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The Jewel inthe Crown

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THE BI-MONTHLY St Ives NEWS MAGAZINE8,000+ copies delivered FREE to homes and businesses in and around St Ives

January/February 2013

suggest ivesSt Ives Town Initiative news magazine

FREE

‘First Impr‘First Impressions’essions’ SurSurvveey praises toy praises townwnsee page 6

““””

The Jewel inthe Crown

Just over one year on…good to know we have a

success story on our hands!see page 18

www.stivestowninitiative.co.uk Say you saw it insuggestives when replying to advertisers 3

contentsSt Ives Town Manager ___________ 03St Ives Christmas Market _________ 05First Impressions: Survey Feedback _ 06Health: Best Diet Changes ________ 09Community: Warners Park _______ 13Profile: Cambridge Building Society__ 13Legal Advice Column: Leeds Day ___ 14Nature: Garden Birdwatch Weekend_ 15Quick Crossword _____________ 15Recipe: Delicious shortbread ______ 16News: Busway wins award ________18Gardening: Garden resolution _____21Profile: Melody Bear ____________22Activities: New Hobby?___________24Kids’ page ___________________ 28History:Word to the wise... ______ 29Advertisers’ Index, Sudoku, solutions 30WHAT’S ON, Events in St Ives ____ 31

contact us …St Ives Town Initiative9,The Sheep MarketSt Ives PE27 5AHTel: 07513 971720e: [email protected]

What a wonderful, bright cold daywe had on the 2nd December

for our Christmas lights switch on. My thanks to all of you who supported the event byattending, I hope that you enjoyed the day. Also aspecial word of thanks to all of the volunteers whoorganised the event, the sponsors, and to those whohelped on the day – without you the event could notgo ahead. A full report on the day from SITIChairman, can be found on page 5.

Our previous issue carried an article about Shapeyour Place, a community website run byCambridgeshire County Council. A report on ourChristmas event, including a video has also beenposted on the site so why not take a look atwww.shapeyourplace.org and post your comments?

January and February are not always popularmonths, due to the dark evenings and inclementweather, so I hope that our magazine will providesome interesting reading.The events diary may giveyou some ideas for things to do over the comingmonths. If you are holding an event for a localorganisation or charity we will do our best to list itin our magazine and on our website so please doemail the details, [email protected]

2013 is certainly going to be a challenging year foreveryone working in the voluntary sector due to theever increasing demands on people’s finances.However, it’s not all down to money. Organisationsare much easier to run and events more enjoyable ifthe work load is spread between volunteers, sodespite the challenges we all face please do considerhelping in the community, by doing so you will makeSt Ives a much better place to live, work and visit!

Jane Jane BowdTown Manager

All information believed to be correct at time of press. Reproduction of contentwithout express permission from suggest ives magazine is strictly prohibited.suggest ives magazine disclaims liability or responsibility to any party for intellectualproperty infringements, errors or omissions. © 2013. suggest ives magazine ispromoted and published by Symmetry for and on behalf of St Ives Town Initiative [SITI].Symmetry DPM Ltd,The Studio, Cowdell End, Elsworth, Cambridge CB23 4GB

Published bi-monthlyOnline at: www.stivestowninitiative.co.ukTo advertise or submit copy:T: 01954 267444 or e: [email protected] for March/April issue: 1st February

© martin phillips, st ives bridge image

suggest ives

… making St Ives a betterplace to live, work and visit


Welcome to 2013!


4 to advertise, call 01954 267444 or email: [email protected]

TOWN news


www.stivestowninitiative.co.uk Say you saw it in suggestives when replying to advertisers 5

TOWN News

THOUSANDS of people crowded to MarketSquare in the town centre to see FatherChristmas, prize winners the Weaver familyand the Town Mayor, Debbie Townsend switchon this year’s town lights.Theevent is a joint venture betweenSt Ives Town Initiative and theChristmas Lights Committee.

Angie Dickinson, Chairman ofSITI said “I am absolutelydelighted at the turnout today,despite a number of our boardspromoting the event beingvandalised and stolen, it is nice toknow that the word had spreadand that all the hard work thatgoes into staging this event isappreciated by so many people.I would like to thank all our stallholders on the Sheep Market whofor once had excellent weather conditions! Also oursponsors, Barford & Co, The CambridgeBuilding Society, St Ives TownCouncil, Luminus, Mick George Skips,Laser SOS and Waitrose CommunityMatters for their generous contributions.Thanksare also due to the local traders who donatedsuch generous raffle prizes.A full list of the prizes and prize winners can befound on our web site.”

