Mid_Beds_Bulletin_Feb_22

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OBJECTIONS RAISED OVER SUBSTATION PLANS MID BEDS EDITION

PLANS for an electricity substation on 58 acres of agricultural land in Biggleswade are being opposed by the town council.

But its fears over landscaping issues could be resolved before the project is considered by Central Bedfordshire Council’s development management committee.

The National Grid and UK by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter

Power Networks have submitted plans to Central Beds Council for the substation and an access road on land to the north of Dunton Lane.

Once installed it would provide an extra 80 megawatts of electrical power capacity for the local area, which could cater for around 40,000 people.

Deputy mayor Grant Fage (below) described it as “a lengthy process” to reach this stage, telling a town council meeting: “This was in the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) bid, initiated in 2017 and which became public in 2018.

garden village to the east of the town.

“This application doesn’t provide sufficient detail on the exact landscaping. There’s little visual evidence of the extent to which the large structures will be shielded from sight, as well as from passing walkers, motorists and nearby properties.

“This is particularly the case with the new footpath to the east side of the site, which appears completely exposed to views of the substation with no mitigating hedgerow.”

The town council understands “further documentation might be forthcoming”, he said.

“But for now comments can only reflect what’s included on the planning portal, so as a result the town council objects to this application.

“Perhaps there will be room for dialogue. If we were to put in that objection hopefully that creates space around those specific issues.

“This is a very complex and difficult application. These are two sticking points which are so

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“This is a planning application required to meet project milestones in conjunction with Homes England to keep on track and unlock that funding,” he explained.

“Biggleswade Town Council recognises the need to increase the power supply in the town and the strategic importance of successfully delivering a new substation.

“That said the substation and subsequent landscaping are vital for preserving Biggleswade’s rural heritage and for meeting the unique aspirations of the new

important to the town I think we have to make them in that way.”

Town councillors voted unanimously to object because the landscaping documents on the planning portal are insufficient for what the council wants and thought it had agreed with UK Power Networks and National Grid.

Conservative Biggleswade North and town councillor Ian Bond, who sits on CBC’s development management committee, took no part in the discussion or vote.

The committee will have the final say on whether to approve or refuse the plans.

The Biggleswade substation project website explained two compounds are needed. These are: “A National Grid site (Biggleswade 400kv substation) and a UK Power Networks site (Biggleswade east grid).

“Together, these two compounds will draw electrical power from the overhead lines which run over the site, and then transform that down to a lower voltage to provide electricity to residential and commercial properties.”

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Cllr questions council on its own empty property performance

AN average of 80 empty properties a year have been brought back into use by Central Bedfordshire Council during the last decade.

The local authority said in a statement its empty homes team rejuvenated 816 long-term vacant houses between 2011/12 and 2020/21.

One house which had been empty for 30 years was bought by the council as part of its commitment to prevent properties from falling into disrepair.

Independent Biggleswade South Cllr Hayley Whitaker (right) raised the issue with Conservative Dunstable Watling councillor Eugene Ghent, during open questions at a full council meeting.

“I’m sure you’ll agree the CBC empty homes department do a fantastic job in bringing private properties which remain unoccupied for many years back into use,” she explained.

“So can you explain why this council doesn’t practise what it preaches? Why don’t we bring our own empty homes, such as Top Field Farmhouse on Dunton Lane in Biggleswade, back into use, rather than letting that particular house sit empty for many years?” she asked him.

Councillor Ghent, who’s the executive member for housing and assets, replied: “Top Field Farmhouse… is that on some farm-

Continued on page 13

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TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Grant Palmer invests in two brand new buses

GRANT Palmer Limited, Bedfordshire’s independently owned bus company have invested over £250,000 in two brand new buses.

Operating 35 buses across the county and in to Luton, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.

The company has been operating in Bedfordshire since 1999.

The new British built Alexander Dennis vehicles support

engineering jobs in Scarborough as well as the supporting the automotive supply chain across Britain.

Featuring Euro6 engines, the low emission buses will operate across the county – reducing emissions and improving the experience for customers.

High backed seats with belts will provide a comfortable journey for customers who can benefit from at seat USB charging points.

The new buses follow on from recent investments in contactless payment ticket machines and will be ready fitted with tap on tap off card readers too.

Thomas Manship, Executive Assistant for Grant Palmer adds “We’re pleased to add two further low emission buses to our fleet, helping to improve local air quality and provide even better journeys for customers.”

Care awards successes

TWO Bedford College care apprentices have been recognised in the Great British Care Awards for their work with the homeless charity NOAH. Kylie Rawlins (pictured) has won ‘The Frontline Leader Award – East of England’ at the regional section of the awards.

Kylie, who is a current Level 5 Leadership apprentice, will now go through to the national finals, to be held in March 2022.

A report in the NOAH News said: “Since moving into the Outreach Team Leader role, Kylie has led by example; compassionately, sensitively and expertly supporting vulnerable people off the streets.

“She is a vital cog in the wheel of support for homeless people in Luton and every multi-agency partner continually taps into her knowledge and skill, in order to support others.

Meanwhile Ella Czubakowska, who completed at Level 3 Care apprenticeship, was Highly Commended in the Housing and Care Category.

Ella is leading a job project supporting migrants who have been sleeping rough in Luton.

Paul Prosser, Head of Welfare Services at NOAH said: “NOAH have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the team at Bedford College especially Carole Hobbs who has been instrumental in coaching many of our support workers in their journey to obtain L3 and L5 Health and Social Care Diplomas.”

Carole Hobbs, Training Coordinator/IQA in the Care & Education Team at The Bedford College Group said: “It is lovely to see our apprentices doing so well in industry and the workplace.”

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Survey finds many businesses remain resilient despite economic challenges Business performance remains challenging, clearly impacted by the pandemic, but there is optimism about the future

ON January 10, 2022, the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) published the results of the 2021 Business Survey, identifying the economic challenges and opportunities facing businesses in Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, and Bedfordshire.

The biennial survey, conducted over October and November 2021, engaged with over 1,800 local businesses to identify economic issues and opportunities to support the growth of local businesses and the local economy. The key trends identified include: Business Location: The South East Midlands continues to be rated increasingly highly as a place to do businesses, with various aspects presenting positive opportunities to attract inward investment. l 75% of businesses rated the South East Midlands region as a ‘good’ or ‘very good’ place to do business (69% in 2019). l 26% of businesses said performance had improved over the past 12 months (40% in 2019) while 34% said it had deteriorated (20% in 2019)

l Over the coming year, businesses are more likely to expect improvements than further deterioration (40% vs. 15%).

Vacancies, skills shortages and skills gaps: Skills are a key issue for local businesses and a lack of skilled labour remains one of the top constraints on growth, although skills gaps have reduced with an investment in existing staff. l 28% of businesses had vacancies in the last 12 months (39% in 2019) l 17% had hard-to-fill vacancies (18% in 2019) l 16% reported skills gaps amongst current staff (25% in 2019) l 7% have an apprentice (12% in 2019) Innovation, the green agenda and inclusive recruitment are all issues that have significant scope for future development

l 21% of businesses innovated in the last 12 months (26% in 2019) l 46% of businesses have the intention of being more sustainable, but only 11% have a specific target or aim to achieve net-zero l 27% of businesses are actively adopting inclusive recruitment practices The findings of the survey will now be used to help inform and shape economic strategies and development activities over the coming year.

Hilary Chipping, Chief Executive of SEMLEP, (left) commented: “Whilst it can come as no surprise that the business environment remains challenging, many businesses are dealing with multiple, long-term obstacles, it’s pleasing to see strong economic resilience and a

positive outlook coming through.

