Kempston Calling October 2021

AMAZING!

OCTOBER 2021

GRACE LAND PLAN

Artist’s impression of the proposed development.

A DEVELOPMENT on a huge open space site between Cemetery Road and the river Great Ouse in Kempston is being proposed.

The project of 80 homes, and large church for a congregation of up to 700 of the Grace Community, is being supported by Bedfordia Developments Ltd.

The name Bedfordia was associated with the huge housing development around the Bedford Bypass which today stretches from Kempston to Biddenham. The local Ibbett family, who are shareholders, are members of Grace, says the consultation website.

Leaflets were distributed to some in the local community shortly before a well attended public event at the Addison Centre on September 19. Another was scheduled for October 3, between 2-5pm.

The proposed site sits alongside the Kempston ‘Hammers’ sports ground, which itself is entered via the lowest part of the old High Street.

Two entrances for the new development, called Riverside Meadow, will be via Cemetery Road.

So-called Riverside Meadow stretches from the

by Jane Bird

trees bordering the north of the rugby pitches at the sports ground, to close to the bypass fly-over bridge.

The area immediately between the river and the site is being set aside as a ‘high ecology zone’. The dividing line is the rural walkway which stretches from Church End, near All Saints Church, to Water End, Kempston. Emphasis will be on improving the ecological diversity of the whole site, and ensuring accessible routes for walkers.

Further detail on www.riversidemeadow.org refers to previous plans for a community centre near what is now Lidls, which didn’t materialise.

This new facility will offer a variety of spaces for use by the community.

It will not be licensed so will not be suitable for some social events.

The ‘enabling’ or financing of the project will be done through the building of 70 homes and 10 flats on the site. This will be lower density housing than is often the norm in pressurised commercial projects seen elsewhere in the Borough.

70 ‘low density’ homes and 10 flats will support development of the site

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— OCTOBER 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

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Stalwart of the community remembered

Bedford High Street works move to overnight working

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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KEMPSTON CALLING OCTOBER 2021 —

KCC EDITION

3

All change for Kempston schools KEMPSTON Challenger Academy, Daubeney Academy and Springfield Primary School are being taken over by the Chiltern Learning Trust (CLT).

This transfer will have been com-

pleted by the end of autumn 2021.

In the meantime an interim agreement has been made between the existing ‘managers’ Challenger Multi-Academy Trust (CMAT) and CLT. This robust agreement will

ensure CLT can provide immediate, short-term support for pupils and staff across four (including Lancot Primary at Dunstable) CMAT Bedfordshire schools.

In a letter to parents, CLT say it is: “Committed to bringing together pupils, families, and other local stakeholders to deliver opportunities and experiences that are beyond those they would receive elsewhere.

“This agreement will include supporting leadership within schools, strengthening teaching and learning and the development of strong governance at each school.

“CLT will also deliver additional support in reviewing current strategies for school improvement, support premises development, facilities and estates teams and provide communication and marketing support to schools.

“Central to all of this is the provision of a strong, all round curricular and extra-curricular education for our pupils.”

For more information go to: www.chilternlearning trust.org/ Kempston Challenger is what was Hastingsbury School which opened in 1970 with a group of 120 students who had passed the 11-plus, but were caught in a gap with the move to a three tier comprehensive.

The following year it officially opened as an Upper School for those aged 13 and upwards. During recent changes, which included the switch from three tier to two tier in Bedford Borough, Hastingsbury became part

of the CMAT. Meanwhile, the future of the former Robert Bruce large school site on Hillgrounds is raising questions.

New School yellow lines have been painted outside and further news is awaited about ideas of it being made into a school for those with special needs.

Robert Bruce closed as a middle school in August 2016. A Government website still lists it as being linked to the Kempston Challenger Academy.

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— OCTOBER 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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

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

However it was a very special guest appearance

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

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

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

Grandson Benjie spoke about the importance of

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

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

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

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

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

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Photography: Caroline Greenwood (CG Photography)

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

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Housing on former Robert Bruce site

PLANS are agreed for work to begin on a section of a derelict site in Kempston.

The old Robert Bruce School, owned by the Challenger Multi Academy Trust, was closed in 2013, with the empty buildings slowly left to fall into disrepair.

