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Councillors reject Tory calls for tax freeze BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION
A CALL from the Conservative group to freeze Borough Council tax was rejected by councillors at a full council meeting last month
The Conservatives said it would be wrong to increase tax amid ‘significant pressures’ on family budgets.
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But Labour and Lib Dem Cllrs said the move was a ‘distraction’ designed to make the Conservative party look like ‘the good guys’ – and would result in service cuts. The proposed General Fund Revenue Budget for 2022/23 included a core council tax rise of 1.99 per cent. This is separate to the two per cent Adult Social Care Precept rise. Conservative Group leader, Cllr Graeme Coombes (Wilshamstead Ward) told the full council meeting: “We may discuss the financial pressures for local government, but Cllrs cannot have failed to notice the pressures on family budgets too,” he said. “We therefore believe it would be wrong when families and individuals experience such significant pressures on their household budgets to increase council tax merely to top up the council’s reserves as is proposed in the budget. “We would like to freeze the council tax this year, core council tax, meaning zero increase, separate from the adult services precept. “The council has got a £3.8 million windfall this year as a result of the estimated collected council tax surplus, thanks to much lower rates of anticipated unemployment, something which I’m sure we’re all grateful for, we all want to see our residents in jobs. “Rather than putting £1.94 million into reserves next year, we would use it to fund a council tax freeze for Bedford residents. “The remaining £62,000 needed would come from the general fund. The £1.94 million is money that Bedford residents have already paid, and I’m sure they would rather it went to go to fund important local services rather than sitting in the council’s reserves.
by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter
“This amendment requires no cuts to council services and would reduce Band D bills by just over £32 per year, a small amount, but better off in the pockets of the people rather than hoarding in our reserves,” he said. The portfolio holder for finance, Cllr Michael Headley (LibDems, Putnoe Ward) asked Cllr Coombes: “Could you list, this is for the benefit of local residents as much as anything, could you list the two million pounds of extra cuts you’re proposing to make in next year’s budget to balance next year’s budget having taken this action?”
Cllr Coombes replied: “There are no cuts to be made, I’m talking about this year’s budget, Cllr Headley, the money that you’re getting from the £3.8 million windfall that you are going to put in the reserves for next year.” Labour Group leader, Cllr Sue Oliver (Kempston North Ward) said her group would not be supporting the amendment. “I think what you’re doing is following the lead of your national Conservative government in trying
NO CUTS
to distract residents,” she said. “You’re trying to look like the good guys by proposing no increase in tax to cover up the fact that your government kindly allows local authorities to charge those same hard-pressed residents for adult social care, so that they get the blame, or we get the blame, for something that central government should have sorted out long enough since.” Cllr Coombes said: “I think what we are proposing is fair and honest, madam speaker, we are saying that we should not be putting money into reserves when we could actually be helping hardpressed people. “I think what we are proposing is right, it is proper, it is prudent, it is directed specifically to freeze council tax and ensure that people do not see further increases in their bills when they are not necessary and the council is able to gather enough revenue from the public without actually increasing the council tax,” he said. Cllr Headley said: “You should be honest with local people that what you’re proposing is an extra two million pounds of cuts to vital services in a year’s time.”
Conservatives name their man for 2023 mayorial election
RESIDENTS of Bedford Borough will soon have the opportunity to pass judgement on the performance of the current mayor and members of the Borough Council. In May 2023, elections will be held to select a new mayor and councillors for the next four years. Local Conservatives have announced Cllr Tom Wootton as their chosen candidate for the position of directly elected mayor. Cllr Wootton who manages his family’s farm at Ravensden has been a member of the local council for 20 years.
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Waging war on fly-tippers
BEDFORD Borough Council has invested in portable CCTV cameras that they are deploying at fly-tipping hotspots around Bedford Borough. The Council is using footage to help identify vehicles present in the vicinity of fly-tipping or individuals who may have information about flytipping so that enforcement action can be taken against the appropriate persons. Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and carrying a maximum fine of £50,000, or 12 months in prison. Camera footage will be posted on the Council’s ‘Caught on Camera’ webpage at www. bedford.gov.uk/caughtoncamera.
If you recognise a vehicle or an individual, you can let the Council know on that webpage. Cllr Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Environment said: “These cameras will make it easier for us to respond to fly-tipping issues, capturing footage and ensuring we can fine and prosecute people who commit this offence. “It’s on all of us to dispose of waste responsibly and keep our Borough beautiful, by using the Household Waste Recycling Centre, booking a bulky waste collection with the Council if you need one, or by using a licensed waste carrier to ensure your waste is disposed of responsibly.”