“As we head into 2022, we’re optimistic about what’s to come for the local business community. By delivering a wide range of business support, grants and skills programmes, we continue in our efforts to create and grow the environment for greater economic opportunity.”

Claire Ackroyd, Senior Economic Analyst at SEMLEP adds, “The SEMLEP Business Survey is an important tool in helping us to gather business information needed to inform support and investment needs.

“The findings of this survey particularly will help us to map the response of businesses to economic shocks, providing us and our local authority partners with important data to shape future strategies. Thank you to every business that has participated.”

The full SEMLEP 2021 Business Survey is available to view online at www.semlep.com.

The previous survey was in 2019 and this was the sixth business survey conducted by SEMLEP since 2013.

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— FEBRUARY 2022

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Central Bedfordshire Council budget to increase Council Tax by nearly 2% An “excellent” draft budget should be shared rather than hidden away, Central Bedfordshire Council’s executive heard.

An increase of almost two per cent is proposed in CBC’s council tax share for 2022/23.

Its council tax precept consists of 0.95 per cent and a ringfenced social care precept of one per cent.

Liberal Democrat Linslade councillor Peter Snelling said: “I would generally welcome the position that’s taken on this. My main concern is we haven’t had a proper budget briefing for opposition members.

by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter “We got an email saying diaries didn’t allow it to happen until much later this month. This should have been one of the priorities for the dairy before it got filled up with other things.

“It’s typical that opposition members are left in the dark, apart from the social care briefing we’re getting from councillor (Carole) Hegley.”

Conservative council leader and Arlesey councillor Richard Wenham replied: “Let me reassure you the budget presentation hasn’t been made to any members yet.

“There will be two briefings, one for Conservative members and one for the opposition, but neither of those has taken place yet.

“The dates for those are proposed by officers and not by the administration. I don’t think we can be accused of hiding the budget under a bushel.

“We don’t actually want to do that as it’s an excellent budget combining better services and supporting internal care provision and our external providers, while applying a very low increase in council tax.”

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Presenting the budget to the committee, Conservative Arlesey councillor David Shelvey revealed CBC proposes “to spend £468m gross and £240m net providing services”, during the next financial year.

“This represents a £14m increase on our net budget from this current year, which reflects increases in council tax and some extra government grants,” he explained.

“We’re acutely aware of continuing pressures in children’s services, care of elderly people and disabled adults.

“We’re also seeing increased costs in many of our other directorates because of pressures of inflation, which is now at more than five per cent. We need to maintain our roads and collect our waste.

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“We still have continuing uncertainty about the pandemic, with increased costs across the council.”

The draft budget was prepared before the announcement of the local government settlement by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

“The council tax referendum limit has been set at two per cent this year with the option of an extra one per cent adult social care charge,” said councillor

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Shelvey, who’s the executive member for corporate resources.

“We propose to keep the general council tax increase to 0.95 per cent. Officers are still evaluating the draft settlement received just before Christmas.

“The social care grant has been increased by £2m. It’s not reflected in the draft budget.

“With the requirement by the government to move towards a fair cost of care we’ll be proposing to use this extra funding to increase the fees paid to care providers by six-and-a-half per cent next year.

“We’re proposing £30m of efficiencies across the mediumterm financial period (MTFP), including £9.5m next year,” he added.

“We recognise the impact of council tax rises and are looking to keep increases to the minimum necessary, while ensuring delivery of high quality services and the financial sustainability of the council.”

The executive approved the draft budget for 2022/23 and the updated MTFP 2022/23 to 2025/26 as the basis for wider consultation.

After feedback is considered, the budget is due to be presented to the executive on February 8th, with final recommendations to full council on February 24th.

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Inspirational student racks up ten million subscribers on YouTube A refugee, who was helped to start a new life by The Bedford College Group after escaping war torn Syria is now featured in a major music video by Anne Marie.

Called Beautiful, the video has been watched by millions and stars Dema Aktaa, who lost her leg in a bombing at her village in 2012.

Dema arrived in the UK in 2017 and began walking and running with a new prosthetic limb. Her training sessions are featured on the film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_voF0suj0Oo Dema helped to raise thousands of pounds for the Help Refugees campaign in a sponsored event and as a result in March 2020 was welcomed into the Lionhearts squad linked to the England football team. https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/sep/28/demaaktaa-announced-in-lionhearts-squad-280920 Now aged 27 and living in Flitwick, Bedfordshire, Dema and her sister Nour both joined English for

Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at Bedford College in 2018 and went on to successfully achieve qualifications.

Martin Tobutt, Lecturer at the ESOL department said he and colleagues had been watching Dema’s “inspirational” progress with interest: “The traumas of Syria’s civil war, both mentally and physically could have left these two as introverted and melancholy people, yet the opposite was true.

“They could fill a room with radiant smiles and so much positivity that anyone else had to wonder whether we have any right to complain about our lives.”

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TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Bedford Hospital Charity receives £800,000 in memory of Clifton Ibbett

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BEDFORD Hospital Charity & Friends (BHC&F) have announced that the Bedfordshire Charitable Trust (BCT) have pledged a donation to the charity of an amazing £800,000.

The donation is to celebrate the life of Clifton Ibbett OBE who sadly passed away in May, 2021.

BCT, formerly known as The Ibbett Trust, was founded by Clifton Ibbett and his parents Claude and Gladys Ibbett in 1964.

Clifton was a great advocate of the BCT’s aims which include actively supporting ‘the advancement of health or saving of lives’ and ‘education and training’.

Shortly after Clifton had died, Deborah Inskip (Chairman of BHC&F), was invited to meet the trustees of the Bedfordshire Charitable Trust to discuss their desire to support the CT scanner part of the charity’s ‘£1m for Bedford A&E’ appeal as a permanent recognition of his life.

Over the last few months, the two charities have been in close discussion and together, towards the end of 2021, were hosted by the A&E specialists and senior executive of the Bedfordshire Hospitals Trust,

on a visit to view the extended and re-developed A&E department.

During this visit, the trustees of BCT spotted additional areas, in the evolving A&E department, to which they felt they could also add their support to make improvements and give facilities, particularly for education and training, over and above those already planned. This is hugely appreciated.

Margaret Ibbett, Clifton’s widow, said: “This donation recognises the genuine love Clifton had for Bedfordshire and its people. His deep and personal interest, underpinned by Christian faith, in improving people’s lives was clear to all who knew and met him.”

The installation of the new CT scanner and completion of developments for the A&E department are, very happily, likely to come to fruition this Autumn.

David Carter, CEO of the Bedfordshire Hospitals Trust, commented: “We are so grateful to the Bedfordshire Charitable Trust in giving this wonderful donation in Clifton Ibbett’s memory and we are so pleased to acknowledge this incredible generosity by naming the new CT facility ‘The Clifton Ibbett Suite’.”

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AROUND THE CLUBS BIGGLESWADE IVEL TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD

Chairman Ann Taylor welcomed members to the meeting on Monday, January 10. A minutes silence was held for Rosie Body, a committee member, who sadly passed away just before Christmas. Her funeral will be held February, 4 at Stevenage.

Birthday greetings were given to Bobbie Ball, Cathy Quigley and Janet Trenholme.

Last month the walking group met at Deepdale for a walk around the mast and lunch was enjoyed at a very busy Beds Growers.

The booked speaker for the Janaury meeting, unfortunately, had contracted covid and Bobbie Ball, very kindly stepped in at the last moment. She entertained us with stories of her family and eventful life experiences. At 4-½ years old she was sent to a boarding school by the time she was 10 years old she had lived in Southampton, Cambridge, Weymouth, Bournemouth, Edinburgh then back to Southampton. As a schoolgirl she found herself alone in Dunkirk after a meeting with her elder siblings failed due to a mix up in communication.

