The Vine Luton - April / May 2016 - Issue 14

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

April - May 2016 : Issue

14

FREE

Local News / What’s On / Local Directory

Gardening For Small Spaces

Inside This Issue

Student LoansAn Essential GuideBy Martin Lewis

A Guide To

WIN Tickets!80’s MANIA at The Grove Theatre

By Charlie Dimmock

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 with31 years manufacturing and installing experience

Est.since1985

Insurancebacked10 year

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Cladwinds Full March 16_Layout 1 07/03/2016 14:43 Page 1

For more information visit our websitewww.kids-klub.co.uk

To A Nursery Near You!

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For exclusive offers find us on Facebook!www.facebook.com/KidsKlubLuton

Is your nursery or playgroup looking for a fun alternative to class photographs?

Kids Klub offers children the chance to star in their own adventure movie!

We’ll transport your little stars on a magical journey, producing DVD’s, photo’s & keepsakes for loved ones to cherish!

Tel: 01525 838739

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.

Stand out from the crowd with stunning stripes.

StripesSimply

Style Guide

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Very stripe skirt £29.00

F&F Stripe Dress £20.00

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AUTO-BIOGRAPHIES New Mini Cooper S Clubman Auto Tested: Bilbao, Spain. By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist Twitter: @carwriteups www.carwriteups.co.uk The old Mini Clubman was no oil-painting, but this one could easily earn its place on the podium at Legs 11. It’s a looker alright. The brand new Mini Clubman must have been breast fed at birth, because it’s far bigger than its siblings. That doesn’t mean it’s fat – no way. This car is well formed and its proportions are just right. And because it’s not exactly a shrinking violet, the Clubman is likely to win over quirkier types who might otherwise have gone for mid-size family car choices, such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. The story hasn’t always been good for the Clubman, though. The first generation had a useless, single rear door that meant UK passengers were forced to step into the road. This didn’t help sales and the Clubman therefore wasn’t exactly the rock star that BMW, Mini’s owner, was expecting. But the Germans have seen the light and the previous rear-hinged ‘clubdoor’, has been kicked to the kerb in favour of two ‘normal’ back doors. They make it far easier for passengers to get in and out of the car. Then there’s the barn-door boot. You’ll remember that from the last model. Well, that stays put, but now the doors can be released manually, or if you ticked the hands-free tailgate option, a sassy little kick under the rear bumper will open them up. Inside, the comfortable seats are kind to your backside and feel supportive, especially during long periods on the road. The car’s uncluttered dashboard is dwarfed by a massive screen that sits where the speedometer on older Minis used to be. The controller on the central console manages most of the Clubman’s systems, so there are fewer buttons on the dash to confuse or divert you. As the Clubman is the largest of the current Mini litter, it has, predictably, the most capacious cabin. To be frank, with a big load area too, the word ‘mini’ seems rather outmoded. The whole motor is 270mm longer than the five-door Hatchback, allowing for oodles of room in the front and respectable space for two adults in the rear. The boot is about the same as a

VW Golf’s, so you’ll get the family shopping in – and a toddler’s buggy. The Cooper S Clubman Auto is easily the most gratifying to drive. Out at the Mini’s media launch on the roads surrounding San Sebastian in northern Spain, the most powerful petrol drove go-kart-like on the straights - just as a Mini should. It’s a shame the slightly pulpy suspension can drizzle on your chips in the corners, with body roll kicking in if you enter the twisty bits too hard. But that can be forgiven, because the Cooper S generates more than enough pull to keep you cheery. 189bhp can be squeezed from the S’ 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder lump, and with the eight speed auto box, a zero to 62mph sprint in 7.1 seconds is easily achievable, finishing up with a top speed of 142mph. Even though these figures might make the car sound insatiable for fuel – it’s not. With the superb automatic gearbox you can officially get an average of 48.7mpg out of the Clubman - and the CO2 emissions are 134g/km, meaning road tax is a trifling £130 per annum. The state-of-the-art 2015 Mini is a gargantuan step-up from its forerunner, and it puts right pretty much everything that was awry. The Clubman now has more doors, better space, good looks, and it really is exciting to drive. The Cooper S version is especially guaranteed to bring a grin to the face of anyone who slips behind its wheel. PROS ‘N’ CONS

Pleasurable √ Eye-catching √ Roomy √ Real-world √ Some body-roll X

FAST FACTS

Max speed: 142 mph 0-62 mph: 7.1 secs Combined mpg: 48.7 Engine: 1998cc 4 cylinder 16 valve turbo petrol Max. power (bhp): 189 Max. torque (lb/ft): 221 CO2: 134 g/km Price: £24,455 on the road

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…

Simply

CharlieDimmock

Stripes

Gives advice on Gardening In Small Spaces

Home & Garden

and...

12fashion

Copy deadline for next issue:

May18th

New ReleasesIncluding

Cinema

26

biographies

The Hunts ManX Men: Apocalypse

& the latest from Ryan Reynolds

Inside This Issue

16

12

24 Auto

Tim Barnes-Clayreviews the new Mini Cooper S Clubman Auto

6 Local News

8 Soap Box

10 Competition

14 Home: Adding Kerb Appeal

18 Puzzles

20 Martin Lewis: Money

22 Looking Up

28 Out & About

30 PDSA Pet Advice

Proud To Be Highly CommendedCUSTOMER CARE EXCELLENCE AWARD

Issue 14 • April / May 2016 5

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We begin the 2016 ‘open day’ season at the Luton Hoo Estate Walled Garden with the Annual Fair for Plant Heritage (Herts and Beds) on Saturday 23rd April 2016 from 1100-1500. Entrance is just £3 and tours of the garden can also be taken for an extra £2.Our Open Wednesdays begin on May 4th from 1030-1530 each until the end of September. This is an opportunity to show our progress to visitors when our volunteers, both gardeners and conservationists are at work. The garden has been revived by this enthusias-tic team of volunteers and a wide range of research has been undertaken since the beginning of the project in 2001. A £5 entry fee includes a guided tour of the garden and in addition a new tour of the Victorian farm build-ings will be available. Tours of the Farm Buildings have become an exciting new experience for visitors to the Walled Garden where there is an exhibition of the re-search done. There is a small extra charge for the tour and tickets can be purchased at the Entrance Kiosk.Produce from the garden will be on sale including Luton Hoo honey as well as plants. Refreshments will be available. Outside of the garden we have illustrated talks available for groups, at their selected venue, topics covering a history of the garden, Hoo’s Farms, Hoo’s Who – 100 and 150 years ago and in WW1, and Lord Bute who built the Walled Garden in the 1760’s with landscape designer Capability Brown.2016 is the latter’s 300th anniversary and two study days are planned for April and May which will reveal how our research has discovered details about the unusual design of the garden and the botanical collec-tion which it contained. Full details of all our activities can be found on our website www.lutonhooestate.co.uk or by phoning 01582 721443.Look forward to seeing you. Don't forget entry is via West Hyde Road not via the hotel.

