VILLAGER
The
Issue 82 - September 2015
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue
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Discover the Dangers of
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Contents
The WI
4
The WI - As relevant Today as in 1915...............................................4
Buying a New Set of Wheels............................................................8
Tibet - On the World’s Highest Railway...........................................10
Win a Meal for Two at Jordan’s Mill.................................................12
Astronomy.....................................................................................14
Fashion Trends for Autumn.............................................................17
Top Tech for University...................................................................19
Clean and Green.............................................................................20
A Farm Holiday in East Devon.........................................................23
Sitting Comfortably?......................................................................25
Helen’s Helpful Hints......................................................................26
Shades of Autumn..........................................................................28
The Perils of Potty Training.............................................................31
What You Need to Know About Premium Bonds............................32
Seasonal Delights...........................................................................34
Russell Grant’s Horoscopes.............................................................37
VILLAGER
The
Issue 82 - September 2015
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
Inside this issue
Win a Meal atfor
Two
Jordan’s Mill
Discover the Dangers of
Sitting Comfortably
Win £25
in our Prize Crossword
Bringing Local Business to Local People in
Langford, Henlow, Shefford, Stanford, Hinxworth, Ickleford, Caldecote,
Radwell, Shillington, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Gravenhurst,
Holwell, Meppershall, Baldock, Stotfold, Arlesey, Hitchin & Letchworth
Lovely Lawns..................................................................................42
Beer at Home.................................................................................45
Time to Re-evaluate your Working Life..........................................46
Golden Years..................................................................................48
Children’s Page...............................................................................51
Animal Queries...............................................................................53
BMW i8..........................................................................................54
Fun Quiz.........................................................................................58
Puzzle Page....................................................................................60
Wordsearch....................................................................................64
Roald Dahl Day...............................................................................66
What’s On.......................................................................................68
Prize Crossword..............................................................................74
Book Review..................................................................................78
Astronomy
14
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 - Anna Bradley-Dorman, Solange Hando, Tim Saunders,
Kate McLelland, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Alison Runham, RSPCA,
Kate Duggan, Helen Springer, Katherine Sorrell, Pippa Greenwood,
Susan Brookes-Morris, Ted Bruning, Jonathan Vernon-Smith,
James Baggott, Russell Grant and Bruce Edwards
Advertising Sales/Local Editorial
Nigel Frost - 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com
Photography
Famveldman and Darren Harbar Photography
Design and Artwork
Design 9 Tel 07762 969460
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Publishers
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24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP
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www.villagermag.com
Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith,
however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the
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statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be
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History
The WI
Huntingdon & Peterborough
Federation WI Members at the
East of England Show during
the 1970’s
As relevant today as in 1915
Throughout villages and towns in this area groups
of women meet in local Women’s Institutes (WI)
to make new friends, learn new skills and make a
difference on matters that are important to them.
However, these small groups of women are part
of a national organisation that is celebrating its
centenary. The WI is the largest women’s group in
the country with over 212,000 members - more
than any of the three main political parties. Over
the years the WI has managed to be both part of
the establishment, and, at the same time, a deeply
revolutionary organisation campaigning on issues
from equal pay to climate change, from gaps in the
midwifery workforce to the plight of the honey bee.
The WI has built the reputation of a practical and
ambitious organisation that doesn’t shy away from
tricky issues. Trying to condense the history of the
4
By Anna Bradley-Dorman
WI is not easy but I hope I have managed to give an
insight into this remarkable organisation.
The Early Years
The WI originally started in Canada in the 19th
century holding its first UK meeting on 16th
September 1915, in Anglesey, Wales. It was and still
is non-party-political, non-religious and open to
women of all ages and classes - including royalty.
Canadian Madge Watt was appointed to set up
WIs across the UK during the WWI to encourage
countrywomen to get involved in growing and
preserving food to help to increase the nation’s
food supply. On October 16th 1917 the National
Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) was
formed, when the annual subscription was set at
two shillings giving everyone an equal say in this
truly democratic organisation. Remember the WI
was set up before women had the vote so then, as
now, any member could stand for office or propose
a resolution on which to campaign.
Many of the early members were some of the
gutsiest women in the country, including academics,
suffragettes, and social activists who realised that
women working together were able to effect
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Campaigning for Equal pay in the 1940’s
change. One of these women was Mrs Margaret
Winteringham who was elected as Member of
Parliament for Louth in 1921. She was the first
English born female MP and only the second woman
to take up her seat.
In 1919 ‘Home and Country’, the original monthly
NFWI magazine, was first published. This was
succeeded by ‘WI Life’ in 2007 which is delivered
to every member as part of their subscription. This
magazine continues to be the main communication
between NFWI and its members alongside the
organisations growing number of Facebook and
Twitter followers.
Jam and Jerusalem
During WWI the Board of Agriculture allocated
sugar to WIs for fruit preserving for communal use.
Once again, in WWII, the NFWI was invited by the
Ministry of Agriculture to organise a Co-operative
Fruit Preservation Scheme. Between 1940 and 1945
more than 5,300 tons of fruit were preserved making
use of nearly 12 million pounds of fruit, which might
otherwise have been wasted.
Jerusalem was first sung at the Annual General
Meeting in 1924, starting a tradition that continues
to this day. Previously Jerusalem had been used
by the National Union of Suffrage Societies in the
1918 celebrations of women’s enfranchisement
and many of the leaders of the NFWI had also been
part of the struggle to win the vote for women. By
singing Jerusalem the WI acknowledged its links
with the wider women’s movement and affirmed its
commitment to improving the conditions of rural life.
The Denman Connection
Mention the word Denman to WI members and
their immediate thoughts will be of the WI College
in Oxfordshire, the home of WI learning, where
hundreds of different craft, cookery and lifestyle
courses are run for members and non-members
alike. The WI Cookery School is also based in the
grounds and boasts a vast range of courses. Over
a period of three years, in the 1940’s, every WI
was invited to raise £10 and in 1946 Denman was
bought. At this time of rationing curtains were made
from bleached black-out curtains and Federations
6
offered to equip the bedrooms. The college was
named Denman College to honour Lady Denman
who was the first National Chairman and, at the
outbreak of the Second World War, she was also
invited by the Minister of Agriculture to become the
Director of the Women’s Land Army.
A Force to be Reckoned With
The WI has a long history of campaigning, changing
things for the better by exerting their individual
and collective influence. It has brought a series of
controversial issues into the public domain and
forced changes in legislation and government policy.
For example in the early 1990s the NFWI was one of
the founding members of the Fairtrade Foundation
and in 1986 was one of the first organisations to
talk about AIDS. In 1975 the WI began lobbying the
government to set up breast screening clinics and as
early as 1964 members were debating the dangers
of smoking in public places. In 1954 a campaign led
to the formation of the Keep Britain Tidy group and
a resolution calling for ‘equal pay for equal work’ was
passed in1943.
WI Leisure Activities – Competitive or Just for Fun?
From competitions, writing, photography, cookery,
gardening, floral art, craft and drama to walking,
dancing and circus skills WI members have tried
them all. Did you know the WI is credited with
bringing Zumba to the UK?
Craft is treasured by the WI as making an artefact
tells and records stories as well as protecting
heritage and traditional skills. Craft brings together
communities, generations and cultures and it can
also be the perfect medium to discuss issues that
affect women. However, the most inspiring thing
about craft is its democracy; everyone can make
something.
So as you can see the WI has something for everyone
so why not give it a go? Not all WIs are the same so if
the first WI you visit doesn’t suit you try another one
or even set up your own!
To find out more about the WI or find a WI near
you visit www.thewi.org.uk
Members of Huntingdon & Peterborough Federation attending the Royal Garden Party held to celebrate the
WI Centenary on 2nd June 2015
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Like us on
Three Counties Radio
Buying a New
By Jonathan Vernon-Smith
Set of Wheels
Mobile phones, internet connections and cars are the three products I receive the most calls about on my
consumer radio show. Today I’d like to help you avoid problems with the latter – cars! Buying a good, reliable
car, rather than a nightmare vehicle that will eat into your wallet is a good way to start.
The first important thing you must understand is that unless you buy a car from a proper retailer, you have no
comeback if the car develops a fault. The minute you drive a new car away from a private seller, you’re on your
own if it breaks down. I therefore always suggest buying cars from good, reputable garages, and if you can
stretch to it, main dealers. They, generally (and I use that word with caution - some are awful!), offer the best
after sales service.
Secondly, you must do your research. Use the internet to find the most suitable car for you. Look at reliability
scores, running costs and insurance. Don’t rush into purchasing a car you know nothing about on the forecourt,
just because you think you’ll look good in it. Find something that’s the right size, has a good reputation for
reliability and isn’t going to cost the earth to run.
The third thing you must do is to buy LOCALLY. Please don’t make the mistake that so many people make
these days. They go to a search website, enter the car of their dreams, find that the only independent garage
that has one available in the colour they like is 300 miles away and travel up by train to buy it. If you have a
problem with that vehicle it will be YOUR responsibility to get it back to them to repair. That’s going to be a very
expensive journey on a recovery vehicle all the way to Manchester! Use the internet to research garages and
the people that run them.
Fourthly, if you don’t know anything about cars, then for goodness sake, take someone with you who does! A
friendly mechanic is best. If you don’t know anyone who is an expert, then I would strongly advise having an
independent check on the vehicle by an organisation such as the RAC. It may cost a couple of
hundred quid, but it’s worth every penny if it prevents you from buying a complete lemon.
A car is normally the second most expensive thing you purchase after a house, I lose track
of the number of people who spend £15,000+ on something they know and understand
absolutely nothing about and then wonder why they have problems.
Please remember that when you find a car that you like, DO NOT PUT A DEPOSIT DOWN
UNLESS YOU REALLY INTEND TO BUY IT. When you agree to pay a deposit, you normally
enter into a legally binding contract to purchase the product. If you change your mind, you
not only risk losing the deposit, you could be forced by the garage to take the car and pay
the full amount owing on it. Salesmen and women often suggest the deposit in a
relaxed manner. Don’t be fooled, when you change your mind, the relaxed manner
will probably fly right out of the window.
Never pay the full amount requested for a vehicle. The garage will price a vehicle
up with some room for negotiation. If you pay the price on the windscreen,
you’re probably paying over the odds. Remember car salesmen and women
are employed partly because of their ability to get as much money out of you
as possible and make the company as much profit. Bear this in mind at all
times when agreeing a price to pay. If you’re hopeless at doing a deal, then
take someone with you who is good at it!
Finally, if you follow all of my advice and you STILL have a problem with it or
the garage, then you can contact me at BBC Three Counties Radio and I’ll do
my best to try and help you.
Jonathan Vernon-Smith not only offers you his consumer advice
here but you can listen to The JVS Show tackling your consumer
problems every weekday morning from 9am.
8
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Travel
By Solange Hando
Tibet - On the world’s highest railway
The Qinghai Express offers neither nostalgia nor
five star luxury but it is the highest railway in the
world, with stunning views of the Tibetan plateau.
There are a number of departure points in China,
including the tourist hot spot of Xian where the
Express sets off for Lhasa on a 34 hour breathtaking
joFigures are staggering: a total of 681 bridges,
1,966 culverts plus countless tunnels, most
amazing Fenghuoshan, at over 4,900 metres, the
highest in the world on permafrost. The Tangulla
pass marks the highest point along the line, 5,072
metres. But how do you breathe at such high
altitude? No problem, the train is pressurised, just
like an aircraft cabin, with individual oxygen outlets
if you need a little extra. That means windows don’t
open and on the rare stops along the route, you
are only allowed out for a few minutes. Add an onboard clinic, and you can sit back and relax.
The journey begins through China, past mountains
and gorges looming in the mist and ghost-like
villages popping straight out of the earth. There
are tunnels and the occasional landslide, cleared in
minutes, and before you know it, it’s time for lunch:
mysterious delicacies from the trolley or fullyblown chopstick treats from the dining car, with
à la carte, waiter service and wine from the Great
Wall of China. By late afternoon, the altitude reads
2,961 metres, in Mandarin, Tibetan and English.
The first snow-capped mountains appear in the
distance and there are salt lakes and prayer flags
which begin to feel like Tibet. Later, when everyone
is asleep, cocooned in duvets, the train will pass the
Kulun mountains where, hopefully, the earthquake
monitors have done their job.
