Bedford Borough Bulletin May 2021

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ISSN 2634-453X

WELL-KNOWN CROOK ROBBED VICTIM OF OVER £12K BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

A MAN who plundered more than £12,000 from the post office account of a vulnerable man with learning difficulties and stole money from a blind man in the street in Bedford has been been jailed for four-and-a-half-years.

Chaman Pal was told by Judge Rebecca Herbert on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 “These offences are particularly despicable.”

The judge said: “You showed a callous disregard for his welfare and manipulated him into believing you were his friend.”

The result, she said, had been to completely drain the man’s post office account leaving just 68 pence in it.

Pal, 43, of Shakespeare Road in Bedford (formerly living in Kempston) was appearing for sentence at Luton crown court having by found guilty in March this year of one charge of blackmail, two charges of fraud involving the first victim and theft concerning the blind man who he’d targeted because of his white stick.

Pal also pleaded guilty to burgling a church in Bedford during which he took £400 in cash from an office and three further offences of theft from vulnerable people in the town.

At his trial in March the jury

was told the man who had money taken out of his post office account was a vulnerable person with learning difficulties and very “conservative” with his money.

He lived in Bedford and received regular visits from care workers who provided the support he needed.

The care workers would open the man’s mail for him and it was a statement that had been sent to him from the post office that started alarm bells ringing.

“It showed large quantities of cash being withdrawn from the man’s account on a daily basis.

“It appeared to be out of character because the man was known to be very conservative with his cash,” said Scott Brady who prosecuted Pal. The jury heard that the post office the victim attended was in St John’s Street, Kempston, where it was known by the manager that he was vulnerable. As a result he would be helped through the process of withdrawing money.

ALARMS BELL

It was at this post office, the jury heard, that the defendant would also call at.

The manager knew him to be someone who came in to buy alcohol, but then noticed how in early 2018 he was withdrawing money from an account there.

The jury was told the manager knew no new accounts had been opened at the branch and suspecting he might be using a the account of a vulnerable person, reported the matter to the police.

Mr Brady said from the summer through to the autumn of 2017 the victim’s post office account showed a healthy balance with £12,767 in the account.

However, within a short period of time money started to be taken out of the account on a regular basis from branches in Bedford and using the victim’s bank card.

As a result the account was suspended in January 4, 2018, but four days later it was reinstated.

That same day, said Mr Brady, £600 was taken out of the account followed by a “continuous draining of money out of the account.”

MAY 2021

By January 23 there was just 68 pence in the account and Pal had taken in the region of £12,000 from it.

The jury was told that it was also discovered that during the same period, around £950 had been taken out of the victim’s Barclay Bank account.

Questioned by the police the victim told officers the defendant had followed him to the post office and got his PIN number off him.

He said Mr Pal also kept coming to his home asking for money and would get violent if he didn’t give him any. Mr Pal was questioned by the police and claimed any money he had withdrawn from the accounts of the victim had

PIN NUMBER

been with his permission.

Mr Brady then said on October 7, 2018, Pal had taken £20 off a blind man and charity worker outside a food bank near the bus station in Bedford.

Judge Herbert was told how last September Pal had targeted a man in a mobility scooter who was trying to withdraw money from a cash point machine in Bedford Town Centre. Pretending to assist the man, Pal withdrew £100 from the man’s account handing him £40 and telling him “that’s all that’s come out.”

Three days later after stopping a man in a Bedford street go ask him if he could change a £20 note, Pal ended up stealing around £15 from him.

In October he carried out a burglary at the Bedford Pentecostal Church. After going into an office at the building he stole £400 that was in an envelope and a bank card.

The court heard that on November 1, 2020, he had gone up to a woman in Ampthill Road, despite being the subject of a criminal behaviour order not to contact her.

Pal asked her if she had any money before reaching into her bag, taking out a purse and taking from it £10. He was arrested and remanded in custody.

Passing sentence Judge Herbert said Pal would have to serve half of the four-and-a-half-years in custody before he can be released on licence.

ARRESTED

24-hour McDonald’s drive-thru planned

McDonald’s and Bedford Borough Council have teamed up to apply for planning permission to build a new fast food drive-thru restaurant on the outskirts of town.

The 0.34 hectare site off Cut Throat Lane near the Paula Radcliffe Way and Clapham Road roundabout is a former gypsy and traveller site that the borough council had earmarked to use as a park and ride.

“The site has been vacant for many years, providing no substantial benefit to the community; it is believed this application will significantly change that,” says background documents submitted to planners at the council.

“As this site is located within a developing area of the town, that when complete will be a hub of activity attracting many employees and visitors into the development, it is imperative that there are some restaurant facilities to service not only visitors of the site, but also those travelling around the site, to attract them in.”

Brownhill Hayward Brown Architects and Cerda Planning Consultants, have applied for permission on behalf of Bedford Borough Council and McDonald’s as a joint application.

Scores of pages have been submitted to the council’s own planning officers outlining the case for the development, which sits next to a new brewery and ALDI and

by David Tooley Local Democracy Reporter

Sainsbury’s supermarkets in the fast-developing Fairhill area of town.

The background papers say that it is expected that the single storey restaurant would open next year (2022) and operate 24 hours Monday to Sunday.

It would employ around 65-100 staff with up to 20 on site at any one time.

The applicants have also detailed everything from McDonald’s policies on energy efficiency, buying from British and Irish farms, dealing with litter, the company’s community policies and how they stop anti-social behaviour.

The application is now on the Bedford Borough Council planning website and open for public comments, with a date of June 8 for a decision to be made.

McDonald’s has been trading in the UK since 1974 and now has more than 1,280 restaurants across the UK with a 125,000 workforce, say papers supplied in support of the application.

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Hospital maternity chiefs ‘look forward’ to next inspection following latest inadequate rating

by David Tooley Local Democracy Reporter

Alfie is raising money for child victims of crime A BEDFORDSHIRE Police Detective has entered the London Marathon on October 3, 2021.

Karl Heywood, who lives in Kempston is raising money for Embrace Child Victims of Crime (CVoC). This is a charity which helps support children who have been the victims of serious crime.

The charity supplies children with counselling, learning materials and sometimes a trip out to show that not everyone is a threat to them.

Karl is in training for the Marathon and is getting in a half marathon every week as well as work-outs in the gym.

Part of his fund raising efforts he will be running 12km dressed in the charity’s mascot ‘Alfie’ the bear.

On Saturday May 22, Karl will run a route which basically circumnavigates Kempston.

He will start from the Police HQ in Woburn Road, Kempston and eventually end up in Addison Howard Park around noon for a Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

There will some stalls, tombolla and a raffle with all proceeds going towards Karl’s target.

Part of this get together will be the opportunity to throw a wet sponge at Karl who will be in the village stocks!

So far Karl has raised over £1500 towards his target, one his many sponsors is Mayor of Kempston, Cllr Carl Meader is seen here wishing Karl well on a training session.

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HOSPITAL chiefs have committed themselves to keeping and improving maternity services in Bedford.

The service was rated inadequate following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) unannounced visit on November 5, which identified a risk that a baby could be abducted, among other problems.

