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1 V ILLAGER e and Town Life LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS Bringing Local Business to Local People 20,000 copies delivered to Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, Godmanchester, The Hemingfords, Eaton Socon, Bourn, Grantchester and all surrounding villages every month Your FREE copy June 2017 In this issue The History of Hygiene Win Tickets to Knebworth’s Summer Music Spectacular Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

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Page 1: V The June 2017 ILLAGER - The Villager Magazine · 2 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767

1

VILLAGERThe

and Town LifeLOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

Bringing Local Business to Local People 20,000 copies delivered to Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, Godmanchester, The Hemingfords, Eaton Socon, Bourn, Grantchester and all surrounding villages every month Your

FREEcopy

June 2017

In this issueThe History of

Hygiene

Win Ticketsto Knebworth’s

Summer Music Spectacular

Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Page 2: V The June 2017 ILLAGER - The Villager Magazine · 2 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts2

Page 3: V The June 2017 ILLAGER - The Villager Magazine · 2 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767

To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 3

Editorial: Catherine Rose, Trevor Langley, Sarah Davey, Louise Addison, Jennie Billings, Carol H Scott, Rachael Leverton,

RSPCA, Nick Coffer, There’s A Beer For That, Pippa Greenwood, Solange Hando and Kate Duggan.

Advertising Sales/Local EditorialNigel Frost - 01767 261122

[email protected]

Photography ZoomTeam and Darren Harbar Photography

Design and ArtworkDesign 9 - Tel 07762 969460

PublishersVillager Publications Ltd

24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NPTel: 01767 261122

[email protected] www.villagermag.com

Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility

for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of

this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

Contents

The History of Hygiene ............................................4Win Tickets to Knebworth’s Summer Spectacular ..12Wine: More Gems of Italy ......................................14World’s Best Dad ...................................................17Hear Hear ..............................................................195 Colour and Style Tips ..........................................20Employment Matters ............................................23The Humble Viola ..................................................24Outdoor Relaxation ...............................................26

Animal Stories .......................................................29Nick Coffer’s Weekend Recipe ................................30There’s A Beer For That! .........................................32R.A.T.S. Rehoming Appeal .....................................34Puzzle Page ...........................................................36What’s On ..............................................................38Fun Quiz ................................................................41Prize Crossword .....................................................42China - Pandas in Chengdu ...................................44Book Review .........................................................47

1

VILLAGERTh e

and Town LifeLOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

Bringing Local Business to Local People 20,000 copies delivered to Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, Godmanchester, The Hemingfords, Eaton Socon, Bourn, Grantchester and all surrounding villages every month Your

FREEcopy

June 2017

In this issueThe History of

Hygiene

Win Ticketsto Knebworth’s

Summer Music Spectacular

Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Advert Booking Deadline Thursday 8th June 2017 Artwork Deadline Thursday 8th June 2017

The History of Hygiene 4

Outdoor Relaxation 26

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History

The History of HygieneWe take for granted the availability of hot water on tap and the vast range of personal hygiene products available. But in the Middle Ages, things were a little different. Warning: not to be read while eating!To get an idea of living conditions during the 1400s, we can look at an account by the social critic Erasmus (1466-1536) who wrote:“Floors are, in general, laid with white clay, and are covered with rushes, occasionally renewed, but so imperfectly that the bottom layer is left undisturbed, sometimes for twenty years, harbouring expectoration, vomiting, the leakage of dogs and men, ale droppings, scraps of fish, and other abominations not fit to be mentioned.”Outside the house, conditions weren’t much better. Our modern sewage system didn’t exist until Victorian times. In towns, waste from chamber pots kept under the bed was simply

jettisoned out of the window to fall in the gutter below, unless you were lucky enough to be within spitting distance of an open cess pit. This is one reason why gentlemen would always accompany their ladies on the right – firstly so that they could have their sword arm free and secondly so that chivalrously, they were in the firing line from anything thrown down from above. Pavements were generally built high and gutters would have been filthy places, running with vermin and excrement. It wasn’t all dirty. In fact, Crusaders had already brought soap back to England from the Far East, and this was made of mutton fat, ash and soda and scented with oils. The Romans had had very high standards of personal hygiene and began the popularity of public baths (which is why public swimming pools were referred to as public baths even up until the last century).

By Catherine Rose

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Visit our showroom: Unit E, Gateway 1000, Whittle Way, Arlington Business Park, Stevenage SG1 2FP Tel: 01438 222929

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Kitchen | Bedroom | Home Study

For all your design, supply and installation needsFamily run business

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When the Roman Empire fell, the concept of public bathing survived in many English towns. For example, Southwark, then a town south of London, boasted 18. However, because men and women bathed naked together, they acquired a reputation. Southwark bath-houses became known as ‘The Stews’ (fourteenth century slang for a brothel).Seasonal baths were recommended by the monasteries but understandably, large quantities of hot water were difficult to come by without the plumbing we enjoy today. Personal bathing was therefore less common. When it took place, it was often in a wooden barrel with various herbs added to the water. If a family bathed, it was usual for everyone to use the same bath water with the youngest going in last (which is believed to have coined the expression ‘don’t throw the baby out with the bath water’).Personal hygiene amongst the nobility was better. Before dining, they would wash their hands in a stone basin called a laver (French for ‘to wash’). Castles also had garderobes or privy chambers – primitive toilets consisting of a stone or wooden bench with a hole cut in. Waste would fall into the moat below, so abandon here all romantic notions of a fairy tale castle surrounded by sparkling water. Medieval castles would have been encircled in slurry.The King had a servant specifically to wipe his bottom with the grand title of ‘The Groom of the King’s Close Stool’. The groom looked after the King’s personal commode and although it sounds like a grim job, it was a highly respected and trusted position.People didn’t change their clothing as often as we do today so body odour was disguised with copious amounts of perfume. Lice were

commonplace – even wigs could become infested. Wealthy women carried nosegays to combat bad smells when outdoors.Pomanders would be hung in wardrobes to sweeten the smell of stale clothing. When clothes were washed, to remove stains, they were scrubbed with a mixture of urine, ashes and lye. Soapwort, a flower that lathers in water was used.Intimate hygiene was fraught with problems. Sanitary towels were washable rags filled with sphagnum moss, also known as blood moss and often used in battle for its absorbent properties. But menstruating women were considered so poisonous that the philosopher Pliny claimed a good insecticide was to stand one naked in the middle of a crop! The first toothbrush was not patented until the middle of the 19th century. Before this, teeth were cleaned with a cloth and a herbal abrasive, usually ashes of rosemary and mint or powdered sage, followed by a vinegar mouthwash. Most people simply put up with bad teeth but when toothache became unbearable, they chewed cloves or visited the local barber who in those days was also a minor surgeon, hence the barber’s traditional striped red and white pole which stands for blood and bandages. Following the widespread outbreak of the Black Death, Edward III passed a law to clean up ditches and waterways. Although it would be around 300 years before bacteria were discovered, the link between poor hygiene and the spread of the disease had been noticed. Since then, we have thankfully become much cleaner. Some argue we have gone too far the other way, and that a little dirt helps strengthen immunity – although I am sure none of us would wish a return to the Middle Ages.

