Bedford Borough Bulletin October 2021

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NO CHANGE IN SOCIAL CARE FUNDING SAYS COUNCIL BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

THE increase in National Insurance will not help pay for social care in Bedford, the council heard.

Councillor Michael Headley (Liberal Democrats, Putnoe Ward) Bedford Borough Council’s portfolio holder for finance, told the Executive Meeting (15 September) that, by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter in the short term, the council isn’t expecting any change in being unfair and targeting the put in place. That money isn’t the way social care funding poorest, it doesn’t even, according going to improve social care will be raised. to the government’s own papers, provision, it is replacing private

He said that while residents may believe the extra National Insurance payment will pay for social care, a direct quote from the Government’s ‘Building Back Better: Our Plan for Health and Social Care’ document shows that this isn’t the case.

Councillor Headley highlighted part of the document that states: “We expect demographic and unit cost pressures will be met through Council Tax, social care precept, and long-term efficiencies”.

“This is the situation we’ve been in up to now and that will continue to be the case based on this”, he said.

“It may well be that the social care precept may continue into future years.”

Councillor Headley said that local authorities will have a clearer idea of the policy following October’s Spending Reveiw.

Councillor Henry Vann (Liberal Democrats, De Parys Ward) asked: “I just wanted to check that I understood what you were saying.

“So, despite the government announcement around the National Insurance increase, which we all know is horrendously unfair anyway; it wipes out the nurses’ pay rise, it targets the poorest people.

“Even people who don’t pay income tax will be paying National Insurance.

“So despite that announcement

do anything towards addressing the social care funding nightmare?

“The prime minister’s announcements are complete nonsense, as far as I can see, and complete fiction according to their (the government’s) own words.

“Have I understood that correctly?”

Councillor Headley replied: “I believe you have. This comes with the caveat that the government will announce more guidance and more detail as time goes on.

“But I think it is very clear that a lot of the money will initially go to the NHS so it won’t be there for social care.

“HOLD ON UNTIL NEXT YEAR’S SPENDING REVIEW!”

“We have to remember that when the money is there for social care, it will effectively be replacing funds that people would have, perhaps, paid out of their own private assets.

“In reality, more public sector money will be needed to replace people’s own assets that would have paid (towards social care).

“That’s the policy that has been

individuals’ contributions with public contributions.”

Councillor Headley said that using council tax to raise this funding is equally as unfair as raising National Insurance as it also hits people on low incomes proportionately worse.

Conservative Group Leader Graeme Coombes commented: “When the Liberal Democrats were in Government with the Conservatives, Bedford Liberal Democrats were very quiet people with little hint of criticism, but why am I surprised to hear them so vocal when difficult decisions have to be taken by a Conservative Government in the wake of a world-wide pandemic.

“The best response to the criticism comes from the Liberal Democrat portfolio holder himself when he said at the Executive,” “This comes with the caveat that the government will announce more guidance and more detail as time goes on.”

“It is clear that until the Government’s spending review and funding for next year is announced, everything is speculation.

“The Prime Minister has only ever indicated that National Insurance rises would, in the first instance, be more directed to the NHS to support the many people who need operations and treatments that have been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

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Stalwart of the community remembered

Bedford High Street works move to overnight working

WITH Phase 2 of the Bedford High Street improvement works on track to finish ahead of schedule, the next stage of works on the east of St Paul’s Square begins.

FOLLOWING the death of Balbir Atwal, a well respected member of the Shaheedi Sports Council fellow committee members donated £1000 to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in his memory.

Balbir died in August suddenly at the age of 62 of a heart attack whilst at work in his post office in Goldington Road, Bedford.

As well as being chair of Shaheedi Sports for 15 years, he was also a prominent member of the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara in Kempston.

Along with the donation from his fellow committee members, friends and customers of his post office raised an additional £1556 for BHF. On Monday, September 13, a ceremony was held at Kempston Town Hall where Balbir had served as the Mayor in 2006/7. Sarah Cunningham from the British Heart Foundation (Beds & Cambs area) was on hand to receive a cheque.

Pictured here at the ceremony are some of the members of the Shaheedi Sports Council Committee: Sarwan Mander, Shaminder Garcha, Balwant Gill, Jaswant Gill, and Balbir Randhawa.

Sunny Atwell, Balbir’s son (second from the left), presented the cheque. Also present was the current Mayor of Kempston, Cllr Carl Meader.

In consultation with businesses and restaurants in the area, the decision has been made to carry out this stage of works overnight only from 8pm to 5am. This started at 8pm on Sunday, September 19.

It is expected that night works will be complete by the end of October.

During the works, the pavement will be widened creating more space for pedestrians, shoppers and visitors to St Paul’s Square. Infrastructure works will also be carried out with new traffic signals being installed. The widened footpath will also be finished with the York stone paving now in place on the High Street, creating a matching attractive look across this area of the town centre.

With the footpath space being narrower while the works are carried out, the anticipated footfall during the day with more relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, and the operating times of restaurants and businesses it is hoped that overnight works will minimise the disruption caused.

It will also help to ensure that the works can be carried out efficiently, maintain the high quality of work seen so far, and provide a safe environment for the crews working and the public.

Cllr Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Highways said “We recognise that overnight works may cause some noise disturbance overnight, and we apologise for that. The Council and our contractor on this project, Henderson and Taylor, have done a letter drop to all businesses and resi-

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This project is part of Transporting Bedford, a project to tackle congestion hotspots in Bedford, funded by both Bedford Borough Council and £15.5M funding from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), through the Local Growth Fund and represents the largest ever investment in Bedford’s roads. It has also helped secure an additional £1.76 million worth of investment from Historic England, backed by SEMLEP and Bedford BID, which will help improve shop fronts and bring unused spaces back into use.

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dents providing information and out of hours contact details, and the noisiest elements such as slab cutting will be done before midnight and behind an enclosed zone to reduce the noise.

“So while you won’t see anyone on site during the day, please be reassured we are still working hard to get this exciting and important project complete.

“This Transporting Bedford project has already seen great improvements on our High Street, with the single traffic lane, upgraded pavements with York stone, new trees and a more attractive street scene. We are seeing investment in our town centre through a number of different schemes including this, the Heritage Action Zone, and the Town Deal, looking ahead to the future of our town.”

The Beds Bulletin and Kempston Calling are independent publications part of Rosetta Publishing Ltd. Published by ©2021 Rosetta Publishing Limited 30 Radwell Road, Milton Ernest, Bedford MK44 1SH Tel: 07894 935952 Editorial: editorial@rosettapublishing.com Advertising: advertising@rosettapublishing.com Printed by: Iliffe Print Cambridge Ltd. Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge CB24 6PP Regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC IMPRESS. 16-18 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6AG T 020 3325 4288 E complaints@impress.org.uk w impress.press To view our complaints policy, please visit our website www.rosettapublishing.com

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BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2021 —

75 years of Shuttleworth College

THE 75th anniversary of the founding of Shuttleworth College by Dorothy Shuttleworth was celebrated in a marquee celebration in the grounds of the Shuttleworth Trust estate on Thursday, September 9, 2021.

Princess Charlotte, granddaughter of Dorothy and Patron of the Shuttleworth Trust, joined Ian Pryce CBE of The Bedford College Group on stage to mark the special occasion.

Princess Charlotte reminded the audience of VIP guests how the college was founded two years after the Shuttleworth Trust which was set up in memory of Dorothy’s only son, Richard. The first cohort of students in estate management in 1946 were just six men. Now Shuttleworth College has nearly 750 fulltime students (rising to 1,200 including part-time) in a wide range of land-based learning subjects.

“My grandmother believed students would benefit from being in this country setting,” said the Princess, “Today we can be proud of having such a reliable partner in running the college.”

Ian Pryce paid tribute to recently retired Mike Johnson, among the guests, who welcomed Bedford College when it joined with Shuttleworth College in 2009. Together they continued Mike’s great work in encouraging many more students to the rural campus, and a 40 year lease has secured the foreseeable future of the establishment.

The opening in 2019 of the Zoological Education

by Jane Bird

Centre, complete with tropical biome, was celebrated at this recent event with guests being given a tour of areas containing animals otherwise found from the Amazon to Australia. The Princess praised the astonishing achievement of the creation of the ZEC which she said she had found an unforgettable experience.

