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JULY 2022
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Banning diesel taxis Government awards £625k from bus lanes won’t to tackle climate change increase congestion or pollution – ‘expert’
BANNING petrol and diesel private by John Guinn hire vehicles from a bus lane won’t Local Democracy Reporter increase congestion or pollution, Mr Thapar asked: “If these vehicles are then in other claims a Bedford council officer. lanes sitting idling and not using that bus lane doesn’t The scheme to allow only ultra low emission vehicles in the Ampthill Road bus lane went live in April.
But a member of the public quizzed the council over how the scheme would help cut pollution. “If you prevent them from using the bus lane this will just create more traffic, leading to more congestion and pollution,” Mr V. Thapar said at the Environment & Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee. Matthew D’Archambaud, chief officer highways, transport and engineering, replied: “Electric private hire vehicles are allowed in the bus lane, standard fuel vehicles are not.”
that just defeat the object?” Mr D’Archambaud replied: “We’re looking to really prioritise electric private hire vehicles or electric vehicles using the bus lane “I don’t think it creates increased congestion by not allowing private hire vehicles in the bus lane .” Committee chair, Cllr Kay Burley (Labour, Kempston Central & East Ward) said she understood the council trying to lower emissions and make us all a lot greener. “But on the other hand, it’s pretty expensive to buy an electric car isn’t it?” she said. “It has been particularly hard for taxi drivers at the moment, and the cost of changing their car overnight is quite horrendous.” Conservative Cllr Graeme Coombes (Wilshamstead Ward) agreed with councillor Burley. “You don’t normally make a random decision, ‘oh because I can’t drive in the bus lane now, I’ll have to go out and buy a new car’. “Most of us sort of plan the replacement of our cars over time. “I think that should have been given some more consideration before the decision was taken,” he added. Mr D’Archambaud said: “This wasn’t something that came in overnight, there had been an awful lot of consultation around the bus lane being designated solely for new level vehicles . “It didn’t just appear as of April, it was part of the consultation process, the 18 to 24 months that the scheme was in development,” he said. Mr D’Archambaud added that the council will be monitoring the air quality and it would amend the scheme if required. The council website states that the only additional vehicles permitted to use the Ampthill Road bus lane are bicycles, motorbikes and Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs).
CONSULTATION
BEDFORD Borough Council has been awarded £624,918 from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This green investment money will be spent at Brookside Care Home in Kempston and Eileen Wade Primary School (Upper Dean), following the successful bid by the Council. The major investment at Brookside Care Home in Kempston will see measures including new windows, a new insulated modern roof and a new energy and heating system, which will reduce energy use. In addition, solar panels will be installed on the roof enabling the care home to create green energy on site. This will both reduce the carbon footprint of the
care home, save money on energy bills, and make the home more comfortable for those who live there. The scheme aims to put the public sector at the forefront of decarbonising buildings in the UK. Works are expected to start at Brookside Care Home in summer and will be done at the same time as a broader refurbishment of the home. Eileen Wade Primary School will also see improvement works undertaken, with £124,918 being invested from the Decarbonisation Scheme. This will see the old heating system replaced with a new zero carbon heat source, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat the school. These works will be carried out during the summer holidays.
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College on course to save 350 tonnes of carbon
THE Bedford College Group has won a national award for sustainability projects across its estate.
The cutting carbon event was staged on Wednesday June 15, 2022, when college group CEO Ian Pryce CBE and colleagues accepted the top prize, Energy’s Heat and Efficiency Award for Design and Innovation 2022.
The Association for Decentralised Energy’s annual awards celebrate innovative energy solutions designed around the needs of the user. As part of efforts to significantly reduce carbon emissions, The Bedford College Group has utilised a £2.8 million grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which was delivered by Salix and funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This allowed the college to implement major infrastructure changes across a number of campuses throughout 2021, in support of its goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Group, which includes several sites across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, is expecting to save over 350 tonnes of carbon and £88,000 annually through their ambitious heat decarbonisation plan. The Bedford College Group CEO Ian Pryce CBE said: “It is important that educators show leadership when it comes to sustainability. We have tried to invest in making our buildings more energy efficient and the
Salix grants have helped us accelerate those improvements in line with the wishes of our students and our communities. I am delighted the estates team has been recognised in these awards.”
The project included a Water Source Head Pump linked to an existing river water connection at the Cauldwell Street campus. The link was re-purposed to feed the new Water Source Heat Pumps. Filter systems were re-furbished to provide an extremely efficient de-carbonised heating. By combining the ambitions of two projects, an existing over-cladding project and the river water extraction facility, a solution became available to provide a Net Zero Carbon facility that was not available in the scope of the individual projects. The demand for heating was reduced by upgrading the thermal insulation requirements of the overcladding project. This enables the building to be completely heated by an extremely efficient river water heat pump system within the limits of the college’s current extraction license. The installation of on site renewable energy generation via Solar PV installed on the large flat roof enabled us to achieve the colleges first Net Zero Carbon EPC (Awaiting registration with CIBSE).
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Rail Strategy sets out Mayor Dave’s priorities for Bedford Borough
BEDFORD Borough Council have updated its Rail Strategy to take account of recent developments within the rail sector. The strategy outlines Mayor Dave’s four priorities in order to deliver long-term sustainable growth and rail infrastructure for residents in Bedford Borough. Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “This an important update to the strategy from 2019. As well as clearly setting out our priorities for rail in Bedford Borough and beyond, it also sets out our opposition to six tracks north of Bedford Midland. “We have consistently campaigned to keep the existing four track entry and believe that our residents deserve better than repeated delays to decisions and inconsistent communications. It is unacceptable.” The new Wixams Station will provide an important transport connection for Wixams when it opens in 2024. It will allow access to the rail network for passengers across a greater area, alleviating the pressure on Bedford Midland station and the car park there. Cllr Michael Headley, Portfolio Holder for Rail, said: “A new station has always been part of the plans for Wixams, and now that we are leading on the development, we are seeing great progress towards the planned opening in 2024.” On East West Rail, Cllr Headley added: “The new railway line is an important opportunity for Bedford Borough – socially, economically and environmentally. It is essential for our Borough that we maximise these benefits. “However, we cannot support some of the actions of the government’s East West Rail Company, particularly their unnecessary proposal for extra tracks north of Bedford and the awful way they have treated people impacted by their proposals with unacceptable delays whilst the future of their homes is at risk. “EWR allows us to build new transport hubs, including a regeneration of the area around Bedford Midland. This will be a catalyst for the town centre,
generating jobs and boosting the local economy. “The railway will also provide huge environmental benefits, by replacing thousands of road journeys with a much more sustainable form of transport. To maximise these benefits, it is important that the line is electrified – we will continue to lobby EWR for this.” The Mayor continued: “Another key priority of this strategy is maximising the Borough’s connectivity to other regions. We will continue to fight for much improved rail services to the Midlands and the North. Bedford Midland station could serve as a hub to six international airports and Eurostar services, all within 100 minutes. “However, with East West Rail, it is essential that there are no further delays or unnecessary extra lines pushed forward by the East West Rail Company. All our residents, and especially those directly impacted, deserve better from the government and their East West Rail Company.” Tom Wootton Conservative Mayoral Candidate: said: “After years of dithering, Bedford’s Mayor is at long last updating his rail strategy, but he fails to recognise the reality of what his actions will mean for Bedford’s residents. “He talks connectivity and sustainability, but everyone else can see the massive disruption to nearly 100 family homes, the blight of increased pollution in our town, the destruction of our rural communities, and the noise from the large numbers of freight trains that will use East West Rail. “All of this is due to the choice of a route that the Mayor has been actively lobbying for over a number of years. The Mayor is in complete denial over the reality of what he has agreed to, and its likely impact on our town and its people.” Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Graeme Coombes commented: “The people of Wixams have nothing to be grateful to the Mayor for. “Having presided over endless delays to a station, he can’t now pretend to be the saviour of Wixams Station.”