Chairman of St Ives Christmas LightsCommittee, Ryan Fuller said,“This year’s eventwas one of the best so far with many more peoplecoming to support the lights.We have a stunningnew display in Bridge Street and are very gratefulto St Ives Town Council for their support as well asthe local businesses that contributed. Specialmention must be made of A’Diva HairDesign in Merryland who have been raisingfunds for the Christmas lights all year, donating

over £850!”Richard Ibbott, Manager of West EndDIY in Bridge Street, said,“It was lovely tosee our store so full and we had a great day’s

trading - up 12% on last year’s ChristmasMarket.”Sarah from Tres Belle Jewellers inCrown Street commented,“In all the years Ihave been working here I have never seenCrown Street to busy, it is lovely to see.”Jackie Mantle, Clearer Hearing Ltd,“just wanted to say a huge thank you to youand all at the SITI team for organising the ‘Bestdressed Christmas Window’ competition.Weare thrilled to be part of SITI and delightedthat we won the competition.We spent lots oftime and energy on decorating it and we alsohad a Christmas tree decorated by MissWright’s class from Thorndown School.Wemoved to St Ives from Fenstanton 18 monthsago and we are delighted we made the move.”

Plans are already in place for next year – putit in your diary – Sunday 1st December 2013!

St Ives Christmas Market



TOWN News

ST IVES... ‘ a small Fenland town with limited appeal ’ – thiswas the visiting delegation from Newark’s expectationof St Ives when they came to carry out a FirstImpressions exercise; as reported in our last issue (TheMary Portas Way). How wrong could they have been!

Their feedback report stated that, arriving by road, hadcaused some difficulty in that they found the signageto the town centre was poor, but once arrived andparked in the main car park then the report changesto a much more positive message.They consideredthe car park location close to the centre of the townwas ‘excellent’ and the ‘charges reasonable’.Overall the opinion was that there was a good mix ofshops, low vacancy rates, an excellent independentoffering and controlled commercialism with the‘nationals’ chains’ not being overbearing – butworking in harmony with the independents.All of thisset in a ‘tidy and attractive town’ with an appealingmarket area which is located within close proximityto the open countryside. And it gets better...The Quay was identified as ‘the jewel in thecrown’ a phrase that has often been used before in

connection with this special part of St Ives. So muchso that our visitors intend to take a lead from us andsee if they can replicate the use of the river frontageback in their home town.During their visit they collected a free copy ofsuggest ives magazine which they found ‘useful,especially the events diary’. It’s certainly pleasing toknow that it is not just residents that find themagazine helpful!

So yes we still have things to work on in St Ives andit is fair to say signage in all its guises is probably at thetop of the list – but this report also says we have a lotto be proud about:‘friendly people, a good local feel,plenty of seating, no graffiti, attractive architecture, anda proud heritage’. Surely these are the points weshould be celebrating and promoting – and we will.For more details about SITI, see:www.stivestowninitiative.co.uk or if you would like tofind out more about the report, please contact JaneBowd on 07513971720 [email protected]

First impressions... not at all bad?



TOWN NEWS

St. Ives Chiropody & PodiatryFoot Care Clinic

Mr. F.K. Javed BSc(Hons) Podiatry. MChS. HPC/State Registered

01480 301337 or 07807 505534Underneath the archway, between Fat Face & Poundland

SaturdayAppointments& Home VisitsAvailable

• General chiropody – nails, hard skin & corns

• Diabetic foot care

• Children’s Feet – Growing pains, Verrucas, etc.

• Sporty Feet & associated injuries + pains

• Ingrowing toe nails – surgical option available

• Custom made Orthotics/insoles

• Dancing feet – we’ll keep you

on your toes

• Biomechanics & Gait Analysis

New Clients Always WelcomeScrivens Opticians, 1 Crown Place, St. Ives PE27 5PD

www.stivespodiatry.co.uk



COMMUNITY



HEALTH

IT’S THAT TIME of year again – anew year - a new start. Hmmm.How can you start improvingyour diet and your chances ofleading a healthier lifestyle?n First – eat breakfast!

After many hours without foodour body needs refuelling tobring the blood sugar up andensure the brain and musclesare functioning properly. Eatingbreakfast aids concentrationand creates energy.

n Drink more water Welose on average 2-4 litres ofwater a day, which needs to bereplaced. Current advice is todrink 6-8 glasses daily toensure that our brain, bloodand muscles are able tofunction at their best.

n Eat more fruit andvegetables The vitamins andminerals boost the immunesystem, whilst antioxidants fightcancer and disease, and fibrecleanses the gut.We should eatfive portions per day.

n Eat less red meat Reducethe risk of bowel and othercancers. Health expertssuggest 500g per week (theequivalent of one steak, onepork chop, 2 sausages and aportion of Bolognese sauce) or 70g per day (three rashersof bacon).

n Eat more consciously.Take time to really taste andsavour the food in your mouth.Be aware of the textures andflavours - and chances are you

will enjoy your food morewhilst eating less of it!

You are, as they say, what you eat. Eat healthy, be healthy!

Five Best Diet Changes?



July/August 2012


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… we tick all the right boxes

Angela Parker and Mandie Bailey

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THE CROMWELL VETERINARYGROUP has been proud to care for petsin the area for over 100 years.With anaccredited veterinary hospital based inHuntingdon, and four branches in thesurrounding area – including St Ives, petowners can rest assured that qualityveterinary care is never far away.

The St Ives branch of The CromwellVeterinary Group has been based in thetown over 40 years, and at the BurleighCentre for more than 20. This well-equipped surgery means pets benefitfrom veterinary consultations and nurseclinics six days a week. A variety of daysurgery procedures can also be carriedout, meaning pets don’t always need avisit to the Huntingdon hospital.

