Mid Beds Bulletin for August

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‘TOP COP’ RESPONDS TO OUR READERS MID BEDS EDITION

FOLLOWING Beds Bulletin’s front page last month: Enough is Enough, Assistant Chief Constable Sharn Basra suggested that a meeting with us to explain the how Bedfordshire Police are active in so many areas.

ACC Basra was at pains to point out that the level of crime in Bedfordshire is down on

previous years – he admitted some of which is the result of the Covid lock-down.

He wants to reassure the general public that his on-going commitment to neighbourhood policing is proving successful.

Officers are under instruction to interact with the general public along with their other policing tasks of routing out trouble-makers and gathering crime intelligence.

Recent successes have involved cracking down on ‘cuckooing’ at Chandos Court tower block near Roff Avenue, Bedford, which has been the subject of ongoing attention.

Beds Police have recently been increasing their

AUGUST 2021

profile on social media, showing them on various ‘action days’ in towns.

But ACC Basra points out: “You may not always see a uniform, but rest assured we are out there.”

See letters – page 10

The Bulletin put it to him that if he had more resource in the form of officers on the ‘beat’ we would have even less crime.

His response was an uncompromising Yes to that – so again the question is: Shouldn’t more money be given to the police for additional front line officers?

Towns and villages across Bedfordshire need more support to tackle the problem of drugs and stop the ‘low level’ crime that so much impacts on the

lives and businesses of ordinary people.

It’s anti-social behaviour and low level crime that puts off would-be shoppers from visiting our town centres.

This is why the Bulletin is urging all leaders and politicians to work together to ensure more money spent on increased police numbers to reassure the public and take actually action.

We want to see the county’s MPs being more actively engaged with the police here in their constituencies, and reporting back to the public who pay for the police every more heavily through Council Tax, and indirectly through other forms of taxation.

The Bulletin is hopeful that Central Government will insist that police activity and public funding supports our ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign.

Transport interchange gets councillors’ go ahead PLANS for a £2.3m rail and bus interchange next to Biggleswade railway station have been approved, following changes to the original proposals which were criticised by town councillors.

The deputy mayor had described it as “a glorified bus stop”, while another councillor referred to “disintegrated transport planning”.

A new bus concourse, pedestrian crossing points, and the resurfacing of footpaths are included in the redesigned application, according to a report to Central Bedfordshire Council’s development management committee.

Senior planning officer David Gauntlett said: “The land is enclosed by a steel palisade fence and was formerly used as a vehicle return yard for a car and van rental company.

“There’s a small empty building on the land and there are trees around the perimeter.

“A raised table at the entrance to Saffron Road was removed from the proposals.

“The small building will be demolished and the remainder of the site opened up to form the bus interchange with three dedicated stops.

“Five bus shelters are to be provided across the boulevards, which will be standard CBC design.”

Town councillors had backed the revised scheme at their meeting the previous evening, subject to a pedestrian crossing being moved to the end of Saffron Road

by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter

and further talks over the design of the bus shelters.

Biggleswade mayor Madeline Russell told the committee on Wednesday, June 30: “It’s part of the town centre master plan and is long-awaited.

“We’re grateful for the housing infrastructure fund (HIF) investment which will be providing it,” she said.

“The difficulties are because of the constraints of the site, with the lack of cooperation from Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).

“The problem with the current position of the zebra crossing is it’s not on the desire line.

“We need time to investigate other possibilities including the overall loss of parking spaces. We hope this will involve more detailed design discussions in the future.”

Conservative Biggleswade South councillor Mark Foster said in an email: “It must be acknowledged the constraints of the site, land ownership, timescales and operating conditions mean the plans presented are the best compromise available.

“It’s a pity ward councillors weren’t involved in the process earlier and that the railway site hasn’t been considered as a whole, as opposed to separate pockets of land.

“It’s conceivable Biggleswade

BEST COMPROMISE

could have achieved a true transport interchange.

“I welcome the five bus shelters, but the design of those is flawed being open, seemingly unlit and without seating.”

Mr Gauntlett said: “Pushing the crossing towards Saffron Road isn’t an option because of the crossover points on the other side of the road and the proximity of junctions.”

Conservative Biggleswade North councillor Ian Bond suggested taking the zebra crossing out and asking for any such scheme to go to a CBC traffic management meeting.

Principal highways officer Rob Page: “We looked at uncontrolled crossing points and thought that was unsuitable for the area.

“We can’t move it further south because of the regulations on the white lining for the zigzag markings.

“That’s the best position for it.

If we don’t keep it as a condition there’s a chance it might not be provided.

“The disability groups are supportive of where it is.”

Planning manager Martin Plummer said a condition could be worded so “it doesn’t require the crossing to be implemented in accordance with the plan”.

The committee agreed the development with this condition and for further talks to take place over the bus shelter designs.

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AUGUST 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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Phase Two of High Street improvement works set to begin

Staycation Summer Take a trip into Bedford this summer to find something to enjoy for all the family.

We have a collection of museums with fun exhibitions as well as geeks and games arcades opening.

There is an Elvis evening at the Bedford Swan Hotel and TV’s Jimmy Carr at the Bedford Corn Geek Retreat in Harpur Exchange.

Centre opening this summer Of course the river is our main attraction. Book a trip on board the John Bunyan Boat.

And so many places to eat: Have an ice cream, coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, an early supper or full blown evening dinner.

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BE THERE, OR BE SQUARE THIS AUGUST: 7th Jamaica Day with Levi Roots, Harpur Square 8th Bedford Flea Market, St Paul’s Square 27th Eat Feast at Riverside Square

SINCE February 2021, Bedford Borough Council have been delivering high quality regeneration works to Bedford High Street in order to permanently make it one lane only for traffic and create more space for shoppers and pedestrians.

Phase one of these works, which ran from St Peters Street to Mill Street are now complete and the Council plans to begin phase two on Monday 26 July, with traffic calming measures being put in place the night before. The second phase of works will stretch from Mill Street down to St Paul’s Square and is planned to last until November 2021.

As part of these works, the Council will be making the pavement wider and repaving the section of the high street with high quality York paving and granite kerbstones. Speed cameras will be installed along the road to enforce the 20mph speed limit on Bedford High Street.

Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough, said: “Phase one of the improvement works was a

“Businesses on our High Street will still be accessible while the works are ongoing and a signed diversion will be in place.”

Judith Barker, Director of Programmes and Governance, added: “Bedford Town Centre not only offers a wealth of history and character, it’s also a key location for people to come together to shop, catch up and connect. The Transporting Bedford programme will enhance these spaces enabling greater movement and space in centre of the town. After visiting the works with the Mayor, I’m even more excited about the opportunities phase two of the improvements will unlock.”

Christina Rowe, Director of Bedford BID, said: “The improvements to High Street are a welcomed part of the changes happening to Bedford town centre, changes that are welcome from both businesses and visitors who appreciate that the work is necessary to help bring a ‘new’ future to Bedford.

“Whilst more accurate details

great success and after visiting the site last week, we’re really looking forward to the second phase beginning. By making the high street one lane, we’re improving access to our High Street businesses and providing opportunities for them to make greater use of the space outside their premises. This unprecedented investment in our High Street will make it a nicer place for residents and visitors to the town centre to shop, dine out and relax. It will also help to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution on the High Street.

“Through the Transporting Bedford programme, we plan to reduce congestion on some of the other pinch points across our road network, which will help to alleviate the pressures of making the High Street one lane only.

will evolve over the coming months as they unfold, it is clear that this is an exciting period for the town which will not only benefit the trading environment of existing businesses but will nurture future patronage.”

The works are part of the Council’s “Transporting Bedford” programme, an £18M project to tackle congestion hotspots in Bedford, funded by both Bedford Borough Council and £15.5M funding from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), through the Local Growth Fund. It has also helped secure an additional £1.76 million worth of investment from Historic England, backed by SEMLEP and Bedford BID, which will help improve shop fronts and bring unused spaces back into use.

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The Beds Bulletin and Kempston Calling are independent publications part of Rosetta Publishing Ltd. Published by ©2020 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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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN AUGUST 2021

MID BEDS EDITION

Neighbourhood plan headache is being sorted

WHAT began as ‘a massive headache’ in creating a neighbourhood plan for Biggleswade is now seeing ‘good progress’ being made, a meeting heard.

A Neighbourhood Plan allows a community to play a more prominent role in its future, according to the town council website.

“It gives the power to create a shared vision and policies that will shape the development and growth of the area.”

Once adopted, the plan’s policies would be used to decide on future planning applications for Biggleswade, alongside the Central Bedfordshire Council Local Plan.

“We’re making very good progress,” town clerk Peter Tarrant told CBC’s Biggleswade joint committee.

“I’m delighted to advise the draft plan went to our strategy group on Wednesday,” (July 14th) he said.

“Members for the first time had the chance to challenge and critique the detail.

“We listened to those conversations and adapted the plan, which went to Central Bedfordshire Council for screening the following day. (Thurs 15th) “We’ll look to go to council at the end of August to share the document and some extra details more broadly with the other town councillors.

“The strategy group is leading on this and is mandated to lead on this, but we’re also aware of having a wider conversation.

“The aim is to invite comments from the community in September.

This will be a six-week consultation and then we’ll deal with the responses.”

Mr Tarrant asked for advice about when the CBC Local Plan is likely to be adopted.

“That would help in regard to our planning,” he explained.

“We’re looking for proper submission to Central Bedfordshire probably at the end of October, beginning of November.

