OVL Magazine FebMar18 by OVLMagazine

Ouse Valley Living February /March 2018

OUSE VALLEY’S NO.1 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE EST 2005 • 16,000 COPIES HAND DELIVERED

Pr ic

el es

Home & Interiors 2018 Trends

Supporting your well-being…

With more treatment options now including physiotherapy

Back, neck or joint aches and pains? General stiffness or not moving freely? Sports injury, work strain or muscular tension? Physiotherapy and rehabilitation services now offered by Simon Jones and Nick Allen.

North Beds Osteopaths is a well-established, Bedfordshire practice that’s successfully been treating patients of all ages for more than 25 years. • Osteopathy • Physiotherapy • Sports massage • Complementary therapies

• Open Monday to Saturday • Wide range of problems treated • Male and female practitioners • Fully qualified, professionally registered

Call us today on 01234 823621 to find out how we can help you. www.northbedsosteos.co.uk •

/northbedsosteopaths

2a Grange Lane, Bromham, MK43 8NP Millhouse Hotel, Mill Road, Sharnbrook, MK44 1NP Towers Health & Racquets Club, Clapham Road, Bedford, MK41 6EL

John Medhurst Ltd

10 Mill Street, Bedford 01234 351458

@JohnMedhurstLtd

February / March 18 Issue 119

15 Homes & Interiors 14 GEOMETRICS shape up 18 ULTRA VIOLET Pantone 2018 20 VELVET luxurious lifestyle 24 GO WILD totally tropical trend

Lifestyle 28 GARDENS Rosemary’s tips 33 RECIPE spiced soup 38 BEAUTY new year tips 46 STYLE theatrical fashion 48 TRAVEL UK hotel focus 51 PETS preventing lungworm 54 MOTORS new 2018 Vantage 58 MUSIC Milky’s live scene 60 BOOKS Ruth Hogan 61 FILMS Kingsman DVD

And more… 36 WIN! Mill Theatre tickets 37 WIN! holiday activity course 42 REVIEW Temple Spa to Go 56 SCIENCE did you know? 62 OVL where you read yours 64 ASTROLOGY in the stars 66 DIARY DATES what’s on 71 PUZZLES brain teasers 73 MUSINGS recently I…

Meet the OVL writers... Naomi Jones

Feature: B eauty Naomi is a professional beauty therapist with 15 years’ experience. She is passionate about her subject and has a pragmatic approach to keeping beauty in touch with the stresses and demands affecting people’s real lives. In her spare time, Naomi is also interested in chocolate and G&T and is hence constantly searching for the ultimate weight loss and anti-ageing fix!

Stelios Mores

Feature: S cience Dr. Stelios Mores, member of the Institutes of Physics and of Chemical Engineering, spent many years in London as a lecturer before moving to Bedford over 18 years ago to establish a company manufacturing equipment for the chemical, pharmaceutical and energy industries. Stelios is involved in local politics, school governance and the Biddenham Show. He rarely turns down a game of football or a karate session but finds family time the most rewarding of all.

Zoe Shelton-Smith

Feature: Pets Zoe Shelton-Smith is a qualified veterinarian. She has a strong interest in animal health and welfare policy. In her time off from mixed practice, she can be found at home teaching her cat tricks!

ES OF PARADIS C I E SP

Great service!

Fresh food & quality ingredients from our experienced chef

Mon to Thu 5.30-11pm, Fri & Sat 5.30-11.30pm, Sun 12-10.45pm

Banquet Night Wednesdays

The Real Flavours of India

54 High Street, Harrold, Beds MK43 7DA

Tel 01234 721779

www.spicesofparadise.co.uk

February / March 18

Where did January go? New Year celebrations, resolutions, sales and diets seem to have come and gone in a flash. No matter, there are still plenty of things to look forward to in 2018 and this issue is a great place to find inspiration. If you’re thinking of giving your living space a make-over, check out this year’s interior trends on pages 14-25. Or maybe it’s your complexion that needs attention? Naomi shares her top 10 hottest beauty tips on page 38 while I review a Temple Spa Skin Therapy Class on page 42. Perhaps your thoughts are turning to your garden? On page 28 Rosemary recommends pretty violas to brighten your outdoor space in early spring. We bring you more great competitions too. Don’t miss your chance to win tickets to a show at The Mill Theatre in Sharnbrook or a free place on a Bedford Modern School Holiday Activity Course. Good luck!

YIELDEN

RUSHDEN

SOULDROP FELMERSHAM

BOLNHURST

BLETSOE

CARLTON STEVINGTON TURVEY

LITTLE STAUGHTON

RADWELL

COLMWORTH

THURLEIGH

PAVENHAM

CLIFTON REYNES

DROPS

SHARNBROOK

ODELL

OLNEY

DOOR TO DOOR

RISELEY

HARROLD

LAVENDON

SWINESHEAD

MELCHBOURNE

MILTON ERNEST OAKLEY

BROMHAM BIDDENHAM

CLAPHAM

WILDEN

ROXTON

RAVENSDEN RENHOLD

BEDFORD

GREAT BARFORD WILLINGTON BLUNHAM

To advertise in OVL contact Christa Hallam 07827 015170 christa@ousevalleyliving.com Like

KEMPSTON STAGSDEN COPLE BOX END GREAT DENHAM WOOTTON CARDINGTON

Ouse Valley Living Ltd

Barnholme Cottage, 7 High Street, Sharnbrook, MK44 1PG Telephone: 01234 783159 Email: info@ousevalleyliving.com

OVL design and production services provided by: Skinny Dog Design Ltd (01234 345145) www.skinnydogdesign.co.uk

View our recent editions online at www.ousevalleyliving.com OVL is printed by The Manson Group (01727 848440) on paper sourced from sustainable forests and the inks used are vegetable based.

All adverts are printed in good faith. However, Ouse Valley Living cannot take responsibility for the content of the adverts or the services provided by the advertisers. Reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. ©Ouse Valley Living Ltd 2017

AFTE

BEFO

Are you Freezing in the Winter and Sweltering in the Summer? Since 2013 we have re-roofed 350 Customers’ Conservatories. Book Your Free Quote Today!

ay for a Call tod

Nu-Look Conservatory Roof Solutions

e quote

fre

64007visit 9 4 3 2 n 01 ormatio

.uk roof.co k o o l u ww.n

re inf For mo

NO fake discounts and NO sales pressure Bespoke timber frame The industry’s best tradesmen 40-year guarantee on Tapco slates 10-year warranty Building control certi cation Viewings available in your area - just ask!

Refresh Your Tired Kitchen!

20% OFF * This

month

Transform your tired kitchen in just a few days from start to finish just by changing the doors and worktops. Less hassle, less time, less cost… • Huge choice of door styles and colours in any size. Before • Worktops, Appliances, Sinks and Taps to complete your kitchen. • Installed quickly and cleanly by our own local professional fitters. • We also do Full Kitchens, Bedroom Wardrobes, Utility Rooms & Studies. • 50% deposit balance on completion

Call Mark or Riana for a free estimate

01234 817329 Visit our Showroom: 73 High Street, Kempston, MK42 7BT

www.dreamdoors.co.uk

EST.

1999

* Terms & Conditions apply please ask for full details

Your Letters Ready Player One. Steven Spielberg returns to sci-fi with an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Ernest Cline. It’s 2045 and Earth has suffered catastrophic climate change. Teenager Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) strives to find an escape through a virtual reality world. In cinemas 30 March. Olympians. Athletes descend on PyeongChang for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games from 9-25 February. Watch out for GB stars including speed skater Elise Christie and skier Dave Ryding. We’re secretly rooting for the Nigerian women’s bobsled team too, the first Africans to ever qualify for Olympic bob.

Women’s suffrage. February marks the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918, which permitted some women over the age of 30 to vote for the first time. This key step in female emancipation led to the complete equality that women in the UK enjoy today… erm…

Dear OVL Thank you for advertising the St Mary’s Church, Carlton Bazaar. We made the grand total of £1956 in aid of St Mary’s and this is a great total for a small village. So many people helped in so many ways and we are very grateful to all of them, including Father Christmas himself who is rather busy at this time of year! Great magazine, so local yet so well presented. Lin Dear OVL Thank you for organising great competitions. Sally Smith Dear OVL I always enjoy leafing through OVL whenever I visit my girlfriend’s parents in Bedfordshire. Thank you and all the best Phil Dear OVL Thank you for all the work you put into the magazine; always a good read. Here’s the next batch of Diary Dates. Many thanks Debby Horsman Alpine Garden Society/ Embroiderers’ Guild

Dear OVL Happy new year. Please see the attached poster for our breakfast in March. It would be great if you could include our event in the next issue of your excellent magazine. Thank you Jenny Deacon Sharnbrook Methodist Church Dear OVL I would very much like to take out a subscription to OVL Magazine as I love the varied and informative articles in every edition. I don’t live in your distribution area and therefore unfortunately do not receive one through my letterbox. I pick up a magazine whenever I can from one of your drop off points but I find that the copies disappear very quickly. I would like to take out a subscription to ensure I don’t miss it. With many thanks. Kind regards Sue Harris We love to hear from you: OVL Magazine Barnholme Cottage 7 High Street, Sharnbrook Bedfordshire MK44 1PG info@ousevalleyliving.com

Love OVL but not in our distribution area? Why not subscribe? 6 issues a year only £12 info@ousevalleyliving.com

30 h ou FRE rs child E care

Harpers Nursery and Forest School BLUNHAM MK44 3NX A unique learning experience for children aged from 6 months to 5 years Ofsted rated â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Outstandingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in all areas Limited places now available for 30 hours of FREE childcare

www.harpersnursery.co.uk Tel: 01767 641499

Let them be curious. Let them be inspired.

Let them learn.

OPEN DAY

Saturday 17th March 10.00am - 12 noon

For further details please visit our website or call 01234 369555

I believe in keeping an open mind

Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School Brickhill Drive, Bedford MK41 7QZ

Open Morning Wednesday 7th March, 10am

www.pilgrims-school.info

Telephone: 01234 361918 www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

THE HARPUR TRUST PRE PREP

Bedford Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; School is part of The Harpur Trust

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Holiday Activity Courses Easter 2018

Tuesday 03 - Friday 13 April Open to all children aged 4-14

With more than 40 courses to choose from, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something for everyone in our exciting range of Easter Activity Courses For your 2018 brochure please contact us on 01234 332667 or visit bedmod.co.uk BedfordModernSchool

@BedfordModern

Bedford Modern is part of The Harpur Trust

Open Events Whole School Open Days Thursday 8 March, 5-7pm Friday 9 March, 9.30am-12noon

We believe in our girls. And they believe in themselves. Visit us to see what we mean northamptonhigh.gdst.net 01604 765765

Prepare your child for school at Polam

Spacious, well equipped nursery

A home from home Nursery judged Outstanding in all areas Swimming | Music | Languages | PE

Experienced nursery nurses

See website for Open Day dates www.polamschool.co.uk Polam School is part of the Cognita Schools Group www.cognitaschools.com

Telephone: 01234 261864 admissions@polamschool.co.uk 43-45 Lansdowne Road, Bedford MK40 2BU

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Use of school gym and pool

Specialist Music & PE

Home & Interiors 2018 Trends Geometric Patterns Pantone picks Ultra Violet Sumptuous Velvet Wild and Wonderful

2018 Geometric

INTERIOR TRENDS

erhaps not a new trend in interiors but this year geometric patterns will have a bigger and much more dramatic presence than before. This is a look that works well with block colours and can be just as stunning in monochrome. Choose large scale geometrics for walls and floors or opt for the trend on a smaller scale with prints on furniture and accessories. Adding geometric accents into a room with plain curtains and upholstery will instantly create impact. Look out for honeycomb too, a mini trend of its own, where geometric shapes meet natural design.

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Get the look…

House of Fraser Linea Create Klee Cushion, £25

Debenhams J by Jasper Conran Towels, £11-£32

Furniture Village Spector Mirror, £199

Marks & Spencer Manhattan Cushion, £29.50

House of Fraser Arthur Vase, £20

Very Geo Circles Cushion Granite, £14.99

Debenhams Frank Lamp, £70

Kelly Hoppen Dalston Velvet Cushion, £95

Marks & Spencer Manhattan Runner, £29.50

Marks & Spencer Kerava Chair in Riva Earth, £269

The Woburn Sweep

GPD Services

Chimney Sweeping

Est 40 years based in Stevington

Chimney Sweep ÂŁ50 net (single) Discount for multiples Bird Guards, Weather Cowls fitted Free estimates & advice for stove installations 01908 590040 / 07469 994523 www.thewoburnsweep.co.uk E: thewoburnsweep@gmail.com Tel:

Specialising in Bespoke Bathrooms Boiler & Heating Repairs and Replacements Free Quotations

Call Graham 01234 824140 / 07710 235208

Member of the Guild of Master Sweeps HETAS Registered Stove Installer and Sweep

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

gpdawe.services@gmail.com

2018 Ultra Violet

INTERIOR TRENDS

antoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colour of the year for 2018 is Ultra Violet, a vivid purple which Pantone describes as a dramatic and provocative colour symbolising hope and optimism for the future. In home decor, we will see it in rich velvet upholstery as well as in more vibrant accessories and floral prints. Choosing one piece in a room with neutral hues will look striking and definitely grab attention. Ultra violet also works well with bright pinks and complements the lush greens of the jungle trend too.

