Cople News February 2020
Friends of Cople Church
Safari Supper Saturday 8 February Meet at the church at 7:00pm th
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 I have chosen a picture of daffodils for this month’s front cover. A little early perhaps but cheerful non the less. Spring is on its way. There is still time to get involved in the Safari Supper. Details are opposite. On page 10 there is a report on what happens to the funds that are raised by the Friends of Cople Church. The Great Neighbours in Cople organisers have moved their monthly get together to the fourth Monday of the month to deconflict with other events. The next one will be on Monday 24th February starting at 1:30pm. Details are on page 21. The Knit and Stitch team are back in the Five Bells and will meet on the 7th and 21st starting at 10am. See page 26. Fiona Hughes has written another piece on dog care on page 32 and Michael Roadnight reveals the answers to this year’s Christmas gardening quiz on page 42. Steve Halton gave an excellent talk to the Tuesday Club in January and has written his monthly article on page 28. We are fortunate to have such talent in our small village. 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
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Nearly New Centre Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm & Saturday 10am to 1pm At Sue Ryder Palliative Care Home St. John’s Moggerhanger
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Letter from the Vicar Dear friends Along with many of you, as I write, our family is in the process of taking down our Christmas decorations and returning the house to ‘normal’ – whatever that may be! Everyone is back at school, university, and work and the term-time, everyday routine has begun again. There’s blessing in that, as well as sadness that it’s all over for another year. But does it have to be over? I’m not suggesting that we start putting up the trees again, nor that we get the mince pie production line going in February. That might elicit groans rather than rejoicing! I am suggesting that some of what we experienced during Advent and Christmas doesn’t have to return to the loft, the shed, or the garage once we get to February. Whether people have a Christian faith, or indeed any faith, or not, it seems to me that there are certain things we all love about Advent and Christmas: Making time to meet up with friends and family. Giving gifts to show what someone means to us. Thinking about those who struggle with poverty, homelessness, or family breakdown, and doing what we can to alleviate their suffering.
Why do we often struggle to keep those things going all year round? Do they only matter in December? Surely not. So I’m challenging myself in 2020 to keep those three ‘joys’ going throughout the months between now and next Christmas (327 days to go from 1 st February!). The Dogs’ Trust has a brilliant campaign slogan to remind people not to buy puppies on an emotional whim, but that owning a dog is a lifelong commitment: ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.’ How would it be if we adopted the slogan ‘Christmas can be for life, not just for December’? Because knowing Jesus, sharing the love and joy of being with friends and family, giving gifts to show how we value people, and remembering the needs of the poor around us – just like owning a dog – are joyful lifelong commitments. With my best wishes Revd Fiona Gibson
From the Church Registers Baptism
1st December 2019
Dorothy Nuna HOLDEN 4
Mothers Union In December members and friends enjoyed a festive meeting with carols and seasonal readings, followed by tea, chat and mince pies. Judith was thanked for hosting us. Our next meeting will be held at 24 Willington Road at 2pm on Monday 10th February. The MU Lady Day Service this year will be held in Cople Church on Wednesday 25th March at 2pm. All the groups and branches in the Biggleswade and Bedford Deaneries (now amalgamated under the new reconstruction and known as the Northern Cluster), will be attending and bringing their banners. We will therefore not have a branch meeting in March. Liz Buck
Prayer
My dearest Lord, be thou a bright flame before me, be thou a guiding star above me, be thou a smooth path beneath me, be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, today and for evermore. (The Lion Prayer Collection)
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
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Julie Scherrer 26 Grange Way Willington Beds MK44 3QW Tel: 01234 838623 julie@scherrer.co.uk>
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Cople Church Coffee Morning Saturday 22nd February 2020 10.30-12.00 (in the church) The coffee morning in February is being run by the Church Bell Ringers Come along and find out about all the exciting things they do and the way the bells work. You may want to learn how to ring bells yourself. There is always space for more members. Homemade cakes and hot and cold drinks will be available throughout the morning. Come along and chat to friends and enjoy the surroundings of our beautiful church. All money raised to go to the church.
All welcome.