Hoo’s Open For

Summer!Home-Start provides vital support to local families with young children who are struggling to cope for many reasons including illness or dis-ability, mental ill health, bereavement, poverty or financial issues. This year we are aiming to further build our support services in Luton and have launched the Luton Children & Families Appeal in hope of raising £3000.

Since April last year our charity has made a difference to the lives of 51 Luton families including 149 children by giving emotional support, friendship and practical help according to the needs of the family. However it has become clear that this is just the tip of the ice-berg. As our service becomes more well known the number of families referred to us is growing steadily and we have a long waiting list. We are now having to turn people away as we have reached the limits of our current funding.

“Studies show that Luton has become more deprived over the last 5 years. Almost a third of Luton’s children live in poverty. This affects every part of life – from health through to education. We want Luton to be a place where children flourish and parents get the support they need. We don’t want to turn families away when they come to us for help. Just £15 enables us to support a family for a week and can make all the difference to the lives of children living in the area.” – Linda Johnson, Home-Start Central Bedfordshire CEO. You can support our Luton Children & Families Ap-peal by fundraising, sponsoring and donating. Your funds will help us to further build and coordinate our support services for local parents, children and families in the area. Please help us reach our target of £3000 – Any donations, however small are very welcome. Visit our website:www.home-startcentralbeds.org.uk/fundraising-in-luton/ or our JustGiving page:https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/homestart-bedfordshire/lutonappeal

NEWS RELEASE Date issued 16/02/16 Details For immediate release.

HOMESTART LAUNCHES LUTON CHILDREN & FAMILIES APPEAL HomeStart provides vital support to local families with young children who are struggling to cope for many reasons including illness or disability, mental ill health, bereavement, poverty or financial issues. This year we are aiming to further build our support services in Luton and have launched the Luton Children & Families Appeal in hope of raising £3000. Since April last year our charity has made a difference to the lives of 51 Luton families including 149 children by giving emotional support, friendship and practical help according to the needs of the family. However it has become clear that this is just the tip of the iceberg. As our service becomes more well known the number of families referred to us is growing steadily and we have a long waiting list. We are now having to turn people away as we have reached the limits of our current funding. “Studies show that Luton has become more deprived over the last 5 years. Almost a third of Luton’s children live in poverty. This affects every part of life – from health through to education. We want Luton to be a place where children flourish and parents get the support they need. We don’t want to turn families away when they come to us for help. Just £15 enables us to support a family for a week and can make all the difference to the lives of children living in the area.” – Linda Johnson, HomeStart Central Bedfordshire CEO. You can support our Luton Children & Families Appeal by fundraising, sponsoring and donating. Your funds will help us to further build and coordinate our support services for local parents, children and families in the area. Please help us reach our target of £3000 – Any donations, however small are very welcome. Visit

Launches Luton Children & Families Appeal


A free, local service to help resolve your customer service gripes, champion the good & expose the bad! Know your rights!

~

www.soapboxshout.comwww.soapboxshout.com

How does Soapbox help resolve customer service issues?

Once you’ve posted on our site at www.soapboxshout.com, our team escalates your complaint to get some action working with the regulators where necessary. We also promote your story on social media empowering each individual to get their voice heard and rights as a consumer respected. Our platform promotes transpar-ency, keeping an audit trail so nothing is lost.

But what happens if the organisation doesn’t respond?

We give the company time to respond, respecting their “response time”. But when we are merely fobbed off either with corporate jargon, or worse, blatant disregard, then the company is named and shamed with the ap-propriate “Fobbed Off” status. This means that at least others can be warned before spending their hard earned cash or precious time to end up being let down.

Championing the good

Happily we’re able to resolve many issues quickly. We love to champion the companies that do care enough to put things right & change perceptions. We love to hear praise too so do give credit where due.

Who’s behind Soapbox?

This time two years ago a group of friends found themselveselves, yet again, bemoaning the injustices and frustrations of unrepentant bad service (more apparent now than ever, with children to think about and less time to waste chasing down rabbit holes). So began their quest to improve things. They’ve been amazed at the response since then “Running this service in our free time is keeping us busy but it’s exciting. Who knows where it will lead? For now we’re going with the flow. Being very local, we thought you’d want to know WE’RE HERE TO HELP especially with anything that’s likely to be close to our hearts & location! Like us on Facebook & do follow us on Twitter & help spread the word!”

Whether it’s a complaint that's not been taken seriously, or you don’t know where else to turn, we will try to help you. You could be sick of chasing information, waiting for an order or refund long overdue, disappointed in a restaurant or haircut or aghast at how much you’ve been wrongly billed or badly treated.

For example, did you know that thousands of tumble dryers have been recalled as fire hazards and people are being told they have to pay for a replacement or worse, wait months for an engineer to come out. So our most recent campaign has been to push for justice as we believe all tumble dryers should be replaced at no cost to the consumer and that you cannot take such irrational risks with human life and property. Do register your machine if you're also affected.

www.soapboxshout.com/post/left-high-and-dry-by-your-tumble-dryer-manufacturer-and-retailer

The Soapbox [email protected]


Your Rights


A free, local service to help resolve your customer service gripes, champion the good & expose the bad! Know your rights!

~

www.soapboxshout.comwww.soapboxshout.com

How does Soapbox help resolve customer service issues?

Once you’ve posted on our site at www.soapboxshout.com, our team escalates your complaint to get some action working with the regulators where necessary. We also promote your story on social media empowering each individual to get their voice heard and rights as a consumer respected. Our platform promotes transpar-ency, keeping an audit trail so nothing is lost.

But what happens if the organisation doesn’t respond?

