NOVEMBER 2016
PRICELESS
2 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
KEMPSTON TOWN COUNCIL 104 Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8BG Tel: 01234 851005 www.kempstontowncouncil.com Email: kempstoncouncil@btconnect.com Office hours: 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday
8 November at 6.30pm PLAnning COMMiTTee 8 November at 7.30pm TOWn COunCiL MeeTing 8 December at 7.30pm KeMPSTOn BuRiALS JOinT COMMiTTee 13 December at 6.30pm PLAnning COMMiTTee 13 December at 7.30pm TOWn COunCiL MeeTing
MEETINGS TAKING PLACE IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
All meetings held at Kempston Town Council. We want you to come to our Town Council meetings. Well done!
Councillors were pleased to receive the external auditor’s annual report. The clerk was congratulated for her excellent work as it contained no problems or recommendations!
And again!
It was reported that the Mayor’s recent reception had been very successful. £1,049 was raised for the Mayor’s Charities. Guests were entertained by Kempston Hammer’s choir and a good time was had by all!
No luck
Despite advertising, the Council has unfortunately not been able to secure any football teams to use the Cryselco facility this Winter.
What do you think?
The plant troughs outside the council offices and the five ‘Welcome to Kempston’ brick planters will soon be replanted. The remaining will be cleared and left empty for the time being. Despite asking residents for suggestions regarding future planting and watering around Kempston only two responses
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have been received. What do you think? Can we do it differently? We would like to hear from you too!
Library
The Library Consultation document was discussed at the last Kempston Town Council meeting. Councillors were very concerned that the Borough Council’s public meeting at Kempston library was on the same day that the consultation closed. It was agreed that an extension should be sought. (This was granted until Friday 21st October) It was felt that the ‘digital model’ might allow the library to be open longer but that there could also be serious consequences. It would discriminate against many users and possibly be a safety hazard. It was recognised that as a result of Central Government cuts to Bedford Borough Council’s budget it needs to find £27m. It was decided at the Town Council meeting on Thursday 20th October – of the options presented by the Borough Council, the Town Council favoured the option with a reduction in hours, but with the maximum number of open hours possible by utilising volunteers.
HAVE YOU GOT A PROBLEM? HIT A BRICK WALL?
Kempston Town Council is the most local body in government and we can point people in the right direction for help with a problem. Contact your local councillor, drop in at a surgery or ring the office if you need help!
KNOW YOUR COUNCILLORS
Adrien Beardmore 52 Foster Road, Kempston MK42 8BU adybeard@ntlworld.com 853803 Kay Burley 7 Westdale Walk, Kempston MK42 8NX gordoncolling@btinternet.com 843805 David Clarke 86A Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8BB daleysclub@outlook.com 851143 Lindsay Fensome 7 Kingston Close, Kempston, MK42 8WA lfensome@btinternet.com 07857 005384 Will Hunt 5 Vyne Close, Kempston MK42 8RH willhunt@ntlworld.com 852072 / 07787 742887 Richard Hyde 14 The Links, Kempston MK42 7LA Hydeaway14@googlemail.com 300848 / 07986 225389 Fiorentino Manocchio 32 Hartwell Drive, Kempston MK42 8UY manocchio@btinternet.com 07818 426266 Mohammed Masud 46 Henderson Way, Kempston MK42 8NP cllrmasud@bedford.gov.uk 07974 276944 Carl Meader 39 Highfield Road, Kempston MK42 7JH carl.meader@bedford.gov.uk 857621 Sue Oliver 4 Loveridge Avenue, Kempston MK42 8SD s.j.oliver@ntlworld.com 303029 Peter Tansey-Dwyer 106 Hilton Close, Kempston MK42 7FT petertanseydwyer@yahoo.co.uk 07597 717699 James Valentine 35 Waterloo Road, Bedford, MK40 3PQ jamesv@ntlworld.com 330621
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KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 3
4 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
Mayoral reception KEMPSTON Town Mayor (Cllr Meader) held his Mayoral Reception on Saturday 1st October at the Centenary Hall, Kempston. Those attending were entertained by the lively Kempston Hammers Choir and also enjoyed a tasty buffet. Including donations, a healthy sum of £1014 was raised and this included money given through the sale of raffle tickets. There were also two shirts donated by Bedford Blues and Luton Town FC which were auctioned off to the highest bidder. The Mayor is raising money for Keech Hospice and the Road Victims Trust and representatives from these two organisations were at the Reception to report on the work of their respective charities. The Mayor will hold various other fundraising functions throughout his term of office which ends in May 2017.
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KEMPSTON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON Saxon Centre 6-7pm Tuesday 6 December 2016 Kempston Concert Band will be playing
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KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 5
Bright future for education in the town now a reality
AFTER years of stability and, some would say, slow decline, education in Kempston is undergoing a quiet revolution.
The first thing to notice as I turn up to what, until recently, was Hastingsbury Upper School, is that the builders are in.
And, once inside, so are the decorators. But it is not just the school buildings that are getting an overhaul. The system itself is changing, in line with Bedford Borough’s decision to change from three to two tier education. In Kempston that means Robert Bruce Middle School has closed and Hastingsbury is now the Challenger multi-academy trust secondary school. Which first of all means the age range has grown and the former Hastingsbury site has pupils from year 5 to year 13 – 9 to 18 years old in age terms. Two new units have been built to house the younger, former middle school pupils, which are set away from the main school and have there own entrance/exit. These are bright, cheery buildings, much like the pupils and staff. I discover this on a quick tour by the new Principal, Ian Evason. I then met the chief executive, Stephen Chamberlain (pictured). My first question is what will happen to the former Robert Bruce site. Stephen said: “No decisions have been taken yet. There is a shortage of primary places in the Borough, so we may look at that. The present buildings are unsuitable though, so it will have to be a completely new school if we go down that route. What I can guar-
STEVE LOWE visits the new Challenger Trust Academy to see what is happening
antee is that whatever happens to that site will be to the overall benefit of education in Kempston.” Daubeney has now joined the Trust and is in the throes of becoming a secondary school. And other Kemspton schools are also coming closer together to collaborate on all aspects of learning. Stephen said: “We are developing a ‘Kempston curriculum’, whereby all the schools have similar subjects and similar aims, so you don’t have to track across the town if you want to learn a particular subject. “We are trying to ensure we also have the best teachers and the best teaching practices. We want to provide opportunities for every
child. We recognise there are no quick fixes, so are building the system from the ground up, which will gives us more mature teaching and a more holistic approach to learning.” The schools recognise it is also important to have a combination of a welcoming environment and good discipline. And that technology is not just something students learn about but use in their day to day activities. So upgrading of ICT is a priority. Stephen added: “ We are also looking around at good practice in other schools and even countries, such as Singapore’s maths teaching. And we believe in something Einstein once said that: ‘If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough’. The proof of the pudding, of course, is in the eating but everything looks set to see a rise in school performance in Kempston, especially if the Challenger Trust manages to achieve both change and stability.
SENIOR CITIZENS’ EVENT The Mayor of Kempston (Cllr Carl Meader) invites senior citizens of Kempston to join him and Town Councillors for a festive mince pie and refreshments on 14 December between 2-4pm at the Centenary Hall, Kempston. The Mayor would love to see you there – Please call the office on 851005 if you wish to attend.