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Get the look…

A by Amara Rosaline Votives Set of 4, £50

Mylands Paints FTT-019, Marble Matt Emulsion 2.5L, £46

Louise Mead Violet Cushion in various sizes, £20-£30

Debenhams Matthew Williamson Throw, £100

Gurasu Purple Crystal Tumbler, £32

Sainsbury’s Home Lavender & Geranium Candle, £4.50

Sofas & Stuff Matlock in Designers Guild Varese Mauve Velvet

TKMaxx Purple Coasters, £4.99

Urban Avenue No 9 Cushion Violet Very Elise Glass Table Lamp, £49.99 Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 19 Velvet, £79

Velvet

2018

INTERIOR TRENDS

ah sumptuous velvet! Once seen as old fashioned and stuffy, this luxurious fabric is now bang on trend. Colours appear richer and more vibrant due to its short, dense pile and elegant sheen. Velvet also catches and reflects the light beautifully, instantly adding texture to your room. Introduce a touch of opulence to your living space with a velvet sofa or armchair. Alternatively, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on a budget, accessorise with cushions and throws to update your look.

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Get the look…

Marks & Spencer Round Velvet Yellow Cushion, £25

Marks & Spencer Velvet Geometric Cushion, £25

Marks & Spencer Hendrix Small Corner Sofa, £1699

Marks & Spencer Agate Print - Teal Mix, £19.50

Kelly Hoppen Cross Stitch Cushion, £59

Marks & Spencer Velvet Bedset, £89

Marks & Spencer Dezra Footstool in Cobalt, £399

House of Fraser Junipa Indes snuggler, £1650

Marks & Spencer Crushed Velvet Next Lyla Velvet Footstool from £199 Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 21 Cushion, £25

Cordelia Jade

Lighting

Lights from ÂŁ25 to ÂŁ750 Fitting service available Handmade table & pendant shades Repairs on table lamps & ceiling lights Appointments available for home visits for advice on your lighting needs The right light for the right room Stockists of Endon, Saxby, Interiors 1900 and Dar Lighting

01234 823033

Showroom at Milton Ernest Garden Centre

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

What does your kitchen mean to you?

AngliaInteriorsLtd Quality and price in perfect harmony since 1974 A FAMILY run company installing high quality, affordable kitchens, bedrooms and home offices.

HUGE RANGE OF GERMAN HANDLELESS KITCHENS AVAILABLE Forget the sales hype, just give us a try. You WILL be pleasantly surprised

NEVER UNDERSOLD POLICY

we will not be beaten on price for a true ‘like for like’ package

www.anglia-interiors.co.uk Bedford Showroom

Anglia House, Wolseley Business Park, 7 Railton Road, Woburn Road Ind Est, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7PN Telephone: 01234 843000

Huntingdon Showroom

Anglia House, Unit 2, Stone Hill, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 6ED Telephone: 01480 398017 01480 398018

Proud to be backed by KSBA. Buy with confidence and have peace of mind through to completion www.kbsa.org.uk

2018

INTERIOR TRENDS

Go Wild

e often see interior design taking inspiration from the catwalk and so it’s no surprise to witness the tropical style of the 2017 collections now influencing home decor. This trend is all about mixing plenty of lush, energising greens. Think large scale tropical leaf prints on wallpaper and fabrics with a smattering of oversized insects, safari wildlife and exotic birds. Finally, fill the room with real or faux botanicals to complete the look. It’s a striking style for your living room or a fun theme for a child’s bedroom.

24 24

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Dunelm

Get the look…

Debenhams Abigail Ahern Koala Cushion, £45

Marks & Spencer Ophelia Birds Cushion, £35

Debenhams Abu Table Lamp, £65

Debenhams Abigail Ahern Bird Cushion, £45

Debenhams Faux Botanicals

George Home Geometric Elephant Ornament, £12

Debenhams Cara Pendant Light, £120

Mind the Gap Wallpaper Barbados, £150

Debenhams Matthew Williamson Sainsbury’s Home Large Giraffe Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 25 Jewellery Box, £15 Planter, £20

Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Home Studies A wide range of colours & styles to cater for different budgets Bespoke products Free plan & design service Full installation team Interior design service Friendly, local company

E L A S ON NOW REVAMP SERVICE AVAILABLE

www.kkbespoke.co.uk

happiness is homemade

Showroom and friendly home visits by appointment only Kreative, 2 Prebend Street, Bedford MK40 1QW Tel: 01234 300023

Thinking about care? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve won awards for it.

At Sharnbrook House, your loved one will get excellent 24-hour care at a superb and friendly setting. Call us on 01234 781294 to arrange a visit. Sharnbrook House High Street, Sharnbrook, Beds MK44 1PB

www.greensleeves.org.uk Greensleeves Homes Trust is a registered charity in England & Wales No. 1060478.

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

A pair 25 bore flintlock double barrel travelling pistols by W Beckwith

Auction Sales and Valuations

Hammer Price ÂŁ20,000 (excluding charges)

Valuation, collection & auction service of individual items through to complete property clearances. For larger or multiple items, we are happy to arrange for a valuer to visit your home or premises at your convenience. For an approximate estimate, email us with descriptions and images of your treasures to info@peacockauction.co.uk

Try our CafĂŠ now open to public six days a week

Bedford Auction Centre, Eastcotts Park, Wallis Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK42 0PE Tel: 01234 266366 | info@peacockauction.co.uk | www.peacockauction.co.uk 01_18 OVL Ad Half.indd 1

08/01/2018 16:34

W&H Peacock Valuation Days If you have an individual item or a collection that you are thinking of selling W&H Peacock would be delighted to provide complimentary valuation advice at one of their scheduled events. Alternatively, you may prefer to email them an image of your collection or treasures, or ring to arrange a house visit by one of their specialists. Our forthcoming valuation days are on the following Fridays: 9 and 23 February, 9 and 23 March, 13 and 27 April Bedford Auction Centre, Eastcotts Park, Wallis Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK42 0PE Tel: 01234 266366 info@peacockauction.co.uk www.peacockauction.co.uk Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

Gardens Rosemary’s

Garden

Pretty violas will brighten your early spring garden. A myriad of hues awaits you so plant them wherever you want a splash of colour

the winter is mild. Pinching off the blooms when they wither will encourage new flowers. Although most violas are grown as annuals or short-lived perennials, many will self-seed and delight you year after year. Few plants can match the length of the flowering season of violas. Many start flowering in March and combine beautifully with spring bulbs. They then continue to flower throughout the summer and into autumn. The two main types are Viola tricolor/Johnny-jump-up and Viola cornuta. Helen Mount is a popular Johnny-jump-up. A self-seeding perennial, it has small flowers in purple, lavender and yellow. Others to look out for include Sorbet (24 colours), Penny (25 colours), Velour (23 colours) and Angel (33 colours). The honeyscented flowers have long delicate petals but they are hardy, robust plants and will spread to make large flowering clumps under shrubs or roses. More vigorous varieties such as Ivory Queen, Roscastle Black and Eastgrove Blue are also

iolas look lovely in containers, will grace the edges of borders, provide ground cover under shrubs and even decorate your food! Profuse, low-growing cottage perennials, they come in a variety of shades of purple, lilac, pink, blue, red, yellow, white and even black. The trailing varieties will look lovely in a hanging basket while others give extra interest with double flowers or striking, variegated foliage. A bonus is that the flowers are edible – add them to a salad to give extra colour or use them to decorate cakes or biscuits. Smaller than pansies but more resilient, flowering in cooler weather, violas will give colour throughout year if OVL when responding to adverts 28 Please rememberthe to mention

good for underplanting shrubs and are also useful for the front of borders, scrambling through and combining well with many traditional cottage garden favourites such as geraniums, potentillas and astrantias. Other cornutas to look for are Chantreyland (apricot), Cuty (white and purple) Black Magic (black with yellow eyes) and Jersey Gem (bright blue). Or try the odoratas - Rosina (pink), Royal Robe (dark blue), Snow Princess (white), White Czar (white) or Whiskers (yellow with purple lines). You may also like V. sororia Freckles which is pale blue with tiny purple markings. When purchasing bedding viola plants look for lots of buds to enjoy a long flowering season. Avoiding handling them by their delicate stems, gently loosen the soil around the roots and plant them at the same level as they were in their pack. Violas like full sun but not heat. This isn’t a problem in the cool spring temperature but when planting in autumn they will need shade and water during the hottest part of the afternoon.

TOP TEN

Jobs for February & March Deadhead pansies and primulas regularly to encourage flowering and prevent them from seeding. Plant up pots of anemone coronaria De Caen or Saint Bridgid, soaking the tubers first to double their size. Plant lily bulbs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; five of the same variety in a 25 cm container. February is the last month for pruning apple and pear trees. Also prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering. Protect the blooms of camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas from the early morning sun. March is the main pruning season for all roses apart from ramblers. Start with climbers and then move on to shrub roses. Early spring is a good time to plant hardy geraniums and astrantia. Brighten up your containers with spring bedding plants such as primulas, forget-menots and wallflowers. Prune buddlejas, hydrangeas and hardy fuchsias and trim dead blooms from winterflowering heathers. Clean your patio and decking so that you are prepared for al fresco living. Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

Heritage arboriculture creating a HealtHy and beautiful environment…

Call Today for all your Tree Related Advice and a Free Quotation • Planning and TPO Applications/Queries • Hazardous Tree Removals • Veteran Tree Management • Crown Thinning • Crown Reductions/Shaping • Hedgework and Trimming • Semi-Mature Tree Planting • Stump Grinding • Orchard/Fruit Tree Management Neil Smith and the Team are Fully Insured, Qualified and Experienced

T 01234 720801 M 07787 726962

E neil@heritagearboriculture.co.uk W www.heritagearboriculture.co.uk Based in Harrold, Bedfordshire

Local photographer achieves international acclaim

atrina Wilson, a full-time pet photographer based in Maulden, has reached the final of the fiercely contested Guild of Photographers Image of the Year Competition. The Guild, a highly respected UK-based association for photographers which also has members from overseas, runs an online monthly photographic competition judged by internationally respected judges.

During 2017 the competition attracted around 1200 entries per month from the most talented of photographers and the Guild’s judges selected just 12 images to go forward to the annual Image of the Year Final. Of these 12, two images by Katrina were selected.

Guild Director, Lesley Thirsk, said, “To have an image selected as being one of the best in a category for the end of year final is without doubt an incredible achievement and shows just how talented Katrina is.”

Katrina added, “Photography isn’t just my job – it’s my passion. As well as being a member of the

Guild of Photographers, I am also a member of the Ampthill and District Camera Club. To have two of my images shortlisted for the final from thousands of entries is really humbling and very exciting.”

The final outcome will be announced at a lavish awards night in a magnificent Jacobean mansion in Cheshire on 3 February. To find out more about the Guild of Photographers and their competition visit www.photoguild.co.uk and to find out more about Katrina Wilson visit www.katrinawilsonphotography.co.uk or find her on Facebook or Instagram.