A meeting on Monday, April 19, heard that employee trust with management that had become so poor that staff made 14 whistle-blower complaints to the CQC rather than speak to bosses.

Cllr Hilde Hendrickx (Lib Dem, Newnham) asked why issues identified by the CQC in 2018 had not been acted on.

“They should have been picked up by the leadership; why didn’t that happen?” she asked at the health overview and scrutiny committee.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive David Carter, who took up the role when Bedford and Luton and Dunstable Hospital merged in April 2020, said he “can’t speak for before April 2020.”

He said the trust had been aware of some concerns but was ‘reassured by good outcomes’. Pregnant mums had been happy with the service.

Looking forward he said the merger offers the chance to “help move on to a much more positive future.”

The trust has new maternity leaders in place and Mr Carter said it is committed to Bedford. It is “key to the future of us as an organisation and we want it to be outstanding”.

Trust chief nurse Liz Lees said the CQC had visited not because of any clinical incident but following “staff concerns”.

The unit had been hit hard by staff shortages which they say they are dealing with. They have regular meetings with the CQC to stay on track. They are also trying to

build up trust with staff. She said that “takes time.”

Emma Hardwick, the trust’s new director of midwifery, said they have a shortlist of 35 student midwives to fill up to 15 posts.

Tara Pauley, in her third week as Bedford’s head of midwifery, said new swipe card security measures have been put in place. And “teams are very aware of the need to check and challenge” visitors.

Mr Carter said he was “disappointed” with the inadequate rating because of the unit’s relatively low child mortality rates and good feedback from mums.

“The unit was in a good place before the CQC,” he insisted, but they are using the rating as a “lever for change” and now they want to “strive for outstanding”.

Cllr Graeme Coombes (Cons, Wilshamstead) asked for assurance that the current leadership can achieve what the previous chiefs hadn’t.

Mr Carter said they would be held accountable by the CQC, the hospital’s quality committee, its own trust governors and its own focus.

Actions required in the wake of the Ockenden report into baby deaths in Shropshire also added impetus.

“The failures were because of culture and trust in leadership but our relationship with mothers is good,” he said.

“I want to look forward to the next CQC.” Cllr Lucy Bywater (Green, Castle) said: “I am glad to hear that there is no doubt hanging over the service.”

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Local children help create a Mural of Joy Keep up-to-date go to: www.rosettapublishing.com/bulletin

TWENTY local children with SEND have helped contribute to a community project as part of a collaboration between the Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum and local charity Creating Memories.

The Bedford Parent Carer Forum first approached creating Memories after seeing the ‘colourful path of joy’ – the brainchild of Creating Memories Founder Pritti Saggi and local illustrator Sarah Harrison.

Kerri Rennie from the Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum said: “I was inspired to contact Pritti to see how we could work together after seeing the positive reaction to her incredible pathway!

We wanted to provide an opportunity to work with parent/carers and their families to be part of something big, communal and creative – something that would complement the education, support and information we offer through the Forum.

I’m so delighted with the results.”

The Mural of Joy depicts the 20 images created by children as replicated by Sarah Harrison, with ‘Beatrice’ the elephant a central

feature designed to celebrate individuality and remembering moments to treasure, a key part of Creating Memories.

Supporting Sarah in the task was another local artist, Tara Gillen, who painted the parts of the mural around the door, with the help of her daughter Angel.

The final parts of the mural were then complemented by local artist Paul Nicholson (who was inspired to add a tree to the design after coming to take a photograph!) and Farzana Chaudry, who added her handmade bunting and crochet pieces to really bring the piece to life and make it interactive.

Pritti Saggi said{ “This project has just grown since its inception earlier this year and I can’t quite believe the finished result! This has become a real community project.

“Thanks to all the children for their masterpieces and to Kerri and Sarah for their desire to make this happen.

“I also have to thank Tara, Angel, Paul and Farzana for their brilliant contributions, the Rotary Club of Bedford for their funding

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN MAY 2021

for this project, and finally Brewers of Bedford, who kindly donated the paint.

“We have had so many visitors

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since this began and it is wonderful to meet with and connect with the local community over something so positive.”

Bedford Corn Exchange to remain closed for the forseeable future

BEDFORD Borough Council have announced via their Corn Exchange website, that due to the Corona virus restrictions the venue will remain closed for the time being.

With a number of top-line acts booked for the coming months this announcement will come as a blow to Bedford theatre goers, who are just beginning to enjoy the lifting of the Covid lock-down.

Status Quo’s Francis Rossi and Jimmy Carr are just two of the shows that face the axe with this announcement.

The Corn Exchange’s management are planning to revue the

Covid situation on a rolling basis.

Where performances are rescheduled, tickets already purchased will be valid for the new date.

Refunds will be issued for customers who are unable to attend the rescheduled date. For any cancelled performances, customers will be issued with a refund.

The front of house team at the Corn Exchange will be contacting all affected customers in due course. They’re asking for your patience during this time, as they will have a large number of customers to contact.

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158 jobs to go as a result of loss of government upgrade to Warrior tank owned company at Ampthill will lose their jobs.

Lockheed Martin said that the job cuts were “direct result” of the government’s spending review.

In a statement in City A.M. Lee Fellows, general manager at Ampthill, said: “Despite the need for this workforce reduction, we remain a strong business, with a very talented, dedicated team.

LOCKHEED Martin is set to cut around a sixth of its workforce at its base in Ampthill, Bedfordshire following the government’s decision not to an upgrade to the Warrior tank.

The decision to scrap the upgrade came in the government’s recent Defence Command Paper. It means that up to 158 people out of the 900 employed by the US-

“This exercise will ensure that we maintain competitiveness by delivering affordable products and services to customers while positioning for future growth opportunities that will benefit the facility in the longer term.

“We remain committed to supporting impacted employees and providing whatever assistance we can during this difficult time.”

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Local organisations join forces to provide urgent Covid Catch-up support for Bedfordshire schools TWO Bedfordshire charities have joined forces to launch a Covid Catch-up programme for some of the most disadvantaged pupils across the county. The Harpur Trust and the Connolly Foundation are working in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire to deliver the programme in which trainee teachers will deliver catchup sessions in schools during the summer term.

Disadvantaged pupils have been hardest hit by the pandemic and the Institute for Fiscal studies (IFS) estimates that these pupils could have lost as much as two thirds of a year in learning. The government has already committed £1.7bn to provide a nationwide tutoring programme and summer schools, but educationalists have called for more to be done to support disadvantaged pupils. They also want schools to have greater control over the way in which the funding is used. The hope is that this programme could help to bridge the gap for pupils in Bedfordshire.

A spokesperson for the charities said: “We are excited to be working with each other and with the University to help tackle a national issue at a local level. We are determined that the pupils hardest hit by the pandemic should receive as much support as possible to enable them to catch-up with their learning and have the best possible chance to fulfil their potential.

“Our programme isn’t a generic tutoring package and so will provide schools with real ownership over what the pupils learn, how and when. We wanted our scheme to be as bespoke as possible and we’ve been working hard to match up students with schools to ensure the best fit. Our scheme is completely free for the schools and we hope it will add further support where it is most needed.”

