Beds Bulletin Borough edition Dc 19

CHRISTMAS

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BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

DECEMBER 2019

THE MESSAGE FROM BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE IS CLEAR

WITH Christmas a few weeks away we are faced with the perennial conundrum of whose turn is it to drive?

With Christmas overindulgence and too much alcohol it is easy to fall foul of the legal limit.

The drinkaware campaign is a reminder that drinking and driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal.

by Caroline McCormack

With everyone in party mode and feeling festive it is tempting to have that one last drink believing you are safe to drive.

The truth is you are not.

According to drinkaware.co.uk “the legal drink drive limit cannot easily be converted into a certain number of units as it depends upon a number of physiological factors notably age, gender, body mass and how quickly your body absorbs alcohol.”

Two pints of regular strength lager and two small glasses of wine would put you over the legal limit.

Age seems to be no barrier when it comes to drinking and driving.

According to the Department of Transport statistics (Drink-drive accidents and casualties’ 2017) the over 60s are not immune to falling foul of the legal limit believing they can drive safely.

The cost of alcohol in pubs and clubs has seen a fall in the number of young people drinking and driving but the over 60s appear to take the view that it is safe to drive.

The legal limit in England, Wales and N.I. is 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood, one of the highest in Europe.

The drink drive limit gives a false impression of what our alcohol limit is. n Change the size of the glass, that way you are We’ve all experienced ‘that one too many feelstill drinking but consuming less ing’ believing it is safe to get into a car and drive n Always take a coat with you, alcohol makes even the shortest distance home. blood flow closer to your skin and away from The consequences of drink driving can be catasyour body. Going into the cold means you will trophic to yourself and others – death, life changing lose heat very quickly. injuries and imprisonment.

Drinkaware offers the following tips to stay safe Finally, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! at Christmas and all year round. n Download the drinkaware CAR DRIVER DRINK DRIVE ACCIDENTS app from the App store or 2010 to 2014 Fatal Serious Slight Total Google Play Under 20 370 10 40 190 240 n Decide who is going to drive 20 - 24 1,210 30 160 760 950 BEFORE you leave the 25 - 29 1,000 40 170 810 1,020 house 30 - 34 740 20 100 640 760 n Book a taxi in advance if you 35 - 39 530 20 100 490 600 are going out in a group 40 - 49 870 30 110 750 890 n Don’t drink on an empty 50 - 59 470 10 70 390 470 stomach 60 or over 280 10 40 280 330 n Pace yourself by alternating All ages 5,550 70 870 4,750 5,700 alcohol with water and soft Department of Transport statistics drinks

Wishing all of our readers, advertisers and staff a Happy Christmas and a Great New Year

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DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

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in the navy before suffering a serious injury in a Maltese dockyard. in the orphanage, he developed an interest in athletics and boxing and when he settled as a married man – eventually in Queen’s Park – he became a timekeeper and judge at the local clubs, later becoming chairman and then president of Bedford and County during the Paula Radcliffe era. in 2012 he was awarded the MBE for services to the community. hazel was a shop assistant while Fred worked at Meltis and on the railway. later they set up sportsform – now a successful business in Fenlake Road run by one of his two daughters and her husband.

Candidates for the General Election, Thursday, December 12 CANDIDATEs have now been announced for the General Election for the three parliamentary constituencies seats Bedford Borough.

BEDFORD COnsTiTuEnCy • Charles Bunker - Brexit Party • Ryan Henson - Conservative Party • Adrian spurrell - Green Party • Henry Vann - Liberal Democrat Party • Mohammed Yasin - Labour Party nORTh EAsT BEDFORDshiRE • Phillipa Flemming - Green Party • Richard Fuller - Conservative Party • Daniel Norton - Liberal Democrat Party • Julian Vaughan - Labour Party • Adam Zerny - Independent MiD BEDFORDshiRE • Nadine Dorries - Conservative Party • Gareth Ellis - Green Party • Ann Kelly - Monster Raving Loony Party • Rachel McGann - Liberal Democrat Party • Rhiannon Meades - Labour Party • Alan Victor - Independent

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A COuPlE who lived around the corner from each other as children celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on november 20, with a message from the Queen.

Fred and hazel Wooding knew each other by sight when he lived in union street and she in Trevor street, Bedford.

But it was when Fred joined the navy and came home in uniform that he won the heart of the girl who grew up almost next door. life wasn’t always the bed of roses it is today. Fred, 90 in 2020, spent a dozen years in an orphanage after his mother died when he was just three. he came back to union street at 16 to discover he had a father as well as brothers and sisters. he then served

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DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

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DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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DKMS Hub registers 2000th stem cell donor

A LoCAL and very active volunteer group called DKMs Beds hub, who work to promote the importance of blood stem cell registrations, achieved a significant milestone on Friday, November15, with the help of the people of Bedford.

Borough Hall was the venue for the group’s latest stem cell drive, where 68 employees took a few minutes out during their lunch break to join the stem cell register. This is the 50th stem cell drive the group has organised in Bedfordshire, since they launched their local campaign 1.5 years ago. The group of volunteers feel they owe the success to the network of passionate volunteers and the generosity and kindness of the people of Bedford, who are so receptive to helping others.

The enthusiastic response resulted in the total number of people having registered directly with the DKMs Beds Hub exceeding 2000. This significant milestone was also celebrated with Mayor Dave

Hodgson in attendance and Deputy Lieutenant, sue Lousada.

Al Murray, a Bedford school ex-pupil had appeared on breakfast TV and newspapers the same morning to back DKMs’s campaign to encourage people to register as stem cell donors as his six-yearold nephew Finley, is suffering from Leukaemia and is in desperate need of a life-saving stem cell transplant.

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Many people never find the lifesaving blood stem cell donor match they need. This isn’t because a match doesn’t exist, it’s simply because there aren’t enough people registered as donors.

Please register at future DKMs Beds hub stem cell drives, see www.facebook.com/groups/DKMsBeds/ and help someone in need of a blood stem cell transplant.

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From Beds to Beijing supporting hospice

A 47-year-old woman from sandy in Bedfordshire has travelled 5,035 miles across the world to trek the Great Wall of China and help raise vital funds for the hospice where she works.

Louise Baxter, an administration assistant at sue Ryder st John’s Hospice Palliative Care Hub, has just returned from the once in a lifetime trek in support of Bedfordshire families needing the support of the hospice. she said, “It was just such a fabulous experience. A real eye opener! It was a huge challenge, but I knew I would do it as I was just so determined to help raise funds for families needing our care.”

“I feel a huge sense of achievement that I did it, and the experience will stay with me forever. When we finally got to the three province marker we sat facing outwards overlooking the incredible view in complete silence. There was not one sound.

It was total peace and quiet. We sat still and reflected on what we were doing this for.”

“There were 30 of us on the trip all together and we’ve stayed in touch. We’re arranging to meet up for a walk back here in the UK. I’ve made friends for life.”

“I spoke to my neighbour about what I was doing when I signed up and she was so inspired she joined me on the trek too.

When we got home she bought me a big bunch of flowers to say thank you for mentioning it to her as it was such an experience of a lifetime.”

Louise was inspired to take on the charity fundraising trek to support the sue Ryder st John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger. she was joined by hospice volunteer Colin Close and husband and wife David and Angela Fosbrook who all chose to trek and raise funds for the hospice. Together the fabulous fundraising foursome have so far raised over £4,100.

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

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Old soldier gets his marching orders

by Caroline McCormack

IN A quiet green retreat of Bedford, a war of words is being waged at Haynes Field allotments.

Managed by members of the allotment association under a lease agreement from Bedford Borough Council, 63-year-old Paul Dunwell who served with the Prince of Wales Regiment, 22nd Cheshire, alleges he has been a target of verbal abuse and bullying by some committee members.

Mr Dunwell maintained four allotment plots at Haynes Field and was then served notice to quit in August of this year.

A keen outdoor man with green fingers, he excavated the plots with a hired rotavator which removed debris ranging from sheets of plastic, glass, jagged metal and dog excrement.

Clearing the way for what he hoped would be a perfect way to relax and enjoy his evenings.

“Prior to me doing all this work it really was a genuine health hazard,” he exclaimed. sounds idyllic? Not for long.

The trouble started when he lit a bonfire on his plot. He thought he was being vigilant making sure the wind was going against the direction of the allotment so that he could burn the trimmings.

No sooner had he started the fire he was approached by a committee member who made it quite clear that he was breaking the rules by lighting a bonfire. The wind had changed causing smoke to blow in the direction of the other plots.

“He was really quite gruff and rude to me and made it quite clear in no uncertain terms that I had broken the rules of the gardeners’ agreement. I extinguished the fire and cleared the remains to make sure it would not reignite.”

The incident contravened 2.19.1 of the Gardeners Agreement which states that “smoke

must not be allowed to drift across the highway to cause nuisance to surrounding plot holders or houses.”

Later that evening he received an sMs which he describes as a “yellow card” for contravening the rules of the association. on another occasion, Mr Dunwell asked the permission of a fellow plot holder if he would mind helping him reposition a white pole to allow him to park his car near his allotment plots. This post acts as a gate stay to prevent the security gate from swinging too far.

Mr Dunwell went on to say, “if this was a boundary marker I could understand, but it’s not, and I was told to put it back, the whole thing smacks of bullying.”

Mr Michael Wright, Chairman of Haynes Field Association commented via email: “I can categorically say that Paul has not been bullied by any members of the Haynes Field Allotment Association.”

He went on to state: “Paul has never had ownership of his plot.

He joined the Allotment Association and was designated a plot subject to him signing an agreement to abide by the guidelines given. When it was pointed out to him politely, he accused us of bullying. As a consequence, we have terminated his membership of the Association.”

Mr Dunwell has contacted the Council to voice his concerns about alleged bullying and harassment by the Association.

The Council responded by email: “The Council is unable to directly intervene in any dispute between the Association and Mr Dunwell.

The Council has offered to provide mediation services to help find a resolution, but this has been refused by both parties. We have advised both the Association and Mr Dunwell to seek independent legal advice should they feel they need to, to find a solution to any ongoing dispute.”

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DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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Rangers Dodgeball team See into the future get new sponsorship deal with Virtual Reality THE Bedford Rangers will be displaying the Pen and Cob logo on their shirts for the next season after the recently launched British brasserie agreed to sponsor the team.

Dodgeball is a hugely growing sport, currently the second most popular game played at primary schools across the country. Bedford Rangers have been playing for over four years at Castle Newnham, training ground of England Football and have built a great team.

Team Captain, Greg Whitehouse, said: “our team is growing each season and we now have over 25 plus teammates in the family with juniors joining us all the time too. It’s important to us that we play

and look our best to keep aiming and playing in those top leagues.”

The Men’s teams who played their first matches of the season last week, won two and lost two (which was expected) with the women’s team drawing one and losing one which is overall a good result for the first games of the season!

General Manager of Pen and Cob said of the sponsorship; “It is important to us as a local business to be a part of the community we have around us and with our Assistant Restaurant Manager, sam, also being on the Dodgeball team, it made sense for us to support them. We’re looking forward to seeing the team at the bar soon!”

Vanessa Connolly and Steve Lowe join the team at Bedford College for the official opening.

Pictured L-R: Sam Mason, Greg Whitehouse (club captain), Malcolm Wyse (Bedford Swan MD) and Francesca Howes.

INDUsTRY-LEADING technology is available at The Bedford College Group via a £200,000 Virtual Reality suite thanks to support from the Connolly Foundation.

The specialist facility is a virtual reality ‘cave’. This means those in a range of science, technology, engineering and maths (sTEM) disciplines can “see” computer-aided designs through special headsets which allow “interactivity”.

so advanced is the technology that it can be used to link between the suite and live working environments on a construction, manufacturing, storage or creative site.

The official opening was performed by Vanessa Connolly, Trustee of the Foundation and Associate steve Lowe.

Vanessa, a former surveyor and CEo of a prominent housing association in Bedford, commented, “I was fascinated to see how the

world looks through this technology and what a tremendous asset it is to people training to work in the construction industry, which is where the Connolly Foundation fortunes were founded.”

CEo and Principal of The Bedford College Group Ian Pryce CBE said: “To have this sort of asset for technology training here within our Advanced Engineering Centre is a dream resource which brings together architecture, design, surveying and on-going construction activities.”

Head of Engineering steve Croft said: “The much wider advantage of this equipment is that it can be used by people in creative industries as well as those in engineering. Any sort of design can be brought to life via the headsets.”

Proving the point was Andrew Morris of the Ashe Construction group, who built the Advanced Engineering Centre, also known as the Buchanan Centre, who was thrilled by the technology and said it could prove a powerful asset for organisations like his by bringing plans from the drawing board into “life”.

Andrew added: “Building Information Modelling is now insisted upon in many government contracts so young people who can master this sort of technology are in great demand.”

For more information on how the Virtual Reality suite will be used across all of Engineering, Construction, Computing & Technology and Creative Arts visit www.bedford.ac.uk

Memories required

in 2021 the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, speech and Drama will be celebrating 100 years since it started in 1921.

The Festival Committee are compiling a book documenting the Festival’s history.

We would love to include your memories and photos of taking part.

Please get in touch with us via our website: bedfordshirefestival.org.uk

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

Alexander McQueen win for students BRUsH skills are top of the class at Bedford College where Level 3 Production Arts Make-Up students, Kitty Knox 17 and Lewis Bavister 18 have taken first and second prize in a tribute to the late Alexander McQueen, international couturier.

At Brush Wars held at the olympia in London, Bedford College students had to create catwalk make-up designs and they beat all-comers to the first and second prize. Kitty and Lewis are in the second year of their qualification and hope to go onto one of the top universities for aspiring make-up artists in september 2020.

These students have not only come first and second place at Brush Wars but they have also secured excellent work placements working on the Phantom of the opera and also working on a show that is due to be televised this month. Judges commented on the skill set the students held and their creativity towards to the brief.

