December Edition of the Bassingbourn Belle

December 2009 Community Magazine for Bassingbourn Barracks

Season of the Incredible PantoSoldier from ATR(B) Poses for Charity CalendarBBC Broadcast of Cambridge CarolsWIN WIN WIN Christmas Vouchers at Buckland Barn

BASSINGBOURN BELLE_1109.indd 1BASSINGBOURN BELLE_1109.indd 1 27/11/09 12:39:2427/11/09 12:39:24

ContentsCommunity Update 2–7

Military Life 8–11

Christmas Spectacular 12–15

Education & Family 16–23

Health & Fitness 24–25

Festive Season 26–27

What’s on 28–31

A free copy is delivered to every household and office on Bassingbourn Barracks. A pdf is distributed to article contributors, and advertisers. To add your name to the mailing list email [email protected] or written copy should be left with the Welfare Office and addressed to the Editor. Pictures should be saved as jpeg images (300dpi), with captions identifying who is in the picture and what is happening. Text /copy should be saved in Microsoft word, imbedded pdf. and emailed to [email protected]

ATR BassingbournWelfare CentreBassingbourn BarracksRoyston, BassingbournHertfordshire SG8 5LXM: 07907 791761Articles are used at the Editor’s discretion. Anonymous articles and letters are not published but name and details will be withheld when requested.Next Deadline is: 14 December 2009

Contributions: Sue Foster, Lynne Dominy, Donna Evans, Vicky Curran(pic.), Gemma Brown, Alison Cole, Sarah Darling, Sue Mantle, David Payling, Andrew Lansley, Andy Powney, David Brownley, E. Harverson, Justin Taylor, Boo Taylor, Daniela Anderson, Sarah Whitticase, Roger Sainsbury, Jude Healey, Trevor Barrow, Gerald Place(pic.), David Allanson, Mike Holmes, Carrie Roberts, Elizabeth Smith, Sam Spreadbury, Jaqui Derrick, David Coleman,

To discuss your advertising opportunities, contact Alex Payling:[email protected] & print: The Ark Design & Print Ltdwww.thearkdesign.co.ukViews expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of ATR Bassingbourn or the Ministry of Defence.

2

Please pass on a number of “Thank Yous” to the various individuals & teams at Bassingbourn Barracks regarding the recent half-term programme organised by our Community Development Worker Ali Cole.This is not just down to Ali’s skills and her relationships with people at the barracks – it also about the positive attitude to community welfare that exists at Bassingbourn. I was particularly delighted at the involvement of the Army Recruiting Team in the week’s programme. With the

continuing support of the Gym, M.T. & yourselves this is an extremely positive and helpful scenario to build on in 2010.

I also want to thank the Q.M. for lagging the pipes in the Community Centre and so sorting a significant safety issue for

Ali and to Karla, Sheila, Simon and Andy for the

support and the positive working environment you have

offered Ali in the last 3 months. It has contributed greatly to her

developing the current range and quality of her work,.Harry Welburn, Senior Community

Development Worker AWS

Inbox

Happy birthday to Adam Siddle who will be 10 on the 12th December. Love you lots from Mam & Dad Gemma Grandma & Grandad xxxxxxx.

And a big Happy Birthday to Cpl Pete Siddle who will be to old to mention on the 15th December Love you loads. Tracy, Rugrats & the In-laws xxxxxxx

Happy birthday

Send Troops a Christmas messageThe Sunday Mirror is launching a special Christmas Edition of the newspaper to be sent to frontline troops to give them a brilliant, morale-boosting surprise.

The special edition will be delivered to them on Christmas morning filled with messages from families back home to help ease the heartache of being apart.

Whether it’s your father, mother, husband, wife, son or daughter, they

will be delighted to read your words of support and love as they carry out their duties so far away.

Send your message on an email to [email protected]. State clearly the following: Name, rank and unit of your loved one, including their regiment, battalion or squadron – who the message is from and what your relationship is to them. Max 25 words.


3Community Update

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad… Have you been bitten by the festive bug, or are you more akin to Ebenezer Scrooge? The season is truly

here with row after row of selection boxes, Christmas puddings, and toys.

Struggling to find useful socking fillers that won’t end up in the trash? Have a look at the eye- catching calendar put together for Help for Heroes with resident ‘model’, Cpl Trevor ‘Baz’ Barrow.

An email or text can lack that personal touch, so get out the pen and post some cards by Charity Choice( the front cover image is from CCA Occasions Ltd.) to fundraise for Help for Heroes.

If you plan on going afar this month, please take a minute to read the Welfare Officer’s tips about housing repairs. The RMP’s words remind us that off duty road traffic accidents account for a large number of deaths in HM Armed Forces: 234 between 2002 and 2006.

The range of articles, pictures and events that have come in shows what a vibrant community this is.

A gigantic thank-you to everyone who has made the past 6 editions such a success, many people have put in the hours over their evenings and weekends to contribute and deliver the magazine to your homes and offices.

The New Year is a chance for growth and renewal so let’s hear about your personal resolutions, goals and ventures. The Bassingbourn Belle is your Voice, so email, call, or grab me for a chat to speak about what you would like to see in future editions.

Welcome to theDecember Edition of the Bassingbourn Belle

BBassingbourn Snowsports Centre 08450 728 293

All on-slope activities are and can be dangerous, participation is at own risk. Please make sure all participants are suitably attired - we insist that gloves, long trousers and long sleeves are worn at all times. Discount is available to military or civilian personal based or working at Bassingbourn Barracks.

www.skibass.org

ATTENTION! UP TO 40% DISCOUNT

Skiing

Snowboarding

Parties

Membership

Lessons

FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Are you looking for a party idea? Something with lots of fun and action! Why not try a tobogganing party - sliding down the slope on sledges, and even spinning in inflatable rings. If you and your friends would like to try skiing , we can provide a skiing party, these are suitable for beginners or experienced skiers. If you cannot decide, you can opt for a combined party of skiing and tobogganing.

PARTIES

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT CANBE HARD TO FIND...

A10 Melbourn By Pass, Melbourn, Royston, Hertswww.burylanefarmshop.co.uk Open 7 days a week all year round

Tel: 01763 260418

so we have put a great deal of thought into our original and delightfulpresents. From luxury chocolates to china cups and socks in threes,every gift has been handpicked to please both giver and receiver..

Charity Choice is a programme that sells personalised Christmas card on behalf of British charities.

We have chosen Help for Heroes as a Charity as it is a great cause and one close to David Brownley SEO/PPC Manager. He served 12 years in the Infantry with The Parachute Regiment and later The First Battalion Duke of Lancaster Regiment.

The charity will receive a clear and unambiguous charity royalty of 50p per card. We hope to raise lots of money for Help for Heroes.

www.charitychristmascards.com/helpforheroes

Telephone: 0845 058 0776Front cover and below

images are examples of some card images by CCA Occasions Ltd

Charity Choice

e

A


4 Community Update

Community Team ready to assist you

Fire / Police/Emergency Services – Dial 999RMP – 01223 204377/4306NHS Direct – 0845 4647Non Emergency – 08454 564 564(always ask for an incident ref. number)

Other Important Numbers:2484 (Bassingbourn) SquadronAir Cadets 01763 249156After School Club Bassingbourn Michelle Wilson 07737046978Andrew Lansley CBE MP S. Cambs.- Shadow Secretary State of Health: Tel: 01954 212 707,[email protected] Learning Centre 01223 204214AFF Rep – Suzanne Turner 07909628738Bassingbourn Community Education01763 246136Bassingbourn Parish Church 01763 243350Bassingbourn Surgery 0844 4994778Barber Shop (Memphis Belle) 07960 116293Bassingbourn Pre-school 07714 423222Bassingbourn Primary School 01763 242460BVC Sports Centre 01763 242344Butlers Taxi 01763 212223

Brownies Shirley Wardrop 01462 742861British Telecom: 0800 800150Children’s Education Advisory Service01980 618244Community Centre 01223 204307Dancing (Disco) Gail Henry 01363 720174Drama Fiona Taylor 01223 208731Dream Clean 07921139225Defence Estates 0800 169 6322Golf Club 01223204359Goff Oil Distributors 01603410861Guardroom 01223 204331Guardroom (visitor booking in) 01223 204375Gym 01223 204303/4286Kicks-4-Kids Phil Snowden 01763 230 312Library 01223204141CLLR Linda Oliver (Cons.) 01767 650430 [email protected] Dragons (Tae Kwon Do) Steve Sharma 07738701893Market Hill Surgery, Royston 01763 248111Market Hill Dental Surgery,Royston 01763 244298McSplash 01763 263313Medical Centre (camp) 01223 304298

Meeting House Kennels & Cattery 01763 281258Melbourn Dynamos FC 01763 853167Melbourn Sports Centre 01763 263313Military Exchange 01763 242271Modern Housing Solutions/ Repairs 0800 707 6000National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950Priory Dental Centre, Royston 01763 246677Red Shield 01223 204139Relateline 0845 130 4010Rosia Surgery, Royston 01763 243166Royston Health Centre 01763 242981Royston Leisure Centre 01763 255190Royston Veterinary Centre 01763 242221SnowSports Centre 08450 728293Spar Shop (on Camp) 01763 241044Stay Clean Window Cleaning 07523525531Sunshine Pre school 01763 246844Tae Kwan-Do 07738 70189Toddler’s Group 01223 204124UWO: 01223 204307If there is a number you would like to see addedhere please let us know.info@bassingbournbelle.

Contact Numbers

Welfare OfficerWO1 Andy Powney01223 [email protected]

Welfare Support TeamCSgt Si Bevan01223 [email protected]

Welfare/ Housing ClerkMrs. Sheila Parmee01223 [email protected]

Hive Bassingbourn BarracksCarla Walker01763 [email protected]

Padre Albert JacksonRegimental Chaplain94657 4820/ 07748 148267

Padre MacKenziePastoral Care01223 204320/07748 148267

Contact point at McBean CentreSue Mantle01223 [email protected]

PC Derek DraperMOD Police01223 204 37707787151603

Alex Payling, EditorWelfare CentreBassingbourn BarracksBassingbournHertfordshire07907791761editor@bassingbournbelle.co.uk

Alison ColeCommunity Development Worker01223 204 124


5

Seasons Greetings to all and welcome to the festive edition of the Bassingbourn Belle. Of course, as always, it will be a hectic approach towards Christmas leave for you all and it will be flat out at work and home (especially those with children), but when we break, I would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. For those staying in Quarters in Bassingbourn during the festive break, I hope it is as smooth and hassle free as possible.

I would like to remind all the correct procedure to follow with MHS if you experience any problems.Report a RepairReports faults promptly and advise when the contractors will be able to have access so that the repair can be completed within our agreed timescales.

You can report a defect to the MODern Housing Solutions (MHS) Help Desk (Freephone: 0800 707 6000) 24/7, 365 days a year.Contacting the Help DeskWhen you contact the Help Desk, you will be asked to select which zone you live in. For us it is Option 1 –South East Zone. Once you have selected your zone, you will be asked to pick the most relevant option from the list presented below.■ Option 1 – New repair / to raise an

emergency■ Option 2 – To follow up an existing repair

■ Option 3 – To raise a complaint or obtain an update on a complaint

■ Option 4 – For our supply chain to call or for an accident to be reportedOnce you get through to a Help Desk

Agent, the following information will be recorded from you:■ Address■ Telephone number

Details of defect or problem reported (please provide as much detail as possible here to avoid any confusion by the contractor)

MHS will tell you:■ Whether they need to inspect the problem

before arranging work.Any emergency action you should take

and the priority MHS will give to the repair.Please ensure that you use the complaints

facility in this system if necessary and remember to always obtain a reference number when liaising with MHS, this cuts

down on any potential confusion when having to contact them for a second and third time.