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Bedfordshire gets a new Lord Lieutenant from September HM The Queen has appointed Mrs Susan Lousada DL as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Bedfordshire on the retirement of Mrs Helen Nellis on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. Mrs Susan Lousada DL was appointed as High Sheriff during the first week of the Covid-19 lockdown, but nevertheless managed to reach out to all parts of the county. In particular, she spearheaded an initiative to tackle digital poverty, resulting in the supply of a significant number of devices to under-privileged children. An experienced professional director in the family’s property and investment company, Susan also has a huge focus on the voluntary service, with a particular emphasis on helping children and young people. Currently as Vice-President of Bedfordshire NSPCC; as advisor to the senior management team overseeing the Schoolreaders charity; as a Trustee of the Level Trust, which helps children from poorer families in Luton meet the costs of education; and as a Trustee of the HEART multi-academies trust in Bedford, along with many more. Mrs Lousada lives in Oakley, near Bedford, with her husband Simon. They have two adult children. Commenting on her appointment Susan said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been
appointed by HM The Queen to the historic role of Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire. “I look forward to representing our monarchy and serving all people that live and make their lives in Bedfordshire. I am passionate about Bedfordshire and will continue to help and promote all the organisations and individuals that work tirelessly to help others within our community. I am proud to recognise the huge progress that we have made as a County towards the building of a fairer, kinder,
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respectful community where all can flourish and feel welcome. It has been a wonderful experience to be part of the team led by the current Lord-Lieutenant who has worked so hard to support this progress. “I would especially like to pay tribute to the outstanding service that Helen Nellis has given during the eleven years she has been Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire. She has fulfilled the role with dignity, integrity, energy and absolute commitment.”
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Hair and Beauty spectacular Aspiring young photographers win local school competition
BUSINESSES of Bedford rallied to make the return of the Bedford College Hair & Beauty Show a success. The catwalk event at the Corn Exchange, a highlight of the social calendar in town, had been sadly missed for two years due to lockdowns and restrictions. It came back with a bang on Thursday 26th May with the anticipated fantastic fashions. Hair and Beauty students from the Brooks High Street training salon, which is part of The Bedford College Group, prepared a range of outstanding styles. The event was sponsored by Love Bedford, which represents 600+ businesses in the town centre. The BedfordBID organisation gave £500 worth of Love Bedford shopping vouchers as prizes. BedfordBID also arranged for professional filming of the big day – which will be
shown across various channels in the coming months. In addition goodie bags were donated by Body Shop in Silver Street and the finale was a fantastic £150 voucher from Bakers Brothers of St Peter’s Street. Said Gemma Jones from Brooks said: “This has been an enormous journey for many of our students and to be part of this event is a highlight of training. “We are very grateful for the backing we have received from Love Bedford and businesses.” Sam Laycock, Chair of the BedfordBID said: “Hair and beauty are two services which cannot be accessed over the internet, these businesses, represented here by their young apprentices and by the trainees of the future, are at the heart of the town centre of Bedford.”
Afghanistan conflict inspires Alice THE arts at The Bedford College Group continue to win national applause with the latest student to be exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts exhibition. Alice Hibbert of Flitwick was still only 17 when selected from among 21,000 entries across the UK to be included in the Young Artists’ Summer Show. Alice, formerly at Redborne School, is a Level 3 Fine Art student at the South Bank Arts Centre at the riverside Bedford College campus and is progressing on to Anglia Ruskin University in the autumn. Her work Women and Girls is an A2 size linoprint inspired by the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in 2021, and the subsequent reduction of women’s rights. “I think that it is pivotal for women and girls all around the world to be given the same access to education as men and boys. It’s important for us in this country to recognise the privilege we have to be able to attend school, and strive for the same equality worldwide. “I hope that my poster will raise awareness of this issue in a clear and impactful way,” said Alice In previous years, students from the South Bank Arts Centre have scored well in RCA activities. Course Manager Steven Harris said: “This is a tremendous achievement for Alice’s work to be selected as only one of the 100 to be exhibited from the 21,000 entries. We hope that people recognise that
here in Bedford creative students have a route to exciting opportunities in further and education in the arts.” For more information: bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk
THREE talented children have each won a camera after taking part in a local photography competition organised by local charity Creating Memories and supported by Fujifilm UK, and professional photographer Rob Johns. The children received their own instax instant camera and myFUJIFILM photo printing gift vouchers during a special assembly, after each submitting five photographs that best captured ‘joy’ – the theme of the competition. Fujifilm, with its UK arm headquartered in Bedford for nearly 40 years, donated cameras for the competition, with 18 children taking part from Ridgeway School and Kempston Challenger Academy. Both schools will now get to keep the cameras for future projects. Ridgeway School also received an X Series digital camera as a result of one of their pupils being the overall winner of the Creating Memories is a Bedford-based charity that make the wishes of life limiting and terminally ill children come true locally.
competition. Over 80 entries were received, each depicting an interpretation of joy. A lovely mix of images were submitted, including photographs of loved ones, pets, favourite toys, the local area and even chocolate! The judging panel consisted of local photographer Rob Johns, who had the idea to run the competition, alongside representatives from Fujifilm and Creating Memories. Rob said: “Each of the children captured joy so well in the
wonderful pictures they submitted. They made me smile and I was impressed with the great choice of subjects and compositional skills. I would like to thank each of them, and their schools, for taking part. They should all be enormously proud. This has been a very special photography project to be involved in.” Gloria McCann, Fujifilm UK, said, ‘It was a pleasure to be involved in this competition and see the talent from Bedford’s next generation of photographers. At Fujifilm, we know all about the importance of capturing joyous memories in photos, and it has been really special to be part of inspiring the participants to keep taking photos and seeing what joy really means to them.’ THE WINNERS WERE AS FOLLOWS. Individual Photograph Award: Carys Ayling Ridgeway winner: Lene Patterson Kempston Challenger winner: Eli Elliott Highly Commended: Irfanul Haque - Ridgeway Brooke Williams - Ridgeway Zack Trachoshas - Ridgeway Albert Stephens - Kempston Challenger
Works begins on exciting upgrade of play area THE play area at the east of Bedford Park, nearest the lake, will be having a major upgrade as part of Bedford Borough Council’s £500,000 investment in children’s play areas this year. The new playground will be fairytale themed, with a toddler and junior zone and a magical enchanted forest area. Also being created within the play park is a new sensory picnic area, with accessible benches and sensory play features. A range of new equipment is being installed including play units, a seesaw, roundabout, trampoline and swings. This new play equipment will include inclusive items along with improvements to support accessibility to help open up the play experience to more children. These works are due to start later this week and the play area will need to be closed throughout to ensure the works can be delivered safely and efficiently. They are expected to be complete and the new play area open by the end of July. This project is one of a number of play area improvements taking
place this summer, with works completed at Fairhill playground by Sainsbury’s, ongoing at Balliol Road and upcoming at Jubilee Park. Exciting works are also happening at Russell Park with the creation of an inclusive and accessible outdoor play area in partnership with the Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum, also expected to be open by the end of July. Mayor Dave Hodgson said:
“This will be a really exciting and inclusive play area at Bedford Park. “Play is a really important part of a child’s development, and fun in the park or in the local playground with family and friends form part of really happy memories for so many of us. “I am looking forward to work being completed, and there still being plenty of the summer holidays left for children and families to get out and get playing.”
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Beds University student midwife wins top prize A UNIVERSITY of Bedfordshire student has been awarded a top prize at this year’s Student Nursing Times Awards. Third year student, Chelsea Beckford-Procyk, attended the awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Friday, May 27, where she was announced as the winner of ‘Student Midwife of the Year’. She was also nominated in the ‘Mary Seacole Award’ category which recognises students’ outstanding contribution to diversity and inclusion within nursing and healthcare. Based at Bedfordshire’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bedford Site, Chelsea is currently in her final year of studying BSc (Hons) Midwifery with the University’s Faculty of Health & Social Sciences (HSS). Speaking about her win, Chelsea said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the Student Nursing Times Student Midwife of the Year. “I decided to take on extra-curricular work on anti-racism in midwifery care because it was something I am passionate about. To receive recognition for this on such a large platform shows that my voice matters and my work is of value. This really motivates me to keep going and I’m really looking forward to seeing where my future career path takes me.” Dr Louise Grant, Executive Dean of HSS, added: “The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Education in our Faculty is exceptionally proud of Chelsea’s achievement. Highlighting the importance of anti-racist maternity care is an absolutely essential if we are to address the inequalities in health Black, Asian and other
minoritised women experience as outlined in a recent report. Chelsea is a credit to the University and our brilliant practice partnership with the Bedfordshire Hospital Trust.” Chelsea joined Bedfordshire’s Midwifery course in 2019 and has been working on placement at Bedfordshire Hospital Trust as part of her studies. She also helps to train hypnobirthing instructors for the Little Birth Company and runs workshops for fellow student midwives and birth workers. Throughout her time studying at the University, Chelsea has been a champion of promoting antiracism in maternity care, publishing an article in The Practice Midwife Journal, speaking at a global conference for International Day of the Midwife and running a podcast and blog – ‘Blk Mum to Midwife’. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust works in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire to help teach student midwives, nurses, paramedics and health workers how to reach their potential. Upon hearing about their trainee midwife’s win, Liz Lees, Chief Nurse at the Trust, said: “On behalf of Bedfordshire Hospitals I would like to say a big congratulations to Chelsea on winning this award. Inclusivity is one of our core values and Chelsea has taken on extra responsibilities to educate and inform her colleagues about incredibly important issues. “It is fantastic to see individuals with such passion enter the midwifery profession. I am looking forward to seeing Chelsea start what I am certain will be a successful career in midwifery and inspiration for others to join such an amazing profession.”