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Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up?

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Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter. A failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed double glazing? If you act now you can avoid these problems. Now, you may think you need to replace the whole window including

the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solution… Just replace the glass!! If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118. We will send out our highly experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it.

With years of experience Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee. Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors. Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Tom Bliss and he services the Luton, Stevenage, Letchworth, Dunstable & surrounding areas. So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Tom a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.

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Win tickets to

Knebworth’s summer music spectacular

Classic Ibiza and The Great British Prom are coming to Knebworth this summer to wow thousands of concertgoers with anthemic tunes, performed by globally renowned artists.On Saturday 19 August the Knebworth air will be filled with dance anthems at Classic Ibiza. The evening brings together Urban Soul Orchestra (USO) and DJ Goldierocks. Stephen Hussey, conductor of USO, comments:“The Classic Ibiza formula works so well because it is something new and different that appeals to so many people: Ibiza dance tunes meets classical orchestra; stunning stately home meets music festival. There is something for all ages to enjoy - everyone is guaranteed a great time!”Sunday 20 August will bring a completely different atmosphere to Knebworth. The Great British Prom, sees the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), Classical Brit award-winning Only Men Aloud, soprano Annette Wardell and The Band of the Home Counties Pipes and Drums playing iconic music from around the British Isles.Justin Pearson, General Manager and Artistic Director of the NSO, says:“Conducted by the amazing Anthony Inglis, we shall faithfully recreate the buzz of the Last Night of the Proms. Thrilling to the 1812 Overture, being charmed by the dazzling Annette Wardell, an entire band of pipers, fireworks, Only Men Aloud and a full symphony orchestra. Unmissable!” Visit: www.classicibiza.co.uk or www.greatbritishprom.co.uk or call 01630 674342.Tickets: £35 in advance (£38 on night). Car-parking is free. Bring a picnic or take advantage of the onsite food vendors.To enter, simply answer the question and complete the form below. Send your entry to: Knebworth Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP The winner will be randomly selected from all correct entries. Deadline: 16th June 2017

COMPETITION

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KNEBWORTH COMPETITION ENTRYTo win 2 free tickets to Classic Ibiza or The Great British Prom answer the following questionWho will be conducting the orchestra at either Classic Ibiza or The Great British Prom?

Answer:

Name: Tel:

Address:

Email: Preferred concert: Classic Ibiza Great British Prom

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts12

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And why should you when there’s a far simpler and kinder alternative?Live-in care with Audley Homecare will enable your elderly loved one to continue living exactly where they want to live - in their own home!

We offer our clients a unique blend of companionship, house-keeping and personal care designed to help them maintain their independence and continue living happily and safely in their own home.

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Food and Drink

Wine: More Gems of Italy

Villa Bucher is located in Italy’s Umbrian hills, in an area of the middle valley of the Tevere.Villa Bucher Auro (grapes: grechetto, sauvignon blanc) and Terre Dei Castelli (grapes: chardonnay, sauvignon blanc) are both very popular white wines. The bouquets are appreciated on the nose, then the mouthfeel and palate’s pleasures follow. The red wine varieties of Auro (grapes: cabernet franc) and Terre Dei Castelli (grapes: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot) are powerful, with aromas leading perfectly to splendid flavours of dark fruits, with memorable finishes. Primus (grapes: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot) is a further excellent red wine. Again, this powerful production is regularly selected and has many devotees, having a splendid bouquet and plenty of fruits for the tastebuds. www.villabucher.comSode di Sant’ Angelo is to be found in the area of Montebamboli.Sode di Sant’ Angelo Le Gessaie (grapes: vermentino di maremma, viognier) has a bright straw-yellow colour. Elegance and a good fruit bouquet are immediate impressions. A full-bodied, intense mouthfeel continues, to further this production’s appeal. The extended palate is impressive. Dautore (grapes: sangiovese, merlot, alicante) has an intense ruby-red colour and a wonderful bouquet, with plenty of dark fruits to greet the nasal senses. This full-bodied wine has great structure, which is recognised in the mouth

with much appreciation. www.sodesantangelo.comThe Casata Mergè winery is located on the border between Frascati and Monte Porzio Catone.Sesto 21 Sauvignon (grapes: sauvignon) and Sesto 21 Frascati Superiore (grapes: malvasia) both have an attractive pale-yellow colour. The versatile nature of these wines make them a regular choice, for many. The bouquets are certainly inviting and the balance, plus length on the palate, of each wine, confirms their popularity. Their range of powerful red wines includes Sesto 21 Syrah (grapes: syrah) and Panta Rei (grapes: merlot, cabernet sauvignon). Both have intensity on the nose and throughout, with a superb abundance of dark fruits for the mouthfeel and a persistent length on the finish. Sesto 21 Passito (grapes: malvasia) is a sweet, dessert wine, with a golden-yellow colour, intense nose, very superb taste and splendid, persistent finish. www.casatamerge.it

As always, Enjoy!

Trevor Langley

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104 Ampthil l Road, Shefford, Beds SG17 5BB

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Stevenage airport taxiS

Stevenage Airport Taxis offer the most reliable and professional airport transfer service in and around the

Stevenage area. We have several licensed vehicles that can cater for up to 8 passengers. We also provide a

transport service for weddings, long distance journeysand any occasion day or night leisure trips.

Please visit our website for any bookings or quotations

www.stevenageairporttaxis.co.ukor call

01438 420420

Online Bookings • Credit Cards Accepted

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TIme of Year

By Sarah Davey

At a social gathering recently someone mentioned Fathers’ Day and immediately there was a chorus of, ‘Made up day!’ and ‘Invented by greeting card companies!’ That seemed to be the general consensus, but I got to wondering whether Fathers’ Day really was just the product of a boardroom meeting at Hallmark, so I set out to investigate.There is evidence that a Babylonian boy named Elmesu, carved some sort of greeting on a clay tablet 4000 years ago wishing his father health and long life, but I don’t think we can say Fathers’ Day started there - mostly because that’s pretty much it for the evidence until about 100 years ago.The most common theory about modern Fathers’ Day is that it originated in the US, and with one particular lady, a Mrs. Sonora Louise Smart Dodd. She felt that just as we dedicate a special day to mothers, so we should do the same for fathers. It meant a lot to her, because she and her siblings were raised in a loving manner by her own father after her mother died in childbirth.So she began a campaign, and the first Fathers’ Day was held on June 19th (her father’s birthday) in 1910. It grew in popularity and in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation declaring that the third Sunday in June would be Fathers’ Day.