North Atlantic challenge for Charlie
A LIFE on the ocean wave is the sort of ‘Outdoor Adventure’ to which students aspire when joining The Bedford College Group. Showing them the way is staff member Charlie Whewell who will taking part in the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race. He will be aboard for the 7,000 km North Atlantic home-coming leg of this prestigious sailing circum-navigation in June-July 2024. Starting now, Charlie is raising funds towards the £13,800, some of which will go towards his chosen charity of the
NHS Organ Donation Team. Charlie, who lives in Rushden is following in the wake of his parents who sold the family home and sailed around the world in the 90s. Charlie has started fund-raising with a trek up Snowdon. Next up was an interview on Nevis radio, organised by a former Outdoor Education student of The Bedford College Group, Jen Farthing. To follow Charlie’s or make a donation, log on to his blog: https://charliesclipperchallenge.wordpress.com/2021/08/27/and-so-it-begins/
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TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com
The best junior entry at Panto Christmas Tree Festival
13th BEDFORD Brownies won the trophy for the best junior tree at Bedford's Christmas Tree Festival 2021. The trophy was presented by Nick Kier of Lane & Holmes (sponsors). Georgie (see centre receiving trophy) masterminded the Panto theme while isolating with Covid. She encouraged fellow brownies to help her with the colourful craftwork while Joanne, Brown Owl ensured that the tree was fully decorated at St Paul's church. Margaret Oakley, Festival Chairman and her committee are celebrating another successful year. Despite Covid restrictions, the income from entries, sale of trees, festival concert, fizz reception, raffle and sponsorship is £13,400 to be shared equally between St
Paul's church and the Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends. Income from the Festival will go towards the Hospital's Paediatric A & E Appeal while for the church, the income will help fund its immense running costs including heating and lighting. Margaret Oakley said: "The footfall of approx 5,000 and the annual sponsorship by Jayne Beard Associates confirm that the Festival is a significant Bedford Community Event". Get ready folks for 'Musicals', the theme for the 2022 Festival. Decorators can book their trees from September. Further details from Margaret Oakley mboakley@hotmail.co.uk
Over 100 police raid Travelers’ site SIX people have been arrested in connection with a series of theft and drug offences after a major operation in the early hours of Tuesday, February 22. Bedfordshire Police executed eight search warrants at addresses in Ampthill Road, Kempston Hardwick, linked to offences in Bedfordshire and elsewhere in the eastern region. The operation saw police from across the force work with partner agencies including British Transport Police, Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service. More than 100 police officers were involved in the operation, which also located suspected cannabis plants. Five men and one woman, all in their 30s or 20s and from Kempston Hardwick, were arrested for a series of offences: l One man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of theft and drug offences l One man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of theft
and drug offences l One man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of theft and drug offences l One man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of drug offences l One man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of theft l A woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of failing to appear at court All six remain in police custody for questioning, while police continue to carry out searches. Chief Superintendent John
Murphy, who led the operation, said: “We take all forms of theft and burglary extremely seriously and will not tolerate this in our communities. “This operation was carried out in a bid to obtain evidence over a series of offences and protect our communities from harm. “We are committed to bringing offenders to justice and ensuring victims get the support they need. I would always encourage people to come forward – this is crucial if we are to run the kind of enforcement action we have seen today.”
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Charity benefits from big donations BEDFORD Hospital Charity & Friends launched a £1 million fundraising appeal just over a year ago to enhance the A&E provision at Bedford Hospital by installing a new dedicated Paediatric A&E department. A trip to A&E can be especially frightening for children, and this new facility will offer dedicated resources for younger patients, in a much more child friendly environment. The Charity recently received a donation of £20,000 from the Bedfordshire Freemasons and the central Freemasons Charity, the MCF, which has provided a great boost to the project’s fundraising. Work commenced last year for the paediatric A&E department and it is already in use with various special additions being installed as time allows in the very busy department. Deborah Inskip OBE DL, Chairman of Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends welcomed this generous donation: “We are delighted to accept this most generous donation to help us fund the improvements to the A&E department at Bedford Hospital. “The new Paediatric A&E and the CT scanner will make a huge
difference to how care can be provided in our emergency department. Such wonderful support for these important developments is greatly appreciated”. Tony Henderson, the head of Bedfordshire Freemasons added: “There are few of us that haven’t
had to take our children or grandchildren to A&E at some point, and we all aware of how scary that can be. “We are very pleased to have been able to contribute to making this wonderful new facility a reality.”
A NEW partnership between The Harpur Trust and the Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends (BHC&F) has been announced. The partnership will be supporting the hospital charity’s latest fund raising appeal – ‘£1m for Bedford A&E’. Recognising that there would not be much opportunity to hold fundraising events for the appeal, the Charity approached The Harpur Trust early on in the appeal to ask for their support. Not only did the Trust wish to support the Charity by funding a back-lit picture for the ceiling of the new paediatric A&E unit but also to set up a joint working group to give ‘match funding’ up to an amount of £30,000. This matched funding arrangement has been running since October 2021 and has included all community events since then. Covid has meant that the official announcement of the support was held off until today (February 10, 2022). At the unveiling ceremony of the new ceiling, Lucy Bardner of The Harpur Trust commented: “The pandemic has underlined the Harpur Trust’s belief that the people of Bedford all have a part to play in
improving life for all our residents, and a desire to do so. “We hope this match funding scheme encourages people to realise that when we all get together, we can make a massive difference, starting with the amazing hospital we all rely on. We’ll even match contributions made by our staff through our GAYE scheme!” Ken Williams of The Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends went on to say: “This ground breaking partnership means that for each £1 raised by the Charity the Harpur Trust will contribute the same
amount towards the ‘£1m for Bedford A&E’ appeal. It is very exciting news that our two long established organisations have come together to help provide an outstanding A&E department for the people of Bedford and surrounding communities. David Carter, CEO of the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are so very grateful to these two excellent local charities who have joined forces to support Bedford Hospital and the community we serve. Our sincere thanks to you both.”