We give the company time to respond, respecting their “response time”. But when we are merely fobbed off either with corporate jargon, or worse, blatant disregard, then the company is named and shamed with the ap-propriate “Fobbed Off” status. This means that at least others can be warned before spending their hard earned cash or precious time to end up being let down.

Championing the good

Happily we’re able to resolve many issues quickly. We love to champion the companies that do care enough to put things right & change perceptions. We love to hear praise too so do give credit where due.

Who’s behind Soapbox?

This time two years ago a group of friends found themselveselves, yet again, bemoaning the injustices and frustrations of unrepentant bad service (more apparent now than ever, with children to think about and less time to waste chasing down rabbit holes). So began their quest to improve things. They’ve been amazed at the response since then “Running this service in our free time is keeping us busy but it’s exciting. Who knows where it will lead? For now we’re going with the flow. Being very local, we thought you’d want to know WE’RE HERE TO HELP especially with anything that’s likely to be close to our hearts & location! Like us on Facebook & do follow us on Twitter & help spread the word!”

Whether it’s a complaint that's not been taken seriously, or you don’t know where else to turn, we will try to help you. You could be sick of chasing information, waiting for an order or refund long overdue, disappointed in a restaurant or haircut or aghast at how much you’ve been wrongly billed or badly treated.

For example, did you know that thousands of tumble dryers have been recalled as fire hazards and people are being told they have to pay for a replacement or worse, wait months for an engineer to come out. So our most recent campaign has been to push for justice as we believe all tumble dryers should be replaced at no cost to the consumer and that you cannot take such irrational risks with human life and property. Do register your machine if you're also affected.

www.soapboxshout.com/post/left-high-and-dry-by-your-tumble-dryer-manufacturer-and-retailer

The Soapbox [email protected]


Your Rights

Your Local Bookkeeping Service

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I’d like to introduce my company, CS Elite Bookkeeping Services.

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local People

maniaComing To Dunstable’s

Grove Theatre on Saturday 23rd April !

Get Into The Grove!

Kim Wilde, A-ha, Duran Duran, Wham, Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Madonna, Spandau Ballet, Madness, Erasure, The Human League... plus many many more LIVE in Concert!A massive line up of 25 best selling artistes are authentically recreated to look and sound how they did back in the decade that fashion forgot.Over 35 non stop hits with over 150 costumes are performed in this fast paced, high energy, feel good show together with the awesome Mania Band, and Dance Troupe, not forgetting the mind blowing huge video screen projection, laser and lighting design.New Romantics, leg-warmers, stiletto’s, shoulder pads, big hair, neon… it’s all there. Both

on and off the stage.Be sure to arrive early as the party starts half an hour before with our 80's disco road show to get you all in the mood.With an ever growing cult following and continued European success, 80's Mania has been touring the UK for the past 5 years and is now endorsed by ex Top of the Pops, Radio 1 and Saturday Superstore presenter, Mike Read.So, dig out your worst 80's fashions, if you dare, (men too, complete with make up!) and come and join us for the best 80's night out, ever!!Tickets available from www.80smaniashow.com or The Grove Theatre show box office Tel: 01582 602080 or www.grovetheatre.co.uk

80’s80’s MANIA, is the UK's Official 1980’s

Multi Tribute Reunion Concert! If you love the 80's - do not miss this show!

for 80’s Mania at The GroveTo win tell us

Who is the lead singer of Culture Club?Email your answer to [email protected]

one lucky winner will be picked at random

WIN 2 TICKETS twitter.com/pchelpcentre

10% Discounton any product orservice when quotingthis reference: LOS

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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


Broken Or Damaged Windows? Faulty Locks, Handles, Hinges?

STEAMED UP DOUBLE GLAZING?Don’t Replace The Frames... Just The Panes!

www.cloudy2clear.com

Priority Freephone 0800 61 21118

Cloudy2Clear Are A ...

Which?TrustedTrader

All Glazing Backed By Our

10 YEARGUARANTEE

Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader PartnershipConsumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service. Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the

highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 10 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service Dunstable, Luton & surrounding areas areas and manager Tom Bliss

agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Tom a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

advertorial

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

Broken Or Damaged Windows? Faulty Locks, Handles, Hinges?

STEAMED UP DOUBLE GLAZING?Don’t Replace The Frames... Just The Panes!

www.cloudy2clear.com

Priority Freephone 0800 61 21118

Cloudy2Clear Are A ...

Which?TrustedTrader

All Glazing Backed By Our

10 YEARGUARANTEE

Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader PartnershipConsumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service. Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the

highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 10 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service Dunstable, Luton & surrounding areas areas and manager Tom Bliss

agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Tom a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

advertorial

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!


Stand out from the crowd with stunning stripes.

StripesSimply

Style Guide

Moda in Pelle Mine £75.95

Very stripe skirt £29.00

F&F Stripe Dress £20.00New Look Stripe shirt dress

£24.99

Next Stripe Cami £32.00 Vera Mont Dress £160.00

Improving the outside appearance of your home is unlikely to add value but investing some time and money could make the difference when it comes to selling. Take a critical look at the front of your property and list everything you think needs doing. See what jobs you can tackle yourself, but be realistic about your DIY abilities and consider hiring a tradesman.

Adding kerb appeal

GardenIf you have grass keep on top of the mowing.Remove weeds and keep hedges well maintained.To add a splash of colour, con-sider adding flowering plants. If you don’t have a garden place some (easy to maintain) potted plants on either side of the front door. Box plants in containers are a good choice.

GatesYour gate should be in good condition, loose hinges repaired and metal gates should be free from rust. A gate is a great feature, so don’t overlook it.

WindowsIf they need replacing, invest in new windows or they could just need a fresh lick of paint.Make sure the frames are kept clean and the glass sparkling. Don’t forget curtains and blinds, they should be clean and in good condition. Paths & driveways

Paths and driveways should be swept, weeds removed and rubbish cleared away. If possible bins should be out of sight; at the very least they should be clean and not over flowing. Make sure cars are parked sensibly to allow an easy approach to the door.

Front doorPainting the door will create a fresh and inviting look. Consider hiring someone for this job, a badly painted door will look just as bad as a door that needs painting! Replace numbers, letterboxes and handles, consider removing name plaques.

