Beauty - Ouse Valley Living Magazine
Transcription
Beauty - Ouse Valley Living Magazine
Ouse Valley Living June 2014 & Health THE OUSE VALLEY’S NO.1 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE • 16,000 COPIES HAND DELIVERED Pr ic el es s Beauty The composable pendant with endless possibilities www.story-jewellery.com Presented by Medina N EWS Authorized STORY retailer STORY silk bracelet in 3 shining colours, with silver heart. Per piece £ 69 JUNE 2014 ISSUE 95 20 26 Health & Beauty Regular Features And more 12 PILATES what is it? 16 HEALTH fact or myth? 20 BEAUTY Q ’n’ As 23 INSOMNIA advice 26 HAIR healthy locks 28 HERBS for health 31 RECIPE low cal dip 32 WINE for beauty 36 TAKE A WALK a local route 38 NATURE the great outdoors 42 STYLE SS14 accessories 49 INCIDENTALLY getaway 50 IN GOOD CO mumpreneurs 54 HISTORY WW2 memoirs 56 MOTORS wacky racers 58 MUSIC Milky’s scene live 34 WIN! luxury manicure & pedicure 35 WIN! collagen treatments 46 SHOPPING fathers’ day 60 BOOKS Rachel Abbott 62 OVL where do you read yours? 64 HOROSCOPES it’s in the stars 70 DIARY DATES what’s on when 73 PUZZLES whose ad & Sudoku Meet the OVL writers... Olivia Waker Feature: Health Olivia is currently in her second year of studying Medicine at the University of Leeds. In her spare time she enjoys live music, ballet dancing and taking advantage of Leeds’ great bars and restaurants. Olivia writes with a scientific approach in an accessible way about health issues that are current, relevant and topical. Naomi Jones Feature: Beauty 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! Kelly Gay Feature: Hair Kelly is a qualified hairstylist and writer who has worked with BT and French Connection. A West Country girl, now living in Bedfordshire, with an unhealthy obsession for ASOS shopping, crisps and chai tea, her hair advice and happenings can be found over on her blog: www.klghairadvice.com 4 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Joules.com free clIck and collect. Buy onlIne, collect In store. to stand out from the crowd VIsIt Joules of olney 25 High Street South, Olney, Buckinghamshire, MK46 4AA June 2014 Health and Beauty topics are rarely out of the media spotlight. This month we look at ways to be beautiful on the outside - with style advice, beauty prizes and tips for healthy hair - and plenty of suggestions for how to be beautiful on the inside with a focus on fitness and diet. Not only do herbs beautify our gardens and add wonderful, aromatic flavours to our food, they have excellent health benefits too. Turn to Rosemary’s Garden on page 28 to find out how these plants can feed the body, mind and soul. This month Master of Wine Sarah Abbott’s article is a revelation. She tells us how wine can make us beautiful (see page 32). Now that is news we love to hear. OVL Health writer Olivia Waker dispels some of the frequently quoted myths handed down from generation to generation. Turn to page 16 to see if eating crusts really will make our hair curly! We also have two fabulous prizes up for grabs. Beauty at The Picture House in Olney is offering a month’s supply of a unique chewable collagen product together with a nourishing collagen beauty treatment. Plus one lucky reader can win a luxury spa manicure and pedicure at Naomi Jones Beauty. Advertising We deliver 16,000 copies door-to-door in: Biddenham, Bletsoe, Blunham, Bromham, Carlton, Felmersham, Great Denham, Great Barford, Harrold, Melchbourne, Milton Ernest, Oakley, Odell, Pavenham, Radwell, Ravensden, Renhold, Sharnbrook, Souldrop, Stagsden, Stevington, Turvey, Wilden, Willington. OVL is also available to pick up in hundreds of selected outlets in: Bedford, Bolnhurst, Box End, Cardington, Clapham, Clifton Reynes, Cople, Kempston, Lavendon, Olney, Riseley, Rushden, Thurleigh, Swineshead, Yielden To advertise email [email protected] or call 01234 783159 / 07557 747744 Ouse Valley Living Ltd Barnholme Cottage, 7 High Street, Sharnbrook, MK44 1PG Telephone: 01234 783159 Email: [email protected] OVL design and production services provided by: Skinny Dog Design Ltd (01234 345145) www.skinnydogdesign.co.uk Love magazines? Love OVL Subscription available 10 copies a year for only £20 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 2014 What does your kitchen mean to you? What does your kitchen mean for you? AngliaInteriors Quality and price in perfect harmony since 1974 A FAMILY run company installing high quality, affordable kitchens, bedrooms and home offices. Forget the SALES hype just give us a try, you may 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 398018 Bedford is a solus SHERATON studio Proud to be backed by KBSA. Buy with confidence and have peace of mind through to completion. www.kbsa.org.uk 8th Annual Bedfordshire Italian Car & Bike Day Sunday 22 June Over the years the Bedfordshire Italian Car & Bike Day has become a nationally recognised event at The Sharnbrook Hotel & VesuviO attracting a diverse and interesting array of Italian design and engineering from a variety of marques. Classic Fiat will be celebrated as the guest marque at this year’s event together with an impressive display of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Lancia and Alfa Romeo as well as a variety of Italian sports bikes. If you would like to exhibit your vehicle please contact Ciro on [email protected] Gates open for spectators at 11am and there is a BBQ, Pig Roast and Children’s Fair – entry is £3 per adult and free for Under 12s/Senior Citizens. If you’re planning in advance, book for lunch at VesuviO or, alternatively, watch the LIVE Austrian Grand Prix action in The Amalfi Suite while enjoying Sunday lunch with friends and fellow enthusiasts. Visit www.thesharnbrookhotel.com for more details. 8 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts letters Your Dear OVL I loved the motors article and great that the national press is getting news stories from OVL! Well done. But something that Richard didn’t mention in either his OVL or Sunday Times pieces is that for every seller of a car there’s a buyer. So just as the seller loses part of the tax so the buyer will pay a whole month’s tax for their first part month of registration. Double the estimated figure to £110 million and you’ll be closer to the real extent of this tax cheat! Reg Pearson, Landlord The Robin Hood est. 1577 Clifton Reynes www.therobinhoodpub.co.uk Richard McCann replies: ‘Glad you like the articles, Reg. You raise an excellent point that everyone else missed. Good work!’ Dear OVL I’ve previously used a delicious recipe for date slice which I believe was in your magazine in the last year, but I can’t download the back issues on my mobile. Are you able to help please? Many thanks Ron The recipe for date slice was as far back as our April 2008 edition. We hope the copy sent will enable you to bake many more! Dear OVL I should like to express my pleasure at and thanks for the generous mention of my book, Wildlife through the Year, in Will Anthony’s article in the May issue of Ouse Valley Living. I’m pleased that Will is enjoying browsing it. Tim Sharrock Dear OVL We were delighted with the response we had to our last advert you kindly displayed for us in April. We would be most grateful if we could have another diary entry in the June publication. Many thanks Fiona Mowe Mowsbury Park Bowls Club Dear OVL I am absolutely thrilled to see my article ‘My Wonderful Father’ in this edition of OVL! Thank you so much – it looks really great. Huge appreciation to you and the team – 16,000 homes in the area! Cross fingers for me finding the bike. I’ll be sure to let you know the ending of the story however it comes about. All the very best Paul Dear OVL Just to say thank you from the Sharnbrook Gospel Choir for your support. Lovely article and we had a great concert with around 100 attendees. The choir members really enjoyed singing to them and, by all accounts, the audience enjoyed it too! Then everyone had tea and cake... Here’s to the next time! Best wishes Mike Gibbons We love to hear from you: OVL Magazine Barnholme Cottage 7 High Street Sharnbrook Bedfordshire MK44 1PG [email protected] Love OVL but not in our distribution area? Why not subscribe? 10 copies a year only £20 [email protected] FIFA World Cup, Brazil. That’s football, in case you hadn’t heard. The extravaganza kicks off on 12 June with the first game for England two days later against Italy. Can England’s lion cubs Lallana, Barkley, Shaw and Sterling shine in the Brazilian sun? We’re in Group D, let’s hope it’s not ‘D’ for defeat. Rose Gold. Last season’s metallic trend transcends into spring and summer with rose gold leading the way. At OVL we’ll take a ring, bracelet, necklace, earrings... in fact all of the above! This season paint it on your nails too. Try Rimmel Salon Pro in Frankie My Dear or Essie Curtain Call. Maleficent. Disney’s new offering stars Angelina Jolie in the untold story of Maleficent, the iconic villain from the 1959 classic ‘Sleeping Beauty’. We find out how the pure-hearted young woman is betrayed, turning her heart to stone. She places a curse on a newborn but at what cost to the kingdom and herself? A wide range of colours and styles to cater for different budgets Bespoke products Free plan & design service Full installation team Interior design service Friendly, local company KITCHENS | BEDROOMS | BATHROOMS Kreative, 178 Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford MK42 8BL Tel 01234 300023 Browns of Stagsden... www.kkbespoke.co.uk create space, create smiles A touch of glass… A proper farm shop on a proper working family run farm... Open Farm Sunday 8th June 10am-4pm We are a family run business with a dedicated team who have over 25 years experience Entry by donation to a local charity Find out how your food is produced from field to fork Meet the animals, sit on a tractor/combine BBQ or bring a picnic Farm Shop normal opening times: Tues-Thurs 9-5pm Fri 9-6pm Sat 9-4pm Extraordinary quality… Hardwood and UPVc conservatories and orangeries, windows and doors including composite and bi-fold plus fascias and soffits and home maintenance …at an ordinary price! Call us today for a free, no obligation quotation Tel: 01234 818299 Email: [email protected] Visit our website for more details: www.lanternbuildings.co.uk 10 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts D-Day Dinner ~ Friday 6 June To honour the 70 year anniversary of the D-Day Landings we will be hosting a 5 course dinner to commerorate and remember the momentous sacrifice made by so many. Menu ‘Dig for Victory’, ‘Three way pigeon’, ‘Dover Sole(diers)’, ‘Pork Normande’ and ‘Choose your Allies dessert’ Sit down at 7.45pm: £29 per person We will also be selling Bombardier for 1 shilling per pint during the night, kindly sponsored by Wells and Young’s Brewery Proprietors: Darron & Sarah Smith Phone: 01234 772 319 Email: [email protected] @HorseandJockeyR www.horseandjockey.info Church End, Ravensden BEDS, MK44 2RR Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 12pm to 3pm & 6pm till close Sunday: 12pm to 6pm WHAT IS PILATES? Heather Claridge This is something I get asked about so many times. I hope this article will help you understand more about it but the only real way to learn what it is, is to do it! Then it makes sense! It is not something to learn by reading books or looking at DVDs although these are very useful once you’ve mastered the Pilates technique. The Pilates Method of body conditioning is a unique system of stretching and strengthening exercises developed over 90 years ago by Joseph H Pilates (1880-1967). It strengthens and tones muscles, improves posture, provides flexibility and balance, unites body and mind and, with a specific breathing technique, creates a more streamlined shape. Joseph Pilates had suffered as a child from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever and was determined to strengthen his frail and sickly body. He held the firm conviction that we each have to take responsibility for our own health. The link between happiness, health and fitness became Joseph Pilates’s passion. Elements of other disciplines - including yoga, martial arts, gymnastics, skiing, self defence, dance, circus training and weight training - can be recognised in Joe’s later teaching. By absorbing and selecting the most effective aspects from each he was able to develop a system which had the perfect balance of strength and flexibility. 12 The main element of the Pilates Method is considered to be a mind-body conditioning programme which enables the body to move with less effort, allowing a flowing and balanced movement. The Method uses the individual’s own body to its greatest advantage, utilising its own strength, muscle flexibility and coordination, and requires that the individual pay attention to his or her body throughout the exercise. In order to achieve this mind-body connection, the following principles are considered to be the main components of all mat work exercises: 1 oncentration – this involves the important C mind-body connection. Good Pilates practice requires precision of movement which, in turn, requires you to be ‘present’ and mindful of your whole body while you exercise. 2 elaxation – relaxation of the mind and body R is an essential part of any Pilates session. As you focus completely on your movements, your mind feels clearer and free from stress. If you hold onto unnecessary tension, the overactive muscles that tend to dominate your movements will continue to do so. 3 lignment – by correctly aligning the body A and controlling the position of your joints you encourage sound movement patterns. Good posture and precision of movement are key to good Pilates practice. Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts 4 5 6 7 reathing – Breath is the essence of life itself. The B muscles involved in the breathing process are also crucial to postural control. Synchronising the breath to movements is a key part of Pilates. Learning how to breathe more effectively within movement helps both the mind and body to relax, recharge and focus. entring – this principle is probably the one Pilates C is most famous for, but is also most misunderstood. Centring is often referred to as ‘core stability’ or ‘using the powerhouse’. It encourages the deep core muscles to help control and stabilise the movement process. All Pilates movements stem from a strong centre. o-ordination – there is no doubt that some of us C are born with better co-ordination than others! Each movement, whether simple or complex, should be performed purposefully with precision and control, and using the correct breathing pattern. lowing movements – Pilates exercises should always F be performed with flowing movements, controlled and lengthening outwards from a strong centre. Occasionally, you may be asked to hold a position but the majority of Pilates exercises are dynamic and should flow. This is one major differences between Pilates and yoga. You will learn how to control the articulation of your spine through flexion, extension, side flexion and rotation, to move the spine bone by bone. Similarly, you will be mobilising your joints, taking them through their normal ranges of movement. The end result is healthier joints plus your muscles will be longer and stronger too. 8 tamina – you will be amazed at how regular S practice of Pilates will increase your stamina. As your movements and breathing become more efficient and good posture becomes natural to you, you will have much more energy. Pilates constantly amazes me. The difference it can make to clients, whether young or old, fit or not so fit, recovering from surgery or just generally stiff, it works! I am passionate about Pilates, the holistic benefits as well as the physical ones too. After 14 years of teaching I’m still learning more about the body and new ways of moving our bodies with the Pilates ethos! My journey is never ending and I feel very privileged to work in this field. I hope this article helps you understand more about my world. Heather Claridge, owns and runs Olney Pilates Studio. She has been a qualified Body Control Pilates Teacher since 2001. [email protected] 01234 241427 www.olneypilatesstudio.co.uk Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 13 Do Your Feet Often Hurt? Our foot clinic specialises in painful conditions in the feet and lower limb. For over 15 years we have achieved success with ‘difficult to treat’ ailments such as heel spur, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma, bunion pain, repeated ankle sprains and shin splints. We have treated thousands of people successfully and prevented some from having surgery. We are