Cople News Dec 2019

Cople News December 2019 Cople Christmas Tree All Saints Churchyard

The Big lights switch on for the Christmas tree will be Thursday 5th December at 6 pm and GNIC will be supplying mulled wine, mince pies and hot chocolate for the children. There will also be carol singers and hopefully fine weather.

Friends of Cople Church

Safari Supper Saturday 2nd February Meet at the church at 7:00pm Offers to host starters and main courses would be most welcome

Tickets ÂŁ15.00 For offers of help or tickets please contact: Miles: milotetley@gmail.com or 07738 999340 Quentin: 07852 169833 2

Editor’s Notes

December in Cople is going to be as busy as ever. The religious services are more varied than usual and are summarised on the back cover and in the village diary.

The clerk to the Parish Council, Jeanne Pope, is standing down and a replacement is needed. If you are interested you can find details on page 8. The deadline for applications is 13th December.

Looking ahead to next year, the Friends will be organising another Safari Supper. Details are on the opposite page. This is a great way to get to know your neighbours and is usually over subscribed.

On the front cover is a poster for the Great Neighbours in Cople Christmas tree. Last year’s inaugural event was a great success and they hope to surpass it this year. The monthly GNiC afternoon get together will not happen in December as they have given up the Village Hall to the very popular Christmas Lunch. Details of this event are on page 10.

Pippa Hawker and Marilyn Southgate ran a very pleasant evening in the Church to raise funds for the Kings Arms Project in Bedford. The efforts of all made over £400 for the cause. A report is the next page.

On the 8th November a large team of volunteers ran a bridge day in the Village Hall to raise fund for All Saints Church. Last year the event was held for the first time in Cople and was very well received by the regular players. This year the tickets sold out immediately and there was a waiting list for any returns. When something is as well run as this it will always succeed. The day raised nearly £900 and there is a report on page 33.

The magazine continues to be popular and useful to the village and this is due to the combined efforts of the team of writers, contributors, distributors and advertisers. (Remember that you are able to view it in colour on the village website.) May I take this opportunity to thank everybody and wish them and our readers a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Ged Peeke

Cople News Editor : Ged Peeke 39 Willington Road, Cople, Beds, MK44 3TH. Tel 01234 838379 Email: coplenews@gmail.com Deadline for copy and advertising 15th of every month

Advertising Rates

Annual Charges. Full Page £96.

Half Page £48

Delivered free to every home in Cople every month circulation 365 copies 3

Letter from the Vicar Dear friends Well, December is going to be even busier than usual in our three parishes!

It cannot have escaped your notice that in addition to the usual seasonal routine we have a General Election on 12 th December – the first to be held in December since 1923. As you know, in view of my role as vicar I never express a party political opinion, but I always urge everyone to engage with politics and elections as a way of ‘loving our neighbours as ourselves’. So I’ll be making time to vote in and around Christmas lunches and carol service planning and I hope you will too.

Of course this year the election feels more complicated than in previous years, with opinions polarised, pundits sniping at one another, and the polls as confused as ever. The best advice I can offer anyone, which I saw on a parishioner’s Twitter feed, comes from John Wesley, the great Methodist preacher of the 18th Century. On meeting those of his chapels who had a vote in the 1774 election he advised them:   

To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy.

To speak no evil of the person they voted against.

To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.

Sound advice then, and sound advice now, for Christians are to be those who make peace and seek reconciliation.

Whoever is elected and whatever government is formed, Christmas will be carrying on as normal, just as it has for hundreds of years! We’ll have all of our usual services and events across the Benefice this Advent and Christmas to help you to celebrate this glorious season. Further details are in the magazine: everyone is welcome to any or all of them!

It’s my prayer that your own Christmas will be filled with peace and wonder. And may that wonder spill over into discovering the joy of coming to see for yourself that these events of so long ago are true even today, as we remember the birth of Jesus: King of Kings, Lord of Lords, God, the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth.

With best wishes Revd Fiona Gibson

From the Church Registers Funerals 10th October 2019 30th October 2019

Miriam Daisy ROBINSON (99 years) Pauline Ann NICHOLLS (85 years 4

Mothers Union At our meeting in November, members collected in 5 bags of items for our projects. Included in these were 30 jumpers, mittens, blankets and items for the Yarl’s Wood Centre. These were taken to the Diocesan Sharing Day on 16th We also filled 4 shoeboxes for he Samaritan’s Purse Appeal.

