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RESIDENTS FEAR TRAINS ‘IN THE AIR’ BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION
RESIDENTS have spoken of their fear of “terrifying” proposals to build a new railway viaduct north of Bedford for the controversial East West Rail project. A public consultation exercise launched by the railway company includes a proposal to put a new line from Bedford to Cambridge under Great Ouse Way and then span the river, Paula Radcliffe Way, and Clapham Road on a ‘single viaduct’ before going under Carriage Drive. “Having trains 50ft in the air does worry me immensely,” said resident Clive Bolton last week at an online panel meeting organised by Bedford Borough Council. “No-one wants a railway line at the back of their garden and it worries me that this won’t be done for the best benefit of everyone around,” said Mr Bolton. He said he is concerned about construction work, blight, and noise pollution. Mike Adamson, speaking of a 900m long viaduct, said “it feels terrifying”. John Shortland, Bedford Borough Council’s chief officer for planning and infrastructure development, told the virtual meetings that the council is “investigating” whether to suggest to the rail company that the line to Cambridge goes under Paula Radcliffe Way rather than over it.
The council has controversially supported the new line coming from the south of town, through Bedford Midland Station, and then branching off through north Beds countryside and on to Cambridge. They say that it would be an “interchange of national importance”, bringing 468 jobs to the town by allowing companies to be based in Bedford but to connect to London, Cambridge and Oxford, and the north. But residents at last week’s meetings challenged the economic case underpinning the council’s support for the line, saying that the pandemic has changed whether people would use it. Resident Jessica Owen asked Cllr Michael Headley (Lib Dem,
CONTROVERSIAL
by David Tooley – Local Democracy Reporter
Putnoe), the council’s portfolio holder for finance, whether the council will “withdraw your support” for the controversial northern Route E. Cllr Headley did not give a yes or no answer to that, instead insisting that the council will deal with “what’s in front of us”. In responding to resident Chris Bund’s assertion that the council should “rescind route E”, Mr Shortland said they would not try to re-open the question. There were repeated questions over the council not supporting the re-opening of the old Varsity Line. Mayor Dave Hodgson (Lib Dem) said: “Wherever we go there will be swathes of countryside.” Residents were urged to look at the consultation documents, which also contain proposals for new stations, and station relocations, and respond to the consultation. The consultation closes on June 9, with the proposals, links to consultation documents and how to respond are here: https://eastwest rail.co.uk/consultation There have been more than 1,200 views of the two question and answer sessions broadcast last week on YouTube. Over 400 questions were submitted and the council says it will publish its answers on its website. The council is due to decide its official response to East West Rail at a meeting of its full council on June 2.
See Letters and Mayor Dave’s Column on page 15
East West Rail explains the logic behind Route E
THE question about a northern route (Option E) and a southern route (Option B) heading out of Bedford, the decision to choose Option E was rooted in feedback and observations received from local communities in the non-statutory public consultation held in 2019. 7,000 responses were received to the consultation and Option E was ranked highest on four of our five key criteria: benefits for transport users, supporting economic growth, supporting new homes and environmental considerations. On the environmental front, Option B would have passed through extensive areas of flood plain requiring longer viaducts and extensive mitigation measures to prevent the exacerbation of flood risk and ecological effects downstream. Option E avoids impacts on: the setting of the historic park and garden near Moggerhanger; the ancient woodland between Cople and Northill; the top grade agricultural land between Great Barford and Blunham; and historic landfill sites south of Bedford. All of these would be affected by Option B, but not Option E. The landfill sites in particular pose a significant environmental constraint due to the likelihood of land contamination which would require remediation. In addition, Option E performs better than Option B for the purpose of EastWest Rail’s Net Zero Carbon objective. Option E would mean a shorter length of viaducts, a reduced flood and geotechnical risk and less complex solutions that would contribute to reducing the carbon emissions during the construction stage. Modelling indicates Option E provides the greatest benefits for transport users and, by connecting areas of economic activity, will contribute to wider economic benefits.
ISSN 2634-453X
JUNE 2021
MICHELIN STAR SOMMELIER
STAR sommelier of Michelin restaurants aboard Celebrity Cruises, Nikolina Gocheva is now at the helm of BlueGlass, the wines & spirits merchant and wine bar in St Peter’s Street. Nikolina, aged 46 and originally from North Macedonia, worked for 15 years on ships sailing out of the USA before docking in Bedfordshire at Paris House. Now at BlueGlass, with proprietor Kevin Kavanagh, Nikolina will be bringing expertise and experience to the role of General Manager. Opening on Thursday, June 10, with table bookings being taken from June 1, on (01234) 910570, BlueGlass is looking forward to welcoming back the 100s who enjoyed fine wine and light bites at the venue prior to the lockdowns. When back in the full swing, BlueGlass will be offering a range of wines and spirits from over 20 countries on the shop shelf, as well as wines by the glass, and bottle, along with charcuterie, cheese, paté, malt whiskys, interesting gins and cigars, for those seated in and out doors. Wine tasting evenings plus special events will form part of BlueGlass events calendar so sign up to their newsletter to keep informed. They are currently looking for team members with relevant table service experience. cv to info@theblueglass.co.uk.
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JUNE 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN
College building to be converted for homeless A PLAN to convert a former college building into supported flats for homeless people in Bedford has been greeted with acclaim by councillors. Rogers Court, on the corner of Kingsway and Cauldwell Street, has been bought by Bedford Council using money from the Government to provide short-term accommodation for people who need help to put their lives back together. “If there’s one positive thing that has come out of this pandemic it has been this council’s response to homelessness, and taking people off the streets and helping to turn around not tens but hundreds of lives,” said council Labour group leader Cllr Sue Oliver (Kempston North). Cllr Oliver and her planning committee colleagues were asked to approve plans to convert the former Bedford College building into 20 flats where homeless people could also get help and support. Individuals are currently staying in hotels which aren’t designed to meet their needs or provide support. And that can’t be guaranteed in the future, the committee was told. Cllr Oliver added: “In my mind there is no doubt that this is exactly the right place for this kind of facil-
by David Tooley – Local Democracy Reporter
ity and that hopefully we will be able to carry on turning around more lives.” Councillors at their meeting on Monday queued up to support the application. Lib Dem deputy leader Cllr Wendy Rider (Brickhill), who also holds the adult services portfolio, praised “excellent work being done” But Conservative Jim Weir (Kempston Rural) won the race to propose approval, and the committee unanimously supported it as others seconded and “thirded” it. A report considered by the committee said potential crime and community safety concerns will be addressed by 24 hour staff and security on the site which is near to Bedford Free School and Bedford College. “In addition all individuals will be required to undergo a full assessment of their needs before entering Rogers Court to assess suitability,” said the report to councillors. “Each resident will be accommodated under a licence agreement which will include terms and conditions specific to delivery of a supported housing environment, including the requirement to engage with multi-agency support services and pathway plans. “All individuals staying at Rogers Court will have an allocated caseworker throughout their stay and beyond.”
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Coming soon: A summer of culture on The High Street BEDFORD Borough Council has been awarded an £80,000 grant from Historic England as part of the Bedford High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) Cultural Programme, which is being delivered by the HAZ Cultural Consortium and supported by Bedford BID and SEMLEP. The grant will help to create and deliver community-led cultural activities on Bedford High Street and make the area a more attractive, engaging and vibrant place for people to live, work and spend time. Bedford’s programme will reflect on the past and present lives of people and places in the town and how their stories interweave with experiences of the High Street and its buildings, businesses and public spaces. The Cultural Programme aims to transform visitors’ experience of the local High Street and draw attention to the hidden treasures of Bedford’s heritage. The programme will start with a pilot scheme – The Vault, which aims to tell the story of a hidden bank vault beneath the Bank site at the junction of High Street and the Embankment. The pilot scheme will be revealed on the Spring Bank Holiday. Councillor Henry Vann, Portfolio Holder for Town Centres and Planning, said: “It is fantastic that Bedford is set to receive yet more funding for the HSHAZ Cultural Programme to support our town centre. This scheme will help us all celebrate the rich heritage of our public spaces, highlight the local stories of our historic market town and foster a sense of civic pride among the local community. “This sits alongside the wider High Street Heritage Action Zone which will bring real physical improvements to Bedford’s High Street and historic buildings and is just one of the
Bedford set to receive more funding for cultural programme many ways that we continue to secure inward investment in our shared town centre.” Christina Rowe, Director of Operations for BedfordBID, said: “Over the course of the BedfordBID five-year terms, the BID has demonstrated a readiness to work collaboratively to ensure the town centre fulfils its potential with a track record of partnership initiatives. Building on this success, we believe that the four-year programme of the HSHAZ will not only provide community engagement and cultural activities to help deliver a strong and vibrant town centre, but will also provide further physical improvements to restore the presentation of historic buildings. “This will not only provide the right environment to foster businesses to invest in the heritage rich location but add to the appeal of our local captive audiences generated by new office workers during the week, help facilitate a ripple effect of lasting improvements elsewhere amongst town centre businesses and create more compelling physical reasons to visit the
town through an imaginative and successful programme of events.” Tony Calladine, Regional Director for Historic England in the East of England, said: “The high street cultural programme is a step change in the way we think about bringing High Streets back from the brink. As we start to see these important historic spaces become regenerated through building work, it is the community-led cultural work that helps people to enjoy their high street again and also have a say in what the future of their high street might be.” Caroline Dinenage MP, Culture Minister, said: “High streets are often the heart of our communities and should be places we all want to engage with and enjoy. These grants will help transform high streets into thriving cultural hubs, encouraging us to embrace all the joys our town centres have to offer.”
