henlow april 2013

Issue 53 - April 2013

Bringing Local Business to Local People in Langford, Henlow, Shefford, Stanford, Hinxworth, Ickleford, Caldecote, Radwell, Shillington, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Gravenhurst, Holwell, Baldock, Stotfold, Arlesey, Hitchin & Letchworth

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VILLAGERThe

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

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts2

Easter egg

Hunt!Stroll along the dotted line to Pegnut Wood to join our

eggs-tra special Easter egg hunt.

Now pencil at the ready? Yes, then follow the Easter egg hunt path.

We’ve hidden four eggs-traordinary eggs along the way.

Can you find them all?

When you find one, draw it on the eggs overleaf.

Found all four eggs? Drawn them all? Bring your completed

sheet – and your pencil! – back to The Coach House to

claim your mini eggs.

path.

Fire station

KEYEaster huntOther walks

Bury Hill

Sutton Rd

Brook EndRoyston St

PEGNUT WOODcome or

join the

at

Every Sunday

We're firing up the barbecue every Sunday throughout the

summer, whatever the weather. As you've come to expect from

The Coach House, we're only using the finest, freshest produce;

see the menu at the front door for details of what's on offer.

Serving from 12pm till 3pm.

Booking recommended

01767 260221

Market Square Potton01767 260221

www.coachhousepotton.co.uk

You don’t need an excuse to visit The Coach House but we’ve given you a few…

Villager Ad Apr 13.indd 1 18/03/2013 09:33

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122 3

EditorialSolange Hando, Julia Faulks,Susan Brookes-Morris, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Katharine Sorrell, Helen Taylor, Pippa Greenwood, James Baggott, Alex Brown, Derek Thompson and Bruce Edwards

Advertising SalesMary Williams Tel: 07453 [email protected]

Front Cover ImageMichael Flippo

Design and ArtworkDesign 9 - Tel 07762 969460

PublishersVillager Publications Ltd24 Market Square, Potton Beds. SG19 2NPTel: 01767 [email protected]

DisclaimerAll 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.

VILLAGERThe

and Town Life

Issue 53 - April 2013

Bringing Local Business to Local People in Langford, Henlow, Shefford, Stanford, Hinxworth, Ickleford, Caldecote, Radwell, Shillington, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Gravenhurst, Holwell, Baldock, Stotfold, Arlesey, Hitchin & Letchworth

£25Prize

CrosswordSee Inside

Your

FREEcopy

VILLAGERThe

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

The Price of parking ........................................................ 6Hong Kong Island ............................................................ 8Hertfordshire Mobile Libraries ...................................... 10Odd Gadgets ................................................................... 13London Marathon .......................................................... 14Is Your Head banging? .................................................... 16Spring Cleaning...............................................................20Clean and Fresh ..............................................................23Make Up Tricks ...............................................................25Planning a Funeral ..........................................................27Top 5 Money Saving Apps ..............................................28Grow Your Own Veg .......................................................34Get Composting ............................................................ 36Animal Stories ............................................................... 40Children’s Page ...............................................................42Seasonal delights ...........................................................45AWD XJ Porsche Cayenne ............................................. 46Puzzle Page ................................................................... 48Here Comes The Bride.................................................... 51Fooled You ......................................................................52Fun Quiz ..........................................................................52Village Life ......................................................................57What’s On ....................................................................... 61Book Review ...................................................................62

You are now able to view the Villager Magazine online at

www.villagermag.com

In this Issue

April 1958Big Ben Cast

Gallery 1066Bringing Rock to Baldock

32

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54

4


What could be more British than Big Ben? You hear the bong of the 13-ton bell every time you watch ITN’s evening news or listen to the 6pm and midnight news on Radio 4. And even if you very sensibly try to avoid the news you’ll have heard the Westminster Chimes – played on the four quarter-bells that live with Big Ben in the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament – probably more than any other piece of music. Distantly descended from a tune in Handel’s Messiah, they’re in alarm clocks, doorbells, ice cream vans, possibly even ringtones wherever you go. When you finally arrive at the Pearly Gates and ring for admission, you’ll probably hear them then.But there’s more to Big Ben’s Britishness than mere ubiquity. Because there’s nothing more British than a right old foul-up, and Big Ben started its career with not one foul-up but two.One night in October 1834 the Houses of Parliament were burnt to the ground. Next day some fool decided to rebuild them and – shazzam! – a mere 24 years later they were rebuilt. The project was masterminded by Sir Charles Barry but the design of the Great Tower (only re-named last year to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee) was assigned to the great Gothic revivalist Augustus Pugin. Looks like stone, doesn’t it? Looks can be deceiving, though – the shaft of the tower is brick, and the bell chamber and spire are cast iron. The stone is only cladding, like Jack and Vera’s house in Coronation Street.Naturally a great bell had been commissioned. The 16-ton monster was cast in a foundry in Stockton-on-Tees and named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the worthy who supervised the rebuilding. In 1856, before the Great Tower had been topped out, Big Ben was hung up in New Palace Yard and tested. It promptly broke. Whoops! Just time to order a new one, from the Whitechapel Foundry just across the City. Smaller this time, at a mere 13 tons; but still called Big Ben. It was cast on 10 April 1858 and took 18 hours to haul the 200 feet up to the bell chamber to be tested. And guess what? Yes – it broke too. The clapper, it turned out, was twice the recommended weight. It took three years to repair and, apart from 1916-18 when people thought Zeppelins might hear it, it’s been bonging almost uninterrupted ever since. It didn’t even stop during the blitz, when

10 APRIL 1858 BIG BEN CAST AT WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY

the Luftwaffe totalled the chamber of the House of Commons but spared the Great Tower.The Britishness doesn’t stop there, though. The design of the clock itself, a prestige project if ever there was one, was entrusted to a couple of amateurs. Edmund Denison was actually a lawyer, while George Airey was the Astronomer Royal. Theirs was a completely new and quite revolutionary design, which I’d explain to you if I understood it; but it was such a good one that the clock is accurate to a second a day and is regulated by a pile of pre-decimal pennies – adding a penny advances the clock by 0.4 of a second a day.The movement, being more than 150 years old, has been a wee bit stop-start since the 1970s, but Big Ben itself, complete with the original crack, bongs on. It did chime 30 once – but that was deliberate, to announce last year’s opening of the 30th Olympiad. Either an inspired departure from convention or a shallow piece of political gimmickry, depending on your persuasion; but at least nothing broke this time.

Photo by DAVID ILIFFLicense: CC-BY-SA 3.0


Come April, the start of the new financial year, and everything goes up. Including, in many towns across the country, the price of parking.Well, you may say, these are hard times and local councils have to fund their activities somehow. But the cost of town-centre parking is more than just a nuisance: it’s slow poison for high street retailers whether they’re independent or branches of national chains.Town-centre planning is an incredibly abstruse art with an infinite number of variables and nobody, not even the professionals, really knows what works and what doesn’t. A new supermarket in a Hampshire high street – was it responsible for killing off the independent traders, or did it increase footfall and keep them on life-support, allowing them to absorb high rents for a few years longer? A new Waitrose in a Cambridgeshire town centre: yes, the butcher and the greengrocer couldn’t compete, but on the other hand an independent wine merchant set up shop directly opposite because Waitrose people are his people too, and as a specialist he feels he can do the job better.These two examples give just a hint of the complexities involved. But there’s one constant

ToWn PLAnnInGAND THE PRICE OF PARKING

that separates all high street retailers whether chain or independent from all out-of-town retailers: free parking. And it’s not just Tesco and B&Q that have moved out of town centres and settled in car parks the size of small farms: why are franchises like Fired Earth and Cotton Traders generally sited in garden centres and farmyard malls? Plenty of free parking! A case in point: Beers of Europe is located in an old grainstore down a track outside King’s Lynn. It has unlimited parking. Shoppers can, and do, fill the boots of their cars with beer, and Beers of Europe is thriving. But town-centre beer shops in Bury St Edmunds and Lincoln went under because the most a customer could physically carry away was five or six bottles. And it’s worth remarking that nearly all of the spectacular retail collapses of recent years – Woolworth’s, HMV, Clinton Cards – were primarily high street operators.Campaigns to ‘shop local’ are commonplace, but convenience is the order of the day. If in-town parking has limited availability and means shoppers must carry loose change, but have to cut their shopping trip short for fear of a hefty fine, they will vote with their tyres and head straight to the big free car parks.Persuading local councillors who need income that providing plentiful free parking is in their interest is a very hard sell. But a high street populated with charity shops isn’t good for the council either. Charity shops don’t pay business rates and they rely on volunteers: they don’t hire unemployed people whose housing benefit is funded by the council. Surely carting all the unpopular and inconvenient pay-and-display meters off to the scrapyard is a measure that would encourage local shopping.The trouble is that so many town-centre independents have already gone to the wall that their political voice is very feeble. Many towns no longer even have a chamber of trade. One answer to that would be to persuade the high street chains – Iceland, Boots, M&S Food, Costa etc – to permit and indeed encourage their store managers to get involved. A chamber of trade that represented more than just the last independent optician and the last independent jeweller would be an energetic and influential lobby group that local councils would have to listen to.