Our next meeting will be held on Monday 16 th December at 2pm at 2 Woodlands Close. We shall have our usual mix of carols and seasonal readings followed by tea and mince pies.

Liz Buck

Prayer Loving Father, help us to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of angels, the gladness of shepherds and the wisdom of wise men.

(The Lion Prayer Collection)

Autumn Supper Marilyn and Pippa would like to give a big thank you to everyone who came along to the church on October 18th to support our Autumn Supper in aid of the Kings Arms Project in Bedford. And also a big thank you to Philla Ebbs and all the other musicians both young and old who entertained us. We are very lucky to have such a talented group of singers and musicians in Cople and it was lovely to hear them in our beautiful old church. We raised over £400 for the charity which was a great total and thank you once again for coming along.

Many thanks Pippa

All Saints Church Revd Fiona Gibson The Vicarage. 3 Grange Lane. Cople, MK44 3TT. Telephone 01234 838145. email; cmwvicar@gmail.com Churchwardens June Thomas 34 Grange Lane Cople Beds MK44 3TT Tel: 01234 831705 juneshanahan748@btinternet.com 5

Julie Scherrer 26 Grange Way Willington Beds MK44 3QW Tel: 01234 838623 julie@scherrer.co.uk>

6

7

Blunham Cinema Blunham Community Cinema, Blunham Village Hall presents on Friday 27th December, 'Robot and Frank' (Cert 12a) starring Frank Langella, James Marsden and Susan Sarandon. In the near future, an ex-jewel thief receives a gift from his son: a robot butler programmed to look after him. But soon the two companions try their luck as a heist team. Film starts promptly 7.30 pm doors open 7pm. Tickets costs Adults £5.00. Children £2.50. Family (2A + 2C) £12.00. Sweets, Drinks, Ice cream and pop-corn are available. For tickets or any further information contact 07783 046020.

8

Stylish bathrooms and kitchens to suit your current needs and budget. With a spacious working showroom in the heart of Bedford, P & R Interiors is a local family-run firm that provides inspirational modern design and cost-effective solutions for both kitchens and bathrooms. There are 54 stunning display in our beautiful showroom that are constantly being updated. So, you can come in, see exactly what you are buying and experience first-hand with working displays.

We can undertake all aspects of building work supply and fit or supply only.

P & R Interiors, 9 Lurke Street, Bedford Mk40 3HZ Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00 pm Saturdays 10.00am to 4.00pm Tel: 01234 352414 Email: sales@pandrinteriors.store Web: www.pandrinteriors.co.uk

With a large showroom right in the heart of Bedford our aim is to offer our clients, old and new, the best products and the best service for their Bathrooms, Kitchens and Tiling requirements.

We have been supplying and installing bathrooms and kitchens in Bedford and surrounding areas for over 30 years. Bringing together reliable, skilful and trusted tradespeople we personally ensure every installation is completed to the highest possible levels of workmanship and to the satisfaction of our clients.

9

CHRISTMAS LUNCH This years Luncheon Club festive lunch will take place on the 9th December in the village hall at 12.30pm.

Three course traditional lunch, mince pies , grand raffle and lots of good company.

Reservations are required .Please contact June 831705 to book your place. Tickets are ÂŁ8.50

Cople - Coffee Morning In Cople Village Hall Run by The Kempston Centre Every Tuesday 10:30am to 12 noon Tea / Coffee Home Made Cakes Come and have a chat with friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

10

11

Wild about Cople With the darker evenings we enter into early winter and, even though those of us who like the longer, lighter evenings, reluctantly become more confined to being indoors I have to grudgingly admit that there are a few benefits to the extended and enforced darkness. Curling up in front of the fire with a good book is always good as is doing some writing, getting on with some artwork or maybe watching some interesting programmes and films on TV ; these always add a bit of something extra to look forward to on those long, dark evenings. But I still pine for the lighter evenings and, even now, am counting down the days to the pivot point (sorry David) when the tiniest increase in daylight first starts to show – the first cracks in winter’s frosty shield. So, for me, a kind of reluctant acceptance and a slight tendency towards a vague human-induced hibernation is the best way to get through the next few weeks until the return of the light…