Catherine Lloyd, Director of Shuttleworth College, explained to the guests there was a wide range of facilities on campus: from the equine to fisheries specialist centres, the Kings Hill farm and exciting outdoor sporting facilities: “This is a vibrant place with an expanding curriculum which would have been of interest to Richard Shuttleworth.”

The Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth Remembrance Trust remembers the last heir of the industrial Shuttleworth fortune, his passion for racing cars and aeroplanes; his love of his Old Warden home, and the agricultural genesis of his wealth. The Shuttleworth Trust promotes training and discovery in the knowledge and skills of agriculture and of aviation and automotive technology.

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BEDFORD Park Proms, celebrated their 25th Anniversary in August with a spectacular classical picnic concert, complete with laser show and firework finale!

The Proms show is a firm family favourite and guest vocalists of the night were opera star and TV sensation Wynne Evans and soprano Victoria Joyce.

However it was a very special guest appearance

by Hannah Ingram-Moore and Benjie Ingram-Moore, which became a very poignant and emotional moment of the show.

The music came to a halt for Hannah and Benjie to talk about their late father/grandfather Captain Sir Tom Moore and his amazing legacy and achievement of raising £38.9m in three and a half weeks.

Hannah Ingram-Moore continues to raise further funds and awareness in her Fathers honour, at The Captain Tom Foundation. Captain Tom and family remained always at the local heart of the community.

Grandson Benjie spoke about the importance of

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family, he said: “Please treasure your parents, please treasure your grandparents, they are absolutely incredible, please don’t take them for granted. Living with my grandfather was my biggest pleasure.”

Benjie Ingram-Moore Daughter Hannah went onto announce that the promoter of Bedford Park Concerts, Mark Harrison is giving 8000 tickets away to NHS workers for just a nominal charge of £1 for the 2022 Proms concert.

This £1 will be donated straight back to the NHS and given to The Bedford Hospital Charity. Hannah went onto thank the audience and our amazing NHS, she said: “Thank you for ensuring my father’s lasting legacy of hope lives on.”

Bedford Park Proms 25th Anniversary (Part 2) takes place on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Tickets for NHS workers are on sale and can be purchased from: https://www.bedfordparkconcerts. co.uk/events/bedford-park-proms-2022-tickets/

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8000 tickets for next year’s Bedford Proms on sale to NHS workers for £1

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BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2021 —

Girlguiding and Shuttleworth form a historic partnership SATURDAY, September 4, 2021 heralded the launch of a new partnership between Girlguiding Bedfordshire and Shuttleworth, Bedfordshire.

Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides from across Bedfordshire will now be able to take part in a specially devised, Shuttleworth Quest, set in the beautiful grounds of the Swiss Gardens and the historic Shuttleworth Collection.

The quest consists of a number of fun and educational elements for the girls to take part in and solve.

The girls have the opportunity to explore the grounds of this unique venue and to immerse themselves in its history.

Karen Keeling Girlguiding Bedfordshire County Commissioner said: “We were delighted to work with Shuttleworth on this project and, after many months of discussion, it is marvellous that the partnership has finally come together.” Karen added: “It is a unique opportunity for our members to explore a historic gem located right on their doorstep.”

L-R: Karen Keeling, Girlguiding Bedfordshire County Commissioner; Carolyn Hare, Girlguiding Event Organiser; Shuttleworth Trust members; Cllr Madeline Russell, Mayor of Biggleswade; Mr. Eric Masih, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire; Dr. Joan Bailey, Deputy HM Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire and Matthew Studdert-Kennedy, Learning Co-ordinator for Shuttleworth.

Matthew Studdert-Kennedy, Learning Co-ordinator for Shuttleworth said: “We couldn’t be more pleased to have welcomed Girlguiding Bedfordshire to Shuttle-

worth, and are delighted to have been able to launch this exciting new project together. We hope this will be the first step in a lasting partnership.”

SIGHTS SET ON PARIS 2024 KEEN runner Dema Aktaa, 27, lost her leg in an explosion when her Syrian village was attacked in August 2012.

After coming to the UK in 2017 as a refugee, charity ‘my AFK’ (Action for Kids) helped her find funding for a running blade costing £13,500. Dema has now been able to start training again, and hopes to compete in the next Paralympics in Paris in 2024.

Dema lives in Flitwick, with her family, is studying interior design.

She said: “When we were attacked, a bomb exploded, I went from the living room to the balcony and straight away, I lost my leg. It was a shock, of, but there was no point getting too upset about it! It’s hard to accept for the first few years, but after that you have to work with it, because it’s not going to change.

But it’s life and I’m happy now because it makes me unique.”

“I moved to Lebanon and then six years later, I came to the UK with my family as a refugee. “Before my accident I was a keen runner, competing in school competitions.

When I arrived in the UK, I wanted to give something back. I decided to do a sponsored walk for Choose Love which supports refugees. I was delighted to raise around £1,000.

“One of my friends, Ben suggested I start fundraising to try

to buy a blade so I could get running again, ‘my AFK’ saw my fundraising page and got in touch.

And it all went from there.”

Julia Paylor, my AFK Advocacy and Mobility Manager said: “We really wanted to help. Dema had already raised some funds from a sponsored walk with her friend Ben. We agreed that we would part fund her running prothesis, and that I would also apply to a number of different charities on her behalf. So I applied to five or six charities, most of whom were also really struck by her story and wanted to help.”

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TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Darcey shows a stroke of excellence

CASTLE Newnham is proud to have a ‘Star’ rower in the school. Darcey Murphy, 13, was selected by Star Rowing Club to take part in the inaugural “Centurian Challenge”, an initiative set up by London Youth Rowing (LYR).

The centurion’s task was to complete 100km in 24 hours. With the support of multiple quad crews throughout the period Darcey rose to this mammoth challenge and completed it cheered on by the club, family and friends. It wasn’t a race; it was about endurance.

Darcey began rowing just two years

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ago, following in the footsteps of her dad who was also a rower. She showed a natural aptitude for rowing, impressing her coaches and squad mates from the beginning.

Andrew Triggs Hodge, a three-time triple Olympic champion, four-time world champion and working with LYR, telephoned to congratulate Darcey on her achievement. He said, “As our youngest Centurion, Darcey is an inspiration. To take on this challenge at such a young age, we are very impressed.”

Ruth Wilkes, Federation Principal at

Castle Newnham says “Here at Castle Newnham School, we are incredibly proud of Darcey and the honour she has achieved of representing her club as a centurion. This is not only an amazing achievement and opportunity for Darcey personally but also brings forward work to support local state schools in promoting rowing which will open up further opportunity for young people in Bedford.”

The Star Club is currently running a ‘dry start’ programme, in partnership with two schools in Bedford, aimed at

introducing young people to indoor rowing, and to provide opportunities at the club to take up the sport.

By working with LYR and raising funds from the Centurion Challenge, Star Club will employ a Community Coach to run the dry start programme, and will expand the project to working with six schools in the local area.

For more information about the programme contact the Star Club on 01234 212070 or to donate this initiative visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/ StarClubCenturionChallenge

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IN just a few day’s time, people will step out for a very special walk to celebrate the lives of loved ones and raise vital funds for their local hospice.

Walk to Remember – Bedford, sponsored by M&DH Insurance Services Ltd, will see people come together for a 5k walk on Sunday October 10, in support of Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger.

They will walk along Bedford Embankment and through Russell Park, placing a poignant dedication along the way in honour of those special to them.

One of the walkers preparing to lace up her trainers is Hilary Holmes, 53, from Godmanchester.

She will be walking to remember her dad, Dave Sharman, who was cared for at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in 2018.

Dave was a well-known figure to many in the local community, serving as a Sandy town councillor and deputy mayor. He volunteered for the RSPB in Sandy and the Ivel Valley Conservation Volunteers, and also sang with the St Swithun’s Singers at Sandy parish church.

Since her dad died, Hilary has fundraised for the hospice to “give something back” in his honour.

She is preparing to participate in Walk to Remember – Bedford in October with her best friend Vicky by her side.

Her support hasn’t stopped there – Hilary also ran 5k at the

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Hilary making strides to remember a much-loved dad

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“I cannot thank Sue Ryder enough for the care they provided to my dad and us as a family,” said Hilary.

“My dad went into Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice from Bedford Hospital for what was meant to be a short stay while the doctors decided on the next steps for his treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Dad knew he wasn’t going to get better, and made it clear that when the time came if he couldn’t be at home he wanted to be cared for at St John’s.

