YOUR FREE COPY BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION
BULLETIN
NOVEMBER 2016
The Bedford Bulletin is an independent magazine with no affiliation to any other organisation. Published by Š 2016 Rosetta Publishing Ltd. 30 Radwell Road, Milton Ernest, Bedford MK44 1SH. Tel: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 Email all departments:pat@rosettapublishing.com. Printed by: Mortons Print Limited, Newspaper House, Morton Way, Boston Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR.
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Fusion’s refit of Robinson Pool makes a splash
RoBiNSoN Pools & Fitness (formerly Robinson Pool) operated by Fusion Lifestyle, a leading registered charity which provides quality sport, leisure and fitness activities to local communities, alongside Bedford Borough Council celebrated the opening of the redevelopment by holding a family open day in october to give the community the chance to try everything it has to offer. Following a £1.3m investment, Fusion and Bedford Borough Council are excited to share the results with the local community. The fun-packed day kicked off with an official opening at 11am, hosted by the Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson. once the formalities were over, families had fun making a splash in the newly renovated 33.3m pool utilising the newly upgraded changing facilities. A whole host of pool activities were on offer including free swim assessments for those keen to improve their swimming skills, plus family fun sessions and free diver taster lessons. Guests could try out the new state-of-the-art fitness suite, featuring over 100 stations and take up a free induction and health checks. Guests also had a chance to book in for one of five iNTENCiTY classes running throughout rate monitors, participants view their heart rate the day. This is a brand new, bespoke fitness during the class, adding a layer of motivation zone that offers specialist high intensity small and tracking to every workout. group classes. Using personal My Zone heart For younger family members there was face
painting and a kids colouring competition in the centre’s brand new Bickels Yard café where parents and kids tried out some of the delicious and healthy snacks on offer.
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Try-ing for Bedford
Bedford Blues Rugby players George and Edgson and Elliott ClementsHill with Kerry Cash.
5TH AvENUE staff were in the pink when they raised £470 for a cancer charity at the annual Ladies Day at Bedford Rugby Club. A combination of staff from the salon in Howard Street, led by owner Kerry Cash, and trainees from Bedford College Hair & Beauty, took over a tent at Goldington Road to offer mini manicures and massages. Said Kerry: “We love getting out and about in the community and the Pink Day is such fun. it also gives
beauty students from Bedford College some hands-on work experience.” Kerry is a Director of Bedford College Services Ltd (BCS Ltd) which manages commercial aspects of the large education provider. “Bedford has so much to offer and team work is what we need so we can all pull together,” said Kerry. To promote the event two top players had popped along to 5th Avenue to meet the team.
BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 5
Bedfordshire’s Miss Galaxy Jessica Rollings, is one busy lady. Not only is she attending various events throughout the county in her role as Miss Bedford Galaxy she has two other commitments that take up much of her time. Jessica, 22, from Flitwick is also a mother to a two-year-old son and she is also studying for a BA Hons Psychology Criminology degree at the Open University. To top all of this she also setting her sights on the Miss Galaxy England title. Success here would mean a trip to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the international competition. Jessica recently attended the opening of the Empire night club in Bedford and has been involved in several charity events supporting the Luton and Dunstable Hospital. Another project in the pipe line is her own charity event to support ‘Christie’ a leading UK cancer charity. Jess is looking for more events to attend to raise her profile in the county – contact her via the Bulletin and we’ll pass it on.
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Bedford unwrapped
Bluecaps promoting Christmas at the Bedford College Freshers Fayre.
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BEDFoRD is being unwrapped to allow Christmas shoppers fun ways to spend, spend, spend locally this season. For the first time the popular BedfordBiD Love Bedford Gift vouchers can be purchased on-line via www.lovebedford.co.uk Family and friends can redeem them in a choice of 270 businesses which offer something for everyone from computer games to afternoon tea, fashions, jewellery or hair and beauty. “The gifts vouchers are an easy way to give someone something they really want - and you are supporting Bedford Town Centre businesses in the process,” said Christina Rowe, Director of the BedfordBiD. The vouchers can also be bought at the viP visitor reception of the Bedford Swan Hotel and the Bedford Travel & Tourism Centre at the Bus Station. For those who like to shop in person then the season starts on November 24th with Santa and his reindeer at the Harpur Square from 2pm. They will be joined by costumed characters too. on the same evening: Xtra Xmas lights will be switched on paid for by
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businesses via the Business improvement District. These will be at St Cuthberts St and Harpur St North – adding to those switched on last year by the same team at Boots Corner, The Broadway, Mill St, Howard St and St Peter’s St. Said Christina: “These supplement the traditional High St lights paid for the by the council and those put up by the Harpur Centre and individual businesses. it is a considerable investment but it brightens up Bedford for Christmas.” Stay in town for Late Night Shopping until 8pm which begins on November 24th. Late night shopping Thursdays (until 8pm) continues on December 1st, 8th, and 15th and then every evening from Monday 19th–23rd. On Xmas LATE nights parking is free at the Harpur Centre underground car park from 5.30 pm onwards. For full details of free parking on other days see www.lovebedford.co.uk CHRISTMAS FIREWORKS on The Embankment start from 7pm on Nov 24th paid for by Bedford Borough Council, with sponsorship by BedfordBID.
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River Boat carries its 22,000th passenger! John Bunyan, Bedford’s Community Boat has this summer had its best season ever and has now carried over 22,000 passengers since it first started operating in July 2013. The boat which was launched by the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust to raise awareness and funds for the proposed new Waterway Park which will link the Great Ouse near Kempston Mill, Bedford to the Grand Union Canal at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes is run by volunteers and provides river cruises along the Great Ouse in Bedford from April to the end of October. Commercial Director, Graham Mabbutt attributes the success of the boat to the attractive cruises it operates at very reasonable prices which include public cruises on Sundays, Thursdays and Saturdays with Afternoon Tea, Fish & Chip Suppers, a monthly live Jazz Group as well as the boat being available for private hire for groups, parties, wedding cruises, business events and school cruises amongst others. Seen here receiving a bottle of bubbly and some flowers is passenger Susan Beaumont who travelled on a Thursday Public Cruise from Sovereigns Quay with BoatMaster (captain) Bill Boddington.
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Unlocking the code to success
JENNiFER oLLETT has been branded as ‘one to watch’ by the computer science organisation Raspberry Pi. Jennifer, of The Bedford Sixth Form, took part in the Peterborough STEM Festival - a celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics inspired by Ada Lovelace Day, the English Mathematician chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage’s
early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. Jennifer, who studies Graphic Communication, Maths, Physics and Computer Science attended in order to listen to a talk on ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Shipping Fun Things Quickly’ by Paul Curry (Editorial Developer at BuzzFeed, UK), because one of her projects, ‘insecta_Bot’, code generated insects using Photoshop scripting, was mentioned as an example
in the talk. Attendees to the event had the opportunity to compete in a ‘Make-a-thon’ in which they worked across broad STEM themes and topics and were asked to solve a problem or challenge. Jennifer programmed a robot which moved and turned randomly, as well as avoiding collision using an ultrasound sensor. To help Jennifer on the day both her father and brother worked on the
hardware so she could focus on the code and in a team effort they won the competition, winning two Raspberry Pi Zeros, two Pi hats (Hardware on top) and two Pi cases. Jennifer, aged 16, commented: “The event was very useful for me as i got to speak with some of the team from the Raspberry Pi Foundation about a problem i was having with file sharing which they were then able to help me solve. i gained some useful contacts in the computer science industry.” Marc Scott, Content and Curriculum Manager for The Raspberry Pi Foundation, referred to Jennifer on twitter, enthusing: “Hands down winner at the Makea-thon today. This hacker is definitely one to watch. She’ll go far.”
Voted in top 10
THE Millennium Country Park in Marston Moretaine has been voted one of the Top 10 Parks and Green Spaces in the UK in a national poll. The vote was conducted online, throughout September, from the growing list of 1500 Green Flag Award Winners. Now in their 20th year, the Green Flag Award is a highly coveted accolade, only being awarded to the highest quality Parks and Green Spaces in the UK – the Millennium Country Park has received this award for the past ten years; to remain within the Top 10 Parks is a fantastic achievement.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 9
Council urged to be tougher with developers
iN the last ten years another 7,500 houses have been built in Bedford Borough, generating nearly £8 million per year in extra council tax. The roads and green spaces and play areas on most of these homes have not been ‘adopted’, which means while the homeowners pay full council tax they do not receive full council services. These homes generally have to pay a private management company to provide the services not done by the council, which in effect means paying twice. Estates are taking longer and longer to become adopted, as it suits the council and the developers but not, of course, the houseowners. The council was not able to give accurate information on how many of the new estates were still ‘unadopted’. it said that the issue is immensely complicated and adopting roads is rarely straightforward. The total share of council tax for the borough in 2016/17 is £74.4 million. Alison Field Foster, Conservative Cllr for Harrold said: “There are many examples around the Borough where is has taken the council many years, in some cases more than ten years, to adopt roads. if they imposed clear planning conditions requiring develop-
Seventy five trombones
BEDFoRD Brass is only 75 trombones short of a Big Parade with just one trombonist attending weekly rehearsals. So the Band is appealing to Bedford people to halt this slide. Musical Director Mrs Liz Schofield said: “We are asking readers to help us find trombonists, young and old, to build this section of the band.” Band member Jenny Gellatly said: “Trombone players are a vital part of a brass band. They have an amazing sound and it would be great to have a few more to join us at rehearsals.” The Band rehearses every Thursday evening in Kempston East Methodist Church hall from 8pm10pm. Bedford Brass is a non competing band and plays at concerts, fete, churches etc in the Bedford and surrounding area. if you would like more information please contact Mrs Pat vought, Tel 01234 852949 Email: info@bedford brass.com
ers to bring roads and facilities up to necessary standards by a certain time this would not happen. “There have been issues with this in my Ward which have caused residents concern and highways officers a lot of extra work. in my opinion, the council has always been and continues to be weak in dealing with developers.”
John o’Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Council tax represents a large outlay for hardpressed families each year and taxpayers have a right to expect that to go towards front-line services. Council bosses need to make sure that they have found all necessary savings and cut out all waste before they can ever start to
think about restricting services for residents.” A Bedford Borough Council spokeswoman said: “The Council Tax charge for 2016/17 is based on 71,130 domestic properties compared to 63,615 in 2005; it is estimated that around £7.8 million of Council Tax will be collected from these newer properties in 2016/17.”
10 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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Embankment take-over by Girlguiding Bedfordshire SUNDAY 25th September saw Girlguiding Bedfordshire literally take-over the Embankment in Bedford. Russell Park was home to the first ever Girlguiding, ‘Bringing Us to You’, event . Here the charity laid on a public event for both members and non-members alike. There were a host of fun activities and sports to take part in and the event was supported by Just Turn Up, Beds Community Police, Bedfordshire Women’s Football, Royal Lancers Army Cadets to name but a few. There was plenty to enjoy including Zorbing, Climbing, Archery, Go-Karting, Tennis, Golf, Team Building, Karate and much more. Then, in a simultaneous event, the Embankment itself hosted the annual Girlguiding Bedford Division Bridge Walk. The Bridge Walk runs every year and girls are sponsored to complete a circuit of laps around The Embankment’s bridges. The event is one of Girlguiding Bedfordshire’s biggest fundraisers. Ann Crome County Commissioner for Bedfordshire said: “It has been a fantastic day in Bedford for Girlguiding. Our two events have been a huge success and we are delighted with the positive response we have received.” Ann added: “It has taken a whole team of volThe two events attracted hundreds of visiGirlguiding is a fantastic way for girls to unteers to make today run as smoothly as it has and it has been an amazing showcase for tors to both Bedford Embankment and Russell have their own space; it gives girls a voice and Park. has changed girl’s lives. the charity.”
Adrienne Jessop U. Bristol Alison Brokenshire U. Bristol Uma Madhav U. Cardiff Hema Mistry U. London
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Digital Academy leads the way
Great Denham pupils working at the Digital Academy Launch.