“That feeds into independent

examination in January 2022 and then the final part is a referendum on or around May 2022.

“For me, this has been a massive headache in the sense of we needed to get something down on paper.

“That different approach with a defined project manager and some clear direction from chairman councillor Madeline Russell has enabled us to turn a corner on this.”

Conservative Stotfold and Langford Central Bedfordshire councillor Steve Dixon said: “We have a special executive committee on Thursday (July 22) to consider that item.

“The last I heard the Local Plan was with the Secretary of State for housing, communities and local government.

“I believe the Secretary of State has 48 hours to sign it off. I’m as hopeful and as confident as I can be.

“But until something physically lands in the building I can’t guarantee anything. It will make a huge difference to everyone in Central Bedfordshire.”

Mayor Madeline Russell said: “When you see the first draft of the Local Plan, it’s formulaic as you might expect.

“You’ve got the relevant parts of the national planning policy framework, and those of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan. The neighbourhood plan can’t contradict national or CBC policy.

“We’ve real issues with the highways layout on the King’s Reach development. All sorts of things which have gone wrong there. and keep coming up at town council.

“We can’t really address them in the neighbourhood plan in the way we’d like to because we can’t go against Central Bedfordshire’s own highways codes.”

SPECIAL EXECUTIVE

by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter

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Attempted murder arrest

BEDFORDSHIRE Police were called around 10.30pm on Thursday, July 15, to a report of a stabbing in St Neots Road, Sandy.

A man in his twenties sustained serious injuries, and was taken to hospital for treatment. A 19-year-old man from Sandy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the police by visiting the online reporting centre at https://www.bedford shire.police.uk/report or by calling 101 and quoting reference number 468 of 15 July.

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AUGUST 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

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Suspended sentence for ‘All the money goes north of the river’ possession of ‘Category A’ claim gets ‘categorically’ slapped down pornographic images A BEDFORD man who over six years amassed a sickening collection of child sex abuse images a well as extreme pornographic images has narrowly avoided being sent to prison.

Instead 45-year-old Gary Scott was given a suspended sentence.

Scott from Bedford appeared at Luton Crown Court for sentence after pleading guilty to three offences of making indecent images of children and one charge of possessing extreme pornographic images.

The court heard it was on June 11, 2019 when police went his home armed with information that he might be in possession of the images.

Prosecutor Douglas Page said their suspicions proved correct and a forensic examination of a device at his home revealed a sickening stash of still and moving images of youngsters, some as young as five or six, being abused.

Judge Steven Evans was told that some of the material found was classed as Category A, which is the most serious level.

The court was told Page had been viewing the material between 2013 and 2019 and he had a long standing drug habit.

Passing sentence the judge told Scott: “You will receive a custodial sentence because you accessed images of very young children being sexually assaulted and

abused over six years.”

The judge said Scott had found the images on the “dark web” and he said it was because of men like him, who got sexual gratification from viewing such abusive images, that a “market” for such material was created.

It meant, said the judge, that providers of images took children away from their families to sexually assault, rape and abuse them so that images could then be put on the internet.

The judge said as a result the youngster grew up knowing such images of them being abused were on the internet.

“These children are damaged for the rest of their lives because of men like you who want to sit in front of a computer screen enjoying it.”

Scott was given a 12 month prison sentence which was suspended for two years. He was ordered to carry out a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement and he will also be subject to a nine month drug rehabilitation requirement.

In addition his name will go on the sex offenders register for the next 10 years and he will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same amount of time.

That last order means that police can inspect at any time and without warning, any computer in Scott’s possession and examine what he has been looking at online.

by David Tooley Local Democracy Reporter

A COUNCILLOR who said many residents believe most council money is spent on areas north of the river provoked a senior officer’s rapid denial.

The topic of potholes was on the agenda at a meeting on Thursday, July 15, where Bedford Borough Council officers were quizzed about how they decide which issues get dealt with.

The environment and sustainable communities overview and scrutiny committee was told that this year’s budget for footway and carriageway works this financial year is £6.64 million.

They’ve bolstered it by £1 million after there was an underspend in the council’s adult social care budget.

But Cllr Fouzia Zamir (Lab) said many people believed areas like her own Cauldwell ward, Kingsbrook, and Queens Park get a raw deal.

Cllr Zamir said: “The question residents are asking is if you go the other side of the river to the north all the roads and grass cutting is tip top, like a lot of money has been spent.

“But if you come south of the river, especially Cauldwell, Kingsbrook and Queens Park people ask why are they not spending the money on this area.

“People think it’s getting worse day by day.”

But Jon Shortland, the council’s chief officer for planning and highways, denied money is spent on a ward basis.

“I can say categorically that it is not true that we spend money on a ward by ward basis. We spend it where the money needs to be spent.”

He added that residents living outside Bedford believe the town gets all the money.

“If you had attended the town and parish council forum as I did a couple of months ago, the mainly northern villages were convinced that we spent all the money in the town,” he said.

Conservative councillors Graeme Coombes

(Wilshamstead) and Roger Rigby (Bromham & Biddeham) quizzed officers how they decide which roads to fix and how quickly the work can be done.

Cllr Coombes claimed that the road surface at the Causeway in Wixams is “dangerous” and it should be fixed quickly.

He was told that officers inspect potholes and grade them according to a manual, with issues like missing manhole covers fixed in two hours.

They used to judge them by width and depth but they now rate them according to risk, the committee heard.

Cllr Coombes said: “When you speak to people there are lots of seriously dangerous potholes out there.”

Appeal for information on rape

OFFICERS from Bedfordshire Police are appealing for information after a woman was raped in Bedford in the early hours of Monday, July 12.

At around 12.30am, the woman, who is in her 20s, was walking along Castle Road, near the junction with Newnham Road, when a man forced her into some bushes and raped her.

Officers are looking to trace a man who was near the scene, he is described as around 6’2”, white, with brown highlighted hair, worn in a ‘man bun’. He was wearing a navy blue flanneltype checked shirt, with a white top underneath, and was headed in the direction of the John Bunyan museum.

Anyone with information is asked to report via the force’s online reporting centre, quoting Operation Identify. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Victims of rape and sexual assault can receive support and guidance from Bedfordshire Police and partner agencies including the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), as well as support through the criminal investigation process.

Reports can be made to police on 101. You can

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But Mr Shortland interjected and said: “With respect, there aren’t there aren’t a lot of dangerous potholes out there because our accident data doesn’t show people having repeated accidents on the basis of having hit a pothole.”

Cllr Coombes is due to get a personal response to his query.

Cllr Rigby queried why the council had a 24 hour response for urgent work and eight weeks for less serious jobs.

“Some potholes have been hanging around for so long that the paint has disappeared,” he said.

Mr Shortland said some other councils respond in five days rather than 24 hours and 13 weeks instead of eight.

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also contact Bedfordshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) the Emerald Centre, by visiting www.emeraldcentre.org A man in his 20s from Bedford has been arrested and bailed with conditions in relation to the incident.

Bedford street stabbing

A PSYCHIATRIC report is being prepared on a man accused of a stabbing in a Bedford street.

Mahmood Amime, 21, of Iddesleigh Road, Bedford, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, burglary and possessing an offensive weapon.

The victim needed hospital treatment following the attack in Maitland Street on Saturday June 5. Amime appeared at Luton Crown Court on Monday, July 19, 2021, via a link from Bedford prison. Prosecutor Kuljeet Singh Dobe said a psychiatric assessment on Amime was awaited. Recorder Andrew Johnson adjourned the plea hearing until August 26. He remanded Amime in custody until his trial in January 2022.

Sunflower Lanyards

In 2020, Bedford Borough Council, Cambridgeshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, The Harpur Centre, Love Bedford (Bedford BID), Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum and Access Bedford announced their support for hidden disability sunflower lanyards in the borough.

Sunflower lanyards are free and can help people who have disabilities that are not immediately obvious to others. Wearing the sunflower lanyard indicates to others, including shop workers, members of the community, colleagues and health professionals that additional support, help or a little patience may be needed.

BedfordBID recently received funding from the Town Centre Grant to purchase sunflower window stickers and tuition packs for town centre businesses. So far, almost 50 shops are now displaying stickers and posters in their windows, this will allow those customers with hidden disabilities to easily identify those businesses that have trained their staff in recognising hidden disabilities and what the sunflower lanyard means.

To get a free lanyard for yourself, a family member or friend with a hidden disability, visit one of the following places in Bedford Borough: Bedford Central Library, The Higgins Bedford, Halifax bank, Lloyds Bank, Morrisons, Sainsbury’, Tesco, M&S food halls If someone you know has a hidden disability and want more information about services, support and activities then visit the Bedford Borough Local Offer. To see the businesses that have opted to join the scheme and received training from the BedfordBID visit www. lovebedford.co.uk/sunflower.php

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Mabel announced as paw-fect Ambassadog

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD Cockapoo from Bedfordshire has been named ‘top dog’ in a national competition run by healthcare charity Sue Ryder in partnership with Pets as Therapy.

Mabel, who is owned by 62 year old Debra Ellison who lives near Biggleswade, was selected as a winner in Sue Ryder’s Ambassadog search and will now become the official Ambassadog for Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger.

She will be one of 10 fur-bulous Ambassasdogs who will carry out important duties at each of Sue Ryder’s neurological care centres, hospices, and palliative care hubs across the UK. Each Ambassadog will work with Sue Ryder to spread love and support to those who need it most.

