APRIL 2017
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2 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017
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KEMPSTON TOWN COUNCIL 104 Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8BG Tel: 01234 851005 www.kempstontowncouncil.com Email: kempstoncouncil@btconnect.com Office hours: 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday
MEETINGS TAKING PLACE IN APRIL/MAY PLANNING COMMITTEE
11 April 6.30pm
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
11 April 7.30pm
COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUM
20 April 6.30pm
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
9 May at 6.00pm
PLANNING COMMITTEE
9 May at 6.30pm
ANNUAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
9 May at 7.30pm
KNOW YOUR COUNCILOR Kempston North Adrien Beardmore 52 Foster Road, Kempston MK42 8BU adybeard@ntlworld.com 853803 Sue Oliver 4 Loveridge Avenue, Kempston MK42 8SD s.j.oliver@ntlworld.com 303029
Kempston Central and East Kay Burley 7 Westdale Walk, Kempston MK42 8NX gordoncolling@btinternet.com 843805 David Clarke 86A Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8BB daleysclub@outlook.com 851143
Kempston South Carl Meader 39 Highfield Road, Kempston MK42 7JH carl.meader@bedford.gov.uk 857621
Richard Hyde 14 The Links, Kempston, MK42 7LA Hydeaway14@googlemail.com 300848 / 07986 225389
Peter Tansey-Dwyer 106 Hilton Close, Kempston, MK42 7FT petertanseydwyer@yahoo.co.uk 07597 717699
Fiorentino Manocchio 32 Hartwell Drive, Kempston MK42 8UY fiore.manocchio@gmail.com 07818 426266
Kempston West Lindsay Fensome 7 Kingston Close, Kempston, MK42 8WA lfensome071@virginmedia.com 07857 005384 Will Hunt 5 Vyne Close, Kempston MK42 8RH willhunt@ntlworld.com 852072 / 07787 742887
Mohammed Masud 46 Henderson Way, Kempston MK42 8NP cllrmasud@bedford.gov.uk 07974 276944 James Valentine 35 Waterloo Road Bedford MK40 3PQ jamesv@ntlworld.com 330621
GOOD NEWS! Congratulations to our own Carol and Christine on their magnificent effort in completing a half marathon in Brighton recently. Despite damp and windy weather they raised over a thousand pounds for the Kempston Mayor’s Charities: Road Victims Trust and Keech Hospice Care.
WELL DONE JOSH! The Council are also delighted to hear that Josh Tonkin has been chosen as Police Community Support Officer of the Year! Many will know of his dedication and commitment to Kempston and its residents. He regularly attends the Kempston Community Safety Forum and Town Council meetings. Thanks go to him for his hard work. Well done!
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KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 3
KEMPSTON TOWN COUNCIL
RELIEF/WEEKEND
Caretaker required for Centenary Hall and Council Offices Working alternate weekends covering cleaning/security duties for bookings from Friday evening to Sunday evening and covering the site agent for any annual/sick leave during weekdays/evenings. Due to unsocial/staggered working hours this post ideally suits a Kempston resident. Some lifting and use of machinery required, training will be given. A DBS check will be undertaken. Pay: £8.45 per hour weekdays/evenings and £12.67 per hour weekends and bank holidays Application forms/further information, contact: kempstoncouncil@btconnect.com or Tel: 01234 851005 Closing Date: 21 April 2017
104 Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8BG Tel: 01234 851005 www.kempstontowncouncil.com Email: kempstoncouncil@btconnect.com Office hours: 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday KEMPSTON CALLING is an independent monthly magazine with no affiliation to any other organisation. © 2017 Rosetta Publishing Ltd, 30 Radwell Road, Milton Ernest MK44 1SH. Tel: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952. Printed by: Mortons Print Limited, Newspaper House, Morton Way, Boston Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR
4 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017
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Rotary Young Musician winners
Mayor Carl Meader helps out the Duke reopening party On Thursday March 16, 2017, the Duke in Kempston officially reopended after refurbishment work. “The pub is now ready to be the best place in Kempston to meet for good beers, good food, live sports on the big screens and regular live entertainment,” says the lady in charge, Belinda Tramm. There’s a new outside seating area and family garden. Belinda who has had her work cutout bringing the pub around, goes on to say: “We’ll be happy to cater for your family events – we are a pub at the heart of a great friendly community, call in for a warm welcome.”
THE final of the local annual Rotary Young Musician Competition organised by the Rotary Club of Bedford Castle was held in February at Bedford Modern School. Sponsored by the local NADFAS group (National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies) and other local businesses, 14 students from 11 local schools competed for the chance to advance to the regional and national finals. The event was privileged to have Leonie Adams, a cellist with the Philharmonia Orchestra, as adjudicator for the evening.
The senior competition was won by euphonium player Thomas Coen from Redborne Upper School, the intermediate age group by cellist Seren Kapur and the juniors by violinist Chuhe ‘Brooklyn’ Fu. Prizes were presented by Charles Whitbread, the High Sheriff of Bedford and Hilary Birkett of NADFAS. A wide range of musical disciplines showed the outstanding and diverse talent that Bedford has to offer and covered violin, cello, viola, piano, electric guitar, drums, oboe, euphonium and vocal entries.
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KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 5
Ethics in action for Daubeney Academy
SCHOOL trips usually leave lasting memories of laughter and fun of visits to exotic places. There was certainly fun and laughter when Daubeney Academy’s Year 8 Ethics group went on a trip, but it was not the usual ‘exotic’ location you would imagine visiting!
They went to Bedford Foodbank to find out more about what charity is, and how it is put into action in our local community. Not only did they see the work that the eighty Foodbank volunteers undertake, but they got involved with the tasks themselves.
The Foodbank warehouse provides a vital service for the people of Bedford, with 450 – 600 people who find themselves in a crisis situation being fed every month. Over six tonnes of emergency food supplies are given to local people each month to see them through times of severe need. Students from Daubeney Academy undertook a variety of jobs, from sorting donations of food and toiletries into storage areas ready for use later on, weighing the stock which is in storage, preparing food packages from prepared ‘shopping lists’ ready to be given to people in crisis and even sorting packs of babies’ nappies! However, they were struck by the sheer amount of food in storage, and the number of people who are helped each month and commented on the number of children who can be dependent on emergency food aid; approximately 2000 children in our town. It also made them realise how lucky they are, and how vital the work of the volunteers really is. It was a sobering thought to realise that the food packs that they had helped prepared would be going out to a person in need in just a couple of days. Perhaps a visit to Bedford Foodbank’s warehouse was not the most picturesque location, but it certainly left Daubeney Academy’s students a little more thoughtful of the needs of others, more appreciative of what they have, and enthused about wanting to do more to help those who really need it – ethics in action.
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6 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017
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Teacher’s time-travelling tale!
WHAT if you had a way to go back in time and fix the little things, like missing a train or breaking an ornament? That’s the premise behind an exciting new children’s book published on Amazon by a Kempston teacher. Slipp In Time has been written under the pen name of Jonas Lane, who has taught in primary schools across the county. Combining a life-love long of writing, humour, history and science fiction, Lane has created a fun-filled tale aimed at engaging and delighting primary aged children, whilst being accessible to other ages and adults too. “Initially I came up with the idea of Slipp for my young son,” says Lane, adding, “but having taught many reluctant readers, I decided to write the book to try and encourage a love of reading for all children.”
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
Published in an easyto-read large soft cover format, and affordably priced for new young readers, Slipp In Time is the first misadventure of two young cousins and an eccentric inventor as they travel back into history. Slipp In Time by Jonas Lane is available in paperback and Kindle formats. For more information, or to order your copy, visit the author’s page at www.amazon.com/author/jonaslane
New Trust appointment
SHIRLEY Jones has been appointed as the Head of Midwifery at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust. The new Head of Midwifery has joined from West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and has held a range of positions within
nursing and women and children’s services spanning almost forty years. The majority of her clinical experience and management experience has been within community and hospital settings. Commenting on her new post, Shirley said: “I am excited to be taking up this fantastic opportunity in a successful service with great potential. I have been welcomed by such a lovely and friendly team and I very much look forward to working with everyone. I’m fully aware of the ever changing landscape of the NHS and I hope to guide the service on a steady path building on the firm foundations already set and the good reputation that I can see is already evident.” Tracey Brigstock, Acting Director of Nursing and Patient Services at Bedford Hospital said about the new appointment: “On behalf of the Trust Board, I would like to welcome Shirley to her new role. Shirley comes to us at a time when the hospital, including our maternity unit, is becoming increasingly busy with maternity services very high on the NHS Agenda. We are looking forward to working with Shirley and utilising her great experience and skills as we continue to develop our services for women and their babies”. The maternity department is based in the Cygnet Wing of the hospital and offers three birthing pools within a midwife-led birthing unit (for mothers in low risk pregnancies), a 24/7 consultant-led obstetrics unit and for sick and premature babies, there’s a special care baby unit on site staffed by paediatric nurses. In 2015-16, there were 3,016 babies delivered by the Trust’s Midwives.