World’s Best DadNow the waters become murky. How did Fathers’ Day make the leap across the Atlantic? No-one seems to know, but it’s likely that – in the manner of other American traditions - it gradually seeped into the British consciousness. Greetings cards manufacturers definitely played their part though. Never ones to miss a trick, they began producing cards and we bought them. It seems that in the UK, Fathers’ Day really took off in the 1970s but, unlike in the US, it’s never been declared an ‘official’ day.Still, as traditions go it’s a nice one. The role of dads has changed a lot in a generation. Most now take on a substantial amount of child care and are much more hands-on than their own dads were. Research shows that dads who are involved in day-to-day childcare are key figures in helping their children develop good self-esteem and self-confidence. Their rough-play helps children learn a sense of control and independence. Crucially, dads who get involved when their children are young, are much more likely to stay involved and in touch if their marriage breaks down.Dads are important, so let yours know how much you love him this Fathers’ Day.

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Health

By Louise AddisonHear HearSo you’ve decided that you need a hearing aid. But which one? Obviously the first thing to do is talk to an audiologist. They will assess the nature of your hearing loss, its cause, and its severity. Here are some issues you might wish to discuss with them.If you have severe hearing loss, you may need a larger hearing aid.Small hearing aids are easily damaged by earwax or draining ear fluid, so may not be the best choice for you if you are prone to excessive build-up of earwax, or to ear infections.If you want to be able to reduce some types of background noise and boost certain sound frequencies some smaller hearing aids may not be suitable.If you use electronic devices like a mobile phone, mp3 player, or laptop that are capable of sending a wireless signal, then you may want a hearing aid that is wireless compatible.If cosmetic appearance is important, let your audiologist know. They can help narrow the choices

to what will best suit both your hearing needs and aesthetics.Consider your dexterity. If you have arthritis, you may find it difficult to insert and remove smaller hearing aids. Larger ones are easier to handle.Although some hearing aids are available on the NHS, top of the range hearing aids can be very expensive. Most private health care plans don’t cover them either, so your budget may be a factor in your decision.

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There is so much to think about for the big day not least what to wear! The pictures of that day will be with you forevermore. So, you want to ensure you’re looking your absolute best.1. Know your shade of white! Traditional “white”

wedding dresses come in many shades from icy whites, soft whites, creams and ivories through to beige and coffee; so if a traditional colour is your choice then knowing your best shade of “white” will ensure you look radiant on your day.

And if you don’t want to wear “white”! Then there is a huge range of alternative colours from blush and nude pinks, powder blues to pearly greys and silvers, soft golds, or anything you want really. Either way, the right colour for you will give you an unrivalled glow.

2. A beautiful bright bouquet – Add stunning impact to your dress by holding a flattering and beautiful bouquet of flowers. Even holding the colours that suit our skin tone close to us will brighten our complexion. Choose a bouquet scale and design that enhances your body shape and wedding dress style as well. Neither the style nor colour should be overpowering, heavy or unmanageable.

3. Make one statement – Have something different in your outfit that works with your style. Could it be different coloured shoes? An interesting necklace that flatters and creates a focal point? Only choose one area for the focal point or you’ll be overdoing it!

4. Makeup that’s you – Find the colours and tones of lipstick that look like you. You want to look your best in the photos with colours that reflect your skintone and lipstick that makes your eyes light up.

5. Honeymoon glow – Get professionally fitted for your swimsuit if you’re honeymoon is going to be hot. Feeling confident and special in your swimsuit is a fabulous feeling, perfect for that special time together. Have your favourite shawls ready for a cover up when the evenings get cooler.

5 Colour & Style Tips for the Groom1. It’s all about the shirt. The quality of the shirt is

important as it can make a huge difference to the groom’s appearance. There are several different tones of white for example and knowing your best colour palette will define whether you are best in bright white, cream, or variations on ivory or even a beige tone.

2. It’s a wedding, not business: If you stand by the altar in a business suit that makes you look like you’re heading into a meeting, you are not doing yourself justice. It’s your wedding day so make the most of it and get it right. Choose something well made, with definitive, tailored cuts that suit you and don’t be afraid to let your outfit reflect your personality.

3. Be square: A pocket square is a great little extra accessory to lift a suit. Pick a colour that suits you and the wedding theme but don’t necessarily match it to your tie. A tie in one of your wow colours with a patterned pocket square, or vice versa, makes a style statement for all the right reasons.

4. It’s the little things that count. Make sure that your outfit is perfect down to the last fine detail. Items such as ties, cravats and cufflinks are always noticed and it’s easy to go bolder in your colour choices.

5. Best foot forward: A pair of high quality shoes are really important for the groom, adding weight to the look. They can have style and flair to reflect your personality but make sure they are excellent quality to mark the occasion.

House of Colour

By Jennie Billingswww.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings

5 Colour & Style Tips For the Bride

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Employment

Employment MattersHow to Tweet your way to dismissalCarol H Scott HR and Business Consulting Ltd

Imagine an aggrieved employee takes to social media to moan about a bad day at work in a way that identifies their employer. It may - or it may not - pass under the employer’s radar and not be noticed. But the internet does not forget and once out there, it never goes away.After a social media rant one employee found out - three years later - that it certainly didn’t. The future impact on an organisation of negative social media is important, particularly as most people entering a new employment will doubtless search the internet for recommendations and reviews.In Creighton v Together Housing Association Ltd, Mr Creighton, an engineer who had been employed by the Housing Association for nearly 30 years’ was dismissed when his employer discovered comments that he had posted on his Twitter account three years earlier.A series of offensive comments regarding his employer and certain colleagues resulted in Mr Creighton’s employer dismissed him in line with its Disciplinary Policy. Mr Creighton brought a claim for unfair dismissal, arguing that his tweets were private and posted some three years previously.The Employment Tribunal did not find in his favour and that given the circumstances, his dismissal was one of a range of reasonable responses open to his employer. The Tribunal made clear the age of the Tweets was irrelevant. The Judge emphasised that once in the public domain the comments were visible to anyone and would be there forever.Even the most historic social media posts will still be relevant when it comes to questioning an employee’s conduct. Tweets can be retweeted and Facebook posts shared years after the original comments were made; they can also be searched for and found via Google. Negative comments about

an employer posted some time ago can have the same current negative impact on an employer’s reputation.Minimising risksEmployers:• Talk to your employees about the issues around

negative social media and explain how this could bring the company’s name into disrepute or be bullying other employees.

• Ensure you have a clear social media policy outlining what you consider specifically to be gross misconduct,

• Regularly remind employees of your expectations regarding their social media activity, and your social media policy.