Dawn brings a thick layer of snow across the
plateau where Himalayan antelopes and black
hairy yaks look as frozen as the landscape. At the
Tibetan border, a guard stands to attention but
there’s no welcome sign and the train does not
stop. Later, the snow recedes to reveal mineral-rich
slopes, red, ochre and gold glistening above frozen
rivers. Wild geese fly overhead, nomad tents flap in
the wind and glinting electric pylons march across
the wilderness on their way to Lhasa. Sometimes
a dust storm sweeps across the land while dummy
policemen keep watch along a road, deserted but
for a single car approaching a Buddhist gate.
Here, on the Tibetan plateau, the railroad has been
built on permafrost, and in the most vulnerable
spots the track is carried on long curving viaducts
high above the ground. At night, temperatures can
drop to -30°C but inside the train, no one would
know.
Breakfast, lunch, endless cups of tea, bags of raisins
and crisps which pop like balloons, munching and
drinking eventually give way to playing cards or
walking up and down the corridors to chat or take
pictures. There are few westerners about but plenty
of locals, amused, intrigued, always friendly. There’s
time to doze, read and gaze at the view.
Suddenly, a flutter of excitement passes through
the train. There are willows and poplars along
the river, green patches of land and, at last, the
majestic triple-arched bridge which hails the
entrance to Lhasa, Tibet’s capital. Back in Xian,
the train set off at 6.44 on Wednesday; it is now
Thursday, 16.44. On the roof of the world, the
Qinghai Express is on time.
Train to Tibet, view from the window,
1st sign of life on the plateau
10
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Not just a run of the Mill day out!
If you haven’t visited Jordans Mill in rural
Bedfordshire before, you’re missing out on a
hidden gem.
This unique food heritage attraction includes a
lovingly transformed flour mill, stunning gardens,
and a café with a terrace overlooking the river Ivel.
The Mill, home to the Jordans family for 150 years,
provides a fascinating insight into the history of
milling and food production in Bedfordshire. The
friendly tour guides, who are all volunteers, bring
history to life with tales of the Jordan family’s
journey from farming and milling to cereals.
Visitors on the guided tours can also see parts
of the machinery in operation to experience the
sights and sounds of life in the mill.
The stunning Mill Gardens are unique food and
flower gardens where crops, vegetables and fruit
are grown in an ornamental setting alongside
wild flowers and cultivated garden plants. The
Gardens are sympathetic to Bedfordshire’s market
gardening heritage growing rare varieties of salad,
potatoes and onions.
Then you can relax in the Riverside Café, enjoying
delicious food and drinks with the talented chefs
12
creating restaurant-quality seasonal dishes and
a tempting range of cakes and scones. All of the
food is, where possible, locally sourced with some
of the fruits and vegetables grown in the gardens
used in dishes served in the café.
And to tempt you even more, this month in
the Villager, we’re offering readers the chance
to win a meal for two at Jordans Mill.
Simply answer the following question:
on which river is Jordans Mill situated?
Send your answer with your name, address
and telephone number to:
Jordan’s Mill Competition,
Villager Publications Ltd
24 Market Square, Potton,
Bedfordshire SG19 2NP
Jordans Mill is open from 9am until 5pm
Sunday-Wednesday and until 9pm on
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Visit www.jordansmill.com
or call 01767 603940.
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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
13
Hobbies
Astronomy
A hobby that’s (literally) out of this world
By Kate McLelland
The spectacular appearance of the Perseid Shower,
every year in high summer, is an event that
demonstrates just how exciting watching the night
sky can be.
The Perseid Shower is a stream of space dust and
particles that flows behind the rather unromantically
named Swift-Tuttle comet, forming a glittering
procession of meteors. Make the effort to get up
early to watch this natural light show and you’ll have
a good introduction to astronomy.
Studying the stars and planets can be an incredibly
rewarding hobby, whether you are a beginner,
observing with the naked eye, or a tech-lover
equipped with a substantial telescope and
accessories such as a CCD (charge-coupled device)
camera for capturing those night-sky panoramas.
First steps
As an amateur astronomer you’ll need to
become thoroughly familiar with the night sky:
understanding how it changes, not just throughout
the hours of a single night, but season by season,
and even when viewed from different latitudes.
Most beginners will be tempted to buy a telescope,
but remember if you live in an urban area where
there is light pollution it’s unlikely you will get a
clear view of the night sky, however powerful your
telescope may be. The size and quality of the lens is
important, but be warned: many of the instruments
sold by non-specialist shops are simply not up to
the job.
The views of space you can expect with a standard
telescope may not match the stunning shots taken
from space (without the blurring effect of the earth’s
atmosphere), but with a little effort you should be
able to see the rich detail on the Moon’s surface,
the rings of Saturn and the planet Jupiter’s surface
contours, together with its four larger moons. Once
14
you become more familiar with the night sky you
may also be able to locate and view distant galaxies
and star clusters.
Learning about astronomy
There are many online sources of information, books
and software packages to help you get to grips with
this vast subject: a list of publications is available
from the Royal Astronomical Society’s website
(www.ras.org.uk).
If you want to make a serious study of astronomy,
there are a number of distance learning courses
available. The Open University offers a certificate in
“Astronomy and Planetary Science”, which provides
a basic introduction that can be studied in separate
modules: see the OU website at www.open.ac.uk for
more information and costs. Alternatively Liverpool
John Moores University offers short courses for
under £200 (see www.astronomy.ac.uk).
Joining the astro community
Astronomy is fun, but it can be even more enjoyable
when you link up with others.
The British Astronomical Association has supported
amateur astrologers since 1890 and on their
website (www.britastro.org) you can chat to other
enthusiasts via BAA’s online forums or find out
about meetings and events taking place all over the
country.
Astronomy Clubs UK (www.astronomyclubs.co.uk)
is also a fantastic resource where you can search for
a local club, find blogs and podcasts or search out
places to visit.
Whether you’re interested in how the universe
was formed, the movements of the planets or the
prospect of meeting an alien life form, astronomy is
a fascinating and far-ranging topic. It’s a hobby that’s
literally out of this world, and there’s no better place
to start than in your own (suitably dark) back yard.
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Fashion
Fashion Trends for Autumn
By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
Way back in March the world’s fashion gurus
got together and presented their ideas for this
autumn’s fashion trends. There seems to be
something for everyone, so read on to decide
who you plan on being this fall!
First off, if you went 70s last season, there’s no
need to ditch the clothes currently lining your
closet! Seventies is still very much in, so hang on
to your flares and your ankle flashing trousers
and for a truly up to date look thrown in a folksy
printed floral dress, fringed waistcoat, corduroy
dungarees and a peasant blouse. Suede and
patchwork knits are the fabrics to go for, and
the poncho is back as the season’s key piece!
You can also expect to see more retro with
an 80s revival. Look out for power shoulders,
ruffles, giant cuffs and big retro belts. Colour
block knits and rainbow colour combos along
with vivid, graphic patterns in bold colours are
on their way, whilst jewel-toned Lurex is the
party fabric of the season. Expect lots of glitter
and sequins too on your special nights out!
It looks like the experts are expecting a cold
end to the year, with warm, fuzzy coats being
the order of the day. From curly sheep gilets
to sumptuous shearling overcoats, the faux
fur fluff factor is offering lots of tactile fun
this autumn and winter. Add a giant scarf to
complete the look and you’re sure to keep warm
as well as stylish.
If fur isn’t your thing, you can still look and
feel red hot in a luxurious quilted jacket or an
overcoat trimmed with top stitching and big
buttons. Both are in vogue this season.
High necks are back! Call them what you will
– polo necks, turtle necks or roll necks – the
higher the neckline, the better! Pair them up
with anything from dungarees to a glitzy mini
dress or mannish tailored suit and you’re sure to
be up there as one of the season’s trend setters.
Think outside the box, and conjure up new
ways to layer what’s already in your wardrobe
for an up to the minute look. Polos are ideal for
this. Think polo, plus shirt, plus coat and you’re
on your way to creating one of the new looks
for autumn!
Finally, how does a bit of gothic romance grab
you? Moody lace, high ruffle necklines, frills and
luxurious embellishments teamed up with floorskimming lengths of sheer fabric will certainly
give you that ‘lady is a vamp’ look. Add deep,
berry coloured lips and piled up hair and there’ll
be no resisting your dark glam appeal!
Have fun as you dress up this autumn!
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17
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12/08/2015 13:56
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Technology
Top Tech for University
The tools and tech that will make your beloved’s uni life better
University is a time for studying, socialising and
watching cult movies, and gadgets play a crucial
part in all of those activities. So what technology
should your teen or twenty-something be
packing?
A laptop or a tablet is essential, and now that
Windows 10 is available there are stacks of great
laptops at rock-bottom prices. Most of the market
is concentrated in the sub-£300 price range, but
if you can afford to spend a little bit more you’ll
be rewarded with
better screens, more
storage and smoother
processors - all of which
come in handy for both
work and play.
Don’t forget about a
printer, too, but make
sure you look into the
cost of cartridges: many
firms use the Gillette model, where the razor is
given away at a loss and the money is made on the
blades. Inkjet printers are notorious for this, so a
printer that costs £30 might cost twice as much to
run as a printer costing just a little bit more.
Your child will need software too. Microsoft Office
is the standard, although some specialist courses
may require specialist software such as statistical
analysis software. If it’s Office, though, the Office
365 for University deal is superb value for money:
It’s £59.99 for a four-year subscription that covers 2
PCs, Macs or tablets, including iPads and Android
devices. It also offers 1TB of online storage. If
you don’t go for Office, it’s still worth looking
at Microsoft’s free OneNote program, which is
available for PCs and Macs, iPads, iPhones and
Android and which is a truly superb note-taking
application. Apps can be great for non-uni things
too: we love
Paprika for storing
recipes, Readly for
magazines and
Spotify or Apple
Music for tunes.
A few low-tech
devices are
smart buys
too. A simple
carbon monoxide
detector can be a
genuine life-saver,
especially in rented
accommodation
where landlords
don’t always carry
out the checks
and maintenance
they should. A
Leatherman multi-tool or one of its many imitators
is great too, offering pliers, wire cutters, files,
screwdrivers, bottle openers and can openers in a
single device.
One important issue for students is internet
access. If it’s available in their flat or halls of
residence, great, but if it isn’t you might be better
off with mobile broadband rather than messing
around with the hassle of fixed-line broadband
connections with their minimum contracts. Three’s
MiFi device is a little box that connects to the
phone network and offers a wireless connection
for phones, tablets and computers. Prices start at
£10.87 per month and the devices work anywhere
with 4G data coverage, which means most big
towns and cities.
Another wireless
item to consider is
a wireless speaker.
The best ones
use Bluetooth
to connect to
computers,
phones or tablets,
and if you avoid
the very low end of the market you can get
surprisingly good sound for surprisingly little
money. Decent wireless speakers start at around
£200, although it’s possible to spend much more.
Unless you’re feeling flush and your child’s really
into music, though, there’s no real need to do that.
Last but not least, there’s the smartphone. In the
unlikely event that your child doesn’t already have
one, a decent Android phone such as the Motorola
Moto G costs less than £150. It’s easy to program
your own number into the speed dial and create a
wallpaper that says CALL YOUR MOTHER.
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
19
Cleaning
Clean and Green
When it comes to cleaning products, it’s tempting
to reach for whatever is on special offer, but most
of the big brands are pretty toxic affairs. They’re
also usually tested on animals and wreak havoc
on aquatic systems, not to mention our skin.
Thankfully, eco-cleaning is on the rise, and you
no longer have to choose between ethics and
performance.
One of the best known eco-cleaning ranges
is Ecover, which can be found in most major
supermarkets and health food stores. I use the
toilet cleaner, as it works (rather importantly),
helps to remove limescale and has a pleasant pine
smell.
While Method isn’t quite as natural as some other
eco-brands, it’s another good choice if you want
to be able to pick your cleaning products up with
your weekly shop. I love the washing up liquid as it
does the job, smells nice and doesn’t dry my skin.
(The bottle also looks fab sat by the sink.)
If you like family-run businesses, you’ll want
to check out Bio-D. They’re really passionate
about what they do, and very strict about what
they will and won’t use in their products. Their
fabric conditioner is fragranced with essential
oils rather than synthetic perfumes, so doesn’t
irritate sensitive skin. It’s one of the few fabric
conditioners I can use, as my daughter has eczema.
