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BULLETIN AMPTHILL•FLITWICK•WESTONING•HARLINGTON•TODDINGTON
JANUARY 2017
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Consultancy proves they are equal to the best
AMPtHILL-bASED creative consultancy bonfire creative Intelligence has maintained rAr+ (recommended Agency register) status for its second year on the scheme. rAr+ is a source of key information on companies from across the spectrum of marketing services that helps businesses and brands to quickly identify the right agencies for them and make well-informed choices. uniquely, rAr+ measures a company’s level of customer satisfaction, asking clients to rate suppliers in two ways: a score out of 100 for each service bought from the agency and a score out of 100 for seven key criteria: client service, creativity/innovation, Effectiveness, Strategic thinking, Value for money, on time and on budget. to achieve recommended status for a service, agencies need to receive three high client ratings per service. these ratings are combined, and using a unique formula, deliver an overall score. the individual ratings act as an independent measure of agency performance and only
companies who score above the rAr+ threshold gain recommended status. the status is granted annually and the ratings last for one year. Each year rAr+ also compiles a list of the top 100 recommended Agencies in the uK and in 2016, in its first year of taking part, bonfire featured in the rankings. the top 100 are announced every January and this list also factors in a number of other metrics such as financial stability on top of service ratings.
Stephen Judge, bonfire Founder and Director, commented: “retaining our status on the recommended Agency register is testament to the hard work of everyone at bonfire and our clients. “With now over 8000 agencies listed the rAr+ register is a reflection of the amount of talent out there, proving you don’t have to go to London, or other large cities, to find a wealth of expertise needed to support in the growth of your business.”
WEALTH OF TALENT
Court takes action on cashpoint raiders
A court has ordered the confiscation of more than £28,000 from a gang member who was jailed last year for his part in a series of cash point raids across the Eastern region.
the order was made against Joseph upton, 45, who was jailed for five years in May last year after admitting conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles in 2012.
He and three other gang members jailed for the same offences also had a series of strict conditions placed on them during the Serious crime Prevention order Hearing at cambridge crown court on Friday (2 December). the orders will start when they are released and mean they will have to keep police updated on things like the phones and cars they use. John Leonard Smith, 41 and
CONDITIONS
Albert Smith, 40, who are each serving a sentence of four years and nine months and Alfred Stanley Smith, 38, who is serving four years, will all be subject to the order. the case was brought by the Eastern region Special operations unit (ErSou) which investigated the men’s nine month smash and grab and burglary spree. After the case Detective Inspector Geoff Knight said: “this hearing sends out a message that we will utilise all available legislation to ensure offenders feel the full weight of the law and that we will hamper all efforts to commit further crime.” No order was made against a fifth man, whose part in the offences was less significant.
All change in Mid Beds
FollowIng a readership survey the publishers of the Mid Beds Bulletin have taken the decision to change the format of your local newspaper. From the February edition the publication will revert to its former magazine size. For more information on this and the advertising rates please contact: Pat on 07724 905406 or email: advertising@rosettapublishing.com
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Monthly update from the Police and Crime Commissioner
Your chance to get involved in theatre
View from
Bishop Richard
cALLING all aspiring performers, crew members and musicians: your theatre needs to share your talents in a Wonderland of adventure and madness!
by Rt Revd Richard Atkinson Bishop of Bedford
by Kathryn Holloway
BEDS TO GET MORE PCs
FINALLy bedfordshire Police received the first report from the police watchdog, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of constabulary, to give it a “good” rating since I came into the role as Police and crime commissioner on May 5. this report was a vital one as it related to “legitimacy” – in other words the way the Force treats the public and its officers and staff. I was delighted that the Inspection team specifically mentioned the work I have been doing, alongside the Force, to announce the brand new community Policing Hubs of officers dedicated to more visible policing in towns across the county.
these have been launched by me alongside the Deputy chief constable and other key members of the bedfordshire Policing team in each area to also explain the less visible detective work going on to protect the public locally, and also involve the manager of the Force control room detailing the challenges for call-handlers who have to assess the threat and risk to each caller, when balanced against all the other demands coming in for an immediate 999 response.
opportunities are also available at each meeting to hear about the help which the public can offer their communities through becoming a Special constable or joining the invaluable “Watch” schemes, such as Streetwatch and Speedwatch, as a volunteer. Hubs have been launched in the county including bigglewade.
community Policing is the destination for 96 more police constables recruited during my administration as Pcc. In addition, the Police and community Support officers, who have proved so popular in building relationships with Parish councils, are also being increased. the Force now has 45 and 10 come into operation on January 19 2017. two more sets of recruits – 16 in each intake – will be trained in May and July.
HMIc also recognised the valuable work being done by bedfordshire Police to make sure that it looks and sounds like the population it serves with some 36% diversity in a recent intake of trainee Pcs. I promised the public better policing of their communities and to be a commissioner for All and I sincerely hope residents can see that I am doing everything possible to deliver on that promise.
LET US PRAY
EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com
EArLIEr in December I dedicated the new Prayer Garden at Holywell School in cranfield; one of the church of England schools in the Diocese. Laid out around paths in the shape of the school badge (crossed keys and a sword), when the planting develops, it will provide an inspiring space for pupils and staff. one of the possible developments for the garden is the display of a ‘prayer for the month’. Each month a much loved prayer would be chosen to offer a focus. It got me thinking. Which prayers would I choose? An obvious contender must be the prayer that Jesus taught us – the Lord’s Prayer; that supreme guide to both our worship of God and our daily living. It is a prayer that many rightly use daily to anchor their lives. I might also choose the prayer of St Francis with its invitation to be agents of love: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; – A reminder of the call to be peacemakers in our violent world. For simple common sense and sheer practicality, I like the socalled Serenity Prayer of reinhold Niebuhr: God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. And for openness to the call of God there is the prayer of charles de Foucauld with its demanding sentiments: Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Words that were prayed daily by a colleague dying of cancer expressing his commitment to walk with Jesus whatever might come. Above all I would go for the Prayer of St richard which has been a favourite ever since I discovered the excitement of sharing the name of a Saint. Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits thou hast given me, for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day. – Amen.
Looking to make summer 2017 unforgettable? Well Grove theatre’s annual summer musical project is back, and offering up to 100 young people aged 7-19, the chance to make a scene in the theatre’s next Grove Production Project of a full-scale cherished musical! the project needs actors, singers, musicians and dancers, as well as those wishing to develop skills backstage in lighting, sound and props – those aged 14-21 can become part of the backstage team.
this exciting project gives young people the opportunity to work with a professional artistic, creative and technical team, to stage a musical production on a
West End-sized stage at the Grove theatre, Dunstable, as well as building confidence and making new friends through the thrill of theatre. the 2017 Grove Production Project will be Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR, so welcome all those who are curiouser and curiouser about the world of theatre to fill in an application form!
