The Vine Leighton Buzzard Christmas 2013

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CONTENT6 Energy Saving Bulbs 8 Winter Tyres 12 A Digital Hero15 Allergies16 A Traveller’s Tale - part 118 Auto Biographies20 Mabel’s News22 LastPostingDatesforChristmas24 CompanyCarFuelRates26 Houseplants28 ContentiousProbate32 Granny’s Pudding34 Blenders36 Puzzles 37BBC3CountiesConsumerClinic38 BookReview39LookingUpinBedsandBucks42 A Traveller’s Tale -part 244 What’s On

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Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the content of advertising and articles is published in this magazine are accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors. Neither do they reflect the opinion of this publication. The Vine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

A cheery welcome to the Christmas and New Year edition of The Vine Magazine

I have tried to include some useful winter and Christmas tips in this issue, from winter tyres, energy saving light bulbs and some sound financial advice. There is also have a delicious traditional pudding and the last posting dates.

If you are on facebook, why not come and like The Vine Magazine? I share a lot of the local events, charities and also our advertiser’s special promotions, it would be a shame for you to miss out. Talking of our advertisers, please do mention that you saw them in The Vine Magazine.

As always it would be a pleasure to hear from you, I hope you have a super Christmas and wish you all the best for 2014.

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O�ce address: 7 The Chilterns, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 4QD

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6

Traditional light bulbs have now been phased out across Europe, and we are gradually getting used to the low-energy alternatives. But with a whole new set of names, numbers and jargon to get used to, it can be difficult to know if you’re buying the right thing.There are three main types of low-energy bulbs available – compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), halo-gens and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). CFLs use only a fifth of the electricity that an old incandescent bulb would, because they don’t generate as much heat. This also means that they are kinder to your light fittings. Replacing one bulb in your house can save you £7 a year, so the savings can really add up! They also last a lot longer.One disadvantage of CFLs is that they can take a little while to reach their full brightness, unlike halogens and LEDs which come on straight away. Some CFLs don’t work well at low temperatures, so are not suitable for unheated rooms or garages. LED bulbs are even more efficient

than CFLs and can save you nearly £7.50 per bulb per year. They usually cost more to buy, but can last up to 30 years!Halogen bulbs use a similar amount of energy as incandescent bulbs, and so are more expensive to run than CFLs and LEDs. They also have a much shorter lifespan. LEDs and halogen bulbs can be disposed of with your normal waste, but you will need to take CFLs to a recycling point or tip as they contain a small amount of mercury. A wide range of bulb fittings is now available – particularly in CFLs – and you should be able to find one to fit all your existing lighting, including ceiling spotlights and chandelier fittings. Most can also be used with dimmer switches. Remember to check that the shape and size of the new bulb is suitable.

To choose the correct wattage, you simply need to divide by five – so if a lamp used to take an old 60W bulb, you will now need a bulb of around 12W. You will also need to consider the lumen (lm) value to find out how bright the bulb is. The brightness of an old 60W bulb is roughly equiva-lent to 700–900lm and a 100W bulb equates to 1300lm.Finally, look at the colour tempera-ture of the bulb to decide on the type of light you require. This is measured in Kelvin (K). A low value (2700K) means the light is warmer (often labelled as ‘warm white’), whereas a higher value (3500K+) will give you a colder white effect.

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8

I drive a lot and dread icy winter roads, but somehow the thought of parting with hard-earned cash for some-thing as dull as tyres was a bit of a turn-offThen last November I had to hire a car in Switzerland, and I was amazed at the handling of the little vehicle and the confidence I felt behind the wheel, in what can only be described as less-than-ideal weather conditions - for that read snow, snow and more snow. I mentioned it to the Swiss friend I was visiting. She looked astonished, ‘It’s the winter tyres,’ she said matter-of-factly. ‘We al-ways wonder why British people don’t use them.’I was sold. On my return I called in at my local tyre salesman and asked for his advice.He suggested buying a set of cheap steel rims for my car and putting the winter tyres on those,

storing the originals in my garage.The tyres improve handling on greasy roads, but will really come into their own in snowy and icy conditions,

or wet conditions where the temperature is below 7 degrees.

Braking and traction are improved immeasurably on winter tyres.If your car is rear wheel drive I’d say winter tyres are essential. If your car is front-wheel drive I’d still say they’re essential. Although the improve-ment in performance isn’t as great, it is still very noticeable.My friendly tyre-fitter suggests changing them over in November and running with them until Febru-ary/March depending on the weather.This year try some winter tyres. You will never regret it. They may even save your life!

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12

Triumph for Pam Haigh: winner of 2013 digital heroes award for the East

Pam Haigh from Leighton Buzzard took home the award for TalkTalk digital hero of the East on behalf of a KidsOut project World Stories.

On the 29th October 2013 Pam Haigh, (picured with local MP Andrew Selous) manager of the

project, was invited to the House of Commons to acknowledge her achievement. The award was presented by Baroness Lane Fox – Chairman of Go On UK, a charity that is focused on making Britain the most digitally skilled nation. Pam was joined by Scott Dryburgh, KidsOut ambassador and Andrew Selous MP, alongside eleven other regional win-ners.

World Stories is a free interactive resource with over 130 stories from cultures all across the world. The stories are available online in their original lan-guage as well as English, and thanks to a number

of volunteers the World Stories collection is rapidly growing and is accessible to parents and teachers alike.

This is an incredible platform for the project which aims to produce talent and comprehen-sion through storytelling. Not only do the children involved benefit from language and reading skills, but World Stories encourages them to take part in writing and broadcasting these stories themselves. This introduces children to a variety cultures and gives them the opportunity to engage with cultural backgrounds different to their own, thus gaining awareness and acceptance through a fun learning experience.

The award shows recognition of the charity helping the community through digital technology, and thanks to the support of the Leighton Buzzard Ob-server and the local community, KidsOut have now just received a £5000 grant from TalkTalk which will allow the project to develop even further. KidsOut not only want to give their thanks to all of their volunteers who have supported the project, but again to everyone who votes World Stories as their winner - without you we couldn’t have done it.

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LINSLADE SCHOOL, Mentmore Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 2PA TEL: 01525 372640 FAX: 01525 851437 EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: www.linsladeac.co.uk

Linslade School is a thriving 9-13 Middle School in Leighton BuzzardWHERE WE AIM TO:

• Provide a safe and secure environment in which everyone is welcomed, respected and valued.

• Encourage high aspirations and expectations, striving for excellence in all that we do.

• Provide all learners with the opportunity to achieve to the best of their ability both in the classroom and via a broad range of extra-curricular experiences including:

• A wide range of extra-curricular sporting opportunities;

• An exciting range of trips and visits;

• Our school productions, which last year included ‘Joseph’ and the much acclaimed ‘Bugsy Malone’

• The chance to take part in clubs and activities ranging from ICT club, to beading, chess to art, singing group to gardening club and dance club to cookery club. This year we have even built our very own ‘green car’!

In addition, we offer a strong and caring environment in which our pupils feel safe. New pupils are supported via a buddy system in order to make their journey to Linslade as smooth as possible.

Our children are happy and tell us ‘It’s brilliant at Linslade School!’

We are currently recruiting for Year 5 places in September 2014. If you are still looking for a place for your son or daughter, please do not hesitate to contact us to ask for a prospectus to be sent to you or to arrange a time to come and take a look around.