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KEMPSTON CALLING is an independent monthly magazine with no affiliation to any other organisation. © 2016 Rosetta Publishing Ltd, 30 Radwell Road, Milton Ernest MK44 1SH. Tel: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952. Printed by: Mortons Print Limited, Newspaper House, Morton Way, Boston Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR
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Good news on education just keeps on coming
AS SCHOOLS in Bedford Borough move away from the longserving three tier system of education and towards the national two tier system, parents of students of middle school age could be forgiven for feeling a bit confused about where to send their children in order to study for their GCSEs. It’s a tough decision, to be fair; do you plump for the former upper school that is now being asked to also cater for KS3 students for the first time or do you consider some of the new, exciting opportunities that have arisen as a result of the modernising of the education system? Daubeney Academy is now in its final year as an Ofsted-rated good middle school as it embarks upon its exciting journey towards becoming an outstanding secondary school. For Daubeney’s students and their families, there will be no need to reapply for a school place as Daubeney will keep all of its current students on roll until they have completed their GCSEs in Year 11. Currently, Daubeney Academy offers a vibrant and inclusive community where students are “always polite and courteous to adults and each other” and “learn to appreciate and respect the diversity of life in modern British society,” (Ofsted
2016). They are equally proud of the excellent pastoral care that they offer, and Ofsted also commented in 2016 that “Pupils feel safe and are well looked after in the school.” As Daubeney develops as a secondary school it will, as a member of the CMAT family of schools, be able to offer a great deal of exciting educational opportunities to its students and its aim is to provide a world class learning environment on its site in the heart of Kempston. As a partner of the Challenger Multi-Academy trust (CMAT), Daubeney’s outstanding and experienced teachers will deliver a worldclass curriculum that balances core academic values with character growth. Recent staffing recruitments at Daubeney have been of outstanding secondary school teachers and many of the school’s longer-serving staff already have a great deal of recent and relevant secondary experience.
KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 7
Bedfordshire’s Miss Galaxy Jessica Rollings, is one busy lady. Not only is she attending various events throughout the county in her role as Miss Bedford Galaxy she has two other commitments that take up much of her time. Jessica, 22, from Flitwick is also a mother to a two-year-old son and she is also studying for a BA Hons Psychology Criminology degree at the Open University. To top all of this she also setting her sights on the Miss Galaxy England title. Success here would mean a trip to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the international competition. Jessica recently attended the opening of the Empire night club in Bedford and has been involved in several charity events supporting the Luton and Dunstable Hospital. Another project in the pipe line is her own charity event to support ‘Christie’ a leading UK cancer charity. Jess is looking for more events to attend to raise her profile in the county – contact her via the Bulletin and we’ll pass it on.
8 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
Bedford unwrapped
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Bluecaps promoting Christmas at the Bedford College Freshers Fayre.
BEDFORD is being unwrapped to allow Christmas shoppers fun ways to spend, spend, spend locally this season. For the first time the popular BedfordBID Love Bedford Gift Vouchers can be purchased on-line via www.lovebedford.co.uk Family and friends can redeem them in a choice of 270 businesses which offer something for everyone from computer games to afternoon tea, fashions, jewellery or hair and beauty. “The gifts vouchers are an easy way to give someone something they really want - and you are supporting Bedford Town Centre businesses in the process,” said Christina Rowe, Director of the BedfordBID. The vouchers can also be bought at the VIP Visitor reception of the Bedford Swan Hotel and the Bedford Travel & Tourism Centre at the Bus Station. For those who like to shop in person then the season starts on November 24th with Santa and his reindeer at the Harpur Square from 2pm. They will be joined by costumed characters too. On the same evening: Xtra Xmas lights will be switched on paid for by
businesses via the Business Improvement District. These will be at St Cuthberts St and Harpur St North – adding to those switched on last year by the same team at Boots Corner, The Broadway, Mill St, Howard St and St Peter’s St. Said Christina: “These supplement the traditional High St lights paid for the by the council and those put up by the Harpur Centre and individual businesses. It is a considerable investment but it brightens up Bedford for Christmas.” Stay in town for Late Night Shopping until 8pm which begins on November 24th. Late night shopping Thursdays (until 8pm) continues on December 1st, 8th, and 15th and then every evening from Monday 19th–23rd. On Xmas LATE nights parking is free at the Harpur Centre underground car park from 5.30 pm onwards. For full details of free parking on other days see www.lovebedford.co.uk CHRISTMAS FIREWORKS on The Embankment start from 7pm on Nov 24th paid for by Bedford Borough Council, with sponsorship by BedfordBID.
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10 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
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On the ball for charity A FANTASTIC sum has been donated to Cancer Research after a fundraising ball supported by AFC Kempston Town and also Bedford College staff and students. Organised by Gary Ingerson, Michaela Martindale & Becky Lapworth, the event at The Park Inn, Bedford raised £9,103.53. Among the generous sponsors were Fusion Lifestyle who run local sports facilities and also support AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College, which includes college students in all of its squads. Special thanks to Greycourt Florists & Events who decorated the ballroom beautifully. Said Gary: “We had tremendous support from locals including Bedford College people and we are keeping up the theme with the football club having ‘Cancer Research’ on their pink shirts this season - as modelled by students. “The ball was held in June 2016 and we are now planning the next one for September 2017 so all help will be gratefully received.” Said Bedford College Head of Sport Phil Newman: “Our students train and turn out with AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College, study in the classroom on our various campuses and learn about helping others through activities like the cancer fund-raising. We believe that grassroots football shows young people how to be team players in the community.”