AUDITION DATES Auditions will be held on Sunday 5 February with registration at 10am and Wednesday 8 February with registration at 4.30pm. For an application pack please visit the Take Part section of the website at www.grovetheatre. co.uk or email: grove education@1Life.co.uk.
Café to reopen in spring GREAT news for 2017 comes from the popular coffee-shop chain ‘The Lounge’, who are to open a second Bedfordshire Lounge in Lincoln Way, Harlington. Trading since 2014 as the quirky Sugar & Spice Cafe, the unit will reopen in the Spring under their ‘The Lounge’ banner. Sue Cullen, the retiring owner of Sugar & Spice is delighted to be passing the business into such good hands and is hoping to visit regularly to sample the new lines – particularly the cakes.
Sue says: “Sugar & Spice was brought to the village to fill a distinct void and has grown from strength to strength over the two and a half years we have been trading. “Thank you to our wonderful staff for their hard work and to all our customers for their ongoing support, I hope to see you for a coffee in The Lounge very soon!” Follow The Lounge on Facebook for regular updates, visit in person at Coniston Road, Flitwick (next to Tesco) or visit www.theloungeflitwick.co.uk
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MID BEDS BULLETIN JANUARY 2017 — 3
Dexter meets police commissioner
Central Beds pauses local plan process CENTRAL Bedfordshire are temporarily pausing the process of publishing their draft Local Plan for consultation, in anticipation of the Government’s long-awaited Housing White Paper. they had planned to consult next month but the White Paper, originally expected to accompany November ’s Autumn Statement, is now expected to be published during the same timeframe. Deferring this consultation will therefore allow them to fully consider its implications. Whilst they cannot be certain what these implications will be for central bedfordshire, they are aware that there is the potential for significant changes in relation to housing numbers and other matters relating to the preparation of local plans.
POTENTIAL DELAYS Publishing a plan without a proper understanding of these could mean they have to revisit parts of the process, leading to further delay. In this context, they have
PC Mark West is a happy man. “I’m in the job I always wanted to do and I’ve got the best partner in Dexter”, says the Constable who works in the Dogs’ Unit for Bedfordshire Police, which attends incidents across the Triforce area of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire tracking criminals or missing people. Mark prepared for his role by acting as a “puppy walker” before joining the Unit full-time which meant raising young police dogs from pups until they join the training programme. “It means helping to socialise them and get them used to all sorts of environments,” said Mark. “We can hatch release our dogs who jump from the back and out over our laps for a pursuit and it’s no good if they stop still as they
don’t recognise a shiny floor or an escalator.” Dogs are gradually introduced to demanding situations even when trained, “If it was a public order problem with a noisy crowd I’d try to take Dexter in with another, more experienced dog because it’s incredible how they teach one another and bring them on,” said Mark. While working for the police, the dogs have their own Dog Welfare Volunteers to check their living and transport conditions, such as air conditioning. They work until around 7-9 years old. “The larger dogs tend to retire early but Dexter is only small so he’ll go on for a long time. He has ‘small man syndrome’ though and gets angry really quickly which can be useful in this role.”
The dog handlers keep their dogs at home but house them in outdoor kennels and are not allowed to let them mix with children. “I know Dexter would never hurt my kids but he comes in when they’ve gone to bed and spends some time with me and my wife,” he said. When German Shepherds like Dexter retire they are offered first to their handlers and, if they cannot be housed this way, owners are sought who are used to working dogs who live outside, such as gamekeepers and farmers and the Force maintains a waiting-list of suitable future owners. “We’ll never let him go though,” says Mark “my wife would kill me, even though I see more of him than her!”
concluded – as have other local authorities across the country – that it would be inadvisable to continue with the planned release of their draft Local Plan next month. However, they do regard this only as a pause in their process and they remain confident that they will still be able to deliver a draft plan in 2017. this pause also allows them to ensure that they can align the outcomes of all of their current community planning activities with the draft Local Plan. While they cannot be specific about dates at the moment, they anticipate the draft Local Plan will be issued for consultation in April 2017. If you have any further enquiries, email the Local Plan team.
Out with the old and in with the New Year
MID beds Art Society finished a busy year with an interesting and informative illustrated talk by art expert Anthony Slinn and a very productive ‘self help’ painting day in November. our monthly meetings and workshops all feature an experienced artist demonstrating how – or helping you – to create a beautiful painting. Visitors are always welcome, so come along and develop your creative side! our next events are: Wednesday 18 January 7.15-9.30 pm a watercolour portrait demo by Glynis Barnes-Mellish. Saturday 21 January, 10 am- 4 pm, “Winter landscape” acrylics workshop with Jonathan Newey. For more info, call 01525 715376, email info@midbeds art.co.uk or go to www.midbedsart.co.uk
the bulletin series are independent magazines with no affiliation to any other organisation. © 2016 rosetta Publishing Ltd. 30 radwell road, Milton Ernest MK44 1SH. tel: 07894 935952 or 07724 905406. EDItorIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com ADVErtISING: advertising@rosettapublishing.com Printed by: Mortons Print Limited. Newspaper House, Morton Way, boston road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6Jr.
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Dance fever hits garden centre DANCE fever hit The Learning Zone at Poplars Garden Centre on Saturday 17th December when The Bedfordshire School of Dance & Drama held a Dance Demonstration Day. Hoping to sign up new pupils, principal and founder Ann Hallett organised FREE taster sessions for the younger customers of Poplars to join in plus some of her existing pupils put on performances throughout the day. Ann, who has over thirty years’ experience in teaching and a background as a former professional dancer was thrilled at how the day went. Picture here with two of her pupils, Lauren and Daisy Jones, Ann said: “We had about ten children from outside try out our junior classes and I understand many took leaflets and free lesson vouchers so I feel sure we should get some new pupils out of it. I even signed up some mothers for our new adult ballet class so it looks like standing room only on a Monday night!”. There was a ‘silent’ tap lesson (because of the carpet in the Learning Zone) that several children joined in and to get everyone in a festive mood, Ann choreographed some ballet steps to Christmas tunes which got everyone singing! Even the Restaurant@Poplars was buzzing with ballerinas and their families who had all worked up quite an appetite. If you would like to find out more about the Bedfordshire School of Dance & Drama then visit their website at www.bedsschoolofdanceanddrama.co.uk
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Flitwick Christmas lights switch on!
oNE of our favourite events of the year is the christmas Lights Switch on and on a brisk afternoon on 27th November, hundreds of residents made their way to tesco car Park to start their 2016 celebrations. Independent stallholders were selling fish and chips, doughnuts or Indian cuisine, reverend Lucy Davis from the Parish church was handing out mince pies and we had our work cut out to keep up with the demand for mulled wine! children lined up patiently to meet Father christmas and receive their gift. other stalls included ‘bauble bobbing’, ‘Golden cracker’ and the ever-
popular ‘Lucky Dip’. the turnout was so great that we sold out on all prizes! current Flitwick carnival Princess caitlin cliff-reid stood confidently in front of an expectant crowd and turned on the lights for christmas at 5pm. Well done caitlin!