Home&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

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Improving the outside appearance of your home is unlikely to add value but investing some time and money could make the difference when it comes to selling. Take a critical look at the front of your property and list everything you think needs doing. See what jobs you can tackle yourself, but be realistic about your DIY abilities and consider hiring a tradesman.

Adding kerb appeal

GardenIf you have grass keep on top of the mowing.Remove weeds and keep hedges well maintained.To add a splash of colour, con-sider adding flowering plants. If you don’t have a garden place some (easy to maintain) potted plants on either side of the front door. Box plants in containers are a good choice.

GatesYour gate should be in good condition, loose hinges repaired and metal gates should be free from rust. A gate is a great feature, so don’t overlook it.

WindowsIf they need replacing, invest in new windows or they could just need a fresh lick of paint.Make sure the frames are kept clean and the glass sparkling. Don’t forget curtains and blinds, they should be clean and in good condition. Paths & driveways

Paths and driveways should be swept, weeds removed and rubbish cleared away. If possible bins should be out of sight; at the very least they should be clean and not over flowing. Make sure cars are parked sensibly to allow an easy approach to the door.

Front doorPainting the door will create a fresh and inviting look. Consider hiring someone for this job, a badly painted door will look just as bad as a door that needs painting! Replace numbers, letterboxes and handles, consider removing name plaques.

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Tom Thumb

The Lawn With space at a premium and the size of gardens in new-build developments shrinking, balconies, roof terraces and tiny back yards are becoming the norm. If you’ve only got a small space, how can you give it the wow factor? TV gardening expert Charlie Dimmock, has some ideas of her own on how to jazz up a balcony and attract wildlife in the process.

“Wildlife wants flowers all year round, just as we do,” she says. “Go for plants which give you a continu-ous amount of flowers. Some of the bedding plants are great and the more simple single flowers are better because they tend to have more nectar and pollen in them. Some petunias are quite good, as are marigolds, osteospermums and other daisy-plants like marguerites.“If you go for plants with double flowers they tend to be less pollen-rich. Lavender and thyme are also good because they have a long flowering season.”A good variation of plants which provide year-round interest may also be the way to go.“I’d have two or three evergreen shrubs, not too big, such as a Daph-ne odora ‘Marginata’, which has a variegated leaf and fantastic scent in the spring. I’d also have a small pittosporum, as there are interesting

and different variegations, including ‘Tom Thumb’, a purple one that stays like a round ball with purple leaves.“Go for small-er shrubs like Pittosporum tobira, which is slow-growing and stays small, with really lovely scented flowers, or nandina (sacred bamboo). Don’t buy some-thing like a forsythia which is going to grow too big and only flowers for about two weeks and then becomes boring.

“Go for plants which give you two or three different times of interest. The nandina are evergreen - in the spring the first leaves are bright red, then it flowers in the summer and bears red berries in the autumn - giv-ing you a lot of interest.”Make the most of your space, which means using height for optimum effect.“If you’ve a piece of trellis you can

grow things up that, so you’ve the vertical option as well. Climbing

plants will also give you a bit more height, texture

and colour.”Don’t dismiss ivy because ivy flowers attract beneficial insects, says Charlie.

“Ivy flowers very late in the season and very early

in the spring and it’s a really good source of nectar for insects because there’s nothing much about at that time. When ivy reaches the top of a wall you get round, green flowers followed by black berries, which are good for birds.”If you plant thoughtfully, you can at-tract a good variety of birds. Provide some water, even if it’s just a bird bath, and put up bird feeders.“Birds like to be able to perch somewhere while they are coming in to feed. If you have an unclut-tered space with only a bird feeder, they probably won’t come in, but if you’ve got a few shrubs and a climb-er up the wall and there’s maybe a tree outside, they are likely to queue up on it and check it’s safe.”Encourage your neighbours to add plantings to their small spaces, she urges.“Urban gardens are crucial for wildlife because they create the corridors, or the ‘hopping spaces’ between more open spaces like parks and bigger gardens.”

In The

Garden


Big Ideas, Small Spaces

Tom Thumb

Nandina (sacred bamboo)


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Down

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@moneysavingexpert

I’ve been swamped with panicked questions about student grants from students, future students, graduates and their parents, so I want to mythbust what’s really hap-pening. In many ways people are panicking unnecessarily about the grant changes, but missing the really damaging change, which is a retrospective hike in student loans.

In many ways, financially it’s a no win no fee education. An easy way to think of it is a bit like an extra income tax, with the one difference that once you have repaid what you borrowed (plus interest) it stops. For far more help on this, see my full 20 student loan mythbusters guide at www.mse.me/studentloan.

I’m going to use examples for English students studying in England. For students from Wales, whether you go to university in Wales or elsewhere in the UK, the amount you borrow tends to be less, but the way you repay is the same.

I’m going to focus on the situation for students who started in or after 2012 in England, for elsewhere in the UK the loans tend to be smaller.

Q. So what’s happening to student grants?

A: Until now, students from lower income families (roughly below £43,000 income) had some of their loan re placed by a non-repayable grant for up to £3,400.

From September 2016 grants are being scrapped in England and Wales. Yet there’s much confusion about this. There are two big things to note:

1 This only applies for new starters starting from 2016. Those already at university and getting grants will keep getting them.

2 This doesn’t mean they’ll have less money coming in. New 2016 starters will get a bigger loan to replace what they would’ve got in grants. In fact, the loan figures for new starters (not continuing students) have been upped by a chunk. This is useful, as often the big issue that hits students isn’t the size of the loan, it’s that they don’t have enough money to live on day-to-day. Rents alone eat up much of this.

Q. Isn’t this likely to really hit poor students hard? A: You may be surprised that I’m going to say no. In many

Student Loans There’s been a furore in Parliament about the scrapping of

student grants. And every time politicians get lairy over

such issues, the news focuses on the scrap and the real

truth of what’s actually happening gets lost.

Student Finance: the basics When you go to university, if you’re a first time UK undergraduate you don’t need to pay upfront. The Student Loans Company pays your tuition fees for you and gives you money for living, then you owe it.

• You only start repaying when you leave university and, even then, only if you earn over £21,000. If you don’t earn over that you don’t repay.

• The amount you repay is proportionate to earnings. You repay 9% of everything above £21,000 (eg, earn £31,000 and, as it’s £10,000 above the thresh old, you repay £900 a year).

• If you haven’t cleared what you owe within 30 years, the debt is wiped.

