The Vine Luton - February / March 2016 - Issue13

Connecting local people to local businessesDelivered free to 10,000 homes

I Bramingham I Bushmead I Icknield I Barnfield I Stopsley I Wigmore I

February - March 201

6 : Issue 13

FREE

Local News / What’s On / Local Directory

www.thevinemagazine.co.uk2

• Conservatories • Windows • Doors • Aluminium Seamless Guttering• Garage Doors • Car Ports • GRP Flat Roofing

Visit your local showroom at Leighton Buzzard Garden Centre, Leighton Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 9NX

Contact Peter Pascan

Tel: 01525 [email protected]

www.cladwinds.com

Transformyour homewith beautifulnew windowsfromCladwinds.A trusted local firm with30 years manufacturing and installing experience

Est.since1985

Insurancebacked10 year

guarantee

Cladwinds Full Sept 15_Layout 1 09/09/2015 17:42 Page 1

Issue 13 • February / March 2016 3

www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Editor: Scott Nightingale

Advertising & Editorial: Shelly NesbittTel: 01525 222379 / 07852 453043Email: [email protected]

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the content of advertising and articles 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 prior permission.

Upgrade your wardrobe and step into Spring with this season’s key pieces.

FeverSpring

Dune - Enid Clutch Purse - £49

River Island Green floral print split front pencil skirt £35.00

JD Williams Lorraine Kelly Wrap Top £30.00

Tu at Sainsbury’s

White Stuff T Bar Court Shoe £69.95

Style Guide

DAD’S ARMYRELEASE DATE: 5th February

CAST: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bill Nighy, Mark Gatiss, Michael Gambon, Toby Jones, Tom Courtenay, Blake Har-rison, Sarah Lancashire This British classic comedy, Dad’s Army, is on the big screen. The home guard pla-toon has to deal with a female journalist and a German spy as World War 2 comes to an end

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES RELEASE DATE: 12th February

CAST: Lily James, Sam Riley, Jack Huston, Bella Heathcoate, Douglas Booth, Suki Water-house, Matt Smith, Charles Dance, Lena HeadeyPride and Prejudice and Zombies is a fresh twist on Jane Austen’s widely celebrated novel. A mysterious plague has fallen upon 19th century Eng-land, the land is overrun with the undead and feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is a master of martial arts and weaponry. Casting aside personal and social prejudices, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy must unite on the blood-soaked battlefield to rid the country of the zombie menace and discover their true love for one another.

HAIL, CAESARRELEASE DATE:

26th FebruaryCAST: George Clooney, Scar-lett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Josh Brolin, Ralph Fiennes Set in the latter years of Holly-wood’s golden years, Hail Cae-sar, is a star studded comedy. The film follows the story of a studio fixer who fixes problems for stars in the industry. Fol-low the action when the fixer encounters the problem of a kidnapped star and pregnant actress.

LONDON HAS FALLENRELEASE DATE: 3RD March

CAST: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Radha Mitchell, Aaron Eckhart, Angela Bassett In London for the Prime Min-ister’s funeral, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) discovers a plot to assassinate all the attending world leaders.

THE CHOICE RELEASE DATE: 4th March

CAST: Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Tom Wilking-son, Tom Welling, Alexandra Daddario and Maggie GraceWhen feisty medical student Gabby Holland moves in next door to perennial ladies’ man Travis Shaw, they embark on a surprising romantic journey neither imagined possible. Travis has always believed a serious relationship would cramp his easygoing lifestyle, while Gabby is preparing to settle down with her long-term

boyfriend—until an irresistible attraction between the unlikely couple upends both of their well-planned lives. Spanning a decade and tracing the evolution of a love affair that is ultimately tested by life’s most defining events, this story fea-tures a memorable ensemble of friends and family in Sparks’s beloved North Carolina setting, culminating with the question that every couple must ask themselves: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

THE WITCH RELEASE DATE: 11th March

CAST: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Lucas Dawson, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie GraingerSet in 1630 New England a devout Christian couple with 5 children live at the edge of an impassable wilderness. Then their newborn, a son, disap-pears and their crop fails. They become the target of evil as they turn on each other and their family life starts to fall apart.

EDDIE THE EAGLERELEASE DATE: 1st April

CAST: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken, Tim McInnerny, Keith AllenFollow the story of Great Brit-ain’s first ski jumper to enter the Winter Olympics in 1988. Eddie The Eagle Edwards competed in the 70m and 90m events.

CINEMA

Health Beauty Wellbeing&

Brows & Lashes

Internet searches assure me that no matter how over-plucked, over-waxed or over-groomed your eyebrows may be, there is hope still for beautiful, arched, perfectly coiffed speci-mens. The most extreme method might be an eyebrow transplant (yes really!), but there are other less drastic options!

Most of us ladies – and the odd gent too – need to lose a few hairs from the brow line. The easiest solution is tweezing away the stray hairs yourself, but the results are short-lived and the risk of creating the wrong shape is high. Better results can be achieved by a professional, with waxing and thread-ing methods achieving hair removal lasting around 4-6 weeks. Fair or very thin eyebrows may benefit from being tinted. Like hair dye, this changes the colour and lasts 4-6 weeks.

A popular look at the moment is HD (High Definition) Brows which focus on shape and design and promise to give you sleek, stylish brows like those enjoyed by the stars. A seven step process that includes a consul-tation followed by tinting, waxing, threading, tweez-ing, trimming and finishing with a pencil or brush to fill in any gaps, is described as more than just shaping or tidying but actual eyebrow artistry!

With your brows looking beautiful brows it’s time to move on to the eyelashes.

There are numerous mascaras around promising volume, length and thickness, and I can vouch for some of them actually work-ing! My daughter’s naturally

long lashes were taken to another level following the application of a

new mascara. But what else is on offer?

Tinting is an option if your lashes are particu-larly fair, and it’s not just for girls. I remember the difference it made to my friend’s son after his lashes were darkened. Curling makes straight lashes appear longer, and creates the illusion of wider, brighter, more feminine eyes. Lash-perming, which is best carried out by a professional, can make the results can last for six weeks, which is great for holidays or if you have any big events lined up.

Finally, how about having eyelash exten-sions? This is one of the UK’s fastest growing beauty treatments and involves gluing separate synthetic eyelashes to individual natural lashes to give a luscious, natural look. The amount of curl, length or thickness can vary according to your personal preference and the results last for 8-12 weeks depending on your natural lash growth cycle.

I was born with my dad’s eyebrows. Naturally thick, shapeless and unsightly, they looked like two caterpillars stuck to my forehead. At age twelve I followed the fashion of the day and plucked away until they were within a whisper of totally disappearing - and I was on the point of fainting! Today, my eyebrows are thin, shapeless and unsightly and I’m resigned to them looking that way forever. Or rather I was…

Spring

Canine Partners

Fever

Local Mum tells her story of great partnership

Local Story

and...

12fashion

Copy deadline for next issue:March 18th

New ReleasesIncluding

Cinema

26

Step into spring

biographies

Dads Armyand the latest from George Clooney & Morgan Freeman

Inside This Issue

10

12

24 Auto

6 Local News

14 In The Garden

18 Puzzles

20 Martin Lewis - Debt Advice

22 JVS Consumer Clinic

28 Out & About

Rob Auchterlonietakes the Jaguar XE

for a test drive

Issue 13 • February - March 2016


Do you regret the day you paid hard-earned cash for that expensive ‘glass box’ at-tachment to your house - the conservatory? Most people do. It sits there, teasing you relentlessly, looking like it could be useful, but alas it is either too hot or too cold. Grrrrr. However one day, and it will come around, you will have some spare cash, and perhaps a need to convert into a play room for a new child, or start a new business. At this point, there is an op-tion to reinvent and transform that ‘glass box’ and put it to 100% use, 365 days every year. How? By removing the old inefficient, noisy roof, and replacing it with a proper slate roof... yes, real tiles

(albeit they are specially made, light weight and highly durable), attached to a sturdy bespoke timber frame, clad with modern super-efficient insulation, finished with top quality plaster… voila! All done by craftsmen who care about doing a superb job, within 3-5 days, start to finish. The result is a room that has building control approval and a 10-year warranty. Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it, well, it’s a beauti-ful fact, and extremely affordable too. So, save this article, because the day will come when you

really HAVE to stop that glass box teasing you and turn it into something all-year-round enjoyable. And when that day comes, please call the friendly team at Nu-Look!

Do you regret the day you paid hard-earned cash for that expensive ‘glass box’ attachment to your house - the conservatory? Most people do. It sits there, teasing you relentlessly, looking like it could be useful, but alas it is either too hot or too cold. Grrrrr. However one day, and it will come around, you will have some spare cash, and perhaps a need to convert into a play room for a new child, or start a new business. At this point, there is an option to reinvent and transform that ‘glass box’ and put it to 100% use, 365 days every year. How? By removing the old inefficient, noisy roof, and replacing it with a proper slate roof... yes, real tiles (albeit they are specially made, light weight

and highly durable), attached to a sturdy bespoke timber frame, clad with modern super-efficient insulation, finished with top quality plaster… voila! All done by craftsmen who care about doing a superb job, within 3-5 days, start to finish. The result is a room that has building control approval and a 10-year warranty. Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it, well, it’s a beautiful fact, and extremely affordable too. So, save this article, because the day will come when you really HAVE

to stop that glass box teasing you and turn it into something all-year-round enjoyable. And when that day comes, please call the friendly team at Nu-Look!

Don’t let it TEASE you any more…

Is your conservatory ...too COLD in the winter ...too HOT in the summer?

www.nulookroof.co.uk01908 596007

5%VAT

Read what our customers say about their fab new room on our website:

...cosy and quiet

Since 2013, we have re-roofed over 350 local customers, all delighted with the results, and the price! Book a free quote today...

NO fake discounts and NO sales pressureBespoke timber frame ♦ The industry’s best tradesmen

40-year guarantee on Tapco slates10-year warranty ♦ Building control certification

Viewings available in your area - just ask!