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TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com
Our town centre traders have so much to offer – welcome back by Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford HIS month will see the second anniversary of the first Coronavirus lockdown, announced on March 23, 2020. It’s been a tough two years. Tough for everyone, and tough on our local businesses and town centres. Not only were people unable to shop or enjoy our outstanding independent businesses freely over the last two years, but many were forced to change their shopping behaviour: a temporary move online for some, and some changes that may be permanent. But after a number of false dawns, now is the time to discover and rediscover the town centres. With footfall gradually returning, shops reporting an increase in spend, and events and markets kicking off we can say: welcome back to all. Key workers, council staff, shops, market traders, all our local businesses, and our many wonderful independent retailers have all worked hard throughout the pandemic to ensure the town centres are safe and clean environments for people to shop-in, visit, meet friends and have fun; and many of these shops and market traders have literally been a lifeline for people. Now is the time to explore and discover Bedford. Despite national chains going bust across the UK, in Bedford we have seen new businesses arrive including w a new B&M, Cat Café, Carumbar, Hippy Wytch Cottage, and a new Waterstones location in the Town Centre and Bridges, Naughty Pizza and most recently Foxy Wings
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opening at Riverside Bedford. The old Arcade is almost completely full and St Cuthbert’s Street, Howard Street, Mill Street and St Peter’s Street are thriving hubs of independent businesses. More businesses are on the way and the Council has also been busy. We have widened the pavements on the High Street to improve access and safety for pedestrians, reduced the speed along the High Street to 20mph making it safer for cyclists and other road users, and improved Silver Street Square and Allhallows making both areas nicer to visit and spend time in. Town Centres and Planning Portfolio Holder Councillor Henry Vann and I have been working closely with Love Bedford, the Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) and Historic England to restore our beautiful High Street Architecture. Work on this “High Street Heritage Action Zone” has begun, and if you pop into town, you will see scaffolding up at the Blue Monk, 19-21 High Street. This project will also
see works at 58A, B and C High Street, the buildings on the northern side of Silver Street Square. These improvements will include the creation of two additional smaller retail units helping Bedford’s businesses, start-ups and outstanding independents to grow. The Goldings building will see the reinstatement of a traditional shop front and lost architectural features. We have also been supporting projects and events through my Town Centre Priority Fund to help bring more people into the town centre: This has including helping to fund the new green wall at St Cuthbert’s Arcade, Christmas lights in Mill Street, a successful Jamaican Independence Day, Music in the Meadows, the Green Earth Market, and support for Fiver Fest and a number of projects with Bedford Creative Arts and the Place Theatre as well as investing in new market stands for specialist and visiting markets such as the outstanding Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market. More on the way! On top of this, we have been successful in securing £22.6 million from the Government to regenerate the Station Quarter and Midland
Road, improve St. Paul’s Square and improve local pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, as well as two major junctions. The Town Investment Plan also includes a new health, science and digital skills centre at Bedford College enabling them to offer spaces to an additional 250 learners and improve the learning environment for current students. Sadly, the Government rejected our application for £15million of Levellingup funding for Kempston, deciding to spend the money elsewhere instead. But there is everything else that we have protected: libraries are open again, alongside an outstanding set of museums, the Corn Exchange and other theatres so why not taken the opportunity to visit the library or one of the museums – there is sure to be something new. And finally… in amongst all of this, new dropped kerbs, secure cycle parking, more cycling infrastructure, frozen parking charges, new loading bays for shoppers and a continuation of free two hours parking in all town centre car parks on a Saturday and two hours free every day in Queen Street Car Park have made our town centre increasingly accessible. There really is no excuse not to support our town centres. They have so much to offer; thank you to everyone who was able to support them during the pandemic, and before, and welcome back to those who are now rediscovering our town centres.
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Parish councillors labelled ‘doughnuts’
A PANEL of Cllrs were surprised at colleagues’ lack of knowledge of the council’s planning system, and some parish council representatives were referred to as “doughnuts”. As part of the review of the Planning Service at the council, a six-week consultation was carried out amongst all the elected members and parish councils in the borough. At the Wednesday, February 9 meeting of the Environment Task & Finish Group it was asked to note the anonymised responses and agree that they will be used to inform the Planning Review. Although as well as noting them, some feedback on the answers was also given. The comment was made as the group considered the parish council responses to the question ‘How do you usually contact the Bedford Borough Council Planning Department if you need further information?’ Cllr Stephen Moon (Conservative, Great Barford Ward), who was chairing the meeting, said: “This is very similar to the profile of the elected members’ responses, one or two doughnuts and the rest have got it sorted.” “You’re not asking for them to be identified are you?” asked Cllr Kay Burley (Labour, Kempston Central & East Ward. “How are you spelling doughnuts, Jeremy, just for the minutes,” Jon Shortland, chief officer for planning and highways, asked. The first points the group
by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter
looked at were Cllr views on contacting the planning department and the appropriate person. Mr Shortland said officers do not disclose their telephone numbers as they would be “snowed under” with calls while trying to work on something else. “The preferred method is for the contact to speak to the help desk who will send an email to that case officer saying’ please ring this person back at your convenience’,” he said.
Cllr Moon said: “I’m talking about for elected members, I’m thinking less to do with telephone calls because the Help Desk isn’t always prompt, to put it mildly, to respond. Mr Shortland said emails to planning enquiries will get passed on to the right person. Cllr Moon said: “Well there’s the question of identifying the person first and I’m surprised they find it difficult to find the [officer] because, yes, applications have the officer in the information box.” “They do yes, I’m not sure why they’re finding that difficult,” Mr Shortland replied. Cllr Moon said: “That, and a number of other areas, indicate to me that there’s some useful training, not just for planning committee members, but for members accessing planning. “Even it was just in writing as a
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guide, because failure to identify the officer seems a very strange error for an experienced Cllr to make. “So we’ve identified that as a particular problem, so there are certainly a significant minority of members who find it difficult a) to identify the planning officer, and b) to work out how to approach him. “Which is a puzzle to me but never mind.” While progressing through the responses, Cllr Moon said it appears that some members don’t seem to know about the weekly planning alert. “I don’t know some of these responses, I don’t fully understand and it might indicate the need for there to be training, not just for members of the planning committee, but for members using the planning service,” he said.