Being part of The Cromwell Veterinary group meansthat clients who use the St Ives surgery can alsobenefit from services offered across the practice,

including a 24-hour emergency service,pre-booked home visits, physiotherapyand appointments with veterinaryspecialists in dermatology and cardiology.

From preventative healthcare to timesof illness or injury, the staff at TheCromwell Veterinary Group are always onhand to offer the best possible advice andcare. Also, the wide-range of diagnosticequipment available at the Huntingdonhospital, including an in-house laboratory,radiography, endoscopy, ultrasound, ECGand blood pressure monitoring meanspets get the treatment they need asquickly as possible.

For more information about theservices offered by The CromwellVeterinary Group, visit

www.cromwellvets.co.uk , or keep up todate with the latest news on Facebook and Twitter

Wide range of services for care of petsLocal veterinary practice with presence in St Ives for over 40 years

Advertisingfeature



SITI Profile



COMMUNITY

IT IS A QUESTION asked by many but what isreally different about your local Building Society.Sylvia Smith, Branch Manager from TheCambridge Building Society in St Ives,explains:

“The single most important factor is thatwe are owned by our members and have noexternal shareholders so we can operatewith our customers’ best interests at heart.Our main focus is to provide funding for localpeople who are buying homes and provide atrusted home for those wishing to save.

We are committed to helping First TimeBuyers in the area by offering low depositproducts for people looking to buy their firsthome.We also hold First Time Buyer Eventswhere we link up with a local solicitor and an estateagent to help guide people through the process.

Building Societies have extreme pride in theircustomer service.At The Cambridge we believe intreating each customer as an individual and not as anumber. Not many people are aware of this but anycomplaints that we receive go directly to StephenMitcham, Chief Executive at The Cambridge and hereviews them personally.At the St Ives branch we have

great relationships with our local customers and alwaysaim to help where we can.

Something else that ispositively different abouta Building Society is thecommitment to the localcommunity.This ongoingsupport is at the heartof what we do at TheCambridge. Our staffdonate their time tovolunteer at local eventsand in 2011 wecompleted 2,680 hours.This helped us win the‘Business in the

Community Volunteer Team of the Year’ award in 2012.If you want to find out more about what makes us so

different, please pop in to see us at the St Ives branchon Station Road.”

Your local Building Society – whatmakes it different?

Sylvia Smith, Branch Manager

PROFILE

FRIENDS OF WARNERS PARK (FOWP), with thesupport of St Ives Town Council, are applying for agrant to make improvements to the Park’s Pavilion

in 2014. The application is intended to make bestuse of the building in the spirit for which it wasintended when it was erected in memory of thefallen of St Ives 1939-1945 – that is, to be of benefitto the people of the town.

If you have ideas / suggestions on how you wouldlike to see the Pavilion improved, or would like torespond to our Facebook questionnaire then FOWPwant to hear from you.Find us on Facebook or get in touch by email to:[email protected] of Warners Parkhttp://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfWarnersPark

Warners Park Pavilion needs a facelift!



DIVORCES ARE OFTEN heralded as being nasty,brutish and all too long; not to mention expensive.It doesn’t have to be that way.

Divorce and separation is sadly increasing, thecurrent financial squeeze on families often being thefinal blow. It might seem to make little sense tospend money on lawyers if you are going through adivorce, but getting it wrong and relying on themyriad of misinformation offered both on line andby well meaning friends can lead to considerablygreater costs.The Good NewsAt Leeds Day, we offer a variety of alternatives toreduce those costs.

If you remain on relatively good terms with yourspouse, family mediation may be a good option. Youand your spouse see our mediator trained in conflictresolution and family law to oversee discussions.Our mediator can advise you about potentialfinancial and childcare arrangements, helping to keepdiscussions on track if they become strained oncertain aspects. You and your spouse may still retainlawyers to guide you, review the final settlement andprepare the papers for Court but you would notneed to attend Court at all.

Collaborative family law is similar, and anincreasingly popular approach to divorce. Duringcollaborative negotiations, you and your spouseinstruct lawyers, but they will be committed toresolving your differences without resorting tolitigation through a series of meetings.

Even if neither of the above suit yourcircumstances, we are able to negotiate with yourspouse or his or her lawyer, with our aim remainingthe same; to reach a settlement that is best for youand avoid the costly and lengthy process of Courtproceedings.

Our team includes accredited members ofResolution and we can offer mediation orcollaborative family law as alternatives to moretraditional forms of negotiation. You will be inexpert hands.