BEFORE

AFTER

Is your conservatory ...too COLD in the winter ...too HOT in the summer?

www.nulookroof.co.uk01908 596007

5%VAT

Read what our customers say about their fab new room on our website:

...cosy and quiet

Since 2013, we have re-roofed over 350 local customers, all delighted with the results, and the price! Book a free quote today...

NO fake discounts and NO sales pressureBespoke timber frame ♦ The industry’s best tradesmen

40-year guarantee on Tapco slates10-year warranty ♦ Building control certifi cation

Viewings available in your area - just ask!

BEFORE

AFTER

a5 half page.indd 1 16/11/2015 12:23:52

Don’t let it TEASE you any more…

Nu-Look Conservatory Roof Solutions can solvethese problems with low cost conservatory roofconversion systems that will give you back theroom and space you wanted in the fi rst place.

We have over 40 years combined experience inthe conservatory and roofi ng business. Customersatisfaction is at the heart of everything wedo and we pride ourselves on the quality ofworkmanship and service that we provide.

We’ll transform your conservatory into a roomthat’s perfect every day of the year!

Call today for a free quote on 01604 217 818For more information visit www.nulookroof.co.uk

Are you Freezing in the Winter and Swelteringin the Summer?

01604 532700






01604 532700






01604 53270001525 611007






01604 532700


London Luton Airport has announced Keech Hospice Care

as its new charity partner for 2016 and 2017.

checks-in for airport charity partnership

As Martin Luther King famously said, ‘before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world’. Despite our dependence on farmers and workers for the foods, drinks and products that we love, about 795 million people are undernourished globally.

It’s a scandal that the people who grow the food we take for granted can’t always feed their own families. We can support farmers and workers to put food on the table for their families by harnessing the power of a Fairtrade breakfast.Coffee from Kenya, bananas from Colombia, cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire, tea from India, sugar from Malawi, and juice from Brazilian oranges, can all be Fairtrade.

When people are paid a fairer price, they can have more control over their lives when times are hard,

and worry less about how they will feed their families. Whether it’s the extra cash in their pockets or being able to expand their farms to grow more food to eat, Fairtrade means many farmers and workers are able to fulfil a basic human need – to put enough food on the table for the people they care about, all year round.

During Fairtrade Fortnight, we will be encouraging you to inspire a multitude of Fairtrade breakfasts in our community. Many local churches have planned Fairtrade themed services, local schools are holding Fairtrade assemblies and we are asking everyone to wake up to the challenges facing farmers and workers.

For more information on how to run a Fairtrade

Breakfast and Fairtrade Fortnight contact

www.fairtrade.org.uk/fortnight

Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers! Fairtrade Fortnight 2016

29 February - 13 March

Fairtrade Fortnight 2016 Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers! 29 February - 13 March As Martin Luther King famously said, ‘before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world’. Despite our dependence on farmers and workers for the foods, drinks and products that we love, about 795 million people are undernourished globally.

It’s a scandal that the people who grow the food we take for granted can’t always feed their own families. We can support farmers and workers to put food on the table for their families by harnessing the power of a Fairtrade breakfast.

Coffee from Kenya, bananas from Colombia, cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire, tea from India, sugar from Malawi, and juice from Brazilian oranges, can all be Fairtrade.

When people are paid a fairer price, they can have more control over their lives when times are hard, and worry less about how they will feed their families. Whether it’s the extra cash in their pockets or being able to expand their farms to grow more food to eat, Fairtrade means many farmers and workers are able to fulfil a basic human need – to put enough food on the table for the people they care about, all year round.


For more information on how to run a Fairtrade Breakfast and Fairtrade Fortnight contact



www.vansarblinds.co.uk

• Free No Obligation Measuring And Quotations • All Blinds Made To Measure • Choose In The Comfort Of Your Own Home Or Workplace • Family Run Business• Large Range Of Quality, Affordable Fabrics And Colours To Choose From 01525 220477 or 01582 699565 [email protected]

Make your house a home with blinds and awnings from

Find us on Facebook

The two-year partnership aims to raise a total of more than £50,000 to help Keech deliver much needed hospice care to both children and adults

across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes.Keech was chosen following a public vote in which they received the support of more than 12,000 peo-ple, including jazz-pop singer and songwriter Jamie Cullum, McBusted’s Harry Judd, golfer Ian Poulter and chef Marco Pierre White.Airport staff are already planning world record at-tempts, pop-up stores in the terminal and even a fire walk to meet the ambitious target.Neil Thompson, Operations Director at London Luton Airport, said “We’re delighted to be supporting Keech to provide care to adults, children and their families. Keech is a fantastic local charity and our staff are excited that the public chose to make it their winner.“The two-year partnership will coincide with one of the most exciting periods for the airport as we are spend-ing £110 million to transform the airport and expand capacity. The partnership with Keech is just one of the ways in which we are working to make sure that LLA’s growth benefits the whole of the local community.”

Liz Searle, Acting CEO of Keech Hospice Care, said “We're thrilled and thank everyone who got behind us and voted. Keech needs £14,000 a day to keep the hospice running and continue the great work it does for the community. We rely on local support and donations for 70 percent of our funding.“As leaders in our field, we want to be able to offer people the care they need, when they need it, where they need it and how they want it. More and more of our patients are telling us they want to be able to stay at home with their loved ones for as long as possible. That means we need more nurses, therapists and transport to enable people to do this. Our new part-nership with London Luton Airport will allow us to give patients and their families the support they need.”


Led Walks

in Dunstable, Luton, Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard

October 2015 - March 2016 www.cbtravelchoices.co.uk

Free walks to boost your health and wellbeing

Walking is one of the simplest and most effective forms of exercise you can do. Anyone can do it and it’s very easy to get started. See overleaf for our timetable.

There is some fabulous accessible countryside to explore locally. Led walks are a fabulous way to feel safe and supported while walking.

If you would rather walk independently, Dunstable Downs, Whipsnade Heath, Totternhoe Knolls, Warden & Galley Hills, Rushmere Country Park and the Grand Union Canal are all fabulous destinations. You can pick up route maps from the Travel Choices Hub in Ashton Square, Dunstable. Pop in for advice about many other places to walk locally.

Local walking groups offer a range of walks from a couple of miles to day long to suit varing abilities.

The Bogtrotters 01582 607318 [email protected], www.dunstablebogtrotters.co.uk

Lea & Icknield Ramblers 01582 617941 [email protected]

Leighton Buzzard Ramblers 01525 237209 [email protected] www.lb-ramblers.org.uk

Many other walking opportunities enable you to explore the local area

The National Trust run walks at Dunstable Downs, contact 01582 500920, [email protected], www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

The local Wildlife Trust has walks at Blows Downs, Houghton Regis Chalk Pit and Galley/Warden Hills. Tel 01525 874317, [email protected] www.wildlifebcn.org

The Chiltern Society also run local walks, contact 01494 771250, [email protected], www.chilternsociety.org.uk

Dunstable Town Guides offer history and ghost walks, contact 01582 891420 or email [email protected]

The U3A have several active walking groups. Contact [email protected], www.u3adunstable.org.uk

Leighton Buzzard Mondays at 10amBramingham Mondays at 11amLeagrave Tuesdays at 9amStopsley Tuesdays at 9amDunstable Tuesdays at 2pmDownside Wednesdays at 9:10am

Dunstable Downs First and third Wednesday at 10:30amHoughton Regis Fortnightly Thursdays at 2pmMeads Fridays at 9amSaints Fridays at 9:10amGreen Lanes Third Saturday monthly 10am


Discover Truly Affordable Vet Careeasipetcare, the low cost vets who care, have opened a brand new practice in the Luton area. Based on Laporte Way, the company prides itself on offering the highest standards of veterinary care, at prices amongst the lowest in the UK.

16/09/2015 Luton pet care just got more affordable Pet owners in the Luton area can delight in the fact that pet care has now been made even more affordable, thanks to a new local veterinary practice. easipetcare, the low cost vets who care, will open a new centre based on Laporte Way on 9th November. Offering a full range of services – from vaccinations and neutering to surgery and dentistry – easipetcare prides itself in offering the highest standards of veterinary care, at prices amongst the lowest in the UK. easipetcare founder and vet for over 35 years, Judy Walker, comments: “At easipetcare, we firmly believe that the highest standards of veterinary care should be affordable for everyone. We are delighted to be able to bring our unique brand of veterinary care to Luton and hope to soon be meeting the widest variety of pets.” Operating a system of both appointments and walk-in clinics, pet owners are given the flexibility to visit the Luton practice at a time suitable to them. Monday through Friday appointments are available from 10am – 6pm with walk-in clinics running 8am – 10am and 6pm to 8pm. A walk-in clinic will also operate from 9am – 12pm on Saturdays. Opening offers will be available – register your pet today to take advantage! Visit www.easipetcare.com/luton.

Offering a full range of services – from vaccinations and neutering to surgery and dentistry – customers are able to benefit from the flexibility of a mixed-system offering both walk-in clinics and appointments.

easipetcare founder and vet for over 35 years, Judy Walker, comments:“We are delighted to be able to bring our unique brand of low cost veterinary care to Luton. We have already welcomed a collection of clients through our doors and are excited to meet many more!”

The practice offers appointments Monday through Friday from 10am – 6pm and walk-in clinics from 8am – 10am and 6pm – 8pm. A walk-in clinic is also available from 9am – 12pm on Saturdays.

Register your pet today to take full advantage of our opening offers by visiting www.easipetcare.com/luton. For more information simply contact the practice on 01582 480105 or email [email protected].

High quality careUnbelievably low prices

Vaccinations from £15 • Neutering from £25

NEW LOW COST VETSNOW

OPEN!