Mc’ing for the day was cllr Mick Sheehan and town Mayor, cllr Phil thompson, was on hand to help make announcements. In the weeks running up to the big Switch on, local businessmen Andrew Woolgar (Woolgar Electrical) and Peter bottoms (bubbles Lighting) and their
MAYOR ON DUTY
team of volunteers, gave up a huge amount of time to install the christmas lights free of charge. We would like to thank the volunteers for the great work they do: Andrew Woolgar, Peter bottoms, Helen bowler, richard Wigfield, Jamie Field, clive bratt, Darren randall, Nick Fenny, Mathew Virgin, claire Woolgar (who also co-ordinates the collection boxes in Flitwick), Luke Woolgar, Steve Williams and Karen Stringer. the volunteers team would like to thank Flitwick Jewellers and the barber Lounge (Franklin House) for supplying tea and coffee over the weekends they were installing the lights.
our gratitude must also be extended to the businesses who supply the electicity for running the lights during the festive season: Flitwick Motors, Dodd and Vaughton, country Properties Estate Agents, barclays bank, Franklin House, co-op, tesco and the town council for individual street lighting columns.
If you would like to be involved in helping with the lights or have any suggestions to add attractions to the event next year please contact Woolgar Electrical or the town council. thank you to all Members, volunteers and staff for your help.
GET INVOLVED
World War One remembered
MEMbErS of Flitwick boys’ brigade have been learning about the training camp that was in Ampthill Park as part of their WWI centenary badge. back in the summer the boys visited Ampthill Park and explored where different parts of the camp were sited and took time to look at the Duke of bedford War memorial. they also linked up with the tommy’s Footprints project and created their own footprints in different formats. Finally they took part in the Ampthill remembrance parade that started in the park and marched past the display of footprints to remember the 707 soldiers who trained at the camp, never to return. All this culminated in 17 members of the company receiving their WWI centenary badge at a special presentation at the beginning of December. Stephen Hartley who pulled together the tommy’s Footprints project presented the badges to the boys and complimented them on their
Pupils get advice from the experts about the world of work
youNGStErS across central bedfordshire have been receiving advice from experts to prepare them for the world of work.
efforts. Also in December the Junior Section boys had a weekend of battalion events at Priory Methodist church in bedford. the Saturday afternoon saw the boys win the Figure Marching competition, for the first time ever! then they came third in
Dodgeball, which puts them second in the JS battalion champions cup just one point behind the first place team. competitions over there was then a sleepover involving a number of challenges and out door games involving glow sticks, before a film and then time to sleep! Sunday Morning after
breakfast and the boys joined in the Junior church christmas Party before it was time to head home – one boy commenting that he was ‘missing the sleepover already’ as he left! As a bb company we operate three different age groups for boys from age 5-15 and would welcome new members at the start of 2017 to come along and ‘begin the Adventure’ For more information about the boys brigade in Flitwick – one of just a few boys only groups in the area – email: 1flitwick@boys-brigade. org.uk or call 01525 720506
Local Marketing Agency beat the London top runners A SMALL digital marketing agency located in Flitwick stormed the industry awards dominated by bigger city based firms. receptional, a well-respected bedfordshire agency, was one of the few companies outside of London to be nominated this year. the uK Search Awards, hosted by Jason Manford, took place on 30th November and showcased the very best in digital marketing in the uK. receptional was nominated for their hard work and impressive results through Pay Per click (PPc) advertising campaigns team. they came away with no Device campaign for their work managed by their expert in house less than two awards; best cross on desktop and mobile integra-
tion in the healthcare sector, and; best Small PPc Agency. receptional was founded in 1999, the very same year as Google, and is recognised as one of the leading Search Engine optimisation (SEo) agencies outside of London. the awards reflect their excellent work in a number of sectors including retail, business-to-business and charity. Managing Director Justin Deaville said: “We are delighted that all of our hard work over the past 12 months has been recognised. We have fantastic clients – who trust in our work. these awards are a recognition of their efforts as well as ours.”
Have you got a story for us? We are really interested in any local news or gossip story you may have — do let us know. Please call 07724 905406 or 07724 935952
twelve secondary and upper schools and colleges have signed up for the SouthEast Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership careers and Enterprise company’s time to change Programme. It aims to link local businesses with schools to improve students’ future careers and education prospects and progression into work. the programme sees voluntary enterprise advisers paired with schools and colleges. they then use their contacts to open up links to the local business community, meaning that students have access to a range of work experience opportunities, advice and support.
Peter rayner, Local Enterprise co-ordinator for SEMLEP, said: “Schemes like this are vital to help the young people of today as they are our future workforce. “twelve secondary and upper schools and colleges have signed up for the careers and Enterprise company’s Enterprise Adviser Network, which is being managed by the South-East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership. “We want our employers to use their extensive skills base and contacts to offer young people the skills the need to become work ready. In turn, that can only help them as they will have access to highly motivated and skilled potential employees.” the 12 schools and colleges taking part in the scheme this year are: Stratton upper School; Manshead School; central bedfordshire college; All Saints Academy; Queensbury Academy; Priory Academy; Harlington upper School; the Academy of central bedfordshire; Vandyke upper School; cedars upper School; Sandy upper School and Samuel Whitbread Academy.
VITAL SCHEMES
the Federation of Small businesses has been paired with Harlington upper School. caron Kendall, the FSb’s Development Manager for bedfordshire, cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, said: “I meet lots of small businesses as part of my daily work. Most say the same thing: the main barrier to the growth of their business is the problem of finding people with the right aptitudes and attitude to join their companies.
“I am committed to helping with this problem in any way that I can, for the good of the young people and the local economy. “We have great schools in this area but we must help them not only to prepare young people for the next steps in education and training but to develop the skills they need for the workplace, whether that is the day after they leave school or after more study in further or higher education.” Across the board recruitment has been paired with Priory Academy. tracie Neary, Director of the High Street, Dunstable-based recruitment business, said: “youth unemployment is at three times the national average; employers are complaining about difficulty recruiting good, young people; and young people are not always aware of the opportunities open to them in their local area. It’s critical that we bring these three elements together to help school leavers become work ready in order to fill the gaps.
PROBLEM SOLVING
“Priory Academy already has a great careers curriculum, but we are planning on making it even better with a series of activities and events involving local and national employers. “We are always looking for more local businesses to get involved, so if you have a couple of hours to spare then please get in touch.” Anyone wishing to get involved in the scheme should email peter.rayner@semlep.com or call him on 01234 436100.
