November 2021

17 Buckden Roundabout November 2021 Other Information Changing attitudes through education Surely one little “ drink ” is not a problem? In chemical terms, alcohol is a “ depressant ” i.e. it depresses a number of functions of your brain and nervous system. The first alcoholic drink is very quickly absorbed by the body and will, almost immediately, start to affect the parts of your brain which control inhibitions, concentration, willpower and self - control. Socially, these effects are, generally, considered good but not so when you drive a car or ride a motorbike. That first drink or two also starts to affect your “ fine motor skills ” – your ability to control your hands and fingers to carry out detailed tasks. It also affects your vision as the background becomes blurred as does your peripheral vision and you become less able to focus on what is happening around you and more fo- cussed on what is just immediately in front of you. Theses affects can be very pleasant but how compatible are they with driving a car etc? Firstly, your increased self - confidence will make you think that you ’ re a better driver than you are and that you ’ ll actually drive better than when completely sober. Second, your depressed visual acuity and motor skills will, gen- erally, reduce your ability to operate the car ’ s controls and properly assess what you are seeing. Thirdly, your lowered inhibitions will make you less likely to refuse to drive and more likely to confidently get in your car and encourage other people to join you. These affects can occur after consumption of quite small quan- tities of alcohol – sometimes well below the legal drink - drive limit. So, it is important to remember than even if you ’ re legal- ly allowed to drive after one drink your ability to drive will still be impaired to a degree. In conclusion, DON ’ T DRINK AND DRIVE. This issue ’ s top tip: Be visible to other road users – motorists, use dipped headlights in poor visibility (daylight running lights do not show lights to the rear) – motorcyclists, use dipped headlights in all conditions and wear Hi - Vis jackets – cyclists, wear Hi - Vis waistcoats and use flashing lights – dog walkers and pedestrians, wear Hi - Vis waistcoats when using unlit roads and in poor weather. BE SEEN, BE SAFE. BUCKDEN PAROCHIAL CHARITIES VACANCIES AT THE SOUTH ’ S ALMSHOUSES & THE BURBERRY HOMES The Charity manages the South ’ s Almshouses and Burberry Homes in Church Street, Buckden consisting of fifteen self - contained flats for singles or couples, normally over 60 years of age, who live in Buckden or who have a close active family relationship with residents of Buckden and have limited means. The Almshouse flats are unfurnished dwellings, usually, but not always, designed with the needs of older people in mind. The aim is to provide convenient and comfortable accommo- dation in a setting that allows residents to come and go as they please. The Almshouse is the resident ’ s home for as long as s/he is able to live an independent life. Residents pay a modest weekly maintenance contribution and, in addition, may receive support from the statutory authorities. A War- den is employed to provide access to and liaison with these authorities. Having a Warden also means that support is pro- vided regularly and can assist with summoning help if needed. We now have TWO vacancies, one in the South ’ s Alms- houses and one in the Burberry Homes (the more mod- ern of the two properties) If you are interested, please contact the Chairman for more information and an application form: Alec MacAndrew, 32 Mill Road, Buckden, PE19 5SS or alec.macandrew@yahoo.co.uk Applications close Friday 26 November 2021. S N R O C T E E W S A B R O C C O L I M T E P I N R U T N C O A U B E R G I N E O N M C H A R D O L R A P O T A T O I E T I K E H M K R N R E N I T A A L M O I E T N Y L E E K B A B A R E G A B B A C Word search – Vegetables Potato Cabbage Leek Celeriac Onion Kale Pea Aubergine Sweetcorn Pumpkin Broccoli Beetroot Bean Turnip Chard Yam