GBS

GARDEN BUILDING SERVICES LIMITED

• Installation • Base Laying Service • Building Disposal • Free Site Visits

Sheds Greenhouses Summerhouses Home Offices Workshops Garden Building Services at Willington Home & Garden

Bedford Road, Willington MK44 3PR

01234 851081

info@gardenbuildingservices.co.uk

www.garden-building-services.co.uk

Browns of Stagsden... A proper farm shop on a proper working family run farm

Stop at Stagsden for all your local produce

Home reared/local meat & poultry Fruit/vegetables. Homemade pies Wide range of artisan cheese Locally produced milk

COME AND RELAX IN OUR TEA ROOM Farmhouse breakfasts, light lunches & delicious homemade cakes

OPENING TIMES:

Tues-Thurs 9-5pm Fri 9-6pm Sat 9-4pm

01234 822330 www.brownsofstagsden.co.uk Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Manor Farm | High Street | Stagsden | MK43 8SQ

Quality frozen meals with care in mind... Local, friendly and reliable staff

Your local Sharnbrook branch can offer... Over 300 delicious dishes Easy to prepare in minutes Local, friendly delivery drivers Special diet range and groceries No artificial flavours or colourings No contracts or forms to sign

Quote ‘LOCAL’ to receive a FREE brochure EN FO OZ

DE I N

S S

HNE

•

0333 370 2516

www.oakhousefoods.co.uk

Call for your information pack

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

R I TA IN

Food

Spiced cauliflower soup Comforting, warming, nutritious Serves 4-6

Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, sliced 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground turmeric Â˝ tsp cayenne 1 large potato, peeled and cubed

1 large cauliflower, cut into florets 1 litre vegetable stock 350g natural yogurt 1 tsp whole cumin seeds, toasted Naan bread to serve

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion until it begins to soften. Add the garlic, ginger and ground spices and fry for another minute or two before adding the potato and cauliflower. Stir thoroughly to coat the vegetables in the spices. Pour in the stock and simmer gently until the potatoes and cauliflower are just tender. Take care not to overcook or the cauliflower will become bitter.

Blend the soup until smooth and then return to the pan. Stir in approximately two thirds of the yogurt and heat through gently. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the remaining yogurt and a sprinkling of toasted cumin seeds. Serve with warm naan bread.

E M pm TI .30 m G –5 0p IN am 2.0 N 00 – PE I: 9. 0 am O R -F 8.3 ES AT: TU S

But chers SOUTHALL’S

HOME FARM GREAT BARFORD BEDFORDSHIRE MK44 3JF

TRADITIONAL BUTCHERS ON THE FARM Quality meat born and reared on the Farm - Farm to Fork WITH CUTS YOU CAN’T FIND IN THE SUPERMARKET We are 100% traceable - Local Deliveries & Weekly Specials

www.southallbutchers.co.uk

Tel: 01234 870333

emily johnston

Bright, bold artwork for licensing. Projects and commissions undertaken. www.emilyillustrates.co.uk www.facebook.com/JeSuisEmilyIllustration

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Acorn save local day nursery

corn Childcare (part of Acorn Early Years Foundation), a not for profit organisation based in Milton Keynes, is pleased to have saved the day nursery at Colworth Park, Sharnbrook from closure. Previous providers Bright Horizons closed the nursery on 31 August and Acorn opened its door to welcome parents and children on Friday 1 September. ‘From our first conversations with some of the parents, it was clear to us that the nursery was greatly valued by them, their children, the staff and the local community,’ said Zoe Raven, CEO of Acorn Early Years Foundation. ‘So we were very pleased when Unilever awarded us the contract to operate the nursery’.

opportunities, with its beautiful and extensive grounds, to introduce their Forest School programme. Acorn Childcare is looking forward to working not only with the nursery community but also the local constituents, Unilever, Colworth Science Park and the local community of Sharnbrook. If you are interested in placing your child or children in the nursery then please contact Julie Dix, the Interim Manager on 01234 60 8899 or email sharnbrook@acornchildcare. co.uk For more information visit their website www.acornchildcare.co.uk

‘When we were told the shocking news that the nursery was due to close, there was concern and panic from parents and other Colworth staff members,’ said a member of the parent group. ‘There has been a nursery at Colworth for almost 30 years and we just couldn’t believe that we were going to lose this valuable asset so, on behalf of the parents, I wanted to share our appreciation and gratitude for coming to our rescue! There is already a marked change in motivation levels amongst the staff which is obviously hugely beneficial to the children.’ Acorn Childcare has retained the majority of the staff team so there is continuity for the children. Over the next few weeks Acorn Childcare will be embedding their ethos, one aspect being the importance placed on outdoor play and learning in natural environments which is promoted as an essential part of a child’s development. Colworth Park offers tremendous Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

WIN! WIN! WIN! Two Tickets to a Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Trust Show OVL readers have the chance to win a pair of tickets to see a show at the award-winning Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Trust in their 75th Anniversary year. Choose from one of three up and coming productions in 2018:

Spamalot

4 to 9 June Eric Idle and John Du Perez’s musical lovingly ripped off from the film Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Join King Arthur, Sir Lancelot and the Knights of the Round Table on their very silly adventures!

The Crucible

17 to 22 September Arthur Miller’s thrilling masterpiece of false accusations and terrible consequences set during the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692 in Massachusetts.

Avenue Q

5 to 10 November Outrageous, smash hit musical comedy. It’s just like your life… only funnier! In a world populated by both monsters and humans nothing is sacred. Sharnbrook Mill Theatre, Mill Road, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, MK44 1NP www.sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk Twitter: @SMTTheatre Tickets subject to availability. Shows start at 7.30pm. To enter our competitions:

Email info@ousevalleyliving.com quoting Mill Theatre or Holiday Course in the subject box and we will enter you into the prize draw. The winners will be drawn at random and notified by Friday 23 March. Closing date Friday 16 March.

OVL brings you FANTASTIC prizes every issue!

WIN! WIN! WIN! A FREE PLACE

ON A HOLIDAY ACTIVITY COURSE Bedford Modern School provides holiday activity courses during the Easter and Summer holidays for children between the ages of 4 and 14. The girls and boys who attend really enjoy it, make lots of friends and learn new skills and talents. “Climbing is my favourite hobby. I want to continue to improve my skills and this is the perfect course to do that. My mum teaches me how to cook and I love it so I really enjoy learning new recipes on the cookery course. I have been coming here since I was four years old.” Aila, aged 11. “SAS is one of my favourite courses, I love to play the tagging games and the instructors are so friendly. I have done most courses here apart from rowing. My favourite course is Aquatics because Mr Bygraves makes it so fun, especially water polo. I’ve come here since I was four - I am 11 now.” Zak, aged 11. Morning courses run from 9.30am to 12.30pm and afternoon courses run from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Children who attend both morning and afternoon courses bring their own packed lunch and are supervised during the lunch break. Additional cover from 8am and until 6pm is also available for those parents who require it. The BMS Holiday Activity Course programme for Easter 2018 is: Tuesday 03 April – Friday 06 April Monday 09 April – Friday 13 April With more than 40 courses to choose from, Bedford Modern School is delighted to offer one winner of the OVL Competition a free place* on an Easter 2018 Holiday Activity Course of their choice. For more information or to request a copy of the 2018 Holiday Activity Course brochure, please contact the BMS Holiday Activity Course Office on 01234 332667 or visit www.bedmod.co.uk/holiday-activity-courses *One free place on either a morning or afternoon course for one week

LAST ISSUE’S COMPETITION WINNERS Congratulations to Dawn Smith who won a tree from Stagsden Christmas Trees and Fran Nicholson who won a Christmas turkey from Browns of Stagsden.

Entrants’ contact details will only be given to the provider of the prize and will not be passed on to any third party.

Beauty

Naomi Jones shares more Secrets from the Salon....

My top 10 hottest beauty tips for this year – and they’re really easy to stick to!

iving up sugar, dry January, joining the gym… just a few of the promises we make ourselves at the beginning of a new year; but of all the New Year’s resolutions, revamping your beauty routine is by far the easiest 1. Have a good sort out

We all have those mascaras that weren’t quite right, foundations that were just slightly the wrong shade, and skincare that just didn’t suit our skin type. All of these products have a ‘use by’ date, so if they have been opened for a few months it’s time to be brutal and throw them out! Remember, though, that unopened products are often gratefully received by local women’s refuge charities.

2. Wash or replace your make-up brushes

They easily collect bacteria which in turn can cause nasty skin reactions. Wash well in warm water with a specific cosmetic brush cleaner or, alternatively, some gentle baby shampoo. Rinse really well until the water runs clear and leave to dry. Lay the brushes so that the bristles are pointing slightly downwards to prevent water collecting in the barrel of the brush and loosening bristles.

3. Discover your real skin type

Visit a professional beauty therapist to find the answer. All too often we buy from shops while not really knowing our true skin type. Yes, store assistants can ask a few general

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

questions but really you need a proper cleanse and skin analysis to know your actual skin type. There is also a growing trend in skincare supplements with many therapists recommending these to feed the skin from within.

4. Stop using wipes

We have all used them but cosmetic wipes are really not effective at properly cleansing your skin. Imagine a dirty greasy plate in the washing up; you wouldn’t just give it a wipe with a damp cloth and expect it to be clean, would you? And keep your baby wipes for what they’re good at… wiping babies!

5. Clean your pillowcases and bedsheets regularly

This is easy to forget or put off but you really do need to be popping your bedding into the wash on a regular basis. Experts recommend washing your pillow cases every two to four days so the ‘cocktail of sweat, sebum, and dead skin cells’ will be cleaned away before it wreaks havoc on your skin. Plus the joy of snuggling into freshly washed and dried sheets is wonderful and should be experienced often!

6. Keep your skin protected against the sun’s harsh rays

Sunscreen should be a staple in your beauty routine if you want healthy, younger-looking skin. We all know this tip but to really protect the skin you should apply it every day as well as your usual skincare. Experts advise a minimum SPF 15.

7. Try the ‘Sunday facial’

This is big news in the media as more people are taking care of their skin at home. Last year saw huge increases in the sales of face masks and they really do work!

8. Start thinking holistically

Another big beauty trend is a focus on inner wellness, not simply something you ‘slap on your face!’ So think holistic reflexology, aromatherapy, Indian head massage and really chill out. Stress is an emotion that definitely shows in the skin.

9. There’s a move from the T Zone to the Y Zone

This is the lower face, throat and décolletage which also needs attention – and just think about how that’s constantly compromised when we look at our phones 150 times a day!

10. Dedicate some time to self-care

It might sound indulgent, but pencilling in time to give yourself a proper pamper each week can be a huge part of looking after your mental health too. And it will also make you look glorious! Make your beauty self-care an appointment, write it in your planner, and stick to it. We’re talking face masks, foot soaks, hydrating hair treatments, manicures. Indulge in all the stuff that’s good for your body and helps you feel great. Make that a priority for 2018.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

ot! h be with

Slimming World *New Consultant â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Group Re-launch*

Thursday 4th January, 2018 at 7.30pm Great Barford Village Hall, Fishers Close, Great Barford, MK44 3JL

Call/text Jennie on 07754 210479 We meet every Thursday at 7.30pm, same venue

slimmingworld.co.uk

0344 897 8000

Roz Lee

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Please mention bedslife when responding to adverts

Reaching for your Goal T

ricia Blaxill, who lives in Great Barford, has skied for many years. In 1991, her sister made her a ski carrier to replace one that she unfortunately lost. The new carrier attracted much attention with other skiers praising the ingenious gadget and asking where they could buy one. The seed was sown and it became Tricia’s dream to bring her carrier to market. Here is her story… In March 2017 I retired and had the time, and some cash from my pension, to reach for my goal. A longstanding friend who runs an online silicone cookware business agreed to help me set up my business. My family has always called me Trixie so the perfect name for the product seemed to be the “trixski”. The momentum gathered. I did the specifications and drawings and my sister did the prototypes. Our lovely logo was designed. I attended a Patent Clinic to learn about trademarks and we applied for European trademarks for the name and logo. My friend and I carried out the market research and drew up the key messages. My niece and her boyfriend posed and smiled for a huge list of photo shots to be used on our posters, packaging, banner and advertising. I joined a skiing blog and, sleepless with excitement at 3am one morning, designed our first line extension: a unique pack of extensions to carry more than one pair of skis or a snowboard. By September our website went live and we launched the trixski ski carrier. Phew!

member, wrote a testimonial on how our trixski would make life much easier for her. At the show we were approached by the owner of SkiTV.eu to make a video. This now features on our website and at all the shows we attend. Even die-hard skiers who say, “What’s the matter with shoulders and hands?” melt when they see how easy the product is to use. It’s like seeing a light go on! We love those moments. We still have a long way to go but achieving your goal is a reward in itself. If this story of how friends and family can create something wonderful inspires others then that’s great. If our story inspires you to look at what we’ve achieved log on to our website. You can have a giggle at all the ways NOT to carry skis and watch our video. If you want to buy any of our products we are offering a special discount for OVL readers of 25% off your order with code OVL25, valid until the end of April. For more information please contact me, Tricia, on info@trixski.com www.trixski.com

A big highlight was the Telegraph Ski and Board Show at Battersea Park. Many visitors said it was the best product there and one customer, a GB Ski Cross World Cup team Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

Review

TEMPLE SPA SKIN THERAPY CLASS

FROM XMAS EXCESS TO SPA BLISS IN TWO HOURS JACQUI HAGEN I love the festive season. But it does involve an overload of treats. One more mince pie/chocolate/sherry/ glass of fizz/box set episode? Don’t mind if I do; it is Christmas after all.