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Do you have a permanent ‘cold’ or year round ‘hay fever’?Actually, no as that isn’t possible! A cold is an infection which your immune system will deal with in a a relatively short time and hay fever, or ‘seasonal rhinitis’, to give it its proper name, is triggered by pollens, flowers and grasses, during the growing season. However, you may be suffering from ‘allergic rhinitis’, which gives those debilitating symptoms of runny eyes, sneezing, runny nose, headache and much more. There can be many causes for this condition, which makes life a misery for many people, but there are things you can do to make you feel a lot more comfortable.If your symptoms are at their worst in the morning when you wake up, it could be dust or dust mite which is the problem. Hoover the bed/mattress/pillows, surrounding areas and headboard (if fabric!) regularly – at least every time you change the bedding. Remember that the carpet near to the bed and any soft furnishings/curtains are also great areas for the mites to thrive in!Wash bedding at a temperature of 60 degrees at least and add 6 drops of Tea Tree essential oil to the final rinse, this will help to kill the mites. Wash the covers and valance as often as possible, too.Dust surfaces – daily, if possible, using a damp cloth or duster designed to attract the dust. This will help to prevent the allergens from getting into the air.Open the windows regularly to get the air circulatingDon’t have the bedroom too hot– mites love warm, damp atmospheres.Wooden, vinyl or laminate flooring is less hospitable to the mites. Also blinds are better than curtains, so bear this in mind if you are redecorating. The rest of the carpets and soft furnishings in the house are also great places for the “dear little mites” to thrive, so adapt the above guidelines for the other rooms in your house too!! Airborne moulds and chemical air fresheners are also known to be a problem for many people, so keep the house well aired, unplug those nasty ‘smellies ‘, and you may find your runny nose is a thing of the past!!Jacquey O’Brien, Libra Health 01525 378894 / 07990 976207

Is it possible to have a permanent cold?

The UK is one of the top three countries in the world for the highest incidence of allergy! An estimated 21 million adults in the UK suffer from at least one allergy and an estimated 10 million suffer from more than one.

These are the latest startling figures given by Allergy UK, but you may be surprised to learn that the figure of people affected adversely by food, chemicals and airborne substances may be much higher, as these figures only cover those suffering from a true allergy, when many are actually suffering from a different type of allergic reaction known as ‘intolerance ‘or ‘sensitivity’. This can give a wide variety of symptoms, in-cluding fatigue, joint pain, dark circles under the eyes, night sweats, migraine, digestive symptoms such as bloating or diarrhoea, skin problems such as eczema and many more.

As these symptoms can take up to 72 hours to show themselves, it can sometimes be difficult to work out what is causing your low mood or fuzzy brain, but you could try keeping a food diary. If you find a food you suspect, try leaving it (and everything containing it) out of your diet for at least 2 weeks. If you feel better, then continue to avoid it for at least another 10 weeks to give your body time to forget the reaction it had previously, before reintroducing it slowly. You may find that several foods seem to be a problem and the quantity you eat may also be relevant, so you have to be quite vigilant with this. Supplements such as Vitamin C, Quercetin and Bromelain can act as a very effective natural anti histamine for some people who suffer with this type of reaction and be very helpful, as can tak-ing a good digestive enzyme product from your local health shop, as low natural levels of these chemicals can be a factor in digestive issues.Jacquey O’BrienLibra Health01525 378894/07990 976207

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16

A Travellers

Tale

Bolting Round The Baltic :

Part II

We'd been out for a week and were now tied up at St Petersburg. However,

because of the hassle experienced on a previous trip to Russia, we hadn't taken out personal visas; we felt it wasn't worthwhile for such a brief visit. Furthermore, we'd not booked any excursion during that morning or afternoon so had to spend a whole day on board twiddling our thumbs. It was pointless asking the officials if we could sneak ashore; they are com-pletely unsmiling and totally inflexible regarding rules and regulations.But for the evening, we'd bought tick-ets for the ballet held in the Hermitage theatre. Around 6pm, a coach party - on a "group visa" - left and wound its way through very congested traffic, stopping at odd places here and there (but never being let too far out of sight!) before arriving at the Hermit-age.As we were being driven round, so the guide told us about how Peter the Great wanted an outlet into the Baltic and how he'd transformed what was originally a swamp into the architectural splendour which is now St Petersburg: a considerable feat of engineering. He was very ambitious and wanted his new city to rival Ven-ice regarding its canals and to eclipse Versailles architecturally. There is no doubt that he succeeded; St Petersburg is very splendid indeed and full of wonderful buildings.The ballet performance of "Swan Lake" was enjoyable but by no means perfect and we later learnt that many of the usual performers go on holiday during the summer leaving only a

skeleton crew of more senior dancers supplemented by students. Val (who used to be a ballet dancer) could detect imperfections - but I'm afraid these were largely lost on me and, I guess, on 99% of the audience. Next day, we went on a coach trip around the city and were shown a number of interesting sights. Our guide repeated much of what had been said the night before, but also threw in other snippets of information. For example:- Beef Stroganoff was spe-cially created for Alexander Stroganoff who'd lost a hand in battle so couldn't use a knife and fork. Consequently, his meat was cooked in smaller pieces so he could eat it one handed. A fascinat-ing piece of useless information I'm sure you'll agree!We went to the Church of the Spilled Blood which can only be described as a riot of colour and icons. Not one square inch of wall is left uncovered. I now conclude that "cathedral ornate-ness" runs from Russian Orthodox through Roman Catholic to Anglican and Lutheran. What might other religions bring?It's worth mentioning that the weather remained brilliant and that St Petersburg was enjoying unusu-ally high temperatures - as was the whole of northern Europe. And many Americans on board (whose homes were much further south) had never experienced 20 hour daylight before. A novelty!The next destination was Helsinki in the extreme south of Finland. Strangely enough, Val and I had been to the Arc-tic north of Finland only three months previously where temperatures could

fall to minus 30C. But now we heard that Arctic Finland was experiencing temperatures in excess of plus 30C !! We arrived at Helsinki about 7am and went on another coach trip. The first stop was at the memorial to Finland's best known son: the composer, Sibe-lius. This is a rather unusual structure looking vaguely like a set of enormous organ pipes and a head with clouds emerging out of its ears. The history of Finland shows the usual swapping backwards and forwards its having been part of Sweden for some time and part of Russia later on. But Helsinki has no really ancient buildings which is perhaps because Finland was largely rebuilt following independence in 1917 and the Finns had a desire to be seen to be different. Especially since they are a very distinct people who have no common ances-try with the rest of Scandinavia: their origins (as shown by their language) connect them with Estonia and even Hungary, Turkey and the asiatic region around the Urals. In other words, they are not Nordic.Before returning to the ship, we wandered around on our own, bought some mouth-watering cherries and strawberries (such fruit grow much bigger than in UK due to the long hours of sunlight) and took in the Lutheran cathedral and yet another Russian church - both splendid in their separate ways.Sailing out of Helsinki at 5pm headed for Stockholm, we experienced a wonderful sunset around 11pm, and hit Stockholm in the early morning ready to go ashore via a shuttle ‘bus after breakfast.

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18

auto Biographies

Max speed: 114 mph 0-62 mph: 11.9 secs Combined mpg: 43.5 Engine: 1598cc, 4 cylinder 16 valve, petrol Max. power (bhp): 113 at 6000 rpm Max. torque (lb/ft): 114 at 4000 rpm CO2: 153 g/km Price: £15,995 on the road

FAST FACTS

PROS & CONS Smart √ Distinct √ Smooth drive √Reasonably priced √Slow off the mark x

By Tim Barnes-Claywww.carwriteups.co.uk

THE MOKKA mixes functionality with a comfortable elevated seating position.

It’s the Griffin-badged company’s answer to the Nissan Juke or the Skoda

Yeti, and power to the small Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is provided by three efficient en-gines, all equipped with fuel saving Start/Stop technology. The petrol version comprises a 1.6-litre engine or a 1.4-litre Turbo and there is a 1.7-litre CDTI diesel.

I drove the 113bhp 1.6 petrol Mokka; it has moderate pull-ing power, but, working your way through the five speed gearbox, it eventually spins up to a decent speed. It also provides a smooth and grippy ride.

Looks-wise the Mokka is beefy and incorporates Vaux-hall’s signature ‘blade’ on the body side, sweeping towards the rear. Its muscular disposi-tion is reinforced by its higher ground clearance and 18” alloy wheels.

But what I really liked about the Mokka is its cleverness. Inside, the vehicle displays ar-chetypal Vauxhall values such as versatility and user-friendly functionality, providing up to 1,372-litres of load space and 19 storage locations. The Mokka also offers the latest generation Flex-Fix bicycle carrier. The user-friendly case is fully integrated in the rear

underbody, functioning like a drawer and accommodating up to three bikes at a time. Brilliant, if you’re into two-wheeled outdoor family fun.

The SUV is available in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive. The 4x4 system wasn’t fitted to my demo, but if I was in the market for a Mokka I’d definitely want it. As you’d expect, the extra technology ensures a high level of stabil-ity and traction, extending the car’s capabilities to more rug-ged environments. It’s always worth having for extra safety reasons alone.