“On the first day he was in the hospice, I remember the lady who did the food asking him what he wanted for dinner. He asked what his choices were and she replied ‘You can have whatever you like.’

He enjoyed poached egg on toast that evening.

“Another time, he told my mum he had a shower. When asked how, as he was very weak by then, he said two nurses had been with him and had not left his side and put loads of talc on him. There were many other times that also showed the respect and dignity the staff gave to my dad.

“Not only did they look after dad with so much kindness and respect, they also helped us as a family. They listened and talked to us and checked we were OK. They made sure we knew what was happening and did so in such a compassionate way. There were a number of things the Sue Ryder Nurses did that just helped us get through such a difficult time.”

She added: “I wanted to give something back to Sue Ryder to show them how grateful we are for the care and support they provided us. It is also a way of honouring my dad. My dad did a lot for the local community and loved to chat with people.”

Sign up now for Walk to Remember – Bedford at www. sueryder.org/walkbedford

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2021 —

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SAMANTHA Laycock along with her team have made the shortlist for this year’s Sceptre Awards, being nominated for both Centre Manager of the Year and Community Initiative of the Year.

The Sceptre Awards nationally recognise the best practice and the best people in the shopping centre industry. They are the pre-eminent accolades, putting the spotlight on management teams, retailers and suppliers that demonstrate real excellence.

Due to her efforts and tireless work for both the centre and the town this past year, Samantha has been shortlisted for Shopping Centre Manager of the Year at the 2021 Sceptre Awards due to take place this November. Samantha has worked at Harpur Centre for fourteen years and is also Chair of Bedford BID and Chair of the Town Deal Board. For International Women’s Day, she was chosen as one of Nat West Bank’s 100 inspiring women!

Following Samantha’s successful bid, Bedford was granted £22.6million to drastically improve the area for the local community. Her goal has always been to make Bedford an amazing place to live and visit and ensure it stays that way long into the future.

Samantha responded quickly and effectively to the pandemic to allow the essential stores to trade and keep everyone safe. She worked throughout to provide good service, implemented one way systems

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Harpur Centre shortlisted for two prestigious industry awards and minimise waiting times and by offering her out of hour service to tenants to assist with their reopening preparations to ensure they didn’t miss any trade.

She got creative, implementing several out of the box initiatives including working with a tenant to use floristry to create barriers for the one-way system, saving plants which would be destroyed and creating vibrancy in the Centre.

The Centre bucked the trend, seeing four units go under offer during lockdown. Samantha is proud to say that the number of tenants in the scheme will be greater than before the pandemic began. These new offerings will create an enhanced tenant mix and aid to further increase footfall and dwell time.

As well as Samantha’s incredible individual achievement, the centre has also been shortlisted for Community Initiative of the Year, celebrating the

TENANT NUMBERS UP

success of their community campaigns over the past twelve months. Their campaign was centred around a celebration of local and national hero Sir Captain Tom Moore and our amazing NHS and key workers by installing a mural in tribute, sending the message that we are truly ‘stronger together.’

For Captain Tom’s 101st birthday, The Harpur Centre team walked 101 laps of the Centre in branded t-shirts to raise money for The Captain Tom Foundation. The community initiative was a huge success, reaching 100% of their target on the Just Giving page for the foundation and a further £300 in donations were made throughout the day with branded charity buckets. They were joined by the Centre’s gym Energie Fitness, who dressed in inflatable dinosaur suits and motivated the team with warmup activities. The event injected some muchneeded positivity into a difficult lockdown.

To honour Sir Tom’s legacy, the Centre installed a

giant yellow heart tying in with the national #LoveForTheLost campaign to raise awareness and honour loved ones lost due to coronavirus. The heart was placed by Sir Tom’s mural to show our support of those in our community who had been devastated by the pandemic.

Samantha Laycock, Harpur Centre Manager, commented: “For us just to be shortlisted in one category, let alone two, is outstanding and it wouldn’t have happened without the incredible team here at the centre who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, supporting myself, our shoppers, and the retailers through a very trying year. I am exceptionally proud of the team and our marketing company for their efforts in delivering such a successful campaign that truly resonated with us and the local community.”

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SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

Raising vital funds for ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

5-8pm Meet our staff and students.

Explore our incredible building and learning environment.

A top performing Sixth Form College as identified by The Sunday Times

To register your place at our open evening, please visit: www.kimberleycollege.co.uk

Presentations to support this event will be available on the website.

PLEASE NOTE: The event is subject to changes posed by evolving Covid restrictions.

Kimberley Sixth Form College Green Lane Stewartby Bedford MK43 9LY

RAINBOWS, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers from across Bedfordshire have raised £2,400 for ZSL Whipsnade Zoo after launching a wild new challenge in support of the conservation charity.

Over 1230 Girlguiding members completed fun animalinspired tasks at home while raising funds for the UK’s largest Zoo, which cares for over 10,000 animals, many of which are threatened in the wild and part of important global breeding programmes.

Taking action, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers took part in activities ranging from making butterfly corners or bird feeders to creating a wildlife garden at home, creating hedgehog houses, and renewing their plastic promise by making an animal sculpture from recycled items – all in support of international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London), which runs ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

On September 18, many of the Girlguiding Bedfordshire members were able to visit the Zoo for a special day out to celebrate their fundraising efforts.

Cathriona Hickey, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Engagement Manager said: “These have been some of the most challenging years in ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s 90-year history and we are so grateful to Girlguiding Bedfordshire for their support and their incredible fundraising efforts. The activities they have completed as part of the wild new challenge are the perfect way to learn all about the wonders of the animal kingdom. We are so pleased they were able to visit us today and see the wonderful wildlife they raised vital funds to support.”

Joined by a selection of young members, ZSL was presented with a cheque by Girlguiding Bedfordshire County Commissioner Karen Keeling and the Dunstable Mayor Cllr Gloria Martin.

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SIXTEEN local undergraduate students have been selected to receive the Harpur Trust’s annual university bursary award of nearly £3,600. The students, their parents and some of their teachers attended a special celebration event on Thursday, September 9 to mark the start of their university journey. Former bursary graduate Freya has also been granted an additional award available to alumni of the scheme, towards a postgraduate qualification in forensics at Cranfield.

42 local sixth formers applied for the coveted bursary places which are awarded annually to 16 Bedford Borough based students from low-income families. The selected students attended Biddenham Upper School, Bedford Sixth Form, Kempston Challenger Academy, St Thomas Moore, Kimberley College, Bedford

College, Mark Rutherford School and Biddenham Upper School and they are preparing to embark on a wide range of courses including Dentistry, filmmaking, Psychology, Engineering, Medicine and Concept Art and Comics.

The Harpur Trust University Bursary programme was introduced to help students from lower income families attend university, enabling them to make the most of their academic potential. Grants Programmes Officer for The Harpur Trust Katrina Hyden welcomed the students said: “Today marks the start of a relationship with The Harpur Trust which we hope will be a long and positive one. We know from experience that many of our previous students have gone on to great things, and we look forward to hearing updates from them as they progress on their education journey.”

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2021 —

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Lucy Bardner, Community Programmes Director at The Harpur Trust added: “We’re proud to have helped nearly 230 Bedford students to attend university since 2007. The Bursaries have enabled them to concentrate on their studies and reduce anxiety and stress, leading to better degree results.

“It’s humbling to hear how many of them overcome significant personal challenges to graduate with excellent degrees and embark on rewarding careers.

Who knows, some of them may return to us as Trustees of The Harpur Trust one day!”

Students who think they might be eligible should contact the head of sixth form at their school or college in the first instance.

Further details are also available on the Harpur Trust website at www.harpurtrust.org.uk/grants/ uni-bursary.

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Come to the Castle Castle Quay, or the cultural quarter, is the modern development which sits behind the Bedford Swan Hotel.

It includes a historic landmark of the Castle Mound and the recovered ruins of the Castle bailey.

The Higgins Bedford unites on one site three previous cultural venues: Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford Museum and Bedford Gallery.

The buildings themselves date back 200 years and have their own rich history. Today they host a wide range of arts and leisure activities aimed at people of all ages.

Included in Castle Quay are a range of businesses.

The Flute and La Fontana are tucked away in ‘Luddington’s Passage’ which leads from the High Street into Ram Yard/Castle Lane.