For a while the outdoor facilities and sports pitches were still used but these were closed in 2017. The Council has now received funding from the Department for Education to design and build a new school for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) is to be built on the site.

The land to build the school will be transferred to Bedford Inclusive Learning and Teaching Trust (BILTT) who will run the school once opened.

That will take up to six acres of the 17 acre site. The remaining 11 acres will be the

responsibility of Challenger Multi Academy Trust to manage and develop.

They plan to build some housing but also some sports facilities and are in discussion with Sports England on how best to develop such facilities.

A spokesman for the Challenger Multi Academy Trust, said: “This is an exciting and worthwhile project we are pleased to be involved in.”

A spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council said: “We are excited to finally be engaging in the design process to build the much awaited Special School in Kempston.

“The Council’s commitment to co-production means that our Parent/Carer Forum who represent local families of children with SEND and local stakeholders will be involved in the process throughout.”

Faces of Kempston

Continuing our “sharing” from Facebook of stories from life in Kempston: Les Barker has developed a following on a range of local FB groups with his stories of yesteryear. Here is one from Kempston: THIRTEEN ‘ENDS’ OF KEMPSTON. Small hamlets which surrounded the main settlement were BelI End, Church End, Box End, Moor End, Bridge End, Thistley Green, West End, East End, Wood End, Crow End, Green End, Up End, and Kempston Hardwick.

ROMAN FORD ACROSS THE RIVER An interesting geological feature in Kempston.

Great slabs of Oolitic limestone cross the river near the Lady’s Walk are clearly visible stepping down into the middle of the river.

Lady’s Walk is just halfway along Cemetry Road heading from the road to the riverside. *Just in case you think that I have made a spelling error in using the word Oolitic limestone, Oolitic limestone consists of minute spherical particles called Ooids which usually consist of small fragments of shell coated with layers of calcite formed 170,000,000 years ago during the Jurassic Period.

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KEMPSTON CALLING OCTOBER 2021 —

5

Kempston’s indoor bowls club is ready to bowl

by Rita Clifford-Pendleton

KEMPSTON Park Indoor Bowls Club is all geared up for the safe return to bowls after the protracted closures due to the covid pandemic.

The Winter Season started in September 2021.

The Club is open to all, whether you are an experienced bowler or a novice, all are welcome, we can offer coaching for those interested in honing their skills or if you simply what to learn to play the game.

There are specially adapted wheelchairs for use on the green for those who require the use of a Wheelchair. We are open every day during the winter months and offer a socially friendly atmosphere where different age groups both young and old can mix regularly.

Prices are kept low as it is a members club, run by the members for the members and the wider community.

Refreshments are available, both from the restaurant and the bar. A Snooker table and Darts are there to be used by our social members, or we have a jigsaw puzzle corner and dominoes are available if this is your preferred game. Or simply come along to

watch and meet new friends and enjoy a drink and a chat.

There is an active social team who regularly organise social evenings for members, such as Bingo, Quiz & Race Nights, with live Entertainment evenings including music and dancing which are scheduled throughout the season. Regular Coffee Mornings and Vintage Afternoon teas are also very popular events. We have a weekly Craft club at which new skills can be learnt and the Club invites all to come along and share your skills whilst enjoying a good couple of sociable hours with likeminded people. All in all, a centre for all to enjoy.

Membership applications are now be taken for our next year, September 2021 to August 2022. Full Bowling Membership is £75.00 and Social Membership is £25.00. Everyone is welcome to come along and see what we have to offer. For our opening times please refer to our website. www.kempstonpark bowls.co.uk for details.

The Management team and KPIBC members look forward to seeing the club flourish and encourage all in the local community to join us, for bowling, and other social activities. Why not come and give it a try.

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— OCTOBER 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Darcey shows a stroke of excellence

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

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

Darcey began rowing just two years

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

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

Ruth Wilkes, Federation Principal at

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Hilary making strides to remember a much-loved dad

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

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

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

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

He enjoyed poached egg on toast that evening.

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

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

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

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

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KEMPSTON CALLING OCTOBER 2021 —

KCC EDITION

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

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

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

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

Karen Keeling Girlguiding Bedfordshire County Commissioner said, “We were delighted to work with Shuttleworth on this project and, after many months of discussion, it is marvellous that the partnership has finally come together,” Karen added.