4 Imperial Court, Laporte Way, Luton LU4 8FEt: 01582 480105 e: [email protected] /easipetcareLuton

See our website for full details!

www.easipetcare.com/luton


I have an inherited condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, shortened to EDS, which affects all my muscles, ligaments and joints. Since I was nine years old I have experienced dislocations, especially in my left knee, as I used to dance whenever possible. As I was always out at dancing lessons, competitions or actually teaching dancing I always put my dislocations down to being too flexible due to dancing. I always baffled my osteopaths and physios when needing treatment as they didn’t really know what was wrong, and just provided me with different splints for different joints. A week before my 21st birthday I injured my back at work and was hardly able to walk for eight months. I was told by hospitals that I would never be able to go back to the caring profession or walk properly again and should never have children as it was dangerous. I refused to give in and between my parents and then boyfriend’s (John, now my husband) help I searched for a second opinion. Yet again they didn’t know what it was but I did get walking again and went on to marry John and have two beautiful children.Quite a few years later, at work, I suffered a nervous breakdown due to disability discrimination by my man-agers which exasperated my condition. Dislocations became more frequent and my joints became severely painful making me barely able to walk, and needing a wheelchair, crutches and adaptations throughout our home. My husband, children and parents were now my carers and I turned from an extremely outgoing person to someone who refused to answer an unknown phone call, refused to answer the door, would not leave the house on my own and would cry at the drop of a hat, and many ‘friends’ no longer wanted to be bothered with me. By this time I had been diagnosed and was getting help from various sources. We also found out that our children both have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome too.

Then in February 2012, by chance, our son William who was 10 at the time saw a Canine Partnership on the One Show and shouted “Mum, quick look! This lady has the same condition as us and she has a dog who cares for her and keeps her safe!” A few days passed and in the post came an application form for a canine partner! Where did this come from? It seems that William had filled in, on line, a request in my name for an applica-tion! Both my children, Grace and William, said “Mum please fill it in, then both us and dad would know you are safe whilst you are on your own.” Everyone agreed that I should fill it in, but I never dreamt I would be lucky enough to get one!As time went by and each stage of the process passed, I started to get excited thinking, maybe just maybe…….. Then after years of feeling so low physically and mentally, feeling I was a total burden on my family and losing many friends, I received ‘The Magic Purple call’. A lovely voice, Leona, said “Shelley, I have a wonder-ful black Labrador named Kibble, who I believe could be a match with you. He walks beautifully alongside a wheelchair, would you like to come and meet him?” Tears were by now flowing down my cheeks, I couldn’t believe my ears, I would have gone that day if I could! There was a light at the end of my long dark tunnel, the start of new beginnings.To say life is better again is an understatement, life now is FANTASTIC!!!!! Yes I still can’t walk properly, teach dancing or go to work, and I take numerous tablets and wear pain relieving patches but who cares, I have the amazing Kibble and my family - what else do I need!

Life for wheelchair-user Shelley Fitzsimmons

was transformed after her son saw a feature

on BBC’s The One Show.

Here the mother-of-two from Bedfordshire

tells of her amazing journey.

Shelley’s Life Is Transformed By Her

Canine Partner Kibble

local People


I have an inherited condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, shortened to EDS, which affects all my muscles, ligaments and joints. Since I was nine years old I have experienced dislocations, especially in my left knee, as I used to dance whenever possible. As I was always out at dancing lessons, competitions or actually teaching dancing I always put my dislocations down to being too flexible due to dancing. I always baffled my osteopaths and physios when needing treatment as they didn’t really know what was wrong, and just provided me with different splints for different joints. A week before my 21st birthday I injured my back at work and was hardly able to walk for eight months. I was told by hospitals that I would never be able to go back to the caring profession or walk properly again and should never have children as it was dangerous. I refused to give in and between my parents and then boyfriend’s (John, now my husband) help I searched for a second opinion. Yet again they didn’t know what it was but I did get walking again and went on to marry John and have two beautiful children.Quite a few years later, at work, I suffered a nervous breakdown due to disability discrimination by my man-agers which exasperated my condition. Dislocations became more frequent and my joints became severely painful making me barely able to walk, and needing a wheelchair, crutches and adaptations throughout our home. My husband, children and parents were now my carers and I turned from an extremely outgoing person to someone who refused to answer an unknown phone call, refused to answer the door, would not leave the house on my own and would cry at the drop of a hat, and many ‘friends’ no longer wanted to be bothered with me. By this time I had been diagnosed and was getting help from various sources. We also found out that our children both have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome too.

Then in February 2012, by chance, our son William who was 10 at the time saw a Canine Partnership on the One Show and shouted “Mum, quick look! This lady has the same condition as us and she has a dog who cares for her and keeps her safe!” A few days passed and in the post came an application form for a canine partner! Where did this come from? It seems that William had filled in, on line, a request in my name for an applica-tion! Both my children, Grace and William, said “Mum please fill it in, then both us and dad would know you are safe whilst you are on your own.” Everyone agreed that I should fill it in, but I never dreamt I would be lucky enough to get one!As time went by and each stage of the process passed, I started to get excited thinking, maybe just maybe…….. Then after years of feeling so low physically and mentally, feeling I was a total burden on my family and losing many friends, I received ‘The Magic Purple call’. A lovely voice, Leona, said “Shelley, I have a wonder-ful black Labrador named Kibble, who I believe could be a match with you. He walks beautifully alongside a wheelchair, would you like to come and meet him?” Tears were by now flowing down my cheeks, I couldn’t believe my ears, I would have gone that day if I could! There was a light at the end of my long dark tunnel, the start of new beginnings.To say life is better again is an understatement, life now is FANTASTIC!!!!! Yes I still can’t walk properly, teach dancing or go to work, and I take numerous tablets and wear pain relieving patches but who cares, I have the amazing Kibble and my family - what else do I need!

Life for wheelchair-user Shelley Fitzsimmons

was transformed after her son saw a feature

on BBC’s The One Show.

Here the mother-of-two from Bedfordshire

tells of her amazing journey.

Shelley’s Life Is Transformed By Her

Canine Partner Kibble

Canine Partners is a registered charity that assists people with disabilities to enjoy a greater inde-pendence and quality of life through the provision of specially trained dogs, whose well-being is a key consideration. More than 1.2 million people in the UK use a wheelchair, and a significant number of those would benefit from a canine partner. The dogs are carefully matched to the applicant’s needs and lifestyle, no matter how challenging. They are trained to help with everyday tasks such as opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and getting help in an emergency. The Charity is working in partnership with Help for Heroes, and aims to train dogs to meet the needs of people with even the most complex disabilities including members of HM Armed Forces.

These life transforming dogs also provide practical, physiological, psychological and social benefits including increased independence and confidence as well as increased motivation and self-esteem. A canine partner also brings companionship, a sense of security and increases social interaction.Canine Partners receives no government funding and is wholly dependent on public donations and legacies.To find out more about applying for a canine partner, to donate, fundraise or get involved visit caninepartners.org.uk or call 08456 580480.You can sponsor a Canine Partners’ puppy for as little as £1 a week through the Charity’s My Amazing Puppy regular giving scheme.

Every morning a beautiful furry black face greets me and he helps me get out of bed and get dressed, when I want to and go to bed in the evening when I want to which is fantastic, I’m independent again. Since the day Kibble and I arrived home together we go everywhere, nowhere is out of bounds and we don’t have to wait for anyone, we are invincible!Kibble has a fan club everywhere we go, he is so beautiful and has a face that makes my heart melt and a personality which makes me laugh all day long. He loves to show off his talents by picking up EVERYTHING I drop, emptying my washing machine and tumble dry-ers, retrieving items off shelves (whilst food shopping), removing my credit/debit cards from machines and we frequently get cashiers wave to him or call him to go through their tills! When we go anywhere everyone greets us with “Good morning/afternoon Kibble, oh and of course you too Shelley!” Lots of people ap-proach us in the park whilst we are playing ball saying how wonderful he is.Nothing is scary anymore, after all how can answering the phone be scary when your ear gets wet and slob-bery each time and I know if I fall and dislocate Kibble is

there to press the alarm button which dials my husband, then Kibble collects the phone and I can then talk to my husband for him to come home.Everyone says they can see how strong the bond is between the two of us, just by the way we look at each other. I personally see it by the way Kibble does things that he has never been taught: the post comes and he collects it but then he waits for me to slice the letter/parcel open and he then pushes his nose inside the letter/parcel and carefully pulls out the contents. I have poor fine motor skills and Kibble must have realised that this is difficult for me. It certainly adds an extra piece of fun to birthdays – and Christmas!Life is now great again, my general health is much better, I don’t have to top up my pain relief half as much and best of all Kibble has allowed my children to be children again, my husband to be my husband and everyone can now relax knowing I’m safe and cared for by Kibble 24/7, much better than a human carer. I cannot imagine life without Kibble, I love him so much and it is obvious to all that know us that the feeling is mutual.Kibble is amazing he has given me back my confidence, my smile and my life!

Kibble

Upgrade your wardrobe and step into Spring with this season’s key pieces.

FeverSpring

Dune - Enid Clutch Purse - £49

River Island Green floral print split front pencil skirt £35.00

JD Williams Lorraine Kelly Wrap Top £30.00

Tu at Sainsbury’s

White Stuff T Bar Court Shoe £69.95

Style Guide

The LawnIf you are looking to put new borders in your garden this year but know that you’re not going to have much time on maintenance, planting an easy-care shrub border may be the answer.

Shrubs require little upkeep once they are in the ground as long as in the first season they are watered sufficiently to keep the soil damp in dry weather.Loose mulches should be topped up from time to time, while evergreens and summer flowering shrubs can be pruned in early spring if necessary. Spring flowering shrubs should be tidied up immediately after flowering.Shrubs offering interest over two seasons are particularly useful, such as Mahonia x media, which has yel-low winter flowers and architectural, evergreen foliage, and Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’, with pur-ple leaves that turn red in autumn. Shrubs are certainly not as boring as they may sound.When choosing shrubs, make sure they are not going to block any view, but use them instead to frame it.