• If you never earn over £21,000, you never repay.

Money Matters By Martin Lewis

Debt Advice

ways the big problem is the confusion and psychological deterrent, not the practical finances. For most students it makes no practical difference. The replacement of a grant with a loan will ONLY cost more for those who leave univer-sity and have long-term very high earnings.

That’s because if you compare the current and new system, the fact it’s a loan and not a grant would only cost you more if you would’ve repaid your entire tuition fees, remaining maintenance loan after the grant, and interest in the 30 years before the debt wipes anyway.

Most students won’t, so there’s no cost to them. In fact, my calculations estimate only those on STARTING salaries of £35,000 and up, and then above inflation pay rises would actually pay more. So if the system remains as it is now, it’s only those from poor backgrounds who go on to be big earners who this is negative for.

However, the big question is ‘will the system remain unchanged?’

Q. What’s this retrospective hike to student repayments?

A: As I explained earlier, since 2012, graduates only repay 9% of what they earn over £21,000. The government had said this threshold was due to rise each year from April 2017 in line with average earnings.

Yet the Government has now decided to freeze it for at least five years, meaning many low- and middle-earning graduates will pay thousands more back than they thought they would when they signed up. After all, if we go back to thinking of it like a tax, if you were to pay 9% of everything

earned above £22,000, but now repay everything above £21,000, that’s a hike.

It’s received little publicity though, as it doesn’t immedi-ately seem such a big problem. Here I need to declare an interest: I was head of the Independent Taskforce on Student Finance Information in 2012 when the system changed. The Government repeatedly told me the thresh-old would rise, and I, of course, told people, and used it in all my cost calculations.

Well I refuse to missell these loans in hindsight. So I am actively campaigning on it – I’ve written an open letter to the Prime Minister and have personally hired lawyers to see if it can be challenged (read it at www.mse.me/student-loanhike).

The big problem, even more important than the additional cost, is the message this sends. The Government is not just freezing it going forward, it’s freezing it for everyone who signed up since 2012 - effectively changing the contract after people have signed up.

The regulator would not allow any commercial lender to change its terms this way. This could destroy any trust cur-rent and future generations can have in the student finance system, and perhaps, even more widely, in the political system as a whole.

I said above that the impact of replacing grants with loans isn’t actually as bad as many think under the current terms. Yet the real concern is, as the Government has shown it’s willing to change loan terms even after you’ve got them, who knows what may happen in the future.

£


Money Matters By Martin Lewis

Debt Advice

ways the big problem is the confusion and psychological deterrent, not the practical finances. For most students it makes no practical difference. The replacement of a grant with a loan will ONLY cost more for those who leave univer-sity and have long-term very high earnings.

That’s because if you compare the current and new system, the fact it’s a loan and not a grant would only cost you more if you would’ve repaid your entire tuition fees, remaining maintenance loan after the grant, and interest in the 30 years before the debt wipes anyway.

Most students won’t, so there’s no cost to them. In fact, my calculations estimate only those on STARTING salaries of £35,000 and up, and then above inflation pay rises would actually pay more. So if the system remains as it is now, it’s only those from poor backgrounds who go on to be big earners who this is negative for.

However, the big question is ‘will the system remain unchanged?’

Q. What’s this retrospective hike to student repayments?

A: As I explained earlier, since 2012, graduates only repay 9% of what they earn over £21,000. The government had said this threshold was due to rise each year from April 2017 in line with average earnings.

Yet the Government has now decided to freeze it for at least five years, meaning many low- and middle-earning graduates will pay thousands more back than they thought they would when they signed up. After all, if we go back to thinking of it like a tax, if you were to pay 9% of everything

earned above £22,000, but now repay everything above £21,000, that’s a hike.

It’s received little publicity though, as it doesn’t immedi-ately seem such a big problem. Here I need to declare an interest: I was head of the Independent Taskforce on Student Finance Information in 2012 when the system changed. The Government repeatedly told me the thresh-old would rise, and I, of course, told people, and used it in all my cost calculations.

Well I refuse to missell these loans in hindsight. So I am actively campaigning on it – I’ve written an open letter to the Prime Minister and have personally hired lawyers to see if it can be challenged (read it at www.mse.me/student-loanhike).

The big problem, even more important than the additional cost, is the message this sends. The Government is not just freezing it going forward, it’s freezing it for everyone who signed up since 2012 - effectively changing the contract after people have signed up.

The regulator would not allow any commercial lender to change its terms this way. This could destroy any trust cur-rent and future generations can have in the student finance system, and perhaps, even more widely, in the political system as a whole.

I said above that the impact of replacing grants with loans isn’t actually as bad as many think under the current terms. Yet the real concern is, as the Government has shown it’s willing to change loan terms even after you’ve got them, who knows what may happen in the future.

£


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See Mercury again in the Daytime Sky: Then, just three weeks after 18th April, we get to see Mercury again, or at least its silhouette, in chal-lenge #2 as the inner planet transits across the face of the sun on Monday 9th May. The transit event begins at 12:15pm and lasts until 7:30pm. Safest way to view the transit is at an organised astronomi-cal event where a solar telescope is being used to view the sun. Ask your local astronomy society about their Mercury transit event.

Watch the Lyrids under a Full Moon: This year’s Lyrids Meteor Shower falls on the same night as April’s full moon. Best time to view the Shower is just before dawn on 22nd April. Look high up towards your south-east for a smattering of bright shooting stars competing for your attention under the moon’s dazzling glare.

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‘One Woman’ Series of books by one woman from Bedfordshire, Nikki Fuller, are getting a good response on Amazon Kindle, recently ranking 3rd in Women’s true stories & biographies & similar in short stories. Nikki is as she describes herself, simply one woman, a daughter, a mother, a wife & business woman, who like many others have had their ups and downs in life, through love, life and loss. She came to another set of crossroads in her life and decided that as well as look-ing forward, she wanted to put pen to paper about the events in her life that have shaped her or motivated her. The 2 books ‘One Woman vs Life’ and ‘One Woman’s Private Life Vault...Now open! Are warm & approach-able quick reads from just one woman's point of view. Offering an insight into sensitive and private subjects that read like a chat to a friend, with openness and honesty and a light hearted touch at times. If you have dreams and aspirations and have had to cope with the troubles that life can deal you, you may find reading them comforting, to know you are not alone. With some helpful affirmations and tips, they’ll be a welcome companion and motivate you to be kind to yourself and embrace life today and all it offers.