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HAVE you ever thought about how your son and/or daughter could benefit from being involved in one of the uniformed organisations in Bedfordshire? Since being launched in October 2014, membership of uniformed organisations involved in Bedfordshire Youth United has increased. Young people have joined the ten uniformed organisations in the County to have fun, challenge and adventure, or to learn about leadership or team working, or they feel it will enhance a CV. Adult volunteer Nigel Taylor said: “Getting involved in any of the organisations will provide young people with lots of enjoyment. They will learn skills for life and they will make new friends. Some will use involvement with the Police Cadets, Fire and Rescue Cadets, Army Cadet Force or St John Ambulance as a stepping stone on their career path. Others who join Scouts or Guides will be able to get involved in many different activities and earn badges ranging from Animal carer to Outdoor Challenge to Sports Enthusiast. There are great opportunities for young people.” For more information about these organisations www.youthunited.org.uk/regions/ youth-united-bedfordshire
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KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 11
Council urged to be tougher with developers
IN the last ten years another 7,500 houses have been built in Bedford Borough, generating nearly £8 million per year in extra council tax. The roads and green spaces and play areas on most of these homes have not been ‘adopted’, which means while the homeowners pay full council tax they do not receive full council services. These homes generally have to pay a private management company to provide the services not done by the council, which in effect means paying twice. Estates are taking longer and longer to become adopted, as it suits the council and the developers but not, of course, the houseowners. The council was not able to give accurate information on how many of the new estates were still ‘unadopted’. It said that the issue is immensely complicated and adopting roads is rarely straightforward. The total share of council tax for the borough in 2016/17 is £74.4 million. Alison Field Foster, Conservative Cllr for Harrold said: “There are many examples around the Borough where is has taken the council many years, in some cases
Seventy five trombones
BEDFORD Brass is only 75 trombones short of a Big Parade with just one trombonist attending weekly rehearsals. So the Band is appealing to Bedford people to halt this slide. Musical Director Mrs Liz Schofield said: “We are asking readers to help us find trombonists, young and old, to build this section of the band.” Band member Jenny Gellatly said: “Trombone players are a vital part of a brass band. They have an amazing sound and it would be great to have a few more to join us at rehearsals.” The Band rehearses every Thursday evening in Kempston East Methodist Church hall from 8pm10pm. Bedford Brass is a non competing band and plays at concerts, fete, churches etc in the Bedford and surrounding area. If you would like more information please contact Mrs Pat Vought, Tel 01234 852949 Email: info@bedford brass.com
more than ten years, to adopt roads. If they imposed clear planning conditions requiring developers to bring roads and facilities up to necessary standards by a certain time this would not happen. “There have been issues with this in my Ward which have caused residents concern and highways officers a lot of extra work. In my opinion, the council has always been and
continues to be weak in dealing with developers.” John O’Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Council tax represents a large outlay for hard-pressed families each year and taxpayers have a right to expect that to go towards front-line services. Council bosses need to make sure that they have found all necessary savings and
cut out all waste before they can ever start to think about restricting services for residents.” A Bedford Borough Council spokeswoman said: “The Council Tax charge for 2016/17 is based on 71,130 domestic properties compared to 63,615 in 2005; it is estimated that around £7.8 million of Council Tax will be collected from these newer properties in 2016/17.”
12 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
Long-awaited schools to open within 12 months
Another empty shop filled Bedford Daycare Hospice based in Linden Road, Bedford, expanded into Kempston last month. Part of the former HSBC branch in Bedford Road, has been transformed by the charity into a retail outlet to support their work. On hand to do the ribbon cutting honours was Bedford and Kempston’s MP, Mr Richard Fuller. Also present was the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Helen Nellis. There were many supporters and wellwishers in attendance. A party of children from Banana Moon Nursery also in Bedford Road paid a visit, with the MP kindly handing out the hospice’s decorative balloons!
BEDFORD College Academies Trust (BCAT) will run the new primary school next to its secondary at Wixams, it was announced last month. The primary school will have its own Head Teacher and will open in September 2017, the same date as the secondary, Wixams Academy. Both will be brand new 21st Century environments with the latest learning facilities. BCAT Chair Ian Pryce CBE said: “This strong arrangement will offer a continual educational pathway from the nursery age of two to the sixth form for the first home-grown generation at Wixams. “Parents can be assured that BCAT and associates can call upon considerable experience gained in supporting the first Bedford Academy, which attracted £25 million investment for a state-of-the-art building, and Bedford Free School, which is now top of the town for GCSE results. “We look forward to continuing our mission of championing great education in Bedfordshire for people of all ages.” Building work on both school
sites was officially declared underway on 4 October by the Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson. Joining The Mayor was the Principal of the secondary, Wixams Academy, Paul Spyropoulos. Paul said: “I look forward to working with the new primary school to create a truly exciting educational campus for all of our pupils. We are grateful for the support shown to us by Lakeview Primary in Wixams and other local primary schools and will continue to work closely with them to ensure a smooth transition for their pupils into Wixams Academy and to guarantee excellent schooling in the area.” Cllr Henry Vann, Portfolio Holder for Education said: “In Bedford Borough, our programme of investment is also helping us to stay ahead of the game in providing enough school places, where communities and families need them and our school building programme is the best in the country. A total of 96% of schools in Bedford Borough, inspected by Ofsted, have been judged to be either good or outstanding, so our expectations are high.
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KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 13
Do you take pride in your appearance? THERE are over 58 million posts on Instagram tagged #selfie. How can you create the perfect selfie and maximise your inner beauty for everyday life or that special occasion? Alterderma is an exciting new collaboration of services designed to help you look your very best, After extensive refurbishment the Bedford Road door is now open. The high-class establishment begins with the Redken hair salon offering a range of traditional and new services including all the latest colour trends using Redken Chromatics with zero ammonia, zero odour you can be sure your hair is in good hands. The reception area is decorated with autographs of well-known celebrities. A wide selection from the famous Decleor beauty range is on offer. Decleor aims to revitalise your skin with essential oils whilst relaxing and de-stressing your entire being, either at home or in the Decleor sanctuary where a soothing massage or facial gives the chance for a well deserved break from daily life. Other rooms offer tanning options, nails treatments, waxing and traditional beauty treatments but there’s more… Through a door in the celebrity wall is a bespoke clinic offering Botox, lip fillers and the industry best in laser treatments for hair removal, blemish correction, vascular
correction, anti-ageing, acne therapy and specialist equipment dedicated for unrivalled tattoo removal. Tattoo removal is at the heart of alterderma with Ben the founder being heavily inked himself and a regular attendee at various tattoo conventions and seminars. The tattoo industry has become extremely popular over recent years with research suggesting a peak is not due until 2020. Maybe due to poor regulation there has been a vast number of sub standard tattoos created, up until now a cover up with something heavier was an attempt of improvement but with the advance in technology the high-end lasers can now remove tattoos leaving no sign of the previous artwork. When asked why Ben chose Kempston for alterderma he said: “People are getting sick and tired of the congested commute into Bedford town centre and excessive parking charges. Kempston has everything you need and with additional housing being built in surrounding areas and road links being added, Kempston has never been better.” Alterderma can be found at 172 Bedford Road, Kempston, MK42 8BH. Tel: 01234 300547 Quote Kempston Calling to benefit from our introductory offer £10 off hair, £5 off beauty. Don’t forget to add them on social media.
Kempston Mayor Cllr Carl Meader at Alterderma on the day of Alterderma’s official opening last month. In the background is Ben accompanied by hairdresser Nina and beauty therapist Tanya. Other staff not shown are Marlena and their registered nurse Claire.
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14 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
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Councillors lead Saxon Centre litter pick In October, Labour Borough Councillor for Kempston Central & East Mohammed Nawaz was joined by Kempston Town Councillors James Valentine and Adrien Beardmore to clean up the Saxon Centre area. In just one hour they picked up six sacks of rubbish. Cllr Valentine said: “Whilst we wait for the refurbishment of the area let’s work together to keep it tidy! I was shocked at how much we picked up in such a short time.” Cllr Nawaz added: “These litter picks make the area a cleaner and more pleasant place to live, work and shop. Ideally they wouldn’t be necessary, but sadly some people show no consideration for the rest of us and continue to drop rubbish.”
Volunteering with Sight Concern Bedfordshire
DO YOU want to use the IT skills you already have? You could be making a real difference to visually impaired people`s lives as they develop technological skills to get online to access services, use internet keeping in touch with friends, family and the world, broaden their experience and enrich their lives. Volunteering with Sight Concern Bedfordshire is rewarding and enjoyable. It’s a chance to use your interests with ongoing training and support in a friendly team meeting new people and to be both needed and appreciated for your skills and time. Sight Concern Bedfordshire has received the Queens Award for voluntary services this year For more information contact: Joanna Clark tel 01234 264023.