The monthly competition, something beginning with the letter U, was won by Pam Peacock with an ornamental umbrella, Liz Stirratt – pack of Uno and joint 3rd Bobbie Ball and Maria Myers kitchen utensil.

The next meeting is on Monday, February 14. The speaker will be Wally Thrale with a talk about bee-keeping. The competition will be something beginning with V. The guild meets on the second Monday of the month 2pm at the Orchard Community Centre,

Sullivan Court, Biggleswade new member and visitors are very welcome.

BIGGLESWADE SANDY LIONS CLUB

The reindeer are back on their pasture in Lapland after a very busy Christmas. I am one of those strange people who like to follow Santa’s journey and I use the Norad tracker. According to Norad Santa delivered 7,623,693,263 parcels this year – a possible answer for Trivial Pursuit!

Back to reality, we were very fortunate that Santa was able to visit us this year and you were very generous donating more money than ever. This has helped us to replenish our Charity Funds which were running low after the lockdowns of the past two years.

Health and Safety issues surrounding not only Covid but also the increased age of our members prevented us undertaking street collections and it is most likely that, unless we can recruit more youngers members, street collections will not happen in the years to come. Thank you to all those members of the community who supported us.

That leads me on to a very important subject. Like most voluntary organisations we have been finding it difficult to recruit members during lockdown.

Nationally several Lions Clubs have had to close which means that the various services they had been able to carry out and support have suffered. We do not want that to happen in our area but to carry on we must have more members.

If you are able to give a little of your time to help us with the many projects we support we would like to hear from you.

Just to tell you some of them, we support Message in a Bottle

Success for Flitwick Scouts

MID BEDS BULLETIN

FLITWICK Scout Group continues to attract children and young people aged 4 to 17 to learn “skills for life”. They are also attracting adult volunteers to help run the sections and this will hopefully result in a third Scout Troop being opened.

In November the Group opened two Squirrel Dreys (for boys and girls aged 4 and 5). These are the only Dreys in the County and they have attracted children from neighbouring Counties.

The Group made the decision to have one drey on a Thursday afternoon from 4.30 for an hour and another one on a Saturday morning from 9.30 for an hour.

Both of the Dreys are now full and the Group have 15 children waiting to join. Trustee Nigel Taylor said, “It’s been great seeing these children getting involved in many activities.

“They’ve got their Super Chef’s badge and have recently worked towards their Be Active badge.”

Items in the programme for Beavers (boys and girls aged 6 to 8) include working towards their Space badge, celebrating the Chinese new year, working on their Disability Awareness Badge and their Global Issues Activity badge.

The programme for Cubs (boys and girls aged 8 to 10) includes working towards their Teamwork Challenge Badge, Global Issues Activity Badge, Martial Arts, Navigator badge, and a visit to a fire station.

Scouts (boys and girls aged 10 to 14) are looking forward to working with telescopes, wood

carving, a games evening and the ever popular chip shop survey.

With a Cub and Scout camp planned for July in Chalfont and a family camp planned for September at Bromham, all members of the Group are looking forward to a really busy year.

Some of the Explorer Scouts (boys and girls aged 14 to 17) are helping with the younger sections.

They are using the volunteering as part of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Darren Reeve, Lead volunteer for the Group said, “We are bursting at the seams with young people and it’s been great to see adults stepping forward to help run the sections. Due to the brilliant programmes run by our awesome volunteers, the children remain with the Group and we are looking to open a third Scout Troop. I have thoroughly enjoyed talking with the new volunteers. They are so enthusiastic about being involved and helping children and young people learn new skills.”

Darren added, “If you would like to become a member of an award winning team, (the Group were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2019) please contact us. If you can offer an hour a week we would find a role for you, if you are available to help one week in four, we would find a role for you.

If you want to volunteer with young children, teenagers or on some admin tasks, we will find a role for you.”

For further information about Flitwick Scouts, please visit www.flitwickscoutgroup.org.uk

FEBRUARY 2022 —

and Message in a Wallet which help the Paramedics and emergency services when someone is taken ill at home or while they are out, recycling of used spectacles and hearing aids, ROAR which is a project asking young children what they would like to change in the world and many more. To find out more about these projects go to our website bslions.org.uk or speak to one of our members.

And so to the year ahead; the first event is a Jumble Sale at the Clifton Community Centre on Saturday,March 19. Then in the run up to Easter we have our Easter Egg raffle. As usual this will be based in the local clubs and pubs in the area. Do look out for our Egg raffle in your local and please support us. Covid permitting we hope to see you at the various fetes etc this summer. Do come and talk to us.

SANDY TOWN COUNCIL Council meetings

Work continues on Skatepark Proj ect

All meetings commence at 7.30pm Sandy Skatepark Project is continuin g to work except Development Scrutiny towards a final design and the fund at s start h whic ), ning (Plan e mitte raising Com target for the future skate facility to be built in 6.45pm in the Council Chamber, 10 Sunderland Road recreation ground.

Cambridge Road, Sandy, SG19 1JE Our thanks go to all everyone who (unless otherwise stated on the cam ncil January engagement session to discu e to the Agenda). Due to the size of the Cou ss their of ber num ntial pote the vision for the skatepark and feedback Chamber and on the and prev ious concept designs. people present, Councillors, officers to members of the public are reminded ting. Look out for future news and feedback opporwear face coverings during the mee tunities on the project’s Facebook page , www.facebook.com/SandySkateparkP Monday 31st January 2022 roject or Development Scrutiny t Community Services & Environmen 2022 uary Febr Monday 21st Development Scrutiny Policy, Finance & Resources Monday 7th March 2022 Development Scrutiny Town Council See our website for details.

on the news section of the Council’s website.

The current total of funds raised for the project is now over £110,000 and we are cont inuing the fundraising work, as more is still needed to realise the project’s aim of providing a new, high-quality, concrete skatepark.

If your business has any funding oppo rtunities which could support this important community asset and you'd like to get involved, plea contact Sandy Town Council using the se details below.

AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC END. PRESS ARE WELCOME TO ATT

Vacant council seat in Fallowfield Ward Do

alk Green Wheel Winter W

people and you have a passion to ma day 9th January when 30 ke a difference? Could p, sunny morning on Sun e route of the Sandy Green Wheel. you represent people acr cris a s wa It oss your community and on the six mil help make decisions to one dog set off together benefit them? Could you dshire took part in the be a Councillor? town and across Bedfor nthe hin Walkers from wit the sights of Sandy’s cou in ing g and tak Sandy Town Council is now Walk and enjoyed chattin ods and field, the Riddy nature reserve r nte Wi seeking candidates to be nacle wo considered for co-option tryside, including the Pin the River Ivel. onto the Council for a of ks ban g din vacant seat in Fallowfiel and the win phy Club, who d Wa mbers of Sandy Photogra nation of a Councillor. You rd, following the resigre glad to be joined by me and the lovely landscape during the we don We ’t hav e to live in Fallowfield to be eligible the group ; you just need to live or took some great shots of work in or near Sandy, be nt. ove eve r 18 and an elector, and ile pushing her young be a UK or Commonweal pleted the full route wh th citizen. e courageous mum com present.

On ne Anyone interested in the admiration of everyo ghter in a buggy, to the vacancy is welcome to dau ting in trees and Red res ds contact the Town Clerk pleased to spot Buzzar y at clerk@sandytown ver re we rs lke wa e Som council.gov.uk or on 017 as the walk went on.

67 681 491, for an inform Kites hovering overhead Sandy Green conversation about the al r seasonal walks of the role. Alternatively, you can speak to any of our Counc y event was the first of fou ails of the spring event, keep an eye uar Jan The illors using the contact year. For det details on our website.