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Queens Park drugs raid A CANNABIS factory that could grow more than half a million pounds’ worth of the drug a year was uncovered in a raid in Bedford. Officers entered an address in Cutcliffe Grove, Bedford on Wednesday, February 16, as part of a preplanned operation following intelligence that the it was being used to grow and distribute cannabis. After gaining entry to the building at around 6am, investigators uncovered dozens of cannabis plants in three rooms across the property, with no one inside. Beds police say early estimates suggest the location could be used to grow some £570,000 worth of cannabis every year. Investigation Officer Sarah Thacker said: “Although cannabis can sometimes be seen as a substance which causes less harm than other illegal drugs, we know that it can be highly profitable for organised criminal groups who look to exploit young and vulnerable people for their own gain. “We also know that cannabis is no different to other drugs in that it is intrinsically linked to much of the violence we see in Bedfordshire. We regularly find
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the restriction was originally imposed. The letter claimed that it is now “critical for the future viability of the site” to extend the hours of operation of the auction facility and transport movements. BCA’s application is to vary this condition to extend the hours and days of operation to 6am to midnight, seven days a week. The company’s website says that only one of its 28 sites across the UK is currently open on Sundays (Blackbushe, Camberley – 9am to 5pm). It also lists the Kempston Hardwick site as being open from 9am until 6pm Monday to Friday, and between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays.
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New pavement cleaning regime
A COUNCIL’S new pavement cleaning machine may help to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in the borough’s green spaces. The Beds and Bugs Project update presented to the Climate Change Committee on Monday, February 7, said that Bedford Borough Council has committed to reducing the amount of chemical usage in Addison Howard Park and Bedford Park. This led Cllr Sue Oliver (Labour, Kempston North Ward) to ask what is happening with chemical use in other green spaces in the borough. Paul Pace, chief officer for environment at the council, said that the council is trying to reduce the use of chemicals where it can. “We’ve decided to take those parks and other parks as trials to see how we get on, to see how the public
that drugs are behind criminal activity such as county lines drug running, modern slavery and human trafficking, and that’s why we will continue to pursue those involved in this criminal world. “Our operation has dismantled a cannabis factory on a nice, suburban street. These factories for organised criminal activity could pop up anywhere, so please get in touch with us if you have concerns or suspicions that this is taking place near where you live.”
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Car auction wants to go 24/7 A CAR auction centre has submitted an application so it can open until midnight seven days a week. BCA has submitted the planning application to remove a planning condition to its site at Kempston Hardwick, Bedford. Full planning permission for the construction of the auction centre was granted in November 2003. But a planning condition limits the hours of operation of the auction facility to between the hours of 10am and 9pm inclusive on Mondays to Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays or on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or Good Friday or any other Bank Holiday. In a cover letter, the agents for BCA said that the company’s operating model has “evolved” since
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TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com
Climate Plan dismissed Building on bricklaying skills as ‘desktop research’ AN assessment of Bedford Borough Council’s climate action plan scored it two out of five for measuring and setting emissions targets. The Council Climate Plan Scorecards were dismissed by a senior councillor as “desktop research” – but when asked about a report stating that the Bugs and Bees Project had reduced and offset carbon emissions, a council spokesperson said it “didn’t have a figure”. The Green Business Network said if the council didn’t have the numbers to back up its claims, it isn’t “doing it properly”. Climate Emergency UK (CE UK) used 28 questions to assess the climate action plans published online by UK councils to give each authority a score so residents can see how well their council compares with others. Bedford Borough Council received a total score of 57 per cent, just below Central Bedfordshire Council’s score of 63 per cent. The average score for singletier councils was 50 per cent. Luton Borough Council scored 19 per cent. Grace McMeekin, from CE UK, said: “It has been an important exercise to understand what makes a good council climate action plan and we hope that it will help councils learn from each other and up their game. “A good plan will help a local
ACTION PLANS
by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter authority deliver effective actions, as well as enabling local residents to know what their council has committed to and so hold the council to account.” In response to councillor Ben Foley’s (Green, Castle Ward) question about the scorecards at the full council meeting last month (February 2), Cllr Henry Vann (LibDems, De Parys Ward) the portfolio holder for town centres and planning, told the council: “It [the scorecards] was a desktop piece of research based on documents and actually we’re taking real action.” But Jane Varley, Green Business Network manager, said while the council can claim it is taking “real action”, this will be based on the council’s own desktop research. “Once the baseline figures are calculated, a plan sets out how the organisation will reach net zero carbon (or at least reduce carbon) and approximate milestones and targets. “The proof is in the year on year reduction against the original figures and the future targets.” The council’s Liberal Democrat Group was asked what the difference was between the paperwork exercise to rate the plan, and the paperwork completed to put the plan together. Its spokesperson did not respond directly to the question, but said that since mayor Dave
Hodgson was elected the council has taken “real action” on tackling the climate emergency. An example of action taken by the council is the Bugs and Bees project. An update on this was presented to last month’s (Monday, February 7) Climate Change Committee. The report said the changes to the council’s maintenance operations as part of the project will help the council to offset carbon emissions to help in reducing the effects of climate change. The council was asked for a figure for this reduction.
A borough council spokesperson said: “While we do not have a figure of the level of carbon reduced/offset by the Bugs and Bees project, the early stages of this project have shown really exciting developments in making Bedford Borough a greener, more wildlife-friendly place. “For example, by reducing grass cutting in certain areas we are saving emissions by using less fuel for vehicles, and allowing wildflowers to grow, creating better habitats for local insects, and a more sustainable natural environment.” Ms Varley said: “If the council is making claims, it should have the figures to substantiate them. If it can’t, then it isn’t doing it properly.”
EXCITING
THE Bedford College Group is supporting pioneering professional training for those wanting to be the bricklayers of the future. Full-time students have been benefitting from industry-recognised Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC) courses in modern masonry techniques. The ABC Assessment Centre is the first training provider to offer Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)-approved accreditation in relation to ancillary bricklaying processes. The courses include practical and theoretical experience in brick-slip systems, fire barriers, brick soffits, windpost installation and masonry support angles. Delivered by experts with decades of brickwork experience, trainees will, on competition of their course, have certification providing visible proof of their new-found expertise. Simon Livett, Centre Manager at the ABC Assessment Centre, said: “The training programme is our response to industry demand for more, betterskilled operatives in the brickwork sector. Over the years, manufacturers have developed many fantastic aids for bricklayers, particularly in the commercial building sector with regards to the creation of brick-slip façade cladding systems and the like.