medically registered. Wendy Russell-Rayner BSC(Hons) BA(Hons) Wini Thomas BSC(Hons) BA(Hons) Jayne MCDaid BSC(Hons) Registered Nurse Foot Clinic : Osteopathy : Sports Injuries Clinic : Colonic Clinic I had Achilles pain in both feet for most of my adult life and had operations on both Achilles tendons to help relieve the pain. These operations were not successful and if anything made the problem worse. My heels hurt in normal walking. I am really pleased I went to the Bedford Clinic as I am now pain free. I recently joined a hiking club and regularly do 10 km hikes without pain. Ms A Armstrong, Milton Keynes 220 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3TY 01234 294954 www.achingback.co.uk 14 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts FitSteps® is here! The hottest new fitness craze sweeping the nation hits Sharnbrook & Biddenham FitSteps®, the UK’s newest dance fitness programme created by Strictly Come Dancing stars Natalie Lowe, Ian Waite and former contestant and world champion swimmer Mark Foster is coming to local villages, thanks to local fitness instructor Claudia Calardo. Claudia has launched FitSteps® classes in Sharnbrook and Biddenham to inspire locals to get fit, have fun and try something new. The first dance fusion of its kind, it blends Ballroom with the up-tempo pace of Latin dances into an easy to follow class that works, tones and sculpts the whole body. A 45-minute session can burn up to a staggering 700 calories. A series of dance moves from the Jive, Cha Cha Cha and Samba keep the heart rate raised while slower movements from the Waltz and Rumba tone the torso, arms and legs. The dances are broken down into easily learnable sections, making it suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. “As a professionally trained dancer, becoming a FitSteps instructor has been my best decision ever,” says Claudia. “The classes leave me buzzing and I have fun whilst keeping fit. I have men and women in my classes ranging from ages 17-76. Come along and try it - no partner required!” Marie (76) who attends the class in Sharnbrook said: “Most enjoyable. Even if you do not do exactly what Claudia is doing, you feel great by the end of the class!” Classes are at Sharnbrook Village Hall (Tuesdays 8pm) and Biddenham Pavilion (Thursdays 7.15pm). New classes over the coming months will include daytime sessions. To reserve your space call 07507913027 or email [email protected]. Created by Strictly Professionals Natalie Lowe & Ian Waite, FitSteps is the latest fitness craze to sweep the nation and classes are HERE NOW! You’ve watched the celebs do it and now it is your chance to dance your way to a fitter, healthier, and happier you. From the cheeky Cha-Cha to the graceful Waltz, these routines have been designed to give you FAST fitness results and leave you feeling “FAB-U-LOUS darling!” No dance partner needed. “Great workout, fun, and makes you feel like a star!” Weekly Classes Tuesdays – Sharnbrook Village Hall 8pm-8:45pm Thursdays – Biddenham Pavilion 7:15pm-8pm £5 per session Contact your local instructor Claudia to find out more Tel: 07507 913027 Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/fitstepswithClaudia-bedfordarea Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 15 Do carrots really help you to see in the dark? 9 health ‘myths’ explained Olivia Waker 1. Feed a cold, starve a fever Feed a cold: a 2002 study showed abundant food intake increases the production of a cytokine (protein) called gamma interferon which is important in fighting infection. It is therefore beneficial when suffering with a cold to eat and drink plenty, sticking to nutritional, vitamin and mineral-rich foods as these help fuel your immune system, fighting the virus. Bioflavenoids are a type of antioxidant found in citrus fruits; these are anti-inflammatory and help to reduce cold symptoms. Vitamins C (strawberries, oranges etc.) and E (sunflower oil) alleviate cell damage by the cold. Furthermore, eating hot and spicy foods can aid decongestion of sinuses. VERDICT= FACT. Starve a fever: a fever is indicative of a bacterial rather than viral infection. Fasting increases interleukin-4 (another cytokine) levels in the blood; this is a factor in the antibodyimmune response which fights bacterial infections. In spite of this, however, there is very little evidence to support ‘starving a fever’ so it is best to eat normally and healthily. VERDICT= MYTH. 2. Carrots help you to see in the dark Carrots are rich in a substance called betacarotene; this activates to form vitamin A (aka retinol). Retinol is used to form retinal which binds with other components to create rhodopsin, a photo-sensitive molecule in the 16 eye, sensitive in dim light. However, unless you are severely deficient in vitamin A (generally due to gastro-intestinal disorders) eating carrots will not help you to see better in the dark. VERDICT= MYTH. 3. Cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis It is thought that around 20% of us crack our knuckles. When you crack your knuckles, the joint space is widened lowering the pressure. This allows gases dissolved in the synovial fluid surrounding the joint (mainly nitrogen) to leave forming a bubble, which then collapses on itself making the characteristic ‘cracking’ sound. There has been no correlation found between knuckle cracking and osteoarthritis; a man named Donald Unger won a Nobel prize in 2009 for cracking the knuckles of his left hand but never his right for 60 years and noted no difference. VERDICT= MYTH. 4. Going out with wet hair causes you to catch a cold To catch a common cold you must be exposed to the rhinovirus; this could be via contaminated surfaces, human to human contact, or droplets in the air (coughing and sneezing). Being cold and wet does not increase the chance of catching a cold. VERDICT= MYTH. Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts 5. Eating the crust of the bread makes your hair go curly 8. Swallowed chewing gum takes seven years to digest 6. Never wake a sleepwalker 9. Stress makes your hair go grey There is no fact whatsoever in this old wives’ tale, however crusts are good for you. An antioxidant called pronyl-lysine released in baking can help reduce your risk of bowel cancer and is eight times more abundant in the crust. A 2009 study showed regular crusteating can reduce risk of aberrant crypt foci (pre-cancerous lesion) formation in the bowel by 72%. This may also be due to the fibre; a high fibre diet can help to decrease bowel cancer risk. VERDICT= MYTH. Some say waking a sleepwalker can cause them to have a heart attack or to go into shock but this is thought to be highly unlikely. There is no evidence it causes the person any harm at all. However, sleepwalking occurs in the deepest stage of sleep and waking someone from this could cause them to become confused or frightened and they may lash out at you. For this reason it is always best to lead them by the arm back to bed. VERDICT= NON CONCLUSIVE. 7. If you cross your eyes they’ll stay that way The body is only able to digest the oil and sugar components of gum; the rubber base remains intact and is excreted in your faeces. This process takes hours (not years)! However, it isn’t a good idea to start swallowing your gum. There have been cases where children have had to have large masses of gum removed from their bowels; it seems swallowing large amounts in a small period of time can cause blockage of the digestive tract and constipation, particularly in children. VERDICT= MYTH. Grey or white hair is due to lack of pigmentation/melanin; this is because melanocytes (cells) at the base of the follicles have stopped producing pigment, typically occurring as you age, known as achromotrichia. There is some evidence that stress can speed up this process, but no definite link has yet been published. VERDICT= NON CONCLUSIVE. Olivia Waker is a 2nd Year Medical Student at Leeds University There is absolutely no truth in this whatsoever; there are six extra-ocular muscles controlling movement of the eye, whether that be up, down, inwards or out. VERDICT= MYTH. Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 17 DiscoverProbita.co.uk Countrywear • Complete, low-calorie, all-day nutrition • Strengthens musculoskeletal system • Best protein form available today • Youthful skin, hair & nails • Safe for the entire family • New lean muscle • Boost energy SPRINGWEAR for Ladies & Gentlemen Now in Stock www.lodgeway-countrywear.co.uk 01462 816122 OPEN: MON-FRI 8pm-5pm SAT 8am-12pm Chicksands, Shefford, Beds SG17 5QB • Enhanced weight loss • Protects cardio function Available from Beauty at The Picture House 79 High Street, Olney or order online at www.discoverprobita.co.uk For Sharnbrook area, also available from Beauty by Andrea 61 Mill Road, Sharnbrook Email [email protected] Starlight Hike 2014 The Sue Ryder-St John’s Hospice Starlight Hike returns on Saturday 13 September and promises to be a star-studded evening! The 10k night-time walking challenge starts at 10pm and the route this year will be in and around the hospice itself. Last year, the Starlight Hike raised £100,000. Every year St John’s Hospice needs to raise £2.4 million to keep its doors open and provide the care so needed by its patients along with support for their families. Fay Boissieux, event organiser at St John’s Hospice, said: “The Starlight Hike is a fun way of getting family, friends and colleagues together in a beautiful location. On the night there is the opportunity to remember loved ones in our Starlight Avenue, a space where people have the chance to reflect on memories of those who are no longer with us”. The night kicks off with stage entertainment and a warm up for the hundreds of hikers taking part. Walkers will follow a safe marshalled route around the grounds of St John’s Hospice and the surrounding countryside with entertainment along the route. For those who missed last year’s event, you can get a taste of the atmosphere at: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=GWOkT_ZmEUg After crossing the finish line, hikers will be rewarded with a luxury goody bag in the knowledge they have all been stars themselves for a night and done something incredible for people living with incurable illness. To get involved please visit www.starlighthike.org or call 01767 642422 18 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Introducing the Holistic Hands Wellbeing Centre The Holistic Hands Wellbeing Centre is more than just a beauty salon. Our dedicated team specialises in looking after your whole body. We listen to your needs and tailor our therapies accordingly. In addition to traditional beauty treatments such as manicures, pedicures, waxing and threading we also offer Elemis Facials, Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone Massages, Reflexology, Pregnancy Massage and Indian Head Massage. The Wellbeing Centre is also able to provide a range of complementary therapies including Osteopathy, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Podiatry and Chiropody, Allergy and Food Intolerance Testing. We have therapists who are experienced in the treatment of clients who are suffering from cancer and other debilitating illnesses. Our tranquil location means that the centre is an oasis of calm and we believe that this enables our clients to fully relax during their treatment so that they leave us feeling refreshed and re-energised. We also have the added benefit of ample parking! We are able to offer pamper parties; these are the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion with your girlfriends, whether it’s a birthday, hen party or baby shower. The Centre is located in Tilbrook on the B660 and is on the borders of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. It is an easy drive from Sharnbrook, Oakley, Bromham, Bletsoe and Milton Ernest. For more information on all our services please visit our website www.holistic-hands-online.com or call 01480 869404. ***Exclusive Introductory Offer*** We are offering all new clients to the centre an exclusive 20% off their first massage or beauty treatment with us. Please quote NCD20 at the time of booking. We look forward to welcoming you to the Wellbeing Centre soon! Where excellence is our standard, designed with you in mind * Massage * Beauty * Reflexology * Acupuncture * Osteopathy * Wellbeing treatments Tel: 01480-869404 www.holistic-hands-online.com HolisticHandsWellbeingCentre Find us on the B660 between Kimbolton & Catworth Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 19 BEAUTY Naomi Jones shares more secrets from the salon… Beauty questions answered Today was another busy day in the salon. During a relaxing facial treatment with one of my clients she asked, “How should I cleanse my skin properly?” Now this is a question that I’m often asked and it started me thinking about the many questions that clients repeatedly ask. And then a ‘light bulb moment’: “I could share these questions and answers with our OVL readers”. Lucky you! So may I suggest that you pour a glass of wine or a comforting cup of tea and I will share with you some of the most frequently asked questions at Naomi Jones Beauty… Q: How should I cleanse my skin properly? Really clean skin is the first step to healthy skin so begin with a generous amount of cleanser, massage onto the skin and rinse well with warm water. Repeat if you have a lot of make-up to remove. Next, use cotton pads soaked with toner to remove any remaining cleanser. Ensure that all traces of make-up and cleanser have gone as a build-up of products can result in congestion under the skin. Blot the skin dry and you are ready to moisturise. This is a really important procedure; facial wipes or just water do not cleanse the skin well enough - it would be like running a greasy plate under the tap! Q: What can I do to get rid of wrinkles? As we age, the collagen and elastin found in the 20 skin begins to break down and this results in the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Of course other factors are involved such as diet and our genetic make-up, the environment and the care we have given our skin. Salon treatments such as radio frequency which helps to rebuild collagen and a good skincare routine are the best ways to reduce wrinkles along with no smoking and a good, wellbalanced diet, not forgetting a daily application of sunscreen. Q: How do I get rid of spots? The best thing to do is leave them alone. Difficult I know, but squeezing them can spread spots due to bacteria. Q: What is the cause of under-eye dark circles and what treatments can help? Occasional dark circles under the eyes can be caused by factors such as lack of sleep, dehydration or an allergy. Dark circles can also be hereditary and are more likely to occur in certain ethnic groups but, for many, dark circles are simply a sign of the ageing process. Salon treatments can help to reduce the appearance by improving the collagen production and working on the blood vessels just under the skin. Drink plenty of water and include lots of vitamins in your diet. Using a good concealer will be the only way to achieve a really even skin tone. Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Q: How do I select the right moisturiser for my skin type? There are so many products on the market and the key to choosing the right one is really knowing your skin type. This is difficult to self-diagnose so I would recommend a skincare consultation with a professional beauty therapist who can determine your skin type and recommend products with active ingredients that will benefit your skin. Q: What is cellulite and how do I get rid of it? Q: Which products can I use during chemotherapy? I have been asked this many times. Due to the high sensitivity of the skin during treatment it is really important to avoid perfumes and chemicals. I would recommend very pure soap for cleansing and sweet almond oil which is a soothing product. These products are readily available in health food shops but always check first with your medical team. Cellulite is the bumpy, dimpled skin that shows up around the butt, abs, and thighs. This appearance results from enlarged packets of body fat deposited deep underneath the skin which push up against the underlying connective tissue. While I sincerely apologise that I don’t have a ‘miracle treatment’ for cellulite, knowing that one doesn’t exist is a blessing in itself as the only true way to prevent cellulite is to lead a healthy lifestyle. A few tips to help diminish the appearance of cellulite include regular exfoliation and massage of the affected area, eating a healthy diet that maximises protein and healthy fats and limits sugar, exercising regularly and lifting weights as muscle tone hardens the skin’s appearance. And don’t smoke – cellulite is more common in smokers. Or just be a man as they are much less likely to have cellulite. So unfair! Q: Does fake tan stop me from getting a real tan? Q: What is the difference between a Hollywood and Brazilian wax? No, not at all. A fake tan is a stain on the surface of the skin and offers no protection from burning so apply your sunscreen at all times when you are in the sun. Q: If I use make-up containing sunscreen, do I still have to apply sunscreen separately? That all depends on the SPF (sun protection factor) rating of your make up. If it’s 15 or more then it is likely to be enough - as long as you apply it properly and in a thick enough layer to gain maximum protection. If your make-up contains less than 15 SPF, then you need a layer of sunscreen as well. But remember, SPF numbers are not cumulative. So if your foundation has an SPF of 10 and your powder has an SPF of 8, the maximum protection you are getting is 10. Moreover, sun exposure degrades sunscreen, so you have to reapply it every few hours. To avoid having to redo your make-up, check out mineral powders which contain a natural sunscreen and can be dusted on top of make-up without getting that heavy, caked-on look. When I first trained in waxing, clients just wanted a ‘tidy up’ in the bikini area. However, techniques have developed over the years with an increasing number of clients interested in more extreme waxing. Typically a Hollywood wax removes all of the pubic hair from front to back. A Brazilian wax is actually very similar, however it does leave a small ‘strip’ over the mons pubis. Q: How do I stop ingrown hairs after waxing? Exfoliate the skin at least twice a week and moisturise regularly. Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 21 New Sharnbrook practice now open at Millhouse Hotel Please call for details North Beds Osteopaths has been established in Bromham since 1990. We are experienced in treating both adults and children. We can help with many problems including: You only have one spine – look after it well! Back, neck, joint & muscular problems Sports injuries Work strains Headaches Back pain, etc during pregnancy Cranial osteopathy available Open Monday to Saturday in Bromham Male and female practitioners (in Bromham) Experienced, fully-qualified osteopaths Registered with the General Osteopathic Council Jason D. Pinny ND, DO Joanne E. Pinny ND, DO & Associates 2a Grange Lane, Bromham Bedford MK43 8NP Phone: 01234 823621 www.northbedsosteos.co.uk supporting your well-being Luxurious Anti-Ageing Skincare with active ingredient CELLIGENT® Specially developed to treat UV stressed skin Containing a unique stem cell blend called CELLIGENT®. This ingredient has been specially developed to treat UV stressed skin, helping to regenerate dead or damaged skin cells by neutralising free radicals which can cause damage to skin cells. Also includes natural ingredients: • Rose Geranium Oil • Wheatgerm Oil • Chia Oil • Rosemary Oil & more... Do you suffer from? • Headaches • Migraines • Tiredness • Fatigue • Weight problems • Eczema • Psoriasis • Asthma • Catarrh • Sinus congestion • IBS • Digestive disorders • Anxiety • M.E. • Depression A test will give you instant results on over 100 foods, 50 environmental substances & a full vitamin & mineral screening Now available weekly in Bromham, Bedford, Thrapston and Tilbrook (near Kimbolton) Please call Samantha Thompson of Allergy Test UK on 07970 240945 or email [email protected] www.allergytest.co.uk granovita UK 22 @PurelySKINful www.granovita.co.uk Follow us on Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts @allergytestuk O sleep, O gentle sleep, Nature’s soft nurse, how have I frighted thee, That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down And steep my senses in forgetfulness? (William Shakespeare) Joanne Waine I have heard from quite a few people lately that they would love a wonderful, restful sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready for their day. Are you one of these people or do you know someone who needs help to sleep? Quality sleep is central to human health and happiness and should be natural - not influenced by alcohol, medication or poor food and drink choices. So why do we get sleep problems? About a third of us will have had difficulty sleeping at one time or another; however, approximately 10% of the population will experience a genuine bout of insomnia. This condition can last from a few days to a few months and, in some cases, years. What is happening inside you and why do you have a sleep problem? About two hours before your normal bedtime, the serotonin (feel good stuff) is transforming into the melatonin cycle (sleep stuff) which peaks about two hours after you doze off then declines during the night. Normal sleep is in cycles of about 90 to 120 minutes; the first three cycles are usually the deepest including the lighter REM sleep at the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. You may think you have been awake all night, worrying, but sleep centres have proved to clients that they actually have fallen asleep during the cycles. A few of the causes can be: • an uncomfortable old bed • a bright or noisy environment • going through a stressful time e.g. financial, sickness, or family additions • worrying about the jobs to be done next day • experiencing pain or discomfort • being overweight, suffering from sleep apnea, or snoring yourself awake • not making enough serotonin to convert into the melatonin cycle • shift work or unusual hours How do we overcome being unable to get a good night’s sleep? • use black-out curtains • plan for the next day before you go into the bedroom • avoid stimulation for an hour before bedtime, for example, ban the TV from the bedroom • learning relaxation techniques can help towards a rapid drifting off to sleep • sleep hygiene education - including diet, exercise and environmental factors • hypnotherapy and cognitive therapy - addresses attitudes and misconceptions about sleep • medication via the GP - this does not always give the very deep quality sleep needed for our health Joanne Waine DipCBT, DipCAH, DipSC, DipLC, MNCH(Acc), SQHP, MPNLP, EFT-ADV www.calmpower.com Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 23 TINSLEYS RIDING SCHOOL Established 1977 www.tinsleysridingschool.co.uk • Friendly and professional experienced instructors • Children from the age of 5 • Adult tuition • Lessons for the complete beginner to the more advanced rider NEIL & SUSAN BLACK B.H.S.I.I. Green Lane, Clapham, Bedfordshire MK41 6ET Telephone 01234 268556 The Patrick Castell Morris 10/6 Special ‘Long Road Enduro’ September 2014 APPEAL FOR DONORS AND SPONSORSHIP Will this classic man, driving a vintage car, with a combined age approaching 160 years, make it over 950 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End - and be back in time for tea… ? The End-to-End is an incredible journey by anyone’s standards taking in some of Britain’s finest scenery along the way. Patrick was born in East Haddon in the spring of 1937 and his car, which he re-built himself in his garage 24 between 1988 and 1992, was hatched from the famous Morris Cowley factory in May 1934. Supporting his adopted charity, Help for Heroes, is Patrick’s way to say thank you to all the armed forces for the unseen protection afforded to all of us and our families allowing us to live the lives we have. Patrick’s team to help with this “once in a lifetime and before it is too late” challenge are a like-minded friend in the support vehicle and two guest ‘heroes’ to help with navigation and photos, to keep a diary of the challenge and to write an entertaining blog interspersed with fund-raising events. As Patrick so succinctly puts it, ‘Stump up everyone’. Please give generously at: www.bmycharity.com ref. Patrick Garner Castell 07767 600188 patrickgarnercastell.tumblr.com Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts £10 off Country & Stable of Olney is now open! Minimum spend £40. Just bring this voucher into the shop or use the code ‘10poundsonline’ at the checkout when ordering online. Free shipping on any order above £39 (UK mainland). Offer valid until 10 July 2014. We look forward to seeing you This stunning new shop is ideal for anyone who enjoys the British countryside and has missed having a country and equestrian retailer in Olney. After the success of our website based here in Olney, the family run business has opened a beautiful new shop right in the centre of town. We want to give you the opportunity to shop for your favourite country and equestrian brands right on your doorstep. For you we have brands such as Ariat, Toggi, Musto, Pikeur, Horseware Ireland and Le Chameau wellington boots. For your horse we stock a range of Horseware Ireland rugs, suitable for all seasons. Le Chameau wellington boots now in stock 0800 054 2205 (free phone) 6 The Galleries, Olney, MK46 4DX www.countryandstable.co.uk A GREAT RANGE OF SHOOTING GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE NOW! CALL NOW FOR THAT SPECIAL GIFT! Sporting Limited Knotting Lane, Riseley, Bedfordshire MK44 1BX. Tel: 01234 708893 Fax: 01234 708886 Email: [email protected] www.sportingtargets.co.uk Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 25 Kelly Gay Having healthy hair is as much about what you put in as what you put on. Essential vitamins and minerals in food will help build the basics of what your hair needs to grow and stay strong. It’s important to remember that most of the time when we have problems with our hair and skin it can be down to diet and missing out on nutrients. And the great thing about the foods that do good on the inside is that applied as a hair mask they also work well to add shine, boost growth and condition hair. Look in the fruit and veg aisle for lots of produce that will help hair. Avocado has a whopping 25 nutrients including vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. Vitamin B is essential for hair growth, so it’s great to get lots of foods loaded with vitamin B into your diet. You can also use avocado as part of a hair mask to improve shine and moisturise dry hair. Carrots are said to help you see in the dark, but did you know they are loaded with vitamin A? This helps produce sebum which keeps the scalp in tip-top condition. Mango, sweet potato and spinach also contain vitamin A. Other hair boosting goodies found in food are zinc, which can be found in pecans, cashews and almonds, and omega-3 which salmon is packed with – along with iron and vitamin B12. On the outside, masks and rinses are a great quick fix boost – and most smell fantastic. The great benefit about making your own hair masks is that you can tailor them to your own needs, leaving out things you may not like the smell of, and going for ingredients that help your hair. Lavender oil can be a great way to help boost thinning hair and add volume. Add a couple of drops to your shampoo; it smells great and also helps you to relax. Another aromatherapy oil that can really help your hair and scalp is tea tree oil. Known for its antiseptic qualities, it can also relieve an itchy scalp. Using beer for a hair rinse can really boost shine. The malt and hops contain protein which can help rebuild hair that is looking dull and damaged. Use a bottle of flat beer after shampooing and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Just try to find a beer that doesn’t have much of a smell – for fear of smelling like a drip tray! All Natural Hair Mask 1 ripe banana 2 tbsp honey 1 tbsp olive oil squeeze of lemon 1. Mix all ingredients together into a paste 2. Apply to dry hair, concentrating on the mid lengths and ends 3. Leave for 10-20 minutes, covering with a shower cap or old towel 4. Rinse well with lukewarm water, using a gentle shampoo On average your hair grows ¼ to ½ inch each month, so a little helping hand with some important ingredients that are natural and really good for you can’t be a bad thing. GARDENS Rosemary’s Garden Enhance your cooking and improve your health whilst also enjoying the scents of delectable herbs flourishing in your June garden. In addition to giving flavour to our cooking, herbs, full of antioxidants and nutrients, are so good for our health. Valued since ancient times for their medicinal and culinary benefits, herbs will delight the senses and feed body, mind and soul. Most herbs are easy to grow. Thyme, lavender, rosemary, sage, oregano and marjoram grow best in a sunny position but if the soil is poor rosemary may require feeding. Thyme grows best in poor soil. Herbs that will tolerate wet conditions include mint and chives. Herbs that grow happily in containers are bay, chives, French tarragon, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, thyme and rosemary. Place them near your outside seating area to enjoy their fragrant aromas all summer. Basil is a tender herb which benefits from a greenhouse, conservatory or sunny windowsill. Water it every other day 28 before noon. In John Keats’ narrative poem Isabella kept her “Sweet Basil… ever wet” with her tears and “thick, and green, and beautiful it grew”. However, do not overwater and feed it occasionally, pinching out the tips. Coriander also thrives in a bright indoor situation but the container must be quite deep as coriander has a long taproot. Herbs have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and are a source of vitamins A, C and K, iron, calcium and minerals such as potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Studies have found that many herbs have a detoxifying effect on the liver and help to protect from agerelated macular degeneration. Parsley is perhaps the richest herb source for vitamin K which has been found to promote bone health. Many herbs have been used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in limiting neuronal damage in the brain. Coriander has many health benefits. It is rich in minerals, folic acid, vitamin A, beta carotene and vitamin C. It can help with symptoms of arthritis and increases HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and reduces LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). Studies have shown it can help promote healthy liver function. Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Rosemary for remembrance? We may be familiar with this concept in a figurative sense from the words of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember.” Scientists now claim that rosemary could literally increase brain power. One recent study found having higher blood levels of one of the herb’s main chemical compounds, absorbed from its aroma, is linked to the speed and accuracy of cognitive performance. The smell of rosemary may even improve memory: in another study people performed better on various memory tasks if rosemary scent was pumped into the room. Thyme has been used for respiratory problems and also has antiseptic properties. Many beauty products contain sage as its antiseptic and antioxidant properties help in the fight against early ageing. Research also found that healthy adults who had taken Spanish sage oil had a higher word recall. Herbs can be added to almost everything - soups, sandwiches, salads, starters, main courses, desserts and drinks. Enjoy them chopped and sprinkled or used as whole leaves and delight in the knowledge that they are so good for our health. TOP TEN Jobs for June Now is the time to put out your hanging baskets and containers of bedding plants. Water them daily, feed weekly and keep deadheading. Cut hardy geraniums and oriental poppies to ground level after they have flowered and feed them with a general fertiliser to encourage new growth. Deadhead peonies but allow the leaves to die back naturally. Cut dead flower spikes from delphiniums and lupins after flowering to encourage more flowers on the side shoots. As the days become longer spend extra time on your lawn to keep it green and free from weeds. Mowing frequently will give the best results. Prune deciduous magnolia once the plant is in full leaf and lightly prune rhododendrons after flowering. Plant out begonias, cannas and dahlias and finish planting out gladioli. Lilies will be growing quickly now in both pots and borders and will need support. To produce top quality roses, pinch out the small buds round central buds on hybrid tea varieties and cut the central bud from the trusses of floribunda and shrub roses. Prune clematis montana rubens after flowering, early-flowering honeysuckles, pyracantha and flowering quince. Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 29 IVY LODGE NURSERIES EST 1955 Warrington House Farm OPEN 7 DAYS 9.30-5PM 10-4PM SUNDAYS We endeavour to inspire our customers with new varieties and ideas for the home and garden All our summer plants are grown on site Seasonal Farm Shop (May to August) & Tea Room Selling Own Grown Rhubarb, Fresh Vegetables, Breads, Cakes, Local Honey, Jams & Chutneys We are passionate about care and quality of our plants Visit us for inspiration and advice perennials, herbs, shrubs, trees Hanging baskets - new and refilled SPECIAL OFFERS ON COMPOST A6 RUSHDEN ROAD, SHARNBROOK, MK44 1ND 01234 782108 / 07775 713215 30 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Open Daily 9am to 6pm Tel: 01234 711464 Situated just off the A428 on way to Northampton (MK46 4HN) Red pepper & aubergine dip Low fat, low calorie and delicious! Ingredients: 2 aubergines 2 red peppers 1 garlic clove 1 tsp smoked paprika Method: juice of half a lemon 150g Greek yoghurt 28g fresh coriander salt & pepper Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Place the aubergines on an oven tray and bake for 30-40 minutes until tender. Allow to cool before removing the skins. Cut the peppers into quarters and remove the stalks and seeds. Place under a hot grill until the skin has blackened. Transfer to a bowl and cover with cling film. Allow to cool before removing the skins. Place the peppers, aubergines, garlic, paprika and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until smooth. Roughly chop the coriander and add to the blender with the yoghurt. Blitz again and season to taste. Serve with warm pitta bread slices. DRINK Can wine make you more beautiful? Sarah Abbott, Master of Wine We are not talking the vinous equivalent of beer goggles, but the increasing use of ‘active ingredients’ derived from grape, and wine grapes, in beauty creams and treatments. The proprietors of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, in Bordeaux, were pioneers of wine as a beauty treatment. This beautiful Château is in Graves, an historic wine region practically in the suburbs of the great city of Bordeaux. Grapes – and especially grape skins – are rich in antioxidants. Wine grapes are richer than table grapes, partly because their skins are thicker but also because vines for wine are made to struggle. All fine wines are the result of vines on a healthy knife edge whose grapes fight for ripeness. It’s 32 the fight that stimulates the vine to produce compounds that protect its berries from disease. And what’s good for grapes is also good for us. Grape skins give colour and flavour to our wines, but take no part in the final product. After grapes are pressed, and their juice is fermenting, the massive piles of squashed, drying and pungent grape skins are left over. In many countries this ‘marc’ is mashed up and distilled to make an eau de vie (similar to a brandy). In Burgundy it’s called ‘Marc de Bourgogne’. Italy’s version is ‘Grappa’. In Georgia it’s ‘Chacha’. They are high in alcohol, and polyphenols, which give them their hot, rather fierce character. Eau de vie made from grape skins would have been part of the traditional medicine cabinet in such countries. They are considered to Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts have fortifying powers. Certainly, their alcohol content makes them an effective antiseptic. But more than that, their phenols are very strongly antioxidant. Not that Great Granny would have known that, of course. Mathilde Thomas set out to harness the antioxidant powers of wine grapes when a professor of pharmacy in Montpellier told her that the Château was ‘throwing away treasures’ when they threw away their discarded grape skins. (Bordeaux has Cognac as a neighbour, so has no tradition of Marc production.) He told Mathilde that grape seed polyphenols are the most powerful antioxidants in the plant world, protecting against the ‘free radicals’ that cause skin ageing. Twenty years later, those polyphenols are at the heart of Mathilde’s award-winning skin care range, called Caudalie. Cabernet Scrub treatment The accidental discovery, in the 1990s, of a hot spring on the estate inspired Mathilde to set up a ‘Vinothérapie’ spa. It is now one of Bordeaux’s most popular tourist destinations, offering a range of treatments using polyphenols and resveratrol (the other ‘magic’ antioxidant) to guests. It is not cheap, but I’ve seen people coming out of there looking glorious. I fancy the ‘Pulp Friction’ massage. Well, I can dream. In the meantime, lots of fresh veg, fresh air and a glass – not too much – of a resveratrol-rich glass of red Bordeaux is my favoured beauty routine. Happiness keeps the wrinkles away. Sarah Abbott is a Master of Wine, international wine judge, and consultant to Rude Wines. Caudalie products Vinotherapie Spa, Bordeaux Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 33 WIN! WIN! WIN! A LUXURY MANICURE AND PEDICURE AT NAOMI JONES BEAUTY Naomi Jones, beauty therapist and OVL writer, is offering our readers the chance to win two luxurious beauty treatments: A Spa Manicure (1 hour usually £24) The ultimate in hand and nail treatments. This manicure pampers from finger tips to elbows, removing dry skin, massaging away tensions with balms and oils and moisturising with warm paraffin to soothe chafed skin and aching joints. Includes all cuticle work, grooming and polishing. A Spa Pedicure (1 hour 15 minutes usually £29) Pure heaven. For those clients who demand the very best in total foot care. This treatment begins with a herbal foot bath and hard skin shave and file. After an aromatic foot and leg massage, a deep penetrating mask will soften and freshen. This is further enhanced by heated boots. To finish, nails and cuticles are groomed and polish is applied. Naomi Jones Beauty offers an extensive range of beauty, aesthetic and holistic treatments with a warm and friendly welcome and a professional service. Naomi is an experienced therapist who understands all about the wobbly bits, wrinkles, varicose veins, bent toes, stretch marks and other things that we worry about! 07922 892492 www.naomijones.com To enter our competitions: Email [email protected] quoting Naomi Jones or Beauty at The Picture House in the subject box and we will enter you into the prize draw. The winners will be drawn at random and notified by Friday 20 June. Closing date Friday 13 June. OVL brings you FANTASTIC prizes every month! WIN! WIN! WIN! 1 MONTH’S SUPPLY OF VISI PROBITA PLUS A NOURISHING HYDRATING FACIAL TREATMENT WITH COLLAGEN FROM BEAUTY AT THE PICTURE HOUSE IN OLNEY We are delighted to offer our readers the chance to win a one month’s supply (worth £65) of Visi Probita, a first-ever chewable product that features a highly unique source of hydrolysed collagen protein, the natural protein found in the human body. Cheryl Whitehead, of Beauty at the Picture House, explains,“One of the main differences between Visi Probita and many other healthcare products is that while some of the others are superficial and just address symptoms, Probita addresses the root causes of ailments since it works from the inside out. Wellness benefits include appetite control, better skin, improved sleep, reduced pain, new lean muscle, more energy, enhanced mental clarity and a strengthened musculoskeletal system. “Katherine Daniels understands what a salon needs to treat skin effectively and have combined the finest active ingredients to treat skin based on your skin type, living environment, lifestyle and the British climate,” says Cheryl. “How you care for your skin is made simple, thanks to step-bystep product guidance. Whilst you can expect outstanding results from our truly luxurious salon treatments, your daily regime is made quick, simple and effective”. Beauty at The Picture House, 79 High Street, Olney MK46 4EF 01234 712068 “A collagen supplement that can be completely absorbed by the body will have far reaching healthcare and anti-ageing benefits,” she continues, “especially since from the age of thirty onwards our bodies lose their ability to make collagen”. In addition, the winner will receive a top of the range 80-minute Katherine Daniels’ age defence nourishing hydrating treatment with collagen. For further information about Visi visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myg9zveFMDs LAST MONTH’S OVL COMPETITION WINNERS Congratulations to Sylvie xxx who Dickens, all wonAnnette a pair Hinchliffe, of tickets for Carol the Ideal Walker, Home Jane Show Dyson and and xxxRob who Whitehurst won cast who iron cookware each won a from of pair AGA. BBC Good Food Show tickets and Lynne Arch who won a shoulder of new season lamb & jar of mint sauce 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. A walk from Bromham to Kempston Mill The Ouse valley is rich in natural beauty and historical interest. This month Ann Hagen takes us on a walk from Bromham to Kempston Mill highlighting points of interest along the way. Park at the east end of Bromham Bridge. If there is no room, then there is parking at Bromham Mill but crossing the bridge can be tricky. Take the Ouse Valley Way across the field. Looking back there is a good view of the stone causeway and bridge. On the far side of the river are new houses, with some fine weeping willows. The path goes under the new road bridge and I take it there is an expansion joint in view of the clunks as cars pass over it. On the left is Biddenham Church and the new village of Great Denham. On a spring day a buzzard was being buzzed by an agitated rook, but continued to spiral upwards serenely. Further along on the right across the river is a view of what used to be the Steam Laundry, its chimney now replaced by mobile phone masts. Then there is the garden and back of a twentieth century house, then Crossland Fosse, a Grade II 1889 William and Mary Revival house of red brick with a clay tile roof built by Captain Lindesay Beaumont Beaumont J.P. who lived there until he sold the house between 1924-7 to Hugh Potts. It has two adjoining lodges for staff, access to its boathouse on the river, and water supply from a spring. The International Transport Workers’ Federation was based there in 1947; later it was the home of Sir John Howard of CAEC Howard. Also visible on the higher land to the west of the river is Moorlands, an impressive Victorian house with pine trees. On a winter walk seeds – ‘Velcro’ burrs, ash keys, feathery seedheads of reeds, teasels and, further along, umbels of hog weed and cow parsley and the long tapering spikes of plantains are in dramatic evidence. The river runs peacefully through what were water meadows, often flooded in winter, creating rich pastures, before the weir was constructed upstream of Bromham Mill. Ancient, previously coppiced willows are much in evidence. On the right is an expanse of lake, dug out only a few years ago to provide an area for water skiing. Yes, all year round – wet suits recommended. There is a seat where you can watch activities and just beyond it on the left is a display board about the Ouse Valley Walk. I heard a coot and a moorhen and saw two swans, but no kingfishers. Across the river, Corner 5 is a large modern construction which provides bar and restaurant accommodation. Just visible behind it in trees are two chimneys of Box End House, Grade II*, a late sixteenth century timber-framed house, with early seventeenth century wall painting. When I was growing up in Kempston the property, or perhaps an earlier building, was said to have belonged to Henry VIII’s physician. Not an impossibility as Henry spent time relatively near at hand at Ampthill. Those who could tended to avoid London in the summer when outbreaks of plague were common. Originally known as Snipe Hall, it belonged to the Carter family. A brass of William Carter dated 1605 is in Kempston Church. It was home in the mid-seventeenth century to Captain Thomas Carter who landed on the coast of what is now Georgia. A direct descendant is former US President Jimmy Carter. The church and the tall cedar in the Old Vicarage garden come into view. The path is bordered by boundary markers. The second lake is for wake boarding: holding on to a wire, the mechanism will draw the wake boarder round, with the option of engaging (in one way or another) with various obstacles/jumps. The path narrows and parts are muddy after wet weather. Ahead to the right is Kempston Church and Church School and directly ahead the bridge over the by-pass, a continuation of The Branston Way and part of what will be the ring road. Looking under the bridge Kempston Mill, now a residential development, is visible. There are two paths – one beside the river, the other nearer the road. If by the river your path will take you under some part-fallen willows then on a narrow bridge over Kempston Back Channel. On the far side of the river are the back of the old vicarage, the white Church Hall and beyond it the red brick Church School. Kempston Church End is the site of a Roman cemetery with 93 burials including cremations. A large proportion of the skeletons (87) were decapitated. Heads were placed between feet or placed to one side, or even between the knees. This is known to have been a late Roman burial rite. The school is on the east edge of an extensive regular Roman settlement grid with metalled roadways and two large cemeteries, one with grave goods including necklaces and brooches, one dated to the late fourth century. In excess of 20 hectares was covered by the settlement, extending to the north of the school, and this was also the site of industrial activities and must have had the status of a small town. There were stone-built farms within the street grid, as was the case until recently in many Ouse valley villages. This path continues beside the river, past a weir to the mill. On the other side of the river, Church Walk is bordered by an avenue of lime trees. At right angles is another avenue, Ladies’ Walk, which led up to Kempston Bury, another large Victorian house on higher ground now lost in the new development and in danger of demolition. On the village side of Ladies’ Walk was an earlier Roman settlement with pottery and coins from the second century. The track nearer the road is bordered by new planting of willows, beech and birch. Despite some road noise, a heron took flight and a weasel streaked across the path. Quite steep steps will take you to the bridge over the channel and back to the main bridge at the mill, where a swan is nesting, and a grebe gives impressive displays of submersion. Riverview Way will take you past the Victorian mill house, in grey brick, and perhaps an older mill house built in English bond to Kempston High Street and The King William (IVth) if you are in need of refreshment. NATURE The Great Outdoors Will Anthony on June’s flora and fauna As we head into June the frantic spring growth has given way to a more relaxed pace of life with midsummer officially on the 21st. The countryside is lush. Leaf greens are beginning to deepen to more mellow hues. Woodlands, hedgerows and meadows are teeming with life while the riverbank is alive with the buzzing of insects like the Azure damselfly, common along the Great Ouse in Bedfordshire. Another of our common insects is the mayfly (pictured). They are part of the order Ephemeroptera (from the Greek ephemeros = short-lived or day-long, and pteron = winged). They have been placed in the ancient order of insects Palaeoptera with dragonflies and damselflies. There are 51 species known to Great Britain and they emerge from their waterdwelling “nymph” stage any time between March and September. I had always heard talk of things lasting “as long as a mayfly” and I knew of their short lifespan but until recently I didn’t know what they looked like. But now they are added to my list of interesting and beautiful flying creatures, all of which look amazing close up. Recently I went for a walk at Felmersham gravel pits with my son. For a while we admired the oil seed rape in the fields. The path through the middle was “like walking across the sun”. Once in the reserve we saw a trio of terns (probably common terns) swoop overhead, living up to their nickname, “sea swallow”. As we watched one folded its wings back and plunged into the water to take a fish. “Wow!” we both exclaimed, the speed of the action taking us by surprise. What a treat to witness an everyday occurrence which still takes your breath away. Later in the walk we spotted some speckled wood butterflies flitting this way and that in the sunshine. After a few minutes practice at ‘being still’ we managed to take some photos of them. On this page you can see the best one my son