Community Update

Note from the Welfare Officer

Merry

Christmas to

all, I hope

you all enjoy

the festive

season and

remember, if

you need any

information

of a festive

nature or

otherwise, give me a call or email at the

address shown in this newsletter.

I can source and provide information on

Christmas markets and fayres in the local

area, also Christmas deals on theme parks

and events, I can assist with your Christmas

meal bookings (time is running out) and

provide information on shopping venues.

If you have family coming to see you I can

provide a list of places to stay and details

on rail and bus networks. Or, if you wish, you

are welcome to come to the HIVE to use the

internet facilities for yourself.

Remember that I am here for all your

information needs and I can be contacted

on 01763 257419 or at bassingbourn@

hivegb.co.uk. I am in office Mon. – Fri.

between 1000 and 1400 hours.

Please do not try to contact me on the

mobile number you may have, I no longer

have this phone.

Note from Carla at the HIVE

Army Welfare ServiceMuch of the support available to Army personnel and their families is given through the Army Welfare Service (AWS), a professional and confidential welfare support service for servicemen and women and their families, wherever they are located. We can arrange for

confidential consultations through our local AWS branch at Waterbeach. Alternatively you can contact them direct on 01223 204431 if you wish.

The Army Welfare Service has three main tasks: Community Support, Personal Support and HIVE information services.

Cambridge on Ice runs until 3rd Jan for more info visit the website www.cambridgeonice.co.ukalso the Christmas Fayre runs alongside the Ice Rink


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Anthony, Sue and the staff at the Red Shield! We are open for business for December but close for Stand-down on Thursday December 17th. Come back in 2010 for your coffee and Panini on Tuesday the 5th of January.

6 Community Update

If you are pondering over what stocking fillers to get for the kids this Christmas, a fantastic and useful idea would be to invest in some bike

lights. Some of the youth club children are still cycling back and forth without lights which is a safety concern. Please make

sure the kids are safe. We are making some changes to Youth Club timings in the New Year. These changes are as follows:■ Seniors to move to Mondays to

avoid clashing with Tae-Kwondo on Wednesdays

■ Juniors to move to Wednesdays so as not to clash with junior rock climbingTimings are also to change – seniors

1830 – 2000 hours, juniors 1800 – 1930 hours

There will be no changes to After School Club or Parents and Tots■ All youth club members will be informed of

the changes personally by letterAdult volunteers are urgently required for

both youth club sessions. Accreditation for volunteering with the youth club is available via ASDAN. Volunteers may work towards Community Volunteering Qualification (CVQ) levels 1 – 3 or alternatively NVQs in Community Work.

Community Development Worker Update

Note from the RMPAs festive season approaches I would like to take this opportunity to remind all about the importance of securing your property and valuables whilst out of station on leave. Historically the Christmas period sees a rise in theft related crimes so please ensure you safeguard against this. Ensure all windows and doors are closed and locked; bikes and other valuable items are secured in side your property or garage.

Also, without meaning to sound repetitive, please remember the legal requirements when it comes to driving. The policy quite clearly is “don’t drink and drive”. We all know that people can often get caught out at this time of year and the majority of cases are caught the morning after a few drinks. Enjoy the

festive period but careful planning is essential, the bottom line is, if you are having a drink, don’t get into your car until the alcohol is out of your system. The local Police will be looking for drunk drivers; therefore you are potentially running the risk of losing your licence and will incur the Military discipline associated. ATR (B) have a zero tolerance policy on this and if you are found to be over the limit you could be banned for 18 months or more, reduced in rank and posted in disgrace. Not a good career move.Cpl Fisher RMP.

To the Parents of children attending Bassingbourn Primary School:

The current Bassingbourn Primary School Head Teacher and her replacement will be visiting the Barracks on Thursday 07 January 2010. It is intended to hold an informal gathering in the Community Centre at 2pm. This is an ideal opportunity to meet the new head and discuss any issues relating to the school or ask any pertinent questions that you may have. Please come along and enjoy Coffee, a biscuit and an audience with the key personalities responsible for the education of your children.

Please put this information in your diaries: Community Centre, 2 pm, Thurs 7th Jan 10.

Forum for discussion

Opening hours for the Spar Shop over Christmas Leave PeriodSat 19th December–Thurs 24th December inclusive 1000–1200Fri 25th & Sat 26th December ClosedSun 27th Dec 1000–1200Mon 28th December (Bank Holiday) ClosedTue 29th December–Thu 31st December inclusive 1000–1200Fri 1st January ClosedSat 2nd January 1000–1600Sun 3rd Jan Normal Opening times resumeOffice: Aramark Ltd, Building 17, ATR Bassingbourn, Royston, Herts. SG8 5LX


7Community Update

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the “Bassingbourn Belle”. As your Member of Parliament, I have really appreciated the chance on a number of occasions in the past to see the work done at Bassingbourn, not least in meeting the families at a pass off parade. To see how proud they were of their young people was great.

It was also an important reflection of some of the things that we need to be aware of in our national life. Young people entering initial training, I was told, are just not as robust as they need to be, not as fit, with bones more prone to fracture; a programme was needed to build up that fitness and resilience.

More positively I thought was that these were young people who, when they passed, knew that they had been tested against a high standard and succeeded. Often, they had never before felt that there was a “pass or fail” test, that they could be proud of when they achieved it. Too much in schools was about taking part, rather than meeting a standard. But in life you do have to win against competition and to meet a standard;

it is an important lesson to learn.No-one can doubt the importance of

training for our young services in the face of continuing conflict in Afghanistan. I recently visited the 1st Battalion, of the Royal Anglian Regiment at Pirbright in Surrey. Next year, they go back to Afghanistan. You can’t fail to be impressed by the calibre of our troops and their professionalism. You can’t fail also to be concerned by the age of our armoured vehicles they will be deployed with and that, even as new vehicles are introduced in theatre, they are not equally available for training prior to deployment.

I know, from talking to men from ‘The Vikings’ that they understand why they are in Afghanistan. We were there in the first place as part of a NATO operation in self defence, directly to strike at the Taliban and Al- Qaeda, following the 9/11 attacks. We have to persist if we are to prevent Afghanistan being a haven for terrorists again and if we are to stop the deterioration of security in Pakistan. We cannot fight terrorism, which threatens us here in Britain, without taking the fight to where terrorists are organised and

trained.It’s a

task which cannot be easy and it will not be quick. Young people beginning their training now expect themselves to be serving on the front line in a few years time. Our responsibility will be to equip them with the training they need, and we have to set out clear objectives. Not least, we must honour the military covenant that we should look after our service personnel and their families, in recognition of their commitment and sacrifice.

Andrew Lansley CBE MP for South Cambridgeshire.

Andrew Lansley applauds calibre of Bassingbourn trainees and UK troops

The Regiment conducted a successful Officers’ study day that concentrated on the subject of Values Based Leadership (VBL) and the coaching style of leadership.

The study day began with presentations by 3 distinguished guest speakers; they were Sir John Whitmore (from Performance Consultants International) based in London, Mr Neil Wragg (from Youth at Risk) based in Royston and Mr Alexei Janssen (from the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM)) based in Lympstone. The guest speakers are all experts in the fields of coaching, learning and learning differences which was made evident from the quality of their presentations and the tips and techniques that they explained. During the afternoon the officers were able to voice

their views through their own presentations which they prepared after being given a question to answer. Healthy and sometimes controversial debate resulted from the days activities which undoubtedly raised the awareness of the subjects discussed. The study day was also attended by some of the Regiments qualified master and sub unit coaches and external guests attended from CTCRM, the ARTD Staff Leadership School and the Infantry Battle School.

Sparks of Debate in the Officers’ MessBy Capt (AIW) E. Harverson


8 Military Life

The country was being lashed with storms in the lead up to Hell Down South ensuring a challenging and eventful race. Luck was with us on the journey down to Longmoor training area; the sun started to make an appearance, and on arrival we were re-directed from our allocated car park to another area which turned out to be much closer to the start line. The seven of us got changed and made our way to the start, but not before cowering in the vehicle as the heavens opened for a brief shower.

We were met by a devil on stilts and SIO Dean Marshall made his way to the very front of the crowd. The rest of the group settled for a place further back as time only started when you crossed the start line with your race time chip. Then the countdown was under way and we were off running through red smoke for a few hundred meters- great for the lungs.

The course was between 10-12 miles but with no mile markers those of us without GPS watches didn’t know how far we had gone. The first half of the course was pretty tame; the second was filled with plenty of steep hills and a number of deep water crossings including the “Bog of Doom”. The 40m stretch of water was chest height in some places with logs and other branches cracking your legs as you went through. On either side of the bog there was a large amount of spectators encouraging people.

Further on we were met by the devil on stilts again, before descending a very steep bank into another stretch of water. There was more fun ahead with some energy sapping, sand hills before heading into a dirty, foam covered water obstacle. It was then onto the home stretch and across the finish line to collect a well earned t-shirt

and goody bag.There was a good bit of

competition between myself and Sgt Joe Stapleton for most of the race. However, an attempt at psychological tricks like saying, “he would overheat in his running attire”, and that I was, “well within my comfort zone when I was next to him”, didn’t work. The mass amount of energy gels he consumed must have given him the advantage, taking him over the end point seconds before me.

SIO Steve Burton managed to carry a waterproof camera all the way, even though he injuring his ankle after two miles. As Cpl Sean McGinn came across the finish line he saw Gordon Ramsey and shouted, “Oy Gordon, lets get

Hell Down SouthBy Cpl David Payling


9Military Life

Do your bit to help our blokes

ORDINARY PEOPLE,EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS

www.helpforheroes.org.ukRegistered Charity No. 1120920

DonationschequeIf you prefer to send your donation by post,make your cheque out to Help for Heroes andplease attach a gift aid form made out to: Unit6, Aspire Business Centre, Ordnance Road,Tidworth, Hants SP9 7QD. Tel: 01980 846 459

TEXTText HERO to 60999 todonate £5 or call 0300 2001066. Calls and messagesare charged at national rate.

web Click on our donations button on our websitewww.helpforheroes.org.uk and you will be parted with yourmoney electronically and securely. It is easy to use, safe andenables us to get gift aid from the nice man at the treasurywhich will add 28% to your donation and that is worth having!

a photo”. On the way back we were trying to workout if Cpl Sean McGinn had beaten the ageing chef and ex footballer Gordon Ramsey.

The results combined the morning and afternoon race and are as follows:SIO Dean Marshall: 39th 1:13:02Sgt Joe Stapleton: 76th 1:16:54Cpl David Payling: 83rd 1:17:11Lt Tosh Suzuki: 190th 1:22:10SIO Steve Burton: 409th 1:27:57Cpl Tom Quine: 413th 1:28:14Cpl Sean McGinn 746th 1:35:28We all enjoyed the race and said we would do it again; some would train more for it next time and try to pace it better. There were five runners sponsored and we managed to raise approximately £485 for Help for Heroes with Cpl Tom Quine raising the most at £170. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone who likes a challenge.

And we all beat Gordon Ramsey (758th).

Some of the team with Chef Gordon Ramsey


10 Military Life

Jude Healey and Amanda Wood-Woolley are two single Mum’s from Middlesbrough who have put together a fundraising calendar from which all proceeds go to Help for Heroes. Not your traditional Page 3 model, Jude is a full-time Community Worker and business woman while Amanda is a full-time Mum to her three boys.

The inspiration for the calendar came from Jude watching TV, reading the papers and listening to the families of the fallen and the wounded. Having lost close family members at a young age (both parents by 26), she understood bereavement and losing close one’s suddenly and how hard it can be to come to terms with. She also has family and friends who are ex-forces and some who are currently serving. Something

touched her heart and she knew that she had to do something to try and help and to let our brave servicemen and women and their families know that the general public do care and appreciate the sacrifices they make.