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Mayor’s Quiz Night success
On Saturday March 18, 2017, Centenary Hall, Kempston hosted a packed quiz night. The event is a regular on the Mayor’s calendar, raising money for his nominated charities, The Road Victims Trust and Keech Hospice Care. Pictured with Mayor Carl Meader are Alison and Bob Panton from the Trust and also members of the winning team which was ‘Alison’s Allies’. The night raised £924.80 for the good causes. Supper was provided by Paul’s Fish and Chips.
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KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 7
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KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 9
Apprentices take to the streets to show their talent
THE Bedford College apprenticeship team took to Bedford High Street to prove that ‘earning while learning’ is a piece of cake.
Giving away Bedford College branded cup cakes and promoting free facials at Brooks Hair & Beauty Salon, was a squad of apprentices led by former Wootton Upper School pupil, Paige Dearman, aged 22, herself a former apprentice.
After gaining four ‘A’ Levels, Paige started off work as a sales apprentice at Bedford College, took time out to travel the world, then came back to win a job in marketing. During National Apprenticeship Week, Paige was proof positive that an apprenticeship can be a great start to a career. She is now enjoying extra training courses courtesy of the college and would even consider going back to be an apprentice to train as a manager in the future. “An apprenticeship was a great opportunity for me, enabling me to earn while I was learning and then be able to afford a travel year before getting a great job at the college,” said Paige. The new look apprenticeships offered by the Government means you are never too old to learn a new trade.
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“We no longer live in a world when people have a job for life. What you want to do at 16 to 18 may be very different from what you want to do in your twenties and employers can now take advantage of the apprenticeship scheme to train people in the skills they want,” explained Gina Bubbins Head of the Bedford College Business Development team which first took on Paige. “We think Paige is a great example of how flexible an apprenticeship can be for a young person allowing them to get some work experience under their belt instead of being burdened with expense of going away to university. She is now is a job in marketing which might have required a degree to simply get through the paper sift.”
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10 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017
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Bedfordshire Freemasons donate £64,500 to good causes in just one night!
FREEMASONS from across Bedfordshire gathered in Kempston, last month (March) to donate £64,639.48 to 46 local and national charities/good causes. The Provincial Grand Master of Bedfordshire, Anthony Henderson told us: “At the Heart of Freemasonry is Relief, which for a
Freemasons means supporting charities and good causes – both financially and physically – which serve the communities we live in. “We started these cheque presentation evenings to charities/ good causes some nine years ago, and if you include the £64,500.00 donated this evening, Bedford shire Freemasons have given over £664,500 to national and local good causes in the last nine years. In 2017 English Freemasonry is celebrating
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its 300th Birthday, and as part of these celebrations we intend to provide additional support to local charities and good causes”. Shirley Scotcher (Head of Fund Raising at St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger), – one of the 46 charities/good causes which benefitted from the Freemason’s generosity – told us: “I would publicly like to thank Bedfordshire Freemasons for their continuing financial support of Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice and for
the sterling work they do for us every year, by overseeing the parking at our Summer Fayre, which this year is taking place on Sunday 13th August”. As a final act of generosity, at the end of the evening one of the Freemasons – who is a volunteer at Bedford’s Shelter for the Homeless – took the food left over from the buffet, and gave it to those in our community who spend their nights sleeping on the streets of Bedford.
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REJOICE AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE
‘Call the Midwife’ has come and gone. Nonnatus House survived for a time the more austere leadership of Sister Ursula. The midwives have been augmented by nurse Valerie Dyer. Challenging issues such as female genital mutilation, the introduction of the pill, and the care of the mentally ill have been explored. And to cap it all, nurse Barbara has had her dreams fulfilled as she marries the local curate and rides with him on a fairground gallopers. What will I do on a Sunday evening without it? In the final episode of this series nurse Barbara asks her clergyman father, Canon Gilbert, about the secret of his long marriage to her mother. He replies, ‘finding joy in the simple things’.
PROTECTING THE YOUNG A PRIORITY
After criticism from the police watchdog HMIC, I want to let you know of the progress which has been made by Beds Police in protecting vulnerable young people who go missing, many of them from local authority care. A recent report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) was critical of the Force’s handling of ‘missing’ young people, including those looked after by local authorities who abscond from care or foster homes. Those who are not where they are supposed to be should be designated as ‘absent’ by police but those who have a history of previous risk factors, such as older individuals associated with them who may represent a threat of sexual exploitation or drug use, should be categorised as ‘missing’, resulting in an immediate police response. Significant changes have already been made to protect vulnerable young people, but the real shame about the HMIC report is that it couldn’t include
KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 11
View from the Rt Revd
Richard Atkinson
The Bishop of Bedford
I’ve been thinking about ‘joy’ this Lent. It has been the focus of one of the weekly study sessions I have lead in both Bedford and Luton. For ‘joy’ is a marvellous thing. Unlike happiness and pleasure, with which it is often contrasted, joy is not solely of the emotions – a pleasurable experience that comes and goes; but rather a deeper experience that can be present even when life is tough. It would be strange to say that one is ‘happy’ after a
Update from the
Police & Crime Commissioner by Kathryn Holloway
work which had just started, or is being introduced, in its assessment. A great example of that work is the introduction of a specialist Child Sexual Exploitation and Missing Investigation Team (CMIT) in Bedfordshire which takes responsibility for cases of ‘missing’ youngsters from the wider Community Policing Teams. CMIT is working and producing real results; according to the latest data from February 2017, the time taken to find “missing” young people has dropped dramatically from 71 hours to 29 hours, and the repeat cases has fallen from 47% to 31%.
funeral, but there are funerals that give ‘joy’. A colleague was talking about his father’s funeral and spoke of it as a sad but joyful occasion, because there was thanksgiving for a life well lived and a deep sense of the presence of God. For Christians the source of joy is our confidence in God. The Jesuit theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, ‘Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God’. C. S. Lewis describing his conversion to Christin faith writes of being ‘Surprised by Joy’; a joy that once you have experienced it you will want it again. St Paul in his letters urges us to rejoice – Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice (Phil. 4:1) He is at one with Canon Gilbert, for when we see joy in the simple things, when we rejoice in one another and the gifts of creation, then we too may well be surprised by Joy.
My own office is helping the Force to improve protection of these vulnerable young people too. My Director of Policy, Anna Akerman, (the author of the College of Policing’s guidance on missing people), will help train both officers and partners, particularly stressing why return interviews are so vital and what should be included to try to make sure a young person is safe and to understand why they left without notice in the first place. One particularly important thing to note is that many cases involve young people housed in our county who come from elsewhere, usually London, who often don’t want to be here. This shows what a challenge this issue is for the Force at the same time as 999 calls in life-threatening emergencies. High risk cases of ‘missing’ young people are given urgent attention by 999 response officers and a crime team led by a senior investigator. I hold the Chief Constable and Force to account. This type of work demonstrates what is being done pro-actively, around the clock, to protect these young people. It is a tragedy that this was not part of the recent report as it was such a blow to public confidence in Bedfordshire Police when the reality proves that this issue is an absolute priority.
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Borough’s first Health & Racquets Club experiences high demand
AFTER five years in the planning and a 12-month build, Bedford’s first Health & Racquets Club officially opened today, exactly on the planned schedule. Towers Health & Racquets Club is a multi-million pound development offering premium facilities that include tennis, squash, gym, studios, swimming pool and spa.
Members have flocked to the new facility just north of the town centre. By opening day the number of members was well past 1,000 and heading towards twice that number. “We are gratified and humbled by the fantastic reception that our new Club has received” commented Managing Director and owner Matthew Towers. “Some people questioned the wisdom of building a high-end facility in the town, but the Bedford public have voted with their feet and demonstrated that they value the quality and family appeal that we have on offer here”. The Club boasts the only purpose built, three-court indoor tennis hall in the county. In the winter a tennis bubble will cover the four outdoor courts, so providing seven covered courts in total, protected from the worst of the British weather. In addition the Club has four squash courts, which are the first built in Bedfordshire in recent memory. Club Towers will run teams in the local Bedfordshire tennis and squash leagues and expects to have a vibrant social scene, with a café/restaurant and licensed bar.