“Last year a Bedford College student came third in the same Brush Wars competition to the brief of ‘Circus Arcadia’ so we have worked our way up the ladder” said Director of Arts Toby Clark,

“As in our fashion and textile competition wins, our students are beating university and Higher Education entrants showing Bedford College is giving young designers and creatives a head start in this highly competitive field.

“Those who are interested in creative careers, whether it is media make-up, fashion or design, need to know that here in Bedford we have training which has a national reputation.”

The south Banks Arts Centre on the riverside location of Bedford College is a hothouse for talent from performing to fine arts.

Most staff have either worked in, or continue to work, in the specialist sectors in which they teach.

This gives students valuable insights into, and links towards, the careers they aspire towards. students can study most disciplines to Level 5 and an increasing number to BA Hons.

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DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

Sponsors line-up

THE Love Bedford Business Improvement District (BID) is to be the main sponsor of a bumper Bedford College Achievement Ceremony at the Corn Exchange on December 5. silver sponsors will be Rosetta Publishing (Beds Bulletin & Kempston Calling newspapers), Commercial Interiors & storage, the Harpur Trust, Innovation on-site and the sharnbrook Academy Foundation.

Hundreds of students, their proud families and VIPs will witness the celebration of successes of the college, which has grown into a powerful educational Group across Bed and Northants.

BedfordBID, and the 100s of businesses it supports, recognises the value of having 1,000s of staff and students right in the heart of Bedford. Their custom makes a critical contribution - one business estimates that 30% of its

trade Mon-Fri comes from students.

In addition to the riverside college campus, the Group has The Bedford sixth Form with 500+ students in Bromham Road, a Hair and Beauty training salon and the Bedford Learning Centre in the High street. said BedfordBID Director Christina Rowe: “This event is a highlight of the year in terms of

local families coming into the town centre to see young people collecting their awards and certificates. It’s such a positive event with significance for employment and the economy, all of which is a necessary business boost for Bedford.

“In addition students add vibrancy to so many areas of activity in the town centre, from art shows at the Harpur Centre, to

charity events and of course, the night time economy.”

Previously the college has contributed MAssIVELY to Love Bedford vouchers income with 75% of £1 Million coming from college purchases College parking after hours and holidays mean that those same staff and students have access to convenient town centre parking for weekend visits. students who attend college at 16 are for the first time being introduced to the town centre as consumers (e.g. not with parents) and are therefore of tremendous value to certain outlets – many of which offer student discounts.

Brooks Hair and Beauty salon on High street is an example of “other uses” of retail outlets in a town centre AND brings in cohorts of young consumers. It also adds glamour to the town with the annual Hair & Beauty show.

The Bedford Learning Centre attracts 100s of more mature students every week Mon - sat who learn basic IT skills.

The Bedford College Group has also loaned expert staff members to the BID Board.

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‘We are coming after you’ says top cop

TWo people have been arrested in the latest phase of an operation targeting the supply of drugs in Bedford.

Two men in their 20s from the Bedford area were arrested in a series of coordinated warrants on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Around 50 officers and staff took part in the operation, which was led by our serious and organised Crime Unit (soCU).

Ten people were arrested as part of this wider operation over the past month, which has targeted three suspected drugs lines in the town.

Detective Inspector Graham McMillan, from soCU, said: “our message to anyone running a drugs line in Bedford is clear – we are coming after you.

“Drug dealing drives much of the most serious violence we deal with every day, with this organised crime often involving the exploitation of children and other vulnerable people.

“We are determined to take those peddling in this miserable industry off the streets, as well as signposting those with addiction issues to help and support services.”

Multiple addresses in the Bedford area were subject to warrants on Tuesday morning, with follow-up enquiries taking place around the town.

The two men have subsequently been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and are due to appear at court on Wednesday morning.

Get your electricals online at

www.michaelrpeters.co.uk Upwards to jobs in scaffolding CoNsTRUCTIoN students from The Bedford College Group’s campuses in Beds and Northants joined a scaffolding careers event held at global company in Milton Keynes. organised by HAKI Ltd and the National Access and scaffolding Confederation, the event inspired young people to pursue a variety of careers on offer in the industry.

More than 25 students from the Group attended and had the opportunity to participate in a series of activities held throughout the day. These included a K’NEX challenge where students tested their structural abilities, a handson experience building a scaffold tower using the HAKI Universal

system and talks from individuals in various roles within the scaffolding industry. speakers included: • Lester Brown and Barry Taylor, Global Technicians at HAKI • Priscila Escobar, Mechanical Design Engineer at HAKI • Ben Ramsey and Adam Reeve, Contracts Director and Contracts Manager at QFs scaffolding • Henry Annafi, NAsC Training officer.

At the end of the event, 11 out of 26 students said they would now consider a career into scaffolding upon completion of their studies.

David Wilkins, Director of Construction & Building services

at The Bedford College Group, commented: “The students had a fantastic day and learnt a lot about areas of the construction industry that they might not have originally considered. They also participated in some great activities to develop their teamwork skills.”

Paula Hubbard, Group Training Manager at HAKI added: “The open day was organised to inspire those in the 16-18 age group to consider scaffolding as a genuine and rewarding career choice.

HAKI is dedicated to working collaboratively with both our industrial and educational partners to get this message across to this age group.”

Good news for FE education in region

A “Good” ofsted grade for The Bedford College Group is great news for Further Education in the region.

The news is especially welcomed in Northamptonshire where Tresham College, now part of the Group, had previously been graded as “Inadequate” by ofsted.

The merger which took place in August 2017, has been followed by some robust changes which have led to improved standards, performances and investment across the three campuses Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough.

Ian Pryce CBE, Principal and CEo of Bedford College for two decades, and who led the development into the Group, said: “This is a fantastic inspection result. staff at Tresham have risen to the challenge and can now claim it is a very good college.

Just as pleasing, Bedford College has improved again on its previous inspection.

“We can now rightly say we are a very strong group of colleges.

“We are grateful for the support of sEMLEP who have invested in our redevelopment of the Wellingborough campus which will bring new life into the town centre and in our multi-million advanced engineering centre in Bedford which is a beacon for technology training.”

The Bedford College Group includes Bedford College, National College for Motorsport, shuttleworth College, The Bedford sixth Form and Tresham College.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

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with Slimming World

Towns and villages get Greensand Country Gateway Signs GREEnsAnD Country, the distinct, beautiful and loved countryside defined by the Greensand Ridge and stretching from leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay, has made its mark across the landscape, with new gateway signage at the entrances to towns and villages.

The new signs, which sit beneath existing ‘welcome to…’ posts, represent one of over 50 projects that are being delivered across the area to promote its special qualities and help residents and visitors to become better connected with the

local landscape, wildlife, heritage and culture.

15 town and parish councils across Greensand Country have already demonstrated they are proud to be in this area and have signed up for the gateways, which will be erected by Central Bedfordshire Council in over 50 locations across the length and breadth of Greensand Country.

As well as the town and village signs, people will soon see new waymark posts on walking, cycling and horse-riding routes within the countryside and a new Greensand Country website is

set to launch next spring. The new website will enable people to find and download routes, information about events and activities and will signpost to local food & drink, independent shops and information on what makes Greensand Country unique and special. if your village does not have Greensand Country signage and you would like to discuss how this can be added, please ask your council to email the Greensand Country landscape Partnership at team@greensandcountry.com

Exceptional prices and service – Fast delivery and installation by own staff Mark Rutherford School celebrates success in an essay writing competition

FivE year 11 students from Mark Rutherford school are celebrating their success in an international essay writing competition run by the Royal Commonwealth society (RCs). in 2019, more than 11,000 young people from across the Commonwealth entered the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay competition run by the RCs, which has a rich history of promoting literacy, expression and creativity by celebrating the excellence and imagination of young people.

Run by the RCs since 1883, the international schools’ writing contest used the theme of ‘A Connected Commonwealth’ to encourage students to consider how they can work to use cultural, technological and environmental connections for positive change across the Commonwealth. Topics invited young people to consider the potential of the Commonwealth in strengthening the vast

and varied links between citizens.

Four students successfully secured a Bronze Award, whilst one student, Aaliah, was one of only fifty students in all of Europe to achieve a silver Award. Of her tremendous achievement, Aaliah stated: “i wrote at length about islamaphobia, how it has increased rapidly and how people judge us by our appearances. i think it is unacceptable how society allows people to be treated in a disrespectful manner through common misconceptions and fear of things that are not understood. in particular, i focused on how the actions of a few can lead to negative stereotypes of the majority. The Commonwealth is about uniting everyone together and treating everyone equally. i think it is important that our generation ensures that this happens and that difference is no longer feared, but embraced.”

Charlotte’s the new Project Co-ordinator

TRANsITIoNs UK is a charity working across Herts, Beds, Bucks and parts of North London, providing support that changes young lives. The charity is five years old and works with young people with learning disabilities, young people leaving care and young people who are at risk of criminal exploitation or offending.

In Bedford, Transitions UK runs its Achieve Project for young people aged 17 years to 22 years with learning disabilities, partly using the great facilities at Christchurch, in Dudley Road, Bedford. Young people can attend the skills and development sessions in the building (Wednesdays from 4pm to 8pm) but are also supported to engage in the local community as part of their independence training.

Charlotte Lawrence has just taken up the role of Project Coordinator on Achieve Bedford and is passionate about providing the support the young people need to achieve their best potential.

“Young people with learning disabilities have the right to become the best they can be: we focus on what young people can do rather than what they can’t. We use unique models and

approaches commended by BBC Children in Need, and we work through our volunteer mentors to increase young people’s confidence, relational and communication skills and also to help them with interview and CV skills to support them into employment or next steps education. “

If you know young people who would benefit from the project contact Charlotte on 07719 956479. If you would like to volunteer as a mentor for young people you can either ring Charlotte or contact the Charity’s volunteer Co-ordinator, Katie Hall, on 01582 380620.

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DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Landscaper of distinction SEND specialist

FORMER shuttleworth College student, Martin Granger is a landscaper of distinction. he gained the highest grade, a Distinction, as a Master of horticulture with the Royal horticultural society (Rhs) course. he was the first shuttleworth College graduate to complete the course, with the encouragement of Rhs tutor Paul labous, and has set the bar high for others to follow.

An example of “lifelong learning” in action 52year-old Martin left school at 15 to join a yTs (youth Training services) course.

Martin, who now owns the £1.5m turnover MJ Granger Grounds of shillington, on the Beds/ herts border, which employs 30 direct and subcontracting staff commented: “i worked in a greenhouse, but i had to go to college too, which was so different from school and i loved it.”

Martin has also provided many opportunities to apprentices who have studied at shuttleworth College, including one who is training to be a tree surgeon. he continued: “My dad was an engineer with an interest in horticulture so we were always playing with equipment and planting stuff to sell at a market. so it seem the obvious thing to do was to work in the same field and then open a business.

Over the years i have done all sorts of short courses at shuttleworth College to get the right

skills for land preparation and maintenance.

Those same skills have been useful in property development i have invested in too. no knowledge is wasted but, i wanted to get a degree and so when i saw the Rhs course advertised i got in touch. i had to do some lead-in courses. i thought i knew a lot, but learned so much more. it was a bit daunting when they said i had to write my first 750 word essay. i had no idea where to start but got a distinction and went from there.”

Martin’s dissertation for his Master of horticulture was on Robotics in Gardening. sTEM skills are essential in the modern world of horticulture. he continued: “in farming tractors are guided by satellite technology, in historic gardens lawnmowers can be automated. This leaves the skilled and talented horticulturists free to concentrate on the plants as opposed to grass-cutting for days.

We are looking at more of this sort of technology for our contract work in grass verge cutting for local authorities from Bedfordshire to suffolk. “ For more information about MJ Granger Grounds visit www.mjgrangergrounds.co.uk if you are interested in a career with potential to “branch out” in to business or “cutting a path” in new technology used in horticulture, or even want to expand your expertise with an Rhs degree, then visit www.shuttleworth.ac.uk

joins Advantage Schools board

THE new Advantage schools board member is Anne Heavey, a Bedford resident who is also National Director of Whole school sEND. Anne is a former music teacher with extensive experience in schools and education.

Under Anne’s leadership, Whole school sEND brings together schools, individuals and organisations committed to ensuring all young people achieve their potential at school. The Whole school sEND Consortium are currently delivering a major DfE contract to support the schools’ workforce to deliver high quality sEND provision and an EEF funded trial of the Whole school sEND review in mainstream secondary schools.

While she has significant expertise in special educational needs, Anne also brings expertise around wider school leadership, curriculum and pedagogical issues, and will demand that Advantage schools delivers the highest quality of education to as many families as possible in and around Bedford.

Advantage schools chief executive stuart Lock said: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract such a high-calibre trustee to continue our mission of bringing the highest expectations and best possible educational outcomes to children in and around Bedford, regardless of background. Anne adds a significant amount to our board as we enter a period of expansion.

Anne said “I am delighted to join Advantage schools as a Trustee and look forward to supporting the trust as it grows and develops over the coming years.”

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— 13

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

Apprentice in engineering finals BEDFoRD College and Lockheed Martin advanced apprentice Ben Copperwheat has won a regional round of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2019.

He will now go forward to the national finals.

Ben, aged 21, from Ampthill, Bedfordshire joined the Lockheed Martin UK team three years ago and is now Deputy scout sV Engineering Lead. He was nominated for the award by Head of Technical Facilities Mark Lawson, who is a Governor for The Bedford College Group and an inspiration for young people wanting to go into engineering.

Ben commented: “Apprenticeships are an equal choice to going to university. I want to demonstrate through my own success just what can be achieved by doing an apprenticeship with the right organisation, such as Lockheed Martin.�

Neil Hebron Director of Engineering and Technology at Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill said: “We are so proud that Ben has been announced as the East Midlands Region Advanced Apprentice of the Year. He is a fantastic role model for apprenticeships and Lockheed Martin UK.�

Now in their 16th year, the National Apprenticeship Awards showcase the diverse and growing range of sectors engaged with apprenticeships, whilst celebrating the achievements of outstanding apprentices, apprentice employers and individuals to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and champion apprenticeships across England.