• Be clear to employees that should you come across a negative social media comment by them, whether on their private or work social media, you will investigate the matter and the findings of an investigation could result in an employee being dismissed for gross misconduct.

• Ensure any decisions made are well-documented, with clear reasons for your decision.

Employees:• Before posting anything on social media –

whether a comment about your employer or a photo of a night out – consider what effect it could have on your employment if your boss or colleagues saw it.

• Do not think that just because your account has the highest privacy settings this means only your ‘friends’ or ‘followers’ can see your comments.

• Just because a comment was written some time ago, do not assume that it is now in the past and cannot be used by your employer.

• Remember that if a comment or photo is out there on social media, potentially anyone can see it and reuse it.

Social media is just that – it’s social.

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The Humble Viola

Garden ViewBy

Rachael Leverton

they are the perfect plant for most British gardens and will provide masses of colour at ankle-height.I have many favourites. There is a pretty purple and yellow one in my garden called Heartsease which migrated from a neighbour’s garden and has self-seeded everywhere. I added Grey Owl, which is pale blue and soft yellow, and I propagated one from my mother-in-law’s garden, called Irish Molly, which is various shades of subtle green, though I’ve seen other colours also being sold under that name! This year I have an exquisitely pretty fragrant variety called Sorbet ‘Yellow Frost’. I can’t recommend it highly enough.The thing is, they are so easy to grow that you can go to any garden centre and pick your favourite colour combination. Whether you say vee-oh-la or vy-oh-la, this lovely little flower will add music to your garden display.

Happy Gardening

Living in a house full of string players I have to think how to pronounce viola. My musicians say vee-oh-la but gardeners generally say vy-oh-la! Either way it’s a wonderfully obliging little flower and so easy to grow.Violas are a smaller-flowered version of a pansy but are more reliably perennial. They come in an amazingly wide range of colours and flower patterns. They are also incredibly easy to propagate.To make more viola plants simply cut off 7-8cm / 3 inches of the shoot tips at any time of year. Remove the lower leaves and root them into sandy compost. When they take, repot the little plantlets into 7.5cm / 3 inch pots of multi-purpose compost until they become established. They can then be planted out in the garden. The whole process only takes a matter of a few weeks!Violas are happy in sun, or dappled shade and prefer soil that doesn’t become too dry, so in fact

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Garden

The perfume of lavender is often used in aromatherapy because of its calming, soothing properties, so grow this in a sunny spot with free-draining soil, perhaps to edge a border. It not only has lovely, slightly furry or felt-like foliage but also produces that heavenly smell.Grasses and bamboos work well too; the rustling sound of bamboo foliage as the stems sway gently is one of the most relaxing sounds I know, and for smaller spaces many of the grasses form wonderfully rounded and quite irresistible clumps of foliage.When it comes to choosing flowers, if you want to relax then concentrate on cream, white and, of course, the pastel shades. Green is known to be a relaxing colour too, so include plenty of plants with good foliage, and, in shady areas, a miniature grotto-like patch planted up with ferns is wonderful.And finally, before you rush off to the garden centre to buy some of these truly magical ingredients, just a reminder that water in a garden always helps to relax you. Whether it’s a small pond or perhaps a bubble fountain, position it where you can hear that sound of moving water or enjoy watching the wildlife as it comes to feed and drink - and before you know it, you will find that you want to move the whole of your life into your garden.

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for a really useful selection of favourite gardening items including growing frames, SpeedHoes, SpeedWeeders, raised bed kits, Nemaslug and other nematode controls and copper tape, pull-out EasyTunnels, signed books and lots more besides.

When you get back from a hard day’s work, or when you simply find the time to escape into the garden, it is essential that you are met by a soothing environment. So, concentrate on a truly relaxing feel that will help you to unwind as you enjoy soft shades and textures of foliage, delicate flower colours and fabulous perfumes.Plants have an amazing ability to calm and soothe even the most wound up, stressed out mood, but what should you grow if you really want to create that perfect place to relax?Start by considering a fairly gentle perfume, like that produced by many roses. One of my favourites is ‘Felicia’. For something richer try ‘Tuscany Superb’. If you have an arch, arbour, pergola or even a spare bit of fence then train a honeysuckle over it. Its delicately coloured flowers and fabulous perfume will cheer you up.A sowing of night-scented stock will produce plants that are perfect for early evening relaxation, as this is when the flowers open and produce wafts of really sweet scent.If you have space for a good-sized container plant, then grow your own Datura or Brugmansia. Commonly known as the angel’s trumpet, these plants produce large elegant trumpet-shaped flowers with a wonderful perfume.Think too of plants with a relaxing feel to them, such as the grass Chasmanthium latifolium which grows to a height of about 45 cm and carries its flattened seed heads above the leaves. They move about delicately in the breeze.Artemisia abrotanum has soft grey-green leaves and releases a lovely aroma.

By Pippa Greenwoodwww.pippagreenwood.com

Outdoor Relaxation

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GARDEN CONSTRUCTION & FENCING

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Contact Philip for further details on Tel: 01438 214809 Mob: 07814 266060

20 Angle Ways, Shephall, Stevenage(Portfolio available and references from clients)

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Pets

A few months ago, we featured the story of two gorgeous little brothers -Timon and Pumbaa. Timon had some serious health problem and urgently needed an operation on his eyes. We appealed for donations to make this operation possible.Timon was born with under developed eyes and although he had some vision, it was very limited. When he came into our care, things looked quite bleak for him.Luckily, life has recently been transformed for these cute little kittens.Firstly, they found their forever home. They have a lovely new family who understand how special they are – and a secure garden to keep them safe. These playful boys settled into their new home really well and, once Timon had put on enough weight, he was able to have his eye surgery.Although a major operation, the surgery went well and Timon is recovering nicely. Unfortunately, he may have to have another operation in a few months’ time – depending on how fast his eyes grow.Despite this, Timon is a happy little fellow and this vital operation has made a huge difference to his quality of life. As an added bonus, we can now see his lovely blue eyes too!The RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has already donated towards Timon’s care. However, we are still short of our fundraising target –so if you would like to contribute, any donation would be greatly appreciated.PLEASE CAN YOU HELP US, CONTINUE TO HELP TIMON... by sponsoring his veterinary treatment and aftercare? Please donate whatever you can by any of the following ways:• bank transfer using the following details: Sort 60-

02-13. Acc 51842483, quoting ‘TIMON CARE’ as a reference.

• dropping your donation in at our Thurlow Street shop in Bedford.