managed. We walked on smiling with a promise of a quick return. If you have any sightings or photos of local wildlife please get in touch. You can find us on twitter @OVLwildlife. Photography by Ant Hagen Toby’s speckled wood butterfly Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 39 Driveway maintenance Get your slippery pathways, patios and driveways professionally cleaned to avoid any unnecessary accidents No Mess, No Chemicals Used Aftercare solutions can keep it like new for years to come Professional gutter clearing Using the latest CCTV technology! Avoid damage and costly repair bills to your property Domestic and commercial. No scaffolding or ladders We also clean: gutter soffits, fascia boards, solar panels and conservatories Call today for your free, no obligation site assessment and quotation Tel: 01234 710988 Mob: 07809 330030 Email: [email protected] www.pro-maxdrivewaymaintenance.co.uk Heritage Arboriculture Creating A Healthy And Beautiful Environment... Call Today For Advice Or A Free Quotation • Tree Related Advice • Planning And TPO Applications / Queries • Hazardous Tree Removals • Veteran Tree Management • Crown Thinning • Crown Reductions / Shaping • Hedgework And Trimming • Orchard / Fruit Tree Management • Hedgelaying and Willow Fencing • Stump Grinding • Fully Insured, Qualified And Experienced T 01234 720801 M 07787 726962 W www.heritagearboriculture.co.uk E [email protected] 40 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Based in Harrold, Bedfordshire HOLIDAY ACTIVITY COURSES Join in the fun at Bedford Modern School Monday 28 July - Friday 29 August With over 50 courses to choose from, BMS is the place to enjoy your Summer holidays this year Our courses are open to all children aged 4 - 14 For your 2014 Holiday Activity Courses Brochure please contact us on: (01234) 332667 or go to bedmod.co.uk Bedford Modern School, Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7NT Bedford Modern School is part of The Harpur Trust STYLE Stephanie Sofokleous SS14 Trends: Accessories It’s that time of year again when our wardrobes are given an overhaul for the summer, but sometimes keeping up with all the new trends can be a little bit overwhelming and expensive. However, there is a way that you can give your wardrobe staples a new, fresh and on-trend look. In all honesty there’s never really any need to throw anything out. If you have the right tools and a keen, stylistic eye then anything and everything can be reworked and revamped to work with present trends. The key tools to achieving this are accessories. Accessories can really make or break an outfit. From hairbands and clutch bags to statement necklaces and sunglasses, all of these work to make any item of clothing relevant. This Spring/Summer is already shaping up to be a season that really embraces accessories. Here are the top three that you should look out for: Floral Headbands/Hair Garlands There is such variety with this trend. Ranging from delicate daisy Alice bands to hair garlands that feature an entire rose garden, the floral universe is your oyster. It’s a trend that requires minimal effort and before you know it you’ll get addicted and want to collect them all. 42 Crazy Sunglasses This trend really only has one rule: the crazier the better. With very little limitations, it’s actually quite hard to describe possible options. Size wise, choices range from small and round to big, cat eye frames, but there’s definitely no limit on shape. Expect to see hexagon, square, star and heart-shaped frames adorned with floral motifs, leopard print, filigree and acetate to name just a few. Go wild with colour and really experiment. This isn’t so much a practical trend, but a statement one. Celestial Jewellery Big statement jewellery has been a trend for so many years now that the concept of a jewellery box is just void at this point. For the last few years it’s actually been getting quite repetitive, with the usual chunky, brightly-jewelled short necklaces and the wrist cuffs and heavy earrings that threaten to rip your lobe in two. Yes, this style is still very much on-trend but there’s a new look emerging that is growing by the minute, and that is celestial jewellery. We’re talking precious stones, crystals, moons and stars with delicate yet unpolished silver in the form of chokers, long drooping necklaces, big gobstopper rings and even ornate headpieces. Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts 1 2 3 6 5 4 7 8 9 10 12 11 13 14 1. Goldhawk Jewellery Gold Moonstone Bracelet, £28 2. Accessorize Romantic Flower Crown, £14 3. ASOS Chunky Oval Sunglasses, £12 4. Goldhawk Jewellery Turquoise Silver Ring, £27 5. Primark Black Heart Lens Flower Sunglasses, £3 6. What’s About Town Turquoise Evil Eye Pendant, £14.95 7. Primark UK Silver Ring, £1 8. ASOS Filigree Top Round Sunglasses, £15 9. Goldhawk Jewellery Turquoise Necklace, £33 10. Goldhawk Jewellery Pranite Silver Ring, £25 11. ASOS Handmade Acetate Sunglasses, £35 12. ASOS Kitten with Cut-Out Detail Sunglasses, £12 13. What’s About Town Green Oval Crystal Earrings, £12.95 14. Accessorize Statement Flower Alice Band, £19 Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 43 Perfect Gifts for Fathers’ Day! June 15th Champagne Breakfast In aid of the NSPCC The Sharnbrook Hotel Park Lane (off A6), Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, MK44 1LX Sunday 29th June 2014 Bags for a Big Life Handcrafted Locally in Lavendon Tickets: £19.50 per person Please contact Katherine for tickets: Shop open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm 01234 712266 www.tusting.co.uk Please make cheques payable to NSPCC reg charity TUSTING handMADE IN ENGLAND Proud new stockists- up to 8 years! Beautiful children’s clothes for Special Occasions! 65A -67 High Street SHARNBROOK MK44 1PB Tel: 01234 781077 www.twinkletwinkleboutique.co.uk 44 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts s er Clay t 5y ea ng ati s Celebr on rs at H at t Fathers’ Day 15 June Local gifts for lovely Dads I Like No Other Shirt, £140 Claytons at Hatters 532 Goldington Road, Bedford 01234 352429 www.claytonsonline.co.uk Barbour Steve McQueen T Shirt, £34.95 Claytons at Hatters 532 Goldington Road, Bedford 01234 352429 www.claytonsonline.co.uk Pampeano Multi Polo Belt, £55 Lodgeway Countrywear Chicksands, Shefford 01462 816122 www.lodgeway-countrywear.co.uk Aagaard Steel/Leather Bracelets from £46 Steel beads all £19.50 Millman Jewellers 2 Church Arcade, Bedford 01234 354026 Excursion Washbag in Lichen Waxed Canvas and Sundance Floodight Trim, £99 Handcrafted in Lavendon TUSTING 01234 712266 www.tusting.co.uk 46 Clay Target Shooting Experience for 2 people, £70 (includes 30% discount, exclusive to OVL readers) Call 01234 708893 quoting OVL Fathers’ Day Offer 1 hour experience, must be pre-booked, subject to availability Available until 17 June, valid for 3 months www.sportingtargets.co.uk Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Classic Hip Wallet, £110 Handcrafted in Lavendon TUSTING 01234 712266 www.tusting.co.uk RM Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots, £294.95 Lodgeway Countrywear Chicksands, Shefford 01462 816122 www.lodgeway-countrywear.co.uk Sundance Floodlight Clipper, £399 Handcrafted in Lavendon TUSTING 01234 712266 www.tusting.co.uk Stuffagogo Tees, £15 each, free p+p To order email [email protected] www.stuffagogo.co.uk 1. 2. 1. Classic Fred Bennett Watch, £70 2. Fred Bennett Sports Watch, £85 John Medhurst 10 Mill Street, Bedford 01234 351458 Crew Clothing Bright Pink Jumper, £55 Claytons at Hatters 532 Goldington Road, Bedford 01234 352429 www.claytonsonline.co.uk Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 47 Following the huge success of last year’s Independents’ Day, Rushden businesses will again be taking part in this national event to celebrate and promote all that is good and great about Rushden. Why not come down to the town centre and join one of our taster courses, sample some local produce and enjoy the entertainment? There will be a mini market, lots of promotional offers and a competition to enter. For further information please contact rushdentownpartnership@ gmail.com 48 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Sally Abbotts Nearly all of my friends ran away (or attempted to) at some point during their childhood, myself included. My friend Anna once ran off to the field next to her house after an argument with her parents. She lay out like a starfish and drop-called the house phone to try and create some air of danger/mystery surrounding her half-hour disappearance. But her parents were wise to her tricks and didn’t bother picking up, so Anna skulked back ten minutes later. My attempted getaway was about as successful as Anna’s. One Sunday afternoon mum was ironing in the kitchen when I tottered in to ask a question. ‘Mum… please may I have a pair of Adidas tracksuit bottoms?’ I enquired in as sweetly a tone as I could muster. ‘Absolutely not,’ came the reply. I was furious. Sporty Spice had some (along with most of year four), so the news that I wouldn’t be sauntering around in a pair anytime soon came as quite a blow to my eight-year-old street cred. I decided that enough was enough and stomped upstairs to plot revenge. My little brother was sitting in his room, playing with Lego, when I poked my head around the door. ‘Do you want to run away with me?’ I asked sternly, ‘Yeah, ok,’ he shrugged. I marched us over to my room, where we each packed a Eurocamp rucksack (courtesy of the last holiday’s Kids’ Club). I shoved in my long-suffering teddy bear, Taffy, along with my Tamagotchi (on its last legs thanks to a diet of pizza and ice cream) and my brother packed about three pieces of Lego. With our carefully planned necessities packed up, we set off. Once out of the house, we decided to head for the large grassy mound opposite. Taking refuge behind a tree, we sat with our rucksacks trying to pluck up the courage to venture the remaining 50 metres to the park. Fifteen minutes later and we still hadn’t budged when a white truck careered around the corner. Scared witless at the prospect of a terrifying stranger at the wheel, we ran back to the house. Out of breath and panicky, we peered into the kitchen. Mum was still ironing, watching us – the tree we’d been perched behind perfectly in her line of vision. Not quite the bid for freedom I’d had in mind. Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 49 “Three Shires Mumpreneurs” takes Harrold by Storm This month our book-writing mum-on-a-mission, Suzy Bashford, celebrates the sisterhood as she finds an inspirational local group supporting home-working women Working from home can be extremely lonely; knocking around a deathly-quiet house on your own is an uncannily eerie experience at times, especially if you’re used to children screeching around. In the past, to cope with this feeling, I have even been known to go to Sainsbury’s to talk to the lovely ladies on the till (that was until I got a dog and before they started filling their pay stations with automatons rather than humans). There’s no doubt about it – face to face contact beats Facebook any day, and plenty of research is now coming to the fore to prove that point. In my darker days, suffering from post-natal depression but still trying to scribble away to bring in some income, I wish I’d had the courage to reach out to other home-working mums and set up some kind of support network. But I didn’t. That’s why I have such huge admiration for Harrold newcomer Rosie Martin who did just that. She moved to the village from London after her marriage broke down and she wanted a completely fresh start for herself and her daughter, Frankie. Rosie’s self-esteem had taken a bit of a bashing and she even felt too shy to go to Christmas drinks at her neighbours when she moved in. 50 Mumpreneurs Catherine, Kasia, Rosie and Sarah “It was tough moving here as a newly single mum,” she says, looking back. “I spent the first few months, while Frankie was in pre-school, studying for an accountancy exam, walking the dog, cleaning the house, grieving for my failed marriage and trying to get my life together.” Despite this, she somehow found the confidence to approach other mums in her community who were, like her, running businesses from home. “I had a sudden vision of how a support group could help our fledgling businesses,” she says. “The response was overwhelming and running the group has expanded my local network tenfold. Other mums now joke that I know everyone, even though I was the last to move here!” Lovingly Made in Harrold products Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts The first meeting took place around Rosie’s kitchen table in January and the founding members (Catherine, Kasia, Ela and Nats) spent two hours chatting and brownie-nibbling before coming up with the group’s name: Three Shires Mumpreneurs. And, yes, the name betrays big Stalls at Harrold Pit Run ambitions - Rosie’s ultimate dream for TSM is an online global community made up of similar local groups where mums can meet face to face in a child-friendly way. As word has spread, the famous five have been joined by other mumpreneurs keen to collaborate, commiserate and share success stories. The group now numbers 22 and meets monthly. At the last meeting, which I attended, we covered a lot of ground, for example: the tendency for women to suffer from “imposter syndrome” (when they think they’re not up to the job, when they invariably are more than capable); the importance of taking time out; and the pressure constant evening working puts on a marriage. Amazingly, the three little people also at the table were immaculately behaved, seeming to enjoy being enveloped by all the talk and laughter (and the delicious biscuits helped too). One mum there, Anna Sceats, who runs a plumbing business with her husband (www. facebook.com/jesheatingandplumbing), says: “It’s great to sit and have a moan sometimes and know that no-one will judge you. They understand what you’re going through.” This is a point Rosie also picks up on. “People can be judgemental but this group has given me the confidence to ignore them,” she says. “My business is going great and Frankie is happy that I’m there whenever she needs me. It’s given me an amazing sense of belonging, something which I lacked for years. It’s also been lots of fun. Community spirit is good for the soul!” To find out more about TSM check out their Facebook page, or get in touch with Rosie directly on rosiemartin100@gmail. com Rosie is a distributor for aloe vera products company Forever Living, see rosiemartin. myflpbiz.com Rosie Martin and daughter Frankie The websites of the other founding members are: Catherine Shingleton & Kasia Muszalaska-Sly run gift company Lovingly Made in Harrold, see www.facebook.com/lovinglymadeinharrold/info Ela Trojanowicz makes homemade fudge, for more info find “Ela’s Homemade Fudge” on Facebook Natalia Gibbons runs Walk the Woof, see www.walkthewoof.com To follow Suzy on twitter see @suzybashford (hopefully by next month’s column her book will be up on sale on Amazon!) Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 51 Charity summer ball On the 5th July 2014 At the Amalfi suite, Sharnbrook Hotel, Bedfordshire. Dress Code is dress to impress. Ticket prices are £45 booked before the 31st May 2014 and £50 after that date. For tickets/booking form please contact Katherine Groves: [email protected] 01234 402554/07876 771450 For more information on our historic town please visit www.highamferrers-tc.gov.uk or Tel: 01933 312075 Connolly Foundation – an even bigger helping hand! Following a record number of applications for Year 13 student university awards from its six partner schools The Connolly Foundation has taken another step to invest in young people in the county. This takes the form of a £30,000 grant to help support up to 60 apprentices in construction and engineering at Bedford College. Diligent Level 3 apprentices in these industries at the college will be able to apply for up to £500 each to use on travel, tools or other expenses incurred as part 52 of their preparation for careers in these much needed practical skills. Bedford College Student Services Director Lesley Ferguson, Student Finance Manager Neil Keech and Apprentices Manager Mary Palmer joined Principal and CEO Ian Pryce in receiving the cheque. Bedford College is the largest provider of apprentices in Bedfordshire and has a long tradition of supporting trainees into the fields of construction and engineering. Said Ian Pryce: “This is tremendous boost for students who are being skilled in the latest technologies. We accepted the cheque in front of our Brundtland Building which is a shining example of modern engineering and construction techniques”. Connolly Foundation Trustee Michael Callanan said, “We are looking to support young people with ambition and determination who will bring added value and industry growth to the county over time”. He added, “We are investing approximately £300,000 in Year 13 school leavers going to university this year and the £30,000 grant to Bedford College adds more practical skills to the academic ones”. For more information visit: www.connollyfoundation.org.uk Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Sharnbrook House F Nobody wants to go into a care home do they? Sitting around all day staring at the TV? O Filming Filming PR O Outings Outings Family Parties Parties Family History History Sport Sport Theatre Theatre O V L Gardening Gardening Dancing Dancing See what we get up to: www.sharnbrookhouseblog.blogspot.com An eighteenth century listed property in extensive grounds, near the centre of Sharnbrook. It is owned and operated by The Greensleeves Homes Trust, a “not for profit” charitable organisation providing care for older people. Our aim at Sharnbrook House is to provide comfort and companionship in a supportive environment. A qualified and experienced staff team provide twenty-four hour care, ably assisted by catering and domestic staff. If you would like to know more please contact us on 01234 781294 or email [email protected] Visit www.greensleeves.org.uk HISTORY WW2 Memoirs - Bill Knight May 1945 Rangoon - part two Bill Knight was born in Bedford in 1921 but spent much of his life at his beloved Middle Farm, Oakley, which had been his grandparents’ home. During World War 2 he served in Africa and the Far East. Bill passed away, aged 93, on 16 January 2014. He delivered the last sections of his memoirs to OVL just before Christmas as promised and we feel honoured to continue to print them. Here he continues his account of his time on the Burmese mainland. It was good to have a sound sleep in a real bed and to have some dry and clean clothes to wear, but I know all of No.5. C.O.B.U. felt keenly about young Elliott’s death. He was well liked by all who knew him, so to give them something else to think about I offered to take a small group to visit the vast Shwe Dagon Pagoda area. There were no takers from the R.I.N. members whose religion, Moslem or Hindu, did not quite approve of Buddhism, but half a dozen or so accepted the invitation, one with the rank of Bombardier, driver R.A. (Royal Artillery) and the rest R.N. Telegraphists. In addition one of the officers promised the use of his Jeep and trailer to take us there. He was several years older than the rest of us, a Scotsman, for some years a resident in Calcutta, who had been involved in the Jute trade. When we arrived we were to find the order so familiar to readers of the Scriptures, “Take the shoes from off they feet, the place where thou standest is Holy Ground”, and they meant it. We were allowed to leave socks on but that was the limit of tolerance, bare feet were the preference. So we returned to the Jeep and trailer and left all our discarded footgear in the Scotsman’s care, which he promised to look after for us. We had a most interesting afternoon. I took a number of photographs of the group which have enlarged quite well and show some of the elaborate wood carving of some of the buildings. Eventually the time came to return to our billet so we returned to the Exit/Entrance expecting to put boots or shoes on again and ride back, but all consternation and dismay, there was so sign of the Scotsman, the Jeep, trailer or any footwear. Although the Monsoon had broken the day before, we had had a visit in brilliant sunshine but now it started to drizzle, which gradually became heavier. There was only one thing to do, that was, start walking with no moanings. The journey seemed endless but we got there in the end, and no information regarding our belongings was available that day. We were to find out what had happened next morning. The Scotsman’s name – Mac –something – was a married man whose wife lived in Calcutta. Two R.A.F. officers were passing the Shwe Dagon and spotted Mac? sitting alone in his vehicle and it seems they knew him. They were going to the nearby airfield to fly their Dakota back to Calcutta to fetch more stores and offered to take him back for a night with his wife, to return the next morning. An offer he did not have the strength of will to decline. On his return as expected his reception was frosty. A few days later the advanced units of the XIVth Army arrived and top level plans were made for the final clearance of all Japanese troops from Burma. When these preparations were made, No.5. C.O.B.U. had orders to leave all military equipment, Jeeps, trailers, wireless sets, etc. in Rangoon for the use of XIVth Army and when shipping was available we returned to Bombay for what we thought would be the toughest task yet, the capture of Singapore. To be continued in the July issue of OVL Personnel of No.5. C.O.B.U visiting Shwe Dagon Pagoda Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 55 Asleep at the Wheel? MOTORS When a motoring writer is too tired for a car test, and fancies a morning in bed instead, what’s to be done? Test the world’s fastest bed of course! Richard McCann Edd China is a motor specialist. He studied Engineering Product Design and graduated from London’s South Bank University. Then, in 1998, something wonderful happened - Edd looked at a pile of components from a Mini automatic. You or I might have seen, well, some scrap. But Edd saw a sofa. But more than the concept, Edd actually went on to design and build himself a motorised sofa complete with standard lamp (for the exhaust), coffee table with plant pots (indicators), mantle clock (with built-in speedo), beer can (gear selector) and Fry’s Turkish Delight bar (indicator control). He then drove this mad design along to his local MoT station where they could find no reason 56 not to issue it with a certificate for road use. Edd tested the sofa by a quick trip down the motorway to Brighton, and then a proper Guinness Book of Records timed two-direction run where he hit 82mph (subsequently improved to a terrifying 92mph!) making it officially the fastest piece of furniture. On the back of the publicity, this mad engineering genius set up a business back in 1999 to design and manufacture unique vehicles for advertising, corporate promotional work and special occasions such as weddings and proms. His creative skills were showcased on BBC’s Top Gear with his memorable double-deck cars where the driver of the bottom car controls the accelerator and the driver on the top deck steers! Since that time, Edd has been featured in British TV shows including Discovery’s popular Wheeler Dealers. He made the world’s fastest garden potting shed (complete with compost bag seats), the fastest office (with water cooler and laptop) and the world’s fastest bed. Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Well, everything has to be kept somewhere but I was amazed to discover that this treasure trove of bonkers vehicles is maintained at nearby Brafield on the Green, between Bedford, Milton Keynes and Northampton. Now, in my experience, TV prop vehicles are often piles of junk that look good on camera but in reality are shockingly poor. Not so here - Edd China’s attention to detail is remarkable and the vehicles drive as well as they look. Which is what one would probably expect from a respected engineer and test driver who is going to risk his life at almost 100 mph on a sofa! They all represent a great experience but undoubtedly seeing a four-poster bed take to the roads of Northamptonshire must have been a shock for fellow motorists, particularly the poor driver of a Mercedes-Benz who almost drove into a ditch when he saw the bed come around the corner towards him at 60mph, duvet cover fluttering in the breeze! If you fancy a go yourself on what has to be the most memorable motorised experience ever, I can recommend it. Go to Mr China’s website GreaseJunkie.com for details. The search is on for Britain’s most talented young driver … who isn’t legally old enough to drive on the roads yet. The 2014 Young Driver Challenge is open to those aged between 11 and 16 years, and the first official entrant of the challenge was Reece Buttery, the 12-year-old TV star of the Christmas hit Gangsta Granny and CBBC’s The Dumping Ground. The challenge judges the ability of entrants based on a series of driving skills and manoeuvres, including parallel parking, figures of eight, a turn in the road, steering, judgement and positioning. Forty top-scoring finalists from across the country, spanning two age categories (11-13 years and 14-16 years), will then compete at a final to be held in September. The winners will receive a selection of prizes including 40 pre- and post-17 driving lessons, a Young Driver at School session for them and their classmates and £500 off a car insurance premium. Reece Buttery said: “I have had a few Young Driver lessons now, and they’re great fun, but I’m also very aware that I’m learning some important skills. I’d urge anyone aged 11-16 to give it a go. It’s a brilliant experience. You get to do everything you would in a driving lesson at 17, in a dual controlled car, but you’re on a specially constructed road course on private property rather than the real roads. I’m definitely keeping my fingers crossed that my challenge entry might make it into the top 20 for my age category!” Anyone over the age of 11 and above 1.42 metres tall can get behind the wheel of a brand new dual control SKODA Citigo car with a fully qualified ADI driving instructor. Lessons take place on private property which has been developed into a realistic road system complete with road signs, junctions and car parks. For more information about the challenge go to www.youngdriver.eu Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 57 MUSIC Milky’s Music Matters... Liz Green is a Manchester based blues-inspired folk singer who recently released her second long-player Haul Away. Following on from the fantastic reviews of her debut O Devotion, Liz has changed tact slightly and headed off in a different direction albeit one that retains the gentle melancholy and nostalgic roots of her early work. OVL fired off a Q’n’A as she traversed through Austria and Germany on tour. The first thing you notice about the new record is that cover... she’s crying, she’s drowning, she’s a mermaid… Mermaid is a new one on me. But I see where you’re coming from. It’s not meant as a warning I don’t think. It’s more of a play on phrases like “drowning in your own tears” “crying a river into yourself”. Like in Alice in Wonderland where big Alice cries a pool of tears and then tiny Alice almost drowns in them. I just like making images and this one popped up in my mind and I thought it would make a great cover. Kinda real but surreal. I was influenced by Claude Cahun and Salvador Dali. Quite a lot of people think its computer generated. But it’s all real. A friend of mine called Ruth Mannion-Palmer is a body paint artist and she painted it on me. And my long-time photographer friend Emily Dennison took the pictures. Sponsored by stuffagogo.co.uk The tunes on this record seem pretty delicate. What’s the last thing you accidentally broke/ smashed? Err... a bit of a van. Yesterday. Best not to talk about it. What goes on tour stays on tour and all that. Some of the songs on Haul Away have my mind wandering to scenes from Boardwalk Empire whilst others drift me towards the films of Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Do you form images when you write or sing these songs? I’m fascinated by how images and music can fit together. Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s a master at that. And Wes Anderson. I do see things in images and often try and translate them into song or the other way round, like the cover you mentioned above. Kinda distilling the essence of the songs into one photograph. All the lino prints on the inside of the album were made as a response to the album after it was finished. These tiny little mournful faces are surreal and comical. I call them the Ohno. My friend was teaching me about keeners – Irish women who sing the sad songs at funerals, professional mourners, if you like. It’s common in lots of cultures. I think music can provide that role. Sometimes it can unlock an emotion you’re not sure how to deal with. In that way keeners do the mourning for you so you can get on with the rest of your life. There’s a sense of sadness in your delivery on certain songs. Do you employ wacky recording techniques to get into the right mood/mindset. Onions... more onions, I want real tears on this record. Err. no. Your vision of how the album was made is probably much more exciting and spectacular than the reality :) I don’t find it hard to put emotion into songs. That’s what I deal in. It’s stupid-heart music for humans. It’s very easy playing live for you have an audience to play for and respond to. In a studio it’s more difficult. I always used to find the whole thing a bit dead and sterile. But Liam’s studio is different. He made it, largely by hand. Using bits and bobs of other old analogue studios. And we recorded it mainly live – all the band playing in one room together. We wanted to try and capture that emotion of a live performance. Stop-motion videos rule. Have you got loads of talented arty friends who collaborate with you? If so, have you got magic persuasive powers or do you just bake a mean cake for them? I love animation and stop-motion and puppetry. I decided very early on that my face lip-synching on a windswept beach was not quite the right direction for my music videos. (We actually did try this, and never shall the results be seen by anyone). So I started looking for other ways to interpret the music in video. I have got a lot of incredibly talented friends. And all my videos are made by them and other people I have been introduced to and become friends with. I’m terrible at making cake though. So I bribed them with wine and good times instead. Myself and Kate Anderson (who made the wonderful video for Displacement Song) actually went to an animation festival in the Czech Republic last year and gave a talk about the collaborative process when using animation in music videos. You received some seriously good reviews for O Devotion! - did this pile pressure on for Haul Away? Not really. I was more surprised than anything by the reaction to O, Devotion! And I work with some really supportive people who just let me get on with it. So I think Haul Away would have been pretty much the same even if no-one out there wanted to listen to it. I have some really lovely and loyal fans from all over the world. And I hope they like the new album. I would be more sad to disappoint a fan than a reviewer. Though often they are the same thing. So that’s quite nice. It’s really nice when you read a review by someone who the record has obviously meant something to. Or when someone writes to tell you how much the music means to them. That’s what it’s all about. Making tiny connections between people. Kate Bush wants you to open her gigs but you’ve got to do one song by Cliff Richard and another by Chas ‘n’ Dave. Would you? Cliff Richard made some wonderful pop songs early on. I could happily do Summer Holiday or Living Doll... creep them up a bit. Put a Wurlitzer on them and turn them into sinister fairground music. I’m going to be honest... I don’t know any Chas ‘n’ Dave songs. But I’m sure I could take them apart and put them back together in my own way. Bet no-one would ever notice they were covers. So sure. Yeah. I like a challenge. MILKY’S ALBUM REVIEWS Damon Albarn – Everyday Robots So, the man with a work ethic that puts most to shame adds to his ever-expanding discography with a first solo record that builds on the haunting catchiness of the album titled lead single to create yet more new sounds. This is not an album that straddles the output of Blur, Gorillaz and all the other projects Mr Albarn has been involved with, it’s more a collection of introspective gentle tunes stripped back and left half-naked to survive and thrive. Occasional flashes of pop permeate with the zany catchiness of ‘Mr Tembo’ proving he still knows how to write a colossal chorus. Chrissie Hynde - Stockholm Pretenders chanteuse, anglophile, punk survivor, the time has come for Chrissie Hynde to put out her first ever solo album and bag a few guest spots from fellow legends Neil Young and (ahem) John McEnroe