Cople News July 2021 by Ian Whiting

Cople News July 2021

Skylark—drawing by Janet Peck.

Editor’s Notes Firstly, We’d like to thank Janet Peck for her lovely picture of a Skylark that is on the front page. If anyone has a photo or picture/ painting they would like on the front page, pass them to us, please. We’ve repeated the Mobile Library information below as some villagers had missed it last month, (including Linda!!) The Good News is that we have now had a few volunteers come forward to look at the Cople History (further even earlier information is on page 25 & 35), the school feel it would be an interesting exercise for the older pupils to learn about the village history. You will be delighted to hear that Mine Viner who cut her lovely hair off in aid of The Little Princess Trust raised a massive £1,090, which is enough to pay for two real hair wigs. Congratulations A Reminder about the Village Litter Pick—4th July at 10.30am, meet up outside the Church. Come one, come all. More good news, The Friends of Cople Church hope to hold a BBQ outside the village hall on Saturday 21st August 2021, always supposing Lockdown has been withdrawn or similar. More details in the August edition of Cople News. Libby & Linda

Mobile Library

The mobile library is on the road again, but is moving it’s stopping point in the village. It will come in on Tuesday 29th June, 13th July & 27th July and fortnightly thereafter, but it will only stop at the Five Bells between 10.10 and 10.20am.

Cople News

Editor : Libby Sands, 77 Willington Road, Cople, Beds, MK44 3TL. Tel 07702 616300 Sub-Editor: Linda Behan 32 Grange Lane, Cople, Beds. MK44 3TT Tel 07825 259174 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 360 copies 3

Letter from the Curate

I hope you’ve been relaxing in the sunshine, at home or away. Sometimes a good rest gives us time to daydream. What are you dreaming of? I’m sure you know the story of Joseph from the Bible and the famous musical. He was a dreamer whose indulgent father gave him a coat of many colours. Joseph made the mistake of telling his brothers about his dreams and found himself living a nightmare, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and left to rot in a prison far from home. The musical begins and ends with the song “Any dream will do” which includes some surprising words, “Far, far away someone was weeping but the world was sleeping.” As God enabled Joseph to interpret other people’s dreams he found out about their concerns. Eventually he earned a position of trust which meant he saved Egypt and his family from starvation when famine came. In the end, the dreams of his youth did come true. After all we’ve been through since last Spring, it’s only natural to dream of exotic holidays or the other things we’ve missed. Like Joseph, many doors have been closed to us. As they re-open, let’s pause to dream impossible dreams, dreams of a world where everyone has the healthcare they need, where injustice is confronted and overcome, where we take care of our planet. Many organisations including Tear Fund, Fairtrade, the Women’s Institute and Wildlife Trusts have come together with a campaign called “Crack the Crises”, calling on governments to address Covid, injustice, climate change and nature loss. You can find out more at crackthecrises.org/about Can our dreams come true? When I was younger, while we were worried about the environment, the evil of apartheid seemed unstoppable, and we had nightmares about the nuclear arms race. Who could have dreamed that Nelson Mandela would become President of South Africa and the Iron Curtain would disintegrate? Sometimes the impossible does happen. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who prayed for those systems to change; the Bible reminds us that nothing is impossible with God. As we look forward, dreaming of a better world here are some words from God, recorded by the prophet Isaiah, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” Sometimes it’s good to look back and celebrate the past, but this Summer, as we recover from the pandemic, let’s take some time to dream impossible dreams of a better world and pray that God will show us they can come true. Katie 4

Dates for All Saints Cople, June 2021 Sunday 4th

09.30am 11.00am

Sunday 11th

Morning Praise livestreamed from Moggerhanger Church Holy Communion at Willington Church

09.30am

Morning Praise livestreamed from Willington Church ld by Mr Michael Bishop

11.00am

Holy Communion at Cople Church led by Mr Michael Bishop

Thursday 15th

9.30am

Morning Prayer at Willington Church

Sunday 18th

09.30am

Morning Praise livestreamed from Cople Church

11.00am

Holy Communion at Moggerhanger Church

Thursday 22nd 9.30am

Morning Prayer at Willington Church

Sunday 25th

09.30am

Morning Praise livestreamed from Moggerhanger Church by Rev’d George Cobb

11.00am

Holy Communion at Willington Church led by Rev’d George Cobb

9.30am

Morning Prayer at Willington Church

Thursday 29th

If anyone would like to attend any of these services please reserve your place by contacting the Curate. If you wish to join the livestreamed Morning Praise services, please contact the Curate, Katie Franks at cmwcurate@gmail.com