Via the Castle Gate opposite St Paul’s Square are a selection of small businesses leading up to the popular FatCap Smokehouse.

CASTLE QUAY BUSINESSES: Hidden Hearing • Lotus veggie and oriental sales • FatCap Smokehouse restaurant • Baja restaurant • The Lane restaurant • House of Kut hair • Jacky Guy Hair Salon • The Quay restaurant • Decant Cheese & wine • Fry Estate Agents • Koko Black late night café • Thali & Tandoor restaurant • Urban Graphics designers • Rob’s Barber Shop • Maria Grazia Hair Salon • Chef Beijing restaurant • Castle Lane Garage • The Higgins Bedford Museum • The Higgins Pantry restaurant • Hosted Connections • The Flute bar • La Fontana restaurant • Global Travel Experts • Narrative Industries e-commerce marketing

Meherwan of Global Travel Experts is now offering official Covid testing for travel for £45.

See: lovebedford.co.uk

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— OCTOBER 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

New Dean of St Albans appointed to serve Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis is delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has approved the nomination of The Venerable Joanne Kelly-Moore, Archdeacon of Canterbury and Residentiary Canon at Canterbury Cathedral, for election as Dean of St Albans, in succession to The Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John following his resignation on March 31, 2021.

The role of the Dean of St Albans is to lead the life and work of the Cathedral Church of St Alban and to share with the Diocesan Bishop and other senior colleagues in the oversight of the Diocese of

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St Albans and in supporting its vision of ‘Living God’s Love’.

The Venerable Joanne Kelly-Moore will lead the Cathedral community in sharing and demonstrating the Gospel in the City of St Albans and across the counties of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Commenting on the appointment, the Lord-Lieutenant said: “I am thrilled to welcome the new Dean of St Albans to the Diocese of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

“I know that the new Dean will receive a warm welcome from everybody, and we all look forward to working with her”

Ayesha’s in top 10% of engineers

AYESHA has achieved the elevated status of Senior Member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

IEEE is world’s largest technical professional organisation working for the advancement of technology, and ‘SMIEEE’ is the highest rank one can achieve at IEEE. This grade is achieved by only 10% of the 400,000 members of the organisation and according to the President and CEO Susan K Land: “requires extensive experience and reflects professional maturity and document achievements of significance.”

Ayesha has a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan, served as a Lecturer at Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Management & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan for nine years, and is currently serving as a Course Manager and Lecturer in Engineering at The Bedford College Group, based at the Buchanan Advanced Engineering Centre in Bedford.

During 10 years of her professional experience, Ayesha has pro-

duced seven publications including a book chapter, served as a reviewer for various International Conferences & Organisations, as a judge at engineering project competitions, as an external examiner for Thesis Evaluation, and as a Subject Specialist in various different organisations.

Her journey with IEEE started in 2010 when she joined IEEE UET Student Chapter as a Cochair of Membership Committee as well as a member of WIE (Women in Engineering). Besides

being a Professional Member during last few years, she has published papers at IEEE and has also served as a Reviewer for IEEE Communication Surveys and Tutorials. She has been a member of IEEE Young Professional, IEEE Vehicular Technology Society & IEEE Communications Society as well.

“It is a matter of great pleasure and honour for me to be associated with the world’s largest technical professional organisation for Electrical & Electronic Engineers and I look forward to continuing my collaboration with IEEE at even greater heights,” said Ayesha, aged 33, who looks forward to encouraging more young females in UK to join the field of Engineering.

“When I was lecturing in University in Pakistan, many more of my students were young women who saw engineering as a valuable career. The female students I taught in Pakistan are also working as teachers as well as engineers in well-known companies. I wish to encourage females in UK also to become engineers and work in industry, teaching and research.”

Rotary seeks support for young peoples’mental health AFTER local fundraising events were postponed due to Covid-19, the Rotary Club of Bedford Park in Bedford has launched a crowdfunding campaign, using the GlobalGiving platform, to help local young people receive counselling for anxiety and depression.

Their campaign to ‘Accelerate Mental Health recovery in Bedford Youth’ hopes to raise at least £3,600.

This will provide an extra 240 one hour one-to-one therapy sessions at Bedford Open Door, which provides free counselling for young people aged 13-25 who live in or near Bedford.

Fewer than one in three children and young people with a diagnosable mental health condition get access to NHS care and treatment. 34% of those who do get

referred into NHS services are not accepted into treatment. As a result, Bedfordshire Open Door has a current waiting list of 70 young people. The Rotary campaign aims to cut that list significantly.

To find out more and to make a donation please visit https://globalgiving.org/projects/acceleratemental-health-recovery-in-bedford -youth/

An inclusive, high-performing secondary academy for pupils aged 11-16

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ENGAGING MINDS, NURTURING SUCCESS, INSPIRING FUTURES

Over 500 young people attend Commissionerfunded boxing and martial arts sessions

POLICE and Crime Commissioner, Festus Akinbusoye funded free Boxing and Martial Arts classes for young people in Bedfordshire as part of his Summer of Fun programme.

This initiative formed part of his plans to invest in early intervention programmes to safeguard our young people, encourage healthy choices and improve self-esteem.

Commenting on the recently concluded summer of fun programme, Mr. Akinbusoye said: “I want to thank my office and our key partners for delivering these sessions across Bedfordshire in such a short period of time. It was a pleasure to join in on some of these in Luton, Leighton Buzzard, Bedford and other locations and seeing how much fun our young people were having was just fantastic.”

“With over 500 young people attending at least one of 22 sessions, it is clear to me that this is something we need to do again each summer. I want to thank the parents, our High Sheriff, Bedfordshire Police officers and local businesses who all helped to make this possi- away by the enthusiasm and ble by either bringing the children, engagement of the boys and girls donating food or helping with who attended, and the initiative logistics as well.” was a perfect antidote to a difficult Partners including Boxing Saves year many had experienced.

Lives, Ringcraft Boxing, and “We know the benefits Boxing Sendo-Ryu Martial Arts Association can bring to the physical and mental hosted the sessions at different loca- health of young people, and it was tions across the county. incredible to see Martial Arts showCommunity Policing Officer case how this unique perspective Shezad Ahmed said: “The summer can improve lives.” of fun was a great initiative and “We are grateful to the Police appreciated, not only by the kids and Crime Commissioner for who attended, but also by the par- standing by his promise to prioritise ents. It was great to support the intervention, and thank him and his event and being able to engage team for helping us shine a light on with the kids and build key rela- how we can be a guiding light tionships which will hopefully across Bedfordshire.” prove to be beneficial in the The Commissioner, in his future.” recently launched Police and Crime Commenting on the programme Plan has placed early intervention, JP Smith from Boxing Saves Lives partnership working and tackling said: “We were delighted to be a the causes of youth offending at the part of an incredible Summer of heart of police priorities in Fun and Focus. We were blown Bedfordshire.

Mark Rutherford is a finalist in the National Cyber Awards

security. Jacqueline Samosa, Assistant Headteacher at Mark Rutherford School says: “I am really pleased that the school is being recognised for the role that it plays in trying to raise awareness of the cyber issues that our young people face online on a daily basis. It is really important that we educate young people in how to manage these threats moving forward. The projects we are involved with do just that, both within the community and across continents but this is ongoing as the online environment is constantly changing.”

Kelli Foster, Headteacher, said: “What an achievement to be in the final of such a prestigious awards event that serves to recognise those who work hard to keep us all safe online. The work we do as a school aims to educate our young people, and those in the community, and also aims to inspire them moving forward.”

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School awarded prestigious Useful and Kind Schools’ Mark

THE whole school community at Priory Primary School in Bedford are celebrating after being awarded the Useful and Kind Schools’ Mark.

A Useful & Kind School is one characterised by care, compassion, creativity, equality, excellence and kindness. Everyone working together to support the development of our future prosocial leaders - those that will lead, live and act for the welfare of others and the world.

The Useful and Kind Schools’ Mark is an award that recognises and celebrates a school’s commitment to nurturing useful and kind behaviours and leadership across a whole school community.

Useful and Kind has become a shared way of being at Priory Primary – from day to day behaviours around the school to ‘Ambassadors’ working in the local community. A strong focus

on useful and kind behaviours and leadership is having a lasting impact on pupils, staff, parents and the wider local community.