Wheel scheduled for the and Facebook page.

Town Council’s website dy San on An application form is ava our website and copies ilable to download from can office by emailing admin@ be requested from our or calling 01767 681 491 sandytowncouncil.gov.uk the playpark . The deadline for applica Last month, a new seesaw and inclusive roundabout were installed in tions is noon on 28th Feb nt replaces pieces which had to ruary 2022 as these will equipme new The ground. n recreatio ld Fallowfie at considered at a meeting be more on 7th March 2022. be removed last year due to safety issues. As we look ahead to spring and nt. time spent outdoors, we hope local families will enjoy using this new equipme

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

7

10

— JANUARY 2022

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Bedford Hospital’s Maternity Department scores 97% in recent satisfaction survey THE feedback from patients and their families is an important barometer to indicate how well Bedford Hospital’s maternity department is providing its services, a council meeting heard.

by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter

responses scored very good or good, and three per cent were a poor or very poor response.

“Yes, we do have some poor and very poor responses, but these are very small,” Ms Hardwick said.

“They’re important to us and we listen to what families and women are saying to us.”

The hospital has also appointed a midwife who is dedicated to the patient experience.

“This role will provide a really exciting and dedicated link, and somebody who can really support us and our partners with engage-

EXPERIENCED

ment with our patients,” Ms Hardwick said.

Councillor Dean Crofts (LibDems, Kingsbrook Ward) said: “I’ve noticed you’ve surveyed 89 people in six months between May to November, and then you surveyed 63 people in just one month in December.

“Do you set yourself a target every month of how many patient experience surveys you want completing, or have you just ramped that up because you’re at a stage now where you can do that,” he asked.

The Trust’s chief nurse, Liz Lees, said the department used to

Photo courtesy of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn.

On Monday, January 17, Emma Hardwick, director of midwifery at Bedfordshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, gave an update on the patient experience at the Bedford Hospital maternity department to an informal meeting of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

“Clearly the feedback we get from our patients and their families is a barometer for our services and how we’re doing,” she said.

“We are working really hard to increase the amount of feedback we can gain from our friends and family responses over recent months,” she added.

A table presented to the committee showed from May 2021 to December 2021, 97 per cent of

been using them in all of our clinical areas to make sure we get timely feedback.

“There’s no point in just having ten for a month, it needs to be proportional to the women that are experiencing the services, and not just one area.

“This has been a deliberate focus on making sure we get a range of areas covered with a response rate that’s proportional to our service users.

“It’s not the only method of feedback but it’s a really helpful indicator on where we are,” she added.

Committee chair, councillor Graeme Coombes (Conservative, Wilshamstead Ward) asked if the survey was carried out while people were still at the unit while a member of staff was standing there.

use a paper system to record the responses.

“Now we’ve got a digital solution for that, so we use iPads and it’s taken a little while for teams to get used to the new technology,” she said.

“So over the last couple of months, and this isn’t just in maternity it’s across the board, we’ve Emma Hardwick.

“If I was being asked to fill in a survey while the person who gave it to me was standing right next to me, that might sort of affect my response rates,” he said.

Emma Hardwick replied: “I think you make a very valid point, previously, up until relatively recently, women would fill in their

RESPONSE

LAWN DOCTOR IT seems many of you enjoyed the horticultural quotes contained within last month’s piece and thank you for your feedback.

Somewhat predictably, men liked the advice of T.H. Everett that ‘A man should never plant a garden larger than his wife can take care of’ with the ladies preferring Anon’s. ‘Why are husbands like lawn mowers? They are difficult to get started, emit foul smells, and don’t work half the time’.

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Willow 5. Which flower is also the goddess of the rainbow in Greek Mythology? Iris 6. Most species of eucalyptus are native to which country?

Australia 7. True or False. Ericaceous plants like acid soil? True 8. Who designed the Blue Peter Garden in 1974? Percey Thrower 9. The Avenue of the Baobabs is a group of famous trees in which African country? Madagascar 10.Which garden in the Cotswolds is notable for its miles of sculptured hedges? Hidcote 11. True or False. Tulips were once so valuable in Holland that their bulbs were worth more than gold? True 12.Which king created the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?

Nebuchadnezzar II. If your New Year’s resolution was to spend more time in your garden, do let me know how you are getting on or of course, if I can help in any way.

All correspondence can be emailed to LawnDocGardens@ aol.com or posted to: Lawn Doctor Garden Services, 14 Sand Lane, Northill, SG18 9AD. As usual, please contact me, 01767 627 581, with any gardening queries or tasks you may have.

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Glyphosate – the primary active ingredient in most total weedkillers – continues, a number of readers have asked for alternatives. As previously mentioned, I have had pretty good results by simply using vinegar applied using a bog standard garden spray. But what follows is a ‘recipe’ for making your own total weedkiller that is, apparently used by a number of federal states in the United States of America in and around their municipal areas.

DIY Non Glyphosate Total Weedkiller Ingredients: 6 Pints of Warm Water 1 Cup of Table Salt 3 Cups of White Vinegar 1 Table Spoon of Washing Up Liquid 1 Table Spoon of Baking Soda Method: Thoroughly mix everything taking care not to splash onto skin or onto wanted plants. The salt needs to be fully dissolved. Then, decant into a garden sprayer. Use just like any other weedkiller preferably on a warm, sunny day (if we ever have one again!).

Repeat as necessary.

If you go to the trouble of making this, please let me know how you get on.

The winner of the Christmas Quiz has now been notified; the answers are as follows: 1. Which flower's name comes from the Ancient Greek word for star? Aster 2. What name do the Scots sometimes call the weed noxious ragwort in memory of the infamous Duke of Cumberland's?

Stinking Billy 3. Which plant, widespread in Britain, if touched causes a serious chemical reaction which makes skin hypersensitive to ultraviolet light?

Giant Hogweed 4. What is the common name for salix babylonica? Weeping

response via a card, and the cards would be handed out at different points in their journey for them to complete and return anonymously.

“We have moved that over to an iPad way of completing it, but we still do use cards, for example in the community setting for women to complete and women have the option of doing that as well.”

Ms Hardwick added that support staff usually hand out the surveys, explain how to complete it on the iPad, but they don’t stand there while it is being completed.

“I am really pleased that we are beginning to get more responses, it’s lovely to hear nice things that people say, it’s really really important to the staff, it gives us a test and an endorsement of what we’re doing right.

“But equally, it’s important to hear things when they’re not going well and to hear if somebody’s experience hasn’t been good to understand why that is so,” she said.

Ms Hardwick added that part of the midwifery advocate role provides the department with a trained professional who can help it to really understand from a patient’s point of view how it can do things differently.

FEBRUARY 2022 —

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Inspectors praise Bedford primary school for ‘extra steps’ during pandemic INSPECTORS have praised a Bedford primary school for the “extra steps” it has taken during the pandemic to ensure pupils make progress and are safe and confident.

Ofsted inspectors have given Cauldwell Primary School in South Bedford a glowing report, commending its “sense of family”, its “high ambitions for pupils” and its “well-designed curriculum”.

The school, which is part of HEART Academies Trust, was also praised for the way it teaches reading and gives children responsibility.

Inspectors said pupils clearly enjoyed ‘Spooky Story Days’ and “delighted in learning new vocabulary”. They said that initiatives, such as the ‘weekly special person’ award and the prefect and buddy system meant that “visitors cannot fail to notice [the school’s] sense of family”.

“Staff play their full part so that pupils are safe, confident and make progress in their learning,” the inspectors said. “Adults took, and continue to take, extra steps to do so

Closure of long established stationer shocks high street’s retailers

BEDFORDSHIRE BULLETIN

RETAILERS in Bedford High Street are shocked to hear that one of the longest established shops has closed.