By January the extra calories, alcohol and late nights are written all over my face and I need a different kind of nourishment: a treat for my skin to smooth away the telltale signs of overindulgence. Fortunately, this year, I found the perfect antidote to my seasonal excesses. Temple Spa has been offering face and body treatments in luxury retreats and spas for almost twenty years. Their luxurious products are available to buy in Harrods and you’ll also find them in hotels, airlines, cruise ships and even on the Orient Express. I flicked through their information, “Whether you need replenishing, reviving, renewing, relaxing…” Yes please, all of those. I read on, “Inspired by the diet, culture and relaxing lifestyle of the Mediterranean, our products are rich in natural botanicals and essential oils and are also full of anti-ageing ingredients…” Hoorah!

It was Spa to Go, a further strand of their business, that particularly caught my eye. With their ‘spa wherever you are’ philosophy, classes are given by Temple Spa consultants in the comfort of your own home. Perfect. And so I invited some of the OVL team. If I was in need of a little pampering, I felt sure that they would be too. What better way to start the new year and get us back in the magazine mood? Our lovely consultant, Sarah, arrived early to set the scene and immediately began to transform my room with scented candles, pots of tempting spa products, towelling head bands and mirrors. Finally, with a few sprays of calming mist, a relaxing spa fragrance filled the room. A range of Spa to Go classes are on offer to suit your needs. As newbies to the products we opted for the Skin Therapy Class: Sarah helped us to discover our skin type (you’d think we’d know this by now but actually some of us weren’t 100% sure), guided us towards the products that would benefit us most and showed us professional techniques to create a personal skincare routine.

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

At first we were all a little apprehensive, reluctantly removing our make-up in front of each other… and the camera… but it didn’t take long for us to relax and soon we were giggling at each other’s face masks and probing Sarah for further advice. I loved all of the products but my absolute favourites were in the Truffle Therapy range. With black truffles, champagne extract, strawberries, cocoa, gold, silk and diamonds, I wasn’t sure whether to eat them or wear them! Fortunately, I opted to apply them to my skin and, with their hydrating and rejuvenating properties, I’m very glad I did. I picked up several tips and tricks from Sarah but the one I liked most was the technique for applying the Exalt firming neck gel. Sarah showed us how to rub the product into the back of our hands and then apply it to our necks in upward strokes, much like a cat cleaning with its paws. Who knew? Our feline imitations prompted more giggles around the room but I thought it genius as it avoided dragging the delicate skin on our necks. Other Temple Spa classes include the Masterclass AntiAgeing Clinic (next on my list), the Red Carpet Studio for instant glamour and radiance, and the Double Detox class, a spa boot camp to help destress when you’ve been really overdoing it. It’s a novel idea for a hen do, birthday party or just a fun night in. And it’s a double whammy: a perfect way to catch up with your friends while sorting your skincare needs at the same time. The very things we often don’t have time to do. Hosting a class really is easy. All I provided was a table and some drinks for my guests. Sarah did the rest. And I received a beautiful gift: a pot of Body Truffle, in a gorgeous box, which promises to nourish and smooth my skin. Sarah also mentioned that Temple Spa is looking for consultants in the Ouse valley area. So, if you fancy a flexible way to earn some extra income while enjoying all of the benefits of the luxury products, do get in touch with her. It’s wonderful to visit a spa but it’s often a rare treat. With no overnight stay, no travel considerations and no babysitting required, Spa to Go is the perfect alternative. This is one indulgence you can enjoy in the comfort of your home sin free! To book a class or enquire about becoming a Temple Spa Consultant contact: Sarah Hewson, Regional Business Manager 07545 786068 sarahhewson@templespa.com www.templespa.com Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

Countrywear

WRAP UP WARM

THIS WINTER

Luxury British-made Leathergoods

available in store and online!

Spring Sample Sale

Sat/Sun 17th & 18th March 10am to 4pm

Our shop is also open every weekday from 10am to 4pm

www.lodgeway-countrywear.co.uk

The Tannery Warehouse, 29 Olney Road, Lavendon MK46 4EU 01234 712266 | www.tusting.co.uk | theteam@tusting.co.uk

OPEN: MON-FRI 9:30am-5:00pm SAT 9:30am-4:00pm Chicksands, Shefford, Beds SG17 5QB

The REC Celebrates 40 Years

he Rothsay Education Centre (REC) is a registered charity providing educational, social and recreational opportunities during the day aimed at anyone over 50. We also offer weekend and summer courses to anyone over 18. Located in Rothsay Gardens, a 10-minute walk from Bedford town centre, the REC offers a range of courses from Languages to Literature, Painting to Pilates and Guitar to Geology. We also arrange day trips to places of interest and an annual holiday. This year we are celebrating our 40th anniversary which was marked with a dinner at the Barns Hotel in Cardington, attended by The Mayor, Dave Hodgson, the REC founder, Angela Hector and former directors, students and staff, past and present. Since 1977 the REC has benefitted thousands of members in Bedford and the surrounding area. The REC offers much more than courses with freshly prepared food in the restaurant and a tranquil garden to relax and meet friends. Unlike other adult education centres, the REC encourages a community spirit in a homely environment.

01462 816122

The Centre recently purchased a 125-year lease from Bedford Borough which secures our longterm future. There are exciting times ahead for us as we will be refurbishing the existing building and extending our classroom space. If you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning new skills or simply meeting like-minded people, pop in and pick up one of our brochures or visit www. recbedford.co.uk to find out what we have to offer. A warm welcome always awaits you!

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

New spring collections now in store

Shop

g–N

Sprin ing this

Open

e n’s Sho e m o tons W y a l C ew

Bedfordshire’s biggest independent clothing store - opposite Waitrose Claytons at Hatters, 532 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK41 0DX • T: 01234 352429

Mon to Sat 9am - 5.30pm & Sun 10.30am - 4.30pm www.claytonsonline.co.uk • Ample FREE parking

Style

erhaps it was due to the long winter months, feeling endlessly under the weather and wanting to be wrapped up warm (that or the fact I’m fast approaching 40) but I fully embraced a change in style direction towards the end of Clare Fowler 2017. Smocks, ruffles and moody period drama fashion inspired me. I’m talking jacquard boots and floral, flowing, floor length skirts mixed with the

odd outer space scene for some much-loved edge. How this Limited Edition beauty from M&S flew off the shelves in December! I bought a dress for a Christmas night out and when I came downstairs wearing it, one of my most fashion observant male friends gave me the most hilarious double take. “I know, it’s new and a bit different,” I said, to which he replied, “You look like you are wearing Queen Victoria’s nightie!” – Love this boy! So, channelling my inner dead monarch, we went out and much to my surprise I raked in the positive comments that night. The dress was a hit. The moral of the story is… there is always room for a subtle gear change when it comes to your fashion styling. As we journey through life, we are inspired by all sorts of things at various stages – let it show, don’t be afraid to be bold. Follow me at www.fashionfemme.co.uk

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

It’s Theatrical Fashion Dahlings.… 1

5 4

7 6

1. 2. 3. 4.

Rixo Chrissy Dress, £315 Zara Animal Print Dress, £69.99 & Other Stories Puff Sleeve Shirt, £59 Anthropologie Austin Maxi Dress, £168

5. 6. 7. 8.

Anthropologie Edna Kimono Dress, £168 Zara Colour Block Sweater, £29.99 Anthropologie Marie Ruffled Dress, £128 Zara Draped Jumpsuit, £49.99

Travel UK

Stapleford Park hotel

– a country house that’s grand, not grandiose Travel writer Katie Gregory visited Stapleford Park – an historic mansion and hotel in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire – with her family. Here’s what she thought… ‘Are we really going to stay here?’ asked my little boy, wide-eyed, as we pulled up outside Stapleford Park Hotel. It’s a fair question, given the grandeur of this Grade-I listed country house in Melton Mowbray. The mansion’s pristine exterior is nothing short of magnificent, and the approach – through a 500-acre buffer of neat gardens designed by English landscape architect, Capability Brown – certainly makes for a striking first impression.

Taking young children to a luxury hotel is always a bit of a worry, I thought, as my son silently craned his neck to get a proper look at the place. The website had promised family-friendliness, but as his younger sister emerged from the car with a face covered in chocolate and a stray Pom Bear in her hair, I wondered just how geared up for kids a place like this could really be.

The four of us crunched up the gravel path towards the hotel and the door swung open to reveal a grand reception room with walls covered in delicate flowers and birds (which I later found out were handembroidered onto silk wallpaper, no less). By contrast, a rack of muddy wellies sat drying in one corner, and a roaring log fire beckoned us in from the cold. As did a lovely man whose name I’ve now forgotten, but who immediately struck up a conversation with my son about Lego Batman (it happens a lot). My shoulders visibly dropped; perhaps we’d be OK here, after all.

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

came as a welcome surprise, and the beds were as comfortable as we’d hoped. The hotel supplied a travel cot for the three-year-old, which was great, but forgot to give us any bedding apart from a tiny, baby-sized sleeping bag, so it’s worth checking this when you book – or bringing your own.

Leisure and dining at Stapleford Park Hotel

Although we weren’t able to sample the hotel’s spa, we did pay a visit to the swimming pool that afternoon and it’s well worth a visit. As the children splashed away happily below the huge atrium roof, the sky gradually darkened into night above us, and we dried off just in time for dinner. The hotel’s headline act when it comes to dining is the Grinling Gibbons Room but as the kids eat relatively early we decided to order from the bar menu in the Drawing Room instead. Thankfully there’s a children’s menu, and they chose pizza and chicken nuggets (which were undoubtedly not called chicken nuggets), while we tucked in to giant Scotch eggs and a slab of Melton Mowbray pork pie.

Bedrooms at Stapleford Park hotel

We set off in the direction of our room, past supersized stairwells and rich, mahogany-panelled walls, and felt like we’d stepped into a scene from Downton Abbey. Thinking back to our stay, that’s the one big difference that stands out from the luxury hotels we’ve reviewed in the past: Stapleford Park feels less like a hotel, and more like an incredibly swish family home. My son noticed it too, as he pointed to family photographs clustered on a table. ‘Are these the people who live here, Mummy? And aren’t they going to mind that we’re staying in their house?’ Indeed, Stapleford Park was once a home, but it’s now a Pride of Britain hotel that’s popular for spa breaks, special occasions and corporate stays. We eventually arrived at our room, Osborne & Little (the hotel’s 55 rooms are individually designed and named after their creators), which interconnects with the room next door. It meant we had a bedroom and bathroom for us, a separate bedroom with en suite for the children, and a lounge area between the two. That’s as good as it gets when it comes to family hotel rooms. As expected, the bedrooms were lovely – grand but not ridiculously so – and only the bathroom may have benefitted from a bit of TLC, as a few of the fittings were a little tired. Extra touches like a small bottle of sloe gin and packet of biscuits

Besides us, the room was mostly full of mums finishing off their afternoon tea with tiny sleeping babies by their side. It did look really lovely, and as the children scanned tier after tier of tiny, delicate pastries I made a mental note to book us in for afternoon tea if we come back again. And I hope we do, with or without the kids. It would have to be for a very special occasion – Stapleford Park is more of a once-in-a-lifetime kind of place, after all – but it certainly delivers that extra special something for an anniversary or milestone birthday. This review first appeared on www. therewegoblog.com Katie Gregory was hosted by Stapleford Park, a member of the Pride of Britain Hotels collection, which never includes more than 50 hotels, to guarantee quality and exclusivity. A magnificent 15th century country estate in rural Leicestershire, Stapleford Park has 55 individually designed bedrooms. A one-night stay in a family suite with breakfast costs from £378 for four sharing. Call Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929, or visit www. prideofbritainhotels.com

TINSLEYS RIDING SCHOOL

Weddings and Special Occasions Very Special Cars for arriving in style!

Established 1977

Friendly and professional experienced instructors Children from the age of five Adult tuition Lessons for the complete beginner to the more advanced rider

Neil & Susan Black BHSII Long Barns, The Baulk, Clapham MK41 6AA

Telephone 01234 268556 www.tinsleysridingschool.co.uk

Take your Groom’s wedding day to the next level - and beyond! • Classic ’60s E-Type Jaguar • Aston Martin Vantage • International rally MG • ’Range Rover Sport

Prices start at only £295 and run to £495 You may have seen cars of this rarity and quality on TV or in books - but seldom does anyone get the chance to arrive at a special event in something like this. Travel within 15 miles of Bedford is included and further locations are by arrangement. Our chauffeur arrives at your pick-up address and whisks you to the ceremony.

t: 07831 464 199 w: RacingGrooms.com

TOP END VILLAGE STORES ANIMAL FEED & BEDDING www.topendfarm.co.uk

BARGAINS GALORE IN STORE!

