favourite stretch on the map, share your Talking to boaters, people out and about on the story and donate to help maintain our beauty towpaths, and at our open days and museums, it’s waterways, and that special spot will be yours for clear that the waterways mean different things to a year, with a dedicated space on our map and a different people. But whether it’s favourite cycle beautiful certificate for you to keep. You can also route, the place you go for peace and quiet or the browse through and see other memorable spots spot where you fell in love, everyone seems to across the network for inspiration. have a stretch of the waterways that’s extra special Support your favourite stretch and ensure these to them. historic treasures and the habitats they provide are We love hearing why our waterways have a place kept safe for generations to come. in people’s hearts, so to celebrate your memorable places and give their stories a home of their own, Benefits/ Uses: we’ve developed a dedicated new site to just • Unusual gift called – Love My Stretch • Helps maintenance of historic treasures lovemystretch.canalrivertrust.org.uk • Featured on the CRT website

64 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts 1st Glass Window Repairs LOCAL ears eerience

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To Hercucleanadvertise halfin Thepage.indd Villager 1 and Town Life please call 01767 261122 08/03/2017 17:2265 Technology Outdoor Joys

Some of the most entertaining If you’d rather not let your child bump into people, so it’s a outdoor toys are the simplest, loose behind the wheel but good idea to look for one with such as the cute Swivel Car want to give them control of a protective ring around the (around £22, with lots of firms something fun, there’s a huge propellers if you’ll be giving it offering very similar products). selection of radio controlled to a child or using it near kids or It’s a ride-on car with a difference: vehicles ranging from the pets. And there are restrictions instead of pedalling or propelling toddler-friendly Little Tykes Tyre on where you can and can’t fly it with your feet, you swivel Twister (£39) to exceptionally drones, such as in crowded areas the steering wheel and that fast scale models of performance or near airports. It’s a good idea generates movement. It’s small cars such as Lamborghinis to check up on the law before enough for toddlers and tough and Porsches. Even the most spending any money. There enough for big kids and even expensive of these are much are also concerns over privacy: the odd adult. If you’d rather go cheaper than they used to be, the neighbours probably won’t for something more traditional, with top-end models usually appreciate you flying a camera the Cozy Coupe - around £49 - coming in well below £70. over their garden. has been a favourite of families Radio controlled cars are fun, but Do you remember the days of for more than 30 years, and the radio controlled flying machines potato guns and water pistols? iconic red and yellow version are even more fun. You know They’ve become a lot more has been joined by dinosaur and you’re living in the future when sophisticated, with products police car versions. you can walk into your local such as Nerf guns ranging from Complex toys can be fun too, toy shop and come out with a around £20 to the ridiculously of course. One kind of toy smartphone-controlled drone overpowered N-Strike Mega that’s improved dramatically in helicopter. Drones start at around Mastodon (£99), which fires 24 recent years is the electric car £20 for basic ones and reach £190 foam darts from a motorised or bike for kids. It’s possible to for Star Wars-themed models, revolving drum. Between it and get a decent trike for less than and drones with built-in cameras the super-powered, super- £40 that delivers 50 minutes of start at around £60. If you want to soaking water pistols that have movement between charges, get serious, you can find a good more in common with water while around the £200 mark selection of advanced drones cannons than the water pistols you’ll find impressive replicas of with HD cameras and optical you remember from your own grown-up cars such as BMW’s video stabilisers from around childhood, be wary of the futuristic electric i8. Remember £300, rising to over £1,000 for weaponry you give your kids - that such vehicles do take a while high-end models. because you can be sure you’ll to charge, so make sure you plug One word of warning with be on the receiving end of the them in the night before you drones: their propellers can be foam darts or freezing cold jets want to use them. sharp and cause injury if they of water. 66 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Alan George Painter & Decorator

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68 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Parenting Safety First

As a parent, your main priority is household accidents every year. banning backless booster keeping your child safe. Children, So it’s well worth taking some time seats for young children. All however, often have other ideas. to look for any potential hazards. the rules actually mean is that From launching themselves off Try to see things from your child’s manufacturers can’t introduce new the back of the sofa to chewing point of view – get on your hands models of backless booster seats gravel, they seem to have an and knees if needs be. What sharp for children shorter than 125cm innate ability to endanger corners could they bump into? or weighing less than 22kg. So if themselves. Thankfully, it’s easy for What furniture could tip over if you already use a booster seat, you parents to learn basic first aid. they tried to climb it? What might don’t have to change it. That being Learn first aid at home, for free they be tempted to chew or taste? said, high back booster seats have While nothing beats hands on Simple fixes include: been found to offer much greater training, a video course can help • Securing heavy items, such as protection to young children than prepare you for an emergency. TVs and bookcases, so they backless ones. So it might be time ChannelMum.com has teamed can’t topple over if your child for an upgrade. up with St John Ambulance to pulls at them, or uses them as a If you are planning to buy a new produce a series of short first aid climbing frame. seat, look for one that offers some videos aimed at parents. They • Locking away any toxic side impact protection, such as cover everything from seizures substances, including household those by Diono. The Diono MXT, and choking to allergic reactions cleaning products. Dishwasher £85, is a good choice. Unlike some and burns. Available to watch for tablets are often brightly seats, both height and back width free on www.channelmum.com/ coloured and very appealing to can be adjusted very easily, so it firstaidcourse, the videos offer a young child, but they can be can be used for children between practical advice that’s simple to deadly if swallowed. 97 and 160cm tall. There’s a choice follow and easy to remember. • Tying up any blind cords and of four colours and the covers are Most are just a few minutes long, other strings that a child could removable and washable. Our so you could plan to watch one a get caught up on. testers (aged five and seven) found day in your lunch break. • Cutting up grapes, cherry the MXT very comfortable. It also www.futurelearn.com also tomatoes and other fruit kept them in an upright position runs regular free online first aid lengthwise, before giving them when they slept, rather than courses. They’re mainly video to your child, to minimise the allowing them to slump over. And based, with some articles, group risk of choking. they loved the snack trays (mainly discussions and quizzes. New car seat regulations for storing seashells and crayons) - Quick home fixes You may have heard that new car see www.uk.diono.com. Around 60 children die in seat rules have been introduced, To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 69 NICK SA ER Plumbing & Heating HERTS • BEDS • BUCKS • CAMBS With over 30 years experience, Nick Sayer oﬀers a variety of plumbing and heating services