The U&K Schools’ Mark Manager, Lyanne Young commended Priory Primary School: “We are delighted to confirm that your school has been awarded the U&K Schools’ Mark as recognition of your commitment to nurturing prosocial leadership. Huge congratulations to your whole school community!”

On receiving the award, Juliet Fraser, Headteacher said: “The journey to become a Useful & Kind School has been like having a friend walk alongside us! Thank you, U&K Unlimited. We have exciting plans to keep building our Useful & Kind ethos, expanding out into the world where our children will soon take charge. It will be in good hands!”

Take a look at Wootton Upper School Do you have a child in Year 8 looking for a place in September 2022 at an Upper School?

The deadline for Year 9 admissions is 31st October 2021. For a tour of our school and to learn about the wide range of course options available please ring and ask for the Admissions Secretary to book an appointment. igh praise from it dh s la e st eiv c e

Effective teaching, learning and assessment support pupils to make good progress

spection d in ste Of

THE purpose of the National Cyber Awards is to reward those who are committed to cyber innovation, cyber-crime reduction and protecting citizens online. Mark Rutherford School has been placed in the final of the education category for The Cyber School of the Year 2021 and will attend the awards ceremony in London on September 28.

One project the school is involved with is a competition that has run since 2013 aimed at students from Year 5 to Year 10 covering a variety of topics to do with cyber security and safety. The competition is run in collaboration with the British Computer Society (Bedford), Cranfield University and Bedfordshire Police in raising awareness of cyber issues within the community and beyond.

The school has also been working with Qufaro to run the Cyber Extended Project for students who want to delve deeper into cyber

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Teachers care about their pupils and have good relationships with them

An extensive extracurricular programme which underpins pupils spiritual, moral, social and cultural Teachers development Teachers have a have a high Wootton Upper School, high expectation expectation of Hall End Road, Wootton, of how pupils their pupils A well-designed Bedfordshire, MK43 9HT should behave curriculum which 01234 767123 allows pupils to choose wootton@wootton.beds.sch.uk from a wide range www.woottonupper.co.uk of option subjects www.facebook.com/WoottonUS/ www.pecreative.co.uk 21_0171

14

LETTERS

— OCTOBER 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

TO THE EDITOR

Poor comms from the management is causing concerns and anxiety for Bedford Borough staff

TO THE EDITOR: Walking in the fresh

air is something that many of us have appreciated more than ever since the pandemic began. As someone who tries to walk every day, I value the physical and wellbeing benefits that it brings – as well as the time to think and reflect.

I am writing to encourage your readers to put their best foot forward and take part in Sue Ryder’s Walk to Remember 2021.

Healthcare charity Sue Ryder is a cause that is close to my heart.

My daughter was cared for in her final days at one of Sue Ryder’s hospices, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, in 2010. The compassionate care she received meant an awful lot to me and my family.

Sue Ryder does fantastic work, being there for families like mine.

However, it remains reliant on voluntary income and needs your readers’ support to ensure it can keep offering expert care.

This is why I want to tell you about how you can get involved with Walk to Remember this October.

It is an opportunity to get together with family and friends to celebrate the memory of your loved one, raise vital funds and help Sue Ryder fill someone’s last days with love.

Sue Ryder’s research shows more than half (54%) of the British public think that remembrance

events help them grieve. You can join hundreds of other supporters and walk 5k or 10k at one of Sue Ryder’s organised events – Walk to Remember in Bedford or Peterborough, or Starlight Hike in Cheltenham or Worth Valley.

You can also organise your own Walk to Remember and do 5k or 10k or a distance of your choice on any day during October. The charity’s research found more than two thirds of people (71%) have a special place they visit to remember someone who has died. Make it your Walk to Remember by deciding your start and finish line and a route that means something to you.

The funds raised will help Sue Ryder to support people through the most difficult times of their lives.

Sign up now at sueryder.org/ walk Sir Geoff Hurst MBE Former England footballer, World Cup winner and Sue Ryder Ambassador

The Bedford Borough Council Employee Partnership meeting (21 September 2021) was told by trade union rep Kiran Mal (Unison) that a lack of communication on returning to the workplace and potential restructuring is causing concerns and anxiety for Borough workers.

“What is happening with restructuring?”, she asked. “We appreciate that there have been many changes to senior management, but there have been no further communications to what is going on.”

She accepted that there has been some sharing of information, but “there’s been no formal introduction” to what the timescales are.

“Our members are requesting that we fall back to a situation where we would have drop-in centres where everyone would be updated in respect of what is taking place”, she said.

“There is a lot of concern for my members and it’s causing great anxiety at this moment in time.”

Alison Macaulay, manager for HR strategy & workforce development, said that the position on returning to the workplace remains unchanged and staff are continuing to work from home whenever possible.

“There are FAQs that are being prepared in relation to agile working and these are being shared with the trade unions before being communicated more widely,” she said.

Addressing the points on any potential restructuring, Ms Macaulay said: “The proposals are still being considered and as these emerge they will be shared through the appropriate mechanisms.

“Each directorate does have a change champion in place and they are representing the interests of the teams.

“So some staff can go to their change champion to ask questions.

The change champions and their role is included in the FAQs.” Councillor Sue Oliver (Labour, Kempston North Ward) said: “It is well-known that it is much better

Seven marathons in seven days

On Monday, October 4, 2021, Matt Pullinger (Matt P) and Matt Guest (Guesty) will be starting their week long challenge of 7 Marathons in 7 Days. Matt P is funding raising for Motor Neurone Disease Association and Guesty is running for Multiple Sclerosis. Their respective dads are living with these terrible diseases which is why they have taken on this mammoth challenge.

They will be running a total of 183.4 miles over the 7 days taking them from Kempston in Bedfordshire to Manchester where they will complete their challenge by completing the Manchester Marathon on Sunday 10th October 2021. During the run they will be passing through Wellingborough, Kettering, Market Harborough, Leicester, Beeston, Macclesfield before reaching their final destination.

They are both teachers in Bedfordshire, Matt P is Head of PE at Etonbury Academy in Arlesey and Guesty teaches PE at Kempston Challenger Academy.

Both schools are fully supporting them both with this challenge.

Matt P’s dad was diagnosed with MND in April 2020 during a year that everyone would rather forget, with the whole country in lockdown and nobody knowing what the future held. As the year 2021 began the Pullinger family wanted to think positively and started their Fightback Fund to contribute to the much needed fund raising for the MND Association.

Currently there is no cure for MND and the Association funds essential research into a cure and supports MND sufferers and their families to live life to the full. Matt has had to watch his dad’s health deteriorate over a short period of time where he now struggles to walk, speak or carry out day to day activities.

Guesty’s dad was diagnosed with MS in 1990 and has been fighting an unbeatable battle against this disease ever since. He has seen the nasty side of MS through his dad, with his mobility decreasing over time so that he now has to use a wheelchair for day to day life. He is fundraising for the local therapy centre which supports his dad.

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to tell people in advance and tell them several times in advance and not in retrospect.

“I think that has been the problem – perhaps not enough communication in advance of what was happening.

“When you’re busy at work you don’t always have the time to go through and gather that information, it is better that information

comes to you.”

Mark Stephens (acting chief executive) said: “I think there has been quite regular communications and I’ve had sessions with quite a number of staff members in different forums.

“I will contest that there has been no communication, but I will take on board the points that have been made.”

Borough has enough options for rough sleepers this winter BEDFORD Borough Council’s Housing Committee received an update on the levels of rough sleeping in the Borough at an informal meeting held on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Lee Phanco, chief officer for assessments applications and business support at the Council, said: “As of this morning, there are three people that have been sleeping rough in the town centre.

“One does have an offer of accommodation, but the other two are not engaging with services at the moment.

“And we still have two people living in rural areas in caravans that are not really suitable for permanent dwelling.

“They have been offered accommodation, but they are choosing to stay in their caravans.”

Since the last update to the Committee in March, Roger’s Court, Cauldwell Street in Bedford has opened. It has been converted to 20 self-contained flats.

“It was handed over (to the Council) at the beginning of August. We have 17 people living there and there are currently four vacant units”, Mr Phanco said.

He added that one unit was occupied by a couple, and offers have been made to people for the vacant flats.

“What we find sometimes is that it takes a little bit of time to get people to move in.

“Either they have been sleeping rough for a long time and making

by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter

the transition is difficult.

“Or they are settled in some other accommodation that we have been able to provide, but I’m confident that in the next few weeks it will be fully occupied.”

