Kempston Calling – August 2022

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RIVER FESTIVAL PHOTO SPECIAL WILL DAVE TELL DEPUTY TO STOP PATRONISING MEMBERS? AUGUST 2022

PAGES 8–9

BEDFORD’S Mayor ‘Dave’ has been asked if he will be telling his deputy not to be so ‘patronising’ when answering questions from councillors

by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter

After last month’s full council meeting ended, Cllr James Weir (Conservative, Kempston Rural Ward) said: “I bit my tongue during the response to Cllr Bywater’s (pictured) question to the deputy mayor.”

Talking over shouts of ‘no’ and the speaker saying the meeting is closed, he continued: “I was going to agree with the mayor’s statement earlier, and ask him to speak to his deputy to not be so patronising and aggressive in his answers to questions.”

During the meeting there was a heated debate on the cost of living motion put forward by the Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups.

This led the mayor to comment: “I think to attack one’s policies is befitting of this chamber. I think to attack one’s personality is unbecoming to this chamber, and we should try not to do that.”

Cllr Weir’s statment was referring to an earlier part of the meeting, when Cllr Lucy Bywater (Green, Castle Ward) said the council missed out when it didn’t apply for some sustainable travel funding.

“The council applies for millions for changing road layouts for local traffic,” she said.

“It should be bidding in line with its climate targets to really get the modal shift that we’ve so urgently need to enable people to find alternatives to the car.”

The deputy mayor, who is also the portfolio holder for environment, highways and transport, Cllr Charles Royden (LibDems, Brickhill Ward) replied: “Let’s not pretend that we do not invest massively to provide sustainable travel choices for our residents.

“We put in pavements, crossings, cycle lanes, we improve the whole range of travel opportunities.

“It’s not just about making cars go faster, that’s utterly ridiculous,” he said.

“All this has been going on, you just haven’t been paying attention councillor,” he said.

Cllr Bywater said: “I have been paying attention, so I really resent the fact that I’m constantly insulted and you make it very personal, and you tell me I’m not making paying attention.

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— AUGUST 2022

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Planning delays lead to playing field being developed DELAyS in agreeing a planning application has led to a primary school using its sports field to expand while it waits for promised land to be handed over.

During the council’s planning committee on Monday, July 18, 2022, councillor James Weir (Conservative, Kempston Rural)

by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter said the land in Great Denham has been tied to an application for 95 new homes.

“There is a parcel of land that David Wilson Homes needs to give up which is tied to the

application,” he said.

“This has dragged on now for quite some time, and the 560 primary school children at Great Denham have limited space for play and sport.

“Additional year five and six classrooms had to be built on the school field, therefore restricting further access to sport and play areas.

“In addition, there are plans to build two special educational needs classrooms, which would further restrict the area available without the additional land tied to this application.

“The start of these SEND classrooms is therefore linked to resolving this application.

“The community, and especially the leadership team at the school, do need to know when decisions will be made about this application and the release of the land,” he said.

Jon Shortland, Bedford Borough Council’s chief officer for planning, infrastructure and economic growth, replied: “There’s no intrinsic need for the land for the school to be tied to the application.

“Although both areas of land belong to the applicant and they have chosen to make that link between them,” he said.

“We’ve been in discussion with the applicant about the amount of affordable housing

that they can introduce onto the land.

“Our policy is for that to be 30 per cent, and if applicants feel that it should be less than 30 per cent for whatever reason they are entitled to submit a viability report.

“David Wilson Homes have provided that viability report within the last fortnight and that is currently with the independent assessors.

“And they’ve suggested that 12 per cent affordable housing would be available which is obviously quite some way below our requirements,” he said.

Mr Shortland said if the assessors agree with David Wilson Homes’ figures then the council will work forward on that basis.

Otherwise the council will continue to negotiate until this matter is resolved.

“So I can’t give you a definite date, and I can’t tell you which path we’ll be going down until we get [the answer] from the assessors,” he said.

“In the meantime, I think it’s worth recording that we have asked David Wilson Homes on a number of occasions if they would rent the land to us, or to the school, until the application is determined.

“So far they’ve refused to do that, which is very disappointing,” he said.

In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a spokesperson for David Wilson

Homes South Midlands said: “We have been working positively with Bedford Borough Council to deliver this residential site and the extension to the school playing fields, the principle of which is supported by the council’s land allocations.

“As part of our legal obliga-

tions, the site is required to be promoted for both housing and the school land extension and we aim to be in a position to reach a conclusion this year.

“We are committed to delivering the school land as we recognise the importance of supporting the local community.”

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KEMPSTON TOWN COUNCIL An addition to the team At a recent meeting of Kempston Town Council, PCSO Emily Hurst introduced her colleague PCSO Alex Wheeldon as an addition to the team that covers the area.

He was welcomed by members of the Council.

Missing clock It was reported that a petition had been received at the Council offices requesting the re-installation of the large clock that used to be on the outside of the building.

Councillors noted that it had been removed as a matter of urgency due to health and safety reasons.

The clock is in need of repair and It was decided to investigate the value of it (monetary and/or historical), compared with the expense of repair or replacement.

scooter users, adults with child ‘buggies’.

Another problem is when car(s) park on designated cycleways causing difficulties for cycle users with possible consequences for pedestrians.

The local PCSOs were still present at the time of discussion and promised to try and help with the situation. Meanwhile councillors will attempt to alleviate the problem to the best of their ability.

Mayoral visits Kempston’s Mayor, Councillor Sam Blacklaws and his deputy Councillor Terri Conway continue to represent the Council at various events in Kempston and elsewhere.