One of the main inspirations was Ben Parkinson, the brave soldier from Doncaster who was severely injured during the conflict in Afghanistan. Jude also had never met her Granddad, Private Harold Stanley Healey, who died of wounds received in battle during World War 2. He never

recovered from the shrapnel embedded in his chest which couldn’t be removed and he literally coughed himself to death when tuberculosis set in, which left her Dad without his father, aged just 16.

2010 Calendar in support of Help for Heroes


11Military Life

The calendar project was started and completed without any funding whatsoever. Jude put it out as an idea on Facebook and people she had never met before started offering time and services free of charge, it was during this time she met up with Amanda whose brother had served in the Gulf. The two women have become close friends as a result of the project. Amanda was pregnant during the production of the calendar but was always at Jude’s sides during the shoots for moral support.

The calendar is dedicated to the Tri-Services and to all who have served and who are currently serving, the fallen and the wounded.

There is a page for each of the Forces and the calendar has been designed and produced by The Consultancy and Printing.com based in the North East who have given all their time and services free of charge, the only cost has been for the print which they got down to minimum cost.

This professionally produced calendar is A3 full colour, printed on high quality paper with a lovely silk finish and has received

positive feedback from customers who have already purchased. It is also described by Help for Heroes as “fantastic”.

The bulk of the photography was done by Michael Kelly of Construct Photographic, Middlesbrough who gave all his time and services for free. Michael’s father was in the RAF.

The rugby and Christmas shots were done by John Philipson, John’s Studio whose wife Joyce has been involved in sending out care packages for troops for many years.

Jude’s work colleague Mick Hill (ex Ten Field Squadron) who served in Helmand Province until he suffered hearing damage has also been supportive throughout and organised the shoot at the Royal British Legion Club, Middlesbrough.

Bassingbourn based Cpl Trevor “Baz” Barrow came forward to pose for photographs and drove 300 miles with his family to Middlesbrough picking up friend and colleague Lcpl Craig ‘Woody’ Wood based at Catterick Garrison on his way. His wife Sarah has also been a fantastic supporter of the project and has offered

encouragement along the way and was the inspiration behind this article.

Jude commented:“We have just taken delivery of the first

batch of calendars and it’s an exciting time, we have sent the first orders out all over the UK and further afield to places such as Kos and the USA.”

“People have also pledged extra money for signed copies and we have had people pay between £20 and £100 for them which is tremendous.”

“It’s an ideal Christmas Gift and just as good quality as some of the mainstream calendars, even if the model is a little older!! By buying one of these as a stocking filler you’re also helping a great cause.”

I met Jude through Facebook after seeing her post about soldiers deserving more support. Jude then put a post out saying she was doing a calendar for Help 4 Heroes and who would like to buy one, which I said I would. Over the next few months she would put pictures of herself from the different shoots she had done for the different months. There was her with a jet, in a flight suit, on a motorbike and in a bubble bath.

After a while she then asked if there was anyone that would like to appear in the calendar with her. She got a lot of guys who said yes they would love to, including me. A few weeks later, and after talking to Sarah, we drove to Middlesbrough from Warminster to be at the photo shoot.

On the way up I called Jude who said that I was going to be the only guy there as everyone else had backed out. So, I called a few friends posted in Catterick, drove to the barracks and picked up LCpl

Craig ‘Woody’ Wood, the only other one to say yes.

At the shoot about 20-30 pictures were taken in different positions and on different vehicles with the best ones going in the calendar and the rest on Facebook. After a few days the pictures started to pop up on Facebook which was nice to because Sarah and the kids like having a laugh at me.

We made it on the August page and Jude is sending me my copy of the calendar in the next few weeks which I can’t wait to see.

Websitewww.2010calendarinsupportofh4h.co.ukPrice: £7.99 plus p & p £2.50

£6.50 from each calendar goes directly to the charity and is officially registered with Help for Heroes.Calendars can be posted worldwide. Locations with military connection:TA Centre, Brambles Farm, MiddlesbroughRAF Leeming, NorthallertonRoyal British Legion Club, Middlesbrough

Other locationsMiddlesbrough Amateur Boxing ClubBillingham Rugby ClubTall Trees Hotel, Yarm

Braving the CameraBy Cpl Trevor ‘Baz’ Barrow


12 Christmas Spectacular

Burghley Christmas Crafts and Fine Food Market3rd–6th December tbaBurghley House, StamfordThis annual Christmas Crafts and Fine Food Market returns to the magnificent Elizabethan mansion of Burghley House. Contact the house for further details.tbaBurghley House01780 752451www.burghley.co.uk

Victorian Christmas Fayre, BedfordFriday 11th–Sunday13th DecemberFriday and Saturday 10am–7pmSunday 10am–5pmHarpur Square and Harpur Street, BedfordBedford’s Victorian Christmas Fayre with stalls, refreshments, costumed street vendors, entertainers, period rides, ice skating rink, Father Christmas etcFree entryBedford TIC01234 221955www.bedfordevents.co.uk

Christmas Crafts, Food and Country Gift FairSaturday 5th &Sunday 6th December10am–6pmKnebworth HouseA splendid place to buy those last minute Christmas gifts from artists, designers, craftsmen, potters, etc.,£5 adults, OAP’s £4.50, Children £2Living Heritage01283 820548www.craft-shows.co.uk

Christmas What’s On Christmas at Buckland Barn was set up two

years ago. It is a beautiful barn full of all your requirements for the festive season.

The goods have been sourced from Europe and beyond in order to give the customers that something special and not the average goods found on the high street.

The barn has artificial and premium quality fresh trees available with everything to compliment your tree including: lights, garlands, fairies and decorations. There are stunning garlands and wreaths displayed to instantly decorate your home and a complete new floristry section for the avid florist.

An unusual array of gifts and stocking fillers are available for the all family, and that special someone. There is a wide range of beautiful tableware, from tablecloths, napkins, napkin rings to candles, tealights and all the extras.

At Buckland Barn you will find all you will need to make your festive home decorations exclusive.

Christmas at Buckland Barn is situated on the A10 between Royston and Buntingford, and is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sundays 10am to 4pm.

If you would like to win a £50 gift certificate please text: 07907791761 or email [email protected] with ‘XMAS’ in the header by December 8th. Winners in the last 2 months are not eligible.

Christmas at Buckland Barn

As the bleak British Winter evenings take hold during the lead-in to Christmas, why not take a short break and discover the colourful displays and products of the Christmas Markets that take place annually in Europe and the UK.

Wrap up warm and wander around these markets and you’re sure to be enchanted by the atmosphere and bewildering array of traditional decorations and gifts that are on display.

Premier can offer a wide range of durations typically between 3 and 7 day durations travelling by Air, Coach, Eurostar or River Cruise.

Be warned Christmas Market breaks are very popular and book up fast so call into your local Premier Travel branch soon and book at the very best prices.

Celebrate away from home in stunning locations with a European Christmas Market break.

Berlin, Bruges, Brussels, Prague, Budapest, Munich, Cologne Salzburg accommodation only from £12.50 pppn (per person per night) ask for details.

Christmas Markets


13Christmas Spectacular

Sgt Heenan RecommendsSomme MudE. P. F Lynch(Author), WillDavies (Editor),2008‘A vivid first-hand account of the experiences of an ordinary infantryman – it has the feel of being written by a soldier for soldiers.’

WO1 (SSM) Andy Powney, Unit Welfare OfficerRise of the Foot Soldier, Carlton LeachMany of you will have read this book and seen the film (18) that resulted from it. “Brutal and disturbing stuff’, ‘easy to read and fast paced, difficult to put down.”

L/Cpl Ian Hardy, Minden Band, this Christmas will be re-reading:Counter Clock World, Philip K. Dick, 2002‘An original ambitious novel in which time flows in reverse set in the year of 1998’

Helen Mullen recommendsA good laugh with Alan Carr in his ‘Look who it is!: My Story’

CharlotteYour Child saves Christmas – A Christmas Adventure Personalised Story Book.Penwizard‘It’s a lovely read, Santa’s toy machine breaks and ‘your’ child goes and helps Santa and the elves in the North Pole and… saves Christmas. This personalised book can include 2 of your friends too.

Henry Hayward, WRVS, has just finished and immensely enjoyedThe Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett12th Century epic story of the building of a Gothic Cathedral. A mammoth tale which touches all human emotion – this is truly a novel to get lost in.

Sue Foster, Red Shield, every year at Christmas reads:A Different Kind of Christmas, Alex HaleyThis is a very special novel that sparkles with the same memorable writing that made ROOTS a classic. The words soar from the page with unforgettable inspiration – a timeless tale of spiritual regeneration, moral courage and powerful human-ness, meaningful and memorable to readers of all faiths, and none, and all ages.

Janet from the Regimental Accounts office highly recommendsWilbur Smith’s Egyptian trilogy: River God, The Seventh Scroll, and Warlock“Grips you right from the very start with adventures, intrigue, passion and love, historical references and mysticism revelling just how advanced the civilisation of ancient Egypt really was.”

All I want for Christmas is…a good read

Bury Lane offers it’s customers a relaxed and peaceful shopping atmosphere all under one roof. The Christmas shop is an Aladdin’s cave of lights and decorations for your perfect tree. Meet our story telling Santa, post your Christmas list, and smell the wonderful fresh spruce as you select your Christmas tree. The gift shop is where you’ll find the perfect present and card. We have a huge selection of stocking fillers for the young at heart.

Bury Lanes display of hampers is so appealing and an iconic part of the British Christmas. Filled to bursting with a fantastic selection of food and drink, each hamper is individual and provides

a different kind of feast.The butchers counter offers game and

traditional cuts of free range meat with expert advice and recipes from the team. Order your Turkey before the 13th of December and you’ll be entered into our prize draw to win a £90 hamper.

Stop off for a homemade cake and fresh coffee in the café, but make sure you leave a little space for tastings at the deli counter with a fantastic selection of over 80 British and European cheeses. The array of delicious treats and highest quality local produce will set your mouth watering, from cheeses, pies, pastries to speciality cured meats and pantry fillers.

The store is open 7 days a week

including late night openings. We’ve also launched our new loyalty card ask staff in store for details.Bury Lane Farm ShopMelbournRoystonSG8 6DF01763 260418www.burylanefarmshop.co.uk

Festive Delights at Bury Lane


14 Christmas Spectacular

Christmas in Germany: Weihnachten!By Daniela AndersonPeople in Germany like to celebrate and around Christmas there is a strong sense of tradition and family. Compared to many other countries, the Christmas festivities start nearly a month early. Germans celebrate four Advent Sundays before Christmas and an Advendskranz (Advent Wreath) is a very popular decoration in German homes. It consists of a circular wreath of branches with four candles on it. On the first Sunday in Advent, the first candle is lit; all four candles are lit on the fourth Sunday. Around the same time, the Christmas Markets are opening their doors all over Germany. You can buy all kinds of Christmas merchandise and gifts, especially traditional items.

Have you ever been to Germany and wondered why there are polished little children’s boots outside the front doors on the night of December 5? It’s because on the very early morning of December 6, St. Nikolaus (St. Nicholas) makes his rounds. According to legend, he leaves gifts (traditional sweets+nuts) for the good little children, and coal for the naughty ones.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a Tannenbaum (Christmas tree, usually a real evergreen), some Gingerbread Houses and an Advent calendar to count down the days. The Tannenbaum has even got its on Christmas carol, ‘O Tannenbaum’, which

British people know as ‘O Christmas Tree’.Germany is a country which celebrates

Christmas on Christmas Eve (24.12.), Santa who is called Weihnachtsmann visits in the late afternoon / early evening and leaves the presents underneath the Tannenbaum.MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!!!