Historic England is unofficially ‘twinning’ towns, through a programme of creative commissions that see artists working with local people to uncover what they have in common. The artworks will explore themes of identity as well as the communities’ collective hopes and challenges, culminating in a series of installations, performances and digital work. For artists Ellie Shipman and Katy Hawkins’ project Public Announcements, the artists are conducting workshops in Bedford and Keynsham and working with residents to create High Street Observation Cards prompting local exploration and discussion of the High Streets alongside co-designed maps of each area. Banners will be created through community workshops of local knowledge of the High Streets, resulting in local parades this summer, and a shareable learning pack for others to benefit from.
Twin Towns (May–September)
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Shuttleworth supports FAMOUS key education move FRESCOES UNDER
NEW OWNERSHIP
Left to right: Dr Catherine Lloyd, Dr Matt Horne, Charles Whewell and Sam Jones who all support research in the field of FE education. All except Sam are based at Shuttleworth College.
SHUTTLEWORTH College staff are among those supporting a national move in education. On May 17, 2021 an important new Research College Group was launched. The group represents 10 founder organisations comprised of General Further Education and Sixth Form colleges who lead in practitioner research. These organisations have come together to bring practitioner and other forms of post-16 education and training research, into the heart of sector organisations This collaborative endeavour is run by and for the sector and seeks to raise the profile, standing and value of post-16 education and training through its own research undertaken by its own community, and by leading thinking to develop forms of research and enquiry that reflect the requirements of the sector. The 10 founder member organisations are: Activate Learning,
Ashton Sixth Form College (Stamford Park Trust), Better Futures MAT (Bilborough Sixth Form), Hartlepool College, Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion, Hartlepool College, Lincoln College, Solihull College and University Centre, One Sixth Form, York College and The Bedford College Group (which includes Shuttleworth College). The Bedford College Group’s Sam Jones Chair of the steering committee comments: "Using practitioner and other forms of research to make organisational decisions is an important part of shaping the post-16 education and training landscape. Using context rich, locally conducted research can give a unique advantage to these organisations. “We hope that through this collaborative work across the UK sector, important insights can be shared within a central point.” http://www.researchcollege group.co.uk
Biggleswade company fined more than £100K after worker seriously injured
A COMPANY based in Biggleswade has been fined over £100K after one of their warehouse workers was seriously injured. Luton Magistrate Court heard how, on March 22, 2018, a significant amount of furniture fell on the worker from a loaded moving forklift truck, at Tramo (UK) Ltd, Albone Way in Biggleswade. A Central Beds Council investigation identified that the employer had failed to put adequate control measures in place to prevent the incident from occurring. One of the main issues was the lack of segregation between pedestrians and vehicles on site. Control measures and segregated operating zones are essential when it comes to keeping workers safe. All walkways and areas where vehicles are in operation should be clearly marked. In addition, it was found that the company had also failed to provide workers with adequate health and safety training. Tramo (UK) Ltd, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and other associated health and safety regulations. They were fined £104,000 plus costs and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.
Frescoes Coffee House made international headlines in 2013 when the authentic art technique was used to recreate part of Michelangelo’s Libyan Sibyl on the building in Mill Street. Now long-standing owner Kevin Kavanagh has handed over the espresso machine and more, to employee, now owner, Xanthe Jackson. Xanthe will be a familiar face to regular customers of Frescoes, as she has worked there for 16 years. Now at the age of 43, she is the boss: “I’ve always loved this work and now I am excited to take on the new challenge of being the owner as we come out of lockdown.” Kevin is concentrating on his new business: Blue Glass wine bar in St Peter’s Street, but will remain on hand to offer advice and support to the team.
BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN JUNE 2021
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Kay served Glenn Miller before his last flight A FORMER Silver Service waitress at a Bedford High Street restaurant celebrated her 102 birthday on May 10. Kathleen French now a resident at Kempston’s Parkside home has lived in Bedford all of her long life. During her formative years Kathleen was a pupil at Goldington Road School. Along with her sister and brother they lived with their parents Elizabeth and Arthur in George Street, Bedford. During WWII Kay did her bit for the war effort mending barrage
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balloons in Cardington Hangers. She also had a silver service job at the Dudeney and Johnston restaurant in the High Street. She remembers one famous person from her waitressing days and that was the popular band leader Glenn Miller, who she served the night before he took off for America – never to arrive. Nowadays Kay is happy to reminisce about her seven holidays to the USA and do a bit of reading in between listening to music and watching her favourite soap opera – Coronation Street.
Bedford’s bouncing bacK!
Start spraying the news
Bedford’s bouncing back to life this summer with markets, shops, outdoor (and indoor we hope) eating and drinking. If you Love Bedford then please come on down to town and support those businesses who have been in enforced hibernation and now need your custom. Bedford has 100s of businesses, many of them run and owned by committed small business entrepreneurs who want to keep the town alive and kicking. A full list can be found on www.lovebedford.co.uk or follow Love Bedford on Facebook for daily updates.
Sophisticated nights at 3 St Peters
TRAINEE farmers at Shuttleworth College have the very best equipment to practise on – including this £22,000 Vicon crop sprayer (pictured above). Workers need a special license to operate this tractor and boom, which is a ticket to employability in the British farming industry. Toby and Jenson, both aged 18, know they are lucky to be attending the only agricultural college in the region which offers access to the latest equipment. Shuttleworth College is part of The Bedford College Group and offers progression to degree level courses for school leavers and adults at the fabulous setting of Old Warden Park, near Biggleswade. Head of Department for Land and Environment Shane Durham said: “Shuttleworth College offers a route in to a career in the fast changing and growing farming industry which is crying out for new talent.” A wide range of agricultural courses are on offer at a genuine working farm complete with its own sheep and cattle. The Red
Poll cattle are kept for both milk and meat. Head of the Herd is the new bull Valentine who will start work shortly. One of the existing family is junior bull Jumbo, pictured here with Farm Manager Richard Hellyer
Farm safety is one of the most critical lessons to be learned at Shuttleworth College. Farms are full of hazards, not least from heavy machinery and animals (never underestimate the damage caused by a large farm animal treading on your foot).
Safety first
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Top team in modern construction
LED by Director of Construction David Wilkins, The Bedford College Group now has six expert Head of Departments covering all specialisms of this massive field of employment.
The Super Seven have between them, and their staff, the very latest expertise in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and decades of real life work experience in the industry. Full-time students aged 16 and upwards, apprentices, and those updating their skills or progress-
ing toward Higher Education in the construction industry, will find themselves being guided by the very best at what has been voted the UK’s Best FE College. Said David Wilkins, who sits on a range of expert panels who determine what skills the construction industry needs nation-
wide says: “The Bedford College Group is now the go-to establishment for training and education to support the construction industry. We work with national companies and local traders who are currently all facing huge demands for appropriately trained staff.” Currently underway is the
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Centre at the Cauldwell Street campus in Bedford which is a showcase for the latest techniques used in the industry. Head of Construction (Technical and Modern): Teddy KyeNyarko. Head of Electrical Installation: Javid Ahmed. Head
of Construction Trades Tresham College: Neil Dellar. Head of Plumbing & Gas: Mark Hamlyn. Head of Construction Bedford College Cauldwell Street: Dean Gibson. Head of Building Services Northamptonshire campuses: Alex Hughes.
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20,000 Bedfordshire carers to receive online support FREEMASONS are leading a project to help up to 33,000 adult, young and parent carers, with donations of more than £715,000. According to Carers UK, the number of carers grew exponentially during the pandemic, reaching more than 13 million. The helping hand from the Freemasons is supporting them with essential items, life skills, counselling, crisis support, activities and breaks. Approximately 20,000 unpaid carers in Bedfordshire are receiving access to crucial support online, funded by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) the governing body of the Freemasons, freeing up staff to help those who are most in need. The UGLE is also working to protect young carers, who are under increasing pressure as they support family members during lockdown. In particular, the Freemasons project is providing 870 young carers with respite through activities and breaks, while 760 young carers are being provided with essential items and life skills. Elsewhere, almost 100 schools are receiving assistance to identify hidden young carers and provide support. In total, more than 1,800 young carers are receiving advice, support and information. In addition to their support for young carers, the Freemasons are providing funding for crisis support, advice and information to almost 3,000 adult carers.