Colemans has been everpresent in Bedford for over 30 years.

Director of the business Joanna Paterson-Gordon in a notice displayed in the shop window cited: “The decline of the town centre, developments at retail sites of the edge of town, the rise of the internet and Covid” as reasons for the closure.

She went on to say that all of these factors had paid a part in the reduction of footfall in Bedford town centre, making the business unviable.

Colemans eight other branches have not been impacted by the closure.

during the national pandemic.”

“Pupils sum up best what it is like to attend Cauldwell by saying ‘I feel special’ and ‘my voice is heard’. Pupils know that they are valued and like the fact that adults give them plenty of encouragement to achieve their best.”

The praise comes only weeks after two other HEART Academies Trust schools, Shortstown Primary School in Cardington, Bedford, and Shackleton Primary, off Elstow Road in central Bedford, were also given glowing Ofsted reports.

Inspectors have given all three schools an overall rating of “good”.

Judith Apps, Headteacher of Cauldwell, said: “At Cauldwell, we strongly believe that there are no insurmountable barriers to our pupils’ success.”

David Morris, Chief Executive Officer of HEART Academies Trust, said: “I am immensely proud of what Cauldwell has achieved. As a Trust, we support our schools so that they can give children in Bedford an excellent education and a safe and happy time at school.”

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— FEBRUARY 2022

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

Green councillors split on Bedford Borough set to amendment to their raise their council tax anti-fossil fuels motion AT Bedford Council’s meeting on Wednesday, January 12, the council overwhelmingly passed a motion originally proposed by Green Party’s Ben Foley (Cllr Castle Ward) but amended by the other parties, to “support divestment from fossil fuels” and to ask for the Bedfordshire Pension Fund and the Border to Coast Pension Partnership to remove all funds from fossil fuels.

The wide-ranging motion also called for further carbon literacy training for council staff, and to accelerate work on circular economy initiatives, sustainable food strategies, waste reduction, and natural carbon capture.

Cllr Graeme Coombes commented: “The three main parties all tried to find a compromise resolution, as the Green motion was considered a little bit extreme or utopian by the others.

“The other three parties worked together and offered an amended resolution in order to make it an all party affair and avoid a long argumentative debate.

“The Greens were offered this amendment in advance of the meeting, but refused to be part of and their reasoning was linked this with some obscure

points on the cycling network, which actually bore no relation to the fossil fuel divestment issue at the heart of the discussion.

“On the night, the Greens moved their motion, but it was amended by the other three parties, replacing the original Green motion.

“The amended motion was then passed – not the Green motion.

“On both votes on the amendment and the final resolution, the two Green Councillors were split and both voted differently.

“It was quite a travesty and they had the option to unite the Council around this issue, but instead divided everyone, including their own two Councillors.

“Ultimately, their own motion was not passed.”

Drug dealers get lengthy prison terms TWO Bedford drug dealers who supplied illegal class A substances in Bedford have been jailed, after £300,000 worth of heroin and cocaine was seized from them.

The ‘Asian K’ deal line, led by Imran Khan Ali, 42, of Oldfield Road, and Mohammed Salim Malik, 32, of Iddesleigh Road, supplied vast quantities of heroin and crack and powder cocaine around Bedford.

It is thought to have earned the pair more than £80,000 a year.

A Bedfordshire Police investigation established that the pair worked closely together to run their drug dealing operation.

In particular, the number thought to be the deal line had featured in ‘mail shot’ messages seen by officers, often linked to a dealer named ‘Rocky’.

Using information from phone masts triggered by their numbers and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) data, detectives were able to establish Malik as the person behind the Rocky synonym.

The pair were arrested together in Malik’s vehicle in April 2021. Search teams later located three kilogrammes of heroin hidden within a backpack inside a wardrobe in Malik’s bedroom, and the deal line phone was found in his kitchen.

A search of Ali’s address found heroin, cocaine, cutting agents and other dealing paraphernalia.

The total worth of the illegal substances is thought to be around £300,000.

Imran Khan Ali was sentenced to 11-and-a-half years in prison. Mohammed Salim Malik was jailed for six years.

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BEDFORD Borough council- by John Guinn – Local Democracy Reporter lors will consider a council tax increase of 3.99% next month.

Bedford Borough Council’s Constitution requires that Full Council considers the budget proposals from the Executive for the forthcoming financial year by no later than February 8.

As part of that process, the portfolio for finance, Cllr Michael Headley, (LibDems, Putnoe Ward), presented the General Fund Budget for 2022/2023 report ton Wednesday, January 19, at the council’s Executive meeting.

Among the recommendations for the Executive to consider was an increase in council tax of 3.99 per cent. The report said this will give an average Band D Council Tax of £1,688.94.

The proposed increase is made up of a core increase of 1.99 per cent, and a Adult Social Care Precept increase of 2 per cent.

This rise does not include any increases from fire service, police and town/parish council precepts.

Councillor Headley said: “We have to consider the increased costs that we are facing. That includes the soaring inflation, as we’ve seen in the news today, and increasing needs of local residents, particularly for social care for both adults and children.

“We see that the government’s approach is very clear, it is to push these extra cost onto council tax payers and that’s a matter of choice, that is a decision that they are taking, they are making that decision to push those costs onto council tax payers.

“We held back last year on pushing all that [adult

social care] cost onto residents and again this year we’re not passing on the maximum expected by the government,” he said.

“Having spoken about the costs for the council, I want to make it clear that we are very concerned about the cost of living crisis being faced by residents.

While explaining the Local Government Finance Settlement 2022/23, councillor Headley said £6.5 million in grants that the council received last year that have not been repeated for this year.

“We did receive in the new budget £1.4 million of extra grant for social care cost, but at the same time we lost an equivalent amount in New Homes Bonus. So that really takes us back to square one on that.

“Overall we see an extra £4 million of government support through the core spending power, you’ll see that obviously in government announcements, and in our report. “£4 million of extra government support this year, but as I mentioned that’s outweighed by the removal of the two grants we had last year, that were worth £6.5 million.

“So this year’s budget makes £4.5 million worth of savings to balance the budget. These savings able us to protect key frontline services and provide the investment needed in key areas of need, such as adult social care, where government funding is inadequate,” he said.

The Executive agreed to the recommendations.

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Winning money for school A STUDENT at Castle Newnham School, has donated the prize money for winning a local photography competition to the art department at the school.

Bethany,14, entered a Young Photography competition that challenged young people in Bedford to share different perspectives of the town’s well-known and not-so-wellknown landmarks.

The competition, run by local independent estate agent Hollands Smith sought to share photos that showcase the community and culture of our town, the landmarks, the hidden treasures – with the brief being, “the more quirky or unusual the better!”

Bethany’s winning photo captured the recently refurbished Kings Bridge over the Great River Ouse – one she walked over many times during lockdown walks with her family. She said, “The photo was part of my GCSE Art coursework on reflections. It also reminded me of how lucky we are to have such lovely river walks near to us.”

At her request her £50 prize was donated to the art department to help buy supplies for all students at the school. Emily Robinson, Art Subject Leader at Castle Newnham said: “Not only am I proud of Bethany for winning this competition, but donating the prize money to the art department shows her love of the subject and her wish to share this win with her peers.

“Thank you so much Bethany and the team at Hollands Smith!”

The winner of the younger age group also attends the primary school at Castle Newnham. James captured the Victorian architecture of school roof to win his prize, donating £50 to Castle Newnham’s PTA.

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by nearly 4% next year

FEBRUARY 2022 —

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View from the Rt Revd

Richard Atkinson

The Bishop of Bedford

LEARNING FROM FAILURE

With a birthday a few days before Christmas I have had a lifetime of getting a concentration of presents. I have always been clear that these are two separate events. Woe betides anyone who tried to elide these two present-receiving opportunities into one.