Christmas in Brunei ‘07By Sarah WhitticaseWe were part of a small garrison which consisted mainly of a Gurkha Battalion and supporting units and lived in Kuala Belait which was a mix of Bruneians, Chinese and Shell Oil employees from all over the world. We were looking forward to our first Christmas in a hot country, no frost to scrape of the cars, no crowded shopping centres or endless adverts on T.V encouraging you to buy the latest must have gadgets. The local shops sold a few very tacky decorations and the quality of the toys was poor, thank heavens for Amazon. As a real lover of

Christmas there were many things that I really missed especially family, but the community did its best to make it a special time for the children. The school (Hornbill School) carried on with tradition of Christmas plays and carols. We even had a visit from Father Christmas who arrived by helicopter and was winched down on to the school field to the delight of the children and staff. With Brunei being such a hot country he could hardly arrive by sledge! The local amateur dramatic society even put on a Panto, oh yes they did. On Christmas Eve we went to the beach with good friends, dug a hole in the ground and cooked sausages, while the kids played in the sea until the sun went down. We had our Christmas meal at the Mess, unfortunately no Queen’s speech at 3.00pm or even a seasonal film to watch on TV. You could if you wanted go shopping as all the local businesses were open as usual or even go to the Supermarket. It was a lovely experience for a couple of years, and much less stressful.Milad Majid (Happy Christmas).

Eid Mubarak (Happy EID)By Boo TaylorAcross the Middle East Christmas is celebrated in very different ways. Three Christmas Eves are celebrated in the Holy Land: The Protestant, Greek Orthodox and Catholic churches celebrate Christmas on 24th of December, Coptic (Egyptian) and Syrian churches celebrate on the 7th January, and the third Christmas Eve is for the Armenian Church. Sometimes, all three Christmas Eve services are going on at the same time, in different languages, and in different parts of the church.

Christmas in Iraq is quite unusual.

Christmas ‘round the World

and an Addays. The TCChristmas c


15Christmas Spectacular

On Christmas Eve, children of Christian households read the Nativity story from an Arabic Bible and hold candles. A bonfire is then lit which signifies good luck and prosperity for the family in the coming year. On Christmas day, a similar bonfire is built in the church and the men of the congregation chant a hymn, while it burns. In Lebanon, people plant seeds of chickpeas, wheat grains, beans and lentils in cotton wool two weeks before Christmas. Seeds are watered everyday and by Christmas, these shoots are then used to surround the manger in Nativity scenes. People then visit friends on Christmas morning. Coffee, liqueurs and sugared almonds are served to the guests. Festive Christmas lunch is the highlight of the day and traditional dishes are chicken, rice and Kubbeh (a local delicacy prepared by mixing crushed boiled wheat known as ‘burghul’ with meat, onion, salt and pepper). In Egypt, on the eve of Christmas, everyone goes to church wearing a completely new outfit. The Christmas service ends at midnight with the ringing of church bells, and people then go home to eat a special Christmas meal known as ‘fata’, which consists of bread, rice, garlic and boiled meat. On Christmas morning, Egyptians visit friends and neighbours. They take with them kaik which is a type of shortbread, which they give to the people they visit and eat with a drink known as shortbat.

This activity is also shared by the neighbouring Muslim communities in these countries. The Islamic festival of Eid- Al Adhar is also approaching and will be celebrated by Muslims all over the world. This festival (Festival of Sacrifice) is celebrated at the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham. Muslims celebrate the sacrifice of the lamb (in place of Ishmael)

by his father, Abraham. On this day, after Eid prayers at the local mosque, Muslims sacrifice an animal: (a ram, goat, sheep, cow or camel). The meat is divided into three parts: one part is distributed among the poor and needy, one part is distributed among relatives and friends, and one part is used by the family. This is also a major holiday for Muslims to visit each other and give gifts to the children. Everyone wears completely new outfits, and tuck into a traditional meat dish, called Fata, and say ‘Eid Mubarak’ to each other.

Christmas in the Falkland IslandsBy Sue FosterBeing in the southern hemisphere Christmas falls during the Falklands ‘summer’ and although it can be warm and sunny there is usually a strong breeze blowing straight from Antarctica and it can snow on any time of the year. Christmas 2007, Anthony and Sue Foster, Red Shield, were running the Oasis Centre at Mount Pleasant Airport and being at the end of a very long supply chain it was remarkable that all the usual trimmings were available in the NAAFI, even fresh sprouts! The one thing we missed, apart from our family, was a fresh Christmas tree – we had spied some at Stanley Growers about 10 inches tall earlier in the year and on enquiry found these ‘special’ little trees were being grown as a long term project for protection from the elements and were over 10 years old!

Image shows our little ‘hotch potch’ band playing ‘O Christmas Tree’ around the housing patch.

In South AfricaBy Roger SainsburyChristmas in South Africa is celebrated in a very similar way that it is done here. Traditionally, South Africans would go to church on one of the 3 Christmas days –

Christmas Eve, Christmas day or Boxing Day, presents are opened on the Christmas day morning and then there would be an all day and evening Christmas lunch at a relative’s home. The big difference of course is that, unlike in the UK, it is the middle of summer. Having a pool or living by a lake or the sea is very common and often the Christmas turkey would be replaced by something that could be barbequed – often fish!

However, Christmas is celebrated very differently by the indigenous tribes of South Africa. The first settlers came to South Africa around 600 years ago and their offspring today would argue that they too are a rightful and indigenous tribe of South Africa. These settlers, from Holland, then France and later Britain, who used the Cape as a trade route to the East, brought Christianity with them and imposed this in a missionary style way on the tribes in South Africa. So the Zulus, the Xhosa, Vendas, Sothos and other tribes have adapted Christmas to comply with their own culture. Certainly the Zulu priests do not talk about a Santa Claus that comes in the night on a sleigh and leaves gifts for all the children of the Zulu Kingdom. Instead the focus for them is more on the real meaning of Christmas and that the day calls for a big celebration!

Christianity, and all its practises, is followed by more than 80% of all South Africans.

Arabic I’d Miilad said ouasana saida

Mandarin Sheng Dan Kuai LeDanish Glædelig JulFilipino Maligayang PaskoFrench Joyeux NoëlGreek Kala Christouyenna!Polish Kellemes es Boldog

Karacsonyt KivanokIrish Nollaig Shona DhuitItalian Buon Natale!Japanese Shinnen omedeto Kurisumasu

OmedetoLatin Natale hilare et Annum

Faustum!Portuguese Feliz Natal!Russian Pozdravlyenie s Rozjdyestvom

i s Novym Godom!Swedish God JulSamoan La Maunia Le Kilisimasi

Ma Le Tausaga FouSpanish Feliz NavidadUrdu Naya Saal Mubarak HoWelsh Nadolig Llawen

oxxing Dayy, ,d


16 Education & Family

Sue, who some of you might know from the Red Shield, is a bit of a master puppeteer, and with the help of a couple of volunteers decided to put on a presentation for the children of the Parent and Tot’s group at the Community Centre.

The children sat down to watch the show which was based on the weather; afterwards, the children had a go at being a puppeteer themselves with some of the smaller puppets. A good time was had by all. Whilst some might be disappointed to learn that it is not open for bookings, Sue and her team also took the presentation to the children of the Sunshine Pre-School.

However, Sue is looking for

adult volunteers (no experience needed) to help with the show and you could help out with the set-up, the music, or try your hand at animating the puppets. Speaking from experience I can say that it is a tonne of fun and not very time consuming at all.Whilst it is still early days for the ‘Puppets on Parade!’, Sue is hoping to take the presentation into local primary schools covering various topics.

POP! – Puppets on Parade

Teaching AssistantsBassingbourn Primary School is currently recruiting for Level 1B and Level 2 Teaching Assistants. Closing date for applications is Thursday 3rd December with interviews on Friday 11th December. For more information contact Mrs. Linda Geddes, the School secretary on 01763 242460 or email: [email protected]

Cleaner required to prepare the contact house for incoming guests■ No experience necessary but good

communication and effective liaison essential.

■ £20 per preparation is the rate of pay (frequency is seasonal dependent).Please contact the UWO on 01223

204214 if you are interested.

Baby & Toddlers Pray and Play Royston Parish Church, 2nd & 4th Weds. Each month

Baby Massage & Baby Yoga Royston Complementary Health Centre– 01763 247440 or email [email protected]

Baby Rhyme Time Royston LibraryFri. 10-10:30, 11-11:30

Story Time Royston Library, Fridays 2–2:30

Children’s Story Time Bassingbourn Community Book Café, the Limes,Thurs. 2– 2:30

1st Baby Group Royston Health Centre– Every Mon. 2:15-3:45, 0-5 mths; Annette 01763 257982

Home Start Royston and South Cambs– Sarah Dixon 01763 262262

AWS Bassingbourn Barracks Community Centre 1-3 pm on: Tuesday – Play, snack and story time; Thursday session – MESSY Play (please wear old clothes), snack and story time. Health Visitor every 2nd Wednesday of the month- 10.30 a.m. to Midday.

‘Minus 1 to 5’s’ Bassingbourn Primary School, Tuesday, 2 pm to 2:45

‘Music Club’ Littlington Village Church, Wednesday, 2pm to 3pm, £1.20 per family

Story Time’ The Limes (Bassingbourn Library)Thursday, 2pm to 3pm, Royston Library, Friday, 2pm

Mums and Tots’ Littlington Village Hall, Friday, 9am to 11am, £1.25

Rhyme Time’ Royston Library, Friday,11am to 11:45

Local Area Activities for Under 5’s

Have you just arrived here at Bassingbourn Barracks? Or maybe you have been here for awhile but would like to meet new friends? Why not come and join us at The Red Shield, upstairs in the Memphis Bell, every Monday from 2pm starting on the 7th of September 2009.There will be FREE coffee and cake! How can anyone possibly resist!The Community Development Worker, AFF and Hive representatives will also be in attendance where ever possible.

New families meet and greet

Service personnel returning from deployments are usually given periods of leave on their return both to rest and recover and to enable them to spend some time with their families. Very often, this leave occurs in term time. Families sometimes choose to have a holiday during this period and may wish to take their children out of school during term time for that purpose.

There is pressure on schools to ensure 100% pupil attendance balanced against leave, within the law, for parents to take their children on term time holidays – which schools must classify as ‘authorised’ or ‘unauthorised’ absence. Most schools establish policies about such absence and parents should check with the school to find out what their policy is. At the very least parents should speak to the class teacher to inform them of their particular circumstances and reasons for any planned absence.CEAS Helpline 01980 618244www.ceas.mod.uk

Term-time holidays and taking children out of school


17Education & Family

Air Cadets and Staff from 2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron have remembered those who have been injured or lost their lives as a result of war by taking part in a number of Remembrance Services in the local area.

The Squadron took part in parades in the villages of Bassingbourn, Meldreth and Melbourn along with a parade through the town of Royston, led by Drum Major Cadet Warrant Officer Martin Goddard and the Squadron Band. During a Service at the War Memorial in Royston, the last post was sounded

by Cadet Hollie Woodley, with Sergeant Ben Johnson laying a poppy wreath on behalf of the Squadron.

Cadet Hollie Woodley (15), who was participating in her first event with the Squadron, said “It was an honour and a privilege to play the last post on such an important day.”

Ten Cadets also paraded with 2461 (Sawston) Squadron in the village of Sawston, proceeding afterwards to Duxford Imperial War Museum for a Service of Remembrance.

The Squadron has also assisted

in collecting for the Poppy Appeal in Royston during the week.

Civilian Instructor Gemma BrownMCO 2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron

2484 Remembers

Four air cadets from 2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron have just returned from a trip of a lifetime in Cyprus, taking part in a week of adventure training activities.

The four cadets joined eight other cadets and four members of Staff from Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing for the week which was designed to test the viability for Cyprus to be used for Duke of Edinburgh award and adventure training opportunities for Central and East Region.

The cadets were based at Troodos Station, the oldest British military asset in Cyprus sitting at 6000ft in the Troodos Mountains. They took part in a variety of activities, including climbing, trekking and mountain biking in the local area; they also visited the coast for snorkelling and sea kayaking, along with scaling Mount Olympus.