“It is a unique opportunity for our members to explore a historic gem located right on their doorstep.”

Matthew Studdert-Kennedy, Learning Co-ordinator for Shuttleworth said: “We couldn’t be more pleased to have welcomed Girlguiding Bedfordshire to Shuttleworth, and are delighted to have been able to launch this exciting new project together. We hope this will be the first step in a lasting partnership.”

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

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KEMPSTON TOWN COUNCIL KNOW YOUR TOWN COUNCILLOR Kempston North

Kempston Central and East

Sam Blacklaws

Ali Akbor

c/o 104 Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8BG sgblacklaws@gmail.com 07513 705791

c/o 104 Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8BG aakbor@hotmail.com

Sue Oliver

Kay Burley

4 Loveridge Avenue, Kempston MK42 8SD sue.oliver@bedford.gov.uk 303029

7 Westdale Walk, Kempston MK42 8NX gordoncolling@btinternet.com 843805

Kempston South

Shaun Bowman 5 Harrier Way, Kempston MK42 7TY shaun-bowman@virginmedia.com 07905 780603

Carl Meader 39 Highfield Road, Kempston MK42 7JH carl.meader@bedford.gov.uk 857621 or 07557 800156 Kempston West

Steve Conway c/o 104 Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8BG steve@steveconway.net 07592 483336

Fiorentino Manocchio 32 Hartwell Drive, Kempston MK42 8UY fiore.manocchio@gmail.com 07818 426266

Mohammed Masud 46 Henderson Way, Kempston MK42 8NP cllrmasud@bedford.gov.uk 07974 276944

Mohammed Nawaz c/o 104 Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8BG mn4bedford@gmail.com 07786 160607

Ross Purves

Terri Conway

c/o 104 Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8BG rmpkempston@gmail.com 07732 969871

c/o 104 Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8BG terri@steveconway.net 07592 483336

MAYOR AND DEPUTY: Cllrs Meader and Blacklaws

Councillors are still available Kempston Councillors are very sorry that their previously regular Advice Surgeries at Sainsbury’s has been suspended due to the prevalence of Covid 19.

It is felt that as infections rates are still high it would not be responsible to add extra risk to staff and customers by reinstating them just yet.

However all councillors are available if residents need to contact them. Details are here or from Kempston Town Council Office 01234 851005.

Let’s all try to be ‘greener’ Kempston Town Council is a keen supporter of actions to reduce the effects of climate change. Currently councillors are discussing options within budget to make the council ‘greener’ Many of us are in the habit of putting recycling materials (paper, tins and appropriate plastic) in our orange bins or bags that are collected by the Borough Council. What happens about glass? At present it is not collected at the kerbside for various reasons. Do you take your empty and cleaned bottles and jars to one of the glass recycling bins?

Great if you do but many people are unable to do this

7

because of mobility and/or transport issues. So next time you take your own maybe you could ask a neighbour or friend if they have problems recycling their glass and offer to help!

Did you know that Bedford Borough residents have saved over two million Kg of carbon dioxide by dropping their glass at one of the 50mini recycling sites in the Bedford area. It is very important that glass is kept separate from black bin waste and other re-cyclables.

If glass gets put in orange bins it will reduce the quality of the other items like paper and will not be taken. Obviously broken glass is a safety risk for staff who hand sort recycling.

We can all ‘do our bit’ however small we may think it is.

Using our orange bins properly and as often as possible is easy and it is collected for us! Recycling glass and helping others to do so will all add a little to our contribution to reduce the effects of climate change.

Tuesday October 12 6.30pm Planning 7.30pm Town Council

FUTURE MEETINGS

All future meetings will be held in Centenary Hall until further notice

104 Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8BG Tel: 01234 851005 www.kempston-tc.gov.uk Email: clerk@kempston-tc.gov.uk Office hours: 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday

8

— OCTOBER 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TENANT NUMBERS UP

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

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

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

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

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

OUTSTANDING

Wednesday 13th October 2021

KIMBERLEY

OPEN EVENING

SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

Raising vital funds for ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

5-8pm Meet our staff and students.

Explore our incredible building and learning environment.