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Looking Up!April and May 2016

Bedfordshire’s Night Sky

By Seb Jay

Catch Elusive Mercury in the Evening Sky: A quirk of nature this April and May gives us two unique opportunities to see Mercury at its best – and in very different circumstances! Challenge #1 is on 18th April and a week either side of this date. Look to the western horizon about 45 minutes after sunset for a bright pink-orange starlike object in the fading twilight. This is Mercury at its most visible in the evening sky for 2016. You’ll be able to see it with the naked eye, but it is perhaps best picked up with binoculars.

See Mercury again in the Daytime Sky: Then, just three weeks after 18th April, we get to see Mercury again, or at least its silhouette, in chal-lenge #2 as the inner planet transits across the face of the sun on Monday 9th May. The transit event begins at 12:15pm and lasts until 7:30pm. Safest way to view the transit is at an organised astronomi-cal event where a solar telescope is being used to view the sun. Ask your local astronomy society about their Mercury transit event.

Watch the Lyrids under a Full Moon: This year’s Lyrids Meteor Shower falls on the same night as April’s full moon. Best time to view the Shower is just before dawn on 22nd April. Look high up towards your south-east for a smattering of bright shooting stars competing for your attention under the moon’s dazzling glare.

‘One Woman’ Series of books by one woman from Bedfordshire, Nikki Fuller, are getting a good response on Amazon Kindle, recently ranking 3rd in Women’s true stories & biographies & similar in short stories. Nikki is as she describes herself, simply one woman, a daughter, a mother, a wife & business woman, who like many others have had their ups and downs in life, through love, life and loss. She came to another set of crossroads in her life and decided that as well as look-ing forward, she wanted to put pen to paper about the events in her life that have shaped her or motivated her. The 2 books ‘One Woman vs Life’ and ‘One Woman’s Private Life Vault...Now open! Are warm & approach-able quick reads from just one woman's point of view. Offering an insight into sensitive and private subjects that read like a chat to a friend, with openness and honesty and a light hearted touch at times. If you have dreams and aspirations and have had to cope with the troubles that life can deal you, you may find reading them comforting, to know you are not alone. With some helpful affirmations and tips, they’ll be a welcome companion and motivate you to be kind to yourself and embrace life today and all it offers.

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Mini Cooper S

The old Mini Clubman was no oil-painting, but this one could easily earn its place on the podium at Legs 11. It’s a looker alright.

T he brand new Mini Club-man must have been breast fed at birth, because it’s far bigger than its

siblings. That doesn’t mean it’s fat – no way. This car is well formed and its proportions are just right. And because it’s not exactly a shrinking violet, the Clubman is likely to win over quirkier types who might oth-erwise have gone for mid-size family car choices, such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.The story hasn’t always been good for the Clubman, though. The first generation had a useless, single rear door that meant UK passengers were forced to step into the road. This didn’t help sales and the Clubman therefore wasn’t exactly the rock star that BMW, Mini’s owner, was expecting.But the Germans have seen the light and the previous rear-hinged ‘club-door’, has been kicked to the kerb in favour of two ‘normal’ back doors. They make it far easier for passengers to get in and out of the car. Then there’s the barn-door boot. You’ll remember that from the last model. Well, that stays put, but now the doors can be released manually, or if you ticked the hands-free tailgate option, a sassy little kick under the

rear bumper will open them up.Inside, the comfortable seats are kind to your backside and feel supportive, especially during long periods on the road. The car’s uncluttered dashboard is dwarfed by a massive screen that sits where the speedometer on older Minis used to be. The controller on the central con-sole manages most of the Clubman’s systems, so there are fewer buttons on the dash to confuse or divert you.As the Clubman is the largest of the current Mini litter, it has, predictably, the most capacious cabin. To be frank, with a big load area too, the word ‘mini’ seems rather outmoded. The whole motor is 270mm longer than the five-door Hatchback, allow-ing for oodles of room in the front and respectable space for two adults in the rear. The boot is about the same as aVW Golf’s, so you’ll get the family shopping in – and a toddler’s buggy.The Cooper S Clubman Auto is eas-ily the most gratifying to drive. Out at the Mini’s media launch on the roads surrounding San Sebastian in north-ern Spain, the most powerful petrol drove go-kart-like on the straights - just as a Mini should. It’s a shame the slightly pulpy suspension can drizzle on your chips in the corners, with body roll kicking in if you enter the twisty bits too hard. But that can be forgiven, because the Cooper S generates more than enough pull to keep you cheery.189bhp can be squeezed from the S’ 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder lump, and with the eight speed auto box, a zero to 62mph sprint in 7.1

seconds is easily achievable, finish-ing up with a top speed of 142mph. Even though these figures might make the car sound insatiable for fuel – it’s not. With the superb automatic gearbox you can officially get an average of 48.7mpg out of the Clubman - and the CO2 emissions are 134g/km, meaning road tax is a trifling £130 per annum.The state-of-the-art 2015 Mini is a gargantuan step-up from its forerunner, and it puts right pretty much everything that was awry. The Clubman now has more doors, bet-ter space, good looks, and it really is exciting to drive. The Cooper S version is especially guaranteed to bring a grin to the face of anyone who slips behind its wheel.

Clubman Auto

PROS ‘N’ CONS

Pleasurable √ Eye-catching √ Roomy √ Real-world √ Some body-roll X

FAST FACTS

Max speed: 142 mph 0-62 mph: 7.1 secs Combined mpg: 48.7 Engine: 1998cc 4 cylinder 16 valve turbo petrol Max. power (bhp): 189 Max. torque (lb/ft): 221 CO2: 134 g/km Price: £24,455 on the road

FAST FACTS


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

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

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

WE NOW OFFER FITTED KITCHENS


CRIMINAL

RELEASE DATE: 15th April 2016CAST: Ryan Reynolds, Alice Eve, Tommy Lee Jones, Gal Gadot, Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman

An action thriller Kevin Costner returns to the screen playing a dangerous death row prisoner. He is implanted with the memories and skills of a CIA operative with the hope of completing the operative’s mission; to stop a catastrophe.

SING STREET

RELEASE DATE: 20th May 2016CAST: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Aidan Gillen.