Greenscents is another family business dedicated
20
to eco-cleaning. Again, products are scented with
essential oils, and Greenscents mainly use organic
ingredients, along with spring water from Exmoor.
Their citrus polish is a great alternative to beeswax
or aerosols.
Reusing always trumps recycling, so I love Splosh.
You can order bottles to start with, then purchase
refills delivered in the post whenever you need
them. But these aren’t your standard full-size refills,
they’re super concentrated. You just pop a small
sachet in the bottle, fill with water and shake.
As well as cutting down on plastic, they reduce
carbon emissions, as there’s no need to transport
heavy bottles. They also save you money; Splosh’s
almond cleaner, for example, works out at just
£1.49 for 1000ml.
YOU also offer refills, and they’re available from
Waitrose, so you don’t even need to wait for the
post. YOU products are 100% plant-based and
have been independently tested to ensure that
they’re as effective as their chemical counterparts.
If you fancy trying the range, I’d recommend
starting with the kitchen cleaner. It does a good
job of cutting through grease, and it’s nice to know
that it’s not leaving any traces of chemicals on your
chopping board.
I won’t promise that any of the products above will
make cleaning any less of a chore, but they will
leave your conscience a bit lighter.
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Bold
Imaginative
Reflective
Three words to define
your daughter’s future.
Add three more:
Open Morning
Saturday 10th October, 10am
Telephone: 01234 361918
www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk
Bedford Girls’ School is part of The Harpur Trust
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
21
Give your child the best
start to their school year.
Contact your local Kumon
Maths and English Study
Centre to find out more about
our two week Free Trial.
Shefford Study Centre
FREE TRIAL
01462 701487
Free Trial available from 21 September - 31 October
Terms and conditions apply. Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.
22
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Travel
A Farm Holiday in East Devon
Hawley Farm in Dalwood is part of the thriving
agricultural community in east Devon. Graham and
Pamela Perry arrived in 1984 as tenants and then
took over the 176-acre farm, merging it with its
neighbour that Graham's family had worked since
the 1890s.
Around 120 cattle, including Holstein Fresians,
are still milked twice a day. We enjoy a tour where
Harriett (4) helps connect a cow up to the milking
equipment. The farm sells its milk to Wiseman's
Dairies which collects it every other day to be
pasteurised.
Three calves are born during our stay. Farmers have
to be on hand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year which
is why a family concern is important. It looks an
idyllic existence but today's farmers have to be very
business savvy.
Graham, Pamela and their son Winston are all
passionate about farming tradition. When the
blackthorn blossom disappears for example,
Pamela knows it is time to sheer the sheep. The
wool is used for many things including insulation
and soundproofing. During our stay, 70 lambs are
prepared for sale. “Our lamb can be purchased in the
local Tesco” says Graham.
Five years ago the family converted their Grade II
listed stone barn into two luxury holiday cottages:
the Cider Press and the Wagon House. It's a great
location because this blissful countryside is easily
accessible from the A35.
We stay in the Wagon House which provides
extremely comfortable accommodation for the four
of us. With its large expanse of glass at the front over
both floors, it is light inside and provides views from
the large open plan kitchen/diner and sitting room
to the private courtyard. It ranks among the best
self-catering holiday cottages we have stayed in.
The local newspaper reports a recent hedge-laying
competition. I didn't even know such things existed
but Graham and Pamela explain there is an art to
growing the hedgerows that this part of east Devon
is known for.
Days out include nearby Colyton where we board
the Seaton Tram - a unique narrow gauge electric
tramway on a three-mile line from Seaton via
Colyford. It travels through the wetlands and nature
reserves of the wonderful Axe Estuary.
We are also curious to visit popular Salcombe that
has stunning views across the bay and historic
narrow streets lined with characterful properties and
a thriving art scene.
Just under two hours away we find The Big Sheep at
Bideford that hosts sheep races and has plenty for
children.
We had heard that Croyde had to be seen too
and the approach along the coast is magnificent,
narrow roads adding to the character of this surfers'
paradise.
Escot House at Ottery St Mary is a good way to end
our trip with its falconry experience, red squirrels,
otters and peacocks. Our daughters enjoy the
woodland playground but this is a must for older
children who can take part in bush craft skills, arts
and crafts and toasting marshmallows on the camp
fire.
By Tim Saunders
www.travelwriter.biz
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
23
Everyone deserves to
be pampered with
Lynley’s
Manicure and Pedicure
Relax in your own home and I will
come to you at a time which is
convenient to you.
Call Lyn on 07813 600474 to book an
appointment or find out my offers
lyn.wright14@gmail.com
Lynley's 1/4 page.indd 1
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12/06/2015 09:04
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Health
Sitting Comfortably?
It Could Be Killing You
Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk
Even if you exercise regularly, too
much sitting could significantly
shorten your life.
With employment and
entertainment becoming ever
more sedentary, sitting down for
hours is the norm for many of us.
But in the last decade, research
has increasingly proved that
prolonged sitting is a health risk in
itself, regardless of how much or
how little exercise we do, and can
cause irreversible damage.
Disturbing Research
A study published in the British
Journal of Sports Medicine in 2008
estimated that for every hour we
sit watching TV after the age of
25, our life expectancy decreases
by 21.8 minutes, while a 2012
study in the Lancet estimated that
inactivity causes 9% of premature
deaths. So how does sitting
shorten life expectancy?
Recent studies showed a 147%
increase in the incidence of
cardiovascular events (incidents
causing heart muscle damage)
and a 112% increase in diabetes
risk amongst those spending
longest sitting, compared to
those who sat least. Inactivity
is known to increase breast
and colon cancer risk too - and
unsurprisingly, obesity. James
Levine, Director of the Mayo
Clinic-Arizona State University
Obesity Solutions Initiative, has
said he believes sitting is more
dangerous than smoking. “We are
sitting ourselves to death.”
We know prolonged inactivity
results in decreased bone density,
and evidence now shows it
reduces the action of enzymes
that maintain healthy cholesterol
and triglyceride levels. Some
experts have suggested the effects
of prolonged sitting may partially
resemble those of zero gravity,
causing the accelerated ageing,
bone and muscle loss that occurs
in astronauts.
Unfortunately, exercise sessions
aren’t a “cure for too much sitting,”
explains Professor Marc Hamilton,
from the Pennington Biomedical
Research Center, in Men’s Health.
“The average person could never
do enough to counteract the
effect of hours and hours of chair
time.”
Tackling the Problem
A moderately active lifestyle which
includes housework, walking or
gardening is ideal. Take regular
active breaks from seated activities
like reading and watching TV: mop
the floor, take a quick walk, or do
a few minutes of ‘step’ (an exercise
step isn’t required. Stairs will do).
You could also consider:
• Reducing your sitting time by
standing on public transport,
walking or biking to the station,
or getting off the bus earlier.
• Standing or walking while on the
phone.
• A standing desk, that converts
between sitting and standing, or
a unit that converts your normal
desk to a standing one.
• A treadmill desk (or attach
a bracket or stand to your
treadmill).
• Sitting on a yoga ball; your core
muscles will be used constantly
to retain balance.
• Walking or organising a sporting
activity at lunchtime.
• Active Sitting. It won’t replace
standing or walking, but makes
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
sitting healthier. Try raising your
heels up and down; contracting
your stomach muscles; raising
and lower your lower leg from
knee height or whole leg from
hip height; swivelling your
office chair using just your hips;
tensing, stretching and bending
your arms; rolling your shoulders.
• Using the Pomodoro Technique,
described here: http://
pomodorotechnique.com/. This
time management technique
inserts regular breaks – that’s the
time to get active.
So next time you’re about to start
something, stop. Does it have to
be done sitting down? If not, then
don’t sit! Bear in mind, though,
that constant standing isn’t ideal
either. Experts recommend aiming
for a 50/50 split between sitting
and activity.
25
Couples Counsellor
Helen’s Helpful Hints
No. 12 - How happy was your holiday?
The summer is meant to be a happy carefree time
to spend with your partner or your family and
friends. However, many people struggle during
the summer holidays particular when you go away
for a break. People are thrown together for two
weeks without any of the other activities which
can be enjoyed at home.
This is a real test of how strong your relationship
is. Are you squabbling more than usual or worse
are you barely able to speak civilly to each other?
This maybe a good time, while you are not
distracted by “the daily round the common task”,
to take some time to talk and listen to each other
about your life and how you feel. The listening
is probably more important than the talking as it
only by being able to imagine yourself in the shoes
of the other that you will be able to understand
what he/she needs to feel better.
However you got to this point, it is not too late if
you wish to change your relationship and make it
26
better for both of you. Don’t accept second best,
I can help you to achieve the sort of relationship
that you would both like.
Do give me a call to make an appointment.
I am a Certified Relate Individual and couple
counsellor, MBACP with 29 years experience.
Before you decide, you can have up to a half hour
free counselling on the telephone or on Skype
to assess if counselling is right for you. Located in
Pirton Herts.
Call me, Helen Springer for an appointment.
I can fix a fee to suit your pocket.
Telephone 01462 713685.
Email: helen@experiencedcounsellors.com
website: www.experiencedcounsellors.com
or sprinsib@globalnet.co.uk
www.counsellorsandcounselling.co.uk
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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
27
Health & Beauty
Shades of Autumn
This issue we’re looking at make-up, including the
key trends for autumn/winter.
As your tan fades, you may find that you want
slightly more foundation. ’Contouring’ is the art
of using different shades to add definition to your
face. Lighter tones highlight areas and make them
stand out slightly, while darker tones add shadow
and depth. If you’ve been thinking of trying
contouring, but are worried that it will take hours,
or make you look a bit fake, read on for our cheat’s
guide…
Start with an overall base that’s the same tone
as your natural skin, before adding slightly
darker shades under your cheekbones and along
your jawline. Use a lighter shade on top of the
cheekbones, under the eyes and between your
eyebrows. And don’t forget to blend well! If you’re
still not convinced, try searching online for video
tutorials. MAC has some great ones on its website,
for example. When it comes to the product itself,
a cream tends to give a fresher appearance.
Iconic London’s Multi Use Cream Contour Palette,
£32.99, is a good choice, as it has several easy-toapply shades in one kit, which also double-up as
eyeshadows.
If you don’t fancy contouring, but do want to add
a touch of colour to your cheeks, Colorescience
Pressed Mineral Cheek Colore, £28, is a good
choice. Available in five shades, including a natural
looking coral, it’s easy to apply, blends well and
lasts for ages. Colorescience is available from
www.beauty-product-online.co.uk
Want to master the perfect autumnal smokey eye?
Neal’s Yard Remedies tells us how*:
• Apply a tawny brown shadow over the entire
eyelid and up into the socket line using a
medium eyeshadow brush. Apply to the lower
lash line with a small eyeshadow brush.
• Using a medium brush, apply a dark hazelnut
shade to the outer corner of the lid and blend
into the crease of the socket line. Blend the
colours using soft back and forth strokes. Apply
dark brown mascara.
• Press a dark chocolate eyeliner into the eyelash
roots, moving along the upper lash line. Go
over this with a precise line, staying close to the
28
Kate Duggan
www.kateduggan.co.uk
lashes. Draw eyeliner along the lower lash line
from the outer to the inner corner.
Statement lips don’t have to be red. We love Bobbi
Brown’s new Lip Trio in Twilight Glow, £39 – the
perfect shade for autumn. One of the key looks
for this season is ‘polished’. Think sophisticated,
‘grown-up’ make-up. The Lip Trio is perfect for this,
as it gives you perfectly defined lips, with just a
hint of gloss.
Victoriana looks set to become another one of
this season’s key looks. Forget soft romantic frills
though; this is Victoriana with an edge. Think dark,
gothic eroticism. If you don’t fancy going the
whole shebang, you can dip your toe (or fingertip)
in the water with a dark red or purple nail varnish.
We like Vamp by HJ Manicure, which is £9.50 and
doesn’t contain the strong chemicals often found
in nail polishes, such as formaldehyde and dibutyl
phthalate.
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THE BIGGLESWADE TALKING NEWSPAPER
Local news, for Local Listeners by Local volunteers
supported and funded by Local organisations
will be at the
ST. ANDREW’S
COUNTRY FAYRE & EXHIBITION
On SATURDAY 19th SEPTEMBER 2015
St Andrew’s Parish Church,
Shortmead Street, Biggleswade.
10.30am – 3.30pm
Free Admission
Come along and meet the team.