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

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

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

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

Kimberley Sixth Form College Green Lane Stewartby Bedford MK43 9LY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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For enquiries please call 01234 762890

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KEMPSTON CALLING OCTOBER 2021 —

KCC EDITION

9

Life at the Kempston Cemetery 1914-1939 – the last in the highly informative series of articles by Mr Gerald Wiles

N the 1st of August 1914, my family moved from Bedford North End to Kempston Cemetery Lodge. My father had been appointed caretaker, having previously worked in Bedford Cemetery for several years. I was six months old at this time, so I have no memory of this move, but I understand that my mother pushed me in a perambulator from my birthplace in Salisbury Street to my new home. My sister, who was four years old, was carried by my father on his bicycle, the furniture being moved on a horse drawn trolley.

Father had been brought up in the village of Ravensden. He was the tenth in a family of fifteen and had lived in a two roomed, thatched cottage near the church. At the age of ten, he reached a certain education standard and had to leave school, although he had an older brother and sister at the same school. He commenced work as a houseboy for the village squire, Colonel Sunderland, and had to provide wood and coal for the house fires and also clean the shoes etc.

Later he helped the gamekeeper and then had other work on the farm. After some years he managed to obtain a bicycle and then worked for Garlicks, the monumental masons in Prebend Street.

My mother originated from Renhold, her father being a small-holder and the village carrier. On leaving school she was a housemaid for a Captain Pakeman’s family in Clapham Road, Bedford and subsequently helped her sister in Renhold Post Office as a Telegraph Girl.

B

efore being appointed as a caretaker at Kempston Cemetery, my father was interviewed by Mr Walter Harter of the Bury and Major Beaumont of Crossland Fosse. On being considered capable of doing this work, he was told that they wished to meet his wife, to see if she was a suitable person to live at the Cemetery Lodge. I think the remuneration was about 28 shillings per week, payable on the last day of each month and based on the number of Mondays in the month.

It is rather difficult to differentiate between actual memories and information told to me later, but I still have some clear recollections of happenings during the 1914-18 war.

I think my clearest impressions are of the military funerals which took place frequently. The army bands would commence playing the soulful music of the ‘Dead March in Saul’ when they were two or three hundred yards from the cemetery and this had a curious effect on my stomach until I was about sixteen years old. The inquisitive cattle in the nearby fields would frantically rush towards the noise. A firing party of four to six soldiers, would fire a salute of three blank cartridges each at the graveside and I was allowed to collect the blank cases afterwards. Father always inspected them as some of the artful ‘old sweats’ had a habit of pretending to fire their rifles, thus saving themselves the trouble of cleaning the barrels afterwards.

Parties of trainee artillery men would often carry out exercises in the field opposite the Cemetery and on one occasion, during a sharp rainstorm, the officer-in-charge insisted that the men came into our kitchen and living room,

although the cemetery entrance porch and buildings were readily available.

On several occasions I was taken to the old brickyard site in Green End to watch trainees from the Corps of Signals practice sending heliograph messages from one side of the ‘Kiln’ to the other.

There was great excitement when a ‘Zeppelin’ dropped some bombs near Cow Bridge and I have memories of Gwen Ashpole and May Crowsley taking me in a collapsible wooden wheelchair to look at the craters in the field near the railway bridge. I remember one of the chair’s solid rubber tyres came off near Ladies Walk and was hidden in the long grass at the roadside. A stick from a nearby elderberry was stuck in the ground to mark the spot and it was recovered on the return journey.

My father’s occupation was at first considered to be of the ‘reserved’ variety, on condition that he worked at least fourteen hours per week for one of the local farmers. Any payment was transferred to the Local Authority or the Government. In 1916 he was called up for army duty and served in the Army Tank Corps for several years at

Left to right: Sister and mother, Gladys Wiles, Mrs E. O. Wiles and Gerald Wiles.

Wareham in Dorset.

Grave digging and grass cutting was carried out by two elderly men from Margetts Road, but mother was responsible for maintaining the records and opening and locking the cemetery gates etc.

I remember running along Cemetery Road, when father was seen approaching carrying his kitbag.

In 1917 when I was three years old, I was allowed to start school as my sister was already attending and I was living near the school. Memories of the next seven years have already been recorded in last month’s issue.

Conditions of living at the cemetery were very basic, but could not be considered unusual. Drinking water was obtained from a hand pump situated in the yard in front of the house. This was available also for the use of cemetery visitors. The well was on the opposite side of the road about 40 yards away, so that there was no contamination from the cemetery and consequently the pumping operation was hard work.