International expert joins college THE Bedford College Group is moving ahead with a strategic overhaul of the use of technology in improving processes and the user experience (staff and student), and most importantly, in teaching and learning which will set the pace for educational providers across the FE Sector in the UK. An international expert has been appointed as Executive Director of Digital Transformation Sheraz Amin. Sheraz was Head of Digital Transformation for Santander bank when it moved customers largely from branches to e-banking. He then helped Thomson in their transformation to TUI. Sheraz has worked in 10 differ-
ent countries across the world, but actually comes from Bedford where he attended, and was later a Governor for, Biddenham School. “Our plans for the changes at Bedford College will be leading
edge and will set a strategic path for others to follow. Nowhere in public sector FE education is using technology in the way that, for instance, Harvard University, is for teaching and learning. “The changes will have a positive effect across every campus and every person and were overdue in the whole industry, not just the Group, pre-Covid. Now we have seen some of the benefits of ‘blended learning’, combining with faceto-face which students prefer in many cases, with on-line tutorials and lessons which enable students and staff to maximise their use of time and deliver noticeable, improved outcomes.”
A WOMAN pleaded guilty to burgling a 94-year-old in Bedford on Monday June 13, 2022. Adetayo George, 38, admitted breaking into the woman’s home in Ormesby Way on December 10, 2021 and stealing a handbag, a watch, a mobile phone, a purse containing £30 and a bank card. George, of Ford End Road, Bedford, also pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud in relation to the victim’s Nat West bank card. On the basis of plea submitted to Luton Crown Court, George said she did not push past the elderly woman. Recorder Jason Beer remanded George, who is being held in a psychiatric unit, in custody. He asked for psychiatric reports to be prepared. Sentencing is due on August 8.
Awaits sentencing
Carving out a future in carpentry
Experts joining Geoff included the Construction Industry Training Board, Structural Timber Association, Medite SmartPly, Truss Rafter Association, the trade organisation: TDUK (formally TTF & TRADA), Historic England, Axminster Tools, Reisser Ltd, TMJ Interiors Ltd, Ironmongery Direct, among others. Dean Gibson, Head of Construction - Bedford College campus, said: “This was a prestigious event and valuable for our students, full-time, part-time and apprentices to understand the benefits of an organisation like the IOC in promoting understanding of the professionalism and importance of carpentry skills. These crafts cannot be replaced by machines and remain vital to the construction industry.” Further details on training opportunities: www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk www.instituteofcarpenters.com
A ‘CITY HUB’ of industry experts in carpentry, joinery and woodworking skills gathered at the new Centre for Modern Construction at Bedford College. The Institute of Carpenters (IOC) took up an invitation from IOC member college, The Bedford College Group’s training team to stage a partnership event with more than 60 students at the campus off Cauldwell Street, Bedford. The IOC is a membership organisation, established in 1890 for wood trade professionals of all ages and attendees across campuses in Beds and Northants can apply for student membership. The event was led by Geoff Rhodes FIMMM MIOD, President of the IOC. He explained: “We acknowledge and welcome the aim of the college group to nurture and train carpentry and joinery professionals to support our industry and we believe this experience added value to the student experience.”
Better patient experience promised
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JOINED up health and care services is one of the benefits the new Integrated Care System for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will bring. According to a report presented on Monday, June 6, 2022, to the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee which explained that through the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership councils, the NHS and voluntary and community organisations will be working together with local people to support and improve everyone’s health. Committee chair, Cllr Graeme Coombes wanted to know how the public will benefit. Maria Wogan, programme director, ICS Establishment, replied that one of the benefits is a less fragmented service. She said: “The objective of this way of working is that we’re sharing information together, so patients don’t have to continually repeat their stories,” she said. “We have a program of work, called the shared care record, a bridge between different IT systems. “So not a whole new system, but a way of connecting the data so that professionals will be able to see information that’s coming from other providers,” she said. Cllr Coombes put forward a theoretical example. “Somebody has an accident, they’re treated, then referred on for specialist treatment and then their GP is involved. All of those different points will be joined up and the GP viewing the record will be able to see the whole patient journey?” he asked. Cllr Coombes went on: “It’s a worthy objective, I’d like to see it when it happens.”
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An HGV every three minutes on Stewartby roads? by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter
A ROAD to a borough village’s sixth form college could see one HGV movement every three minutes if plans to use rail sidings go ahead. Plans are in the pipeline to use the Stewartby Rail Sidings to offload trains – with their cargo then being moved onwards by HGV. As part of process, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been submitted to the Bedford Borough Council to assess the effects of the plan on the environment. The proposal seeks consent for the operation of three existing sidings. It is anticipated that up to three trains could arrive and be offloaded each day. Each train could be up to 350m in length and would take approximately three to four hours to unload. The trains could deliver approximately 4,500 tonnes of material to the sidings each day. The documents submitted to the council said that the sidings could be used to import a range of different materials, but the short to medium-term principal use is “most likely” to be for the importation of soils and restoration material to restore the former Elstow South Quarry.
Two trains per day will supply material for the restoration project. Using 20-tonne vehicles to export the material from the Site the project would generate approximately 225 HGV one-way trips per day, Monday – Friday and 150 trips on a Saturday. This, the applicants said, equates to approximately 20 oneway trips per hour, or one HGV movement every three minutes during the peak hours Monday – Friday. On March, 16, 2022, the applicant held a public engagement event (around 30 people attended) in Stewartby, with a different proposed route for the HGVs. The applicant reported residents were concerned that household and industrial (black bag type) waste would be handled at the sidings. The applicant states that the only waste types which would be handled at the sidings are inert material and soils and construction/excavation wastes suitable for quarry restoration, adding the importation of these materials would be strictly controlled through the Environmental Permit for the site. The proposal can be found on the council’s planning portal, ref 22/01285/EIAWM.
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Improvement works on the Embankment Bedford Borough Council has completed the first stage of a £1.5millon investment in the Embankment, which saw the buff coloured walkway resurfaced between Newnham Avenue and Bushmead Road. During these works, fifteen benches down the Embankment have also been replaced. These new benches will refresh and enhance the look of the Embankment, and provide better places for people to sit and relax in the beautiful location. The new benches are metal with recycled plastic slats. These new benches were funded by the Welcome Back Fund, developed by the government as part of the Covid-19 response, comes from the European
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Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and aims to support the high street and tourist attractions in welcoming back shoppers and visitors. Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “I am delighted that these works down the Embankment are complete, well ahead of the River Festival, improving and enhancing this already spectacular area of Bedford. “During COVID-19, I know so many people really valued the beautiful open spaces we have in the Borough, and the benefits it can have for our physical and mental health. The Embankment is a wonderful place to walk, cycle or scoot, and take a seat on these new benches and enjoy the surroundings.”
Low number of Covid cases mean less pressure on intensive care beds by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter
INTENSIVE care units at hospitals in Bedfordshire are empty of Covid-19 patients, according to the latest figures. The number of patients in hospital with Covid remains low, with the vaccination programme continuing to be rolled out, Central Bedfordshire Council’s social care, health and housing overview and scrutiny
committee heard. “Thankfully there are no Covid positive test patients in critical care at the present time,” said Conservative Sandy Cllr Tracey Stock. “Hospital cases for in-patient care are slightly higher at the Luton and Dunstable, with 14 patients having tested positive. The figure is still low with less than five people in Bedford Hospital with Covid. “The first and second doses total is
Planning application for travellers’ site by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter
442,000 vaccines given in Central Bedfordshire. That’s a really good figure. And 195,000 booster vaccinations in Bedfordshire. “In the BLMK area, more than 728,000 people have been vaccinated, 685,000 have had their second dose and 520,000 have had their booster, bringing the vaccinations total to 1.9m.” The primary focus of the vaccination programme remains on the booster doses,
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including the Spring boosters, according to Cllr Stock, who’s the executive member for health, wellbeing and communities. “For anyone yet to receive a first dose for any reason, or who needs a second dose the evergreen offer still remains,” she explained. “Across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, the BLMK Clinical Commissioning Group has more than 60 vaccination sites, ranging from local GPs
and pharmacies to community venues and large vaccination centres. “The essential message is the Spring booster of the vaccine is available for those aged 75 and over, as well as for people who live in a care home or those aged 12 and over who have a weakened immune system. “Key ambitions are to continue to carry out walk-in appointments every week,” she added.