Sail on the old Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, just an eight minute ride from the peninsula, and Hong Kong Island greets you with its 21st century skyline, here the zigzag patterns of the Bank of China Tower, there the sensuous curves of the Convention and Exhibition Centre or the Central Plaza rising to 78 floors, framed by verdant hills. Above these monoliths of concrete and glass, Victoria Peak looms undisturbed, like a grand old lady smiling at a mob of unruly children.At a cool, often misty, 1810 feet, the Peak has long attracted the elite who built luxury dwellings on its upper slopes laced with gardens and wooded trails. For most visitors, the Peak begins with a steep thrilling ride on the funicular, hauled up to Victoria Gap by a single cable. The summit is out of bounds, topped with telecom masts, but weather permitting, there are unrivalled views across the harbour to Kowloon, the New Territories and a few of the 260 outlying islands which are part of Hong Kong. At night, the city below is an ocean of lights.With a density approaching 16,000 inhabitants per square mile, the main island is an eclectic mass of humanity. Executives in pin-striped suits, fortune tellers, revellers, manicured store assistants, families on their way to the Ocean Theme Park, shoppers, tourists, the city is for ever on the move, flooding every pavement and elevated walkway, buses, trams, ferries, taxis, underground and the mid-level stairs where a string of 20 escalators carry commuters down in the morning then switch uphill for the rest of the day.The aptly named ‘Central’ district on the north coast is the glittering seat of government,

HonG KonG ISLAnDHIGH RISE AND DRAGONS

finance and upmarket shopping, its new architectural wonders jostling for space above the last colonial buildings. There are swanky boutiques and antique shops but affordable goods in the lanes and the Chinese Emporiums brimming with handicraft. Tai Chi enthusiasts gather in Victoria Park, locals bargain for dried fish, snake bile and chopsticks and around the temples festooned in red lanterns and dragons, clouds of incense fill the air as they did long ago, giving Hong Kong its name of ‘fragrant harbour.’Once dotted with its own incense mills, Aberdeen on the south coast has sprouted into high rise but retains a frenzied wet market and harbour where tyre-draped sampans weave past the ageing fishing fleet and the last houseboats strung with laundry. On the quayside, seafood lovers wait for the free ferry which will take them to glitzy floating restaurants, anchored on the edge of the typhoon shelter.Beyond Aberdeen, life moves at a gentler pace as week-enders relax on the lovely beaches of Deep Water or Repulse Bay or venture to the sleepy village of Shek O in the east. Cooled by sea breezes, Shek O marks the end of the Dragon Back’s Trail, a pleasant trek along a ridge with stunning vistas of the interior country parks and South China Sea.True, Hong Kong Island thrives on banking and business but the old China survives, more discreet than on the peninsula, but coming into its own at festival time when brightly-decorated dragon boats compete in the traditional Stanley race, spurred on by drums and cheering crowds.

Solange Hando


HonG KonG ISLAnDHIGH RISE AND DRAGONS


In these times of austerity and high fuel prices, what could be more convenient for the avid bookworm or casual browser than a travelling library of literature delivered right to your village, street or even doorstep?

The mobile library is a valuable service for people living in rural villages and outskirts of towns. There are two mobile libraries in your area (Mobile F and Mobile D): • Mobile F has adult and children’s books, fiction,

non fiction, talking books and DVDs. It provides a fortnightly service. Mobile D is tailored more for the needs of older customers with a larger selection of large print and talking books but doesn’t carry DVDs or children’s stock. This provides a three weekly service.

• Items borrowed from mobiles can be returned to any library and visa versa.

• Items can be reserved and collected on the mobile or at any library in the county.

• All mobiles have a step-lift access.The mobile library is free for anyone to use with a Hertfordshire Library card (you can join on the mobile). Any questions please call 0300 123 4049 (Mon-Fri 08.00 to 20.00, Sat 09.00 to 16.00) or visit our website at: http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/libraries/mobtrailibs1/

Mobile F

Hinxworth (2, 16, 30 April; 14, 28 May 2013)• Francis Road/High Street: 10.45 - 11.15 Hitchin (12, 26 April; 10, 24 May 2013)• Mulberry Way: 10.55 - 11.25 • John Barker Place: 11.30 - 12.30

Hitchin (3, 17 April; 1, 15, 29 May 2013)• Benchley Hill: 9.45 - 10.30 • Chaucer Way: 10.35 -11.05 • Hampden Road: 11.10 -11.40 • Grovelands Avenue: 11.50 - 12.30 • Hardy Close: 13.20 - 13.50 • Milton View: 14.00 - 14.30 • Ninesprings Way: 14.40 - 15.10

HERTFoRDSHIRE MoBILE LIBRARIESFREE TO JOIN AND ON YOUR DOORSTEP!

Holwell (15, 29 April; 13 May 2013)• Rands Close: 12.15 - 12.45 • Rands Meadow: 13.35 - 14.00 Letchworth (12, 26 April; 10, 24 May 2013)• Hadleigh, Jackmans Estate: 14.00 - 16.30

Pirton (15, 29 April; 13 May 2013)• Mott and Bailey Pub: 10.00 - 10.30 • Cromwell Way: 10.35 - 11.30 • High St/Shillington Rd: 11.35 - 12.05

Mobile DHitchin (3, 24 April; 15 May 2013)• Anderson House: 10.15 - 11.15 • Harrison Court: 11.30 - 12.30 • Regal Court: 13.40 - 14.10 • Archer Court: 14.20 - 15.00

Hitchin (16 April; 7, 28 May 2013)• Gosmore: 09.45 - 11.00 • Girton Court/Audley House: 11.15 - 11.45 • Peter Sell House: 13.40-14.10

Letchworth (4, 25 April; 16 May 2013)• Robert Saunders Court: 10.30 - 11.45 • Edwin Nott House: 12.00 - 12.30 • Robert Humbert House: 13.40 - 14.10

Letchworth (11 April; 2, 23 May 2013)• Hamonte, Jackmans: 13.55 - 14.45

Letchworth (17 April; 8, 29 May 2013)• Norton Hall Farm: 09.45 - 10.45 • MacFadyen Webb House: 11.00 - 12.00 • Langleigh, Grange: 13.00 - 13.20 • Reynolds, Grange: 13.30 - 14.10 • Kingfisher Court, Grange: 14.20 - 14.50


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This Easter

don’t let us teach you how to suck your eggs!

But if you’d like to actually bite them...

give us a call


Every year, technology firms join in the April Fools fun - so for example in recent years Google announced self-driving racing cars, Toshiba pretended to make a 3D monocle and video site Animoto offered bark recognition for dogs. Not all odd-sounding technology items are fakes, though: there are some truly strange items and accessories out there.Some of the oddest items are related to smartphones and tablets, such as the iStuck mobile phone stand (£3) that looks like chewed bubblegum, the Knuckles iPhone case - designed to look like a knuckle duster - and the just-announced iPotty (£39), a child’s potty with a built-in iPad stand. The idea, apparently, is that letting children use iPads while on the potty will make toilet training a fun game. Other gadgets are more sensible, but rather odd looking - such as the iPhone SLR mount, which enables you to attach enormous SLR camera lenses to your phone. It might look like a novelty item, but the price says otherwise: at the current US exchange rate, it’s £156 plus shipping and tax, and of course that doesn’t include the lenses. The mount is available for both Nikon and Canon lenses and promises to bring SLR effects such as variable depth of field to “the camera you carry with you every day”. Another odd-looking but fairly sensible gadget is the Handspresso Auto ESE, a portable espresso coffee maker designed for in-car use. It uses the Easy Serving Espresso pods you might have seen for ordinary domestic coffee makers, and it’s particularly handy for road warriors who’d rather not pay inflated prices for motorway service station coffees. At around £130 it isn’t cheap, but if you use it regularly it’ll soon pay for itself.You can buy odd things for your house too, and