Following the regional ceremonies that took place across England, employers from sectors including banking, the public sector, TV and engineering will compete to win four national employer titles.

An Apprenticeship Champion will also be crowned on the night, along-

side the winner of the coveted Rising star award – which is decided in part by a public vote.

Ian Pryce CBE, CEo of The Bedford College Group said: “We are so pleased for Ben. A superstar apprentice with a superstar employer with whom we are proud to work.�

Andy osborn a Course Manager in Engineering at Bedford College, who has watched Ben’s progress from the college-run University Technical College (UTC) at Dunstable, said: “Ben is a fantastic example of how the routes into the very best careers in engineering do not need to involve university. Ben came to us from Hartlington Upper school, thrived in the UTC environment, gaining exceptional grades and winning a Duke of York Gold award along the way. From there he was accepted into the Lockheed Martin apprenticeship position, and has since completed his HND at Bedford College, and is now with us to top up to his Bsc in Engineering degree. Via Bedford College and our links with major employers, talented teenagers can rise through the ranks rapidly – without the burden of a three year university debt.�

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POLICE are issuing another serious assault appeal Breakfast, Snacks in CafĂŠ Coffee, after Teas, a CCTV 823033 Greenway area on a 15-year-old girl footage Simonof01234 contact in the enquiries the area of Rushden. For pitch tre.co.uk offence, at the time of The attack happene onernestgardencen or anyone who the E: simongoatley@milt might any clothing d between 4.10pm on discarded nearby.have found 3pm and Monday, June If anyone has disused railway 24, found track between next to the area or and Spire has any informatany clothing in the The Hedges dent, ion about the approached Road, when the girl inciby a man who was Northam they should attacked her.

He pushed ptonshir contact Crimestoppers e Police on 101, in the face andher to the floor, punched or in confiden her 555111. kicked her, to suffer a ce on 0800 causing the draft masterplan. to shape the girl broken developsaw the developjaw, a fracture this exercise Northamptonshire cuts to her face. outcome ofOfficers The confirme A PROPOSED Eastand d nose Natural its sustainemploy d for to a UK has 26-yearthe nationally in been first Detectives are old man arrested ment become the ment has been recognised to awards connecti assault. at an industrynow appealing Capital and EcosystemsinServices status on with this Accounting may to anyone able environmentalwho have dashcam mitigates against water, air He has , Ring ensure the masterplan ceremony. been released ancient on , or pending Garden Village at Doorbell reconnects andfurther police bail The masterplan for Tresham and noise pollution trees newly inquiries has been highly commended links with the 100,000 .

JULY 2019

Top award for garde Deenethorpe Airfield Awards in the category of at the National Planning Environment.

Planning for the Natural and the North East Northamptonshire Council Planning and Delivery Northamptonshire Joint with the promoters of Unit have worked closely design team at the Garden Village and the to ensure the natural Charlton Brown Architects, the proposals for the of environment is at the core development. of the natural assets evaluation A detailed Natural Capital of the site by consultants Garratt has been used Solutions and Lockhart

GUNS includ Mod 8mm, ing a US Carbine .30, a Browning a pistol, as well Cobra starting pistol and as ammunition Mauser handed in during , have alread y been the first few surrender. days of a firearm s The

surrender aims to encourage people to The firearms which may be hand in any firearms may, however, forensically in be examined to During one their possession. see if have any links pre-arranged lection of firearms, to other crimes. they colIllegal possessio five guns, (pictured), were n of a firearm can mean five handed in by a woman whose father and if you are years behind bars had eral years ago passed away sevsession with found guilty of posguns. They hadand had owned the intent to supply only been discov- can lead to a life that ered in the loft Head of sentence. house clear-out recently after a operation Northamptonshire s at . new During the campaign Police, for a major Sarah Johnson, Supt revealed , the public are have been said: “I’m pleased being asked PLANS people are getting to call police 101 to arrange the message on have already an t in Rushden. for and theirdevelopmen started projecthanding convenience appointment at items Community Garden so that they in Hayden at a location Highand of their The Developcan be disposed Urban choice, of appropria Sustainable to have part of the forms tely. comeRushden officers and collectEast “I would continue the firearm.

Many area. for the firearms to remind uses, ment people ofgeneral industrial are held inofinnothe surrender cence and ignoranc east Rushden, and encour- and toethe age anyone, and distribution of gality orLocated who ille-the which storage the A6, has andtheir spaces. areFerrers weapons business Higham overlook theysmall-scale no longer need forgotten ed ofand homesdiscovere a host in people’s includes or have scheme intention of the homes. d,Developers to call 101said Others are and arrange for their collection amenities. acquired and tributedand scheme .is to create a landscapeabout “I the disincludes by criminal proposal a ‘green would also networks threaten or The appealwith to people led development employment homes, harm to the newtheir those areas of who link will local may munities.2,600 which be friends, family two primary land forcomThe surrender membersgrid,’ attractive , or partners givesschool opportunopportunities, space providing open the and of criminals ity to dispose a secondary schools, the development , have been of a firearm who mayroutes or ammunit throughout asked to con- to ion areas. by simply arrang- ceal firearms. ing for an sports to encourage the community were held officer “These people these areas.

Public consultations it. and people During the to collect may believe last month won’t be fully enjoy campaign in Rushden be designed to willthey those handing Open spaces or prosecute say on thebecause it’sarrested theirperiod, overhave can also trees d firearms not their not face prosecuti use of the existing best gun. will “This ismake on foronline. illegal pos- project not hedgerows, session - at exhibitions the case�. providing plentiful and the point to residents, She a letter of surrender if anyone is for new planting to and can remainIn Engagesaidopportunities Parkes,- forpossessio caught in value of Cyra anonymo n of a firearm, us if they choose to. consultant bio-diversity the they be jailed forincrease could Planning, said: “The consultation benefits to a site, minimum maximising local of five is intended to provide the years.�to the local wildlife. community with the opportunity prior These will include The Eastern find out about the proposals, Parklands – providing a substantial to the submission of planning area of accessible multi-functional applications in due course.� public open space, alongside The scheme includes: recreation and development I About 2,600 homes, including Open opportunities, Destination affordable housing.

Space to provide an attractive and a environI Two primary schools natural and semi-natural and secondary school. ment and a place for relaxation new I A large sports area, with informal recreation for both changing rooms, car parking residents and the wider and space for football, rugby community and Water Meadows. and cricket pitches.

The proposals also aim to all is I Play areas catering for create a community which ages. connected to Rushden, with and Way open extensions to John Clark I Large areas of public spaces throughout the site.

Newton Road and improvements to crossing facilities to encourage I New allotments. sustainwalking, cycling and other I Two local centres. able travel options. into I Two primary gateways It is also hoped The East the development: will Northamptonshire Greenway : Access NORTHERN GATEWAY be connected to the development. from the current roundabout the It is proposed planning applicaon the A6 junction with this tions will be submitted later A5001 John Clark Way. year. : Access SOUTHERN GATEWAY the If approved, phase one could from Newton Road, near homes start next year, with the first current A6 roundabout. first The 2021. being built in I ’Destination’ open space.

2024. school would then open in I A new cemetery. aim to complete the longThe of mix a for 2035.

I A business park with term project is earmarked employment space for offices,

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NHS TRUST ANNOUNCES THREE YEAR INVESTMENT

AUGUST 2019

EDITION YOUR BEDFORD BOROUGH FRE

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BEDFORD BOROUGH

â&#x20AC;˘ MID BEDS

Dancing her way to 100 years old â&#x20AC;˘ NORTH BEDS

House recently all round at Oak Way birthday.

IT WAS big celebrations celebrated her 100th of dancing, when resident Hilda Stevenson down to her lifelong love with her She puts her longevity Friday evening in Kempston which she still does every and 105: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I could dance before I 102 two close friends aged I had to name my favourite dance it â&#x20AC;&#x153;If could walkâ&#x20AC;?, she said: or a nice romantic waltz.â&#x20AC;? would be a slow Foxtrot Millard in 1919 in Pattershall Street

Hilda was born Hilda is located.

EDITION where todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bus station Bedford, nearJULY Stevenson in 1942 and 2019Leslie in Elstow She married her husband in a munitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s factory

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ROAD WOR IN BEDFORDKS WILL BRIN MORE DELAGYS

27

working spend much of the war at Meltis, chocolate and confectionery having previously worked manufacturers in Bedford. of Bedford Citizenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Housing Marie Taylor, Chief Executive and pleasure to be a part of a privilege Association said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was looks twenty years younger than her Hildaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special day. She for dancing that I have ever seen.â&#x20AC;? at her 100th age and is the best advert

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ary digital transformarevolution July all 21 SHORTER stays in hospital, the South Wing site are significant investment into new Three Year Plan and tion MAY OR: the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;SHORTincluded TERM in among a list of aims PAIN FOR LON services to the G care launched by Bedford Hospital.

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GAIN excellent hospital and integrated The Trustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision is to provide sets out a comprehensive summary of our strategy â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the Plan people of Bedfordshire â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CQC rating upon the next to meet this vision.

inspection.

Stephen Conroy, Chief Executive of Bedford Hospital locally said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The demand for care is increasing as the population becomgrows with patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs Our ing more complex to manage. address Plan outlines how we will and the significant challenges serviceâ&#x20AC;?. improve our local health a Stephen added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have Funding) a strong fantastic workforce, have G Development to childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record in patient safety and track A&E Trust; quality and are a well led G Brand new Learning and build we want to maintain and Education Centre Plan Year Three Our this. largest and increased focus upon our commitment to invest I Undertake the single of the I Investment outlines digitisation in the history staff on strengthening and developin our high skilled and caring Trust with the Global Digital consising our workforce â&#x20AC;&#x201C; making and students so that we are the Exemplar (GDE) Fast Follower Bedford Hospital the employer tently attracting and retaining the Programme. This will move of choice and harnessing as service best workforce the Trust towards a digitally leaders.

G Focus on recruitment talent of future healthcare enabled and quality assured with growth and develop A&E, Our collaborative working and future, aligned with providing Maternity and Paediatrics and partners, including the Luton roles effective and personalised will G Developing new staff Dunstable NHS Hospital WORKSsafe, for every patient, every care to an strong leadership culture to introd continue with plans to move in uce a series G aCreate learning modernised at a traffictime. a service of measures environment for integrated pathology hotspo ambulatory more Develop our t are designed and education setday BedfordI2020 to begin in 2020 further strengthening to reduce such as same and volunservices, staff, students ourJuly projec sustainable, to provide throug abilityconges tion h the Trans emergency care,t.to maintain teers The work will efficient healthcare and g portin quality patient the number of take place I Improving services and Road, which and increase on Britann services to our patients.â&#x20AC;? we can appropriately links to get a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Goodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; patients two experiences major go home ia This will Bedford; Ampthi all support toroads in treatll and Britannia Road. help to improve traffic Road and Kempston Road, and is flow down a The works will hotspot. These well-known congestion begin on Saturday will be works will widen complete in , July 20, and which will create early 2020.

Park During the works, more space for the road, parks with Priory Country country while keeping Britannia one four wonderful oftraffic way to traffic, Road year in a row, and space forthis its 18th for will be open going the award yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Love Parks Week, pedestri from deliver majorDURING Kempsto a winning Ampthill Park achieving wonn Road. scores in the ans; and have once again changesBoroughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s There will beCountry Road parks to diversion the road a clearly among route Harrold-Odell These will Bedford toAward year yet! layout. them as being signed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; its best place througho recognising categories Flag Kingsway and in the addition highest d sites ut the works, junction with seeGreen of volunteer-manage St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Street. traffic spaces. green the Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s around Green Flag lights best to the Place,very the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s There will be Two of crossing to thatKingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Harroldand movingPark, Bedford somealso been trecognised, winning the existing Park, pavemen toPark Addison allow have This Howard caused by trafficjunction. their success last restrictio the workshave will reduce following againns Priory Countrywill and delays to take place Award in place turning Odell Country continue into the Park Green to beCommunity Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place. safely, but this the Hill Rise Nature and route large car park the prestigious openMowsbury to pedestriaHillfort year: works. offand open all once again been awarded space. It ns through the The traffic the mark of quality parks Flag, for our bus stop onReserve. at both yearThe and the new lights successful ends Britannia of exceptionally an Britannia been also be temporar traffic has Road southbou lights Road at Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place being upgraded ongoing, with ily out of use while these nd will vastly improve , so they can â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;commun are also icateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and temporary stopbus services 2, 42 and 44 works are traffic flow along the route.

The layout of Britannia Road.on Ampthill Road, at theusing a the main Hospital changed to improve the bus stops These bus services will junction with car park will on Kingsway also not use traffic flow be and the exit onto the works. Revised and Kingswa Britannia Road around the car park, y link during timetables for layout of the be available will be closed. these services drop-off to The entrance on Britannia layby near the Hospital will timetable page view on the Bedford Borough or on the operatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Road is set to Council some existing These works be altered, on-street parking are not expected s website.

Place. operation removed from and Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Council al impact on Bedford to have any Hospital, and is working closely 10 Mill S the treet, Bed impact on patients with them to ford - MK minimise the and staff.

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14 —

DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

Singing the praises of FE IAN PRYCe CBE of The Bedford College Group is laying claim to being the longest on-going serving Principal and Chief Executive of a further education establishment. others may have lasted longer in the previous century, but in today’s fast-changing environment, Ian’s 21 years+ in situ is looking like a record.

“Loyalty and long-service are increasingly things of the past, but when you’ve got an opportunity to take a good college and make it great, then it’s worth sticking with that winning team,” said Ian, now 61 and hoping to stay until he collects his pension.