The 75-station gym features the latest, high-end Technogym equipment, including an Omnia Rig, Skill Mills, Watt Bikes, Climbers, Steppers, Varios and top-of-the range Artis running machines. It also includes three purpose built studios, for high-energy, mind & body and group cycle classes respectively. “Having three dedicated studios enables us to offer a wider range of classes at times convenient to our membership,” explained General Manager, Steve Davies. “For example, we can run simultaneous Body Combat, Yoga and Spin classes catering for up to 100 members at a time. We are starting with a program of around 80 classes per week and plan to ramp this up as our membership grows. We are looking forward to providing first class service alongside our high-end facilities over the coming months and years” said Davies. “Our plan is to grow our membership and continue to invest in our facilities as demand increases”.
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ILLOGICAL, INDEFENSIBLE!
The way that Bedford Hospital staff have defied the repeated threats of a downgrade to continue to provide good standards of care is a real success story of recent years. They deserve huge credit for the manner in which they have refused to let repeated Government and NHS efforts to cut or remove core services from the hospital to become a self-fulfilling prophecy of decline. Thanks to their hard work and commitment, Bedford Hospital is providing good standards of medical care and urgent care, for a large and growing population. This makes the latest proposals for a major reduction of services in one or more of Bedford, Luton or Milton Keynes
RobbeR jailed A man who robbed a convenience store and attempted to hold up a bookmaker’s on the same day has been jailed for seven years. Earl Patterson, 37, of Wootton, was found guilty at Luton
In Focus with
Dave by Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford
Hospitals all the more unjust, illogical and frankly indefensible. The proposals were published as ‘initial thinking’ in a discussion paper produced by the NHS-led review of local healthcare, the Bedfordshire and MK Sustainability and Transformation Plan. They include reduced A&E services in at least one of the three hospitals ‘especially overnight’; removing consultant-led mater-
Crown Court on Friday March 10, 2017, of one count of robbery, one of attempted robbery and two counts of possessing a firearm. Patterson held up the Coral betting shop in Williamson Road, Kempston.
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nity care in at least one of the hospitals; and reducing paediatric care at two of the hospitals, with care for the most unwell children concentrated at one of the sites.
The prospect of a huge increase in the time and distance between the growing local population and these vital urgent care services does not represent sustainability. In fact it’s nonsensical.
Instead, real sustainability will be achieved by, for example, focusing on primary care out in the community, and by integration and investment in social care.
Only then will we reduce the numbers of people going into hospital, and also prevent people staying in hospital longer than they need to. In the meantime, this obsession with a crude, blunt downgrade of vital hospital services which will harm access to urgent care must be dropped immediately.
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Brightening up the town Cllr Mohammed Nawaz has been putting some of his ‘ward fund’ in to planting crocus, miniature tulip and daffodil bulbs to enhance areas of Kempston. Notably in front of The Keep on Bedford Road and on grassed areas of Northdale Close, where they have added a welcome splash of colour. In Walcourt Road additional trees have been planted, and more shrubs have been added to the planters on the High Street.
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UK’s top teacher
JUDITH Larsen, Bedford College, won teacher of the year at the annual TES FE Awards.
Judith Larsen is a tutor at Bedford College and has been teaching for six years. Before this, she was an operations manager in the IT industry, and was inspired to change career while completing a foundation degree and discovering she had a passion for helping her fellow students. During her time at the college, she has overseen a 220 % increase in enrolments on the HNC/HND computing systems development course, as well as an impressive rise in the pass rate. The judges felt Judith’s entry stood out in a strong field because of her ‘passion and dedication’. For example, she set up regional heats for WorldSkills in IT at Bedford College, and six of her students were selected to take part in a showcase event at the WorldSkills UK competition in 2015. One student, Oliver Davis, won gold and a chance to represent the UK at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi in 2017. Last year, Judith organised a progression event for learners, which involved more than 30 local employers, as well as apprenticeship and higher education providers. Paula Hobday, Assistant Director, said: “Judith is an exceptional role model for women in computing. She was the only female instructor in the UK to be awarded the Cisco Instructor Excellence Award and provides many additional opportunities for her students outside the classroom.” The judges praised Judith for her focus on ‘top-end excellence and standards setting but also showing passion and dedication, and a commitment to learners’. For more coverage of the awards, the full list of winners and photos from the evening, please visit www.tesfeawards.co.uk
Why not give it a try!
THE church choir at All Saints Church Kempston is 150 years old this year and are keen to attract new members. The choir is a member of The Royal School of Church Music and is open to anyone whether they can sing or not! Yes they will provide free singing lessons! In fact they are planning to run ‘Learn to Sing’ courses in the future. There is no cost involved as everything is provided by the choir and as an encouragement to the junior section (under 18s) they are paid pocket money. The choir sings on a Sunday morning and at weddings - which is great fun. Practice is on a Friday evening at the Church - 6.30pm for an hour. If this is of interest please contact hgdbrooks@gmail.com or Chris on 07714 523118
KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 15
16 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017
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Football icon puts boots back on for charity
ANYONE who’s ever followed The Bedford Eagles will know and cheer to hear the name Norman Cooley, hero of the squad for many years. He’s decided to brush off his boots and re- enter the arena of play for a charity cup match in his name. Norman and the Cooley football dynasty have arranged a charity match at the Bedford town ground, The eeyrie on Saturday 6th May. The afternoon will comprise of a walking football match between Tibbs Dementia Walking Football Team and the Flitwick Eagles {kick off at 1.30pm} before the main event the Norman Cooley Challenge Cup between the Cooley Family All Stars and Cople FC {kick off at 3.00pm}. Gates open at 1pm and entry is 5.00 {2.50 for 16’s and under}. Sarah Russell CEO and self appointed captain of Tibbs Dementia WFC said ‘We are really excited to have the opportunity for our walking football team to play on a proper pitch and we plan to play hard. At Tibbs Dementia Foundation we believe that people with dementia should be able to continue to enjoy physical activity and challenge. All of our services and activities focus on supporting people to live well, and remain involved in the life of the local community, the funds raised through this match will enable us to continue to offer a broad range of meaningful activities for people affected by dementia and memory loss in the Bedford area.’ For more details or to find ways to support the work of Tibbs Dementia Foundation email contact@tibbsdementia.co.uk call 07795 177 948 or our website: www.t ibbsdementia.co.uk
KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 17
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The Will Writing Company is celebrating its 22nd Year in business and is offering a free Will & Testament (joint or single) to all readers. If you have been meaning to make a Will, now is your chance to take advantage of this exclusive offer and give you and your loved ones peace of mind. By making a Will, you decide who takes care of your children and who inherits your estate. Storage facility optional.
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18 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017
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Rotary event on Ouse to highlight wheelchair sports
A ROUND Britain tour highlighting wheelchair sports will arrive in Bedford on Saturday april 22nd. A colourful dragon boat carrying a special wheel chair will paddle up
and down outside the Bedford Swan Hotel stretch of the river. From 11am to 3pm there will be activities and games on the grounds in front of the Castle Mound. A picnic will be held
on the Castle Mound grounds in the afternoon at which all will be welcome. There will be the chance to enter a riverside walk competition and win
Love Bedford gift vouchers donated by local Bedford businesses. The event is part of a nationwide Rotary Club of Great Britain & Ireland and Wheelpower charity relay. The challenge is to find unusual ways to transport a sports wheelchair around the country. In Bedford that will be on the Great River Ouse thanks to the Cambridgeshire Royals Dragon Boat Club – surrounded by other river crafts from local clubs and organisations. They will meet local wheelchair sports stars at the Bedford Swan Hotel terrace from 11am. An annual Wheelchair Challenge, the concept of which was dreamt up by Howard Darbon, President of Sport Bedford and organiser of the successful preLondon 2012 Training Camps, has raised more than £30,000 to date. It inspired WheelPower and Rotary International to organise the Round Britain event, thus enabling more disabled people to fulfil their potential and ambitions in sport. Howard is also driving forward a project to establish a Wheelchair Racing Club in Bedford to cater for those who want to expand their involvement in sport, but cannot currently access it as the nearest clubs are many miles away.