no APRIL FooLSODD GADGETS THAT REALLY EXIST

if you’re a musician or a fan of rock music you’ll appreciate the Marshall Fridge. From the outside it looks like the iconic Marshall amplifier stack, and it even uses authentic Marshall parts including the famous logo, fret cloth and brass-finished faceplate with knobs that go up to eleven, but inside it’s - yes! - a fridge. The manufacturer says it’s “the ultimate combination of rock and refrigeration”. Yours for £405.Have you ever wished your fork could nag you about your eating? Good news if you have: the Hapifork (around £70) may look like an ordinary fork, but it’s stuffed with sensors that monitor how quickly you’re eating. It measures the number of times you put the fork in your mouth, the time between each serving and the total time you’ve spent eating, and vibrates and flashes if you’re eating too quickly. The data is then sent to your smartphone. For now the line-up doesn’t extend to other cutlery, but manufacturer HAPIlabs says a spoon is in development.The HAPIfork was one of several odd gadgets shown at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but it wasn’t the oddest: we saw GPS-enabled gadgets such as the TrakDot luggage locator (around £30 plus a £10 annual subscription), Nano Nails, which turn long fingernails into styluses for touchscreens (price tbc); the iMusic BodyRhythm, a music-powered massager that makes you look like you’re wearing a toilet seat around your neck (currently accepting pre-orders for $69, around £44), and the thoroughly odd Minime, which can create a phone case or a cuddly toy that includes a 3D rendering of your child’s face (or anybody else’s face). Expect to see Minime kiosks in shopping malls later this year.


This year’s London Marathon will be held on April 21st. This iconic event first took place over 30 years ago, in 1981.It was the brainchild of John Disley and Chris Brasher who after taking part in the New York Marathon, wondered if London could stage such a festival. 7,747 runners took part in the first London Marathon, whilst in 2012 there were over 37,000 participants. The Marathon is now a calendar highlight for competitors, spectators and charities alike. Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich will take part this year and is expected to complete the 26.2 mile course in just over 2 hoursFor most of us a marathon would prove too gruelling, but there are half marathons, 10k and 5k runs or sub 5k events which anyone can enter. There are running events nearly every weekend somewhere in Britain. Running has many benefits, firstly it’s free. Once you have your basic kit, it costs nothing to simply ‘go out for a run.’ As you are not tied to a specific class or opening times, you can go running whenever you please. Studies extol the health benefits. Runners tend to be stronger and live longer. Regular exercise, along with a healthy balanced diet, can also reduce your risk of cancer. So how does a fledgling runner get started? Most beginners’ guides suggest doing a combination

LonDon MARATHonBy SuSAN BROOKES-MORRIS

of run/walk/run on your first outings and building up your distance gradually. You should always stretch, warm up and cool down and ensure you are hydrated. You should not run too fast. You should always be able to maintain a conversation and not breathe too heavily. Training programmes suggest that subject to satisfactory health, beginners could train to complete a 5k run within six weeks, training three times a week. Someone preparing for a marathon would probably have a training plan of at least 16 weeks. It’s important to have the correct equipment and in particular the right shoes. Specialists will use biomechanics, your weight, the surfaces you wish to run on and the shape of your feet as influencing factors when determining which shoes to recommend for you. Serious runners will alternate between two pairs of shoes during training, and shoes should be replaced after around 500 miles. Other items to consider include running socks, tights leggings or shorts, a stop watch, technical t shirt, a heart monitor, training log, drinks carrier, energy drinks and a lightweight jacket. Ladies will also require a high impact sports bra. Many find they are more committed to running if they have a training partner, and some join local running clubs for increased support and guidance.


LonDon MARATHonBy SuSAN BROOKES-MORRIS Gain inspiration

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More than 10 million people in the UK suffer from regular headaches. But how do you know what type of headache you have and what the best treatment is?Whether you wake up with a banging headache or it develops as a dull ache throughout the day, a headache can be more than just a pain in the head – inconvenient, and at times debilitating. Thankfully most headaches aren’t dangerous, but understanding what type of headache you have and what’s causing it will help you when it comes to choosing treatment. Why does my head hurt?A headache is caused when the blood vessels around the brain swell, along with tension in the muscles and nerves in surrounding muscles. If you’re stressed, not having enough sleep, drinking too much, dehydrated or eating lots of junk food, there’s more chance you’ll end up with a blinder. Eye strain, blocked sinuses, a change in body temperature or blood pressure and hormonal changes are other known triggers. Headaches can also be as a result of a cold virus or other health condition. If you’ve suffered a blow to the head or have a rash accompanied with a headache, always seek medical advice. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and feel as if someone has stretched a rubber band around the top and side of your head. The pain is normally more constant compared to the throbbing ache you may experience with a migraine, which can cause vomiting and

IS YoUR HEAD BAnGInG? BY JULIA FAULKS

sensitivity to light. Cluster headaches tend to cause an intense pain around one or both eyes and can come on very suddenly. Sufferers may have one to three of these attacks every day for weeks or months and they are often more painful than a migraine. Brewing up a headache Found naturally in tea, coffee and chocolate and added to many energy drinks, it’s more the withdrawal of caffeine than the stimulant itself that can lead to headaches. On the flip side, non-prescription painkillers with added caffeine can actually speed up their effectiveness.Treating your headache you can buy a range of different painkillers over the counter or obtain stronger alternatives on prescription. Some may suit you better than others – they include paracetamol, codeine, anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as aspirin and ibuprofen) or a group of anti-migraine medicines known as triptans (for example, sumatriptan). It’s recommended that you don’t take painkillers for more than two days at a time – if you do, you may be at risk of developing ‘medication-overuse’ headaches.Clearing your head the natural way As well as improving your general lifestyle (more sleep and exercise, less booze and stress) try the following:1. Essential oils: either use them for massage

or add them to your bath. Recommended oils include Lavender, Clary Sage and Roman Chamomile. (Not suitable for pregnant women).

2. Cooling headache pads: For some instant soothing relief, use these alongside any other medication or on their own.

3. Tiger Balm: this is a natural remedy that is often used to help relieve headaches. (Not suitable for pregnant women or children under 2.)

4. Headache pillows: these may help prevent or relieve headaches by providing support to your neck, improving your posture and reducing inflammation.

5. Acupuncture/massage/reflexology: all of these alternative therapies can be extremely effective at relieving a nagging headache.


Immerse yourselves and guests in the close up magic of Steve Dean or enjoy a Cabaret Show that includes mentalism and much more.

Have you ever witnessed unexplainable events or illusions so convincing that they leave you fascinated and completely spellbound? This is Cabaret, close up mix and mingle and table magic at it’s very best.

Not only enter the unbelievable world of close up professional magic that is second to none, you can now see a cabaret show that will leave you gasping, your guests enthralled and audience

participation that is not only professional but will cause laughter throughout and will be something to remember for a very long time. This is ideal for any corporate or private event.

Steve is a master of his craft and a member of the prestigious Magic Circle. He has had many letters of thanks and testimonials from people from all walks of life. From a small dinner party to performing on a British Cruise Liner this sort of entertainment is second to none and will give your

guests unusual and fantastic entertainment that they can get involved in and will talk about for months to come. (Steve is a member of Equity with full public liability insurance).

Please phone or email for details 07719 261147 • 01767 260671www.stevedeanmagic.co.uk email: [email protected]

The Unforgettable Close Up and

Cabaret Magic of Steve Dean

Introducing The Steve Dean School of Magic Have you ever been interested in close up magic or are you a close up magician who wishes to improve to

from beginner to intermediate level. The Steve Dean School of Magic is now offering Beginners and Intermediate classes.