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BEDFORD Borough Council has received a retrospective planning permission application to site six caravans on land in Keysoe. The application seeks consent for four caravans, two of which are static (mobile homes), and two touring caravans, which are stored on site and not used for separate residential purposes. The application said they are to be stored on-site to facilitate the nomadic way of life of Gypsies and Travellers. It added that the two proposed dayrooms are ancillary amenity buildings to the residential occupation of the mobile homes. The application only seeks consent for the equivalent of three dwellings, and each caravan and dayroom are not separate units of accommodation, but a part of the Residential Pitch, which is a NonPermanent Residential use, i.e. a residential use undertaken continuously for a specific period of the year. The current use of the site listed by the application, which is applying for a change of use, is ‘Paddock / Equestrian Grazing’. Planning reference 22/01311/ S73A. The overall consultation expiry date is Wednesday, July 13.
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Rt Revd Richard Atkinson – Bishop of Bedford Away from it all
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The Mothers’ Union is one of the all too often hidden gems of the Anglican Church. Inaugurated 146 years ago by Mary Summer to support mothers, rich and poor, as they brought up their children, it continues today across our county. As with many organisations its membership is often not as young or plentiful as would be desired. Yet it remains committed to supporting family life and wider social justice projects. More than that the Mother’s Union is global in its presence. On several occasions I have come across large and active groups around the world. A real powerhouse for the local church. One project that has now been going for nearly sixty years is ‘Away From It All’ (AFIA), a scheme to provide holidays for
disadvantaged families. Over the years it has allowed many people to have a few days away that otherwise they could not afford. In itself a real blessing. For all of us, a reminder that who-ever we are, time away is crucial for our flourishing As we come to the summer holiday season, I invite us to treasure our time off and days away. The word ‘Holiday’ comes from the Old English word hãligdæg which means holy day. Originally just time off for saints’ days and other religious festivals, those days when people were free from labour, it now encompasses all our time off. However, at the root of ‘holy’ is the sense of ‘being set apart’, not just for spiritual matters. For holiday at its best is when we set ourselves apart from the demands of work and other commitments.
Yet that isn’t always easy. In an age of social media, all too often we get caught up in continuing business, rather than having the full break that we need. Far from a ‘setting apart’ we take everything with us. We need something of that free spirit of which Cliff Richard and The Shadows sang: We’re all goin’ on a summer holiday No more workin’ for a week or two Fun and laughter on a summer holiday No more worries for me or you For a week or two In a time of austerity opportunity for holiday will for many be reduced. Let us both treasure the times away that we have, and also think about how we might help others through schemes like AFIA. Holy-days, holidays should never just be taken for granted
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Dave Hodgson – Mayor of Bedford That was one helluva party
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Bedford Borough did Her Majesty the Queen proud with so many events celebrating the Platinum Jubilee. I hope everyone was able to attend, and enjoy, some of the many events that took place. We started the weekend before with a lovely Thanksgiving Service for the Queen at St Paul’s Church in Bedford. A number of other Thanksgiving Services were held across the Borough. We, of course, flew the Union Flags at Borough Hall and The Old Town Hall. Bedford BID put bunting up in Bedford town centre and ran a Shop Window competition and a number of Parishes
decorated their villages, as did residents. On the Thursday evening Beacons were lit across the Borough and the country. Thank you to everyone involved on putting these events on safely. The Higgins Bedford and all of the Borough’s libraries held craft events and other activities for children to take part in. I even joined in and made a crown! There was a special Makers Market on the aptly named Queen’s Walk near Riverside Square. We had over 70 Street Parties across the Borough – again thank you to everyone who helped organise these. We also had a special Jubilee afternoon tea party for
some of the Borough’s looked after children, thank you to Bedford Town FC for hosting. There was such a wide diversity of events from a Duck Race in Bromham (where my duck made a top ten finish!) to parades and community parties and events there was something for everyone. Also as part of the Jubilee celebrations two local organisations have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary organisations. Congratulations to both Bedfordshire Open Door and the John Bunyan Boat for this well-deserved achievement.
Mohammad Yasin – MP Kempston and Bedford Time to stop cutting the armed forces It wasgood to see the Armed Forces Day flag flying from Borough Hall ahead of Armed Forces Day. I’m looking forward to the first in person event in a few years to celebrate and pay tribute to the service and selfless commitment of our Forces, cadets, their families and veterans. Theirs is the ultimate public service. From deployments abroad in response to the invasion of Ukraine to deployments at home during the COVID 19 pandemic, our Armed Forces are essential to our national defence, our national resilience and our national NATO obligations. But they are being let down. Since 2010, the Government has cut the full-time strength of our Armed Forces by over 40,000, its smallest size in 300 years.
One in five ships have been removed from the Royal Navy’s surface fleet. And more than 200 aircraft have been taken out of RAF service in the last five years alone. According to the Government’s Integrated Review into UK Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, published before Russia’s invasion of a European country, “State threats to the UK, and to our allies, are growing and diversifying as systemic competition intensifies. States are becoming increasingly assertive in how they advance their own objectives and, in their willingness, to undermine ours.” At home, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, 34,000 Forces personnel have been deployed across the country, giving
Covid jabs, working in ICU wards, driving ambulances, driving oil tankers during the fuel shortages and many other key tasks to help the country through difficult times. Despite these threats, the Government is still pushing ahead with further cuts to the Army of 10,000 troops over the next three years and have delayed the delivery of the fully modernised warfighting division. I’m looking forward to meeting local armed forces personnel this weekend to thank them for all they do to keep our community safe. But thanks, is not enough. Our armed forces need proper investment, quality housing, employment support for veterans and access to health and wellbeing support services whenever they need them.
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John Bunyan Community Boat receives The Queen’s Award THE John Bunyan Community Boat, a completely volunteer based group in Bedford have just been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. The John Bunyan Community Boat, launched in 2013, is run as a
Social Enterprise by B&MK Waterway Enterprises Ltd. Funds raised are used to provide public cruises on the River Great Ouse in Bedford at an affordable cost, surplus profits from both special and charter cruises being donated to The Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust. The John Bunyan Boat is
managed by a committee of volunteers and all the crew give their time voluntarily and are trained in the art of being cabin crew, deck crew, helm, or boat masters. The volunteers show their commitment to the project with the training they do, and the time and service they provide to the public. Supporting those on the boat are a
Farewell to much-admired Graham
GRAHAM MABBUTT, best known in Bedford as the man who navigated the John Bunyan Boat project to become the most successful town centre tourism operation, has died after a long illness. With Graham at the helm of the organisation, the boat has taken 40,000 people on trips on the River Great Ouse, repaid all its start-up loans, recruited scores of volunteers and most recently won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in May. Earlier, Graham and team won a Pride in Bedfordshire award in 2013 for Raising the Profile of the Town. However, there was very much more to Graham – his home was decorated with Silver, Gold and Platinum discs dating back to his days in the record business. And his collection of 5,000 ‘vinyls’ would spin the heads of today’s retro collectors . Graham started selling record players in the Co-Op in Abingdon Street, Northampton in the late 1950s becoming Manager of the Record Bar in 1965. In 1969 he moved to Carlow Radio (a familiar name to older Bedford record buyers). There he worked with a young man who now runs the Motown discos on the John Bunyan Boat: DJ Keith Stewart. In 1973 Graham joined Magnet Records where his first big job was promoting the newly named Alvin Stardust (formerly known as Shane Fenton) and his record My Coo Ca Choo, followed by the No 1 Jealous Mind. Other groups
at the time were Bad Manners and Match Box. When interviewed by ‘Beds Bulletin’ in 2019, Graham talked about his career in the music business: “As regional promotions manager it was my job to get all these new commercial stations to play our records – giving free copies to DJs. Eventually I became General Manager of Magnet Records. During the 1980s our biggest name was Chris Rhea and I put together an album of his greatest hits: New lights through Old windows. “Company owner Michael Levy became a millionaire when he sold to Island Records. He is better known now as Lord Levy supporter of Tony Blair. I stayed on at Island for a six month hand-over working on the new look CDs as well as cassette tape and record packaging.” As the music business was spinning off in new directions, Graham came to land locally in politics for the LibDems, first as a parliamentary candidate in Northampton, then Milton Keynes and finally Mid Beds. He served as a Councillor for Olney until 2006 including as Cabinet Member for Transport and Strategic Planning – gaining useful insights in setting the course for the waterway project which he had joined in 2002 as a volunteer. From 2002–2011 he worked as a paid political adviser in Northamptonshire where his skills in consensus-building were put to good use. Then he ‘retired’ to Lavendon, Milton Keynes and devoted his time to the boat project.
number of land-based volunteers involved in roles such as sales, marketing, publicity and crew rostering. The John Bunyan boat has carried more than 45,000 passengers since it was launched, and the 2022 season is underway with charters and public cruises available to book. The John Bunyan Community Boat is one of 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways in which fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. Representatives of The John Bunyan Community Boat will receive the award crystal and certificate from Helen Nellis, LordLieutenant of Bedfordshire later this summer. In addition, two volunteers from The John Bunyan Community Boat will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2023.