COPLE VILLAGE HALL – CYCLE PARKING Cople Village Trust has obtained a cycle rack from the Community Cycle Parking Scheme. This scheme is supported by Bedford Borough Council and allows voluntary groups among others, to apply for cycle stands free of charge. Keith Moore, who is one of our trustees, kindly installed it; so at no cost to the Village Trust we now have a stand installed adjacent to the front door of the Village Hall. We do hope that villagers will be encouraged to cycle to the Village Hall & Playing Field. Catherine Bayliss, Treasurer, Cople Village Trust (registered charity number 1090
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A MESSAGE FROM THE TRUSTEES OF THE FRIENDS OF COPLE CHURCH
We wanted to write and thank everyone in the village and beyond for their support of our church building and detached churchyard (cemetery) over the past year. As you know, the Friends of Cople Church exists to raise money exclusively for the upkeep, repairs, maintenance, and enhancement of the church building, the cemetery, everything in the building, and the insurance costs to keep it all safe. No money from the Friends goes towards any of the religious activities of the church. The building is a beautiful, historic asset at the heart of our village and is something everyone who lives in Cople can rightly feel pride in. There are so many unique features in the building, from the brasses, to the sundial on the outside wall, the tomb of Henry VIII’s nurse, and the bells, not to mention some graves of famous people in the churchyard. It’s not surprising that the building has listed status and attracts visitors from across the country and around the world. We regularly have people coming from the USA to see the building and research their family history. This year we’re looking forward to welcoming a family from Australia who want to visit the graves of their ancestors! And then of course there’s the fact that the church building is available at all times for anyone passing by to come in, as well as all the christenings, weddings, and funerals that are held there. Anyone who lives in the village automatically has the right to have their funeral held in the church whether they attend services or not, or to have their baby or child christened there. Weddings of people who live in Cople, or who grew up in the village and want to come back to be married, are held throughout the year. None of this would be possible without the support of those in the village who give to the Friends of the Church, or who come to the fundraising events we hold. The church receives no money at all from the central Church of England, the Diocese, or central or local government, and so is totally reliant on the giving and fundraising of the wonderful Friends Committee, and those who live in the village, for the upkeep the building and the cemetery. Hence this enormous thank you to all of you! We thought you’d like to know how the money you’ve given and raised has been spent over the past year, so here are the figures for 2019: £1,200.00 £120.00 – £345.60 – £514.20 – £1,835.53
- Graveyard maintenance for two years (2018 & 2019) Organ repair and tuning Roof alarm maintenance Roof repairs – 75% of insurance for 2019
Do look out for and support the fundraising events in 2020 – the first is of course the Safari Supper on 8th February – and do get in touch with any of us if you’d like to learn more about the work of the Friends. Catherine Bayliss, Fiona Gibson, Sally Gilpin, Judith Howard , Charles Porter, Mike Vacher Trustees of the Friends of Cople Church 10
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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
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HOLISTIC THERAPIST & BODY WORKER Suzanne Edgington
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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
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Great Neighbours in Cople Great Neighbours in Cople run a friendly get together at the Sports and Social Club for Cople residents to come and say hello and meet other local people and enjoy a complimentary tea/ coffee and a slice of cake . All residents are welcome . The next GNIC afternoon is on Monday 24th February 1:30pm to 3:30pm in the Sports and Social Club and they will continue to be held on every Fourth Monday of each month. If any help is needed getting to the Social Club or returning home please ask and GNIC will be of assistance . Hope to see you there !! The GNIC committee
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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
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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
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February Diary Church Services 2nd
10.00am 11:30am
Sunday School All-Age Communion
9th
10:00am 11:30am
Sunday School Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
16th
11:30am
Family Service
23rd
10:00am 11:30am 3pm
Sunday School Sung Communion Forest Church
Morning Prayers At Willington Church 9am on Thursday 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th February
Ash Wednesday Holy Communion At Willington Church 6:30pm Wednesday 26th February
Leading your Church into Growth Prayer meeting at Cople Church 7:30pm Thursday 27th February
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.