Single lessons or block bookings are available (discount for block bookings).This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the art of Close Up Magic taught by Steve

who is a member of The Magic Circle and International Brotherhood of MagiciansPlease call 07719 261147 or 01767 260671 for details or to book your space on these very popular classes

IS YoUR HEAD BAnGInG? BY JULIA FAULKS


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The chimney, the drive, the oven: We couldn’t do without them, but many of us do try and get away without cleaning them! So why not call in a professional and save yourself some blood, sweat and tears!A chimney that serves an open fire should be swept annually to keep the fire burning efficiently and safely, and for around £40 it can be done quickly and competently by a trained professional. During a sweep, which takes around 45 minutes, brushes inserted into the flue dislodge soot deposits which are removed by vacuuming. Most chimney sweeps will also inspect your chimney from the roof for potential problems. Soot deposits can build up and obstruct the chimney, making the fireplace inefficient and potentially unsafe. Flammable creosote, found in soot, can also ignite and cause the chimney to catch fire. Members of The National Association of Chimney Sweeps are fully qualified and experienced, have full public liability insurance and issue certificates on completion of their work. The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps trains, assesses and monitors its members to ensure that customers receive the best service. Cleaning your own oven is hard work, time consuming and dirty, but if you choose a professional instead, you’ll get a trained individual who can generally do a much better job

SPRInG CLEAnInGBy DEBBIE SINGH-BHAttI

in a fraction of the time!A typical clean takes 1 to 1.5 hours which will include the racks, shelves and pans as well as the interior and outside of the oven. It costs around £50, but do check exactly what is included in the price as many companies charge extra for items like grill pans. Members of The Association of Approved Oven Cleaners have completed training in Health and Safety and employment law, and do not use caustic or toxic products within your home.Weeds, moss and dirt are all too common additions to driveways and patios once they have been laid for a while. DIY jet washing can remove them but it is a messy, dirty job and can leave behind zebra striping and unsightly lines.A professional drive cleaning company will eliminate that problem by blasting the surface with high pressure water from rotary head cleaning equipment. The process removes weeds, surface grime, moss and algae and restores colour to once dull slabs and tiles. The job is finished by re-sanding the joints and a sealant can also be applied which will protect the surface and discourage weeds from re-growing. Cost depends on size and it is always a good idea to get more than one quote and to ask for references if available.So, spring into action and get those problem areas spruced up and gleaming!


SPRInG CLEAnInGBy DEBBIE SINGH-BHAttI


Clear the clutter, sort your stuff and make everything in your home spick and span – your home will feel revitalised, and so will you, says Katherine SorrellAre you closer to being the goddess of grime than the queen of clean? Spring sunshine means that it’s the ideal time to don your apron, snap on your Marigolds and refresh your home from top to bottom. If you really can’t bear the thought of tackling every room at once, you could spend perhaps an hour a week or else tackle one room at a time until your home feels truly transformed. So, where should you begin? The obvious place is with a good, old-fashioned tidy up, paying attention to all your tables, shelves, floors and other surfaces, inside kitchen and bathroom cupboards, bedroom wardrobes and chests of drawers. Once you have cleared the space, you are almost ready to begin. But not quite. Make a list of what needs doing (this may be rather time-consuming, but will be worth it in the end) and allocate some time for each chore. Then dig out appropriate clothing. What to wear will depend on the task at hand, but should include an old shirt and trousers, and could also mean rubber gloves, sturdy shoes, an apron and a dust mask or safety goggles. Next, assemble your equipment – from brooms and scrubbing brushes to buckets and cloths. Having it ready beforehand will save time and effort later. Lastly, find the cleaning products you’ll require, including an all-purpose household cleaner, washing-up liquid, furniture polish, non-chlorine bleach, anti-mildew tile and bath cleaner and window cleaner. Store them in a heavy-duty caddy with a handle.At last you’re ready, so refer back to your list of what needs doing – you’ll see it divides into five main areas: vacuuming, dusting, mopping/scrubbing, washing and wiping, and polishing as well as room specific tasks, such as turning mattresses, spot-cleaning upholstery, cleaning the oven, defrosting the fridge, descaling the shower head and beating rugs. You could also sort out those less frequently required jobs such as steam-cleaning the carpets or having the chimney swept.

CLEAn AnD FRESHBY KATHERINE SORRELL

Before you embark, bear in mind the basic principles of cleaning: work from top to bottom (dust the light fitting before polishing the table beneath) and tackle dry before wet (vacuum before mopping, obviously). Try to be organised, whether you work one room at a time or one task at a time. With a little forethought, preparation and organisation, spring cleaning can be a rewarding activity that will restore your home to its rightful place as a peaceful haven that is well-kept, tidy and gleamingly, squeaky clean.

BoX: FIVE oLD-FASHIonED CLEAnInG TIPS• Polish chrome taps with vinegar, a little baking

soda on a damp cloth or a gentle rub of white toothpaste

• to dust carved wooden furniture, put a dab of furniture cream on a damp cloth, and hold it over the bristles of a soft toothbrush – you will be able to work your way into all the cracks and crevices

• De-grease a vinyl floor (under the oven, for example) by rubbing with a halved lemon, then mop with an all-purpose cleaner

• Spot-clean upholstery by gently rubbing in a little foamy shaving cream and removing with a clean, damp cloth

• Beat a rug by hanging it over a washing line and using a tennis racket


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Soft, plump, kissable lips are guaranteed to get you noticed - but if mother nature hasn’t blessed you with them, don’t despair, because we’ve compiled a clever guide that will help you to fake a full-on pout.Soften UpBefore you even think about applying lipstick to your lips, it’s essential to spend a bit of time creating the right base for your product.Exfoliation is key in keeping your lips looking luscious as well as smooth and free of flakes, so it’s important to do this once a week.Start by applying a generous amount of lip balm to your lips to soften them, and then gently remove the top layer of skin using a soft wash cloth or toothbrush, in circular motions.Smother your lips in balm every night so that they are super soft for the next morning, when you apply your make-up.Line UpAlthough lip pencil probably isn’t high up on your shopping list of beauty must-haves, when used correctly it can be an essential tool. It allows you to shape and define your lips, and helps to stop your lipstick from ‘bleeding’.Choosing a neutral and natural shade of lip liner is key for creating a modern look.Lining just outside the coloured part of your lips provides the fullest effect. Many women don’t do this, and tend to line inside the lip line, but this makes your lips appear thinner because the natural lip line generally extends further than the coloured part of your lips.Be sure to choose a soft lip liner and ‘round off’

Make-Up Tricks for kissable lipsBY HELEN TAYLOR

the tip by smudging it on the back of your hand a few times - a sharpened point will look unnatural and harsh - before you apply.Define your ‘cupid’s bow’ by drawing a V in the centre curve of your top lip, bring the line round and down using soft feathery strokes. Line the curve of the bottom lip with the same light movements, and soften by lightly blending with your finger.Complete with Colour It’s best to choose a natural shade of lip colour for two reasons: firstly, light and bright hues look youthful and secondly they make the lips appear fuller, unlike dark shades which have the opposite effect.Use a lip brush to paint the product onto your lips for a neat and even application - ensure that you take the colour right up to your lip liner line. Get The GlossLip gloss is every girl’s best friend because it offers a lovely finish to otherwise dull lipsticks and can modernise your entire make-up look.Apply a shimmery gloss to the centre of your lips and blend gradually outwards to make your lips look really full.And, if you really want to make an impression with your pout, try one of the plumping glosses that are on the market. Using menthol, cinnamon or even chilli as active ingredients, these lip glosses create a mild irritation on contact with the lips causing them to temporarily increase in size.The tingling sensation lets you know it’s working and the results last for a few hours, so to keep the look you’ll need to re-apply regularly.


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As we grow older it becomes inevitable that sooner or later we will face the prospect of arranging a loved one’s funeral. Whether that person was a member of the family or a close friend with no family of their own, you may face a steep learning curve.your first step should be to check if the deceased has written a letter or put a note in their will stating their funeral wishes. Even if they have left instructions there may be gaps in the information, particularly when it comes to key questions such as ‘Who is responsible for organising the funeral?’UK law states that if an individual has written a will and appointed executors, the executors should arrange the funeral. However it is often family members or friends who take on this role, with the executors’ authority. Your second step should be to appoint a funeral director, but do check that they belong to an accredited body such as the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (www.saif.org.uk) or the National Association of Funeral Directors (www.nafd.org.uk).Be aware that the person who makes the arrangements is responsible for paying the bills, so if there are insufficient funds in the deceased’s estate you should ask about financial help at your local Jobcentre Plus (provided that you are eligible to receive government benefits).Step three involves consulting friends and family in order to meet their needs. If your guests have far to travel then an afternoon service may be better. Don’t feel you have to opt for the nearest crematorium, church or other religious centre if it doesn’t seem appropriate. A little research may result in a more positive experience for everyone.If you have family members arriving late from far-flung locations who want to view the deceased in an open coffin, your funeral director can offer an embalming service (at additional cost) to preserve the body.Perhaps the hardest decision of all - if you don’t know what the deceased would have wanted - is whether to opt for burial or cremation. You may find it helps to ask friends or relatives or consult a faith leader.When a Church of England funeral is required, your local C of E church is obliged to provide a burial plot if the person died within the parish and if there is

THREE ESSEnTIAL STEPS TOWARDS PLANNING A FUNERAL

space in the churchyard. If the deceased was not particularly religious, then the funeral director can recommend a Community Pastor or member of the British Humanist Association to compose a suitable, non-religious tribute and officiate. Planning a funeral may seem a daunting task but there is help at hand. The funeral director will guide you through the many small decisions you will need to make, such as who will carry the coffin, what clothes the deceased person should wear and what possessions can be placed in the coffin. They will advise you on catering, printing the order of service and the hire of vehicles as well as acting as a collection point for donations. Meanwhile a fact sheet from Age UK (www.ageuk.org.uk) comes with a handy form for you to write down your own instructions. It’s worth taking a few minutes to set down your wishes as one day it will make someone else’s planning so much easier to do.