Meanwhile, it is actually quite good to get out on those short winter dusks, particularly as the autumn trees glow like flames in the fading light while dressed in their autumnal finery of brick-reds, golds, yellow, fiery reds and oranges all which seem to intensify and burn in the dark. The smell of the leaves intensifies too – the bitter, coffee-scented oaks, the tang of field maples, even the mildly cherry-scent of the cherries and the slightest hint of lime from the pale-yellow lime trees. Maybe it’s the dropping temperatures and the damp that alchemically fuses the leaf smells into the air…

As you walk through the churchyard at this time of year you may hear a thin, quite penetrating but very high-pitched, ‘see-see-see’ coming from deep amongst the yews. It is a sound on the edge of hearing – like needles of sound – some people have a job hearing it. In the spring and summer, you may hear the song which is very similar like the call but with the notes run together as it rises and falls and with a small flourish at the end and repeated several times – ‘ze-zezeezee’- ‘ze-zezeezee’. The bird is a Goldcrest; a relatively common resident which breeds in conifers, mixed woodland and larger trees. Goldcrests are remarkable in many ways; they are Europe’s smallest bird (along with the very similar, but rarer, Firecrest), they weigh 12

only around 5.5g (about the weight of a twenty pence coin) and they are just 9cm in length. They are quite plain in appearance with a bronzy greyish-green plumage but the real highlight are the feathers on the crown of the head – there is bright gold slash, as if the bird has painted a gold leaf stripe on its head; which is particularly bright and golden in the male. And he can raise and lower this crest when displaying to the female which makes it appear to throb with sparkling gold as he bows his head and flirts to her. The gold is edged with black which shows off the colour even more vividly.

Goldcrests can be remarkably tame and inquisitive and, if you stand and make squeaking noises when you hear them, they will often come quite close to you. The Latin name Regulus regulus refers also to the sparkling crown and means ‘petty king’ or ‘prince’. The older name for the bird was the ‘Golden-crested Wren’ but Goldcrests are actually in the ‘Kinglet’ family of small passerines, sometimes placed with the Warblers. In European folklore the Goldcrest is known as the ‘King of the Birds’ – all probably appertaining to the gold crown of feathers.

There is another, very similar bird, to the Goldcrest, as mentioned above.

And that is the Firecrest, also in the Kinglet family. Firecrests are very similar but with a few subtle differences; the crown of gold is infused with a flame of orange making it even more vivid and like a glowing ember; there is a white supercilium (stripe) above the eye and a snazzy, black bandit’s mask through each eye making for a really striking-looking bird.

The Firecrest is generally brighter, more bronzy and cleaner looking than the Goldcrest. The calls are slightly different too – the Firecrest’s call is a slightly more strident ‘züü zü-zi-zi’. Personality-wise, Firecrests always seem to be a slightly bolder, more ‘angry’ version of the Goldcrest. In the UK Firecrests are much rarer than Goldcrests, breeding only in small numbers in parts of the New Forest, the South-east, certain areas of the Chilterns and East Anglia along the North Norfolk Coast.

Steve Halton

stevehalton@gmail.com

13

YOGA

Energising, Flowing, Hatha Vinyasa classes with Genevieve Cardington Village Hall Southill Road, Cardington Sundays 10 – 11 a.m.

Classes also held in Bedford Monday and Wednesday evenings and Thursday morning.

Phone Gen on 07849 158 850 mail@chandrikayoga-dance.co.uk

14

HOLISTIC THERAPIST & BODY WORKER Suzanne Edgington

CNM (Dip), L.C.M. Dip, AOSM Dip, B.S.Y.A.( Ad.Arom), L.C.M.IH Dip, LSSM (Dip), CTLLS, CST II, SERI,SERII

SPORTS MASSAGE CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY,

ACUPUNCTURE, NUTRITION, and More…

For Acute & Chronic conditions:

Muscular problems, Injuries, Stress, Headaches, Anxiety etc.

Individually tailored treatments Helping you to move on and live life!

01234 870 236 / 07802 864 275

Email: suzyedge@btinternet.com www.suzanneedgington.co.uk

15

jkobrien@live.co.uk

ACE PEST LIMITED Fast Efficient Service

Rats, Mice, Fleas, Moles, Wasps, Bird Proofing etc We offer very competitive rates with normally same day service Proprietor: Mr J. T. Hillyard Telephone 01234 - 838391

16

17

TCS Paintingď ?

Local Friendly Painter

Small Interior Painting Work Also Fence and Decking Staining Phil 07799 012107 or 01234 300769 Bedford and Surrounding Villages

V J Edwards Plastering & Building Services Certified Plasterer by British Gypsum – all works guaranteed for 2 years.