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Hard going at Championships
BEDFORDSHIRE and Luton Schools found it tough going at the English Schools Cross Country Championships at the Norwich show ground last month. One of the favourites Ben Davies (Redborne School, Ampthill) could not take part in the Senior Boys face as he had been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Cross Country Championships. But Tia Wilson (Mark Rutherford, Bedford) did not disappoint. She was up with the leaders from the start of the Inter Girls 3.75k on a fast flat course, made difficult in high winds. Her gritty performance saw her finish in 8th place a nd she will represent English Schools in the Home Counties International for the third consecutive year. Full results: Junior Boys 42nd out of 45 Joe Lawson - Sam Whitbread - 228 Harry West - Harrold Priory - 243 Oliver Brady - Redborne - 250 Jack Sharp - Rushmore - 276 James Vinnicombe - Harrold Priory - 284 Johnnie Winter - Lincroft - 297 Kai Courtney - Sam Whitbread - 322 Nathan Hyde - Wootton - 341
Inter Boys 38th out of 45 teams Cameron Gillies - Sharnbrook - 86 Aideen Killeen - Harlington - 156 Joe Ryan - Sam Whitbread - 179 Jed Noblett - Manshead - 266 Richard Laursen - St Thomas More - 273 Jake Harrison - Sharnbrook - 297 Oliver Davies - Bedford Free School - 317 Reuben Williams - St Thomas More - 327
Balliol Lower School’s swimathon
ONE very cold and snowy February night, staff and governors of Balliol Lower School quite literally took the plunge in an effort to raise vital funds for the school’s charity, ‘Friends of Balliol’. This chilly challenge saw a team of 26 swimmers take a midnight dip in the school’s outdoor swimming pool as part of an two-hour endurance swimathon, on Friday 10 February.
Senior Girls 29 out of 45 Bonnie Murphy - Wootton - 102 Anna Vinnicombe - Sharnbrook - 104 Lauren Nichols - Bedford 6th form - 125 Josie Smith - Bedford College - 181 Ellie Lawton - Bedford Girls School - 275 Anna Garbutt - Bedford Girls School - 285
The aim is to raise £10,000 to support the school in raising extra resources for the exciting times to come. Kylie Storey, Head Teacher at Balliol Lower School, said: “Everyone managed to stay in the water for their full five-minute leg of the relay – and some even opted for a longer stint and looked like they may actually have
enjoyed the experience! This is a very exciting time with Balliol Lower School converting to a Primary School in September 2017.” If you would like to show your support to our Polar Plungers and to Balliol Lower School, there is a Friends of Balliol JustGiving page, which can be found at the following link:
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Senior Boys 38th out of 45 teams Ryan Ward - Sam Whitbread- 120 Sam Burton - Stratton - 200 William Forster - Sandy - 248 Dominic Menzies - Bedford College - 268 Eryk Sokolowski - Bedford Modern - 270 Matthew Birchall - Bedford College - 296 Jamie Stancombe - Harlington - 318 Tom Angel - Sam Whitbread - 323
Junior Girls 42 out of 45 teams Sophia Perusko - Bedford Modern - 24 Amy Killick - Van Dyke - 240 Niqole Carter - Broadlands - 322 Yasmin Palmer - Harlington - 324 Caitlin Allen - Stratton - 325 Marisa Mistry - Bedford Girls- 328 Emma Moore - Sam Whitbread - 331 Lucy Tapster - Margaret Beaufort - 341 Inter Girls 21 out of 45 teams Tia Wilson - Mark Rutherford - 8 Rose Abbott - Sharnbrook - 101 Libby Jay - Chalk Hills- 118 Hannah Shelton - Sharnbrook - 179 Katie Lansbury - Wootton - 217 Sophie Maddock - Cardinal Newman - 224 Lucy-Mae Shepherd - Wootton - 236 Maisie Relton - Mark Rutherford - 279
KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 19
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20 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017
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APRIL IN THE GARDEN – by Milton Ernest Garden Centre
E can save a lot of money trying to make our garden colourful this summer by growing flowering annuals from seed. The thrill of sowing seeds and watching them grow is very satisfying. These plants are either hardy and frost resistant or tender and damaged in cold weather so ideal for long summer flowering. An annual is a plant that germinates easily and produces lots of colourful often perfumed flowers full of pollen because they need to be pollinated and produce their seed within one year. This need for perpetuation attracts lots of bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other pollinating insects. Bees are particularly attracted to blue flowers, butterflies pastel shades and hoverflies to orange. These plants are very useful space fillers and for areas of naturalising because they set and spread their seed very readily so if left undisturbed will quickly spread in a couple of seasons. Choose the varieties depending on the place you want colour be it a sunny border, dry bank, hedgerow, shade or woodland. Hardy annuals can be sown directly into weed free finely raked soil at the beginning of May when the soil is warm. If the surface is too rough cover it with good planting compost like John Innes which will give a fine tilth into which fine seedlings will easily germinate. Now water to moisten the soil, scatter the seeds thinly and just cover with fine compost. Water every couple of days during the germination period which is usually 10 to 14 days. Another way is to plant a pinch of seed into a planting cell tray with approximately 5cms square cells using seed compost. When the seedlings have two true
W
Plants for pennies
leaves thin to three seedlings per cell and grow on until the plants are easy to handle, about 5cms, and then plant into the border or container. The same technique can be used for any tender annuals which can be started on a sunny windowsill and planted outside after the last frost in April or May. Here are some suggestions of hardy annuals to grow. Calendula or Pot Marigolds and Nasturtiums are bright cheerful plants with lemon, yellow, orange and red flowers ideal to grow in the fruit garden to aid pollination. Ipomea or Morning Glory, Sweet Peas and
Convolvulus are all climbing annuals. Grow at the back of the border or in a patio pot. Pick the sweet peas every couple of days to promote more flowers. Mignonette, Night Scented and Virginia Stock are very highly perfumed and fill the evening with their wonderful scent. Plant these in tubs on the patio to enjoy with your G&T. Nigella, Poppies, Larkspur, Linaria, Canterbury Bells, Candytuft, Cornflower, Godetia, Scabious and Clarkia are all traditional cottage garden plants to sow in patches in mixed sunny borders to keep the interest here all through the summer months. Insects are particularly attracted to Agremone with huge saucer shaped flowers and Clary with upright Oxford blue spikey blooms. Nemophila with powder blue Forget me Knot, only larger, flowers and Limonanthus the Poached Egg plant has white flowers with yellow centre. Both low growing front of the border plants. For shady areas Foxgloves and Honesty thrive. Although strictly biennial they are treated as annuals. If you have a garden large enough for a wild area scatter wild flower seed mixes. You will love the result. Sow, grow and enjoy without breaking the bank.
Garden notes by Richard Callaghan
AS I said last month, March is a hectic time. I have been busy sowing seeds. I sowed eight varieties of tomato and three types of peppers. One was an ornamental bush type called Basket of Fire, which has fruits in a range of colours from yellow to purple until they ripen to a dark orangey red. Another was the large bell type for cooking and the third was a chilli called Citrus chilli which has smallish fruits which look like Mandarin Oranges. This also forms a compact bush and along with Basket of Fire is suitable for growing outdoors when the weather warms up. These were sown in a propagator at the same time as the tomatoes. I identified each variety with a permanent marker. Sadly it turned out not to be too permanent. The condensation washed the writing off so I had about eighty plants which I did not know what was what. Consequently I had to re-sow, this time using a laundry pen so I have some pot luck tomatoes to find a home for. In my poly tunnel I have set my onions to try and beat the onion fly which has plagued us for the couple of years. I have also made two sowings of radish, lettuce, spring onions,
beetroot, and carrots, waiting until the first sowing is up before making the second sowing to get a succession. I have also sown Robin Hood dwarf broad beans in metre long lengths of guttering to plant outside later this month. I have planted one lot of early potatoes and now that the Brussels sprouts and broccoli have just about finished I can fork that piece of ground over and get the rest of my potatoes in. A couple of people have suggested that I try a variety called Mayan Gold. Apparently they can be a bit disappointing if you are looking for a heavy crop but are otherwise worth a try just for the taste. What the heck, it’s worth a go. Sometime in the next couple of weeks I will be starting off this years winter greens as well as my leeks and runner beans. I am a little bit later with my beans than usual but as the weather warms up they will catch up. The parsnips I leave until the end of the month to sow as I find they germinate more reliably then and might not get to “what did you grow them that big for?” size. Now I am just off to pot on the tomatoes, both the ones I know and the ones that I don’t.