The mobile application market represents a cultural shift for the human race. Smartphones are now the ultimate universal digital Swiss Army Knife for every possible facet of our lives and a broad cross section of money-saving utility is now in your pocket. We’re going to take a look at some of the best money-saving apps available for both Apple and Android devices.

Skype | www.skype.com | FreeThese days, Skype is practically a household name but many overlook the mobile version of this brilliant Internet telephony software as a supremely useful money-saving tool. Encourage everybody you know to download Skype on their mobile device and you have suddenly significantly reduced the chances of ever using up all of your free minutes. For those of you who find yourselves with £10-£50 (or more) in excess fees, this simple app could save you hundreds in the long run.

Voucher Cloudhttp://www.vouchercloud.com | Free

Most people are familiar with the idea that we’re now in a digital era of cutting coupons. Voucher Cloud is an app for all of the best digital offers. Firing it up will find you everything from free five-day passes to your local gym to discounts on driving lessons and reduced prices in restaurants. It’s worth taking the time to sit down and check the T&Cs so you know exactly what it is you’re signing up for. Spending a little time being thorough on the small print however will save you hundreds of pounds per year.

RedLaser Barcode Scannerhttp://redlaser.com | Free

Ever found yourself in a shop whereby the little voice in your head is asking you whether you might find the item cheaper on the Internet or just round the corner? All that’s needed to answer the question is your smartphone device and a Wi-Fi or mobile Internet connection. Photograph the barcode using the on-board camera and it will recognise the item and then cross reference prices with department stores, a vast array of websites, including Ebay, and even local stores. It’s worth noting that the latter feature works best in larger towns and cities. It’s practically impossible to scan a barcode which is not recognised by this incredible app so scout for bargains and save money.

YoUR ToP 5 MONEY SAVING APPS

Direct Debit Control Centrehttp://www.directdebit.co.uk | Free

There’s nothing worse than trying to stay on top of your finances, thinking you’re almost there and subsequently getting stung with excess overdraft fees for an unexpected direct debit. The Direct Debit Control Centre helps you keep on top of when your direct debits are leaving your account via its early warning system. It will save you money and give you peace of mind.

iXpenseIthttp://www.fyimobileware.com | £2.99

So, what will you do with all this money saved? One small but wise investment would be to buy an app that helps you stay on top of your expenditure and few are better than iXpenseIt. There’s a lite version which can be downloaded for free so you can try before you buy. This is as good as mobile money management software gets and the app has won several awards including one from CNN Money Magazine. You’ll receive pocket-sized help with managing all the different budgets in your life whether business or personal and all that’s required is a little patience adding incomes and expenditures as they occur.


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GALLERY 1066 IS BRINGING ROCK TO BALDOCK

Calling all Rock fans... legendary guitarist Ronnie Wood will be showcasing his spectacular collection ‘Iconic figures of Rock’ at the Gallery on the 20th and 21st of April, with a VIP preview on the 19th.Although he is best known as the guitarist for the Rolling Stones, he has also pursued a lifelong passion for art that has won him international recognition and critical acclaim.Wood describes his ‘awakening to art’ when as a

child he won a competition and had his drawings featured on the BBC TV program Sketch Club. His interest and obvious talent took him to the Ealing Art College, where coincidentally Freddie Mercury of Queen and Pete Townshend of The Who were also students.Wood’s artwork has been successfully exhibited in Europe, America and the Far East. Inextricably linked with his musical career, it features his fellow band members and other iconic figures from the world of rock music. He has also been acknowledged at home by the British artistic establishment - Brian Sewell describes him as “accomplished” and devoted an entire program to his artwork.Hayley Norman, Gallery Owner commented ‘We are absolutely delighted to be presenting Ronnie Wood’s remarkable collection at the gallery this year, it is a very exciting time in the art world and people are opening their eyes not only to the investment opportunities available but also to the transformation quality art can make in the home and workplace. This event is open to the public and we look forward to welcoming people to enjoy a fine art experience’.

To find out more and to reserve your place at the VIP preview event please contact the gallery

on 01462 622233 or email [email protected]


As the new gardening year is upon us, why not have a go at growing your own veg because it doesn’t need to be difficult and has the potential to be one of the most productive and fun things you’ve ever done.Home grown food tastes better, uses little if any air miles, can save you a packet and is enormously rewarding because you’re getting the top end of the market produce. Remember to grow what you like and what your garden can grow well - this may take some experimenting, but don’t be afraid to admit that some things are trickier than others in your plot.If you’re an organic gardener or you simply want to produce pesticide free vegetables, you might need to spend more time thinking about what to grow and how you can best nurture it so that pests, diseases and other problems take a back seat.* Seed and plant catalogues are now more likely

to let you know which varieties are relatively pest or disease resistant.

* You can also encourage some of the naturally occurring insects that parasite or predate upon the garden pests, or bigger animals such as frogs, toads, hedgehogs and many birds. Insects include:

Ladybirds: The larvae and the adults both consume huge numbers of aphids.Lacewings: The young or larvae are brilliant predators, eating mainly aphids, but also eating other pests such as thrips and eggs of moths.Hoverflies: The soft-bodied yellowy grey larvae are great aphid eaters, a single one eating up to fifty in a day, nearing 1,000 in its lifetime.Ground beetles: Often seen scuttling off at speed when you move pots, low-growing plants or loose slabs, they are mostly black and often shiny and are brilliant predators of many pests including slugs, vineweevils and some insect eggs.Solitary wasps: Some feed their larvae on aphids, weevils and other insects.Some of these may already be in your garden, but by growing some suitable plants you can really build up their numbers. On the whole the simple, non-double varieties are the most insect friendly, so try some of these:* Phacelia: A hardy annual with bluish perfumed

flowers, perfect for direct sowing.

GRoW YoUR oWn VEGBY PIPPA GREENWOOD

* Limnanthes douglasii (the poached egg plant): this yellow and white flowered hardy annual is loved by hoverflies.

* Eschscholzia (the Californian poppy): This pretty yellow, orange and cream flowered plant can be direct sown and thrives in sunny well-drained sites.

* Iberis (candytufts): One of the easiest hardy annuals, it has readily available pollen and nectar, perfect for many beneficial insects.

The rewards are plentiful - a regular supply of superbly tasty vegetables, picked when ripened to perfection (not just to make them last longer on the supermarket shelf), gathered as and when you need them and in the quantities you need (cutting down on wastage) plus you can choose the varieties you find tastiest.Why not grow some great vegetables in 2013? Go to www.pippagreenwood.com and sign up for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ – choose from a fantastic selection of vegetables sent to you at just the right time for planting and each week you receive an email from her telling you all you need to know to ensure great results. You can also sign up for Pippa’s newsletter and receive a free e-book on organic gardening, and buy a hand-picked selection of garden products.