Calor Gas always in stock

Wide and competitive range of horse and animal feed, supplements and stable essentials Paddock fertilisers, grass seed, post and rail, stock fencing, chicken wire, electric fencing and accessories Hay, straw, haylage, shavings, sundown, wood pellet bedding etc Stable and field mats, reclaimed sleepers, rat bait, horse carrots Layers pellets, poultry bedding, feeders, treats and poultry supplements always in stock Plus dog food and treats, wild bird feed, rabbit and small animal feed, small holder feed too Large free car park (horse lorries welcome) Fast and free delivery (T&Cs apply) Shop open 7 days a week

Top End Farm Little Staughton Bedfordshire MK44 2BY 01234 376426 topendfarm@btconnect.com 50

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Pets

What is lungworm?

ungworm is a type of parasitic worm — called Angiostrongylus vasorum — which affects dogs, foxes and badgers. The worm lives in the heart and blood Zoe Shelton-Smith Veterinarian vessels that supply the lungs. It used to be solely confined to southern England but it is now endemic to the whole of the UK. Lungworm has a life cycle which needs to involve slugs and snails to develop; it is often by eating these garden creatures that dogs become infected. It is not passed from dog to dog. The parasite is generally seen in, but not limited to, young dogs that are innately more inquisitive. This type of lungworm won’t affect rabbits, cats (but there is feline lungworm), or people but with the weather soon to start warming up (bringing with it an increase in the snail and slug population) it is important to get your dogs protected. Lungworm can be serious, potentially even fatal, if left untreated. Signs of lungworm • Exercise intolerance and difficulty breathing • Bleeding/bruising to whites of eyes • Nose bleeds • Bloody urine and/or faeces • Bruising of hairless skin • Weight loss • Chronic cough • Worsening signs of heart disease • Worsening signs of respiratory disease Signs of lungworm can be more subtle than the above including inappetence, vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy.

How is lungworm diagnosed? Diagnosing lungworm used to be very difficult as evidence of worms were needed. In recent years, however, new tests have been developed to confirm or deny suspicions of lungworm with a simple blood test and/or faecal sample. How can I prevent or treat lungworm? Lungworm is an easily treatable disease in its early stages. This is done typically through monthly treatments to kill off any infection which may have taken hold. To treat lungworm may be as simple as changing from one product to another. However, if the symptoms are advanced or the level of infection is severe there is a greater likelihood of permanent damage. I always recommend adding treatment for lungworm into your regular worming routine for your dogs and cats. If you’re not certain if you are covered for lungworm by your current anti-parasitic regime, talk to your vet who can help you tailor your pets’ preventative health care plan.

Got a question on a veterinary topic? Feel free to contact me at info@ousevalleyliving.com and it may be the topic in the next issue!

Meet Tango, Turvey’s T Rex for hire Six months later I had sold my car to fund our very own animatronic T. Rex. ‘I must be mad,’ I thought, as we unpacked Tango from his shipping container and realised he was even bigger and more scary than we could have imagined. ‘Are you asking me to become a dinosaur?’ asked my bemused husband Patrick. ‘Yes, you need to start watching Jurassic Park,’ I replied. Practice sessions took place in the garden and soon Patrick was confidently stomping, staring, blinking and roaring. ‘Tango is amazing,’ said my son as he jumped up and down, flapping his arms excitedly.

ow far would you go to give your child the best start in life? This is a question I asked myself when my 3-year-old dinosaur-obsessed son Isaac, encountered a giant T. Rex whilst on holiday. ‘Mummy… I want a T. Rex. His name will be Tango!’ exclaimed an excited Isaac. Isaac is on the autistic spectrum and seeing how he interacted with that T. Rex melted my heart. It transformed him from a quiet little boy into a talkative, engaging and confident child.

What have I done? I’ve chosen to spend my life savings on a dinosaur. But the look on Isaac’s face makes it so worth it. Plus Isaac is now an integral part of our little family business.

Tango is available for private and corporate hire. He loves children and brings an unforgettable dinosaur experience to any event. Contact Ali for more details or visit our Facebook page or website. ali@rentarex.co.uk www.rentarex.co.uk

NORTH BEDS YFC NEEDS YOU! ARE YOU AGED 10-26 & FREE ON A WEDNESDAY EVENING

DO YOU WaNT a BETTER SOCial liFE, makE NEW FRiENDS, HavE lOaDS OF FUN aND lEaRN NEW SkillS? Follow us on Facebook, instagram, Twitter or Blogspot @northbedsyfc

lOOk FORWaRD TO SEEiNG YOU SOON! For meeting information please contact Ben on 07880 736854 or lucy on 07593 332681 52

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Charity on the search for local dog lovers Volunteers should be over 18, have enough time to care for and socialise a puppy on a daily basis, own a car and have access to a secure garden. Puppy socialising volunteers receive full support from Hearing Dogs, as well as regular home visits and puppy training classes. To find out more about volunteer dog training opportunities, please contact the volunteering team: volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk, 01844 348122 or visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk/volunteer

earing Dogs for Deaf People - the sole organisation which trains clever dogs to alert deaf people to important sounds - is actively recruiting dog lovers who would like to take care of their adorable puppies and dogs in Bedfordshire. Hayley Walker, Puppy Socialising volunteer from Bedford, says: “I am a full-time carer for my son, Luke, who has a chronic gastro condition, alongside a number of behavioural learning issues, and has been a patient of Great Ormond Street for many years. In 2014 I had no choice but to leave my job and business I had worked so hard to build over the previous 12 years. This period was dreadful for us all as Luke’s struggles were very real, destroying his quality of life as well as my own. From the moment we were introduced to Wilber, our gorgeous cocker spaniel puppy, Luke and I were smitten! Luke instantly wanted to help and enjoyed helping me take this gorgeous puppy into shops and different environments. To anyone thinking of becoming a Hearing Dog volunteer, I would say without hesitation to do it! It has changed our life so dramatically from where we were. Luke is now studying Animal Science at a local college. I know 100% this would not have happened if I hadn’t made that phone call to Hearing Dogs.” Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

Motors

The End of An Era Richard McCann

The King is dead, long live the King!

ston Martin’s new 2018 Vantage has been announced. And for many it’s a sad day. The famous and once-revered Aston Martin name that brought us icons such as the DB5 is abandoning the classy style that created the brand. Some might call this report a departure from the ‘real world’ cars we often test on these pages. I’m not so sure, judging from the number of Astons, Bentleys and high-end Mercs I see around the OVL area… AM enthusiasts will know that the current Vantage has been the most popular model ever, and its 2018 re-style was always going to a big deal, but no-one anticipated the backlash from customers and fans alike. Launched via social media, Aston revealed a car that seems to say that it’s moving away from its Daniel Craig type of ‘gentleman’ customer and is

now apparently aiming at what some might call the ‘Vin Diesel type’. Ok, so something has to be done, I get that. It is reported that Aston Martin’s pre-tax losses for 2016 increased by 27% to £162.8 million, the sixth year it continued to suffer a loss. That can’t go on. But is this the way to correct that? Maybe so. The current breed of Aston Martin salesmen are equally comfortable flogging BMWs or Fords and maybe don’t understand tradition or class the way their customers do. Heck, from my experience, lots of them don’t even understand customer service. Buy Japanese if you want to feel like a valued customer! Predictably, people who wear their baseball caps backwards and have a penchant for chunky necklaces seem to like the new car. But is that really the customer that Aston want to appeal to? I guess so. The Mercedes engines and components for the new cars is a rather bitter pill to swallow too. I suspect that AM expected to be basking in praise when they launched the new car on social media. It didn’t quite work out that way. Here are just a few of hundreds of comments from enthusiasts when the new car was launched.

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

“You have totally destroyed the front of the Vantage model.” “The headlamps look dull and lame. The cooler looks completely grotesque and absurd.” “I hope it is a prototype? But it is not. Unfortunately, it’s the real one!” “It’s not one of my dream cars anymore.” “I think I’ll stick with my 2014 Vantage, it’s a proper Aston, unique and a beautiful heart-melting design, rather than this new Mazda MX5 lookalike from the front! Bring back Ian Callum!” “It’s not beautiful anymore.” “I’ve been looking at different pics of this car hoping beyond hope that they’d get out of the pub, and do something with that embarrassment of a grill... I guess not.” “Shame. Wake up Aston.” “A true Mazda MX5 copy with dull headlights and absurd cooler.” “Why change something that was so beautiful before?” “Where is the classic Aston grill?” “What’s happening in the Aston Martin design team?” “Aston has a history of some of the most classic beautifully designed cars ever made. I know we all have a bad day at work from time to time but now it’s time to give Mr Bond a call to drive the new Vantage off a cliff.” “Track down the bad guy who’s putting hallucinogenic drugs in the water at Aston Martin design.” “Come on Aston you can do a lot better than this.” “No no no! Merc engine and bad stylist… epic fail.” “My eyes! My heart! Why? Aston Martin wishes to become vulgar? Attract a younger crowd? Great! But, please, a younger clientele which has good taste!” “I don’t know what’s happened… the heritage is lost : (… this is not Aston Martin.” “This latest iteration was obviously designed by someone that’s spent too much time at the Nissan factory.” “Just give them 10-15 years and we’ll be back on track again.” Its engine is a bit smaller and more economical and its top speed of 195 mph is only a bit slower than the current model. And it’s probably cheaper to make and will appeal to a much younger buyer. Let’s just hope they all have parents who will stump up the necessary £121,000 base price Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 55 to make it a success…

Science

A Time Lord’s History?

hen waves on the surface of a pool of water meet, they interact in a constructive or destructive manner. In other words when the peaks (or valleys) of the waves come together they form even higher Stelios Mores peaks (or lower valleys) and where peaks meet valleys, the waves cancel each other out. This phenomenon is known as interference. For over a century this has been demonstrated using a tank separated into two halves by a wall with two narrow slits in it. Parallel waves are generated on one side using a long plank along the length of the tank which is dipped into the water. A fixed beat is used to generate them with a constant regularity, and as these traverse through the slits they form radial waves much like dropping a pebble in a pool. The waves interfere with each other and form a fixed pattern of peaks and valleys which can be seen most effectively on the far wall of the tank. In 1927 a couple of researchers (Davisson & Germer) at the Bell Labs in New Jersey conducted an experiment that has since fascinated the world of science. They conducted this dual slit experiment not with water but with light in a sealed chamber, creating an interference pattern of differing light intensities on its far wall and recording it on a photographic plate. All was well and good. However, a certain Albert Einstein back in 1921 had demonstrated that

light was both a wave and a particle. These particles or ‘packets of light’ have since become known as photons.

So our two inquisitive researchers decided to conduct the dual slit experiment in a slightly different way to try and prove the particulate nature of light. Instead of sending the light as a continuous stream of photons they sent one photon at a time, hoping that they would see the light recorded on the photographic plate in line with the slits; much as if the photons had been minuscule marbles. What they discovered surprised them. Despite their efforts, the interference pattern was still being created on the photographic plate. This seemed impossible, since each photon could only go through one slit or the other and in any case had no other photon to interact with. It was as if each photon had managed to pass through both slits at the same time or, stranger still, was aware of other photons which had already been sent before adjusting its behaviour to maintain light’s wavelike nature.

In an attempt to try to better understand this conundrum, the researchers decided to determine which slit each photon had gone through. However, when they proceeded to do so, to their amazement the outcome changed such that there was no interference pattern created at all and their original expectations were met. The photons had gone through each of the slots much like the miniature marbles they had originally envisaged, hitting the photographic

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

In 1984 John Wheeler in the U.S. suggested a further tweak to the single photon dual slit experiment, and after a 33-year delay this has finally been realised by a group of physicists at the Italian Space Agency. The time it has taken is testament to the technical hurdles which had to be overcome. In this instance the arrangement with the two slits is enhanced by creating identical pairs of photons. These are in a special entangled state, which means that if something is done to one the other is also affected, irrespective of any distance between them. It is a condition which has been observed countless times and originally suggested by the theory of Quantum Mechanics. The pair of photons were sent to the dual slits along two different paths. One was directly from the light source and the other by first being bounced off a satellite in orbit. The second photon would therefore travel around thirty-six million (36,000,000) times the distance of the first, and so would take as many times longer to reach its target. This ensured that the first photon had well and truly gone through one of the slits before the second one even attempted to do so.

orner

If you like playing with water you should have fun trying out this simple experiment. To start you will need to borrow a few things. 1. A shallow rectangular basin or a plastic storage tray 2. Two spoons 3. A small saucepan 4. Water Put the shallow basin on a table or on the floor under a bright light. Using the small saucepan, fill the basin with water until it is about two-thirds full and allow the water to settle so that the surface is still. Now take one spoon and start making waves by gently touching the surface of the water and then lifting it off. Repeat this with a regular beat, counting to yourselfâ&#x20AC;Ś 1 and 2... You should now start to see a regular wave pattern on the surface of the water. If you do this correctly you will see a standing wave which is a wave that is not moving.

nsteins Ei

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;C

Waves and Water

So with this in mind, it seems that perhaps the research team in Italy may justifiably claim to be the first micro Time Lords. Dr Who, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not alone well at least in a small, a very small way.

