The Issue 123 - November 2016 VILLAGER and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS In this issue Win a YippeeYo Firework Fiestas! Win £25 in our Prize Crossword Bringing Local Business to Local People in Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Gamlingay and all surrounding villages 11,000 copies delivered to over 30 towns and villages every month Your FREEcopy nature trails RSPB shop events & activities over discThe Lodge RSPB The Lodge nature reserve and gardens Potton Road, Sandy SG19 2DL Tel: 01767 693333 rspb.org.uk/thelodge facebook.com/RSPBhertsandbeds Image: family activity at The Lodge by RSPB (rspb-images.com) The2 Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: EnglandPlease and Wales mention no. 207076, Scotland The no. Villager SC037654. LGE-0087-16-17 and Town Life when responding to adverts The Issue 123 - November 2016 VILLAGER and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS In this issue Win a YippeeYo Firework Fiestas! Win £25 in our Prize Crossword Bringing Local Business to Local People in Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Gamlingay and all surrounding villages 11,000 copies delivered to over 30 towns and villages every month Your Contents FREEcopy Employment Matters ..............................................................47 Hedges ....................................................................................48 Rural Ramblings ......................................................................51 Animal Know-How ..................................................................55 Ask Alan - Potton Vets .............................................................57 The Best Diet for your Rabbit ...................................................59 Children’s Page ........................................................................61 Nissan’s Bonkers BladeGlider ...................................................62 Symi Island..............................................................................64 Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe ..................................................69 Wordsearch .............................................................................71 What’s On ................................................................................74 Win a YippeeYo 10 Fun Quiz ..................................................................................79 Puzzle Page .............................................................................80 The History of Golf .....................................................................4 Prize Crossword .......................................................................86 War Poets ..................................................................................8 Rotaract in Huntingdonshire ...................................................88 Win a YippeeYo........................................................................10 St Andrew’s Day ......................................................................90 Firework Fiestas ......................................................................12 Book Review ...........................................................................92 Where am I? ............................................................................14 Smoked Cod Chowder .............................................................17 Nissan’s Bonkers Blade Glider Christmas at Jordans Mill ........................................................19 Winning Wines: Germany ........................................................22 Christmas - It’s Just Around the Corner ....................................25 62 TV Guide .................................................................................27 Party On Potton .......................................................................30 Potton Hall for All ....................................................................33 I Need a Hero ...........................................................................35 Don’t Lose the Memories that Matter ......................................37 Sandy Town Council and Information Centre ...........................39 Autumn Activities ...................................................................40 Crimes and Misbehaviours ......................................................45 Editorial - Sarah Fryer, Susan Brookes-Morris, Kate Duggan, Publishers Trevor Langley, Carol H Scott, Rachael Leverton, Geoff Wharton, Villager Publications Ltd RSPCA, Potton Vets, James Baggott, Solange Hando, Nick Coffer, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP and Willow Coby 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 Botond Horvoth and Darren Harbar Photography for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 History By Sarah Fryer The History of Golf Although it is presumed the game of Golf dates case, the languages in question are medieval Dutch back many many years, it was only in the 19th and old Scots. century that it gained popularity in England. The medieval Dutch word “kolf” or “kolve” meant It is said the game originated in the Netherlands, “club.” It is believed that word passed to the Scots, however, this has been questioned over the years whose old Scots dialect transformed the word into with many countries wanting to claim it as their “golve,” “gowl” or “gouf.” own. By the 16th Century, the word “golf” had emerged. Some historians believe that Kolven from Holland Over the years, many women began playing golf and Chole from Belgium influenced the game. in huge numbers and clubs were finding more and Golf as we know it today originated from a game more female members were wanting to join. played on the eastern coast of Scotland in the There are however, a handful of golf clubs in Kingdom of Fife during the 15th century. Players today’s modern society that retain this somewhat would hit a pebble around a natural course of archaic and possibly sexist rule, by still not allowing sand dunes, rabbit runs and tracks using a stick female members, although nice in a way that some or primitive club, but that was where the game tradition has remained. ended. However, whilst these games and countless One prestigious members only club which has other stick and ball sports were being played, they changed its policy is the R&A (Royal & Ancient Golf seemed to be missing that one vital ingredient that Club) which is now allowing women to become is unique to golf - the hole. Whatever the argument members, however, this hasn’t always been the regarding origins, there can be no dispute that case. Scotland certainly gave birth to the game we know It wasn’t until September the 18th, 2014 that they and love as golf today. decided to mail ballots to 2,500 club members Golf has always been a sport associated with asking if they should abolish it’s ‘men only’ etiquette and discipline, and one which for many membership rule. many years, only applied to men. Women were The response must of been colossal, as a statement rarely seen on a golf course, and this was not for the was put out declaring “The Royal and Ancient Golf reason many people think. Club has voted overwhelmingly to welcome women There is an old wives tale associated with the word as members. The R&A is now a mixed golf club. ‘golf’ but unfortunately, there proves to be very little Significant initial number of women to be fast-tracked truth to it’s existence. “Golf” is not an acronym for into membership over the coming months” . “Gentlemen only, ladies forbidden” Golf is in fact a very structured game in more ways However, this urban legend continues to stand than one, and etiquette plays a massive part of this. strong. Apart from the attire worn by the players, there are It is thought the myth started as a joke back in the many other rules which have to be adhered too. 19th century when gentlemen would get together Etiquette in many ways, is there to show respect to and talk about the game ahead, their wives at the other players involved in the all round event. home, a gents day! Lack of etiquette may not be a punishable offence, Like most modern words, the word “golf” actually but it is certainly not socially acceptable. derives from older languages and dialects. In this Golf etiquette is not just about social acceptance. It 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 is essential for the safety of players and spectators caricature of the original elegant attire golfers once a like. wore, which somewhat mocks the tradition. Keeping a brisk pace so that the game is enjoyable So apart from the clothing, what else has changed to all course users is a must and unlike other sports, over the years in terms of the actual game itself? it is socially acceptable to allow players to pass you Well a few rules of play have in fact changed quite and take their turn first if it will alleviate a holdup at dramatically, such as the: a hole. “I