Standard features that en-hanced the driving experience for me included Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Trac-tion Control (TC) as well as Hill Start Assist (HAS). Other progressive upmarket gadgetry the Mokka brings to the table includes Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting. This increases driving safety and includes High Beam Assist. The lights cut a way through the dark like a laser - they really are that good.

The Vauxhall Mokka range is available priced, as my test model was, from a very reasonable £15,995 - and it’s far more handsome than its unsightly rival, the Nissan Juke.

Vauxhall Mokka TechLine 1.6 16v

THE VAUXHALL MOKKA mixes functionality with a comfortable elevated seating position. It’s the Griffin-badged company’s answer to the Nissan Juke or the Skoda Yeti, and power to the small Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is provided by three efficient engines, all equipped with fuel saving Start/Stop technology. The petrol version comprises a 1.6-litre engine or a 1.4-litre Turbo and there is a 1.7-litre CDTI diesel. I drove the 113bhp 1.6 petrol Mokka; it has moderate pulling power, but, working your way through the five speed gearbox, it eventually spins up to a decent speed. It also provides a smooth and grippy ride. Looks-wise the Mokka is beefy and incorporates Vauxhall’s signature ‘blade’ on the body side, sweeping towards the rear. Its muscular disposition is reinforced by its higher ground clearance and 18” alloy wheels. But what I really liked about the Mokka is its cleverness. Inside, the vehicle displays archetypal Vauxhall values such as versatility and user-friendly functionality, providing up to 1,372-litres of load space and 19 storage locations. The Mokka also offers the latest generation Flex-Fix bicycle carrier. The user-friendly case is fully integrated in the rear underbody, functioning like a drawer and accommodating up to three bikes at a time. Brilliant,

if you’re into two-wheeled outdoor family fun. The SUV is available in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive. The 4x4 system wasn’t fitted to my demo, but if I was in the market for a Mokka I’d definitely want it. As you’d expect, the extra technology ensures a high level of stability and traction, extending the car’s capabilities to more rugged environments. It’s always worth having for extra safety reasons alone. Standard features that enhanced the driving experience for me included Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC) as well as Hill Start Assist (HAS). Other progressive upmarket gadgetry the Mokka brings to the table includes Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting. This increases driving safety and includes High Beam Assist. The lights cut a way through the dark like a laser - they really are that good. The Vauxhall Mokka range is available priced, as my test model was, from a very reasonable £15,995 - and it’s far more handsome than its unsightly rival, the Nissan Juke.

auto BIOGRAPHIES Vauxhall Mokka TechLine 1.6 16v

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Writer www.carwriteups.co.uk @carwriteups

FAST FACTS Max speed: 114 mph

0-62 mph: 11.9 secs

Combined mpg: 43.5

Engine: 1598cc, 4 cylinder, 16 valve, petrol

Max. power (bhp): 113 at 6,000 rpm

Max. torque (lb/ft): 114 at 4,000 rpm

CO2: 153 g/km

Price: £15,995 on the road

PROS ‘N’ CONS

Smart √ Distinct √

Smooth drive √ Reasonably priced √ Slow off the mark √

THE VAUXHALL MOKKA mixes functionality with a comfortable elevated seating position. It’s the Griffin-badged company’s answer to the Nissan Juke or the Skoda Yeti, and power to the small Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is provided by three efficient engines, all equipped with fuel saving Start/Stop technology. The petrol version comprises a 1.6-litre engine or a 1.4-litre Turbo and there is a 1.7-litre CDTI diesel. I drove the 113bhp 1.6 petrol Mokka; it has moderate pulling power, but, working your way through the five speed gearbox, it eventually spins up to a decent speed. It also provides a smooth and grippy ride. Looks-wise the Mokka is beefy and incorporates Vauxhall’s signature ‘blade’ on the body side, sweeping towards the rear. Its muscular disposition is reinforced by its higher ground clearance and 18” alloy wheels. But what I really liked about the Mokka is its cleverness. Inside, the vehicle displays archetypal Vauxhall values such as versatility and user-friendly functionality, providing up to 1,372-litres of load space and 19 storage locations. The Mokka also offers the latest generation Flex-Fix bicycle carrier. The user-friendly case is fully integrated in the rear underbody, functioning like a drawer and accommodating up to three bikes at a time. Brilliant,

if you’re into two-wheeled outdoor family fun. The SUV is available in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive. The 4x4 system wasn’t fitted to my demo, but if I was in the market for a Mokka I’d definitely want it. As you’d expect, the extra technology ensures a high level of stability and traction, extending the car’s capabilities to more rugged environments. It’s always worth having for extra safety reasons alone. Standard features that enhanced the driving experience for me included Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC) as well as Hill Start Assist (HAS). Other progressive upmarket gadgetry the Mokka brings to the table includes Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting. This increases driving safety and includes High Beam Assist. The lights cut a way through the dark like a laser - they really are that good. The Vauxhall Mokka range is available priced, as my test model was, from a very reasonable £15,995 - and it’s far more handsome than its unsightly rival, the Nissan Juke.

auto BIOGRAPHIES Vauxhall Mokka TechLine 1.6 16v

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Writer www.carwriteups.co.uk @carwriteups

FAST FACTS Max speed: 114 mph

0-62 mph: 11.9 secs

Combined mpg: 43.5

Engine: 1598cc, 4 cylinder, 16 valve, petrol

Max. power (bhp): 113 at 6,000 rpm

Max. torque (lb/ft): 114 at 4,000 rpm

CO2: 153 g/km

Price: £15,995 on the road

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Smart √ Distinct √

Smooth drive √ Reasonably priced √ Slow off the mark √

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from Appledown

Hello again! I am Mabel the resident dog at Appledown Rescue and Rehoming Kennels in Eaton Bray. We have had a busy few months at the kennels and have rehomed quite a number of dogs including some who had been with us for a long time. However, it doesn’t take long for the kennels to fill up again with more dogs waiting for lov-ing homes.

I would like to introduce you to Olive Hornby! She is a nice-

looking German Shepherd cross aged about 3-4 years. She is good with other dogs but not with cats or other small animals. Olive is a very affectionate girl and loves human com-

pany. She can be bouncy and would enjoy a home

where she gets plenty of exercise and would also benefit

from some training. Olive has been with us for some time now and we would love to see her happily settled in a new home.If you feel you could offer Olive, or any of our other dogs, a loving and secure home please call in at the ken-nels any day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Our staff will be happy to offer advice and information. Please note that we have restrictions on rehoming dogs to families with children under 7 years of age, so please ask for details

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24

Your Money Matters

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published which took effect from 1 September

2013. HMRC’s website states: ‘These rates apply to all journeys on or after 1 September 2013 until further notice. For one month from the date of change, employers may use either the previous or new current rates, as they choose. Employers may therefore make or require supplementary payments if they so wish, but are under no obligation to do either.’ The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or after 1 September 2013 are:

Engine size Petrol LPG

1400cc or less 15p 10p1401cc - 2000cc 18p (17p) 11p (12p)Over 2000cc 26p (25p) 16p (18p)

Engine size Diesel

1600cc or less 12p1601cc - 2000cc 15p (14p)Over 2000cc 18p

Please note that not all of the rates have been amended, so care must be taken to apply the correct rate. The amounts

for the previous quarter are shown in brackets where the rate has been amended. Other points to be aware of about the advisory fuel rates: • Employers do not need a

dispensation to use these rates.

• Employees driving employer provided cars are not entitled to use these rates to claim tax relief if employers reimburse them at lower rates. Such claims should be based on the actual costs incurred.

• The advisory rates are not binding where an employer can demonstrate that the cost of business travel in employer provided cars is higher than the guideline mileage rates. The higher cost would need to be agreed with HMRC under a dispensation.

For more information about company cars and fuel rates, the HMRC website is a great place to start. Or, speak to your accountant

Please do get in touch on 01525 887534or email [email protected] if you need further advice about anything contained in this article.