AN event to empower children to become digitally literate leaders was hosted by Great Denham Primary School recently. Bedford’s Digital Leader Academy Launch worked with children and teachers from 12 other schools from around the area, facilitated by ICT expert Mark Anderson. Deputy Head Jo Doyle who worked with Mark at the event said: “The children were taught how to ‘screencast’, journey around the world and walk with dinosaurs, using Virtual Reality (VR) APPs and lots more. Our digital leaders will be holding Genius Hours for children, teachers and parents. Children created applications for the digital leader roles using the latest technology. I was amazed at creativity and standard. This event was about building the capacity, skills and confidence of our young leaders in eLearning and passing them onto others.” Great Denham Primary School is recognised for its innovative use of technology for teaching and learning and are an Apple Regional Training Centre (RTC). Follow the blog on http://bit.ly/2dGADim
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Volunteering with Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Do YoU want to use the iT skills you already have? You could be making a real difference to visually impaired people`s lives as they develop technological skills to get online to access services, use internet keeping in touch with friends, family and the world, broaden their experience and enrich their lives. What`s in it for you? volunteering with Sight Concern Bedfordshire is rewarding and enjoyable. it’s a chance to use your interests with ongoing training and support in a friendly team meeting new people and to be both needed and appreciated for your skills and time. There are vacancies in other roles too, especially home visiting and office support. Sight Concern Bedfordshire has received the Queens Award for voluntary services this year and works with over 120 volunteers throughout Bedfordshire to deliver services to visually impaired people. For more information contact: Joanna Clark tel 01234 264023 or email joannaclark@sight concern.org.uk
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BedPop Repair Shop comes to the Higgins
GoT something that’s broken, that you think could be repaired if only you knew how? Do you hate the thought of throwing things away simply because you don’t have the know-how or necessary tools? Then help is at hand! The BedPop Repair Shop will be open for business at the Higgins Bedford on Saturday 19th November from 11am – 5pm to give a new lease of life to your broken belongings. Bring your broken toasters, frayed jeans or wonky bikes and the BedPop team of experts and handy dandies will do their best to make them better. Everything is free, but donations are welcome. “Repair cafes are a concept that has been around for a while,” said local resident and Green candidate, Lucy Bywater. “i wrote a newspaper piece about them recently which was picked up by other Bedfordians who realized they could make one happen here.” Daniel Churchill is one of the organisers and will also be on
hand to help with repairs. He said, “We want to draw attention to today’s throwaway culture by demonstrating that, with a bit of know-how and the right tools, most things are fixable. We’ll have electricians and seamstresses, engineers and techies plus the guys from Flamme Rouge will be on hand to give bikes the once over.” Also taking part is textile artist, Helen Jones. As well as offering button replacement and fabric repairs, Helen will also be collecting garments for her latest piece of work, based on fast fashion. “i’m asking people to donate an unwanted garment and complete a questionnaire about why they’re getting rid of it and what it means to them,” explained Helen. “i will use the garments to make a patchwork sculpture that i will display next year.” The BedPop Repair Shop is sponsored by the legendary Goldings of Bedford. Goldings, who celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2017.
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New masks for pets Long-awaited schools to open within 12 months affected by fire
Firefighter Steve Pinhorne demonstrates the equipment with Reqs the Hertfordshire Fire Dog. Follow Reqs on twitter @ReqsFireDog
PETS in Bedfordshire, affected by household fires, can now be helped on the scene by Firefighters with specially designed life-saving oxygen masks being carried on all of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue’s front line appliances. We have tried to resuscitate pets using regular oxygen masks but they are not suitable for use on animals and don’t work very well. The new masks are specifically designed for dogs, cats and even smaller animals like rabbits and hamsters and make it easier to effectively revive animals. Paul Fuller, Chief Fire officer said: “Last year BFRS attended a number of fires where animals were involved, some of which required oxygen due to smoke inhalation. We know pets are very important to people and when we
attend a fire owners are very concerned about the safety of their pets. These new masks will enable us to improve the chances of helping pets in the aftermath of a fire.” The masks have been donated by Smokey Paws, a not for profit organisation who raise money through sponsorship and support to provide masks to Fire Services around the country. Lynne Carberry from Smokey Paws said: “We raise the money for the life-saving pet oxygen masks through public donations and company sponsorship. Everyday Firefighters risk their lives and the least we can do is help them by providing the right equipment for them to help our pets.” You can donate to help to buy more masks by visiting www. smokeypaws.co.uk
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BEDFoRD College Academies Trust (BCAT) will run the new primary school next to its secondary at Wixams, it was announced last month. The primary school will have its own Head Teacher and will open in September 2017, the same date as the secondary, Wixams Academy. Both will be brand new 21st Century environments with the latest learning facilities. BCAT Chair ian Pryce CBE said: “This strong arrangement will offer a continual educational pathway from the nursery age of two to the sixth form for the first home-grown generation at Wixams. “Parents can be assured that BCAT and associates can call upon considerable experience gained in supporting the first Bedford Academy, which attracted £25 million investment for a state-of-the-art building, and Bedford Free School, which is now top of the town for GCSE results. “We look forward to continuing our mission of championing great education in Bedfordshire for people of all ages.” Building work on both school
sites was officially declared underway on 4 october by the Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson. Joining The Mayor was the Principal of the secondary, Wixams Academy, Paul Spyropoulos. Paul said: “i look forward to working with the new primary school to create a truly exciting educational campus for all of our pupils. We are grateful for the support shown to us by Lakeview Primary in Wixams and other local primary schools and will continue to work closely with them to ensure a smooth transition for their pupils into Wixams Academy and to guarantee excellent schooling in the area.” Cllr Henry vann, Portfolio Holder for Education said: “in Bedford Borough, our programme of investment is also helping us to stay ahead of the game in providing enough school places, where communities and families need them and our school building programme is the best in the country. A total of 96% of schools in Bedford Borough, inspected by ofsted, have been judged to be either good or outstanding, so our expectations are high.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 15
Anti-Hate Crime Project launched across county BEDFORDSHIRE’S Anti-Hate Crime Schools’ Project was launched in October at Mark Rutherford School in Bedford through a showcase exhibition of Anne Frank’s life and history, and a moving speech from her step-sister and holocaust survivor Eva Schloss. The aim of the project – a collaboration between Bedfordshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Anne Frank Trust UK – is to train schoolchildren across Bedfordshire to become anti-hate crime ambassadors, raising awareness of the effects of abuse and prejudice among their peers and to prevent it happening in their schools. “The importance of these antihate crime ambassadors became immediately apparent when i was talking to the children at Mark Rutherford School,” said PCC Kathryn Holloway. “Many of them were aware of a little of the Anne Frank story, and the horrors of the Holocaust, but until today they hadn’t made the connection between the discrimination faced back then and as a result of faith, colour, race or disability today. “When Holocaust survivor Eva spoke of her experiences in a concentration camp and of how she had both known Anne as a little girl and seen her diary at first hand, as her mother went on to marry Anne’s father otto, you could genuinely have heard a pin drop. immediately she finished she was surrounded by pupils shaking her hand and wanting to have a selfie with her which shows the huge impact her incredibly moving speech had on those who
were listening, including me,” said Commissioner Holloway. Bedfordshire Police’s Hate Crime Sergeant James Hart said: “We work hard with partners to create a more inclusive society, to stamp out prejudice and promote unity in our communities. “By working with schools and educating around hate crime at an early age we work towards eroding preconceptions and raising awareness that everyone deserves to live a life without fear. our young people play a huge part in our vision to end hostility in Bedfordshire.” The Police and Crime Commissioner gave a grant of £15,000 to the Anne Frank Trust UK as part of her victims’ Fund. The Anne Frank Trust UK is an educational charity which uses Anne Frank’s life and diary to empower young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to challenge all forms of prejudice and discrimination. Their interactive programme includes an exhibition of Anne Frank’s life and diary combined with workshops and an ambassador programme. The Anne Frank Trust UK was established in 1991 by the family and friends of otto Frank, following his wish for an educational organisation to be set up in memory of his daughter Anne.
Living Countryside Awards TWo Bedford Borough green spaces have been recognised at Campaign to Protect Rural England Bedfordshire’s Living Countryside Awards this week. on the 4th october the Campaign to Protect Rural England Bedfordshire held its Living Countryside Awards ceremony and two Bedford Borough Council managed sites were awarded prizes in the Biodiversity & Landscape improvement category. Putnoe Woods received third place, and Mowsbury Hillfort was awarded first place and a CPRE Mark. Certificates and a plague were
presented to the Friends Putnoe Woods and Mowsbury Hillfort by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis at the ceremony in Sandy. Harrold-odell Country Park also received a commendation for its newly opened boardwalk. CPREB’s Living Countryside Awards showcases the individuals, community groups, landowners and businesses that make special efforts to enhance Bedfordshire’s rich and diverse environment, the awards reflect the enjoyment and benefits brought to local communities through these inspiring projects.
16 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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Saying Bonjour to Henri Le Worm
PUPiLS from four lower schools were recently treated to a cooking lesson from healthy eating advocate oli Blanc. Based on his father, renowned chef Raymond Blanc, oli has created the lovable and educational Henri Le Worm to teach children the value of fresh and healthy food. Henri and his host of insect friends aim to encourage school age children to cook simple and nutritious meals at home with their families. Students from Bromham Lower, Ursula Taylor Lower, Carlton Lower and Pinchmill Lower Schools met with oli to find out more about health, cooking and growing their own fruit and vegetables. Students grilled oli about his favourite foods and what he grows in his garden, before helping him cook a healthy fruit pudding. Head teacher of Bromham Lower School Mrs Gilks said: “Eating right is a big part of our ethos, we have a vegetable patch and even keep chickens here at school so oli’s visit was a real treat for children and teachers alike; it was fantastic to see the our students engage with the idea of health eating. “ Henri Le Worm offers lesson plans; an interactive website; recipes; and even an award winning app for teachers, students and parents in order to support a cross curriculum approach to learning about food and promoting a happy and healthy lifestyle.
Can you still buy jumping jacks and penny bangers? REMEMBER, remember Goldings this November for all your fireworks needs. Whether it is for Guy Fawkes Night or another festival celebration, the business which has been on Bedford High Street for 150 years in 2017, is the best place to make your event go with a bang! Now the High Street business not only sells fireworks for those who want home displays, but can also stage shows for families
or larger groups. The business stocks and sells the internationally famous Kimbolton Fireworks which are used in major displays all over the world. Goldings is now run by Kate and Chris Temple who took over from long-standing owners but have kept up the traditions of the quirky shop which is treasure trove of ironmongery and household items which cannot be found elsewhere.
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Country Park celebrates 30 years
PRioRY Country Park, Bedford celebrated its thirtieth birthday in September. Priory Country Park was officially opened on September 27th 1986 by radio and television presenter valerie Singleton as a place for local residents and visitors to enjoy. The park was laid out following the completion of gravel extraction in 1977 and extended north after the demolition of the Goldington power station in 1987. Since it opened the park has grown and developed into a popular place for local residents and visitors from outside Bedford. Just one and a half miles from the heart of Bedford, covering 360 acres, Priory Country Park offers something for all visitors, while its wildlife thrives in protected lakes, grass and woodlands. The park hosts
a number of sporting activities including walking, running, cycling, canoeing, sailing and windsurfing; as well as angling and bird watching in a number of quiet and accessible spots. in addition, last month the park’s visitor centre took on a new lease of life with the opening of a brand new café. The Cloverdale Retreat Cafe is open to the public seven days a week from 10am to 4pm; serving a range of teas, coffee, savoury snacks and cakes. Priory’s high standards of care are reflected by the continued success in achieving Green Flag status, which it has been awarded every year since 2003. in addition, for the past three years Priory Country Park has been awarded the Travel Advisor Certificate of Excellence due to its consistently high reviews.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 17
Are you organising a function and want somewhere different?
The great Castle Newnham ‘Bake Off’
iT WAS a day for great cakes at Castle Newnham School last week when they held their own ‘Bake off’ in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Pupils, parents and staff from across the federation donated an amazing array of cakes, cookies and biscuits for the competition. Principal, Ruth Wilkes said: “We were delighted at Castle Newnham to support such a great cause as we’ve done over a number of years now. our
parents and pupils across the whole federation responded brilliantly with their donations of cake to have with coffee and lots of parents enjoyed a Friday treat on both sites. We raised a collective sum of over £1,000.” Judging was extremely difficult but the final winners were: Claire Eden Year 5; Christopher Lane Year 6; Lauren Hazell and Lucy Bitchener Year 7; Christina NakayamaDodd and Mia Cooper-Richards Year 8
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18 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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Biddenham creates a ‘transitional curriculum’ to fill the three-tier gap
BiDDENHAM’S response to the disappearance of middle schools in Bedford has been to invest £1.1m in a year 7 and 8 campus at the school. This innovative ‘school-within-aschool’ is designed to give new pupils a secure family base yet full access to the facilities of the main campus. Architect of the development, Executive Principal Mike Berrill says: “in primary schools, pupils are mainly taught by one teacher in one room that they come to see as home. in secondary schools they can be taught by as many as 14 different teachers in as many different rooms. our year 7 and 8 campus aims to bridge this gap.” opening in September 2017, the development will include two year 7 buildings, each housing 100 pupils in generously equipped family groups. it will also feature a large year 8 building with covered outside classroom space. These will be the bases for a new kind of transitional curriculum that combines intensive work in English, Maths Science and Foreign Languages, with engaging, primary-styled project-based learning covering the other National Curriculum subjects.