When you decide on a shape for your new border, use a hosepipe to make the shape, then you can modify the curves until you are happy with it.Before planting, dig over the soil, remove weeds and add some well rotted manure to improve the soil, adding some grit if you have heavy soil. Position shrubs, still in their pots, so that you can stand back and view the effects from different angles.Each shrub should be planted through mulch matting at the same depth as it is in the pot, or cover the soil between shrubs with a 5cm (2in) thick loose organic mulch to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from invading.Go for shrubs which will give you all-round interest - evergreens are probably the easiest. Combine Ceanothus thrysilforus var. repens with Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’, Hebe rakaiensis, Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ and Lonicera nitida ‘Baggesen’s Gold’.The red photinia leaves and blue ceanothus flowers will provide inter-esting spring colour, while the hebe has white flowers in summer.Introduce shrubs which offer allyear foliage, such as the spotted Aucuba

japonica or a variegated euonymus, and replace beds of annuals with shrubs to reduce the amount of time you need to dig up and change plants.Good, compact, low-maintenance shrubs with a long flowering season include potentilla, hebes, low-growing cistus or patio roses.Under taller shrubs and roses plant good ground cover perennials such as wild geranium (cranesbill) or Alchemilla mollis, and take note of the atmosphere you want to create through colour. Hot colours, such as reds and oranges, will bring warmth, while greys and blues will cool down a hot spot.If you don’t want to replant or create a totally new border, buy some specimen plants to act as focal points in your existing garden, such as Phormium tenax, with its sword-shaped leaves, or Fatsia japonica, which provides sculptural foliage in a shady spot, callicarpa or cotoneaster for colourful berries and Acer palmatum for a burst of autumn colour.You should soon be able to sit back and watch your garden burst into life with new colour and texture - without breaking your back in the process.

By Hannah Stephenson

LOW-MAINTENANCE GARDENING

In The

Garden



Gas boiler, fire & cooker, servicing, installation

& repairs cylinders etc. Heating system problems

inc. power-flushing Dripping taps

& internal plumbing issues Also solar thermal repairs & servicing

01582674829

mark@

plumbingandgas.org.uk www.plumbingandgas.org.uk

Gas Boiler, fire & Cooker, Servicing, installaon and repairs cylinders etc, heang system problems inc

power-flushing Dripping taps and internal plumbing issues, also solar thermal repairs and servicing.

563034

01582 [email protected]

Inc. LPG and park homes

01582674829

mark@

plumbingandgas.org.uk www.plumbingandgas.org.uk

Gas Boiler, fire & Cooker, Servicing, installaon and repairs cylinders etc, heang system problems inc

power-flushing Dripping taps and internal plumbing issues, also solar thermal repairs and servicing.

563034

www.plumbingandgas.org.uk

LEATHER

CAR SEAT & FURNITURE REPAIRS

Most repairs can be undertaken

in your home by our qualified

leather technicians, or larger jobs

brought into our fully equipped

workshop.

• Rips • Cigarette Burns • Holes • Cat Scratches • Re-colouring• Colour Matching • Cleaning• Cracking • Stain Removal • Re-Padding • Spring Replacement.

Repairing leather is approximately 20% of the cost of re-upholstering

Before After Before After

RESTORATION SERVICE

Unit 26 Acacia Close, Cherrycourt Way, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4QE

Luton:01582 380 750 Leighton Buzzard:01525 888 250

Website: www.furnitureclinic.co.uk

Free collection and delivery from your home or work.

Regular or one off orders happily accepted.

Friendly and reliable.

Affordable Professional Ironing Service

Call or text to book a collection on

07775 515212

£6 OFF For all new customersUntil 31st March 2016


February & March

They are the first bulbs to emerge which provide the curtain-raiser for the gardening year, from January onwards, and with snowdrop weekends and other events happening across the country over the next month, it's impossible to ignore them. Their dainty white and green bell-shaped blooms hang on 6in stems and look wonderful in drifts in woodlands, as a carpet in dappled shade under trees or as a welcome addition to rockeries and scree beds. There are many types of snowdrop but the most common is G. nivalis, producing single flowers. A more showy derivative is 'Flore Pleno', which has larger, double flowers and is slightly shorter than the single variety. If you want a really early-flowering type go for G. elwesii, which has broad, grey-green leaves and larger flowers and can flower before Christmas. Snowdrops should be planted in early autumn in a moist soil rich in organic matter, in semi shade.

In The

GardenBest of The Bunch

Plant in groups

of 10 or more

and add to them

each year.

Snowdrops(Galanthus)

These red fruits go perfectly with raspber-ries and can be grown alongside them, or alternatively, made into redcurrant jelly which is a wonderful addition to gravy if you're having roast lamb. The bushes also look attractive when trained against a wall, their colourful trusses of berries just waiting to be picked. They are also easy to grow in a sheltered spot in fertile, well-drained soil and will even withstand a north-facing wall or semi-shade, although they do prefer sun. Plant them from October to March, spacing bushes around 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft) apart, mulch in spring and feed in April with a general purpose fertiliser. Water well in summer while the fruit is swelling and leave them to ripen fully before picking them. In the last few weeks the berries will increase in size significantly and turn a brighter red.Remove the whole truss by tearing it gently from the plant.

Great added to

fruit salads or as a

decorative garnish

for desserts or

cakes.

Redcurrants(Ribes rubrum)

Good Enough to Eat!

• Complete the pruning of green house vines while they are still dormant and remove loose bark which may harbour pests.• Bring in pots of forced bulbs for indoor flowering when ready.• Protect winter-flowering bulbous irises in the garden from severe cold or damp. • Start forcing pots of lily bulbs for Easter and early summer flowering.• As cyclamen flowers go over, remove the stems by giving a sharp tug, which should remove the whole stem.• Take hardwood cuttings of blackcurrants, redcurrants, white currants and gooseberries.• Renew grease bands around fruit trees, if they have been in place a long time, to protect trees against winter moths.• Bring container-grown shrubs like camellias into a cold green house for extra winter protection.• Pick yellowing leaves off Brussels sprouts and other brassicas promptly, to prevent spread of grey mould and brassica downy mildew.• Sow seed of slow-maturing halfhardy summer bedding plants including pelargoniums, begonias and verbenas, in heated propagators.

Things To Be Getting On With...


Tel: 01582 618679Mob: 07801 315140Web: www.gjsmithroofing.comEmail: [email protected]

Experts in all aspects of

Roofing & General Maintenance

✓ Tiling ✓ Slating ✓ Gutters & Down Pipes ✓ Lead Work ✓ Chimney Repairs ✓ Fascias & Soffits ✓ Flat Roofing ✓ Rubber Roofing ✓ Built-Up Felt Roofing

We supply & fit: ✓ Velux Windows ✓ Skylights ✓ Sun Tunnels

✓ Free Estimates

✓ Repairs & New works undertaken

✓ “Trust A Trader” and “EDS” approved

✓ All repair work undertaken

✓ All new work guaranteed

✓ Insurance backed guarantee available

✓ Friendly Service

Friendly staff, honest work, highly recommended...

- customer review

PLEASE CHECK OUR REVIEWS ON TRUST A TRADER

GJ Smith Roofing A6 Flyer.indd 1 23/03/2012 13:31

Approved installer of fascias and soffits.

30 year colour guarantee.Friendly staff, honest work,

highly recommended...Customer review






✓ Free Estimates








- customer review



Approved installer of fascias and soffits.

30 year colour guarantee.Friendly staff, honest work,

highly recommended...Customer review

PLEASE CHECK OUR REVIEWS ON

TRUST A TRADER

Free Estimates

Repairs and new works undertaken

“Trust A Trader” and “EDS” Approved

All Repair Work Undertaken

All New Work Guaranteed

Insurance Backed Guarantee Available

Friendly Service






✓ Free Estimates








- customer review




Roofing &General

Maintenance Tiling Slating Gutters & Down Pipes Lead Work Chimney Repairs Fascias & Soffits Flat Roofing Rubber Roofing Built-Up Felt Roofing Velux Windows Skylights Sun Tunnels

Tel: 01582 618679Mob: 07801 315140

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.gjsmithroofing.com

Get a FREE treatment up to the value of £40 when you sign for a years’ lawn care.

0800 999 [email protected]

We offer a totally customised programme of care for your lawn, turning your lawn into something you can be proud of. Visit our website to see some of the stunning lawns we look after.

Moss & Weed Control

FREE 14 Point Lawn Analysis Re-Turfing

Scarification Aeration

Fertilisation


1 26

3 9 7 62 8

4 3 7 2 93

9 2 8 54 6

6 3 7

Sudoku 数独

Each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9 just once. This can be done by applying logic -you don’t have to guess!


Puzzles

Across

7. Shares (6)

8. Visitor (6)

10. Uniform (7)

11. Concise (5)

12. Small bay (4)

13. Tell-tale (5)

17. Memento (5)

18. Daybreak (4)

22. Perfect (5)

23. Eager desire

for wealth (7)

24. Stress (6)

25. Bog (6)

Down

1. Largest bird (7)

2. Pardon (7)

3. Aptitude (5)

4. Warlike (7)

5. Vigilant (5)

6. Command (5)

9. Head (9)

14. Effective (7)

15. Main city (7)

16. Vehement (7)

19. Essential (5)

20. Educate (5)

21. Truck (5)

Crossword

CAVED

DINED

Answers on page 30


For your 10% VantagePoint discountQuote Ref: GO10

For your Vine Magazine discount Quote ref LUT1010%


Money Matters By Martin Lewis

My aim today is simple.To slash the interest you pay to 0%.

This is a masterclass in cutting the cost not just of credit cards, but loans,

overdrafts and store cards too.