1980s Dublin is where an economic recession forces Conor out of his comfortable private school and into survival mode at the inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. He finds a glimmer of hope in the mysteri-ous and uber-cool Raphina, and with the aim of winning her heart he invites her to star in his band’s music videos. She agrees, and now Conor must deliver what he’s promised - calling himself “Cosmo” and immersing himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the ‘80s, he forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their hearts into writing lyrics and shooting videos. Combining Carney’s trademark warmth and humor with a punk rock edge, and featuring a memorable soundtrack with hits from The Cure, Duran Duran, The Police, and Genesis

Cinema New Releases

RELEASE DATE: 8th April 2016

CAST: Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron,

Emily Blunt, Nick Frost, Jessica Chastain

A new tale expanding on the Snow White legend this film tells of the evil queen and her sister Freya who suffered heartbreaking betrayal and left the kingdom.Freya spends a decade raising a legion of huntsmen. She learns of her sister’s fate and has the magic mirror brought home for a sorceress to harness its power. Now the beautiful kingdom will have double the dark force to defeat.

THE HUNTS MAN: WINTERS WAR

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

RELEASE DATE: 27th May 2016CAST: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac.

From the mutant world Apoca-lypse is the most powerful of them all. Immortal, he wakes up and recruits mutants to cleanse the world of humans, only Raven and Professor X stand in their way.


CRIMINAL

RELEASE DATE: 15th April 2016CAST: Ryan Reynolds, Alice Eve, Tommy Lee Jones, Gal Gadot, Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman

An action thriller Kevin Costner returns to the screen playing a dangerous death row prisoner. He is implanted with the memories and skills of a CIA operative with the hope of completing the operative’s mission; to stop a catastrophe.

SING STREET

RELEASE DATE: 20th May 2016CAST: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Aidan Gillen.

1980s Dublin is where an economic recession forces Conor out of his comfortable private school and into survival mode at the inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. He finds a glimmer of hope in the mysteri-ous and uber-cool Raphina, and with the aim of winning her heart he invites her to star in his band’s music videos. She agrees, and now Conor must deliver what he’s promised - calling himself “Cosmo” and immersing himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the ‘80s, he forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their hearts into writing lyrics and shooting videos. Combining Carney’s trademark warmth and humor with a punk rock edge, and featuring a memorable soundtrack with hits from The Cure, Duran Duran, The Police, and Genesis

Cinema New Releases

RELEASE DATE: 8th April 2016

CAST: Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron,

Emily Blunt, Nick Frost, Jessica Chastain

A new tale expanding on the Snow White legend this film tells of the evil queen and her sister Freya who suffered heartbreaking betrayal and left the kingdom.Freya spends a decade raising a legion of huntsmen. She learns of her sister’s fate and has the magic mirror brought home for a sorceress to harness its power. Now the beautiful kingdom will have double the dark force to defeat.

THE HUNTS MAN: WINTERS WAR

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

RELEASE DATE: 27th May 2016CAST: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac.

From the mutant world Apoca-lypse is the most powerful of them all. Immortal, he wakes up and recruits mutants to cleanse the world of humans, only Raven and Professor X stand in their way.

Registered Charity No. 1035089

Tel: 01582 492339 [email protected] www.keech.org.uk

Keech 10K trail Compete in our first ever running event around Putteridge Bury and the Chiltern Hills.

Sunday 15 May 2016 at 10am

To sign up now or for more information contact www.keech.org.uk/keech10K or call 01582 707940.

Putteridge Bury,Hitchin Road,Luton,Bedfordshire,LU2 8LE

Supported by:


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


THE MALL LUTON

COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER

Local community groups and organisations are coming together this spring, as Our Space at The Mall launches. The new community initiative launched by the Luton shopping centre will see a selection of local clubs, charities and groups showcase their talents for free in the heart of the town this April.

Luton Town Hockey Club11am – 5pm, Sunday 3rd April

Luton Town HC is Luton’s largest hockey club, established in 1992 with high aspirations. With a family friendly atmosphere, we have a growing junior academy (ages 5+) along with three men’s teams and two women’s teams. See if you can put a penalty in past Jasper the Lion, England Hockey’s Mascot, on a mini inflatable pitch.

Tina’s School of Dance11am – 5pm, Sunday 10th April

Established for over 20 years, the school are fun and friendly with a studio that’s a second home to many dancers. Classes include Ballet, Tap, Modern, Acrobat-ics, Contemporary, Street Dance and Musical Theatre, with classes for children aged 18 months upwards, plus Ballet, Tap and Zumba for adults.

Luton Scouts*11am – 5pm, Sunday 10th April

Actively engaging and supporting young people in their personal development and empowering them to make a positive contribution to society are the aims of scouting. Integrity, respect, care, belief and co-operation are the values that guide us. Scouting in Luton is open to all boys and girls from the age of 6, no matter what class, ethnic background, physical abilities, religious belief or even no belief. There’s usually a group within two miles of every house, so if you want to join the adventure come along for a taste of the fun Luton Scouts experience all the time.*Luton Scouts will be located in Smith Square

WITH A VOICE OF SINGINGLuton Male Voice Choir & Caritas Harmony (Luton Ladies’ Voices) A rare opportunity to hear two accomplished Luton choirs in one evening. On the 16th April 2016 The Luton Male Voice Choir and Luton’s Caritas Harmony Choir will perform a joint concert at St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Luton LU1 3JF. The event will start at 7.30pm and tickets are £8. For further information and tickets please callJackie Howe 01582 599520Clive Wheeler 07804 732222 Further details and parking information on website www.caritasharmony.co.uk Caritas Harmony Choir raising funds for Macmillan. For 2016 concerts, see website, www.caritasharmony.co.uk

AROUND THE WORLD IS BACK! Saturday 14th May, 10 am to 4 pm Priory House Gardens , High Street South, Dunstable, LU6 3RZ

Due to the massive success this event was in 2014 Dun-stable Town Council have brought it back for good! To make this event even better we are looking for local communities, clubs and societies to participate in the event on Saturday 14 May in Priory Gardens, Dunstable.The event is designed to educate the general public on the wide varieties of different cultures that the world has to offer, whilst having fun learning about what you would expect to see in each different country. There will be different activities from the different continents and will include dance, music, crafts, entertainment and much more. So far confirmed this year...Traditional Dhol Drummers, Welwyn Garden Samba Percussion and Dance Group, Steel Band, Bollywood Dancing, Didgeridoo Workshops , Imajica Theatre Company - Plus much more! This is a fantastic opportunity for you to showcase your group, club, business or your hobby. The event is a free family fun event for everyone to get involved with and we would appreciate your support. We are anticipating around 1,5000 people throughout the day.