Sanitation consisted of an open drain situated in the middle of the cobbled back yard, and in the summer it was rather unhygienic. The water from the pump was very hard, so washing water was provided from a large wine cask, which was fed from the barn roof. The

W

GERALD WILES had lived in Kempston since he was six months old and at the age of 95 he authored this piece exclusively for the readers of Kempston Calling.

He had witnessed many a change during his life time and has put into writing some of his memories.

In this final instalment we have Gerald’s recollections of life at Kempston Rural cemetery — first published in May 2010.

toilet was outside the back door and required emptying by hand about twice each week. In the kitchen was a sink with a bucket underneath which needed emptying in the outside drain several times each day. Next to that was a built in copper which was in use every Monday morning. Cooking was done on a coal-fired kitchen grate, the other two rooms being heated by coal fires which invariably smoked.

hen we originally arrived at the cemetery, the house was a very dark and dismal place. A large elm tree was in the front garden and two pollarded elms and a fir tree at the side.

Twenty foot high yew bushes were along the roadside, and the avenue of large chestnuts made the house a very dark place. Lighting was by table top oil lamps, but in the mid nineteen twenties, electric lighting made a real difference.

To a young boy the cemetery was a wonderful place to wander around.

There were wild flowers in profusion including orchis (orchids), violets, wild strawberries and to my amazement the rare mouse-ear hawkweed. I found this at the far end of the first plot of ground, on the right hand, close to the family grave for the Carpenter family. I believe the Wildlife Trust have preserved an area of land at Sharnbrook and I sometimes wonder of it still exists in Kempston Cemetery.

Mushrooms and other fungi could also be found including the rare toothwort. In the springtime numerous bird nests could be found, including goldfinch, skylark, wren, greenfinch and missel thrush. Every year there was invariably a young cuckoo to be found in a robin’s or blackbird’s nest, and occasionally nightingales could be heard at the far end of the cemetery.

Every evening, the cemetery had to be closed one hour before sunset and the gates locked. If a visitor was present at this time a whistle was blown warning them of the possible closure.

Opening usually occurred prior to eight o’clock in the morning, except on Sundays, when it occurred at two o’clock in the afternoon. On Sunday afternoon many visitors arrived and paraded around the paths, exchanging news and gossip with other locals. Most of the male visitors would have extravagant walking sticks and all would be dressed in their Sunday best clothes. This occurrence was so popular that, in later years, an hourly bus service was run from Bedford to Kempston Cemetery on Sunday afternoons.

On arriving at Kempston, my father had to be taught how to ring the church bells, as one of his duties was to inform the community of the death of one of the local inhabitants. This could occur at short notice, at any time of the day. For a child, bell number two would be tolled

for a short time and after a short break, the treble bell would be slowly tolled for the number of times denoting the age of the child. For a female grown-up, the treble bell would be rung for a short time and after a break this would be followed by bell number two. The age of the female would then be tolled. For a male, the ringing of the treble and bell number two, would be followed by the base bell and then age recorded.

Workers in the surrounding fields would carefully count the tolls and then have a good guess as to who had died. If father happened to be one out in his tolling, he was invariably informed of his error. He later became a regular member of the church bell ringers and is recorded as being a member of the first team of ringers to complete the ringing of a complete peal on the church bells.

He also had to attend church for all funeral services and take the wooden handcart to the church so it was avaliable for the undertaker’s use.

Both my parents were members of the non conformist chapels in their youth, but as Kempston Chapel was far away, my sister and I attended the Church Sunday School for many years.

This meant attending school at ten o’clock on Sunday mornings, followed by the church service at eleven o’clock.

As a concession, children were allowed to leave this service prior to the commencement of the vicar’s sermon.

We were quietly escorted out of the tower door, during the last verse of the hymn being sung. This was always done in a hurried manner as at this time, Sir Phillip Payne was due to arrive on his ladies bicycle, from his Wootton home.

He usually rode right into the church porch, but if it was possible to get the churchyard gates shut before his arrival, he had to dismount, giving very loud profanities and then get on it again to get to the church. He was always attired in strict horseriding clothes, including red or tartan waistcoat and fustian leggings.