The talking newspaper for the visually impaired
and blind in East Bedfordshire.
Local news for Local Listeners by Local
volunteers supported and funded by Local
organisations.
Call 07840 504940
to receive the weekly newspaper
If you would like to know more, phone
07840 504940 or view our web site
www.biggleswadetalkingnewspaper.org.uk
BeauBronz salon treatments offer the Holistic
tanning cycle, a three step process. Which is a
exfoliating spray, natural tanning solution and
a hydrating tan lock
Ideal for holidays & weddings
Mobile treatment
Holistic tanning cycle
1. Exfoliate
2.spray
3.tan lock
“It smells delicious and just glides on .It feels like a touch of
class. The colour was fantastic and people have been asking if
I’ve been on holiday. You can’t get better than that !-10/10”
The Daily Mirror
Book your Holistic tan now & receive a free file
& paint worth £15.00
Call now on 07960807777
We are a registered charity No 281316 established in 1981
CHAMBERLAIN
Beaubronze 1/4 advert.indd 1
14/07/2015 09:5
MASSAGE CLINIC
Swedish Massage
Deep Tissue Massage
Sports Massage
Injury Rehab
Kinesio Taping
Clinics in Langford,
Letchworth
and Wrestlingworth
Dean Chamberlain B.Sc
www.chamberlainmassageclinic.co.uk
07902547391 or 01767631866
dean.chamberlainmassageclinic@gmail.com
Facebook: Chamberlain Massage Clinic
September... And relax!!
Book a Neal’s Yard facial in September and
receive a back massage for just £10!
I think you deserve it!
Go on... Treat yourself!!
Luxury Pedicures Neal’s Yard Facials
Massage & Body treatments
Waxing, Hollywood & Brazilian
Eye Treatments Biosculpture Gel Nails
8 Cherry Trees, Lower Stondon, Beds, SG16 6DT
e. fayes_beauty_hut@yahoo.co.uk
www.fayesbeautyhut.com t. 07912 645310
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29
EBAY COLLECTIONS
Local & Reliable
Reassurance when you need it most
Neville Funeral Service
Neville Funeral Service
24 Clifton Road Shefford SG17 5AE
t: 01462 813258
e: shefford@nevillefuneralservice.com
96 Walsworth Road Hitchin SG4 9SU
t: 01462 444910
e: hitchin@nevillefuneralservice.com
(inc George Squire & Son since 1976)
(inc David J. Binks since 2005)
www.nevillefuneralservice.com
30
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The Perils
Children
of Potty Training
“Mummy, I just pooed,” has got to be one of
the worst things to hear while you’re sitting in
a restaurant. Or driving down the motorway.
Or walking around the shops. Unfortunately,
I’ve heard it in all of these places, and more. My
daughter was a dream to potty train. My son…
not so much. Let’s just say that I took to carrying
spare clothes and baby wipes around with me.
We tried star charts, praise, ignoring accidents,
and lengthy discussions, but what worked in the
end was good ol’ bribery. Both him and his sister
got a sweet if he used the potty or toilet. She
quickly caught on and was practically dragging
him to the loo every 10 minutes. Admittedly,
there were a fair few accidents and our house
did not smell overly pleasant for a few days,
particularly as we were also house-training our
rescue dog at the same time (in for a penny and
all that). However, he soon mastered ‘big boy
stand-up wees’. Pooing, on the other hand, took
longer.
My partner and I couldn’t understand what the
problem was and I’ll admit we were starting to
get a bit frustrated. He eventually told us that he
was scared. Presumably he didn’t like the feeling
of it, and he was worried he was going to fall
down the loo as well. So we held his hands while
he was on the toilet, sang silly songs, made him
laugh and let him watch us on the loo. We talked
about his fears, read children’s books about
potty training and let him have fun flushing the
loo. And soon he wasn’t scared anymore. He
hasn’t had any accidents for a few weeks now.
I’m sure there will still be the occasional one, but
hopefully we’ve cracked it.
So if you’re struggling with potty training, hang
on in there. It may seem like a tortuous process,
but you’ll get there in the end. In the meantime,
here are a few pointers that helped us:
• Wait until they’re ready. Ideally, they should start
showing an interest in the toilet, telling you when
their nappy is wet and recognising when they
need to go. This can be anything from 18 months
to over three years old.
• But don’t wait too long. Left to his own devices, I
think my son would still be in nappies. We waited
until he was almost three and half. I actually
think we should have started earlier.
• Read children’s books about potty training with
your child.
• Offer them lots of praise for trying, even if they
don’t manage to do anything.
And yes, a chocolate button as a reward can
make all the difference.
By Kate Duggan
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
31
Finance
What you need
to know about
NS&I
Premium Bonds
Premium Bonds were first introduced in 1956 by
Harold MacMillan as a way to reduce inflation,
and they remain a popular savings choice today.
It is estimated that over £50 billion is held in the
Premium Bond ‘pot,’ making them the largest
savings product in the UK.
Not a ‘standard’ savings option, bonds pay no
interest and never expire. They can make you a
millionaire though, if you are lucky enough to win
one of the two £1 million draws each month.
How do they work?
Bonds up to the value of £50,000 can now be
bought following a recent rise in the maximum limit.
At the other end of the scale you can purchase a
single bond for £1, with all bonds being entered into
a monthly prize draw.
Premium Bond numbers are picked at random
by ERNIE (Electronic Random Number Indicator
Equipment), and you can check whether you’re a
winner via the NS&I website from the third day of
each month.
The government funds the prize money by
calculating a rate of interest as if the bonds were
‘standard’ government bonds, rather than using
money from the sale of new Premium Bonds. You
can buy them from a post office, or directly from
NS&I by phone or online.
How much can you win?
Winnings range from £25 to the £1 million jackpot,
with prizes also including a percentage of £25,000,
£50,000 and £100,000 wins each month. Returns
average the equivalent of around 1.3% according
to Moneywise, who also state that the chance of
winning from a single bond are approximately 1 in
26,000.¹
You can be lucky though – the Guardian recently
reported a £1 million jackpot winner who held just
£400 worth of bonds. For those wanting a reliable
income from savings, however, other products
would be more suitable if they are willing to forego
32
Stages
instant access in favour of higher interest rates.
If you bought Premium Bonds in the dim and distant
past, it might be worthwhile looking on the NS&I
website where there’s an ‘unclaimed prizes’ finder.
Should you choose Premium Bonds over
traditional savings accounts?
The problem with Premium Bonds is that because
you are not guaranteed a return on your money, the
investment could reduce in value over time due to
inflation. Other savings accounts, even though their
interest rate may be low, offset this issue a little.
If you are a higher rate tax payer, you may find
investing in Premium Bonds useful if you have
exhausted other tax-free options. People often buy
bonds after inheriting money, or when they need
to ‘store’ a lump sum temporarily – a deposit on a
property or an inheritance, for example.
So in general terms, Premium Bonds should
probably not be the first choice for savings – the
main attraction for many is the potential chance of
a big win.
Government’s wishes for Premium Bonds
Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Harriet Baldwin,
explained the government’s goals regarding
Premium Bonds, “Our long-term plan is all about
supporting savers and boosting working people’s
financial security at all stages of life..... That’s why
we have increased the amount people can invest in
premium bonds for the second time in two years.”
Although not suitable for savers looking for a
guaranteed regular income, Premium Bonds offer a
way to boost a nest egg. They hold a special place in
the nation’s heart – along with ERNIE of course.
¹http://www.moneywise.co.uk/banking-saving/savings-accounts-isas/
premium-bonds-what-you-need-to-know
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/may/30/premium-bonds-safesavings-waste-time
http://www.nsandi.com/ernie
http://www.nsandi.com/do-i-have-any-unclaimed-prizes
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Reliable Domestic
Cleaning
TEMPLARS
CROSS LODGE
• Regular clean
• Ironing
• One off clean
• Spring clean
• Professional insured service
• DBS or police checked cleaners
www.templarscrosslodge.co.uk
Close to Baldock town centre in spacious
surroundings this motel style
Bed & Breakfast offers off road parking.
• continental breakfast
• large luxury en-suite rooms
• free wifi internet access
• sky tv/dvd player
• fridge in room
• private location
• close to train station
• major credit cards taken
Call us now for a
free,
no-obligation
appointment
Tel: 01462 262006
www.extra-help.co.uk
TM
CLEANING
Tel: 07970 162753
Email: ami@amcofm.co.uk or sally@amcofm.co.uk
North Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire SG7 5DN
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33
Food and Drink
Seasonal Delights
Potato Tortilla with Marinated Olives
Serves 4
Ready in 45 minutes,
plus marinating time
This Spanish baked omelette is great served warm
as a speedy supper or is just as tasty served cold.
Perfect for a late summer picnic served with a
bowl of garlicky marinated olives.
FOR THE MARINATED OLIVES
100ml olive oil
½ red chilli pepper, deseeded and very finely
chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
1 tsp lemon zest
150g Kalamata olives
150g large green olives
FOR THE TORTILLA
450g potatoes, peeled and thickly sliced
6 large eggs
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
10ml (2tsp) dried Italian mixed herbs
50g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
Rocket leaves, to serve
1 To marinate the olives, heat the oil, chilli
and garlic in a small pan until just warmed
through. Stir in the parsley, lemon zest and
34
olives and season with freshly ground black
pepper. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and cover
and leave to marinate in a cool place for a few
hours or overnight.
2 To make the tortilla, preheat the oven to
180C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Grease a 19cm x 23cm
shallow cake tin.
3 Cook the potatoes in a large pan of boiling
salted water for 3-4 minutes until almost
tender. Drain well and arrange in 2-3 layers in
the cake tin.
4 Beat together the eggs and garlic in a bowl
then add the dried mixed herbs and two thirds
of the grated cheese. Season well with salt
and freshly ground black pepper and pour the
mixture over the layered potatoes.
5 Sprinkle over the rest of the cheese. Bake for
20-25 minutes until golden brown and firm to
the touch. Cool for 10 minutes then cut into
wedges. Serve warm with rocket leaves and
the marinated olives.
TIP - If serving the tortilla cold, allow to cool
completely then cut into squares and wrap in
greaseproof paper. It will keep in the fridge for 24
hours.
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Do you or
does someone
you know
need some
Extra Help?
Our services include:
• Meal preparation
• Shopping & errands
• Ironing
• Escorts
(Bingo, hospital etc)
• Regular or
one-off services
• Dog walking
• Senior sitting
• Cleaning
From £10 per hour
Tel 01462 262006
TM
www.extra-help.co.uk
Woburn Forest Holiday Village
Center Parcs is now recruiting
for a number of key roles and
have vacancies that fit around
your lifestyle.
With flexible working hours available and competitive rates
of pay plus superb benefits.
We are looking for enthusiastic team players to join us.
We have an amazing variety of roles, from jobs requiring
no previous experience or training to ones that are highly
qualified, we have opportunities to suit everyone.
For further details and to apply please visit:
at Center Parcs, we want
our people to share in
the success their hard
work brings, enjoy a sense
of wellbeing and a good
lifestyle, and make the most
of their time with us.
We offer unique benefits
such as:
• discounted Center
Parcs breaks
• day visitor passes
• Free use of village facilities
www.centerparcs.co.uk
Center Parcs, Woburn Forest Holiday Village, Millbrook,
bedford, MK45 2HZ
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36
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Russell Grant’s
Horoscopes
AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th
Finances will be tight at the beginning of
September, so budget accordingly. Be realistic
about what you want and need. Fortunately,
your best friend or lover will get an unexpected
opportunity to earn big money on the 8th. The Solar
Eclipse on the 13th is ideal for an intimate encounter. If
you’re in love, plan a surprise getaway for your amour. Are
you single? You will soon embark on a relationship with
someone who exudes excitement and mystery. Be selective
about the company you keep during the second half of
September. You don’t want a trouble maker to compromise
your professional reputation. A very attractive newcomer
will flirt like mad with you on the 23rd. It’s nice to know
your sex appeal continues to work at full power. A Lunar
Eclipse on the 28th prompts you to end your association
with an organisation. Now the leadership of this group has
changed, you’re no longer interested in belonging to it.