For people living with a terminal diagnosis, complex neurological condition or acquired brain injury, Sue Ryder believes that the unconditional love of a dog can provide companionship, relieve stress and bring joy.

Before the coronavirus outbreak, Debra and Mabel had been regularly visiting patients and staff at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice for one year. Debra said: “Mabel loves interacting with people. She loves to be fussed and stroked and she loves to greet absolutely everyone!

We spend time with patients on the inpatient unit, in the day hospice, with patients’ families and with the carers group. We’re also here for the hospice staff and volunteers to brighten their day and help boost their wellbeing.”

“Our visits are led by what people want on the day and we are respectful of their need. We’re completely focused on their lead. If they are happy we just sit and chat about anything while stroking Mabel or if they want her to lie on the bed with

them, that is fine too.

“We both love our visits. If we can help change the focus for people even for five minutes then that is what it is all about. There is research which says stroking a dog helps to reduce blood pressure and anxiety – it really helps.”

“We’re really looking forward to getting back into the hospice again. We’ve missed being there. It is such a special place. It’s great that by becoming Ambassadog we can help demonstrate the power dogs have in helping people.”

All the Ambassadog winners were selected by a panel of dog-loving celebrity judges, including presenter Kaye Adams, actress Carley Stenson, TV presenter Richard Arnold and author Emily Dean, as well as expert judge, Matthew Robinson from Pets As Therapy and Heidi Travis, Chief Executive of Sue Ryder.

Heidi Travis, Chief Executive at Sue Ryder, said: “Congratulations to the winners of our Ambassadog search! Pet therapy is a fantastic way to reduce stress and bring happiness to the people that use our end of life and neurological care services. We are all extremely excited to be able to welcome back our new Ambassadogs once the government announces that it is safe to do so.”

Each Ambassadog has been assessed to make sure they fit the Pets As Therapy temperament assessment and are sociable, friendly, calm and gentle enough to work with Sue Ryder’s patients. Each owner of the Ambassadogs is DBS checked and undertakes volunteer training before visiting a Sue Ryder service.

To find out more about volunteering with Sue Ryder, please visit www.sueryder.org/volunteer

Burglar jailed for string of offences

A MAN has been jailed for a burglary crime spree after he pleaded guilty to a series of offences in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire between August 27, 2019 and February 6, 2020.

Jamie Peck, 43, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to over four years in prison at Luton Crown Court on Friday, July 16.

Over this time, Peck targeted numerous properties in Biggleswade, Langford and Letchworth Garden City.

He was identified and linked to the burglaries after being captured on various CCTV. Peck was arrested on February 6, 2020, following a successful pursuit involving a National Police Air Support helicopter, when he drove off at speed from a police patrol.

He was sentenced to 56 months imprisonment for burglary, theft, fraud and driving offences, and two counts of assault on an emergency worker.

MBB EDITION

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN AUGUST 2021

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AUGUST 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

Gold award winners in the green category!

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many of us are not used to anymore after such a tough year for everyone! It was great to see so many businesses there, especially after so many businesses have struggled through the pandemic and it was nice to have a positive feel in the air when talking to business owners.”

As Gold winners in The Green Award category at the SME Luton & Bedfordshire Business Awards 2020/21, this automatically puts them in the finals of the same category at SME National Business Awards 2020/21 which will be held at Wembley on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.

Business Partner Vincenza Ciampa said: “We will have our fingers crossed for this, we can’t believe that a small family run independent business like us has made it to the National awards final!” We are so grateful for all the recognition we have had showing the work we put in to running our business.

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‘Torn in two’ – proposal to split historic Elstow ELSTOW village, which is famed as the home of global best-selling author John Bunyan, is facing a battle.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has proposed splitting Elstow into two and putting the parts in different council wards.

This would mean ripping the historic Elstow Abbey Church, Moot Hall and Bunyan’s Mead apart from the rest of the rural parish, and dumping them in the urban Cauldwell Ward.

Pilgrim’s Progress, the best selling book of all time, second only to the Bible for centuries (and only recently taken over by the Harry Potter franchise), was written by Elstow preacher Bunyan and features many rural locations.

These include countryside which spread as far as Stewartby village, with which Elstow currently shares a council ward.

This means it has the same Borough councillor and can campaign on rural issues relevant to the historic settings. The proposal by the Commission would break that ward currently held by Cllr Tim Hill.

Chair of the Elstow Parish Council Jon Miles, pictured centre, at Elstow Green and fellow locals are encouraging people to object the changes by logging on to the website before July 5th: https://consultation.lgbce.org.u k/have-your-say/20441 “It is absolutely absurd for this to even be a consideration. Elstow Parish Council objects in the strongest possible way. Elstow’s character is unique, and it is simply

BEDFORD-BASED Cartridge Depot are Gold winners in The Green Award category at the SME Luton & Bedfordshire Business Awards 2020/21!

The award is for the business that has and is reducing or removing the harmful impact that products and/or services have on the environment. In their case it shows how hard they have worked to help save all the empty cartridges that go through their doors from ending up in landfill, instead they are sent away for recycling.

The awards ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at the Bedford Corn Exchange.

On the night they were also finalists in this year’s Positive Impact award which represented how businesses have changed the products or services they produced to benefit a crisis.

Business Partner Guy Ciampa commenting on the their success: “It was a surreal experience, not only for the fact of being finalists and winning, but also just to be out at a venue sitting at a table and meeting new people and businesses, this is something that

M

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shocking to see it being thought acceptable for the rural parish to be split in two,” said Mr Miles.

Elstow Parish Council is currently surrounding the parish with new signage, using imagery which features John Bunyan’s pilgrim Christian in the revolutionary book published in 1678.

The Pilgrim’s Progress, from This World, to That Which Is to Come, is a Christian allegory. It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious, theological fiction in English literature. It has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN AUGUST 2021

— 7

Police get £7m to fight violence, exploitation and organised crime

BEDFORDSHIRE Police has been handed its biggest ever grant funding pot to take the fight to criminal gangs and organised crime groups in the county.

Ministers have awarded the force more than £7 million in special grant funding to respond to the extraordinary challenges posed locally by organised crime.

The latest money comes in two batches of around £3.6m. One grant will pay for the force to run Operation Costello, its biggest ever operation to tackle organised crime, over two years.

The second grant will cover the cost of Bedfordshire Police’s Boson guns and gangs team, which has benefitted from direct government funding for a number of years.

Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: “We are committed to tackling organised crime across our country – protecting the public is one of our top priorities.

“I’m delighted that we have been able to provide Bedfordshire Police Force with more than £7m in special grant funding to support the force in their tireless work to cut organised crime in their area.”

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye said: “This is a major funding boost for all our communities in Bedfordshire and I am delighted to see this level of investment coming into our county.

“The key thing is this investment is being seen at all levels of a comprehensive response to tackling violence, exploitation and organised crime.

“Policing is getting the tools

and resources it needs to tackle the big players involved in things like drug importation and weapons trafficking, as well as the gangs which often act as a gateway for young people into a world of criminal exploitation.

“But I remain adamant that while this funding is welcome and hugely needed, we cannot arrest our way out of this problem, nor can the current core funding arrangement continue.

“That’s why at the national level, I continue to engage with the Home Office on resolving the outdated funding formula for Bedfordshire, and at the local level – my office continues to fund prevention and early intervention projects to address things like domestic abuse, drugs and alcohol addiction, as well as other known causes of criminality.”

Operation Costello will see the force recruit an entire new team to carry out investigations into criminal gangs identified under the national Operation Venetic, where international law enforcement cracked an encrypted communications network used by organised crime.

Some 10% of the firearms seized across the country in the first phase of Operation Venetic were seized in Luton.

Under Operation Costello 50 people have already been arrested and almost 100 warrants carried out, with nearly 100 kilos of Class A drugs and more than £1m in assets seized in Luton by Bedfordshire Police and the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit.

Meanwhile, Boson played an instrumental role in Bedfordshire

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Police seizing record amounts of illegal drugs over the past 12 months.

The unit runs proactive patrols in areas targeted by gangs and drug dealers, while the team’s investigation into a shooting in Luton recently featured on 24 Hours in Police Custody.

Boson also plays a leading role in prevention, working with different agencies to safeguard young people at risk. Both grants cover 85% of the costs bid for by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable Garry Forsyth said: “There is a whole range of research

and statistics that demonstrate the stark challenge we face here in Bedfordshire from gang violence, exploitation and organised crime.

“Yet for so long we have been fighting these challenges with one hand tied behind our back, with the funding formula failing to recognise the seriousness, volume and complexity of threat in our force area.

“We have argued this case repeatedly to ministers for a number of years and it is really pleasing to see this level of funding come into policing in Bedfordshire, after similar successes in the recent past.

“However, we will continue to

argue for a longer term and more sustainable funding solution for us here in Bedfordshire, so we can continue this work over a number of years and really eradicate the systemic criminal networks operating in our county.”

Recorded incidents of serious youth violence fell by 24% in Bedfordshire in the 12 months to April 2021 compared to the same timeframe to April 2019.

While police say the pandemic has played a big part in a drop of this scale, serious youth violence had reduced significantly year-onyear just prior to the first national lockdown, after a number of investments by government.

Ministers had already pledged £2.1m to cover 85% of the costs to

Bedfordshire Police for running the first year of Operation Costello in 2020/21, in addition to the £3.6m of funding over two years recently announced. The £3.6m for Boson is the fourth special grant the unit has been given, following on from previous grants of £4.571m, £3m and £2.9m respectively.