Tel no: M: 07970 011605 H: 01234 740400 Internal and external Plastering Special Renders: Krend, monocuhe and Cemrend Stud Partitioning Plaster Boarding Garage conversions, Kitchens & Bathrooms and small extensions 18

19

20

21

WILLINGTON VILLAGE HALL MONDAY NIGHTS DURING TERM TIME 6:30pm until 8:00pm If you are interested in joining us please register online:JoinUs@girlguiding.org.uk Further information can be obtained from Brown Owl Tel :07914 240494 / Email: willingtongirlguiding@gmail.com

B. W. Taylor Plumbing Roofing and all Building Maintenance From “Complete Bathrooms and Kitchens” including tiling and plastering through to “Ball Valves and “Garden Taps” No Job too small Local Reliable service at Reasonable Rates References Supplied if Required

Telephone: Barrie Taylor Mobile

01234 - 838 676 07979 - 928 186

COUNTRY STOVES & SWEEPS HETAS Registered Wood/Multi Fuel Stove Installation Gas Fires Fitted – GAS SAFE Chimney Sweeping Insurance/Safety Certificates Issued Chimney Lining Bird Guards Fitted Free Survey & Quote Competitive Prices

01767 627591 / 07950 705479 Julian Biggs, Northill, Bedfordshire

22

23

December Diary Church Services 1st

10.00am 3pm 4:30pm

Sunday School Ordination of Revd Katie Franks at Willington Church Ordination Tea at Willington Village Hall No morning service at Cople

8th

10:00am 3pm

Sunday School Christingle Party No morning service at Cople

15th

3:30pm

Village Carols No morning Service at Cople

22nd

10:00am 11:30am 2:30pm 3pm

Sunday School Sung Communion “Quiet Christmas� Service at Moggerhanger Forest Church at Bottom Wood, Moggerhanger Park

29th

11:00am

Benefice Service at Moggerhanger Church

Morning Prayers At Willington Church 9am on Thursday 5th,12th and 19thDecember

Advent Study Group At Willington Methodist Chapel 2pm on Tuesday 3rd, 10th and 17th December

Mobile Library for December Wednesday 11th December 10:00 to 10:20am All Saints Road, 10:25 to 10:40am Water End, 10:45 to 11:05am Outside Five Bells Monday 2nd

Black Bin

11am

Benefice Tiny Tots Praise

Cople Church

6:15pm

Youth Music Group Practice

Cople Church

7:15pm

Benefice Choir Practice

Cople Church

Tuesday 3rd 7:30pm

Bell ringing practice

Thursday 5th 6pm

GNIC Christmas Tree lights switch on

Friday 6th 7pm

Carols in the Cabin 24

Danish Camp

Monday 9th

Orange Bin

11am

Benefice Tiny Tots Praise

Cople Church

12:30pm

Luncheon Club. Christmas Lunch

Village Hall

6:15pm

Youth Music Group Practice

Cople Church

7:15pm

Benefice Choir Practice

Cople Church

Tuesday 10th 7:30pm

Bell ringing practice

7:30pm

Tuesday Club. Christmas Celebration.

The Crown at Northill

Friday 13th 7pm

Willington Nativity Pageant

Monday 16th

Black Bin

11am

Benefice Tiny Tots Praise

Cople Church

2pm

Mothers Union

2 Woodlands Close

5pm

Advent Evening Prayer

Willington Methodist Church

6:15pm

Youth Music Group Practice

Cople Church

5pm

Advent Evening Prayer

Cople Church

7:30pm

Bell ringing practice

Tuesday 17th

Wednesday 18th 5pm

Advent Evening Prayer

Willington Church

2:30pm

Afternoon Tea

Moggerhanger Church

2.45pm

Sheerhatch Primary School Carols

Cople Churchyard

5pm

Advent Evening Prayer

Moggerhanger Church

Thursday 19th

Tuesday 24th 10am

Crib Service

Cople Church

11:30pm

Midnight Communion

Moggerhanger Church

All-Age Christmas Communion

Cople Church

Wednesday 25th 9am

25

SJ TAX & ACCOUNTING QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT Professional friendly services, Tax advice, Free initial consultation, Sole traders, Ltd companies, bookkeeping, payroll, CIS, VAT & Tax. E: sally@sjtax.co.uk Tel: 01234 831997 Mob: 07899 808592

BED AND BREAKFAST AT THE PINK COTTAGE, MOGGERHANGER www.thepinkcottage.co.uk

Prices from £50 per night per double room Dogs welcome Contact Mel Ebbage Tel: 07538257632 Email : info@thepinkcottage.co.uk 26

27

Strain

a common cause of muscular injury in dogs.