The week was not all hard work with cadets being able to visit RAF Akrotiri to

have some well earned rest on the beach and having dinner with Central and East Regional Commandant Group Captain Brett Morrell in Paphos.

Cadet Warrant Officer Martin Goddard said “The trip was without doubt the best camp I have attended during my time within the Corps. To have the opportunity to take part in all the forms of adventure training that we did, on the backdrop of the beautiful island of Cyprus, is an experience that I will never forget.”

Sergeant Nick Buckle added “This was one of the most challenging weeks of my life but at the same time the most rewarding”

Squadron Leader Charles Dicks, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing Adventure Training Officer said “This was an excellent week all round, with first class support from the staff at Troodos Station, I will certainly be recommending this venture is supported for the future. The diversity of

activities available makes it an ideal venue for adventure training activities”

2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron is open to young men and women aged between 13 and 17 years old. We meet on Mondays and Wednesdays between 18:45 and 21:45 at Bassingbourn Barracks. For more information please contact 01763 249156 or visit our website www.2484aircadets.co.uk

Thank you to Flying Officer Gina Gilbert 2065 (Biggleswade) Squadron for the photos.

Troodos trip of a lifetime

Cyprus 2: The Cadets and staff have reached the top of Troodos

Cadet Hollie Woodley sounds the last post

Sergeant Ben Johnson lays a wreath on behalf of the Squadron



Well it’s finally arrived and I for one can’t wait to get all glammed up for the party season. It’s the one time of year when us girls can really go to town with the glitz, glamour and sparkle.

However, there’s more to looking beautiful than just wearing a nice dress. To achieve a complete look every area of the body should be individually pampered and this is where a beauty regime really comes into play.

We all know we should cleanse, tone and moisturise our faces but what about our bodies? Your LBD won’t look good if your skin is dry, dull and flaky. The good news is that a weekly exfoliation and a few applications of body cream can work wonders. It doesn’t have to cost the earth either. In fact a good home exfoliation remedy is olive oil and sugar. The olive oil is full of vitamin E so moisturises the skin and the sugar exfoliates, you could also add a spoon full of honey. Rub all over the body while in the shower and pay particular attention to elbows and knees, pat dry when finished, apply any body cream, maybe even one with a little shimmer and you skin should fell soft, supple and glowing, ready for your dress.

Exfoliation is also important on the face before a night out especially when applying foundation as this can stick to drier areas. Cleanse, tone, exfoliate and if you have time apply a face mask, then moisturise, your skin will then be primed ready for makeup

application.For a really glamorous look why not try

a set of semi-permanent Hollywood Lashes, guaranteed to give the WOW factor. These lashes are light weight and will instantly lengthen and thicken your own lashes. An individual lash is glued to your lash and not to the eyelid; this makes them look like your own only longer and thicker. You won’t even know they’re there they are so light. One set should last all the way through the party season with the proper aftercare. They also look fab with a slick of glitter eyeliner in any of the fabulous colours that are now in the shops.

Another area often neglected in winter is the feet, but if you’re planning on wearing opened toed shoes with your dress, tired, distressed feet and chipped polish isn’t a good look. A pedicure will have them looking soft and pampered and your nails will be ready for one of the hot colours around this season.

So if you want to dazzle and be the belle of the ball a little extra effort is required, but the results will be worth it. Knowing you look the best that you can will make you feel

confident and sexy and give you that inner glow.

Enjoy! Be Merry and have a fabulous Christmas!

Elizabeth Smith- Fully qualified mobile beauty therapist- Call 01763 232894 or 07951 274831

WIN WIN WIN – A free mobile spraytan- WIN WIN WIN

Email “Sun Goddess” to [email protected] or text: 07907791761

Glamour and Glitzwith Elizabeth

Karen Forte offers a 15% Military discount on all stock. Wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses. Mother of the bride or garden party dresses and of course Eveningwear. Not to mention all our accessories from shoes to jewellery.

Verona HouseOld North RoadBassingbourn SG8 5JLt: 01763 242790e: [email protected]



There is a common belief in ATR (B) that I live in the McBean Centre, this is not true! I just occasionally forget to go home. However in October I am made a successful bid for freedom. I was a desperate individual, wild eyed and exhausted. I thought a Spa holiday would suit me as I would not have to go “Cold Turkey” on having lots to do. I have to admit that my staff had to stand over me and make me press the “Confirm online booking” but once the decision was made I was relieved and excited.

On a lovely autumn day I drove north to “Champneys Springs” near Ashby De La Zouche. I was greeted warmly and shown to my lovely room which over looked the lawn where the ducks and a lone swan grazed. I had a programme of treatments in my package: Thallasotheraphy (this was fantastic a big pool with water jets to massage different parts of the body), massage, facial and manicure. It also included personal training sessions and talks. In addition to this schedule, there is a menu of exercise classes: Gym Ball, Trampoline, hula hoop as well as dance, spinning, cardio etc. I don’t think I could hula hoop when I was a child and I still can’t. All the classes were full of fun and laughter. The Yoga, Pilates, Tia Chi, Meditation and relaxation classes proved to be wonderfully cathartic. The greatest luxury is the tranquil swimming pool which I used constantly either for water aerobics or for a gentle swim and as Springs has couple of short golf holes, I broke out my putter and had a very happy hour or so outside on the greens.

There are generally two schools of thought when you go to a spa like Springs. People staying for just one or two nights generally enjoyed the treatment aspects of the spa and spent most of their time relaxing on the large comfortable leather sofas in the lounge reading their book or magazine. For those who were staying longer it was the appeal of the activities: the pool, classes and the Gym. I will admit that even I, the Duracell bunny who never sits, still succumbed to lure of the sofa and a book. So whatever type of person you are, there is something for you to enjoy.

If like me you chose to go on your own, you would not be lonely as there are group table for dinner and lunch if you want to be sociable. The food is great, very healthy and delicious. When I finally had to come back to the real world I was refreshed, relaxed and most importantly I have regained my smile.

Guys, this is not just for the ladies, there were a good percentage of men enjoying the relaxation. And there are lots of local Spa’s to try for a day or longer.

P.S. A Spa Token is a nice Christmas Present and not

difficult to wrap!For all the latest special offers visit www.

champneys.com. Make sure to read through the upcoming issues of the Bassingbourn Belle to find out how you can win a Spa Day for two people at Champneys Henlow.

Learning Centre Managerescapes to Spa Heaven(it’s a miracle I came back)

Christmas Menu

41 Kneesworth Street Royston Hertfordshire SG8 5ABT 01763 226 225 E [email protected] W eatdrinkpalazzo.co.uk

Now Booking

A reception drink followed by 3 courses

Marshmallow vodka and prossecco

PrimiRoasted mediterranean vegetable soup with parmesan croutons

Palazzo prawn, apple and celery salad with marie roseStuffed flat mushroom with pancetta bacon, buffalo mozzarella and cranberry

Smooth duck liver pate with melba toast

SecondiRoast Norfolk Turkey with sage and onion stuffing, chipolatas and chestnuts

Roasted Pork Belly with Calvados and pan juicesMarinated sword fish with lemon, thyme and garlic

Roasted fig and goats cheese tartlet

NB All main courses to be served with roasted potatoes and a selection of seasonal vegetables

DulceChristmas Pudding with brandy cream and toasted pinenuts

Lemon Possett with almond biscottiChocolate, orange and Cointreau mousse

Tiramisu with cinnamon and Courvoisier cream

CafeTea, Coffee and Chocolates £2.00

All Christmas dinners to be accompanied with festive decoration

Lunch bookings £19.95

Dinner bookings 1st to 10th December £19.95

Dinner bookings 11th to 24th December £24.95

WHD&M

10% DISCOUNT

for anybody quoting the magazine

when booking a Christmas

party!



• Public Bar now completely refurbished with leather seating & sofas,

new sound system and ladies toilets

• Lounge bar and restaurant with new a la carte menu – chained daily –

all fresh, locally sourced produce with new lower prices

• Extensive wine list – wines sourced from around the world with

excellent house wines at £3.20 a glass

• New guest ale, Becks and Aspalls cider on draught

• Function room available for parties of up to 40 people

• 6 hotel rooms including 4 poster – all refurbished

• Marquee available – fully fi ts the patio and seats 65 people for functions

Forthcoming Functions: December – Festive set menus available for lunch & dinner bookings. Groups, parties and individuals all welcome.

Bookings now being taken for: Xmas Eve – open until 2am. Come and see in Christmas Day with us! Xmas Day – open for business. Reserve a table now. Excellent fi xed menu available. New Years Eve – black tie dinner in the restaurant and function room. Disco to see in the New Year in the public bar until 2am

Forthcoming Events: Sat 19th Dec – The Sharks gig.

Start Christmas Week with Us!!

New owners – Bill & Diane PennellWelcome you to the

Three Tuns Hotel

There will be some changes to Bassingbourn’s waste and recycling collections over Christmas and New Year because of bank holidays:■ collections due on Thursday 31

December will be two days late on Saturday 2 January

■ collections due on Thursday 7 January will be one day late on Friday 8 January

The following recycling tips may also be helpful■ Food waste – leftover food can create delicious meals or go into

your green bin. Visit www.scambs.gov.uk/foodwaste for ideas on managing your festive food waste.

■ Christmas trees – real trees can be cut into small pieces and added to your green bin or taken to your local household waste recycling centre.

■ Cardboard – large boxes can be taken to your local household waste recycling centre. Smaller, flattened boxes can be put into your green bin.

■ Glass bottles and jars – these can be rinsed and put into your green box.

■ Newspapers and magazines – these can be put into your green box.

■ Christmas cards – WH Smith, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer will take your cards and give a donation to the Woodland Trust, or you can put them into your green bin.

■ Wrapping paper – some wrapping paper is recyclable, some isn’t. To keep it simple, we ask that it all goes into the black bin. Alternatively, use gift bags, which can be used again.

■ Plastic bottles – all plastic bottles can be put into your green box. Remember to wash and squash them.

■ Tins, cans and foil – these can go into your green box. Please remember to rinse tins first.

Christmas Wasteand Recycling

Bassingbourn & Kneesworth Conservation GroupClunch Pit WoodOur new woodland is progressing! On the west side going towards Clear Farm Wood & the Stret the willow trees are growing above the surrounding growth. The overgrown & narrow footpath there has been widened & cleared so walkers can look ahead more easily. On the upper east side we think the growth of burdock & thistle may be protecting the hedging & young trees from both deer & rabbits. The young trees & shrubs are certainly establishing. Also there are good reports of flocks of goldfinches on the thistles amongst other birds. Numbers of butterflies have been seen & we had a wealth of wild flowers in the spring & summer.

Action!! Will you come & join us, please, for a ‘Burdock Bash’? 13.02.2010

We need to clear the paths (again) of thistle & burdock, a strenuous task, but possible with lots of manpower, spades, hoes & rakes. The sticky burrs from the burdock are neither dog-friendly nor woolly jumper friendly so we’d like to improve on that! Protective gloves vital! Please book the date in your new diary or calendar.

We hope also to be planting some more trees that day.Saturday 13th February 2010 from 9.30 am.

Some members of the community have been asking about the hedge reduction programme. The very latest information is as follows: The hedge reduction programme has been temporarily suspended to enable available resources to be targeted at key areas of Service Delivery. Occupants will be contacted before the hedge reduction programme resumes and work starts on their property. Where the hedge reduction programme has not taken effect, this work will be completed at the next move-out where possible, with no cost to the occupant. Meanwhile occupants are still responsible for maintaining hedges in line with the terms of their licence, i.e.: where hedge heights have been reduced, maintaining the reduced height will be the occupant’s responsibility; where hedges have not been reduced in height, responsibility will remain with Defence Estates.

Hedge Reduction Programme



Your vehicle is checked all over the bodywork for scratches and scuffs and any work required will be touched in, using the vehicle’s unique colour code, with the correct paint colour. Then a carnauba wax is applied to the whole car to protect the paintwork from the elements. The car is then fogged to kill off the bacteria that builds up in the air conditioning and

venting system leaving a healthy, fresh smelling interior. Prices for this service, subject to the amount of repair work required, start from £90 inclusive.