to boot. It’s safe to say the album sounds as you’d expect it to: there’s that iconic vocal up front and present astride some impish guitar and a solid rhythm section. ‘Dark Sunglasses’ & ‘You or No One’ have singalong qualities that elevate them to radio-owning standard and elsewhere Chrissie delves back into her ballad box and even finds time to drop a Bond-theme style on top of ‘You’re The One’. Thumpers – Galore Alt-pop duo Thumpers unleash a debut packed with bright, bold tunes that sail along on a rush of Prozac waves. Each song seemingly starts off with five different ideas and weaves a frantic path to the chorus before settling down a bit which can lead to mixed feelings of euphoria and fatigue. When they aim high Thumpers invariably hit the target with the summer comedown of ‘Now We Are Sixteen’ a big highlight alongside the effervescent single ‘Dancing’s Done’ and the tribal beats of ‘Tame’. Packing quite the punch. Lucius - Wildewoman This Brooklyn-based five-piece, co-fronted by singers Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig craft glistening songs around 60s’ girl-group harmonies with nods towards Haim, Florence & the Machine and (going back a few years) Voice of the Beehive. The key ingredient here is the intertwining performances of Jess & Holly which are just so alluringly luminous that you can’t help but be seduced. Even on a disco-stomper like ‘Hey Doreen’ where the band breaks loose, you can’t help but be drawn to the vocals. Sure to be a festival stealing act this summer, Wildewoman is a great introduction to a band that are very likely to go stellar. SUPPORT THE BEDFORD LIVE SCENE - UPCOMING BEDFORD GIGS FOR YOUR DIARY Sat 14 June – Radkey + The Degenerates @ Esquires Thur 16 October –Chas ‘n’ Dave + The Ouse Valley Sat 11 July - Inspiral Carpets @ Corn Exchange Singles Club @ Corn Exchange Thur 25 September – S leaford Mods & special guests Fri 17 October – T he Sunshine Underground @ @ Esquires Esquires Tickets from: www.wegottickets.com / www.seetickets.com / Danny’s Bar (Esquires) / Corn Exchange Box Office / Luscious Juice Bar. BOOKS Double celebration for Bromham author Sleep Tight, bestselling author Rachel Abbott’s third novel in her psychological thriller series, is recommended for your holiday reading collection. You don’t need to have read the first two as this one stands on its own perfectly. A frightening story of obsession and the depths to which this can lead, the novel sets the scene for what is to come with a prologue which tells of an incident of stalking. The first chapter then moves forward a number of years: Olivia Brookes has called the police because her husband, Robert, and her three children are missing. They are later found although Olivia fears he has harmed them. On his return Robert invents unstable behaviour for Olivia in order to control her so that she does not leave him. It transpires that seven years earlier Olivia called the police on another occasion - when her partner, Dan, vanished and was never found. Two months after this her parents died in mysterious circumstances. Then, two years further on, Olivia and her children disappear. Her car is in the garage and her purse is on the kitchen table. The police are hampered in their appeal for information as every picture of them has been removed from albums, phones and computers. Events in the personal lives of the two police officers in charge of the case give extra interest by being interwoven through the main plot which is full of twists and turns, shocks and surprises. It will keep you guessing until the very end. Reviewed by Roz Masters Bromham author Barrie Hyde celebrated both the publication last month of his first novel, A Higher Authority, and his 60th birthday. The story is about a young Oxford graduate with a gift for languages who joins MI5 and is then seconded to ‘A Higher Authority’, an organisation funded through government sources. The hero is given the name Jonathan to ‘avoid contagion’ and trained at an old British Army camp in Kenya where he meets and falls in love with his colleague Zan. Catapulted into the world of industrial espionage the two find out from the inside how a company has been able to grow at lightning speed. Barrie started writing when he was made redundant after 33 years in the Motor Finance industry “as a cathartic response” to losing his job. Realising that if writing was to become his future career he needed to learn more about the craft, he joined The Bedford Writers Circle. Barrie’s inspiration for the novel came, he says, from “a variety of ideas that fused into one”. These included his personal experience of money laundering from working in financial services; knowing someone who worked for MI5; and wanting to “get right away from the ‘50 Shades’ and ‘Harry Potter’ concepts”. Having always enjoyed espionage stories from the 60s and 70s, Barrie was enthusiastic about writing a novel that was pacy, exciting and easy to read. “Hopefully, this is the sort of story people will enjoy when on holiday,” he said. A Higher Authority is published by Safkhet Publishing and is available from Amazon. OVL The only magazine with door-to-door delivery to 16,000 homes in north Bedfordshire Also available to view online at www.ousevalleyliving.com Make the Right Choice Advertise in OVL Now in its 10th year of business, OVL is loved and trusted by advertisers and readers What our advertisers say: What our readers say: “Lovely magazine again this month – goes without saying really but nice to be reminded every now and then!” Ciro Ciampi, The Sharnbrook Hotel & Vesuvio Restaurant & Bar “OVL is an excellent publication the best of its kind by a long way. Your publication has gone from strength to strength over the years and I remember when it was first launched!” “We only advertise with OVL now as we find we receive much more quality and genuine business.” Mrs Maitland “I’m very happy with our advertising. 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We know our adverts are seen when people walk into the Studio clutching their copy of OVL!!” Julia, Peter Crisp Design Studio “Love your mag, particularly the history of villages and the recipes.” “Thank you so much for helping support us. We are so grateful, especially with how popular your magazine is.” Danielle Brandon, Events Fundraiser, Sue Ryder, St. John’s Hospice “Your magazine is brilliant and highly acclaimed locally re finish, quality and content.” “May we thank you both for the beautifully presented article and advert.” Frances & Stephen Marvell, Sharnbrook Evangelical Church “Just seen a copy of OVL, thank you for the ad. As you said a great position and you did a great job on the set up. Thanks.” Liz Craig, The Legstraps “Many thanks for another wonderful edition of OVL. I always look forward to receiving my copy and find the articles and features fascinating. Please keep up the great work.” “Loved your last issue, just seems to be getting better and better.” “I would very much like to take out a subscription to OVL Magazine which I so enjoy. I used to pick up a copy each month from the Tourist Information Centre when I visited Bedford but I now live in Luton and do not get into Bedford so often and I find that the copies disappear very quickly. I would like to take out a subscription to ensure I don’t miss it.” 16,000 copies of every edition of OVL are delivered door to door in: Biddenham, Bletsoe, Blunham, Bromham, Carlton, Felmersham, Great Denham, Great Barford, Harrold, Melchbourne, Milton Ernest, Oakley, Odell, Pavenham, Radwell, Ravensden, Renhold, Sharnbrook, Souldrop, Stagsden, Stevington, Turvey, Wilden, Willington. OVL is also available in hundreds of selected outlets in: Bedford, Bolnhurst, Box End, Cardington, Clapham, Cople, Kempston, Lavendon, Olney, Riseley, Thurleigh, Yielden. Reliable, professional, competitive and effective OVL is the market leader for local advertising For advertising email [email protected] or call 01234 783159 / 07557 747744 WHERE do you read yours? Email your pictures to [email protected] and show us who’s been reading your OVL and where they were. Pictures will be printed each month and our favourite entry of the year will win £50 to be announced in the December/January edition. Mic ha Mem el Athe inte bers B rton rea r vie ar ds new wing P at Lord his in th ’s e Eng t land er Moo before e r hea e d co s, the ach the ers in he h s d rea for t Kelly golf day Trust e m Da omes harity at a c me Kelly H e n i h Da suns 62 romham ith from B m S s ri h C rew and Antodadverts ore Please remember to mention OVL when responding n, Singap ra e S ngoo s in read their and Ellie Tilly Reubens theirs whilst on Bennewith read mp ors training ca Star Club Juni ain in Banyoles, Sp Billy S a reads unders his fro the lau m nch when Palkia reads his g space llin tro pa t no he’s Thank you for your many entries. If your picture isn’t here check next month’s issueOVLof OVL. Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook Magazine 63 HOROSCOPES Alison is an astrologer with BBC and American TV and radio credits and three published books. In her personal one-to-one telephone readings she looks deep into the soul or character, revealing underlying motivations and influences on a person’s life. They are acclaimed as “incredibly inspirational, healing and insightful”. Go to www.alisonchesterlambert.com or www.midlandsschoolofastrology.co.uk or phone 01827 68288 / 07767 810889. £59 for over 1 hour recorded. Cancer Libra The recent eclipse probably caused a bit of a shake-up in your world, but hopefully you came off best? Things will at last start to calm down now, with the most focus being on the Full Moon around the 14th. This may highlight money and passion – the abundance or the lack of! The time around the 12th asks whether something should remain in your life? Or maybe you can’t have something you dearly want? But the old is always replaced by the new and allowing things to change means they can improve for the better, as you will see in time. jun22-jul23 sep24-oct23 Leo Scorpio You’ll be feeling independent around the 6th, so give yourself time apart for you are so worth it. The period around the 14th is all about travel, talking or knowledge, but you won’t be keen to take the advice of those superior others! Family is important at the end of the month. You may feel backed into a corner around the 12th and, if so, woe betide those who are doing the pushing. A Significant Other appears to offer a choice, but are they simply trying to control you? It looks like you want to take quick action, but it might be wise to think carefully. jul24-aug23 Virgo aug24-sep23 Family matters have been important for a while now and, for some, that might involve estrangement. It’s time to get those photographs or memories out again and doesn’t that feel good once in a while. As long as you hold the love in your heart, they can be felt and enjoyed again. 64 oct24-nov22 Sagittarius nov23-dec22 The Full Moon in Sagittarius on the 13th marks an emotionally `full` time, but the effects are transitory. This is actually the last month of focus on the watery, feeling realm with its opportunity to experience and contemplate emotions. Next month you return to expansion and fiery action instead. Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Capricorn Aries In general the pace of life has slowed for you, but it seems the time around the 12th has a little peak of activity. Something is offered by a Significant Other and it appears to stir you somewhat. The offer seems pleasant enough, but will you rebel against the controlling aspect? This month offers the opportunity to put things into their final resting place after months of turbulence. But although things have been challenging, lots of old baggage has been cleared away and the furniture of your life can now be placed into the appropriate position for the future. dec23-jan20 Aquarius jan21-feb19 You’d probably rather be alone at the beginning of the month, but that won’t stop the world from bothering you. This gets easier as the month goes on until you get to the 25th, when an audacious challenge goads you into an impressive response. But you are in the stronger position. Pisces mar21-apr20 Taurus apr21-may21 The 9th is good for making material or financial adjustments, but this is followed by austerity or challenge around the 13th when you may be denied something you want. Make do without it and watch the abundance flow back around the 18th. A good month to treat yourself to chocolate! feb20-mar20 You are being coaxed into something rather delicious or sensual as the month opens, so just relax and go for it. A spa day? A relaxing massage? A chocolate fudge cheesecake? Go on, enjoy! All forward motion is cancelled from the middle of month, so slide back into a lazy summer. Gemini may22-jun21 From the 7th you begin a period when you can carefully go over things and amend them where necessary. Checking the small print or picking up what you’ve forgotten becomes easier. There is a Full Moon in your opposite Sign on the 14th so a Significant Other will be important around then. Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 65 CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED ACCOUNTANTS GARDEN SERVICES CAR MAINTENANCE 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 CRAFT FAYRES Craft, Gift and Vintage Fayre THE LADY GARDENER The Masonic Hall, Garden design and landscaping Wellingborough Rd, Rushden NN10 9YJ 1st Saturday of every month10am - 4pm Lots of interesting Crafts and Handmade items Hot & cold refreshments available Disabled facilities Free entrance & off road parking Country and cottage garden specialist Restoration and planting schemes Maintenance – regular or occasional to suit you Experienced, knowledgeable and reliable ALISON WALLBANK 01234 304935 07795 246558 Further details [email protected] ELECTRICIANS YOUR LOCAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Part P Approved Free Estimates New Builds, Full Rewires, Consumer Unit Replacements, Kitchen/Bathroom Works, Extra Sockets & Lights, Garden Lighting, Electric Room & Water Heating, Energy Saving Installations, Electrical Testing, Condition Reports and Fault Finding. Please call Simon Tel: 01234 823565 (Oakley) or Mob: 07554 700939 Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.scp-electrical.co.uk 66 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts www.bedfordshiregardendesigners.co.uk CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED HEALTH & BEAUTY HOME IMPROVEMENTS Reiki Sessions promoting healing and compassionate action Joanne Waine Registered Karuna Reiki® Master & Trainer & Usui and Tibetan Reiki Master & Trainer www.calmpower.com [email protected] 01234 852930 dh s 01234 522 050 / 07593 444 228 HAIR UNITS & EXTENSIONS Tel: 01234 783589 Mob: 07900 677851 Driveways & patios professionally cleaned/sealed from £2.00 per square metre • High tech equipment used producing outstanding results (far superior to jet-washing) • Renovation of tarmac driveways Brighten up your dull & dreary driveway/patio Before Contact us for a free makeover assessment T: 01234 783589 M: 07900 677851 E: [email protected] W: www.a6drivewaycleaning.co.uk After Heritage Drives • Drives • Patios • Tarmac • Gravel • Block paving • Fencing • Decking Fully insured Free quotation Discrete hair management systems for men women and juniors [email protected] discretehair.co.uk 01234 522 050 01234 363243 or 07788 438135 Veda Therapeutics Herbal Medicine - Ayuverda - Naturopathy Therapeutic massage - Ear acupuncture As a herbalist and naturopath I can help you with: Skin conditions Digestive complaints Hormonal imbalances Heart health & circulation Energy & wellbeing Insomnia & Depression Allergies Repeated coughs & colds Carolyn Wood - Herbalist, Naturopath, MAMH, MANP, ITEC www.vedatherapeutics.co.uk Call 07944 886502 Email [email protected] HOLIDAY HOMES Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 67 CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED • CLASSIFIED PLUMBING & HEATING HOME IMPROVEMENTS CONT. Extensions and all General Building Work From Whole House, Flat or Bungalow Refurbishments, Kitchen & Bathroom Fitting, Decking, All Aspects of Carpentry to Plumbing & Electrical Work. Visit our website to see what services we offer or contact us with your requirements. [email protected] Office Paul mobile www.soulbrook.co.uk 01234 781836 07731 818990 Qualified professional engineer 25 years experience I specialise in solving all your plumbing, gas and heating problems All work guaranteed Your local recommended engineer No job too small All work guaranteed and we are fully insured via Nat West