Headteacher, David Bailey, whose son Tom was part of the year 7 pilot last year and is now in year 8, said: “This is a very exciting development for the school and combines the best of upper primary practice with intensive work in the core subjects. We aim to lay a secure foundation for later GCSE work in years 9, 10 and 11, and we believe that this combination of engaging projects and rigorous coverage of the basics will do it.” Student Mathew Dilley said: “Coming to Biddenham in year 7 was a really good experience. in year 8 we have more lessons in the main school, which i like. i am really enjoying it.” Emily Simpson who is leading the development of the new year 7 and 8 campus said: “Getting to know the pupils in primary school and personally overseeing their transition into our new family base means that they settle quickly and begin to grow both socially and academically. our approach means that we know all the pupils as individuals and we can quickly support and guide them through issues that arise. our students and our staff team love coming to school.”
email: pat@rosettapublishing.com
Bedford Hospitals Charity Christmas Tree Festival
WiTH this year’s theme of ‘Stars at Christmas,’ The Bedford Hospitals Charity is again holding its Christmas Tree Festival at St Paul’s Church, Bedford, with the proceeds being shared between the Charity and the Church. The Festival runs from Wednesday 30th November–Sunday 4th December with opening hours Wednesday-Saturday (10am-5pm) and Sunday (2pm-5pm). There will be approximately 60 trees decorated by local schools and organisations, each with their own interpretation of the theme, and schools will be singing over the middle of each day. Admission will be £2.50, children
under 16 free, and a range of refreshments will be available. Trees for decoration can be booked at St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square, Bedford, MK40 1SQ. admin@ stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk The Friday evening concert at 7.30pm on 2nd December is entitled ‘Further Beyond Tango’ and under the leadership of Adrian varela, a first violinist with the Philharmonia orchestra, a composer and conductor who was born in Uruguay and brought up in Detroit. Concert tickets at £15 are available from the Charity website www.bedfordhospitalcharity.org.uk or St Paul’s Church 01234 3409163 or783181.
Rotary Club Swimathon
TEAM entries are invited for this year’s Charity Swimathon on Saturday 19th November at Bedford School pool and organised by The Rotary Club of Bedford. Entering is easy via www.rotaryswimathon.org.uk and the entry fee is unchanged at £15 per team. Sponsorship raised by the teams will be shared 50/50 between Rotary’s chosen charity, The Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre at Barkers Lane, Bedford, and the charities chosen by
the teams, and Rotary will arrange the additional 25% Gift Aid on behalf of the teams. The Swimathon offers a great opportunity for people of all ages to support local charities and trophies will be awarded to the Top Local Business Team, Top Local School or Youth Group Team, and Top Charitable Group. During the past 13 years these Charity Swimathons have raised approximately £100,000 for charities.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 19
20 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To THE EDiToR: How commendable that
CYCLISTS
Richard Fuller walks around town, although he might broaden his perspective if he were also to cycle, and he might then be more aware of the cyclist’s viewpoint. The law does not require a helmet or any especially bright or stretchy clothing. The cycle paths around the town are, like government and council cycling policy, disjointed and discontinuous. Public money has been spent creating cycle lanes, but too often it looks like this has been a box-ticking exercise so that claims can be made about provision. it is hard to believe any of our civic leaders use them, or they would realise how many fizzle out or yield to the supremacy of the motor car. There is certainly no network of cycle lanes. For example, there was a reasonable cycle lane from Bromham (it was shut when last i tried to use it). However, get to the bridge over the railway and it disappears. if you are not going to help the less confident cyclist with the difficult bits then one questions if any value had been added at all. Were Mr Fuller to cycle on our cycle paths he might also realise that they seldom offer a better alternative to the road, and this is why many cyclists prefer to take their chances with the other traffic. on a cycle lane the space is shared with pedestrians, even where there is some demarcation. He should not be surprised to round a corner in the cycle lane and come across a pushchair, a dog, or a teenager with their ear pieces
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in and their mind in a virtual world. He might get annoyed that he is expected to give way at almost every junction and driveway, so that he cannot get any momentum and make reasonable progress over any non-trivial distance. He might feel far more vulnerable to turning traffic and the lack of rules in the space he now finds himself. All this and he will be led to a junction where the cycle way disappears, quite possibly on the wrong side of the road. He will soon move back to the road, where he can make headway both faster and more safely because he enjoys the same rights as other road users as enshrined in the highway code. Having said all that, Mr Fuller is correct that cycling on the pavements is illegal and should be discouraged. i certainly make this point to cyclists on the pavement, not least because the more cyclists that are on the roads the safer we cyclists all become. However, it is easy to see how some are led on to the pavement by the cycle lanes, the ambiguity in some areas as to where cycles are allowed (The Embankment being a case in point), and too many are encouraged to use the pavements whilst at school, despite it being illegal. Bedford was a town of cyclists, and should still be a benign environment with few hills and little rain. Undoubtedly greater wealth has contributed to the use of the motor car, but cycling for the less confident has been engineered out over the last fifty years by the priority given to keeping motor traffic moving. This has been self-defeating
You can’t concentrate on the road and your mobile phone.
as motor traffic hardly moves at peak time, when many of the trips, commuting and school runs, could be done by bicycle more quickly. There is scope for some boldness here to give cycling priority and bring cycling participation towards Dutch levels, but i doubt our local politicians are up for that. There are undoubtedly inconsiderate cyclists, but this will be the same with any group of people. in reality, we are not some separate tribe and most of us are also pedestrians and car drivers, and mostly that helps makes us considerate of the needs of other road users. None of us pay road tax as that was abolished in 1937, but we do pay vehicle excise duty whilst using rather less of the road. So perhaps before he offers further populist criticism, Mr Fuller should follow the advice of that other Conservative, Norman Tebbit: “on your bike”. John Davis, The Embankment
To THE EDiToR:
i concur heartily with Richard Fuller ’s comments in october’s Bulletin. only this week a group of six of us were walking along the pavement at dusk. on two occasions, a cyclist came towards us, on the pavement and with no lights. S. Wilson To THE EDiToR: We were disappointed to
read MP Richard Fuller’s comments about cyclists in his ‘in Focus with Fuller’ column in the october 2016 edition of Bedford Bulletin called ‘Cyclists – Civility Not Convenience’. Civility not Convenience applies not just to cyclists but also to motorists and pedestrians. Everybody is a highway user – many are all three – and it is important that everybody learns to respect each other. The Bedford and Kempston urban area has a good cycle network of offroad tracks and dual use paths, quiet roads and on-road cycle lanes enabling residents to cycle safely from A to B without using busy roads. Some of the pedestrian/cyclist conflict is due to pedestrians not always being aware of which paths are dual use and where they are segregated. Many young, inexperienced and elderly cyclists do not feel safe riding too close to high levels of traffic travelling at speed and may sometimes also ride illegally on a path where there is not an off-road alternative. Even experienced cyclists are sometimes abused and forced off the road by inconsiderate motorists. What we would like to see is the Government set the default speed limit in urban areas to 20mph and to allocate a budget for this to be enforced so that cyclists of all ages and abilities are able to use the roads safely. Richard Fuller also mentioned cycle lanes and cycle helmets: Cycle lanes if adequately marked and continuous can have many benefits in improving the safety of cyclists but it is not mandatory for cyclists to use them. it is also not compulsory for cyclists to use a helmet. There is a big debate as to whether wearing one reduces injuries or not. Although many people can claim
email: pat@rosettapublishing.com that a helmet has saved their lives, a number of studies have indicated that they can sometimes increase their severity. Cycling Campaign for North Bedfordshire (CCNB) takes the view that it is a personal choice as to whether or not to wear one although we would advise that young children do so. Cycling is a popular mode of transport and in Bedford and Kempston has seen a 7% increase each year over the last seven years. Cycling as well as saving money has a positive effect on a person’s fitness and health and wellbeing. Every new person cycling means one less motor vehicle causing congestion and pollution, a current top topic of the local media. Peter Blakeman - Cycling Campaign for North
ARE YOU USING THE CORRECT DOG SIGNS?
To THE EDiToR:
As a fund raiser for a registered assistance dog charity i have noticed a number of incorrect signs in businesses typically: No DoGS EXCEPT GUiDE DoGS. i would like to highlight that Guide Dogs are just one of several Assistance Dog organisations that are exempt from this requirement. The others are: Hearing Dogs, Dogs For Good (Formerly known as Dogs For The Disabled), Canine Partners, Support Dogs, Medical Detection Dogs And Dog A.i.D. The Equality Act 2010 made it an offence for service providers to treat people with disabilities less favourably because of their disability, or because they have a guide or assistance dog with them. it provided people with disabilities to have the same right to services supplied by shops, banks, hotels, libraries, pubs, and restaurants as everyone else. it is made it illegal for those with an Assistance dog to be refused access to a taxi or minicab. Drivers can only refuse if they have a medical certificate from their doctor. Assistance dogs are highly trained, and their owners will have had training in the effective use of their dog. Kathy Stone, Secretary Dogs For Good Bedfordshire
LETTERS AND CONTRIBUTIONS
Letters to the Editor are welcomed. However the Editor retains the absolute right to edit, omit as he/she sees fit, without reference to the author. Please email your contributions to: pat@rosettapublishing.com with Bedford Borough Bulletin in the subject line or Tweet us at: #RosettaCom or Facebook at: RosettaPublishingLtd www.rosettapublishing.com
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Embedding the Roots of Learning PRIMARY years education is a time for children to discover, explore and ask questions. How do we ensure that every day is an exciting journey of discovery, preparing children for a life-long love of learning? At Bedford Girls’ School we educate girls to be independent thinkers, to explore creative ideas and to be willing to take a risk. It is our belief that if you establish these learning attributes at a young age, they will stay with the girls for life. Our Junior School takes girls from Years 3-6 (aged 7-11). A nurturing, bright and airy environment allows them to embed these key skills in a stimulating and engaging atmosphere. Our tailor made Enhanced Curriculum joins the dots of the modern world, a termly Unit of Enquiry allowing our students to take ownership of their learning, and to explore how different subjects fit together. This approach to learning encourages the girls to ask questions, develop independent research skills, and to develop a growth mind-set. Mathematics, English and Spanish are taught alongside the Unit of Enquiry with a true focus on the individual learner. With equal emphasis on cocurricular activities including music, dance, sport and special interest clubs, girls enjoy a wildly varied day. They thrive on the range of activities and enter into nonacademic endeavours with the same enthusiasm that they show in the classroom. Our girls are willing to step out of their comfort zones. We teach them that learning from failure is an important process and only practice leads to perfection. Our students achieve strong results and they move to our Senior School confident and eager to embark on the next stage of their education. To see for yourself how our classrooms fizz with energy, join us for our Open Morning on Friday 18th November 2016, or call the Admissions team to arrange a tour on 01234 361918 or visit: www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk
BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 21
22 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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On the ball for charity A FANTASTIC sum has been donated to Cancer Research after a fundraising ball supported by AFC Kempston Town and also Bedford College staff and students. Organised by Gary Ingerson, Michaela Martindale & Becky Lapworth, the event at The Park Inn, Bedford raised £9,103.53. Among the generous sponsors were Fusion Lifestyle who run local sports facilities and also support AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College, which includes college students in all of its squads. Special thanks to Greycourt Florists & Events who decorated the ballroom beautifully. Said Gary: “We had tremendous support from locals including Bedford College people and we are keeping up the theme with the football club having ‘Cancer Research’ on their pink shirts this season - as modelled by students. “The ball was held in June 2016 and we are now planning the next one for September 2017 so all help will be gratefully received.” Said Bedford College Head of Sport Phil Newman: “Our students train and turn out with AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College, study in the classroom on our various campuses and learn about helping others through activities like the cancer fund-raising. We believe that grassroots football shows young people how to be team players in the community.”