As well as gaining experience in the classroom this exciting initiative will offer the trainee teachers an opportunity to earn some money after months where many of them have been unable to work in their usual part time jobs. Juliet Fern, Executive Dean for the University’s Faculty of Education and Sport, said: “This is an exciting and innovative project to support our local schools. The University of Bedfordshire is delighted that its trainee teachers are being given this opportunity, which will enhance their course school placements.

“It will provide them with more experience in schools, working on a range of teaching and learning activities. It will also prepare them for their future work in schools, supporting pupils to achieve, whilst recognising the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Kelli Foster, Headteacher at Mark Rutherford Upper School said “The pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to the education of young

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people. This programme will enable us to support our students who need to catch up academically after two periods of remote learning in the last calendar year.

We feel very fortunate to have been allocated a trainee teacher from the University of Bedfordshire.

The strong partnership we have with both the Harpur Trust and Connolly Foundation, as well as our links with the university, will ensure we support our students most affected from being away from the classroom.”

Cllr Richard Wenham, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “This last year has been an especially difficult time for disadvantaged young people. The COVID Catchup Support Programme is an exciting initiative which complements the work already underway in Bedfordshire’s schools.”

24 trainee teachers are delivering the catchup sessions and the charities worked with local employment specialists Allstaff Recruitment to place them directly into schools. Tracey Finch, Director at Allstaff Recruitment Limited said: “We take great pride working in conjunction with charitable trusts and businesses to support local community projects.

As an agency, we provide innovative recruitment solutions and it is our privilege to work in partnership with the Harpur Trust, the Connolly Foundation and the University of Bedfordshire on this community project.”

There is high demand for the scheme and schools in the most disadvantaged areas have been targeted in the first wave of teaching which started on April 12.

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Early morning music club runs up against environmental health issues

by David Tooley Local Democracy Reporter

A TEACHER-turned-businessman is at loggerheads with council environmental health officers over his bid to win a 4.30am entertainment licence for his AfroCaribbean social club.

Bernard Alemanji, who used to teach science at Sharnbrook School, told a meeting this week that The Spot, in an industrial unit in Windsor Road, Bedford, had already held 11 late night events without any complaint.

But his and his wife Prisca’s bid to win approval for 48 entertainment events run-

ning up to 4.30am on Friday and Saturday nights has run into opposition from Bedford Borough Council’s environmental health team.

Officials say that noise could affect up to 76 homes within 150 metres in Willow Road, Monmouth Close, Edinburgh Close and Broad Avenue.

“An absence of complaint does not mean an absence of disturbance,” said Katharine Painter, a team leader in environmental health.

But Frank Fender, the Alemanjis’ licensing agent said the business had held events in the suburban industrial estate “without incident, without concerns. There are no complaints.”

Mastering business basics

The events already held had attracted an average of between 150-200 people to birthday parties, and social and fundraising events, the licensing sub committee heard on Tuesday, April 13.

Mr Alemanji told the committee that he was in tears as he had found himself defending his business instead of mourning the death of his father in Cameroon.

He said: “You will not see an AfroCaribbean in the pub at five o’clock, they work hard and come out very late in the night to enjoy themselves.”

And Mr Fender added: “It is not everybody’s cup of tea but we do have to recognise that there are some sections of society

who actually enjoy going out later” The meeting heard that the Alemanjis had received a loan in excess of £100,000 to convert the former industrial unit.

But they and Mr Fender believed being made to spend about £4,000 on an acoustic report and a noise limiter would impose disproportionate costs on the business.

Mr Alemanji said they were confident that the business would not cause a nuisance because they had tested loud noise and found it not to be a problem.

But Miss Painter said the council had not been involved in those tests and had not seen a technical report.

Miss Painter also wanted to limit the business to one late night event per month.

But Mr Alemanji claimed that this would be “very unfair” and would “knock us out of business even before we start.”

The committee also heard that advice received from building control does not mean that a building would be able to stop noise, which needs specialist action.

Mr Fender claimed that the environmental health department had not moved their stance in negotiations.

But Miss Painter said it would be advisable for businesses to sort out issues at the start because it would avoid higher costs in the long run.

The sub committee’s decision is set to be announced within five working days on the council’s website.

Conservatives renew their call for three hours free multi-storey car parking

BEDFORD Borough have received £154k from the Government’s Welcome Back Fund to help Bedford successfully reopen after lockdown.

The Conservative group on the Borough Council welcomed this new boost from the Government following previous grants of £1m from the Towns’ Fund and £1.76m from Historic England which has now brought up the total support that Bedford Borough Council has received up to nearly £3m.

The Conservatives are pushing the Borough Council to make good use of this money, producing a safe reopening environment that will revitalise and reinvigorate the town centre whilst supporting Bedford’s businesses.

Commenting, Bedford Borough Council Conservative Deputy Group Leader Cllr Roger Rigby said: “The £154k boost from the Welcome Back Fund for Bedford is very welcome, this will help Bedford reopen safely and I

hope provide initiatives to encourage people to visit Bedford again.

“Two uses of this funding should be to provide three hours of free parking at multistorey car parks every day for the next three months and to give our market traders free pitches for the first three months to re-establish the market. These two initiatives alone will support the reopening of the town centre and cost the borough nothing.”

©LW

SUCCESSFUL professional Alice Vacani has set up her own business offering online Art Therapy sessions and groups thanks to a free distance learning course via The Bedford College Group.

Alice has both an Undergraduate and Masters degree, is a member of the British Association of Art Therapists and works with the Health and Care Professions Council.

She works full time as an Art Therapist in a secure environment, dealing with people who have a range of well-being issues, but wanted to set up her own private practice so signed up for the Creating a Business Start-up course.

“The course is at a Level 2 so I did wonder what I might learn, but it was so very useful.

In my Masters degree we covered the theory of business, but the practicalities of a name and logo, finances and budgets and how to prices products and services within the Level 2 Business start up were really helpful.

“The course is really versatile and would suit people with any level of education,” said Alice (who lives in Lincolnshire), “Now I have my own website www.horizonsartherapy.com which has attracted interest from individuals and those seeking to run groups.

“My original plan was not to be an online business, but the current situation forced this upon me, and in fact, is providing an opportunity of reaching out to people who have become more used to engaging via the internet.”

Art therapy can be used for a range of well-being challenges from those simply needing to relax, cope with stress or more complex backgrounds which result in unsafe coping mechanisms and mental health diagnosis.

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View from the Rt Revd

In Focus with

Richard Atkinson

In Focus with

Yasin

Dave

The Bishop of Bedford

MP for Bedford and Kempston

by Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford

UBUNTU

HOW FAR WILL BORIS GO TO SORT OUT FOOTBALL?

EWR A ONCE IN A LIFE TIME OPPORTUNITY

Unable to take my usual break away after Easter, I spent some of the time sorting through the pile of photographs and other family material that I have inherited following my mother’s death.

Some items are very familiar. They are more recent, or the focus of often told family stories.

Some of the photos bring back lost memories of people and events in my life that are now more distant. Childhood holidays with my parents, the garden of the house where I spent my earliest years or being with much loved, but long-departed grandmothers.