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26

In The Garden Christmas Survival GuideFor Houseplants

A south facing garden is on the priority list of most house hunters. If you’re lucky enough to have a front and back garden, then you should have somewhere to grow the sun lovers, but it’s often a rear shady garden which causes most frustration. So what’s my answer? Embrace the shade!Shady spaces can be much more atmospheric than those open to full sun, they have a great earthy smell and can support a diverse range of plants and mosses. My suggestion is to layer the planting, so that it looks like the creation of shade is intentional.Your layering process be-gins with the boundaries. The first stage is to paint them black, and before you scream ‘BLACK?!’ out loud, hear me out. Painting the boundaries black will help them to fade into the background once plants mature. The second stage is to clothe the fences and walls with climbers. Although hated by some, Ivy is perfect for

this, but other things to try are shade-tolerant Hon-eysuckles or wall shrubs such as Hydrangea peti-olaris and Garrya ellip-tica. For additional flower colour, why not cram in a couple of Clematis? Introduce height with a small tree such as Amelanchier ‘Robin Hill’ or the evergreen Trachycarpus fortunei. Clump forming bamboo makes a great vertical ac-cent, as does the banana Musa basjoo. Next in our ‘shade lasagne’ are the shrubs such as the purple leaved Acers, Viburnum tinus, Box (which can be clipped into shapes to add formality) and Sarcococca. Smaller perennials such as Astilbe, Aconitum and Hellebores provide colour and finally ferns such as the evergreen Asplenium scholopendrium supply wonderful glossy ground cover.So there you have it, a shady oasis, and as with most things in life, if you fully embrace it, a north facing shady garden can be magical.

Surviving a modern day Christmas can be challenge enough for humans, but just imagine how difficult it is if you’re a plant. Houseplants hate houses! Dry central heating, low light levels and draughts are all things houseplants really don’t like, as most of these plants come from very humid, tropical parts of the world. The best way to ensure your flow-ers bloom for longer and your leaves don’t go brown at the tips, is to ensure the right conditions for survival.

House plants give such a wonderful display, and are sure to last longer than a bunch of flowers. Choose from large flowering Cyclamen, brightly coloured Azaleas, sweetly scented Jasmine and of course the traditional Poinsettia. Oh, and don’t forget about bulbs, ‘Paperwhite’ Narcissus are synonymous with Christmas, and forced Hyacinths too, but I can appreciate that their strong scent is best savoured in spring.And finally, don’t get emotionally attached, think of flowering houseplants as a medium term bunch of flowers or a Christmas decoration, and after flower-ing if they look a little jaded, return them to the compost heap in the sky - I don’t think there’s any worse house plant tragedy than a straggly Poinsettia in July with three stunted yellow leaves.(Poinsettias are popular but be careful not to get the sap on your skin as they can cause irritation, and always keep them out of reach of pets and children.)

• Avoid placing plants in a draughty location such as windowsills, or near to a frequently opened door, (they won’t appreciate the large fluctuations in temperature)

• Avoid hotspots, such as in front of or above a radiator or fire

• Water plants by plunging them into a bowl of tepid (not cold) water, and then allowing the water to fully drain out from the pot before returning to its location

• Azaleas like humid conditions, so stand these on a tray of gravel filled with water, (but ensure plants are not sat in water)

• Create a ‘plant area’ where groups of plants can be stood together, this will create more humidity

• Avoid direct sunshine

• Ensure the compost never dries out or is too saturated, water little and often

• Remove faded flowers to prevent disease and to promote flowering

Light levels during January are low and the days are short, but once the winter solstice has passed, days are slowly lengthening.

There are however, areas of the garden which never receive much sunlight, and these shady

spaces are often the conversation starter when I speak to gardeners.

A Shady spaceA Shady space

28

IT’S THE LAW

Where there’s a Will…….

The last 5 years has seen a marked increase in the number of contentious probate claims brought in England and Wales.‘Contentious probate’ is an area of legal work which involves bringing claims against the estate of a deceased person. To give the best possible chance of your assets, property and personal belongings passing to those you care about then a properly drafted Will is essential. However, whilst it is usually definitive, there are circumstances when the Will can be challenged. This may be due to the formalities required for a valid Will not being observed properly, or because the Will does not make reasonable financial provision for a person left out of the Will – e.g. a Spouse/Civil Partner, former Spouse/Civil Partner/Cohabitants/Children/other “Dependants”.The Rules governing such claims are complex and it is a highly specialised area of legal practice.So why are claims on the rise? Some suggestions are as follows:-• Recession – people are more inclined to seek

money in difficult times• A more litigious society generally – switch on

to daytime telly if you want proof!• Ageing society – more arguments on capacity

to make a valid Will • A more fragmented society with more

complex family packages• More people doing ‘home made’ or online

Wills and simply getting it wrong

If you need advice on any matter relating to this area of the law then Fiona Burne who is Head of Contentious Probate at OM&M would be happy to help [email protected]

CHARITY CHRISTMAS PUZZLE 2013It is nearly time for this year’s Charity

Christmas Puzzle. This, the 23rd annual Puzzle that Gordon Gray, Reader at St Mary’s,

Eaton Bray with Edlesborough, has set. It has a theme designed to help completion and

will appeal to people who enjoy doing word puzzles. Puzzlers have plenty of time to find

the answers and Puzzles should be returned, with a donation, by 26th January.

Four highest scorers will each receive a £30 prize.

Everyone who enters will qualify for one of five £10 prizes.

Copies of the Puzzle can be accessed from the web at www.christmaspuzzle.co.uk. You can register early to receive a copy on the

issue date of 8 December. Over £51,000 raised for charity

£5,000 donated last yearThis year’s puzzle will support St Mary’s

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In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs when the ‘top half’ of the Earth tilts away from the Sun at its most extreme angle. This gives us the longest night and

shortest day of the year. It normally falls on 21 De-cember, and from this point on, the days will begin to lengthen until the Summer Solstice on 21 June.The word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin phrase for ‘sun stands still’. This is because the sun appears to rise and set in the same two places for several days in a row.Cultures through the ages have marked the Solstice and celebrated the triumph of light over dark. Massive prehistoric monuments such as Stonehenge were built to align with the Winter Solstice sunrise.The ancient Romans had a seven-day festival called Saturnalia, when everything would be reversed – men would dress as women and masters dressed as servants. People decorated their houses with green-ery, lit candles and gave presents.Celtic druids gave pieces of mistletoe as a blessing. They also began the tradition of the Yule log, which was burned to conquer the darkness and bring luck for the year ahead.Many people celebrate the Solstice today, and it’s interesting to see how many of the customs have become part of our Christmas festivities.By Alex Albrighton

The Winter Solstice

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Tastes so good... POTATO & TOMATO HERB GALETTE

This simple recipe is a real crowd pleaser and makes a great lunch in its own right or a delicious side dish. Use fresh herbs if possible but you can substitute with dried if necessary. The galette may be

made in a pie dish or individual steel food rings. Ideally floury potatoes should be used for this recipe as they have more starch which holds the galette together better. If you don’t have food rings

this can be made in a pie dish in exactly the same way but will take longer to cook.

Ingredients for 4 servings 2 large tomatoes 3 or 4 medium sized floury potatoes* Handful of fresh thyme and chives 60g butter Salt & pepper * King Edwards are a good choice - Maris Piper work too although they’re not as floury.

Equipment: Food processor with slicing disc or mandolin. Sharp knife. Food rings and a baking tray Oven: Gas Mark 7, 220°c Method: Melt the butter in a pan. Using some of the butter grease the rings and the baking tray where the rings will sit. Place rings onto greased area. Wash and chop the herbs, dry on kitchen roll to stop them sticking together. Reserve a small amount for garnish. Thinly slice tomatoes with a sharp knife and leave on a cooling tray to allow excess liquid to drip. Thinly slice the potatoes using the food processor and use immediately. Layer 2 or 3 slices of potato in the rings. Using a pastry brush or the back of a teaspoon, paint the layered potato with the melted butter. Season lightly, sprinkle some herbs and top with tomato. Repeat until you have filled the rings, finishing with a potato layer which should be buttered to brown nicely. Pop in the oven for 30-40 minutes and remove when the crust is golden brown and the potato feels tender with a knife. Scatter with herbs to garnish and serve piping hot. Diane Johnson

Tastes so good... ROAST SEA BASS WITH A LEMON & GARLIC CRUST

Perfect for a simple lunch or a dinner party with friends, this main course is an easy crowd pleaser, looks great on the plate and is a wonderful dish to serve with vegetables or salad alike.