Having started at the Bedford College as finance director he was promoted to Principal and CEo in a slightly unusual step then of someone from a nonteaching background taking the helm. In fact, Ian making all the right money moves, has meant that his staff can concentrate on what he sees as the “important stuff” - providing the best service to students.

That approach has seen The Bedford College Group win teaching prizes at the Times Educational supplement awards three years in a row, have staff who judge World skills events (and students who compete) and a

board room full of prizes for everything from a sword for Health and safety to membership of the Chartered Institution for Further Education.

Ian continued: “The talents of our team members across all college services means that our students enjoy their experience with us, more than 90% would recommend us to others and there is no higher compliment.

At a national FE level Ian is known as the “singing Chief Executive” having written tracks about various issues aimed at Government Ministers and more which are widely shared on social media.

During his two decades at

Bedford College, which became The Bedford College Group in 2017 following the merger with Tresham College in Northants, Ian has been a co-founder of the Collab Group and is a member of the syndic of Cambridge University.

In Bedford he was founder Chair of the very successful Bedford Free school, recently mentioned by PM Boris Johnson, established the Bedford College Academies Trust which has brand new primary and secondary schools at Wixams, rescued the internationally known shuttleworth College and took over a “Hogwart’s style” private girls’ school site to establish a successful co-ed sixth Form. All are now flourishing.

Ian added: “There is more I want to do and luckily I have an energetic young, but experienced, team around me who are stepping up to take on the new challenges.

There is a generation of young people out there who need to be helped through the changes ahead. If I am able to complete 25 years as Principal and CEo I will consider myself to have had the best job not just in Bedford. but in the region.”

The Bedford College Group is No1 college, based in the region, for overall student Achievement.

Robinson Pool celebrates 50th year in style

THIs weekend Bedford’s oldest publically owned swimming pool ‘Robinson Pools & Fitness’ celebrated 50 years since it first opened in Bedford Park.

The birthday celebrations on saturday 26 october included something for everyone no matter what their age. The fun packed schedule featured gym and group exercise taster sessions, health assessments, a swim school gala and a diving display. To commemorate the special day, the first 50 lucky members to arrive on the day received a voucher pack to the value of £50 and non-members were able to upgrade to a great value membership for just £50 for the rest of the year.

In 2016, Robinson Pools & Fitness received a significant

investment with a major makeover including an upgraded gym, new exercise and indoor cycling studios, INTENCITY HIIT studio, a new café as well as new wet changing rooms, and refreshed swimming pools. since the investment, members have been enjoying the upgraded gym with a choice of cardiovascular equipment including new treadmills, bikes, rowers and cross trainers, as well as new fixed resistance machines, plus free weights and functional equipment.

At Bickles Yard café, there’s an array of healthy food, snacks and hot and cold drinks on offer and the pools continue to offer a great range of swimming sessions for all, and not forgetting swim school for children and adults.

TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com

Polish Ambassador visits Bedford

Photograph shows Polish Consular General Mateusz Stasiek, Poland’s Ambassador to the UK Mr Arkady Rzegocki, Bedford Borough Mayor Dave Hodgson and Malgorzata Brady of the Polish British Integration Centre.

PoLAND’s Ambassador to the UK Mr Arkady Rzegocki and Polish Consular General Mateusz stasiek were in Bedford on Wednesday, october 30, to meet with the Polish British Integration Centre (PBIC), visit The Higgins to see the ‘Poland in Bedford’ exhibition and meeting with history keepers as well as meeting Mayor Dave Hodgson and local Polish businesses, community groups and residents in Bedford.

Mr Rzegocki said: “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to visit Bedford and see first hand the impact Polish residents have had in Bedford, include the number of businesses that have been set up.”

Mr Rzegocki also urged Polish residents in Bedford Borough and beyond to apply for settled status should they wish to be certain of their right to

remain in the UK during this uncertain time. Mr Rzegocki said “The Polish British Integration Centre can help any residents interested in applying for settled status and have regular drop-in surgeries, you can contact them on 07802 579808 or by visiting their website at www.pbic.org.uk.”

Mayor Dave Hodgson expressed his thanks to Mr Rzegocki for visiting Bedford and also thanked the Polish British Integration Centre for all the work they do in the Borough. Mayor Dave said: “The Polish community play a huge part in the life of Bedford and have done for many years.

“This is demonstrated at the ‘Poland in Bedford’ exhibition which runs at The Higgins until January 2021.”

Bedford town centre boost as another parking charge freeze PARKING charges are set to be frozen once again for 2020, in a boost for Bedford Town Centre.

At its meeting last month, Mayor Dave Hodgson’s Cabinet is also set to confirm the retention of the full array of free parking deals across Council car parks. This includes the flagship two free hours on saturdays in Bedford town centre.

With recent figures confirming that UK high streets are in deep crisis, the Council’s third successive annual parking

charge freeze is a major boost for Bedford’s retailers and shoppers.

Meanwhile, the retention of the wide range of free parking deals means will see businesses and visitors benefit from the availability of free parking options every day and night in Bedford town centre.

Commenting, Bedford Borough Council Executive Member for Town Centres Cllr Henry Vann said: “We are cutting the real cost of parking year in and year out for people using Bed-

ford town centre for work, leisure, and shopping. We’re supporting local shoppers and backing local businesses to keep bucking the trend in the face of the wider crisis for all town centres.’

“With another freeze and free parking options available every single day alongside numerous events, our fantastic independents, and new and exciting businesses opening there’s every reason for people to visit and enjoy Bedford town centre.”

Somewhere safe to stay in Bedford Town Centre

As PART of the strategy to tackle rough sleeping, Bedford Borough Council has extended services for people sleeping rough with the opening of an ‘Assessment & somewhere safe to stay’ Hub, in the heart of Bedford town centre.

This Hub will be open 24 hours a day, offering emergency homelessness advice and somewhere safe for people who are sleeping rough to stay for a short time.

Professional advice will be on offer

from a variety of support services to help people find the best way back into a settled home.

Bedford has seen a reduction in the number of people sleeping rough on our streets, with the most recent Annual Rough sleeper Estimate showing a third fewer people sleeping rough from 76 in November 2017 to 51 in November 2018. Recent figures report a further reduction with 37 people known to be sleeping on the street.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

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Harpur Trust Employee Satisfaction survey raises £650 for Tibbs Dementia Foundation

sTAFF from The Harpur Trust and its four schools raised £650 for local charity Tibbs Dementia Foundation, after the Trust pledged to donate £1 to a local charity for every employee satisfaction survey returned. sarah Russell, Chief Executive of Tibbs, went to Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory school on Wednesday, November 20, to receive the cheque.

The Trust runs Pilgrims PrePreparatory school, Bedford school, Bedford Girls’ school and Bedford Modern school, and conducts employee surveys as a way of measuring employee engagement and identifying the organisations strengths as well as areas to improve. staff chose Tibbs Dementia Foundation as the charity they wished to cham-

pion from a short list of local causes.

HR Director sam Lock explains “We already support many local charities through our grantmaking and this seemed an ideal opportunity for our employees to boost support for a local cause whilst providing the Trust with very valuable feedback”.

David Carr, an IT Curriculum specialist at Pilgrims Prepreparatory school, presented the cheque to sarah, who said “We are absolutely delighted that The Harpur Trust employees chose our charity to benefit from their fundraising. £650 goes a long way in supporting local people living with dementia, and we are planning to put the money to good use”.

Making a ‘real change’ for rough sleepers

PosTERs have be going up across the borough to raise awareness with the public about services and support for rough sleepers. Alongside this, the Bedford Homeless Partnership has established an alternative giving fund, which will be known as ‘Real Change’.

The Real Change Fund will pay for projects and items rough sleepers need to build lives away from the streets. Examples would be a copy of a birth certificate, to help claim benefits; clothes for a job interview, or a deposit for a flat.

By donating to the Real Change Fund, your money will make a real change to the lives of rough sleepers. sam Price, Homeless InterAgency officer for Bedford, explains the idea behind the campaign: “Members of the public want to help tackle homelessness, but often don’t know how. The posters will signpost people to the Bedford Homeless website, which lists all the support available in our town, and also enables them to donate via JustGiving.

This way they know their donations will be going towards really helping people to get off the streets.”

The campaign is backed by the main homelessness services in the Borough, as well as Bedfordshire Police, Bedford BID and Bedford Borough Council.

Inspector Russell Goldsmith from Bedfordshire Police said: “We are delighted to be supporting such a worthy project, as

homelessness is a real issue in Bedford town centre and its surrounding areas, and it’s great that an initiative is being launched that will help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“Unfortunately anti-social behavior, such as aggressive begging, is a still a concern in the town centre and we will continue to work with our partners to address these issues and work out the solutions together.”

Mayor Dave Hodgson said:“I welcome the work the Bedford Homeless Partnership are doing and this is another great initiative along with many that partner organisations run to support some of the most vulnerable people in our borough.”

The campaign was launched just ahead of Homelessness Awareness Week, which runs from the 1st to the 8th December.

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DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

10 Fire Risk Assessment mistakes – “you could be making them right now” 5

Never before has fire safety been so highly scrutinized since The Fire Safety Order 2005 was introduced and of course, the tragic events of The Grenfell Fire last year.

Lessons will and must be learnt and implemented to ensure that in modern day Britain this sort of thing never happens again. The Hackitt report is now in progress to make the necessary changes.

Experiences of over 20 years up visiting all types of premises is that the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are miles apart to say the least!

In some instances, business owners, responsible person/s for the work place or those appointed in charge of fire safety often ‘care’ but are ‘unaware’ of what’s involved to make them compliant.

GUIDANCE: Often overlooked is working to the right legislation, supporting documents and British Standards.

Tell your employees and 6 SHARE: pass on significant findings of the assessment.

IT CURRENT: Is your report 7 KEEP current; a true reflection of the premises?

AND 8 PROCEDURES ARRANGEMENTS: It is essential that all occupants know what to do in the event of a fire and deploy the evacuation strategy effectively.

Have you acted on the 9 IGNORE: findings or just filed the report away until next time?

There is no physical 1 DESKTOP: inspection of the building.

YES/ NO: In most instances 2 answering like this will not be deemed suitable and sufficient.

The person 10 COMPETENCE: completing the assessment can be prosecuted.

PLAN: Must conclude in an 3 ACTION action plan with ranking and suitable timescales.

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A taste of luxury

sTuDEnT from Castle newham school enjoyed a five-star experience when they visited luton hoo hotel, Golf and spa recently as part of their GCsE hospitality and catering course.

The 29 year 11 students were hosted by the hotel for the day and had a firsthand experience of the running of a high-quality hotel.

They were able to see the different roles in action including housekeeping, catering and customer liaison. They also had a full tour of the hotel and the state suites and took part in different activities with the staff.

They were then given an excellent lunch in the historic Romanov suite followed by a Q & A session so that they could find out more about a career in the industry.

This was a brilliant opportunity for the students to see the reality of the industry and they had a fantastic time, said Abi Coulter, head of Food Technology. it will be of great value when they come to sit their GCsE exam.

One of the visiting students said: “We had an amazing time at luton hoo.

We were given a tour of the lavish hotel and were even shown the room where Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary stayed.

We were shown the rooms where Winston Churchill has his meetings and i loved styling the serviettes into roses. i had an amazing day and it would be my dream to work there in the future.”

Training Manager at luton hoo, Marion Amort, commented after the visit: “it was a pleasure to host the students from Castle newham school, they were really enthusiastic and engaged throughout their time here. We hope to have given them an insight into hospitality and we look forward to welcoming them back in the future.”

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Achieving environmental sustainability through a greener, cleaner economy S EM L E P A GM

W

ITH the ever-increasing demand for energy to fuel business and housing growth, the hunt is on to find the solutions that pursues a strong economic future in a way that not only values and protects our local natural environment but actively enhances it. on Wednesday 13 November sEMLEP, the Local Enterprise Partnership for the south East Midlands, brought around 100 of the region’s leading industry figures, local authorities and nature and environment organisations together to talk about the area’s response to this challenge. speaking after the event Peter Horrocks, sEMLEP’s Chair said, “it was clear from questions asked just how strong the public focus is on environmental sustainability. our speakers all provided powerful ideas for how this area can improve nature and build economic success through a green economy.”

Guest speaker Helen Wylde, Chief Engagement officer at the Connected Places Catapult talked about their role in helping to join up and integrate the different clean, mobility and digital innovations so that they all work, and all work together. In this area the Catapult has three key focuses: decarbonisation, air quality improvement and systems operation.

Providing some stark statistics, Helen said, “there are 23,000 deaths each year in the UK attributed to air pollution, with the economic impact of this at around 7% of the UK’s GDP. There is around $560bn forecast opportunity for the Electric Vehicle market. so in the UK, we can go green and create jobs at the same time.

“Why would we not want to put these things together to make a change? Helen posed.

“We need to think about our infrastructure as a whole system. We can improve on what we have today in order to have a green, mobility solution and better places to live tomorrow. The oxford to Cambridge Arc is such an important programme as it could be a global exemplar for how this can be done well,” said Helen.

In an address from, Michael Copelston, Head of Land at RsPB, he challenged the leadership across the oxford to Cambridge Arc to double the size of area currently set aside for nature.

“I am really encouraged that natural capital and place making already feature strongly in the economic growth plans for this area. When we look at back at this in 20 or 30 years’ time, we want to be able to say that the natural environment is measurably better off as a consequence of economic growth, not despite it.”

Michael stated that of the 1 million hectares that make up the Arc, over 75% is used for intensive agriculture land. 10% has some form of development already. Less than 2% consists of important places for nature. “I think we can do better than that. This gives us an opportunity to enhance, embrace and do more for nature.

“There are already some great examples on your door-step where innovation, industry and the conservation sector come together. We need to scale this up.

“Placing nature at the heart of the developments in the oxford to Cambridge Arc is critical for a variety of reasons and there are significant considerations for the climate and biodiversity crisis we face.” he added.