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16 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
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Firefighter Steve Pinhorne demonstrates the equipment with Reqs the Hertfordshire Fire Dog. Follow Reqs on twitter @ReqsFireDog
PETS in Bedfordshire, affected by household fires, can now be helped on the scene by Firefighters with specially designed life-saving oxygen masks being carried on all of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue’s front line appliances. We have tried to resuscitate pets using regular oxygen masks but they are not suitable for use on animals and don’t work very well. The new masks are specifically designed for dogs, cats and even smaller animals like rabbits
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and hamsters and make it easier to effectively revive animals. Paul Fuller, Chief Fire Officer said: “Last year BFRS attended a number of fires where animals were involved, some of which required oxygen due to smoke inhalation. We know pets are very important to people and when we attend a fire owners are very concerned about the safety of their pets. These new masks will enable us to improve the chances of helping pets in the aftermath of a fire.”
ARE YOU USING THE CORRECT DOG SIGNS?
AS A fund raiser for a registered assistance dog charity I have noticed a number of incorrect signs in businesses typically: NO DOGS EXCEPT GUIDE DOGS. I would like to highlight that Guide Dogs are just one of several Assistance Dog Organisations that are exempt from this requirement. The others are: Hearing Dogs, Dogs For Good (Formerly known as Dogs For The Disabled), Canine Partners, Support Dogs, Medical Detection Dogs And Dog A.I.D. The Equality Act 2010 made it an offence for service providers to treat people with disabilities less favourably because of their disability, or because they have a guide or assistance dog with them. It provided people with disabilities to have the same right to services supplied by shops, banks, hotels, libraries, pubs, and restaurants as everyone else. It is made it illegal for those with an Assistance dog to be refused access to a taxi or minicab. Drivers can only refuse if they have a medical certificate from their doctor. Assistance dogs are highly trained, and their owners will have had training in the effective use of their dog. Kathy Stone, Secretary Dogs For Good
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River Boat carries its 22,000th passenger! John Bunyan, Bedford’s Community Boat has this summer had its best season ever and has now carried over 22,000 passengers since it first started operating in July 2013. The boat which was launched by the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust to raise awareness and funds for the proposed new Waterway Park which will link the Great Ouse near Kempston Mill, Bedford to the Grand Union Canal at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes is run by volunteers and provides river cruises along the Great Ouse in Bedford from April to the end of October. Commercial Director, Graham Mabbutt attributes the success of the boat to the attractive cruises it operates at very reasonable prices which include public cruises on Sundays, Thursdays and Saturdays with Afternoon Tea, Fish & Chip Suppers, a monthly live Jazz Group as well as the boat being available for private hire for groups, parties, wedding cruises, business events and school cruises amongst others. Seen here receiving a bottle of bubbly and some flowers is passenger Susan Beaumont who travelled on a Thursday Public Cruise from Sovereigns Quay with BoatMaster (captain) Bill Boddington.
KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 17
18 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
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Lord-Lieutenant appoints cadets
Photograph shows Mrs Nellis with, from left, Fire Cadet Kieran Stevenson (Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service); Police Cadet Rosie White-McColl (Bedfordshire Police Cadets); Cadet Staff Sergeant Luke Hardwidge (Beds & Herts Army Cadet Force); Cadet Warrant Officer Louise Seddon (Beds and Cambs Wing ATC); and Leading Cadet Danielle Ashton (Bedfordshire Sea Cadets).
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HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis has appointed five of the ‘finest young people of Bedfordshire’ as her cadets for 2016/17. The five were appointed at a ceremony held at The Army Reserve Centre, in Kempston. This year’s cadets are Fire Cadet Kieran Stevenson (Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service); Police Cadet Rosie White-McColl (Bedfordshire Police Cadets); Cadet Staff Sergeant Luke Hardwidge (Beds & Herts Army Cadet Force); Cadet Warrant Officer Louise Seddon (Beds and Cambs Wing ATC); and Leading Cadet Danielle Ashton (Bedfordshire Sea Cadets). The cadets’ role is to support the
NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL
Speaking after the commissioning Mrs Nellis said: “Each year my Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets continue to impress me with their professionalism, dedication to the county and confidence in meeting a wide range of people. They represent some of the finest young people of Bedfordshire.
“I am delighted to welcome my new Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets to the lieutenancy family and I have no doubt that they will have an exciting and rewarding year.”
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Lord-Lieutenant in carrying out her duties and their selection and appointment acknowledges their outstanding contribution to their cadet service and to the community.
Steve Peacock
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KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 19
Anti-Hate Crime Project launched across county BEDFORDSHIRE’S Anti-Hate Crime Schools’ Project was launched in October at Mark Rutherford School in Bedford through a showcase exhibition of Anne Frank’s life and history, and a moving speech from her step-sister and holocaust survivor Eva Schloss. The aim of the project – a collaboration between Bedfordshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Anne Frank Trust UK – is to train schoolchildren across Bedfordshire to become anti-hate crime ambassadors, raising awareness of the effects of abuse and prejudice among their peers and to prevent it happening in their schools. “The importance of these antihate crime ambassadors became immediately apparent when I was talking to the children at Mark Rutherford School,” said PCC Kathryn Holloway. “Many of them were aware of a little of the Anne Frank story, and the horrors of the Holocaust, but until today they hadn’t made the connection between the discrimination faced back then and as a result of faith, colour, race or disability today. “When Holocaust survivor Eva spoke of her experiences in a concentration camp and of how she had both known Anne as a little girl and seen her diary at first hand, as her mother went on to marry Anne’s father Otto, you could genuinely have heard a pin drop. Immediately she finished she was surrounded by pupils shaking her hand and wanting to have a selfie with her which shows the huge impact her incredibly moving speech had on those who
were listening, including me,” said Commissioner Holloway. Bedfordshire Police’s Hate Crime Sergeant James Hart said: “We work hard with partners to create a more inclusive society, to stamp out prejudice and promote unity in our communities. “By working with schools and educating around hate crime at an early age we work towards eroding preconceptions and raising awareness that everyone deserves to live a life without fear. Our young people play a huge part in our vision to end hostility in Bedfordshire.” The Police and Crime Commissioner gave a grant of £15,000 to the Anne Frank Trust UK as part of her Victims’ Fund. The Anne Frank Trust UK is an educational charity which uses Anne Frank’s life and diary to empower young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to challenge all forms of prejudice and discrimination. Their interactive programme includes an exhibition of Anne Frank’s life and diary combined with workshops and an ambassador programme. The Anne Frank Trust UK was established in 1991 by the family and friends of Otto Frank, following his wish for an educational organisation to be set up in memory of his daughter Anne.
Living Countryside Awards TWO Bedford Borough green spaces have been recognised at Campaign to Protect Rural England Bedfordshire’s Living Countryside Awards this week. On the 4th October the Campaign to Protect Rural England Bedfordshire held its Living Countryside Awards ceremony and two Bedford Borough Council managed sites were awarded prizes in the Biodiversity & Landscape Improvement category. Putnoe Woods received third place, and Mowsbury Hillfort was awarded first place and a CPRE Mark. Certificates and a plague were
presented to the Friends Putnoe Woods and Mowsbury Hillfort by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis at the ceremony in Sandy. Harrold-Odell Country Park also received a commendation for its newly opened boardwalk. CPREB’s Living Countryside Awards showcases the individuals, community groups, landowners and businesses that make special efforts to enhance Bedfordshire’s rich and diverse environment, the awards reflect the enjoyment and benefits brought to local communities through these inspiring projects.