Ingredients : 4 skinned fillets sea bass, washed under running water 3 unwaxed lemons 4 cloves garlic Small bunch of washed fresh parsley 25g butter 30g wholemeal bread 50ml extra virgin olive oil Salt & pepper

Equipment: Small processor or mortar and pestle Oven: Gas Mark 5, 190°c Method: Brush undersides with olive oil and season fish all over with salt and pepper. Zest one of the lemons and squeeze juice. Wedge the other lemon for garnish. Whizz garlic with lemon juice and zest. Once no more large pieces can be seen, add the parsley, bread and butter to the processor. Quite quickly you should produce a moist and very tasty breadcrumb mixture. Press this mixture firmly onto the upper side of the fillets. Roast for approximately 20 minutes, or until the crust is brown. Serve with whatever takes your fancy!

Diane Johnson

Tastes so good... GRANNY’S XMAS PUDDING

The stout in this recipe will add the moisture to the pudding and the cocoa powder makes the pudding look lovely and dark.

Lindsay Crozier & photographs by Nigel Maisey

Ingredients: 1oz mixed peel 1oz ground almonds 2 medium sized eggs ¼ teaspoon almond essence 2 teaspoons brandy 1 can of stout 2 teaspoons cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon mixed spice 4oz plain flour 4oz breadcrumbs 4oz beef suet 4oz brown sugar 4oz raisins 4oz sultanas 4oz glace cherries 1 grated lemon rind ½ apple grated ½ carrot grated

Equipment: 2 pint pyrex bowl, pudding bowl, clean tea towel or pudding cloth. Method: Place all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Add the eggs and the brandy and mix then pour in the stout gradually and keep stirring until your mixture is the consistency of a loose cake mix. Grease your pudding bowl with a little butter and pour in the pudding mix. Cover with foil and then a tea towel or pudding cloth and tie it to the top of the bowl, this is to prevent any water getting in. Place in a large boiling pan and fill with water ¾ of the way up the side of the bowl. Boil on a moderate heat for 6 hours keep topping up the water with boiled kettle water if the level starts to drop. When the pudding is ready turn it out and leave to cool. These puddings can be stored wrapped in foil from now until Christmas, to reheat just place the pudding back in the bowl and boil for another 2 hours on Christmas day. Can be served with a sprinkling of icing sugar on the top or pour on ¼ brandy and light for a flaming Christmas pudding











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34

Food Processors

TEC

HN

OLO

GY

OK, so not very hi-tech, but having recently started using one I don’t know how I managed without it.

Christmas is typically a time of year when we have family and friends around which means, for some, lots of time spent preparing and cooking food. If you can think of better ways to spend Christmas morning than chopping veg why not let a food processor do the hard work in your kitchen - so you can enjoy the festivities.

There’s no doubt that a food processor can be a valuable addition to any kitchen. Mod-ern models can perform a whole host of

different tasks to make your culinary life easier. But with such a wide range on offer, at prices from about £30 to £350 and above, how do you choose the right one for you?

The first question to answer is whether or not a food processor is the product you need. They are best for people who do a lot of savoury cooking and need to chop, blend and grate food. If you’re more of a baker and want to whip cream, whisk eggs or knead dough, then a stand mixer (with an open bowl and overhanging ‘arm’) may be more suitable. For chopping nuts, breadcrumbs or onion, or for puréeing small quantities of baby food, a less powerful – and less expensive – mini chopper may be sufficient. When you are happy that a food processor is the tool for you, it’s time to look at the attachments that come with different models and decide which you need: To help you make your final choice, take a good look online at product reviews. This is the best way to assess what the product descriptions don’t tell you – such as how noisy the processor is, how difficult it is to assemble and clean, and how efficiently and evenly it cuts food.

And then you’re all set – ready to make super soups, crunchy salads and tasty dishes galore!

• All processors will have a knife blade that can be used for mixing, puréeing, mincing and mashing. • Most will also come with a dough blade for kneading bread dough. • There will then be a selection of circular metal discs that cut, slice and grate. Look at the size of the blades to check you are happy with the different thicknesses they produce. Some models also include a special blade for cutting chips. • A jug blender attachment is really useful if you like to make soups, smoothies and mayon-naise. Some can even crush ice.• A citrus press makes it easy to extract the maximum possible juice from oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit. You can also get a cen-trifugal juicer attachment for juicing hard fruits and vegetables.• Look for a mill attachment if you like grind-ing your own coffee beans and spices, or chop-ping small quantities of nuts.• There are several different types of whisk attachments, but metal twin beaters give the best results.• A mini bowl with its own blade that fits inside the main one can be more effective for chopping small quantities.

By Alex Albrighton

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36

PuzzlesPuzzlesPuzzles

Across 1. Fragrant flower or girl’s name (7) 5. Sound reflection (4) 8. Structure (5) 9. Yanking (7)11. Large book (4)12. Two-yearly (8)15. Political organisation (5)16. Tiny biting insect (5)19. Unit of computer memory (8)21. Covetousness (4)23. Once daily (7)25. String of closely spaced islands (5)26. Exude (4)27. Whereabouts (7)

Down 2. Relating to the stomach, intestines etc. (9) 3. Female horse (4) 4. Serviette (6) 5. Snake-like fish (3) 6. Reddish Indian dye (5) 7. Main artery (5)10. Nutritious edible pulse (6)13. Clever and original. (9)14. Spindle (6)17. Calm, dependable (6)18. Circular series of events (5)20. Phrase or saying (5)22. Couple (4)24. Furrow (3)

Crossword




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3 9 7 62 8

4 3 7 2 93

9 2 8 54 6

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BIKES

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Authorised and regulated by the SRA, No: 00058549 © 2013 Osborne Morris and Morgan Solicitors

Offices in Milton Keynes & Leighton Buzzard

Call: 01525 [email protected] www.ommlaw.co.uk

Wishing all our clients peace of mind this Christmas

The internet has been with us since the mid 90s. Whilst it has of course brought some fantastic benefits to our lives, it has also created some absolute headaches as well.

The fact the entire world is accessible in our homes is a wonderful thing, but it is worth noting that there are lots of internet companies out there, particularly those in other countries that can provide a less than desirable service. So how can you protect yourself against these companies, particularly when making purchases for Christmas?

The most important thing you can do, is to of course avoid buying items from dodgy inter-net companies in the first place. It sounds simple, but you’d be amazed how many people still

find some weird com-pany online that no-

body’s ever heard of and hand over hundreds of pounds. They are then amazed when

they find themselves out of pocket without the goods they’ve ordered.

Therefore, always make sure you research the internet company you are planning to buy from. Find out where they’re based, look for a UK telephone number, check reviews and complaints about them so you know exactly who you’re dealing with. Ensure that their delivery timeframe will ensure your gifts will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas.

Make sure you’re paying a sensible price. If a company is selling an item at a ridiculously low price compared to all other companies, there’s usually a reason why. Often the items are fake. Over the years I’ve dealt with my fair share of customers who thought they were getting a great deal with ‘Ugg boots’ or ‘GHD hair straighteners’, only to find they’ve bought fakes from a company abroad.

You should always pay for goods by credit card but particularly when buying over the internet. It is worth noting that you are not protected by the consumer credit act unless you’re paying over £100, but you’re still more likely to get your money back using a credit card rather than debit card, cheque or bank

transfer. I would go so far as to say you should NEVER buy goods from a company that asks you to transfer money directly into their account.

If you decide you’re going to buy Christmas presents from an online auction site like ebay, it is worth familiarising yourself with their safety advice. You generally have fewer rights when buying goods in this way, par-ticularly if they are second hand. Paying by paypal and ensuring that you NEVER collect items in person will go some way to protecting yourself. Only buy from highly rated sellers, based in the UK.

It is worth remembering that when you buy brand new items over the internet, you are protected by the distance sell-ing regulations. Because you haven’t had the chance to see the item in the flesh, you have 7 days from delivery to change your mind and send it back for a full refund. Unless the company specifies their returns postage policy, then they are liable for the postage too. Make sure you order things online in plenty of time to allow for this, after all, you don’t want unhappy friends and relatives whose presents are NOT under the tree.