EVEN BETTER
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MID BEDS BULLETIN JANUARY 2017 — 7
A happy birthday for Flitwick and Ampthill Sea Cadets!
FLItWIcK and Ampthill Sea cadets celebrated 50 years of changing young people’s lives this year. cadets from Flitwick and Ampthill celebrated their 50th Anniversary in style on 26th November 2016, by being honoured with the presentation of a colour, before leading a formal parade of cadets supported also by the Air cadets, and the Sea cadets marching band. the cadets gathered at 2pm at Flitwick Lower School and Paraded through the town to the Sea cadet unit in Althorp close, where celebrations continued with cadets, parents, supporters past and present and VIP guests. Sub Lieutenant (Scc) Jake blackstaffe rNr commanding officer, is thrilled to have had such an exciting year: “Flitwick & Ampthill are extremely proud
to have reached 50 years of enhancing young people’s lives in the community. to top it off we have had another fantastic year! our Piping team achieved three gold medals at a National competition. one of our cadets was nominated and successfully got through to the final 27 of the Duke of Westminster Award.
We took 15 cadets through to National kayaking and came back with seven medals. In 2013 one of our cadets Abbie Nye became the first Lord Lieutenants cadet to represent Sea cadets in bedfordshire, this year once again one of our cadets Danielle Ashton is representing Sea cadets for the Lord Lieutenant. this year is a reflection of the
MEDAL HAUL
hard work, dedication and passion these young people have invested throughout the year in their respective cadet activities.” Since 1966 the unit has given thousands of young people in the local area a great head start in life through nautical adventure and fun. We started out in November 1966 as tS russell, (After Lord Ampthill’s family name) where cadets met twice a week at redborne House in Ampthill, with co Lieutenant commander (Scc) W Hood rNr. Since then the unit has moved three times and has grown in numbers and strength to become one of the most successful units in the country. For more details please visit: www.sea-cadets.org/flitwickampthill
Cohesion Team raise £900 in marathon charity challenge
bEDForDSHIrE Police’s community cohesion team collected an impressive £900 for the Luton based charity Mary Seacole Housing Association. Members of the team, along with chief constable Jon boutcher, presented the charity with a cheque yesterday (Wednesday) following their sterling fundraising efforts after taking on the Love Luton half marathon in october. t/chief Inspector Hob Hoque and PcSos Dan McHugh and Shezad Din ran the 13.1 mile race to raise money for the charity, which provide housing and sup-
port for homeless young people. t/cI Hoque said: “I was delighted to finish the race for a town I love, as I am not known for my running ability. It was also a pleasure to support such a worthy cause which is dedicated to helping local people. I’d like to thank everyone who supported us and helped us raise so much more than we ever expected .”
Elaine cruise from Mary Seacole Housing Association said: “We are over the moon to have been presented with such a large sum of money which will go
OVER THE MOON
towards supporting the town’s homeless young people. “the community cohesion officers are a team that Luton should be truly proud of, they get involved in so much more than just policing and it is great for the clients of Mary Seacole Housing Association to see that the police officers in our town are approachable, kind and willing to support them to improve their lives in so many different ways.”
New Police Community Support Officers join Force SEVEN new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have joined Bedfordshire Police, and were sworn in at an official ceremony on Friday 25 November. The new PCSOs will work at bases across the county, keeping a close eye on neighbourhoods and working with colleagues to find long-term solutions to problems like anti-social behaviour. This will also be getting involved with long-term and proactive crime prevention initiatives, like property marking and fitting number plates with tamper-proof screws. T/Deputy Chief Constable Mike Colbourne said: “Police Community Support
Officers provide visible reassurance to the communities of Bedfordshire. They work hard to tackle local issues that matter to our communities as well as building relationships with partner agencies and providing crime prevention advice to residents. They fulfil a really important role, and I am pleased to welcome our new recruits to the force.” Bedfordshire Police continues to recruit PCSOs, and recruitment will open in January. For more information, visit the recruitment section of www.bedford shire.pnn.police.uk.
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World record attempt
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Bedfordshire Police rated ‘Good’ in latest HMIC inspection
bEDForDSHIrE Police has been rated ‘Good’ at keeping people safe and reducing crime in the latest inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of constabulary (HMIc).
Photography courtesy of Darren Harbar Photography
the HMIc Legitimacy report rates forces on whether they have the consent of the public, and if those working in the force consistently behave in a way that is fair, ethical, and within the law.
389 PEoPLE of all ages including local scouts air cadets attended a recent event, where everyone enthusiastically tried to help break the current official Guinness World record for ‘most people constructing aircraft models’ at one time. the event took place at Shuttleworth in November and it was a real family event. Alec Smith, of IPMS brampton Scale
Model club said that the ‘challenge represented a chance to promote both the hobby of Scale Model making, commemorate and acknowledge the events from a century ago and help introduce and showcase the ’living museum’ of Shuttleworth’. the collection, known for its own unique vintage flying aircraft, teamed up with event organisers IPMS brampton
Scale Model club who provided almost 400 1/72 scale Albatros D.V plastic models free of charge courtesy of Airfix, the oldest uK manufacturer of scale plastic model kits. they are waiting hopefully to see if Guinness World records agree that they broke the record, and expect the results to be announced in the new year.
Mannequin Challenge Cubs see bEDForDSHIrE businesses who are not used to standing still took part in the Mannequin challenge recently. the challenge is a viral internet video trend where people remain frozen in action like mannequins while a video is recorded and the bedfordshire businesses’ can be seen in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=ZNHzbrfsh0w Ian cording, the newly reelected chairman of bedfordshire Federation of Small businesses (FSb), said: “bedfordshire businesses aren’t used to standing still, so this was a major effort for them. I think I may have seen some twitching!” the Mannequin challenge took place at basepoint, in Luton, at the bedfordshire Winners circle. the Winners circle are companies that have been successful in local business awards. While there, they heard about the upcoming SME bedfordshire business Awards 2017. Ian added: “the FSb is delighted to be the headline spon-
sor of these new awards. the brand has already been hugely successful in Northamptonshire and we are sure they will be a big hit in beds, too. “Keep a look out for the formal launch event very soon. “It will be fascinating to see how previous winners of the FSb awards are getting on and of course to communicate the new SME name, encourage them to enter again and to spread the word. “As the largest business organisation in bedfordshire, I look forward to hearing even more success stories emerge. I am very excited about this and can’t wait for the launch!” SME bedfordshire Awards are part of a raft of awards rolled out under that banner which thus far include Surrey, Hertfordshire, buckinghamshire, cambridgeshire, Northants, coventry & Warwickshire and London. Follow @Awardschamp on twitter for breaking awards news.