Following the publication of the south East Midlands’ Local Industrial strategy this summer, attention is placed on promoting and sharing best practice of

Deputy Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, Richard Wenham, Hilary Chipping Chief Executive of SEMLEP and Judith Barker, Director at SEMLEP.

clean growth and mobility technologies and innovative design principles to enhance our area and create quality places for people and nature. “sEMLEP is working with local councils and organisations to convene a range of partners to best facilitate this,” said Hilary Chipping, sEMLEP’s Chief Executive.

Exemplar developments include Kingsbrook in Aylesbury Vale, Tresham Garden Village or the developments at Chelveston Renewable Energy Park in East Northamptonshire. This 750-acre scheme currently generates a combined output around 80MW of renewable energy, including wind and solar, following an £80m investment by the owners. The next phase of the development has commenced with the construction of on-site battery storage, with further investment planned.

The energy park currently generates enough power to supply in excess of 10,000 homes.

Guest speaker sam Goodall, International Projects Manager at Cambridge CleanTech talked about opportunities they are pursuing to create a clean-tech supercluster by joining up businesses in the field better to support business scale-up and develop access to markets. starting with a quote from French poet, Victor Hugo, “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come” sam said, “there’s a real shift in the mood in terms of opportunities and sustainable investment in clean, green growth.

“Capital investors are looking at the whole sector in a completely different way than they did 15 years’ ago.

“As a network in this space, we’re seeing an explosion in interest. The green growth agenda for the oxford to Cambridge Arc area isn’t just a bolt on, it’s front and centre to the growth opportunity for the region.”

Located at the centre of the oxford to Cambridge Arc, the south East Midlands is a part of a growth area that has the potential to add billions to the UK economy and do so in a sustainable, design-led way.

“It’s the accumulation and connectivity of the green energy and transport innovation assets and businesses that make the south East Midlands at the forefront of enabling smarter, greener living. By prioritising investment into these areas, we’ll pursue sustainable growth in way that enhances our natural environment, for the benefit of the whole area,” added Hilary Chipping.

“We have the long-term plan to support the longterm prosperity for the area. We need to secure the longterm investment in the enabling infrastructure that meets our area’s clean growth objectives. This is the case we continue to make to government, investors and business, and is central to the commitments we’re making to local communities,” concluded sEMLEP’s Chair.

The event was part of sEMLEP’s Annual General Meeting. During the official business, Peter Horrocks provided an overview of the activities and work of the partnership over the last 12 months. To view the presentation, visit sEMLEP’s website. A highlights video of the event will be available and published on sEMLEP’s website, as will the answers given to questions taken on the day.

The meeting approved the year’s financial accounts and accepted Board resignations, appointments and renewals.

Michael Copelston, Head of Land at RSPB.

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

— 17

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Town inspired by saga of Golden Hare

DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

T

by Neil Roy

t

HE curtain came down on Ampthill’s year of celebration to mark the 40th anniversary of the book that put the town on the map.

Devotees of the Kit Williams classic ‘Masquerade’ gathered in the Parkside Hall on the last Friday in october to watch the BBC film about the artist and storyteller.

Kit Williams let loose what became an obsession for thousands when he buried an amulet of a golden hare in 1979 and then provided clues as to where it was in a book which sold more than a million copies world wide.

It was in fact buried in Ampthill Great Park. The precise spot was where the shadow of Catherine’s Cross extended to at mid day on the spring/autumn equinox.

People were fascinated by the story of the hare, the 15 paintings in the book and the treasure hunt in which the first to solve the riddle would keep the hare. Readers were told that it was somewhere in Great Britain.

Kit lived in steppingley; so he knew the area. His then wife was a teacher at a local school and the main breadwinner.

The story of how the hare was ‘found’ in1982 by someone who hadn’t solved the riddle and what happened to it thereafter is a mystery saga on its own. The 2009 BBC film ‘The man behind the Masquerade’ touched on it but concentrated on, mainly, what Kit Williams did next.

He produced hundreds of fantastic paintings living as a semi recluse with a new wife in Gloucestershire while the girlfriend who denied revealing the secret lived for a while in Clapham just north of Bedford.

Ampthill, meanwhile, was suddenly thrust onto the map of the world and its community embraced the hare so much so that there are reminders of it everywhere from the park to the library, the museum and the brewery. stephen Hartley, a driving force of the Masquerade 40 committee spoke about the impact on the town. He was presented with an Ampthill wood carving by the Mayor Cllr Ian Titman for his efforts.

Mark Jeoffroy recalled how he was inspired to write music, songs and poetry. sculptor Jim Francis and artist Karen Mangold were among those who displayed golden hare inspired work in the hall.

Committee chairman Kelvin Horton told how as a treasure hunter he had followed the trail to scotland on behalf of his young daughter only to be dumbfounded when the hare was revealed to be buried almost under his nose in his home town.

It was a fitting finale to months of celebration. But is it the end for this year? Cllr Roy Tebbutt left the audience wondering. ‘surely we’ll do something else’ he said.

The hare just won’t let go of the spirit of Ampthill . And nobody wants it to.

Stephen Hartley.

Kelvin Horton

Jim Francis.

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Top awards for Flitwick Scouts

CHILDREN from Flitwick scout Group were recipients of awards from scout Adventurer Mark Wood. The children received a certificate in recognition of achieving the top award for their section.

To achieve the Bronze Award the Beaver scouts (boys and girls aged 6 to 8) have to complete their My World, My skills, My outdoors, My Adventure, Teamwork and Personal Challenge Awards and also achieve four activity badges which can range from IT to Music and swimming to the number of nights they spend camping.

Charlie Reid said: “I’ve just moved up to Cubs from Beavers and I’m hoping to get my silver award. I like being in Cubs as we do something different every week, and I meet up with my friends. I liked making the fruit kebabs, going camping and problem solving.”

The Beavers have been learning about Diwali and made night lights. They have also been working towards their Experiment Badge. They made a Poppy Montage as part of their learning about Remembrance Day. They are also going trampolining in early December.

To achieve the silver Chief scout Award the Cub scouts (boys and girls aged 8 to 10 ½) have to complete their our World, our skills, our outdoors, our Adventure, Teamwork, Team Leader and Personal Challenge Award. They also have to gain six activity badges which can range from cooking to local knowledge, DIY to sports enthusiast. over the last few weeks they have learnt fire safety, road safety, worked

towards their Astronomer badge and had an evening hike.

The scouts (boys and girls aged 10 ½ to 14) have designed, made and launched water rockets.

They have also been doing activities towards their Cooking and Navigator badges. A first for the two Troops was taking part in an event called ‘Green Beret’ organised by Hertfordshire scouts. The event lasted two days where the children experienced camping in the rain, sun, mud and frost. They participated in obstacles courses, orienteering, team work and problem solving activities over a 36 hour period. Just after falling in the mud, Archie Gillett said, “This is what happens when you have a bit too much fun.”

Adult volunteer, Jane Lee said: “I enjoy seeing the children make progress whilst they are in the Cub section. Their confidence grows and they develop lots of skills including, resilience and working together and they are very active! It’s very rewarding to be able to help children grow and to use my skills and experience to help them.” over 150 members of the Group attended the Town Remembrance Day event.

Heather Crellin-Lane said: “We were so proud that Reuben was chosen to carry and lay the wreath on behalf of the Beavers.”

For further information about Flitwick scout Group, please visit www.flitwickscoutgroup.org.uk

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

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20 —

DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Care home rated outstanding

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DANECRoFT, which is run by st Andrews Care Homes, has been rated outstanding in four out of the five key areas by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following its unannounced inspection in september.

It is rated ‘outstanding’ in the four key categories of; caring, effective, responsive and well-led, and rated ‘good’ for safety.

The home provides ‘personcentred’ residential care for up to 33 elderly people, including those living with dementia, in a converted 1930s bungalow in the Wixams area of Bedford.

The CQC report said: “People and relatives’ feedback was extremely positive and complimentary about the care people received. Everyone said the staff were very caring and passionate about creating a homely, inclusive and happy atmosphere for people living at the service. “staff told us there was a ‘family atmosphere’ which promoted mutual compassion and care.”

It went on to say: “The provider had introduced many innovative ways to ensure people received the best possible care outcomes. People’s safety, wellbeing and happiness were at the

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top of the provider’s priorities.”

Inspectors found that residents were all treated as individuals, and received their own personalised care plan that promoted their wellbeing. Residents and relatives alike felt they were valued, and their opinions mattered.

The CQC noted that the provider used suggestions, concerns and complaints as a means to make continual improvements to the quality of care provided.

It was also found that the provider’s values shone through every aspect of care given by the

staff, who are both supported and encouraged to use ‘creative and individualised methods to support people achieve their personal goals’. salina Ballard, Danecroft’s Registered Manager, said: “ I am absolutely delighted with our outstanding rating.

“I feel proud of our achievement, and that it has been acknowledged that our approach as a team comes naturally, and the passion for what we do really makes a difference to those living and working at Danecroft.”

Getting them young Stuart Dickerson and his wife Candia Crosfield, took their two-year-old God son, Theo Rutherford and his friend, Rafe White to watch their first football match! Kempston Rovers versus Bedford Town. The game finished 1-2 in an exciting encounter but there was a controversial penalty after a goal line scramble which gave Bedford Town the win. It went to a very junior VAR panel who decided there was nothing clear and obvious enough to overrule the decision! Better luck next time Walnut Boys!

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

View from the Rt Revd

Richard Atkinson The Bishop of Bedford

RESISTING THE TEMPTATION TO BE GOD

For several years the Archbishop of Canterbury has invited all the southern Province Bishops (roughly Dioceses south of Nottinghamshire) to a twenty-four hour retreat in Canterbury as part of our preparations for Advent and Christmas. This year was no exception. once again we gathered in the historic crypt, soaked up the holiness of our mother church, and joined its daily round of worship. A highlight this year was a night-time candle-lit walk around the Cathedral reflecting on the life of st Thomas Becket and his martyrdom.

The retreat leader in her opening reflection drew our attention to the story in Genesis 11 which describes the building of the tower of Babel. You may remember the details. The people of the world decide to build a tower that will reach to the heavens and which ‘will make a name’ for themselves. God seeing this attempt to become god-like thwarts their plans by making them speak different languages and scatters them across the face of the earth.

Traditionally this is seen as an early explanation of the fact that the world includes different languages, and a challenge to that pride that usurps the place of God. More recently the former Chief Rabbi Jonathan sacks in his book The Dignity of Difference used the Tower of Babel as the basis of a celebration of difference. Far from being a cause of division, our differences should be valued. our retreat leader in Canterbury however introduced a new perspective that I hadn’t noticed before. The Bible is like that – new insights which one hasn’t spotted before! In this case it is verse 5 that says that God ‘came down’ to look at their building works.

What struck me anew was that the Hebrew words used speak of God coming down a huge distance. However impressive the tower, it was still minute in the sight of God. Even the grandest of human endeavours need to be seen as the modest endeavours that they are.

As we come to the General Election this image from Genesis, I suggest, puts all our human aspirations and achievements into proper perspective. It prevents a claiming of too much and encourages that proper humility that celebrates difference and enables cooperative society. Let those who seek office strive for the best, but also be honest about what is possible, accountable for what they achieve, and resistant to that temptation to believe they are god.

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I am pleased to report that local NHs bosses have finally committed to keeping key services at Bedford Hospital in a huge win for local residents and supporters of the campaign to save Bedford Hospital.

NHs bosses recently told a meeting of local NHs and Local Authority leaders that Bedford would retain its maternity services, accident and emergency and 24-hour children’s wards. original plans would have represented a massive downgrade of Bedford Hospital.

I, along with many others, have been campaigning to save services at Bedford Hospital since before being first elected in 2009.

This is great news. I would like to thank everyone who has signed petitions and supported campaigns over the last decade.

We now need to make sure this promise is delivered on!

However, my colleagues on the Council have discovered none of the recently announced £99million for the Bedford/Luton & Dunstable Hospitals merger is to be spent of Bedford Hospital.

There have been too many broken promises over the years!

This cannot be another broken promise; we are demanding that Bedford Hospital gets the investment it deserves.

We must also keep campaigning for our other health services.

The current service at Putnoe Walk-in centre is only agreed until summer/autumn 2020 and there is currently talk of only a short extension to the service. I am calling on the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to ensure the future of this valuable service in good time - not to leave it to the last minute and surround it with uncertainty again.

I have set up a new petition calling on the CCG to guarantee the future of Putnoe Walk-in centre.

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DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

gardening December garden flowers upright deciduous shrub with butter yellow amazingly fragrant flowers on bear stems from December to February. Lonicera Purpusii Winter Gem flowers at the same time on bare stems but has creamy white flowers of intense fragrance. Cut a few sprigs of either of these plants and the house smells gorgeous for days. sarcoccoca Winter Gem The Christmas Box simply must be found a place in any garden. It is a small shiny leaf evergreen that starts producing small pure white highly perfumed flowers from November through the

by Maureen Catlin Milton Ernest Garden Centre T’s the first month of the winter quarter and Christmas is looming. The days are short often cold, damp and dull so a few spots of colour will lighten our hearts at this depressing time in the gardening year. But is anything apart from winter pansies actually in flower? YEs LoTs.

I

Autumn flowering Camellias like Yuletide with brilliant red fragrant single flowers and golden yellow centres and Camellia Fuji-nomine with large double scented pure white blooms are flowering in December and January. They are good to grow in tubs in ericaceous soil on a sheltered patio that gets lots of sun. Daphne Bholua Darjeeling is another divinely fragrant plant that requires lime free soil. It produces small pinky white flowers from November throughout the winter months. Another lime soil hater is Witch Hazel Hamamelis Mollis with unusual spidery flowers along the bare branches. The flowers are scented so position near the door to enjoy the perfume when you go and come. The best yellow variety is Hamamelis Pallida, H. Jelena is coppery orange and H. Diane is red.