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KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 21
out & about Five years of fun and laughter Gordon Arms Ent Shed Thursday April 13th
Castle Comedy Bedford is celebrating its fifth Birthday this month! Over the last five years it has brought star names and some of the best comics on the UK comedy circuit to Bedford. Every show is a special show with an amazing atmosphere that has meant that Castle Comedy has a reputation as one of the best comedy clubs in the UK! So join the celebration this april 13th at the Gordon Arms Ent Shed. There will be star acts, balloons, party poppers, competitions and of course cake! Headlining the show is Patrick Monahan, an audience favourite who blends a high-energy comedy style with hilarious and engaging topical and observational material. d Known for working a room, Patrick
is adored by his audiences with whom he makes an effortless connection… he quite simply is the nicest man in comedy! His TV appearances include the hit family entertainment series ‘Splash!’ (ITV) and the new series of ‘Celebrity Squares’ (ITV). He has also appeared on ‘Fake Reaction’ (ITV), ‘Man Up’ (Fox) and was the host of ‘Jongleurs Live!’ (Sky). “Hilarious without being outrageous” HHHH THRee WeeKS “Supremely engaging, adored by
audiences” THe SCoTSMaN “This gifted livewire commands the stage with a mix of wit and force of personality” loNdoN eVeNiNG STaNdaRd Opening the show is Scottish comedian alan Francis who first came to the notice of comedy audiences when he won Channel 4’s So You Think You’re Funny Award in 1991. Since then his reputation has grown as a writer, stand-up and actor. He is a consummate professional who has worked at best comedy clubs in the world, always delivering brilliant performances. He
has recently had his own Radio 4 series ‘Inside Alan Francis’ where he explored the workings of his own mind in relation to his life, friends and long-suffering girlfriend Jane. Plus he has made numerous TV appearances in classics such as Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression and the Alan Partridge Christmas Special Knowing Me, Knowing Yule. “The beautifully observed performances captures all the manic ambivalence of a Hello Magazine culture.” THe TiMeS “A delightfully sour hour, excellently executed” eVeNiNG STaNdaRd Completing the bill will be edd Hedges a hugely promising act who has been taking the circuit by storm at the tender age of 23! “Edd Hedges is a joy to watch.” The Scotsman Show starts at 8.15pm. To book call 07736 060541 email castlecomedy@hotmail.co.uk online at www.castlecomedy.co.uk
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22 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017
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Easter Services We would like to invite you to come and share the love, joy and peace of the season at our special services. Everyone is very welcome.
PARISH CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
PARISH CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS
KEMPSTON
KEMPSTON
Bedford Road across from Addison Howard Park
Off Cemetery Road – the church by the river
Praise Service Sunday 2nd April 10.45am
Palm Sunday Sunday 9th April 10.30am
All age worship for all the family Crafts for the children
Meet in the Church Hall. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey
Palm Sunday Communion Service
Thursday 13th April 7.30pm
Sunday 9th April 10am Re-telling of the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey
Good Friday Friday 14th April 10am Ecumenical service of prayers, readings and hymns followed by a walk of witness to the Saxon Centre
Keeping of the Hour 2pm Meditations and silence Stations of the Cross 7.30pm We travel with Jesus, carrying his cross to the place of execution. We listen to the reflections on each point of that journey (station)
Easter Day Sunday 16th April 10am
Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday Eucharist A celebration of The Passover and The Last Supper
Good Friday Friday 14th April 10.30am Activities for children in the Church Hall For information Tel: Helen Sheen 854080
Easter Day Sunday 16th April 10.30am Refreshments will be served after the service and there will be an Easter Egg hunt for the children REGULAR SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR The Parish Eucharist, held every Sunday at 10.30am Family Service 1st Sunday of every month
The celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Family Communion Service Free cream egg!
Children very welcome, there is a children’s corner in church with books and colouring materials
Rev’d Lydia Humphreys 01234 854886 Rev’d Victoria Bryson 01234 856640
Rev’d Eric Lomax tel 01234 852241 www.allsaintskempston.com
24 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017
TEL: 07724 905406
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
The Basement at Bunyan 11am-4pm Wednesday 5 to Monday April 10 (not Sunday)
Raising money for Bedford Hospital
Hitchin Band return to the Forest of Marston Vale Forest Centre this Easter to perform a set of swing classics and raise money for a new vein finder for Bedford Hospital’s Day Treatment Unit. In previous years, these concerts have raised well needed funds for ‘Cardiac Rehab’ the ‘Primrose Unit’ and the ‘Fourth Floor Care of the Elderly Complex’. This year the aim is to raise money to enable the ‘Day Treatment Unit’ on ‘Gifford Nash’ ward to purchase a ‘Vein Finder’. This will go some way to ease the discomfort and fear some patients feel when undergoing blood tests. Profit made
by the Forest Centre will go towards their target of planting five million more trees and keeping the Forest growing and thriving. Hitchin Band under their Musical Director Graham Chambers, are pleased and proud to present their seventh Spring Charity Concert in aid of Bedford Hospital on Saturday 22nd April at 7.30pm at the ‘Forest Centre’, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, MK43 0PS. Tickets are £9.00 each and 2 lucky members of the audience will each receive a £100 John Lewis voucher. A licensed bar will be open and snacks will be available. Tickets can be purchased from The Forest Centre Reception, or by calling 07947 007764.
‘Mail art – Redelivered’ exhibition Artworks on postcards and envelopes are sent via the Royal Mail from across the world to be shown in the exhibition. All artworks will be available to buy, and all money raised will go to the charity CHUMS (Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service for Children and Young People). Coordinated by Anne-Marie Stijelja.
Wednesday 5 and Wednesday 12 april – 10am-4pm one-day embroidery Workshops with Nodeen Salmon Local artist, Nodeen Salmon, takes her inspiration from nature to create her beautiful embroidery. Using the seasons as her starting point, Nodeen explores the flowers and trees of spring, summer and autumn, and the bare branches and snowy landscapes of winter, to produce work of subtle colours that also reflect the structures, textures and shapes of her Caribbean childhood. Following her talk about her life and embroidery ‘My Life In Stitches’ last month, Nodeen is offering two workshops at The Basement at Bunyan – the first, for machine embroidery, is on
Wednesday 5 april; and the second, using hand embroidery, is on Wednesday 12 april. both workshops run from 10am-4pm.
Tuesday 18 to Saturday 29 april – 11am-4.00pm (not Sunday) josepa Munoz exhibition Her Catalan background, prior to moving to England in 1990, has been critically important to Josepa’s work. She experiments through the physicality of paint as a medium, and explores the theme of temporality. The representative elements are a record of things that fascinate her, scenes that have disappeared and she wishes to immortalize. The paint brings memory to life in the present day. For more information on these Events and Exhibitions please visit: The Basement at Bunyan via the John Bunyan Museum entrance in Newnham Road (opposite St Cuthbert’s Church).
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the place p
www.theplacebedford.org.uk/ 01234 354321
Daoiri Farrell
Monday’s Child
Tuesday 4 April 8pm (doors open at 7.30pm)
Monday’s Child tells a simple poetic story of the unique bond between an old woman and a little girl. Together in a dream-like garden, they sing and dance and dress up as they joyously explore a treasure trove of memories. This sensitive, imaginative yet funny story explores how we make and store memories as we grow up and discover the world; how these shape who we are, and how they help us to meet the challenges of growing old. Monday’s Child was developed with input from neuroscientists at the University of Sussex, and the Alzheimers Society. Writer Brendan Murray says, “it came from a director whose mother-in-law has Alzheimers and she was interested in the relationship between her mother and her children.”
A former electrician, who decided to change profession after seeing Christy Moore perform on Irish TV, Dublin-born traditional singer and bouzouki player Daoiri (pronounced Derry) Farrell is being described by some of the biggest names in Irish folk music as one of most important singers to come out of Ireland in recent years.
Dizzy Boo White Cobra Productions Presents the world premiere of Dizzy Boo, a new comedy by Brian Wright. Two houses, two gardens, three couples, six people... twelve relationships. One too many barbecues, one bewildered stranger, lots of laughs, a few home truths, end of story... Or is it? Dizzy Boo has been specially written for White Cobra and is dedicated to Ursula Wright. While preparing her second production for the company in January 2016 she was suddenly taken ill and died four months later.