Councillor Stephen Moon (Conservative, Great Barford Ward) asked how long people are expected to stay at Rodgers Court.

Mr Phanco answered that Rodgers Court is a non-secure tenancy, “The expectation is that people will stay there for a maximum of two years, which is a condition of the grant funding”, he said.

“But in exceptional circumstances, people can stay for three years.”

He added that there isn’t a pressure to move people through, it’s about being able to support people until they are ready to move on.

Since the start of the pandemic, Mr Phanco said that the Council has been able to make an offer of accommodation to anybody that was sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough.

He expects this to continue, he said: “With the various accommodation options we’ve got now, plus the £120,000 in the Rough Sleeper Initiative Fund, we will be able to provide accommodation for anybody through the winter.”

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View from the Rt Revd

Richard Atkinson

The Bishop of Bedford

‘ENTERTAINING ANGELS’

Four guests were expected for dinner. Unlike, however, our normal entertaining we knew none of those who were invited. My wife and I experienced some anxiety about who would turn up! My cooking felt more under examination than ever before!

They were coming because they had purchased ‘dinner for four cooked by the Bishop’ in an on-line auction in aid of the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust – indeed they had been generous in their bid. And whereas I had naively assumed they would probably be supporters of the Trust who we knew, this was not the case.

Travelling from Wales they were a group of four who enjoyed what they called ‘ecclesiastical pilgrimage’. Normally they visited a cathedral but this time the opportunity of dinner with a bishop seemed something different! They were lovely. Great company, stimulating conversationalists and appreciative of my culinary efforts! We had entertained angels unawares.

The letter to the Hebrews exhorts us all to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2) The invitation is to take risks with others because in reaching out with generosity we so often receive more than we expect.

Some of my colleagues have been extending hospitality to asylum seekers not least those who have recently arrived from Afghanistan. They have been ‘strangers’ brought to a new place as they escape the Taliban regime. Yet, again and again, as I have listened to those reaching out to them, I have heard of people receiving much, if not more than they have given. They have received from these displaced ‘guests’ not just gratitude, but the offering of their stories, courage, and personal gifts. As so often is the case, when we break down those divisions of culture, language and identity, we are enriched by the experiences of the other.

This reminds me of another powerful image of hospitality in the Bible which is that shown by Andrei Rublev in his icon of the Trinity. It depicts the account of three angels visiting Abraham at the Oak of Mamre (Genesis 18:1-8). It represents both the generosity at the heart of God and the gift that comes from strangers – Abraham’s wife, Sarah, is told to her surprise that she will have a child.

Which ‘strangers’ will you entertain? For in doing so you may well entertain angels unawares!

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2021 —

In Focus with

In Focus with

Dave

Yasin

by Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford

MP for Bedford and Kempston

PROTECTING OUR LIBRARY SERVICE

COST OF LIVING CRISIS

Libraries are very important and I am glad that not only have we protected all our libraries from closures we have actually extended our library service by the introduction of Library Plus.

Over 800 libraries have closed across the country since 2010, whereas in Bedford Borough we have introduced LibraryPlus which has allowed us to extend opening hours, including the first Sunday openings at Bedford Central Library.

LibraryPlus has been successfully running at Bedford Central, Bromham and Wootton libraries since 2017.

In that time, over 12,000 library users have registered for LibraryPlus, taking advantage of a more flexible and convenient service with increased overall opening hours, including Sunday and Bank Holiday opening at Bedford Central Library.

LibraryPlus provides a mixture of staffed hours as well as using technology to allow access to customers during unstaffed, self-service hours. During the self-service hours, LibraryPlus customers can enter the libraries to browse the shelves, borrow and return items, use the computers, study and work.

Earlier this year the Council consulted on the extension of LibraryPlus to Kempston and Putnoe libraries which was supposed by a majority of residents.

LibraryPlus will enable these libraries to be open for more hours overall, we are aiming to increase opening hours from 30.5 per week to 48.5 hours at Kempston and 49.5 hours at Putnoe, whilst still providing core staffed hours where library users can speak to and get assistance from staff.

To ensure that libraries are used safely, LibraryPlus uses a range of systems to t support customers during self-service hours, including CCTV monitoring, help points and public announcements.

LibraryPlus has enabled people to use their local library in a more flexible way, and has seen our libraries open more, for example, opening hours at Bedford Central Library went up from 48 to 60 hours every week after it was introduced in 2017.

In October, 11,690 Universal Credit claimants in Bedford and Kempston, 40% of whom are working, will have their Universal Credit uplift removed. Families and the 7,889 children in Bedford and Kempston will suffer as a result of the £20 a week cut, which can make the difference between families holding their heads above water or not.

The people who have written to me—some single parents, some living with a disability, but all struggling to manage despite working long hours and juggling childcare, fear this will tip them over the edge into destitution and homelessness.

The Government knows this – because a host of charitable organisations and a sizable number of MPs on their own benches have told them so. They just don’t care.

Nor did they care when the UN-appointed rapporteur on extreme poverty described the cut as an “unconscionable” move that breaches international human rights law, “incompatible with Britain’s obligation to protect its citizens’ rights to an adequate standard of living.”

When the Chancellor announced uplifts to Universal Credit in March 2020, it was an admission that welfare levels were not adequate to protect families from poverty after a decade of Tory cuts and freezes.

The cut to universal credit and working tax credits is the biggest overnight cut to the basic rate of social security since the foundation of the modern welfare state. Cutting them now, when all other Government support nets that were introduced to help us through the pandemic are also ending, and when some of the poorest workers in society will disproportionately bear the Government’s new tax levy, while inflation is rising, energy prices are surging, council tax is rising and food and other prices on the shelves are going up, is unsustainable.

“Read my lips”, the Prime Minister said in 2019, “we will not be raising taxes on income or VAT or national insurance.”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer went further saying: “Our plans are to cut taxes for the lowest paid through cutting national insurance.”

The betrayal on working families by this Government cannot be overestimated. The worst of it is – it won’t even fix the social care crisis. The health and social care levy will not deliver on social care for at least three years from now, and most of the levy will be spent on tackling the NHS backlog. It doesn’t remove the threat of having to sell your home to fund care.

The lowest paid workers, including careworkers and those on the frontline of the pandemic will bear the brunt of this tax rise. We should be supporting low paid workers, many of whom work in the frontline jobs we celebrated during the pandemic, not taxing them to the hilt.

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film review comedy The Addams Family 2

Comedy is back with some guy from Sweden!

After 18 months away Castle Comedy is back in Biggleswade!

The Big Show is being held at the Weatherley Centre and will feature three headline quality acts!

Saturday October 9 – The Big October Show at The Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade.

ANGELA BARNES – After a career in health and social care, Angela decided to realise a long-held ambition and give comedy a go.

Within a couple of years, she had won the 2011 BBC New Comedy Award with her gloriously down-toearth and straight-talking humour.

Since then Angela and her witty world view have been catapulted onto numerous radio and television shows. She is hosting an episode of the new series of Live at the Apollo and is a regular panellist on Mock the Week. She has hosted The News Quiz on BBC radio 4 and was the first contestant on Richard Osman’s House of Games to win all five days!

“Angela Barnes is the best mainstream female comedian I’ve seen since Sarah Millican... I can’t be

‘The Addams Family 2’ is a direct sequel to 2019’s ‘The Addams Family’.

Adapted from Charles Addams’ comic with the same title, this sequel features the comedic antics of the Addams.

The story follows Morticia (Charlize Theron) and Gomez (Oscar Isaac), who are worrying about their growing children.

Both Wednesday (Chloe Grace Moretz) and Pugsley (Finn Wolfhard) have started to skip their dinners and immerse themselves in ‘scream time’.

In order to restore their family bonds, Morticia and Gomez decided to take the whole family, including Uncle Fester and the rest of the original crew, into their haunted camper. And so begin a hilarious adventure throughout America where they also meet many new kooky characters.

The sequel is directed by Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon, best known for ‘Sausage Party’, a 2016 animated comedy and

adventure. Written by Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Ben Queen, and Susanna Fogel, this movie comes with parental guidance suggested as it contains macabre and crude humour, violence, and language that may not be suitable for small children and pre-teenagers.

Nonetheless, there are still some lessons to be drawn from ‘The Addams Family’ for everyone. Their journey to recover their family bonds and the way they continue to evolve and grow will be an interesting watch.