Iris Unguicularis the Algerian Iris is happy growing in lean and mean dry soils often at the base of a wall in a sunny place. The lavender blue delicately marked flowers are sweetly scented and start opening around Christmas time until late March. Cut some stems when in bud and bring them indoors to delicately perfume any room.

There are a couple of wall plants that are also in flower in early winter. Jasmine Nudiflorum is easy to grow either trained on wires or trellis on a wall or allowed to scramble down a bank. It is deciduous so loses its leaves in autumn exposing the green stems which then start to bear bright yellow star shaped flowers from December through to March. It grows well in sun or shade in well drained soil

but will flower earlier if the wall is sheltered.

Prune immediately after flowering has stopped in March by cutting the branches back to a strong bud or young lower branch. In older plants cut a quarter of the growth back to ground level each year to maintain prolific flowering. Clematis Cirrhosa Freckles is a delightful evergreen species clematis flowering from November through the winter months. It is easy to grow and does not suffer clematis wilt like the many hybrid varieties.

The creamy nodding bell shaped flowers are beautifully speckled maroon red inside the cup. It thrives in rich humus soil so incorporate lots of compost when planting and shade the roots by planting a brightly coloured low growing evergreen shrub at the base like Euonymus. Another good variety is Clematis Cirrhosa Jingle Bells with creamy yellow nodding flowers which have a slight citrus scent.

Both varieties produce attractive fluffy seed heads that you can use in Christmas flower arranging.

A useful winter flowering tree is Prunus subhirtella Autumnalis. It has pale pink flowers scattered along its bare branches from November to March. Under plant with winter flowering heathers like Erica Carnea springwood White or springwood Pink and with snowdrops and early dwarf daffodils to enhance the effect in early spring.

There are two Viburnums also flowering in December the evergreen Viburnum Tinus and deciduous Viburnum Bodnantense. Viburnum Tinus Gwenllian has clusters of fragrant starry pinkish white flowers followed by blue black berries while Viburnum Bodnantense Dawn has pink highly perfumed flowers on bare stems from December to April.

Mahonia is another evergreen shrub with bright yellow flowers borne at the tip of each branch. The variety Winter sun is just that really brightening any overcast winter days with cheerful clusters of Lily of the Valley scented flowers from November to March.

Chimonanthus Praecox Lutaea is an

entire winter months. Grow in a tub and put next to the front door and then move away during the summer. It grows well in JI soil with extra compost.

Last but by no means least are Helleborus Niger the Christmas Rose. They like to be grown in partial shade in rich moisture retaining soil so dig in lots of compost when planting. Mulch and remove faded foliage as the flowers begin to appear to deter slugs or put down grit or pellets. Hellebores can be brought to flower earlier by putting a cloche over the plants in November.

We must not ignore the Winter Pansies with their individual marked little faces that are a joy to paint. The Winter Violas are even more colourful with many smaller flowers that seem less damaged by severe weather.

The little cyclamen that are in the garden centres in autumn will also give lots of colour to tubs until the really cold weather after Christmas. so there we are as I said – YEs LoTs!

A

The Lawn Doctor Annual Gardening Quiz – Win an hours 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? simply, 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 three members of the family?

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

7. 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?

8. One of this country’s most famous gardeners is known by the nickname ‘Capability Brown’, why?

9. What was Capability Brown’s real first name?

10.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.

Traditional Christmas Lunch £18.95 Soup or Garlic Mushrooms or Homemade Mackerel Pâté

Succulent Roast Turkey with traditonal stuffing, Carrots, Pigs in Blankets, Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes, Parsnips, Brussel Sprouts, Gravy and Cranbery Sauce Christmas Pudding with brandy sauce or

2 TUBS OF Profiteroles and Chocolate Sauce 50 ONLY Tea or Filter Coffee

www.miltonernestgardencentre.co.uk

Tel: 01234 823033

PER PERSON We recommend booking to avoid disappointment Please tell us of any food allergies you may have

MILTON ERNEST GARDEN CENT RE Radwell Road (just off the A6) Milton Ernest MK44 1SH

To advertise to over 58,000 homes in Bedfordshire just call 07894 935952

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

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out & about comedy Three p Castle Comedy Christmas specials Castle Comedy Bedford are holding three Christmas Comedy specials on Thursday 12, Friday 13 and Thursday 19 of December at The Gordon Arms Ent shed, Bedford. With four fabulous comedians, mince pies, cake, party poppers and crackers, the shows will be the ultimate Christmas comedy night out!

The show on the 12th is in association with sMART and Bedford Park Rotary Club. The aim is to raise money to support the sMART Prebend Centre in Bedford. The centre is open 365 days a year and provides vital facilities for the homeless and rough sleepers including food, showers, clothes and access to medical services. They are aiming to raise £60K for their annual CRIB appeal and so the Christmas Comedy specials will be a great way to support this.

There will be a raffle and a grand auction prize of a pair of VIP passes to every Castle Com-

stars! He has appeared on Comedy Central at The Comedy store and went viral with his Brexit comedy routine that was watched by over a million people.

“Rough Diamond Charm” Chortle

edy show in 2020!

Headlining the 12th and 13th shows is Jarlath Regan. He is a hugely talented comedian who has numerous TV credits, awards and a hit podcast on his hands.

His podcast ‘An Irishman Abroad’ has a legion of loyal fans, millions of downloads and The Daily Telegraph went as far as to forecast that it “could turn out to be one of the biggest podcasts since Ricky Gervais picked up a microphone.”

He has appeared on Tonight at the Palladium (ITV), stand up Central (Comedy Central) and Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC3).

Headlining the show on the 19th is Alistair Williams. He is an award winning act who is a regular at the biggest comedy clubs in the UK. smart, passionate, impressively quick witted and bursting with infectious confidence, this is stand up that grabs your attention and is quickly solidifying his place as one of stand up’s most exciting rising

music a

Drifters bring major UK Tour to Corn Exchange Appearing an all the shows are stefano Paulini (above) and President Obonjo. stefano mixes stand-up comedy, characters, impressions and beatboxing making him a huge hit at shows.

He has provided voices for Radio 4’s Dead Ringers. President obonjo is a Bedford favourite and larger than life comedy dictator.

Paul Revill hosts the shows!

Doors open at 7.30pm and the shows start at 8.15pm.

Tickets for the shows are £14 or you can have a pre-show Christmas meal, glass of wine and comedy ticket for £25.

Group bookings available.

Call the ticket hotline on 07736 060541 or visit www.castlecomedy.co.uk

The Drifters are back on tour in the UK with a brand-new show performing all their classic hits from the last six decades. Following their phenomenally successful recent tour, which included dates at London’s Royal Albert Hall and Arenas around the UK, they’ve added further live shows for 2019 including one night only at Bedford Corn Exchange on Wednesday, December 4.

The legendary group have previously been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, listed among the greatest artists of all time by Rolling stone magazine and have produced an incredible list of hits - including; saturday Night at the Movies, Come on over to My Place, stand By Me, Under the Boardwalk and many, many more!

Following their 65th Anniversary year, The Drifters are back on the road with a line up handpicked by Tina Treadwell herself

– President of the Treadwell Entertainment Group and owner of The Drifters name.

Tina’s father started the group with Clyde McPhatter and brought in several greats thereafter such as Johnny Moore and Ben E King. Her mother Faye was later responsible for bringing the group to the UK and overseeing hits such as More than a number and Kissin’ in the back row.

After the passing of her par-

ents, it was down to Tina to continue the legacy of The Drifters name. Now, following the group’s 65th anniversary year in which Tina announced a brandnew show with over 60 UK tour dates, the band are continuing to add further 2019 UK tour dates due to phenomenal demand, along with further international tours and other projects, soon to be announced.

Tina, who previously worked for Disney as an executive producer and casting director, believes this current line-up is one of the best to date and looks forward to the upcoming concert tour. “I am very excited that following our 65th anniversary year we have a new show for the fans.”

Tickets are available via www.thedrifters.co.uk or at bedfordcornexchange.co.uk or call the venue box office on 01234 718044.

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DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

LADIES WE NEED YOU — at the Probus Club of Bedford

We thought that many readers may not have heard of Probus and if they are looking for a local social outlet to meet other like-minded people, both parties could benefit.

What is Probus-It is an abbreviation for “Professional” and “Business”; membership comes from all walks of life.

We are specifically looking to include ladies as many Probus Clubs are still men focused. of course new male members are also very welcome! We meet monthly in Bedford on the first Monday of the month for a social meal followed by club business and a speaker. This usually covers the period 12.00 to 15.00hrs. interested persons should contact Peter Davies 01767 3178863 or Email: peter@24foxglove.co.uk.

TEL: 07894 935952 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

clubbing

Keeping you up-to-date on the local ‘scene’

by Tony Hendrix Following a 15 year reign in Luton as a resident DJ at Charlie Brown’s, The Coliseum, The Ritzy and an entertainment columnist with the Luton News, Luton @ Large and Herald and post I am extremely excited to be given the opportunity to cover monthly events happening in Bedford within the local Pubs, Clubs and Bars. I also have a small portfolio of bars that I have owned over the years so I have an appreciation for the challenges that many of these venues are up against.

Enough about me, I’d like to firstly focus on a relatively new venue in the High street called Astons. Formerly the site of Hi -

Fi nightclub which closed down back in 2017, this is a split level venue with a garden terrace for smokers. The venue is privately owned by The Garopia Group who also own Vogue, The slug & Lettuce and The Empire Nightclub. The Club is currently open on saturday nights for the over 30s with a membership facility available. I thought I’d have a look for myself, I got onto the guest list by visiting the clubs Facebook page where they allow a free guest list before 11pm. on arrival the door staff were very receptive, I was met by area manager Dave Berguin himself a Bedford legend having DJ residencies in Bedford, Ibiza and Dubai.

The ground floor was very busy I would estimate the average age being 40ish, the music menu revolved mainly around club anthems from the 80s and 90s whilst the top floor had some awesome live entertainment. on the whole a very impressive venue with no expense spared, sharp uniformed bar staff great DJs and an amazing atmosphere, drinks are reasonably priced, dress is smart casual, membership will cost you £100 for the year allowing you and a guest free entry on Friday and sat-

Sonique

urday nights, if you don’t fancy membership pay £5 before 11pm, last entry is at 2am and the venue closes at 3am.

The ultimate Christmas office Party night is coming to The Bedford Corn Exchange on Friday 6th December. Back to the 90,s is destined to be the best Christmas office party to hit Bedford.

This club style night features live performances from sonique, Rozalla, Urban Cookie Collective and Capella, with a DJ set from Dario G. An amazing 90s line up Tickets for this event are £20 each, or with a group saver get four ticket for the price of three, available from the Bedford Corn Exchange.

jazz Monday night jazz at The White Horse — nice! m Education, Nottingham Trent Valley University and Painsley Academy.

Monday 30th December - Allison neale, Alto saxophone American born altoist Allison Neale’s beautifully crafted lines evoke the spirit of Paul Desmond and Art Pepper with whom she has a particular affinity.

As a strong advocate of the melodic West Coast style she has performed alongside leading international artists such as Adelaide Hall and Bud shank and more recently tenorist scott Hamilton as well as featuring in both the John Dankworth ‘Generations’ Band and the “Back to Basie’ orchestra.

“Sweet as a nut”

NEW LOOK – NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED

Daley’s Bedford Road, Kempston 01234 851143

BLUE EYED SOUL BAND Live music 9pm start

Saturday December 7th

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

ALL TORQUE BAND Live music 9pm start

Saturday December 21st

DR SKA DISCO Music 9pm start Tuesday December 24th

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

CHRISTMAS EVE DISCO 8pm start

Thursday nights FREE POOL and JUKEBOX from 8pm

New Year’s Eve December 31st

THE SOUL MAN

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Saturday November 30th

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Despite December being a busy month for all, Monday Night Jazz at The White Horse will be running each week providing Bedford with the finest selection of live Jazz!

Monday 2nd December - Atila huseyin, vocals Atila is an established Jazz singer from the UK. sartorially stylish and musically classy, his interpretations of the American songbook are internationally renowned, taking influence from early Frank sinatra. “I was very impressed with his singing, he has a real feel for the lyric” sir Michael Parkinson.

Monday 9th December Gabriel latchin, Piano British pianist, composer and bandleader, Gabriel Latchin has made a name for himself as one of the UK’s finest musicians, praised by critics and world renowned musicians alike. Known for his effortlessly swinging feel, deep repertoire and compelling performances, Jazzwise recently described his playing as “impeccable... the clarity of his lines evoking something of Hank Jones or Tommy Flanagan”.

Monday 16th December - TBC Monday 23rd December Gareth Fowler, Guitar & Alex hitchcock (Tenor saxophone) Gareth graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied with Phil Robson, Jez Franks, Zolte Bende and Dave Cliff.

During his time he performed at Cheltenham Jazz Festival with Chris Potter, Norwegian Jazz Festival, south Africa with the Global Voices Project, Denmark and Germany. He taught with services for

with buffet from 8pm Tickets £15 In the function room No children.

FUNCTION ROOM FOR

HIRE SUITABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS

★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★

NEWLY REFURBISH ED Holds up to

120 FLEXIBLE SEATIN G ARRANGEMENTS ★★

NEW AIR CON SYSTEM IN FUNCTION RO OM

★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★ ★★★

NEW YEAR’S SNOOKER TABLES £3 PER HOUR DISCO www.facebook.com/daleysclub

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Music and games in the bar £5 KIDS WELCOME

Email: daleysclub@outlook.com

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Tues, Weds, Thurs 3pm–Midnight – Fri-Sat Noon-1am – Sun-Mon Noon-Midnight

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26 —

DECEMBER 2019 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

–––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– sTEADy ACOusTiC BEDFoRD FLoRAL ART soCIETY BEDFORD ART POTTON MUSIC 4 meeting on Tuesday, December 3rd at FOLK SESSION 7.30pm at the Addison Centre, SOCIETY MEMORY 7.30 last Tuesday of the month at Kempston.