If you would like a visit to an organisation that you are involved with – please contact Kempston Town Council tel. 851005.

Irresponsible parking

Next meeting

Many residents have, quite rightly, complained about vehicles parking on pavements.

Obviously they cause a hazard to a variety of pavement users such as those with sight problems, wheelchair and mobility

There will be no meeting of the Town Council during August with the next one being on September 13th 2022.

The office will continue to be open as usual.

Enjoy the Summer but remember to ‘stay safe’.

KEMPSTON CALLING

104 Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8BG Tel: 01234 851005 www.kempston-tc.gov.uk Email: clerk@kempston-tc.gov.uk Office hours: 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday

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WILL ‘DAVE’ TELL DEPUTY TO STOP PATRONISING MEMBERS?

“That’s just not true, if you answer the question, I think we’ll get a little bit further,” she said.

“There’s no good in me answering the question, if you don’t listen,” Cllr Royden replied.

“Investing in our roads, which includes, just so you understand, roads includes cycling and pedestrian use and it also includes bus travel, these are all sustainable choices.

“But please listen when I answer the question,” he said.

The local democracy reporting service emailed the mayor to ask if he would be talking to Cllr Royden as Cllr Weir asked.

A reply was sent from the Liberal Democrat Group.

Cllr McHugh, the Liberal Democrat Group Leader said: “I have spoken to Cllr Royden.

I, and my Group are clear, as I hope all councillors are, that all councillors should conduct themselves in a seemly manner.”

In a statement, Cllr Bywater said: “Behaviour in the council chamber showing a lack of basic civility – that includes belittling other councillors, or name-calling when simply questioned or challenged – reflects poorly on the council as a whole.”

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Borough Council passes plans for Muslim Cemetery in Kempston A CEMETERy for the Muslim faith is set to be built in Kempston after Bedford Borough Council gave the plans the green light.

The council’s planning committee voted in favour of the plans for land at Box End, Green End Road, Kempston at a meeting on Monday, July 18, 2022.

The planning application (21/03110/ MAF) sought to change the use of agricultural land to a cemetery for the Muslim faith with a capacity of 4,856 graves, a two-storey administration building, and a car park.

The site is located to the west of Box End Road and the existing Kempston Cemetery and comprises approximately 3.7 hectares of agricultural land.

Speaking in support of the application, Cllr Nesreen Akhtar (Labour, Queens Park) told the committee that current council provisions do not meet the Muslim community’s needs.

“For example, they do not offer seven days a week burial services, Muslims need to bury their deceased as soon as possible,” she said.

“Another issue is that plots are offered on a leasehold of 70 years, Muslims do not want their loved ones disturbed and need a freehold provision.

NEEDS NOT MET

“The fact that the project is self-funded indicates that it is a need in the Muslim community, our MP, Mohammed yassin, is also fully in support of this application,” she said.

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Cllr Charles Royden (LibDems, Brickhill Ward) spoke as portfolio holder for Environment (which includes burial grounds) and as a ward councillor.

He said: “The place of burial is very

important to our faith communities, the Christian community can access consecrated burial space in Bedford, and that kind of facility must be offered to our other faith communities.

“I believe that the planning department have dealt with any concerns and dealt with the application in a very considered manner.

“And that gives me reassurance that this will be [well] managed and offer a very important provision for our Muslim community,” he said.

Committee member, Cllr Sue Oliver (Labour, Kempston North), said she was on a committee that looked at trialling Saturday burials.

“I learned first-hand about how much such a facility is needed by the community,” she said.

All seven eligible committee members voted to pass the application subject to conditions laid down.

Cllr Fouzia Zamir Atiq (Labour, Cauldwell) was a substitute for committee member Cllr Abu Sultan (Labour, Cauldwell).

However, she left the committee room for this agenda item as her husband is a member of the applicant’s committee. She was therefore disqualified from taking part, as set out in the council’s constitution.

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£2m a year in student grants HELPING people to pursue their goals in education and employment is boosted each year with £2 Million in grants via The Bedford College Group.

The Group is able to administer funds from various Government sources which support students to complete their studies.

In addition money via generous organisations like The Connolly Foundation, who gave £33,000, support those in construction and care courses.

All of these are non-repayable grants or bursaries in addition to Government student learning loans which people can access for various Higher Education courses at the Group across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.

“We helped 1,950 students in the last year. Of those just under 1,000 came from households with incomes less than the £16,190 per annum threshold used for Free College Meals. The help given included placing funds on eligible students ID cards so they can eat at various campus canteens or support towards the transport costs.

“There is also aid for those hard-working families who fall in the middle, perhaps with wages of £30,000 but for whom transport and course-related trips are increasingly out of reach,” explained Deputy Director of Finance Stephen Walker of The Bedford College Group.

Across the Group, travel bursaries are available, subject to conditions. https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac. uk/student-life/financial-support/ “The cost of living is becoming increasingly challenging for ordinary families, but our grants can make a difference - not just for 16-18 year olds but also some of those adults returning to college so they can take up a new career and achieve their potential.

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First part of High Street restoration completed “The cost of travel is becoming more of a challenge of course, so we do all we can to help those in need particularly to access our more remote campuses like Shuttleworth College in Central Beds and our National College for Motorsport at Silverstone, Northants.”

The Bedford College Group finance team, led by Executive Director Pat Jones, has a national reputation for fiscal excellence and remains one of the few colleges that has consistently demonstrated outstanding money management. “under the long term leadership of CEO Ian Pryce CBE, the priority of the Group has always been to make the very best of our resources to provide the best service to the community we serve. We are here to help people achieve their full potential through post-16 education,” said Pat Jones.

Westfield Primary is a ‘good’ school – and that is official!