Bedfordshire Police is one of 18 police forces to be given ‘grip’ funding to tackle serious youth violence, which used to be known as surge funding. This year Bedfordshire has been awarded £559,000, with previous awards of £1.38m and £908,000 respectively.

Bedfordshire’s Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU) has been awarded grants of £880,000 for the past three years.

8 —

AUGUST 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

MID BEDS EDITION

Sandy launches a new anti-litter campaign

TWO local children, Lois and Jessy have helped Sandy Town Council to launch its new anti-litter campaign in response to local concerns about an increase in litter in our recreation grounds.

As part of its Environmental Plan, Sandy Town Council will be upgrading its old concrete bins with new, larger bins at points around the town.

The Council ran a competition for children to design a poster that will encourage people to dispose of their litter properly. The quality of the posters submitted made it hard to choose a single winner so Jessy Alexander, age 10 and Lois Wheeler, age 8 were declared joint winners.

Lois’ design is simple, bold and eye catching, whilst Jessy’s poster, a poem in rainbow colours, is inventive and thought provoking.

Both winners attended a socially distanced meeting with the Mayor of Sandy, Cllr Martin Pettitt, where they were presented with certificates of achievement. Their designs will be displayed on the new litter bins which are now beginning to be installed around Sandy, so when you are out in the town, watch out for the posters and remember to bin your litter.

SANDY TOWN COUNCIL meetings Town Counci7.3l0pm except

at All meetings commence mmittee (Planning) Development Scrutiny Co the Council Chamber, which starts at 6.45pm in SG19 1JE dy, 10 Cambridge Road, San Agenda). the on ted sta ise (unless otherw uncil chamber and the Due to the size of the Co , ple present, Councillors potential number of peo ouraged enc are blic pu the of officers and members ring the meeting. to wear face coverings du 1 Monday 9th August 202 Development Scrutiny Town Council 1 Monday 23rd August 202 ment viron En & ces rvi Se ity un Comm 2021 Monday 6th September ny uti Scr nt Developme rces Policy Finance & Resou tails of other meetings.

See our website for de ARE E PUBLIC AND PRESS ALL MEMBERS OF TH D. WELCOME TO ATTEN

Summer Street Market & Community Fun Day

To help welcome the community back into our high street after the lifting of restrictions and celebrate our great local businesses, the Council is organising a Summer Street Market in Sandy Market Square on Sunday 22nd August, from 10am – 4pm.

The market will include a wonderful variety of locally made products, such as food, gifts, crafts, homewares and more, plus local musicians will entertain visitors with live music at the community stand.

At the same time, Let’s Get Going, a Sandy-based community interest company have arranged a Fun Day in the nearby Bedford Road recreation ground, with sports activities, community group stalls and refreshments on offer.

There will be plenty to interest all the family and we hope to see lots of residents coming into Sandy town centre to enjoy this great offering.

Of course, both of these outdoor events are being planned with covid-safety in mind and we would ask visitors to be mindful of keeping their distance from others, sanitising their hands and consider using a face covering in any crowded areas.

Changes after move to step 4 of Government Roadmap Like people around the country, the Council is both glad and cautious about England moving to Step 4 of the government’s roadmap last month.

Whilst the move towards normality and greater personal freedom is welcomed by many, we must all understand that the virus is still in our communities and exercising our freedom comes alongside continued risks which need to be managed appropriately by individuals, families and friends.

As there are no longer restrictions to prevent Members meeting face-to-face, Council meetings have returned to being held in the Council Chamber.

However, measures such as encouraging the use of face coverings, ensuring there is additional ventilation, providing

hand sanitiser points and allowing more space in between attendees, are being implemented.

Our reception continues to operate and is open to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am-4pm and Fridays from 9am-2pm. However, some measures, such as a social distancing screen, will be kept in place at present.

Our Roman Sandy archaeological exhibit is also now open to the public, although visitor numbers will be restricted for the safety of visitors, Councillors and staff.

The Council hopes that the easing of restrictions will help to boost our local economy, with businesses now being able to cater to more customers. We encourage residents to keep shopping

and socialising locally, to enjoy and support the wonderful independent businesses which have been vital to our community over the last 18 months, whilst travelling further afield wasn’t possible.

The Council would like to thank all the people of Sandy and Beeston for the patience, community spirit and selfsacrifice which they have demonstrated since the start of the pandemic.

We are especially indebted to all those volunteers and key workers whose invaluable work has supported our community throughout this crisis. The road ahead may not be easy but we trust our residents will continue to pull together and support each other along the way.

10 Cambridge Road, Sandy SG19 1JE Tel: 01767 681491 Fax: 01767 692527 admin@sandytowncouncil.gov.uk www.sandytowncouncil.gov.uk

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Welcome Back Fund to supp “SOMETHING unique, different and a bit special” could be on offer at Biggleswade Charter Market through a £32,000 investment to get local firms back on their feet after Covid-19, a meeting heard.

The Welcome Back Fund aims to support high street businesses following the pandemic.

The town council’s place shaping manager Simon Newton told Central Bedfordshire Council’s Biggleswade joint committee that a £32,000 bid was approved by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

“Our application was to establish a loyalty scheme within the town centre and to leaflet drop all businesses in and around Biggleswade, as well as residen-

LAWN DOCTOR

AND still it grows! Everything is still growing like Topsy (whoever she is?!) and a number of you have been in touch asking if there is anything that can be done to slow down a lawn’s growth.

First question I ask if someone says this to me is, do you or does someone you appoint, fertilise your lawn? If the answer is yes, then you should not really be surprised if your lawn is growing so rapidly as this is one of the functions of fertilizer.

Indeed, after a downpour, present fertiliser may suddenly become activated and a new flush of growth will emerge.

So, if cutting your lawn is a chore that you would rather not do, don’t fertilise. Of course you cannot do anything about the weather but as with everything else in life, control the controllables and you can no more than that!

Cutting a lawn even shorter is also not a great idea as that can stimulate increased growth and moreover damage the lawn so you will have to spend more time working on it! Avoid taking too much grass off at

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tial areas,” he explained.

“And it was to provide a more supportive scheme around the Buy Biggleswade campaign, which was started nearly a year ago.

“The events which could be run within the town centre will promote the local economy and businesses. This could be food and drink events, or family focused.”

One event next month will be a partnership between the town council and the new Biggleswade Business Consortium, according to Mr Newton.

“This is culminating in the event, Sunday on the Square, which is on August 15, from 10am to 4pm, using the whole of Market Place,” he said.

“It’s set around a village fete, and any one time. Little and often, is still the mantra for mowing a lawn. Regular cutting also prevents weeds from taking over and stops anthills from becoming large mounds as the mower tends to disperse them. Although ants are not damaging per se, their excavations will uncover bare soil onto which weed seeds will inevitably fall and germinate.

If you do nothing else for your lawn, cutting at least once a week is still the very best and simplest way of looking after it.

Question: how can I tell the second I walk into a garden for the first time whether the person who plants the bedding is the same person who cuts the lawn or not?

As with all every areas of life, those that employ joined up thinking, seeing the links between different actions, are at a huge advantage over those that don’t.

If I see bedding that when planted are nearly overhanging a lawn, I know that the culprit does not cut the lawn because if they did they would realise how onerous it is to continually have to move plants from the course of the mower!

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port Biggleswade business billed as the biggest Biggleswade has ever seen.

“If this goes well, we’ll do a second one later in the year and there’s a chance it could become an annual event.”

Referring to local business start-up, he added: “We’re looking at businesses being run from home to attend the Charter Market to trial their line of work in the town centre.

“This is a cheaper option for them because they wouldn’t have the higher overheads of bricks and mortar.

“We’re looking at seasonal lighting around the market place to encourage the night time economy, as well as a nicer atmosphere.

“It’s just commercial at present because the Welcome Back Fund is

Likewise, if plants are touching when they first go into the ground, they are only going to get more crowded very quickly when they start to grow in earnest, so when planting anything, think in terms of future growth.

A cluttered border can look untidy as there is lack of definition in the garden and what we perceive is a jumbled, scrambled mess.

Similarly, rows of plants or symmetrical planting schemes can remove any degree of charm about a garden. They can look contrived, unnatural and fundamentally, man made. Gardens with a reduced amount of colours can actually look more striking; too many different hues and a garden can lack impact.

If you know your art history, this point is regularly made; Claude Monet’s paintings of his garden at Giverny being a delightful illustration of this point. And of course, some colours just do not work well together. Use of a colour wheel is simple and effective and can be used in a garden to great effect.

This is simply a circle with segments

about local businesses.”

Conservative Biggleswade South councillor Mark Foster, who chairs the committee, asked: “What sort of ratio has been spent on one thing against another, such as the rough spend on leaflets?

“We’ve got £32,000 to spend. What’s the real benefit to traders and to the town?”

Town clerk Peter Tarrant replied: “If you look at the criteria for the Welcome Back Fund, the vast proportion of the sums involved relate to the two elements which are quite clear.

“One is business awareness to ensure the reopening of local economies and the other is temporary public realm changes to ensure this process can be managed successfully.” of colour arranged within. It effectively shows the relationship between different colours. If you have access to a computer, simply Google ‘colour wheel’ and chances are, you will find it fascinating! This is my experience of explaining it to people either in their garden, or indeed, in the classroom!