At the age of 14, I was asked to become a Sunday School teacher, but this was withdrawn when it was realised that I had not been christened. From then on I attended the Stagsden Chapel on Sunday evenings, with friends from Box End, which meant walking over Stagsden Hill.

T

he Church End Sunday School was run by the supervisor, Mr Fred Bonfield, the church organist. He was the only teacher on Sunday mornings, but in the afternoon, he was aided by Mrs Beard and Mrs Cork from Bell End. Each summer we had a Sunday School treat and school attendances were always improved immediately before this occurred. In the early days this was held at Green End, in a field called Ramsey, immediately opposite to

Kempston House. All the necessary equipment was conveyed by horse and cart, loaned by Mr Harter, and the meal and arranged games were enjoyed by all. A Christmas Tree party was held each winter, with a present for all pupils, and most years a concert party was arranged in the earlier winter months, most of the contents being concocted by Mr Bonfield. Most of these consisted of local topics but unfortunately I cannot remember much detail. One or two snippets remain in my memory, such as a poem about Tommy and Billy going on a fishing expedition, when they met Mrs Wallenger, “Who said they didn’t oughta, but said it didn’t matter if they didn’t go near the water.”

When I was sixteen and had left school, the Vicar and other church officials arranged for a boys club to be started in the Church End School. This was successfully continued until the outbreak of the second World War, although the church officials lost interest when none of the members attended church services. We had two table tennis tables, one large skittle table, a dartboard and various card games and card tables. I was club treasurer for several years, but after the war all the equipment had disappeared and the club was not recommenced.

B

y the mid thirties arrangements were also made for library books to be available for issue on Wednesday evenings.

Three cases of books were delivered by the County Council each quarter. Each case contained about 40 books but one case had to be nonfiction. The school headmistress commenced this arrangement, but after a few months she resigned and I took over the duties. Choice of books was made by a large library van, arriving one evening, every three months, and borrowers were allowed to choose which books were considered suitable.

On the first time this occurred, after I commenced the duties, a thunderstorm arose in the evening and I was the only borrower in attendance.

I knew most of the borrowers were females and consequently chose the majority of books of the love-tale variety. To my amazement complaints were made of the lack of blood and thunder variety. On the outbreak of war there was no black-out arrangement in the school building and the vicar arranged for his study in the old vicarage to be utilised. For a considerable time I had arranged for him to be loaned books of the religious variety, which he kept for about three months and he didn’t wish for this service to stop. Eventually I was called up to join the R.A.F. and I think the library services then ceased.

My father died in 1938, after a four year illness, having spent a considerable time in a London hospital. My sister had married and my brother, who was ten years younger than myself was at the Bedford Modern School. We had just moved into a council house in Green End and finances were very low.

To make matters worse, war had broken out at the same time, and my sister’s husband was immediately called up for service in the army. I was in a reserved occupation for about a year but at the end of 1940, I joined the R.A.F. My brother had now left school, and had obtained a temporary position in the Borough Treasurer’s office, where I also worked.

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— OCTOBER 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

New Dean of St Albans appointed to serve Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ayesha’s in top 10% of engineers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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ENGAGING MINDS, NURTURING SUCCESS, INSPIRING FUTURES

Over 500 young people attend Commissionerfunded boxing and martial arts sessions

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

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

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

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

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

Mark Rutherford is a finalist in the National Cyber Awards

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

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

13

School awarded prestigious Useful and Kind Schools’ Mark

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

spection d in ste Of

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

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

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

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2021 —

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Teachers care about their pupils and have good relationships with them

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

14

LETTERS

— OCTOBER 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

TO THE EDITOR

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

TO THE EDITOR: Walking in the fresh

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seven marathons in seven days

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

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

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

Both schools are fully supporting them both with this challenge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

comes to you.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter

the transition is difficult.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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View from the Rt Revd

Richard Atkinson

The Bishop of Bedford

‘ENTERTAINING ANGELS’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2021 —

In Focus with

In Focus with

Dave

Yasin

by Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford

MP for Bedford and Kempston

PROTECTING OUR LIBRARY SERVICE

COST OF LIVING CRISIS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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— OCTOBER 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

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film review comedy The Addams Family 2

Comedy is back with some guy from Sweden!