• posting your donation to our shop. The address is: 6 Thurlow Street, Bedford, MK40 1LR Tel: 01234 930304

• emailing: [email protected] animal that comes into our care is special. Although, in this article, we’re appealing specifically to help Timon – there are always animals needing our help. So, how can you support us in this vital work? We’re constantly in need of stock for our shop. Please donate any unwanted clothing, bric-a-brac, DVDs, CDs, books, toys, jewellery or small furniture. Whether it’s a single item, or several bags, we’d be delighted to see you.As well as donating items, making regular visits to the shop and buying from us, helps enormously in bringing in funds to help the animals. If you’re interested in volunteering please give us a call. We rely entirely on volunteers and couldn’t help animals in our local area without the wonderful people who give their time to run and support the branch. We need foster carers for our cats and rabbits, and home checkers. We also need help in our shop – whether it’s on the till, or behind the scenes sorting out donations – and volunteers to help with fundraising. Supporting your RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch ensures that this local charity will always be here for animals such as Timon – protecting them and giving them new beginnings.

Animal Stories

An update on our urgent appeal...

ANIMAL STORIES 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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Salmon with a port, honey, tomato and basil vinaigrette

Three Counties Radio

Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can

also join Nick every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.

How do I cook fish? And how do I make it interesting? Those are two of the most common questions I get asked on the Weekend Kitchen. The answer is actually easy… cook it fresh and simply, and marry it with uncomplicated flavours.

This is a lovely way to jazz up a salmon fillet – a sweet honey, port and balsamic vinaigrette, bringing colour and flavour to the fish. It’s a recipe created by Lisa Roberts, who runs Lisa Roberts Catering in Dunstable. Of course, she has to make

food which is guaranteed to work for a large crowd so you can be sure that this dish is foolproof for your dinner party with friends. SERVES 4

it with port and honey and cook it slowly and gently until all the port and honey has been absorbed.Put this to one side and allow it to cool.Add the chopped tomato and the basil to the cooled onion mix. Season with a little salt and pepper.Now add the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Taste again and add a little vinegar if you feel it needs a little more tartness. Season again if needs be.You can either grill the salmon fillet under a medium grill for 10 minutes, turning halfway through or simply bake in the oven at 180C/ Gas Mark 4 for 10 minutes.Meanwhile, wash the asparagus and trim off the tough base. Cook them in boiling water for around four or five minutes (depending on their size), leaving them with a little bit of a crunch in the bite. When the salmon is cooked, place each fillet on a few asparagus spears, top with the sweet tomato vinaigrette and serve with the new potatoes.

Ingredients4 salmon steaks

1 red onion, dicedA good glug of port

1 tbsp honey250ml olive oil

A splash of balsamic vinegar 10 cherry tomatoes, quartered

A big handful of basil leaves, choppedA bunch of asparagusNew potatoes to serve

Cook the new potatoes in boiling water for around 15 minutes or until they are soft in the middle. Toss them in a little butter and season with salt. While the potatoes are cooking, make the vinaigrette. Put the diced onion in a pan, cover

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Food and Drink

Summer Food There’s a beer for thatThe British summer, warm and dry one minute, jumper on and umbrella up the next. Hosepipe bans, embarrassing sunburn, difficult wardrobe choices, heatwaves, drizzle. Aah, the British summer. During the unpredictability of our warmest season there are some things you can be sure of: picnics, barbecues, pub beer gardens, dinner on the patio - all as much a part of the British summer as the smell of freshly mown grass. With each of these alfresco eating options there’s only one drink that can refresh the palate on a hot day, and that’s beer. From wheat beers and lagers to fruity pales and floral golden ales, beer has got you covered this summer.Let’s start with picnics, where a lager should be included in your hamper. They’re crisp, clean, diverse, versatile and offer more than most drinkers appreciate. A classic pale lager, such as Rolling Rock, has a rich, caramel base overlaid with a peppery bitterness, whereas German Pilsners (generally called Pils) such as Bitburger or Beck’s will have a restrained lemony, herbal bitterness. Then there’s Helles, which rely slightly more on malt for their flavour than Pilsners but with a similar clean and refreshing flavour. Augustiner Helles is a good option to try. A popular lager in the UK is Camden Town Brewery’s Hells, which cleverly straddles the Helles and Pilsner sub-styles and is a biscuity, lemony, peppery and easy drinking beer. This diversity means a lager will complement all those picnic classics like pork pies, scotch eggs, sausages (cocktail or otherwise) cheese and ham sandwiches and that picnic staple charcuterie. Look out for Caledonian Three Hop Lager, Sharp’s Cornish Pilsner and Backyard Brew’s Bee17.

Eating in the garden with friends affords you the opportunity to create some suitably summery dishes in the kitchen, and the right beer match can really make the food sing. Aromatic Thai prawn curry is perfectly partnered by the heat tempering sweetness of a wheat beer. These refreshing, citrusy, spritzy ales are like summer in a glass. Germany and Belgium have brewed beers using wheat for centuries with the German sub-style, termed ‘weisse’ (white) or ‘weizen’ (wheat), tending to use cereals only, whereas Belgian ‘witte’ or ‘wit’ (white) sub-styles use orange peel, curacao and herbs such as coriander to flavour. Readily available wheat beer options to explore include Blue Moon, Hoegaarden and Thornbridge’s Versa.What’s summer without a barbecue? There’s a talented tongsmith in every household who’s keen show off their grill skill. Partner the charred delights with the robust, roasted and bittersweet character of a dark lager. Dark lagers are an interesting and varied bunch. Vienna lagers, such as Samuel Adams Boston Lager, are distinctly amber coloured and offer a toasted, sweet and dry character. Dunkel, Oktoberfest, Bock and Doppelbock are all dark, rich and hearty leaning heavily on the malt for caramel and roasted flavours. While Rauchbier, of which Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen is a good example, is a dark, roasted, woody beer with bursts of smokiness. Brooklyn Lager, Budvar Dark and Negra Modelo are reliable, available and delicious options and they all do a fine job of refreshing the palate after each barbecued bite.

There’s A Beer For That

For more details and to find your perfect match,

visit www.beerforthat.com

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If you would like more information on Cheeka or any of our other small mammals, please call Hazel on 01234 357788.

Alternatively, please e-mail Philippa at [email protected] who will be pleased to forward your enquiry on to the team.View other small mammals, dogs and cats currently in our care for re-homing on our website: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk or facebook: www.facebook.com/ratscharity

Re-homing Appeal for Cheeka.Cheeka is a dwarf female rabbit. She can be feisty, although out of her cage is very entertaining she needs an experienced owner. She has lived indoors up to now, but can be homed outdoors once the weather is a little warmer.

Rehoming AppealPets

Joe FlinthamPlasterers

Tel. 07951 362335 / 07836 768670Email: [email protected]

Female Plasterer specialising in:Plastering, Plasterboarding,Making Good and Painting

A FRIENDLY FAMILY FIRM. FREE QUOTATIONS

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We are a small family run company based in Stevenage providing a quality plumbing and heating service. We have experience in all fi elds of heating and plumbing Installation, maintenance and repair services including.