If as the saying goes is correct, a camel is a horse is designed by committee, too many colours in the garden can look like an explosion in a paint factory!

Last month’s just for fun quiz question was: the word ‘repens’ is often seen next to a plant’s name; what does it mean? It means, creeping or crawling so see this and be sure to give your plant plenty of room to grow into as alluded to above.

This month’s just for fun question is: what is the botanical name of the plant known as ‘Rose of Sharon’?

As usual, many thanks to all of you for contributing to this column, keep them coming, and please contact me with any gardening tasks or queries you may have, lawndocgardens@aol.com or tel: 01767 627 581 or 07796 328 855.

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MID BEDS EDITION

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN AUGUST 2021

— 9

ROYAL ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION SANDY TWINNING ASSOCIATION The Biggleswade Branch of the Royal Artillery Association held a Branch Meetings on June 3 and July 7, at the Sea Cadets Hall.

The Chairman recited The Royal Artillery Prayer. Apologies were received from seven and five members. One new member was welcomed into the Branch. Sadly one member has passed away.

It was mentioned that 75th Anniversary of VE Day Celebrations, mentioned in the March 2020 minutes, were on a muchreduced scale because of the Covid pandemic. Standard bearers sent photos of themselves parading at home to Gunner Magazine. There was also a small group representing the branch at the reduced Celebrations.

The Roll of Honour has been updated and is to be returned to the Library.

The Chairman stated that 49 Battery had indicated that they would be attending the Remembrance Parade this year.

The Chairman proposed organising some social events for later in the year and has suggested the Signals Museum and The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

The Royal Artillery Association exists to look after the welfare of and foster comradeship between members of the Royal Artillery both serving and retired. ExService personnel of other Arms or Regiments who wish to share the camaraderie are welcome. The Branch meets on the first Wednesday of the month at the Sea Cadets Hall, Biggleswade starting at 14.30hrs. The next Meeting is at 13.30 Wednesday, September 1.

Please contact the Chairman Ted McKenzie on 07900 806235.

THE weekend of May 7/8, 2022, seems to have been welcomed both sides of the Channel for celebrating the 40th anniversary of the twinning with Sandy, and this is now confirmed.

Inevitably, we will have to keep one eye on the pandemic situation, but over the coming months we will start to consult with a range of people over a possible programme.

We also hope that by the end of the summer we will have a reasonable idea of likely numbers wishing to come to England and the likely breakdown of the party.

Some people may be reluctant to come to England for a short visit simply because of the postBrexit arrangements, which mean that, if they do not have an individual passport, they will have to obtain a kind of visa, expected to

cost around £90 and be valid for three years!

Concerns are mounting in both France and Poland that the Delta variant will reach both countries as a result of the movement of football fans around the continent.

In both countries vaccination rates remain much slower than here and the refusal rate much higher, especially within the under 35-agegroups.

Having said that new infection rates are currently very low and people in both countries are now living more or less normal lives and travelling around quite freely.

For any information about our link town’s or the Association’s activities please contact Martin Pettitt on 680082 (martin.pettitt@virginmedia.com) or Max Hill on 681469 (amaxhill@outlook.com)

10 —

AUGUST 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION

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Hurrah and thank you for highlighting the ‘elephant in the room’ or ‘county’ regarding crime in Bedfordshire. It seems like the constant low-level crime being ignored in the county is at last being acknowledged rather than not being addressed.

As a local resident in the Manton Heights area of the town, I’ve witnessed crime in residential

areas escalating in recent years.

With drug dealing taking place daily in Bedford Cemetery, together with drug dealing also being administered via late-night vehicles driving around residential areas.

It appears that local authorities and Police have accepted this level of crime as the ‘norm’ which is a very sad state of affairs and inevitably leading to more serious crime, as highlighted in your front page article.

One wonders what can we

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I can assure readers that this issue has been top of my agenda ever since the bridge was found to be unsafe at the beginning of the year.

The bridge is used by countless Kempston and Great Denham residents who use it for recreational walks, dog walking, angling, cycling, and getting to work. It’s one of most popular rights of way in Kempston and of course sorely missed since it’s been closed. And it matters to me personally – I live nearby and run the riverside path most mornings.

There have been numerous setbacks and complications along the way, but I understand that the Borough Council has now taken possession of the previously privately-owned bridge and is hence able to repair it. Tenders are going out to suppliers, and I trust that the repair will be completed by the autumn. I’ll keep in frequent contact with Borough officers to ensure that the work is done on time.

James Valentine Ward Councillor – Kempston West

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TO THE EDITOR: I was concerned by the tone of the recent front page editorial on crime in Luton.

While I’m sure whoever wrote it is aware of the ineffectiveness and racial bias of increased stop and search, they give no indication as to how this could be addressed.

And the idea of teachers identifying future criminals may have merit, but has it worked anywhere else?

Would it suffer from the same problem of racial bias, and merely push troubled youths further into a life of crime?

Reducing crime is a goal we all share, but the message of this article is also weakened by the childish stereotyping of people like me who have the temerity to suggest that just ‘cracking down’ and ‘getting tough’ is not nuanced enough to address these complex issues.

Magnus Coney, Bedford

I was surprised to read Richard Compton’s letter bemoaning lack of contact about Kempston Mill Bridge – we’ve communicated several times!

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This week (w/c July 18) marks a significant easing of all restrictions and I know each person reading this will have concerns for how this will affect them and their loved ones.

I understand that for many this marks a long-awaited opportunity to get back to normal, but others without full vaccine protection may be filled with dread as cases rise again.

Bedford and Kempston residents have shown incredible resilience and community spirit and I urge us to all look out for and consider each other as we navigate these changes.

In politics, “Freedom Day” got off to a farcical start as the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Health Secretary began their second day of Covid isolation.

In one of his first acts as the new Health Secretary, Sajid Javid tested positive for Covid and the PM and Chancellor were subsequently “pinged” by test and trace to isolate. They then dodged the law and declared themselves participants in a trial that, aside from a daily test, continued business as usual.

The ensuing public outcry forced the fastest U-turn in history, with the PM hot-footing it to Chequers where he could isolate in more pleasant surroundings.

It’s one rule for them, another for everybody else.

So here we are again; Covid infection rates are soaring and the clinically vulnerable feel forced back into hiding. Meanwhile, so many are being pinged that the economy is struggling.

To bring infections down, the pilot scheme for testing should be open to all vaccinated individuals.

We need to finally fix financial support for isolation and provide Government backed grants to fund a mass ventilation programme for workplaces and schools.

Until then, like many double vaccinated people, I will continue to wear my mask while using public transport and in poorly ventilated areas indoors. Unlike the PM, I want to stop the virus spreading and ensure that I protect those not-yet vaccinated.

Whilst enjoying the easing restrictions, please be respectful to others, follow the Covid-19 safety guidance, and get your vaccine. If not for yourself, then for the sake of others - whose lives may literally depend on it.

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Richard Atkinson

The Bishop of Bedford

FREEDOM FOR…

By the time this is published Step 4 on the Prime Minister’s Road Map will have been reached. Most restrictions will have been dropped, facemasks will no-longer be mandatory, theatres will be full and even night-clubs will be back in business.

Hopefully, we will be singing in church once more!

Even if the Prime Minister has been increasingly cautious about describing July 19th as ‘Freedom Day’ there will have been a profound sense of release. The temptation to have a mask burning day is all too strong. I am sure you are enjoying the freedoms that have come your way.

‘Freedom’ is however not a simple concept. For whilst it is tempting to interpret it solely as an escape from restriction and constraint, a purely libertarian approach can lead to one person’s expression of freedom being another person’s experience of oppression. I may want to be free to drive my car wherever and however I like, but a freedom to drive on the wrong carriageway can be deadly – not just to another’s freedom, but also in a very fatal way.

Freedom is never purely ‘freedom from …’ – from constraint, restriction, or regulation. It is always ‘freedom for …’; freedom for living responsibly with others where respective freedoms are honoured and where my freedom is never solely about my needs but rather about ensuring the freedom of all.

It is the freedom to live for others. To ask always how can I use my freedom to ensure the well-being of others. As much as I might want to burn my facemasks, I must take note of those who are still vulnerable to the virus and its impact on their health.

Facemasks may not be mandatory (even if required in some contexts) but they may be the loving action that is right.

As churches who take seriously Jesus’s command to love our neighbours, we are thinking hard what does it mean to go forward with that freedom for others that allows all to flourish. At the very least it will be sensitivity and awareness of the needs of those around us; it may well be continuing limitations on what we do for the good of all.

To put it simply, it isn’t just about me. The continuing infection rate, the numbers of those who aren’t yet vaccinated, the vulnerability of the chronically sick and more require us to use our freedom for all!

In Focus with

Dave

by Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford

LOCAL PLAN 2040 — PLANNING FOR GROWTH

The Government has decided Bedford Borough needs to allocate land for a minimum of 12,500 additional new dwellings and space for around 8,650 jobs in the period up to 2040.

Whilst I disagree with the methodology, we have no choice but to plan for this level of growth.

As a result the next phase of the Local Plan 2040 consultation has started and the Council wants to hear from you on a development strategy to 2040 and where growth can be delivered.

Local Plans set out where growth and development will take place - everything from homes and jobs to schools and infrastructure.

Last year, the Council asked for your thoughts about the different kinds of location where growth might take place.

These have fed into four short-listed options focused on the urban area, the A421 corridor and existing and planned rail stations.