A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon commonly referred to as a ‘pulled’ muscle. It is often the cause of muscular lameness in dogs and can be extremely painful and debilitating for them. An acute strain occurs as a result of direct trauma like a sudden twisting movement that causes over-stretching of the muscle or tendon leading to immediate injury.

There are 3 grades of strain reflecting the degree of injury.  Grade 1 – mild tearing of the muscle fibres, a small number of fibres are involved  Grade 2 – more extensive injury with greater number of muscle fibres involved. Severe pain, swelling and bruising are seen.  Grade 3 – complete rupture occurs. The tendon may have separated from the bone and the dog will be unable to use the affected leg.

Surgery may be required to reattach the muscle.

Signs & Symptoms of a strain include:  Lameness  Not able to put any weight on the affected leg  Crying &/or whimpering  Reluctance to be touched  Grumpy or anti-social, may even become aggressive  Struggling with the activities of daily living such as stairs and getting in or out of the car  Stiffness, worse after rest It is worth noting that some dogs will not exhibit the typical pain signals – this relates to natural instincts and not wanting to be seen as a weak member of the pack. In a particularly stoic dog look instead for changes in their behaviour such as resting/sleeping more, off their food or not their usual self on a walk.

Immediately following a strain injury there is inflammation in the muscle due to bleeding into the tissue. The inflammation may appear as pain, heat, swelling, bruising and tenderness at the site of the injury. For the first few days it is important that the dog rests and ice is applied to the site to try and reduce the inflammation. As the muscle heals scar tissue is formed, initially the repaired tissue is weak and can easily be re-injured.

Scar tissue once formed and matured binds the tissue together but it also reduces the flexibility of the muscle by up to 50%.

To the dog an area of scar tissue will feel:  Tight and restrictive  A dull persistent ache  Stiff  Can cause loss of appetite and depression 28

Massage can help by reducing the restriction of the scar tissue making it more supple and pliable, therefore less prone to injury. Unfortunately, once formed scar tissue can never be 100% broken down but massage can help reduce its impact on the body. By encouraging blood flow into the muscles and the removal of waste products soreness and stiffness of tired, fatigued or injured muscles is reduced. Muscular lameness is reduced or resolved by encouraging the natural dynamic of the muscle.

Fiona Hughes is the owner of Cople Canine Massage Therapy and a member of the Canine Massage Guild.

If you think massage could benefit your dog then please contact me on 07808 588133

Cople Carpet Bowls Club Carpet bowls is played indoors on a 30ft carpet in Cople Village Hall on Wednesday evenings 7:30 to 10:00 pm. Any enquiries contact Pauline on 01234 838102.

Pauline Baynes.

29

Willington Peace Memorial Hall, Church Road, Willington, Beds, MK44 3PU

Open daily Mon-Fri 9.15-12.15 With lunch club available 12.15-1.15

Sessional day care for 2-4year olds during term time. ÂŁ12.00 for a 3hr session (ÂŁ4.00 extra for lunch club) We also except 2 and 3/4 year old NEF funding To enquire about a place for your child please email Kelly and Stacey at willingtots@outlook.com or call on 07972 148085 30

31

COPLE VILLAGE TRUST (Registered Charity No. 1090113)

200 CLUB

Prize winners for November 2019 1st prize of £60 188 Pam Gosbee 2nd prize of £30 234 David Holt 3rd prize of £10 250 Stacey Plunkett Thank you for your support All monies raised are used to maintain and improve the Village Hall, Playing Field & Playground.

Treasurer Catherine Bayliss catherine.bayliss@btinternet.com

01234 838704/07880 890508

Contact

01234 838004

JaneB2014@hotmail.com

Nearly New Centre Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm & Saturday 10am to 1pm At Sue Ryder Palliative Care Home St. John’s Moggerhanger

32

Bridge Day in Village Hall

Cople hosted another successful bridge day at the beginning of November.

It was a great team effort of organising and cooking for the day, people coming in to serve and wash up, and a fantastic raffle. The comments from those attending was that it was the best lunch at a bridge day this year. We had a waiting list for tables, and hope next year will be the same.

Not only a successful day, but we raised nearly ÂŁ900 for the church.

