NOTE FROM THE EDITOrS
We wish you a very warm welcome to the November edition of LivingLife Magazine.
It has to be said, the months do seem to be whizzing by at an amazingly fast rate, where does the time go? It is hard to believe that our next edition will be the December edition which of course means we have Christmas to look forward to.
Coming up in this month’s magazine we have the latest instalment of our Beautiful Bedfordshire Gardens feature where we visit Ann & Cyril’s garden in Henlow Village. Do you have an interesting garden? If so, we would love to hear from you, so please do get in touch. We also get to meet Phil Trevor, who is this month’s Kid’s Got Talent, he’s a twelve-year-old programmer and web designer who runs his own business. Wow! That boy’s got talent!
This month’s cover photo was captured by Kate McBurney (John’s wife) during an evening stroll across the farmers fields near Henlow Village. Competition Winner JULY
Our cover photo this month was captured last year on Remembrance Sunday. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 rules and restrictions, Remembrance services, parades and marches planned for this year and due to take place on Sunday 8th November, will no longer happen in their usual format / capacity.
There may well be some short services taking place, with limited wreath laying and invite only attendees, but the majority of people are being encouraged to stay at home. We understand that this will be deeply disappointing
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in touch with us:
We would love your feedback on what you enjoyed about this edition, and of course, any areas where we could improve.
01462 414265 admin@livinglifemagazine.co.uk
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in LivingLife magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, publisher or their agents. Whilst every reasonable care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information included within this publication, the publishers take no responsibility for any errors or omissions in LivingLife Magazine. The content is not to be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher.
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for all who were due to attend or take part and we hope that you can remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves in some other way.
Every year the nation unites to make sure that no-one is forgotten and to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. Who was the closest to spotting the hidden drone pilot in last month’s photo & won £25 a big well done to: Vanessa
| Andrew Martin |
| John McBurney |
Beautiful Gardens of Bedfordshire garden
Ann & Cyril Everard, High Street, Henlow
Discovering beautiful gardens in the local area.
Welcome to our latest instalment of beautiful gardens. This time we were kindly invited to visit the amazing garden of Ann & Cyril Everard who live in Henlow Village. With a prominent position on the High Street, it is a garden that really does grab your attention with its huge array of potted plants and colour.
We were treated to a guided tour of the garden whilst Cyril explained all…
“I’ve lived in this house since it was built some 48 years ago. I spend a lot of time working on the garden. It is all day when planting but on average I spend about 3 hours a day in the garden. Just watering the plants takes an hour and a half every day! Nowadays I’m not very quick due to my age and ailments and as such this year’s garden could be the last time that it incorporates so many potted plants.
My favourite aspect of the garden are the colours, especially the Dahlias, Begonias and the Hydrangeas. We get most of the flowers and the plants from Watts Nurseries in Upper Caldecote, but many of
the plants, like the Hydrangeas, we grow from cuttings.
People do stop and take photographs. It is a fantastic feeling knowing that our garden brings joy to people.”
Ann added: “Whilst I was out in the garden a lady was passing by and she suddenly stopped and said, “You must make everybody stop and smile with your garden”, it is a real pleasure to receive such nice comments like this.”
Shop Local and Handmade this Christmas!
Contribution thanks to Erika Price and collective Artisans Artisans in the Yard FB@Artisansintheyard
At Artisans In The Yard we have a fabulous array of unique, handmade items to help with all your Cristmas shopping needs. We don’t sell anything mass-produced or manufactured - every item on display has been individually handcrafted by one of our hand-picked artisans. Even our greetings cards are handmade originals or prints of the artist’s own artwork.
We have paintings, prints, jewellery, sculptures, turned wood, ceramics, soft furnishings, teddies, candles and even furniture. What’s more, all our items are lovingly produced within a 30 mile radius of Shefford - whatever you choose, it will directly support a local artisan and contribute to the local economy!
Our Covid-safe gallery is open 10-4 on Fridays & Saturdays, and at other times by arrangement. You can also purchase from our website. We’ll even deliver locally for you!
So give a unique and memorable gift this Christmas, shop local and handmade at Artisans In The Yard!
Contribution
Candidate for Police & Crime Commissioner Election
www.fest4bedspcc.co.uk enquiries@fest4bedspcc.co.uk
I hope to be your next elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Bedfordshire in 2021.