Other things are different. They are part of my story but pre-date me. Both my grandfathers died before I was born. Yet there are pictures of both, along with more specific possessions.

For one his MBE for services to public finance. For the other a rolled-up photograph of him and his colleagues at the Technical College where he taught. There is the uncle who died in a war-time bombing raid and the uncle who emigrated to Australia.

Finally, there are a few much older photos of great-grandparents and others of whom I know little. Yet they are part of my story. Without them I would not be here.

I would not be the person I am. As you may have done, research by my cousin takes the family tree back even further.

Sorting through, and ordering, this material has been an emotional task as the people and events have come into focus. There is much to rejoice in, as well as an awareness of who and what has been lost. In particular, there is this overwhelming sense of being part of this human story in which each person is connected.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, writes of the African concept of ‘Ubuntu’. ‘Ubuntu is the essence of being human. It speaks of how my humanity is caught up and bound up inextricably with yours… I am because I belong’.

I am because you are. It is that Christian understanding of each and every person being our neighbour to whom we must extend love. Our family stories are a microcosm of that much greater story of humanity.

As we come out of lockdown it is an essential oneness that we must celebrate as together we go forward. ‘Ubuntu’ is a good word for us all, whether African or not.

News that the six English clubs signed up to the European Super League have withdrawn after 48 hours of a virtually unanimous backlash from fans has been welcomed on all sides of Parliament.

The 12 founding members of the proposed new league, including the billionaire owners of six English football clubs, led to cries from Number 10 that they will do “whatever it takes” to stop the new tournament. In the end, it would seem people power did more to put the kibosh on the greedy plans than anything the Government could.

For decades, fans have complained about the commercialisation of the sport. Their concerns about their clubs being owned by foreign billionaires or business owners with no interest in football have long been ignored. Footballers earning annual salaries over 100 million and season tickets costing over a £1,000 for some Premiership clubs have alienated many from our nation’s favourite sport.

The Government’s new fan-led review, which must still go ahead, will look at financing, governance, and the creation of an independent regulator.

Labour has repeatedly called for the reform of the governance and finances of football which is why we pledged in all four manifestos going back to 2010 to act. Other great footballing nations like Germany and France put laws in place to protect the fans from corporate takeover.

The Bundesliga clubs did not join the Super League because of the 50 plus one rule which ensures fans own a majority stake – a collaborative approach that extends to Germany ways of doing business. I would like to see a system like this in England. It will be interesting to see how far the Johnson government really is prepared to use the state t markets. to intervene in broken Because if they really are prepared to stand up against a football monopoly then why not in other areas like press reform or in unfair working practices like when a high street retailer plunders their own company until there’s nothing left; to stop British Gas firing and rehiring their workers or when multinational companies evade paying tax?

The East West Rail Company have launched the next phase of their consultation.

I can appreciate the distress these proposals have brought, particularly for those with homes on the route north of Bedford Station.

The threat to homes and businesses along the routes is something I take very seriously.

The consultation proposes six tracks coming out of Bedford Midland Station and has placed a number of homes under threat of compulsory purchase and demolition and other homes possibly losing gardens.

In the Council’s previous responses to the East West Rail Company we based our views on a four track line which would not have put these homes at risk and we will continue to make the case for improving the existing four track railway rather than adding the additional tracks.

Alongside the Company’s consultation the Council will be carrying out our own public meetings and the Council response will be debated at a Full Council meeting before it is submitted.

The combination of a redeveloped Bedford Midland Station and a new East West Rail Station south of Bedford will give the opportunity to minimise traffic on the Borough’s congested roads.

This project will see a once in a generation investment in our local infrastructure by the government, linking Bedford with a new mainline railway to the thriving economies of Oxford and Cambridge, bringing business and jobs to our Borough.

Future generations will look back on this as pivotal moment in securing a successful, prospering Borough. But such a significant project is going to have impacts in a number of areas and we must make sure that people affected are properly considered and, wherever possible, impacts are removed or at least reduced.

You can find out more about the consultation, including how to give your views at https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN MAY 2021

Free courses help getting back to work THE BEDFORD College Group is putting on scores of courses which are free for people across Beds, Northants and MK to access over the summer, including during the school holidays.

Those who are preparing to get back to work post-furlough, or wanting to upgrade their skills to secure positions and promotions, or even seek new challenges, will be able to sign up soon.

Many of the courses will be online – with occasional visits to college venues nearby.

For beginners to IT, courses will be at the “Learning Centres” of Bedford, Kettering and Corby all located in the town centres.

English and maths and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes will be offered – all vital skills to secure employment, or move on to further education.

Some of the English and maths courses will be run using a pioneering Artificial Intelligence (AI) system which provides students with a personalised learning journey through an online platform. Students can choose to study online or attend the learning

centres/ college campus in the summer to access supervised sessions with trained tutors.

Said Faye Williams, Director of Adult & Community Learning at The Bedford College Group: “This is aimed at adults aged 19+ plus who want to take the time to upgrade their skills”.

“They could be parents who want to use the summer holidays to improve their own English and maths to support the education of their children, or those who want to upgrade their English language or IT skills to secure employment.

“If the last year has taught us anything, it is that people are capable of adapting to new situations and so we are promoting the summer as a time for extra learning - why waste all those weeks when you could be picking up a new skill? The Bedford College Group is committed to supporting our community all year round.”

Employers may want to hear more about FREE learning opportunities for their staff, who can help businesses thrive by using improved skills.

“IT skills at the very basic level are still very much in short supply at busy compa-

nies, particularly among existing, perhaps older staff. By introducing employees to The Bedford College Group’s offer this summer, businesses can be raring to go come September,” added Faye.

Sign up via bedford.ac.uk or tresham.ac.uk There is also a brand-new suite of FREE Level 2 Business and Health & Social Care courses that can be studied entirely online from anywhere in the region.

There are over 40 different courses available, including: Awareness of Mental Health Problems Business Improvement Techniques Business Start Up Common Childhood Illnesses Common Health Conditions Cyber Security Mental Health First Aid and Advocacy in the Workplace These are purely online distance learning courses with advice and support available from a dedicated tutor.

To register an interest, and to find the full list of courses available, please visit https://www.tresham.ac.uk/sectors/distance -learning/

Learning Centre Trainer, Val Ferry.

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Bedford’s Embankment bursting into bloom with 40,000 tulips

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN MAY 2021

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With Spring starting to arrive in earnest, Bedford’s Embankment is starting to come into bloom providing a beautiful seasonal spectacle down the river.

Over 40,000 tulip bulbs were planted in the autumn along with bedding plants such as pansies, bellis and wallflowers.

With COVID-19 restrictions starting to ease and two households, or groups of up to six people from different households allowed to meet outdoors, the Embankment is a wonderful location for a walk with our friends, families and loved ones.

A Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are incredibly proud of our beautiful Embankment, and our grounds team work really hard to create these wonderful floral displays.

“If you visit the Embankment to enjoy the display in the fresh air, please remember to stay apart from other households and keep your community safe.”