The benefit of this is that the bodywork will be better protected against the elements, giving your car the showroom finish it deserves and a healthier interior protecting you and one of your major investments for the future.

Proprietor Mike Holmes said: ‘We come to your home, work or business at a time to suit you and, as all of our treatments take only a few hours rather than days, you don’t have to be without your car for a long time. As we repair only the damaged areas rather than re-spraying the entire panel, prices are very competitive.

Colourcode offer a local friendly service with free estimates and advice covering Herts., Beds, Bucks and Cambridge areas.

Repairwork can be carried out on modern and classic cars, motorcycles, scooters, caravans, trailers and bicycles.

For a free, no obligation quote call Colourcode on 01462 742991 mob: 07939 149560 or for more information visit our website at www.colourcode.biz

Colourcode are offering aspecial Winter Check up

Before

After



In England there are over 5000 churches which have five or more bells and on which the English art of change-ringing is practised. Bells were originally hung in churches to call the faithful to prayer and so ringers were needed to carry out this task. Slowly over the years the ringers evolved a particular way of ringing, starting with rounds, 1-2-3-4-5-6 etc, and then, thinking that this was becoming somewhat boring, both to ring and to listen to, variations began to be introduced.

The first variation was to have the bell captain, or ringing master, call the bells to be rung in a different order, 2-1-4-3-5-6 for instance and to keep calling changes of the ringing order until the bells were back in rounds again. This is known as ringing ‘Call Changes’ and is where the new ringer starts once he/she has mastered the art of ringing the bell safely on his/her own.

It is possible to ring 47,900,160 changes. However, this would take about 35 years

of non-stop ringing to reach this total. The definition of a peal is for a minimum of 5000 changes to be rung non-stop and this will take approximately 3 hours, depending upon the weight of the bells. The heaviest bell in Great Britain is Great Paul at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, weighing over 16 tons, but this is not rung in peal; the heaviest bell in a ringing peal is at Liverpool Cathedral and weighs just over 4 tons. The first peal to be rung was at St. Peter Mancroft in Norwich on 2nd May 1715.

Here at Bassingbourn there are 6 bells, the heaviest of which weighs just over 12 hundredweight or approximately 610 kilos with 4 originally cast in 1650 by a founder called Miles Graye 111 of Colchester. In 1909 a new bell was cast by Mears & Steinbank in London and, finally, in 1977 a new treble was cast by the Whitechapel foundry in London and the bells all re-hung on a steel frame to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

The first peal was rung at Bassingbourn on

20th April 1955 and the second 22 years later just before the bells were removed for re-hanging in 1977. For the bells to be rung and heard it is necessary to have a band of ringers and this is what, sadly, we are short of here, there being only 2 regular ringers in the village.

It would be dismal if the bells in the village were silenced because of a lack of local ringers. Currently, we rely on our friends from Royston and the surrounding villages to make up the numbers to enable the bells to be rung for services, festivals and weddings. We are desperate for new people and invite anybody who is interested in learning the ancient art to contact the Tower Captain, David Coleman, on Royston 241833

Doom for an ancient art



They want to see on an application form a qualification which tells them that this person is able to use all the common computer

packages efficiently and effectively.The ECDL/ITQ qualification from the

British Computer Society will provide employers with proof of your IT skills.

This is a flexible qualification; you complete one course at a time and take the exam before moving onto new material. You achieve the first half of the qualification after the first 3 units of more general computer knowledge before you move onto the more specific packages of word, excel etc.

You can take up to 3 years to complete it so it can fit around you home and working life. You may learn at home or in the centre. Exams can be schedule at weekends or in the evenings.

And the Learning Centre staff are here to support you, to give you a cup of tea and guide you through the learning. You will be surprised how quickly you make progress.

ECDL/ITQ Level 21st partModule 1 Security for IT usersModule 2 IT User FundamentalsModule 3 Using Email and the internet2nd Part (you can leave out Databases if you wish)Module 4 Word ProcessingModule 5 SpreadsheetsModule 6 Databases (Optional Unit)Module 7 PresentationsModule 8 Improving Productivity Using

IT (Mandatory)How much will it cost me? £45

The same qualification will cost £250 at a local college

We love babies and puppies so don’t be afraid to come in and talk to us.

What is the ITQ Level 2?The ITQ level 2 qualification is aimed at employment, with an emphasis on using IT as a significant part of the job role and 9 out of 10 jobs now require people with IT user skills. The ITQ level 2 is a completely flexible qualification and offers its learners a wide variety of units which you can pick from to create a custom built qualification. In order for you to complete the ECDL/ITQ level 2 you need to complete 7 units and pass 7 exams, The ITQ level 2 is a flexi-qualification that consists of a menu of units with rules and combination:

ECDL/ITQ Level 2 UnitsModule 1 Security for IT usersModule 2 IT User FundamentalsModule 3 Using Email and the internetModule 4 Word ProcessingModule 5 SpreadsheetsModule 6 Databases (Optional)Module 7 PresentationsModule 8 Improving Productivity Using

IT (Mandatory)

Course of the month– ECDL/ITQWhat do employers want?

A Christmas CarolFriday 18th – Sunday 20th DecembertbaKnebworth HouseThis ever popular festive reading by the actor Colin Greenslade, has been a favourite at Knebworth for the past 12 years. Start the evening with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie, and enjoy Christmas carol’s performed from the minstrels’ gallery by local choirs.£19.50 per person, bookable in advance only.Knebworth House01438 810931www.knebworthhouse.com

Wimpole’s Dickensian ChristmasSaturdays 5th,12th,Sundays 6th,13th December11am-4pmWimpole HallStep back in time 150 years to discover the sights and sounds of a Dickensian Christmas and meet some of the characters of Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol. Visit the Hall traditionally decorated for Christmas, meet the servants in the basements where children can join in festive craft activities. Listen to the brass band playing traditional Christmas Carols in the Stable Block amidst the scent of mulled wine and roast

chestnuts while Father Christmas hands out presents from his grotto in the Great Barn at Home Farm.Adult £ 8.80, child £4.95, NT members freeWimpole Hall01223 206000www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Christmas events


24 Health & Fitness

We are now 6 months or so down the line from swine flu and the inevitable pandemic first hitting the headlines.

The initial press frenzy probably raised concerns and possibly changed behaviour. But as time goes on without the huge numbers expected cases and without the country coming to a standstill, the press report the illness less and less, and people may now not be entirely clear where we are.

Swine flu certainly has not gone away. Although in the last 2 weeks in the UK, numbers have dropped quite considerably, this may be due to the affect of half term. Spread will reduce with children not mixing in close proximity at school.

What is swine flu?Swine flu is an influenza virus strain H1N1. It is a new virus to humans and as such won’t behave in the same way as usual circulating flu viruses.

What are the symptoms?Up this point, it remains in the vast majority an unpleasant but mild illness lasting a few days.

Common symptoms are: fever (usually over 38°, tiredness, cough and sore throat. Other symptoms can include a headache, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, a runny nose, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Who is most at risk?The groups of people most at risk of more severe reactions and resultant hospitalisation, are those with underlying illness (such as chronic lung, heart, kidney

or liver disease or diabetes, and those who are immunosuppressed), pregnant ladies and children under 1 yr. It must be stressed though, that as in the rest of the population most people in these groups will suffer only a mild illness. These groups should however seek help from their GP should they become affected.

How do I stop myselfgetting swine flu?Prevention is by far the most important message. Frequent hand-washing with soap and water, putting hands over mouth and nose on coughing and sneezing and disposing of tissues in the bin, will go a long way to prevent transmission.

What should I do if I get ill?Serving personnel should contact the MRS by phone (01223 204298).

For families, if you are in the above risk groups or your condition suddenly gets much worse or if your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child) then contact your GP, otherwise contact the National Pandemic Flu Line on 0800 1 513100.

If you become ill, ensure that the affected person is allowed to cool and should be discouraged from wrapping themselves up in lots and lots of layers. Cooling with warm water could be considered for children. Fluids should be encouraged and antipyretics such as paracetamol should be used. It should be noted that children under 16 yrs should not use Aspirin.

By using the NPFL you may be advised to take an anti-viral agent of which there are 2 in current circulation- Relenza and Tamiflu.

Tamiflu- Antiviral drugs work by preventing the flu virus from reproducing – to be effective you need to take them within 48 hours of the symptoms beginning. This can reduce the risk of

complications and possibly shorten the illness by a day.

It is used by adults and children.Relenza- Is inhaled and licensed for

use by pregnant women.

Should I have the vaccine?Initially the vaccine is limited to those in the at risk groups and those who live with immunosuppressed family members. In time the vaccines will be offered more widely. I would strongly encourage those identified to accept the invitation for the vaccine or at least consult with their GP/ Health visitor.

Is the vaccine safe?The vaccine although new, is produced in a very similar way to the circulating seasonal flu vaccines used every winter in the UK. As such it is expected to be very safe, but as with any new vaccine, any side effects should be reported. To date, no severe side effects have been reported, but it does appear to cause a bit more localised pain than the seasonal version, and can in some cases produce a fever.

The vaccine is safe in pregnancy.For those with access to the internet, the

following are useful sources of information.UK National Pandemic Flu service page

https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/Multi-lingual Hand Washing Advice

http://www.ijocs.org/swineflu.aspxPandemrixCelvapanBoth licensedSimilar vaccines containing another

flu virus strain H5N1 have been clinically tailed involving 5000 people, including older people.

For additional information you may also want to check out MHRA, one of the agencies of the Department of Health ‘responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK’ http://www.Mhra.gov.uk/swineflu

Swine Flu – am Imissing somethingBy Lt Col Justin MB Taylor, Senior Medical Officer


25Health & Fitness

Halfords is the UK’s leading auto, leisure and cycling product retailer with 435+ stores. Halfords sells approx 15,000 different product lines ranging from car parts and cycles through to the latest in-car technology, alloy wheels, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords’s own brands include Ripspeed, for car enhancement and Bikehut for cycles and cycling accessories, which includes Apollo and Carrera brands. Stores offer a ”We’ll Fit It” service for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems.

15% discount on Cycle and Cycle Accessories**

To access the above offer you will need to contact Halfords Business Services on 0845 0778 852 and quote ‘AN3HAL08; give your name, company name, employee number, address, value of bicycle and accessoriesrequired, and a cycle discount voucher will be posted out to you – for example, a £100 cycle is chosen, a discount voucher is sent for £15, balance of £85 to be paid at Halfords store.

**Note: discount can only be redeemed on cycles at full retail value. The Boardman range of bicycles and specialist cycles are excluded from this offer**

There’s a minimum order value of £75.00 Opening hours are Monday to Friday 0900hrs – 1700hrs.

To view our product range or locate your local Halfords store please visit www.halfords.com

So whether you want to treat yourself, or someone special, get on the phone and save 15% now at Halfords.

Halfords Business Services ~ Tel: 08450 778 852 and quote ‘AN3HAL08

ArmyNet

*on production of this advert

10% Off*

On Friday 20th November 2009 Bassingbourn Snowsports Centre held a 24 hour event to raise money for BBC Children in Need.

Starting at 18:00 Pudsey decided to descend the height of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest this equated to 564 runs down Mount Bassingbourn Cambridgeshire’s only ski slope. With teams of skiers and snowboarders from the Officers at Bassingbourn Barracks, Savills, Citrix UK and Hills Road College along with friends and family of Bassingbourn Snowsports Centre and for the non skiers and boarders there was plenty of fun on our nursery slope with the toboggans. Over the 24 hour period we managed to raise £2200 for Children in Need.