to assess this, HMIc has inspected how well forces treat the people they serve; ensure their workforce acts ethically and lawfully; and treat their workforces with fairness and respect. the findings of this inspection are included in a report published recently. t/Deputy chief constable Mike colbourne said: “It is pleasing to be graded ‘Good’ at keeping people safe and reducing crime, and that our workforce treats people with fairness and respect. Protecting people is at the very core of our values at bedfordshire Police and we put victims at the heart of everything we do. “our approach is to be open and transparent in every aspect of policing the county, which was recognised in a range of areas including our work with the Independent Advisory Group who review body worn video footage from stop and search, and proactively publishing any misconduct or court cases involving our officers or staff. our contin-
ued commitment to allowing documentary makers 24 Hours in Police custody access to the force is also testament to our willingness to be totally open and accountable to the public we serve. “the report highlighted the good work we are doing to engage with hard-to-reach and vulnerable victims, which includes introducing specialist liaison posts. We are also committed to be more reflective of the communities we serve, our latest round of recruitment has been focused on encouraging those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds to apply to join the force. “We have noted the recommendations in the report and are already in the process of working with cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire constabularies to implement a robust improvement plan around the tri-force Professional Standards Department and we are introducing a culture board, chaired by chief constable Jon boutcher, in order to continue the good work being carried out internally to embed a learning culture to improve the service we provide to bedfordshire.”
RECRUITMENT
Roast turkey for 160 please! the pandas
A GrouP of cub Scouts were lucky enough to see policing behind the scenes thanks to a visit organised by control room Inspector rachael Glendenning. In December the group from 1st Haynes and Wilstead Scout Group attended bedfordshire Police Headquarters to find out all the ways in which police officers work to keep people safe. As well as seeing the control room in action, the children also got to hear from Insp Glendenning about the importance of using 999 and 101 appropriately, and saw how the front Enquiry office helps members of the public. In addition the cubs were given a demonstration from firearms officer Pc Luke Glendenning, showing them how hard it can be to tell a real firearm from a fake one, before dog handler Pc Neil Lambert and dogs PD Duke and PD Kai showed off their special skills including searching for cash. Finally the visit was topped off by seeing the inside of police cars or ‘pandas’, with a sneak peek at the blue flashing lights and sirens. Insp Glendenning said: “Giving children an insight into the work of a police force is a highly valuable experience, as they will now be able to appreciate all the work that goes on inside a busy HQ. It also helps to give young people a better understanding of the consequences of crime and wasting police time, and instead can inspire them to become responsible citizens, or perhaps even pursue a career in the force one day!”
oNcE again 160 people came to the rufus centre to enjoy roast turkey and all the trimmings for our Annual christmas Lunch. on arrival we welcomed our guests with a glass of sherry and an afternoon of fun was ahead for everyone. As well as the traditional roast dinner, guests also enjoyed fresh orange juice and a delicious homemade lemon cheesecake for dessert. teas and coffees along with homemade shortbread were served to finish. the Mundi Knights (local band) gave their time and took to the stage to perform everybody’s favourite christmas songs whilst Father christmas handed out gifts. Norma Self, local resident, commented: “the meal and the entertainment was first class. there’s so much going on in Flitwick organised by the town council.” Another guest said, “it was up to the usual high standard, which we have come to enjoy.” thank you to Home Instead Senior care (sponsor) and their staff for helping to serve, along with rev. Lucy Davis, cllrs Mrs Lutley and Mrs Williams, Janet blakeman, Dierdre thornhill and her colleagues from Flitwick WI and Priestley Farm for supplying the vegetables. For more details regarding monthly Lunch clubs or the christmas Lunch at the rufus centre contact Dianne Hughes on 01525 631900.
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Brigade deal with small fire at football club FIREFIGHTERS from Leighton Buzzard quickly dealt with a small fire at the Football Club, Bell Close, Leighton Buzzard recently. The first call was received at 12.55pm and two engines from Leighton Buzzard arrived at the scene within eight minutes. The incident was closed at 14.22pm The fire began in a covered storage area and spread to a small store attached to the main building. It involved a single storey building and the equipment used included breathing
apparatus, hose reels, extension ladder and a thermal imaging camera. No people were present or injured at the site. Station Commander Derek Hobbs said: “A small amount of asbestos sheet boarding was found at the scene and after consultation with our Hazardous Materials Officer we damped it down to prevent fibre contamination. “There was no risk to the environment or people and the club have been advised how to dispose of the asbestos sheet correctly.”
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MID BEDS BULLETIN JANUARY 2017 — 11
2ND MAULDEN BROWNIES NEWS 2016
Celebrating a full programme of activities by Sandra Grant Brown Owl 2nd Maulden Brownies
AS we approach the end of 2016, I thought it would be nice to summarise what 2nd Maulden brownies have been involved with for 2016. there’s been such a lot going on and so I will try and capture everything that 2nd Maulden brownies have been up to! We started the year off with working on the Designer badge with some brilliant ideas from the brownies for the design of a badge for pack holiday as well as designing placemats which were then carefully drawn up and laminated, designing an outfit to go on holiday and culminating in the design of an advert for tV or radio which the brownies acted out at the badge testing evening We also had a very exciting event with the ‘Spring into Action’ Pack holiday at Havering in Luton. the theme of the Pack holiday was spring and was based around spring flowers and, of course brownies springing into action! We were very lucky with the weather and had some wonderful walks in the woodlands, an outdoor assault course, camp fire as well as crafts, cooking and games indoors. It was a brilliant weekend away with each of the brownies taking on a personal challenge and trying something completely new and out of their comfort zone.
After the February half term, as we were approaching thinking Day we decided to take up the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts challenge entitled ‘connect’. this challenge meant that the brownies had to connect in different ways either with each other, with the community, with themselves and with people from another country. the brownies wrote to the WAGGS Sangam centre in India and received a reply back from the Guiders at the centre. After half term saw the brownies taking part in Easter crafts as well as commencing on the Gardening badge. In late 2015 the church hall was kind enough to allow the brownies to take over the two areas of planters outside of the hall. So that autumn the brownies planted a large quantity of daffodils, tulips and other spring bulbs. their efforts were clearly rewarded when in spring 2016 the bulbs bloomed and put on a lovely show. So as soon as the weather improved and the clocks turned and spring approached this year, the brownies took advantage of that and commenced on the Gardening badge.