Boiler installationBoiler and central heating repairs

Gas safety certifi catesCentral heating system installations

Power fl ushesGeneral Domestic Plumbing

Bathroomsleaks/burst pipes

Toilets & taps

Year guarantee on all work

steven@archwayheatingandplumbingservices.comwww.archwayheatingandplumbing.com

01438 220283 or 07943 837945 Contact Steven on

Archway H&P QP.indd 1 10/05/2017 18:08

Property Maintenance Premier Property Maintenance is a multiple trade company operating in and around Hertfordshire and north London.

We are a well organized management team with a professional approach to Client Liaison, Supervision and Health and Safety.

We operate with a versatile in-house work force with various specialist trades, which results in our ability to provide our Client’s with an ‘all-trades’ service.

We pride ourselves on delivering a competitive quality service to new and existing Clients.

Premier Property Maintenance offers a comprehensive range of services including;

www.premierpm.co.uk [email protected]

01438 230943 / 07531 229067

Fully managed bathroom and kitchen installation Electrical and plumbing certificates

for landlords All aspects of electrical work

covered by NIC installers Plumbing and heating engineerAll aspects of carpentry work coveredWall and floor tiling Plastering and cornice work

Painting and decorating including wallpaperRoofing - slate and tiled Brickwork Laying of laminate and wooden

flooringConservatory project manage and installation Fully project managed garden

landscaping Window and conservatory cleaning

PremierAnswer: POSTDATED

WORDWHEELUsing 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.

DO

T

TARGET Excellent: 78 or more words Good: 65 words Fair: 58 words

E

T P

AS D

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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.

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

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Codeword

Easy Suduko Hard Suduko

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3 May-27 SeptemberLuton Hoo Estate Walled Garden

Open every Wednesday 10.30am-4pmAdmission £5 inc. guided tour

Produce from the Garden Stall. Enjoy a light lunch in beautiful surroundings or homemade

cakes, snacks and savouries. Come and visit this inspirational volunteer-run garden revival and see the difference ten years has made! Please

pre-book dedicated tours for more than 15 people. A1081 between Luton & Harpenden. Take the Newmill End turning, turn left after

100 metres and then follow signs for the Walled Garden. No entry via Luton Hoo Hotel. Postcode

for sat navs:LU1 4LFTel: 01582 721443

Web: www.lutonhooestate.co.uk

JuneStevenage Festival of the Arts

Throughout the month of June there will be performances and events across Stevenage

involving thousands of local people, particularly our talented youngsters. From music, drama

and dancing at the Gordon Craig Theatre, to art exhibitions, ukulele workshops and ‘meet the author’ events for children, there’s something

for everyone.Web: www.stevenage-festival.co.uk for more

information

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 JuneSapphire Social Club

8.30pmThe Orange Tree, Hitchin

We are a small and friendly group for single people generally aged 50 and above. We offer a variety of social events during the month and the opportunity to meet and make new friends. Potential new members are warmly welcome to come along and meet us with no joining fee for

the first two months.Tel: Joyce 07952 678021 or Ian 07900 890583

for informationWeb: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk

3 JuneThe Signals Museum Open Day 10am-4pmThe 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

5, 12, 19 & 26 JuneStevenage Choral Society

7.30-9.45pmStevenage Music Centre, Nobel School,

Mobbsbury Way, StevenageEvery Monday. Try our friendly choir with a

FREE session. No audition necessary! We are inviting you to meet like-minded people of all ages and abilities, to try out a wide range of

music from the classics to show songs and be part of our friendly and supportive team, putting

on excellent performances whilst having fun... We’re looking forward to singing with you!

Tel: 01438 365769Email: [email protected]: www.stevenagechoral.org.uk

5, 12, 19 & 26 JuneBranch Out Social Club for Single People

8.30-11pmCromwell Bar, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin

Branch Out meets every Monday night and is a medium-sized Social Club for single people. It was formed in 1995 to bring together single,

divorced, widowed and separated people, aged 40 upwards, from the Herts, Beds and

Bucks area, to socialise and enjoy one another’s company. The club organises regular events,

such as dinners, discos, meals, parties, Sunday walks, theatre and concert visits, day and

weekend trips and holidays.Tel: Lorna 01438 233657

Web: www.branch-out.org.uk

7 JuneWildlife Trust Walk - Flowers and Wildlife of

Chalk Grassland7-9pm Pegsdon Hills, Pegsdon, Nr Hitchin

A walk round Pegsdon Hills Wildlife Trust reserve with Dr Graham Bellamy, looking at flowers, many of which are unique to chalk grassland

- and anything else we can find! Booking essential. Tel: 07890 347327

Email: [email protected]: www.wildlifebcn.org/events/2017/06/07/

flowers-and-wildlife-chalk-grassland

7 JuneThe Cambridgeshire Branch of the Western

Front Association 7pm for 7.30pmThe Comrades Club, Godmanchester

Talk by Geoff Coulton who will be giving a presentation on “The German Infantry Uniform

1914-1918.” Non WFA members most welcome. A small donation is encouraged at the door to

pay for the running of the branch.Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com

8 JuneBaldock & Clothall WI 7.30pm

United Reformed Church, Whitehorse Street, Baldock Visitors £3 including refreshment

and raffle ticketThe WI has all sorts of good things lined up

for 2017 and lots of other things you might be interested in - a book club, a walking group, a

craft club, a knitting and crochet group, a cinema group and a supper club.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/baldockclothallwi

11 JuneBritish Red Cross Bedfordshire Open Gardens

1.30-5pm Dragon’s Glen, Clophill, Beds, MK45 4BQ

£4 pay on entryDrinks & cakes, plant stall, parking.

What’s OnIn June

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous

month.What’s on entries to

[email protected]

This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to our website

www.villagermag.com

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12 JuneIcknield Quilters 7.30pm for 7.45pm start

Baldock Community Centre £3Penny Chattey will talk about Korean Patchwork.

Visitors welcome. www.icknieldquilters.co.uk

14 JuneHenlow Branch R N A 7.30pm

Community Centre, The Gardens, HenlowThe Henlow Branch of The Royal Naval

Association meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Tel: Les Dessent 01767 223212

15-17 June“No Naughty Bits”

7.45pm Letchworth Settlement, Nevells Road, Letchworth Tickets £8

The Settlement Players present the comedy “No Naughty Bits”. Tickets available from David’s

Music, Eastcheap or online.Web: www.settlement-players.org.uk

17 JuneStotfold Art Group 11am-4pm

The Roecroft Centre, Church Road, StotfoldFestival Week Summer Exhibition. Original

works of art on sale.