20 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO THE EDITOR:
I concur heartily with Richard Fuller ’s comments in October’s Kempston Calling. Only this week a group of six of us were walking along the pavement at dusk. On two occasions, a cyclist came towards us, on the pavement and with no lights. S. Wilson
CYCLISTS
TO THE EDITOR: We were disappointed to read MP Richard Fuller’s comments about cyclists in his ‘In Focus with Fuller’ column in the October 2016 edition of Bedford Bulletin/Kempston Calling called ‘Cyclists – Civility Not Convenience’. Civility not Convenience applies not just to cyclists but also to motorists and pedestrians. Everybody is a highway user – many are all three – and it is important that everybody learns to respect each other. The Bedford and Kempston urban area has a good cycle network of offroad tracks and dual use paths, quiet roads and on-road cycle lanes enabling residents to cycle safely from A to B without using busy roads. Some of the pedestrian/cyclist conflict is due to pedestrians not always being aware of which paths are dual use and where they are segregated. Many young, inexperienced and elderly cyclists do not feel safe riding too close to high levels of traffic travelling at speed and may sometimes also ride illegally on a path where there is not an off-road alternative. Even experienced cyclists are sometimes abused and forced off the road by inconsiderate motorists. What we would like to see is the Government set the default speed limit in urban areas to 20mph and to allocate a budget for this to be enforced so that cyclists of all ages and abilities are able
to use the roads safely. Richard Fuller also mentioned cycle lanes and cycle helmets: Cycle lanes if adequately marked and continuous can have many benefits in improving the safety of cyclists but it is not mandatory for cyclists to use them. It is also not compulsory for cyclists to use a helmet. There is a big debate as to whether wearing one reduces injuries or not. Although many people can claim that a helmet has saved their lives, a number of studies have indicated that they can sometimes increase their severity. Cycling Campaign for North Bedfordshire (CCNB) takes the view that it is a personal choice as to whether or not to wear one although we would advise that young children do so. Cycling is a popular mode of transport and in Bedford and Kempston has seen a 7% increase each year over the last seven years. Cycling as well as saving money has a positive effect on a person’s fitness and health and wellbeing. Every new person cycling means one less motor vehicle causing congestion and pollution, a current top topic of the local media. Peter Blakeman - Cycling Campaign for North Bedfordshire
TO THE EDITOR: How commendable that
Richard Fuller walks around town, although he might broaden his perspective if he were also to cycle, and he might then be more aware of the cyclist’s viewpoint. The law does not require a helmet or any especially bright or stretchy clothing. The cycle paths around the town are, like government and council cycling policy, disjointed and discontinuous. Public money has been spent creating cycle lanes, but too often it
NOVEMBER IN KEMPSTON LIBRARY
REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS: Mondays 2:15pm Pre-School Story Time Mondays 3:30-5:30pm Lego Club Tuesdays 11am Rhyme Time Tuesdays 2pm Wiggles and Jiggles Baby Group Tuesdays 3:30pm Homework Centre Wednesdays 2:30pm Family Colouring Club Thursdays 11am Wiggles and Jiggles Baby Group Thursdays 2pm Knit and Natter Thursdays 3:30pm Homework Centre Fridays 3:30-5:30pm Lego Club Saturdays 10:30am – 3:30pm Saturday Kids Club Special Events in November: Friday 4th November, 4pm Creative Writing Group for Adults. Monday 7th November, 4:30pm Chatterbooks Reading Group for 8-12 year olds. Wednesday 9th November, 2:30pm Adult Craft Club.
Adult Craft Club Christmas Specials: All are £1 per session and booking is advised. Wednesday 23rd November, 2:30pm Christmas Card Making. Wednesday 30th November, 2:30pm: Gift Boxes and Tags. Wednesday 7th December, 2:30pm Hama Bead Decorations. Wednesday 14th December, 2:30pm Christmas Decorations. Well done to everyone who achieved success in the Big Friendly Read! It was a great year at Kempston Library and whether you achieved your certificate, glasses or medal you should be very proud! Sessions for basic computer help. Need help with your tablet? Book a one to one session now! Housebound Library Link and Mobile Library services also available. New Rebranded Homework Centre for Middle and Upper School students, every Tuesday and Thursday term time, 3:30-5:30pm. Download the Bedfordshire Library App from the Apple and Play Store now! For further details on all the Library events and services, visit the virtual library via www.bedford.gov.uk/libraries
looks like this has been a box-ticking exercise so that claims can be made about provision. It is hard to believe any of our civic leaders use them, or they would realise how many fizzle out or yield to the supremacy of the motor car. There is certainly no network of cycle lanes. For example, there was a reasonable cycle lane from Bromham (it was shut when last I tried to use it). However, get to the bridge over the railway and it disappears. If you are not going to help the less confident cyclist with the difficult bits then one questions if any value had been added at all. Were Mr Fuller to cycle on our cycle paths he might also realise that they seldom offer a better alternative to the road, and this is why many cyclists prefer to take their chances with the other traffic. On a cycle lane the space is shared with pedestrians, even where there is some demarcation. He should not be surprised to round a corner in the cycle lane and come across a pushchair, a dog, or a teenager with their ear pieces in and their mind in a virtual world. He might get annoyed that he is expected to give way at almost every junction and driveway, so that he cannot get any momentum and make reasonable progress over any non-trivial distance. He might feel far more vulnerable to turning traffic and the lack of rules in the space he now finds himself. All this and he will be led to a junction where the cycle way disappears, quite possibly on the wrong side of the road. He will soon move back to the road, where he can make headway both faster and more safely because he enjoys the same rights as other road users as enshrined in the highway code. Having said all that, Mr Fuller is correct that cycling on the pavements is illegal and should be discouraged. I cer-
tainly make this point to cyclists on the pavement, not least because the more cyclists that are on the roads the safer we cyclists all become. However, it is easy to see how some are led on to the pavement by the cycle lanes, the ambiguity in some areas as to where cycles are allowed (The Embankment being a case in point), and too many are encouraged to use the pavements whilst at school, despite it being illegal. Bedford was a town of cyclists, and should still be a benign environment with few hills and little rain. Undoubtedly greater wealth has contributed to the use of the motor car, but cycling for the less confident has been engineered out over the last fifty years by the priority given to keeping motor traffic moving. This has been selfdefeating as motor traffic hardly moves at peak time, when many of the trips, commuting and school runs, could be done by bicycle more quickly. There is scope for some boldness here to give cycling priority and bring cycling participation towards Dutch levels, but I doubt our local politicians are up for that. There are undoubtedly inconsiderate cyclists, but this will be the same with any group of people. In reality, we are not some separate tribe and most of us are also pedestrians and car drivers, and mostly that helps makes us considerate of the needs of other road users. None of us pay road tax as that was abolished in 1937, but we do pay vehicle excise duty whilst using rather less of the road. So perhaps before he offers further populist criticism, Mr Fuller should follow the advice of that other Conservative, Norman Tebbit: “On your bike”. John Davis, The Embankment
Garden notes by Richard Callaghan THAT’S the shorts and sandals packed away for another year unless cook decides to whisk me away to some where hot and sunny to escape the harsh British arctic winter. Cook doesn’t just get S A D she views the cold and wet as a personal assault. Weather permitting, any day soon I shall begin to attack the allotment with a vengeance it has not seen for a while. The old asparagus bed will be dug and cleared. By the side of the asparagus bed are a couple of raised beds that have not been fully utilised so they also are to go. The compost in them will be spread over the asparagus bed and dug in and I plan to build a two bay compost box so that when one is full I can turn it over into the next one and start again in number one. I all seems so simple at this time of year when everything is still on the drawing board so to speak. The same fate applies to the soft fruit area. The frames are coming down and all the plants removed, hopefully taking most of the bindweed with them, meaning that in theory at least any little? bits of bindweed remaining will be easier to deal with. This will give me a
bit more cultivable ground, and apart from my redcurrants, which are growing as cordons on eight foot lengths of gas pipe the only fruit I shall have will be some black-currants and perhaps a few raspberries grown in dustbin size containers. Now that the squashes have finished for the year, I shall clear the ground and knock it down quite fine and that is where my broad beans and winter sown peas are going in. I know that the squash take up a lot of space but that is compensated for by the fact that with their large leaves they help to keep the area around them comparatively weed free. This year the courgettes and butternuts did particularly well despite having very little assistance from me. For the second year I have grown my carrots under enviromesh and they have again done very well. As main crop carrots I have grown ‘Eskimo’ which are extremely good croppers and are hardy enough to stand most of the winter if you can avoid the inevitable slugs. They are also so sweet, that it seems a shame to cook them. They are wonderful raw.