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the plot at the front of the church hall was planted with more flowering plants, herbs and bulbs, and the second area around the side of the church hall was to be the brownies mini allotment. the brownies worked exceedingly hard on preparing the ground in both the plots. As well as commencing on the Gardening badge the brownies started their out and About badge as this worked hand-in-hand with the Gardening badge as one of the trips out was to walk around the local area looking for worms, which the brownies learned that worms are a very important part of gardening. the brownies planted cress which they grew at home and brought back to the hall to put into a salad and ate at one of the meetings. the brownies also planted broad beans and runner beans into small pots and then took them home to take care of them and grow them into plants. once they had sprouted at home the brownies bought them back so that they could be transplanted into the mini allotment around the side of the church hall. the brownies also planted potatoes, onions, tomato plants, grew strawberries, carrots and radishes in the mini allotment plot.
the planters were tended to each week by the brownies who also continued with their out and About badge going on a number of walks and orienteering around Maulden. the brownies also went on a walk to the allotments in the village and could see quite a lot of different produce being grown as well as chickens being kept. the brownies also have a bug Hotel made from items located around the church Hall and this is a comfy place for bugs to live in over the winter months. When the weather is warmer in 2017, we will take a tour of the hotel and see what we find. A lovely summer evening was really enjoyed by all of us walking around the village culminating in a much deserved time in the park on the swings. Also during the summer the brownies took part in the district challenge.
OUT AND ABOUT BADGE
the challenge this year was to make a birthday card fit for the Queen. Each of the sixer groups made their own cards and these were put into the competition for the district with 2nd Maulden brownies winning a prize for some of the cards that they had made. before the summer holidays approached, the brownies finished the Gardening badge and finalised their out and about badge. During the summer and into the summer holidays, the vegetables in the mini allotment grew and grew and grew! Much to the aston-
PRIZE WINNERS
ishment of my mum when we attended one day at the church hall, the runner beans were taller and had more beans than hers did at our allotment in Ampthill! the runner bean plants were very tall indeed and during the summer I attended to the plot and harvested as much as I possibly could by way of the potatoes, onions, broad beans, runner beans and all the items were delivered to the Prebend Day centre for the homeless in bedford. As soon as the brownies came back after the summer holiday we got straight into preparing for the scarecrow competition as well as making use of the fine evenings by planting some more bulbs in the planter area at the front of the church hall and along the fence. We are certainly looking forward to those flowering at Easter time 2017
the brownies also had a charity fundraising harvest festival event and as well as donating cash to the Prebend Day centre they also provided a large amount of the grown produce that was harvested by the brownies in September. In the meantime the Queen was busy looking at the brownies cards that they had made and which had all been posted to buckingham Palace in the summer. one of the Queens ladies in waiting wrote to thank them for the cards that they had produced in the summer for the queens 90th birthday. the letter from the Queens lady in waiting is posted on the noticeboard at the church hall as well as the letters thanking the brownies for the donations to the Prebend Day centre for the homeless in bedford. It was lovely that the brownies could support this charity and I am happy to deliver any donations to the centre if anyone wishes to provide them to me. More details of what they need and the work they do can be found at www.prebend centre.org.uk/contribute. September saw me attain some new skills as regards how to make a scarecrow for the Maulden Scarecrow competition. I have to say I was somewhat nervous about this endeavour and how to instruct the brownies on what to do, but actually ‘rosie’ the brownies Scarecrow turned out to be great. We had some spare and old uniform to use and once she was made by the brownies and placed in the corner of the church hall once completed, I kept seeing her out of the corner of my eye and thinking we had another brownie arrive. When I took her home that night and sat her in my hall way ready to take to carol’s home for displaying, rosie gave me a bit of a ‘scare’ as I came down the stairs the next
FUNDRAISER
morning, sitting in my hall in full brownie uniform with a big grin on her paper plate face!
brownies were very pleased, later on that month, to learn that they had won a prize for the scarecrow competition, the prizes were shared out amongst the brownies and for a short while at the meeting it was very quiet while the sweets were happily consumed by the brownies! there were a number of enrolments of new brownies during the year with appointments of sixers and seconders to each of the six groups and buddies for the new brownies. We also welcomed Megan as young Leader as well as Izzy and Emily who volunteer and help at brownie meetings. carol (aka Frog), very fortunately for me, although has stepped back from being at the actual meetings, is still dealing with the units administration and accounts and I am very grateful to carol for her continued involvement and support that she provides to me. As the summer had seen the rio olympics and Paralympics, after a pow wow it was decided that we would do the Disability Awareness badge. the brownies spent a number of meetings looking at different disabilities as well as making a poster about the Paralympics. there are also games that were played with their eyes shut and a carousel of activities including a table about sign language, braille and other activities. In November the brownies took part in the remembrance Day parade and looked very smart in their uniform laying a wreath and also parading with the unit’s flag.
SUPPORT
Just recently the brownies have taken part in carol singing around the christmas tree at the light switch on ceremony in Maulden. they sang two christmas carols absolutely beautifully in front of a large number of spectators and people visiting the christmas fete. revd Lynda and Marjorie have been practising with the brownies each week, I made a song sheet for the brownies and they decorated the front of them ready for the event that took place on Saturday, 26 November. In the run up to finalising the year, the brownies had an evening full of christmas crafts where they made cards, hanging decorations, small wreaths and elves decorations and much more going home with a clutch of items with lots of use of glitter glue being evident! We are all very much looking forward to the New year where there is lots planned for 2nd Maulden brownies!
CAROL SINGING
GARY BERRIDGE
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JANUARY IN THE GARDEN – by Milton Ernest Garden Centre
HE often gloomy days in midwinter make any colour in our gardens very welcome. the main source in January is found amongst the evergreens some of which are also flowering and perfumed. the larger evergreens like Viburnum tinus Variegata has cream and green variegated leaves and white pink scented flowers while Viburnum Eve Price and Gwenillian have green foliage covered by white pink perfumed flowers. Mahonia charity and bealei are also large backdrop shrubs with long yellow sweetly scented flowers. Viburnum bodnantense Dawn produces bright pink flowers along their bare stems. Jasmine Nudiflorum, can be grown against a wall or fence and has bright yellow flowers also on bare stems throughout winter. Another wall plant flowering in January is clematis cirrhosa Freckles with pale yellow and maroon bell flowers. Smaller evergreens like Nandina Domestica has bronzy orange red leaves which darken as the weather gets colder, Loropetalum Firedance needs a sheltered place but produces an amazing rainbow of purple, red and bronze leaves. Skimmia rubella carries its red buds above bright green leaves all winter before the flowers open in March. Hebe Heartbreaker has cream pink and green leaves all year but becomes vivid pink in winter while Hebe Purple Shamrock leaves become deep purple. Sarcocca Humilis and Digyna are the most delightful small evergreen plants. If planted next to the front door you can enjoy the scent of the white flowers whenever you go home. Another recommendation is Daphne Aureomarginata with variegated cream and green leaves and the most gorgeously perfumed pink flowers. under plant this choice shrub with cyclamen coum whose marbled blue green foliage and bright pink flowers are a lovely contrast. these small evergreens are all quite suitable to grow in tubs. Winter flowering heathers planted in groups of five or more give large splashes of colour during the overcast months. It is worth preparing the soil well by digging in lots of peat or compost and sharp sand before planting. trim each plant after flowering in the spring. Heathers are low growing excellent ground cover especially around dwarf conifers but can also be successfully grown in tubs. the flowers vary in colour from red, white, purple to pink and some varieties have bright yellow foliage as well. they are a welcome source of pollen for any flying insects. Some good varieties are ruby Glow, red, White Perfection, white, My most favourite plants for winter Nathalie, purple and Golden Starlet pink colour are the Hellebores. So much with golden leaves. work has been done by the nurserymen to produce some really stunning varieties. by micro propagation and continual reselection of hundreds of thousands of seedlings we are enjoying some amazing varieties. Helleborus Nigra and orientalis are now producing strong healthy plants with lovely foliage and a paint box of colours in the flowers. the foliage is dense so great ground cover and the flower heads are held high above a feature which is absent in many of the traditional types. Hellebores are easy to grow, love shade, grow well in pots using JI compost No 2 and only need feeding with Fish blood and bone in September. I recommend you look out for the following varieties. Helleborus Winter Moonbeam pure glistening white turning pink and red, Angel Glow with pink buds opening to frothy pink flowers with blue green leaves and cinnamon Snow with pink buds opening to creamy flowers with hints of rose and cinnamon, Spring
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The colours of January in the garden
Promise Lily a semi double flower with creamy pink and darker pink veining and Walbertons rosemary with lots of rosy pink blooms.