Debt Advice

It isn’t just about cost reduction, it can mean you’re debt free quicker too – as if you pay less interest, it means more of your repayments clear the actual debt. And now’s the perfect time to do it. As so many people look at their debt costs at the beginning of the year, lend-ers throw out better deals to attract your custom.I’m going to tackle each debt type one at a time, but before starting, if you have any savings, it’s often best to use those to clear debts. The cost of borrowing is normally much higher than the reward from saving.

Credit Cards : cut costs to 23mth 0% no fee

This is easy, as there’s fierce competition. It’s all about bal-ance transfer deals, where you get a new card that repays debts on old cards for you, so you owe it instead. www.Halifax.co.uk has just launched the new longest-ever 23 month 0% debt shift, that has no fee. If you’re not sure you can clear your debt within that time, go longer. The longest 0% deal is www.MBNA.co.uk Platinum card at 39 months 0% with a 2.98% fee.Yet don’t just apply in hope, as that hits your credit file. My full best buys guide at www.mse.me/balancetransfers includes a free eligibility calculator, which gives card-by-card odds of which you’re most likely to get – so you can home in on your winner.The results can be powerful, as Michelle emailed me: “Thank you. I was paying through the nose for £1,700 on Capital One, it’d have taken YEARS to pay it off. I tried your eligibility checker, got 36mths 0%.” That’s an interest sav-ing of about £980. Yet if you do balance transfer, always follow these golden rules.Never miss the minimum monthly repayments, or the

bank can end your 0% deal and charge far more. Clear the card or balance transfer before the 0% ends, or the rate rockets to 18.9% - 20% APR. Never spend on the card or worse withdraw cash. They’re not usually at 0%.

Store cards : shift them to 0% too.

These are just credit cards you only spend with at one store or group of stores - but with far costlier interest. For example, Debenhams’ is 24.9% APR and Homebase 29.9%. But they can be balance transferred just like credit cards, so follow the steps above.

Before you read on : you need to understand 0% money transfers

I’m oft asked if you can shift loans, overdrafts or other debt onto 0% credit cards. You can, but only via a specialist 0% ‘money transfer’ deal, yet this opens a wide door for cut-ting loan, overdraft and other debt costs - so let me brief you before you carry on.Money transfers are a rare specialist 0% credit card deal that lets you pay a lump sum into your bank account, to use as you like – including to pay off a loan - so you owe the card for it. For example, new www.Virginmoney.com cardholders can get a 32 month 0% money transfer if they pay just a one-off 1.69% fee of the amount transferred. After the 0% it’s 20.9% rep APR so clear it before then. Full step-by-step help in www.mse.me/moneytransfers

@moneysavingexpert

Money Matters By Martin Lewis Debt Advice

Personal loans : cut big ones to 3.3% or small ones to 0%.

Unlike with credit cards, if you clear a personal loan you can be charged up to two months of interest as an early repayment penalty, so it’s slightly more complex…

STEP 1: Call your current lender and ask it three things: a) What your ‘settlement amount’ is, ie, how much it would cost to pay off your loan today. b) How many monthly repayments you have left. c) The exact amount of your repayments.

STEP 2: Work out what you will pay if you stick with your current loan, by multiplying the remaining months by the repayment amount.

STEP 3: See what rate you could get on borrowing the settlement amount elsewhere.For under £3,000, the cheapest route is likely to be doing a ‘money transfer’. Above £3,000, a cheap loan wins. Under £5,000 www.Zopa.com is cheapest at 4.6%-6.9% rep APR. For £5,000 - £7,500, www.SainsburysBank.co.uk is 4.2% rep APR with a Nectar card (4.3% without). For £7,500-£15,000, Bank.marksandspencer.com is 3.3% rep APR.Yet, sadly, like all loans these are ‘rep APR’ which means only 51% of accepted customers get the advertised rate, the rest can be charged more. My loan guide eligibility checker at www.mse.me/loanseligibility can tell you which you’re most likely to be accepted for, and as a very rough rule, the more likely acceptance is, the more likely you are to get the advertised rate.

STEP 4: Work out if using the new borrowing to clear your current loan is cheaper than just continuing to repay.The savings can be huge - take this email from Rebecca: “A big thank you. I took out a loan at a terrible rate, £7,500 interest on £15,000. I applied for cheaper loan; interest is around £1,000, so I used it to pay off the previous one, saving £6,500.”

Overdraft: Shift to 0%

Overdrafts are often more costly than credit cards, especially if you bust your limit. There are two solutions. The first is switching to a bank offering a 0% overdraft. www.Firstdirect.com offers you £125 to join it and a £250 0% overdraft (you must pay in income of £1,000/month). So if your overdraft’s under £375, this pays some off and the rest is interest-free. Also the www.Nationwide.co.uk FlexDirect account has a larger 0%, but only for a year.Alternatively, in some ways it’s just simpler to pay it off with a money transfer card (see above), especially for larger amounts. You’ll need pass a credit check for both routes.

Struggling to sleep due to your debts?...

This is very common emotion, especially at this time of year. If you can’t even meet minimum monthly pay-ments, have non-mortgage debts bigger than a year’s salary or have depression or anxiety over it, you’re in what I define as debt crisis.If so, forget my solutions above and get free, one-on-one debt counselling help. The places I’d suggest are www.Citizens Advice.org.uk, www.StepChange.org or www.NationalDebtline.co.uk. They are there to help, not judge. The most common comment I get afterwards is “I finally got a good night’s sleep”


Money Matters By Martin Lewis Debt Advice

Personal loans : cut big ones to 3.3% or small ones to 0%.

Unlike with credit cards, if you clear a personal loan you can be charged up to two months of interest as an early repayment penalty, so it’s slightly more complex…

STEP 1: Call your current lender and ask it three things: a) What your ‘settlement amount’ is, ie, how much it would cost to pay off your loan today. b) How many monthly repayments you have left. c) The exact amount of your repayments.

STEP 2: Work out what you will pay if you stick with your current loan, by multiplying the remaining months by the repayment amount.

STEP 3: See what rate you could get on borrowing the settlement amount elsewhere.For under £3,000, the cheapest route is likely to be doing a ‘money transfer’. Above £3,000, a cheap loan wins. Under £5,000 www.Zopa.com is cheapest at 4.6%-6.9% rep APR. For £5,000 - £7,500, www.SainsburysBank.co.uk is 4.2% rep APR with a Nectar card (4.3% without). For £7,500-£15,000, Bank.marksandspencer.com is 3.3% rep APR.Yet, sadly, like all loans these are ‘rep APR’ which means only 51% of accepted customers get the advertised rate, the rest can be charged more. My loan guide eligibility checker at www.mse.me/loanseligibility can tell you which you’re most likely to be accepted for, and as a very rough rule, the more likely acceptance is, the more likely you are to get the advertised rate.

STEP 4: Work out if using the new borrowing to clear your current loan is cheaper than just continuing to repay.The savings can be huge - take this email from Rebecca: “A big thank you. I took out a loan at a terrible rate, £7,500 interest on £15,000. I applied for cheaper loan; interest is around £1,000, so I used it to pay off the previous one, saving £6,500.”

Overdraft: Shift to 0%

Overdrafts are often more costly than credit cards, especially if you bust your limit. There are two solutions. The first is switching to a bank offering a 0% overdraft. www.Firstdirect.com offers you £125 to join it and a £250 0% overdraft (you must pay in income of £1,000/month). So if your overdraft’s under £375, this pays some off and the rest is interest-free. Also the www.Nationwide.co.uk FlexDirect account has a larger 0%, but only for a year.Alternatively, in some ways it’s just simpler to pay it off with a money transfer card (see above), especially for larger amounts. You’ll need pass a credit check for both routes.

Struggling to sleep due to your debts?...

This is very common emotion, especially at this time of year. If you can’t even meet minimum monthly pay-ments, have non-mortgage debts bigger than a year’s salary or have depression or anxiety over it, you’re in what I define as debt crisis.If so, forget my solutions above and get free, one-on-one debt counselling help. The places I’d suggest are www.Citizens Advice.org.uk, www.StepChange.org or www.NationalDebtline.co.uk. They are there to help, not judge. The most common comment I get afterwards is “I finally got a good night’s sleep”


For Goodness Sake – PAY BY CREDIT CARD!

I’ve been fighting for consumer rights on my radio programme for many years now, and there’s one message I have been repeating

constantly - PAY BY CREDIT CARD!

Consumer Clinic

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

Whenever I repeat this mantra, I receive so many calls and emails of complaint from

people saying that I’m encouraging debt, I lose the will to live. However, I simply refuse to be silenced. But why do I get on my high horse? I’ll tell you why. If you pay for goods or services by credit card you are protected in so many ways. The woman who paid £1,000 by cheque for a bed that never turned up because the company went bust, the young man who put down a £500 de-posit in cash for a new car only to find the dealer had misrepresented the kind of vehicle it was. These consumers could have received all of their money back with one phone call if only they’d paid by credit card. You see under the Consum-

er credit act of 1974, the credit card company is equally liable for “for any breach of contract or misrepresentation by a supplier of goods or services on credit”. As long as the product or service costs be-tween £100 and £30,000, you are covered for most unfortunate events.There’s also absolutely no need to get into debt when paying by credit card. If you were propos-ing to pay by cheque, cash or debit card then simply pay by credit card instead and pay the bill off in full the very next day.So next time you plan to buy that new sofa, car, holiday or conservatory, FOR GOODNESS SAKE – PAY BY CREDIT CARD!

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

C&R Pest Management

Wasps, Rats, Mice, Ants, Rabbits, Moles & more...www.crpestmanagement.co.uk

Registered Professional Pest Technician

• 40 Years Experience• Fully Insured• Special Rates For OAP• CRB Checked T: 01582 206113 01525 450046M: 07500 431131

A professional gardening company that has a solution for

all your garden requirements no matter how big or small


MD’s Gardening Solution

Please contact Matthew Day


For Goodness Sake – PAY BY CREDIT CARD!

I’ve been fighting for consumer rights on my radio programme for many years now, and there’s one message I have been repeating

constantly - PAY BY CREDIT CARD!