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

How to purchase safely on the Winter-Web

You can listen to The JVS Show every weekday morning from 9am on BBC Three Counties Radio

Consumer Clinic

38

A Good Read

The Guts By Roddy Doyle

For You For The Kids

On the surface, this is a fairly typical picture book for 3 - 6 year olds. Jack is readying his rocket car for an amazing race, helped by Riley the dog. They line up against an array of alien craft and off they go - with all the thrills and spills you might expect.

The bonus, however, is that inside the book is a pull out model of the very rocket Jack is racing in, meaning that young readers can race along with him. Simple and sturdy, it allows the story to be acted out, continued and extended as far as the child's imagination can go - in other words, a very long way.

There are others in the series - a dinosaur digger and a supersonic submarine - which will appeal to the 'collector instinct' which all young boys seem to have. Simply told, engagingly drawn and with just the right balance of excite-ment, this is definitely one to look out for.

Jack's Mega Machines - The Rocket Racing Car By Alison Ritchie and Mike Byrne

To be honest, it is a shock to find out that Jimmy Rabbitte is middle aged with teenage children. It shouldn't be - after all, The Commitments was over twenty years ago - but it is. It seems to be a bit of a shock to Jimmy too - and the shock is compounded when he discovers that he has cancer....

The Commitments may be better known as a film (and now as a stage musical), but it was a book first: the first of Doyle's Barrytown trilogy, which followed the fortunes of the Rabbitte family in Dublin. Here, Doyle revisits the family many years on. Ireland is in the grip of the recession, and Jimmy and his wife are feeling the pinch. He is still in the music business, although rather than discover-ing new talent, he spends his days digging into the past for old punk bands who still have a following. And he has can-cer. At the age of forty seven he has to face the fact that he could die.

Doyle's style is not for every-one, and his language is not for the faint hearted, but the dialogue still sails off the page as authentically as it ever did, and much of the story is car-ried through speech. There are a series of well-executed set pieces too, including the finale which brings together Jimmy, his long-lost brother Les, an old punk and a former bandmate (and fellow cancer sufferer), to witness Jimmy's eldest son triumph in front of a festival crowd. OK, he is pretending to be Bulgarian and singing a song which is pretending to be 1930s Irish Blues, but who cares?

If you have read the Barry-town trilogy, this is like meet-ing a bunch of old friends in the pub. If you haven't, then read it anyway. Odds are you will go back to the original books to meet the characters as they were in the beginning.

By Seb Jay

Looking Up In Beds & Bucks!in December 2013 and January 2014

The Night Sky

Dark Sky Telescope [email protected]

Jupiter’s Winter Spectacular: Outshining all of the stars in the night sky during December and January is the king of the planets - Jupiter. Look towards the east during early evenings

to see its bright white light in the constellation of Gemini. You can’t miss it! Jupiter is so large that 10x50 binoculars mounted on a cam-era tripod is all that is needed to reveal the planet’s disc along with its four brightest moons. With a small telescope you can see dark bands in Jupiter’s atmos-phere, while bigger telescopes gain you spectacular views of the 300-year old storm system affectionately known as the Great Red Spot.

Christmas Comet Selection: Mid to Late December sees potentially two bright comets almost side by side in the evening sky. Both Comet ISON and Comet Lovejoy should be bright enough to see with the naked eye from the darkness of the Chilterns. Binoculars or a small telescope will almost certainly bring them into view. Look to the northwestern horizon after sunset to find them. Both comets are moving through the constellation of Her-cules in different directions.

See the Geminids Meteor Shower: December 13th and 14th is the peak of the Geminids meteor shower. Watch up to 80 shooting stars per hour streak across the night sky. Best times to look are between moonset and dawn on both mornings.

Celebrity hairdresser, Richard Ward shares his thoughts on

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Hairspray:You can save on buying a strong hold hair-spray as you just want something that does the job well. However, you should splurge on a fine hold hairspray as the ingredients will allow you to brush it out and restyle without leaving any flakes or white marks.

Shampoo, Conditioner & TreatmentsThese are the foundations of your hair styl-ing so you should definitely splurge here. You most definitely get what you pay for – we’ve recently launched a luxury range, Couture Hair, and the ingredients are far superior and have more scientific listing of ingredients. You’ll find more expensive ranges that you won’t need to use as much as they are concentrated so they last longer, often they are multi-tasking too. With an intensive conditioning masque you will only use this once or twice a week so it’s a treat and should leave your hair feeling renewed and rejuvenated so you should definitely splurge on this.

Pastes/GelsYou’re looking for texture and hold with these types of styling products and quite of-ten you’ll find that a cheaper brand perform just as well. You’re using just small amounts so as long as you’re not overloading your hair, you can look at saving on these.

VolumisersNearly all women love volume – you want that natural feel without it feeling weighed down, sticky or too heavy so definitely look at splurging here too. I prefer a spritz style volumiser as you can target specific areas.

HairdryerThis is another splurge I’m afraid! It really does pay to invest in a professional hairdryer – I’m loving the new Collexia that includes a keratin or protein treatment so it’s actually treating your hair as you dry it. Professional hairdryers are initially more expensive but you do cut your drying time down signifi-cantly and this is only a good thing for the condition of your hair.

3938 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

01582 521430

40

What ’s Best For You

CHRISTMAS IS COMING. Stop, wait! I dislike Jingle Bells blasting out of shop speakers in early

November as much as the next man. Yet this isn’t about celebrating early, it’s about pre-planning to slash festive costs,

so you have a better Christmas at a lower price.

By Martin Lewis

This year, I was given an ITV special to run through all this. I couldn’t persuade them to let me do it on the 25th (of January) as I’d have liked, so The Martin Lewis Money Show, which aired on 12th November (catch it on ITV player), may well be the earliest Christmas special in TV history. As we’re now in the Thriftsmas spirit, here are some of my top tips...

Bag 5% off ALL Xmas shoppingCashback credit cards pay you each time you spend. So do normal spending and set up a direct debit to repay IN FULL each month to avoid interest and you’re quids in. Some will be £100s better off by the time the cashback’s paid, usually after a year. One of the best is Amex Plat Everyday* which pays a HUGE 5% (max £100) on ALL spending in the first 3mths then up to 1.25%. So apply now and the big cashback covers Xmas & New Year sale spending (19.9% rep APR if you fail to fully repay).

Xmas Travelodge rooms £17 - £25 Visiting relatives for Christmas and can’t quite stand the idea of spending all day and night there? Budget hotel chain Travelodge has launched a room sale at £17-£25 for December to February. Crucially, this includes Christmas (though not New Year's Eve). They do this in tranches, so when the rooms are gone, they're gone.

Don’t set up a Christmas lust list Too many people list every lusted-for item – huge trees, massive festivities. Sadly, this tends to lead to debt or disappointment. Instead, the right thing – boring, sensible, but ulti-mately productive – is to do a budget to work how much you can afford to spend this Christmas. Then, work out the best Christmas you can have on that cash.

Try some DemoHoHotivation My www.demoHOHOtivator.com tool shows how small sacrifices can save you large, eg, how much you can boost your Christmas cash by if you cut out a cappuccino or weekly mag. We're not saying do it, just work out which use of cash gives you more joy.

Ban unnecessary Christmas presents? Christmas isn't a retail festival. While presents for kids or spouses under the tree is a lovely tradition, we seem to be under constant pressure to buy for an ever widening circle of friends. This can be just tick-box giving, tat we know they don't really want, and will just become landfill fodder. While there’s a joy of giving, remember it can be selfish if it obliges someone to buy you something back – perhaps the real gift's to release someone from the obligation of buying you a present. Read the full theory behind this at www.mse.me/ban-christmas

Don't borrow for Christmas, but if you do, ensure it's 0% Christmas borrowing's a bad idea. Far better to go, er, cold turkey, and have a more austere time (Christmas is just one day, after all). Yet if you'll bor-row anyway, at least do it right. The cheapest way is on a 0% SPENDING card. The longest is www.tescobank.com 18 months 0%, yet even though it lasts more than a year (provided you make the min repayments), plan to clear it be-fore next Xmas or you'll compound your problems. If you don't clear before the 0% ends, beware. It'll jump to 16.9% representative APR.