THE recent inspection by Ofsted classed Westfield as a ‘good’ school based on its quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, personal development and early year provision. The Inspectors also praised its safe, friendly and supportive atmosphere.

The report says, ‘The pupils are well behaved and respond positively to the expectations of adults. This is backed up by the staff who are proud to work at Westfield and enjoy doing so.’

In a section ‘what does the school do well’, the report said, ‘Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum for all pupils. They have high aspirations for pupils’ academic and personal development and plans are well sequenced.

The curriculum thinking is understood and secure and teachers ensure that pupils learn and remember more over time.

‘The curriculum includes the key vocabulary that pupils need to know. Learning in all subjects begins when children start school in the Reception classes. For example, children in the Reception year learn about the different parts of plants. This lays the foundations for their future learning in science.’

It added that regular checks keep curriculum leaders well informed about the quality of the curriculum in their subject areas and that leaders provide effective Call or visit for all your electrical supplies support to their colleagues when required and that staff have received appropriate training to deliver all areas. It also said that the teaching of reading has been prioritised.

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The overall inspection found elliottelectricalsuppliesltd@hotmail.co.uk Westfield Primary a ‘good school’.

Headteacher Karen Watts said: “We are delighted that the inspectors saw the quality of education and provision at our school.

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THE first of Bedford Borough’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) building works has been completed.

Today, the restoration of 19-21 High Street, currently home to ‘Blue Monk’ has been unveiled.

Repairs include a newly painted front and comprehensive works to reinstate the fine Classical-style architectural design and detailing of this mid-C19th historic building.

One of the most striking improvements is the stunning restoration of the original lion-head stringcourse, which runs along the façade of the building. A number of these lion-heads were beyond repair, requiring replacements to be cast and installed alongside the originals to restore this iconic decorative feature.

Layers of paint were removed from the window pediments and half column pilasters, revealing the elaborate original detailing of carved animal heads and fine floral designs, which highlight the quality of craftsmanship and exquisite architectural design of this building.

The project was made possible with the support of the property’s owner, his designer and contractor who worked closely with the Council’s HSHAZ team.

Bedford Borough Council, in partnership with BedfordBID and SEMLEP, was awarded £1.76m by Historic England as part of their High Street Heritage Action Zone project after successfully submitting a funding application. Further improvements are already being delivered on 58 and 107 High Street.

Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director, Historic England, said: “The restoration of the Blue Monk building is a remarkable achievement and testament to the skilled craftsmanship of those involved. This striking building is a wonderful feature of the Bedford high street and will no doubt become a social destination for local people. It shows how the restoration of historic buildings can revitalise areas in a unique and characterful way.”

Property owners on Bedford High Street can still sign-up to take part in the scheme by emailing Jessica Mittler, HAZ Project for an informal conversation: jessica.mittler@bedford.gov.uk.

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World-class IT training

In July 2022 IT trainee James McKay was shortlisted for the BCS Digital T Level Student of the Year at the ceremony at the Tower of London. BCS is the Chartered Institute for IT.

TWO computing students from The Bedford College Group have won through to the World Skills finals in website development Daniel Cobzariu and James McKay are in the final eight at the national competition to be held later in the year.

The Bedford College Group has a high profile in computing competitions in World Skills. This year the Bedford College campus hosted a regional competition for cyber security using its top of the range facilities.

And in November 2021 two computing students, Ben Grayson and Aleksander Budny competed in the WorldSkills National Finals competition in Cyber Security which took place at New College Lanarkshire in Scotland. https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/a bout/news/setting-cyber-standards/

In November 2021, funding was announced for the Group for Higher Technical Qualifications, modern IT suites. Courses begin on Tresham College Corby, Kettering and Bedford campuses in the new autumn term 2022.

Said Head of Computing Paula Hobday: “We will be running the new HTQs from September in four pathways – General, Applications D e v e l o p m e n t a n d Te s t i n g , Cy ber S ecu r ity and N etw o r k Engineering.

“We have a newly refurbished lab with brand new equipment and a break-out room for students.

“In addition we were involved in the marketing campaign which was filmed using our equipment, the videos for which are now on youTube.”

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Northern Gateway new road layout completed TRANSPORTING Bedford works to ease congestion and improve road safety on the Northern Gateway has now been completed, delivering a major improvement on this well-known pinch point on Bedford’s roads.

This is one of the biggest improvements schemes delivered, on budget, through the Transporting Bedford project, during challenging circumstances with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and material and labour shortages.

The completion of the Northern Gateway marks the end of the Transporting Bedford project. This has been a £24m project backed by South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP).

Cllr Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Highways said: “The completion of the Northern Gateway marks the end of the Transporting Bedford project which has seen works including Ampthill Road, Britannia Road, Bromham Road and Bedford High Street. This has achieved improvements to well-known hotspots, eased congestion and made our roads safer for all users.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to residents, visitors and

other road users for their patience as we have carried out these vital works.”

Judith Barker, Director of Programmes and Governance added: “SEMLEP supported Bedford Borough Council with over £15m for Transporting Bedford 2020 from the Local Growth Fund and this saw improvements to traffic pinchpoints, public realm and the technology, which enables quicker traffic flow. The overall scheme reduces journey times and encourages people into the town. We are pleased to mark the completion of the scheme.”

As part of this scheme, Clapham Road between Paula Radcliffe Way and Manton Lane has been widened to create an extra lane for traffic and a left-turn filter lane up Manton Lane, allowing traffic to bypass the roundabout. A right-hand turn has been added for traffic coming south down Clapham Road to turn right into Sainsbury’s; also taking traffic off this busy roundabout.