Local college is now University Centre
THE Bedford College Group has been officially designated as a University Centre. The news is a recognition of the long-standing commitment to Higher Education or degree-level learning. Now the new title ‘The Bedford College Group and University Centre’ will be applied across all their campuses. Higher Education has previously been on offer at Bedford College, Shuttleworth College and Tresham College campuses in a variety of subjects up to and including full BAs and BSc degrees, and post graduate awards in teacher education. Welcoming over 100 Higher Education teachers and support staff to the event at the theatre in the Bedford College riverside campus, CEO Ian Pryce CBE said: “The term university has a real significance, it means something special to so many people and we are proud now to have the term in our corporate title. “I am of the generation where I was the first person in my family to go to university – fewer than 20% of people progressed to
HE learning then. “All of my children went to university and the expectation is that in future, lifelong learning to reach upwards to Higher Education qualifications could be something everyone can aspire to. “This no longer means having to go away to university, but to consider obtaining an employer-recognised series of qualifications at your local campus in Bedfordshire or Northamptonshire. “A degree by degrees accessed via your local college, and often in conjunction with an employer, demonstrates the great links our college group has with the real world of work.” Leading the launch event was Director of Higher Education Alex Mortby and his team who had arranged a series of seminars for HE teaching and lecturing staff at the college group. “This was a fantastic event to launch our new University Centre status. This will be the driving force for delivering national policy developments on higher technical level skills for Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire,” said Alex.
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Lord-Lieutenant Cadets treated to a trip to see the Guards in London
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire took her seven Cadets on a trip to London on Monday, May 30, to the Guards Museum at Birdcage Walk. The Cadets were given a tour of Wellington Barracks where they saw King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery cleaning their field guns and tending to their horses in preparation for the Royal Salute they were to fire in Hyde Park after they took part in the ceremony of Trooping the Colour which marked the start of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee weekend festivities. They also witnessed the first part of the ceremony of Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace. A world-famous ceremony which is unchanged since 1837! They saw the Royal Gurkha Logistic Regiment getting on parade and being inspected before they marched away to Buckingham Palace behind their regimental Band, Pipes and Drums which was truly stirring. They then had a tour of the museum as well as tour of The Guards Chapel. The museum tour was paused while they popped outside to see the Coldstream Guards march back into barracks having finished their duty guarding the palaces.
What could be more quintessentially British than scarlet tunics and bearskin caps on a summer’s day in London? Photo opportunities were grabbed to record a memorable day after which they tucked into a sandwich lunch in the Director’s office. The visit was kindly hosted by the Director of the Guards Museum, Andrew Wallis MBE DL, who is also the Honorary Colonel for Beds & Herts ACF. The Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets are: Cadet Corporal Benjamin Cornforth – Bedfordshire Sea Cadets Cadet Sergeant Matthew Brewer – Bedford Modern Combined Cadet Force Cadet Sergeant Major Chloe Bezer – Beds & Herts ACF Cadet Warrant Officer Toby Shortman – Beds & Cambs ATC Leading Cadet Cameron Moore – St John Ambulance Drill Cadet Lukas Wescott – Bedfordshire Police Cadet Crew Manager Keown Seldon – Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service
A Big Bang at Wrest Park
ON June 18 and 19, 600 Brownies from across Bedfordshire were delighted to take part in an aptly named Royal Garden Party – Dragons in Tiaras, hosted at Wrest Park in Silsoe, Bedfordshire. With the help of the HMS Wales Historic Reenactment Society and a very naughty Dragon the girls were taken back to Nelson’s Navy in 1805 and took part in lots of fun games and activities across the grounds. The event ended with a big bang on the bowling green as the HMS Wales’ Captain and his crew fired a salute across the lake in a very loud display. A fantastic time was had by all and the event allowed girls from wide-ranging backgrounds to take part in a unique and exciting day out. Karen Keeling, Girlguiding Bedfordshire
County Commissioner said: “We were delighted to work with the team at Wrest Park on this event and it is marvellous that the Bedfordshire Girlguiding partnership with Wrest Park has gone from strength to strength.” Karen added: “It is a wonderful opportunity for our members to explore a historic gem located right on their doorstep.” Girlguiding Bedfordshire is a charity and is looking for volunteers, so if you feel you could get involved they would love to hear from you – please call 0800 169 5901 or visit www.bedsguiding.org.uk/ You can also follow them on Facebook at: facebook.com/GirlguidingBeds and on Twitter @BedsGuides
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1 million new donors over the next five years of all blood types. As the NHS treats more patients, we need to grow the total number of donors too. “We carefully manage stocks to ensure we do not waste any precious blood. If you cannot get an appointment immediately it is because we have enough of your blood type right now. Please book for a later date or respond when we contact you.” Blood donation generally takes up to an hour and you will be doing something amazing. Once donated, blood is taken to NHSBT laboratories where it is divided into: l Platelets: Platelets help to stop bleeding and can be donated directly. Donors with A negative, A positive or AB negative blood are mostly needed. 69% treat people with cancer, 17% helps people after surgery, 8% treat diseases, and 6% help adults and babies in intensive care. l Red cells: two thirds are used to treat a vast range of conditions including sickle cell, anaemia, cancer and blood other disorders. One third is used in surgery and emergencies including childbirth. l Plasma: 17,000 people are treated with medicine made from plasma. Plasma can be used to stop blood loss in trauma patients and is also made into a medicine for people with weak immune systems. People can also donate plasma directly. NHSBT carefully manages blood stocks to ensure the system is as efficient as possible. Red blood cells have a shelf life of 35 days, although some of the ultrarare types are stored in NHSBT’s frozen blood bank. Appointments to donate blood are arranged based on a donors’ blood type to meet future patient needs. Knowing our type is an essential part of being a nextgeneration donor. A mass public campaign is being held to identify people with most needed blood types. Young people and those of Black African or Black Caribbean heritage are being urged by the NHS to find out their blood type, by making their first donation at one of the many events being held at Blood Donor Centres in England. Book an appointment by visiting blood.co.uk, downloading the GiveBloodNHS app or by calling 0300 123 23 23.