CHRISTMAS MEATS
––––––– Scald End Farm Beef and Lamb ––––––– Thurleigh Pork ––––––– Opportunities Free Range for young Bronze Turkeys people HAvE you ever thought about how and Traditional your son and/or daughter could benefrom being involved in one of the White Turkeys fituniformed organisations in Bedfordshire? ––––––– Since being launched in october 2014, membership of uniformed Free range organisations involved in Bedfordshire Youth United has Ducks and increased. Young people have joined the ten uniformed organisations in the Geese County to have fun, challenge and
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adventure, or to learn about leadership or team working, or they feel it will enhance a Cv. Adult volunteer Nigel Taylor said: “Getting involved in any of the organisations will provide young people with lots of enjoyment. They will learn skills for life and they will make new friends. Some will use involvement with the Police Cadets, Fire and Rescue Cadets, Army Cadet Force or St John Ambulance as a stepping stone on their career path. others who join Scouts or Guides will be able to get involved in many different activities and earn badges ranging from Animal carer to outdoor Challenge to Sports Enthusiast. There are great opportunities for young people.” For more information about these organisations www.youthunited.org.uk/regions/ youth-united-bedfordshire
24 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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email: pat@rosettapublishing.com Another empty shop filled Bedford Daycare Hospice based in Linden Road, Bedford, expanded into Kempston last month. Part of the former HSBC branch in Bedford Road, has been transformed by the charity into a retail outlet to support their work. On hand to do the ribbon cutting honours was Bedford and Kempston’s MP, Mr Richard Fuller. Also present was the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Helen Nellis. There were many supporters and well-wishers in attendance. A party of children from Banana Moon Nursery also in Bedford Road paid a visit, with the MP kindly handing out the hospice’s decorative balloons!
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 25
26 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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In Focus with
Fuller Richard Fuller MP for Bedford & Kempston
‘I HAD HOPED HE WOULD BE A MAN OF HIS WORD’
FoR British Home Stores pensioners and former staff, the recent vote by the House of Commons to recommend that Sir Philip Green lose his knighthood will not bring any immediate relief. in proposing the amendment, though, i did hope that we would achieve two goals. The first is to further encourage Sir Philip Green to act rather than just talk to make right the deficit in the BHS pension fund. For many years now he has promised to do this, most recently at our Committee hearing just before the summer. i hoped he was a man of his word. i had hoped to see him in weekly meetings striving to reach an agreement before the summer sun turned to autumnal showers. it was not to be. While staff were getting their redundancy pay packets, he was enjoying his time on his new yacht. The MPs’ vote was, in part, provoked by this apparent lack of concern. The second goal was to send a message to those in positions of authority that solely abiding by the letter of the law is frequently insufficient. With great powers come great responsibilities and part of that is to have due care and attention for those affected by decisions made. To receive a knighthood for services to retail and then fail so spectacularly, to sell an icon like BHS for just £1 to a three time bankrupt and believe this was in the best interests of staff, pensioners or suppliers seems to me to fall well short of being honourable behaviour. As your Member of Parliament i meet with people from all walks of life – the famous and not so famous, the well off and the not at all well off. The vast majority understand the simple truths that appear to have eluded Sir Philp Green: that we all deserve equal respect; that your character not your cheque book define your worth; and that when you are in a position to help, you should make every effort to do so. Parliament shouldn’t moralise – that is certainly true – but it can act to encourage, cajole and require better behaviour from the small minority who seek not to live by the same rules as the rest of us.
Deborah
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Become a foster carer AT Children First we are continually recruiting foster carers. If you have ever thought about becoming a foster carer, or would like to find out more information, please take a look at the website, www.cffa.co.uk or call Kim on 01268 567330. ‘Children First’ are an independent and well established fostering agency. Our aim is to provide quality care and achieve the best outcomes for the children and young people entrusted to us. We do so by working in consultation and partnership with our foster carers, local authorities, our experienced and professional social workers, and of course the children and young people we look after. There are many reasons why children need to be ‘looked after’ by foster carers. Each child or young person’s circumstances are unique and by providing a safe, caring family environment, you could make a difference and help turn their life around. Some families for instance, have periods of instability due to life issues such as medical conditions, family breakdown, learning difficulties and substance misuse. Some children unfortunately also experience
significant harm from family members, including being exposed to inappropriate behaviour or risk. A wide variety of people are eligible to become foster carers. You can be single, married or divorced. At Children First our carers come from wide ranging cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Some of our carers choose to work part time, while others may be unemployed or studying, they might be home owners or tenants. Each foster child however, will need to have his or her own bedroom. Children and young people need space around them for their own possessions and to allow them to study, play and relax. The most important thing is that your home is welcoming and safe. As a foster carer you will need to have the time and energy to invest in a child or young person. You must also be flexible, patient and understanding. Foster Carers receive a weekly allowance and have the support of our professional team 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition we offer continual training and development. @CFFAFostering
28 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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View from
In Focus with
Bishop Richard
Alistair
by Rt Revd Richard Atkinson Bishop of Bedford
BUILDING GOOD COMMUNITY
A LoCAL issue that is very much in my thoughts is the substantial new housing that is being built across our County. From modest infills and village extensions, to the very substantial developments such as Wixams, Great Denham, and Houghton Regis, new houses are appearing to meet the very increased housing need. in twenty or thirty years’ time Bedfordshire will be a very different, and more populated place. However it is not just a matter where and how the bricks and mortar are progressed, but also more importantly a question of how we build good community in these new and expanding areas. in part it is about the facilities that new estates require (and seeing them built early rather than late in the construction process); it is about good schools and community buildings; it is about provision for worship and the cohesion that faith can bring. What we understand by ‘community’ is not always easy to define, especially in our much more privatised and individualistic society. our use of social media, if nothing else, shows how different our interactions as humans have become. Yet having recognised that, i still believe that community starts with people who build relationships with their neighbours. That’s why new housing areas need individuals who are catalysts for good community; those who have a vision of a community that includes all and who seek out their neighbours, especially those who are feeling lost and alone. it is why as a Church we are committed to doing what we can to build community; to pursue the Christian vision of flourishing society that runs throughout the Bible, especially in the later chapters of the Prophet isaiah. it is why we support two Church Army officers in Great Denham and West Kempston who are doing a superb job of networking with their neighbours; why we invested with our ecumenical partners early on in the life of Wixams; and why we are working hard to identify what will be needed in Houghton Regis. What does it mean to build good community? it is a question for us all. All i know is that we will live to regret it if we do achieve it.
by Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP
HOW DOES THE U.S. ELECTION AFFECT US?
AT THE time of writing, the US Presidential election is in its final phase. You think that a general election is a drawn out affair – it is nothing compared to the US, where the early phases occurred some two years ago. However this particular election has kept the interest of many throughout the world despite the length of time, partly because it has been at times a gruesome affair, different from any previous contest, and also because, whatever the outcome, it affects the whole world. i cannot recall a contest in which the two candidates from the Republicans and Democratic parties have been so ill thought of by the electorate as a whole. i can understand this in relation to Donald Trump, whose lack of experience, and aggressive and offensive manner has been designed not to win votes from the thoughtful and undecided, but simply to focus on the more extreme prejudices of those who have fallen for easy sloganising to ‘make America great again’. Mrs Clinton has suffered not from lack of experience, but having had this experience thrown at her, with all the problems which come with being in the public eye for decades, and a record which could be endlessly poured over. The sense of ‘none of the above’, not uniquely confined to the US, has rarely been greater. i am sorry about the reluctance to support Mrs Clinton, who i have seen at close quarters working effectively on difficult world issues, and whose private personality displayed away from the cameras in working situations is some distance from what is said about her. i think she has the background and quality to do the job of President well, and would have backed her against many Republican opponents, let alone the wildcard Trump. The job matters to all of us. Whatever the historic relevance of President obama as the first black leader of his country, and his likeable personality, his foreign policy has struggled against the big issues, and the world is more uncertain as a result. His successor has a big, and complex, in-tray.
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Monthly update from the Police and Crime Commissioner
In Focus with
Dave by Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford
by Kathryn Holloway
OUR RESEARCH SHOWS THE WAY FORWARD
THiS summer we got what appeared to be some good news on the future of Bedford Hospital, as the Healthcare Review for Bedfordshire and MK was wound up. This review was flawed throughout. it persisted with a crude, blunt focus on cutting hospital services rather than more sustainable ways of working, culminating in appalling proposals for a downgrade including the closure of maternity services in Bedford. Bedford Borough Council commissioned research this year which showed that sustainability can be achieved for hospital services by new ways of working and integrating health and social care, rather than major service cuts. Health and social care services are both dealing with increased need for services, and there is simply no real solution for healthcare that doesn’t include social care. So on the face of it, the replacement of the Healthcare Review with the ‘Sustainability and Transformation Plan’ (STP) process for Bedfordshire and MK looks like a good thing. STPs are intended to involve health and care organisations in an area working together to develop plans for sustainable, good quality services. However, while this is great in theory, the practice has not been so far. Elected representatives have largely been carved out of the process, with MPs, Council leaders and councillors given little information, let alone opportunity to shape the important early work. Alarmingly, while the STP provides an opportunity to make a clean break from the deeply flawed work which resulted in proposals to downgrade Bedford Hospital, it has announced that the Healthcare Review work will be ‘progressed as an integral part of the STP process.’ A change in approach could still result in an STP which brings organisations together to identify real solutions to the very real challenges for health and social care services. As a supposed partner in the STP that is what we will be working towards.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 29
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ILLEGAL CAMP SITES – ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
i HAvE been working very closely with MP for South West Bedfordshire Andrew Selous to call on the Government to give greater powers to the police to deal with illegal traveller encampments which cause such misery and intimidation for residents. The Chief Constable and i met with Andrew Selous prior to his parliamentary debate on travellers, and i detailed the sort of uplift in legal powers that we want to see so that we can put an end to these illegal encampments which intimidate local residents and mean they do not feel able to use theiR recreational spaces. The Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police, Jon Boutcher, has called for a Gold Group of senior police, Andrew Selous as a former Minister at the Ministry of Justice, and leaders of local authorities to pull together all their civil and criminal powers and responsibilities to unite to disrupt illegal encampments in the county in what Mr Boutcher calls a ‘Team Bedfordshire’ approach. We need to work with local authorities who are required to provide transit sites so that police have somewhere where such travellers can go. in Bedford Borough, for example, although the need for such a site was identified in 2012 it still does not exist. We also need councils to use their Anti-Social Behaviour powers, called Section 77, but they are reluctant to do so because it involves them in the expense of going to court. The law makes it clear that the local authority is the lead agency in such cases. in some areas the councils, including Bedford Borough, have been involved in effective target hardening – raising earthworks around recreation sites to make it impossible for caravans and other vehicles to get onto the grassed areas. This is something which police cannot do but which is essential to make it more difficult for these encampments to take root. This is not just a policing issue, but one for all of us to attack together, and in this Force we are determined to send a message that enough is enough and work in a properly joined-up way to put an end to a problem causing a misery for residents and a sapping of resources for the police.
30 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
TWENTY-FivE Spanish students from a Spanish town called vigo, near the Portuguese border, visited Mark Rutherford School for three weeks, from 22nd october 2016: These students have been given a scholarship grant from their Mayor as a reward for their hard work. During their stay they partnered with Mark Rutherford students who are studying Spanish; participated in lessons and the wide range of extra-curricular activities available at the school.
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Bienvenido
This exciting opportunity for visitors and students enabled language and communication skills to be developed, alongside new friendships. Jenny Palmer, Deputy Head teacher at Mark Rutherford School said: “We are on the first step to building a reciprocal exchange programme. in the future we hope
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to provide an opportunity for our students to visit Spain to participate in other projects and to experience their education system.” Lisa Champion Head of Languages at Mark Rutherford School welcoming the exchange said: “This is an exciting opportunity for all our students to boost their understanding of Spanish with native speakers of one of one of the most important growth languages. Their employability skills will be enhanced alongside personal confidence.”
Mark Rutherford School welcomes Chief Executive ON Friday 30th September Mr David Russell, Chief Executive of the Harpur Trust visited Mark Rutherford School to talk to Y12 students about his career and the role of the Harpur Trust. He spoke about his time in the navy and the challenges of a career in the service. This included the dangers and Mr Russell took time to explain the Kursk disaster of August 2000. The talk then explored the role of the Harpur Trust as a charity serving Bedford Borough through the provision of housing for the elderly and grants to individuals and organisations. At the end of the session students asked a series of thoughtful questions. These were about the Royal Navy and its role in UK defence, the part played by charitable organisations compared to that of the national government. The vote of thanks was given by Ollie Hymers. Ian Nicholls co-ordinator of the speaker programme said: “David Russell was an excellent inaugural speaker for the year. His insight into the role of the charitable sector was highly informative whilst recollections of his career were motivational.”
Bedford schools linked to RSA
Jo Harrison Assistant Headteacher stated: “We have a close relationship with Bedford School sharing professional expertise and providing opportunities for students at both schools. It was pleasing that Mr Russell could observe at first hand the results of this partnership between a member school of the Harpur Trust and an independent state school.”