The Clapham Road roundabout itself has been widened to create more space for traffic to flow, and traffic signals installed to help ease congestion during the morning and

Investment needed to improve 999 service

“But yes, that is an area of priority, and it is an area which the force is looking to get more numbers in,” he said.

Wayne Humberstone, director of OPCC operations, added: “There is a very active recruitment campaign.

“At the same time they are working with technological partners to bring to bear modern technology to be able to take some of the pressure away.

“So it is an area where the force is incredibly focused at the moment,” he said.

World Skills UK Floristry competition

Front row Shuttleworth contestants left to right: Maria Wolens, Tracey Street and Marysia Hyde with staff and judges.

THREE floristry students from Shuttleworth College made it through to the regional heats of the World Skills UK competition.

The event was staged in the spacious surroundings of Old Warden Park, where Tracey Street, Marysia Hyde and Maria Wolens competed with three others from two establishments elsewhere in the region.

The theme was Royalty and the Jubilee.

All six contestants had to make flower tiaras, a structural arrangement for a Jubilee marquee entrance table, and hand-tied bouquet.

“The three did really well to get through to this stage out of 75 UK entrants. Sadly they

didn’t get through to the UK finals,” explained Claire McNamara Floristry Tutor.

“But we were delighted to host the event and especially thank our suppliers Savin Wholesalers for sponsoring this regional event.”

The Bedford College Group has a record number of entrants in this year’s WorldSkills UK across a range of subjects and campuses in Beds and Northants. Bedford College has been a regular competitor in World Skills events, particularly in computing and IT for a decade.

Now that world-class competitive approach has been spread across campuses in Shuttleworth College and Tresham College.

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uRGENT investment is needed to improve how Bedfordshire Police responds to emergency calls, according to the Bedfordshire police and crime commissioner’s annual report.

Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye’s report said there is a “consistently poor” service level for 999 and 101 calls, adding that the 101 service is reduced at times of high 999 call demand .

The report, which was presented to the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel on Tuesday, July 12, said that this year’s precept rise will allow the chief constable to devote more resources into the control room, to harness technology, and to be more responsive.

Councillor James Weir (Bedford Borough) asked for more information on how the force is going to help tackle the “massive” issue with the control room.

“It’s the first point of public contact and it’s failing really quite spectacularly in terms of 999 and 101 and online even,” he said.

“I’ve tried all three for some particular issues, which I won’t go in to, and the response wasn’t good.

“I just wondered what the target is and whether any progress is being made on that area,” he said.

The PCC replied that nationally it is a challenge to recruit into force control rooms “It’s not the pay of such, it’s just that people come in and they don’t want to stick around in there for long. It can be quite a dramatic place to work in,” he explained.

“The reality is that it does bear down on you, but the force is working hard to get numbers in there, it’s looking to get some police officers in there.

“But again, the challenge is when you get police officers into the force control room, is they will not be out on the streets. It’s about moving risk around the force.

afternoon rush hours. As with other schemes we have invested in Improvements for pedestrians and cyclists to encourage sustainable travel.

Works to ease congestion have been completed on Britannia Road creating an extra lane and installing new signals, on Ampthill Road where more space was created and technology installed to improve traffic flow, and on Manton Lane with the installation of a footbridge, to replace the one removed by the County Council, alongside other works.

The improvements to Bedford High Street, which has seen traffic taken out of our town centre, new paving installed and pavements widened to create more space for shoppers and pedestrians.

Works have also been carried out on a series of smaller traffic junctions to upgrade to the latest technology and help them operate more efficiently.

This project is part of Transporting Bedford, a project to tackle congestion hotspots in Bedford, funded by both Bedford Borough Council and funding from the through the Local Growth Fund and represents the largest ever investment in Bedford’s roads.

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RIVER FESTIVAL PHOTO SPECIAL –

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– it’s all about the people

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The return of this ever popular event didn’t disappoint – crowds flocked to Bedford town Centre on the weekend of July 23-24 and had fun in the sun!

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Rt Revd Richard Atkinson – Bishop of Bedford The invitation to imagination

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From time to time I make a foray into the world of engineering courtesy of my wife Helen. One such encounter was the annual Awards Dinner of the Royal Academy of Engineering. A celebration of the achievements of our nation’s greatest engineers, the evening included a number of special awards including the President’s medal for Helen.

Special as that was, I was also deeply impressed by the finalists of the MacRobert Award for UK innovation in engineering.

Each of the three finalists had developed an engineering solution that transformed a particular area of activity. One team had developed a symmetry detector that radically increases the speed, sensitivity and resolution of analysis in a scanning electron microscope.

Another team had taken forward vertical farming technology – growing food in closely

indoor managed environments. The final finalist, and winner of the prize, had reimagined dialysis. What so often requires large machinery in a hospital setting was now possible through a portable device offering flexible treatment at home.

Three innovations that each took the familiar and re-imagined them in ways that previously were beyond knowledge and competence.

Imagination – the ability to look beyond the known to what might be but is not yet – is so important. It isn’t fanciful castles in the air but as one writer puts it, ‘the imagination that looks from the present into a new future’.

Imagination that is not just about life changing engineering such as the re-imagined dialysis machine but is about all sectors of life. That re-imagining that not only contem-

plates a world without war, without hunger, without human trafficking or whatever, but knows that what is not yet, can be. It is the re-imagining of people like William Wilberforce and his colleagues who envisaged a world with out slavery; or Martin Luther King and his dream of a world where all would flourish.

In the letter to the Ephesians, we read of God: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. It is a statement about the God of abundant love and transforming grace at the heart of creation, but also an invitation to each one of us to set our imagination free.