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NHS Blood and Transplant are urging people in Bedfordshire to give blood as new targets reveal 1,000 new donors are needed in the region to save lives over the next year. Nationally one million more blood donors are needed over the next five years to ensure patients receive the right type of blood to save and improve their lives, with a particular need for Black African, Black Caribbean and younger donors. The five-year Blood Service Strategy, sets ambitious plans to recruit up to a million new donors and double the number of regular donors with the rarest blood types. This will ensure better matched blood types for patients in the future and reduce health inequalities. Most people know the main blood types – O positive (35 per cent of the population), O negative (13 per cent), A positive (30 per cent), A negative (8 per cent), B positive (8 per cent), B negative (2 per cent), and AB positive (2 per cent). But the public is less familiar with the many sub-types that can provide an even better match to improve their treatment. There is a particular urgency for more donors of Black African and Black Caribbean ethnicity to treat people with sickle cell. Sickle cell is the fastest growing genetic blood disorder in the UK and mostly affects people of Black heritage. It requires regular transfusions – most often with the specific blood sub type Ro. Most patients are children, and demand for Ro blood is projected to double from 2016/17 – 2025/26. Fifty five percent of Black blood donors have the Ro subtype compared to 2.4% of donors from other ethnicities. Stephen Cornes, Director of Blood Supply at NHS Blood and Transplant said: “Currently we can only meet around half of the demand for Ro blood through our existing donor base and demand for this rare blood type is rising. This means many sickle cell patients often receive less well-matched blood which, while clinically suitable, can pose a longer-term risk to patients who receive regular transfusions. We urgently need new Black African and Black Caribbean donors to come forward and donate blood. “In addition to the rarest blood types, we also need
JULY 2022 —
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out & about Stylistics performing live this November at the Corn Exchange
Hillgrounds Park, Hillgrounds Road, Kempston This tournament is dedicated to late Balbir Singh Atwal, ex-chairman of Shaheedi Sports Council Bedford and former Mayor of Kempston Town Council. Many thanks to all our sponsors and supporters it is a family event. Please attend with your children.
by Tony Hendrix The legendary Stylistics have now officially confirmed that they will be making Bedford part of their UK tour scheduled for Monday, November 28, 2022, to many this may well sound like a long time coming but tickets have already gone on sale and are already close to a sell out. Direct from Philadelphia USA , one of the most Legendary Soul Artists Of all time. The Stylistics with a record breaking run of 12 top tens including the Grammy nominated ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’ ,plus numerous classics including ‘Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love)’, ‘Lets Put It All Together’, ‘Stop Look Listen’ , ‘You Are Everything’, ‘Betcha By Golly Wow’, ‘Sing Baby Sing’, ‘I’m Stone In Love With You’ and many more. The Stylistics have under their belt: seven Gold albums, five Gold singles, two Double Gold singles, eight Platinum albums, one Double Platinum album, four Platinum singles, along with a Grammy nomination in 1974 for “You Make Me Feel Brand New” and a plaque on the Walk Of Fame in 1994, in Center City, Philadelphia. In May 2004, they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame. The Stylistics remain the real deal, fabulously entertaining and Musically breathtaking. They have included The Bedford Corn
Balwant Singh Gill – Sec SSC Bedford Exchange within their UK 2022 tour which will be a total sell out within the next few weeks. Before booking your tickets be aware that there are currently two Stylistics groups currently on the circuit today, there’s The Stylistics who are headlining this 70s Soul Jam Tour and another group called The New Stylistics, this can be pretty confusing for fans when trying to determine exactly what group will be performing. The original Stylistics from the 70s was hosted by lead singer Russell Thompkins Jnr with his distinct amazing voice, in 2000 Thompkins left The Stylistics and launched his own group called The New Stylistics. He was replaced by another soul legend called Michael Muse who is the lead singer currently on tour with the Stylistics. Tickets are available on 01234 718044 standard tickets will cost £34.50 remember tickets are on sale now and selling fast.
CAFÉ MAMBO IBIZA Finally don’t forget The legendary Ibiza brand will be coming to Bedford Park on Friday, July 29, bringing thousands of dance music fans together for an unforgettable experience Serving up
the classics are some of the biggest DJs in dance music; these include Mark Knight, Amine Edge & Dance, Lovely Laura & Ben Santiago and Todd Terry (pictured below) along with support from Bedford DJ, Mark Russell. This incredible open-air show will be one of the biggest and most spectacular Mambo events in the UK in 2022 and follows on from the success of the 2021 ‘In The Park’ show, which saw thousands of partygoers enjoying iconic sets from some of the best house music talent in the business. The VIP Upgrade Ticket gives you access to ‘The Park Lounge’ with prime viewing position, seating and fast track entry to the park. Adding the Green Room upgrade onto your ticket will allow you to enjoy dedicated bar and food facilities and luxury toilets. I will be attending this event and look forward to doing a full review of what I can see is going to be a fantastic house party in the park, limited tickets are still available for this event at: ticketweb.uk and songkick.com
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The much loved Daxtonbury Festival is back
— JULY 2022
8/9/10 July 2022
With no event possible in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic, the team behind this boutique festival are now about to host “The best three day party in Bedfordshire” during the weekend of 8/9/10 July. Held on farmland near the village of Podington in North Bedfordshire, the festival features over 30 bands including local favourites such as Pearl Handled Revolver, The Workshop Boys, Lost For Words and Easydread together with the classic rock band Stray. Everyone involved with the festival – bands, organisers, volunteers and backstage crews etc – give their time for free in order to raise money for cancer charities. Originally just a friends and family barbecue, Daxtonbury has grown into a memorial to Chris Kelly, one of those friends, who passed away a few years ago. After the 2019 event the organisers were able to donate over £11,000 to help the fight against this awful disease Daxtonbury is totally about the chill and the vibe. Glastonbury it ain’t but then the ticket prices won’t leave you broke for the rest of the year, you won’t have to walk two miles to reach the main stage and the loos (probably) won’t overflow! This is a festival experience on an intimate scale. Music from mid-day to well past midnight, a chance to make a shed load of new friends and a weekend relaxing in beautiful surroundings. Together with an exciting lineup of live music there are high quality food stalls, beer tents, a cocktail bar and a unique range of other activities such as, kids entertainment, clay pigeon shooting, air gun shooting, welly wanging, street artists, craft stalls, line dancing, chain saw carving, massage, yoga, and a fantastic charity auction. On-site camping and car parking is free, glamping is an option and dogs and their wellbehaved owners are welcome. This festival is about fun and goodwill and about contributing to a good cause. Festival-goers are invited to become part of the Daxtonbury family – people who will share the vision of a peaceful, family friendly event where nothing is left behind except footprints and where great memories are taken away. Some things are just too good to miss. To find out more and to buy tickets go to www.daxtonburyfestival.co.uk
THE
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TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@bedsbulletin.com
Why not enjoy a relaxed and entertaining journey back through the ages and find out more about the characters and buildings that are the fabric of Bedford’s thousand year history. All walks are led by qualified members of the Bedford Association of Tour Guides. The summer walks take place on Sundays and Wednesdays at 11:00 am. Starting from outside the Old Town Hall in St. Paul’s Square, Bedford close to the golden
painted letter box. Each walk is designed to last approximately 90 minutes at an easy pace and should be suitable for those with limited or restricted mobility. Wheelchair users should however advise the Box Office at the time of booking so that suitable routing provisions can be made. Public walk charge is £3.00 per adult and children over eight years of age £1.50. Due to their popularity however please note that pre booking is essential.
Places and Faces of Bedford
the 12th century. Walk through the old castle grounds, see the mound on which it once stood and hear the story of the castle and its demise in the siege of 1224. 19 June, 21 August, 25 September, 19 October
REGULAR WALKS FOR 2022
Bedford has many impressive properties, often built as homes for the professional and the wealthy, many survive though few are still family homes. Join us to find out who lived where and why these Bedfordians were important to the town. 29 June, 31 July, 31 August, 2 October
I Never Knew That
Bedford has a story waiting to be told. Discover some surprising facts and stories about Bedford that will hopefully leave you saying... ‘Well I Never Knew That! 12 June, 6 July, 11 September, 5 October
The Life And Times Of John Bunyan
Discover the story of Bedford’s most famous son, who was imprisoned for his nonconformist preaching. Visit the site of the cottage in which Bunyan and his family lived, the churches in which he worshipped and the site of the gaol in which he spent 12 long years where he began to write of one of the bestselling books in history, The Pilgrim’s Progress. 17 July, 3 August, 7 September, 18 September
The Jewel In Bedford’s Crown
The Jewel in Bedford’s Crown is undoubtedly the River Great Ouse and its Embankment. This entertaining and informative circular walk takes you along the banks of the river, which has been described as one of the finest riverside settings in England. Learn the story of the Victorian Embankment development and enjoy a walk in the ornamental gardens. 15 June, 10 July, 14 August, 28 September, 23 October
The Rise And Fall Of Bedford Castle
The Norman conquest of Britain witnessed the introduction of castles to the landscape, and, in Bedford, a major castle was built in
The Silent Faces Of Bedford
Bedford has many impressive statues and memorials. They cannot speak for themselves, but our guides can tell you their story and why they take their place in Bedford’s history. 3 July, 7 August, 4 September, 16 October
Bedford In World War II
A walk that reveals the way of life in Bedford and some of the little-known facts about the role it played during World War II. Learn how Bedford became the main hub of the BBC during the war and how it also became a centre of wartime entertainment. Discover a ‘secret’ Bedford and the connections of the town to the code breakers at Bletchley Park. 26 June, 27 July, 9 October
GROUP WALKS
If your group, society or organisation would like a walk during the daytime, an evening or weekend, this can be arranged by contacting the Tour Guides at info@bedfordtourguides.org. Simply choose from the seven walk titles on offer and get in touch.