Pudsey SkiedMount EverestBy David Allanson- Chairman

Santa Run

Chalet ExperienceBassingbourn Snowsports Centre has had a 40’ extension to the existing building which now includes a larger equipment area, 3 new toilets, disabled toilet and a changing room. The outside has been designed to give you an alpine log cabin effect when arriving. Along with our extension we have replaced our aging skis to the latest 2010 model Salomon carving skis, added a wider selection of ski and snowboard boots and new helmets.

Shortly, visitors will see renovations for a dedicated function room for birthday parties and corporate events along with a comfy area for members with slope viewing facilities. On behalf of the Bassingbourn Snowsports Club Committee we would like to thank all members that assisted in the project and thank you to all visitors whilst this work was commencing. We look forward to welcoming new and old members and customers to Bassingbourn Snowsports Centre. You do not need to be able to ski or board as we have qualified to teach you with lessons from as little as £10 per hour. Come along, learn a new skill, or brush up on your technique before you hit the slopes.

6th December11amThe Embankment, BedfordA 5km sponsored fun run for all the family to raise funds for Keech Cottage Children’s Hospice. Dress up as Santa – suit provided.The Pasque Charity, Keech Cottage Children’s Hospice01582 707940www.pasque.org/santarun


26 Festive Season

It’s incredible that the Advent season is upon us again! It seems like only a few months since we celebrated Christmas (Or is it just that I’m getting too old, which means that seasons seem to come around faster?).

‘Advent,’ which means a coming or arrival, is a time of preparation leading up to the

big day, namely Christmas Day. I’m always amazed at how people prepare for the Christmas celebrations. There are those who leave everything to the last few days and then panic sets in big-time! Some others have everything under control, they

have been buying their presents during the whole year and now, they just have to concentrate on the Christmas decorations. A third category exists, which is mainly made up of people who are totally indifferent to the whole Christmas Celebration. The Bible speaks about two advents. The first Advent is the Christmas story relating to the hope that the nation of Israel had of a coming deliverer, who would free his people from their sins and from the oppression of Roman occupation. The Gospels of Matthew & Luke describes the first Christmas story, bringing hope and establishing peace in the hearts of all who longed for that deliverance from sin and oppression. The second Advent story is yet to be fulfilled, but we know that it will happen again some day. The Book of Acts (which was written by the Gospel writer Luke), as well a other New Testament books, tells us that Jesus will come back again to this earth (“This same Jesus, who has been take from you into heaven, will come back

in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11) for his followers, so that they can dwell where he is, namely Heaven. So, as you prepare for the festive celebrations remember what Christmas is all about, and reflect upon the promise of a second Advent, which is yet to come.AlbertPadre Albert JacksonRegimental ChaplainTel: 94657 4820Mob: 07748 148267Christmas Day Service in the Barracks Church at 0930hrs. All are welcome.

Chaplaincy SupportChaplaincy support is available for all family members of service personnel and those dealing with casualties. This support is confidential and outside of the Chain of Command. Chaplains provide support to all regardless of faith and can be contacted via the unit.

Padre’s Christmas Message

Bassingbourn Parish Church is delighted to welcome The Cantilena Singers back to the village at 7:30pm on Saturday 12 December for a Christmas Concert. The choir has sung in the church on three previous occasions, and this visit promises to enhance the choir’s reputation for bringing a delightful mix of classic works as well as less well known festive music.

The major work will be Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, accompanied by Jeff Dyball on the harp. The programme includes works by Palestrina, Poulenc, Whitacre and Lauridsen.

The Cantilena Singers are a small, well-

established choir of around 25 members who perform regularly in and around the Cambridge area. The choir sings mainly unaccompanied four-part choral music, both sacred and secular, composed over the last five hundred years. Since 2000 the choir has been directed by Daniel Spreadbury, a music graduate from Oxford University, and former lay clerk at Ely Cathedral.

Concert detailsBassingbourn Parish Church,

Saturday 12 December, 7:30pm Ticket prices: £7 for adults, £5 for concessions.

Tickets are available in advance – please call 07967 197337 to book.

Cantilena Singers are back!


27Festive Season

The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, which has an orchard of 100 old English apple trees on its grounds at the former Rosehill Hospital, has made splendid use of this year’s harvest. In partnership with The Growing People Project, which provides horticultural therapy to people recovering from mental health problems, over 700 bottles of Rosehill Apple Juice have been produced.

John Cliff, project manager and Ashley Walker, horticultural therapist, of Growing People, and their team of volunteers set to work picking the healthy crop, before transporting them to a local bottling firm to be carefully pressed and bottled.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to get involved in this apple picking project. Our clients have really benefited from it. If I could only have recorded some of their comments while out picking – they would have made great material in support for an article on the benefits of therapeutic horticulture. Before we started I wouldn’t have thought it would have had such an impact,” said Ashley.

Many bottles were displayed, sampled

and sold at the Hitchin Apple Day, held at Hitchin’s Market Square by The Triangle Community Group.

Letchworth’s home grown juice is still

available to purchase at the Rosehill Café at the Letchworth Centre, and can be bought by the bottle, or enjoyed by the glass whilst at the café.

A taste of Letchworth

The holiday lights are twinkling and the frenzied shopping rush has begun. It’s only a matter of time before you’ll be gathered with friends and sinking your teeth into all sorts of mouth watering delicacies. Food and drink have a funny way of taking us back to a period in our lives and the Christmas period makes me yearn for that traditional glass of eggnog, non-alcoholic of course! ‘What is it’ you ask? Rich, frothy and laden with booze or virgin, eggnog — whether you love it or hate it — is an inevitable part of the Canadian yuletide tradition. Your first thoughts were probably ‘Revolting!’ but I can promise, it is something you will enjoy and you may have had it before and not know it. Thought to have originated as a British festive drink, it hails from East Anglia, and is know as posset (a medieval European beverage made with

hot milk). Originally, the ingredients were too expensive and uncommon for the lower classes, and the current name has been shortened from “egg-and-grog”, a Colonial term used to describe rum. I aim to try this recipe from culinary master Alton Brown- and I dare you too as well!

Ingredients4 egg yolks1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon1 pint whole milk1 cup heavy cream3 ounces bourbon1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg4 egg whites

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in colour. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until the sugar completely dissolves. Add the milk, cream,

bourbon and nutmeg and whisk to combine.

Place the egg whites in a different bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks using the whisk attachment. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.

Makes 6 to 7 cups.Source: www.npr.org/templates/

story/story.php?storyId=6597856: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_nog

Festive Recipe


28 What’s on

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is the Christmas Eve service held in King’s College Chapel. The Festival was introduced in 1918 to bring a more imaginative approach to worship. It was first broadcast in 1928 and is now broadcast to millions of people around the world.

The service includes carols and readings from the Bible. The carols and readings vary from year to year with the exception of the opening carol, which is always ‘Once in Royal David’s City’. Each year the service also includes a new, specially commissioned carol. For the 2009 Festival the composer Gabriel Jackson has set a text by G K Chesterton to music. Listen to the service

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on 24 December at 3pm. It is also broadcast at various times on the BBC World Service while another

carol service, Carols from King’s, is recorded for television earlier in December and broadcast by BBC2 on Christmas Eve.

If you would like to attend the service, please join the queue at the Chapel. Normally, anyone joining the queue before 9am will get in, but it is not guaranteed that this will be so. The queue is admitted at 1.30pm and the service begins at 3pm. The service ends at around 4.30pm. Please note that the service is not suitable for young children.

Arrangements for those who want to queue are as follows:

The only entrance to the College will be via the main gate on King’s Parade. All other gates will be locked.

Members of the public in the queue will be admitted to the College grounds via the Front Gate from 7.00am.

The Porters will monitor the number of

people joining the queue and, once there are as many people in the queue as there are seats available, members of the public will be advised that it is unlikely that they will be able to attend the service.

Bags and packages cannot be taken into the Chapel and must be deposited with the Porters in the designated area.

A Festival of NineLessons and Carols

This year the composer Gabriel Jackson has used G K Chesterton’s ‘The Christ Child Sat On Mary’s Lap’ as the text for his carol. Gabriel is a leading composer of choral music who has written pieces for the BBC, the Tate Gallery and the National Centre for Early Music.

He said: ‘While writing the piece I was thinking all the time about the wondrous space that is the King’s Chapel, the special atmosphere of the service, the acoustic of the building, and the unique sound of the King’s choir in that building. Now that it is finished I cannot wait for Christmas Eve, to be there in the Chapel at King’s and to hear my piece quietly take its place in the age-old rite, as Stephen and his choir work their magic once again.’

www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/chapel-services/nine-lessons.htmlKings College01223 331212www.kings.cam.ac.uk

Commissionedcarol 2009

Animal Carol ConcertThursday 10th December5–9pmWood Green Animal Shelter, Godmanchester

Carol concert for Animals – why not take your own pat along?

Admission charge.0844 248 8181www.woodgreen.org.uk

St Mary’s Singers present ‘Hallelujah, it’s Christmas’Friday 11th & Saturday 12th December7.30pmGamlingay Village College, Station Road, Gamlingay

St Mary’s Singers present ‘Hallelujah, it’s Christmas’ a joint Concert with Gamlingay Village College

Adults £5, Under 16’s £1. Tickets available from the School office, G.Tysoe & Son, Market Square, Potton or Val at the box office.Box office – 01767 601877School Office – 01767 650360

Music for the Soul


29What’s on

Christmas Calligraphy Workshop Wednesday 2nd December, 10 am, Wimpole Hall. Join professional calligrapher Penny Price to create decorative items to take home for Christmas. Discover techniques including embossing and stencilling. The morning is completed by a light lunch in the Farm Cafe. £35. 01223 206000, www.wimpole.org

Christmas Wreath making Workshops Tuesday 8th & Wednesday 9th December, 10am, Wimpole Hall. Members of Wimpole’s garden team lead these practical workshops which will end with a glorious evergreen wreath to take home. A light lunch in the Farm Café completes the morning. £35. 01223 206000www.wimpole.org

Christmas Crafts for children Tuesday 22nd December, 10am-12.45pm. Three sessions at 10am, 11am and noon. Maximum of 30 children per session. Marston Vale Millenium Country Park. Bring the magic of winter into your home with a natural Christmas decoration. Make your own Christmas themed craft at the Visitor Centre, Marston Vale Country Park. All materials provided. £1 per child per session. Visitor Centre 01234 [email protected]

Christmas Crafts

Aladdin Tuesday 1st December – Sunday 24th January, Aladdin Gordon Craig Theatre – Stevenage, This Christmas take a magic carpet ride to the Far East in our fun packed family pantomime – Aladdin, played by Eastenders bad boy John Altman (Nick Cotton), The Gordon Craig Theatre01438 363200www.stevenage-leisure.co.uk

Ali Baba and the Forty ThievesTuesday 1st Saturday 5th December, Sat matinee at 2.30pm, evenings at 7.45pm. Arts Theatre Cambridge

2009 ADC/Footlights traditional-ish pantomime! From £6- £10,Box Office 01223 300085www.adctheatre.com

Cinderella Friday 4th December – Sunday 17th January, Milton Keynes Theatre. Your carriage awaits for the most sparkling pantomime of them all! Cinderella starring Bobby Davro, Anthea Turner and Louise DearmanBox Office 0844 871 7652 (booking fee )www.ambassadortickets.com/miltonkeynes (booking fee)

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream CoatTuesday 15th December–Sunday

3rd January, The Corn Exchange, Cambridge. Starring Craig Chalmers from BBC’s ‘Any Dream will do ‘as Joseph. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyric by Tim Rice. Box office 01223 357851www.cornex.co.uk

The Rat Pack Show, Party Night Tuesday 22nd DecemberChilford Hall & Conference Centre, Linton, Cambridgeshire. £45pp, Chilford Hall, 01223 895600, www.chilfordhall.co.uk

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th December, Sat and Sun matinee at 2.30pm, evenings at 7.45pm. Arts Theatre Cambridge. Enjoy the magic and spectacle of C S Lewis’s story and take its message home for the Christmas season. From £6- £9, under 16s £5 for all performances. Box Office 01223 300085, www.adctheatre.com

Heron Productions presents:A Modern Tale of Snow WhiteAt Bassingbourn Village College, Friday 22nd January 7:30pm, Saturday 23rd January 7:30pm.Tickets £2.50 in advance or £3 on the door. Available from the college reception from 11th January.