After 18 months away Castle Comedy is back in Biggleswade!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

recipe Hungarian Mince Goulash

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

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

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

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

4. Simmer until macaroni is tender then serve immediately.

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

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

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

Tickets:www.castlecomedy.co.uk

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2021 —

Keep up-to-date go to: www.rosettapublishing.com/bulletin

music

out & about

The Levellers just one of the great acts at this event

Diary

Sharnbrook Mill Theatre – Duets

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bedford Music Club:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17

Yoga: Priory Methodist Church,

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

Car Boot Sale: Milton Ernest

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

Bedford National Trust Association: Addison Centre,

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

“Sweet as a nut”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE

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Food served: Mon-Sat 12-2, 6-9 Sunday 12-4 See our Facebook page for upcoming events

HOTEL NOW OPEN Queens Head, Rushden Road, Milton Ernest MK44 1RU

Tel: 01234 822412 Kempston Senior Citizens Club: Wednesday,

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

Bedford Floral Art Society: present a flower arrang-

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

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

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

Sandy Historical Society: Take a look into

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

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

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

Milton Keynes National Trust Association: The next

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dwarf Irises grow to 15cms and flower in

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The bright yellow trumpet daffodils are among

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Ten man Rovers hang on to take the spoils in a seven goal thriller

by Matthew Vine KEMPSTON ROVERS ............4 HERTFORD TOWN.................3

SCOTT Dash made three changes from Saturday’s defeat to AFC Dunstable, Dan Naylor, Harvey Laws and Carl Knox making way for Jack Quigley, Michael Hudson and Adam Drakulic who made his first start for Rovers.

Before the game it was 16th v 17th, an important match for both sides to find some form heading into the autumn.

The first half hour, both teams mustered opportunities to open the scoring, but no one from either side seemed to have their shooting boots on. That was until the 36th minute, Michael Hudson found Caleb Steele to win his first and second header before linking with Drakulic. Steele was then brought down as he was about to pull the trigger.

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Hayford took charge and sent the Hertford ‘keeper the wrong way to put Rovers in the ascendency.

Rovers had their tails up, and deservedly doubled their lead just before the half time whistle. Once again, Steele was involved, as his free kick found the head of Manangu who flicked on to Hayford to show great composure to double his and his team’s lead.

As the U11 Girls enjoyed their match at the half time interval, Rovers seemed comfortable in the game and were expected to come out and extend their lead in the second 45. However, the visitors started better and had the chance to pull one back seven minutes into the second half. Mohamed Amghar was adjudged to have pulled back a Hertford player from a free kick, resulting in a penalty.

Serge Erkarsian stepped up and went to Hudson’s left, the Rovers stopper guessed correctly and got a good contact with the ball, but it bounced into the roof of the net.

Just three minutes later, the visitors were given more confidence.

Amghar caught the Hertford

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A few minutes later Rovers regained their two goal advantage in spectacular style. Hayford once again involved, protecting the ball well on the edge of the box and setting Harry Stratton who drilled a piledriver into the far corner, sending the Rovers fans and bench into delirium!

With Hertford beginning to chase the game, gaps appeared for Hayford and Bakogeorge to exploit on the counter, and the two of them

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were heavily involved in Rovers’ fourth on 73 minutes. Hayford threading the ball through to Bakogeorge on the near touchline, before the substitute’s direct run at goal ended with a square ball for Jack Quigley to tuck into an empty net and open his Kempston account.

The midfielder was then replaced by Dan Naylor with ten minutes to go as Rovers look to keep their lead for the remainder of the game.

Hertford did eventually manage to find a breakthrough, Jack Hewitt finding space in the box with five minutes to go who headed past Hudson from 10 yards out.

Rovers were dropping, and five minutes into the six minutes added, Hertford got their third. A cross from the right was initially headed onto the crossbar, but the rebound fell kindly to Bakarr to head into an empty net.

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winger whilst on a breakaway, and the referee did not hesitate to show the Rovers centre-half a second yellow. Scott Dash immediately brought on Bennie Boateng for Christopher Manangu as the striker was sacrificed.

Hertford were expectedly having more of the ball, and Dash made his second change of the game half way through the half as Adam Drakulic made way for Reserve team regular Taylor Bakogeorge, who had previously scored in the FA Cup match v Whitton United earlier in the season.

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