The top-notch visual effects produced by Ian Allard, Giorgio Bertolone, Lionel Bruyere, and their team will hook the audience. Stunning music composed by Jeff Danna and Mychael Danna will also be the highlight of this sequel.

‘The Addams Family 2’ is scheduled to be released on October 1, 2021.

any clearer than that can I?” Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard “Brilliantly funny” Sarah Millican OLAF FALAFEL – is a Swedish comedy sensation and multiple award winner. In 2019 he won Dave’s Best Joke at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! With a unique mixture of one-liners and Scandinavian-tinged stories he has earned the purely fictitious title of ‘Sweden’s eighth funniest comedian’.

“A mixture of audience interaction and jokes worthy of Milton Jones. His easy confidence and a sense of performance endeared him to the crowd”

recipe Hungarian Mince Goulash

Serves: 4 This is a simple but hearty Hungarian-inspired meal where minced beef is simmered with macaroni, tomatoes, paprika, chilli and garlic. Delicious served with fresh bread and salad or steamed vegetables.

INGREDIENTS - 1kg whole plum peeled tomatoes - 450g lean minced beef - 160g macaroni - 80g chopped onion - 1 clove garlic, finely chopped - 170g tomato puree - 1 tbsp chilli powder - 2 tsps paprika METHOD 1. In a large saucepan brown the beef, then drain off any fat.

2. Add tomatoes, onions, garlic, paprika, chilli powder, macaroni and tomato puree.

3. Add water, a tablespoon at a time, if mixture seems too dry.

4. Simmer until macaroni is tender then serve immediately.

Chortle JAMES REDMOND – You will recognise James from his numerous stints on some of the UK’s favourite soaps! He is best known for seminal roles in ‘Hollyoaks’ and ‘Casualty’ and more recently he has appeared in both ‘Emmerdale’ and ‘Coronation Street’. As a comic he is slick, sharp and a fabulous story teller.

“Fresh-off-the-telly James Redmond has the makings of a really good comic.” FRINGE MAGAZINE Plus Biggleswade favourite Paul Revill will host the show.

Doors Open at 7.00pm and the Shows Start at 8.00pm.

Tickets:www.castlecomedy.co.uk

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music

out & about

The Levellers just one of the great acts at this event

Diary

Sharnbrook Mill Theatre – Duets

‘Music on Thursdays’ Concert Season. October 7, the internationally renowned choir Stile Antico returns for our first concert with a contemplative programme reflecting the journey from sunset to dawn.

November 11, a recital for French horn by a sensational new talent, Ben Goldscheider and his partner on the piano, Huw Watkins.

January 20, a concert of classical Indian ragas by a true master of the sitar: Mehboob Nadeem.

February 24, a recital of songs by Vaughan Williams, Rachmaninov, Brahms and Schubert by the Russian-British baritone Theodore Platt who joins us from his day job at the Bavarian State Opera.

March 24, a programme of trios by Haydn and Beethoven, together with a recent work they commissioned from local composer Cherlyl Frances-Hoad.

The Season concludes on April 28 with a brilliant young quintet, Connaught Brass, who took first prize in the inaugural Philip Jones International Brass Competition in 2019. Contact: www.bedfordmusicclub.co.uk

Bedford Music Club:

Saturday night alongside DJ EZ delivering an unmissable potion of Drum’n’Bass and UK garage.

Finally the awesome Levellers will close the show on Sunday night. Other names performing throughout the weekend include , TS5, Nathan Date, Majestic, David Rodigan, Shy Fx, Kings of The Rollers, Peter Hook and the Light and The Deadline.

Guests may come dressed up in their best Halloween outfits, there will also be make up artists on site to help transform to that ultimate scary look. The bar of bizarre will

by Tony Hendrix Following on from Bedford Park concerts which was a roaring success which featured a host of music celebrities including Olly Murs and world famous DJ Pete Tong another stunning music event has come to haunt the Bedford!

The UKs biggest Halloween show is set to spook your rhythm buds in a huge big top at Great Meadows this is a three day event commencing Friday, October 29 until Sunday 31.

The Great Meadow Halloween festival is going to be an action packed spooktacular weekend , featuring some amazing artists waiting to get freaky with you!

World famous Craig David headlines at the Festival on Friday October 29, with his awesome world renowned TS5 experience .

Craig will be performing his classic club anthems alongside some of his latest material not to be missed.

World famous Drum’n’Bass DJ Andy C will be on the decks on

be an amazing focal point featuring a three storey construction of corrugated iron, broken windows and barbed wire, guests enter at their own risk !

Bedford-based promoters, Superclub Industries, are delighted to announce that the legendary Levellers will be performing live at The Great Meadow, Bedford on Sunday, October 31. The Levellers are still going strong after 30 years in the game, the festival coincides nicely with the anniversary of their

seminal platinum-selling album ‘Levelling The Land’. featuring many of the bands big hit singles like One Way, 15 Years, Far From Home ,The Game, Liberty Song, Sell Out, Another Man’s Cause, Riverflow and the incendiary Battle Of The Beanfield.

The band also released a studio album during lockdown back in summer 2020 called ‘Peace’ which crashed into the UK at number 8, this was the bands highest charting entry since 1997s Mouth to Mouth.

Special supporting guests on the night will be Peter Hook & The Light band, with Dreadzone. Peter Hook was the founder of both Joy Division and New Order, Peter keeps the legacy of both of these bands alive through ‘The Light’ band covering nostalgic hits from both bands where he played an integral part in cementing these bands into the British music scene This event at The Meadows is estimated to attract up to 15,000 for a night of heavenly entertainment in a spooky and eerie setting, certainly not a place for the faint hearted !

Organiser Mark Harrison has worked extremely hard in bringing these prestigious outdoor events to Bedford, he was the award winning organiser behind Bedford Parks Concerts, I am sure Mark will be seeing many more awards coming his way if he continues to bring these would famous acts to our little town, tickets are available from: halloweentownfestival.com

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Yoga: Priory Methodist Church,

Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ. 2pm Mondays Contact: June for details: juandhannigan@yahoo.co.uk 8/21

Car Boot Sale: Milton Ernest

Garden Centre, Radwell Road, Milton Ernest MK44 1SH, Cars £5, vans £10. Sellers setup 9am, Buyers 10am-2pm, Sunday 3rd October. No need to book a stall, bring your own table Contact: (01234) 823033 or enquiries@miltonernestgarden centre.co.uk

Bedford National Trust Association: Addison Centre,

Kempston, MK42 8PN. Tuesday October 19, Tuesday 2.30 Speaker, Rob Spray, on ‘Hidden Treasures of our Secret Seas’. November 16, Tuesday 2.30 Speaker Jason Middleton on ‘Pearl. A famous Gemstone’ Contact: Betty Thomas 01480 860421 Advertise your event here from as little as £7 per month, email: advertising@rosettapublishing.com

“Sweet as a nut”

7.30pm October 21-23 A comedy about the human heart!

When it comes to love, nothing ever runs smoothly, so join four couples, who are trying to navigate life, love, marriage, divorce and romance in this heart-warming play.

Duets, is a charming and hilarious comedy, full of pathos and wit.

Susan Moore, director, said: “After the 18 months we’ve all had, it was so important to put on a funny show, and Duets was an obvious choice.

“It’s so exciting getting into the theatre again and becoming a little family of actors, who are a bit like little creatures that have been let out of a cage!

“It’s wonderful seeing the performers transform from little buds and turn into big, funny, flowers. It’s been a joy to work on.”

Tickets £12 from our website or from Pick-A-Lily Florists in Sharnbrook.

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Tel: 01234 822412 Kempston Senior Citizens Club: Wednesday,

October 6, at 9.30am at the Centenary Hall, Kempston, for sessions on Wednesday mornings and Friday mornings and afternoons (with the exception of Friday, October 15, when the Hall will not be available). We are a social Club with sequence dancing on Wednesdays and sequence dancing, whist and bingo on Fridays. New members are welcome and for further information contact: Sheila Cobban, on 01234 347306.

Bedford Floral Art Society: present a flower arrang-

ing demonstration by Mark Entwistle entitled “The Secret Life of Colour” at 7.30pm, Tuesday, October 5, Addison Centre, Kempston.