How much will it cost?Whichever route you choose to take, we will adviseyou of the likely cost. We offer fixed fees for anumber of our services so that you know right fromthe outset which option works best for you, howmuch it will cost and how long the process will take.To find out more, contact us on 01480464600 or send us an email [email protected] Further details of theservices we provide can also be found on ourwebsite, www.leedsday.co.uk If you make an appointment to see amember of our team before the end ofJanuary 2013 and you quote this articlewhen making the appointment, then yourfirst 30 minute consultation will be free

Getting Divorced? How to minimise the financial and emotional cost

LEGALADVICE



NATURE

Quick Crossword See solution on page 30

Clues Across

1 American Space Agency(4)4 Conjurer (8)7 Refrain from an action (7)9 Grunt (5)11 Without restrictions(13)12 Money or property (5)17 Cross-examination (13)18 Nimble (5)19 Dry white wine (7)20 Travel document (8)21 Dormant Sicilian volcano(4)

Clues Down2 Lacking pigment (6)3 Motion (6)5 Large artillery gun (6)6 In a foreign country (6)8 Big business (8)10 Power (8)13 Mystery (6)14 Large string instruments(6)15 Steady (6))16 Elixir (6)

DID YOU KNOW that British gardens occupytwice the area set aside for nature reserves? Thismeans they play a vital role in wildlife conservation.How you can helpPut up nest boxes and roosting pockets Theseprovide places for birds to breed and sleep.Set up feeding stations High energy foods like stalecake, biscuits, pastry, pasta and potato are enjoyedby many birds. Raisins and other dried fruit arewelcomed by Blackbirds and Thrushes. Most gardencentres stock a variety of proprietary bird seed andnuts which appeal across the species but don’tforget to scatter some under hedges for shy birdslike Dunnocks and Wrens who prefer to feed onthe ground.Make sure fresh water is available It’s important fordrinking and bathing.Once you’ve created a welcoming environment it’stime to sit back and take part in The Big

Garden Birdwatch run by the RSPB (RoyalSociety for the Protection of Birds). Simply spendan hour recording how many birds and whichspecies visit your garden on either the 26th or27th of January and submit your results online atthe address below. Not only will the results will beanalysed and published on the site but you’ll get thewarm glow that comes from knowing you’ve doneyour bit for bird conservation.Visit: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Big Garden BirdwatchTake part on January 26th-27th Blue tit


January/February 2013RECIPE

If you make your own marmalade then you’regood to go: if not buy the best qualitymarmalade you can from any of the town’sgrocery outlets or market stalls.

Makes 24Preparation time: twenty minutes plus 30 minutes chilling time.Cooking time: 40-45 minutes

Ingredients300g plain flour50g finely ground rolled oats250g unsalted butter (slightly softened and choppedinto cubes)1/2-1 tsp salt110g caster sugarZest of an orange115g good quality orange marmalade100g good quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped.

MethodGrease an 18cm x 28cm rectangular baking tin

(non-stick is best). Mix the flour, rolled oats andsalt together.You can process them if you want areally fine mix or if you only have normal oats.

Beat the butter, sugar and orange zest together untillight and fluffy. Gradually beat in the flour until theshortbread mixture sticks together in smallclumps.

Press a little more than half the mixture into thegreased tin. Level and smooth the top. Spread thisbase with the marmalade and sprinkle the roughlychopped dark chocolate over the top. Crumbleover the remaining shortbread mixture thenrefrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to150C / Gas Mark 2. Bake shortbread for 40-45minutes until golden brown, but don’t overcook.Allow to cool in the pan and cut into 24 before itcools completely.

Notes:Milk chocolate can be used instead of dark.The resulting shortbread will be sweeter.Lime marmalade can be substituted with equallydelicious results.The shortbread will keep in an airtight container for upto three days.

Marmalade and Chocolate Shortbread


January/February 2013 COMMUNITY

November/December 2012


Busway wins prestigious awardIN OCTOBER 2012, the Cambridgeshire Busway(or as we like to call it, the St Ives busway) scooped atop national award for the most innovativetransport project - beating flagshipLondon schemes such as theEmirates Airline and Heathrow Pod.

The award was given at theNational Transport Awardsceremony in London which wasattended by Transport SecretaryPatrick McLoughlin and recognisesexcellence in transport.

Judges heard how the Busway hadbeaten all expectations and hadcarried more than 2.5 millionpassenger journeys within the firstyear of opening – well beyond itsbusiness case.This figure has nowincreased to just over 3.2 millionpassenger journeys since it openedlast year.

Such has been the demand thatCambridgeshire County Council are now workingon an extension to the 500 space park & ride site inMeadow Lane which they hope will be completedby March 2013.

As I am sure many of you are aware success hasalso brought change with the creation of a new busstop in Station Road where all of the buses usingthe busway now depart from. With a bus nowoperating every 10 minutes into Cambridge theintention is that allowing buses to leave from the

town centre will prevent pedestrians stopping thetraffic on Harrison Way quite so often so easing thetraffic jams on this main road around the town.

Undoubtedly the new bus stop has caused trafficproblems on Station Road but we are pleased to saythat Cambridgeshire County Council are alsolooking at the traffic orders in this area whichshould ease the congestion.

Whatever the initial misgivings about the projectwe have to acknowledge that this has had the biggestimpact on St Ives in a long, long time – and as a townwe need to make sure that we maximise all thepossible benefits it can bring to the local economy.

NEWS

The busway opened for business on Sunday 7th August 2011


HEALTHNovember/December 2012



NEWS



HISTORY

THE START OF A NEW YEAR – the only reminderof the festive season is that straggly poinsettiaclinging onto its last few leaves and the bare treethat should go to recycling.