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70 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Fun Quiz - Days of the Week

1. If Monday’s child is fair of face, which day’s child has “far to go”? 2. What is the only word in the English language that is an anagram of one of the seven days of the week? 3. Shrove Tuesday occurs how many days before Easter Sunday? 4. In a well known 1873 novel, which literary character realises he has won a bet that he thought he had lost when he finds out that what he thinks is a Sunday is actually a Saturday? 5. What was the name of the sequel to the film Saturday Night Fever? 6. Since 1935, every General Election in the UK has been held on which day of the week? 7. The term “Mardi Gras” translates from French as what?... a) Big Monday; b) Fat Tuesday; or c) Lazy Wednesday? 8. On what day of the week did the September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001 take place? 9. Who played Wednesday Addams in the 1991 film The Addams Family? 10. In 1979, what became the first UK number one hit single to have a

day of the week in the title?

5. Staying Alive 6. Thursday 7. b) Fat Tuesday 8. Tuesday 9. Christina Ricci 10. Sunday Girl (by Blondie) (by Girl Sunday 10. Ricci Christina 9. Tuesday 8. Tuesday Fat b) 7. Thursday 6. Alive Staying 5.

4. Phileas Fogg (in Around The World In Eighty Days, confusing dates after crossing the international date line) line) date international the crossing after dates confusing Days, Eighty In World The Around (in Fogg Phileas 4. 1. Thursday’s 2. Dynamo (an anagram of “Monday”) 3. 47 47 3. “Monday”) of anagram (an Dynamo 2. Thursday’s 1.

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Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mrs Pamela Bryant from Eltisley Last Month’s Saw Doctors Competition Winner Mr Gordon Filkins from Ickleford

Easy

Hard

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To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 73 The Villager Prize Crossword Prize £25

Across 7 Scratch (6) 8 Lower spine (6) 9 Settee (4) 10 Very young frogs (8) 11 Normally (7) 13 Closes (5) 15 Not heavy (5) 17 Moves up (7) 20 Keeps you dry (8) 21 Coffee shop (4) 23 Aggravates (6) 24 End (6)

Down 1 Repeat (4)  2 Yellow fruit (6) 3 E.g. snake (7) 4 Scottish river (5) 5 Level (6) Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, 6 Skilled (8) 12 Dieting (8) cut out this page and send to the address below before 14 Mortified (7) 16 Terror (6) 16th May 2017 18 Getaway (6) 19 Dental care (5) Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 22 Blaze (4) 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

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74 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts • Wood Burning Stoves • Multi Fuel Stoves SHOWROOM NOW OPEN • Chimney Lining Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday – 10am – 5pm Other Days/Out of hours by prior arrangement • Twin Wall Flue Systems • Installation and Supply • Fireplace Renovations • Stove Accessories • Trade sales welcome 

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Cromwell stoves full page.indd 1 30/07/2015 17:32 Painting James Cullip & Decorating Painting & Decorating

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76 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Books Ian O’Neil Bespoke Furniture ByBook Kate Duggan Review Cabinet making This month’s books are all about relationships, from Joinery first loves and families to fleeting friendships. Sash window repair Antique furniture repair & restoration Lucky Boy French polishing by Shanthi Sekaran Antique and modern upholstery Mexican Solimar risks everything to start a new life No job too small in America, but as an illegal Free quotes immigrant she has few rights. Established 1995 When she’s thrown into a detention centre, her son is placed in foster care. Kavya is an American-Indian chef desperate for a child. When she’s given Solimar’s toddler to care for it seems like a dream come true. One boy – two mothers, both of whom will do everything in their power in order to keep him. An emotional rollercoaster of 01462 490333 a read, this looks set to become one of this year’s bestsellers.

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng 11 year old Alex loves everything to do with space. So LEAK SHIELD he builds a rocket and sets off for a rocket festival in Mexico. Need A Plumber Fast? No Call out Fee His plan is to launch his rocket into space, attached to an iPod Call Alex on on which Alex is recording 07762773796 his thoughts and feelings for friendly advice about his family and the people he meets on his journey. While it’s been catalogued as a Blocked Drain • Toilet Overflowing children’s book, See You in the Cosmos definitely No Hot/Cold Water • Leaks & Tap Repair has crossover appeal. Fresh, imaginative and full Bathrooms • Drain CCTV Survey of energy, this is perfect for fans of The Curious Burst Pipe • Toilet not filling up Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Stop Cock Replacement

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78Answer: FORTUNE Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts Classifieds

Plastering Services Property Maintenance James Geekie Plastering All types of plastering - big or small Interior/Exterior Work Undertaken Re-skim Rooms, Walls, Artex & Ceilings DIY Home Solutions Dry Lining and Screeding General property maintenance All jobs undertaken Tel: 07792 415356 or 01462 490598 Call Darren on Email: [email protected] 01462 850786 or 07710 462544

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