We need our great innovators - not just in the field of engineering but in all spheres of life. We need each of us to see what can be so that justice and righteousness prevail.

Dave Hodgson – Mayor of Bedford Borough Council passes cost of living motion

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The cost of living crisis is impacting everyone’s lives with energy prices going up, inflation out of control and a government who are out of touch with ordinary people.

At July’s Full Council meeting the Council passed a motion declaring a Cost of Living Crisis.

The Council is calling on the Government to immediately introduce an Emergency Budget, including measures such as cuts to VAT, to protect children, families, and pensioners from the worst fall in living standards in generations.

The Council is also calling for the roll out of a rapid programme of home insulation and other energy efficiency solutions, targeted at households in fuel poverty.

Insulating 19 million homes in a decade would help with cutting our gas imports by

15% and lowering home energy bills by up to £400.

Many of our local residents are struggling and the Council has already taken action to provide support to vulnerable residents including: • The fourth lowest council tax percentage rise of all unitary authorities since 2009, equating to a £97 saving when compared to the average percentage increase.

• Up to 100% Council Tax Reduction Scheme, meaning the average household receiving 100% Council Tax support receives around £400 extra than if the scheme was only up to 75%.

Bedford Borough Council is one of the few local authorities that offers this level of support

• Free School Meal Vouchers are provided every school holiday • Increasing the Minimum Income Guarantee for those on Universal Credit via the Adult Social Care Charging Policy, so that vulnerable residents can keep more of their income when requiring Adult Social Care.

• Support for Bedford Foodbank.

• Promoting help available to residents through an accurate and up to date web page on the Council’s website at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/benefitsand-support/advice-and-benefits-grants /help-with-the-cost-of-living/.

• Providing Crisis Grants for residents in severe need of financial support.

Mohammad Yasin – MP Kempston and Bedford Investment in NHS workforce is the only way to bring down waiting times A record 6.6 million people are waiting for NHS care, and they are waiting longer than ever before. Waiting times for ambulance and emergency department care are a symptom of the problems across the entire health and social care system.

There is a shortage of 100,000 staff and 17,000 fewer beds across the country. This is not due to the pandemic, but deliberate underfunding of the NHS by a government who themselves admit—as the Culture Secretary recently did—that a decade of Conservative mismanagement had left our NHS “wanting and inadequate” even before Covid hit.

Across Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, 76, 671 are on the waiting list, with nearly 3,000 people waiting over a year for NHS treatment.

Plans for a new mental health hospital for adults and children in Bedford are all in place. The funding is ready to be released by the East London Foundation Trust, but its being held up by Government bureaucracy around funding caps.

The beleaguered East of England Ambulance Service Trust has yet again been rated ‘requires improvement’ overall.

The CQC report published last week highlighted a number of persistent problems including “unacceptable staff shortages which meant patient safety could not be ensured” and delays in reaching patients. “Staff don’t feel respected, supported or valued” and inspectors said not enough had been done to address what they described as the trust’s “culture of bullying”.

More investment is needed in the workforce, the only area rated ‘good’ for being caring, than in management structures, which have showed some improvement, but not enough.

It’s been clear to me for some time that the EEAST footprint which covers 7,500 square miles, serving more than 6.2 million people is far too big to manage.

Until this issue is addressed, the service is not going to be fit for purpose.

If we want to make sure that future generations do not have to pay when they are ill, we must urgently invest in our workforce and in social care.

Labour brought Tory patient waiting times down when we were in power – we can and must do so again.

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11

Fuel storage relocation will not cause a stink!

Plans to relocate an airfield’s fuel store would not cause problem smells, says Cranfield university.

The relocation is one of two proposals to update Cranfield Airport and to make space for Marshall Aerospace’s planned move.

The university said the proposed fuel store move from the north of the airport to the south will modernise the fuel delivery processes, and is also necessary for Marshall’s relocation to Cranfield.

The new fuel store compound will consist of three main storage tanks and ancillary equipment, which will require only occasional deliveries via an existing junction on Cranfield Road.

The fuel storage tanks will be sealed, and the university said they will not generate

by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter “significant odours”.

When asked to define ‘significant’, a university spokesperson said: “The Fuel Farm proposal has been assessed by an independent Air Quality specialist in line with the Guidance on the Assessment of Odour for Planning published by the Institute of Air Quality Management.

“In line with the Guidance, ‘significant’ is assessed as a quantity and frequency that would cause an annoyance.”

The spokesperson added that the footpath near the fuel store has been included in its assessment, and the odour annoyance for users

NEGLIGIBLE

of the footpath would be “negligible”.

The second proposal is to build a new 36-metre tall radar tower on the northern edge of the campus, which the university said was the only ‘feasible’ location.

The university said the radar’s active system will improve the Airport’s capacity to map the airspace, and will open up a “range of opportunities” for research.

The radar system is based on a facility installed at Bangkok Airport. The noise level of this system has been assessed and the measurements will be used for modelling the expected noise levels at Cranfield.

The spokesperson said: “using

these modelling results, the supplier is designing appropriate insulation to ensure there are no adverse impacts emanating from the radar.”

The university said health issues from the radar’s electromagnetic field are not foreseen, and it is “highly unlikely” the radar will interfere with residents’ equipment.

The university said these projects are not seeking to expand the airport’s capacity or change the existing flight paths.

More details on the proposals will be included with planning applications to be submitted.

Three rapists jailed for total of 57 years THREE Albanians who raped a young woman after one had kidnapped her outside a nightclub have been jailed for a total of 57 years.

The 23-year-old victim became separated from a friend on a night out.

Gemti Hyka, 31, targeted her inside the club, put her into his car and drove her to an address in the town centre where he raped her.