This is a time when many of us resolve to makesome changes and do things better in the year tocome.With 2013 officially here and a newgardening season only a few months away, forget‘Lose Weight’,‘Get more Exercise’ and ‘Spend LessMoney’, all of which are about denial and will soonbe forgotten.

These could all be combined into one largepositive resolution – to make your outside space –however big or small, a more pleasant place to bein the coming months. So make the simpleresolution to sit down some time over thisweekend or in the coming few days, and list what’sreally important to you about your garden (spacefor the family? wildlife? vegetable patch?).Thenwork out an action plan for achieving it. In somecases that means making major upheaval to thegarden, and midwinter is a great time for doingthat. All the usual routine gardening chores don’tneed doing,which means – you have time to dig apond, put up fencing or even plan laying a patio.

But even when you don’t have any grand plans ordesigns and just want to get better results fromwhat you already have in the garden, the secret liesin being well organised.

So now is the time to push ahead and buy ororder any vegetable seeds, seed potatoes or fruitbushes.You can continue to plant bare-rootdeciduous hedging plants, roses and trees. Putrabbit guards around newly planted trees andshrubs to protect the bark from damage.

So what are my resolutions for 2013?• Weed regularly.Make weeding a regular task every

time I go out into the garden.• Conserve water.That means connecting the other

rain-butt I bought 18 months ago, still by the shedat the bottom of the garden.Using the clean greywaste-water from the kitchen sink.

• Go organic.Get rid of the chemical fertilizers andweed-killers in my garden shed. Experiment withgreener alternatives and mix up low-cost pestcontrol solutions from household items, that aresafe. (To get rid of mites and green aphids,mixone tablespoon of liquid soap and one cup ofvegetable oil.Dilute a teaspoon of this solution ina cup of water. Spray this on and it will rid you ofthem, harmlessly).

• Compost effectively. Remember to turn itregularly and make sure it doesn’t dry out.

• Save seeds.Remember to label them so you don’tend up with lettuce planted in the flower-beds as Idid one year!

At least at the end of 2013 the results will have givenyou far more pleasure than yet another diet oreconomy drive...

A New Year resolution – for the garden Jobs you can do

in January and February r Plan your vegetable crop rotations for the

coming season

r Keep putting out food and water for hungry

birds

r Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished

flowering

r Prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate

overgrown deciduous hedges

As the weather warms up

r Prepare vegetable seed beds, and sow some

vegetables under cover

TThhee HHaappppyy GGaarrddeenneerr



Let’s dancePROFILE

IF YOU SEE a large silver van with a dancing teddypainted on the side around St.Ives be sure to give thedriver a wave, because Jill Bridger and her staff workhard to make the Melody Bear HQ the friendliestdance school in the area. And Jill has more than 400students who would agree.

From premises at 33, Stephenson Road, St.Ives, Jilland her team teach dance to young people fromtoddlers to teenagers. As the author of the MelodyMovement Early Learning dance programme Jill hasstructured the syllabus to enable children as young as18 months to start learning ballet with her ‘Little BearFeet’ classes, moving up through ‘Melody Bear’ ataround age 2 taking in on the way ‘First Ballet’ at age4. Students follow on with ‘Foundation Ballet’ at 5 and‘Junior Ballet’ at about age 6 for the maturing youngdancer.There are voluntary offshoots such as ‘Tip TapToe’ and ‘Groovy Moves’, providing an opportunity forchildren to explore different musical genres. Jill’sprogrammes continue with ‘Ballet Classique’ and the‘Student Assistant Development Programme’, whichseeks to prepare teenage dancers for the MelodyMovement Teacher Training programme and perhapseven their own business.

Jill says, “Our classes can accommodate the developingstudent who can go on to study dance in any idiom or styleinto their teens and adulthood, in classes like those I havetaught for nearly twenty-five years in my own school,TheJill Bridger School of Dance.At the recent HuntingdonshireDance Festival we won six gold awards and two silvers.”

Like many entrepreneurs, Jill, who has lived in St.Ivesfor 13 years, has found it necessary to learn many newskills. From being a relative computer novice five yearsago she has taught herself desktop publishing and hasproduced scores of professional quality catalogues,brochures, educational resources and publicity materialas well as creating and maintaining the MelodyMovement websites.There are three Melody Bearbooks which are all accompanied by a CD of originalsongs and music and are available to the general public.

here to listenCOUNSELLING SERVICE

CAROLINE ARMESBACouns, MBACP, MAPSCC

Confidential tel no: 077656 33 208

[email protected]





EAT HEALTHILY, STARTexercising, get more sleep… Asyou list your usual New Yearresolutions, why not add insomething fun? January is theperfect time to lift your spiritsout of a winter slump by startinga new hobby, and there havenever been so many activities totry. Perhaps the Olympics isyour cue; or The Great BritishBake-off?

To narrow down your choice,think about what you’d like toadd your life. Do you want tomeet more people? Be moreactive? Learn a skill? Getcreative? You may want todevelop something that you arealready interested in, or trysomething completely new.

Look around to find out what’sgoing on.The library, town hall,Cor Exchange will all haveinformation and you’ll findinformation posted in tea rooms,coffee shops, the newsagentcafés, community centre and this,your local magazine!.