Panto’s and Musical Delights this Month

All Aboard!!Santa’s Magical AdventuresDec- 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th ONLY. The train will be pulled by Thomas- extra charge applies. Bucks Railway Centre, Quainton near Aylesbury. Santa’s magical adventure on the steam train with Santa on board and where Santa’s pixie helpers pull gifts from the huge toy sack and the magic begins. Soft drinks and biscuits for children, seasonal refreshments for adults and a 25 minute live magic show. Places are limited so advance booking is advised. Standard tickets £12 each, standard class compartment of 6 tickets £66, babes in arms, under 12 months £2 each. Thomas tickets of above- £14, £80 and £2 for babies. 01296 655720.www.bucksrailcentre.org

Santa SpecialsWednesday 2nd – Thursday 24th December. Not every day – only on Sats, Suns, Weds also 24th Dec. Some trains from 10am. Nene Valley Railway. Book early for the Santa Specials with Santa’s Grotto, quality presents for children aged 1-15, train ride to Peterborough and back, meet Santa on the train, soft drink and sweets for the children, mince pie and hot drink for adults.Children 12 months and under free, all other tickets range from £10- £15 standard, or £13.50- £19.50 First Class. Complimentary present for under 12 month olds if ticket is booked for them. Group discount of £1 per ticket for groups of 20 +. Buffet

breakfast and lunch plates can be pre-booked- serves 4 people, £12 for breakfast and £25 for lunch, vegetarian option available. 01780 782833www.nvr.org.uk

Santa at Thurleigh FarmTuesday 1st–Thursday 24th December, 9.30am–5.30pm, closes at 3pm on Christmas Eve, Thurleigh Farm Centre. Tractor and Sleigh rides. Admission Charge. 01234 771597.www.thurleighfarmcentre.co.uk

Santa at Mead Open Farm Tuesday 1st – Wednesday 23rd December, 10am – 6.30pm, Mead Open Farm. Visit the Elves work shed and enjoy the Lapland Reindeer Ride. Admission Charge. Mead Open Farm.01525 852954www.meadopenfarm.co.uk

Glazed & AmusedThe fun of ceramic painting

brought to your door…

You choose the venue andwe come to you....

Ideal for Children’s Parties,Clubs and Social Events!

Also Baby hand and footprinting sessions.

Call Penny on 07855 949811


30

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

7 8 9 10

What’s on

Calendar of Events

If there is a number you would like to see added here please let us know by December 14th, email [email protected]

21 22 23 24

14 15 16 17

1 2 3

28 29 30 31

Red Shield Regtl. Coffee MorningAll welcomePermanent Staff Welfare Induction WRVS 3.20–3.25pmGym Induction 12.30–1.30pmSpinning Bks Gym, 12.30–1.30pm, freeTots Group 1–3pm (£1)Jr. Climbing Club 4–5pmSquash 5.30–7.30pmTai-Kwon-Do at the GYM6.30pm–8pmBadminton 7–9pmJunior Youth Club 7 years +, 6.30–8pm

Singing with Sue’, Bks Community Centre, 10.30

Huntingdonshire Regional College Open Day 4–7:30pmChild’s Gym Activities 4–5pm(3–7 yrs, free)Spinning Bks Gym, 5.30-6.30pm, freeLadies Step Aerobics 6–7pm (free)Senior Youth Club 6.30–8pmTai-Kwon-Do 7–8pmBadminton 7–9pm

The Gurkha SpectacularBedford Corn Exchange, 7.30pm

HQ Coy Xmas Lunch 12–3pm

Biggleswade & District Camera Club ‘A Digital Adventure’, 7.45pm for 8pm. Conserv. Club, Biggleswade. £2.www.biggleswadecameraclub.org.ukGym Induction 12.30–1.30pmSpinning Bks Gym, 12.30–1.30pm, freeTots Group 1–3 pm (£1)

Pre-Jnr club 4-6yrs, 4-5pm, 50pSnr Judo Gym, 6–7pmTai-Kwon-Do at the Gym 7–8pm

Red Shield coffee and cake 2 pm (free)ATR (B) Football training12.30–1.30pmLittle Dragons Tai Kwan do5.45–6.30pmMixed Martial Arts Gym, 7–9pm(all ages, free)

Sldrs. Frorum 7-10pm

Gym Induction 12.30–1.30pmSpinning Bks Gym, 12.30–1.30pm, freeTots Group 1–3pm (£1)Jr. Climbing Club 4–5pmSquash 5.30–7.30pmTai-Kwon-Do at the GYM6.30pm–8pmJunior Youth Club 7 years +, 6.30–8pmBadminton 7–9pm

Singing with Sue’, Bks Community Centre, 10.30

Football vs. 3 RMP 11am-5pmChild’s Gym Activities 4–5pm(3–7 yrs, free)Spinning Bks Gym, 5.30-6.30pm, freeLadies Step Aerobics 6–7pm (free)Badminton 7–9pm

Snrs. Youth Club 6.30-8pm

Gym Induction 12.30–1.30pmSpinning Bks Gym, 12.30–1.30pm, freeTots Group 1–3 pm (£1)

Pre-Jnr club 4-6yrs, 4-5pm, 50pJnr Judo class Gym, 5–6pmTai-Kwon-Do at the GYM 7–8pm

Last day to see Santa at WimpoleRed Shield coffee and cake 2pm (free)

Tea Dances with Bob Watts, 2–4.30pm, Weatherley Centre, BiggleswadeLittle Dragons Tai Kwan do,5.45–6.30pmMixed Martial Arts; Gym, 7–9pm(all ages, free)

Sequence, ballroom and Latin dances £3.50 incl. tea +raffle 01767 313354

Soldiers Xmas Lunch + Roving Brass section- 12.30-2.30Gym Induction 1230–1.30Spinning Bks Gym, 12.30–1.30pm, freeTots Group 1–3pm (£1)

Offrs Mess Vs Sgts Mess Football 3pm on Astro Pitch – spectators welcome !!Jr. Climbing Club 4–5pmSquash 5.30–7.30pmTai-Kwon-Do 6.30–8pmJunior Youth Club 7 years +, 6.30–8pmBadminton 7–9pm

Air Cadets Award EveningSinging with Sue’ Bks Community Centre, 10.30 last dayChild’s Gym Activities 4-5pm ( 3-7 yrs, free)Spinning Bks Gym, 5.30-6.30pm, freeLadies Step Aerobics 6–7pm (free)Senior Youth Club 6.30–8pmBadminton 7–9pm

Gym Induction 12.30–1.30pmSpinning Bks Gym, 12.30–1.30pm, freeTots Group 1–3 pm (£1)Pre-juniors Youth Club4–6 years, 4–5pmTai-Kwon-Do at the GYM 7–8pm

Royston Writers Club Royston, Priory Community Centre, Town Council room, 8pm

Queen Tribute Night, Party Night Chilford Hall & Conference Centre, Linton, Cambridgeshire. £45 pp, Chilford Hall. 01223 895600www.chilfordhall.co.uk

The American Four Tops, Party Night Chilford Hall & Conference Centre, Linton, Cambridgeshire. £45 per person, Chilford Hall. 01223 895600www.chilfordhall.co.uk

New Years Eve CelebrationChilford Hall & Conference Centre, Linton, Cambridgeshire. £35 pp. Chilford Hall 01223 895600.


31

Friday Saturday Sunday

11 12 13

What’s on

December 2009 If there is a number you would like to see added here, please email: [email protected]. Last submission: December 14th. Thank you for the information provided by Sandy Tourism Office. The Bassingbourn Belle is a Community Publication written, produced and delivered by volunteers. As this is for your information all views, articles, and suggestions for future editions are welcomed and encouraged. If you have a hobby, career, or any other interesting joke, story or picture then we would like to hear from you. Children’s submissions are also encouraged so if you want to write about your football game or dance class… go for it. [email protected]

Local PublicationThe Royston CrowRoyston Weekly NewsVillage VoiceThe ListingLocalsecrets.com

Local RadioBBC 95.7, 96 FM, 1026 MW, DAB and onlinewww.bbc.co.uk/cambridgeshireStar 107.9/1 FMwww.star107.co.uk

25 26 27

18 19 20

4 5 6b m.

k

ree

Arts and Craft MarketTrinity Street CambridgeKicks 4 Kids 5.30–6.30

Ladies Dinner Night Community Centre-7:30pm-???- bring £ for takeaway and a £5 wrapped prezzie for Mystery Santa.

Arts and Craft MarketTrinity Street Cambridge

Officers’ Mess Christmas Dinner and Dance Wimpole Dickensian Christmas

Royston Craft & Gift Fayre Royston-Country Garden Christmas Fayre

Wimpole Dickensian Christmas Santa at Wimpole until the 14th December.

Royston-Country Garden Christmas Fayre Royston Christmas Carnival -10am to 3pm

‘Royston Cave by Candlelight’ 12–2pm

reePass Out Parade 11.30am–12noon

deoPS/MHS Surgery 2–3.30pm, Community Centre

Kicks 4 Kids 5.30–6.30

20th Annual “Christmas Cracker” Bedford Corn Exchange, 7.30pm

Sgts Mess Xmas Ball from 7pm

Arts and Craft Market Trinity Street Cambridge


Christmas Market War Memorial Green, Bassingbourn 10am–Noon

Cpls Mess Xmas function

Cantilena Singers Bassingbourn Parish Church, 7:30pm

ree

m,

Pass Out Parade- 11.30am–12.00noon

Arts and Craft Market Trinity Street CambridgeKicks 4 Kids 5.30–6.30


Farmers’ Market Market Hill Square, Royston

Christmas Day ServiceBarracks Church, 9.30am

Family or friends visiting?A 2 bedroom Contact House on Cardiff Place is available to rent.Call Sheila, the Welfare Clerk on 01223 204307 to book: £30 for the 1st night, £25 for the 2nd, and £15 for any additional nights.

Congratulations to:Nicky Michaels, Admin Assistant at the Medical Centre ATR(B).Contact the Editor to arrange for your tickets courtesy of the Cambridge Corn Exchange.

View the Bassingbourn Belle online at www.issuu.com (search Bassingbourn) and on SharePoint: Connect with other people at ATR (B) via the Bassingbourn Belle Facebook site for information and events.Get in touch if you have an idea for article.


Service Life InsuranceDesigned specifically for the Armed Forces

Service Life Insurance (SLI) has been designed specifically for the Armed Forces, and provides

invaluable protection for you and your dependants. The SLI plan is unique as it gives the

security of knowing you are insured on military duties at home and abroad, 24 hours - 365

days a year and with worldwide war and terrorism cover, regardless of your operational status.

Features of SLI Include

Acceptance assured No matter your trade within the forces

No war or terrorism exclusion For Regulars or for Reservists on deployment

Up to £200,000 maximum sum assured If you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness

Comparable to civilian premiums Low cost premiums with no occupational loading

•

•

•

•

To Get a Quote and BuyContact Doug Brown, your local SLI representative:

Telephone: 07969 913 393 Email: [email protected] or visit: www.jbionline.com/sli

*£5.00 per month will cover a 25 year old non smoking male for £62,000 for up to 12 years.

JBI International Insurance Brokers Ltd is a recognised intermediary for Sterling Life Limited, which underwrites Service Life Insurance. Both JBI and Sterling Life Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

From as little as

£5 per month*

SLI/JBI/DB/0809


Date post:	04-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	bassingbourn-belle
View:	229 times
Download:	6 times

December Edition of the Bassingbourn Belle

Documents