Thank you to everyone involved.

Jane Peeke

33

Tuesday Club Anna Roy specialises in flowers for weddings and events in our local area. She has been in business for 10 years and lived in Cople for the last 3. She studied art and as a mature student met Julie (aka the Julie in Julie Anna) Julie went in a different direction having already built up the brand and reputation she retained the name.

Anna originally worked in retail and took a year “out” in Sydney Australia. She passed a particular florist on her way to work each day although a traditionalist at heart she loved the “funky” garden style and the use of exotic plants she was totally inspired.

The Australian influence was very much there in beautiful Christmas displays with her use of different eucalyptus leaves. Anna showed us “tips and tricks” giving us confidence to have ourselves! Anything is possible!

the 3 many many a go

Anna’s passion and enthusiasm shone through. We spent a very enjoyable evening and I am sure we learnt something too! And three lucky people went home with her arrangements.

Eithne Dandy

Our Christmas celebration will be on Dec 10th 7 30 pm. at The Crown Northill.

There are limited places left.

If transport is required to Northill it can be arranged. For any enquires please contact JANE Barnard 838004.

34

HERITAGE PAINTERS & DECORATORS EXTERNAL & INTERNAL PAINTING & DECORATING WALL PAPER HANGING, ARTEX & COVING OFFICE: 01767 691010 MOBILE: 07860 601567 EmaiL: heritagewestwood@btinternet.com www.heritagedecorators.co.uk

FULLY INSURED FREE ESTIMATES 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

35

36

New Pilates Studio open in Willington

1:1 & 1:2 matwork sessions or on Reformer & Tower equipment, times to suit you. All classes run in the classical style with limited places to ensure purity of the method, pre booking only.

Julie has been teaching Pilates in the local area for 12 years this year, and teaching Pilates in Cople since 2006 She has been working within the fitness industry since 1989. Julie's wealth of experience means she is able to teach and help people of all ages and abilities, it is recommended that a 1:1 is taken at the studio prior to attending a class. The studio is conveniently located in your area.

Monday 1:00pm Absolute Beginners intro as 1:1 or small group (45 mins) Studio 2.00pm Mixed ability—Cardington Reading Rooms Thursday 12noon Studio suitable for all 1:00pm Absolute Beginners intro as 1:1 or small group (45 mins) Studio 2.00pm Mixed ability – Cardington Reading Rooms 5:30pm Absolute Beginners intro as 1:1 (45 mins) Studio 6.30pm Memorial Hall, Willington 7.35pm Memorial Hall, Willington 8.40pm Absolute Beginners Memorial Hall, Willington Bookings for intro or 1:1 (30 mins) Julie also teaches at other locations, 1:1 Pilates, Relaxation and Meditation. Retreats in Spain, France, and the UK. For more information please see website www.forwardfitness.co.uk or contact Julie Crawford Ring 0794 6067266 or email julie_griff@hotmail.com 37

B. WELLS PLUMBING & HEATING LTD 01234 831314

barrywellsltd@btinternet.com www.barrywells-plumbing.co.uk

"professional by choice, helpful by nature, knowledgeable by experience" All plumbing and heating works carried out to very high standards We specialise in the design and installation of new or replacement Oil and gas boilers and heating systems LPG registered installations All renewable energy systems installed including solar thermal and pv panels Heat pumps and rain water harvesting Bathroom design and installation 5 and 7 year parts and labour guarantees on certain boilers Service and maintenance contracts Minor building works From ballvalve to bathroom, radiator to boiler we have the experience, knowledge and expertise to meet all your requirements.

Contact Barry on 07831 377351

38

39

PB ELECTRICAL SERVICES All electrical works undertaken from :Full rewires, part rewires.

New distribution boards.

Additional sockets and light fittings.

CCTV installations.

No job to small.

Call Paul on 07840 683417 or email paulblackmore3@gmail.com

40

41

Annual Gardening Quiz Win An Hour’s Gardening!

The answer to last month’s just for fun question is, ‘wind rock’ is the damage caused to root balls from a plant like a rose whose stems are blown around in the wind. To prevent this, the stems can be trimmed prior to annual pruning in March.

And now, with Christmas just around the corner, it’s, cue the fanfare, the annual gardening quiz! If you have never entered before why not give it a go? Complete the answers, return to me and if yours is the first answer pulled out of my very favourite hat, you win an hour’s gardening time from yours truly!