Consumer Clinic

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

Whenever I repeat this mantra, I receive so many calls and emails of complaint from

people saying that I’m encouraging debt, I lose the will to live. However, I simply refuse to be silenced. But why do I get on my high horse? I’ll tell you why. If you pay for goods or services by credit card you are protected in so many ways. The woman who paid £1,000 by cheque for a bed that never turned up because the company went bust, the young man who put down a £500 de-posit in cash for a new car only to find the dealer had misrepresented the kind of vehicle it was. These consumers could have received all of their money back with one phone call if only they’d paid by credit card. You see under the Consum-

er credit act of 1974, the credit card company is equally liable for “for any breach of contract or misrepresentation by a supplier of goods or services on credit”. As long as the product or service costs be-tween £100 and £30,000, you are covered for most unfortunate events.There’s also absolutely no need to get into debt when paying by credit card. If you were propos-ing to pay by cheque, cash or debit card then simply pay by credit card instead and pay the bill off in full the very next day.So next time you plan to buy that new sofa, car, holiday or conservatory, FOR GOODNESS SAKE – PAY BY CREDIT CARD!

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

PS Oven Valeting Services We clean ovens the job you hate! Call us today for a free quote All caustic free Eco friendly products only

Small friendly reliable business with over 10 years experience Range ---Aga---Ovens and Hobs Extractor Hoods Microwave Traditional Cookers We clean them all Call Peter or Sheila 01582 521430 [email protected] All areas covered

the job you hate!

We clean ovens...

Call Peter or Sheila


All areas covered

Call us today for a free quote All caustic freeEco friendly products only

• Range • Aga • Ovens and Hobs• Extractor Hoods • Microwave• Traditional Cookers We clean them all

PSOven Cleaning Specialists

Small, friendly, reliable business with over 10 years experience

twitter.com/pchelpcentre

10% Discounton any product orservice when quotingthis reference: LOS

“pchelpcentreprovided a very good,

fast & professionalservice”

Bill Watts, Renault Trucks UK Ltd– IT Manager

Visit our store for a wide varietyof services to the home and business

user including:

• Laptop & Desktop Repairs• Virus Removal • Data Recovery

• Screen Repairs• Home / Office Visits

PC Help Centre


auto Biographies

By Rob Auchterlonie

FAST FACTS

Wheelwrite.co.uk

JAGUAR XE

IT’S been a struggle - a struggle going on for some three decades - but it looks like Jaguar might at last have come up with something capable of taking on the seried ranks of Johnny Boch. For too long the Germans have held sway in the battle for sales in the premium sector. And rightly so. You can’t argue against the quality of the cars Audi, Mercedes and BMW line up for your approval..

B ut now they’ve got a bit of opposition from a car built here in the UK and spouting Land of Hope and Glory

from its shiny exhaust pipes. Now, when they look in their mirrors, they’re going to see the proud and distinctive front end of the new Jaguar XE coming up behind to join in the race. The giveaway is the trademark grille with the Jaguar’s head leering at you as you dare impede its progress. All mesh and chrome and headlights. Progress that is, even in this 2.0 diesel engined model, reasonably swift. There are some who would mischie-vously liken it to a bloated Mondeo, probably because of Jaguar’s latter-day links to the Ford empire and the fact that, from the back, it can to some eyes bear a passing resemblance to the staple diet of the motorway rep. In profile it almost has the looks of a coupe, a very neat coupe, but

of course it’s not. And there aren’t many coupes I can think of that will carry five adults in leather cosseted luxury. The best thing for me is the superb driving position. Knowing how many packaging hurdles designers have to negotiate, I can hardly believe how tailored it is: perfect seat shape and position, ideal control layout and instrument view. The body shell is stiff, the engine operates smoothly enough and what they call acoustic management (sound deadening to you and me) is exceptional. There’s not even a handbrake to clut-ter it up either – that’s electronic and operated by a switch. I love the way the dash cuts into the doors, so the air from the side vents sweeps round and into the cabin. The interior exudes class, and they used to say you can’t buy that. Well let me tell you you can. And it’ll cost you £32,325. To an extent, we’ve been down this road before, with the X-Type, which had similar hopes pinned on it for sales success. But that didn’t work because in essence it was a Mondeo with a different coat which quickly went out of fashion. The XE has a lot more going for it. It handles really well, darting in to bends and staying flat and com-posed through all manner of twists and turns. It also grips well, and the steering has a sharp and precise feel. Rear-seat space isn’t really that generous, and you won’t be bragging in the local about the performance of the 161bhp diesel

engine, although there are other units available. R-Sport versions like the one sampled here have what I’d sum up as a fairly firm ride. The boot looks a decent size, and actually is, but the bootlid isn’t that big because of the downward sweep of the rear window, so loading it up requires some precision. In years to come no one is going to go all dewey eyed and recall their time behind the wheel of an XE – that’s what the F Type is for. But it could be remembered as the car that finally proved the Brits could hold their own in the premium sector.

Jaguar XE R-Sport

£32,325 2.0 i4 turbocharged diesel, 1999cc, 163ps, 380Nm Six speed manual gearboxTop speed 132mph, 0-60mph 7.9secs; Fuel – urban 64.2, extra urban 83.1, combined 75.0; CO2 99g/km.

Proof You Can Buy Class


Image: Drawing of Jupiter and Great Red Spot in a large telescope

Dark Sky Telescope Hire www.darkskytelescopehire.

[email protected]

Looking Up!February and March 2016

Bedfordshire’s Night Sky By Seb Jay

See Jupiter at its best for 2016: On 8 March Jupiter reaches its closest point to Earth for 2016. It’ll be at its biggest and brightest in the Bedfordshire night sky, making this the best night of the year to view Jupi-ter in binoculars or a telescope. After sunset, as the sky darkens, look for a bright beacon of white light shining in the east. By midnight Jupiter will have moved high up in the sky towards your south. A small telescope is all you need to see Jupiter’s dark bands and the planet’s four moons.

Catch Mars and Saturn in the morning sky: If you’re an early riser look towards your south just before dawn. You should see three bright points of light low down towards your horizon. They’ll form a small triangle pattern. The lowest point of light in the triangle is a red supergiant called Antares. The other two points of light above Antares are Saturn and Mars. Saturn is on the left, and Mars, with its rusty-red coloration, is on the right.

Find Orion: February and March evenings are a great time to see the constellation of Orion. Look towards your south or south-west for a giant rectangle of stars with three stars in a line across the middle forming Orion’s Belt. Dropping down from the Belt on the left is a line of dimmer stars. This is Orion’s Sword, home to the Orion Nebula – a gigantic space nursery where new stars are born.

New Alarms Fitted or Upgrade Existing AlarmsBURGLAR ALARMSWe fit new alarms - Wired or Wirelss Systems*We can service and maintain your existing alarm*

CCTVWe fit high quality systems to maximise your security.Access your CCTV via the Internet or mobile phone.

DOOR ENTRYWe fit a range of quality video and audio Intercoms to suit your needsWe are a family run business with over 35 years experience in home security and crime prevention

www.maximumsecuritysystems.co.uk

Contact us:

For a FREE quote and consultation01582 864138 / 01525 567028DON’T BECOME A VICTIM


Cinema New Releases
















CINEMA

DAD’S ARMY

RELEASE DATE: 5th FebruaryCAST: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bill Nighy, Mark Gatiss, Michael Gambon, Toby Jones, Tom Cour-tenay, Blake Harrison, Sarah Lancashire.This British classic comedy, Dad’s Army, is on the big screen. The home guard platoon has to deal with a female journalist and a German spy as World War 2 comes to an end.

PRIDE & PREJUDICE & ZOMBIES

RELEASE DATE: 12th FebruaryCAST: Lily James, Sam Riley, Jack Huston, Bella Heathcoate, Douglas Booth, Suki Waterhouse, Matt Smith, Charles Dance, Lena Headey.Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a fresh twist on Jane Austen’s widely celebrated novel. A mysterious plague has fallen upon 19th century England, the land is overrun with the undead and feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is a master of martial arts and weaponry Casting aside personal and social prejudices, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy must unite on the blood-soaked battlefield to rid the country of the zombie menace and discover their true love for one another.

HAIL, CAESAR

RELEASE DATE: 26th FebruaryCAST: George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Josh Brolin, Ralph Fiennes.Set in the latter years of Hollywood’s golden years, Hail Caesar, is a star studded comedy. The film follows the story of a studio fixer who fixes problems for stars in the industry. Follow the action when the fixer encounters the problem of a kid-napped star and pregnant actress.

LONDON HAS FALLEN

RELEASE DATE: 3rd MarchCAST: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Radha Mitchell, Aaron Eckhart, Angela Bassett.In London for the Prime Minister’sfuneral, Mike Banning(Gerard Butler) discovers a plotto assassinate all the attendingworld leaders.

THE CHOICE

RELEASE DATE: 4th MarchCAST: Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Tom Wilkingson, Tom Welling, Alexandra Daddario and Maggie Grace.When feisty medical student Gabby Holland moves in next door to per-ennial ladies’ man Travis Shaw, they

embark on a surprising romantic journey neither imagined possible.Travis has always believed a seri-ous relationship would cramp his easygoing lifestyle, while Gabby is preparing to settle down with her long-term boyfriend—until an irresistible attraction between the unlikely couple upends both of their well-planned lives. Spanning a decade and tracing the evolution of a love affair that is ultimately tested by life’s most defining events, this story features a memorable ensem-ble of friends and family in Sparks’s beloved North Carolina setting, culminating with the question that every couple must ask themselves: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

THE WITCH

RELEASE DATE: 11th MarchCAST: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Lucas Dawson, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger.Set in 1630 New England a devout Christian couple with 5 children live at the edge of an impassable wilder-ness. Then their newborn, a son, disappears and their crop fails. They become the target of evil as they turn on each other and their family life starts to fall apart.