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Harpur Centre raises over £400 for The Captain Tom Foundation
TO celebrate what would have been Captain Tom’s 101st birthday, on Friday, April 30, The Harpur Centre team walked 101 laps of the Centre to raise money for The Captain Tom Foundation. The whole of Bedfordshire and the UK, are immensely proud of local resident and WW2 veteran, Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised over £32million in donations for NHS Charities Together and sadly passed away in February 2021. To celebrate his life and continue his legacy, The Harpur Centre team walked 101 laps of the Centre for what would have been his 101st birthday this month. They were
joined by staff from the Centre’s gym Energie Fitness, who dressed in inflatable dinosaur suits and motivated the team to keep going. The Captain Tom Foundation is run by his family who want to carry on his journey and continue to help people in his name. The Foundation aims to inspire hope in people where it is needed most by combatting loneliness, supporting people facing bereavement and championing education and equality. Samantha Laycock, Centre Manager at Harpur Centre, commented “The Harpur Team thoroughly enjoyed collecting funds for such a worthy cause and celebrating the life and legacy of
Captain Sir Tom Moore.” She continued, “Energie Fitness’s personal trainers motivated us to each walk the equivalent of twelve miles each over the six hours and it was great fun seeing them dressed as dinosaurs. “We would like to thank the very generous visitors we met during our laps and our centre’s store teams who came out to clap us over the 101st lap’s finish line.” For more information visit: w w w. h a r p u r c e n t r e . c o . u k / offerswhats-on, or visit www. facebook.co.uk/harpurshopping centre, follow us on Twitter @HarpurCentre and follow us on Instagram @Harpur_Centre.
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Wedding takes place — no thanks to Covid Covid wrecked last year’s wedding plans for two members Bedford’s Highfield Residential Home community. Gareth Stevens (64) had proposed marriage to Susan Robins (56) in April 2019 with a planned wedding day in June 2020. Well Covid put paid to all that. The couple, with help of Highfield staff, rearranged their wedding day for May 7, 2021. The staff made things happen, from choosing an engagement ring, to the couple’s wedding outfits and the celebration cake. A traditional wedding ceremony took place in St Mark’s Church, Brickhill, followed by a reception at Highfield with friends and family in attendance. Gareth was originally from London but has spent most of his life in Bedford, moving to the home in 2015 and Susan has spent nearly all of her life also in Bedford and moving to the home in 2016.
Prominent Bedfordshire businessman and a modest philanthropist passes
Goldington Green Academy receives silver accreditation for active travel OVER the last three years, Goldington Green Academy have worked hard to promote active travel to their pupils and parents and have now been awarded a silver accreditation through Modeshift Stars for their efforts. Modeshift Stars is a scheme recognising organisations that have shown excellence in promoting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable travel. To receive a silver accreditation, schools must complete at least 20 travel initiatives, 10 supporting initiatives and seven consultations, alongside forming an in school working group focused on sustainable travel. Goldington Green Academy is the only school in Bedford
Borough that currently has a silver accreditation and is now aiming to follow in the footsteps of Shortstown Primary School, who have received the gold accreditation.
To support the school, Bedford Borough Council’s Sustainable Transport team have provided them with additional resources, including Dr. Bikes’ mobile repairs, scooter and balance bike loans, and school assemblies. A Bedford Borough Council Spokesperson said: “The Modeshift Stars scheme has been a great way for local schools and businesses to show how important sustainable travel is to them.
SUSTAINABLE
Goldington Green Academy have demonstrated a considerable effort and commitment to bringing healthier and more sustainable travel options to their community.” Caroline Skingsley, Head Teacher at Goldington Green Academy, said, “Physical and mental health has always been important at Goldington Green Academy and even more so during the difficult times we have faced with the pandemic.” If you would like to know more about how to reduce car use to and from school, work with the Council to get accreditation through the Modeshift Stars scheme and access free resources to support you to do this, please email sustainable.trans port@bedford.gov.uk
CLIFTON IBBETT July 1937 — May 2021
CLIFTON IBBETT, who died on May 6 aged 83, was a former High Sheriff of Bedfordshire (2004), a successful businessman and a modest philanthropist who backed numerous good causes all over the county. He will be remembered for setting up the Anjulita Court care home in North Bedfordshire and the Kempston based Road Victims Trust – the first named after his two daughters who both died in a motor car accident. The North Bedfordshire Day Care Hospice Gladys Ibbett House is named after his mother A devoted Christian, Clifton had strong links to the Kempston East Methodist Church, where his father Claude used to preach, and to All Saints Milton Ernest, the village where he lived for most of his life and where for many years he ran the Bedfordia group of companies, first with his father and then with his son, John. He was born in Kempston in July 1937 and went to the ‘Inky’ and then onto to Bedford School. He admitted he was no academic and he cut a deal with his father that if he passed five ‘O’ levels he could leave at 16 which he duly did.
It was the first of a number of inspired deals he was to undertake throughout his career. He always wanted to be a farmer and soon after leaving school he was rearing his own pigs. Even at agricultural college, he would spend much of his time running one of the farms which his father, originally a builder, had started to buy up. The first of them was at Village Farm in Milton Ernest. Claude saw farms as an agricultural investment with other benefits. There was often gravel underground and there were often houses to be built on top. Bedfordia expanded and developed housing in growing areas in the county such as Oakley. The company proved to be ahead of its time in the early 1990s when it consulted on plans to build a new estate on the outskirts of Milton Ernest together with a golf course and railway station. It was dropped after strong local opposition but would it have been a different story today? More recently the company was behind one of the major bids to develop a new community in the Twinwoods area of Clapham. It also ventured into a christian travel agency, BMW motor franchises and Biogen.
Even beyond his retirement Clifton like nothing better than driving a combine harvester for Bedfordia. Clifton along with his second wife Sheila organised the pensioners lunch club in the former sheep shed alongside Milton House. In 2015 Clifton received an OBE, seen above with his close family, John Ibbett, Margaret Ibbett and Jennifer, daughter of the late Sheila Ibbett.at Buckingham Palace. Aged 70 he went on the famous coast to coast walk from St Bedes to Robin Hood Bay – 192 miles which he completed with his slightly older cousin Graham Tucker in 19 days. In recent years and in failing health he moved with his third wife Margaret to a house near Anjulita Court, Bedford. Clifton was unassuming, generous to a tee and a friend to many in all walks of life. Commenting on the sad news The Reverend Peter Kay, Vicar at All Saints, Milton Ernest: “We are all going to miss Clifton hugely at All Saints – among his many wonderful qualities he was gracious, kind and inspiring company. The Christian confidence is that death is not the end, so although we’re grieving now we’re doing so with ultimate hope in our hearts.”
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Bedfordshire Schools Trust pupils Car rental firm allowed to ponder the future of slave trader take over waiting room at statues in a virtual debate park and ride site
by David Tooley – Local Democracy Reporter A WAITING room intended to help users of Bedford’s park and ride to keep out of the elements while they wait to hop on a bus into town is set to be taken over by… a car rental company. The council say it is “regrettable” that users of the park & ride at Progress Park, in Elstow, will now have to sit and wait for buses in their cars, or stand under an awning at the waiting room building. “It is regrettable,” said planning officer Paul Lennox, “but users of the Park & Ride are able to wait in their car until the bus is due, and toilets would continue to be available to bus users.
“There is real time Information available now to passengers waiting in their cars; there is currently also some outdoor shelter from an awning that covers the area where the buses turn up, which will be retained.” Monday’s meeting of Bedford Council’s planning committee was also told that the proposal, by the car hire firm, Enterprise, would create 11 jobs. The company would also look after the loos, councillors were told. Councillors were told that even before the pandemic the site’s parking spaces had not been used to capacity. “Indeed, even with the loss of the spaces, the site would still not be used to capacity,” Mr Lennox added. The land is owned by the council and the meeting heard that the borough does not subsidise the
Mark Rutherford Racers add another trophy to the schools collection!
park and ride, which is a commercial operation. Cllr Martin Towler (Cons, Riseley) asked: “By passing this, are we saying that park and ride doesn’t work, or that Ampthill Road doesn’t work?” Mr Lennox replied: “The park and ride has been used, but not to capacity. It is used fairly extensively but not to capacity and there is sufficient capacity even after Enterprise would take over part of the car park.” Labour group leader, Cllr Sue Oliver (Kempston North) said the pragmatic decision would be to approve the plan. “I would much rather that the park and ride had been a resounding success and was full of cars parked there for people to take the bus into town,” she said. “I would rather not be helping to put more cars on the road in the form of rented cars. However, even in pre-covid this site had spare spaces and we have to be pragmatic I think and accept for the time being at least this is the best use we can make of this space.” Committee members unanimously agreed to grant the planning application for a change of permitted use.