A DELEGATioN of students from Biddenham and Westfield schools went to the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in London recently on a fact-finding mission. it was part of a student consultation linked to the two schools setting up the ‘Bedford RSA Academies Trust’. They toured the RSA’s impressive headquarters just off Covent Garden and met senior staff including Matthew Taylor, the RSA Chief Executive and longstanding contributor to BBC Radio 4’s ‘Moral Maze’. The students from both schools were full of challenging questions but at the end of the visit declared
themselves enthusiastic about partnering with this 260-year-old organisation and becoming two of only nine RSA Academies in the country. The students plan to share their findings with their respective school councils. Head Teacher David Bailey said: “This partnership will drive the next stage of our development and provide students with a wealth of opportunities for advancement and enrichment. it is, without a doubt, a momentous time for Biddenham in looking to be part of such a prestigious charity whose remit is to ‘enrich society through ideas and actions.”
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40th anniversary with a Fun Day
THE Child Development Centre celebrated its 40th year with a ‘Fun Day’ for all children that have used centre over the years. The centre welcomed many guests to the event including Bedford Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Education Cllr Henry vann; MP for Bedford and Kempston Richard Fuller; MP for North East Bedfordshire Alistair Burt; and High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Mr Charles Whitbread. Service users old and new attended the event, and were treated to visits from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Ark Farm. Younger guests enjoyed magic shows, pony rides and bouncy castles along with many other activities organised by staff. opened in 1976, the Child Development Centre is dedicated to helping children with disabilities and special educational needs. The Centre’s fantastic teams work tirelessly to ensure that all those children that use the service receive the best support and care so they are able to live their lives to the full The Child Development Centre draws strength from staff from a number of organisations working together as a team so that each child’s needs can be assessed and met in a planned and coordinated way. There
are very close links between education, health and social services which are especially valuable in meeting the different needs of children and their families. Portfolio Holder for Education, Councillor Henry vann said: “The Child Development Centre is a great facility and it is fantastic that it has been going strong for an astonishing forty years. it was a real honour to meet so many staff, parents and carers, former staff, and representatives from the excellent Friends of the Bedford Child Development Centre, who - over the last 40 years have been supporting and enabling young people to reach their full educational, physical, and emotional potential’’ The Child Development Centre would like to thank the organisations that supported them in holding the event which include the Friends of the Child Development Centre; Ridgeway School; Sainsbury’s Fairfield Park; Tesco Riverside Drive; and Franco’s ice Cream. Also a big thank you from the Child Development Centre is sent to all of the people that attended the celebration; the staff and volunteers who gave their time, the exhibitors, attractions and the families who came along and made it such a wonderfully memorable day.
BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 31
Lord-Lieutenant appoints cadets
Photograph shows Mrs Nellis with, from left, Fire Cadet Kieran Stevenson (Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service); Police Cadet Rosie White-McColl (Bedfordshire Police Cadets); Cadet Staff Sergeant Luke Hardwidge (Beds & Herts Army Cadet Force); Cadet Warrant Officer Louise Seddon (Beds and Cambs Wing ATC); and Leading Cadet Danielle Ashton (Bedfordshire Sea Cadets).
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis has appointed five of the ‘finest young people of Bedfordshire’ as her cadets for 2016/17. The five were appointed at a ceremony held at The Army Reserve Centre, in Kempston. This year’s cadets are Fire Cadet Kieran Stevenson (Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service); Police Cadet Rosie White-McColl (Bedfordshire Police Cadets); Cadet Staff Sergeant Luke Hardwidge (Beds & Herts Army Cadet Force); Cadet Warrant officer Louise Seddon (Beds and Cambs Wing ATC); and Leading Cadet Danielle Ashton (Bedfordshire Sea Cadets). The cadets’ role is to support the
Lord-Lieutenant in carrying out her duties and their selection and appointment acknowledges their outstanding contribution to their cadet service and to the community.
Speaking after the commissioning Mrs Nellis said: “Each year my Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets continue to impress me with their professionalism, dedication to the county and confidence in meeting a wide range of people. They represent some of the finest young people of Bedfordshire. “i am delighted to welcome my new Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets to the lieutenancy family and i have no doubt that they will have an exciting and rewarding year.”
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(l-r) Amanda Young, Representative of Friends of the Child Development Centre, the charity which funded the fun day’; Charles Whitbread, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire; Debbie Albone, Manager, Early Years Support Team, Bedford Borough Council.
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32 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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Uncovering Roman history at Manton Lane
A PRoFESSioNAL archaeological dig has taken place on Manton Lane, Bedford, to uncover the remains of a Roman structure. Roman remains were first discovered in 2011, when a local lower school constructed a disability ramp. Historians became involved and speculated that the land on the adjacent slope of Manton Heights would have been an ideal location for a Roman villa, with its south facing location and proximity to a natural spring. over the subsequent summers, a series of volunteer-led digs investigated the field with small test trenches and uncovered a Roman wall, roof tiles, coins, hand painted wall plaster and other decorative wall plaster. The most poignant find was that of a Roman child’s footprint upon a floor tile. These finds led to speculation that the building on the site was of considerable importance and wealth. Skilled craftsmen would have travelled across the Roman Empire to Bedford, in order to decorate the building. Also found were pieces of high status Samian potteryware, and fragments of window glass. The glass was analysed and found to have come from an Egyptian source, dated around 350AD, providing further evidence of a wealthy owner. This year, community support for the project has grown, and an official support group, ‘The Bedford Roman villa Project’ has been created. Funds were raised for a professional
dig this autumn, linking up the original test pits and uncovering a larger area than before. A further collapsed wall was uncovered, a suspected bread oven and evidence of a typical Roman underfloor heating system. Also found were bone hairpins, used in ladies’ hairdressing – another personal touch that brings the site to life.
The site will now be re-buried to protect it from the elements, whilst the finds from this year’s dig will be analysed and catalogued. Bedford Roman villa Project will be embarking on a series of public talks to raise awareness about the site – for more information see www.bedfordromanvilla.co.uk or follow Bedford
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 33
British Empire Medal presentation ceremony
AT A special ceremony held at Luton Hoo, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, presented four British Empire Medals awarded at the New Year Honours and Birthday Honours 2016. Dignitaries present included the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Charles Whitbread; Mayor of Luton, Cllr Tahir Khan and the Chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council, Cllr David Bowater. The recipients were joined by family members and friends and heard details about the achievements of each person read by the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets. The medallists honoured were:
Dr Marjorie Cotton BEM Marjorie Cotton BEM received her honour for services to the Community of Cranfield, Bedfordshire. Marjorie is a retired GP and in 2004 she started to become very active in serving St Peter and St Paul’s Parish Church in Cranfield. She became Secretary of the PCC. She produced a Guidebook for the Parish Church which was very well received. As an active member of the village Hall Committee she helped fund raise £250,000 as well as obtaining grants. The Hall is now the hub of the community. Since 2008 she established Hands Across Cranfield. This has involved 30 volunteers being on call to assist elderly people in need, proving lifts to hospitals, helping with household repairs etc. She has also introduced lunches at the local social club and approximately 60 villagers regularly attend. Since 2009 she has run a series of Chair Based Exercises for older People running alongside the Hands Across Cranfield Group.
Paul Bowen-James BEM Founder and Chief Executive of the Kids in Action Charity, Paul Bowen-James BEM received his honour for services to Children and Young People in Bedfordshire. in 1996 Paul set up the charity Kids in Action for young people with special needs and disabilities. He funded a small youth club and subsequently bought a mini bus for group outings. He also persuaded a number of local football teams and organisations to hold fun days for these families. He started a computer repair shop to help with funding which enabled Kids in Action to eventually buy permanent premises. in 2008 he purchased a fund raising company which allowed all the money raised to go directly to the charity. He has bought four caravans in Caister-on-Sea for families to enjoy
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis with Mike Marshall BEM.
short breaks. one caravan has been adapted with a special bed and a hoist for the more physically challenged. About 250 children and young people access Kids in Action through its clubs and drop in centre.
Mike Marshall BEM Mike Marshall received his honour for services to the community in old Warden. He has been a Parish Councillor since 1989 and Chair on a number of occasions. one of his major successes in his role as a Councillor was to secure a vital affordable housing scheme in the village. Since 1974 he has also been an active member of the St Leonard’s Parochial Church Council. His priority in this role has been spearheading fundraising initiatives to restore this historically important medieval building. He formed the local Social History Group, which played a vital role in working with the local council to help secure £2.8 million of Heritage Lottery funding to restore the Swiss Garden to its former glory. He is Chair of the village Hall Committee and led the community through raising £75,000 to upgrade these facilities. For 40 years, he has been a member of old Warden Cricket Club, and has served as Treasurer and now Chair.
Des Salmon BEM Des Salmon was honoured for his services to the community in Studham where he has given huge amounts of his time to a number of local organisations. For the last 20 years he has been Chairman of the Friends of Studham Church and for the past 30 years has
also been the organiser for the annual fundraising May Fair, which raises over £6,000 a year for the church. The money raised through this event has gone towards maintaining the Grade 1 listed church building and its surrounds. He served on the Parish Council
from 2003 to 2013, including four years as Chair. He remains as Chairman of the village Hall Committee, where he leads a very small team in managing, improving and maintaining the village hall. For over two decades, he has been a Mentor for the Prince’s Trust, particularly specialising in guiding and supporting young people in the world of business. in the role he has been a great support for their Get into programmes, both as a progression mentor and business mentor. He is a Trustee for Advocacy for older People, which he has been since 2003. HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis said after the ceremony: “i was delighted to celebrate the achievements and huge contribution of five special people who i was privileged to present with their British Empire Medals, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen. They are an inspiration to us all and a reminder of how much difference each of us can make when we go the extra mile to serve our communities. it was a particular pleasure to conduct the ceremony at Luton Hoo, one of Bedfordshire historic treasures, where we received a very warm welcome”.
High Sheriff visits Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Headquarters
THE High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Mr Charles Whitbread and his wife Jane met officers, staff and Firefighters when they visited the headquarters of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue in Kempston recently. They were given a tour of the training centre and the Brigade Command and Control Centre to see first-hand the work that these teams do on a daily basis. Mrs Whitbread also volunteered to take part in a demonstration where she was cut out of a vehicle by the crew of Kempston Blue Watch. The High Sheriff was shown the tools and equipment used to carry out this procedure
when rescuing people trapped in vehicles following road traffic accidents. The High Sheriff and his wife thoroughly enjoyed seeing the service at work. “We had a fascinating day with the Fire and Rescue Service and were amazed at the breadth of services provided to the communities of Bedfordshire beyond the fighting of fires”, he said. “It was clear how cohesive all the departments are in working as a single team to deliver an excellent service in our county and with all the other emergency services in Team Bedfordshire.
34 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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Ex-Bedford Modern Student and former England Rugby Captain dies
RICHARD Eric Gautrey Jeeps, best known as Dickie, a former England rugby captain and one of the country’s finest scrum-halves, has died at the age of 84. Dickie started his rugby career at Bedford Modern School (BMS) as a full-back however former BMS master of rugby, Mr PJ King, soon convinced him to play in the first XV as scrum-half and he never looked back. Dickie was quite the sportsman during his time at BMS; in addition to playing rugby he captained the first IV rugby fives team, was vice-captain of the first XI cricket team and competed for the school at crosscountry. After finishing school Dickie played for Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club before moving to Northampton Saints where he played for 13 years and captained the club in 1958. He earned 24 caps as an England scrum-half, captaining his nation on 13 occasions. Dickie also played for the British and Irish Lions 13 times, which was then a record, and toured South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Following his retirement, at
the early age of 44, Dickie became the youngest Rugby Football Union President from 1976-77. In 1977 he was awarded a CBE and one year later was appointed Chairman of the Sports Council, a position he held for seven years. Dickie is survived by his daughters Deborah, Caroline and Louise and 11 grand children.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 35
Community Rugby Department THE Bedford Blues Community Rugby Department is already having a huge impact on local schools, clubs and organisations just three months after its initial launch The department - which is headed by Head of Community Ben Gulliver - was set up following close work between the Bedford Blues Board, Director of Rugby Mike Rayer and former player Matt Price who runs an organisation called Sports in Schools. With over 250 schools and organisations across Bedfordshire, a fantastic opportunity was identified to build stronger links within the community, deliver high quality sports provision and provide sustained support to the next generation
of rugby players who could one day pull on a Bedford Blues jersey. Through the work of Gulliver, the Community Rugby Department is working with the likes of Camestone Lower School, Wootton Lower School, Cranfield Lower School and Cauldwell School in providing a range of packages, breakfast clubs, lunchtime clubs and after school clubs. The team also offer lesson support, PPA and a Rugby and Reading project along with specialist coaching sessions for established schools and universities such as Bedford Modern and the University of Bedfordshire’s Women’s team. Speaking about the work of the Community Department, Gulliver
said: “For me this isn’t just a job, it is a privilege and i take great pride in promoting the Blues within the community. There are a lot of things in the pipeline, we’ve just completed our second camp at Goldington Road and we are also working with Bromham Lower School. “our ‘Rugby and Reading’ project is proving to be particularly popular with the schools which we work with. it is basically an opportunity for a Bedford Blues player or community coach to help with reading within the normal timetable at selected schools. i personally attend Cranfield Lower School for an hour to read with a small group and then we head out for an hour of tag rugby straight after. it’s had a real impact
on the behaviour of the pupils and engagement in reading. “We’ve received a huge amount of backing from the club along with fantastic support from the Junior Blues who have helped to advertise our camps and in return we are proud to support their efforts in attracting more youngsters to the game. “The Community Rugby Department has proven to be a huge hit in Bedfordshire and we are all excited to continue its growth in the coming weeks, months and years.” To find out more information about the Community Rugby Department please email community@bedfordrugby.co.uk or call 0871 871 1886.