Nowadays, this tends to mean a small mountain of books to keep me going for much of the year. This was no less true this year.

Amongst a broad collection is the autobiography of the entrepreneur James Dyson. His ‘Invention: A Life’ is a fascinating tale of the invention of his revolutionary hoover and so much more.

Despite being one of the most successful inventors in the world today, at the heart of his life-story is a distinctive theme. He knows the experience of, and the importance of, failure. Sir James Dyson memorably opens his book with the line: ‘In 1983, after four years of building and testing 5,127 hand-made prototypes of my cyclonic vacuum, I finally cracked it.’

Success only came after the readiness to try and try again after failure and learning from that failure.

As human beings we all fail at times. It is part of our human fallibility. Despite our best intentions things don’t work out as we hope.

It can be the myriad of ways that we fall short of our aspirations and desires. It can be those larger failures of relationships, hopes and dreams. James Dyson, however, illustrates how failure far from being destructive can be the source of learning and discovery. All those prototypes were disappointing but together they opened up something brilliantly new. In persevering not only did the product develop but he grew as a human being.

It is no different for the way we live our lives. Do we get crushed by failure (and of course at times it can be devastating) or do find the courage to learn and try again.

The Prodigal Son who asks for his inheritance early and then wastes it on dissolute living with the result that he ends up in the gutter (Luke 15:11-32) finally reflects on his position and returns to his father who welcomes him warmly. His failure could have destroyed him, but it became the gateway to new life.

This month look differently at the times you fail. Put to one side the embarrassment or dismay, and ask yourself instead, how do I learn from this?

13

Cllr questions council on its empty property performance Continued from page 1

land? I’m not aware of that. I’ll have to investigate and come back to you.

“You’re quite right to raise it.

We’ve a good record of bringing empty properties back into use.

We’re the best in the country to be honest.

“We bring more empty homes back than any other local authority in the immediate area and we’re very proactive on it.”

A CBC spokesman said after the meeting: “Cllr Ghent was sharing his opinion that he feels that this local authority is ‘one of the best’ based on our strong track record of bringing empty homes

back into use.

“Between 2011/12 and 2020/21, the empty homes team brought 816 long term empty homes back into use, or about 80 properties a year.”

This refers to premises that are unoccupied for more than six months, its social care, health and housing overview and scrutiny committee heard.

The council’s head of housing service Nick Costin told CBC’s social care, health and housing overview and scrutiny committee last May: “The number of empty homes is increasing. The reasons can be: l data quality; l financial uncertainty; l housebuilding targets;

l government policy and funding; l being viewed as an asset rather than a home; l and deaths and probate delays.

“Locally there was a 23 per cent decrease in housing which had been empty for two years or more.

“In 2019/20, 217 were brought back into use and 145 recovered in 2020/21, despite officers being committed to housing rough sleepers during the pandemic.

“That’s whether by enforcement, the threat of taking such action, or help and advice for owners not knowing where to go.”

Central Bedfordshire Council’s lead on empty homes Janice Edmond said at that time: “Most long-term vacant properties are a

CBC’s £4m education overspend

by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter

INSUFFICIENT reserves to cover a current education overspend of more than £4m have prompted the need for a recovery plan from Central Bedfordshire Council.

And the figure could reach as high as £6m by the end of the financial year, the council’s schools panel was warned.

At least five local authorities experienced an overspend of £20 to 30m on their dedicated school grant (DSG) last year, when CBC overspent it by £1.876m, according to a report to the panel.

“There will be insufficient reserves to cover this year’s overspend and it will be carried forward into future years,” said the report.

“Such overspends cannot be

mitigated by the general fund, which is why a recovery plan is required.”

Assistant director education Peter Fraser told the panel: “We’ve seen a significant increase in demand for educational health and

real blight on the neighbourhood, while some cause damage to neighbouring homes.

“In one case, the council had to carry our repairs to protect a neighbouring house and then make an empty home management order.

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care needs assessments.

“That’s resulted in extra children with educational health and care plans (EHCPs) with a knockon impact over the provision of the places for young people,” he explained.

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— FEBRUARY 2022

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

gardening

with Milton Ernest Garden Centre

Plants for shady places M

by Maureen Catlin

ANY gardens have a shady spot somewhere according to the aspect they face. Shade can be created by nature, for example where light filters through the branches of a tall tree, while other patches may be from the shadows of a building or wall.

Shady areas can be a welcome spot to sit on a hot day but need some consideration when planting by choosing plants that will thrive in these situations. The natural habitat of a plant tells you where it will grow successfully in your garden.

It is pointless battling to grow plants that naturally grow in sunny places in shady areas, they will always struggle. There are so many plants that prefer to grow in shade producing gorgeous flowers and lush growth.

There are of course degrees of shade.

Partial or semi shade is a spot that enjoys three to six hours of sun at midsummer. Areas like this benefit from some sunlight for some of the day.

Some good shrubs for this situation are Pieris Little Heath, a pretty compact little evergreen shrub with pink red new shoots and white pink flowers that smell like Lily of the Valley.

It is an excellent plant to grow in a pot on a

shady patio. Choisya Aztec Pearl is another taller evergreen with aromatic leaves and white orange scented flowers in spring. It will also grow well in a tub. Spirea Firelight has amazing orange red young shoots in March that mature to yellow green leaves in summer.

Before leaf fall in autumn they turn rich golden and red. Solomans Seal, Symphytum and Bleeding Heart are good perennial space fillers that give the lush growth effect.

Dappled shade areas are created where sunlight filters through from the branches of trees above. It is the best shade for gardening because the soil remains moist. Japanese Acers with the gorgeous coloured foliage that changes colour throughout the growing season thrive in such places.

They associate well with the beautifully perfumed evergreen Daphne bholua. Hostas, Heucheras and Tiarellas give excellent ground cover with the distinctly coloured leaves and purple, pink and beige flowers in summer.

Campanula Pyramidalis and Foxgloves are upright perennials flowering in early summer providing height to these areas.

Dry shade can be more challenging for plants especially where large trees suck the moisture from the soil. Sarcococca a little evergreen shrub that has white sweetly scented flowers in December, Aucuba japonica

Variegata and Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety with striking bright cream and grey green variegated leaves are fantastic choices.

Skimmia reevesiana with amazing bright red

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

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

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

Bedford Music Club:

Friday February 4, 7.15 for 7.30 start, Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford MK41 8EB. We welcome back local artist Michael Croker will demonstrate landscape painting in oils. An entertaining evening is promised. Entry is free for members, £6 for visitors.

Contact: Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or ww.bedsartsociety.co.uk for information.

Bedford Art Society:

berries in autumn are also naturally found in forests and woods and need dry shady conditions to thrive. Fatsia japonica with its architectural leaves is another shrub that copes with little direct sunlight. Add Hellebores and early flowering bulbs like Snowdrops and Cyclamen for the carpet of colour in spring.

Deep shade is the area in permanent shadow from a building or a dense tree canopy above. This is where perennial plants like Pachysndra, Dryopteris Ferns, Symphytum, Liriope muscari and Euphorbia amygdalis with its lime green flowers from March to June really flourish. Holly J C Van Tol with its bright red winter berries loved by the birds and Mahonia japonica are hardy evergreen shrubby plants that will give form and structure.

There are some climbing and wall plants that will grow in shade. Sweetly scented Honeysuckle Rhubarb and Custard and Hydrangea paniculata with its gorgeous white summer flowers and Clematis Nellie Moser all grow well if planted with plenty of moisture retaining compost.