SHOULD statues of notable people with links to the slave trade remain or be toppled? That was the burning issue students from two academies in the Bedfordshire Schools Trust locked horns on in a thought-provoking virtual debate. The pupils from Robert Bloomfield Academy in Shefford and Samuel Whitbread Academy in Clifton were taking part in a special edition of the Heritage Debate Series, organised in conjunction with the Fair Justice System for Scotland (FJSS) Group. The Zoom event – which had 100 people in attendance on Tuesday 13 April – also heard a keynote address by Sir Geoff Palmer OBE, professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, who is considered one of the greatest authorities on the topic. Robert Bloomfield’s Year 8 debaters argued that statues should remain, but with plaques added to explain their links to the slave trade. The Year 10 team at Samuel Whitbread, which included one Year 9 student, contended the statues should remain as they are – and that much-needed education on this topic was required elsewhere. The upper school’s Year 12 students concluded the debate by arguing the statues should be removed. Nick Martin, Principal of Samuel Whitbread Academy, said: “Our students who took part in the debate thoroughly enjoyed the whole event. “Having the opportunity to work with an organisation such as FJSS, and hear from Sir Geoff Palmer OBE, was an amazing opportunity and One of Bedfords largest stockists of printer cartridges including original, compatible & remanufactured ink & toner cartridges.
I’m sure one they will never forget. “The role of statues that honour those with a history of involvement in the slave trade is a contentious one, so giving young people the opportunity to debate this issue with someone who is widely regarded as a leading figure in this area was truly fantastic. I’d like to thank everyone involved in organising such a worthwhile event.” Sam Farmer, Principal of Robert Bloomfield Academy, said: “What was most striking to me was the depth and quality of research every student undertook in order to fully explore the arguments presented. Debating is a skill which requires years of fine tuning, but on this occasion every student excelled.
“This was a thrilling evening and a huge thank you and well done from me to all who took part, but especially to the RBA Year 8s taking their first steps onto the debating stage.” Silence Chihuri, CEO of the FJSS Group, said: “The inaugural High Schools Heritage Debate Series was a huge success well beyond what we had imagined. The students and their teachers worked so hard to make the event come together the way it did. “We are so excited about this and discussions with our partners at Samuel Whitbread and Robert Bloomfield Academies will continue to explore how we can make this an annual event involving more schools nationally.”
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GREENPOWER Education Trust welcomed 21 teams to the 2021 Season Opener event at Bedford Autodrome track. The event consisted of four races. Covid-19 ruling meant that this, the team’s first event in 18 months, could only work with a restricted team of three students and just one car, Wildfire. The car ran faultlessly despite being untouched since coming off the track in the last race in 2019, there was no time to develop or test the car beforehand. Despite the challenges, the team were in excellent form
against strong competition and managed the day really efficiently. With a total distance of 32.69 miles on one set of batteries they were pleased to come away with medals and a new trophy in celebration of achieving third place. Teamwork and cooperation are the keys to their success, whilst skills in designing, engineering and team management are important elements building confidence and character. Freddie from the Rutherford Racing team said: “It was good to be back in the driving seat again following COVID-19. I was a bit rusty at first but it soon came back to me!”
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Father’s Day SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021
Sunday June 20th is Father’s Day in the UK. This has become a popular way to thank Dads everywhere for their very special support. Young or old, we all benefit from having a father figure in our lives. But what to buy for the man who has everything? Dads are always difficult to buy for on birthdays or Christmas. One way is to take a stroll through The Arcade and see what we have: IMPAKT offers up-cycled old favourites Arcadia Sweet Shop has treats for all tastes Esperanca Barbershop, Leonard Hairdressing and Macmillan Hairdressing are all here to help Dad update his post-lockdown look Footcare4Eva offers chiropody treatments for top to toe comfort Leonard Hairdressers and Macmillan Hairdressing for ways to smarten up Dad Arlo Arts will help you create your own special gift Charisma: fun items for family man Gallones: take-away tubs of ice cream Kean & Co: fashions for stylish Dads A plant for Dad’s day? see Magic Garden Pumpernickle Health Shop: pots and potions for vitality Rewind Entertainment: Fab retro gifts Does Dad fancy a new tattoo – see Seven Magpies Slide Record Shop: Sounds that Dad will love Uppercrust Delicatessen and sandwich bar is a great place to buy Dad lunch/takeaways and specialist treats
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JUNE 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN
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Conservative councillor relected leader for third time by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter
CONSERVATIVE Stotfold and Langford councillor Brian Saunders (pictured left) has been re-elected chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council to serve for a third year. He was chosen ahead of rival candidate Independent Flitwick councillor Gareth Mackey, after a vote at the local authority’s annual meeting. Councillor Saunders took over the role from Fiona Chapman in May 2019, having served as her deputy for the previous two years. Conservative Linslade councillor Gordon Perham has been re-
elected unopposed as deputy chairman for 2021/22. The council’s annual meeting was cancelled last year because of the pandemic. On Thursday May 13 proceedings were held in CBC’s Priory House headquarters at Chicksands for the first time in more than 12 months, marking a return of faceto-face meetings. Councillor Saunders told the full council meeting he would vacate the chair initially, as he wanted to stand again, so councillor Perham accepted nominations for chairman. Nominating councillor Saunders, Leighton Buzzard South councillor David Bowater explained he has worked with him a lot over the years.
“This included in particular when I was mayor and deputy mayor of Leighton Buzzard around a year ago. “I found him to be an excellent chairman. He always has been, so I’m happy to propose.” Conservative Flitwick councillor Neil Bunyan seconded the nomination and echoed councillor Bowater’s comments. Proposing councillor Mackey, Independent Aspley and Woburn councillor John Baker said: “Gareth Mackey is a three-term mayor in Flitwick. “He has considerable experience of chairing town councils and committees, and dealing with a whole range of issues. “He would be genuinely fair and
Pictured (left): Mouritz Botha with (right) Chairman Mick Norman.
by David Tooley – Local Democracy Reporter
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DESPITE the pandemic over the last 12 months, the Scouts (boys and girls aged 10 to 14) involved with Flitwick Scout Group have increased in numbers. The numbers in the section now exceed fifty. Lead volunteer for the Group, Darren Reeve said: “We’ve kept the Scouts motivated by having some great activities over Zoom. When we were able to meet face to face we did some hiking in the dark, some elements of the athlete badge, games evenings and a pizza tasting evening.” The Beaver Scouts (boys and girls aged 6 to 8) have also had some Zoom meetings. Three of the most popular have been: making a cake in a mug; a science evening; and using their imagination to build a Lego model. Lola Valentine said: “I liked making the cake in the mug best. I had to read the recipe, mix all of the ingredients, set the microwave for the right time and then when it pinged I had to let it cool down before eating it. It was very tasty!” Evelyn Baldwin said, “I liked
by Nigel Taylor
Borough ignores village’s neighbourhood plan
MS Tree Care
ous incumbent may have conducted this role, it’s important to have someone who doesn’t carry the baggage of a political party, so councillor Mackey presents the best option here.” After winning the vote to be chairman for 2021/22, councillor Saunders described it “as an honour to be chairman”. Thanking councillors “for putting your trust in me for another year”, he said: “The last year has been like no other and I look forward to steering the council towards the new normal, whatever that happens to be.” Both he and councillor Perham took an oath saying they would fulfil their duties to the best of their “judgment and ability”.
Flitwick Scouts are getting bigger!