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Toddlers have spent half their lives in lockdown CHILDREN at the Outstanding Ofsted Haven Nursery in Clapham Road have been getting out into the fresh air this season.

The pre-schoolers have been practising their “movements for mindfulness” with activity leader Karen. While the baby ‘beannies’, aged one to two years have also been showing off their stretching and shape making.

Now Spring has sprung, the nursery is teaching gardening nursery skills too with “rising threes” planting garlic.

Haven founder Maria Riley said: “There is a timetable of activities for each group over the week and the theme is ‘healthy body, healthy mind, happy me’.

“Activities include; exercising, enacting stories, heuristic play,

painting to music, cooking and dancing, growing and learning about feelings.

“We have made ‘chill’ zones in each room which are covered dens with fairy lights, equipped with squeezy toys if children are feeling angry and cuddle toys if they are feeling anxious.

“There are books for just relaxing and affirmation pictures to develop resilience.

“A year on from March 2020 it’s a sobering thought that a two year old will have spent half their life in lockdown.

“We are equipping children with life skills, they are learning how to just have fun together, express themselves and support to their emotional wellbeing.” http://www.haven2000.com/

Return to fitness as indoor leisure facilities in Bedford open!

FUSION Lifestyle and Bedford Borough Council are delighted to announce that in line with the government roadmap, indoor leisure facilities reopened on April 12 at Robinson Pools & Fitness, Kempston Pool, John Bunyan Sports & Fitness, and Bedford International Athletics Stadium joining the facilities already open at Mowsbury Golf Course.

With restrictions starting to lift, the reopening of leisure centres means that residents in Bedford Borough can once again enjoy their favourite fitness fix, including indoor swimming and going to the gym.

The centres will continue to operate in line with government safety guidelines and those planning to visit will still be required to book and pay online, to ensure contact is minimised at each centre and allowing for the track and trace process to be implemented.

Gym users will be asked to arrive ready to work out, and swimmers with their costumes under their clothes, ready to go.

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with meticulous cleaning routines, are designed to keep customers safe and offer complete confidence to use the facilities when they return to the centre.

Anthony Cawley, Director of Operations at Fusion said: “It feels wonderful to finally be able to reopen our centres again.

“We know the communities local to our facilities can’t wait to kick-start their favourite fitness regimes and our teams across the borough can’t wait to welcome them back.

“We’ve worked hard over the past months to ensure our centres continue to offer the very best facilities and that our customers can return with confidence and safety.”

All centres will be open daily, but please refer to the individual centre’s websites for opening hours.

Bookings can be made up to seven days in advance, via download of the Fusion Lifestyle app or visit www.fusionlifestyle.com to register and use the online booking facility.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN MAY 2021

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Bedford School backs Captain Tom 100 with the help of his grandson Benjie BEDFORD School has become the first secondary school in the country to pledge its support to the fundraising campaign launched in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

A leading Bedford independent school has become the first secondary school in the country to pledge its support to the fundraising campaign launched in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Bedford School, attended by Captain Tom’s grandson Benjie Ingram-Moore, said it would be encouraging pupils to take part in the Captain Tom 100, which invites people all over the world to undertake a challenge of their choice centred around the number 100 to mark what would have been his 101st birthday.

The initiative, organised by The Captain Tom Foundation with London Marathon Events, follows in the footsteps of Challenge 100, a Bedford Prep School campaign launched in May 2020 which also centred around a 100-themed activity.

Susie Spyropoulos, Head of Charities at Bedford School, said: “We are thrilled to continue to be involved. In the last year Bedford School boys have taken part in 100-themed challenges with huge success – including 100 pogo jumps and learning 100 words in French.

“This time round we hope Benjie will be looking to take part, possibly offering to read the children’s book based on his grandfather to 100 children at a school we support in Tanzania.”

She added: “From the moment Captain Tom walked his way into the pages of the newspapers, on to our television screens and into all of our hearts, Bedford School has been at the forefront of championing his story.

Former European Oat Millers mill set to expand

RICHARDSON Milling who acquired European Oat Millers in 2017, has announced plans to expand the oat mill, in Mile End Road, Bedford.

The plans include measures for greater operational efficiencies, modernisation, and enhanced storage capacity.

The multi-phase project begins this spring and will improve upon all aspects of the plant, from intake and warehousing capabilities to logistics and distribution. “The growth demand for our oat prod-

Man charged with attempted murder

A MAN has been charged in connection with an incident in Kempston on Monday, April 19, which left a woman with severe injuries.

Charlie Arnold, 19, of Conway Crescent, Bedford, was charged with attempted murder, actual bodily harm (ABH), and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, on Tuesday, April 20, and has been remanded in custody pending an appearance at Luton Crown Court on May 24.

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ucts has consistently increased through the years and we are committed to taking the business to a higher level,” says Carl Smith (Plant Director, Bedford).

“As a world class oat milling operation, we are incredibly excited by our new plans. Consumer interest in healthy oat products continues to grow and we see this as a great opportunity to supply existing and new customers with quality oat products,” adds David Jordan (Board Director, Richardson Milling UK).

“This is just another opportunity for us to get involved.”

Bedford School supported the Ingram-Moore family when the Second World War veteran, who raised more than £39million for the NHS, pledged to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

The school’s Great Hall was the focal point of a huge display of birthday cards sent to the centenarian and the Captain Tom Foundation was picked as one of the school’s charity of the year for 2021.

Mrs Spyropoulos said: “It was the natural step for us to take to continue the inspirational work and inspire hope when it was needed the most.

“Our pupils have a long and proud tradition of working hard and undertaking various activities for charity and I’m sure this time round the boys will enjoy getting creative again and coming up with new ways of raising money.”

In addition to supporting the Captain Tom Foundation, Bedford School will also support the LFAM (Life for African Mothers) charity and the Drop Project, which provides aid packages to families in Ethiopia, and Movember this term.

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LAWN DOCTOR

A BUMPER amount of correspondence this month so as always, here’s hoping the following might resonate with other readers. One question that I regularly here at this time of the year is why daffodils grow blind?

Daffodils require both light and moisture to flower and so if you have had foliage but no flowers, chances are it is one or even both of these. Specifically requiring moisture in autumn, if your daffs are in beds were other plants will also use the available moisture, either lift and replant or simply water thoroughly at that time. Similarly, the shade from other plants might be overshadowing so once again, lift and replant.

As all gardeners will testify, when digging out under performing plants, as soon as you see the root ball you realise the reason why and digging up blind daffodils this week, I was confronted by the most feeble looking bulbs.

The reason: as mentioned, very poor quality soil and in a densely planted bed with a thick canopy above.

If you have decided to lift blind daffodils, now is a good time as the foliage will show you exactly where they lurk; leave the job another month or so, and you will find yourself embroiled in the horticultural version of hunt the needle in the haystack.

Another question that i have had a lot this year regards an attractive plant the best way I can describe is as looking like a snowdrop on steroids! While everyone seems to like the plant, it seems there is little consensus on its common name and even less of a clue as to what its botanical name is. The plant is question is actually a leucojum. Common names include Snowflake, Snowbell, Dewdrop and St Agnes Flower.