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36 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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HISTORICALLY SPEAKING – by David Fowler, Bedford Tour Guide
Admiral John Byng and Southill
T
HiS shocking painting showing the execution of Admiral John Byng, was “the worst legalistic crime in the nation’s annals”. He was the fifth son of Rear-Admiral Sir George Byng, later Admiral the 1st viscount Torrington, one of the most distinguished officers in the history of the Navy (the 5th viscount was the well-known 18thC diarist). George Byng had bought the old Southill mansion in 1693, rebuilding it in Palladian style, but a century later the Torrington’s fortune had suffered and it was sold to the first Samuel Whitbread. Born at the family home of Southill in 1704, John Byng entered the Royal Navy age 13 and rose to captain by the age of 23. By 1747 he had become a vice admiral and also, in 1751, MP for Rochester. He built the mansion of Wrotham Park in Hertfordshire in 1754, which remains in the family to this day, although it is doubtful whether he ever lived there.
in 1756, vice Admiral John Byng was appointed to the command of a small Mediterranean fleet to recapture the island of Minorca. This had been in British hands since the War of Spanish Succession in 1708, but was now under siege by France’s Duc de Richelieu. The Lords of the Admiralty undervalued the importance of the island, giving Byng a mere 10 ships of line, insisting he took on board troops for the Minorca garrison who displaced the ships’ marines. Arriving at Gibraltar after a month at sea, he learnt that a French army had been landed on Minorca, seizing almost every strongpoint. Byng had been promised a detachment of a battalion, but the Gibraltar Governor would only give him a much smaller force. Arriving in sight of Minorca ten days later, he was confronted by the larger enemy fleet, the wind conditions allowing only a minor skirmish. The battle on following day was also indecisive, with casualties on both sides, Byng unable to obtain the advantage. A council of war was held with his naval captains and several of the land officers, the conclusions being that they could not relieve Minorca, that should an accident befall them then Gibraltar could be in danger and resolving to return immediately to Gibraltar. Unfortunately the first news of the encounter reached London via the French, some days before Byng’s own dispatch. This depicted that the British “kept clear of us
as they pleased” and “none of their ships long withstood the fire of ours. our vessels suffered but little”. When Byng’s own version arrived it was suppressed and then edited, omitting large sections, before being released ten days after its arrival. it portrayed him well, but perhaps not quite bold enough! The Admiralty, now realising that it was their mistakes that had led to the failure to retake Minorca, embarked on a systemic attack on Byng, having him brought back to England and putting him under arrest. A month’s trial before his peers aboard the St George at Portsmouth followed, finding him guilty of not doing his utmost to relieve Minorca. The sentence was death by firing squad, but they “unanimously think it their duty most earnestly to recommend him as a proper object of mercy” after all it was an error of judgement, not cowardice, but neither the Government nor King George ii
sought to exercise that prerogative. on the morning of his execution on the quarterdeck of his former flagship Monarch at Portsmouth, he gave the order to fire by dropping his handkerchief. His tomb in the Byng vault at All Saints Southill bears the inscription: “To the Perpetual Disgrace of Public Justice, the Hon. John Byng, Esq., Admiral of the Blue, fell a Martyr to Political Persecution, March 14th, in the year MDCCLvii; when Bravery and Loyalty were insufficient Securities for the Life and Honour of a Naval officer.” The episode provoked the French writer voltaire’s famous remark, in his novel ‘Candide’, that in England ‘it is thought good to kill an admiral from time to time to encourage the others’. Below left: The Byng family vault at All Saints, Southill. Below: Admiral Byng’s tomb.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 37
B
The Cardington Airships
ut for the hand of fate, Bedford would have been the British centre for a network of international airship routes stretching around the world. in 1916, the War Department had given Short Brothers the contract to design and build not only our first fighting airships to rival the German Zepplins, but a complete production works. All had to be built on a ploughed field site, including a hydrogen plant and shed, which was carried out in the remarkably short time of 27 months, the first airship being commissioned just five days before the Armistice. in 1924 Lord Thompson of Cardington, Secretary of State for Air, promoted the idea of two publicly funded British airships, the R100 to be built by vickers at Howden, Yorkshire and the R101 at the Royal Airship Works, Cardington. in July 1930 the R100 made a successful flight to Montreal, but the R101 was struggling to get its designed lift for the flight to Karachi. Cut in half, an additional gas bag
was inserted, giving some improvement and she was hurriedly made ready for her disastrous flight in october. The Airlander 10, designed and assembled at Cardington is the world’s most innovative, practical and commercially useful hybrid aircraft. A cross between an airplane, airship, helicopter and hovercraft, it is greener and quieter than any other air transport in existence and is currently undergoing flight testing.
The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of the Cardington Airships
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38 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
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Bedford’s great sporting icons
by Ken Broughton
EDFoRD has had its fair share of sporting icons over the years and probably the most famous is Paula Radcliffe, although she wasn’t actually born here but up north in Cheshire, not far from Northwich on December 7th 1973. Her family moved to oakley near Bedford when she was 12 and she attended Sharnbrook Upper School. Paula showed great promise as an athlete from an early age and encouraged by both parents she joined Bedford and County Athletics Club with its outstanding facilities at their stadium on Newnham Avenue. At 13 she finished fourth in Te English Schools Cross Country Championships. This was in 1987 and four years later she won The English Schools 1500 metres title. 1992 saw Paula winning the iAAF Cross Country Championships in Boston USA. From then onwards it was success after success followed by worldwide fame at international level with gold medals at Commonwealth and European Games. Although she competed at the 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 olympic Games she unfortunately never won a gold, silver or even a bronze medal in any of the events she competed in; her best performance being fourth in the 10,000 metres at the 2000 olympics in Sydney, Australia. in 2002 Paula made the move up to the marathon event which paid off with a victory in that years London Marathon which she won on three occasions, as she did the New York Marathon and she also won the 2002 Chicago Marathon. She is also the current holder of the women marathon world record with a time of 2hr. 15m 25s and was awarded an MBE in June 2002 and later that year was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. To list all her achievements would take up too much writing space and anyway they have been well documented. A true sporting icon. Harold Abrahams CBE was born in Bedford on December 15th 1899 of Jewish parents. He attended Bedford School and Repton School before winning a scholarship to Caius College in Cambridge. He was a top class athlete excelling at running and in the long jump and during his time at Cambridge won a total of eighth events in the annual athletics match against oxford University and his debut in 1920 at the triangular tournament between England, ireland and Scotland saw him win the 220 yards race. Later that same year he competed, without success for Great Britain in the olympic Games at Antwerp, Belgium but his defining moment however, came at the 1924 olympiad in Paris, France when he won a gold medal in the 100 metres final. This feat was depicted in the 1981 oscar winning movie ‘Chariots of Fire’ along with team mate Eric Liddle, who won a gold medal in the 400 metres final. Abrahams also won silver in the 4 x 100 metres final and Liddle in the 200 metres final. His
athletics career came to an end in 1925 when breaking a leg in a long jump event, a competition he also took part in at the 1920 olympics. Although he dominated British sprint and long jump events for several years, Abrahams, after graduating from Cambridge, pursued a legal career and subsequently became an athletics journalist and the author of several books covering his sport. He joined the BBC as a sports commentator and was awarded a CBE in 1957. He also became President of the Jewish Athletics Association and Chairman of the Amateur Athletics Association (A.A.A.) He died in Enfield on January 14th 1978 and a blue plaque bearing his name, from the Heritage Foundation was unveiled at his birthplace in Rutland Road, Bedford on July 8th 2012, to coincide with the olympic torch relay passing through the town. Derek Prior ‘Budge’ Rogers oBE, was born in Bedford on June 20th 1939 and he also, like Abrahams before him was educated at Bedford School and made his debut for Bedford Blues Rugby Club whilst still in his final year at school, in a Boxing Day fixture against old Paulines and the following week played against Leicester. The following year he was more or less a regular in the Blues line up as an open side wing forward or flanker as this position is sometimes known. He was a first team player for 20 years and by the time he was 20 years of age he had played in several trial matches for England and finally made his debut for his country on 11.02.61. against ireland in Dublin, a match they lost 11-8 but he did have the satisfaction of scoring a try for England and his final game was against Wales in Cardiff 12.04.69. which Wales won 30-9. Budge was Captain this match and his final England record was P34 W10 D4 and L18 and he scored three tries in these games. He captained the team on seven occasions. He also played for The British Lions on their 1962 tour to South Africa and many times for the Barbarians, an invitational team based in Britain. The ‘Baa Baas’ as they are nicknamed play in traditional black and white hoop shirts but the players retain the socks from their home club strip. it is considered an Honour to be invited to play for them. They have no home ground. i saw Budge play just once for England apart from on Tv of course and that was against Scotland on 18.03.67 at Twickenham and they won 27-14. i also saw him play many times for Bedford Blues and was at Twickenham (you bet i was) when as captain he led them to a 28-12 victory over Rosslyn Park in the 1975 Rugby Union Knockout Cup which attracted a crowd of almost 18000, an attendance record for the final at that time. in 1969 he was awarded an oBE by the Queen for services to Rugby and in the mid 1980s he was Chairman of the England team selection committee. in 2000 he managed the England team and in 2001 was Rugby Football Union President. i didn’t know Budge personally, but for
many years his parents kept the King William iv pub in Kempston, but i, along with several of my mates used to drink in the King Bill as it is sometimes known. We knew his father Harry reasonably well as he was a very friendly and popular landlord and remember him telling us at the time that Budge was a keen Chelsea supporter. This was in the Peter osgood, Bobby Tambling era. My earliest memory of Budge and his younger brother Chris (they looked almost identical) is of them both fishing down Kempston Mill behind the King William when i was about ten and Budge, i think it was, telling my mate Jimmy Litchfield that they were going pike fishing. i think Jim used to know them quite well back in those days. What i do remember quite well though is walking home from Bedford to Kempston in the early hours one Sunday morning around 1968/69 and had got to Bedford South Wing Hospital when suddenly this two seater sports car pulled up in the middle of the road and the driver opened the passenger door and called to me to ‘hop in and i’ll give you a lift to Kempston.’ i thought for a moment it was Budge because they looked so alike but it was in fact his brother Chris and he dropped me off at the bottom of Wyatt Road and wished me well. i very much doubt he remembers it but i have never forgotten his good samaritan act that early Sunday morning. i should mention, in passing, another of Bedford’s well know sportsmen. i am referring to Gerald ‘Beef’ Dancer who played as a prop froward for Bedford Blues from 1928 - 1948. He was born in Bedford in 1911 and won a scholarship to Bedford Modern School where he began playing Rugby. in the late 1930s he was regraded as one of the best prop forwards in the country but despite playing in several trial matches was never rewarded with an England international Cap. However he was selected for the British Lions Tour in 1938 to South Africa where he played in all three of the international Test Matches against South Africa. The Springboks won the first two games but lost the last when The Lions beat them 21-16 with Beef scoring one of The Lions second half tries. After retiring from Rugby, Beef was landlord of The Griffin pub in Kempston, one of many of our regular watering holes and we got to know him very well. He always seems reluctant to talk about his Rugby career, preferring to discuss his favourite sport which was boxing. He used to attend most of the big fights in London and got me a ticket for the first big fight i ever saw. The British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Championships between Henry Cooper and Joe Erskine at Earls Court London, November 17 1959. it still remains the best fight i have ever seen which ended in round 12 with a Ko for Cooper. Beef died in August 1991. He was one of the best. Until next time, Ken
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 39
NOVEMBER IN THE GARDEN – by Milton Ernest Garden Centre
Plant a tree this autumn
HE week beginning the 28th of November is National Tree Planting Week the start of the winter planting season. This event started in 1975 and is a reminder of the valuable contribution that trees make to our environment. By planting a tree in your garden or by coming together with others to plant in your local community you are helping to overcome the effects of climate change, improving the look of your surroundings and offering a great opportunity for wildlife to move into the area. Deciduous trees contribute the most. The fresh foliage each spring produces more oxygen than narrow leaf evergreens like conifers. The variation in the shape, the colour of the foliage, flowers and fruit gives lots of interest throughout the year. one tree can support hundreds of species of wild life with birds sheltering, nesting and feeding on the fruits and seeds, insects feeding on the nectar, pollen and leaves and sheltering overwinter in cracks in the bark. Small mammals like squirrels, mice, voles and bats also shelter amongst the branches and eat the fruits.