PISCES February 20th - March 20th
Be realistic about your expectations of a
romantic partner in early September. Becoming
a little more independent will take a whole load
of pressure off your partner. Are you single? A friendship
could turn into a passionate affair. A Solar Eclipse on
the 13th brings surprising news about an engagement,
marriage, or business alliance. This partnership will benefit
you in unexpected ways. Beware of promising more than
you can deliver on the 17th, or your professional reputation
will suffer. Your sensual side will be very strong during the
second half of September. This is a great time to indulge
your love of good food, tactile fabrics, heady aromas,
beautiful music and vibrant colours. Practice moderation
at a party or professional gathering on the 26th. Practicing
moderation will protect your reputation. The Lunar Eclipse
marks the end of a source of income, forcing you to make
last minute adjustments to your budget. You might have to
cancel an expensive order.
ARIES March 21st - April 20th
You need to be a lot more realistic about work
deadlines at the beginning of September. A
seemingly simple job will take much longer
than you think. Fortunately, you will get plenty of help and
inspiration from a creative colleague. If you hit a snag, ask
for their assistance. A Solar Eclipse on the 13th helps you
find relief for a nagging health problem. By changing the
way you eat and exercise, you’ll feel years younger. Listen
to a medical professional who has years of experience. It
will be necessary to accommodate a business or romantic
partner’s ever changing schedule at mid-month. Be as
flexible as you can and try not to get frustrated with last
minute changes. This whole disrupting scenario will soon
pass. A Lunar Eclipse on the 28th will tempt you to radically
alter your appearance. Don’t, or you will be sorry. This is
not the time to go for a radical makeover or extreme image
update.
TAURUS
April 21st - May 21st
Building a nest with your amour will be your
first priority in early September. The two of
you may decide to cohabitate, get married, or move to a
bigger place. It will be easy to find exactly the space you
need to thrive as a couple. A Solar Eclipse on the 13th is
perfect for launching a creative project, showing off your
art work, or taking a romantic risk. Your partner’s resources
won’t be as plentiful during the second half of the month
and you’ll be expected to pick up the slack. Put your heads
together to devise a budget that reflects both of your
financial priorities. A Lunar Eclipse on the 28th forces you
to capitulate to a big bureaucracy. You won’t be able to
fight the authorities at this time. Giving in gracefully will
save time, money and aggravation. Don’t let pride stop you
putting an end to this nightmarish situation.
GEMINI
May 22nd - June 21st
Money for a house payment or tuition will arrive
in early September. Resist the urge to squander
these resources on something that will afford short term
pleasure. A Solar Eclipse on the 13th is perfect for finding
a beautiful living arrangement. If you want to buy a place,
explore an area that is known for its natural beauty. You’ll
have to be extremely practical regarding work at midmonth. There won’t be much money in the budget for
extravagant projects. You’ll also have to put in longer hours
at the office. Your relationship with your best friend, lover,
or business partner will take on a serious tone during the
second half of the month. Don’t be surprised if you have
to take over some of your friend’s responsibilities. A Lunar
Eclipse on the 28th marks the sudden end of a friendship
or group association. You simply can’t afford to connect
yourself with people who are involved in under the counter
activities.
CANCER
June 22nd - July 23rd
The opening days of September will be
confusing. You aren’t sure of where you should
be heading. It feels like you’re trying to find your way out
of a blender. Instead of forcing yourself to make a decision,
take a few deep breaths and let events unfold on their
own. A Solar Eclipse on the 13th will bring enlightening
information. You may decide to take a class, move to a
nearby town, or sign a contract with a powerful executive.
Work will become more stable during the second half of
the month. It will be much easier to follow a predictable
schedule. A Lunar Eclipse on the 28th brings an abrupt
end to a public role. Although you will be sad to lose
this position, this turn of events is a blessing in disguise.
Spend the lion’s share of your time on domestic pursuits as
September turns to October.
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37
Russell Grant’s
Horoscopes
LEO
July 24th - August 23rd
It’s important to be realistic about finances in
the early days of September. Buying everyone
lunch and covering friends’ expenses will put you in
jeopardy. Keep careful track of everything you spend.
Putting yourself on a budget is strongly advised. Good
news about a fitness regime will arrive on or around
the 8th. It’s a relief to know you can move forward with
plans. A Solar Eclipse on the 13th attracts a new source of
income. Put this extra money in a savings, retirement, or
college fund. The second half of September will prove quite
busy. Running errands, answering messages and filing
paperwork will take up a great deal of time. Fortunately,
you’re up for the challenge. A Lunar Eclipse on the 28th
forces you to part ways with someone who has offensive
beliefs. You can’t afford to be connected with such a
troubled individual. Take steps to protect your reputation
as October approaches.
VIRGO
August 24th - September 23rd
Things will be a little tense between you and a
lover at the beginning of September. Try a little tenderness.
Try not to get too upset with your partner’s dreamy ways.
Not everyone can be as practical as you. The two of you are
a great team because you balance each other. Remember
this the next time you get upset. A Solar Eclipse on the 13th
is ideal for branching into unfamiliar territory. Whether
you get a new job, change your look, or take up a creative
hobby, you will get an enthusiastic reception. Keep careful
track of your receipts during the second half of the month,
as you will have to return some defective merchandise. A
Lunar Eclipse on the 28th brings an abrupt end to a source
of unearned income. This will be a secret relief, as it allows
you to break free of an oppressive relative or business
partner.
LIBRA
September 24th - October 23rd
It will be virtually impossible to get help
from colleagues in the beginning of September. Instead of
beating your head against a brick wall, just resign yourself
to doing all the labour yourself. Make sure your boss
knows about the situation, so they will be apprised of how
valuable you are to the organisation. A Solar Eclipse on the
13th will allow you strike an arrangement where you can
work from home. If you already have your own business,
you may decide to move to a more central location or hire
an assistant. Consider hiring an older professional who
won’t require a lot of supervision. Your amour will have
a delightful surprise in the second half of September.
You might go away on holiday quite suddenly. A Lunar
Eclipse on the 28th forces you to let go of some unrealistic
expectations about your best friend. You either need to
break up or make up.
38
SCORPIO
October 24th - November 22nd
You’ll be able to negotiate a much better deal
than you are initially offered in early September.
Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer during this fateful time. Resist
the urge to tell a secret on the 9th, or you will have serious
problems with a relative. A Solar Eclipse on the 13th puts
you in contact with some influential executives. Be sure to
have a supply of business cards on hand, as these bigwigs
will have a beneficial effect on your career. You’ll have fewer
personal responsibilities in the second half of September,
which comes as a relief. Take this opportunity to schedule
a short break. It will be easier to get people to return your
phone calls on the 25th, thanks to bureaucratic restraints
being lifted. A Lunar Eclipse on the 28th brings a health
matter to your attention. You’ll no longer be able to eat
certain foods or engage in certain kinds of exercise.
SAGITTARIUS
November 23rd - December 21st
You’ll be asked to take the helm of an important
group in the beginning of September. If you
manage this project well, you will be given even better
assignments later on. A flirtatious conversation on the 8th
gives you a sexy glow. It’s nice to know you have the power
to melt hearts and turn heads. A Solar Eclipse on the 13th
results in a fantastic job offer. Not only will this position
increase your prestige, but it will also pay extremely well.
Be realistic about how this new job will affect your home
life, especially when you discuss the details with family on
the 17th. Your personal responsibilities will dramatically
increase during the second half of September. Prepare to
spend more time at the office. A Lunar Eclipse on the 28th
forces you to take a more realistic approach to a budding
romance. It’s important for you to have an intellectual
rapport with the one you love.
CAPRICORN
December 22nd - January 20th
Your willpower is extremely strong in early
September. Take this opportunity to break
a bad habit or establish a healthy one. You definitely
don’t have to justify your new way of life to an inquisitive
colleague. You don’t have to defend yourself to relative
strangers. A Solar Eclipse on the 13th is perfect for
scheduling an overseas trip. Visiting an ancient city will
uplift and inspire you. Working in solitude proves enjoyable
during the second half of September. It’s easier to focus on
your duties without constant interruptions. You’ll be able to
assert your authority more effectively on the 25th, when a
chaotic situation demands your attention. People who used
to challenge your assertions will gladly take direction from
you when panic sets in. A Lunar Eclipse on the 28th marks
the end of an emotional domestic drama. At long last, you’ll
be able to retain control of your surroundings. If this means
moving to a new place, so be it.
PleaseTomention
advertise
The
inVillager
The Villager
and Town
and Townlife
Life when
please
responding
call 01767
to adverts
261122
NOW DESIGNING AND BUILDING
BESPOKE PIZZA OVENS
Builders Ltd.
General Builders
Paul Crane
07815 578768 / 01438 357757
infocranebuilders@gmail.com
1 PARK LANE – HENLOW – BEDS – SG16 6AT
www.cranebuildersltd.co.uk
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39
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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
41
Garden
By Pippa Greenwood
Lovely Lawns
Almost every garden has a lawn, and there is a
lot you can do to keep it in good condition. Don’t
wait until spring but get to work now with some
autumn lawn care to keep your lawn looking
healthy and green.
Large weeds in small lawns are best removed by
hand, perhaps using a sturdy old kitchen knife –
perfect for removing dandelions, small clumps
of daisies and other weeds missed by the mower.
You should also take a look at the level of moss
in the lawn: when green and luxuriant it can look
quite attractive, but once it dies out the lawn will
look really awful. On the whole, moss in lawns is
encouraged by compaction, poor drainage of the
soil and lawn surface and by excessive shading,
perhaps by nearby trees or herbaceous plants in
adjacent borders. It is worth doing anything you
can to alleviate these problems, and for shading
you should prune back shrubs which overhang the
lawn or have trees professionally crown thinned or
lifted, so that more light gets through to the lawn.
Herbaceous plants are easily dealt with by using
bamboo canes and string to ease them up and
away from the grass.
Compaction is relatively easy to deal with, and in
small areas where the problem is not too bad, you
can use a normal garden fork. Drive this into the
lawn every 10 – 15 cm (4 – 6 in) and ease it back
and forth slightly to enlarge the holes created by
the tines of the fork. This creates some drainage
channels, which will also improve aeration. On
very heavy sites or where compaction is bad,
use a hollow tine aerator. These can be bought
as attachments for some lawnmowers, or you
can buy or hire a dedicated machine or piece
of equipment. A hollow tine aerator removes
cylinders of turf and the soil beneath, thus
42
producing a better effect than using a garden fork.
Once aerated, brush a sandy top dressing mixture
into all the holes, using a mixture of sieved garden
soil and horticultural sand, perhaps mixed with
a small quantity of sieved leaf mould. The top
dressing ensures that the holes are kept open to
allow better drainage and aeration over a longer
period.
Use a proprietary moss killer if moss is really
out of control, applied exactly according to the
manufacturer’s instructions; you should make
sure that the moss is killed off completely before
you attempt to rake it out. Raking out can be
combined with scarifying, where you use a spring
tined rake to aggressively rake the surface of the
lawn, so that dead moss, thatch (the accumulated
bits of dead grass and other lawn debris) and any
other surface debris are removed. Once done, you
will find that the lawn looks a lot worse than it did
when you started, as it will look thinner and more
moth-eaten. However, scarifying helps to ensure
that the grasses receive plenty of air and allows
for better re-growth; have faith, the situation will
improve.
If you still have bare areas once you have improved
the texture of the soil and fixed drainage problems,
then re-seed or over-seed using a suitable grassseed mixture. To improve germination and speed
of growth, pin a piece of horticultural fleece or
Enviromesh over the newly sown area. This will
help keep it warmer and prevent birds from
stealing the grass seed.
Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com
for vegetable plants, Nemaslug, mesh and fleece,
Speed Hoes, Speed Weeders, SoftTie, pop-up crop
covers , copper tape and lots more besides.
Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts
RH GARDEN DESIGN
Want a beautifully maintained garden
but don’t have the time?
You don’t want to be maintaining the garden
at the weekend you want to be enjoying it.
So call us and let us take care of it.
Regular maintenance visits,
grass cutting, hedge trimming,
garden clearances, seasonal pruning,
and so much more...
“We are passionate about the garden”
Tel: Richard 01462 612033
Mob:07738 246568
www.rhgardendesign.com
TJP August.pdf
1
16/07/2015
15:49
Wasp Nest
Treatments
Give your driveway or patio a facelift
Safe and effective
treatments from £40
Sometimes you don’t realise just how
old or tired looking your driveway or
patio may be looking until after it has
been professionally cleaned using
our high powered jet wash.