PCCs are elected by the public to set the strategic priorities for the policing area and hold the Chief Constable accountable for delivering these, ensure support is there for victims, and work with the Chief Constable to oversee the reduction of crime in the area. In short, PCCs are there to be the voice of the public in dealing with the police.
Here in Bedfordshire, we have seen the investment in police increase from £102m in 2010 to just over £120m in 2020/21. This has also meant officer numbers are increasing again after the cuts of a few years ago. I have seen the valuable addition these new officers are to our police force having done over 200 frontline duties as a Special Constable in two months. I commend our police officers for their remarkable work in keeping us safe.
While I welcome the increased investment, we absolutely need it to be sustained and increased. Under successive governments, we have been funded as a rural area, when in fact, we have similar crime challenges compared to larger urban areas like Birmingham, Manchester and parts of London. I want to work with the government, in making the case for this unfair funding formula to be fixed once and for all if elected as your next Police and Crime Commissioner in May 2021.
I live in rural Bedfordshire and have done so for ten years. My children attend school in the area, and I recently volunteered over 200 frontline hours in two months as a Special Constable with Bedfordshire Police. I run a business which employs about sixty staff and have mentored young offenders in prison, served as a link governor for the Offender Learning and Skills Services at a further education college, and currently am a board member at a YMCA.
My time spent getting to understand the challenges facing our police force, working to rehabilitate offenders, and nearly 20 years’ experience running a business puts me in the best position to lead a policing area that delivers for residents in both our urban and rural communities.
I will be a Police and Crime Commissioner for all of Bedfordshire and with your support, we can become an outstanding police area.
Local Restaurant Raises Funds For Macmillan
On Sunday 27th September the Spice Lounge Indian Restaurant in Langford raised vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support by hosting their very own ‘Raise a Cup’ event as part of the charity’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Customers were able to enjoy a hot drink and a cake and make a donation.
Ali, the manager at the Spice Lounge, said: “Macmillan Cancer Support deliver amazing work and we hope that our ‘Raise a Cup’ event contributes to the fantastic fundraising efforts taking place across the UK. I would like to thank everyone who attended the coffee morning helping to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. We have raised £200 for this good cause. Also, a big thank you to The Langford Hideaway Cafe for donating the lovely cakes also Liz and other locals for the contribution.”
Tai Chi Classes Resume at Shefford Community Hall
Contribution thanks to Ian Deavin
Shefford Tai Chi
07860 218334 ian@sheffordtaichi.org
We have managed to keep our Tai Chi practice going over the summer in the park at Digswell but now the weather has started to turn autumnal it has been lovely to get back to our usual venue of the Community Hall. The hall committee have spent much time on Covid security and we are grateful for their efforts which enabled us to get back to working on our flexibility, balance, posture and relaxation.
There was, of course much welcoming and greeting of old friends from a distance. Those of us who have managed to spend time on Tai Chi at home through the “lockdown” period were pleased to once again have company and the opportunity to share conversation – even my bad jokes went down well!
Classes are Monday at 1.00pm, Thursday at 2.30pm and Sunday at 6.30pm. Please see www.sheffordtaichi.org for details under Shefford Classes.
community
Shefford Community Festival
Cancelled but community succeeds!
We are now considering our festival in 2021
Contribution thanks to Ian Deavin
Shefford Community Festival 07860 218334
ian@sheffordcommunityfestival.co.uk
Sadly, our Community Festival was cancelled this year – apparently because of a misunderstanding about the actual nature of a virtual festival in this context and its implication with regard Covid security – nonetheless it was considered there was no option other than cancellation. Fortunately, thoughtful heads prevailed and all that has been cleared up so I am hopeful that we will be able to return next year with a bigger and more all-embracing festival.
Community spirit really came through and there were a number of physical events which had already been planned and were able to go ahead independently. The ‘Garage Sale Trail’ was a great success with a record number of registrations and raised £220 for the Shefford Xmas Lights Committee. The new ‘Shefford Scarecrow Festival’ also seemed to catch the mood with some impressive tableau. ‘Spoon Village’ was a favourite as well and continues to grow – like Shefford itself. Social distancing was encouraged everywhere and generally was observed by everyone. It was great to see so many couples and families walking round town, maps in hand enjoying the brilliant weather – such a contrast to the rain of last year! There were also a number of regular events that continued throughout the period of the cancelled Festival – including the Bowls club, who now seem to be operating again, and my own re-started Tai Chi classes at the Community Hall after a summer in the park at Digswell. Other regular classes seem to have gradually restarted at the Community Hall and the STMA, and elsewhere. Our community has proven resilient and proactive in the face of the Corona virus – we are learning to live with it by making responsible adaptations. Let us look forward to next September 2021 and hope for a bigger and better range of events than ever.