Three of these include one or two new settlements. More details and maps are available on the Council’s website at www.bedford.gov.uk/localplan2040.

This consultation is also asking for views on town centre and retail policies, and updated policies looking at impact on the environment, the quality of development and self and custom build homes.

Please take a look at the information on our website, and take this opportunity to have your say on the future of our Borough.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 3 September.

The full consultation paper, a summary leaflet, and a set of frequently asked questions about the paper can be seen at www.bedford.gov.uk/localplan2040.

The summary leaflet will be delivered to every home in the Borough and you can also request a paper copy of the consultation document and/or response form by calling 01234 718070.

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN AUGUST 2021

— 11

Bedford man banned from having E-scooters children’s clothing in his home targeted A BEDFORD sex offender has been banned from having children’s clothing in his home.

Frank Breen, 60, was caught with five pieces of children’s underwear when the police carried out a raid.

Luton Crown Court heard on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, that officers had gone to his home after being tipped off by staff at the EE store in Bedford, who were concerned about what they had seen on a mobile phone he had handed in.

Prosecutor Harry MacDonald said that on December 13, 2019 officers seized a laptop, computer tower and iPad. He said: “On the search of his address, five pairs of children’s underwear for five or six-year-old children were also found.”

When the devices were examined there were 817 stills images at Category A – the most serious level. There were 795 at Category

B and more than 2,000 at Category C. Breen, a driver, appeared for sentence having pleaded guilty to three charges of downloading indecent images of children and one of possessing indecent images of children.

He had 10 convictions for 22 offences.

Michael Heyward, defending, said it had taken 19 months since his arrest for the case to come to court and he had not offended since then.

He said he had been disowned by his family and had sought help from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a charity that works against child abuse.

He said Breen had not accessed the Category A material for some time, having been downloaded in 2012 or 2013.

Judge Rebecca Herbert passed

DISOWNED

a 20 month jail sentence suspended for two years. Breen must attend 12 sessions of a Mental Health Treatment Programme, 35 sessions on the Horizon Sex Offender Programme and a minimum of 20 rehabilitation days.

In addition he must pay prosecution costs of £340 and register as a Sex Offender for 10 years.

The judge made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which allows the police to check on his internet use and bans him from unsupervised contact with children.

She said he is prohibited from having in his possession any item of clothing made for anyone under the age of 16.

She told him: “There is no reason for you to have children’s clothes there.”

Referring to the images the judge said: “These are not victimless offences. These are real children. You are assisting in their exploitation.”

BEDFORDSHIRE Police have launched a new operation to tackle the illegal use of electric scooters (e-scooters) as crime related intelligence in Bedfordshire increases by 300 per cent in the last year.

Over the last six months, e-scooter related casualties on the roads of Bedfordshire have also doubled.

Privately owned e-scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads and in Bedfordshire if you’re found to be using one you could receive up to six points on your licence, a £300 fine and your scooter could be seized.

It is only legal to use a private e-scooter or powered transporter on private land with the permission of the land owner.

E-scooters fall within the legal definition of a ‘motor vehicle’, meaning the same laws that apply to motor vehicles apply to them.

12 —

AUGUST 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

MID BEDS EDITION

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Tuck takes maiden NLS win in double header finale!

For BRDC SuperStar racing driver Ben Tuck, the playing of the national anthem on Sunday was indeed a special moment. But the tune in question was not “God Save the Queen” ahead of England’s historic European Football Championships Final clash with Italy. It was, in fact, the German national anthem, played several hours earlier as Ben stood atop the Nürburgring podium with his teammates in honour of his team Walkenhorst Motorsport, having achieved their true potential in only their 4th full attempt this season by winning Round 6 of the NLS Championship on the legendary Eiffel circuit.

The victory came after one of the most thrilling battles seen by the historic championship, in the second of two 4-hour races in a single weekend. The result represented the Bedfordshire based driver’s first win in the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS) and also his maiden GT3 victory. The first long awaited race this year that has been free of any issues for Tuck and his regular NLS teammates and experienced Walkenhorst GT3 drivers, Norwegian Christian Krognes and fellow Brit David Pittard.

Even though the weekend ended on a high on Sunday, the opening race on Saturday served up more misfortune for the trio, newly assembled for 2021 by Walkenhorst, when the car, running a new livery, suffered a puncture whilst running in second place charging down the leader for the win.

Two weeks earlier Ben qualified the BMW M6 GT3 in third position, just less than a second shy of the lap record, only for the car to retire in the race after a gearbox problem, this weekend began amid an ominous weather forecast of thunderstorms and heavy rain, which ultimately did not come to pass.

However, encouraging pace in practice was not fully converted into a solid grid position on Saturday due, as is often the case at Nurburgring, to a number of incidents and slow zones throughout the 23km lap.

Starting in 7th place, Saturday’s race got underway smoothly with Scandinavian Krognes flawlessly driving the opening two stints to deliver the car back to the pits in first position some 2 hours later. From there Ben stretched the lead from 5 to 20 seconds to build advantage over the chasing BMW Junior factory team car in 2nd place. As the final round of pitstops played out, the team found themselves in second position with Pittard now able to take the fight to the leader.

But with 22 minutes of the 4-hour race left to run, a puncture halted progress and dropped them to 5th, a creditable but ultimately disappointing result given their lightning pace.

Sunday’s race provided a quick shot at redemption and the crew of the #34 BMW M6 GT3 did not waste

Times past

Sandy station looking south pre-railway nationalisation in 1948: A wealth of past detail is on show in this evocative study of a northbound train trundling through Sandy Station yard in those LNER days. The engine is No. 153, a K3 class of 2-6-0s; this one eventually becoming BR No. 61845. These ‘Large Moguls’ were first introduced in 1920 by Nigel

time. With qualifying duties falling to Krognes this time, he produced a stunning lap to snatch a new qualifying lap record, a record he had held himself for almost 1000 days up until the last race.

Starting in pole position, the Walkenhorst Pro crew had their best opportunity of converting this momentum into a victory. On a similar strategy to the day before, Pittard took the opening stint, this time for another early first stop, with Ben taking the second stint and driving away in the lead as he again stretched the advantage to build a buffer to offset a longer final stop. It fell to Krognes to drive the final two stints, and as the last of the pitstops were completed the #34 BMW ended up in 2nd position just seconds behind the leader. What followed was a thrilling battle after

which Krognes pounced with just a lap to go. Having taken the lead on the GP section of the track Krognes brought the car home for a stunning maiden victory for the crew.

For Tuck, a visit to the top step was long overdue.

“I’ve had a class P2 and P3 and things like that, but I’ve never actually had a class win, so my first win at the Nürburgring is the overall win in GT3. It’s amazing to be honest; awesome” he said. “It’s the first time that me, David and Christian all together have had a really good race without any issues, so yeah, it was really well needed for sure.”

Tuck was pleased with his stint “It was a lot of pressure because even though it looked boring because we came out a little bit ahead, with the [minimum] pit stops times, because we pitted one lap early in the first stint, we knew that we still needed a gap of between 15- and 20-seconds to be ahead or with the leaders by the end of the race after the last pit stop due to the sliding scale of stop times required.”

The result is concrete proof that the new crew are firing on all cylinders and Ben was full of praise for his team and teammates. “A massive thank you to the team and Christian and David because there’s pressure, but everyone has made it so easy for me to perform, and to feel like I can perform and build my confidence. All the help received from the team and my teammates has got me to this point.”

And now they have shown what they can do, what’s next? “Hopefully more wins!” thinks Ben, “That’s honestly what we’re aiming for every time, we know we can do it, we know that we should’ve been able to do it even a couple of races ago but just with bad luck [it didn’t happen].”

Ben next races for Walkenhorst Motorsport in the BMW M6 GT3 in the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie on September 11, 2021.

When Sandy was a railway town

Gresley the Chief Mechanical Engineer for LNER. He was so pleased with the K3s that he maintained production for 17 years, eventually turning out 193 engines. The type of train seen here is typical of a K3 payload – fast fitted or partially fitted vans numbering anything up to 50 vehicles.

In the yard (oppostite where Tesco is now can be seen a cattle wagon,

seven-plank dropside wagons (including several built up to contain livestock), ventilated vans, signals of all shapes and sizes, enamel signs, loading gauges, trackside huts, gas lamps, complicated crossovers; in fact, the lot. And what’s left of all this today? Absolutely nothing!

With thanks to the Soole Collection/National Railway Museum

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN AUGUST 2021

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gardening

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Euonymus Gaiety or Brunnera Jack Frost.

Uncinia rubra is an evergreen small sedge grass with reddish green leaves and black flower spikes in summer plant in groups near brightly coloured perennials like Heuchera Marmalade.

The low growing grasses are excellent ground cover plants which decorate bare soil and smother weed growth. They are good edging plants for paths or ponds and the evergreen varieties for winter colour in patio containers.

Carex Evergold is an evergreen with long golden leaves with deep green edges and has won the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is a tough little plant for all the above uses. Carex Prairie Fire is a stunning evergreen with green leaves with brilliant orange tips. It turns a burnt orange colour in autumn that stays all winter.

Festuca Glauca Intense Blue is another evergreen grass with amazing bright silver blue narrow arching leaves which forms a delightful small mound. The biscuit coloured flowers appear in summer on upright stems. It is very tolerant to drought and requires little maintenance or water so ideal for patio pots.