Saturday 8 April 7.30pm
Tuesday 11 April 2pm
Richard III Pushing the boundaries of Shakespearean Performance, Brite Theater have re-imagined Richard III as a bold and engaging one-
Friday 14 April 7.30pm
KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 25
woman show. The fourth wall has been utterly obliterated, as you the audience take on the roles of all the other characters at Richards party in this intimate and moving production.
Blues Night: Jack Blackman & Pistol Pete Wearn Wednesday 19 April 8pm (doors open at 7:30pm)
Two of the UKs best emerging blues guitarists, Jack Blackman and Pistol Pete Wearn come together for a night of great blues music. Jack Blackman is fast developing into one the most accomplished and exciting young performers on the acoustic roots scene today. Nearly Man is his 3rd full-length album. Pistol Pete Wearn described by Maverick magazine ...a master slide guitar virtuoso.
BedSlam Ages 13+ (some adult content) The sizzle and zip of the poetry slam returns to Bedford. One Slam competitor will be crowned BedSlam champion 2017 (and
Thursday 20 April 7.30pm
receive a £50 prize!). Guest performance by Hollie McNish. With Benjamin Zephaniah stating, “I can’t take my ears off her”, Kate Tempest describing her poetry as, “welcoming, galvanizing and beautiful” and fans ranging from Robin Ince, Pink, Tim Minchin, Marian Keyes to most of the UK’s midwives, Hollie McNish is a poet whose readings are not to be missed.
Pride and Prejudice Friday 21 and Saturday 22 April 7.30pm & 2:30pm Saturday matinee
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austens witty and romantic masterpiece is one of the best-loved stories of all time, dealing with the most important questions in life Will Mrs Bennet manage to offload her numerous daughters in record time? Will Lizzy and Darcy actually get together? Will creepy Mr Collins just go away please? The literary classic gets the full Pantaloons treatment in this beautifully hilarious adaptation.
26 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 APRIL IN KEMPSTON LIBRARY
RegulaR Weekly events: Mondays 2:15pm Pre-school story time Mondays 3:30-5:30pm lego Club tuesdays 11am Rhyme time tuesdays 2pm Wiggles and Jiggles Baby group tuesdays 3:30pm Homework Centre Wednesdays 2:30pm Family Colouring Club thursdays 11am Wiggles and Jiggles Baby group thursdays 2pm knit and natter thursdays 3:30pm Homework Centre Fridays 3:30-5:30pm lego Club saturdays 10:30am – 3:30pm saturday kids Club easteR & sPeCial events in aPRil: saturday 1st april: 10:00-3:30pm april Fools Clown Faces Paper Plates Monday 3rd april: 10:00-4:30pm Birds nest Collage Monday 3rd april: 4:30pm Chatterbooks Reading group for 8-12 year olds. tuesday 4th april: 11:30-4:30pm Blossom tree Collage Wednesday 5th april: 2:00-5:30pm easter Bonnet Colouring Club thursday 6th april: 10:00-4:30pm Fluffy sheep and lambs Friday 7th april: 4pm adult Creative Writing group. saturday 8th april: 10:00-3:30pm star Wars Reads Day
Monday 10th april: 10:00-4:30pm easter Bunnies tuesday 11th april: 11:30-4:30pm easter Chick Collage Wednesday 12th april: 2:00-5:30pm Hatching Chicks Colouring Club special thursday 13th april: 10:00-4:30pm Hanging Decorations saturday 15th april: 10:00-3:30pm easter Cards tuesday 18th april: 11:30-4:30pm Hama Beads easter special Wednesday 19th april: 2:00-5:30pm Paper Plate Bunnies Colouring Club special Wednesday 26th april: 2:30pm adult Craft Club (£1 per session). We also are running a design your easter egg competition from Monday 3rd april to saturday 15th april. Come into the library and pick up your easter egg template. Once complete, return it to the library and it will be entered into a prize draw! sessions for basic computer help. need help with your tablet? Book a one to one session now! Housebound library link and Mobile library services also available. Homework Centre for Middle and upper school students, every tuesday and thursday term time, 3:30-5:30pm. Download the Bedfordshire library app from the apple and Play store now! For further details on all the library events and services, visit the virtual library via www.bedford.gov.uk/libraries
TEL: 07724 905406
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
THE
con club KEMPSTON 01234 851120 Saturday Saturday 1st April OLLY MURS TRIBUTE NIGHT Sunday 2nd April JUMBLE SALE 11am till 1pm Saturday 8th April
GAYLE FRASER Saturday 15th April KARAOKE NIGHT with STEPH 16th April Sunday starts at 3pm
MOTOR NEURONE CHARITY EVENT singers • disco • all day/evening BBQ bouncy sumo • raffles • auction • money being shared between a local man and his family for a break and motor neurone disease society ALL WELCOME
Saturday 22nd April
BRAT PACK AND BUDDY HOLLY NIGHT with Steve brown Saturday 29th April BIG TRIBUTE NIGHT WITH
AMY WINEHOUSE TRIBUTE Sunday 30th April 3pm till 6pm
KIDS PARTY Sunday 30th April 8.30pm amazing COLM LYONS with his
REGGAE UB40 AND TOP HITS NIGHT Saturday 6th May
LEIGH CASLING the ultimate Elvis tribute, winner of the best Elvis tribute act, don’t miss his only appearance here this year Don’t forget to renew join the Conclub for these top tribute nights coming this year all free for members Robbie Williams • Adele • Elton John • Freddie Mercury • Michael Jackson • ABBA Sky Sports + on SUPER SUNDAY Fosters and Eagle Smooth 50p a pint cheaper between 1pm-6pm
CHECK FOR DETAILS www.facebook.com/conclub.kempston
TEL: 07724 905406 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com
KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 27 Kempston Camera Club has regular monthly photographic competitions, the most recent winner was this portrait by a member. The club meets regularly at the Church of Transfiguration Church Hall, Bedford Road, Kempston. If you would like to get more from your camera or are interested in just finding out more go to: www.kempstoncameraclub.co.uk
KEMPSTON SUPPORT GROUP FOR ST JOHN’S HOSPICE IN MOGGERHANGER
Easter Fayre & Coffee Morning Easter Saturday 15th April ALL SAINTS CHURCH HALL Church End, Kempston From 10am ‘til 12.30pm Stalls include, Jewellery, Homemade cakes, Bric-a-Brac, Easter Goodies, Gifts, Books, Raffle and an Easter Egg Tombola Admission £1.00 Refreshments included: Tea, Coffee or Soft Drink
28 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017
TEL: 07724 905406
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band Bedford Esquires Doors 7.30pm Bank Holiday Sunday April 30
‘The Boss UK’ – Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band Bedford Corn Exchange Saturday May 27
“This band is awesome -– mighty, moving and unstoppable…” amanda Price, The Times) Bruce Springsteen is touring the world – tickets for his stadium shows sold out in minutes – but don’t feel left out! The Boss UK brings all of Bruce’s best-loved hits in a sweat-drenched, ninety-minute show with all the passion, intensity and realism of true Boss. Some say, not just the best tribute to Springsteen, but the best tribute band, full stop. From the blistering opening of
‘Born to Run’ this production becomes one huge sing along so get ready to become part of the show! Bruce has sold over 120 million albums worldwide and is ahead of Queen, Abba, Michael Jackson and David Bowie in an all time list of acts with UK no1 albums! 49 nominations and 20 Grammys with Born to Run, Thunder Road, Dancing in the Dark, I’m on Fire, Born In The USA, and the Oscar winning Streets of Philadelphia among with many stellar songs brought to the stage in The Boss UK’s show. LPH Concerts are delighted to bring the band to Bedford Corn Exchange on Saturday May 27. Tickets £20 are on sale now and can be purchased online from The Corn Exchange, also in person from La Piazza, St Pauls Square, Bedford.
A Great Music Festival For Lovers of Everything Vintage Following last year’s amazing sell-out success, we are excited to announce...