New Director of Rugby at Queens RFC club
The Bedford Queens RFC have announced that the former England international and Saracens premiership winning Mouritz Botha has been appointed as their Director of Rugby. ‘Mo’ started his career at Bedford Athletic coming over from his native South Africa. He is now returning to Putnoe Woods, but now with Bedford Queens RFC who field two teams in Midlands East (South) 3 league. ‘Mo’ has had quite an incredible career rising up through the ranks to play at Bedford Blues, Saracens, England, Newcastle and Sharks in Super Rugby. As a coach he recently left Ampthill as their forwards’ coach and has previously coached the German national team. He is also currently an ambassador for the Bedford Blues Foundation, the charity organisation associated with Bedford Blues. Besides rugby ‘Mo’ also plays cricket for Sharnbrook & Bromham.
equal to all members, not just those of the governing party. “I would add I wasn’t expecting councillor Saunders to stand again, this evening, and equally he’s also a very good candidate.” Seconding councillor Mackey, Independent Potton councillor Adam Zerny agreed with councillor Baker’s assessment. “Councillor Mackey’s strong grasp of the constitution would bring great benefit to this role,” said councillor Zerny. “The independence he’s shown in everything he’s conducted as a councillor I feel that would be a significant benefit to this position. “This council needs to be seen as having an independent chair. “I fear, however well the previ-
BOROUGH councillors in Bedford have overturned part of a village’s neighbourhood plan – just 11 days after it was resoundingly approved by the community. More than half the 482 electors of Stevington turned out on May 6 with a massive 227 of them (92 per cent) supporting approving the neighbourhood plan, which listed a former chapel as a “community facility.” But at a meeting on Monday, which one objector described as a “comedy of errors”, Bedford Borough Council’s planning committee decided to approve plans to convert the Old Chapel, in Park Road, into a three bedroom house. In recommending that the committee approve the Red Eagle Securities scheme, a senior council planner said policies are always pushing and pulling and it is a question of finding a balance. The borough council’s highways experts also objected because the former chapel, which stopped being used for religious services in 1957, doesn’t have any parking. “It is not the officers’ intention to ignore a recently made neighbourhood plan,” said council planning chief Janine Laver. “But there will always be push and pull policies in a plan and they have to be balanced.” The committee was told that the building, which has been given status as a heritage asset, is “unstable and a danger to health” and is being “propped up by buttresses.” The company plans to stabilise the building and restore it, said Mrs Laver. And as the building had
no parking spaces, that would not change in the future. But Cllr Alison Foster (Cons, Harrold) said she wanted to give the village the chance to buy it. Cllr Foster said she was “very reluctant to approve” it because it would set a “dangerous precedent” if the borough went against the neighbourhood plan. “We encourage them to have these plans and they need to trust us,” she said. But the committee was advised not to go down this route. The committee, meeting in person for the first time in more than a year at the Corn Exchange, suffered sound problems with councillors and officers complaining that they could not hear one other.
To a cry of “this is agony” from one councillor, a vote was taken for a second time after the council’s legal expert said he did not see the first vote take place. Cllr Foster was the only councillor to oppose the plan, which was supported by five votes to one. One other member of the committee was ruled out of the vote and the chairman decided not to take part because he had been unable to hear a presentation at a previous meeting. After the meeting, objecting neighbour Paul O’Flynn said: “The meeting could best be described in my opinion as a comedy of errors. “Frankly it should have been abandoned because the officers could not hear the councillors and vice versa. “The only councillor to come away with any credit is Cllr Foster. “She at least appreciates the efforts that villages have put in to produce neighbourhood plans.”
THIS IS AGONY
the science evening, and I managed to push a skewer through a balloon without popping it.” The Cub Scouts (boys and girls aged 8 to 10) were visited by “Teaching Talons” over Zoom where the children met a hedgehog, an owl and a bearded dragon. They were thoroughly entertained and asked some really great questions. They’ve also had a science evening over Zoom where they had the opportunity to make ice appear before their eyes. All of the children have been given activities they could do at home. These have included a walk around Flitwick where they had to find particular items and landmarks; and making an edible flag. They also made bird feeders and took part in the RSPB’s Big Bird Watch. Volunteers are currently looking to carry out some weekend activities as at the present time the restrictions on camping and residential events have not been lifted. For further information about Flitwick Scouts, please visit: www.flitwickscoutgroup.org.uk/
KEMPSTON RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council is responsible for a number of local services, including: roadside seats, Bus shelters, Litter bins, Dog waste bins, Wood End Play Space, the closed church yard at Church End. In addition, the Parish Council liaises with the Borough Council on matters that are their responsibility such roads and footways. It also considers and responds to local planning proposals and other matters that might affect the lives and well-being of residents. The Parish Council meets on the third Thursday of the month (except August and December), at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall. There is always 15 minutes set aside for public questions. CONTACT DETAILS:
The Parish Clerk, Mrs Sue Bottoms 17 Willow Springs, Cranfield, Bedford MK43 0DS 01234 751300 sue.x999@btinternet.com http://kempstonrural.bedsparishes.gov.uk
TEL: 07894 935952 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com
BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN JUNE 2021
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Listed chapel needs Mental Health Moles extensive mantenance are here to Help! by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter
FOUR phases of repairs and renovation have been identified to weather damaged historic listed chapel buildings and their surrounds in Biggleswade. Potential funding options will need to be considered for the Drove Road Chapel site, clerk Peter Tarrant told a town council meeting. He described a presentation to councillors by Brian Hawkins, of Hawkins Historic Limited, as “very much the start of the conversation”. Mr Hawkins was asked in March 2019 “to give us a general sense of the condition of the building and the surrounding area” said Mr Tarrant. This highlighted “a number of permanent defects and items which needed further attention and repair,” according to Mr Hawkins. “We prepared a specification to fully repair the chapels as close as possible to their original condition, with a view to picking up any extras, including mechanical and electrical works, as part of the initial brief,” he explained. “We were then asked to consider replacement of the boundary walling and fencing encircling the cemetery. “There was also a list compiled
of other desirables, such as toilet facilities and changing the tarmac levels around the chapel to remove damp penetration from the building. “The contract was split into four distinct areas, including the general repairs to the chapel which is basically in a sound condition. “There was pigeon infestation in the tower, which was causing alot of damage and distress to the building. “That was dealt with relatively quickly after the survey in March 2019,” he said. “As the chapels have no heating in them that has an impact as well. “There are roofing, guttering and window repairs, as well as general brickwork to bring back to a decent condition, and electrical and mechanical upgrades. “We also looked at adding toilet facilities to both chapels to provide the potential for improved future use.” Security and smoke alarms are among the desirable items, added Mr Hawkins. “We assessed the condition of the brick boundary wall which required basic repairs. The front elevation brickwork and the railings were in poor condition. “The railings themselves aren’t too bad, but the associated masonry is an issue.
REPAIRS
“A lot of the brickwork has been replaced with all sorts of different materials. The best option is to take the whole thing out and start again. “That leaves us with a number of elements which need subdividing as to how we’re going to attack the works to the chapel, its surrounds, the cemetery fencing and the entrance gates.” Town councillor Rob Pullinger wondered whether a condition report has been produced around the chapel itself and the walls to support whatever is in the specification. “The requirements for the wall in particular could be quite an expensive job to replace a large part of that structure,” he warned. “Are we obliged, under the chapel listing, to maintain the wall with traditional materials and methods, or could we use contemporary substances in a sympathetic style which might be better value for residents?” he asked. Mr Hawkins replied: “The first survey didn’t extend to the boundary wall. “As far as the boundary treatment is concerned, you would have to apply for listed building consent to replace it with a contemporary material, which will be more contentious.” Town councillors went into private session to consider potential tenders for some of the initial repair work.
A FOUNDER of a mental health peer support company in Bedfordshire has published a short book highlighting mental health challenges. Similar to the style of the Mr. Men books, Luke Newman from Potton, has designed and written ‘The Mental Health Moles’ showing fifty-two storyboards accompanied with brightly coloured and boldly drawn illustrations with advice about mental health topics, such as anxiety, depression, grief, social media, stress, sleep and many more. Luke has lost both his mother and sister to cancer and felt that there wasn’t an open platform for himself and other men to have a place to talk about their feelings openly. So in 2019, Luke launched ‘For Men to Talk’ providing men with an opportunity to talk about their mental health during a weekly meeting. The group started at the beginning of 2020 at Jones Café in Biggleswade until the coronavirus lockdown moved them to the Zoom virtual online platform. The meetings will hopefully return to the café in July 2021, as well as continuing online, depending on lockdown restrictions. Suitable for all ages and genders, ‘The Mental Health Moles’ book is available to purchase for £4.99 from the Amazon Kindle store via www.bit.ly/MHMOLES and £5.99 for the printed version which will soon be available from the ‘For Men To Talk’ website.
“I launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £300, so that 100 copies could be printed,” said Luke. “People donated a minimum of amount of £10 and would receive a personalised and signed copy done myself. That target was
reached in just eighteen hours. I can’t thank those people enough for the support”. For more information about For Men to Talk and how to join the weekly sessions, please visit: www.formentotalk.co.uk
KEMPSTON TOWN COUNCIL As you were! Kempston Town Council held their Annual meeting recently. As you would expect since the Coronorvirus pandemic started meetings have taken place virtually. However, even though we are not out of the woods yet and Bedford has been particularly hit with the Indian variant, the government has instructed local government to hold Council meetings face-to-face! It was a strange experience for councillors to once again meet up with each other albeit in the Centenary Hall and not the Council Chamber as it provided much more space to socially distance. Like other annual meetings the main business was to elect people to positions of the organisation. It was decided that because last year had been so unusual in as far as there had been little or no chance to raise funds for the Mayor’s Charities, to keep the positions as they were. Carl Meader will continue to be the Mayor of Kempston for the next year and Sam Blacklaws will remain as his deputy. Kay Burley will continue to be the leader of the council.
transport, if this has changed during COVID, and how the public transport offer could be improved in the future. Cllr Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Transport said “Buses are a safe, clean and greener way to travel. We want to know how we can make our bus services even better and we need your help. Whether you are a bus user, never used a bus, have done in the past but not recently – please let us know your views.” Residents and interested parties can have their say via the quick and easy form on the Council website at www.bedford.gov.uk/bustravel or by calling 01234 718005. The deadline for responses is Friday 11 June.