Mobile Library for February Wednesday 5th and 19th February 10:00 to 10:20am All Saints Road, 10:25 to 10:40am Water End, 10:45 to 11:05am Outside Five Bells
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. 24
Monday 3rd
Orange Bin
11am
Benefice Tiny Tots Praise
Cople Church
6:15pm
Youth Music Group Practice
Cople Church
7:15pm
Benefice Choir Practice
4 Grange Way Willington
Tuesday 4th 7:30pm
Bell ringing practice
Saturday 8th 7pm
Safari Supper
Monday 10th
Black Bin
11am
Benefice Tiny Tots Praise
Cople Church
2pm
Mothers Union
24 Willington Road
6:15pm
Youth Music Group Practice
Cople Church
7:30pm
Benefice Choir Practice
Cople Church
Tuesday 11th 7:30pm
Tuesday Club Speaker from our Village Hall 2020 charity—Bedford and District Cerebral Palsy. Plus Bring and Buy
7:30pm
Bell ringing practice
Monday 17th
Orange Bin
12:30pm
Luncheon Club
Cople Church
6:15pm
Youth Music Group Practice
Cople Church
7:15pm
Benefice Choir Practice
4 Grange Way Willington
Tuesday 18th 7:30pm
Bell ringing practice
Saturday 22nd
10:30am to 12:00
Coffee Morning Hosted by the Bell Ringers
Monday 24th
Black Bin
11am
Benefice Tiny Tots Praise
Cople Church
1:30 to 3:30 pm
GNiC get together
Sports and Social Club
6:15pm
Youth Music Group Practice
Cople Church
7:30pm
Benefice Choir Practice
Cople Church
Tuesday 25th 7:30pm
Bell ringing practice 25
Cople Church
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
Knit and Stitch We are a small group who meet every other Friday morning, 10am to 12 noon, in the Five Bells. We knit, stitch, craft and of course chat! Coffee and delicious cake is also served around 11am. If you are not a crafter but would like to join us just for the company and to partake of the refreshments then please do. Contact Jill on 838659 or just turn up on February 7th and 21st
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Wild about Cople Happy New Year 2020 to everyone! Already, the evenings are drawing out, more and more birds are singing and a walk around the village showed at least 7 species of wild flowers in flower; Yarrow, Dandelion, Daisy, Common Ragwort, Lesser Celandine, Sweet Violet and Winter Aconite (not native; they were brought here in Elizabethan times but their pale yellow, ruffed flowers are welcome in the gloom of deep winter). In the wood the hazel catkins, or lamb’s tails, are hanging dusted with a golden yellow pollen of which the slightest breeze or tap causes it to float in clouds on the air. If you look really closely you will also find the female flowers emerging from small green buds on the bare hazel twigs – they are only a few millimetres long and look like tiny, bright reddish -pink, sea anemones. Hazels have both male and female flowers on each shrub (catkins are male, and the red flowers are female) but they need the pollen from another hazel to ensure fertilisation; once this has occurred the female flowers will develop the familiar hazel nuts in early autumn. Another plant in flower now is the introduced Winter-flowering Honeysuckle. This species does not look like a typical honeysuckle but there is a small shrub of it flowering at the back of the gardens along Northill Road, alongside the field edge path. On sunny days the flowers are very fragrant and can be smelt a long way from the shrub itself providing a welcome hint of a spring still yet to come on the coldest of days. One bird with a very familiar song can be heard frequently from early spring onwards – this is the Great Tit with its clear, bell-like, ringing ‘teacher-teacher-teacher’. This is a bird with dazzling variety of songs and calls – over 70 have been recorded and any individual great tit can have a repertoire of around 8 different songs in its vocabulary. It can switch from one to another seamlessly, going from ‘teacher-teacher’ to ‘tee-tee-tü’ to ‘ti-ti-ta-ti-ti-ta’ and back again. Why so many songs? One theory is called the ‘Beau Geste’ theory. Beau Geste, if you remember, was a hero of the novels about the French Foreign Legion by P C Wren. As the only person left to defend his fort when under siege by his attackers, he propped up the bodies of his dead compatriots around the walls of his fortress to convince his enemies that the fort was still well-defended. And this, it 28