If you were inspired by the

2012 Olympics, you could try anew sport or exercise class, butgetting fit doesn’t have to meansport.Why not follow the Strictlycontestants and sample thebenefits of ballroom dancing orZumba, or simply aim to get outmore and enjoy the countryside?

Geocaching is an exciting newoutdoor activity that the wholefamily can enjoy. It’s essentially a

high-techtreasure hunt.Another newtrend is rollerderby – a fast-paced contactsport whereteams race tolap theopposition asthey skatearound thetrack.

If you fancy usingyour mind more than your body,you could learn a new languagein preparation for a foreignholiday perhaps. Or build on anexisting interest by joining aphotography class or bookgroup.

Music can reduce stressand improve your mood, sowhy not dust off thatinstrument you haven’ttouched for years and joinan amateur orchestra?Choirs are increasinglypopular and you’re sure tofind a range of musicalstyles available.

Crafts are always popular, andthere has been an increase inknitting and sewing groupssetting up. Jewellery and card-making are also satisfying. Youcan get started quite cheaply andpick up the basics quickly.Thebonus is that you get to keep theend result, or give it as a gift.Youalso have the potential to earnmoney by selling your creations.A quick internet key-wordsearch will show you where andhow to start.

Increased online access meansthat we can get involved in awhole host of new ‘communities’without even leaving the house.Many of us enjoy researching ourfamily trees and finding the factsbehind our memories. It’s alsoeasy to use social networks totrack down old school friendsand colleagues that we’ve losttouch with.

More ideas? How aboutforaging, cooking, meditation,wine-tasting, magic tricks, bee-keeping, historical re-enactments,home baking…as we know, thelist really is endless!

New year, new hobby?ACTIVITIES

Why not take steps to look into options and contact a local club or society



NEWS

CHINESE NEW YEAR is thebiggest celebration of the year forChinese people around the world.In China, the festival is marked by athree-day public holiday.

Also called the Spring Festival, itis a special time for families to gettogether, and millions of peopletravel home from their places ofwork or study.

People prepare for the New Yearcelebrations by cleaning theirhouses from top to bottom.Theidea is to clear away any bad luckand make way for good luck in theyear ahead. People buy new clothesand have their hair cut. Homes aredecorated with red and gold paperlanterns and lights. Red is a luckycolour in China, while goldrepresents wealth. Debts must bepaid off before the end of the year,otherwise it is said that you will beshort of money in the followingyear. On New Year’s Eve, familiesgather together for a celebratoryfeast. It is a time to be thankful forthe year that is ending and toremember family members whohave died.At midnight, the doorsand windows of the house areopened to let the old year out andfirecrackers are set off.

The next day, friends and familiesexchange gifts of food, flowers andsweets. Children are given moneyin red paper envelopes.There arefireworks and elaborate lion anddragon dances featuring beautifullycoloured costumes and puppets.People try to forget grudges andwish peace and happiness toeveryone.

2013 will be the ‘Year of the Snake’.People born in this year are said tobe romantic, wise and charming.Famous snakes include AudreyHepburn, Bob Dylan and BradPitt… Do these charateristics ringa bell with anyone you know?Happy New [Chinese] Year!

Celebrate the Chinese NewYear on 10 February 2013

Kung Hei Fat Choi!



What is Hyperion?Hyperion is the god of light and sometimes used for thename of the sun itself.Hyperion is the Home and Antiques Centre for St Ives The Antique Centre is an amazing place to visit,be sure to have plenty of time as there are over 35independent dealers offering a fascinating and eclecticrange of items at very competitive prices; withprobable the largest selection of single items underone roof to be found in the area and there is no VATto pay. You will find original paintings, quality prints,stunning silver ware, war memorabilia, vintage linen,toys and dolls, good quality furniture, clocks for allareas in the home, oriental objet d’art, an amazingrange of jewellery, glassware and cutlery for alloccasions, vintage handbags and clothing, books onmost subjects, china, brass, copper.Hyperion is conveniently situated in Station Road,St Ives, near the bus station and there is ample carparking close by. The Guided Bus will bring you towithin 2 minutes of our door.The Antique Centre is open Monday – Saturday 9.30am-5pm Sunday – 10am-4pm Tel: 01480 464140 or visitwww.hyperionantiquescentre.co.uk

LOTS OF MEN andmaybe some women,will be heading off toflorists in Februarybut have you everwondered why wegive flowers?The Victorians were arather coy bunch notgiven to brazendeclarations of love,so a whole languagesprang up aroundflowers and plantswith special meaningsattached to eachvariety.The languagewas called

floriography. So flowers could be used to expressalmost any sentiment and in combination they couldconvey a whole range of emotions.Try saying it with flowers this Valentine’s Day with our handy guide!