Our treatments are proven to remove
weeds and prevent them from
reappearing, we can remove most oil
stains from driveways, and unsightly
moss from between the cracks. Resanding and surface sealing will help
keep these areas free from a takeover
of growth for a good period of time.
Call 01462 435867
(24 hours)
7 days a week - No call out charge
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Call today on 01462 435867
to arrange your driveway or patio clean
43
REDTAIL PEST CONTROL
For All Your Pest Control Needs
All Pest Species Dealt With
BPCA (1&2) Qualified
Member of the NPTA
Basis Prompt Registered
Very Reasonable Prices
CRB checked
Contact
JAMES ROSE
MOB: 07807429843
email red.tail.1st@gmail.com
44
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Beer at Home
September – does it still
count as late summer, or is it
autumn yet? It’s a half full-half
empty question, really; but
the blackberries should be
well ripened, early apples are
ready for picking, and the field
boundaries are pocked with big
white puffballs. To me, that’s
autumn.
Autumn means rich food: the
blast of cordite is sounding
the pheasant’s death-knell, the
stubble-fed pigeons are at their
best, and the goose is ready
from Michaelmas onward (why
wait for Christmas?). And rich
food calls for rich beer. Two, both from traditional
English family breweries, spring instantly to mind.
Hook Norton Old Hooky (4.6% abv) has a richness
and complexity that make it a great choice as an
accompaniment to game. A deep copper colour, it
Food & Drink
By Ted Bruning
has a biscuity aroma of quite startling intensity. This
richness, though, is balanced by a fruity roundness
and a tang reminiscent of old-fashioned marmalade;
and the aftertaste, at first almost buttery, is similarly
balanced by a bitter smack of hop.
Stronger than Old Hooky at 5.7% abv, and perhaps
one to savour after a long bracing walk, is the rich,
warming Badger Poacher’s
Choice from Hall & Woodhouse.
A deep reddish-brown in colour
its aroma is both sweet and
sharp, because the flavourings
are liquorice and damson.
And they work! The flavour is an
alloy of luscious fruitiness and
pear-drop acidity. There’s more
balancing fruit and acidity in a
lingering finish that’s short on
traditional hop bitterness. So:
rich and warming yet at the
same time piquant and tangy –
in short, a madeira of a beer.
BICKERDIKES
Garden Centre
Open in g times:
Mon - Sat
m
9.00am - 5.30ps)
(in c ba nk ho lid
ay
Sundays
m - 4.30pm
0a
.3
10
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45
Time of Life
Time to re-evaluate
your working life?
“I don’t want to give up work when I’m older. I just
won’t be able to keep working in the same way.”
Factory worker James McArdle’s words will probably
resonate with many employees over fifty who are
concerned by the prospect of a delayed retirement
age.
James, aged 55, is currently employed at a meat
processing plant near Basingstoke, a job he has held
since the age of twenty-five. However, while he still
enjoys the camaraderie of factory work he finds he is
less able to cope with the long shifts.
The state pension age for men is currently 65 and
the pensionable age for women is increasing each
year: in fact, the government aims to establish a state
pension age of 66 for both sexes by the year 2020.
These pension changes affect us at a time when agerelated issues such as diminishing eyesight, hearing
loss, reduced mobility and a less-than-perfect
memory can potentially affect our job performance.
But while performance is undoubtedly a key factor
when it comes to the employability of older workers,
motivation is just as important. What if these workers
simply don’t have the will to continue working in the
same way, at the same pace?
So what are the options if you decide to change
jobs in late middle age, or perhaps opt to
work part-time?
1) Asking your employer if you can work part-time
Although you can ask your employer if they
would be willing to let you work fewer hours,
there is no legal obligation for them to grant
your wish. If the employer says ‘No’ and can
demonstrate that your request has been
carefully considered,
then there’s little you
can do.
The good news is that
if your employer agrees
to let you work part-time,
you will still be entitled
to the same rights and
46
protections as an employee in full-time work.
2) Looking for a new full or part-time job
If you haven’t changed jobs in a while, you will
discover that recruitment methods have changed
considerably in recent years. Most jobs are posted
online and the communication related to your
job search (sending covering letters and CVs, and
receiving invitations to attend interviews) is mainly
conducted via email.
The Age and Employment Network (www.taen.org.
uk) has published an excellent free guide for older
jobseekers which is available under the ‘Resources’
section of their website. If you don’t have access to
the internet you can call TAEN on 0300 247 2000 (call
charges cost up to 9p per minute on a landline but
considerably more on a mobile phone).
Your local Jobcentre Plus will also be able to provide
information on finding work, self-employment and
training. However if you’ve given up work voluntarily
there may be a risk that benefits (including
Jobseekers’ Allowance) will be delayed. If you’re
unsure about whether you have a good enough case
to quit your job and apply for benefits as you search
for a new position, you can call the Acas Helpline on
0300 123 1100 (charges as above apply).
For the moment, James McArdle is happy to
continue at the factory where he works but he is
currently learning IT skills so he will be prepared to
re-enter the job market, and he advises others to do
the same. As he explains:
“At my age, change is going to
happen: it’s all about being
prepared.”
By
Kate McLelland
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GILKS FENCING LTD
All Types of Fencing, Gates & Railings, SUPPLIED & INSTALLED
Call for a FREE Survey & Quotation
Visit our Display Area at:
Gilks Fencing
Drove Road,
Gamlingay, Sandy,
Beds SG19 2HX
Tel:
01767 650 615
Email:
gilksfencing@hotmail.com
www.gilksfencing.co.uk
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47
History
Golden Years
Memories of 50 years ago
North Sea oil and gas reserves may be running dry,
but for exactly 50 years they have been making an
enormous contribution to our economy. For it was
on 21st September 1965 that BP announced that its
barge, Sea Gem, had made the first successful “spud”,
or test drill, 40 miles off the Yorkshire coast.
Sea Gem was one of a number of competing
test rigs prospecting the North Sea at the time.
Geologists had been certain for quite some years
that the reserves were there, and in mind-boggling
quantities. But it was only in 1964, when Britain
joined the European Free Trade Association, that
the North Sea was considered worth a really serious
look because EFTA membership meant the end of
the tax incentives that had propped up Britain’s not
inconsiderable onshore oil industry.
That’s right – Britain’s not inconsiderable onshore
oil industry. Anglo-Iranian Oil (which eventually
became part of BP) had been operating several
wells in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire since
the 1930s. Their output had been invaluable during
World War II and when Iran nationalised its oil-wells
from 1951-53, and in 1964 they hit peak production.
But now, despite the operating difficulties and a
technology that was still in its infancy, the North Sea
beckoned; and BP engineers based at Eakring near
Mansfield improvised the Sea Gem using a Frenchbuilt work barge, eight specially-made telescopic
legs, and a drilling rig. In June 1965, Sea Gem went
to work.
Sea Gem’s well was actually the fourth to
have been spudded in British waters.
The first had been for an American
company in December 1964, and two
more followed in spring and summer
1965. By September all three had been
completed and found only dry wells.
When Sea Gem started work a
48
further four rigs were also drilling, but showing no
signs of success.
By 17th September Sea Gem’s drill had bored down
to nearly 3,000 metres, and it was starting to look
as though this was yet another dry hole. When its
instruments began to indicate the presence of gas,
nobody got too excited – it wasn’t uncommon to
find small pockets as the drill went deeper. But then
the fluid retrieved from the bottom of the well was
observed to be frothing and bubbling. Within two
days the rig’s crew were certain they had a viable
well; and on 21st September BP announced publicly
(but very cautiously): “A test in BP’s North Sea well
now being drilled by the Sea Gem 42 miles east
of Humber has produced gas, but not in sufficient
volume to be commercially significant. The well is
being drilled deeper in the hope that commercial
production may yet be encountered.”
It needn’t have been so cautious. By mid-December,
that first well was yielding ten million cubic feet of
natural gas a day – enough to justify the building of
pipelines to the shore. It was the start of a new era.
There was a tragic postscript, though, for the
drilling of the North Sea’s first successful well was
immediately followed by the deaths of its first
victims. On the night of 27th December, while Sea
Gem was moving to another test site, two of its
legs gave way. Sea Gem quickly collapsed and sank
beneath the icy waters; and although most of the
crew were rescued, 13 men died.
Happy 50th birthdays to Lennox Lewis (2nd),
Charlie Sheen (3rd), Moby (11th),
Zak Starkey (13th), and Omid Djalili (30th).
Cake and botox to you all!
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BRANCHING OUT
FA M
5
years
SS
A
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ALL LO
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BU SIN
Tree Surgery/Felling
Tree Pruning/reductions
Hedge trimming
Tree stump removal
Grass cutting & strimming
Rotavating and turfing
Fencing
Patio & driveway cleaning
Scarification
Garden clearance
Free quotation, no obligation,
no job to small, try us!
01462 811991
or 07970 480370
Seasoned logs for sale
Visit us at www.branchingoutservices.co.uk
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Gardening a Pain?
Let us take the Strain!
2 FREE
shrubs
for new
orders
We are here for your landscaping projects too
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: david.sunshinegardensbaldock@mail.com
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TYNEHILL
Boarding
Kennels
and Cattery
The kennels your dog would choose!
10% discount for new customers
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Top quality kennels and cattery
Fully licensed and insured
Clean and hygienic environment
Dogs £12.00 to £15.00
Cats £7.75
10% discount for family groups
Our dogs are happy dogs!
Better kennels are only minutes away...
www.tynehillkennelsandcattery.co.uk
01462 850606
Shillington Road, Lower Stondon, Beds, SG16 6JX
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Pets
Animal Queries
Dear RSPCA vet,
We have just got two gorgeous black kittens – a
brother (Stanley) and sister (Molly). I don’t like the
idea of neutering them at all, so could I just have
one neutered and not the other?
Vito, Oakley
Dear Vito,
I’m afraid that both kittens will need to be
neutered – but it’s really not something to worry
about: in fact there are many advantages! Kittens
and cats wander far from home so
un-neutered cats have a huge impact on your
entire neighbourhood.
To protect Molly from getting pregnant, she will
need to go the vet to have a simple operation
called spaying (also known as ‘fixing’, ‘neutering’ or
‘being done’).
I’m not sure how old she is now, but when Molly
is about four months old, she will start to attract
the attention of tomcats who will want to have sex
with her.
This is why it’s important to have her spayed
before she is four months old to protect her from
getting pregnant while
she is still a kitten herself.
You may have heard that
it’s good for cats to have
a litter of kittens before
they are spayed – but
this isn’t true. Once she
has been spayed Molly
will be able to do all the
things cats enjoy doing,
like going outdoors,
climbing trees and
playing.
Stanley will also need to
have a simple operation,
called ‘the snip’. This can stop him from spraying
in your house to mark his territory, which can be
very smelly, and getting nasty injuries from fights.
He will also be less likely to wander off and get run
over, as cats that are snipped tend to stay closer
to home.
Having Stanley snipped will protect him from a
nasty disease called FIV – which is the same as
HIV in people, but for cats. It is spread through cat
bites, often between males fighting over a female
– but can’t be caught by people.
Neutering your beloved kittens really is straightforward and is the best option for everyone. Once
an appointment has been made, you will need to
drop them off at the vets, and pick them up again
later that same day.
The operation is very simple and involves an
anaesthetic. Once they are back at home, Stanley
and Molly will need to stay in for a short time –
your vet will advise – but they will soon be fit and
well again.
Animal charities, such as the RSPCA Bedfordshire
North branch, struggle to cope with the
unmanageable number of cats and kittens being
abandoned and neglected in Bedfordshire each
year. By neutering Stanley and Molly – you will
become part of the solution, not part of the
problem – so thank you!
ANIMAL QUERIES is one of a series of articles brought to
you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch
www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk
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53
53
Motoring
By James Baggott
It looks like something from the set
of Star Wars, drives like a supercar
and costs £100,000. James
Baggott finds out if the i8 is the car
we’ve all been waiting for.
What is it?
It’s rare a genuine landmark car
arrives on the scene, but BMW
have pulled it off with the simply
staggering i8. Not only does
it look like something from a
science fiction movie, it has the
technology from one too – but
the good news here is this car
is very real indeed. This is the
German firm’s stake in the ground
in the electric car market and
proves supercars don’t necessarily
need V8s to stir the emotions.
Apparently.
What’s under the bonnet?