Unfortunately, things have managed to get even more strange recently.

Left unobserved, the photons which passed through each slit separately created the familiar interference pattern on the photographic plate as before, confounding classical explanation. However, if the photon taking the slow scenic trip via the satellite was observed going through a slit, the photographic plate registered hits by both photons directly in line with the slits, so that there was no evidence of an interference pattern. So not only did the second photon behave like a particle instead of a wave, but so did its entangled twin. This was despite it having already gone through one of the slits a lot earlier, during which it would have behaved like a wave (as it had never been observed). It was as if time had moved backwards to accommodate an action that had not yet occurred, undoing the history of the first photon which had already taken place. A momentary reversal of time and the changing of history at a very small scale.

Litt l

plate directly in line with the slits. It was as if the photons decided to behave like particles when they were being watched, and like waves when they were not.

Once you are happy that you have mastered this, stop and allow the water to become still once more. Now take the second spoon and try making the same waves using both spoons and both hands, touching the water surface near the corners of the shallow basin. Once you have managed to create two standing waves you should also be able to see that where they meet, they affect or interfere with one another. This is an interference pattern and is created because when a peak from each of the waves meet they become bigger peaks, when the valleys from each wave meet they become deeper valleys and when a peak meets a valley they cancel each other out and disappear.

Music

Milky’s Music s M atters... t Matters...

FOCUS ON UPCOMING BEDFORD GIGS

CATHOLIC ACTION & special guests @ Bedford Esquires, Friday 2 March Hot new band Catholic Action makes a welcome return to Bedford Esquires after a brilliant performance in Holy Moly’s back in Feb 2017. A product of Glasgow’s famously fertile music scene, Catholic Action is proof that they do indeed write them like that anymore. Big tunes and massive melodies, this

THE WAVE PICTURES & special guests @ Bedford Esquires, Thursday 15 March After nearly 20 years and umpteen albums (is it 16? 17? 18?) we are excited to confirm The Wave Pictures are coming to Bedford Esquires. Formed in 1998 in the tiny rural village of Wymeswold in northern Leicestershire, lead singer and guitarist David Tattersall, bassist Franic Rozycki, and drummer Jonny “Huddersfield” Helm were heavily influenced

is a band for fans of indie heavyweights like Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes and Belle and Sebastian. Their ace album In Memory Of is one of the most selfassured debuts you’ll hear all year. Jam-packed with glam guitar solos and huge choruses, its 11 tracks so good that the band took the bold choice of omitting breakout single Rita Ora from it. Lead singer Chris McCrory said, “In Memory Of has been a long time coming for us and it wouldn’t have happened were it not for you. It’s a record we’re incredibly proud of and we hope you are too. So, we’re thrilled to be heading out on a headline tour of the UK to perform tracks from In Memory Of and more for the people that made it happen. Thank you! And see you in March” Tickets are £7 in advance, available online from seetickets. com & wegottickets.com and physically in Esquires Bar, Slide Record Shop and Mario’s Hair Design (Kempston)

by both the music played by John Peel and their parents’ classic rock collections. They soon relocated to London, signed to Moshi Moshi records and have released a succession of highly acclaimed albums (as well as finding time to collaborate with acts such as Darren Hayman, Herman Dune, The Mountain Goats, Jeffrey Lewis and Stanley Brinks). Much loved by 6 Music, The Wave Pictures are scarily prolific with a formidable discography. Frontman Tattersall is both a brilliant songwriter and guitarist, often compared to Tom Verlaine (Television), Jonathan Richman and Johnny Marr. With a career that now spans two decades, The Wave Pictures are much more than a cult concern. They regularly sell out venues like The Lexington (London) and The Portland Arms (Cambridge) and headline stages at Festivals like Indietracks, End of the Road, Green Man and Primavera Sound (Barcelona). Yet for some reason they have never played Bedford. Until now. Tickets are £10 in advance, available now from seetickets. com/wegottickets.com and Esquires bar.

JESUS JONES & special guests @ Bedford Esquires, Saturday 21 April After their sold-out appearance at Esquires in 2016, indie dance pioneers Jesus Jones will be returning on Saturday 21 April. Blending rock, rave and

techno, Jesus Jones was one of the shining lights of the early nineties alternative dance scene with such indie disco classics as Never Enough, Real, Real, Real and the still amazing Info Freako. Not content with helping change the face of popular music, Jesus Jones then cracked America, having a massive hit in the states with the anthemic Right Here, Right Now and their massive selling second album Doubt. This is not just a moonwalk down memory lane, Jesus Jones has recorded a new album, Passages, due for release in 2018, as well as gigs at Camp Bestival, Bearded Theory and little old Bedford... Tickets are £16 in advance, available now from seetickets. com/wegottickets.com / Esquires Bar / Slide Record Shop / Mario’s Hair Design (Kempston)

MILKY’S ALBUM REVIEWS The Wombats - Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life Returning with their fourth long player ahead of a US tour alongside Pixies and Weezer, The Wombats builds on the uplifting pop of last album Glitterbug by layering on a touch of “dark disfunction” alongside the “psychedelic euphoria”. Never afraid of a mahoosive chorus and a catchy refrain, they once again deliver impressively on Black Flamingo and Lemon to a Knife Fight. Singer Murph still has that plaintive tint to his singing voice and an impressive propensity to hit the high notes whilst the music chirps elastically around him. The Go! Team – Semicircle The GT is the brainchild of the Brighton-based melody obsessed Ian Parton with a revolving door of members / collaborators. Original teamsters Sam Dook (guitar) and Ninja (rapping) return alongside the current live show members to forge a record that once again sounds like a marching band alongside a team of cheerleaders playing old-school hip-hop jams in Japan. Sounding equally familiar but refreshingly new and vital, The Go! Team kickstarts 2018 with a nicely rounded record.

SUPPORT THE BEDFORD LIVE SCENE - UPCOMING BEDFORD GIGS FOR YOUR DIARY Friday 9 February – Gaz Brookfield & the Company of Thieves @ Esquires Friday 16 February – Dreadzone @ Esquires Saturday 24 February – John Otway Big Band @ Esquires Friday 2 March – Catholic Action @ Esquires Saturday 10 March – Caroline Spence @ The Ent Shed Thursday 15 March – The Wave Pictures @ Esquires Saturday 24 March – Peter Bruntnell @ The Ent Shed Saturday 24 March – The Blockheads @ Esquires Friday 6 April – Sleeper @ Esquires Saturday 21 April – Jesus Jones @ Esquires Friday 11 May – The Smyths @ Esquires Saturday 12 May – Deep Dark Woods @ The Ent Shed Sunday 27 May – The Skids @ Bedford Corn Exchange Tickets from: wegottickets.com / seetickets.com / Esquires Bar / Boutique Planet / Mario’s Hair Design Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

Books

Ex Libris

Bedford author Ruth Hogan’s debut novel, The Keeper of Lost Things, has been an amazing success, becoming a Richard and Judy favourite and a Sunday Times best seller. Selling over a quarter of a million copies, it has been published in more than 20 countries. From its beautiful cover, the intriguing title and then the surprise of the opening paragraph, I was pulled into a novel populated with the most likeable characters I have come across for a while. Interest is added by the author’s imaginative choices of memorable words and phrases. The plot weaves together from two separate stories. The first is about Anthony, a writer, and his assistant, Laura, to whom he leaves his beautiful house when he dies with a request that she returns his huge collection of lost things to their owners. Anthony believes that he failed the love of his life, Therese, by losing a precious object and causing her death. Laura finds fulfilment in cataloguing the myriad of lost objects and setting up a website for people to claim them. She is helped by Freddy, the good-looking gardener, and Sunshine, the girl from next door who has Down’s Syndrome. The narrative is interspersed, in italics, with the stories of how the things were lost. The other plot concerns Bomber, a publisher, and his assistant, Eunice. She adores him but he does not reciprocate her feelings. I was so involved in the story that I was happy to suspend my disbelief over the supernatural theme with a bedroom door mysteriously locked from the inside, a record playing by itself and Sunshine’s psychic powers. Ruth Hogan’s second novel,The Particular Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, will be published in May and can be pre-ordered. Reviewed by Roz Masters

Make it personal & Special! Visit us for a progressive approach to jewellery design & manufacture. Handcrafted Jewellery in Platinum, Palladium, Gold & Silver. Commissions, Remodels & Repairs. Precious & semi Precious stones. Local Artisan products, Arts & Crafts.

07785273766 www.hand-craftedjewellery.co.uk The studio, Walnut Tree House, West End, Stevington. MK43 7QU.

Would you like to know what the stars have in store for you? Text or email Howard for more information or book a personal reading through his website:

astroguidance.co.uk

Follow Howard’s ‘Astro-guidance’ on Facebook for forecasts and discussion email: howpark@aol.com

phone: 07866 727743

Films Film Review

Kingsman: The Golden Circle Director: Matthew Vaughn

Blu-Ray/DVD: January 29th

It’s rare that a movie sequel gets it dead right; Paddington 2 is proof that it does happen. Likewise, it’s rare that a movie Anthony Lowery sequel gets it dead wrong; Kingsman: The Golden Circle is proof that that also happens and, in this case, with aplomb. Back in 2014, Kingsman: The Secret Service redefined the spy movie: it was slick, stylish and as fresh as the Prince of Bel-Air. Now, with added help from more A-listers than the movie can handle (and Elton John – more on him later), the creative team returns with a smutty, slapdash instalment that’ll make you pine for Johnny English. With their London headquarters destroyed, the Kingsman go transatlantic and fuse with a likeminded spy organisation called the Statesmen. Their mission is to derail Julianne Moore’s Poppy Adams, a criminal mastermind set on world domination. Halle Berry, Jeff Bridges and a fleeting Channing Tatum are among the Kingsman’s American cousins but no one, it seems including its audience - is having more fun with The Golden Circle than Julianne Moore, especially when grinding man burgers.

As far as the movie’s shocking moments go, depositing a man face-first into a meat grinder is not where writer/director Matthew Vaughn draws the line. Uneasiness takes a hold when Eggsy (Taron Egerton) plants a tracking device inside a part of target Clara (Poppy Delevingne) that nobody wants to see... No, not that part. Not that part either. Yes, THAT part. Even Egerton was uncomfortable to the point where actress Delevingne’s husband had to “slip in” and save the shot. (Seriously, Johnny English anybody?) Some of the talent is criminally underused, some overused. Like a rocket man, Sir Elton John launches into the latter. The first sighting feels fun and a little cheeky (a lot of what this film is missing); he even owns one of the best uses of the f-word heard on film in recent years. It’s unfortunate then that the more glorified his cameo grows, the more ridiculous. If nothing else, The Golden Circle offers an opportunity to re-enter a different, colourful world of espionage and check-in with some character favourites. But if it’s a better Kingsman movie you’re after, a revisit of the original is more worthwhile. If not, there’s always Mr Bean in a tux to bring it home for the unorthodox spy genre. Tweet your thoughts @OVLMagazine @AntLoweryTwit #Kingsman2 Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

WHERE do you read yours?

gton read ie of Stevin n a h p te S l Pete and e Taj Maha theirs at th

Val Howson reads hers in the summerhouse studio in the shadow of Happisburgh Lighth ouse where they moved to 4 years ago, but still need their fix of OVL

Martin Williams reads his and Kate Williams checks out the OVL fashion advice whilst walking the city walls of Dubrovnik

hers after f Reid reads te S e et hl at Para e’s been e news that sh th n ve gi g in be MBE awarded an

Father C hristm den at S as and his help t Mary’s e Church r read theirs in , Carlto n Bazaa his r

The Legless La

ssies from Shar nbrook read th eirs at the Colosse um in Rome

Thank you for your many entries. If your picture isn’t here check the next issue of OVL. Email your pictures to info@ousevalleyliving.com and show us who’s been reading your OVL and where they were. Pictures will be printed in each issue and our favourite entry of the year will win £50 to be announced in the December/January edition.