FREE tea/coffee every day at Waitrose Sign up for special card at waitrose.com/mywaitrose to get a free regular tea or coffee every day. Simply walk in and show your card. You can choose from from Americano, cappuccino, latte, tea, mocha or espresso.

Martin LEWIS Christmas is Coming!

Christmas is coming. Stop, wait! I dislike Jingle Bells blasting out of shop speakers in early November as much as the next man. Yet this isn’t about celebrating early, it's about pre-planning to slash festive costs, so you have a better Christmas at a lower price. This year, I’ve been given an ITV special to run through all this. I couldn’t persuade them to let me do it on the 25th (of January) as I’d have liked. But The Martin Lewis Money Show, at 8pm on 12 November (or catch it on ITV player), may well be the earliest Christmas special in TV history. So as we’re now in the Thriftsmas spirit, here are some top tips for starters: It also incorporates “opportunity cost” - whether they'd be better off spending the same cash on something else. For a young child this is perhaps “do you want to buy sweeties with your money every week, or save up to get the toy that you want?" Xmas Travelodge rooms £17 - £25 Visiting relatives for Christmas and can’t quite stand the idea of spending all day and night there? Budget hotel chain Travelodge has launched a room sale at £17-£25 for December to February. Crucially, this includes Christmas (though not New Year's Eve). They do this in tranches, so when the rooms are gone, they're gone. Don’t set up a Christmas lust list Too many people list every lusted-for item – huge trees, massive festivities. Sadly, this tends to lead to debt or disappointment. Instead, the right thing – boring, sensible, but ultimately productive – is to do a budget to work how much you can afford to spend this Christmas. Then, work out the best Christmas you can have on that cash. Try some DemoHoHotivation My www.demoHOHOtivator.com tool shows how small sacrifices can save you large, eg, how much you

can boost your Christmas cash by if you cut out a cappuccino or weekly mag. We're not saying do it, just work out which use of cash gives you more joy. Ban unnecessary Christmas presents? Christmas isn't a retail festival. While presents for kids or spouses under the tree is a lovely tradition, we seem to be under constant pressure to buy for an ever widening circle of friends. This can be just tick-box giving, tat we know they don't really want, and will just become landfill fodder. While there’s a joy of giving, remember it can be selfish if it obliges someone to buy you something back – perhaps the real gift's to release someone from the obligation of buying you a present. Read the full theory behind this at www.mse.me/banchristmas Don't borrow for Christmas, but if you do, ensure it's 0% Christmas borrowing's a bad idea. Far better to go, er, cold turkey, and have a more austere time (Christmas is just one day, after all). Yet if you'll borrow anyway, at least do it right. The cheapest way is on a 0% SPENDING card. The longest is www.tescobank.com 18 months 0%, yet even though it lasts more than a year (provided you make the min repayments), plan to clear it before next Xmas or you'll compound your problems. If you don't clear before the 0% ends, beware. It'll jump to 16.9% representative APR. FREE tea/coffee every day at Waitrose Sign up for special card at waitrose.com/mywaitrose to get a free regular tea or coffee every day. Simply walk in and show your card. You can choose from from Americano, cappuccino, latte, tea, mocha or espresso.

@MoneySavingExpert

It’s Christmas!It’s Christmas!

For some folk Christmas without turkey is a bit like stew without dumplings, or gin without tonic, but if yours is always disap-pointingly dry and overcooked, why not look at an alternative this Christmas? Goose is tender, full of flavour, relatively cheap, and a 4kg bird should easily feed six people. It has a reputation for being fatty but don’t be put off. Simply prick the skin well and pour off the surplus fat about an hour into cooking, and hey presto - problem solved!

Ducks are smaller, which means they cook faster than a huge turkey or goose. Moist and strongly flavoured, one large duck feeds four so they are perfect for smaller gatherings, but don’t plan on serving one up if you’re hosting a Christmas for twelve!

Beef is quick and easy to cook, and as you can buy whatever amount you need, it is suitable for gatherings both large and small. Allow 500g of rib of beef per person (including the bone) and glaze the top to keep it moist.

Why not give Venison a try? It's a lean meat, and consumption is currently on the increase as we become more health-conscious. It can be pur-chased at good butchers. A more exotic option is Ostrich, which tastes like good quality beef fillet and requires very little cooking.

Other possibilities are ham, lamb, partridge and pheasant. So go on, stuff the turkey this Christmas and try something different for your festive feast!

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42

A Travellers Tale (Continued)

Our goal was Gamla Stan (the Old Town), a labyrinth of narrow cobble stoned streets bursting with all manner of touristy shops. We went into the cathedral - very impressive - but spent most of the time just wandering about before returning on the shuttle 'bus in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we went on a guided cruise around the waterways of Stockholm - another city claiming to be the "Venice of the North" since it spans 14 separate islands. This was a very pleasant trip indeed with an excellent commentary. There is a large inland lake behind Stockholm whose water level is higher than that of the Baltic and we entered and left this lake through a lock system. In answer to one of my questions, it would not be a good idea to let this great mass of fresh water escape into the Baltic since the change in water density would enable the sea around Stockholm to freeze even earlier than it does already. Not convinced!After Stockholm, we passed through the Kiel Canal and chugged our way through an eastern England landscape - it's easy to see why the Saxons looked upon East Anglia as a home from home.

Having exited the canal, we headed out into the North Sea for the final leg to Amsterdam. Arriving slightly later than planned, we decided to skip lunch and walk into town and do our own thing. But we were surprised to discover that a particular church I'd wanted to see had been turned into a museum about the Dutch royal family so, instead, joined a guided tour of the Royal Palace and saw opulent rooms, paintings, incredible chandeliers and internal statuatory. It's all very grand - not a bit like my house! We also got lost on a few occasions due to a poor map - that's my story and I'm sticking to it! - so finally gave up on Amsterdam, walked back to the ship and collapsed on our beds absolutely shattered.In the early evening we sailed out of Amsterdam headed for Dover arriving in the early morning. After breakfast, disembarkation was swift, easy and ef-ficient and we were back home around noon.It's difficult to summarise this trip: it had been very different from previous cruises and from what I'd expected. A 600+ passenger ship is fine for this type of cruise (but not for little coves

and fjords) and there's no sense of overcrowding. Our cabin was spatially generous; the food was great; the crew were charming, polite and helpful. We'd been extremely lucky with the weather and the sea had been calm.Regarding the places visited, they tended to come thick and fast - hence my title - and we'd only had a quick "taster" anywhere. A notably common feature of the Baltic States in par-ticular is that they all have streets and pavements made of very large cobble stones which are not at all easy to walk on and cleverly designed to turn your ankle very easily! Highlights (for me) were most likely Tallinn and Stockholm, but Helsinki was very pleasant and appealed to Val. But St Petersburg offered so many splendid architectural examples that one really needs more than a few hours there. But this, sadly, is made difficult since Russian bureaucracy is so un-helpful and visas are not easy to obtain and rather expensive. They say they want visitors but don't make it easy.Personally, I don't think I'd want to go on another Baltic cruise as such - but I wouldn't mind revisiting one or two of the places seen: say, for a weekend.

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A Travellers Tale (Continued)

Our goal was Gamla Stan (the Old Town), a labyrinth of narrow cobble stoned streets bursting with all manner of touristy shops. We went into the cathedral - very impressive - but spent most of the time just wandering about before returning on the shuttle 'bus in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we went on a guided cruise around the waterways of Stockholm - another city claiming to be the "Venice of the North" since it spans 14 separate islands. This was a very pleasant trip indeed with an excellent commentary. There is a large inland lake behind Stockholm whose water level is higher than that of the Baltic and we entered and left this lake through a lock system. In answer to one of my questions, it would not be a good idea to let this great mass of fresh water escape into the Baltic since the change in water density would enable the sea around Stockholm to freeze even earlier than it does already. Not convinced!After Stockholm, we passed through the Kiel Canal and chugged our way through an eastern England landscape - it's easy to see why the Saxons looked upon East Anglia as a home from home.