Flower arrangement demonstration by Jacqui Aldous

CHRISTMAS MAGIC Visitors welcome £7 www.bedfordfloralartsociety.co.uk

–––––––––––––––––––– MUSIC FOR THE MEMORY in sAnDy Music for the Memory is a not-for-profit organisation providing musical activity sessions on a Tuesday afternoon for those with any kind of memory problem (dementia, Alzheimer’s and similar conditions) together with their carers.

Music for the Memory is a social activity, in an informal and friendly setting, and you don’t have to be able to ‘sing’, and no musical knowledge is required!

Enquiries are warmly welcomed by Kathy Mainstone on: 07740 656589

Every Wednesday afternoon from 2.30pm-4.00pm at Potton Community Centre, Brook End , Potton.

The group is facilitated by a qualified and experienced music therapist and supported by a friendly welcoming and supportive team. If you are living with memory problems, dementia or are a family carer this could be the group for you.

We always start with tea, coffee and cakes and a chance to chat and catch up with friends or speak to our dementia specialist.

When the music starts we are all encouraged to share as fully as we feel able as a valued member of the group. no musical experience required, just come along, relax and enjoy.

Please contact us for more information on 01234 210993 or email contact@tibbsdementia.co.uk or just turn up.

Potton Music 4 Memory is one of the services provided by Tibbs Dementia Foundation a local charity support people to live as fully as possible with dementia.

Friday 6th December 2019 meeting, 7.15 for 7.30 start, at Putnoe heights Church, Bedford, MK418EB We will be preparing for Christmas with different crafts and ideas for decorations, gifts and cards whilst enjoying light refreshments.

Entry is free for members, £5 for visitors.

Contact Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or www.bedsartsociety.co.uk for information.

The Burnaby Arms, stanley street, BEDFORD MK41 7Ru. All abilities Beginners very welcome.

Info from Mike 01234 308449 Facebook: Burnaby steady session see also Bedfordshire beginners melodeon playgroup

–––––––––––––––––––– BIGGLESWADE –––––––––––––––––––– WATERPOLO BEDFoRD NATIoNAL TRUsT AssoCIATIoN January 21st, 2020 2.30pm Speaker Nick Cooke

THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY

Addison Centre, Kempston MK42 8Pn Plenty of parking space Everyone welcome. No need to book.

Just come For further information please ring Betty Thomas on 01480 860 421

Every Monday 8.30pm at saxon Pool sG18 8su 12 and older, both sexes come along and join the fun

–––––––––––––––––––– SANDY TOWN BOWLING CLUB Play bowls at this friendly local club adjacent to sandy Village Hall. Excellent green. Experienced and new bowlers welcome. Coaching available.

More details: secretary: Kevin hurry 01767 692567 sandytownbowlingclub.org.uk

–––––––––––––––––––– THE SANDY www.musicforthememory.org.uk –––––––––––––––––––– UKULELE GROUP –––––––––––––––––––– Meet every Friday at the Baptist JOIN YOUR LOCAL –––––––––––––––––––– Chapel hall, Bedford Road, sandy.

BUGGYFITNESS PROBUS CLUB 7pm till 9pm.

BEESTON WALK CLASSES are for retired or semi-retired people –––––––––––––––––––– We FOR HEALTH from all walks of life and may include Thursday 1-2pm The orchard Community Centre, sG18 8sZ £2.50 per session Contact: 0300 300 4248 or active.lifestyles@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

WALKING FOOTBALL

Tuesdays 2-3pm saxon Pool & Leisure Centre, Biggleswade £2.50 per session active.lifestyles@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

–––––––––––––––––––– IVEL BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT CENTRE

HAs A LoVED oNE DIED? Perhaps we can help you at our drop-in centre at: The Community Rooms, Baptist church, 24 London Road, Biggleswade SG18 8EB Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon Telephone: Carole or Jill on 07704 734225 for more information.

• A place of friendship, compassion and understanding.

• Fully trained bereavement support volunteers are always on hand to listen while you talk through your grief.

• somewhere to meet others coping with bereavement issues.

• Come and make new friends

–––––––––––––––––––– SANDY CONSERVATIVE BOWLING CLUB our well-established and friendly club with one of the best greens in the county is situated behind the Conservative Club in Bedford Road.

We are always happy to welcome new members, whether experienced or new bowlers who will be offered coaching.

For further details Phone 01767 680697

BEDFoRD NATIoNAL TRUsT AssoCIATIoN.

2.30PM start Tuesday 19th november Addison Centre, Kempston, MK42 8Pn

Everyone welcome. No need to book small admission charge

speaker: Richard Galley on

BEDFORD HIGHL ANDERS

Richard has been researching the story of the Highland Division’s friendly ‘invasion’ of Bedford during the first nine months of WW1.

For further information contact Betty Thomas on 01480 860 421

–––––––––––––––––––– BEDFoRD TREFoIL GUILD

GUIDING FOR ADULTS

We offers members (women and men 18+) personal and social opportunities, both daytime and evenings, whilst supporting Guiding and scouting.

For more details contact secretary kategroves67@gmail.com or 01234 301575

–––––––––––––––––––– ST ANDREWS BOWLING CLUB At Biggleswade Conservative club

over one hundred years of friendly bowls on our own green

Experienced, or new bowlers who will be offered coaching ,will be most welcome to come and join us.

For information call 01767 221243

business or professional people. (Male & Female).

We usually meet on the 1st Monday of each month at the Addison Centre, Kempston, Bedford over the lunchtime period.

Enjoy a meal in great company followed by a talk on a range of interesting topics.

Why not come & give us a try!!

Contact: Andrew on 01234 838407

–––––––––––––––––––– BIDDENHAM GARDENERs AssoCIATIoN Tuesday 17th December 2019 at 7.30 Biddenham village hall

CHRISTMAS PARTY Visitors very welcome Admission £5 per meeting – includes Raffle & Refreshments ––––––––– Tuesday 21st January 2020 Biddenham Village Hall

MY GARDEN

by the Members Visitors very welcome Admission £5 per meeting – includes Raffle & Refreshments

–––––––––––––––––––– TABLE TOP SALES Elstow Playing Fields Association hill Wilstead Road, Elstow MK42 9yD sunday December 1, 2019; February 2, 2020 and March 1, 2020 8am-12noon sellers £8 a pitch (need to be pre-booked due to limited space) Buyers 50p and Children FREE entry Refreshments available, indoor toilets, Children’s playground, Free parking Contact Michelle: 07963 019358 Money raised goes to upkeep of the Hall, Field and Children’s play area Outside Car Boot Sales start April 5, 8am-12noon

–––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– BIGGLESWADE –––––––––––––––––––– JUNIOR SANDY BIGGLESWADE BADMINTON CLUB ASTRONOMICAL WALK 4 HEALTH stratton upper school SOCIETY Founded in 2014 by residents of sandy and surrounding areas, we are a group of keen astronomers of all abilities.

We meet on the first Thursday of every month at Mamas Coffee shop (High street, sandy) and have regular viewing sessions on the grounds of sandye Place Academy.

You don’t need to own a telescope to join in. Club members are always willing to share their equipment and expertise, and if you become a member our club telescopes are available for hire for a small fee.

Wrap up warm and we’ll see you there!

–––––––––––––––––––– MAYFLOWER 50+ SOCIAL CLUB We meet 2-4 pm on Wednesdays at the Labour Hall, Crab Lane, and 2-4pm Fridays at st Andrews Church - both have disabled access. We also run a lighthearted bingo 2-4pm at the Labour Hall on the 2nd & 4th Monday of the month.

We play games, cards etc. or just socialise.

We have occasional speakers and outings.

Entrance £1.50 (plus £1 if bingo) and door-to-door minibus transport is available at £1.50 return.

Please contact Iris on 01767 318434 or call or text Brian on mobile 07988 822678 or landline 01767 448954 BiGGlEsWADE WEEKly lunCh CluB We meet every Wednesday 12-1.45 in the Labour Hall, Crab Lane to enjoy a hot 2 course meal and good company. Food is supplied by a local school. Door to door transport is available at £1.50 and the meal costs £5. Mainly for over 50s.

For more details contact shirley Legate on 01767 448954 or 07988 822678.

saturdays – 2-4pm & 4-5.30pm New Members Welcome

More information call Janice Buckle: 01767 312053

Email: biggleswadejbc@btinternet.com

–––––––––––––––––––– CHRISTMAS FAYRE saturday 7th December

Christ the King Parish hall,

Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0sP 1pm to 3pm, Entry 50p

Refreshments, Bottle stall, tombola, raffle, crafts and more For information call 01234 965497

–––––––––––––––––––– BRIDGE CLUB

Cranfield village hall MK43 0DR sundays 6.50 for 7pm

Info email tim.sharrock1@gmail.com

REGULAR WEEKLY WALKs Walks for beginners and those looking to improve Two regular weekly walks of 40 – 90 minutes Wednesdays at 9am Walking with John and his team Dan Albone Car Park, shortmead street sG18 0BQ Thursdays at 9am Walking with Rosario and his team from stratton school, Eagle Farm Rd sG18 8JB FOR ThOsE lOOKinG TO DO A sERiOus WAlK OF 5 MilEs Plus: Tuesday Afternoon at 2pm Booking essential (This walk is not part of Walk 4 health and walkers walk at their own risk) Walking with Janette: approx. 90 mins. start points vary – phone or email Janette for details Janette sibley Tel: 07771 540117 email: janette@sibley.me.uk Mike Fayers Bedfordshire Health Walks Manager, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity Tel: 01234 832619 email: mikef@bedsrcc.org.uk The old school, Cardington MK44 3sX

We meet every Monday at 9.00 a.m. by the letter box at the junction of The Crescent and The Green. The walk is a first level gentle walk so we do about 30 – 40 minutes in the flat fields beyond Beeston Green.

I will walk as slowly as the slowest person needs. It’s a ‘just turn up’ walk.

Gillian Wilkes 07890 232685 grewilkes@gmail.com

––––––––––––––––––––

TENNIS FOR

BEGINNERS CHILDREN – ADULTS SENIORS EXPERIENCED PL AYERS jack@bremed.co.uk Jack: 01767 692242

ALL WELCOME www.biggleswadetennis.co.uk

–––––––––––––––––––– BLACK CRICKET KIDS CLUB Great for aspiring animal keepers, entomologists and herpetologists.

First Wednesday of every month in shortstown village hall, southcote, shortstown, Bedford, MK42 0Ql. Fun, educational and entertaining sessions for children aged 5 - 13 who love animals, pets and wildlife.

Children with sEND are warmly welcomed and sessions are differentiated to meet individual needs. sessions are £5 per child (siblings £3). Registration is required. www.blackcricket.co.uk/kids-club www.facebook.com/blackcricketkidsclub Email: kidsclub@blackcricket.co.uk

–––––––––––––––––––– KEMPSTON GARDENS ASSOCIATION If you are interested gardening why not come along to our meetings.

We meet the second Wednesday of most months of the year in All saints Church Hall, Cemetery Road Kempston. We have speakers and demonstrations covering every aspect of gardening For further information contact Trevor on

01234 856040 or Marian on 01234 855288

MoGGERHANGER KEEP FIT GRoUP

–––––––––––––––––––– At the village hall, Fridays 9.30-10.30.

Tina or Josh take us through a lighthearted sequence with a warm-up, exercises designed to improve muscular fitness, brain co-ordination, balance and general well-being, then a cool-down.

It’s not over-strenuous, we have fun, feel good – and pay only £5 a session. so why not come and join us?

For more information call Tony or Judith on 640124.

GET FIT KEEP FIT

–––––––––––––––––––– IRISH CEILI AND SET DANCING Wednesdays 8pm to 10 pm £2 per session – first evening free No partner required. Beginners welcome.

The Reading Room, 1, Barkers lane, Bedford.

Ring Tim 01234 317847 for more details

–––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– SANDY NIGHT OWLS POTTON LADIES’ KEMPSTON SENIOR WOMEN’S INSTITUTE CLUB CITIZENS’ CLUB meets on the first Wednesday of each Potton ladies Club meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm at Mill lane Pavilion, Mill lane Potton. sG19 2PG We have a range of speakers, a lunch club & numerous day trips.

Visitors are always welcome for £5, to include light refreshments.

DANCING, WHIsT, BINGo

Meets Wednesday 10am-12noon Friday 10am-4.00pm CENTENARY HALL, behind Kempston Town Hall, Bedford Road For further information telephone: 01234 347306

month (except August).

We are a very friendly group and guests (£4) will receive a very warm welcome and enjoy a varied programme and refreshments. Come along and join us.

For more information Email: sandynightowlswi@gmail.com or look at our website www.sandynightowlswi.com.

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––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– WHAT’S ON AT BEDFORD THE COWPER & HARRIERS HALF NEWTON MUSEUM MARATHON A GEoRGIAN CHRIsTMAs – sUMPTUoUsLY FEsTIVE DIsPLAY December 3rd til 20th from 10:30 to 4:30 pm our first 18th century Georgian Christmas display. Children can enjoy a ‘Hunt the slipper’ trail. Come into our warm and welcoming shop to find our 12th Night Cake…. the beginning of your journey through our sumptuously festive rooms. (Usual admission fee applies/ children’s trail free)

DICKENs oF A CHRIsTMAs IN oLNEY December 8, 10:30 am - 4:00 pm North end of the High street for warming mulled wine to keep the chills away!

Museum courtyard for delicious hot chocolate, tea and coffee served all day warm up those hands! 24 Days of Advent (olney) here for Carol singing in the Courtyard at 2:30pm. splat the Rat! Inside the Museum enjoy ‘A Georgian Christmas sumptuous festive display’.

(Usual admission fee applies to see inside the museum).

NIGHT-TIME GUIDED HIsToRICAL sPooKY WALK December 13th 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Adults £10.00/ Children under 16 £2 Join in the fun of Tom’s night-time guided walk. We’ll try to arrange spooky mist and dry weather too. If you have any local myths and legends, or local ghostly stories to share, do contact us.