Horoscopes

IN THE STARS with Howard Parker, the Astro-guide

Do you want your life to be better in 2018? I can help you gain a deep insight into where you want to go in your life, career and relationships by examining your personal birth chart. Please go to www.astroguidance.co.uk to book a session. You can also call me on 07866 727743 or email me at howpark@aol.com for more information.

Aquarius

jan21-feb19 Your new year doesn’t really start until the new moon in your sign in mid-February so look out for that opportunity to recreate yourself and your relationship. It may not be time for a major overhaul so much as a tweaking and fine-tuning of where you feel you are going. Allow yourself to believe the general direction of your life is ok. A period of letting go may present itself in March as things get very sensitive, even if you don’t show it.

Pisces

feb20-mar20 ‘Radical sensitivity’ might be the best description of your February. See if you can bring a little cool rationality into your emotional life and see how your life looks from the outside not, as you usually do, from a purely subjective perspective. It’s also still about grounding yourself so be as practical as you can and try to avoid over-complication. March will feel ultra dreamy and detached from reality so try not to put too much pressure on yourself.

Aries

mar21-apr20 Charging forward (as you tend to) is going to backfire on you in February if you are not careful. A cool head thinking things through will go a long way, as will showing more sensitivity to the emotional needs not only of others but also of yourself too. Progress is gained more slowly but will probably be more sustainable because of that. You will feel as if you are marking time in March, waiting for the fires of spring to ignite your life.

Taurus

apr21-may21 Following your gut feelings could cause you some problems, particularly if you are a bit lazy about it. There are things to be thought out but also some emotions to deal with so it’s a tricky combination in February. The best response might be just to see if there is anything new to learn from this, particularly at work. Give yourself a chance to recharge your batteries in March.

Gemini

may22-jun21

The Aquarius new moon will get you moving on 15 February but it also requires you to get focussed on core issues that require a new approach. You may also be called upon to be a bit more sensitive and aware of what is going on around you as too much chit-chat will dilute the insights you may have to share. The chances of hurting someone unintentionally in March with your comments are very strong so be extra careful.

Cancer

jun22-jul23 A see-saw of a month. Should you conserve what you have, or seek more? And where from? And, the question may be asked, is what you are asking for what you actually need now or has something changed? Thinking it all out, perhaps with your bank manager by your side rather than exploring your feelings, may be the best way through this. March is highly sensitive all round so tread carefully.

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

Leo

jul24-aug23

Oh dear, more ego issues! It might be a case the ‘same old, same old’ this month. How far are you going to allow your pride to let yourself off the hook… again? There could be something you should have been addressing in your closest relationships but perhaps you were busy blaming someone else? Someone, probably a Virgo, may feel the need to remind you brusquely of this in March!

Virgo

aug24-sep23 If someone is telling you something you really don’t want to hear then just maybe you should listen carefully. There are always new and different ways of approaching any number of everyday problems so try not to be rigid in your thinking this month. In early March, you face the usual Virgo contradiction: feeling you MUST get better organised competing with the desire to let things go.

Libra

sep24-oct23 If you find that too many people are giving you too much advice, just look for what it is that you are enjoying the most. Be your usual sensitive and considerate self by all means, but perhaps it’s time for your own sense of fun and pleasure to receive an airing? Things start to be resolved by mid March to clear the way for that spring cleaning energy next month.

Scorpio

oct24-nov22 The influence of Mars that gave you such drive recently has faded now and you may find yourself faced with some social obligations that you feel you need to honour this month. Allow your gut feeling to guide you (as it always will) but a bit of cool, rational thought may also stop you exaggerating the difficulties you may feel you face. March is a time to let go of all struggles and recharge.

Sagittarius

nov23-dec22 A gentle cooling breeze is how February may feel and this may alleviate some of your frustrations. There are things to be learnt and thought out so don’t just jump on any bandwagon that is passing! There is also a need to be sensitive this month, particularly towards yourself and March’s energy urges you to be more gentle with yourself.

Capricorn

dec23-jan20 If you used December and January to get really clear about what you want to achieve and your priorities, February should start to provide you with some new ways of setting about it in concrete ways. Remember that money matters to you because it is your way of bringing you what you truly value. Strong energies, combined with the need for sensitivity continue into March when you should find space for relaxing mid-month.

Flavour of the Times

We ignore the lessons of the seasons at our peril. Winter is a waiting game: we plod through the dark months of December and January but it is often completely pointless to try to move ahead with anything really important yet. The seeds may have been sown but new ideas are only just beginning to bud as January goes into February and nothing is really going to get going much before the spring equinox on 17 March, which marks the beginning of the astrological year. March is the time when we should be letting go of things that we have outgrown and this year the urge may feel particularly powerful. We should focus on clearing the decks emotionally of all feelings and addictions to courses of action that may just have become ritual habits and may no longer be of any real use to us. That should get us in the right frame of mind for taking action in April! That’s why we do ‘spring cleaning’ then. Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

diarydates Thursday 1 February Knit & Knatter Thursdays 9.30-11.30am Riseley Village Hall Coffee, knitting, crocheting, beading, needlework and plenty of knattering. Wendy 709083 ronandwendy@btinternet.com Friday 2 February Bedford Art Society Putnoe Heights Church, 7.15pm Anna Conti on her work in stained glass, traditional and contemporary. Members free, £5 visitors. Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or www.bedsartsociety.co.uk for info. Fri 2 to Sun 4 February Candlemas Flower Festival St Paul’s Church, Bedford Decorations by community and church groups. Fri & Sat 10-4pm, Sun 2-4pm. £2.50 (u16 free). Candlemas carols by candlelight Sunday 5.30pm. Details 01234 391962 or 01234 340163 or www.stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk Saturday 3 February Cambs & Beds Hardy Plant Society Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Rd, Biggleswade, 2pm Andrew Humphries, well-known head gardener, on ‘Creating Beautiful Gardens from Scratch’. Plants for sale. Visitors welcome. Monday 5 February Alpine Garden Society Wilstead Village Hall, 7.30pm Philip Whaites, Head Gardener at Wimpole Hall, on the changes during his time there. Plant sales and exhibits. Visitors £3, includes refreshments. Open Gardens, Pavenham, 1-4.30pm The Knoll & The Folly, High Street Two gardens with hundreds of different spring flowers. National Garden Scheme in aid of Macmillan/Marie Curie nurses. £4 for both, refreshments extra. Tuesday 6 February Tree Tops Talk, 11.30am Rushmere Country Park An Introduction to Herons. Tickets £4, includes £2 to spend in the café. www.greensandtrust.org Historical Association-Bedford, 7.30pm Bedford School Library, de Parys Ave The Ouse Navigation from the County border to Bedford - illustrated talk by Bob Ricketts. Free to HA members, others welcome with donation. Details 07989 837819/01234 266839. Saturday 10 February Table Top Sale, 9am-noon Christ the King Parish Hall

Harrowden Road, Bedford Entry 50p, refreshments available. Information from 01234 965497. Sunday 11 February Open Gardens, Pavenham, 1-4.30pm The Knoll & The Folly, High Street Two gardens with hundreds of different spring flowers. National Garden Scheme in aid of Macmillan/Marie Curie nurses. £4 for both, refreshments extra. Odyssey of Love-Liszt & His Women Quarry Theatre, Bedford, 7pm World-renowned pianist Lucy Parham’s Composer Portrait; Readings: Joanna David & Robert Glenister. Champagne reception 6.15pm. In aid of Sharnbrook Mill Theatre ‘Warm Up’ Appeal. Tickets £20 from www.quarrytheatre.org.uk Tuesday 13 February ACTIVI-TEA, 2pm Methodist Church, Sharnbrook Churches together with Tibbs Dementia foundation. Meet with other Carers knowing the person you care for is safe enjoying other activities. Suggested donation Cared-For £4, Carers £1. Linda Hoar 07791214148 lindahoar@hotmail.co.uk Wednesday 14 February Singalong@St Pauls, 10-10.30am St Paul’s Church, Bedford Songs and stories. 0-3 yr olds plus their adults on 2nd Wednesday of the month term time. Parking not available. Details 01234 340163. Open Gardens, Pavenham, 1-4.30pm The Knoll & The Folly, High Street Two gardens with hundreds of different spring flowers. National Garden Scheme in aid of Macmillan/Marie Curie nurses. £4 for both, refreshments extra. Bedford Local Group of the Wildlife Trust, 7.15pm Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Ave ‘Bedford’s Wildlife’ an illustrated talk by Barrie Mason. Parking available, All welcome, no charge but voluntary contributions appreciated. Further details www.wildlifebcn.org or 01234 266057. Thursday 15 February Open Gardens, Pavenham, 1-4.30pm The Knoll & The Folly, High Street Two gardens with hundreds of different spring flowers. National Garden Scheme in aid of Macmillan/Marie Curie nurses. £4 for both, refreshments extra. Embroiderers’ Guild, 7.30pm St Mark’s Church, Calder Rise, Brickhill Hanny Newton on ‘Embroidery; My story so far’ www.hannyembroidery.com. Sales,

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

refreshments. Visitors £4. Liebeslieder songs of love by Brahms & Schumann Bedford Girls’ School, 7.45pm Tickets £18, students 18-24 £5, under 18 £2 on the door or from 01234 261811. www.bedfordmusicclub.co.uk Friday 16 February Colmworth & Neighbours History Society Colmworth Village Hall, 7.30-9.30pm Mark Steinhardt - ‘Letters Home of Corporal Croft: WW1’. Outings and visits to be announced. Tea, coffee & biscuits after the meeting. www.colmworthhistory.org.uk Saturday 17 February Pavenham WI Jumble Sale The Village Hall, High St, 2-3.30pm High quality clothes, household, toys, books, bric-a-brac etc. Refreshments. Admission 20p. Tuesday 20 February Bedford National Trust Assoc Addison Centre, Kempston, 2pm Speaker: Sue Jarrett on ‘The Great North Road’. Plenty of parking. Tea/coffee from 2pm. Small charge, everyone welcome. Information Betty Thomas 01480 860421. Kimbolton Flower Club Mandeville Hall, 7.30pm Demonstration by Richard Twiselton, ‘Purely for Pleasure’. All welcome, visitors £7.50, members £2, includes refreshments. Biddenham Gardeners Assoc Village Hall, 7.30pm ‘Care and cultivation of Acers’ by Joanna Baxter. Visitors welcome. £5 per meeting, includes raffle and refreshments. www. biddenhamgardenersassociation.org.uk Friday 23 February Afternoon Vintage Tea Christ the King Parish Hall Harrowden Road, 2-4pm Admission £3. Tea, cake and dancing. Information from 01234 404563. Rat Pack Classics, 7.30pm Rushmere Country Park Ryan Beange performs hits from Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, Michael Buble and more in the Tree Tops Café. Food from 6pm. Tickets £15 (18+ only) includes a drink and parking. www.greensandtrust.org Saturday 24 February Blunham Giant Book Sale Blunham Parish Church, 10-3pm Second hand/nearly new books, homemade cakes and soup, teas and coffees and a raffle. Proceeds to Blunham Church Fabric Fund.