seems, is what the male great tit is doing. By singing different songs from different places around his territory he is giving the impression to rival males that his territory is better defended than it really is so keeping his competitors away. While of course, at the same time, impressing the females that there is a ‘fit’, healthy and musically vigorous male in residence to make the best possible partner for any future young. Great tits are quite striking visually with black and white heads and a yellow chest with a bold black stripe running down the front. The black stripe is bolder, longer and wider in the male and researchers have found that males with broader stripes attract females more easily – it is a sign of the healthy genetic ‘quality’ of the individual male – so, as with the voice; it’s all in the genes. Another consequence of global warming is that many bumblebees are now active throughout the winter – which can be difficult when few plants are in flower and nectar sources are low and problematic to find. Species such as Buff-tailed Bumblebee are now often active all winter feeding from plants such as the winter-flowering honeysuckle (see above) and Mahonias. In general, there has been an increase in winter numbers of a variety of insects remaining active over the winter months; probably adding an extra strain on insect populations and survival rates. Maybe we should be planting more of these winter flowering plants in future to help our pollinators survive the lean periods… Steve Halton
stevehalton@gmail.com
Blunham's Big Book Sale Saturday 22nd February 2020 10:00am to 3:00pm Come and Browse and buy at our Big Book Sale in Blunham Parish Church. (St Edmunds or St James, Park Lane Beds MK44 3NQ.) Huge selection of nearly new books, homemade cakes, teas and coffees, homemade soup and a raffle. All proceeds to Blunham Church Fabric Fund. For more details ring Sue and Peter on 01767 640572 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
Tuesday Club Steve Halton brightened up a cold blustery evening in Cople! Steve works for Central Bedford. He has a degree in fine arts and is also a talented poet. Its surprising what a diverse landscape surrounds us . The white chalk of Dunstable Downs, Clay of Barton-LeClay, The Green Sand Ridge, Lime stone to the north of the county. Rolling hills, big skies arcing overhead, beautiful landscapes. He illustrated his talk with colourful exquisite slides-telling the story of nature. House Martins, butterflies, delicate orchids. His passion for nature shone through inspiring us all to love and appreciate what’s on our door step! Eithne Dandy. Ellie Marigold will be our speaker on 11th February at Cople Village Hall 7 . 30 pm. She will be talking about Cerebral Palsy-our chosen charity for 2020. Also we will be holding our annual bring and buy! Always a fun interesting evening.
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Dougal – a Case Study. This is Dougal, a 15-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, owned by a good friend of mine. As you can see from the photo his front legs aren’t as straight as they should be and this causes him a level of discomfort which means he limps and on occasions bites his leg (usually an indicator of pain). Part of my two-year training required me complete ten case studies on different types of dogs with different issues. Dougal was one of the first dogs to become a case study. I first saw him in the summer of 2018, at that time his right front leg was causing him a lot of discomfort. He had little enthusiasm for walks, not wanting to go far and spending more time sniffing. Both his owner and I hoped that massage therapy would help make Dougal more comfortable and improve his mobility. I found that Dougal had a high degree of myofascial pain from the adhesion of his shoulder blades to the underlying muscle. Once released the discomfort was reduced and the mobility of his front legs improved. After three sessions of massage therapy there was a dramatic improvement in Dougal’s mobility. He wanted to go for a walk and was positively dragging his owner along. He also wanted to play, something he hadn’t done for quite a while. For me the amazing part is at the time I treated Dougal I was still learning the techniques I now use, in fact some of them I was yet to learn. Seeing the improvement in Dougal made me realise how potent this therapy could be to make such a difference – quite a humbling experience. On completing my training I saw Dougal for maintenance sessions that helped to maintain his mobility and reduce the discomfort in his shoulders. He would always greet me at the door with a wagging tail before trying to slope off when he realised who it was (anyone who has ever had a deep tissue or sports massage will know it can be quite uncomfortable at times). At the end of the massage session Dougal would get up, shake then jump on the sofa and refuse to look at me – as if to say, ‘you may go now’!! Dougal passed away in October 2019. When talking to his owner about this article she believes that the massage therapy gave him an extra 12 months of life. Dougal gave me an insight into the possibilities of massage therapy early on in my training for which I will always be grateful. 32
If you think massage therapy could help your dog, please contact me on 07808 588133. Fiona Hughes, Cople Canine Massage Therapy.