“But there’s a growing feeling that onsite, the level of workmanship has not necessarily kept pace with the evolution of new products and bricklaying techniques. Therefore, in conjunction with the ABC membership, we’ve devised a comprehensive suite of training courses delivered by experts in a range of modern brickwork installations, as well as covering a variety of core competencies.” David Wilkins Director of Construction and Building Service said: “This is a great partnership between the ABC (Association of Brickwork Contractors) and the Group, to deliver a programme of modules to full-time student bricklayers to demonstrate various modern techniques. This is being undertaken in several colleges across the UK and we are delighted to part of that pioneering activity.” https://bricktraining.co.uk/portfolio/video-seriesaddresses-uk-construction-skills-shortage/ The Bedford College Group is involved with multiple employer, training and government advisory groups which combine to identify the skills which are necessary to support the UK construction industry in coming decades. Sixteen to 60-year-olds receive training in the most relevant techniques to ensure they can meet the demands of the modern and fast changing industry.
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— MARCH 2022
TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com
Christmas Treecycling scheme raises tree-mendous £8,864 for Sue Ryder hospice
SUE Ryder St John’s Hospice has thanked the local community for going green and supporting its Christmas Treecycling service, which raised thousands of pounds for families needing its compassionate care. The hospice’s scheme, which took place last month, saw 662 real Christmas trees collected from people’s homes in and around Bedford and Biggleswade after the festivities had ended. Residents made donations in return for their trees being collected, chipped into mulch and recycled. In total, £8,864 was raised to help Sue Ryder continue to offer its expert care and bereavement support to local families. Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice worked in partnership with Just Helping. A whole host of local people and organisations rallied round to support the festive initiative. The trees were collected from residents’ homes by big-hearted businesses and volun-
teers who donated their time and vehicles. This included Brightman Brothers Tree Care, Green Thumb Lawn Care, Cople Tree Care, J & R Tree Services and volunteer Stefan Herceg. The trees were then chipped down into mulch by the teams at Brightman Brothers Tree Care, Cople Tree Care, Shire Trees Ltd and J & R Tree Services. The mulch will be reused on land locally, for example by being spread over the gardens of Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice to help plants and flowers thrive. Nick Burr at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, said: “Christmas Treecycling is a green and practical solution to the problem of what to do with a real tree once the festivities are over. We want to say a very special thank you to the local community for supporting our scheme. By recycling your nolonger needed trees and making kind donations, you have helped to reduce landfill
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and raised a tree-mendous £8,864 for our hospice. This will help us to continue providing our expert care and filling families’ final days with love. “We also want to say a big thank you to Just Helping, Brightman Brothers Tree Care, J & R Tree Services, Cople Tree Care, Shire Trees Ltd, Green Thumb Lawn Care, The Blakemore Foundation and our wonderful volunteers for donating their time and for their incredible efforts and hard work – we really appreciate it.” The team at Shire Trees Ltd added: “The Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice Christmas Treecycling is a great idea and we would happily support the event again next year." Sue Ryder organises a wide range of regional and national events throughout the year to raise crucial funds and provide more care for more people. To see the full event calendar and find your next challenge, visit: sueryder.org/events
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Helping pupils to aspire
Left to right: Paula Page; Head Teacher, Ruth Wilkes and Emma Semi.
Borough councillors urged to freeze their allowances
BEDFORD Borough councillors are to be asked to keep their allowances at the same level for another year. As elected volunteers and not employed, councillors do not receive a salary. However, they are paid an allowance in recognition of the time, work and costs involved in representing the people of their wards and the borough. And to help make sure residents can be confident of independence, openness and accountability, the process of making and reviewing allowance schemes is regulated. At the heart of this is the creation of an independent remuneration panel (IRP) – whose views must be considered before members’ allowances schemes are made or changed. At last months full council meeting councillors were asked to receive a report by the interim chief officer of the legal & monitoring officer to consider and agree the process for the selection and appointment of an IRP. The councillors were also asked to agree that the Members Allowances’ Scheme should remain the same for 2022/23. The current basic allowance of £10,425 was set in 2016, although Conservative Cllrs Coombes, Moon and Rigby are listed as remaining on the previous basic allowance of £10,322.04. There are also allowances paid to councillors who hold a position of special responsibility in relation to the authority, for example chairing a committee. The latest breakdown of councillor allowances on the council’s website is for 2020/21. This list showed that the range of the allowances paid to members
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ASPIRATION is an important part of learning at Castle Newnham so the school was delighted to invite Paula Page and Emma Semi of the Aspire Higher team at the University of Bedfordshire to open the new Careers Hub at the school. The Hub will be used to give pupils one to one advice about their future careers and post 16 choices. The school works closely with Aspire Higher to give pupils opportunities to work with the University on all sorts of exciting projects such as subject specific visits, and guest speakers from the University. Year 9 pupils are invited to visit the university for a day to experience life as a student. Alison Boston, Assistant Principal for Aspiration & Achievement said, “We value the
partnership that we have with Aspire Higher at the University of Bedfordshire as it gives our pupils opportunities to think about life after school and consider subjects that they could study and careers that they could pursue.” Paula Page, Collaborative Project Manager said, “Aspire Higher has been working in partnership with Castle Newnham School since 2017 on a range of inspirational educational projects. This has ranged from mentoring for their EAL students, a university taster day, residential summer schools, engineering after school club, sports projects and many more. “We were so pleased to be part of the opening of the Aspire Higher space at Castle Newnham and look forward to working with students in this dedicated space.”