More roadworks…
Bedford Borough Council wants to hear your views on local bus services.
Although the Ampthill Road area is not strictly in Kempston we all know that it is a major access road. Major improvements works are taking place on Ampthill Road to reduce congestion and improve road safety. During these works the road will be widened, creating a second northbound lane between Elstow Road and Britannia Road, and improving provision for vehicles turning right into side roads off Ampthill Road – helping traffic flow better and easing congestion.
Your responses will help the Council establish its priorities and what the most important things are for residents, when it invites bids to run the rural bus services across Bedford Borough later this year. The Council is looking to understand how residents of the Borough currently use
This lane will be for buses and Ultra Low Emission Vehicles, enabling people to continue benefiting from the bus lane and encouraging the use of electric vehicles as they become more common. As part of this project, air quality monitoring will also be installed.
On the buses
Another major element will be improvements to traffic signals along the route. New electronic message signs will also be installed to provide journey information to drivers and average speed cameras will also be installed, to help make this busy road safer. To minimise disruption as much as possible, the majority of these works will be done with the road kept open, with lane closures and temporary signals in place to keep traffic moving. There will be two periods where sections of the road will need to be closed overnight for around 2-3 weeks at a time for resurfacing works to be carried out. The road will only be closed overnight, and this work will be done in sections, with the southern end first then the rest of the road later on. These resurfacing works are not expected to take place until the autumn. With the possible impact of winter weather during the later stages of this project, allowance has been made for these works to be complete early next year. Bedford Borough Councillor Charles Royden (portfolio holder for transport) said: “We are speaking to major organisations down this road, in particular Bedford Hospital, to ensure we carry out these works with the minimum of disruption and inconvenience. Thank you to road users, residents in this area and businesses for their patience as we carry out these major improvement works.” This project is part of Transporting Bedford, a project to tackle congestion hotspots in Bedford, funded by both Bedford Borough Council and
the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), through the Local Growth Fund udith Barker, Director of Programmes and Governance at SEMLEP added, “Through the Transporting Bedford project, we’re reducing congestion and enabling greater business productivity in the town by improving town centre traffic movement. The work on Ampthill Road development will further improve journey time reliability and safety on the key corridor in and out of Bedford.”
FUTURE MEETINGS 2021
Thursday June 3 Kempston Joint Burials Committe – 6.30pm Tuesday June 8 Planning - 6.30pm Kempston Town Council - 7.30pm
All future meetings will be held in Centenary Hall until further notice
Rest your legs! Judging by the compliments already made, it seems that many of you have already noticed that the old bench on the green opposite Adamson Court in Hillgrounds Road has been replaced and now bears a brand new plaque in memory of Harry Turvey. The new bench has been paid for by Councillor Sue Oliver from her Borough Ward Fund and Kempston Town Council got the plaque replaced. Harry Turvey was a member of the Bushby Construction group who built much of the Hillgrounds estate. However he will be
remembered by some residents in Kempston for his great involvement in the local senior citizen’s group, serving for several years as the chairman.
Continue to be careful Most people are pleased that Covid restrictions are being lifted and that things can begin to return to ‘normal’. However, because of the prevalence of the virus in our area we are also being warned to be cautious. So please continue to think carefully before you abandon all the safety rules. Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should!
104 Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8BG Tel: 01234 851005 www.kempston-tc.gov.uk Email: clerk@kempston-tc.gov.uk Office hours: 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday
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JUNE 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN
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View from the Rt Revd
Richard Atkinson
The Bishop of Bedford
NOT RETURNING TO ‘NORMAL’
Sunday by Sunday church life begins to look more familiar as I join churches for worship around the county. In Aspley Guise a small choir sang magnificently. In Biggleswade we processed outside and sang two hymns in the churchyard. In Barton-le-Cley and Pulloxhill we enjoyed coffee outdoors while the sun shone. In each place, more and more of the congregation are returning to worship in person. There was a real buzz in Ridgmont as an extended congregation looked forward with confidence to the future. Having said that I (like many of you) long for the day when we aren’t wearing masks, when we can again greet each other more tactilely, and above all else to the time when we can sing together once more in the service. As I travel round the county and its churches, I always begin by thanking people for their faithfulness and witness through the pandemic. I encourage everyone to be confident about what lies ahead. And each and every time I have to stop myself using phrases like ‘as we return to normal’. ‘Returning to normal’ feels like the goal, but it is a false turning. For what is clear, and about which I am certain, is that if we just ‘return to normal’ we will have missed the opportunity and learning of this time. We will have wasted the discovery that as congregations we are much more flexible and resilient than we ever imagined. We will have failed to learn the importance of having an on-line presence alongside our in-person life so that those who otherwise struggle to participate in worship because of infirmity, disability or the like can be at the core of our life. We will have ignored the insight that care of our neighbour is a priority that must truly be at the heart of what we do. The opportunity and invitation is not to ‘return to normal’ but to move on into a renewed and different place. If that is true of the churches, how much more it should be of our aspirations for our life together. Inequality in society is not new, but the pandemic has exaggerated its effects. Existing fractures between rich and poor have in many ways increased. It is tempting in all spheres of life to want a ‘return to normal’. Yet to do so would I suggest be a mistake!
In Focus with
Yasin MP for Bedford and Kempston
GOVERNMENT IS FAILING ON SOCIAL CARE ISSUES
In Boris Johnson’s first speech as Prime Minister, he promised to “fix the crisis in social care once and for all, and with a clear plan we have prepared to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve.” But this long-awaited plan has failed to materialize. Instead, the Government’s new agenda missed tackling the two life-changing crises currently affecting generations at either end of the spectrum: adult social care, and the climate crisis. Later-life care is simply unaffordable. Access to financial support is means-tested and many people are forced to sell the homes they’ve spent a lifetime paying for to fund the care they need. Care workers themselves are offered little support for their vital work. Despite working tirelessly throughout this pandemic, they are some of the lowest-paid workers in our country, resulting in over 112,000 job vacancies. There are an estimated 13.6 million unpaid carers in the UK struggling to cope. In Bedford, adult social care costs represent the largest portion of the council’s budget, at 40%. But, after £6.3 billion of funding cuts by central Government since 2010, the sector is struggling. Without extra provisions, care providers cannot support their staff or look after their patients in the way they’d like. Top-to-bottom reform is desperately needed. By not setting out proper plans and delivering on the promise made on his first day in No. 10, Boris Johnson is failing to protect our older generation. For younger people in the UK, the climate crisis is a burden that they have inherited and will shoulder throughout their lives. The Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill is our best hope for fast climate action and, as the UK is hosting the G7 and COP26 conference this year, it is more important than ever. The Government is failing both ends of the generational spectrum. There’s a lot of talking around these issues – but we need action, not just words.
BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN JUNE 2021
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letters Smoke and mirrors and East West Rail TO THE EDITOR: When it comes to
Bedford Borough Council’s involvement in the East West Rail Bedford to Cambridge route, there is a profound lack of transparency. The public was not engaged in the original 2019 route consultation process. Those impacted by the currently preferred route, have woken up to how the Council’s own stated preference for this route has influenced East West Rail’s decision. The impact and cost of ALL ROUTES should have been disclosed and discussed with the Bedford Borough constituents. Why hide the facts of the biggest infrastructure project Bedford will see in our lifetime? In recent Bedford Borough Council East West Rail public question sessions (May 11, 12), those impacted by this preferred Route E were accused by Councillor Headley as purporting “myth” and “fantasy” and “not living in the real world” when they suggested an alternative, more affordable and less
destructive route. If it has escaped your attention, Cllr Headley now introduces himself is ‘Portfolio holder for Finance and Rail’ (Poets Meeting April 22). The Mayor and Cllr Headley knew about the six track option through Bedford in July/August 2019. This route threatens nearly 100 homes with demolition. But then, in Parish Council Meetings in April 2021, they refer to their knowledge of the six tracks as a “rumour”. On BBC Look East interview (May 11) the Mayor said “he thinks” he found out about the track option in 2020. Elected officials hiding information from the public is not something new in this world. But when it happens on your doorstep, the public must ask questions. Had they shared their knowledge of the threatened demolition of a Bedford town neighbourhood when the EWR decision for Route E was announced in January 2020, the residents could have legally challenged the decision under Judicial Review. Deliberate concealment of the route impact information to the residents of the Poets neighbourhood now means that their chance to pursue a Judicial Review of the Route E decision has legally expired. The Mayor and Cllr Headley did not engage the public on the 2019 Route Options debate. They did not
ALL ROUTES WILL IMPACT
The Council held two public meetings in May and are looking at how the East West Rail Company can mitigate impacts across the whole route. One of the first pieces of work finished has been on the impact on properties just north of Bedford station in the Poets area. The Council commissioned a technical review in response to the East West Rail Company’s proposal for six-tracks to run north of the station. This report concludes that with efficient timetabling and track layout adjustments it is possible to bring the East West Rail service through Bedford Midland without the need to demolish homes. The Government and the East West Rail Company made the decision for East West Rail to go north, following a previous consultation. Whilst everyone is entitled to oppose this, I would urge anyone responding to this consultation to comment on the proposed route alignments or they will miss the opportunity to influence which alignment gets chosen. Any route would have impacts on our environment. The Government and East West Rail Company concluded Route E had the least environmental impact. The southern Route B corridor via Wixams, that is often put forward as an alternative, would mean the need to demolish 150 homes in Wixams and run close to communities such as Elstow and Shortstown
consult the public prior to putting forward their preferred route through Bedford. There was no Council debate. There was no vote. We must ask questions. Mike Barlow – BFARe
Mayor Dave attacks CPRE
TO THE EDITOR: It’s a shame the Mayor has resorted to cheap jibes and misinformation in an attempt to defend Bedford Borough Council’s Policy on East West Rail. Mayor Dave issued a statement repeating the remarks he made at one of the East West Rail ‘listening meetings’ last week, when he said ‘it’s CPRE Bedfordshire, not CPRE North Bedfordshire.’ He suggested that CPRE Bedfordshire only seem interested in the area north of Bedford and seem to show little identification with the villages and countryside south of the town. The Mayor is surely clutching at straws when he says a Wixams Parkway station, supported by CPRE Bedfordshire, would involve the demolition of 150 houses. He knows full well that EWR’s proposal for a split-level Interchange station with Midland Mainline at Wixams, involves nothing of the kind. It makes a big change from the Mayor’s past rejection of this idea
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when he was known to say that a Wixams Parkway for EWR would result in a station in a field in the middle of nowhere! Maybe the Mayor is sore with CPRE Bedfordshire because we pointed out in the meeting last week that these ‘listening meetings’ are happening two years too late. We said two years ago that the Council should engage with residents before submitting their March 2019 consultation response. CPRE Bedfordshire repeatedly challenged the Council to stop being so secretive about their ambitions for Bedford associated with East West Rail. Last week, we called out a senior Council official for saying that EWR have claimed environmental impacts in north Bedfordshire can be more easily managed, than environmental impacts associated with a southern route. When questioned about this he referred CPRE Bedfordshire to para 5.4.16 on page 63 of EWRs Technical report. In reply CPRE Bedfordshire have pointed out that this paragraph refers to a comparison of northern and southern routes in Cambridgeshire and has no relevance to Bedford Borough at all. When we raised this with the official involved, he told us he didn’t understand the point we were making!
Shelley Dennison CPRE Bedfordshire
In Focus with
Dave by Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford
whilst Network Rail plans also show a southern route crossing the river on a viaduct right next to Great Barford. I know that residents impacted by the chosen route would prefer the route went somewhere else – that is totally understandable. But the alternatives suggested cause more problems and give less benefit to our Borough in terms of jobs and the boost to our economy. I want to assure everyone, no matter where you live, that we will do everything we can to reduce the impact of this railway no matter what route goes forward. Please respond to the consultation at https://eastwestrail.co.uk/ consultation.
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JUNE 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN
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New leader predicts exciting times ahead by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter AN “exciting year of delivery” lies in store for all local residents, a Central Bedfordshire Council meeting heard. Council leader and Conser-
vative Arlesey councillor Richard Wenham described the last 12 months as “very challenging” in his first annual report. But he heaped praise on the local population “for sticking to sometimes onerous rules” and helping each other. “This council and its residents have undoubtedly stepped up in response to that challenge,”
he told the local authority’s annual meeting. “It was disappointing no mention was made in the Queen’s Speech about local government finance, including localisation of business rates and fairer funding. “For our local authority, pressures remain unabated, particularly in certain areas, such as older people, vulnerable adults and chil-
dren’s services with increased support demands for children at risk. “Unsurprisingly we’re seeing a big increase in referrals as we come out of lockdown. “And we’ve pressures in education, including our commitment to improve special educational needs and disability (SEND) services for which we’ve committed extra funding of more than £1m.
“That said, we’re in a good financial position with a continued careful approach, which will allow increased investment in our services, but mindful of medium-term funding risks.” Councillor Wenham said savings on buildings and administration costs during the pandemic means front line services benefit from extra support. On the council’s 2050 vision and sustainability plan, he spoke about its main guiding themes. “During the next few months, key steps in the vision will emerge in the tactical plan covering the period up to the end of the next administration in 2027. “We’re making strong progress in delivering our sustainability plan, with everything from tree planting to electric vehicle infrastructure.” The next year will see the deliv-
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ery of and start of key projects, he added, such as: n the Dunstable health and social care hub; n the new secondary school in Houghton Regis; n the transformation of Sandy Secondary School and improved leisure facilities; n the Flitwick travel interchange; n the Steppingley Road care home and extra care facility; n the Leighton Linslade care home in Leighton Buzzard; and significant progress on key parts of the Biggleswade housing infrastructure fund (HIF). “We’re also hopeful of the final completion of the Local Plan and the start of the M1/A6 link road, bringing thousands of homes and jobs to our southerly boundary with Luton. “The government has announced in the Queen’s Speech a new housing Bill and we’ll be fully engaged with our MPs and the Local Government Association in understanding the impact of this on our area.
“Regionally, East West Rail has just started its consultation on the Marston Vale line and on finalising a route option for the Bedford to Cambridge section. “The government has spoken about a strengthened approach to Oxford-Cambridge Arc and a draft spacial strategy is due to be released later this year.” A new portfolio covering health, communities and leisure is the catalyst for substantial extra investment in countryside access and highways this year. “On the public rights of way network, 64 bridges have been identified for a significant upgrade or replacement,” explained councillor Wenham. “Extra highways investment will enable faster and more widespread fixing of minor issues, which irritate residents, such as broken street lights, fading lines and missing signs. “And there’ll be footpath extensions, such as the Biggleswade Green Wheel expansion from Sandy to Tempsford.”
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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN JUNE 2021
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gardening with Milton Ernest Garden Centre
S
by Maureen Catlin
INCE 1976 our Butterfly and Bee populations have really been in decline. The destruction of natural habitats by more intensive farming methods and loss of wild flower meadows although somewhat offset by “set aside land” has still resulted in a decline of around 40%.The curtailment of the use of some insecticides has helped stop the decline in numbers but we need to restore many species, after all our fruit production relies on the pollinating insects. In our gardens we can play a part in providing nectar rich plants and suitable habitats, although on a small scale, together these become an enormous resource.
Plants rich in nectar provide butterflies and bees with energy. As they drink the nectar pollen adheres to them and as they travel from flower to flower it is transferred resulting in pollination which sets the seed and fruit. Solitary bees like Mason Bees can be attracted to the garden by providing a bee house or making one from wood or straws. Butterflies like warmth so plant nectar rich plants to attract a wide variety of butterflies and moths in sheltered warm sunny places. A very useful group of plants with high nectar levels in June are the flowering Herbs. Chives with bright pink onion flowers are loved by Bumble, Honey and Mason Bees. Majorum and Oregano are a great nectar source for Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock Butterflies. Thymes and English Lavender, with its relaxing properties, are magnets to all bees and butterflies. Comfrey as well as having many medicinal properties is another great nectar source for all pollinating insects and when the leaves are harvested, seeped in water for about 3 weeks it makes a brilliant plant food as high in NPK as proprietary brands like Tomorite. Honeysuckles are easy to grow climbing plants for a sunny wall, fence or pergola. There are many varieties that flower at different times during the summer months. They have long tubular flowers rich in sweet scented nectar and are visited by long tongued Bumble, Carder and Wool Bees and at night time by moths. Another plant to grow against a warm south facing wall is Ceanothus. Most varieties are medium sized evergreen shrubs with blue flowers in June. Such a magnet to all butterflies and bees it buzzes all day long when in flower. Cotoneaster Horizontalis is another smaller
Nectar rich flowers for butterflies and bees
shrub that can be grown against a dry sunny wall. It is a semi evergreen with masses of pink and white flowers followed by bright red berries loved by the birds in autumn. When in flower it is another “humming” plant being visited by bees eager to drink the sweet nectar. Bees also love Roses with single flowers and one whirl of petals. The prominent exposed pollen rich stamens attract bees. Good varieties are Pauls Himalayan Musk with its intoxicating heady perfume, the soft pink flowers of Ballerina and the masses of white single roses of Wedding Day. Buddleija Buzz Series are a compact group of the Butterfly Bush and as the name implies are a favourite with butterflies. The flower colours are white, pink, blue and purple with silver green foliage. The long cone shaped flowers are made up of many tiny scented florets often with orange centres. They are in flower later in summer and are the major source of nectar to Peacock, Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral Butterflies before they migrate to warmer climes to overwinter. Foxgloves tall spikes of flowers are also a Bee favourite and again designed to cover the insect with pollen as it emerges from the tubular floret where it seeks the nectar. The bright colours of Delphiniums another favourite of the perennial border attract Bumble Bees. The Millenium group vary in colour from white, pink, blue to dark purple and flower twice each summer if cut back as the first flower flush fades.