Ok, concentrate now, because this
is a little bit more complicated
than usual. The i8 features a
turbocharged 1.5-litre three-pot
engine that’s hidden behind the
rear seats. Doesn’t sound very
exciting, we agree, but there’s also
a 129bhp electric motor which
combines for an overall power
output of 357bhp and 570Nm.
That’s plenty of punch, enough to
help it crack 60mph in 4.4 seconds
and reach a top speed of 155mph.
But the really interesting thing is
it does all that while returning an
incredible 134.5mpg and emitting
just 49g/km.
54
BMW i8
What’s the spec like?
Well, first up it’s worth noting this
is a 2+2 so if you’ve got kids, or
small adult friends, you can slot
them in the back and take them
along for the ride. There are also
those awesome dihedral gullwing
doors to marvel at every time you
get in and out. Don’t expect to
enter a petrol station and leave
any time soon. Specification
includes all the usual niceties you’d
expect – such as Sat Nav, DAB
radio, Bluetooth, heated seats and
leather. Lovely.
What do the press think?
Auto Express praised it for its
‘stunning looks, low running
costs and strong performance’,
however they said the seats were
cramped and the boot was small.
Autocar added: ‘BMW would have
you believe that the new i8 is the
sports car of the future - and it’s a
believable claim.’
What’s it like to drive?
It’s like driving the future. From
the moment you squeeze yourself
through those funky doors across
the wide carbon fibre sills to the
minute you notice it glows blue
inside at night, you feel like you’re
starring in your very own Back
to the Future movie. It makes an
incredible noise as you power on,
much of which is piped into the
cabin via the speakers, but it’s still
exciting nonetheless. It feels quick
too. You sit low in the cabin, and
with a rapid six-speed automatic
gearbox that changes so fast you
feel like it’s constantly accelerating,
the sensations are heightened
even more.
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for something
that will stand out from the
crowd and is packed with clever
technology, the BMW i8 really is
the supercar for you. It’s great to
drive, turns heads like few other
machines on the road and offers
amazing eco credentials to boot.
But at £100,000 it’s not cheap and
we can’t help thinking a BMW M4
would offer just as many thrills in
the driving department. But that’s
not the point of the i8 - this car is
about showcasing new technology
and highlighting BMW’s electric
car range, and it does that job very
well indeed. And, if we’re honest,
we’re very glad it’s here indeed.
The Knowledge
Model: BMW i8
Price: £86,508
Engine: 1.5-litre, three-cylinder,
turbocharged plus electric motor
Power: 357bhp, 570Nm
Max speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 4.4 seconds
MPG: 134.5mpg (combined)
Emissions: 49g/km CO2
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Lambourn
MOT and Service Centre Ltd
Your LOCAL MoT, tyre and service centre
in Shefford
01462 811333
Pay us a visit – we’re near Morrisons!
Lambourn MoT & Service Centre
Unit 10, Old Bridge Way,
Shefford, SG17 5HQ
Visit: lambournservicecentre.co.uk
Take Me home James.pdf
1
17/07/2015
WORDWHEEL
Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten
minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which
may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word
must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central
letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There
is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.
TARGET
Excellent: 8 or more words Good: 6 words Fair: 4 words
S
B
E
D
I
Quality Peace Of Mind Service
Airport Transfer Specialists
Up to 8 people travelling
Shefford based
Email or call us to discuss your needs
for any journey, domestic or corporate
E
078 859 101 62
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55
08
Word Ladder
Change one letter at a time (but not the position of
any letter) to make a new word - and move from the
word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom,
using the exact number of rungs provided.
L E A F
©Puzzlepress.co.uk
T W I G
Visit our beautiful
Bathroom Showroom
...With more than 50 displays of bathrooms, furniture & fittings
Free in-house 3D design service
Quality products from leading manufacturers
Experiencedstaffofferingimpartialadvice
Free delivery within a 20 mile radius of our showroom
01438 725309
bathrooms@stevenageplumbing.co.uk
www.stevenageplumbing.co.uk
Caxton House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2XS
56
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Taylor Made Joinery Ltd
Traditional Bespoke Joinery
Products and Services
Windows | Doors | Staircases | Conservatories | Furniture
Oak | Hardwoods | Softwoods | Accoya®
Specialising in Grade listed Heritage joinery
www.taylormadejoineryltd.co.uk
info@taylormadejoineryltd.co.uk
T: 01462 338 313 M: 07855 834 424
facebook.com/TaylorMadeJoineryLtd
Unit C1 Manor Farm, Upper Stondon, Beds, SG16 6LJ
made in
joinery.indd
2
To Taylor
advertise
The Villager
and Townlife please call 01767 261122
We are proud to be a
member of the Guild of
Master Craftsmen
17/03/2015 10:20
57
Fun Quiz - Starts and Ends
1. What is the only capital city in the world that begins with the
letter “i”?
2. Which TV show was often ended by Nick Ross encouraging
viewers not to have nightmares?
3. If a game of football begins with a “kick-off”, which sport begins
with a “ball-up”?
4. Of the 118 identified chemical elements, 85 have that a name
that ends in what letter?
5. What is the more typical ending for a letter that begins “Dear Sir
or Madam”?... “Yours sincerely” or “Yours faithfully”?
6. Which song by U2 starts with Bono counting in Spanish “unos,
dos, tres, catorce”, numbers that translate as “one, two, three,
fourteen”?
7. Which famous film ends with the line “it was beauty killed the
beast”?
8. Which two signs of the zodiac share the same five letter ending?
9. Which is the only Beatles hit single with a title that starts and
ends with the same letter?
10.Which two cities were the original endpoints of the Orient
Express?
Before
After
1. Islamabad (capital of Pakistan) 2. Crimewatch 3. Australian Rules Football 4. M 5. Yours faithfully
6. Vertigo 7. King Kong 8. Aquarius and Sagittarius 9. Yesterday 10. Paris and Istanbul
Building, Roofing
Maintenance
• General building
• Roofing and roof
repairs
• Roof windows
supplied and fitted
• Carpentry
• Repairs and
Maintenance
• Brickwork
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Bathrooms
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Concreting
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Free non
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quotes Email: homeworxbuild@outlook.com
Homeworx.indd
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1
07/04/2015
15:39
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WINDOW REPAIRS
Serving all of Herts - Based in Stevenage
Specialising in replacing misted units
BEFORE
AFTER
email: info@jmlwindows.co.uk
website: www.jmlwindows.co.uk
07977 911 926 / 01438 906300
• Misted/broken double glazed units
• Sticking doors or windows adjusted
• Broken/loose handles
• Leaded or Georgian units replaced
• Hinges for gapping windows
• Leaks fixed
• All types of locks replaced
• Energy saving Planitherm glass
• Cat/dog flaps in glass or panels
• Door re-alignments
Visit our website for over 30 customer reviews
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59
Codeword
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Easy Suduko
Hard Suduko
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1
through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles.
60
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62
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LOVE YOUR HEATING
Love your heating
provides all your
heating needs from an
annual boiler service
to a complete new
install, for a first class
service at a standard
rate just call us!
01767 666102
07913 234712
07940 797452
TOASTY TOES
GAS
SOLID FUEL
&BIOMASS
WATER
Insured
by Corgi
Worcester Bosch
Vaillent
Ideal Boilers
Baxi
Glow Worm
Potterton
Vokera
Keston
Viessmann
Alpha
567002
Love Your Stove Ltd trading as
Love your Heating
Langford, Bedfordshire
Love your heating 1/2 page.indd 1
16/06/2015 12:35
HERTS
OVEN CLEAN
Herts Oven Clean is a domestic oven cleaning
specialist in Hertfordshire.
Non-caustic, fume-free solution individually
prepared for each customer.
Ovens, Hobs, Grills, Extractors, Agas, Microwaves and
Gas Barbeques.
Call Richard on 01438 813492
Bring a sparkle to your kitchen today.
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
63
64
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James Cullip
Painting & Decorating
• interior/exterior - all aspects
CM ROOFING
Family run business
Est. 20 yrs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• wallpaper hanging
• coving
• general household maintenance
• plastering services available
• free estimates
• fully insured
References available
t: 01462 817 122 m: 07899 888 545
e: go_on_james@hotmail.com
www.cullippaintinganddecorating.co.uk
10 Mill Lane, Campton, Shefford, Beds
All Building Services Provided
Fully Qualified & Insured
Free Local Estimates
No Job Too Big Or Small
Call James 7 days a week on:
07595 752 466
01462 231 734
JamesBonfieldCarpentry@yahoo.co.uk
Shefford, Bedfordshire
Repairs & Re-roof
Lead Specialists
Slating & Tiling
Guttering and Drainage
Gutter Clearing
Fascias & Soffits
UPVC Wall Cladding
Moss Removal
Flat Roofing
Single Ply/3 Layer Felt
Liquid Plastics
We will beat any written quotation
For more information & free estimate
01438 517166 / 07432 624335
chrismead.roofing@yahoo.co.uk
www.cm-roofing.co.uk
• Wallpapering
• Interior &
Exterior
Painting
• Murals
• Colour & Design Advice
Local, Reliable & Professional
T: 01767
220 744
M:07791 438 593
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65
Books
Roald Dahl Day
By Susan Brookes-Morris
Roald Dahl Day is celebrated on September 13th
to mark the birth of one of Britain’s most famous
children’s writers. Dahl was born in Llandaff near
Cardiff in 1916. The son of Norwegian parents,
he was named after Roald Amunsden, a polar
explorer from Norway.
It is humour and captivating characters that
make Dahl one of the most popular British
authors ever. Many of the characters and story
lines in his books are based on his own life
experiences. For example he was caned as a
child for putting a mouse in a jar of gobstoppers
in a sweet shop and later wrote Everlasting
Gobstoppers. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
his third book stems from his days at Repton
School where the boys were often asked to test
new chocolates from the Cadbury factory. It is
said he dreamed of inventing a chocolate that
would impress Mr Cadbury.
When he left school Dahl worked for Shell until in
1939 he entered the RAF. He took part in several
significant World War II air battles, and later
worked for the British Embassy in Washington.
Many of his stories have links to aviation. His first
book The Gremlins which was published in
1942, is based on mischievous creatures
who were part of RAF folklore. He
left the service in 1946 having
obtained the rank of Squadron
Leader.
Dahl’s children’s books
are told from the child’s
point of view and usually
include an adult villain
who hates or mistreats
children. It is thought
that this is a link back
to his own unhappy
days at boarding
school. Frequently
his books feature ‘fat’
characters too, black
humour and grotesque
scenarios. In addition to
66
his children’s books Dahl also wrote children’s
poetry, and it is often forgotten that he wrote
adult fiction too. Some of his short stories were
the base for the popular television series Tales of
the Unexpected.
It will always be his children’s books that he is
most famous for. Year after year children dress as
his characters for world book day, and teachers
plan lessons around his stories because of their
popularity.
Reading remains so important for building
children’s vocabulary, and for helping to
stimulate their imagination and literacy skills.
Dahl’s books are often the books adults recount
as their favourites while growing-up, or the
stories that really captivated them and got them
into the reading habit.
A variety of awards and commemorations have
been set up since Dahl’s death in 1990, and new
readers continue to discover his books through
new creations such as the Scratch ‘n’ Sniff version
of The Twits which was released in June 2015.
Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts
Painting
& Decorating
Property
Maintenance
Quality Workmanship
Papering, Coving etc.
Interior and Exterior Work
Free Quotations
Call
W Firkins & Partners Ltd
01462 814117 or 07939 267083
Est 1981
20 Clifton Road, Shefford, Beds
Alan George
Painter & Decorator
Interior and Exterior Work
Wallpapering and Coving
Reliable and Local Specialist
City & Guilds trained
with 30 years experience
Sole trader
No VAT
Free estimates
Call Alan on
01582 454604
Mob:07760198256
or E-Mail: george-a6@sky.com
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67
n
O
s
’
t
Wha In September
6 May-30 September
Luton Hoo Walled Garden
11am-3pm
Luton Hoo, LU1 4LF
Entry £5 including guided tour
Open every Wednesday. Guided tour
times: 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm.
Purchase produce from the Garden
Stall. Enjoy a light lunch in beautiful
surroundings of homemade cakes,
snacks and savouries. Please pre-book
dedicated tours for more than 15 people.
Tel: 01582 721443
Web: www.lutonhooestate.co.uk
3, 10, 17 & 24 September
Sapphire Social Club
8.30pm
The Orange Tree, Hitchin
We are a small, friendly social group that
caters for the unattached. Our members
tend to be around 50+ but we have no
age bar. Varied events are organized
throughout the month. No joining fee
for the first two months.