Two of his associates, Vullnet Haka and Ibrahim Bezati, arrived and raped her. She had been slapped and forced to take cocaine.

She told Luton Crown Court she had no memory of leaving the club in the early hours of September 4, 2021, last year.

Hyka, of Cambridge Road, Bedford, was found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and two charges

of rape. Judge Steven Evans jailed him for 26 years.

Haka, 33, of Washburn Close, Bedford and Bezati, 36, of Caves Lane, Bedford were found guilty of false imprisonment and two charges of rape of the woman.

Haka was sentenced to 14 years. Bezati was sentenced to 17 years.

After their conviction, Judge Evans said: “I am satisfied Hyka targeted her in the club. He formed the idea he would take her to his house.

“I am satisfied he waited for her to achieve an ambush. He made the other defendants aware she was at his house.

“Hyka is likely to have raped her before their arrival. Once they all attended she was forced to take cocaine and encouraged to drink with the single aim of making her comply with what they intended.”

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gardening

with Milton Ernest Garden Centre

Your vegetable garden in August

A

and Maris Peer are also suitable for baking, mashing, frying and roasting.

French and Runner Beans are cropping well this month so pick every couple of days to keep the plants producing flowers and more beans. Water plants at least three times per week and spray the flowers in the evening with water to ensure the beans set. Pick French Beans when thin and tender. you will only need to cook them for four minutes.

It is the main harvesting time for Courgettes. Keep

by Maureen Catlin uGuST should be the hottest month in the year. The Garden is looking at its best and many fruits and vegetables are ready to harvest from The Patch.

Second Early Potatoes are ready to dig. They are good ‘salad potatoes’ which don’t disintegrate on cooking and work well in hot or cold salads. Charlotte

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cutting them with a sharp knife when they are the size of a banana and they will keep flowering and producing more fruit. If the leaves show powdery mildew the plant is stressed so remove the affected foliage immediately and water copiously.

Feed with a high nitrogen liquid feed. Cougettes are such versatile vegetables. They are fantastic in Soufflees, with pasta in Courgette and Bacon Carbonnara, or rice in Tomato and Courgette Rissoto, ribboned in a Minted Salad, in Homemade Soup, fried as Fritters, spiralised and cooked as Noodles, stuffed with sausage and herbs or sliced long ways and barbecued.

A very easy vegetable to grow is Sweet Corn. Plant the young plants in blocks approximately 60cms apart at the beginning of June. The male flowers are at the top of the plant and pollinate the female flowers below to produce the cobs.

Apply plenty of water to each plant to swell the cobs which are ready to harvest when the male flowers at the top go brown and the corn exudes a milky sap.

Check often towards the end of the month to ensure the freshest sweetest cobs.

The early Onion varieties can be harvested when the “necks” naturally bend over. Lift and allow to completely dry before weaving them into plaits to store for winter. Seeds of Japanese Onion varieties can be sown at the end of August for fresh onions early next summer.

The “Veg Patch” will start to clear when you have picked the Peas and Broad Beans and dug the Early Potatoes. There is though still time to plant seeds of Rocket for late salads, Pak Choi for stir fries, Spinach for all those vitamins and Turnips a great autumn root

vegetable for soups and stews as the weather gets colder.

August is the month to prune Plum and Cherry Trees. Pruning at this time of year prevents the spores of the fungus disease Silver Leaf, which appear in autumn and winter, from entering any freshly cut surfaces. Silver Leaf will weaken the tree and cause affected branches to die.

Summer fruiting Raspberries will have been harvested by now so the old canes should be removed at ground level and the strong new canes loosely tied to the support. Feed the plants with chicken manure or fish blood and bone and water regularly. Remove any thin or damaged canes to promote strong growth for next season.

Autumn fruiting varieties like Joan J and Autumn Bliss will start to fruit towards the end of August and carry on well into September. Keep watering these regularly so the berries become plump and harvest them when they are dark red.

Blackberries and Loganberries are ready to harvest in August. The new canes are also growing vigorously so select the strongest and tie onto the support for fruiting next year.

These plants produce a lot of canes so it is important to only retain what you need to avoid overcrowding. Remove the old canes when the harvest is finished.

Blackcurrants will have finished fruiting so remove the fruiting stems and give the plants a good layer of rotted compost or manure to encourage new fruiting growth. Red currants should have the side stems cut back to 10cms from the main stem which encourages flower buds and therefore fruit next year.

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13

out & about

A rocking summer in Bedford

What a phenomenal month July was with the traditional Bedford River Festival which came back to Bedford after a three year break, attracting huge crowds from every corner of the UK to celebrate what is now known as a biennial event with an estimated 250,000 people in attendance.

The festival was originally founded back in 1978 to celebrate the completion of a navigable route, by water, between Bedford and The Wash which I was surprised how few people knew this!

What I particularly enjoy about the festival, which is believed to be the second largest free outdoor event in the UK after Notting Hill Carnival, is the diverse array of entertainment across the stages ranging from local bands to some amazing celebrity Dance DJs.

events you would expect to see at The O2 Arena, Simply Red, Lisa Stansfield, Paul Weller and a host of star studded Djs at Cafe Mambo Ibiza, I was fortunate enough to be given a pair of complimentary tickets for Café Mambo where two of the world’s most famous DJ/Producers are scheduled to grace the stage, Todd Terry and Dave Morales, I plan on doing a full-on review of this event in our next edition.

Bedford has certainly become the UK’s nucleus for live outdoor concerts, we have had some amazing artists come to the Park Mark Harrison the brains behind these concerts should be given a Queens Award for what he has done for Bedford.