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KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 21
22 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
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EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
View from
In Focus with
Bishop Richard
Dave
by Rt Revd Richard Atkinson Bishop of Bedford
BUILDING GOOD COMMUNITY
A LOCAL issue that is very much in my thoughts is the substantial new housing that is being built across our County. From modest infills and village extensions, to the very substantial developments such as Wixams, Great Denham, and Houghton Regis, new houses are appearing to meet the very increased housing need. In twenty or thirty years’ time Bedfordshire will be a very different, and more populated place. However it is not just a matter where and how the bricks and mortar are progressed, but also more importantly a question of how we build good community in these new and expanding areas. In part it is about the facilities that new estates require (and seeing them built early rather than late in the construction process); it is about good schools and community buildings; it is about provision for worship and the cohesion that faith can bring. What we understand by ‘community’ is not always easy to define, especially in our much more privatised and individualistic society. Our use of social media, if nothing else, shows how different our interactions as humans have become. Yet having recognised that, I still believe that community starts with people who build relationships with their neighbours. That’s why new housing areas need individuals who are catalysts for good community; those who have a vision of a community that includes all and who seek out their neighbours, especially those who are feeling lost and alone. It is why as a Church we are committed to doing what we can to build community; to pursue the Christian vision of flourishing society that runs throughout the Bible, especially in the later chapters of the Prophet Isaiah. It is why we support two Church Army Officers in Great Denham and West Kempston who are doing a superb job of networking with their neighbours; why we invested with our ecumenical partners early on in the life of Wixams; and why we are working hard to identify what will be needed in Houghton Regis. What does it mean to build good community? It is a question for us all. All I know is that we will live to regret it if we do achieve it.
SATURDAY SURGERIES Richard holds regular surgeries at Project 229, Bedford Road, Kempston If you would like to book an appointment, please call (01234) 261487
by Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford
OUR RESEARCH SHOWS THE WAY FORWARD
THIS summer we got what appeared to be some good news on the future of Bedford Hospital, as the Healthcare Review for Bedfordshire and MK was wound up. This review was flawed throughout. It persisted with a crude, blunt focus on cutting hospital services rather than more sustainable ways of working, culminating in appalling proposals for a downgrade including the closure of maternity services in Bedford. Bedford Borough Council commissioned research this year which showed that sustainability can be achieved for hospital services by new ways of working and integrating health and social care, rather than major service cuts. Health and social care services are both dealing with increased need for services, and there is simply no real solution for healthcare that doesn’t include social care. So on the face of it, the replacement of the Healthcare Review with the ‘Sustainability and Transformation Plan’ (STP) process for Bedfordshire and MK looks like a good thing. STPs are intended to involve health and care organisations in an area working together to develop plans for sustainable, good quality services. However, while this is great in theory, the practice has not been so far. Elected representatives have largely been carved out of the process, with MPs, Council leaders and councillors given little information, let alone opportunity to shape the important early work. Alarmingly, while the STP provides an opportunity to make a clean break from the deeply flawed work which resulted in proposals to downgrade Bedford Hospital, it has announced that the Healthcare Review work will be ‘progressed as an integral part of the STP process.’ A change in approach could still result in an STP which brings organisations together to identify real solutions to the very real challenges for health and social care services. As a supposed partner in the STP that is what we will be working towards.
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Monthly update from the Police and Crime Commissioner by Kathryn Holloway
ILLEGAL CAMP SITES – ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
I HAVE been working very closely with MP for South West Bedfordshire Andrew Selous to call on the Government to give greater powers to the police to deal with illegal traveller encampments which cause such misery and intimidation for residents. The Chief Constable and I met with Andrew Selous prior to his parliamentary debate on travellers, and I detailed the sort of uplift in legal powers that we want to see so that we can put an end to these illegal encampments which intimidate local residents and mean they do not feel able to use theIR recreational spaces. The Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police, Jon Boutcher, has called for a Gold Group of senior police, Andrew Selous as a former Minister at the Ministry of Justice, and leaders of local authorities to pull together all their civil and criminal powers and responsibilities to unite to disrupt illegal encampments in the county in what Mr Boutcher calls a ‘Team Bedfordshire’ approach. We need to work with local authorities who are required to provide transit sites so that police have somewhere where such travellers can go. In Bedford Borough, for example, although the need for such a site was identified in 2012 it still does not exist. We also need councils to use their Anti-Social Behaviour powers, called Section 77, but they are reluctant to do so because it involves them in the expense of going to court. The law makes it clear that the local authority is the lead agency in such cases. In some areas the councils, including Bedford Borough, have been involved in effective target hardening – raising earthworks around recreation sites to make it impossible for caravans and other vehicles to get onto the grassed areas. This is something which police cannot do but which is essential to make it more difficult for these encampments to take root. This is not just a policing issue, but one for all of us to attack together, and in this Force we are determined to send a message that enough is enough and work in a properly joined-up way to put an end to a problem causing a misery for residents and a sapping of resources for the police.
KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 23
KEMPSTON RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council is responsible for a number of local services, including: roadside seats, Bus shelters, Litter bins, Dog waste bins, Wood End Play Space, the closed church yard at Church End. In addition, the Parish Council liaises with the Borough Council on matters that are their responsibility such roads and footways. It also considers and responds to local planning proposals and other matters that might affect the lives and well-being of residents. The Parish Council meets on the third Thursday of the month (except August and December), at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall. There is always 15 minutes set aside for public questions. CoNTaCT DETailS:
The Parish Clerk 10 Parklands Bedford, MK41 9LZ Tel: 01234 270016 Email: gillwiggs@btinternet.com http://kempstonrural.bedsparishes.gov.uk
24 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
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out & about
Dare Devil Rides to Jarama The Place 7.30pm Wed 30 November
Spain 1936: Speedway star and daring Wall of Death motorcycle rider Clem “Dare Devil” Beckett felt his place was with Spanish people
International word clown The Gordon Arms, Bedford Thursday November 10th
On Thursday 10th Castle Comedy brings a classic mixed bill of comedy talent to the Gordon Arms. It’s which is sure to get everyone laughing! Headlining the show is Gordon Southern who is the international word clown! His upbeat and energetic delivery combined with his fantastically funny observational comedy and quick witted improvisation has secured his place as an audience favourite all over the world. He spends several months every year performing in Australia at their major comedy festivals; this has led to both award nominations and television performances. This year he appeared on the hugely popular
defending freedom and democracy against Franco’s rising fascist armies. Commissioned by the International Brigades Memorial Trust, this play tells his extraordinary story as part of the 80th Anniversary of the Spanish Civil War and the formation of the International Brigades.
Stand and Deliver on ABC2 Australia. Brennan Reece is one of the hottest young comics out there, he is destined for super stardom! This year he was nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Edinburgh Festival and received a nomination for ‘Best Show’ at the Perth Fringe World festival. He has only been doing stand up for a few years but winning the ‘English Comedian Of The Year 2015’ and coming second in the BBC New Comedy Award in 2015. The show will also feature award winning comedian Paul F Taylor. Paul is developing a cult following because of his surreal ‘knock about’ style that is reminiscent of Harry Hill! The shows sell out quickly, with the Dinner & Show tickets being particularly popular, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment! To book: www.castlecomedy.co.uk
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Remembrance Services in Kempston 2016 ROYAL BRITISH LEGION ANNUAL SERVICE 13 November at 2.30pm east methodist church, bedford road, Kempston followed by laying of wreaths at st John’s street war memorial
BEDFORDSHIRE AND HERTFORDSHIRE REGIMENT ANNUAL SERVICE 20 November at Noon please gather at 11.30am laying of wreaths at war memorial opposite the Keep Poppies will be available to purchase from the Town Council office from the end of October 2016 during office open hours.
KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 25
26 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
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NEW LOOK – NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED
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Mon-Thurs 11.30am–12midnight, Fri-Sat 11.30am-1am, Sunday 12noon-12midnight
The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of the Cardington Airships
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KEMPSTON 01234 851120 Saturday November 5th
Sunday 27th Nov 1-6pm
SOUL MOTOWN +swing with RICHIE
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Saturday 12th November
JENNY JOY Sunday 18th November
8pm Wednesday November 23, 2016 The Church of the Transfiguration Church Hall Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8DW Entrance £5 on the door For more information call: 07894 935952
PROMOTeD By: KeMPSTOn CAMeRA CLuB
OPEN MIC SUNDAY
CHARITY EVENT
DANNI BENTLEY
disco raffles – auction – all welcome – in aid of a local girl fighting cancer
Saturday 3rd December the amazing
Saturday 19th November the fantastic band the An illustrated talk by Bedford Town Guide and local historian David Fowler
Selling make up, cards, candles, plaques, night lights, Christmas Flowers, wreaths, glitter glasses, jams and chutneys
BUSH PIGS
DANIELLE and the VEGAS BAND as seen on the Italian ‘X’ factor finals
Saturday 26th November best Olly Murs and Sam Smith tribute act
BIG MONEY
JOE SCRIPPS
DARTS COMPETITION
Sunday 11th December
£350 payout for winner sign on 12.15pm Sky Sports + on SUPER SUNDAY Fosters and Eagle Smooth 50p a pint cheaper between 1pm-6pm
exclusive to the Conclub a double tribute night not to be missed
CHECK FOR DETAILS www.facebook.com/conclub.kempston
TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com
KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 27
Are you organising a function and want somewhere different?
We have a large dining room with a dance floor, the lounge has a fully licensed bar. Quality catering is provided for Wedding Receptions, Anniversaries, Birthday Parties and Dinner Dances. Free car parking for you and your guests.
TheKeep Ask our bookings manager for details
01234 355600 www.thekeepkempston.co.uk
For you, your family, your business.
28 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
BEDFORD ORGAN & KEYBOARD CLUB THE ADDISON CENTRE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
PRESENT POPULAR ORGANIST
CHRIS JONES IN CONCERT WEDNESDAY 30 NOVMEBER 7.30 – 10.00pm –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Members £5 PAY AT Non-Members £6 DOOR –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Contact: 01234 344423 www/Organfax/clubs/Bedford ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
KEMPSTON AND DISTRICT MODEL RAILWAY SOCIETY
Every Monday 7.30 to 10.00 At the Church of the Transfiguration rear church hall New members welcome For further details contact Brian Woodcock on 07795251988 or brianwoodcock@btinternet.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ADDISON CENTRE KEMPSTON FUND RAISING
TEA DANCE
2.00-4.30pm MON 14th NOV £2.50 (INCL CUPPA) Tel: 01234 851877 or 01234 340997 ––––––
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL DANCE EVENING
7.45-11.00pm SAT 3rd DEC Licensed Bar – Raffle Tea/Coffee Admission at door £5.00 For further information ring 01234 851877 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
KEMPSTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ CLUB DANCING, WHIST, BINGO Meets Wednesday 10am-12noon Friday 10am-4.00pm
at the CENTENARY HALL, behind Kempston Town Hall, Bedford Road For further information telephone:
01234 857011
ST JOHN’S HOSPICE forthcoming events
–––––––––––––––––––––––– 12 November – 7pm – 1.00am Our yearly ball will be taking place at The Park Inn Hotel Bedford. Get your glam rags ready and register your interest. For further info call 01767 642412 Email: stjohnsfundraising@sueryder.org
CHARITY BALL
TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 8pm Tuesday 8 November, 2016
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GENTLE TOUCH HEALING
DRAW ON SWEET NIGHT: MUSIC OF LOVE AND LOSS
WORLD SHIP SOCIETY
ANNUAL OPEN DAY
Cantamus chamber choir, conductor Gary Mudd Church of the Transfiguration, Kempston, Bedford Rd, MK42 8BQ £7.50 ( £5.00 concessions) on the door. Proceeds to church funds. Programme of exquisite settings from the 16th century through to the 21st. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORD WI
CRAFT FAIR
1.30-4.30pm Saturday 12th November Brickhill Community Centre Avon Drive, Bedford Homemade Gift items Cakes, Jams, Chutneys Tombola – Refreshments –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BRITISH RED CROSS BEDFORDSHIRE
CHRISTMAS FAIR Saturday 19th November 10.30am – 4pm
Entry Fee £4 The programme will include demonstrations, tastings, and book signings. Live performances by local school choirs. Stalls will be selling superb, quality items and many handmade gifts and products. Homemade cakes and refreshments available, raffle, tombola and much more. The Great Hall, Bedford Boys School, Burnaby Road, off De Parys Ave., Bedford, MK40 2TU. Parking/disabled parking available.