HOW TO BOOK
Book tickets for your chosen walk online at www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk Tickets can also be booked by calling the Box Office on 01234 718044, or by visiting the Box Office, Harpur Suite, Harpur Square, Bedford MK40 1LE Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. www.bedfordtourguides.org
KEMPSTON 01234 851120 Saturday 2nd July the fantastic
LAURA CHURCH Saturday 9th July A quality night of SOUL MOTOWN and classic disco with the smooth voice of
CECIL
Saturday 23rd July It’s band night with the fantastic
SOUL PROJECT Not to be missed Saturday 30th July We welcome back the amazing
GEORGIE MASON
Saturday 16th July New to the Conclub is the beautiful
Saturday 6th August We welcome back another top ac
CLAUDIA MEWS
JAMIE CALLIS DIARY DATES Saturday 13th August
NEW HARMONY
LEE FOXHALL
Monday 11th July 2022 7.30pm Kempston East Methodist Church Raising funds for
Myla’s Mission Refreshments and Raffle Tickets £6 and £4 concessions www.kempstonconcertband.com
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Bank Holiday Weekend Saturday is SOUL & MOTOWN DISCO with PETE COVIE Sunday KIDS PARTY 6.30pm QUIZ – 8.30pm
Summer Concert
JULY 2022 —
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diary
comedy Thursday July 14th – Comedy in the Garden @ Brewpoint, Bedford Castle Comedy returns to the Brewpoint garden where you can enjoy brilliant comedy, craft beer and delicious food.
Castle Comedy has a packed July with three brilliant shows “Fosters Comedy God” Tom Binns. Tom wrote and starred in his own BBC One sitcom ‘Hospital People’ and Ivan stole the show on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. ‘Laughs per minute the funniest show at the Fringe’ Time Out
JARLATH REGAN is a hugely talented comedian who has numerous TV credits, awards and a hit podcast on his hands. His podcast ‘An Irishman Abroad’ has a legion of loyal fans, millions of downloads and The Daily Telegraph went as far as to forecast that it “could turn out to be one of the biggest podcasts since Ricky Gervais picked up a microphone.” PAUL McCAFFREY starred on Live At The Apollo and was also the star of the UK version of Impractical Jokers alongside Roisin Conaty and Joel Dommett. He has appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News and Stand Up Central on Comedy Central. ‘Born to be a comic’ The Scotsman Friday July 29th – The Rufus Centre, Flitwick
Children’s Theatre | Comedy | Theatre Dance & Physical Theatre | Poetry & Spoken Word Music | Film
Bedford’s largest performing arts festival returns
binge the fringe! book now
SEANN WALSH – He is described as ‘the best observational comedian of his generation’ by The Guardian and is an Edinburgh Award nominee. As seen on seen on ITV’s ‘Bad Move’ and ‘Play To The Whistle’, E4’s ‘Virtually Famous’ and ‘Conan’ on TBS. JAKE LAMBERT – As seen on Comedy Central and ITV. Writer for Mock The Week, The Royal Variety Performance, Ranganation, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and The News Quiz.
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Sunday July 31st – ‘Best Of’ Castle Comedy at Bedfringe SUZI RUFFELL – has had five sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival and has recorded comedy specials for both Amazon Prime and the BBC. Also seen on Live at the Apollo, Mock The Week, The Last Leg, Hypothetical and The Jonathon Ross Show. ‘On the cusp of stardom’ The Evening Standard IVAN BRACKENBURY - he’s bonkers! Ivan is the creation of
All shows feature full support from top UK comedians and Paul Revill will host the shows! Doors 7pm shows start 8pm. Shows finish 10.45pm To book visit: www.castlecomedy.co.uk
Sandy Historical Music and theatre at St Research Group: is holding a Paul’s: Tuesday lunchtime recitals
photographic exhibition at the Beeston Summer Festival on Saturday, July 16. The Festival at Beeston Methodist Church, 4 The Baulk, Beeston, Sandy SG19 1NR is from 10am until 4pm. The exhibition will be in the vestry of the church. You are invited to attend and learn about the history of Sandy and Beeston. Contact: secretary@shrg.uk
Biddenham Gardeners Association: Tuesday, July 19
at 7.30. Biddenham Village Hall. “AGM” Visitors very welcome. Admission £5 per meeting for non members – includes Raffle & Refreshments Tuesday, September 20 at 7.30. Biddenham Village Hall, “A Bulb for all Seasons” by Chris Day. Visitors very welcome. Admission £5 per meeting for non members – includes Raffle & Refreshments Contact: www.biddenham gardenersassociation.org.uk
Car Boot Sale: Milton Ernest
An Edinburgh Preview Special from two of the best comedians in the UK!
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Garden Centre, Radwell Road, Milton Ernest MK44 1SH, Cars £5, vans £10. Sellers setup 9am, Buyers 10am-2pm. July 3, August 7, September 4, October 2 No need to book a stall, bring your own table Horticultural Show Bank Holiday August 29 Family Fun Day and Dog Show Sunday September 11 Contact: (01234) 823033 or enquiries@miltonernestgarden centre.co.uk
Music and theatre at St Paul’s: Tuesday lunchtime recitals
at St Paul’s Bedford. June-July, 1pm. FREE with retiring collection in aid of church funds. Suggest min £5.00. Monthly Saturday organ recitals 12 noon, also FREE with retiring collection in aid of church funds. Contact: St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square, Bedford, MK40 1SQ. Tel: 01234 340163 Email: admin@stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk JULY – 5th Lorraine Augustine, Piano. 12th Six on Sax. Contact: Ann Collett-White, Tel: 01234 266839 Mobile: 07989 837819
Car Boot Sale: Milton Ernest
Garden Centre, Radwell Road, Milton Ernest MK44 1SH, Cars £5, vans £10. Sellers setup 9am, Buyers 10am-2pm. July 3, August 7, September 4, October 2 No need to book a stall, bring your own table HORTICULTURAL SHOW Bank Holiday August 29 FAMILY FUN DAY & DOG SHOW Sunday September 11 Contact: (01234) 823033 or enquiries@miltonernestgarden centre.co.uk
THE
QUEENS
at St Paul’s Bedford. June-July, 1pm. FREE with retiring collection in aid of church funds. Suggest min £5.00. Monthly Saturday organ recitals 12 noon, also FREE with retiring collection in aid of church funds. Contact: St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square, Bedford, MK40 1SQ. Tel: 01234 340163 Email: admin@stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk JULY – 5th Lorraine Augustine, Piano. 12th Six on Sax. Contact: Ann Collett-White, Tel: 01234 266839 Mobile: 07989 837819
Contact: www.bedfordmusicclub.co.uk
Bedford Music Club: Bedford Floral Art Society:
Contact: www.bedfordfloral artsociety.co.uk
Tudor Reeds Folk Dance Club: Barn dance group meets
every other Wednesday 8-10pm, St Mark’s Church Hall, Brickhill. £2 inc refreshments Contact: Jenny 01234 217621t
Sandy Women’s Institute: Meets on the third
Tuesday of every month (except August) at Sandy Conservative Club, Bedford Road, Sandy. New members are always very welcome. Visitors are charged a small fee of £4. For further information contact: Ann Patterson 01767 680644.
Kempston Senior Citizens Club: DANCING, WHIST,
BINGO. Meets Wednesday 10am12noon Friday 10am-4.00pm, Centenary Hall, behind Kempston Town Hall, contact: Sheila Cobban, on 01234 347306
Bedford Folk & Acoustic Club: Acoustic and folk music round-the-room, every Thursday evening from 8:30pm at the Bowls Pavilion of Kempston Hammers Club, MK42 7BN. Musicians, singers and poets all welcome, at every level. Contact: us on facebook, or come and meet us at the Bowls Pavilion.
Yoga: Priory Methodist Church, Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ. 2pm Mondays Contact: June for details: juandhannigan@yahoo.co.uk:
To advertise your club, group or society in these columns please email your copy to: advertising@ rosettapublishing.com Please include a contact telephone number. These columns are for non-profit making organisations
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Food served: Mon-Sat 12-2, 6-9 Sunday 12-4 See our Facebook page for upcoming events
HOTEL NOW OPEN Queens Head, Rushden Road, Milton Ernest MK44 1RU
Tel: 01234 822412
Mon-Sat Noon-11pm Sunday Noon-10.30pm
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— JULY 2022
TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@bedsbulletin.com
gardening T
with Milton Ernest Garden Centre
Ten treasures for garden colour
by Maureen Catlin
HE Roses and Clematis have finished their first flowering. The Lupins, Delphiniums and Geraniums have been cut back to produce a second colourful show and so we need plants to carry on the dazzling display.