The Priory Country Park in Barkers Lane, Bedford will be hosting The Original Culture

by Tony Hendrix Then if that wasn’t enough just a week later and down the road in Bedford Park saw a weekend of events that were really a string of

“Sweet as a nut”

Festival on Saturday, August 13.

This is Bedfords biggest and brightest festival with a host of amazing DJs and live acts from across the UK plus support from local talent.

The line up for this spectacular event, The Heartless Crew, Turno, DJ Hazard, Rampage Sound, Kenny Alllstar, Omar, Evil B, Dreps, Genesis Elijah, Donaeo, Romeo, DJ Pioneer, Lovelite, Mc Versatile and channel one sound system, these guys will be spinning House Music, UK Garage, RnB, Drum n Bass and reggae from 1pm till 11pm. Tickets for this event start from £27 and are available from www.originalculturefestival.com Finally a Bank Holiday special Jazz Funk and Soul event is scheduled to be held at the secluded water sports centre at Wyboston Lakes Bedford, this will be another event worth looking at, DJs on the night, Louie Martin (Solar radio), DJ Rocky (Summer Breeze) Kazzie D (Sound Fusion Radio), Pete Collins (Stomp Radio), Frank Dee (LS Radio London) and Carol Cooper (Absolute Soul), doors open at 6pm till 1am tickets are £10 in advance or £14 on the door.

Next month the full Bedford Park Café Mambo Ibiza review.

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NEW HARMONY the boys are back for a fantastic night

Saturday 20th August a new singer to for you – the beautiful

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THE BIG WEEKENDER TO END ALL BANK HOLIDAYS Saturday 27th August we have it all – so come party with us before the kids go back to school we start Saturday night from 8.30pm it’s the CONCLUB FEST 2022 join us for our very own festival with fantastic festival music from SAM COVIE & PETE COVINGTON so dress in your best festival outfits, gems loads of sparkle, the room will be decorated accordingly – you can even come and pick up a free festival ticket to have as a keepsake Sunday 28th KIDS DISCO… let the kids let off steam before the schools start back if enough kids are here we will do a full on kids’ party with games prizes and Conclubs Got Talent – but that’s not all, oh no! We then go into the evening with the man

who absolutely blew us away at the charity event with his mix of swing, reggae, blues and everything else we asked of him the fantastic LEE FOXHALL we will also throw some food on the BBQ… so why be anywhere else this Bank Holiday when the Conclub has it all? If this weekend was a perfect pint it’s a Conclub perfect pint QUIZ SUNDAY from 6.30pm £2 per player teams of max 6 all money paid out Diary dates If you love Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae we have the one and only 9 piece band ROCKSTEADY DROP this is one of the best bands around it includes the singer TINA DAWES who also sings in the Dekkertones… so miss this & miss out my skin head girls Sept 17th is the date

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diary

comedy

Castle Comedy bringing laughs this summer dark humour, killer punch lines and masterful delivery.

On TV, he’s performed on BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and The Comedy Store for Comedy Central.

“One of the top ten stand-ups in the country” Independent

Photography by Rebecca Need-Menear

Saturday August 27 – The BIG August Show at The Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade Three headline quality acts for the ultimate comedy night out!

PAUL TONKINSON (right) is a sensational live performer, Yorkshire man, marathon runner and former (double award-winning) Time Out Comedian of the Year. He has appeared on Michael Mcintyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Comedy Central’s The Comedy Store and The World Stands-up.

“Hilarious. No one makes me laugh like Paul Tonkinson. Go see him” Michael McIntyre NINIA BENJAMIN is one of the UK’s hottest female comedians with a wealth of television, stage and live stand-up experience. Ninia was catapulted to stardom as one third of BBC3’s Three NonBlondes! She has also appeared on BBC1’s Celebrity Master Chef and Hypothetical on Dave.

“Bursting onto the stage in an explosion of energy, bombastic Benjamin certainly makes an

Thursday August 11 – Comedy in the Garden at Brewpoint (at Bedford’s Northern Gateway) Castle Comedy returns to the Brewpoint garden where you can enjoy brilliant comedy, craft beer and delicious food.

CALLY BEATON – She is a natural storyteller full of intelligent, distinctive, and punchline-rich material and one of the UK’s most sought-after acts. Cally’s TV appearances include being a

regular panelist on BBC’s QI as well as The Apprentice You’re Fired, Celebrity Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games.

“Exciting and hilarious talent… she’s got it” Time Out MIKE GUNN is firmly established as one of the most sought-after and accomplished comedians working on the UK and international circuit. An original talent, distinguished by his trademark laconic and lugubrious

Biddenham Gardeners Association: Tuesday,

September 20 at 7.30. Biddenham Village Hall, “A Bulb for all Seasons” by Chris Day. Visitors very welcome. Admission £5 per meeting for non members – includes Raffle & Refreshments Contact: www.biddenham gardenersassociation.org.uk

Car Boot Sale: Milton Ernest

Garden Centre, Radwell Road, Milton Ernest MK44 1SH, Cars £5, vans £10. Sellers setup 9am, Buyers 10am-2pm.

August 7, September 4, October 2 No need to book a stall, bring your own table HORTICULTURAL SHOW Bank Holiday August 29 FAMILY FUN DAY & DOG SHOW Sunday September 11 Contact: (01234) 823033 or enquiries@miltonernestgarden centre.co.uk

attention-grabbing entrance” Chortle JOHN NEWTON is known for his inventive writing, and brilliant one-liners.

“John Newton does not require gimmicks or stage characters as he has something more valuable to any comedian, good old fashioned solid gags” - funny.co.uk PAUL REVILL will host the shows!