EDDIE THE EAGLE

RELEASE DATE: 1st AprilCAST: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken, Tim McInnerny, Keith Allen.Follow the story of Great Britain’s first ski jumper to enter the Winter Olympics in 1988. Eddie The Eagle Edwards competed in the 70m and 90m events.
















CINEMA


Cinema New Releases
















CINEMA

DAD’S ARMY

RELEASE DATE: 5th FebruaryCAST: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bill Nighy, Mark Gatiss, Michael Gambon, Toby Jones, Tom Cour-tenay, Blake Harrison, Sarah Lancashire.This British classic comedy, Dad’s Army, is on the big screen. The home guard platoon has to deal with a female journalist and a German spy as World War 2 comes to an end.

PRIDE & PREJUDICE & ZOMBIES

RELEASE DATE: 12th FebruaryCAST: Lily James, Sam Riley, Jack Huston, Bella Heathcoate, Douglas Booth, Suki Waterhouse, Matt Smith, Charles Dance, Lena Headey.Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a fresh twist on Jane Austen’s widely celebrated novel. A mysterious plague has fallen upon 19th century England, the land is overrun with the undead and feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is a master of martial arts and weaponry Casting aside personal and social prejudices, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy must unite on the blood-soaked battlefield to rid the country of the zombie menace and discover their true love for one another.

HAIL, CAESAR

RELEASE DATE: 26th FebruaryCAST: George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Josh Brolin, Ralph Fiennes.Set in the latter years of Hollywood’s golden years, Hail Caesar, is a star studded comedy. The film follows the story of a studio fixer who fixes problems for stars in the industry. Follow the action when the fixer encounters the problem of a kid-napped star and pregnant actress.

LONDON HAS FALLEN

RELEASE DATE: 3rd MarchCAST: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Radha Mitchell, Aaron Eckhart, Angela Bassett.In London for the Prime Minister’sfuneral, Mike Banning(Gerard Butler) discovers a plotto assassinate all the attendingworld leaders.

THE CHOICE

RELEASE DATE: 4th MarchCAST: Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Tom Wilkingson, Tom Welling, Alexandra Daddario and Maggie Grace.When feisty medical student Gabby Holland moves in next door to per-ennial ladies’ man Travis Shaw, they

embark on a surprising romantic journey neither imagined possible.Travis has always believed a seri-ous relationship would cramp his easygoing lifestyle, while Gabby is preparing to settle down with her long-term boyfriend—until an irresistible attraction between the unlikely couple upends both of their well-planned lives. Spanning a decade and tracing the evolution of a love affair that is ultimately tested by life’s most defining events, this story features a memorable ensem-ble of friends and family in Sparks’s beloved North Carolina setting, culminating with the question that every couple must ask themselves: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

THE WITCH

RELEASE DATE: 11th MarchCAST: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Lucas Dawson, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger.Set in 1630 New England a devout Christian couple with 5 children live at the edge of an impassable wilder-ness. Then their newborn, a son, disappears and their crop fails. They become the target of evil as they turn on each other and their family life starts to fall apart.

EDDIE THE EAGLE

RELEASE DATE: 1st AprilCAST: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken, Tim McInnerny, Keith Allen.Follow the story of Great Britain’s first ski jumper to enter the Winter Olympics in 1988. Eddie The Eagle Edwards competed in the 70m and 90m events.
















CINEMA

Your Local Drainage Specialist No Call Out Fee

For All Your Drainage & Plumbing Needs

01525 222439 Steve 07944 297538

County Drainage & Plumbing Solutions

Free Estimate & Advise High Pressure Water Jetting

CCTV Survey’s Full Drain Repair & Replacement

Drain Relining Specialist All Work Guaranteed

Email - [email protected] www.blockeddrainsandplumbing.com

Your Local Drainage Specialist No Call Out Fee

For All Your Drainage & Plumbing Needs

01525 222439 Steve 07944 297538

County Drainage & Plumbing Solutions

Free Estimate & Advise High Pressure Water Jetting

CCTV Survey’s Full Drain Repair & Replacement

Drain Relining Specialist All Work Guaranteed

Email - [email protected] www.blockeddrainsandplumbing.com

Burt Carter - Painter & DecoratorFor all of your decorating needs

Any Job - Large or SmallReliable, Friendly

& Trustworthy

Carters Decorators

Call me today for a free quote & advice

01582 263571 07729 962196

Cullen & SonPainting & Decorating

AndAll Types Of

General Maintenance WorkNo Job Too Small

Call Sean:07932 62622401582 608547

LEWIS BUILDINGCONSULTANCY SERVICES

Tel/Fax: 01525 874113Mob: 07870 326607

Drawings for extensions & Conversions

to pass Local Authority requirements

101 Leighton Rd, Toddington


C. LEWIS MCIOB

Airport TravelServices

Luxury Cars &8 Seater Vehicles

Corporate & Business Travel Specialists

00 44 (0)1582 732585Airports, Seaports and Railportswe cover all of your travelling needs

01582 732585 [email protected] www.airport-travel-services.co.uk

Family run business for 25 yearsReliability Is Our Strength

Issue 21 • October / November 2015 53

Swan Decorating & Handyman Services

C&R Pest Management





Tel/Fax: 01525 874113Mob: 07870 326607





C. LEWIS MCIOB

G & J GROUNDWORKRing Garry

01582 477568/07949 118011Fence Panels • Blockpaving

Shingle Drives • Paths Slabs • Steps • Gardenwalls

New Patios • RelayingSoak Aways • Drainage

FREE estimates • References availablewww.gandjgroundwork.co.uk

Tel: 01582 862245 or 07914879178

For all your BrickworkBlock Paving, Patios, Re-pointing

Fencing, Decking & General RepairsBIG or small give us a call

PLASTERING SERVICES30 Years Experience In All Aspects Of Plastering

Render SpecialistNo Job Too Big Or Small!

250 High Street North

250 High Street NorthDunstableBedsLU6 1BE

Phone : 01582 472526Mobile : 07958377463Email : [email protected]

All Work Fully Guaranteed


Tel/Fax: 01525 874113Mob: 07870 326607





C. LEWIS MCIOB

M. Mayling-BrownCarpentry and Building Services

www.mmayling-brown.co.uk

Email: [email protected]: 07921 656657

Mitchell Mayling-Brown

Carpenter &

Joiner

Swan Decorating & Handyman Services

C&R Pest Management




BARB CARPETS LTDFLOORING AT ITS VERY BEST

07850 60100707702 60100701582 601007

ESTABLISHED 1976

Domestic And CommercialSamples To Home Or SiteCarpets, Vinyls, Floor Levelling

Call: Dave on Chris on or The Office on

ARC Contract Services Ltd.

Quality work at affordable prices!

•Wallpapering & Painting•Laminate Flooring•Coving •Tiling

•Bathroom InstallationsInsurance work undertaken - All work Guaranteed for 5 years

Public liability insurance coverFor FREE Professional Quotations Call Adrian

01582 539179 or 07789 730580

5958

WE VISIT YOU NO FIX - NO FEEQualified, Experienced

[email protected] 306316 – 07925 338435

Laptop & ComputerServer, Printer, Apple, Setup, Repairs,

Data recovery, Internet, Wireless, Network, Virus infection, Home/Office computer problems.

Services from £40.Your local IT support, 7 days services

BARB CARPETS LTDFLOORING AT ITS VERY BEST

07850 60100707702 60100701582 601007

ESTABLISHED 1976

Domestic And CommercialSamples To Home Or SiteCarpets, Vinyls, Floor Levelling

Call: Dave on Chris on or The Office on


SAPPHIRE SOCIAL CLUB

Sapphire Social Club - this social club caters for the unattached aged 50+. We meet weekly in Hitchin and organize a variety of social events every month. No joining fee for the first two months. Come along and meet new friends.Tel Joyce 07952 678021 or Ian 07900 890583 for detailswww.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk

KNIT AND NATTER GROUP

Every Tuesday, 10am-12pmJoin our friendly Knit and Natter group every Tuesday at Lewsey Library.Come and share your experience, or get some great hints and tips, and meet new people.Tea and biscuits provided.The group is always looking for donations of wool; knitting needles etc. so if you have anything you no longer need, just drop it off at the library.Free, donations welcome

THE PARKSIDE SINGERS

Do you enjoy singing?The Parkside Singers is a lively mixed choir, singing four-part harmony music including pop, songs from musicals and some choral favourites such as Ave Verum and The Lords Prayer. Call Claire on 01525 753110.

LUTON POETRY SOCIETY

Last Saturday of every month, 2-4pmLuton Central Library£3, free for Poetry Society member (£20 annual membership)Our meetings usually take place on the last Saturday of each month at Luton Central Library (3rd Floor)

For more information visit www.lutonculture.com/luton-libraries or call 01582 547 418

BREAKOUT SOCIAL CLUB

We are a club for the over forty fives, not a singles club but a social club for people who enjoy going out but are on their own, where they can meet like-minded people, with a varied monthly programme covering Disco’s, Pub lunch’s, walks, parties and much, much more, we meet once a week in the front bar at the Conservative Club, High street North DunstableFor more information please contact Sandy on 07813 262556

WARDEN AFTERNOON CLUB

Meets every Tuesday 2 - 4pmWarden Hill Community Centre (rear of the Warden Tavern)We are a recently established group of friendly ladies and gentlemen who meet weekly for companion-ship, activities and refreshments. If you would like some company, or know someone who would benefit from joining us, please come along any Tuesday - everyone is very welcome. For more information contact Sue on 07706895444 or email [email protected]

5TH STOPSLEY GUIDES

Guides is our section for girls aged 10 to 14.By becoming part of a worldwide community of girls who learn together and share skills and experi-ences, Guides have the chance to get out there and do something really different.Members take part in a wide range of exciting activities at their regular meetings, and at special events or holidays. Girls can get involved in anything from adventure sports to performing arts, travel and taking part in community action projects. Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK.