Garrya elliptica is an evergreen with amazing long silvery catkins from December to March, Chaenomeles Geisha Girl with lovely salmon pink flowers in spring followed by perfumed Quince fruits and Fuchsia Lady Boothby with purple and pink flowers from June to November.

Success in the shade, as in any area of the garden, depends on selecting the plants that grow happily in those conditions. Hopefully you can find some plants here to make your shady areas interesting.

Sandy Women’s Institute: Meets on the third

Tuesday of every month (except August) at Sandy Conservative Club, Bedford Road, Sandy. New members are always very welcome. Visitors are charged a small fee of £4. For further information contact: Ann Patterson 01767 680644.

Sandy Historical Society: Humphry Repton at

Waresley Park by Eleanor Jack Friday 25th February, 7.30pm Stonecroft Hall, St Swithins Way, Sandy, SG191BB Admission £2.50 including refreshments Members & Students Fre.e For further details contact 01767 680171

Bedford Folk & Acoustic Club: Acoustic and folk music round-the-room, every Thursday evening from 8:30pm at the Bowls Pavilion of Kempston Hammers Club, MK42 7BN. Musicians, singers and poets all welcome, at every level. Contact: us on facebook, or come and meet us at the Bowls Pavilion.

Bedford National Trust Association: 2.15, Tuesday,

15th February, Addison Centre, Kempston. Beds MK42 8PN. The speaker will be Fran Saltmarsh.

We recently enjoyed a very good talk by her daughter. Fran specialises in Fashion, and her subject on this occasion will be "Corsets, Crinolines and Camisoles". There will be a small admission fee. Everyone welcome. No need to book, Plenty of parking space. For further information contact Garry Telling on 014980 819625.

Lunchtime recitals February, Tuesdays 1pm.

1st Phoenix Choir 8th Emanuel Bach, Violin 15th Yiming Guo, piano 22nd Maxime Morise and Chris Cohen, Violin The recitals are free with a retiring collection (suggested £5) in aid of church funds. Come and enjoy this varied selection. Contact St Paul's Tel 01234 340163, Postcode MK40 1SQ

St Paul's Bedford:

Yoga: Priory Methodist Church, Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ. 2pm Mondays Contact: June for details: juandhannigan@yahoo.co.uk

Kempston Senior Citizens Club:

DANCING, WHIST, BINGO. Meets Wednesday 10am-12noon Friday 10am-4.00pm, CENTENARY HALL, behind Kempston Town Hall, for further information contact: Sheila Cobban, on 01234 347306.

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recognised frequently through awards such as this one is testament to the dedication, skill and enthusiasm of our brilliant team of teachers and support staff.”

Luke Skeel, Federation Head of Performing Arts says, ‘we are overwhelmed to be nominated for this award. We have really missed our productions and we are very proud of our last production which was performed just before the first lockdown. We are very proud of Hunter for winning his award to - a great achievement’.

4SIXTEEN Theatre Company have an exciting year ahead in 2022 with their recently formed partners board, at the helm of a new full time resident director, the company are producing three productions: Legally Blonde, Cinderella and Matilda.

Ticket information can be found at www.castlenewnham.school

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Awards success for Castle Newnham musical

Castle Newnham School have announced that 4SIXTEEN Theatre Company’s production of The Addams Family, which was performed in March 2020 just before the first lockdown, has been nominated for BEST YOUTH PRODUCTION at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association Awards 2020/2021.

Castle Newnham are also very proud of pupil Hunter who has won the award of BEST YOUTH PERFORMANCE for his portrayal of Gomez in the production.

Ruth Wilkes, Principal of the Castle Newnham Foundation says, “Our performing arts’ opportunities are such a strength of our school and allow pupils with wide-ranging interests to be part of a team, to be creative and to gain confidence in so many ways. The fact that the highquality of our productions is

FEBRUARY 2022 —

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music

comedy Two cracking Castle Comedy nights this month Castle Comedy is back bringing the laughter to Bedfordshire with two brilliant shows in February.

Saturday February 5, at The Weatherley Centre, Biggleswade The Big February Show at the Weatherley Centre will feature three headline quality acts and be the ultimate comedy night out!

Headlining the show is PAUL SINHA is best known for his starring role in ITV1's ‘The Chase’ & ‘Beat The Chasers’ where he regularly chases down opponents in his guise as 'The Sinnerman'.

He has also starred in series 8 of Taskmaster on Dave and ITV1’s Tonight At The London Palladium.

He is a sensational stand up; he was nominated for a Perrier Award at the 2006 Edinburgh Festival and won Chortle's Best Club Comic in 2014.

He is a regular on the Radio 4 favourites News Quiz and The Now Show. ★★★★★Edinburgh Evening News ★★★★The Guardian ★★★★The Independent

with her tweets about a fictional romance with Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp! She went on to write her first book, Klopp Actually: (Imaginary) Life with Football’s Most Sensible Heartthrob.

Opening the show is PATRICK MONAHAN, an audience favourite who blends a high-energy comedy style with hilarious and engaging topical and observational material.

Known for working a room, Patrick is adored by his audiences with whom he makes an effortless connection… he quite simply is the nicest man in comedy!

His TV appearances include the hit family entertainment series ‘Splash!’ (ITV) and the new series of ‘Celebrity Squares’ (ITV).

He was the winner of ITV1’s Show me the Funny and was the host of ‘Jongleurs Live’ (Sky).

“Supremely engaging, adored by audiences” THE SCOTSMAN Monday February 14, at The Quarry Theatre, Bedford. Castle Comedy is back at The Quarry Theatre on the most romantic day of the year. The show will feature star names, Roses (chocolates) for everyone and loads of laughs!

Headlining the show is LAURA LEXX. She is an award-winning comedian and writer. In 2019 she won the coveted Best Performer Award from the British Comedy Guide and became a viral sensation

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As a natural storyteller she can tease a grin from pretty much anyone! She has appeared on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, Hypothetical & Comedy Central's Roast Battle. "rib-tickling...a tour-de-force” ★★★★THE TELEGRAPH Opening the show is SCOTT BENNETT. He is the star of the latest series of Live At The Apollo In 2020 Scott was voted “Best Act” in the Comics Comic Awards, a prestigious award decided by comedians and promoters in the industry.

He has supported Michael McIntyre and Rob Brydon on their UK tours. Catch him here before he is selling out theatres and arenas on his own!

“Clearly has a big future, flashes of Peter Kay, Jason Manford and John Bishop” BRUCE DESSAU, EVENING STANDARD All shows feature full support from top UK comedians and Paul Revill will host the shows!

Doors 7pm,Shows Start 8pm.

Shows finish 10.45pm To book: www.castlecomedy.co.uk

Special(s) date for Ska in Bedford It almost feels as if a degree of normality is settling back into the UKs entertainment sector, which has been left crippled now for the last two years, as the pandemic swept through the country forcing closures to many of our much loved live music venues, clubs bars and clubs.

I somehow also sense that the government as a follow up to their Downing Street raves appear to be resigning to the fact that they now have no choice but to lift restrictions and allow this mild Omicron variant to settle, perhaps they also fear that any attempts to increase restorations which would inevitable close down the hospitality sectors again could well cause civil unrest and rebellions throughout the country.

Bedford Parks Concerts have wasted no time whatsoever following the easing of restrictions they have announced an astonishing line up for 2022, which includes their recent announcement the pioneers of UK Ska, The Specials' will be the headline act in the Park on Friday June 3.

Those of you old enough may well remember many of the specials hits which were nightclub monsters back in the late 80s and still popular in today's musical climate.

“Sweet as a nut”

by Tony Hendrix The group were founded in 1977, the Specials were at the forefront of the 2 Tone movement, changing the face of UK music in the 1980s with seven successive top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981 including number one hits like ‘Too Much Too Young’ and ‘Ghost Town’.

