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We won! 2021 ESTATE AGENT IN BEDFORD
BEDFORDSHIRE EDITION
MAY 2022
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Sandy and Beeston lose a long-time stalwart of the community It is with the deepest regret we have to announce that our dear friend and colleague, Cllr Max Hill sadly passed away on Friday, April 1, 2022. Cllr Hill became a member of Sandy Town Council in 2015 to represent Ivel Ward but his service to the community stretched back 30 years when, with his family, he came to live in Beeston and Max took up the position of Headteacher at Sandy Upper School. Long before becoming a member of Sandy Town Council, Max had involved himself closely with many groups and organisations including
The Twinning Association, forging a new link with Skarszewy in Poland, with the Sandy Sports and Leisure Association and also became a keen supporter of events including the annual Carnival and the Christmas Lights Switch on. Max was instrumental in the compiling of the Sandy and Beeston Town Plan, 2011 – 2020 which he worked hard with others to update in 2017. At the time of his passing, Cllr. Hill was Chairman of the Town Council’s Human Resources Committee. It was a role which Max found particularly
fulfilling and his support and encouragement was hugely appreciated by the present team members and by our former Clerk who left us recently. In addition, Cllr Hill was also a member of the Community Services and Environment and the Policy, Finance and Resources Committees and in all he did for the people of Sandy Cllr Hill acted with dedication, humility and kindness. Somehow in his busy life Max also found also time for angling and playing cricket, which he did for the Bedfordshire over 70’s until quite recently.
Reacting to the news, the Mayor of Sandy Town Council, Cllr Martin Pettitt said, “This is a time for deep sadness; to reflect and to recall our memories of Max who I was pleased and proud to have known. I considered Max to have been a personal friend, a confidante and colleague for whom I had the greatest regard and respect. At this time especially, all our thoughts, support and love go out to Max’s wife Ros and to their two daughters, grandchildren and extended family, from everyone, not only at Sandy Town Council, but all those who knew Max in Sandy and beyond.”
NOT ALL PLAIN SAILING FOR SWINGERS’ CLUB A BEDFORDSHIRE venue popular with swingers should be barred from allowing under 21s on the premises, according to a local councillor. by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter
A request to review the premises licence of The Anchor Lodge at Tempsford has been made by Central Bedfordshire Independent Potton Cllr Tracey Wye.
Events are arranged by an adult members-only club, The Vanilla Alternative, which describes the hotel as “a 16th Century building with a charm and character all of its own, as well as some very personal quirks and oddities”. Cllr Wye has asked the local authority “to look at modifying the licence so that under 21s aren’t allowed on the premises at any time, given it’s a
swingers/sex club which promotes public/private sexual liaisons”. The Anchor Lodge is just off the A1 Great North Road, a short distance from the Black Cat roundabout. In January, it became the registered office address for The Vanilla Alternative Limited, which was promoting itself on social media as the UK’s number one swinging venue, although the most recent post was in 2018. It proudly refers to “our own hotel and huge hot tub! We host various events every weekend.” In an email to CBC’s licensing compliance officer Nicola O’Donnell, Cllr Wye said: “One look at the website is enough, I believe, to prevent under 21s at any time. “Not only from the communal areas, but also from the hotel rooms under the licensing objectives of protection of children from harm, and prevention of crime and disorder.” Cllr Wye explained in her email:”I’m not casting any aspersions on how the club is run. But I want the sub-committee to consider whether the current licence was issued when The Anchor was an ordinary pub. If so, would the under 16s condition be allowed had the licence been applied for today? “The website of The Vanilla Alternative suggests a minimum age on the premises of 21 years through its membership scheme. “I would like the council to support this age minimum throughout the whole premises by changing the licence for the avoidance of confusion, should there be a question about the age of attendees in the future. “I’ve been asked if there’s a need for this change to the licence based on the age of consent. Should this be brought up, I will argue the age of consent isn’t a suitable discussion on this occasion because of the nature of the activities promoted by the club.”
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