COPLE VILLAGE TRUST (Registered Charity No. 1090113)
200 CLUB
Prize winners for January 2019 1st prize of £60 163 C Franklin 2nd prize of £30 143 V Kilgour 3rd prize of £10 289 J Tolhurst 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
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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
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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 for 2 decades in the local area, and since 2006 in Cople 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. The studio is conveniently located in your area. For more information please see website www.forwardfitness.co.uk or contact Julie Crawford Ring 0794 6067266 or email julie_griff@hotmail.com. Pilates Classes, Private Sessions, Fully equipped Studio, with equipment for 1;1 small group and Rehab Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Time 2.00 3.30 4.30 6.00 7.05 8.10 9.20
Class Type Mixed ability Studio* Studio* Mixed ability Advanced Mixed ability Studio* 1:1
Venue Cardington Willington Willington The Place, Bedford The Place, Bedford The Place, Bedford Bedford
11.00-5.30 6.00 7.20
Studio*1:1 Mixed ability Mixed ability
Willington Riseley Swineshead
Varies Varies Varies
Wellbeing Wednesday Meditation Workshops Walking Pilates
10.00-10.45 11.00-1.30 2.00 3.30-6.15
Armchair Studio* 1:1 Mixed ability Studio*1:1 New Client Intro Back Management Mixed ability Studio*1:1 New Client Intro
6.30 7.35 8.45
Willington Willington Cardington Willington Willington Willington Studio Willington or Bedford
Studio 1:1 Clients (or 1:2 dual) Julie provides for a range of Pilates clients on a 1:1 basis for beginners to advanced or those with special needs by arrangement. Please contact me directly for further details. New client introductory 1:1 (or 1:2 dual) sessions are recommended to understand the method before joining a class. This is not obligatory but most clients find it helpful.
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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
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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 40
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 41
Gardening Thank you to all of you who entered this year’s Annual Gardening Quiz, the winners shall be notified shortly. Here are the answers: 1. 2.
3.
4. 5. 6. 7.
8. 9. 10.
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? PUFFBALLS Fairy Rings are often the bane 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? THE OUTER EDGES OF THE RINGS CONTINUE TO GROW AND THE RING GETS BIIGER EACH YEAR. What majestic, commonly occurring tree is believed by many to be the most ancient of all flowering plants? MAGNOLIAS – THEIR FOSSIL REMAINS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN ROCKS 120 MILLION YEARS OLD – WHEN THE DINOSAURS LIVED. What regularly seen garden plants’ name when transliterated means, ‘Rose Tree’? RHODODENDRONS. The flower group Asteraceae is vast. Name 3 members of the family? ASTER, DAISIES, DANDELIONS etc . Many plants rely on bees, butterflies and other insects to spread their pollen. In return, what do they receive from the plant? NECTAR 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? DICHOTYLEDON One of this country’s most famous gardeners is known by the nickname ‘Capability Brown’, why? HE USED TO TELL CLIENTS THAT THEIR GARDENS HAD EXCELLENT ‘CAPABILITIES’. What was Capability Brown’s real first name? LANCELOT – MANY PLANTS HAVE ‘LANCELOTTA AS PART OF THEIR NAME – THIS SIMPLY MEANS THEIR LEAVES ARE SWORD SHAPED. From what tree found in the West Indies does ‘Allspice’ come from? THE MYRTLE TREE.
Despite being only a few days old, 2020 has already given us an incredibly diverse range of weather with rapidly fluctuating temperatures. Indeed, in Norfolk, and I dare say other places also, bats have broken their hibernation early because the unseasonably warm weather has triggered them into action. If this is happening in the animal word, the chances are, it is also happening in the world of plants. And so it is. Seen in a garden in this area, in the first week of January, a Delphinium in full bud and ready to flower! Amazing. Does anyone else have any unusually early flowering plants? And once again, we are seeing proof of the breakup of seasons in this country; the whole notion of a predictable and sustained period of weather seems in many ways, to be an anachronism. As all gardeners know, it 42
seems to have been replaced with any weather, any time of the year with rarely two consecutive days being the same. And that can make life tricky. Winter plants, pansies, cyclamen etc., over lapping spring and summer bedding, to such an extent that counter to every nurturing instinct a gardener may have, healthy plants need to be removed while still in their pomp to make space for that border’s next incumbents. If not hard pruned before Christmas, many roses are still in flower as are marigolds and I for one cannot remember when they appeared at the same time as snowdrops. But get a few hard frosts and things will change. Daffodils are poking through the soil and any annual weeds that need to be removed will need to be done with care so as not cut through any fledgling bulbs.
Some of you may also have noticed the early arrival of weeds in your lawns; do nothing and they will increase in number in wet and mild conditions, so I have already been out with the selective weed killer to try and prevent this. As for lawn mowing at this time of the year, as I always say, it depends on the lawn and it depends on the mower. Free draining fine turf cut with mower with a roller is often possible but should you have standing water and wheels, delay is my rule of thumb. This month’s just for fun question is: why should sodden ground not be walked upon?
As usual, many thanks for contributing to this column, please keep them coming, 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. Lawn Doctor Delphinium
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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: TBN
Tuesday Club Joy Duthie Tel : 838407 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
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