By volunteering with us, you can help us create amazing opportuni-ties for thousands of girls around the UK.Guiding happens thanks to more than 100,000 amazing volunteers – men and women like you who give their time to ensure that we are active all over the UK, and beyond. Girlguiding welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, faiths and abilities. We are flexible and volunteering can be arranged to fit around a busy lifestyle. If you are interested in finding out more visit www.girlguiding.ork.uk/joinus

FLEXERCISE EXERCISE

Thursday 2 -3 £3.50Warden Hill Community CentreWycombe WayLU3 2BWGentle Exercise for Older People - Men and WomenFunded by the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation’s London Luton Airport Ltd Fund

With No jumping about or running around, the class includes low impact and every exercise you will be faced with will have a spe-cific benefit to your body and your unique make up.In every session you will be faced with challenges on your core, your balance and your strength and more.You know what they say - ‘use it or lose it’. The class is aimed at improving and maintaining flexibility and balance, thus enabling you to be confident and enjoy life.For more info Tel Lorraine 07868 030540

Out & About


CHILTERN GATEWAY CENTRE

Knit and Stitch at the View Cafe11th & 27th Feb / 10th & 19th March 10am - 12noon

Come and join us at the View Café for a relaxing morn-ing of crafting and gentle conversation against the stun-ning backdrop of the Downs. All welcome: beginners and experts alike! Learn to knit and crochet workshops will be running each session.Bring your own projects, or learn something new!Learn to knit and learn to crochet workshops:£5 per person, all materials provided, booking recom-mendedFebruary: Learn to crochet granny squaresMarch: Learn to crochet flower corsages

50 Things Walk7th Feb & 6th March 2pm - 3pm FREE

Grab your wellies and join the Rangers for a family walk. Complete some of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4’ on the way and collect stickers and scrapbooks when you get back. Meet at the Chilterns Gateway Centre.

Make Mum’s Day Mother’s Day Crafts5th March 11am - 3pm

Make your mum’s day with a handmade card and badge to show her just how much you love her. You’ll also be able to make a posy of spring flowers to make the day extra special. £1.50 per card, £2.50 per posy

The Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt25th to 28th March 11am - 3pm £2.50

The Cadbury’s Easter Bunny has been up to his old tricks again, hopping all over the Downs and leaving lovely chocolate eggs behind! Join us for a fun-filled Easter Egg Hunt.

Wild Story TellingJoin us for a magical story telling experience that will awaken our wildlife from its wintery sleep. Jane Lam-bourne is a celebrated local story teller who delivers a rich experience that everyone should have the chance to enjoy.Wednesday February 17th Slot 1- 10.30am to 11am Slot 2 - 11.30am to 12pm£1 per child. Adults go free. Suitable for children up to 10 yearsHoughton Regis Library, LU5 5ESBookings and further informationHoughton Regis Library Phone no. 0300 300 8058email address Nicola.Bell@ centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

The Past & Future of Natural HistorySouth Beds. Local Group TalkAn illustrated talk by Brian Eversham, Chief Executiveof the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and NorthamptonshireWednesday 17th February 7.30pm - 9.00pmEntry by donationLecture Theatre, Dunstable Community Fire Station, Brewers Hill RoadSue Turner 07917 055920 [email protected]

Blows DownsSouth Beds. Local Group TalkAn illustrated talk of the storyof Blow’s Downs including the influence of man on the landscape, from neolithic to modern times, together with the flora and fauna of this wonderful Wildlife Trust reserve by David Turner, Chairman of the South Beds. Local Group.Wednesday 16th March 7.30pm - 9.00pmEntry by donationLecture Theatre, Dunstable Community Fire Station, Brewers Hill RoadSue Turner 07917 055920 [email protected]

DunstableDowns, Dunstable Road, LU6 2GYTel: 01582 500920

North Chilterns Chalk

Events

Autumn and Winter 2015-16

Step On ItCAVEDPAVEDPANEDWANEDWINEDDINED

AnswersCrossword

Across: 7 Stocks 8 Caller 10 Regular

11 Terse 12 Cove 13 Sneak 17 Relic

18 Dawn 22 Ideal 23 Avarice

24 Accent 25 Morass

Down: 1 Ostrich 2 Forgive 3 Skill

4 Martial 5 Alert 6 Order 9 Principal

14 Telling 15 Capital 16 Intense

19 Vital 20 Teach 21 Wagon

Effective Advertising made simpleFind out more on our website www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

This Is Vinny

Vinny runs his own business

This is an advert for Vinnys business telling everyone about all the great things that Vinny can do.

Vinny is happy because his advert reaches over 30,000 local residents who may be looking for his services and are keen to support local businesses just like his

Vinny didn’t have to spend a fortune on advertising

Be like Vinny

Vinny is smart

This Is Vinny

Vinny runs his own business

This is an advert for Vinnys business telling everyone about all the great things that Vinny can do.

Vinny is happy because his advert reaches over 30,000 local residents who may be looking for his services and are keen to support local businesses just like his

Effective Advertising made simpleFind out more on our website www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Vinny didn’t have to spend a fortune on advertising

Be like Vinny


London Luton Airport has announced Keech Hospice Care

as its new charity partner for 2016 and 2017.

checks-in for airport charity partnership

As Martin Luther King famously said, ‘before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world’. Despite our dependence on farmers and workers for the foods, drinks and products that we love, about 795 million people are undernourished globally.

It’s a scandal that the people who grow the food we take for granted can’t always feed their own families. We can support farmers and workers to put food on the table for their families by harnessing the power of a Fairtrade breakfast.Coffee from Kenya, bananas from Colombia, cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire, tea from India, sugar from Malawi, and juice from Brazilian oranges, can all be Fairtrade.

When people are paid a fairer price, they can have more control over their lives when times are hard,

and worry less about how they will feed their families. Whether it’s the extra cash in their pockets or being able to expand their farms to grow more food to eat, Fairtrade means many farmers and workers are able to fulfil a basic human need – to put enough food on the table for the people they care about, all year round.


For more information on how to run a Fairtrade

Breakfast and Fairtrade Fortnight contact


Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers!

Fairtrade Fortnight 2016 29 February - 13 March

Fairtrade Fortnight 2016 Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers! 29 February - 13 March As Martin Luther King famously said, ‘before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world’. Despite our dependence on farmers and workers for the foods, drinks and products that we love, about 795 million people are undernourished globally.

It’s a scandal that the people who grow the food we take for granted can’t always feed their own families. We can support farmers and workers to put food on the table for their families by harnessing the power of a Fairtrade breakfast.

Coffee from Kenya, bananas from Colombia, cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire, tea from India, sugar from Malawi, and juice from Brazilian oranges, can all be Fairtrade.

When people are paid a fairer price, they can have more control over their lives when times are hard, and worry less about how they will feed their families. Whether it’s the extra cash in their pockets or being able to expand their farms to grow more food to eat, Fairtrade means many farmers and workers are able to fulfil a basic human need – to put enough food on the table for the people they care about, all year round.


For more information on how to run a Fairtrade Breakfast and Fairtrade Fortnight contact


Vinny is smart


Step On ItCAVEDPAVEDPANEDWANEDWINEDDINED

AnswersCrossword

Across: 7 Stocks 8 Caller 10 Regular

11 Terse 12 Cove 13 Sneak 17 Relic

18 Dawn 22 Ideal 23 Avarice

24 Accent 25 Morass

Down: 1 Ostrich 2 Forgive 3 Skill

4 Martial 5 Alert 6 Order 9 Principal

14 Telling 15 Capital 16 Intense

19 Vital 20 Teach 21 Wagon

A complete refurbishment and roofing service.n Flat Roofingn Tiled Roofingn Loft Conversions

n Interior & Exterior Maintenancen EPDM Rubber Membranesn Fascia & Guttering

Tel: 01582 690005 Mob: 07515 [email protected] www.corr.org.uk

completerefurb&roofing Co

.

A c

FREEQUOTES

“Big on Quality, small enough to care.”

19www.thevinemagazine.com

30 years

experience

•GARAGEDOORSINSTEEL,WOOD,GRP&ABS

•AUTOMATIONTONEW&EXISTINGDOORS&GATES

•FREEQUOTATIONS,SPARES&REPAIRSTEL:01525220212 www.premiergaragedoors.co.uk

UNIT 7, SPARROWHALL BUSINESS PARK, LEIGHTON RD. EDLESBOROUGH, LU6 2ES

Bedroom Furniture

ContaCt us for details:v 40 Joel Street v Northwood Hills v Middlesex v HA6 1PA v Tel: 01923 510586 v www.uniquebedroomsdirect.co.uk v Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm v Closed Sun

UNIQUE AFFORDABLE FURNITUREdesigns to fit your lifestyle

We specialise in made-to-measure fully

fitted furniture for bedrooms,studies and lounges.

Visit our NEW SHOWROOM.

Office Furniture Lounge Furniture

SPRING SALENOW ONContact for details

Fitted Bed Furniture

SPRING SALENOW ONContact for details

WIDE RANGE OF BEDROOM,

OFFICE & LOUNGE FURNITURE TO

CHOOSE FROMUnit 28, Icknield Way Farm,Tring Rd. Dunstable , LU6 2JX Tel: 01525 229331Open: Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm

WE NOW OFFER FITTED KITCHENS

Meet your localBushmead team

Find out what makes us differentDedicated sales progression service • Free floorplans

Specialise in selling houses in Bushmead, Barton Hills/ Bramingham and Wigmore100% Accompanied Viewings - 7 Days a Week

Competitive selling fees & tailor made marketing plans

With our industry know how and local knowledge we are here to giveyou trustworthy advice when it comes to buying and selling your home.

Talk to us in branch today to arrange a free valuation.

01582 410044 I harrisonmurray.co.uk

The Vine Luton - February / March 2016 - Issue13

Documents

Transcript of The Vine Luton - February / March 2016 - Issue13