T
it is important to choose the right tree for your soil conditions and situation. Large trees should not be planted too close to buildings which could result in structural damage. Most species prefer free draining soil but some can benefit from wetter sites like Birch, Willow and Alder. Dig a hole three times the volume of the container the tree was grown in. Put several spadefuls of good planting compost in the hole and place the tree upright ensuring that it is the same level as the surrounding soil. Never allow the soil to cover the bark at the base of the tree which causes the bark to rot and kill the tree. The hole can now be backfilled with any remaining compost. Tread down firmly. Scoop a well around the base of the trunk so that when you water it soaks directly down to the roots. insert a stake to support the tree until a good root has established, usually about three years, and secure with a cushioned tree tie. Water and continue to maintain watering throughout the first couple of years. Decide if you want to plant a small or large specimen tree, a hedge, a group of trees, a fruit tree or grow one in a pot on the patio. Specimen trees should be planted in a place where the whole tree shape
can be admired and not crowded by any other plants. Large gardens and open community spaces can accommodate a large specimen or a group of trees. varieties of native woodland trees are good choices. Salix vitellina Pendula, The Weeping Willow, has curtains of graceful pendulous branches with yellow bark that glows in winter sunlight and is excellent planted near water. Quercus Rubra, The Red oak, is a stately tree with rich autumn colours and acorn fruits. Fraxinus Excelsior Jaspidea, The Yellow Ash, has bright yellow foliage in autumn and yellow
white pink apple blossom in spring gives pollen and nectar for insects and red yellow fruits in autumn for the birds. When the fruits fall they are eaten by mice, voles and badgers. it is also useful for making crab apple jelly which sets easily due to the high pectin content. Crataegus Crimson Cloud, a variety of Hawthorn, has deep red flowers and white centres in spring and red b er r ies in autu mn . P r un u s Subhirtella Autumnalis, is a Winter Flowering Cherry, with pink flowers from November until spring. Sorbus Aucuparia Eastern Promise, is a variety of Mountain Ash, with white flowers in spring and deep pink currant like fruits in autumn. Salix Caprea Pendula, the Weeping Pussy Willow, has pendulous branches. The early catkins are bark in winter. Fagus Sylvatica another good source of pollen and Purpurea Tricolor, The Purple nectar. Beech, has red leaves edged pink Hedges are a good way of plantand beech nuts in autumn which the ing trees in a small area. Prunus squirrels love. A good species for Spinosa, The Blackthorn, with white group planting are the Birches. They flowers in spring, leaves loved by should be planted about two metres moths and caterpillars and sloe fruits apart to encourage straight trunks. A in autumn, which are an essential lovely variety is Betula Utilis ingredient for sloe gin. Cratageous inverleigh with ghostly white bark Monogyna, Hawthorn, also makes a and catkins in late winter, a pollen good hedge with the same dense thorny branches to give birds shelter. and nectar source for insects. if you choose to plant a fruit tree Trees in smaller gardens give the skyline structure. Here are some think about Heritage Apples with suggestions. Malus John Downie, a their wonderful names. Many of Crab Apple, with sweetly scented these old varieties are in danger of disappearing so by planting these you are really helping conservation. Apple irish Peach is sweet and delicious eaten straight from the tree. Apple Scotch Dumpling a cooking apple with creamy frothy flesh. Apple Cornish Gillflower a dessert russet pippin with a rich aromatic flavour. Trees can also be grown in pots on the patio. Plant them in a large pot with good drainage using John innes Compost number 3 with some added grit. Laurus Nobilis, The Bay Tree, is an aromatic evergreen which can be trained as a standard. Buxus Sempervirens, The Box, and olea Europaea, olive Tree, are also evergreen and can be trained in the same way. Prunus incisa Kojo Nomai is deciduous with white flowers in spring and lovely autumn colour. Cotoneaster Congestus Nana, a delightful semi evergreen with a weeping habit and pink flowers in spring followed by bright red berries in autumn. i am sure that you can find a tree here to suit your garden so please plant a tree this November.
40 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952
email: pat@rosettapublishing.com
out & about
International word clown The Gordon Arms, Bedford Thursday November 10th
on Thursday 10th Castle Comedy brings a classic mixed bill of comedy talent to the Gordon Arms. it’s which is sure to get everyone laughing! Headlining the show is Gordon Southern who is the international word clown! His upbeat and energetic delivery combined with his fantastically funny observational comedy and quick witted improvisation has secured his place as an audience favourite all over the world. He spends several months every year performing in Australia at their major comedy festivals; this has led to both award nominations and television performances. This year
he appeared on the hugely popular Stand and Deliver on ABC2 Australia. Nominated For Best international Act New Zealand Comedy Guild 2014. Nominated For Best Comedy Perth Fringe 2014-15 “Wins big laughs at every punchline.” Herald Sun ★★★★ Brennan Reece is one of the hottest young comics out there, he is destined for super stardom! This year he was nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Edinburgh Festival and received a nomination for ‘Best Show’ at the Perth Fringe World festival. He has only been doing stand up for a few years but winning the ‘English Comedian of The Year 2015’ and coming 2nd in the BBC New Comedy Award in 2015 means he is a spectacular talent! “Hilarious, rubber faced, bright young talent” - The Stage The show will also feature award winning comedian Paul F Taylor. Paul is developing a cult following because of his surreal ‘knock about’ style that is reminiscent of Harry Hill! “Talks about everyday observations but with a wonderful edge of surrealism” CHORTLE The show will be hosted by Bedford favourite, Paul Revill. The shows sell out quickly, with the Dinner & Show tickets being particularly popular, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment! Doors open 6.30pm, Shows start at 8.15pm and tickets are £8 (£6 NUS) or if you fancy a treat, you can buy £16/tickets, which include a pre, show meal and glass of wine from the Gordon Arms. To book visit www.castlecomedy.co.uk
This year, for the first time, the John Bunyan Museum will be open on Saturdays during the winter. Although closed during the week from the 29th october, the museum will be staying open for Saturdays in November, part of January, and all of February. The museum will be open 10am3pm Saturday 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th November, closed all of December and open again (on Saturdays only 10am-3pm) from 14th January until the 11th February. From Tuesday 14th February hours go back to the 11am-4pm opening hours Tuesday-Saturday. Special dates are Bunyan
Meeting’s Christmas Fayre on Saturday 12th November and there will be lots of activities as part of Bedfordshire Day on Saturday 26th November. Curator, Nicola Sherhod said: “The museum has had a great year, and we are really pleased we can open on Saturdays during the winter – so visitors, especially those from further afield, no-longer need to come back in the spring!” The Museum will fully reopen on Tuesday 14th February 2017, and continue to open Tuesday to Saturday 11.00am- 4.00pm until october (Closed Good Friday) and admission is free. For more details contact the Curator Nicola Sherhod on 01234 270303.
Following a meeting held at Bedford Town Hall on 29th March, 1906, Bedford Camera Club was formed on 4th April, 1906. 110 years ago this year. its first annual exhibition, held at the Town Hall in November the same year, was opened by Mayor Percy Barlow, M.P. Sadly, interest waned and the club almost closed in 1910 before a new lease of life saved it. That year, the club joined the East Anglian Federation of Photographic Societies and today remains one of its oldest members. The club closed for five years during WW1, re-opening on 31st october, 1919, and one of its prominent former members, Dr. George Metcalfe, MBE, joined in 1928. He was awarded both an MBE and italian Bronze medal in WW1, and became Senior Physician at Bedford County Hospital in 1937,
founding both the cardiac and diabetic clinics. Creating the Charter House old people’s home in Bedford, a renowned botanist, ornithologist and gifted photographer, he gave many presentations nationally and at the club, which still possesses 78 of his original 3 ¼ inch lantern slides. open to the public, its annual exhibition will be held at the Harpur Suite, Bedford on November 18th and 19th 2016. The club has maintained weekly meetings during their october-May seasons since 1950. Membership fluctuates at around 50 regular members with internal and external club competitions held throughout each season. They welcome new members of any experience to learn and enjoy photography in a friendly environment. Please visit them at www.bedfordcameraclub.co.uk
Bunyan Museum opening times
Annual exhibition
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 41
Celebrating 20 years of Germany Partnership
Apple Day Enjoying your toffee apple was just one of the activities at Bromham Mill’s Apple Day last month. Large crowds enjoyed the family day out at one of the area’s hidden secrets.
Dare Devil Rides to Jarama The Place 7.30pm Wed 30 November
Spain 1936: Speedway star and daring Wall of Death motorcycle rider Clem “Dare Devil” Beckett felt his place was with Spanish people
defending freedom and democracy against Franco’s rising fascist armies. Commissioned by the international Brigades Memorial Trust, this play tells his extraordinary story as part of the 80th Anniversary of the Spanish Civil War and the formation of the international Brigades.
Every year since 1996, students from Wootton Upper School have taken part in an exciting exchange with a school in Germany where they have the chance to perform on a professional stage. This year, to celebrate 20 years of this unique partnership they will be performing the interesting, brilliant and hilarious musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which is guaranteed to go down a storm with audiences both locally and overseas. First performed off-Broadway in 2005, and the winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is filled with effortless wit and humour. it features a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching script and a truly vibrant score and is particularly fresh for its use of audience participation. it follows an eclectic group of six midpubescents who vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, poutinducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. The extremely talented cast are rehearsing hard to ensure the production will be a delightful den of comedic genius in time for opening night at Wootton in November. Amongst the cast of 12 there are some familiar faces including Kezzie Turner who at just 16 years already has a wealth of stage and showbiz experiences. Kezzie starred as Mrs Wilkinson in Wootton’s sell-out production of Billy Elliot earlier this year and her role as the easily pronounced Logainne Shwartzandgrubeneir in
Spelling Bee will be her eighth at Wootton. Kezzie is also a member of the specialist Musical Theatre programme West End Kids who she will be performing with in London’s Regent Street Motor Show later this year. She has also performed at the National Theatre of Uganda, is an accomplished pianist and was last year’s winner of Bedford’s Musical Theatre Singing Festival. The vital role of Mitch Mahoney will be played by 15-year-old Theo Diedrich who is currently juggling his rehearsal schedules carefully as he will also be playing Buttons in Bedford Pantomime Company’s Cinderella at Bedford Corn Exchange this Christmas. Theo is also a member of Stagecoach and has performed at Leatherhead Theatre in London in many musicals including West Side Story and Joseph! Lauren Marler (16) who will be playing Marcy Park is no stranger to the stage. Lauren played Hortensia in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda the Musical, is a member of the prestigious London Contemporary Dance School and has competed in the international Street Dance Festival in Amsterdam. Lauren has also performed at Milton Keynes Theatre and Sharnbrook Mill Theatre in Guys and Dolls, West Side Story and Gypsy. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is guaranteed to have its audience’s crying with laughter at the original, quick and unexpected and will be a smash hit both at home and abroad. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs from Tuesday 8th – Thursday 10th November at 7:30pm at Wootton Upper School before touring to Germany the following week. Tickets on sale now. £8 adults, £5 concessions opening night offer – £1 off each ticket on Tuesday night. For more information contact Mrs Terrey at Wootton Upper School jterrey@wootton.beds.sch.uk
Pictured from left to right: Lauren Marler, Lola Fudger-Galvez, James O’Hara, Rosie Lowe.