From the Church Registers Funeral 14th June 2021 Mandy Carvell-Walker

All Saints Church

The current contact details for Cople Church are as follows: Telephone 01234 831421. email; cmwcurate@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

Mothers Union

Members met on Zoom for their meeting in June after Joyce had led us in prayer, members discussed our programme for the rest of the year (venues dependent on Covid restrictions). We also floated around ideas for the MU Summer of Hope Appeal, a fundraising event, taking place hopefully in August. Our next meeting will again be on Zoom on the 12th July when Fiona Gibson our previous Vicar will be speaking to us. Prayer The blessings of a home, finances and loving family and friends are too easy to take for granted. We pray for a greater awareness of the blessings we have received and ask for God’s provision for those who are in need. Amen (MU Prayer Diary) 8

Ironing Help Available Would YOU like some help with your IRONING ? Then this is the right ad' to read. I help a few clients like you, so I may be the person you need. I live in a neighbouring village l'll collect and return to your door. I can give you a reference or two. Please call me to find out some more.

Brenda. 07761627621

Cople Village Agent Update As life returns to normal there may be problems you now need to sort out. Your Village Agent Wendy is here to help, and the good news is we can now resume garden/drive visits and home visits after 21st June if government guidelines permit. BLUE BADGE - Do you need help in applying for a Blue Badge or do you need to do your Blue Badge renewal? Your Village Agent Wendy can help you do this. Please get in touch. Your Village Agent can also give you a Blue Badge Wallet to put in your handbag/car if you are awarded one. Wendy is also able to give you a Radar Key if you need one which gives you access to some disabled toilets, these can also be offered to existing Blue Badge holders. Please contact me. ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE - Do You Need Help from Others for Your Personal Care? If you cannot manage to live without support, and are over pension age, you should be able to claim Attendance Allowance of £60.00 or more per week. This is not means tested. If you are paying care home fees you are also eligible to claim, including the Higher Level for night-time care (£89.60). If your carer is below pension age and is caring for 35 hours a week, they might be able to claim Carers’ Allowance of £67.60. Do You Need Help with Transport? Bus Pass Applications Do you need help to apply for or renew a bus pass? I am happy to assist. Door to Door Transport in Bedford Borough • Do you struggle to get on a bus? Did you know that the Door2Door minibus service will collect you from home, and has facilities to take wheelchairs and mobility scooters using a tail lift? • A subscription costs £30 for the first year and £20 annually thereafter (Minimum charge per journey £3.00) •

The minibuses operate between 9:15am to 4:15pm, weekdays only. You need to book your journey two days ahead – or earlier for health-related appointments.

•

Did you know that you can sign up for Door2Door without giving up your bus pass? Contact Wendy for more information. 10

JIGSAWS PUZZLES LIBRARY Would you like to borrow a jigsaw? Your village Agent has now acquired a few for people to borrow for FREE (you can keep for as long as you wish) Just contact Wendy who can give you a A5 booklet which shows the pictures of the ones currently in stock. Summer Campaign Your Village Agent is now running a Summer Campaign with .lots of useful items to keep you cool in the summer. I currently have personal hand-held fans, cool towels, water bottle (with an indicator that shows how much you should drink a day to stop you getting dehydrated). Please contact your village agent for details of items

Please call Wendy your Village Agent on Freephone 0800 039 1234 (and leave a message)

or mobile 07717 269 440 or email Wendy on wendyw@bedsrcc.org.uk or connect with Wendy on Facebook at:BRCC Village Agent – Wendy Worgan

COPLE VILLAGE TRUST (Registered Charity No. 1090113)

200 CLUB

Prize winners for June 2021 1st prize of £60 2nd prize of £30 3rd prize of £10

223 107 293

Billy Silvester Chris Tedder Michelle Robertson

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:

Jane Barnard JaneB2014@hotmail.com 01234 838004

COPLE VILLAGE TRUST (Registered Charity No. 1090113)

You are invited to attend the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of Cople Village Trust on Wednesday 21 July 2021 at Cople Village Hall at 7.30pm

The Village Hall, Playing Field & Children’s Playground in Cople are managed by a team of volunteers and operates as a charity named Cople Village Trust. We are looking for new volunteers and, as the existing team range in age from 55 to 89, we would love to get some younger villagers involved, particularly as we are considering making improvements to the Playground. If you are interested, please come along to the AGM or contact me for further information.

