In the Stix

Sharnbrook Scout Group Needs YOU!

Sharnbrook Scouts are looking for Cub Scout Leaders and Cub & Beaver Scout Assistants to join their group. They would love to hear from people who would like to share their skills and inspire young people.

The group loves the outdoors and regularly enjoys activities including hiking, camping, running, lighting fi res, singing songs, playing instruments, crafting, learning new skills, skipping, DIY, cooking, wide games, team building and earning badges.

If you could help with any of these pursuits or add new ones, please contact Keeley at keeley.daize@ gmail.com so that the group can continue to do what they love.

More information on roles in general can be found at www.scouts.org.uk

New Book on Undiscovered Victorian Architect

A Willington resident has launched a new book which will appeal to anyone interested in Bedfordshire’s history and its architects.

Gordon Vowles’s book traces the life of Henry Clutton (1819 -1893), concentrating on his buildings in Bedfordshire. As architect to the Duke of Bedford, he designed the parish churches of Woburn, Souldrop and Steppingley, and also restored St Lawrence church in Willington.

Clutton’s other work in Bedfordshire includes the fi ne country houses of Warden Abbey (Shuttleworth) and Sandy Lodge (RSPB) and various schools.

Gordon, former Deputy Director of Education, Beds County Council, said: “I am pleased that at the age of 91, I have brought to life this little-known Victorian Gothic architect so that this book can sit alongside publications on many other British architects of the period.”

Copies of Henry Clutton, Victorian architect of Gothic Revival Churches and Country Houses by Gordon Vowles, at £10 + £1.50 P & P, can be purchased from Willington Local History Group by emailing wlhg2022@gmail.com. All proceeds go to the Friends of St Lawrence for the upkeep of the fabric of the church building.

More Trees for Biddenham

Biddenham Parish Council is working with the borough council and Trees for Streets again to add 25 more trees in Biddenham, following the 40 new trees planted last year. This year’s tree locations can be viewed at

www.biddenham.org.uk

There is also an opportunity to sponsor your own trees through the Trees for Streets campaign. Each tree is £200 if you will water it yourself, or £300 with the borough council watering it. All locations must be on borough council land rather than private.

Trees for Streets is a new national sponsorship scheme which aims to make it easy for residents and organisations to donate to the planting and watering of trees in their neighbourhoods. The charitable project recognises the environmental and well-being benefits that street trees offer.

www.sponsor.treesforstreets.org

New Youth Club in Great Denham

Great Denham Parish Council, in partnership with the Community Hall Charity, has launched a free youth club for young people in school year 8 and above.

Great Denham Youth Club takes place at the Community Hall in Saxon Way on Thursdays between 4 and 6pm during term time, giving young people an opportunity to socialise. The club, which opened its doors in November, provides somewhere warm and dry for friends to meet with games, arts and crafts, and snacks on offer.

For more information contact Wendy on 07780 448599 or wendymillgate@4ypuk.com

Rural Grants Awarded to Local Villages

Bedford Borough Council has announced plans to provide over £30,000 to communities in Harrold, Odell and Renhold through their Rural Grants scheme. The scheme enables rural organisations and Parish Councils to apply for funding to help them deliver projects that are of benefit to residents.

The largest grant of £25,000 will be awarded to All Saint’s Church in Renhold to help replace the church’s floor, making it more accessible for people with mobility issues.

Odell Parish Council will receive a grant of £3,085.42 to help divert two public footpaths, creating a safer and more pleasant route for those who use them.

A final grant of £3,000 will be awarded to Harrold Parish Council, to help repair the lych gate at St. Peter’s Church on Church Walk, making it safer and restoring it to its former glory.

Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough, said: “We’re delighted to be providing this funding to Renhold, Odell and Harrold and look forward to seeing the difference it makes. If you think your rural community could benefit from a grant, be sure to make an application to the fund.”

You can find out more and apply to the Rural Grant scheme at bedford.gov.uk

Do you have some village news to share?

Email jacqui@bedslifemagazine.co.uk Copy deadline for the January issue is 9 December