If you are interested in being involved, please contact Lisa vincent at: [email protected] for a booking form or call on 01582 891406.

www.thevinemagazine.co.uk30 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Embarrassing Doggy Behaviour!

Many dog owners have experienced that moment of embarrassment when, sat in your living room with guests or your in-laws, your dog chooses that moment to ‘scoot’ across the floor dragging his bum along the carpet!Many people believe this behaviour is due to worms, and it certainly can be but it could actually be a different but entirely treatable problem – anal sac disease.A dog has two anal sacs positioned below their tail on either side of their bottom. They release a smelly fluid when the dog goes to the toilet, acting as a scent marker. This distinctive scent marks a dog’s territory and identifies your pet to other dogs.Problems can occur if the sacs don’t empty through the ducts (narrow tubes) properly and become impacted, which can lead to infection. This can cause irritation and pain in the bottom area, and many dogs will sit down and drag their bottom along the ground or lick the area excessively to try and alleviate some of the discomfort. Owners may think this means their dog has worms, and although this can sometimes be the case, blocked anal sacs could also be the culprit.

If your dog is showing any of these signs they need to be checked out by your vet. With simple impac-tions the vet can empty the sacs there and then, which often brings about instant relief. However, if the anal sacs are infected they can be very painful and may need further treatment such as antibiotics or antiinflammatories.Occasionally some dogs require sedation or anaes-thetic to have infected sacs emptied.If, however, it turns out that worms are the culprits after all, your vet can recommend the best and most effective treatment for your pet. Some dogs seem to be more prone to problems with their anal sacs than others. Causes can include an incorrect diet that doesn’t contain enough fibre, a problem with the dog’s bowels such as an infection, or obesity. Dogs that repeatedly suffer will need to have their anal sacs emptied on a regular basis.Your veterinary practice can do this, or some dog groomers will include it in their service.Increasing the fibre content of your dog’s diet may help to prevent this condition. Ensuring your dog is a healthy size and weight may also help, and can also reduce the risk of other health issues.

Pets

PDSA gets to the bottom of your dog’s

“bum-scooting”

Step On ItHIVESLIVESLINESLIMESTIMESTIMER

AnswersCrosswordAcross: 7 Make nothing of 8 Converse

9 Rare 10 Ransom 12 Employ

14 Barren 16 Yelled 18 Deaf

20 Unstable 22 Consolidation.

Down: 1 Panorama 2 Serves 3 Poor

4 Thievery 5 Unwrap 6 Sour

11 Manfully 13 Overlook 15 Refuse

17 Lean-to 19 Eros 21 Side.

Issue 14 • April / May 2016 31 www.thevinemagazine.co.uk

Embarrassing Doggy Behaviour!

Many dog owners have experienced that moment of embarrassment when, sat in your living room with guests or your in-laws, your dog chooses that moment to ‘scoot’ across the floor dragging his bum along the carpet!Many people believe this behaviour is due to worms, and it certainly can be but it could actually be a different but entirely treatable problem – anal sac disease.A dog has two anal sacs positioned below their tail on either side of their bottom. They release a smelly fluid when the dog goes to the toilet, acting as a scent marker. This distinctive scent marks a dog’s territory and identifies your pet to other dogs.Problems can occur if the sacs don’t empty through the ducts (narrow tubes) properly and become impacted, which can lead to infection. This can cause irritation and pain in the bottom area, and many dogs will sit down and drag their bottom along the ground or lick the area excessively to try and alleviate some of the discomfort. Owners may think this means their dog has worms, and although this can sometimes be the case, blocked anal sacs could also be the culprit.

If your dog is showing any of these signs they need to be checked out by your vet. With simple impac-tions the vet can empty the sacs there and then, which often brings about instant relief. However, if the anal sacs are infected they can be very painful and may need further treatment such as antibiotics or antiinflammatories.Occasionally some dogs require sedation or anaes-thetic to have infected sacs emptied.If, however, it turns out that worms are the culprits after all, your vet can recommend the best and most effective treatment for your pet. Some dogs seem to be more prone to problems with their anal sacs than others. Causes can include an incorrect diet that doesn’t contain enough fibre, a problem with the dog’s bowels such as an infection, or obesity. Dogs that repeatedly suffer will need to have their anal sacs emptied on a regular basis.Your veterinary practice can do this, or some dog groomers will include it in their service.Increasing the fibre content of your dog’s diet may help to prevent this condition. Ensuring your dog is a healthy size and weight may also help, and can also reduce the risk of other health issues.

Pets

PDSA gets to the bottom of your dog’s

“bum-scooting”

Step On ItHIVESLIVESLINESLIMESTIMESTIMER

AnswersCrosswordAcross: 7 Make nothing of 8 Converse

9 Rare 10 Ransom 12 Employ

14 Barren 16 Yelled 18 Deaf

20 Unstable 22 Consolidation.

Down: 1 Panorama 2 Serves 3 Poor

4 Thievery 5 Unwrap 6 Sour

11 Manfully 13 Overlook 15 Refuse

17 Lean-to 19 Eros 21 Side.

Tel: 01582 492339 [email protected] www.keech.org.uk

SUNDAY 17 JULY

2016WIGMORE

VALLEY PARKEATON GREEN ROAD

LUTON LU2 9JB

REGISTRATION

Adult runner: £20 Child runner (Under 16): £10Registration for runners includes: event entry, sunglasses, t-shirt, 3 x colour pouches, medal and goody bag on completion.

Colour Bandits: £10 – all agesRegistration for Bandits includes: sunglasses, t-shirt, medal and entry into one of seven Bandit stations around the route to add the colour.

Suggested sponsorship target per person £50Registration on the day open from: 10.00am Event start: 11.00am

To sign up or for more information phone 01582 707940 or visit keech.org.uk/colourdash

Registered Charity No. 1035089

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CARE

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The Vine Luton - April / May 2016 - Issue 14

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Transcript of The Vine Luton - April / May 2016 - Issue 14