Catherine Bayliss, Treasurer Tel: 01234 838704 Mobile:07880 890508 Email: catherine.bayliss@btinternet.com 12

Hi my name is Tracy and my business is well established within Willington. I provide a full range of treatments: Waxing, Electrolysis, Eye Treatments. Relaxing Body Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology. Pedicures, Manicures, Shellac Gel Varnish. Facials, including Non-Surgical Facelifts. With over 20 years experience in the beauty industry I will always welcome new customers and be happy to sit down and discuss your requirements. 15% off your first treatment (new customers only)

Telephone: 01234 831894 or 07825 615839 email: tracy.essentialbeauty@gmail.com follow me on Facebook: @essentialbeautytracy 35 Chapel Lane, Willington.

ALL COVID SAFE, WEARING FULL PPE and COVID POLICY IN PLACE.

1 Wood Lane, Willington Beds MK44 3QT Email: 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

Planning Permission

New Build Houses

Residential Extensions

Building Regulation Drawings

To discuss your upcoming project please contact: Thomas Cropley 07734465308 Tom@gostwickarchitecture.com 11 Gostwick Place, Willington, Bedford

Gostwickarchitecture.com

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 15

Cople History Part 5—Extract from Kelly’s Directory 1911— Thanks to Dave Norris

COPLE is a pleasant parish and compact village, 11/2 miles northeast from Cardington station, on the Bedford and Hitchin branch of the Midland railway, 4 east-by-south from Bedford and 61/2 north-west from Biggleswade, in the Northern Division of the county, hundred of Wixamtree, petty sessional division, union and county court district of Bedford, rural deanery of Haynes, Bedford archdeaconry and St. Albans diocese. The church of All Saints is an interesting edifice of sandstone and Dunstable church, in the Early English and Perpendicular clerestory, aisles, south porch and a tower containing 5 bells: on the north side of the chancel is an altar-tomb of Purbeck marble, to the Luke family, and on the south side a similar one to the Grey family: there are many brasses: the nave and chancel have been restored since 1877, at a cost of £1,000, and in 1800 a new east window was erected at a cost of over £308; in 1890-1901 the exterior was restored at a cost of £547. The register dates from the year 1560. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £200, including 13 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford (by whom the living was augmented by £50 in1857), and held since 1875 by the Rev. Harry Hocken. The cemetery contains 50 roods of ground, presented by the 9th Duke of Bedford K.G. and formed October 1892, is managed by the Parish Council. The cottages in this village, nearly the whole of which are modern, are of a superior character. Cople House, the property and residence of Mrs Barnard, is very pleasantly situated in the village. Wood End House is built on the site of the former residence of that name, in which Samuel Butler wrote his “Hudibras”. Mrs Shuttleworth is the principal landowner. The soil is clay, subsoil, chiefly gravel. The chief crops are wheat, barley, beans, peas and turnips. The parish contains 2,121 acres of land and 11 of water; rateable value, £3,153; the population in1911 was 377. Post Office – William Baldwin, sub-postmaster. Letters arrive through Bedford at 7.40am & 3.15pm (to callers only); Sundays, 8.10am; dispatched at 12.20 and 5.40pm; Sundays at 12.15pm. Bedford is the nearest money order office & Willington the nearest telegraph office. Public Elementary School (mixed), built in 1879 for 120 children; H. Apthorpe, master. Carrier – Dew, from Biggleswade through to Bedford, Wednesday & Saturday returning same days. A table of others in the village is available—see page 35 17

Home Delivery Service in Bedfordshire Villages 19

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

www.biggleswadetyres.co.uk

Phone for special discount on tyres using the code: COPLE MOT’s carried out while you wait. Phone 01767 60194 23

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

Open daily: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 9.15-12.15 & Wed 9—3pm With lunch club available 12.15-1.15

Sessional day care for 2-4year olds during term time. £12.00 for a 3hr session (£4.00 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 Stacey and Hayley at willingtots@outlook.com or call on 07972 148085

Down on the Farm 5—Charles Porter One feature of our farm and of the English countryside that is easy to take for granted is the network of hedgerows that criss-cross the landscape, a feature seen virtually nowhere else in the world. In days gone by, when most farms were mixed cropping and livestock, or purely livestock, hedges or hazel hurdles were the only way to enclose your animals, apart from in rocky and upland areas where stone walls and banks did the same job. In some areas, however, where there was little livestock, hedgerows did not really start to appear till all land began to be legally enclosed in the 1700s, and strip farming gradually ceased to be common practice, and a lot of common land fell into private ownership. On our farm we have hedges of many different ages. The oldest would be about 1000 years old, as this is part of the parish boundary between Cople and Cardington. This is a short length which has never been replanted. Ancient hedgerows can be approximately dated by using the simple formula, that in a 30metre length each woody species equates to 100 years old, and this length does have about 10 woody species in 30 metres. This formula only works if hedges have not been artificially thickened up.