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out & about comedy p Red heads rule
Ent Shed, Castle Road, Bedford Thursday January 12
castle comedy starts 2017 with a very special show as Hollywood comes to bedfordshire! Diane Spencer one of the uK’s best ginger comedians will be filming her brand new hour long stand-up comedy show LIVE at castle comedy and you can be a member of the audience! the Ent Shed at the Gordon Arms, castle road, bedford will be looking it’s finest on thursday January 12th ready for the laughs to flow and the cameras to roll! A favourite of the uK comedy circuit, Diane has performed worldwide delighting crowds with her witty, storytelling comedy. Her brand new show “Seamless” follows her confessional style of true-life stories mixed
with acerbic wit, crafted jokes and charming onstage persona. Viking funerals, suicidal penguins, russian diets, Katie Price, bad sewing and adorable screaming children are all topics covered by this comedy veteran. “She is a flame-haired, filth-firing force of nature, tossing the audience from open-mouthed incredulity to tear-filled guffaws.” Sunday Express ★★★★★ “Her wacky and irreverent storytelling will charm, shock and uplift you. Not for the fainthearted, but also not to be missed.” ThreeWeeks ★★★★★ Diane’s stand-up comedy specials have amassed over a quarter of a million views on youtube and her audience is steadily growing. “Seamless” will be her seventh stand-up comedy special, and will be available to watch on youtube in early February 2017. Put on your glad rags, bring your biggest smile and get ready to laugh! the show will feature a support slot from a top uK comic and castle comedy regular, Paul revill. the shows sell out quickly so book early to avoid disappointment! Doors open 7.30pm. Show starts at 8.15pm and tickets are £8 (£6 NuS) or £16 which includes a pre show meal and glass of wine at the Gordon Arms. to book: www.castlecomedy. co.uk or call 07736 060541 castle comedy – bringing comedy royalty to bedfordshire.
theatre c
Live screenings Grove Theatre January 2017
If you can’t easily get to the most sought after theatre productions in London and beyond, then celebrate your local theatre bringing them to you. Grove theatre, Dunstable has an array of some of the biggest names and stellar titles in theatre this season, with anticipation rising for you to experience them! January is a particularly exciting month for Live and Encore Screenings at the Grove theatre, as the talent of Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart and Simon russell beale is broadcast to one of the biggest screens in Europe and features all the backstage drama that theatregoers wouldn’t necessarily see. The Tempest is starting off the theatre’s Live and Encore Screenings season in style, with a live broadcast from the royal Shakespeare company on Wednesday 11 January at 7pm. Simon russell beale returns to the rSc after 20 years to play Prospero
and artistic director, Gregory Doran, is staying true to the story but using today’s most advanced digital technology – in collaboration with Intel and in association with the Imaginarium Studios. Following a hit run on broadway, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to the West End stage in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land – an encore screening from National theatre Live on
Thursday 12 January at 7pm. In a glorious revival of Pinter’s comic classic, two ageing writers share several drinks as well as tales they can conjure up. As the pair become increasingly inebriated, and their stories increasingly unbelievable, the lively conversation soon turns into a revealing and entertaining power game, further complicated by the entrance of two sinister younger men. And to top it all, Grove theatre is also host to an enthralling live broadcast of Verdi’s Il trovatore on Tuesday 31 January at 7.15pm. the royal opera House will be broadcasting one of the great operas of the romantic period, with international superstars, Vitaliy bilyym, Anita rachvelishvili, Lianna Haroutounian and Gregory Kunde leading a superb cast of world-class singers. Il trovatore is a story of passion, and blood, love and vengeance, disaster and murder against the backdrop of war, now with fire and snow in the landscape, echoing the cruelty and love of the story.
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Family Entertainment
the new season is now on sale at the Grove theatre, Dunstable, so gather the family and enjoy yourselves together, with exceptional live entertainment. If a mystical world of frozen beauty and magical adventure sounds exciting to you, then prepare the family to be mesmerised by Cirque Enchantment on Thursday 2 February at 7.30pm. this concert style cirque production features stunning choreography, breathtaking vocals and entrancing circus performers, all to an eclectic musical soundtrack of pop, rock and classical! this is one for the whole family. or maybe you’re enthralled by the illusion of theatre? In which case, Jamie Raven is live on Friday 10 February at 7.30pm, sharing his tricks of the magic trade. Jamie raven burst on to your screens during the 2015 series of britain’s Got talent, where his magic amazed audiences and even the hard-to-please Simon cowell! that’s not all the family fun to be had; Superslam Wrestling Live returns with a huge 2017 explosion of top talent from worldwide wrestling federations on Saturday 18 February at 6pm. It’s set to be a truly international royal rumble, featuring home-grown favourites such as James Mason, Dynamic Deano and ‘yes Man’ J.D bryan. It’s star-studded, it’s action-packed and there’s even a chance for some lucky children to meet the wrestlers backstage after the show!
bEDForD MuSIc cLub Thursday 19 Jan 2017 - Bunyan Meeting SEXTET FROM LONDON MOZART PLAYERS
the London Mozart Players was founded in 1949 as the uK’s first chamber orchestra and has achieved international renown for its outstanding live performances and recordings. We welcome six members of the orchestra to perform a delightful programme of string sextet music, a rare and thrilling treat. Mozart’s 1772 Divertimento is a masterpiece of brilliant inventiveness and virtuosity. Alongside it we hear Arnold Schoenberg’s monumental lateromantic work Verklärte Nacht and tchaikovsky’s brilliant sextet Souvenir de Florence.