Grasses are a great addition to any garden often looking their best towards the end of summer when many plants are winding down for a winter rest. You can achieve traditional and contemporary combinations with other plants in pots or garden sculptures making magical artistic designs with the simplest of all plants The Grass.

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RNAMENTAL grasses are one of the most versatile groups of plants for garden planting. They are unfussy, free from disease and easy to grow being tolerant to a range of conditions. They are very diverse in size, colour and texture giving architectural shapes with gentle rustling sound and movement as the breeze blows through the stems. They associate especially well with herbaceous perennial plants and can be used as accent plants screens or focal points in mixed borders.

Most varieties will accommodate extreme temperatures and drought and still look good regardless of weather. Grasses establish quickly and can be divided in early spring when the new shoots are starting to emerge to either replant in other areas or give to gardening friends. Early spring is also the best time to prune established ornamental grasses. Deciduous grasses should be sheared back to 10cms leaving an uncongested tuft from which the new growth emerges. Large varieties can even be pruned with a hedge trimmer.

Evergreen Grasses can be tidied at any time but if rejuvenation is needed early spring is recommended. Cordylines should be protected from winter damage by tying the leaves together with string but tend to shed the lower leaves naturally as the plant grows. Phormiums need protection in severe weather so grow in tubs that can be moved to shelter.

Tall Grasses can be used very effectively to create screens for privacy hiding unsightly areas or providing a backcloth to other plants. The bamboos are very effective in these situations being evergreen and only requiring trimming to restrict the size but they can be invasive.

Panicum virgatum Warrior The Switch Grass with lovely flowers in late summer that are green orange and then red or Panicum virgatum Rehbraum whose leaves turn from green to deep red in late summer.

Stipa Giganteum The Golden Oat Grass is semi evergreen with arching stems of golden oat like flower heads above grey green leaves. It is an excellent specimen plant perfect for introducing movement and gentle sound and looks stunning under planted with purple Alliums and Agapanthus.

Cortaderia The Pampas Grass is another evergreen with long evergreen silvery green leaves and beautiful feathery plume flowers in late summer and autumn which provide winter interest or if cut and dried for decorating the house. It is a very effective accent or focal plant.

Miscanthus Gold Bar The Zebra Grass a real favourite with neat arching stems of green leaves striped creamy white plant The Red Hot Poker Kniphofia Bee’s Lemon nearby for a dramatic effect.

Miscanthus Morning Light is deciduous producing fresh new growth every spring. A very elegant grass which has slender grey green leaves with cream margins. The red brown flowers appear in autumn and hold throughout winter.

Calamagrostis Karl Foerster planted in a tall narrow pot gives a dramatic profile to a modern patio. The upright grass has feathery plumes in summer and bleached stems that catch frost in winter giving a dramatic ghostly shape. Another contemporary effect is by planting Juncus Curly Wurly an evergreen grass which forms a clump of corkscrew like leafless stems in an egg shaped cream glazed pot.

Ophiopogen planiscarpus Nigrescens is a smaller grass which forms clumps of black leaves and violet flowers is summer followed by black berries. It looks good planted in groups with brightly variegated

Tel: 01234 857800 2a Howard Street, Kempston MK42 8EA

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by Maureen Catlin

— 13

Member of Parliament for North East Bedfordshire

ADVICE SURGERIES Richard holds regular surgeries across North East Bedfordshire.

If you would like to book an appointment, please call 01767 313385

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE LICENSING ACT 2003 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR LICENSE

TAKE NOTE that an application for the grant of a Premises Licence has been made to Bedford Borough Council by Robert Kimm on behalf of Kimm & Miller (UK) Ltd., in respect of premises known as:

Kimm & Miller (UK) Ltd., Unit E, Bedford Business Centre, Mile Road, Bedford, MK42 9TW

The proposed licensable activities are as follows: The supply of alcohol (for consumption off the premises) from Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 17:30.

Representations: ANY PERSON wishing to make any representation to the application should write to the Licensing Authority, Bedford Borough Council, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP specifying the grounds for making representations.

Interested parties or responsible authorities may make written representations, these should be sent to the Licensing Authority within 28 days starting on the day after the day on which the application was given to the council (by 21st August, 2021).

Applications can be viewed during office hours at the Council or via the council’s website at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/licencing It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum fine is liable on summary conviction.

Dated: 23rd July, 2021

14 —

AUGUST 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

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out & about

comedy

Spooky festival in the Great Meadow

Talent packed shows in August

out & about Edwardian women’s history in

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Car Boot Sale: Milton Ernest

Garden Centre, Radwell Road, Milton Ernest MK44 1SH, Cars £5, vans £10. Sellers setup 9am, Buyers 10am-2pm. Sunday 1st August, Sunday 5th September and Sunday 3rd October. No need to book a stall, bring your own table Contact: (01234) 823033 or enquiries@miltonernestgarden centre.co.uk Advertise your event here from as little as £7 per month, email: advertising@rosettapublishing.com

The newly-opened exhibition includes many items never seen on display in the Museum before.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see personal items belonging to Members including clothing, books and musical instruments.

Of the 12 women who first formed the Panacea Society, most were in their 50s or 60s. Joining the Panacea Society gave them freedom from previous family ties.

Despite their wealth and education, is was common to have spent years fulfilling domestic expectations, such as looking after elderly relatives.

Those women who had received an academic education and had professional ambitions felt unfulfilled and marginalised by society. A woman could study religion and theology at University, yet the most she could hope for was

running the local Sunday School.

The world of politics was maledominated and seen as an unsuitable path for women to follow in Edwardian England. As for the Church of England, only men could be priests and preach.

Joining the Panacea Society gave frustrated women an opportunity to pursue political, academic and religious activities and to have their voices heard.

See Edwardian textiles, numerous archive materials, personal objects and artworks which help tell the story of some truly incredible women.

The exhibition is open now until October 24, Thursday – Sunday, 11.00am - 5.00pm.

Entry to the exhibition and main Museum is free, with no need to book. www.panaceamuseum.org/visiting

“Sweet as a nut”

Saturday, August 21– Rufus Centre, Flitwick. Bob Mills is the headline act. He is a bona fide comedy legend with over 30 years at the top of the UK circuit. You will recognise him from his cult classic 90’s TV show ‘In Bed with MeDinner’ and his presenting of ‘Win,Lose or Draw’ on ITV. He is one of the current stars of TalkSport Radio where he co presents with Jim White and TalkRadio where he has his own show ‘Tragedy Plus Time’ where he talks comedy to the biggest stars in the country.

Perhaps his biggest achievement in radio was being crowned BBC 5Live’s ‘Fighting Talk’ champion of champions in 2010.

Glenn Moore opens the show.

He is an Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and one of the best and most prolific joke writers in the country. Glenn is a regular face on TV, having appeared on Mock The Week, Rob Delaney’s Stand Up Central and The Stand Up Sketch Show.

He can be heard daily as one quarter of The Dave Berry Breakfast Show on Absolute Radio, the UK’s biggest commercial radio breakfast show.

“Glenn Moore is tipped for great things” GQ Doors Open at 6.30pm and the Shows Start at 7.30pm/8.00pm.

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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

fusing magic and comedy has made him one of the most in demand magicians working on British television.

“The new poster-boy for British comedy magic” The Telegraph Opening the show is Diane Spencer (pictured above right).

She delights audiences worldwide with her cheeky, dark and often edgy stand-up comedy. A dazzling performer, Diane captivates the crowd with her charming demeanour, cutting wit and skilfully crafted material. She is best known for her online stand-up comedy specials which have amassed over two million views on Youtube!

The show also features Adam Vincent, an Australian who has made Bedford his home! His career in the UK has gone from strength to strength and he is a main writer on the hugely successful Last Leg on Channel 4.

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from both bands where he played an integral part in cementing these bands into the British music scene.

The Great Meadow Halloween festival doesn’t end here the whole weekend is action packed with some amazing artists world famous Craig David headlines at the Festival on Friday, October 20 with his awesome world renowned TS5 experience. Craig will be performing his classic club anthems alongside some of his latest material.

Saturday, October 30 – world renowned DJs Andy C and DJ EZ co-headline this event show delivering an unmissable evening of ‘Drum & Bass and UK ‘Garage’.

This is guaranteed to be an amazing festival so please do not waste any time.

Tickets for these events are available from https://halloweentownfestival.com

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Following months of speculation surrounding the opening of scheduled outdoor events crippled by government restrictions there could well be a glimmer of hope for a huge out door Halloween festival scheduled for October.

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 band’s 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 eight, 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.

Castle Comedy will be bringing laughter in the sunshine this August with two brilliant outdoor comedy shows. They will feature star names, beautiful surroundings, and big laughs!

Thursday, August 12 – Brewpoint Bedford (this is just off the A6 at Bedford’s northern gateway. Pete Firman is the headline act. He is recognised as the UK’s leading comedian/ magician. He starred in BBC1’s prime-time Saturday night programme The Magicians and made special guest appearances on ITV1’s The Next Great Magician, Live at the London Palladium and The John Bishop Show. His skill for

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BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN AUGUST 2021

— 15

sport

Bumper crowd of 1,400 watch Eagles v Hatters

THE Eagles face a tough start to the new season when things get underway on August 14 as they travel to Pitching in Southern League Division One Central new boys, Waltham Abbey.

The following Tuesday they entertain another team who were plying their trade in the Isthmian League last season Harlow Town.

Those League fixtures are closely followed by Bedford’s first foray into the FA Cup the following weekend for what will be the first of our league rivals St Neots Towns three visits to the Eyrie this season, having also been drawn as Bedford’s opposition in the FA Trophy.