TWINWOOD FESTIVAL • BEDFORDSHIRE • 25, 26, 27, 28 AUGUST 2017
Geno originates from Evansville in Indiana, USA and first came to England in the 1960s as part of the US Air Force. His love of Blues and Soul music soon found him jamming with local bands in and around Ipswich and eventually led him to London where he caused a sensation singing with top R&B acts Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band at the legendary Flamingo Club in Soho. His live shows were immortalised in two of the biggest selling albums of the 60s – “Hand Clappin’ Foot Stompin’ Funky Butt Live” and “Hipsters Flipsters and Finger Poppin’ Daddies”. His status as the undisputed “King of Soul” was cemented forever by Kevin Rowland and Dexy’s Midnight Runners in the 1980’s with the World-wide No.1 smash hit single “Geno”, which paid homage to the great man himself. Throughout the years Geno and his band have continued to
tour extensively all over the World and have released several highly acclaimed albums and singles. His latest live double album simply entitled “It’s Geno Time”, recorded at the legendary Half Moon in Putney, is widely regarded as his best work to date. Geno’s life long love of Blues and R&B has led to yet another chapter in his illustrious career with the long standing rhythm section of the Ram Jam Band (Geoff Hemsley on drums, Steve Bingham on bass and Stuart Dixon on guitar) a hardhitting, fast-moving show of classics. Tickets from See tickets priced £15 advance and will be available in person from the usual outlets of Esquires Bar, Planet Boutique in Bedford and Mario’s Hair Design in Kempston.
Gillian Flack at the Eagle Gallery
One woman show
“Landscape Journeys”
• OVER 100 LIVE PERFORMANCES OF MUSIC FROM THE 1920S TO THE 1960S • THIRTEEN GREAT VENUES • ACRES OF DANCE FLOORS • 150 VINTAGE TRADERS • HAIR & BEAUTY • COMEDY & CABARET • DANCE WORKSHOPS • INTERESTING MUSEUMS • CLASSIC CAR DISPLAYS • GREAT BARS & FOOD INCL. CARVERY • LARGE CAMPSITE W/ GENEROUS PITCHES • GLAMPING & LUXURY CAMPING AVAILABLE • LATE NIGHT CLUBS & DJ SESSIONS
2017
TICKETS
ON SALE NOW
THE MANFREDS • SI CRANSTOUN • ROY G HEMMI NGS • THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA
THE REVOLUTIONAIRES • THE CHICAGO STOMPERS • DOWN
FOR THE COUNT • ZOOT SERIOUS • JIVE ACES • MIKE SANCHEZ ELECTRIC SWING CIRCUS • FLEUR DE PARIS • STICKY WICKET • BASIN STREET BRAWLERS • THREE BELLES J J KING • THE ZOOTS • LAURA B • BENOIT & THE BEVIN BOYS VIELLEFON • THE DAISY
THUNDERBRIDGE BLUEGRASS • KING PLEASURE
DUSTY LIMITS • GOOD ROCKIN’ TONIGHT •
& THE
CHAINS • CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE • BAMBOOZLE • BO WALTON BISCUIT BOYS • MUDIBU & THE JEZEBEL SEXTET • LOLA LAMOUR • MOSCOW DRUG
MAT WALKLATE & PAOLO FUSCHI • THE BOBCATS CLUB KIERAN TOWERS & CHARLOTTE CARRIVICK • THE • THE GOAT ROPER RODEO BAND • LOUNGE KING CATS • GREGGI G • COUNTRY CATTIN’ • CAT IDEALS JOHNNY & THE JAILBIRDS • COCO BOHÈME • STILL-MOVING DJS • SWING NOIR
...PLUS MANY MORE - STILL TO BE ANNOUNCED!
ts this year, it is advised to Due to high demand for ticke price. advantage of our “Early Bird” book early, and also to take
824773 OR FOR INFO CALL 01234
CLICK:
stival.com www.twinwoodfe
THREE ANDAHALF DAYS OF ENTERTAINMENT STARTING FROM FRIDAY 25TH AUGUST
10am – 5.30pm Saturday May 6 – Saturday May 13 Meet the Artist between 10am-1pm FREE ENTRY 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel: 01234 346995 EAGLE GALLERY IS A NOT FOR PROFIT ARTISTS CO-OPERATIVE
TEL: 07724 905406 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com
KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 29
Kaiser Chiefs headline
Proms ‘Goes to the Movies’
Bedford Park Saturday August 5
Bedford Park Sunday August 6
Kaiser Chiefs are one of the century’s most popular indie-pop outfits. The band formed in 2002 and have enjoyed enormous global success since. They consist of lead vocalist Ricky Wilson, who has achieved added fame from his stint as a judge on the UK talent show The Voice, guitarist Andrew “Whitey” White, bassist Simon Rix, keyboardist Nick “Peanut” Baines and drummer Vijay Mistry, who replaced founding drummer Nick Hodgson in late 2012. The band’s big break came along when they performed at the NME Awards tour in 2005, as the opening act. This opportunity allowed the band to start making a name for themselves in the UK. Their first album debuted the same year, entitled ‘Employment’, and reached the number two spot on the UK album chart and was subsequently certified five times platinum. The album was even shortlisted for a Mercury prize, but narrowly missed out on the prestigious award. Since this encouraging start, the band has fast become one of the most successful UK indie rock bands today. Their most notable hits include ‘I Predict a Riot’, ‘Every day
I love you Less and Less’ (both from their debut album) and smash hit ‘Ruby’ from their second album, amongst many others. Their second album, ‘Yours Truly, Angry Mob’ topped the success of their first, reaching the number one spot on the UK albums chart and the album’s lead single ‘Ruby’ became their first ever UK number one single.
Just answer this question: Q: Name the song and fill in the blank – “I predict a .…” Email the answer to: info@lphconcerts.co.uk with ‘KaiSeR CHieFS CoMP’ in subject line.
WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS
Looking for a great evening of entertainment the whole family can enjoy? Then Bedford Park Proms should be high on your list of things to go to this summer. The concert will feature guest soloists Australian Tenor and West End Musical Star Daniel Koek. Daniel played the iconic role of Jean ValJean in Les Miserables and wowed the Bedford Proms audience in 2015. Joining Daniel will be Soprano Joanna Forest, whose debut album ‘Stars Are Rising’ was released in March. Joanna is one of the most exciting new British sopranos in the UK right now. The renowned London Gala Orchestra and the Bedford Choral Society will be performing popular classics and film scores. Local school choirs and a special musical
theatre drama group as well as some other special guests will be warming the crowd up before the concert. Adults and children alike will love the film theme this year, as along with the favourite classical scores, there will be some exquisite renditions of popular film soundtracks. As always we guarantee an electric atmosphere, laser show as well as the spectacular firework finale. It’s a great opportunity to get the whole family together, you can bring your own picnics and drinks into this concert and set up chairs, picnic tables and gazebo’s if you wish or just lay out the picnic rug. Buy your tickets now at www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk For further information please call Louise Harris on 07980 996318 or email louise@louiseharrispr.co.uk
Just answer this question: Q: The proms tenor this year is Daniel Koek – which iconic role did Daniel play in Les Miserables? Email the answer to: info@lphconcerts.co.uk with ‘PRoM CoMP’ in subject line.
WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS
30 — KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 TEL: 07724 905406 EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com –––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORD MUSIC CLUB KEMPSTON AND KEMPSTON CAMERA CANTAMUS MUSIC ON CLUB DISTRICT MODEL Sing ‘Music for a Spring THURSDAYS Welcomes new members – beginners RAILWAY SOCIETY Evening’ Every Monday 7.30 to 10.00 At the Church of the Transfiguration rear church hall New members welcome For further details contact Brian Woodcock on 07795251988 or brianwoodcock@btinternet.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– KEMPSTON MUSICAL SOCIETY
FAURE - REQUIEM AND KARL JENKINS - THE PEACEMAKERS Kempston Musical Society, together with invited soloists, will be performing a concert of Faure’s Requiem, and Karl Jenkins The Peacemakers, on Saturday 22nd april.
The event will take place at Kempston east Methodist Church and is in aid of the Tibbs dementia charity. The evening will start at 7.30pm and is sure to be an enjoyable event. Tickets cost £8.50 on the door and will include refreshments. To find out more about all our forthcoming concerts or information about the choir please call 01234 781010 or email prestissimo@btinternet.com..
–––––––––––––––––––––––– FAREWELL SERVICE of Revd Lydia Humphreys will take place at the Church of the Transfiguration on Sunday 21st May at 10.45am. She is to become the Vicar of St Botolphs, in Shepshed and St James, Oaks in Charnwood. Revd Lydia has conducted many Christenings, weddings and funerals for the community and would welcome people whom she has met to her farewell service. .