For many, spring is characterised by the ubiquity of yellow flowers and perhaps none of these is as abundant as the Forsythia.

These are prolific plants that put on lots of growth so immediately after flowering prune hard. In fact, 25 % of the oldest stems can be cut out. As for other growth, ‘the

three d’s’ rule applies namely: The Dead, The Diseased and The Damaged and as always, remove any crossing, touching branches as this will create a wound into which infection can occur.

Last month’s just for fun quiz question was: why are forget-menots so called? In the language of flowers, the colour of a forget-menots flowers are said to be turquoise and this signifies permanence hence forget me not! This month’s just for fun quiz question is, as if common names of plants weren’t ambiguous enough, two plants are often referred to as ‘Black Eyed Susan’, what are their correct botanical names?

Talking of common names, many of you tell me how the naming of plants, perhaps children and pets also, seem to get more bizarre year on year. One very attractive daffodil I was admiring recently is actually called ‘Sealing Wax’ which does not really do it justice save for the fact that it is quite flat! Are there any names of plants out there that make you wince or leave you scratching your head as to how it was chosen? If so, please let me know via the details below.

Other jobs this month, a well looked after lawn has a major impact on how the rest of the garden is viewed and not just one that is over fertilised, and so unnaturally uniform in colour that it practically glows in the dark!

With increased soil warmth, grass seed often starts to germinate this month, so repairs, bald patches, nibbled or down trodden edges etc. can commence. A very useful wrinkle for the latter is to, using a sharp edging iron/half moon, cut out any blemishes by removing a quadrangle of turf. Rotate it 180 degrees so that the good part forms the edge and then prepare and seed the damaged part in its new location and water regularly.

As usual, many thanks to all of you for contributing to this column, keep them coming, and please contact me with any gardening tasks or queries you may have, lawndocgardens@aol.com or tel: 01767 627 581 or 07796 328 855.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN MAY 2021

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‘Wanting to make my uncle proud Biggleswade man inspired me to take on this challenge’ who threw petrol bomb jailed for three and half years A MAN who hurled a “molotov cocktail” at a motorist sitting in his car in Biggleswade has been jailed three-and-a-half years.

The driver said flames engulfed his car and he told a court: “I thought I was going to die.”

The man who threw a bottle containing fuel with a burning rag stuffed in the neck, 22 year old Keelan Dickens, was told by a judge at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday April 7. “This was a preplanned attack on the victim arising out of a dispute over a break up of a relationship.”

Judge Richard Foster it went on: “You armed yourself with a molotov cocktail which you must have prepared” The judge said he and others had then “hunted down” the victim.

Dickens, 23, appeared for sentence having been found guilty by a jury last November of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He had been acquitted of arson with intent to endanger life.

Dickens had carried out the attack in Biggleswade, on the night of September 4, 2017 when he was 19.

He had been a passenger in a car which forced the victim who was driving, to pull up abruptly.

Dickens then leapt out from the back seat and hurled a burning bottle of fuel at the car behind.

The victim told the court he believed he had been targeted because of his relationship break up with a previous girlfriend which had ended with bad feelings.

He said he and two passengers who were in his car all managed to get out unharmed Dickens who at the time of the attack was living in Chaucer Drive in Biggleswade claimed in court he hadn’t been in the car and took no part in the fire bombing of the car.

Following his conviction last November, Dickens had been

remanded in custody for the preparation of reports for the sentencing hearing.

Yesterday he appeared in court via a video link from the jail where he has been held.

He was allowed to read out a letter he had written to the judge in which he said that because of his offending over the years and the time spent in custody, he had missed out “on some of the best years” in the life of his three year old daughter.

The letter finished with Dickens telling judge: “I understand I have to be punished. My Nan always said to me if you can’t do the time, then do not do the crime. But please Your Honour, take into consideration that I was young back then, and I’m now an adult.

“Please do punish me, but please do not punish those around me.”

Passing sentence Judge Foster told Dickens that that there were “signs of hope” that he was now “maturing and seeing the error of his ways.”

Dickens was told he would have to serve half of his three-anda-half year sentence in custody and would then be released on licence.

A WOMAN from Bedford has honoured the memory of her late uncle by running 130km (80 miles) in a month, raising £1,655 for the hospice that cared for him.

Georgina Anstee was inspired to take on the challenge to remember her much-loved uncle David Butcher, who had cancer and spent his final weeks at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in April 2020.

Come rain or shine, Georgina stepped out every day in March with the aim of running 100km by the end of the month.

Georgina, who by her own admission is not a keen runner and wanted to push herself, started with daily 5km runs and as the month went on, surprised herself by being able to run up to 7km a day.

In total, she clocked up an impressive 130km and raised more than £1,600 in the process.

In a fitting tribute, Georgina donated the funds to Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger near Bedford on the one year anniversary of David’s death on 16th April.

Georgina wanted to raise the money to give something back to the “people who helped make his last weeks’ so much easier for him”.

“Thank you Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice for everything you did. You have no idea how much it means to not only myself but to every family you have helped,” shared Georgina.

“The care my uncle received at the hospice was absolutely incredible. On my nan’s birthday, the staff helped David to phone her and he sounded so cheerful. You could hear the way he felt so comfortable there, and he laughed and joked with the staff. It was truly incredible. When we had home visits, before he went into the hospice, the staff were always so lovely and chatty and were always making sure he felt comfortable.”

She added: “Wanting to make my uncle proud inspired me to take on this challenge. To do this in his memory is an honour against all things.

“The last year has been such a struggle for my family and I. It

Goldington Green Academy receives silver accreditation for active travel

OVER the last three years, Goldington Green Academy have worked hard to promote active travel to their pupils and parents and have now been awarded a silver accreditation through Modeshift Stars for their efforts.

Modeshift Stars is a scheme recognising organisations that have shown excellence in promoting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable travel.

To receive a silver accreditation, schools must complete at least 20 travel initiatives, 10 supporting initiatives and seven consultations, alongside forming an in school working group focused on sustainable travel.

Goldington Green Academy is the only school in Bedford Borough that currently has a silver accreditation and is now aiming to follow in the footsteps of Shortstown Primary School, who have received the gold accreditation.

To support the school, Bedford Borough Council’s Sustainable Transport team have provided them with additional resources, including

Dr. Bikes’ mobile repairs, scooter and balance bike loans, and school assemblies.

A Bedford Borough Council Spokesperson said, “The Modeshift Stars scheme has been a great way for local schools and businesses to show how important sustainable travel is to them.

“Goldington Green Academy have demonstrated a considerable effort and commitment to bringing healthier and more sustainable travel options to their community.”

Caroline Skingsley, Head Teacher at Goldington Green Academy, said: “Physical and mental health has always been important at Goldington Green Academy and even more so during the difficult times we have faced with the pandemic.”

If you would like to know more about how to reduce car use to and from school, work with the Council to get accreditation through the Modeshift Stars scheme and access free resources to support you to do this, please email: sustainable. transport@bedford.gov.uk.

was a massive loss – me, my brother, my mum, my nan and my uncle were so close and it really did knock us for six. I was so desperate, and still am, to keep his memory alive. I wanted to do something that would give everyone a moment to remember him – for example, remembering when he made them laugh or recounting a happy memory. I hate the thought of him being gone and I really want people to remember how special he was.”