Having exited the canal, we headed out into the North Sea for the final leg to Amsterdam. Arriving slightly later than planned, we decided to skip lunch and walk into town and do our own thing. But we were surprised to discover that a particular church I'd wanted to see had been turned into a museum about the Dutch royal family so, instead, joined a guided tour of the Royal Palace and saw opulent rooms, paintings, incredible chandeliers and internal statuatory. It's all very grand - not a bit like my house! We also got lost on a few occasions due to a poor map - that's my story and I'm sticking to it! - so finally gave up on Amsterdam, walked back to the ship and collapsed on our beds absolutely shattered.In the early evening we sailed out of Amsterdam headed for Dover arriving in the early morning. After breakfast, disembarkation was swift, easy and ef-ficient and we were back home around noon.It's difficult to summarise this trip: it had been very different from previous cruises and from what I'd expected. A 600+ passenger ship is fine for this type of cruise (but not for little coves

and fjords) and there's no sense of overcrowding. Our cabin was spatially generous; the food was great; the crew were charming, polite and helpful. We'd been extremely lucky with the weather and the sea had been calm.Regarding the places visited, they tended to come thick and fast - hence my title - and we'd only had a quick "taster" anywhere. A notably common feature of the Baltic States in par-ticular is that they all have streets and pavements made of very large cobble stones which are not at all easy to walk on and cleverly designed to turn your ankle very easily! Highlights (for me) were most likely Tallinn and Stockholm, but Helsinki was very pleasant and appealed to Val. But St Petersburg offered so many splendid architectural examples that one really needs more than a few hours there. But this, sadly, is made difficult since Russian bureaucracy is so un-helpful and visas are not easy to obtain and rather expensive. They say they want visitors but don't make it easy.Personally, I don't think I'd want to go on another Baltic cruise as such - but I wouldn't mind revisiting one or two of the places seen: say, for a weekend.

MAGAZINES FLYERS


facebook/jamtasticdesign @jamtasticdesign

44

December1st Leighton Buzzard Christmas Weekend Come along and join the festivities as the Christmas Lights are turned on. Live music, seasonal stalls, food, drink and entertainment for all. http://www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/events/

1st Bletchley Lights Switch on. Join with the festivities as we switch on the Christmas lights and visit the Christmas Fair from noon.

1st-24th Messy Nativity Sheep Trail. , this trail takes you around shops in Leighton Buzzard. Trail booklets available from participating shops. Bring the completed form to the Nativity Service on 24th December at Trinity Methodist Church, Leighton Buzzard and receive a Christmas Booklet! For more information see: www.trinity-methodist-leighton-buzzard.org.uk

1st Tree Festival starsTree Festival – All Saints Church, Leighton Buzzard12-3pm Music provided by various groups throughout the weekend Coffee shop open for refreshments at all times

4th Wartime Family History Talk Family History Talk: Wartime Christmas. Edna Dickenson performs her seasonal ‘show & tell’ ‘Wartime Christmas’ talk, demonstrating how women coped in the kitchen during World War II. Her talk starts with the relatively peaceful Christmas of 1939, and describes how the celebrations changed as the war progressed, .Non-members of Buckinghamshire Family History Society very welcome. A small donation is appreciated. www.bucksfhs.org.uk Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2HB

6th and 7th Nativity Festival 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM A display of many different Nativity sets, paintings by adults and children accompanied by Christmas music. Refreshments and activities for children available.All donations will go towards the work of Street Pastors in Leighton Buzzard.For details please visit:www.trinity-methodist-leighton-buzzard.org.uk Trinity Methodist Church, North Street, Leighton Buzzard, Beds.

6th World Challenge Community Carol Concert7:00 PM - 9:00 PM World Challenge Community Carol Concert Accompanied by:Leighton Buzzard Salvation Army BandAlso featuring: The Grand Union Community Choir, Ukerama, Refreshments available RaffleTicket price £4.00 under 10’s free. To purchase your ticket please contact:Nikki on 07969311415 Allison on 07850312445 Or email at [email protected]

7th -8th Christmas FairVisit Rushmere Country Park during this 2 day event and purchase your Christmas Tree from the Greensand Trust and Christmas gifts from local suppliers and crafts people. Craft stalls, festive food, competitions and festive crafts, carol singers. proceeds raised from the event will be reinvested into the care and conservation of Rushmere Country Park.Admission is free*! *£2 charge per vehicle to exit. 11am - 3pm Tel 01525 234260Rushmere Country Park, Linslade Road, Heath & Reach Bedfordshire LU7 0EB

7th Winter Wonderland at the Rufus Centre is the perfect day out for families to really get into the festive spirit. There’s plenty to do, including visit Father Christmas in his magical grotto (each child receives a gift), make your own glittery Christmas tree and a colouring competition, gingerbread and

WHAT’S ON? so much we can’t fit it all in! The online calendar is updated regularly

www.thevinemagazine.com/whats-on Include your event email [email protected]

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biscuit decorating PLUS entry to the mini discos at 12 noon, 1pm or 2pm! Adults can even pick up those last minute stocking fillers from an array of exclusive stalls. All profits will go to the Flitwick Christmas Lights Appeal. 11am until 4pm. Entry: £3.50 for children FREE for adults. The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick Bedfordshire MK45 1AH Contact telephone: 01525 631900

14th Santa Day Come and meet santa, He will be riding on all our trains on both running days

First train 12 noon, Two trips around our track £1.00 (one pound), Caldecotte Miniture Railway, Caldecotte Lake Bletcham Way, Bletchley MK7 8HP Buckinghamshire MK7 8HP telephone: BOB 01908542671

15th Craft Fair at Woburn Village Hall 10am-4pm Free admission. www.ccc-craftfairs.co.uk

15th Christmas Carol Concert Pitstone- Leighton Linslade Concert Band 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Join us for a Christmas Carol Concert http://llcb.co.uk/

15th Christmas Carol Concert LB- Leighton Linslade Concert Band 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Join us for a Christmas Carol Concert http://llcb.co.uk/

16th Charity Concert A really fun musical evening of seasonal songs and anecdotes by this well known and very popular ladies choir. 7.30 p.m. FREE entry lovely refreshments (all donations to charity)St Edward the Confessor Church, Burchards Crescent, Shenley Church End. Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK5 6DX

1st -24th Santa’s Grotto at Frosts Woburn Sands

January8th Family History Talk: A Journey to Station X7:15 PM - 9:15 PM Michael Kushner talks to members of Buckinghamshire Family History Society about the codebreaking exploits at Bletchley Park, Non-members are very welcome. A small donation is appreciated. Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2HB www.bucksfhs.org.uk

11th New Year Concert Vienna comes to Eaton BrayWaltzes, polkas, mazurkas and marches tickets £7.50 children free from box office 01525 222283

18th Philharmonia Orchestra: VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS 7.30PM SPRING into the New Year and make getting back into Classical Music your New Year’s Resolution by celebrating the weekend with Vivaldi’s FOUR SEASONS at the Bedford Corn Exchange. £12-£33. 01234 718 112 for further details on CONCESSIONS & DISCOUNT.Bedford Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Square, Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 1SL

25th Table Top Sale Come along and spend a few hours browsing the stalls at our popular Table Top Sale. It’s not too late to have your own stall to sell those unwanted items that are cluttering up your house - simply contact Ashton St Peter’s Lower school office on 01582 663410. Saturday 25th January. 11am - 1pm. Entry only 20p for adults and FREE for children! Stall holders: £6 for 1 table; £10 for 2 - doors open from 9.30am for set up. Contact the school office on 01582 663410.Ashton St Peters Lower School, Leighton Court Dunstable Bedfordshire LU6 1EW

WHAT’S ON? so much we can’t fit it all in! The online calendar is updated regularly

www.thevinemagazine.com/whats-on Include your event email [email protected]

Craft Fair

FUTURE FAIRS IN 2014Starting February16th and

every 3rd Sunday

Woburn Village Hall, Beds All Local Handmade items SUNDAY

DECEMBER 15th same as Farmers’ Market

FREE ADMISSION FREE CAR PARKING

CCC

Crafts - Cake & a Cuppa

www.ccc-craftfairs.co.uk

10.00AM - 4.00PM

46

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The Vine Leighton Buzzard Christmas 2013