I have personally been heartened by the number of people who have already asked about next year, so it is my intention to invite all stakeholders to an open meeting at some point – probably after Christmas, in the hope that we can initiate things like banners and street dressing – I bought the banners this year and would really like to see them in use. At that point when other seasonal community events have passed and perhaps the social distancing regulations have clarified or diminished, we could be in a better position to plan for September 2021. Dealing with Covid appears to have brought out the best in people and it is great to experience the underlying humanity of our society.
In which vein I would ask if there is anybody out there who would like to help out? So far the Festival has been managed by myself with help from a couple of volunteers and financed by myself – we could do with help if you have some time, if so please do get in touch.
Garage Sale Trail is a Huge Hit
The annual Shefford Garage Sale Trail took place on Sunday 20th September. The event was an enormous success with record number of registrations raising over £200 for the Shefford Christmas Lights Committee. The weather gods were kind and sun most certainly came out to play. We hope you enjoy the collection of photographs we captured on the day.
Shefford Craft and Produce Show
We have missed holding the Show this year but we are looking forward to next year when things may be better. We can only hope and plan for the future. The Committee have met and decided that the Show will be held on 11th September 2021. It will be the 40th Annual Show and many classes will reflect a celebratory theme. The schedule will be very similar to the one that was planned for 2020 and we hope that many crafters and growers will be inspired to enter. We are planning to circulate the schedule more widely next year and also
produce a digital edition. The judges have been booked and we will be ready to go as soon as we know things will be more normal and safe to do so. The Show has always served the community with regular exhibitors entering each year. Hopefully they will all come back next year. Watch this space for further updates early next year. The Committee of the Shefford Craft and Produce Show.
Heydon Arnott
Autumn Sunset Silhouette
Linda Parcell Roe Deer on the Run
Scarecrow Festivals bring joy to locals
Both the annual Clifton and the inaugural Shef ford Scarecrow festivals took place over the weekend of the 19/20th September. It was uplifting to see so many people out and about with friends and family enjoying their outside freedom and proof that not all of our treasured community events have to be cancelled due to Covid-19. In Shefford there was 24 registered scarecrows plus a few last-minute additions. Over in Clifton there were 40 registered scarecrows with cash prizes awarded too. The highlight for us at LivingLife Magazine was to witness ‘Boris’ being rescued from the village pond in Clifton.
the Drone
It’s competition time! The drone pilot who captured this image has been magically removed from the photo, can you deduce exactly where he is positioned? Place a cross (‘X’) where you think the drone pilot is standing (just like ‘Spot the Ball’ puzzle), then take a photograph of this page with your phone or device and submit your entry here: www.livinglifemagazine.co.uk/drone
Close date 15/11/2020. Only 1 entry per person. Judge’s decision is final.
Tree Removal Work Completed community
Branching Out help out in the Community
Our LivingLife photographer captured lots of photos during the day
Back in March the local community came together to help remove a fallen tree from St. Mary’s Churchyard in Henlow. Unfortunately not all of the work could be completed as specialist machinery was required in order to carry out the work properly and safely.
The remaining work to remove the tree was successfully completed on Saturday 26th September. Skilled tree surgeons from ‘Branching Out Tree & Garden Services’, a local business based
in Lower Stondon, joined forces with volunteers to remove the damaged tree. Once again local residents turned up on the day to help out and show their support, and were generously rewarded with a huge supply of free logs.
The Rev. Shaun Speller, the vicar at St. Mary’s Church said, “We are again immensely grateful to the team from Branching Out in the giving of their time and expertise, and the volunteers involved in clearing away the remainder of the fallen tree. Community spirit is invaluable at any time and especially in these extraordinary times.”
Kerrie Morris, from Branching Out added: “We just like to do nice things where we can and always like to help out the local community.”
James Morris from Branching Out said, “The ancient tree was damaged and as a result it was unsafe for our tree surgeons to climb it. We needed to use specialist equipment which is where the Spider MEWP came in. The MEWP is a mobile elevated working platform which allowed us to gain access to the tree safely.”