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with care at home Your home is where you feel the most comfortable and the happiest. It is the place you know the best. If you want to stay living comfortably at home, Home Instead ® can help make that possible. was £10,425 to £23,777.64 (Cllr Christine McHugh (Goldington Ward) pictured who is wife of Mayor Dave Hodgson and the leader of the LibDemt Group, and the chair of two committees). Bedford Mayor, Dave Hodgson, does not receive a basic allowance, but data for 2020/21 showed that he did receive a special allowance of £62,551.80.
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— MARCH 2022
TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com
gardening
with Milton Ernest Garden Centre
It’s March in the garden M
our carbon footprint. There is a tree for every garden no matter how large or small. Some can even grow in large pots and now is the ideal time to plant. It can be ornamental, evergreen, topiary or a fruit tree. Come and talk to Terry or Stewart who are very happy to advise you the best variety to grow depending on your soil and position. With the higher light levels the Lawn should now start growing. When there is a dry period
by Maureen Catlin
ARCH the first month of spring and our gardens are waking from winter. The spring bulbs are in full bloom and early flowering shrubs and herbaceous are delighting us with their colour and scent. Crocus, Daffodils, Narcissus and Tulips can be complemented with Snakes Head Fritillary, Dog Tooth Violets, Alliums and Anemone Blanda. Leave the bulbs undisturbed after flowering and they will reward us by increasing in numbers and vigour every year. Snowdrops however benefit if lifted and divided while in
leaf to successfully increase their numbers. As the weather gets warmer it is time to plant summer and autumn flowering bulbs and tubers like Dahlia, Gladioli and Lilies. These are best planted in pots and kept in a light frost free place to start growing until all risk of frost has gone before planting in the garden. They are great showy garden plants that like sunny sheltered places. Lilies look fantastic in summer borders many are tall and often scented. They also make good patio plants in pots.
March 24, a programme of trios by Haydn and Beethoven, together with a recent work they commissioned from local composer Cherlyl Frances-Hoad. 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:
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.
Cowper and Newton Museum: Orchard Side, Market The early flowering herbaceous Pulmonaria and Brunnera associate well with spring flowering bulbs as does the perennial Wallflower Erysium and Euphorbia. We should not forget the mini perennials that we also call Alpines. Many are traditional cottage garden plants like Aubretia, Sedums and Armeria but a good addition is the perennial Viola Columbine, V. Etaine and V. Molly Sanderson. They flower their hearts out from March until November and are very easy to grow in the garden and in tubs. It is the ideal time to add or completely replant borders with Shrubs Roses Climbers and Herbaceous plants. It allows the plants to establish before the drier summer weather when regular watering is vital. New varieties of Shrub roses look great in mixed borders and will flower from June to September. If you are adding new permanent plants think about their value to wildlife as well as the size structure and form. Buddleia and Hebes are great for butterflies while Philadelphus and Lavender are loved by bees. Evergreens make great bird habitat especially in winter if planted against a wall or fence. Do not collect the leaves shed by deciduous plants in autumn, these will provide cover for many insects newts and frogs. March is a suitable time to prune many types of shrubs. Cornus the Dogwood that have given us brightly coloured lime green, cream, orange or bright red bare stems during the winter months should be cut back to almost ground level now so that we get another crop of stems with the brightly coloured bark next winter. Use the cut stems to support tall herbaceous plants. In March shrubs that are grown permanently in pots should have the top 30cms of soil removed and replaced with fresh compost and a slow release general or ericaceous feed and then coloured chippings placed on top to reduce water loss in hot weather. Planting trees is a brilliant way for reducing
Place, Olney, Bucks. MK46 4AJ 1st - 30th March: Don’t miss 'Bringing Up Baby', a display of historic infant clothes, in our Three Hares Gallery. Contact: 01234 711516
Bedford Local Wildlife Trust: Wednesday March 9,
of a few days without overnight frosts give the grass a trim with the mower blades set high. It will probably still be too cool for grass seed to germinate but it is fine to lay turf. If you are repairing damaged areas dig a shallow area to accommodate the new turf. Sprinkle the soil with Growmore or Fish Blood and Bone, lay the turf and tread to firm. Keep watered. Treat any weeds with a lawn weed killer and feed the entire lawn with a good lawn feed to improve the root structure which helps the grass to grow stronger absorbing more water and resisting disease. Next month we are planting seeds and discovering new varieties.
GROW YOUR OWN FRESH HERBS
www.miltonernestgardencentre.co.uk
Tel: 01234 823033
MILTON ERNEST GARDEN CENTRE
Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnam Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ. ‘Fenland – that sinking feeling’ – an illustrated talk by Dr Pat Doody. Plenty of parking available, All welcome, no charge but voluntary contributions are appreciated. Further details contact under Events on www.wildlifebcn.org or 01234 266057
Antiques & Collectables Fair: ERTA Stall Saturday
March 5, 10am – 3:30pm. St. Paul’s Church, St. Paul’s Square, Bedford MK40 1SQ. Admission £1 Please visit the ERTA stall & show your support. Contact:
Sandy Historical Research Group: 7.30pm
Tuesday, March 8, Beeston Methodist Church Hall, The Baulk, Beeston, SG19 1NR. A talk by Debbie Land of The Shuttleworth Collection entitled “Secret War – The Lysander, RAF Tempsford, and the SOE” (Special Operations Executive). Entry for non-members £3.50. Contact:
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
Kempston Senior Citizens Club:
DANCING, WHIST, BINGO. Meets Wednesday 10am-12noon Friday 10am-4.00pm, CENTENARY HALL, behind Kempston Town Hall, for further information contact: Sheila Cobban, on 01234 347306.