–––––––––––––––––––––––– VINTAGE AFTERNOON TEA, Friday 28th april from 2pm to 4pm Christ the King Church Hall, Harrowden Road, bedford, MK42 0SP Entry £3 which includes tea, home made cake and some lovely music to dance to. For information call Sue on 01234 965497
Marian Consort, vocal group Ave Virgo Sanctissima Fayrfax, Lambe, Byrd C McDowall, Frances-Hoad, Weir, R Panufnik Thursday 27 april, 1945 bunyan Meeting Tickets £18, Students (18-25) £5, Under 18 £2 on the door or from 01234 261811 www.bedfordmusicclub.co.uk
to very good! www.kempstoncameraclub.co.uk for details of programme Want to gain studio photography experience? There is a regular studio night with professional models
–––––––––––––––––––––––– KEMPSTON SENIOR –––––––––––––––––––––––– CITIZENS’ CLUB BRITISH RED CROSS
BEDFORDSHIRE Sunday 23rd April, oPeN GaRdeN The King’s Arms, Ampthill, Beds., MK45 2PP 2 – 5pm, Drinks & cakes, Parking. Tickets £3.00 pay on entry. –––––––––– Tuesday 9th May FloWeR aRRaNGiNG deMoNSTRaTioN aNd SHoPPiNG oPPoRTuNiTY at Savin’s Wholesalers, Vinegar Hill, Hatch, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1PR 11am – 3pm, Refreshments, soup & cakes, raffle & tombola. Free Parking. Tickets £10.00 available from Sandra on 01582 589084. Further details on website redcross.org.uk –––––––––– Sunday 21st May, oPeN GaRdeNS The Manor House and The Old Rectory, Milton Ernest, Beds., MK44 1RF, 1 – 5pm, Drinks & cakes, Plant stall, Parking. Tickets £4.50 pay on entry. –––––––––– Sunday 11th June oPeN GaRdeNS Dragon’s Glen, Clophill, Beds, MK45 4BQ 1.30 – 5pm, Drinks & cakes, Plant stall, Parking. Tickets £4.00 pay on entry. –––––––––– Sunday 25th June, oPeN GaRdeNS The Secret Garden, Wymington, NN10 9LS, 1.30 – 5pm, Drinks & cakes, Plant stall, Parking. Tickets £4.00 pay on entry. –––––––––– Friday 30th June oPeN GaRdeNS West End, Cheddington, LU7 0RP 2 – 5pm, Plant stall, Parking. Tickets £3.50 pay on entry. BEDFORD LOCAL GROUP OF THE WILDLIFE TRUST Wednesday 12th april 2017 Meeting 7.30 pm
––––––––––––––––––––––––
‘’POLE TO POLE’ an illustrated talk by Dr Pat Doody
This will follow a short aGM
Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ. Plenty parking available, All welcome, no charge but voluntary contributions are appreciated. Further details available under Events on www.wildlifebcn.org or at 01234 2660579
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DANCING, WHIST, BINGO Meets Wednesday 10am-12noon Friday 10am-4.00pm
at the CENTENARY HALL, behind Kempston Town Hall, Bedford Road For further information telephone:
01234 857011
–––––––––––––––––––––––– KEMPSTON GARDENS ASSOCIATION
If you are interested gardening why not come along to our meetings. New members and visitors always welcome. We meet the second Wednesday of most months of the year in All Saints Church Hall, Cemetery Road Kempston. We have speakers and demonstrations covering every aspect of gardening from Window Boxes to Allotments and outings are also arranged throughout the year. For further information contact Trevor on 01234 856040 or Marian on 01234 855288 ADDISON CENTRE KEMPSTON
–––––––––––––––––––––––– FUND RAISING MoNdaY 10th aPRil 2017 2.00pm to 4.30pm £3.00 (INCL CUPPA) Tel: 01234 851877 or 01234 340997
TEA DANCE
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
WORLD SHIP SOCIETY BEDFORD BRANCH Kempston Constitution Club 196A Bedford Road, Kempston 3rd WEDNESDAY in the month 19:30 for 20:00 start 19 april 2017 Don McKeand giving a presentation on
AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE VESSELS
17 May 2017 WSS Show made by the late Captain E Gregson
Telephone: 01234 352014 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
“TROPIC VOYAGE”
Sacred & Secular music for the Evening
St owen’s Church, bromham MK43 8ll
Saturday 13th May at 7.30pm Adults £8, Child u16 FREE
Tickets at the door: Reservations by phone
01234 825454 or (evenings) 826551
–––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORD RSPB LOCAL GROUP
Meet at ARA club Manton Lane Bedford MK41 7PF. Thursday 20th april at 7.30 pm
Jacquie Clark, head of the Demography team at the BTO presents
‘RINGING FOR CONSERVATION’
Entrance fee, group members £1 Guest £2 annual group membership £5 Reg. Charity No. 207076, more info www.rspb.org.uk/groups/bedford
–––––––––––––––––––––––– SUE RYDER – ST JOHN’S HOSPICE
The Hospice is situated in the village of Moggerhanger and provides incredible care for those living with incurable illness in our community. Each year they need to raise £2.4 million to provide this care. So please come along and support our
COFFEE MORNING
Saturday 22nd april 10.00 – 1.00pm Wilstead Village Hall (Cotton end Road).
Please make a note of this event in your diary and come along and support this very worthwhile cause. If you would like to help with donations of cakes and raffle prizes, it would be very much appreciated. Please contact Ray on 07749876923.
ALL SAINTS PARISH CHURCH KEMPSTON
––––––––––––––––––––––––
FULL AFTERNOON TEA & A GUIDED TOUR
of this historic church to visiting groups of 10 or above at a cost per head of £7.95. Contacts are Janet Fardell on 01234 855158 email:martinandjanet1@btinternet.com or Frances Leonard on 01234 852480 email: francesmleonard@gmail.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
TEL: 07724 905406 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com
1,100 Years of Ashwell History
KEMPSTON CALLING APRIL 2017 — 31
Community boat’s season launch
11am-5pm Sunday May 14 The John Bunyan is Bedford’s
The picturesque village of Ashwell welcomes visitors to its popular annual event ‘Ashwell at Home’, where visitors can enjoy a wide range of things to see and do, with entertainment for all the family. This year marks the 1,100th Anniversary of the founding of the village and there is something to see or do to mark each century of the village’s history. Stunning gardens both large and small will be open for you to view the many horticultural treasures, including the pretty village cottage garden; you can visit the village lock-up (no longer in use!) and help dig an archaeological test pit to try and discover more Ashwell treasures! Children can enjoy free workshops including storytelling, drama and crafts. They can take part in a treasure hunt, fish for treasure and pan for gold! Join in the fun at craft workshops in the school and make May Day crowns, garlands and have their faces painted! There will be a ‘Pirates centre’ at the Village Hall with lots of fun activities going on. And, new for 2016, there will be a May Procession at the end of the day, bringing everyone together. www.ashwellathome.org.uk
Community Boat run by volunteers, and provides cruises both public and private hire on Bedford’s River Great Ouse. Last year it carried over 7,000 passengers and in total has carried over 22,000 passengers since it was launched in July 2013. This year’s public cruises launch on Easter Saturday with an evening Fish and Chip Supper Cruise, followed on Sunday afternoon by an Afternoon Tea Cruise, Bank Holiday Monday also has a special Afternoon Cruise. Thereafter there are public cruises every Thursday and Sunday with Fish & Chip Supper Cruises on various Friday and Saturday evenings. The boat which carries 50 passengers also has monthly Lunch Cruises to The Anchor in Great Barford and Afternoon Tea Cruises to The Barns Hotel, plus a monthly Jazz Cruise featuring top national and regional jazz trios. The boat is fully licensed for drinks, has a 5 Star Food Certificate, and is available for private functions and parties of all descriptions including wedding cruises. Due to being run by volunteers prices are very reasonable and cruises can be booked online at www.johnbunyanboat.org, or by phoning 01908 690301.
“Landscape Journeys” Eagle Gallery, Bedford Saturday May 6–13
Bedford’s Eagle Gallery the not for profit artist co-operative will host a one woman show by renowned landscape artist Gillian Flack. Gillian is inspired by her surroundings in East Bedfordshire and beyond. She describes herself as an oil painting addict preferring to paint outdoors even when the weather is unkind. Gillian has exhibited at The Royal Institute of oil painters, The Society of Women Artists, the
Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy and numerous local and regional galleries. Her frequent travels have taken her and her brushes across Europe, to America, India, Cuba and Morocco where she has adjusted her pallet to the contrasting environment. Gillian uses the full richness of the oil paints resonance to create superbly constructed works. The exhibition runs Saturday 6 May to 13 May from 10am to 5.30pm and you can meet the artist daily from 10.am to 1pm. The entry is free at the Eagle Gallery in Castle Road, Bedford and this is an exhibition not to be missed.