Visitors welcome £12. Contact: bedford floralartsociety.co.uk

Mon-Sat Noon-11pm Sunday Noon-10.30pm

Sandy Historical Society: Take a look into

Sandy’s past at the Sandy Historical Research Group exhibition Saturday, October 16, from 10am to 1pm, Sandy Town Council Chamber,Cambridge Road.

Members free; £4 entry to nonmembers. Refreshments available.

Anyone interested in joining our Group, purchasing SHRUB magazine, or contributing to SHRG activities is invited to email info@shrg.uk or contact: 01767 226392.ontact:

Milton Keynes National Trust Association: The next

meeting will be at the Oak Tree Centre, Wallinger Drive, Shenley Brook End, Milton Keynes MK5 7GZ on October 7, from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. The talk will be the postponed talk by David Squibb on Malta. £2 for members of the MKNTA and £4 for non-members.

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ROOFING SERVICES • Flat roofs • Roof repairs • Leaky roofs •Gutter repairs • Repointing • UPVC Fascias • Soffits • Guttering All types of work undertaken

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by Maureen Catlin AST month we talked about growing bulbs indoors for winter so this month let’s look at planting them in the garden for colourful displays next spring.

Bulbs are the hidden surprises in the garden. We plant daffodils crocus and tulips now and forget them until spring but Autumn Crocus with large rosy pink flowers can be planted now to flower in the autumn.

Colchicums flower before the leaves so plant them in groups of five bulbs amongst ground cover plants like Vinca Minor or Lamium. These ground cover plants will hide the bulb foliage as it dies back while feeding the bulb for next season. Plant in partial shade and well drained fertile soil. Another type of autumn flowering crocus is Crocus Speciosum a tough and vigorous species in shades from white to purple which will quickly naturalise. It is tolerant to wind and rain so will grow in more exposed places.

The foliage is velvety and turns red at the end of the season. Crocus Kotschyanus and Crocus Pulchellus appear next with pale lilac petals and orange centres. In late autumn the Saffron Crocus, Sativus, with deep purple flowers and bright red long stigmas pop up. The stigmas can be cut off and dried to give the much prized spice saffron. The autumn flowering daffodil Sternbergia Lutea with its bright yellow trumpet is another autumn bulb delight when allowed to naturalise, as is Cyclamen Hederifolium planted in light shade under trees and left undisturbed.

Snowdrops are the first harbingers of spring with their snowy white flowers and green markings appearing from late January onwards. These can be disappointing if planted as dry bulbs in autumn, it is more successful to plant green growing plants in spring. If you plant Cyclamen Coum, Species Crocus and Aconites amongst the Snowdrops you will have lots of colour and interest at a time of year when the rest of the garden is still in the winter sleep.

Cyclamen Hederifolium’s tiny pink flowers in autumn are followed by gorgeous silvery marbled foliage. It is more vigorous than C. Coum and will quickly carpet a shady dry area under trees. These small bulbs like dappled shade and are suitable to plant under deciduous trees and shrubs where the soil is dry and well drained. When the leaves fall in autumn leave them as mulch over the bulbs. If left undisturbed all these plants will seed and naturalise quickly forming a spring carpet.

Dwarf Irises grow to 15cms and flower in

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February and March with their perfect fragrant blooms of white, yellow, china and deep blue and violet. It is important to grow them in drained soil in a sunny or part shaded place. Put fine grade gravel around the bulbs to protect the flowers from being damaged by rain splash.

These early varieties of small naturalising bulbs are followed in March and April by Anemone Blanda and the wood anemone A. Nemorosa. The little starry shaped flowers with pretty feathery leaves are lilac blue, pink and white and associate well with the fragrant Muscari, Grape Hyacinths. Sky blue Scilla Siberia, white Puschkinia Scilloides and china blue Ipheion which will all naturalise in a sunny border.

Dwarf Narcissus and Tulips are also in flower in March and April. They are particularly good to grow in tubs with Primroses, Violas and Panolas. Tete a Tete is the shortest Narcissus at 15cms followed by the multi headed fragrant Double Camperelle and Silver Chimes at 25cms. Jack Snipe, Intrigue and Pipit are also really worth growing.

Dwarf Tulips are very good planted in containers either mixed with other plants or alone. Varieties like

the old favourites like King Alfred, Carlton, Dutch Master and Camelot but there are also many other lovely variations. Sacajawea has an orange centre and yellow petals, Vanilla Peach has lemon petals and frilly apricot centre and Acropolis is white with an orange centre.

Tall Dutch or Garden Tulips are among my favourite plants. These stately bulbs love a sunny place and I like to see them planted in groups of the same variety. Red Impression is bright scarlet and sumptuous. Pretty Princess is bright rosy pink with red purple flames on the outer petals while Queen of the Night is one of the darkest described as satin black in colour. Brown Sugar is fragrant and apricot pink, Zurel is ivory and deep red and Sunlover changes as it matures from yellow to orange and then red.

Garlic and Japanese Onions are also bulbs and can be planted in October for early crops next year.

There are now several varieties of onion to choose from, all are hardy and reliable, it is your personal choice for flavour. We have the yellow onions Senshyu, Radar and Troy or Electric which is bright red for salads. Garlic varieties available now are Marco for that strong garlic flavour, Germidour a mild flavour and Elephant Garlic which is a sweet and mild ideal for roasting.

Fire of Love has perfect bright red tulip flowers and striking green foliage with creamy yellow edges and Gluck with lemon and red flowers and blue green leaves striped red. They will make a good display planted alone and are a very low cost way of planting spring containers.

Another cost effective spring planting for tubs is layer planting tall daffodils and narcissus. It is better to use only one variety for each tub. Place a layer of drainage at the bottom of a 40 cm wide and deep container then a layer of compost. Arrange seven bulbs evenly without touching and cover the bulbs with compost, add another layer of nine bulbs and cover with compost again and repeat with a final layer of nine bulbs and cover. The bulbs will all grow to the same height, flower at the same time and make an amazing display.

Garden Hyacinths make wonderful scented displays in tubs as well. Try Woodstock a gorgeous deep mulberry wine colour, Splendid Cornelia lilac, Royal Navy a deep rich blue or Sweet Invitation which is pale orange pink.

We must not forget “Our Host of Golden Daffodils” and Dutch Tulips. These are excellent to plant directly into the borders and leave undisturbed to flower for many years.

The bright yellow trumpet daffodils are among

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sport

Depleted Eagles go down to a determined Welwyn League has taken a back seat during September with just two matches played producing mixed results. A hard-fought win came against Hertford Town came before losing to Ware. September finished with a tough trip to on form Berkhamstead Town, who are sure to be challenging for the League title at the end of the season.

It’s been unfortunate that so many injuries have hit the team at the same time, but indiscipline on the pitch certainly hasn’t helped and this will be Manager Gary Setchell’s biggest test so far to get confidence back into the team to get the season back on track.

by Michael Jarman-Webb

WELWYN GARDEN CITY ...............3 BEDFORD TOWN..........................1

THE EAGLES’ Emirates FA Cup dream is over for another season, after being beaten at home in the second qualifying round by a determined Welwyn Garden City side.

The home side were not helped by injuries to key players such as Danny Setchell and Callum Donnelley and missed the suspended in form Rene Howe and Dan Walker who had seen red in a previous match.

Off the pitch the Eagles are proud to be a part of their local communities and to further that have announced an exciting partnership with Marston Vale Middle School, as a first partner in the football clubs Community Outreach programme.

As a part of the scheme pupils from Marston Vale Middle will be rewarded for their sports leadership with a trip to The Eyrie and a school visit from Eagles players in the coming weeks. During their trip to an Eagles home match, the pupils will lead the team out before kick-off as a reward for their recent, remarkable sports leadership.

It was a bare bone squad that faced Welwyn, with former youth player Josh Page making his season debut, his performance one of the highlights of the match from a Bedford perspective.

In the previous round of the cup Bedford had overcome one of their old rivals. After a goalless draw at the Eyrie, the Eagles went on to convincingly defeat Canvey Island at their ground – something Bedford have never previously been able to do. If nothing else, this shorter than expected cup run will have least served up this lasting memory for the welltravelled Eagles faithful.

There are other chances of silverware this Josh Page on the ball against Welwyn Garden City. season, with the first round of the Southern League Cup at home on Biggleswade Town. Hopefully season in their first outing in the Tuesday, October 5, against Bedford will have also seen off St Buildbase FA Trophy.

With all the cup competitions the Southern League Premier side Neots Town for the second time this

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