The earliest map we have of this farm, and the rest if the parish, is from 1778, when the then owner, the Duke of Marlborough, sold this and Willington parish to the Duke of Bedford. The next map is from 1850, by which time the D of B had put his mark on it. Although some hedges had disappeared, about 75% remained, and many of our fields are still this exact shape and size, up to 60 acres, which for the time was absolutely huge. The Duke replanted many of the existing hedges with predominantly Hawthorn, the classic hedgerow species to matt together to provide both shelter and a stock-proof boundary hedge. Hence the dating formula can’t be used for these hedges. These hedges were all maintained by annual hand cutting using long handled slashing knives and hooks. This was hard physical winter work, and I can just remember the men on our farm doing it. It was often done as ‘piece work’, where the men were paid at a rate per chain, 22 yards, so the harder and more skilled you were, the more you could earn. The trimmings then being collected up and burnt providing some warmth for your mid-morning break. This practice continued right through to the 1950s, when a crude mechanical tractor mounted cutter first appeared on our farm. Up to this point hedges had been kept at about 4 feet high and 2 feet wide to enable this hand cutting. Some hedges were laid, which made the best form of stock proofing, but this was a costly option. The flail mower first appeared in the 1970s and is now widely used, some operators being better than others! This method of maintenance enabled us to allow our hedges to grow taller and to gradually provide a better wildlife habitat. 28

It is at this point that hedgerows had changed from being seen purely as a boundary, but now mainly as a hugely valuable wildlife resource. They provide not only shelter, but also insects and seeds for a huge variety of wildlife. How we manage the hedges has a great impact on these benefits. Hawthorn flowers and seeds on the previous year’s growth, so trimming every other year provides the maximum amount of food. Most of our hedges are managed like this. Some, however, are still cut annually for visibility and safety. These provide a bit less food, but the upside is that the resulting very thick hedge makes a wonderful nesting environment for little birds like Yellowhammers, Linnets and Blackbirds. The hedges by our farm road are managed like this. The hedges that are allowed to grow larger provide nesting sites for birds like Pigeons, Doves and Magpies. We also let some hedges become very ‘brambley’, which provides lots of food and an environment suited to Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs. The timing of hedge cutting is also very important, as early cutting destroys much of the winter food. By law we are not allowed to trim hedges after the end of February, so if possible, we leave it till late in February. Hedges cannot then be cut till September 1 st, this slot allowing sufficient time for all the hedge nesters to have finished their breeding cycles. In the last 20 years we have planted about a mile of new hedges to fill in any gaps left by the D of B. We use a mixture of species which would be found naturally in existing hedges. We have learnt that it is essential to plant saplings grown from locally sourced seed, which the Marston Vale Community Forest’s nursery have been able to provide for us. This is important because these plants will be genetically matched for this area and climate. This means that they will come into leaf and flower at exactly the right time for when the local birds need the insects and their larvae to feed their hungry fledglings on. Had the saplings come from a colder climate, their growth pattern would start earlier than the natural local hedge plants and are thus out of sync with the local fauna. This is apparent on our farm where the gas pipelines, of which there are 3, cross us. The hedges that were destroyed in the laying excavations and then re-planted, always come into leaf before the old hedges nearby. This could well be because the saplings used had come from a colder climate. So, as you walk around the Cople footpaths you will be able to see how our hedges are managed in these different ways. Please take note of how much flower is now on them and how many berries are subsequently there for our winter residents. Editors Note: In the April edition of Down on the Farm Charles mentioned the house that was previously on the site of their current one and provided a picture of it. Unfortunately until now we had not had space to include this. 29