diarydates Open Gardens, Pavenham, 1-4.30pm The Knoll & The Folly, High Street Two gardens with hundreds of different spring flowers. National Garden Scheme in aid of Macmillan/Marie Curie nurses. £4 for both, refreshments extra. Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra Corn Exchange, Bedford Conductor: Michael Rose. Soloist: Jaroslaw Nadrzycki. Schumann - Overture: Manfred, Sibelius Violin Concerto, Brahms Symphony No. 2. Adults £15/£12, children/students £5 at www. bedfordcornexchange.co.uk 01234 718044. www.bedfordsymphony.com Tuesday 27 February ACTIVI-TEA, 2pm Methodist Church, Sharnbrook Churches together with Tibbs Dementia foundation. Meet with other Carers knowing the person you care for is safe enjoying other activities. Suggested donation Cared-For £4, Carers £1. Linda Hoar 07791214148 lindahoar@hotmail. co.uk Friday 2 March Bedford Art Society 7.15pm Putnoe Heights Church Paul Fullstone on pen and wash in paintings. Members free, £5 visitors. Contact Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or www.bedsartsociety.co.uk Saturday 3 March Cambs & Beds Hardy Plant Society Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Rd, Biggleswade, 2pm Val Bourne, writer & broadcaster, on ‘Spring Cottage Gardening with the Dearly Beloved’. Plants for sale from Swines Meadow Farm Nursery. Visitors welcome. Jazz Concert, 7.30pm St James’ Church, Biddenham Award winning jazz pianist Nikki Iles and Bedford School Jazz Trio. In aid of The Friends of St James. Admission £10. Contact Chris Jones 01234 211759. Monday 5 March Alpine Garden Society Wilstead Village Hall, 7.30pm Richard Horswood on ‘The Spring Flowers of Crete’. Plant sales and exhibits. Visitors £3, includes refreshments. Tuesday 13 March ACTIVI-TEA, 2pm Methodist Church, Sharnbrook Churches together with Tibbs Dementia foundation. Meet with other Carers knowing the person you care for is safe

enjoying other activities. Suggested donation Cared-For £4, Carers £1. Linda Hoar 07791214148 lindahoar@hotmail. co.uk Wednesday 14 March Bedford Local Group of The Wildlife Trust, 7.30pm Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Ave ‘Introducing Flowers’ an illustrated talk by Brian Eversham. Parking available. All welcome, no charge but contributions appreciated. Details www.wildlifebcn.org or 01234 266057. Thursday 15 March Embroiderers’ Guild, 7.30pm St Mark’s Church, Calder Rise, Brickhill A dabble evening. Bring a sewing kit (needles, scissors, specs). Sales table, information about local textile events. Visitors £4, includes refreshments. Friday 16 March Colmworth & Neighbours History Society Village Hall, 7.30-9.30pm Kate Harwood - ‘Gifted with a peculiar facility: Humphry Repton, landscape gardener’. Outings and visits to be announced. Tea, coffee & biscuits after meeting. www.colmworthhistory.org.uk Saturday 17 March Concert by ‘Heart and Music’ Biddenham Village Hall, 7.30pm Swing, film, folk and show-tunes to original compositions and amusing poetry. £10 includes drinks and refreshments. In aid of BOLD - Beds Opportunities for Learning Disabilities. To book call 01234 353662/07767 824787 or 07989 837819. Sunday 18 March ‘Darkness Falls – John’s Gospel’ Sharnbrook Upper School, 7pm Story-telling with live music by the Saltmine Theatre Company. Free, but booking required (donations for Saltmine Faith Motivated Arts in schools and/or The Prebend Centre). Contact 01234 720262 or teamofficectm@gmail.com. Sponsored by the Sharnbrook Deanery, representing a group of 30 local churches. Tuesday 20 March Bedford National Trust Association Addison Centre, Kempston, 2.30pm Liz Carter on ‘Strong Minded Women’. Plenty of parking. Tea/coffee from 2pm. Small charge, everyone welcome. Info from Betty Thomas 01480 860421.

Kimbolton Flower Club Mandeville Hall, 7.30pm Demonstration by Shirley Henderson, ‘A Touch of Gold’ . Visitors £7.50, members £2 to include tea/coffee and biscuits. Biddenham Gardeners Assoc Village Hall, 7.30pm ‘Propagation for plants. Looking good in the flower beds’ by Anne Godfrey, Garden Designer. £5 per meeting includes raffle and refreshments. www. biddenhamgardenersassociation.org.uk Thursday 22 March Clare College Choir In Peace 1918-2018 Bunyan Meeting, 7.45pm Tickets £18, students 18-24 £5, under 18 £2 on the door or from 01234 261811. www.bedfordmusicclub.co.uk Friday 23 March Live Jazz, Soul & Blues, 7.30pm Rushmere Country Park Natasha Seale with an all-star rhythm section perform contemporary classics and her own songs in the Tree Tops Café. Food from 6pm. Tickets £15 (18+ only) includes a drink and parking. www.greensandtrust. org Saturday 24 March Spring Breakfast, 8.30-10am Sharnbrook Methodist Church Full English, suggested donation £8 or continental, suggested donation £4. Contact May Bonney 01234 781254 or Jenny Deacon 01234 781742 by 21 March to reserve your place. Proceeds to home and overseas refugee charities. Alpine Garden Society Annual Show Wilstead Village Hall, 11.30-3pm Plants, flowers, art, photography and embroidery classes. Visitors welcome £2, great refreshments. Tuesday 27 March ACTIVI-TEA , 2pm Methodist Church, Sharnbrook Churches together with Tibbs Dementia foundation. Meet with other Carers knowing the person you care for is safe enjoying other activities. Suggested donation, Cared-For £4, Carers £1. Linda Hoar 07791214148 lindahoar@hotmail.co.uk

Charity and fundraising events for the Apr/May edition to be supplied by 10 March to info@ousevalleyliving.com Please email your entry with a maximum of 40 words and quote Diary Dates in the subject box. Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine

CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED ARCHITECTS

GARDEN SERVICES

Heritage Drives

• Drives • Patios • Tarmac • Gravel • Block paving • Fencing • Decking

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

BRIDGE ROOFING

Fully insured Free quotation

All aspects of roofing, facias and guttering. Free quotes All work guaranteed

01234 363243 or 07788 438135

www.roofingbedford.co.uk

01234 404080 07542 719971

K H Garden Services

• All garden maintenance undertaken • Grass cutting, hedge cutting etc • Regular maintenance and contract work • Reliable, professional, friendly service • Locally based company - Fully insured

Contact: 07708 594746

KitchenDoor Solutions

Replacement doors and kitchen refurbishment

Iain Smith Tel: 01234 389063 Mob: 07583 869741

Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts

SPECIALISTS SINCE 1980

CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED TUITION

SPEECH THERAPISTS

Absolute CoNstRuCtIoN ltD

Self Drive Hire • Contract Rental • Financial Lease Large Fleet of Standard • Refrigerated • Specialised Vehicles

residential & commercial: • • • • • • • t:

design & build New builds extensions loft & Garage conversions renovations & alterations kitchens & bathrooms reFIts & Remodelling

01234 391814|m: 07812 150026

rentxpressltd.co.uk

e: matt@absolute-construction.co.uk

01234 339008

Absolute building solutions

w: www.absolute-construction.co.uk

The freedom to live at home with care you can trust Castle Care provides an excellent introduction to care services for people who wish to continue to live independently within their own home environment. If you are in need of assistance with personal care activities from bathing to more complex needs or you would like support and assistance with medication, domestic chores, attending appointments and social activities, or preparing home cooked meals then we are the right people to call. CALL US ON

01234 213321

Marathon run for shorter walk to new school

enny King, 60, loves to run and is very excited to have secured a place in the London Marathon in April. She is even more excited to be running for Utange Orphans, a small locally founded charity, which has provided a secure home for 24 AIDS orphans in Utange, Eastern Kenya. The charity, which also feeds 500 children in the village every week, is currently building a secondary school in the village which will mean older children will no longer have to walk for two hours a day to go to school. Jenny lives in Great Denham and is a member of Bedford Harriers. She does most of her training with the running club or from her home. In order to be able to run 26.2 miles non-stop, she needs to have run at least 400 miles in training so it’s a lot of hard work as well as being fun. “I’m certainly not fast but winning, or even achieving an impressive time, isn’t my goal,” explained Jenny. “My goal is to raise at least £1,200 for Utange Orphans.” Jenny would be so happy if you would visit her fundraising page to make a donation at https:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Jennylareine

Whose Ad is it?

his image is part of an advert which can be found somewhere in this edition of OVL. Do you know whose ad it is? Email your answer to info@ousevalleyliving.com quoting Whose Ad in the subject box. The winner will be drawn at random and notified by Friday 23 March. Closing date Friday 16 March.

WIN!

A 45-Minute Golf Lesson with PGA Professional, Sam Smith The Bedford Golf Club Great Denham Golf Village Carnoustie Drive Biddenham, MK40 4FF 01234 320022 Answer to last issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Whose Ad is it? Stagsden Christmas Trees Congratulations to Rebecca Bolt who won two day passes for Bodyflight Leisure Centre.

Sudoku Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits from 1 to 9, with no repetition! Answers in the next issue Last issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s answers

Childhood Communication Independent Speech and Language Therapist Jacqui Wright answers your questions about childhood communication

Jacqui Wright Childhood Communication Consultant www.childhoodcommunication.co.uk info@childhoodcommunication.co.uk 01234 721 775 / 079 566 855 81 Find us on Facebook: Childhood Communication Consultancy Twitter: @JacquiSLT If you have any questions for Jacqui please email info@ousevalleyliving. com and she will endeavour to answer your concerns in this column

WITH YOU WHEN IT MATTERS MOST

Peace of Mind

During 2018 we are happily donating our Golden Charter Pre-paid Funeral Plan commission to ‘The Samaritans’ and ‘Project 229’, as voted for by the staff at Abbotts. An Independent family business providing a caring and professional service to Bedford, Kempston & the surrounding villages.

A L & G Abbott

150 Bedford Road Kempston, Bedford MK42 8BH Call (01234) 843222

Visit: www.abbott-funerals.co.uk Email: support@abbott-funerals.co.uk

Wrest Park Volunteer Open Day To be held at Wrest Park in the Anti-Library of the Mansion House on Wednesday 28 February, 1-3pm and 5-7pm Would you like to be a part of an outstanding team? Would you like to spend time in one of England’s most prestigious and fascinating gardens with a story that spans over 600 years? Would you like to share your enthusiasm and love of history? Would you like to meet like-minded people and try something new? Then why not come and volunteer for English Heritage at Wrest Park. Whether it is welcoming and chatting to visitors or telling the stories of our unique house and garden, there are plenty of ways to get involved here at Wrest Park. Come along to our open day and find out more about what’s involved and how you can help our visitors ‘Step into England’s Story’.

GC-LIFT 19505

Dear Jacqui I recently listened to your talk to parents about vocabulary at my son’s primary school. He is 8 years old. Please can you remind me how to increase his vocabulary at home? There is a correlation between a child’s vocabulary entering school and his later educational success as well as income. This is not the end of the story though as we can actively increase vocabulary learning along the way. Here are some important top tips: • Make time to talk to each other often. Switch off screens. • Play with words every day. Dinner time around the table is a good opportunity. • Pick really useful words that the average adult knows well and will be used often when speaking or in reading and writing e.g. specific, research, grumble. • Really useful words can be chosen from favourite stories e.g. Roald Dahl books. • Write a new word on a whiteboard in your kitchen every day. Write yesterday’s word and its meaning on a card, then put it in a pot to review each evening and at the end of the week. • Think about what the word starts with e.g. ‘g’ for grumble, what it rhymes with ‘tumble’, how many syllables, what it means, and put it in a sentence. • You can also think of synonyms (similar words) e.g. complain, and antonyms (opposite words) e.g. praise. • Use your words for the week often, repeating them 10 to 30 times over the week. • Play word games e.g. ‘Don’t say it’.

Meet Emily who doodles a cartoon diary of her musings and chaotic life

www.EmilyIllustrates.co.uk and www.facebook.com/JeSuisEmilyIllustration

Actions Against Public Authorities Agriculture & Landed Estates Business Sales & Acquisitions Child Contact Civil Litigation & Court Actions Civil Partnerships Costs

Reassuringly Traditionalâ&#x20AC;Ś

Debt Collection Dental Negligence Development Land Options & Uplifts

â&#x20AC;ŚCommercially Astute

Dispute Resolution & mediation Employment Law Enforcement Actions Financial Issues

Partners:Robert Marchant Vanessa Schomberg Paul Gardener

Landlord & Tenant Medical Negligence

(Solicitor-Advocate)

Neighbour disputes

Anne McCallum Rennie Chambers Richard Satyanadhan

Personal Injury Possession Claims Powers of Attorney Probate Professional Negligence Residential Conveyancing Settlement Agreements Transfer of Equity

Associate:Rosalind Blaza

Trusts Wills 4 High Street, Olney, Buckinghamshire MK46 4BB Tel: Fax: DX: Email:

Associate:Glen Webb

01234 711215 01234 713391 51300 OLNEY enquiries@jgalaw.co.uk www.jgalaw.co.uk

J Garrard & Allen Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (47796) Member of the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS01875)

Wilson Peacock County Homes successfully selling homes in the Ouse valley since 1901

For the best price on your property call today on 01234 352333

Wilson Peacock 58 St. Loyes Street, Bedford, MK40 1HD Robert.fitzjohn@wilsonpeacock.co.uk

www.wilsonpeacock.co.uk

WINNER

Fashion Jewellery Brand of the Year

ALENTINEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY 14TH FEBRUARY

Beautiful contemporary designs available at

John Medhurst

10 Mill Street, Bedford, MK40 3HD. Tel: 01234 351458

c johnmedhurstltd d @johnmedhurstltd