Tel: Joyce 07960 440417 or Ian 07900
890583 for information
Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.
co.uk
22 July-24 November
100 Years of Learning With Ladybird
Exhibition
British Schools Museum,
41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin
Whether you are learning your A, B, Cs
today, teaching your own children or
seeking a nostalgic journey back to your
own childhood, the museum’s extensive
collection of Ladybird books will delight
and entertain. Come and celebrate the
centenary of these much-loved and
iconic books at the museum where
learning comes to life. See website for
opening days and times.
Tel: 01462 420144
Website: www.britishschoolsmuseum.
org.uk
5 September
The Signals Museum
10am-4pm
The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow
is open to the public. Entry is free
but official photo ID such as a driving
licence, passport or over 60s Bus Pass
is required to get an entry ticket from
the Guardroom. See website for full
information.
Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk
Deadline for What’s On entries
is the 12th of the previous month.
68
5 September
The Alabama Hayriders
12pm
The Chequers, Wrestlingworth
Wrestlingworth Goodwill Day to raise
money for local causes. Come and listen
to the reunited legendary swing band of
the 60s and 70s.
Tel: 01462 701779 for further details
9 September
Henlow Branch R N A
7.30pm Community Centre,
The Gardens, Henlow
The Henlow Branch of The Royal Naval
Association meets on the second
Wednesday of each month.
Tel: Les Dessent 01767 223212 for
further information
10, 17 & 24 September
Baldock Community Orchestra
7.15-8.30pm
Knights Templar School, Baldock
Recruiting is open now for a new
Baldock Community Orchestra. Players
of all ages and stages will be welcome!
This exciting new orchestra is to start
on 10 September and will meet every
Thursday. Rachel Dawson will be the
conductor. Anyone can join – you don’t
have to live in Baldock! There are few
opportunities for beginners, learners
and rusty players in this area so join up
now! Tel: Rachel Dawson
Email: RDawson@ktemplar.herts.sch.uk
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’
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Wha In September
14 September
Icknield Quilters
7.15pm for 7.45pm start
Baldock Community Centre,
Simpson Drive, Baldock
Visitors £4
Speaker will be Jan Hassard - ‘Colour &
Illusion’. Visitors welcome.
Web: www.icknieldquilters.co.uk
15 September
Bedford National Trust Association
7.30pm
Addison Centre, Kempston
Members £2.50, Guests additional cost
Speaker will be Gary Enstone from
Bateman’s, talking about “National Trust
Conservation”. You will receive a warm
welcome if you attend.
Tel: Betty Thomas on 01480 860 421 for
more information
19 September
The Shillington Annual
Horticultural Society Flower and
Vegetable Show
Doors open 2.30pm
Shillington Village Hall, High Road,
Shillington
Admission £1 per person
The annual show of flowers (both
cut and potted), vegetables (of many
varieties), cookery (both for ladies, and
gentlemen!), and children’s exhibits
(both horticultural and cookery). Light
refreshments will be available (tea
and homemade cake). There will be
an auction of exhibits and donated
produce at 4.30pm. Show schedules and
competitors entry forms are available
from Mr Fred West, (01462 711561). You
are assured of an interesting afternoon,
on this, our 41st year.
Tel: Janet and Peter Watts 01462 712080
for further information
Email: info@pinpointprints.co.uk
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
20 September
Biggleswade Antiques Fair
9.30am-4pm
The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm
Road, Biggleswade
Entrance £1.50
This antiques fair offers a diverse range
of antiques and collectables so whether
you are a professional dealer, an avid
collector or just looking for something
special, this monthly fair is the place to
visit. Café serving breakfast, lunches
and afternoon tea.
Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346
Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk
27 September
The Sunday Dance Club
7.30-10.30pm
The Spirella Ballroom, Bridge Road,
Letchworth
Dance to our special ‘Guest Music
Provider’. Ballroom, Latin and Popular
Sequence. Ample free parking, sprung
floor and licensed bar.
Tel: David 01234 300179
69
Fully qualiFied — 25 years experienCe
PlumbinG &
heatinG ltd
gas
Gas installer
Boiler installation with 5 year warranty
Boiler breakdown & power flushing
Frozen condense pipe rectified
Boiler service and landlord certification
water
PlumbinG and heatinG
Full heating & bathroom installation
Under floor heating
Mains pressure upgrades
General plumbing work & maintenance
solar
solar
Solar thermal for hot water
Solar PV installation by MCS approved installers
Solar cylinder upgrades & breakdowns
Call: 01462 292247 / 07566 118 247
218627
70
14 Pear Tree Close, Lower Stondon, Bedfordshire SG16 6ND
Email: dave@dhplumb.co.uk Website: www.dhplumb.co.uk
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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
71
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wood Burning Stoves
Multi Fuel Stoves
Chimney Lining
Twin Wall Flue Systems
Installation and Supply
Fireplace Renovations
Stove Accessories
Trade sales welcome
SHOWROOM NOW OPEN
Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday – 10am – 5pm
Other Days/Out of hours by prior arrangement
Unit 2 Home Farm Court, The Street, Diddington, St Neots, PE19 5XT
info@cromwellstoves.co.uk | 01480 812281 | 07786 854946
www.cromwellstoves.co.uk
72
Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts
Augusts Crossword, Codeword and Suduko Solutions
Last Month’s Crossword Winner
Eve Thompson from Brampton
Easy
Hard
A TOUCH OF GLASS
Quality UPVC Windows, Doors & Conservatories
ALL REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN
Broken locks, handles, hinges,
replacement misted glass units, catflaps, draughty windows
EMERGENCY 24HR
CALL OUT
SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT
For free advice call
Dave today
01462 619651
Web: atouchofglasswindowsanddoors.co.uk
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
73
The Villager Prize Crossword
Prize
£25
Across
1 Look sulky (4)
3 Trader (8)
9 Saved (7)
10 Tacks (5)
11 Concerns numbers (12)
14 Not working (3)
16 One hundred
centimetres (5)
17 Glimpse (3)
18 Recognition (12)
21 Solitary (5)
22 Alleviate (7)
23 Poured onto salad (8)
24 In addition (4)
1 Found in Egypt (8)
2 Distressed (5)
4 Finish (3)
5 Substantial (12)
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below,
cut out this page and send to the address below before
18th September 2015
Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd
24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Down
6 E.g. dogs and cats (7)
7 Throw (4)
8 Self-service stores (12)
12 Loft (5)
13 Twists and turns (8)
15 Condemn (7)
19 Perfect (5)
20 Hairless (4)
22 Move quickly (3)
Name:
Tel:
Address:
74
Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
75
76
Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts
Electrician
www.rooneyelectrical.co.uk
Do you find it difficult to get someone
to come and do a small job?
Fault finding/repairs
Extra lights and sockets
New fuse boards
Rewires
P.A.T testing
Landlord inspections
Qualified electrician  Fully insured
Reliable service  Tidy work
Free quote  Satisfaction guaranteed
Call Nigel on:
01767 221088 / 07941295883
1st Glass Window Repairs
30
years
experience
FULLY INSURED!
Local company who can fix all types of problems
with your double glazing,
call us now for a free quotation.
Steamed Up Glass
Faulty Windows, Door Locks or Hinges
Draughty Windows or Doors
Leaking Conservatory Roofs
Fascias and Gutters
New Conservatory Roofs
We also supply and fit NEW Windows,
Doors and Conservatories
DISCOUNTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE
07511 906161
To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122
77
Books
Book
Review
By Bruce Edwards
The Angel and the Cad
Aerials and Satellites
AERIALS & SATELLITES
T/A Broadband Communications
Established 1993
Aerials & Satellites • Digital Aerials
Freesat & Satellite Installations
Commercial IRS Systems
All Work Guaranteed • CAI Approved C.1616
Based in Stotfold
www.broadbandcommunications.co.uk
Geraldine Roberts
Macmillan h/b £20
ISBN: 978-1-4472-8349-2
First published - June 18th 2015
Tel: 01462 732 628 • Mob: 07860 436 217
First glance at this
very well-presented
volume might suggest
that it is an up-market
historical novel, and
the sub-title ‘Love, loss
and scandal in Regency
England’ won’t alter
the view. However,
once immersed and
you’ve read the
introduction, all will
be revealed. Catherine
is to be envied. She’s rich, comes from
an aristocratic family, has a sweet temperament
and an appearance to cause most gentlemen to
swoon. So, she must be - and is - the Angel. The
Cad - and this is the hinge on which the main
structure of the true story turns - is the man
she falls in love with. He exploits every aspect
to his own advantage. You’d have thought he’d
be happy with such a delightful creature, but
no, he beds every susceptible woman in sight..
Catherine forgives him much, tries her hardest for
reconciliation for the sake of her three children;
alas to no avail and eventually sees her lovely
Wanstead mansion demolished to help pay off
his debts. Poor girl; she lives in an age when
women seeking divorce are up against the law,
which doesn’t allow mothers custody of their
children either. This is a very enticingly written and
well researched account with some interesting
revelations so, even if factual books aren’t your
thing, be brave, for you won’t regret the read.
Riveting stuff.
Carpentry and Joinery
Tim Jordon
Carpentry and Joinery
Made to measure quality timber products
supply and fit.
Doors, Windows, Stairs, Gates,
Kitchen Worktops,
Wood staining, painting and varnishing
Station Road, Lower Stondon, Beds.
Tel: 01462 850363 or 07544 790071
Cleaning Services
Electricians
Suggestion and queries to: writerselect@gmail.
com. We’re always happy to consider specific titles
for review, though without obligation.
Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll try
to help.”
78
Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts
Classifieds
Florist
Property Maintenance
R. CHAPMAN
Home & Garden Services
Œ Patio’s
ΠDriveways
ΠFencing
ΠBrickwork
ΠPainting & Decorating
ΠTiling
20 Years Experience - No Job Too Small!
01462 850575 or 07950 311881
Removals
Pet Services
MUSCLE & MOTOR
Jumbo van with up to 3 men.
Helpful, efficient and friendly service
for all your moving, carrying, and
domestic disposal needs, including
house and garage clearance.
Call Richard on:
01767 317387 or 07968 787496
Email: muscleandmotor@gmail.com
www.muscleandmotor.co.uk
Plastering Services
Removals and Storage
James Geekie Plastering
All types of plastering - big or small
Interior/Exterior Work Undertaken
Re-skim Rooms, Walls, Artex & Ceilings
Dry Lining and Screeding
Tel: 07792 415356 or 01462 490598
Email: james.geekie@hotmail.co.uk
• House and office moves
• Large and small vehicles
• Local/long distance and overseas removals
• Containerised storage
• Extremely high quality customer service
Call for a no obligation quotation
01582 572967
enquiries@stephensremovals.com
Stephens Dinky ad_02.indd 1
Plastering Services
Lawes
Plastering
removals, storage,
archive and shipping
Van Hire
Experienced local
plasterer based in
Gravenhurst.
Quality workmanship,
clean and tidy
Contact • Plastering
Paul on • Coving
07731
649628 • Artex
3/12/12 11:44:54
Chris’ Man & Van
For hire
Collections, Deliveries,
Light Haulage...anything considered.
Cheap rates
Please call for further details
07747 828259 / 01525 754218
To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
79
STOTFOLD MILL
WORKING
STEAM
WEEKEND
SAT 10TH & SUN 11TH OCTOBER 2015
The Attractions Include...
Ploughing Displays by:
- Heavy Horses
- Steam Engines
- Vintage Tractors
Also Featuring:
10th
YEAR!
-
Threshing Machine
Saw Milling Machine
Stationary Engines
Vintage Cider Press
Traditional Crafts
Hot/Cold Food & Drink
Mill Open All Weekend:
- Flour for Sale
- Randall’s Tea Room Open
Added For This Year!
- Beer & Cider Festival
- Live Music All Weekend
SHOW OPEN DAILY: 10.30AM - 5.00PM
www.stotfoldmill.com
Mill Lane, Stotfold, Bedfordshire SG5 4NU
This event is sponsored by Saunders Garage.
Daily Admission Prices:
Adults: £4.00
Children / Senior Citizens: £3.00
Under 4s are free
FOR NEWS ON THE STEAM WEEKEND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK OR TWITTER
Registered Charity No: 1086392