Doors 7pm, Shows start 8pm.

Shows finish 10.45pm. To Book visit www.castlecomedy.co.uk

unemployed, working from home, retired, widowed or just need to talk to someone. The Man Cave in Sharnbrook Scout Hut could be for you. We have men from all over north Bedfordshire who come along and have coffee and toast from 10am-1.30pm every Friday.

Contact: Bernard Brown on 07711 664451 or Steve Marvell on 07904 176698

Shanbrook Men’s Group:

To advertise your club, group or society in these columns please email your copy to:

advertising@ bedsbulletin.com

Please include a contact telephone number. These columns are for non-profit making organisations

Man Cave: If you are looking

for some male company then look no further that the Man Cave in Sharnbrook Scout Hut. Coffee and toast from 10am-1.30pm every Friday. Contact: Bernard Brown on 07711 664451 or Steve Marvell on 07904 176698

Contact: www.bedfordmusicclub.co.uk

Bedford Music Club: Bedford Floral Art Society:

Contact: www.bedfordfloral artsociety.co.uk

Tudor Reeds Folk Dance Club: Barn dance group meets

every other Wednesday 8-10pm, St Mark’s Church Hall, Brickhill. £2 inc refreshments Contact: Jenny 01234 217621t

Sandy Women’s Institute: Meets on the third

Tuesday of every month (except August) at Sandy Conservative Club, Bedford Road, Sandy. New members are always very welcome. Visitors are charged a small fee of £4. For further information contact: Ann Patterson 01767 680644.

Kempston Senior Citizens Club: DANCING, WHIST,

BINGO. Meets Wednesday 10am12noon Friday 10am-4.00pm, Centenary Hall, behind Kempston Town Hall, contact: Sheila Cobban, on 01234 347306

Bedford Folk & Acoustic Club: Acoustic and folk music round-the-room, every Thursday evening from 8:30pm at the Bowls Pavilion of Kempston Hammers Club, MK42 7BN. Musicians, singers and poets all welcome, at every level.

Contact: us on facebook, or come and meet us at the Bowls Pavilion.

Yoga: Priory Methodist Church, Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ. 2pm Mondays Contact: June for details: juandhannigan@yahoo.co.uk:

THE

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Food served: Mon-Sat 12-2, 6-9 Sunday 12-4 See our Facebook page for upcoming events

HOTEL NOW OPEN Queens Head, Rushden Road, Milton Ernest MK44 1RU

Tel: 01234 822412

Mon-Sat Noon-11pm Sunday Noon-10.30pm

DELIVERY AGENTS REQUIRED

We are looking for reliable people to deliver the Beds Bulletin’s sister paper Kempston Calling in:

Kempston – Elstow Road, High Street & Martell Drive

To apply go to: http://www.bedsbulletin.com/ door-door-deliveries.php

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sport

15

Eagles in pre-season action against the Dons

Champions get their season underway

THE Eagles first matches in the PitchingIn Southern League Premier Division Central have been revealed after their championship winning performance last season.

The season gets underway on Saturday, August 6, with a trip to Stratford Town. Last season The Bards, now managed jointly by Dean Holdsworth finished 13th in the division and will be looking to get their season off to a good start against the travelling Eagles.

Bedford’s first home fixture follows on Saturday, August 13, when Barwell visit the Eyrie for the first time. With them narrowly escaping relegation last season, it’ll be a match that Eagles Manager Gary Setchell will be looking at to take all three points from The Canaries.

The traditional Boxing Day

by Michael Jarman-Webb

fixture will see local rivals AFC Rushden & Diamond’s head to Bedford, before the New year trip to Royston for Setchell’s squad.

Setchell has continued to build the team in preseason, adding new players, while keeping the majority of last seasons League winning squad. Players joining include strikers Tyrone Lewthwaite and Liam Brooks with defenders Luke Pennell, Kai Phelan and Sam Warburton all putting pen to paper.

The Eagles have played a host of sides in their pre-season campaign with results mainly going according to status. AFC Wimbledon and Barnet both come

EAGLES’ FIXTURES

Tue 02 Aug 22 19:00 Bedford Town v Luton Town XI Sat 06 Aug 22 15:00 Stratford Town v Bedford Town Sat 13 Aug 22 15:00 Bedford Town v Barwell Mon 15 Aug 22 19:45 Kings Langley v Bedford Town Sat 20 Aug 22 15:00 Bedford Town v Tamworth Sat 27 Aug 22 15:00 Hednesford Town v Bedford Town Mon 29 Aug 22 15:00 Bedford Town v Royston Town Sat 10 Sep 22 15:00 Nuneaton Borough v Bedford Town Tickets and latest updates from: www.bedfordeagles.net

away from the Eyrie with wins before Bedford chalked up their first win at Stotfold. The now regular preseason fixture against Peterborough Sports followed, with honours even between the promotion winning sides.

The July heatwave saw The Eagles trip to Harborough Town being brought forward a day to a Friday evening kick off, which saw three goals for the visitors and their second win in the build up to the new campaign.

The visit of National League South opposition in the form of Hemel Hempstead, saw a reality check for the home side as they scored six without return in monsoon like conditions as the mid July heatwave finally gave in to a downpour that started at kick-off and lasted for the entire match.

Other preseason matches saw Wealdstone visit the Eyrie, before Bedford headed to last seasons rivals AFC Dunstable.

The preseason campaign will end when Luton Town visit.

Former Eagle Paul Benson will bring his young Hatters squad to Bedford on Tuesday, August 2, with an earlier than normal 19:00 start.

Pictured top: Josh Page, bottom left: Luke Pennell and bottom right: Liam Brooks.

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