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CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE DAY
SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER Experience practical conservation first-hand with the
and give something back to your local environment. Spend a morning working outdoors on a local site under the expertise of our Countryside Ranger. After lunch outdoors enjoy a guided walk with our Biodiversity Officer to give you an insight into the site’s habitats and wildlife. So come along and join in, enjoy the fresh air and bring a friend too! £35 per person, 18+ only www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/conservation -experience-day-tickets28187929857 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ALL SAINTS PARISH CHURCH KEMPSTON
GREENSAND TRUST
FULL AFTERNOON TEA & A GUIDED TOUR
of this historic church to visiting groups of 10 or above at a cost per head of £7.95. Contacts are Janet Fardell on 01234 855158 email:martinandjanet1@btinternet.com or Frances Leonard on 01234 852480 email: francesmleonard@gmail.com
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11am-4pm Sunday 6th November On the day we will have Free Healing, Free Therapy advise and Refreshments will be provided. The event is at our Healing Centre at Enterprise House, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Beds. MK45 4HS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORDSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 7.15p.m. Friday 4th November Interested in Family History? Then come along to the next monthly talk
WHAT HAPPENED TO LUCY?
7.15p.m Friday 2nd December 2016 All meetings held in the Drama Hall of Mark Rutherford School, Wentworth Drive, Bedford MK41 8PX Members free, visitors £1. www.bfhs.org.uk –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORD ARCHITECTURAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, & LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY 7.30pm Wednesday 9th November Illustrated talk:
PARISH REGISTERS
The History of Warden abbey and its Vineyard
Margaret Roberts (Vineyard Volunteer) Putnoe Heights Church & Community Centre Bedford MK41 8EB Non-members welcome - £2-00 entry Enquiries (01234) 365095 www.baalhs.org.uk –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORD ART SOCIETY 7.15 for 7.30 start Friday 4th November Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford Paul Robinson, known to many in Bedford, will give a talk on the
Statues of the town
BEDFORD BRANCH Meetings held Kempston Constitution Club 196A Bedford Road, Kempston 3rd WEDNESDAY in the month 19:30 for 20:00 start
16 November 2016 Branch social evening at the King William PH, Kempston 21 December 2016 alan Pepper giving a presentation “Xmas Miscellany”Branch Secretary, Dave Menzies Telephone: 01234 352014 e-mail : dave.menzies@tiscali.co.uk
BEDFORD RSPB LOCAL GROUP Meet at ARA club Manton Lane Bedford MK41 7PF. Thursday 17th November
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Barrie Mason presents A WILDERNESS JOURNEY
Our very own much and much travelled,
A trip to Zimbabwe, Botswana & Namibia
His talks are always well attended and you wont be disappointed. Suitable for Experts and Novices, RSPB membership not essential. Entrance fee, group members £1 Guest £2 annual group membership £5 Reg. Charity No. 207076, more info www.rspb.org.uk/groups/bedford
BEDFORD LOCAL GROUP OF THE WILDLIFE TRUST Wednesday 9th November 2016 Meeting 7.30pm
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an illustrated talk by Phil Cannings
WILDLIFE CRIME Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ. Plenty parking available, All welcome, no charge but voluntary contributions are appreciated. Further details available under Events on www.wildlifebcn.org or at 01234 266057 ADDISON CENTRE KEMPSTON
some well known, some less well known. He will discuss their origins, creators and similar statues around the country. Entry is free for members, £5 for visitors. Contact Jean Paterson 01234 307210 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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CHRISTMAS FAYRE & COFFEE MORNING
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDFORD MUSIC CLUB
in aid of St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger. Sat. 3rd December 10.00am 1230pm. All Saints Church Hall, Cemetery Road, Kempston. Entrance fee £1. includes coffee/tea or soft drink. Stalls incl. Homemade cakes, Tombola, Raffle, Christmas Cards & Gifts, Books and other stalls. Further information tel. 01234 85604 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
SOCIAL AFTERNOON
with BillY KEYES on KEYBoaRD
And afternoon tea 2-4.30pm WED 23rd NOV 2016 (doors open 1.30pm) Tickets £7:00 mtel 851877
MUSIC ON THURSDAYS Fantasticus, baroque ensemble Moravian Mystery & English Fantasy Biber, Purcell, Schmelzer, Jenkins 7.45pm Thursday 1 December
Bunyan Meeting Tickets £18, Students (18-25) £5, Under 18 £2 on the door or from 01234 261811 www.bedfordmusicclub.co.uk
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TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com
CHRISTMAS
F AE & COFFEYRE MORNIN G
in aid of S t John’s H ospice, M oggerhang S a tu rd a y er 3
10.00amrd December –12.30pm A ll Saints Chu Church E rch Hall, n Kempsto d, n
KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016 — 29
Yes we’re doing it a ll again!
Bonfire Night at the Half Moon, Kempston
Saturday 5th November
Admission £1.00 includes tea coffee or a soft drink
Bonfire will be lit at 7pm – Fireworks at 7.30pm
Stalls include: Homemade cakes, Tombola,
All welcome – Food served at 7pm – Donations appreciated
Raffle, Christmas Cards & Gifts, Books and other stalls. Further information Tel: 01234 856040
No charge for entry but there will be a collection in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal – so give generously!
30 — KEMPSTON CALLING NOVEMBER 2016
TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
Pre Christmas Lights switch on The annual BedfordBID pre Christmas light switch on is bringing Star Wars to Bedford this year! ‘Boogie Storm’ hit our screens last year on Britain’s Got Talent with their unique dance act as Storm troopers! They received Simon Cowell's golden buzzer and were placed 3rd in the whole competition. NOW Boogie Storm are coming to Bedford for a special performance on Thursday 24th November to get crowds excited before they head to the embankment for the light switch on and fireworks. There will be two opportunities to see them perform on stage at 4pm or 5.30pm on Harpur Square. A queueing system will be in place if you would like to meet them in person for a quick photo opportunity after their performances. Glitter Arty will also be offering free face painting along with a balloon modeller creating free Star Wars themed balloons too. From 2pm outside Boots, the beautiful Cairngorm Reindeer will be visiting the town once again for the afternoon. Santa will be joining them on their usual parade through the centre at 5pm. With this great line up of activity, come to town on the 24th November and enjoy the Christmas festivities before heading to the embankment for the fireworks and lights and of course not forgetting the start of late night shopping! For more information visit: www.lovebedford.co.uk
Christmas Tree Festival:
Stars at Christmas Wednesday 30 November – Sunday 4 December St Paul’s Church, Bedford 10am-5pm (Sunday 2pm-5pm) Admission £2.50, children free. Refreshments served. 60 trees decorated by local charities, schools, various groups and businesses. Children’s and community choirs daily. To be opened by the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff.
White n Collett-
ph by An
Photogra
Christmas Concert Friday 2 December 7.30pm ‘Further Beyond Tango’ South American flavour with Adrian Varela. Tickets at www.bedfordhospitalcharity.org.uk/southamericaconcert Details for booking trees to decorate and concert tickets 01234 340163 admin@stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk or at: www.bedfordhospitalcharity.org.uk/treefest
www.lovebedford.co.uk www.lovebedfordoffers.co.uk
01234 404500