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As spring approaches and our thoughts turn to our gardens, make sure you take advantage of a limited offer to get a discounted compost bin. Central Bedfordshire Council has teamed up with www.getcomposting.com to help you beat the price increase at the start of April. Composting is a great way to help our gardens bloom and more than a third of household waste is made up of organic material which can be composted at home. Grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, unwanted plants, fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags and even the contents of the vacuum bag are all ideal for composting.Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services at the council said, “We want to encourage you to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill. Composting selected kitchen and garden waste is an easy and effective way of recycling some of the waste we produce every day, while putting nutrients back into our gardens and the wider environment. It is simple

GET CoMPoSTInG THIS SPRInG AND SAVE A LITTLE MORE

to get started and you may be surprised at how empty your black bin is when you compost at home and use all the recycling services. “While the new deal will still offer superb value, I’d encourage anyone thinking of getting into composting to buy a bin before the end of March to save that little bit extra!”Prices for compost bins start at only £9 with a £5 delivery charge and a range of accessories to choose from. There is also a ‘Buy one get one half price’ offer for residents with larger gardens.For further information about these products, call 0844 571 444 and quote reference CBC01L. Alternatively, you can order your home compost bin and composting accessories online: www.cbc.getcomposting.com


Although traditionally thought of as good pets for children, this isn’t the case as they’re not easy to look after well. The RSPCA stresses that there’s an enormous difference between giving an Easter egg and giving a bunny.Chocolate eggs are delicious and their use is simple – finish them in one session, or if you have the discipline, make them last a few days.Owning a rabbit is much more complex.• Rabbits are sociable, playful and inquisitive –

and normally prefer to live with another rabbit. Handled every day, from an early age, your

rabbits will learn to see you as a friend and companion.

Typically, rabbits live for 8-12 years, but some may live for longer.

• Rabbits are active animals so they need to be able to hop, run, jump, dig, stand fully upright on their back legs, and stretch out fully when lying down.

A hutch must never be their sole home. They also require a large, escape-proof run in which they can exercise and play.

• A rabbits’ digestive system must have hay and/or grass in order to function properly. This also wears their teeth down – preventing dental problems because their teeth grow continuously.

• Rabbits are intelligent and need to have lots to do. Toys allow them to perform normal behaviours such as digging, chewing, chin marking and investigating.

AnIMAL SToRIES IS A BUNNY THE PERFECT EASTER PRESENT?

• Rabbits should be vaccinated regularly – take them for a routine health check with your vet at least once a year.

In warm weather check them twice daily. Urine staining or stuck droppings will attract flies, which can lay eggs and cause ‘flystrike’. this is often fatal.

Also treat for external and internal parasites (eg fleas and worms) as advised by your vet.

There’s loads more to learn about rabbits on the RSPCA website, so make sure you visit www.rspca.org.uk/rabbitsSo, if you still want a rabbit, you’ve researched their welfare needs and you’re committed to taking care of them for the whole of their lives (not just for Easter), please think about giving a home to some of the many rescue rabbits available for adoption from the RSPCA North Bedfordshire branch.ANIMAL KNOW-HOW is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA North Bedfordshire

branchwww.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk


Oven Cleaning! - It’s a dirty job! Why do it yourself?

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Single Oven (all racks/pans inc) .......................£35 Single Oven & Grill Oven (all racks/pans inc) ....£45 Single Separate Grill Oven (racks/pans inc) .....£15 Microwaves & Combination Ovens ...................£20 Extractor Fan (free filter for next clean) ............£12 Hob .................................................................£12 Agas and Ranges priced accordingly Oven Bulbs replaced for free in all jobs V.A.T free

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SEASonAL DELIGHTSSPICED RACK OF LAMB WITH FRAGRANT RICE

Perfect for a spring Sunday lunch or stylish supper this quick and easy lamb dish is full of

flavor. Choose a couple of meaty racks of lamb from a good butcher and score the layers of fat before spreading with the harissa paste. Serve with a cooling garlic and mint yoghurt sauce.

InGREDIEnTS

1 tbsp harissa paste (see Tip)2 trimmed racks of lamb, each with 6 bones

2 red onions, peeled and cut into slim wedges50g butter

225g basmati rice, rinsed and drained1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed

750ml vegetable stockGenerous pinch saffron strands

50g sultanas40g flaked almonds, lightly toasted

2 tbsp pomegranate seeds

TipHarissa paste is a fiery hot North African blend of red chilli peppers and spices – just a little goes a long way so use sparingly. you’ll find it in small jars near the dried herb and spice sections in most large supermarkets.

Serves 4Ready in 1 hour

1 Preheat the oven to 200C, 400F, Gas 6. Spread the harissa paste over the lamb racks. Place the racks in an oiled roasting tin and add the onion wedges.

2 Roast in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes depending on how pink you like your lamb. Remove from the oven. Cover with foil and leave to rest for 10 minutes – the lamb will be juicier and easier to carve.

3 Meanwhile, heat the butter in a heavy-based pan until melted and foaming. Add the rice and garlic. Fry gently for 1-2 minutes, stirring until the rice is translucent. Pour in the stock. Add the saffron and bring to the boil, stirring.

4 Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook for 15-20 minutes without removing the lid until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat. Fork through to separate the grains. Add the sultanas, flaked almonds and pomegranate seeds.

5 Carve the lamb racks into individual cutlets and serve immediately with the fragrant rice and roast onion wedges.


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You want a 911, but need more space and would rather have the commanding view of the road a 4x4 offers. Is the Porsche Cayenne the answer? We find out…What is it? - It’s a Cayenne – Porsche’s roughty toughty off-roader – but one that’s had a dose of steroids and some glitter liberally applied to its bodywork. Slotting into the range between the V8 S and the Turbo, the GTS comes with more focus and power and some distinctive styling options.What’s under the bonnet? - A rather raucous 4.8-litre V8 that’s been uprated from 394bhp to 414bhp and boasts 515Nm of torque. Performance is far from the Turbo’s though; the GTS will hit 60mph in 5.7s and go on to 162mph. It sounds pretty special getting there though! Everything else has been on the sharpening block – the steering is crisper, the eight-speed gearbox shifts quicker, and the lowered ride height gives it an added edge on the road.What’s the kit like? - Pretty impressive, but like all Porsches you’ll soon rack up Ford Fiesta-sized bills on the options. A communications pack costs £2,157, 21-inch black alloys are £1,513 and even the red paint will set you back £1,619. Our test car had a total of £13,760 worth of goodies…ouch.Any rivals? - The ageing Range Rover Sport puts up a pretty good fight, but we’ve never tried a Rangie that sounds as good as this GTS. Audi will soon be at the party with its SQ models, but that’s yet to be applied to its Q7. For a left field there’s always the Infiniti Vettel Edition, but that’s very expensive in comparison. So, not much choice out there at the moment.Is it any good? - Although it’s incredibly quick and sounds tremendous, it can feel a little bit stressed out at times. By that we mean it feels on edge, twitchy even – perhaps the added sharpness has given it a little too much bite. However, there’s no

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doubting it has real presence on the road – it’s just the styling might not suit all tastes.The verdict - We like the GTS treatment given to most Porsches. the 997 911 really benefitted from the work over, and the Panamera GTS we tried after this Cayenne worked fantastically well too. However, the off-roader doesn’t feel quite right in this guise. It’s quick and sounds incredible, but feels like it’s pretending to be something that it’s not.

The knowledgeModel: Porsche Cayenne GTS

Price: From £67,147Engine: 4.8-litre, petrolPower: 414bhp, 515Nm

Max speed: 162mph0-60mph: 5.7s

MPG (comb’d): 26.4Emissions: 251g/km


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1 2

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Every bride wants to look beautiful on their wedding day and this means that as well as choosing the perfect dress, you need to pay attention to hair and make-up. these should reflect your personality and be worn with ease. A bride who rarely wears make-up is unlikely to be comfortable with a heavy application, and if you are used to a neat hairstyle a looser style may irritate. Go for make-up and hair trials. These will allow you to try out a number of ideas. Take along images of hairstyles and make up looks that you like, and take their professional advice as they will know what will work best. Specialists will also understand photographers’ requirements Weddings are often long events, so it is important that your make up has staying power. Some professionals use special fixing sprays. Creating the perfect base is an important element for longevity. The right shade of foundation is essential, especially when wearing a strapless gown. Matching foundation to your collarbone rather than your face provides consistent colour on body, face and neck.It’s probably best to highlight either your eyes, or your lips. Highlighting both can look too heavy. Eyebrows need definition and you should choose waterproof mascara. Flash photography

HERE CoMES THE BRIDEBy SuSAN BROOKES-MORRIS

can annihilate your blusher and make you look washed out, so take test shots before your wedding day to find out what works best. your choice of hairstyle will be affected by your dress shape, and the length and texture of your hair. If you are worried about appearing taller than your groom, you may prefer not to choose a style that’s too high on top. A good hairdresser will want to know about your dress style, colour, and any accessories that you wish to wear in your hair in order to get a look that is totally complimentary. In addition to traditional veils and tiaras, sparkly clips and bands are available, or you may choose flowers to decorate your hair. If your hair is coloured, try your dress on with it to make sure the contrast is not too stark, unless you are seeking a dramatic look. your final colour should be applied one to two weeks before. Conditioner is not recommended for your wedding day as it can make hair unmanageable. Products can be used to fix the style and add shine. Finally, when booking a hairdresser or a make-up artist, you should consider their personality. You may be feeling quite stressed or excitable during your preparations, so choose someone who can help create a relaxing, calm and fun atmosphere, so that you enjoy getting ready for your big day.