Lucy Owens, Community Fundraising Officer at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, said: “Thank you so much to Georgina – we are blown away by her determination to take on this inspiring challenge to honour her uncle and support our hospice. Georgina aimed to raise £150 and smashed her target, raising an amazing total of £1,655. We remain heavily reliant on voluntary income from kindhearted supporters such as Georgina. The funds raised will help us to continue offering our compassionate palliative care and bereavement support and be there for patients and their loved ones.”

Support Georgina at: https://uk.gofundme.com/ f/raising-money-for-sue-ryder-stjohns You can find out more about Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice at www.sueryder.org/stjohns

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mealtime We are continuing with the fish theme for our recipes this month. Us Brits haven’t quite taken to the fish dishes like our continental cousins, so here are two dishes that hopefully will make you more likely to get on board the fish train. Bedford is fortunate in that there are several excellent suppliers of fresh fish.

Oriental Sea Bass Serves 4 This dish makes a great centrepiece for a Chinese meal or buffet. This whole fish is cooked with ginger, garlic and spring onions and served with noodles and bean sprouts.

INGREDIENTS - 1 tsp sunflower oil - 1 sea bass, about 800 g, cleaned and scaled - 1 lime, cut into 4 slices - 6 spring onions, cut into fine shreds - 1 carrot and a 2.5cm piece fresh ginger, both cut into fine matchsticks - 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced - 2 tbsp light soy sauce - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil - 1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, plus handful for garnish - lime halves to serve - 250 g fine Chinese egg noodles - 1 tbsp sunflower oil - 2 small red onions, cut into very thin wedges - 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced - 300 g bean sprouts - 3 tbsp light soy sauce

METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. 2. Brush a large sheet of thick foil with the oil and place the fish on top. Place the lime slices inside the fish and scatter over the spring onions, carrot, ginger and garlic.

Drizzle over the soy sauce and sesame oil, and sprinkle over the coriander leaves.

3. Bring the ends of the foil together and fold and twist to seal in the fish.

Place on a baking sheet and bake for 30–35 minutes or until the fish will flake easily.

4. Meanwhile, place the noodles in a saucepan of boiling water, return to the boil and simmer for three minutes.

Drain well. Heat the oil in a wok, add the onions and garlic, and cook over a high heat for 30 seconds.

Add the bean sprouts and cook for one minute or until they begin to soften.

Add the noodles together with the soy sauce.

Cook over a high heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring and tossing well and serve with the fish.

out & about

An audience with Don Letts at Esquires

by Tony Hendrix As the UK slowly awakens following a series of lockdowns, Bedford Esquires is proud to announce a succession of summer acts to help kickstart Bedfords live entertainment back to life, which like everything else has remained pretty much dormant for the last year. Wednesday, June 16, welcomes Don Letts to Bedford Esquires. The multi talented filmmaker, musician, DJ, broadcaster, social commentator, husband and father will be gracing the town with a one off appearance. Don came to notoriety in the late 70s as the DJ that single handedly turned a whole

generation of punks onto reggae.

It was whilst as a DJ at the first

punk club ‘The Roxy’ in 1977, that made his first film ‘The Punk Rock

Movie’ with the Sex Pistols ,The Clash and many others. This led to a period of directing of over 300 music videos for a diverse mix of artists ranging from Public Image to Bob Marley.

He then moved into documentary work making films with the likes of Gil Scot-Heron, The Jam, Sun Ra, The Clash and George Clinton. His most recent documentary was for Sir Paul McCartney’s ‘New’ project. Feature films include the legendary Jamaican movie 1997s ‘Danchall Queen’.

He currently presents a weekly radio show on BBC 6 Music called ‘Culture Clash Radio’ and still DJs nationally and internationally.

The evening will feature a book reading and signing session as well as a Q & A from local musician aficionado Jason Foster. Jason formally ran the legendary ‘Sounds Good to Me’ record store in Bedford and with his knowledge of music and culture coupled with his quick wit will bring a great presence to the evening.

Tickets are limited to just 60 spaces following social restrictions .

For tickets visit www.seetickets.com

Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Serves 4 Salmon is a great summer ingredient but if you can’t get your hands on the fresh variety this recipe with the tinned version is delicious and tasty.

Salmon can be fresh or tinned, whichever is most convenient INGREDIENTS - 225g pasta – farfalle or other shape - 2 heads broccoli, separated into florets - 2 carrots, peeled and chopped - 250ml olive oil - 2 tsps soy sauce - 3 tbsp red wine vinegar - 2 cloves garlic, pressed - 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice - salt and pepper to taste - 300g tinned salmon, drained

METHOD 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to the boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.

2. Bring a separate large pot of water to the boil. Add the broccoli and carrots, and cook in the boiling water until tender, 2 to 3 minutes; drain.

3. Combine the olive oil, soy sauce, red wine vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a sealable container; seal. Shake vigorously to make the dressing.

4. Toss together the drained pasta, drained vegetables, salmon and dressing in a large bowl.

5. Serve with bread or salad immediately, or store in fridge up to 4 days.

Former Faces reopens this month as #Play IT TAKES a very courageous operator to open up a bar/nightclub in today’s climate, Faces Nightclub once known as The Asia Lounge located at 66 High Street, Bedford, appears to have changed owners during lockdown.

The venue traded under the name of Faces, it was a jointly owned venture comprising of three floors and operated mainly on Friday and Saturday nights to a pretty much full house.

Unfortunately I have not been able to track down the new out of town owners as yet but what I do know is the venue will operate under the name of ‘Play’ and are scheduled to open their doors to the general public on Friday, May 21, at 7pm .

‘Play’ will work around a pretty much dedicated theme of Dance , Drink, Watch and Play, Friday and Saturday nights will feature live DJs with resident DJ Sean Harvey, live entertainment and guest star studded DJ appearances.

The venue is already receiving huge support from the legendary garage DJ Martin Larner, MC Kie , MC Secret Agent and garage Dj Miss Jonesy, awesome!

This venue will be operating on all three floors, ground floor will host the Cocktail and gin lounge , the first floor is the main nightclub and the top floor is the roof terrace and games area.

The venue is currently running a competition – they are giving away a VIP Table, Free Entry and

Bottle of CIROC with mixers, six Beers, a bottle of Prosecco, six Play Bombs for six people on their opening night.

To enter the competition just simply visit their Facebook page for instructions.

The venue will also showing live coverage of the England Euro 2021 matches followed by the resident DJ spinning anthems until the early hours of the morning.

As expected ‘Play’ will be operating in line with government Covid restrictions guidelines and will have their own Covid protocols in place, I get a good feeling about this new venue, there is already a lot of strong competition on the high street that survived lockdown so in order to survive they really need to make sure they get their formula right!