17 JuneGuide Dogs National Breeding Centre Annual

Open Day 11am-4pm, last entry 3pmGuide Dogs National Breeding Centre,

Banbury Road, Bishop’s Tachbrook, Warwick, CV33 9QJ

Free entry and parkingA fun-packed day for the whole family with

games, food and lots of our breeding and working dogs. Open Day is when we throw

open our doors to the public. Come and visit to see the amazing work we do and to join in the fun. There will be blindfold activities, puppy

viewing, dog training demonstration, children’s activities, tombolas, raffle, gift shop, hog roast, cream teas and cakes. Please note no pet dogs

allowed on site.Tel: 0345 143 0216

Email: [email protected]: /GuideDogsNationalBreedingCentre

18 JuneStevenage RSPB 7.20am

Strumpshaw Fen. A coach trip with the Hitchin/Letchworth group to the RSPB reserve near Norwich for birds, flowers and Swallowtail

butterflies. Meet at the rear of Waitrose store on Primett Road.

18 JuneBiggleswade Antiques Fair 9.30am-4pmThe Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road,

Biggleswade Entrance £1.50This 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, lunch

and afternoon tea. Tel: 01480 382432Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk

21 JuneHerts at War Talk

Doors open 7pm for 7.30pmFree admission - donations welcome

The Large Lecture Theatre (adjacent to Western Auditorium), University of Hertfordshire, De

Havilland Campus, HatfieldReturn of the successful series of military talks.

Professor Gary Sheffield “Gallipoli and the Western Front compared”. Please book tickets

online. Web: http://hertsatwar.co.uk/talks

21 JuneMake Music Day 7.30pm

Edgeworth House, 121 High Street, Arlesey, SG15 6SX

Vivace Choir invites you to an open rehearsal for its summer concert – ‘Atlantic Crossing’. You can join in the music making or just listen as the choir works on some Spirituals and excerpts from

Porgy and Bess. Web: www.vivacechoir.co.uk

22 JuneNorth Herts Association of the National Trust

Pick up/return to Hitchin and LetchworthCoach outing to Quex Park and Ramsgate

Tunnels, Kent. Tel: Colin Cropley, 01462 713391

Email: [email protected].

24 JuneBedford Fake Festival 12 noon

Bedford ParkEarly Bird tickets: Adults £17.50, Young Person

(10-17 years) £10, Family (2 Adults, 2 Young Persons) £44, Under 10’s Free. Prices vary for

tickets bought after 24th May.The UK’s only touring tribute festival is coming to Bedford Park for the first time this summer as part of the 2017 Fake Festivals tour. There will be three world-class tribute acts - Queen,

Arctic Monkeys and The Jam, and five local support bands providing the warm up to get

you in the party mood. There will be a variety of family-friendly entertainment outside the

marquee throughout the day, as well as food and drink stands. Discounted early bird tickets are on

sale until midnight on 24th May from the Fake Festivals website.

Web: www.fakefestivals.co.uk

27 JuneAlbert (Hitchin) Oddfellows Friendship Group

Coffee Morning 10.30am-12 noonTilehouse Street Baptist Church, Upper

Tilehouse Street, HitchinWould you like to make new friends? Come

and join us for a coffee and chat at our monthly coffee morning. We would love you to join us.

Call Helen or just turn up on the day. Tea/coffee provided - donations to Garden House Hospice.

Tel: Helen Lindsey 01462 432321

27 JuneMidsummer Vineyard Tour

2.30pm & 4.30pmWarden Abbey Vineyard, near Old WardenAdults £8, Accompanied children free, £5 for Friends of Warden Abbey Vineyard members

+ 1 guestDiscover the secrets of the medieval vineyard,

English wine-making, and how volunteers care for the vines all year round at this community

project. Advance booking only.Web: www.wardenvineyard.org.uk/tours for

info & booking

What’s OnIn June

This is a small selection of the What’s On for the full listing please go to

our website www.villagermag.com

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Garden Rooms & Landscaping Refurbishments

Open Plan Living

www.hertfordshirebuilders.co.ukCall Richard on 07818 061505

Architect drawings and planning applications catered forEstimates and ideas FREE

Internal and external work with many local referencesView our testimonials at www.hertfordshirebuilders.co.uk

Extensions, Refurbishments, Loft and Garage Conversions,

Landscaping and General Building

Garage Conversions

Loft Conversions Extensions

“Quality is not expensive, it’s priceless”

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May’s Puzzle Solutions and WinnerLast Month’s Crossword Winner

Mrs M J Burton from Great Staughton Last Month’s Jordans Mill Competition Winner

Bridget Payne from Langford

Easy

Hard

1. Appearing regularly alongside Noel Edmonds on the TV show Noel’s House Party, what colour were Mr Blobby’s spots?

2. With his 2016 hit single, Party Like A Russian, which famous British singer was accused of racism by Russian media, with one newspaper claiming he will never perform in Russia again?

3. Also used as a general term for a large celebration or party, what name is given to a large gathering of Scouts who rally at a national or international level?

4. What animal is the traditional mascot for the Republican Party of the USA?5. Referring to himself as a “comedy terrorist”, whose 21st birthday party did

Aaron Barschak gate-crash in 2003 by dressing up as Osama bin Laden?6. According to the theme tune of the 1980s animated TV series Teenage

Mutant Hero Turtles, which of the main characters “was a party dude”?7. In a 1977 BBC TV production of the play Abigail’s Party, who played Abigail?8. Named after a word that means “forbidden or disapproved of”, what party

game was first published in 1989, with the aim being for a player to have their partners guess a word on their card without using the word itself or five additional words listed?

9. In 2012, Leanne Wood became the first female leader of which political party?

10. In the novel Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, which three characters does Alice have a “mad tea-party” with?

Fun Quiz - Party Time

1. Yellow 2. Robbie Williams 3. Jamboree 4. The elephant 5. Prince William’s 6. Michelangelo 7. No-one (Abigail is the daughter of one of the characters, but is never seen herself)

8. Taboo 9. Plaid Cymru 10. The March Hare, the Hatter and the Dormouse

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Name:

Address:

Tel:

Prize£25

The Villager Prize Crossword

Complete the crossword, fill in your details below,

cut out this page and send to the address below before

16th June 2017 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd

24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Across7 Eighth month (6)8 Son of a monarch (6)9 Knock unconscious (4)10 Family member (8)11 Award (7)13 Strangely (5)15 Begin (5)17 Fun-loving (7)20 Single-storey residence

(8)21 A long walk (4)22 Obstructs (6)23 A rat (6)

Down1 Mumble (6)2 Destroy (4)3 Gazing (7)4 A fruit (5)5 Annual celebration (8)6 Place of learning (6)12 Fight (8)14 Scowls (7)16 Ridicules (6)18 Mean (6)19 Nearby (5)21 Conceal (4)