So, if you are sitting comfortably, here goes: 1.

What is the name of the fungus that has round fruiting bodies that dry out and when tapped, often by rain drops, propel their spores in all directions?

2.

Fairy Rings are often the bain of gardeners’ and green keepers’ lives, and some of you may recall from this magazine, that I was surprised to see them on the wicket at Lords in the summer. But how do you know if the fungal growth, the hyphae, is still active?

3.

What majestic, commonly occurring tree is believed by many to be the most ancient of all flowering plants?

4.

What regularly seen garden plants’ name when transliterated means, ‘Rose Tree’?

5.

The flower group Asteraceae is vast. Name 3 members of the family?

6.

7.

8.

Many plants rely on bees, butterflies and other insects to spread their pollen. In return, what do they receive from the plant?

The simplest way of classifying plants is by the number of leaves that emerge on seedlings. Those that have just one leaf are called, Monocotyledon. What is the name of those that have two?

One of this country’s most famous gardeners is known by the 42

9.

10.

nickname ‘Capability Brown’, why?

What was Capability Brown’s real first name?

From what tree found in the West Indies does ‘Allspice’ come from?

Entries can be emailed to LawnDocGardens@aol.com or posted to Lawn Doctor Garden Services, 6 Sand Lane, Northill, SG18 9AD but must be received by 15th January 2020.

As usual, many thanks to all of you who say nice things about this column, either face to face or via email and please contact me with any gardening tasks or queries you may have, lawndocgardens@aol.com or tel: 01767 627 581 or 07796 328 855.

Best wishes all for a Merry Christmas and a healthy and very Happy New Year.

Lawn Doctor

Lawn Doctor Garden Services Clearance, Redesign, Maintenance Tel: 01767 627 581 or 07796 328 855 Email: LawnDocGardens@aol.com

Tree Care, Planting, Weeding, Hedge Trimming, Turfing, Jungle Clearing, Landscaping, Lawn Improvement, Patio/Drive Pressure Washing/Weedkilling, Holiday Watering etc., etc.

43

£10 OFF ONLY £44.85 check out our tyre prices on our website www.biggleswademot.co.uk 44

45

Village Contacts Over 60's Club Secretary : Hazel Shreeves Tel : 838817

Cople Web Site Ian Whiting Tel : 838347 Email: ian@cople.org.uk Web Site :www.cople.org.uk

Mothers Union Contact: Jill Ebbs Tel : 838659

Village Agent Wendy Worgan 0800 039 1234

Cople Village Trust Chair : Sandra Thacker Tel : 831344

07717 269 440 wendyw@bedsrcc.org.uk

Cople Sports & Social Club Chair: David Hughes Tel : 838669

Cople Parish Council Clerk to the Council: Jeanne Pope 42 Wingfield Road, Bromham, Beds. MK43 8JY Tel: 01234 823 297

Tuesday Club Joy Duthie Tel : 838407

coplepc@outlook.com

Biggleswade Chronicle Village Correspondent: Jill Ebbs Tel: 838659

Our local good neighbourhood scheme GREAT NEIGHBOURS in COPLE seeks to support residents of our village in a manner that will enable them to remain independent for as long as possible.

Our volunteers help local people by giving some of their time to undertake tasks such as shopping, picking up prescriptions, light household duties, gardening or putting out the bins or by spending some time with people who may feel isolated or lonely.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or want to talk to someone about using the service please feel free to contact us on 07746624208 on Monday and Thursdays between 1300hrs – 1500hrs or email us at gniccople@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook for further information.

Cople Village Hall & Playing Field Available for Hire for: Parties, Wedding Receptions, Meetings, Conferences etc.

Main Hall and/or Committee Room - hire charge from £9 per hour, special rate of £25 for children’s parties of up to three hours (conditions apply) Contact 01234 838704 or villagehallenquiries@cople.org.uk for more information 46

Machine Services Limited Water End, Cople, Bedford

Suppliers of leading Brand Names in Domestic & Professional powered garden machinery at BIG DISCOUNTS with full service back up Petro, Diesel, Electric, Battery Allen, Atco, Billy Goat, Countax, Eliet, Flymo, Hayter, Honda, Klippo, Lawnflite, MTD, Mountfield, Robin, Ryobi, Stihl, Viking, Westwood, Yardman, etc.

For details of Products and Savings visit our website www.groudcarebedford.co.uk Tel: 01234 831123 Sales + Service + Spares + Repairs

47

48