Verbena Bonariensis is a tall herbaceous plant with wiry stems and small purple flowers with lots of nectar for Bees and Butterflies again later in the summer. This is an excellent filler plant in the perennial border which will act as a natural support for taller plants nearby. Finally Monarda, also called Bee Balm because
it was used to soothe bee stings, is one of the plants in the garden most visited by bees and butterflies for nectar. They flock greedily to the red and pink tufted flowers in summer.
By choosing the right plants we can not only add variety to our gardens but help to provide energy sources for these declining valuable insect populations that are so important to our daily lives.
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JUNE 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN
mealtime Yes it’s fish again — we’re trying to educate the British taste buds to enjoy a healthy diet of fish. Here are some simple, delicious recipes that will please the whole family— if you do try them, let us know how you got on.
Swordfish with Mexican salad METHOD
Swordfish is a meaty fish that lends itself to being accompanied by strong flavours, including chilli and coriander.
1. Mix the oil with the garlic and ground coriander, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Brush this mixture over both sides of the swordfish steaks. 2. Heat a ridged cast-iron grill pan or non-stick frying pan until hot. Fry the fish steaks for 3–5 minutes on each side or until just cooked – they should still be very slightly translucent in the centre, as swordfish becomes dry if overcooked. 3. Meanwhile, make the salad. Peel, stone and chop the avocados, and mix with the tomatoes, onion, chilli, coriander and lime juice. Stir in the red kidney beans and season to taste. 4. Serve with a garnish of mixed salad leaves.
Mullet with mint and capers Serves 4 Mullet is an under-rated fish. With this recipe, you can find out how good it is at carrying heavy flavours such as the capers, anchovies and mint.
Wholls return to their roots
millions of streams, they were touted by the BBC as having a sound and stage presence ready for large stadiums and arena. Unfortunately the boys decided to step away from the music industry in 2019, but they could not resist the opportunity to come back together for one last show as The Wholls since they last played together two years ago and more so to say thank you to the place and the people that gave birth to their unique journey. Their Bedford Park show we are told will hold some unborn surprises during their set, but all and all it will be one huge home coming party for one of the best indie bands to ever emerge from Bedford Marquis Drive will also be supporting Ocean Colour Scene , they are seven ‘Midlanders’ who emerged in 2019 with their first release ‘Proud’ which went to number two in the UK vinyl charts . They also had a couple of lockdown releases ‘Truth Don’t Shock’ and ‘Spaceman’. They managed to built up a strong reputation throughout the UK supporting major acts like; The Farm, Reverend and the Makers, The Wonder stuff, Shed Seven and many more. The band featured on the Chris Moyles show on Radio X exactly a year ago, unfortunately they’ve been unable to play a gig since. The Bedford Park Concert will now give this amazing band the chance to echo their upbeat, euphoric music again but this time throughout Bedford park.
Bands Marquis Drive and local Bedford band The Wholls have just been announced as the final support acts for the forthcoming Ocean Colour Scene concert taking place in Bedford Park on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The group was formed by vocalist/guitarist Tordy Cocchiarella, guitarist /vocalist Santino Cocchiarella, bassist Joe Stevenson, and drummer Daniel De Feo whilst they were still at school in Bedford. Support from ‘BBC Introducing’ helped the band in the early years leading up to their debut album release which arrived in 2017 since then the boys have gone from strength to strength. After eight years of dedication and hard work, starting with local shows in and around Bedford, they soon stepped across the shores into European territories where they certainly rocked and shocked. They were soon to claim Radio One’s tracks of the week and major record deals. They achieved
“Sweet as a nut”
INGREDIENTS - 4 mullet slices - 40g plain flour - 40g olive oil - 1 sprig of parsley, - 2 sprigs of mint - 180g breadcrumbs - 2 tsp capers, chopped - 2 tsp sugar - 1 tbsp anchovy paste - salt to taste
This is going to be an awesome night with additional special guest Dodgy and off course the headliner act Ocean Colour Scene For more information on the Bedford Park Concerts please visit www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk Next month now that lockdown has finished which has allowed pubs bars and clubs to reopen we look at the damage that has been done, many questions to be answered, will they survive, will the general public change their habits and not want to be shoulder to shoulder in a small room, finally will these premises have compulsory council occupancy restrictions imposed upon them?
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3. Chop parsley and mint. Beat together with the breadcrumbs, capers, sugar, anchovy paste and
pinch of salt. 4. Stir in olive oil to make the topping and serve with the fish.
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METHOD 1. Clean fish and prepare for cooking. 2. Flour fish and fry at medium heat in a pan.
out & about
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Serves 4
INGREDIENTS - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil - 1 garlic clove, crushed - ½ tsp ground coriander - 4 swordfish steaks, about 450g in total - 2 avocados - 6 ripe plum tomatoes, chopped - 1 red onion, finely chopped - 1 fresh red chilli, seeded and chopped - 6 tbsp chopped fresh coriander - juice of 2 limes - 1 can red kidney beans, about 400 g, drained - salt and pepper - 85 g mixed salad leaves to garnish
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Week and has appeared on Live At The Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC1) and hosted her own teatime TV quiz show, Lightning! (BBC2). This show features support from top UK comedians and is hosted by Castle Comedy favourite, Paul Revill. Doors Open at 6.30pm and the show start at 8.00pm. Tickets for the shows are £15 (plus booking fee) from www.castlecomedy.co.uk
— 19
sport
Eagles’ fans won’t have far to travel this season! by Michael Jarman-Webb
Castle Comedy is ready to bring the laughter back after lockdown with a brilliant outdoor comedy show. The outdoor comedy show is at Henlow Bridge Lakes Complex. On June 10, the show features Hal Cruttenden and Zoe Lyons. Hal has hosted Live at the Apollo! He’s performed twice at The Royal Variety Performance, appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Have I Got News For You. Zoe is a regular on Mock The
BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN JUNE 2021
DESPITE the last two seasons being nullified, Bedford Town will see some quite different opposition when they start their new 2021/22 campaign on 14 August. non-league football’s restructuring at step 4 and below means there will be an additional division created in the Northern Premier League, this will have a knockon effect on teams in other divisions, including the Pitching in Southern League Division One Central where The Eagles currently ply their trade.
The divisions new make up may have done a favour to local teams as two of their biggest rivals in recent seasons, Halesowen and Corby will be moving to the Pitching In Northern Premier League – Division One Midlands, they will be joined by Bedworth, Coleshill Daventry and Yaxley, meaning next season, The Eagles
furthest trip up north will be St Neots! Teams joining our division include old rivals from our Isthmian League days Harlow Town. They will be joined by relatively new side FC Romania, Hertford Town, Waltham Avenue and Ware. Promoted to the division from the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division will be Colney Heath. Other than St Neots, Harlow and Aylesbury United, all away travel this coming season will be to destinations in Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and of course Bedfordshire, meaning shorter distances overall. I asked Bedford Town manager Gary Setchell if he thought the league would be easier this season with the absence of Corby and Halesowen, he said, “In my opinion both teams were overhyped, and both were beatable, the new league will have teams just as capable off winning matches, and again there will be seven or eight teams that could win it, I’m determined that we will be there or thereabouts by the end of the season.
“In my time at Bedford, we have enjoyed a run of nine unbeaten matches, and I want that to continue. I’m hopeful of keeping most of the squad together with one or two additions and hope we can hit the ground running at the start of the season. “Bedford is a big club in non-league football, it has the history, and most importantly I have the backing of Director Jon Taylor, who is a footballing man, and of course an Eagles fan – that is important to me. “The club also has the best fans and volunteers, it’s awful that they have had to be away from the Eyrie for so long, but I hope they will come back, and back us in even greater numbers as we try to take this club back to playing at a level it should be.” Fans will have a first opportunity to see the Eagles in action on Saturday 29th June as they play their first preseason friendly against league rivals Biggleswade FC who they are ground sharing with this season, more information at www.bedfordeagles.net
Manager Gary Setchell with Connor Tomlinson signing a new twelve month contract with The Eagles.
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