42 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016
TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952
email: pat@rosettapublishing.com
Key Change
Fireworks Display
The Quarry 7.30pm Fri November 4
Bedford Blues Friday 4th November
What do women in prison say to a captured audience of men? Winner of the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award 2015 Winner of the Arts Council Award at the Journal Culture Awards Critics’ Choice – New York Times What do women in prison say to a captured audience of men? Devised with women in Her Majesty’s Prison Low Newton to tour to male prisons, Key Change carries the stories of some of the UK’s most marginalised women over the razor wire through an intense, raw and illuminating portrayal of women in prison. The prison van, fences high, a Magpie. one for sorrow. Snatched the babies. The mother fought, but it was too big, and flew too high. “A touching, empowering work that hits the hat-trick of great script, direction and performance” ★ ★ ★
★ ★THE STAGE “Exquisite… singing with an everyday poetry as if the devising process had unlocked a waterfall of creativity” ★ ★ ★ ★ THE
Finest Bangladeshi & Indian Cuisine
● OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH
12-4pm (normal menu and prices)
bookings now being taken ● OFFICE PARTIES bookings now being taken
GUARDiAN “A tale told with kinetic honesty and tightly controlled tenderness” ★ ★ ★ ★ THE SCoTSMAN ★★★★ THE oBSERvER
Brasserie ● NORMAL OPENING HOURS
for the rest of festive season, including: Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
www.bengalbrasseriebedford.co.uk
9 The Broadway, Bedford MK40 2TJ 01234 340888/341444
The annual Fireworks Display and Funfair is back at Bedford Blues on Friday 4th November 2016, and everything is in place to eclipse last year’s superb spectacle that brought in a full house at Goldington Road. Gates open on the evening at 6pm for an action packed, fun filled evening of loud and colourful entertainment, once again sponsored by club partners Progress Skoda. There will be plenty of things to do with a fantastic a funfair and the club bars will be open from 6pm leaving plenty of time to take a wander around the ground and soak up the family atmosphere at this traditional town event before the Kids Display starts at 7pm. The children’s display is the perfect winter warmer for kids of all ages, ahead of the main event. Also on the agenda this year are the fantastic local Fire Entertainers from Kundalini Fire, who will grip the crowds between both displays. Expert fire performance artists and innovators will showcase their skills on the main pitch to kids and adults alike. The main display kicks off at 8pm providing spectators with a spectacular show, this year the aim is simply to put on another bright, loud and entertaining firework display that surpasses last year. From Catherine Wheels to Rockets, Goldington Road will be ablaze with colour for the night, illuminating the sky for miles around. Suitable for every age, the home of the Blues can serve as the ultimate family night out or a warm up for a meal and drink in town, situated just a five minute walk away. Join the fun with thousands of others, including Heart Radio who will have a presenter broadcasting live from the event. Food outlets, including a wide range of menus across the ground, will be open and available for a choice of culinary delights or book in advance with the club for a hospitality meal to make the evening that extra bit special. outdoor bars will also be available to fire up a great night out at the Blues or for those looking to warm up a special coffee outlet will be on site as well as the cosy surrounds as the clubhouse. Last admission is 8pm to ensure no one misses out on the evening’s events so make sure to arrive in good time. Tickets are just £5 in advance and online, with children under 4 going free, that’s a saving of £2 on the event night gate. You can buy tickets online at www.bedfordrugby.co.uk, from the club shop or at the Tourist information Centre in town.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 43
CHRISTMAS
F A & COFFEYRE E MORNI NG
in aid of S t John’s H ospice, M oggerhang S a tu rd a y er 3
10.00amrd December –12.30pm A ll Saints Chu Church E rch Hall, n Kempsto d, n
Admission £1.00 includes tea coffee or a soft drink
Stalls include: Homemade cakes, Tombola, Raffle, Christmas Cards & Gifts, Books and other stalls. Further information Tel: 01234 856040
44 — BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 BiDDENHAM GARDENERS ASSoCiATioN 7.30 Tuesday 15th November Biddenham village Hall
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Wildlife in the Pond
by Linda Smith visitors very welcome Admission £5 per meeting – includes Raffle & Refreshments
www.biddenhamgardenersassociation.org.uk ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
TABLE TOP SALE Christ the King Church Hall, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP 9am to Noon Sat 19th Nov Table £5 - must be PREBooKED Please call 07738670976 Entry 50p till 10am then 25p
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KEMPSTON AND DISTRICT MODEL RAILWAY SOCIETY
Every Monday 7.30 to 10.00 At the Church of the Transfiguration rear church hall New members welcome For further details contact Brian Woodcock on 07795251988 or brianwoodcock@btinternet.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ADDiSoN CENTRE KEMPSToN FUND RAISING
TEA DANCE
2.00-4.30pm MON 14th NOV £2.50 (iNCL CUPPA) Tel: 01234 851877 or 01234 340997 ––––––
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL DANCE EVENING
7.45-11.00pm SAT 3rd DEC Licensed Bar – Raffle – Tea/Coffee Admission at door £5.00 For further information ring 01234 851877 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
KEMPSTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ CLUB DANCiNG, WHiST, BiNGo Meets Wednesday 10am-12noon Friday 10am-4.00pm
at the CENTENARY HALL, behind Kempston Town Hall, Bedford Road For further information telephone:
01234 857011
ST JoHN’S HoSPiCE forthcoming events
–––––––––––––––––––––––– 12 November – 7pm – 1.00am our yearly ball will be taking place at The Park inn Hotel Bedford. Get your glam rags ready and register your interest. For further info call 01767 642412 Email: stjohnsfundraising@sueryder.org
CHARITY BALL
TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 8pm Tuesday 8 November, 2016
DRAW ON SWEET NIGHT: MUSIC OF LOVE AND LOSS
Cantamus chamber choir, conductor Gary Mudd Church of the Transfiguration, Kempston, Bedford Rd, MK42 8BQ £7.50 ( £5.00 concessions) on the door. Proceeds to church funds. Programme of exquisite settings from the 16th century through to the 21st. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFoRD Wi
CRAFT FAIR
1.30-4.30pm Saturday 12th November Brickhill Community Centre Avon Drive, Bedford Homemade Gift Items Cakes, Jams, Chutneys Tombola – Refreshments –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BRiTiSH RED CRoSS BEDFoRDSHiRE
CHRISTMAS FAIR Saturday 19th November 10.30am – 4pm
Entry Fee £4 The programme will include demonstrations, tastings, and book signings. Live performances by local school choirs. Stalls will be selling superb, quality items and many handmade gifts and products. Homemade cakes and refreshments available, raffle, tombola and much more. The Great Hall, Bedford Boys School, Burnaby Road, off De Parys Ave., Bedford, MK40 2TU. Parking/disabled parking available.
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CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE DAY
SATURDAY 26 NovEMBER Experience practical conservation first-hand with the
and give something back to your local environment. Spend a morning working outdoors on a local site under the expertise of our Countryside Ranger. After lunch outdoors enjoy a guided walk with our Biodiversity officer to give you an insight into the site’s habitats and wildlife. So come along and join in, enjoy the fresh air and bring a friend too! £35 per person, 18+ only www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/conservation -experience-day-tickets28187929857 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ALL SAiNTS PARiSH CHURCH KEMPSToN
GREENSAND TRUST
FULL AFTERNOON TEA & A GUIDED TOUR
of this historic church to visiting groups of 10 or above at a cost per head of £7.95. Contacts are Janet Fardell on 01234 855158 email:martinandjanet1@btinternet.com or Frances Leonard on 01234 852480 email: francesmleonard@gmail.com
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PiNCHMiLL SCHooL ASSoCiATioN
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CHRISTMAS FAYRE 2-4pm Saturday 3rd December Pinchmill Lower School The Old Road, Felmersham Bedford MK43 7JD, 01234 781371 Admission £1
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFoRDSHiRE FAMiLY HiSToRY SoCiETY 7.15p.m. Friday 4th November interested in Family History? Then come along to the next monthly talk
WHAT HAPPENED TO LUCY?
7.15p.m Friday 2nd December 2016 All meetings held in the Drama Hall of Mark Rutherford School, Wentworth Drive, Bedford MK41 8PX Members free, visitors £1. www.bfhs.org.uk –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFoRD ARCHiTECTURAL, ARCHAEoLoGiCAL, & LoCAL HiSToRY SoCiETY 7.30pm Wednesday 9th November illustrated talk:
PARISH REGISTERS
The History of Warden Abbey and its Vineyard
Margaret Roberts (vineyard volunteer) Putnoe Heights Church & Community Centre Bedford MK41 8EB Non-members welcome - £2-00 entry Enquiries (01234) 365095 www.baalhs.org.uk –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFoRD ART SoCiETY 7.15 for 7.30 start Friday 4th November Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford Paul Robinson, known to many in Bedford, will give a talk on the
Statues of the town
some well known, some less well known. He will discuss their origins, creators and similar statues around the country. Entry is free for members, £5 for visitors. Contact Jean Paterson 01234 307210 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
CHRISTMAS FAYRE & COFFEE MORNING
in aid of St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger. Sat. 3rd December 10am 12.30pm. All Saints Church Hall, Cemetery Road, Kempston. Entrance fee £1. includes coffee/tea or soft drink. Stalls incl. Homemade cakes, Tombola, Raffle, Christmas Cards & Gifts, Books and other stalls. Further information tel. 01234 85604 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
email: pat@rosettapublishing.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
WORLD SHIP SOCIETY BEDFORD BRANCH Meetings held Kempston Constitution Club 196A Bedford Road, Kempston 3rd WEDNESDAY in the month 19:30 for 20:00 start
16 November 2016 Branch social evening at the King William PH, Kempston 21 December 2016 Alan Pepper giving a presentation “Xmas Miscellany”Branch Secretary, Dave Menzies Telephone: 01234 352014 e-mail : dave.menzies@tiscali.co.uk
BEDFoRD RSPB LoCAL GRoUP Meet at ARA club Manton Lane Bedford MK41 7PF. Thursday 17th November
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Barrie Mason presents A WILDERNESS JOURNEY
our very own much and much travelled,
A trip to Zimbabwe, Botswana & Namibia
His talks are always well attended and you wont be disappointed. Suitable for Experts and Novices, RSPB membership not essential. Entrance fee, group members £1 Guest £2 annual group membership £5 Reg. Charity No. 207076, more info www.rspb.org.uk/groups/bedford
BEDFoRD LoCAL GRoUP oF THE WiLDLiFE TRUST Wednesday 9th November 2016 Meeting 7.30pm
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an illustrated talk by Phil Cannings
WILDLIFE CRIME Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ. Plenty parking available, All welcome, no charge but voluntary contributions are appreciated. Further details available under Events on www.wildlifebcn.org or at 01234 266057 ADDiSoN CENTRE KEMPSToN
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SOCIAL AFTERNOON
with BILLY KEYES on KEYBOARD
And afternoon tea 2-4.30pm WED 23rd NOV 2016 (doors open 1.30pm) Tickets £7:00 mtel 851877
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFoRD MUSiC CLUB
MUSIC ON THURSDAYS Fantasticus, baroque ensemble Moravian Mystery & English Fantasy Biber, Purcell, Schmelzer, Jenkins 7.45pm Thursday 1 December
Bunyan Meeting Tickets £18, Students (18-25) £5, Under 18 £2 on the door or from 01234 261811 www.bedfordmusicclub.co.uk
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TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 email: advertising@rosettapublishing.com
BEDFORD BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2016 — 45
Pre Christmas Lights switch on The annual BedfordBID pre Christmas light switch on is bringing Star Wars to Bedford this year! ‘Boogie Storm’ hit our screens last year on Britain’s Got Talent with their unique dance act as Storm troopers! They received Simon Cowell's golden buzzer and were placed 3rd in the whole competition. NOW Boogie Storm are coming to Bedford for a special performance on Thursday 24th November to get crowds excited before they head to the embankment for the light switch on and fireworks. There will be two opportunities to see them perform on stage at 4pm or 5.30pm on Harpur Square. A queueing system will be in place if you would like to meet them in person for a quick photo opportunity after their performances. Glitter Arty will also be offering free face painting along with a balloon modeller creating free Star Wars themed balloons too. From 2pm outside Boots, the beautiful Cairngorm Reindeer will be visiting the town once again for the afternoon. Santa will be joining them on their usual parade through the centre at 5pm. With this great line up of activity, come to town on the 24th November and enjoy the Christmas festivities before heading to the embankment for the fireworks and lights and of course not forgetting the start of late night shopping! For more information visit: www.lovebedford.co.uk
Christmas Tree Festival:
Stars at Christmas Wednesday 30 November – Sunday 4 December St Paul’s Church, Bedford 10am-5pm (Sunday 2pm-5pm) Admission £2.50, children free. Refreshments served. 60 trees decorated by local charities, schools, various groups and businesses. Children’s and community choirs daily. To be opened by the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff.
White n Collett-
ph by An
Photogra
Christmas Concert Friday 2 December 7.30pm ‘Further Beyond Tango’ South American flavour with Adrian Varela. Tickets at www.bedfordhospitalcharity.org.uk/southamericaconcert Details for booking trees to decorate and concert tickets 01234 340163 admin@stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk or at: www.bedfordhospitalcharity.org.uk/treefest
www.lovebedford.co.uk www.lovebedfordoffers.co.uk
01234 404500