The band reformed in 1993 and have wowed fans across the world on the live circuit ever since.

In 2019, the band released Encore, their first studio album in 18 years to widespread critical acclaim, giving the band their first ever number one album.

Tickets are £45.00 from www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk St Valentines night used to be a night celebrated throughout many pubs and clubs throughout the

country, this now seems like a trend of the pass, some people look upon this historical event as being old fashioned and out of date and just another expensive commercial event for the retailers and restaurants to cash in on. Putting all that aside its nice to see that one of our local venues has decided to keep some of that good old fashioned romance alive this St Valentines night with Speed dating at 3 St Peters, taking place on Thursday, February 10, from 7.30pm-11pm, this particularly event is unfortunately only catering for age groups 45 to 60.

This is the first of a series of meet-up events. Different groups will be catered for ion the future.

The event is organised by experienced dating coach, Leah, who has previously run successful dating events! She'll welcome you on arrival and you'll receive a complimentary sparkling pink rose.

Good luck let's hope you find a match.

Finally Esquires is proud to announce Club Momacoca featuring Bedford’s now very own local superstar DJ Spoony and Mark Russell on Saturday, February 26. This will be a Club classics night I can just imagine the quality of music that these two legends will be letting loose, tickets are on sale now but selling fast £23.

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— FEBRUARY 2022

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

sport

RELEGATION RED LINE IS LOOMING!

FOOTBALL – WADERS ROUNDUP BY MIKE DRAXLER

BIGGLESWADE TOWN .........1 ROYSTON TOWN ...................2 Saturday January 1 ANOTHER frustrating afternoon at the Yvette Brewer Stadium as the Waders created and promised a great deal but delivered only one goal and another loss when we are in desperate need of a win.

The last recorded league win was back in October against Leiston, although we have had a couple of drawn games in the interim.

The large New Year's day crowd were given an entertaining afternoon as both teams went at "it" from the off. Royston looked the better bet as both their flank players used the space allowed. On 11 a fine save by Josh Hill pushing

Man of the match: Steven Shaw.

the ball onto the bar only for it to rebound back to Daniel Newton to head home with ease.

Waders set to repairing the damage and some of the play was " beautiful" but unproductive as

Silva, Parker, Stevens, Cardine and Neal gave the visitors something to think about.

A series of corners towards the half hour mark had Royston under pressure, the last of which taken by Kane Farrell found Joe Howe lurking at the back stick to head home on29. Cut and thrust by both sides but a defensive error led to Matt Bateman heading home on 38 to send the visitors in at half time with a slim advantage.

Out for the second half, Royston contained and were really in charge of proceedings and were looking to protect their lead with the occasional flurry into Wader territory.

BIGGLESWADE TOWN .........0 BROMSGROVE SPORTING....0 Monday January 3 UNDER the hill, to the side the hill but not past the hill. Josh Hill gave perhaps the performance of a lifetime against Bromsgrove. Certainly in his short Wader career he has not played better.

Taking over from Jake Alley, who has now left the club, Josh only had a few opportunities to show his talent. Becoming the regular No.1 Josh has inspired and given confidence to the players Infront of him.

Bromsgrove Sporting who may feel a little dismayed that all the opportunities that came their way resulted in nothing. One pointblank one-handed save was exceptional as Josh pushed the ball over the bar from short range. But… Yes, you know there is always a BUT. The whole Biggleswade side played with a fire in the belly, forced into changes by injuries and Covid the whole team played with

the turnround. BUT… After a fantastic start, ahead inside four minutes when new boy Enoch Andoh threaded a peach of a pass through to Jack Vasey, running diagonally, flanked by Joe Neal.

The perfect weighted pass to Joe saw him take a few strides before placing the ball firmly past the keeper.

Vasey and Neal tried, Andoh stung the keeper's fingers but the score line held.

Man of the match: Josh Hill.

a desire. Joe Neal dropping back to play behind Vasey, inspired.

Youngsters Ben Stevens and Luca Cardines ran up against defenders who were fully a foot taller and physically capable but neither of those boys shirked a tackle. Robbie Parker and James Peters mixed it in the midfield while Shaw, Howe, Farrell and Hally contained the attackers letting Josh Hill work his magic when on the few occasions Bromsgrove got through.

Not a win but the losses have been arrested and a point on the board. Next two games are vital playing Nuneaton and Lowestoft both lower than the Waders so an opportunity to put some daylight between us and the dreaded red line.

LOWESTOFT ...........................1 BIGGLESWADE TOWN .........1 Saturday January 15 AN energetic Waders performance that should have seen four or five goals for the boys in orange, before

Man of the match: Robbie Parker.

In the second half Lowestoft opened up with a series of missed chances early on. On 50 the ball bounced around the area looking good for the back of the net but a Wader toe got there and hiked it away for a corner. In came the ball, a real mess at the near post resulting in Josh Harvey levelling the scores on 52. On another day a point away from home would suffice, but the Waders pushed on, changed personnel but it was destined to be a point a piece and ended that way.

BIGGLESWADE TOWN .........3 POTTON UNITED ...................1 SENIOR COUNTY CUP ROUND 1 Wednesday January 19 PLAYING your neighbours, from a couple of levels below, can be hazardous. Potton came and raised their game, especially the young keeper Sam Irish. The Wader's forward line tried, a bit over anxious, but Irish was up to all. One point blank save drew admiration from the crowd.

When the first green goal went in on 45 it was controversial.

Sam Irish allegedly picking up a back pass gave Biggleswade a free kick 10metres from the goal line. Always a lottery, as the goal line was more crowded than Biggleswade main line station at rush hour. With most on the goal line only Blake D'Arcy and Joe Neal preparing for the kick. How? I don't know but D'Arcy touched the ball to Neal whose angled shot found the back of the net on 45 through 20 sets of legs.

Off for the break.

The second period from a Wader point of view was more controlled and organised football.

But and you do know, Potton equalised on 51 with a controversial penalty for handball, through Sam Willis. The game turned into a real old fashioned cup tie. Some of the tackles were tough and I moved my legs on several occasions.

65 in and Joe Neal again got the ball in the net from a corner. A melee of players at the near post with the ball falling to Joe to score.

Waders took over and limited Potton to the odd half chance. On 80 Jack Vasey scored for the Waders, his first in a green shirt

after the unlucky Sam Irish spilled the ball. With a series of changes which really did not alter the flow the game was played out and a 3-1 win to the home side.

RUSHALL OLYMPIC..............4 BIGGLESWADE TOWN .........1 Saturday January 22 ON the artificial surface which Rushall train and play, is the launch pad for their exhilarating brand of football. You cannot deny they were the better team, the score line confesses that. From the off Rushall assaulted the away goal with power play that switched the ball from side to side. The Biggleswade back line stood tall with new boy Clinton Nosakhare, on loan from Oxford United, showing well. It took Rushall 35 minutes to break the resolute Waders, a shot from the edge of the box by Alex Moore.

Not to be as Rushall took complete command and over a 15minute period increased the score by another three. Demetri Brown at the back post in a crush of players on55. A mazy run by full back Kirsten Green ending with a tight angled shot beating the keeper on 57 and finally Ben Upper-Shipway with a shot from distance on 72.

Manager Nunn brought on Vasey, Andoh and Parker both to stem the tide but introduce a more attacking formation. Some of the Wader's play was exciting but all too late.

Ronan Silva broke the defence, a through ball from Jack Vasey left the strong SIlva with the difficult task of beating the keeper. Ronan did it with style. If the Waders could show that amount of application for 90 minutes, the relegation red line would not be looming.

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