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gardening with Milton Ernest Garden Centre Exotic summer plants for patio pots T

by Maureen Catlin

HIS year more than ever we need to treat ourselves. We can’t go out to eat in a restaurant. We can only go to the pub garden. Holidays abroad are restricted and risky with all the variant virus strains about. Our own gardens become even more special this year for relaxing and enjoying ourselves in the company of however many friends and relations Boris allows us to meet.

So here are some really special additions to the bedding plants for summer colour to enhance your own outdoor space.

All my following highlights are easy to grow on the patio in pots, hanging baskets or plant pouches using John Innes no 2 Compost, Jacks Magic or John Innes with Multicompost.

Bidens Bee Dance Painted Red and Painted Yellow are two beautiful new varieties for planting in hanging baskets, containers and window boxes adding colour and fragrance to the patio.

They have a compact habit and the brightly coloured flowers are a magnet to Butterflies and Bees who flock to the sweet honey scented flowers that have very high nectar levels. They flower continuously from June to the first frost in late autumn.

Impatiens Imara is a new strain of Busy Lizzie. Five years ago we had to stop growing Impatiens because the seed became infected with a fungus.

At the time it was the most popular and versatile bedding plant. This new strain has been bred in America and has proven to resist the Downey Mildew Fungus even when grown in our climate. It is available as Imara Red and Imara Pink and flowers from May until the autumn frosts. It is lovely to be able to grow this versatile plant in our summer bedding schemes again.

Begonia Summerwings was voted one of the top five best performing patio plants in 2019. It is available in three colours Orange, Red and, my favourite, Vanilla with golden centres. These plants are very low maintenance requiring no trimming or dead heading and give a striking display planted in tubs and hanging baskets in sun or shade.

Another new variety of Begonia is Fragrant Falls available in two colours Peach and Lemon and has a lovely fragrance. It is trailing, performs well in sun or shade and is spectacular in hanging

baskets, pouches and window boxes. The perfumed flowers can really be appreciated when the windows and doors are open.

Nemesias bred by Martine Tellwright are one of the most popular bedding plants worldwide. They are very easy to grow in an amazing range of

colours. Three new strongly scented neat growing varieties are Olivia which is violet and cream with a yellow centre, Sapphire purple with a cream centre and Lady Penelope with large vanilla cream, orange pink and yellow flowers.

Nemesias grow well in patio tubs and window boxes with the perfume permeating into the house

through open windows.

Nasturtium Orchid Cream is a spectacular plant with rich creamy yellow splashed maroon flowers. It is a compact plant excellent in patio pots in full sun. It thrives in poor soil so only water the tubs but don’t feed. As well as being ornamental the flowers and leaves add a distinct peppery taste to summer salads. Nasturtium Orchid Flame is another dramatic colour combination of orange yellow and maroon.

It was Flower of the Year in 2019. It has a more trailing habit so is excellent in hanging baskets. It is excellent for bees and brilliant at repelling destructive bugs on the veg patch so plant near any brassicas.

Another exciting new plant is Petchoa Beautical a cross between the upright Petunia and the trailing Calibrachoas. It is very easy to grow performing well in hot dry summers and in colder wetter weather as the flowers are not damaged by rain.

It grows forming a mound covered in masses of flowers of rich unusual colours with darker centres Strawberry Pink, Cinnamon, Caramel Yellow and Glowing Orange. It is a perfect plant for low maintenance patio pots.

All these are new variant strains or hybrids of the familiar bedding plants we love in summer. Unlike Covid 19 they are joys to behold.

Try to grow a couple in your patio pots this summer I know you will be back to try more next year.

w

AL FRESCO COFFEE SHOP NOW OPEN The Coffee Shop is open to serve you at your table with our home prepared food in our outdoor heated and covered seating area.

We look forward to seeing your again.

Tel: 01234 823033

M ILT ON ERNEST GARDEN C ENTRE Radwell Road (just off the A6) Milton Ernest MK44 1SH

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sport LONG LIST OF PRE-SEASON MATCHES FOR EAGLES FANS

WITH the recent controversy over the European Super League, its nice to know that back in the non-league football world, things continue apace to get ready for the new season with fans firmly at the forefront of everything that the clubs do.

Bedford Town have been bolstered

by Michael Jarman-Webb early on with the news that their management team will remain for the new coach Gordon Boateng who has founded the side.

The Eagles have also announced the launch of season. Gary Setchell, with his team of Darren Edey, Graeme Tomlinson their academy which will start in September 2021 for 16–18-year-olds interested in all aspects of the and Sam G hope to get off to a flying sports industry. It will combine top class football start when the new season begins on coaching with classroom learning from partners VLUK. The two-year course can earn a level 3 the August 14.

The diary is already starting to fill up with pre-season matches, the first of which will be at the tail end of June as unusually the Eagles entertain opposition from their own division, in the form of new groundshare partners Biggleswade FC. The match will take place on the evening of June 29 and will be a good way of both sets of fans to get to know each other before rivalries recommence later in the season.

On Saturday, July 3, there will be a trip up the A1 for Bedford as they travel to Lincoln Road the home of Peterborough Sports. Then it is a shorter trip on Tuesday, July 6, to Newport Pagnell Town before another home match against newly formed side Hertford United on July 10. This will see the return to the Eyrie of popular former

BTEC in sport. For more information, view the online brochure at bit.ly/3tbt226 call: 07935 560918 or email: academy@bedfordeagles.net.

Returning to the Eyrie at half term will be the popular children’s training camp for 5–13-yearolds, led by first team player and UEFA coach Connor Tomlinson. These sessions are becoming increasingly popular and early booking is recommended by contacting Connor on 07935 560918.

Bedford Town FC always appreciate people who can help the club, either behind the scenes or on matchdays, one way of doing this is by becoming an active member of the Supporters Club.

In addition, the Eagles are currently looking for matchday Stewards who are available for home matches on Saturday afternoons, or Tuesday evenings. For more information about what the role entails contact: 07434624566 or email: btfcpress@gmail.com.

Mawer joins Rovers as Academy Director CAMERON Mawer has joined Kempston Rovers from National League side Boreham Wood’s well renowned PASE Academy, which in recent times has been the countries most successful football and education Academy.

He has overseen the likes of Sorba Thomas moving to Huddersfield Town and Iliman Ndiaye moving to Sheffield United amongst many others.

Camerons playing career saw him represent England at youth level playing with the likes of James Milner and Aaron Lennon.

He was on the books at Watford Football Club for 10 years before moving to Grays Athletic winning the FA Trophy at Upton Park.

He spent five seasons in the National league before his career was brought to a premature end.

His first coaching job saw him work at EFL side Stevenage within

the academy before becoming Boreham Wood Reserve team manager.

After a successful period learning his trade he was promoted to first team coach.

He was equally as successful within the Academy eventually being named Academy Manager and overseeing a period of near domination by his Academy sides.

Five National cups and 10 England colleges internationals later he became their most successful manager in its history.

He was promoted to assistant manager within the first team set up and played his part in taking the club within a whisper of the football league losing firstly at Wembley against Tranmere in the play-offs then more recently against Harrogate Town in last seasons play offs.

Cameron has overseen players moving to the Premier League, EFL, all over non league and off to America on scholarships.

He will add an experience that is priceless and will be able to take the Academy to another level.

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