Bedford National Trust Association: Addison Centre,
Kempston, MK42 8PN. 2.15pm Tuesday, March 15. The speaker is James Higgs. "35 Years as a T.V.Quizzer" James has been on many different quiz shows, including: 'Tell the Truth', 'No Win - No Fee, '15 to One', 'The Weakest Link, and 'Eggheads' "James will bring a tear to your eye and a lump to your throat". And he will certainly make us laugh. There will be a small admission fee. Everyone welcome. No need to book. Plenty of parking space. For further information Contact: Garry Telling on 01480 819 625
Friday March 4, 7.15 for 7.30 start, at Putnoe Heights Church Bedford, MK41 8EB. Stephie Butler is going to show us how to use liquid charcoal in conjunction with watercolour to create exciting works of art. Entry is free for members, £5 for visitors. Contact Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or www.bedsartsociety.co.uk
Bedford Art Society:
New and Pre-Loved Sale: Saturday March 12, 10am-
2pm in support of East Anglian Air Ambulance. Church of Transfiguration ChurchHall, Bedford Road, Kempston. Clothes for all, toys, games, DVDs, Homeware, Baby and Toddler and more… FREE ENTRY Contact
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Mohammad Yasin Living safely doesn’t mean ignoring Covid exists Boris Johnson has set out his plan to ‘Live safely with Covid’ which, sees the end of all remaining Covid rules, including dropping the legal requirement for people who test positive to self-isolate and the ending of free lateral flow and PCR tests. We have all been learning to ‘Live with Covid’ since the pandemic appeared – this is the new normal – but if pretending that Covid no longer exists is the Government’s strategy, then this is no genuine strategy at all. It seems obvious that reducing the use of tests, especially when infection rates have been over 46,000 with hospital admissions over 9,000 and deaths within 27 days of a positive test still high at 1,163, is at worst negligent. Not only will it remove one of most effective weapons in our fight against the virus, but
scientists have also warned that it will compromise the UK’s capacity to detect new coronavirus variants and put lives at risk. In haste to give the impression that the pandemic is officially over, the Government has apparently conveniently forgotten about the 1.5 million clinically vulnerable people. Although free testing may still be accessible to this cohort, as well as older adults, it makes it very much more difficult for the family and friends of vulnerable people to keep them safe. Without free testing, many scientists are voicing their concerns that they will lose sight of the virus. No testing means no information and we lose the most effective way to detect early signs of new variants of concern. The one certainty is that Covid-19 will
Richard Atkinson Does he take sugar?
continue to evolve. Ending free tests will disadvantage those who can’t afford to pay for them and introduce inequality and uncertainty into a system that has so far saved many lives. A successful Covid strategy would recognise a new normal where we maximise our freedoms while recognising that Covid will always be present, rather than fantasising that it no longer exists. We must reframe small mitigations as basic public health protections and continue to recognise that while vaccinations have allowed the majority of us to no longer have to fear Covid, for many of our friends, family and neighbours, Covid is still a matter of life and death.
Dave Hodgson We’ve planted a record number of trees – over 10,000! The last few months have seen a tree planting frenzy in Bedford Borough. The Council has been busy planting a record 10,000 trees, the Forest of Marston Vale have also been planting thousands of trees, a number of residents have participated in the Trees for Streets campaign and there have been many trees planted for the Queen’s Green Canopy Jubilee scheme across the Borough with at least one tree in every Ward in the Borough. During February the Council gave away 5,000 trees for local residents, businesses, schools and community groups to collect and plant in their local areas.
It is vital that we plant more trees to help tackle climate change and reach our commitment to be a net zero carbon council by 2030. Special thanks must go to the Forest of Marston Vale who have been planting for a number of years and have, so far, planted over two million trees across 12 woodland sites. Planting trees provides a boost to the local environment, from helping to tackle climate change, making the local area more beautiful, improving health and wellbeing, and creating better habitats for local wildlife. Last month we saw mass plantings at Jackman’s Farm and at the Woodland at
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Octagon Woods and Octagon Farm North. There have been a number of smaller tree planting projects including: n 12 UK-grown Japanese Sakura cherry trees were planted in Jubilee Park having been gifted by the Japan-British Society. n 45 trees planted near Queens Walk, the footpath that connects the town centre, Queens Park and Great Denham as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. n An avenue of lime trees on Goldington Green leading to the War Memorial. As you go round the Borough, please do look out for the new trees and watch how they grow over the coming years.
Recently I visited a friend who very sadly has a degenerative disease. It is taking its inevitable toll on her body. She is increasingly using a wheelchair. Reflecting on this developing disability, her husband said: “I now get lots of people talking to me about how she is.” In other words, talking over her, not talking to her. It is that ‘does he take sugar’ experience that was the title of a BBC Radio 4 programme that up until the late 1990’s explored different aspects of disability and focused attention on the priority of engaging with people who are disabled as one would with someone who is so-called ‘able’ bodied. My friend is quite clear – there is nothing wrong with her mind. It is her body that is letting her down. But even for the person with learning disability it is no different. Each individual is to be seen as a person in their own right. Hearing their ‘voice’, not just about whether they take sugar, but deciding on key life choices. This month I visited the headquarters of Mencap in London to discover more about their significant contribution to the flourishing of those with learning disabilities. What I heard was both
inspiring, but also challenging – not least in regard to the need for more generous funding of social care. Mencap takes very seriously the valuing and supporting of people with a learning disability. At the heart of this is enabling their voice to be heard, but Mencap recognise they can do better. If you Google images of their HQ in central London, you will see the strap line ‘The voice of learning disability’ on their frontage. However, this is being removed. As their Chief Executive says, it is the people who are the voice not Mencap. Jesus in the Gospels makes a priority of hearing the voices of those who would otherwise be excluded. He gives priority to the leper, the possessed and the disabled. He goes to the pool at Bethesda where ‘a great number of disabled people used to lie’ (John 5:3). It is the outworking of that great image of the Body described in the first letter to the Corinthians with its emphasis on the indispensability of what appear to be the weakest parts. Who do we need to hear? Where are we in danger of speaking over someone? How do we give voice and value to all?