TThhee LLaanngguuaaggee ooff FFlloowweerrssWhoever is giving flowers will do sowith their own purpose andintention – here are a few accepteddefinitions…

Red rose - Passionate loveWhite rose - Eternal love or innocencePink rose - Perfect happiness/please believemeOrchid - Love, beauty and refinementApple Blossom - Preference, good fortuneBegonia - Beware!Bluebell - HumilityPink carnation - I’ll never forget youYellow carnation - Disdain, rejectionIris - Faith hope and wisdomIvy - FidelityPrimrose - I can’t live without you/young love

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HISTORY

THE UK HOLDS in its galleries and publicbuildings over 200,000 oil paintings spanning 600years of art history, arguably the greatest nationalcollection of its kind in the world. However,about 80% of these are currently kept in storageor hidden behind closed doors.Through a joint effort by the BBC,The PublicCatalogue Foundation and a range of partnerorganisations, including hospitals, schools andtown halls, from December this entire collectionwill now be available online for everyone to enjoyat bbc.co.uk/yourpaintings The Norris Museumhas 24 oil paintings featured on the website andover February half-term you can come and seemany of them for real and enjoy hands on artactivities as across the country events take place tobring the paintings to life.One of our featured paintings is ‘The Wise OldOwl’ by Charles Whymper (1853-1941).Whymper was a well-known wood engraver, bookillustrator and wildlife artist whose speciality wasbirdlife. On the back of the frame in pencil he haswritten the poem: “A wise old owl sat on an oak, themore he saw the less he spoke. The less he spoke themore he heard, Oh let us be like that wise old bird -George Washington.”Is George Washington’s authorship of this littlerhyme true? We are not sure, perhaps someoneout there can help us here!Originally from London,Whymper married GraceBrown, whose family were the well-known localmill owners and corn merchants from Houghton.

They eventually made this village their permanenthome, building the house called ‘Whympers’ therein 1902. Charles’ elder brother, Edward, hadbecome famous for leading the first ascent of theMatterhorn, one of the highest peaks in the Alpsand they placed a model of the mountain in theirgarden that is still there to this day.

Forthcoming art events at the museumFebruary Half term, ‘Art Cart’ activities inthe gallery for all the family.Thursday 7th March, 10:30am-12:30pm‘Drawing Inspiration’, a workshop for adults.Free, but booking essential. Let our collectionsinspire you to create your own pencil sketches.Tuition provided by local artist Ann Biggs.Beginners very welcome.

Gilly Vose Norris Museum Assistant Curator

A word to thewise...


To advertise in the next issue: T. 01954 267444 e. [email protected]: March/April 2013 issue: 1st February

Bi-monthly, in-printand on-line, into PE27St Ives homes andbusinesses ...informative news, andeffective advertising



Advertisers’ index/Directory of services

AntiquesHyperion Home & Antiques Centre 26Beauty TreatmentFuschia Beauty 23Ultimate Beauty 9Building SocietiesThe Cambridge BS 12Car Servicing/RepairsAll-Makes Garage 27Chimney SweepsSweepover 4Cleaning ServicesBridge Cleaning 10Computer RepairsPC Home-call 7Counselling ServicesCaroline Armes 22DanceJill Bridger 22Electrical/ElectriciansQVS Discount Electrical 17Blue Homes Electric 16St Ives Electrical Contractors 7EngravingTerry’s Heel Bar 22Estate AgentsCheffins 32Events/VenuesWhat’s On 31Financial/Tax adviceAnglia Tax Help 8Footcare St Ives Chiropody & Podiatry 7Health TherapistsHarding Physiotherapy 20

Heating EngineersRule & Parker 19St Ives Gas Services 25Ironing ServicesAll Above Board Ironing 18Key CuttingTerry’s Heel Bar 22KitchenDesign/InstallationCampkins Kitchens 4Legal Services Leeds Day 14MobilityOrchard Mobility Centre 4Onsite PC RepairPC Home-call 7OpticiansScrivens opticians 8Plastering ServicesQuality Plastering Services 4PlumbingRule & Parker 19Residential LettingsParker Properties 10Cheffins 32Shoe RepairsTerry’s Heel Bar 22Tree SurgeryJohn Talbot Tree Surgery 20SJ Tree Surgery 23Veterinary SurgeriesCromwell Veterinary 11Web Design/SystemsOuse Creative 6What’s OnEvents Diary 31

January/February Puzzle Solutions

SUDOKUHow to play? Simple… No geniusrequired…just logic!Fill in the grid so that each row,column and 3x3 box, contains thenumbers 1 through to 9, with norepetition.

Sudoku Answer: see below

Quick Crossword [from page 15]



MMoonnddaayyss • General Market 8am-4pm• Indoor Market & Coffee Shop 9am-3pm at Corn

Exchange• St Ives Short Mat Bowls at the Broadleas Centre,

Norris Road, 2pm-4pm £2.50 per session.Contact 01480 463117

• St Ives Community Choir 7.30pm-9.15pm CatholicChurch Hall, Needingworth Road. Contact 01480300726

TTuueessddaayyss • St Ives Choral Society. 7.30-9.30pm. Methodist Church,

St.Ives. Contact [email protected]

WWeeddnneessddaayyss • Tea & Coffee Shop 10am-2pm, The Corn Exchange• Over 60’s Club at Langley Court, Langley Close, 2pm-

4pm. Contact 01480 300726• Big Walkies 6.15 for 6.30pm, London Road, (outside

old Murketts garage) with dogs around River Meadow,finishing about 7.30pm. Contact Becca 07970 547650

TThhuurrssddaayyss • Live music at The Oliver Cromwell pub• COSI (Chamber Orchestra of St.Ives), Free Church.