Speaking exclusively to Bedford Bulletin, Eagles Manager Gary Setchell said its unlikely to be an easy start to the season, “I think we’ve been handed a tough start. I think Waltham Abbey were top of their league when things stopped for Covid last year, and if they have retained the same team, they will be a tough act, and Harlow are always quite strong, so we’ve got two tough games early. Then we have St Neots in the FA Cup. They will all be challenging games, but if we can get our injured players back, they will be tough games for them as well.”

Friendly matches continue into early August with St Albans City coming to the Eyrie, before the

by Michael Jarman-Webb

Eagles travel to Hitchin and Stratford Town to round off the extended preseason. Results so far have been mixed with a heavy defeat to Peterborough United, before a more respectable score line in front of a bumper crowd of over 1,400 fans when Luton Town visited. Both Championship teams brought their first teams to the Eyrie, giving a first opportunity to see some of the new additions to their squads.

Setchell said results so far have been broadly as expected, “Results have been mixed and results have gone as they should, losing to higher opposition that we expected to lose to, and we did lose to, and getting results against teams just below our level.

“The biggest concern is the injuries, we have picked up a few, and they are all different, so you can’t say we are doing something wrong, it’s just been a bit of bad luck, a bit unfortunate.

INJURY CONCERNS

AUGUST FIXTURES Saturday July 31........St Albans City Home (friendly) Tuesday 3 August ........Hitchin Town Away (friendly) Saturday 7 August .......Stratford Town Away (friendly) Saturday 14 August .....Waltham Abbey Away (league) Tuesday 17 August.....Harlow Town Home (league) Saturday 21 August....St Neots Home (FA Cup) Saturday 28 August .....AFC Dunstable Away (league) Monday 30 August ....Biggleswade FC Home (league)

“The boys have given everything they’ve got, the results aren’t important, its about gearing up for the 14th August.

“We are looking at bringing in another one or two players, ironically a couple of lads we have brought in have got injured straight away, but that’s football. There will be ups and downs during the season, hopefully we are having our downs now, and when the season comes, we will have a few ups.”

For the latest fixture updates visit: www.bedfordeagles.net

ATHLETICS

Respectable performances THREE bronze medals, two sixth places and two lifetime best performances represented a good return for the tiny team of only seven Bedfordshire and Luton Athletes at the English Schools Athletics Championships held at Manchester’s Sportscity stadium last weekend.

Covid restrictions resulted in only 16 athletes being invited to compete in each event, with the Beds & Luton team, down to just seven athletes after suffering two withdrawals – one through injury, whilst the other Alex Alston (BMS) kept his powder dry for the bigger stage of the European Junior Championships to be held in Tallin where he is racing this week.

Hurdlers took two of the bronze medals with Stephen Simmons (Bedford School) clocking a new personal best time of 14.35 seconds in a dramatic Senior Boys 110metres race full of thrills and spills.

Despite hitting three of the barriers, a strong and determined finish secured the third place.

Etienne Maughan (Bedford Girls Schools) was no less impressive in the Inter Girls 80m version her time of 11.23seconds shaving another

three hundredths off her recent Bedford Club record and only the same margin shy of second place. Etienne’s race was notable for the winner, Mia McIntosh of Hertfordshire setting a new UK U17 record of 10.95 seconds.

Gracie Wall (Samuel Whitbread) gained the team’s third bronze medal in the Inter Girls High jump. In her first competition since a serious ankle injury, Gracie was only a centimetre shy of her season’s best with a clearance of 1.65metres, losing the silver medal on the count back rule, having suffered more failures at earlier heights.

With two places in each event up for grabs in the Schools International meeting (for Intermediates only) Etienne and Gracie have both been named as first reserves for the England Team.

Elsewhere Leonie Brunning (St Thomas More) took sixth place in the Senior Girls High Jump, whilst Zack Grinsted (Ashcroft) also placed sixth with 42.75 metres in the Inter Boys Discus.

For Goldington Academy students Jasmine Wilkins and Daniel Forbes-Harding, this was a first foray on the national stage. Both were close to their lifetime bests which had been set under more

favourable conditions. Jasmine was 4th in the Inter Girls 100 metres “B” final , in a time of 12.35 seconds, whilst Daniel ran 23.03 seconds also for 4th in the Inter Boys 200 metres “B” Final.

Full results: INTER GIRLS 100m – Jasmine Wilkins – Goldington Academy 5th Semi-final 12.56 sec. 4th B final 12.35 sec.

INTER GIRLS 80m HURDLES – Etienne Maughan – Bedford Girls School – Semi final 2nd 11.50 sec. Final 3rd Bronze medal 11.23 sec. (PB) (Reserve for international) INTER GIRLS HIGH JUMP – Gracie Wall – Samuel Whitbread – 3rd Bronze Medal 1.65m – Reserve for international.

INTER BOYS 200M – Daniel Forbes-Harding – Goldington Academy – Semi final 7th. 23.19 sec.

4th B final 23.03 sec Inter Boys Discus – Zack Grinsted – Ashcroft High – 6th 42.75m SENIOR GIRLS HIGH JUMP – Leonie Brunning – St Thomas More – 6th 1.65m SENIOR BOYS 110M HURDLES – Stephen Simmons – Bedford School – Semi final 3rd 14.54 sec. Final 3rd Bronze medal 14.35 sec. PB

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AUGUST 2021 BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

MID BEDS EDITION

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

sport Sandy Cricket Club successfully ran a girls only cricket taster session as part of the ECB’s Women’s Big Cricket Month. If any girls who were unable to attend on the evening are still interested in giving cricket a go, please go along to any of the Friday evening junior cricket sessions at Jenkins Pavilion, Sunderland Road Rec, Sandy 6.30pm start. The club aim to run an all girls cricket team.

CRICKET

Road Runners CC v Sandy CC Sandy CC 188-5 (P. Stevenson 102), Road Runners CC 108-7 (Oakes 32) Sandy CC won by 80 runs

BISCL Div 1 T20

Sandy CC v Old Warden CC Match ball sponsored by Peter Gurney Old Warden CC 184-10 (M. Brownridge 87, J. Sharp 31, K. Morrallee 4-29), Sandy CC 184-8 (M. Morrallee 37, C. Birkett 58, S. Nugent 52, M. Brownridge 4-32) Sandy CC won by 2 wickets Kempston Hammers CC v Sandy CC Sandy CC 265-10 (C. Birkett 40, Z. Hussain 58, Z. Arif 3-50, S. Hussain 3-36), Kempston Hammers CC 168-10 (B. Iqbal 46, C. Birkett 536) Sandy CC won by 97 runs

BISCL Div 1

BISCL Div 3 Sandy CC v Dunstable CC Match ball sponsored by Mrs Groom Sandy CC 145-9 (A. White 49, M. Howlett 33, C. Beard 4-35), Dunstable CC 146-3 (L. Alligan 32) Dunstable CC won by 7 wickets Sandy CC v Biggleswade CC Match ball sponsored by Peter Gurney Sandy CC 195-4 (P. Stevenson 116), Biggleswade CC 199-4 (G. Boyd 65, O. Charter 54) Biggleswade CC won by 6 wickets Ampthill CC v Sandy CC Ampthill CC 113-7 (L. Eplett 212), Sandy CC 114-5 (L. Eplett 35, D. Manyweathers 3-34) Sandy CC won by 5 wickets

The finals of both competitions were held in July. Blunham CC took the glory in the East Beds Shield final as they defeated local

Charity Cricket Cups

rivals Eaton Socon. Blunham batted first and made 138-5 in their 16 overs with Wayne Goldsmith 43 and Connor Heaps 34 not out the principal scorers.

Despite the efforts of Ethan Rice, who made 41, Eaton Socon fell short by 12 runs. The President of the East Beds Charity Cricket Shield the Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt presented Wayne Goldsmith with the man-of-the-match award, the runners-up cup to Eaton Socon captain Jonathan Carpenter and the shield to Blunham captain Connor Heaps.

Spectators contributed £130 to charity funds on the night Flitwick retained the East Beds. Charity Heritage Cup with a comfortable win over Eaton Socon at Potton.

Batting first Eaton Socon struggled and could only amass 103-7 from their allotted 15 eight-ball overs.

Mungo Ryan top scored with 32.

And David Powers took 3-12. In reply Flitwick made short work of the run chase as they reached 107-2 in under 8 overs, George Thurstance earning the man-ofthe-match award for his unbeaten 62.

After two unexpected defeats Blunham Cricket Club has moved back to the top of Division 2 of the Whiting and Partners Cambs. and Hunts, following an 8-wicket demolition of Saffron Walden.

The club’s strength in depth is proving crucial this season with both the 2nds and 3rds in contention for promotion and the 4ths enjoying their best-ever season with excellent recent victories against Sandy and Ampthill. The club also has the final of the East Beds shield to look forward to against formidable opponents Eaton Socon.

The league season is drawing to a close and all three sides have had their moments over the past month.

The over-60s 1sts have had a couple of good recent victories, the 2nds might yet make the play-offs, and the over-70s, after a mid-season blip when the top-order batting wasn’t firing on all cylinders, returned to winning ways with a good win against Herts. Colin Stubbs, Paul Mustoe and Ian Willis have had good seasons with the bat and Dave Butterworth, Phil Chudley and Gerry Ingham have taken wickets regularly.

Bedfordshire Seniors