Thursday 16 Feb 2017 - Bedford Girls’ School PHOENIX PIANO TRIO
Formed in 2010, and with a growing reputation for excellence in chamber music, the Phoenix Piano trio is made up of violinist Jonathan Stone, cellist christian Elliott and pianist Sholto Kynoch, who is also the founder and Artistic Director of the oxford Lieder Festival. their programme includes one of Haydn’s most popular chamber works and brahms’s first, highly emotive piano trio. We also hear a sumptuous work by the underrated but superb English composer John Ireland.
Thursday 30 Mar 2017 - Bedford Girls’ School KITTY WHATELY (MEZZO-SOPRANO) AND WILLIAM VANN (PIANO)
Kitty Whately and William Vann (also bedford Music club’s Artistic Director) both come from bedfordshire. An award-winning mezzo-soprano, Kitty Whately is a bbc radio 3 New Generation Artist, an HSbc Laureate for the Aix-en-Provence Festival and was the winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Award in 2011; William Vann is a multiple prize-winning pianist of international renown. they give an engaging recital of music by an eclectic mix of composers throughout the ages, from the Englishmen Henry Purcell and Jonathan Dove through Mahler and Schubert to the Americans Samuel barber and Steven Sondheim. We also hear Joseph Horowitz’s stunning Lady Macbeth.
Thursday 27 Apr 2017 - Bunyan Meeting THE MARIAN CONSORT, VOCAL ENSEMBLE, DIRECTED BY RORY MCCLEERY
taking its name from the blessed Virgin Mary, a focus of religious devotion in the sacred music of all ages, the Marian consort is a young, dynamic and internationally-renowned early music vocal ensemble. this ‘astounding’ (the Herald) ensemble has given concerts throughout the uK and Europe, features regularly on bbc radio 3, and is a former ‘young Artist’ of the brighton Early Music Festival. tonight’s programme, Ave Virgo Sanctissima, features settings by English renaissance composers thomas Fayrfax, Walter Lambe and William byrd juxtaposed with contemporary Marian works by cecilia McDowall, bedford-based cheryl Frances-Hoad, Judith Weir, roxanna Panufnik, Matthew Martin, Hilary campbell.
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BEGUILED BY BETJEMAN A Concert with Sir John Betjeman’s Poetry mostly in musical settings by
John Gould, Donald Swann and Paul Edwards FEATURING
Four singers, narrator and accompanist
Saturday 7th January at 3pm St Owen’s Church, Bromham Entry via Bromham Park at MK43 8LL Adults £8 – u16 £3 Tickets from 01234 825454 (mornings) or 01234 826551 (evenings)
Shakespeare and the Globe An illustrated talk by Patrick Spottiswoode Director of Education at the Globe Theatre, London 7.30pm Tuesday 10 January 2017 Bedford School Library, de Parys Avenue, Burnaby Road gate
Sleeping Beauty Pulloxhill Church Hall, Church Road, Pulloxhill
Pulloxhill Players present a novel reworking of the classic Sleeping beauty tale full of the usual “oh yes she does” and “it’s behind you”. our very own King charles and Queen camilla of Silsoe are very excited because betty, the good witch of the North, has cast a baby spell on them and they are to have an heir to the throne. but they make a bad mistake when they decline to invite Hogben, the bad witch of the South. She casts her nastiest spell – you know – the one where Princess beauty pricks her finger on a needle and falls asleep forever. Fortunately Plop, the King’s servant has fortune telling powers and tips them the wink. there is only one solution – to ban all pointy things. this causes problems for Dame Droopy’s knitting enterprise by royal appointment... Saturday 14th January, 2.30pm, Friday 20th January, 7.30pm Sat 21st January, 2.30 & 7.30pm Doors open 30 mins before performance Tickets £7 – under 12s matinee £5 Box Office Sandra 01525 751403 / Cathy 01525 719575
BEDFORD ORGAN & KEYBOARD CLUB THE ADDISON CENTRE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
PRESENT TALENTED ORGANIST
MARK THOMPSON IN CONCERT WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY 7.30 – 10.00pm –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Members £5 PAY AT Non-Members £6 DOOR –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Contact: 01234 344423 www/Organfax/clubs/Bedford
Patrick is a brilliant speaker who has been with the Globe for over 30 years. He will cover not only the huge range of work performed at the theatre but also how its educational work reaches out to schools, higher education colleges and communities far and wide to bring Shakespeare alive. Free to HA members (Historical Association-bedford). others welcome with a donation. Details 07989 837819/01234 266839
 Image: The US president, Barack Obama, is given a tour of the Globe Theatre in London by Patrick Spottiswoode, director of education for the venue, to mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, 2016–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
AMPTHILL AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– bEDForD LocAL GrouP oF tHE WILDLIFE truSt Wednesday 11th January 2017 Meeting 7-30 pm
‘Probus’ is a meeting point for retired Professional and buSiness men which was founded fifty year ago, our own club being in existence for 42 of those years and covering the area from toddington to Houghton conquest.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MOTHS OF BEDFORDSHIRE
our members are a friendly crowd and love to welcome new members. If you are interested, please e-mail Paul on pscriv@hotmail.co.uk who will be pleased to bring you along and introduce you.
Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ. Plenty parking available, All welcome, no charge but voluntary contributions are appreciated. Further details available under Events on www.wildlifebcn.org or at 01234 266057 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
We meet on the first Tuesday of every month at ‘The Cross Keys’ in Pulloxhill to socialise, lunch at 12.30 and regularly have a guest speaker. We tend to finish around 2.30pm. In addition we have two weekend breaks a year, occasional visits to places of interest and ladies invitation lunches.
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an illustrated talk by Andy and Melissa Banthorpe
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MID BEDS BULLETIN JANUARY 2017 — 15
16 — MID BEDS BULLETIN JANUARY 2017
TEL: 07724 905406
EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com
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Slimming World FLITWICK Wednesdays 3.45pm, 5.30pm & 7.30pm Flitwick Village Hall Dunstable Road Flitwick MK45 1HP Diane 07845 017 177
slimmingworld.co.uk
0344 897 8000
FLITWICK
HNEW VENUEH Thursdays 9.30am Flitwick & Ampthill Sea Cadets Althorp Close Flitwick MK45 1HY Paula 07753 261 594
TODDINGTON
Thursday 5.30pm & 7.30pm The Wilkinson Hall St George of England Parish Church Church Square Toddington LU5 6BP Paula 07753 261 594