7.30-9.30pm Contact [email protected]

FFrriiddaayyss• General Market 8am-4pm• Country Market Cakes and savouries, plants, fresh

produce, crafts 8am-11.45am at the Corn Exchange• Helpers Coffee Group 8.30am-12. Coffee and

homemade cakes. The Corn Exchange in aid of localcharities

SSaattuurrddaayyss • Farmers’ Market 8.30am-2pm 1st and 3rd of every

month

Regular Events Diary

January4 Screen St Ives presents ‘The Angels’ Share (cert 15,

2012, directed by Ken Loach) at the Corn Exchange, StIves, 7.30 for 8pm, tickets £5, find out more and bookonline at: www.screenstives.org.uk

8 Centre Theatre Players - Peter Pan FamilyPantomime in The Burgess Hall, One Leisure St. Ives onJanuary 8th - 13th incl. Nightly at 7.30, matinees on Satand Sun.Tickets available from One Leisure Reception.(01480 388500) Great entertainment for all the family.

12 Huntingdonshire Group Ramblers - St. Ives to Overand back Meet St Ives P&R site,map/grid ref:225/TL320709 at 10.00. (Some may choose to catch busback from Swavesey.) No dogs on this walk, please. Full19km (12 miles) Bus 14km (8 miles) Susan 07942 382480

19 Huntingdonshire Group Ramblers - Broughton aMeetby the church,map/grid ref: 225/TL280778 at 10:00 for acircular walk via Kings Ripton and Raveley Wood. 10km (6miles) Hazel 01487 830149 or 07754 827959

21 Tea Dance Burgess Hall 10am to 4pm. Compere MikeWells. £3.50 per adult Free tea or coffee and biscuits.Pay on the door. For further information contact DayOut Events on 01480 388500

23 Burgess Bingo Burgess Hall. Doors open 7pm. Bingostarts 7.30pm. £10 for 10 games. Pay on the door.For further information contact Day Out Events on01480 388500

25 Civic Society Social evening. Free Church. 7.30pm25 Rotary Club Boxing Dinner Dress code; lounge suits.

Your support ensures the continuation of the excellentwork these clubs carry out in the community. Doorsopen 6pm. Meal 7pm Tickets £35 per person Tel 01480 437086 or 01480 454910

February1 Screen St Ives presents A Separation (cert PG, 2011,

directed by Asghar Farhadi) at the Corn Exchange, StIves, 7.30 for 8pm, tickets £5, find out more and bookonline at www.screenstives.org.uk

2 Huntingdonshire Group Ramblers - St. Ives Meet atthe St. Ives P & R guided bus stop, map/grid ref:225/TL319709 at 10:00. Walk through Fenstanton,Houghton and the Hemingfords. Pub or picnic lunch inHoughton.14 km (9 miles).Trevor 01480 380277

7 St Ives W.I. Take a pound of carrots 7.30pm. FreeChurch. [email protected]

9 St Ives Choral Society concert www.stives-choral.org.ukBrahms Requiem & Poulenc Gloria Saturday 9thFebruary, 7.30pm Free Church, St.Ives.Tickets from JustSharing, Free Church

9 Huntingdonshire Group Ramblers - Waresley Meet atWaresley Garden Centre, map/grid ref: 208/TL249545at 10:00. Walk to the Gransdens with refreshments atthe garden centre afterwards.10km (6 miles). Linda01480 350345 or 07789 103669

9 Glenn Miller Dance Burgess Hall. Doors open 7pm -12pm. Tickets £15 in advance One Leisure 01480388500. 1940’s Dance. 7pm to Midnight. £15 in advanceDance to a live big band. Cabaret style seating. Allieduniforms or period dress welcome. www.burgesshall.net

13 NADFAS Lecture ‘The World of Ottoman’ Art by JaneAngelini lectures take place at 2.30pm. Burgess Hall StIves, cost £7. [email protected]

15 Civic Society Trevor Gunton ‘Birds and Pits’ - Reclaimedgravel pits and its wildlife. Free Church 7.30pm

23 Huntingdonshire Group Ramblers - Elsworth Meet atthe western end of the village,map/grid ref:225/TL314635 at 10:00. Roadside parking in Broad End.Walking via Hope Farm RSPB reserve. Pub at end of walk.9km (5 miles) Ursula 01480 461405

23 Antiques Fair Burgess Hall Collect the heirlooms oftomorrow today! A large Antiques Fair sellingceramics, jewellery, furniture, silver and much more.Food and drink is served throughout the day. 10am to4pm £2 per adult / £1.50 concessions / FREE forunder 16s. Pay on the door. For further informationcontact Day Out Events on 01480 896866.

For a comprehensive list of events throughout the year please see www.stivestowninitiative.co.ukIf you would like to list your events here, please email the details to: [email protected]

January & February Events Diary

in St IvesWHAT’S ON

Documents

SuggeStIves Jan/Feb 2013