Hydrangea Paniculata Strawberry Blossom is a deciduous shrub which grows to 1m and produces long ice cream cone like flowers from late June until October. These open creamy white and pale pink blooms then develop strawberry red edges to the petals. A delightful addition to any mixed border preferably in dappled shade. Rudbeckia Butterscotch Biscuit, Electric Shock, Orange and Pecan Pie are all new varieties of this brightly coloured daisy. They are very hardy, compact,
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love to be planted in full sun and flower continuously until late autumn. The flowers are yellow orange and red with chocolate brown centres. They are a magnet to bees and butterflies and give a good display if planted with Salvias, Penstemons and Ornamental Grasses. Helenium Mariachi Siesta, Salsa and Fuego are compact plants with small daisy shaped flowers. They are hardy producing lots of claret red flowers with yellow markings rich in nectar well into autumn. The blooms make excellent cut flowers and attract many summer butterflies. They are ideal for smaller gardens, can be planted in patio tubs and are very disease resistant. Salvia Hot Lips, Pink Lips and Amethyst Lips are charming neat growing perennials with unusual two tone half coloured flowers in red/white, pink/white and purple/white accordingly. The flowers give at least 5 months of summer colour attracting bees and butterflies with a bonus of blackcurrant scented leaves. These plants are very easy to grow. Crocosmia or Monbretia are exotic plants that
will thrive in even poor stony soils and tolerate drought. The broad sword-like leaves are architecturally attractive even before the arching flower stems emerge. The flowers appear in summer on wiry stems and last for many weeks. They also make good cut flowers. Noteworthy varieties are Walbertons Yellow, bright orange yellow, Walbertons Bright Eyes, very free flowering orange with a red centre and Miss Scarlet dazzling scarlet. Planted with Ornamental Grasses, Helleniums, and Rudbeckias Crocosmias give a stunning display. Astrantia Roma is a great favourite and was first seen in paintings from 16thcentuary so has certainly
stood the test of time. It is a pretty cottage garden plant with papery soft pink flowers that looks delightful planted with Ferns or Ornamental Grasses. It is quick growing and flowers continuously from June to September. Begonia Tropical Sunset is a stunning plant for tubs or hanging baskets producing copious amounts of fluorescent apricot peach coloured flowers throughout summer. Plant in a sunny place where the serrated green leaves form mounds which the flowers drape over. This plant is very easy to grow. Agastache Beelicious Purple is a very insect friendly plant a rich source of pollen and nectar much loved by bees and butterflies. It is a hardy perennial which appears each year and has purple flowers from July to September. The compact blue green evergreen leaves have a minty scent so plant along a path way so when the foliage is brushed the perfume is released. This plant is really easy to grow and will not be eaten by slugs rabbits or deer. Salvia Roman Red is a hardy perennial and a unique new variety with deep ruby red flowers on tall black elegant stems. The foliage is aniseed scented. Butterflies love fluttering around these flowers from July until autumn. This beautiful plant was awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Finally and my favourite summer flowering perennial is Agapanthus Midnight Star. This beautiful African lily produces rich blue round heads of trumpet shaped flowers which erupt from deep blue buds. They appear on 70cm tall strong upright stems from a whorl of strap-shaped leaves. This star performer will also grow well in large tubs on the patio.
AFTERNOON TREAT
www.miltonernestgardencentre.co.uk
With this voucher – AFTER 2pm
MILT ON ERNEST GARDEN CENTRE Tel: 01234 823033
Radwell Road (just off the A6) Milton Ernest MK44 1SH
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Free tea or coffee with any ‘Scrummy Cake’
JULY 2022 —
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sport Eagles’ manager locking-in key players
19
Real Bedford FC partner with Bedford Ladies and Girls FC
by Michael Jarman-Webb
WITH the celebrations of last season’s successes barely dying down at the Eyrie, Bedford Town are already in full swing for the challenge of the next campaign in the PitchingIn Southern League Premier Central.
Manager Gary Setchell has wasted no time in securing the services of key players for the next campaign, but the first to put pen to paper was young shot stopper Elliot Duffy. The eighteen-yearold excelled in the cup matches he played for the first team, as well as on his loan spell at Eynesbury Rovers. His newly signed contract will ensure he remains an Eagle for the coming seasons. Another young talent whose contact has been extended is Connor Tomlinson, with over twenty goals last term he soon established his place as a first choice in Setchell’s starting lineup. The midfield force that is Hugh Alban-Jones is also contracted for another season, as is Drew Richardson, who has been solid wherever he has been called to
play whether midfield or more often defence. Signing Southern League forms for the next season is the long established and controversial midfield workhorse Callum Donnelly, his five plus years at the Eyrie have always been interesting, but he is also one of the first names on the team sheet, who will always give hundred percent to the cause. Charley Sanders is another player committed for next season, he established himself last year in the heart of defence, but also scored some awesome goals, including the piledriver goal of the season against Berkhamsted. Setchell has also announced his first new signing of the season with striker Tyrone Lewthwaite coming in. The former Northern Ireland under 19 international has
PRESEASON FIXTURES
Saturday 2nd July, 3:00pm........Biggleswade FC - HOME Tuesday 5th July, 7:45pm .........Barnet FC - HOME Friday 8th July, 7:45pm...................Stotfold FC - AWAY Tuesday 12th July, 7:45pm .......Peterborough Sports FC - HOME Saturday 16th July, 3:00pm ...........Harborough Town FC - AWAY Tuesday 19th July, 7:45pm .......Hemel Hempstead Town FC - HOME Saturday 23rd July, 1:00pm ......Wealdstone - HOME Saturday 30th July, 3:00pm...........AFC Dunstable - AWAY Tuesday 2nd August, 7pm ........Luton Town XI - HOME
First team managers Rob Sinclair (Real Bedford) and Simon Henry (Bedford Ladies).
New signing Tyrone Lewthwaite with Manager Gary Setchell.
recently been playing for Aylesbury United, but started his career as a youth player at Watford, before moving on to Rotherham, Hampton & Richmond, Chesham and Beaconsfield. Two players who will be missed are Rene Howe and Dan Walker. Walker has decided to move on, wanting more guaranteed game time, while last season’s top scorer Howe has decided Bedford’s new more northern footprint of match locations, would mean to much travelling from his South
Hertfordshire home. Eagles’ fans have until 3pm on Tuesday 5th July to take advantage of a special offer for preseason matches, visit https://bedfordtownfc.ktckts.com/ for more details of the Super Six bundle, which will include all the home preseason matches against Biggleswade, Barnet, Wealdstone, Luton, Peterborough Sports and Hemel Hempstead. For further information about the full preseason line up, see www.bedfordeagles.net.
REAL Bedford FC is pleased to announce that it has formalised a partnership with the largest female football community in the county, Bedford Ladies and Girls FC. Bedford Ladies was formed in 1996 and now has 17 teams covering all age groups from under 8s to adult teams, including walking football. Bedford Ladies has been hugely instrumental in promoting football among girls of all ages and abilities in the community and this had been spearheaded by the club Chair, Jill Upton. “We have always been independent, but we feel if we are going to achieve our ambitions we need to partner with a forward thinking club that is excited to promote female football too.” Jill said. “Bedford Ladies is a wonderfully run club promoting grass roots football. As part of our plan
to support football in Bedford, we hope that by partnering with them we can help support their ambition of enabling all girls to play and enjoy football,” says Peter McCormack, chairman of Real Bedford FC. “This partnership is a great way to fast track the goals of Bedford Ladies and provide them with the facilities and support they need to be able to get there,” says Peter. The partnership will see Bedford Ladies adult teams play at Real Bedford’s home ground of McMullen Park. Real Bedford have also pledged to support any female coach who wants to obtain their coaching badges through the partnership with Bedford Ladies. For more information contact: info@bedfordladies-girlsfc.org For those interested in obtaining their coaching badges email: jill@bedfordladies-girlsfc.org
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Published by ©2022 Beds Bulletin Limited. 30 Radwell Road, Milton Ernest, Bedford MK44 1SH. Tel: 07894 935952. Editorial: editorial@bedsbulletin.com Advertising: advertising@bedsbulletin.com Printed by: Iliffe Print Cambridge Ltd. Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge CB24 6PP