It’s always fun to watch the news on April Fools’ Day, trying to spot the fake story. Sometimes it’s not that easy!Here is a reminder of some classic pranks from years gone by:The most memorable has got to be the BBC’s 1957 Panorama report on the bumper spaghetti crop. Huge numbers of viewers were fooled by the footage of Swiss peasants gathering long strands of pasta from the trees!In 1962, Swedish television viewers were duped into thinking that they could transform their black-and-white TV sets into colour by stretching a nylon stocking over the screen.Australians were confused in 1975 when they were told they were converting to metric time, with 100 seconds to the minute, 100 minutes to the hour and 20-hour days.More recently in 2008, we were stunned to see a BBC film of Adélie penguins flying across the Antarctic on their way to spend the winter in the

FooLED YoU!BY ALEX BROWN

rainforests of South America. This became one of the most viewed videos on the internet.And finally, do you remember the whistling carrot? Tesco published an advert in 2002 publicising the genetically modified vegetable. the advert said it had air holes in the side and that it whistled when it was fully cooked!

Before After

1. Which brand of Champagne by Moët & Chandon is named after the Benedictine monk who is often mistakenly credited as having invented Champagne?

2. What is the oldest four-wheel drive car brand in the world?3. Technika is a brand name for electronic products that are

exclusively sold by which retailer?4. Which brand name was derived from the words “durability”,

“reliability” and “excellence”?5. Which brand of soaps, shower gels and bath products originated in

1768 when a Russian nobleman asked for a perfume to be created that embodied the distinctive aroma of the Russian court?

6. Which brand of spread by Dairy Crest has a two word rhyming name?

7. What six letter name is the best known brand name of polytetrafluoroethylene?

8. What was the mobile network operator One 2 One rebranded as in 2002?

9. Which brand of chocolate bar has been advertised with the slogan “it’s not for girls”?

10. Which brand name is derived from the German word for “type” and the Latin word for “no more”?

Fun Quiz - Brand Names

1. Dom Perignon 2. Jeep 3. Tesco 4. Durex (by putting together the first parts of each word) 5. Imperial Leather 6. Utterly Butterly 7. Teflon 8. T-Mobile 9. Yorkie 10. Tipp-ex


Across1 Jewels (4)3 Allowed in (8)9 Worried (7)10 Annoy (5)11 Fading away (12)13 Deny (6)15 Interfere (6)17 Directions (12)20 Ships load (5)21 Vital part of healthy diet (7)22 Enjoyed (8)23 Repair (4)Down1 Protecting (8)2 Blends (5)4 Dismiss (6)5 Crossroad (12)6 Taught (7)7 Deceased (4)8 Contests (12)12 Flavoured (8)14 Army rank (7)16 Flexible (6)18 overweight (5)19 Mark left by wound (4)

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

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Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 19th April 2013.

Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

1st Prize£25

Last Month’s Crossword Winners. Congratulations to:1st prize - Mrs Edwards from Bedford and 2nd prize - Claire Curzen from Langford

For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com

Ty Interiors Prize Crossword Sponsored by Ty Interiors, The Olde Watermill Shopping Village, Faldo Road, Barton Le Clay, MK45 4RF

Please enter me into the prize draw to be drawn at end of 3 months for £1000 off a fully fitted kitchen. T&C’s apply. (Please tick)


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Our village is a society in miniature. There are helpers and hinderers, alliances, conflicts and the occasional historical feud, all in a state of flux. Think Emmerdale, minus the glamour. But also, in amongst the intrigue and entertainment, for the dedicated Better Lifer there is a wealth of knowledge, experience and produce.It’s less to do with any formal notion of exchange, and more about sharing what you know and whatever surplus you have. I like to think it helps that we are incomers and get on with everyone – a little like Switzerland, but with chickens instead of cuckoo clocks.Out the gate go butternut squashes, the occasional session of occasionally successful computer-related support, green beans, plant cuttings and spare eggs. (I should declare here that, although I love having the chooks, I can take or leave eggs – don’t tell Anne though.)Back through the gate, at various times, come flowers, leeks, marmalade, gooseberries aplenty, different plant cuttings and apples. When our tiny greenhouse needed to come down because the supporting wall required structural work, we asked around and found a good home for it. Well, a good garden actually. Three of us carried it up the lane in sections and two of us returned with rhubarb, fresh flowers, beetroot, runner beans, chard and the most delicious raspberries imaginable. Living greener, the value of a thing is not financial; it’s the use someone can make of it.Only once did we slightly blot our village copybook. Invited up to a carol service at the

VILLAGE LIFE BY DEREK THOMPSON

nearby chapel, we arrived late (mea culpa) and sat in the annexe close to the open door. Someone stuck their head through and politely insisted, as we were the only ones in the room, that we joined the throng next door. Unfortunately, the only seating left was up in the pulpit. Judging by the sea of faces below us, it was a mixed reception. It didn’t help that Anne had forgotten her glasses and I have a habit of singing too loudly at social occasions. We’ve cried off every year since as a mark of community respect.That ‘blip’ aside, our fellow villagers are very supportive of our endeavours – being green is nothing new after all, especially in the countryside. Wearing wellies to the shops, as you prefer to cut across the fields, and carrying back armfuls of kindling because it was too good an opportunity to waste, barely raises an eyebrow. And who doesn’t enjoy the sound of chickens in the morning? (Next door’s dog - that’s who.)Even our local builder got in on the act, turning up at 8am with a bag of mackerel, fresh off the boat, so he could teach me how to gut it. The cat really enjoyed the lesson, but I soon wished that I’d let my breakfast porridge settle a bit first.One villager, a carpenter, came to our rescue after the coat rack fell out of favour with the wall. It turned out that I’d managed to somehow miss both raw plugs when screwing it in – a personal best in DIY incompetence, which no doubt I will supersede at some point. “Well, we’re all good at something,” he told me, in a voice that suggested I really ought to find out just what that is.


1 AprilEaster Hunt Trail

10am-3pmRSPB The Lodge, Sandy

Trail sheet £2. Admission £4 per vehicleFollow the Easter trail and spot all of the pictures

hidden in the woodland with a crème egg to collect when you finish!Tel: 01767 680541

Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge

1 AprilEaster Egghead Hunt

10.30am-4.30pmDunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre,

Whipsnade Road, DunstableTickets £2 (for trail and prize) plus normal admission prices

Join us for an exciting egg hunt with our sponsors Cadburys. Complete our trail exploring the Downs

and win a yummy Cadburys chocolate egg! There will be lots of family Easter fun happening too, all in the

glorious surroundings of Dunstable Downs. Booking advisable.

Tel: Chilterns Gateway Centre Shop 01582 500925Email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstabledowns/

2, 9, 16, 3 & 30 AprilTuesday Morning Walkers

9.30-11.30amRSPB The Lodge, Sandy

Adults £3, RSPB Members free. Admission £4 per vehicle to non-RSPB members

Weekly walks around the reserve with a leader, looking for birds, wildlife and enjoying the site.

Everyone welcome.Tel: 01767 680541

Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge

4 AprilFloral Demonstration

7.30pmBaldock Community Centre, Simpsons Drive, Baldock

Visitors £6Baldock Floral Society Floral demonstration by Fiona

Franklin entitled “A Vintage Affair”.Tel: 01462 632336 for further info

4, 11, 18 & 25 AprilSapphire Social & Singles Club

8.30pmMeet in Hitchin

Tel: Joyce 07960 440417 for information

WHAT’S on?IN APRIL

6 AprilGarden Square Craft Market

8.30am-4.30pmGarden Square Shopping Centre,

Letchworth Garden CityThe market specialises in the sale of genuine, high quality, hand made goods and offers local artisans

and craft workers the opportunity to show case their work.

6 AprilThe Signals Museum

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 permit from the Guardroom. See website for full information.

Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk

6 AprilBenslow Baroque Opera: The Fairy Queen

7pmMain Theatre, North Herts College,

Willian Road, HitchinTickets £12, Free for full time students

Participants in Benslow Music’s unique Baroque Opera course, in partnership with the North

Hertfordshire College, perform a fully-staged version of Purcell’s magical semi-opera.

tel: tickets Benslow Music Box Office 01462 459446 (9 am - 5 pm, Mon - Fri)

Web: www.benslowmusic.org

7 AprilGardens Open

2-4.30pmRadwell Mill, Radwell

Entry £3, OAPs £2, Under 14s freeSee our beautiful display of daffodils (weather

permitting). Teas and homemade cakes and stalls. Proceeds to Radwell Church.

10 AprilCrafty Capers for Children

Drop in between 10.30am and 2.30pm(last entry 1.30pm)

British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin£4 per child including materials. Adults free

admission.Learn a new skill or just come and have some fun

being creative. Café and Shop open. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tel: 01462 420144Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk


WHAT’S on?IN APRIL

13 AprilJewellery Spring Clean

9.45am-4pmHarriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, nr Weston

Free eventHave you got some jewellery that needs a spring

clean? Bring it in today for a free ultrasonic clean. Our jewellery designers will be on hand to talk to you about redesigning old jewellery - perhaps you’ve got something in your jewellery box that you don’t wear

anymore? If so, bring it in, for a no obligation chat with one of our experts.

Tel: 01462 790565Web: www.hkjewellery.co.uk

13 AprilTable Top Sale

10am-3pmCampton Village Hall

Admission 50pRefreshments will be on sale and there will also a raffle. In aid of All Saints Church and Campton

Village HallWeb: www.camptonandchicksands.org.uk

14 AprilFidelio Trio

8pmBenslow Music, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9RB

Tickets £10 (free for all full time students)Works by Faure, Sally Beamish, Luke Bedford and

Ravel.Tel: 01462 459446

Email: [email protected]: www.benslowmusic.org

16, 23 & 30 AprilMorris Dancing

8-10pmRedborne Upper School (South Gymnasium),

Flitwick Road, AmpthillEvery Tuesday. Morris Dancing for women and girls,

and male or female musicians. Please wear running shoes.

Closed in school holidays – check website for information.

Web: www.bedfordshirelace.org.uk/

18 AprilLetchworth District Gardeners Association

Central Methodist Church Hall, Pixmore Way, Letchworth Garden City

Membership £5 per householdGrowing Vegetables in Containers and Getting

Started for the Showing Bench with Peter Branham National Vegetable Society.

Web: www.ldga.org.uk

18 April-10 MayArt Exhibition

Rhodes Theatre, 1-3 South Road, Bishops StortfordFree admission

Rhodes is pleased to welcome back five artists from Furneux Pelham who are exhibiting for a second year

running. Paula Cherry, Nikki Simms, Tanya Roberts and Sally Anne-Latham will be joined by a fifth artist Shelley Mason. Shelly Mason will be donating 10% of

any sales during the show to Brain Tumour UK.Web: www.rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk

20 April12th Ashwell Flea Market

9.30am-1.00pmSt. Mary’s Church, Ashwell

All sorts of weird and wonderful items for sale at reasonable prices. Come and browse for bargains.

Light refreshments available.

20 AprilVauxhall Male Voice Choir

2.30pmSt. Andrews Church, Ampthill

Tickets £8.00The choir will be joined by local soprano soloist Kerry Watson. The programme will be a varied selection of

music to suit all tastes.Tickets from Brian 01525 841077 or Ken 01525 753110

21 AprilSt George’s Day: Sunday with the Family

2-5pm British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin

Adults £4.50, Children £2 (under 5s free), Family ticket £12

“Dragons & St George” Dragon-related fun and games to celebrate St George’s Day. Tel: 01462

420144 Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk

Entries into our What’s On sections are free. If you have an event you would

like us to publicise please email the details to [email protected]


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Painting & Decorating

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Quality WorkmanshipPapering, Coving etc.

Interior and Exterior WorkFree Quotations

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I just watched a 46-second video of a toddler dancing to Gangnam Style.This isn’t what I logged on to the internet to do. No, when I started out I was going to browse new book titles on Amazon, catch up with my online banking or conduct some similarly wholesome activity. It definitely wasn’t my intention to fritter away valuable time watching a child who is yet to master simple vowel sounds mimicking the wobbly horse-dancing of a South Korean pop star.But this is the world we live in now. We suffer constantly from the opposite of boredom, from a semi-involuntary perma-binge on the junk food of user-generated content. But hey, nobody’s perfect. If the internet were real life and you were standing in the post office queue waiting to pay your tax bill and some kid in a nappy pitched up and started riding a pretend horse, you’d take a look. It’s human nature.Problem is, you’re constantly haunted by guilt that you’re doing X when you should be doing Y, a modern phenomenon which I believe is known as ‘the paradox of choice’. I experience this most acutely with toothbrushes. The toothbrush department in supermarkets never fails to fill me with bewilderment and rage. With certain goods, I appreciate it’s beneficial to consumers for there to be a wide range of models on offer. Vegetables, DVDs, shoes, these are products to which variety

WHY TooTHBRUSHES WILL DESTRoY US BY CHRIS RUSSELL

is integral. Nobody wants to watch ‘PS I Love You’ every single night and you can’t wear stilettos to Glastonbury. But do we really need fifteen thousand different types of toothbrush?There’s a brilliant Mitchell & Webb sketch in which a boardroom of beleaguered toothbrush designers decide to add a tongue-brush to their next product, confident that although no one has ever brushed their tongue before, consumers will do it if they’re told to in an advert. In this sense, the product evolution of the toothbrush represents everything that is wrong with capitalism. Unlike cancer treatment or renewable energy, toothbrush technology doesn’t require any more improvement. It has peaked, jumped the shark. We do not need to brush our tongues. But this doesn’t deter the manufacturers. We are, I predict, only about ten years away from a toothbrush that sends a live feed from the inside of your mouth onto a computer screen in your bathroom mirror, with plaque and decay showing up in neon pink patches and every set of new tooth statistics being instantly published to your Twitter account.Actually, that sounds quite useful.No. NO. That’s exactly what the men in suits want me to think, damn it! They’ve got to me. It’s too late for my soul, friends, but you can still save yourselves. Next time you’re in Superdrug staring at rows and rows of basically identical toothbrushes and you find yourself thinking ‘Wait a minute, this one has surround-sound and a USB port’, please leave immediately. For, if you buy that product, it’ll be the equivalent of turning on your laptop to donate money to a teacher-training charity in Kenya and instead spending an entire night watching the Gangnam toddler on loop.I’m doing this for your own good.

Chris plays piano in South London power-pop band The Lightyears. The Lightyears, voted the UK’s BEST POP/ROCK ACT at the Indy Awards, have played Wembley Stadium, toured across

four continents and released a record with Sting’s producer. Chris has recently completed his first

book, “Mockstars”; a selection of video extracts are available to view at

www.ProjectLightyears.com.

Your toothbrush. It may look innocent, but in reality it wants to steal your job and kidnap your

children.


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The Gilded Fan Christina Courtenay

Published by Choc Lit Ltd in paperback at £7.99

It takes a goodly amount of courage to spin a romantic fantasy with historic settings as diverse as the characters, but Christina Courtenay is not one to shirk her responsibilities at the challenge. Midori, an intelligent young girl, half Japanese, half English, has to leave her birth country in the 1600’s to avoid the routinely applied death meted out to anyone of an ‘impure’ race. The understandably reluctant Captain of the ship on which she chooses to escape to England battles with his conscience, his duties and his inclinations to become the likable male protagonist (of course!) and the story then takes on the irritating (for some) ‘push-pull’ romance with an ultimately predictable ending. There’s a horrible lecher amongst the crew to deal with during the voyage and his punishment is not for the squeamish - though our girl takes it in her stride, grateful for the unbiased support of another veteran crew member who serves her well in later months. Ultimately taking the English Civil War as backdrop, our feisty and rather too militarily efficient girl’s conversion to Puritanism and with the odd skirmish or two skilfully included for good measure, the tale has an enjoyable golden thread clearly discernable amongst some intriguingly random distractions. Full of detail, an admirable mixed collection of personae and an obvious though understandable aim, this, the latest from a Romantic Novelist Association vice-chairman could well appeal to many.

BooK REVIEWBY BRUCE EDWARDS

C l a s s i f i e d s

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S2C_ADD.indd 1 09/12/2010 16:41

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Plastering

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Interior/Exterior Work UndertakenRe-skim Rooms, Walls, Artex & Ceilings

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henlow april 2013

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