BEDs & NoRTHANTs Ms THERAPY CENTRE

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Third saturday of every month 10am - 12.00 noon Entrance 50p Adults FREE PARKING Clothing, Bric a Brac, Books, Linen, Toys and Games Refreshments available 155 Barkers Lane, Bedford. MK41 9RX Tel: 01234 325781 www.mscentrebedsandnorthants.com

MONTHLY SALE

BEDFoRDsHIRE FAMILY HIsToRY soCIETY Friday 6th December 2019 Interested in Family History?

Then come along to our talk on

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SYLVESTER & THERESA STANNARD BEDFORD ARTISTS

sunday 1st December 2019 from Wootton upper school.

Entries can be made via Bedford Harriers website.

–––––––––––––––––––– BIGGLESWADE TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH

sunday 1st December 10.30am Mrs. B. Ballantine. Bring & share lunch will follow this service (A Christmas theme!)

6.00pm space for God (usually in Welcome area not in church) Rev. Dalwyn Attwell Thursday 5th December The monthly lunch will be held at Trinity This is a TICKET oNLY EVENT Tickets have been on sale sunday 8th December 9.30am Communion service led by Rev. Dalwyn Attwell 10.30am This will be our Gift service when gifts will be received. The service will be led by Rev. Peter Byass sunday 15th December 10.30am This service will be arranged by the stewards.

6pm Rev Dalwyn Attwell will lead the candlelight Carol service sunday 22nd December 10.30am Rev Dalwyn Attwell this service will include communion Tuesday 24th December 10.45pm coffee and Mince pies followed at 11.15pm by a midnight communion service led by Rev. Dalwyn Attwell Wednesday 25th December 10am ChRisTMAs DAy PLEASE NOTE EARLIER TIME To be led by Rev. Dalwyn Attwell sunday 29th December No service at Trinity but a joint service at 10.30am at Beeston Methodist together with sandy and Trinity led by the Mission Group 2020 January 5th 10.30am Led by Rev. Dalwyn Attwell This is the Annual Covenant service 6.00pm Rev Dalwyn Attwell will lead a service entitled ‘space for God’ (Probably in Welcome area) sunday 12th January 9.30am A communion service led by Rev. Dalwyn Attwell 10.30am The service will be led by Rev. Dalwyn Attwell sunday 19th January 10.30am The service will be led by Rev. stan short 6.00pm A Churches together evening Venue yet to be confirmed sunday 26th January 10.30am service to be led by Mr. Glynne Rowlands

By Richard Morgan 7.15 p.m. Drama hall, Mark Rutherford school, Wentworth Drive, Bedford MK41 8PX Members free, visitors £1. www.bfhs.org.uk

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AGM PRACTICAL AND BUFFET

CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT

MID BEDs. FLoWER CLUB

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TuEsDAy 17th December Flitwick village hall 7.45 pm .

BooKING EssENTIAL contact Marion Tucker tel 01234 742396

––––––––––––––––––– DO YOUR BINS GO OUT MORE THAN YOU?

ThEn lADiEs CiRClE is FOR yOu! Ladies Circle is a membership club for women aged 18 to 45 who want to make new friends, have lots of fun, do things t Whether you’re new to the Biggleswade area, or are just looking to broaden your social life. The group is a perfect way of getting more out of life.

Members include single and married women, those with children and those without, working and not working,everyone’s welcome to come along and just be themselves!

Email: biggleswadecircle@gmail.com Twitter: @BwadeCircle.

Facebook: Biggleswade Ladies Circle

KEMPsToN MUsICAL soCIETY

Kempston Musical society, together with Bedford Road Lower school Choir, will be performing a selection of Christmas carols and festive music on saturday 14th December at Kempston East Methodist Church.

The concert will start at 7.30pm. and tickets will cost £7.50 on the door, which will include refreshments.

This concert is guaranteed to get you in the mood for Christmas.

To find out more about all our forthcoming concerts or information about the choir please call 01234 781010 or email prestissimo@btinternet.com.

–––––––––––––––––––– 3T’S TODDLER GROUP We are a (non-profit making) Toddler Group who meet at Centenary hall, 104 Bedford Road, Kempston on Tuesday from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm (term time only) Contact: Debbie on 07975 –772-058 or suzanne on 01234-857467.

––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– SANDY WALKS ST ANDREWS 4 HEALTH sandy Walks 4 Health meet every BOWLING CLUB Wednesday.

These are free short walks ofabout an hour, with a trained walk leader.

No need to book; just turn up.

Walks start at 10am, meeting in sandyLibrary in the Town centre.

For more information contact: Cathy Bailey 01767 692182, or Jane Janaway 01767 691455, or Mike Fayers (Health walks manager) 01234 832619 stroke survivors & their carers join our

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Meetings are held at stonecroft, st swithins Way, sandy on the third Monday of each month 7.30pm.

Transport can be arranged. speakers, outings & entertainment througout the year.

Please contact 01767 680503 for further imformation.

IVEL STROKE CLUB

AT BIGGLEsWADE CoNsERVATIVE CLUB Over one hundred years of friendly bowls on our own green Experienced, or new bowlers who will be offered coaching, will be most welcome to come and join us.

For information please call 01767 221243

Wishing all of our readers, advertisers and staff a Happy Christmas and a Great New Year

–––––––––––––––––––– KEMPsToN HAMMERs sPoRTs AND soCIAL CLUB

CHRISTMAS BINGO

ThuRsDAy 12Th DECEMBER 7:45pm Tickets £2.00, available only in advance, from the Club Tel: 01234 853262

–––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORD RsPB lOCAl GROuP ARA club, Manton Lane Bedford MK41 7PF Thursday 19th December 7.30pm Guy Anderson, as the ‘UK’s Migrants Programme Manager’ for the RsPB, Guy is going to talk to the group this evening about the RsPB’s involvement to save the

SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPER

and update us on the continuing efforts and progress being made to save it from extinction. suitable for Experts and Novices, RsPB membership not essential.

Entrance fee, group members £1 Guest £2 annual group membership £5.

The facilities, including refreshments, are at ground level and there is secure parking. www.rspb.org.uk/groups/bedford

–––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORD lOCAl GROuP OF ThE WilDliFE TRusT Meeting 7-15 for 7.30, Wednesday 11th December Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES

an illustrated talk by John Curd Plenty of parking available, All welcome, no charge but voluntary contributions are appreciated.

Further details available under Events on www.wildlifebcn.org or 01234 266057

–––––––––––––––––––– STEWARTBY AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY

Meet, Thursdays 7.30 at stewartby united Church hall, Park Crescent.

If you are interested in performing (singing acting or dancing) or helping back stage, come along and give us a try.

All newcomers welcome! our next production is the ever popular,’ Pirates of Penzance,’19th -23rd November 2019 For tickets and further information, visit our website: www.saods.org.uk.

–––––––––––––––––––– SANDY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

sandy WI was formed in March 2017 and is still going strong.

We welcome new members from all age groups and backgrounds.

We meet on the third Tuesday of each month (except August) at 10.00am in sandy Conservative Club.

We have a full programme of speakers and activities and you are very welcome to join us. If you want to give us a try before committing to full membership you can attend as a visitor, cost £4.

Contact our President, Val Haygarth, for further information on 01767 691711 valeriehaygarth@btinternet.com..

–––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––– KEMPSTON AND WORLD SHIP SOCIETY DISTRICT MODEL BEDFORD BRANCH RAILWAY SOCIETY Kempston Constitution Club Wednesdays from 7.30pm-10.00pm at Kempston East Methodist Church New members welcome For further details contact Brian Woodcock on 07795251988 or brianwoodcock@btinternet.com

196A Bedford Road, Kempston 3rd THURsDAY in the month 16 January 2020 Branch Member Don McKeand giving a presentation on “Preserved ships”Telephone: 01234 352014

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TEL: 07894 935952 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2019

pantomime Panto in its 45th year — oh no it’s not — oh yes it is! m

Long John Silver, Steve Pritchard and the Parrot, Ray Cull.

Now in their 45th year, Pulloxhill Hill Players are proud to present their version of ‘Treasure Island’ a story of fun, laughter and skulduggery on the high seas.

There’s not just treasure to be found; sam and Luke want to find their father, Ben Gunn, whose been missing presumed lost from the not so good ship Hispaniola. Luke’s mum, Peggy, isn’t going to let her son loose to find the treasure and discover the truth about his pa. she’s going with them along with her old flame, Long John silver and a rather large parrot. But what will

yOGA

starting 6th January 2020 - £5, 1 hour class

in Bedford

MOnDAys – 2.30pm A blend of Hatha Yoga & Japanese Zen Yoga

To improve health on all levels @ Entshed, (By the Gordon Arms Pub), 118 Castle Road, BEDFORD MK40 3Qy Teacher = June Hannigan.

Drop in, Mixed Ability. Please bring a mat nO BOOKinG REQuiRED – JusT COME

For more information Text/Phone: 07551 290364 email: juandhannigan@yahoo.co.uk

To advertise to over 58,000 homes in Bedfordshire just call 07894 935952

they find and will they ever return home to tell the tale? saturday 18th January, Matinee 2:30pm Friday 24th January, Evening 7:30pm saturday 25th January, Matinee and Evening 2:30 and 7:30pm Adults £10.00 Children £7.00 Box Gail 07846 147408 office: sandra 01525 751403 Email: pulloxhillplayers @virginmedia.com The Church hall, Church Road, Pulloxhill, MK45 5hD

— 27

28 — DECEMBER 2019

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com

back

the

BAYS Sporting Facilities and Mark Rutherford at the heart of the community

BAYs sporting Facilities officially opened its new site on saturday 16th November 2019 with the Mayor Dave Hodgson cutting the ribbon. BAYs is a local charity working in partnership with Mark Rutherford school to provide a brand new 3G all weather floodlit football pitch. The construction of the new facility is an example of what can be achieved through strong community links and an ambition and vision to give something back.

The aim of the Charity is to provide a safe, first class facility that will enable the increased participation of sporting activities for children and adults in the community. It is widely recognised that increased participation in sports has a significant impact on many aspects of life. It provides focus, discipline, roles models, social interaction, health benefits and more importantly fun. sport, especially team sports, has a significant impact on aspirations and attitudes to learning.

The site will provide a excellent facility for Mark Rutherford school to develop its students and enhance their sporting capabilities and provide a home for Bedford Park Rangers Youth FC whilst also working with local charities to develop sporting participation.

Acting Headteacher Kelli Foster said: “I would like to thank BAYs for their vision and determination to make this happen and Richard Millard, our retired Headteacher, for the many years of educating the young people of Bedford that has left us with a wonderful sporting legacy that will support the students of Mark Rutherford for many years to come.”

BAYs Director and Chairman of Bedford Park Rangers Andy

Rounding said “It has taken almost three years to take the original idea to the world class facility that we have today. I’d like to thank Richard Millard and Robbie Garner from Mark Rutherford school for sharing this vision and working with me to realise it. I’m delighted that we now have the opportunity to make this project work and see children and adults of all ages using the site for what it was designed for.”

The opening day was attended by not only the Mayor but also Bedford Park Rangers chairmen going back to 1968 and many players past and present.

If you would like to know more about the charity and what it is looking to achieve or you are a charity that would benefit from using the site, go to: Facebook or Instagram at BAYs sporting Facilities.

Bedford Modern School student selected for the Saracens Mavericks

Netball player Rosie Fordham, Year 10, has recently been selected for the saracens Mavericks U15 Long squad for the 2019-20 season. This comes after being chosen for their Futures Academy for a second year in a row and passing her Io and C awards, qualifying her to umpire at local and junior league level.

The saracens Mavericks is

part of the Netball superleague which consists of the top ten netball teams in Wales, scotland and England. As part of the squad, Rosie will play against some of the top U15 netball players from across the country and be eligible for selection for the school Games in september 2020. other BMs students who are currently part of the saracens

Mavericks Futures Academy include Year 11 student Juliana orlenok and Jess Bradley in Year 13. Year 10 student Amy Wells is part of Wasps Netball Academy, a franchise competing at the same level in the Netball superleague.

Head of Netball at BMs, sam Brightman, commented: “Having worked as Rosie’s coach for the last two years at BMs and at

Ben’s selected for English national squad YEAR 8 student, Ben Dunkley, has been named as part of the England Hopes squad for the 2019-20 season by Table Tennis England. selected as one of just 31 players from across the country, Ben will attend a combination of training days and residential camps over the coming year.

The England Hopes squad is

the first level of the England Performance Pathway which aims to support young athletes with the capability to reach at least the top 20 in Europe by the time they are 18. This recognition came after a hugely successful season, which saw his U13 national ranking improve from 61 to 12, making him the most successful Bedford

player in his age category for a long time.

His dedication to the sport involves more than ten hours playing per week, competing for the Revolution Table Tennis Club as well as Bedford Modern school. Ben enjoyed great success in the Bedford League last season as part of the Revolution E team which won the smith Cup and he recently won the U13 section at the st Neots tournament.

Seriously, does your driveway look as good as these?

saracens Mavericks I know she will be a brilliant addition to the franchise’s netball pathway. she is hard working, adaptable and understands the sacrifice required to compete at the top level.

Juliana, Jess and Amy have also done exceptionally well to gain places in the futures academies, and I’m so pleased all of these girls can bring their ever growing knowledge and performance understanding from the franchises to BMs netball.”

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Resin Bonded • Block paving • Patio slabs • Tarmacadam • Fencing • Turfing • Brickwork • Graveling • Landscaping and much more The Bulletin is an independent publication, part of Rosetta Publishing Ltd. Published by ©2019 Rosetta Publishing Limited, 30 Radwell Road, Milton Ernest Bedford MK44 1sH. Tel: 07894 935952 Editorial: editorial@rosettapublishing.com Advertising: advertising@rosetta publishing.com Printed by: Reach Printing services, Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 0sX.