IT SUPPORT MARQUEE HIRE SPEECH THERAPISTS PHOTOGRAPHY TUITION French in Beds French daytime and evening classes in Bromham. Private lessons for individuals or small groups. Thea Hughes BA (Hons) MA fourpawsandatailphotos.org 01234 343725 / 07528 310180 68 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts www.frenchinbeds.com 01234 822965 or 07941 869424 [email protected] VEHICLE HIRE magazine Self Drive Hire & Contract rental Standard & Minibus & Refrigerated vehicles mag az ine 01234 339 008 To deliver magazines door-to-door in Renhold mag az ine The Ouse Valley’s favourite magazine 16,000 copies delivered door-to-door in addition to 100+ outlets TARGETS THE PEOPLE OTHER PUBLICATIONS DON’T REACH! To advertise please contact: [email protected] 01234 783159 07557 747744 DISTRIBUTORS WANTED find us on Facebook OVL Magazine follow us on Twitter @OVLMagazine For more information email [email protected] www.ousevalleyliving.com Commissioned Wall Hanging & Art Showcase – Wyboston Village Hall At the end of 2012, patients from Milton Park Therapeutic Campus were invited by the Wyboston Village Hall Committee to create a piece of artwork for permanent display in the Committee Room. The patients, who have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition, decided that a textile wall decoration would be fun to make. The aim was to reflect the tranquil scenery and character of the parish. They began with a trip around the three villages with a camera, recording the attractive countryside with its wildflowers, Tudor houses and thatched cottages. Local businesses such as Edible Ornamentals chilli farm were included, as was the distinctive Black Cat roundabout, named after a garage and restaurant built on the site in the 1920s. The patients set about learning the skills required to bring their design ideas to life; these include wool-felting, batik, machine sewing and hand embroidery. Over a period of sixteen months, nine people have contributed their ideas, time and artistic skill to this project. A new display of recent patient artwork will also be hung in the main hall. This is a regular event, and a fantastic opportunity for the artists to share their hard work and talent. Art has far-reaching therapeutic benefits for our patients; it enables individuals to develop confidence, and a range of skills such as problem-solving, communication and social skills. It also fosters Presentation of Art Work by Milton Park Art Teacher, Deborah a sense of commitment to extended work and learning. Hancock, and William, one of the artists, to Mrs Susie For more information please contact Woodman (Chair of Village Hall Committee), Mayor Dave Hodgson and High Sheriff Of Bedfordshire, Colin Osborne. Mrs Susie Woodman 01234 376098 Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 69 diarydates Sunday 1 June Red Cross Open Gardens Milton House, Milton Ernest, 1.30-5pm Rose garden, orchard, large lake, terrace, sunken garden, spinney and vegetable garden. £4. Parking and teas. Monday 2 June Stagsden Open Door Every Monday, 2.30-4.30pm St Leonard’s Church Free admission and free tea, coffee, squash & cakes. stagsdenopendoor@ outlook.com Wednesday 4 June Free Taster Session, 2-5pm Mowsbury Park Bowls Club Every Wed (June to Sept). All equipment provided. Refreshments. Fiona Mowe 01234 771416 or [email protected] Thursday 5 June The Panacea Museum Thursdays 11am-3.30pm & first Sat of month 10.30am-4pm. Story of the unique religious community. Free admission. Private visits for 8+ 01234 353178 or museum@panacea-society. org The Quiz at The Cock, Pavenham, 8pm Recent special rounds - plasticine modelling, alphabetti spaghetti and scrabble! Please contact tim.cooper4@ btinternet.com if you plan on coming. Friday 6 June Bedford Art Society, 7.15pm Putnoe Heights Church Demonstration by David Wells, international award winning artist. Members free, £5 visitors. Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or www.bedsartsociety.co.uk Wyboston, Chawston & Colesden Village Hall Pamper & Indulgence Evening, 6-9:30pm £3.50 includes glass of wine/soft drink. Over 20 stands offering treatments and products. Most treatments just £5. Susie Woodman 01234 376098. An Evening with Nell Gwynne, 7-10pm St. Mary’s Church, Higham Ferrers Lesley Smith brings Nell Gwynne, 70 Charles II’s mistress, to life with historical information and humorous stories. Glass of Bucks Fizz. Tickets £10 Simon Wiles 01933 314006 or Sidey Design in Market Square. Saturday 7 June Concord Singers 35th Anniversary Concert St. Owen’s Church, Bromham, 7pm £7, students £5 including after-concert party. www.bromhambenefice.org or 07535 055932. Colmworth Village Fayre, 2-5pm Playing Field, Church Road Dancing, choir performances, dog show, classic vehicles display, golf and archery, side shows, children’s entertainment, refreshments. Sunday 8 June Pavenham Open Gardens, 2pm In aid of Cancer Research UK. 01234 824565 for details. Red Cross Open Gardens The Lodge at Odell,1.30-5pm Borders, arbours, water features, beds and shrubberies. Sweeping lawns leading down to the Great Ouse with woodland and riverside walks. £4. Parking and teas. Monday 9 June Cercle Français, 7.30pm 6 Rothsay Gardens, MK40 3QB Social evenings 2nd & 4th Mondays of month for those interested in French. [email protected] or Frank 720692 or Katharine 888811. Thursday 12 June Rushden Flower Arrangement Club Outing to NEC Gardeners World Includes free entry to BBC Good Food Show Summer. 01933 388434. £30 includes entry and coach. Saturday 14 June Working Together for a Safer Community Harpur Suite, Bedford, from 10am Meet with Neighbourhood Watch and safety partners within Bedford Borough. Learn how to secure your home, develop a better neighbourhood and more. Coffee and Scones Morning,10.30-12 Sharnbrook Methodist Church Traidcraft, plants and pots stalls. Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Collection point: Large backpacks and waterproof jackets for Prebend Day Centre and used stamps for CLICSargent. Odell Village Fete & Family Dog Show Scout Field, Horsefair Lane, 2pm Adults £1.50, children free. Dog Show £1.50 per dog per class. Bouncy Castle, Pimms, Children’s Sports, Bedford Brass Band, refreshments. Jane 01933 410959 or jane@eshelby. co.uk. www.odellbeds.net Sunday 15 June Red Cross Open Gardens Gardens of Biddenham,1-5pm Circular walk in this pretty village. Traditional/cottage gardens, plus an Arts and Crafts style garden. £6. Parking and teas. Rushden Transport Museum Station Approach Treat Dad to a ride behind a steam engine and maybe a pint of real ale. 01933 353111. www.rhts.co.uk Milton Ernest Garden Society Cream Teas & Plant Sale, 2-5pm Ousebank Farm, River Lane 01234 822773 for further details The Secret Gardens Of Higham Ferrers Market Square, 12-5pm Plants, Pimms, cakes, books, refreshments with home-made cakes in Hind Stile. Tickets on the day £4 from the Market Square or any garden on the route. Monday 16th June Peer Group Prostate Support Asda Distribution Centre Marsh Leys, Woburn Rd, 6.15pm Talk by Professor Robert Thomas, Mb, ChB, MRCO, MD, FRCP Consultant Oncologist. £2. bedfordpeergroup@ btinternet.com Friday 20 June An Evening of Music, Wine & Roses, 6-9pm The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington Proceeds to NGS Charities. If raining the choir will sing in nearby St Mary’s Church 7-8pm. £4.50. Light refreshments. www.kathybrownsgarden.com diarydates Ladies Garden Party, 7-9pm Spring Hill, Little Staughton In aid of Primrose Cancer Care Unit & Kymbrook Pre-school. £10 includes glass of wine & pudding. 01234 378839 or [email protected] Sunday 22 June Haynes Village 100 Playing Field, 12-5pm Classic motoring event with sideshows, stalls, displays & refreshments. www.thehaynesvillage100.org.uk Saturday 21 June Great Barford Fun Day, 1-5pm Village Hall & Playing Field Free entry. Climbing wall, archery, jousting, hog roast, real ale, music & entertainment with medieval theme. Louise 01234 870443 or geared@tiscali. co.uk Jazz in the Gardens Bartlemas Farm, Pavenham, 2pm Freddie & Friends New Orleans Jazzmen. In aid of Friends of St Peters, Pavenham. £13 adults, £6 u16, u5 free, includes cream teas and steam train rides. Derek Bliss 823821 or Hugh Josty 822242. Licensed bar. Bring rug or picnic chairs. John Donne Lower School & St Edmunds or St James Church Annual Rose Queen Fete, 2-4pm Procession, crowning of Rose Queen, dancing display. Traditional stalls, BBQ, bouncy castle, coconut shy, hook a duck and lob a loo roll! “Best Garden Rose” competition. 01767 640346. Summer Concert with The Arts Quartet, 7.30pm St James’s Church, Church End, Biddenham A programme of lively pieces by Mozart, Haydn and Dvořák for strings, piano, trumpet and percussion. £10 (£7 members of The Friends of St James) Chris Jones 01234 211759. Summer Symphonia Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine Booking essential. Tickets £12. 01234 767037 [email protected] Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Sound Sensations, 7.45pm Kettering Operatic Concert Party performing songs from stage and screen. £10 Virginia Pope 01933 356974. A ‘Warm Up’ Appeal Event. Ladies Evening, 7.30pm Bromham Baptist church £5. Outfit swap party, pamper zone, unlimited pudding, craft tables, Indian cooking and more. 01234 822681 or www.bromham.org Armed Forces Day Rushden Transport Museum Station Approach Learn more about our armed forces and local cadet forces. 01933 353111. www.rhts.co.uk Open Garden Stevington Park End Thatch, 58 Park Rd 8th year of the National Garden Scheme charities. Thatched cottage in half acre of cottage garden planting, view of fields and windmill. £4, children free. Teas by Marie Curie team. Plants and produce for sale. [email protected] 07787 158288 Wednesday 25 June Neighbourhood Watch Fund Raising Quiz The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, 7.30pm A fun quiz evening with ploughman’s supper, £6. Teams 1-6 people. Lynne Arch 01234 275165 or lynne.arch@ bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk to enter. Saturday 28 June Party in the Park, 3-10.30pm Blunham Playing Fields Live bands & entertainment. Bring picnics – gazebos welcome. BBQ, bar & refreshments. Tickets in advance www. blunhampfa.co.uk Milton Ernest Fete, 2-4pm Fun for all ages, inflatable slide, rodeo bull, shooting target dancing, tombola, cream teas and many more stalls. St Peter’s Church Fete Sharnbrook House, 2pm Traditional country fete with homemade cakes, crafts, tombola, bric-a-brac, stalls, afternoon tea and more. Willington Village Market Village Hall, 10-12 Plants, vegetables, fruit, cakes, bread, preserves, crafts, Fairtrade stall, Southall Butchers, refreshments. Julia Buckroyd 01234 831316 Sunday 29 June Oakley Open Gardens, 1.30-5.30pm Profits to St Mary’s Church. £4 (under 16s free), including minibus around village. Sharnbrook Evangelical Church Science Centre, Sharnbrook Upper School All age Sunday School Summer Celebration service. Churches Together in Harrold and Carlton - Harrold Open Gardens, 1.30-6pm Vintage and Classic Car display, Ukulele Band, refreshments. Programmes at Harrold Green. Proceeds to support local charities. Tuesday 1 July Bedford National Trust Association Addison Centre, Kempston, 2.30pm AGM, tea and talk about Sir Robert Hunter, inventor of the NT. Photographic competition. Everyone welcome 860439. Saturday 5 July Newton Bromswold Village Fete, 2pm Rushden Mission Band, stalls, games, bouncy castle, afternoon teas. Children’s Fancy Dress judged at 3.10pm. St Mary’s Church Keysoe Fete Village Hall and Field, 3pm Stalls, fun and games, Hog Roast at 5pm. Ticket only event £7.50 adult, £3.50 u10 from 01234 378878. Pimms bar. Thursday 10 July Wyboston, Chawston & Colesden Village Hall Sing-a-long to Mamma Mia (the film) Doors open 6.45pm, film starts 7.15pm. £3, all proceeds between the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Village Hall Upgrade. Sunday 13 July Melchbourne Feast day, 1-5pm Stalls, tea dance, history walks, morris dancing, parade of hounds, Bedford Gallery Quire, children’s races, archery, beekeeping, bouncy castle, ferrets, Knights Hospitaller, tractor rides, swing band. Charity and fundraising events for the July edition to be supplied by 10 June 2014 to [email protected]. Please provide a maximum of 50 words & quote Diary Dates in the subject box. Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 71 CHILDHOOD COMMUNICATION Independent Speech and Language Therapist Jacqui Wright answers your questions about childhood communication Dear Jacqui Do you think that screen time is having a detrimental effect on children’s communication skills? This is a really good question! We know that 10% of children have speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN) across the population regardless of screen time, and that there will also be a small percentage of children who are robust with their skills no matter what. However, there will be a large number of children whose communication skills will be adversely affected by too much screen time, as well as the children with SLCN. This is actually true for adults too and that is where we probably need to start – looking at ourselves and the example we are setting with all of the time we are devoting to our screens rather than people. Of course, screens make life a lot quicker and easier but we need to take time to slow down and enjoy real, connected moments with our children, families and friends. Children learn good social communication skills primarily within their family and also at school: their body language, the way they talk, conversational skills, assertiveness skills, friendship and interpersonal skills. These are lifelong skills for successful employment and relationships. Screens are here to stay and we need to learn how to live with them, keeping them in their rightful place. We also need to guard all the good things about our unique human connections and activities that we do apart from screen time. Jacqui Wright Childhood Communication Consultant Independent Highly Specialist Speech and Language therapist CHILDHOOD COMMUNICATION CONSULTANCY www.childhoodcommunication.co.uk [email protected] 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 [email protected] and she will endeavour to answer your concerns in this column Blood (145 impassioned art & design students) Sweat (150,000 hours of creative endeavour) (of joy) The Bedford College ART & DESIGN EXHIBITION 16 - 21 June Mon - Thur 10am - 7pm, Fri 10am - 4pm & Sat 21 June 10am - 3pm South Bank Arts Centre, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AH, T: 01234 291000 WIN! Whose Ad is it? T 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 [email protected] quoting Whose Ad in the subject box. The winner will be drawn at random and notified by Friday 20 June. Closing date Friday 13 June. 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 month’s Whose Ad is it? The Horse & Jockey Congratulations to Bernadette Russell 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 next month’s OVL Last month’s answers Follow us on twitter @OVLMagazine Find us on Facebook OVL Magazine 73 COOL & No w Bespoke Curtains S 10 atu Op am rd en Blinds - 2 ays pm Classic • Beautifully made curtains & blinds COOL Moder n • Interior design service Upholstery • Outstanding fabrics • Chic wallpapers Carpets • Luxury carpets & wood floors • Upholstery & re-upholstery Wood floors • Professional installation • Electric curtain tracks & motorised blinds Furniture • Sofas & Armchairs in any fabric of your choice C l a s s i c Tr a d i t i o n a l We are not just a shop. Every week our long established family business supplies commercial soft furnishings to interior designers, businesses, and institutional clients. Our workshop makes up most of the jobs we sell. Local customers benefit from our wide experience which always produces the home of your dreams Visit our showroom 97a Howbury Street, Bedford MK40 3QT Tel: 01234 327 109 Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm www.coolandclassic.com Home, Office or Site Consultations Individual service from a talented team with in-depth product knowledge 74 Please remember to mention OVL when responding to adverts Come and join us for an exciting new demonstration with Sue Eggleston Summer Picnics made easy on the AGA On Saturday 21st June 11.45am - 2pm £25 per person, call now to book For more information simply visit or call: AGA Vale Farm, Woburn Road (old A421) Nr. Lidlington, Bedfordshire MK43 0NL Tel: 01234 765792 “A new star is born” From The worldwide jewellery sensation has arrived in the UK
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