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14
— MARCH 2022
TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com
music
comedy These are sure to get you laughing!
THE
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Food served: Mon-Sat 12-2, 6-9 Sunday 12-4 See our Facebook page for upcoming events
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by Tony Hendrix Those of you who remember spending time stomping at the local college student nights back in the 90s, I'm sure will remember one of the biggest Indie anthems of all time ‘Unbelievable’ by EMF, well you now have the chance to dance alongside EMF live at Bedford Esquires on Sunday, April 10, 2022 EMF, the band responsible for the chart topping smash hit ‘Unbelievable’, are back with their first album of all-new material since 1995 called GO GO Sapiens, this is the anticipated album that fans have been patiently waiting for. It begins a fresh new era for EMF. Funded by and created for these dedicated fans of the band, the new album reinvents the classic
“Sweet as a nut”
EMF sound to another level. The album features 11 tracks written and recorded during the summer of 2021. The lead single from the album will be the blistering rock track called “Sister Sandinista.” EMF are excited to showcase their new material, and are planning to conduct a small UK tour in April of 2022 bringing the show to Bedford for their very first visit to the venue on Sunday 10th April Tickets for all shows are now on sale at Esquires. The Team at Bedford Park Concerts have now confirmed their headline acts for Bedford’s most popular family event on Sunday, July 31, 2022 when Bedford parks Proms celebrates its 25th anniversary which is undoubtedly the biggest family yearly event to be held in the county. Opera Star and BBC Radio presenter Wynne Evans will headline along with Broadway and West End sensation Marisha Wallace.Opera. Wynne Evans made himself a household name as the spoof opera star Gio Compario. in the Go Compare insurance adverts, Singer and actor Marisha Wallace is a Broadway and West End sensation, best known for starring in Something Rotten, Dreamgirls, Waitress and more The soloists will be accompanied by the
London Gala Orchestra conducted by the enigmatic Stephen Bell, with support from The Bedford Choral Society. Bedford Park Proms has one of the best laser shows in the country and a firework spectacular to finish the evening. It’s the only show that you can bring your own drinks and picnics too and its suitable for all ages. Tickets are £25 for adults, Children Tickets - £5 and under 5s go free. www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk/ev ents/bedford-park-proms-2022tickets/
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Thursday March 10 The Gordon Arms, Bedford Headlining the show is ANDY ASKINS. He hails from the North East of England. He is a first-class guitar-wielding comedian with a captivating voice and wickedly dry sense of humour. He recently finished second in the prestigious British Comedian of the Year competition. Andy has appeared on The John Bishop Show (BBC One),
performing a storming set at the Hackney Empire, alongside a stellar line-up from the worlds of comedy and music. Having impressed audiences and executives alike, Andy returned a few months later to perform on The John Bishop Christmas Show! He has also performed on The Comedy Store for Comedy Central, and two series of The World Stands Up, also for Comedy Central. ‘Brilliant and unique’ John Bishop Opening the show is TONY COWARDS aka ‘’The Punnasuarus’! He is a rapidfire gag merchant with an arsenal full of one-liners! For laughs-per-minute he’s tough to beat! His quick wit and vast array of jokes has made him a sought after act and compere by comedy clubs and promoters across the UK and internationally. He is a regular feature in lists for 'Best Jokes' at festivals or Christmas and his twitter account @TonyCowards is followed by 20,000 people! "The best joke writer around" GQ 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 Visit: www.castlecomedy.co.uk
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Now a solo stand-up performer and playing all the major comedy venues in his own right, he rocks every gig he plays!
“If you’re a fan of Bill Bailey or Rich Hall, you’re probably a Christian Reilly fan already” THE GUARDIAN
It’s ‘unbelievable’ what Bedford has got going on this summer
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Saturday March 5 The Rufus Centre, Flitwick Headlining the show is HAL CRUTTENDEN. He is one of the top comedians working in the UK today, as well as being a highly accomplished writer and actor. He has hosted Live at the Apollo! Performed twice at The Royal Variety Performance, appeared on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and Have I Got News For You. He has his own Radio 4 sitcom 'Hal', won Celebrity Pointless and is frequently seen on ‘Great British Bake Off – Extra Slice’. ‘He’ll make you laugh…a lot!’ HHHHDaily Mirror CHRISTIAN REILLY will open the show in style. He is a Perrier Award-winner and former partner of gruff American mainstay of comedy Rich Hall! Christian’s career has taken him around the world many times. On his way, he received accolades at international festivals and numerous network TV credits.
MARCH 2022 —
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Eagles unbeaten since November
15
sport
Kidlington v Bedford Town
February 12, 2022, abandoned at half time
BEDFORD Town Football Club are disappointed that the recent Southern League Division One Central match against Kidlington FC was abandoned at half-time. It is still unclear what the facts are, but what is known at this stage is that match officials made the decision to abandon the game at the start of the second half, when the players and management from Kidlington refused to return to the pitch for the second half. Bedford Town led the tie 1-0 at half-time, thanks to a 45-minute goal by Connor Tomlinson. At the point that both teams left the field, there was an altercation in the tunnel. The club’s staff are working with the Football Association and the Southern League to investigate the situation and assist with any decisions regarding the outcome of the match. Until that has been concluded, there will be no further comment from the club.
Another Eagle flying high
Above: Lewis Miccio closes in on FC Romania player in the match played on Saturday, February 5, 2022. With Eagles running out winners, scoreline Bedford Town 5 FC Romania 1
The funeral of Mick Spavins took place on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. At Bedford Crematorium, on Norse Road, Bedford. Mick was a life-long Eagle, having supported the side since being a small boy. Following the service family, friends and colleagues at Bedford Town FC gathered at the Eryrie to share their experiences of knowing Mick and celebrated his life.
Will Summerfield’s progress gets blocked by Kidlington players during the Eagles’ abandoned game, on February 12.
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