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

Gardening in July

After all the rain followed by lots of sunshine and heat, everyone I meet seems to be asking the same question ‘have you ever known lawns and shrubs to be growing quicker?’. In short, I have not and if both are not given regular attention, they will in no time at all require major remedial work so get cracking is my advice! Little and often works well in a garden, and in particular on lawns. Once or twice (if you really are a lawn lover), will keep ‘weeds’ at bay and prevent the worst case scenario which is long grass, then short grass etc. Don’t forget the old saying about dandelions etc. ‘one year in seed, seven years in weed’! Because of the hot weather, I have had a few enquiries about plant watering. It’s very difficult to generalise on this subject as different plants have different requirements but if you inspect your plants very closely and very regularly, they will show you. Don’t forget, plants in containers dry out quicker than those in the ground and your watering regime should reflect this. Also, a thorough soaking once or twice a week is preferable to a little every day. The added benefit of this is root growth which is, perhaps the most important aspect of any plant as it is this that sustains the rest of the plant. Roots go looking for water if there is none around and this will aid the plant. If you have a glasshouse, remember that plants can very quickly become very hot so extra care is required. People often ask what a particular plant is called and as more and more people garden online or over the phone, this basic information is vital. If you know precisely what you want than calling your favourite nursery and making your order is easy but for many, visiting a nursery is an opportunity to see a plant that you like and then to learn what it is called. If, because of Covid, or for any other reason, it is not possible to get out, help is at hand with an excellent App for all those of you with a ‘smart phone’: PictureThis helps instantly identify all plants, including trees. In addition to a description and plant care tips, it provides beautiful plant pictures from around the world. Available on Google Play, as is often the case with apps, there is a free version or there is an upgraded version that you have to pay for. Brushing past stinging nettles can really hurt and the discomfort can in some last for a few days. If I get stung in the day, which annoyingly, I do all too frequently, I know that the pain will be re-activated in the shower when I get home! However, if possible try and resist the temptation to remove them from your garden as you could be rewarded

with Red Admirals fluttering around. These beautiful butterflies lay eggs on the underside of nettle leaves so keep a few in your garden. Last month’s just for fun quiz question was: What group of plants don’t officially exist but are known to every gardener? The answer is weeds! Botanically, there is no classification of weeds and in essence, a weed is any plant that is growing in the wrong location. I very regularly get asked , ‘is so and so a weed?’ and when i tell people that there is no such thing they often looked somewhat perplexed. Other definitions of weeds are the rather wonderful, ‘a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered’, (R.W. Emerson) or even ‘plants that are competitive, persistent, pernicious, and interfere negatively with human activity’, (Ross, et. But al.). Over many years, I have learnt that if people like a particular self set plant they call it a ‘wild flower’ and if they don’t, they call it a ‘weed’. As with many things in life, both reveal more about the labeller than the labelled! This month’s just for fun question is, when looking through plant catalogues or looking at the labels of plants at nurseries, the word ‘repens’ is often seen; what does it mean? As usual, many thanks to all of you for contributing to this column, 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 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. 33

Village Contacts Over 60's Club Secretary : Hazel Shreeves Tel : 01234 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 : 01234 838659

Village Agent Wendy Worgan 0800 039 1234

Cople Village Trust Chair : Sandra Thacker Tel : 01234 831344

07717 269 440 wendyw@bedsrcc.org.uk

Cople Sports & Social Club Chair: David Hughes Tel : 01234 838669

Cople Parish Council Clerk to the Council:

Anne Pape 01234 376645 clerk@cople-pc.gov.uk

Tuesday Club Joy Duthie Tel : 838407

https://cople-pc.gov.uk/

Biggleswade Chronicle Village Correspondent: Jill Ebbs Tel: 838659

GREAT NEIGHBOURS in COPLE is our local good neighbourhood scheme, which 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 07746 624208 on Monday to Friday 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). For more information contact 01234 838704 or villagehallenquiries@cople.org.uk 34

Extract from Kelly’s Directory 1911—continued from page 17

Barnard Mrs

Cople House

Hocken Rev. Harry (vicar)

Vicarage

COMMERCIAL Arms Martha Mrs, shopkeeper Astell Brothers, farmers

Moxhill

Baldwin Wm. boot maker

Post office

Cemetery (G. Duncombe, hon. clerk) Duncombe George, farmer & clerk to the Middle Farm Parish Council Fitch Ernest, baker Franklin John, farmer

Cople Hoo Farm

Green Brothers, grocers Hall Charles, farmer

Octagon Farm

Hart Ernest, blacksmith Nicholls Samuel, builder

Five Bells P.H.

Porter Wm. Leslie, farmer

Wood End House

Pruden George, farmer

Dog Farm

Saunders Herbert, market gardener Skilleter Arthur, beer retailer Underwood Harry, farmer

Grange Farm

HIRING FOR PART TIME BAR 7 KITCHEN WORK The Five Bells is looking for part time staff. Ideally you will have some experience of working in a bar, restaurant and/or kitchen. Evening sessions available in bar. Afternoon and evening sessions in kitchen. Minimum 12 hours/week. Full training will be given. National living wage rates. Call 01234 831330 or email your CV coplefivebells@gmail.com or drop your CV into the pub. 35

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9 Lurke Street Bedford MK40 3HZ Tel 01234 352414/350146 Email: sales@pandrinteriors.store Web: www.pandrinteriors.co.uk Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm Trade Welcome 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 the satisfaction of our clients TRADE WELCOME 36