42

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UNIT 1B, FOXHOLES AVENUE, HERTFORD SG13 7JG LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED FOR OVER 35 YEARS • ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED

• DIGITAL FREEVIEW AERIAL INSTALLATIONS• EXTRA TV POINTS & SKY PLAYBACK• AERIAL REPAIRS & STORM DAMAGE• DAB/FM AERIALS & COMMUNAL TV SYSTEMS• FREESAT HD, SKYHD & SKY+• HIDDEN DISH SPECIALISTS & FOREIGN SATELLITE• PLASMA/LCD/LED TV, AUDIO & DVD REPAIRS• TV WALL INSTALLATIONS & HIDDEN CABLES• GOT SLOW BROADBAND? WE INSTALL TOOWAY SATELLITE BROADBAND WITH DOWNLOAD SPEEDS OF UP TO 20MBPS• CCTV INSTALLATIONS IN HD – WATCH ON YOUR IPAD/PHONE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD• WIFI ACCESS POINTS & DATA NETWORK DISTRIBUTION• SONOS HOME AUDIO SPECIALISTS

HERTFORD TV SERVICE Tel: 01992 552955 www.hertf ordtvservice.co.uk

MEMBER

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China

Travel

Only 1,000 giant pandas are believed to survive in the wilds of China, 80% of them in the south-west province of Sichuan where, in 1987, a Research and Breeding Centre for Giant Pandas was set up in a northern suburb of Chengdu. From the original six pandas rescued at the start of the programme, nearly 100 have been successfully bred, thus increasing the population without affecting those in the wild. Today this award-winning centre is one of the best places in the world to see giant pandas in a semi-wild environment.Not surprisingly, the centre is a popular attraction for foreign and domestic tourists, including Chinese schoolchildren on their annual outing, but those in the know visit early in the morning to avoid tour groups and watch the pandas waking up, all set for their bamboo breakfast. It’s also a pleasant time to wander through the grounds, before the heat sets in, and enjoy over 100 hectares of greenery landscaped to resemble the bears’ natural habitat, with hills and lake, 400 species of trees and some 10,000 clumps of bamboo and bushes. In this natural environment the pandas are not as pristine and white as their cuddly toy counterparts, but despite their somewhat muddy bottoms you can’t help falling in love with those big dark eyes that seem to look straight into your soul. Wander along the trails and you gaze in wonder as you see pandas eat, sleep or play in large enclosures and, if you’re lucky, you may get within feet of a bear. But most of the time they’re far too busy to take any notice, for there’s bamboo to munch, trees to climb and mates and cubs to socialise with.

Besides the giant pandas, you’re almost sure to spot a few members of the red variety, much smaller and often going in pairs, sleeping in the trees, eating, lapping up water or just nosing around. Other rare breeds who found a home in Chengdu include black-necked cranes, white storks and golden monkeys who live alongside song birds, egrets, peacocks and swans.Meanwhile the new-born pandas are cared for in the nursery, so tiny you can’t imagine they’ll ever grow into soft furry giants - but visitors who don’t mind the extra cost can have a peep or even a cuddle. But it is all in a good cause for this is a non-profit organisation and all funds are reinvested into the project.Besides the adoption scheme, the centre raises extra funds through various activities and the sale of panda memorabilia in order to sustain its twofold ambition: conservation and education. Conservation involves studying the behaviour and specific needs of pandas and encouraging breeding, naturally or, if that fails, by artificial insemination. Increasing numbers, they say, is the key to survival and the time may come when some bears born in captivity could be released into the wild. On the other hand, education means raising awareness about the giant pandas’ plight, not only in the Chengdu Centre but also worldwide by working with a range of partners far beyond the borders. Having settled in Edinburgh in December 2011, Tian Tian and Yang Guang haven’t managed to breed just yet but they are doing well and remain the only giant pandas in the UK.

By Solange Hando

Pandas in Chengdu

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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 [email protected] www.stevenageplumbing.co.uk

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

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Repairs ofWashing Machines

Tumble DryersDishwashers

Electric OvensElectric Cookers

MicrowavesVacuum Cleaners

and all domestic appliances.

VAT Registered.Specialist in Hotpoint, Indesit, Ariston,

Creda and Whirlpool appliances.

SHIRON Domestic Appliances

Contact RONNIETel: 01438 720 304

Mobile: 07739 922493

I D Decorating

Painting & DecoratingServices

Painting – Interior & Exterior

Decorating

Coving

No Job Too Big Or Too Small

Fully Insured & Free Estimates

Telephone: Ian Dunklin0790 508 3799

Painters and Decorators

For a free quotation please contact Gary onTel: 01438 230943 Mob: 07733 227961

Email: [email protected]

Premier

www.premierpd.co.uk

Premier Painters and Decorators are a professional, punctual and hard working company delivering outstanding quality of work to our clients in and around StevenageFrom wallpaper hanging, feature walls, coving and cornice work. We even clean facias, soffits and guttering. (PVC or Wood)If you would like to take advantage of our services, require a quote or advise please do not hesitate to contact us. Be assured when Premier quote a job there are NO HIDDEN EXTRAS. Private and commercial, exterior and interior painting services.

Tel: 07854 738740Email: [email protected]: www.dotelectrical.co.ukFind us on Facebook - Dot Electrical

Emergency Call Outs Full & Partial Rewires

Electrical Safety Reports CCTV Installation

Security LightsGarden Lighting

Dot ElectricalJune 16.indd 1 25/05/2016 22:11:12

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Electricianwww.hertsandbedselectrical.co.uk

Do you find it difficult to get someone to come and do a small job?

Fault finding/repairsExtra lights and sockets

New fuse boardsRewires

P.A.T testingLandlord inspections

Qualified electrician Fully insuredReliable service Tidy work

Free quote Satisfaction guaranteed

Call Nigel on: 01438 553083 / 07941295883

Inspirational stories - Tales of wartime, refugees and hardships overcome.

The Girl Who Beat ISIS by Farida Khalaf and Andrea C. Hoffmann ISIS kidnapped Farida Khalaf from her Northern Iraqi village in 2014. Beaten, raped and sold as a slave, the teenage Farida refused to bow down to her captors or to convert to their religion. After numerous attempts, and nearly being beaten to death, Farida eventually escaped with five other girls. Having been granted asylum in Germany, this is her harrowing tale as told to Andrea C. Hoffmann.

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo MbueJende and Neni are firm believers in the American dream and know they can achieve a better life for themselves and their son. Jende works long hours as a chauffeur for the wealthy Clark Edwards and his family, while Neni does care work and studies to be a pharmacist. Then Jende is told his application for a green card has been rejected. As cracks also start appearing in the Edwards family’s lives, it seems the American dream may not be all Jende and Neni hoped for.

Book ReviewBy Kate Duggan

Books

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